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Cornell University Library 
 BX5195.W4 R46 
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 We t Cathedral : Its foundatlpn. con.stl 
 
 3 1924 029 448 895 
 
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The original of this book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924029448895 
 
h<^*al 
 
 >i>mmtt Trt)<nna roe bekrntonit >9S/c(ln <t b*rt(><m pontiftccm -' 
 
With ClatWral: 
 
 Its |0tttiiraticrn, C0nstitutt0nal iist0rs, 
 
 antr Statutes, 
 
 p Kllustrateti from bartous H^ccorns:— 
 
 NATHANIEL CHYLE'S HISTORY circa 1680 ; 
 ORDINALE ET STATUTA, LAMBETH MS. 729 ; 
 LIBER RUBER, and other MSS. -3 
 
 ^.39. 1881, 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS, PLANS, Etc. 
 
 -5«^0e^^- 
 
 Chancellor Chandler presenting his works to Bishop Bekyngton . . Frontispiece 
 
 Facsimile of the original painting in MS. R. 14, 5, fol. 8&, Trin. Coll., Camb. 
 
 Ground Plans of Cathedral and Chapter-house. 
 
 Ancient Pastoral Staff dug up in the Liberty .... Title Page 
 
 Statue of the Earl of Mercia on the West Front 
 
 Statue of King Ina on the West Front 
 
 Grotesques of Capitals in Nave and Transepts xxviii, xlix. 
 
 Chantry Chapel in Nave . 
 
 Arms of Bishop Bekyngton 
 
 West Front of Cathedral . 
 
 South View of Wells Palace 
 
 Euins of Dining Hall 
 
 Exterior View of Banqueting Hall at Deanery 
 
 Arms of Executors of Bishop Bekyngton . 
 
 Seal of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, a.d. 1869 . 
 
 Seal of the Dean and Chapter 
 
 Outline of Incised Tombstone of Bishop Bytton I. 
 
 Central Tower, from the Palm Church-yard 
 
 Seal of the Vicars Choral .... 
 
 Cross View of the Nave from S.E. 
 
 Effigy of Bishop Robert, with Monk and Nun, in Nave 
 
 Chapel and Library of the Vicars' College 
 
 Plans of the Choir and Chapter-house 
 
 View of the Lady Chapel .... 
 
 Three of the old Miserere seats. 
 
 Entrance to the Chapter-house (unrestored), after water-colour drawing by 
 A. Elsworth. 
 
 lix, cxxviii, clxi, clxix, cxcviii 
 
 XXXV 
 
 PAGE 
 
 xvi 
 
 XX 
 
 XXXVIU 
 
 xxxviii 
 
 li 
 
 lii 
 
 Ivi 
 
 Ix, Ixi 
 
 Ixxviii 
 
 xcviii 
 
 cvi 
 
 cix 
 
 cxxii 
 
 cxxvi 
 
 cxxxii 
 
 cxcvi 
 
 cxcviii 
 
 cxcix 
 
 Clock on the outside of the North Transept. 
 Rebus of Bishop Bekyngton. 
 
A Lady Chapel 
 
 B St. Kath: A all /irjiin* 
 
 C St. John Euangellst 
 
 D St. auphan (?) 
 
 E St Join Bapt. (?) 
 
 F Holy Cross (Srd.i 
 
 G St. Kallxtua, A others 
 
 H St Martin 
 
 I Holy Crass (Bp. Bubuilth'a Ohapet ) 
 
 K. St. Edmund (Or. Sugar's Chapti) 
 
 L Site 0/ Old Lady Chapel 
 
 ha Site of Bp. Stillington's Chapel 
 
 M Holy Croat 
 
 N Cloisters 
 
 O Palm Church Yard 
 
 F Rulna <4 Chorister's School Houte 
 
 Q North Door B 
 
 R Weet Front 
 
 S This building was destroyed In 1BZ* 
 
 T Steps to Chapter House 
 
 
 JBrid^e to th£ 
 fiao's C lose 
 
 1 John Mareell I?) 
 
 1 Bp. Dudoco 
 
 S Bp, Burmldus 
 
 4 Bp. Drokensford 
 
 B Dean Jenkins A Wife 
 
 e Dean Qunthorpe 
 
 7 Bp. Haremeil 
 
 8 Bp. Beokyntan 
 
 9 Bo. Lake 
 
 10 Bp. Jocelyne Da Welles 
 
 11 Bp. Button Second 
 11a Bp. Hooper 
 
 12 A Bishop 
 
 13 A Bishop 
 
 14 Bp. Saiiarlcus 
 IB Bp. Biwtnua 
 18 Bp. Creyghton 
 
 17 John Milton or Ulddleton 
 
 18 Bp. Berkeley 
 
 19 Bp. also 
 
 20 Bp. Ralph de Salopla 
 
 21 Bp. Still 
 
 22 Bp. Lake 
 
 23 John Cornish (Suffragan) 
 
 24 Bp. Burneil(f) 
 
 25 John Storthuialte (Chanoeilorl 
 2Ba Recorder Wykes 
 20 Dean Huaee 
 
 27 Lady Lisle 
 
 28 Bp. Mcj-sh (De la Marohc) 
 
 29 Bp. Knight 
 
 30 Bp. Haeelshauie 
 30a Bp. Beckyntons Executors 
 
 31 Bp, Ergum 
 31a Bp, Freas 
 
 32 Traditional Site of Ina's Graee 
 
 iDu.^=a^.J%, 
 
 
 ScaU of^ ^^ If » 3° * ' , ' w 7 'f 'f '°.° >^ 
 
 GROUND PLAN AND CLOISTERS OF WELLS CATHEDRAL 
 
 FROM THE ORIGINAL DRAWING BY CARTER, 
 .NOW IN THE POSSESSION OF THE SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES, LONDON. 
 
Aj, The VIcar'a Hall. 
 
 B. Stain leading from the VIcar'a Hall to the "Oloae." 
 
 C. "Chain Oate" over the public nail. 
 
 D. SttJra leading to Chapter House. 
 £. Oateway leading to the Close. 
 
 F. Cellars, Buttery Ac. formerly used by the Vicars when they Dined in their 
 
 Hall before the Reformation : now renouated A turned Into a Dwelling 
 House by J. H. Parker Esq. C. B. 
 
 G. entrance to Crypt from North Aisle to Choir. 
 
 H. entrance to Chapter Ho. from the Church, N. B. The grace marhs are nearly all gone. 
 
 >■■ (2) 
 
 (1) 
 
 •'"^S^fc. 
 
 " " *° " " '• " "•'-' 
 
 GROUND PLAN (i) OF the UNDERCROFT and (2) CHAPTER HOUSE 
 
 OF WELLS CATHEDRAL, with the ADJOINING BUILDINGS 
 
 OF THE VICARS' CLOSE. 
 
 FROM THE ORIGINAL DRAWING fiV CARTER, 
 NOW IN THE POSSESSION OF THE SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES, LONDON. 
 
o/jy^ 
 
 mtlk €ntMvnh 
 
 Its Jf0uniratian, (a;0nstituti0nal list0rfc 
 
 anir Statutes, 
 
 Panestitis . . . Speciosissima namque Ecclesia ieta, quam adhuc procul cernimus, piiseimo immortalis 
 Dei Andress Apostolo consecrata intus habet digni FtessuUs Episcopalem Cathedram. Kabet insuper adjunctum 
 ingens PaJatium miro splendore decorum, fluentibus aquis nndlque vallatura, et delectabili murorum turrillarum- 
 queserie coronatum; in quo prsBsidet dignissimus acliteratissimua Frsesul. . . . 
 
 Anglia Sacka, Pars II., p. 367. 
 
 EDITED BY 
 
 HERBERT EDWARD REYNOLDS, M.A., 
 
 PtiestsFttat anb iLtbrartan of lEieUr Catj&ctiral. 
 
 {Copyright. — All rights reserved.\ 
 X 
 
PRINTED BY 
 
 M'OOBQUODALB and 00. LIMITED, 
 
 LEEDS. 
 
SUMMARY OF CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 i 
 
 Introbuction ......... 
 
 Preface ......... xvii 
 
 Contents op Preface ........ cxovii 
 
 Okdinale et Statuta — Lambeth MS. 729 ..... cxcix 
 
 Tabula de Singulis Capitibus Cujusque Statuti . . .109 
 Excerpta e Libro Rubro — 
 
 Appendix A. — Capitula de cartis . . . . . . 115 
 
 Appendix B. — ^Archidiaconi debeant respondere, etc. . . .122 
 
 Appendix 0. — Confirmatio Archiepiscopi, etc. . . . . 122 
 
 Appendix D. — Articuli pro visitacione, etc. , . . . .125 
 
 Appendix E. — Statuta Walteri de Haselschawe .... 127 
 
 Appendix F. — Statuta Johannis de Godelee . . .128 
 
 Appendix G. — Memoranda de firmis, etc. ■ . . . 131 
 
 Appendix H. — Memoranda de visitacione . . . .133 
 
 Appendix I ....... . 146 
 
 Appendix K . . . . . . . . . 148 
 
 Appendix L ....... . 149 
 
 Appendix M. — Archiepiscopus queritur de subsidiis . . .151 
 
 Successive Extracts from tte Liher Ruber — 1337-1515 . . . 152 
 Appendix N. — Entries as to Chantries and Obits .... 238 
 
 CoLLATiONES Prioratuum Cantariarum ET Officiorum — 1486-1513 . 240 
 
 The Charter granted to the Dean and Chapter of Wells by Queen 
 
 Elizabeth ........ 241 
 
v-r 
 
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 r" ^*< K 
 
 
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 4 
 
 .^ 
 
 
 
 V. - 
 
 tf^-'tv.; .\ V 
 
 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 |HEN", thanks to the kindness and ready interest of the Dean of Wells, and of 
 Canon Church, the Sub-dean, the Lambeth MS. was placed in my hands with 
 a view to publication, I had little right to expect that, as a stranger to their 
 Cathedral, and, in fact, a member of a Church which suffers under the 
 reproach of having filched from her Somersetshire sister not a little slice of her property, 
 I should be able to add to the interest of the Lambeth MS. by the addition of information 
 which was exclusively the property of the Dean and Chapter of Wells. But, however 
 depressing and unhealthy the climate of Wells may be, I have failed to find that it dries 
 up those springs of courtesy and hearty hospitality which, notwithstanding numerous 
 statutes therein existing, are too frequently found to Jiave somewhat failed in other 
 Cathedral Cities. It is felt, and might have been more publicly insisted on by those who 
 are most justified in asserting the opinion, that it would better become one connected with 
 the Cathedral of Wells to undertake the present work ; but in default of hindrance and 
 objection from those who have the only right to hinder and object, it has fallen to my lot 
 to endeavour to throw some light on the internal management and history of perhaps 
 the most perfect (at least architecturally speaking) of our English Cathedrals. 
 
 To give honour, however, where it is due, is the first duty of one who trespasses on 
 ground which has been partially explored by those who own in it a prescriptive right. 
 There is scarcely a liturgical student or an archaeologist — certainly not one in the Western 
 Counties, who knows not the names and silently acquiesces in the opinions, as they recognise 
 the excellent work, of such keen archa;ologists as Mr. F. H. Dickinson, Mr. T. Kerslake, Mr. 
 Thomas Serel, Mr. T. B. Davidson, with a host of others, whose leisure, light, and learning 
 are devoted to the history of the ancient kingdom of Wessex. The name of Mr. E. A. 
 Freeman, whose concinnity of expression and naive power of description defy emulation in 
 such, to him, comparative play as writing lectures on Wells Cathedral and papers for the 
 Somersetshire Archaeological, commands unquestioned attention. If we wish to examine 
 the architectural history of the same incomparable structure, we need only go in the 
 company of Britton, Cockerell, CoUinson, and the great Norman historian. 
 
 Our present purpose, however, let it be at once explained, is different from all these. 
 A synoptic account of Wells Cathedral as a material edifice, tracing its erection from 
 the mythological period of King Ine to the recent restorations under Messrs. Salvin 
 and Irvine, might be useful — must be interesting. It belongs, however, to a different 
 department, and another class of student, to examine and dilate on the Cathedral as a 
 constitution, as a corporation aggregate — as a body, consisting of so many members of varying 
 degrees and emoluments — ruled by various statutes, and connected by similar privileges and 
 offices — and when we consider for a moment that the history of England centres round 
 these great institutions, and that the most solemn and startling crises of the national life 
 have been more or less connected with these vast establishments, it will not be the speech of 
 
 b 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 exaggeration to affirm that the narrative of their internal order and system, and of the 
 marvellous changes and chances to which they have submitted, must be of immense 
 interest and importance to the laity no less than the clergy, not only of one special county 
 but of the •whole country. Durham, Lincoln, and York Cathedrals in the North, are 
 instances of what I inean, answering to Salisbury, Canterbury, and Winchester in the 
 South ; forbearing as I here do to even mention the names of those monasteries, such 
 as Glastonbury, Tewkesbury, and Tavistock, which are of scardely inferior historical value. 
 So much has been done of late years by such books as those before referred to, the Navura 
 Hegistrum of Lincoln, and the kindred publications of the Surtees, Early English, 
 Harleian, and Camden Societies, and a hundred other publications of those enterprising 
 but ill rewarded lovers of the Church of England, who would, at any self sacrifice, rescue 
 the few precious relics of our once glorious (if unreformed) Anglican Catholic Communion 
 from destruction, — so much has been actually done to throw light on the arrangements 
 and systems of mediaeval ecclesiastical life and action, that there would b,e a suspicion of 
 affectation were an apology attempted for producing the present work. It is well known 
 that Wells Cathedral and Liberty presents the most perfect existing example of 
 ecclesiastical architecture found in the world. Were Wells a manufacturing centre, like 
 Exeter or Lincoln are more or less, the distinctive charm and appealing beauty of the 
 buildings would be to a certain degree spoilt ; as it is, the quiet, sweet, homely calm 
 repose that reigns supreme around the whole place emphasises in an indescribable degree the 
 singular attractiveness of the Cathedral. And it is impo.'isible but that some such question 
 must spring to the lips of every intelligent visitor' who gazes upon its noble symmetry : 
 I wonder what sort of a life the people led who built this splendid Church, who have lived 
 and died and worshipped here for hundreds of years 1 What sort of rules of life and 
 service had they 1 Were they studious monks (for pace Mr. Freeman, every inquirer 
 does not know intuitively that a monk never so much as set his foot in Wells), or what 
 were they? Such and a host of similar questions suggest themselves even to those 
 who know a good deal of general Church antiqiiities, and can picture to themselves, as 
 they think, a Cathedral Ghurch with all its complicated secular and spiritual offices and 
 officers. It is, nevertheles, remarkable that these ideas are very hazy and indefinite, and 
 fail to make such institutions a reality.. 
 
 To do this — to gain any such idea — it is necessary to examine the actual deeds and 
 documents which are a daily record of all their habits, and manners and customs. These 
 are generally found in the Episcopal and Capitular Kegisters, and in such works as the 
 Chronicles of Evesham, Glo'ster, and Tewkesbury, which were published some years ago 
 under the direction of the Master of the Rolls. The publication of such works is, 
 however, of so great expense, and their sale is so necessarily limited, that unless a public 
 department of the State undertake the work it has to be given up for want of funds. 
 
 It is', therefore, the purpose of the Editor to give, as far as he can, an introduction to 
 the Wells Consuetudinary and Statutes which shall contain such information bearing 
 upon the internal history of Wells Cathedral as is found in some of the MS. books now in 
 the possession of the Dean and Chapter, and to most of which, by the above-mentioned 
 kindness of the Dean and Chapter, he has obtained access. At the same time, the Editor 
 wishes to protect himself by saying that a work like the present cannot possibly contain 
 the substance of all these volumes or one hundredth part of them. This must be left to 
 one connected with the Cathedral, and constantly resident, with immediate access to every 
 do3ument, and unlimited time at his disposal. 
 
INTROBUOTION. 
 
 The following are the books now in possession of the Dean and Chapter which can be 
 of service in our present work. They are kept in a tin box in the small apartment at the 
 ead of the Library, which is in a long room over the east cloister of the Cathedral : — 
 
 1. The Liber Albus. 
 
 2. The Liber Ruber. 
 
 3. Crown Grants from 1270 to 1591. 
 
 4. Chyle's History of the Church. 
 
 5. The Original Cha/rter of Elizabeth. 
 
 6. Fair Copy of the same Charter by Foxton in 1826. 
 
 7. Offlee Copy of the same Charter. 
 
 8. Another Copy of the same, with some Charters preceding. 
 
 9. Dean Cosyn's History of Wells Cathedral. 
 
 Chapter Acts. 
 
 1. Chapter Acts from 1591 to 1607. 8. Chapter Acts from 1704 to 1725. 
 
 2. „ „ „ 1607 „ 1621. 9. „ „ „ 1725 „ 1743. 
 
 3. „ „ „ 1621 „ 1635*. 10. „ „ „ 1743 „ 1760t. 
 
 4. „ „ „ 1635 „ 1644. 11. „ „ „ 1760 „ 1777. 
 
 (1644-64 are missing.) 12. „ „ „ 1777 „ 1792. 
 
 5. „ „ „ 1664 „ 1666. 13. „ „ „ 1792 „ 1817. 
 
 6. „ „ „ 1666 „ 1682. 14. Exeerpta e lihro rubro, aliccs Index oj 
 
 7. „ „ „ 1683 „ 1704. Chapter Acts, from 1487 to 1664. 
 In the small tin box inside large one, are the Bishop's Articles of Enquiry, December 
 
 13, 1825. 
 
 January 10, 1826, the Bishop's Decree. 
 
 January 1, 1828, the Bishop's disclaimer of his right of visitation, and also his 
 revocation of this decree, and various papers connected therewith, and also proceedings in 
 a dispute between the Bishop and the Chapter in 1751. 
 
 These books in possession of Canon Gould, February 1, 1830. 
 
 Those books to which I have had access in the present work are in italics. 
 
 Now it is obvious that even in such a limited number of MSS. much information may 
 be found not merely of a dry and impracticable nature, which excite merely the interest 
 of the local antiquaries, but historical facts which throw much light on the manners and 
 customs of mediaeval England ; but to the generality of persons, even of the educated and 
 richest class, who read most and travel most, and who might reasonably be supposed to 
 take a most intelligently historical pride in those ancient institutions and edifices which 
 remain to this day of radical elimination the glories of England, our Cathedrals represent 
 mere subjects of architectural splendour and musical service. Mr. Freeman well describes, 
 in his opening lecture, the profound vulgarity .of the common ignorance, which does not 
 trouble to consider the origin, purpose, and meaning of these imperishable works of art. 
 He describes, with an exquisite sarcasm, the prevailing indifference of all classes to the 
 real uses and intentions of our Cathedral constitutions. Those who have at any time been 
 called upon to act cicerone to a party of inquiring strangers, or overheard the wide guesses 
 and questions of summer sightseers " doing" our Cathedrals, cannot have failed to observe 
 that the real force and character and beauty of these venerable buildings never makes any 
 distinct or lasting impression on the average mind, and that any idea carried away is 
 
 » In this book Waller versus Smith. t In this book Wheeler versus Aubrey. 
 
iv INTRODUCTION. 
 
 merely one of admiration as regards some piece of ecclesiastical upliolstery or of a glass 
 ■window, of a meretricious reredos, or an indifferently executed anthem. If this be true, as it 
 undoubtedly is most true of the general public, it is no less painfully true that a very large 
 section of the clergy, and, I would add, of the representative portion of the community in 
 the two Houses of Parliament, neither have an hereditary, nor obtain any acquired, know- 
 ledge or respect of the Cathedral 'per se, a fact specially painful when we consider the 
 undeniable jealousies and captious criticisms which the clergy of any diocese, unconnected 
 with a Cathedral — their mother-Church, generally devote to the members of that hoary 
 foundation, and with regard to the Peerage and the Members of the House of Commons, is 
 essentially perilous and unworthy, when we are bid to prepare for prompt and drastic 
 legislation at their hands, — a foretaste of which treatment may be not unwisely taken by 
 a brief retrospect at the truly marvellous measures which, not a hundred years since, robbed 
 these noble institutions of immense spoils, and crippled that energy and development in 
 their members which the present hypochondriacal enthusiast for ecclesiastical reform 
 impatiently and impertinently demands. 
 
 "Nor can it be denied that there are found, even amongst those who enjoy splendid 
 emoluments in Cathedral dignity, men who are glad to honour an honourable community, 
 distinguished for scholarship and research, but are content to remain to the days of their 
 heavenly promotion utterly and entirely in ignorance, as much to their own statutable 
 proprieties, as the internal management and history of the building and its divLae ministra- 
 tions. If, however, any relic of their primitive grandeur in scheme and exertion is to 
 be reserved in our Cathedral Churches — if in any sense they are to rely upon the prestige 
 of the past, and bravely and boldly adapt their resources to the needs and demands of the 
 present generation, it is indispensable that each one who enjoys the distinction and profit 
 of Cathedral position should be prepared to uphold the ancient honours of his Church with 
 an educated and enlightened determination, and a precise knowledge of those events in the 
 history of his own particular Cathedral and special office which challenge remark or 
 provoke unfavourable criticism. Precedent, which, in nearly all Cathedrals, is quoted as 
 an impediment to change and improvement, has a very different bearing if it refers to 
 the privilege of work. The reconciliation and adaptation of old hereditary energies with 
 modern and spasmodic suggestions may be a difficult and, in some hands, dangerous process; 
 tut that it will have to be attempted in this decade of the nineteenth century who will 
 doubt ? I presume to say there are no two minds affected by the same solemn atmosphere 
 of devotion and learning, which have evermore consistently stated the exact position of 
 English Cathedrals in the present crisis, than those of Bishop Wordsworth and Bishop 
 Benson, in the following words : — 
 
 " Multa sane in eo reperiri non diffitemur, quae vel annorum decursu in desuetudinem 
 abierunt, vel Eeipublicse legibus abrogata sunt, vel puriore fide et cultu divino illucescente 
 evanuerunt. Ad hsec opera exequenda neminem obligari satis per se liquet. 
 
 " Sed his, uti par est, prsetermissis, plurima sane alia in hoc legum nostrarum Codice 
 supersunt, quae sancte et sapienter a majoribus nostris pro visa, et legitima auctoritate 
 stabOita, et unanimi consensu approbata, firma manent et inconcussa. Nemo, ut opinor 
 infitiabitur, hsec ab omnibus perpendi et observari debere, qui, in Ecclesise nostras societatem 
 recepti, sese jura ejus et laudabiles consuetudines tuituros esse fidem dederunt. Hsec igitur 
 ut nobis universis innotescant magnopere est expetendum. 
 
 " Accessit aUa res non levis momenti, propter quam institutorum nostrorum notitiam 
 latins divulgari cuperemus. Neminem fere latet, in hisce prsesertim temporibus, rerum 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 novaruin studiosis, non paucos reperiri, qui ultro ad Ecclesias Anglise Cathedrales refin- 
 gendas efc reformandas mira alacritate advolant, et qui hoc tarn grande et tarn arduum 
 propositum adoriuntur tanquam rem extemporanea quadam facilitate et tumultuaria opera 
 profligandam ; et ne levi quidem oognitione argumenti, quod adeo prompte tractaturi sunt, 
 imbuti et prseparati. 
 
 " Quorum quidem prsefervidis ingeniis ut aliquod temperamentum adhibeamus, et ut 
 remoram quandam atque sufflamen prseproperse eorum festinationi admoveamus, pristinam 
 Ecclesise nostrse Lincolniensis imaginem oculis et animis hominum repraesentandam cen- 
 siiimus, quae per octingentos jam fere annos inter splendissima Anglise lumina summa cum 
 laude inclaruit, et omnium bonorum venerationem in se conciliavit. Id quoque faciendum 
 hoc fine arbitrabamur, ut alii multi, qui Ecclesiam nostram debita pietate et reverentia 
 prosequuntur, nova vetustis prudenter accommodantes et suaviter attemperantes, earn 
 majore vigore corroborare, ampliore forma dilatare, et venustiore gratia iliustrare, callerent. 
 Nos etiam ipsi, filii in Christo dilecti, qui in unam Christi familiam arctissimis amoris 
 vinculis congregamur, et qui Ecclesise nostrse Cathedralis honorem, splendorem, unitatem, 
 efficacitatem, tanquam nobilissimam et sanctissimam hsereditatem nobis ab antecessoribus 
 nostris concreditam accepimus, non ut pigra eam socordia squalere sinamus, vel prodiga 
 effusione dilapidari, sed ut assiduo labore et indefessa vigilantia excolamus et amplificemus, 
 si in leges nostras, in hoc libro promulgatas, tanquam in vivum quoddam speculum attenti 
 iutuemur, nosmet ipsos amplissimis facultatibus prseditos et instructos recognoscemus, ad 
 ea quae in nostris institutis caduca sint instauranda, et ad ea quse lapsa sint erigenda ; ad 
 manca supplenda, ad erronea emendanda, ad mutila resarcienda, ad obscura illustranda, ad 
 debilia confirmanda, ad angusta expandenda et evolvenda ; denique ad csetera, quibus opus 
 sit, nostris ipsorum manibus sponte et libere perficienda. 
 
 " Quo quidem proposito quid excogitari potest gloriosius, quid honorabilius, quid 
 religiosius ? Macti igitur, viri egregiij ad hoc opus nobilissimum nosmet ipsos accingamus, 
 et Deum Optimum Maximum enixe apprecemur, ut conatibus nostris in honorem Ejus et 
 Ecclesise emolumentum, uti speramus, redundaturis faveat, obsecundet, et opituletur." — 
 Novum Eegistkum, pp. v.-vii. 
 
 " The Cathedral has in our day to begin the world again, and inch by inch to win its 
 way back to a usefulness commensurate with its dignity. 
 
 "For is there no need! Rather is not the conviction very general and very strong 
 that the Church of England labours under disabilities which no existent machinery is at 
 work to remedy ; that its great plan is invalidated by deficiencies which are scarcely sup- 
 plemented, much less repaired ? It may not be possible to deny the necessity of such 
 changes as have been made from other points of view ; but we cannot refuse to see the 
 fact, that while the Church is unable in any way to contract her operation, and must 
 accelerate her work of evangelisation, not only upon Divine principles, but upon national 
 grounds, she must, for a complete training of ecclesiastical or clerical energies, cease to look 
 to the universities. They have altered their aims. They have their Scientific Faculty of 
 Theology still. Noblest and holiest personal influences may and do live in them. But, 
 owing to their altered relation to the Church, she has been for years past without siiflBcient 
 "centres" or "organisms" from and through which new and living energies of the character 
 required can come into operation or receive their direction. Yet we already possess in our 
 
 Cathedrals if the Church shall devote itself to renew their vitality, and to reconstruct 
 
 tjjem organic centres, bases of operation, outlines of advance. Wo have in them types 
 
 of societies — shrunken, yet alive — which resemble, which indeed gave the pattern to the 
 
vi INTROBUCTIOK 
 
 universities themselves, and are specially adapted to address themselves successfully to the 
 solution of these problems. On the one side lie definite necessary functidns to be per- 
 formed ; on the other side there are capable bodies, craving these very functions, and with 
 faculties for expansion in just proportion to the demands. May we not forge the Unk 
 which shall restore the office to the officers 1 
 
 " The Cathedral bodies themselves are inseparably connected with the history and 
 progress of Christianity in England." — The Cathedral : its necessary place in the life 
 and work of the Church, pp. 118-120. 
 
 Nor are such trenchant expressions of indispensable activity, given with the holy 
 authority and experience of those who have prayed and struggled (and that not 
 ineffectually) to achieve this result, at all out of place in framing a quasi apology for 
 such a work as that before us. The MS. with which we have to do can certainly lay 
 claim to attention and study neither on account of its age or its beauty. It must rely 
 rather upon that imperishable prestige which is the noblest inheritance of that inimitable 
 Cathedral of which it speaks. The mere transcript of a very idle or ignorant clerk^ 
 it cannot be called elegant, or indeed legible — written in an indifferent court-hand, of a 
 rather feeble and feminine character, with little respect at times for sense or grammatical 
 construction, it will in itself have little interest for the bibliophile or lover of ancient 
 majuscular calligraphy. ' There is a uniform common-place indistinctness about its pages 
 which is, it must be confessed, discouraging and desperately monotonous. To Mr. 
 Dickinson, however, it seems to have been a most exquisite treasure trove when casually 
 looking over the catalogue of the Lambeth Library about the year 1871, he was surprised 
 to find the statutes of Wells Cathedral and Elizabeth's Charter. No time was lost in 
 calling for the MSS., and on their appearance he recognised in the former the statutes of 
 Wells (or rather the Ordinal and Statutes here before us). The first part, in fact, of the 
 Lambeth MS. is, as Mr. Chambers describes it, a more or less complete and accurate copy 
 of the now famous Tractatus Osm/undi de officiis, which Dr. Rock printed in Vol. IV. 
 Part II., of his Church oi Our Fathers. Mr. Chambers says the volume is on parchment, of a 
 large quarto size (though here I should venture to say small — the type of the page being not 
 more than 12 in. by 14 in.) 113 pages, on an average thirty-four lines in a page and eleven 
 or twelve words in each line. This is true so far as it goes, but Mr. Chambers (whose 
 incomparable work on the worship of the Church in England in the thirteenth and 
 fourteenth centuries generally entitles him to an unhesitating compliance and assent) 
 fails to note some of the more singular incidents which cannot fail to strike the eye on a 
 first glance at this somewhat unsatisfactory transcript, and he says, "The whole MS. is 
 written apparently in a hand intended to imitate closely the original MS." He adds — 
 " The characters are very distinct, but the scribe was probably ignorant of the exact 
 meaning of many of the ancient ritual terms. He writes respondium for responsorvum , 
 trinitas for tractus, gratias for gradale, and medius for indicus (probably indigo), and in 
 some places he makes no sense of the passages." To return, however, to Mr. Dickinson 
 (who no doubt knows better by this time) — " Mr. Bernard," he says, "the Chapter Clerk, 
 has most kindly given me access to all the MSS. at Wells in his possession, but I cannot 
 find among them any document from which the Lambeth MS. can have been copied. Dean 
 Cosyn has given the Chapter a book written in 15()B, which contains at the beginning 
 nearly the same matter as thes Harleian MS., 1682 (the contents of which are given in 
 Dugdale, vol. ii., p. 284) ; and after that a fragment of the code, ending abruptly and not 
 
introduction: 
 
 If this be so, if Mr. Dickinson really did look through all the MSS. at Wells ia 
 the possession of the Chapter Clerk, he must have given but a cursory glance to the Liber 
 Ruber now before us, which contains the whole of the MS. 729, pages 55 to 76. The 
 most ample proof that the Lambeth MS. was compiled and transcribed from Liber Ruber 
 is the fact that in nearly every case the same hand (or a hand remarkably similar) 
 which copied out the Lambeth MS. made marginal notes in the Liher Ruber, which corre- 
 spond with the headings of every statute. Although no express declaration is found in 
 any Chapter Act to this effect, that I am aware of, and, indeed, no record is found of any 
 order given by the Dean and Chapter to supply the Archbishop with a copy of their 
 Ordinal and Statutes, nothing seems more probable than that an order of a semi-official 
 nature was given to the Treasurer or Chapter Clerk, who either himself or by his clerks 
 copied out the MS. before us. The handwriting is just that which we find in a deed 
 or indenture of that period. The copying of such a MS. would be unfamiliar work to a 
 clerk, who would naturally feel no inclination for such a task, but having the select 
 portions pointed out to him, was bid to transcribe them, and did so with all possible speed 
 and all possible disregard to the subject matter before him. 
 
 An indirect argument in favour of this supposition is that at page 49, where the 
 duties of the Treasurer are found, another handwriting appears, of an entirely different 
 style, and yet sufficiently characteristic of a quasi-legal court-hand to justify us in arguing 
 that at least two different clerks were engaged in the transcription ; or that the 
 Treasurer, Dr. Creyghton, himself copied them out and caused them to be inserted. 
 
 Pages 49, 50, 51, and 52 have a singular appearance, quite unlike the previous and 
 following pages of the book, but they exactly resemble the extracts in Nathanael Chyle's 
 book, which he expressly says he got from his friend Dr. Creyghton, the r resembles an w ; 
 the t, which in the larger part has a sharp cross stroke, here rises far above the line, like 
 any"; the writing, which is somewhat larger and darker, allows of fewer words in the line, 
 and in some instances the first letter of the word is indistinctly accented, while the abbrevia- 
 tions are written in an unusual way. At page 59 the passage ends somewhat abruptly — 
 allowing of four more lines. Here also a page has been cut out, as is easily seen from the 
 narrow strip left in the sewing. The following page, 55, begins with the Antiqua 
 Statuta, in the same hand as before, and which continues to the end of the book. 
 
 Such particulars may be mere matters of unimportant detail, in no way affecting the 
 subject of the MS., while at the same time they do affect its internal interest. When, 
 however, a liturgiologist of such deserved eminence as the Recorder of Salisbury is heard 
 tJ declare that the whole MS. (Lambeth 729) is written apparently in a hand intended to 
 i nitate closely the original MS., we are fairly amazed. The original MS., from which the 
 TractaUis Osmundi, as adapted to the Wells MSS., may have been copied, surely could 
 not have been a comparatively modem document of the seventeenth century. In fact 
 there was at the time the original MS. was written at least one copy of the Sarum Gon- 
 suetudina/ry amongst the archives of the Dean and Chapter of Wells, which would have 
 been put into the hands of any copyist to transcribe for the use of the Church. 
 
 In the Chartulary we find at least three copies of the famous tract of S. Osmund — 
 CI. Consuetvdines Sa/rum eoclesie. 
 CII. Item consuetvdines Sa/rum ecclesie. 
 
 cm. Item consuetudines Sarum, ecclesie. 
 Nor would any one who knows anything of mediaeval calligraphy assert that the hand- 
 writing of a monastic scribe in the thirteenth or fourteenth century, with its firm but 
 
viii introduction: 
 
 elegant and unequivocal severity, could be called in any respect similar to that of a 
 notary public or clerk in the early seventeenth. There can be little doubt that the Ordmale 
 (so-called) of Wells was compiled from the Sarum Use with the local and newly authorised 
 customs of the Church of Wells adapted and corrected, and that it received its here pre- 
 sented form, and was statatably confirmed and ratified to be kept under severe penalties 
 by both Bishop JoceUn (1241) and Bishop William de Button (1273). Therefore, as Mr. 
 Chambers says, the original is most probably from 1310 to 1320. The whole Ordinale (as 
 here given) consists of 121 chapters or headings, the Sarum of 105. 
 
 And here we must protest against the way in which even experienced liturgiologists 
 use the words Ordinale and Consuetudinwriwm, as convertible or synonymous terms, with 
 the idea that they express very much the same thing or things in connection with the 
 ofiioes of divine service. In the present instance we cannot, accurately speaking, accept 
 the word Ordinale for the first fifty-four pages of the Lambeth MS. 729 (although they 
 are actually so called), any more than we can accept them as the Statutes of Sarum, under 
 which name they appear in the Report of Committee of the Diocesan Conference of Bath 
 and Wells for 1879. The fact is, the Consuetudinary, the Ordinal, and the Statutes pre- 
 sent three entirely diflferent enactments aifecting the due regularity, order, and duty of 
 every thing and every official connected with divine service. 
 
 We have no better or clearer testimony than that of Bishop John de Grandisson. In 
 that most invaluable and singular MS. volume, his so-called Ordinale secundum uswm 
 Exon., we find the exact definitions of these words distinctly and ostensibly given. 
 In the first paragraph — " Exoniensis ecclesia sicut cetere cathedrales ecclesiae observancias 
 proprias et consuetudines habet tam in dicendo quam in exequendo officio divino, quse in 
 scriptis nondum plene fuerunt redacte. Ideoque ad omnia dubia toUenda et certa in posterum 
 tenenda. Anno domini millesimo tricentesimo tricesimo septimo Pontificatus vero 
 venerabilis in Christo patris domini lohannes de grandissono episcopi Exon' anno decimo 
 Ordinale presens est ab ipsomet episcopo editum et ab eodem ao decano et capitulo 
 approbatum et de cetero traditum observanduni. Priusquam igitur ad ordinale officii 
 diurni vel nocturni proeedatur quedam sunt preponenda necessaria ad eclesie statum et 
 personarum numerum situationem et offieia cognoscendum prout in istis capitulis vel 
 rubricellis patet. He distinctly speaks of his work as Ordinale presens — that is, the 
 Ordinal before him, and yet in three lines further on expressly says that before he pro- 
 ceeds to name the Ordinale for day and night, certain other necessary things must be made 
 known, which is done in thirty-one chapters or rubrics. 
 
 Then on folio 13 6 occurs this passage — Cetera quecumque parfcinent ad consuetudi- 
 narium officii reperientur in serie ordinalis sequentis. Premissis igitur generalibus ecclesie 
 Exoii consuetudinibus jam de ordinali specialiter est agendum. The word ordinale may 
 include consuetudinarium, but the two words are not synonymous. This shows us plainly 
 enough that the more proper name of the first fifty-two pages of the MS. would be 
 Consuetudinarium or Tractatus de Officiis, and that the title of the book should more 
 exactly be — Consuetudinanum et Statuta Ecclesie Cathedralis Sa/ncti Andree Wellen. 
 
 The authority of the Dean and Chapter was given to the document by the subscrip- 
 tion of the names of the Dean and Canons Residentiary to face the first page. These are . 
 in an ordinary hand of the period, without embellishment, abbreviation, or flourish. The 
 whole is bound in calf, with a slight gilt ornamentation. 
 
 Having now examined the internal evidence of the actual document itself, we may in 
 a few words consider the historical facts connected with its comjiilation. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The following are the Articles which led to the compilation of the Lambeth MSS. 729, 
 around which the present publication has centred : — 
 
 ARTICLES FOB THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF BATH AND WELLS, TO BE ENQTJIEED OF IST THE 
 METRO POLITICAL VISITATION OF THE MOST EEVEBEND FATHER IN GOD, WILLIAM, BY 
 god's PROVIDENCE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY, PRIMATE OP ALL ENGLAND AND 
 
 METROPOLITAN, IN THE YEAR OP OUR LORD GOD 1634. — Bee Reg. Laud, fol. 107 a. 
 
 I. Imprimis, whether every member of this Church at his first admission doth swear 
 to observe such statutes as have been hitherto used as statutes, and not contrary to the 
 laws of the realm of England ? 
 
 II. Item, what other benefices ecclesiastical the dean, archdeacon, prebendaries, and 
 other ecclesiastical persons of this Church have, besides their rooms and places in this said 
 Church'! 
 
 III. Item, how the xliL, xliii., and xliv. chapters of the constitutions made in the 
 Convocation anno 1604, and confirmed by His Majesty \mder the Great Seal of England, 
 for the residences of your dean and other prebendaries, as well upon their prebends as 
 upon their other benefices, are observed ? 
 
 IV. Item, whether the number of those that serve the quire, and all other ministers 
 of this Church, be kept full, and the quire sufficiently furnished with a skilful organist 
 and able singers, and daily service there sung according to the foundation of this 
 Church ? 
 
 Y. Item, whether your Divine Service be used and the Sacraments administered in 
 due time, and according to the Book of Common Prayer, and by singing and note according 
 to the statutes of this Church ? 
 
 VI. Item, whether all the members of your Church, especially the prebendaries and 
 ecclesiastical persons, do use seemly garments and attires, as namely, all graduates their 
 surplice and hood for their degree of school, and the inferiors their surpliue and cap, 
 according to the canons and constitutions set forth by His Majesty in the Convocation in 
 Anno Dom. 1604? 
 
 VII. Whether the prebendaries and preachers of your Church do preach yearly the 
 full number of sermons appointed by the statutes and ordinances of the said Church, and 
 the late constitutions ecclesiastical, in their own persons, or by others, and who doth most 
 usually preach them, and how often have you sermons or lectures in the Cathedral 
 Church and by whom, and what be the statutes of this Church in that behalf? And if 
 you have any certain lecturer, what hath he for his pains 1 
 
 VIII. Item whether the muniments and evidences of this Church be safely kept, 
 and in such manner as is required by the statutes thereof ? Of what persons is the 
 foundation of your Cathedral Church, namely, of how many prebendaries, canons, petty 
 canons, vicars, vicars choral, choristers, virgerers, grammar schoolmaster, and scholars, 
 or other like and who is bound to maintain and find them, and are they at this present 
 full and serve the Church in their own persons as by law they ought to do ? And are 
 they elected as the statutes of this realm and of this Church do require? 
 
 IX. Item, whether the choristers be well ordered, and the number of them furnished, 
 and who hath the charge of catechising and instructing of them in the principles of 
 religion, and whether they be so brought up? 
 
 X. Item whether the officers of this Church, namely, steward, treasurers, bursars, 
 receivers, accountants, and such like, do yearly make a true account of their receipts, and 
 
INTROBUGTION. 
 
 pay such money as is due to tte Church, upon their accounts, and whether any such person 
 be not indebted to the Church, and in how much ? 
 
 XI. Item, whether the Cathedral Church be sufficiently repaired both in the body, 
 chancel, and all other aisles and places belonging to the Church, and by whose default it 
 is unrepaired, and are the houses and edifices belonging to the dean and prebendaries, 
 and to others who are allowed by the statutes of this Church to have houses, kept in 
 sufficient and good repair, as by the statute is required, and are they also as they 
 ought to be, and are there any encroachments made by any in any kind whatsoever % 
 And is your churchyard kept in decent manner without any profanation ? 
 
 XII. Item, whether the prebendaries and other the preachers of this Church in their 
 sermons do use to pray for the King's Majesty, the Queen, Prince, and all His Highness' 
 issue, and do give unto His Highness in their prayer, according to the fifty-fifth constitu- 
 tion, his whole style, and so do pursue the particulars in the said constitution appointed 
 for that end to be observed \ 
 
 XIII. Item, whether there be within this Church and the precincts and limits thereof 
 any usurers contrary to the statutes in that behalf made, drunkards, adulterers, fornicators, 
 incestuous persons, simonists, open recusants of either sort, or such as neglect to repair to 
 the Church to service, or do not receive the Communion thrice yearly, or are vehemently 
 suspected of any of the crimes aforesaid, or any that be familiarly and daily conversant 
 with recusants, or notorious papists, or harbourers and receivers of any such into their 
 houses % 
 
 XIV. Whether are your capitular meetings duly and orderly kept, as by statute is 
 required % 
 
 XV. Item, what new buildings are there within the precincts of your Church, and by 
 whom or by whose license and connivance they were so built? What lay dwellers and 
 inmates are there within the same precinct, and who they are % and what enclosures or 
 encroachments are made by any in or upon your Church or churchyard and by whom, or 
 what or wherein are they % 
 
 XVI. Item, whether is your Church and close made a common thoroughfare, and 
 what postern doors are there made to private houses and by whom ? and whether be the 
 offices of your Church sold or granted La reversion, and whether do any of your Church 
 officers live in the town ? 
 
 XVII. Item, What is the yearly allowance of your schoolmaster and usher of your 
 free school (if you have any), and whether is the same or any part thereof withheld from 
 them, or any of them, and by whom ? and whether are they diligent in performing their 
 duty, and is not the same school neglected or abused in any kind ? 
 
 XVIII. Item, if you know any other offence or crime committed by any of this 
 Church, contrary to the statutes and laudable customs of the said Church, or canons and 
 constitutions of the Church of England, we require you by virtue of your oath to 
 present it. 
 
INTRODUCTION. xi 
 
 circumstances -would not allow of my making any lengthened stay at Wells, 
 and a not unreasonable disinclination at first appeared on the part of the 
 Cathedral dignitaries to put their few remaining MS. books into the hands 
 of a comparative stranger, the obvious difiiculty of writing a preface of any 
 value to the Wells Ordinal and Statutes without constant access to those documents which 
 alone can illustrate the history of this Cathedral was most desperate, disposing me rather 
 to acknowledge the indiscreet haste with which I had printed the Lambeth MS., and to 
 endeavour to discover some liturgical" antiquarian who would complete the work at Wells 
 itself. 
 
 It is, however, only right that I should add that, in the first phase of disappointment 
 and resignation, I received such kindly sympathy and expressions of interest from the 
 Venerable Archdeacon Browne, Canon Bernard, and Canon Church, that I determined to 
 endeavour to gain access to, and leave to bring with me to Exeter, the documents by which 
 alone I could hope to make the work really anything like perfect. In pleading for this 
 licence, I was able to mention the exceeding courtesy and grace with which the Dean and 
 Chapter of Lichfield (of whom I may specify Canon Lonsdale, the Chancellor of the 
 Cathedral) allowed me to take to a distance of some 200 miles their Liber Niger ; and 
 when I assured them that to fetch this book I had left Exeter at 6 a.m. one morning, and 
 returned the same night at 2.30 a.m., so as to fulfil the conditions of the loan (which were 
 that I should personally fetch and return the book, and keep it in the Chapter-house at 
 Exeter with our own MSS., under double lock and key), sufficient evidence was afforded 
 that I was in earnest in my request, and from that day, I may add, every facility has been 
 afforded me to borrow and carry away with me to the sister see the few remaining volumes 
 in which the history of the Cathedral Church of Wells is written; but the one book which, 
 from hearsay and a few glances hurriedly made at the Deanery, I was specially anxious to 
 carry to Exeter still evaded my grasp, till, after repeated visits to the Deanery, and fervent 
 supplications of the Very Reverend the Dean, I was permitted to take the original work 
 itself, leaving for the use of the Dean and Chapter a fair legibly written copy. It there- 
 fore becomes me to here acknowledge, with deep thankfulness, the hospitality and courteous 
 condescension of the Dean and Chapter in finally acceding to my request, and so enabling 
 me to present in this preface that which must be of far more value and attraction than my 
 own foreign lucubrations — the actual pith and substance of Nathaniel Chyle's History of 
 the Church of Wells — in a word, Medulla Ghyli. 
 
 It is not, then, our purpose in the present work so much to collate the uses of Wells 
 and Sarum as to give a good general idea of the internal order and government of the 
 Cathedral from original sources, such as MSS. which have never yet been permitted to 
 pass into the hands of the printer. We proceed, therefore, to avail ourselves of that 
 singularly quaint book which is one of the most attractive legacies of a vigorously polemic 
 age, and which bears the name of Chyle. Of this work, Mr. F. H. Dickinson observes : — 
 " The Chapter possess also two copies in MS. of a History of Wells, written by Nathaniel 
 Chyle, who was secretary to Bishop Peter Mew, nearly 200 years ago. In this work are 
 copious extracts from the ancient Statutes, the Charters, the Registers, and Accounts of 
 the Dean and Chapter and the Vicars Choral. The book is disfigured by the bitterness 
 caused by the civil war, but it contains a mass of curious matter tolerably put together, 
 and it may be worthy of consideration whether the Society should not ask to be allowed 
 to print it, a thing which some of those who have examined the book have urgently pressed 
 on the Committee. I do not feel sure that Chyle had a copy of the ancient statutes before 
 
INTBODUCTIOF. 
 
 him. He quotes generally from a book he called Mr. Creighton's MS., which appears to 
 have contained copies of many of the more curious documents relating to the Cathedral, 
 which it would be very desirable to identify if it lies hid in some public library. Chyle's 
 book seems to me of less importance than the Statutes." 
 
 So far, Mr. Dickinson. With his last dictum I must, however, beg to differ, as 
 Chyle's book contains not merely the greater parts of the Ordinal and Statutes, but also 
 a very large amount of other quite as important information, gathered from all manner of 
 documents, which he seems to have borrowed with some difficulty, and which are now 
 lost or mislaid. 
 
 It may, therefore, be as well, before proceeding to the actual history of the Cathedral, 
 to notice the introduction with which Chyle commences his singular work. 
 The title is as follows : — 
 
 The Hiftory of the Cathedrall 
 
 Church of S. Andrew in Wells 
 
 within the Countie of 
 
 Somerfett 
 
 Whereunto is annex't a Chrono 
 
 logicall Catalogue of all the 
 
 Biftiopps and Deanes of that 
 
 Church fince theire firft 
 
 Foundation 
 
 As alfo a Table of the Firft Fruits, 
 
 Tenths, Subfidies, and Procurations, 
 
 together with the Patrons of 
 
 mofl. of the Redtories and 
 
 Vicariges within the Diocefs 
 
 of Bath and Wells. 
 
 Mr. Camden. Ad Le<Sorem 
 
 Me hac Confolatione fuftentabo 
 quod Bonis placendo tantum mails 
 difpUcuerim. 
 He begins by dedicating his labours iu the following terms : — 
 
 To the Eight Keverend Father in God Peter (fiy divine providence*) Lord Bishop of 
 Bath and Wells. 
 My Lord, 
 
 Tho' 'tis usuall in this Scribling Age to start into the world without Name, patron, 
 or Imprimatur, yet dare I not thus venture abroad but under the shelter and protection 
 of His Majestie's Lawes and your Lordshipp's patronage; And Greate Necessitie is there 
 for these Supports, for such propps, where the Building, tho' new, like many in the City, 
 through the unskilfulness of the Architect, is crazie and feeble ; Noe, My Lord, I neither 
 have furniture or materialls sufficient to give me such a Confidence as to say : — 
 Non ego patronum, nee me qui laudat Amicum 
 posco, sed a memet stemve cadamve volo. 
 
 * In producing Nathaniel Chyle's History with the Preface, on account of the numerous corrections 
 and emendations which he evidently made ipsa manu, and which are at times exceedingly suggestive, I 
 have found it necessary to adopt the following rules : — where, as in the present instance, words have heen 
 crossed out or scribbled over, they are printed in italics in brackets : where they were underlined by 
 Chyle, they are printed in italics. 
 
INTBODUGTION. 
 
 When your Lordshipp -was pleas'd to think me worthy of being related to you (even a 
 Seoretis), myselfe, Studie, Time and All, noe longer owed any Obedience to mee, but 
 ■was wholy at your Lordshipp's Service and Devotion, yet since it pleas'd your Lordshipp 
 frankly to returne them Mee againe, vouchsafing and indulging such a liberty and freedome, 
 of Studie and Converse, as I could neither expect or deserve. It was but decent and good 
 manners then, to employ that Time in some Service which might be pleasing to your 
 Lordshipp, and none more acceptable could I apprehend then in making Enquiries into, 
 and searching the Records and Antiquities of this Church, where your Lordshipp so 
 Eminently fills the Chaire. 
 
 I humbly beseech your Lordshipp's pardon for thus prsesuming and shall take leave 
 of your Lordshipp in Mr. Selden's words, Prce/ai. Eadmer, p. 14 : — 
 
 Accipe (Reverende pater) operse hujusmodi primitias, seu hujus Ecclesise iKvoypa(f)iav 
 aut Liniationem ex vetustiori atque longe abhinc, dissito seculo. Rem scilicet ita in tuto 
 fore speramus nee Calumpnianti utpote Dilatorum sive Ignorantiae Impudentise neque 
 Simulation! Susurrorum ullatenus obnoxiam. 
 
 That all prosperity and Happyness in this world and in that hereafter may ever 
 attend your Lordshipp are the constant wishes and prayers of 
 
 My Lord 
 
 Your Lordshipp's most faithfuU 
 
 and most obedient 
 
 Servant 
 
 KC. 
 
 After this farrago of fulsome adulation, the humble Historian proceeds to affirm that 
 the Cathedral Church of Wells comes not much short of any such Church in the world, 
 and that she is worthy of a Camden or of Mr. Dugdale's Labours to sett her forth, in all 
 her Luster and Glory. 
 
 Three Sorts of Cathedralls were there heretofore in this Nation, viz. : — 
 
 Such as had a Deane, Canons, and Prsebendaries ; 
 
 Such as had a prior and Covent ; 
 
 And Such as had both Deane and Canons, prior and Covent, joyn'd and annext to 
 them for their Chapter. 
 
 Of the first sort were the Churches of York, London, Salisbury, Lincoln, Exeter, 
 Chichester, Hereford, S. David's, S. Asaph, Landaff, and Bangor. 
 
 Of the second sort were Canterbury, Durham, Winton, Ely, Worcester, Norwich, 
 Carlile, and Eochester. 
 
 Of the last was this our Church of Wells and that of Lichfield. 
 
 Thus were they when Hen. 8 came to the Crowne, in whose time the priors and 
 Covents were taken away and in their roome, Deane and Praabendaries placed ; and in 
 the two Churches of Wells (SS"- Hen. 8, Cap. 15) and Lichfield (SS"- Hen. 8, Cap. 29) 
 the Sole Chapter was by Acts of parliament settled in the Deane and Canons of each 
 Church. 
 
 The first and last sort of these old Eoundations, consisting of severall Sole Corpora- 
 tions, as the Deane and most of the prsebendaries (the Chapter and Vicars being only 
 aggregate) had theire Jurisdictions soe privileged, as thereby to be peculiar, and distinct, 
 
xiv INTRODUCTION. 
 
 and consequently theire Registers, Acts, and all other theire proceedings ; and therefore 
 not so easily enquired into, and found out, as where They were All included in one 
 common Body. 
 
 These peculiars and seperate Jurisdictions has doubtless much occasion'd that Dark- 
 ness and almost Ignorance, in this and other Churches of the like Foundation, but much 
 more the late Rebellion in the yeare 1641; when at first the Church was rather Struck at, 
 then the Crowne, when all her Members and officers, &c., were soe persecuted, as to forsake 
 and leave theire Habitations, and Churches open to the Scorne and Spoile of every 
 malitious and illiterate puritan and Mechanick, who were possest with an opinion of doing 
 God good service, by defacing his House, and takeing to themselves the possessions, by 
 burning and destroying all the Books, Registers, and Records, they could meete with,- 
 purposely to extinguish the glory of our Nation, the pious and honourable Actions of our 
 Ancestors, Founders and Benefactors ; Soe that I may boldly say. That the Gothes and 
 Vandalls, or the most savage people, that ever made incursions for prey and plunder into 
 this or any other Nation, had more sence of Honour and Devotion, than Those of the Godlie 
 partie. Men for the Good Old Cause. Yipers bred in cure owne bowells, who instead of 
 repenting the mischiefe and villany alreadie committed, are still hatching, and hoping for 
 the Second part to the same Tune, A through Reformation and Destruction of All ; and 
 tho' the Clemencie of a good and gratious prince ha.? pardon'-d them, yet I question whether 
 the Justice of a righteous God will put up and pass by these Sacrilegious AflFronts un- 
 punished. This our Church of Wells had not the least Share in these Calamities, but was 
 almost the first that felt the fury and madness of these unreasonable Men, and tho' great 
 havock was here made, yet was not All lost, some being preserved and retrived through 
 the Care and honesty of many Worthy persons. And now least Time that other greate 
 Devourer, should quite eat up those few remaines of Registers, and Records which wast 
 I find apace, There being not that Care, as I could wish taken, either for theire preserva- 
 tion, continuance, or increase, hereby encouraging and advancing Ignorance, and Obli\ion, 
 the common Enemies, to all Designs and Actions, how glorious, how sacred soever, I 
 have, before All's lost, ventured by this Attempt, rather then such a Foundation ; soe 
 curious and elegant a Fabrick, Such charitable and munificent Endowments, Such Sacred 
 ofiices and prudent Manage, should have noe Remembrancer, to run the Risque of 
 Examination and Censure. 
 
 If in this Adventure I fail in doeing that right, this Church deserves, or in satisfying 
 the Reader's curious Expectation, Tis but what I have Reason to doubt and feare, as well 
 from the certain tie of my owne Insufficiencies, as the disobleigeing Carriage (to say noe 
 more of it) of some persons who were pleas'd at last, to demand some Books in my hands 
 and denigh mee any further recoTirse to theire parchments when they perceiv'd the purport 
 of this pursuit ; and tho' this Course usage has indeed proved somewhat more trouble- 
 some and chargeable to mee, yet did it not fright mee or put mee off from my designd 
 purpose, nor yet was it soe injurious as was hoped ; Chyle then explains how this 
 "disobleigeing Carriage" had set him reviewing Mr. Camden and Bishop Godwin, and 
 gave him occasion of looking abroad and searching the Records of the Tower, the Rolls, 
 and other offices in London and Westminster, inasmuch as he confessed the excellence of 
 the rule, " He that informes others, must instruct himselfe." And these he thinks he 
 might have neglected, "could I lazily," he adds, " have found out seribling Stuff and matter 
 enough at Home. These various speculations made the book swell into a larger bulk than 
 ever was thought of or intended." 
 
INTBODVCTION. xv 
 
 When however Notwithstanding All this, he found greatest encouragement because 
 of some Draughts of this Church, designed by that excellent Artist Mr. David Loggan, 
 who intended by his SkilfuU hand to engrave severall prospects thereoff, he began to muster 
 up his remarks and to tack together those papers which at first were only taken up for his 
 own private Satisfaction and the divertisments of some of his few particular friends. 
 
 He had however a great disappointment in the loss of the Front or West End of the 
 Church which had been drawne and fitted ready for engraving but was most unluckily and 
 unprofitably lost or stolen, and not retrived tho' a considerable reward was promised in the 
 Gazett. This Paragraph, Chyle adds va. the margin, was not to be printed, unless this 
 cannot be recovered or a new one drawne. The Beautie of our Church he thinks lyes 
 chiefly in her Front. 
 
 He had intended also according to the Subject matter of those Chapters in the second 
 Book, to have had three plates more viz. : of the Bishopp's palace, the Deanery, and of 
 Close Hall, but consulting with some persons about it, I was advised to the contrary, 
 whose Judgements I have rather followed than my owne. 
 
 " I cannot but expect That as well the Latin of the old writers, of the Originalls, and 
 Records, as of the Ordinale, Statutes and Accompts of this Church herein transcrib'd, 
 should be Nauseous to the palates of this Age, and Men of G-rammar ; " and here Chyle 
 quotes Selden in his usually divergent pomposity, concluding that 'as our old English Diet 
 is to the men of Mode and potage, who are pleased reproachfully to Call what has (King 
 James) beene thought worthy of honour and Knighthood, Damn'd English Beefe. But as 
 by that wholesome and Nervous foode not only our English Valour and Country has beene 
 supplyed and preserved, but others atchieved, soe has our Lawes, Liberties, and Customes, 
 by those Records, and antient Histories by such Methods, words and Accompts beene 
 successively continued and reached doune to us. Our Forefathers intending more the 
 Honour and Business of theire Nation, than the Efieminacie of Sauce and Romance.' 
 
 Chyle then excuses himself for possible mistakes, errors of title, and other discrepancies 
 in his Table of Tenths, lists of Advowsons and Patrons — "some of whom specially amongst 
 the more honourable sort of Nobilitie and Gentry are carefuU, as a Reward of theire 
 Chaplains Services, to preserve and continue them to theire posteritie and Familie." Some 
 Inheritances being sold and alienated even while he is writing or reading over his Book, 
 it is quite likely that choppings and changings might occur which he could not record. 
 " If I have not given them theire true Names or due Titles, since 'tis through want of 
 Information, not knowingly or wilfully don, I hope for theire pardon and humbly here 
 begg it." 
 
 "As to other matters therein, and throughout the whole Discourse, some Errors and 
 mistakes cannot through Inadvertencie be avoided, I hope but few, having taken some 
 paines in Comparing severall Bookes and Registers, seldom relying on the trust of slight 
 (siTigle) Copies. However the candidness of the Reader is my greatest Security, and 
 therein shall I acquiess." 
 
 Lastly, he apologises if in the following Discourse he has ^ultra crepidam busied him- 
 self with the use and beginning of Christianity, of which soe many learned and faithfull 
 writers had soe plentifully furnisht us. Yet since our Churche has soe neere a neighbor- 
 hood and Alliance with Glaston, The place doubtless where our Religion had her first 
 Footing ; Some of our Bishopps removing the Chaire Thither, and stil'd Bishopps of that 
 place. It may not I hope be improper to trace our Christian Religion from Thence to 
 WeUs, and soe proceed in the History of this Church.' 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Chyle then describes his method of Division of subject, which need not here be 
 stated, as we have followed it throughout in the ensuing preface. 
 
 It will also be well here to explain that to avoid the constant repetition of such 
 expressions as, so says Chyle, as Chyle observes, et hoc genus omne, and continual inverted 
 commas, I have, wherever he is quoted verbatim, left the original orthography and expres- 
 sions in all particulars unaltered, with the exception of the old-fashioned y' for the, and 
 w* for with. This arrangement enables the reader to see at a glance the actual words of 
 the Bishop's Secretary, as distinguished from the other and additional remarks of the 
 Editor. 
 
 I . I' 
 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 BOOK I. CHAP. I. 
 
 ©f tfje ^nttquits anlr JFounUatian of t!)ts (fCijurcfi. 
 
 |N speaking, therefore, of the Foundation and Constitution, and of the historical 
 order and discipline of the Cathedral Church of Wells, I have resolved to 
 avail myself of so high an authority, because there is a freshness and a 
 learning combined with a quaint pertinence and experience of the world 
 which has great attractions. It is not, however, part of my project to follow our uncom- 
 promising author word for word, space and time, no less than the gracious conditions of 
 the loan, all alike forbidding, but to avail myself of so much as may illustrate those 
 special matters of interest which have been omitted or hardly referred to by other 
 authorities, but which come before us in the Ordinale et Statuta. We do not propose, 
 therefore, to trace the history of the Cathedral Church of Wells from the mythological 
 period, or to verify all his learned and laboured quotations from Spelman, Camden, 
 Matthew of Westminster, and other writers, which would not interest the class of readers 
 for whom this work is intended, and which often have but a general application. The 
 general question of the origin of the Christian religion in Great Britain has nothing to do 
 with the internal economy of the Cathedral Church of S. Andrew at Wells. " I shall 
 only repeate," says Mr. Chyle, after seven closely-written pages of most studied writing on 
 the introduction of Christianity into Great Britain, " I shall only repeate some monkish 
 verses which I have met with relating to this (that is, the founding of Glastonbury by 
 Joseph of Arimathea) and leaving every man to his own humour, as to the credit thereoff, 
 proceed in my story : — 
 
 ' Intrat Avaloniam duodena caterva virorum 
 Flos Aramathise Joseph est primus Eorum. 
 Josephes ex Joseph genitus patrem comitatum 
 Hiis aliis decem Jus Glastonise propriatum.' " 
 
 Premising that the Church of Rome has never proved, nor can prove, that these 
 islands received their religion from her, until forced to do so by Henry II., "which was 
 600 years after Austin came hither," and that even Queen Mary, when she came to the 
 Throne, and admitted a reunion with the Church of Rome, restoring her severall things 
 taken away by her Father and Brother, kept the chiefe flower of her Growne, Supremacie, 
 he says, that it will be too teadious to trace the progress of our Christianitie, the Ebbings 
 and Sowings thereoff under severall Kings and Governors, and declares that among many 
 Writers who give the honour of first founding of this Church to King Ina, none is so par- 
 ticular and positive as polidore Virgill, a compliment which he immediately mitigates 
 with considerable contradiction, saying that by this Italian's Goodleave He is here much 
 mistaken as in many other places of his book as to who it was placed the Bishop's chair at 
 
 d 
 
xviii PREFA CK 
 
 Glastonbury and how mucli of the Abbie was built by King Ine. With regard, however, 
 to the question of Peter's pence, Mr. Chyle professes more confidence in " polydore,'' not, 
 however, he adds somewhat Captiously, for the validity of his testimony, but because his first 
 Errand hither (as he himself declares) was from the pope to be the Questor (as he calls him- 
 self) or Collector of this and other payments to Rome. . , . And speaking of this Church 
 and of himselfe, He goes on : — Floret ibidem, memoria nostra. Collegium Sacerdotum per 
 celebre in Quo continentur viri suis moribus et doctrina clari, quare mihi ne utiquam 
 modico honori, quod ab hinc Annis 14 Archidiaconus Wellensis factus sim ejus CoUegii 
 unus. True indeed. Collated I find this polydore to the Archdeaconry of Wells by 
 Hadrian Castello, Cardinal! and Bishopp (2°- Translationis Armo 1507. See also Chapter 
 Acts, Liber Ruber) where he continued till the last month of Hen. 8. reigne, To whom he 
 surrendered up the Archdeaconry, having enjoyed it 39 years, wherein he governed very 
 exemplarily, if you will beleeve his oune words : — Habeamque in ipsa Vuellensi Diocesi 
 Juxisdictionem, Quae nos interdum meliores reddit, sane cum mihi laborandum sit, ut 
 bene vivant, necesse habeo eam mihi cum primis legem prsescribere, quo ex Rectoris vita, 
 alii suam rectius metiri quean b. 
 
 And yet notwithstanding all this Vaunting, you shall find him basely and most 
 unthankfully to betray that Church from whence he receiv'd such honor and profitt. By 
 surrendering and Granting this Archdeaconry to Henry 8, but a month before the Death 
 of that Prince. This document from the Augmentation oflB-ce follows, sealed and signed 
 by "this polydore" (26 Dec. Anno dicii Regis. 38) before Edward North, Master of the 
 Augmentation Court. 
 
 Chyle then proceeds to demolish " this polydore," and repenting of a determination 
 just expressed to leave his Reader to exercise his thoughts as to the TJnworthiness of this 
 Act, for the present, continues by terming this Italian, " this Impe of Rome," an epithet 
 which, however, he endeavoured to obliterate, and begs us see how ungratefully and 
 sacrilegiously he thus robb'd and spoil'd our Church of almost her best Ornament and 
 dignitie, so that he cannot pass him by without Indignation and letting the World know 
 what a fellow he was. Therefore before I further proceed, shall rake up here together 
 what by peacemeale has been saide of him by severall of our Authors. Our indignant 
 friend then speaks of the " Romescoti office," which Polydore Yirgil held, and which 
 occasioned his Travaile into several parts of the Nation and gained him access to all the 
 records of the Cathedrals, and Abbeys, as well as of his being appointed one of the 
 Commissioners to examine, peruse, and preserve all that was valuable in these Registers, 
 for the information of future ages ; which collection he retained and published under the 
 title of Polydori Yirgilii Urbinatis* Anglim Historia Libri Viginti Septem. Chyle first has 
 a rap at " Mr. Thomas FuUer,'' observing of Polydore Virgil : There goes a Story of Him, 
 almost not to be doubted, yet perhapps of less Creditt, because taken notice of by Mr. 
 Thomas Fuller, and in his Church History thus worded — That he wrote a Latin history 
 of Britain out of many Rare Manuscripts, which he had collected, and partly to raise the 
 Reputation of his own writings and render himselfe out of the reach of Confutation, burnt 
 all those which came within his reache. 
 
 And what Librarian will not endorse the following miserable truism (if the word 
 " forreiners " be eliminated) : Like some forreiners of late dayes, who being favourably 
 
 * Chyle seems unable to resist the inclination to sarcastically suhstitute UrbanitatU for Urbinatit, 
 hut on second thoughts erased his jeu de mot. 
 
PREFACE. xix 
 
 admitted to our publicke Libraries, have for theire Remarks and Excerpta's instead of 
 taking the number of the Authors pages for theire future Quotation cut out and taken 
 away the very Leaves themselves. Chyle here digresses to deplore the condition of the 
 Wells Cathedral Library, and our sympathies irresistibly follow him in his lamentable 
 plaint : Grate reason I have to beleeve that the Library of this our Churche suffer'd under 
 such a Fate, because not any Book of any note is now or was (as lam credibly informed) 
 before our late Warrs to be found there. But that there were Books there heretofore of 
 Good Esteeme and some Account appears by Bale (p. 599) -who in his 8. Century of the 
 British Writers, makes mention of one John Chaundler in these following words : In 
 Fontanensi Ecclesia Calamiim suum Candelarius prosa et Carmine aliqua cum felicitate 
 exercuit usus famUiaritate, Thomse Beckinton Batoniensis VueUensis Episcopi ; Cui quse 
 Scripsit dedicavit, extant Archetypo ipsi in Fontanensi Bibliotheca, serico viUoso vestiti, 
 auro et minio pulcherimme picti. I dare not say that these Books and this Library thus 
 suffer'd by the immediate meanes of this polidore ; yet is he foulie to be suspected ; For he 
 that could betray his Nest, would not stick at lesser matters. A great plagiarie most 
 certainely he was, A true Librorum Helluo, cryed out against most especially by John 
 Leland's Ghost in these words : — 
 
 Am I deceiVd or doth not Leland's Spiritt 
 
 Complaine with th' Ghosts of English Notaries 
 
 Whom polydore Virgill rob'd of Meritt 
 
 Bereft of Name and sack't of History 
 
 While (Wretch) he ravisht English Libraries ; 
 
 Ah ! Wicked Booktheife ! who ever did it 
 
 Should one burne all to get one single Credit. 
 After this spiteful diatribe (for it seems Mr. Chyle could not forgive the Italian for 
 depreciating the country, and scarce allowing us any English writers but Bede and 
 Gildas), he enumerates the various writers who had cause to correct or vituperate 
 Polydore — Camden, Leiand, and Spelman, much to our Author's satisfaction, terming him, 
 if not all in letter at least in spirit, " polidorus Ule," after the manner of the first. 
 
 Whilst on the subject of the Pope's Questor, whom, as "a true Englishman," he 
 heartily detested, he is at the labour to quote the details of the diocesan payments of 
 Peter's pence dcut in Registro Sedig Apostolicce continentwr (Gloss. Verb. Romescot), viz. : — 
 
 De Diocesi 
 
 £ 
 
 >B. 
 
 d. 
 
 De Diocesi 
 
 £ 
 
 s. 
 
 d. 
 
 Cantuariensi 
 
 07 
 
 18 
 
 00 
 
 . Herefordensi 
 
 06 
 
 00 
 
 00 
 
 Londinensi... 
 
 16 
 
 10 
 
 00 
 
 Bathoniensi 
 
 12 
 
 05 
 
 00 
 
 Eoffensi 
 
 05 
 
 12 
 
 00 
 
 LLncolniensi 
 
 42 
 
 00 
 
 00 
 
 Norwicensi ... 
 
 21 
 
 10 
 
 00 
 
 Cicestrensi ... 
 
 08 
 
 00 
 
 00 
 
 Eliensi 
 
 05 
 
 00 
 
 00 
 
 Sarum 
 
 17 
 
 00 
 
 00 
 
 Wintoniensi 
 
 17 
 
 06 
 
 08 
 
 Coventrensi 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 00 
 
 Fixoniensi ... 
 
 09 
 
 05 
 
 00 
 
 Eborum 
 
 11 
 
 10 
 
 00 
 
 Wigorniensi , . 
 
 10 
 
 05 
 
 00 
 
 
 
 
 
 After these and many like details which are known at the present day to all students 
 of ecclesiastical history, he concludes the Chapter with a panegyric on the Founder of the 
 Church, King Ine. He was a prince, besides those his other virtues given much to 
 books and learning; And is by Bale numbred amoung our British Writers. That he writt 
 two books. One Statuta Municipalia, the other Leges reUgiosce ; And that we may see 
 how pious and prudent a Founder, Our Church had I shall here give the prseface to these 
 
XX 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 Statutes and religious Lawes publisht from the Manuscript by Mr. Abraham Whelook, 
 Arabick professor, and cheife Library keeper in the University of Cambridge Anno 1644, 
 This accordingly he quotes, with the words also of Henry of Huntingdon and some other 
 of old writing, such as those of William of Malmesbury {L. i. p. 15) and Florentius 
 Wigomensis (page 694) who concludes the Reigne of this prince our founder with 
 this distich 
 
 Et pro Kege Deo Regali Culmine spreto 
 
 Romam Eex tendit quo sancto Fine quievit. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 BOOK I. CHAP. II. 
 
 Wit ©ristnal anK JFirst plactitfl ijere of an Cpiscopall %tt. 
 
 ■gVJB B| 
 
 jERE our friend ventiires to broach a most unpardonable heresy, expressing 
 himself at variance with Polydore Virgill and Sir Richard Baker (who in 
 his Chronicle makes this Bishopprick first erected by King Kenulph)^ and 
 defies any one to prove from any good Authority that any Bishopp's Chaire 
 was here till above 200 years after Ina and an 100 after Kenulph. 
 
 The first Bishopp was Adelmus, Abbot of Glaston, who by some reported to be the 
 First Founder of Malmesbury Monastery, " through a mistake," cannot be proved to have 
 done anything for Wells, except on the ingenious interpretation of the general silence of 
 history, suggested by Mr. Chyle ; Yet cannot I mete with anything he did for this 
 Church, surely he could not wholy forgett her who had beene his First BeloVd and there- 
 fore I rather think what he did unhapily to be forgott, then that he left nothing, worthy 
 of Remembrance here behind Him. 
 
 Passing over the succeeding Bishops of Wells, and amongst them John de Villulse, a 
 phisitian or rather Empirick (msm non Uteris medicus prohaPus) 1088, he pauses en 
 passant, apropos of this Bishop's removing the Episcopal Chair to Bath and buying the 
 city for 500 marks by which he also got the Abbey, to relate how leaving S. Andrew, he 
 dedicated a church to S. Peter, where he was afterwards buried : to which William of 
 Malmesbury observed : — Cessit Andreas Simoni Pratri, Frater major minori. This putts 
 me in mind of a waggish Trick put upon Oliver S. John and his new house at Thorp. 
 . . . in Northamptonshire built by him in the late Rebellion of the Stones and Lead 
 taken from peterburgh Cathedrall, and in sight thereoffi Upon the leads there were two 
 hands pointing the one to the Church, speaking thus ^S' I^ ^' Peter had not beene there, 
 The other to the House thus ^ 
 
 a V 
 
 
 Many pages are then occupied with the " long and sharpe controversie" between the 
 cities of Bath and Wells and between Wells and Glaston, until the monks had again 
 their Abbot and Bishop Robert his title of Bath and Wells. 
 
 TTpon the Death of these two Bishopps and during the Vacancie ; A greate difference 
 arose between the monks of Bath and Canons of Wells about the Election of theire new 
 Bishopp : Both parties challenging it as theire particular, and undoubted Right ; when 
 after many hot and fierce debates Bishop Robert litem hac lege sopivit : That from thence 
 forward the Bishopp should be denominated from both places and that precedencie in the 
 Title should be given to Bath, because then a cityj Soe as to be stil'd for the future 
 Bishopps of Bath and Wells, 
 
 A certain number delegated from each Church should elect their Successive Bishop, 
 the Bodies acquiescing in theire Choyce. 
 
xxii PREFACE. 
 
 That after the Confirmation of such Election, the Bishopp Elect to be Inthronis'd in 
 both Churches, in Bath first. 
 
 That both theire Bodies should be accounted the Bishopp's Chapter, Soe as all Grants 
 and patents were to be confirmed under both theire respective Seales. 
 
 "Polydore" seems, however, to fall into another mistake when he says, Johannes 
 Wellensis, Homo Gallus per idem tempus Csenobium Bathoniense, Rectorum in curia, pene 
 labefacturum, ad suum Wellensem Episcopatum adjungendum curavit, auctis Yectigalibus 
 quibus Monachis viverent. Atque ita Anno Salutis 1096 Bathonie Civitas pari honore 
 acceptse Wellensis Episcopalis Sedis ornatur. But Bishop Eobert was not Bishop of Wells 
 till 1136, so that Polydore is again detected in error. 
 
 But to enter into the whole history of this question would be apart entirely from our 
 purpose : it affects in no wise the internal economy of the Cathedral itself It is, however, 
 amusing to note the terms in which the Wells Registrar delivers his mind on the Bath 
 monks. Reg. J. fol. 93, we read of Savaric's election to the see : Demum post diutinam 
 dictse formse observationem (i.e., eligendi Episcopum) Monachi Bathonienses sede vacante 
 Savaricum postea Bathoniense m Episcopum soli sine Canonicis Wellensibus elegerunt, 
 ipsis absentibus et irrequisitis, et hoc penitus ignorantibus, et sic ad curiam Romanam 
 confirmandum et consecrandum dictis Canonicis omnino ignorantibus transmiserunt: quern 
 Papa qui tunc fuit per obreptionem Monachorum confirmavit et consecravit. This serious 
 reflection was penned in 1242. Of him the monks wrote — 
 
 Hbspes erat mundo, per Mundum semper eundo 
 Sic suprema dies fit sibi prima quies. 
 
 Nor was their conduct in this matter characterised by less ingenuity when, just 100 
 years after, at the death of Bishop JoceUn, they caused the Chapter of Wells a vast 
 amount of anxiety. The Saturday after S. Edmund's day, 1242 (the Bishop having 
 deceased on the eve of that festival), the Wells Chapter sent William de Button and 
 Walter de S. Quintin, the Archdeacons of Wells and Taunton, and William of Maidstone, 
 a Canon, to the Prior, to tell him of the Bishop's death, and arrange with him for sending 
 fit and proper persons for the cong^ d'Uire, and other matters connected with the election. 
 The Canons of Wells, we are told, suboluerunt fraudulentae Bathoniensium Machinationes 
 de licentia secreto ab illis a Rege obtinenda, and incensi suspicione betook themselves 
 with all haste to Bath, and the next day being Sunday, met the Prior and Convent in the 
 Prior's chamber, and warned them that they should appeal to the Apostolic See. A 
 Chapter was held at Wells to consider quo pacto conatibus Bathoniensium, obviam irent. 
 We are then informed that they met in large' numbers at Perenton, and discussed how 
 they could best keep peace between them, and best arrange for the mutual election of a 
 Bishop ; but the monks of Bath, up to mischief again, instruendse fraudi admodum intenti 
 absentiam amicorum quorumdam allegaverunt, atque hoc praetextu colloquia cum Wellen- 
 sibus inhoneste interruperunt. 
 
 The Wells Canons then sent Philip de Gildeford with a transcript of their right to 
 elect the Bishop to the King (Henry III.), then in Acquitaine, and fearing what might 
 come de inddiis Monachorum, sent letters to TJlward, the King's clerk, humbly imploring 
 him to take their place, and earnestly beg the KiQg, ne Monachi eos in licentia obtinenda 
 mala fide et dolose prsevenirent. They then appealed to Rome through their proctors, 
 Philip de Gildeford and Richard Clerk, anxiously begging the former (obnixe) ut onus 
 hoc atque munus pro fratribus suis alacer et promptus sustineret et si fieri potuit, ut in 
 sooietatem suam Hugonem de Uviona et prsefatum regis clericum assumeret, quibus literas 
 
PREFACE. xxiii 
 
 suas deprecatorias liumiliter transmiserant ut conjunctis et pronis animis attentius prospi- 
 cerent, ne Monachi jura Wellensium fraudulenter elidere Talerent. 
 
 Tte story continues for many pages, the gist of it being, in the mind of the Wells 
 scnbe, that the monks of Bath were not merely astuti, but eliciting the following original 
 definition of their effrontery : — 
 
 On the 30th of January, the Prior and Convent of Bath , having, minus honeste, 
 obtained the King's licence, inform the Dean, and Chapter of Wells that on February the 
 6th they intend to proceed to the election of a Bishop, and declare that though neither 
 de jure neque de consuetudine that right belongs to the Canon of Wells, from their 
 abundant interest or feeling in the matter, they summon them to attend at that time in 
 the Church of Bath, licet per Litam vocationem nihil juris intendebant illis attribuere. 
 
 Tcmta erat impudentigsimorum Monaohorum ineffrmnata et intolerabUis insohnUa I 
 
 The day before the election, the Sub-dean of Wells and H., de acto dei, went to Bath 
 to inform the Prior that they were prepared to treat in some convenient place about the 
 right of common election, and to warn them that should they proceed to the election, they 
 would appeal to Eome^ They sent at the same time the three Archdeacons to Bath, 
 perpensa Bathoniensium minus sincera et inutili cormnunicatione, because they were 
 anxious for the " public utility " of each Church, to arrange some mutual form for peace 
 and concord. 
 
 The Sub-dean and Archdeacons made all haste to Bath, the Sub-dean arriving with 
 another proctor a little before vespers at the Prior's Hostel, where he read the letters 
 before him and certain of the monks, and asked a conference with the whole Convent 
 semd atque iterum. When this was refused, they appealed. While the Wells dignitaries 
 were yet at Bath, the Prior and Convent proceed to the election, having flatly refused to 
 entertain the request of the Sub-dean of Wells and his colleagues that they might take 
 part in the election, and spurning and despising {spretis contemptisque) their appeals, elect 
 Eoger, Precentor of Salisbury, to the Bishopric, and commend him to the King, ut rem 
 mala fide peractam, assensu comprdbwret. 
 
 Upon this the Sub-dean, with his attendant proctor, set off to Salisbury with all 
 haste, and got there on Saturday about three o'clock (circa hora/m tertiam), and immediately 
 read through their letters of appeal against the election which had taken place on the 
 previous day, as well as the transcript of the instruments which they had brought thence; 
 and after many altercations they inquired of the Precentor what' he intended to do in the 
 matter. To this he replied as follows : — Si Canonice sum electus prout literse mihi directse 
 ex parte Prioris et Conventus Bathoniensis testificantur, et vocatis qui fuerant evocandi, 
 tunc prsebeo assensum electioni de me factae, sin autem nequaquam. WeUenses suffragiis 
 suis Monachorum fraude privati atque enormem istam injuriam segre ferentes, a general 
 convocation of the whole Chapter was called for February 27. But notwithstanding the 
 exertions of William of York, Propositus de Beverlaco, who is described as a prudent man 
 and discreet in counsel, and all the efforts of the Dean, who to further the interests of the 
 Capitular rights before the Apostolic Court, in person carried their cause to Rome, and 
 the express declaration of protest made by the Canons in the Chapter-house on May 21, 
 1243, before the nuncios from Christ Church, Canterbury, that they would not accept any 
 suggestion to the loss or prejudice of their statutable rights, and notwithstanding the pre- 
 cautions the Chapter took to preserve the secrets of the Chapter in all matters concerning 
 the election of a Bishop, the Precentor of Sarum was consecrated on September 14th in 
 the following year. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 A. compromise was certainly entered into between the Bishop and Canons, that the 
 deanery, in case of vacancy, was vested in the Chapter, and that they should receive two- 
 thirds of all the rents, profits, and issues of all vacant churches in the diocese ; but we 
 cannot but expect there was a grim satisfaction in the Chapter of "Wells in after years 
 when they heard in August, 1310, that the Abbey was in such a dilapidated condition 
 that the Bishop (John Drokenaford) wi'ote letters begging the clergy of his diocese to 
 favourably receive the proctors from Bath, atque ut eis eleemosynas et subsidia elcwgirentur 
 (Reg. Drok. fol. 52) ; or again, when there were general complaints on the part of the 
 Convent against the Prior as to the efficiency of his cook, and the sufficiency and quality 
 of the Abbey diet; in 1321, when Bishop Robert admonished the Prior de victu et 
 cibario salubriori ad usum Conventus parando atque de re domestic^, et familiar! adeo 
 provide administrandi, ut Monachi nee penuria victus neque alimento Sordido aut 
 squalido opprimerentur (Reg. Drok. fol. 177), and two years afterwards the Sub-prior and 
 Convent begged the Bishop to ratify the appointment of their cook ! In the same Register 
 we hear that their oath was as follows, when in January lith, 1325, a large number of 
 the monks made their profession in the presence of the Bishop, and having subscribed the 
 schedule, laid it upon the altar of the Abbey : — Ego . A. B. promitto stabilitatem meam 
 et conversionem morum meorum et obedientiam secundum regulam S. Benedicti, coram 
 Deo et Sanctis ejus in hoc Monasterio quod est constitutum in honore Sanctorum 
 Apostolorum Petri et Pauli in preesentia Domini Episcopi. In 1312, Bishop Drokensford 
 had found cause to visit the Convents of Bath, Glaston, and the Dean and Chapter of 
 WeUs, and judging from the tenor of the citation they must have been guilty of some very 
 heinous system of deceit, the preamble stating iihat Quum frequenter contra constitutiones 
 sanctorum Patrum et in fraudem effectus earum consueverint illicitis juramentis, fidei 
 dationibus et aliis promissionibus machinationes et conspirationes fallaciter inveniri ita 
 quod per hujus subdolas pactione pro correctionibus in visitatione facienda uUa poterit 
 Veritas perscrutari, &c. Szo. Consequently, post verbum Dei propositum statim lecto 
 certificatorio Prioris et Conventus Bathoniensis super mandate ad visitandum eis directo 
 sententiam quandam excommunicationis in personas omnium tacentium veritatem ful- 
 minavit in scriptis. 
 
 Nor in the previous century do associations of Bath Abbey appear to have been in 
 high favour with the Canons of Wells, as we find that on Whit-Monday, 1298, William of 
 Bath was, by order of Chapter, deprived of his salary until he had made satisfaction to the 
 Canons for the money of which he had robbed them. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 BOOK I. CHAP. III. 
 
 Efje ©rigittall anti JFirst Constitution of a ©eane, Cfiapter, anlr 
 
 ^raetnenUarics ijert. 
 
 S there were above 200 yeares betweene the first Foundation of this Church 
 
 by King Inas, and the first erecting here an Episcopal See by Edward the 
 
 Elder, Soe were there also above the like number of yeares after here was a 
 
 Bishopwrick before there was any Deane & Chapter. 
 
 So Mr. Chyle proceeds to say that though of course Canons — i.e., Secular Canons, 
 
 according to Mr. Speed (Chron. p. 792), had even existed here ever since the first 
 
 Foundation, and during all the time of the first Bishopps " who made the Chapter, not till 
 
 Bishopp Robert, the 18th of this place can we finde or reade of any Deane and Chapter." 
 
 Bishop Robert examining the Constitution of his Church, found therein " a cheife 
 officer under the name and Title of prsepositus or provost (an officer first erected by Bishop 
 Gisa) who to caiTy on his part and Dignitie appropriated to Himselfe and swallowed up 
 most of the profitt & Revenues. It is said of him that, Ecclesise proventus in suos usus 
 convertens Canonicos, rei frumentariae et stipendii inopia, mendicitati subjecit. And 
 this not by the Connivance only hut order of Bishopp John de VUlula, placing in that 
 office, a Creature and Relation of his owne. Allotting to these Canons a small pittance 
 only, scarce enough to keepe them sweete and honest for their Food and Raiment {Main- 
 tencmce). Who could ex^pect better from this Bishopp ? remarks Mr. Chyle, who no doubt 
 appointed the very same officer whom Bishopp Robert found in possession thereof when, 
 there being not full 12 yeares betweene those two Bishopps he determined " to rectifie 
 this almost sacrilegious. Abuse and prevent the lik-e for the Future," as we gather from 
 the preface to the Instrument, Ordmatio Decanatiis. — Dugdale, Monasticon Anglicanum, 
 Vol. II. p. 293, No. xxvii. 
 
 Thus by the good leave of King Stephen {with whom he was now in Favour, tho' for 
 some time before unluckily under a Cloud, as if winking at and thereby accessory to the 
 Escape of Jefferry Talbot one of his Empress Maud's, his open Enemie, Cheifest Cap- 
 taines who was surpris'd and made Prisoner in his Citty of Bath) and advice of the 
 Metropolitans and others of most Esteeme in Church and State, He takes the whole 
 possessions of the Church into his Manage, Dividening them into two parts, whereofi" the 
 one He settles upon the Canons as a Body aggregate, placing over them a Deane as 
 Governour and Head of that Body. The other part he distribut's to severall persons in 
 Holy Orders, naming them (prcebends) prsebendaries and officers of the Church to be 
 enjoy'd by a constant Succession of such persons as should be nominated and Collated 
 upon every vacancie therinto by Himselfe and his Successors. 
 
 Among these oifioers he appointed first a Subdeane, (2) a Prrecentor or Chantor, 
 (3), A Succentor ; (4) A Chancelor ; (5) A Treasurer. Here Mr. Chyle, has added after 
 each officer the definition of their several statutable duties, but on second thoughts 
 scratched them out, adding after the Treasurer, " the province and duty of these officers I 
 shall speake of in The last Booke of the Govenement of this Church;" in which arrange- 
 ment we will agree. 
 
 This re-ordering of the Cathedral Constitution was not completed till the time of 
 Henry II., who confirmed all Bishop Robert's Acts, Constitutions, and " Statutes Authori- 
 
 6 
 
xxvi PREFACE. 
 
 tative and Loyall." Other prsebends being added by Reginald Fitzjoceline, his immediate 
 successor, Bishop Savaric, appropriated the Churches of Ilmister and Longsutton, and 
 making them prsebends annexed them to the Abbots of Athelney and Michelney. The 
 Instrument of the latter annexation was found by Mr. Chyle at the Augmentation office, 
 bearing date 1202. It was not, however, confirmed by the Dean and Chapter (although 
 expressly stated in the deed that their consent was obtained) until November 28th, 1398. 
 The Instrument for annexing Longsutton to the Abbot of Athelney is after the same 
 manner (see Reg. I. f. 49 ; Reg. III. f. 369). " Both of these prsebends were swallow'd 
 and involv'd in the Ruin and destruction of those Abbies, tho' Sutton since was by Queen 
 Mary restored to the Church, yet not in the same nature of a prsebend as before. Some 
 prfebends more were further added by Bishop Joceline." But Mr. Chyle finds grave 
 cause for complaint against Camden, who he supposes went no further for his information 
 "than the First Fruits office, or the King's Books of the First Fruits and Tenths in the 
 Exchequer, according to the Rates and Taxes made and augmented by Henry 8th when 
 he left or rather fell out with the Church of Rome." Camden has said (p. 298) : Prae- 
 bendse enim 27 cum prsebendiolis 19, prseter Deeanum, Prsecentorem, Oancellarium, et 
 tres Archidiaconos, ad banc spectant Ecclesiam. " But here he leaves out the Treasurer 
 and Subdeane two of the Dignitaries of this Church (which I believe was through inad- 
 vertensie only omitted) Nor takes he any notice of the prebends of Wedmore I-*-- and 
 Combe 1^ annext to the Deanery, Or of MUverton I-^- annext to the Archdeaconry 
 of Taunton, or of Huish and Brent to the Archdeaconry of Wells. Now let these be 
 added and All will agree — viz. : this Account with the Queen's Charter (34 Eliz. Cart.). 
 These agree also with the Table, De Taxdtione prsebendarum (see p. 97) drawn up and 
 confirmed by Dean Godelee 1331, and also with an old order wherein the whole Book of 
 David's psalmes are appointed every day throughout the yeare to be said by the Bishopp 
 
 Deane, and prsebends;" and all this agrees with the number of stalls in the Quire viz. 
 
 50, Previous to the erection of the Deanery ; Vita Canonicorum fuit communis, in eodem 
 claustro manebant : in eodem dormitorio dormiebant ; in eodem refectorio refioiebantur 
 prseposito singulis Canonicis cibi et potus portionem diurnam prsebente sive ministrante 
 unde portio ista diuma prsebenda dicta fuit. Post autem institutum Deeanum dimissa 
 fuit domicilii et mensse communio, atque reditus proventus et prsedia ecclesire in portiones 
 divisa fuerunt quas prsebendas appellarunt. And in 1326 it was decreed that no Canon 
 or Vicar should receive any portion of the fruits of any vacant prebend, unless he had 
 made residence vel saltern ecclesiam in habitu frequenta/eerit infra Trigentale Gamonici 
 mortui (Reg. I. 137). This Constitution so continued for 400 years— until Bishop Knight 
 1547, At which time was WiUiam Fitz Williams Deane of this Church, who following the 
 Example of polydore, most unworthy also surrendered up the Deanery together with the 
 office, and whole Revenues and properties thereunto belonging to King Edward the Sixth 
 The Tenor thereof foUowes : — 
 
 Omnibus Christi fidelibus &c. Willielmus FitzwiUiam Decanus Ecclesise Cathedralis 
 Wellen &c. Sciatis me prsefatum Deeanum certis de causis et considerationibus me speci- 
 aliter moventibus Dedisse &c. Inclitissimo principi Edwardo G"- &c. Totum Decanatum 
 meum Ecclesie Cathedralis Wellen ac totum officium et Dignitatem meam Decanatus 
 praidicti, Ac omnia Dominia et Maneria Mea de Mark Modesley Wedmore et More ac 
 Hundredum meum de Bramston &c. Ac omnes illas Rectorias de Mark et More. Et 
 prsebendam meam de Bidisham. Ac Advocationes Vicariorum de Mark et More &c ' Cum 
 pertinentiis Habendum &c. prsefato Domino Regi Heredibus : et Assignatis suis in per 
 
PREFACE. xxvii 
 
 petuum Ad proprium Opus et usum ipsius Domini Regis Heredum et Assignatorum 
 suorum in perpetuum. Et ego vero prsedictus Decanus et Successores mei Decanatum 
 prsediotum, &o. cum pertinentiis praefato Domino Regi Heredibus et Assignatis suis contra 
 omnea G-entes Warrantizabimus et in perpetuum defendemus per presentes. In cujus rei 
 Testimonium & Dat. IS"- die Martii Anno lo-' Edwardi sexti. 
 
 Capt: et Reoog: coram me 
 
 Edwardo North M™' Cur: Augment'. 
 
 16°' Mart. Anno Edwardi 6*- primo. 
 
 At the foot of this Instrument there is this proviso writt by the said Edward North, 
 but not sign'd by the Deane :: provided that this Act be not prejudicial! to the Chapter 
 or possessions thereoflE", other than the possessions of the Deanery. Of this strainge Act 
 Mr. Chyle forbeares to make any Reflection, but after quoting Camden and Heylyn. 
 proceeds to notice how the new Deanery was by Act of Parliament erected — " And tho' 
 this was the Colour and pretence for that Act yet was it cheifly intended for y« Confirma- 
 tion and strengthening of these Surrenders of polydore and Fitzwilliam, not of themselves 
 and without that, sufficient and of force enough to pass away from the Church those offices 
 and Revenues.'' The said Act (1°- Ed. 6, N. 16) declares that inasmuch as the late Deane 
 and late Archdeacon of Wells had severally executed deeds on 20th Dec. in 38th year of 
 late King Henry 8th and 16th March in first year of Edward 6th "our Souveraine King 
 that now is," by reason of which they be clearly and absolutely extinguished, and deter- 
 mined, that " there be a New Incorporation erection and establishing of a Deane in the 
 said Cathedrall Church " — that he be so named call'd and incorporated— ^enabled to give, 
 grant or otherwise depart from any Lands, Tenements, &c., belonging to the said Deanery, 
 shall have the same stall and voice in the Chapter-house — shall and may have and enjoy 
 all the profitts and Commodities of Inductions of Churches, probate of Testaments, <Sec. &c. 
 with the Authoritie of the Inductions of such parsons as hereafter shall be instituted into 
 the Churches within the Jurisdiction of the late said Archdeacon — not to have any of the 
 former Archdeacon's or Deane's possessions — but to have the provostship when it shall 
 become void, the praibend of Curry and Sub-Chantershipp annext to the said Deanery — 
 ■with all the Quotidians, Dividens, Obitts, &c., which the former Deanes Archdeacons, 
 prsebends of Curry and Subchanters heretofore had, &c. &c. 
 
 Thus it continued the remainder of that King's Reigne and also all Queen Marie's 
 (excepting what related to the Archdeaconry — as in its proper place shall be observed) 
 and the first 24 yeares of Queene Elizabeth when by letters patent bearing date at West- 
 minster the 25th day of November This Churche is againe new founded and constituted. 
 The reason thereoff will best appeare by the preface of that Grant. 
 
 Mr. Chyle then quotes the preamble to the Act, and continues : " And soe Goes on 
 founding and creating de novo A Deane, Canons, Dignitaries, and prsebendariea naming 
 the particular persons ; And settleing on them their Severall Revenues and possessions. 
 Makeing the Deane and Canons (appointing a set number of Them) a Corporation ; giving 
 them Rules and Lawes, to Live and walk by in their Manage and Goverment, And all 
 thereinto Judicially and legally with such provisoes. Care, and prudence, Establishd, 
 ratified and confirmed as not a Loophole is scarce left for Cavill or Dissension. By this 
 prseface there seemes as it were a Necessity of giving new Life and strength to this 
 Church, The Corporation and all Depending on Her being la the Judgment and opinion 
 of the learned and most judicious (For such are They to be Esteemed and accounted, who 
 are admitted to the Discourse, and Councills of princes) extinguis't and dissolv'd notwith- 
 
XXVIU 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 standing that act of King Edward's placing only a new Head on old shoulders But giving 
 them noe power or authoritie to Act joyntly and together. For the Kinge by his own 
 prserogative had power sufficient to make this Church againe an aggregate Corporation 
 and a New Deanery, yet the Courtiers who shared the profitt and Revenues of the 
 Deanery and Archdeaconry thought themselves not secure enough against succession or 
 what might happen under the Right and Title only of those Surrenders of polydore and 
 Fitawilliams (Notwithstanding Edward North's provisoe) but must have both these offices 
 first dissolv'd by this Act and Then a New Deanery made with those Circumstances and 
 Conditions therein Exprest. 
 
 But herein was the failor That there wanted words in this new Act sufficient and 
 necessary for the making or re-establishing of a Body politick, There being only a new 
 Deanery and that a sole Corporation here erected but not a Word of that of the Deane 
 and Canons, taken away doubtless by confirming and making good Fitzwilliam's Surrender. 
 
 This was it which was cheifly urged and preuaill'd with the Queene for this new 
 Grant and Charter. All the Publick Acts and proceedings of this Church from the time 
 of that Surrender or Act of Parliament, tUl this Charter of the Qneene's being suppos'd 
 only good and Authoritative because taken for granted and not Question'd. Mr. Chyle 
 then excuses himself from quoting in detail the Charter of Queen Elizabeth (containing at 
 least thirty membranes in the Roll), as he says that "by parcella we shall discover what's 
 most material! in the whole" (see Appendix, p. 241). 
 
 " The number of the Canons (who with the Dean made up the Chapter) was ten, 
 Exclusive of the Dean and so they continued till four or more of them were void and then 
 their number was to be eight whereof the Dean makes one, according to the Charter.'' 
 
 Chyle concludes with the names of the Dean, Canons, Dignitaries, and Prebendaries 
 as they stand in the Charter. 
 
 
 'I'll 
 
PREFACE. xxix 
 
 BOOK I. CHAP. IV. 
 
 STfie dFounlration of tfie Ficars Cijoral. 
 
 !R. CHYLE being unable to trace any footsteps as regards the body of Vicars, 
 assumes that they take their Rise and Beginning from the time of Bishop 
 Joceline, who about 1220 stiled them Vicars Choral. They lived at large 
 till the time of Bishop Ralph, when their condition was much altered 
 and amended. 
 
 This appears by these monkish verses : — 
 
 Per vioos positi viUse, pater alme, rogamus 
 Ut simul uniti, Te dante, domos maneamus. 
 
 The Bishopp's Answeare 
 Vestra petunt merita quod sint Concessa petita 
 Ut maneatis ita, Loca fecimus hie Stabilita. 
 
 So in 22nd year of Edward III. Bishop Ralph obtained License to Incorporate the 
 Vicars Chorall and procure a place for their future Cohabitacion and endow them with 
 lands and tenements. 
 
 Having now brought them together and a place assign'd for their Dwelling, He 
 enlarges it with 'Buildings and other Befitting Conveniences ; Settles Lands and Revenues 
 for theire better maintenance, Enjoyning them Rules and Orders to Live by and Demeane 
 themselves, Stiling it 
 
 COLLEGIUM NOVI CLAUSI VICARIORUM INFRA LIBERTATEM WELLEK 
 
 Conjecturing that the general number of Vicars was the same as that of the 
 prsebendaries (though he calls this a large number) yet not too large when we con- 
 sider the old Statutes and Ordinale of this Church, where is often mention made of 
 Sacerdotes Hebdomadarii, Diaconi et Subdiaconi, Accoliti, &c.. All comprehended 
 under the General Name of Viccurs, who had their severall Offices and Duties in the 
 carrying on of their dayly Services, Masses, & Processions — he proves this to be in 
 accordance with the old Table De Taxatione Prsebendarum, in which are found the words, 
 " Quantum quUibet Vicarius et cseteri Ministri Ecclesise debent percipi et a quibus solvi," 
 wherein are contained about the same number of vicars : and then refers to an Instrument 
 of Bishop Joceline, wherein making an exchange between the Dean and Sub-dean of 
 Wooky for Wedmore, Greate care is taken for the Vicars : the Words are, Statuimus 
 eciam deliberacione communi ut prsebenda ilia de csetero (meaning "Wedmore) vicarium in 
 ecclesia Wellen habeat sacerdotem perpetuum, qui singulis annis quatuor marcas argenti 
 de ipsa prsebenda percipiet nomine Vicariae. Et quod Subdecanus de prsebenda sua 
 (meaning Wooky) quicunque fuerit, Vicario suo in Ecclesia Wellen ministranti singulis 
 annis duas ad minus marcas argenti nomine Vicarii assignet. And also I find that in the 
 Oath which the prsepositura (sic, Ed.) takes at his entrance into that office. He swears to 
 paye yearely to the 15 Combe prebends, Ac Vicariis, Stallis dictarum prsebendarum in 
 eadem Ecclesia deservituris nomine prsebendarum et Vicariorum suorum centum libras 
 sterlingorum (which comes to every Comb £5 6». 8c?. and to every Vicar £1 6s. 8c?.), from 
 whence I can conclude that if the smaller prebends as these Combs (and soe likewise the 
 
XXX 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 Wedmores*) have theire Vicars to do theire duties in theire absence, That those other of a 
 larger income had also theire partionlar Vicars, and soe made an equall number with thfe 
 prsebends which I have said to be about 50. 
 
 This number Chyle supposes to have continued until the Reformation — a surmise 
 which, however, I cannot really reconcile with the Collations (given in the Schedule at 
 end of Appendix) to the Chantries which were held by Vicars, and of whom, from the 
 year 1487 to 1513, the names of more than twenty-five never appear in one year. About 
 that time, however, he believes their number to have been reduced as from the Exchequer 
 Roll of the Tenths of this Diocess, there is this still, Sallaria sive Stipend. Vicariorium 
 pertinentia eorum Stallis, where the number is 31 (see page 97). 
 
 Gradually ought I now to Descend and continue This Discourse of Them, according 
 to this Theire Charter of the Queene, By which now they live, move and have their Being, 
 and truly very well, and liberall as any Body of the like Nature in any Church, Had they 
 what of right belonged to Them. But I shall make some little Digression and for a while, 
 as well leave them and their Charter, till I have given Some account of the severall 
 Chanteries and obitts in this Church (which are not to be forgott, tho' now Extinguish't) 
 as theire other Concerns. 
 
 The following passage is so specially valuable that we shall be forgiven for quoting it 
 in full, with reference to the Chantries (see page 99) : — 
 
 In this Church as in many other of this Nation, as well parochiall as Cathedrall, 
 Several Chanteries or Free Chapells : Aedes sacrse (sales Sir Henry Spelman) ideo 
 institutes et dotatse praediis ut Missa ibi cantaretur pro Anima Pundatoris et Propinquorum 
 ejus; Distinct from the Foundation and Jurisdiction of the Church were erected and 
 founded. And that by Composition between e the Founders of such Chanteries and the 
 Ordinary Body, or Incumbent of that Church. 
 
 In the first year of Edward the six by Act of Parliament (1 Ed. VI. cap. 14) were 
 these Chanteries among other Things of like nature Given to the Crowne and not only the 
 Lands and Tenements, <fec., belonging to them. But also all the summs of money profitt, 
 Comodities and Emoluments together with all the Goods, belonging to the furniture or 
 services of theire severall foundacions Swpertiously abused : So that what was left by 
 Hen: 8: was taken by Edward 6: Quae pleraque omnia — as Mr. Camden words it (Brit. 
 
 • Value of the Great TytKes of Wedmore in the 19th year of Charles the F 
 
 rst, A.D. 1643 :— 
 
 Wheat 200 Cartloads at agio per Load 
 
 ^£1300 
 
 Do. 100 (White Wheat) at do. 
 
 1000 
 
 Barley 300 Loads at ^£5 per Load 
 
 1000 
 
 Oats 100 do. do. 
 
 500 
 
 Beans 100 do. do. 
 
 500 
 
 Eye 100 do. do. 
 
 500 
 
 Hay 200 Loads at ^ea per Load 
 
 400 
 
 Wool 1300 pounds of Wool at Ss. per Todd 
 
 130 
 
 Lambs 400 
 
 300 
 
 Tola lbs. 
 
 
 38)1200(42 . 34 
 
 ^£5430 
 
 112 
 
 
 80 
 
 
 56 
 
 
 24 
 
 This I have estiinated at a very moderate rate. Signed G. W. Lukin, May 37, 1803. 
 
PREFACE. xxxi 
 
 p. 118) specioso Superstitionis obtentu palim diruta, reditus distracti, et Opes quas 
 Christiana Anglorum pietas, ex quo primum Christo nomen dedissent, Deo consecraverat, 
 quasi momento dispersae et absit verbo invidia, profanatas. 
 
 By virtue of this Act Comissioners were appointed throughout all England, Giving 
 them or any Two of them power to Survey, and enquire into all Colleges (the Universities 
 and some few only Excepted) Chanteries, Free chapels, &c.. And therein to place Vicars, 
 and preachers, to endow Them, or grant Sallaries, as They should think fitt and reasonable 
 without any Licence or Grant from the Bishopp, or other officers of the Diocess ; And 
 within one yeare, after the Comision to Them Directed, to make Certificate of such 
 Assignements, and what else They had don, according to their particular Instructions 
 mention'd and appointed in the said Act. For this Countrie of Somersett, A Commission 
 bearing date 13°- Febr. 2°- Ed. 6 was issued out to S'^- Hugh paulett, S'- John Saintloe, 
 S'f- Tho: Dyer, S'- John Rogers, and others. 
 
 To Survey all Colleges, Chantry s, &c., within that Countie, and to make Certificate 
 thereoff, within the time, and under the penalties, limited and mention'd, in the afibre- 
 said Act. 
 
 That wee may distinguish betweene Superstition pretended, and cryed out against, 
 and profitt aim'd att, and intended, I wUl among many, mention only two or three 
 passages, in the Certificate return'd by these Comissioners, and then proceed to the 
 Eetume they made of the Chanteries in this Church. 
 
 MeTnorandvMi. 
 
 " The ChapeU of Endborow, withiu the parish of Chewton, is covered with Lead, and 
 soe, that the same may be Tyled, the Inhabitants there, are Contented, That the King's 
 Ma^s have the Lead. 
 
 " That Chapells standing near parish Churches, may well be spared and the materialls 
 sold for his Ma*'^'^ use. 
 
 " The Churches of Huish and Lwnvpert are one Benefice, whereoff one may be spared, 
 and taken doune, for they stand within a Bird-holt shott together." 
 
 Now the Retume these Comissioners made relating to this {i.e., the Chantries) is as 
 follows (see page 73) : 
 
 "Two Chanteries founded by Robert Burnell and Walter Haselshaw To each priest 
 5 marks, paide by the Deane and Chapter, out of the parsonage of Bwmham, appropriated 
 to them." The ordinance of these Chantries was thus described : — 5 Jan. 1306. — Decanus 
 et Capitulum beneficia a Rob. Burnell olim Episcopo et a Walt, de Haselshaw nunc 
 Episcopo habita Gratanter recolentes et speciatim ecclesias de Jevelton, Bumham, Stanton 
 Dru et Coleworth per Rob. Bumel Eccl. Well donatas ; considerantes etiam quod Robertus 
 ecclesiam de Bumham ad obitum suum faciendum et ad fabricam Ecclesiam sustentandam 
 appropriare sibi proposuerat, et quod Walterus annuente Rege Ecclesiam istam ipsis con- 
 cesserat. Decern libras hinc duobus Capellanis, qui die obituali Roberti, festo So. SS. Crispi 
 et Crispiniani missam decantaturis ad altaria juxta ingressum chori, et die S. Blasii missam 
 pro salubri statu Walteri Episcopi celebraturis, ex proventibus Eccl. de Burnham assig- 
 navit. — Reg. I. 164. 
 
 " Two Chantries founded by Henry Hussey, Deane. To each priest 5 marks paide 
 by the Deane and Chapter, out of the Man'- oi North Gurry. Monday, June 6, 1306. — 
 The Executors of the last Will and Testament of Henry Husee, late Dean, paid to the 
 Dean and Chapter ex pacto £200, manerio et ecclesia de Wynescomb pignoris pro 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 triennium acceptis, for ten pounds to be paid by them to those who should sing his mass, 
 and on the Yigil of S. John the Baptist's day it was finally agreed upon that the two 
 Chaplains who should say mass ad duo nova altaria ad ingressum chori constructa daily, 
 on feast of S. Peter's Chair, should receive £16 yearly for so doing. The indenture of 
 Wynescomb was, we are told, reposita in viridi fargario. 
 
 " Two Chantries founded by William Wellington. To each priest 5 marks, paide' by 
 the Deane and Chapter, out of the Man'- of North Curry. We read (Reg. III. 284) that 
 since W. de Welinton, Canon of "Wells, had freely given 40 marks to the fabric of the 
 Chapter-house and Church, the Dean and Canons, willing to repay a temporal benefit by a 
 spiritual reward, decreed that £10 should be paid out of the manor of North Curry every 
 year, to keep his anniversary ad altare juxta ingressum Ecclesiae subtus Campanile ex parte 
 boriali, March 25th, 1300. 
 
 " Two Chantries founded by Robert CormaUes, and John Drokensford. To each 
 priest 5 marks, paid by the Deane and Chapter, out of the Man'- of North Curry (see 
 page 100). ' 
 
 The Drokensford Chantry was founded by the Bishop when he was staying in the 
 palace at Dogmersfield, on 16 kl, April, 1328, when he assigned 40«. a year from a 
 messuage prope le Horsepool, at Wells, to the Chaplain who should celebrate mass for his 
 soul at the altar near which his body should be buried. He died the following 9th of 
 May, 1329, and was interred in S. Katharine's Chapel. 
 
 " One Chantrie founded by Walter (?) Hull. To the priest 4^- paid by the Deane 
 and Chapter. 
 
 " One Chantrie founded by Ralph Ergum. To the priest 4'i- By the Deane and 
 Chapter, out of the impropriate Tithes of pucklechrarch. 
 
 " Foure Chantries founded by Nicholas Bub with. To each priest 5"- 6'' S"!- paid by 
 the Deane and Chapter, out of the parsonages of Newton, and Buckland, and theire Man"^- of 
 Bicknall. 
 
 " One Chantrey founded by ... To the priest 3''' 6'- S"*- paid by the Deane and 
 Chapter out of a pension of 10''- annually paid Them by the Archdeacon of Wells. 
 
 " One Chantrey founded by ... To the priest 4''- paid by the Chanter of the 
 Church out of his profitts. 
 
 "One call'd Martin's Chantry. To the priest 4^^- paid by the Hospitall of S. John 
 Baptist in Wells formerly, But after the Dissolution thereoff, by the Court of Augmen- 
 tations. 
 
 " One Chantry founded by John Stortwaite. To the priest &^- 13=- 4^- paid by the 
 Deane and Chapter, out of an annual pension of 10"- paid them out of the parsonage of 
 Wrexall. 
 
 " The Bread, Wine, and Lights, used in these Chantries, to be paid by the Deane 
 and Chapter, viz. : for Bubwith's 8'-' Bumell's 4s-. Hussey's 3«- S^-- Wellington's 4^-, 
 Goodelye's e^-, Ergam's 3^- S^-. Stortwaite's 17^- In all 2i*- 12s- 4d. (? 2"- 6^- iA-) 
 
 " In obitts and Aniversaries founded in this Church, 48''- 2'- 4''- paid by the Deane 
 and Chapter, out of theire Comon Revenues. 
 
 " The Deane and Chapter paid annually to the poor Sl'i- 16^- 6"^- 
 
 "The Deane and Chapter paid yearely to the Master of the firee Schoole IS^i- 6s- S*-, 
 And to, the Usher 611- 133. 4a." 
 
 This was the Summ of what was return'd by those Com"-' relating to the Chanteries 
 of this Church J remaining now in the Augmentation office; but not soe perfect and 
 
PREFACE. xxxiii 
 
 exact as these two following Accounts, which I have mett with in an Old Book, lent me 
 by the Reverend and learned Mr. Robert Creighton now the most worthy prsecentor of this 
 Church, my very worthy Friend; To whom I must publickly acknowledge my Selfe 
 highly oblieg'd, for his Advice and many Helps in this Attempt. This Old Book yeelds 
 mee great Supplies in the finishing of my two last Books ; and therefore shall take leave, 
 to Quote it, upon all Occasions, under the mark of Mr. Creighton's M.S. 
 
 The first of these Accounts stand thus under this Title. 
 
 Here follow the contents of pages 73 and half 74 (Lambeth MS., 729; Mr. 
 Creighton's MS., p. 83). 
 
 At the time that the Lambeth MS. was transcribed, Mr. Eobert Creighton (or 
 Chrichtone) was Treasurer. 
 
 At the end of this extract Mr. Chyle adds, " The other Account is placed under this 
 Stile" : here follows "Forma CoUationum Cantariarum, &c.," found on pages 99 and 100. 
 
 " By these Accounts we find the offices in these Chanteries to be perform'd by priests, 
 as well Regular as Secular. The Regular were the Vicars of the Church, who had the 
 addition of theire annual payments, toward the aiigmentation of theire places. The 
 Secular lived here and there as they could in the Citty, without the Jurisdiction of the 
 Church; until Ralph Ergum Bishopp of this Church, about the year 1400, Erected a 
 College or New Hall in East Mount Roy for theire Habitation, Endowing it with Lands and 
 Tenements, <fcc., to the cleare and yearely value of 191- 98- 9i^ whereof G""- 1'- i^- was for 
 theire Table and Diet . 5^- 4'- and 3'- i^- for reading and reciting the names of the Bene- 
 factors equally to be divided betweene them, 20^- to the Incumbent of Bishopp Ergum's 
 Chantrie for singing dayly morrow Mass within the Cathedrall. The remainder of the 
 19'*- 9'- 8*- was for the officers' and servants' wages (as Receiver, Cook, Laundress, &c.) 
 belonging to them. 
 
 The number of priests in this Foundation of Bishopp Ergum was 28 stiled by the 
 name of Ghanterie priests founded and celebrating within the Cathedrall Church of 
 S. Andrew in "Wells. They went also by the name Altarista (see Chapter Acts in 
 Appendix). 
 
 I suppose Bishopp Godwin by these words : Sacerdotibus porro 14 Collegium fu/nda/vit 
 WellioB ad exitum Vid, qui inde CoUedge Lane appdlatur, in the life of this Bishopp 
 Ergum, intends This very Foundation, retum'd with the Augmentation Office by the Com- 
 missioners before mentioned after the same maner, as I have expresst it. 
 
 This Foundation as well as these Chanteries were likewise taken away as being 
 within the purview of that Stat : the Rents thereoff receiv'd by the King's Generall 
 Receiver, for this Countie and by Him audited in the Exchequer amoung other the 
 Crowne Revenues. 
 
 The Site of this College or New HaU, with the appurtenances, together with the 
 George Inn in this Citty belonging thereunto (reckon'd at ^ %'■ 4''- part of the afforesaid 
 old rent of 19^ 9'- 8^-) was granted by letters patent under the Greate Scale 18o- Aug. 
 2°- Ed. 6 : To John Aileworth (then Generall Receiver for the Countie of Somersett) and 
 William Lawe, and to their Heires for ever, To hold in free Soccage, of the Manor of 
 JStalbrige in the County of Dorsett. From hence I may (without any injurie or afiront, I 
 hope) doubt what that Eight Reverend, and never-to-be-too-highly esteem'd Bishopp 
 Godwin, is pleased to write in the before mention'd place : Ecclesise Wellensis Capitulo 
 Reotoriam appropriavit de pucklechurcb, et Aedes quasdam in Urbe "Wellensi Contulit eis, 
 Videlicet, Hospitium quoddam publicum, sive Diversorium quod ea tempestate propter 
 
 / 
 
xxxiv PREFA CE. 
 
 insigne foribus appensum, Georgii nomen prsetulit, wMcli house continues still an Inn and 
 the same sign of the George — not given to the Chapter but to his Coll: of New Hall and 
 thence came to John Aileworth as before mention'd, and is or was very lately in y« pos- 
 session of some of that name. (This site is now occupied by Messrs. Stuckey & Co.'s new 
 Banking House.) 
 
 Chyle then quotes the preface to the Charter granted to the Vicars Chorall by Queen 
 Elizabeth, with the purpose of shewing, as in the case of the Dean and Chapter, that 
 thereby their rights and privileges were reconfirmed, or, as he says, " new founded." Here 
 he inserts a long note, which, as bearing on questions of no little importance, and in which 
 feeling has been at times somewhat strongly expressed, is of still great interest to the 
 parties concerned. I quote at length ; — 
 
 Thus far goes the preface of this Charter, By which wee find That severall Doubts 
 and questions were had and made of and concerning the Validitie of this Body politick or 
 corporation of these Vica/rs Chorall. And this certainely arose from the severall debates, 
 and difierences which I have found were of old and I know are yet betweene these two 
 Bodies, of the Deane and Chapter and Vicars Chorall in refference to some profitts and 
 privileges demanded by the One but denigh'd by the other, which soe farr as they have 
 come to my knowledge, I shall endavour to cleere when I come to the 2 last Chapters of 
 the 3rd and 5th Books, without doeing or intending any wrong, I hope, to either partie. 
 
 By the Charter so quoted it is clear that first of all the Queene made them a ' Body 
 politick with all usual privileges, the Stile and Name of the principalis Seniors and Viears 
 Chorall in the Quier of the Cathedrall Church of Wells ; as also a Comon Scale for trans- 
 acting theire Affaires which they may Alter or chainge at their pleasure.' By it their 
 ' Stile is but a little altered, and those Statutes for theire Goverement made and ordain'd 
 by Bishop Ralph and Thomas Bekinton to be in force and continued, except such as are 
 Superstitious or popish.' 
 
 The following are their names in the Charter : 
 
 The principalis : — 
 
 Thomas Welstead : Humfry Baylie. 
 
 The five Seniors : — 
 
 John Taylor : John Clark : Thomas Goold : Hugh Pound : John Hulett. 
 
 The other Vicars : — 
 
 Roger Rugg :" Mathew Jefferies : Robert Marwood : 
 John Clark, Jun. : Thomas Boise : Nicholas Clunn : 
 Thomas Everard. 
 
 2 KL. Mai. — The Bishop W. de Marchia at the request of Thomas de Button Bishop 
 of Exeter and late Dean of Wells, patron of the Church of Chiltorne, with the consent of 
 Galfrid de Lucy Rector of the same, appropriated that Church to the Prior and Convent of 
 Bruton, eft nimirum lege that every year they pay 12 marcs to the priest who should 
 celebrate mass for the dead in the Lady Chapel in the cloisters at the altar of S. 
 Nicholas. 
 
 In 1305 it looks as if the celebrants had become rather lax in their stipulated masses 
 for their pious benefactors in the Cathedral Church, Henry Husee the Dean issuing 
 an order by his nuncio to the Canons of Wells that for the future they celebrate with all 
 possible devotion the obit days of their deceased Brethren. — Reg. I. 153. 
 
 November 1306. — Facta est finalis concordia inter nobilem virum Johannem de 
 Bello Campo Militem Dominum de Hacche, filium et hseredem de Csecilia de Bello Campo, 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 XXXV 
 
 et J. Godelee de servitio sive obsequiis a tenentibus de knap ad frequentandum Curiam J. 
 de Bello Campo apud Dunden debito, et de viginfci solidis de naanerio de knap exeuntibus. 
 Johannes servitium sive sectam ad Curiam ut vocant renuntiavit, reservat^ sibi viginti 
 solidorum annuS, pensione quam J. Godelee die Lunsa post festum S. Martini quotannis 
 reddeudam pollicitus est, et factum Johannes de Bello campo ratum habuit. Dee. hinc et 
 Cap. possessionem manerii istius obtinentes, pro concessione Johannis de Bello Campo, in 
 se obitus Csecilise, Johannis et filii sui in perpetuum celebrare suscipiunt. — Beg. I. 189. 
 
 July 31, 1316. — In vigilia S. Petri ad vincula captus est et alius dies amoris inter 
 Dec. et Cap. et Hugonem de Bello campo et Robertum de Mudele super quadam schedula 
 inter partes preedictas confeeta. Eodem die, die nimirum Sabbati proximo post festum 
 S. Jacobi convenit inter Hugonem de Bello Campo Idoneam uxorem ejus atque Dec. et 
 Cap. de quadam cantaria in capella S. Martini apud Lillesdon et communa pasturse in 
 Botlake, Hugonem et uxor jus quod sibi vendicabant, dimiserunt, et Dec. et Cap. illis 
 concesserunt qiiinque acras morse includendas. — Reg. III. 217. 
 
 John de Wyke Canon in the Church of Crediton in the County of Devon resigned 
 into the hands of the Bishop of Exeter his Church of Westdown in the same county and 
 the Deanery of Shirwell to the use of the Master and Brethren of the Hospital at Wells 
 and they in repayment of his kindness and benevolence determined that a mass should be 
 celebrated every day for. his soul : quod quidem decretum Episcopus et Capitulum 
 Wellense comprobaverunt Idibus Aprilis, 1314. — Beg. Drok. £ 58. 
 
 m 
 
 k '. >... v^- .t:^ 
 
 m 
 
xxxvi PREFACE. 
 
 BOOK II. CHAP. I. 
 
 ©f tfje Sitructuus anK iSuilHtttflS of ti)is Cijurcfj, 
 
 HE first Chapter of this Book Chyle devotes to the First Building of this 
 Church with her Accessions and Enlargements ; but as we do not purpose 
 to enter into any questions of general architectural interest, all of which 
 have been so fully and ably dilated upon by eminent writers, no more 
 do I intend to follow our author all through his laboured arguments as to the First 
 Building of this Church, in which he enters into numerous subjects not specially appli- 
 cable to our purpose, and under the guidance of Spelman, Camden, Vitruvius, and others, 
 discusses Orientation, Dedication, the Jewish Altar-position, and the whole raison d'Sire 
 of the Jewish Temple at Jerusalem. The first Church that we can read of built and Con- 
 secrated in this Land to the Service, honor and glory of the true God, and His Soiin our 
 Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was that at Glaston ; but whether a small thatcht House 
 or soe delineated according to that Figure in Sir Henry Spelmann Councells I shall not 
 averr or question. 
 
 After the digressions before mentioned as to the Jewish altar and the absence of 
 stepps thereto, he asks, What are the prsesbyterians, and Sectaries among us of this Age 1 
 Jewes or Christians ? who take the Communion Table from the East End of our Churches, 
 out of the ChanceU, and most factiously, as ignorantly, place it in the Body of the Church. 
 Hard put to it would they be, were they required to give a categoricaiU Answeare to that 
 Querie 1 (By Chapter Act the Master of the Fabric was ordered to remove the Com- 
 munion Table — presumably from the Body of the Choir — and rail it in as early as 
 Jan. 3, 1592.) This passage, however, appeared to him too controversial, I suppose, and 
 Chyle accordingly drew his pen across it three or four times. 
 
 He then refers to a Figure of the Temple of Jerusalem, described in the prseface to 
 the poliglott Bible, and also to that model of Solomon's Temple Composed by Rabbi Leon 
 a Jew, of the Hebrew nation which has beene and is still common to be seene in London, 
 and if wee may beleeve theire papers, and Report, was seven yeares in contriving, 
 makeing, and finishing, doubtless very exact, and worth any inquisitive person's view and 
 contemplation. 
 
 After another elegant diversion on the reason of " Cross lies " in our Cathedral and 
 Collegiate Churches, Chyle enters upon a defence of his ignorance of architectural terms 
 by instancing what our famous Ben Jonson did (whose witt will never be out of Fashion) 
 who when he had his Alchymist in his thoughts, and under his consideration, apply'd 
 himselfe at least halfe a yeare, to the close Study of Chymistry, so as to be able to make a 
 true and right application of the terms, belonging to that Art, to his present purpose ; as 
 most learnedly and admirably he has don in that Comedy ; And of the Oivill and Comon 
 Law in that Scene of his Silent Woman (Mr. Dreyden's Dramatic Standard) argued by 
 Otter and Cutter as to Mores' his Divorce. As, however, his object was rather to dis- 
 cover the times of Building' and by whom built, then their Materialls, theire Garnish- 
 ments of Sculpture, he hopes to be excused if he is not exquisite as to all the termes and 
 particularities in that Learning. 
 
PREFA CE. 
 
 Our Churcli or Fabrick like to living Creatures had its infanoie, and was not all built 
 at any one time. First built by King Inas, only as a College or Cloyster, it was dedi- 
 cated by him to S. Andrew in 704 and enlarged by Kenulph or by her first Bishop, 
 (which of the two he cannot learne), as far as Dudoco's Tomb and Giso's over against it. 
 (Godwin de prsesulibus, p. 415.) And good reason there is for this more then a meere 
 conjecture of the Bishop's (Godwin) Because from those Monuments, or indeed rather from 
 those two side dores, of entrance now into the Quire, imediately above the Bishop's 
 Chaire, and pulpitt to the East Window, whoever observes may easily discerne the building 
 much to differ tho not in the Roofe yet in the forme of the Arches, and Model of the 
 Windowes. Now for John de Villula I find him more an enemy then a Benefactor to 
 this Church. Soe that no materiall enlargements or embelishments came I suppose from 
 him or indeed from any else till Bishop Robert possest the Chaire, That Greate ornament 
 and Benefactor . of this Church. Bishop Godwin's authority is again quoted for Bishop 
 Robert's numerous repairs and improvements of the original building of King Ine which 
 had then become vetiistate fatiscentem ut ruinam quotidie minita/retur. Notwithstanding 
 these and some additions which I beleeve were cheifly on the West part or Nave of the 
 Church {because of) where are those two Figures of the King and Bishop in the Wall (m 
 the Nave of the Church) on the South side thereoff (It being the usuall practice of those 
 Ages in all publick BuUdiugs as Chapells, Hall, &o., erected by Bishopps or Abbotts to 
 have the Heads of King and Bishop round about, {thereby emblematicall denoting them 
 to be the chiefe supporters of Gh/wrch and State) yet it seemes so Greate necessitie was 
 there not long after of some new Benefactor to the Church, as that Bishopp JoceUne is 
 said to have almost new built it, Dedicating it again to the Apostle S. Andrew, In 
 November 1239. 
 
 As by this Instrument appears (Reg. I. fol. 50) : Jocelinus Dei Gratia Bathon 
 Episcopus Salutem in Domino, Noveritis Nos in Dedicatione Ecclesise nostrse Wellen. 
 quam die S"- Romani Mense Novemb : Anno Incarnationis domiuicse 1239 in honore 
 S"- Andreas mitissimi dedicavimus, dedisse, &c., &c.j Decano et Capitulo Eccl. Cath. Well. 
 Manerium de Winsham, &c., Dat. Wellen in crastino S''- Romani anno 1239. This 
 Building of Bishop Joceline's was doubtless in the Quire, enlarging it from those before 
 mentioned side Doors to the East Window carrying on the lies on both sides (to our 
 Lady's Chappell, and was I beleeve likewise the Builder of that, because of the Symetry in 
 the parts, and Congruity of the work throughout all this new Addition and Building) and 
 was I suppose the reason of this new Dedication, because what was new built and added 
 would necessarily stand in need of Consecration. 
 
 This Church was not only thus enlarg'd and new built Eastward, but also had a very 
 considerable addition and improvement at the West End by those two elegant Towers 
 built by John Harewell and Nicholas Bubwith Bishopps of this Church. That which 
 looks Southward by the Former, who also glas'd the Great West Window and was (as I , 
 have been inform'd) very rare for its work. The other by the later^ Soe that the full 
 growth and lustre of this Church I shall date from the compleating of this Tower by 
 Bishopp Bubwith. As for those Buildings adjoyning to the Church namely the Chapter- 
 
 liouse — of an octagonal figure whose diameter is foote, the Vaulting thereoff being 
 
 supported only by one pillar I suppose of purbeck marble — our Lady's Chappell and 
 Cloysters, tho I have noe authentick record to justifie mee, yet I humbly conceive The 
 First was built by Bishopp Robert, For He being the first Founder of the Deane and 
 Chapter in this Church, wee may very probably suppose him to be the Builder of that 
 
PREFA CE. 
 
 place, for theire meeting and reception, upon all publick concerns relating to themselves 
 and Church.* The Chapell by Bishop Beckington and this I gather from those words of 
 Deane Gunthorp's Orders, speakeing of the places for Buriall, names this Chappell among 
 others : the words are, Capella Beate Marie noviter constructa : now I cannot suppose any 
 to build it but a Bishopp, and for 70 yeares immediately before there were but three 
 Bishopps viz. : Stafford, Beckington, and StiUington ; the first built not anything, the last 
 nothing which nowe remaines, and therefore very probably may wee conclude Bishopp 
 Beckington to be its Founder. 
 
 The Cloysters by Bishopp Bubwith and Bishopp Beckinton. The East Cloyster lead- 
 ing from the Church to the Bishopp's palace, over which is the Library, by the former. 
 The other two sides by Beckinton, The Armes of those Bishopps being on the rooffs of 
 those Cloysters, and as Bubwith's are at the end of the Building looking towards the 
 palace, as also on the glass in the Library; Soe are Beckinton's on the outside of that 
 Cloyster looking towards the Create Church yard adjoyning to Harewell's Tower, over 
 which is the Chapter's Audit house, and the Free Schoole, who likewise on all his Build- 
 ings has his Eebus, viz.: A Beacon standing in a Tunn which (I suppose) occasions 
 Mr. Wood in his Antiquitie of the University of Oxford, at most to suppose him to have 
 
 no coate of Armes, or at least not to make use of them, 
 for speaking of this our Thomas Beckinton as a Builder 
 and Benefactor in Lincoln College he has these words (see 
 Wood's Antiquitates Oxon. Lib. ii. p. 170) : Hujus Bentr 
 factionis Monumentum in ipsis ista/rum mdivm pa/rietihus 
 utrisque {tarn qui hortum versus ad pa/rtem orientalem 
 quam qui ad quadrangulwm spectat) etiamnum superest 
 pha/rus doUo impodtus, ex quibus rebus sic conjunctis 
 nomen ipsius Beckyngton vnnuehatur ; Quod genus emble- 
 matis in iis temporibus, cum adhuc gentilitia insignia non 
 adeo in usn ercmt, frequentissime occurrit. Whereas on 
 all his Buildings in Wells (which are very many, and in 
 which I shall in this Book have occasion further to 
 speake) His coate of Armes ... is together with 
 that Eebus alwaies placed and cutt in stone and much 
 wonder it was not likewise soe don on that building in 
 that College, especially since it was left to the Care of 
 his faithful! and worthy Executors, who performed that 
 trust with Create integrity in those buildings of Close 
 Hall belonging to the Vicars. 
 I come now to speak of our Church materialls, as also of her extent figure and mode 
 of building. Mr. Camden (Brit. p. 123) has these words in generall of her : Ipsum sane 
 Templwm est admodvm, speeiosum, sed ejus Frontis precio ad occasum nihil speciosius, totum 
 enim Statuis umtiquo el exquisito Artificio e saxo ccdatis surgit. Indeed without Vanity I 
 may speake Her all together to be as {the most) elegant a Church as any of this Nation, 
 {and for) but in her West to exceed Them All, and as some Travallers have informd mee 
 may as to that part of her vie with S. Peter's at Rome. {As for those of our oune 
 
 • Up to the year 1591, the Bishop's Consistory Court was in the Lady Chapel juxta Claustra : 
 18th January that year it was ordered to be removed. The Sub-dean's Consistorial Court was held in the 
 North Transept near the clock, as seen in Plan. 
 
WELLS CATHEDRAL. 
 
 THE WEST END, SHEWING THE CHAIN BRIDGE LEADING TO THE VICARS CLOSE. 
 
PREFACE. xxxix 
 
 Country I have seene them all except Durham and Carlile, and tho in soms particulars 
 exceeded by mam) of tliem, yet as to the Exactness of her Uniformity not hy Any.) Then 
 follows this, written at a later period, as we should judge from the alteration in the writing 
 and the difference of the ink. Excepting Durham and Carlile there is not any Cathedrall 
 but what I have seene, and tho she is not soe large as many, and in some particulars may 
 come short of severall of them, yet as to the exactness of her shape and uniformity of her 
 Modell, she is not behind any of them. 
 
 As to her Materialls she is built of Stone taken from a neighboring Quarry neere 
 Doulting, which next to its oune Symetry and true Eules of Architecture contributes 
 much to her Lustre as duracion. For I am told by the Learned and SkUfull in these 
 Matters that those buildings whose Stone is of the same Temperature of Aier are compnly 
 of a longer continuance, then such whose place is far distant and of a differing Aire from 
 that of the Quarry, the one growing harder and more firme, getting a Crustiness for its 
 preservacion, whereas the other moulder away and will in few yeares comparatively to the 
 former fall into decay and stand in need of supportable repairs. (This notion I must 
 acknowledge to have from my worthy and ingenious Friend Mr. Oliver one of the Citty of 
 London Surviewers,'from whom likewise I have another observacion namely. That) As the 
 Quarries of Heddington neere Oxford, Burford Rigate and of Cane in Normandy, &c., are 
 admirable for buildings situated neere unto them or of an Equall Aire, witness the Colleges 
 in Oxford and other buildings out of those Quarries, whereas they prove not soe in severall 
 buildings in Lond: where the Aire is different, especially the Abbie of Westminster of 
 Rigate Stone and H: ye 7"» Chappell of that of Normandy, and yet portland Newcastle 
 and Ketten stone will endure well at Lond: because of the nature of the Aire, which is 
 caused by the Coall burnt in that Citty. And that (admirable) excellent portland stone 
 whose quarry is in the Sea if it be used in any Waterworks about the River Thames or 
 any other (I beleeve) fresh water River, will not endure much longer than a Winter and 
 Summer without spatt lying and flying in like manner as if throune into the fire ; from 
 whence wee may conclude. That to make up a Compleate Architect, it is requisite that he 
 be well skilld in the nature of stone and temperature of Aier, that soe he may have proper 
 and lasting materialls for his Structures and buildings. This notion I must acknowledge 
 to have from my worthy and ingenious Friend Mr. Oliver, one of the Citty of London's 
 Surveiours. 
 
 She is not nor was she ever I beleeve soe gay within as without, tho doubtless the 
 Quire was formerly very well adorn'd, especially that additional part of it towards the 
 Alter, erected by Bishopp Joceline, if wee consider those 7 pedestalls and places for figures 
 over the high Alter, and those 9 of each side over the Arches next thereunto adjoyning. 
 Those figures at the West End and about those towers built (as has beene said) by Hare- 
 well and Bubwith are much beyond any of those either at Exon Lincoln peterborow, or 
 any other Church College or Cath'edrall in England as to theire number, bigness and 
 workmanshipp . theire number were as wee may conclude from the pedestalls and void 
 places . . . their bigness according to the distance they stand, in many places double 
 at least to the persons they represent being Kings Queens Bishopps soldiers and other 
 reUgious persons of each sex most artificially and elegantly wrought seperated from one 
 another only by polisht piUars of purbeck stone for I am told, that these as well of severall 
 pillars in the Churches of Salesbury, the Temple, of S. paul's and the stone of Charing 
 Cross are and were of that purbeck stone in Dorsetshire, whose Quarry is now swallowed 
 up and lost in the sea, and not of cast marble as is vulgarly supposed. There are also as 
 
x] PREFACE. 
 
 a garnish to these Greater Figures severall other lesser hirogliffically mixt of severall 
 sorts of Creatures and may be I suppose the history of the Creation and some other parts 
 of the Old Testament. 
 
 Here Chyle appears to have exhausted his knowledge of the Cathedral Building, but 
 to have left four sheets of paper for possible future details. 
 
 On the next page opposite to the above passage the following entry has been made : 
 A copy of this History, in the possession of Archdeacon Payne in 1832, has here this 
 addition. 
 
 As our Author has left this Chapter unfinish'd, I shall endeavour to supply the 
 deficiency, by adding such further accounts of the Fabric as seem to me to be coincident 
 with his original plan. 
 
 Sunday the fift of December (39«» Qu: Eliz. a.d. 1597) Great numbers of people 
 being assembled in the Cathedral Church of Wells in Somersetshire, in the Sermon time 
 before noone, a sodaine darknesse fell among them, a Storme and Tempest followed with 
 Lightening and Thunder, s,uch as overthrew to the ground them that were in the body of 
 the Church ; all which Church seemed to be on a light fire ; a lothsome stench following, 
 some stones were stricken out of the Bell Tower j the Wyres and Yrons of the Horologe 
 were molten, & no Timber brent . which Tempest being ceased, and the people come to 
 themselves, some of them were found to be marked with sundry figures in their bodies, & 
 their garments not perished" (Stowe's Annals, 4<'- 1600 P. 1299). 
 
 I have hitherto plainly declared my inability to add to these documents, intended 
 as they are principally to illustrate the Constitution and internal economy of the 
 Cathedral, those which affect the history of its fabric. As, however, the most pressing 
 and urgent object of anxiety to all responsible for its glory and maintenance, we find even 
 in their most debased period of indifference to higher spiritual and ritual obligations, a 
 never-failing anxiety on the part of the Chapter to keep their noble Church in substantial 
 order and repair. This is manifested by the constant infliction of statutable penalties to 
 be devoted to the fabric fund, and clearly struck the annotator of the Liber Ruber so 
 much as to induce him to scribble in the margin his surprise in these words : 
 
 Multa ecclesise fabricse applicanda ! 
 In addition to the fines for non-residence, immoralities and other delinquengies and 
 derelictions of duty, the fabric repeatedly received help from the Bishops of the see : for 
 instance, William Button, Dec, 1263, gave the Dean and Chapter his profits of vacant 
 livings for the fabric : the Impositio Decimse quinquennalis was another proof of the poverty 
 of the Fabric Fund ; and in 1286 it would seem W. de Bath had defrauded them of £4 
 £12 5s., and 5s., and also one marc, which had been exacted from the Vicars for that pur- 
 pose. Constant orders, statutes, and decrees, as well as donations, are found scattered 
 throughout the documents here presented, illustrating the repairs and condition of the 
 more ancient Cathedral Church, and the crisis of decay which led to its restoration in the 
 fourteenth century. In fact, the internal condition of the Corporate Body seems to have 
 been as shaky as the material Edifice, when in 1324, January 20th, we find all the 
 Canons were called together to deliberate de convulso Ecclesise statu atque de rebus fere 
 perditis ad pristinam dignitatem restituendis. Indeed, what with their own internal 
 difi"erences and squabbles, the King's exactions for his wars in France, the Bishop's 
 threatening attitude, and the crumbling condition of the Church structure, the state of 
 affairs between the years 1323-1327, and even later, appear to have been in a desperate 
 way. The CampanUe was falling, the stalls were so ruinous that each Prebendary was 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 xlf 
 
 "compelled" by the Dean to repair his own propriis sumptibus ; and (Nov., 1325, 
 ordinatum est that each Canon pay 30s. pro reliciendo stallo suo) the Bishop, mindful of 
 the great pressure on the resources of the Chapter, exhorted all rectors and parish priests 
 that, putting all the beggars and borrowers of all other places out of the question, they 
 should give of their goods liberally to the carrying out of the new work about the 
 Cathedral as subsidia charitatis ; moreover, to those who thus stretched out a generous 
 hand he extended an indulgence of forty days, and released them from all their enjoined 
 penance (Drok. Reg. 242). As if to lend further encouragement indirectly, he appointed 
 Richard de Baak penitentiary for the diocese, excepting in certain cases, viz., clericorum 
 percussoribus, perjuris et incestuosis in primo et secundo gradu consanguinitatis. At this 
 period the present Lady Chapel was doubtless built, as we find from the following grant : 
 June 4, 1326. — Episcopus concessit Michaeli de Eston Canonico Wellensi unam placeam 
 in gardino manerii sui contiguam domui Michaelis quinquaginta pedes, a muro Capellse 
 B.V.M. noviter constructse versus orientem longam ; et a veteri muro versus fontem 
 S. Andreae in gardino Episcopi ex parte australi viginti et octo pedes. Atque banc 
 donationem Dec. et Cap. 9 kl. Jul. ratam habuerunt (Drok. 252). 
 
 The same year, when the Bishop had granted the advowson of Overstowey Church to 
 the Master and Brethren of S. Mark's, Bristol, and the Dean and Chapter had also con- 
 firmed it, he granted them a pension of 40'-' ad opus Fabricse in recompensationem 
 sequestri tempore vacationis. The Rectors and Vicars also of Axbridge Deanery granted 
 ex merd libertate a tenth of their benefices in subsidium novse fabricse, et pro corpore 
 recolendie memorise Sanctissimi patris Will, de Marchia transferendo ac ibidem honorifice 
 coUocando to be paid in two years : about this the Canons of Wells, in the following 
 January, declared such an act of benevolence was not to be a precedent ; but the clergy of 
 the Deanery of Taunton actually granted a penny in the £, in subsidium cooperturse novi 
 Campanilis, Feb., 1321 : neither was this to be an established precedent; and that if in 
 the meantime the Pope or Archbishop were to impose an impost of tithes (censum deci- 
 malem) that the exaction of this tenth should be deferred. The following table of the 
 Fabric expenses for a period of fifty years, and at such an era in the history of the Church, 
 may not be uninstructive : — 
 
 
 £ 8. d. 
 
 
 £ 8. d. 
 
 1690 ... 
 
 67 7 
 
 Brought forward, 1206 5 10 
 
 1691 
 
 81 7 3 
 
 1704 ... 
 
 104 4 9 
 
 1692 ... 
 
 .. 136 15 2 
 
 1705 ... 
 
 .. 128 1 11 
 
 1693 
 
 49 14 10 
 
 1706 ... 
 
 41 4 
 
 1694 
 
 .. 250 8 
 
 1707 ... 
 
 59 3 2 
 
 1695 
 
 .. 113 15 6 
 
 1708 ... 
 
 51 9 1 
 
 1696 ... 
 
 28 4 4 
 
 1709 ... 
 
 24 14 5 
 
 1697 ... 
 
 .. Ill 13 
 
 1710 ... 
 
 47 8 6 
 
 1698 
 
 46 16 8 
 
 1711 ... 
 
 42 3 6 
 
 1699 ... 
 
 80 9 4 
 
 1712 ... 
 
 25 13 4 
 
 1700 ... 
 
 44 2 5 
 
 1713 ... 
 
 44 3 7 
 
 1701 ... 
 
 33 3 5 
 
 1714 ... 
 
 76 18 11 
 
 1702 
 
 76 10 10 
 
 1715 ... 
 
 54 11 2 
 
 1703 ... 
 
 86 4 6 
 
 1716 ... 
 
 41 11 7 
 
 Carry forward, £1206 5 10 
 
 Carry forward, £1947 10 1 
 
xlii 
 
 
 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 
 
 £ 
 
 8. 
 
 d. 
 
 
 £ 
 
 *. d. 
 
 Brought forward, 1947 
 
 10 
 
 I 
 
 Brought forward, 3055 
 
 4 11 
 
 1717 23 
 
 4 
 
 8 
 
 1728 .. 
 
 85 
 
 6 5 
 
 1718 .. 
 
 
 21 
 
 13 
 
 1 
 
 1729 .. 
 
 ... 217 
 
 19 7 
 
 1719 .. 
 
 
 44 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 1730 .. 
 
 ... 136 
 
 7 4 
 
 1720 .. 
 
 
 117 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 1731 .. 
 
 ... 208 
 
 8 1 
 
 1721 
 
 
 88 
 
 16 
 
 2 
 
 1732 .. 
 
 ... 138 
 
 2 
 
 1722 
 
 
 39 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 1733 .. 
 
 61 
 
 14 10 
 
 1723 
 
 
 23 
 
 12 
 
 11 
 
 1734 
 
 ... 190 
 
 13 5 
 
 1724 
 
 
 .. 183 
 
 6 
 
 4 
 
 1735 .. 
 
 ... 138 
 
 10 8 
 
 1725 
 
 
 209 
 
 12 
 
 8 
 
 1736 .. 
 
 73 
 
 18 3 
 
 1726 
 
 
 .. 216 
 
 10 
 
 7 
 
 1737 .. 
 
 69 
 
 3 1 
 
 1727 
 
 
 140 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 1738 .. 
 Total .. 
 
 ... 104 
 
 15 7 
 
 Carry forwai 
 
 •d, £3055 
 
 4 
 
 11 
 
 ... £4470 
 
 7 4 
 
 Extracts from the Earlier Fabric Rolls now in the possession of the Dean and 
 Chapter of Wells Cathedral. 
 
 The earliest Fabric Roll which comes to our hand was that of the year 1390 when 
 John Bovyngdon was Master of the Fabric and in the first place had £21 13«. 4ii. to 
 answer for from the arrears of the preceding year. The first item is the Bents, such as 
 40s. received from the Master of S. Mark's, Bristol : 40s. from the Prior & Convent of 
 Bruton from the Communar of Wells : 6s> Sd. from Thomas Lechlade's houses, from 
 Thomas Bryngliam the Sub-dean : 4s. from the houses of W. Borne in vico Camerarii : 
 13«. id. from the Vicar of Stoke-sub-Hamdon from the Provost : 5s. from the Abbot and 
 Convent of Keynsham which the prior of that house pays yearly for the Church of 
 lyttleton : 10s. from the Rector of Somerton : 6s. ?>d. from the Prior and Convent of 
 Berlich : lis. id. from Gyldenhurst : 12s. from a certain Messuage in Elme which 
 Richard Bychewode occupied : 1 Qd. from the houses of late Henry Camel in Tonker 
 Strete, which the Prior and Fraternity of S. John's "Wells pay quarterly : 20s. from John 
 Waryn Canon for rent of houses to support two lamps continually burning before the 
 Image of the Blessed Mary near the door of the Choir as you go in and S. Saviour before 
 the Library. Sum total £7 19s. M.. 
 
 OBLACIONS. — These are perhaps the most significant items in the Pre-Reformation 
 receipts : £4 16s. Id. from the pix of Sir Ralph late Bishop as is seen by an indenture 
 between John Tyntennehulle and John Bovyngdon. 
 
 63s. M. . . . Blessed Virgin (as above) as is seen by indenture between John 
 Wareyn and John Bovyngdon. 
 
 16s. 5d . . . S. Saviour in the Lady Chapel in the Cloister. 
 
 Zs.\d. . . . before the Library. 
 
 2s. Id. . . . S. Michael. 
 
 2s. 5d. ... of the Coronacion of the Blessed Virgin. 
 
 2s. \d. . . . of Thomas the Martyr. 
 
 16d of S. Andrew at the West Door. 
 
 Sum total : £9 8s. 
 
 And while on the subject of the Collection boxes let us note the difierent expedients 
 resorted to by the Chapter when the interest or influence of a Saint or Bishop were 
 
PREFACE. xliii 
 
 apparently exhausted : the next fabric roll we find is dated 1458, when the Blessed Virgin 
 by the Choir door brought in but 17s. 2d., and that of the Holy Cross but lOd ; Ralph of 
 Shrewsbury had so fallen in public esteem as to bring in but 5d., S. Michael but 6cf., the 
 Saviour before the Library but \d., or as had been first of all written, nihil. The 
 coronacion of the Virgin brought in \%d., S. Thomas and S. Leonard 2d., S. Andrew had 
 increased by 5d, and William de Bytton produced 18s. Id., S. Michael in the corner of 
 the presbytery &d., while id. was received on S. Katharine's Day : S. Mary Magdalen 
 this year was good for 4c?., S. George 2d, S. Christofer 2d., Et IV^- de pixide pietatis 
 Domini, while \%d. was found in the pix de Jesura (?). What a contrast this was from 
 earlier years is seen from the increase in the number of boxes and decrease in the ofierings. 
 Accordingly in the next Fabric roll we find that SS. Grasinus, David, Anne were honored 
 with pixes, as much as 23c^. being received by S. Mary de Jesura (?), altho the whole 
 oblacions did not amount to more than 32s. The boxes of S. Saviour and Holy Cross 
 were then placed in the cloisters, possibly to catch the eye of the Bishop and his suite as 
 they entered from the palace, and the result in 1492 was 69s. Id. 
 
 In 1501 there was again a falling oflFas the oblacions averaged but 52s. \d., although, 
 thanks to the influence of S. Grasinus, the Blessed Mary que dicitur Jesiva (1) and 
 S. Sith, more than 2\d. was gained from the faithful. In 1506 they again fell to 
 32s. Id. and the next Fabric KoU which appears is dated for 1580 when all such con- 
 venient means of raising money were illegal. It wUl be of interest therefore to give some 
 idea of the tenor and items of the earlier Rolls : 
 
 Passing over the Rents and Oblacions we come to the Vendiciones or sales of 
 materials and ofierings and property in kind, which by fair means or foul had come to 
 hand. For instance in 1390 besides selling tabulae and wood (meremium) and stone to 
 various purchasers such as Walter of Wynkalton, and to James Mason who paid 18(£. for 
 3 cwt. of stone de Ilfercombe, there were 2 old gold rings sold for 14(i. to John Scone and 
 one small gUt monUe which W. Wynnescomb had ofiered to the Image of the Virgin Mary 
 at the choir gate. These altogether fetched 52s. 4rf., but in 1458 the sale fetched no more 
 than 5s. Id., one item being 6 waggon loads of stone which cost at the quarry Bid. a load. 
 In 1481 more glass seems to have been in demand. John Stevens, Thomas Overey, John 
 Austell and John Ponde each investing in 3 plates (tabulse) of glass at Is. each. 
 
 In 1492 a very large sale was done in lead, boards, nails, and locks, the Receiver of 
 the Vicars Chorall paying 5s. for 1161b. of lead, while John Glasyer of Shepton Mallet 
 bought 3 plates of glass, Robert Pemberton paid &d. for Walschborde {dc), John Merryman 
 2s. for boards and screws pro sarcophago Magistri J. Warnsforde (who it will be remem- 
 bered had been Sub-dean), 3s. 4(£. was received for 2 old wheels belonging to the Horoscope, 
 8(i. was received of John Clavesey pro C. findulis, and 4ci. of John Baker for a quart of 
 oil. The year 1501 did not see so much business done in materials although Episcopus 
 Tinensis purchased 400 lb. of lead at 16s., and John Glasyer more glass and 9 "semeys of 
 Walscheborde,'' and Id. was taken de predo minus pa/ris pretularum (?) de gagato vendit. 
 
 In 1506 we again find a great amount of material disposed of to all manner of cus- 
 tomers. John Wardforde bought a lagon of oil for Sd.; Dominus Tinensis 6 lb. of coloured 
 glass for 2s. 2>d.; the Dean 100 lb. of lead for 4s., and Tinensis again 218 lb. of lead for 
 8s. ^d. and 148 lb. for 5s. \\d. : W. Capron bought wood and spyknayles, and also Grete 
 spyknayles ; John Muryell also purchasing a shilling's worth of planks de la Waynscote 
 and Thomas Weston 16 lagons of oil for 18s. 8d I must add that many names and words 
 occur which cannot be accurately deciphered or transcribed, and which I am unable to find 
 
xliv 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 in Ducange, but which it is quite possible may be explained by the context. These Rolls 
 were no doubt written in haste, with little regard to the orthographical rules by which we 
 are bound at the present day : in all likelihood the scribe himself was ignorant of many of 
 the terms employed, and made out the account under direction as best he might. 
 
