Chapter VI - Marking Time: 1443 to 1446

Summary

The description given to William Byngham, here and there in the documents during this period, is that of ‘clerk and ordainer of a dwelling called Godeshous’, and that comprehensive term ordainer does adequately represent his curious position. He had not yet handed over his authority to the Proctor and scholars, he had not arranged for a common seal, he had not made over to them the various rents and other properties vested in him and his co-feoffees to be given to the Proctor and scholars when that corporate body, with all its powers, privileges and responsibilities, had come into being. As ordainer he had complete control of everything pertaining to Godshouse; under him, in his benevolent despotism, must have been the priest prescribed in the first licence, that of 1439, to guide the scholars in their academical life to pray for the benefactors and to watch over the internal government of Godshouse in Cambridge, while the ordainer himself frequently pursued its interests in the outside world, as he also, we must assume, ministered to his London cure.

On 15 March 1443, Byngham's name appears in this brief note on the proceedings of the king's council: ‘Sir William Byngham sute. Be ther maad lettres to my lady of Norff.’ This lady was Katherine, duchess of Norfolk, widow of John Mowbray, second duke of Norfolk.