Chapter XI - The Proctorship of John Hurte, 1451–1458, and of William Fallan, 1458–1464

Summary

There is no record of the date of election of Byngham's successor; the bare statement is made in Henry VII's charter that a certain John Hurte was duly elected and appointed Proctor after Byngham's death. The statutes provide that the fellows shall meet on the day following that upon which a vacancy in the proctorship is known and, subject to waiting not more than ten days for the return of absent fellows, shall proceed immediately to fill the vacant place. The third week in November, in which Byngham's death occurred, was a time of the year when prolonged absence would be improbable and it is likely that election was made at the earliest possible moment. The choice of Hurte seems natural and may have been indicated beforehand by Byngham, or possibly on his death-bed by means of his executor John Lincoln. Byngham's authority must have been supreme over the other members of the college and his expressed wish would have the weight of law.

Little is known of Hurte before he became Proctor of the college. He was a fellow of Clare Hall, and he was brought by Byngham into connection with Godshouse by his addition to those appointed to make statutes. We have shewn that, even earlier, it had been intended that he should be presented to the living of Helpston, and it has been suggested why that intention was not carried into effect.