 As a specimen of the yearly legacies and bequests, the following list is of sufficient 
 interest to merit attention : — 
 
 Tear 1390. 
 
 ^e 
 
 s. 
 
 d. 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 Name and Place. 
 Robert Dagon de la lye ... 
 Lambert More. 
 Alice Former 
 
 Christine Hobekyns de Corscomb 
 Walter Golde de Puttenye 
 John Bochard de Weston 
 John Ryder D. Rob. Capellani de Milborneporte. 
 Rector of Odecombe ... ... ... Thomas Newman. 
 
 W. Smyth de Zenele. 
 
 Two men of Weston ... ... ... J. TyntenhuUe. 
 
 Robert atte Wyke ... ... ... J. Manygford. 
 
 W. Paddok. pro pcenitencia extraneo injuncta. 
 
 Per manus or per visum. 
 Walteri Cras. 
 
 Thomas Newman. 
 John Tyntenholle. 
 Roger Golde. 
 Consanguineis ejusdem. 
 
 cujusdam extranei 
 
 Ralph Scradie 
 
 A Servant of the Dean pro pcenitencia. 
 
 W. Wynescomb ... 
 
 A woman of Thome 
 
 For three Wills 
 
 John Mere 
 
 W. Jerard. per hrevia S. Andree. 
 Cujusdam defuncti de Eston Gordano 
 Elene Borton, de Bristol 
 John Bedel de Schepton Malet. 
 Robert Gregory, de Bruton 
 Margaret Jay, de Chyrton 
 Isabella Baker, de Zenele 
 John Schuphurd de Welwe. 
 Richard Dyllyng de Corscomb . . . 
 
 M. Radulphi Berners. 
 
 Rob. Cap. de Millborneporte. 
 
 J. TyntenhuUe. 
 J. Goldsmyth. 
 Walteri Cras. 
 W. Gerard. 
 
 J. Wycomb. 
 J, Mareys. 
 
 W. Jerard. 
 filie ejus. 
 T. Newman. 
 
 by will of Isabel de Bischopps- 
 Den in the Bishop's Consis- 
 tory Court. 
 
 Rob. Parneoomb. 
 
 John Pyker, de Modeford. 
 
 John Pope, pro pcenitencia, Glastonbury. 
 
 Wareyn of Chyldcompton. 
 
 John Farnecomb, de Lutton 
 
 John Monacho assore (sic) for half a sheep from Margaret Skynner. 
 
 Thomas Hobekyns ... ... ... J. Hobekyns. 
 
 Thomas Selk, de Schepton .., ... matris ejusdem. 
 
 Rector of Sto well ... ... ... T.Newman. 
 
 Roger Tybrington, pro brevibus S. Andree J. TyntenhuUe. 
 
PREFACE. xlv 
 
 £ 8. 
 
 d. 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 7 13 
 
 4 
 
 U 19 
 
 9 
 
 11 8 
 
 8 
 
 6 14 
 
 5 
 
 7 10 
 
 7 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 Name and Place. Per manus or per visum. 
 
 John Copethorn, Vicar of Berwes ... T. Polton, Bp's, Eegistrar. 
 
 Rector of Obleye T.Bolton. 
 
 pro rotulis fratemitatis B. Andree for a year. 
 
 rec' per brevia S. Andree per totum Archid. Taunton. 
 
 per decanatum de Gary, Merston, Ivelcester ac eciam per juris- 
 diccionem Glastonie. 
 - per decanatum de Redeclyffe et Bathon. 
 
 de Frome, Axebrigge poulefc et per jurisdiccionem Decani Well. 
 Ralph Bemers Succentor pro salute anime D. Margerie Meryet nuper 
 defuncte. 
 
 Sum Total £53 8s. 8d. 
 This year far surpassed that Of 1458, which brought but £31 5 9 
 
 chiefly for proving wills in the various Archdeaconries, 1506, but 25 2 7 
 
 1501, 30 7 7 
 
 1493, 41 9 11 
 
 These legacies included all manner of gifts, as for instance, a silver belt which Richard 
 Sollyng of Wells left and fetched 5s.; in 1501, John Kobelington left the Church a gold 
 ring which fetched 6d., while 24 others left by Agnes Pykeman fetched Id. eachj Isabella 
 and John Coker each left gold rings fetching respectively 17s. 6d. and 20s., but a great part 
 seems to have been collected by means of S. Andrew's Briefs in the different Deaneries. 
 
 In 1493, amongst many legacies, collections and bequests we find 16s. 8d. received as 
 a legacy from Thomas Wade per confessionem. Thomas orchard and others paid up 
 arrears (amounting to 2s.) of S. Andrew's pence : 3s. id. was received pro sepultura Georgii 
 Styllyngton in the Lady Chapel in the Cloisters: 14c?. from the Vicar of Compton 
 Doundeyn for like arrears ; 20s. legacy from Lofeman for Ms burial in the same place ; a 
 broken silver ring left by the wife of David Peyntour brought 6d. to the exchequer ; 
 Richard Tyke paid 20s. for burial of John Lacye in Lady Chapel ; 40s. was paid for the 
 burial of John Wansfforde who was interred in the Cathedral before the Image of the 
 Blessed Virgin ; 10s. for the burial of the Bishop's Commissaiy, in the Lady Chapel ex 
 favor e ; pelvis and lavacum left by John Wansfforde brought in 8d.\ 20s. for burial of 
 Thomas Overay in Cloisters. 
 
 In 1481 the legacies were but £27 3s. 9rf., the greater part of which was amassed 
 by briefs. 
 
 As it is, however, quite impossible to give all the quaint and interesting details in 
 these almost interminable rolls, we can only here note any points which are specially illus- 
 trative of the fabric or its means of support at this period. 
 
 In 1390 the items of work done by carpenter, stone masons and plumbers was put 
 down to the names of 3 men, Stone, Jacobs, and Thomas Holman who received 3s. %\d. 
 3s. ^\d. and 18d respectively for various work; in May of that year John Milverton, the 
 Carpenter was paid 3(£. a day for mending the Great door of the lead house (plumbatorii) 
 and large quantities of iron, naUs and planks (planks de converco) were used for the same 
 purpose. 16d was paid in June for 16 lbs. cald for mending the walls of the Great 
 cemetery and 1 lb. of wax was bought for the cementers. 
 
 After this entry the roU for 1390 ceases, it having been torn off at the joint. 
 
 In 1458 there were as many as 27 vicarial and prebendal stalls vacant. The profits 
 accruing from these amounted to £190 12s. \d., including arrears. 
 
xlvi PREFACE. 
 
 The expenses of the workmen in this year, beginning with October and ending with 
 September, and being calculated for a week, include sums as varying as nil and Is. id. 
 
 The cost connected with collecting for the Fraternity of S. Andrew throughout the 
 whole diocese, in all the Consistory Courts from all the different officers, including the 
 Bishop's Registrar, and the Rectors, Vicars and other Chaplains was 8s. 4:d. ; the hire of 
 2 horses for 10 days was 6s. 2d. ; the computer who received 28s. for his one course 
 throughout the Diocese had his servant with him who had 2d. a day ; the official of the 
 Archdeaconry of Bath 3s. id., the Registrar 20d. : payments of 5s. id. were made to the 
 Rural Deans pro deliberacione brevettarum, and collecting S. Andrew's Pence. 
 
 480 briefs had to be written and 8 long rolls with the names of the Prebendaries, 
 Churches, parishes and Chapels in the Diocese, which cost 16s.: 6 "quaters'' of paper 
 were bought for these briefs. These all amount to £8 3s. id. One waggon load of wood 
 was bought of John Growe ad faciendum scalas et "Rourtys."' 
 
 Amongst necessary expenses was a procession to the altar of S. Sytha (?), 3 slabs of 
 elm for a welebarow costing 1 3d. ; keys for the gate of the Camery, and Gymyes for the 
 palings round the Baptistery in the Church ; one standard for carrying the water ; 2d. for 
 mending the candlestick of S. Thomas, and a like sum for mending other candlesticks ; 
 id. for mending vases ; id. for hooks for the new hanging (panuus) before the high altar ; 
 such like necessary expenses included various barels at 2d., bokets at 9c?., hooks, hinges and 
 other articles required, as it seems, at the quarry at Doulting. The following entry is 
 interesting, where we read that John Lacy was paid 18c?. for 9 loads de ruhea terra for 
 mending the ancient part of the cloisters, while John Clement received I Qd. fbr 8 loads 
 " Zabilonis" for mending the ways in the Church and the house of John Cosyn. John 
 Turpyn received 2s. 6c?. for riding to Timberscombe and Bocland pro pecuniis querendis, 
 but Robert Curteys received 3s. 4c?. for riding to Ayshill on the same errand. This John 
 Turpyn, lathamus, received also £7 Os. 15c?. for his diligent labour for making pavamenti 
 panelli orientalis claustri cum uno Cynery panelli australis partis claustri. Each panel 
 contained 14 Cynerys cum dieto Cynery panelli australis, and each Cynery contained 
 in se ^ x. ped. the price of each foot being £6 lis. 8c?. C?). 
 
 The following entry deserves, as far as possible, full description. It appears to be 
 headed Custos Canopie. 
 
 Et in stipend' Mch. Pelly pro factur' carpentarie ejusdem ad taxam 4s. Id. Et in 
 una playte de umpyll (?) pro eodem 2s. lOc;?. Et in cerico rubeo empt' pro eodem \M. Et 
 solut' uxori Nich. Russell pro factur' cooperturam pixidis ibidem I2d. Et in una corda 
 de twyne pro eodem 2s. id. Et in repagulo ferreo ad portand' diet' Canope solut', xxiiilb. 
 prec' lb. Ic?. 2s. lie?. Et solut' T. Saunder lathamo ad cavilland' unum forramen in le 
 reredos ibidem bd. Two workmen for making the scaffold \2d. Et in putra Canopee ad 
 taxam lOs. Et in carriag' dicte Canopee a Well, ad Glaston et a Glaston ad "Well. 8d. 
 Total 27s. Ic?. 
 
 The next item bears upon the "Whyrlegoge" which appears to have required 
 " cementarii," "operarii," "calceum," "putt' zabulonis," and iron bolts as well as 
 " Carpentaria unius hacche cum meremio." These reached 42s. 5d. And for repairs in 
 the Library John Pope required 9s. Ic?. 
 
 4d. was paid the same year in emendacione unius coterelli vasi pro aqua benedicta 
 and mending a bell wheel in the new tower cost 6c?. 
 
 The next item that follows is very singular, whereby it appears that every prebendary 
 who was not present to take part in mass in person or by Vicar had to pay a fine to the 
 
PREFA CE. xlvii 
 
 Fabric Fund. Thus we find this year that the following payments were made For the 
 ce^eftraiiow q/" mass cum rectoria stalli vicarii de Comba prima vacante ... 6s. 8d 
 
 de Hasilbere 6s. M. 
 
 for reading the gospel ... de Mylverton prima vacant 2 quarters Is. id. 
 
 de Bocland Is. %d. 
 
 de Cudeworth . . . ... ... ... Is. 8c?. 
 
 and so on, from which we gather that \Qd. a quarter was chargeable on all vacant prebends 
 for which the gospel had to be read, and for reading the Epistle the charge was also \Qd. 
 a quarter. 
 
 This year also 26s. id. was charged for making the pavement in the Cloisters opposite 
 the Lady Chapel on the East Side. 
 
 In 1481 the legacies and Collections for S. Andrew's Fraternity brought in 
 .£27 3s. 2d., the Jurisdiction of Glastonbury being included in one payment with the 
 Deaneries of Crukehorn, Taunton, Dunstan, and Brigewalter. 
 
 The receipts for vacant vicarial stalls £20 3s. %d. 
 
 This year the collector of S. Andrew's Fraternity took 18 days for his course in 
 jentaculis and the whole cost was £7 13s. 6d. 
 
 The rent of Doulting quarry was 20s. a year ; the keeper of the lamps had a shilling. 
 
 This year much wax was bought for the Feast of the Purificacion, and the Chancel 
 of S. Cuthbert was repaired, judging by the amount of lead, Sawdyr, Spykenalles and 
 other materialls bought : 3 cart loads of weeds or rushes were bought for the cottage near 
 the Lady Chapel. Quidam homo received half-a-crown for mending le Chyme ; and 3 locks 
 were bought for the pixides of S. George, S. David and S. Mary Magdalen. (Can these 
 have been picked V). 
 
 At the same time a key was bought for the door of the Ambulatory near the Choir, 
 et pro emendacione unius Ambonis 6d. was paid. 
 
 The tomb of Thomas Chewe cost a shilling, and 2s. 6d. was given cuidam fratri 
 venienti ad videndum organa. The situla also for the Holy Water was mended for 20d. 
 Henry Smyth received is. for 6 bars of 48 lbs. for the great window at the end of the 
 Church. A hoggeshed of oU at Bristol cost 40s. 2d., carriage 22c?.; 2 locks for the gate 
 of the cemetery and the little house (domincula) over the Lady Chapel cost 7d. 
 
 The roll for 1481 does not appear to be so accurately finished as the others, but we 
 find on the back that a certain John Behyngton had been Custos fabricse. 
 
 In 1492 Richard Pomeraywas Custos; and as appears by the Schedule of Collations in • 
 Appendix, held the ofiice of Magister Fabricse from 1488 to 1513 almost without intermission. 
 
 The S. Andrew Collection by Brief this year amounted to £40 19s. \\d. 
 
 The expenses for 18 days, as usual with 2 horses, were 26s. 6d. 
 
 John Potekary appears as the seller of wax this year for 3s. \d. 
 
 Brooms cost 5d. at Easter; a brass weathercock with an iron socket cost \id.; a 
 windlass for the chyme 19d; a hoggeshed of oil (with carriage) was 52s. 5c?. ; 6s. %d. to 
 the actors (mimis) of the King not to take away 3 choristers. 
 
 This year in the Expenses forinsecus it appears that the Vicar of Whytelakyngton 
 was due to read the Gospel on Christmas Day, " Liher generacixynis," and the Vicar of 
 Codeworthe on the Epiphany " factum est autem " ; both being absent had to pay 3s. M. 
 
 At the back of the RoUs the following items of Stock in hand appear : Stannum, 
 Pliimbum, Bordenaylles, Spykenaylles, Lednaylles, Hacchenaylls, Tacknaylls, and 
 Lathnaylls. 
 
xlviii PREFACE. 
 
 In 1501 amongst the Legacies were id from Thomas Goldwege and Is. from 
 Catharine Sugar ; the expenses of collecting for the Fraternity were the same as in the 
 last year. 
 
 Amongst necessary expenses were — pro cribro empto pro sabulo cribrando — but a 
 hoggeshed of oil had fallen to 36s. 8d.; I2d. for mending candlestick, and 6«. 8d. was 
 paid mimis Domini Regis, Domine Eegine and Domini Principis, in every case pro 
 rega/rdo ; W. Brasyer was paid 2Qd. for the carriage batilli magna campane, and pro 
 mensa J. Whyte who came to try the sound of the great bell 6s. ; chains cost 2s. ; Robert 
 Pemberton was paid 20d. pro allacione unius cape at the command of the Chancellor j 
 Thomas atte Anteloppe, the Smith was paid IQd. for iron bars for the scholars' houses, and 
 ^d. for various instruments supplied to the leadhouse or workshop ; he was paid also 5d. 
 pro le pavyngyre ad expelhndum aborigines a muris (I), 2d. pro vectibus et hamis ostiorum 
 supra Navem Ecclesie, 2s. pro le Crampette fistularum ad Cisternam aqueducts, 2s. for 
 mending the wheel et Trochee de la Chyme, and 13s. id. for mending batillum magne 
 campane; &d. was also paid for one brass cock for the aqueduct in the Palm Cemetery; 
 3s. for bread and beer for the labourers circa attracciones et suspensionem magne campane. 
 Rich. Bratton was paid 2s. 4d for 4 qrs. of coal ; Thomas Wexmaker 2s. id. for mending 
 the Bawdry k of the great bell; 2s. id. was paid pro ii. ulnis panni linei emptis for the 
 Lord Bishop consecrating the new bell ; Thomas atte Anteloppe was also paid 13s. id. for 
 various things for hanging the new bell ; 2s. lOd was spent in carriage lignarum 
 fraxinearum bought pro scaccaria, an item wljich frequently occurs in the other rolls. 
 
 In addition to the account of nails in stock, on the back of the bill, there are two 
 entries of white and coloured glass, from which it appears that there remained 8 Tabule 
 of white and 2 " bouncher or boungers " of colored glass. 
 
 In the roll of 1506, when Richard Pomeray was again Master of the Pabric, there 
 appear few entries worthy of remark. Alice Abbote of Corscombe left a brass paten worth 
 3s. 9d. It is certain that payments were made to the Rural Deans for collecting and 
 issuing S. Andrew's Briefs. This year, we find that ofiicialis Bathoniensis had 3s. id. ; the 
 Registrar 2M. ; the servant who rode with the accountant (computans) 3s. ; the Deans of 
 Bath and Ratclyfie 3s. id. ; the oflScial of Wells 6s. M. ; his Registrar 3s. id. ; the Deans 
 of Frome, Carye, Ivelchester 5s. 6d ; The general apparitor of the Bishop 3s. id. ; the 
 Archdeacon of Taunton's official 6s. M. ; his Registrar 3s. id. ; the Deans of Crukerne, 
 Taunton, Dunstar, and Brugewalter 5s. id. ; the parish chaplain of S. John's, Glaston 
 IM.; the Dean of powlett \Qd. This year also the mimes of the Kinw and Prince 
 received 6s. M. pro Regardo: one lantern cost 5d.; mending the bason of the B. Virgin 
 Mary ?>d.; mendiag 2 of the Bawderykes for the bells lOd; a pellis bovina cost 3s. &d., 
 and 14c?. was paid pro direccione ejusdem pellis. Robert Steyuor received id. pro pictura 
 at the high altar; John Hassok 2s. M. for mending two bellows; 3d was paid pro 
 cenovectorio; John Taunton was paid Id. pro ahbapcione de le Robell; Walter Barton 
 received 2d. pro uno Rastro ; Peter Chrystyane was paid 2s. 2d. for mending the altar of 
 S. John and a picture, and for mending the Coronacion of the Virgin and other two 
 images (Imaginum) \2d. ; Richard Harte received 4s. 8d for making one silver rod weigh- 
 ing 6 oz. pro altaristis ex precepto Decani, while for 2\ oz. silver bought for it at 3s. an 
 oz., 6s. 2d. was paid; W. Jentyllman received 6s. pro carriagio sabuli; an hoggeshed of 
 oil cost now 50s. The Sacristan was provided with an iron bat. 
 
 Here occurs a lamentable gap in the records of the Fabric Fund, the next Roll bear- 
 ing date 1550, when Richard Brampston was Custos. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 xlix 
 
 It here appears that four candlesticks were sold to Cuthbert Bulman for 23s. 9s. was 
 gained by the sale of a certain tabernacle lately situate in the Choir near the Altar : it 
 was sold " Buffraganeo Wellen " ; 72s. Id by the sale of two brazen Images of Bishops in 
 the Choir weighing 341 lbs. to the same ; 31s. 8d. was paid to the glasier for a case of 
 glass, called Normandi glasse, price 30s. a case ; 42«. was paid for 7 carucates of \\rood 
 (meremium) for the Chapter-house ; 33s. 8i. was also paid for a case of larger glass to 
 GriflBn Shoyle. 
 
 The list of " necessary expenses " is exceptionally long : the clock required mending 
 at a cost of 3s. ^d. to J. Stolege, and Is. to his mate ; a waggonload of sand was Id. ; the 
 Sacristan had 2s. 4rf. for his care of the Bells, Horologe, and Chymes ; Glass and Sowder 
 in the Chapter-house cost 3s. 4d. ; a new key was bought for the door of the Lady Chapel 
 in the Cloisters, another key for the North Door of the Church as also a lock and key for 
 same; 6s. was paid for certain tegulis called leerest; wood and, iron for mending all the 
 locks and bars of the Church ; 2s. for iron for mending the organ ; 8«. to the organist for 
 mending the organ in the Choir and making a new pipe ; 12d for a stocklocke ; 16rf. for 
 tylepynnes; 1 2 sacks of lyme at 3<2. a Sack ; 12(:?. for paper; Thomas South wode for the 
 pay of 2 vicar's stalls ; expenses of a man riding to Yilton, Asshull, Whyte lackyngton 
 for the vicar's stalls for 3 days at \2d. a day ; hire of a horse \2d.; I2d. for a trestell for 
 the master's table; 28 rods of matting for the Chapter-house; John Horaer for 1,000 
 lathes 10s. ; 5s. for an iron hammer for the chymes ; id. for the Gymmeos for the same ; 
 3s. 4d. to Mr. Lye pro ingrossacione (?) libri M"- beckham A. d. 1548; 6s. for the carriage of 
 3 tons of lead to Wells from the mynes ; I2d. solut pro prandio aurigse ; 7 bars with hasps 
 for the West Door ; 9s. 8d. to the Collector of the King's Subsidies for 4 prebends. 
 
 The following entry is specially significant of the ritual changes that had taken place 
 since the last Roll : — 
 
 Expense forinsecus : De vi»- viii<'- solut' pro eelebracione Sancte Gommunionis cum 
 Hectoria Stalli vicarii de Comba prima vacantis per annum. 
 
 The next Fabric Roll is for the year 1565 (John Leage, Custos), when we can only 
 observe that at least thirty-five Vicar's Stalls were vacant, which brought the Chapter £48. 
 
 This year the celebration of the Holy Communion is spoken of as " celebracio came 
 domini." 
 
 As the Fabric Roll for 1589 is given in Book III., it is unnecessary to add more in 
 this place as to the subsequent character of these accounts. 
 
PREPACK 
 
 BOOK II. CHAP. II. 
 
 W^t Builotnfl ann lEnlargcment of i^t 33isi)op*s palace. 
 
 HERE the Bishopp's palace was or the place of his Habitacion whether at 
 Wells or at any other place in the Diocess for the first hundred years I have 
 not mett with any account or Information or whether afterwards in that 
 place neere unto, and on the South side of the Quire, called at this day the 
 Camera which signifies — (Here a hand I fancy no older than the nineteenth century has 
 ventured to fill up the lacuna by the words) — the Prelate's Treasury, Oerarium, Gaxophy- 
 lacium (Wats's Glossary at the end of Mathew Paris) Or at Wooky, a mile from Wells, 
 where the Bishopps had formerly a palace, or Both, I shall not trouble myselfe or Reader. 
 Sufficient will it be, I hope, if I speak of {that which has been since) the palace of Wells as 
 it now is, built first by John de Villula, who demolishing the Cloyster and other Buildings 
 erected by his praedecessor Bishopp Giso, for the Use of the Canons (quoting Godwin, 
 p. 417) iu the place thereofif raised for hiniselfe and Successors a stately palace. 
 
 Not long after comes Bishop Joceline of Wells to be Bishopp, who first by the 
 Favour of his prince. King John,, obtaines leave to inpark some of the Lands next adjoyn- 
 ing to the palace, making it thereby the more august, and afterwards builds within it a 
 private Chappell very sumptuous, for his Familie which must be very numerous, according 
 to the largeness and capatiousness thereofif (Godwin, p. 423) Ga/pellas duas condidit, in 
 palatio Owkiensi, unam in Wellensi, vero aliam ea/mque speciosissimam : it seemes through 
 neglect and time the Chappell Came almost to ruine, till Bishopp Mountagu had compas- 
 sion on it and undertook its Repaire (Godwin, p. 447). Indeed for the height of its 
 Roofe, and breadth of its Area, few exceed it. Scarce that at Lambeth, not much White- 
 hall itselfe. 
 
 The great Hall within the pallace, now and ever since Edward the 6 dayes, ruin'd 
 and lying open, there being only the bare walls, was built by Robert Burnell, Bishop in 
 the time of Edward the first. A man in great favour and honour with 'his prince, being 
 first Lord High Treasurer, then Lord Chancelor of England, and at the same time Lord 
 president of WaleSj during which time his Chancery Court was kept at Bristol!, that he 
 might the better intend the Afiaires of the neighbouring principalitie without neglecting 
 his Episcopall charge. The largeness of which building bespeakes its Founder a Man of 
 a greate and Hospitable Soule ; his publick honours and Employments requiring a larwe 
 Retinue, and calling to him a greater influence of all sorts of people ; Else much beyond 
 what the Bishopwrick, tho at that time very pleutifull, could possibly require. For in 
 neither TJniversitie or Inns of Court is there any Hall of a larger Extent. See Godwin 
 p. 426, as to the building propensities of this Bishop. Whether any of those other build- 
 ings here taken notice of were at Wells, more then this Greate Hall I know not ; but the 
 Castle of Acton Burnell in Shropshire is supposed to be built by him, having that addi- 
 tional name from its Founder, as that Statute of the 11°- Edward I. (ordaining the Statute 
 Merchant for recovery of Debts) is call'd the Statute of Acton Burnell. 
 
 But all this while this palace lay open, without any Mote or Circumvalation till 
 Bishop Ralph's time who finding such a plentie of water issuing out from under the 
 Church and passing by the palace, had a broad trench made round it, see as to receive 
 
.y;..--,*'-?.]^ ■',■: 
 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 this Water, within -which he also builds a high and very substantiall stone Wall, with 
 Battlemeuts and Tarass round it, on the inside, with severall Eedouts and Half moones 
 therein, after the maner of Fortifications. These Walls he joynes together by a Stately 
 Gate and Gate-house CastleTwise, Makeing it not only serviceable and defensive against 
 Rogues, and any sudden assault or surprise but likewise very magnificent and graceful! to 
 the Beholders. 
 
 After this Greate Benefactor Bishop Ralph had thus strengthened and adom'd the 
 palace, putting and leaving all in such forme and good repaire, as that there was scarce 
 anything to be don, by his immediate Successors ; yet was it afterwards by the {negligence 
 or) parsimony or averice of some further oS, neglected, and much out of repaire when 
 Thomas Beckington came to the See, as he makes mention in his WUl, which I shall have 
 further occasion of in the next Chapter : for there he leaves an lOOi^- to his Successor for 
 Dilapidations, provided he gives his Executors noe disturbance by reason thereoff, other- 
 wise to be expended in their defence, in case he should prove litigious and troublesome. 
 And this because his predecessor Bishopp Stafford, having received of Bishop Bubwith his 
 predecessor for dilapidations, in money 1600 marks, and in Mitres, Jewells, and other 
 pretious things to the value of 1200 marks more, yet he laid out nothing during his time 
 being 18 yeares, but left all ruinated, selling that very timber which he had cut doune for 
 repaires, and putting the moneys into his own pocketts. 
 
 This the Bishopp complaines of but instead of redress or any refunding He had nihil 
 aliud quin placida verba et promissiones vacuus (as he words it in his WiU) : Veritas tamen 
 est quod citra Consecrationem meam, circa reparationem et cediflcationem Maneriorum et 
 locorum ad Episcopatum meum pertinentium Expendi de meis plus quam sex millia mar- 
 carum, ut libri cmnales, et rotuli pala/m ostendere possint. 
 
 In the palace besides repaires he only added that middle Tower or Gate, under which 
 is the passage, goeing from the greate Gate to the House, as also that Cloister, which 
 heretofore joyned thereunto, and reachd to the end of the Greate Hall, as does and did 
 appeare by his Coate of Armes and Rebus the,reon infix't. Since whose time what has 
 beene don either for the beautifying or enlargement thereoff (more then what I have men- 
 tion'd by Bishop Montagu) is veiy inconsiderable . soe substantiall a benefactor was this 
 Thomas Beckington. 
 
 Thus was this palace by severall Bishopps built, enlarg'd, beautified and adorn'd soe as 
 it became the most magnificent of any in those parts, and as it occasion'd Envie to its 
 owners, soe was it the cause of its own Ruine. For the Great Duke of Somersett, Unkle 
 to Edward the Sixt (whose Title proved very fatall to this place and Bishopwriok) was not 
 only contented to get most of the mannours Lands and possessions belonging to this 
 Bishopwrick settled upon him, and his posteritie, but at last even the palace itselfe also 
 (which shall hereafter in its proper place more at large be spoake off) And tho Bishop 
 Barlow (who was the man that parted with the one and the others) afterwards recovered 
 the palace yet not soe soone upon the Duke's Attainder, but that it came first into other 
 lav hands, namely of Sir John Gates, who made use of his time (selling the Leade and 
 timber thereoff, to the ruine almost of the whole Fabrick, totally of the Greate Hall soe 
 that the small pittance of the remaining Revenues was pot in any wise sufficient for its 
 restoration or Sustentation. This Gates was a greate puritan, Bpisoopacie's Common 
 Enimy, and was within less than two years after on the 22 of August 1°- Marise beheaded 
 in the Tower, for joyning with Dudley Duke of Northumberland against that Queen as 
 to the right of her Croune, And if wee may beleeve Stowe in his Croniole (p. 614) His 
 
lii 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 Greate Crime, when he was on the Scaffold, he acknowledged to be his too much reading 
 of the Scriptures, not for any benefitt to his- Soule, but that under the colour of such 
 Sanctity he might the more securely cheate and committ Sacrilidge, The true badge of a 
 Presbyterian. And by what Bishopp Godwin speakes of Bath Church in the life of Oliver 
 K ig (p. 438) wee may almost conclude That he likewise sold the Leade off our Ladie's 
 Chapell here at Wells : But that he destroyed that elegant Chappell, built by Robert 
 Stillington Bishopp, for his oune Monument, not eightie yeares before, neare the Cloysters 
 for the Lead's sake ; which soe utterly brought to ruine that Building, that tho but late 
 in respect of ye Hall yet there is nothing now left of it for us to tell even what it 
 was, or where it was (Godwin, p. 438). 
 
 Nor had the Hall of this palace only thus suffered, but doubtless the whole palace 
 also itselfe, had it not beene timely restored to the Bishopp, and by that meanes preserved 
 from utter destruction ; untill these late Rebellious times, when Cornelius Burges, that 
 notorious Saint of the same Leven with Gates, purchased it together with most of the 
 Bishopwrick (as in the next Book I shall declare) of the States forsooth, pulling off not 
 only the Lead thereoff, but taking away also the Timber, and making what money he 
 could of them, and what remained unsold he removed to the Deanery improving that out 
 of the Ruins of the palace, leaving only bare Walls, excepting the Gate Houses, which he 
 tenanted out to some inferior people. 
 
 Thus was this antient and goodly (glorious) palace, within whose Walls was a large 
 and spacious Court at the Entrance before the House, elegant walks and Gardens ; behind 
 it, on the South, a large and Capatious House, a Chappell and Hall, scarce inferior to any, 
 with all offices and other Conveniences, befitting the Court or palace of a Greate prince 
 (as indeed have formerly beene many of these Bishopps of Bath and Wells), splendidwm 
 admodum, sales Mr. Camden, Episeopi palatium instar Castri mmrnbus et fossa munitum — 
 the Glory of these Westerne parts, ruin'd and destroyed by our oune Countrymen ; Lying 
 in Rubbish for some yeares, till it was the Almightie's miraculous pleasure, to restore his 
 Sacred Majestic and the Church ; soe as now it is (I wish I could say (m some measure) 
 rebuilded) well {or rather) repaired, and has agane the outward Appearance, as well as the 
 name of a {the) palace. 
 
 In Chyle's original MS. a page and a half is here left for additions. 
 
PREFACE. liii 
 
 BOOK II. CHAP. III. 
 
 Wqz Uuilliinss of t!)e ©eanerg, Canons* l^ouses, antr otfjer places 
 
 to t])£m fielonging. 
 
 DOUBT not but when this Church was new modell'd by Bishop Robert, 
 and brought into the like Order and Condition with most other Cathedralls, 
 of having a Deane and Chapter, There were places set apart, and appropriated 
 to each of them, according to their dignitie for theire being {p/nd habitaeion) 
 and tho at first I likewise doubt not but that they were almost altogether, as in a College, 
 especially as to theire eating and sleeping, after the method and maner which Bishop 
 Giso had ordained, yet afterwards they had theire particular houses for theire Habitations, 
 but whether the same or in the same places, as they are now I dare not say. Yet this I 
 may. That before these Canons were reduced to a eertaine number as now they are, and 
 that the prebendaries might according to the old orders and Statutes of the Church enter 
 themselves, and be admitted Residentiaries, for the following yeare, to carry on the 
 discipline and manage those other Afiairs of the Church and her Revenues ; There were 
 severall houses for them, to keepe theire Residence and Hospitalitie, which was required 
 of them : As Some of those Houses in Chamberlaine Streete, and elsewhere in the Citty, 
 now converted and leased out far Inns and private Families, this appeares by their out- 
 sides, in the differencie of theire building from other Houses, by having Some figures. 
 Statues, or pedestalls, over their dores or porches, theire Windowes like those belonging 
 to Collegiate and Religious Houses, as also by their insides as theire Great Halls up to 
 the roofe, after the antient maner, theire painted Glass, yet remaining in severall of theire 
 Windowes, above and below staires, the stone staires and other contrivances of theire 
 roome and Cellars ;. And also most of those in that place now called the Libertie, which 
 are in the possessions of severall Gentlemen inhabiting therein. 
 
 These Houses now are reduced to a eertaine number, viz : Ten, according to that 
 number first allowed and confirmed by Queen Elizabeth's Charter, whereoff seven are but 
 habitable, the other only titular, soe as to give a qualification to some prsebendaries to 
 succeed Canon Residentiaries according to the said Charter. 
 
 There was also heretofore before this promiscuous way, which is now in use, peculiar 
 houses, appropriated to the severall Dignitaries in this Church. As to the Archdeacon of 
 Wells, That faire house over against the North Porch of the Cathedrall. This I gather 
 from those Monkish Verses, which are yet rensiaining round about the Roof of that 
 Hall, viz. : 
 
 S>aec xefetes xecolet bunt sit femes ^ic fi&i "gUHa 
 Jltt6reas <^oIes quando fuif ^xx^i J^ctJifd 
 ^cci6ttttm granftem §ameram stahttlumque §oqmnam 
 ^anc Jlulam tanbem, loca caeteva passa tttinam 
 passim f»ejcctfque etexexat et nova fecit 
 ■gli ^ucccssores fufos faccref xesibentes 
 ■gSuros atque fores statuit novitate recenfes 
 gttttcellos cefercs binos, jwtfer isfe, trefecif 
 Suae moneant f^e res (^xctxc qnob in ^eqtticsif. 
 
liv PREFACE. 
 
 But since that Surrender of the Archdeaconry by polydore Virgill converted into a 
 laysee, and the the Archdeaconry was restored, yet the house so continues paying only a 
 small rent, at which I somewhat wonder that it is not returnd to its primitive use and 
 deliverd up to the Church againe, since the Lease has now come into the hands, and 
 possession of a Clergieman and Dignitarie of this Church, and more wonder how he can 
 conscientiously retaine and continue that which was in that manner and so surreptitiously 
 alienated from the Church. 
 
 To the Chancellor of the Church, belong'd the next house to it, adjoyning to the 
 Deanery as appeared by these words, on a stone manteltree in one of the Chimneys. 
 
 Riciis Edgworth Cancellarius 1557 
 which is now taken away and another more modish placed in the roome thereoflf. This 
 house also is come into lay hands, but by what meanes I know not. 
 
 To the precentor did and does now belong that House next Close Hall on the East, 
 but not de jure and by virtue of his office as heretofore, but by Collation from the 
 Bishopp. Nor does any of these remaining houses fall of Course to any of the Canons or 
 Dignitaries, but as they become void by Collation, some from the Bishopp and some from 
 the Chapter, to some of the prsebendaries, soe as to make up and compleate theire Qualifi- 
 cation for a Canon Eesidentiarie's place now in the Church, as I have said. One of the 
 first instances of a gift or grant of houses for the Canons of Wells is in 1207 when 
 Nicholas de Wells gave to the Church of the Blessed Andrew and to Joscelin Bishop of 
 Bath the area or plot of ground with his houses ante magnam portam Canonicoruni to 
 order and dispose of after his death as the other houses, on condition that the Bishops of 
 Bath or the Chapter had not the power of alienating the houses or the ground from the 
 Church but that they always be assigned to a Canon, and when the Bishop ratified this 
 grant he released both the houses and land from all secular exactions and service. About 
 the same time Walter de Dunhevede granted to Adam de Lectun (Litton) the priest, 
 cognate suo unum jugerura terrje at Wells very near his house on the West side and to his 
 heirs, to pay Walter and his heirs IM. a year quarterly : he also granted to Malger the 
 priest at Wells the land which lay between his garden and the land of Adam de Lectun, 
 longitudinis a vico usque ad fossatam et latitudinis quinque perticarum, to pay also I2d. 
 a year. Malgerus at the same time being priest and vicar of Wells granted to Ralph 
 Precious Canon of Wells et cuicunque voluerit all that land which lay between the 
 houses which belonged to Adam de Lectun and those of Leobert the Clerk, to pay to 
 Walter de Dunhevede and Walter de Wika for all service \&^- a year. 
 
 Ealph Precious then granted to the Chapter of Wells his houses between those of 
 Leobert and the land of Adam de Lectun to pay to Walter de Wika IS^- on condition 
 that they be never sold but granted to some Canon who wishes to reside sub annuo censu 
 per consilium Dec. et Cap. ad firmam : he ordered also that totus census iste in die anni- 
 versarii sui omnibus Canonicis et Vicariis, qui servitio interfuerint aequali proportione 
 divideretur. He added, however, also this precaution called Gersumia : These houses 
 were confirmed to the Dean and Chapter under these conditions : quod si Capitulum 
 domes istas per consuetudinem Regni retinere non potuerit, tunc aliquem de Canonicis 
 suis residentem vel residere volentem provideret, qui magis idoneus fuerit, et cujus 
 prsesentia fuerit Ecclesise magis necessaria ; ita quod unus post alium Canonicus residens 
 et non alius, successive pro loco et tempore easdem domos eodem modo et eodem jure, quo 
 ipse Radulphus tunc tenebat, in' perpetuitatem residentise su^ haberet ; sal vis prsefatis 18 
 denariis et Gersamia sive annuo censi distribuendo. 
 
PREFACE. Iv 
 
 In 1219~During the Deanery of Ealph de Lechlade Hugh of Wells granted to Bishop 
 Joscelin the plot of ground and houses on it between the ground of Odo and the land and 
 houses of Nicholas de Wells for the use of the Canons, to dispose of in the same way as 
 the other houses for the Canons who kept residence : Witnesses to this grant Hugh 
 Bishop of Lincoln, the Dean aforesaid, and Peter of Chichester Canon. In 1228 Helias 
 the Chaplain and Canon having received from Lucy daughter of John de Kardunvilla 
 certain lands cum columhariis in Wells granted his manse with buildings to the uses of the 
 resident Canon, saving 12d. and 2d. rent charge on the land, and also one marc to be 
 divided by the Communars —i.e., the Provosts of Cumba and Winsham on his anniversary 
 between the Canons and Vicars who should take part in his mass. This property adjoined 
 the house of Walter Malger and was called Muntoria (hodie Mountroy). Now also William 
 Buche gave the Chapter his houses which had formerly belonged to John de Kardunvilla 
 apud Muntoriam — excepting 6s. to be paid yearly on the obit to the Clerks who assisted 
 in the office of his obit and that of Alice his wife. In 1391 we find from the Bscheator's 
 account that 20flf. was distributed at his obit and 5s. on his wife's. About the same time 
 Roger Burgeys granted to Richard son of Ivo Cade a house with curtilage between the 
 house of Ralph Precious and John de Kardonvilla, 40 feet wide 24 long, to pay John 
 Palton 6d quarterly, viz. : | ad Hokeday ; | on S. John Baptist's day, & Richard son of 
 Ivo Cade granted these houses to William Archdeacon of Wells and half an acre in 
 Chalvercroft et tres seldas in magno vico Wellise to pay John Palton %d. and Zd. to Emisius 
 de Dunheved, and from one shop M. to the bishop and for the other two M. William then 
 granted these to the Clergy reddendo 1 Id. Domino fundi, et in mandatis autem dedit ut 
 domorum istarum redditus in die anniversarii sui, ut moris erat, distribueretur in Ecclesia. 
 
 1236, KL. Oct. — Bishop Joscelin gave Dean William de Merton the houses which 
 Peter lately dead formerly held, situated inter aream Ricardi Cancellarii et aream Henrici 
 Canonici. — Reg. I. 43. 
 
 1.256, Jan. 20. — Edward de la Cnol the Dean writes to the Canons and prays them to 
 kindly grant the houses of Adam de Gessich lately dead to Nicholas de Walton, who was 
 obliged to live outside the city propter domorum defectum. 
 
 The following entry is interesting as illustrative of the difficult and uncertain tenure 
 of the Canonical houses : 1264, t. Id. Julii. — The Dean and Chapter, in ignorance and in 
 juris alieni prsejudicium granted a house to one Symon de Mycham, but learning their 
 mistake revoked the gift and promised the other houses which should next be vacant to 
 him. 1316, Oct. 25. — On the Monday after the feast of SS. Simon and Jude the 
 Canonical houses were inspected and dilapidations taxed. 
 
 Not till 1285, March 15th, was permission given to shut in the Close with a Stone 
 Wall: at that time Edward 1. ad honorera Dei et honestatem Ecclesie CathedralisWellensis, 
 ac Sanctorum quorum Corpora requiescunt in eodem, necnon ad securitatem et quietem 
 Canonicorum et ministrorum predicte Ecclesie, et suorum ibidem residentiuui concessit 
 Roberto Episcopo quod ipse cemeterium Ecclesie prsedicte et prsecinctum domorum 
 Canonicorum infra civitatem Wellensem muro lapideo circumquaque includere et murum 
 ilium kimellare et praicinctum ilium sic inclusum sine uUo impedimento tenere, Ita 
 quod in stratis plateis et locis aliis necessariis et competentibus portas et posternas portulas 
 ad transentium commodum fieri curaret quae de nocte olaudantur et in aurora aperiantur. — 
 Reg. II. 18. 
 
 As for the Deanery I can see noe reason to the Contrary, but that it was first in or 
 nqere the same place that now it is, advanced and enlarg'd by severall of the Deanes ; 
 
Ivi PREFACE. 
 
 I find in tlie Raigne of Edward 3 an old Record wherein that King confirmes a gift of 
 Bishop Ralph's to John Carlton Deane. Twas the annexing of a Canon's house, much 
 out of repaire to the Deanery : Quod Locus haUtationis quo nuper Nicholaus de Golshull 
 Oanonicus Ecdesioe nostrce prcedictce inhahitahat, quad ex opposito Eccksice nostra situatus, 
 tarn ex ipsius Nicholai, quam aUorum postea inhabitantium neqligentia contra quos non 
 datur recursus, sic ruina irreparabili et notoria de/ormetur, quod ad inhabitandum 
 insufficiens et inutilis redditur, et relinquitur manifeste, dictusque habitacionis Locus 
 HospUis dieti Decani et ad Becanatum pertinenti vicinus et proximus, absque aliquo inter- 
 medio dinosdtwr adjacere, Qua/re & dsc, and soe goes on in uniting the said Cannon's house 
 to the Deanery for ever. I cannot but suppose that Deane Carlton upon this union and 
 addition of more grounds, either built new upon it, or at least soe repaired the old house, 
 as to joyne them, and take in all the outhouses, gardens, and other places within one 
 compass, all makeing the precincts of the Deanery, and therefore little need was there for 
 his Successors, for some ages, to doe anything ; nor can I find any addition more then 
 ordinary repaires from his time till Deane Gunthorp succeeded above an 100 yeares, after, 
 when, whether for his owne convenience, or for grandure (or as to the common receii/d 
 account entertaine King Hemry the 7 . . . ) he built that excellent stone appartment 
 next the garden, about which building, there appeares looking through the wall, greate 
 Gunns, or Canons, as a Rebus in his name, which makes mee thinke his Name to be 
 rather Gunthrough, or soe usually called, Gunthorp. In this his new structure (in which 
 was a decent Oratory), he had the honour, (as I am inform'd) to entertaine King Henry 
 the 7, in his victorious returne out of the West being drawne thither, by the Cornish 
 Rebellion, abetting the intense and false pretensions of perkin Warbeck, who took on 
 him the title of Duke of York, as second Son to Edward the 4, and thereby laid claim 
 to the Croune, where he was taken, and an End put to that Insurrection. 
 
 The King's reception here at the Deanery was not, notwithstanding this new Building, 
 I suppose, as if that was more commodious and fitter for a Court, then the Bishopp's 
 palace (which about that time doubtless was in its Greatest splendour, it being not long 
 after Thomas Beckington had expended those vast Summs in buildings and Repaires) but 
 certainely because of the present Bishopp Robert Stillington having been made Bishopp of 
 this See and chancellor of England by Edward 4, who had beene a great stickler for the 
 House of York, and personally engaged against Henry the 7, first, in being the person 
 sent over from Edward the 4, to demand him (when Earle of Richmond) of the Duke of 
 Brittany, when he was under the shelter and protection of his Court. Next in being a 
 principall actor in the Ceremony of Crowning the Usurper ; Richard the 3 whose office 
 that day was to gird on the sword ; and lastly (notwithstanding his pardon granted bv 
 this King his Scorning (?) to the Croune, of which these are some of his words : Necnon 
 omnia inditia executiones et pcenas mortis super ipsum Robertum, Episcopum, seu earum 
 aliqua reddit : sive adjudicat : aut reddend : sive adjudicaaid : et firmaTti pacem nostram 
 Ei inde coneedimus ; Ita tamen quod stet recte in Guria nostra:, si quis versus Eum loqui 
 voluerit, de praemissis vel aliquo proemissorum. In cuju^ rei test: West: 2^°- JVovemb. J his 
 aiding and afterwards abetting the Title and designs of Lambert Siniwell (one of a meane 
 and base Extract, yet by severall malecontents set up to assume and take on him the 
 person, and title of the Earle of Warwick (tho at that time the said Barle was the Kintr'g 
 prisoner) Son to George Duke of Clarence, Brother to Edward the 4, drowned in a Butt 
 of Maumsey ; who being vanquisht with all of his partie, the Bishop flies to Oxford, 
 putting himself under the protection of the University, and tho for some time the King's 
 
WINDOWS OF THE GREAT DINING HALL. 
 
 ERECTED BY DEAN GUNTHORP FOR THE RECEPTION OF KING HENRY THE zT" 
 
PREFACE. Ivii 
 
 demands of him were by tlie Scholars, asserting theire priviledges denigh'd, yet at last, he 
 ■was permitted to be taken from them by the King's officers, and carried prisoner to 
 Windsor Castle, where he continued during the remainder of his Life. This was soe fresh 
 in the King's Memory, it being but the yeare imediately before the taking of this perkin 
 Warbeck, namely 1487, That he chose rather I beleeve to lye in the Deanery than in the 
 palace, belonging yet to that Bishopp, his Greate Enemie, through the whole course and 
 varietie of his fortunes. 
 
 As Bishop Beckington substantially left the palace, soe did this Worthy Deane his 
 Habitation, leaving for a good space little or noe worke and charge to his Successors ; as 
 may be weU imagined, when twas fitting and able to receive a prince ; And soe doubtless 
 was it continued by his worthy successors, till that unworthy surrender of Deane Fitz- 
 wUliams into the Court hands. 
 
 Tis true indeed the Church continued not long without a Deane, The office being 
 restored, the same yeare by Act of parliament, but none of the profitts or Revenues, but 
 what are there set downe and specified ; And tho I find therein noe mention made of the 
 Deane's house, as there is of his Stall in the Quire, and voice in the Chapter-house, yet I 
 suppose, it was intended, the House likewise should be restored with the office, as doubt- 
 less it was, perhapps on purpose only as a place for the Bishopp to remove to, when the 
 Court or Duke should have a mind to the palace, as afterwards it happen'd. Soe that this 
 house of the Deane's had better fortune to escape the sacrilegious puritanicall Clawes, then 
 the palace had, and was return'd in as good plight as Fitzwilliams parted with it ; And 
 consequently as good as any if not better then most Deanerys in England. 
 
 Now that this Deanery should have as good luck in this last and thorough Reforma- 
 tion, as it had in the first, is somewhat remarkable. For tho Deanes and Chapters as 
 branches of the Hierarchy were equally struck at with Bishopps, by those Monstrous 
 Reformers and together had the same Fate and Catastrophe, yet the Houses and Habita- 
 tions of the one generally scaped better than those palaces of the other, perhaps for the name 
 sake, they being a plebeian, and levelling generation of people who hated everything that 
 lookt (was nohle and) august, or but sounded of principality or Monarchic, or indeed 
 because more mony could be made of the one then the other, and more chargeable to be 
 maintaind and kept up ; It being a Rule certaine that take away the Nobilitie, either 
 Bcclesiasticall or Temporall, or lett them but degenerate, and theire palaces and Stately 
 Aedifices must soone follow. Thus it fared with us at Wells. Cornelius Burges pulled 
 downe the palace as I have said in the last Chapter ; And took the Deanery for his own 
 habitacion, turning that noble Hall ; by making of a low rooff, into Chambers or rather 
 Cabins, and by contracting those Roomes of State and making such dwindling alterations 
 spoild the whole House. And after all this devastation of the One, and contrivance for 
 his owne narrow conveniencies in the other, had noe place to breathe his last but 
 a Jayle. 
 
 Having given this short account of the beanery, &c., I proceed to those other publick 
 Buildings here at Wells. And first of the Hospitall call'd Bubwith's Hospitall, standing 
 neere S. Cuthbert'a Church ; Built by Nicholas Bubwith Bishop of this Church after his 
 returne from the Councill of Constance, where he had been for the Chusing of Martiue 
 the 5 pope about the yeare 1414 and endowed it for the maintenance of 24 men and 
 Women to which is an additional Building since erected by Nathaniell Still Son of John 
 Still Bishopp of this Church. On the inside of the Chaple wall is this following 
 Inscription : — 
 
Iviii PREFACE. 
 
 Nicholas Bubwith being under Bang Henry the fourth, Treasurer of England, was 
 first Bishopp of London ; secondly of Salisbury, thirdly of Bath and Wells, who was the 
 Founder of this Hospitall or Almes house endowing it with good possessions for the 
 reliefe and sustentation of one priest or Chaplain to celebrate Divine Service therein and 
 twenty-four poor people to frequent the said Service and prayers. He built in the 
 Cathedrall Church of S. Andrew the Chappell over against the Create pulpitt and dying 
 the 27th of October 1424 was in the said Chapell buried under a Marble Stone when he 
 had beene Bishopp of this Diocess 16 yeares and 7 weekes.* 
 
 Over the dores of Bishopp StUl's Foundation is this following inscription : — 
 
 John StUl late Lord Bishopp of this See, for the perpetuall reliefe of the poore of 
 this Hospitall gave £500, wherewith Nathaniel Still, his Sonn, purchased Lands, built 
 this House for six poore more to the other 24 poore, and faithfully performed his Father's 
 will in this Charitable Work a.d. 1614. 
 
 In Bishopp StiU's Will I find but £300 first given to the old Almeshouse or to build 
 a new one, as his Executors, Overseers, and Deane and Chapter of Wells shall think fitt, but 
 afterwards he added £200 more impowering the Bishopp and his Successors to nominate 
 and chuse into all vacant places of his donation ; which was performed with Create 
 honour and Integritie by his Sonn Nathaniell his Executor of whom Bishop Godwin takes 
 notice in these words (p. 446, De prsesul :) : Et per Testamentum (speaking of Bishopp 
 Still J legavit ad ptochoProphiMm in Civitate Wellensi condendum quingentas Libras id quod 
 a Filio Testamenti Executore optima fide prcestitum audio ; And in prayse likewise of his 
 Sonn I may add, That whereas by this Will of his Father 400 markes were bequeathed to 
 be expended at his Funerall and but £30 to be laid out in his Monument, I doubt not 
 but as he at least made good his father's will by an honourable solemnitie at his Inter- 
 ment, soe he exceeded neere an £100 in the erecting of his Monument on the South side 
 of the Communion Table. 
 
 Next that faire gate at the upper end of the Market place leading into the Church 
 yard paralell to that leading into the palace built also by Bishopp Beckington to which is 
 joynd that uniforme Row of houses on the North side of the Market place built also by 
 the same Bishopp, and given to the Deane and Chapter. Nor was this BuUdinw only 
 beneficiall to the Chapter, but in Some measure to the City also, by thus adorning and 
 beautifying of it, by adding better conveniencies for theire Shopps and habitations at a 
 more easie rate, after the (method) rules and practice of Cathedrall and Collegiate Churches 
 whose Leases and Lives are more reasonable and beneficiall to the publick then any other 
 Corporations whatsoever ; And for theire Necessaries and those of the neighbourhood he 
 built that Aqueduct or Water House neere the Fountaine head betweene the Church and 
 palace, conveiying the water there by leaden pipes to the midst of the Market place, where 
 a faire Conduit is erected also at the cost and charges of this Noble Benefactor. 
 
 And lastly that Elegant Cross in the Market place, buUt by Bishop Knight, a struc- 
 ture of no common or ordinary, but of a most Excellent forme, standing on 18 pUlars of 
 Stone, leaded on the topp, and artificially carried up to a moderate height, under which 
 
 * See page xxxii. His wiU, dated 5tli October, 1424, was proved 7th November, 1424. The licence 
 to elect a Bishop in his stead issued 14th November, same year; and 19th December, the Sub-dean and 
 Chapter of WeUs inform the King that they had elected John Staflford, D.D., Dean of Wells as their 
 Bishop. — Le Neye, Vol. I. p. 140. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 lix 
 
 the Country, who bring in theire provisions for the City's support, is sheltred Round the 
 Stone work just above the pillars are engraved in CapitaU letters these words : 
 
 AD • HONOREM • DEI • OMNIPOTENTIS • COMMODVM 
 
 PAVPERVM • MERCATVM • WELLI^ • FEEQVENTANTIVM 
 
 IMPENSIS • GVLIELMI • KNIGHT • EPISCOPI • ET 
 
 RICARDI • WOOLEMAN • HVJVS • ECCLESIiE • CATHEDRALIS 
 
 OLIM • DECANI • HIC • LOCVS • ERECTVS • EST. 
 
 LAVS • DEO : PAX • VIVIS : REQVIES • DEFVNCTIS : 
 
 AMEN. A.D. 1542. 
 
 How Deane Woolman (who died I suppose in the yeare 1537) should come in to 
 share with Bishopp Knight, in this Benefaction I cannot imagine ; unless some moneys 
 should be by him bequeathed to some publick and charitable work, and either not suffi- 
 cient to do anything considerable of it selfe or noe opportunitie offering itselfe, till this of 
 Bishopp Knight's. But then I a little wonder that that Bishopp in his WiU, wherein he 
 mentions this Cross, should take noe notice of the Deane, in some proportion his Coadjutor 
 in this Worke, but make it wholy his owne, as appeares by these words therein. Item, I 
 will and bequeathe the profitts of the Standings within the Market Cross at Wells built at 
 my Charge, at the two faires at S. Kalix and S. Andrew, to the Deane and Chapter of 
 "Wells, for the use and reliefe of the Choristers of the said Church for ever. 
 
Ix 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 BOOK II. CHAP. IV. 
 
 Wc^z ButlHins of Close ?l^all for tfje Ficars CijoralL 
 
 HAT the Vicars and others belonging to this Quire were scattered about 
 the City, where most conveniently and cheepe they could have theire Being 
 and habitation till they were brought together and incorporated by Bishopp 
 Balph, I have already shewed. 
 
 To him also must wee now give the honour of first laying the Foundation of Close 
 Hall. For tho Bishopp {Thomas) Beekington (finisht) soe repaired it as it became almost 
 new, yet Bishopp Ralph begunn and built it. And as he had obtained leave of Edward 
 the 3 to auuext an old ruinous Canon's house to the Deanery; soe likewise did he get 
 another for his Vicars (22<'- Ed : 3 . pat : p : 3 . ns.) Qucmdam plateam de solo Ecclesice 
 (sales the Record) quam Magister Alanus de Hothann Canonicus Ecclesice illius hahuit pro 
 habitacione sua ac domes in eadem platea per dictum Radulph/wm, Ejnscopum nuper con- 
 structas et cedificatas dare possit et assignwre Vida/riis Ecclesice predictce communem non 
 habentibus mantionem, habendum et tenendum, sibi et Successoribus suis Ecclesice ilUus pro 
 communi et perpetua Eorumdem, <Ssc. Bat apud Sandricum 3°- Dec. 22°- Ed: 3 : For this 
 Licence he paid in to the Hamper office £20. 
 
 Here he built in that method and forme I suppose, as now it is the Hall at one end 
 with Butterie {kitchen) and other conveniencies under which is the Great Arch and Gate 
 of Entrance ; and at the other End the Chappell, over which is the Library and between 
 them neer twentie distinct {tho) contiguous houses on each side. 
 
 Tis true indeed there were neere an 100 yeares betweene these buildings begunn by 
 Bishop Ralfe and the time that Bishopp Beekington came to this See, and yet I cannot 
 think they were of such a crasie Foundation or soe slightly built, as that they 
 should need such a Repaire, but that they were by Bishopp Beekington enlarg'd or 
 rather raised higher and since additionall fire hearths added, which I am the more apt to 
 beleeve because on every Chimney there are Beokington's Armesj {together) with the 
 Armes alternate {of one) of his three executors to whose manage and care he left it to 
 be don. 
 
 Now his Executors' names were Richard Swan, who gave 3 swans, Hugh Sugar, who 
 gave 3 sugar loaves, and John Pope who gave the Talbot for his Armes. One of these 
 
 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Ixi 
 
 are fixt on the Wall betweene the Chimneys throughout the whole building ; Leaving to 
 them the remainder of his Estate, when all his Legacies and other funerall rites were paid 
 and dischargd for the carrying on of this work of Close Hall, which very faithfully they 
 performd. 
 
 Nor was this all that was don by this Bishopp Beckington, or by his Order ; He 
 likewise joynd this Close Hall to the Church by that Create Arch, under which is now of 
 late yeares, the usuall roade and passage by the Church yard wall through Browne's Gate 
 into the Towne, whereas heretofore that way was but by permission ; All passengers and 
 market people goeing round by Mountroy and soe along by the back side of the Deanery 
 entred the City at the upper end of Chamberlaine Streete. Over it is a large and open 
 passage from the College by the Chapter-house downe into the Church, soe as the Vicars 
 without appearing abroad in the Streete may that way goe in theire habitts to and returne 
 from the Church, and accordingly are they enjoyn'd soe to doe. 
 
 Soe Create a Benefactor has Bishopp Beckington beene to close Hall that all along 
 he has been lookt on as almost joynt founder of the place whose statutes are equally in 
 force with those of Bishopp Ralph's and in theire new Charter of Queen Elizabeth's com- 
 manded equally to be observed. The words translated are as follows (Chyle gives them 
 in the original Latin), 34°- Eliz. : cart. 2. 1.: — 
 
 And for the better regulation and Government of the aforesaid College and the 
 principals, Seniors and Vicars of the same, we will, firmly erjoyn, and command the 
 aforesaid principals. Seniors and Vicars of the said College that all the laudable legal and 
 reasonable Statutes decrees and ordinances or Articles hitherto framed published and 
 made or confirmed by the Reverend Father in God Ralph, late Bishop of Wells, founder 
 of this College or House aforesaid, or by the Reverend Father in God Thomas late Bishop 
 of Wells aforesaid, for the better government regulation and good estate or order of the 
 College or House aforesaid, and of the principalis. Seniors and Vicars of the same be 
 
Ixii PREFACE. 
 
 henceforth precisely, strictly and well observed, used and executed in all points and 
 articles of the same decrees statutes ordinances or Articles, according to the true inten- 
 tion of the above mentioned Bishops and each one of them, certain of the same statutes or 
 ordinances concerning superstitious -works being alone excepted. Want of space forbids 
 our giving the statutes in the present volume, while we trust one of the ancient Corpora- 
 tion may be persuaded to undertake their publication. 
 
 Severall other Benefactors have they had, some giving windowes, both in theire 
 Chapell and Hall, some painting and adorning them ; Among many of this kind I find 
 one more eminent than the rest, namely Richard pomray, whose name is up in severall 
 places about the College, in the "Windowes in the Hall, and especially on {over) the Mantel- 
 tree of the Chimney there . where are these words in a waved Scroule and antient 
 
 Characters : 
 
 In vris precib' habeat : Comendatu 
 
 Dnm Ricum Pomray, Quem salvet 
 
 JESUS : Amen. 
 
 What the obligacions were (from this person to the College), that should deserve such 
 particular Commemorations I cannot find, but doubtless he was a Benefactor of more than 
 ordinary note, and besides the rent of xiiiis- which I find charg'd in the Receiver's 
 Accompt as his gift, I suppose him by these many publick Remembrances of him, to have 
 done some remarkable things in or towards the building or adorning of this new College 
 or Close Hall. 
 
 That this Pomeray was of a most judicious, or trustworthy, or energetic character, 
 there can be no doubt from a perusal of the Schedule of Collations to the Chantries and 
 Appointments of Capitular officers, where we find him for many years consecutively 
 elected Master of the Fabric, and on one occasion treated with Great leniency, although 
 he had committed so serious an ofience as to take down the Great bell in the South Tower 
 and have it recast without the sanction of the Dean and Chapter. This bell was new cast 
 by Jos. Carter of Reading by order of Chapter made on Febr. 16, 1581, and again 1668 
 by Thomas Purde who was paid £23 for fusing and casting it : James of Bristoll received 
 £,11 15s. for bell metal : 7s. Qd. was paid de expensis inpotu! 
 
 I shall conclude this Chapter and Book with Bishopp Godwin's Words of this 
 College (De prsesul: p. 435) : Opes ah Episoopo (speaking of Thomas Beckington) relictas, 
 impenderunt isti executores universas in Collegia augendo Vicariorum Choralium ; Quod 
 omniwm totius Anglim ejus generis speciodssimv/m reddiderunt. 
 
 Chyle, however, appears to have been quite ignorant of the fact that at a general 
 Convocation of the Canons held on April 18, 1318, to consider about the condition of 
 the Church, amongst other orders was the following : — 
 
 That a house for the Vicars be built, where they can live together, from the dwelling 
 house of William de Cherleton to the turret {usqtie ad penticium) fastened to the house 
 wall where the cementarii work, and that a piece be taken out of the Cemetery for their 
 dwelling and the consolation of those that dwell there. 
 
 The following entry is also instructive from a sanitary point of view : 
 
 Statuerunt etiam ut ostium cloacae juxtra claustrum obturetur propter fsetorem qui 
 est in fonte S. Andrese in claustro. 
 
 April 20th, 1319. — A general Convocation again was held when the Dean and 
 Chapter granted the houses lately occupied by Thomas de Benhangre to two Vicars who 
 must always live together propter honestatem et famse eorum testimonium. Reg. I. 144. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 BOOK III. CHAP. I. 
 
 ©t tfjc ^0ssessions anti lEntiotomcnts of tfjts C!j«i^cfj, sucij as belongeti 
 
 t0 tfje 3Stsf)opiartcft, 
 
 [O expose to Comon and Publick view the Revenues and Wealth of any- 
 Church, College, or Body Corporate is certainly very Curious, injurious and 
 of a Dangerous Consequence ; for tho as Christians they should All rejoyce, 
 and be very well pleas'd in the Glory and Honor of our Church, which cannot 
 be maintained without suitable Endowments and priviledges for her Support, and 
 Encouragement, and therefore very secure, one would think among Such from Spoile and 
 Rapine. Yet while there are Men in the world. Covetous and Ambitious Greedy in 
 heapiug up Riches Qiw cunque modo, and Living so vain-gloriously and profusely. That 
 even a whole nation is not sufficient for their Luxurie and prodigality j Tis Wisdom then 
 to forbeare publishing the Munificencies of pious Founders and Benefactors, and make noe 
 other Sound of such Blessings, then by frequent Commemoracions and AUeluyas of prayse, 
 and thanksgivings to that Great Benefactor the Father of Lights from whom descends 
 every Good and perfect Gift. The Truth of this has by sad Experience, in this Church of 
 England beene very Fatall, And therefore I shall only in this Discourse, speak of what 
 the Revenues of this Church were, when, and by whom given, and when, and by whom 
 taken away, and as sparingly as possibly I can of the Small Remainder, she is now 
 possesst of, That soe it may rest without any noise unenvied to theire present ouners and 
 possessors. By all which wee may see the Difference of these former Ages with this, 
 These thiukiag not anything too much which they gave to God and his Church, Those 
 endeavouring to take what they can from God and the Church ; And tho by the Reforma- 
 tion we had and have a Church for purity and Decencie iu Doctrine and Discipline 
 certainly beyond any in the World, yet very unhappy has she beene in many of her Mem- 
 bers, who yeelded too far to the Rapacitie of unreasonable and sacrilegious Men, and to 
 avoid Superstition left such a tincture of zeale behind Them As what the former left of 
 the Churche's patrimony Those swept cleene away ; Thinking wee were never far enough 
 off from the Church of Rome, till we had noe Churches at alL But God's (fie thanked this) 
 miraculous Restoring of his Majestic consequently restored our Church, Religion, Lawes 
 and Liberties and would wee but unanimously mind and endeavour His Glory in his 
 Churche's Good, Wee may yet live Secure here, and hereafter eternally happy, Notwith- 
 standing those devilish Designs of Rome and Geneva, dress't up in theire severall Shapes, 
 and allurements of the Catholic cause and Nahed Truth. Chyle then proceeds to have 
 another rap at the unlucky "polydore," observing that none of the old writers or 
 Bishop Godwin make mention of any lands belonging to the See till the time of Dudoco, 
 but presuming that when the 3 New Bishopricks of WeUs, Cridlington and S. German's in 
 the county of the Gervises (the Kingdom of the West Saxons) were erected and added to 
 those of Winton and Shirborn, Either some of those Bishopps' Revenues were taken off 
 and settled on these new Chaires, or that King Edward the Elder conferred some Endow- 
 ments on them ; otherwise he thinks Adelmus the first Bishop of Glaston would never 
 have left " his fatt Abbotship " for the Bishoprick. 
 
Ixiv PREFACE. 
 
 Speaking then of Giso and his success in 'increasing the revenues of his Church by 
 buying and begging in all directions,' he calculated that he must have had 4800 acres, 
 making up 200 yard land, which comes to 50 Hides and is 20 knights' fees, in those days 
 no inconsiderable estate. 
 
 (E. A. Freeman, Wells Cath. p. 31.) Here we cannot do better than follow the 
 historian of the Norman Conquest in the passage above referred to, Chyle adding compli- 
 mentarily of the Queen, whom he dares to call "Edgida" instead of " Eadgyth,'' that she 
 was a Lady of rare Endowments, both of mind and Body. These gifts to the Church were 
 confirmed by a Charter of Edward the Confessor which is given in the Monasticon, but 
 not without many mistakes in the names of places. Of these Mr. Chyle gives directions 
 to the printer in the margin saying that they must be " in an old Chaucer letter." 
 
 Severall Charters are then quoted, as found in the Monasticon. But the great 
 addition and enlargement of Revenues to this See happened upon the Composure of that 
 Quarrell betweene the Monks of Glaston and Bishop Joceline, which ended with theire 
 parting with the Manors of Winscomb, pucklechurch, Blackford together with theire right 
 of patronage to those Churches, the Manor of Cranmer, as also with the advowson of Ash- 
 bury, Kington, Christian Melford, and Buckland. While Eustachius was Abbot this was 
 confirmed to them by Henry 3. As also by two Fines levied, the one when Robert 
 Burnell was Bishop of this See (S"- Edw. 2), the other when Ralph Ergum was Bishop 
 and John Abbot (18<>- Ric. 2). 
 
 Chyle here ignores the fact that when King Richard (Nov. 26, 1189) was making a 
 short stay at Canterbury, before he crossed the Channel, on his way to Jerusalem, he con- 
 ferred great immunities, privileges, and properties on Bishop Reginald and the Church of 
 S. Andrew, and specially the manor and advowson of North Curry, and the Maneriam de 
 plumbo ubicunque earn invenire poterint in terris suis de Somerset, and also to him and 
 his successors ut haberet canes suos ad fugandum. — Reg. I. 15 h. 
 
 The same day, he granted and confirmed Reginaldo et successoribus suis Canes suos 
 ad fugandum per totum Sumersete, prsesertim Cervum et Cervam, Damum et Damam : 
 concessit etiam quod de omnibus bestiis in parcis suis fugatis, si exierunt, libere habeat 
 suum percursum : et ideo prohibet ne quis eos disturbet super decem librarum forisfacturl 
 
 1280. XI. KL. April. — Galfridus de Champeneys de Wylmyndon faciiltatem concedit 
 Episcopis Wellensibus in Manerio suo venandi et aucupandi eo quod Robertus Episcopus 
 a Rege impetraverat ut Galfridus in manerio suo Warennam haberet. — Reg. II. 343. 
 
 It is here worthy of remark that King Edward I. had granted with the manor 
 and advowson to the Dean and Chapter in the previous year potestatem venandi cuniculos 
 aut lepores vel aucupandi phasianos et perdices intra limites manerii sui de Northcurry. 
 
 It was in the time, however, of Bishop Jocelin that power was first given to empark 
 all the Woods, growing to the South of Wells, with all the privileges thereunto belonging 
 —and this by favour of King John who so heartily supported him against all the power 
 and force of Rome, and notwithstanding his quarrell with Archbishop Langton : by the 
 words of the deed we also gather that the Bishop was allowed to increase his park and 
 bring it up to the palace : they are as follows :— "ut possit includere in clause parci sui 
 de Wellen quantum voluerit de Chemino Regali ab orientale parte gardini sui versus 
 Dulcott, sub monte qui appellatur h Torr, et quod dimittat ad Cheminum tantundem de 
 altera terra extra ilium clausum." The privilege of the Bishop's Court was also gi-anted 
 him by the same prince : 
 
 " Quod nullus replegiatur pro morte hominis, si inde fuerit appellatus." 
 
PREFACE. Ixv 
 
 The Manor also of Congresbury was restored to the Episcopal temporalities in the 
 16th year of King John, it having been for more than 150 years severed from the see. 
 
 In the 5th year of Henry 3, the Burgh of Axbridge was conferred on Bishop 
 Joceline and his successors by licence granted to Hugh alias Symon Bishop of Lincoln 
 who had formerly been Archdeacon of Wells, and then Lord Chancellor of England — in 
 this way — ^by meane Conveyances : — that is it was first conveyed to Thomas of Wells, who 
 then conveyed it to Mauritius of Gant, by whom it was settled on the Bishop. 
 
 In the fourteenth year of the same King (Henry 3) licence was granted to Bishop 
 Joceline to annex the Manor of Chedder with the Hundreds of Chedder and 'Winterstoka 
 and the Market of Axbridge to the See. From these Severall Requisitions, says 
 Chyle (not in this place to say anything else of his other Munificencies to this Church 
 and See) wee may conclude him the greatest Benefactor and most famous prselat of this 
 Church. On the death of Jocelin Pope Innocent 4 seized the Rents, profits and all belonging 
 to the See, and Roger, precentor of Salisbury was consecrated Bishop of Bath, a nephew of 
 His Holiness. But as our author somewhat forcibly observes, quoting Matthew West- 
 minster: "Consecratus est Idus Septembris Magister Rogerus preecentor Sarum in 
 Episcopum Bathoniensem ; Cujus redditibus jam vacantibus, Martinus clericus Domini 
 Papse Quern quidem multi lepide ioquentes, Magistrum Mastivum, propter suam rapaci- 
 tatem nominabat, manus aduncas injecit. Cuidam papse consanguineo ignoto tamen con- 
 ferendis." This conceal'd kindred may very probably be the very same person, whom 
 Matthew Paris calls the pope's nephew (the mod'est and gentill Title of His Holyness' 
 Bastards). Noe marvel indeed that such sticklin there should be at Rome, before a^ 
 Bishop in those dayes could be confirm'd. Consecrated and in fuU possession of his Tem- 
 poralities, when This and That person elected should be there rejected and put by, 
 because either he was not the pope's man (or rather slave) or during the vacancies he 
 might sequester, and lay hold on the profitts, for some Creature or Favorite of His. This 
 I beleeve put Henry 3 upon the same course, For this Roger dying 4 yeares after, the 
 King to be owen with the Pope, for what he had don upon the death of Joceline, was now 
 beforehand with him, for sales Mathhew Paris : Roger the Bishop of Bath having gone 
 the way of all flesh, the King according to his custom laid greedy hands on the goods of 
 the See, and quickly carried off whatever he could snatch up. 
 
 Edward I. granted also to Bishop Burnell (his Favorite and great Minister of State) 
 that 'de boscis suis in Chedder et Axbrige infra forestam de Mendipp aasertare et 
 includere possint 60 acra pro partica Forestse.' 
 
 Chyle adds that he had met with an old grant of Edward the 3rd's time, of Bishop 
 Harewell, who ' had been Chaplain to Edward the black prince, de quibusdam terris suis 
 in parochia S. dementis extra Barr' London diversis personis ad vitam pro certiS 
 redditibus. That is the Title of the Grant, and all that is worthy of notice. 
 
 That the Bisbopps of the See had severall houses and Tenements in London, (Theire 
 one owne dwelling house being in the Strand) as in old fish strete, paternoster Row and 
 about Temple Barr; there is no question to be made. As will appeare, by the Audit 
 Acoompts, Two of which (one in the reign of Henry the 6 ; the other of Henry ye 8), I 
 shall by and by give Copies of, by which the wealth of this Bishopwrick may be more 
 then guest at. 
 
 Our eccentric guide then makes a wide digression under the guidance of Stowe, 
 Bishop Godwin, and " some others promiscuously taken notice of," in which, after remark- 
 ing that it is notoriously known to All who have but read or discourst anything of 
 
 k 
 
Ixvi PREFACE. 
 
 Antiquity, That the Bishopps and Clergie of this Nation were ever had in Greate esteeme 
 and veneration by their Severall kings and princes, and almost ever since the first planting 
 here of Christianity have had the Greatest share of offices and Trust in the kingdom's 
 publick Affairs, either Civill or Ecclesiasticall, and how the Lord Chancellor and Treasurer 
 up till the time of Henry the 8th had been of the Clergy, he enumerates and describes the 
 several Episcopal Residences in London, for which no doubt interesting but already attain- 
 able information we refer the reader to the aforesaid authors, excepting only in the case of 
 Bath and Wells, where we may be pardoned for quoting Chyle's chief paraphrase : To our 
 Bishopps, those of this Church, the House yet called Arundell House in the Strand, 
 formerly called Bath Place ; But what Bishop or who was the builder, or Benefactor of 
 this House, or of those 3 imediately before mention 'd (Sarum, Exeter, Carlile) I cannot 
 find, or learne when, as Heylyn in his Ecclesiastical Eestauration says— The ouners of 
 these houses not daring to oppose, and therefore willingly had consented to part with them, 
 ' the Bishopps, towards the latter end of the reign of Henry 8th being laid aside in all 
 matters of State, except in parliament' — ^it appeared to Chyle that since his Hands were 
 in he had better see what's become of these Houses. I must confess, he adds, I was not 
 quiet nor could I satisfye myselffe till I had search'd and made my Enquiries after Them 
 And find That of all these Houses there are but 2 now standing, and remaining as they 
 were to theire first and right Ouners, namely Lambeth, siaA Ely house. 
 
 London House suffer'd first in the late Rebellion being puU'd down and sold amoung 
 other the Church Lands and then turnd into Allies, private houses and shopps. All 
 afterwards burnt doun'e with the whole City in that greate and terrible Conflagration in 
 the yeare 1666. When most of the other Citty's of this Nation, have their Palaces for 
 theire Diocessans, might not be wanting of a place for her Bishopp, It was the pleasure 
 of the most Reverend Father in God the Lord Archbishopp of Canterbury His Grace that 
 now is, when Bishop there, to purchase to that See peter House, in Aldersgate Street. 
 How agreable and Commodious when S. paul's Cathedrall is built, it becomes mee not to 
 Enquire. 
 
 Durham and Winchester Houses had the same fate with that of London in that 
 Rebellion ; However better is it with these then with many other. For tho they have 
 not Houses of theire oune for their Reception, when theire Occasions call them thither. 
 Yet have they wherewithal! from thence to discharge their Conveniences elsewhere. 
 
 But the great Rout was, when (as I have said) Bishopps were noe longer thought fitt 
 for publique Employments, in the end of Henry the 8th and all Edward the 6th reigne. 
 Then first was seised on Whitehall by Henry the 8th. Afterwards were noe less than 3 
 Bishopp's Houses ^t one time taken way and pull'd doune to build that House in the 
 Strand, call'd Somersett House, viz; those belonging to the Bishopps of Worcester, 
 Coventry and Litchfield, and Landaff as I have said, nor were these it seemes sufficient 
 for this Work, but some buildings belonging to S. paule's and S. John Hospital in Smith- 
 field must also be taken away, for the erecting and finishing of this new pUe and Fabrick, 
 besides all this to add a^ much Sacrilege as could well be for a sure Foundation, doune 
 must likewise goe the Church of S. Mary-le-Strand to make roome for it. This House 
 was built by Edward Duck of Somerset, protector of .the Kingdome, under Edward the 
 Sixt, and tho soe neere related to the King as TJnkle and almost all his time the choise 
 ruler of All, yet were his days but fewe, and his End fatall, none of his posterity enjoying 
 the House, but came to the Croune, upon his Attainder, and Execution, where it has ever 
 since remain'd. 'Tis true indeed King James Lodg'd his RoyaU Guest the King of 
 
PREFACE. Ixvii 
 
 Denmark in this House and in honour thereof chainged its name from Somerset to 
 Denmark House. All the neighbouring tenements holding of that House (as there are 
 manj) having it so expresst and call'd in their Deeds and Leases, at this very day. 
 
 And yet (sales Thomas Fuller) Is this house so tenacious of his Name that it will not 
 change a Dutchie for a Kingdome, AUeaging this reason, Surely it argueth that this Duke 
 -was well belov'd, because his Name made such an indelible impression on this House, 
 whereof he was not full five yeares peaceably possest. But by Mr. Fuller's good leave, I 
 am rather of his opinion, who burnt the Temple to perpetuate his Name. That lusty 
 thumping Vices setemallize's as well as eminent Virtues ; And that Joseph who buried 
 our Saviour will be as soone forgott, as Judas who betray'd him. Lincoln House was 
 taken away and possest by Thomas Wriothesly Earle of Southampton afterwards by some 
 of that Family, pull'd doune, and dispos'd into severall houses, and Tenements, And are 
 now Those Houses at the upper end of Chancery Lane call'd Southampton Buildings, tho 
 the family be extinct, and the Honor conferd on a Stranger. Bath Place was taken away 
 by the great power of Thomas Seymor Lord Admirall Brother to the Protector, who 
 married Hen. Sth's Queen Dowager. But not long enjoy'd he this, or his Honors, His 
 oune Brother taking off his Head, since which time the Earles of Arundell have possest 
 this House, naming it by theire oune Title. 
 
 Exeter House was first possest by William Lord pagett, whose palace relish't very 
 well Church Morsels of whose Title Beaudesert Mr. Camden (Brit. p. 519) has these 
 words : A dextra ripa inter silvas amsenissime sedet Beaudesert, quondam Lichfeldensium 
 Episcoporum, postea Baronum pagetorum Aedes ; Gulielmus enim paget qui ob magnam 
 rerum prudentiam magnam apud Henricum octavum et Edwardum collegit gratiam, cum 
 res prsesulum undique acciderentur, amplissimas Lichfeldensis Ecclesise possessiones con- 
 sequutus est; simulque creatus est ab Edwardo 6 Baro paget de Beaudesert. After- 
 wards Robert Dudley, Earle of Leicester had it chainging its name from Exeter to 
 Leicester House. This name it continued not long, for Eobert Earle of Essex (who was 
 taken in the Banquetting House and beheaded) possessing of it, Gain'd such a Vogue 
 among the People as to have it caU'd after his oune Title Essex House, which ever since 
 has kept that name, till last year, when one Dr. Barbone {the sonn I am told of honest 
 ^prwys . God') bought it of the Executors, or Trustees of the late Dutchess of Somersett, 
 Daughter of the said Robert ; not to restore it to the right ouner the Bishop of Exeter ; 
 But converted into Houses and Tenements for Taverns, Alehouses, Cooks' shopps and 
 Vaulting Schooles, and the garden adjoyning to the River into wharfes for Brewers and 
 Woodmongers. 
 
 The House belonging formerly to the Bishopps of Norwich and parted withall* (as I 
 have said) to Heath Archbishop of York in Queene Marie's dayes and from thence called 
 York House ; I cannot learne how imediately it paas't away from the Bishopp, or how it 
 came to the Duke of Buckingham. But involved in the same fate with Essex House it is 
 now, and no longer palace for spirituall or Temporal Lord. The Bishopps of Sarum were 
 dispossest of theire House and jurisdiction in Flete Strete, by the name of Salesbury court, 
 by Sir Richard Sackvile, Father to Thomas Lord Buckhurst and first of that family j 
 Earle of Dorsett and Lord Treasurer where He and his posteritie has from the beginning 
 
 * And that noble Watergate and Staires the ornament of the Thames and much the fairest on the 
 Eiver built 1626 by that great favorite George . . . ke of Buckingham, adornd with the shields and 
 escutcheons of his House and offices, the motto Dei cotieula crux, which was for prince and nobles 
 only, is now become a landing place for Colliers and Oysterwomen. 
 
Ixviii PREFACE. 
 
 of King James' his reigne; by the name of Dorsett House, lived: but now dispos'd off 
 after the same manner with the two former houses ; And nothing left of prospect from the 
 Thames worthy to countenance the Staires there, but the Duke's playhouse. 
 
 The Bishopp of Oarlile's house came to the family oi the Russells, now Earle of Bed- 
 ford ; in whose possession it is now by the name of Bedford house in the Strand. 
 
 As for the Houses of Hereford and Eochester, Bishopps : The place and scituation of 
 them was I beleeve theire security and preservation. For not being meddld with at first, 
 in the Scramble, Their ouners were so prudent as timely to convert them into Tenements 
 of wiiich their Successors have (as I am inform'd) the Rent and Fines at this very day. 
 These Houses and Palaces together with their Gardens, Staires and other ornaments 
 towards the Eiver side, added much glory and lustre to that greate Citty while they were 
 in the hands of the Bishopps or other the Nobilitie and cheite Ministers of State ; But 
 now not only most of these, but some others belonging to the Nobilitie, built by theire 
 Ancestors to increase theire splendor and honor, are likewise puU'd doune and from palaces 
 level'd and degenerated into Exchanges and ordinary houses for the Comon people of trades 
 only and professions ; Thinking it enough to perpetuate their memories by having the 
 streets {caWd after theire oune Names) only and not {theires but) the Land and howses (of 
 others) call'd after theire oune Names. Hiring lodgings or taking for themselves and 
 Families some other houses when theire occasion brings them to Toune Thus degeneratmg 
 beyond the Eoman Nobilitie complain'd of by TuUy who allows Piso and others of that 
 rank to have nothing to shew that they are the offspring of such Worthys as theire 
 Fathers were, but a genealogy or an earthly patrimony. I am of Virgill's (? Juvenal's) 
 mind as to this matter : 
 
 Malo tibi sit Thersites dum modo tu sis 
 Aeacidse similis Vulcaniaque arma capessas 
 Quam te Thersitse similem producat Achilles. 
 This putts me in mind of a passage in these late rebellious times (when two of the 
 Nobilities dwindled into Commons). Twas thus : — When the State of Venice sent theire 
 Embassadours hither, among other matters. To Congratulate our new Commonwealth, 
 Harry Martin (that Godly Saint) was cheif of those delegated to complement and treate 
 •with them ; At parting once from a Conference, one of the noble Venetians, desir'd to 
 know of his Excellencie (Harry) where his most magnificent palace was ? Harry gravely 
 replyed ; That it was, At the Catt and Fiddle, in Gardiner's Lane, in King Street, in the 
 City of Westminster, which made such a rattling through his jawing Throate, as that the 
 Eastern Izycartisteriums, or the Italian Palezzo d'Alessandro Diuca di parma nella pizza 
 Fwrnese was not more admir'd or august, in the Signiors' eares. But to be a little searious, 
 Had wee departed only from the Errors of the Eoman Church in the dayes of Hen. 8. 
 Edw. 6: & Queene Elizabeth, wee might well then have call'd it A Blessed Eeformation; 
 But since sad experience informs us. That necessitie of leaving that Church (or rather 
 theire leaving our Church) had yet a further aime, then Eeligion ; namely, the making 
 Sporte of the Church, and converting what was consecrated to God, and his Holy Service, 
 with direfull Anathema's and Curses upon Those who should but endeavour theire aliena- 
 tion, to theire owne private Uses ; I scarce make it a Question, Whether that Sacriledge 
 was not a greate Cause of the unhappy progress, in our Eeformation ; And of those 
 Divisions and animosities which have beene and are yet among the professors thereoff, 
 The Almighty never alio wing pious and religious Ends to be brought about by Wicked 
 and unjust meanes. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Ixix 
 
 I have I feare been, too teadious on this Subject, and by thus speaking plaine and 
 douneright, have endaingered my Teeth, in coming too near the heels of Truth. I shall 
 therefore returne to our Church for Sanctuary, and make Good my promise when I 
 left her. 
 
 Chyle then gives two most interesting accounts from the Augmentation of&ce, giving 
 first the Revenue of the Bishop of Bath and Wells in the time of Henry the 6th, when 
 John Stafford (afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury) was Bishop, and in the second place 
 the Revenue of Bishop Hadrian Caatello (whose name we find in the Chapter Acts given 
 in Appendix) in the name of Henxy the 8th. 
 
 Compotus WilUelmi Stevens Clerici ac Receptoris generalis Domini Johantiis Dei 
 gratia Bathon et Wellen . Episcopi de omnibus Receptionibus per ipsum receptis a Festo 
 S**- Michselis anno Regni Regis Henrici 6**- 14'"- usque ad eundem Festum extunc 
 proximum sequentem anno predicto Regis 15°- 
 
 
 Arerag' null'- 
 
 
 Arerag" nu 
 
 E'. 
 
 
 li. 
 
 s. 
 
 d. 
 
 
 li. 
 
 s. 
 
 d. 
 
 Huish 
 
 072 
 
 08 
 
 00 
 
 Blackford 
 
 029 
 
 10 
 
 00 
 
 Kingsbury 
 
 125 
 
 10 
 
 01 q»- 
 
 Compton 
 
 044 
 
 0+6 20 ob. 
 
 Chard 
 
 048 
 
 04f 05 
 
 Banwell 
 
 104 
 
 00 
 
 30 obq«- 
 
 Buckland 
 
 046 
 
 02 
 
 00 
 
 Congersby 
 
 215 
 
 101+ obq»- 
 
 Wellington 
 
 095 
 
 16t 08t 
 
 Yatton 
 
 083 
 
 09+ 
 
 5+ob. 
 
 Wiveliscomb ... 
 
 094 
 
 12 
 
 03 
 
 . Chew 
 
 104 
 
 12+ 01+ 
 
 Lidiard... 
 
 032 
 
 lOf 04tt 
 
 Westerly 
 
 , 040 
 
 0+9 
 
 40 obq»- 
 
 Wells Man«- ... 
 
 098 
 
 04 
 
 01+ 
 
 pucklechurch ... 
 
 140 
 
 08 
 
 6 
 
 Wokey 
 
 039 
 
 11 
 
 04 
 
 Wyke 
 
 033 
 
 07 
 
 2 obq»- 
 
 Westbury ' ... 
 
 051 
 
 02 
 
 10 ob. 
 
 Hampton 
 
 027 
 
 11 
 
 6q«- 
 
 Chedder 
 
 056 
 
 09 
 
 02 
 
 Claverton 
 
 013 
 
 04 
 
 q«- 
 
 Cra.timere 
 
 030 
 
 01 
 
 69 q»- 
 
 Wells Forum ... 
 
 020 
 
 00 
 
 
 
 Evercrech 
 
 017 
 
 02 
 
 1 
 
 Kingsbury hund 
 
 035 
 
 20 
 
 10+ 
 
 Wells Burg: nul: 
 
 hoc a.nno. 
 
 
 pucklechurch hund 005 
 
 0+9 
 
 4ob. 
 
 Civit. Bathon ... 
 
 020 
 
 16+ 
 
 9+ 
 
 Winterstoke et 
 
 
 
 
 Axbridge 
 
 007 
 
 02 
 
 5 
 
 Banwell hund 
 
 020 
 
 00 
 
 
 
 Wellington Burg; 
 
 ; 009 
 
 03 
 
 
 
 officium libert' ... 
 
 009 
 
 02 
 
 2 
 
 Stoke di-acot ... 
 
 002 
 
 04 
 
 1 
 
 palat de Bathon 
 
 001 
 
 00 
 
 
 
 Instaur" Maner' 
 
 027 
 
 11+ 
 
 9+ 
 
 Recept forins: 
 
 li. B. 
 
 ... 2078 03 
 
 186 
 
 03 Ohyl 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 Summa Re( 
 
 cepticmum ... 
 
 e makes it 05». 06d, 
 
 Allocat' 
 
 Vicariis pro annuaU pensione pro terris et tenementis de pull' 
 Congesbury et la North in Wokey 
 
 in I 
 
 In Feodis 
 Senescalli 
 Receptoris 
 Baliv': libert' 
 
 U. s. d. 
 
 10 00 00 
 
 20 00 00 
 
 20 00 00 
 
 10 00 00' 
 
 The second Account here follows in the time of Henry the 8th, when Hadrian 
 Castello was Bishop. 
 
Ixx 
 
 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 
 
 
 Wells Man"^' 
 
 Arerag' null'. 
 U. g. d. 
 .. 151 01 5 
 
 Wiveliscomb ... 
 
 Arerag' null'. 
 
 K. s. d. 
 
 088 12 1 
 
 Wokey . . . 
 
 Westbury 
 
 Cheddar 
 
 Compton 
 
 Banwell 
 
 .. 050 
 .. 042 
 ... 073 
 .. 048 
 .. 137 
 
 05 
 10 
 03 
 02 
 18 
 
 4 
 1 
 6 
 3 
 9 
 
 Lydiard 
 London 
 
 Dogmersfeild ... 
 Compton parva 
 Wells Burg. ... 
 
 031 
 029 
 019 
 002 
 019 
 
 17 
 06 
 15 
 13 
 02 
 
 5 
 
 11 
 8 
 4 
 9 
 
 Congersbury 
 Yatton . . . 
 Chew ... 
 Puoklechurch 
 
 .. 131 
 .. 046 
 .. 115 
 .. 042 
 
 13 
 18 
 03 
 02 
 
 10 
 5 
 9 
 
 00 
 
 Wells Forum ... 
 Axbrige Burg:... 
 puoklechurch hund 
 Winterstok hund' 
 
 008 
 004 
 004 
 021 
 
 17 
 05 
 04 
 18 
 
 1 
 6 
 9 
 6 
 
 Westerlie 
 Wike ... 
 
 .. 042 
 .. 040 
 
 15 
 16 
 
 9 
 6 
 
 Bageworth, or a 
 stork 
 
 001 
 
 00 
 
 
 
 Hampton 
 
 .. 020 
 
 11 
 
 
 
 Palatium Bathon 
 
 001 
 
 00 
 
 
 
 Claverton 
 Cranmer 
 
 .. 030 
 .. 028 
 
 15 
 08 
 
 4 
 11 
 
 Wellington burg: 
 Chard burg: ... 
 
 007 
 006 
 
 03 
 02 
 
 10 
 
 1 
 
 Evercrich 
 Hewish 
 
 .. 049 
 .. 059 
 
 11 
 14 
 
 9 
 11 
 
 Kingsbury hund' 
 Chew Hund': ... 
 
 015 
 004 
 
 05 
 13 
 
 10 
 9 
 
 "Kingsbury 
 
 .. 121 
 
 01 
 
 9 
 
 Civitas Bathon 
 
 013 
 
 10 
 
 2 
 
 Chard ... 
 
 .. 060 
 
 06 
 
 6 
 
 Stoke draoot . . . 
 
 001 
 
 02 
 
 9 
 
 Wellington 
 Buckland 
 
 .. 104 
 .. 051 
 
 18 
 19 
 
 30 
 
 8 
 
 Stoke hund' 
 Stavordale pension 
 
 £ B. d. 
 
 027 
 000 
 
 18 
 03 
 
 6 
 
 4 
 
 Summa 
 
 1745 10 11 C^°i"^KSS?S°"'- 
 
 In this Accompt besides these sums there was also these following stiles, in case 
 anything relating to them had happened in that yeare. 
 
 Wells .Ofa.cium Baliv' Libertat'. 
 
 Fines uthegat ... ... ... ... ... nul: 
 
 Bona et Catall Felon: et Fugit ... ... ... nul : 
 
 Bonawaviat: ... ... ... ... ... nul: 
 
 Fines escapt: ... ... ... ... ... nul: 
 
 Felon de se; ... ... ... ... ,.. nul: 
 
 Deodand: ... ... ... ... ,.. nul: 
 
 Wreckmare ... ... ... ... ... nul: 
 
 Exit' et Amereia' Coram Baron: ... ... nul: 
 
 Amercia' coram Justic : Dni Begis Assis : ... nul : 
 
 Amercja' coram Justic: Dili Regis ad pacem ... null: 
 
 Exit' et Amercaa' de Banco . ., ... ... null : 
 
 Exit' et Fines coram Rage ... ... ... null : 
 
 Relevia sive vendit wardorum ... ... ... nuU : 
 
 EKit' terr' sesit' in manu Dni ratione minoris 
 
 setatis ... ... ... ... . _ ___ null' 
 
 From the above accounts Chyle considers that "the Old depending rents of the 
 Bishopwrick were in those dayes communibus annis about £1500." At the same time 
 the tenants of the Bishop, either by Covenant or Custom, paid toward his hospitality large 
 quantities of grain and corn of all sorts, as well as of hay, not to mention Cocks, Henns, 
 
PREFACE. Ixxi 
 
 Eggs, Geese, pepper. Cummin, Work and Labour of wliich some was taken in kind and 
 some in money after a certaine rate according to the custome of the place. As for a man's 
 Labor per diem an halfepenny in some places, in some a penny and two pence. Cocks and 
 Henns at two pence a peice, A goose for a groate : Eggs five pence the hundred ; pepper 
 and Cummin fourepence the pound ; Soe that besides what was taken that yeare in kind 
 there was receiv'd in mony for them after those rates £203 07s. \Qd. as was charg'd in 
 that Audit Aocompts. By these two accompts and what has been said of them, wee may 
 easily more than guess at the large and plentifull Revenue of this Bishopwrick, especially 
 if we consider the richness of the Country and cheapness of provisions, at least one third 
 now, and alwaies cheaper there then within 30 or 40 miles of London : But more especially 
 if we consider the rate and estimate of mony in those and former times. 
 
 Chyle here indulges in another of those general digressions which, if of little interest 
 to the question of Cathedral Discipline and Order, offers so quaint a view of a phase of social 
 life as to have its value and attraction for some readers. 
 
 A greate diiference there is betweene those Times and ours when Henry the 7th gave 
 in portion with his Daughter Margaret, to James the fourth King of Scotts but 10,0001b. 
 and His Son Henry the 8th left but the like summs to his two Daughters, Mary and 
 Elizabeth* whereas those summs are familiar now with a Citizen's daughter to make her 
 straight, and spoile a Familie, in patching up their Extravagancies and Debaucheries, by 
 such a Degenerated Kace. Nor scarce will a spruce Lawier's clerk enter now into the 
 State of Matrimony under a 1000 or 1500^- with a Girle, tho he has nothing to Joynture 
 her with but his Green Bagg, Confidence et partibus suis natv/ralibus I There is not, I 
 apprehend, any greate difficultie in evidencing the reason and cause of This, but I shall 
 rather leave every one to the enjoyment of his oune Thoughts, while I doe mine, and only 
 make this Quarie, whether the publick owning and keeping of a Miss be not destructive 
 to Matrimony and consequently the dishonour if not Euine of a Nation ? But I wander 
 too farr. 
 
 Our facile historian then tracing the Catastrophe (as he terms it) of the Episcopal 
 revenues, which he says dwindVd and decaUd by peacemeal, and retaUe, then by Lumps 
 and wholesale and was finally wholly extinguish't and turn'd into the Deanery where it 
 staled not long, recovering however some Life again to her present Enjoyments ; not soe 
 meane neither, and Contemptible, as some would make the world beleeve, were it well 
 knowne, prudently managed, and improved. 
 
 Chyle then spares not John Clerk who having been Master of the Rolls and for pre- 
 senting the King Henry the 8th's book against Luther with a Latin oration and bringing 
 home with him the additional Title of Defender of the Eaith, was made Bishop of this 
 Diocese but being pitched on to go to Germany to deliver the King's reasons for 
 repudiating his Queen Ann, lost his life, dying immediately after his return. Before 
 this however, the King to sweeten an Employment that carried with it soe daingerous 
 and unwelcome a Message had given him the site of the Monastery of our Lady of the 
 Order of S. Clare called the Minories with divers lands and tenements, as an encourage- 
 ment to the Bishop to grant to the King in return "a prettie favour" the Manor of 
 Dogmersfeild with the park, and Advowson of the Church ; And that the Bishop might 
 
 • Nay such an Affront did Queene Elizabeth apprehend when she understood that Dr. Pilkinton 
 Bishop of Durham had given the same summ of ^£10,000 with hiB Daughter in Marriage that she took 
 from the Bishopwrick an annual pension of £1060 asBigning it for the better maintenance of her Garrison 
 at Barwiok. 
 
Ixxii PREFACE. 
 
 not be wronged (0, by noe meanes) the King grants to the Bishop and his successors the 
 Hospital of S. John the Baptist in Wells, which had come to the King by the surrender 
 of Richard Clerkson, Master of the said Hospitall, and William Merks, John Dolt, and 
 John Charnock of the same Fraternity, with the lands called BeriaU, East WallisfeUd, 
 polsham meed, and West Close, as well as the parsonage and Advowson of West Downe 
 in Devonshire, and the parsonage and advowson of Evercreech, to be held by him and his 
 successors for ever in the Bishoprick, by the service of the 20th part of one Knight's fee 
 and the annual payment to the Crown of £7 15«. 
 
 This grant was, however, destined to be of little permanence or value to the Bishops 
 of this see ; S. John was robbed to pay 8. Andrew for a time but Bishop Barlow in the 
 2nd year of Edward Gth surrendered the Same Hospitall to the King without any com- 
 pensation or the restoration of Dogmersfeild which was conveyed to Sir Christopher 
 Hatton by Queene Elizabeth on January 27th in the 17th year of her reign. 
 
 But Henry the 8th was not usually satisfied with a morsell and but a short time 
 before his death got from Bishop Knight the manor of Wike in Gloucestershire, nor did 
 the Bishopwriek fare much better under his Son, for as Edward Duke of Somerset 
 triumphantly returned from Scotland attended with victory, the young King made him a 
 present of £500 sterling yearely out of such Castles, Manors, Lands and tenements as his 
 Counsell should appoint to remaine to our said Unkle and his heires for ever, of our free 
 Gift, for a perpetuall Memory of the good Service which at this present Journey Hee 
 hath don unto us. The Duke, however, as a good steward for his Master's interest, asked 
 that he might have the £500 not out of his Majesty's Castles but out of the possessions 
 belonging to the Bishoprick of Bath and Wells, which the King granted with high Com- 
 mendations of his Tinkle's Frugalitie and Good husbandry. 
 
 By this deed the Bishop was graciously licensed to part with the Manors of Banwell, 
 WeUs, Chew, Blackford, Wellington, Cranmere, Evercreech, his Burg of Wellington, and 
 Hundred of Wells and Wells Forum, Winterstoke and Chew, as well as with the Parks 
 of Wells, Banwell and Evercreech, with all the rights and privileges thereunto belonging, 
 and by the same deed leave was given to other Bishopps to ingratiate themselves by 
 parting with their Revenues, and in pursuance of this generous recognition of the Duke's 
 success in Scotland £2000 was promised to Bishop William Barlow for the aforesaid 
 grant, of which he was chous't but of £1600, never receiving more than £400 of that 
 money. This was confirmed by the Dean and Chapter, enrolled in Chancery and a fine 
 was levied in Michaelmas term following, so that nothing was omitted in due form of Law 
 as to the making it sure and firme to the Duke and his posterity. Nor was this enough 
 by a like ingenious arrangement, for the better colour of the businesse the Bishop received 
 licence to part with further possessions to the King himself amongst which was Wookey 
 the purchase money going into the Bishop's pocket : by the same deed of the 20th of May 
 the Mineries, houses in Tower Street, Old Fish Street and Paternoster Row passed into 
 the hands of George Medley and John Harington Esquires. Besides all this the King 
 had been so kind to this Bishopp that he forgave him his first fruites as also his Tenths 
 during Life, And for the future the succeeding Bishops of the See should pay for theire 
 First fruits but £479 15s. Id. and for their tenths £53 &s. Id. And as if this was not 
 enough the Royal kindness was so far extended as to licence Bishop Barlow to alienate 
 and grant even the very Palace at Wells itself to the Duke of Somerset, as may be seen 
 by a deed, confirmed by the Dean and Chapter, bearing date 2°- Dec. 4"- Edw. 6. With 
 this went the Manor of Westbury. Great care, says Chyle, was taken to secure and keep 
 
PBEFA CK Ixxiii 
 
 whole the Church privileges and prerogatives to him and his Successors in the See 
 (the' those too should have gone for asking) Heylin remarking in his Ecclesiastical 
 Kestauration with some reason that Bishop Barlow was preferred to the See of "Wells, for 
 which he Gratified the protector with a present of 18 or 19 Manors. Now that this com- 
 plying Bishopp, a man for theire turne, may have some support, and an house to put his 
 head in, Fitzwilliams his surrender of the Deanery (before mention'd) is made use off; as 
 also the clause in the Act of parliament in the first yeare of this King, for erecting of a 
 New Deanery : — 
 
 That the said new Dean and his Successors shall sue and be sued, implead and be 
 impleaded in all Courts and Places by the name of Deane of Wells, and shall be by the 
 same Name and Incorporation enabl'd and able to give grant or otherwise to depart from 
 any Lands, Tenements, or Hereditaments which he shall have as Dean of the said Church, 
 or in right of the said Deanery, &c. 
 
 It is well here to contrast the difference between the erecting of Deaneries under the 
 old and new systems. Under that of Edward the Confessor, in his Charter of the Founda- 
 tion of Westminster Abbey, he who shall destroy or contradict the said Charter was to lie 
 under the same eternal anathema with Judas, the Traitor, or as in that of King Ine to 
 Glastonbury, whoever should endeavour to pervert or annul his munificence, was to consider 
 himself like Judas, the traitor, liable to eternal confusion, and should be prepared to perish 
 in the devouring flames of unspeakable torments. But, as Chyle says : To returne. The 
 Duke first settled on the Bishopp the Dean's Manor House and Gardens in Wells, com- 
 monly known by the name of the Deanery, for maintenance settles on him the Manor of 
 West Coker and its advowson, the Borough and Hundred of Wellington, Stogurnie and 
 Wedmore park & the Vicarage of Mark, all of the annual rent of £60 2s. lid, besides a 
 rent of £17 from the Manor of Glaston, and also a lease for certaine years of the Lodge 
 and park of Sharpham, near Glaston, if the Bishop, his wife Agatha and his son William 
 live 806 long. Dated Wells . 2°- Dec. 4°- Edw. 6. 
 
 Thus was matters patcht up for the present betweene the Duke and this prelate but, 
 alass See the issue of all that Grandeur ; That very yeare was thise Greate Duke's head 
 taken off, under the formalities of Law and Justice, tho' with hard measure, by a law of 
 his oune framing, wheo protector and that too strain'd ; and after all, by being so 
 imhappie as not to think of or have any Remembrancer to call for the Benefitt of the 
 Clergie. Most of our Historians agree concluding This to be {in Foro soli) too severe a 
 Fate for that prince, and therefore we must look higher for the Cause of a Dounfall soe 
 sudden and precipitate. But this I shall leave to those who will peruse Sir. Hen: Spelman 
 De non temerandis Fcclesiis. 
 
 After the death of the Duke the Bishop after much attendance and many solicitations, 
 and having considered with shame how he had in betraying the Church, ruind not only 
 himself but his successors recovered some of the lost property of the See buton very hard 
 termes, namely with the lost of his two manners of Congresbury and Yatton, which he 
 conveyed away by a deed dated April 28, in the sixth year of Edward the Sixth j and this 
 was confirmed by the Chapter on the 12th of June following. 
 
 After the attainder of the Duke his illgotten gains reverting to the Crown, the Bishop 
 recovered his Palace with the appurtenances, in consideration of his relinquishing the 
 Deanery and all the Lands, (fee, thereunto belonging, and of surrendering up to the King 
 the Lease of Sharpham Park and Lodge while the Manor of Wells was clogged with an 
 annual payment of £10 to the Crown, which holds to this day. So Chyle dismisses 
 
 I 
 
Ixxiv TEUFACU. 
 
 Bishop Barlow with the remarks of Godwin (De Prsesulibus, p. 443) : "Ad regnum erects 
 Maria, in Germaniam profagit, ibique exul inopera vitam ut potuit toleravit donee rerum 
 posita Elizabetha revocatum, Cicestrensi prefecit Ecclesise." And tho' Bishop Godwin 
 modestly here leaves off without any reflections, observes Chyle, there never was before 
 any Bishop translated from the Bishoprick of Bath and Wells to that of Chichester. 
 
 The Lady Mary coming now to the Crown, not only the Roman Religion was expected 
 to be restored, but the Revenues likewise and patrimonie of the Church ; The first came 
 to pass notwithstanding Her solemn promise to the Contrary ; viz : that the Protestant 
 Religion should continue undisturbd to the Gentry of Norfolk and Suffolk, when they soe 
 eminently appeared in her Behalfe, against the pretensions of Lady Jane. The other was 
 not either in her power or Will to performe,, if noe more was recovered to other Churches 
 then was to this . . . Besides the Church of Rome found that she could never have 
 her darling Supremacie restored,, but by Confirming such Church Lands on the Crowne 
 and present Occupants, which by Pope Julius 3rd was accordingly don, as the Queene in 
 her second parliament parts with her supreme Headshipp to his Holyness by a power 
 equall to that which took it from him. 
 
 A page then follows wherein Chyle indulges in another of those violent diatribes 
 against Papal despotism and the weakness of such Kings as Edward the Third, who 
 played into the hands of Clement the Sixth, by begging his authority to thrust Thomas 
 Hatfield, his Secretary, as Bishop upon the Monks of Durham : to which request and 
 protest the Pope is reported to have said, " Should the King of England, as matters now 
 stand, write to me to make an Ass a Bishop, he should not be denied." 
 
 If, as Mr. Heylin, here quoted, observes. Queen Mary gave a check to the rapacity 
 of former times, and the Church of England, as to her Revenues, is more beholden to her 
 than to her immediate predecessor, it is impossible to pass over the following passage, as 
 bearing upon the question of the rights of property, which were held so very cheap at that 
 period. I cannot pass by, says Chyle, One Thing namely that that Decree of pope Julius 
 the 3rd in Queene Marie's Days was at his Majestie's blessed Restoration, pleaded and 
 urged by some purchasers of Church Lands, for theire right of possessions ; Tho the pre- 
 tended Reasons for the sale of those Lands, which was the Originall and Ground of that 
 right, was because they were Popish; I shall instance only in One, a cheif Incendiary in 
 the late Rebellion, and the Demolisher of the Bishop's Palace here, and therefore the more 
 patt to my purpose. Cornelius Burges, I meane, who had the Impudence to defend his 
 right to the Deanery of Wells, by the Law forcing Deane Creighton to bring an Eject- 
 ment in the King's Bench, and soe proceed regularly to a Tryall (wherein was that Decree 
 of pope Julius by Some of Burges his Councill pleaded) before he could have possession. 
 
 The whole of the following passage is of so much historical importance, that without 
 expressing any concurrence or agreement with -the virulent animosity exhibited therein, 
 we venture to print in full. 
 
 One would have thought that his printing of a Case, but the yeare before the King 
 came in fresh in memory at this Tryall, vnth bitter invectives and Rebellious expressions, 
 wherein he justifies by slender Arguments, God knowes the buying of Church Lands (Tho 
 therein he saies That having lent the State £3900, and having a Wife and ten children to 
 provide for, that must be undon, if that monye miscarried and finding the Divisions of 
 Parties that now managed the publike, and pursued severall Interests to be dayly 
 encreased, and more heightened, and himselfe ill-requitted for all his faithfuU Service, 
 was put upon this Strait, to take out his moneys in Bishop's Lands. This was the only 
 
PREFACE. Ixxv 
 
 reason of his purchasing of Bishop's Lands. Here by excusing himselfe, laying all on 
 Necessity -, which he needed not have don, if the purchase of those Lands was soe legall 
 and just as he would by that printed Case of his make the world believe) should have 
 made him sit Quiett and Submit the Deanery without such an impudent opposition to 
 returne to its right doner. What will not a presbyterian doe?* Yet for all this Care 
 and politie for his Wife and ten Children, They, most of them, became Miserable ; He 
 himself soe sottish as to refuse of Desbrow £10,000 proflEer'd not six months before the 
 Restoration, for the Deanery and Manor of Wells, which he never quietly enjoy'd, having 
 all his time a sharp and chargeable contest, with the Corporation of Wells, as to theire 
 severall Rights and privileges which they had also purchas'd of the Bebells, belonging to 
 the Bishopp, and at last as I am credibly inform'd, dyed in a Jaile, miserably loathsome, 
 of a Canker and ulcer in his Mouth and Throate, a just judgment, certainely if for nothing 
 else but for these very words in his case before mention'd ; That he had performed more 
 Service in that Church of WeUs (meaning the Church of Wells) than any Bishopp that ever 
 sate there. However he dyed penitently, acknowledging then, That to be sacrilege, which 
 before he had soe weakly justified and defended, which shewes the Hypocrisie of a presby- 
 terian whose only dying words are true (and be beleeved). 
 
 One Thing more before I leave him (to his own place). This was the Man made 
 choice of, to answeare Dr. Hackett's, admirable tho almost Ex tempore Speech at the 
 Commons Barr, llo- Maii, 1641, in defence of Deanes and Chapters, who being taxt by 
 Fuller, For ; heavily aggravating the debauchedness of Singing men, not only useless, but 
 hurtful! by theire vicious Conversation, yet he concluded with the utter unlawfuUness to 
 convert such Endowments to any private person's profitt ; Soe that the same doctrine was 
 delivered by both the Doctors, only they differ'd in theire applications, the former being 
 for the Continuing of such lands to theire ancient, the latter for diverting them to other, 
 but neither for alienating them from publique and pious Imployment. This passage, from 
 the words " heavily aggravating," is vigorously underlined. 
 
 That Dr. Burgess did indeed declare a Concurrence with Dr. Hackett in the admitting 
 that the alienating from the Church anything settled upon it by Divine right is Sacrilege, 
 is an unjust assertion — forsooth, Dr. Burgess — what he then spak was on the sudden, not 
 having an bower's time to ponder his Expressions ; And if any such thing, as is charg'd 
 upon him fell from him in the House of Commons, He doth renounce it as an Error. 
 
 This, says Chyle, is such a Hocus pocus answeare, that I beleeve Mr. Fuller's accusa- 
 tion of him to be as true as anything else in that his Great Volume. And thus have I 
 don with that Saint Cornelius Surges, who was alwaies Secure, soe long as he had about 
 him his mental Reservation, of renouncing That as an Error to-morrow which he main- 
 taines to be jure divino to-day. 
 
 Queen Mary by her Letters patent restored the Archdeaconry of Wells, with all its 
 emoluments, privileges and Jurisdictions, to the Church and the Collation to the Bishop : 
 she also restored the Manor and Park of Banwell, which had come to the Crowne by the 
 attainder of the Duke of Somerset. Edward the 6th by Indenture of Lease had granted 
 to Sir William Saintloe severall parcells of Land belonging thereunto, reserving the Manor 
 and Park under such and such rents for each parcell for 21 years, and conferred upon him 
 also the office of Keeper of the Park, and to have herbage and pannage for his life. The 
 Reversion of this patent and Lease was vested in the Crown. Queen Mary finding it so 
 
 Two pages back it was : " What will not a pope doe ?"— Ed. 
 
Ixxvi PREFA GE. 
 
 granted it to Bishop Bourne (as the Grant runs), in consideratione Quod Episcopi Bathon et 
 Wellen qui pro eo tempore existent, statum et gradum melius supportare possint. There was, 
 however, says Chyle, a Stinge in the Taile. During the rest of Sir William Saintloe's life 
 the Bishops were to pay £130 annually to the Crown, and afterwards for ever £115 8s. %d. 
 as annual rent, with a proviso that the Bishop should not lease out the Park or Manor for 
 any longer time than he was Bishop. Well would it have been if such a proviso had been 
 inserted in the grant of the Manor of Wells to the Bishoprick and thereby prevented 
 such havock as has not long since been made by leasing out much of the Park and 
 Demesne belonging to the manor for 3 Lives ! 
 
 The grant of Banwell bears date 23"- April, 2»- S"- Phi: & Mar: 
 
 Chyle here ventures on a hint to Ministers and Princes in General, having without 
 doubt the present, as he plainly says he had the past in his mind. Certainely had the 
 True State of this been known to Archbishop Laud, he is of opinion that by a seasonable 
 application to that pious and religious prince (who rather choose to lose his oune life then 
 that the Church should loose anything of right belonging unto her) that Great New Bent 
 of £115 8s. Be?, might have been remitted : But as this excellent moralist declares : Princes 
 being most commonly wholly taken up with theire affaires of Government and too often 
 with their pleasures. Forget to doe what too late They repent. And therefore are not soe 
 much to be blamed as Those Ministers about them, who neglect to hint unto them, such 
 Opportunities of doeing Good, as may afterwards render theire Souls happy, and theire 
 Names to posteritie Glorious. 
 
 Now comes to the Crowne, Queene Elizabeth, The Glory indeed of our Eeligion but 
 not of our Church, which, tho it seemes a paradox, is too true. For little good was to be 
 expected from Her, who in the very first yeare of Her reigne, pass'd an Act of Parliament, 
 that during the Voidanoe of any Archbishopwrick or Bishopwrick, The Queene may take to 
 herselfe and Successors any of the temporal Possessions, belonging to them Recompensing 
 the same with parsonages, Impropriations, Tenths, &c. A prettie Devise exclaims Chyle : 
 one, as far as he can see, which does not agree well with Scripture any more than with 
 the Statutes of Edward the third, and which provokes him to digress in order to quote 
 the Letter of Archbishop Sandys to Queene Elizabeth, when on account of his weakness 
 he could not in person attend her to surrender up his Archbishoprick which he would 
 rather do than part with those Manors she desired. In pursuance of this Act her High- 
 ness was graciously pleased to take even all that had been left in this Bishoppwrick, 
 namely the Manor and hundred of Kingsbury. Bishop Bourne refusing to take the oath of 
 Allegiance and Supremacy and consequently being deprived, before Gilbert Berkley was 
 preferred, a Commission dated 12th of March (in the second year of her reign), returnable 
 on 22nd of the same month, was issued under the Great Seal to Sir James Fitzjames of 
 Redling, Henry Portman of Orchard, John Maudelyn of Wells, John Homer of Cloverde, 
 John Ayleworthe of Wells, James Biss of Stoke, Esquires, enabling them or any two of 
 them to seize into their hands for the Queen's use the Manor and hundred of Kingsbury 
 and upon a true and just Survey to make their return into the Exchequer of the clear 
 annual rent and value (deductis deducendis) of the said Manor and hundred. Accordingly 
 Sir James Fitzjames and John Ayleworth retume the rent of the manor as £106 lis. ^d. 
 and of the hundred £7. Afterwards in the 6th year of her reign Her Majesty was pleased 
 to acquitt and discharge the Bishop of his Tenths, amounting annually to £53 6s. Id, in 
 consideration of the aforesaid Manor and hundred ; Then by the same Deed the Queen 
 Granted imto the Bishop and his Successors for ever out of the Tenths issuin" out of the 
 
PREFACE. Ixxvii 
 
 severaJl Dignities and Rectories within the said Church (of Wells) and Diocese the yearly- 
 sum of £60 17s. 8d., which together with the sum before mentioned amounts to somewhat 
 more than the old rents of the Manor and Hundred of Kingsbury. But noe notice at all 
 is there taken or any Consideration had of the Perquisites and Casualties of theire Courts, 
 which were most commonly very Considerable. 
 
 I cannot forbears (continues Chyle) The reciting the Introduction of this Deed tho it 
 be somewhat long, because thereby it wOl appear what pretty Arts and Godly pretences 
 were used to take away the Churohe's Revenues, and at the same Time have a great care 
 of the Church, As if the Sinns of the Father, as his Crownes, were entaild on the 
 Children. 
 
 The sum however aforesaid was so engrossed in the Books' Account at the Bishop's 
 Audit, before the late Rebellion : Nova Dotatio Episcopatus per Dominam Elizabetham 
 Reginam, pro Maneriis et Hundredis de Kingsbury in Comitat. Somerset, expressing the 
 Dignities and Rectories within the Diocese, whose Tenths the Bishop then received. 
 
 Thus wee have seene how these goodly Dominions, Manors and Revenues, have been 
 loppt off and taken away from this antient Bishopwrick, leaving but small Remaines, in 
 Comparison of the Former, for her support, which continued undisturbed till the late 
 Rebellion, when by an unlawfuU and usurpt power, both the Function and Estate was 
 quite abolished and sold. Take Cornelius Burges his owne words, for the Ground and 
 Reason of that unheard of and unparalelld Act, of those Sanctified Rebells. 
 
 Whereas by that dismal Division sharp and bitter Warrs had beene for some yeares 
 waged, and vast summs of money (raised on the Publike Faith) exhausted, the parliament 
 held themselves bound in honour and justice to pay those Debts contracted by that Warr, 
 mainely promoted against the parliament and kingdome (if not by, yet) in favour of the 
 Archbishops and Bishops (one of them having called the Forerunner of it Bellum 
 Episcopale, or the Bishops' War) Therefore the parliament passed an Ordinance Octob: 9, 
 1646, for an absolute taking and abolishing the Name, Title, Dignity and oflSce of Arch- 
 bishops and Bishops, who (having before incurr'd a praemunire) were thenceforth utterly 
 disabled to hold or exei-cise the place or functions of Archbishops or Bishops within 
 England or Wales, And theire lands and possessions held in right of theire Bishopwricks 
 (being by that Abolition Escheted) were vested in certain Trustees, subject to such Trusts 
 as both Houses of parliament should appoint and declare. 
 
 Indeed, the following passage, partaking as it does almost of the nature of prophecy, 
 and as some might think singularly and painfully near verification, cannot be omitted. 
 
 Here you have the Religion, Logick, and Law of one of those cheife and Godly 
 Divines, and what could be expected from the people, who were taught and ledd by such 
 blind Guides, but Faction, Schisme, and Rebellion j And altho (God be thank'd) Wee 
 have our Religion, our Church, our Bishopps, theire Lands and Revenues restored to us, 
 yet what they then and since sowed wiU never be rooted out of this Nation, unless some 
 other course be taken, then hitherto has been with them, who waite only for a fitt oppor- 
 tunitie to play over theire old Game againe. 
 
 What the Revenues are of this Bishopwrick thus restored now possest and enjoy'd I 
 shall forbeare giving any account of, for the reason given at the Entrance of this Chapter 
 as hecoMse I may possibly offend some persons, wlio are more pleas' d with being in the Dwr\ 
 and rather than be within reach of the old Rule, pauperis est numerare pecus, will knowe no 
 End of thei/re Easpenses, and therefore abhor that old dull way of having Audits, and 
 keeping Accompts ; How troublesome and injurious This was to the present Right Reverend 
 
Ixxviii 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 that at his Lordshipp's first coming to this See ; is very well I beleeve yet remembered by his 
 Lordship a/nd Those about Him. 
 
 The above passage, which is in italics, has been crossed out, but for obvious reasons 
 of interest the Editor has taken the liberty of printing it. 
 
 To conclude therefore, Tho this Bishopwrick was by Parcells thus devoured. That of 
 neere 30 good and substantial Manors, besides some Burrowes and Hundreds, with all the 
 regalias and privileges belonging to Her, Scarce any during that time of the Duke of 
 Somersett was left, And but few (those clogg'd with outrents and payments) regained and 
 restored ; yet is it still rancked amoung the Uppermost of the Middle Form, of the 
 Bishopwricks of this Nation, and has wherewithall to make good that place, and Esteeme, 
 amoung them. 
 
PREFACE. Ixxix 
 
 BOOK III. CHAP. II. 
 
 ©f tf)e Possessions anU Eniotoments of tfjts Cijurcij, sucf) as fielongeU 
 to t!)E ©eane anti (ICifjapter as a (Corporation aggreflate. 
 
 BHYLE wisely divided his third Book into four Chapters, in which he treats 
 severally of the different endowments and possessions of this Cathedral 
 Church — (1) as belonging to the Bishoprick ; (2) the Dean and Chapter as a 
 Corporation aggregate (an expression, by the way, which was an afterthought, 
 but is necessary to the exact and legal consideration and tenure of those endowments) ; 
 (3) as belonging to the Dean and Prebendaries, as Corporations sole ; (4) and lastly, such 
 as belonged to the Vicars Choral, by way of salary and custom. 
 
 The Charter of Queen Elizabeth asserts the positions of the Dean and Chapter in 
 both instances, and can be referred to for their actual status at that time. Nearly three 
 hundred years have passed, and siiccessive legislation in the nineteenth century has again 
 and again altered the relative position of the Dean and Chapter and the Prebendaries, and 
 in many other ways affected the order and economy of this Cathedral Body. If I mistake 
 not, and read aright the replies of the Dean and Chapter of Wells to the questions of 
 the Commission in 1851, the only and most important officer of their Constitution who 
 has all his privileges and duties reserved to him is the sacristan or verger, the remainder 
 of this vast and once splendid Corporation having shrunk away to a mere skeleton, barely 
 clothed, sparsely fed, and nourished by the miserable relics of her once splendid endow- 
 ments — the head itself robbed of all power over the members, the members themselves 
 many lopped off or maimed, and those few which are left called upon to do the work of 
 the rest upon one quarter of their original means of support. 
 
 In the time of our late godly rebellions and thorough Reformation, when such spoil 
 was made of the Church of Wells that the lands of the Bishoprick, Deanery, and Arch- 
 deaconry of Wells were well-nigh swallowed up, and Theire lawfuU members and proprie- 
 taries were likewise unjustly and cruelly expell'd and banish't, the possessions of the 
 Bodies of the Church remained undisturbed. Whatever was the number or value of the 
 endowments of King Ine or Kenulph (Bishop Godwin and Mr. Camden making the gift 
 of the latter to be as divergent as undecim manentium and dibo manentium), the follow- 
 ing remarks of Nicholas Burgess as to the motives which urged such benevolence are 
 deserving of quotation. Sir Henry Spelman says "that manens stands pro tnansi Incola^ 
 Qui Eydam colet, and is as much as two Messuages or Parms, with one or two land yard 
 belonging thereunto, are now with us. 
 
 But special interest attaches to the Deed of King Kenulph, be it spurious or not, as 
 
 N.B. has these trenchant and characteristic notes on his personal character, which 
 
 he had undoubtedly borrowed from so respectable an authority as Simon of Durham so far 
 as appertains to fact, but added to the narrative of the historian a prurient notion of his 
 own in a spirit of that self-righteous indignation which was characteristic of the bigotry 
 of the self-righteous Puritan. Chyle explains, I thought not to have fowld my Fingers 
 any more with Cornelius Burges. But his making use of this very gift of King 
 Kenewlph to justifie that which he will by noe meanes allow to be sacriledge, viz. : The 
 Selling and Buying of Church lands. Because He that gives ought to the Church,, doth 
 
Ixxx PREFACE. 
 
 it for the Redemption of his Soule, not for the gaine of the Priest ; which was indeed to 
 guive to the Deivell not unto God. In this manner did Kenulph King of the West 
 Saxons endow the Church of S. Andrew in Wells, with a large patrimony in Lands ; For 
 in his Charter he declareth that he did it,* For the Expiation of His Sinns and, (which 
 he was very sorry for) for the vexation of the Cornish people. That is to hire the Monks 
 of Wells to curse the Cornish men, which he could not subdue with his Sword ; And 
 verily he had need to doe somewhat for expiating his Sinns, as the Doctrine of those 
 Times ran ; For he was given to Adultery, that even after that great gift, he could not 
 leave that Sinn, but rather grew more bold to continue it; as appears by his going in that 
 Errand to one of his Concubins which he kept at Merton in Devon, where he was 
 discovered, surrunded by his Enemies (in all probability the Oornishmen who knew his 
 haunt) and there slaine. So Divine was the gift of the Manor of Wells. That King 
 Kenulph was killed at Merton all the old historians agree, but they say that he was slain 
 by Kyneard, Sigebert's brother, his immediate predecessor, whom also he had proscribed, 
 but who was lurking about till an opportunity of revenge occurred. That he was making 
 a visit to a great Lady, may be true, but that she was "a lady of pleasure" is not so 
 certain. This and the revenge of Osrick are all the reliable data' we have to go upon : 
 witness these old writers in the margent, All of them giving a good Character of this our 
 first known Benefactor.t 
 
 In the very next page of his case This Cornelius, by the very same Argument (but 
 art likewise in his History) overthrows Magna Charta, Because that Charta was granted 
 to merit Salvation. That great Diana of the people 
 
 The good old Cause 
 Sack possett, and the Fundamental! Laws 
 
 which his masters fought for, and under the pretence thereoff soe much blood was shed. 
 A fitt Instrument was that Fellow, for those Times, who would not stick at Anything, to 
 justifie Sacriledge and Eebellion ; Exposing himselfe by discovering his Ignorance, rather 
 then not say something for the Defence thereoff. {For I take.) And thus will I leave 
 him, to be as good an Historian, as he was a Casuisticall Divine." 
 
 Here Chyle is one with Mr. E. A. Freeman in condemning all the story about Harold 
 assuming to himselfe such a power, That among other outrageous Acts he quite destroyed 
 the Church, that is, of course, as to endowment. " All this ... is pure fiction." 
 
 But if, says Nathaniel Chyle, we compare this (that is. Bishop Godwin's account of 
 Harold's atrocities) with that deed of Edward the Confessor to Bishop Giso, It is to be 
 feared that in Bishop Godwin's History of this matter there is some mistake. For that 
 grant was in the last year of Edward the Confessor, and therefore Harold had not much 
 time for the execution of so much mischiefe. The date of it and the Conciueror's victorie 
 obtain'd by Harold's death (which was on the 14th of October following) being within one 
 and the same year. 
 
 The Bishop afterwards recovered from the Conqueror the manors of Winshara 
 
 * Qua propter Ego Cynewlphus Occidentalium Saxonum rex aliquam terre partem pro amore Dei et 
 pro expiatione delictorum meorum (quod verbo dolendum est) pro aliqua vexatione inimioornm nostrorum 
 Cornubiorum gentis, cum consensu Episooporum . . . humiliter ascribendo donabo, &c., (fee. 
 
 t Chyle's authorities are as foUows : Eerum Anglicorum Scriptorum :— W. Malmesbury, p. 15 • Hen 
 Huntingdon, lib. 4, p. 343; Eog. Hoveden, p. 410; Ethelwerd, cap. 18, p. 838; Matt. West p 146- 
 Florent. Wieorn, p. 576. ' ' ' 
 
PREFACE. Ixxxi 
 
 Wormister, Litton, Combe S. Nicholas, with the manor and Church of Yatton besides 
 several privileges and immunities. " Gisa," we are told, " set to work to increase the 
 revenues of his Church by buying and begging in all directions." 
 
 To continue, Bishop Robert found all the revenues of the Church absorbed by the 
 Prsepositus, the rest of the Canons having very little for their support. He however 
 divided their Revenues into two parts : " Qua/rum wnam publicis Ecclesice virihus addixit, 
 communi Camonicorum omnium concilio in Capitulo disponmdam," Soe that what before 
 wholy ought to have belong'd to the Body of the Church, now but halfe was allotted 
 to Them. 
 
 The first estate they received after their incorporation was that of Regiuald Fitz 
 Jocelin, the immediate successor of Bishop Robert, who being young and brisk but 33 
 years of age, and as some say not 24 Attended King Richard the 1st in his Expedition to 
 the Holy Land and soe behaving himselfe, as he became very gratious with his prince and 
 obtained of him the Manors of Curry, Wrentich, and Hatch which he gave to the Church 
 and which they have belonging to them, at this Day. "Winscombj which had formerly 
 belonged to Glastonbury, was also handed over to the Chapter of Wells ; but on its appro- 
 priation it was provided that inasmuch as jus Archidiaconale ex parte laedebatur, the 
 customary Synodal paid from the Church should be doubled (Reg. IIL, fol. 97a). And in 
 1282 the Vicar appears to have given the Dean and Chapter half an acre of land there, 
 which he had bought of Cristina "Wrench for 19 shillings (Reg. III., fol. 101). In 1295, 
 May 11, the manor and Church were let to the Dean for 110 marks: in 1306, at the 
 request of the Dean and Chapter the Itinerant Justices ordered Maurice Berkeley 
 tenemento in Wynescumb detrudi. The wood appears to have been a most valuable 
 property to the Dean and Chapter, as we constantly find mention made of timber being 
 bought for the purposes of repairing the Canons' houses, W. de ford on one occasion paying 
 .£10 for 2 oaks from Wynscomb wood. In 1262, it appears the Bishop, W. Button, had 
 been trespassing, as we find that he agreed for the future not to allow his herdmen to 
 send their pigs or beasts into Wynscomb wood tempore glandis (Reg. IIL, foj. 99). 
 Pucklechurch in Glocestershire passed in the same way into the same hands. 1230, Oct. 3. 
 Johannes de Abbedestun et Joscelinus permutant inter se terras quasdam in Pucleschirch 
 (Reg. III., fol. 350). 1280, Mense Novemhri. Bp. Robert ^er hreve quo warranto dictum 
 was summoned to the King's Court at Winchester to shew before Solomon de Rofiensis 
 and his companion Itinerant Judges quo jure Burgos de Axbrigge, Ceddre et Welles, 
 una cum maneriis de Kyngesbury, Pokeleschirche et Cerde occuparet, quse fuerunt de 
 antiquo Dominico coronse Domini Regis. — Reg. I., foL 108. 
 
 Bishop Bubwith conferred the manor of Bickwater, and appropriated the Rectory of 
 Buckland Abbott in the County of Dorset, to the Chapter of Wells. 
 
 Savaricus had already appropriated to the Church of Wells the Rectory of Long 
 Sutton and Ilmister, making them prebends on condition that the Abbots of Athelney* 
 
 * 1198. Savaricus ex consiUo Dec. et Gap. ecclesiam de Sutton prasbendam esse constituit, quam 
 Benedicto Abbati Adelingensi et successoribus suis designavit cum eisdem libertatibuB et immuuitatibus 
 quas antiquse Prcebendse Wellenses habere dignosountur, staUo quoque in ohoro, et loco in Capitulo 
 proximo juxta Subdecanum eisdem Abbatibus assignato. Eisdem etiam Abbatibus ooncorditer indultum 
 est ut nullus eorum ad aliquam residentiam faciendam in Eool. Well, futuris temporibus uUo paeto com. 
 pellatur, sed Abbates isti vicarium quendam Sacerdotem iuvenient, ab eis quatuor maroas annuatim per- 
 oepturum, ad quatuor anni terminos. — Eeg. I., fol. 49 ; Eeg. III., fol. 369. 
 
 1331. Benedictus Abbas Atheliagensis et Conventus oonoesserunt Joscelino et successoribus suis 
 perpetuum jus prsesentandi ad Eccl. suam de Suttona. — Eeg. III., fol. 3736. 
 
 m 
 
Ixxxii PREFACE. 
 
 and Mochelney* (two Monasteries then within the Diocese) should continually succeed in 
 them, which happened afterwards upon the Dissolution of those Abbies, to be the loss of 
 them, being swallowed up with the Abbies. Yet the Rectory of Long Sutton through 
 the interest Bishop Bourne had with Queen Mary was recovered to the Church, tho the 
 propertie was altered, for what before was a prebend, was by Her confer'd on the Chapter. 
 
 April 34, 1249. Eobert, Abbot of Athelney, was Bummoned as a Canon of Wells to present himself 
 before the Canons (ut sistat se), but sent a certain monk to Wells as his proctor, who presented to the 
 Chapter his letters of proxy : the Canons, however, rejected them, because they thought it unfair (baud 
 sequum) that the secrets of the Chapter should be exposed to a stranger. Upon this they peremptorily 
 cite the Abbot, who appeared before them, when they accused him of perjury because despising the juris- 
 diction of the Chapter, that is, the Ecclesiastical, he had taken (detraxerat in judicium) his case with the 
 servants of the Chapter before a layman. 
 
 Morwardus Capituli retia Abbatis in piscaria de Burwere deprehenderat. Abbas cum Canonicns 
 esset WeUensis secundum consuetudinem praecedentium temporum querelam de vi et injuria illatS, 
 Capitulo proferre debuit, atque ad banc consuetudinem observandam Abbatem jurisjurandi religione 
 obstrictum fuisse asserebant Canonici. Hie autem querelam suam coram E. de Wrotham protulit, qui 
 Namia, i. e. pecorse hominum Capituli prehendit et a Chedder usque ad Nyweton fugavit ac detinuit, sub 
 prsetextu domini Abbati facti, atque insuper edioto denuntiavit, ut homines Capituli inter Curry et 
 Bruges (Bridgewater) deprehensi, ad Nyweton deducerentur, atque ut latrones detinerentur. 
 
 The Abbot appears to have been possessed of a sharp legal acumen when appearing on May Slst 
 before the King's Court, he replied quod controversia non ad prsebendam suam speotaret sed ad Abbatiam 
 suam et supposuit se judicio vel Papse vel Regis vel Episcopi : upon which habita multipKci altercations 
 res tota in diem Lunse post festHm S, Barnabse rejecta est. But what was the result of this appearetb 
 not. The Abbot appears again to have come across the Chapter of Wells in the person of the Chancellor 
 John, Prebendary of Uton, de domo et areS in Herdecote, as in May, 1360, Dee. Cap. et Cancellarius 
 omnes jus remiserunt in the above-named property, atque Abbas et Conventus prsebendse de Uton 
 dimidiam acram terree concesserunt, ad constrnendas in eodem Grangiam et domes necessarias ad 
 decimas suas de Herdecote ibidem reparanda/s. — Eeg. I., fol. 38; Eeg. III., fol. 397. 
 
 Jan. 11, 1263. Eobert, the Abbot, and the Convent of Athelney renounced their jus purpresturse 
 quod in moris de Northcurry suum esse vendicaverunt et pro hac renuutiatione, the Dean and Chapter 
 granted them a certain field called Hocmede, an agreement which was signed and sealed by both parties 
 on the Purification B.V.M. — Eeg. III., 32, et seq. 
 
 July 13, 1275. Edwardus I. Eex non obstante statute anno 1225 promulgate de terris ad manum 
 mortuam non alienandis facultatem Capitulo concessit centum aoras in paludibus Northeurriensibus 
 monaohis Aihelingensibus assignandis, modo jure compascuo, quod in octingentia acris ibidem obtinerent, 
 iidem oedant. — Eeg. III., fol. 37. 
 
 Jan. 20, 1314. John, Bishop of Lincoln, sent letters to John, Bishop of Wells, asking him to 
 keep in perpetual safe custody (perpetuo carceri) William de Walton, a monk of the monastery de Burgo 
 S. Petri, in the monastery of Athelney, ob scelera sua abhorrenda atque adhuc obstinate et insolentius se 
 gerentem. — Eeg. Drok., fol. 11. 
 
 June 39, 1321. Bishop Drokensford granted an indulgence of thirty days by which he released all 
 who confessed their sins from iheir enjoined penance, pro reparations eoclesise conventualis de Athelyn- 
 gense in honorem Crucifixi et matris suae et S. Petri oonstruotse. — Eeg. Drok., 173. 
 
 June, 1327. The Abbot was again summoned and cit«d to appear in Chapter, responsurus ad 
 qusesita et interroganda, ne secreta Capituli detegerentur. — Eeg. I., 166. 
 
 * Dec. 1, 1201. Eiohard, the Abbot, and the Convent of Muchelney granted their Church of Ile- 
 minstre to the Canons of Wells for ever, and admitted the Canons to their fraternity, decreeing also ut 
 obitu audito aUcujus eorum, unum trioenarium missarum pro eo in conventu suo.fieret, deoedeute vero 
 Decano seu praeceutore fiet pro eis sicut pro Priore Muohelnensi fieri oonsuevit, et pro Episcopo quantum 
 pro Abbate. The instrument containing this grant the Abbot and Convent laid upon the high altar of 
 the Church in the presence of a great number of people piS largitione. — Eeg. I., f. 41 ; Reg. III., f. 3846. 
 
 In 1305, Bishop Savaric, perceiving the respectability (honestatem) and poverty of Muchelney Abbey, 
 and of the brethren there serving God, qui in injuriam religionis assumptse coacti erant aniiis singulis ob 
 inopiam victus gravissima incommoda sustinere, confirmavit omnes Garbas (i.e., Spicarum sive frugum 
 fascicules) Eoclesise eorum de Sumertune, de ilia videlicet portions quae ad eos ab antiquis temporibus 
 
PREFACE. Ixxxiii 
 
 But for that other of Ilmister, it is not yet return'd to the Church, but stUl remaiues in 
 Lay hands, how prosperously I wlU not enquire. 
 
 The following accounts of the Common Expenses of the annual Receipts and pay- 
 ments, or as Chyle puts it, of the Receptions and Solutions of this Chapter, gives us a 
 better insight into the actual revenues and expenditure of the Cathedral body (and that 
 at a most critical period) than any other account we can offer. 
 
 The following account was audited and allowed in the 27th year of Henry the 8th: 
 April 21, 1535, to April 20, 1536. 
 
 On account of the constant repetition of familiar terms, the usual custom of con- 
 venient abbreviation has been as far as possible adopted, in the form of an apostrophe. 
 
 Compotus Magistri Ricardi Eryngton Comunarii Eccl. Cath. WeU. tam de omnibus 
 et singulis Eeceptis suis quam de omnibus Solucionibus et Expensis per ipsum factis in 
 eodem officio, A Festo S**- Michaelis Archangeli Anno Regni Regis Henrici octavi xxvi"-- 
 usque idem Festum S''- Michaelis Archangeli extunc proximum sequent' Anno ejusdem 
 Domini Regis xxvii"- Scilicet per unum Annum integrum ut infra tempore Magistri 
 Walter! Cretyng Senescali et Anno officii sui tertio : — 
 
 pertmebat, ut ad victuB eorum necessaria oederent, cum servitiis hominum ad fuudum ipsius Ecclesise 
 pertinentium, salvis vicariis ad pisesentationem Abbatis et Monachorum in eSdem Ecclesia substituendis 
 Altaiagio, &a. 
 
 This was confirmed by the Dean and Chapter, Eobert the Prior and the Convent of Bath, and 
 Benedict, Abbot of Athelney.— Eeg. I., fol. 49 ; Eeg. III., fol. 154, 155. 
 
 July 26, 1315. A certain monk of this Abbey named Henry de Camel had been for a whole year 
 away (vagas) from the Monastery without a companion and the leave of the Abbot, staying and living 
 amongst laymen. This monk approached the Bishop, made a clean breast of all his delinquencies 
 (deUcta ingenue confessus est), and begged absolution from sentence of excommunication. The Bishop 
 hereupon, by virtue of his pontifical authority, on receiving his oath of obedience for the future, granted 
 and restored him to his position in the Convent. — Eeg. Drok., 80. 
 
 Possibly with reference to this very irregularity, the Bishop had previously granted a faculty for 
 visiting the Abbey to Thomas de Dulverton, S.T.P., and Eiohard Fordo, T.C.P. Anyhow, there appear to 
 have been misunderstandings in the domestic department as at Bath Abbey, for in September, 1316, we 
 find the Bishop exhorting the Abbot of Mucheluey ut pecuniam mutuo acceptam ad usum Coquinarii 
 persolverent. — Eeg. Drok., 98. 
 
 The following entry is specially interesting as illustrative of the past and present condition of the 
 landowners in this part of the county. In September, 1317, the Bishop gave the Abbot and monks of 
 Muchelney leave to appropriate to their own use the fruits and profits of the Sacristan's office for a whole 
 year, eo quod ex immersione pratorum et BterUitate annonse sere alieno essent obruti, 
 
 September 14, the same year, the Bishop sold to the Dean and Chapter, or rather quibusdam 
 Canonicis, 200 quarters of wheat for 100 marks of silver. — Eeg. Drok. , 151. 
 
 In 1324 the Abbot appears to have been a responsible and respectable person, as we find that when 
 the Pope exacted his decimam vectigalem of the English clergy, quam per duos annos Eegi solvendam 
 dederat, the Eector of Bumham paid his to the Abbot of Muchelney. — Eeg. I., 164. 
 
 This idea of responsibility is intensified by the next fact in connection with this monastery, which, 
 as of remarkable interest, we give in extenso : — 
 
 April 5, 1327. Thomas quidam frater eremita, Ordinis Minorum, ex magna ipsius devotione and by 
 leave of the Bishop, had shut himself up in a oeU in the parish of Aire, and besought the Bishop that 
 from the time of his inclusion no one might be allowed to visit or see him, whenever or under whatever 
 sickness he might be labouring, but that to the augmentation or lengthening of his life and the good of 
 his soul, a door might be made through which the priest deputed to that purpose might have access to 
 him for the purpose of hearing confession, absolving, and inflicting penance when necessary, and also 
 that when he should be interceptus mortalitate, he might be buried in the Church or cemetery of Aire. 
 The Bishop granted his prayer, and ordered that the door should be (per visum) under the care of the 
 "Vicar of Muchelney, and under firm lock and key ; he was also to have charge of the key, and visit the 
 incluae.— Eeg. Drok., 277. 
 
Ixxxiv . PREFACE. 
 
 Arrerag' Null, 
 
 Red: Assis : Et de is. recept' de red: domorum apud la Antlope concess per Dec. et 
 Cap. D. Thomse Coriiish Bpo Tenensis ad terminum iiii. Annorum hoc Anno 32«. ; Et de 
 20s. recept. de duobus domibus j uxta la Antlope de novo sedificatis; Et de 13s. M. recept. 
 pro tenementis in tenura Margerise Elwey Qd.: niiper dimis: ad 10s. per annum; Et de 
 3s. id. recept' pro uno tosto cottagio et gardino apud Foregate, quae omnia D. Thomas 
 Beston Vicarius Novi Clausi modo tenet ; Et de 2s. recept' de Roberto Bekham pro uno 
 Gardino nuper in tenur' D. W. Capron ; Et de 6s. Id. recept' de M. Oarselegh pro uno 
 messuag' in New Street, sic concess' ad terminum quinquaginta amarura hoc Anno xxvi"- ; 
 Et de Qs. 8cZ. recept' de red' unius cottagii cum curtillag' apud Jacob's Wells nuper in tenur' 
 Thomse Body; Et de 6s. M. recept' de Roberto Hooper et W. Walshote pro duobus 
 tenement' in alto Vico de novo sedificat' ultra 3s. solut' J>. Epo. B. et W. pro Capital' red ; 
 Et de 4:0s. recept' de Thoma BiUs pro la Hartyshedd in Sadeler strete, in duobus Mes : 
 annex' ultra 1 6s. 8d onerat' in Oomputo de Barlych ; Et de 6s. recept' de Firmer Grang : 
 Canonicorum pro Cauta de Milton ; Et de 40s. recept' de Vicariis dicte E. Cath. Well, 
 pro quodam annual! redd' de Nutonplacy sibi appropriat' in perpet'. Summa, £12 8s. 8(f. 
 
 Northcory de Gregorio Reusewell proposito ibidem de Exit' officii sui hujus Anni 
 sunt continet in suo Compoto super hunc Computum examinatum et probatum, 
 £76 13s. 3d. ; Northcory hundred de Nicholas Aishford Balivo ib. de exit' officii, 
 i£3 6s. 9d ; Estcory, De Ricardo Somerton proposito ibidem, £99 8s. Zd. ; Wrentych, 
 De Thoma pryoure prop: ib., £29 6s. Id; Westhatch, De Ricardo Brombe prop: 
 ib., £19 8s. \d.; Knapse, De Joh. Hindbrough prop: ib., £23 14s. id.; Wyvveliscomb, 
 De prop: ib., £80 15s. i%d. ; Est Lambroke, De Ballivo ibidem, £8 5s.; Byknalre, 
 De Bal: ib., £20 Os. Id. ; Alverton, De Eirmario ib., £21 8s. Id. ; Shepham, De Firmario 
 ib., £13 19s. Ic^. ; Welleys, De Magistro Ricardo Eryngton procuratore ibidem hoc anno, 
 £2 14s. Id. ; Grang' Canonicorum De Firmario ib., £42 8s. 9c?.; Stokegummer, De Ball: 
 ib., £33 5s. id. ; Burnham, De Firmario ib., £27 4s. ; Lydeard Epi., £63 10s. ; Buckland 
 Abbotts, £19 7s. Ud.; Whitchurch, £20 13s. Id; Congaresbury, £25 8s. bd. ; Chedder, 
 £4 12s. Id. ; Pockilchurch, nihil; Mudford, £18 19s. M. ; Lovington, £7 6s. M.; South- 
 barough, £1 13s. id.; Okehampton, nihil; Ediston, £4 17s. \d. ; Westmere, 13s. 2d.; 
 Novum opus D. M. R. Eryngton procuratore ibidem hoc anno, £11 9s. 9d Summa, 
 £685 lis. M. 
 
 Vacationes Eccleaiarum : Et de 2s. IQ^d. Recept' de official' D. Archidiaconi 
 Wellen pro Vacationibus Ecclesiarum sive Beneficiorum infra Archidiaconatu Wellen. 
 Et de 8s. lOjd D. official' D. Arch. Taunton pro .■ Vacat. Eccl. infra Arch. Taunton 
 hoc anno. Et de nihil recept' de off de Arch. Bathon pro &c. Summa, lis. M. 
 
 Probationes Testamentorum : Et de 20d recept' de fin. Testi. Thomse House nuper 
 de Stoke S. Gregorii. Et de 20c?. recept' de fin. Testi. Joh. Tinnsing nuper de Combe 
 S. Nicholai. Et de 20d recept' de fin. Testi, Stephani Baker nuper de Combe S. Nicholai 
 predicti, Summa, 5s. 
 
 Feoda sigilli : Et de 6s. M. recept' pro sigillacione presentacionis Vicarise de Stoke- 
 gummer. Et de 53s. id. recept' pro Sigillacione manumissionis cujusdam . . . Collins, 
 Summa, 60s. 
 
 Pensiones: Et de £13 6s. Sd. recept' de pensione Yicar' S, Cuthberti, Well., 
 annuatim solut' per Vicar' ejusdem ad iiii. anni terminos, viz. : Natalis Domini, paschse, 
 Nat' S. Johannis Bapt., et S. Michaelis Archi. Et de £23 6s. M. nuper recept' de pens. 
 Eccl. de Chuton, sed nihil in Onere q" inferius inter Arrerag'. Et de Os. recept' de pens. 
 
PREFACE. Ixxxv 
 
 Eccl. de Carehampton. Et de 40«. rec. de pens. EccL.de Netherstowey. Et de 40». rec. 
 de pens. Eccl. de Norton subtus Hamdon. Et de 6s. M. rec. de pens. Eccl. de West 
 Ludford. Et de 2s. rec. de dome de la Carvite. Et de 6s. M* de West Harptre. Et de 
 6s. M. de Henton Monaohorum. Et de 6s. %d. de Crych. Et de 3s. id. de Stoke subtus 
 Hamdon. Et de 6s. M. de Muryet. Et de 13s. U. de Est Coker. Et de 6s. &d. de 
 Bradford. Et de 20s. de Coryvell. Et de 4s. de Kingston. Et de 13s. id. de Butley. 
 Et de 6s. M. de Lullington. Et de 20s. de Yevill. Et de £20 recept' de alia pensione 
 Vicarise S. Cuthberti Wellise ad usum et sustentationem Chorist. et Tabul. supradict. Eccl. 
 Cath. Well alia vice concess. solvend. ad iiii. anni terminos predictos. Et de 3s. id. 
 recept' de pensione Eccl. de Wroxall annuatim solvend. de fundacione miss« M. Job, 
 Stortwayte, ut in ordinacione ejusdem plenius continetur. Et de M. rec. de pens. Eccl. ^e 
 Wodwyke annex. Eccl. de Trashford, per Eectorera ib. Et de 3s. id. de Wincanton. Et 
 de 26s. M. de Vicar' de Chedder solvend per Vicar. Et de 26s. M. recept' de Archi- 
 diacono Wellen. solvend. eidem Archidiacono per Abbatem Glaston ex Ordinacione pro 
 indemnitate Decani et Cap. Eccl. Cath. WeU. pro Sequestr. Eccl. de Doulting et Est Brent. 
 Et de 5s. de Norton parochialis solut. per priorem et Convent. Domus Dei de Henton 
 Monachorum. Et de 13s. id. de TyntenhuU solut. per priorem et Convent. Montis 
 acuti. Summa £52 8s. id. Summi total Eecept. £754 5s. Qd. 
 
