Thomas Langton

, was born in a Market Town called Appleby in Westmorland, where being educated in Religion and Grammar learning among the Carmes, or White Friers, was at ripe years sent to Oxon, particularly, as it seems, to Queens coll. but a pest breaking out in the University soon after, he went to Cambridge and became a member of Clare hall, (one (*)(*) Fr. Godwin in Com. de Presul. Angl. ut supra, p 295. saith of Pembroke hall) took the degrees in the Canon Law (in which afterwards he was incorporated at Oxon) and had considerable Dignities in the Church bestowed him, among which was the Prebendship of S. Ducaman in the Church of Wells, an. 1478. In 1483, he being about that time Provost of Qu. coll. in Oxon, and Master of S. Julians Hospital in Southampton, was consecrated Bishop of S. Davids; whence being translated to the See of Salisbury, on the death of Leonel Woodvill, had restitution made (k)(k) pat. 1. Rich. 3. p. 3. to him of the temporalities belonging thereunto, 4. May, 1 Rich. 3. dom. 1484. In a certain writing in Queens coll. treasury dat. 19. Aug. 4. Hen. 7. dom. 1489. he occurs by the titles of Doctor of the Laws, Bishop of Salisbury, and Provost of Qu. coll. Whence we may conclude that he kept the said Provostship in Commendam with Salisbury, as probably he had done with S. Davids. In 1493. he was translated to the See of Winchester, and had restitution made (l)(l) pat. 8. Hen. 7. p. 2. m. 2. to him of the temporalities thereof 27. June the same year. Where being setled, he put in practice his good deeds, which he had done at Sarum, viz. by shewing himself a Mecaenas of learning, for which, I find, he had so great respect, that he took (m)(m) Rich. Pace in lib. suo, cui tit. est De fructu qui ex doctrina percipitur. Bas. 1517. p. 27, 28. care to have youths trained up at his own charge in Grammar and Musick, (the last of which he was infinitely delighted in) in a School which he set apart within the precincts of his house. It was usual with him, and he took a great pleasure in it, to make his scholars or exhibitioners repeat at night before him such dictates that they in the day time had learned from their Master: and such that could give a laudable account, he either encouraged with good words, or small rewards, saying to those about him, that the way to increase vertue was to praise it, &c. In his episcopal office he behaved himself so well, that he was in great authority with three Kings, especially for his learning, religion, and experience in civil affairs; annd had not death snatch’d him untimely away, would have succeeded Moreton in the See of Canterbury. He died in the beginning of the year fifteen hundred and one,156 [•] . and was buried in the Cath. Ch. at Winchester, near to the tomb and shrine of S. Swithune. By his last will (n)(n) In reg. Moone ut [•] upra. qu. 10. and test. which I have seen, he gave to the priests of Clare hall in Cambridge, considerable summs of money, and forty pounds to the chest of that house. To every fellow of Qu. coll. in Oxon six shillings and eight pence, and forty marks to the elemosinary chest thereof, besides a sute of vestments for a Priest, Deacon, and Subdeacon, and four copes. He gave maintenance also to a Chaplain that should celebrate service for him, his Parents, and all faithful deceased, for the space of an hundred years in the Church of Applebie before-mentioned: Which Chaplain was to receive for his labour eight marks yearly. To the Friers (the Carmes) in Applebie 20 marks to pray for him, besides several sums to the Friers of Oxon and Cambridge, and to Rowland Machel and Elizabeth his wife (sister to the said Bishop) he gave several lands in Westmorland, besides 200 marks. He built also the little room, (which is now a large Bay-window to the Provosts dining-room in Qu. coll.) with curious vaulting under it. Which vault is now no other than a portico to the coll. chappel. Over the said Bay-window is carv’d in stone a musical note called a Long on a Tun, which is the rebus for his firname: and out of the Bung-hole of the Tun springs a Vine tree, which, without doubt was put for Vinton or Vinchestre, he being then Bishop of that place. He left behind him a Nephew named Rob. Langton, born also in Applebie, and educated in Queens coll. of which he was LL. D. He died at London, in the month of June 1524. and was buried before the image of S. Michael in the body of the Church belonging to the Charter-house (now Suttons hospital) near London. By his last Will (o)(o) In Offic: Praerog. Cant. in reg. Bodfeld Qu. 21. and Test. he bequeathed to Qu. coll. before mention’d, two hundred pounds to purchase Lands, and make a School-house in Appleby: and what his benefaction was besides, as also of that of Bishop Langton, you may see in Hist. & Antiq. Vniv. Oxon. Lib. 2. p. 123. 124, 125.