Rectors of Longstanton: before, during and after the Black Death by HAE Stroude, March 2010
The information below is based upon the following sources:
(i) The list of Rectors & Vicars of Longstanton All Saints which hangs on the wall of All Saints’ church.
(ii) Monograph St. Michael’s Church, Longstanton by HAE Stroude and JA Lane 2007 (CRO/CC and LDHS archives.)
Rectors of Longstanton All Saints around the time of the Black Death
1332 – John de Hamslap
1350 – Ralph de Broughton
1376 – Ds. Richard Large
Rectors of Longstanton St. Michael’s around the time of the Black Death
1335 – Peter Le Vavasour
1349 – Nicholas West of Tadelowe
1352 – John Gilbert
1357 (? Before) – Thomas de Elteslee
In the book The Black Death 1346 – 1353 – The Complete History, the author Ole J.Benedictow provides us with an explanation of the time-lag that would occur between, the Black Death arriving in a village, and the first death which would place the parish priest in danger. He explains in detail the time-lag that would occur between the death of the parish priest and the institution (appointment) of a new one.
The author details how records from Crowland Abbey show that the Black Death arrived on its manors in Oakington, Dry Drayton and Cottenham in October 1348. The authors work also shows that in Cambridgeshire institutions of parish priests in 1349 was at its height from June until September. (But deaths from the Black Death would have occurred until the onset of the cold winter weather). If the Cambridgeshire institutions of 1349 were the result of the Black Death, there would be a time-lag of about 4 – 6 weeks, from the death of the parish priest to the institution of the new one. As the Black Death epidemic took hold this time-lag may have increased as suitable candidates became increasingly hard to find.
Bearing all these facts in mind it is possible that John de Hamslap died in late autumn 1349, hence his successor’s appointment (possibly early) in 1350. Likewise it is possible that Peter Le Vavasour died during the Black Death epidemic. His successor did not last very long either; but at this stage I do not have any information as to how long the Black Death epidemic raged in this locality. More evidence would be required to determine definitely whether these Rectors of Longstanton were indeed victims of the Black Death. Hopefully more work will be carried out on this in due course.
10th March, 2010
It is remarkable how different pieces of information turn up when you are not looking for them – it’s as if pieces of a jigsaw puzzle are being put together. Looking through the LDHS archives this morning I came across the booklet “A Brief Description of Longstanton Churches” written by D.A. Youngman. Rev. Donald Youngman was Vicar of All Saints’ church, Longstanton from 1957-1969. This is what he writes….
A list of Rectors and Vicars of All Saints has been compiled dateing from 1286, but the date of the original church is not known. The present building was erected after a fire which destroyed the earlier one in 1349. In the register of Thomas de Insula, Bishop of Ely, 1345 -1361, are the following entries:
“ Licence to dns John de Hamslap, rector of Long Stanton All Saints, to perform Divine Service in any suitable part of his parish, because his church has been consumed by fire, June 7, 1349.” And “ On account of the destruction by fire of his Church and Chancel and all the Rectory buildings, a year’s licence of absence is granted to John de Hamslap, rector of Long Stanton All Saints : with licence also to say Mass and Solemnize Matrimony at any suitable place within the parish, 29 September 1349.”
From the information above we can see that the original All Saints church burnt down at the time when the Black Death epidemic, in Longstanton and the surrounding villages, was probably at its height. Was this just coincidence or could the fire at All Saints church be linked to the Black Death? Were people frightened of the Black Death and the burial of victims within the churchyard? Perhaps the fire was caused by an accident within the Church, Chancel or Rectory buildings and the coincidence of the timing is just that. The truth is that we will probably never know the answer unless the register of Thomas de Insula contains more information or other records of the event have survived. What this information does tell us is that John de Hamslap was still alive on 29 September, 1349. His probable death, which led to the institution of Ralph de Broughton, must have occurred after this date.
Understanding the Black Death helps us to understand how the village developed after this catastrophic event, and why we are left with so many archaeological remains in the Longstanton conservation area. Information on the Black Death also provides us with a fascinating insight into life in this area during the 14th Century.
More information on this subject will be added as it comes to light.