 Expensis intemis. Inde item computus in denariis solut' in parva Communa Canonic- 
 orum cum D. Episcopo hoc anno £147 lis. 6d. Et in denar. solut' eisdem Canonicis cum 
 diet'. D. Epis. intervenientibus process, hoc anno, 101s. id. Et in parva Communa Vicari- 
 orum hoc anno, £38 15s. Id. Et in Communa Magistri Scholarum hoc anno, 30s. 5d. 
 Et in Communa trium priorum Capella beate Marise V. hoc anno, 45s. 8d. Et in Com- 
 muna trium Clericorum custodiend. Ecclesiam per annum, 52s. Et in Communa Brevett 
 hoc anno, 2s. Et in Vino empt. per ann., 60s. lOd Et in acquisitione Vini et distribu- 
 cione, 2s. Et in Vino empt. pro Coena Dondni hoc anno, 20s. Et solut' Canonico de 
 Cory, 20s. Et solut. Canonicis transeuntibus ad processionem in die S. Marci Evangeliste 
 hoc anno, Nihil q* in Dominica erat. Et solut. eisdem Canonicis transeuntibus ad proces- 
 sionem in diebus rogacionum hoc anno, 5s. 2d. Et solut. portantibus reddit. S. Dunstani, 
 8d. Et in Communat Episcopi puerorum in die SS. Innocentium, viz. : Epo 8d. et ctiUibet 
 Canonico 2d., Communiario Id. in tot. 2s. 9d. Et in Beliquiis deferendis, 6d. Et in 
 stipendio Communarii, 26s. 8d. Et in stipendio Tabularii, 13s. id. Et in stipendio 
 Andrese Thorn Capellani celebrantis pro Anima W. Button, 50s. Et solut. Escheatori 
 Eccl. Cath. pro obitu ejusdem in Choro, 45s. Et in pane pauper um pro Eodem, 45s. Et 
 in stip. Capellanorum celebrantium pro Animabus R. Burnell et Walt. Haselshaw Epor., 
 £6 13s. id. Et in pane, Vino, cera et aliis omamentis reperandis pro eisdem q» unus 
 absens, 2s. Et pro obitu Eorund. in Choro, 40s. Et in pane pauperum pro Eisdem, 20s. 
 Et Communiarii pro labore suo in distribucione, 2s. Et Sacristse Eccl. igno Classic; 
 pulsand' in Exequiis Eorund., 8d. Et in stip. Capellanorum celebrant' pro Anima Hen, 
 Husy, £6 13s. id. Et in pane. Vino, cera et aliis omamentis reparandis pro Eisdem, 
 3». id. Et in obitu ejusdem in Choro, 20s. Et in pane pauperum, 40s. Et Communi- 
 ario pro labore suo in distribucione, 2s. Et Sacristse, 8d. Et in obitu Eicardi Eegis 
 Anglice primi, 20s. Et in stip. Capellanorum celebrant, pro Anima W. Wellington, 
 £6 13s. id. Et solut. Escheatori pro obitu ejusdem in Choro, 20s. Et in pane pauperum, 
 
 • After this, recept' de pensione Ecclesite omitted here to save space. 
 
 + In ye Aocompt of Bob. Burgh, in the last year of Henry V., it is ^am Episcopi et Canonicorum 
 auorum. 
 
Ixxxvi PREFACE. 
 
 40s. Et Communiario pro labore suo, 2«. Et Saoristse, M. Et in stip. Capellanorum 
 celebrant, pro Animabus J. Drokynsfprd et Eob. Corymale, £6 13s. 4d Et in cera pro 
 eisdem, 126?. Et in stip. Capellani celebrantes pro Animabus Eegis Edwardi, Margarettse 
 Eeginse, Helise de Godelegh, Johannse uxoris suae, et Johannis de Godelegh, quondam 
 Eocl. Cat;h. Well. Decani, 66s. M. Et pro cera, \M. Et in obitu in Chore, 20s. Et in 
 pane pauperum, 30s. Et Sacristse, 8rf. Et in xxv. psalteriis dicendis, 4s. 2d. Et in 
 obitu Jocelini Epi. in Choro, 20s. Et solut. Thesaurario Eccl. Oath. Well, pro cera expen- 
 dend, in Exequiis Cecilise, Johannis et Alicise de Bello Campo, 2s. Et Sacristse, &d. Et 
 in stip. Capellani celebrantis pro Anima Walteri Compton, 53s. id. Et solut. Escheatori 
 pro obitu Joh. Aubert, 8s. ex dono Walteri. Et solut. in obitu ejusdem in Choro, 26s. 
 , Et in stip. Capell. celebr. pro Anima Walt. Hull, £4. Et solut. Escheatori pro obitu Joh. 
 Hoo, 8s. Et solut. D. Epo. Bathon et Wellen pro quodam annuali reddit. exeunt, de 
 duabus domibus, 12(i. Et in pergamena et papiro empt. pro Acquitanc' ac pro Compute 
 scribend. annuatim, 2s. Et in stip. Thomse Pettwin, J. Charnock, H. Storkey, et Eic. 
 Eryngton, Capellanorum celebrantium pro Anima Nicholai Bubwith quondam B. et W. 
 Epi., £21 6s. 8d Et in obitu in Choro, 53«. 4c?. Et in pane empt. pro eisdem Capellanis 
 per annum, 2s. Et in xii. libris cerse empt. pro eisdem, 6s. Et solut' principalibus Novi 
 CoUegii in la Mountre ad Mensam eorundem distribuend. per predictos Capellanos ex 
 Ordinacione Execut'. D. Nichi. Bubwith, 53s. M. Et solut. principalibus Cellegii ante- 
 dicti in recompensacionem Annivellariis ex predicta Ordinacione, 26s., Escheatori Eccl. 
 Cath. Well. Et solut' Magistro Choristarum de pensione Vicarise 8. Cuthberti Well, 
 concess. EccL Cath. ad sustentacionem Chorist. et tabul. dictse Eccl. solvend. per eundem 
 Vicarium, £20. Summa £314 Os. Id. 
 
 Experts. Forins : Et solut. Canonicis Eesidentiariis pro Celebrat. Missse bonse 
 memorise D. Th. Bekinton quondam B. et W. Epi. Ad suum Altare in diet. Eccl. Cath. 
 per ann. viz., : quolibet die id. in tot £6 20£^. Et in obitu in Choro 66s. 8d. Et 
 Thesaurario pro cera in Exequiis Ejusdem. Et Sacristse I2d. Et solut' pro cera ad 
 Altare ejusdem per ann. 6s. 8d. et Comminario pro solut. diet, missse 6s. 8d. Et clerico 
 custodienti Capellam per ann. lOs. Et pro Locione Vestimentorum per ann. 2s. Et 
 solut. pro reparacione {vestimentorum et aliorum Jocalium). Et solut. Canonicis Eesid. 
 pro celebracione Missse bonse memorise D. Joh. Guntherpe quondam Decani hujus Eccl. 
 Cath. Well, ad Altare in Capella beate Marise Virginis per ann., viz. : quolibet die id. in 
 tot £6, 20d Et solut Escheatori pro obitu in Choro, 32s. Et Thesaurario pro Cera 
 in exequiis Ud. Et Sacristse, 8d. Et famulo ejusdem Sacristse, id. Et in pecuniis 
 distribut. in Anniversario ejusdem, 6s. 8d. Et solut. pro Cera ad Altare per ann., 6s. 8d. 
 Et Clerico custodienti Capellam per ann., 4s. Et Vicariis Choralibus Novi Clausi, 10s. 
 Magistro Choristarum ad usum et sustentacionem Eorundem, 10s. Annuellariis Novi 
 CoUegii in le Mountre, 10s. Et pauperibus domus Elemosinar' in Civit. Well annuatim, 
 10s. in tot. 40s. Et Communiario pro solut. predictse Missse per ann., 6s. 8d. Et pro 
 locione Yestimentorum per ann., 2s. Et in Exequiis D. Eadulphi Ergham nuper B. et 
 W. Epi. inter 41 personas cuilibet, id. in toto 13s. 8d. Et Sacristse, 8d. Et solut. Capellano 
 celebranti pro Anima ejusdem per ann., £4. Et in Candelis de cera pro eodem empto per 
 ann., 2s. Et in cera pro Missa dicti Eadulphi annuatim, 20d. Et solut. Escheatori pro 
 obitu. Hen. Beauford, Cardinalis, 20s. Et eidem pro obitu Joh. Nabbe, 20s. Et solut. Archo. 
 Well, procuracionibus Eccl. de Mudford annuatim, 7s. 7d. ob. Et solut.* precentori 
 
 * After this soluf is omitted. 
 
PREFACE. Ixxxvii 
 
 Glastoa pro pensione de Wynnescomb, 13s. id. Et Mag. Choristarum de reddifc. de Est 
 Lambroke, £6 13s. 2i. Et eidem Mag. Choristarum ad usum Choristarum in Vigiliis 
 SS. Edmundi et Nioholai pro Canonieis Resident, viz. : Uni Dignitati 2s. et undecim aliis 
 Canonicis, viz. : cuilibet Canonioo, 12(i. in tot. 13s. Et M. "Walto Creting official Decl et 
 Cap. E. Cath. Well., 20s. Et eidem W. pro refectione Computan' tempore Auditus, 20s. 
 Et in Regardo dat' Vicecomiti Dni. Regis, 20s. Et in Regardo dat' Sub-vioecomiti, 6s. 8c?. 
 Et in Regardo dat' Escheatori Dni Regis, 6s. ?>d. Et solut. Thomse Cromewell pro feodo 
 suo £4, et Willo portman Capli. Senescali pro feodo suo, 40s. Et W. Vowell Auditori 
 pro feodo suo, 40s. Et. J. Skufe p. f. s. (pro feodo suo), 13s. 4c?. Et Annse Norysh 
 Relict' Edmundi Myll p. f. s., 26s. 8c?. Et Jac. Hodley, 20s., et J. Broune, 20s. Et 
 Nich. Fitz James, 13s. 4ci Et Egidio peny Attornat. Dec. et Cap. 20s., uuper nisi ad 
 13s. 4(i. Et Rob. Beckham Clerico Cur' p. f. s., 40s. Et eidem Rob. pro toga sua, 6s. id. 
 Et Rio. Sanitabin cursori Eccl. pro diversis pensionibus querend' et equitand' pro negociis 
 Cap. hoc anno, 38s. Et pro Scripturis diversis Acquietanciis ad diet, pensiones querend, 
 20c?. Et Receptori Communitatis Wellise pro reddit, nnius tenementi situati apud 
 Jacob's weU, 4s. Et pro aliis Expensis necessariis forinsecus pro Commodo Cap. ad 
 mandatum Dec. et Cap. ut patet per librum dicti Computantis et pro aliis billis coram 
 Auditore visis et probatis ao inter Memoranda Computorum hujus Anni remanent, 
 £10 7s. 8c?. Et pro faccione 160 lb., cere in Vigenti cereos magnos et pro vastu eorundem 
 16s. M. Summa, £70 3s. ll^c?. Summa omnium AUocat' et Expens, £384 4s. 6Jc?. 
 Et Debet', £370 Os. l\\d. 
 
 De quibus AUocantur Eidem, 16s. 4c^., pro Canonicis, Cominario, et Clerico Computi 
 veniend' ad eorum Audit' nil. diebua primi Auditus. Et Ei 20s. pro suo laudabili servicio 
 ex gracia Auditor'. Et Ei 26s. 8c?. pro Lahore iiii. Auditor'. Et Ei 10s. pro Lahore 
 dictor' Auditor' cum Computan t'. Et Ei 13s. 4c?. pro Expens : tempore Comput' et pro 
 Esculent' poculent' et Candelis. Et Ei 4s., solut' Dno Abbot' Glaston pro pensione Eccl. 
 de pocolchurch ex gracia Cap. Et Ei 30s. ad resolvend' Cistse fabricae, in partem 
 Solucionis £35 16s. 7c;. ob extract' de diet' Cista in anno 6c?., Regis Hen: 8, ultra £23 pre 
 antea solut'. Et sic nunc debent £11 6s. Id. ob. Et Ei 40s. in ultimam solucionem £55 
 extract, de Cista fabricse. Et sic nunc debent nihil. Et Ei 6s. 8c?., Escheatori Eccl. Cath. 
 pro obitu W. Child, et J. Blackdoune exeunt de terr' in Alverton per Eos adquisit'. Et 
 Ei 20c?. Dno Corry pro capitali reddit' pro Maner' de Alverton. Et Ei 20c?. in partem 
 solucionis £13 Is. 4c?., abstract' de Cista fabricse pro Controversia pendente inter Dec. et 
 Cap. et Andream Lutterall mit' ultra 21s. pre autem solut' et sic nunc debent nisi, 
 £11 Os. 4(^. EtEi 24s. in partem Solucionis, £15 4s. 2c?., solut' pro escuracione riparum 
 in Moris Dominorum in Statu usque ad Corylode in Maner' de Esteory abstract' de 
 Stauro Eccl. reman' in manibus Cominarii. Sum Allocat', £12 18s. \Qd. Et debet, 
 £357 2s. He?., De quibus. Allocat' Eidem, £39 5s. lOc?., Sol vend' D. Regi pro Decimis. 
 Et sic debet, £317 16s. S^c?. 
 
 On the back of this Roll is endorsed an account from the same Comoner, William 
 Eryngton, of the manor of Byddesham. The sum charged is £24 2s. 9c?. ob. The Allo- 
 cations almost as much : £22 Os. 6c;. This seems customary, thinks Chyle, for the same 
 method was used in former accounts, as, for instance, in the last year of Henry V., above 
 a hundred years before this account of William Eryngton, who was one of the fuur 
 chantry priests of Bishop Bubbwith's chantry. Chyle here has a note, partly illegible : 
 And other Fee-s to the Comoner and other officers of the Church. And lastly a sum of 
 money (I suppose the remaining sum when all is discharged) put into y* Church's Stock 
 and left in the hands of Comoner to be transfereed by him to his successor. 
 
Ixxxviii PREFACE. 
 
 From these Accompts of the Comoner we may discover severall considerable Things 
 relating to this Church, which lying in y« dark for want of a right understanding have 
 many times occasion'd severall debates and disputes among her members, and sometimes 
 wrong and prejudice to some of them. Especially to the Vicars, in reference to the 
 Obitts, Escheatories, and some other matters as in their proper Chapters I shall as candidly 
 as I can take notice of Them. The number of Residentiary Canons was up to the time of 
 the Elizabethan Charter uncertain. But those Prebendaries who were minded to be resi- 
 dentiaries entered their residence, so as to be constantly in the place, keeping hospitality— 
 aud for this Duty and charge, the Eemainder of the Church revenues were equally divided 
 amongst them. This appears by an account given at the end of this Chapter to have 
 varied from £18 per annum to £36, according to the number of Eesidenciaries. Chyle 
 quotes that of the last year of Henry Y., 1421, when the sum of £302 19s. Zd. was 
 divided between sixteen Canons Residentiary, each receiving £18 18s. 8d As this 
 Accompt, he says, ends with the distribution of the overplus of that yeare Revenue, soe it 
 begins with what remain'd and was divided the year before, viz. : Et in solucione facta 
 inter xv. Canonicos anno proinde precedente Residentes £283 15s. \\d. distribuend'. Soe 
 that according to this method the remaining Summ of £317 16s. Z^d. in the account I 
 have here given was the sum divided among the Residentiaries Canons, whose number 
 was (I suppose) this year eleven by the payment to y^ Mr. of the Choristers, on y» vigils 
 of S. Edmund and S. Nicholas. It appears certain also that the Commoner was not a 
 Canon but a Vicar, as will be seen by the former account where the name of Robert 
 Burgh (Communarius) is not among the Canons' names, and is also clear from the table of 
 Collations given in the Appendix, where the office was held for many years in succession 
 by Vicars who held Chantries in the Church. 
 
 Chyle here follows with a long interleaved note on the now familiar subject of the 
 Boy Bishop, a custom in connection with which we hear so much and read such repeated 
 complaints in the reiterated statutes against Monstra Larvarum, &c. 
 
 He speaks of the case at Salisbury where a Boy Bishop died during his brief office 
 and was interred with all the glorious pomp and sadness ans wearable to a Bishopp, in his 
 Episcopall habitt, with all its ornaments : the Monument, he declares, is yet to be scene 
 there under a Wooden Cover for its preservacion. His chief authority seems to have 
 been the posthumous work of the learned Mr. John Gregory, intituled " Episcopus puer- 
 orum in die Innocentium.'' 
 
 Chyle inclines to believe that the Fabric fund was up to the time of the Reformation 
 included in the Commoner's account, but afterwards distinct and yearly received by one of 
 the Canons, " who in their Books is stiled Custos Fabricse and Audited together with the 
 rest of their Revenues." Part of this here follows. 
 
 It professes to be the Account (Computus) of Mr. John Bourne, Custos Fabricse of 
 the Cathedral Church, of all his expenses and payments made and delivered from 
 S. Michael's day, 1589, to the same Feast, 1590, that is, the thirteenth year of our Queen 
 Elizabeth. 
 
 Reddit Assis : Arrears for many past years amount to £221 lis. 40s. received from 
 the Commoner of the Cathedral for the house of S. Mark at Bristoll called le Gaunts 
 20s. received from the same Commoner lately paid by the Abbot and Convent of Bruton 
 but now by the Queen's Receiver, 5s. for Bruton pension from the same Receiver, l%d. 
 from the same for houses in Tucker Streete, 6s. Id. for the houses lately occupied by 
 Thomas Litchfield but now by Mr. John Sanders, 6s. 8cZ. from Peter Archer for one acre 
 
PREFACE. Ixxxix 
 
 of ground formerly held by William Butler, 6s. M. from Mr. Thomas Leighe for the 
 Close called Gildenhurst, 13s. id. from the Vicar of Stoke subtus Hamden, 4s. received 
 from the Escheator, 10s. from the Vicar of Twiverton pro pensione, 2s. from Mr. W. 
 Sturton for one acre of meadow land in Wootton Meade called S. Andrew's Acre, \M. for 
 a messuage in Elme paid by Edmund Bower. Sum total £5 6s. %d. Vendiciones nil. 
 
 Legata et Collecta : 
 1 Is. recept' de legatis iu the Bishop General jurisdiction of 
 10s. „ „ Archdeacon of Wells „ 
 
 8s. 4rf. ,, ,, Archdeacon of Taunton „ 
 
 4s. „ „ of the Dean and Chapter. 
 
 Sum total, 33s. id. 
 
 Recepta Forins : Et de £4 pro stallo de Ilmister vacant, per annum. Et de 40s. pro 
 stallo S. Decumani, 40s. de Yatton, 40s. de Compton Epi, 40s. de Scamford, 40s. de 
 Wivelscomb, 40s. de Henstrige, 40s. de Brent, 40s. de Warmister alias Luxfeild, 26s. 8c?. 
 de Ashill, et de East Harptree, Cudworth, Compton Dunden, Timberscombe, Easton-in- 
 G-ordano, Ilton, Whitchurch, Whitelakinton, Milverton 1, Milverton 2, Comba 8, Comba 3, 
 Haselberg, Buckland, Wanstrow, Comba 1, Dultingcott ; Et de 20s. pro stallo de Binder, 
 Wormister, Wedmore 2, Wedmore 3, Wedmore 4, Wedmore 5, Taunton ; Et de 6s. &d. 
 pro stallo Comba 6, pro tennino tertio. Sum total, £51 6s. 8d 
 
 Dona et Perquisita : Received of the Commoner, 3s. id. pro Tregedock ; £9 caution 
 money of Dr. Herbert the Dean, and £9 caution money of Mr. Manton, the Chancellor ; 
 6s. &d. pro Sepulturse Doctoris Daye, and 13s. id. pro defectibus Concionum. Suto total, 
 £19 3s. id. Sum total of all Receipts for the whole year, £78 ; with arrears, £'288 3s. 7d. 
 
 Expens : The same Accountant petit allocari pro denariis, paid by him to divers 
 persons engaged about various works in the Cathedral ut patet per Billas. Sum total, 
 £8 15s. 
 
 Paid to Welsted and Baylie for making divers Stalls, £4 10s. 8(f. ; to Hugh Sugar 
 and Roger Rugg for Rector' diversorum Stallorum ut per eorum billas apparet, 45s. id. 
 
 Decimae Stallorum vacancium : Paid to the Collector of our Sovereign Queen for 
 the tenths of vacant Stalls due at Christmas 1589 and the 32 year of her reign : For the 
 Stalls of Brent, 7s. ; of Compton Epi, 5s. ; of Comba 3, 5s. 9>d. ; of Comba 8, 5s. M. ; of 
 Cudworth, 5s. Sd. ; of Dultingcott, 5s. M. ; of Henstrege, 7s. ; of Harptree, 5s. 8d ; of 
 Ilminster, lis.; of Wedmore 4, 8s. id.; of S. Decuman, 7s.; of Scamford, 7s.; of 
 Wormister, 5s.; of Wivelscomb, 7s.; of Warmister, 7s.; of Yatton, 5s. M.; of Comba 5, 
 5s. M. ; Et pro Acquitant', 2s. &d. 
 
 Expens: Solut pro Stipend' le Dog driver, id. Et Scopantibus les Leads, 8s., et 
 Scopantibus Eccl. 8s. Et Computanti pro diligentia sua hoc Anno, 53s. id. And to the 
 same for writing out this account and for parchment and paper, 6s. ; and for wax lights 
 for the Choir, 6s. ?>d. ; and for lights at Matins, 2s. Et solut' Castells pro diversis per 
 ipsura Expensis ut per Billam, &c., 9s. M. Sum total, £4 17s, M. Summa omnium 
 AUocat' ex Expens: totius Anni, £25 10s. 3c?. 
 
 Et debet, £268 13s. 3c?. ; de quibus Allocatur ei, 10s. ; pro labore quatuor Canoni- 
 corum cum Comput' Et debet, £268 4s. 3c?. 
 
 Super Ilmister, £60. Et. Jo. Goodman Decanus, £25 6s. 8c?. Et Stallum de Wed- 
 more, 20s. ; Et Blithman pro Dinder, 40s. ; Et Whitelakinton, 33s. 4c?. ; Et Twiverton, 
 10s. Et Easton-in-Gordan, 26s. 8c?. Et Haselberge, £3 6s. M. Et Ilmister pro 26 
 annis elapsis, viz. : ab 1565 ad 1590 in Festo Michaelis £4 per annum in tot. £104. Et 
 
xc PREFACE. 
 
 Twiverton pro anno 1565 et anno 1507, 10s., et anno 1573, 8s. M. Et Easton-in-Gordan 
 pro eodem, £26 Os. 8d Et Yatton, 20s. Et Comba 2 pro anno 1566, 6s. M. Et Yatton 
 pro eodem, 40s. Et pro anno 1568, 20s. Et Wedmore 2 et 3, pro 1570, 13s. id. Et 
 Compton Epi, 10s. Et Sutton pro 1573, 40s. Et pro 1574, 63s. U. Et Wanstrow pro 
 1584 et 1585, 53& id. Et Ilton pro 1585 et 1586, 53s, id. Et Wanstraw pro eodem, 
 26s. M. Et Domum Lichfeild pro 1587, 6s. Qd. Et Comba 12 pro decimis 4s. id., Et 
 Wanstraw pro 1590, 26s. M. Sum of Arrears, £221 lis., and dues, £46 13s. M., from 
 which £46 13s. is allotted to him from the sum of £46 13s. Zd. for lead and (other) 
 necessaries for the Church Fal)ric, et reman' in sfcauro Eccl., 3rf. 
 
 Examinat' et Approbat' per nos — 
 
 WiLLiELMUs Powell. 
 
 PhILIPPUS BlSSE. 
 
 Jacobus Bissk 
 Edmundus Watts. 
 
 By the charter of Queen Elizabeth, the overplus of stall wages was applied to the 
 Fabrick Fund. A list of Fabric Expense from 1690-1728 inclusive is given in the first 
 Chapter of the Second Book. 
 
 Besides this account there was also that of the Escheator, which office, as it was 
 generally held by a Yicar Choral, will be noticed when I come to the Revenues of that 
 Body. 
 
 Chyle then repeats his promise not to take notice of any Revenues as they are now 
 belonging to this Church, but dares to recite that Clause in' the Charter which he says, 
 clinches the naile and secures all to them free from Cavills and disputes. 
 
 Thus, when all Sallaries to the Yicars, officers, ministers, and other Attendants and 
 Servants were paid and all other expenses allowed and discharg'd the Remainder was 
 equally divided (that is the Communa) among the Deane and Residentiaries as a reward 
 for their care in Auditing and well-managing of the Affairs and Revenues of the Church, 
 and a Returne for that Charge They must be at, in the Hospitable way of living which 
 was required of Them. 
 
 Here our versatile friend must needs make another digre.ssion, justified perhaps by 
 the consideration that the ornaments and jewels and vestments of the Church may fairly 
 be looked upon as part and parcel of the endowments and possessions of the aggregate 
 Corporation, the Dean and Chapter. 
 
 He accordingly prefaces his enumeration of these benefactions by the following 
 generalisms on the externals of worship : — The Service and Worshipp of God among all 
 the sober people of the World, has in all Ages and in all Countries beene performed by 
 the priists (persons call'd, qualified, ordain'd and sett apart, only for that duty and Service) 
 in some distinct Habitts, different from theire Owne, or the rest of the people's usuall, and 
 ordinary Garments ; For which Service there were not only places consecrated. But those 
 Habitts together with divers other Ornaments and Utensills were also dedicated, and 
 reserv'd only for that purpose; This is soe greate a Truth, and soe universally knowne 
 That needless it will be, to bring any prooffs or Authorities for it {making good of this 
 Assertion). 
 
 The first instance of such a benefaction does not immediately strike us as convincingly 
 to the point. Quoting Godwin of Giso and his gifts to the Church (all taken away or 
 spoil'd by Harold) he gives the following passage : Virum a Nobis propter multa in 
 
PREFACE. xci 
 
 Ecclesiam nostram coUata beneficia cum omni gratitudine celebrandum, but adds That •wee 
 cannot learne particularly what they were, yet without all doubt such as were necessary 
 for the decent, if not the gaudy administracion of theire divine Service. And certainely 
 scarce any Bishopp in those dayes after him, especially those eminent Benefactours to the 
 Church, Bishopp B,obert, Reginald Fitzjoceline, Joceline of Wells, but either during theire 
 life time or by Will gave and bequeathed some sort, or other of these Jocalia's, tho wee 
 cannot learne theire particulars. 
 
 After these somewhat unsatisfactory remarks, it is more gratifying to be reminded 
 withr some assurance that Thomas Button, Archdeacon of Wells, and afterwards Dean and 
 Biahop of Exeter, gave pro anima Gulielmi Button Wellen Epi, the great Bell in the 
 North Tower, called the Ecce Bell, giving notice when it rings that a Canon preaches. 
 In that Tower at the West End next the Citty are two greate Bells given by John Hare- 
 well, made Bishopp of this Church about the year 1366. 
 
 Bishop Balph Ergum also, as mentioned by Godwin, dedit etiam Ornamenta 
 Sacrorum, valentia centum et quadraginta libras. 
 
 But the great Benefactor of this Church was Bishop Beckington, and it is from his 
 last Will and Testament that we learn the following particulars, as it is registered in the 
 Prerogative Office. The preface of his will runs thus, says Chyle ; — In nomine summae et 
 individuse Trinitatis Patris, Filii, et Spiritui Sancti Amen. Quia quodlibet Mortale, 
 Vixens paulatim dilabitur et deficit, donee veniens ad ultimum terribilium quod est mors 
 cunctisque diebus quibus nunc milito, expecto donee veniat Commutatio mea. Ego 
 Thomas de Beckinton Bathon et Wellen Ecclesiarum minister humilis quanquam indignus 
 &c. Sepeliend' in dicta Ecclesia mea Catbedrale Wellen in Capella et loco quos jam plene 
 et perfeoto ad id disposui et paravi, sine aliqua pompa <fec. And then he gives to this 
 Church : Prseter et ultra ea quae in Yita pro Animse mese salute, salubriter, uti spero, in 
 pauperum relevationem, et alios pios Usus de bonis meis erogavi et meis propriis et 
 meorum manibus sum executus &c. Twenty pounds to the Fabrick, Fortie pounds for 
 20 Velvet Capps, and 20 Damask Capps (Blodii Coloris) And for other Habitts Summa 
 centum quina Librarum et undecim Solidorum And to make all the Habitts alike in good 
 repair. He gives also £400. He gives likewise a silver gilt Holy water pott, ten pounds 
 troy weight. This is all mention'd in that WUl, given to this Church. Godwin however 
 adds, earning from Chyle this creditable encomium for so doing— Et crucem argenteam 
 partim deauratam ejusdem ponderis (viz.: decem librarum) Et Cathedram (adhuc ilia 
 superest) qua Episcopus in Ecclesia uteretur, pulvinaria nonnulla, et alia qusedam 
 Ornamenta. These, adds this faithful Kemembrancer in the life of this glorious prelate, 
 were given without all doubt before he made -this Will, and are some of those which are 
 but generally taken notice of in his preface. 
 
 But that which is very remarkable in this Will is his giving an £100 to him that 
 should be his Successor for dilapidacions, and if not excepted {sic) then his Executors 
 with that Summ to wage Law with him. And for this he gives this reason, viz. : that 
 notwithstanding Bishopp Stafford, his immediate predecessor, had for dilapidacions of 
 Bishopp Bubwith 1600 marks, and in Mitris, Jocalibus, et rebus aliis pretiosis 1200 
 marks. Yet he laid out nothing in Reparacions, during his whole time which was 18 
 yeares ; Timber there was cutt downe for repaires, but sold and the money put into his 
 owne pockett. And instead of refunding he gave Nihil aliud, &c. By this and such usage 
 This good old Bishopp was angry, and could not but give the World notice thereoff in this 
 •his Wm. This Will beares Date att Wells, 12° Novemb. Consecrationis suse 22° and 
 
xcii PREFACE. 
 
 proved in the Prerogative 23° Jan. 1464. I canot but take notice of one thing more : 
 viz. : That among many -witnesses to this his Will, There is one under this Caracter : 
 probus Yir, Eobertus Stowell Armiger : All along it seemes a worthy and good Family. 
 
 In Bishop King's Will (a greate benefactor to the Church of Bath) I find given to 
 our Church, The Image of S. Andrew in Silver-gilt, two Candlesticks, a Creuant, and 
 Holy Water pott Silver. {See Appendix M, page 211, under date April 6.) 
 
 Bishop Clerk having with a Vengeance his Dispatch and CongI at the Duke of 
 Cleve's Court was not able to continue his Journey homwards, further then Dunkirk, 
 where he makes his Will, in which he takes Order, if he should there dye to be buried in 
 the principall Church of Callice (Then belonging to the Crowne of England) an lOO^''- for 
 his funerall Expenses, And a plaine Marble to be layd on him with this Inscription : — 
 Hie jacet Johes Epus Bathon et 
 Wellen Anglicus Qui cum obiisset 
 plures insignes Legacoes tandem 
 obiit diem suum, in Legatione 
 Clevene. Aiio Dni 1540. 
 
 To the Church of Wells he bequeaths his Miter, and 5 Copes of Damask. This Will 
 bears date the 23 of Sept., and afterwards having strength enough to get over into 
 England, he gives it a fresh date, of the 27th of the same Month, and not long after dies. 
 But not in the Month of Feb: following with Reverence to Bishopp Godwin because the 
 probat of this Will bears date the 17th of Jan: before. 
 
 Bishopp Knight imediate Successor to Bishopp Clerk amoung severall very charitable 
 Legacies some of which I shall hereafter have occasion to speak of, to the Church of 
 Wells a SUver Basin and Ewer, Two silver gilt candlesticks, and a Sacring Silver Bell. 
 He died it seems in London, ordering by his Will an £100 to defray the Charges of 
 bringing downe his Body, his Tombe, and Funerall. 
 
 After this Bishopp, came that Revolution when instead of giving or adding anything, 
 to the Church either for her Benefitt or Ornament, much of that which was her owne 
 consecrated and dedicated for God's honor and Service, was most sacrilegiously taken 
 away, and profanely abused, in converting them to secular uses. These sharing with the 
 Churche's Lands, in the same Fate. 
 
 {And what became of) Yet all that wealth was not taken away from the Church and 
 Alter, but in the Infancie of the Reformacion some was continued (The Doctrine only not 
 the Ornaments and Decencies of the Church, being esteemed most necessary to be 
 reform'd) and might perhapps have longer remain'd inviolate. Had not that Indulgence 
 been Granted to John de Valasco a poland under the Letters patent of Edward: 6 to erect 
 and set up a New Church, or Congregacion in S. Austin's neere Broad streete London of 
 a mixt Company of Forreiners, of all, but cheifely of the Zwinglian professions, with a Non 
 Obstante to the public Lawes, for the Rites and Ceremonies of the Ennlish Church who 
 (A furious Zealott not making a true use of that Gratious Libertie given) preacht against 
 all Ornaments and decent Habitts whatsoever used in ours or anv other Church. And 
 thus instead of having the use of theire owne Profession here quiet Amoung Themselves 
 which was not in theire owne Countries permitted Them, and which was the Grounds and 
 pretences in his petition to move the King to grant such an Indulgence, greate disturbance 
 were given to ours; For calling theire Church by the new name of The Church of our 
 Lord Jesus, and seperating Themselves from the rest of the Reformed, as being more Holy 
 suddenly drew unto them most of the puritanicall and discontented persons, both in Court 
 
PEEFAGE. xciil 
 
 and Citty which gave them such Encouragement, as downeright to raile against our 
 Discipline and Government, both in Church and State. This gave occasion to John 
 Dudley, Earl of Warwick, then greats at Court (the next yeare being made Duke of 
 Northumberland) A man, of noe more godlyness then a Jew, but as there was Greate 
 Gaines, to use Judas his Question ; what needs all this Wast 1 why may not one Chalice 
 serve the turne ? And finding that it took amoung the greedy Courtiers, They all con- 
 spired to betray that young and innocent prince, to the stripping and divesting of his 
 Mother, the Church, Exposing almost her very Nakedness, For by an Order of the Councill 
 Table, All the plate. Jewels, Vestments ifec, except what They should think only necessarie 
 to be left were seized to the King's use, Tho they have the profitt, And how it thrived 
 with that Greate Duke, our Histories will tell us. 
 
 Wee cannot doubt but some were left in this Church and others added by her severall 
 Bishopps since, Soe that I have heard. That at our last Eeformacion (God bless us) in 
 1640, It was not behind (inferior to) any Cathedrall for Decencie and order.* But being 
 in a godly soile, among a generation of people, altogether inorganicall, and untuneable — 
 neare Taunton Deane Whare wore Ja bore alse, was she first of all, that felt the Fury of 
 those Saints, S. Peter (and) or S. Paule at London or Westminster, not suffering so early 
 AS our S. Andrew here. 
 
 Since his Majestie's and Churche's happy and blessed Restoration what betweene the 
 Bishopp, the Deane, and Deane and Chapter, our Church and Quire is once more, in a 
 beautiful! and Comely habitt (which God continue) such as neither the Church of Rome 
 has reason to upbraid us, with a Slovenly or clownish Service, nor the puritan and Non- 
 conformist, with a gaudy or Superstitious. The good old Bishopp, who weather'd out 
 that Storme, and was restored to what was his Owne, gave those silk Hangings which 
 beautifie the Altar within the Railes. 'Twas a great pitty he had not Those about him of 
 Noble and generous Spiritt to supply the defects of old Age to prompt and advise him to 
 Greate Things. Alass what might not almost have been done, towards the restoring the 
 pristine honor and grandure of this almost lost Bishoppwrick, at such a Time, when the 
 whole Revenues (which were left) were in Hand. 
 
 And notwithstanding that he might have left a more liberall Estate to his Relations 
 then what is reported, which must have brought them under this Dilemma. That either 
 they suffered this Good old man to be cheated, or else they must goe away with more 
 wealth than they will own. A great Oportunitie certainely was lost to make his name 
 for ever Glorious. 
 
 Few if any references are found in the present existing Chapter documents to the 
 expenses of the organs in the Church : but in 1620 we find Dean Meredith giving £100 
 for a new Organ, and promising to give £100 more, and in 1673 the Chapter agreeing 
 with Mr. Taunton to mend the Organ and make a Cornet stop for £20 in it ; he received 
 in 1664 £217 for a new organ ; the Bishop in 1663 bought the old organ for £50. The 
 organs together with other the adornings of the Quire at the Expense of the Deane and 
 Chapter, except the Bishopp's Chair at the Charge of S'- Edmund peirce his Chancellor. 
 The Brass Desk vith the Bibles on it in the middst of the Quire was given by Bishopp 
 
 * Chyle evidently acquiesced unconsciously in the somewhat fulsome compliment expressed hy 
 Bishop Savario in the preamble of his grant of the prsebeud of WiveUscomb, where we read " quam 
 honeste et laudabUiter in Ecolesia Wellensi Deo serviatur." si sic omnes! does the devout Church- 
 man justly exclaim as he views the stUl prevaiUng apathy to canon law, decency, and reverence, in too 
 many of our Cathedrals at the present day. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Creighton, when Deane ; on which in English is engraven the Name of the Benefactor ; 
 But because I find this with other things given by that Keverend and learned prselat (who 
 too late receiv'd the Miter to manifest his Worthyness of it) in another place, in Latine 
 registred, I shall therefore give it altogether as it is thus rendered, and with it conclude 
 this Chapter : — 
 
 Eeverendus admodum in Ghristo Pater, Robertus Creighton, providentia Divina 
 Epus Bathon et Wellen, post Quindecennale cum Rege suo Carolo 2*'»- Exilium, ad 
 Decanatum Wellensem vocatus, Eccliam hanc pristino nitori, sub ipsius Auspiciis resti- 
 tutam ; Fenestra occideutali splendidissima, propriis sumptibus, ornavit ; pluteum Aheneum 
 in Choro statuit, ibidemque S: S: Biblia Typis Augustioribus impressa publicis Lectionibus 
 Dedicavit. Impensis £300. 
 
 At this period Chyle's knowledge of the internal economy of the Cathedral appears to 
 have faUed him, and we must needs fall back on those Registers which he found so inac- 
 cessible. 
 
 Towards the end of the sixteenth century, as may well be imagined, the Cathedral 
 finances were seriously crippled, and it was necessary by all means, legitimate or other- 
 wise, to increase the Capitular funds and to avoid all possible duties. Thus it was 
 decreed on one occasion that twentyneight days count as a month of residence ; that the 
 exchange of a Canon's Prebend do not prejudice his residence ; that all who disobey the 
 Chapter forfeit all Quotidians and voice in Chapter; that the £10 which the Chapter 
 had paid to the Queen was owing from Manton (defuncto), and should be, if possible, 
 recovered. 
 
 This and similar orders, and the consequent differences between the senior and junior 
 members of the Chapter, led to serious quarrels, Canon Saunders forfeiting his Quotidians 
 for detaining Ham myls lease, as well as his voice in Chapter. The following April he 
 restored it and was reinstituted to his privileges, but not without a commission being 
 appointed to hear what he had to say. against Canon Watts, who himself the next year 
 incurred the displeasure of his brethren, for on protesting against the new rule about 
 Quotidians, and offering insulting (contumeliosa) words to the Precentor, he was suspended 
 by the Chapter, and declared he should appeal. With a view possibly to rectifying this 
 condition of affairs, it was decreed (Jun. 1594) that the Bishop, if he was present in 
 propria, persona, might call (vocet et audiat) and hear comperta in visitatione sud in the 
 Chapter-house, and also in September the same year that the Bishop be referee in all suits 
 depending between the Dean and Chapter and the Vicars. Canon Watts seems to have 
 been afflicted with a provoking temper, for one George Upton, Armiger, had taken upon 
 himself to lay violent hands on him, for which he was speedily corrected. 
 
 Here follow two schedules shewing the value of Residentiary Canonries at Wells 
 Cathedral, from the year 1327-1539, and again after the Restoration from 1718-1738. 
 
 Year. Number of Eesidentiaries. 
 
 1327 
 
 Sixteen 
 
 1328 
 
 Fifteen 
 
 1342 
 
 Seventeen 
 
 1343 
 
 Nineteen 
 
 1392 
 
 Nineteen 
 
 1393 
 
 Twenty 
 
 1394 
 
 Twenty 
 
 Sum divided. 
 
 To each Canon, 
 
 £ 8. 
 
 d. 
 
 £ 8. d. 
 
 294 18 
 
 10 
 
 18 8 8 
 
 367 9 
 
 8 
 
 24 9 8 
 
 341 10 
 
 
 
 20 1 9 
 
 412 6 
 
 
 
 21 14 
 
 272 
 
 
 
 14 7 
 
 307 5 
 
 9 
 
 15 7 
 
 308 18 
 
 
 
 15 8 9 
 
Year. 
 
 Number of Eesidentiaried. 
 
 1395 
 
 Twenty 
 
 1400 
 
 Seventeen 
 
 1401 
 
 Sixteen 
 
 1407 
 
 Seventeen 
 
 1408 
 
 Nineteen 
 
 1409 
 
 Sixteen 
 
 1414 
 
 Seventeen 
 
 1415 
 
 Sixteen 
 
 1416 
 
 Fifteen 
 
 1417 
 
 Sixteen 
 
 1418 
 
 Fifteen 
 
 1419 
 
 Eleven 
 
 1420 
 
 Fifteen 
 
 1421 
 
 Fifteen 
 
 1422 
 
 Sixteen 
 
 1428 
 
 Sixteen 
 
 1429 
 
 Sixteen 
 
 1430 
 
 Fifteen 
 
 1431 
 
 Fifteen 
 
 1437 
 
 Thirteen 
 
 1438 
 
 Thirteen 
 
 1445 
 
 Fourteen 
 
 1446 
 
 Thirteen 
 
 1447 
 
 Twelve 
 
 1448 
 
 Ten ... 
 
 1449 
 
 Eleven 
 
 1455 
 
 Twelve 
 
 1456 
 
 Thirteen 
 
 1461 
 
 Eleven 
 
 1462 
 
 Eleven 
 
 1470 
 
 Eleven 
 
 1471 
 
 Eleven 
 
 1473 
 
 Twelve 
 
 1474 
 
 Twelve 
 
 1479 
 
 Thirteen 
 
 1490 
 
 Twelve 
 
 1491 
 
 Twelve 
 
 1495 
 
 
 1506 
 
 
 1514 
 
 
 1535 
 
 
 1539 
 
 
 PREl 
 
 7ACE. 
 
 
 
 
 
 ied. 
 
 Sum divided. 
 
 To each Canon. 
 
 
 £ 
 
 s. 
 
 d. 
 
 £ 
 
 B. d. 
 
 
 279 
 
 13 
 
 9 
 
 13 
 
 19 8 
 
 
 414 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 24 
 
 7 5 
 
 
 386 
 
 3 
 
 11 
 
 24 
 
 2 8 
 
 
 351 
 
 13 
 
 3 
 
 20 
 
 13 
 
 
 380 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 20 
 
 6 
 
 
 384 
 
 7 
 
 7 
 
 24 
 
 5 
 
 
 381 
 
 13 
 
 2 
 
 22 
 
 9 
 
 
 420 
 
 14 
 
 8 
 
 30 
 
 11 11 
 
 
 356 
 
 10 
 
 7 
 
 23 
 
 15 4 
 
 
 '389 
 
 14 
 
 6 
 
 24 
 
 7 1 
 
 
 389 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 25 
 
 18 8 
 
 
 409 
 
 19 
 
 11 
 
 37 
 
 5 5 
 
 
 409 
 
 15 
 
 10 
 
 27 
 
 6 4 ■ 
 
 
 284 
 
 15 
 
 1 
 
 18 
 
 19 8 
 
 
 302 
 
 19 
 
 3 
 
 18 
 
 18 8 
 
 
 383 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 23 
 
 18 9 
 
 
 459 
 
 16 
 
 10 
 
 28 
 
 14 9 
 
 
 382 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 25 
 
 9 5. 
 
 
 400 
 
 1 
 
 9 
 
 25 
 
 13 5 
 
 
 396 
 
 9 
 
 9 
 
 30 
 
 9 11 
 
 
 377 
 
 6 
 
 3 
 
 29 
 
 5 
 
 
 363 
 
 12 
 
 6 
 
 25 
 
 12 3 
 
 
 321 
 
 10 
 
 2 
 
 24 
 
 14 7 
 
 
 419 
 
 12 
 
 2 
 
 34 
 
 19 4 
 
 
 356 
 
 16 
 
 9 
 
 41 
 
 19 8 
 
 
 378 
 
 13 
 
 10 
 
 34 
 
 8 5 
 
 
 368 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 30 
 
 13 10 
 
 
 341 
 
 19 
 
 1 
 
 26 
 
 5 3 
 
 
 399 
 
 5 
 
 10 
 
 36 
 
 5 11 
 
 
 387 
 
 18 
 
 5 
 
 35 
 
 5 4 
 
 
 344 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 31 
 
 5 
 
 
 310 
 
 7 
 
 1 
 
 28 
 
 9 
 
 
 290 
 
 18 
 
 3 
 
 24 
 
 4 10 
 
 
 288 
 
 19 
 
 1 
 
 24 
 
 7 7(?) 
 
 
 390 
 
 1 
 
 7 
 
 30 
 
 
 
 
 143 
 
 2 
 
 8 
 
 11 
 
 10 2 
 
 
 283 
 
 13 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 
 280 
 
 4 
 
 11 
 
 
 
 
 275 
 
 5 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 317 
 
 16 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 302 
 
 7 
 
 7 , 
 
 
 
 Frpm the above Schedule we can easily 
 Canonries for a lengthened period. For the 
 former, indebted to the MS. Chronicon 
 
 gather the average value of the Eesidentiary 
 following tabulated Schedule I am, aa for the 
 of Archdeacon Archer. 
 
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PREFA CE xpvii 
 
 In addition to the above facts connected with the financial condition of the Deau and 
 Chapter at various periods, and the internal management of their estates and property, we 
 gain some further very interesting information as to their acquisitions and expenditure 
 from the Registers of the Church at an early date, and as to their position as executors or 
 trustees, not merely of the effects and bequests of their own brethren of the Chapter, but 
 also of the pious legacies of the Bishops of the See. For instance, in 1310 it seems they 
 wrote a letter in French to Edward II., dated January 28, in which they begged his 
 Majesty to excuse them from compliance with the testamentary bequest of Bishop William 
 de Marchia, who had left 100 marks ad terram sanctam recuperandam illasque Dec. et 
 Cap. fidei mandavit quas cum Eex pecuniss indigens mutuo sumere peteret. They sent 
 their fellow-Canon, Henry de Carleton, to ask to be excused. — Reg. I., 202. 
 
 This proceeding does not appear to have quite satisfied Bishop Drokensford, for 
 im.mediately afterwards he sent a mandate to the Dean tit executores testamentorum 
 "Walteri Haselsbaw et Willelmi de Marchia prsedecessorum suorum moneret, ut Pontificum 
 istorum atque aliorum commentarios et quid in illis relatum esset, ad officium Episcbpale 
 spectans, infra mensem Registrario suo, seu actorum suorum scribse transmitterent alio 
 quin ut in ecclesia de Cerde die Lunss in secunda hebdomada Quadragesimae comparerent 
 atque ad interrogata de prsemissis jurato responderet. — Ih. 346. 
 
 The efiect of this was that in the autumn of the next year they acknowledged to have 
 received the aforesaid bequest, and it seems ex decreto Archiepiscopi to have been placed 
 in the Church of Wells usque ad generalem passagium ad terram sanctam proxime 
 faciendum. — Ih. 119 e< 132. 
 
 Mat 6, 1313. — William de Balacro, Archidiaconus Framliensis, and Pope's Chaplain 
 and N"uncio in England, was sent to collect certain legacies and bequests given for the 
 Crusades. Now when this Legate made his inquiry, it was found that W. de Marchia 
 had left for this very purpose 100 marks to J. de Marchia his brother, if he should 
 survive him, ad transfretandum personaliter in terram sanctam ; or otherwise, in the case 
 of the death of the said John, to Robert TJrry his nephew. John departing this life, 
 Urry asked, coram coUectore papali, the Dean and Chapter for these 100 marks deposited 
 in their hands, and the Dean and Chapter appearing by their proctor, Walter de Hasel- 
 shawe, acknowledged their possession of that sum of money. Whereupon the Collector 
 decreed that under pain of excommunication they hand over the 100 marks to the said 
 Robert, in primo passagio in terram sanctam faciendo. 
 
 But it was not till the Ides of April, 1314, that these excellent legatees could be per- 
 suaded to part with the £200 quas ex mandato Apostolico in subsidium sanctse terrse 
 ooUegerant (Reg. I., 119), and we are not then told whether or no the 100 marks 
 belonging to Robert Urry had found their way into his hands or no, but possibly the threat 
 of excommunication had the desired effect. 
 
 No doubt there was some force in the saving term inserted by King Henry II. in his 
 Charter to Bishop Reginald and the Church of Wells, when he confirmed to them omnes 
 donationes rationabUes, in November, 1185. Nor was it likely that things would always 
 go on quietly between the Chapter members themselves. August 17, 1245, the Dean and 
 many of the Canons were present when a contention arose between Milo the Comminar 
 and the Prsecentor and other Canons about the Arrears of pay, i. e. de nummis per com- 
 putantem subductis qui illis ratione residentise solvendi erant : the Archdeacon of Taunton 
 appears to have settled the question in favour of the Canons. 
 
 Such a considerate return as that made by King Edward II. in 1316 must have been 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 specially welcome, for we find that he granted the Bishop, Dean and Chapter 50 marks to 
 be retained out of the next subsidy they should raise. For it must be remembered that if 
 these vast corporations had a happy facility for attracting the bequests of the pious, and a 
 marvellous power of absorption, they were constantly called upon to disgorge far more 
 than they ever received under circumstances neither creditable to themselves nor their 
 spoilers. The cathedrals and monasteries were not merely the treasure-houses of 
 impecunious monarchs, but their bankers were the Deans and Chapters thereof. 
 
PREFACE. xcix 
 
 BOOK III. CHAP. III. 
 
 ©I tfje f ossESstons anlj lEntotomEnts of t!){s CTijurc!), sucfj as fiElotiflcK 
 to tije ©can anti ^rebenUari^s as tfjcg are Sole Corporations. 
 
 |HE Dean and Prebendaries of this Church at theire first institution and 
 Erecting had not any Right or Share in the Revenues belonging to the 
 Body, but only theire owne Maintenance distinct and separate ; As I have 
 hinted before in that Division of the Churche's possessions, by Bishop 
 Robert. I shall begin with those relating to the Deane. In this division he takes out of 
 the Manor of Wedmorland six prebends, whereoff one he settles on his Sub-deane, and his 
 Successors, and the remainder he settles on the Deane, together with one yard Lard Land 
 out of the prebend of Bidisbam, which prebend he ordered to be sett apart Ad reparandam 
 Ecclesiam S**- Andree et Ornamenta emenda : Those are his words. Besides he settles on 
 the Deane & his Successors the Manors of Modeslie and Merch with theire Churches (out 
 of which he chargeth him with the annual payment of £20 to foure of the Canons equally 
 to be devided) with the Church of Wookey. Thus far went Bishopp Robert. 
 
 And thus it stood till Bishop Joceline made an Exchange betweene the Deane and 
 his Sub-deane of the Wedmore prebend for the Church of Wookie. Afterwards the same 
 Bishopp Joceline annexeth the parsonage of Mark to the prebend of Wedmore belonging 
 to the Dean. 
 
 The above grants and exchanges received confirmation by Edward III. to Walter de 
 London. The particulars belonging to the Deanery then were: The Mannours of 
 Modesley, Wedmore, More, Mark, Bempson Hundred. The Parsonages of Mark and 
 More, The Vicarige of Wedmore, and the prebend of Bidisham. 
 
 It was a custom time out of mind that in the Yacancy of the Deanery (deductis 
 deducendis) or any prebend, the profits be divided amongst the Residentiaries, while the 
 actual jurisdiction of the Deanery is vested in the hands of the Sub-dean. 
 
 This is plain from an account during the vacancy of the Deanery caused by the death 
 of Dean Gunthorp : in this we find that Thomas Tinensis and Thomas Gilbert, Canons, 
 were appointed Seneschals and Receivers of the Deanery of Wells from S. John, the 
 Baptist's day to Christmas in the thirteenth year of King Henry the Seventh, and received 
 the following amounts from the Provosts of the said Deanery :— Prom the Provost of 
 Modesley, after deducting and allowance of all deductions and allowances, £17 18s. Zd.; 
 from the Provost of More, £41 9s. M.; from the Provost of Merk, £41 9s. M.; from 
 the Provost of Wedmore, £24 4s. \Qd.; from the prebend of Wedmore, £52 17s. 2d.; 
 from Court perquisites, £5 18s. 5d. 
 
 The many deductions and allowances are too numerous to give in full. We find, 
 however, that four Canons received 20s. for two quarters, four Vicars 5s. each quarter, the 
 Dean's Vicar 26s. 8d for two quarters, that £7 5s. %d. went in pensions and other 
 expenses, leaving £165 5s. M., of which sum £162 6s. was divided amongst nine Canons, 
 each receiving £18 Os. 3d, leaving in their hands £2 19s. 9d 
 
 This was the Revenue of that halfe yeare during the Vacancy of the Deanery and 
 devided among the Residentiaries. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 We have also an account of the first fruits in the time of Richard Woolman, the 
 Dean; then the sum total of the value of all the Decanal possessions amounted to 
 £325 16s. Id., deducting only the BailiflT's fees of £3 4s. 2c?., from which deducting the 
 payments of £4 to each Canon and Prebendary of Wedmore, a sum of £2 13s. id. to 
 the Yicar of the Stall of Wedmore I. in the choir, and 20s. to each of the four Stalls of 
 Wedmore 11., III., IV., T., as well as the fees of the Seneschal, General Receiver, 
 and Auditor, there remains £293 19s. lie?. 
 
 ThisSumm or hereabouts was the usuall Income, and Revenue of this Deanery which 
 with the often additions of some good Times together, with the greate Immunities, privi- 
 ledges, and Jurisdiccions belonging to it made her to be then esteemed, of noe small 
 honour and dignitie in the Church. 
 
 Thus farr of the Revenues of this Deanery before that Surrender of Deane Fitz- 
 william's. I come now to what was patcht up together for the maintenance of a Deane, 
 upon the restoring of a Deanery by Edward the sixt. In this Act of Parliament there 
 was, says Chyle, a good thriftie proviso, by which when the Archdeaconry of Wells had 
 been settled in the Deanery (an arrangement only possible by that treacherous surrender 
 of polydore which has been previously condemned with so much bitterness), it was ordered 
 that he — that is, the new Deap — that he shall not have any of the mannours, Lands or 
 Tenements (other then the fees and profltts for Induction and probat of Wills) belonging 
 formerly to the said Archdeaconry, and again, That he shall not have any of the Manour-s, 
 Lands, Tenements, or Hereditaments which were belonging to the former Deanes, but 
 such only as were exprest in that Act, namely the Provostshipp of the Church, when it 
 should become void, with the Mannours, Lands and Tenements with theire appurtenances 
 belonging thereunto ; The prebend of Curry and Sub-chantorshipp, with all the Mannours, 
 (fee. belonging unto them. The Quotidians, Dividents, and obitts belonging heretofore to 
 the said Deane, Archdeacon, prebend, and Sub-chantorshipp and to the provostshipp when 
 void. 
 
 By this Act also the new Deane, and his Successors, discharged and freed from the 
 payment of those First Fruits and Tenths formerly payd in respect of the said Deanery 
 and to be now charged only according to his present enjoyment by this Act. Also he is 
 freed and dischargd of all such summs of moneies and payments as heretofore the late 
 Deane or his predecessors did usually pay to any Vicar or preist Except those hereafter 
 named that is to say. The Stall wages for the four Wedmores ; And lastly he is discharged 
 likewise, of what the Archdeacon of Wells and his predecessors did pay for first Fruites 
 and Tenths, except the Stall wages, for the prebend of Hewish and Brent. 
 
 Of the old estate belonging to the Deanery, the prebend and Rectory of Wedmore 
 was by Queene Mary restored, as appears by a grant thereoff afterwards from Queene 
 Elizabeth to Dean Goodman and Dean Turner, pretending it to be in her hands, by virtue 
 of an Act of Parliament in the time of Edward the sixth which passed under this stile : 
 In parliamento inchoat' et tent' apud West' 4o- die Ifovembris Anno Regni potentissimi 
 principis et metuendissimi Domini nostri Edwardi sexti Dei Graf Anglije Franciee et 
 Hibemise Regis, Fidei Defensoris, ac in terra Ecclesise Anglicanse et Hibemise supremi 
 Capitis l™o- Et ibidem continuat' usque in vicesimum quartum diem Decembris Anno 
 dicto Varia edita sunt Statuta Ad honorem Dei, Laudem principis et utilitatem Rei 
 publicse. 
 
 The grant of Queen Elizabeth, however, contained these special provisoes, that the 
 Dean and his successors should pay annually to the four prebendaries of Wedmore, in the 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 said Cathedral Church, £4 each, and to the four Vicars 20s. each pro Stall wages, and to 
 the Dean's Vicar £2 13s. 4c^., as well as all other burdens and payments incumbent on the 
 said prebend. 
 
 This beares date 20°- Jan. Anno Kegni 2°- 
 
 But in the 5th year of her reign the Queen having received Informacion from certain 
 credible witnesses that the said John Goodman minus juste se Decanum dicti Decanatus 
 (fee. nominavit, and that William Tvirner, Professor of Sacred Theology and Medicine, was 
 the true only and legitimate Dean, she made the above grant to the aforesaid William 
 Turner on the 8th of May. 
 
 In the 16 th year of this Queen's Raigne a Commiasion was issued out of the 
 Exchequer and sent downe into the Country Comanding the Right Reverend Father in 
 God Gilbert Bishop of Bath and Wells, John Rugg Archdeacon of Wells, Lawrence Hide 
 Esq., William Boreman Esq., Walter Upton Esq. and George Rodney Esq., or any 3 of 
 them to enquire and return into the Exchequer, The proffitts and Revenues with theire 
 appurtenances of the Deanery in the Cathedrall Church of Wells, together with the 
 Deductions and Allocations going out of the same. 
 
 In order and obedience thereunto they make the following Retume that there belongs 
 to the said Deanery The Mannour and Rectory of Winsham, the Rectory of Chard with 
 the Demeasn lands and Customary Tennants, the Mannour and Rectory of Combe 
 S. Nicholas, the Rectory of Wellington and BucMand with certain Customary Tennants, 
 all of which had belonged to the provostship, but were annexed to the Deanery as before- 
 said. They also reported that the possessions belonging to the Subchantorship and 
 prebend of Curry were annexed to the Deanery, no less than the Rectory of Wedmore 
 with all the Tithes, Oblations, Emoluments and Hereditaments belonging thereunto. 
 They returned their yearly value as follows : Winsham Mannour and Rectory, .£46 Os. 2d. ; 
 Chard Rectory, £30 12s. id.; Combe S. Nicholas, £61 4s. 2d.; Wellington and Buck- 
 land, £50 Os. 2d.; Succentorship, £8 17s.; Curry prebend, £1 ; Wedmore Rectory, £70. 
 But out of this sum, amounting to £267 14s., the Dean has to pay yearely, for the lands 
 and possessions formerly belonging to the prepositus : 
 
 To the 15 Combe prebends at £5 6s. ?>d. per year 
 
 To the Chapter of Wells, annual pension 
 
 To the 15 Vicars in the choir for stall wages, to every one £1 6s. %d. 
 
 To the Cheif Steward - 
 
 To the Under Steward and Auditor 
 
 To the general Receiver 
 
 To 4 Prebends in that Church called Wedmore, each £4 - 
 
 To the Vicar Chorall for his owne Stall 
 Soe as the Dean of Wells is to pay yearely the Summ of £151 Qs. id. for the discharging 
 of those particulars, which being deducted out of the aforesaid Summ of £267 14s. There 
 remaines in eleere value yearly to the said Deanery but the Summ of £116 7s. Ad. And 
 more than this the Jurors say according to theire knowledge, The Deane of Wells 
 has not. 
 
 Thus was the Retume of this Commission, which bore date the 13th of May A.d. 
 1574, without any notice taken of the Deane's £5 quarterly, paid by the Comminer for 
 Quotidians; or of any Perquisites or Casualties of Courts. But in the Churche's Charter 
 granted afterwards by the Queene in 34th yeare of her Raigne, I find the Rectories of 
 
 £ 
 
 s. 
 
 d. 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 
 
 20 
 
 
 
 
 
 20 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Mark and Bidisham, number'd among the roll of the Deane's Revenues, confirmed unto 
 John Harbert then Deane. 
 
 These tithes of Mark and Biddesham were (as has been said) belonging to the Old 
 Estate of this Deanery, pass'd away by that Surrender of Fitzwilliam's ; But how they 
 came againe into the Revenues of the Deanery, is the Quaere % Nor have I yet mett with 
 any Record, or Intelligence which may give any light or Satisfaction thereunto. 
 
 Afterwards, 2° Jacobi, I find a Confirmacion of all this to Benjamin Hayden Deane, 
 immediate Successor to Deane Harbert with some small additions, by King James wherein 
 is mention made of that Act of Parliament, which anmexeth to the Deanery the prebend 
 of Curry, the Mannours of Winsham, and Combe S. Nicholas, the Rectories of Chard, 
 Winsham, Combe S. Nicholas, Wellington and Buckland, which were of the possessions. 
 of the dignitie of the prrepositura in this Church. Then he goes on in confirming the 
 Mannour of "Wedmore, with the Rectorie, and prebend thereoff ; and also the Rectorie of 
 Mark, the Mannour of Biddesham, with the Rectory or prebend thereoff; And then there 
 is added to the Deanery two Houses, The one on the last side of the Deane's house, late in 
 the occupation of paule Methwin ; The other on the West side of the said house late 
 in the possession of George Upton Esq. As also the Overland and Old Aster grounds 
 belonging formerly to the Morrow Mass priest and our Lady's Service. To have &c. &c. 
 to the said Deane, Notwithstanding all former dissolutions. Surrenders, Escheates in the 
 reignes of Hen: 8:, Ed: 6:, Queen Mary, and Elizabeth, paying yearely to the Vicars 
 Chorall, Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other Ministers and officers of the Church, and 
 Deanery what was customarily and usually paid by the former Deanes his predecessors ; 
 with a non Obstante likewise to those Acts. of Parliament of the 18th Hen: 6:, and 
 2 Ed: 6:. Teste 4" Maii Anno Regni 2°- And in the 4th yeare of the said King was 
 there a further confirmation of the premises by the said Deane Heyden bearing date 
 40 Junii 1604— or 1605. 
 
 The prsebend of Bidsham, according to the antient grant, was the second in order : 
 una virgat& excepts ad reparandam S. Andrese ecelesiam et ornamenta emendanda, &c., 
 but in 1198 a squabble occurred between the Chapter and a certain Canon called 
 Ernisius about certain land at Bidsham which he held nomine prsebendie. The case was 
 referred by Pope John to the Abbot of Forde and the Prior of the Convent and the Prior 
 of Axminster, who settled it thus : Hoc cum factum esset, Decanus et Capitulum consensu 
 Savarici terram istam non vero nomine prsebendse, Emisio contulerunt reddituro eidem 
 Eccl. 40s. amiuatim omnibus diebus vitse suse ; they granted him also spiritual and 
 canonical fellowship in their Church both in life and death, and a stall and seat in Choir 
 and a place in the Chapter and full Commons, like the other Canons : moreover, they 
 granted him dispensation from providing a Vicar to serve in his turn, and acquitted him 
 from taking his part in divine service like the other Canons, were he so minded. This 
 was an immense and unusual indulgence, and we fail to see what Ernisius had done to 
 merit such an extraordinary departure from the statutes and customs of the Church. Some 
 fifty years afterwards the prsebend of Bidsham appears to have fetched 15 marks, iudcing 
 from the fact that the Chapter let it to the Sub-dean for that sum, but in another fifty to 
 have risen one mark in value, as November 21, 1306, this same prrebend was granted to 
 Dean Godelee for 16 marks (Reg. I., 132), and in 1316, March 21, it was again granted 
 to a Sub-dean, W. de Yatton. 
 
 Dec. 19, 1683, a Lease in Bidsham was granted to on« Robert Batch of Bridgewater. 
 
 Sept. 29, 1213, Bishop Joscelin, with the consent of the Dean and Chapter, decreed 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 that in whatever way the Prebends— excepting those of Wedmore— should fall vacant, the 
 Canons should have their custody and profits until the Bishop had conferred them. But 
 ■when the Prebend of Wedmore be vacant not by death, sed per ceasionem vel alio modo, 
 the fruits during the vacancy should be devoted to the pious and necessary uses of the 
 Church by the common provision of the Bishop and Chapter. If, however, the prebend 
 should be vacated by the death of the Dean, it should follow the antient custom of the 
 other praebends. As often, however, as the Deanery, Precentorship, Chancellorship, 
 Treasurership, Sub-deanery, or Succentorship, or any Provostship or Archdeaconry be 
 vacant, the Bishop have care and the fruits thereof. But when any Prssbend or Dignity 
 be vacant, constituted in a parish Church, if the perpetual Vicar who ministers in it shall 
 have died or left, the ordinance of the Vicarage shall be reserved for the next Canon, so 
 that he may present some one to the Bishop. If, however, in the Church of Wells, during 
 the vacancy of a prsebend or dignity, a Vicarship become vacant, the Bishop may in the 
 meantime, if he likes, appoint a Vicar, just as the Canon might have done in case he had 
 survived.— Reg. I., 58; II., 14. 
 
 The Charter by which Joscelin conferred the Deanery houses here foUows :— Omnibus 
 ad quos presens Carta pervenerit. Joscelinus dei gratia Bathon Epus salutem Sciatis quod 
 nos pro honore eccl. nostre et utilitate Decani nostri Well, concessimus dilecto in Christo 
 filio W. de Merton Dec. Well, domes et aream cum pertinenciis quas bone memorie 
 petrus de Cycestre quondam Dec. Well, tenuit In Wells scil. illas que Jacent inter 
 aream Eicardi Cancellarii Well, et aream Henrici de London Canonici Well. Volentes 
 et concedentes pro nobis et successoribus nostris quod dictua Dec. Well, et omnes succes- 
 sores sui predictas domes et Aream cum Integritate sua habeant et teneant libere quiete 
 pacifice et honorice Imperpetuum. Quod et ratum sit et firmum presenti carte sigUlum 
 nostrum apponi fecimus. Datum in Capitulo Well, per manum Magistri Walteri de 
 Maydenestane 13 kl. Oct. pont. nostre 31. 
 
 Having not found in any Accompt or Record any express mention made of these 
 Houses added to the Deanery or of that Overland, or old Aster Grounds, I doe suppose 
 them to have laine dormant in the Crowne, and now added or restored to the Deanery, 
 by this Grant of King James, as soone as it was discovered to that Learned and wise 
 prince. 
 
 But I am falling too neare this present Age and may possibly anger some, and there- 
 fore shall say no more as to what relates to the Deanery of this Cathedrall, but according 
 to order shall carry on this Discourse to what concerns the Revenues of the prebendaries 
 belonging to this Church. 
 
 Their first Constitution, Addition, number, and Names are delivered in the first 
 Book, of which there are the 15 Combs, and the 4 Wedmores that have only pensions 
 paid them out of the Deanery, as in the last Chapter ; and the prsebends of Milverton 2»-> 
 and Taunton out of the Archdeaconry of Taunton. 
 
 The next have Corps belonging to them that is Mannours, Rectories, or both belong- 
 ing to Them, which they lease out for Lives or yeares, as they are limited by the Statutes 
 of the Land. 
 
 Then because to some of the Dignitaries of this Church prebends are annext, I shall 
 speake of theire Revenues, also among the prebends. They being all Sole Corporations 
 having (as I have said) theire Estates, as the Deane has distinct from the Body or 
 Chapter. I will take Them in the same order as I fiind them placed in Queene Elizabeth's 
 Charter. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 To the Precentor belongs the Manor of Pilton with the Chapel of Wootton, together 
 ■with some houses in Wells (all rents and stall wages being deducted) which brings in 
 annually £24 6s, id. According to this Sum Tenths are now payable into the Exchequer. 
 To the Archdeacon of Wells were annext the Manors of South Brent and Berrow : 
 the old rent was £5 2s. : the Impropriations of Huish rent £28, of Brent £23, of Berrow 
 rent £23. Besides he has his pascalls procurations, pentions, Dona Martini, &c. 
 
 January 7, 1327. — After the controversy between the Abbot of Glastonbury and 
 Eobert de Wambergh, Archdeacon of Wells, the Archdeacon gave up to him the lands at 
 Ilchester, and the Abbot dimisit unam acram nomine Glebse una cum advocatione Eccl. de 
 Barrow Archidiaconis Wellensibus (Reg. III. 365). This was confirmed by Edward III., 
 6th April, 1328, for the purpose of finding three Chaplains to celebrate every day in the 
 Church of Wells for the souls of W. and J. de Button, and a third for the souls of Eobert 
 and John de Drokensford. 
 
 XIII. KL. August, 1317. — Certain nuns of Barrow made their profession before the 
 Bishop, and were received after laying on of his hands. — Eeg. Drok. 150. 
 
 To the Chancellor of the Church appertained a Mannour with certain demesne lands 
 within the parish of Kingsbury, with a portion of Tithes out of the Eectory of Lambrook, 
 Eent £40 5s. 
 
 September 13, 1213. — It was decreed by Joscelin, the Dean and Canons of Wells that 
 if the Yicarage of Kingsbury (which Ealph the Chaplain instituted by the Bishop now 
 holds) should fall vacant, during the life of Thomas the Chancellor, the Dean and Chapter 
 shall present a suitable Clerk to be instituted by the Bishop, provided always that after 
 the death or departure of the said Chancellor the right of presentation to the said Yicarage 
 shall always belong to succeeding Chancellors. — Eeg. I. 46 ; Eeg. III. 1576. 
 
 To the Treasurer a Manor with certain demesne lands within the Parish of Martock : 
 Eent £62 2s. 2d. 
 
 To the Archdeacon of Taunton besides his pascalls, procurations, &c., certain demesne 
 lands and Tithes in Milverton and Langford : rent £45 Os. id. 
 
 To the Archdeacon of Bath, besides his procurations, &c., belonged certain demesne 
 lands, and the Eectory of Stanton Drew : rent £9. 
 
 To the Sub-deane was the prebend of Wookie annext, wherein were certain demesne 
 lands : rent £3 19s. 5d. ; Customarie rents £1 Is. 4c?. ; several tithes at the rent 
 £10 13s. 4d ; iu aU £15 14s. \d. 
 
 To the prsebend of Litton several lands and messuages with portions of Tithes within 
 in the parish of Litton did belong to the yearly rent of £15 14s. 8rf. 
 
 To Wiveliscomb the Manor of Wiveliscomb in rents of assise and customary at £20 
 per annum, and for tithe rent £30, out of which is deducted to the Vicar 40s., and an 
 outrent to the Bishop of the Diocese of 4s., so that cleare rent came to the prebendaiy of 
 £37 16s. annually. 
 
 To Compton Dundon the Rectory thereof with all tithes, Messuages, lands and tene- 
 ments, under yearly rent of £22. 
 
 To Wormister : all the lands and tenements, meadow and pasture, with the wood 
 called the Parkwood :, yearly rent £7. 
 
 To Compton Episcopi, The Eectory with all tithes, Messuages, lands and tenements, 
 annual rent £24. 
 
 To Whitchurch : besides several tithes certain lands and tenements with woods and 
 underwoods and Common at the yearly rent of £20 10s. 
 
PREFACE. cv 
 
 To Henstrige : the Rectory with all tithes, severall Messuages, lands and tenements, 
 yearly rent £14. 
 
 To Easton-in-Gordan : in demesne lands at £1 6s. 8d. rent ; in tithes at £8 13s. id. 
 To Dultingcote (alias Tingherst) : there was in demesne lands as much as paid £2 
 and in Customary lands to the rent of £19 2s. ; in all £21 2s. per ann. 
 
 This prsebend of Dultingcott has alias Tingherst added to it, retaining only its old 
 name of Dultingcott, the old Corps being taken away and one at Tingherst near Merlow 
 in Buckinghamshire exchaing'd for it, and this by the Duke of Somerset's meanes who 
 procured a licence from Ed; 6 : for William Thynn then prebendary of Dultingcott to 
 grant to the said Duke his prebend of Dulcott and Chilcott, and in exchainge the Duke to 
 grant the Mannour of Tingherst alias Tingest, with the appertancies in the Countie of 
 Bucks, to be a prebend in the Church of Wells, to him the said William Thynn and 
 his successors for ever by the name of the prebend of Dultingcott alias Tingherst 
 charging it with the same old rent £21 2s. This licence beares date the 20th of May, 
 5»- Ed: 6. 
 
 To the prebend of Haselberge : the Rectory thereof with all tithes, messuages, &c. ; 
 rent £9 per ann. 
 
 To the prebend of Yatton : the Rectory thereof, &c., &c. ; £42 rent. 
 To Buckland Dynham : the Rectory thereof, <fec. ; rent £8 13s. 4A 
 To Eastharptree : the same; rent £6 13«. id. 
 
 To Whitlackington : in demesne lands there; rent £1 6s. 8d, in tithes £8 13s. id. 
 To Scamford alias Shalford in the Countie of Essex several tenements lands meadow 
 and pasture with Common belonging to them, as also some portions of Tithes : all at the 
 yearly rent of £6 13s. id. 
 
 To Timberscomb the Rectorie with tithes glebes messuages, lands and tennements 
 thereunto belonging, at the rent of £4 13s. id. 
 To AshUl : the same ; rent £7 10s. 
 To Ilton: the same; rent £11 3s. id. 
 
 To Barton : Certaine lands and tennements with some portion of tithes there, and 
 also some woods and underwoods, with Common, at the rent £3 7s. lOd 
 
 To Wanstrowe : Certain' lands and tennements, meadow, pasture. Woods, under- 
 woods and Common, with some portion of tithes also thereunto belonging : rent £7 13s. id. 
 To Dindar : the same : rent £2 13 s. id. 
 
 To Holcomb : the Rectorie, messuage, lands, and tennements with some tithes there- 
 unto belonging : rent 20s. 
 
 To Milverton secunda a certain pension paid by the Archdeacon of Taunton viz. : 
 £6 13s. id. per ann. 
 
 To Taunton prebend, a certain pension paid by the Archdeacon of Taunton viz. : 
 £5 per ann. 
 
 To the prebend of Warmister alias Luxfeild in the Countie of Wilts the Rectorie 
 with the tithes. Glebes, messuages, lands and tennements : rent £11 6s. 8c?. 
 To S. Decuman the Rectorie with tithes, glebe, &c. : rent £22 13s. id. 
 To the 15 Combe prebends the annual pension of £5 6s. 8(£. and to the 4 Wedmores 
 the pension of £4 to be paid by the Dean. 
 
 The prebends of Oadworth, and Curry, the praepositura, and Succentor are now 
 annext to the Deanery, then Stall wages Tenths and all other payments whatsoever they 
 are lyable unto are dischargd by the Dean. 
 
 P 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 What the Rerenues or value of these Dignitaries and prebends have beene of late, or 
 are now I take not upon mee to enquire into or discourse of. But as they were in 
 Henry 8th time when a general inspection and new survey of the Churche's Revenues was 
 taken and returned into the Exchequer, from whence the King's book of First Fruites 
 and Tenths, that now is framed and exhibited, does here present them to publick View. 
 (These are necessarily here omitted for want of space.) 
 
PREFACE. cvii 
 
 BOOK III. CHAP. IV. 
 
 W^t ^possessions anU lEnliobJtnents of t!)ts Cijurcij : suc!| as belong'lr to 
 
 ttje Ftcars fiCfjorall, ^s a Bois incorporate, ^s fig ioag of 
 
 Sallarg or Custome, 
 
 HE first institution of these Vicars Chorall by Bishop Joceline, and Theire 
 being collected and made a Body by Bishopp Ralph must imply and conclude 
 some Salarie and Stipend, or some Land and Revenues to be given or 
 allotted Them for their Suj)port and Maintenance; For although I cannot 
 but suppose, That there were some Persons of Inferiour rank and order in this Church to 
 joyn with and assist the Bishopp Deane and prebends in the performance of the Chanting 
 part of the Service before Bishop Joceline (as I have said) for which They receiv'd some 
 wages and Fees ; yet since we cannot discover who they were or what theire maintenance 
 was, I shall look no higher also as to their Revenue or Maintenance then the time of that 
 Bishopp. 
 
 The first provision and care that was taken for Them was That they should have Food 
 and Raiment, and that to be allowed Them by the Church. And this doubtless by the 
 Order and appointment of Bishop Joceline. For he that augmented the Chapter's 
 Revenues, by appropriating to that Body severall Churches and conferring his Mannour of 
 Winshcomb might very well lay Injunctions on the Church for theire contributing 
 towards the support of the Vicars Chorall. 
 
 As to theire Habitts and Vestments those were meane according to the humble and 
 hipocriticall garbe of those times {the Roman Chwrch) j But for theire Diett {which was 
 somewhat plentifuU ac-cording to the rate of money and provisions in those days) They 
 had an allowance of one penny a day, which was very plentifnll, if we compare those dayes 
 with some Centuries after ; For nearely 300 years after, William Wainflett Bishopp of 
 Winchester, The Great Founder of S. Maiy Magdalen College in Oxford thought it 
 enough to allow his scholars the Demies but three farthings to each for theire dinners 
 {a meak) Ajid above an hundred yeares after, fortie pence a meale for fortie scholars was 
 thought sufficient by the founder of Westminster free Schoole. Of both which Founda- 
 tions I must owne myselfe to have beene an unworthy member ; And impossible is it 
 (though I dayly endeavour it) for me to render sufficient Thanks to God and Man, for that 
 liberall Education and maintenance I receiv'd from those glorious Foundacions. And 
 this Allowance to our Vicars I find in Deane Haselshawe's Statutes (who was afterwards 
 Bishopp of this See {Church) ) under the stile of : Qualiter Vicarii tenentur : p. 59. 
 
 This penny went under the name of Quotidians and parva Communia. A payment 
 yet remaining in this Church under these Stiles. 
 
 They had also an allowance which goes under the name and Stile of Stipendia Vicari- 
 orum or Stall wages (for I suppose them to be one and the same, tho' now distinct) These 
 I find placed together in a Table as follows : Tabula continens quantum quilibet Vicarius, 
 
 &c., &c., p. 97. 
 
 These sums according to this Table were yearely paid unto these Vicars Chorall by 
 the respective Prebendaries, and during the vacancy of any of the prebends by the Church 
 Escheator, of whom and of his office I shall in this Chapter give some account. 
 
cviii PEE FACE. 
 
 In the prsepositura Oath I find also that he sweares : Necnon et Vica/riis, p. 93. 
 
 I will not say that this that annuall pension of £20 paide by the Deane to the 
 Chapter of "Wells, according to the Eeturne made of that Commission in the 16th of Queene 
 Elizabeth (taken notice of in the last Chapter) {tho thereby to be suspected) very probable, 
 since the New Deanery ; whereoff that Commission had only regard, was patcht up out 
 of those Lands, belonging to the prsepositui'a of this Church. 
 
 Now to secure the just and constant payments of these Stipends to the Yicars, There 
 was a Statute made in Dean Haselshawe's time : Quod canonici tenentur, p. 68. 
 
 Some of the Vicars whose prebendaries were likewise (Hesidentiaries) Dignitaries did 
 claime but rather out of Custome and favour then of right to have theire diet with them, 
 and also a Marck a yeare of them ; but some abuses of these favours occaaion'd in Deane 
 Godilee's time these following Injunctions as to the matter, so as to declare where the 
 right was : Quod Vicarii remanentes, p. 76. 
 
 Besides what has been already said as to their maintenance, A very considerable 
 addition had They, and a greaie Releese from the Chantries, Obitts, Anniversaries and 
 Oblations comprehended under the general name of Annalia, Chapells, Altars and Dales 
 sett apart for prayers and mass to be said and sung by certaine priests for the soules of 
 those that founded them and of their Kindred and Friends. 
 
 Chyle here quotes Sir Henry Spelman's definition of Anniversarium, and proceeds to 
 state that to the best of his belief that before theire Incorporacion by Bishop Ealph there 
 was every yeare chose out of these Vicars 3 officers. Each of them carrying them with 
 some profitt and Benefitt as well as burden and duty. The first wholly relating to the 
 Chapter under the name of Comminerj who is in their statutes and records called the 
 Chapter's Comminer. The next was a mixt conceme, relating as well to the Chapter, as 
 to those of his own Fraternitie, who is called the Escheator. The third relates only to 
 theire owne Body and goes by the name of Receptor Generalis. The two first I find in 
 the Church long before the Bishopp Ralph : the last an officer created by his Statutes 
 upon his founding of Close Hall, To whom belonged a Salary and severall Fees, virtute 
 officii, Et pro suo laudabili servicio as theire books and Accompts phraseth it all amount- 
 ing to neere £10 in that Accompt of Richard Eryngton Comminer in the 2nd Chapter of 
 this Book may appear. 
 
 The Escheator was an Officer of another nature To receive what had or should 
 accidentally come to the Church or fall into theire Hands as they were Lords and Cheife 
 owners of those Mannours and possessions. By virtue of such privileges obtained for them 
 by tbe Donors of those Mannours and .Lands.* 
 
 Besides these he was also to receive all monies charged on the common Rents and 
 revenues founded by severall Persons in this Church and given towards the maintenance 
 of divers duties and services to be performed equally by the Canons and Vicars within the 
 Cathedral and its Chapels, on such festivals and days and times as were appointed by the 
 several donors. 
 
 By virtue hereofi' he was charged with the Receipt of all obitts, Anniversaries, 
 {which were masses) oblations and Ofierings, as also what came in by Weddings and 
 
 * Sir Henry Spelman saies: — Esohaetor est Minister qui per statutum territorium Eschaetoa 
 colligit et rimatur : and, Esohaeta est quicquid terrae prsedii, alteriusve emolumenti quod vel mortuo 
 sine lierede Tenente, vel ratioue Custodise heredis ejus infra setatem existentis vel ex causa alicnjus 
 (quod vocant) foris facturse, Domino otvenit feodali. 
 

 CTi 
 
 :^/M'/X^-'^^/^^^^^' ^^^""^ 
 
 r^'ffr^ 
 
 .^':-<J^.< 
 
PREFACE. cix 
 
 Burialls* within the said Church And also of all Mortuaries. That is upon the death 
 of the Bishop, Deane, Dignitaries, Canons, theire Servants or any other dying within 
 the Libertie of this Church. A certaine Customary Summ of Money was due and paid 
 to the Church, more or less, according to the Dignitie and degree of the person there 
 dying. This was an old Custome throughout all England, as well in parochiall Churches 
 as Collegiate and is still of right due, tho obsolete and almost quite lost and forgott. Sir 
 Henry Spelman thus writes his Gloss upon Mortuarium : Si Decedens tres vel plura 
 cujuscunque generis in bonis suis habuerit animalia optimo, cui de jure debitum (for ye 
 Lord's heriot) reservato Ecclesise suse a qua sacra recipit dum Viveret sine dolo fraude 
 seu contradictione qualibet pro et e compensatione Decimarum personalium necnon et 
 oblatorum, secundum melius animal reservetur; post obitum pro salute animse suse, 
 Ecclesise sure hujusmodi liberandum. Quod si duo tantum in bonis Decedentis extiterint 
 animalia, de mansuetudine Ecclesise Exactio qualibet nomine Mortuarii remittatur. Mr. 
 Selden, in his History of Tithes, speaking of these Mortuaries, sales They were payable 
 in Beasts regularly before the stat: of 21 . Hen: 8, which were reputed due, upon the 
 general Presumption of every Defunct's negligence in payment of his personall Tithes ; 
 The Mortuary was therefore (by the Canons) to be presented with the Body at the 
 Buriall, as a Satisfaction of omission, and negligence in paying to the Church those 
 personal Duties. 
 
 He was also charg'd with the Receipt of all vacant Prsebends, and this by a Statute 
 made Anno Domini 1298, Walter Haselshaw, Deane, which is as follows : — 
 
 De duahus pwrtibus : p. 67. 
 
 In pursuance of this Statute the Deane and Chapter sett a rate upon all the prebends 
 according to which they are to be taxt. 
 
 De taxacione prebendarum : p. 97. 
 
 I come now to give one of those Eschaetor's Accompts, which are intricate and 
 tedious and therefore shall transcribe noe more then what is to our purpose viz. : to 
 discover the duty of the officer and the profitts accruing thereby to the Vicars, and among 
 many which I have perused, I have made choice of one of this latest date : 
 
 • Free right of buriall had been confirmed to the Dean and Chapter by Pope Alexander in 1176. 
 Sepultaram ipsius loci Uberam esse deorevit ut eorum (i.e., Decani et Canonicorum) devotioni et extreme 
 Toluntati, qui se illio sepeHri dellberaverint, nisi forte excommunicati vel interdict! fuerint, nullus obsis- 
 teret. SalvS. autem justitia iUarum eeolesiarum a quibus mortuarum corpora assumuntur. — Eeg. TI. 47. 
 
 On July 9, 1243, there was deliberation about the burial of Canon W. de Chyw, and it was decreed 
 that for the future Canons Eesidentiary be buried in the cloisters per ordinem, according to the dignity 
 of their order and position (conditionis), so that the greater be placed before the less, unless perchance 
 they should have expressed a wish in their lifetime to be buried somewhere else, either in the Church or 
 outside it: The order of burial was to begin at the door of the Church versus Austrum, and as near it as 
 possible, and to extend straight on to the comer of the cloister, and so on : specially care was to be taken 
 that no layman or Vicar be buried between the Canons: the Vicars might be buried in the cemetery at 
 the east end of the Lady Chapel (versus orientem retro? CapeUam B.V.M.) and elsewhere in the 
 cemetery. Laymen, however, were to be buried in the cemetery versus occidentem, and their place of 
 sepulture might commence near the elms planted there, at the place where the tournaments were held 
 (ubi consuevit esse hastillaria), and so extend on to the west. It was, however, specially provided that no 
 layman be buried before the West Front. Further concessions were added as to the interment of the 
 dignitaries, should they or their friends express any wish in the matter. The aforesaid statutes were to 
 apply to the Canons absolutely, unless in their life-time they had made any other arrangement. — 
 Eeg. L 64. 
 
 October 1, 1689. — It was decreed by an Act of Chapter that 7«. he paid to the Fabric fund for the 
 use of the Great BeU at all funerals. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 This professes to be the Account of Edward Prowse Eschaetor of the Cathedral Church 
 of Wells from the Feast of 8. Michael the Archangel 1524 to the same Feast 1525. 
 
 Arrears : £41 2s. lOd. Receipts of the oblacions cum Mortuariis : From oblations 
 in nundinis SS. Kalixti et Andree this year nothing ; 4s. id. de pixide S. Andree . 
 9d received in die parasceves ; and nothing on Easter Day ; 22cZ. in die sepulturse M. W. 
 Cosyn Decretorum Doctoris Dec. Well: 23 in die tricennali ; 40s. pro Mortuaris ejusdem ; 
 100s. for the Mortuary of Mr. John Moyn Archdeacon of Taunton ; 5d on the day of his 
 burial; \\d. in tricennali ejusdem; 2d on the anniversary day Mr. Thomas Lovell; 
 Zd. on the buriall day of Thomas Gierke. Sum total £7 lis. Receptiones novi pro- 
 ventus, 12c?. received for one Cottage. Sum 7«. Sd. 
 
 Receipts of Obits quarterly at Michaelmas, £15 15s. M. ; at Christmas, £19 12s. M. ; 
 Lady Day, £18 4s. U.; S. John Baptist's day, £23. Sum total, £76 12s. M. 
 
 Receipts of Increase of Rent (Increment' Red'), 61s. 4:d. received from increase of 
 divers Houses. 
 
 Receipts of vacant prebends : £4 from Wedmore 5, vacant by death of W. Harynton 
 Doctor of Decrees; 106s. M. from Cumba 13, vacant by death; £4 from Taunton; 
 £11 lOs. from Ilton; £9 5s. from Wormester; 106s. M. from Cumba 4; £40 from 
 Wedmore, vacant by death of Mr. William Cosyn, Dean; £26 13s. M. from Milverton, 
 vacant by death of Mr. John Mayn, Archdeacon of Taunton. Sum total, £106 20c?. 
 Sum received with Arrears, £234 17s. 2d. ; sums received without Arrears, £153 14s. id. 
 
 Defectus Redit' cum decrement' : Et in decrement' redit. domoru' Galfridi Huckerston, 
 4s., &c., £4 3s. 2d. 
 
 Distributions of Oblations : Pence distributed between the 7 Yicars taking part in 
 Matin Mass on S. KaHxtus day, 14(j?., to each 2d.; Choristers, 2d.; Sacrist, \d.; Keeper 
 of Reliques, 4:d. ; the same on S. Andrew's day ; the same for the Vicars and Choristers 
 only on S. Katherine's Day at her altar ; and again at same altar on Lady Day. Sum 
 total, 6s. 2d. 
 
 Dist/rihutions of Vacant Prebends with Mortua/ries : received from Wedmore 5, £4 ; 
 from that of two parts 49s. ?>d. has to be divided amongst 36 persons, of whom each 
 receives \Q\d., leaving 2d.; And to the Head for his share, 24s. lOc^. ; and to the King for 
 his 5th part of a 3rd, 5s. 4c?. So of Cumba 13 : 106s. 8«?., where 6s. 4<i. was to be 
 divided amongst 60 persons, each of whom receiving 22<^., leaving 4d ; To the Dead 
 33s. 2c?.; ye King, 7s. 2c?. Of Taunton, £4, same as Wedmore 5, Of Ilton, £11 10s., 
 where Ills. 7c?. was to be divided amongst 37 persons, each receiving 3s., leaving 7c?.; for 
 the dead, 67s. 4cZ.; for the Vicar of his Stall, 26s. Sd., and the King, 19s. 4c?. Expenses 
 of this Account, 16s. 8c?. Of Wormister, £9 5s., where 112s. 8c?. went amongst 36 
 persons, each receiving 3s. \\d., leaving 2c?.; To the dead, 56s. 4c?.; and the King, 16s. 
 Of Cumba 4., 106s. 8c?. to be divided amongst 34 persons, each of whom received 23d., 
 leaving 14c?.; To the dead, 33s. 2c?.; and the King, 7s. 2o?. Of Wedmore 1, £40 to be 
 divided amongst 34 persons, each of whom received 23s. 6c?., leaving 12c?. , Of Milverton 1, 
 £26 13s. 4c?. amongst 24 persons, each receiving 15s. 8c?., leaving 8c?. ; And 40s. mor- 
 tuary of Mr. William Cosin, to be divided amongst 33 persons, each of whom received 
 13Jc?., leaving \\d.; And 100s. for the mortuary of Mr. John Moyne, to be divided 
 amongst 32 persons, each receiving 3s. Ic?., leaving 16c?. Sum total, £112 17s. 2^c?. 
 
 Distributions of the Obits: Michaelmas quarter. In Exequiis ad Dirige, 19s. 
 amongst 36 persons; each 6c?. Ad Missam, 20s. between 40 persons; each 6c?. In 
 Exequiis HeUse Sellard, Rogeri Storey, et Ricardi Bampfeld ad dirige, amongst 39 persons 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 9s. Qd., being ^d. to each person. At mass, 6s., and Qd. amongst same number; 2d. each. 
 In Exeq. W. Cokeham et J. Axbrige ad dirige 13s. id. amongst 40 persons; id. each. At 
 mass, 16s. 3d amongst 39 persons; each 5d. In Exeq. Robert! Burnell, Ficholai Selborn, 
 Alicise Bowch, Hen. Bath, Hen. Bratton, ad dirige 33s. id. amongst 40 persons; each lOd 
 At mass, between 41 persons, 34s. 2d.; each lOd In Exeq. Nicholai Bubwith et J. 
 Roper, Ad dirige 14s. 8d between 44 persons ; id. each. At mass, lis. between the same 
 number; 3d each. In Exeq. Jocelini Episoopi, Ad dirige 17s. id between 41 persons; 
 each 5d At mass, 17s. Id between the same; each 5d. In Exeq. \Villia,m Button 
 Episcopi, Thomas Bakyng, and "William Bowch, Ad dirige 20s. 6d between 41 persons ; 
 each 6d At mass, 16s. 8d between 40 persons; each 5d. In Exeq. Walteri de 
 S'o- Quintino, Walteri Hull, et Geolfrid Ferris, Ad dirige 17s. Id between 41 persons; 
 each 5d , At mass, between 40, 13s. id.; each 4d In Exeq. Walteri Hazelshaw Epis- 
 copi, Ad dirige 14s. between 42 persons ; each 4c?. At mass, 14s. between the same 
 number ; each id. 
 
 And for one procession made on the Yigil of the Conception of the Blessed Mary the 
 "Virgin for the soul of Nicholas Pontesbury, 38. 3d between 39 persons ; each Id To the 
 Altar priest Id, Chorister \d., and Bishop of Boys Id Sum total, £15 lis. 3d. 
 
 The other quarters sharing the same particulars, the sums only are given : — Obit Dis- 
 tributions of the Christmas quarter, £17 2s. 5d; Lady Day, £17 3s. 4d ; S. John 
 Baptist's, £20 6s. ll^d Expensse Neeessarise, 47s.; Reparaciones Domorum, 54s. lO^d; 
 Sum total of all Allowances and Expenses, £192 12s. 8 Jd ; Et debet, £42 4s. dd.; out 
 of which there is allotted to him for divers other payments as appears by bill, 25s. id. ; Et 
 debet, £40 19s. 2d And afterwards it is burdened with 66s. 8d for the Obit of Nicholas 
 Bubwith and Elizabeth Fitzwarren : hoc anno prins non oneratur. Et sic debet, 
 £44 5s. lOd ; Unde allocatur Eidem sub titulo siiper, £42 2s. 5d. ; Et sic debet distribuend' 
 43s. 5d Hence there was to be distributed between 37 et dimid' persons, 42s. 3d, 
 to each \i\d., leaving 14d qui pardonavit Eidem Et sic recessit Quietus. 
 
 In older Accompts of this Eschaetor As in Anno 1424 and in 1480 I find in these 
 quarterly Distributions That whatsoever the Summ was in the Dividend to every 
 Individuall, the same was given to the Altar, and also ainoung the Choristers. 
 
 Great alterations shortly took place. In 28th year of Henry the 8th the profits of 
 all vacant prebends were taken away by Act of Parliament, which ordered, That Rents, 
 fruits and profits of every Prebend or any other spiritual promotion, rising during the 
 time of their "Vacancies shall belong and Come to such person, as shall next therein 
 succeed towards Repayment of his first fruits. 
 
 And in the first year of Edwai-d the 6th All obits and Anniversaries were given to 
 the King from every Cathedral Church and in this church, as has been before said, the 
 sum of £48 Is. 4d was seised by the King's officers in right of the Croune, who received 
 them of the Eschaetor till 1570. 
 
 We find, says Chyle, that when these were taken away (from an account of the 
 Eschaetor in 1569) there only remained to be received by the Eschaetor £68 from certain 
 Rents and Pensions, and that when the King's dues for obits, &c., were paid, only 
 £13 13s. 2d was divided amongst 36 persons, each receiving 7s. 7d, leaving 2d 
 
 In 1570, the Chapter ordered that the aforesaid sum, payable to the King, and 12s. 8d 
 for charges to the King's Receiver, should be transferred to the Commoner's Account (who 
 was then not one of the Vicars as formerly, but one of the Chapter), to be received by him 
 and paid to the King, and the remainder of the £68, that is 19s. &d., alone should go to 
 
cxii PREFACE. 
 
 the Esehaetor, and at the end of the year with Improvements such as increase of Rents, 
 or by fines upon granting new leases, it should be divided equally among the Canons, 
 Yicars and Choristers, which method, I suppose (says Chyle), continues soe to this day or 
 ought to doe. 
 
 These two Acts of Parliament for taking away of the Vacant Prebends, Chanteries 
 and Obits has been the Greatest loss to the Vicars (the Canons suffering nothing by 
 takeing away of Chanteries, they having the Land still, and what then they paid to the 
 Priest Vicars they now pay to the King or the Lord Hawlie) and Consequently to the 
 Church Service for it cannot be expected that men of , eminence in musick and per- 
 formances can be had, where there is but small allowance and less Encouragement. 
 
 Hitherto have we discours'd of what belonged to the Vicars by way of Salary and 
 Custom. The history of the benefactions which they enjoyed from the date of their 
 Incorporation is as follows. 
 
 After the Bishop Ealph had pickt them up from straggling here and there about the 
 City and fixt them in a certains place He then obleiged them to lead a Regular Life 
 according to such Statutes and Injunctions as he had provided for them. Accordingly he 
 settled on them the Manours of Wellisleigh, Hethorn, and Penns, which they have ever 
 since in honour I suppose and in remembrance of Theire Pounder's Benefaction Audited 
 distinct in a Roll by itselfe from the reste of theire Revenues. He settled on them also 
 an annual pension of £6 13s. id., to be paid by the Vicar of Chew Magna, and conferred 
 on them a rent charge of £10 per annum out of his Manor of Congersbury and Wookey 
 to be paid by himself and Successors for ever. These were confirmed by Edward III., 
 220- E: 3, pat. par: 3, m 16, 26o- E: 3, pat. par: 2: 6. 
 
 Several following the pious example of this good Bishop endowed the Vicars with some 
 further maintenance and Revenue, and likewise became Benefactors to the New Foundation. 
 
 John Becking gave to the Dean and Chapter Two Messuages and 3 Tofts in Wells 
 pro sustentatione Vicariorum ibidem, 8 H: 4 pat. par: 2: m 20. 
 
 They received also in settlement divers lands and tenements in Mertock to the same 
 intent for the purpose of their celebrating divine Service before the Image of Holy Cross. 
 Before this also a portion of Tithes had been granted out of the Church of Meriott with 
 one acre of land by Bishop Harewell pro Vicariis et ChorisHs, 1 H: 5, pat. par: 5: m 8, 
 1 R: 2. pat. par: 5: m 19. 
 
 Bishop Beckington gave 30s. yearely to the Vicars towards the augmentation of their 
 commons, and Dean Gunthorp 10s. out of the manor of Alverton to be paid to the 
 Chapter's Communar. All Benefactions were read in an old Table publicly on theii' gaudy 
 days and festivalls. 
 
 The distinct account of Wellislegh, Hethorne and Penns above mentioned are here 
 noticed only as to their stiles and summs. 
 
 It professes to be the Account of Andrew Thome, Receiver or Supervisor of the 
 above Manors from Michaelmas 27th year of Henry 8th to same feast 28th year of his 
 reign. Tempore Dominorum Johannis Smith et- Thome Moore principalium pro uno 
 Anno integro. 
 
 Wellisligh arrears nil ; Assise rents de Antique Astro, 39s. id. 
 
 Rent of Overland, 51s. Sd. ; Exitus pratorum, 26s. 2d. ; Court perquisites cum ceteris 
 casualibus, 9s. ; Decrement' Redit', 4s. 8^d. 
 
 Resolut' Redit' cum feodis : To the prebendary of Dultingcote for head rent of the 
 Manor of Wellisleigh, 14^c^. ; to the Dean and Chapter to the Canon's Grange for 3 
 
PREFACE. cxiii 
 
 measures of wheat at 16d a measure, 4s. ; to Mr. W. Vowell Senescall pro feodo suo, 
 lis. M. ; for fee of the said Accountant causa officii sui, 6s. M. ; paid to heirs of Will. 
 Saye deceased for head rent, 2s. 8d. Sum total, 26«. lO^d Necessary Expenses this 
 year, 75s. lOc^. Sum total of all Allowances and Expenses, 107s. 5d. Et debet, 18s. 9d. 
 
 Fennes : Arrears, £5 ; Assise Eents, £7 7s. ; Court perquisites, nil. Sum total, 
 £12 7s. 
 
 Eent Eeturned and paid to the Lord (Domino de Martock) of Martock for head rent, 
 Id; to the same pro sect' Cur' ibidem relaxand' annuatim, \2d.; Et solut' Vice comiti 
 Somerset, ad cur' de Hamden annuatim, M.; In Senescall's fees, 20d, and Bailiff's, 4s. id. 
 Sum total, 6s. Id. 
 
 Necessary expenses. Is. 8c?.; Sum of Allocations, 8s. 3d; Et debet, £11 18s. 9d ; 
 Eethome Arrears, null ; Rent Assise, 56s. 4tZ.; Court perquisites, null. 
 
 Rent returned (Reddif Resolut') and paid to the Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells for 
 Head Rent of the Manor annually, 6s. 8d. ; Paid to the Bailiff of Kingsbury Hundred pro 
 sect' Cur' ibidem relaxand' annuatim, \M. Sum total, 7s. 8d Summa AUocat*- 7s. 8d; 
 Et debet, 48s. 8d. 
 
 Et onerat' de 18s. 9d recept' de Exit' Maner' de Wellisleigh hoc anno; Et de 
 £11 18s. M. de Exit' Maner' de Fennes hoc Anno; Et debet, £15 6s. 2d. 
 
 Quae Onerant' in capit' magni Comput' Receptoris Anni presentis. Et sic reoessit 
 Quietus. 
 
 At the end of this account, of which the particulars have in some cases been trans- 
 lated, but are in others left as in the original, as possibly offering some point of interest or 
 dispute. Chyle says : Now follows the Receiver's Acpompt which is called the greate 
 Accompte, and includes their whole Revenues which I cannot soe well abreviate, because 
 by severall particulars therein we have a discovery not ouly of theire Revenues, but of the 
 whole manage of theire Affaires. 
 
 This Account which is headed Novus Clausus Vicariorum Wellen was rendered by 
 Andrew Thome the duly constituted Deputy of Richard Board the Receptor from 
 Michaelmas anno 27° Henry 8 to 29fl as aforesaid : 
 
 The Arrears of the last Account amounted to £65 3s. lOd, and the Proventus of 
 Wellesligh Hethorne and Fennes to £15 6s. 2d. 
 
 The next Item is headed Reddit Assis : de pullis. Worth et WelHs : £10 was received 
 de reddit' de pullis in Congersbury and Worth in Wokey, paid yearly the Receiver of the 
 Bishop of Bath and Wells ; 53s. id. de reddit' de Chamberlaine's ham ; 24s. &d. de 
 Nicholai pontisbury in Southover ; 1 2s. 8d de Willi Mudfovd ibidem ; 6s. 8d. for one pond 
 in Forlane ; 9s. for rent of two cottages in Forlane de tenura prioris et Conventus Sancti 
 Johannis Baptiste Wellen pro excarabio unius Cottagii in Southover for term of 99 years, 
 this being the 18th of 26s. \0d. de reddit' Moverslame; 4s. rent of Nicholas Matervers 
 Byest Wallis. Sum total, £16 17s. 
 
 Proventus de Kyngston, Chedder and Newton placie were severally £14 10s., £10 4s.,* 
 and £12 7s. \d. : to this is added 44s. Id. rent of Huddoxarse in the parish of West 
 pennard; 50s. for Radclyffe medef; 63s. id. for 3 close of pasture juxta Were called 
 Almersham ; 5s. for one close ex dono Domini Andree Grantham. Sum total, £45 9s. 10c?. 
 
 • De Chedder solut' per preposilnm. 
 
 t Per oomminarium per arbitrium Magistrorum Jacobi Gilbert et Walter! Cielyng fact' nobis ad 
 terminum xcix. annorum concess: hoc anno lxvii. in die S" Edmundi Episoopi. 
 
 9 
 
cxiv PREFACE. 
 
 Dona at perquisita came to £4 16s. 8d, including 13s. id. for the entry (pro 
 ingressu) of John Hill ; the same amount for that of Roger Sowton, George Ward, John 
 Ap powell, Eoger Hillari ; and 30s. received on S. Matthew's Day de pecuniis Bekyngton 
 pro communia Vicariorum ut consuetum fuit. 
 
 Redit' Johannis Hewishe reach the sum of £9 7s. 2d. : that is, 106s. 8d. rent of New 
 Hospice in the High Street juxta Horslane called the Christopher; 13s. id. pro quinque 
 novis Shamells opposite the New Hospice; lis. lOd. for 3 other Shamells; 6s. 8d. for one 
 Croft in Southover; 2s. for head rent of one tenement in Chamberlaine Streete now 
 belonging to the heir of William Say Mil lately defunct ; 6s. 8d. for one tenement super 
 le Millpole ; 6s. 8d. for one tenement in Grope Lane ; 6s. 8d. for another at same place ; 
 5s. for another ditto ; 4s. for a Cottage at same place ; 2s. 8d. for rent of another Cottage 
 there; and 10s. for a tenement apud magnum Ostium in Grope lane; 5s. for another 
 Cottage there. 
 
 Reditus Johannis Waren amounting to 66s. id. comprised the following payments : 
 13s. id. for one tenement By est Wallis; 10s. rent of John Kyngsbury By est Wallis; 
 I2d. for a tenement juxta Millane; 5s. for a tenement By est Wallis; 9s. for another; 
 6s. for a Cottage in Southover; 8s. for tenement in Chamberlaine Streete; 13s. id. for 
 tenement by Est Wallis. 
 
 Novus ReditiLS is as follows: 19s. for five difierent Stables in la Mountroy; 8s. Qd. 
 for eight houses and a half vacant in the Close, for each lid.; 6«. 8d. for one chamber in 
 la Mountroy, called the prists' house ; 8d. for one garden in the same ; 3s. id. for another 
 garden juxta Collegium; 8s. for one tenement in Tucker St.; 6s. 8d: for one Burgage 
 apud Were, the gift of John Combe ; 15s. for land and meadow in campis de Horringden 
 et By est Walls, given by the Venerable Father Thomas Cornysh nuper Tenensis Episcopus 
 Ad augmentaoionem Missse Johannis Warren Novo Clauso Wellen concess : ad terminum 
 octoginta annorum hoe anno XLViii. ; 10s. from the Manor of Alverton ex dono Johannis 
 Gunthropp nuper Decani Wellen, solnt' per Comminarium dicte Ecclesie; et de \Qd. 
 recept' de Oollectore communis redditus Wellise, ut pro uno angulo unius bartonis in 
 Grope lane; \id. rent of John Campe ex dono Domini Kicardi pomroy pro sufFragiis in 
 de assignatis ut patet ; 24s. id. received from John Campe for a certain Close given by 
 John Orchard ; 6s. 8d. for another Close given by the same ; 2s. for one acre of meadow 
 land juxta le Horsepoole given by the same. Sum total, £6 13s. 10c?. Incrementum 
 Redditus, 31s. 9d Sum total of all Receipts except Arrears, £103 8s. IQd.; with 
 Arrears, £168 12s. 8d. 
 
 Resolucio Redditus: to the Bishop of Bath and Wells for head rent of tenement 
 of Nicholas pontisbury in Southover, yearly 3s. ; to the same for tenement of W. Mudford, 
 yearly 6d; to the Master of the House of S. John the Baptist for head rent of the 
 houses of Nicholas Pontsbury, 2s. 6d.; to the Eschaetor of the Cathedral for the pro- 
 cession on the Yigil of the Conception B.V. M. for the soul of the said Nicholas, yearly 
 5s.; to the same Eschaetor for one garden in Monteaureo, 12<^.; paid also for the mass 
 called Willisligh. Mass for 52 weeks, for each week 7d,, in all 30s. id.; for wax for the 
 same, I6d.; to the Eschaetor of the Church for the obit of Stephen pympell and Richard 
 Tregregior on the vigil of the Purification B. Y. M. de proventibus de Moner's Lane 
 yearly 13s. id.; and for the mass of Nicholas Calton for 52 weeks, at lid. a week, in all 
 60s. 8d.; and for wax at same, 16d.; paid to the Bailif of Glaston or Warden of Pennard 
 for certain lands at Huddoxarse, yearly 8d. ; and to the Cominar of the Church in the 
 name of the Abbot of Mochelney for Louses and gardens in la Mountroy, yearly 3s. id. ; 
 
PREFA CE. cxv 
 
 to the Principals of the New Vicars' Close pro supervisione cartse et ordinacionum Magistri 
 Hugonis Sugar on S. Matthew's Day in the Common Hall of the Vicars openly and 
 publicly read, 8c?., and for wine amongst those then and there present, \.2d.; paid to 
 stipend of Accountant (in stipendio Oomputantis) for levying rent in la Mountroy, 8d ; 
 and to the Prior of S. John Baptist's Wells for rent of two Cottages in Torr lane, yearly 
 12d; to John Russell Receiver on S. Matthew's day for the Vicars' commons as was 
 usual, 30s. ; and for rent of land which we have and hold (habemus) of the gift of John 
 Orchard, 8s. ; paid to Mr. John Pawlet for rent of some lands, 2s. ; and to the Prior of 
 S. John Baptist's for same, 3s. ; and to same Prior for rent of house given by Richard 
 Pomray, 4s. 8(f. ; and to the Snccentor of the Cathedral for head rent of one tenement by 
 Est Wallis, &d.; and to Robert Cosyn for head rent of one close the gift of John 
 Orchard, 2s. Total, £8 16s. M. 
 
 Expensse necesaarise is the next heading of this Account, of which we give all that is 
 of interest. 
 
 For 12 different candles bought for the Common Hall this year, 10s.; paid pro 
 purgacione gurgit' near the kitchen, 2s.; et in regard' dat' per preposit' de Newton 
 placie, M.; to Thomas Horn last Receiver for 6 ciphis by hioi bought, M.; and for 
 seven covers for the Common Hall, 2\d.; to the Expenses of the principal riding to 
 Newtonplacie, 3s. \0d.; and again, 3s. \0d.; Et in regard' dat' Agnes Carver ex mandate 
 prinoipium et seniorum, 5s. ; Et pro uno modio recant' privarum, 3s. 5d. ; et pro una 
 Aparva in Christmas week, \M.; Et pro ynot seeds et like seeds, 9^rf. ; Et in regard' dat 
 servient! Magistro Thomse et Doctoris Fitzjames portant Fernia', \2d.; et pro fumacione 
 ejusdem fernise, IZd.; et pro in. duodenis de la Crostis, 3s. 4i.; and for bringing in wood 
 and brushwood (ligni et boxi), 22d ; and for 4 lbs. of borde and hatch naylea, 1 M. ; et pro 
 le Kechin clothes this year, 20c^. ; and for four and a half measures (lagenis) of oil, 6s. ; and 
 for lighting the Lamp infra Claustra, IM.; and for wax candles burning in the Common 
 Hall on the Vigil of All Saints, lid.; in payment to Thomas Clerk Bishop's Receiver pro 
 bona solutione, 10s. 4(i. ; Et pro acquietancia pro eadem pecunia, M.; for expenses of 
 Hugh Veysie and John Smith riding to Chew on business of the House, 20d; et pro xv. 
 virgis Dowliss pro ii. Albis in Ecclesia, and for making said Albs, 9d ; ?,nd for the Towels 
 napkins de una alba trita, 4d; and for washing the Vestments in the Church for the 
 whole year, 3s. &d. ; et pro Exequiis Ricardi Pomray, 5s. ; and for the refreshment of the 
 Vicars in the Common Hall for the same, 3s. 4c?. ; and to the Choristers of the Church for 
 one Antiphon sung on the Feast of the Exaltacion of Holy Cross for the soul of the said 
 Richard Pomray, 3s. id.; and refreshment to Vicars for same in Hall, 3s. U.; and on the 
 obit of Bishop Beckyngton, lid.; and for wax for the obit of Bishop Ralph of Shrews- 
 bury, M.; et pro conduccione unius equi apud Chedder, id. ; and for leading one horse to 
 London (the same expression used), 5s.; paid to Hugh Veisie 10s. 2d., and to Richard 
 Bramston £4 3s. l\d., for their expenses in London on the business of the House. ^ Sum 
 total, £9 6s. 
 
 Repairs, £5 12s. Id ut particulariter patet in Libro dicto, &c. 
 
 Wells defect' Reddit', 75s. Id Warren defect', £4 Is. M. 
 
 Stipendia Famulorum: the Accountant, 6s. 8d; W. Vowell, Senescall, his fee, 
 lis. 8d; Nicholas Moore, loco, 26s. 8d.; to the same pro toga sua, 10s.; to Rob. Mundy, 
 Cook, 20s.; Et solut' in liberatura pro dicto Roberto, 8s.; the Subreceptor's stipend, 12d. ; 
 Et in'stipendio Lotricis Communis Aulse annuatim, 8s. 8d. ; washing 2 dozen napkins, 16d 
 gum total, £4 17s. id. 
 
cxvi PREFA CE. 
 
 Expens; de Kitigston cum aliis : Repairs, lis. id.; annual obit of W. Cokeham, 25s. ; 
 in pane pauperum pro eodem, 13s. 2d; to twenty poor in grabat' jacent', 6s.; to the 
 Cominar for his trouble, 9d ; the Eschaetor, id. ; the Sacrist, 8c?. ; the Mass called Oock- 
 hain Mass for 52 weeks at \2id. per week, 52s.; wax for same, IGd ; for a procession 
 made on the Vigil of the Assumption B. V. M. pro anima Willielmi Odcomb, 5s. ; his 
 obit, 10s.; poor bread, 10s.; 20 poor in Grabat' jacent', 5s.; the Cominar for his trouble, 
 9d ; Eschaetor, id. ; Sacrist, 8c?. ; for the Mass called peling Mass for soul of William 
 Odcomb for 52 weeks for 12c?. a week, whole 52s.; wax 16d; the Cominar for Kingston 
 pension, 4s. ; paid to the Bishop of Bath and Wells pro Indemnitate Ecclesise de Kingston, 
 2s.; to Mr. John Dibble Chaplain of the House of Mercy in the City of Wells celebrating 
 for the soul of William Gaston yearly, £4 13s. id.; for his obit on Vigil of SS. Simon 
 and Jude, 4s. 8c^. ; to the Cominar of the Church in the name of the Dean and Chapter of 
 certaia lands of the said W. Gaston for 52 weeks at M. a week, sum total 13s.; for John 
 podwell's obit held on August 6, 28s. id. ; to the two principals for supporting the keeping 
 of the said obit, 6s. Sd.; refreshment of the Vicars in the Common Hall, 3s. id.; stipend 
 of Collector of Bydisham rent, 20c?.; John podwell's mass for 52 weeks at 13c?. a week, 
 56s. 4c?.; wax for same, \%d. Sum, .£22 5s. 4c?. 
 
 Resolut: Reddit: cum Eaepens: J. Hewysh : for head rent of 4 Shamells in Eoro 
 Mercat' Wellise to the Bishop, 12c?.; to same for head rent of New Hospice called the 
 Christopher in the High Street, 13c?. ; to same for Croft in Southover ; these are a variety 
 of payments, amounting to £6 16s. 3c?. 
 
 In denariis solut' Senescallis communis Anise Vicariorum in mensa eornndem pro 
 Comunia eorum infra tempus Comput' ut patet particulariter in Libro diet' Computant' 
 prima solut' inoipien' primo die mensis Octobris primo termino : In primis 1 Oct. inter 9 
 Cominario, 6s.; 8 Oct. later 12 Cominario, 8s.; 15 Oct. inter 11 Cominario, 7s. id.; 22 
 Oct. inter 11 Cominario, 7s. 4c?.; 29 Oct. inter 11 Cominario, 7s. id.; 6 November, 13 
 Cominario, 8s. %d.; 13 November, 10 et dimid' Colar', 7s.; 20 November, 10 et dimid' 
 Coiar', 7s.; 27 November, 10 et dimid' Coiar', 7s.; 3 December, 13 et dimid' Colar', 
 8s. 8c?.; 10 December, 14 et dimid' Coiar', 9s. 4c?.; 17 December, 11 et dimid' Coiar', 
 7s. 4c?.; 24 December, 9 et dimid', 6s. 4c?. Sum total, £4 17s. id. 
 
 Pence paid pro Cocis of the Common Hall for the aforesaid time in Common, each Id. 
 a week, in all 16s. 2rf.; ditto ut patet per librum, 3s. 2\d.; pence paid pro Excess' fact' in 
 Communia omnium Vicariorum La Communi Aula in Festis duplicibus per totum tempus 
 supradictum ut patet, <ic., 13s. 9c?. Sum total, 32s. \\d. 
 
 In denariis consimilibus paid to the Senescalls of the Common Hall in secundo 
 termino : In primis, 1 Jan., 108s. 8c?.; pro Cocis, 26s. 9Jc?. ; in tertio termino — ultimo die 
 Marcii, 115s.; pro Cocis, 47s. 2|c?.; in quarto termino — ultimo die Junii, £6; solut' pro 
 Cocis, 39s. l^c?. 
 
 Sum total of all Allowances and Expenses, £95 3s. 6|c?. ; Et debet, £73 9s. \\d. 
 
 Postea onerat' de 4c?. received of the Prior of S. John the Baptist of Wells for one 
 capon ut pro redit' Nicholai Pontisbury in Southover; I4s. Ic^. received pro te<'ulis et le 
 Lachis de stauro vendit' hoc anno ; 31s. 10c?. received of John Haidman pro meremio 
 vendit' de stauro hoc anno ; Et debet, £76 15s. 3d 
 
 A number of other small divers accounts here follow, of which we give particularly 
 
 only those which are most of interest; amongst which we find that 6s. 8d was allowed 
 
 (pro prandio) for the Auditors' breakfast and others there present, and 8s. to eight auditors 
 
 or their labour and time ; 3s. 4d to Robert Beckham for the same ; £7 5s. Id to Thomas 
 
PREFACE. cxvii 
 
 Clerk, Collector of the King's Tithes; Et Ei (that is, I suppose, Eschaetori), 12s. nimis 
 superius oneratur in exit' maner' pro heriot' XJx' Johannis pounsod, because the said 
 pence were paid into the hands of Thomas Haw, the Eeceiver of the year preceding, 
 from whom they are due to the present Accountant ; 3s. id. for writing divers charters at 
 the command of the principals and seniors ; 6s. 9>d. paid to John Jefferies, late Vicar of 
 the New Close, at the command of the Principals, for certain repairs to his Chamber made 
 this year. Eo quod ante perpetuitatem suam recessit. Sum of Allowances, £9 8s. 3d ; 
 Et sic debet, £66 7s. 
 
 Other sums over and above ordinary payments included £15 12s. from John Rodney, 
 his rent pro Drecote aretro for 48 years ; £22 for a tenement By Est Wallis at 10s. a year 
 for 44 years ; another in Huddock's arse at pennard for 37 years at 6d a year, 19s. ; and 
 sums of lis. M. and £4 17s. Id. respectively from Nicholas Bartlet, and Thomas Haw j 
 in all £44 Os. M. 
 
 Ipsum Computantem hoc Anno, £22 6s. \Qd. Quos solvit et recessit Quietus. 
 
 As to those Tables wherein theire Benefactors are Registered and Commemorated 
 They have not had that due Preservacion as they ought so as to be defended from those 
 grand and curious Enemies to all Records and Antiquitie, Dust and Time. And therefore 
 can here only give what therein is legible and intelligible, much being decaied and quite 
 wome out. 
 
 The following account of their Benefactors has been already printed by Mr. James T. 
 Irvine, from Chyle's MS. History of the Cathedral. 
 
 " Hie continentur Nomina Vivorum ac Defmictorum Qui diversa Bona contulerunt 
 Vicariis EccVim OatKis Wellen Novum, Opus Wellice itihabiiantibus, pro Quib' 
 Cotidie in Auld Com'uri Vicar' post singulas Refectiones Orat' nominatim & pro 
 Face <& Statu Eccl'ice. 
 
 Reg, Regina, Principes Eorum Liberi, & Omnes Gubernatores Regni. 
 
 Henricus- Dei Gra' Wellen' Ep'us qui licenciavit mortificare Novum Edificium'' juxta 
 Horse Lane cum suis p'tinentibus. 
 
 Thos. Stanley* decanus, qui suis magnis Expensis & Laboribus dictum Edificium 
 mortificavit, & plura Bona intendit. 
 
 Mag'r Radulphus Ergum,^ precentor qui dedit 60s. ad diet' Edificium ac etiam 6s. 8d. 
 pro anima Joh'is Lutterell Milit', & multa alia Bona, ut in Esculentis & poculentis ; & 
 plura intendit. 
 
 Mag'r Thos. Arundell' Archiep'us Cant', Qui dedit unum Ciphum argenteum 
 pulcherim' cum cooperculo, pretii £20, ac Etiam 10 marc' pro vino. 
 
 D's Walterus Hungerford dedit 66s. 5d. pro 
 
 D's Joh'es Bovington, que sua procuratione Mag'r Rob'tus Stonere (1381) legavit 
 Vicariis Centum Libras, & multa alia Bona fecit 
 
 D's Thos. Madynley,' qui dedit 33s. id. & plura intendit. 
 
 Mag'r Joh'es Orum'^ qui dedit 6s. 8d. & plura intendit. 
 
 D's Henricus Merschton Canonicus qui dedit 6s. 8d & plura intendit. 
 
 D's Joh'es Aschwyke, qui dedit 6 Bar' Frument' & plura intendit. 
 
 M'r Radulphus Canum,* qui dedit 6s. 8d. 
 
 1 Bp. Bowett. " Died 1409. ' 1471-1438. 
 
 2 The inn called " The Christopher." " Archdeaeonof Taunton, 1373. » About 1419-1433. 
 
 3 Sat 1403-1409. ' Temp. 1393-1405, etc. 
 
cxviii PREFACE. 
 
 D's Will'us Lovering, qui fieri fecit 4 Columnas Yitreas de novo in AulS, Oommuni. 
 
 M'r Joh'es Batler Canonicus qui morfcificari fecit Locum Novoru' Sccabellorum 
 propriis suis Expensis, & plura intendit. 
 
 M'r Eic'us Bruton^ qui dedit pro Statu suo & Animabus Nich'i Frere & Cicilise 
 Uxoria ejus Parentum dicti Ric'i, Unam Peciam Argenteam coopertam, & Unam Magnam 
 Mazaream Argent' Deauratam. 
 
 Joh'es Tretiiek & Joanna Uxor ejus fecerunt Unam Fenestram Vitream in Capella 
 nostra. 
 
 Joh'es CoUys & Agnes Uxor ejus dederunt Unum Psalterium pro Anima Thomsp, 
 Filii eorundem, ad Capellam Yicariorum. 
 
 Eadulphus Bathon & Wellen' Ep'us, qui Locum Novi Operis p'dict' impetravit suisq' 
 sumptibus construxit & super edificavit ; ipsumq' Locu' sic constructum eisdem Vicariis 
 ad perpetuam ipsorum cohabitationem libere dedit ; & banc suam Donationem Cartis 
 Regiis & aliis munimentis suis in perpetuum confirmavit. Idem insuper Venerabilis 
 Eadulphus Ep'us Annuum Redditum x" Librar' p'dict' Vicariis benigne providit, & in 
 perpetuam Eleemosinam contulit & appropriavit. Idem & Expensis, ad commun' usum 
 diet' Vicarior' mortifioari fecit & in perpetuum appropriari. Ac etiam Unam Pasturam 
 prope Wedmore vocat' Chamberleynyshamys diet' Vicariis benigne contulit & appropriavit. 
 
 Walterus de Hull^ Arch'nus Bath p'dict' Maner de Wellesligh impetravit, Et dictis 
 Vicar dedit, concessit, & Carta sua in perpetuum confirmavit. Et idem dictus Walterus 
 contulit Vicariis unum bonum Catholicon. 
 
 3Iag'r Thos. Botton, D's Will'us Camell,^ quorum Consilio & Auxilio Kadulphus 
 Ep'us supradict' appropriavit & mortiflcavit Maner de Wellesligh cum pertinentiis. 
 
 D's Will'us Odecumbe, D's Will'us Ookam, Canonici, Qui impetraverunt & appro- 
 priaverunt Eccl'iam de Kingestan ad usum Vicariorum, & multa alia dederunt, ut in 
 Ciphis Argenteis, Cocleariis murreis & aliis Jocalibus. 
 
 M'r Rob'tus Stonere* antediot' qui legavit 103 Libras pro Una Missa Cursali, et 
 Obitu suo tenend' 20 Annos. 
 
 D's Joh'es Wareyn^ Canonicus qui dedit certum Redditum Annual' ad Valorem Is. 
 pro Una Missa Cursali celebrand' in perpetuum. 
 
 D's Nich'us Pontisbury Canonicus, D's Ric'us Brere Vicarius qui dederunt Redditum 
 in Southover. 
 
 Joh'es Gye, qui dedit Reddit' suum in Chamberlaine Street. 
 
 D's Job's Hywisch' Canonicus, Joh'es Knyght de Chewton, qui dederunt Redditum 
 juxta Horse Lane cum certis Scabellis & aliis p'tinentiis ac etiam dictus Joh'es Hywysch 
 contulit Vicariis Unum Mazer' cum diversis Lapidibus Ornat' pulcherrime, cum Cooper- 
 culo Argenteo deaurato. Et dictus Johannes Knyght dedit unam peciam argenteam 
 elevatam. 
 
 D's Walterus Clopton, Miles & Justiciar' D'ni Regis legavit 20 marc' & unam Pipam 
 plenam Sale. 
 
 M'r Rob'tus St. Lo' Canonicus dedit 20s., cujus Executores dederunt 20 marc' <k 
 unam pipam plenam sale ; & habent unam Missam cursalem per tres annos inter Vicarios. 
 Nich'us Crystesham, Matild' ux' ejus, qui dederunt 20 marc'. 
 'D's Joh'es HarewelP Ep'us dedit Unum Murreum pulcherim & 100s. 
 
 1 ChanceUor, 1406. = 13i8, and died IBSC. ^ About 1405. ' About 1405. 
 
 2 About 1343. " About 1381. ^ About 1333. » Died 1386. 
 
PREFACE. ■ cxix 
 
 Thos. Tanner, Burg's qui legavit 40s. & in vita sua multa dedit, ut in Sale, Vacuis 
 Doleis, & aliis. 
 
 Ric'us Hostord Cleric', qui per Executores suos dedit 3s. 4d 
 
 Jot'es Brent, qui per Executores contulit unura pulck'r' Note' coopert', & una ollam 
 luagnam seneam. 
 
 Eob'tus Perlee' Canonious, qui legavit unum Ciphum Argenteum cum cooperculo 
 magni Ponderis. 
 
 D's Joh'es Cholsey Canonicus, cujus Executores dederunt unum Portiphorium non 
 notatum, unum Dorsorium paleatu' de rubeo & blodeo colore, cum duobus Costeriis ejusdem 
 sectse. 
 
 Mag'r Joh'es de Carltoun^ quondam Decanus Wellen', legavit vicariis unum magnum 
 Ciphum de Mazero. Docer unam Ollam .^neam, unam Patellam, unarb. Pelvem. 
 
 M'r Joh'es de Sydenhale' Canonicus legavit Yicariis 60s., unum Ciphum magnum de 
 Mazero, nnam Ollam ^neam magnam, 2 Quart' Frumenti pro remedio animse suse. 
 
 Joh'es Lnmbard^ Canonicus legavit Yicariis unum pulchr' Mazerum, in quo scribitur 
 
 M'r WilVus de Selton Vicar' 3 marc'. 
 
 Joh'es London Canonic'" dedit unam Bibliam. 
 
 Joh'es Lutteltoun Prsecentor WeUen' dedit unam Ollam ^Eneam. 
 
 Joh'es Somford Canon' dedit 3 Ciph' argent' & coopert'. 
 
 Rogerius Wytchurch dedit Yicariis lis. A.d. 
 
 Adam Trewlove, Canon', dedit Yicariis unam Legenda' Auream. 
 
 Walterus Birecomb Canon' contulit 10s. 
 
 Joh'es Hawkece de Bristol dedit Yicariis unum Ciphum Argent', unum Mortar' 
 ^neum, cum pil' ferr' 3 Caneus' pro tabulis 2 Pitchers de Stann' & 1 Pelvem. 
 
 Will'us Codeworth, Yicar', dedit 10s. & unum Ciphum de Mazero. 
 
 Thos. Cooke Prior de Taunton dedit Yicariis 20s. Et Ric'us Barnhurst Yicariis 
 dedit 13s. id. 
 
 Will'us Sutton Mag'r Scholar' dedit Yicariis 20s., M'r Joh'es Carltoun dedit 20s., Et 
 PhUip's Arnald Yicariis contulit 6 Coclear' argent'. Thos. Martell Annuellar' dedit 
 Yicariis IJnam Pelvem. Et Joh'es Mogg Annuellar" dedit 6s. M. 
 
 Philip's Sweynescye de Bristol dedit Yicariis Unam Magnam Ollam continent 23 
 Lagenaa. 
 
 Joh'es Stonere Miles dedit Yicariis 20s. Et Joh'es Teysant Heraldus D'ni Regis, 
 dedit Yicariis 3 Ciphos de Mazer', 2 Mensales pro Aula Cora'uui. 
 
 Rogerus Cambroune Yicar' dedit 13s. id. Ric'us Iford Canon' dedit 2 Marc'. Joh'es 
 Cogger" Yicar' dedit 20s. D's Joh'es Bener Canon' dedit 40s. 
 
 D's WUrus Whyte Canon' dedit 6s. 8£^. D's Joh'es Taunton Yicar' dedit Unam 
 Ciphum vocat' Note, pretii Is. M'r Thos. Zonge dedit Yicariis 20s. 
 
 M'r Joh'es Carltoune Jun'r, Canon', dedit 20s. Mr. Hugo, Pembrugg Canon' dedit 
 
 Yicariis £4. 
 
 Thos. Madefraye dedit Vicariis 5 marc'. Joh'es Spalding dedit unu' Mazer' pretii 1 s. 
 Thos. Kent dedit 20s. per manus Joh'is Tyntenhull. D'na Elisabetha Comitissa Cantse 
 dedit Yicariis 20s. D's Rob'tus Sambuc Canon' qui contulit vicariis 20s. M'r Thos. 
 Sheptoue Canon' dedit Yicariis 20s. D's Edmundus dedit unum Ciphum Mazer'. Henric' 
 
 1 About U05. =" Died 1361. » About 1349. * About 1301. '' About 13i3. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Wyrcester Vicar' fecit Unam Fenestram Vitream in Aula Com'uni. Joh'es Hull Vicar' 
 dedit 4 Ooclear' argent'. Tho' Newman Vicar' & Joanna mater ejus, multa Bona 
 dederunt, & fecer' Fenestr' Vitr' in Aii!a Com'uni, & legavit unum Libra' vocat' Mag'r 
 Historiarum. D's Thos. Mount Canonic' dedit 100 solid'. Simon le Erchefont Vicar' 
 dedit 40a;. pro Una Columna. Joli'es TyntenhuU Vicar dedit iOd. pro Una Columna 
 Vitr' in Aul4 Com'uni, & Unum Ciphum pulchrum & multa alia Bona. 
 
 M'r Thom's Bray Canonic': dedit Unum Ciphum Maz'. Mr. Eic'us Carltown Canon'; 
 dedit Vicar': 2 quarter' Erumenti. Mr. Joh'es Yrissch qui dedit 16s. 8c?. Mr. Tho's 
 Aston, Canon', dedit Vicariis Unam Marcam. Joh's Wileyat Cancellarius Exon' dedit 
 Vicariis 20s. Wiirus Beli Vicar dedit unam Cistam Altari de Wellesley, & per Execu- 
 tores £4 Legalis monetae, & Unam Missam Cursalem p' annum. 
 
 Joli'es Wyke, qui dedit Vicar' 2 Marc' & dimid'. Joh'es Chidiok Miles Sen'r, qui 
 dedit nobis Jns Patronatus Eccl'ise de Kingestan pro 200 marc' sterling'. Joh'es Chidiok 
 Eilius & Hseres diet' Joh'is, qui Jus Patronatus diet' Eccl'ise de Kingestan ratifieavit & 
 confirmavit pro 10 Lib', sibi prse manibus persolut'. Tho's Hoore,^ qui dedit Vicar' 40s. 
 
 Agnes Schether dedit Vicar' 20s. D's Joh'es Bockyng Sen'r Vicar' qui dedit pro 
 remedio Animse suae & Animse M'ri Thomse Bockyng^ olim Canon' Wellen', Parent', 
 Amicor'; & Omnium Benefactor' Eorund' Joh'is & Thomse £63 sterling' in subsidium 
 Edificationis Novi Hospitii n'ri juxta le Horselane. Unde inter Executores dicti Joh'is 
 ex parte una, & principales & consocios concordatum fuit, 2d. singulis Diebus in Missa quse 
 vocat' Wellysly Mass, dicat una Collect' quse incipit Deus cvjus Misericordice non est 
 numerus pro Animabus dictorum Joh'is & Thomse. Et ut hoc firmum & stabile permaneat 
 perpetuis futuris Temporibus, Principales & Societas dederunt in com'uni de reddit' pro- 
 venient' de dicto Novo Hospitio qualibet Septimana in perpetuum, 5 Denar' Uni Vicario 
 diet' Missam celebranti. 
 
 D'r Joh'es Gam'ulle Canon' qui legavit nobis 40s. Mr. Thos. Bingham' qui dedit 
 Vicar' 46s. 8d. et certos Libros Theologise." 
 
 " In these tables there are four pages in vellum, but so eaten out y' the last is quite 
 lost, and many words in the others, which renders the whole very imperfect. However, 
 by what is here pick'd out and deliver'd we may perceive, if we reflect on the Honour and 
 worthiness of their Founder, the Number and quality of their Benefactors, the Vicars 
 Choral of this Church not to have been such pitiful Fellows and inconsiderable persons as 
 some would have them." 
 
 "A true Note of the 30 Stalls, and hovi manie a/ them are full: 
 Nic' Clunn' Sutton, 53s. id.; Humfrie Baylie, Wedmore 1', 53s. id. ; Kichard Mason, 
 Brent, 40s.; Thomas Goold, Comba 7°, 26s. 8d.; Roger Eugg, Litton, 26s. 8d.; John 
 Hewlet, Comba 14", 26s. 8d.; Matthew Jeffries, Comba 10", 26s. 8d.; Kobert Marwood, 
 Comba 11°, 26s. 8d. ; John Clarke, Comba 5", 26s. 8d.; Will' Tanswell, Comba 3% 26s. 8d.; 
 Will' Moore, Comba 2% 26s. 8d; Walter Tayler, Comba 9", 26s. 8d.; John Gibbs, Comba 
 15% 26s. 8d.; Thomas Stove, Harptree, 26s. 8d. = £22l Marked again £22 13s. id. 
 
 Cleeve, 53s. id.; Compton Ep'i, 40s. ; Comba 4", 26s. 8d.; Comba 6", 26s. 8d.; Comba 
 12°, 26s. 8d.; Cudworth, 26s. 8d. ; Dultingcott, 26s. 8d.; Henstridge, 40s.; Ilminster, £4 • 
 S. Decuman's, 40s.; Scamford, 40s.; Wedmore 4", 20s.; Warmister, 40s.; Wiveliscombe 
 40s.; Wormister, (40s.), 20s.; Yatton, 43s. = £29 9s. 8d. Marked again £28 16s. id. 
 
 1 About U33. 2 About 1346. ' About 1401. 
 
PREFACE. cxxi 
 
 Item 22 other stalls not taxed w'th tenths, £25. 
 
 Item the allowance of Parva Co'ia annexed unto the 30 stalls is £45 12s. M. 
 
 Item stipendia vicar', £40 18«. 9|d 
 
 Item more after for p't of mominge prayer, 40s. 
 
 Item cheatrie for 14 at 14s. apeece, £9 16s. 
 
 S'm' total, £211 16s. lljd 
 
 To be allowed for the p'ts of the 30 stalles & Parva Co'ia, £9 12s. 6|d; for the p'ts 
 of the stipend, £7 15s. lOjd; item other small allowances on y« same accompt, about 40s. 
 S'm' £19 8s. M. 
 
 Remayneth to be devided amonge 20 Vicars, £136 8s. 6Jd 
 
 In all these allowances the Vicars are wronged. Also they are wronged in the goidin' 
 of their house, as heerafter appearethe, viz., 
 
 The Chapt'r deteine fro' the Vicares in the 30 stalls, £29 9s. 8c^. 
 
 Item they deteyne of the Parva Co'ia annexed to them about £18 6s. 6i. 
 
 Item they detayne the whole 22 stalls not taxed, £25. 
 
 Item they detaine of the stipends at least £8. 
 
 Besides, they or their p'decessors have lessned the ordinans thereof the some of 
 £3 18rf. Also they have taken fro' them'y^ perquisites of certaine lands in the yree (?) 
 slipes belonging to y« Ladie Chappell w'h alwaies, were let <fc set by the prior of the same 
 untill the second yeare of El Edward the Sixt, who allwaies was a vicar. 
 
 It'm they detaine fro' them in the cheatrie (besides the p'quisites w'h they should 
 y' p'ts of also) about £6. 
 
 Also they have greatly wronged them for maintaining one Richard Marwad against 
 
 them on their com'on purse, who for adultery com'itted & confessed was expelled their 
 
 house, accordinge to their statuts & auncient practice of the same house ; for w'h cause the 
 
 Canons seekinge to infringe their privileges, have caused them to spend above £24 w'thin 
 
 these two yeares, to y®' undoinge for ever, if they may not be relieved by them y' have 
 
 wranged them." 
 
 Escheatry. 
 
 Wrongs susteyned by the Vicars. 
 
 Stalls. 
 
 Inventory of silver belonging to the principals, seniors, and vicars choral of the 
 Cathedral Church of S. Andrew, Wells : 
 
 A chalice (about a quart) inscribed " Ex dono Thomse Clarke clerici S'ti Andreae 
 Wellen' nuper vicarii in usum perpetuum vicariorum Aulse Clausse Wellen' 1672." 
 
 A tankard with cover (about a pint and a half), inscribed " In usum vicariorum 
 choralium Aulse Clausse in libertate S'ti Andrese Wellen'." 
 
 A large "salt" inscribed " Hoc salinum et multa vasa culinaria in usum Aulse Novi 
 Clausi reliquit d'nus henricus duvall Redard vicarius choralis 1677." 
 
 Two round silver bowls marked on bottom. 
 
 Two small "salts" inscribed "Ex dono Jo. Baylie, LL.D., hujus dioceses Canoellarii." 
 
 Two tablespoons inscribed "C. H.' Ex dono H. Winchcombe." 
 
 Two tablespoons inscribed " C. H.^ Donum H. Duvall." 
 
 Two tablespoons inscribed "Ex dono Antonii Walkley vicarii 1691." 
 
 Thus they continued till their new Charter was granted by Queene Elizabeth wherein 
 is Express't a particular of their Revenue, as now granted unto them by the Queene, and 
 is (as I have said) but a Confirmacion of what they had before, There being nothing added 
 
cxxii 
 
 PREIAOE. 
 
 to Them, Nay tis -well nothing was taken from Them. And yet those thankful Vicars at 
 theire owne cost caused then theire Founder's picture to be set up in theire Common Hall, 
 ■with these following Verses to it, honoring her equally with theire other two Greate 
 Benefactors : — 
 
 Quas primus struxit summa pietate Radulphus 
 
 Dispensis nobis hospitioque dedit 
 Aedes, consimili studio pia facta sequtus 
 
 Bekintonus, eas auxit honore bonis. 
 Regali tandem firmavit singula nobis 
 
 Assensu princeps Elizabetha suo. 
 Elizabetha bonis nunquam contraria cseptis 
 
 Aspirans studiis Elizabetha bonis. 
 His nos Ornati donis, Regina, precamur 
 
 Septra tenens Vivas Elizabetha diu. 
 
PREFA CE. cxxili 
 
 BOOK IV. CHAP. I. 
 
 ©i t&e SEors!)tpp anH ©fjjotton in tijts CCljurcfj; Efje ©rtiinale or 
 
 JHanor of aEorsfjipp, inttlj tijeir laftitts anB ffiestureg, 
 
 before tl)e iaeformatton. 
 
 HAVE often said and very true it is that in the Infancie of our Deane arid 
 Chapter, the Church of Sa/rum as to most things, was theire pateme. But 
 this was cheifly as to theire Govemement, and in that too, when they 
 improVd and came to theire Growth, they made Laws and Statutes of theire 
 owne as their severall occasions and place required ; Now in these Service and Devotion, 
 I cannot suppose them to tread soe directly in the stepps of Salesbury, because of its pro- 
 pinquity to Glaston, called the mother Church of this Nation and for Sanctity, at the 
 same time when this Church was founded and made a Cathedrall (Her first Bishopp being 
 Abbott of that place) in greatest esteeme . for although throughout this whole Nation in 
 those dayes, the Doctrine of the Western Church, as to most things was generally received; 
 yet as to Discipline, I mean the Rites and Ceremonies thereoff, many Cathedralls assumed 
 to themselves some proprietie of Difiierence and distinction ; this was the occasion of those 
 several Ordinales, some following the use of York, some of Swrwm, and Lincoln, others of 
 Hereford, and Bamgor, the varietie of whose Rules comonly called the pye was soe diiferent, 
 and intricate that a Strainger to either Church was at first more troubled to find out what 
 was to be read, and performed, than when found out to Execute it. Nor can I doubt, but 
 that our Church of WeUs had her singularities also in severall parts of her Service, or at 
 least followed, at first, Glaston, wee having both one and the same Founder, and from 
 thence many of our first Bishopps, and not till wee had a Deane and Chapter, did we 
 borrow anything from Sa/rum, and those only, as to Jurisdiccion and Govemement. I 
 knowe noe reason but one and that of the Chorister Bishopp may be as ancient in our 
 church as in that. I am somewhat the more confident in this because I have examined 
 the Ordinales of both Churches and comparing them find great varietie, and severall things 
 appropriated to each Church. From whence I privately conclude That this authoritie of 
 Secundum usunt Sa/rum, or of other Churches was not any comanding rule to any other 
 Cathedralls, but only to the Churches within their own Diociss ; nor were they absolutely 
 binding to themselves but oftentimes altered, according to the various humors and super- 
 stitious Zeale of her Bishopps, or other leading Members in the Church, as this of Salesbury 
 by Bishop Osmund, 200 years almost after ours was a Cathedrall. However their times 
 of Devotion were soone one and the same, I believe in all Cathedralls (particular Covents 
 and Monasteries, had besides some other times according to their locall statutes and 
 customes, as the Chanteries in this and other Churches) These were seven within the 24 
 howers (Spel: Cone: anno 747 pag: 249). According to that Councill under Arch- 
 bishopp Cuthbert, where one of the Articles are : — Ut Septem Ganonica orationum diei et 
 Noctis hora, dUigenti cura, cum psalnodia et CamfUena, observamtwr. Afterwards Anno 
 1052 in the Canons of Alfrick to Wolfine Bishop of Doroester (ibid. pag. 577): Ad pres- 
 byteros speotat et Ministros Dei omnes, ut Ecclesia/m sua/m sancto colant obsequio, septem in 
 ea liorarios cantos psallant ut a synodo constitutwm est, viz.: — (1) Ga/ntus antehica/nus. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 (2) Gcmtus matutinus, (3) Cantus tertianus, ml ad horcrni diei tertiam, (4) Ccmtus meridi- 
 anus, (5) Cantus nonalis, vel ad hora/m nonam diei, (6) Ca/ntus vespertinus, (7) Ga/ntus 
 nocturnus. New this Cantus was Chanting or singing of Service in some certain tones, 
 which was the reason, I believe, of that injunction in most of the College Statutes in the 
 Universities that the Members who were then founded to be bred up for the performance 
 of the publick Service of the Church, should be skilled in piano comtu, there being no 
 higher performance in Musick, in those Ages, Soe farr were they from Descant, and 
 Fuges, and in a most Seraphick manner we have now in our Churches and Colleges, that 
 they were not then come up to Counterpoint. This singing of some part of the Church's 
 Service has beene in use ever since the very Apostles' times. Brought into England by 
 Benedictus (Spel. Cone. pag. 175, 176) who founding a monastery on the Banks of the 
 river Wyre, in the Bishoprick of Durham, went to Rome for the confirming of his 
 statutes, and obtaining of severall Liberties to his new Foundacion ; who returning home 
 prevailed with the pope Agatha, as to bring with him one John, the Archicantor or 
 choire singer in S. peter's Church there By whom not only his own Monastery was in- 
 structed in plain Song, but also the neighbouring Churches, and by degrees throughout the 
 whole Nation. And not only Musick did this Benedict bring with him but several other 
 Rarities and Artists, of whom Mr. Camden quotes Wm. Malmesbury thus (Britton, 
 p. 601) : — Hie Yedra . . . adscivit. (This Chyle put his pen through.) 
 
 Amazed now I am at such specially those Godly ones, the puritan I mean, who pre- 
 tend so muche loathe for primitive Eeformacion and yet raile and cry out against Church 
 Musick, who will allow of nothing of this kind, but John Hopkins and Sternhol, and of 
 no Instrument but only the Nose, Delighting in Discord, and being always out of Tune 
 and Order. This putts me in mind of Mr. Weaver's answears to CoUonell Venn in these 
 late Rebellious times, when that honest ■ old harmonious Gentleman, Fellow of Eaton 
 College (there being noe Church Musick, noe by noe means, because popish) had every 
 Morning, for an hower, some of the Scatered Quire of "Windsor and Eaton at his Chamber 
 to whom he gave each man his shilling at parting, a good Reliefe, and charitable when all 
 was gon, where halfe the time was enjoy'd in divine vocall, the other in Grave instru- 
 mentall Musick. The CoUonell, governor of the Neighbour Castle of Windsor, vouchsaft 
 sometimes, with some of the City Wives, to heare the old Man's innocent and Sweet 
 Diversion, And once asked him why he could not be as well satisfied with the psalms as 
 they were Sung in the Churches as with this popish Musick. The good old Gentleman 
 warily replyed, That he humbly conceived, That God was as well pleased with being Served 
 in Tune, as Out of Tune. Soe great a lover of Musick and Church Musick was He, That 
 at his own Charge he Wainscotted the Quire of that famous and most elegant Chapell of 
 King's, in Cambridge, very well knowing Musick to make the best retornes from habita- 
 tions of Wood. 'Twas the saying I have been tould, of Queen Elizabeth:: God: Defend 
 me from Those that love not Musick. But I returne to our Ordinale, which I find very 
 tedious, confus'd and intricate, and therefore shall endeavoure to abrige and reduce it into 
 Some ordinary Method. 
 
 I begin first with the distinction which they made of the Feasts, because they are as 
 it were Terms of Art. They are divided into Festa duplicia et Simplida, And both sub- 
 divided into Duplicia majora et minora, and /Simplida majora et minora. 
 
 Here Chyle merely enumerates the aforesaid Festivals, adding The Simplicia Minora : 
 now aU the rest of the inferior Feasts wherein was the least addition to their usuall and 
 dayly ceremonies next now have another form of Art :- viz. : Regimen Chori: which is the 
 
PREFACE. cxxv 
 
 Care of ordering the Quire, and performing of the Service in a different manner than on 
 usual Days, as ; 
 
 Qtumdo Chorus Regi debet (see page 6). 
 
 A Quot et a quibus Chorus regi debet (p. 6). 
 
 De Alternatione Chori (p. 7). 
 
 Z>e Mutatione Rectorum Chori (p. 8). 
 
 De officio Reaiorum Chori (p. 8). 
 
 Now that this Government of the Quire might the more orderly be carried on and 
 
 soe knowingly that each person therein, who had any part to Act might not pretend or 
 
 plead ignorance There were certain Tables in convenient Places set up wherein one might 
 
 reade his duty. Some of them I shall only subscribe as a Tast : 
 
 De dispositione Tabule Dominicalis (p. 10). 
 
 De tabula dieipasche (p. 13). 
 
 Many more such tables there were for all other Feasts according to which every one knew 
 
 his Duty, to perform any part of the Service. Next follows what was to be performed ; 
 
 And of this also I shall give but a Tast : 
 
 De modo exequendi officium in primis Vesperis in prima Dominica Adventus (p. 16). 
 De Completorio ejusdem Dominice (p. 16). 
 Ad matutinas ejusdem Dominice (p. 17). 
 De modo exequendi horas Diei in prima, Dominica Adventus (p. 1 8). 
 Modus exequendi officii in die Natalis Domini (p. 20). 
 In quibus Festis trium Lectionu Invitatorium a tribus cantatur (p. 27). 
 By these now we may perceive the rest, such strainge variety had they of such per- 
 formances in the Church, that scarce a day was their throughout the whole year, which 
 had not something in Theire Service different, and too impertiuent would it be to give the 
 whole of this theire pye. Now follows the severall processions in this Church, before 
 which a great Ceremony there was of making Holy Water and therewith sprinkling the 
 Congregation. 
 
 De modo Benedicendi aquam Dominica prima in Adventu et in aliis DoTiicis 
 
 psr Annu (p. 27). 
 
 De Aspersione Aque Benedicte (p. 28). 
 
 Adoptatio processionis hujus Dominice cum ceteris Dominicis (p. 28). 
 
 Modus processionis in die Natalis Domini (p, 29). 
 
 Ordo processionis in Gapite Jejwnii (p. 30). 
 
 Processio quo modo fit Cena in Domini (p. 31). 
 
 Ordo processionis in Vigilia Pasche (p. 31). 
 
 Ordo processionis Diei Pasche ad (ante) Matutinas (p. 32). 
 
 Processio que fit in Letania majore (p. 33). 
 
 Processio que fit in Die Ascentionis (p. 34). 
 
 Processiones quefiunt Venerationis Causa (p. 34). 
 
 Processio ad hominem mortuu suscipiend' (p. 35). 
 
 De modo et ordine Processionis que fit in/esto Corporis et Sanguinis Jesu Xpi. (p. 46). 
 
 It is not easy to say to which class of processions that belonged which is related by 
 
 William of Malmesbury, Gervase, and other authorities to have taken place at Winchester 
 
 in 1140 when we hear that processio honorifica was made in that Cathedral, Henrico 
 
 Praesule Imperatricem a dextro latere et Bernardo Menevensi Episcopo a sinistro 
 
 ducentibus, assistentibus Roberto Bathoniensi et Episcopis et Abbatibus insignioribus 
 
PREFACE. cxxvii 
 
 quani plurimis. It may have been venerationis causa, but we should imagine that the 
 procession made at vespers in Wells Cathedral in 1287, on the Vigil of the Assumption 
 B. V. M., was made largitionis causa, as we find that it was " solennis" to her altar in the 
 Lady Chapel, at the demand and request of Hugh Rufus de Dychesgate who had given to 
 the honor of the glorious virgin to the Dean and Chapter, half a marc annually out of the 
 houses in which he dwelt to be distributed for ever on behalf of his soul to those who 
 should take part in the procession. — Reg. I. 4. 
 
 I have beene longer upon these processions then on the other officers, because of their 
 variety and yet I have not given here all which were used, on severall festivalls in this 
 Church. Now follows their severall Masses. 
 De modo exeguendi officiu Dominica prima in Adventu ad Missam de officiis singvlorum 
 
 Ministrorum (p. 35). 
 (The greater part of this Rubric is in the same hand as the Offidwm Thesaurarii in 
 the Lambeth MS., 729.— Ed.) 
 
 De modo exequendi officii prime Misse in die Natalis Domini (p. 40). 
 Modus exeqicendi officiu secunde Misse eadem die (p. 40). 
 De officio tertie Misse eadem die (p. 41). 
 Like almost unto these are their other Masses upon other Sundays and Festivalls. I 
 proceed now to some other of their ceremonies. 
 
