A further report on the canons at St Mary’s in July 1482 shows William Langley to be cellarer, Henry Hawkeslowe cantor, Robert Aston succentor, and Thomas Stanley circator as well as sacrist. John York alias Wytton has apostatised but returned to the fold, and William Blackburn had been admitted to serve a chantry. Otherwise, posts remained as in the previous report.
In 1483 Abbot John witnessed a grant from Laurence Lowe, Lord of Denby to George Lowe of the manor of Denby. In 1485 there is the record of the transfer of Henry Haukeslowe to Tichfield Abbey in Hampshire. One Robert Mumby, who was succentor at Barlings Abbey in 1475 and still there in 1482, was ordered by provincial chapter to be sent permanently to St Mary’s Abbey: he appears on no lists, however.
Towards the end of his tenure, things went awry for Abbot John: in 1488 Richard Blackwall the succentor was sentenced to 40 days’ gravioris culpae and ten years’ detention at Alnwick Abbey for crime, disobedience and open rebellion against the prelate and the prior. He pleaded for mercy, and the sentence was deferred for three months; he was restored to his place in 1491. Also at this time, Robert Aston was declared rebellious, but he seems to have been pardoned.
The list of canons for May 1488 shows William Lammas as cantor, Edward Hampton as succentor; William Langley is mentioned, but not his post; Richard Bredon was chaplain at Stanton, and William Blackburn was absent because he was serving his chantry; Thomas Stanley had been made prior, and John York alias Wytton the abbot’s chaplain; Ralph Stanton and Robert Brounslowe, both novices, were, in spite of their inexperience, sacrist and sub-sacrist respectively; one Richard de Nottingham was still at Ilkeston, and the other was at Heanor; there was a novice who rejoiced in the names of Ralph Stanton alias Porter alias Makarelle.
The 22nd August 1491 Visitation Record mentions abuses of worship due to the abbot's senility and imbecility. He had formerly been laudably circumspect and prudent. He resigned.
This Visitation Report shows that William Langley is probably dead, there are two novices, John Bebe and George Slee, under the charge of Thomas Stanley, now novice master, Ralph Stanton/Porter/Makarelle is now deacon and sacrist, and Robert Brownslowe is absent. He was to be vicar of Ilkeston from 1497 to 1510. Also recorded are William Lammas, Richard of Nottingham, Edward Hampton as sub-prior, Richard Bredon still chaplain of Stanton, William Blackburn as prior, and John York alias Wytton as chaplain. Robert Aston and Richard Blackwall were restored to their place, and William Cassall alias Wydoson, formerly a St Mary’s canon, was absent from Beauchief and contumacious.