A fifteenth century Spofforth of interest was Thomas, Bishop of Hereford, about whom, because the clergy were in the business of keeping records, rather more is known than most. Thomas, by the way, is not in the Spofforth/Spofford direct line; but rather an offshoot of the main line without any known descendants of his own.
Thomas was born in 1370, and on 10 June 1405 was elected Abbot of St Mary's Abbey, York, whose remains are still to be seen in the Museum Gardens. He was nominated by Henry V to attend the Council of Constance which met from 1414 to 1418 and was elected one of its four Presidents. This Council, following that of Pisa in 1414, was called to consult on the claims of three men to be Pope. Bizarrely, the outcome was that all three were rejected and Martin V was elected instead.
Soon after his return to England, Thomas was elected Bishop of Rochester, in Kent, but before taking up his appointment, was transferred in 1422, by Papal Bull dated 17 November 1421, to the more important See of Hereford, which he held until 1448 when he resigned. Bishop Spofforth spent much of his great wealth on the Cathedral and its precincts including the Bishop's Palace.
Medieval stained glass connected with Bishop Thomas was in the east window of Catterick Church in North Yorkshire, where he had been Rector, and also in a window at Ludlow Church but these have since disappeared. However a most remarkable survival of medieval glass associated with the Bishop is to be found in the east window of the Church at Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire. Originally this glass had been installed by Bishop Spofforth in the chapel of his country residence at Stretton Sugwas, to the north west of Hereford, about 1430. When the chapel was destroyed by fire in the late 18th Century the glass survived, and was bought for the church at Ross. The glass was brought to Ross in wooden boxes, but no attempt was made to restore the pictures it formed; instead it was placed haphazardly in the window. There, for a century, it remained - a brilliant kaleidoscope but with no significance.
German glass experts staying in the district in 1873 unraveled the jigsaw and restored the window to its full glory, except that the central light has vanished for ever. In the four lights now visible, the figures are all looking inwards to the missing light, which was probably the Crucifixion. Bishop Spofforth is in the second light from the left offering his heart to the Blessed Virgin, who is in the arms of her mother, St Anne. In the fourth light is St Thomas de Cantilupe, a thirteenth century bishop of Hereford.
Additional References on the Bishop's Windows
After leaving Hereford Bishop Spofford retired to his early home, St Mary's Abbey at York, where he lived until his death in 1456. He doubtless traveled on several occasions between Hereford and Yorkshire during his time as bishop and there exists a tradition that he was the bishop who was waylaied in Barnsdale Forest by Robin Hood. who made him "dance in his boots " entertained him to a meal of the King's venison and took from him £300 in payment. Bishop Thomas was a historical character, whereas the historical existence of Robin Hood is highly doubtful; however the lawless nature of the period and the wealth of highly placed church dignitaries are both well illustrated by the story.
Photography and text generously contributed by Donald B. Binns Glossop, Derbyshire, UK.
Many thanks, Donald!
It should be noted that Bishop Thomas, his windows and the tale of Robin Hood are also discussed in the 1888 Spofford/Spafford genealogy (pp 19 - 24) by Jeremiah Spofford mentioned on the page of references at this site.
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