 Quando Chorus incensari debeat (p. 9). 
 
 De modo thwrifica/ndi Altare in simplicihus festis (p. 10). 
 
 De modo thv/rificcmdi Alta/re in duplicibus /estis (p. 10). 
 
 Quando cooperiende sunt Im,agines in ecclesiis (p. 41). 
 
 , De velo in quadragesima (p. 42). 
 
 De Accensione Candelarum in Cena Domini ad Matutinas (p. 42). 
 
 De modo eoeequendi officiu solenne Mortuorum in EccUa Well: quod dicitur immediate post 
 
 Vesperas heate Ma/rie in Choro (p. 47). 
 
 De modo exequendi officiH simplex MortuorU per totit Annu quod incijnatur immediate post 
 
 pulsations primam ad vesperas (p. 48). 
 
 De modo dicendi psalleriu pro Fratribus defunctis si corpus adest presens (p. 48). 
 
 De modo Seconciliationis pcenitentium (p. 104). 
 
 Modus vel ordo Crismatis /adendi vizet in die Cene (p. lOSy. 
 
 De ordinatione Clericorum in Choro (p. 1). 
 
 De ordimatione Clericoru in Oapitulo (p. 1). 
 
 De imgressu Clericoru et egressu (p. 2). 
 
 De Statione et Sessione facienda in Choro in singulis horis (p. 3). 
 
 De Cowversione Chori facienda ad Alta/re (p. 3). 
 
 De Prostratione in Choro facienda (p. 4). 
 
 Ut in Choro omnes sint Concordes.* 
 
 Caveant sibi Rectores Chori quod Hymnos et omnes Cantus per ipsos inchoandos 
 
 recte sciant amodo inchoare et psalmos modo debito intonare ne per eorum defectum in 
 
 psalmodia vel cantu in choro discordia oriatur. Cseteri quidem psallentes in choro tam in 
 
 Fsalmodia quam in Cantu temperati sint atque Concordes sic ut nuUus socios suos nimis 
 
 prsecurrat sed ad punctum quUibet alienum ascultet, et in Versu et in Cantu. Et quod 
 
 * May 29, 1298. — Many of the Vicars incurred Capitular censure, and were warned eo quid minus 
 harmoniam canerent, infra annum vocem modularentur atque Psalterium discerent. — Eeg. T. 121. 
 
CXXVIU 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 nullus Viearius Altarista vel Chorista legat Lectionem, Epistolam vel Evangelium ante- 
 quam ascultetur nisi in sciencia legend! fuerit convenienter expertus. 
 
 For the way in which these Rubrics were enacted, evaded, and altered, reference may 
 be made to Appendix M, p. 151 e< seq. Chyle concludes his chapter by saying : 
 
 In this Ordinale there is also a Kalendar wherein is a direction what habitt the 
 
 priests and others shall weare on such festivall, but too teadious also to be here inserted. 
 
 I shall only give the memorandum at the end thereoff which comprehends all, and with 
 
 the solemnitie of the Bishops' Inthronization conclude this Chapter. 
 
 Memoranda de coloribus vestimentorum (p. 103). 
 
 Forma secundum usum Ecclie Welln in Intronizatione Episcopi (p. 91). 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 BOOK IV. CHAP. II. 
 
 W^z Jaites anil Ceremonies of tf)ts Cljurc!! as tfjeg Jja&e fieene anti 
 noiw are since t!je laeformation. 
 
 |T cannot be expected that almost anything new can be now said or writt, as to 
 the Rites and Ceremonies of the Church of England, when it has beene the 
 Comon Theame, in this Age Pro and Con ; of so many learned penns. And 
 yet greate reason is there that all her Members should be well knowing in 
 the Rationale of them, since we have in our very Bowells such potent, and craftie 
 Adversaries, as the Papists and preshyterians with whom there is almost a necessitie, 
 because of our having a dayly Commerce and Conversation ; For if it be studiously the 
 Care of both those parties to labour and instruct their proselites and Members, here amoung 
 us, in the Arguments of the Controversie betweene us . (Por in all those Countries, where 
 their Religions are naturally exercised, according to their establisht and publick Lawes, 
 The People, generally, nay the S''- Domine's and Cloak priests too are sufficiently ignorant 
 not only in the Differences betweene us, but even in the very Fundamentalls of theire 
 Owne) Then certaiuely it should become us, to be as carefull, and industrious in the 
 Studies and knowledge of our Churche's Doctrine and Discipline, soe as by Writing, 
 preaching and discoursing to inculcate and fortifie the more ignorant, and meaner sort of 
 her Members, against the ensnaring, bewitching fallacies, and Glosses of our Adversaries, 
 the Recusants. 
 
 Now those of this Church, or of any other Cathedrall of this Nation differs not much 
 from One another. As formerly when we had those Secundum Usum's (Bangorensem 
 Sa/rum and Herefordensem &). Every Bishopp heretofore, according to the ancient 
 practise in the English Church, having power in his Diocesan or Episcopal Synod to con- 
 stitute such Canons, to make such Ecclesiastical Orders, to frame such services in his 
 respective Church and Diocesse as he, and his Cleargie should apprehend most convenient. 
 For the Worshipp publickly now performed in any Assembly, whether Cathedrall or 
 parochiall, is not to be reputed the peculiar Worshipp of those Congregacions, but common 
 to the whole National Church, Whereoff they are Limbs and Members, and therefore to 
 every Conformist and true Sonn of our Church, it may seem needless to give any account 
 of the Ceremonies of this Church. However some few things I shall here take notice of. 
 
 In the last Chapter wee have an account of the maner and places of the Deanes, 
 Canons, Dignitaries, prebends, vicars, &c., sitting and behaviour in the Quire, as at their 
 entrance and first approach, many of which were retained at the Reformacion. For our 
 Forefathers specially those under theire princes had the Greatest share, in the manage of 
 the Church's Affaires, were not so stupid and Madd, as to lay aside and throwe by every 
 Ceremonie us'd by the Romanists and, to shun Idolatry and Superstition, run into the 
 other Extreame, in offering up our prayers and sacrifices slovenly, without any Decencie 
 or Order, As if the Badge and Characteristick of a Child of Grace, a Babe of Reformacion, 
 was to run Counter in all and every point, to the Church of Rome. Now what was 
 ancient, and primitively Orthodox, what was comely and according to the civill gestures, 
 and demeanour of our Country and Nation were retaind and preservd amoung us ; in all 
 good Manners, giving to God and his House, the same at least Decorum and Behaviour, 
 
 8 
 
cxxx PREFACE. 
 
 as we allow our prince, or Landlord, when in their presence or Houses. Is it not 
 ridiculous and against all reason that we should be bare before them, and yet cover'd 
 before him in his holy Church'! Since the having on or of, of our Hatts, the Sitting or 
 being on our knee are postures and Ceremonies amoung us, betokening and expressing the 
 Due Comand and Authoritie, the other Reverence and Obedience. Or is it possible that 
 an inquisitive Strainger, who is diligently searching and enquiring into the Doctrine, and 
 Discipline of all Churches, before he incorporates with any can ever be invited, or 
 encouraged to embrace ours, when he sees even in the same Congregacion, at the same 
 instant, such varieties and contradictive postures, and behaviours, when he shall know 
 that the prentice-boy, in his master's shopp and House, has not his Hatt on all the Weeke, 
 yet in the house and service of God shall see that Sir Trim Tram, Like Master like Man, 
 Cheeke by Jowle together, both theire Hatts nail'd to their Skulls, when he shall see the 
 same Grave Coxcombe, with hat on at the reading of David's psalmes, yet noe sooner shall 
 the same without sense or tune be rais'd and yawl'd out, or sung, but imediately 
 S^- Reverence his hat is off, and spangl'd nightcapp appears. A thousand such unreason- 
 able and ridiculous Instances may unhappily be produced within our Nation ... by 
 allowing to much Indulgence to those two parties, the papist and presbyterian, never to be 
 wrought soe upon as to become civill, or gentill Adversaries. The one Enviing our 
 Church because she topps and outshines theires in Splendor and Glory even in the Musick, 
 Order, and Discipline, as in the decent, and rationall Ornaments and Ceremonies which 
 she uses, in settiug up her Service, for the honor and glory of God to as high a pitch as 
 possible may be on this side Superstition and Idolatry. The other out of arrogancie, 
 humour, and pride, who because at first they peevishly dissented, will persist and carry on 
 their unreasonable and unwarrantable Zeale, for their reputacion sake, even against the 
 light of their own Reason. Notwithstanding all these squemish scruples and inconsider- 
 able little objections, has been over and over Satisfactorily, so all unbiassed people 
 answeared and confuted more eminently at that Conference at Hampton Court by that 
 learned prince King James himselfe ; and by that pious . Martyr his Son, our late King 
 Cha/rles the Blessed, in his Eticwv Bao-tAiKij and other his Works. Both these I say have 
 all along beene and are at it still, disturbing and undermining our Church, and tho', like 
 Sampson's foxes, they look severall waies and seeme to joyne theire tailes only together to 
 spoile and consume her, yet rather than faile, notwithstanding the seeming Antipathic 
 betweene Ignatius Loiola, and John Calvin, yet will they joyn heads together : Witness 
 that paralell drawn to the Life by Lysimacus Nicanor : God defend us from them both, 
 not knowing which is worse. The Confessor's Lash, or the Stoole of Repentance. 
 
 Those Comely Reverences at the Entrance of the Quire, the obey sauces to the 
 Diocesan in their passage to the Alter. The humble genuflexion at theire address to the 
 holy Table. Those many postures of standing up at the Doxologie, the chanting of the 
 psalmes, Te Deum, Benedictus, &c. ; At the Creed and Gospell with their Faces to the 
 Alter, and many such decent Behaviours were (are) obtained and still continued amoung 
 them and if Scandall to any whose Consciences are rather peevish then tender, tis taken 
 not given. These outwards deportments being as far from poperie as Good Manners are 
 from Superstition. And I dare say that more of superstition is amoung those Noncon- 
 formists in their still opposition of these innocent Ceremonies and in the room thereoff 
 placing and adoring some of their Owne, As theire preaching in Cloakes (tho the Gowne 
 now Wome is after Calvin's Cutt) with theire black Capps tip't with white, as Black 
 Jacks with silver; theire making ugly Faces (tho worse than theire owne cannot well be 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 seene) and using an hundred antick tricks, and cheates in tone and gesture ; then they can 
 justly lay to the charge of our Church. In the Government they thirst after and aime at 
 not Reformation and tUl they have accomplisht that will never be Quiet, however they are 
 indulged as men of tender spiritts. 
 
 There is in this Church (as in most of our Cathedralls) morning prayer at six in the 
 Summer & seven of the Clock, in the Winter half yeare, according to that injunction of 
 Queen Elizabeth in her Visitacion of this Church, taken notice of in the next book. And 
 also at the same bowers in the Evening at the Vicar's Chapell in Close Hall; the piety 
 and prudence of our Ancestors thus providing and taking Care for Trades men, Day 
 Laborers, and Servants whose necessary attendance on their dayly employments and 
 Callings will not admitt of theire coming to the Cathedrall at Canonical Howers. Nor 
 indeed had these Canonicall prayers at their first continuance any or not much regard to 
 the people of that ranck and Condition ; But cheifly to the Members and theire Depen- 
 dents of those respective Cathedralls, and other Colleges where Cathedrall Service is 
 enjoyn'd ; and therefore very vain and idle is that Objection also of our Puritan 
 Adversary against the Service of our Church, viz. : that because of our Chanting and 
 Musick the people cannot joyne, or goe along with them in their prayers and Devotion, 
 as not being skiU'd in Musick or understanding wfoat is there performed, and therefore 
 to be as well taken away and aboUsht as the Roman Service, in an unknown tongue 
 and differ&nt Language ; whereas that Service and noe other was by the Romanish here- 
 tofore in the Latin tongue performed, as well in their parochiall Churches to ignorant 
 people as in the Cathedralls, to such as were more knowing ; and thus by a Palacie, by 
 this pia Fraus, would if they could cheat us of our Cathedrall Service and consequently 
 of all the Dependencies thereon, not for Eeformacion but for theire Lands amd Revenues 
 sake. As for the preaching I think wee outdoe most Cathedralls (I mean not- as to the 
 Sermons but to theire Number) For whereas by the same Injunctions of that Queene, one 
 Sermon a fortnight (as in Parish Churches one a month) was thought sufficient and com- 
 manded to be preach'd by the respective prebends, according to theire order (excepting 
 some select dayes for the Deane and some of the Cannons, as also on the Holydayes of the 
 Chancelor of the Church in lieu of his Catechisticall Lectures which he was bound at 
 certaine times to read and for which he has a distinct stipend paid him). There was after- 
 wards one every Sunday morning by the said prebends ; {The whole Cathedrall Deane and 
 Canons), the whole Cathedrall in the Afternoons going to the Parish Church S. Cuthbert's, 
 where the Vicar usually preachd, Returning altogether with the Mayor of the City, and 
 his Brethren to the Cathedrall prayers, at Foure of the Clocke. But since his Majesty's 
 Restoracian one likewise in the Afternoones here is preached by the .said prebends in theire 
 turns, Soe that here the Sermonizing people may have theire Bellyfull of preaching and 
 forbeare crying out, They are starved for want of the Word and calling our Clergie Dumb 
 Doggs ; The Truth is this last Age has rais'd the Pulpitt to such a height {pitch) above 
 the Desk, Sermons above prayers as the one to be neglected and almost laid aside, while 
 the other is advanc'd even to a very IdoU, whereas the Originall and cheife end of preach- 
 ing (with submission do I speake it) was to convert the Heathen Gentiles and Jews to the 
 Christian Faith, and when they had gott them into the Church, by Baptisme, to strengthen 
 them in it by prayer ; preaching being then only to stirr them up to prayer, and put them 
 in mind of theire other Christian Duties, as to a regular and due performance of them. 
 But wee Christians who are borne, Baptis'd, and educated in that Faith, are not (God be 
 praisd) in such need of that first end of preaching, and therefore I humbly conceive it a 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 great Error to prize it and make it more essentiall to our Salvation then prayer ; thereby 
 Streightening the Doctrine of Regeneration, preach'd to the Jewes and Gentiles, by our 
 Saviour, his Apostles, and theire imediate Successors, and placing us Christians at as 
 greate a distance from Heaven, as the Heathen, Turks and Jewes are without this 
 preaching or indeed hy some prating from a pulpitt. As that famous Bishopp Andrewes 
 (who doubtless knew as much as most men what belong'd unto it) was wont (as I am 
 tould) to say : That He that preached twice a day prated at least once. 
 
 To conclude this Chapter and Book, what was ancient, orthodox, and well beoomeing 
 amoung the Romish Ceremonies at our Reformation was certainely very fitt and reasonable 
 to be retain'd and continued, They being in Themselves not one jot the worst for being 
 abused. Tis well known twas the practice of the Apostles at their first planting of a new 
 Church different from that of the Jewes ; and S. Peter being very earnest for retaining of 
 as many of the Jewish ceremonies as possibly they could occasion'd (thut sharp) some 
 contest betweene him. and S. paule, relating thereunto. And certainely many more then 
 what were might very innocently have been received by us and why not amoung others 
 the constant and dayly saying over the psalmes of David by the Bishopp and prsebendaries, 
 according to that division and Order mentioned in the next book be yet practised (J under- 
 stand not) sure there was and is yet I believe something in that custome Obligatorie : Since 
 Bishopp Sanderson that learned Casuist (there being in Lincoln Church the same custome 
 and Method as I have said) never went to Sleepe without having said his proportion some- 
 times that day before As I have been credibly inform'd by his Chaplain Mr. puUen of 
 S. Mary Magd. Hall in Oxford, my very woithy Friend. And in Bishopp Lake's printed 
 Sermon (a Bishopp of this Church) there are many by him voluntarily preach't, when any 
 were enjoynd by his Court publick pennance (for any Crime) in the Church; which makes 
 me apt to beleeve that he had some regard to the Ordinale of the Church wherein their 
 forme of reconciling penitents, there was usually a Sermon preacht, as is mentiond in the 
 last Chapter. 
 
 As for those Ceremonies which were thought fitt to be preserved in our Church, who 
 ever (especially such amoung us who pretend to be of the Reform' d Religion) are offended at 
 Them, I must conclude them very obstinate, and resolv'd disturbers of our Churche's peace 
 and Comunion, if they will not endeavour and look out for satisfaction, and very peevish 
 and unreasonably Scrupilous if not satisfied when they have read over considered and well 
 digested the Right Reverend Bishopp Sparrow's Rationale, and the Alliance of Divine 
 Offices written by that learned gentleman Hamon L'Estrange Esq. of an Orthodox (and 
 most) Familie. 
 
PBEFACE^ cxxxiii 
 
 Thus does Chyle conclude the second chapter of his Fourth Book ; but to the devoted 
 student of the Anglican liturgy the ancient Rule of Sarum has an iiTesistible charm and 
 awe, under whatever variations it be represented, or in whatever Church it has been 
 adapted to the purposes of divine worship. The author of " Divine Worship in the 
 Fourteenth and Nineteenth Centuries," has so noticed the discrepancies to be found in 
 the Wells Ordinal, that we cannot do better than follow him where he does not assume to 
 himself the responsibility of assertions which are scarcely consistent with actual experi- 
 ence of the MS. referred to. The whole of the Lambeth MS. 729 being obviously in a 
 hand of the early seventeenth century, it only remains to learn from so eminent an 
 ecclesiastical antiquarian how far Wells dissented from the use of Sarum. 
 
 " This Ordinale closely corresponds with that of Sarum, but is shorter. The directions 
 for performing the ordinary of the Mass are the same word for word. There are some 
 additional orders, as for instance for the three days before Easter and All Saints, which 
 are not in that of Sarum. On the other hand, there are some things contained in the 
 Ordinale of Sarum which are not in this, but are found in the second part, or " Antiqua 
 Statuta," for instance as to the luminaria and as to turning to the altar at Gloria Patri. 
 The whole Ordinal consists of 121 chapters or headings, the Saruin of 105. The list of 
 double and minor festivals differs in several particulars from that of Sarum, those of Wells 
 being some of later origin and more numerous, and a distinction is made between the 
 Ferial and Sunday Mass not to be found in the Sarum. The Ferial was to be said sine 
 dalmaticS, et tunici. 
 
 " Misplaced about the middle of the volume is found a long office for chrismate 
 Jadendo, nearly resembling that of Sarum, and pages 104-5 the form for the reconcUiatio 
 penitentium, also closely resembling that of Sarum." 
 
 Such are the chief remarks of Mr. Chambers as bearing upon the Wells Ordinale. 
 The greater number of chapters in the Wells Book is accounted for by their subdivision — 
 e.g., XXII. De altematione Chori (Sarum), which is divided in the second place into a 
 section headed De mutatione Rectorum Chori, or as in XV. De transitu clericorum, which 
 in the Wells Use is subdivided, the second section being headed De sUentio in choro. 
 
 These differences and alterations are of infinitely small importance, but may be of 
 interest as to demonstrate that, if possible, greater attention was to be paid to these 
 points, on accoimt of some misunderstanding or generally prevalent irregularities or 
 disorders. The Chapter Acts found in the Appendix M exhibit a variety and unpleasant 
 l-ecurrence of such emergencies in the performance of the divine service, owing not so 
 much to a want of knowledge on the part of the ministers appointed, as their indifference 
 and inattention to an exact compliance with the statutable ritual. This is repeatedly to 
 be noticed in the strict injunctions made in every Cathedral as to altering the Ordinal, and 
 the penalties attached for so doing without Episcopal and Capitular authority. Nothing 
 appears to have been so common as to erase or alter anything in their ordinance, particu- 
 larly which did not suit the predilections or ideas of some Rector chori or a dignitary who 
 was responsible for the service. Constant reference to the Ordinale by every person con- 
 nected with the Church, and the various improvements suggested by the Tahellarius, or 
 authorised by the Chapter, caused this volume to receive the worst usage of any document 
 connected with divine worship, and hence it arose that the book was always in want of 
 repair and authoritative correction, specially if we consider the inevitable complications 
 which occurred in arranging for a daily system of closely following hours— eves, vigils, 
 octaves, and anniversaries, which interfered with the regular course prescribed in the 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Ordinals. Of all the ancient service-books which have escaped destruction, the Ordinate 
 is the rarest met with. It will be seen by the Ordinal of Exeter (which is perhaps the 
 most perfect of any Anglican use), now in the press, how exceedingly difficult it must 
 have been to provide against mistake in the order of worship, when such an immense 
 number of interlacings and interweavings had to be arranged for and carried out by a 
 body of men who, besides these ordinary daily hours of prayer, had also to say their obits 
 and masses in the different chantries conferred upon them. Neither is it as if the time of 
 the altariste or Chantry priests was confined to the performance of their special duties in 
 the Church ; as is seen in the schedule of collations to chantries, the greater number of the 
 chantry priests undertook the offices of Comminar, Auditor, or Eschaetor. Were we to 
 minutely compare the use of Wells with that of Sarum, we find a few peculiarities which 
 have a local interest : for instance, in section I., which corresponds to XII. Sarum, we 
 find that the other boys, as distinguished from the pueri Gmionici, came according to their 
 age and size, a custom not unobserved in many Cathedrals, and tending much to that 
 regularity of proportion and order which can never be overdone in the appointment of 
 sacred things. The Archdeacons of Taunton and Dorset correspond in their relative 
 possessions next to the Dean, the Sub-dean of Wells gives 'vtay in one place to the Abbot 
 of Bee,* and the Magister scolarum sits next to the Canons. At Wells the Abbot of 
 Muchelney stands in the choir next to the Precentor or Cantor, then the Succentor, after 
 him the Provost of Cumba. Next to the Treasurer, in the place of the other Archdeacon 
 of Wiltshire, the Archdeacon of Bath and the Abbot of Athelney. 
 
 At Salisbury they might enter the Choir at all the hours till the end of the hymn ; at 
 Wells, however, only to the end of the first psalm, the Venite. But the Precentor might , 
 enter after the Gloria and at mass whenever he liked : the Succentor had the same privi- 
 lege when he was taking his place. This is interesting as proving that the Precentor 
 occupied a position of dignity somewhat akin to that enjoyed by the Dean at Lincoln, 
 who could enter the Choir at any time, and, if he pleased so to order, have the service done 
 over again from the beginning. 
 
 The section, De conversione clericorum ad altare, at Sarum, which is subdivided here, 
 stands at Wells as De conversione Chori ; but as the word Clerid immediately occurs, this 
 refers to no difference of usage. Dr. Sparrow Simpson, in his inexhaustible edition of the 
 
 * The position of the Abbot of Bee with regard to the Chapter was as follows : in 1188, in the time 
 of Bishop Eeginald, W. Eoumane, Comes Ijncolniae, had given the Church of Clive as a prsebend in the 
 Church of Wells, but a controversy afterwards arose between Savaric and the Canons of Wells on one side 
 and William the Abbot and the Convent of Bee on the other, about this very prsebend quam pars utraque 
 suam esse vendicabant. At last they came to this mutual agreement. The Abbots of Bee shall hold the 
 prebend of Clive for ever, (tanquam), as if they were non-resident Canons of WeUs, and shall nevertheless 
 have their seat in the Choir, their place in Chapter, and full communion and fellowship in life and death. 
 They shall find one Vicar perpetually resident, vice Abbatis, to minister in the priest's office, who shall 
 receive annually four marks at the four quarters of the year atque lucellum aliquid accessorium quod 
 vicarium in officio Sacerdotah ministrantem Eeclesia WeUensi secundum consuetudinem ullo pacto con - 
 tingunt. At length it was also agreed that at the death of any of the Bishops of Bath and Wells the 
 Abbots of Beo shall perform the same kind offices (humanitatis officia) for them as they have been accus- 
 tomed to perform for the Abbots and monks of Beo fato functis, and that on the death of any of the 
 Abbots and monks of Bee, the Canons of Wells shall celebrate for them the same offices as they would 
 for a dead Bishop or Canon (Reg. III. 3816). These agreements were made in 1199 in prsesentia Huberti 
 Archiepiscopi Cantuariensis. — Eeg. II. 39. 
 
 On June 3, 1243, a certain Laurence was proctor of the Abbot of Bee, whom the Chapter had inter- 
 dicted a saoris because he had failed to pay his due tribute towards supporting the burdens of the Church 
 and warned him to pay it on June 25th in London. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Statutes of S. Paul's, mentions in a foot-note that this custom was still observed till lately 
 in Exeter Cathedral : this, however, I am unable to verify from the testimony of the 
 oldest member of the Church, my much-respected friend, Mr. John Kemp, who has occu- 
 pied his place, first as boy and then as lay vicar in secunda forma, since the year 1810. 
 Here occurs one of those minor errors into which the scribe of these pages seems to have 
 not unnaturally fallen, the word Response or Respond being far more familiar to the seven- 
 teenth century than its Latin equivalent " Responsorium," but the words slare debent are 
 omitted. The word "capitibus" for capitulis is another instance of carelessness; but the 
 words et iterum post AniipJionam are not found in the Sarum Rule, while "expleatur" is 
 read for compleatur, and semper in Sarum is omitted in Wells Book. " Laudamus'' is 
 miswritten for Laudibiis ; and in the passage De inceptione Te Deum there is an amplifica- 
 tion of the original order by the addition of the words " dum dicitur Sanctus et versus Te 
 ergo quesumus tuis famulis." After the subdivision which treats of the gesture at mass, 
 " Suscipe deprecamur" takes the place of Suscipe deprecationem nostram. Shortly after 
 this the abbreviation Gr' has evidently been misread for " Gratia," which is meaningless ; 
 and " Trinitas" is substituted for Responsorii, with a most unaccountable carelessness, the 
 whole of the passage being altered. " Beatns" is written for Benedictus ; numerous such 
 alterations occurring till the end, where we have " Et vitam futuram" for Et vitam venturi 
 seculi. Amen. (See Introduction, page vi.) 
 
 In the next section the variations are at least as important and peculiar, the Wells 
 Book adding after "Prseterea in quadragesima in inceptione cujuslibet hore quando de 
 feria agitur fit genuflexio et osculatio formulamm." The words in italics are peculiar to 
 Wells. From the section Be JmUIm Ghori we seem to learn that the transcript must have 
 been made by a person who had a document showing how the octaves of< Corpus Christi 
 and the Apostles SS. Peter and Paul, the Assumption and Nativity, which were not men- 
 tioned in the original Sanim Rule, had obtained observance in the Church: this took 
 place in 1310-1320, a fact before referred to by Mr. Chambers. At Wells, however. Red 
 was the use for Easter at mass, whereas at Sarum it was White. The same colour 
 obtains, and one. of the extraordinary errors occurs which mark this MS., where, instead 
 of reading in festo cujuslibet Virginis, we read "cujuslibet nigris," which means nothing. 
 Red, however, is again said to be the colour on the feast of the Apostles which is men- 
 tioned in the Sarum Rule. 
 
 Such are some of the chief points of interest and discrepancy found in comparing the 
 adaptation of the Sarum directorium to the use of Wells. Numerous slight alterations 
 will be found by every student of the text. Errors on the part of the transcriber in the 
 seventeenth century are noted in the Errata ; but wherever the passage appears not so 
 much faulty in grammar or sense, as independent or different from Sarum use, no attempt 
 has been made to change the reading. 
 
 The connection of Wells yrith Sarum on this point is specially of value ; it points to 
 a tacit recognition of the great beauty and authority of S. Osmund's Rule, on the part of 
 one of the richest and most dignified Cathedrals in the southern province, and is 
 emphasised considerably by the references we find in the Chapter documents as to com- 
 munication which ever existed on matters of liturgical propriety and statutable enactments 
 between these sister Churches. 
 
 In 1137, soon after the constitution of the Cathedral body by Bishop Robert, the 
 Precentor and the Archdeacons began to quarrel about the Archidiaconal jurisdiction in the 
 prebends; and as it was the custom then for the Canons of Wells, when any difi'erence of 
 
cxxxvi PREFACE. 
 
 opinion or discord arose amongst them, to take the opinion of the Dean and Canons of 
 Sarum, they wrote and asked their exact position.* 
 
 The rights of the Dean were then specified in accordance with the answers to Bishop 
 Drokennsford's Articles in the Appeudix; he was declared to be Archdeacon of the whole 
 city and suburbs, and answerable only to the Bishop for Peter's pence.: The "immensa 
 qusestio," however, was about the Archdeacons' right to intrude themselves into the 
 parishes of the Prebendaries, and it was then settled that they had no power therein 
 either over clergy or parishioners, the Canons being Archdeacons themselves in this 
 respect, and entitled to present their own Clerks to the Dean ad ordines, and the Dean to 
 the Bishop. Hence it was clear that it was quite contrary to the customs of Sarum, and 
 therefore of Wells, that the Canons, Priests (Vicars, I suppose), or Clerks should be sub- 
 monitores or apparitores of the Archdeacons, seeing that they owed them no subjection. 
 Their churches and chapels were tarn in propria Jundo quam in alieno emancipated from 
 all service to the Archdeacons. These customs and privileges were confirmed, as we see, 
 by Pope Alexander, iv. non. Marfcii, 1255. — Eeg. I. 101, &c.; Reg. III. 260. 
 
 The following directions, however, more closely aflTected the use and Ordinal of 
 Wells :— 
 
 Por each dead brother, every Canon in Priest's orders facit tricenale Missarum ; and 
 for one of an inferior order xx. Psalteria ; and in addition to this, all in common make 
 unum anniversale Missarum, Scilicet unusquisque Canonicorum cujuscunque ordinis Sit 
 X. missas. 
 
 * The Wells Chapter also ganged the feeling and customs of the Cathedral Chapter of Exeter on 
 matters of jurisdiction, as we find amongst the archives of the Church of Exeter two letters (3194, 3195) 
 from the Treasurer of Wells, William de Brutton, to the Dean of Exeter, in the first of which (Dee. 18, 
 no year given), after saying that he has received his letters, he confesses that three doubtful points have 
 suggested themselves to his mind : Primum videlicet an verba numerum canonicorum in Eoclesia 
 statutum canonicus per Episeopum factus debeat per Capitulum admitti, &o.; Secundum vero an 
 canonicatus hujus ooUacio per Episeopum facta sive prebenda jurisdiocionem que vaeante Archidiacon atu 
 Deoano oompetit, &a. ; Tercium an non obstante quod Decani jurisdiocionem hujus per composicionem 
 antiquam sive ordinacionem eis attributam usi non fueriut seu in possessione, &e., ■&c. And appears to 
 advise that if possible the path of peace be followed in settling the question, supposing that a compro- 
 mise could be effected, absque offensa dei et lesione consctencie. 
 
 And in another letter written in ihe following January, he adds: — Duas Uteras vestras nuper 
 successive recepi quarum prime recepta datam habent 19 kl. Febr. secunda secundo die sequente oblata 
 18 KL. datam continebantur quas cum diligenter inspexissem apparuit mihi quod licet dominus Episcopus 
 canonicatum Archidiacono coutulisset virtute coUacionis hiijusmodi per Capitulum admissus non est in 
 canonioum et in fratrem nee stallus in choro aut locus in capitulo assignatus eidem. 
 
 And apropos of this interchange of opinions and precedents affecting custom, statute, and jurisdic- 
 tion, we may not inappropriately quote a portion of the preamble of the first visitation charge of Bishop 
 John de Grandisson, when, in the second year of his Episcopate, 1338, he thus delivered himself of his 
 opinion as to the condition of affairs in his Cathedral, and the habits and manners of his Canons : thus 
 apologetically he proceeds with the preamble of his drastic reformatory statute:— Sed quia humana 
 Infirmitas ad Deteriora magis Bohto proolivis vix aut nunqaara ad Meliora induci so patitur, nisi aHquo 
 C 'actionis Stimulo compeDatur Nos qucedam hac vice comperta, sub certis corrigenda Censuris, prsesen- 
 tibus duximus inserenda. Primo viz.: — quod nonnuUi Canonici, pro Luoro Temporali, ut mercenarii, 
 utinam non Latrunculi, ficte ac mendaoiter residentes, qui Horis Cauonicis nocturnis pariter et diurnis 
 personaliter interesse, Divinaque juxta vices suas celebrare, nisi Impedimento interveniente legitimo 
 tenerentur, se praesentialiter absentes subducere prgesumant. Alii privatis Commodis, alii Avibus 
 Canibusque Venaticis, plusquam divino officio, vel paterno Solatio Intendentes, parum out nihil de 
 ClerioaU Militia prsetendentes ; Et licet rare, aut tarde Ecclesiam vel Chorum forsitan * ingrediantur 
 iUicitis quidam Confabulationibus ao Murmurationibus, tarn Canonici quam Caeteri Inferiores Minisiri 
 divina, Eeverentia ao ordinis Clericalis abjeota Modestia, dam offerre Deo Sacrificium Laudis, Labiorum- 
 qae suorum Vitulos in Puritate ConscienLiEe, ac Animse Devotione deberunt horas, &c. &c. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Every Canon is Archdeacon of the men in his own Praebend, and the Prebendal 
 Churches nuUo obnoxise sint Archidiaconif?. 
 
 Everywhere the Canons participate in the Common Fund by leave of the Dean. 
 
 All indifferenter ought to have a Vicar, besides those which are at school, or who go 
 to Rome for the usefulness of the Church. But the Bishop must have three Canons 
 Chaplains — one in Priest's, one in Deacon's, and another in Sub-deacon's orders absque 
 Vicario. No one is free from the weekly office. 
 
 On all solemn occasions, without exception, the Canons present with the Bishop are 
 his Chaplains for the time being, and have the same right exactly as his Chaplains. In 
 the oblations of the high (principalis) altar, whether the Bishop chant or not, his Chaplains 
 never partake unless they are Canons. 
 
 Canons should never be absent without leave. — Reg. I., p. 102. 
 
 In 1213, Dean Leonius and the Canons again consulted the Sarum Chapter as to 
 what was their custom in case of the Deanery being vacant — an inquiry which they seem 
 to have repeated in 1327, if we may judge from an entry in the Commoner's account of 
 2s. Qd. paid to Mr. W. de Codewarth for going to Sarum to " explore " this custom. The 
 rule was that the prebend of the dead man — be he Dean, Archdeacon, or any other Person 
 (that is, Dignitary), or Canon simple — should go to the use of the Canons in this way — at 
 least for the year post mortem defuncti : The Canons take two parts, the dead man one, 
 which is to be spent for the good of his soul or to pay his debts ; but in the case of the 
 Deanery, or any Dignity, it does not go ad universitatem Canonicorum, nor to the dead 
 man, but, inasmuch as these offices are Benefices, he who takes such Dignities must leave 
 them as he took them, cum tali instauramento — that is, with all the instruments, furniture, 
 and agricultural produce and implements, and live stock he found on taking possession. 
 
 These, however, as scarcely matters for the Ordinate, we pass over, and, on reference 
 to a very early Psalter— probably not later than the twelfth century — in the possession of 
 the Dean and Chapter of Exeter, we find a very interesting entry, written in all probability 
 about the end of the thirteenth century, erititled : De Sancta Maria in adventu 
 secundum quod canit Salesburiensis e'cclesia atque Wellensis ecclesia. This, one of the 
 few relics we have left us of such an early accord and agreement is specially important as 
 illustrating the close intercommunication which existed between the Churches of Sarum 
 and Wells, and as typical of the independent attitude in many details of ritual and service 
 which Bishop Grandisson subsequently enforced in the Church of Exeter (see Preface to 
 the Ordinale Secundv/m uswm Exon., a.d. 1337). 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 BOOK V. CHAP. I. 
 
 Wc\z Contiuct attH ffio&ernment of tfte (CatfjeUral Cfjurclj of TOellft; Cfje 
 iStsfjop's SurtslitctioTt as iwell Spiritual as Ecmporal toitijin tfjts 
 Biocese, cxcrpting sucij places anlr persons as are exempt* 
 
 NDEE, this title Chyle enters upon a laboured and learned disquisition on the 
 abstract historical principles in favour of Episcopacy : a digression of interest, 
 but of so intemperate a prolixity and discursiveness that we must decline to 
 follow him. He introduces this subject (and we will exemplify his pleasing 
 generalities by the prefatory remarks with which he commences this chapter) by affirming 
 that The Nature and Will of man, are soe corrupt, see exorbitant, and precipitate, That 
 were there not bounds and limitts, Lawes, and Customes, for theire moderation and 
 restraint All would quickly runn into Madness and Confusion. The Holy Scripture has 
 coupled the Madness of the people together with the Raging of the Sea, the one, as it were, 
 Exegeticall of the other ; An Element more outragious and Tyrannicall then Fire, not to 
 be tamed, or circumscrib'd by man's art, or strength, but by God's alone Goodness and 
 providence. What an unruly Creature must Man be 1 What a Monster the People ? 
 thus to be Compared. That therefore there might be Order and regularitie, as well among 
 Men as among all things else of the Creation, for whom They were Created ; Laws, 
 Statutes and Ordinances were from the very beginning in all Ages and places appointed 
 and made for man to walk by and by a due Subordination and decorum to submitt him- 
 self to Rules and Goverment. 
 
 And likewise since there is and ever was, by all men a Dietie own'd, true or false. 
 Something supieme, to be adored, and Worship'd according to the various humors and 
 ajjprehensions of people, and Nations, Lawes, and Customes were also ordained for the 
 carrying on and support of that Worshipp and Religion, whatsoever it was. 
 
 After this somewhat vapid introduction, Chyle pays a compliment to Hugo Grotius 
 for his De jure Belli et Pads, and proceeds to show how much we owe to Egbert, who 
 proceeding from the Race of our Founder King Ina for his wise policy in assigning to the 
 Ecclesiasticall Dignitaries of the realm their proper function, by which it came to pass that 
 the spiritual laws were made enacted and put in Execution by the Bishops and Clergy, the 
 temporal by the laity, and that to the intent the Vulgar might administer the affairs of the 
 kingdom, the King who is the Fountain of all honor, whose streames may flo'w where he 
 pleases, conferred Titles and Honours on them to advance theire Grandure. 
 
 In the time of Henry VIII., the Bishop, who had always been saluted as king with 
 Bei gratia, exchanged that title for permissione Dimna,, as is seen in the case of Clerk, 
 Bishop of this see (Reg., p. 14), the Archbishop enjoying the honour oi providentia Divina. 
 
 By various references to Heylin, Spelman, Selden, Cook, and other authorities of 
 equal name, he proves that it was an extravagant and extraordinary madness, that it was 
 an awful and wonderful Spirit that entered into those men mett at Westminster in 1640, 
 By first abusing their extraction and parentage, declaring them to be Ex fcece populi 
 whereas a Scholar is a Gentleman however Borne. But how they all personally ac(juitted 
 themselves, makeing the Contrary appeare, and to be as well descended as even Those who 
 endeavoured by that meanes to brand Them, refer ye Reader to Mr. Fuller's Church 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 History, tho fresh in the memory of most men. Next by takeing from Them Theire right 
 of peerage and Sitting in parliament. And not long was it after that those very temporall 
 Lords were served in the same kind by theire Inferiours. Nee lex est justior uUa. Nay 
 Two of those Nobilitie dwindled and soe basely degenerated, as to Court the Vulgar, to be 
 House of Commons Men, under a Tyrant and Usurper which not any of those Bishopps 
 but would have scorned. But God be prays'd we are all now miraculously Return'd into 
 our Old and Eoyall Channell. Wee have againe our King our Bishopps our Nobles our 
 Eeligion in Lawes (both Ecclesiasticall and Civill) and Liberties. Behold we are made, 
 whole. Let TJs sin noe more, lest a "Worse Thing happen unto us. 
 
 Shortly after this Chyle apologises for hia digression on the plea that the Bishops had 
 lately been in such small esteem, owing to the besotted ignorance of the Age and the want 
 of Religion and piety. 
 
 It is well known that the West of England was in early times under the jurisdiction 
 of the sees of Winchester and Sherbum, and that Somerset then was part of the diocese 
 of the latter, until it became a Diocese itself The Bishop of Sherbum usually visited 
 this Diocese and Church once a year, Glaston* and other places being exempt according 
 to the Charter of King Ina ; from which document it is easy to see what were the objects 
 of the Episcopal annual visitation : they were to celebrate mass, consecrate altars, dedi- 
 cate Churches and confer orders ; and though Glastonbury was exempt from his jurisdic- 
 tion, the abbey was nevertheless charged with hospitality towards him. 
 
 But least upon the erecting of this new Bishoprick, and taking the Ecclesiasticall 
 power out of the hands of the Bishopps of Sherburne, The Abbie of Glaston may seeme 
 to suffer anything as to her privileges and immunities ; and because also that some new 
 Donations, through the Liberalitie and Charitie of pious Benefactors which had since 
 accrew'd to their Howse It was Expedient to have this Charter of Ina's and other privi- 
 ledges afterwards granted by several kings, Confirmed by King Edgar (that Royal Patron 
 of the Monks and therefore Sainted) and also by Canutus the Dane wherein soe much as 
 concerns our Church I shall here take notice off. In that of Edgar's after the preface ; 
 Consendente et annuente Brithelmo Fontanensi Episcopo, wee have those words : Fontam- 
 ensis Episcopus vel ejus Ministri super hoc Monasterium vel super parochiales ejusdem 
 Ecclesias, viz.: Strefe, Mirieling, Budock, Sha^ewike, &c., et seq. — Spelmanni Concilia, 
 tom i. p. 485. 
 
 In that Charter of Canutus the excluding the Bishop of this See from having there 
 any power, is not express't as in the other, but in the generalitie implyed in these Words : 
 Ut nvMus omnino Ulam Insulam intrare audeat cujuscunque ordinis aut dignitatis sit ; sed 
 omnia tarn in ecclesiis quam in Secula/ribus Causis tomtv/mmodo Abbatis, Judicium et Con- 
 ventus sicuti prcedecessores mei Sanxerunt et privilegiis confirma/oerunt. Cenwines, Ines, 
 Cuthrdus, Ailredus, Alfredus, Edwa/rdus, Ethelredus, Ailstanus, et gloriosissimus EdmMndus, 
 et incomparabilis Edgarus. 
 
 The Bishop however undoubtedly was intrusted with Jurisdiction over all this 
 Countie and those others, Glaston only excepted, and consequently, says Chyle, all Church 
 
 • We may notice here another instance of the aggressive trait in Bishop Drokensford's character. 
 March 3, 1319. — Eex monet Episcopum ne libertatem ecclesie St. Marie Glastonie et septem ecclesiarum 
 Glastoniensibus subjeetarum infringat : they were Strete, Pilton, Dycheegate, Bodekleye, Sapwyk, 
 Merling, and Sowy (Drok. 134). They are free from Episcopal jurisdiction. This suggests the f Jlowing 
 thought: Hisce diebus Episcopus ut videtur exemptionem a jurisdiotione Episcopali in Diocesi sua 
 penituB extinguere manibus pedibus conatus est. Sed ea res frustra fuit. 
 
cxl PREFACE. 
 
 affaires within his manage were unto the same method and manner with other the 
 Bishoppricks within the province of Canterbury. 
 
 Chyle then indulges in an eloquent digresaion upon the duties of a Diocesan and the 
 use of Archdeacons, adding that the Bishop likewise had his Chapter who were in many 
 things to help and advise him and in the vaoancie to rule and govern the Diocess. He 
 traces also the different circumstances which led to the formation of the Bishop's Consistory 
 where he describes the Diocesan as represented by his Chancelor who is Judge of the Court, 
 and therefore to be skilled in the Canon and Civil Lawes, see as to hear and determine all 
 Causes Ecclesiasticall that shall judicially come before him ; He is also called Yicarius 
 Generalis, and till Hen: 8: in Holy Orders, soe as not to be beholding to any of his 
 Clergie, as now he is for pronouncing and publishing his Acts of Excommunication. By 
 the Canonists he is stiled Offieialis principalis, To whom the Bishopp doth generally com- 
 mitt the charge of his spiritual Jurisdiction : a person he ought to be of Gravitie, 
 Learning, and Integrity, According to that command of King Ethelred in his Lawes, 
 where, De Judicio Officio amoung Severall Qualificacions requisite for a Judge Ecclesias- 
 ticall or secular he gives this speciaU Caution ; That Nullus Bominus siultos out improhos 
 Judices constituat quia stultus per ignorantia/m Improhus per cupiditatem vitat quam 
 didicit Veritatem. 
 
 But passing from generalities to this See in particular. In that great Catastrophe in 
 our Nation from the Saxon yoke to the Norman slavery Giso was Bishop of this Diocess ; 
 A man of a very good Caracter from all hands who was the last that exercised that joynt 
 Jurisdiction with the Secular Magistrate, and the first Doubtless of this Consistoriall who 
 banishing himself during the usurpation of Harold^ returnd with the Conqueror, with 
 whom he became as gratious as formerly he had been with the Confessor, and bestirring 
 himself in recovering what Harold and others had gott from this Church, obtaines like- 
 wise Create priviledges and Immunities for himself and Church, and tho Johannes de 
 Villula and Savaricus removed the Chaire from hence. The one to Bath, the other to 
 Glaston, yet to the See continued They those Privileges whatsoere they were. 
 
 This Plenary Jurisdiction throughout the whole Diocess (Except before excepted and 
 in those Monasteries too of Bath and Glaston, during the times the Chaire was removed 
 to those places and the Bishops acted under those Titles) continued till the Constitution of 
 a Deane and Chapter by Bishop Robert, who to make this Act the more eminent parts 
 with and devests himself and Successors of his Authoritie in the Church of S. Andrew in 
 Wells over the Deans, Canons, and Prebendaries there, as also in all the Churches 
 belonging to any of them (except the Church of Barton which was Archidiaconall) And 
 likewise the Churches of S. Cuthbert in Wells, Lovington, Lidiard Epi, Nether Stowy, 
 Carhampton, West Lidford, Evercrich, Westbury, Chilcompton and Branfield.* 
 
 The controversy between Bishop Drokenford and Dean Goodele relating to their several 
 jurisdictions has attention in the next Chapter, where we shall see how the exemptions 
 and privileges granted to the Dean of Wells were not only continued and confirmed by 
 his successors, but how others were added and confirmed. However, as Chyle says, if this 
 should be thought an Injury to the Succeeding Diocesans, yet I conceive it not equall 
 to the Benefitt they have received thereby, for excepting the Deane, He ordained all 
 the Dignitaries and prebendaries of the Church to be at the will and disposall of his 
 
 Successors. 
 
 Except in cases of Appeale, when cases should come regularly before him. 
 
PREFACE. cxli 
 
 Now to sum up all, Hee has his primary and trienniall Visitacions of his whole 
 Diocess, his Annuall Archidiaconall ia those parishes which belonged to the Abbie of, 
 Glaston (which to this day in theire books is placed under the stile of G-laston jurisdiction) 
 and the City and Suburbs of Wells with his Cathedraticum and procuracions. Besides 
 other privileges belonging generally to all Bishops, Chyle adds — All Dignitaries and pre- 
 bendaries as I have said relating to the Church, together with Beverall Advowsons of 
 Rectories and Vicariges in his gift and therefore the Causa sine qua non of all the Resi- 
 dentiaries within this Church who necessarily must be first qualified with a prebend, if not 
 a Dignitie also to have a Canonicall House (of which some are in the Bishopp's disposing) 
 before any can be a Canon Residentiary. All the Vicars' Houses in Close Hall to be by 
 him collated, with severall other matters tending towards his honor and grandure which I 
 omitt here to recon up, because were the same belonging to other Bishopps where a Deane 
 and Canons made up theire Chapter before our Reformation. 
 
 But as might be expected from the circumstances of his position and the age in which 
 he •wrote, the vicissitudes to which the Episcopal temporalities had beeri subjected 
 exercised Bishop Mew's Secretary more than any mere questions of statutable jurisdiction, 
 and after three or four pages occupied with an explanation of the Saxon Liberties, which 
 were merely confirmed by the Charter of King John to the See, and afterwards successively 
 by Edward II., Edward III., Henry IV., Henry V., and Edward IV., with some additions, 
 he proceeds to speak of the Powers of Enquiring, hearing, and determining of all mis- 
 demeanours, Quarrells, &c.,. which happen within the City of Wells, and precincts thereoff 
 and which are inquirable by any Justice of peace with a proviso against hearing or deter- 
 mining of any Eelon with special warrant and Command from the King his Heirs and 
 Successors As also Sea wrecks within the Hundred of Winterstoke within this Countie of 
 Somerset, together with the A'dmiraltie power within the said Hundred. All these were 
 afterwards confirmed 1. July 2. Hen 8: to Cardinall Hadrian de Castello Bishop: 4 Jun: 
 1. Mar' : Confirmed to Gilbert Borne Bishopp 7. April 5 Eliz : Confirmed to Gilbert 
 Berkley Bishop and 28. Mar. 12 Jac: to James Montaoute Bishop. 
 
 Having thus taken notice only of the severall Confirmacions of this Charter to our 
 Bishops It will not be amiss for the securing of these our Bishopps' Priviledges, specially 
 those in the precincts and City of Wells against the incroaching Corporacion, here to 
 insert theire owne particular . By which the Mayor and Commonaltie made theire purchase 
 of them in the late Rebellion. And if this yeelds us no addicion or illustracion to our 
 present business yet it certainely must remaine an Argument against themselves, if here- 
 after they should incroach on the Bishop (for they have been and are Nibbling at it), and 
 denigh him what They purchased as only belonging to Him and His Successors. And for 
 my Authoritie I shall quote Cornelius Burges, his second part of his Case, which was 
 allowed by Them, taken from the original 1 Papers as he had them from the Committees, 
 who together scrambling for the Bishopp's rights, brings this to Light, and makes good 
 the proverb, viz. : when Theives fall out, true men comes by theire Goods. This was a 
 True Blue Apron returne of Thanks, to the Bishopp's predecessors To Reginall Fitz 
 Joceline, who in Hen : 1 : reigne was soe gratious as to have Them then incorporated : 
 (see Bishop Godwin De presul . 421 p.) And here Chyle enumerates the difiierent acts of 
 favour of difierent Kings to the Corporation of the City. 
 
 Before I come to the particular itselfe It seemes one John Casbeard (a speciall Saint 
 and fit match for Cornelius, infamous even to a proverb in this Country) was theire Cheife 
 A^ent in this purchase, to whom the Corporacion writes this letter. 
 
cxlii PREFACE. 
 
 Mr. Casebeard 
 
 Having by your meanes receiv'd mformacion tbat the Bishopp's Lands are now upon 
 Sale, and that you out of your good affection to the Corporacion, have hed some Conference 
 ■with the Trustees concerning the Royalty of Wells, to be purchased by the Corporacion : 
 Wee forthwith upon such intimation mett together at the Chequer, and did there unani- 
 mously consent that the purchase should be prosecuted with effect and truly could not but 
 much resent your love to and remembrance of the Corporacion in this kind ; And wee 
 thought fit to give you advertisement what our desires were to purchase, and what the 
 burdens were upon it, that wee might with more certainty proceed in the purchase. 
 
 Wee desire to procure and buy the Royaltie of the Towne and Hundred of Wells and 
 Wells Forum, that is to say the Balywick of the Same, the Court of Record, the three 
 weeken Courts, and Leet or Lawday for the Towne, the 3 weaken Court or Lawday for 
 the Forum, the four Faires in the Towne, and Binegar and priddy Faires, and the chief 
 rents (if they be incident unto the Law Day) and Felon's goods and Clerk of the Market, 
 i&c, and return of Writts and such Issues and Amercements as fall upon any Townesmen 
 whether in our Sessions or in the County which are granted by the Letters patent 
 of Edw: 4. 
 
 For the profitts of the markett and foure Faires, within the Towne, you know it is 
 received, and doth belong to Mr. Gorman the Bayliffe who hath a patent thereoff for his 
 life and your Crosses. 
 
 For the three Weeken Court, and Court of Record, the profitts thereoff belong to the 
 Steward, except the benefitt of Forfeitures, and other small inconsiderable things And for 
 the profitts of Binigar and priddy Faires it is received by the Bayliff of the Hundred which 
 after disburstments allowed, the remainder cannot be great. Soe as the meane present 
 profitt must arise aut of the Law -days and that chiefly upon amercments wherein Extremity 
 may not be used. 
 
 Thus much in particular we thought fitt to informe you that as occasion shall be 
 offered, you might the better give satisfaction to the Trustees, and extenuate price. 
 
 Wee shall be glad to receive some quick notice from you, what the lowest price of the 
 purchase desired may be, and when to be paid, that wee may the better know what money 
 to raise, and how to be able to make payment accordingly. 
 
 You have herein our d«sires and we shall presume on your Care and furtherance 
 which if it take effect will be a grand Work for the Corporacion and will not be forgotten 
 by us. Your very loving Freinds 
 
 Wells . Novemb: 28 . 1647. 
 
 : postscript Tho: Salmon, Maior. Rob: Hill. 
 
 Wee dare not meddle Barth: Cox. Rob: Hurman. 
 
 with the profitts of Mendip William Baron. John Niblet. 
 
 it being too high a Tho: Jones. Hugh Merefeild. 
 
 purchase for our purse. Rob: Rowley. Hen: BaroNi 
 
 For our very loving Rich: Casebeard. Jos: Plummer. 
 
 Friend Mr. John Joseph Gallington. Will: Atwel. 
 
 Casebeard at his William West. Robert Hole. 
 
 Lodging, & (fee. Richard Frier. John Cox, <fe &c. 
 
 To back this letter a weeke after was seald by the Corporacion a letter of Atturney 
 further impowring this Casebeard with others to goe on with this Contract, which is as 
 followes : 
 
PREFACE. cxliii 
 
 " Know all men by these presents that wee the Maior, Masters and Burgesses of the 
 City or Bnrrough of Wells in the County of Somerset have Constituted, ordained and 
 appointed, and by these presents doe constitute ordaine and appoint, our trusty Friends 
 Robert Morgan Gent' one of the Masters of the City or Burrough of Wells in the County 
 of Somersett, John Cox one of the Capital Burgesses of the same City or Burrough and 
 John Casbeard one of the Burgesses of the same City or Burrough, to be our true and law- 
 full Atturnies, for us and in our Names to treat contract and agree with the Honourable 
 Committee of Contractors, for the sale of all Bishopp's Lands within the Kingdome of 
 England and Dominion of Wales for the purchasing the Inheritance of the Royaltie of the 
 Liberde of the City or Burrough of Wells, as also of the Hundred of Wells, and Wells 
 Forum, and the two Fairs of priddy and Binegar within the said Hundred. Hereby 
 ratifying confirming and allowing all and whatsoever our said Atturnies or any two of 
 them shall doe for us in the premises. 
 
 " In Witness whereoff we have set our Seale of Maioralty of the said City, the fourth 
 day of Decemb: in the 23 year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord Charles by the grace 
 of God of England, Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith &c., and in 
 the yeare of our Lord 1647. 
 
 "Thomas Salmon Maior, Barthol: Cox, Tho : Jones, Will: Baron, Will: West, 
 Rich: Casbeard, Will: Smith, Rob; Hill, Rob: Thomas, John Webb, Hugh Merefield, 
 Will: Hiat, Rob: Harman, Rob: HoU, Will: Atwell, Joseph Gallington, Joseph Hummer, 
 Josias Cook." 
 
 Now foUowes the particular of theire purchase, parcell of the possession of the late 
 Bishopwrick of Bath cmd Wells : 
 
 "The Royalty of the City or Burrowgh of Wells, and of the forraine Fee, Bailifwick 
 or Hundred of Wells, commonly called Wells, and Wells Forum, with the Rights, Mem- 
 bers and Appurtenances thereof, in the County of Somerset, together with the said 
 Hundred ; And also aU Courts, and Courts of Record, or Court and Courts of pleas, 
 Hundred Courts, Views of Frank-pledge, and whatsoever to the view of Frank-pledge 
 appertaineth. Court Leets, Courts Barons and oth-er Courts, to be holden from three weeks 
 to three weeks, or otherwise holden, or to be holden from time to time, within the City or 
 Burrough of Wells and the Liberties thereoff or within the Hundred of Wells and Wells 
 Forum aforesaid. Together with the Guild Hall and the ground and soile thereoff wherein 
 the said Courts are usually holden, and the prison or the prison house thereunto adjoyning; 
 And all Fines, Issues and Amercements, perquisites and profits as well at the said Courts, 
 and every of them as at the Sessions of the peace, holden from time to time at the City or 
 Burrough of Wells aforesaid. And also all Fines for Licence of Alienacion and port Fines 
 and all other Fines, Forfeitures, Issues, and Amercements at the Assises or elsewhere, 
 before whatsoever Judge or Justices either in the High Court of Chancery, the Court of 
 King's Bench, Common Pleas, or of the Exchequer due and payable or happening from 
 time to time to be due and payable by any person or persons within the Countie of 
 Somerset aforesaid. And also the Bailifwick and ofiice of Bayliff of Wells, and of the 
 Hundred of Wells and Wells Forum aforesaid, and of the said Libertie of the said Bishop 
 of Bath and Wells within the said Countie of Somerset And also full power and 
 Authoritie to keepe the aforesaid Courts and every of them, and the accustomed Writis 
 and process the afforesaid Courts and Courts of Records to be from time to time issued 
 and awarded, to beare Test in the name of the Maior of the said City or Burrough for the 
 time being successively and to be kept by the Maior or Recorder, or by the Steward of the 
 
cxliv FREFACE. 
 
 said Maior Masters and Burgesses of tbe said City or Burrough, and theire Successors for 
 the time being, and such otlier oflScers of the said Maior, Masters and Burgesses and theire 
 Successors for ever, to be from time to time attendant upon the said Courts, and to serve 
 and execute the Writts and processes of the said Courts and other matters and things in 
 the said Courts, as were usually attendant in and upon the said Courts, in the time of the 
 late Bishopps there. And also power to distrain for all summs of Money due and payable 
 for or by reason of the said premises. And all other remedies or meanes for the haveing, 
 receiving, buying or enjoying the premises or any of them. And all Faires with theire 
 Appurtenancies, and Marketts holden and kept and to be from time to time to be holden 
 and kept within the said City or Burrough of Wells or within the said Hundred of Wells 
 and Wells Forum, or any part thereoff. And all Tolls Customes picca,ge Stallage and 
 other Benefitts, profitts, commodities and advantages happening or coming, arising or 
 growing for or by reason of the said Faires and Markets or any of them. And also all 
 Eschaets Waives Estrays, Deodands Goods and Chattels of Felons, Felons of themselves, 
 and of Fugitives outlawed, persons and of persons put in Exigent happening or coming 
 within the City or Burrough of Wells, or within Wells Forum aforesaid, or the Libertie 
 or Liberties of the said late Bishopp of Bath and Wells within the said City or Burrough 
 of Wells or Wells Forum aforesaid. And also the office of Clerk of the Markett and what- 
 soever to the said office appertaineth. The correction of the Assise of Bread .Ale and 
 Beere and other Victualls and the Tryall of all Weights and Measures together with all 
 Fines and Forfeittures happening by reason of the same within the Libertie and Liberties 
 aforesaid. And also all Streetes and Wayes and the ground and soile of the Market place 
 in the said City or Burrow. And also all other Boyalties Services Franchises Liberties, 
 privileges, Immunities, profits, Advantages and Emoluments whatsoever of what Nature 
 and Qualitie soever within the said City or Burrow of Wells, and within the said Hundred 
 of Wells and Wells Forum or any part or parcell thereoff, unto the late Bishop of Bath 
 and Wells or any other Bishop there in right of the late Bishopwrick of Bath and Wells 
 at any time within ten yeares before the beginning of the parliament of England now 
 assembled at Westminster belonging or appertaining," &c., &o. 
 
 Suffice it to say that by Willwords (even to Impertencies and Tautologies) they 
 hooked in all our Bishopp's authoritie and Incorporated it with theire owne which carried 
 with it such severe Eeflection and Judgment, if wee consider that Fate, which all along 
 attended these purchasers, Cornelius and the Corporacion not only by loosing their Moneys 
 But by a vexatious and constant Suit in Law which happened between them, and as a 
 Canker soe ate into their stock and purse as to impoverish and almost beggar both parties. 
 Nay when they had gone through all Courts, Committees, and at last, by Disborow's (a 
 Grand Eebell, Oliver's Basshaw, for these Westerne parts) meanes and intercession 
 referred it to 4 Neighbour Gent, viz: Robert Hunt, John Harington, Francis Roll, and 
 John Buckland Esq'- yet could it never be composed till the right owner, the old Bishopp 
 came, and ended the Quarrell : So that what Cornelius studied to avoid came vengeancely 
 to pass, contradicting his very owne Saying, viz: That he would not purchase to himselfe 
 Suites of Law, instead of Bishopps' Lands. 
 
 I suppose some care was taken upon the Returne of the Bishopp, by his officers to 
 have this Corporacion Conveiance calld in and Cancelld For tho I hope it may never be 
 of any benefitt or Service, yet not fitt is it, I conceive, that it should remaine to posterity, 
 who not weighing the merritts of the Cause, or not considering the Occasion, or Bottom 
 thereoff may hereafter apprehend themselves wronged by the Bishopps. But how can I 
 
PREFACE. cxlv 
 
 imagine that such care was taken of this or of anything else (relating to the honor or 
 authoritie of the Bishop) more than how to scrape together what moneys they could. 
 When Honest John Casebeard (a man still in Favour) still enjoys that which the Corpora- 
 cion, as I am informed, gave him as a reward of this his Good Service. For noe sooner 
 had the City thus gott the Bishopp's Royaltie, but they shutt up the Common Lane or 
 passage {for watering of horses), which was by the Inn called the Christopher, and in all 
 ages has gone by the name of the Water Lane, Leasing out the ground thereoflf for Lives 
 or yeares, to this Casebeard on which he has built, and Turning all the Horses and other 
 Catell, which are or come to Towne, for theire Water and Washing to the Bishopp's mote, 
 about his palace. This I say continues to this day and should the Bishopp but exercise 
 that right which others claime in theire Houses and dwellings, in shutting up at night or 
 when he pleases, his owne Dores and Gates, such a Clamour would it make in Towne, ' 
 especially amoung the Novices and Straingers who were Come since, and know nothing of 
 this continued Incroachment, as if they had the greatest wrong imaginable offered them. 
 Tho as now suffer'd and endur'd it proves and is as greate a Nusance and affront to the 
 Bishopp and his Authority as can be possible. Nay this Indulgence encourages all the 
 neighbourhood about the Palace to carry and wheel all the dirt, and Filth of theire Houses, 
 through the Palace Gate, making their common Dunghil within the Palace Walls (under 
 the Bishop's nose). Many more such Incroachments have they made, and yet continue by 
 virtue of this Conveiance and Authoritie which once they had ; and therefore I humbly 
 conceive that necessity it is for the Bishopp or his officers to reassume to himselfe his 
 whole and all Authoritie and privileges even in minimis which belonged unto him, his 
 Palace and elsewhere before the Rebellion, and if any such Indulgence be continued for 
 supply of theire Necessities or Conveniencies, Let it be Recorded and acknowledged by 
 Them, To be of mere Favour, and by' noe meanes of Right : Odi profammi vulgus 
 et arceo. 
 
 Having thus made a discovery of the Bishop's authoritie and Jurisdiction own'd and 
 maintain'd by the City in that Contest they had with Cornelius Burges, I shall now 
 examine it a little further out of his Court Rolls and other Records which alass are very 
 few. For (heretofore) when the Bishopp's palace was plundered, the writings and Records 
 of the Bishoprick, of noe advantage to Soldiers (got into the hands of the little) were 
 seized on by some Attoumies of the place and Neighbourhood, who having made some 
 small Interest of them, as to theire practice, soe confounded and Embezild them and 
 stifled, as impossible ever to be retrived. Out of those that are recovered since this Lord 
 Bishop came, by smoothing and a little imploying one or two of them, have I taken many 
 of these Remarks. 
 
 As first for the City of Wells At theire Law Day Courts. The stile of theire Rolls 
 runnes thus 
 
 Wells Civitas : Irrotulat' Cur' Legal' cum Vis: Franc: pleg: ibidem tent' quart' die 
 &c. 39 . Eliz. 
 
 Alta Vico 
 
 Johannes Yeare iii^- : Tho; Gibbons iii''-: <fec. Quia sunt Hostit' et dant Domino pro 
 Licent' Hospitan' peregrin' et vendend' cervis' et Vict' hoc anno, 2s. 3d. 
 
 Will: West iii^- &c. sunt Communes Tappers et dant Domino de Fine pro licenc' 
 vendend' cervis' hoc anno, 18d. 
 
 Thomas Oliver ifec. iii'^- Quia vend: Vinum excessive I2d. 
 
 Michael Alford &c. in'*- Sunt Lanei et vendunt camera excessive 2s. 2d. 
 
cxlvi PREFACE. 
 
 Ric: Bord &c. iii''- sunt Communea pistores et fregerunt Assis'. ideo in misericordia 
 prout patet super eorum capita, 2s. Qd. 
 
 "Will. Broune &c. iii'^- sunt communes Brasiatores et fregerunt Assis: 18A 
 Will. Godwin generosus Quia non emendavit murum et pontem in superiore parte 
 vici de New street prout ei precipitur, 10s. 
 
 Joh: Martin &c. 12d quia non emendaverit le rubble and Durt ante Ostia sua, ut 
 eis precipitur, 2s. 
 
 Paulus Methwyn 3s. ^d. Clerus (fee, quia non essuraverit cursum aquse, ante terras 
 suas in Tucker- Streete, 6s. 
 
 Thomas Morris quia non (anglice) did not remove his gate in the Lane goeing to 
 Coward Mill neither did scoure the Water Course as enjoyn'd, 12s. 
 
 Galfrid Bright &c. 3s. 4(^. qui premissorum canes suos (anglice) theire Mastie doggs to 
 goe at large in ye streete, Qs. 8d. 
 
 Eic: Pugle. For that he did annoy Tho: Stokes with laying Carrin and garbage 
 neere his house, I2d. 
 
 Jacobus Morris, A miller for taking one pounde and halfe for Toll out of one Peck of 
 wheate excessively 3s. id. 
 
 Michael Alford (fee. 2s. 6d., Butchers for not bringing theire Bullock bellies with 
 theire Vitalls into the market, or the markett dayes to sell, as enjoyn'd 27s, 6d. 
 
 E,ic: Holbrook &c. 12d., common Hucksters contrarie to Law and order made. 
 
 Abraham King (fee. nii^- For that they were summoned by the BayHflf's servant to be 
 of the Jury for her Majesty and made default, 20d. 
 
 Will: Chambers (fee. 3d. quia sect' debent in hunc diem et fecerunt defec'. 3s. 
 
 Vico Cameraria. 
 
 Georgius Eouksbury (fee. 3d. quia sunt Hostit' et dant Dxjmino pro lident' Hospitand' 
 peregrin' et vendend cervis' et Vict' hoc anno, 12d. 
 
 Thomas Lewellin gen' (fee. 3d. quia sect' debent ad hunc diem et fecerunt defec' 21d. 
 
 Thomas Budge (fee. 2s. 6d. quia sunt communes Tappers et vend cervis' absque licent', 
 12s. 6d. 
 
 Hugo Walter (fee. 23s. 6d. Innkeepers and Alesellers for selling theire drink for 2d. a 
 quart, £3 5s. 
 
 Southover. 
 
 Eic: Vincent, Host' et dat Domino pro Lictnt' Hospitand' et vendend cervis' hoc 
 anno, 3d. 
 
 J. Goodman &c. 3d. Qui sect' debent &, (fee. et seq. et fecer' defect' in misericordia 
 3s. 3d. 
 
 S. Cuthbert. Rob. Smith (fee. 3d. sunt communes Tappers pro Licent' vendend 
 cervis' hoc anno, 9d. 
 
 Joh: Watts (fee. 3d. sect' debent et seq., 3s. 
 
 Sum total of this Court, £8 5s. 2d. 
 
 In other yeares (some other Courts) I find amercements on Common Brewers that 
 keepe Inns. On Country Butchers for staying longer in the Markett then theire limited 
 hower. On persons for not paving their dores. And laying Filth in the Street. On 
 Tanners, if theire Leather be not searcht. On the Baylife if the Stocks are at Fault, and 
 also if the Market Bell rings not at the common hower which was then at ten o'clock. 
 And in short almost the whole Goveiment of the City has been under the Bishopp's Juris- 
 
 diction within his Courts. 
 
PBEFAGE. 
 
 cxlvii 
 
 These things I know are common in most Bishopps' Jurisdictions and other Corpora- 
 cions according to severall Statuts of the Land customes of ye place, and therefore take 
 not notice of them here, for any Raritie, But that the City of Wells may not encroach on 
 the Bishopp's Libertie, as I know they doe, in severall of these Matters or such like, 
 wherein they have no just Authoritie at all. 
 
 In like manner was there twice in the yeare, the Hundred Court for Wells Forum, 
 kept by his Steward in his Guildhall at Wells, which took in the Townes and Hamletts 
 of Wormister, Dindar, Dulcott, priddey, Wookiehole, Milton et Walcombe, Wookey, 
 Yardley, Whitchurch, Easton, Westbury, Coxeley, Crenmore, Chesterblade, Everchritch, 
 Burcott, East Wells. 
 
 He had the Court Baron also for the Manor of Wells, relating to his Free and 
 Customary tennants. And his three-weekes Court for holding pleas of all manner of 
 Actions within the City or Burrow of Wells, to which the Dean and Chapter and Vicars 
 Chorall owed suite and Service. — N. C. 
 
 As for those other manors neare 40 heretofore belonging to the Bishopprick, besides 
 some Hundreds, Hee had the like privileges with other Lords, according to the particular 
 Customes of those respective Manors and places. 
 
 In the time of Edward I. our Bishop of Bath and Wells had granted to him (who 
 was then Robert Bumell first Lord High Treasurer, then Lord Chancelor of England, a 
 greate Favorite and Minister of State in those dayes) and his Successors by that prince : 
 lAheramh chaceam per totwm Gomitatwm Somerset ; Soe as whoever should give him any dis- 
 turbance a penaltie of £10 was incurr'd. The advantage of this privilege lies, I suppose, 
 in the power of the Bishopp's officers have in driving of Cattel to and from any place 
 within this Countie uncontrol'd, as also to chase a Distress to a Fortlett or place of 
 securitie. 
 
 We then have a full account of the Customs and Laws of Mendip, which however 
 occupy nearly 35 pages, and are too long to be quoted here. 
 
 I shall conclude this Chapter, says Chyle, with naming the Bishop's officers and 
 Eetinue which formerly he had relating to his Temporalties, with their Sallaries. 
 
 £, s. d. 
 1 6 8 
 
 10 
 
 The High Steward 
 
 His TTndersteward 
 
 The Generall Receiver 
 
 The Auditor - 
 
 The Keeper of Wells palace 
 
 „ „ Wells park 
 
 The Porter and Keeper of the 
 
 Wells prison 
 The Stone Bayliss - 
 The Keeper of Westbury Park 
 The Keeper of Barwell Park - 
 The Keeper of Barwell House 
 
 £ 
 
 s. 
 
 d. 
 
 13 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 13 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 2 
 
 18 
 
 8 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 The Woodward of Cheder 
 The Baylife of Claverton 
 The Keeper of Evercreech 
 
 park - 
 The Keeper of Dogmersfeild 
 
 Walk 
 The TJndersteward of Dogmers- 
 
 feld 
 The Baylife of Chew Hundred 
 The Baylife of Winterstoke 
 
 Hundred 
 The Baylife of Wells Burg: 
 
 1 14 8 
 
 13 4 
 
 13 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 4 
 
 The Reeves of every Manor had theire Old rents deducted for executing the office. 
 
cxlviii 'PREFACE. 
 
 BOOK V. CHAP. II. 
 
 ®]^e Surtslitctton of ti)0 IBeane anb Cljaptct in tfje Cnijurclj anti of 
 Sc&eraU otfjer places totttjin tfje iStocesse. 
 
 ILTHO' in this Chapter I have placed the Deane and Chapter together, yet the 
 Deane being a Sole Corporacion, (as I have before said) having a distinct and 
 different Jurisdiction in severall matters from that of the Chapters, I shall 
 discourse of them first separately, then conjunctively. 
 
 Chyle then marked out for himself a system, but on second thoughts drew his pen 
 across it over and over again : And as in the Bishopp's Jurisdiction, there is relacion had 
 to his temporaries as spiritualties, soe is it with the Deane's, and therefore I shall follow 
 the same method here as in the last Chapter. 
 
 The Church of Sarum was in those days and in all times, in such publick Eepute for 
 her Devotion and Goverment, that most Churches took theire measures thence, Soe as at 
 the first erection of our Deanery, and placing Ivon in that Ofiice, conferring on him the 
 usuall privileges, and Jurisdiction belonging to Deanes of other Cathedralls, He chose 
 Salesbury Deanery for his pattern to walk, and govern by as in the last Chapter is hinted. 
 
 As to the Deane's {spiritual) jurisdiction in this Church and Diocesse, I must have 
 recourse to severall of the Churche's Statutes as I find them in Mr. Creighton's manuscript 
 wherein the Deane's power is very often distinct from that of the Chapter's.* (See here 
 page 44. De officio cujuslibet persona : Debet enim Deoanus . . . correctionem morum.) 
 
 In this Church, in the time of Bishopp Drokensford, there happened a very sharp 
 dispute between him and John Goodelee then Deane, relating to theire severall Jurisdic- 
 tions and Authorities, which tho' it lasted long, and with great heates and animosities 
 carried on, yet it proved of good Consequence, because it ended in a true state of those 
 Qusestions, in debate, to the satisfaction of each partie, and gave a Quiett to future A^es, 
 which else might unhappily have entail'd a Quarrell to theire Successors. Xow because 
 in this Contest, the Deane's Jurisdiction, was struck at by the Bishopp, It may not be 
 amiss here to give the particulars of it, and thus by the Deane's Defence come to the 
 knowledge of his power. Nor -was the Deane in this dispute the only partie, on the one 
 side, but the Chapter also was engaged therein as to severall matters relating to their 
 Goverment. 
 
 It is therefore somewhat amusing to find that after all the real cause of the whole 
 affair was the Bishop's official, for we hear that in December, 1321, the Dean and Chapter 
 actually begged the Bishop to amote him ut pote causam et originem dissensiords et contro- 
 versiarum and to give the Treasurer the same freedom (presumably from his jurisdiction) 
 as the other dignitaries have, and Bishop JosceUn had proposed long since to give him. 
 
 Chyle here quotes what he calls " the preamble," beginning with the words Memoran- 
 dvMi quod licet ad Eeverendos, referring to Mr. Creighton's MS., page 100, and the Red- 
 book, fol. 31. This he proceeds to give at length, with a few observations and explanatory 
 paragraphs, here and there describing the progress of the controversy, very much in the 
 
 * "Wherein the Deane's power was involved with that of the Chapter,'' or "jet in conference with 
 the Chapter." This passage has been re-recorrected so as to leave us in some doubt as to what Chvle 
 really thought, or rather knew, of the relative Jurisdictions of the Deau and Chapter. 
 
PREFACE. cxlix 
 
 same style as his general remarks. The documents themselves are found under Excerpta e 
 Libra Ruhro, in the Appendix H, p. 133. 
 
 "We will observe however that he ventures to guess the Bishop's motive in raising the 
 whole Question of the Decanal Jurisdiction, writing : By these Articles wee may discover 
 the Bishopp's grievance namely that there should be any Jurisdiccion within his Diocesee 
 equal to or exempt from his, as this of the Deane's seem'd to be which occasiond this 
 Quarrell and those Queries : To which the Deane makes this returne, relying most upon 
 prsescription : Ad primum Articulum Domini Episcopi et seq., p. 141. 
 
 Chyle then, after remarking the successive authorities which the Dean successfully 
 quoted in defence of his own Jurisdiction as conferred and confirmed by Bishops Robert, 
 Savaricus, and Joceline, declares, That the Bishopp, thus seeing and finding the ancient 
 privileges Liberties and Customes of the Deane and Chapter of Wells, and that They 
 would vigorously maintaine them desires That these Differences might amicably be con- 
 cluded betweene Them, which was accordingly don as appeares by these following Instru- 
 ments (see page 145 Appendix : Memorandum quod inter Venerahikm, dec. 
 
 At the conclusion of this reference Chyle adds : Thus ended this Create Controversie 
 betweene Bishopp Drokensford and Deane Goddelee which for severaU yeares with much 
 heate and mettle was controverted by both parties. And immediately after for the better 
 confirmacion thereoff, and securing theire Eights, the Deane visits his whole Jurisdiccion 
 according to these following Articles (see Appendix D, page 125). 
 
 After these followes Those wherein the Chapter also is concerned in theire Visitacion 
 of such Churches and places under theire Jurisdiccion. (Appendix D, page 126.) 
 
 Notwithstanding this ataicable decision and determination yet as to some of the same 
 points, a Controversie afterwards arrose between Bishop Ralph, Bishop Drockensford's 
 immediate successor, and Walter de London, Deane ; as appears by the following Instru- 
 ments : — 
 
 Noverint universi quod orta nuper inter Ven. in ohristo patrem Dominum Radulphum 
 Dei gratia B. et W. Episcopum ex parte una et Ven. Vii-um Dominum W. de London 
 Decanum Ecol. Cath. Wellen. ex altera. Materia qusestionis oceasione Citacionis Thomae 
 Tychemersli et Johanni Cherd Clericis in dicta Ecclesia Altaristis et Ministris ad com- 
 parendum coram dicto Ven. patre super quibusdam defectibus et excessibus in Ecclesia et 
 Civitate Wellen. Commissis per Mr. Nicholaum fford dictae Ecclesiae Canonicum authoritate 
 et mandate dicti patris, factse communibus Amicis intervenientibus pro bono pacis de 
 Consensu utriusque partis ita quievit Quod per Citacionem predictam seu ipsius Citacionis 
 mandatum nihil juris vel possessionis quoad Jurisdiccionem in hac parte dicto Domino 
 Episcopo vel suis Successoribus de novo accrescat nee ejus Citacionis aut mandati predict! 
 pretextu aliquod jus vel possessionem de novo poterit vel potuerit vindicare nee etiam 
 dicto Domino Decano aliquod prejudicium circa jus et possessionem Jurisdiccionis suse 
 oceasione dicti mandati aut citacionis predicte quomodolibet generetur ; Sed quod jus et 
 possessio tam dicti Domini Episcopi quam Decani predicti quae ipse et sui prsedecessores 
 ante Citacionem predictam in dicta Ecclesia Wellen ac ipsius Ecclesiae Canonicis, Vicariis 
 et Ministris habuerunt vel exercuerunt, vel habere seu exercere consueverunt integra 
 illaesa remaneant ac etiam illibata. In cujus rei testimonium Sigilla sua Line pacis firmie 
 partes predictae alternatim apposuerunt. 
 
 Data Wellen quinto Idus Julii . anno Domini mcccxlii. 
 
 lAber Ruber, fol. 56 a. — Memorandum quod cum inter nos Radulphum permissione 
 divina B. et W. Episcopum ex parte una et Walterum de London Decanum Wellen . ex 
 
cl PREFACE. 
 
 altera Occasio inquisitionis super vacatione Yicarise Ecclesia prebendalis S. Decumani in 
 Ecclesia nostra Wellen predicta ac super aliis articulis Consuetis in Capella nostra per 
 Clericos nostros Captae ac Induccionis Domini Eoberti Poure Capellani ad dictam Vicariam 
 presentati et admissi in corporalem possessionem ejusdem authoritate nostra omisso dicto 
 domino Decano orta fuisset materia questionis Tandem hujusmodi controversia pro bono 
 pacis per hunc modum conquievit . Viz: quod idem Dominus Decanus Decanatus sui 
 nomine habeat de cetero absque contradiccione nostra et officialium Nostrorum Inquisiciones 
 super vacacionibus Yicariarum Ecclesiarum prebendalinm et aliarum certarum Ecclesiarum 
 in et de Jurisdiccione Decani predicti existentium et super aliis Articulis in hac parte 
 debitis et consuetis et hujusmodi Inquisiciones per se et suos officiales et locum suum 
 tenentes juxta modum et Consuetudinem in Ecclesia Wellen hactenus usitatum faciat et 
 expediat ac quousque ad Yicarias et Ecclesias hujusmodi per nos ad misses et institutos in 
 corporalem possessionem earundem Vicariarum et Ecclesiarum suse Jurisdiccionis inducat 
 ita libere et pacifice sicut idem Dominus Walterus Decanus et sui praedecessores dictse 
 Ecclesise Wellen Decani suis temporibus successivis ante inquisitionem super Vacacionem 
 dictse Vicarise S. Decumani et inductionem dicti Domini Eoberti Foure in eadem premissa 
 facere et expedire consueverant Nolumus insuper nee intendimus per dictas inquisitionem 
 et induccionem in corporalem possessionem dictse vicarise Ecclesise prebendalis S. Decumani 
 authoritate nostra omisso dicto domino Waltero Decano ut premittitur factas jus aliquod 
 aut possessionem hujusmodi Inquisicionis et Induccionis in dicta Vicaria et aliis Vicariis 
 Ecclesiarum prebendalinm et certarum firmarum et Ecclesiarum & &c. authoritate nostra 
 factas quovismodo habuit Decanus in aliquo derogare. 
 
 This was done in the Chapter-house, September 30, 1348, in the presence of Walter 
 de Hull, Archdeacon of Bath, W. de Littleton, Precentor, E. de Thistleden, Treasurer, and 
 others — et multis aliis Clericis et Laicis. 
 
 Chyle's marginal reference is as follows : vid. Eegister 2<J- call'd ye. Red-Book . 
 folio 55 b. 
 
 From these documents Chyle is satisfied that much may be discovered as to our 
 Deane's power and Authoritie in Spiritualties within this Church and Diocess, and con- 
 tinues the same subject by reciting two Mandatorie Citacions of Deane Charlton (immediate 
 successor to Walter de London) for his visitacion of the Cathedral and of the prebends. 
 
 Johannes de Charlton Decanus Ecclesise Cathedralis Wellen discretis viris Dominis 
 W: M: et W: G: perpetuis Vicariis ejusdem Ecclesise Cathedralis Wellen Salutem &c. Nos 
 viget susoepti regiminis cura ut in Subditorum nostrorum tarn in Clero quam in populo 
 Corrigend' excessibus eorumque moribus reformand' eo diligentius iusistamus quo san- 
 guinem eorum ia examine stricti Judicii propter negligentiam premissorum requiri de 
 manibus nostris formidamus; proponentes igitur ex injuncto nobis officio prout de antiqua 
 approbata hactenus observata et legitime prescripta consuetudine ad Nos dinoscitur 
 pertiaere omnes et singulos confratres nostros et Canonicos in dicta Ecclesia prebendatos 
 Vosque ipsius Ecclesise Vicarios perpetuos necnon Capellanos perpetuarum Cantariarum in 
 ipsa Ecclesia et Capellis contiguis ejusdem fundatarum cseterosque Ministros ipsius Ecclesise 
 Cathedralis quoscumque Domino disponente in Charitate et Mansuetudine Die &c. (fee. 
 proximo futuro Visitare Intendimus Vos tenore prsesentium premonemus et peremptorie 
 citamus ac per vos communiter seu divisim personas omnium et singulorum de Capitulo 
 et Ecclesia Wellen predicta in dignitatibus personatibus et officiis minime constitutas per- 
 sonaliter si apprehendi valeant, aHoquin in Stallis prebendarum suarum juxta modum et 
 consuetudLuem laudabilera et antiquam dicte Ecclesia Cathedralis Wellen hactenus 
 
rBEFACE. cli 
 
 usitatam et approbatam etiam peremptorie citari volumus quod compareant prefato die in 
 Domo Capitulari Wellen de mane hora Capitulari consueta, cum continuacione et proro- 
 gacione dierum tunc sequentium Gratia Visitacionis nostra prselibata inibi eodem die 
 inchoandse et exercendae ipsam Yisitacionem nostram hujusmodi juxta juris exigentiam et 
 morem prseteriti temporis debite subituri; Omnia que alia singula subitura factura et 
 receptura qute in hujusmodi Visitacionis negotio necessaria fuerunt vel etiam opportuna, 
 ac secundum consuetudinem dicta Eoclesiae statuta et observantias quorumlibet requisita; 
 Volumus etiam et Mandamus quod inhibeatis omnibus et singulis quorum interest in hao 
 parte inhiberi, ne pendente Visitacione nostra quicumque in ipsius Visitacionis nostras 
 prejudicium attemptent seu faciant aliqualiter temptari Et quid feceritis & &. In cujus 
 rei Testimonium &c. Dat. Wellen in Hospitio nostro &c. 
 
 Johannes de Charlton Decanus Ecclesise Cathedralis Wellen discreto viro perpetuo 
 vicario prsebendse de Eastharptrie Salutem &c. Quia nos Ecclesiam prebendalem de East 
 Harptrie prsedicta Clerum et populum ejusdem Die & & proximo futuro annuente 
 Domino Intendimus visitare Tenore prsesentium peremptorie Vos citamus, etiam per Vos 
 citari volumus et mandamus praebendarium dictae prsebendse et omnes et singulos Capellanos 
 Divina infra dictam parochiam celebrantes quod compareatis et compareant coram nobis 
 in Eoclesia de East Harptrie predicta die predicto, vos titulum et munimenta Beneficium 
 vestorum concernentia, ac Vos et Capellani predicti Literas Ordinum vestrorum et suorum 
 ostensuri et exhibituri Oitatis insuper Sex parochianos fide digniores, et ad hujusmodi 
 Visitacionis o^ficium aptiores, quod dicta die et loco coram nobis compareant hujusmodi 
 Visitacionis officium pro salute Animarum ut convenit exercend' subitur', TJlteriusque 
 factur" et receptur' quod fuerit justum, Inhibemus etiam Vobis et per Vos omnibus et 
 singulis quorum interest in hao parte inhiberi ; Volumus et Mandamus in Vos vel et illi 
 pendente Visitacione nostra quicumque in visitacionis nostras praejudicium attemptetis aut 
 attemptent, faciatis aut faciant aliqualiter attemptari ; Et quod in praemissis feceritis seu 
 duxeritis faciend' Nos dicto die et loco una cum nominibus et cognicionibus citatorum in 
 quadam Schedula vestro certifioatorio annexenda debite certificetis auctentico sub sigillo 
 Dat. Wellen & &c. 
 
 And to shew the Absoluteness of his Authoritie in this Visitacion, He concludes all 
 his Orders and Injunctions there made : 
 
 Has nostras Injunctiones ad notitiam omnium et singulorum quorum interest 
 dedncimus et volumus pervenire ut eos alacri studio suscipiant et in omnibus suis Articulis 
 devoto et debito humilitatis et obedientise spiritu studeant observare; Ipsasque quoque 
 corrigendi et declarandi et ad eas addendi et de eis minuendi et hoc facere si et quando et 
 quoties opus fuerit nobis Eeservamus potestatem. Datum & &c. The rest of the prebends 
 have the same mandate with this of East Harptry mutatis mutamdis. 
 
 By what has been said wee may conclude the Deane's Jurisdiccion in those exempt 
 places to be Episcopall and not Archidiacouall in obedience only to the Archbishopp of 
 the province, except in Appeales to the Bishopps of the Diocess. For ye better manage 
 of this Authoritie he has his Consistorie His officiall and Register in whose Court 
 Cognisance is taken of all matters Ecclesiasticall happening within those places. Wills are 
 proved, and Administracions granted, Licences for Marriage taken thence, and in short 
 the same ecclesiasticall proceedings, and power has he in his Court over those Persons 
 within those places as the Bishop has in his within the Diocess. 
 
 This Jurisdiccion thus belonging to the Deane (in the Use) and that by the Grants of 
 the Bishopps, confirmd by the Kings, in the Vacancies of the Deanery retumd to the 
 
clii PREFACE. 
 
 Bishopp, till Bishopp Roger grants likewise that away (as I find by an old deed of his) to 
 the Chapter of Wells intitled : Donatio Rogeri, et seq. (p. 76). This grant was confirmd 
 by the Prior and Covent of Bath, As also by Henry 3, dated at West; 11 Decemb. follow- 
 ing and also by Henry 7. Chyle then quotes the Dean's Oath which he takes at his 
 Installacion, from Creighton's MS., p. 90 (see p. 92). 
 
 The Chapter's Jurisdiction, he says, was co-extensive with the Dean's as far as regards 
 the Visitation of Prebends and the affairs therewith connected : The power of Yisitacion 
 of the Cathedral Church was in the Dean alone, but the making of Orders and Statutes in 
 the Chapter. Chyle calls Godwin to order for his mistake in writing of Bishop Button 
 the Second (p. 425) ; Multa condidit slatuta quibus Ecclesia nostra Wellensis etiam num 
 regitur : Ordinavit vero inter ecetera consilio hercle saluberrimo gravioris momenti nihil 
 quod moram pati posset in Gapitulo constituendum nisi quatuor statis Anni temporibus. 
 For, says he, it was soe ordered and Constituted by the then Deane and Chapter, Edward 
 de la Knol being Deane. In the time indeed of Bishopp Button, but not by any Command 
 of his (Creighton MS., p. 77). Quod quater in anno — proroga/ri (p. 58). 
 
 This doubtless was the Chapter's prserogative, else Bishopp Haselshaw and Bishopp 
 Stafford who had beene first Deanes of this Church, and well knew what was the Chapter's 
 right, would have questioned the assuming of such an Authoritie : Severall Statutes were 
 made by the former of those when Deane, in the preface whereof, complaining that the old 
 and laudable Statutes of the Church were neglected and forgot, are these words : Statuta 
 edita tempore Walteri de Haselschawe (p. 59). 
 
 Soe far were the Bishopps, since they parted with their Authoritie to the Chapter, 
 from making any Laws and Statutes coercive or binding in the Cathedrall of Wells, That 
 they had neither place nor vote in the Chapter. Of this Bishopp Hareswell complained, 
 and procured a prebend to be annexed to the Bishoppwrick thereby to make him a 
 Member of the Chapter. According to a document quoted by Chyle from the Tower 
 Rolls, The Venerable Father John Hareswell Bishop of Bath and Wells supplicated His 
 Majesty Richard the 2nd to consider that he has no prebend or any Spiritual benefice 
 annexed to the Bishoprick by which he could take his place in the Chapter of the 
 'Cathedral Church of Wells to manage with the Canons the affairs of the aforesaid Church, 
 and he asks the King to allow him to present himself to the provostship of the said Church 
 with the prebend thereunto annexed as it is in his own gift : and in accordance with this 
 plausible request we find that "pro Sexaginta Libras quas prefatus Episcopus solvit in 
 Hannaperio nosPro Goncessimus, & &c. Datum apud Westminster 10th of July : 4th year 
 of our Reign." That is, the Bishop was allowed to annex and unite a prebend to the 
 provostship (the Advowson of which belonged to the Bishop) so that he might thus claim 
 his place in the Chapter and take part in the management of the Cathedral. 
 
 The Statutes Orders and Customs of the Church for its decent and well goverment 
 were carried on and enlarged by Deans Haselschawe, Godelye, and John Charlton, and 
 without doubt prevailed with more or less stringency until the general crisis of debasement 
 and disorder which appears to have ruined all Cathedral discipline at the end of the 
 fifteenth century. 
 
 The Chapter consisted of no certain number until the time of Queen Elizabeth's 
 Charter : before that it was made up, out of the prsebendaries of such as would come at 
 the end of every Audit or yeare and enter themselves Residentiaries for the succeeding 
 yeare. Tho I am apt to beleeve, That in makitig of those first and old Statutes of this 
 Church for the binding and goverment of all the Members thereoff, a Convention of all as 
 
PREFACE. eliii 
 
 well Dignitaries as Prsebendaries was usually had. That the Eesidentiaries made up the 
 Chapter we gather from the Injunctions of Henry 8 : upon the peticion of Dean. Cromwell 
 and the Chapter as well as from those made in the Visitacion of the Cathedral in the 2nd 
 year of Queen Elizabeth. The former of these documents occupies four closely written 
 pages of Chyle's MS. In it we find on starting a drastic impeachment of the old Statutes 
 which concerned Residence. They and other like enactments Ca.pitular are termed 
 pretensas ordinadones : they are declared to have received no legitimate or suflBcient 
 authority ; either by reason of their framing or confirmation they are said to be full of 
 uncertainty, obscureness, and inexplicable difficulties on all sides, and to furnish matter for 
 continuous litigation and discord between the Residentiaries and those desirous to reside : 
 from these it was asserted ingentia et importabilia incommoda ac dispendia had been 
 endured not merely by the Cathedral Church but the Residentiaries also and others 
 interested in the question, and that new and more certain orders having been authorita- 
 tively confirmed, and the former frivolous and foolish (or more literally unimportant) being 
 abolished, abrogated, and annulled, it was prayed by the Dean and Chapter of the King 
 that he would, as he indeed might, approve the new rules aud ordinances which they had 
 made for the better admission of future Residentiaries. 
 
 The series is addressed to the most Potent and Gracious Prince, &c., &c., Henrico 
 Octavo . . . Fidei Defensori, sub Ghristo capiti supremo, and was dated Dec. 6, 
 1537 : and the gist of the new rules which His Majesty approves of were as follows : 
 
 Q^iod nuUus Ganonicus post hoe admittatur ad residendum in Ecclesia predicta nisi 
 TheologicB aut Juris Doctor, vel saltern Bacchalaureus in Theologia, aut alias in sacris Uteris 
 conditus et in contiandi officio sic exercitatus ut gregem Domini pabulo ccelestis verbi 
 pascere, ac Vineam, Domini prcedicacione doctrina ac vitcB scmctimonia oolere et ornare 
 possit et velit. 
 
 Item, quod Ganoniei hujusmodi ad residendum udmissi postqv^m residentiam suam 
 annuam in dictd Ecclesid Cathedrali compleverint nisi alias juste impediantur in aliqud 
 Benejiciorum suorum se eonferant populum tarn eorum, cu/rce commissum, qua/m in aliis 
 henefioiis degent Subinde divini verbi predicacione et doctrind sedulo instruentes et 
 reflcientes. 
 
 Item quia temporibus retroactis quedam inolevit ibidem consuetudo de quihusdam 
 pecwnia/rum summis per Ganonicos Ecclesice predicto tempore in ingressu suorum, ad quosdam, 
 usu^s solvendis, pre/atus Vicem gerens noster ex quibusdam racionalibus causis coram eo 
 plenius decla/rafis in hao parte Consuetudinem hujusmodi usitatam minime cassandam et 
 annullandam esse inprcesentiarum arbitrans voluit ordinavit statuit et decrevit Quod unus- 
 quisque ipsius Ecclesice simplex prebendatus ceniam marcas Sterlingorum, prebendatus vera 
 Dignitatem ibidem obtinens centum libras sterlingorum in suo residentice ingressu Fresidenti 
 et Gapitulo ejusdem Ecclesice ante suam admissionem realiter persolvere teneatur Quag 
 quidem pecuniarum summas nomine Residentice hujusmodi solutas sic distribui ordinavit 
 statuit et Voluit viz. : Ex centum MarciS decern, Ma/rcas Fahrica ipsius Ecclesiai. Decem 
 alias Ma/rcas Vica/riis Choralihus ejusdem. Residuum vera dictarum summarvm Ganonicis 
 Residentianis intmtu et Gontemplacione onerum Eis multiplidter incumbentium, atque in 
 usus ex antiqua Gonsuetudine inibi solita solvendum Tradendum et liberandum esse etiam 
 voluit ordincmt et decrevit. 
 
 Item quod quilibet ipsius Ecclesice Ganonicus deinceps in Residentiarium numerum 
 ejusdem Ecclesice admittendus in sacris Uteris sic ut pre/ertur eruditus, postquam modo 
 premisso, prout ipsum concernit, de summa pecuniarum supradicta satisfecerit verus Rest- 
 
cliv PREFACE. 
 
 dentiarius censeatur et reputetur. Ita quod ad alias obs'"rvantias seu ad aliud in ipsa 
 Ecclesia propter id solum quod ad residendum ibidem admittitur, uUerius aut plus sive 
 aliter faciendum quam unus alius ex seniorihus et antiquis Ca/nonicis Eesidentiariis ejusdem 
 EcclesicB compdli aut pro quomodo arcta/ri non deheat. 
 
 Item quod leges statuta et ordinaciones hujusmodi tamdiu in suo robore et effectii 
 durabunt . . . et quousque alice nova leges et ordinaciones eirca premissa aioctoritate 
 regice editce et promulgatce fuerint. Quce quidem Statuta <i:c. confirma/mus & disc. 
 
 Datum quan-to Maii 1539, 31s< of our Reign. 
 
 Queen Elizabetb. in the second year of her Reigns Yisitts this Church (as I suppose 
 she did most of the other Cathedralls) by her Commissioners viz: John Thinn, John 
 Juell, Heury Parry, and William Lovelace, who (among other Injunctions, which in their 
 proper places, as they come in my way I shall referr to) ordaind . That They shall not 
 take for any colour or cause above the sum of £20 of any prebendary which will enter his 
 Residence, being a Bachelor of Divinity, or of Law, of honest conversacion, good Learning, 
 able to preach and using the same, and that may dispend clere above £40 yearly, and hath 
 a convenient house to keep his Residence in. 
 
 Thus they continued until the Charter of Queen Elizabeth j but neither in the time 
 of Henry 8th or Elizabeth is any mention made of any sum being first required. 
 
 The theory of interconnection and mutual responsibility seems sufficiently declared in 
 the Charter, where we read : Atque ut unus sit Decanus . . . consolidamus in per- 
 petuum. 
 
 The first Statutes we meet with relating to the Chapter or Residentiaries is in Bishop 
 Joceline's time, 1241 (see p. 57). 
 
 And in this Chapter it was ordered. That a certaine Bell should always be rung out, 
 for calUng together the Cannons to meete in the Chapter-house. 
 
 In Bishop Button's time the following statute was made on behalf of the Canons 
 (see p. 57) : Septimo Idus, & &c. 
 
 But the cheife Statutes in this Church and those most in force for the well gover- 
 ment thereoff, were made by the before-mentioned Deanes, to which I must have recourse. 
 Those of Dean Haselshaw which are of generall Concerne or relating to the Cannons only 
 are as follows : Mercaturas exerceri . , . (see p. 60) ; Lutton . . . Laudate 
 Domine Decus (p. 72). 
 
 This repeating of the whole Book of Psalmes every day by the Members of this 
 Church, Everyone having his Task, and Share thus allotted was not a Custome appro- 
 priated to this Church, but I humbly conceive the like was performed by most Cathedrals. 
 I am sure in the Churche of Lincolne it was and is yet continued as appeares by fixing up 
 the Title of those Psalmes which the Bishop Dignitaries and each prebend of that Churche 
 are dayly to repeate, in theire respective Stalls. However twas here brought and thus 
 apportioned by Deane Haselshaw and enforced by a Statute. 
 
 Next follow the Statutes of Deane Goddeley Anno 1331 (see p. 74). 
 
 After Dean G-oodeley comes Walter de London and he likewise vLsitts His Church, 
 the preface of whose Visitacion is as follows : Statuta Edita per Dec. et Cap. Tempore 
 Radulphi (see p. 77). 
 
 By these Statutes and Orders, made and injoyned by these severall Deanes were the 
 Canons and Residentiaries of this Church govern'd without any check or disturbance but 
 what has been taken notice off, till that peticion of Dean Cromwell's to Hen: 8 and 
 the Visitacion thereupon by Thomas Lord Cromwell the then greate Favorite of that 
 
PREFACE. civ 
 
 Prince, and by him thereunto Comissiond and made Vicar generall as by the Instrument 
 before recited appeares. And till that surrender of Deane Fitzwilliam in the Reigns of 
 Edward VI. and Queen Mary likewise before mentiond. 
 
 In the second yeare of Queene Elizabeth was a Visitacion of this Church and in the 
 34th was her Charter (as I have said) what Injunctions and Orders were then made, 
 relating to the Church in generall, or to the Deane and Chapter only, I shall here set 
 forth, and soe conclude this Chapter. 
 
 In that Visitacion among many Injun cions were these : 
 
 Item They shall in theire Common Service pray for the prosperity of the Queen's 
 Majestie by name, her heires and Successors, saying the Collect appointed for that purpose. 
 
 Item They shall lay in the Quire Bibles of the largest sort and Volume in English for- 
 the Ministers to use ; And two others of like Sort in the Body of the Church, in such 
 meete and convenient place, as every person coming thither may have recours unto the 
 same. 
 
 Item They shall give and bestow the Benefices being of the patronage of this Church 
 to honest and learned men, and in no wise onerate the same with any pentions to be 
 reseived, or any other charge which hath been used heretofore to be paid. 
 
 Item They shall cause yearely an Inventory indented to be made in the time of 
 making theire generall Accompts, of all and such Vestments Ornaments Jewells plate 
 money, and other moveable Goods belonging to theire Church and throne (?) of the same 
 to remaine in and with the custody of the Deane and Chapter (]) in the Comoner's hands. 
 
 Item in the Cathedrall Church every prebend Residentiary and every other pre- 
 bendary not resident, having a prebend to the yearely value of £10, and every Other 
 which hath any Dignity there, in Order and course, every second Sunday shall preach or 
 cause to be preached the word of God purely and sincerely in the same Church. And the 
 Deane for his Dignity and prebend shall preach or cause to be preached 3 sermons every 
 yeare in the same Church, that is to say upon Christmas, Easter days, and Whit Sunday 
 and keep bis Course in preaching with other Dignitaries and prebendaries. And for 
 default thereoff to loose a Mark for every default, thence half to be imployed to him that 
 shall supply the Roorae, and the othei" to the Worke of the Church. 
 
 Item the Common Scale of the Cathedrall Church shall be surely kept under 3 keys, 
 whereoff the Deane to have one, and the other to remaine in the Custody of two Pre- 
 bendaries or the auncient oflScer. 
 
 Item that every priest within your Church, under the degree of a Bachelor of 
 Divinity shall have at the least of his owne the whole Bible in English and Latine, and the 
 paraphrase of Erasmus in English. 
 
 Item that the Deane for the time being shall at all times convenient call the peti- 
 canons and Canons of this Church before him to examine them how they profStt and how 
 they spend theire time, and punish such as he shall find negligent, poena pecimiarid, to be 
 bestowed upon the work of the Church. 
 
 Item That They shall admitt none to any ministery or ojfice in this Church but he 
 shall first subscribe as well unto such orders as shall be appointed by the Queen's Majestie 
 or her Grace's Commissioners as unto the Articles of Susceptce Religwnis offered unto them 
 in this Visitacion. 
 
 Item None such to be any ofiicer of your house or within your Church, as be known 
 open Enemies unto the word of God or common Talkers, Mutterers and Grudgers against 
 the Gospell of Christ and the Religion now set forth by Act of Parliament ; 
 
clvi PREFACE. 
 
 But if any sucli be, you shall see him duly corrected, and if he be obstinate WilfuU 
 and will not subscribe, then let him be expulsed and removed and One that is more Godly 
 and Virtuous set and placed in his Roome. 
 
 Item that the Minister which is called for the Weeke to beginn the Common Prayer 
 in the Quire, shall the next week following every morning from thenceforth the summer at 
 seven* in tlie winter at sixf of the Clock use Common prayer in this forme following. 
 First the generall Confession and the Absolucion, then the Lettaiiie unto this verse : 
 Lord arise, &c., Before the which shall be read one Chapter of the New Testament in 
 Order, and then the Residue of the Letanie with all the Suflfrages following ; Also that the 
 Schoole - Master with the Ussher of the Schoole and all the Schollers belonging to the 
 Schoole shall be present at the said Service in the Morning. And for the due Execucion 
 of the same one of the Common Residentiaries shall be present in his owne person in 
 order, upon the paine of loosing of 4c?. to be employed to the work of the Church for every 
 Default. 
 
 Item whereas by Examinacion it appeareth That there be divers Leases which hereto- 
 fore have disorderly passd the Chapter Scale of this Church, being sealed in the presence 
 of a small number of the Chapter much to the hindrance of this Church . It is ordered and 
 decreed that henceforth there shall be noe Lease or other writing sealed with the Chapter 
 Scale or Common Seale of this Church, but in the presence of the Deane for the time 
 being, and three at the least of the eldest Canons who have the Custody of the Keys. And 
 when there is no Deane then in the presence of the President of the Chapter and three 
 other of the eldest Canons of this Church at the least present. 
 
 Item. Because it doth appeare small devotion and much negligence to be in the 
 Dignities and Canons and Residentiaries of this Church both in Ministring and Receiving 
 of the Communion, It is order'd that always the first Sunday in Every month one of the 
 Canon Residentiaries by course shall minister the Communion and all the other shall 
 receive the Communion with the Yioars. 
 
 Item. Having considered the Foundacion of this Cathedrall Church, and finding 
 great Slackness in the Observacion of the same, and that sundry Members thereoff seek 
 rather theire owne proffitts than the good Orders in the said Foundacion Comprehended : 
 It is ordered and decreed by us the Queen's Majestie's Visitors That all and every the 
 Canons of this Church which contrary to the Foundacion Statutes, Injunctions and 
 Ordinances of the same shall be at any time absent or procure any licence or seeke any 
 other meanes to infringe the said Foundacion Statutes, Injunctions and Ordinances, shall 
 be for every such default, first excommunicated by the Deane and Chapter in the Chapter- 
 house, and further the fruites of every their Livings to be by the said Deane and Chapter 
 sequestred untill such time as they shall seek to be of them restored ; And a fine to be 
 made, and by the said Deane and Chapter of every of the said offenders levied ; And if 
 they or any of them, being soe excommunicate, or fin'd for his or theire fault, as is afore- 
 said, doe seeke any meanes for remedy against this Ordinance, either by Appeale or 
 otherwise, That they and every one of them for theire soe doing, shall by the said Deane 
 and Chapter, from his or their office or Living in the said Cathedrall Church be expulsed 
 for ever. 
 
 Item. Because the presbyters shall have the more Conscience to observe theire 
 Corporall oaths taken, by the which they bind themselves to observe the Statutes of this 
 
 * Five and six, botli added by later hand : six and seven crossed aut. + Seven added, but crossed out. 
 
PREFACE. clvii 
 
 Church, and the Queen's Injunctions, Be it ordered That all and every the prebendaries of 
 this Church shall together be present here at the Feast of Whitsontide and to continue 
 eight dayes in the which time the Statutes and Ordinances of this Church, and all other 
 the Injunctions shall be solemly reade in the Chapter-house 'where they shall consult for 
 the due execucion of the same ; And that every prebendary making default of theire 
 appearance or continuance, shall by the censures Ecclesiasticall of the Deane and Chapter 
 be denounced excommunicated, soe to remaine untill he make his personall appearance, 
 and declare cause of his absence. 
 
 Item. They shall read as well the Injunctions given by the Queene's Majestic to the 
 Clergie, as also these Injunctions yearly once every Quarter in the Chapter-house, and 
 have the true Copie of them hanged up there in a Table written in parchment within eight 
 dayes after these present Injunctions be given, soe as every man may have convenient 
 access to reade the same. 
 
 Item. They shall observe and keepe all the Statutes and Ordinances of the Foun- 
 dacion of this Church, to be observed and kept which be not repugnant and Contrary to 
 the Statutes and Lawes of this Eealme and these present Injunctions. All and singular 
 which Injunctions They and every of them shall inviolably observe under the paines and 
 Suspensions, Excommunicacions, Sequestracions, and Deprivacions of theire Fruites, 
 Revenues, and Commodities untill they have don theire Duties that they are bounden in 
 the same ; And the Execucion thereoff to be don by the Deane and Chapter and by the 
 Chapter upon the Deane. 
 
 Given by us the Queen's Majestie's "Visitors in the Chapter-house of Wells the 9th of 
 September Anno Domini 1559. To the Deane and prebendaries there. And in testimony 
 thereoff Wee have hereunto subscribed our Kames. 
 
 John Thinn. Jo: Juel. 
 
 Henry parry. William Lovelace. 
 
 Concordat : cum Regro 
 Tho: Willett, Notarius Publicus 
 et Regrar' Auctoritate 
 Regia legitime assignat' 
 et Constitutus. 
 
 Now I proceed to the Queen's Charter where after she has incorporated Them with 
 all the formalities and Essentialls thereoff, as Theire having a Common Scale, to Act and 
 speak by; a Common name and title to implead and be impleaded by, and such like ; she 
 goes On giving them power to make Lawes, for their better Conduct and Goverment, and 
 securing themselves against all Emergencies & & Accidents. As also injoyning them a 
 method how to proceede in the Eleccions for the continuance of theire Body and 
 succession : — A tque ut ea omnia quoB necessaria . . . aut Oorrexerit. 
 
 After this somewhat lengthy quotation, Chyle adds a paragraph through which on 
 second thoughts he put his pen, 
 
 I should now conclude this Chapter, yet cannot but first take notice of that Instru- 
 ment of Hen: 8. sent to all Cathedrall, and Collegiate Churches for theire better Order and 
 Goverment, seconded afterwards by an Injunction of Queen Eliz: sent to Archbishopp 
 parker; Both which as I find them in Mr. Weaver's "Acts and Monuments" are as 
 foUowes : 
 
 I am now drawing neere our owne Times and therefore shall here conclude this 
 Chapter without saying anything more on this subject. 
 
clviii PREFACE: 
 
 Such an abrupt conclusion is not merely impotent, but very disappointing, when we 
 consider the great importance attached at the present day to the Decanal jurisdiction, and 
 the relative position of the Dean and Chapter to the Kon- Residentiary Canons — that is, 
 the Prebendaries. Prom very early documents, and from immemorial usage, confirmed 
 and corroborated by successive Bishops, and emphatically authenticated by legal pro- 
 cedures, the jurisdiction of the Dean has ever extended, not merely to the conduct and 
 government of the Cathedral Church, but to the Visitation of the Prebendaries. 
 
 That such a condition of affairs means in the diocese an Imperium in Imperio, nobody 
 attempts to deny, but that it has ever so existed is also unquestionably true, and unless 
 the lines of present reformation are absolutely revolutionary, it is impossible to advocate 
 any subversion of the primitive and hereditary rights and privileges on which the ancient 
 dignitaries of the Church, were specifically established and endowed. The jurisdiction 
 of the Dean in the Liberty included not merely the Church of S. Andrew, the Canons' 
 Houses, the Vicars' Close, and the Annivellar's Hostel in Mountroy Lane, but the 
 Bishop's Palace itself, as may be seen (in the latter case) from what occurred in 1600, where 
 Joanna Pearce and the Miller infra Gircmtum palatii were both cited before the Chapter 
 for some offence, which led to a great dispute in December, 1601, as to their jurisdiction 
 within the Palace. 
 
 The Bishop of the See may have issued his mandate for the installation of any Pre- 
 bendary or Provost, but it was at least competent to the Dean and Chapter to refuse to 
 install. The Dean, as in the case of Richard Worthington, could refuse to install, and as 
 legitimately depute his power to install in Choir and Chapter-house to any Canons he chose 
 to name. He alone personally answered the inquiries of the Bishop in the Chapter-house, 
 and received the Visitor either in person or by his locum teTiens. Nothing indeed seems 
 more probable than that a Diocesan should view with jealousy and discomfort the existence 
 and assertion of a paramount authority within the confines of his own kingdom, while at 
 the same time such a position of affairs was entirely in accordance with the original dis- 
 pensations of earlier prelates, and only agreeable to the organisation of the Cathedral 
 Body. 
 
 The exemption of the Prebends from Archidiaconal jurisdiction had been confirmed 
 as early as the time of Savaric, and the Dean's authority therein is clearly seen by the 
 Answers to the Articles of Bishop Drokensford, confirmed by successive Popes and 
 Bishops, and actually put in force on repeated occasions of necessity. These rights and 
 privileges of the Dean over the Prebendaries were corroborated by the successive Statutes 
 of Deans Haselshaw and Godeley, and allowed by the Prebendaries themselves in the case 
 of the Impositio Becimce quinquennalis, and if possible were more emphatically admitted 
 in the sixteenth century after the Charter of Queen Elizabeth, by which it is obviously and 
 expressly said that all ancient rights and privileges were reserved. 
 
 On and after May 17th, 1581, the Pentecostal Visitation was for a time at least 
 regularly and systematically observed. A Citation was served on the Non-Residentiaries, 
 who in case of wilful disobedience or indifference and non-appearance were excommunicated, 
 as, for instance, in July, 1582. The Visitation in the following year issued in the name of 
 the Sub-dean, and its tenor was in this wise : Quia Prsebendarios vicarios et alios minis- 
 tros, &c., congregare proponimus et intendimus & &c. Vobis igitur mandamus & quatenus 
 citetis &c. quod compareant et remaneant per Spatium octo dierum & &c., upon which 
 occasion Rob. Earle, a prebendary, was mulcted in 6s. 8d. because he had neglected his 
 preaching turn. The next year most of the Prebendaries appeared by proxy in jVEay, 
 
PREFA CE. clix 
 
 wherefore another was held in July; and 1585, James Bisse, before his actual admission as 
 a Residentiary, sent out the Citation, and during the next consecutive twenty years at 
 least a like form appears to have been observed. In 1589 only eight Prebendaries put in 
 an appearance, and as the condition of the Church demanded immediate and prompt atten- 
 tion, the Citatioa issued in April for Whitson week, summoning all to attend and settle 
 de arduis et urgentibus negotiis Ecolesise : accordingly in June the Visitation was held, 
 and a decree made that the whole State of the Church, including General as well as Par- 
 ticular persons, both Canons and Dignitaries and single Prsebendaries, ought to bear a 
 rateable share of the charge ; this, in April, 1592, the Prsebendaries agreed to do, and for 
 the year 1591 the Mandata excommunicatoria in the name of the Dean and Chapter are 
 extant to which two of the Prebendaries were subjected, Lancaster and Moseley. After 
 this time the form of Citation is slightly different, being sometimes in the name of the 
 Dean and Chapter, at others of the Sub-dean. In a few instances the excommunicated 
 Praebendaries were absolved on expressing repentance and consent, and in 1592 a decree 
 was signed for the payment of a tenth towards the Pabric. Moseley was absolved, but 
 Lancaster proving obstinate was again excommunicated, a habit of mental reservation 
 appearing to prevail on one side, and determinate resistance to contumacy on the other 
 which aggravated and perpetuated a feeling of jealousy and discontent for many years; and 
 after repeated discussions as to the nature of the penalty to be inflicted on refractory 
 brethren (six Praebendaries refusing to appear in 1596), it was decreed that no person shall 
 appear to excuse the absence of any Prsebendary who does not promise to pay the duties 
 to the Fabric, and to see his turns preached ; and the next year the aforesaid Moseley being 
 cited for a fortnight by the mandate being fixed to his stall, for not preaching in his course, 
 and also declining to kneel for absolution (in April), it certainly looked as if the Visitatorial 
 powers of the Dean and Chapter were hopelessly impaired and invalid. In May, how- 
 ever, Moseley thought better of it, and receives absolution on bended knee, and promises 
 obedience for the future. Some years afterwards, when Hinton, Prebendary of Shalford, 
 had incurred excommunication, he was absolved by proxy, the result of which was, that 
 though he then promised by deputy to pay all dues, he changed his mind in 1601, and 
 again suffered the same penalty, while a citation emanated under the name of Sub-dean 
 Bisse (in whose name nearly every Visitation was issued at this time) against Prsebendary 
 Main waring, for taking his Prebend without induction by the Chapter, and without taking 
 the oaths; and Barlow, Prebendary of Wyveliscomb, was decreed excommunicate in 
 1610, proceedings being again taken against Mr. Hinton. July, 1608, the Praibendaries 
 being amenable to none of the Church's censures, were to be sued for what they owed to 
 the Fabric; and in 1611 a general and more severe treatment of delinquents was deter- 
 mined on by Dean Meredith, for in January the Chapter agreed that they should pay 
 their Stall wages by All HaHows' day, and that if they did not a process was to be set 
 upon their Stalls, and the Canons were to meet on S. Andrew's day to proceed against 
 them for contempt; and, 1629, Dr. Revel was ordered to sue them for these dues, in 
 whosesoever Jurisdiction they might be living. 
 
 Again, in 1612, the Pentecostal Visitation was celebrated, a mandate in the name of 
 Dean Meredith being affixed to the doors of the Church for a month, when a tax was 
 ordered to be levied for the repair of the Fabric and its ornaments per decimam partem 
 reddituum Prajbendariorum in pecunia, ten Prsebendaries consenting and approving, 
 amongst which were Wright and Moseley, who with others present ratified the taxation 
 and admitted its constitutional legality vigore Statuti Impositio decimce quinqmrnialis. 
 
clx PREFACE. 
 
 Nevertheless the seemingly futile process of citation and excommunication and absolution 
 appears to have continued to very little purpose until, in 1613, it was decreed that hereafter 
 any man before he is installed into his Prebend or Dignity shall give a bond of £10 to the 
 Dean and Chapter, to pay all Stall wages, Fabriek dues, and pensions ; and even after this 
 date, up to the middle of the seventeenth century, decrees of excommunication were by no 
 means unknown. Misunderstandings were also constantly occurring as to the right to 
 preach and the number of turns each Prebendary was entitled to, and in 1 607 those having 
 preaching turns were ordered to appear on 3rd October for the settlement of the question j 
 but there can be no doubt that whUe the actual Visitation of the officers of the Church was 
 attached from time immemorial to the Dignity of Dean, the jurisdiction in the Prebendal 
 Churches and estates, no less than the correction and rectification of disorders in the matter 
 of preaching and in all questions aflfecting the relations of the Residentiaries and non-Resi 
 dentiaries, was vested in the Dean and Chapter collectively. We find, for instance, that in 
 1608 the jurisdiction in Combe and Winsham was by special act of Chapter granted to the 
 Dean or his Deputies, and that dispensations for this non-residence could only be granted 
 by the Chapter. But the irregularity of preaching had about this period reached such a 
 climax that a petition was prepared in 1607 to the Archbishop to reform the alleged negli- 
 gence both of the Canons and Prsebendaries, a severe sentence of suspension pronounced 
 (Nov. 1605) against all who would not preach in their turn appearing to have produced 
 no effect : nor was this abuse obviated by any means in twenty years' time, as a settled 
 decree had to be passed in 1623 that the Dean and Canons must preach extraordinary 
 turns under a penalty of 40s., while fifty years afterwards it was ordered that Prsebendaries 
 neglecting to preach should forfeit 40s., lesser 30s., to be given to those who supplied their 
 places or to the Fabric ; instead of the usual collation on their first Installation they were 
 to pay 20s. to the Library Fund. 
 
 These and numerous other enactments in Chapter plainly show that the jurisdiction 
 of the Dean and Chapter was only coterminous with their primitive endowments, and 
 that though the Bishop might exercise his right to present his own nominee to a vacant 
 stall, he could gain no statutable footing in the Cathedral except after due forms and 
 ceremonies which lay entirely in the power of the Dean and Chapter. It would seem 
 needless to emphasise this hereditary right and prerogative were it not a point in which 
 feeling of a not altogether pleasing description has for some 600 years been evoked ; but 
 to all who have impartially studied the statutes and internal economy of this or any 
 other Cathedral of the old Foundation, it is clear that to rob the Dean of such a Church of 
 his immemorial dignity and oifice (for it amounts to nothing less than this) by making 
 him merely the tool and servant of the Bishop of the Diocese, will be to shake the very 
 fundamental purposes and strength for which our ancient Cathedral Corporations were 
 primarily instituted. 
 
 To eradicate and extirpate with a ruthless irreverence the few remaining relics and 
 roots of these grand constitutions will be a task of thankless vandalism which savours very 
 little of that inquisitive and devout study of antiquity which has characterised the projects 
 of all true lovers of the Church of England. To tamper and tinker with the splendid 
 designs of the thirteenth and fourteenth century architects, and bedaub them with white- 
 wash, and fill them with monstrous monuments, and horse-boxes for pews, marring all 
 the proportions and symmetrical perfections of these inimitable Churches, this was the 
 work of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries ; but God forbid that it be left for the 
 nineteenth century, having robbed them of their endowments for an unquestionably 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 clxi 
 
 noble and holy work — ^the evangelisation of the masses and the help of the parochial 
 clergy — God forbid that, having taken from them all but their very material structures, 
 this generation should ever consent to subvert the whole system of Cathedral economy. 
 The Bishops in all conscience have enough to do at the present day without holding 
 Deaneries in ooinmendam and superintending all the detailed organisations of a properly 
 restored Cathedral Church. 
 
 The following extract from the Lichfield Liher Niger, from its independence, cannot 
 but be taken as fair proof of the early custom of visitation and jurisdiction in the Cathe- 
 drals of the old Foundation, and therefore in that pf Wells. Fol. 184 6, we read : — 
 
 Gonsuetudines quoad jurisdicciones in ecchsiis Cathedralihus promnde Cantua/riensis. 
 
 Apud Sarum ita est optentum quod Decanus habet omnimodam jurisdiccionem tam in 
 personis canonicorum et omnium in choro quam in prebendis et ecclesiis pertinentibus ad 
 communam nee Epus in aliquo supra premissis se intromittit nisi per viam negligencie vel 
 appellacionis . Epus insuper visitat Decanum et civitatem. 
 
 Apud Cioestre Epus quum intendit visitare diocesim prime intrat Capitulum et si 
 fuerit aliqua corrigenda que fuit communia sicut coopertura ecclesie descensus vel similia . 
 ilia percipit reparari . super hiis autem que singulares concernunt personas prebendas seu 
 ecclesias pertinentes ad communam in nuUo se intromittit sed Decanus. . . . 
 
 Apud Wellen. Decam/us habet in Oapitulo et prebendis ac ecclesiis pertinentibus ad 
 communam om/nimodam jurisdiccionem nee Episcopus in premissis se intromittit nisi in 
 ccksibus predictis visitat tantum, Decanum. 
 
 Apud London Epus de gremio in gremium visitat Capitulum Et prima die visitacionis 
 pascet omnes Canonicos presentes nullam procuracionem recipiens . prebendas autem et 
 maneria ac ecclesias que sunt firme ad communam pertinentes visitat Decanus et Deoanatu 
 vacante Capitulum. 
 
 Apud Lincoln. Epus visitat Decanum capitulum et prebendas si velit sine procura- 
 cionibus . . . Set et Decanus exerceret jurisdiccionem suam tam in prebendis quam 
 in ecclesiis pertinentibus ad communam et est supra premissis que sciUcet debeant Epus et 
 Decanus facere data sententia diflBnitiva per Innocentium papam IIII. 
 
 Apud Exon ubi prebende consistunt in pecunia numerata sunt singulares observancie 
 quantum ad multa que discrepant ab aliis ecclesiis Cathedralihus Eegni. 
 
 Apud Herford pendet causa inter Epum Decanum et Capitulum supra premissis. 
 
clxii PREFACE. 
 
 BOOK V. CHAP. III. 
 
 EJje Surisliictton of t!)c ©isnttarics antr ^raetrenlrartes in ttjetre 
 
 rcspectt&e peculiars, anu Ijoto t}j.e2 are concernH in i^z 
 
 ©oberment of tije Cfiurcfi. 
 
 SHAT the Dignitaries and prebendaries are, and how They acted joyntly, 
 that is as They together made a Body and were a Chapter, has beene already 
 spoake of; I come now to theire seperate and distinct Jurisdiction, which is 
 either extrinsicall, relating to that power which they have within in the 
 Diocess, in theire respective Archdeaconries, and peculiars Or intrinsecall, as to the power 
 they have by virtue of those Titles, they beare within the Cathedrall Church of 
 S. Andrewe's. 
 
 I shall not here undertahe to treate of the Jurisdiction of Archdeacons in generall, it 
 being neere the same in most Diocess, as may be collected out of linwood and the 
 Canonists. A subject too learned and large for me to undertake. A person he is of 
 Greate Authoritie within the Diocess, & (fee. 
 
 In this Diocess there are three Archdeaconries, viz. : Wells, Taunton, and Bath, the 
 whole (excepting the Jurisdiction of Grlaston and some peculiars) being divided into twelve 
 Deaneries, which are thus allotted : 
 
 To the Archdeaconrie of Wells, the Dean of Axbrige, Gary, Frome, YeovUchester, 
 Merston, and paulett. 
 
 To Taunton, the Deaneries of Brigewater, Creukhorne, Dunster and Taunton.* 
 
 » Id. Aprilis, 1314. — At the request of the Prior and Convent of SS. Peter and Paul at Taunton, and 
 of Symon de Lym, Vicar of S. Mary Magdalen, the Bishop confirmed the ordinance of the vicarage made 
 by his predecessor in 1308. 
 
 By this ordinance constat that the Vicar instituted and admitted to this Chapel have for ever the 
 following portions, namely : that he receive every week in the year 21 canonical loaves, that is to say 3 
 loaves a day and 42 lagenas of Convent beer, that is 6 lagenas a day, et septem panes scilicet bultatos 
 ponderis sicut panis oanonicaKs and 38 loaves sihginis, and seven lagenas of beer of the cellar. And every 
 week from the said prior and Convent 15 marks of silver, and six carratas of hay, and seven busheUs of 
 barley for his horse, and 3s. for shoeing his horse a year, and may freely receive all legacies left him in 
 the parish, and may have dweUings and courtilage like his prsedecessors had and he now occupies at present. 
 
 In addition to this generous provision the Prior had to allow every year at Christmas Time 3 quarters 
 of wheat from the Grange or granary of the Priory. These portions the Vicar was to receive with the 
 following care and responsibility (oura et onere) : he shall minister to the Chapels of S. Mary Magdalen, 
 Taunton, Trendle, de Castro, and S. George's Font, in saoris ecclesiasticis ceeterisque divinis to all the 
 parishioners of the said places in person or by his own priests at his own expense sen faciat deserviri: 
 with this additional stipulation that he shall supply a priest to serve the Chapel at Trendle who shall 
 continually stay there, and that the parishioners must as quickly as possible provide a suitable house for 
 him to live in. 
 
 To help, however, the Vicar of Taunton, to whose charge the whole parish of the said Church is in 
 the first place committed by the ordinary, and who is the incumbent of the same, it is provided that the 
 said Priors, in the Chapels of Stoke and Riston, which are near enough for one priest et secularem, and 
 the Chapels of Stapilgrove and S. James' for another secular priest, and the Chapel of Hulle Episcopi a 
 third secular priest continually resident in the aforesaid places, shall make the parishioners of these 
 Chapels to be ministered to by them at their own expense in sacris eoclesiastiois et divinis in perpetuum, 
 with this caution that the Priors of Taunton in the Chapels of S. George, Eisdon and S. James may by 
 permission of the Bishop do their duty on Sundays and solemn days by some of the most respectable of 
 their colleagues, so as to give assistance to these priests if need be at the aforesaid parochial masses. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 clxiii 
 
 To Bath, the Deaneries of Bath and Bedminster, according as they are placed in the 
 Tables of Tenths, &c. 
 
 Besides these Detoeries, There are peculiars or prsebends annext to these Arch- 
 deaconries and confirmd by Charter. As the Churches of Huish and Brent to that of 
 Wells. The Church of Milverton to that of Taunton. And the Rectory of Stanton Drew 
 to that of Bath . Of which Churches they are also the Patrons. 
 
 As Institution is given by the Bishopp soe Induction unto any Rectory or Vicarige is 
 usually granted by the Archdeacon's Scale, and soe it is in this Diocess of Bath and Wells, 
 except in these following Churches to which Induction is given by other persons as in 
 
 Yeovilchestek Deanery. 
 
 AxBRiGE Deanery. 
 Compton Episcopi Deane Wellen 
 
 Chedder 
 Wedmore 
 
 Westbury 
 
 Deane & Chap: 
 Deane. 
 
 Froome Deanery. 
 
 Benegar 
 Litton - 
 East Harptree 
 Bucklanddenham 
 
 - Deane. 
 
 Chard 
 
 Ilminster 
 
 Winsham 
 
 Kingsbury 
 
 Eastlambrook - 
 
 Ilton 
 
 Whitelaekington 
 
 Aishill 
 
 Combe S. Nicholas 
 
 Crkwkhorn Deanery. 
 
 V Vicar gen: 
 
 Deane & Chap: 
 y Chancelor. 
 
 . Deane. 
 
 Taunton Deanery. 
 Wellington - - Vicar gen: 
 
 Lideard Episcopi - 
 North Curry 
 
 Glaston Jurisdiction 
 
 Deane <fc Chap: 
 
 Hazelbeere* 
 Long Sutton - 
 Compton dandon 
 
 Deane. 
 
 Deane & Chap: 
 Deane. 
 
 Evercreeeh 
 Pilton 
 Lovington 
 Southborow 
 Well— S. Cuth 
 
 Cary Deanery. 
 
 - Deane. 
 Chantor. 
 
 Deane & Chap: 
 
 Vicar gen: 
 
 DuNSTEK Deanery, 
 Carhampton - - - \ 
 Wivelscomb - 
 S. Decumans 
 Timberscomb 
 Old Cleeve 
 
 - Deane. 
 
 Vicar gen: 
 
 - Vicar gen: 
 
 Bedminster Deanery. 
 
 Chew Magna 
 
 Chew Stoke 
 
 Morton Malereward 
 
 Stowey - 
 
 Yatton- - -) T-> 
 
 _, . ^ 1 V Deane. 
 
 Baston-m-Gordon - j 
 
 The Vicar Gen: 
 
 It was also ordered in addition that the said Vicar and all his priests celebrating divine service in the 
 said Chapels shall take an oath of fidelity to the Prior and Eector on their admission, that they will 
 pay and refund all and every the oblations and ofiferings whatsoever which they shall receive at any time 
 in the aforesaid places to the Prior himself or his lawful proctor tine difficultate et defaUatione qua- 
 cunque. A statute was also made that the Priests appointed by the Prior to the Vicar of Taunton shall 
 observe and obey all his Canonical mandates, and that the Prior should find and provide at his own cost 
 books, vestments et caetera diotis capeUis convenientia.— Eeg. Drok. 67. 
 
 • A remarkable story connected with Haselbere must not be omitted, a.d. 1315, a lady of title 
 {nobitis muUer) H. D. Plokenet left her body in her wUl to Sherbourne Monastery. Alan her sou {miles) 
 had it interred in a scarcely respectable spot (loco minus solemni). The Bishop hearing of this warned 
 him through the Hector of Dowliswake, Eural Deane of Crewkerne, to bury her body in the place she had 
 chosen. Miles autem incitatus ira, laid violent hands on the Dean, and taking him round the neck 
 
clxiv PREFACE. 
 
 The other Dignitaries and severall of the prsebendaries have likewise peculiars annext 
 to them, that is peculiar Jurisdiction within those Churches and places, exempt from that 
 of the Bishopp : 
 
 As the Prsecentor within the Church and parish of Filton. 
 
 The Ohancelor within that of Kingsbury amd soe of the rest. 
 
 The prsebendaries of Litton and Wivelscomb within theire Churches and parishes of 
 Litton and Wivelscomb, and soe have all the rest of the prsebendaries within their respec- 
 tive prsebends : Excepting these following, viz. : of Wormister, Whitchurch, Dultingcott, 
 alias Tingherst, Soamford Barton, Wanstraw and Dinder, who have Corps and Lands with 
 severall other privileges annext hut noe ecclesiasticall jurisdiction within these places except 
 some right of patronage. And excepting those of Taunton, and Milverton secunda, the 
 15 Combes and 4 Wedmores, who are only pentioners. 
 
 As for the other both Dignitaries and prsebendaries, They have all within theire 
 peculiars. Episcopal Jurisdiction, They have theire Courts Ecclesiasticall,* They have 
 theire officialls, theire Registers, and other oificers belonging thereunto : peculiares, Quibus 
 peculiares praisunt Judices qui peculiarium Decani vocantv/r, quibus peculiares et proprii 
 Registra/rii adjvmguntur. They have power of Excommunicaaion and Absolucion, prove 
 WUls, grant out Letters of Administracions and Licences for Marriage within theire owne 
 Jurisdictions which in Queene Elizabeth's Charter are summd up in these generall words : 
 Damus et concedimus prsefato N: officium Archidiaconatus, & &,c. 
 
 As to theire Intrinsecall Jurisdiction how they are concernd in the Goverment and 
 order of the Church, This relates cheifly to the Beane of whom in the last Chapter 
 prsecentor, Chancelor, Treasurer and Sub-deane, (the Succentor being swallowed up in the 
 Deanery) (the Archdeacons and prmbends) and is confirmd to them by the said Charter of 
 the Queene : et ulterius ut quodlibet officium, & &c. 
 
 Chyle here quotes Officia cujuslibet Personce from Mr. Creigh ton's MS., and after that 
 specially belonging to the Prsecentor, observes that His constant residens was required or 
 in his roome the Succentor. They were not both to be absent, but betweene them to see 
 the duty and performances of the Quire observd. The scantiness of his remarks upon 
 the official responsibilities of each Dignitary is quite in keeping with the assertion made in 
 his preface that it was with great difficulty he obtained any books or MSS. bearing upon 
 the history of the Cathedral. For instance, he merely remarks that To the Chancelor's 
 care were committed the young men and juniors of the Church to instruct and train them 
 up in the rudiments and principles of Religion Learning and Theologie ; being as it were 
 the Divinity Reader. With these somewhat shabby remarks does Chyle dismiss the most 
 important officer of the establishment after the Dean ; indeed, it may fairly be questioned 
 whether in point of active work and intellectual responsibility the Chancellor should not 
 have the place of honour as under the old regime. He certainly appears in many occasions 
 to hold a place of honour, as in the Church of Chedder, for instance ; for on Nov. 7, 1258, 
 
 (ooUum obtorquens) almost suflfocated him; and when the Dean fled away, commanded his servants, to 
 bring him back, when he compelled bim to eat the citatory letters and the wax seal, " et mastioare et 
 deglutire." Alanus was immediately punished, sententifi majoris excommunicationis, through the Rectors 
 of Cory Malet and TintenhuU, and. May 25th, appeared before the Bishop, Dean, and many others, when 
 he submitted himself, and on promising to make satisfaction to the Eural Dean was absolved. — Eeg. 
 Drok. 77, 78. 
 
 * Of which Mr. Camden (p. 131, Brit.) takes notice amoung his Tribunalia Anglise: Peculiarium 
 Curia qua ad quasdam paroehias ab Episcopali Jurisdictione in nonnullis Diocessibus separatas, <&e. 
 
PREFACE. clxv 
 
 ■we find the Dean pronouncing for himself and the Chapter that the "collatio aquse bene- 
 dictse" in that Church belonged not to the Vicar but to the Chancellor. As a fact, we do 
 not often find the Chancellor of Wells sent on Chapter business, as his presence was of 
 course most indispensable at home; but in 1310 Thomas de Luggore was allowed to go 
 before the King's Court in defence of his own Dignity and the rights of the Church of 
 Wells, and received three weeks' leave of absence ; but again, when any matter of grave 
 importance arose affecting the interests of the Church, he was immediately summoned, as 
 in 1319, when Thomas Eetford (whose name constantly occurs in the Excerpta ex Libro 
 Eubro) was called to a general convocation of the Canons to give his opinion utrum ratas 
 haberent donationes terrarum magnatibus quibusdam atque mediae manus hominibus per 
 Episcopum in perpetuum nuper concessas. — Reg. I. 144. 
 
 Bishop Drokensford, who never let an opportunity slip of calling the Chapter to 
 order, discovered that although it was ordered by Statute that the four great Dignitaries of 
 the Church should be in priests' orders, and celebrate mass at the great altar in their 
 turn, the before-named Thomas de Luggiore, who had held the ofB.ce for many years, had 
 never taken priests' orders, and he accordingly issued a citation to the Dean for the 
 Chancellor to appear to reply to these charges, appointing the Sub-dean and Antony de 
 Bradeney his delegates to inquire into the matter. — Reg. Drok. 1 37. 
 
 Further instances of irregularities occur in the Liher Ruber, and were not unknown in 
 more recent years. Dr. Barker being refused a Residentiary Cauonry in 1606, because he 
 had not read public Lectures, for which failure also ten years before Dr. Rogers had been 
 cited to appear and answer. The obligation as usual was binding in person or by deputy, 
 as we discover by the Statute referred to in the case of Simon de Bristol. The Lectures 
 were to be in Theologia vel Decretis temporibus ad hujusmodi lecturam in Universitate 
 Oxon consuetis. It seems needless to dilate upon the benefit of such an officer in a 
 Cathedral at the present day in view of all the developments which a statutable perfor- 
 mance of its duties must obviously include, least of all in the lifetime of so indefatigable 
 and courteous a Chancellor as the present occupant of this stall. 
 
 The Treasurer's office was to have the Care and Custodie, of all the Robes, Ornaments, 
 Jewells, plate and all other the utensills, consecrated and dedicated to the Church, for 
 theire safety, well preservation, and forthcoming : p. 51 (Cr. MS. 74). 
 
 As concerning this Treasurer's office, the Sacrist and other persons and matters 
 relating to the well governing of our Church, there was some new orders as made by Deane 
 Gunthorp, as follows : the substance of this Chapter Act which was carried April 14, 1495, 
 is as follows : — The treasurer which now is shall have for him and his Successors a moiety 
 of all the Elms and trees growing in the Cemetery not as the property of the said office 
 but for the purpose of making candles and lamps in the Church for the Canons and other 
 Ministers of the Church and the Strangers, (Extraneis) who come to mass. Every year on 
 the Feast of S. Jerome the Treasurer shall nominate and present to the Dean and Chapter 
 a Vicar suitable for the office of Sub-treasurer, who, if he be apt and fit in their opinion 
 they shall admit to that office after he has taken the oath to well and faithfully execute it. 
 But if anything be brought or heard against him it shall be determined by the Dean and 
 Chapter, and if he be convicted he shall be ainoted and another of better character 
 nominated by the Treasurer, to be elected and admitted as above if nothing be proved 
 against him. If the Treasurer should happen to be away on that feast and has appointed 
 no proxy, nor nominates one in eight days, then the Dean and Chapter shall nominate and 
 admit for that year, but the Treasurer shall pay him the usual stipend. If the office 
 
clxvi PEE FACE. 
 
 becomes vacant the Treasurer is to nominate to the Dean and Chapter imder the same 
 terms. Item Sacrista ad minus Exorcista coronam rasam deferat, uxoratus non sit, nor 
 shall he be allowed to marry while he holds the office of Sacrist : he shall know plain chant 
 and how to read lessons and responses as Sacrists ought to. The Dean and Chapter shall 
 appoint and assign places of burial for all the Dignitaries, Canons, Vicars, and Ministers 
 of the Church whatsoever who shall wish to be interred in the Church itself, the Lady 
 Chapel lately built, in the Cloisters or in any other of the Cemeteries of the Church, freely 
 and without any contradiction of the Treasurer, and the Sacrist or his servant shall ring 
 the bells and light and put out the candles and dig the graves or tombs (fossa vel tumulos) 
 and for his work shall receive a moderate stipend (provisionem) as seems best to them, 
 previous usage to the contrary notwithstanding. If however the Sacrist or his servant 
 will not and refuse to do so, the Master or Clerk of the works of the Church may and 
 shall make provision for these things and receive for their work according to the aforesaid 
 arrangement to be made by the Dean and Chapter. 
 
 24 Oct. 1318. — Treasurer Morand deputed the Chapter to take his place in such an 
 emergency on the death of the Sub-treasurer. 
 
 The very nature of the Treasurer's office was conducive to peculation and fraud, 
 seeing that not only had he care of all the Church plate and vestments in those days — as 
 we easily see from the inventories given in the "Monasticon" and such books — but also 
 the charge of the numerous adjuncts of a splendid worship and a gorgeous ritual, and the 
 supply of candles, which must have been immense, must necessarily pass through his hands, 
 as well all disbursements for these purposes. 
 
 The Treasurer was in some instances admitted to his Dignity by receiving of a 
 cap, as we find that, February 12, 1318, the Bishop admitted John Bruton in London to 
 the Treasurership of Wells per traditionem pilei sui. Bishop Joscelin, 1221, conferred the 
 Church of Mertok on the Treasurer, or, as we find, Reg. I. 34, the Ordinance of the 
 Bishop for the Treasurership in 1226 was as follows : 
 
 Decimse Bectoris ecclesise de Mertok, viz.: fsenum, pretium et argentum £5 10s. 
 
 Item decimam fseni secundum quod accideret. Item . . : pascha. 
 
 Item lana, agni, casei, decima vaccarum, columbarum cum Gardino. 
 
 Item die S. Laurentii de priore de Bruton de eccl. de Westburi 40s. , de Archid. de 
 Wells, 26s. 8(Z. ; de redditibus tenentium B. Andree 4 lbs. of wax and the rest of the wax 
 proveniens cum mortuis in Eccl. B. Andree : de reddit' Grangise Canonicorum die S. 
 Martini; also 100 lb. of wax from another Church with all which to find a Sub-treasurer; 
 for the Sacrist's stipend 20s. a year ; stipends for Choir of Lady Chapel, 6s. 8d. ; to mend 
 vestments and find seats in the Choir, 3s. ; stipend of laundress for washing vestments, 3s. ; 
 fijre for making wax cum uncto and for making the Eucharist, — ; and for candles, cords 
 for bells and the Lenten veil, 3 lb. of wax and more for the great altar, (fee. 
 
 It is worth observing that it was specially provided that the Eucharistic bread was to 
 be made from the grain in the Canon's Grange. 
 
 Bishop Joscelin had also specially endowed the office with part of the fruits of Weston 
 near Worle, annually, with which 100 lbs. of wax were to be provided — 50 on the day 
 of the Passion of S. Andrew and 50 on that of his translation, that out of it the Treasurer 
 might make two candles, to burn every hour that divine service was celebrated in the 
 Church of Wells, in the choir, before the high altar, night and day unceasingly. It was 
 quite impossible that a Dignitary placed in such a position and dealing with petty cash, 
 candles, and mats, should escape all complaints, and avoid coming into contact with his 
 
PREFACE. clxvii 
 
 fellow ministers of the Church. Thus it happened in 1360 that one Richard de Glutton, 
 Vicar of Wells, custos of the Lady Chapel in the cloisters, submitted to the Bishop and 
 the Sub-dean a quarrel which had arisen between the Treasurer and the other custodes of 
 the Chapel as to the wax offerings and the money paid for wax — a matter which was not 
 finally disposed of until 1269, when the Treasurer a Capitulo prsegravatus appealed to the 
 Bishop, and was immediately cited to appear before the Chapter, and only escaped, as we 
 must believe, the due reward of his defalcations, by obtaining leave from the Bishop 
 adeundi Scholas Theologicas per quinquennium. 
 
 This and similar discoveries do not, as a rule, place the Treasurers in a very satisfac- 
 tory light : their temptations appear, as in the case of Hugh Sugar, to have overcome their 
 appreciation of their statutable responsibilities, and to have led them into various equivocal 
 exactions and mal-administrations which strike us as frivolous and unworthy of so dignified 
 an otEcial. It must be remembered, at the same time, that the duties of the office were, 
 with the exception of those lucrative functions which belonged to high feasts and great 
 occasions, generally executed by deputy, and that it was scarcely to be expected of a 
 Dignitary that he should interest himself personally in candles et hoe genus omne. The 
 greater part by far of the revenues' and rents of the Capitular Body passed through the 
 hands of the Escheator, the Communar, and the Baron of Exchequer j and though we find 
 that the Treasury was once robbed owing to the negligence of the Sacrist, in the seventeenth 
 century, we never hear of any wholesale embezzlement being committed by the officers of 
 the Church. The annual appointment of a small committee of the E-esidentiaries was a 
 wise precaution suggested in a not untimely foresight of various emergencies in the more 
 failing and desperate condition of the resources of the Church. Such are repeatedly found 
 in the Chapter Acts, and illustrate perhaps the not unnatural feelings of suspicion and 
 jealous distrust which, in those days of impecunious jealousy and penniless decay, mark 
 the decline of these noble institutions. 
 
 The office of Sub-deane was the same with the Deane's in his absence nor could they 
 (as the Prsecentor and Succentor) be both absent from the Church together. Thus per- 
 functorily does Chyle dismiss one of the most important of the Cathedral officers. As 
 deputy of the Dean (though not, as at Exeter, the representative of the Bishop and 
 poenitentiarius of the Diocese) the Sub-dean occupied a most important position in the 
 Chapter of Wells ; and while we find that in the Dean's absence he was not always in 
 post-Reformational times voted to the presidential chair, yet in later years his name nearly 
 always appears nomine Decani as summoning the Prebendaries, and in his own name 
 issuing the mandate for the Pentecostal Visitation. The question of his fall powers were 
 defined by Bishop Drokennsford in 1310, when the quarrel occurred between the Dean 
 and Sub-dean as to rights of jurisdiction in the city of Wells and Woky ; and the decision 
 in 1313 finally determined that all of the four diguitaries, no less than the Succentor 
 and Sub-dean, must not only reside continually, but be also in priests' orders. When, 
 however, it appeared to Bishop Drokennsford that the Sub-dean had deliberately troubled 
 (vexaverat) the Dean's jurisdiction, he ordered that he should pay decem doUa vini, or 
 their value, to the Dean (each dolium being valued at 40«.) for his expenses in the suit; 
 but the Sub-dean declining or delaying so to do for a long time, the Bishop, in October, 
 1321, ordered the Chancellor of the Church to compel him to pay them by ecclesiastical 
 censures (Reg. Drok. 177). If this official occupied a somewhat anomalous position, and 
 at times proved refractory, he was at least a convenient agent in the days of Capitular 
 impecuniosity, for as early as 1245 he was sent to London on two most important 
 
clxviii FEE FACE. 
 
 matters of business : the first was to submit the Chapter differeaces with Ildicius as to 
 payment of certain moneys to the opinion of counsel ; the other, to borrow 70 marks for 
 carrying on the business of the Chapter in CuriS, Eomana, and not only to see if he could 
 come to an arrangement cum mercatoribus Senensibus et Florentinis de pecunia conducta, 
 but actually to borrow 200 marks also in London. The Chapter Acts in Appendix M 
 furnish numerous examples of the authority and position of the Sub-dean. 
 
 As to the Prsecentor, certainly not the least important dignitary in the Church, Chyle 
 dismisses him with scant attention. It is certain, however, that his was not the least 
 onerous post, although his emoluments were not the highest. "We find that the statutable 
 legacies to be left in the respective peculiars of the Dean and Prsecentor were as follows : — 
 Post mortem Decani there should be found, presumably at Currie, ad opus Successoris 
 ejusdem 24 oxen; and per Church londe 2 oxen, 2 marcs — 20s., 12s.; one cow, 10s.; 
 aper, iQd.; bona sus, 2s. These entries are somewhat imperfect, but in the case of the 
 Prsecentor clear enough : he was to leave eight oxen only ; but the Prsebendary of 
 Wandestre had to leave eight oxen, one cow, unus aper, una careta ferro ligata vel unus 
 carrus, una patella, &c. (1226). In later years he seems to have laboured under a serious 
 difficulty, which was only obviated by the generosity of the Bishop, for in November, 1321, 
 we find that John Bruton, a Canon of "Wells, resigned certain houses the Bishop had given 
 him, just outside the palace gate, and the Bishop then gave them to the Prsecentor, because 
 the house he had been living in was such a distance from the Church (Drok. 180). The 
 importance of his constant residence at Wells was seen by a previous occupant of the 
 ofiice, Thomas Button, for, fearing that the Church should sufier loss or hindrance from 
 his constant absence, he resigned the Prsecentorship, and received in return from the 
 Bishop, out of his own private purse, £20, until he should get a more profitable benefice 
 (Reg. I. 84 d). One Prsecentor appears to have been a conspicuous benefactor while Arch- 
 deacon of Bath, if we may judge from the fact that in January, 1254, Elias the Master 
 and the Brethren of S. John Baptist's at Bristol, had bound themselves to keep up the 
 Holy Ghost Chapel which he had built in the Cemetery of S. Mary RedclifFe, to celebrate 
 therein a mass for the dead, with a view to the special commemoration of Bishops Herbert, 
 Robert, and William, of Sarum, and of Joscelin, Roger, and William Button, of Wells, as 
 well of himself and Walter St. Quintin, Archdeacon of Taunton. For this and other 
 charitable purposes, such as providing bread and wine for the poor chapels in the Arch- 
 deaconry of Bath, the Prsecentor, Henry Tessum, had left 63 marks and the rent of 
 certain fields (Reg. III. 180 ; Reg. I. 2). 
 
 The rest of the prsebendaries had very little to doe in the Goverment of the Church 
 excepting those that enter'd themselves and were admitted to theire Residence, more than 
 what is confirmd to them by Queen e Elizabeth's Charter. 
 
 Before I leave this Chapter I shall give the Reader what I have mett with in an Old 
 Legend of S. Decuman, which gives the name to a little village, neere Watchet, on the 
 North Sea, in the West of this Countie of Somersett and consequently to a prsebend of 
 this Church : — 
 
 De Sancto Deeumano Heremita et Martyre. 
 
 Beatus Decumanus ex illustri est prosapia oriundus in occidentalibus Cambricse 
 partibus, ex parentibus quidem [prcecipuis) cultoribus Christianse Religionis. Hie post- 
 quam Domi puerilia transcendit, per incrementa innocentis ajtatis, csepit bonse indolis 
 Adolescens esse. Tandem Mare adiit Sabrinum clam suis omnibus et prsecipue Familiari- 
 oribus, et Eis qui sibi videbantur studio humanitatis conjunctiores Christum solum 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 clxix 
 
 conscium et Duoem sui Itineris habens. Quid plura, defuit Naulum, defuit Navigium, 
 Vir dei miserioordia Dei confidena nequaquam hsesitans Virgas seciis mane in frutecto quas 
 reperit crescentes colligavit in fasciculum, et tali utens vehiculo, misit se in profundum 
 et sic divina gubernante providentia provectus est ad littus oppositum prope Castrum* . . . 
 Erat in eo territorio in quo applicuit vasta hererai solitudo fruticibus et vepribus obsita, et 
 densitate silvarum in longum et latum spaciose porrecta montium eminentia sursum eduota 
 et concavitate valliiim mirabiliter interrupta. Hsec ei sedes complacuit, patriam com- 
 mutans exilio, Antra deserti pro fastu palatii cepit ibi commanere herbis et radicibus 
 victitare ; tali sub tenore vitam ducens Heremiticam, in dicta Solitudine multis vixerat 
 annis, Fertur eciam vaccam habuisse cujus lacte saltem prseclaris festivitatibus magis 
 sustentaretur quam aleretur: Cum igitur Sanctus Decumanus nullimodis signorum floreret 
 virtutibua, Vir qaidam sed et ipse Vir Belial, tanti patris invidens aanctitati, furiali mente 
 debacchatus, bestialiter occurrit, et inter verba orationis et prseces santse devotionis 
 Sanctum Domini capitis obtruncatione ad cselestia regna transmisit; Sed et istud sub 
 silentio non est prsetereundum Quod cum decoUatus esset, cum quadam Vauga ut fertur 
 Truncus laceri corporis se erexit et caput proprium cepit peudulis brachiis rectitare a loco 
 decoUationis, usque ad fontem limpidissimi liquoris in quo Caput propriis manibus abluere 
 pro consuetudine habebat, Qui usque hodie ad memoriam et reverentiam ipsius Fons 
 S"- Decumani nuncupatur, dulcis necessarius et salubris Incolis ad potandum. In quo 
 loco Caput simul cum Corpore postmodum a Fidelibus quesitum et inventum sepulturse 
 honorifice tradebatur. 
 
 I doubt not but Mr. Camden referrs to this in his Britannia, speaking of Dunster 
 Castle, in this Countie of Somerset : Huic Castro (writes he) adjacent duo Viculi duobus 
 in digitibus sacri Caranton alter a Carantoco Britanno, alter S. Decombes a Decumano, 
 Qui e Southwallia solvens hue appulit in vasta (ut antiquo Agonali legitur) solitudine 
 frutetis et vepribus obsita &c. ubi mundi vanitate ubi mundi vanitati valedicens, e sicario 
 transfossus divinum honorem apud populutn consecutus est. 
 
 ' Dunster added by other baud in margin. 
 
clxx PREFACE. 
 
 BOOK V. CHAP. IV. 
 
 ST^e ^oberment of tfjc Ficars Cfjorall, 
 
 IHESE Vicars Chorall being Collected and brought into a Body, by Bishopp 
 Ralph of Shrewsbury (as has been said) He ordaind and appointed them 
 Statutes and Rules to walk and goveme by ; but not soe separate and 
 independent, as that the Bishopp and Chapter should have noe influence or 
 power over Them. And therefore I shall descourse of them here according to that method 
 proposed in the Preface In respect of theire Subordination and Obedience to the Bishopp 
 and Chapter Next in respect of theire owne Oeconomie according to theire Locall Statutes 
 and Customes. 
 
 In ,all such Statutes as have by the Severall Deanes (especially Walter Haselshaw, 
 John Goodeley, "Walter London and John Carlton) beene made for the well Goverment of 
 this Church, many of them related to these our Vicars Chorall ; Some new, according to 
 the disorders crept in amoung them ; some revived only and reinforced because of theire 
 neglicence and carelessness in the Observancie and obedience of them. The cheife of them 
 were as followes : (Cr. MS., 78) p. 59-91. 
 
 Chyle here quotes Mr. Creighton's MS., substituting only heading of the Statutes in 
 English, instead of the original Latin as found in the margin of the Liber Ruber, and 
 altering the order in which they were there entered. 
 
 These amoung others were those Statutes and Injunctions which our Vicars were to 
 observe before they were incorporated, and related cheifly to the honor of the Church, and 
 decencie of theire order and profession. Chyle here gives an oath which he says was to 
 be taken by them when ' perpetuated.' Nor were these abrogated or anihilated upon this 
 New Foundacion of Bishopp Ralph, but rather confirmed together with some, as had 
 respect to the well Goverment of theire Body, and therefore may be called theire Locall 
 Statutes, To the Obedience of which they are now also Sworne : I have not met with any 
 Book or Record of these first Statutes of Bishopp Ralph's, but as I find them in a Visita- 
 tion of Thomas Beckington, together with Some Injunctions of his owne, who tho the 
 Founder's Successor above an 100 yeares, yet takes up his glorious designs, in relation to 
 our Vicars, and as well adds as perfect's it ; as has been said in the Second Book. The 
 preface I shall give as it comes to my hands in Latine only. The Statutes themselves and 
 Injunctions being in both languages, I shall here make choice of our owne for theire 
 publication. 
 
 Not, however, to quote this somewhat tame if pertinent document, I will add that the 
 excellent Bishop says that he is anxious to correct some of the Statutes, which, useful 
 though they be, may both to the advantage of persons and places therewith connected be 
 confirmed and approved ; and that seeing how his predecessor. Bishop Ralph, viso quod 
 Laici Clericis oppido sunt infesti, pie, honeste et devotissime motus had founded the 
 venerable spot called the Close, for the use of the Vicars, so that a tumultu populi, pompis 
 seculi, et occasione mali they might be at greater leisure to serve God, and might live so 
 more respectably and nearer to the Church, and repeatedly and constantly officiate at the 
 divine obsequies, and more socially congregate for dinners, suppers, and collations, omissis 
 turpiloquis et inhonestis ac otiosis quae ad rem non pertinent, Cujus rei veritatem et 
 
PREFACE. cb 
 
 judicium ipsius Loci manifestatur evidenter Situs et sedificium, unde tam felix sanctum et 
 devotum propositum Fundatoris vestri continuari desiderantes, ne deinoeps Oves morbide 
 gregem inficiant aut corrumpant nee pacem infringere prsesumant sed ut jurgiorum rixse, 
 dissentionis vel discordise Seminatores, et honestatis ac mundicise pacis et Charitatis ac 
 unanimitatis perturbatores si qui, quod absit, surrexerint in futurum plenius refrenentur. 
 Ad exemplum et laudem bonorum, Vindictam vero malefactorum devotius excitati ; Nos 
 Thomas Newman et Johannes Axbrige principales Aulse Vicariorum pro tempore existentes, 
 una cum consensu aliorum Sociorum Honestatem, Charitatem, et pacem hujus Venerabilis 
 Loci observari volentes, Ordinavimus quod in Registro omnia et singula Statuta, Ordina- 
 tiones, vel acta notabilia per principales pristinos vel futures facta vel facienda, Nos vel 
 Societatem nostram quovismodo conoernentia et pensB si quse fuerunt, per principales 
 hujusmodi vocatis ad hoc ex Senioribus Loci quos viderint advocandos fore, hujusmodi 
 unanimitatis perturbatoribus inflictae vel infligendse plene et plane notatis persona et 
 tempore registrent, et inscribant, et inscripta vel registrata in custodia receptorum semper 
 ad manus habeantur ut visis ibi perturbatorum et fautorum discordiarum hujusmodi 
 punitionibus, si quos ad malum vel discordiam temptari forte contigerit imposterum sese 
 facilius compescunt, pacem servent, et inter se Socii cariores existunt. Cujus quidem 
 Eegistri editio ad honorem Die, beatse Marise, beati Andreae, et omnium Sanctorum fuit 
 ad perpetuam rei memoriam inchoata in festo Nativitatis ejusdem Dominee nostrse beatse 
 Dei Genitricis Marise, a.d. 1394. Cujus continuationem perpetuis temporibus duximus 
 observandum. 
 
 Imprimis : That all the Vicars perpetuate of the Cathedrall Church of Wells, being 
 in the City of Wells, and inhabiting the Vicars' Close according to the laudable Customs 
 given by the Founder of the place, shall .assemble together in the Common Hall of the 
 said Vicars every yeare upon the Feast of S. Mathew the Apostle imediately after three 
 peales rung with theire Common Bell, to choose officers for the yeare following, that is to 
 say. Two principalis, one Receiver of theire prevents and Rents, and Three Auditors and 
 shall not from thence depart untill the said Election be fully ended by the more and 
 discreeter part of them the said Company soe called. And if any Vicar or Vicars by 
 negligence will not regard to Come, to this or to any other calling together, concerning 
 theire Common business, or any other cause reasonable, whatsoever it be hereafter to be 
 determin'd, or else malitiously will absent themselves from the same being lawfully 
 praemonish'd and warn'd to come, shall for theire soe doeing be excluded and deprived 
 from all Commodities belonging to the said common Hall, untill they shall deserve to 
 be taken, and restored again by the Principalis and Fellowshipp, or at the least way, by 
 the more and discreeter part of them. And after that the Vicars be soe called. The two 
 principalis of the yeare then finished, with the consent of all the Company, or of the more 
 and discreeter part of them shall elect and choose five of the Seniors and men of most 
 discretion then being present, the which five Seniors with the two principalis aforesaid 
 shall without any further prorogation or delay elect and choose principalis for the yeare 
 next following. And if any of them soe chosen may not conveniently take upon him the 
 said office of principall, and will alleage a just and reasonable cause for himselfe, by the 
 said principalis and five Seniors admitted and allowed, why he cannot exercise the same, 
 They shall have free libertie to choose another. 
 
 Item the office or power of the principalis is. That they shall as far as they may 
 correct and reforme, all Faults and disorders, that shall happen amoung theire Company 
 within the said Close ; And such faults, disorders and Causes which by them cannot be 
 
clxxii PREFACE. 
 
 reformed, They shall undelayedlie open and shew unto the Bishopp. Moreover they shall 
 see and Oversee the defaults of every Vicar's House situated within the said Close, and 
 shall judge and esteeme the Reparation of the same, and shall admonish the said Yicars, 
 That within a certain time by them appointed, They shall sufficiently repair and amend 
 all such faults found in and upon theire houses, under certain paynes to be moderated by 
 the arbitrament of the said principalis; Furthermore they shall expell and remove all 
 suspected persons whensoever or wheresoever they shall find them within the said Close : 
 Finally all other things that shall appertaine or belong unto the common proffit of the 
 place, or Company of the same, they shall doe and exercise with the advisement delibera- 
 tion and counsill of the Seniors and men of most discretion of the said place, whome they 
 shall think most worthy to be called. 
 
 Item that the said principalis shall on the said day of S. Mathew yearely from hence- 
 forth nominate and choose unto the office of Receiver for the yeare then next ensuing the 
 Senior vicar perpetuate of the same place, which never exercised the said office before. 
 The which soe nominated and chosen shall not refuse to accept, and take upon him to 
 execute and exercise the said office freely, and shall imediately after his Nomination and 
 Election find out and straitway bring forth sufficient Suerities of the Vicars perpetuate of 
 the same place, that he shall faithfully exercise the said office, and that he shall give and 
 make a plaine and true accompt in the Exchequer of the afibresaid new Close of the money 
 and. other goods whatsoever they be unto the place and office afforesaid appertaining, and 
 ought by him to be received, before the principalis and Auditors of the same place 
 betweene the Feasts of Saint Andrew the Apostle and the Nativitie of our Lord, next 
 after the yeare's end of his said Office, at any time by the said principalis to him assigned 
 and appointed and shall then content and pay whatsoever debts be found upon his Accompt 
 at the time of the same, or at the best way, he shall at his own proper costs and charges, 
 provide one of the Vicars perpetuate of the same place (by the said principalis to be 
 allowed) to do the affisresaid office in manner and form afforesaid, in the name and steed of 
 him named and chosen for that yeare, or else shall deliver or pay incontinently unto the 
 said principalis x'- that they may provide a meete man of the Vicars perpetuate to exer- 
 cise and execute the same office in the steed and name of him under the paine of exclusion 
 and privation as well from his Chamber as from all other Commodities belonging to the 
 Common Hall of the New Close afforesaid. 
 
 Item, one of the afforesaid Vicars every week yearely shall be theire Comon Steward 
 and this office shall runn successively by every man's house ; From the which office noe 
 man shall be excused but the principalis only, under the paine of exclusion and privation 
 from all Commodities belonging to theire Comon Hall. That the Steward during the time 
 of his office shall be ready at all convenient howers, to deliver both Bread and Drink unto 
 them that will battle under paine of iiii^- to be applyed and bestowed on the Commons of 
 the afforesaid Fellowshipp provided that the Steward by reason of his Office afforesaid 
 shall not be excused from the Quire. That every Steward the next week after his office is 
 ended, shall read the Bible in the Reading place of theire Common Hall at divers time 
 and shall helpe the Steward to serve the Company, under paine of losing his Commons for 
 the week that is to say viii''- to be applyed to the use and profitt of the Fellowshipp of the 
 foresaid Hall. 
 
 Item, it is strictly Comanded and injoyned under paine of Disobedience and Contempt 
 That every Steward with the money received by him for his Companie's Commons shall 
 straiteway, or at the farthest within three days after his office is ended faithfully pay as 
 
PREFACE. clxxiii 
 
 well for Bread and Drink as for other Victualls bought in the time of his office. And if 
 perad venture he refuse to doe it or doe it not effectually, He shall want all Commodities 
 belonging to the Comon Hall, untill it be openly and plainely proved for a Truth before 
 the principalis That all things due to be paid for such manner of Victualls occupied in the 
 time of his Office be by him faithfully and fully contented and paid. 
 
 Item That the Yicars which goe to Commons in the Comon Hall shall pay both for 
 theire Comons and Battles every Fryday or else the next Saturday in the Morning at the 
 farthest . if not they shall abstaine from the Hall and want all Comodities belonging to 
 the same untill they shall obtain favour of the principalis. 
 
 Item That Vicars sitting together at theire Table in the Comon Hall shall have in 
 theire Comunication Matters of Honestie, beseeming and modest Words ; And if theire be 
 any Vicar admonish'd by the principalis. Or by any other Vicar supplying theire roome 
 (which ought alwaies at the least to be a priest of the Senior Vicars of the same place) to 
 leave theire outragious Communication, brawling, unfitting or mocking words, or words 
 contrarie to the honestie of the place, if they doe gainesay or doe not conforme themselves 
 to such monitions of the said principalis, or of them that supply theire roome. They shall 
 for theire soe doeing (all favour sett apart) incurr the paine of xx'- to be applyed to the 
 Comon Hall. And that none of the Vicars shall prsesume to open privately or openlie 
 anything said don or published in theire Common Hall to any persons whatsoever to the 
 prejudice or griefe of his Fellowes, or of any one of them under the paine of privation 
 from all commodities belonging to the Comon Hall for his soe doeing, untill he shall 
 deserve by the principalis and the Company to be restored againe. 
 
 Item In as much as the Commandment of our Lord and Saviour is That our Com- 
 munication ought to be yea yea. Nay Nay, and the Apostle Commandeth not to swear at 
 All . We doe charge and Comand, That every Vicar of the afforesaid Close, following this 
 holy and holsome doctrine, doe alwaies abstaine from all unlawful! Oathes. And if they 
 or any of them doe the contrary, he shall pay for every time a Farthing ; And if he sweare 
 by God's Soule or any Member of Christ (which is a kind of Blasphemy) he shall lose for 
 every time an halfe penny, to be applyed to the Commons faithfully, and without any 
 forgiveness. 
 
 Item That none of the Vicars shall sing crye, or make any noise or cause any to be 
 made within the said Close after the Corfew Bell is rung at S. Andrewe's, whereby his 
 Companions may be disquieted or troubled under the paine of xx"*- to be applyed to the 
 use of the afforesaid ffellowshipp. And that every Vicar of the said Close goeing forth or 
 coming in after the Corfew Bell is rung at S. Cuthberd's, shall shutt theire Closegate after 
 them, under paine of a penny to be applyed to the comon proffitt as afforesaid. And that 
 every Vicar going out or coming in at any time, at the Closegate shall say a pater noster 
 and an Ave Mary for the Soule of Bishopp Ralph of Shrewsbury Founder of the said 
 Close and for the soules of his predecessors. Benefactors, and all Christian soules. 
 
 Item that none of the Vicars shall receive or take any Strainger to theire Common 
 Table neither to theire Chambers to continue there at night times, above two or three 
 dayes under the paine of vi'- viii'^- to be applyed to the said Vicars' Commons. And 
 also that none shall presume to receive any defamed Woemen, or any other suspected 
 persons into the Close or into theire houses and there to keepe them under any colour or 
 pretence privily or apertly whereby slander reproof may be spoken, or evidently proved, 
 or any ill suspition arise, And if he feare not to commit such a fact or offence after three 
 monitions given him by the principalis, he shall from thenceforth for his soe doeing, be 
 
clxxiT PREFACE. 
 
 deprived of his house, and shall want all commodities and proffitts appertaining to the 
 Common Hall, until he obtaine special favour on that behalfe. Except it soe fortune that 
 any of the said Vicars be very sick, then it may be lawfuU for the same sick man during the 
 time of his infirmity to have some person of good fame and honest conversation to keepe 
 him, Soe that the admission or receiving of any such persons be by the Licence of the 
 principalis for the time being. And furthermore Wee doe ordaine that there be not two 
 dwelling together in one house, for whosoever will presume to have a fellow dwelling with 
 him shall pay unto the Common Hall for every time XL'- , 
 
 Item That none of the Yicars shall keepe Doggs or Horses of theire owne or of any 
 other Man's day or night within the said Close, under any pretence or Colour, nor suffer 
 them to follow him under paine of Excommunication. 
 
 Item That none of the Vicars shall use any inhonest or slanderous words, unseemeHe 
 signes, or outragious mocks and Scornes towards his Eellowes present or absent, whereby 
 anger, strife, chyding, brawling, or hatred may be stirred up, or charitie troubled amoung 
 them under the paine of yix^ And if he throwe stone or draw knife or any other weapon 
 malitiously or else invade or lay violent hands upon any of his Fellowes, for every time 
 soe doeing he shall loose in'- ini^- to be applyed to the profitt of the aforesaid Commons, 
 and if the quantitie of the fault require it, he shall be punished more greeviously according 
 to the fault, at the judgment of the principalis and five Seniors. 
 
 Nor shall any Vicar smite any of the Common Servants under the paine of xx'- to be 
 applyed to the Com on Hall ; If any of the Vicars perceive that he hath a just cause to 
 complaine against any of the Common Servants for any fault, or lack of diligent service, 
 or for any other thing, wee will not yea wee utterly forbidd, that they revenge themselves 
 at theire owne pleasure, but that they shew theire griefes unto the principalis of the place 
 (as becometh them) to be by them reform'd. 
 
 Item Wee the foresaid Thomas Bishopp have made and sett forth Statutes 
 Ordinances, and Injunctions hereafter written in our Ordinarie Visitation of the Chorall 
 Vicars of our said Cathedrall Church in the months of August, September, and October in 
 the yeare of our Lord God m.cccclix actually by us exercised within the afforesaid Vicars' 
 Close the which we doe comand inviolablie to be kept and observ'd of the same Vicars and 
 every of them under the paines hereafter specified. 
 
 Imprimis Forasmuch as now of late wee understand by the Information of certaine 
 men, and afterward's perceiv'd and Sawe with our owne Eyes That some of the Vicars and 
 they not a few, have begun and brought up of late a new kind of pride, and a signe of 
 great wantonness, in theire vesture, garment and apparrell, contrarie to all honestie of the 
 order of Clerks, that is to say, They have the Collers of theire Doubletts erected and over 
 high, above theire Gownes and Cloakes, after the manner of Legemen, and like unto the 
 new invention of insolent and proud persons, and the Collers of theire Gownes and Olokes 
 very short and low, soe that of such it may now very well be said, as it is written in OSee 
 the uu^ Chapter, There is no diversitie betweene the priest the Clerk and the Ley 
 people. Wee therefore willing to wipe away and utterly put out this blemish of our 
 Elock doe decree ordaine and by Injunction command that none of the said Vicars after 
 fifteene dayes from the day of publishing of these our Ordinances, doe presume to use the 
 Collers of theire Dubletts Coates Gownes and Clokes higher up or by any meanes other- 
 wise then becometh the honestie of Clerks under the paine of loosing theire Commons in 
 the afforesaid Common Hall, by the space of a Month, the which penal tie wee will that 
 every of them shall incurr, as often as they doe contrary to this our present ordinance. 
 
PREFACE. clxxv 
 
 Also that every Vicar for the time being in our said Church be like in theire Roundings 
 and Crownes, and at all times without the Compass of theire houses they shall goe in the 
 day time in apparrell convenient and meete for the order and honestie of Clerks, all 
 inordinate use of theire Garments and apparrell set aside, under the paine of xii"*- to be 
 paid to theire said Commons, by every Vicar for every time that he shall be found culpable 
 in this behalfe. 
 
 Item wee doe decree, ordaine and enjoyne that the said Vicars shall give due 
 reverence unto the principalis there for the time being, and unto the Seniors also, as well 
 within the aforesaid Close as without ; And if any of the said Vicars doe contrary to this 
 our Ordinance and be thereoff convicted, he shaU pay for the first time \ii^' for the second 
 and for every time afterwards xiiii'*- to be applyed to the afforesaid Commons. 
 
 Item we do decree ordaine and enjoyne that none of the foresaid Vicars shall make 
 any suite or labor, or procure any to be made to any Strainger by mouth, writing, sigue, 
 or token or by any other meanes by himselfe or by other for any Chamber or office within 
 the Close, or within the foresaid Church, under paine of Expulsion for evermore from the 
 foresaid Close, to be faithfully executed by the principalis there for the time being upon 
 every Vicar offending in this point. And also that none of the foresaid Vicars shall under 
 any pretence or colour accuse or procure any other to cause any of his Felowes to be accused 
 indicted or otherwise to be vexed in the temporall law, or before any temporall Judge, 
 under paine of Expulsion as is above mention'd. 
 
 Item, Wee doe decree ordaine and enjoyne that none of the foresaid Vicars not being 
 within Holy Orders, although he be perpetuate, shall presume to come and be present at 
 any secret bussiness or Communications of the foresaid Vicars except he be called by the 
 principalis for the time being or by one of them, the other being absent, the which soe 
 called shall be present except he be letted by some reasonable Cause to be allowed by the 
 said principalis, or by one of 1,hem, and shall there continue and from thence depart, as in 
 that behalfe it shall please the principalis or one of them the other being absent to deter- 
 mine. And if any of the said Vicars (which thing God forbid) wUl presume to violate 
 this our Ordinance in any part thereoff; he shall forfeit for every time soe doeing 
 xiiii'J- to be applyed faithfully to the use and protitt of the foresaid Commons. 
 
 Item Wee doe decree ordaine and enjoyne that the principalis of the said Vicars for 
 the time bein" shaU duly punish and correct their Eelows offending against the foresaid 
 Statutes, Ordinances and Injunctions according to theire deserving without any favour, 
 and shall in no case remitt, change or mittigate the penalties of any one of them, mentiond 
 appointed in the said Statutes, Ordinances and Injunctions, without special Licence ob- 
 tained first of us, or of our Successors, for the time being under paine of iii^- iiiid- to be 
 paid unto the foresaid Canons by the same principalis as often as they do offend in this 
 
 behalfe. 
 
 Item That the principalis of the foresaid New Close shall not from henceforth by any 
 maner of meanes presume to admitt any man presented by the Deane or President of the 
 Chapter of the above-said Cathedrall Church to be a Vicar Chorall of the same Cathedrall 
 Church for a yeare of probation unto any Chamber within the said New Close, or any 
 Commodities belonging to the Common HaU of the Same, for Grace favour or Love, or 
 at the desire, instance or request of any man, or any other cause whatsoever it be, 
 untill he the same Vicar doe first pay xiii^' mil- sterling unto the said principalis 
 for his ingress according to the Custom lawfully prescribed from time out of mind hither- 
 unto in the said Close (as wee be informed) peaceablie and quietly, inviolablie and con- 
 
clxxvi PEE FACE. 
 
 stantlie in this behalfe used and observed, the which custom wee allow confirms and 
 ratifie as just, lawfull and reasonable, and by these presents command to be observed 
 under paine of xx^- Sterling to be paid by the same principalis, and to be applyed unto 
 the use of the Fabrick of the Church, as often as the said principalis shall Violate, or 
 cause or suffer this injunction to be Violated. 
 
 Item That none of the Vicars of the said New Close -sitting in the Common Hall of 
 the same at the time of dinner or supper, shall by any manner of meanes from henceforth 
 depart from dinner or supper, before grace be said after dinner and supper, without licence 
 of the principalis first desired and obtained of the Same New Close, if they be at dinner 
 or supper, or in theire absence of them which shall supply theire roome under paine of 
 iiii"i- to be paid and applyed to the use of the foresaid Close, as often as he shall be found 
 negligent and faultie in that behalfe. 
 
 Item that none of the Vicars of the said New Close, shall presume from henceforth 
 to put on or weare any kind of Weapons within the precincts of the New Close afforesaid, 
 Except he be goeing forth out of the towne for the space of a mile at the least, or else 
 coming home againe, under paine of iii'- iiii'^- to be paid and applyed to the use of the 
 said place as often as he shall Violate or break this Injunction. 
 
 Item, That from henceforth it shall be lawfull for them which be named to the oflBce 
 of the principall, to keepe and exercise the said office for 2 : 3 or 4 yeares together, if it 
 shall seeme more expedient unto the more and wiser part of the Vicars personally gather'd 
 together in the Common Hall of the foresaid New Close every yeare hereafter upon the 
 feast of S. Mathew Apostle any Statute of the said New Close made to the Contrary not- 
 withstanding. And that the named principalis or the one of them shall in no wise refuse 
 to accept and take upon him or them the said office as is afforesaid, without a just and a 
 reasonable Cause allowed by the five elders and senior Vicars of the same place under 
 paine of x'- to be paid by every of them that will soe refuse, to be applyed to the use of 
 the said New Close. 
 
 Item, That the principalis of the said New Close for the time being shall be assisted 
 by all and singular the Vicars, and cheifly by the five Elders, in the executing of the 
 Statutes and Injunctions afforesaid in maner and form above specified, as often as it shall 
 be needfull, and shall stiflie stick unto them, that the said statutes and Injunctions may 
 take theire full effect and strength, as they will answeare unto their Ordinary or his Vicar 
 generall at theire owne perill in this behalfe. 
 
 Item, That every Vicar which wiU not feare hereafter to breake or violate the fore- 
 said Statutes which be not contrary to these Injunctions, or these Injunctions or anv of 
 them, shall without any delay pay out of hand the paines and penalties enjoyn'd and 
 appointed unto them by the principalis of the afforesaid New Close for the time being, or 
 by one of them, under paine of exclusion as well from his Chamber as from all Com- 
 modities unto a Vicar of the foresaid New Close, by reason and pretence of the same place 
 belonging and appertaining. 
 
 Item, That the Principalis of the said New Close for the time being shall charge and 
 bind all and singular hereafter to be admitted for Vicars Chorall of the foresaid Cathedrall 
 Church, with a Corporal and solemn Oath within seaven dayes after they be admitted to 
 theire Chambers and Commodities of the said New Close, faithfully too to serve as well 
 these Bishopp's Injunctions as all and singular statutes of the same New Close which be 
 not contrary to these Injunctions, under paine of iiis- iiii<i- to be applyed unto the use of 
 the New Close. 
 
PREFACE, clxxvii 
 
 Item, That these Injunctions shall be registerd in the Statute-Book of the foresaid 
 New Close. And that upon the Feast of S. Mathew the Apostle every yeare from hence- 
 forth, one of the principalis shall openly and plainely reade as well these Injunctions, as 
 all and singular Statutes and Ordinances of +he same New Close, which be not contrary to 
 the said Injunctions before all and singular the Vicars of the same place being then con- 
 gregated together in the Common Hall, there according to the custome and manner of long 
 time used, under paine of x*- to be paid by the said principalis unto the use of the foresaid 
 place. 
 
 These were the Ordinances and Injunctions which Bishop Beckington made in this 
 his visitation, Concluding and Bearing date as follows : — In quorum omnium et singulorum 
 fidem ac testimonium has nostrorum Statutorum ac Ordinationum literas Sigilli nostri 
 apentione fecimus communiri. Dat : in palatio nostro Wellen sexto die Mensis Februarii 
 Anno Domini Millesimo quadracentesimo quinquagesimo nono et nostras Consecrationis 
 anno decimo septimo. 
 
 In that Visitation of this Cathedrall in the second yeare of Queen Elizabeth John 
 Jewell being one of the Commissioners, taken notice of in the second Chapter of this 
 Book, I can find but three Articles (tho I beleeve there were many more) relating to the 
 Vicars : — 
 
 Item That all and singular the Vicars such as be not to study by Themselves, shall 
 dayly at all times Vacant, forenoone and afternoone, the Service time excepted, resort 
 unto the Gramer Schoole, and learne such things whereby they may afterwards be the 
 more able to serve God in the Commonwealth. 
 
 Item, It is ordered that no Vicar maried or unmaried shall inhabit out of the Close 
 of this Church of Wells, upon the paine of loss of his roome or Vicarshipp and that theire 
 Dividents be equally divided amoung the lay vicars and the priests. 
 
 Item, It is ordered That if the Deane and Chapter doe not at convenient time, And 
 as often as any roome belonging to the peti-canons and Singing men of this Church shall 
 be void present an able man thereunto, then it shall be lawful to the Chanter and other of 
 the said Quire, to present a meete man for the same roome, to the Deane and Chapter ; 
 And if the said Deane and Chapter will not admitt him soe to them presented. That then 
 the profitts of every such roome soe void during the vacation thereoflf, shall be employed 
 to the use of the other Singing men and pety Canons. 
 
 I come now in the last place to that Charter of the Queene's, before mentioned, which 
 not only gives or confirmes to them theire Habitations Lands and Revenues, but likewise 
 directs and appointes them their Rules and Statutes, for theire being continuation, and 
 well Goverment. The particulars are as follows : — 
 
 Theire number : They must not be under fourteene nor exceed the number of 
 twentie; out of which two of them are named principalis; and other five, the Five 
 Seniors, These to be chose annually on the feast of S. Mathew. 
 
 And likewise in case of Death, resignation, or any other Avoidance of the principalis, 
 or either of them, or any of the 5 Seniors, theire places for the time being to be filled up, 
 out of theire number to be chose by the major part of the Vicars. 
 
 Theire perpetuitie and continuance : That whensoever and as oftsoever hereafter, it 
 shall happen any one or more of the said Vicarshipps to be void by Death, departure, 
 Resignacion, deprivacion, of any one or more of the said Vicars, or whensoever any one, or 
 more of the number of twentie Vicars Chorall, in the Cathedrall Church, of Wells affore- 
 said, shall be void. That then and soe often it may and^ shall be lawfull to and for the 
 
 aa 
 
clxxviii PR EFA CK 
 
 Deane and Chapter, of the said Cathedrall and theire Successors or the major part of the 
 said Deane and Chapter, or otherwise the prsebends in the said Cathedrall as before they 
 were, ought, or hath beene used from time to time, within three months next after such 
 death, departure, resignation, or deprivation, to name and assigne one or more able and 
 fitt person or persons. And to signifie or make knowne the nomination and assignation in 
 that behalfe, as afore is said, to the said principalis. Seniors, and Vicars Chorall of the 
 said Church in maner and forme as heretofore in that behalfe hath been used : which 
 person or persons soe as aforesaid named and made knowne, shall be received by the said 
 principalis Seniors, and Vicars Chorall, if by the major part of them he or they shall be 
 judged fitt. 
 
 Thevre yeare of probation : That the person or persons so received, with the place or 
 places so void, shall be there for probation, by the space of one whole yeare, according to 
 the antient usage and custome in the foresaid Church. And if after the probation of one 
 yeare the said person or persons soe presented and admitted by the Comendation and 
 opinion of the said principalis, Seniors, and Vicars Chorall of the said Cathedrall, or the 
 greater part of them shall be judged, received or esteemed sufficient able and fitt. That 
 then the same person or persons soe named, made knowne and approved, shall be per- 
 petuated and he or they may have perpetuitie in the Cathedrall Church afforesaid ; as 
 other Vicars Chorall in the same Church are perpetuated, or have used to be perpetuated. 
 And if such person or persons soe named made knowne and approved as afforesaid, after 
 his probation of one yeare in the Cathedrall Church afforesaid, shall not be judged, 
 esteemed and reputed sufficient able and fitt by the said principalis Seniors and Vicars or 
 the greater part of them ; That they shall utterly reject and expell the person or persons 
 soe insuflicient, unable and unfitt,' according to their ancient use and Custome in such cases 
 heretofore made and used. And if neither the said Deane and Chapter or theire Successors 
 nor the said prsebendaries of the Cathedrall Church aforesaid, to whom it doth belong in 
 that behalfe within the said three months, next after such death, departure, resignation or 
 deprivation of any Vicar, shall not name and assigne to the said principalis Seniors and 
 Vicars, another sufficient able and fit person to such a Vicarshipp, That then and so often 
 it shall and may be lawfull to and for the said principalis. Seniors, and Vicars Chorall, and 
 to theire Successors, or to the greater part of them, from time to time to choose, approve, 
 and place in and to that Vicarship soe being void one other or others in the place of him 
 or them soe not named or signified. 
 
 The profitts during the Vacancies : And by these our Letters patents the same prin- 
 cipalis. Seniors, and Vicars, and theii-e Successors at all times hereafter for ever, during 
 every vacation of the said Vicarshipps or any of them may have, enjoy, and hold such 
 Vicarshipp or Vicarshipps soe void, and all profitts to such Vicarshipp belonging or 
 appertaining, to the proper use and behoofe of them the said principalis. Seniors and 
 Vicars, and theire Successors, only during such vacancie in such maner and forme, as 
 heretofore they have used, and not otherwise nor in any other manner. 
 
 The power given the principalis, Seniors, and Major part : And moreover Wee ordaine 
 and establish by these presents, That from time to time, and at all times hereafter, it 
 shall be lawfull for the principalis. Seniors, and major part of these Vicars Chorall afore- 
 said for the time being to deprive, and out, and from the said College to remove, such of 
 the Vicars afforesaid as they shall find in the same College to be guiltie of any notorious 
 Crime, or of a scandalous life, or evill behaviour, as heretofore hath beene used, or such as 
 according to the Statutes and ordinances in that behalfe heretofore had, for the profitt 
 
PREFA CE. clxxix 
 
 and good state of the College afforesaid, shall be accounted and decreed notable and 
 unfit. 
 
 Theire obedience to the Deane and Chapter : And further wee doe grant that the said 
 principalis, Seniors, and Vicars Chorall, and theire Successors hereafter for ever be and 
 shall be, in the Cathedrall Church afibresaid, and in all places out of theire Close aforesaid 
 under the jurisdiction and obedience of the said Deane and Chapter, in and by all things 
 as heretofore they have beene used and accustomed. 
 
 Theire obedience to theire ancient Statutes and to theire Visitor : And for the better 
 Goverment of the College afforesaid "We will and further command That all the laudable 
 lawfull and reasonable decrees, Statutes, Ordinances, and Articles heretofore sett forth or 
 established by the Reverend Father Ralph late Bishopp of "Wells, founder of the College 
 or house afforesaid, or by the Reverend Father Thomas (Beckington) late Bishop of "Wells 
 aforesaid, for the well goverment and good estate or order of the College or house afore- 
 said, and of the principalis, Seniors, and Vicars of the same be from henceforth, precisely, 
 strictly and well observed, used and executed in all points, and Articles of the same 
 Decrees and Statutes according to the true intent of the said Bishopps or either of them, 
 Certaine Ordinances concerning Superstitious works only excepted (Notwithstanding) "Wee 
 "Will, ordaine and Command that the next Bishopp of Bath and "Wells, and his Successors 
 for ever may have and exercise all such and the same Jurisdictions, powers and authorities 
 of Visiting and doeing other things whatsoever belonging to the offipe of a Bishopp. And 
 also the patronage, placeing. Donation, and Collation of the houses within the College 
 aforesaid, in as ample manner and forme, as the said Ralph and Thomas the afforenamed 
 Bishopps sometimes of "Wells, or any the Successor or Successors of them, or either of 
 them, after the Foundation, or erection of the house or College aforesaid, until the day of 
 the date of these our letters patent lawfully had exercised or enjoyed or of right ought to 
 be used or Exercised. 
 
 These are the particulars of this Charter of Queene Elizabeth which have any 
 refference to the Conduct and Goverment of the Vicars Chorall in this Church and of 
 their College of Close Hall, with which I should conclud this Chapter and also this Book. 
 But since There are also a certain Number of Choristers belonging to this Church, That 
 the music may be more harmonious by theire Trebles in the Quire, and that severall 
 inferior offices and duties in theire Ordinale (Services) might the more aptly and willin'gly 
 be perform'd, who have beene only named and by the by hitherto taken notice off, I shall 
 continue {condvde) this Chapter with some discourse of them. 
 
 ©f tl^e eCfjortstcrs in (of) t|)ts .Cfjurcfj. 
 
 IN" all Cathedrall and Collegiate Churches whatsoever, where there is a Quire 
 founded for the Chanting and toning of the Services, There has alwaies beene 
 some Boyes (excepting in some Countries, Eunuchs) by whose voices the 
 upper parts in Musiek has beene supplyed ; who are usually in our Churches 
 stiled Choristers, Boyes, brought up to manage well theire, Naturall voices, and likewise to 
 have skill in Musiek, who besides the present service which they performe are, as your 
 Grafts and plants, makeing up Nursaries, and a Successive Supply for the perpetuating and 
 improving of that Seraphick Art of Musiek. 
 
clxxx PREFA CE. 
 
 I doubt not but at the first placeing of the Vicars Chorall in this Church, by Bishop 
 Joceline, theire were likewise Choristers then brought in, Such as were there found by 
 Bishopp Ralph ; pueris (sales Bishopp Godwin in his life, de prcesulibus pag. 429) etiam 
 sacras cmitiones modulari consuetis, qui Choristm vulgo appellantur, Habitaculum 
 construxit, when he incorporated these Vicars ; And afterwards Bishopp Beckington who 
 perfected what was left unfinisht by Bishopp Ralph, especially as to what related to the 
 Vicars and Quire; made Lawes and Rules for the well educating and better ordering of 
 these Choristers, which tho coming to my hands somewhat imperfect, and in some places 
 with blanks, I have yet thought worthy as they are here to insert the greater pa/rt o/'them 
 and are as foUowes :— P. 47 Cr. MS. (?). 
 
 In nomine Summce et individuce Trinitatis patris, Filii, et Spiritui sancti, Nos 
 Thomas de Beckintona permissione divina Bathon et Wellen Episcopus ad omnipotentis 
 Dei laudem et gloriam ac nostrce Gathedralis Ecclesioe Wellen honorem et commodum 
 subscriptas regulas et ordinationes quas pro virtuose regendis et dirigendis pueris dictce 
 Ecclesice nostrce Choristis per laudabilem et dignrn memorice virum dominum Rohertum 
 Catur Choristarum hujusmodi prcecepforem aq Magistrum saluhriter institutas, ac dill- 
 genter et sancte suo tempore invenimus ohservatas. Ad notitiam prcesentium et memoriam 
 futm/rorum hie duximus annotandas ea viz.: mente, eo Zelo, ea intentione ut et ipsi 
 Choristce qui nunc sint, seu in futwrum erunt sub sano et salubri regimine regularum ac 
 Ordinationum hujusmodi in via scientice et morum sic de cetera dirigantur, ut in ipsis 
 semper magis ac magis proficere, et tandem ad mternae mercedis bravium valeant pervenire. 
 The Eirst Rule concerns the Principal master of the Choristers and his Oath, and 
 commences by premising that it is proesidendum et providendum that the Precentor of 
 the Cathedral without all carnal aflFection and partiality whatsoever do admit as master 
 of the Choristers a man who shall be in priest's orders {qui sit Sacerdos), in all things of 
 approved knowledge and manner of life, as well wise as discreet at discerning and judging 
 what boys are suitable for Choristers tarn ex parte dispositionis vocum quark etiam disposi- 
 tionis natwalis, and that the master moreover must be of chaste life so as to afford his 
 boys an enviable example of chastity and be able in case of any lasciviousness to chastise 
 them with greater firmness (audacius) : the master must also at any rate be sober ever 
 having and observing discretion temperance and moderation according to the heinousness 
 of the ofience (secundum quantitatem delecti et temporis qualitatem) in chastisement, with 
 a constant zeal tam loci quam personarum for ruling and teaching lest through poverty of 
 the milk of doctrine and good rule of life the lambs in his hands should perish, or make 
 not such progress as they should. Sit insuper in Gramatica scientificus, sufiiciently 
 acquainted (edoctus) with plain and organ chant, least if the blind lead the blind both fall 
 into the ditch. Next above all things he should be prudent (providus) and truthful ac in 
 bonis temporalibus et satis habens so that he may faithfully provide and dispose the pro- 
 pertie and goods belonging to the Choristers, according to their reasonable requirements 
 and needs. And every year on the Monday next after the Feast of S. Michael the 
 Archangel or within two days after according to the arrangement and appointment 
 of the Precentor or in his absence of one of the Residentiarys whom the Precentor 
 shall appoint for this purpose he shall give an account of the receipts and 
 expenses of th« Choristers' House before the Precentor or the Precentor's Deputy 
 with the assistance of the Senior Canon Residentiary, provided also that within 
 8 days after this Account, sic ut prafertwr factum, such moneys as are due 
 from the Escheator of the Church for obits and Exequies of the Dead paid accordin.^ 
 
PREFACE. clxxxi 
 
 to laudable custom with other monies due from the Canons and other men of the 
 Church to the same boys on the Vigils of S. Edmund the King and S. Nicholas in 
 hursis ad hoc Ordinatis be paid as their names are written separately into every boy's 
 purse as they severally belong : the said Purses to be kept in a certain Close Chest locked 
 with two keys whereof one shall be in the keeping of the Praecentor or his Deputy 
 {Assignati) and the other in that of the Master of the Choristers for safe keeping : the 
 same day that these monies are jjlaced separately in each boy's purse, the boys to be all 
 called, so that each of them may see understand and know exactly that the sum of money 
 belonging to him has been integraliter et sine fraude placed therein, unless perchance it so 
 happen that the Master of the Boys shall have paid out beforehand any monies for the 
 necessary expenses of any boy, which shall be looked into by the Prsecentor or his Deputy 
 and justly allowed and faithfully paid to the said Master, ut justum est, which entire sum 
 remaining shall be safely placed in the purse of the same boy : provided nevertheless that 
 whenever any one of the boys for a reasonable and honorable cause to be approved by the 
 Praecentor or his Deputy and the Master shall wish to proceed to any English University 
 for study et pro/ectus Scholastici with the advice wish and consent of his friends on his 
 retirement (recessu) all the monies belonging to him shall be wholly paid ipsi sic recedehti 
 in the presence of the Precentor or his Deputy and the Master. 
 
 Nevertheless we will that if anyone shall so proceed to study for three terms of the 
 year before his retirement, he shall give to the Master of the Choristers' Hall notice of 
 his retirement, so that he may in the meantime be able mature ac opportune to find a 
 Chorister in his place and properly instruct him. But if any of the boys from an insuffir 
 ciently reasonable and honorable cause or from any furtive and undesirable-suggestions or 
 persuasions should have been seen to depart clam sen ad aliorum obsequia se transferre, 
 or by the advice or deed of his friends after they had seen him well instructed should 
 be withdrawn, or retire from some fault or malice of his own, In all such cases We 
 Will decree and ordain that whosoever shall so retire shall be compelled to pay and 
 return, as is just, pro mensa, schola, utensilibus stipendio Barhitonsoris et Zotricis pro toto 
 tempore quo in domo Ghoristarum, Steterint et pro transgressione facta Ecclesice nostree, such 
 monies to be kept for the relief and consolation of the boys there waiting et liherata anni 
 illius quo quisquam dictorum puerorum sic recesserit ad usum pueri Choristce sibi succe- 
 dentis, ne fiat discrepantia in Ohoristarum, reservatur. 
 
 Finally, to the intent that all and every thing contained in the Ordinances and 
 Statutes superius et infearius may be cautiously diligently and strictly observed, the Master 
 of the Choristers was to take on his admission a corporal oath on the Gospels before the 
 Precentor or his Deputy and other trustworthy men called for that purpose. 
 
 These Statutes then proceed to say that the Under-master of the Choristers must be 
 chosen under the following conditions and qualifications : — Oum magna insuper diligentia 
 et solerti cwra Magister puerorum prcedictus proevidiat ac providiat quod is qui sub ipso 
 pueros Choristas informa/re debet, et vices ipsius Magistri quotiens et quando opus fuerit 
 gerere et swpplere sit notorie persona humilis proeceptis diciis et exhortationibus ejusdem 
 Magistri obediens et intendens. Such provisions were to be strictly adhered to by the 
 Master when he should have need to appoint an under master : he should be chaste, sober, 
 discreet and zealous both to teach and rule the boys, as well as to instruct them in reading, 
 chanting, and all other things belonging to their ofiice, or required of them. 
 
 Agreement as to their manner of reading (dicendi) was desirable : Sit etiam utriusque 
 tarn principalis Magistri quam Submagistri modus dicendi quantum fieri potest conformis 
 
clxxxii PREFACE. 
 
 non dissimilis seu diversus, et planus non ohscurus, hrevisque et compendiosus : Nam, nimia 
 prolixitas lectionis tedium nonnunquam addiscenti /astigium et deficientiam ad earn qum 
 omnis Seholastici prqfectus noverca est ohlivionem causari solet. An oath similar to that 
 taken, by the Head Master was also required of the Under Master, as Chyle adds, mutatis 
 mMnda/ndis (sic). 
 
 3§obj tfje dijoristers sfjoultr tieJiabe tiiemsel&es in Cl)oir anK at ©ibitte 
 
 ^erbtce, antr of tficir fflrfss, 
 
 INASMUCH as the Chorister Boys are specially ordained in the Cathedral 
 Church to take part in Divine Service in the Choir both on feast days as 
 also at certain other times and due and customary hours, It has been there- 
 fore well ordered that the previous devout and holy observances be also for 
 the future observed — namely, That the Chorister Boys at all such times and hours as they 
 go to Church should walk steadily and quietly (sobrie et honeste) and in so walking 
 shew themselves to be modest devout and steady : in the first place that they do wear 
 surplices clean and whole with good clean caps, at such fit and proper times as the custom 
 and u?e of the Church require; and that thus dressed they walk two and two to Church 
 according to Seniority, so that the youngest and smallest go first and the Seniors follow, 
 and that on entering the Choir they immediately with reverence bow themselves before 
 the High Altar. They shall then make Obeisance and Reverence to the Lord Bishop and 
 Dean if present and then go to their places, ibidem silenter, pacifice, et solide se habentes, 
 and when it is the duty of any or one of them to undertake the divine service by reading, 
 chanting, censing, or performing any other oflice according to the ancient custom and 
 manner of the Church, let them do it with all diligence to the best of their ability, frivolis 
 covfahulationibus ac aliis ineptiis postpositis quibuscunque. 
 
 Volv/mus prcBterea statuimus et Ordina/mus quod Choristoe dictce nostrce Cathedralis 
 Ecclesim quicunque secundum, laudabilem Consuetudinem hactenus usitatam togis talaribus, 
 tuniois longis, ac caligis cu/rtis de cetera vestia/ntur, is siquidetn m.odus vestiendi ea ratione 
 ac intentione ab olim creditur inProducius, et fuit hue usque inconeusse servatus, in order 
 that the boys being so dressed may the rather be made humble and consequently more 
 disposed to good conduct [ad virtutes): Quod si in^futurum, fortasse sumptibus parentvm, vel 
 aliorum quorumcunque juxta modum vestes seu calciamenta ineptioris et insolentioris /ormce 
 ut puta solutares rostratos, caligas longas, diploides strictas et togas curtas dictis Choristis 
 ordinavi seu prceparavi contigerit, nullo prorsus modo eis uti perm,ittuntur, sed Magister 
 Ghoristarum hujusmodi tales vesiuras sic ut prcemittitur insolentes, et calciamenta rostrata 
 ah eisdem Choristis tollat et au/erat, ac in alium, usum eorundem ipsis plus utilem disponat 
 et convertat. 
 
 The next Statute concerns the behaviour of the Boys in School, and elsewhere in 
 Locis suce eruditionis dispositis. 
 
 The preamble declares that inasmuch as there are many opinions and many things 
 opportune and suitable to the order and efficiency of School work and progress, and it is 
 certain above all things that every good and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh 
 down from the Father of lights ; and to the intent that the Chorister boys may obtain 
 this gracious gift, the usual wholesome and sacred rule (mos) which was observed in 
 ancient times must now be inviolably observed — namely, that 
 
PREFA CE. clxxxiii 
 
 Every boy on rising (in the morning) or getting up in the middle of the night first 
 sign himself with the sign of the Cross, saying, In the name of the Father, &c., then the 
 Lord's prayer, and the Angelic Salutation, with this Antiphon : — 
 Come, Holy Ghost ( Veni, Sancte Spiritus), 
 with this versicle : — (Emitte Spiritum tuum), 
 
 with this following prayer : — Mentibus nostris Domine Spiritum tuum 
 
 benignum infunde, cujus et sapientia conditi 
 sumus, et providentia gubernamur, per Christum 
 dominum Tiostrum. Amen. 
 Those who get up at midnight should say the Matins de Sancta Maria silenter et 
 sine strepitu in choro, and must never omit it. 
 
 Those who get up in the morning, when they have got out of bed, must say the same 
 matins two and two, and while saying it dress themselves, make their beds, pressoria 
 parent, wash their hands, and after this go to school peaceably and quickly, and take their 
 seats there without making a noise, and await the arrival of the Master or Under-master : 
 on his arrival the Master or Under-master should attente aperte et distincte teach them 
 plain chant, ac eeiam, orgomico ipsorum Voces in alto et in basso secundum dispositionem 
 vocum suarum sagaciter moderando, and so continue to occupy himself until the bells ring 
 for second prime, quce dieitwr prima diei, and then the boys go to breakfast : after which 
 those who are in duty in the Choir go to the Choir, the rest staying in School repeating 
 their lessons untU eleven o'clock, when they go to hall for refreshment together, and 
 dinner over return to School, and until the Master's arrival diligently employ their time 
 iu repeating their lessons, where they remain till it is time for Vespers sicut prius. After 
 Vespers they go to supper, and after this in summer time amuse themselves according to 
 the discretion and arrangement of the Master : then as time will allow the Master or 
 Under-master shall hear them read th^ Antiphon, versicle and Responsories which the 
 Choristers thereunto appointed have to read and sing at matins in the Choir, the other 
 Boys staying in school as before. And then as the Masters think best at the most con- 
 venient time the boys may have some recreation and play {flM aMqualis recreatio in 
 Ludendo). 
 
 I^obj tfje 33o2S ougfjt to tiefjabe tfjcmscl&es in Jl^all, anU tofjo are to be 
 
 atjmittrt to tijeir table. 
 
 IT meal time, whether it be dinner or supper the Chorister Boys should come 
 to their Common Hall modeste sine strepitu et tumultu, and since above all 
 things praise to the God of heaven is rightly given who giveth food to all flesh, 
 the boys should come in their proper order as follows : first the smaller boys 
 before the elder, sive statwa minores ante majores, and distinctly and audibly say Grace, 
 and then honeste et cum silenlio go to the table, and sit down quietly ; when they are duly 
 seated they should behave properly like gentlemen (honeste), not leaning over the table or 
 dirtyinw their napkins or other things on the table voluntarie aut imsolenter : they should 
 take up their meat curialiter et honeste, cut or nicely break their bread, not gnaw it with 
 their teeth, or tear it with their nails, drink when their mouths are empty {ore vacuo non 
 repleto) and eat their food honeste moderate non ravide. Os cum cibo elevent; they should 
 not clean their teeth with their knives. Et si quid tempore prandii cmt cance quod 
 
clxxxiv PRjEFA CE. 
 
 habendwn sit eis defuerit lingua Latina non Anglicana, aa huniili voce et non alta petant 
 . . . reputent se contentos ; their brief and moderate meal over, let them rise from 
 table together, and standing in order as at the beginning of dinner say Grace distinctly and 
 audibly in the following words : . . . The same holds good at supper time. 
 
 It was moreover ordered that ad convivias et mensam Choristarum no pueri extranei 
 were ever to be admitted ultra duas personas : the Master was to see carefully that no 
 boys but of good and gentlemanly position (conditionis) and at most ten or twelve years 
 old be admitted, quodque ultra duos aut tres annos . . . ipsorum admissionem hujus- 
 modi ibidem moram diutiorem trahere minime permittantur. 
 
 I^obj tlje iSogs sijoulu tieJjabe in tfjctr Cfjamfter. 
 
 [UM notissimum sit oh id prcecipue cameras fuisse institutas, ut in ipsis post 
 vigilias et lahores alibi habitos, requies sequeretur, rationi congruit, quod pueri 
 ClioristcB post eorum div/rnos labores quietis causa incontinenti post suffragia in 
 scholis dicta hanc, viz. : Antiphonam Salve Regina, sine nota, cum psalmo De 
 profundis et oratione Absolve quesumus, &c. The Boys then go to their Common Room, 
 and there two and two kneel at the foot of their beds and say this psalm Miserere De'As, 
 with this versicle, Dignare Domine node ista sine peccato nos custodire, and this prayer 
 Lighten our darkness : Illumina quesmnus Domine ; this said and their clothes off; let 
 them jump into bed, so that in each bed there be three boys, sub hac forma, that is to say, 
 two small boys with their heads to the head of the bed, and one older to the foot of the 
 bed, who is to put his feet between the feet of the two small boys. There should be also 
 a lighted lamp seu mortuarium which will burn all night, so that the Masters can see if 
 need be in what manner or way the boys are lying : they must lie in bed so sUently and 
 noiselessly and be still until midnight to go to Divine Service, or until) morning when 
 they go to School. It is specially important above all things to see that in the Boys' 
 manners in the Dormitory there be honestas, nullumgue vestigium egestionis . . . vel 
 aliud inordinatum seu inhonestum relinquatur seu fiat ibidem,. 
 
 W^z iSogs' Amusements. 
 
 IJEOAUSB it is convenient and agreeable with reason that there be an inter- 
 change of pleasure with the cares of study and the observances of the Choir, 
 a convenient hour should be appointed by the Masters for the boys' amuse- 
 ments, so however that in their games they be entirely separated from all 
 others both men and boys laicis et exiraneis, ac aliis quihuscumque dissolutce conditionis : 
 quodque recreationes eorum sint honestce absque omni . . . swearing, fighting or quar- 
 relling, aut contumelias quascumque seminandi. Diebus ferialihus their games should be 
 short, for half an hour, or at the most an hour, before supper in winter, after supper in 
 summer. In diebus vero festivis it is only reasonable that they have a little more indul- 
 gence at play, but to such a moderate extent that leave be only given them to play a little 
 after dinner and supper in summer time. These arrangements, however, are all left to the 
 discretion and common sense of the Masters. 
 
 As to the appointment of Weekly Impostor (Impositoris hebdomatim). In order that 
 to all future time the aforesaid rules and ordinances may be duly and inviolably observed 
 
PREFACE. clxxxv 
 
 pro saluhri regimine et prqfectu puerorum, it is convenient or rather necessary that in 
 addition to the supervision of the two Masters before ordered two Choristers called 
 Ebdomadarii should be appointed {assiynentur et deputentur) their deputies, who at 
 matins in node, as -well as at all other hours of the day, shall diligently note (supervideant) 
 their shortcomings, neglects, and faults as well in the Church, as in Hall, and Chamber, 
 and that other two likewise be appointed by the Master, who are more experienced in 
 Chanting {maturiores in Cantu) to note and listen to their shortcomings and acts of negli- 
 gence in school, and whatever or of whatever nature the faults may be or wherever or by 
 ■whoever committed, to truly make known these delinquencies to the Head Master or 
 Under-master with their Christian and sirnames truly and fearlessly sine dolo, fraude : and 
 these boys are to be called Weekly Impositors. 
 
 Geterum, ut dictorum Choristarum nutrita caritatis (?) Christi fidelium suffragiis 
 . . . sanctce virtutis majora accipiat incrementa statutaque nostra prcemissa omnia 
 . Choristarum jura possessiones, et bona melius in futurum conserventur et 
 defendantur de Dei omnipotentis immensa misericordia gloriosceque Virginis Marice matris 
 sum ac beatorum petri et pauli necnon pii Andrece Apostolorum ejus patronorum . . . 
 confideniibus universis subditis nostris ac ceteris quibuscunque Christicolis quorum Dio- 
 cesam hana nostram indulgentiam ratam habuerint pariter et acceptam de peccatis suis 
 vere contritis et confessis qui de bonis et facultatibus sibi a Deo coleatis . . . hujus- 
 modi Choristarum . . . legaverint aut concesserint, seu ad statutorum nostroruin 
 prcedictorum eorundem Choristarum jurium possessionum ac bonorum conservationem et 
 defensionem, opem auxilium, seu consilium dederint seu dari procuraverint quadraginta 
 dies . . . id egerint gratiose concedimus per presentes eosdem omnes et singulos in 
 Visceribus Jesu Christi, ac sub pena ultionis divince et Anathemaiis propensius ex- 
 hortantes per eos aut eorum aliquem quicquam in prcejudicium hujusmodi statutorum 
 nnstrorum jurium . . . aut bonorum communitatis prcefatorum Choristarum quovis 
 quesito colore seu ficto titulo attemptetur. In quorwrn omnium et singulorum fidem ac 
 testimonium has nostrorum Statutorum, et Ordinationum literas Sigilli nostri communis 
 appensione fedmus Communiri. Datum in palatio nostro WeUensi sexto die mensis 
 Februarii a.d. mcccclix. et nostrce consecraiionis anno decimo seplimo. 
 
 The Dean and Chapter accepted these Statutes in the following terms : — 
 And we Nicholas Carent Dean of the aforesaid Cathedral Church of Wells and the 
 Chapter of the same Church having diligently considered in our Chapter-house the afore- 
 said Rules and Ordinances and found them to be just, reasonable and likely from their 
 provisions and orders to conduce to the greater usefulness of the said Choristers, Do 
 therefore hereby, as far as in us lies, approve ratify and confirm the same one and all 
 with our common consent and assent by the tenor of these presents. In witness whereof 
 we have hereto caused our Common Seal to be set. 
 
 Given in our Chapter-house aforesaid this thirteenth day of January in the year of 
 our Lord 1460. 
 
 These were the Rules and Statutes for the Regular and better Goverment of the 
 Choristers belonging to this Church, given by Bishop Beckington, by which wee may 
 conclude theire number to be considerable tho now reduced to six : relating to them I 
 find one Article in those Injunctions of Queen Elizabeth's Commissioners, when they 
 visited this Church in the Second yeare of her Reigne, before mentioned, viz. : It is 
 ordered That every Chorister of this Church shall the next two yeares after they change 
 their voices receive and have the Sum of £3 6«. 8d. a yeare to be paid unto every of them 
 
 bb 
 
clxxxvi PREFACE. 
 
 by the Deane and Chapter of this Churche Soe that he or they remain see long at the 
 Grammer School here and keepe the Quire on Holy dayes. 
 
 Having now in some sort shewed the antient Glories of this Church in her severall 
 capacities, and therein taken some libertie in the discoverie of my (I hope) inoffensive 
 thoughts I should here conclude this Book and Chapter and proceed to the Cronologie, &c. 
 But for the Conclusion of all shall proceed to divert the Reader with some true and 
 authentic Instruments and papers which have come to my hands whereby we may a little 
 more than guess at the temper and moderation of our owne Reformed Church of England 
 and at the madness and filthiness (unreasonableness) of her two extreame opponents the 
 Romanists and puritans. 
 
 Twas never certainely the intent of our forefathers, of our first Reformers, soe to 
 throw off Rome, as in all circumstances to run counter to . her, and right or wrong 
 diametrically to oppose her; (as before I have hinted) But that wee should only skim off 
 the froth, and fling away the Lees and dreggs, which our Christian Religion, especially in 
 the Westerne Church had (laboured under and contracted) for those last 1100 yeares, 
 through the ambition and avarice of (that Church) the Roman laboured under and con- 
 tracted j retaining and preserving what was fundamentall, orthodox, prudent, comely, and 
 prayseworthy and therefore Henry 8. upon our separation, made and enjoyned severall 
 Statutes, and Rules, strictly to be observed by the members of all Cathedrall and Collegiate 
 Churches, as well such as by him were new erected, in the roome of some Monasteries 
 supprest, as those in the Universities and elsewhere ; But these Statutes not being so 
 punctually observed as was intended and expected, and chiefly in that (province of Canter- 
 burie) against their members bringing in of Woomen (Mr. Daniells' rsemining Ginus of 
 Attraction and Consumtion) to lye and inhabit within those Societies, contrary to most 
 of their local Statutes : viz. : Quod omnia fiant per masculos. Queen Eliz. : in the third of 
 her Reigne made amoung others the following Injunction which was sent to Archbishopp 
 Parker to be by him communicated and put in execution. 
 
 By the Queene : 
 
 The Queen's Majestie considering how the palaces and houses of Cathedrall Churches 
 and Colleges of this Realme have been both of ancient and late time builded and inclosed 
 in Severall to sustaine and keepe societies of learned men professing study and prayer for 
 the edification of the Church of God, and soe consequently to serve the Common Weale, 
 and understanding of late that within the houses thereoff, as well the cheife Governour's 
 as the prsebendaries', students' and members' thereoff being married, doe keepe particular 
 housholds with their wifes, Children and Nurses, whereoff noe small offence groweth to 
 the intent of the Founders, and to the quiett and orderly profession of studie and learning 
 within the same hath thought meete to provide remedie herein, lest by sufferance thereoff 
 the rest of the College, especially such as be replenished with young Students as the very 
 roomes and buildings be not answearable for such families of Women and young Children, 
 should follow the like example, and therefore expressly willeth and Comandeth that noe 
 manner of person being either the head or member of any College or Cathedrall Church 
 within this Realme, shall from the time of the notification hereoff, in the same College 
 have or be permitted to have within the prsecincts of any such College his Wife or other 
 Woman to abide and dwell in the same, or to frequent and haunt any Lodging within the 
 said Colleges, upon paine That whosoever shall doe to the Contrary, shall forfeit all 
 Ecclesiasticall promotions in any Cathedrall or Collegiate Church within this Realme. 
 And for the Continuance of this order, Her Majestie willeth. That a Transcript hereoff 
 
PREFACtj. clxxxvii 
 
 shall be writt in the Book of Statutes of every such College and shall be reputed as parcell 
 of the Statutes the same given under our Signet, at our Towne of Ipswich . 9. Anno 3. 
 Regni nostri. 
 
 How injurious the non-observance of those Statutes left by Hen: 8, and of this 
 Injunction of the Queen's has since proved to severall Churches and Colleges I shall not 
 enquire ; And yet I cannot but take notice that in one College (to which I have been 
 related) where there has been {since its foundation) but six married presidents (whereof 2 
 were usurpers) {The College I can modestly aver) since its foundation I can modestly averr 
 to have by that occasion beene damnified above £10,000. {Nay it) I shall make one in- 
 stance for many which is upon record in one of the Leiger books of that Coll: (p. 301) where 
 the Reversion of a good lease was granted to the wife of the first married president. The 
 Lease running thus : — viz : This Indenture made & & . Betweene the Right Worshipful! 
 L: H. prsesident of the said Coll: &c. and J: the wife of the said L: of the other part & <fe. 
 {I shall next) Now for the Adversaries of our Church and first I shall recite the 
 Surrender of Francis, prior of S. Andrew in the town of Northampton to Hen: 8. taken 
 out of the originall lying in the Augmentation office : — 
 
 Most noble and virtiious prince Our most righteous and gracious Soveraine and 
 undoubted Founder and in Earth next under God supreame Head of this English Church. 
 Wee your Grace's poore and most unworthy .Subjects Francis prior of your Grace's 
 Monasterie of S. Andrew within your Grace's Towne of Northampton and the whole 
 Covent of the same being stirred up by the griefe of our Conscience unto great contrition 
 for the many old negligences, enormities and abuses of long time by us and our prsede- 
 cessors under the pretence and shadow of perfect Religion used and committed to the 
 grievous displeasure of Almightie God, the craftie deception and subtile seduction of the 
 pure and simple minds of the good Christian people of this your Grace's noble Realme, 
 Knowlegen ourselves to have grievously offended God, and your Highness our Supreame 
 Lord and Founder as well in corrupting the Conscience of your Good Christian Subjects 
 with vaine superstitions and other unprofitable Ceremonies, the very meanes and plaine 
 inductions to the abominable sinn of Idolatry, as in omitting the execution of such devout 
 and due observances and charitable Acts, as wee were bounden to doe, by the promises 
 and avowes made by ns and our prsedecessors unto Almightie God and to your Grace's 
 most noble progenitors, originall founders of your said Monastery, for the which .observ- 
 ances and deeds of Charity only your said Monastery was endowed, with sundry posses- 
 sions, Jewells, ornaments, and other goods moveable and inmoveable by your Grace's said 
 noble progenitors, the revenues of which possessions, wee the said prior and covent volun- 
 tarily only by our proper Conscience compelled do recognise neither by us nor our 
 prsedecessors to have beene imployed according to the originall intent of the Founders of 
 youre said Monastery, that is to say in pure observance of Christ's Religion according to 
 the devout Rule and doctrine of Holy S. Benedict, in virtuose exercise and Studie, accord- 
 ing to our own profession and advow, be yet in the Charitable sustaining, comforting and 
 relieving of the poor people, by keeping of good and necessary Hospitality. But as well 
 wee as our predecessors, taking upon us the habit and outward vesture only to the intent 
 to lead our Lives in an idle quietness, and not in vertuous exercise, in a stately estimation 
 and not in an obedient humilitie, have under the shadow and Colour of the said Rule and 
 Habit vainely detestably, and also ungodlily employed, yea rather devoured our yearely 
 Revenues, of the said possessions in continuall ingurgitations and farcing of our carrayne 
 bodies and of others the supporters of our voluptuous and carnall appetites to the manifest 
 
clxxxviii PREFACE. 
 
 subversion of devotion and cleaness of Living, and to the most notable slander of Christ's 
 holy Evangile, which in the former of our profession wee did ostentate, and openly ad vaunt 
 to keepe most exactly, withdrawing thereby from the simple and pure minds of youre 
 Grace's Subjects, the only truth and comfort which they ought to have by the true faith 
 of Christ, and also the divine honour and glory only due to the glorious Majestie of God 
 Almightie, stirring them with all persuations, engines and policie to worship dead Images, 
 and counterfeit Eeliques, for our damnable lucre which our most horrible abominations 
 and inexorable persuasions of your Grace's people to detestable errors, and our long 
 covered Hipocrisie cloked with fained Sanctitie. Wee revolving dayly and continuing 
 pondering in our sorrowful! hearts and thereby perceiving the bottomless gulfe of ever- 
 lasting fire ready to devoure us if in persisting in this State of Living wee should depart 
 from this uncertaine and transitory Life, constrained by the intollerable anguish of our 
 Consciences, called, as we trust, by the Grace of God, who would have noe man to perish 
 in Sin, with hearts most contrite and repentant, prostrate at the noble feete of your most 
 royall Majestie most lamentably doe crave of your Highness most abundant mercie to 
 grant unto us most grieveous offenders against God and your Highness, your most gracious 
 pardon for our said sundry offences, omissions and negligences committed as before by us 
 is confessed against your Highness and most noble progenitors ; And where your Highness 
 being Supreame Head imediately next after Christ of his Church, in this youre Eealme of 
 England soe consequently the Generall and only Reformer of all religious persons there 
 have full authoritie to correct or dissolve at your Grace's pleasure all Covents and 
 Religious Companies, abusing the Rules of theire professions and moreover to your High- 
 ness being our Soveraine Lord and undoubted Founder of your said Monastery, by dissolu- 
 tion whereoff apperteineth only the originall title and proper inheritance, as well as all 
 other goods moveable and inmoveable to the said Monastery in any wise appertaining to 
 be disposed and imployed as to your Grace's most excellent Wisdome shall seeme 
 expedient and necessary All which possessions and goods your Highness for our said 
 offenses and abuses now hath and of long time past hath had just and lawfuU cause to 
 resume into your Grace's hands and possession at your Grace's pleasure, the resumption 
 whereof your Highness nevertheless like a most naturall loving prince and clement 
 Governor over us your Grace's poore and for our offenses most unworthy Subjects hath of 
 long season deferred and yet doth in hope and trust of our voluntary reconciliation and 
 amendment by your Grace's manifest loving and gentle admonishments shewed unto us by 
 divers and sundry meanes. Wee therefore considering with ourselves your Grace's 
 exceeding goodness and mercie extended at all times unto us most miserable Trespassers 
 against God and youre Highness for a perfect declaration of our unfained contrition 
 and repentance, feeling ourselves very weake, and unable to observe and performe 
 our aforesaid avowes and promises made by us and our prsedecessors to God and to 
 youre Grace's noble progenitors, and to employ the possessions of your said Monas- 
 terie according to the first will and intent of our originall Founders. And to the 
 intent that your Highness, your noble heirs and successors, with the true Christian 
 people of this your Grace's Realme of England be not from henceforth abused with 
 such fained devotion and divelish persuasions under the pretence and habit of Reli- 
 gion, by us or any other which should happen to beare the name of Religious 
 within your said Monastery. And moreover that the said possessions and goods should 
 be noe longer vainely consumed and sinfully devoured, or longer restrained from 
 a better and more necessary Imployment, Wee most humbly beseech your Highness 
 
PREFACE. clxxxix 
 
 our most Gratious Founder, That it might like your Majestie for the discharging and 
 exonerating us of the most grievous burden of our pained Conscience, to the eminent 
 penll and damage of our Damnation that wee should be in, if by . persisting in the State 
 that we now rest in, wee should be the lett of a more godly and necessary Imployment 
 gratiously to accept our free gift without coertion, perswation or procurement of any 
 Creature living, other then of our voluntary free will of all such possessions right, title, 
 and interest, as Wee the said Prior and Covent hath or ever had or are supposed to have 
 had in or to youre said Monastery of Northampton aforesaid, and all and every parcell of 
 Lands, Advowsons, Commodities, and other Revenues whatsoever belonging to the same 
 and all manner of Goods, Jewells, Ornaments, &c., to the said Monastery in any wise 
 appertaining or belonging, into whose hands or possessions soever they been come, to be 
 imployed and disposed of as to your Grace's most excellent wisdom shall seeme expedient 
 and necessary. And although most gratious Soveraine, That the thing by us given unto 
 youre Highness is properly and of right ought to be your Grace's owne, as well by the 
 meritts of our offences, as by the order of your Grace's Lawes, yet notwithstanding wee 
 oftsoones most humbly beseechen your Highness Gratiously and benevolently to accept 
 our freewUl with the gift thereoff, nothing requiring of your Majestie therefore other then 
 youre most gratious pardon, with some peeceof your Grace's Almes and habundant Charity 
 towards the maintenance of our poore living and Licence from henceforth to live in such 
 forme in correcting the rest of our Lives as we hope to make satisfaction thereby to God 
 and your Highness for our Hipocricie, and other our Grievious offences by us Committed, 
 as well against his Dietie, as your Majestie. And for the more infallible prooff that this 
 our Recognition unto your Highness is only the mere and voluntary Act of us the said 
 prior and Covent afforesaid without any compulsion or inducement other then of our 
 proper Conscience wee have not only published the same openly in the presence of your 
 Grace's true and fai'-hfull Subjects and Servants Sir William Aparre Knight, Richard 
 Layton Doctor of Lawes Archdeacon of Buckingham, and Robert Southwell Attourney 
 for the Augmentation of your Grace's most noble Crowne, your Grace's Commissioners 
 here, with divers others that were present at that time, and under this our present 
 Recognition sealed with ouv Covent Seale and delivered to the said Robert Southwell to 
 your Highness' use, a sufficient and lawful Deed framed according to youre Grace's Lawes 
 for the possessing your Grace youre noble heirs and Successors thereoff for ever to be pre- 
 sented by Him unto youre Highness together with this our free Recognition and Assent, 
 offering ourselves most humbly to youre Highness to be at all times ready to doe from 
 time to time any other Act or Acts as by youre Highness and your most Honourable 
 Councill shall be of us farther required for the more perfect assurance of this our voluntary 
 Surrender and Gift unto youre Highness. And finally wee most humbly and reverently 
 with aboundant teares proceeding from our hearts, having before our eyes our detestable 
 offences submitt ourselves totally to the order of God and youre mercifull and benigne 
 Majestie, most heartily beseeching almighty God to grant your Highness with the Noble 
 prince Edward youre Grace's most noble and naturall Sonn, next unto your Grace the 
 most pretious Jewell, and cheife Comfort of this youre Grace's Realme, long to live amoung 
 us, your naturall and true Subjects with prosperous and fortunate success of all your 
 Grace's honourable and devout proceedings which hitherto through your Grace's most 
 excellent Wisdom and wonderful! industry assidually solicited about the confirming and 
 stablishing men's Consciences continually vexed with sundry doubtfull opinions, and vaine 
 ceremonies have taken both good and lawfuU effect to the undoubted contentation of 
 
cxc PEE FACE. 
 
 Almighty God, the greate renowne and immortall Memorie of your Grace's high Wisdome 
 
 and excellent knowledge and to the spirituall Meate of all your Grace's Subjects. 
 
 Dated and subscribed in our Chapter-house the first day of March in the 29th yeare 
 
 of youre Majestie's Eeigne by the hands of youre Grace's poore and most unworthy 
 
 Subjects. 
 
 per me Pranciscum priorem. 
 
 per me Johannem Brbtt subpriorem. 
 per me Thomam Smith. per me Johannem Pbtte. 
 
 per me Thomam Golston. per me Johannem Harold. 
 
 per me Eobeutum Marten. per me Thomam Barlay. 
 
 per me Jacoeum Hopkins. per me Willielmum Ward. 
 
 per me Eicardum Bumbeey. per me Thomam Attbrbeky. 
 
 per me Willielmum Fowleb. 
 This is prettie well for the Romanists ; Now for the other side, And first for the 
 presbyter, as to a case of Conscience and a Testimoniall for the entrance into their 
 Ministry; next for the Quaker; As to the sin of Adultery, who instead of appearing in 
 the Bishopp's Consistory at Wells, sent to the Court his letter : — 
 
 The Case. 
 
 John Warr the elder of the Society of Abbotts comb in the Countie of Somersett, was 
 desired by Nathaniell Balster his Friend to buy for him the Reversion of his Living for 
 the said Balster, being in possession thereofi". But contrary to his promise, Sent his son 
 John Warr who bought the Reversion for himselfe by his Father's contrivance, putting in 
 his own children after the said Balster ; For which John Warr the Elder was denighed 
 the Sacrament by the Society of Abbott's combe. 
 
 Wee whose names are subscribed being desired to give our Opinion in the Case of 
 difference betweene the Society of Abbotts combe, and John Warr the elder a member 
 thereofi' doe profess, that 
 
 1. By all that wee have yet heard alleaged on either side, Wee cann,ot determine 
 whether or noe, That John Warr the younger did sin in buying of Nathaniell Balster 
 Reversion, Nor whether John Warr the elder did sinn in approveing of the purchase. 
 
 2. We conceive the Societie's tenderness for the glory of God, in the case of Scandall 
 is highly to be approved. 
 
 3. We conceive John Warr the elder had don much better, if he had accepted the 
 deferring of the Sacrament, till his case had been heard by others as the Societie offer'd 
 him. 
 
 4. Wee conceive that John Warr the elder being an ancient and eminent Christian, 
 the Society had don better, if they had aiccepted him to the Sacrament till his case had 
 been heard by others. 
 
 5. Wee conceive. The Society ought to receive him to the Sacrament for the future 
 without any acknowledgement of Guilt in this Case ; For that the matter is in itselfe 
 dubious whether it be sinn or not, as also because his Conscience seems satisfied that 
 tis not. 
 
 6. Wee conceive the Society desiring him to abstaine from the Sacrament till the 
 
 Case be heard by others, is noe sufficient ground for him to withdrawe himselfe from the 
 
 Communion of that Society. 
 
 Rich: Allen. 
 
 Rich: Faircloth". 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 I subscribe all this only in my apprehension, Tlie buying of the Reversion, and the 
 
 approveing of the purchase, was noe sinn. 
 
 William parker. 
 The Testimoniall. 
 
 These are to certifie whom it may concerne, That whereas William Chaddock hath 
 desired our Opinion of him in reference to his entering into the ministery. 
 
 Wee whose names are subscribed returne the Answeare to his desires, That although 
 we conceive him not sufficiently qualified for that weightie and searious Office, neither doe 
 wee concill or advise him to meddle with preaching. Yet in case (as he professes) he can 
 noe way satisfie his Spiritt, but by publick declariug of searious and saving Truths to the 
 world ; Wee conceive (The keeping to those Rules which he hath subscribed under the 
 hand in our presence) God may make use of the Exhortations, and Instructions, he may 
 deliver in Congregations to the Edifications of the Hearers. 
 
 This Testimony we give to shew our Willingness to encourage those in these dis- 
 order'd and erroneous times that desire to have the approbation of Orders, and still love 
 old and saving Truths, as for ought wee conceive, He does in his Heart, and presses them 
 in his words ; If in anything hereafter he breaks the Rules of Modesty, he hath engaged 
 himselfe to or deceives our Opinions and Expectations of Him, Wee shall labour more 
 publickly to disowne him, then by this paper. Wee now seeme to encourage him. 
 March 20th, 1654. Rich: Allen Minister of Batcomb. 
 
 John Ashe. Approved also by Rich: Faircloth 
 
 Rich: Warrine. Minister of Wells. 
 
 Robert Morgan. William Barker minister of Bruton. 
 
 John Carne. Tho: Lambert minister of Sparford. 
 
 The Quaker's Letter taken from the Originall. 
 Friends, 
 
 By an order from youre Court I was this day to make personall appearance before 
 you touching the sinn of Adulterjr the which I have already confessed and acknowledg'd 
 before the Congregation of the Righteous, as by the paper of my Confession may appeare, 
 Soe acaine at this time must I acknowledge it to be once my sinn ; and therefore in the 
 Councell of the Lord and in Obedience to your Order, at this time, I am come to lay 
 before you in short the Lord's dealings with my Soule and Body, since that day my Heart 
 rebelled against the Light ; For noe sooner was Lust conceived in my mind about this 
 sinn, especially when acted by Flesh, but soe soone did the Lord raise up his righteous 
 Witness in mee, and with the horrors of his hott indignation pursued he my Soule ; Soe 
 that with Caine the Spiritt of Feare took hold in mee and therefore I cried mightily unto 
 the Lord because my Burden seemed greater then I could beare, neither ceased I day and 
 night under waiting weeping. Fasting and bitter Lamentations for some Months, whereby 
 I have mingled my meate with my teares, and often in that I breathed unto the Lord, 
 and in a true sence of sorrow with Sighs and Groanes in the prayer of Silence my Spiritt 
 have said; O Thou righteous and mercifuU Father, Thou have had in days past, unto my 
 cries sighs and groanes an open eare whilst I was in Egipt's darkness, when I was cast out 
 of the house of Bondage, into the open Streete of the Citty, yea. Lord whilst I was a 
 Child Thou lovedst race, and by thy power though in the wilderness, Thou fedst my Soule 
 with Heavenly food, and thy Light was a pillar of Fire, to manifest and expell all dark- 
 ness which in that day in some measure I walked under, but not retaining the Light 
 thereoff in my knowledge, Thou gave mee up to vile affections, and didst sufier the Enemie 
 
cxcii PREFACE. 
 
 of my Soule, through a conceived Lust in my Heart to bring forth the Seed of Sinn, 
 which I acknowledge living God in a full sense of Sorrow, to be altogether unrighteous 
 and contrary to the Heavenly will, and therefore I pray thee Father, destroy not the 
 plant of thy owne planting, with the Tares sowne, while I slept, by the Enimie, & &c. 
 
 what will the Enemies of thy glorious Truth say now? with Taunts and derisions 
 against the residue of the people, if thou destroy me by thy Judgments which have now 
 taken hold soe that T am almost faint. They will Say the Quakers have seperated them- 
 selves from us, tho some of them not for theire uncleaness, One of whom the Lord has 
 made manifest, and has destroyed by his Judgements, and then Holy God, will thy 
 righteous people, and innocent Lambs suffer a long-lasting reproach for my sake ; pardon, 
 O pardon my iniquities Thou mercifull Father, restore unto mee the joy of thy Salva- 
 tion, that the Hipocrite's hope may perish, who watcheth over us with an evill Eye. O 
 destroy mee not (fee. &c. Then will T acknowledge my sinn to thy people and confess my 
 shame before the whole World, and thy mercifull kindness will I never forgett ; and to 
 this purpose in effect was the Meditations of my Soule, and breathing of my Spiritt in 
 that day of the Lord ; Since which time I have received an assurance of the Lord's merci- 
 full pardon, through the death of Jesus sealed in my Soule to my everlasting peace and 
 joy for ever; a most sure and manifest signe outwardly of this Love to my Soule he hath 
 declared in the sight of others after this manner. 
 
 The tenth of the last month, the Lord visited mee under bodily sickness for some 
 dayes together, my paines increasing soe exceedingly that the bystanders, soe well as 
 myselfe, began to despaire of Life, but as my paines increased, the Lord was pleased to 
 wrapp up my mind with a resohition to Waite on him ; At the same day, and in the same 
 time, the Lord visited the Bastard Child with sickness, which was then unknowne unto 
 mee, or any of my Familie, and while I was thus waiting on the Lord, He stretched forth 
 his hand, as a sign of love towards mee, the same day (what if I say the same hower) 
 towards the Child that he died. The Same day, yea the same hower did the Lord of Life 
 and Death restore . my Body and Soule unto perfect health and peace with him, and by 
 the Virtue of Faith, in the Bloud of the Lamb, He hath saved mee from the condemna- 
 tion of that Sinn for which I am this day in question before you. 
 
 Fra: Brayns. 
 
 It cannot be denied that the manner in which Chyle finally digresses does not raise 
 his reputation as a writer of systematic sequence in history : the jumble of Roman, 
 Presbyterian, and Quaker delinquencies is sadly inconsequential and irrelevant, and we 
 shrewdly suspect that had he obtained access to the earlier records of Cathedral doings, or 
 inspected the Chapter Acts in the Liber Ruber, he would have been less precipitant in 
 divulging the literary hypocrisies of varied forms of dissent, in consideration of the far 
 blacker and more gross eccentricities, not to say enormities, which had for generations 
 developed to an almost unchecked and unpunished success in the Vicars' Close. 
 
 Beckyngton's College did no credit to its munificent and pious founder, although it 
 may be truly pleaded in extenuation not merely that their unendowed predecessors had 
 never been immaculate, but that from a very early date a most pernicious and altogether 
 disastrous example had been set the inferior ministers of the Church by those on whom 
 they looked for support, guidance, and correction. 
 
 For instance, in 1257, Walter de Purlegh incurred grave suspicions of incontinence, 
 and being unable to purge himself, was unanimously ordered to absent himself for one 
 whole year from the following Easter, and to forfeit all the fruits of his Prebend — i.e. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 8 marks, to the Fabric Fund. Eight years after, on April 9 th, Robert Giffard, another 
 Canon, confessed to the same charge, and was ordered to depart from Wells {exulare a 
 Wellia) until Michaelmas, and to forfeit 60s. to the master of the works for the fabric, and 
 if he relapsed he was threatened with a fine of 100s. — Reg. I. 100. 
 
 In 1315, that trenchant reformer, Bishop Drokennaford, having detected Andrew de 
 Swoy, Canon, Priest of Taunton Priory, in a like crime, enjoined upon him the following 
 salutary penance : He was to be shut up in Kainesham Convent for a whole year, and not 
 to go out of the cloister ; he was to sit at table as the ultimus Canonicorum, bewailing his 
 sins ; every Wednesday he was to be satisfied with bread, beer, and one kind of pulse, and 
 fast six days of the week ; and, last of all, be fed on bread and water. He was forbidden 
 to enter the Chapter without leave, or to speak cum secularihus without leave of the 
 Abbotj and in the presence df two of the brethren ; and as for women, all communication 
 with them was entirely forbidden. — Reg. Drok. 78. 
 
 In the next century their conduct does not appear to greater advantage (see 
 Appendix M, pp. 152-154, under dates Dec. 4, 1335, and May 1, 1336), and in the last 
 case it is worthy of notice that the same unfortunate name le or de Pomfret appears in 
 the Registers of Exeter Cathedral, where in June, 1541, a Vicar of the Church was 
 warned that if he was again found in the company of the wife of le Ponfret he would 
 certainly be deprived. 
 
 But to return to the Vicars of Wells : whether or no the force of evil example can be 
 pleaded in their defence, facts related in succeeding years demonstrate that the Cathedral 
 Church was served by a class of men whose laxity of morals can only be accounted for by 
 the notoriously low standard of morality of the period, and the ridiculously small penalties 
 inflicted, not merely for derelictions of duty in divine service, but the most flagrant 
 breaches of discipline, decency, and respect. As early as 1244 we find two Vicars, 
 Galfridus de Totnes and Johannes de Cerde, accused of adultery, and purging themselves 
 with some difficulty of the charge. In these cases, as also two years afterwards, when 
 Vica/rius wnus et alter were accused of keeping very low company, they were warned that 
 a repetition of the ofi'ence would involve resignation of their vicarships. In some of these 
 instances the Vicar delinquent is stated to have handed in a written bond for his future 
 good behaviour; and this was done by a certain Priest- Vicar, 1248, who had been con- 
 victed of notorious evU living, and undertook to abstain for the future and to obey the 
 orders of the Chapter, but unhappily relapsing soon after into like courses, was compelled 
 to resign. The next year, 1 249, a certain Henry de Mertoc was excommunicated for not 
 appearing before the Chapter to answer to the charges of fornication and other crimes, and 
 on his ultimately appearing before them, and being asked if he would of his own will 
 resign or await their sentence, he asked for time until the Dean returned, which was 
 granted, but in the meantime he was to forfeit his Vicar's stipend. In 1297, other Vicars 
 I (leaded guilty to a like indictment before Dean Walter de Haselshaw, who immediately 
 ordered in accordance with the tenor of more ancient statutes, that two Vicars should 
 always live and pass the night together in the same house. The circumstances in which 
 the Vicars then lived must have militated severely against their " keeping good rule," and 
 we should therefore have hoped that the beneficent designs of their great benefactor, the 
 magnanimous Beckyngton, would have been efiectual to reform their lives and manners. 
 It is to be feared, however, that no more satisfactory picture of their conduct is brought 
 before us in the subsequent records of the Close. Mr. Thomas Serel, whose inexhaustible 
 exertions in the preservation and elucidation of every point of archseologioal interest for 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 the Cathedral Church and Borough of Wells will ever gain him the most hearty gratitude 
 of all who love and admire his native city, succeeded some ten years since in saving from 
 the ashpit and the intelligent mercies of the scavenger the original Register of the Close 
 Hall of the Vicars of Wells, and having carefully mounted the tattered and worm-eaten 
 records, rescued for us a most instructive and sadly circumstantial piece of documentary 
 evidence as to the continued official management of this lordly foundation after the year 
 1443. Folio 1 has the Vicar's oath in Latin, and in "materna lingua," while on the 
 verso is first of all a very much obliterated entry, of which little can be made, and beneath 
 this a somewhat singular account or memorandum of the fact that there are now eight 
 Portifories in the Close remaining in the hands of the following Vicars : John Donker, 
 John Aleyn, Richard Pomeray, John Baldewyn, John Chavelleshay (after this name 
 " Nunc Vowlys"), John Braddon (Jvx scratched out) John Genyngs, John Sampson, Will. 
 Capron, John Warder, Stephen Clerk, Richard Adescott, John Morres, Hugh Vowlys, 
 and Oliver Grendon. If each of these Vicars had a Portuary, the number would be more 
 like fifteen than eight, but as there are some marginal corrections this might be explained. 
 On folio 2 the Register begins and certainly discloses a very lamentable condition of 
 affairs, commencing, as has been said, in 1443, Michaelmas day. It is certainly needless, 
 as undesirable, to specify the particular crimes and ofiences which are here recorded as 
 having been punished in Close Hall, the melancholy monotony of verba diffamatoria et 
 exosa, impositiones manuum violentarum, calumpnim, rixce, derisiones, detractionss, and 
 other excesses being only relieved by more audacious criminals like Richard Hille, who, in 
 1393 (?) on Jan. 12, was charged by the Dean with having frequently disturbed divine 
 service, specially in the choir, with wandering about round the columns of the Church, 
 talking with laymen and other suspected persons, absenting himself from mass, putting his 
 concubine in his stall in the choir, neglecting the tonsure and to be admitted to Sub- 
 deacon's orders, necessary to his vicarship. To these enormities he added further his 
 obstinate refusal to learn his hympnary and antiphonary, and when taxed with these 
 serious charges, aggravated his sin and its penalties by using most objectionable language 
 to the Canons and Vicars. 
 
 It is not surprising then that under the circumstances in which the Vicars lived, and 
 the impatience with which they tolerated rebuke or chastisement, some of them, who were 
 of a more energetic turn of mind, and possessed of that reckless indifierence which courts 
 adventure and excitement, availed themselves of a system of pious fraud which appeared 
 immensely penitent and proper. 
 
 In 1249, however, it was no matter of choice, for the Dean and Chapter decreed that 
 certain of the Vicars who had been guilty of serious crimes, or were at least reported 
 guilty, recepta cruce, should go to the Holy Land, and be deprived of their vicarships and 
 profits. On March 12th, the same year, William de Cobbeham, one of the Vicars, dele- 
 gated by the other Vicars, asked leave to go to the Holy Land, and Alexander de Bamp- 
 field nominated another Vicar in his place. 
 
 In 1323, however, Luke de Harptree received leave for a year from the Dean and 
 Chapter, for the sake of going on a pilgrimage and visiting the Holy Places, on the condi- 
 tion that he appoint a deputy to supply his place in the Cathedral ; they gave him also 
 a testimony that he had left them cum faman integritate. — Reg. I, 168. 
 
 On page 31 of the Vicars' Registry before referred to, we find three or four instances 
 of leave being given by the Chapter to the Vicars for this purpose, and to improve their 
 education. John Monyman, perpetual Vicar Choral, on September 20, 1454, asked leave 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 to absent himself from the Church for three years : we find similar instances in the 
 Chapter Acts of subsequent years, when they obtained licenciam studendi et 6xercendi 
 scolas in Universitate Oxon. In the meantime he was to forfeit all profits except 26s. M. 
 yearly from his stall to support the burdens thereof. This was plausible enough ; but on 
 August 20th in the next year, Thomas Been, Vicar Choral, obtained licenciam Tisitandi 
 limina apostolorum Petri et pauli, or as the entry is headed, licencia versus Eomam. In 
 1456, another Vicar, called William Singleton, thought it expedient to rusticate himself, 
 and obtained leave to absent himself from the Cathedral Church for the express purpose 
 of keeping continual residence in his vicarage of Longsutton ; and in 1450, John Hochyns 
 also obtained leave of visiting the thresholds of the apostles Peter and Paul in urbe 
 romana per unum annum integrum. 
 
 But supposing there was no reason for a Vicar taking a pilgrimage, or going up for 
 his degree, there was nothing very alarming in the scale of pecuniary penalties which he 
 might be called upon to pay. The fine for these derelictions of duty was but 13s. i.d. ! 
 But it is needless to enumerate or describe in detail any more of the disgraceful scenes 
 which occurred in Close Hall and the Cathedral : enough is given at a still later period, in 
 Appendix M, from the Chapter Acts at the beginning of the sixteenth century to show 
 what manner of men the Vicars of Wells were before the Reformation, and it is only to be 
 regretted that on searching the records of the late sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, a 
 not much more favourable condition of affairs is presented to our gaze. In fact, the 
 Clerks of the Capitular Courts appear little better than their friends the Vicars, both com- 
 bining in personal insults to the Dignitaries and Canons of the Church, and venting their 
 spleen in most disgusting terms and most ofiensive ways. They not only refused to obey 
 the injunctions of the Chapter, but defied the Dean on matters of statutable right, and 
 defended their privileges by appealing to the Higher Courts. 
 
 At this period some of the Priest-Vicars were as lawless and contemptuous as their 
 lay brethren, marrying couples without licence, in private houses, going to other cures in> 
 the city contrary to Statute and Act, and though they received 4 nobles in augmentation 
 of their usual pay for conducting Morning Prayer, staying away and rather aiding and 
 abetting their lay colleagues in opposing the Chapter. The more heinous and horrible 
 crimes to which their predecessors had in years long past so often pleaded guilty were not 
 unknown, but on a bond being given for good behaviour, the past was condoned. One of 
 them called Symons presumed to go out of the Choir in the middle of the Service, and 
 leave Dr. Creyghton to finish it himself, while Will. Clun insulted Bishop Curie. One 
 Mason revealed the secrets of the Chapter, for which he was corrected ; others broke 
 windows out of revenge, and openly beat women in the Close or cemetery; another refused 
 to marry a couple without a fee of 10s., or to give the licence for so doing to Bishop God- 
 win. Bribery at the election of a Vicar was not unknown, while to openly insult a 
 Dignitary in his Stall was a comparatively pardonable piece of rudeness. Another Vicar, 
 when warned to attend Service, visited Pilton and Croscombe Churches in a visor mask, 
 much to the scandal of the Church : playing all sorts of illicit games of chance, and 
 staying out late at night in the town; abstaining from reception of the Holy Communion; 
 failing to put in an appearance when entered on the Tabula for the Gospel ; stabbing, 
 fifhting, beating, and general disorder; these and such like shameful offences against the 
 Statutes of the Church and Realm furnish a very sad chapter in the history of the Church. 
 Here however, let it be distinctly understood that it is not for one moment inferred that 
 these Vicars of Wells exceeded the Vicars of all other similar Churches for the extent or 
 
PJ^EFACE. 
 
 nature of their shortcomings. But it is imperative in writing a just and straightforward 
 account of every Corporation in this grand Church to offer a faithful picture of the past. 
 The inevitable conclusion which we arrive at is this : that in the spoliation of the 
 Chantries and other like endowed sinecures, a great benefit was done to the work of the 
 Church, and a state of things most discreditable to so rich and noble an institution as a 
 Cathedral of the old foundation improved. We thankfully hail the vast improvement 
 which is now seen in all the Colleges of Vicars at the present day. But this difficulty 
 has been painfully felt in all Cathedrals of the old foundation : how to reorganise 
 the Vicars' College without its disestablishment and consequent disendowment — measures 
 to which any who have any vestige of respect and reverence for such munificent and 
 princely Prelates as Beckyngton would scarcely advocate. 
 
 Mr. E. A. Freeman has made a notably excellent suggestion in connection with the 
 College of Vicars at Wells : premising that the necessity of a sweeping reform is needed 
 therein, he declines to recognise the dissolution of the College and the transfer of its 
 revenues as the only remedy. Eloquently he pleads from an affectionate interest in this 
 ancient Body Corporate that it would surely be a gain if these evils (referring to the Vicars' 
 independence of Capitular authority, inadequacy of income, and social inequalities) could 
 be got rid of without destroying the continuity and corporate being of a body which has 
 lasted for five hundred years, and whose corporate buildings are beyond comparison the 
 finest of their class. With an irresistible application of existing possibilities, he advocates 
 an amalgamation of the Theological College (which has now existed about forty years, 
 and succeeded beyond all expectation) with the College of Vicars ; and who is he that 
 will deny that such a combination of the best and most refined elements of a liberal 
 education would create an institution which would meet all the wants of its position, and 
 in adapting what is old to what is new, be carrying out in practice those principles of 
 historical honour and hereditary energy on which alone our Euglish Cathedrals can 
 safely and justly be reformed t 
 
 
 
 
 ' 351 -^"^J 'fe:f \^^ l^i^ 
 
 i i 
 
 
 
 .-■-^ 
 
 -__^^ ,t^ 
 
 Kfii 
 
 Sii 
 
CONTENTS OF PREFACE. 
 
 BOOK I. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Chap. I. Of the Antiquity and Foundation of this Church . . xvii 
 
 Chap. II. The Original and First placing here of an Episcopall See . xxi 
 Chap. III. The Originall and First Constitution of a Deane, Chapter, and 
 
 Prsebendaries here ' . . . . . xxv 
 
 Chap. IV. The Foundation of the Vicars Choral .... xxix 
 
 BOOK II. 
 
 Chap. I. Of the Structures and Buildings of this Church . . . xxxvi 
 
 Chap. II. The Building and Enlargement of the Bishop's Palace . 1 
 Chap. III. The Buildings of the Deanery, Canons' Houses, and other places 
 
 to them belonging ..... liii 
 
 Chap. IV. The Building of Close Hall for the Vicars Chorall . Ix 
 
 BOOK III. 
 
 Chap. I. Of the Possessions and Endowments of this Church : such as 
 
 belonged to the Bishopwrick .... Ixiii 
 
 Chap. II. Such as belonged to the Deane and Chapter as a Corporation 
 
 aggregate ....... Ixxix 
 
 Chap. III. Such as belonged to the Dean "and Prebendaries as they are Sole 
 
 Corporations ...... xcix 
 
 Chap. IV. Such as belong'd to the Vicars Chorall, As a Body incorporate. 
 
 As by way of Sallary or Custome .... cvii 
 
 BOOK IV. 
 
 Chap. I. Of the Worshipp and Devotion in this Church : The Ordinale 
 or Manor of Worshipp, with their Habitts and Gestures, 
 before the Reformation ..... cxxiii 
 
 Chap. II. The Rites and Ceremonies of this Church as they have beene 
 
 and now are since the Reformation . . . cxxix 
 
CONTENTS OF PREFACE. 
 
 BOOK V. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Chap. I. The Conduct and Government of the Cathedral Church of 
 "Wells : The Bishop's Jurisdiction as well Spiritual as 
 Temporal within this Diocese, excepting such places and 
 persons as are exempt ..... cxxxviii 
 
 Chap. II. The Jurisdiction of the Deane and Chapter in the Church and 
 
 of Severall other places within the Diocesse . . cxlviii 
 
 Chap. III. The Jurisdiction of the Dignitaries and Prsebendaries in theire 
 respective peculiars, and how they are concemd in the 
 Goverment Of the Church .... clxii 
 
 Chap. IV. The Goverment of the Vicars Chorall .... clxx 
 
 Of the Choristers in (of) this Church .... clxxix 
 
 How the Choristers should behave themselves in Choir and at 
 
 Divine Service, and of their Dress . . . clxxxii 
 
 How the Boys ought to behave themselves in Hall, and who 
 
 ~ are to be admitted to their table .... clxxxiii 
 
 How the Boys should behave in their Chamber . . clxxxiv 
 
 The Boys' Amusements .... clxxxiv 
 
TUmv of CbafUenr Motosey 
 Wells Gul^ed/ntl 
 
 /& 
 
 ScaZ& 
 
 J3 
 
 A 
 
 ^sxr 
 
u^ 
 
 R^ 
 
 N^ 
 
 M' 
 
 U 
 
 G' 
 
 D' 
 
 B' 
 
 W\X'\T\ Z' 
 
 T 
 
 r 
 
 X' 
 
 A The Bishop's Throne. 
 B* Arohd. of Bath. B' Archd. of Wells. 
 
 C^ Treasurer. 
 D^ Wedmore 5. 
 E^ Litton. 
 pi Wedmore 8. 
 G^ MUverton 3. 
 H ' Combe 5. 
 
 1» Combe 13. 
 
 Ji Combe 8. 
 K' Barton S. David. 
 L> Dultingcott. 
 M 1 Combe IS. 
 N* Combe )0. 
 O^ Compton Dandon. 
 pi Combe 2. 
 Qi Whitchurch. 
 Ri Cudworth. 
 3^ Whitelakiugton. 
 T' Ilton. 
 U 1 Combe 6. 
 V* Henstridge. 
 W Warminster. 
 X"- Haselbere. 
 
 C Wormister. 
 D' Combe 14. 
 E' Combe 7. 
 F' Wedmore 2. 
 G" Wanstrow. 
 H" Combe IL 
 1^ Combe 4. 
 J'' Taunton. 
 K" Tymberscombe. 
 1_« East Harptree. 
 M 2 Combe 9. 
 IVl" Eaton-inGordano. 
 O" Combe 5. 
 P» Combe 3. 
 Q» Ashill. 
 
 P' Buckland Uinham. 
 S" Milverton 1. 
 T° Huish and Brent. 
 U" Combe 1. 
 V Wiveliacombe. 
 W' Soamford. 
 X" Abbot of Bee. 
 
 Y* Sub-dean (S. Decu- Y' Aichd. of Taunton. 
 
 man's). 
 2* Precentor. 'ZJ' The Dean. 
 
 w 
 
 v 
 
 U' 
 
 T 
 
 S' 
 
 R' 
 
 Q' 
 
 P' 
 
 
 W 
 
 \2 
 
 K' 
 
 J' 
 
 H' 
 
 G' 
 
 F 
 
 E' 
 
 D' 
 
 C^ 
 B' 
 
 o 
 
 It is obvious that this arrangement does not strictly agree with Or&inatio CUricorum in Choro — as 
 then X" vtsuld represent the Abbot -of Bee, and VV' ^^ Snb-dem: on the Cantoris side also, Y^ would 
 stand for Abbot of Muchelney, and the Snccentor and the Provost of Cnmba would occupy Stalls X' a°<1 
 \/\^' : in this case also the Abbot of Athelney must have originally claimed the Stall denominated Q^. 
 
 According, also, to the original arrangement in the Chapter-house, B^ would be the Dean's seat, 
 f.i that, nf t.bfi Archdeacon of Wells. IT the Chancellor's. P^ that of the Archdeacon of Taunton. Ci 
 
CHOIR.— Present arrangement of Stalls. 
 
 ■ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ■ 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 00 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 
 GD 
 
 a 
 
 a 
 
 Bucklai 
 Dyuhai] 
 
 DO 
 
 d £ 
 n- 
 
 0. 
 
 )e. 
 
 •a- 
 
 1 1 
 
 Ayshill. 
 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 Eston-i 
 Gordan 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 East 
 HarptK 
 
 
 Tymbei 
 combe 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ■ 
 
 i 
 
 3 
 
 1 
 
 
 i 
 
 .1 
 
 ■ 
 
 i s ■ H 
 
 Q W 1 Hen- 
 03 1^ Stridge. 
 
 1 
 
 r 
 
 
 Wl 
 Lacki 
 
 Cud 
 ■ WUtc 
 
 [IJon. 
 
 
 
 lite 
 ngion. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 worth. 
 
 
 
 
 lurch. 
 
 Wedmore 
 2. 
 
 Wedmore 
 3. 
 
 Comba 1. 
 
 Comba 
 2. 
 
 Comba 3. 
 
 Comba 
 4. 
 
 Comba 5. 
 
 Comba 
 6. 
 
 Comba 7. 
 
 Comba 
 9. 
 
 Milverton 
 2. 
 
 Barton. 
 
 Wedmore 
 5. 
 
 Wedmore 
 4. 
 
 Combe 
 15. 
 
 Combe 
 14. 
 
 Combe 
 13. 
 
 Combe 
 12. 
 
 Combe 
 11. 
 
 Combe 
 10. 
 
 
 Waostrow 
 
 Compton 
 Episcopi. 
 
 Huyshe 
 
 et 
 
 Brent. 
 
 Taunton. 
 
 Wormester. 
 
 Canoellarius. 
 
 Arohd. WeU. 
 
 MUver- 
 ton 1. 
 
 Compton 
 Uunden. 
 
 Dultiog- 
 cott. 
 
 Dynder. 
 
 Archd. 
 Taunton. 
 
 Archd Bath. 
 
 BISHOP'S 
 THRONE. 
 
 I PULPIT. J 
 
^a. 
 
S|< '""'' 
 
 
 ~~— '£<i~.,-j. 
 
^w„..i.j...„ -.J.. •.■■■■■ 
 
ORDINALE 
 
 ET 
 
 ST A TUT A 
 
 LAMBETH MS. 729- 
 
STATUTA ANTIQUA 
 ECCLI^ CATHEDftALIS WELLEN. 
 
 Eeverendissimi in Chro patris, Guilielmi provi 
 dentia divina Archiepiscopi Cantuariensis, 
 cum metropolitice visitaret. Anno 1634*''- man 
 dato transcripta ; eidemq, omni cum reverentia 
 humillime conaecrata. 
 
 Georgio Warburton, Decano. 
 
 D"' Wood, Archidiacono Wellen. 
 
 D'^^- Young, Cancellario. 
 
 D"^"- Revet, Archidiacono Bathon. K Canonicis 
 
 D- Warde, Archidiacono Taunton. ( R^^identiariis. 
 
 D"^^ GoDWYN, Prebendario de Holcomb. 
 
 M™ Chrichtgne, Thesaurario. 
 
 M™- Abbott, Praecentore. 
 
ORDINALE ET STATUTA 
 ECCLIE CATHEDEALIS STI ANDREE 
 
 W ELLEN. 
 
 DE ORDINATIONE CLERICORUM IN CHORO. 
 
 N introitu chori a parte occidentali a dextris est stallum Decani a sinistris Can 
 boris, a parte orientali in dextra parte chori stallum est Archidiaconi Well : ex oppo 
 sito Archidiaconi Bathon, proximus Decano stat in choro Archidiaconus Tanton si fue 
 rit Canoniciis : deinde Abtas Beccenssis, deinde Subdecanus : proximus Archidiaco 
 nus Well : CanceUarius. In medio autem stant Canonici dignitatibg proximiores 
 et Magister scholaru, deinde Vicarii presbiteri et pauci admodii Diaconi qui etate et 
 moribus exigentibus in superiore toUerantur gradu ex dispensacione. Cantori prox 
 imus stat in choro Abbas Muchelni, deinde Succensor, deinde Prepositus de Cnmba. 
 proximus Archidiaconus Bathon, Thesaurarius, deinde Abbas Alligen, dein 
 de ceteri Canonici et Clerici modo predicto ordinantur. In secunda forma priores 
 habentur juniores Canonici, deinde Diaconi, postea ceteri Clerici. In prima forma 
 priores habentur Canonici pueri, deinde ceteri secundum etatis et magnitudiuis 
 et exigentiam. 
 
 DE ORDINATIONE CLERICORU 
 IN CAPITULO. 
 
 Sedent autem in Capitulo Clerici hoc ordine ; proximus Episcopo a 
 
 dextris. 
 Sb 
 
dextris sedet Decanus, de hinc Archidiaconus Wgll, de tine Canoellarius 
 deinde ArcMdiaconus Tanton, si fuerit Canonicus, deinde Abbas Bee 
 censis, deinde Subdecanus. A sinistris autem Cantor, deinde Thesaura 
 rius, deiade Archidiaconus Bathon si fuerit Canonicus, deinde Abbas 
 Mucheln, deinde Abbas Aliggen, deinde Succentor. Proximi autem ipsis se 
 dent Canonici presbiteri ; deinde Canonici Diaconi, deinde Subdiaconi, deinde 
 vicarii presbiteri ; postea ceteri de superiore gradu vicarii, delude Canonici 
 de secunda forma, deinde Diaconi Subdiaconi et minoru ordinu clerici de eadem 
 forma . pueri vero sive fuerint Canonici sive non stent ante alios in area ex 
 utraque parte pulpiti suo ordine dispositi. 
 
 DE INGEESSTJ CLERIOOEU ET EGRESSU. 
 
 Chorum intrantes clerici ita ordinate se habeant, ut si ex parte ori 
 
 entali intraverint ad gradum se ad altare inclinent, postea ad Episcopum si 
 
 presens fuerit, deinde ad Decanum, si vero ex parte occidentali ingressi fuerint 
 
 primo ad altare se inclinent, deinde ad Decanum eodem moderamine chonim 
 
 exeant. 
 
 QUANDO CHORUM INTRAEE LI 
 GET AD SINGULAS HORAS. 
 
 Chorum intrare possunt Clerici ad matutinas et ad omnes horas diei 
 
 usqj ad Gloria patri primi psalmi, similiter et ad Completoiium. Illi scilicet qui 
 
 vesperis inter fuerint precedentibus ; alias autem ad Completoriu intrare nuUo mo 
 
 do possunt. In quadragesima tamen ad Completoriu intrare possunt quomodo 
 
 ad vesperas in alio tempore ; similiter ad missam et ad vesperas quamvis omni 
 
 no nuUi hore diei prius interfuerint, et cujuslibet procession! per annu. Ad 'vigilia 
 
 mortuoru et ad collatione quoKbet tempore. Ad missam vero ingredi licet usq, ad 
 
 primam collectam ad alias vero horas que sine intervallo missam secuntur nuUi in 
 
 trare licet nisi his qui misse interfuerint. Precentori licitum est post Gloria 
 
 patri, et ad missam quando voluerit intrare, similiter et Succentori absente 
 
 Preceutore. 
 
 DE TRANSITU CLERICORUM AB UNA 
 PARTE CHORI IN OPPOSITAM. 
 
 Prseterea si quis clericus ab una parte ohori in oppositam transient in eundo et 
 redeundo ad altare se inclinet. Intrantes quoqj clerici in locis suis ita ordinate se recipient 
 
 ne formas 
 
3 
 ne formas inordinate transiliant. Item eciam exeuntes observent. 
 
 DE SILENTIO IN CHORO. 
 
 In choro nullum mur 
 mur fiat a Clericis, nulla coUoquia habeantur nisi necesaaria. 
 
 DE STATIONS ET SESSIONE FACIENDA IN CHO 
 RO IN SINGULIS HORIS. 
 
 In omni duplici festo per annu ad vesperas stare tenentur omnes Cleri 
 ci nisi dum versus Respondii dicitur ad gradu ; similiter ad matutinas nisi 
 dum leotiones leguntur, et Eespondium cum suis versibus cantantur. In 
 omnibg autem festis novem leccionu vel trium lectionum et feriaru Clerici 
 de superiore gradu et de secunda forma altemis vicibus in psalmodia sedere 
 possunt : ita tamen qd quando aliquis ad unu psalmu sedet, ei proximus 
 interim stando psaUat. Pueri vero sine omni exceptione stare tenentur con 
 tinue nisi du versus Respondii cantatur ad gradu ad vesperas et du lectiones 
 ad matutiuas, et E«spondiu cum suis versibg cantantur. Stare tamen debent om 
 nes du Gloria patri. canitur et qiiando nonu Respondiu repetitur. Ad missam 
 vero per totum tempus stare debent Clerici omnes nisi dum lectiones vel episto 
 le leguntur. Gratia Alleluia et Trinitas cum suis versibus cantantur ad 
 gradum. Dum autem a cboro canitur ad gradu Trinitas et Alleluia omnes 
 stare debent nisi quando Trinitas altematim canitur a cboro, tuc altematim stent. 
 
 DE CONVERSIONE CHORI FACIENDA AD ALTARE. 
 
 Conversi autem ad altare stare tenentur Clerici ad vesperas ex quo dici 
 tur Dominus in adjutoriu quousq, incipiatur prima antiphona super psalmos. Si 
 mili quoqj modo se gerant in inceptione cujuslibet bore, et quoties dicitur 
 Gloria patri. In Kespondiis vero cantandis generaliter observatur qd 
 semper is vel hi qui versum cantant ab inceptione ipsius Respondii quousqj 
 versus cum Gloria patri, Si gloria habetur per cantetur, chorus quo(^ in ipsa 
 inceptione Respondii ad altare se convertat quousq, ipse cantet. Simile observa 
 tur in omnibus capitibus et coUectis dicendis et in fine omniu hymnoru et in om 
 nibus versiculis, et post magnificat et Benedictus et Nunc dimittis ex quo di 
 citur Gloria patri et iterum post Antiphonam quousq, totum servitium 
 expleatur. Simile quoqj observatur post ultimu versum ultimi psalmi cujuabt 
 hore, quod scilicet conversus sit ad altare chorus quousqj Respondium in 
 
 cipiatur 
 
incipiatur si Respondiu habetur vel capitulu dicitur. Similiter fit in Laudamg. Ad 
 matutinas ad altare stat chorus conversua in initio quousq, ultimo reincipiatur 
 Inyitatoriu et in singulis nocturnis post ultimum versum psalmi quousqj inchoe 
 tur lectio. Ad pronunciatione autem oujuslibet Evangelii ad ipsum leetorem 
 se convertat chorus dum verba Evangelii dicuntur. In inceptions etiam Te de 
 um laudamus donee chorus cantet et dum dicitur Sanctus et versus Te ergo 
 quesumus tuis famulis et dum ultimus versus canitur. Quando vero Te 
 deii laudamus non dicitur sed nonu Respondium repetitur, tunc ad altare se 
 chorus convertit quousq^ incipiatur antiphona super psalmos ut supradictum 
 est. In ceteris autem horis per totam horam predicto modo se habet. chorus post 
 ultimum versum ultimi psalmi. 
 
 DE CONVEESIONE CHORI FACIENDA. 
 
 Ad missam gestus predictus attenditur dum Gloria in excelsis inchoatur quo 
 usqj chorus cantet et in eodem hymno ad hec verba Adoramus te, et hec Suscipe 
 deprecamur, et in fine ejusdem cum dicitur Jesu Christe usqj ad epistolam vel 
 lectione. Item ia fine Gratia vel Alleluia vel Trinitas vel prose chorus ad altare 
 se incbnet antequa ad lectore se convertat signo crucis se signans qd ter ad missam 
 observetur. Scilicet ad gloria in excelsis qu dicitur. In gloria dei patris et gloria tibi 
 domine ante Evangeliu et post Sanctus cum dicitur, Beatus qui venit. Item ab incep 
 tione Credo in unu, quousqj chorus cantet et interim ter in una conversione ad alta 
 re se inclinet, scUicet du dicitur hec clausula. Et incamatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex 
 Maria virgine, et homo factus est. Crucifixus etia pro nobis sub Pontic Pilato et 
 in fine cum dicitur. Et vitam futuram. Ab hino etiam quousqj inchoetur Ofier 
 torium* quousq, totum compleatur ofiicium misse. Himc gestum chorus imitatur 
 omni festo per annum. 
 
 DE PROSTHATIONE IN CHORO FACIENDA. 
 
 In ferialibus diebus quando ad horas preces dicutur in prostratione se habet cho 
 rus ad omnes horas dum preces dicimtur ex quo incohatur Kyrielison quousqj 
 dicitur per dominu post orationem solus Sacerdos a prostratione se erigit in 
 fine psalmi ad vesperas et ad matutinas . ad alias horas cum dicitur Exurge 
 domine prostratus etiam est chorus ad matutinas cum dicitur oratio domini 
 calis ante lectiones quousqj detur benedictio a sacerdote. Ad missam in ele 
 vatione corporis et sanguinis Christi, et ad missam quamlibet quando de 
 feria agitur extra tempus paschale a dicta elevatione usqj ad per omnia 
 
 ante 
 
 * Et post Offertorium. 
 
ante Agnus Dei. Prseterea in quadragesima in inceptione cujuslibet hore quando de feria 
 
 agitur fit genuflexio et osculatio formularum. In omni feria quando de feria a 
 
 gitur extra paschale tempus ad placebo ex quo dicitur Kyrieleson donee ul 
 
 tima oratio finiatur a Sacerdote similiter prostrate. Ad dirige dum oratio 
 
 dominica dicitur ante Lectionem post Benedictus quoqj eodem modo quo 
 
 post Magnificat ; ad placebo nisi in solemnibus tunc vero non fiat genu 
 
 fiectio. .... 
 
 DE HABITU CLERICORUM PER 
 TOTUM AlfNTJM. 
 
 Praeterea sciend' qd omnes Olerici indifferenter nigris utuntur cappis 
 
 per totum annum nisi in illis duplicibus festis que ex propria sua solemnitate pro 
 
 cessionem habent adjuncta, vel in aliis etiam festis duplicibus que diebus domi 
 
 nicis f9it . tunc enim omnes capis utuntur sericis ad processionem et ad missam. 
 
 Item in vigUia Pasche quando Gloria in excelsis incobatur : facta genuflectio 
 
 ne, Clerici deponant cappas nigras et in superpelliciis appareant, et ex inde per to 
 
 tam septimana et per octavas Ascentionis. Simile quoqj observatur in vigUia 
 
 Pentecostes et per septimana ut per bebdomada Pasche. In omni etiam dupli 
 
 ci festo a Pascba usqj ad festum scti MichaeUs, per octavas corporis xpi et 
 
 per octavas Apostolorum Petri et Pauli et Assumptionis et Nativitatis 
 
 beate Marie semper in superpelliciis appareant in cboro et in Capitulo et ad om 
 
 nes boras diei. Ad matutioas vero per totti annti nigris utatur capis in cboro. 
 
 Rectores vero cbori semper sericis utantur capis in cboro nisi in tribus noctibus ante Pas 
 
 cba. In paschali tempore utuntur ministri altaris ad missam dalmaticis et tuni 
 
 cis rubeis. Eectores cbori similiter capis rubeis in Annunciatione dominica et 
 
 in omni festo, in octavis beate Marie et infra octavas et in comemoracone ejusde 
 
 et in utroqj festo scti Micbaelis et in festo Dedicationis ecclle, et per octav : et in utroqj 
 
 festo scti Jobannis Evangeliste .utuntur albis et in festo cujuslibet nigris : rubeis 
 
 vero utuntur indumentis in utroq, festo scte Crucis et in quolibet festo Aposto 
 
 lorum, Marturu in festo Trinitatis et corporis xpi et per octav : in dominicis 
 
 per estate et a Domine ne in ira usq, ad Septuagesima quando de dominica 
 
 agitur. In tractibg vero cantandis in festis simplicibus in Quadragesima 
 
 ut convenit festo, in dominica passionis domini et in doica Palmaru Eectores cho 
 
 ri capis ututur rubeis. In festo scte Marie Magdalene, scte Anne, et omnium 
 
 Confessoru ututur capis viridis sive crocei coloris, generaliter et observari debet 
 
 qd tam Eector cbori quam quilibet alius sub capa serica utatur superpellicio. 
 
IN QTJIBUS FESTIS LEGENDUM SIT IN SUPERPELLI 
 CIIS ET CAPIS SERICIS EST CANTANDUM 
 
 Sciendum qd in duplicibus festis leguntur lectiones ad matutinas 
 in superpelliciis et per totam hebdomadam Pasche et Pentecostes et om 
 ne3 lectiones que leguntur ad missam. In capis autem sericis leguntur 
 tres ultime lectiones ad matutiilas in omnibus festis majoribus dupli 
 cibus. Tamen quandocuq, Episcopus ad matutinas vel Decanus lege 
 ret, debet legere in capis sericis. Cantantur autem Respondia in omnibus 
 duplicibus festis, et Lebdomade Pascte et Pentecostes in superpelliciis, et 
 tertium Respondiu et sextum et nonu quandocunc^ lavitatoriu a tribus 
 cantatur, tamen quando Precentor scribitur ad nonu Responditi, canta 
 bitur in capis sericis. Alleluia et Trinitas ad gradu dicitur, et Responditi 
 qd dicitur ad vesperas semper quando chorus regitur, dicuntur in capis 
 sericis nisi in obseqmis mortuorum et quandocuqj dicuntur Respondia ad 
 horas a duobus et versus ad vesperas et ad matutinas et Benedicamus 
 domino debent dici in superpelliciis. 
 
 QUANDO CHORUS REGI DEBET. 
 
 Solet autem chorus regi ad vesperas et ad matutinas et ad missam omni 
 die dominica et omni festo duplici et novem Lectionu per totu annu et primis vi 
 giliis Natalis domini usqj ad octavas Epiphanie et in ipsis octavis, nisi in vigUia 
 Epiphanie cu extra dominica evenerit, et regitur in cena domini et in duabg noctibg 
 sequentibus et in vigilia Pasche et Pente : Ad missam et ad vesperas et per hebdomd. 
 Pasche et Pent : et in quibusda festis etiaque contingut in Paschali tempore, hiis 
 videlicit in festo Scti Georgii in festo scti Johannis ante portam Latina et scti Pan 
 cracii, et per octavas Ascentionis dom et corporis xpi. Petri et Pauli. Assumpti 
 onis Nativitatis beate virgiois, Dedicationis ecclie et per octavas beati Andree 
 in comemoratione beate Marie et scti Andree per annum 
 
 A QUOT ET A QUIBUS CHORUS REGI 
 DEBET 
 
 In omni duplici festo chorus regitur a quatuor quorum duo in majoribus 
 duplicibus principales semper erunt Canonici, et duo secundarii vicarii de 
 superiore gradu. In minoribus vero duplicibus secundarii de secunda forma 
 
 principales 
 
prinoipales de superior! gradu. In simplicibus autem festis chorus regitur a 
 duobus tantum qui in tabula dominicali scribuntur ad choru regend'. 
 
 QUE SUNT FESTA MAJORA DUPLITIA. 
 
 Majora festa duplicia sunt hec. Dies Natalis domini, et tres sequentes 
 dies Circumcisionis. Dies Epiphanie, Purificationis, Annutiationis, Assump 
 tionis, Nativitatis Beate Marie, prima dies Pasche, et secunda domiaica in albis 
 Dies Ascentionis, prima dies Pentecostes et secunda, festu scte Trinitatis festu 
 Corporis xpi festum scti Andree, et Translationis ejusdem. Nativitatis 
 scti Johannis Baptiste, festu apostoloru Petri et Pauli, festu Reliquiarum 
 et festum omniti Sanctorti, et festu Dedicationis ecclie. 
 
 QUE SUNT EESTA MINORA DUPLICIA. 
 
 Minora festa duplicia sunt hec beati Nicholai. Tertia dies Pasche et quarta 
 Inventio scte Crucis, festu Scti Dunstani, tertia dies Pentecost : et quarta, festum 
 scti Michaelis et scte Katerine, festa Apostoloru et quatuor Doctorti, festum scti 
 Augustini Angloru apostoli, festu scte Marie Magdalene, festu scte Anne, et 
 festum exaltationis sancte Crucis 
 
 DE TESTIS SIMPLICIBUS. 
 
 Omnia autem festa que non sunt duplicia in quibus chorus regitur dicutur 
 simplicia, quedam tamen majora, quedam minora. Majora simplicia sunt in quibus 
 Invitatoriu a tribus cantatur. Cetera vero minora. 
 
 DE TESTIS IN QUIBUS INVITATORIU A TRIB9 CANTATUR. 
 
 Cantatur autem a tribus Invitatoriu in omni simplici festo Apostolorum 
 et Evangelistarum et in octava die quorulibet festoru que habent regimen chori infra 
 octavas nisi in dominica infra octavas beati Andree propter privilegiu Adventus 
 scti Laurentii decollationis, scti Johannis Babtiste et scti Decumani, et in festo 
 scti Michaelis in monte tumba, scti Martini, scti SUvestri, scti Edwardi regis et 
 Oonfessoris, et scti Vincentii et in quibusdam festis novum lectionu que varie in 
 fra octavas cum regimine chori evenerint 
 
 DE ALTERNATIONS CHORL 
 
 Altemis vicibus per septimanam chorus ease debet una septimana ex parte 
 Decani, alia ex part« Cantoris. In omnibus tamen duplicibus festis non continuis 
 
 semper 
 
8 
 
 semper debet esse ex parte Decani chorus per totu annu si fuerit ibi persona presens 
 sive non, nisi ex parte Precentoris fuerit presens aliqua personaque divinu officiu 
 exequatur, et nisi in tempore Natalis scilicet a die Natalis usc^ *d diem Oircumcisio 
 nis, et in tenebis et in hebdomade Pasche et Pentecost : et in aliis duplicibus festis 
 continuis tunc singulis diebus chorus mutatur. Item a cena domini usq, ad octavas 
 Pasche variatur chorus per singulos dies, turn Rectores chori hebdomadarii ante 
 diem Pasche non mutantur. 
 
 DE MUTATIOJSTE EECTOEUM CHORI. 
 
 A die autem Pasche usqj ad octavas singulis diebus Rectores chori varian 
 
 tur. Simile quoq^ observatur in hebdomade Pentecost : usq^ ad diem scte Trinitatis 
 
 et a die Natali usq, ad diem Circumcisionis et in omnibus duplicibus festis. 
 
 DE OFFICIO RECTORUM CHORI. 
 
 In simplicibus festis principalis Hector chori ab initio in vesperis antiphonam 
 
 super psalmos injungat et psalmum intonet, si plures fuerint antiphone super psalmos secun 
 
 dam antiphonam et quartam secundarius eodem gradu injungat. Si vero Res 
 
 pondium ad vesperas sit cantandum tunc principalis Rector chori post intona 
 
 tionem quarti psalmi Respondium a Cantore inquirat. Antiphona a quo vel 
 
 a qnibus sit cantanda, si fuerit a duobus cantanda tunc principali secundario 
 
 Respondiu significet, et a quo sit cantandum ex sua parte. Si vero ab uno sit 
 
 cantand' tunc principalis Rector in sua parte cui ipse voluerit injungat. Deinde 
 
 idem Rector cantum hyinnum a Cantore querat, et ipsemet cantum incohet, versi 
 
 culos pueris injungat ipsis querentibus. Similiter secundarius in sua parte. 
 
 Deinde antiphonam super magnificat injungat, et ipsum psalmum intonet. Me 
 
 morand' autem simul ipsi Rectores incipiant et Benedicamus injungant. Ad 
 
 Completorium officiu principalis Rectoris est choru regere, antiphonam super 
 
 psalmum assignare, injungere versiculu et antiphonam super Nunc dimittis 
 
 hymnum incohet vel cui voluerit injungat nisi in majoribus duplicibus tunc 
 
 vero secundarius Rector regat et injungat ut supra. Ad matutinas officiu 
 
 est Rectoris chori simul Invitatoriu incipere et psalmu cantare. Post principa 
 
 lis Rector querat a Cantore canticum hynmi et incohet. Deinde antiphonas 
 
 et versiculos suo loco et prima antiphonam super Laud' et cetera omnia ut supra 
 
 notatum est ad vesperas exequatur. Ad primu officium est principaKs Rectoris cho 
 
 rum regere, hymnum incipere psalmum intonare antiphona super psalmum 
 
 et super Quicunqj vult injungere. Ad missam ejuadem officiu est, officiu socio 
 
suo intimare postea simul incipiere et psalmu simul intonent, et Gloria patri inci 
 piant. Delude Kyrieleson a Cantore querat et inoipiant, sequentia incohatus a Canto 
 re si presens fiierit, sin autem ipsemet incipiat. Sctus Agnus predicto modo querat 
 et socio sua intimet. Preterea in profestis diebus per tota hebdomada ejusde officiu 
 est ad vesperas et matutinas, antiphonam super Magnificat et Benedictus et 
 hymnos incipere vel injungere. Ad Completoriu ut supra. Ad matutinas Invi 
 tatoriu principalis rector incipiat et psalmu Venite cantet antiphona super Bene 
 dictus injungat. Memorand' ad vesperas et ad matutinas Precentor vel Suocentor 
 incipiat. In dublicibg ante festis omnes simul rectores Invitatoriu cantet anteqm 
 a choro repetatur, principalis rector omnes antipho : tradat et cu suo collateral! ex 
 sua parte eode modo se gerat. Ad missa vero principalis rector Gloriam in excelsis 
 querat a Cantore et sacerdoti injungat. Cetera ante omnia sicut in simplicibg festis de 
 duobus rectoribus dictu est exequantur. Prseterea sciend' est qd si aliquis Eector chori 
 in simplicibg festis in tabula scribitur ad cantand' solus capam serica interim deponat, 
 si autem cu alio cantaverit in habitu se illi conformet. Praeterea si ad Legend' scribi 
 tur in tabula, habitu legentiti extra choru assumat . prseterea officiu rectoris chori 
 est annexu ne pueri inordinate se gerat in choro et ne exeant nisi licenter. 
 
 QUIBTJS HOEIS INTERESSE DEBENT PUERI. 
 
 Tenentur ante pueri interesse vesperis Completorio prime here diei et misse vigiliis quoq, 
 mortnorti quotiesctiqj fitit corpore prsesente, et in trigintalibus, et in anniversariis. Ad 
 Completoriu non tenentur esse pueri nisi qui in tabula scribtitur. Ad matutinas no 
 tenentur esse pueri nisi qui in tabula scribuntur. In omnibus tame duplicibg festis 
 et dominicis, et festis novti Lectionu omnes tenentur interesse pueri hebdomadarii 
 tenetur interesse quotidie omnibg horis diei ad Kespondia cantanda. 
 
 QUANDO CHORUS INCENSARI DEBEAT. 
 
 Incensari debet altare et chorus in omni duplici festo et simplici cum regimine 
 
 chori ad vesperas et ad matutinas, du dicitur Magnificat et Benedict, preterea in 
 
 omni majori duplici extra tempus paschale in singulis nocturnis ad legendam quin 
 
 tarn et octavam Lectione et Te Deu laudamp. In paschali tempore nee in minoribus 
 
 duplicibus aliquo tempore incensatur ad Lectione ad matutinas, nisi tantu ad Te deu 
 
 Landamg et Benedict : Ad missam in omni majori duplici incensatur altare a solo sa 
 
 cerdote in initio misse, secundo incohato Gloria in excelsis, tertio a Diacono ante Evan 
 
 geKu, quarto calix et altare ab ipso sacerdote dicto ofiertorio ante ablutione manuu. 
 
 In aliis vero festis non incensatur nisi ante Evangelium, et ante ablutione manuu 
 
 post oflfertoriu 
 3c 
 
10 
 
 post oflfertoriu. Chorus autem non incensatur nisi post Evangelium du canitur credo 
 in unum, et ia majoribus dum canitur Gloria in excelsis. . . . - . 
 
 DE MODO THURIFICANDI ALTARE IN SIMPLICIBUS TESTIS. 
 
 Intonato psalmo magnificat vel Benedictus procedat secerdos ad altare 
 
 precedentibus Ceroferariis et Thuribulo, delude sacerdos benedicendo ponat 
 
 sacerdos thus in thuribulum nisi Episcopus presens fuerit turn vero Episcopus benediceu 
 
 do imponat thus in thuribulu, et procedens sacerdos ad altare, et facta genuflec 
 
 tione ante altare incenset primo in medio deinde in dextra parte post in sinistra ; Ex 
 
 inde Imaginem beati Andree postea archam in qua continentur Eeliquie. 
 
 Delude thurificando altare circumeat. Delude tumulos Episooporum. Hoc pac 
 
 to sacerdos ad extremum gradum ante altare se inclinet, et precedentibus 
 
 Ceroferario et Thuribulo in stallo hide officio deputato se recipiat prius ab 
 
 eodem incensato Episcopo si presens fuerit. Episcopus nunquam incenset al 
 
 tare nisi in dupUci festo cum Episcopus exequitur officium. In simplici au 
 
 tern festo sive ille exequatur officium sive non semper Sacerdos hebdoma 
 
 darius ad matutlnas et ad vCsperas incenset postea Rectores chori incipi 
 
 ens a principali : deinde superiorem gradum ex parte Decani incipiens ab ipso 
 
 Decano. Postea superiorem gradum ex parte Cantoris eodem ordine, ita ut 
 
 etiam ipse puer singulos incensando ilUs inclinet. Hec autem omnia fiant du 
 
 Antiphona super Magnificat et Benedictus et psalmos psallitur. .... 
 
 DE MODO THURIFICANDI ALTARE IN DUPLI 
 CIBUS TESTIS. 
 
 Post inchoationem antiphone procedat officii executor cu alio sacerdote 
 
 post nium excellentiore ad thurificandu altare cum dnobus thuribulis de quoru 
 
 uno ministrabit puer hebdomadarius de reliquo vero alius puer pro dispositione 
 
 Sacristaru, si Eptis presens fuerit secundarius sacerdos cu Capellano Epi proce 
 
 dat ad thurificand' cetera altaria ad vesperas tantu. Excellentior in parte orientalem 
 
 secundarius eat in partem occidentale, quibg thurificatis ambo conveniut ad ostiu pres 
 
 beterii ex parte austraU, ?t sic mtret et thurificent episcopu in sua sede. Delude Inferior 
 
 thurificet superiors ante gradu chori. Si Epiis non fuerit presens, secundarius incen 
 
 set superiorem in sede sacerdoti hebdomadario constitute. 
 
 DE DISPOSITIONE TABULE DOMINICALIS. 
 
11 
 
 Tabula dominicalis ita disponi debet. In primis ad prima Lectione scri 25 
 
 bitur puer quidam de prima forma, ad seounda et tertiam duo bine inde de eade forma 
 ad quarta Subdiaconus vel inferior clericus de secunda forma, ad quinta Diacon 
 de eadem forma, ad sextam aliquis de superiore gradn, ad septima Diaconus bebdomada 
 rius, ad octava et ad nona Diaconus vel Saoerdos de superiori gradu. Eespondia 
 a singulis clericis juxta ordine Lectoru cantentur loco nee babitu mutato. Deinde 
 quis missaln in Capitulo, deinde qtii duo missas pro vivis et defunctis, quis Evan 
 geUu leget, quis epistolam eodem ordine quo scribuntur nomina ecru in matricola. 
 Deinde quia Accolitus mantille . deinde Rectores ebori bini et bini per quindece dies, 
 secundu ordine matricole, deinde quis in Capitulo legat, deinde qni duo bebdomadarii 
 deinde qui duo Ceroferarii, deinde quis aqua benedicta ferat, deinde quis cruce fe 
 rat, deinde tburibulum, ita tamen qd pueri minores scribantur ad candelabra et 
 aqua : majores ad alia, bee tabulae dispositio locu babet in omnibus dominicis 
 simplicibus per annum. 
 
 DE TABULA IN DOMINICA PALMAEUM. 
 
 In dominica tamen Palmaru quedam predictis adjiciuntur scilicet qui duo de secunda 
 forma deferunt reliquias ad processionem, qui tres de eadem forma ad En rex ve 
 nit qui septem pueri Gloria laus, qui tres sacerdotes ad ung autem scriba 
 tur 
 
 DE TABULA FERIALI ET CUJUSLIBET 
 FESTI TRIUM LECTIONUM. 
 
 Secunda feria hoc modo tabula disponitur. In primis scribitur puer hebdoma 
 darius ad primam Lectionem Legendam. Hie idem tenetur subministrare sacerdoti li 
 bru deferend' ad matutinas et ad vesperas et ad coUectas dicendas, ad secunda aliquis 
 in prima parte secunde forme ex opposito, ad tertia aliquis vicarius de superiori 
 gradu ex parte chori. Ad primti Hesponditi Cantand' scribatur puer bebdomadarius 
 ex parte cbori, ad secundu Respondiu et tertiu cantand' scribantur clerici juxta or 
 dine Lectoru et boo observatur qualibet feria per aunu et quolibet festo triu Lectionu 
 et infr a, octavas cum regimine cbori, et sine regimine chori. In festis paschalis tSporis 
 quando chorus regitur non scribantur pueri, nee propriis vigUiis, et quatuor tempo 
 ribus et in rogationibus quando ad matutinas Legitur Evangelii expositio, tuc enim 
 duo diaconi ad prima et secunda Lectione scribuntur, ad primii et secundu Eespondi 
 um duo clerici de secunda forma, ad tertia Lectione et tertiu Respond duo de superiori 
 gradu. .... 
 
12 
 
 ADJECTIO AD TABULAM FERIAEUM DE COLLATIO 
 
 NE. 
 
 In quadragesima q[uoqj. singulis diebas scribuatur Oanonid ad Legendum 28 
 
 coUationem secundum ordinem quo scribuntur in matricula ad chorum regend' 
 ita qd Decanus incipiat et Precentor at fit chorus yicissim et incipiatur coUa 
 tic prima die Sabbati post Cineres ante Gompletorium, et sic Legatur usc^ ad 
 cenam dominL 
 
 DE TABULA NATALIS DOMINL 
 
 In die Natalia domini tabule talis erit dispositio. In primis scribantur Eecto 
 res chori ad primam misaam duo principales de superiori gradu, secundarii de 
 aecunda forma. Et ad tertiam missam principales Cajionici et secundarii vica 
 rii de superiori gradu. Ad secundam missam duo tantum de seeunda forma. De 
 inde scribantur Lectores et eantores ad Leetiones Legendas, et ad Respondia can 
 tanda pro dispoeitione tabulam componentiu, ita ut Leetiones pro dignitate 
 personarum ita gradatim ascendant nt excellencior extremam legat. SimUi 
 quoq^ modo Cantores Eespcmdiorum ordinentur scUicet ut eorum quoqj ita 
 fiat ascensus ut tres excellentiores qui non Legerint ultimu Kespondium cantemt, 
 ita etiam ut primam et secundam Lectionem duo Canonici de seeunda forma Le 
 gant si presentes fuerint. Sin autem vicarii in seeunda forma et a principal! ca 
 pite, tertiam Ganonicus de superiori gradu, quartam et alias sequemtes Cano 
 nici de e€>dem gradu pro dignitate personarum aseendendo ita ut supradictum 
 est excellentior extremam legat. Primu Eespondiu a quinq, pueris, secundu 
 Kespondium a duobus de seeunda forma, tertiam a tribus de seeunda forma, 
 pro dispositione Cantoris cantetur, quartum Eespondiu. a duobus de secu 
 da forma, quintum septimum octavum a duobus de superiori gradu, sex 
 turn et nonum a tribus juxta ordinem Lectorem. Deinde quis Evangelium 
 cantand' et qui duo ad Lectionem cantandam 
 
 DE TABULA IN TEIBUS NOCTIBUS ANTE PASCHA. 
 
 In tribus noctibus ante Pascha in Lectionibus legendis, et Eespondiis 
 cantandis fiat tabula sicut in featis sunplicibus novem Lectionum ad Kyrie 
 leson cantand' tres pueri : ad Domine miserere duo Diaconi, ad versus duo sft 
 niores, ad mortem autem crucis unus puerulus. 
 
13 
 
 DE TABULA DIEI PASCHK 
 
 Die prima Paschatis et secunda tabula talis erit. In primis scribantur Eectores 
 chori, deinde ad primam Lectionem scribatur aliquis de excellentioribas personis 
 Diaconus et ita fiat ascensus ut excellentior persona tertiam legat. Ad primu 
 Eeapondiu cantaudu scribantur duo Canouici de superiori gradu, et ita fiat 
 ascensus ut tertiu Respondiu a tribus excellentioribns qui non legerunt cantetur 
 
 DE TABULA FERIALI HEBDOMAD: PASOHE. 
 
 Secunda fa:ia Pasche sequitur tabula prime diei, tertia et quarta feria 
 Pasche et octaYa diei pasche duo Canonici de superiori gradu primam et se 
 cundam lectionem legant tertiam aliqua persona, primum Eespondiu duo de se 
 canda forma, secundum duo de superiori gradu, tertium tres de eodem gradu, wt 
 in ipsa tertia lectione legenda fiat descensus personarum juxta numerum feriarum, 
 Similis quo(^ ordo servetar in Bespondiis cantandia per easdem ferias, quinta 
 sexta feria et Sabbato duo Keetores chori tantum de secunda forma pro Tolnnta 
 te componentk tabulam lectiones sint in superiori gradu, ad primum E.e8 
 pondium duo de secunda forma scribantur, similiter ad secundti, ad tertiu duo> 
 de superiori gradu. 
 
 DE TABULA DOMINICAL! 
 A PASCHA USQUE AD PENTECOST. 
 
 In diebds vero dominieis usqj ad Pentecostem hoc modo fiat tabula. Ad 
 primam lectionem legendam et ad primu Hespondiu scribantur duo diaeoivi 
 de secunda fornaa, ad secundam et tertiam lectionem,"et ad secundum et tertia] 
 Bespondium cantand' scribantur de superiori gradu, Clerici pro volun 
 tate componentis tabulam, ita tamen qd tertium Respondiu a duobus cam 
 tetur. .... 
 
 DE TABULA DIEI PENTEOOS': ET FEEIARU 
 EJUSDEM. Tabula diei Pentecostea et feriarum ejusdem sequitur 
 tabulam paschalem et feriarum ejusdem. 
 
 DE TABULA IN MAJOEIBUS DUPLICTBUS NOYE 
 LEOTIONUM. In omnibBS duplicibos festis majoribus no 
 vem lectitmu in lectionibus legendis et Respondiis cantandis fiat tabula 
 sicut in die Natalis domini preter primam E-espondium quod cantabitur 
 a duobus Cl&eidisr. . . . , 
 
14 
 
 DE TABULA IN MINORIB9 DUPLIOIBTJS NOVEM 
 LECTIONUM. In minoribus duplicibus novem lectionu prima lee 36 
 
 tio debet esse in prima forma, secunda et tertia in secunda forma. Deinde omnis 
 lectio in superiore gradu, primu Kesponditi in prima forma, secundu tertium 
 et quartum in secunda forma, quintu in superiore gradu, et ita deineeps, et hoc 
 
 observato qd omnia respondia dupliciter cantentur, nonu a tribus 
 
 « 
 
 DE TABULA IN FESTIS IN QUIBUS INVITATO 
 RIUM A TRIBUS CANTATUR. 
 
 In festis novem lectionu in quibus Invitatorium a tribus cantatur tabula 
 hoc modo componitur. In primus scribatur tertius ad Invitatoriti, deinde ad 
 duas primas lectiones et ad duo prima Respondia scribuntur pueri ut in 
 tabula dominicaU tertia lectione et quartam in secunda forma, quintam sex 
 tam octavam nonam iu superiore gradu eodem ordine Eespondia scribantur 
 ita tamen qd tertiii et sextu et nonu a duobus cantentur. Hec tabule disposi 
 tio locum habet in omni festo novem lectionu qum Invitatoriti a tribs cantatur. 
 
 DE TABULA IN SIMPLICIBUS FESTIS NOVEM 
 LECTIONUM. Tabula vero simpUcium festoru novem 
 lectionu sequitur tabulam dominicaru simpliciu in lectionibus legendis et 
 Hespondiis cantandis 
 
 DE TABULA IN MAJORIBUS FESTIS DUPLICIBUS 
 PASCALI TEMPORE, In majoribus dupHcibus in Pasche tem 
 pore tabula componitur sicut in die paschalL .... 
 
 IN MINORIBUS DUPLICIBUS PASCHALI TEM 
 PORE. In miaoribus duplicibus in paschali tempore ad primam et 
 secundam lectionem scribantur Canonici de superiore gradu, ad tertiam aU 
 qua persona ad primu Eespondiu duo de secunda forma, ad secundu duo 
 de superiore gradu, ad tertiu tres de superiore gradu. 
 
 DE TABULA IN PASCHALI TEMPORE IN QUIB„. 
 
15 
 
 INVITATORIUM A TEIBUS OAKTATUR. 
 
 Festum Sancti Jolianuis ante portam latinam et aliis festis in quibg 
 Invitatorium a tribus cantatur sequatur tabulam dominioalem pasohalis 
 temporis. 
 
 BE TABULA IN FESTIS SIMPLICIBTJS 
 PASCHALI TEMPORE. In aliis vero festis simpUcibus cum 
 regimine chori a Pascha usq^ ad Pentecostem prima et secunda lectio pri 
 mum et secundum Kespondium a Clericis secunde forme dicantur, tertia 
 lectio et tertium !Respondiu a Clericis de superiore gradu habitu non 
 mutato, si infra octavas ascentionis tertium Hespondiu duplicitur, si 
 extra simpliciter. 
 
 DE TABULA IN FESTO SCTE TRINITATIS. 
 
 In festo Scte Trinitatis tabula dis 
 ponatur ut in aliis dupUcibus majpribus excepto qd hie quodlibet res 
 pondium a tribus cantatur. 
 
 DE TABULA IN DIE OMNIU SANCTORUM. 
 
 In festo omniti Sanctorum hoc mo 
 do tabula disponitur ut excellentior persona primam lectionem legat, et ita 
 fiat descensus sicut ascensus in aliis festis duplicibus ita qd quidam puer 
 canonicus si presens fueiit octavam lectionem legat, nonam sacerdos . 
 primum Respondiu a tribus excellentioribus cantetur, secundu a du 
 obus de eadem forma, tertium a tribus de superiore gradu, quartum a 
 duobus de eodem gradu, quintti a duobus de secunda forma, sextum a 
 tribus de secunda forma, septimum a duobus de eadem forma, quinqj 
 pueri octavum Respondium capita amictibus velati cereos accensos 
 portantes cantent, tres de superiore gradu nonum Hespondiu cantent. 
 
 DE TABULA COMMUNL 
 
 Sciendum etiam qd quamdiu tabula communiter discurrit siugu 
 
 lis diebus immutantur Rectores, ab inceptione enim communis tabule 
 
 in omni simpUci festo scribuntur duo Rectores de secunda forma per ordine 
 
 facta inceptione a principali capite formaru. In omni vero majori dupli 
 
 ci festo scribuntur duo prinoipales Rectores canonici, et duo secundarii 
 
 vicarii de superiore gradu. In minoribus duplicibus duo prinoipales 
 
 de superiore gradu duo secudarii de secunda forma 
 
16 
 
 DE MODO EXEQUENDI OFFICIUM IN PEIMIS YESPE 
 RIS IN PRIMA DOMINICA ADYENTUS. 
 
 Dominica prima in Adventu ad Vesperas pulsatis tribus turbis et 
 classico saeerdos hebdomadarius qui presens fuerit, dicta oratione dominica 
 ofiiciuiu exequatur. Antipbona super psalmos incipiatur in secunda forma 
 a primo Clerico gradus, qui dum incipit ad chorii stet conversus, efc in fine 
 primi versus psalmi ad altare se inclinet . hoc etiam generaliter per totum annti 
 observetur in conversione et inclinatione a cujuscunq^ gradus clerico anti 
 pbona incipiatur. Cetere sequentes per ordinem bine inde discurrant. 
 Hie ordo servetur in omnibus Sabbatis per totum annu super biis antipbo 
 mis incipiendis, post tertiu vero psalmu tres pueri accepta licentia a Rectori 
 bus egrediantur ut se induant, duo ad deferendos cereos, tertius ad thu 
 ribulum. Saeerdos vero in capitulo nee stallum nee babitum mutet, sed 
 dicendo ad altare se vertat, et hoc semper observetur ad capitulum dicen 
 dum. Duo elerici de superiore gradu in capis sericis cantent Eespondium 
 9.d gradum. Eodem modo cantetur Respondium in omnibas festis quibp 
 Invitatorium a tribus cantatur pro dispositions Cantoris. Et ad vesperas 
 in Sabbatis ante paasionem et ante dominicam palmaru. In ceteris au 
 tem per totum annu quando de temporali agitur et Respondiu cantatur 
 ad vesperas et in festis simplicibus cum regimine cbori a Rectoribus cbori 
 vel ab aliis de secunda forma pro dispositione Cantoris cantatur. In penul 
 timo versu bymni exeat saeerdos ad capam sericam assumendam. Dicto vero 
 Lymno unus puer ex parte cbori dicat versiculum loco nee babitu muta 
 to ad altare conversus. Idem ordo servetur a quoKbet puero quando solus 
 dicit versum vel Benedicamus. Antipbona vero super Magnificat in 
 superiore gradu incipiatur et boo generaliter sit per totu annum qd queli 
 bet antipbona super Magnificat. Nunc Dimittis et Benedictus et Qui 
 cunqj vult iaeipiatur semper in superiore gradu. Dum vero Antipbona 
 canitur post Magnificat, saeerdos ad gradum accedat et puer hebdoma 
 darius lectionis ei deferat librum in superpelHcio seroferariis eidem sa 
 cerdoti assistentibus, flnita oratione puer quidam dicat benedicendo 
 secundu Benedict, post memor* dicat alius ex; opposito eodem modo. 
 
 DE COMPLETORIO EJUSDEM DOMINICE. 
 
 Ad completarium antiphonam super psalmos incipiat aliquis de 
 secunda forma, psalmum intonet aliquis de superiore gradu : quidam 
 
 puer 
 
17 
 
 puer dicat versiculum et hec omnia fiant juxta dispositionem ipsius 
 Rectoris hebdomadarii. 
 
 AD MATUTINAS EJUSDEM DOMINICE. 
 
 Eadem die ad matutinas primam antiphonam super psalmos iucipiat 
 primas de prima forma, secunda vero a suo pari ex opposito incipiatur, tertia 
 vero a tertio sibi opposito : quarta quinta et sexta ia secuada forma, septi 
 ma in superiore gradu a quovis pro voluntate ipsius Rectoris. Eodem mo 
 do octava et nona per ordinem. Singuli versiculi ad matutinas a singulis 
 pueris bine inde dicantur post incobationem tertie antipbone procuret puer 
 bebdomadarius qd lectionarius cum sconsa et candela paratus sit ad legen 
 du in pulpito, similiter fiat post incobationem sexte et none antipbone, quida 
 puer primam lectionem legat babitu non mutato, similiter secunda et tertia 
 a duobus pueris bine inde legantur, quarta a Subdiacono yel infeiiore cle 
 lico de secunda forma, quinta a Diacono in secunda forma, sexta a quovis 
 in superiore gradu, septima a Diacono bebdomadavio, octava et nona a Di 
 acono vel presbitero de superiore gradu qd generaliter fit in omnibus fes 
 tis novem lectionu, quando precesserit Evangelium . primu Eespondium 
 tres pueri in superpelliciis ad gradum cbori incipiant ut in prima dominica 
 Adventus notatur. Cetera Respondia a ceteris et singulis clericis juxta 
 ordinem lectoru cantentur loco nee babitu mutato. In Laudes omnes Anti 
 pbone incipiantur in superiore gradu ita qd prima incipiatur a proximo 
 post Subdecanum vel Succentorein, et secunda a suo pari ex opposito, et 
 cetere per ordinem in eodem gradu discurrant, versiculum autem laudum 
 ipse sacerdos dicat. Cetera omnia ut ad primas vesperas pemotatum est 
 sunt exequenda. 
 
 DE MODO EXEQUENDI LEO 
 TIOISTES EJUSDEM DIEL Eadem die dominica ad prima 
 et ad alias boras Antipbone super psalmos incipiantur in secunda for 
 ma bac die et omni die per annii preterquam in festis duplicibus et in fes 
 tis quando Invitatorium a tribus cantatur. Respondiu Jesu Christe 
 et alia respondia ad boras diountur a quodam puero ex parte cbori nee 
 loco nee babitu mutato. In exceptis vero festis a duobus in superpelli 
 ciis cantantur ad gradum et eisdem modis dicantur omnes versiculi 
 et Benedicamus per annu, secundu vero benedicamus in non duplioibg 
 dicitur ab uno. In festo Trinitatis dicantur atribus : deinde in oboro di 
 
 3d 
 
 cantur 
 
18 
 cantur preces cum oratione usqj ad Pretiosa est in conspectu. 
 
 QUE PERSONA DICAT CONFITEOR. 
 
 Episcopus si assit, vel excellentior Canonicus dicat Confiteor tain ad 
 primam quam ad Completorium per totum annum quando dioitur Confiteor 
 fiinita oratione in chore cum Dominus vobiscum et Benedicamus dec, eant 
 Clerici processionaliter in capitulum. Quibus ingressis in primis quidam 
 puer legat lectionem de Martilogio sine Jube domine et sine Tu autem, ha 
 bitu non mutate. In festis tamen duplicibus in superpellicio, finita lectione 
 obitus si fuerint pronuntiet, sacerdos yero stans post lectorem si qui pronuncien 
 tur obitus respondeat Anime eoru et audi orationem famuli dei per meritum 
 dei redemptoris in perpetuti. Deinde dicat Preciosa est in c', que ad illam per 
 tinent, quibus finitis Diaconus hebdomadarius in habitu ut supra aliam 
 lectionem cum Jube domine incipiat et eandem cum Tu autem finiat. Sa 
 cerdos autem facta benedictione ad lectionem in loco suo se recipiat, finita 
 lectione puer predictus tabulam legat et si pronuntiatus fuerit obitus, dica 
 tur psalmus De profundis clamavi cum orationibus pertinentibus ; si 
 Episcopus vel Decanus fuerit executor officii locu non mutet et hoc etiam E 
 piscopo reservatur ut dicat benedictiones et absolutionem animarum. 
 
 DE MODO EXEQUENDI HORAS DIEI IN PRIMA 
 DOMINICA ADVENTUS. 
 
 Pbedicta die dominica ad tertiam et ad alias horas Precentor vel 
 Succentor vel principalis Rector chori hebdomadarius hymnu incipiat 
 vel incipi faciat ab aliquo de superiore gradu dicte Antiphone super psal 
 mos incipiantur in secunda forma ex parte chori. Predictus vero rector chori 
 psalmos intonet vel intonari faciat ab aliquo de superiore gradu. Nulla eni 
 inceptio hymni vel intonatio psalmi fieri debet ullo die per annu nisi in supe 
 riore gradu quando chorus non regitur. Respondia dicantur ut supra no 
 tantur ad tertiu. Capitulum et coUectam dicat sacerdos loco nee habitu muta 
 to. Eadem die ad secundas vesperas Antiphone super psalmos incipiantur 
 in secunda forma. Hie ordo observetur in omnibus dominicis per annu super 
 his antiphonis incipiendis. Eesponditi ab aliquo de secunda forma cante 
 tur juxta voluntatem ipsius regentis chorum nee habitu nee loco mutato. Hoc eo 
 dem modo Kespondium cantatur omni die dominica quando de temporali 
 agitur et Eespon, habetur ad secundas vesperas excepta dominica palmarti 
 
 tunc enim 
 
19 
 
 tunc enim cantatur Respondiu ab aliquo de superiore gradu. Sciendu aute 
 qd solummodo in Adventu et in Quadragesima dicitur Respond donunicis 
 diebus ad secundas vesperas Completorium non mutatur. 
 
 ADOPTATIO SERYICII DIEBUS DOMINICIS PEIMO IN 
 AYENTU ET IN ALUS DNICIS PER ANNF. 
 
 Sicut bac die dominica ita singulis diebus dominicis expletur servitium 
 per annum quando de temporaU agitur excepto qd non qualibet die dominica 
 dicitur Respondiu ad vesperas et excepto qd in quadragesima in domiaicis di 
 citur Respond ad utruc^ Completorium ab aliquo de secunda forma pro arbitrio 
 Cantoris vel Succentoris vel Rectoris chori si predicti absentes fuerint et excep 
 to qd per quatuor extremas dominicas quadragesime dicuntur tres versus 
 post Antiphonam super Nunc dimittis ad utrumc^ Completoriu. In Sabba 
 tis in superiore gradu. In dominicis in secunda forma. In dominica tamen 
 Palmaru et in Annunciatione beate Marie in superiore gradu dicuntur. 
 Similiter in quolibet festo novem lectionu ad primas vesperas in superiore gra 
 du preterquam ia Cena domini, ad secundas in secunda forma dicantur, et ex 
 cepto qd in dominica passionis domini una sola Antipbona dicitur super psal 
 mos in singulis Nocturnis quaru prima incipitur in prima forma, secunda in se 
 cunda forma, tertia in superiore gradu, et excepto tempore pascbe, tunc enim 
 in Sabbatis non dicitur nisi una Antipbona super psalmos. Similiter ad matu 
 tinas una antipbona dicitur super psalmos et ilia incipitur in superiore gradu : 
 et una sola in laud. In octas : tamen pascbe quinq, antiphone dicuntur in laud'- 
 in superiore gradu et in proxima dominica ante Ascentionem, et exceptis qui 
 busdam que ad tabulam dominicalem ilUus temporis pertinent, et exceptis me 
 diis dominicis post inceptionem historie tunc enim una sola Antipbona dici 
 tur in laudes 
 
 DE MODO EXEQUENDI OFFICII 
 IN SECUNDA FERIA ADYENTUS. 
 
 Secunda feria in Adventu Invitatoriu cantet aliquis de secunda for 
 ma vice. Rectoris hebdomadarii. Hymnus in superiore gradu incipiatur ad dis 
 pensationem Rectoris. Cetera autem omnia que ad generale officiu Rectoris 
 pertinent, idem Rector vel per se vel per abum exequatur. Prima antipbo 
 na a prime prime forme incipiatur, secunda autem a sibi opposite prime forme 
 
 et cetere 
 
20 
 
 et cetere omnes discurrant per ordinem in eadem forma si tot presentes fuerint, ita 
 qd quinta incipiatur a prime clerico aeounde forme ex parte ohori. In quinqua 
 gesima Antiphone in secunda forma hino inde discurrant. Cetera omnia que 
 ad matutinas pertinent ut in dominica expleamtur, excepto qd in feriis omnes 
 hymni i>\ superiore gradu incipiantur. Et preterea sacerdos in coUectis dicend' 
 locum non habitum mutat ad vesperas et ad matutinas. Preterea non incen 
 satur Altare in feria ad matutinas vel ad yesperas ad Magnificat, et ad Bene. 
 Ad primam et ad tertiam et ad omnes horas antiphone super psalmos in secun 
 da forma incipiantur. Respond : et cetera omnia sicut in precedenti dominica, nisi 
 qd in hac feria ad omnes horas preces cum prostracionibus fiunt. Ad vesperas 
 antiphone discurrant super psalmos ut supra ad matutinas. Et cetera omnia nisi 
 qd hie cantatur Respondiu ad vesperas qd cantet puer hebdomadarius Ees 
 pondii. Cetera fiant ut superius ad matutinas. Ad Completoriu antiphona 
 super psalmos incipiatur in prima forma, cetera ut in dominica, nisi qd fiunt pre 
 ces cum prostrationibus. 
 
 ADOPTACIO EJUSDEM IN 
 ALUS FERIIS PEE ANNU. Modus et ordo servitii hujus ferie sin 
 gulis feriis per annu servetur quando de temporali agitur, excepto quod ad Com 
 pletoriu. Respondiu ab aliquo prime forme cantatur ad vesperas etiam in alio 
 tempore quam in Adventu et quadragesima in feriis, non dicitur Respondiu prete 
 rea in pasche tempore. Ad matutinas et vesperas non dicitur nisi una sola antiphona 
 super psalmos nee etiam in laudes, neq^ preces fiunt cum prostrationibus. Preterea 
 in Quadragesima omnes hore diei ante missam dicuntur, post missam vero sine in 
 tervallo. Placebo et vespere diei. Deinde vespere de Sancta Maria ; post pranditi 
 autem pulsata coUatione dicuntur vigUie mortuoru, deinde legitur coUatio in 
 pulpito habitu non mutato, postea sequitur Completorium 
 
 MODUS EXEQUENDI OFFICII IN DIE NATALIS DOMINI. 
 
 In die Natalis domini ad primas vesperas primam antiphonam super psalmos 
 excellentior persona inoipiat post illium qui exequitur officium ilUus diei, excep 
 to Decano. Secunda ab excellentiore alterius partis chori ex opposito incipiatur 
 et ita discurrant singule pro personaru dignitate, Capitulum Episcopus in ca 
 pa serica dicat loco non mutato : similiter et Decanus si Episcopus presens non 
 fuerit. Respondiu Cantor, et alie due persone cantent pro dispositione ipsius 
 Cantoris in capis sericis. Similiter ad secundas vesperas, et hoc observetur in 
 omnibus dupHcibus festis quando ad vesperas cantatur Respondiu ut a tribus 
 
 pro 
 
21 
 
 pro dispositione ipsius Cantoris cantetnr. Dum hymnus canitur diflFeratur capa 
 seiica secundario sacerdoti si Oanonicus fuerit. Sin autem exeat pro capa et occur 
 rat principali sacerdoti ad gradum chori ad thurificandu altare Antiphonam super 
 Magnificat et Benedictus exoellencior persona ex parte chori incipiat vel executor 
 officii. Et sciend' qd omnes antiphone in duplicibus festis discurrunt in superiori 
 gradu. Et si Episcopus presens fuerit. Qantor ipsam antiphonam ei injungat ad collec 
 tarn dicendam, Episcopus locum non mutet, nee Decanus. Ad Completoriu antipho 
 niam super psalmos unus de superiore gradu incipiat, versiculum dicant duo pueri in su 
 perpelliciis. Antiphonam super Nunc dimittis unus de excellentioribus pro dis 
 positione Cantoris incipiat. Ad matutinas super psalmos antiphone hinc inde code 
 modo discurrunt sicut ad primas vesperas sex lectionu in superpelliciis legantur. 
 Septima octava et nona in capis sericis singula respondia in superpelliciis ad gradum 
 dicantur, lectores et cantores ad vesperas et ad matutinas et ad missam posquam le 
 gerint et cantaverint coram episcopo ad benedicendu se humilient qd est generale 
 quandocunqj Episcopus presens fuerit, nisi in exequiis mortuorum. Sciend' autem 
 qd hie et in omnibus duplicibus festis majoribus extra tempus paschale ad secunda 
 et quintam et ootavam lectionem inoensatur altare ab aliquo sacerdote in capa se 
 rica ex utraq; parte chori vicissim assumpto. Chorus quoqj incensatur ab uno solo puero, fi 
 nito ultimo. Eespondio et cantato Evangelic, librum generationis principalis sacer 
 dos in capa serica loco non mutato incipiat Te dum laudamus. Postea cum suo 
 secundario sacerdote thure ipsis thuribulis ab ipso principali sacerdote ante chori gra 
 dum imposito altare incensent modo predicto. Sciend' tamen qd quandocunqj presens 
 fuerit Episcopus ab eo super thus a sacerdote vel Diacono thuribulum imponend' 
 fiat benedictio loco non mutato . finito Te deum statim cantetur prima missa, qua 
 finita principalis sacerdos versiculu dicat ante laudes. Antiphone super laudes 
 in superiore gradu discurrant per ordinem incipiente in primo capite ex parte ori 
 entaU, et sic fit in omnibus duplicibus festis 
 
 MODUS EXEQIJENDI PRIMAM ET ALIAS HOEAS 
 IJSr DIE NATALIS DOMINI. 
 
 In die !N'atalis domini ad omnes horas antiphonam super psalmos incipiat ali 
 
 quis Oanonicus. Antipho : Swper quicunqioe vult aUquis 
 
 quis excellentior Hespondia. ad horas dicant duo pueri in superpelliciis. 
 
 DE MODO EXEQUENDI OFFICII IN TEIBUS NOCTIBUS 
 
 ANTE PASCHA. 57 
 
 In tribus noctibus ante Fa'scha antiphona super psalmos ad matutinas in 
 
 superiore 
 
22 
 
 superiore gradu discurrant, tres primas lectiones tres pueri de prima forma 
 cantent j similiter Respondium et alias sequentes alii sicut in festis simplicibg 
 novem lectionu. In laudes Antiphone in secunda forma discurrant . antipho 
 nam super Benedictus quidam senior incipiat. Cantata antiphona et psal : 
 Benedictus, tres pueri ante altare dicant alta voce ter Kyrieleson. Duo Diaco 
 ni ante introitu chori in parte australi dicant Domine miserere. Alii ex parte 
 boriali Christus dominus. Christus factus est obediens. Duo seniores ante 
 gradum cLori dicant versum ' 
 
 MODUS EXEQUENDI VESPERAS IN VIGILIA PASCH. 
 
 In vigilia Pasche ad vesperas cum regimine chori Antiphona super psalmos 58 
 
 a quodam Canonico in superiore gradu incipiatur. Similiter super Magnificat 
 ab excellentiore chori. Post communi vice collecte ad vesperas dicitur, et Ite 
 missa est in loco Benedicamus 
 
 MODUS EXEQUENDI OFFICIU DIEI PASCH. 
 
 In die Pasche tres antiphone super psalmos eodem modo discurrant sicut 
 tres prime in die Natalis et tres lectiones et tria Respondia sicut in ter 
 tio nocturno diei Natalis, preterea altare non incensatur hac die nisi ad Te 
 deum et Benedictus. In laudes antiphona et cetera eodem modo discurrat 
 ut in die Natalis domini 
 
 MODUS EXEQUENDI HORAS DIEI PASC. 
 
 In antiphonis ad tertiam et alias horas incipiendis idem modus qui in die 
 Natali servetur versiculos tamen ad omnes horas per totam hanc hebdomadam di 
 cat sacerdos ante collectam. Ad secundas vesperas Eeotores ex parte chori 
 conversi ad chori incipiant Kyrieleson. Antiphona super psalmos in supe 
 riore gradu pro voluntate Kectoris incipiatur. Gratia a duobus de secun 
 da forma cantetur. Alleluia a duobus de superiore gradu, ad Complete 
 riti antiphona incipiatur a quodam de superiore gradu. 
 
 MODUS EXEQUENDI OFFICIU FERIA SECUNDA TER 
 TIA ET QUARTA HEBDOMADE PASCHE. 
 
 Feria secunda tertia et quarta pasche Antiphona super psalmos in supe 
 riore gradu incipiatur. Lectiones et Eespondium in superiore gradu legantur 
 
 et cantentur 
 
23 
 
 et oantentur superpelliciis. Cetera omnia ut in die Pasche nisi qd ad Lau 
 des una sola antiphona dicitur que in superiore gradu incipitur, post Bene 
 dicamus eat processio ad crucem per ostiu chori occidentali cum cruce et ce 
 roferariis ad vesperas. Ad primam et ad ceteras horas et ad completoriu 
 eodem mode fiant omnia sicut in die pasche. 
 
 MODUS EXEQUENDI OFFIU FEEIA QUINTA SEXTA 62 
 
 ET OCTAYA HEBDOMADE PASCHE. 
 
 Quinta sexta et septima feria hebdomade Pasclie Antiphona ad vespe 
 ras super psalmos in superiore gradu . versiculus a duobus pueris. Cetera ut in 
 suis secundis feriis. Ad matutinas antiphona super psalmos in superiore gra 
 du, lectio et Respondiu in superpelliciis dicantur. In lectione, Antiphona 
 in secunda forma. Cetera omnia ut ad suas primas vesperas ; ad primam et 
 ad alias horas ut in dominicis sui temporis 
 
 MODUS EXEQUENDI OFFIOIU IN OCTAB : 
 PASCHE. 
 
 Octava die pasche ad vesperas super psalmos Antiphona in superio 
 
 re gradu incipiatur pro voluntate Bectoris. Antiphonam super Magnificat 
 
 unus de excellentioribus ex parte chori incipiat. Cetera fiant ut die pasche ad 
 
 Tesperas pater gratia, et AUeluia, et processionem. Ad Completorium 
 
 antiphona super psalmos et super Nunc dimittis in superiore gradu incipiantur. 
 
 ad matutinas antiphona super psalmos in superiore gradu incipiantur. Lectiones 
 
 et Respondium in superpelHciis in superiore gradu discurrant. In laudes 
 
 antiphone eodem modo discurrant in superiore. Cetera omnia ut supra in fe 
 
 riis preter jcessionem. Ad quartam et ad alias horas idem modus servetur q 
 
 qui in duplicibus novem lectionum. Ad secundas vesperas antiphona super 
 
 psalmos in superiore gradu incipiatur pro voluntate Rectoris. Cetera ad 
 
 vesperas et ad Completorium ut in festis duplidbus novem lectionum. 
 
 MODUS EXEQUENDI OFFICII DOMINICIS DIEB9 
 A PASCHA USQUE AD PENTECOSTEN. 
 
 Dominicis diebus post octavas Pasche. Autiphonse super psalmos 
 
 ad vesperas et ad matutinas in superiore gradu discurrant, prima et secunda lee 
 
 tio 
 
24 
 
 tio primu et secundum Respondiu in secunda forma ; tertia lectioni superiori gradu 
 et tertiu Respondiu a duobus de eodem gradu. Cetera omnia ut in octava die pasche. 
 
 MODUS EXEQTJENDI IN DIE ASCENTIONIS DOMINI. 
 
 In vigilia Ascentionis ad vesperas antiphona super psalmos incohetur ab aliquo 
 de excellentioribus ex parte Decani. Respondiu cantent tres de excellentioribus ; An 
 tiphona super Magnificat ab executore illius diei si ex parte chori f uerit incohetur. 
 Cetera omnia ad vesperas et ad Completorium ut in ceteris duplicibus novem lee 
 tionu. Ad matutinas in antiphonis incipiendis in lectionibus legendis et Respon 
 diis cantandis idem ordo et modus servetur ut in die pascbe. Ad primam et ad alias 
 boras ut in octab Pascbe, excepto qd hie ad secundas vesperas Respondium 
 cantatur a tribus de excellentioribus 
 
 MODUS EXEQUENDI 
 DIEI PENTECOSTEN ET PER HEBDOMADAM. 
 
 Modus et ordo servitii diei Pentecostas et feriarum ejusdem in antiphonis in 
 cipiendis lectionibus legendis et Respondiis cantandis idem est per omnia qui 
 in die Pasche et feriarum ejusdem 
 
 MODUS EXEQUENDI OFFICII DIEI TRINITATIS. 
 
 In die sancte Trinitatis ad vesperas Antiphona super psalmos in superiore 
 gradu. Cetera in antiphonis incipiendis et lectionibus legendis et Respondiis 
 cantandis ut in die Natalis domini excepto qd hie omnia Respondia et versi 
 culi et Benedieamus do a tribus cantantur. .... 
 
 MODUS EXEQUENDI OFFICII IN FESTO OMNIU 
 SANCTORUM. 
 
 In festo omnium Sanctorum ad vesperas Antiphona super psalmos et cetera 
 omnia sicut in die Natalis excepto qd octavam antiphonam incipiat quidam 
 puer, excellentior persona primam lectionem legat et ita fiat descensus sicut 
 ascensus in aliis testis duplicibus ita qd quidam puer canonicus si presens 
 fuerit, octavam lectionem legat, nonam sacerdos, primum Respondium a 
 tribus excellentioribus cantetur, secundum a duobus de eadem forma, tertiu 
 a tribus de superiore gradu, quartum de eodem gradu a duobus, quintum a 
 duobus de secunda forma, septimum a duobus de eadem forma, ita ut quinq, 
 pueri octavum Respondium capita amictibus velati cereos accensos portantes 
 cantent ; tres de superiore gradu nonum Respondium cantent. In laudes An 
 
 tiphona 
 
25 
 tiphona sicut in die Natalis. 
 
 MODUS EXEQUENDI 
 OFFICII IN DUPLICIBUS FESTIS MAJORIBUS NOVEM 
 
 LECTIONUM. 
 
 In duplicibus festis majoribus omnia fiant sicut in die Natalis domini, ex 
 cepto quod non cantatur Evangelium ante Te deum laudamus. 
 
 MODUS EXEQUENDI OFFIOIU IN MINOEIBUS 
 FESTIS DUPLICIBUS. 
 
 In minoribus festis duplicibus novem lectionum potest predictus modus servitii 
 servari, excepto qd ad piimas vesperas et ad secundas vesperas una sola antipbo 
 na dicitur super psahnos et ilia incipiatur ia superiore gradu pro voluntate Can 
 toris. Praeterea antiphona super Magnificat et Benedictus non cantatur ante 
 intonationem psahni. Preterea ia his festis ad vesperas non incensant nisi 
 principale altare nee ad matutinas in Noctumis incensant altare vel choru. 
 Preterea ultima lectio non semper ab excellentiore legitur, sed ab excellentiore 
 ex parte chori. Omnes antiphone in superiore gradu racipiantur, prima lee 
 tio in prima forma legitur, secunda et tertia in secunda forma. Cetere in su 
 periore gradu . primum et secundti Kespondiu ia prima forma, tertium et 
 quartum in secunda forma, quinta et deinceps in superiore gradu, preterea nul 
 lum Respondiu a tribus cantatur nisi nonum. Omnes antiphone super 
 laudes in superiore gradu discurrunt incipiende a capite versus orientem. 
 
 MODUS EXEQUENDI OFFICIU IN FESTIS IN QUIB9 
 INVITATOEIUM A TRIBUS CANTATUR. 
 
 In festis in quibus Invitatorium a tribus cantatur ad vesperas antiphona 
 
 super psalmos in superiore gradu pro voluntate Eectoris incipiant. Respon 
 
 dium a duobus de superiore gradu cantatur . versiculum duo pueri ia super 
 
 peUiciis. Antiphonam super Magnificat ia superiore gradu. Benedicam 
 
 duo pueri in superpelliciis, secundum Benedicamus unus puer ex parte 
 
 chori dicat nee loco nee habitu mutato. Cetera omnia ad vesperas, et ad 
 
 Completoriu ut ia dominicis. Ad matutinas Invitatoriti a tribus cante 
 
 tur ia capis sericis ; prima et secunda Antiphona in prima forma, tertia in 
 
 secunda forma, quarta ex opposite, quinta et deiaceps ia superiore gradu 
 
 pro volunta Rectoris. Lectiones leguntur et Kespondia cantantur habi 
 
 tu non 
 3e 
 
26 
 
 tu non mutato excepto qd tertiu sextu nonu Responditi in superpelliciis dica 
 tur ad gradum. In laudes Antiphone in superiors gradu discurrunt. Ad primam 
 et ad alias horas omnia fiant ut in dominicis excepto qd Respondia a duobns 
 pueris dicantur. 
 
 MODUS EXEQUENDI OFFICIU 
 IN MINORIBUS TESTIS SIMPLIOIB9 IX. LECTIONU. 
 
 In simplicibus vero festis minoribus novem leotionu servetur modus et ordo ser 
 •vitii domiiticarum simplicium habentiu Respondiu ad vesperas. 
 
 MODUS EXEQUENDI IN FESTIS TRIU LEOTIONU. 
 
 In festis triu lectionu sine regimine chori servetur modus et ordo qui in feria, nisi qd 
 in quibusdam talibus festis Invitatorium a duobus dicitur. 
 
 DE MODO EXBQUENDI OFFICIU POST FESTUM QUA 
 DO INVITATORIUM EST TRIPLEX. 
 
 In die sancti Johannis ante portam latinam Antiphona super' psalmos ad pri 
 mas vesperas in superiore gradu et cetera omnia ad vesperas, et ad Completoriu 
 ut in festis novem lectionu quando Invitatorium a tribus canitur. Ad matutinas 
 antiphona super psalmos in superiore gradu Lectio et Respondiu habitu non mu 
 tato dicantur, excepto tertio Respondio qd in superpelliciis dicetur. Cetera omnia 
 ad matutinas, et ad alias horas diei ut in festis novem lectionu quando Invitatori 
 um est triplex. 
 
 MODUS EXEQUENDI OFFICIU 
 IN MINORIB9 SIMPLICIB9 IN PASCHE FESTO. 
 
 In simplicibus festis cum regimine chori a Pascha usqj ad Pentecosten ad utrasq^ 
 vesperas et ad alias horas diei omnia fiant sicut in ceteris simplicibus alterius 
 temporis. Ad matutinas prima et secunda Antiphona in secunda forma, tertia 
 in superiore gradu, prima et secunda lectio, primum et secundu Respondium 
 in secunda forma tertia lectio et tertium Respondiu in superiore gradu dicantur 
 habitu non mutato. 
 
 MODUS EXEQUENDI OFFICIU 
 INFRA OCTAB: CUM REGIMINE CHORL 76 
 
 Infra 
 
27 
 
 Infra octav : cum regiraine ehori ad vesperas antiphona super paalmos in 
 secnnda forma : ad matutinas prima et secunda et tertia antiphona in prima 
 forma. Lectio et Respondium ut in feriis. Infra octav : Ascentionis ad matu 
 tinas prima antiphona in prima forma, secunda et tertia in secunda. Lectio et 
 Respondiu ut in feriis. In laudamus ut in festis simplicibus minoribus cum re 
 gimine chord sui temporis. In dominicis autem diebus infra octav servetur mo 
 dus et ordo servitii qui in festis quando Invitatoriu cantatur a tribns excepto 
 qd ad vesperas non dicitnr Respondium. 
 
 IN QUIBUS FESTIS TRIUM LECTIONU INVITATO 
 RIFM A DUOBTJS CANTATUR. 
 
 Invitatoriu a duobus cantatur in omnibus commemorationibus beate 
 virginis et Santi Andree et infra octav quaslibet etiam sine regimine chori et 
 in ipsis octav : et in quibusdam festis triu lectionu his scilicet. Mense 
 Januarii. Scti Juliani episcopi et Conf Agnetis secundario. 
 
 Mense ffehruwni. Scti Blasii. Scte Juliane. 
 
 Sciend' autem qd hec predicta festa et omnia alia trium lectionu que infra 
 
 septnagesimam eveniunt Invitatorium habent simplex. Preterea omnia festa 
 
 sine regimine chori ab octav : Pasche usq^ ad Pentecosten Invitatoriu habent 
 
 duplex. Similiter omnia talia festa que contingunt infra hebdomadam Scte 
 
 Trinitatis. Mense Junii. Sanctoru Marcellini et Petri primi et ffe 
 
 licini Basilidis. Ciiini. Naboris et ^Nazarii. Viti et Modesti. Crescentie. 
 
 Marci et Marcelliani. Gervasi et Prothasii. Johannis et Patdi. 
 
 Mense Julii. Octave Scti Johannis. Processi et Martiniani. Septe 
 
 fratrum. Translatio Scti Benedicti. Translatio Scti Swithini. Scti Penelini re 
 
 gis et martiris. Septem dormientiu, ffelicis simplicii, ffaustini et beatricis Ab 
 
 don et senneii. Mense Augusti. Stephani epi et martiris. Oswal 
 
 di regis et martiris. Sixti felicissimi et Agapiti martiru. Ciriaci socioruq, eius 
 
 Tyburtii martiris. Hypoliti martiris. Rufi martiris. Ffelicis et Audacti. 
 
 Mense Septembris. Translatio scti Cuthberti. Cipriane et Jus 
 
 tine Cosme et damiane. Mense Octobris. Marci Marcelli et 
 
 Apulei. Nigasii sociorumqj ejus, undecim nullia virginu. Crispini et Crispi 
 
 niani. Mense Novemhris. Quatuor coronatoru Bricii epi 
 
 et conf: Machuti'epi et conf: Aniani epi. Octa scti Martini. 
 
 DE MODO BENEDICENDI AQUAM DOMINICA. 
 
28 
 
 PEIMA IN ADVENTU ET IN ALUS DONICIS PER ANNU. 
 
 Dominica prima in Adventu peractis his que ad Oapitulum pertinent. Sa 
 cerdos hebdomadarius cum diacono et Subdiacono textum deferents et puero deferente 
 
 [thuribu 
 
 lum et Cerof erariis et Acolito crucem ferente omnibus albis indutis, et ad altare 
 in. medio presbiterii conversis, ad gradum chori faciat aquam benedictam, et pu 
 er qui ad aquam scribitur in tabula in superpellicio et subministret tenendo sal 
 dum benedicitur et aquam benedictam gestando puer vero hebdomadarius lee 
 tionem ad matutinas in. Ubro tenendo in superpellicio ministret. 
 
 DE ASPEESIONE AQUE BENEDIOTE. 
 
 Peracta benedictione, sacerdos ipse accedat ad principals altare et ipsum 
 circumquaq^ aspergat. In redeundo in primis aspergat Ministros sic ordinatos 
 incipiendo ab Acolito. Deinde ad gradu chori rediens ibidem singulos cleri 
 cos ad se accedentes aspergat incipiens a majoribus. Episcopus tamen si 
 presens fuerit ad eum aspertio Olericoru in eodem loco pertinet. Post asper 
 tionem Olericoru. Laicos in presbiterio hinc inde stantes aspergat. Peracta 
 aspertione redeat sacerdos ad gradu chori, et ibi orationem cum versiculo dicat. 
 
 DE ORDINE PEOCESSIONIS EADEM DIE. 
 
 Hiis peractis eat processio hoc ordine Precedat aqua, deinde ceteri jux 
 ta predictum ordinem secuntur, deinde pueri et ilh de secunda forma juxta 
 ordinem quo disponuntur in choro, reliqui de superiore gradu eodem ordine 
 quo disponuntur in capitulo habitu non mutato. Episcopus tamen si preses 
 fuerit mitram gerat et baculum in capa serica, et exeat processio per ostium 
 presbeterii septentrionale, et eat circa presbiterium. Sacerdos in eundo 
 singula altaria aspergat. Deinde transeunte processione per ostiu Cimite 
 rii sacerdos cum suis ministris intret Cimiteriti Canonicoru aspergendo 
 illud et oret pro defunctis, deinde redeat ad processionem in capella beate 
 Marie virginis ubi fiat static. Inde redeant ante crucem in navi ecclesie, et 
 ibi secundam faciat stationem sacerdote cum suis Ministris predictis in me 
 dio suo ordine stante ita qd puer deferens et accoHtus stent ad gradu ante 
 crucem. Deinde precibus consuetis dictis chorum intrant et sacerdos ad gra 
 dum chori dicat versiculum et orationem. .... 
 
 ADOPTATIO PEOCESSIONIS HUJUS DOMINICE CUM 
 
 CETERIS DOMINICIS. 81 
 
29 
 
 Hie modus et ordo processionia servatur generaliter omnibus diebus domini 
 cis per amiu simplicibus. In dominiois tamen a septuagesima usq^ ad quadragesima 
 dicitur versus post antiphonam in prima statione a duobus Clericis de secunda forma 
 ad populu conversis habitu non mutato. Similiter a dominica post octavas pasche 
 usqj ad proximam dominicam ante Ascentione dicitur versus a duobus de secunda for 
 ma in superpelliciis, sed non conversis ad populu. In ipsa vero dominica ante Asce 
 tionem dicitur versus a tribus de superiore gradu in. superpelliciis. in pulpito in secuda 
 statione. Preterea in dominica Palmaru processioni sunt quedam specialia, an 
 nexa, scilicet qd aqua benedicetur extra choru sicut quolibet f esto duplici qd con 
 tiagit die dominica, et tertia cantata aspergatur, nisi in die Pentecostes que illo die 
 ante tertiam aspergatur. Deinde fit benedictio floru et frondium et dum distribu 
 untur rami benedicti preparetur feretrti cum reUquiis in quo corpus domini in 
 pixide reponatur et ad locum stationis a duobus clericis de secunda forma non 
 tamen processionem sequendo, sed in loco prime stationis obviam veniendo habi 
 tu non mutato differatur lumine in lantema precedente, et siceat pro cessio pre 
 centore incipiente antiphona, et excellentiore sacerdote exequente officium 
 processionis. In primis eant per ostiu boriaU chori circuens cborti et claustru 
 et exeant in cimiterio magno per domu Choristaru circuens cimiterium usq, ad 
 locum prime stationis et ibi legatur EvangeUti ab ipso Diacono induto ad pro 
 cessionem. Deinde tres Clerici babitu non mutato conversi ad populu ante re 
 Hquias versus cantent. Post sLagulos versus executor officii incipiat An 
 tiphonam conversus ad ReUquias, quam prosequatur chorus cum genuflex 
 ione ab ipso quoqj executore primo cum choro fiat genuflexio. Deinde eat proces 
 sio ad locum secunde stationis Precentore incipiente Antiphona fit autem 
 secunda statio ante ostiu ubi pueri cantant Gloria laus peracta autem statione 
 eat processio ad locu tertie statioriis que fieri solet ante aUud ostium ipsius ecclesie, ex 
 eodem latere ubi tres sacerdotes in ipso ostio habitu non mutato conversi ad popu 
 lu dicant versii : his peractis eat processio ad ostiu occidentale et ibi intret sub cap 
 sula reliquiaru ex transverso ostii elevata, et fiat statio ante crucem, et in ipsa sta 
 tione executor officii incipiat antiphona, cruce jam decooperta, et respondet cho 
 rus cum genuflexione, et sic incipiat sacerdos ter singulis vicibus vocem exaltan 
 do, et post tertiam inceptionem chorus eandem antiphona in ipsa statione totam 
 prosequatur, qua finita intrent choru, cruce etiam super principale altare cooper 
 ta, et sic permaneat tota die discooperta. 
 
 MODUS PROCESSIONIS IN DIE NATALIS DOMINI. 
 
30 
 
 In die Natalis Domini dicta tertia eat processio circa claustrum cum tribus 
 A-Ccolitis tres cruces deferentibus et duobus thuribulum; deinde predicto mo 
 do procedant Eespondia cum prosis cantantes ut infra in ordinali. Cetera om 
 omnia ut prenotatti est, sunt exequenda 
 
 ADOPTATIO EJUSDEM IN ALUS FESTIS DUPLICIB9. 
 
 Modus processionis hujus diei locum habet in omnibus festis dupiicibus 
 novem lectionu per annu que ex sua solemnitate processionem habent excepto qd 
 in aliis prosa non dicitur excepta Purificatione beate Marie, tunc enim dum 
 tertia cantetur executor officii solemni apparatu se induat, et omnes ejus 
 MLoistri sicut ad executionem misse. Tertia dicta idem sacerdos cu suis mi 
 nistris ad altare processionaliter incedat, et cereos ante altare benedicat, et 
 aqua benedicta aspergat, deinde thurificet, his peractis, in stallo suo se re 
 cipiat, dum oerei distribuuntur. Cereis distributis eat processio modo predic 
 to, et in statione ante crucem tres de superiore gradu yersum dicant in pulpito 
 conversi ad populum habitu non mutato. Cetera ut supra. 
 
 ORDO PROCESSIONIS IN CAPITE JEJUNI! 
 
 In capite jejunii post cinerum susceptione eat processio per mediu chori ad 
 ostiu ecclfesie occidentale excellentioribus precedentibus precedente primo vex 
 iUo cilicino. Deinde cruce cum cereis. Deinde vel Episcopus vel executor officii 
 penitentes sigiUatim per manus eijciat ministerio Archidiaconoru si Episcopus 
 presens fuerit, quibus erictis redeat processio ordine solito processionu servato. 
 
 ORDO PROCESSIONIS IN FERIIS PER QFADEAG: 
 
 Preterea sciend, est qd in quadragesime omni feria quarta et sexta usq, ad 
 
 cenam domini nisi festum novem lectionu impediat cantata nona ante incoha 
 
 tionem misse eat processio sine cruce per ostiu boreale presbiteri ad Capellam 
 
 beate Marie retro cboru sacerdote et ministris suis albis indutis. Deinde can 85 
 
 tato Eespondio Clerici ordine quo in clioro ordinantur se prostemant, ita qd 
 
 Sacerdos. ad gradu altaris cum diacono a dextris et subdiacono a sinistris 
 
 Buam faciat prostrationem cum kyrielison et psalmo Miserere, finitis preci 
 
 bus, stando dicat orationem : qua finita cantata lectania a duobus de secun 
 
 da forma usq^ ad Sancta Maria ora pro nobis habitu non mutato, processio 
 
 presbiteriu circumeundo per ostium chori occidentale chorum intret predictis duo 
 
 bus ad gradu chori lectaniam finiantibus et sacerdos cum suis ministris abcedat 
 
 nulla oratione dicta. Eodem modo fit processio quaUbet quarta et sexta 
 
 feria 
 
31 
 feria per quadragasimam. 
 
 PEOCESSIO QUO MODO FIT IN CENA DOMINI. 
 
 In cena domini nona cantata eat processio ad ostiu ecclie occidentale sicut in ca 
 
 pite jejunii, sintq, presentes in atrio ecclie penitentes. Deiade si Epis6opus adest, prin 
 
 cipalis Archidiaconus ex parte penitentium extra ostium lectionem legat in capa 
 
 serica que non legatur Episcopo absente, finita lectione, inoipiat antiphona dicen 
 
 do Ms continue. Yenite. Deinde ex parte penitentiu. Diaconus in albis, flectamus genua 
 
 et Diaconus ex parte Episcopi dicat, Levate, in simili habitu, et ita fiat tribus vicibus 
 
 deinde penitentes sigillatiin per manus ecclie restituat mimsterio Archidiaconorum qui 
 
 bus peractis processio more soUto in chorti redeat. 
 
 OEDO PEOOESSIONIS IN VIGILIA PASCHE. 
 In yigilia Pasche congregatis Olericis in choro executor officii in capa serica, Dia 
 conus dalmatica, Subdiaconus tunica indutus cum ministris suis sine lumine in 
 cereis et igne in thuribulo quodam de prima forma in superpellicio cereti illuminand' 
 in hasta quadam deferente et processione precedente post aque latore per mediu. chori 
 ad novu ignem benedicend' processionaUter eat choro sequente precedentibus excel 
 lentioribus et ad columnam ex parte australi ignem benedicat, quo per acto so 
 lito more redeat processio in chorum duobus de secunda forma cantantibus in su 
 p^rpelliciis versus quosdam. 
 
 PEOCESSIO QFOMODO FIT AD FONTEM EODEM 
 
 DIE. 
 
 ffinita septiformi Letania que a septem pueiis in superpeUiciis dicatur in 
 medio chori et quinqj partita Letania a quinqj Diaconis de secunda forma simili 
 ter in medio chori inchoata in superpeUiciis ad prolationem Sancta Maria ora pro 
 nobis eat processio ad fontes duobus Diaconis de secunda forma in albis oleum et 
 crisma deferentibus inter Subdiaconu et thuribulum pariter incedentibus. Cereus 
 quoqj benedicendus fontibus necessarius precedat accensus quia quodam de 
 prima forma in superpellicio differatur et exeat processio per ostium presbiterii 
 australe et in australi latere ecclie procedendo ad fontes veniat, finita Letania 
 executor officii conversus ad orientem fontibus benedicendis assistat ministris 
 fontem ordinate circumstantibus, scilicet a dextris juxta Sacerdotem stet Diaco 
 nus. Subdiaconus a sinistris. Qui fest Crisma juxta Diaconu stet. Qui 
 autem oleum juxta Subdiaconu qui vero crucem difiert sacerdoti sit oppositus 
 ad eum conversus, juxta quern eodem modo stent duo Ceroferarii. Consecratis 
 
 fontibus 
 
34 
 
 eodem modo ordinatur, et procedit processio, excepto qd hie preoedat Draco et de 
 inde Leo, et missa dicta eat ad locum destinatum et ibi celebrata missa redeat ut prig 
 in letania majore. 
 
 PEOOESSIO QUE FIT IN DIE ASOENTIONIS. 
 
 la die Ascentionis ordiaetur processio sicut in die pasche excepto qd hac die vex 96 
 
 ilia processionis precedunt prius Leo, deinde minora vexilla per ordinem ultimo loco 
 Draco. Deinde inter Subdiaconu et Thuribulum duo de secunda forma capsulam 
 Eeliquiaru in capis sericis deferant. Ipse quoqj Diaconus reliquias deferat pro 
 dispositione Sacristarum. Preterea hac die procedit processio per medium chori 
 et exeat per ostium ecclie occidentale procedendo in septentrionali latere circueundo 
 extrinsecus totam eccliam atriu et per predictu ostiu sicut in die Palmarum intrat. 
 Cetera ut in die Natalis 
 
 PROCESSIO QUE FIT IN VIGILIA PENTECOSTEN. 
 
 In vigilia Pentecostes eodem modo et ordine fit processio ad fontes sicut in 
 vigilia pasche per omnia. 
 
 PROCESSIO QUE FIT IN DIE. 
 
 In die Pentecostes ordinatur processio sicut in die Natalis domini, proce 
 
 dit autem usq^ in atriu sicut in dominica Palmaru et ita sine statione procedit 
 
 per ostium ecclie occidentale. Cetera sicut in die Natalis 
 
 PROCESSIO FESTI CORPORIS XPI. 
 
 In Sabbato quo cantatur Deus omniii ad vesperas post omnes memorias 
 
 fit processio ad crucem eodem modo quo in Sabbato octavaru pasche excepto 
 
 qd hie nuUus dicitur versus in statione et eodem modo fit singulis sabbatis usq, 
 
 ad Adventu domini nisi duplex festum impedierit in redeundo de Sancto 
 
 Andree. 
 
 PROCESSIONES QUE FIUNT VENERATIONIS 
 CAUSA. 
 Fuerit preterea processio venerationis causa ad suseipiend' Regem Ar 
 ehiepiscopum et proprium Episeopu vel Legatum que eodem modo et habitu 
 ordinantur quo in duplicibus festis excepto qd in exundo majores procedut. 
 Procedunt autem per medium chori et ecclie et per ostiu occidentale exeant 
 usqj ad locum destinatum incedentes ibiqj personam suseipiendam in proces 
 sione excellentior persona incenset, et textum deoseuland' porrigat. Deinde 
 duo excellentiores persona earn in redeundo suscipiant et eadem via qua 
 
 accesserant 
 
35 
 
 accesserant usqj ad gradu altaris adducant qua ibi adorand' prostrata excellen 
 tior persona sacerdotti orationem super eum dicat 
 
 PROCESSIO AD HOMINEM MOETUU SUSCIPIEND'. 
 
 Si vero cum processione homo mortuus fit susoipiendus eodem modo ordinetur 
 processio et iucedat in alio tamea habitu, quia sacerdos in bac processione, et ministri 
 in albis incedunt. Chorus autem in capis nigris, et cum ad locum destinatum per 
 venerit processio, cadaver ipsam sacerdos aqua benedicta aspergat, deinde thurificet 
 postea vero in ecclesiam redeant, et si Canonicus fuerit vel Vioarius cujus corpus 
 defertur in chorum differatur ; sin autem, extra chorum in ecclesia, dicta oratione 
 relinquatur et in crastino post capitulum in chorum deferatur. .... 
 
 DE MODO EXEQUENDI OFFICIU DOMINICA PfllMA 
 
 IN ADVENTU AD MISSAM DE OFFIOIIS SINGULO 
 
 EUM MINISTEOEUM. 
 
 Dominica prima in Adventu peracta processione dum tertia canta 
 tur executor officii ad missam dicendam se induat, et si Episcopus fuerit 
 tres habeat Diaconos et tres Subdiaconos sicut in omni f esto novem lectionum 
 quando Episcopus exequitur officiu. In die vero Pentecostes et in die Cene sep 
 tem Diaconos et septem Subdiaconos et tres AccoHtos. In aliis vero dupli 
 cibus quinqj tantum. Die vero Parasceves unu solum Diaconti et unu solu 
 Subdiaconu. Cantata vero tertia et officio misse incohato, dum post officium 
 Gloria patri incohatur executor officii cum suis ministris ordinate presbite 
 riu intrent, et ad altare accedant, Diacono et Subdiacono casulis indutis. 
 manus tamen ad modti sacerdotis extra casulam non tenentibus ceteris mi 
 nistris in albis existentibus. Quibus vero temporibus Diaconi et Subdia 
 coni in casula dalmatica et tunica et albis uti debeant. Dominica prima 
 Adventus in ordinali plene describitur. Ad gradum autem altaris sacer 
 dos ipse confessionem dicat, Diacono assistente a dextris, Subdiacono a 
 sinistris textum deferente. Et sciend' qd quisquis sacerdotis officiu exequi 
 tur semper Episcopus si presens fuerit ad gradum altaris Confiteor dicat, 
 dicta vero absolutione sacerdos textum deosculetur, dinde Diaconu, deinde 
 Subdiaconu qd semper observatur nisi missa pro fidelibus fuerit dicenda, et 
 exceptis tribus ultimis diebus in passione domini. His peractis Ceroferarii 
 
 candelabra 
 
36 
 
 candelabra cum cereis ad gradu altaris dimittant, post humiliationem vero sacerdo 
 tis ad altare fkctain, ipsum altare thurificet Diaconi ministerio. Deinde ab ipso Di 
 acono ipse sacerdos thurificetur et postea textu ministerio Subdiaconi deoaculeter. 
 His peractis in dextro cornu altaris cum Diacono et Subdiacono officium misse 
 usq, ad orationem persequatur sive usqj Gloria in excelsis . quando Gloria in excelsis 
 dicitur ; quo finito cum suis ministris in sedibus ad hoc paratis se recipiant et expec 
 tant ustjj ad orationem dicend', vel in alio tempore usq, Gloria in excelsis exequend' 
 dum vero sacerdos ad officium stat ad altare, Diaconus post eum stet in primo gra 
 du ante altare, ita qd quoties sacerdos ad populu se convertit, Diaconus similiter 
 se converta. Subdiaconus interim ipsi sacerdoti de casula aptanda subministravit. 
 Sciend' autem qd quicquid a sacerdote dicitur ante Epistolam in dextra parte 
 altaris expletur. Similiter post perceptionem Saoramenti. Cetera omnia in medio 
 altaris fiant. Post introitum vero misse unus Ceroferarioru panem et vinum 
 et aqua in pixide et phiolis solemniter ad locu ubi panis vinu et aqua ad Eucaristie 
 ministrationem disponuntur deferat. Eeliquis vero Ceroferariis pelves cu aqua 
 et manutergio, racepta vero ultima oratione ante Epistolam, casula interim deposita 
 Subdiaconus per mediti chori ad legendu Epistolam ad pulpitum accedat. Et dum 
 Epistola legitur, duo pueri in superpelUciis facta inclinatione ad gradum in chori in pul 
 pito ipso se ad cantand' Gratiam preparent. Interim etiam veniant duo Cerofera 
 rii obviam Accolito ad ostiu presbiterii cu veneratione ipsum calicem ad locum 
 predicte administrationis deferenti Offertorio et corporalibus ipsi caHci suppo 
 sitis. Est autem Accolitus in albis et mancello serico ad hoc parato. Calice itaq^ 
 in loco debito deposito, corporaUa ipse Accolitus super altare solemniter deponat . 
 ipsum altare in recessu deosculando. Quo facto Ceroferarii candelabra cu cereis 
 ad gradum altaris dimittant. Leeta Epistola Subdiaconus panem et vinu post 
 manuti ablutionem ad Eucharistie ministrationem in loco ipsius ministrationis prepa 
 ret ministerio Acoliti. Dum Gratia canitur, duo de superiore gradu ad cantand' 
 Alleluia capis sericis se induant, et ad pulpitu accedant. Dicta vero Gracia pueri 
 can tores ad gradum altaris inclinaturi redeant . post lectam vero epistolam, unus 
 Ceroferarioru cum aliquo puero de choro aquilam in pulpito ad legend' Evangeliti 
 ornando preparet. Dum Alleluia canitur Diaconus ablutis prius manibus casu 
 la humerum sinistrum modo stole succinctus corporalia disponat. Dum prosa cani 
 tur Diaconus ipse altare thurificet, deinde ad commonitione pueroru ministran 
 tium a choro ad ministeria sua redeuntiu accepto texto Evangelioru, et dato ei humi 
 liato a sacerdote benedictione cum Ceroferariis et Thuribulo precedente Subdiaco 
 no Hbru lectionis Evangelice deferente per mediti chori ad pulpitum accedat, textum 
 
 ipsum 
 
37 
 
 ipsum super smistram manu solemniter gestando, et cum ad locum legendi perve 
 nerit, textum ipsum Subdiaconis accipiat, et a sinistris ipsius Diaconi ipsu dum 
 Evangelium legitur teneat, et lecto Evangelio ipsum deosculand' ipsi Diacono por 
 rigat a dextra parte ipsius. In redeundo etiam ad altare textum ipsu ex direclo 
 pectoris differat . post inceptionem Credo in unu sacerdos ipse ministerio Diaco 
 ni thurificetur . et postea ministerio pueri more solito chorus incenaetur . sequente Sub 
 diacono textum deosculand' singulis eo ordine quo incensatur porrigente. Hiis 
 peractis Accolito ministrante Subdiacono ipsi Diacono ; sacerdos prius hos 
 tiam super patiaa, deinde calicem a manu Diaconi accipiat. Diacono manti ipsius 
 utraq-, vice deosculante. Postea ordinate sacrificio, et debito modo disposito, Sa 
 cerdos sacrificiu ministerio Diaconi ter in signti crucis thurificet deinde ter in cir 
 cuitu . postea ex utraq^ parte sacrificii quo peracto sacerdos manus abluat, mi 
 nisterio Subdiaconi et aliorum ministrorum. Diacono interim ipsum altare in si 
 nistro cornu incensante, et reliquias more solito et ipsu altare in circuitu. Acceden 
 te autem sacerdote ad divinum obsequiu exequend' Diaconus et Subdiacong suis 
 gradibus ordinate se teneant, et si Episcopus celebraverit, omnes Diaconi in 
 eodem gradu Diaconorum consistant. Principali Diacono mediti locu inter 
 eos obtinente simili modo Subdiaconu in gradu Subdiaconorti se habeat. Ce 
 teris omnibus Diaconis et Subdiaconis gestu principale Diaconi et principale 
 Subdiaconi sacerdoti ad populum convertenti solus ministrat. Sacerdote vero per 
 omnia secula incipiente, Subdiaconus offertoriu et patenam a manu Diaconi 
 accipiat et ipsam tenendam quousqj oratio dominica dicatur. Accolito offer 
 torio cooperto committat in gradu post Subdiaconu interim constitute. Sci 
 end' autem qd pueri ministrantes dum secretu misse tractatur, moram in cboro 
 faciunt exteriorem locu prime forme tenentes, quousqj sacerdos canceUatis ma 
 nibus ad altare se inclinet, tunc enim ad altare accedunt ad ministrand' Diacono 
 in manuu ablutione cum Subdiacbno. Sacerdote vero cum corpore domini cali 
 cem in modu crucis signaute, Diaconus ei a dextris asistat, eiqj in corporalibus 
 Bustinendis subministret. Incohante vero oratione dominica, Diaconus patenam 
 a manu Subdiaconi recipiat, et post dictam orationem dominicam earn sacerdo 
 ti porrigat . post textum per omnia, si Episcopus celebraverit, Diaconus ad 
 populum conversus baculum Episcopi in dextra tenens curvatura baculi ad se 
 conversa dicat. Humiliate vos ad benedictionem . deinde Episcopus eucharistia 
 interim super patenam reposita, super populum faciat benedictionem. Ad agnus 
 del dicend' accedant Diaconus et Subdiaconus ad sacerdotem uterc^ * dextris 
 Diaconus proprior, Subdiaconus remotior. Pacem vero Diaconus a Sacerdote 
 
 recipiat 
 
38 
 
 recipiat . deinde Subdiaconu primo, deinde Episcopum, deinde ad gradu chori Eec 
 torem ex parte Decani, deinde alium ex parte Cantoris osculetur . qui duo paoem 
 choro reportent inoipientes a Deoano et Cantore vel ab hiis qui stallis eorti 
 stant proximiores. Post peroeptionem sacramenti saoerdote ad manus ab 
 luendas veniente Diaconus corporalia conplicet et in loeulo reponat : postea 
 vero ipsa corporalia calici cum offertorio superponat ; ipsuqj calicem du 
 post comunio dicitur ipsi Accolito committat, qui du per omnia dicitur post 
 orationem ea solemnitate qua eu apportavit reportet. Post benedicamus 
 dictu a Diacono iterum casula induto, et ad populu converso, et post in 
 cliaationem ad altare a se factam sacerdos cum suis ministris modo quo 
 accessit, abcedat 
 
 ABOPTATIO SEEYITII DOMINICE PEIIVIE IN 
 
 ADVENTU ET IN ALUS DOMINICIS CUM 
 
 SUIS EXCEPTIONIBUS. 
 
 Modus servitii hujus dominice locum habet omni die domiaica simplici per 
 annu excepto qd in. Adventu et a Septuagesima usqj ad Pascha utuntur Diaconus 
 et Subdiaoonus casulis. In aliis vero temporibus dalmaticis et tunicis. Preterea 
 in predictis temporibus inchoatur missa sine Gloria in excelsis, et terminatur 
 sine Ite Missa est. In aliis vero temporibus cum Gloria in excelsis iacohatur, et 
 cum Ite Missa est terminatur. Preterea nulla die dominica per annu dicitur se 
 quentia ad missam nisi in Adventu domini quando de dominica agitur, et die domi 
 nica que cantatur . dum medium silentium ratione venerationis temporis natalis 
 domiai, et omni die dominica per estatem quando inchoatur historia. Preterea qua 
 libet die dominica per annti dicitur Alleluia ad missam nisi a Septuagesima usqj 
 ad Pascba tunc enim Trinitas cantatur siae Alleluia et sine prosa a quatuor 
 de superiore gradu in capis sericis ad gradum chori, ita qd simul omnes incipi 
 ant, quem duo ex parte chori principales prosequantur aliis duobus interim in ex 
 trema parte forme prime sedentibus, et ita altemis vicibus singuli versus totius Trinita 
 tis ab illis quatuor dicuntur chore interim sedente ita quidem ut omnes simul Tri 
 nitate ipsam terminent. In prima autem dominica quadragesime, et in dominica Pal 
 maru Trinitas a chore alternis vicibus cantatur hinc inde. 
 
 DE MODO EXEQUENDI OFFICIU MISSE SECUNDE EERIE IN 
 
39 
 
 ADVENTU. Secunda feria in Adventu idem modus servitii servatur 
 qui in precedenti dominica quibusdam exoeptis scilicet qd in hac feria intrat saoerdos 
 cum suis ministris ad officium exequend' in initio ipsius officii misse. Preterea Epistola ad 
 gradum chori legitur. Gratia ab uno solo puero in superpelliciis ad gradu chori oantatur. 
 Alleluia ab alio puero tali loco et habitu. Evangelium non in pulpito neo in aquila, sed 
 in presbiterio super pulpito ad hoc parato versus aquilone converso Diaoono qd unus 
 Oeroferarioru. post leotam epistolam in loco debito disponat et exornet. Dum legitur 
 EvangeHti Subdiaconus textum teneat in faciem ipsius legentis uno Ceroferario ip 
 si Diacono a dextris assistente. Preterea post lectum Evangeliu sacerdos textum 
 Evangelii ministerio Diaconi deosculetur, sed tunc non thurificetur nee cborus incen 
 setur. Nunquam enim post EvangeKu chorus ad missam incensatur nisi quando 
 Credo in unu dicitur . sed tunc semper. Preterea pax a Diacono choro apportatur 
 per duos extremes de secunda forma. Cetera ut prius. Preterea hac feria ante ter 
 tiam dicitur missa in Capitulo pro fidelibus cum Diacono et Subdiacono albis 
 tantu indutis qd semper observatur in omni missa pro fidelibus defunctis, nisi qua 
 do pro Episcopis ipsius ecclie defunctis celebratur et in crastino omniu Scantorti 
 et in solemnibus, tunc enim dalmatica et tunica utuntur 
 
 ADOPTATIO OFFICII HUJUS FEME IN ALUS FERIIS PER 
 
 ANNUM. 
 
 Similis modus servitii servetur omnibus feriis per annu accepto qd a sep 
 tuagesima usqj ad Pascha non dicitur Alleluia ad missam, sed repetatur gra 
 tia nisi quando Trinitas sequitur per totam Quadragesimam vero secun 
 da quai-ta et sexta feiia dicitur Trinitas a choro alternatim. Preterea in vigi 
 lia Natalis domini Accolitus dum oratio ante Epistolam dicitur ad gradu chori , 
 veniat et ibi Lectionem ante Epistolam legat . qua lecta Epistola ibidem sine inter 
 vallo legatur. Preterea in omni quatuor temporum quarta feria simili modo Ac 
 colitus lectionem legat ante Epistolam, sed tunc sine Dominus vobiscu precedat ora 
 tio, et cantus sine iatervallo lectionem sequatur. Simili modo in Sabbatis quatuor 
 temporu primam Lectionem legat Accolitus . deiude sequentes in secunda forma 
 discurrant pro dispositione tabule componentis, et in superpelliciis ita ut ultima 
 a Sacerdote. Cantus vero post singulas lectiones singuli pueri pro dispositione 
 Cantoris in superpelliciis cantent. Post ultimam tamen lectionem cantent duo de 
 secunda forma in superpelliciis ad gradum chori, sicut et pueri. Trinitas vero post 
 Epistolam chorus alternatim cantet. 
 
 DE MODO EXEQUENDI 
 
OFFICII PRIME MISSE IN DIE NATALIS DOMINI. 
 
 In die Natalis domini post Te deum Laudamus excellentior sacerdos primam mis 
 sam cantet, cujus ministerium expletur sicut in dominica excepto qd Diaconus et 
 Subdiaconus et Accolitus utuntur dalmatica et tunica. Preterea cum Gloria in ex 
 celsis missa dicitur. Lectio ante Epistolam ab aliquibus duobus pro dispositione 
 Cantoris in capis sericis cantetur, et sine intervallo Epistola legatur. Gratia in 
 pulpito in capis sericis a tribus de secunda forma cantetur. Alleluia a tribus 
 de excellentioribus ibidem dicatur. Preterea si EpisCopus exequatur officiu om 
 nes ministri in choru ad prosam cantand' veniant preter principalem Diaconu 
 et principalem Subdiaconu, et ibi moram faciant Diaconi et Subdiaconi cum 
 Eectoribus chori donee principalis Diaconus a pulpito post lectu EvangeKu 
 per chorum redeat. Preterea in processione ad legendum EvangeUu crux pre 
 cedit, deinde Thuribulu, deinde Subdiaconus, deinde Diaconus. Crux vero 
 a dextris erit legenti EvangeHu, facie vero crucifixi ad legentem conversa. Lee 
 to Evangelio principalem Diaconu ceteri Diaconi et Subdiaconi a choro usqj 
 ad altare processionaUter ita qd bini precedant Subdiaconu, deinde principalis 
 Subdiaconus in ultimo ordine Subdiaconoru uno Subdiacono incedente ei a dex 
 tris altero a sinistris. Postea secuntur Diaconi ordine simili dispositi, et hoc ipso 
 modo fit ordin4 ad introitum misse dominu Episcopu precedant. Preterea ad 
 incensand' chorti post Credo in unu, duo veniunt Thuribula, duo Subdiaconi 
 cum duobus textis sequentes. Si autem Episcopus non celebraverit, unu texto 
 ru deferat Accolitus ex parte Cantoris . prime autem incensandus cum duobus 
 Thuribulis Cantor . deinde principales Rectores chori ex utraq, parte sui . de 
 inde duo Kectores secundarii . postea chorus solito modo. Eodem modo sequatur 
 textus. In pace danda primo deosculetur Diaconus principalem Subdiaconu a quo 
 ceteri Diaconi et Subdiaconi paoem sumant ; deinde duos secundarios Rectores qui 
 primo pacem deferant Cantori et ejus duobus coUateraUbus Rectoribus principa 
 Kbus postea principalibus Rectoribus pacem ipsam ex parte Dicani et Cantoris 
 deferentibus secundariis vero ex parte Cancellarii. . . . ' 
 
 MODUS EXEQUENDI OFFICIU SECUNDE MISSE 
 EADEM DIE. 
 
 Secundam missam celebrabit sacerdos quem Cantor ad hoc elegerit. Qui 
 
 dam de secunda forma legat Lectionem ante Epistolam in superpellicio quam con 
 
 tinuo 
 
41 
 
 continuo sequatur Epiatola. Diaconus ab Episcopo benedictionem accipiat ad pronu 
 ciand' Evangelium, et post lectum Evaigeliti per Episcopu transeundo eum pri' 
 incensabit et postea Subdiaconus textum ei apertum deosculand' porriget, pace 
 quoqj statim post deosculatti Subdiaconti ipsi Episcopo Diaconus porriget. Ce 
 tera ut supra domiaica prima Adventus. .... 
 
 DE OFFICIO TERTIE MISSE EADEM DIE 
 TERTIAM missam Episcopus vel excellentior alius Sacerdos absente eo simili 
 modo ut prima oelebrabit preter processionem in qua omnea Diaconi et Subdiaconi 
 ministraturi processionaliter incedent 
 
 ADOPTATIO SERVITII HUJUS DIEI IN ALUS FESTIS 
 OMNIBUS CIRCA REGIMINE CHORI PER ANNUM. 
 
 SiMiLis modus servitii observatur in omnibus duplicibus festis per annum 
 non continuis et in continuis etiam excepto qd ibi non semper excellentior sacer 
 dos exequitur officium, secundum gradus dignitatu personaru fiat descensus ut 
 in Natali et in Pascha et Pentecosten similis quoq, modus servatur in omni festo 
 et in omnibus octavis et feriis infra octavas cum regimine chori . excepto qd in pre 
 dictis feriis cantatur Alleluia in pulpito a Rectoribus chori habitu non mutato. 
 Preterea si aliqd festum novem Lectionu in Quadragesima fiat aliqua feria an 
 te tertiam missa dicitur in dalmaticis et tunicis . post nona vero missa de jejunio 
 in albis utraqj ad principale altare 
 
 DE MODO EXEQUENDI OFFIOIU MISSE IN FESTIS 
 
 TRIUM LECTIONUM. 110 
 
 Similis modus in festis trium Lectionu qui in feriis exceptis prostrationibg 
 et exceptis festis in quibus Invitatoriu a duobus cantatur. In talibus enim festis 
 Gratia a duobus pueris in superpelHciis ad*Gradu chori cantatur. Alleluia ve 
 ro a duobus de secunda forma eodem loco et habitu. In festo tamen trium 
 Lectionu quo Alleluia Laudate primu dicitur cantatur idem Alleluia a du 
 obus pueris in superpelliciis ad gradum 
 
 QUANDO COOPERIENDE SUNT IMAGINES IN 
 
 ECCLESIIS. 
 3o 
 
42 
 
 Secunda feria prime hebdomade quadragesime ad vesperas omnes cruces 
 
 et Imagines et reliquie, et vas etiam continens eucharistiam sunt cooperta usc^ 
 
 ad matutinas in die Pasche preterqua in Annticiatione et in Ramis palmarum. 
 
 DE VELO IN QUADRAGESIMA. 
 
 A Sabbato etiam precedente usqj ad quartam feriam ante Pascha velu quod 
 dam dependet in presbiterio inter chprum et altare qd per totam quadrageaimam 
 in feriis quando de feriis agitur debet esse dimissum, nisi du Evangeliun legitur . 
 tunc enim interim extoUitur et elevatum dependet, quousqj a sacerdote dicatur 
 •Orate fratres, et si in crastinu sequitur festu novem lectionu de cetero eo die no 
 dimittetur . nee etiam ante proximas matutinas feriales. Si tamen in ipso festo 
 fiat missa de jejunio dimittetur velum usqj ad inceptione Evagelii et non ulterius. 
 
 DE ORDINATIONE SERYITII QUAETA FERIA 
 ANTE PASCHA. 
 
 Quarta autem feria ante Pascha dum passio domini legitur ad prola 
 tionem hujus clausule, velum templi scissum est, predictti velum in area presbite 
 rii decidat . bao enim die ad vesperas usq, ad missam in crastino campane pulsen 
 tur cborus vero non regitur. Luminaria ut iu die palmarum accendantur. Anti 
 pbone super psalmos in secunda forma discurrant. Eespondiu quoqj in secunda 
 forma cantetur ab uno solo. Nulle preces ad vesperas. Nulla media post vespe : 
 coUecta . babitu non mutato ad gradum cbori dicitur, nee versus de sancta Maria 
 in coventu dicantur nee ab bince usq^ in crastinu post octavas Pasche. Complete 
 riu solito modo ahsq^ prostratione et super psalmo penitentiale solemuiter dicitur 
 cum versu super antipbona, psalmo, Nunc dimittis in secunda forma cantandu. 
 
 DE ACCENSIONE CANDELARUM IN CENA DOMINI 
 AD MATUTINAS. 
 
 In CENA domini ad missam viginti quatuor candele accendantur . quare 
 siugule ad inceptionem unicujusq^ antipbone et Eespondii extinguantur. 
 Similiter fiat ia sexta feria et in Sabbato antipbone super psalmos in superiori 
 si'adu discurrant . facta iuceptione ab aliquo de excellentioribus ex parte De 
 cani et bic ordo prosequendus est per duos sequentes dies. Gloria patri bm 
 nino Lntermittatur. Prima antipbona in Laudat a primo de secunda forma 
 
 ex parte 
 
43 
 
 ex parte chori incipiatur . secunda ex opposite a suo pari . deinde oetere per ordi 
 nem in. eadem forma Mnc inde disourrant, qui ordo per sequentes noctes conti 
 rniatur. Nullum Capitulu ad has matutinas dicitur neo hymnus. Dum 
 ultimus psalmus ia Laudat: dicitur lumen ubi videri nequeat abscondatur . 
 finita quinta antiphona in Laud : omnia luminaria extinguantur per eocle 
 siam Antiphona super psalmu Benedict ab excellentiore incipiatur 
 
 DE MODO CONFICIENDI CRISMA EODEM DIE. 115 
 
 In cena domiai mane surgant custodes ecclie et preparent omnia que ad consecra 
 tionem oleorum sunt necessaria. Si Episcopus fuerit presens adsint cum eo tres 
 ArcMdiaconi induti capis sericis ad deducend' Pontificem ad altare, et ad regend' 
 ceteros ministros pro oleis benedicendis similiter sex sacerdotes casulati, similiter sep 
 tern Diaooni dalmaticis et totidem Subdiaooni tunicis ad peragend' injunctu officium 
 Interim chorus regatur a duobus de superiori gradu qui iacipiant . ffestive. OfGLcium 
 Nos . antiphonam cu Gloria patri et cum Gloria in excelsis et cetera que seountur 
 festive crux. Episcopo autem incipiente. Te igitur procedat de vestiario quidam vir 
 garius et quidam deferens vexUlum in superpeUicio, deinde duo Oeroferarii, deinde crux 
 tunica induta, deinde Diaconus dalmaticis deferens oleu infirmorti ad benedicend' 
 deinde Archidiaconus . dictaqj Te igitur secundu ordinem quousqs scilicet Veniet 
 quesumus Largitor, antequam dicitur Per quem hec omnia domine, appropin 
 quans Diaconus cum reverentia ampuUam cum oleo infirmoru subministret 
 Episcopo super quam ter signu crucis faciet Episcopus ac ter sufflet La earn per 
 ficiatqj exorcismu audientibus qui secus altare stant ministris, minim e. Dominp 
 vobiscum. neq, oremus, sed ita direote. Exorciso te sequatur hec benedictio . scilicet 
 Dominua vobiscu, et oremus, oratio. - Omnipotens sempiterne deus, vel oratio 
 Emitte, qua dicta usq, ad remis : p. i. n. i. x. fi. t**. d'. n. erectat se Episcopus 
 ad altare et elevatis manibus dicat. Per quem hec omnia . hie removeatur dedi 
 catu oleum infirmoru et sinistra parte altaris stet et peragatur missa usq^ per J 
 veniatur ad Per omnia secula seculoru ante Agnus dei. Tunc secundo alius 
 Diaconus accedat ut primus ampuUam cum oleo sancto deferens super quam 
 ter signu crucis faciet Episcopus ter(^ in eam sufflet exorcismu perficiens circu 
 stantibus audientibus ut prius. Exorciso te, deinde Episcopus benedicat oleu 
 et dicat Dominus vobiscum . oremus. Domine deus pater optime . alia oratio 
 Deus qui virtute. Tunc removeatur oleum sanctum, et stet a dextris altaris, post 
 hec revertente Pontifice ad sedem suam procedant de vestiario ministri sacris 
 vestibus induti per septem ordines, quas precedent duo vigarii. Item tres pueris 
 
 cantantes 
 
44 
 
 cantantes Redemptor . et alios versus qui Secuntur choro semper repetente 
 primu versum. In secundo ordine duo Diaconi deferentes duo vexilla. In tertio 
 duo Ceroferarii. In quarto duo deferentes duo tturibula. In quinto duo Diaco 
 ni cum duobus textis. In sexto quatuor Aocoliti deferentes palliu sub quo eat 
 quidam senex presbiter indutus alba et casula deferens cum syndone munda 
 ampullam crismatis. In septimo ordine duo cruces, scilicet post palliu, et deinde 
 Arcbidiaconus, et ita processionaliter ad altare accedant, pueri vero preceden 
 tes canant bos versus, cborus post unuquemq^ versum idem repetat 
 
 Prosa percantata Episcopus cum magna devotione incipiat bymnu Veni 
 Creator . primus versus cantatur a Clericis secus altare stantibus . secundus a cho 
 ro, et ita alternatim cantetur, quo finito deferat sacerdos ampullam crismatis et mis 
 ceatur ab Bpiscopo in ea balsamu super quam ter signu crucis faciat, terqj in ea sufilet 
 deinde conversus ad orientem benedicat crisma dicens Dominus vobiscum. Oremus 
 fratres, Et cetera post banc benedictionem dicat Episcopus alta voce per omnia 
 secula seculoru. Dominus vobiscum. Sursum corda. Gratias agamus . vere 
 dignu eterne deus qui in principio inter cetera usq, facies esse consortes, dein 
 de legendo dicat. Per eundem dominti nostru. Post has benedictiones idem sacerdos 
 ampullam crismatis syndone cooperiat eamqj in dextra parte altaris tabernacu 
 lo sequente quousqj Agnus dei cantetur . stans cum reverentia teneat. Hie vertat se 
 Episcops ad altare, et dicat alta voce per omnia secula seculoru. Tunc Diacomis 
 qui Evangeliu legerit dicat. Humiliate vos ad benedictione. Data benedictione di 
 cat Episcopus. Et pax ejus sit semper vobiscum. Tunc Rectores incipiant Agnus 
 dei, et tunc defferatur Episcopo vas crismatis ad deosculand' loco pacis, et dicat Epus 
 et omes alii Ave sanctum crisma. Deinde in choru eo ordine quo cborus solet tburifi 
 cari, sicq-, Eectores incobent Dominus Jesus. Quo finito idem sacerdos cti duobus 
 Diaconis sequentibus easdem ampuUas sub palleo ceteris ministris ordinatis et pre 
 cedentibus pueris et cantantibus residuos versos ut prius cum devotione in sacra 
 riti deportent 
 
 DE OFFICIO CUJUSLIBET PERSONE. 
 
 Decanus, et Cantor, Cancellarius, e Thesaurarius Subdecanus et Sue 
 center residentes sint assidue in ecclia Wellen remota omni excusationis specie 
 nisi necessaria et evidens causa possit eos excusare. Dignitas Decani est et omniti 
 Canonicoru, nt alicui in nullo respondeant nisi in Capitulo, et judicio tantum Ca 
 pituli pareant. Debet enim Decanus causas omnes ad Capitulu spectantes audire 
 
 et judicio 
 
45 
 
 et judicio Capituli terminare. Nullus Clericoru de superioii gradu vel de secu 
 
 da forma in choro admittitur, nee sibi iminiuat vel a civitate recedat, nisi ipsius 
 
 authoritate vel licentia. Omnes tenentur illi assurgere et inclinare, et debitum 
 
 honorem exhibere. Canonici ab Episoopo inatitutionem, a Decano vero possessio 
 
 nem de Prebendis una cum communia accipiunt. Habent etiam curiam suam 
 
 in omnibus Prebendis suis, et dignitatem Archidiaconi ubicucb Prebende as 
 
 signate fuerint in Batbon diocese sive in ecclesiis vel decimis aut terris, ita qui 
 
 dem qd nulla omnino exigentia in done vel in asisa vel aliqua consuetudine ab epo 
 
 vel a (juolibet alio fiat in prebendis eorum, sed omnes libertates et omnes dignita 
 
 tes plenarie et pacifice habent. Quando vero aliquis constituitur Canonicus 
 
 debet coram fratribus in Capitulo jurare presente Evangelic se dignitates et con 
 
 suetudiaes Well : inviolabUiter observaturu. Decanus omnibus Canonicis et 
 
 omnibus Vicariis preest quoad regimen animaru et correctioneni moru. Cantor. 
 
 debet chorum regere quo ad cantum, et potest cantus elevare et deponere, et scho stolas . 
 
 las cantuu per oflicialem suu regere, omnesqj cantus ab Episcopo incipiendos vid. pa. 55 
 
 ipsi Episcopo in propria persona tenetur injungere. Ad ilium pertinet puerorum scholas 
 
 instructio, et disciplina et eorundem in choro admissio et ordinatio. Thesaurarius 
 
 in conservandis thesauris et ornamentia et in administrandis luminaribus pre 
 
 muniet. Similiter et Cancellarius in scholia regendis, et in libris ecclesie corrigen 
 
 dis. Archidiaconi in sollicitudine parochiarum et in cura poUent animaru. Deca 
 
 nus et Cantor. Archidiaconus Cancellarius et Thesaurarius duplicem percipiunt 
 
 communa Reliqui Canonici simplicem, sed in communa non percipiat nisi qui resi 
 
 dens fuerit Canonicus in ecclla. Si Canonicus dedicationi interfuerit eque perci 
 
 pit de oblationibus cum Capellanis Episcopi. Si dominus Episcopus ecclias vel 
 
 Capellas Prebendarti dedicaverit, nihil ibi percipiunt Capellani Episcopi neo alii 
 
 nisi solus Canonicus cujus fuerit Prebenda. Sul^decanus a Decano arohidiacona 
 
 turn urbis et suburbii. Succentor a Cantore que ad cantariam pertinent possidet. 
 
 Si Decanus defuerit ecclle, Subdecanus vices ejus impleat. Succentor similiter et 
 
 Cantoris. Archischola debet Lectiones ascultare et terminare, sigillu ecclie portare 
 
 et custodire, Literas et cartas componere, Literasq^ legendas in Capitulo legere et 
 
 omnes etiam Lectiones ad missam que in tabula non scribuntur tenetur injungere 
 
 et in tabula Lectores notare. Et Cantor similiter ministros altaris et cantores. 
 
 Seniores observandi sunt ut fratres Veruntamen si quotidiano sacrificio vel horis 
 
 canonicis absc^ rationabili causa sepius defuerint Canonici et a Decano correpti 
 
 hoc non emendaverint debent coram Decano in Capitulo et fratribus veniam 
 
 recipere. Si vero de inobedientia et rebellione vel alio notorio deprehensi fuerint 
 
46 
 
 debent a sballo digradari, et ad ostiu choii post Deoanu vel in choro ultimi pueroru 
 secuiidu quantitatem delicti peniteatiam agere . qd si hanc disciplinam neglexe 
 lint, et incorrigibiles apparuerint severiori subjaceant ultioni. Subdecanum vero 
 et Succentorem nihil potest excusare, quin et ipsi residentes sint omnino in ecolesia 
 Well : nisi causa scholarum vel pro communi utilitate ecclle et prebende sue, et hoc 
 fuerit in manifesto, poterunt pro volantate Capituli per anni tertiam partem abesse. 
 Item Decanus et Subdecanus non poterunt simul abesse, qd si Decanus absens fue 
 rit Subdecanus vices ejus impleat. Similiter nee Cantor et Succentor poterunt in 
 ecclia Wellen simul abesse. Si vero Precentor absens fuerit, Succentor vices ejus 
 suppleat. Si Canonicus Well : ecclle decesserit in die Anniiciationis beate Marie, vel 
 post infra festii scti Michaelis idem Canonicus habebit omnes fructus terre tarn se 
 minate quam ad illu terminu seminande, preter illud in hoc qd ad Warectti pertinet 
 de quo defunctus habebit duas garbas et commune tertia, habebit itiam defunctus om 
 nes redditus assises de proximo termino post decessum suu. Si autim obierit in crastino 
 scti Michaelis vel post infra Annticiatione dominica nihil percipiet nisi redditum 
 proximi termini post obitu suu, et omnes fructus quietos quos prius collegerit, excepto 
 implemento si qd debetur illi Prebende. Et post Ulum terminu percipiet tertiam parte 
 totius Prebende anni sequentis cu communa. Preterea singulis diebus dicetur to 
 turn psalteriu pro fratribus et benefactoribus Well : ecclle, et singulis hebdomadis ce 
 lebrantur due misse pro salute vivoru et requie defunctoru. Et si quis ex hiis obierit 
 fratribus, si ei in vita sua placuerit ut in cimiterio ejusdem ecclie sepeliatur a Cano 
 nicis cum processione bonorifice suscipietur corpus ipsius absq, omni exactione pe 
 cunie. Preterea participes erunt in omnibus elemosinig, et orationibus et beneficiis 
 que fiunt in eadem ecclesia. Preterea universis presbiteris per totu episcopatu con 
 stitutis injungetur per obedientiam qd nomina fratru predictoru infra annti deftic 
 toru scripta secum ad proximu Synodu deferant, ut a Canonicis plenarie celebretur 
 servitium pro animabus fratrum illorum. Et omnibus presbiteris in prefato Sy 
 nodo per obedientiam similiter injungetur, qd et ipsi plenarium similiter servitiu pro 
 animabus illorum faciant 
 
 DE MODO ET ORDINE PROCESSIONIS QUE FIT IN FESTO 
 CORPORIS ET SANGUINIS JESU XPI. 
 
 In festo corporis xpi tertia dicta ordinetur processio sicut in aliis majoribus dupli 
 cibus, ita qd in hac processione ordinetur feretru in quo sit corpus dominicum depen 
 dens decentur honestiori modo quo poterit. Item duo sacerdotes in pleno vestitu sicut de 
 
 Get ad missa - 
 
47 
 
 cet ad missam portantes predictum feretrum. Item quatuor Clerici in albis, et tunicis 
 deferentes palliu de serico per quatuor hastas, scilicet feretru et sacerdotem, et exeat proces 
 sio per mediu chori et navis ecclesie et exeat per ostiu occidentali circuens thesaurariu claus 
 trum et cimiteriu, et redeat per idem ostiu quo egressa est. Trea Olerici de superiori gra 
 du ia medio processiouis in capis sericis dicant prosam 
 
 DE MODO EXEQUENDI OFFICIU SOLENNE MORTUORUM 
 
 IN ECCLIA WELL: QUOD DICITUR IMMEDIATE 
 
 POST VESPERAS BEATE MARIE JN CHORO. 
 
 Ad Placebo et ad Dirige omnes Antiphone in superiori gradu discurrant. Ita 
 qd prima antiphona ad Placebo et ad Dirige incipiatur a proximo vicario post Sub 
 decanu vel superiore . secunda antiphona a suo pari ex opp^sito, et cetere per ordine 
 in eodem gradu discurrant. Ad Laudat : antiphonse in superiori gradu similiter dis 
 currant et incipiantur a quodam vicario priQcipali capite a stallo Cancellarii vel 
 Thesaurarii, et sic ascendendo tamen antiphone super Magnificat et Benedict : a quo 
 dam seniore . chorus non regitur nisi pro magno domino, ad placitu tamen Eectoris cho 
 ri psalmos intonent vel intonari faciant ex aliquibus de superiori gradu stallo nee 
 habitu mutato. Lectioues in pulpito legantur quarum quartam primus de minoiibus 
 vicariis in secunda forma legat, secundam vero a suo pari ex opposite, tertia, quarta ' 
 et quinta et cetere Lectiones de superiori gradu hinc inde discurrant incipiendo a prin 
 cipali capite a stallo Cancellarii vel ThesaurariL Primu Respondiu a duobus de 
 prima forma cantetur secundum tertium quartum a duobus de secunda forma, quintu 
 sextum et relique a duobus de superiori gradu juxta ordinem Lectorti hinc inde discur 
 rant preter nonu Respondiu qd a tribus cantetur cum tribus versibus, et omnia Res 
 pondia ad gradum chori cantentur, coUecte a sacerdote capitis dicantur stallo nee 
 habitu mutato . chorus non tenetur stare nisi ad Psalmu Magnificat, et inde usq, 
 ad intonatione primi psalmi ; ad Dirige et in fine tertie sexte none antiphone usq, 
 ad inceptione lectionis sequentis, et dum nonu Respondiu repetatur usq^ ad primi 
 psalmi intonationem super Laudate, et ad psalmu Benedict : quousqj totum servitiu 
 compleatur. Commemoratio immediate post caput dicetur sine nota et choro sede 
 do alternatim nisi pro magno domino ad placitum. Eodem modo fiat serviciu mortuoru 
 in paschali tempore cum tribus Lectionibus, preter quam qd tunc omnes Leptiones et 
 Respondia de superiori gradu dicantur. .... 
 
48 
 
 DE MODO EXEQUENDI OFFIOIU MISSE EJUSDEM. 
 
 Ad missam Precentor officiu incoliat, psalmu intonat, kyrieleson, Offertoriu 
 Sanctus et Agnus et post communio similiter nisi regatur chorus ut supra. Epis 
 tola ad gradum chori legatur. Gratia ibidem a duobus de superiore gradu dicitur 
 habitu non mutato. Tractus de eodem gradu a tribus ibidem in simili habitu dici 
 tur, scilicet primus versus ab illia ttibus, secundus a toto choro, et sic dicitur alter 
 natim. Evangeliu legatur super aquLlam ad dextra cornu altaris, Diaconus dal 
 m^tica et Subdiaconus tunica induant 
 
 DE MODO EXEQUENDI OFFICIU SIMPLEX MOKTUORU 
 PER TOTU ANNU QUOD INCIPIATUR IMMEDIATE 
 
 POST pulsation! prima AD'VESPERAS. 
 
 Ad Placebo omnes antiphone in; secunda forma discurrant hinc inde incipiendo 
 a primo capite ex parte Decani vel Precentoris nisi antiphona super psalmum . 
 Magnificat, que incohetur in superiori gradu, quidam de eodem gradu ex utraq, par 
 te cbori pro dispositione Rectoris psalmos intonent habitu non mutato. Ad Diri 
 ge prima secunda tertia quarta et quiata antiphona in secunda forma hinc inde dis 
 currant, ut ad Placebo sexta et cetere antipli|)ne in superiori gradu usq^ ad fine die 
 ti officii discurrant . prima Lectio secunda tertia, quarta et quinta in secunda forma. 
 Legantur stando stallo nee habitu mutato. Lectio sexta septima et octava et nona ' 
 predicto modo in superiori gradu hinc inde discurrant. Respondia a Precentore 
 inchoantur, versus Respondii cantentur ab hiis qui Lectiones legerunt stallo nee 
 habitu mutato ad nonu Resp : non dicatur nisi unus versus tantu Resp : non repetitur. 
 Preterea chorus totus sit prostratus in feriis et in festis novem Lectionu, si sequi 
 tur feria ad Placebo, dum dicitur kyrieleson xpel kyrieleson usq^ ad intonationem 
 primi psalmi . ad Dirige et ad singulas turbas dum pater noster, et ad Laud dti 
 dicitur kyriel : quousqj totti servitiu compleatur. Missa dicitur ferialiter sine dal 
 matica et tunica. Trinitas dicitur alternatim a toto choro. 
 
 DE MODO DICENDI PSALTEEIU PRO FRATRIBUS DE 
 FUNCTIS SI CORPUS ADEST PRESENS . IMMEDIATE 
 
 POST 
 
49 
 
 POST PULSATIONE IGNITEGII CONVENIANT fratres ad 
 chorum pro psalterio dicendo. In primis ex parte cliori cadaveris defuncti pro dispo 
 sitione Eectoris cliori in superiori gradu ab aliquo seniore inoipiatur Antiphona 
 Requiem eternam. Beatus vir intonet ibidem pro dispositione Reotoris et ceteri 
 psalmi sequentur vizet quinquage 
 
 DE OFFICIO THESAURARII 
 ECCLESI^ WELLEN: 
 
 In ecclesia Wellen : ardere cereus perpetuus in 
 bacino ad gradum chorL Item super majus altare debent 
 ardere duo cerei de dono domini JosUini Epi quotiens legitur 
 vel canitur in choro. Isti tres cerei sufficiunt ad omnes boras 
 per totum annum et in simplicibus feriis in Ic sine reg° 
 cho : et in feriis debent ardere ad missam vespertinis et 
 matutinis silicet cum ill : tres cerei in tribus bacinis ante 
 altare : ffinitis autem matutinis et vespertinis canonicis 
 extinctis duobus cereis in bacinis ante altare medius debet 
 ardere dum dicuntur privatim in choro matutine et vesptine 
 de Sancta Maria : Et hiis patet quod in omnibus simplicibus 
 feriis iii. Ic. sine regie chori et feriis sive in tempore 
 Paschse sive extra ad matutina missam et ad vespertina 
 debent ardere in choro sex cerei tantum : In feriis autem 
 simplicibus novem Ic : 1 trium cum regie chori sive in 
 tempore Paschse sive extra except coinemoracon vl supra 
 debent ardere decern cerei Silicet viz sex sup trabe et 
 duo in duobus bacinis cum illis duobus ex dono Joselini : 
 In omnibus autem principalibus et majoribus duplicibus 
 feriis ad minus ad missam et ad utrasqj ves debent 
 ardere in choro viginti et sex cerei : In duplicibus et 
 
 minoribus 
 
 3h 
 
50 
 
 minoribus duplicibus per totum annum decern et octo in trabe 
 
 in tertia et quarta feriis ebdomidse Pasctse in tertia et quarta 
 
 feriis ebdomidse penticost a prima missa In nocte natalis dni 
 
 in Inventone Sanctae crucis, in festo Michaelis, in festo Sti 
 
 Bartholomei et Sti Nicholai Bpi In omnibus aliia minoribus duplicibg 
 
 dicend' ut supra in feriis simplicibus novem Ic . . . . 
 
 Preterea in utrocfj festo Sancti Andrese in nocte natal 
 
 domini ad ms . et ad missam ejusdem noctis, in 
 
 ffesto Bpiphanise, Pasclise, Assentionis, Penticost et omnibg 
 
 fastis beatse Marise silicet Ooncepfcionis, Purificationis, 
 
 Anuntiationis, Assumpt', Nativitatis, dedicationis . . .. 
 
 reliquiarti et omnium Sanctoru debent ardere duo . . 
 
 cerei in pulpito ad minus tantum, et etiam per totam 
 
 ebdomidam Pasolise quamdiu durat propi? ante crucem 
 
 post matutin. De cereis ceroferariis ita est In simplicibus 
 
 feriis et feriis trium Ic. . . siue regie chor : Sufficit unus 
 
 ceroferarius tantum In omnibus aliis festis iii. Ic. . . 
 
 Et quando fit comemoratio de Sancta Maria et de Sto 
 
 Andrea debent deferri duo ceroferarii Item quotiens legitur 
 
 vel canitur in. cboro et Episcopus presens fuerit coram 
 
 eo ardeant duo alii cerei ceroferaf et in recessu suo 
 
 deferrantur coram eo donee veniet in Cameram suam 
 
 siliter fit de omnibus aliis Epis. Quotiens sacerdos 
 
 vadit ad incensandum altare debent precedere et ceroferar' 
 
 duo et sive competant duo ceroferarii sive unus semper 
 
 debent precedere sac . . . aocensi vel accensus in introitu 
 
 missse et recessu : Ad omnes privatas missas ad altare 
 
 utrqj Sancti Stephani sancti Johannis et ad missam in 
 
 capitulo quando canitUr alias quam ad majus altare 
 
 debent accendi duo cerei de quatuor lib : et ardere usq^ 
 
 ad finem missse. Prseterea ministri altaris debent habere 
 
 minutam candelam ad accendend' ad lib' cum opus ffiit 
 
 quando cerei non possunt comode altari ad librum : 
 
 Quilibet cereus qui ardere debet circa majus altare et 
 
 in bacinis et circa crucem debent esse de marca ad minus 
 
 silicet cerei qui debent ardere per noctem ante altaria 
 
 consueta 
 
51 
 
 consueta in solempnitate Sanctorum in quorum honore 
 dedioantur debent autem ardere a principio primarti 
 vespertinarum usc^ ™ crastinum post magnam missam 
 viz' in hiis festis In utroqj festo Ste crucis ad altare Sancte crucis 
 in festis Sanctse Marise Magdalense, beatae Katharinae, 
 Margaretse et Cicilise ad altare earum : In utroqj festo 
 Sancti Johannis Evangelist! ad altare ejusdem : In festis 
 Sanctorum Laurencii, Vincencii, Thorn se martiris et . . . 
 Quintini ad altare eorundem : In festis Sanctoru Pancracii, 
 Kalixti, Dionisii, et EustacMi ad altare eorum. In festis 
 Sanctorum Martini, Dunstani, Gregorii et Edwardi ad 
 altare eorum. Omnes autem cerei ceroferarii et illi quos 
 debent quinq, personse portare ad pc . ad altaria S*?? 
 Stepbani et Johannis ad natalem debent esse de lib : 
 Cerei autem ad omnes privatas missas et cerei puerorum 
 in purificacone et cerei hercse in nocte tenebrarum de 
 quatuor Hbris Ad missam diii Epi duo cerei de Maroa si ipe 
 forte celebraverit privatim quatuor de Marcis Si dominus 
 Decanus celebraverit privatim duo cerei de Marc Si Ide 
 unus cereus in sepulch"- cum corpore Donico que continue 
 ardebit ibm donee matutine cantentur in die Paschse. Item 
 cereus pascal' debet accendi in benedictione ejusdem et ardere 
 Continue donee complet' finiatur in die Paschse. AD 
 Thesaurarium ptinet eccliam cum opus fuerit mundare et 
 omnia quae infra ecolesiam sunt custodire. SiHcet Thesaurariu 
 vasa ornamenta, oia omamenta cereca quam linea 
 emendare et resarsire cum serico Beati Andrese. Si aliquis forte 
 de novo faciendum fuerit ad prebend' S"- Andrese recurrendum 
 est : debet etiam vestimenta tudlias et pallias altariti modo 
 consuet quotiens opus fuerit lavare. Debet etiam invenire 
 natas in choro tarn in supiori gradu quam in .secunda forma 
 et in capitulo et ante altaria consueta tamin choro quam 
 extra chorum debent singlis annis in vigiliis S"' Andrese ad 
 ves natse novae apponi in choro in superiori for : non ante 
 majus altare nee in capitulo nee ante cetera altaria 
 singulis annis sed tn necesse fuerit. Incensum et ceram 
 
52 
 
 ad sigillum capituli inveniet etiam, pertinet etiam. ad 
 Thesaurarium invenire custodem Thesaurarise, et cordas 
 adpulsandum tarn majores quam minores campanas 
 infra ecclesiam modo consuefco. Debet etiam dare 
 stipendia sacristse et cuidam alii servienti dimidiam 
 marcam ad custodiend' ecclesiam et observandum horas 
 diei et noctis : Alii autem deputati debent accipere 
 stipendia de Prebenda S^ Andrese : Preterea minute 
 candele accedantur ad omnia quse leguntur vel 
 canuntur in choro cum necesse fuerit. Cerei autem 
 qui portantur de reddit in vigU : S"- Andrese ad 
 vespertinas debent ardere continue donee vespertine 
 finiantur in ckoro : Item in die purificationis ad pc' 
 et ad missam donee legitur Evangelium cuilibet quinqj 
 personarum unus cereus de lib : cuilibet alii canonico 
 de Marca, cuilibet Yicario de dimidia lib : Epis vero unus 
 cereus de duabus libris : singulis pueris de cboro unus 
 cereus de quatuor libris. Preterea eodem die candela de 
 lib : tenend' sagerdot in celebracone misse : Quandocuqj 
 fuerit corpus presens in choro sive prelati sive simplicis 
 Canonici sive Vicarii ad missam circa majus altare tot 
 cerei quot in festis ix. Ic . circa corpus Epi si presens 
 fuerit in Well : liberentur eidem sex cerei quilibet de lib : 
 Si corpus simplicis Canonici vel Vicarii duo cerei uterq^ 
 de libr. Si fuerit corpus alicujus quinq^ personarum 
 quatuor cerei quilibet de libra : In aSi-^sariis Eporum 
 et quinqj personarum ad placebo et dirige et ad missam 
 sicut in festis ix. Ic. Siliter fiat pro regibus p 
 quibus fit servicium in ctoro : Preterea omni nocte per 
 annu tam iii. q' ix. Ic ad minus unum mortariolum in 
 pulpito juxta lectorem qd debet accendi ad primam 
 lectionem et extingui in fine ultimse lectionis. 
 
55 
 
 ANTIQUA STATUTA DE OFFICIIS 
 
 CUJUSLIBET PERSONE ECCLESIE CATHE 
 
 DRALIS WELLN. 
 
 Decanus et Cantor Cancellarius et Thesaurarius Subdeca 
 
 ntis et Succentor residentes sint assidue in ecclia Welln remota omni excusationis 
 
 specie nisi necessaria et evidens causa possit eos excusare. Dignitas Decani est 
 
 et onmium Canonicorum ut alicui in nuUo respondeant nisi in capitulo et judicio 
 
 tantum capituli perstent. Debet enim Decanus causas omnes ad capitulum 
 
 spectantes audire et judicio capituli terminare. NuUus clericorum in supe 
 
 riori gradu vel de secunda forma in choro admittatur nee sibi minuat vel a civita 
 
 te recedat nisi ipsius autoritate vel licentia. Omnes tenentur illi assurgere 
 
 et inclinare et debitum bonorem exhibere. Canonici ab episcopo institutionem a 
 
 Decano vero possessionem de prebendia una cum communa accipiunt. Habent 
 
 etiam curiam suam in omnibus prebendis suis et dignitatem Archidiaconi ubi 
 
 cum^ prebende assignate fueriat in Bathon diocesi sive in ecclesiis vel decimis 
 
 aut terris ita quidem qd nulla exigentia in domo vel in asisa vel aUqua consue 
 
 tudine ab episcopo vel quoKbet alio fiat in prebendis eorum sed omnes digni 
 
 tates et omnes libertates plenarie et pacifice habent. Quando vero aliquis 
 
 constituitur Canonicus debet coram fratribus jurare presente Evangelio se 
 
 dignitates et consuetudines Welln ecclie inviolabUiter observaturum. 
 
 Decanus omnibus Canonicis et omnibus Vicaiiis preest quoad regimen ani 
 
 marii et correctionem morum. Cantor debet chorum regere quoad cantum 
 
 et potest cantus elevare et deponere, et stolas cantuu per officialem suum 
 
 regere, omnescb cantus ab episcopo incipiendos ipsi episcopo in propria per 
 
 sona fcenetur injungere., Thesaurarius in conservandis thesauris et orna J Ad ilium pertin 
 
 puerorum inatrue 
 mentis et in administrandis luminaribus premuniet. Similiter et Cancel etdisciplinaetaor 
 
 larius in scholis regendis et in libris'ecclie corrigend' Archidiaconi in soUici , . . 
 
 tudine parochiarum et in cura pollent animarum. Decanus et Cantor Archidia 
 
 conus Cancellarius et Thesaurarius duplicem percipient communa. Reliqui Ca 
 
 nonici simplicem, sed in communia non percipiat nisi qui ecclia residens fuerit 
 
 Canonicus 
 
56 
 
 Canonicus. Si Canonicus dedicationi interfuerit eque percipit de oblationibg 
 cum Capellis Episcopi. Si dominus episcopus ecclesias vel capellas Pre 
 bendarum dedioaverit nibil ibi percipiunt Oapelli episcopi nee alii nisi solus 
 Canonicus cujus fuerit prebenda. Subdecanus a Decano Archidiaoona 
 turn urbis et suburbii. Succentor a Oantore que ad cantariam pertinent 
 possidet. Si Decaiiua defuerit ecclie Subdecanus vices ejus impleat. 
 Succentor similiter et Cantoris. Archiscola debet lectiones ascultare et 
 terminare, sigillum ecclie portare et custodire literas, et cartas componere 
 literasqj legendas in Capitulo legere, et omnes etiam lectiones ad missam 
 que in tabula non scribantur teneter injungere et in tabula lectores notare. 
 Et Cantor similiter ministros altares et cantatores. Seniores observan 
 di sunt ut fratres veruntamen si quotidiano sacrificio vel horis cationicis 
 absqj rationabili causa sepius defuerit Canonici et a Decano correpti hoc non 
 emendaverint, debent in Capitulo coram Decano et fratribus veniam percipere. 
 Si vero de inobedientia vel rebellione vel alio notorio orimine deprehensi fuerint 
 debent a stallo degradari et ad hostium prius Decanum vel in chor ultimi pue 
 rorum secundum quantitatem delicti penitentiam agere. Quod si banc disci 
 plinam negl^xerint et incorrigibiles apparuerint severiori subjaceant ultioni. 
 Subdecanum vero et Succentorem nihil pptest excusare quin et ipsi residentes 
 sint continue in ecclia WeUn nisi causa scholarum vel pro cpmmuni utilitate 
 ecclie vel prebende sue . et si hoc fuerit iu manifesto poterunt pro voluntate Capi 
 tuli per anni tertiam partem abesse. Item Decanus et Subdecanus non poterut 
 simul abesse . qd si Decanus absens fuerit Subdecanus vices ejus impleat. 
 Similiter nee Cantor et Succentor poterunt in ecclia Welln simul abesse . qd si 
 Cantor absens fuerit. Succentor vices ejus impleat. Si Canonicus ecclie Well 
 decesserit in die Annunciationis beate Marie vel post, infra festum sancti Mi 
 chaelis, idem Canonicus habebit omnes fructus terre tam seminate quam ad 
 ilium terminii seminande preter illud in hoc qd ad Warectu pertihet, de quo 
 defunctus habebit duas garbas et communia tertiam. Habebit etiam defunctg 
 omnes redditus assises de proximo termiao post discessum suum. Si autem obierit 
 in crastino Sancti Michaelis vel post infra annunciationem dominicam nihil per 
 cipiet nisi redditus proximi termini post obitum suum et omnes fructus quietos 
 quos prius coUigerit excepto implemento, si qd prebende illi debetur . et post illu 
 terminii percipiet tertiam partem totius prebende anni sequentis cum communa. 
 Precerea singulis diebus dicetur totum psalteriu pro fratribg et benefactoribg 
 Wellensis ecclie, et singulis hebdomadis celebrantur due misse pro salute vivoru 
 et requie defunctorum. Et si quis ex hiis obierit fratribus, si ei in vita sua pla 
 cuerit in cemiterio ejusdem ecclie sepeliatur a Canonicis, cum processione bono 
 rifice suscipietur corpus ipsius absqj omni exactione pecunie. Preterea par 
 ticipes erunt in omnibus elemosinis et orationibus que fiunt in eadem ecclia. 
 Preterea universis presbiteris per totum episcopatum constitutis injungetur 
 
 per obedientia 
 
57 , 
 
 per obedientiam qd nomina fratrum predictorum infra annu defunctorum scripta 
 secum ad proxima synodum deferant ut a Canonicis plenariu celebretur servitiu 
 pro animabus fratrum illorum. Et omnibus presbiteris in prefata synodo per obe 
 dientiam similiter injungetur, qd et ipsi plenarium similiter servitium pro anima 
 bus illorum faciant. 
 
 STATUTA EDITA PER DEOANU 
 ET CAPITULUM TEMPORE JOOELINI EPISCOPI. 
 
 Anno gratie Mill™"- cc"""' quadragesimo primo in crastino beati August! 
 ni Anglorum Apostoli facta generali convocatione Canonieorum presente 
 domino J. Bathon episcopo statutum est a Capitulo Welln qd singulis annis in 
 octabis beati Kalixti et diebus continuandis reddantur ratiocinia de gran 
 gia et archa et prebendis beati Andree et omnibus spectantibus ad communa 
 Welln sive in presenti sive in futuro. Et qd residuu fuerit de communa Cano 
 nicorum distribuatur inter Ulos Canonicos qui per annu precedentem fuerut 
 residentes. Sufficiat autem quo ad istam residentiam simplici Canonico si fu 
 erit residens per dimidiu annum sive continue sive per interpollationem. Illis au 
 tem qui tenentur ad continuam residentiam snfficiat quoad istam distributio 
 nem si residerint per duas partes anni sive continue sive interpollatim, ita qd per 
 istam ordinationem non arcetur aliquis simplex Canonicus ad residentiam nisi 
 veUt : Item statutum est qd ordinale corrigatur et correctum inviolabiliter ob 
 servetur sub interminatione anathematis. Item definitum est qd prius verte 
 batur in dubium . scilicet qd ad Decanu spectat vel Subedecanum absente 
 Decano dare licentiam exeundi villam vel fleolutomandi transferendi alique 
 in primum gradum vel in secundam formam. Item statutum est ibidem qd vica 
 rii quantum ad stationem in choro sequantur prebendas ad quas ad missi fue 
 rint vicarii eo non obstante etiam si prebenda fuerint collata persone in digni 
 tate ex altera parte. Item statutum est ibidem qd ilia prebenda de Wynesham 
 quam tenet ArcHdiaconus de Bart' que consuevit ministrare in ordine sacerdo 
 tali de cetero ministret in eodem ordine. Item provisum est, qd quedam campa 
 na assignetur ad convocationem Canonieorum ad capitulum. 
 
 STATUTA EDITA PER DEOANUM ET CAPI 
 TULUM TEMPORE WILLI. DE BUTTON EPIS 
 COPI SECUNDI. Septimo Idus Julii Anno domini 
 mill"""- cc™- Lxx. tertio presente venerabile preside et domino Willmo epis 
 
 copo 
 3 I 
 
58 
 
 copo secundo factaq^ convooatione general! Canonicorum hujus ecclie facte stit 
 
 constitutiones et provisiones infra scripte videlicet qd ordinale corrigatur de in 
 
 ceptis et sublatis omnimodo contrarietatibu^ et abusionibus per quas hacte 
 
 nus injuries sive discentiones orte sunt inter clericos ecclie seu oriri valeant 
 
 in f uturum, et qd sic correctum inviolabiliter subpena anathematis observetur . 
 
 ita qd nemo ex tunc eidem addere vel subtrahere audeat absc^ episcopi et 
 
 totus capituli voluntate. Item qd de cetero nuUse matutinse in sero dican 
 
 tur in choro exceptis festivitatibas sanctse Trinitatis, sanctorum Jobannis Bap 
 
 tiste, in sua nativitate, et Apostolorum Petri et Pauli, Solempnitate 
 
 corporis Christi. Item qd Canonicus quilibet de cetero ad pinguiore 
 
 prebendam forsitan promovendus fructus prebende sue prioris, per 
 
 cipiat sicut prius, donee cessantibus impedimentis que secundum 
 
 consuetudinem ecclie contingunt, fructus percipere possit ex prebenda 
 
 (£ue sibi fuerit permutata. Item qd quater in anno scilicet in crastino 
 
 Circumcisionis, primo die Aprilis, primo die Julii et primo die Octo 
 
 bris audiatur computus quid cuilibet Canonico de precedenti quarterio 
 
 debeatur, cui si quisquam Canonicorum abfuerit vel Vicariu suti aut 
 
 alium ad boc instructum non miserit nihil percipiat de quarterio prece 
 
 denti us(^ ad finem quarterii subsequentis . tunc etiam majora ecclie ne 
 
 gotia tractentur et expediantur, que sine convocatione generali pote 
 
 runt expediri salvis duntaxat negotiis que sine dampno et periculo 
 
 nequeant prorogari. Item ad vitandum perjurii periculum qd baote 
 
 bus admissi vicarii bujus ecclie qui inevitabiliter incurrerunt si pre 
 
 sentandus ad quamcumqj vicariam persona nota fuerit et experta . qd 
 
 scilicet tarn scientiam habeat cantandi quam etiam instructionem con 
 
 cedatur ei statim percipere omnia ad modum aliorum vicariorum. 
 
 Ita tamen qd ex tunc stet in probatione morum suorum, et diHgentie 
 
 quam adhibebit per totum annu sequentem deputato sibi nihilomi 
 
 nus ascultatore super boc per Precentorem presente Capitulo. In cujus 
 
 fine anni si idem presentatus per rei evidentiam et testimonium pre 
 
 dicti ascultatoris et ceteroru clericoru ecclie ipso amoto bene morige 
 
 ratus repertus fuerit, et diHgens in hac parte perpetuetur ut ceteri vicarii in 
 
 ecclia memorata, alioquin reijciatur omnino. Idem fiat de persona qua 
 
 libet non experta excepto qd hujusmodi persona antequam ingrediatur 
 
 annualem probationem bujusmodi stabit in probatione sine percep 
 
 tione qualibet per quindecim dies ante ad minus lecturus et cantatu 
 
 rus per se et cum aliis quotidie ad sue modulationis psallendi et canta 
 
 di scientiam comprobandam quaru altera si sibi de fuerit repellatur omnino. 
 
59 
 
 STATUTA EDITA TEMPORE WALTERI, DE EASEL 
 SCHAWE. Qtjoniam sancta mater ecclia que filios 
 natos ad mortem regenerat ad salutem domiis domus dei et orationis vooatur 
 decens est et in ipsa ministrantium congruit honestati ut maturitatem mentis 
 sue et devotionem hominis interioria tarn habitu quam gestu exteriori ostendat 
 ut sic ambulantes sollicite cum domino dec sue non solum verbo, sed etiam exam 
 plo suo, Laicos instruant, qualiter ipsos oporteat, in domo domini conversari. 
 Hec autem licet a Sanctis viris qui ante hec tempera in ecclia Welln fuerunt 
 juxta canonicas institutiones dudum faerint instituta salubriter et provisa ; 
 ilia tamen ab usu qiiorundam temerario *permitti cemimus ab aliqnibus his 
 diebus propter qd cultus divinus habetur a plerisq^ ^ veneratione minora 
 et largitur discolis materia liberius deviandi daturqj kids ocoasio detrahere 
 dignitati clericali. IJnde nos Decanus et Capitulum Welln facta convo 
 catione generali Canonicoru omniu et singulorum confratru quod compare 
 rent in capitulo ecclie predicte in crastino sancte Andree apostoli mitissimi 
 Anno domini ]Mill"°- cc""- nonagesimo octavo ad tractandum et ordinand' 
 de negotiia dictam eccliam capitulum et parsonas deo ministrantes ibidem 
 tangentibus presentibus tunc omnibus qui voluerunt et potuerunt commode 
 interesse ad statuendu et ordinandum quedam ad honorem dei et ipsius Ca 
 pituli honestatem spectantia prooessimus in hunc modum. 
 
 QUALITER VICARII TENENTUR INTERESSE 
 OMNIBUS HORIS : ET QUALITER HABENT FA 
 GERE FIDEM QUOD PER CAUSAM RATIONABI 
 LEM FUERUNT ABSENTES. In peimis quia 
 
 in orationibus davotis et sacrarum scripturarum lectione consistunt opera cleri 
 coram juxta canonicas sanctiones iUos precipue hiis operibus diUgenter decet 
 intendere qui occasione hujus modi da bonis ecclie dei suum victum percipiut 
 et vestitum ne ipsi (qd absit) tanquam negUgentes et ab opare suo torpentes 
 in axteriores tenebras dejici mereantur. Qua propter nos quosdam ad 
 uberiorem dUigentiam adhibendam circa premisaa axcitare volentes Statu 
 imus et in virtute obedientie precipimus qd omnes vicarii ecclia WeUri qui 
 in civitata presentes existent intersint matutinis, tam de die quam de beata 
 virgina in choro dicendis, nac non prime magna missa vesparis complatorio et 
 
 »rt 
 
60 
 
 ceteris horis canonicis sub hoc tamen moderamine qd ad dicend' terciam sextam ac 
 nonam sex ad minus sunt vicarii ex parte Decani et alii sex ex parte Precento 
 ris. In matutinis quidem prima magna missa vesperis seu completorio quicuq^ 
 vicarius existens in villa se absentaverit perdat illo die denarium suti diurnum 
 illis duntaxat exceptis qui propter majorem etatem vel corporis debilitatem 
 seu infirmitatem aut sanguinis imminutionem vel aliam justam et rationabile 
 causam se poterunt excusare quam excusationem absentes illi qui potentes sunt 
 et validi proximo capitulo post suam absentiam coram ibi presidente alloca 
 re tenentur ut judicare valeat si sit justa et de veritate ipsius cause facere fi 
 dem proprio juramento. Alio quin pro absentibus voluntarie habeantur 
 et pane subjaceant supradicte. Vicarii etiam ingredientes chorum ad hec et 
 alia officia ecclie per agenda ac morantes ibidem et exeuntes ab ipo modum 
 super hoc in ordinali statutum observent. 
 
 DE YICARIIS VAGANTIBUS CIECA COLIJMJSfAS 
 ECCLESIE DTJM DIVINA OFFICIA CELEBRANTUR. 
 
 Item quu videtur nihil actum esse dum superest aliquid ad agendu, nos ab 
 usum quorundam vicariorum pessimum penitus improbantes qui cito post 
 quam ingressi sunt chorum ad missam vel ad horas canonicas dicendas et ibi sunt 
 visi inde exeunt indistin,cte ad confabulandum cum Laicis in nave ipsius 
 ecclie seu circa columnas et plerumqj cum in honestis et suspectis personis sub 
 colore rerum emendarum que in ecclia quandoqj contra vetitum exponuntur 
 venales. Statuimus ut nuUus de cetero vicarius chorum ingressus ad ma 
 tutinas missam seu aliam horam canonicam absqj justa causa et rationabili 
 inde recedat etiam pro dicendo serviciu beate Marie virginis in sua capella 
 nisi pro matutinis de ea dicendis in festis duplicibus in choro morentur donee 
 eorum officium finiatur et precipue dum ibidem aliquid sit psallend'. Qui 
 vero secus egerit tanquam prorsus absens cum sit minister inutilis penam 
 
 substineat supradictam DE MERCATTJRIS IN ECCLIA 
 
 ET DE PULSATIONE CAMPANARUM. 
 Mercaturas exerceri intra navem ecclie prohibemus omnino, decernen 
 tes Sacristam si hoc fieri presumpserit graviter puniend'. Sit etiam Sa 
 crista diligens ad pulsandum debito modo et antique ad matutinas et ho 
 ras alias servando prolixitatem in pulsando et intervalla debita et antiqua 
 inter pulsationes easdem ita qd vicarii qui remotius habitant ab ecclesia 
 competenti tempore possunt ad ipsam venire. Custodiat etiam eccliam melig 
 
 solito a 
 
61 
 
 soHto a tumidtu. . . . NE FIAT TUMULTUS IN ECCLESIA 
 
 ET DE SILENTIO IN CHOEO SERVANDO. 
 Ordinamus etiam qd quilibet Canonicus familiam suam compescat ne 
 tunniltum faciat in ecclia dum ibidem ofScium fit divinum. Si vero Sacrista neg 
 ligens fuerit circa prenussa ipsum determinus amovend' et loco ipsiua dUigentio 
 rem alium subrogand'. Ad hec cum Lq loco ia quo est peccatorum venia posta 
 landa non debeat peccatum committi, sed potius ibi subtrahenda est omnis 
 occasio deUnquendi. Nos statutum antiquitus editum super silentio in choro 
 servando qd ab aliquibus male servatur competenti remedio adjuvantes In 
 hibemus ne de cetero vana et multo fortius feda ac prophana coUoquia seu con 
 fabulationes inutiles aut alia quocunc^ divinum perturbare possunt officiu 
 vel oculos sue majestatis offendere per aliquem fiant in choro. Si quis autem 
 hujusmodi insolentiis assuetus et oommonitus tertio se non abstinuerit ab eisde 
 medietate commune sue per hebdomadam in qua postea sic deliquit statuimg 
 ipsum esse privatum fabrice ecclle applicanda. 
 
 QUOD VICARII NON VADANT AD FORUM IN HA 
 
 BITU SUO NEC INGREDIANTUR ECOLESIAM SINE 
 
 HABIT U POST ULTIMAM PRIMAM PULSATAM. 
 
 NuUus deiucepa vicarius ia habitu suo quem intra eccllam tenetur portare va 
 dat ad forum vel staUas pro carnibus piscibus seu aliis victualibus aut rebus 
 emendis nee absq, ejus habitu post ultimam primam pulsatam iagrediatur ecole 
 siam dum divinu officium fit ibidem. Qui vero contrarium fecerit stipendia sua 
 illius diei amittat nisi causa rationabilis ipsum excusat. Quodque non de 
 cet clericos ecclle post dictam pulsationem sine habitu suo in eccUa faoere mo 
 ram longiorem seu cofabulationes inutiles in choro tenere nostris confratribus 
 judicavimus 
 
 QUALITER VICARII HABENT PRE 
 MUNIRE DOMINOS SUOS SI SINT SCRIPTI IN TABULA. 
 
 Ordinamus insuper et statuimus qd quilibet vicarius. videat quotidie per 
 se aut per alium si ipse vel domiaus suus quem vicarius super hoe premunire 
 tenetur scriptus sit in tabula ad aliquod officium facere quod sibi incumbit et 
 precipue ad inchoandum Invitatorium et chorum regend' in festis quibus cho 
 rus.regitur, si ad hec officia fuerit deputatus. Et eodem modo parati sint tem 
 
 pore competenti 
 
62 
 
 pore competenti sacerdos hebdomedarius diaoonus et silbdiaconus qui ad of 
 ficium misse sunt script! . 
 
 QUALITER EECTORES 
 
 SILICET CHOm SE DEBENT HABERE m CHORO IN OM 
 
 NI CANTU INCHOANDO. 
 
 Caveant etiam sibi reetores 
 chori qd hymnos et omnes cantus per ipsos inchoandos recte sciant a modo 
 inchoare, et psalmos modo debito intonare ne per eorum defectum in psalmo 
 dia vel cantu in chore discordia oriatur. Si quis autem deinceps culpabilis 
 inventus fuerit in aliquo premisaorum suis careat stipendiis illo die. 
 
 QUALITER PSALLENTES IN CHORO DEBENT ESSE 
 CONCORDES. Ceteri quidem psallentes in choro tarn in paalmodia 
 quam in cantu temperati sint atqj Concordes sic ut nullus socios suos minus precur 
 rat, sed ad punctum quilibet alienti ascultet in versu et in cantu. Unusquisqj in 
 medio vel saltim in fine cujuslibet dictionis socium suum expectet. 
 
 QUALITER SE VERTERE DEBENT PSALLENTES GLORIA 
 PATRI. Quoties autem dicetur Gloria patri in signum de 
 votionis et reverentiae vertant se psallentes sicut moris est versus magnum 
 altare . qui vero hoc non fecerit judicio capituli puniatur. 
 
 DE PLACEBO ET DIRIGE IN LIBRARIO DICENDO IN 
 TESTIS NOVEM LECTIONUM. In fastis autem novem lee 
 tionum statuimus qd dicantur Placebo et Dirige in capitulo vel in Ubrario ab 
 illis qui ad missam capituli sunt asoripti sicut antiquis temporibus solent dici. 
 Alioquin iUi qui ad hoc dicend' tenentur si deficiant, medietate sue commune 
 illius hebdomade sint privati fabrice ecclie applicande 
 
 QUALITER VICARII TENENTUR OMNES INGREDI 
 CAPITULUM POST PRIMAM, ET PROCESSIONIBUS 
 INTERESSE DE CAPIS GERENDIS IN FESTIS DUPLICIBUS. 
 Statuimus insuper qd post primam dictam in choro statim vicarii ingrediantur 
 
 capitulum 
 
63 
 
 capitulum sicut decet et qd legatur ibidem lectio debita per unum qui scriptus est 
 ad Evangelium magne misse sicut fieri consuevit, qui si hoc non fecerit per se vel per 
 alium judicio Decani et capituli puniatur. Lectione vero perlecta audiat unus 
 quisqj devote si Presidens capitulo ipsum voluerit reprebendere et statum suu in 
 moribus emendare. In processionibus vero faciendis justo impedimento cessante 
 omnes intersint vicarii et illi precipue qui diebus solemnibus ad aliquod certu 
 officium sint ascripti. In processionibus vero festorum duplicium nullus depo 
 nat capam chori quam gestat ante coUectam iu cboro finitam 
 
 DE PRECIBUS ANNUNCIANDIS DIEBUS POST PRO 
 
 CESSIONEM . ET QUOD NULLUS VICARIUS ■ UTATUR DE 
 
 NOCTE CAPA SERICA SUPER CAPAM SUAM NIGRAM. 
 
 In diebus autem domioicis finitis processione atc^ collecta sacerdos bebdomeda 
 rius statim indutus vestimentis et capa serica vadat in pulpitum lumine pre 
 cedente ut ibidem preces prenunciet consuetas quas precipimus, qd omnes 
 addiscant qui sunt in sacerdotali officio constitute Qui vero premissa non ob 
 servaverint cum non possit circa hoc excusationem probabUem allegare 
 secundum quantitatem delicti in proximo capitulo sequent! puniatur. Inhi 
 bemus etiam in virtute obediencie ne quis vicarius utatur in choro de nocte 
 capa serica super capam suam nigram . cum boc indecens sit valde, et vergat 
 in ecclie detrimentum. Si quis autem contrariu fecerit de sua quotidiana 
 duos perdat denarios in sequenti sabbato pro delicto fabrice ecclie applican 
 dos 
 
 DE VICARIIS QUI RARO VENIUNT AD 
 ECCLIAM NISI QUANDO SIT ALIQUA DISTRIBUTIO 
 PRO DEFUNCTIS ET DE DISTRIBUTIONE FACIENDA IN 
 ANNIVERSARIIS DEFUNCTORUM ET QUALITER VICA 
 RII TENENTUR CELEB,RARE ANNALIA SUA. Item 
 cum cupiditas que radix est ominu malorum precipue sit in clericis detestanda 
 ipsam a vicariis quibusdam ecclie qui ad dicend' officium pro defunctis raro 
 veniunt ad eccliam nisi quando sit ibi aliqua distributio pecunie largienda 
 qua recepta recedunt quandoc^ officio faoiendo pro defunCto seu ceteris 
 
 hujusmodi 
 
64 
 
 hujusraodi Canonicis non eipletis remedio quo possumus resecantes Statuimus 
 qd vicarii qui deinceps ex hac causa ad eccliam veniunt hec fuerunt ad vesperas 
 ante Dirige dictas seu moram non faciunt ad vesperas et completorium post Diri 
 ge finitis dicend' tot denarios de sua quotidiana perdant in die sabbati subsequen 
 ti, quot ex distributione bujusmodi perceperiat nisi ex justa et rationabili causa 
 fuerint impediti super quo impedimento teneantur fidem facere juramento . 
 fiat autem hujusmodi distributio in anniversariis defunctorum pro equalibus 
 portionibus in Dirige et in Missa. Et quia ad bujusmodi officia facienda quidam 
 veniunt tardius quam deceret . fiat dicta distributio alternis horis ad mandatum 
 majoris Canonici tunc presentis. Alioquin si nullus sit ibi Oanonicus hoc distri 
 buentis arbitrio conimittatur 
 
 QUALITEE VICARII 
 TENENTUR CELEBRARE AN 
 NALIA SUA : Ad boc nullus vicarius habens annuale vel dimi 
 dium pro defunoto aliquo celebrando fraudem seu defectum faciat in officio sic 
 suscepto sed illud in periculum anime sue fideliter exequatur. Alioquin pro quo 
 libet defectu justa causa cessante denarium unum amittat. Et habeant explo 
 ratores defectuu medietatem pecunie sic amisse ; et alia medietas ad fabricam 
 ecclle convertatur. Illi autem qui tabellarii et exploratores illorum defectuu 
 et ceteroru omniu que fiunt in ecclia fuerunt constituti sacramenti vinculo arc 
 tantur qd nemiai parcentes in die sabbati omnes defectus quos sciunt in scrip 
 to communario liberabunt, penes se copiam defectuu retinentes ut de hiis 
 respondere possint cum fueriut requisiti. Qui si fraudem committere covin 
 cantur circa premissa tanquam perjuri acriter puniantur. 
 
 QUOD NULLUS VICARIUS SOLUS MANEAT IN 
 DOMO : Item quia inter cetera statuta ecclie Welln ad que servanda 
 Canonici ac clerioi ipsius ecclie astricti provisum f uit et statutum in Capitulo 
 die dominica in crastino sancti Jacobi Anno incarnationis dominice Mill™- 
 cc™- XLiiii"- ut nullus ex tunc vicarius in ecclia Wellii solus maneret, sed ut 
 essent cobabitantes in una domo duo ad minus et qd si secus actum fuerit a 
 quocunqj illorum post festum Sancti Micbaelis anno eodem quicuq^ fuerit 
 ille qui venerit contra statutum predictum suspenderetur ab ingressu cbori et 
 subtraherentur ei communa quousqj satisfecerit competenter pro voluntate 
 et arbitrio capituli. Nosqj Walterus Decanus et Capitulum die sane 
 tarum Perpeiue et feHcitatis Anno Domini MiU™°- cc™' nonagesimo 
 
 quinto 
 
65 
 
 quinto Injunxerimus vicariis ipsius ecclle de voluntate ipsorum a festo sane 
 ti Michaelis proximo sequente duo ad minus cohabitarent in una dome sub 
 pena statuti quia tamen per quorundam insolentiam modicis ex hoc statuti 
 adhuc est secutus effectus. Nos eorum inobedientiam refrenantes qui pre 
 dioto statuto non obediunt ipsos a die sancti Miohaelis proximo venturo ab 
 ingressu chori et perceptione commune suspendimus iq, hiis scriptis . Ulis 
 duntaxat exceptis cum quibus Decanus et Oapitulum ex causa rationa 
 
 biH duxerint dispensand' DE HIIS QUI OONYICTI 
 
 FUERUNT HABUISSE OONCUBINAS : Ixhibe mus 
 etiam sub pena proximo superius anuotata ne quis qui prius Canonicus 
 fuerit habuisse concubinam et prolem suscitasse ex ea sustineat qd mater hu 
 jusmodi partus ad ipsum veniat in loco suspecto causa forsitan partum visi 
 tandi, nee debet interesse conviviis ubi putat mulierem hujusmodi esse, neq, 
 cum ea colloquium habere nisi in publico et coram testibus non suspectis. 
 
 DE CEREIS QUI CIRCA CRUCEM IN FESTIS DU 
 PLICIBUS ARDERE DEBENT ET DE THURE HONESTO. 
 
 Item cum due marce argenti solvantur singulis annis Thesaurario ad sustentan 
 dum duos cereos ex utraq, parte crucis in nave ecclie qui in omnibus duplicibus 
 festis ardere tenentur dum dicuntur vespere et matutine in choro et ad missam 
 majorem ordinamus qd custos Thesaurarie qui predictam pecuniam recipit 
 hujus modi cereos habeat sic ardentes et honeste magnitudinis. Alioquin pro quo 
 libet defectu custos predictus sex solvat denarios fabrice ecclie applicandos. 
 Habeat etiam idem custos inoensum purum honestam et bonum ad thurificand' 
 altaria calicem et ministros ecclie sicut antiquitus solet habere. Alioquin ju 
 dicio Decani et Capituli graviter puniatur 
 
 DE ALTAEISTIS QUOD DICANT PSALTERIUM SINGU 
 LIS DIEBUS. Injungimus etiam tabulario qd dUigen 
 tern curam adhibeat, qd Altariste singulis diebus psalterium dicant pro 
 domino Episcopo et Capitulo et benefactoribus ecclle ut tenentur quod 
 si negligentes reperti fuerint decemimus amovendos et eorum loco alios ido 
 neos subrogandos. 
 
 DE ORDINIBUS VICARIORUM : 
 3k 
 
66 
 
 Ad hec quia decens est et ipsius ecclie congruit honesti ut unua quiscjj vicari 
 ia eo sit ordine in quo tenetur pro suo domino in ecclia ministrare. Statuimus 
 ut quilibet eorum a tempore quo sacramentum prestiterit de servitio ecclesie 
 addiscendo infra annu procuret se ad hujusmodi ordinem promoveri Alio 
 quin tanquam inobediens et contemptor graviter puniatur 
 
 ADDITIO SUPER ADMISSTONE VIOARIORUM. 
 
 Item quia ilia que salubriter ad tonorem dei et honestatem ecclie sunt provisa 
 nuUius debent temeritate mutari. Nos Walterusde Hasylchawe Decanus 
 et Oapitulum ecclie Welln statutum super admissione vioariorum dicte Welln 
 ecclie alias editum violentes inviolabiliter observarL Addendo statuimus qd 
 vicaria ad quam presentatus sit deinceps aliquis patiens defectum in voce 
 vel scientia cantus absc^ omni offensa et indignatione Canonici prsesentantis 
 ea vice per Decanu et Oapitulum alteri idoneo conferatur 
 
 DE DEFECTIBUS DOMORUM REPARANDARUM. 
 
 Item licet ultime voluntates deficientium favore multiplici muniantur se 
 cundum canonicas et legitimas sanotiones . eas tamen per ambitionem quorunda 
 videmus plures impediri, dum is qui canonico vel vicario suocedit defuncto prop 
 ter defectus quos dicunt esse in domibus vel rebus aliis que fuerunt ipsius de 
 functi bona ejusdem occupare conantes hujusmodi sub colore. Nos autem 
 volentes modum ilium pestiferum a nostra congregatione et cetu de cetero peni 
 tus abolere. Statuimus qd amodo per Decanu et Oapitulum deputentur duo 
 visitatores prudentes periti et fideles qui singulis annis infra tres septimanas 
 post diem Pasche visitent edificia omnium firmarum et domorum spectantiu 
 ad collationem Decani et Oapituli, et taxent expensas per quas defectus si 
 qui sint in ipsis domibus sic reperti poterunt emendari Injungantqj firmario 
 vel inquilino ipsarum firmarum vel domuu qd defectus suppleat sic repertos 
 
 citra festum beati MichaeUs proxime sequens taxationem predictam 
 
 Alioquin ex tunc ad toe faciend' firmarius vel inquilinus per Decanu et Ca 
 pitulum censura ecclesiastica compellatur. Si vero de eodem firmario vel inqui 
 lino humanitus contigerit infra tempus predictum defectibus minime repa 
 tis. Executores defuncti antequam aliquid ordinent de bonis defunctorum 
 contingentibus Decano et Capitulo vel successori defuncti. Si firmam vel 
 domum defuncti aUi tradiderint pretaxatas expensas solvere teneantur. Et 
 nihilominus levetur per Decanum et Oapitulum una dimidia Marce de bonis 
 predicti defuncti vel firmarii Seu inquilini yivi reparationem defectuu infra 
 dictum terminum negligentis per solvenda fabrice Welln ecclie propter mora 
 nisi executores defuncti vel ipse firmarius aut inquilinus vivus possit osten 
 
 dere qd 
 
67 
 
 dere qd infra tempus suum aliquam domti vel plures necessariam sen necessarias construx 
 rint suis expensis propter quam vel quas rei status melioratus potius quam deteriora 
 tus debet censeri. Tunc enim habita compensatione hinc inde nihil de bonis firmarii 
 vel iaquilini sive defunctus fuerit sive vivus penitus exigatur 
 
 DE SOLUTIONE FIRMARUM. Ad hec ut inter fratres 
 et Canonicos omnes tollatur occasio injuriandi. Statuimus qd Canonici qui 
 firmas tenent solvant pro suis firmis temporibus debitis et statutis seu infra 
 quindeoim dies ad ultimum post sequentes. AJioquin pro singulis decern Mar 
 cis suo termino non solutis solvat firmarius fabrice Welln ecclie quinq, solidos 
 argenti propter moram ipsius. Et ceteri firmarii qui minus quam decern marcas 
 tenentur in termiao suo solvere, si non solvant simUem penam pro rata debita persol 
 vere teneantur. Et nihilominus levetur statim ut debitum Capituli cum pena 
 predicta de bonis firme et prebende firmarii per communariu Capituli et per vi 
 sum firmarii seu sui baUivi : Ita qd oommunitas confratrum residentium dam 
 num non censeat de cetero occasione solutionis hujusmodi retardate. 
 
 DE DUABUS PARTIBUS PREBENDARUM VACAJS" 
 TIXJM SPECTANTIBUS AD CAPITULUM. Item 
 quia fructus primi anni cujuslibet prebende vaoantis per mortem alicujus Cano 
 nici ad Decanum et Capitulum spectant pro duabus partibus et pro parte ter 
 tia ad defunctum de consuetudine ecclie approbata et hactenus usitata quoru 
 fructuu precium pro quo venduntur per Eschaetorem Capituli dividi debet 
 pro equalibus portionibus inter Canonicos et vicarios qui infra triginta di 
 es postquam innotuerit Decano et Capitulo de morte Canonici in civitate 
 WeUn fuerint presentes . fiueruntq^ fructus hujusmodi aliquoties ante hec 
 tempora venditi minus rationabiliter per favorem propter qd preter dam 
 num qd Canonicis vicariis at(^ defuncto evenit oblocutiones et murmuratio 
 nes Addimus sepe fieri inter fratres, quas deinceps toUere cupientes. Statui 
 mus de communi consensu qd Eschaetor Capituli juret in prinoipio officii 
 sibi commissi qd venditiones prebendarum vacantiu meliori modo quo sci 
 verint et poterint faciet in futuru absc^ omni favore et non pro minore pretio 
 quam prebende in possessionibus constitute cum omnibus oneribus annexis 
 per Decanu et Capitulu sunt taxate et in Eegistro Capituli de cetero con 
 scribantur oujus Registri copiam Eschaetor Capituli debet habere. . , , 
 
 QTJOD NULLUS CANONICUS POTERIT DISTRI 
 BUTIONEM QUOTIDIANAM SEU DISTRIBUTION! 
 
68 
 
 IN FINE ANNI RESIDENTIBUS DEBITAM VENDICARE. 
 
 Declaramus in super consuetudinem esse Wellti ecclie antiquam et diutius 
 approbatam qd nullus factus Oanonicus in ecclia predicta quantamcumcb 
 moram fecerit in civitate quotidianam distributionem que presentibus de 
 debetur aeu distributionem residentibus debitam in fine anni sibi poterit ven 
 dicare nisi prius in Capitulo juramentum prestiterit consuetum quam con 
 suetudinem nuUo modo proponimus mutari per gratiam circa hoc factam 
 quibusdam ad tempus ex aflfectu speciali quem gessimus et adhuc gerimus 
 erga ipsos. 
 
 QUOD CANONICI TENENTUR 
 SOLVERE STIPENDIA VICARIIS STJIS. 
 
 Ad bee cum secu 
 dum Apostolum qui altari servit vivere debet de altari. Justum est ut vicarii 
 qui pro dominis suis in ecclia famulantur stipendia ad sustentationem suam 
 eis debitam ab eisdem tempore recipiant competenti. Quia cum per mora 
 Canonicorum qui pro tempore statute stipendia debita suis vicariis non 
 persolvunt contingit ipsos vicarios sepius defraudari, et ex hoc multas 
 ptovenire querelas. Statuimus qd quilibet Oanonicus sui vicarii stipen 
 dia solvat tempore debito ut tenetur. Alioquin ad hoc faciend' et ad resar 
 ciend' vicario suo damnum qd senserit propter moram absqj alicujus offensa 
 per Decanum et Oapitulum compellatur. 
 
 QTJALITER QUOLIBET DIE SABBATI ORDINARI 
 DEBET SERVITIUM HEBDOMADE SEQUENTIS. 
 
 Et quia super modo faciendi servitium in ecclia inter clericoa ecclie oriri discor 
 diam plerumqj contingit. Statuimus qd Precentor vel Succentor qui pre 
 fuerit in Capitulo ordinet die Sabbati qualiter officium fieri debeat in ec 
 clesia per hebdomadem sequentem. . . , 
 
69 
 
 {Bonus vir qui 
 Quare fremuerunt 
 Domine quid 
 CUM CONFRATRIBUS ET PREBENDIS TOTUM 
 
 PSALTERIUM QUILIBET DIE UT PATET INFERIUS: 
 
 Wedmokb I^ 
 
 Psal: 
 
 Cltve 
 
 Psal ; 
 
 
 Psal 
 
 ScTOs Decumanus 
 
 Psal 
 
 CUMBA. I 
 
 Psal 
 
 CUMBA. VII. .„ ... 
 
 Psal 
 
 CUMTOHA. 
 
 Psal 
 
 Iattona. 
 
 Psal 
 
 Haselberga 
 
 Psal 
 
 Wajtoestkb 
 
 SCANDEPORDB. 
 
 Wedmobb. II. 
 
 CUMBA. II, 
 
 Cum InTocarem cum 
 tribus psal : sequeutibus. 
 
 Done dominus noster quam. 
 Confitebor tibi domine. 
 
 In domino confido cum 
 tribus psal : sequeutibus. 
 
 Domine quis babitabit cum 
 duobus psal : sequentibus. 
 
 Diligam te domine. 
 
 CeH enarrant gloriam cum 
 duobus psal : sequentibus. 
 
 : Domine Deus mens respice in 
 cum duobus psal : sequentibus. 
 
 Ad te domine levavi . cum 
 tribus psal : sequentibus. 
 
 Psal: 
 Psal: 
 
 Psal; 
 Psal: 
 
 Psal: 
 Psal: 
 
 Psal: 
 Psal: 
 
 Afferte domino 
 Exaltabo te 
 
 In te domi 
 
 Psal: 
 
 Poni quorum. 
 Ezultare ejus. 
 
 Judica domine. 
 Dixit Injustus. 
 
 Noli emulari. 
 Domine ne in furore. 
 
 ne speran. 
 Psal: Benedica. 
 
70 
 
 CUMBA. III. .. 
 
 CUMBA. nil. 
 
 BOKLONDE 
 
 Mtlverton. I 
 
 Hbnqestrtngge 
 
 Tymbrescomba 
 
 Atshulle 
 
 CUMBA. V. 
 
 ESTONA 
 
 Iltona 
 
 CuMBA. VIII 
 
 DUNDEN. 
 
 CuMBA. Villi 
 
 CuMBA. VI 
 
 dulticote 
 
 Taunton. 
 
 Psal: 
 Psal: 
 Psal: 
 Psal: 
 Psal: 
 
 Psal: 
 
 Psal: 
 
 Psal: 
 
 Psal: 
 Psal: 
 
 Psal: 
 Psal: 
 
 Psal: 
 Psal: 
 
 Psal: 
 Psal: 
 
 Psal : 
 Psal: 
 
 Psal: 
 
 Psal: 
 Psal: 
 
 Psal : 
 Psal: 
 
 Domine custodiam cum 
 duobus psal : sequentibus. 
 
 Quemadmodum cum 
 duobus psal : sequentibus. 
 
 Eructavit cor meutu cum 
 tribus psal : sequentibus. 
 
 Audite hec omnes gentes cum 
 tribus psal': sequentibus. 
 
 Dixit incipiens cum tribus 
 psalmis sequentibus. 
 
 ; Miserere mei deus mis . cum 
 duobus psal : sequentibus. 
 
 Deus repulisti nos cum tribus 
 psalmis sequentibus. 
 
 Exaudi Deus orationem cum 
 duobus psal : sequentibus. 
 
 Domiuus misereatur nostri 
 Exurgat deus et discipentur. 
 
 Salvum me fac domine 
 Dominus in adjutorium. 
 
 In te domine speravi 
 Deus judicium meum. 
 
 Quam bonus Israel deus 
 Ut quid deus repulist. 
 
 Confitebimur. 
 
 Notus in mundo. 
 
 Attendite populo juris tui. 
 
 Domiue venerunt. 
 Qui regis Israel. 
 
 Exultate Deo. 
 
 Psal : Voce mea. 
 
71 
 
 Beent: 
 
 Wyvelescumba 
 
 Ilmtnistka 
 
 SUTTONA 
 
 holecumba 
 
 Weheminister 
 
 cumba. vii. 
 
 KOBT 
 
 WOKMESTEEB 
 
 WTTLAKIirrON 
 
 CuMBA. XV. 
 
 Mylvekton. II 
 
 "Wedmoke. Ill 
 
 Bekton ... 
 
 CuMBA. VIII 
 
 Wedmoke. IIII 
 
 Psal : Deus quis similis cum 
 
 duobus sequentibus psalmis 
 
 Fsal : lucliaa do ; 
 Psal: Fundament 
 
 Psal : Domine deus t^V, 
 
 Psal : Miserecordias diii tui. 
 
 Psal : Dome refugium factus cum 
 tribus psal : sequentibus. 
 
 Psal : Deus ultionum dominus cum 
 duobus psal : sequentibus. 
 
 Psal : Dominus regnayit ex cum 
 tribus psalmis sequentibus. 
 
 Psal : Jubilate deo omnes cum 
 duobus psal : sequentibus. 
 
 Psal : Benedic. / tantum. 
 
 Psal : Benedic. ii' tantum. 
 
 Psal : Confitemini r tantum. 
 
 Psal : Confitemini n*" tantum. 
 
 Psal : Confitemini in'' tantum. 
 
 P''sal : Paratum cor meum cum 
 duobus psal : sequentibus. 
 
 Psal : Confitebor tibi domine cum 
 tribus psal : sequentibus. 
 
 Psal : SUex crucem exaud' cum 
 tribus psal : sequentibus. 
 
 Psal : Boni immaculati in Tia 
 
 cum tribus psal ; sequentibus. 
 
CtTDDEWOBTHE 
 
 72 
 
 Psal : Bouitatem cum servo cum 
 duobus psal : sequentibus. 
 
 OUMBA, IV, ... 
 
 Fsal : luiquos odi. 
 Psal: MirabiUa. 
 
 Psal: Clamavi. 
 
 duMBA. V. 
 
 Psal : Principes persecuti cum 
 quinqj psal : sequentibus. 
 
 Wytchteche. 
 
 Fsal : Qui confidunt ia domino cum 
 sex psal : sequentibus. 
 
 Habfetbe. 
 
 Psal : Memento domine ad' cum 
 quatuor psal sequentibus. 
 
 CUMBA. VI. .. 
 
 Psal : Super flumina Babil : cum 
 duobus psal : sequentibus. 
 
 Wedmoeb. V. 
 
 Psal : Eripe me domine cum 
 
 tribus psal : sequentibus. 
 
 Dtkbe 
 
 Psal : Benedictus dominus deus 
 
 cum duobus psal : sequentibus. 
 
 LUTTON. 
 
 Psal : Laudate domiaum qum bonus est. 
 
 Fsal : Lauda Jerusal : Psal : Laudate domino dec*". 
 
 Singulis diebus dicetur totum psalterium 
 a predictis Prebendis pro fratribus et 
 benefactoribus Wellii ecolesie. 
 
 Bydsam prebenda Sancti Andree . 
 cujus vicarius est Magister Scbolarum. 
 
73 
 
 Subsequens tabula describit 
 presbiteros seculares in ecclesia 
 et pro quibus animabus tenentur 
 libet percipiet, et qua forma debet h 
 ut patet iTiferius : — 
 
 
 AD ALTAEE SOTI OEUOIS JUXTA OSTIU 
 CAPITULI. 
 
 Duo Capellani seculares celebrantes pro 
 anima Welli Welyngton unde quilibet per 
 cipiet annuatim lxvi*- viii^ pro pane vino ce 
 ra et aliis omameiitis cuilibet iis per manus 
 Communarii ex oollatione Decani. 
 
 omnes anmversanas vz 
 Welln ad que altaria 
 celebrare et quantum qui 
 conferri vel addmitti . . 
 
 m OAPELLA BEATE MABIE JUXTA 
 GLAUS TEUM. 
 
 Unus Capellanus secularis celebrans pro ani 
 ma Johis Goddeley recipiendo annuatim Lxri'' 
 viii*' pro pane vino et cera et aliis ornamentis 
 iii°- iiii^' per manus Communarii ex coUatione 
 Decani. 
 
 AD ALTAEE SOTI STEPHANI. 
 
 Unus Capellanus secularis celebrans pro 
 anima Staphani Hulle unde percipiet 
 annuatim nil"* solvend' per manus Com 
 munarii ex collatione CapitulL 
 
 AD ALTAEE 8AN0TI OEUCIS JUXTA OSTIU 
 EOOLESIE. 
 
 Duo Capellani seculares celebrantes pro ani 
 mabg Robti BumeUe 7 W. Haaelschaw un 
 de quilibet percipiet annuatim lxvi°' viii'^' pro 
 pane vino cera et aliis ornamentis cuilibet. . ii'- 
 solvend' per manus Communarii ex coUatione 
 Decani presentia, ipso absente Subdecani p'sentis 
 et utroq, absente dignioris prebenda presentis. 
 
 AD ALTAEE SANCTI KALIXTI. 
 
 AD ALTAEE BOTE MAEIE MAGDALB. 
 
 Duo Capellani seculares celebrantes pro anima Unus Capellanus secularis celebrans 
 
 Henrici Husy unde quilibet percipiet annuatim pro anima Willebni de Lyttylton unde 
 
 Lxvi'' viii^ deveniend' pro pane vino cera et aliis percipiet annuatim mi"- ex Precentore 
 
 ornamentis cuilibet xx^ per manus Commu et ad coUationem ejusdem. 
 narii ex collatione Decani ex admissioni EpL 
 
 AD ALTAEE SOTI MAETINL 
 
 Unus Capellanus secularis celebrans pro 
 anima Eadulphi de Salopifi unde percipi 
 et annuatim liii"' per manus magistri scti 
 Johannis Baptiste "Well ex collatione 
 Abbatis de Mothylney. 
 
 AD ALTAEE COEPOEIS XPI. 
 
 Unus Capellanus secularis celebrans 
 pro anima Roberti Wambrigge unde 
 percipiet annuatim lxvi'' viii*- solvend' 
 per manus Archidiaconi Welln et ex 
 coUatione Episcopi. 
 
 3l 
 
74 
 
 AD ALTAEB 80TI EDMUNDI. 
 TJnus Capellanus secularis celebrans 
 pro anima Radulphi Ergum sectmda 
 missam matutinalem unde percipiet iiii^'- 
 per manus Communarii et in die aiiniv' 
 sarie sue portabitur in choro sicut vica 
 rius, et percipiet tantum sicut vicarius 
 et ex coUatione Capituli. 
 
 AD IDEM. 
 
 TJnus Capellanus anni — laris de secu 
 lari perpituitate celebrans pro anima 
 Eadulpbi Ergum recipiendo septima / 
 tim vii^- ex certis redditibg eis appropria 
 tis, et in illo die incipiens missam predic 
 tarn aut epistolam magne misse in chore 
 dictam. . . . 
 
 AD ALTAEE SCTE KATHARINE. 
 Duo Capellani celebrantes pro anima 
 bus Johannis Drokenefford et Roberti 
 Cormayle unde quilibet percipiet annua 
 tim LXVI°- VIII''- pro pane vino et cera qui 
 libet recipiet xii^ solvend' per manus Com 
 narii ex coUatione Decani. 
 
 AD ALTAEE COEPOBIS SPI. 
 
 TJnus Capellanus celebrans missam matu 
 tinalem pro anima Hugonis Eomynall inde 
 percipiet annuatim iiii''- solvend' eidem ex 
 certis redditibus appropriatis officio Succen 
 toris perpetuis temporibus duraturam in 
 ecclesia predicta. 
 
 STATUTA EDITA TEMPORE DOMINI JOHANNIS DE 
 
 GODDELE NUPEE DECANI ECCLESIE WELLN. ANO 
 
 DOMINI MTLLMO CCC"""- TRICESIMO PRIMO DE 
 
 PROTESTATIONE FACIENDA PER CANONICOS DE RESI 
 
 DENTIA : Item ut vestigiis aliarum Ecclesiarum Cathedralium hui' 
 regni in Liis que ad bonestatem pertinere noscuntur adhereamus et eis conformes 
 efficiamur volumus et conoorditer ordinamus qd Canonicus in ecclia Wellii 
 residentiatn de cetero incepturus . ante inceptionem hujusmodi per se aut per vi 
 rium suti coram Decano et Capitulo tempore competenti protestetur expresse 
 terminum inceptionis hujusmodi assignando quodqj Decanum et Capitulum 
 circa ipsius residentie initium in esculentis et potulentis juxta facultates suas 
 honorifi.ce faciat procurari. 
 
 QUOD GENUFLEGTURA IN ELEVATIONE SACRAMEN 
 TI CORPORIS XPI FIAT. Item volumus et ordinamus qd in 
 magna missa omnes presentes in choro Canonici vicarii cujuslibet gradus mi 
 nistri in elevatione corporis xpi ob reverentiam tanti sacramenti et ut laici et 
 circumstantes ad majorem devotionem ex hoc frequentius provocentur sicut 
 
 olim in 
 
75 
 
 olim sicut olim in ipsa ecclia fieri consuevit flexis ad terrain genibus et cum omni 
 humiliatione provolutis suas ex corde devotas ad deum fundant orationes. 
 
 DE PERCUSSIONIBUS CAMPANARUM IN PULSA 
 TIOITE IQ-NITEGrll. Item quia omnis xpi actio nostra debet es 
 SB instruetio sanctissimus pater noster dominus summus pontifex qui Christi vicarius 
 in terris esse dinoscitur in Romana Curia ad honorem virginis gloriose matris dni nostri 
 Jesu Christi in ecclia cathedrali parii ante ignitegiu de magna campana tres precipe 
 rit fieri percussiones per tres vices quasi continuas, ut omnes catholici ipsas audientes 
 flexis genibus ad terram salutationem beate virginis scilicet Ave Maria devote di 
 cant per tres vices quibus omnibus sic facientibus ubicunqj terrarum essent 
 largas indulgentias concessit. Ordinamus qd consimiles percussiones per 
 campanam in ecclesia Wellensi tempore et modo de cetero fiat supradictis. 
 
 QUOD NON SINT LUDI CONTRA HONESTATEM EC 
 
 CLESIE WELLN. Item a festo Nativitatis domini usqj ad octab : In 
 nocentium qd Clerici Subdiaconi Diaconi Presbiteri etiam hujus eccclle vicarii 
 ludos faciat theatrales in ecclia Welln, et monstra larvarum introducentes in 
 ea insanie sue ludibria exercere presumunt contra honestatem clericalem et Sa 
 crorum prohibitionem canonum divinum officium multipliciter impediendo 
 qd de cetero in ecclia Welln et sub pena canonica fieri prohibentes. Vo 
 lumus qd divinum officium in festo dictoru. sanctorum Innocentium sicuti in fes 
 tis sanctorum consimilibus quiete et pacifice absqj quocumc^ tumultu et ludibrio 
 cum devotione debita celebretur. 
 
 QUOD CANONICI TENEANT HOSPITIUM PER SE. 
 
 Item qd Canonici simul cum aliis Canonicis in domibus commorantes quiq, 
 per unu aut duos menses quandoq^ per dimidium annu totum tempus more hujus 
 modi sub tempore residentie computant, quiqj hospitalitates et alia ecclesie onera 
 incumbentia in nuUo parocho illo tempore supportassent. Nos vero id contra 
 ecclle ipsius honestatem et consuetudinem residendi modum in ecclle Well ce 
 dere attendentes. Dicimus et declarando sentimus qd Canonicus presens volens 
 haberi pro residente domum et hospitium in civitate per se teneat et ecclie onera si 
 cut ceteri Canonici juxta possibilitatem suam agnoscat. Alioquin secundum 
 ecclie consuetudinem pro residente minime reputari debebit 
 
76 
 
 ADDITIO IN JURAMENTO CANONICORUM. iTEMuteccle 
 siis a quibus beneficia sunt percepta aut percipiuntur quasi jure compensationis gra 
 titudinis officium impendatur, et ut aliis ecclesiis cathedralibus simus conformes. 
 Yolumus et concorditer consentimus qd juramento per Oanonicum admittend' p's 
 tando addantur verba que secuntur videlicet qd jura libertates et consuetudiaes 
 approbatas et diutius usitatas ad quemcunqj statum etiam episcopalem devenerit 
 in eadem Canonicatu et Prebenda quos in ea obtinut dimissis pro viribus defendat. 
 
 QTJOD VICARII REMANENTES IN MENSA DOMINORU 
 NIHIL PERCIPIANT PRO OFFICIO SAOERDOTALI. Item 
 quidetn vicarii personarum habentium dignitates seu officia in ecclTa Welln quoru 
 pretextu ad sacerdotale officiu suis vicibus tenentur quanquam in mensa domino 
 rum continue resideant pro impenso hujusmodi annali officio qd raro contin 
 git infra annum dicut a dominis suis sibi deberi unam marcam quam quidam eo 
 rum a dominis suis dum vivunt volut sibi solvi tanquam debitam. Quidam ve 
 ro a dominis viventibus petere verecundantes ne forte ingratitudinis vitium 
 ipsis valeat impingi usqj ad mortem dominorum suorum dissimulant, et tunc 
 pro toto tempore retroacto sibi debere satisfieri pretendunt, super quo executo 
 res defunctorum infestare moliuntur. Nos itaqj in causam posito hoc reputantes 
 incivile rationiqj contrarium ac etiam equitati dicimus sentimus et volumus 
 qd si vicarii hujusmodi personarum in mensa dominorum suorum cotinue resi 
 deant nihil prorsus a dominis suis in vita vel in morte ipsos vicarios pro hujus 
 modi sacerdotali officio per vices taliter impenso petere aut percipere debere 
 in futurum. 
 
 QUOD SIT IN ARBITRIO CANONI 
 CORUM HABERE VICARIOS IN MENSA VEL NON. 
 
 Item errorum quorundam vicariorum hujus ecclie qui contra veritatem sentire 
 conajitur dicimus et declarando sentimus qd vicarii in mensa dominoru retenti 
 ab ea amoveri poterunt quotiescunq, et quandoctiq, dominis suis placuerit, et hoc 
 eis cum causa vel sine causa videbitur faciend' nuUamqj necessitatem Oanonicis 
 incumbere qd suos vicarios in mensa teneant , sed hoc ex mero Canonicorum 
 arbitrio totaliter dependere presertim cum de dominis etiam stipendia, et ab 
 ecclia communas suas percipere dinoscantur 
 
 DONATIO ROGERI DEI GRATIA BATHON ET WELL 
 EPI DE CUSTODIA DECANATUS ECCLIE WELL QUOTIES 
 
77 
 
 CONTIGEEIT VACARI Omnibus xpti fideUbus ad 
 
 quos littere presentes pervenerint Rogerus dei gratia Bathon et Wgll Epus 
 salutem in domino sempiternam. Oupientes honorem dignitatem et libertatem 
 ecclie nostre Wellii oui divina disponente gratia presidimus temporibus nos 
 tris ampliare Cedimus et concessimus pro nobis et successoribus nostris Dilec 
 tis in xpo filiis Capitulo nostro ecclie nostre predicte Welln qd ipsi habeant in 
 perpetuum custodiam Decanatus ecclie nostre et sue Well quoties et quandocuqj 
 et quamdiu ipsum vacari contigerit cum omnibus pertinentiis suis absq^ ullo reti 
 numento adeo libere integre et plenarie siout nos aut aliquis successoru nostrorum 
 ipsum tempore vaoationis sue in manibus suis posset retinere nisi custodiam ipsius 
 ut predictum est predicto Capitulo conoessissemus. In cujus rei robur et testimo 
 nium presenti sciipto sigUlum nostrum apponi fecimus. Actum apud Banewell 
 anno inoarnationis dominice Mill™ CC™° xlvi*". Mensis Mayi. 
 
 STATUTA EDITA PER DECANUM ET CAPITULUM 
 TEMPORE RADULPHI EPI ANNO DOMINI MILL*'*' 
 000*'° XXXVIIP DE NEGOTIIS ET MINISTRIS ECCLIE 
 WELL. In dei nomine Amen. Cum a primaria funda 
 tione ecclie Catbedralis Welln Decanus et Capitulum ejusdem ecclie errorum 
 laqueis in eadem ecclia morumqj corruptionibus, et adversitatum molestiis editio 
 nibus ordinationum et statutorum diversorum consensibus sanctoru patru domi 
 norum Bathon et Welln episcoporum ad id accedentibus totis viribus salu 
 briter obviassent. Nos Walterus de London Decanus et Capitulum dicte 
 Well ecclie de consuetudine legitime prescripta jurisdictionem ecclesiasticam et 
 sufficientem potestatem in omnibus et singulis que preaentem tangunt convoca 
 tionem vel tangere poterunt optinentes sanctorum patrum vestigiis inherentes 
 ao sperantes ex efficaci Canonioorum dicte Well ecclie assistentia spiritus 
 sancti cooperante gratia . ad postulationem venerandi patris domiai Eadul 
 phi dei gratia Bathon et Welln epi omnes Canonicos ejusdem ecclie multipli 
 ci necessitate ipsius ecclie perurgente ad hanc quartamdecimam diem mensis Julii 
 Anno Domini mUl"" CCC""" tricesimo octavo ad domu capitularem ejusdem 
 ecclie fecimus licite convocari ad tractand' et disponend' de negotiis dictam ec 
 clesiam et ejus ministros tangentibus in hiis precipue per que oultus divinus 
 augeri potent, et animaru salutis incrementum feliciter procurari. Et ad 
 consenciend' his que ibidem de communi consilio ordinari contigerint iu pre 
 missis. Convenientibus igitur in termino hujusmodi ad Capitulum dicte 
 Welln ecclie omnibus qui debuerunt voluerunt et potuerunt commode inter 
 
78 
 
 esse efc super, incommodis quibus ecclia premitur supradicta tractantibus. Nos de 
 communi consUio quedam statuta olim ia eadem ecclia salubriter edita non tamen 
 sicut decuit moribus utentium approbata fore decrevimus recesenda et sCabili 
 enda, ac etiam coatra novellas quasdam tergiversationes quas in fumo sul 
 phureo non cessat abyssi puteus exalare quibusdam novis statutis ac decla 
 rationibus consuetudinum ejusdem ecclesie, et aliis remediis quibus possum 
 occurrendum 
 
 IMPOSITIO DEOIME QUINQTJINALIS 
 PRO EESTAURATIONE FABRICE ECCLIE WELL ET DE 
 FENSIOJSTE JXJEIUM EJUSDEM ECCLESIE. Inprimis 
 cum dicta Well ecclia sit pro magna parte restauranda nee aliqua portio pro ejus 
 restauratione facienda*fuerit aliqualiter deputata, ipsaq, ecclia in ccc. libris 
 sterlingorum pro sumptibus et expensis orta defentionum juriu et fabricam ejus 
 dem ecclie hactenns appositis existit ere alieno graviter onerata ac etiam ecclia 
 predicta non solum contra jura divina et statuta oanonica sed et contra liberta 
 tes a regibus et principibus et aliis regni Anglie magnatibus concessas eide 
 ausibus sacrilegis novis ad inventionibus et diria concussionibus oppressio 
 nibusqj nefariis multipliciter sit oppressa prout in articulis in lata convocatio 
 ne speoialiter expositis plenius continetur. Nos Decanus et Capitulu supra 
 dicti decimam reddituum et proventuu omnium Prebendarum dicte WeUn 
 ecclie usqj ad quinq^ annos a datis presentibus convocationis computandos de 
 consilio et consensu majoris et sanioris partis Canonicorum in eadem ecclia pre 
 bendatorum videlicet magistrorum et dominorum Willfni de Lutleton Prece 
 toris . Rogeri de Mortuo Mari Archidiaconi Well . Hictardi de Thistelden 
 Thesaurarii . Roberti de Hereward ArcHdiaconi Taunton . Walteri de Hulle 
 Subdecani . Johannis de Burton . Johannis de Cherlton . Robert! Baldok . Mi 
 chaeUs de Eston Succentoris Johannis de Wamberge . W. de Salton . Hen 
 rici de Charleton . Johannis de London . Richardi de Roddeney . Johannis de 
 Orlton , Willmi de Clehangre . W. de Peiicey . Johannis de HywyscL . Thome 
 de Haselschawe et Hamelini de Goddele Canonicorum dicte Well ecclesie 
 personaliter . ac etiam Gylberti de Bruera . Johannis de Sobburi . Rogeri 
 de Nassington . Johannis de Somerton . Abbis de Muchylney . Michaelis de 
 Brokeneflforde . Johannis GyfFarde . Mcholai de la Wyle . Johannis Martel . 
 Roberti de Stoner . W. de Kynardesey . W. de Evyrdon . Henrici de ffullam . 
 Thome de Dorteffoi^de . Walteri de Meryeth . Willmi de Stowe . Thome Haclut . 
 
 Roberti 
 
79 
 
 Robert! de Luffeaham Roberti Abbatis de Athelney . Ade Murymotb Eaymundi 
 peregrini Thome Thyrlek Roberti de Chikewell . Roberti de Clypston et Johannis 
 de Lugwardyn Canonicorum ejusdem ecclie per Procuratores suos ad hoc licite 
 constitutes comparentium necnon in penam Canonicorum Abbatis de Becco 
 Isuardi Garsy Johannis de Offorde Amoldi de Malo ingenio Willini de Westo 
 Radulphi de Wyndesore David Maynard et Alani de Hotham Canonicorum 
 ipsius ecclesie ad istam convocationem licite citatorum et nuUo modo comparentium 
 in eandem ad onera supradicta levius supportand' duximus imponendam singulis 
 annis dicti quinquennii in duobus terminis medietatem videlicet in festis omniu 
 Sanctorum Anno domini Mill"'"- ceo™- tricesimo nono et sancte Trinitatis 
 proximis tunc sequentibus ab eisdem Canonicis apud Well secundu taxatione 
 decime integraliter persolvend' et iu subsidium onerum predictoru convertendam. 
 Item cum oHm magister Walterus de Haselschawe Decanus et Capitulum 
 ecclie Welln ad honorem dei et ecclie Well utilitatem ac salutis animarum fide 
 lium incrementa plura statuissent et etiam ordinassent. Nos Walterus de 
 London Decanus et Capitulum supradicti ipsa statuta et ordiaata scienter 
 approbantes diligente approbatione* deliberatione prehabita decemimus ea fore 
 perpetuis futuris temporibus inviolabiliter observanda .... 
 Item cum olim dominus Johannes de Goddelee Decanus et Capitulum dicte 
 Well ecclie vicarii ejusdem ecclie sub pena canonica prohibuissent et proinde 
 statuissent ne in festivitatibus sanctorti Innocentiu et aliorum sanctoru que 
 Natalem xpi secuntur ludos theatrales facerent in ecclia predicta, seu ad lu 
 dibriorum spectacula monstra larvaru introduoerent in eadem aut per gesticula 
 tionem suarum debaccationes obscenas divinu officium impedirent quovis 
 modo. Nos Walterus de London et Capitulum ecclie predicte contra hoc 
 agentium maUtiam oportuna distructione compescere volentes adijciendo 
 statuimus et ordinamus ut si quis vicarius contra hoc statutu hujus modo ges 
 ticulationes de cetero exercere presumat ia ecclia supradicta sit suspensus ip 
 so facto a dilatione habitus et a perceptione commune incurrat quousq, 
 Decanus et Capitulum eum duxerint reconciliandum. 
 
 DE CLEEICIS ECCLIE WELL EEVELANTIBUS SECRETA 
 
 CAPITULL Item cum ecclia predicta tarn in spiritualibus quam 
 
 in temporalibus propter revelationes secretorum capituli ejusdem ecclesie 
 
 contra vetitum sepius factas magnum periculum et dispendium patiatur. 
 
 Nos Decanus et Capitulum supradicti hujuamodi periculis obviare volen 
 
 es, decernimus qd Clerici ecclie predicte qui seoreta Capituli revelare pre 
 
 sumpserint 
 
 * A line drawn through this -word in the original MS. 
 
80 
 
 presumpserint quantecimqj dignitatis honore prefulgeant excommunicationis sen 
 tentiam incurrant ipso facto. 
 
 DE VIOARIIS EOCLIE WELLN ECOLIE VIOARIAS SUAS 
 IN EADEM DESERENTIBUS. Item de vicariis dicte WeUn 
 ecclie vicarias suas quas se pretendunt habere in eadem sine justa et necessaria 
 causa nostro non accedente consensu deserunt. Statuimus et ordinamus qd post 
 quam per sex menses fuerint expectati nisi redierint ad illas oessantibus legitti 
 mis impedimentis ipsos eisdem vicariis decernimus fore privandos. 
 
 DE DISTRIBUTIONIBUS FACIENDIS CLERICIS ECCLESIE 
 WELLN DEBILITATE VEL INFIRMITATE GRAYATIS. 
 
 Item statuimus et ordinamus qd clerici dicte Welln ecclie in eadem ecclia coni 
 morantes cum senio aut valitudine corporali adeo fuerint gravati qd in ipsa eccle 
 sia divinis personaliter interesse nequeant officiis, eadem officia per alios faciant 
 adimpleri. Et tunc omnia emolumenta et distributiones percipiant ab eadem eccle 
 sia que percipere possent si eisdem ofl5.ciis personaliter interessent in ecclia predic 
 ta, facta primitus fide de impedimento supradicto. Alioquin hujusmodi distri 
 butiones et emolumenta penitus amittant .... 
 
 DE ANNOTATIONE NOMINUM VICARIORUM QUI 
 IN OFFICIIS DIVINIS NON INTERSUNT IN ECCLIA PRE 
 DICTA PER TABELLARIUM FACIENDUM. Item 
 statuimus et ordinamus qd Tabellarius ecclie predicte ad breviand' et conscri 
 bend' in tabulis suis vicariorum dicte ecclie divinis officiis non interessentium 
 nomina deputatus et juratus tam illorum qui matutinis magne misse et horis 
 canonicis non intersunt quam eorum qui ante finem earum exeunt a choro, nomi 
 na et cognomina in tabulis fideliter et plenarie faciant annotari. Et quolibet 
 die sabbati coram Decano et Capitulo recitari nuUi propter amorem timorem 
 vel favorem parcendo dictaq^ nomina in scriptis fideliter liberabit Decano si 
 non fecerit graviter puniatur juxta arbitrium Decani et Capituli predictoru. 
 
 DE ORATIONE . DOMINICA ET SALUTATIONE BEATE 
 MARIE VIRGINIS ANTE INCEPTIONEM CUJUSLIBET 
 
81 
 
 HORE. Item ut Clericis dicte Welln per devotas orationes cumulus junc 
 
 torum augeatur. Nos Decanus et Capitulum ejusdem ecclie statuimus et ordi 
 namus ut ipsi singulis diebua in choro dicte Well ecclie dicant orationem dominie a 
 cum salutatione beate Marie virguiis ante inceptionem matutinarum et ves 
 perarum ac prime tertie sexte none et completorii horarum absq^ excusatione 
 et omissione quibuscunqj. 
 
 DE ADMISSIONE PRE 
 
 SENTATORUM AD VICARIAS IN ECCLrA WELL ET DE 
 
 POSITIONIBIJS YICARIORUM EJUSDEM ECOLESIE 
 
 SUPER HABILITATE VEL INHABILITATE PRESENTATORU. 
 
 Item cum plures vicarii in ecclla predicta de novo presentati scientiam vel instrumen 
 tum psallendi vel cantandi non habentes, tarn ad probationem per quindenam 
 et per annu subeundam quam ad perpetuationem paucis vicariis ejusdem ecclie 
 perpetuatis et eidem presentato nimis faventibus pro idoneitate sua deponen 
 tibus oeterisqj vicariis ipsius ecclie perpetuatis propter favorem gratiam et timo 
 rem eorundem presentatorum et amicorum suorum super ipsorum presentatorum 
 habilitate vel inhabilitate nihil deponentibus, sed penitus tacentibus ac dicta 
 eccUam et nostram religionem circumventibus sunt admissi in dicte ecclie prejudi 
 cium et cultus divini diminutionem manifestam prout tarn per clamorem vali 
 dum fide dignorum quam per famam pubUcam ad mostrum sepius pervenit au 
 ditum. Statuimus et ordinamus qd de cetero nuUus vicarius in ecclia predicta 
 neo ad probationem quLudenam vel per annu nee ad perpetuationem ratione 
 alicujus presentationis ad vicariam sibi facte quovismodo admittatur, nisi om 
 nes et singuli vicarii ejusdem ecclie in civitate Well presentes ad hoc primitus 
 evocentur, et singillatim requisiti vel major et sanior pars eorundem de habili 
 tate ipsius vicarii suffieienter deponant. Et si vicarii ad premissa vocati 
 gratia odio vel vano sen improbabUi timore se subtraxerint aut falsum sci 
 enter deposuerint in premiasis, suspetionem a delatione habitus per sex menses 
 incurrant ipso facto 
 
 NE VICARIUS ECCLIE WELL 
 
 ANNO PROBATIONIS DURANTE STET IN SUPERIORI 
 
 GRADU VEL CELEBRET MAGNAM MISSAM. 
 
 3m 
 
82 
 
 Item cum in domo prudentis ardua ipsius officia juvenibus et inexpertis 
 nullatenus committantur, sed talibus qui per virtutum merita laudabiles pro 
 bentur et digni districtius inhibemus ne quis vicarius ecclie predicts anno pro 
 bationis ejusdem magnam missam celebrare presumat a,d magnum altare ec 
 clesie predicte. Qui vero contra hoc statutum venire presumpserit a dilatio 
 ne habitus sit suspensus quousq, Decanus et Capitulum eum duxerint recon 
 siliandum 
 
 NE QUIS LEGAT QUICQTJAM IN 
 ECCLESIA PEEDIOTA NISI PEIUS ASOULTETUR. 
 
 Item statuimus et ordinamus qd nullus vicarius Altarista vel Coris 
 ta de cetero legat in ecclia predicts lectionem epistolain vel Evangelium 
 antequam ascultatur nisi in scientia legendi fuerit convenienter expertus 
 et si fecerit et in accentu, dictione vel sillaba defecerit per Decanu et Capi 
 tulum puniatur, vel per Precentorem si sit Chorista. 
 
 DE PEESENTIA VIOAEIQEUM ECCLIE WELL IN 
 QUIBUSCUMQUE PEOGESSIONIBUS IN EADEM 
 ECCLTA FACIENDIS EXHIBENDA : Item ad honore 
 ecclie et divini nominis exaltationem statuimus et ordinamus qd omnes vi 
 carii ecclie predicte in civitate Well presentes processionibus diebus domi 
 nicis et majoribus dupKcibus festis necnon quarta et sexta feriis pro rege 
 nostro et pacis tranquilitate facieuda cum eas fieri contigerit personaliter 
 intersint nisi certis et legitimis de causis fuerint impediti. De quibus impe 
 dimentis sen causis semper in crastino die processionis hujusmodi proximo 
 secuturo coram fratribus in Capitulo eos fidem faoere volumus arctari et 
 efficaciter astringi, qd si legitime excusari non poterunt judicio Capituli 
 puniantur. 
 
 DE VESTIBUS TONSUEIS ET CO 
 EONA VICAEIOEUM ECGLESIE WELLN. Item 
 statuimus et districte precipimus ut universi vicarii ecclie predicte vestes 
 gerant decentes nimia brevitate vel longitudine non notandas nisi forte 
 itiniris vel alia justa causa aliam vestem. gerant ; aures quoqj patentes cri 
 nibus non opertas, et coronas habeant probanda latitudine condecentes 
 
 in quibus 
 
83 
 
 in quibus depositio terrenorum et regalis sacerdotii dignitas designatur. Si 
 qui vero Ticarrii ejxisdem ecclle contra premissa in vestibus tonsura vel corona de 
 liquerint statim ipso facto suspentionem a delatione habitus per mensem iii 
 currat nisi ab eadem ecclia interim recepturi. 
 
 NE QUIS CLE 
 RICUS DICTE WELL ECCLIE ALIUM. 
 CLERICUM EJUSDEM ECCLIE CORAM JUDICE SEOULARI 
 CONVENIAT : Item statuimus ut vicarii dicte Welln ecclle alium 
 vicarium vel Canonicum ejusdem ecclia super violentiis sibi illatis vel quibus 
 cunqj aliis actionibus personalibus seu rebus spiritualibus duntaxat ad exa 
 men seculare trahere non presumat. Et si quis deliquerit in premissis vel in 
 aliquo premissorum contra mentem vel formam presentis statuti majoris ex 
 communicationis sententiam incurrat ipso facto 
 
 NE QUIS CLERICUS DICTE WELL ECCLIE VADAT SINE 
 HABITU IN ECCLIA PREDICTA DUM DIYINA OFFICIA 
 PERAGUNTLR IN EADEM. Item statuimus et ordinamus 
 qd nullus Canonicus seu vicarius ecclle predicte post pulsationem ultime 
 prime in ecclia predicta sine habitu dum divina officia peraguntur in eadem ni 
 si forsan licite impeditus eisdem officiis interesse nequeat, et tunc transitum 
 faciat per eandem absqj mora quacunqj tunc ibidem facienda. Et si quis con 
 tra hujuamodi statutum nostrum venire presumpserit si Canonicus fuerit 
 perdat vestem superiorem in usus fabrice ecclle applicande, et si vicarius sus 
 pensionem a delatione habitus incurrat ipso facto quousq^ Decanus et Capi 
 tulum eum duxerint reconsUiandum 
 
 QUOD VIOARII 
 VENIANT DE DOMIBUS SUIS IN HABITU EUN 
 DO AD ECCLESIAM ET REDEUNDO. Item ut vicariis 
 dicte Well ecclle honestatia ecclesiastice debitus honor observetur. Nos Decang 
 et Oapitulum, ecclle supradicte statuimus et ordinamus ut vicarii ejusdem ecclle 
 euntes ad ipsam eccllam pro divinis officiis ibidem peragendis, et ab eade ecclia 
 redeuntes tarn de nocte quam de die habitibus suis pro eisdem officiis deputa 
 
 tis utautur 
 
84 
 
 tio utantur juxta antiquam consuetudinem ecclle supradicte. Si quis vero vicarius 
 contra hoc venire presumpserit a delatione habitus sui et a perceptione commune 
 per mensem incurrat ipso facto. . . 
 
 DE ABSENTIA ET DEFEC 
 
 TU VICARIOEUM EOOLIE WELL AD DIYINUM OFFI 
 OIUM PERAGENDU IN EADEM INTITULATORUM. 
 
 Item cum propter absentiam et defectus vicariorum dicte "Welln ecclie ad divi 
 nu officium in eadem peragendum intitulatorum magnum scandalum in clero et po 
 pulo sepius genereturet cultus divinus minuatur in ecclla supradicta. Nos De 
 canus et Capitulum supradicti statuimus et ordinamus qd vicarii ecclie supradic 
 te ad regend' chorum vel ad legend' epistolam seu Evangelium aut celebrandum 
 magnam missam vel capitularem in ecclia predicta deputati seu intitulati ad ipsa 
 officia et alia ad quae intitulantur devotius peragenda per se vel per alios diligentes 
 sint et parati omni tempore juxta officium titulationis eis facte. Si quisvero sic 
 intitulatus defecerit in premissis vel in aliquo premissorum a delatione habitus 
 per unum mensem sit suspensus ipso facto nihil ab eadem ecclia interim recepturus. 
 
 DE YICARIIS WELL ECCLIE HORAS CAN0NICA8 
 PER TRANSCURSUM VEL SINCOPAM DICENTIBUS ET 
 
 YENATIOlSriBUS SEU AUCUPATIONIBUS VAOAN 
 TIBUS AC PER YICOS ET PLATEAS INCEDENTIBUS. 
 
 Gravi nimirum turbatione monemur qd pleriq, vicarii dicte Well ecclie modes 
 tia ordiuis clericalis abjecta dum offerre deo sacrificiu laudis in puritate conscientiae 
 et animi devotione deberent horas canonicas dicere seu psallere transcurrendo sinco 
 pando extranea quedam et poleruq, varia et in honesta intermittendo coUoquia, ac 
 venationibus auoupationibus et piscationibus prsesentiam personalem exhiben 
 do, ac quasi nihil ciirantes de clericali militia, choreas et spectacula prosecun 
 tur, ac die noctuq^ per vicos et plateas civitatis incedunt, et vitam ducunt alias 
 voluptuosam cum cantu et tumultii magno ex quibus varia iuhonesta secuntur. 
 et ecclesiasticum pleruqj perturbatur officium in divino majestatis offensam et 
 astantium scandalum populorum. Nos ergo Decanus et Capitulum supradicti 
 hujusmodi temerariis ausibus obviare volentes. Inhibemus eisdem ne de cetero 
 talia committere presumant. Et si quis in premissis vel aliquo premissorum deli 
 
 querit 
 
85 
 
 querit, siispensionem a delatione habitus per duos menses se noverit incursu 
 rum nihil prorsus ab ecclia interim recepturus 
 
 DE VICARIIS ECCLIE WELL SECULAEIBUS NEGOTIIS 
 
 SE IMMISCENTIBUS ET TABERNAS EXERCENTIBTJS 
 
 ET AD ALEAS SEU TAXILLAS PUBLICE LUDENTIBUS. 
 
 Itim cum plures vicarii dicte ecclie Welln officiis et commerciis secularibus se 
 immisceant ac etiam ad aleas et taxUlos ludant et tabernas exerceant in obprobi 
 um ordinis clericalis et scandalum ecclie manifestum. Nos igitur Decanus et Ca 
 pitulum supradicti hujusmodi temerariis ausibus obviate volentes. Statuimus 
 et ordinamus ut hujusmodi delinquentes suspensionem a delatione habitus per 
 duos menses nihil ab ecclia interim recepturi incurrant ipso facto 
 
 DE VICARIIS ET ALTARISTIS ECCLIE WELLN 
 ARMA PORTANTIBTJS. Item Ucet Clericis qui preclara 
 xpi hereditate sunt assumpti usus armorum divini et humani juris autho 
 ritate omnino sit prohibitus, ita ut etiam pro justitia ad defensionem seu 
 vindictam nuUatenus sit permissus. Plures tamen vicarii et Altariste 
 dicte Wells ecclie divini nominis et honestatis proprie penitus obliti in 
 casibus a jure non permissis arma deferunt, et quandoqj per se et quandoq^ 
 cum suis complicibus aKos verberant et male pertractant. Et non solum 
 in privatorum homiati bonis sed in bonis dicte Well ecclie in eadem ecclia 
 et Cemiterio ejusdem repositis seu existentibus predas rapinas et furta 
 ac etiam sacrilegia ne farie committunt. Et quidem complices sui premis 
 sis malefactoribus auxilium consilium et cohsensum prebent in periculum 
 animaru suarum et ecclie scandalum manifestum. Nos igitur Decanus et 
 Capitulum supradicti dictas personas in tam horrendis sceleribus debacca 
 tes pia salutis provisione persequi cupientes Statuimus ut quicunq^ 
 Altarista ejusdem ecclie deliquerit in premissis vel aliquo premissorum 
 ipso facto amoveatur ab ecclia omnino. Et si persona delinquens vicarius 
 fuerit in ecclia predicta nisi infra mensem ad arbitrium Decani et Capituli 
 tam eidem ecclie cui tan tam ignominiam irrogaverit et injuriam passo sa 
 tis faciat competenter ex tunc ipso facto sua vicaria sit privatus. 
 
 NE COREE LUDI VEL SPECTACULA VEL LAPI 
 
86 
 
 DUM PROJECTIONES FIANT IN CEMITERIO VEL CLAUS 
 TRO ECOLIE. Item cum ex choreis ludis et spectaculis et lapidum pro 
 jectionibus in prefata ecclla et ejus cemiterio ac claustro dissentiones sanguinis 
 effusiones et violentie sepius oriantur, et ex hiis dicta Well ecclia multa dispen 
 dia patiatur. Nos Decanus et Capitulum supradicti hujusmodi insolentias soli 
 citudinis cura submovere volentes statuimus et ordinamus qd siquis premis 
 sa seu aliquid premissorum facere presumpserit in futuru vel hujusmodl temera 
 riis actibus scienter interfuerit majoris excommunicationis sententiam incur 
 rat ipso facto. 
 
 DE COLLATIONS ANNALIUM. 
 
 Item statuimus et ordinamus qd annalia temporalia in ecclia Welln pro 
 animabns mortuorum celebranda vicariis ejusdem ecclie qui majoris meriti, et 
 melioris conditionis reputantur in crastino sancti Michaelis singulis annis confe 
 rantur. Et siquis vicarius cui annale fuerit coUatu citra festum predictti debitu 
 nature persolverit statim ne amine mortuoru defraudentur alius vicarius sub 
 rogetur loco sui ad hujusmodi annale peragend', proviso qd vicarii ejusdem ecclTe 
 qui pro^dignitatibus personatibus officiis et prebendis presbiteralibus eide 
 ecclle deserviunt medietate unius annalis duntaxat sunt contenti 
 
 NE VICARII DICTE WELL ECCLIE CONFABULARI VEL 
 CONVERSARI PRESUMANT CUM MULIERIBIJS SUS 
 PECTIS. Item si quis vicariorum ecclle predicte cum meretricibus vel 
 aliis mulieribus suspectis in ecclia predicta vel ejus cemiterio aut in plateis vel 
 domibus civitatis Well contra honestatem ordinis publico fabulari aut 
 alio modo cum ea conversari vel ad eas publicum accessum habere presu 
 mat, cum ex hiis grave scandalum in populo generetur suspensionem ab 
 ingressu ecclle predicte per duos menses incurrat ipso facto. . . 
 
 NE VICARII ECCLIE WELL QUICQUAM RELINaUAT 
 CONOUBINIS SUIS IN TESTAMENTIS ET CET'. 
 
 Item cum Clericus eoclesiasticalium rerum sit procurator non dominus 
 et conditionem ecclle meUorare possit facere vero deteriorem non debeat 
 juxta canonicas sanctiones. Statuimus et ordinamus qd nuUus vicarius 
 
 eoclesie 
 
87 
 
 ecclesie predicte de bonis proventibus ecclesiasticis concubinis suis aliquid 
 conferat nee in testamento suo quicquam sibi relinquat, qd si de oetero factu 
 habuerit totum illud nostro arbitrio convertatur in usum fabrice ecclesie su 
 pradicte. , . . . 
 
 DE CUSTODIA ETJCHARISTIE OLE! 
 ET CRISMATIS IN ECCLESIA SUPEADICTA: Item 
 statuimus qd Eukaristia oleum et crisma sub serula competenti servetur in ecclesia 
 predicta 
 
 FORMA JURAMENTI VICARIORUM 
 EOCLIE WELLt IN PERPEtUATIONIBUS SUIS PRES 
 TANDA : Item cum in ecclie "Welln talis sit consuetudo per tempus cujus 
 contrarii memoria non existit usitata et optenta qd vicarii ejusdem ecclie in perpe 
 tuationibus suis de statutis libertatibus et consuetudinibus dicte Well ecclie 
 inviolabiliter observandis corporale prestent juramentiim sub hac forma ver 
 borum. Ego . N . vioarius ecclie Welln ero obediens Decano et Capitulo ecclie 
 Welln in canonicis et legitimis mandatis 7 celabo secreta capituli si que ad me 
 devenerint 7 observabo statuta et consuetudines dicte Well ecclesie que ad ■vioari 
 um pertinent: Et adhibebo diligentiam de sciendo psalterium antiphonariu et 
 hymnariti : sic deus me adjuvet et hec sancta. N"os vero Decanus et Capitulum 
 supradicti statuimus et decernimns dictam consuetudinem inviolabiliter obser 
 vandam sine immutatione quacunc^. .... 
 
 Nos Walterus de London Decanus ecclie Welln et ejusdem ecclie Capitulu hseo 
 autem statuta provisiones et ordinationes cum aliis ecclie WeUn statutis rationa 
 bilibus et usitatis Statuimus et in virtute obedientie in ipsa ecclia perpetuis tem 
 poribus inviolabiliter observaii. Et ea ex tunc publicamus et ad omniu volumus 
 notitiam pervenire. Acta et pronunciata sunt ista statuta publico in domo Ca 
 pitulari We'll coram Canonicis et vicariis dicte ecclesie. Anno domini . Mill™- 
 ccc™°- xxxix". Indict' septia mensis Mali die septima. Presentibus discretis 
 viris dominis Philippo de Brystoll Hugone de Echemyngdon. Richardo Po 
 leyn Simone Compayndon testibus ad premissa vocatis specialiter et rogatis. . . 
 
 PROHIBITIO LUDORUM THEATRALIUM ET SPECTA 
 CULORUM ET OSTENTIONEM LARYARUM IN ECCLIa. 
 
88 
 
 WELL. Item cum infra septimanam Pentecostes et etiam in aliis festivita 
 tibus fiant a laicis ludi theatrales in ecclla predicta et non solum ad ludibriorum spec 
 taenia introducantur in ea monstrum larvaru, verum etiam in sanctoru Innocentiti 
 et aliorum sanctorum festivitatibus que Natalem xpi secuntur Presbiteri Diacobi 
 et Subdiaconi dicte WeU ecclie vicissim insanie sue ludibria exercentes per gesti 
 culationem debaccationes obsenas diviuti officium impediant in conspectu popu 
 li decus faciant clericale vilescere quem potius illo tempore deberent predica 
 tione mulcere. Nos Decanus et Capitulum supradicti ne ubi peccatorum est 
 venia postulanda ibi peccandi datur occasio aut deprehendantur peccata com 
 mitti prelibatam ludibriorum consuetudinem seu potius corruptelam ab ecclesia 
 predicta fore decernimus penitus extirpandam proinde statuentes siquis hujus 
 modi gesticulationes de cetero exercere presumat in ecclla supradicta sit ipso 
 facto excommunicationis vinculo innodatus, a quo nullatenus absolvatur ni 
 si prius eidem ecclie cui tantam contumeliam intulit judicio Decani et Capita 
 li satisfaciat competenter. Et ne hoc salubre statutum pretextu ignorantie 
 negligetur ipsum per annu proximu secuturum singulis diebus domiaicis 
 et solempnibus instantibus multitudine fideliu precipimus solemniter pub 
 
 DE VICAEIIS ECCLIE PRO DIVING SERVI 
 TIO FACIENDO TARDB VENIENTIBUS AD CHOEUM 
 ET ANTE FINEM AB EODEM EXEUNTIBUS. Item cum 
 plures vicarii dicte Welln ecclie pro divino officio in eadem faciendo tarde veni 
 ant ad oborum ecclie predicts et quidam ipsum clioru absq, causa rationabili an 
 te finem officii exeant frequenter et sub palliatione negotiorum suoru quan 
 quam aliqua necessaria vel probabUia non habuerunt facienda ad navem ecclie 
 vel alia loca sibi propinqua vel remota se transferant in periculum animarti 
 suarum et cultus divini imminutionem manifestam. Nos Decanus et Capi 
 tulum supradicti statuimus et ordinamus ut siquis delinquerit in premissis, a 
 delatione habitus sui per tres menses eo ipso sit suspensus ab eadem ecclia ni 
 hil interim reoepturus 
 
 DE SOLUTIONE COMMU 
 NE YICARIORUM IN FINE CUJTJSLIBET SEPTIMA 
 
 NE FACIENDA : Item statuimus et ordinamus qd vicarii dicte 
 
 Well 
 
89 
 
 Well ecclie qui singulis diebus ad matutinas magna missam et horas canonicas in eade 
 ecclia dicenda veniub et noa exeunt absq, causa rationabili de qua die crastina saltern per 
 juramentu proprium in Capitulo volumus eos fidem faoere coram nobis . sed ibide usqj ad 
 fine earu comorantur communa suam in fine cujuslibet septimne integraliter percipiant absq^ 
 ulterori dilajtione quacuqjj. Alioquin diebus quibus proraissa non fecerint a sua communa 
 sint exclusi et penitus alieni, et aliis penis nihilominus subjaceant in aliis statutis dicte Well 
 ecclie contra tales hactenus ordinatis et in futuru ordinandis 
 
 DE ALTARISTIS ECCLIE WELLEK Item licet Altariste Well 
 ecclie abortu solis usqj ad magnam missam altaribus dicte Well ecclie ad quorum custodia 
 deputati existunt et sacerdotibus ad eadem celebrantibus intendere et diligentius in ser 
 vire unuqj psalteriu nomine Canonicoru ejusdem ecclie pro animabus omniu fideliu defunc 
 torn singulis diebus dicere teneantur sufficientibus stipendiis pro laboribus suis de bonis nos 
 communibus eis assignatis. lidem tamen Altariste retroactis temporibus sepius premissa fa 
 cere neglexerint in suarti periculu animaru et ecclie scandalu et cultus divini diminutione mani 
 festam. Nos igitur hujusmodi necligentias ex officii nostro debito per sequentes Statuimg 
 et ordinamus ut siquis ex Altaristis supradicto aliquo die septimane necligens fuerit seu re 
 missus in premissis, seu aliquo premissoru stipendia illius septiman . penitus amittet qd si for 
 te per amissione stipendioru suoru se non emendaverit, ex tunc ab officio suo sit privatus eo facto. 
 
 NE FIANT JSrUNDINE VEL STREPITUS JUDICIALES IN EC 
 CLESIA WELL VEL LOCIS AD EAM PERTINENTIBUS. 
 
 Item ne ubi peccatoru venia est postulanda, ibi pecoandi datur occasio aut deprehensa pec 
 cata committi. Statuimus et ordinamus ut cessent in ecclia WeUen et ejus cimiterio negotiationes 
 et precipue Nundinaru, ac fieri cujusctiq, tumultus ac omnes in eisdem ecclia et cimiterio necno in 
 domibus Locis ad ipsam eccllam spectantibus judicioru strepitus conquiescat nulla inibi causa 
 per Laicos agitetur, sed sint Loca eadem a Laicoru congregationibus penitus aliena, qui vero contrsi 
 hujusmodi statutu nostrum animo petulanti venire presumpserit majoris sententiam ex oomu 
 nicationis incurrat ipso facto, et ea remaneat Ligatus donee suu confessus reatu a similibus fir 
 mo proposito deliberaverit abstinere, et beneficiti absolutionis meruit obtinere 
 
 DE PERSONIS ECOT.IE WELL IN ORDINES QUOS BENEFICIA 
 SUA REQUIRUT IN PREDICTA ECCLIA PROMO VENDIS :— 
 
 Item Statuimus et ordinamus qd illi qui dignitates personatas officia vel prebendas 
 
 quibus certi ordines sunt annexi pacifice ntic obtinent in ecclia predicta vel obtinuerint in futu 
 
 ru nisi justo impedimento cessante ad hujusmodi ordines se promoveri fecerint infra annum 
 
 ex tunc 
 3n 
 
90 
 
 ex tanc donee ad eos promoti fuerint, taceant omni voce in Caplo ecclie supradicte et Licet 
 residentiam feoerint in ecclia, et horis oanonicis affuerint medietatem distributionu que tali 
 bus distribuutur amittant ipso facto. Volentes presens statutu debitu sortiri effectu in pre 
 missis nisi statim summarie et de piano abs(^ strepitu judiciali decreverint se fuisse ad ipsos 
 ordines ut premittitur promotos si susceptioeorunde ordinu a Decano et Caplo in dubio revocetur : 
 
 DE SOBRIETATE YICAEIORUM IN ECCLfA PREDICTA. 
 
 Item cum ab omni specie mala precipiat Aplus abstiaere. Statuimus et ordinamg 
 nt omnes clerici predicte ecclie ab omni crapula et ebrietate, et aliis que eoru honestate 
 defamant abstineant vigUanter, cum ebrietas mentis inducat exiHu et libidini provocat 
 in centuu nnde et ilium abusum in quibusdam partibus ut audivimus observatum . quoad 
 potus equales suo modo se obligant potatores, et quo illo judicio taHum plus laudatur 
 qui plures inebriat, et calices fecundiores exhauriat a clericis ecclie predicte fore decre 
 vimus penitus aboland'. Siqnis autem ex consuetudine super hiis que culpabilem 
 exbibiierit, nisi a Decano commonitus satisfecerit a delatione habitus per mensem no 
 verit se suspensum 
 
 DE ADULTERIO CLERICORU ECCLIE WELLEN. 
 
 Item tantum invaluit detestande Lubricitatis enormitas in ecclia Well sicnt comu 
 niter refertur ut quidam Clerici ejusdem ecclie cum miilieribus conjugatis adulterium 
 committere non formident. Nos igitur Decanus et Oapitulu supradicti tali oriendo 
 flagitio remedium apponere cupientes omnes clericos ejusdem ecclie bujusmodi turpi 
 tudinis peccatores majoris excommunicationis sententia innodamus 
 
 NE MERETRICES ECCLESIE "WELLEN ACCE 
 
 DANT AUT IN EA COMMORENTTJR ET DE EXPUL 
 
 SIONE EARUM AB ECCLIA PREDICTA. 
 
 Item cum plures concubine Clericorum ecclesie predicte et alie mulieres 
 male fame ad predictam ecclesiam accedant, e ibidem in soandalum ecclesie diutius 
 commorantur ut ipsos clericos ad vetita provocent,. et illicita cum eis faciant pactiones 
 de peccatis pro Loco et tempore ad invicem committendum. Statuimus et ordina 
 mus quod mulieres predicte ab eadera ecclesia quam infamare presumunt per 
 Sacristam ejusdem ecclesie expellantur, et si nee sic duxerint abstinend' excommu 
 nicationis sententia incurrant ipso facto, et ex tunc contra eas brachiu seculare ut 
 
 quas 
 
91 
 quas dei timor a malo non revocat temporalis saltim pena coMbeat a peccato. 
 
 DE DISTRIBUTIONIBUS ET EMOLUMENTIS PERCIPI 
 ENDIS AB HIIS CANONIOIS QUI NEGOTIA EOCLESIE 
 PERSECUNTTJE, : Item cum hii qui communia negotia dicte Well eo 
 clesie persecuntur ejus utilitatem procurare censeantur. Nos Deeanus et Capi 
 tulum supradicti cum non deoeat ut alicui suum officiu sit damnosum statuimus 
 et ordinamus ut omnes Clerici hujusmodi negotia prosequentes distributionem et 
 omnia percipiant emolamenta que percipere possent si in eadem ecclia personali 
 ter residerent et in divinis officiis inibi deservirent 
 
 FORMA 
 SECUNDUM USUM EGOLIE WELLN IN INTEONIZATI 
 ONE EPISCOPI : Ordinetur processio in ecclia predic 
 ta sicut in festis majoribus duplicibus excepto qd in eundo majores precedunt 
 per medium chori et ecclle usq, ad bostium occidentale exeuntes processionali 
 ter hostio clauso post eorum excessum usqj ad tabernaculum qd erit preparatum per 
 Camerarium epi prope magnam portam cemiterii que ducit versus locum nundina 
 rum ibidem stationem facientes due exeellentiores persone in capis sericis sibi ob 
 viantes et super manum dextram capientes ducant eum in tabernaculum predic 
 turn et se faciet inibi discalciari, et ex inde cum humUitate et devotione deflectat se 
 ad unam formulam ad hoc preparatam dummodo a digniore persona aqua benedicta 
 aspergatur et a duobus thurificetur et deosculetur crucem : Deinde erigat se 
 Episcopus dum juramentum episcopale a digniore persona legitur sub hac forma 
 verborum. PATER NOSTEE, reverende promittis jura consuetudines et 
 libertates ecclle veatre Well ut pastor bonus et sponsus ejusdem secundum pro 
 fessionem nostram in verbo sacerdotali et pontificaU in omnibus observare. 
 
 EPISCOPUS EESPONDEBIT: PEOMITTO: 
 
 Chorus respondeat alta voce. DEO GRATIAS. Que finita in 
 cipiat Cantor Summe Trinitas deinde Ant^hona de sancto Andrea per 
 dispositionem Cantoris, et sic processionaliter redeundo usqj ad magnum altare 
 panno sub pedibus episcopi a miuistris ecclie distribuendo. Episcopus genuflectet 
 
 ad unam 
 
92 
 
 ad unam formulam prius per Sacristam honorifice preparatam quoscb excellenti 
 
 or persona orationem domioicam cum salutatione angelica et precibus sequentibus 
 
 finierit. Deinde submissa voce dicat excellentior persona. Et ne nos. Salvum fac 
 
 populum tuu domine et Benedic hereditati. Mitte ei domine auxiliu de sane 
 
 to . et de Syon <fec. Nihil proficiat inimicus in eo. Et filius iniquitatis non noce 
 
 bit eum. Esto ei domine turris fortitudinis. A facie inimici. Domine exaudi 
 
 orationem meam. Et clamor. Dominus vobiscum, et cum spiritu tuo. . . . 
 
 Oremus. ORATIO. CONCEDE quesumus domini famulo tuo 
 
 N". episcopo nostro ut predicando et exercendo que recta sunt exemplo beatorum 
 
 operum aimas suorum instruat subditorum et eterne remunerationis mercedem 
 
 a te piissimo pastore percipiat per xpm. Hiis peractis surgens episcopus 
 
 accedat ad magnum altare illud osculando et offerendo, et postea omnes con 
 
 fratres ibidem existentes osculetur. Deinde benedicat Episcopus omnes cir 
 
 cumstantes benedictione pontificiali. Arcbidiaconus Cantuarii si presens 
 
 fuerit alias ipsius Oommissarius cum duobus senioribus et Ceroferariis du 
 
 cat eum ad sedem episcopalem et intronizet eum dicens. Dominus custodiat in 
 
 troitum tuum et exitum tuum ex hoc nunc et usqj in seculum, legendo et publi 
 
 cando commissionem et authoritatem Archidiaconi predict! modu ia stalla 
 
 tionis : Delude precedant duo Geroferarii Episcopum in domu Thesaurarie 
 
 se preparando et ordinando pro alta missa celebranda 
 
 JTJRAMENTUM DECANI ECCLTe WELLN QUAN 
 DO DEBET INSTALLARI : EGO . N. Deeanus ecclle 
 Sancti Andree Well inspectis et tactis sacrosanctis Evangeliis juro me fac 
 turum in dicta ecclie Well continuam et debitam residentiam, et qd observabo 
 omnia jura et dignita tes ecclle Well predicte et antiquas approbatas et usita 
 tas consuetudines et libertates pro posse meo et qd mihi subditos ut idipsum 
 faciant diligenter instruam. Et qd possessiones ecclle injuste dispersas et fa 
 cultates precipue alienatas congregabo et qd humilitatem in memetipso cus 
 todiam, et ad bee custodienda subditos meos exbortabo: sic deus me adjuvet 
 et hec sancta dei Evangelia 
 
 ISTE PEECES STJBSEQUEN 
 
 TES DICANTUE, IN INSTALLATIONE DECANI ET OM 
 
 NIU ALIORUM DIGNITATUM PERSONATUM OFFI 
 
 CIA 
 
93 
 
 CIA ET CANONICI : Ecce quam bona et quam jucundu habitare fratres 
 in unu. Memor esto congregationis tue. Qfh possis. Salvti fao servum tuum. 
 Deus meus spes. Mitte ei auxiliu de sco . et da Syon. Nihil proficiat inimicus in eo. 
 Et filius iniquitatis non apponat nooere eL Domine deus virtutu converte nos. 
 Et ostende faciam tuam. Domine exaudi orationem meam. Et clamor. Dominus 
 vobiscum, et cum. Pretende domine famulo tuo . N. dextram celestis aux 
 ilii ut te toto corde perquirat, et que digne poatulat assequatur per Christum. 
 His peractis aspergatur aqua benedicta. 
 
 JURAMENTUM PREPOSITI ECCLESIE WELLN. 
 
 Ego N. Prepositus ecclle Well juro ad hec dei sancta Evangelia per me 
 corporaliter tacta qd Canonicis dicte ecclle Prebendariis Well Cumbe pri 
 me secunde tertie quarte quinte sexte septime octave none decime undecime duo 
 decime tertiodecime quartodecime et quintodecime in eadem ac vicariis stall 
 dictarum prebendarum in eadem ecclia deservituris nomine Prebendarum et vicaria 
 rum suarum Centum libras sterlingorum, nee non et vicariis servitia factuiis 
 viginti libras sterlingorum ex tunc singulis annis quamdiu fuero Prepositus 
 eidem ecclle apud Well ad quatuor anni terminos principales vel saltim in 
 eorum quindenis persolvam seu persolvi faciam indilate, qdqj statuta jura liber 
 tates et consuetudines dicte Well ecclle quatenus in me est inviolabiliter 
 obserrabo. Sic me deus adjuvet, et hec sancta dei Evangelia 
 
 JURAMENTUM CANONICORU EOCLIE WELLN. 
 
 Ego . N. ero obediens Decano et Capitulo ecclle Well in canonicis manda 
 tis et observabo inviolabiliter jura statuta dignitates libertates et consuetu 
 dines dicte ecclle approbatas et hactenus usitatas et celabo secreta Capituli cu 
 ad me devenerint . sic deus me adjuvet et hec sancta dei Evangelia. 
 
 JURAMENTUM VICARIORUM ECCLIA WELL CUM 
 DEBEANT PERPETUARI SECUNDUM STATUTUM 
 ECCLESIE PREDICTE. Ego . N. vicarius ecclesie Well 
 ero obediens Decano et Capitulo ecclie Welln in canonicis et Ileitis mandatis 
 et celabo secreta Capituli si que ad me devenerint, et observabo statuta et con 
 suetudines dicte ecclie Well que ad vicarium pertinent . sic me deus adjuvet et 
 
 sancta 
 
94 
 
 sancta dei Evangelia. JURAMEISTTU OANONICOEU ECCLIE WELLK 
 Ego N. ero obediens Decano et Capitulo ecclie Welln in canonicis man 
 datis et observabo inviolabilitur Jura statufca dignitates libertates et consue 
 tudines diote ecclie approbatas et hactenus usitatas, et oelabo secreta Capita 
 li cum ad me devenerint ad quemcuqj statum etiam episcopalem devenero in 
 eadem ac etiam dictis canonicatu et probanda quos jam in ea obtineo per me dimis 
 sis eadem jura dignitates et consuetudines pro meis viribus defendam . sic me 
 deus adjuvet et bee sancta dei Evangelia 
 
 JURAMENTUM CANONICORUM ECCLIE WELLN 
 PER EORUM PROCURATORES : 
 
 Eao . N. Procurator et procuratorio nomine venerabilis viri N. 
 Oanonici hujus ecclie cathedralis Welln et prebendarii prebende N. in eade 
 Juro in animam domini mei qd ipse erit obediens Decano et Capitulo ecclesie 
 Welln in canonicis mandatis, et observabit inviolabiliter Jura statuta digni 
 tates libertates et consuetudines dicte ecclie approbatas et hactenus usitatas 
 et etiam dictis Canonicatu et Prebenda quos in eadem ecclla jam obtinet, et 
 per eum dimissis eadem jura dignitates consuetudines ad quemcuq, statum 
 et episcopatum devenerit non eo minus pro viribus defendet, et celabit se 
 creta Oapituli cum ad ipsum devenerint . sic me et dominum meum supra 
 dictu deus adjuvet et bee sancta dei Evangelia 
 
 FACIENDUM IN PERSONA PROCURATORU 
 
 ViGOBE mandati reverendi in xpo patris Domini Domini Roberti ■ 
 dei gratia Bathon et Welln episcopi nobis et presenti Capitulo directi 
 authoritateqj nostra et dicti Capituli deputamus N. N. Canonicos hie 
 presentes ad installand' vos procuratorem venerabilis viri magistri . V. 
 et N. Canonici hujus ecclesie Cathedralis ac Prebendarii Prebende de 
 N. in eadem in hac parte sufficienter et legittime constitutum Stallumq, vo 
 bis assignandum hujusmodi canonicatui et prebende soHtum et consuetum 
 nomine procuratorio Domiai vestri supradicti. 
 
 FACIENDUM IN PERSONA PROPRIA. 
 
 Vigore mandati Reverendi in xpo Patris et Domini Domini Rober 
 
 ti dei gratia Bathon et Welln episcopi nobis et presenti Capitulo directi 
 
 authoritatecb 
 
95 
 
 authoritateq^ nostra et dicti Capituli deputamus . K et N, Canonicos Mc presentes 
 ad installand' tos N. Canonioum hujus ecolesie Cathedralis et Prebendariu 
 prebende de E". in eadem in choro dicte ecclesie Cathedralis stallumqj vobis 
 assignand' hujuamodi canonicatui et prebende solitum et oonsuetum 
 
 FACIENDUM IN PERSONA BEOOURATOEU. 
 
 Vigore supradicti mandati et authoritate premissa vobis proouratorio 
 nomine Domini vestri . K Canonici hujus ecclie et prebendarii prebende 
 de N. in eadem Locum in presenti Capitulo assignamus 
 
 FACIENDUM IN PEESONA PROPEIA. 
 
 Yigore supradicti mandati et authoritate premissa vobis Canoni 
 
 CO hujus ecolesie et prebende de N. in eadem Locum iu presenti Capitulo 
 
 assignamus. . , . . 
 
 Ego . N. Canonicus hujus ecolesie Cathedralis sanoti 
 Andree Wellen ac Prebendarius Prebende de N. in eadem ero obediens Deca 
 no et Capitulo ecclesie Cathedralis predicte in eorum Licitis et canonicis man 
 datis, et observabo inviolabiliter jura statuta dignitates et consuetudines 
 dicte ecclesie approbatas et hactenus usitatas. Ac etiam dictis Canonicatu et 
 prebenda quos jam in ea obtineo per me dimissis eadem jura dignitates et consue 
 tudines adquemounqj statum etiam episcopalem devenero non eo minus pro viri 
 bus meis defendam, et celabo secreta Capituli cum ad me devenerint . sic me de 
 us adjuvet et hec sancta dei Evangelia. 
 
 KALENDAEIUM DE COLOEIBUS VESTIMENTORUM 
 
 UTENDIS ET VARIANDIS PRO UT FESTA ET TEMPO 
 
 RA TOTIUS ANNI EEQUIEUNT IN ECCLIa WELLN. 
 
 DoMiiTicus primus Adventus In die NataHs domini omnia alba preter 
 
 domini et per totu Adventu quando chorus in secunda missa. 
 
 regitur sint omnia media, nisi tantu feria Sancti Stephani martyris omnia rubea. 
 
 quarta quatuor temporum ad missam Dia Scti Johannis Evangl': oia media et alba, 
 
 conus et Subdiaconus vestimentis albis_ Scantorum Innocentiu omnia rubea. 
 
 induantur. Scti Thome Martyris omnia rubea. 
 
96 
 
 Scti Silvestri oia virida et crocea. 
 In festo Circumcisionis doni principales 
 Reotores sint in vestimentis albis et allii secu 
 dares in vestimentis mbeis ad Magnificat et 
 Benedic : unu rubeu et aliud album ad Mis 
 gam tres Rectores principales in rubeis et duo 
 secundares una in albis vestimentis et alia in 
 
 rubeis 
 
 In Octa : Scti Stephani sicut in die. 
 
 In Octa : Scti Johannis Apli sicut in die. 
 
 In Octa Sctoru Innocentiu sicut in die. 
 
 In Octa : Scti Thome Marty : sicut in die. 
 
 In Epiphania domini et per octa et in octa 
 
 sicut in die Natalis dSi omnia in albis. 
 
 Dominica prima prius octa : Epiphie 
 
 usc^ ^d Septuagesima quando de tempo 
 
 rali agitur omnia erunt rubea. 
 
 Dominica in Septuagesima us(^ ad Pas 
 
 sionem dni quando de temporal! agitur 
 
 omnia. 
 
 Dominica in passione omnia rubea. 
 
 Dominica in Ramis palmaru omnia in 
 
 rubeis excepto una capa de nigris ad opus 
 
 cayphe. 
 
 In die Gene omnia rubea cum vexillo de 
 
 albo. 
 
 fferia VI-^ in parascev vestimentis rubeis 
 
 Diaconus et Subdiaconus vestimetis 
 
 sive purpura. 
 
 Sabbato in vigiUa Pasche omnia rubea. 
 
 fferia secunda \ In die Pasche omnia 
 
 fferia tertia sunt rubea ' 
 
 fferia quarta 
 
 fferia quinta 
 
 fferia sexta 
 
 Sabbato 
 
 Dominica in Albis omnia in albis ves 
 
 timentis 
 
 Omnibus dominicis ab octa Pasche 
 usqj ad Ascentionem domini quando de 
 temporaU agitur omnia in vestme : rubeis 
 in VigiUa Ascentionis et in die, et per octf 
 et in octa : et etiam dominica infra octa. 
 tam in vestimentis quam in altare om 
 nia in albis. 
 
 Dominica post octa Ascentionis 
 omnia rubea. 
 
 In vigilia Pentecostes et in die omnia 
 in vestimentis rubei colons et per totam 
 hebdomadam sequentem. 
 In die Sancte Trinitatis oia rubea. 
 fferia quinta post festum Scte Trinitatis 
 vizet in festo corporis xpi omnia rubea. 
 Per totu octa Corporis xpi omnia rubea. 
 Dominica prima post festum Sancte Tri 
 nitatis et in omnibus dominicis usq, ad 
 Adventum domini quando de temporal! 
 agitur omnia in vestimentis rubeis. 
 In Dedicatione Ecclie media et alba. 
 
 omnia rubea. 
 
97 
 
 TABULA SUBSEQUENS CONTINET INSTALLATIONUM OMNIUM 
 
 DIGNITATES PEKSONATAS ET OFFICIA. ET QUOT PEEBENDE SUNT IN ECCLESIA 
 
 "WELL ACQUALITBE ET IN QUIBUS QUAETEEIIS SECUNDUM OEDI 
 
 NES ET STATUS EOEUM DEBENT INSTALLAE,I AC ETIAM TAXAS SIN 
 
 GULAEUM PEEBENDAEUM EXCEPTIS VII. PEEBENDIS PAUPEEU 
 
 ET QUANTUM QUILIBET VICAEIUS ET CBTEEI MINISTEI ECCLESIE DE 
 
 BENT PEECIPEEE ET A QUIBUS SOL VI 
 
 De taxatione prebendarum. 
 
 Ut ne Escaetor Capituli causari possit ignorautiam pro quo precio ad minus 
 vendere debeat fructus prebendarum primi anni ad Capitulum et defunctum 
 spectantes estimationem prebendarum in possessionibus consistentium ad per 
 petuam rei memoriam in presentibus duximus inserviendum. 
 
 Taxationes. 
 
 Quarteriu Decani. 
 
 Stipendiu vicarioru 
 
 XL^i- . 
 
 Decanus 
 
 IIII. marc' 
 
 
 Abbas de becco 
 
 IIII. marc. 
 
 
 Subdeoanus. 
 
 
 L. marc. 
 
 lattona 
 
 XLIII^- 
 
 XX^^- . 
 
 Cumpton epi 
 
 XL8- 
 
 XX. marc. 
 
 Haselberga . 
 
 XXVIS- VIIID 
 
 XX. marc. 
 
 Scanford . presbit 
 
 XLS- 
 
 XL. marc. 
 
 Wynelyscombe 
 
 XLS- 
 
 XXV. marc. . 
 
 Hengistringe 
 
 XLS- 
 
 
 Cumba prima 
 
 XXVP- VIII» 
 
 XLi-i- . 
 
 Brent . 
 
 XLS- 
 
 XXVL marc. 
 
 Mylverton prima . 
 
 II. marc. 
 
 XXVI. marc. 
 
 Ilton . . . . 
 
 II. marc. 
 
 XII- 
 
 Bokland 
 
 11. marc. 
 
 XXII. marc. . 
 
 Ascbull 
 
 II. marc. 
 
 XX. marc. 
 
 Eston . 
 
 II. marc. 
 
 Vlli. marc. . 
 
 Tymbercomba 
 
 II. marc. 
 
 X. marc. 
 
 Wadestre . 
 
 II. marc. 
 
 Taxationes. 
 
 Quarteriu Cancellarii. 
 Archiadiaco . WgU. 
 Cancellarius. 
 
 3o 
 
 Stipendiu vicari. 
 
98 
 
 Taxationea. 
 
 Quarteriu Cancellarii. 
 Archidiacoii Taunton. 
 
 Stipendiu t 
 
 X. marc. 
 
 Cumba. Ill 
 
 II. marc. 
 
 X. marc. 
 
 Cumba. Y. diacon 
 
 II. marc. 
 
 X. marc. 
 
 Cumba. IX. . . ^ 
 
 II. marc. 
 
 X. marc. 
 
 Cumba. VI. ... 
 
 II. marc. 
 
 
 Taunton .... 
 
 XXS- 
 
 
 Wedmore. II. . . . 
 
 xxs- 
 
 X. marc. 
 
 Cumba. VII. 
 
 II. marc. 
 
 X. marc. 
 
 Cumba. XIIII. accol . 
 
 II. marc. 
 
 IIII. marc. 
 
 Holecumbe Cerofef . sive vicario 
 Quarteriu Precentoris. 
 Precentor. 
 
 
 
 Abbas de MocMlney. ' . 
 
 IIIIM. 
 
 
 Abbas de AthUney 
 
 IIII. marc. 
 
 
 Succentor. 
 
 
 L. marc. 
 
 Sanctus Decumanus 
 
 XLS- 
 
 XX. marc. 
 
 Warminister 
 
 XLS- 
 
 XX. marc. 
 
 Wythlakynton 
 
 II. marc. 
 
 X. marc. 
 
 Codeworthe .... 
 
 II. marc. 
 
 XX. marc. 
 
 Wytcherche diacon 
 
 II. marc. 
 
 XX. marc. 
 
 Dunden .... 
 
 II. marc. 
 
 XX. marc. , 
 
 Dultecote .... 
 
 II. marc. 
 
 XX. marc. 
 
 Harpetre .... 
 
 II. marc. 
 
 XII. marc. 
 
 Barton .... 
 
 sive vicario. 
 
 XXV. marc. . 
 
 Luttona .... 
 
 II. marc. 
 
 XIII. marc. . 
 
 Dynre „ . . . , 
 Quarteriu Thesaurarii. 
 ArcHdiacon Bathon. 
 Thesaurarius. 
 Prepositus de Cumba, 
 
 XXS- 
 
 X. marc. 
 X. marc. 
 
 Cumba. II. . 
 
 diac' 
 Cumba. VI 
 
 II. marc. 
 II. marc. 
 
 X. marc. 
 
 Cumba. X. . » . : 
 
 II. marc. 
 
 X. marc. 
 
 Cumba. XII. , , 
 
 III. marc. 
 
99 
 
 Taxationes. 
 
 Quarteriu Thesaurarii 
 
 Stipendiu vicariu, 
 
 X. marc. 
 
 Cumba. IIII. 
 
 II. marc. 
 
 X. marc. 
 
 Cumba. VIII. 
 
 II. marc. 
 
 X. marc. 
 X. marc. 
 
 Cumba. XIII. 
 
 Subd' 
 Cumba. XV. 
 
 II. marc. 
 II. marc. 
 
 
 Milverton II. 
 
 II. marc. 
 
 
 Wedmore III. 
 
 XXS- 
 
 
 Wedmore V. 
 
 XXS- 
 
 XVI. marc. 
 
 Wormister . 
 
 Aool'it 
 Wedmore IIII. . 
 
 XXS- 
 
 xxs- 
 
 
 Cory Cerofer : 
 
 sive vicario. 
 
 Septem sunt prebende pauperum conferende per Communarium qui pro tempore 
 fuerit e quibus qu'ilibet percipiet per diem quadrantem. ' Item Saorista percipiet 
 a Thesaurario annuatim xi'- Item tres Altariste pro custodiendo altari et aliis 
 omnibg portandis in ecclia predicta unde quilibet percipiet septimatim. iiii^- 
 Et Sacrista cum tribus aliis percipient in obitibus quantum unus vicarius 
 Item tres Tabellaiii ex collatioae CanceUarii et ex assignatione Succentoris vel 
 ejus loco tenentis. Item sex Choriste ex coUatione Precentoris vel Succentoris 
 absente Precentore unde per annu quilibet percipiet unam togam cum 
 et omnes isti ix"- tres tabellarii et VI. Choriste equaliter percipient cu iino vica 
 rio in obitibus. Item antedictus Sacrista percipiet in introitu Episcopi xx'- 
 et ad installatione cujuslibet Canonici xiii'- iin*- vel togam Canonici. 
 
 FORMA COLLATIONUM CANTARIARUM CONFERENDARUM SIN 
 
 GULIS ANNIS PRESBITERIS ECOLIE WELLN IN FESTO SANCTI JEROMINI 
 
 VIZET IN CRASTINO STI MICHAELIS PRO QUO FIAT COLLATIO, ET PER QUEM 
 
 FIAT SOLUTIO PRO QUIBUS ANIMABUS ET AD QUE ALTARIA TENENTUR CE 
 
 LEBRARI ET QUANTUM QUILIBET IN DEU PERCIPIET. 
 
 Tres priores ex coUatione epi quicuqj fue Septem Capellani vicarii celebrantes 
 
 rit septimatim quilibet eoru vii*- de redditi pro animabus Johannis Button quon 
 
 bus capelle bete Marie, et iii^' ob de bonis 
 communibg solvend' per manus Communarii 
 Item decern vicarii pro capella predicta per 
 assignacoem prioris per hebdomadam pro 
 servitio beate Marie ibidem celebrate qui 
 libet eoru precipiet per hebdomada tii''- 
 per manus prioris principalis. Item ung 
 
 Chorista 
 
 dam propositi Well et Thome Button 
 quarum quatuor ex coUatione episcopi 
 Decani et Archidiaconi WeU si presen 
 tes vel si unus eoru presens fuerit capi 
 end' annuatim liii'' mi*' expens de 
 Berlych per manus Communarii 
 Et du« alie cantarie ex coUatione per 
 
 Majorem 
 
100 
 
 Majorem illo die in capello . unde qiiilibet 
 percipiet per annu liii'- iin*- solvend' expens 
 ArcHd : "Well . et una cantaria conferend' 
 per Decanu que valet annuatim iii"- x'- sumend' 
 per manus Comrii ex pens Prioris de Berlych. 
 
 AD ALTAEE SOI SALVATOBIS. 
 
 Unus Capellanus vicarius celebrandus 
 pro anima Jotls de sco quintino conferend' 
 per ArcMdiacon . Tauten si p'sens fuerit 
 alioquin per Capilffi capiend' per anuu xl=- 
 ex solucone Archid : Tanton. 
 
 AD ALTAEE SOI EDMDNDI BPISOOPI. 
 
 Duo Capellani vicarii celebrantes pro 
 
 ala Richardi Bampfeldconferend' per Decanu et Ca 
 
 pitulum duobus vicariis ecclesie Wellii 
 solvend' ex certis terris et tenementis appro 
 
 priatis apud Dultecot et Wokyhole. 
 
 AD ALTAEE SCE MAEIE MAGDALENE. 
 
 QuATUOB Capellani vicarii vizet ii. cele 
 brantes pro aiabus Willi Wytbamstede 
 7 Alexandri de Blamfeld quilibet percipiet per 
 annti xxvi"- viii*- Solvend' per manus Comu 
 narii de pensione de "Worspring, et unus 
 Capellanus celebrans pro aia Johannis 
 Axebriga ex coUatione Subdecani recipien 
 do per annu xxi'- de Priore de Staverdale 
 per man' Coarii et alius Capell . celebrans 
 pro ala Johis Axbrygge ex coUat Subdeca 
 si p'sens fuerit alias ad capitul' recipiendo xxx'- 
 de magistro beati Johannis Bristol!. 
 
 AD ALTAEE Sol STBPHANI. 
 
 AD ALTAEE SOE MAEIE JDXTA CLAUSTEtT TJnus capell' vicari' celebrans pro aiab' 
 QuATUOK CapeUani vicarii celebrantes pro Walteri Compto et Margarite uxoris sue 
 
 aia Johis Chydyok militis et progenitorum recipiend' per annu Liii'- iiii^ per man' Comunarii 
 
 suoru unde quilibet percipiet per annu xxv'- ex collatione Decani si p'sens fuerit alioquin 
 de redditibg predicti Johis in Chambleynstre, et si a retro sint in soluc5ne, predictus Johes 
 concessit Decano et Capitulo destringere in manerio suo de Chydiok. 
 
 Chorista in die Sabbati recipiat a predicto 
 priore I*- Ad Altare ibidem unu annale ce 
 lebrand' pro anima "Willi Button capie 
 do annuatim L°- solvend per manus Com 
 munarii ex collatione episcopi. 
 
 AD ALTAEE SOI MAETINI EPIS 
 OOPI ET CONFESSOEIS. 
 Duo Priores quilibet percipiet per heb 
 domadem vii'- et iiii. Clerici vicarii de secu 
 da forma quilibet recipiet . in*- pro anima 
 Eadulphi de Salopia ex solutione Pre 
 positi Well. 
 
 AD ALTAEE SOI *BALIXTL *K 
 
 TJnus Prior celebrans pro animabus 
 Johannis Drobenefforde et Roberti Cor 
 mayle . unde percipiet annuatim xxx'- 
 et unus clericus ad idem altare capiend' 
 per annu XV°- solvend' per Arch . Well ex 
 coUatione Archidiaconat : Well si presens 
 fuerit . alias per procuratorem. 
 
 AD ALTAEE OMINU SANCTOEU. 
 IJnus Capellanus vicariis celebrans 
 pro anima Johannis Herford capiend' per 
 annu l"- de magistro Martini Bristol! 
 conferend' per Capitulum. 
 
 AD ALTAEE ' SOE CEUOIS JUXTA OSTIU 
 CAPITDLI. 
 
 Duo Capellani vicarii celebrantes pro aia 
 W. Button recipientes per annu quilibet 
 eoru xxvi'- viii^- per manus Communarii 
 ex collatione Subdecani. 
 
101 
 
 DECEMBERIS. 
 
 Scti Andree . . . 
 Scti Nicbolai . . 
 Conceptio see Marie 
 Scte Lucie virginis 
 Scte Thome apl'i . 
 
 omnia sunt rubea. 
 oia vir' et crocea. 
 omnia alba, 
 omnia rubea. 
 omnia rubea. 
 
 JANUARII. 
 
 Scti Edwardi . . . 
 
 Scti Luciani . . . . 
 
 Scti Felicis . . . . 
 
 Scti Mauri . . . . 
 
 Scti Marcelli . . . 
 
 Scti Sulpitii . . . . 
 
 Scte Prisce . . . . 
 
 Scti Wolstani . . . 
 
 Sc5ru fabiani et Seb : 
 
 Scte Agnetis . . . 
 
 Scti Vincentii . . 
 
 Conversio Pauli . . 
 
 Scti JuHani . . 
 
 Scte Agnetis secde . . 
 
 Scte Batildis . . . 
 
 omnia rubea. 
 omnia rubea. 
 omnia rubea. 
 omnia rubea. 
 omnia rubea. 
 omnia crocea. 
 oia rubea 7 alba, 
 omnia crocea. 
 01a rubea. 
 01a rubea 7 alba, 
 omnia rubea. 
 01a rubea. 
 omnia crocea. 
 oia rubea 7 alba, 
 omnia alba. 
 
 FEBRUARII. 
 
 Scte Brigide virginis 
 Purificatio Marie . 
 Scti Blasii . . . 
 Sctoru Vedasti 7 A 
 Scfce Scolastice . . 
 Scti "Valentini , . 
 Scte Juliane . . . 
 Cathedra Scti Petri 
 Scti Mathie apl'i , . 
 
 01a alba, 
 oia alba, 
 omnia rubea. 
 oma rubea. 
 omia alba, 
 omnia rubea. 
 omia rubea 7 alba, 
 oia viH 7 cro : 
 oia rubea. 
 
 MARTII 
 
 Setaru Perpetue 7 fel . oia rubea 7 alb : 
 
 Scti Gregorii . . 
 Scti Edwardi . . 
 Scti Cuthberti . . 
 Scti Benedicti . . 
 Anuuciatio domica 
 
 oia yir 7 crocea. 
 omia rubea. 
 oia vi . 7 crocea 
 omia india. 
 oia alba 
 
 APRILIS. 
 
 Scti Richardi . 
 Scti Ambrosii . 
 Scti Leonis . 
 Sctoru 
 Scti Alphegi 
 Scti Georgii . . 
 Scti Marce evn . 
 Scti Vitalis . . 
 
 omnia crocea. 
 oia viri . 7 croc : 
 oinia crocea. 
 
 omia rubea. 
 omnia rubea. 
 omnia rubea. 
 omnia rubea. 
 
 MAIL 
 
 Aploru PhUippi 7 Jacob oia rub : 
 
 Inventio sci crucis . . omia rubea. , 
 
 Johis ante port : 1. omnia alba. 
 
 Translatio sci Andree . oia rub : 
 
 Sctoru Gordiani 7 epi . oia rubea. 
 
 Sctoru Nerei 7 archi : oia rubea. 
 
 Scti Dunstani . . . oia virid 7 crocea. 
 
 Scti Aldelini . . . omnia crocea. 
 
 Scti Augustini ... oia virid 7 cro : 
 
 Scti Petronille . . . omnia alba. 
 
 JUNIL 
 
 Scti Nicomedes . . . omia rubea. 
 
 Sctoru Marcelli 7 mart oia rubea. 
 
 Scti Bonefacii . . . omnia rubea. 
 
 Sctoru Medardi 7 gil : oia rubea. 
 
 Translatio Scti Edwardi oia croc'. 
 
 Scti Petroci .... omnia india. ■ 
 
 Scti Bamabe . . . onia rubea. 
 
 Sctoru Basilid ... oia rubea. 
 
103 
 
 Scti Basilii 
 
 Sctoru vite 7 mod' . . 
 Translatio sci Kichardi . 
 Sctoru Marci 7 ma : 
 Sctoru Gervasii 7 p. . . 
 Translat : scti Edwardi . 
 Scti Albani . . . 
 Scte Ethelrede . . 
 Natalls sci Johannis 
 Sctoru Joh'is 7 Pauli. 
 Scti Leonis . . . 
 Aploru Petri efc Pauli 
 Comemoratio sci Pauli 
 
 JULII. 
 
 Octab scti Joh'is . . . 
 Sctoru Processi 7 mar: . 
 Translat : sci Martini . 
 Octab Aplorum . . . 
 Translat: scti .... 
 Sctoru VII fratru . . . 
 Translat : sci Benedict! . 
 Translat : sci SwytMni . 
 Scti Kenelmi .... 
 Scti ArnulpM .... 
 Scte Margarete . . . 
 Scte Praxedis .... 
 Scte Marie Magd : . . 
 Scti AppoUinaris . . . 
 Scte Cristine .... 
 
 Scti Jacobi 
 
 Scte Anne 
 
 Sctoru VII dormientiu . 
 Scti Sampsonis . . . 
 Sctoru felicis simp' . . 
 Sctoru Abdon 7 Senn' . 
 Scti Germani . . . , 
 
 omnia rubea. 
 onia rubea. 
 oia croc', 
 oia rubea. 
 oia rubea. 
 oia rubea. 
 omnia sunt rubea. 
 onia alba, 
 oia india. 
 oia rubea. 
 omnia crocea. 
 oia rubea. 
 oia rub. 
 
 AUGUSTI. 
 Ad vincla Sti Petri . . oia virida et cro : 
 
 omnia india. 
 oia rubea. 
 oia crucea. 
 omnia rubea. 
 oia rubea. 
 onia rubea. 
 oia india. 
 oia crocea. 
 omnia rubea. 
 oiiia rubea. 
 Ola rubea 7 alba, 
 oia alba, 
 oia viri: 7 croc', 
 omnia rubea. 
 onia alba et rubea. 
 omnia rubea. 
 onia virid : 7 croc', 
 oia rubea. 
 omnia crocea. 
 onia rubea. 
 onia rubea. 
 omnia crocea. 
 
 Sati Stephani . . 
 Inventio sci Stephani 
 Scti Oswald! . . 
 Sctoru Sixt! feUc' . 
 Set! Donati . . . 
 Set! Oiriaci socioru 
 Set! Koman! . . 
 Scti Laurent!! . . 
 Set! Tyburcii . . 
 Scti Ypoliti soc' . 
 Set! Eusebii . . 
 Assuptio scte Marie 
 Octab set! Laurenti! 
 Set! Agapiti . . 
 Set! Magn! . . . 
 Per octab 7 in octab 
 Sctoru THmothri 7 
 Set! Bartholomei . 
 SctiRufi . . . 
 Set! Augustin! . . 
 DeooUatio sci Johis 
 Set! Decoman! . . 
 Sctoru felicis 7 an. 
 Scte Cuthberge 
 
 omnia rubea. 
 oia rubea. 
 omnia rubea. 
 omnia rubea. 
 omnia rubea. 
 oia rubea. 
 omnia rubea. 
 omnia rubea. 
 omnia rubea. 
 omnia rubea. 
 omnia crocea. 
 oia alba, 
 oia rubea. 
 omnia rubea. 
 omnia rubea. 
 oiiia alba, 
 oinia rubea. 
 oia rubea. 
 omnia rubea. 
 oia virid' 7 crocea. 
 oia rubea. 
 omnia rubea. 
 omnia rubea. 
 omnia alba. 
 
 SEPTEMBRIS. 
 
 Set! Egidii 
 
 Translat : sci Cuthber . 
 Scti Gabrielis .... 
 Set! Bertini .... 
 Nativitas scte Marie . . 
 Set! Gorgon! .... 
 Sctoru Proti 7 Jacinc' . 
 Exaltatio scte crucis . 
 Scte Eufenne .... 
 
 omnia. 
 
 oiiia. 
 
 onia. 
 
 omnia. 
 
 oia alba. 
 
 omnia rubea. 
 
 oia rubea. 
 
 oia rubea. 
 
 oia rubea 7 alba. 
 
103 
 
 Per octab : et in octab : 
 Scti Edithe .... 
 Scti Lamberti . . . 
 Scti Mathei .... 
 Scti Mauritii soc' . . 
 SeteTecle . . . . 
 Scte ffirmine , . . 
 SPtorii Ciprine et jus : 
 SStorti Cosine 7 Da : . 
 Scti Michaelis . . . 
 Set Jeronimi . . . 
 
 ola alba. 
 
 omnia rubea 7 alba. 
 
 omnia rubea. 
 
 omnia rubea. 
 
 Ola rubea. 
 
 omnia alba. 
 
 omnia rubea. 
 
 oTa rubea. 
 
 ola rubea. 
 
 01a india 7 alba. 
 
 onia virida et crocea. 
 
 OCTOBER. 
 
 Sctoru Hemigii 7 q' . 
 Scti Leodegarii . . . 
 
 Scti ffidis 
 
 Sctoru Marci 7m. 
 Scti Dionisii soc' . . 
 Scti Gereonis . . . 
 Scti Ingasii soc' . . 
 Translatio sci Edwardi 
 Scti Kalixti .... 
 flfestum ReUquiaru . . 
 SctiWlfami . . . 
 SSti Michael i mo . . 
 Scti Luce .... 
 Sctaru XI. mill virgi . 
 Scti Komani . . . 
 Sctoru Cipriani 7 Cris 
 Aploru Simonis 7 Jude 
 Scti Quiutini . . . 
 
 omnia. 
 
 onia rubea. 
 
 omnia rubea 7 alba. 
 
 ola rubea. 
 
 onia rubea. 
 
 omnia rubea. 
 
 onia rubea. 
 
 01a croc'. 
 
 omnia rubea. 
 
 ola rub : 7 alba. 
 
 omnia india. 
 
 ola india et al : 
 
 onmia. 
 
 ola rub et alb : 
 
 omnia rubea. 
 
 ola rubea. 
 
 oia rubea. 
 
 omnia rubea. 
 
 NOVEMBRIS. 
 
 Omnia Sctoru . ,. . oia rubea 7 alba. 
 
 Comemoratio animaru . ola nigra. 
 
 Scti Leonardi . . . omnia india. 
 
 Sctoru iin"- Coronatoru ola rub. 
 
 Scti Theodori . 
 
 Scti Martini . . 
 
 Scti Briou . . 
 
 Scti Mathuti . 
 
 Scti Edmundi . 
 Scti Hugonis 
 Octab sci Martini 
 
 omnia rubea. 
 
 onia virid : et crocea. 
 
 omnia crocea. 
 
 omnia india. 
 
 onia virid : et croc'. 
 
 onia virid : et croc'. 
 
 onia india. 
 
 Octab Edmundi regis . 01a rubea. 
 Scte Cecilie .... oiiia rubea et alba. 
 Scti dementis . . . onia rubea. 
 Scti Grisogoni . . . onia rubea. 
 Scte Katberine . . . oia rubea et alba. 
 
 Scti TiiTii omnia rubea. 
 
 Scti Satumini . . . omnia rubea, 
 
 Memorand' qd regulariter quando 
 
 agitur de Apostolo vel Martyre om 
 
 nia sunt rubea. 
 
 Quando de Confessore omnia india 
 
 et virida mixtum sicut honestius, et ma 
 
 gis proprie possimt adaptari festo. 
 
 Quando de virgine non Martyre 
 
 omnia erunt alba. 
 
 Quando de virgine et Martyre 
 
 omnia rubea et alba. 
 
 Memorand' qd quando celebra 
 
 tur officium de spiritu sancto vel Com 
 
 meratio sci Andree onia sunt rubea : 
 
 Item quti fit commemoratio beate vir 
 
 ginis vel pro pace onia sunt alba : 
 
 Memorand' qd quandocumq^ agitur 
 
 pro defunctis omnia erunt nigra et sim 
 
 plicia, licet agatur pro rege vel episcopo 
 
 et ita erunt in sepultura. .... 
 
104 
 
 FERIA QXJINTA IN OENA DOMINI :— In peimis fiat 
 
 reconciliatio penitentium hoc modo. Juxta cantata pergat Episcopus indutus 
 
 vestibus pontificialibus et capa rubea de super cum mitra et baculo, in ejus ab 
 
 sentia vicarius ejus cum suo coUaterali induti sint albis cum amictibus stolis 
 
 et manipulis desuper capis sericis rubeis indutis cum duobus diaconibus sive 
 
 dalmaticis et sive Subdiacono cum processione precedentibus vexillo albo 
 
 et cruce lignea sive cooperta cum ceroferariis portitore virge precedente ad janu 
 
 as ecclie occidentales per medium navis ecclie ad reconciliandos penitentes dig 
 
 niores sive seniores sint proximiores subseqnentes sintcb presentes in. atrio ecclie 
 
 qui reconsiliandi sunt. Si episcopus presens est nrnis Archidiaconus ex par 
 
 te penitentiu in capa serica rubea legat banc lectionem. Adest tempus o venera 
 
 bilis pontifex . qui non legatur episcopo absente. Episcopus vel ejus vicarius 
 
 in ejus absentia dicat bis Venite Yenite . infra predictum ostium conversus ad 
 
 borialem signum faciendo cum manu quoqj vocando. Deinde Diaconus ex 
 
 parte penitentiu, SUicet, extra ostium dicat ^e^omtw genua. Alius Dia 
 
 conus ex parte episcopi dicat ; Levate ; et sic fiat tribus vicibus ; ita tum qd 
 
 post tertiam repetitionem Antiphena non dicetur, flectamus genua . sed cbo 
 
 rus prosequatur totam antiphenam Cantore incipiente hoc modo. Venite Jilii 
 
 &c psal : Benedicam dominu in omni Totus psalmus dicatur cum Gloria 
 
 patri, si necesse fuerit et post unumquemque versum repetatur Antiphena . du 
 
 psalmus canitur a clero cum antiphena, penitentes semper manuatim ab aliquo 
 
 presbitero de choro ad hoc deputato . sUicet . custode fabrice si sit Sacerdos habi 
 
 tu non mutato reddantur executori officii et ab ipso restituantur ecclesie 
 
 gremio. Tamen si episcopus presens fuerit, penitentes a presbiteris plebanis 
 
 Archidiacono, et ab Archidiacono reddantur episcopo, et ab episcopo reddan 
 
 tur ecclesie gremio. Quibus expletis Processio more solito in chorum redeat 
 
 cum predicto psalmo et antiphena . deinde fiat sermo ad populum si placuerit. 
 
 Quo finito profluant se omnes in stallis suis. Episcopus vel ejus vicarius cum 
 
 suo ceUaterali ante altare cum suis ministris similiter prostrati dicant septem 
 
 psalmos penitentiales cum Gloria patri et cum hac antiphena. N^e reminis 
 
 caris ; post antiphenam dictam. Kyriel . xpel . Kyriel . pater . noster . et hec 
 
 omnia dicantur sine nota tarn a sacerdote cum suis ministris quam a toto choro. 
 
 Interim pueri tenentes vexillum et crucem sint a dextris prostrati in australi 
 
 parte executoris officii ceroferariis super altare prius dimissis. Deinde erigat se 
 
 executor cum suis ministris omnibus conversis ad australem in medio altaris et dicat • 
 
 super populum manum extendens. Et ne nos . cum orationibus et absolutione. 
 
 HIG INCIPIT 
 
105 
 
 HIC INCIPIT MODUS VEL ORDO CRISMATIS FAOIENDL 
 VIZET IN DIE CENE. 
 In primis ordinentur per Subthesaurariu tres ampulle argentee de oleo puro 
 et honesto quarum prima habeat scriptum Oleum infirmoru . secunda 
 Oleum sanctum, tertia Oleum Crismatis, ac etiam preparentur omnia tan 
 te solemnitate necessaria ut de ministris de vestimentis ac de aliis necessariis. Pro 
 videat tamen Epus de balsamo. Ad introitu misse incipiant duo Eectores de supe 
 riori gradu solemniter officiu . vizet. Nos autem gloriari oportet cum Gloria 
 patri et cum Gloria in excelsis. Dum offioium canitur accedat Eptis ad al 
 tare processionaliter prout sequens tabula patet. 
 
 1. Duo virgarii precedentes 2. Duo Acooliti tunicis 3. Duo Ceroferarii simili 
 
 sint in superpelliciis induti deferentes duas ter tunicis induti de 
 
 vicarii. cruces de Coristis. Coristis. 
 
 4. Duo Thuribttlarii etia 5. vii Subdiaconi tuni 6. vii Diaconi dalmaticis 
 
 tunicis induti de Co cis induti unde unus sit induti unde un' sit Ca 
 
 risjis. Canonic'' pro epistola. nonicus pro EvSgl. 
 
 7. Sex Sacerdotes de excellentioribus 8. Episcopus in pontificalibus cu 
 
 Lnsulatis Canonicis. mitra et baculo pastoralL 
 
 9. Tres Archidiaooni sequentes in 10. Duo vel plures CapeUani si 
 
 capis sericis. CanonicL militer in capis sericis. 
 
 Hi predict! Ministri predant Epo bini et bini usqj ad altare. Epus mitra deposita 
 dicat Confiteor et Misereatv/r. Et omnes Sacerdotes Diaconi et Subdiaconi 
 et ceteri Ministri sibi respondeant et dicant. Kyriel . Gloria im excelsis. Sanctus 
 Agnus Dei . et ite missa est solemniter cu Epus celebraverit. Deinde accedant ad al 
 tare, et stet Epus in medio altaris, et stent tres Sacerdotes in dextra parte, et tres Sacer 
 dotes in sinistra parte Epi . qui omnes sex Sacerdotes dicant omnia que pertinent ad 
 missam exceptis yerbis sacramentalibus, et benedictione olei que solum pertinent ad 
 Epm. Et quilibet eoru Sex Sacerdotu habeat ante se Calicem unu vacuu, et unum 
 corporale, sed tamen faciant omnes benedictiones suas ad calicem Epi . et Epus 
 solus dicat verba sacramentalia. Et ponantur novem hostie coram Epo . vizet 
 una pro seipso, et sex pro Sex Sacerdotibus sibi assistentibus, et una conservanda 
 pro servitio ferie sexte : et una pro sepulcro Domini prout moris est imponendo. 
 Et dum dicetur missa usq, ad Fe igitttr . deinde ordinentur Ministri in ecclesia. 
 parati ut cum Epus dixerit : Nobis qrwque pecoatoribus, veniant ad eum cum 
 oleo infirmorum benedicendo excellentiori Archidiacono prius dicente cuctis 
 audientibus Olewn infirmorwm. 
 
 3p 
 
106 
 
 Tunc precedat quidam virgarius 2. Deinde Accolitus tunica indutus 
 
 in superpelliciis deferens vexillum. 
 
 3. Deinde duo Ceroferarii tunicis 4. Deinde Accolitus deferens crucem 
 induti. similiter tunica indutus. 
 
 5. Deinde Diaconus dabnaticatus cinctus humeros syndone deferens am 
 
 puUam cum oleo infirmorum. Quern deducat ad altare Axchidiaconus in 
 
 trando per ostium cliori occidentale. Et Epus inclinando se ad altare accipiat 
 
 mitram et baculum pastorale et vertat se ad austrum. Et appropinquans idem 
 
 Diaconus ad Epum, dictam ampuUam sibi subministret cum reverentia super 
 
 quam Epus ter signu crucis faciat . terqj sufflet in ea et dicat Legendo. Uxorciso 
 
 te. Benedictio. Omnipotens deus. Alia benedictio. Emitte queswmus 
 
 domine. Hiis dictis idem Diaconus deferens ampullam, interim moram faciat jux 
 
 ta altare in sinistra parte et non recedat usqj post consecrationem olei crismatis et 
 
 cooperiat oleum syndone. Postea rertat se Epus ad altare deponendo mitram et per 
 
 agatur missa ulterius quousc^ dicatur Pater noster - 7 da propiUus pacem. 
 
 Tunc idem ArcMdiaconus dicat cunotis audientibus Oleum sanctum. Tuc 
 
 accedat et alius Diaconus dalmaticatus deferens ampullam cum oleo sancto bene 
 
 dicendo, quem deducat ad altare alius Archidiaconus supradicto modo, et cu 
 
 totidem ministris in eodem apparatu ut prius. Et idem Diaconus dictam am 
 
 pullam Epo cum reverentia subministret super quam Epus acceptis mitra et 
 
 baculo vei-tens se ad austrum ter signum crucis faciat terqj sufflet et dicat Legendo 
 
 Exorciso te. Benedictio, domine deus. Alia benedictio. Deus quesum, . 
 
 His finitis stet ille Diaconus in dextris altaris cooperiens oleum dedicatum syn 
 
 done et non recedat usc^ post consecrationem olei crismatis. Post hec sedeat Epus 
 
 mitratus super catbedram suam ante altare, et preparentur ministri per septem 
 
 ordines ad crisma deportandum . eodem Archidiacono prius dicente cunctis 
 
 audientibus Oleum crismatis. 
 
 In primo or'dine precedant duo Duo Sacerdotes tunicis induti duo 
 
 Virgarii cum superpelliciis vexiUa deferentes de annular'. 
 
 In secundo ordine duo sacerdotes ceroferarii tunicis induti de annular'. 
 
 In tertio ordine duo sacerdotes thuribularii tunicis induti de annular'. 
 
 In quarto ordine duo sacerdotes tunicis induti deferentes duos codices. 
 
 In quinto ordine tres pueri in superpelliciis de Coristis. Isti tres predic 
 
 ti pueri claris vocibus cantent hymnu. Bedemptor quem incipiant 
 
 intrando ad ostium chori occidentale intrantes chorum. Chorus idem repetat 
 
 post unuquemqj versum, et dum chorus repetit pueri paulatim procedant donee 
 
 ad gradu 
 
107 
 
 ad gradum chori perveniant, et reliquos versus cantent ibidem. . . . 
 In sexto ordine, Senex Sacerdos iudutus vestibus sacerdotalibus et insulatis 
 cinctus humeros syndone ampuUam cum crismate Epo deferat. 
 Quatuor Clerioi tunicis induti super predictum sacerdotem tabernaculum 
 
 deportent 
 
 Duo Sacerdotes tunicis induti a retro quoqj aliqualiter tabernaculum duas 
 cruces ferentes parvas. 
 
 In Septimo ordine tres Arcbidiaconi dictu Saoramentu ad Epum deduoentes. 
 Et sic processionaliter procedant ad altare cum hymno O Redemptor ; Et dum sex 
 versus canitur vizet Stans ad aram. Surgat Epus et inclinet se ad altare expan 
 sis manibus, vevsu dicto redeat ad cathedram suam ibidem genuflectendo et incipiat 
 Epus solus hymnu Veni creator spc. Ac etiam incipiat Epus omnes alios ver 
 sus sequentea semper genuflectendo quos totus cborus prosequatur solemniter . hymn 
 no dicto redeat ad altare Epus et convertat se ad austrum, et ibidem Sacerdos am 
 pullam . crismatis Epo subministret cum reverentia in qua misceat Epus balsamu 
 super quam ter signu cruois faciat terqj sufflet in ea et dicat Legendo. Hec commix 
 tio Liquoru 7 c' . <fe Deinde dicat Epus Legendo Dominus vobiscum. Oremus fratres 
 post benedictione dicat Epus cantando. Per omnia secula seeulorti. Dominus 
 vobiscum. Sursum corda. Graias agamus . verbum dignu. Eterne deus qui in 
 principio &c. usqj facias esse consortes. Deinde dicat Legendo. Per eundem. Dein 
 de idem Sacerdos tenens ampullam crismatis cum Syndone cooperiat, tenens ea 
 dextra parte altaris stans ibidem quousq^ Agnus dei incohatur. Tunc vertat 
 se Epus ad altare deponendo mitram et dicat cantando. Per omnia secula seculo 
 rum. Diaconus qui Legit EvangeUu dicat. Humiliate vos ad benedictionem. Tunc 
 accipiat Epus mitram et baculu et conversus ad austrum det benedictionem. Data 
 benedictione vertat se Epus ad altare deponendo mitram et dicat cantando, Et 
 pax ejus. Tunc incipiant Eectores chori Agnus Dei . postea deferatur Epo 
 ampulla crismatis ad deosculand' Loco pacis, et dicat Epus ac omnes alii eam 
 deosculantes Ave sanctum crisma. Deinde deportetur Sex Sacerdotibus sibi 
 assistentibus ac omnibus ceteris ministris altaris. Deinde deferatur in chorum ad 
 deosculand' eo ordine quo solet chorus thurificari cunctis dicentibus. Ave Sanctu 
 crisma ut prius. Et qum communicaverint se Epo quUibet eoru sex sacerdotii sibi 
 assistentiu tradat patinam suam Epo super quam ponat Epus hostiam singulis 
 eorum ad communicand' et quilibet eorum seipsum communicet , finito Agnus dei 
 incipiant Rectores chori, Commiserere Domine Christe . qua finita idem Sacer 
 dos ampullam crismatis cum duobus Diaconis sequatur. Oleum infirmorum 
 
 et oleum 
 
108 
 
 et oleum sanctum deferentur sub tabernaculo, ceteris ministris ordinatis cum pro 
 cessione ut venerunt in sacrarium deportent sub salva custodia reservand' eisdem 
 tribus prius residuos versus de hymno. Kedemptor ut prius cantantibus 
 et redeant in sacrarium per ostium occidentale chori . postea versus festive inci 
 piant . &c 
 
 JUEAMENTUM AD DiaNITATES PROMOVENDAS. 
 
 Ego. N. canonicus hujus ecclie cathedralis Sancti Andree Wellen ob 
 servabo inviolabiliter jura statuta dignitates libertates et consuetudines dicte 
 ecclie approbatas et hactenus usitatas, eademqj jura statuta dignitates liberta 
 tes et consuetudines ad quemcuc^ statum etiam episcopalem devenero non comi 
 nus pro viribus defendam. Ac etiam jure qd ea omnia et singula que mibi ratio 
 ne Arcbidiaconatus . Precentorie . Thesaurarie mee aut dignitatis mee predicte 
 ex quibuscunqj dicta ecclie Wellen statutis ordinationibus seu consuetudinibus 
 in prefata ecclia incumbunt et facere tueor in eadem diligenter et effectualiter pro 
 viribus meis faciam et perimplebo, et celabo secreta Capituli cum adme deve 
 neriut. Sic me deus adjuvet et hec sancta dei Evangelia 
 
 THE OATH OF ALLEAGIANCE. 
 
 I . A . B doe utterlye testefie and declare in my conscience that the Kinge's High 
 nes is the onlye supreame governoure of this realme and of aU other his highnes' domi 
 nions and countries ia all spirituall or ecclesiasticall thinges or causes as temporall, 
 And that noe forreine prince person prelate state or potentate hath or oughte to have 
 anye jurisdiction power superioritie preheminence or authoritie ecclesiasticall or tempo 
 rail within this realme or other his Highnes' Dominions and countries. And therefore 
 I doe utterlye renoiince and forsake all forreine jurisdiction powers superiorities and au 
 thorities and doe promise that from henceforth I shall beare faythfuU and true allegiance 
 to the Kings Highnes' his heyres and lawefull successors, and to my power shall assiste 
 and defende all jurisdictions privileges preheminences and authorities graunted or 
 belonginge to the Kinges Highnes' his heyres or successors or united and annexed to the 
 emperiall crowne of this realme. Soe help mee God and the contents of this booke. 
 
109 
 
 TABULA DE SINGULIS CAPITIBUS 
 CUJUSQUE STATUTI. 
 
 Antiqua Statuta de officiJs cujuslibet persone ecclie cathe 
 
 dralis "Wellen 
 
 Statuta edita per Decanu et Caplm tempore Jocelini Epi 
 Statuta edita per Decanum et Capitulum tempore Willfld 
 
 de Button Epi secundi 
 
 Statuta edita tempore Walteri de Haselchawe .... 
 Qualite vicarii tenentur interesse omnibus horis, et qualiter 
 
 habent facere fidem quod per causam rationabUe fiierut absentes 
 De vicariis vagantibus circa columnas ecclie dum divina offi 
 
 cia celebrantur ' . 
 
 De mercatuiis in ecclia, et de pulsatione campanarum . 
 
 Ne fiat tumultus in ecclia, et de silentio in choro servando . 
 
 Quod vicarii non vadant ad foru in habitu suo nee ingrediantur 
 
 eccliam sine habitu post ultimam primam pulsatam 
 Qualiter vicarii habent premonere doinos auos si sint scripti in 
 
 tabula .......... 
 
 Qualiter Reotores scilicet chori se debent habere in choro in oni 
 
 cantu inchoandu ........ 
 
 Qualiter psallentes in choro debent esse Concordes 
 
 Qualiter se vertere debent psallentes gloria patri .... 
 
 De Placebo et Dirige in Librario dicendo in festis ix lectionu 
 Qualiter Vicarii tenentur onmes ingredi Caplm post primam, et 
 
 processionibus interesse de oapis gerendis in festis duplicibus . 
 De precibus annunciandis diebus post processionem, et qd nuUus 
 
 vicarius utatur de nocte capa serica super capam suam nigram 
 De vicariis qui raro veniunt ad eccliam nisi quando fit aliqua distri 
 
 batio pro defunctis, et de distributione facienda in anniversariis de 
 
 functorum, et qualiter vicarii tenentur celebrare annalia sua . 
 Qualiter vicarii tenentur celebrare annalia sua .... 
 Quod nullus vicarius solus maneat in domo ..... 
 De hiis qui convicti fuerunt habuiase concubinas .... 
 De Cereis que circa crucem in festis duplicibus ardere debent et 
 
 fol. 
 
 55 
 57 
 
 57 
 59 
 
 59 
 
 60 
 60 
 61 
 
 61 
 
 62 
 
 62 
 62 
 62 
 62 
 
 62 
 
 63 
 
 63 
 
 64 
 64 
 65 
 
no 
 
 de tLure laonesto .... ... 
 
 « 
 
 De Altaristis qd dicant psalteriu singulis diebu* .... 
 
 De ordinibus vicarioru ........ 
 
 Additio super admissione vicariorum ...... 
 
 De defectibus domorum reparandarum ...... 
 
 De solutione firmarum 
 
 De duabus partibus prebendarum vacanfciti spectantibus ad 
 
 Capitulum . . . . . ... 
 
 Quod nullus Canonicus pofcerit distributionem quotidianam seu 
 
 distributione in fine anni residentibus debitam vendicare 
 Quod Canonici tenentur solvere stipendia vicariis suis . 
 Qualiter quolibet die Sabbati ordinari debet servitiu hebdoma 
 
 de sequentis ......... 
 
 Singulis diebus dicat Diius Epus hos psal : / Bonus vir qui 
 
 cum confratribus et Prebendis totum J Quare fremuerut 
 
 psalterium quUibet die . . . . \Domine quid 
 
 Subsequens tabula describit omnes anniversarias vizet presbite 
 
 res seculares in ecclia Welln ad que altaria, et pro quibus anima 
 
 bus tenentur celebrare, et quantum quilibet percipiet, et qua for 
 
 ma debet conferri vel admitti ...... 
 
 Statuta edita tempore dni Johis de Goddele nuper Decani ecclle 
 
 Welln Anno dni 1331 de protestatione facienda per Canonicos de 
 
 residentia .......... 
 
 De genuflectura in elevatione sacramenti corporis xpi . 
 
 De percussionibus campanaru in pulsatione ignitegu 
 
 Quod non sint Ludi contra honestatem ecclie Wellen 
 
 Quod Canonici teneant hospitium per se . . . . . 
 
 Additio in juramento Canonicorum ...... 
 
 Quod vicarii remanentes in mensa dominorum nihil percipiant 
 
 pro officio sacerdotali ....... 
 
 Quod sit in arbitrio Canonicorti habere vicarios in mensa vel non . 
 Donatio Rogeri dei graia Bathon et Well Epi de custodia 
 
 Decanatus ecclia Well quoties contigerit vacari 
 Statuta edita per Decanti et Caplm tempore Eadulphi Epi 
 
 Anno dni 1338 de negotiis et ministris ecclie Well 
 Impositio decimo quinquinalis pro restauratione fabrice ecclre Well. 
 
 fol. 
 65 
 
 65 
 
 66 
 
 66 
 
 66 
 
 67 
 
 67 
 
 67 
 68 
 
 68 
 
 69 
 
 73 
 
 74 
 74 
 75 
 75 
 75 
 76 
 
 76 
 76 
 
 76 
 
 77 
 
Ill 
 
 fol. 
 et defensione jurium ejusdem ecclle ,78 
 
 De Clericis ecclle Well revelantibus secreta Capituli . . .79 
 
 De vicariia ecclle Well vicarias suas in eade deserentibus 80 
 
 De distributionibus faciendis Clericis ecclle Welln debilitate et 
 
 infirmitate gravatis ........... 80 
 
 De annotatioue nominu vioarioru qui in^officiis divinis non inter 
 
 sunt in ecclia predicta per Tabellariu faciendum ...... 80 
 
 De oratione dominica et salutatione beate Marie Virginia ante in 
 
 ceptionem cujuslibet hore . . ........ 80 
 
 De admissione presentatoru ad \T.carias in ecclia Well et depositioui 
 bus ■vicaiiorum ejusdem ecclie super habilitate et inbabilitate pre 
 sentatorum ............. 81 
 
 Ne vicarius ecclie Well anno probationis durante stet in superiori 
 
 gradu vel celebret magnam missam . . . . . . . . 8l 
 
 Ne quis legat quicquam in ecclia predicta nisi prius ascultetur .... 82 
 
 De presentia vicaiiorum ecclie Well in quibuscuq, processionibus 
 
 in eadem ecclia faciendis exbibenda 82 
 
 De vestibus tonsuris et corona vicarioru ecclle WelleS 82 
 
 Ne quis Clericus dicte Well ecclie alium clericum ejusdem ecclie 
 
 coram Judice seculari conveniat . . . . . . . . • 83 
 
 Ne quis Clericus dicte Well ecclie vadat sine habitu in ecclia pre 
 
 dicta dum divina officia peraguntur in eadem 83 
 
 Qaod vicarii veniant in domibus suis in habitu eundo ad eccliam 
 
 et redeundo 83 
 
 De absentia et defectu vicarioru ecclie Well ad divinu oflScium 
 
 peragendam in eadem intitulatoru. ........ 84 
 
 De vicariis Well ecclie horas canonicas per transcursu vel since 
 
 pam dicentibus, et venationibus sen aucupationibus vacantibus 
 
 ac per vicos et plateas incedentibus . . . . . ■ • • 84 
 
 De vicariis ecclie Well secularibus negotiis se immiscentibus et 
 
 tabernas exercentibus, et ad aleas sive taxillas publico ludetibus ... 85 
 
 De vicariis et altaristis ecclie Welln arma portantibus 85 
 
 Ne coree ludi vel spectacula vel lapidum projectiones fiant in cimi 
 
 terio vel claustro ecclie 86 
 
 De collatione annalium 8^ 
 
 Ne vicarii dicte WsU ecclie confabulari ve converaari presumat 
 
112 
 
 cum mulieribus suspectis 
 
 Ne vicarii ecclie Well quiquam relinquant concubinis 
 
 suis in testamentis et cet' ...... 
 
 De custodia Eucharistie olei et crismatis ia ecclia supradicta 
 Forma juramenti vioariorum ecclie Welln in perpetuationibus 
 
 suis prestanda 
 
 Prohibitio ludorum theatralium et spectaculorum et ostentio 
 
 nem Lavaru in ecclia Well ...... 
 
 De vicariis ecclie pro divine servitio faciendo tarde venientibus 
 
 ad chorum et ante finem ab eodem exeuntibus 
 De solutione commune vicariorum in fine cujuslibet septimane 
 
 facienda ........ 
 
 De Altaristis ecclie Welln . 
 
 Ne fiant nundiae vel strepitus judicialea in ecclia Well vel locis 
 
 ad earn pertinentibus ....... 
 
 De personis ecclie Well in ordines quos beneficia sua requirunt' 
 
 in predicta ecclia promovendis 
 
 De sobrietate vicariorum in ecclia predicta .... 
 De adulterio clericorum ecclie Wellen ..... 
 'Ne meretrices ecclie Welleii accedant aut in ea commorentur, et 
 
 de expulsione earum ab ecclia predicta 
 De distributionibus et emolumentis percipiendis ab hiis Canoni 
 
 cis qui negotia ecclie persecuntur ..... 
 Forma secundum usum ecclie Wellen in intronizatione Epi . 
 Juramentum Decani ecclie Wellen quando debet installare . 
 
 Juramentum Prepositi ecclie Wellen 
 
 Juramentum Canonicorum ecclie Wellen .... 
 Juramentum vicariorum ecclie Well cum debeant perpetuari se 
 
 cundum statutum ecclie predicte ..... 
 
 Juramentum Canonicorum ecclie Wellen .... 
 
 Juramentum Canonicorum ecclie Wellen per eoru procuratores 
 Faciendum in persona procuratorum ..... 
 
 Faciendum in propria persona ...... 
 
 Kalendarium de coloribus Vestimentorum utendis et variandis 
 
 pro ut festa et tempera tetius anni requirunt in ecclia Wellen 
 Tabula contiaens installationu omniu dignitates personatas 
 
 fol. 
 86 
 
 86 
 
 87 
 
 87 
 87 
 88 
 
 89 
 
 89 
 
 89 
 90 
 90 
 
 90 
 
 91 
 91 
 92 
 93 
 93 
 
 93 
 94 
 94 
 95 
 95 
 
 95 
 
113 
 
 fol. 
 
 et officia, et quot prebende sunt in ecclla Wellen ac qualiter 
 
 et in quibus quai-teriis secundum ordines et status eoru 
 
 debent installari ac etiam taxas singularu prebendarum 
 
 exceptis vii prebendis pauperu, et quantu quilibet vica 
 
 rius et ceteri ministri ecclie debent percipere et a quibus solvi . . . 97 
 Forma collationu cantariaru conferendaru singulis annis presbi 
 
 teris ecclie Welln in festo Scti Jeronimi vizet in crastino Scti Michae 
 
 lis pro quo fiat coUatio et per quem fiat solutio pro quibus ani 
 
 mabus et ad que altaria tenentur celebrare et quantum quilibet 
 
 in deu percipiet ............ 99 
 
 Feria quinta in cena domini ......... 104 
 
 Modus vel ordo crismatis faciendi . . . . . . . • .105 
 
 Juramentum ad dignitates promovendas . . . . . . . .108 
 
 The oath of alleigiance . . . . . . • • • ■ .108 
 
 3q 
 
EXCERPTA 
 E LIBRO RUBRO 
 
 PENES DECANUM ET CAPITULUM 
 
 ECCLESI^ CATHEDRALIS SANCTI ANDREE, 
 
 W E L L E N. 
 
 APPENDIX A. 
 
 Capitula de ccvrtis, scriptis, conjirmationibus et conventionibus secundum Begistrum 
 
 ecclesie Wellen. 
 
 I. H Carta de manerio de Northcury de dono Eegis Eicardi. 
 II. H Item litere Regis Ricardi omnibus hominibus de Northcury ut intendant 
 Capitulo ut dominis suis. 
 III. H Confirmatio Regis Jobannis de eodem manerio. 
 
 nil. II Item litere Regis Ricardi ad faciendum saysinam 
 
 manerii de Nortbcury Capitulo "Wellen. 
 V. H' Carta Regis Johannis de acquietatione Theolonii. 
 VI. H Item ratificatio Regis Johannis dum fuit comes de dono Regis Ricardi 
 fratris sui de manerio de Northcury. 
 VII. ^ Item confirmatio ejusdem de manerio de Northcury cum terra de Hatch. 
 VIII. H Item confirmatio ejusdem de terra de Hatch. 
 
 IX. H Item litere Johannis vice comitis corneru (?) de saysina facienda Regi- 
 
 naldo Epo de eodem manerio. 
 X. 51 Item litere ejusdem hominibus ejusdem manerii quod intendant Eegi- 
 naldo Epo et capitulo Wellen tanquam dominis suis. 
 XL H Item litere G. filii Petri filii Justiciarii Anglise liberis hominibus ejusdem 
 manerii de restitutione ejusdem manerii. 
 XII. H Confirmacio Regis H. filii J. de eodem manerio et de terra de Hatch et de 
 Brentich. 
 XIII. fl Confirmatio ejusdem de deafforestatione ejusdem manerii. 
 
 fl Carta Regis Stephani de dono ecclesiarum de Northcury et de Pereton, 
 XIIII. U Confirmatio Theobaldi Archiepi de dono predicto ad prebendam f aciendam. 
 II Carta Reginaldi Epi de concessione et confirmacione manerii et ecclesie 
 de Northcury commune canonicorum Wellen. 
 
116 
 
 APPENDIX A. 
 
 XV. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 XX. 
 
 XXI. 
 XXII. 
 
 XXIII. 
 XXIIII. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 XXX. 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 XXXIII. 
 
 XXXIIII. 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 XXXVI. 
 XXXVII. 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 XL. 
 XLI. 
 
 XLII. 
 
 XLIII. 
 
 XLIIII. 
 
 XLV, 
 
 U Confirmatio Savarici Epi de eodem. 
 
 U Carta Radulfi filii Bernardi de terra de Hacch. 
 
 II Item carta ejusdem. 
 
 U Item carta ejusdem. 
 
 H Conventio facta inter Decanum et Capitiilum Wellen et Ricardi filii 
 
 Bernardi de terra predicta. 
 II Carta Hugonis de GundeviU de terris que dicuntur Humland in 
 
 Northcury. 
 ^ Carta Bicardi filii Bernardi de terra de Hacch. 
 ^ Item fiualis concordia facta in curia Regis inter Dec. et Cap. Welln et 
 
 Eicardum filium Bernardi de terra de Hacch. 
 H Carta Gileberti, Gule et uxoris ejus de quadam terra in Northcury. 
 H Chirographum inter Cap. "Welln et Johannem de Alva et uxorem ejus 
 
 de peculiaribus querelis in manerio de Northcury. 
 I ^ Finalis Concordia facta in curia Regis inter Cap. Wellen et Johannem de 
 
 Alva et uxorem ejus de eisdem. 
 ^ Item finalis concordia facta in curia R. inter Cap. Welln et Robertum 
 
 filium Willielmi edde et uxorem ejus de xxx. acris cum per- 
 
 tinentibus. 
 ^ Carta Nicholai filii Willielmi de Elmeham de eadem terra in manerio 
 
 de Northcury. 
 H Item confirmatio Willi de Elmeham de eadem terra. 
 H Item concessio Edwardi Reg. facta Gisoni Epo de Epatu Wellen. 
 51 Item testimonium Reg. Edwardi de terra vendita Gisoni Epo. 
 51 Item de donatione Epati^s Well, facta Gisoni Epo per Regem Edwardum. 
 H Confirmatio Haraldi Reg. de libertatibus epatus Well. 
 H Carta Willi Reg. scdi de Abbacia Bathon confirmata epatui. 
 H Concessio epatus Bathonie facta Johanni Epo a Rege Stephano. 
 51 Confirmatio R. Ducis Normanni de concessionibus factis a patre suo et 
 
 fratribus. 
 II Carta Reg. Henr. de clausura Parcorum. 
 H Confirmatio H. Regis de donationibus factis a Reg. H. avo suo epatui 
 
 et ecclesie Bathon et Well. 
 H Item litere Regis H. de canibus epi. 
 
 51 Carta R. Ricardi de ministris et Burgo faciend' in cadet lyve. 
 51 Carta R. Ricardi de canibus epi. 
 51 Confirmatio Reg. Eici de eis que collata sunt a suis predeeessoribus 
 
 epatui Bathon et ecclesie Bathon et Well. 
 51 Carta R. H. quod non debeant trahi in conti oversias ea que liberaliter 
 
 concesserunt prelati ad obseditionem de Bedeford. 
 51 Confirmacio Reginaldi de Cornhull de domibus epi in London. 
 51 Cai-ta Reg. H. filii de Johannis quod epi Bathon libere possint condere 
 
 testamentum suum. 
 51 Carta Dni J. epi de domibus Nicholai de Wellen. 
 51 Carta Nicholai de domibus suis in Well. 
 51 Carta Radulfi preciosi de domibus suis in Well. 
 51 Carta Malgeri de eodem. 
 
APPENDIX A. 
 
 117 
 
 de Hengestrigg. 
 Carta de eodem. 
 Item de eodem. 
 Item de eodem. 
 
 XL VI. *\ Carta Radulfi Preciosi de domibus suis. 
 
 XL VI I. H Carta de domibus carrere. 
 
 XLVIII. H Carta de Holcumbe. 
 
 XLIX. U Carta de eodem. L. ^ Item carta de eodem. 
 
 LI. H Carta Roberti filii Pagani de ecclesia de Holcumbe. 
 
 LII. II Item de Holcumbe. 
 
 LIII. IT Addicio ad subscriptam cartam Roberti de Segni de Holecumbe. 
 
 LTIII. II Carta de ecclesia de Hengestrigg. 
 
 LV. IT Carta de eodem. 
 
 LVI. IT Item de eodem. 
 
 LVII. 51 Confirmacio Ricardi Cant., archiepi de possessionibus et libertatibus 
 ecclesie Well. LVIII. Carta de ecclesia 
 
 LXII. II Carta de ecclesia de Bideford. 
 
 LXIII. IT Item de eodem finalis concordia. LIX. 
 
 LXIIII. IT Item de eodem confirmacio Reginald! epi. LX. 
 
 LXV. IT Carta de ecclesia de Pilton. LXI. 
 
 LXVI. IT Item de eodem. 
 
 LXVII. ^ Carta de ecclesia de Pilton concessa eoncessa in usum commune Well. 
 
 LXVIII. II Item de ecclesia de Pilton. 
 
 LXIX. H Item de ecclesia de Pilton et ecclesia de Suthbrente concessa in 
 prebendis. 
 
 LXX. II Carta de ecclesia de Karenton, 
 
 LXXI. II Item carta de eodem. 
 
 LXXII. IT Item de eodem. 
 
 LXXIII. ^ Item carta de Karenton. 
 
 LXXIIII. II Item de eodem. 
 
 LXXV. H Carta de ecclesia de Pilton. 
 
 LXXVL IT Item de Pilton. 
 
 liXXVII. IT Item de eodem confirmacio Regis Henrici. 
 
 LXXVIII. ^ Carta de ecclesia de Brumfeld. 
 
 LXXIX. II Item carta de eodem. 
 
 LXXX. IT Carta de Bertona de Well. 
 
 LXXXI. H Carta ecclesie de Hywys. 
 
 LXXXII. ^ Carta de partiuncula terre que Wulgo crofta dicitur concessa ecclesie 
 
 de Cumpton. 
 
 LXXXIII. ^ Item carta de eodem. 
 
 LXXXIIII. IT Carta de dotatione ecclesie de Cumpton. 
 
 LXXXV. H De terra de Hywys concessa prebende de Cumpton et de secta. 
 
 LXXX VI. IT Confirmatio Thome prioris Bathon de eodem hundredi de Banewell 
 
 quo prius. 
 
 LXXXVII. IT Confirmatio Willi et Cap. Well, de eodem quo prius. 
 
 LXXX VI 1 1. II Finalis concordia inter H. capellanum canonicum prebende de 
 Cumpton et Willielmi Arch.' de terra de Hywys. 
 
 LXXXIX. IT Concessio lil. prioris et conventus de Bradenestok de ecclesie de 
 
 Ceddre concessa capitulo Wellen. 
 
 LXXXX. II Carta de terra cape Helye capellani. 
 
 LXXXXr. IT Carta de eodem. 
 
118 
 
 APPENDIX A. 
 
 LXXXXII. 
 
 LXXXXIII. 
 
 LXXXXIIII. 
 
 LXXXXY. 
 
 LXXXXVI. 
 
 LXXXXVII. 
 
 LXXXXVIII. 
 
 LXXXXIX. 
 
 c. 
 
 CI. 
 OIL 
 
 cm. 
 
 CIIII. 
 
 cv. 
 cvi. 
 
 CVII. 
 
 CVIII. 
 
 CIX. 
 
 ex. 
 
 CXI. 
 
 CXII. 
 
 CXIII. 
 
 CXIIII. 
 
 cxv. 
 
 CXVI. 
 
 CXVII. 
 
 CXVIII. 
 
 CXIX. 
 
 CXXIII. 
 
 CXXIIII. 
 
 cxxv. 
 
 CXXVI. 
 
 CXXVII. 
 
 OXXYIII. 
 
 CXXIX. 
 
 CXXX. 
 
 CXXXI. 
 
 CXXXII. 
 
 CXXXIII. 
 
 CXXXIIII. 
 
 U Carta Helye oapellani de edificiia conceasis Capitulo Well. 
 
 U Carta de W. de Dunhevede de terra Ade de Lecton. 
 
 *\ Carta Walteri de Dunhevede de terra maugeri sacerdotis. 
 
 H De exemptione prebendarum Ab Archid' et duplice. 
 
 ^ Carta Savarici de auotoritate excommunicandi. 
 
 ^ Carta Savarici de auctoritate indulta ecclesie Welln. 
 
 U Quod liceat canonicis Well. sententiaiQ excommunicacionis proferre 
 in illos qui possessiones eorum ecclesiasticas invaserint ut 
 libertates perturbant. 
 
 U De acquietacione prebendarum et ecclesiarum ad communam ecclesie 
 Welln pertinencium ab subjeccione Archid. Well. 
 
 ^ Dignitas Decani Sarum. 
 
 H Consuetudines Sarum ecclesie. 
 
 % Item consuetudines Sarum ecclesie. 
 
 H Item consuetudines Sarum ecclesie. 
 
 II Carta venerabilis patris domini J. Bathon Epi de concessione et con- 
 firmacione manerii et ecclesie de Northcury cum pertinentibus. 
 
 H Carta de confirmaoione ecclesie de Ceddre. 
 
 *\ Carta de Mudiford. 
 
 U Carta de Lidyard. 
 
 U Carta confirmacionis ecclesie S. Cuthberti Well. 
 
 H De ordinacione prebendarum in ecclesia Well et institutione com- 
 mune. 
 
 H Carta de domibus scolarum Well. 
 
 H Carta Johannis de Palton de eodem. 
 
 ^ Carta Thome Lock de eodem. 
 
 II Carta Agnetis Relicte de eodem. 
 
 U Carta de domibus Rogeri capellani. 
 
 ^ Carta de eodem. 
 
 H Carta de eodem. 
 
 H Carta de ecclesia de Muthbarewe. 
 
 H Carta de Priore, N. Taunton et de conventu de capellanis suis. 
 
 n Carta de eodem. 
 
 H Composicio facta super terra de Manlesler. 
 
 H Item carta de Sta-weya. U Carta de abjuracione jurium quod habuit 
 
 II Item carta de Staweya. CXXII. H. filius pagani in Wynesham, 
 
 U Item de Staweya. Westmor', Mudel'. ^ Com- 
 
 positio terre de Stawey. 
 
 H Item de Staweya. 
 
 H Confirmacio Reginaldi epi de ecclesia de Staweya. 
 
 ^ Carta de ecclesia de Bovi. 
 
 H Confirmacio de Bovi. 
 
 H Carta Roberti de Hari Lovinton. 
 
 H Item carta de eodem 
 
 H Item de eodem. 
 
 II Carta de ecclesia de Code wy the. 
 
 H Carta de ecclesia de AssuU. 
 
APPENDIX A. 
 
 119 
 
 CXXXV. II Carta de ecclesia de Cudewythe. 
 CXXXVI. IT Carta de ecclesia Sancti Decumani. 
 CXXXVII. U Carta de ecclesia de Ohileoumpton. 
 CXXXVIII. II Item de ecclesia de Childecumpton. 
 CXXXIX. H Carta de ecclesia de Cudewythe. 
 CXL. H Item carta de ecclesia de AssuU. 
 CXLI. H Item carta de Wythlaketon. 
 CXLII. H Item de ecclesia de Wythlaketon. 
 CXLIII. 11 Carta de Sancto Decumano. 
 CXLIIII. H Item de sancto Decumano. 
 
 OXLV. H Item de ecclesia de Timbrescumbe. H Item de ecclesia de 
 Tymbrescumbe. 
 CXLVI. H Carta de CnoU que est capellani de Cudewythe. 
 CXLVII. H Carta de decimis Molendinarum de Well. 
 CXLIX. H De eodem. 
 
 CL. 51 Carta Lamberti de Well. 
 ■CLT. , H Carta de ecclesia de Hywys. 
 
 CLII. H Item carta de Hywys in Brente marisco pertin' ad heliam et successores 
 ejus canonicos de Cumpton. 
 CLIIII. *\ Item de eodem. 
 CLV. H Item de eodem. 
 CLVI. II Carta de ecclesia de Suthbrente. 
 CLVII. H Item de Suthbrente. 
 CLVIII. II Carta de Pilton et de Suthbrente. 
 CLIX. II Carta de Carescumbe. 
 CLX. H Carta de ecclesia de Ilmenister. 
 CLXI. H Carta de Clyva. 
 CLXII. H Item de eodem. 
 CLXIII. H Item de eodem. 
 CLXIIII. H Item de eodem. 
 
 CLXV. n Carta de redditu altaris beate Marie. 
 CLXVI. H Carta de ad votacionem ecclesie de Weston. 
 CLXVII. 51 Carta de domibus Decani. 
 CLXVIII. H Carta de hospitalL 
 CLXIX. 51 Carta de Cungresbury. 
 CLXX. II Duplex carta super eodem. Hie quere soriptum de Jurisdiccione 
 Decani et subdecani CLXX. 
 CLXXI. H Carta Alex, de Mudeslee. 
 CLXXII. H Carta de Bidesham. 
 CLXXIII. 51 Carta de Bidesham. 
 CLXXIIII. 51 Carta de Bidesham. 
 
 CLXXV. 51 Carta de ecclesia de Evercrich et ecclesia de Mertock. 
 CLXXVI. 51 Item carta de lydeard. 
 CLXXVII. 51 Carta ecclesia de Esta. 
 CLXXVIII. 51 Carta de Safuble (?). 
 CLXXIX. 51 Carta de sessione in sinodo. 
 CLXXX. 51 Item carta de ecclesia de lydeard. 
 
120 
 
 APPENDIX A. 
 
 CLXXI. 
 
 CLXXII. 
 
 CLXXIII. 
 
 CLXXIIII. 
 
 CLXXV. 
 
 CLXXVI. 
 
 CLXXVII. 
 
 CLXXVIII. 
 
 CLXXIX. 
 
 CLXXX. 
 
 CLXXXI. 
 
 CLXXXII. 
 
 CLXXX III. 
 
 CLXXXIIII. 
 
 CLXXXV. 
 
 CLXXXYI. 
 
 CLXXXVII. 
 
 CLXXXVIII. 
 
 CLXXXIX. 
 
 CLXXXX. 
 
 OLXXXXI. 
 
 CLXXXXII. 
 
 CLXXXXIII. 
 
 CLXXXXIIII. 
 
 CLXXXXV. 
 
 CLXXXXVI. 
 
 CLXXXXVII. 
 
 CLXXXXVIII. 
 
 CLXXXXVIII. 
 CLXXXXIX. 
 
 CC. 
 
 CCI. 
 
 COIL 
 
 CCIII. 
 
 CCIIIL 
 
 CCV. 
 
 CCVI. 
 
 CCVIL 
 
 CCVIIL 
 
 OCIX. 
 
 ccx. 
 
 Item de Mudeford. 
 fl Carta de Aohelegn. 
 
 U Carta de lumiae ad majus altare de Well. 
 
 H Carta de prebenda de Bidesham. 
 
 ^ Carta de terra de Bidesham. 
 
 U Item de lydeard. 
 
 H Item carta de cerec. 
 
 H Carta de Dultincot. 
 
 fl Item carta Dultincot. 
 
 11 Carta de vicar de Kingesbury. 
 
 H Carta de quadam missa heate Marie et de altera missa pro fidelibus. 
 
 U Carta de Dokemersfeld. 
 
 U Item carta de Dokemersfeld. 
 
 H Carta de Aulescumbe. 
 
 H Item carta de Aulescumbe. 
 
 H Item de Aulescumbe. 
 
 H Item carta de Aulescumbe. 
 
 H Carta de Warmeinster. 
 
 II Carta de Scandeford. 
 
 H Carta de Michelney. 
 
 H De prebenda de Sutton. 
 
 H Item carta de Michelney. 
 
 IT Carta de Wynesham. 
 
 H Carta de Cumba. 
 
 H Carta de manerio de Cumba. 
 
 H Carta Petri Decani. 
 
 IT Carta de ecclesia de Wermeinatre. 
 
 II Confirmacio Willielmi Elyensis epi. de eodem. 
 
 H Item de quadam terra in Wermeinstre. 
 
 IT Finalis eoncordia de limitibus prebende de Wythchwrch et de Chylde- 
 
 cumpton. 
 IT Litere beati Thome ad Eeginaldum epum. 
 IT Carta domini J. Bathon epi de manerio et ecclesia de Wynescumb 
 
 concessa in dotem ecclesie "Wellen. 
 Ordinacio et resignatio ecclesie de Merke. 
 Ordinacio et inmutacio conmune cotidiane et distribucionis in fine 
 
 anni facta per Jocelinum epum de consensu Dec. et Cap. 
 IT Capitulum Bathon de elecoione Jocelini epi. 
 H Capitulum "Well, de eodem. 
 II Item capitulum Well, de eodem. 
 IT Testimonium plurium eporum de eodem. 
 *\ Litere capituli Bathonie quibus constituentur procuratores ad 
 
 eligendum epum. 
 II Litere Regis de consensu in eleccionem Dni. J. Epi 
 II Testimonium de quo prius. 
 51 Capitulum Well, de eleccione Dni. J. Epi. 
 
 H Item testimonium. Eegis Bangoris epi. 
 
 IT Testimonium Illl.orum procuratorum capituli Bathon. 
 
 H Testimonium conventus Bathon de consensu in procuratores. 
 
APPENDIX A. 
 
 121 
 
 CCXI. U Composioio facta inter capitulum Well, et capitulum Bathon de 
 
 eligendo epum. 
 
 CCXII. H Testimonium plurium eporum de eleccione J. epi. 
 
 CCXIII. 51 Testimonium eorumdem iterum. 
 
 CCXIIII. H Litere E.. Bangor. Epi deprecator. 
 
 CCXY. H Quod conventus Bathon procuratores constituit ad eligendum epum. 
 
 CCXVI. H Litere capituli Well, de procuratoribus constitutis. 
 
 OCX 711. ^ Testimonium procuratorum capituli Well, de eleccione Dni. 
 Jocelini epi. 
 
 CCXVI II. f De eleccione J. Sarraoeni in Decanum. 
 
 CCXIX. H De eleccione Decani Well. 
 
 CCXX. H Confirmacio O. legati de eodem et quibusdam aliis. 
 
 CCXXI. H Confirmacio Regis H. de manerio de Claveston. 
 
 CGXXII. II Carta de Warenha de Wedmore. IT Et de terra de Merch. 
 
 CCXXIII. IT Carta M. Eegine de ecolesia, de Wedmore. 
 
 CCXXIIII. ^ De ordinacione decanatus et subdeoanatus in ecclesia Well. 
 
 CCXXV. H De prebendis vacantibus concessis commune Well et de quibusdam 
 
 aliis libertatibus concessis ecclesie Well. 
 
 CCXXVI. H De acquietacione de Murdris et misericordiis. 
 
 CCXXVII. II Quiet' clamacio dimidie virgate terra in Wedmora. 
 
 CCXXVIII. H Quod Archidiaconi debeant respondere capitulo Well, de duabus 
 
 partibus ecclesiarum vacancium. 
 
 CCXXVIII. H Carta de Bertona Well. 
 
 CCXXIX. II Carta de ecclesia de Wynefford. 
 
 CCXXX. H Carta de Wyvelescumbe concessa commune Well. 
 
 CCXXXI. H De eodem ecclesia in prebendam concessa. 
 
 CCXXXII. H De quadam terra in Haselberg. 
 
 CCXXXIII. U Carta de feodo in Dinre. 
 
 CCXXXIIII. H Carta de confirmacione Reginaldi epi. 
 
 CCXXXV. IT Carta de ecclesia de Arpetre concessa in prebendam. 
 
 CCXXXVl. II Carta de ecclesia de Boclande concessa in prebendam. 
 
 CCXXXVII. IT Carta de decima feni in eadem. 
 
 CCXXXVIII. IT De eodem. 
 
 CCXXXIX. IT Carta de una yirgata terre in Jattuna. 
 
 COXL. ^ Carta de firma prebende de Jattuna. 
 
 CCXLI. IT Carta de ecclesia de Luninton. 
 
 CCXLII. IT Item de eodem. 
 
 CCXLIII. 51 Carta de ecclesia de Barewe. 
 
 CCXLIIII. IT Carta de ad notacione ecclesie de Bertun. 
 
 CCXLV. II Carta de Prioris de Worspring de redditu marcarum. 
 
 3b 
 
122 APPENDIX B. 
 
 APPENDIX B. 
 
 Archidiaconi debeant respondere Capitulo Wellen de duabus partibus ecclesiourwm 
 vacancium. — Register 1, fol. 59. 
 
 Omnibus ctristi fidelibus ad quos presens carta pervenerit JoHannes dei gratia 
 Bathon et Glaston Episcopus sahitem. Cum consueverimus nos sicut et predeoessores 
 nostri ecclesias vacantes de Archidiacontibus Bathon, Well, Glaston, Tanton, in manus 
 nostras recipere et de fructibus earundem ad opus nostrum duas partes retinere et de tercio 
 denario Archidiaconis ipsorum Archidiaconatuum respondet quousque in ecclesiis ipsis 
 canonice instituentur persone. Habita deliberacione et tractatu pleniori cum Decano, L. 
 et capitulo Well. Statuimus quod ille due partes predicte que nos oontingunt applicentur 
 de cetero commune Well, in augmentum ejus, ad solacium ibidem deo et mitissimo ejus 
 apostolo famulantium volentes quod in posterum predict! Archidiaconi nostri in manus 
 suas recipiant et teneant ecclesias de Archidiaconatibus suis, cum vacaverint et de duabus 
 partibus proventuum respondeant apud Wellen. Commune prestito prius sacramento 
 corporali tam ab ipsis quam officialibus suis coram nobis et successoribus nostris quod de 
 duabus partibus proventuum predictorum fideliter et integre commune ipsi respondebunt. 
 Quia vero W. de Bardenay Wellen, et de Wrotham Tanton Archidiaconi et officiales eorum 
 coram nobis sacramentum jam dictum corporale prestiterint postmodum concessimus ipsis 
 Archidiaconis quod cum onere predicto custodias habeant ecclesiarum vacancium de Archi- 
 diaconatibus suis. Reliqui autem Archidiaconi nostri Thomas Glaston et Hugo Bathon 
 quia juramentum predictum non dum prestiterunt content! sint tercio denario suo de 
 proventibus ecclesiarum vacancium de Archidiaconatibus suis per manum nostram sicut 
 prius fuerint. Nos vero et successores nostri custodias ipsarum ecclesiarum habebimus ut 
 prius respondentes per officialem nostrum sepe dicte commune Wellen de duobus denariis 
 qui ex hac nostra donacione ad ipaam pertinebunt. Ex quo iidem Archidiaconi et officiales 
 sui in forma predicta juraverunt, habebunt et ipsi custodias de ecclesiis vacantibus Archi- 
 diaconatuum suorum in forma quam habent Well et Tanton. Circa successores autem tam 
 istorum quam illorum eadem forma servabitur ut cum ipsi et officiales eorum sepe dictum 
 juramentum prestiterunt habeant custodias tenore predicto. Interim vero nobis et 
 successoribus nostris cum eodem reddendi onere remanebunt. Datum in Capitulo Well 
 per manum nostram v'° Ido Julii pont. nostri anno decimo. 
 
 APPENDIX C. 
 
 Gonfirmacio Johls Cant. Archiepi super libertatibS et possesdonibS ecclie Well. 
 
 j{^g„ \ Universis see matris ecce filiis ad quor^ noticiam pven'it hec sc'pt^ a pater J. pmissione 
 
 fol. 111. divina Archieps Cant' totius Angl' p'mas saltm in dno Ihu x°- Cum a nob' petito qd 
 
 iieg. 3, gg^ justum pi? et honestu tam vigor equitati's quam ordo exigit ronis ut id p soUicitudlem 
 
 officii nri ad debitu pducat^ effcm . Capp nos Bathon et Welln dioc ex nfi officii debito 
 visitantes exaiatis p clicos nros diligent p'vilegiis et indulgenciis dUectis filiis nris Decano 
 et caplo Welln concessis . eas p nos auc'te met°polica roborari p'fati Decanus et caplm 
 humUitr supplicart . justis g' eor^drn postulatoib3 iaclinati omnes Ubertates et immunitates 
 a veiiabilibus frib3 nris epis Bathon et Well, p p'vilegia vl alias indulgencias decano et 
 
 fol. 6. 
 
APPENDIX C. 
 
 123 
 
 caplo p'fato concessas . n°iion libertates et exempcones sclariu exacoonu a Regib3 et 
 p'ncipib3 ac aliis xpi fidelibs ronabilf decano et capitlo p'fato indultas f Pras q°q, et 
 possessiones ac alia bona omnia eor-<idm ipis aiicUe met°polita . confirmam'' . et presentis 
 stfpti pat°cinio comunim . De quibS. Hec p'is n6ib3 duxim' exp'menda : videl : 
 Man'iu de Northcur' cu ecca eiusdm man'ii . et hundro . cu fa de Hacch. et Brentich . 
 et cu oib3 aliis ptin suis integre et sine ullo retenemto in puram et ppetua eleam ad sua- 
 tentacoin et coain suamque hiit ex dono E,. Rici et Reg. JohJs . et ex confirmacone Reg' 
 Henr. filii Regis Johis . et ex cocessione et cofirmacoe Regni. Savarici . et Jocelini 
 q°ndam epor-,0 suor^. II Item man'iu de Wynescomb ac ecca eiusdm man'ii . que hnt ex 
 cocessione et collacone Jocelini q°ndam epi sui in augmentu comune sue in dotem ecce sue 
 in dedicacSe eiusdm. II Itin eciam de Lovinton cu oib3 ptin suis et uuam hydam tre in 
 alio campo scil: q*terviginti acs in uno campo . et qua?viginti acs Pre in alio campo cu 
 0lb3 libertatibs suis . et liberis consuetudiii suis et cu oib3 aliis reb3 ad unam hydam terre 
 ptin. H Et p'terea unu mesuag' in eadin villa ppe eccam ad magnitudine capital, mesuagii 
 que hiit . ex dono Robi Kavy q°ndam dni de Lovinton p cartam suam et ex concossione 
 et gGrmacone Regni q°ndam epI sui. H Itin eccam sti Outhberti in civitate Well, quam 
 hilt ex gcessione et gfirmaoone RobI et Jocelini q°nd. epor^ suor^ ad coam suam . salva 
 ppetua et c5petenti vicaria in eadem ecca . que sp°tat ad presentatom decani et capitli. 
 ^ Its eccam de Lydiard qm hiit ad coam suam ex concessione et gfirmacoe Savarici et 
 Jocel. q°ndam Epor^ suor-o. Itin eccam de Congresbur' cti ptiii suis c^ra. hnt in augiiitu 
 comune sue ex cooessioe et coUone Jocel' q°ndam epI sui . scdm q' carta ipius inde testatur. 
 H Et eccam de Mudiford . cu ptin suis q"m hiit ad comam suam ex ordinacone Jocel. 
 q°ndam epi sui H Itm eccam de Ceddre cu ptin suis q'm hiit ad coam suam . ex cocessione 
 et cofirmacone Jocelini q'ndam epi sui. H Itm centu solid' . annuos q°s hnt ad coam sua 
 de ecca de Karemptoii ex coceii et c5firm Reg' et Savaric' q°nd. epor^ suor^ et Prioris et 
 convent'' Bathon . et Simon Buzun q''ndam ipius ecce pat°ni. H Itm Triginta et q'nq^ 
 m'rc's annuas . q"^ hnt ad augmentu comune sue de ecca de Chyton ex ordinacone Jocel. 
 q''nd. Epi . et de consensu et voluntate Abbis . et convent de Gemetyto proiior^ eiusdin. 
 H Itin q*draginta solid' . annuos quos hiit ad coam suam de ecca de Staweya ex ordinacone 
 Jocel . quonda epi sui et de cosensu et volutate Prioris et convent de Goldeclyve qui dcam 
 eccam hiit in ppios usus. H Itin sexaginta solid' . annuos de eccia de Honey quos hnt 
 ad c5am sua de ecca de Northton sub Hamedoii ex ordinacone Jocel. q°nda epi sui et 
 de gsensu et volutate Abbis et convent de Gresteyn pronor-^ dee ecclle. Itm medietate 
 eccie de Whytecherch Sar dioc' qua hnt ad coam suam ex ordinacone Robi Bar' epi et ex 
 cocessione Jocel q°d epi sui pat°ni eiusdm ecce. H Itm duos sol. annuos q°s pcipiut de 
 eccia de Brumfield in Archidiacon Tanton. IT Itin custodia et fructus prebendary Well, 
 vacanciti q'mdiu vaca^int . p'Pea que canoicu defunctu gtingunt . scdiii antiq'm eiusdm 
 ecce consuetudiem que hnt ex cocessione Robi q°ndam Epi sui. H Itm duas ptes 
 sequestri eccar-o vacanciu p totu epatum q°s hiit ad coam suam ex concessione Reginald' 
 et Jocel' q°nd. epor^ suor^. H Itm Bertonam comune sue in civitate Well q''m hnt ex 
 dono Reginald q°nda epi sui . liberam et quietam ab omui fvito et redditu p'P duodecim 
 den Archo loci inde reddendos. H Itm qd oins hoies et oia tenefa et oia feoda ipor^ Decani 
 et Capli Well . et eciam cuiuslib3 Canoici sint quieta in ppetuti de oTb3 murdris et de 
 milicordiis oib3que ad diim Regem vl' ad hed sues vie vl' Ballos vicecomitG ptin'e debent . 
 que hiit ex dono et gcessione Jocel q°nd. epi sui . scdiii qd carta ipius sup hoc confecta f 
 pleni gtestato. H Itm qd liceat Decano et Caplo sniam excoicacois et inPdca pml'gare 
 in .illos qui possessiones ipius Capli mobiles vl' immobiles invadere sine epali auc%e aut 
 
 N. Curry. 
 
 Westhatch. 
 
 Wantage. 
 
 Wynscombe 
 
 Lovingtcn. 
 Ecclia et 
 Firma. 
 
 Eccl' Sti 
 
 Cuthberti 
 
 Wellen. 
 
 D. &C. 
 
 sp^tabunt. 
 
 Vicar . ibiii. 
 
 Lidyeard. 
 
 Congres- 
 
 bury. 
 
 Mudford. 
 
 Chedder. 
 
 5" de Car- 
 
 hampton 
 
 ecclesia. 
 
 Chewton 
 
 pension. 
 
 Stowey. pen. 
 
 Norton. 
 
 Whitchurch 
 Dorset. 
 
 Bromfield, 
 
 2s. 
 
 Fructus 
 
 prebendar' 
 
 vacan'. 
 
 Fructus 
 
 eccl' vacan'. 
 
 Can . barne. 
 
 Bertonam 
 
 Comunieaue 
 
 quiet de oib3 
 murdris et 
 misericor- 
 diis diii 
 Regis. 
 Dec. et Cap. 
 piit 
 excoicare. 
 
124 
 
 APPENDIX C. 
 
 lumen in de 
 ficlens ad 
 magiun 
 altare. 
 
 10 marcse 
 de Chew. 
 20 marcae 
 de Combe at 
 10 marcae. 
 
 Ohewton 
 pension. 
 
 de collacoe 
 
 domor^ 
 
 canonica. 
 
 jura ad eos ptinecia auferre . aut pturbare p'suplint . seu eciam novas exaccones et onera 
 indebita lioIb3 suis aut Pris suis inpon'e . q"m auc'tem hiit ex indulgencia Savarici q°nd. 
 epi sui . que quid sentencia . et in?dcm vult ipe eps et p'cipt' oblvari . usque ad satisfaccom 
 condignam. H Itm q'draginta solid, annuos q°s hnt de ecciis de Bajiewell et de Westbury 
 p manus Prioris et convent' de Briwton q' dcas eccas hnt in ppios usus ad inveniedu unu 
 cereu ppetuo ardentem ante mains altare sci Andree in ecca Well, ex ordinacone Reginald 
 q°nd. epi sui . et ex concessione p'dcor^ Prioris et convent de Briwton. H Itm tres 
 cereos singlis annis in ppetuu in vig' Sci Andree apll ante mains altare . unu scil. de trib3 
 libris cere reliquos v°- duos singlos de duab3 libris cere quos hnt de terra Eadi Marere in 
 Dultingcote ex done Robi quondam Epi sui in dedicacone vefis ecce. II Itm decem 
 m'rcas annuas de ecca de Chyw. et p'P illas- alias viginti m"rc' annuas de p'poitura de 
 Cumb' ad solempne ppetuu et plenar' Iviciu be virgin cum oIb3 horis singlis dieb3 in ecca 
 Well, celebrand'. ^ Et p'Pea decem m^c' annuas de dca p'poitura de Cumbe ad plenar' 
 et solempne Iviciu defunctor-,D similf imppetuti celebr''nd' singlis dieb3 in dca ecca et bona 
 ad dca Ivicia faciend solepnif p epos et alios collata et porcones que de dcis bonis yicariis 
 ipius eccie qui dcis Iviciis inPfSint debnt et consuev'int assignari scdm tenorem et formam 
 ordinacois Jocel. qiiond. epi sui sup hoc fee. H Itm tres m*rc' animas recipiend^s de ecca 
 de Chywton ad lulare be virgin in ecca Well, ex ordinacoe Jocel. q°ndam epi sui. IT Itm 
 ordiuacom Jocelini q°ndam epi sui de consensu J. Decani et CaplI Well, fcam de comuna 
 eccie sue Well et de gmutacone eiusdm. 51 Item domos que fSint Eadl preciosi in civitate 
 Well, assig'ndas imppetuu alicui canoico residenti uni scil . p aliti et non aliis scdm 
 formam et tenore carte coUonis p'dce Radi sup hoc fee. 
 
 ^ Itm domos que fSint Lamberti de Well . cu Prra sua q°s hnt in puram et ppetuam 
 elemosina quiet' ab ol servito . redditu et consuetudine . ex collone dci Lamberti et con- 
 firmacone Savarici quondam epi sui. ^ Itm domos que fSint Rog'i CaplI Canoici Well . in 
 civitate Well . assig°ndas p Decanu et capitlm uni canoico residenti . videlt . uni p aliu 
 q's hnt ex collone dci Rog'i. ^ Itm domos que fSint eiusdm et an eum Reginald de 
 Walth'm ad ppetuu usum scolar^ in civitate Well. ^ Itm domos que ffiint Rici de 
 Attebur' q°nd . canoici Well assig'ndas p Decanu et Capitlm imppetuu uni canoico 
 residenti . videlt. uni p aliu . q's hiit ex collone dci Rici. U Itm domos que fSint Helye 
 caplli canoici Well . p Decanu et Capliii asaig^ndas uni canoico residenti vid3 uni . post aliu 
 7 non aliis q^s hnt ex collone dci Elye. H Itm dua . marcas annuas p manus Archidi loci 
 solvend' Thes. Well . ad octo cereos invelendos in.scabello crucifixi de sup altare bi Andree . 
 ardentes quamdiu divinu in ef.ca Well, celebrate mysPiu . in oIb3 maiorib3 duplicib3 festis 
 p annu de redditu que idm Archidi reddere solet epo annuatim . q°s hiit ex collone et 
 ordinacone Jocel' quond . epi sui. ^ Itm sexaginta solid p manus eiusdm Archidi de 
 eodiii redditu annuo que solet reddere epo ad faciend plenar' serviciu de functor^ singlis 
 dieb3 imppetuu ad altare bl kalixti j> aia P'. Decani Well. In quor lx'* solid' recompensacom . 
 executores dci Decani de consensu hed' suor^ dederut et concesserut Jocelino epo et succ' 
 suis totam Pram de Ylegh in man'io de Woky que ad dcm Petru et hed sues ptiuebat . q"m 
 p'dctis decanus de cosensu hedu suor^ in vita sua ad p'dcm serviciu ppetuo faciend' 
 dedit et assignavit. ^ Itm centu libras cere annuas ex dono Jocel. q°nda epi sui . de ecca 
 de Weston jpe Worsprius que est de advocacoue epor^ Bathoii et Well . ex adquisicone 
 p'dci Jocelini p man psone qui p temp fSit Thesaur'. Well annuatim solvend' ad 
 sustentacom luiar' in ecca bi Andree. H Itm ex dono Willi Buche q=ndam aream in 
 civitate Well . pp'nquiore que fSint Elye caplli ex pte australi. U Confirmamus eciam 
 eisdem omnes prebendas et oiiis dignitates cu ptiii eor^din et omnia jura et oins libertates 
 
APPENBIX B. 125 
 
 et libera cosuetudines que hnt in p'dcia bonis . man'iis . Pris . ecclls . redditib3 prdiis . 
 possessionibs et ptifi eor^dm n°non et in p'bndis et dignitatib3 suis et ptin eor^dfn . sive 
 f8int in ecciis '. sive Pris Statuentes q"ntu ad mefpolitanu ptinet qd p'dcm caplin omnia 
 p'dca videlt . bona . man'ia Pras . eccas . redditus eccasticos et mudanos cii omnib3 ptin suis 
 n°non et p'dia et p' seciones cii ptin eor^dm . oms p'bndas suas et dignitates et oia jura et 
 oins Hbertates ac liberas cosuetudines q ht in p'dcis man'iis . fris ecciis . redditib3 . p'diis 
 possessionib3 et ptin eor^dm et eciam in p'bendis et dignitatibS et ptin suis sive fSint in 
 Pris sive in ecciis ut p'dcm est . sunt ea canoice tenet et possidet . pacifice et inconcusse 
 heat . teneat et ppetuo possideat in fut^m. Salva nobis et suoo' nris in oib3 met°poUtica 
 dignitate. In cujus rei testim sigillu nrm presenti sc'pto duxim apponend. Dat'. apd 
 Mortelate . xvi. kl. Novembr . anno gre m.cc. octogesimo primo. 
 
 APPENDIX D. 
 
 Articuli pro visitacione facienda in ecclia Welln per dnm Decanum. 
 
 In primis queratur an vicarii intersint horis canonicis ut tenentur. 
 
 Item queratur si bene faciant seetam ad Placebo et Dirige et ad missam in capitulo 
 
 ut deberent. 
 It si sint incontinentes inoorrigibiles. 
 It si sint publici negociatores vl usurarii. 
 *It si sint incantatores vl communes Tabemarii, 
 It si sit sUencium in chore ut deceret. 
 Si vicarii faciant continuam residenciam ut tenentur. 
 
 Si sint ordinati prout Prebende pro quibus deserviunt exigunt et requirunt. 
 § 2. Si vicarii petunt licenciam minuendi sanguinis nimis frequenter. 
 Si vicarii utantur habitu veste decenti et tonsura ut deceret. 
 Si psallant et legant secundum qd sint intitulati. 
 Si consuetudines ecclie modo debito observentur. 
 *Si de novo admissi bene expediunt in servicio et sint diligentes circa servicium ecclie. 
 *Si officiales puta Senescallus, Oommunarius, Eschaetor, Snbthesaurarius, et Tabel- 
 
 larius bene se habeant in officiis suis. 
 Si Subthesaurarius sit diligens circa reparacionem vasorum et ornamentorum ecclie. 
 Si Sacrista bene se habeat in campanis' pulsandis horis debitis et tempore oportuno et 
 
 oonsueto captandis et mortario in pulpito illuminando. 
 *Si candele ad legend' sint competentes et lumen prestantes prout decet. 
 Si Altariste veniant ad altaria sua deservienda et si dicant psalterium cotidie prout 
 
 decet. 
 Si choriste sint competentes in officiis suis et exerceant scolaa. 
 Si Sacrilegium committatur ab aliquibus predictis in ecclia Wellen. 
 Si ecclia bene coopexiatur et Cimiterium c]audatur. 
 Si vestimenta ecclie sint munda et honesta. 
 
 Si libri sint bene ligati et reparati. ^ 
 
 Si sit sufficiens luminare ad altaria prout antiquitus fuit ordinatum. 
 Si baptisterum et crismatorium sint sub serurio. 
 Si domus pertinentes ad Decanum et Capitulum annuatim visitentur. 
 Si aliqui sint perjuri Eixosi et ebriosi (holes tabrnarii) ex consuetudine. 
 
126 APPENDIX D. 
 
 Si aliqui sint in ecclia qui ignorant servicium vl non apponant diligenciam sciendi ut 
 tenentur. 
 
 Si habentes annualia celebrent ut tenentur. 
 
 Si super hoc sit explorator ordinatus. 
 
 Si aliqui celebrant dum cantatur magna missa. 
 *Si prebende bursales suis terris solvantur. 
 
 Si aliquis Canonicus vl vicarius sit suspensus vl excommunicatus a jurevl ab homine. 
 
 Si tales ministraverint (X) se divinis. 
 *Si aliquis dUapidet bona sua vl in usus illicitos convertat. 
 *Si bona communia fideliter ordinentur et dispensentur. 
 
 Si vicarii recipiant ecclias ac firmas. 
 
 Si teneant mulieres in domibus suis clam vl palam seu sint diffamati de eisdem. 
 N. *Si aliquis canonicus mane recedat et contra noctem redeat de consuetudine ut sic 
 percipiat cotidianam distribucionem. 
 *Si canonici vel vicarii recedant a civitate licencia non optenta a Decano. 
 
 Si aliqui contra eorum juramentum secreta capituli revelent aliquo mode. 
 
 An matutine dicantur in choro per vicarios prout consueverint. 
 
 Qui vicarii presentes in civitate veniunt ad matutinas et qui non. 
 
 Inquirant visitatores primo quis sit Rector cujuslibet ecclesie (quis vicarius et utrum 
 
 resideat vel non, si non resideat utrum licenciati vel non). 
 Item si sint infra sacros vel non et in quo ordine. 
 Item de capellanis parochialibus et aliis capellanis celebrantibus in ecclesia et de 
 
 clericis ecclesie et benedictorum et eorum vita et honestate si sint tabernarii vel 
 
 scholares. 
 Item si ecclesia vel vicaria tradatur ad firmam et hoc vel clerico vel laico et cui et si 
 
 licencia Episcopi. 
 Item si domus vel edificia vel vicaria sint Integra vel dirruta. 
 Item de ornamentis ecclesie scilicet ut de calice utrum sit argenteus integer et honestus 
 
 de Missali et dualibus et aliis libris si sint de non si turribulum sit honestum. 
 Item de vestimentis corporalibus et pallis altaris superpelliciis et valo quadragesimal 
 
 utrum sint munda integra vel dirruta. 
 Item si Eukaristia chrisma et fons sint sub clave. 
 Item si libertates et jura ecclesie subtrahantur vel alienantur et per quem et a quo 
 
 tempore. 
 Item si cantaria in alia ecclesia vel vicaria subtrahatur et a quo tempore et per quem. 
 Item si cancellum vel navis ecclesie bene cooperiantur et campanile. 
 Item si aliqua pars cancelli vel ecclesie vel campanile sit ruinose. 
 Item si cimiterium sit bene clausum vel pecoribus fedatum. 
 Item de parochianis criminosis adulteris fornicatoribus et eorum residinacione. 
 Item de hereticis usurariis sortilegis et aliis criminosis tarn clericis quam laicis. 
 Item si ecclesie sint dedicate et de sacrariis violatis et cersoriis mnndis. 
 Audi vide tace si vis . . . In face (1). 
 
APPENDIX E. 127 
 
 APPENDIX E. 
 
 Ordinamus eciam sicut dudum fuerit provisum quod deputentur aliqui discreti qui 
 deletis contrarietatibus et obscuritatibus in ordinali ecclie contentis illud emendent et 
 cu correctum fuerit illud in martUogiumdupplicentur propter pericula que poterunt evenire. 
 Et ut toUatur in cantu omnis materia discordandi ordinamus quod per aliquos vicarios 
 scientes Antiphonaria Gradalia et Troparia omnia corrigantur ita qd concordant in omnibus 
 sicut decet. Et ne Eschaetor Capituli causari possit ignoranciam pro quo pretio ad minus 
 vendere debeat fructus prebendarum primi anni ad Capitulum et defunctum Canonicum 
 spectantes estimacionem prebendarum in possessionibus consistencium ad perpetuam rei 
 memoriam, presentibus duximus inserendam. 
 
 Here follow Taasationes Frebendarum, found on page 97. fol. 23. 
 
 Memorandum quod predicte prebende cum vacaverint nunquam vendantur pro 
 minori precio quam taxantur superius in presenti cedula set pro majori si fieri potest prout 
 melius vendi possunt. Item cum is qui emolumentum sentit onus eidem annexum de jure 
 nequeat recusare et ob hoc in Magnilenenai consilio provide sit statutum nt omnes qui 
 beneficium habent ecclesiasticum ad tecta ipsius ecclie restituenda debeant adjuvare et ad 
 ipsas ecclias cum opus fuerit emendandas. Nos periculos defectus existentes intecto ecclie 
 WeUii cupientes per Dei adjutorium melius emendare. Statuimus et ordinamus concordi- 
 ter de col consensu qd canonici omnes et singuU de prebendis suis decimam per quin- 
 quennium conferant ad reparacionem defectum predictorum secundum taxationem Norwich' 
 cum adhoc faciend' non sufficiat porcio ad sustentacionem fabrice deputata cujus decime 
 solutionem statuimus debere fieri in crastino festi Annunciacionis diice in Marcio Anno 
 dni M.cc. nonogesimo none incipiente et in crastino festi bti Michis in mense Septembr' 
 proximo sequentibus pro equalibus porcionibus et sic fieri de anno in annum durante 
 solucione decime supradicte ad quam solucionem predictis terminis faciendam omnes et 
 singulos confratres decemimus esse per Decanum et Capitulum si opus fuerit compel' 
 lendos. 
 
 Hec autem statuta provisiones et ordinaciones cum aliis Wellii ecclie statutis racion- 
 abilibus et usitatis statuimus et precipimus in virtute obediencie in ipsa ecclesia in viola- 
 biliter observari. Salva nobis Decano et Capitulo potestate interpretandi corrigendi 
 dicta statuta quando videbimus expedire. Decernentes nicholimus temeratores dictorum 
 statutorum preter penas in eis contentas gravius esse puniendos cum delicti qualitas hoc 
 expossit. Pronunciata sunt hec statuta publice in Capitulo coram Canonicis et Vicariis 
 die Mercurii in crastino festi Sci Mathie apli Anno M.CC. nonagesimo octavo. Et ibi citavit 
 Decanus coram omnibus John de Bathon, John de Shrivenham, John de Congresbury, 
 Jordanum de Wytenye, William de Westbury quod compareant infra spacium quindecim 
 dierum a die predicto et redeant ad ecclesiam facere residenciam continuam in eadem et 
 recepturi quod justum fuerit propter eorum absenciam diuturnam. Injunxitque amicis 
 eorundem quod super hoc premunirent eosdem. 
 Expliciunt Statuta Walteri 
 
 de Haselschawe nuper Decani "Well 
 
 et postea bone memorie Bathon et 
 
 Welln Epi. 
 
128 , APPENDIX F. 
 
 APPENDIX F. 
 
 Incipiunt Statuta Dni Johcmnis de Godelee. 
 
 fol. 24. XXVIII. 
 
 In dei nomine amen. Nuper nos Decanus et Oanonici ecclie Welln ibidem resi^lentes 
 et capitulum pro tunc facientes in domo nra capitulari hora competenti convenientes et 
 ecclie ej asdem negocia prout nobis incumbit pertractantes inter cetera invenimus qd ecclia 
 ipsa per diversas lites causas et controversias contra ipsam per nonnullos magnates et 
 potentes volunfcarie motas et diucius agitatas ac expensas necessarias in defensione juris 
 et libertatum ecclie ejusdem appositas ere alieno oneratam ad non modicam pecunia 
 quantitatem. Ad cujus exoneracionem canonicor' residencium minime suppetunt facultates 
 consideranter igitur qd pro tantis ecclie necessitatibus relevandis concanonicorum nostro- 
 rum omnium quorum causam in hoc agi dubium non existit consilium et auxilium tarn 
 ex equitatequam juris ngore noscitur esse requirendum presertim cum causa sit ecclie que 
 omnes canonicos tam non residentes quam residentes contingit sicut ex forma juramenti in 
 admissione seu installacione prestiti apparet evidenter quodque ad solucionem tante summe 
 mobilia ipsius ecclie in presenti non sufficiunt salvis stipendiis ministrantium in eadem 
 habito inter nos super hiis tractatu diligenti omnes et singulos concanonicos nros ad 
 diem veneris proximum post fest' Purific' bte virginis scdm ipsius ecclie consuetudinem 
 peremptorie decrevimus esse citandos qd die veneris pridea in captlo nfo Well, hora 
 capitulari seu saltem competenti sufficienter comparent ad tractandum simul tam super 
 premissis quam aliis arduis ejusdem ecclie negociis ordinandum etiam et faciendum ulterius 
 super ipsis qd ad honorem dei et ipsius utilitatem ecclie ex deliberacione sana in communi 
 equum videretur atque justum necnon agendum ibidem plerum prestituri consensum. 
 
 Quibus die et loco nonnuUis personaliter aliis vero per procuratores sufficienter 
 quibusdam etiam licet paucis vocatis et non comparentibus. Nos Decanus et Capitulum 
 predeum absentes canonicos licite citatos et minime comparentes contumaces sicut fuerant 
 reputantes in pena contumacie hujusmodi super premissis omnibus et singulis procedendum 
 esse decrevimus ipsorum absencia non obstante habito itaque inter nos super premissis 
 omnibus et singulis cum debita solemnitate que in hac parte requiritur per dies con- 
 tinuatos cum summa diligentia tractatu qd pro expensis necessariis ad defensionem jurium 
 et libertatum ecclie nfe predicte per fidelia ratiocinia super hiis habita eccliam nram 
 predcm preter expensas contra Priorem de Monte Acuto qui ad exheredacionem ejusdem 
 multis machinacionibus dolose innittitur factas et faoiendas ad ducentas libras sterling- 
 orum et amplius mutuum contraxisse et ipsam eccliam ad tantam summam efficaciter 
 fuisse et esse obligatam. Nos Decanus predcua de consuetudine ejusdem ecclie judex in 
 hac parte competens canonicos residentes et personaliter ac eciam non residentes per se aut 
 per suos procuratores comparentes necnon per contumaciam absentes ipsorum absencia 
 dicta repleta presencia ad exhoneracionem oneris supradicti videlicet ducentarum librarum 
 quibus ecclia ipsa onerata ut est dictum de consilio et assensu omnium canonicorum 
 nostrorum in hac congregatione presentium tam de jure quam ipsius ecclie consuetudine 
 singulos videlicet pro rata beneficii qd in ipsa ecclia obtinet efficaciter teneri dicimus 
 decernimus ac eciam pronunciamus exactionem summe preacte et porcionum singulos 
 contingentium usque in tempus quo Decano et Canonicis tunc presentibus oportunum esse 
 videbitur suspendentes hujusmodi exactionem et hujus nostri decreti executionem cum 
 ipsis visum fuerit ut prima de consensu tocius congregacionis effectualiter resumenda et 
 etiam usque ad plenam satisfactionem continuanda. 
 
APPENDIX F. 129 
 
 Item quia intelleximus jam de novo quod in ecclesiis et maneriis nostris ecclle Wellen 
 appropriatis edificia ruinis patent manifesto volumus et concorditer ordinamus quod sene- 
 schallus Capituli, assumpto secum uno canonico ecclie per assignacionem Decani et Capituli 
 ad quindenam post Pascha annis singulis loca singula in quibus perioulum iminere timetur 
 oculis subiciant et defectus repertos racionabiliter estimates infra annum ex tunc sequen- 
 tem de proventibus loci idem seneschallus in edificiis necessariis competenter faciat 
 reperari. 
 
 Item in ecclia Welln a nonnuUis retro temporibus quanquam minus racionabiliter 
 extitit observatum quod si personam in dignitate existentem qui pro toto anno antea tam 
 in ecclia Welln residendo quam in loois et maneriis ad ipsam dignitatem pertinentibus 
 pondus portaverit diei et estus ante perceptionem fructuum et in gula Augusti infata 
 decedere contingat succedens sibi in dignitate qui nichil unquam oneris ejusdem dignitatis mortem, 
 supportavit omnes fructus et proventus dignitatis ejusdem integre percipere consuevit pre 
 decessori defuncto pro oneribus ecclesie que sustinuit niliil prorsus relicto quod quidem 
 inconveniens reputantes et iniquum ex causis in constitucione extravaganti que incipit 
 suscepti regis et quibusdam aliis que nos movent ad equitatem constitucionis ejusdem 
 dicimus esse recurrendum et dimissionem in ea contentam ordinamus quantum in nobis 
 est inter defunctum et ipsius successorem fore in ipsius ecclesie dignitatibus et etiam in 
 decanatu ejusdem ecclesie de cetero tenendam et observandam. 
 
 Here begins page 74 : /fewi mJ wsiigiiis . . . dehereinfuturv/m:^&ge1Q. 
 
 Then follows a Statute : Quod aTvnellarii dicant horas Oanonicas in capella heate 
 Marie, which is repeated fol. 70 of the Liber Ruber, and found in Appendix in situ. 
 
 Ad perpetuam futurorum memoriam est sciend' quod bone memorie diis Wills, de De modo 
 
 Button senior Wills, de Button iunior Eobts. Burnel Wills, de Marchia, Walter, de Hasel- v^sitacois 
 
 sohawe et Jobs, de Drokenneford, Bathon. et Welln Ecclesiarum Epi suis temporibus 
 
 quilibet post alteram in ordine ut prescribitur succedens quociens Capitulum et eccliam 
 
 Wellii visitare volebant et de jure debebant premisso mandate ecclesie sue predicte 
 
 Decano de adventu suo pro visitacionis officio exercendo in eadem presentibus omnibus Epusad men 
 
 canonicis qui voluerint poterant et debebant interesse et per dnm Epm proposito primitus sam die visi- 
 
 verbo dei sicut in sacris canonibus plenius noscitur esse cautum Diis Ecus loci Decanum ^''°^^ f-'®'' > 
 
 (Janonicos 
 duntaxat si assidentem super reformanda in ecclia ipsa tam de personis quam rebus gt Vicar' 
 
 interrogabat et summarie examinabat. Et sic in persona Decani tantum omnes et singuli procurabit. 
 
 Canonici ecclie et ministri visitati et examinati ab omni tempore consueverant et debebant 5° 
 
 Decanus in- 
 eo presertim qd alius visitandi modus per Epm ibidem visus non est vel auditus a terroo-atus 
 
 tempore cujus contrarii memora non existit. Et Epus omnes Canonicos visitacione hujus- 
 
 modi taliter expedita ac omnes vicarios procurabit ad mensam tenebit et habebit illo die. Bp. to treat 
 
 Item licet pro expensis necessariis circa defensionem jurium et libertatum ejusdem ^"^ ye visita- 
 ecclie et pro exoneracione eris alieni quo dicta Welln ecclia onerata existit de coi consilio 
 omnium canonicorum dicte ecclie concorditer fuisset ordinatum quod cum mobilia ipsius 
 ecclie in presenti salvis stipendiis ministrancium in eadem exoneracionem premissorum remissio tea 
 non sufficient singuli canonici dicte ecclie tam residentes quam non residentes quilibet 
 videlicet pro rata beneficii in ducentis libris in relevacionem onerum et expensarum hujus- 
 modi convertenda tenerentur exaccione summe preteracte ad tempus suspensa. 
 
 Nos Decanus et Capitlum predicti advertentes et intime considerantes qd canonici 
 residentes dee ecclie circa prosecucionem et defensionem jurium hujusmodi nonnuUos 
 retroactis temporibus apposuissent sumptus et labores aliisque modis variis onera hujus- 
 modi multipliciter sustinuissent sumptus labores et onera hujusmodi prout ex equitate 
 
 3s 
 
130 
 
 APPENDIX F. 
 
 Eesidentes 
 quindecim. 
 
 qualiter 
 
 bona com- 
 
 munedebent 
 
 ordinari. 
 
 Seneschal- 
 
 lus. 
 
 Reeeptores 
 duo Canon, 
 aut unus 
 Canon, et 
 Tirnis Vicar. 
 Cista in 
 Thesaurario 
 et 2 claves. 
 
 tenemur recompensare volentes eisdem canonicis residentibus quorum nomina inferius 
 continentur partem illam dictarum ducentarum librarum que pro rata beneficiorum suorum 
 ipsis specialiter contingit de^ liberate consilio et unanimi assensu tocius congregacionis 
 duximus remittendam ipsosque canonicos residentes a nexu obligacionum quibus virtute 
 imposicionis decreti et pronunciacionis in hac parte facta fuerant astricti, penitus liberamus 
 ipsos quod premissa in pace dimittentes. Nomina vero canonicorum tunc residencium 
 sunt hec. 
 
 Dfis JoHS DE GoDELEE, Deoanus. 
 
 Thoms. de Retfokd, Cancellarius. 
 
 Eicus. DE Thiselden, Thesaurarius. 
 
 Magr. JoHS DE Bruton. 
 
 JoH. Marcel. 
 
 Laur. de la Garre. 
 
 RoBTUS. Baldok. 
 
 JoHS. DE WaMBERGE. 
 
 Michel de Eston. 
 Hamelinus de Godelee. 
 Wills Pencriz. 
 Henry de eeulham. 
 JoH Pymme. 
 Thom. Haselhawe. 
 
 RlCtJS. RODENEY. 
 
 fol. 27. XXXI. 
 Item licet bona communia ecclie Welln de quibus tarn canonicis residentibus quam 
 vicariis stipendia sunt solvenda et solvi consueverant ab antiquo modernis sint temporibus 
 non mediooriter augmentata ]soluciones tamen canonicis residentibus longe tardius et in 
 minori summa quam antiquitus ante augmentacionem hujusmodi fieri consueverit cujus 
 nescitur culpa . . biis diebus ad magnum ecclie scandalum et residencium non modicum 
 detrimentum habito igitur super hoc repetitis vicibus per nos in capitulo tractatu dUigenti 
 concordi deliberacione statuimus et ordinamus qd unus tantum canonicus prixdens diligens 
 et fidelis eligatur seneschallus in communi qui pro tempore competenti blada omnia ad 
 comunitatem pertinencia discrete vendat et terminos solucionis faciende tales emptoribus 
 assignet qd in festo Scl Miobaelis de anno tunc preterito nihil restet solvend' ut sic in 
 compote proximo post idem festum faciend' singulis canonicis de porcionibus sibi debitis 
 integre satisfieri possit et ad plenum. Cui quidam seneschallo facta per ipsum vendicione 
 terminos sen terminum emptores assignatos sen assignatum prprogare non licebit precio 
 prece nullatenus vl favore ipseque seneschallus nihil de summa conventa prorsus reoipiet 
 quin pocius omnimodam apponat diligenciam qd conventis terminis personis solucio plena 
 fiat ad hoc per Decanum et Capitulum deputatis. Ad que quid omnia et singula fideliter 
 sine dolo et corrupcione quacunque facienda et exequenda idem seneschallus sic electus 
 tactis sacris evangeliis corporale in presencia Decani et Capituli prestet juramentum. Unde 
 volumus et concorditer ordinamus qd duo Canonici residentes aut unus canonicus et 
 unus vicarius per Dec. et Cap. electi ad recipiendum totam pecuniam de bonis communibus 
 qualiter cumque provenientem deponendam et salvo custodiendam in una cista duas ceras 
 et duas claves habentem in Thesauraria loco securo collocanda deputentur quorum unus sine 
 altero recipere aut receptam liberare non audebit nee etiam ipsi duo simul pecuniam sic 
 receptam et depositam aut quamcumque portiunculam ejusdem cuicunque liberabunt aut 
 
APPENBIX 0. 131 
 
 solvent nisi ex decreto et precepto Decani at Capituli super hoc optento et habito in com- 
 
 muni. Ad que fideliter observanda ab ipsis receptoribns juramentum prestandum esse 
 
 decernimus corporale terminos enim solucionis faoiende canonicia residentibus tarn de 
 
 parva communa quam de grossa esse volumus infrascriptos videlicet. 
 
 Names omitted in MS. 
 
 Hec igitur decreta ordinaciones et provisiones in hac congregacione solqmpni ad publicacio 
 
 honorem dei et utUitatem ministrancium in ecclia Well editas publicamus decernentes eas . 
 
 . cionis. 
 
 esse in eadem ecclia per eos quos contingunt firmiter observand. in futur. Non intendentes 
 per eas statutis et orduiacionibus seu provisionibus patrum et predecessorum nostrorum 
 in preteritum. editas in aliqu.o derogare set pocius eas robur prout justum est optinere 
 firmitatis saJva . . . Decano et canonicis omnibus residentibus. capituluin facientibus et 
 presentibus potestate obscuritatis si que sint declarandi corrigendi et interpretandi cum 
 ipsis videbitur ex'pedire. Adque quid omnia in forma premissa facienda. Nos omnes ad 
 presentem tractatum vocati Decano et Capitulo ut predicitur tunc presenti vices nostras 
 ex nunc committimus promittentes nos omni tempore velle habere ratum quicquid per 
 ipsos presentes et Capitulum facientes vooacione omnium sicut modo minime facta seu 
 cujuscumque nostrum presencia minime expectata factum fuerit aut fieri contigerit in 
 premissis et singulis premissorum. 
 
 Quibus horis vicarii debent interesse. 
 
 Item de mora ipsorum in chore facienda. 
 
 Item de silencio in choro servando ab eiadem. 
 
 Item qualiter puniuntur illi qui recepta pecunia in anniversariis defunctorum statim 
 recedunt in statutis per bone memorie Walterum olim Decanum hujus eoclesie editis 
 plenius continetur que omnia volumus in virtute sancte obediencie firmiter observari. 
 
 Acta et publicata sunt hec in domo capitulari ecclesie predicte. Anno ab incar- 
 nacione domini Millmo. cccxxxi. Indiccione quartadecima, xvi. kl. mail Pontific. 
 sanctissimi in christo patris et Domini Domini Johannis divina providencia pape XXII. 
 anno quintodecimo. 
 
 APPENDIX G. 
 
 fol. 28. 
 Universis sancte matris ecclesie ad quorum noticiam littere pervenerint Johannes de 
 Godelee Decanus ecclesie "Well, et ejusdem ecclesie Capitulum salutem in eo qui est 
 omnium vera salus. TJniversitati vestre tenore presenoium volumus esse notum cum 
 quod super firmis eoclesiarum nostre Well, ecclesie appropriatarum necnon tradicione 
 assignacione ac condicionibus earundem inter confratres et concanonicos nostros diverse 
 fuissent dubitaciones exorte quibusdam asserentibus unum et aliis ejusdem contrarium 
 afiirmantibus. Nos tandem Decanus et Capitulum ejusdem ecclesie cujuslibet discencionis 
 materiam de medio toUere et pacis pulcritudinem pro futuris temporibus amplecti cupientes 
 considerantesque quod id quod omnes tangit ab omnibus debet approbari omnes et singulos 
 ejusdem ecclesie canonicos ad certum diem fore decrevimus evocandos quod dicto die in 
 Capitulo nostro Well, hora competenti cum continuacione et prorogacione dierum tunc 
 sequentium super hiis et aliis ejusdem ecclesie negociis arduis tractaturi comparerent 
 consensus suos prestituri ordinandis tunc ibidem. Omnibus igitur predictis secundum 
 morem ipsius ecclesie sic vocatis et sufficienter presentibus ac singulorum racionibus 
 auditis plenius et discussis. Tandem ad mandatum reverendi patris domini Symionis de 
 <rratia, Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi tocius Anglie primatis pendente tractatu inter nos 
 
132 APPENDIX G. 
 
 supradicto supervenientis et in eandem ecclesiam jure metropolitico visitantis de unanimi 
 omnium consensu taliter ut sequitur duximus ordinandum ut videlicet firma de Congres- 
 bury pro quadraginta quinque libris . fGirma medietatis ecclesie de Whitchurch Sarum 
 diocesis pro triginta tribus libris sex solidis et octo denariis . ffirme de Cheddre pro triginta 
 sex libris tresdecim solidis et quatuor denariis . ffirma de Stokgomore pro quinquaginta 
 libris . ffirma de lidyerd pro triginta quinque libris. Grangia canonicorum Well, pro 
 quater viginti et decern libris , ac ffirma de modeforde et Lovyngtone pro triginta et 
 quinque libris communario nostro ad quatuor anni terminos principales videlicet ad festa 
 . . . Natalis domini. Pasche. N"ativitatis Sanoti Johannis Baptiste et Sancti Michaelis 
 proxime immediate tunc sequentis post percepcionem fructuum primo et immediate 
 sequentem equis porcionibus apud Welliam in augmentum commune canonicorum in 
 ecclesia Welln residencium solvendis canonicis residentibus et non aliis tradantur et 
 assignentur retinende quamdiu residenciam fecerint sen facere voluerint in ecclesia 
 supradicta. Incipiente termino tradicionis et assignacionis dictarum ffirmarum in festo 
 Nativitatis beati Johannis Baptiste proximo jam futuro volumus eciam quod primus 
 terminus solucionis per firmarios faciende sit in festo Nativitatis dominice. ffirma vero' 
 de modiforde et lovyngtone quam dominus Johannes de Godelee nunc tenet nos capitulum 
 antedictum sicut modo et ad eundem sensum teneat quoad duxerit assentimus. Cum 
 tamen ipsam vacare contigerit . volumus decemimus et ordinamus quod pro triginta 
 quinque libris Sterlingorum canonico residenti firmam non habenti tradatur communario 
 nostro solvendis ad terminos antedictos. Et si canonici hujusmodi firmas obtinentes per 
 tres annos continues postquam firmas fuerunt assecuti se absentaverint . ab ecclesia 
 antedicta vel adfuerint et residenciam annalem non compleverint triennio durante ante- 
 dicto . eorum firme in festo Nativitatis Sancti Johannis Baptiste illius tercii anni quo sic 
 non residerint per nos Decanum et Capitulum predictos absque cause cognicione qua- 
 cunque canonicis ejusdem ecclesie in residencia ex nunc antiquioribus et residere volentibus 
 per ordinem assignentur in forma supradicta. Ita quod non liceat censum hujusmodi 
 racione commune a retro existentis vel alterius debiti cujuscunque ultra terminos statutes 
 aliqualiter detinere aut summe debite retencione uti sub colore quocunque. Quod si 
 canonicus firmarius censum impositum suis terminis aut saltim infra decern dies immediate 
 sequentes non solvent post lapsum decern dierum predictorum a firma sua et jure quod 
 habet in ea cadat ipso jure et alteri canonico antiquiori in residencia firmam non habenti 
 infra decern dies ex tunc proximo sequenti per loci Decanum si presens fuerit vel locum 
 suum tenentem et canonicos presentes et Capitulum facientes pro censu annuo constitute 
 tenendam ut supra absque difficultate assignetur. Nee liceat alicui canonico nisi unicam 
 duntaxat firmam habere de cetero quovismodo. Prebenda vero ecclesie de Bidesham 
 quam dominus Johannes de Godelee Decanus modo tenet. Nos Capitulum antedictum- 
 sicut modo et'ut ad eundem censum annuum teneat quoad duxerit assentimus. Cum tamen 
 ipsam vacare contigerit, volumus decemimus et ordinamus quod ad verum valorem 
 recipere volenti canonico residenti tradatur totali utilitate proventuum ejusdem commu- 
 nario predicto modo et forma supradictis solvenda quorum proventuum octo marce pro 
 reparacione vestimentorum aliisque necessariis ejusdem ecclesie ut est ab olim consuetum 
 et residuum ipsorum proventuum in usus fabrice prefata ecclesie beati Andree Well . cujus 
 prebenda esse dicitur absque diminucione qualicunque totaliter convertantur. Canonicus 
 vero firmam hujusmodi obtinens earn laico ad firmam sub pena amissionis firme sue . nee 
 eciam alteri canonico nisi de consensu Decani et Canonicorum residencium et Capitulum 
 faciendum sub eadem pena dimittere non presumat. Dicti vero firmarii domes Cancellarii 
 
APPENDIX H. 133 
 
 et clausa firmarum suarum hujusmodi suis propriis sumptibus sustinebunt. Alia vero 
 onera extraordinaria ad nos Decanum et Capitulum volumus pertinere. Hanc autem 
 ordinaoionem sive diffinicionem de consensu venerabilis patris nostri dotnini Radulphi dei 
 gracia Batlion et Well, episoopi necnon omnium et singulorum concanonicorum nostrorum 
 citatorum ut premittitur et sufficienter comparencium super firmis predictis ac tradicione 
 et assignacione earundem pro evidenti utilitate hujus ecclesie ac pace et tranquillitate inter 
 fratres futuris temporibus . . . solempni super hoc habito tractatu inter omnes 
 salubriter factam ex nunc vires habere et eflfectum efficacem. Volumus ordinamus ac 
 eciam declaramus ceteris observanciis in preteritum circa assignaciones hujus habiti 
 totaliter revocatis et oessantibus omnino omnibus habitis et rite observatis que de jure aut 
 consuetudine Welln ecclesie fuerunt requirenda ut sic omnium dubitacione de medio 
 sublata quid circa firmas ipsas agi debeat clare pateat in futurum. 
 
 Presentibus in Capitulo in hac ordinacione et consignacione ejusdem 
 
 Domino J. de Godelee, Decano. 
 
 Magistria Thoma de Retford, Cancellario. 
 
 RiCHAEDO DE Thistledene, Thesaurario. 
 JoHE. Marcell. 
 
 WlLLO. DE PeNCEIZ. 
 
 Thoma de Haselschawe. 
 
 MiCHAELE DE ESTONE. 
 JOHE. DE WaMBERGH. 
 
 Henrico de ffulleham. 
 
 JoHE. Peymme 
 canonicis ejusdem ecclesie et procuratoribus aliorum canonicorum dicte ecclesie in 
 Regno Anglie existencium in dicta convocacione per proouratores comparencium. Necnon 
 Magistro Johe. de Middleton, Hugone de ClifiForde et Stephano Trippe testibus ad hoc 
 vocatis et rogatis. In quorum testimonium sigillum nostrum commune una cum sigillo 
 venerabilis Datris domini Radulphi dei gratia BatLon et Welln episcopi ad nostri instan- 
 ciam et rogatum presentibus est appensum. Datum in domo capitulari Wellen. die 
 veneris proxima post festum Annunciacionis beate Marie virginis, a.d. 1332. Et nos 
 Radulphus dei gracia Episcopus memoratus ad petioionem Decani et Capituli predictorum 
 sigillum nostrum ad perpetuam rei memoriam et hujus facti approbacionem fecimus hiis 
 apponi. Datum apud Banewell quarto Kalend. Mali A.D. supradioto. 
 
 APPENDIX H. 
 
 Memorandum quod licet ad reverendos viros dominum Dec. et Cap. ecclesie Cathedr. Causa con- 
 Wellen pleno jure pertineat quod idem Decanus qui pro tempore fuerit ratione juris- vocacionis. 
 dictionis decanatui bud notorie annexe ipsam ecclesiam Welln et ipsius ecclesie canonicos 
 ac eorum prebendas omnes et singulas in dioc. Bath et Well, constitutas prebendali ecclia Decanus 
 de Bartpn que archidiaconalis existit duntaxat excepta necnon de Northcurry, sci J"^® ^^'^ 
 Cuthberti Welln. Lovyngton, lidierd Epi. ecclias dee Wellii ecclle et capitulo canonice yigitare^ 
 appropriatas ac eciam de Nitherstaweye, Gayampton, Westludeforde, Evercriz, Westbury, Barton. 
 Chidlecompton et Bromfeld ecclias, clerum et populum in eisdem ecclis et prebendis 
 existentes visitare debeat ac de consilio dicti capituli et in ejus presencia excessus delin- 
 quencium in ecclesia Wellen corrigere et mores eorum reformare ac obediencias dictorum 
 
134 
 
 APPENDIX H. 
 
 citacio. 
 
 prima dies 
 
 Convoca- 
 
 cionis. 
 
 ordinacio 
 Canonico- 
 
 J. Middle- 
 ton Proctor. 
 
 canonicorum recipere et non loci diooesanus nisi hoc per viam appellacionis vel querele 
 
 ad eum licet devolvantur. Sintque ipsi Decanus et capitulum et eoriim predecessores 
 
 fuissent in pacifica possessione vel quasi hujusmodi juris a tempore cujus contrarii 
 
 memoria non existit. Auditi tamen et ex relatione quorundam plenius intellecto quod 
 
 dns Johannes de Drokeneforde tunc Bathon et Wellen Epus ipsos Dec. et Cap. circa jus et 
 
 possessionem hujusmodi molestare et inquietare et perturbare dictaque loca clerum et populum 
 
 eorundem jure sue visitare aliisque modis quibus potuit de facto gravare multipliciter 
 
 fuisset comminatus. Reverendus vir diis Johannes de Godelee Dec. ecclie Wellen predicte 
 
 metuens si et Capitulo predicto ex hujusmodi comminacionibus grave prejudicium posse 
 
 fieri in futurum omnes canonicos dicte ecclie Wellen per pulsationem magne campane 
 
 juxta modum et consuetudinem ejusdem ecclie in consimilibus actis approbatam et 
 
 optentam ab antiquo fecit evocari quod comparerent in domo capitulari ecclie Wellen 
 
 predicti die Mercurii proxima post festum translacionis beati Thorn, martiris anno domini 
 
 M°- ccc™"- Nonodecimo super premissis pro defensione competenti facienda diligenter 
 
 tractaturi et facturi quod pro utUitate dicte ecclie melius fuisset faciendum. Quo die 
 
 adveniente. 
 
 Dns Decanus predictns. 
 
 Thomas de Cherleton, Archidiaconus Wellen. 
 
 Thomas de Eetforde, Cancellarius Wellen. 
 
 WiLLiEMUs DE Yattone, Subdecanus Wellen. 
 
 Eichardtjs de Plympstok. 
 
 Hamelinus de Godelee. 
 
 WiLLMUs. DE Cherleton 
 
 Canonici ecclie Wellen tunc in civitate Wellen presentes et Capitulum facientes con 
 venerunt hora prima in domo capitulari ecclie Wellen predicte et habito tractatu super 
 premissis consenserunt unanimiter quod fieret provocacio et quod notificaretur dicto 
 diio Epo propter comminaciones predictas ad sedem apostolicam et pro tuicione curiae 
 Cantuariensis ne aliquid in prejudicium juris aut possessionis predicte per dcm dnm. 
 Episcopum attemptaretur quovismodo. 
 
 Consenserunt etiam quodsi prefatus diis Epus ad aliquem locum supradictum 
 declinaverit causa visitacionis faciende in locis ipsis vel personis quod ex tunc ex parte 
 Dec. et Cap. appellaretur ad sedem apostolicam et ad curiam Cantuar. pro tuicione et 
 quod appellatio predicte queretur debito mode . prout dicte ecclie Wellen et Canonicis 
 ejusdem magis fuisset oportunum. 
 
 Et ad premissa facienda iidem Dec. et Cap. Magistrum Johem. de Middleton tunc 
 ofiicialem dni Decani supradicti eorum procuratorem literatorie constituerunt sub hac 
 forma verborum. 
 
 Pateat Universis quod nos Dec. et Cap. ecclesie cathedral bti Andree Wellen in 
 omnibus causis et negotiis motis et movendis nos et eccliam predictam qualitercunque 
 contingentibus coram quibuscunque judicibus ordinariis delegatis et eorum commissariia 
 quibuscunque diebus et locis quociens nos abesse contigerit vel adesse. Dilectum nobis 
 in Christo magistrum Johannem de Middleton clericum procuratorem nostrum ordina- 
 mus et constituimus per presentes. Dantes eidem potestatem generalem et mandatum 
 speciale nomine nostro et ecclesie supradicte attendi defendendi provocandi appellandi 
 provocaciones et appellationes innovandi ac eciam notificandi provocacionum et appel- 
 lacionum causas prosequendi. Juramenta tam de calumpnia quam de veritate dicenda in 
 animas nostras prestandi . status nostri reformacionem et in integrum restitucionem petendi 
 
APPENDIX E. 135 
 
 et recipiendi. Crimina et defectiis obiciendi ac omnia alia et singula faciendi que per rerum 
 et legitimum procuratorem fieri poterunt vel expediri etiam si mandatum in se exigant 
 specials. Pro eodem vero proouratore nostro rem ratam haberi et judicatum solvi sub 
 ypotheca rerum nostrarum promittemus eb exponimus cautiones. In cujus rei testi- 
 monium sigillum nostrum commune presentibus duximus apponendum. 
 
 Datum Wellen in domo capitulari nostra 
 
 VIII. Id Julii anno dni m.ccc'"°- nonodecimo. 
 
 Qui quidem Procurator bnjusmodi mandatum in se suscipiens dictum dominum Epm 
 pridie Idus Julu anno dni supradicto cum Waltero de HuUe clerico Sacri Romani imperii 
 auctoritate Notario publico et aliis testibus adivit et ipsum in capella dni Johnis de Erlegh 
 militis apud Nithersomerton reperiens et in sua presencia constitutus sibi exposuit benigne 
 qualiter prefatis Dec. et Cap"- ex relacione fide dignorum fuerat intimatum qd idem Epus 
 prefata loca et personas contra dictam consuetudinem se velle visitare publics fuisset ut 
 permittitur comminatus quem idem procurator ex parte Dictorum Dec. et Cap. instantsr 
 rogavit quod ab hujusmodi desisteret injuria et quod ipsos sues consuetudinibus gaudere 
 permitteret et libertatibus antiquis. Ac idem Epus iracundia motus exclamavit voce 
 magna dicens in publico se velle omnia dicta loca et personas et istam decanatum Wellen 
 cum omnibus suis membris visitare quacunque consuetudiae non obstante . presentibus in 
 capella predicta Diio Jobanne capellano tunc dicte capelle Michaels de Eston . Johane de 
 Drokenneforde . . . famulo dicti magistri Johannis de Middleton dicto Notario et 
 aliis multis. Dietusque procurator hoc audiens quandam provocacionem statim inter- 
 posuit ibidem et eidem dno Epo notificavit in scriptis sub hac forma verborum. In dei 
 nomine Amsn. Cum de approbata et canonice prescripta consuetudine ecclle cath. Wellen 
 per singulos c»nonicos ejusdem ecclie in eorum admissione jura tarn sic optentum a tempore 
 cujus contrarii memoria non existit . quod ad reverendos viros diics Dec. et Cap. ec. Well, 
 predicts pertineat pleno jurs ut idsm Decanus qui pro tempore fuerit jure suo et non 
 loci diocesanus nisi per viam appsUationis vel querele ad eum legitime devolvantur . ipsam 
 eccliam Wellen et ejusdem ecclie canonicos ac eorum prebendas omnss et singulas in 
 diocssi Bathon et Wellen constitutas . prebendali ecclia de Barton que Archidiaconalis 
 existit duntaxat excepta necnon de Nitherstaweye, Carampton, Westludeforde, 
 Evsrcriz, Westbury, Childecompton et Bromfelde ecclesias ac eciam de Lovyngton, 
 Lidisrd Epi st Ceddrs eccliarum firmas simul cum ecclesiis sancti cuthberti Wellen et 
 Northcory . Clsrum eciam et populum in eisdsm prebsndis firmis st ecclesiis existentes 
 visitare ac excessus delinquencium corrigers st mores eorum reformare debeat de con- 
 suetudine memorata. In cujus visitacionis usu et sxercicio dns Johs. de Godelee ipsius 
 scclesie Decanus st predecessores nomine ipsius decanatus fuerant per totum tsmpus 
 supradictum st idem dns Johs. in eadem usu et exercicio adhuc sxistsrs dinoscitur pacifies 
 et quiete. Audito tamen st plenius intellecto quod venerabilis pater diis Johs. dsi gratia 
 Bathon et Wellen Epus conscius ds premissis dictos canonicos st sorum prebendas necnon 
 firmas et ecclesias memoratas clerum et populum sarundem contra dictam consuetudinem 
 licet idem dns Epus ad ipsius observacionem juramento corporali ab eodem prestito sit 
 astrictus jure suo visitare et contra ipsos Dec. et Cap. ad graviora procedere nimis 
 voluntarie fuerit et sic multipliciter comminatus. Ego procurator dictorum Decani et Cap. 
 mstnens dictis dominis meis et mihi ipsorum nomine circa jurisdictionem predictam et 
 possessionem grave prejudicium ex hujusmodi comminacionibus et aliis verisimilibus causis 
 et probabilibus conjuncturis posse generari in futurum. Ne dictus pater seu quivis alius 
 vsl alii quamvis auctoritats vice vel mandate quicquam in prejudicium dictorum dominorum 
 
136 APPENDIX H. 
 
 dec. et Cap. circa premissa contra dictam consuetudinem attemptet attemptent faciat vel 
 faciant aliqualiter attemptari citando monendo suspendo excommunicando interdicendo 
 visitando inquirendo puniendo corrigendo contra consuetudinem predicbam inquietando 
 molestando inhibendo sequestrando spoliando pronunciando declarando quicquam peuale 
 in judicio vel extra statuendo seu quidvis alio modo gravando sacrosanctam sedem 
 aplicam et pro tuicione curie Cant' in hiis scriptis provoco et appello et apostolos instanter 
 instancius instantissime quatenus in hoc casu sunt petendi peto protestans me velle istam 
 provocacionem innovare et omnibus quorum interest notificare quam moto ad hoc se 
 optulerit facultas et in eventu futuri gravaminis appellare cum effectu preseutibus testibus 
 ad hoc vocatis specialiter et rogatis. 
 
 Quo sic facto idem dns Epus copiam dicte provocacionis peciit instanter ab eodem 
 procuratore qui sibi respondebat quod eam scribi et sibi tradi faceret absque dilacione 
 aliquali. Ac idem Epus quasi furore accensus ut videbatur, et cet. Upon this the Bishop took 
 hold of the aforesaid Proctor by the chest and arms, and against the will of the Proctor 
 snatched the Provocacion rudely from his hands. Upon this the Proctor immediately 
 withdrew, and went across to the Dean and Chapter, and told them all that had happened. 
 After this all the Canons of Wells were again called together by the ringing of the great 
 bell, according to the manner and custom of the Church, ad diem Jovis proximum post 
 festwn Assumpt. B. V.M. in the same year when there was careful consideration of the 
 business : then 
 
 Henricus de Sandbyco, Archdeacon of Bath, 
 
 Magr. Antonius db Bradeneye,') 
 
 Hugo de Penckiz, K- Canons of Wells, 
 
 William de Bourne, ) 
 
 received and ratified the said Provocacion et dixerunt se velle tueri ecclesiam Welleti 
 predcm et ipsius lomdahiles consuetudines omnibus viis et m,odis quibus hoc facere 
 poterunt sicut ad hoc juramsnto asirinyuntur. corporali. 
 
 Upon it reaching the ears of the Bishop that the Dean and Chapter meant to 
 (viriliter se et ecclesiam defenderent) defend themselves and the Church, and would resist 
 the Bishop, as those premises had shown, he issued certain articles by Mr. Richard de £forde, 
 a Canon of the Church of Wells, tunc commensalem et nundum, and sent them by his hand 
 in writing, sub hac forma verborum : — 
 
 Cum dns Epus Capitulum Wellen nuper visitando ex confessione dni Decani Wellen 
 habeat quod personam suam pro omnibus Canonicis et ipsos in personam ipsius visitare 
 deberet et sic visitacione hujusmodi inibi facta Diis Decanus recusavit eum procurare ideo 
 ostendat prefatus dns Dec. quare eum procurare compelli non debeat. 
 
 Item cum dm Epus omnes ecclesias parochiales ac clerum et populum earundem cujus- 
 libet archidiaconatus sue diocesis saltem de triennio in triennum visitare habeat et debeat 
 de jure communi ostendat dns Dec. supradictus jus si quod habet per quod dictum 
 dominum Epum loci diocesanum excludere possit a visitacione ecclesiarum prebendalium 
 seu prebendis annexarum ac cleri et populi earundem infra jurisdiccionem suam tanquam 
 archidiaconalem ut videtur existencium necnon et ecclesiarum parochialium pro firmis 
 et communa canonicorum assignatarum presertim cum Dns Decanus virtute cujusdam 
 provocationis dicto domino Epo nuper notificate ipsum diocesanum a visitacione omnius 
 hujusmodi ecclesiarum excludere intendat. 
 
 Item ostendat similiter prefatus Decanus jus si quod habet speciale quare sua 
 jurisdiccio in locis prescriptis alia ab archidiaconali censeri habeat. 
 
APPENDIX E. 137 
 
 item cum dictus diis Decanus in Civitate et suburbio "Wellen aliam quam archidiaco- 
 nalem. jurisdictionem ut videtur noa liabeat locique diocesanus de jure visitet et visitare 
 habeat ecclesias pai-ochiales ac cleruin et populum omnium sue diocesis saltern de triennio 
 in triennum ut premittitur ostendat Decanus jus speciale si quod habet quare dictus 
 diocesanus in jurisdiccione ilia ut evidentur videtur aroHdiaoonali a visitacione cleri et 
 populi videlicet civitatis et suburbii Wellen excludi debeat. 
 
 Item cum dictus dns Epus ut loci diocesanus visitare habeat omnes dignitates ecclesie 
 Wellen in oorporibus et locis dignitatum hujusmodi secundum consuetudinem hactenus 
 usitatam ostendat Decanus quare dictus diocesanus visitare non debeat loca Decanatus 
 Wellen sicut facit loca aliarum dignitatum et procuraeionem percipere. 
 
 Item cum dominus Epus visitare babeat ecclesias de Welyngton et Cerde ac clerum 
 et populum earundem et alia loca ad preposituram Wellen spectantia ac Decanus Wellen 
 predictus visitacionem in ecelesia de Cumba ad dictam preposituram spectante que nuUo 
 modo prebenda dici potest vendicet ostendat ipse quo jure dictus diis Epus ut loci dioce- 
 sanus dictam ecclesiam de Cumba visitare non debeat sicut alias ecclesias prepositure 
 predicte. 
 
 Item cum in singiilis ecolesiis prebendis scu dignitatibus annexis perpetui vicarii 
 constitui debeant per loci diocesanum et eis certe porciones pro oneribus supportandis per 
 ipsum diocesanum assignari. Ostendat dictus Decanus quare in ecelesia de Marke in qua 
 sunt parochiani in multitudine magna ac baptisterium et sepultura mortuorum in cimiterio 
 ipsius non debeat constitui vicarius perpetuus per diocesanum supradictum. 
 
 Item cum in aliquibus ecclesiis prebendalibus spectantibus ad visitacionem et jurisdic- 
 tionem dni Decani quedam sunt vicarie minus sufficienter ordinate pro oneribus supportandis 
 et alique nuUo modo quarum augmentacio et ordinacio ad loci diocesanum noscitur pertinere. 
 Certificet dictus Decanus dictum diocesanum de omnibus vicariis jurisdiccionis sue ordina- 
 tis ac modo et forma ordinacionis hujusmodi necnon et de omnibus Vicariis hujusmodi 
 hactenus non ordinatis. 
 
 Item cum in singulis archidiaconatibug et jurisdictionibus Bathon et Wellen diocesis 
 sit optentum et usitatum quod loci diocesanus habeat prevenciones undique in concusse . 
 maxime cum ipse sit capud tocius jurisdiccionis sue diocesis ostendat dominus Decanus 
 quo jure diocesanum suum ab hujusmodi prevencionibus in jurisdiccione sua excludere 
 possit cum ipse et predecessores sui usi sint prevencionibus hujusmodi per totam diocesis 
 a tempore cujus contrarii memoria non existit. 
 
 Item in diocese Bathon et Wellen dedicationes basilicarum et cimiteriorum et eorum 
 reconcUiationes et benedicciones altarium ad locum diocesani pertineant . cui racione oflScii 
 hujusmodi impensi a locis dedicatis procuraciones debentur . prefatas Decanus tam clericos 
 quam laicos jurisdiccionis . qui dicto diocesano occasione hujusmodi dedicacionis facta in 
 certa pecunie summa racione procuraoionis sue tenebantur contra bonum obediencie sue 
 inhibuit ne si quicquam solverent asserendo quod pro ecclesiis et cimiteriis infra suam 
 jurisdiccionem existentibus dedicandis et ab ipso Episcopo dedicatis nichil omnino 
 percipere deberet . os bovis triturantis ligando contra canonicas sanctiones. Ostendat 
 dictus dominus Decanus quo jure dictum diocesanum a perceptione procuraoionis hujus- 
 modi officio impense excludere velit . presertim cum dictus diocesanus et predecessores sui 
 a locis taliter dedicatis seu reconciliatis procuraciones debitas percipere consueverunt prout 
 in antiquis registris continetur. 
 
 Item cum aliqui canonici eccl. Wellen prefato domino Epo prestiterint Canonicam 
 obedienciam ut tenentur . quidam canonici ibidem prefecti asserunt quod ad obedienciam 
 
 3t 
 
138 APPENDIX m 
 
 hujusmodi nobis prestandam non tenentur . set Decano Wellen . unde cum omnes bene- 
 ficiati subditi nostri nostre diocesis tarn mediati qiiam immediati nobis de jure communi ad 
 obedienciam hujusmodi canonicam teneantur. Ex parte dicti Decani qui ad obedienciam 
 hujusmodi tenetur et similiter canonicorum ostendatur inter articulos prius exhibitos jus 
 speciale si quod habent quare dicti canonici ad canonicam obedienciam nobis prestandaai 
 compelli non debent nee possiint de jure. 
 
 When all these above mentioned articles had been Uheratis et traditis by the aforesaid 
 nuntio, he requested the Dean and Chapter (on behalf of the Bishop) to reply (amicahiUter) 
 in a friendly manner to- the above, and that, secundum deum et veritatem, they would 
 inform the Bishop pro remorsu consciende sue evitando, and give efficacious reasons as to 
 why the Bishop ought to be excluded from the petitions comprehended in the above 
 articles. And upon this the Bishop would dismiss (willingly) the Dean and Chapter in 
 peace, and desist from all the molestation which he had threatened them with in the 
 aforesaid premises. 
 
 Verum quia prefatus Decanus metuit ex tradicione hujusmodi articulorum si et 
 concanonicis injuriosam posse fieri prefixionem ad respondendum judicialiter eisdem 
 articulis et ex hoc et alia gravamina inferri . volens in quantum potuit hujusmodi 
 precavere periculis quandam appellacionem per discretum verum magistrum Johannem de 
 Shordich doctorem in jure civili clericum suum concepi fecit in scriptis sub hac forma 
 verborum : 
 
 Appellacio 
 
 In die nomine amen . licet talis fuerit et sit in ecolesia Cathedrali Wellen a tempore 
 cujus contrarii memoria non existit . consuetudo optenta observata et usitata ac Statuto 
 Communi Epi Decani et capituli ecclesie prefate jurameuto vallata approbata et corro- 
 borata videlicet quod omnes et singule prebende necnon ecclesie prebendales in ecclesia 
 Wellen predicta in diocese Bathon et Wellen constitute prebendali ecclesia de Barton que 
 archidiaconalis existit duntaxat excepta . firme eciam et ecclesie commune eorundem 
 Decani et capituli antiquisitus adquisite seu assignate clerusqueet populus vicarii et pre- 
 bendarii earundem ac clerici et ministri eisdem deservientes et quicunque infra predictas 
 prebendas et ecclesias commorantes ab ipso Decano nomine suo et capituli supradicti de 
 triennio in triennium valeant visitari et excessus corrigi eorundem . quodque Bathon et 
 Wellen Epus qui pro tempore fuerit hec quivis alius ordinarius preterquam ven . in x" 
 pater dns Cant' Archiepiscopus tocius anglie primas cum ipsam diocesim Bathon et Wellen 
 jure metropolitico visitare contigit . quod ad visitacionis officium pertinet in eosdem 
 aliqualiter exercend' se quoquomodo nuUatenus intromittant fuissetque et adhuc sit 
 dns Johannes de Godelee decanus. Dicte eccl. Wellen toto tempore quo dicte ecclesie 
 Decanus extitit ac predecessores et precessores sui temporibus suis in possessione vel 
 quasi juris diccionis nomine suo et capituli sui predicti omnes et singulas prebendas et 
 ecclesias prebendales predictas infra diocesim Bathon et Wellen ut premittitur constitutas 
 ecclesias eciam commune eorundem ut premittitur adquisitas necnon clerum et populnm 
 infra dictas prebendas et ecclesias et firmas commorantes visitandi et super omnimodis 
 excessibus criminibus et defectibus quorumcunque tam clericarum quam laicorum ibidem 
 commorancium inquirendi et hujusmodi defectus et excessus omnimodos ac crimina in 
 hujus repertos visitacione repertos et reperta corrigendi et puniendi omniaque et singula 
 faciendi et exercendi que in premissis et eorum quolibet ad jurisdiccionem ecclesiasticam 
 spectaverint vel pertinent seu visitantis officii incumbunt per totum tempus supradictum 
 pacifice et quiete. Ac ex parte dicti decani Johannis de Godelee in possessione pre- 
 
APPENDIX m 139 
 
 missorum existentis nomine suo efc capituli sui predict! metuentis ex quibusdam com- 
 minacionibus venerabilis patris domini J. dei gratia Bathon et Wellen episcopi de gravando 
 eum si in hac parte factia necnon ex aliis causis probabilibus et verisimUibus conjuncturis 
 si circa jus et jurisdiccionem snam predictam grave posse prejudicium generari in futurum 
 ne dictus pater sen quivis alius nomine suo vel ipsius vice auotoritate vel mandate in 
 premissis vel premissa contingentibus ipsum molestaret gravaret aut perturbaret seu 
 quicquam in ipsius domini Dec. et cap. juris seu jurisdiccionis ac possessionis predictorum 
 prejudicium attemptaret seu faceret aliqualiter attemptari ad sedem apostolicam et pro 
 tuicione curie Cant' extitit literatorie provocatum. Yenerabilis tamen pater predictus pre- 
 dicta provocacione de qua eidem sufficienter innotuit non obstante statnti ac juramenti 
 predictorum non ignarus . tales et tales prebendarios vel Dec. et cap. ab ipsius jurisdiccione 
 in ea parte totaliter liberos et immunfes et in possessione vel quasi libertatis et inmunitatis 
 hujusmodi pacifice existentes gravare contra justiciam satagens ad subeundem visitacionem 
 suam dictis diebus et locis minus juste de facto fecit citari seu premuniri vel si ad aliquos 
 alios actus prejudiciales in hac parte procedat inserantur in dictorum Dec. et Cap. pre- 
 judicium non modicum et gravamen. TJnde ego procurator dictorum Dec. et Cap. senciens 
 dictos domiaos meos et me eorum nomine ex premissis per dictum patrem indebite 
 pregravari ad sedem apostolicam et pro tuicione Curie Cant' in hiis soriptis appello. 
 
 Ut si prefatus Episcopus ad aliquam injuriosam prefixionem vel ad aliquod aliud 
 gravamen processisset de facto quod ex tunc statim interponeret appellatio memorata cum 
 effectu. 
 
 Upon this, the Dean immediately summoned a general convocation of all the Canons 
 of the aforesaid Cathedral Church of Wells on the third day, to take counsel on the matter, 
 and to consider this and to do om/ne necessa/rium et oporiwnwm, and after a careful con- 
 sideration of the circumstances, determined that all the muniments and privileges of the 
 Church fore prescrutanda pro informaekme sua mdiori optinenda in premissis for the 
 defence of the Church. Upon which, according to the aforesaid decree, the Dean, 
 Chancellor, and Mr. Hugo de Pencriz registra ac munimenta dicte Wellen occlesie continencia 
 libertates privHegia et consuetudines ecclesie W. p'dicte a singuKs Ganonicis ipsius eeclesie 
 juratas et in scriptis redact-as rimari feeervmt. 
 
 In quibus tales comparebant inmunitates et libertates ejusdem ecclesie videlicet. 
 
 Robertus primus Epus Bathon communicate consilio Archiepiscoporum Episcoporum 
 et aliarum religiosarum personarum Anglie exigentibus quoque ecclesie Wellen . Canonicis 
 Decanum ibidem ordinavit concessis sibi libertatibus dignitatibus et consuetudinibus 
 canonicis ecclesiarum anglie bene ordinatarum &c. Et acta fuerunt hec in presencia 
 Henrici Wynton Epi. et postea subscriptis testibus confirmata. Willielmo Cant' et 
 Thurstano Ebor' Archiepis . Rogeri Sarum . Will. Exon . Simone et aliis, Et continetur 
 in registro sub numero cviii. 
 
 Postea Dec. et Cap. eccl. Cathedral. Sar' ad requisicionem Decani Wellen et ejusdem 
 loci Capituli scripserunt eis de dignitate et privilegio Sarum Decani videlicet quod Decanus 
 Sarum primo loco urbis et tocius suburbii fuit archidiaconus deinde omnium prebendarum 
 que sunt in Episcopatu Sarum sive sint in ecclesiis sive in terris. Ita quod de hoc 
 archidiaconatu in nullo respondeat Episcopo nisi solum mode de denariis beati petri. 
 Et continetur in registro sub numero c. 
 
 Item cum inter dominum Savericum Bathon Epm et Decanum et Capitulum Wellen 
 ex parte una. Et Abbem et Conventum Becc et altera controversia diucius verteretur 
 super ecclTam de Clyva quam iidem Epus Dec. et Cap. prebendam Wellen sibi vendicabant. 
 
140 APPENDIX E. 
 
 Abb. et Conv. petebant et asserebant ex adverse illam tanquam jus suum et ecclesie sue ipsa 
 lis sic conquievit videlicet quod idem Epus concessit et ordinavit ut Abbes et conventus de 
 Becco imperpetuum habeant et teneant ecolesiam de Clyva cum omnibus pertiuenciis suis 
 integre et quiete ab omni vexatione episcopali et archidiaconali et offioialium suorum 
 tanquam liberam prebendam Wellen et inde Canonici sLnt tarn Abbas quam conventus 
 Beccensis habentes stallum in choro et locum in capitulo ecclesie Wellen . Acta fuerunt hec 
 anno gracie M° c° xc" ix° in presencia domini Henrici Cant' ArcMepi. Et continetur in 
 registro sub munero CLXiii. 
 
 Item dictus Savericus Epus ordinavit ecclesiam de Carampton in prebendam et ipsam 
 ab omni onere liberavit et eandem libertatem sibi contulit quam habent antique prebende 
 in ecclia Wellen. 
 
 Et continetur Lxxmi. 
 
 Item dictus Savericus concessit Deo et beato Andree Aplo et Canonicis ecclie Wellen 
 in augmentum commune ipsorum eccliam de Lydierd statuens ut ecclesia ipsa omni libertate 
 et inmunitate gaudeat quam antique prebende ecclie Wellen habere dinoscuntur. 
 Et continetur clxxvi. 
 
 Item Jocelinus Epus Bathon confirmarit donacionem quam dictus Savericus fecit deo 
 et beato Andree Wellen et commune canonicorum ibidem deo deservencium super ecclesia 
 de lydierd predicta et statuit quod predicti Canonici habeant et teneant memoratam 
 ecclesiam cum omnibus pertiuenciis et libertatibus suis in usus proprios ad augmentum 
 commune et quod eadem ecclesia omnimoda qua prebende ecclesie Wellen gaudeat 
 libertate. Et cont clxx. 
 
 Item Savericus predictus de consilio et consensu Alexandri Decani Wellen et tocius 
 ejusdem ecclesie capituli ecclesiam de Sutton perpetuam ecclesie Wellen esse prebendam 
 censuit et provida deliberacione statuit ut Benedictus Abbas Athelingnensis et omnes 
 successores ipsius ejusdem loci Abbates Canonici sLat impperpetuum prefate ecclesie Wellen 
 predictam. ecclesiam de Sutton cum omnibus pertinenciis suis nomine prebende perpetuo 
 possessuri cum omnibus libertatibus et inmunitatibus suis quas antique prebende habere 
 dinoscuntur in ecclesia Wellen. Et contin clxx. 
 
 Item Savericus Epus predictus statuit quod omnes prebende ecclesie Wellen dece- 
 dentibus Archidiaconis onus prescripte servitutis excuciant et deinceps eadem gaudeant 
 inperpetuum libertate et inmunitate quam antique prebende habere vel habuisse noscuntur 
 eandemque libertatem et inimminatem 
 
 This at bottom of folio 35 — 
 
 Savericus dei gratia Bathon et Glast' Epus Magistro R. Deo. et Cap. Wellen salutem 
 et dileccionem omnimodam. Ad vestram noticiam volumus pervenire nos prebendam 
 Roberti Buzum Canonici et clerici nostri ab omni onere Episcopali liberasse eique plenam 
 libertatem sicuti et antiquioribus prebendis in ecclesia Wellen a predecessoribus nostris 
 collata est contulisse. Beg. 1, fol. vii. num. 7. 
 
 optinere censuit ecclesias sive terras que eidem Wellen ecclesie ante hoc collate sunt vel in 
 posteiTim nostra vel successorum nostrorum diligencia quocunque titulo conferantur. 
 
 Acta sunt hec in capitulo Wellen anno incarnacionis dorainice m° cc° ih° in octabis 
 sancti Michaelis. Et cont lxxxxxv. 
 
 Item Savericus Epus concessit Capitulo Wellen ut licsat eidem ipsos qui possessiones 
 ipsius invadere aut jura ad earn pertinencia auferre vel perturbare presumpserint sen et 
 
APPENDIX H. 141 
 
 jam novas exaotiones et onera indebita imponere interdict! sive excommunicationis 
 sententiam promulgare. Et cont ...... lxxxxxvi. 
 
 Item Joceliaus Epus statuit et ordiaavit de assensu Capituli.sui quod ecolesia de 
 Wedmor in qua Subdecanatus antea cum capellis et omnibus ad earn pertinentibus in 
 in prebendam Decanatui coherentem perpetuo assignetur. Ita quidem quod decedente 
 Decano prebenda ilia in hiis que ad capitulum et defunctum pertinent constitucionem et 
 ordiuacionem aliarum prebendarum sequatur, &c. Ordinavit eciam dictus Epus quod ecclesia 
 de Woky que prius fuit prebenda Decani sit Subdecanatus. 
 
 Et cont ccxxiii. 
 
 Item idem Jocelinus de consensu capituli sui statuit quod ecclesia de Marke in per- 
 petuum sit annexa prebenda de Wedmor que est prebenda Decanatui Wellen conjuncta et 
 quod ilia duo sint unicum beneficium in perpetuum . voluit eciam et concessit quod 
 prebenda de Wedmor cum dicta ecclesia de Wedmor eidem annexa in omnibus 
 consuetudinem et formam aliarum sequatur jjrebendarum ecclesie Wellen . eo non obstante 
 quod annexa est eodem prebenda decanatui Wellen. 
 
 Et con. ... CO. ubi apponitur tale signum. 
 
 Item cum super jurisdiccione urbis et suburbii Wellen inter W. Decanum et A. 
 Subdecanum Wellen mota fuisset materia questionis Jocelinus Bathon Epus de assensu 
 parcium unanimi sic ordinavit videlicet quod quoscienscunque Decanus Wellen qui pro 
 tempore fuerit presens extiterit ipsius erit earum cognicio et discussio. 
 
 Deoano vero absente et subdecano presente subdecani erit dictarum earum cognicio et 
 discussio quod si utrumque abesse contigerit judicio dandi potestas interim penes 
 Decanum remanebit. Et con CLXX. 
 
 Item Jocelinus Epus statuit et ordinavit ut cessante omnino de cetero modo et forma 
 prioris distribucionis commune cotidiane in pane de grangia quod ipse Jocelinus et 
 successores sui singulis diebus quibus Welln venerint aut ibi fuerint aut inde recesserint 
 octo denarios pro communa cotidiana et quinque denarios pro pane qui prius habere 
 solebant per diem sex denarios et quatuor panes albos, <fec. 
 
 Et continetur in registro . 
 
 " There are also other privileges {non modica) of no slight value, ■which, have been 
 canonically given to the Dean and Chapter, by which the Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells 
 for the time being ought to be excluded from the visitation of the said places and 
 persons, and from other and singular privileges which are comprehended in the articles 
 given to the same Dean and Chapter by the aforesaid John, Bishop of Bath and Wells, 
 the tenor of which we shall insert at the end in fine quaterni when we have leisure." 
 
 Unde visis et perscrutatis sic ut premittitur privilegiis libertatibus et consuetudinibus 
 antiquis ecclesie Wellen predicte cum eisdem Decano et Capitulo veraciter datum fuisset 
 inteUigi quod prefatus Dominus Episcopus amicabiliter prooederet in premissis tarn canonici 
 ecclesie Wellen et eciam alii ex parte eorum rogati responsiones ad articulos dicti domini 
 episcopi pro informacione sua et defensione ecclesie Wellen predicte fecerunt in scriptis 
 quarum tales sunt tenores. 
 
 Bespondones Domini Johmmis de Godelee tunc Decani ecclesie Wellen supradicte. 
 
 Ad primum articulum Domini Episcopi respondet Decanus quod prefatus Domiuus 
 Episcopus percepit de bonis communibus dictorum Decani et Capituli decem et octo 
 denarios argenti die quo ipse personam Decani ecclesie sue Wellen visitavit secundum 
 consuetudinem ejusdem ecclesie prout ipse et predecessores sui hactenus percipere con- 
 sueverunt. 
 
142 APPENDIX E. 
 
 Decanus ecclesie Wellen habet jurisdiccionetn superiorem in pfebendis efc ecclesiis 
 eisdem annexis ac eciam in ecclesiis pro firmis et communa canonicorum ecclesie Wellen 
 assigaatis in Bathon et Wellen diocese existentibus prebenda de Barton et ecclesiis de 
 Congresbury Wynescomb Stokegomner, Modiford et Barwe duntaxat exceptis. Et ipsas 
 prebendas et ecclesias sue jurisdiccionis ac clerum et populum earundem visitat de triennio 
 in triennium prout predecessores sui semper hactenus a tempore quo non existit memoria 
 secundum consuetudinem ecclesie Wellen pacifice fecerunt per quod apparet quod prebende 
 et ecclesie ille non sunt Domino Episcopo subjecte prout ecclesie in jurisdiccione Archi- 
 diaconorum constitute existunt. 
 
 Johannis Episcopus confirmat per literas suas sub dat. Well, xviii. kln. Januar. 
 Anno Domini m.ccC- vicesimo prime et per literas sub dat. London nono kln. augusti 
 eodem anno. 
 
 Domuius Episcopus potest informari per informacionem prescriptam quod jurisdiccio 
 Decani est alia quam sit jurisdiccio Archidiaconorum et aliter adquisita. 
 
 Ecclesia sancti Cuthberti Wellen est de jurisdiccione et visitacione Decani Wellen in 
 forma prescripta. 
 
 Loca Decani sunt prebendalia efc de jurisdiccione et visitacione ejusdem Decani prout 
 superius continetur et non de natura locorum aliarum dignitatum que sunt de collatione 
 Domini Episcopi. 
 
 Ecclesia de Cumbe est prebendalis et de jurisdiccione et visitacione prefati Decani ut 
 supra continetur et ideo non est de natura ecclesiarum de Wekyngton et Cherde. 
 
 Ecclesia de Wedmor cum capella de Merke et' aliis est prebenda Decani et unum 
 beneficium in quo perpetuus vicarius consistit. 
 
 Decanus certificabit Episcopum de ordinacione vicariarum quam cicius poterit. 
 
 Dominus Episcopus potest informari per raciones supradictas quare non habet preven- 
 eiones in jurisdiccione Decani secundum quod habet in jurisdiccione Archidiaconorum. 
 
 Dominus Episcopus potest informari super perceptione procuracionis sue raoione 
 dedicacionis ecclesiarum prebendalium per scripturam consuetudinarii ecclesie Wellen 
 alias scilicet missam (J). 
 
 Canonici ecclesie Wellen non sunt subjecti domino Episcopo prout alii beneficiati in 
 jurisdiccione Archidiaconorum existunt. 
 
 Item Magister Ricardus de Flympstoke Canonicus ecclesie Wellen fecit efficaces 
 responsiones ad dictos articulos domini Episcopi quas hie inserere non potuimus quia ipsas 
 non habuimus in promptu. Set cum eas habuerimus ipsas in fine quatemi inseremus. 
 
 Item SespondoTies Magistri Ade de Mwrimoth Canonici Wellen et doctoris in jure 
 civili sunt tales. 
 
 (Alia Responsio ad articulos Episcopi.) 
 
 Ad primum articulum respondetur quod si aliquis procurare deberet Episcopus 
 teneretur qui est caput ecclesie sue et propriam ecclesiam visitat et pro tali honore multas 
 habet puioras possessiones. 
 
 Item propter hujusmodi visitacionem non oportet Episcopum extra suum hospicium 
 decliuare nee expensas facere ampliores et ideo nichil potest petere. Ista possunt juribus 
 probari. 
 
 Ad secundum articulum respondetur quod Decanus non intendit excludere Episcopum 
 nisi in illis in quibus jus visitacionis et subjectionis inmediate prescripsit quales sunt 
 omnes prebende. 
 
APPENDIX S. 143 
 
 Ad tercium articulum respondetur quod Decanus habet alium usum et aliter prescrip- 
 sit quam Archidiaconi unde habeat quilibet quod per usum canonice adquisivit. 
 
 Ad quartum articulum respondetur quod Decanus plusquam Archidiaconalem juris- 
 diccionem canonice adquisivit et possidet vel quasi pacifice et quiete. 
 
 Ad quintum articulum respondetur quod alius modus visitandi Decanum et loca sua 
 canonice est prescriptus. 
 
 Ad sextum articulum respondetur quod ecclesia de Cumba non solum est prebendalis 
 set in ea multe prebende fuudantur cujus condicionis non est ecclesia de Oherde nee 
 Welyngton. 
 
 Ad septimum articulum respondetur quod ilia ecclesia de Merke est unita ecclesie.de 
 Wedmore in qua est unus vicarius pro utraque que debent una conferi. 
 
 Ad VIII. articulum respondetur quod cum ista tangant jura parcium saltern vicariorum 
 quorum sunt vicarie Episcopus ex officio suo se intromittere non habet. Decanus tamen 
 paratus erit respondere et juri stare volentibus conquer! et ordinare instanter de premissis. 
 
 Ad nonum articulum respondetur quod Episcopus non est usus prevencionibus in 
 jurisdiccione Decani et Decanus pinguiorem jurisdiccionem quam Archidiaconi ut pre- 
 mittitur est adeptus. 
 
 Ad decimum articulum respondetur quod Decanus prohibere voluit simoniam que 
 comitatur quando pro dedicacione vel reconciliacione ecclesie pecunia exigitur et prestatur 
 et qui scripsit dictum articulum male canones intellexit quos quia allegare non vacat 
 Guidonem videat super C. Komana . de cen. li. vi°- 
 
 Ad undecimum articulum respondetur quod tangit Canonicos qui cum etatem habeant 
 respondeant pro seipsis. 
 
 liesponsiones Magistri Johannis de Shordich doctoris in jure civili. 
 (Ad articulos Alia Responsio.) 
 
 Ad primum Articulum posset dici quod tunc demum procurandus est Episcopus cum 
 per sue civitatia parochias fatigatur xii. q. ii. caritatem. Set hie visitare potest et in 
 propria dome comedere et illud esset expensurus et si non visitarit ergo non petet extra 
 de vita et hones, clerici cum ab omni . hoc tamen allegacio non est valde eifectualis quia 
 secundum doctores procuracio debetur racione officii et si non intersit unde non con- 
 sideratur interesse (?). Episcopi set officium ut qui seminat spiritualia et temporalia 
 metat . de prescriptis cum ex officii. Et est casus capituli ubi debetur procuracio et si in 
 eadem civitate visitet de cen. venerabili ubi notat host' p'dca quia visitacioni procuracio 
 est annexa . e. ti. venerabilis. Ideo melius est allegare prescripcionem et consuetudinem 
 diutius approbatam . nam licet subditus nomine suo talia prescribere non posset ut 
 in capitulo all. cum ex officii nomine tamen alterius bene potest. Sic hie Decanus 
 nomine capituli nam et alius prelatus prescribere potest ut notat host' et vincere in capitulis 
 all. venerabili et e. ti cum venerabilis et in capitulo all. cum ex officii et host' in summa 
 titulo de cen. queritur eandem questionem in terminis numquid Episcopus visitando 
 capitulum suum et ecclesias civitatis procuracionem exigere potest et hoc idem tenet. 
 
 Ad secundum articulum potest Decanus allegare preacriptionem temporis cujus 
 oontrarii memoria non existit quo ad ecclesias prebendales et eisdem annexas ac clerum et 
 populum et hoc sufficit per jura predicta et alia consimilia. 
 
 Ad tercium articulum potest dici quod non est intelligibilis set incerta et ideo respon- 
 deri potest ut alibi respondet imperator ut congruum responsum accipias inseri pacti 
 exemplum . C. de trans . ut responsum congruum accipias. Et ut alibi dicit juris consultus . 
 aut te non intelligo aut stulta est tua questio .ff.de testa . Domicius labeo. 
 
144 APPENDIX n. 
 
 Ad quartum quia Decani qui pro tempore fuerunt per prescriptionem legitimam vel 
 saltern de consuetudine legitime prfescripta sibi jurisdiccionem legitime et canonice adqui- 
 siverunt et in tali possessione fuerunt predecessores et precessores Decani qui nunc est 
 a tempore cujus contrarii memoria non existit et Dominus Decanus qui nunc est toto 
 tempore suo pacifice et quiete quod tempus est loco tituli et sufficit absque alio titulo . ff 
 de aqua coti et esti . hoc juris S. ductus aque . cum similibus. 
 
 Eodem mode ad quintum articulum quia obstat prescriptio legitima in domino Decano 
 et locis Decanatus. 
 
 Ad sextum articulum quia Cumba est alterius condicionis quam alie juxta consuetu- 
 dinem ecclesie statum ergo rei convenit mutari . quia ad mutacionem condicionis sequitur 
 mutatio rei . O. de inponenda lucratiorum descripcione . I. una circa medium li. x"- 
 
 Ad septimum responde per decreta . de prebendis . super eo in vi. cum sententia 
 doctorum ibidem. 
 
 Octavus articulus dependet ab alio an vicarius onera ecclesie subire debeat an rector 
 et habent ordinari juxta facultates ecclesie de prebenda extirpande . S. qr vero et per 
 constituciones Octoboni et Otonis que dant formam eonstituendi in aliis ecclesiis legitime 
 prescripsit. 
 
 Ad nonum quia Decanus in jurisdiecione sua legitime prescripsit per jura all. 
 
 Ad ultimum articulum pro reconciliandis vel consecrandis ecclesiis de jure procuracio 
 non debetur set hoc suis sumptibus exercebit . nam ideo ei sunt ecelesiastici redditus 
 deputati de vita et hones, clerici cum ab omni . et no . doc . de . offi . ord . conquerente . 
 nam regulariter pro officio inparacdo nihil accipere debet Episcopus vel prelatus nee eciam 
 procuracionem . i. q. iii vendentes et c. non solum nam certi sunt casus in jure expressi in 
 quibus ordinarius licite petit sumptus aliter niehil petet nisi in casibus a jure permissia et 
 expressis. Hanc sententiam tenent doc . in capitulo all . cum ab omni et notat Guido 
 de . cen . Romana in vi. 
 
 Responsiones Magigtri Willielmi de Horlee tunc officialis domini Archidiaconi Wellen. 
 
 Ad primum articulum concernentem procuracionis exaccionem allegari potest quod 
 ille articulus non concludit pretendit enim quod visitet Canonicos licet in persona Decani 
 et petit a solo Decano procuracionem cum tamen solus Decanus secundum eum non 
 visitetur nee juvat quod asserit alios non visitari nisi in persona Decani quia hoc concernit 
 formam visitaeionis tantum non autem effectum unde sicut effectus concernit omnes simul 
 ita et onus procuracionis ab omnibus simul exigendum. Confessio tamen Decani de qua fit 
 mencio articulo non videtur prudenter emissa si velit se pretendere habere omnem jurisdic- 
 cionem in canonicos et etiam visitacionem episcopalem prescripsisse quo ad personas eorum 
 quod satis est possibile licet contra subjeccionem propriam non posset aliquam prescrip- 
 tionem aliquam allegare. Set forsan hoc fecit Decanus ex cautela ut sic in defensione 
 haberet canonicos sibi assistentes . ilia tamen confessio eis prejudicialis non est nam sua 
 cuique confessio, &c. 
 
 Supposito tamen quod Decauum et capitulum visitet vel Decanum solum et exigat 
 procuracionem in primo casu a Decano et Capitulo vel in secundo a Decano solum . dici 
 poterit quod a locis tantum ut cavit constitucio Romana vel saltern a personis prospectu 
 locis consuevit exigi et est exigenda procuracio quod patet in sacerdotibus alicubi non 
 intitulatis a quibus quantumcunque ditissimis procuracio non exigitur set locus hie 
 visitatus seu cujus proscriptus in personis visitatis habendus est . locus est proprius 
 visitantis cum Episcopus sit in ecclesia et ecclesia in Episcopo . a se ipso ergo pocius exigere 
 debet quam ab alio. 
 
APPENDIX B. 145 
 
 Item Episoopus de bonis hujus ecclesia cathedralis ne dum ducatus set ditatus est pro 
 omnibus oneribus supportandis et agnoscendis . hoc igitur sibi sufficere debet in visitacione 
 hujus ecclesie licet in visitacione aliarum procuraciones recipiat cum de illis nil aliud 
 habeat quam procuracionem hiis diebus. 
 
 Item singulis diebus procuratur ab hac ecclesia ubicunque fuerit et hoc sufficienter 
 quod ergo intus habet ut amplius pro loco pro personis loci aut rebus non exigat. 
 
 Item positio quod sibi debeatur procuracio ilia per consuetudinem antiquatam est in 
 certo limitata ut quociens asserit ad eoclesiam cathedralem pro quocunque officio per 
 agendo octodecim denariis sit contentus . unde aliam exigere non potest. 
 
 Ad secundum articulum de visitacione ecclesiarum prebendalium et pro firmis et 
 communa canonicorum assignatarum et ad terdum wrticuhim ab eodem dependentem et 
 ad quartum articulum de visitacione civitatis et suburbii nulli dubium quin Decanus in 
 illis casibus possit prescribere omnem jurisdiccionem eciam episcopalem et partem jurisdic- 
 cionis episcopalis aliqua parte jurisdiccionis sicuti forsan in eoclesiis parochialibus institu- 
 cione et destitucione ipsi episcopo remanente quantumcunque Decanus subditus sit Episcopi 
 nee contra propriam subjeccionem prescribere valeat ullo modo ut est premissum. Et 
 quando petitur quod ostendat quare su^ jurisdiccio alia sit ab arohidiaconali . heo peticio 
 mirabilis est . loquitur enim quasi archidiaconalis et episcopalis jurisdiccio essent species 
 opposite cum tamen una virtualiter sub alia comprehendatur et eciam in ea includatur un 
 de se habent ut sub et supra vel per modum semipleni et pleni. Si ergo Decanus solus 
 omnem jurisdiccionem et plenariam ibidem ab antique exercuit . adeo quod superiorem 
 jurisdiccionem talem exercentem in causis videlicet aut correccionibus non habuit et sic 
 eam solus exercuit quolibet alio prelato inmediato . sedis apostolice auctoritate duntaxat 
 excepta . patet ipsum pocius habere eifectum et virtutem Episcopalis jurisdiccionis quam 
 Archidiaconalis tantum. 
 
 Ad quintum articulinn. In quo petitur ostendi quare Episcopus non ita visitabit loca 
 Decanatus sicuti loca aliarum dignitatum mirum videtur ex quo visitat Decanum in 
 ecclesia majori et ob hoc exigit ab eo procuracionem quod velit ...(?) de visitando singula 
 loca Decanatus et pro singulis singulas procuraciones exigere quasi essent plura beneficia 
 separata cum tamen unicum tantum beneficium constituant cujus titulus in ecclesia majori 
 consistit nee obstat si habeat ecclesias appropriatas quia jure proprietatis et non velit 
 beneficia retinentur quod autem asseritur de locis aliarum dignitatum hoc facti est et est 
 magna disparitas inter decanatum et alias dignitates unde consequeucia nulla. 
 
 Per premissa patet ad alia precipue ad sextum articulum et Nonum quia non. 
 
 De quieta composicione hujus tamdiu ventilati negotii et confirmacione Privilegiorum 
 antiquorum Decani et Capituli. Vide Concordise Chartam, f. 48. /ol. 48. 
 
 Eeg. 3. fol. 244. Eeg. Drokennsford, fol. 175. 
 
 Memorandum quod inter venerabilem patrem dominum Johannem dei gratia 
 Bathon. This recapitulates the tenor of the statutes found on fol. 14 6, by which Bishop 
 Drokensford had granted the fruits of vacant churches in the diocese to the Dean 
 and Chapter, for the increase of their common fund, confirming the jurisdiction 
 of the Dean in the Cathedral Church of St. Andrew at Wells, as well as in 
 the prebends and prebendal churches of his cathedral. The Bishop also agreed upon 
 their ancient rights in the Archidiaconal jurisdictions appertaining to the Archdeaconries of 
 Bath, Wells, and Taunton, saving, of course, the preventions of each which belonged to 
 him; and this document was signed and sealed by John de Drokennsford in London, at 
 Novum templum, on the 9th of the kalends of August, 1321. The words in italics may 
 
 3u 
 
146 APPENDIX I. 
 
 or may not have expressed the feelings of the principal parties interested, but sound as if 
 the scribe, more or less personally interested in the confirmation of these grants to the 
 capitular body, had added this somewhat naive expression of his devout aspirations : 
 Premissa ad Jructus ecclesiani/m vacancium dignitatibus a/nnexarum volurrms extendi ; or 
 if it expresses the episcopal determination to the contrary, an n must be substituted 
 for the V. 
 
 APPENDIX I. 
 
 Ad primum articulum quo ad fructus beneficiorum vacancium diis Epus vult quod 
 fiat modo quo petitur petitio per Decanum et Cap. Well, juxta formam london con- 
 ceptam dum tamen deleatur verbum notarie. 
 
 Ad 3 articulum quoad jurisdiccionem Decani Dcs Epus vult quod fiat modo qui petitur 
 dum tamen inquiratur de nominibus locorum cum aliia informacionibus decani. 
 
 Item quod ad jurisdiccionem Archidiaconorum vult quod exerceant eam sicut excercere 
 consueverunt salvis diio Epo provencionibus in archidiaconatibus ubi et prout eas habere 
 consuevit. 
 
 Item dictus dns Epus vult committere Magistris K. de Plympstoke . J. Marcel . W. de 
 Edyngtone et B,. de Wamberghe ad inquirendum super libertate et immunitate dignitatum 
 et super compertis faciendum domino relacioni et super illis pronunciabit dominus quod est 
 justum citra festum omnium sanctorum. 
 
 Item quo ad capellam Sancti Oolumbani dominus vult quod inquiratur et fiat sicut 
 temporibus predecessorum suorum fieri consuevit. 
 
 Item quo ad procuracionem domini Epi pro ecclesiis prebendarum consecrandis 
 ostendatur per dictos Decanum et Capitulum si domino debeatur vel non. 
 
 Item quo ad inparcacionem animalium dSi Decani in mora de Oeddre diis Epus 
 concedit quod inquiratur Veritas per dominos J. de Clyveden et R. de Rodeneye milite et 
 Magistros R. de Plymstoke et J. Marcel et referant dno et diis faciet quod est justum. 
 
 ■Item quantum ad c. marcas depositas Well, dns concedit solvere in quindena pasohe 
 proxima futura. 
 
 Item quantum ad pensionem W. de Charleton x"- de quibus petunt Decanus et 
 Capitulum pro arr' -^u- fiat discussio citra pascha et si debeantur satisfiet infra annum 
 sequentem. 
 
 Item de mitris baculo pastoral! cirothecis cum nodo aureo et anulo aureo inquiratur 
 de valore particulatim per dictos commissarios et estimacio reddatur. 
 
 Item quantum de fructibus Cancellare percepit per dnm Epm . per eundem satisfiet 
 cancellario citra pascha. 
 
 Item quod malefactores penitus amoveantur ab obsequio dni et veniant infra quin- 
 decim dies post festum Sancti Michaelis Well satisfacturi deo et ecclesie et lesis. 
 
 Acta fuerunt hec in capella de Strete premissa omnia et singula die lune videlicet 
 1111*0- ]j1u_ Octobr' anno domini millesimo tricentesimo vicesimo primo presentibus dicto 
 diio Epo, dfio Decano, Archidiacono Wellen, Cancellario, Thesaurario, Magistris K de 
 Plympstoke, J. Marcel, Canonieis Well., Magistris J. Brabason, sacre theologie professore, 
 W. de Edyngton, W. Broun, N. de Bathon, J. de Middleton et J. de Wambergh. 
 
 The commission of inquiry was issued by the Bishop, John Drokensford, from 
 Wyveliscombe on the nones of October in the same year (1321), in the twelfth year of his 
 consecration, special provision being made that if all of the commissioners could not take 
 part in the inquiry, three might proceed in the absence of the fourth. 
 
APPENDIX I. 147 
 
 A memorandum follows, which sets forth that whereas there had arisen materia 
 questionis between the Bishop John and the Dean John de Godelee, as to the recovery of 
 the funds of the vacant prebends et aliqualis inter nos hahita disceptacio, the Bishop 
 desiring to avoid litigia/rwm amfractus, and to nourish and encourage peace and tranquillity 
 to the best of his ability, considerately confirmed the jurisdiction and privileges of the 
 Dean and Chapter by his seal, which was also sealed by the common seal of the Dean and 
 Chapter, and ratified at "Wells on the 18th of the kalends of January, 1321. 
 
 Accordingly the next document proceeds to enumerate the different articles of inquiry 
 and their settlement. It relates that a question having arisen on these points, friends 
 had kindly intervened, and (1) the jurisdiction of the Dean in the Cathedral Church of 
 "Wells, in all the prebends (Barton excepted) and chapels belonging to the same, and over 
 all people, clerical and lay, querelarum et appellationem causis duntaxat exceptis, was 
 paramount. (2) That he, John, Bishop of Bath and "Wells teneri et ohligatos esse to his 
 beloved in Christ, the Dean and Chapter, in £23 6s. 8d. received by them for two mitres, 
 whereof one was valued at £10, and the other at £13 6s. 8d., to be paid by the said Diean 
 and Chapter to the said Dean and Chapter at the feast of St. Michael, 1323, -without 
 delay, unless with their consent the term for payment be put off. 
 
 He confessed also that he had also received from the Dean and Chapter one pastoral 
 staflT valued at £6 13s. 4d., and a gold ring with a sapphire, and a pair of gloves with a 
 gold knot, and sandals, valued at 50s., for his own use ; the aforesaid pastoral staff, ring, 
 gloves, and sandals, or their value, to be returned to the Dean and Chapter at his 
 death ; his heirs, co-heirs, and executors were under an obligation to fulfil these his 
 promLses. Signed and sealed at Blakeford, 18 kl. Jan., 1321. 
 
 "WiHuig also, amputare dissensionis materiam, with regard to his jurisdiction in the 
 churches of Pulton and Kyngesbury, he then granted to the Precentor and Treasurer 
 of the Cathedral Church their jurisdiction therein, at the same place and time afore- 
 said. 
 
 In the time of Jocelin a question had arisen between the Dean and Sub-dean as to their 
 jurisdiction in the city and suburbs of Wells, which was unanimously arranged between 
 them thus : — 
 
 Quoscienscunque Decanus "Wellen qui pro tempore fuerit presens extiterit ipsius erit 
 causarum cognicio et discussio. Decano vero absente et subdecano presente . subdecani 
 erit causarum cognicio et discussio. Quod si utrumque abesse contigerit, judicium dandi 
 potestus interim penes Decanum remanebit. 
 
 De dominica autem familia nostra et successorum nostrum qui pro tempore fuerint 
 ita erit quod si aliqua de ea conveniatur . Episcopus qui pro tempore fuerit vel ejus ofScialis 
 vel is qui altitudines eorum vices suas in hac parte delegaverint in causa persone convente 
 cognoscet ...(?) semper forum rei sequente . si autem penam pecunia,riam alicui de 
 urbe vel suburbio qui immediate nobis subsit vel successoribus nostris qui pro tempore 
 fuerint contingat infligi 1 ilia pena pecuniaria in usum fabrice ecclesie Well . sine qualibet 
 diminutione vel deduotione committatur. De ceteris autem proventibus jurisdiccionis 
 prefate urbis et suburbii percipiet quilibet eorum amerciamentum quod tempore cognicionis 
 sue vel delegati sui amerciabitur . deducendis inde communiter stipendiis communis 
 apparitoris pro quantitate porcionis qualibet eorum de ipsis amerciamentis vel proventibus 
 reoeperit. 
 
 To this the Dean and Sub-dean agreed, and set their seal at Wells on the morrow of 
 S. Philip and S. James' Day. 
 
148 APPENDIX K. 
 
 There seems to have been also a difference between the Dean and Sub-dean as to their 
 jurisdiction in Woky. The indenture sheweth that a quarrel having lately arisen between 
 J ohn de Godeleye, the Dean, and William of Yatton, Sub-dean, as to their visitatorial 
 jurisdiction in the church of Woky, from which it appears that the Sub-dean was not 
 anxious to exaggerate his importance, or claim for himself more jurisdiction, nor even to 
 trespass in messem alienam, as had been alleged, but that he claimed for himself such rights 
 only in the church and parish of Woky as were of old the right of the Sub-dean, the 
 Dean's jurisdiction and rights were secured in all his prebendal chapels, towns, villages, 
 hamlets, and other places, and the Sub-dean was declared to possess all such rights only in 
 the manor of Woky aforesaid. This was agreed upon at Banewell, xiv. kl. Febr., 1310 a.d. 
 
 APPENDIX K. 
 
 fol. 52. 
 
 Memorandum de mode et forma visitacionis venerabilis patris et domini domini 
 Radulphi dei gratia Bathon et Wellen episcopi facta in ecclesia Wellen die mercurii 
 proximi post festum Sancti Nicholai episcopi et confessoris Anno domini m™ ccc"" 
 tricesimo septimo. 
 
 In primis dictus pater post ingressum suum in capitulum presentibus tunc ibidem 
 Domino Waltero de London ecclesie predicte Decano et quibusdam aliis de dicta ecclesia 
 in dignitatibus et ofiiciis constitutis ad eandem visitacionem vocatis ac eciam quam 
 pluribus canonicis et vicariis ejusdem ecclesie ac non nuUis aliis clericis et laicis proposuit 
 verbum dei cujus Thema fuit. Voca operarios et redde illis mercedem suam, &c. Quo 
 iinito fecit legi certificatorium citacionis visitacionis predicte quo lecto canonici omnes 
 exceptis hiis qui in dignitatibus et officiis constituti fuerint ex precepto Decani recesserunt a 
 capitulo. Qui vero in dignitatibus et officiis constituti fuerant proposuerunt coram Domino 
 predicte per modum excepcionis declinatorie quo ad locum quod indignitatibus et officiis 
 constituti non debebant nee consueverunt hactenus in capitulo visitaii set seorsum in 
 ecclesia in. loco aliquo competenti supplicantes et petentes quod dictus pater non infringeret 
 consuetudinem in hac parte optentam temporibus retroactis quorum peticioni dictus pater 
 benigne annuit . dicens se nolle infringere consuetudinem supradictam . unde vocato ad se 
 domino Decano predicto et visitato . comisit dictus pater Magistro de Carlton . . . 
 officiaU suo visitacionem eornm qui in dignitatibus et officiis fuerant constituti qui eos die 
 crastina tunc sequente seorsum in capella beati Martini in parte australi ecclesie visitantur. 
 Tenor vero certificatorii citacionis talis est. Venerabili in Christo patri ac domino suo 
 reverendo domino Eadulpho dei gratia Bathon et Wellen Episcopo vester humilis et 
 devotus ecclesie vestre Wellen Deeanus obedienciam reverenciam et honorem. Mandatum 
 infra scriptum recepi. 
 
 Eadulphus permissione divina Bathon et Wellen episcopus discrete viro et dilecto 
 nobis in Christo Decano ecclesie nostre Wellen salutem gratiam et bonitatem. Viget nos 
 suscepti regiminis cura ut in subditorum nostrorum tarn in clero quam in populo 
 corrigendis excessibus eorumque moribus reformandis eo diligencius insistamus quo 
 sanguine eorum in examine districti judicii propter negligenciam premissorum requiri 
 de nostris manibus formidamus. Cum igitur ex injuncto nobis officio diocesim nostram 
 domino disponente proponamus in caritate et in mansuetudine visitare et gi'atia hujus 
 visitacionis secundum juris exigenciam inchoande exercende et continuande ad ecclesias 
 nostras cathedrales Bathon et Wellen quas odore precipuo optamus fragrescere declinare. 
 
APPENDIX L. 149 
 
 Ad ecclesiam videlicet nostram Wellen die mercurii proximo post festum sancti Nicholai 
 Episcopi et Gonfessoris proximum futurum nostra visitacionis officium salubriter inpen- 
 surum. Vos tenore presencium premunimus et peremptorie citamus ac per vos omnes et 
 singulos indignitatibus personatibus et officiis in dicta ecclesia nostra "Wellen constitutes 
 ac omnes alios qui hujus visitacionem nostram subire tenentur peremptorie citari volumus 
 et mandamus quod compareatis et compareant legitime coram nobis dicto die cum continu- 
 acione et prorogacione dierum sequencium in domo capitulari nostre Wellen ecclesie 
 antedicte visitacionem nostram prout decet subituri . omniaque alia et singula facturi et 
 recepturi que in hujus visitaciones negocio necessaria fuerint sen eciam oportuna. Et 
 quid in premissis feoeritis et duxeritis faciendum nos dictis die et loco per Hteras vestras 
 patentes harum seriem continentes una cum nominibus per vos citatorum in quadam 
 cedula vestro certificatorio anneccenda distincte et apte curetis reddere cerciores. Datum 
 apud Evercrich xi. kalendis Decembris Anno dni Millesimo ccc™°- Tricesimo septimo et 
 nostre consecracionis Nono. Quod quidem mandatum vestrum omnes et singulos predictos 
 quatenus eos a tempore et recepcionis ejusdem personal! citacione apprehendere pocius 
 peremptorie citando ut mandatus sum . . . exeoutus. Ego vero mandate predicto 
 in omnibus parebo prout teneor domino concedente. Nomina vero citatorum continet 
 cedula hiis annexa. 
 
 Datum Wellen quinto Idis Decembris anno domini supradicto. 
 
 Magister Wills, de Littleton, Precentor. 
 
 Magister Rogerus de Moetuo Mari, Archidiaconus Wellen. 
 
 Magister Richardus de Thtstleden, Thesaurarius. 
 
 Magister Walterus de Hulle, Subdecanus. 
 
 APPENDIX L. 
 
 fol. 53 6, LVii. 
 
 Memorandum quod v*" die Septembris videlicet Nonis Septembris Anno domini 
 Millesimo ccc™° tricesimo viii°- In capitulo WelUe presente Decano et Canonicis capitulum 
 tunc facientibus Magister Johannis de Carlton ecclesie Wellen predicte canpnicus dictum 
 capitulum intravit et sedens inter fratres quoddam mandatum ostendit sub sigillo venera- 
 bilis patris domini Radulphi dei gratia Bathon et Wellen episcopi ut asserait sibi directum 
 virtute cujus mandati oretenus citavit dictos Decanum et Capitulum dicto mandato coram 
 eis prece (1) non perlecto cujus mandati copiam peciit Decanus sibi dari nee optinere potuit 
 et statim post Idem Magister Johannes recessit a loco. 
 
 Item die dominica sequenti dictus Decanus fecit vocari omnes canonicos in civitate 
 hora capitulari ad habendum tractatum et plenius deliberandum super citacione predicta 
 que videbatur minus justa eo quod nunquam prius talis citacio emanavit habitaque delibera- 
 cione consensum fuit quod appellaretur ab ilia citacione et quod lis habenda super defensione 
 illius gravamiuis communibus sumptibus fieret presentibus et consencientibus dominis 
 Decano, Thesaurario, Subdecano, Domino Michaele de Eston Succentore. Magistris J. de 
 Bruton, J. Martel, Thomas de Haselschawe, Roberto Baldok, Willielmo de Clyangre et 
 J. de London ac Dominis Richardo de Rodeneye, Henrico de ffolham et J. Huwyssh. 
 
 Die veneris sequenti mane interposita fuit appellacio per dominum R. de Thaytemerssh 
 procuratorem Decani et Capituli formam continens sequentem : — 
 
 In dei nomine Amen quia vos venerabilis pater domine R. dei gratia Bathon et Welln 
 episcope nimis voluntarie pretendentes vos venerafcUes viros dominos Decanum et Capitulum 
 
150 APPENDIX L. 
 
 ecclesie Wellen visitasse licet ipsum Capitulum minime viaiUssetis et aliqua detecta esse 
 in hujus visitacione cum non essent nee esse possent precipiie cum capitulum predictum per 
 V03 non fuerat ut premittatur visitatum. Decanum et Capitulum prediotos super detectis 
 in visitacione hujus per vos confecta correccionem subituros necnon super quibusdam in 
 certis articulis eisdem penitus incognitis responsuros ad terminum nimis brerem et 
 peremptorie nullcB (?) abreviacionis causa in citatorum vestro hujus sufficienter expressa 
 mandastis et fecistis coram vobis ad judicium evocari . ego procurator dictorum dominorum 
 Decani et Capituli senciens dictos dominos meos et me ipsorum nomine ex hiis et eorum 
 quolibet indebite pregravari ad sedem apostolicam et pro tuicione curie Oantuariensis in 
 hiis scriptis apello et apellaciones instanter peto ac iterum peto ac iterum peto et tercio 
 peto cum effectu. mihi dari. 
 
 Eodem vero die Decanus per se et Magistrum Willielum de Salton et phs de London 
 pro capitulo una cum Magistro Nicholai de Bathon advenerunt dominum Episcopum apud 
 Blakeford et pecierunt ab eo quod placeret paternitati sue dictam citacionem que videbatur 
 Decano et Capitulo esse injuriosa revocare qui renuens eorum peticioni annuere respondit 
 Be nolle hoc facere pro mUle libris argenti habitoque magno tractatu super isto negocio 
 tandem preces hinc inde pro bono pacis consenciebant quod bene placeret domino si placeret 
 capitulo prevenire diem citacionis et intrare capitulum amicabiliter tractaturus cum capitulo 
 super tangentibus utilitatem ecclesie et nihil racione visitacionis seu virtute citacionis 
 predicte aliqualiter accomptando (?) ita tamen quod capitulum scriberet sibi sub sigUlo 
 communi quod bene placeret quod ita fieret et si placeret Capitulo sic scribere sibi promisit 
 bona fide quod quo ad illam citacionem ex tunc cessaret omnino. 
 
 Die sabbati sequenti dictus Decanus intravit capitulum hora capitulari convocatisque 
 canonicis omnibus tunc in civitate existentibus exposnit eis voluntatem domini Episcopi 
 prout superius continetur peciitque quod eidem domino statim responderent si placeret eis 
 quod ita fieret. Habitoque tunc inter fratres tractatu magno sub responsione facienda 
 nullo modo potnerunt oonsentire quod scriberetur domino sub communi sigillo juxta 
 formam ab eo petitam set si placeret dicto patri prevenire diem et intrare capitulum in 
 forma prescripta bene placeret eis . set sine litteris . et tunc ordinatum fuit de communi 
 consilio quod Magister J. de London adiret dictum dominum patrem statim et diceret sibi 
 oretenus voluntatem Decani et Capituli sub forma prescripta . qui quidam dominus pater 
 dictam responsionem minime acceptavit et dixit se esse contemptum eo quod aliter non 
 erat sibi responsum et protestabatur se velle intrare capitulum die citacionis facte per 
 officialem suum et corrigere detecta per Decanum quacunque Ada data. 
 
 Die dominica sequenti habita deliberacione cum fratribus concordatum fuit unanimiter 
 quod notificaretur predicta apellacio domino Episcopo et eodem die dominus Nicholas de 
 Boor Capellanus procurator substitutus per dominum Richardum de Ticemerssh procura- 
 torem domini Decani et Capituli apud Merk presente Magistro Thoma de Hulle vocari 
 . . . copiam dicte appellacionis tradidit et notificavit. Statimque dominus Episcopus 
 suspendit omnia superaltaria in ecclesiis de Merk et Wedmor et postea de diebus in dies 
 vexavit dictum Decanum Wellie plura atemptando in prejudicium jurisdiccionis sue de 
 quibus fuit legitime apellatum et super illis tempore debito inpeccatum prout in sugges- 
 tione plenius continetur cujus tenor talis est. 
 
APPENDIX M. 151 
 
 APPENDIX M. 
 
 Archiepiscopus queritur de Suhsidiis a Clericis exactis et non per viam aynodi generalis. 
 
 Fol. 57 6. 
 
 Scitis frater karissime qualiter pro negooio pacis quod nodum est commune omnium 
 set privatum concernit commodum singulorum predictum mare transivimus circa quod 
 laboravimus ut potuimus ex affectu licet non dum pacis emulo procurante sit secutus 
 effectus. Set Rex potens verax Deus temperans ineffabiliter rerum vices ostendit 
 plerumque populo suo dura permittens suos quos triumphare disponit terror periculis 
 et injuriis lacessiri ut sic querant humilius nomen ejus . unde speramus quod qui judicat 
 fines terre benigne respiciet cause nostre justiciam et dabit victoriam Regi nostro et 
 sublimabit cornu Christi sui pro quo per vos et vestros subditos devotis precibus et aliis 
 piis placacionum officiis insistere velitis jugiter erga domiaum. Verum quia in nostrum 
 non sine commocione gravi devenit auditum quod dum sic pro negociis publicis agimus in 
 remotis et unica domini nobUis Anglicana et precipue sponsa nostra Cantuariensis ecclesia 
 quam in nostre soHcitudinis parte defendere et vos murum solidum opponere tenemini pro 
 eadem . datur miserabiUter inconculcacionem et exterminant earn apri de silva distruentes 
 ipsius maceram et non est qui se opponit pro ea ex omnibus caris ejus . . . licet habeat 
 consuetude laudabUis semper hactenus usitata quod in Convocacionibus cleri diocesis et 
 provincie Cantuariensis ad mandatum Eegium pro subsidiis domino nostro Regi vel ejus 
 Regno faciendis super hiis scribi debeat Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi vel ejus Vicario. Ita 
 quod nulla fieret Regi responsio presertim in arduis nisi de prelatorum et tocius Cleri 
 dicte provincie communicato consilio et assensu jam tamen emanarunt ut dicitur de 
 Cancellaria domini nostri Regis ipso inscio et inconsulto mandata singulis Episcopis 
 dicte provincie de convocando separatim clero suarum diocesium pro subsidiis hujusmodi 
 faciendis et quod est intoUerabile capiuntur indistrincte(?) bona clericorum contra voluntatem 
 eorum virtute commissionum dicte Cancellarie factarum ut asseritur de hujusmodi bonis 
 sine presumpcione summe vel statuendo precio capiendis. Et nisi tam perniciosis obstet 
 principiis timendum est ne paulatim transeant in consuetudinem et presumpta semel abusio 
 ignominiosam infligat ecclesie servitudinem. Fraternitatem veslram ex corde rogamus 
 hortamur et oneramus quantum possimus coram deo . . . vos qui pontificalem suscepistis 
 honorem . ad dandam salutis scienciam plebi christi et ad faciendum iacrepaciones in 
 populis . consideratis attente jacturam ecclesie et temporum jam orescencium qualitatem . 
 pensantes quod est discrimen gravissimum ut quis presit si non prosit . quod cathedram 
 doctoris ascendat et sedeat ibi mutus . et opponatis vos murum pro domo domini corri- 
 pientes constanter hujusmodi presumptores et arguetis pro mausuetis terre. 
 
 Non enim potest esse clarior titulus ia prelato quam si tueatur viriliter statum ecclesi- 
 astice libertatis et si justicie sit defensor. Nee retrahatis vos a parliamentis et consiliis 
 publicis set venientes ad ea more boni pastoris annunciatis populo scelera sua loquentes 
 constanter et consulenttfs pro republica . ne christi tunica inconsutilia dividatur in partes 
 et sic studiatis implere pontifieium ut habeatis in presenti graciam et gloriam in futuro. 
 Et ne connuentibus (?) oculis tantam videamur insolenciam preterire quam suademus 
 aliis puniendam . contra violatores hujusmodi ecclesiastice libertatis processus pungentes 
 fieri fecimus et si fuissemus in Anglia pungenciores fieri fecissemus . quos vobis et vestrum 
 cuilibet mittimus exequendos firmiter injungentes quatenus juxta formam literarum 
 
152 APPENDIX M. 
 
 nostrarum vobis inde directarum ipsos exequi . sic curetis ut vestram debeamus obediencie 
 puritatem merito commendare. Et si quod absit in hoc negligentes fueritis vel remissi 
 cum sit causa peculiaris ecclesie conteinptus vester coram domino transire non poterit 
 inpunitus. Et nos contra inobedientes huju8m.odi procedemus quatenus possumus 
 
 et debemus . valeat et vigeat salus vestra tempora per longa. Scriptum apud Ande 
 Warpiam . xxiiii. die Marcii. 
 
 per Archiepiscopum Cantuariensem. 
 
 At the bottom of this page is also written : 
 
 Item tabellarii ex coUacione cancellarii et assignaoionis preoentoris vel a loco ejus 
 tenentis. 
 
 Gomperta. (L. R., fol. 61.) 
 
 In 1337, Dec. 10, Bishop Radulphus (de Salopia), in domo capitulari ecclesie Wellen 
 offiicium visitadonis sue actualiter exercens, examined the Dean of Wells, Walter de London, 
 and amongst other things interrogated him as to divers articles with special reference to 
 the Chapter, Canons, Yicars, and other ministers of his Cathedral Church. Amongst 
 other articles he interrogated him as to the titles specially belonging to the Canons of the 
 Church, to which the Dean replied that he was quite willing (voluit et consensit) for the 
 Bishop to call upon the Canons to exhibit their titles et quod cognoscat et procedat contra 
 canonicos super titulis eorundem ; he also promised the Bishop that he would exhibit to 
 him hia own title whenever he was pleased to ask for it. Testihus William Ludeford 
 and William Camel, Notaries Public. 
 
 In 1335, Dec. 4, the Bishop, in the presence of Stephen Trippe, Notary Public, 
 " objected" to Thomas de Haselschawe, inasmuch as while he was exercising his.late visita^ 
 tion the aforesaid Thomas de Haselschawe, Canon of Wells, had been detected in keeping 
 or frequenting public-houses (tabernas exercuit et in tabernis potavit), against the honour of 
 the clerical order, in the city of Wells, and drinking in them, which charge he thrice 
 denied. The Bishop, however, warned him never so to offend again : Oui quidem injunadoni 
 et inhibicioni idem Magister Thomas se velle parere consfanter asseruit : testihus John de 
 Carletone and William Ludeforde. {Et statim posted) Immediately afterwards, the Bishop, 
 referring to his recent visitation before mentioned, objected that Robert Ros had been 
 guilty of incontinence with Christina Coteners (?), from which charge, however, ad sui 
 peticionem tunc ibidem purgavit se, in the presence of John de Middleton, Rector of 
 Scheptone Beauchamp, and William de Ludeford. 
 
 In 1338, October 31st, Bishop Ralph, pro tribunali sedente in the Chapter House, to 
 correct and reform certain things which he had detected in the exercise of his visitatorial 
 powers, in the presence of the venerable and discreet persons hereafter named : Walter de 
 London, Dean; William de Littleton, Precentor; Richard de Thisteldene, Treasurer; 
 Michael de Estone, Succentor ; Robert Baldok, William Selton, William de Cleyangre, 
 John Martel, John Wambergh, Robert de Pencriz, Henry de Carletone, and John de 
 London, Canons, verbo dei puhlice proposito, explained to the Dean and Chapter that he 
 intended lately to visit the diocese, but that before doing so he thought it well to first of 
 all visit the Chapter of his Cathedral Church, and there correct such things as he found 
 needed attention. Accordingly a roll was exhibited, in which were written certain things 
 which had been detected and found out in his visitation, by his commissarv, John de 
 Carleton, then present, and which he then caused to be read : — 
 
 That the fruits of the church of Bornham are not applied and expended on the fabric 
 of the Cathedral Church, for which purpose the church of Bornham was appropriated to 
 
APPENDIX M. 153 
 
 the Dean and Chapter. Some discussion ensuing upon this question (aliquali tractatu 
 haLito), Robert de Baldbck and some of the Canons, in the name of the said Chapter, 
 declared that the said church of Bornham was so burdened with pensions and chantries 
 that, after deducting the pensions and other burdens, very few fruits were left, while some 
 of the Canons questioned whether the church of Bornham was ever appropriated at all for 
 such a purpose. Upon this, the Bishop, having heard these various answers, ordered that 
 the appropriation deed of the church should be looked at, and if it appeared that the 
 church aforesaid (ilia occasione fuisse appropriatam) was really appropriated to that use, 
 that the fruits of the church, after deducting aU burdens, be converted in subsidium 
 Jabrice ecdesie. 
 
 After this, John de Carleton read before the Lord Bishop, in the same Visitation roll 
 of the said Chapter (fuisse detectum) that it had been detected that certain statutes had 
 been ordained by John de Godelee, the late Dean, which are not in use nor approved by 
 use (que non usitantur nee usu approbantur) ; and since it had not appeared in the said 
 detection roll which those statutes were, and the question had been asked which they 
 were, and there had been no answer to the question, the Lord Bishop enjoined that the 
 said statutes be examinedab out Easter (circa Pascha), and be exhibited to the Bishop, so 
 that he might approve those which were approvable and reprove those which were 
 reprovable (ita quod idem dominus Episcopus possit statuta approbanda approbare et 
 reprobanda reprobare). 
 
 Also the Bishop had read from the same roll that the Canons receiving the daily 
 commons do not in common take part in all the Canonical Hours in the church, nor do the 
 vicars or other ministers do so ; and since it was answered for the said vicars that the 
 vicars are punished when they do not take part in the several Canonical Hours by the 
 loss of their daily commons, and it was alleged against the vicars before the Bishop that 
 they ought to be punished in the manner aforesaid, yet ex gracia they are allowed to 
 receive their daily commons although they have not been at service, the Bishop enjoined 
 the Canons that they must in common attend the Canonical Hours for the future. He 
 also enjoined that the Yicars who do not so attend shall go without their daily commons 
 (absque spe gratie obtinende) without any hope of getting leave. 
 
 Subsequently, after this, the Bishop had read from the same roll that the books and 
 vestments of the church need correction (indigent correccionem), and specially the books in 
 the ordinal (potissime libri in ordinali), on which matters he left the Dean and Chapter to 
 their own reason (ad rationem), and ordered them to correct and reform the said defects 
 before the next Nativity of S. John the Baptist. Some of the Canons, however, begged 
 that it might be given them till S. Michael's Day to repair the said books and vestments, 
 to which the Bishop immediately consented. Testibus John de Middleton, Rector of 
 Blocdone, and Roger Brykebek. Et mterlineomtwr hec verba et capiPulum mper vicesima 
 septima linea descendendo que verba interlineata ego Notarius infra prescriptus manu mea 
 propria scripsi ante signi mei apposicionem. 
 
 In 1338, Dec. i, John de Carleton, in the Cathedral of "Wells, appeared as the 
 oflScer of the Bishop, and delivered to Walter de London, the Dean, a letter in bene noto 
 patenter consignatam, the tenor of which was, as the care of the Cathedral Church of 
 Wells had been committed unto him from on high, and he was in the habit of watching 
 with much anxiety (sollicitudinis studio) with the eyes of his mind all that needed correc- 
 tion and reformation therein, he had in his recent visitation enjoined upon the Chapter to 
 make certain improvements, to the honour of God and the utility of the Church, and now 
 
 3x 
 
154 APPJENBIX M. 
 
 enjoined that the fruits and profits of the Church of Burnham be — as before ordered under 
 the tenor of the appropriation deed — when all lawful burdens had been defrayed, converted 
 to the uses of the fabric fund of the Cathedral Church ; and that, inasmuch as some 
 statutes definitely put forth in the time of John de Godelegh, the late Dean, had not 
 been hitherto observed, the previous detecta are here repeated, and it is said of the 
 ordinale : potissime quod libro qui ordinale vacatur magnus iminebat defectus oceasione 
 cujus minus decenter et convenienter in dicta ecclesia divina officia celebrcmtur : — and 
 whereas all these shortcomings had been detected in the recent visitation, and were still 
 uncorrected by the Chapter : vohis igitwr in virtute obediencie fir miter injungendo manda- 
 mus quatinus dicto Gapitulo nostra districtius injungatis et ipsv/nn Capitulum efficaciter 
 inducatis quod Mis nostris monicionibus et ordinacionibus parearU et eisdem studeant in 
 omnibus obedire. 
 
 Datum apud Wohy, iiii. kl. Dec, 1338. Testibus William of Bath, Vicar of the 
 Church of Wells, and John Benet, and William de Camel, Notary Public. 
 
 Nota modwm visitacionis in ecclesia Wellen in domo Capitulari. 
 
 In 1333, September 13th, the Bishop assembled in the Chapter - house with 
 Thomas de Ketforde, the Chancellor j Richarde Thysteldene, the Treasurer ; Laurence de 
 la Barre, Walter de Berthone, John de Wambergh, John Marcel, John Prymme, and 
 Robert de Stonore, Canons of the Church ; and William de TykehuUe, Proctor of Richard 
 Bury, the Dean, then absent in remote parts on business of the Bishop at Woky (tunc in 
 remotis agentis in camera ejusdem dni Episcopi apud Woky), amongst other things 
 considejred (tractarunt) amongst themselves the manner of the Bishop's visitation in the 
 Church of Wells, and at length, after some deliberation and consideration, the Bishop 
 consented and promised, at the request of some of the Canons then present (nullo ipsorum 
 quod in constabat aliqualiter oontradicente) that he would visit the Dean, and all persons 
 of Canons, Vicars, or other ministers of the Church (tantum in persona Decani) only in 
 the person of the Dean himself, or in his absence, of the Vice-dean ; and that in all things 
 in his visitation of the Church he would preserve the customs approved in manner and 
 form by his predecessor's use. And afterwards, in the same year, month, and day, in the 
 presence of the Bishop and the Dignitaries and Canons; Richard de Thistleden, the Vice- 
 dean, read a certain certificate, after which the Bishop began his visitation of the Vice- 
 dean in the presence of the above-mentioned and hereafter-named parties all padenter 
 toUerantibus, and asked him many questions as to the Canons, Vicars, and other ministers 
 of the Church, and to all these questions the Vice-dean answered, which answers the 
 Bishop ordered and caused to be written in his Visitation Roll. 
 
 Testibus John de Carleton and Walter de Banewell. 
 
 In 1336, on the 1st of May, the Bishop assembled in the Chapter-house with the 
 following Dignitaries and Canons (discretis viris): William de Littleton, Precentor; 
 Roger de Mortuomari, Archdeacon of Wells; Thomas de Retford, Chancellor; Richard 
 de Thiseldene, Treasurer ; Walter de Hulle, Sub-dean ; Michael de Estone, Succentor ; 
 and John de Brynton, Laurence de la Barre, Thomas de Haselschawe, Robert de Stonore, 
 Henry de FFullham, and Richard de Rodeneye, Canons ; then and there, in the presence 
 of the after-mentioned witnesses and the Notary Public personally appointed, when the 
 Bishop, amongst other things, exposed (exposuit) that Cecilia de Pomifrect (publica 
 meretrix reputata) had been too much in the habit of entering the houses of the aforesaid 
 Canons, and that some of them had behaved too familiarly with the same woman, and had 
 
APPENDIX M. 155 
 
 endeavoured to excuse themselves in different ways. The Bishop finally warned them, 
 one and all, to have no further communication with her, nor to receive her into their 
 houses, under pain of excommunication. 
 
 Presentibus Simon de Botiller de Barton Lincoln, John de Middleton de Shaptone 
 Beauchamp, Thomas de Aggche de Cherleton Makerel, Eectors of Churches in the diocese 
 of Bath and Wells. 
 
 Testihus Stephen Trippe and William de Camel, Notaries Public. fol. 64. 
 
 In nomine domini Amen. Anno ab incarnacione ejusdem secundum cursum et compu- 
 tacionem ecclesie Anglicane 1338. Indiccione sexta Pontificatus sanctissimi in christo 
 patris ac domini domini Benedict! divina providencia pape diiodecimi anno quarto mense 
 Aprilis die duodecima. Constitutus personaliter dns Johannes Rector ecclesie de Legh 
 Decanus de Tanton in ecclesia parochial! de Kynggestone Bathon et Well . diocese in mei 
 Notarii publici infrascripti et testium subscriptorum presencia. Literas ven . patris dni 
 Radulphi dei gracia Bathon et Well . Epi ipsius sigillo in bene noto signatas quarum tenor 
 inferius continetur publico et coram dno Ricardo de Rokebere se vicarium dicte ecclesie 
 de Kynggestone pretendente tunc ibidem presente exhibuit et dcm diim Ricardum tunc 
 ibidem ut premittitur presentem auctoritate dictarum literarum excommunicatum fuisse et 
 etiam pubUce denunciavit ac inhibuit parochiam dicte ecclesie de Kynngestone tunc ibidem 
 in numero cc. et amplius ut mihi videbatur existentibus ac ceteris aliis quibuscunque 
 Catholicis ne quia cum dicto excommunicato communicare presumeret casibus a jure 
 permissis duntaxat exceptis fructus ac redditus ac proventus et obvenciones et oblaciones 
 ad dictam vicariam quoquo modo pertinentibus. Idem Decanus auctoritate literarum 
 predictarum sequestravit et inhibuit sub pena excommunicationis ne quis paroohianus 
 dicte ecclesie quicquam eidem diio Ricardo de fructibus obvencionibus et oblacionibus dicte 
 vicarie debitas solvere presumeret quousque beneficium absolucionis merueret obtinere 
 Et statim idem Ricardus vicarius ut premittitur pubUce dixit : Si Episcopus me excommuni- 
 cavit ego ipsum excommunico. Et incontinent! ipse vicarius vestimenta sacerdotalia se 
 induens missam in eadem ecclesia de Kynggestone eisdem die et loco alta voce celebravit 
 et parochiani dicte ecclesie ad numerum ut premittitur cc. tunc ibidem in celebracione 
 dicte misse existentes . dictum Decanum et me notarium et testes subscriptos ut mihi 
 videbatur invitos in dicta ecclesia hostiis ejusdem clausis usque ad finem dicte misse 
 violenter detinuerunt nobis comminantes quod oommunionem viatici eodem die simul cum 
 ipsis ab eodem dno Ricardo recipere deberemu^. Et subsequenter eisdem die et loco finita 
 dicta missa idem dns Ricardus sacramentum eukaristie quam pluribus parochianis eisdem 
 priinitu.i offerentibus ministravit. Tenor literarum de quibus supra fit mencio dinoscitur 
 esse talis : — 
 
 Radulphus permissione divina Bathon et Well. Epus dilectis in christo filiis. Depano 
 Tanton et vicario ecclesie parochialis Tanton salutem graciam et bonitatem. Licet Ricardus 
 de Rokebere vicarius ecclesie de Kynggestone juxta Tanton nostre diocesis se pretendens 
 fuerit et sit tam auctoritate nostra pro suis manifestis offensis in non parendo mandatis 
 ecclesie contractis quam auctoritate ar* nostri Tanton ad instanciam dni 
 
 Mauricii pees Rectoris ecclesie Sti Laurencii Exon majore excommunicacionis sententia 
 legitime innodatus in quibus per XL. dies et amplius perseveraverit et adhuc animo indurate 
 dampnabiliter perseverat claves ste ecclesie nequiter contempnendo. Et quamquam obven- 
 ciones redditus et proventus dicte vicarie fuissent auctoritate nostra et etiam dicti 
 Archidiaconi ex cauais premissia quam plures sequestratse et custodia soquestri hujus certis 
 personis in forma juris oommissa dictus Ricardus obvenciones redditus et proventus sic 
 
156 APPENDIX M. 
 
 sequestrates dissipavit alienavit ac de eisdem disposuit pro sue libito voluntatis sequestrum 
 hujus in nostri et dicti Archidiaconi coutemptum violando. Quo circa vobis et utrique 
 vestrum firmiter injungendo mandamus quatenus eundem Eicardum sic excommunicatum 
 fuisse et esse in ecclesia parochiali de Kynggeston predicta et aliis ecclesiis vicinis diebua 
 dominicis et festivis intra missarum solempnia cum major aderit cleri et populi multitude 
 publice et solempniter denuncietis et facietis per alios nunciari. Inhibentes insuper 
 nequis Catbolicus cum eodem excommunicato comm^nicet casibus a jure premissis duntaxat 
 exceptis citetis ac sen citari faciatis dictum Eicardum peremptorie quod compareat coram 
 nobis officialive nostro aut ipsius Commissario die Mercurii proximo post dominicam qua 
 cantatur officium. Quasimodo . . . proxima futura in capella beate marie juxta 
 claustrum ecclesie Cathedralis Wellen Canonicum si quod habeat prepositurum quare pro 
 capcione ejusdem regie magestati scribere minime debeamus. Et quia excommunicatis 
 fructus ecclesiastici sunt merito subtrabendi fructus . redditus . proventus et obvenciones 
 dicte vicarie arcius sequestretis et sub arto et tuto custodiatis sequestro prout de eisdem. 
 vestro volueritis periculo respondere. Et cum sequestra nostra hujus necnon dicti archi- 
 diaconi prefatus Eicardus sepius violaverit ut prefertur inhibeatis subpena excommunica- 
 tionis et interdicti ne quis parochianus dicte ecclesie de Kynggeston quicquam de fructibus 
 obvencionibus et oblacionibus dicte vicarie debitis in posterum sibi solvere presumat 
 quousque absolucionis beneficium a nobis et dicto Archidiacono in forma juris meruerit 
 obtinere et hoc literatorie constat eis. Et quid in premissis feceritis necnon de valore 
 bonorum per nos ut premittitur sequestratorum et in quibus rebus consistant nos dictumve 
 officialem nostrum aut ipsius commissarium dictis die et loco certificetis seu certificet ille 
 vestrum. sub sigillo autentico qui presena mandatum fuerit executus Uteris vestris vel suis 
 patentibus habentibus hunc tenorem. 
 
 Datum apud Banewell v'°- Idus Aprilis a.d. 1338 et consecrationis nostre ix"- Acta 
 fuerunt bee que subscripsi anno . indiccione . mense die Pontificatus et loco supradictis 
 presentibus domino Mauricio Pees Reotore ecclesie sti Laurencii in civitate Exon. Jobanne 
 Lokyer et Philippo le Taillour testibus ad premissa vocatis specialiter et rogatis. Et est 
 rasura superius in tricesima nona linea a capite descendendo in hiis verbis debitis in 
 posterum si solvere presumat quousque . quam quidem rasuram. Ego notarius infrascriptus 
 feci scripsi ante signi mei apposicionem meum proprium defectum corrigendo. Et ego 
 Thomas de HuUe clericus Wellen diocesis publicus auctoritate apostoli canotarius denun- 
 ciaconi ac inhibicioni premisso necnon omnibus et singulis suprascriptis dum sicut 
 premittitur agerentur una cum dictis testibus presens fui eaque omnia et singula supra- 
 scripta sic fieri vidi et audivi scripsi et in banc publicam formam redegi signoque meo 
 signavi rogatus in fidem et testimonium premissarum.' 
 
 fol. 65. 
 
 In 1333, !N"ov. 4, the Bishop ordered John de Carleton, as his Commissary-general, to. 
 correct and punish aU excesses and abuses in Axebrigge church, pro tribunali sedens and 
 summoned Valentine de Gernevyle, and charged him with the crime of incontinence with 
 Alice Orum and Phelicia Lovelyn. He pleaded guilty, and that he had already been 
 punished for his crime with the former at the last visitation of the Bishop in his Cathe- 
 dral Church. For the second indictment he was punished by suspension and the loss of 
 his habit for six months. Testibus John de Middleton, Rector of Schepton Beauchamp 
 and Robert Mackenee, Cathedral Vicar. 
 
 Dec. i. Thomas Haselschawe confessed to having been at public-houses : three times 
 it was by special invitation quorundam magnatuum in gentaculis. 
 
APFENBIX M. 157 
 
 1337, Dec. 10. The Dean, "Walter de London, acknowledged the receipt of a certain 
 " certijkatorium " una cum quadam cedula eidem annexa from the Bishop, and caused it to 
 be read. Acknowledging its receipt, they termed themselves vester hvmilis et devotus in 
 the person of the Dean. 
 
 This visitation has been previously noticed in Appendix M. 
 
 In 1330 (?) — the dates here are clearly wrong, And have been crossed out — Bishop 
 Ralph, in the presence of 
 
 Thomas de Retfokde, Chancellor. 
 
 Richard de Thiselden, Treasurer. 
 
 Laurence de la Baere. 
 
 Waiter de Bathon. 
 
 John Wambergh. 
 
 John Martel. 
 
 John Prymme. 
 Robert de Stovore, Canons, and William de CeyhuUe, Proctor of Richard de Bury, the 
 Dean of Wells, tunc in remotis agentis in camera ipsius domini Episcopi apud Woky 
 tractarunt inter se super modo visitacionis ipsius domini Episcopi in ecclesia Wellen 
 facLende. Demum post aliquales deliberationes et tractatus cum eisdem Canonicis habitos 
 idem dominus Episcopus in presencia eorumdem Canonicorum de consilio et consensu 
 aliquorum eorumdem nulloque ipsorum Canonicorum quod in' constabat aliqualiter contra- 
 dicente cuidam peticioni dicti procuratoris consensit videlicet quod revocabit omnia per 
 ipsum vel officialem Ulegitime attemptata tangenfcia Jtirisdictionem domini Decani Wellen 
 et singula quatenus fuerant Ulegitime attemptata. Et promisit quod visitabit Decanum 
 ecclesie Wellen et singulares personas omnium canonicorum vicariorum seu ministrorum 
 ipsius ecclesie cathedralis WeUen in persona ipsius Decani presentis tantum vel ipso. 
 Decano absente in persona ipsius Decani vices gerentis et qd servabit per omnia in visita- 
 oione ipsius ecclesie Cathedralis Wellen consuetudinem hactenus approbatam juxta modum 
 et formam quibus predecessor suus hactenus usus fuerat. Consensit eciam dictus dominus 
 Episcopus quod dignitates personatus officia ao personas in eisdem constitutas ac alia loca 
 ipsius ecclesie absque prejudicio Jurisdictionis Decani more solito visitabit et Postea, &c. 
 
 At the same time and place the Bishop revoked all his previous lawless attempts 
 against the Dean's jurisdiction, and then and there interrogated the Dean's locum tenens 
 as to certain articles, to which he replied, which replies the Bishop caused to be written 
 in his Visitation Roll. 
 
 Dec, 1337. This form of visitation was actually put in force. The Dean and 
 Canons were assembled in the Chapter-house, when the Bishop proposuit verbum Dei 
 upon -which all the Canons left the Chapter-house, except those who were famMcurea 
 commensales of the Bishop. Amongst other articles of inquiry, the Bishop asked if the 
 goods of the Church were properly expended, and if the fruits of Burnham church were 
 applied to the fabric fund ; to which the Dean answered that they were not so applied j 
 and in reply to the inquiry as to the condition of the books and vestments, he also replied 
 that they were in want of repair, and specially the Ordinale required correction. 
 1339. In camera venerabilis patris Radulphi Episcopi apud Woky : — 
 The Dean, Walter de London, appeared, and said that he was ordered under a certain 
 injunction of the Bishop to produce the statutes and consuetudinary of the Cathedral 
 Church for the Bishop's approbation. Et dictum terminum non dum effluxum pretendens 
 ex parte oapituU exhibuit quedam statuta et consuetudinea per Johannem de Godelee 
 
168 APPENDIX M. 
 
 predecessorem ejusdem Decani edita et in scriptis redacta sub hao forma verborum : In 
 primis ut vestigiis aliarum ecclesiarum Oatkedralium, et seq. as on page 74. The pope's 
 name, however, is erased. After debere infuturum, p. 76. fol. 70. 
 
 Item quia a quam pluribus in partibus Well, predicatur qd quidam annelarii perpetui 
 dicte ecclie in librario ejusdem eeclie Welln horas canonicas dicentes vicario ipsius ecclie 
 quo minus libros ibidem inspicere possent multipliciter impediunt quidam eciam horaa 
 canonicas ac eciam missas in suarum animarum periculum negligenter omittunt. Et quidam 
 qd deterius tst se horas canonicas dixisse cum non dixerint confingentes ne super remissionem 
 vel negligenciam in hac parte arguantur missas non dictis matutinis eelebrare Immo verius 
 profanare presumunt. Et licet permissis in ultima visitacione dni Decani Well, detectis 
 fuisset eisdem annelariis per eundem Decanum injunctum et per eum de consensu Capituli 
 predicte ecclie ordinatum qd singuli perpetui annelarii dicte ecclie de cetero convenirent 
 omni die post primam pulsacionem ad matutinas in ecclia Scl Cuthberti Well, in capella 
 bte Marie juxtra claustrum ejusdem ecclie et in cancellis ejusdem capelle simul dicerent 
 matutinas et omnes horas canonicas ac commendacionem pro defunctis prout in choro 
 dicuntur. Et qd deinde hora vesperarum ibidem iterato convenirent vesperas et comple- 
 torium ac placebo et dirige prout dicuntur in choro ibidem dicitur Quid tamen dictorum 
 capellanorum injunctionibus et ordinacionibus parere contempserunt. Nos igitur in hac 
 convocacione ordinamus qd Decanus Well, qui pro tempore fuerit eosdem capellanos ab 
 observacionem premissorum subtraccionem stipendiorum suorum ac per censuras ecclesi- 
 asticas canonice compellat. 
 
 Ad perpetuami futurorv/m memoriam. 
 
 1337, July 1. The Bishop's Commissary, pro tribimali sedens, in the parish church 
 of Banewell, had before him Robert de Notyngham, clerk, who was charged with seques- 
 trating the goods of Thomas de Retford, chancellor, who had lately died intestate, and 
 that without authority he had administered and disposed of the same. The same Robert 
 replied that the said chancellor died testatus et non intestatus, and that the administration 
 of his goods was quite lawful under a certain will and testament, which he produced in 
 Court, and which appeared to have been witnessed, proved, and sealed by the Dean, 
 Walter de London. Quibus coram dicto Commissario in judicio tunc perlectis idem 
 Commissarius dictam probacionem et quicquid secutum fuerit de eadem nulla reputavit per 
 decretum ipsaque cassavit et eciam adnuUavit. 
 
 Tenor vero dicti testament! talis est : — 
 
 In nomine patris et filii et spiritus sancti amen. Ego Thomas de Retford Cancellarius 
 ecclesie Cathedralis Well . corpore sanus et mente die Sabbati proximo ante festum sancti 
 Dunstani anno domini millesimo ccc™° tricesimo septimo condo testamentum meum in hunc 
 modum. In primis lego animam meam deo omnipotent! et beate Mai ie matris ej us . et corpus 
 meum ad sepeliendum in capella beate Marie virginis in superiore parte chori ecclesie beate 
 Andree Well. Item lego quinque cereos quadrates ardendos circa corpus meum die 
 sepulture mee videlicet quemlibet cereum ponderis tercii libri et dimidie. Item volo quod 
 expense die sepulture mee iiant eciam et in omnibus aliis juxta dispositionem executorum 
 meorum. Item lego fratri Johanni de Retford germano meo viginti solidos. Item lego 
 Magistro Ricardo de Retford sacre theologie professor! triginta quinque solidos in quibus 
 ei teneor. Item Thome de Retford consanguineo meo quadraginta solidos. Item 
 lego fratri Thome de Retford quatuor libras sterlingorum ad satisfaciendum Johanni 
 de Horspathe et Johanni de Hamptone et Johanni de Northrim pro debitis Ma^istri 
 Rogeri Drokensfford defuncti secundum quod melius poterit expedire cum eisdem ad 
 
APPENDIX M. 159 
 
 exonerandum me et animam meam omnino de debitis predictis et hoc celerius quo 
 poterit. Item lego Ade fratri meo quadraginta solidos. Item lego Alexandro le Barbour 
 tres solidos et quatuor denarios. Item lego Isabelle nepti mee viginti solidos. Item do et 
 lego Roberto de Notyngham consanguineo meo parvum portiforium meum notatum . duo- 
 decim discos meos argeateoa . et duodecim salfaria argentea que omnia sanus et superstes 
 dedi eidem manibus meis propriis in presencia certorum testium ad hoc vocatorum viz. : 
 Domini Ricardi Bray, WUlielmi de Codeworthe, Johannis de Hywissh et domini Stephani 
 de Kyngeston. . . . Item do et lego predicto Roberto de Notyngham consanguineo 
 meo totam garderobam meam integram cum pertinenciis postea que inferius sunt legata 
 isto testamento. Item lego domino Henrico de ffulham unam cuppam argenteam cum 
 coopertulo. Item lego domino Hugoni de Alreford unum ciphum argenteum. Item lego 
 domino Stephano de Kynggestone unum ciphum argenteum. Item lego domino Ricardo 
 de Bray unum ciphum argenteum et unam robam de rubeo cum tribus garniamentis. Item 
 lego domino Ricardo de Tythemersh unum ciphum argenteum. Item volo quod executores 
 mei respibiant illos qui michi deserviebant tempore decessus mei secundum quod viderint 
 melius fore faciendum ita quod debita non remaneant insoluta. Omnia autem bona mea 
 residua ubicunque fuerint inventa do et lego Roberto de Notyngham consanguineo meo. 
 Et ad ista et omnia facienda et exequenda nomine executoris ordino facio et constituo 
 executores meos dominum Henricum de ffulham . Robertum de Notyngham . dominum 
 Hugonem de Alresford, dominum Stephanum de Kynggestone. In cujus rei testimonium 
 sigillum meum presentibus apposui. 
 
 Tenor vero probationis dicti testamenti de quo supra fit mencio talis est : — 
 Probatum est presens testimonium coram nobis Waltero de London Decano ecclesie 
 Wellen apud Well. viii. kal. Junii . mcccxxxvii. et pronunciatum per eodem Juratisque 
 Roberto de Notyngham extra nominato et dominis Waltero vicario de Kynggesbury ac 
 Johanne Anketil presbitero dominis Hugone de Alresford et Stephano de Kynggestone 
 cujus administracionis expresse recusantibus subire et reservata potestate committendi 
 administracionem bonorum defuncti infrasoriptis domino Henrico de ffulham cum eam 
 venerit in forma juris petiturus commisimus administracionem omnium bonorum dicti 
 defuncti in nostra jurisdictione existencium dicto Roberto et Johanni Anketil et Waltero 
 vicario de Kinggesbury prefatis quos quidem Walterum et Johannem administratores 
 bonorum predictorum ex officio deputamus. Et quia idem dominus Walterus non est 
 possessor inmobilium in jurisdictione nostra predicta Thomas Testwode civis Well, manu- 
 cepit pro eodem in forma juris. 
 
 1339. The last day of May, about Vesper time, Richard de Tychemersh and Philip of 
 Bristol, Vicars of Wells and the Commissaries of the Dean and Chapter, appeared in the 
 hall of the Manor-house at Woky and presented unum pwnem — unum porcum et unum, 
 utrem m^done plenum — one-half the annual rent due to the Bishop from the Abbot and 
 convent of the Monastery of Glaston, which the Bishop immediately handed over to his 
 famiUares, and ordered them to be distributed amongst the poor. Witnessed by Symon 
 de ffareweye, clerk of the diocese of Exeter. 
 
 fol. 67 b. 
 
 Vicesimo nono die Octobris ab incarnacione domini millesimo tricentesimo septimo . 
 indiccione, &c. The Commissary of the Bishop objeoit Henrico Payn, of the Parish of 
 Evercreech, in that he had committed adultery with Isabel de Bighorn, but the said Henry 
 negavit se dictum crimen ab ultima correccione coram officiali domini Decani Well, de dicto 
 
160 APPENBIX M. 
 
 crimine facta se commidsse cui idem commissarius pwrgacionem indixit qui in forma sibi 
 per dictum commissarium auctoritate dicti domini Epi indicta de dicto crimine ah ultima 
 correcdone hujusmodi ibidem se purga/oit. 
 
 These doings are always so noted by tlie Notaiy Public : — 
 
 Et ego Stephanus Trippe clericus Bathon et Wellen diocesis publicus auctoritate 
 apostolica notarius premissis omnibus et singulis prout suprascribuntur presens interfui ea 
 que sic fieri vidi et audivi ac scripsi et in hano publicam formam redegi meoque de 
 mandato dictorum commissarorium signo signavi in fidem et testimonium premissorum. 
 
 1338, September. John de Middleton, discretus vir, Rector of Blocdone, General 
 Commissary of Bishop Ralph to correct and punish all excesses, crimes, and delinquencies 
 sedens pro tribunali in the Parish Church of Ban-well, objected that Alice Manshupe de 
 Blakeford, then personally appearing before him in judgment, had been guilty of the 
 crime of fornication with Richard atte PuUe ; and she confessed that she had been guilty 
 of this crime at Blakeforde: for which the Commissary enjoined her to walk twice bare- 
 footed, for a said time, round the Church of Banwell. 
 
 Cristine Cokes de Cokelake was charged with the same crime with John de Counte- 
 nyle the younger, of Albartone. The same sentence was inflicted in this case. 
 
 Robert de Hulle and John Pride were called as witnesses of these acts and sentences, 
 at the aforesaid time and place. 
 
 In dei nomine Amen. fol. 72. 
 
 Per hoc publicum instrumentum cunctis apparebit evidenter quod decimo nono die 
 mensis Junii anno ab incarncacione millesimo ccc™°- tricesimo octavo Indiccione sexta 
 apud Gupwycnan Norwycen. diocesis in majori camera hospicii habitacionis Johannis. Irp 
 situati in vico vocato Seyntepetrestrete in mei Notarii publici et testium infrascriptorum 
 presencia personaliter constitutos . ven. vir magister Ricardus de Bynterworthe clericus 
 Canonicus ut dicebatur ecclesie Well, et prebendarius prebende de Shaldeford in eadem 
 ipsum canonicatum et prebendam in nianibus ven. in christo patris et domini domini 
 Radulphi dei gratia Bathon et Well. Episcopi voluntarie et non coactus ut mihi videbatur 
 resignavit sub hac forma verborum. Canonicatum et prebendam de Shaldeford quos habeo 
 in ecclesie Welln in sacras manus ven. in christo patris domini Radulphi dei gratia Bathon 
 et Wellen. Episcopi pure sponte simpliciter et absolute cum suis juribus et pertinenciis 
 universis resigno . supplicans quatinus idem ven. pater istam resignacionem meam velit 
 admittere et de predictis canonicatu et prebenda disponere. 
 
 Testibus Ralph Moygne, clerk, and Walter de fibxcote, viro literato, famiUa/rs of the 
 said Richard. 
 
 1338, March 13. In the chapel of the Bishop's palace at Wells, appeared Robertusatte 
 Boxe, and "purely, spontaneously, and absolutely" took the corporal oath on the Gospels that 
 he would never give counsel, help, or favour knowingly to John de Acton, miles, against 
 the Bishop or his officials or ministers, and that if it happen that the said John, or anyone 
 else on his behalf or in his name, should plot anything which could " verge " to the loss or 
 injury to the persons or things, of the said Bishop, and knowledge should come to him, he 
 would reveal it, and do his best to prevent it. 
 
 In 1337. In dei nomine. Ajmen. 
 
 The Bishop's Commissary summoned Walter de London, Dean of Wells, to appear 
 before Ralph the Bishop in the Chapter-house, where he was then exercising his right as 
 Visitor of the Cathedral, in the presence of Stephen Trippe, Notary Public, and other 
 
APPENDIX M. 161 
 
 witnesses whose names are written below. He here called upon the Dean to then and 
 there exhibit his title, to which inquiry the Dean replied as follows : — Paratus sum ad 
 exhibendum titulum meum quumcunque placet domino (designando dictum domiuum 
 Episcopum) et bene volo quod dominus vocet Canonicos ecclesie Welln et quod contra eos 
 quantum ad titulos prooedat : presentibus diacretis viris magistris J. de Carleton et W. de 
 Ludeford, Notario publico, testibus ad hec vocatis et rogatis. 
 
 Afterwards, on the 15th day of the same month, Simon de BristoU, whom ex cauna 
 permutacionis the Bishop had made Chancellor of the Cathedral, took the corporal oath on 
 the Gospels, quod residebit in ecclesia Wellen prout statuta ejusdem ecclesie Well, 
 requirunt quodque legi vel legi faciet vel in Theologia vel in Decretis temporibus ad 
 lecturam hujus faciendam in TJniversitate Oxon conauetis juxta ordinacionem dicti 
 domini Episcopi nuper lectura hujus factam quodque erit obediens eidem domino Episcopo 
 et ejus officiali et ministris in Canonicis et Ileitis mandatis. 
 
 1337. In November, in the chapel of the Bishop's palace, Ealph the Bishop 
 appointed John de Middleton, late Rector of Scepton Beauchamp in that diocese. 
 Chancellor of the Cathedral, who immediately took the same oath, and swore that in the 
 same month ia which he obtained peaceable possession of the Cancellariate he would read 
 lectures or find a reader there and then. 
 
 1337. "When William de Littleton, Precentor, presided over the Chapter (in the 
 absence of the Dean and Sub-dean), he asked Simon de BristoU to take the oath of 
 obedience to the Dean and Chapter, according to the statutes and customs of the Church. 
 He replied, however, that those who were collated to dignities in the Cathedral Church 
 were bound to take the oath of obedience to the Bishop, and are not subject to the Dean, 
 or to obey the orders of the Dean and Chapter. His protest, however, was but half- 
 hearted, for the Precentor not allowing the allegation or reply, the aforesaid Simon took 
 
 the usual oath. 
 
 Poverty of Bishopric. 
 
 Pope John XXII., on receipt of letters from Bishop Ralph, seems to have issued a 
 commission to inquire into the condition of the Episcopal funds, which were by these letters 
 represented as adeo tenues et exiles qitod viginti librarum wrgenti summam ammis communibus 
 rum excedant ex quibus ipse sine (emporalium dictcwum ecdeda/rum percepelone proventuum 
 juxta pontificalis status decenciam non potest commode sustentari. The king, by no lawfully 
 constituted authority, had seized the temporalities of the see : wherefore idem Episcopus 
 cUtente condderams se et ecclesias suas predictas nullam ecclesiam nee locum aliquem 
 spirituakm mense sue Episcopali appropriatam seu appropriatas habere in quo idem 
 Episcopus caput suum reclinare valeret si eum propter execucionss mandatorum, &c. And 
 again : quin immo eundem oporteret Episcopum in pontificalis staifus obprobrium et inde- 
 cenciam mendica/re pro parte sua, &c. Accordingly, in 1342, on the 4th of the Nones of 
 September, the manor of Chew was united to the Bishopric. 
 
 In the Liber Ruber, at the end of the parcftment documents above mentioned, there 
 appear to have been cut out five leaves of paper, agreeing (from what we can see of the 
 writing) with the Chapter Acts which follow to the end of the volume ; the only marginal 
 
 reading in these scraps which remain is the p,dmission of Wellow to a chantry at the 
 
 altar of S. Edmund. The first page begins with a note about the Chapter Acts, in the same 
 handwriting as that of the index at the beginning of the Liber Ruber, and those to the 
 Liber Albus I. and II, which have been edited by Mr. P. H. Dickinson. The previous page 
 evidently contained the annual appointments of capitular officers for the year 1486— not 
 
 3y 
 
162 APPJENDIX M. 
 
 1487, as stated on the top of the page — this beginning with the Auditors, and the announce- 
 ment (afterwards cancelled) Dominus Andreas Gromtham perpetitatus est in cantaria sua. 
 The annual collations and appointments have been collected into one schedule, so that 
 they will not appear as originally written in these Chapter Acts, year after year. 
 
 The first entry we find has no date, but "eodem die j" and as according to Statute 
 the collations to the various chantries took place on the feast of S. Jerome, we cannot but 
 conclude that that term represents September 30th, on which day the Sub-dean, being 
 president of the Chapter, the Dean, John Gunthorp, was deputed to be their negociorum 
 gestorem penes Regem Anglice et principes, which, it appears, concerned the defence and 
 prosecution of the business of the Cathedral of Wells and the rights of the Dean. The 
 usual forty days of grace, which we afterwards find so repeatedly extended to every 
 member of the Chapter, was here granted, with this proviso, which was never acted upon : 
 dictam tamen gratiam voluerunt ad futwrum, or ad futv/ros canonicos residentiarios, non 
 extendi. 
 
 February 2. — The Archdeacon of Bath and Richard Nykke, doctor of law, were 
 appointed (as far as we can judge, for the corner of the page is torn oflF) indubitatos 
 procuratores for the Chapter to Convocation. 
 
 February 19. — Present John "Wanfforde, Sub-dean "presea Oapituli;" Thomas 
 Overay, Precentor; Hugh Sugar, Treasurer; John Austell, William Chokke, Richard 
 Worthyngton, and John Hyll, Canons Residentiary ; desiring, as they said, to consent to 
 and satisfy the wish and desire of the Most Reverend Father in God Robert, Bishop of 
 Bath and Wells, granted the (next) presentation of the perpetual Vicarage of Chedder {ad 
 ipsorum patronaiwm spectaviem) to Mr. Thomas Goldwegge, Notary Public and Bishop's 
 Registrar : the Dean then, with the consent of the Chapter, warned the said Thomas 
 Goldwegge that he must provide for the presentation of his vicarage of Sturminster 
 Newton disponanda per dictum Decanum et Gap. ad suorum vohintatem. On the 9th of 
 April, however, Thomas Goldwegge appeared, and said, se nulla modo presentacionem 
 ad dandam potuisse obtinere. To this passage " vacat" is placed in the margin, and the 
 latter part of the entry, after voluntatem, appears to have been added subsequently. 
 
 February 23. — William Albon was, on the testimony of the Vicars, admitted to a 
 perpetual vicarage, with Lofman for his ascultor. The full details as to the process, 
 which was called " quindenacio,'' is more fully described further on. 
 
 March 2. — " Virtute mandati " Episcopi, the Sub-dean admitted John Giglys Canon 
 and Prebendary of Cumba XIIIL, in the person of Thomas Overay, Precentor. The 
 various technical forms and language usual on such occasions wiU be found under future 
 entries of a similar character. 
 
 In March, by his own nomination, John Vowell, "juxta ordinacionem vods sue 
 secundum formam actorum capitulwrium," conferred the perpetual chantry at the altar of 
 S. Edmund, in the nave of the Cathedral Church, upon Richard Childe, Chaplain. 
 
 April 9, 1487. — The Dean and Chapter granted to John Vowell presentacionem ad 
 vicariam perpetuam ecclesie pa/rochialis de Gheddre per mortem Thome Marsh uUimi 
 possessoris (he had been appointed to two or three offices at the recent audit) at the 
 instance and special requisition of the most illustrious Prince Henry, King of England. 
 
 The same day John Hyll, Canon, and John Stephenes, Vicar Choral, were appointed 
 to supervise and finish the building of the new houses in New Street, Wells. 
 
 John Austell was also appointed official of the Peculiar Jurisdiction of the Dean and 
 Chapter {qualitercumque spectantis), and received the seal of his office. 
 
APPENDIX M. 163 
 
 April 18. — The Dean and Chapter held a " mutual communication" with the Abbot of 
 the Monastery of Athelney, " de et super controversia," between them as to certain lands 
 in Northcory, and as to which they consented hino inde stare h/udo et arbitrio quatuor 
 hominihus jurisperitorum, viz., duohus ecclesiasticis et duohus secula/ribus : the Chapter 
 was then prorogued. 
 
 There is then an entry (which has been scratched out) concerniag the violation of 
 the rights of the Dean and Chapter in a matter of some importance even at the present 
 day, and which is repeated on the next page at greater length and with full details, 
 beginning thus : — 
 
 "Acta habita in domo Oapitulari Ecclesie Cathedralis "Wellen super violacione statu- 
 tornm et laudabilium oonsuetudinum dicte ecclesie per installacionem Magistri Ricardi 
 Worthyngton in preposituram ecclesie Cathedralis predicte et prebendam de Cumba XII. 
 in eadem virtute cujusdam Mandati Reverendi in Christo patris et Domini Dominornm 
 Eoberti dei Gratia Bathon et Wellen Episcopi Magistro Hugoni Sugar Thesaurario dicte 
 ecclesie Cathedralis directi." 
 
 April 19. — The Dean and Chapter (Hugh Sugar, Treasurer, being present) habuerunt 
 communicacionem cum Magistro Hugone Sugar de et super injusta ac fwrtiva induccione et 
 installacione M. R. Worthington in prepositwram ecclesie Cathedralis Wellen vigore cujusdam 
 mandati episcopi per ipsum Magistrum H. Suga/r. Yigilie pasche gestis et factis et cet. 
 Chapter prorogued till April 20th, on which day, Hugh Su,gar, the Treasurer, only being 
 absent, the Dean and Chapter signed certain letters missive, and caused them to emanate 
 under their seal. Nemine discrepante aut contradicente. They moreover, one and all, 
 promised to observe, defend, and support all the rights, statutes, and laudable customs of 
 the Church, specially those concerning the installation of the provost, at their own common 
 cost and expense, and protested, palam et publice, collectively and individually, that they 
 intended to do nothing to the prejudice of the Bishop's jurisdiction, and they then and 
 there appointed, in all suits, business, and quarrels concerning themselves, John Austell 
 and John Lasty, canons, and John Emlyn, William Chaunte, and John Rede, general 
 proctors of Canterbury, and John Monyman, vicar choral, their proctors, conjwnctim et 
 divisim, before certain Judges, cum omnibus clausulis necessariis cum clausula substituendi. 
 
 The Provocacio was then issued under the seal of the Dean and Chapter by John 
 Monyman, in writing, which he read and pronounced (leget et provocavit) to the apostolic 
 see and our lord the Pope (this word has been scratched out), in the presence of Thomas 
 Wade, Notary Public — testibus Richard Huchons, John Lemman, and John Aleyn, 
 Vicars Choral, for this purpose specially called, and then and there the Dean deputed 
 John Austell and John Lasty to ask for and receive in the name of the Dean and 
 Chapter the third key of the Common Seal then in the custody of Hugh Sugar, the 
 Treasurer, for the purpose of sealing their proctorial notice and certain other writings and 
 muniments. The Chapter was adjourned till the next day, when, in the presence of the 
 same Dignitaries and Canons, the aforesaid Canons appeared and stated that they had, 
 diversis vicibus, with Mr. Thomas Wade and sufficient witnesses, been to the residence of 
 Mr. Hugh Sugar for the purpose of getting the key, but that the said Hugh Sugar had 
 refused to give up the third key, and said that he should keep it, to the grievous prejudice 
 and contempt of the Chapter, 
 
 April 24. — Immediately after the chanting of prime {im/mediate post horam primam 
 decantatam), John Monyman, vicar choral, proctor of the Dean and Chapter, appeared 
 in the choir before Mr. Worthington, preposiiMm, dicte ecclesie pretendentem, then in 
 
164 APPHNDIX M. 
 
 his stall, and read a certain monition, requisition, and protest, in writing, as follows :— 
 "In dei nomine. Amen. Ego Johannes Monyman procurator Venerabilium virorum 
 Decani et Capituli ecclesie Cathedralis Wellen procuratorio nomine eorumdem dominonim 
 meorum peto moneo et requiro primo secundo et tercio et peremptorie ac eciam instanter 
 instancius et instantissime te magistrum Eicardum Worthinton qui te geris et nominas 
 prepositum de Cumba in dicta ecclesia Wellen ac canonicum et prebendarium prebends de 
 Cumba XII. eidem prepositure annexas in eadem quatenus juxta laudabilem consuetu- 
 dinem ejusdem ecclesie et prout do minus Johannes Garnesey et Magister Ricardus Swann 
 nuper prepositi de Cumba fecerunt prestes coram dictis dominis meis Decano et Capitulo 
 in domo Capitulari dicte ecclesie omnia et singula jnramenta tarn racione prepositure quam 
 canonicatus et prebende eidem annexorum prestari solita et que dicti nuper prepositi in 
 personis suis ad sacra dei evangelia per eos et eorum alterum corporaliter tacta coram 
 Decano et Capitulo d. E. W. prestiterunt. Et protestor ego procurator Antedictus 
 procuratorio nomine dictorum dominorum meorum D. et 0. nisi premissa feceris ut supra 
 scribuntur quod contra te prosequentur et agent dicti domini mei Dec. et Cap. in judicio 
 coram judice competenti tanquam violatorem et impugnatorem jurium et cousuetudinum 
 laudabilium ac antea usitatcirum dicte ecclesie. Et insuper intimo tibi ac denuncio quod 
 nullam communem racione canonicatus et prebende de Cumba XII. prefate prepositure 
 annexorum quousque quousque premissa juramenta prestiteris percipies. Notifico eciam 
 tibi quod dicti domini mei pro injuria per te eis illata in hac parte sedem apostolicam et 
 pro tuicione eorum ad Curiam Cantuariensem provocaverunt et appellarunt." There were 
 then present, probis viris, Robert Stowell (armigero), Richard Yowell (generoso), and many 
 others, including Thomas "Wade. And when the monition had been thus fully read, the 
 Dean and Chapter left the choir and went to the Chapter House, where they held a 
 " mutual communication '' (adinvicem), and adjourned till the following Saturday, or, if 
 need required, to any other earlier day. 
 
 Apeil 27. — At the nomination of W. Chokke juxta ordinem vocis sue secundum 
 formam actorum Gapitularium, the Dean, with the consent and assent of the Chapter, 
 conferred the office of Chaplain of the Hospital of S. Saviour and the Most Blessed Mary 
 the Virgin, and All Saints', near the Church of S. Cuthldrt, in Wells, upon William Corbet. 
 Andrew Grantham, Vicar Choral, and Thomas Wade were deputed to induct him. 
 
 April 28. — John Gyles was admitted to a perpetual vicarage in the Cathedral, on 
 the testimony of the Vicars ; and as he was unable, propter infirmitatem, to say the whole 
 psalter then and there by heart, the Dean admonished him that he must learn it iTifra 
 breve, under statutable penalties to the contrary. 
 
 May 2. — The Dean and Chapter gave Richard Hygons, instructor of the choristers, 
 for his diligent labour and good service to the honour of God and S. Andrew, impenso et 
 in posterum impendendo, xxvi^- viii'^- annually in augmentation of his annual pension 
 from the proceeds of a vacant stall, for the term of his life, absque revocacione ejusdem 
 concessionis: and the Chapter then adjourned till May 8th, but on May 3rd, "virtuteman- 
 dati Episcopi," assistentibus the Precentor, Sub-dean, and two Canons, the Dean admitted 
 Robert Botler in canonicum et con/ratrem e. c. W. de prebendarium prebende de Hen^strig 
 and he was installed in his own person. 
 
 Mat 8. — The following Act is given in full, as illustrating an exceptional instance 
 of the Dean and Chapter appointing to a prebendal stall ^wre devoluto : — 
 
 " Octavo die mensis Mail anno domini supradicto Venerabiles Viri M. J. Gun thorp 
 Decano ; Thomas Overay, Precentor ; J. Wanfforde, Subdecanus ; J. Lasty et W. Boket 
 
APPEJSTDIX M. 165 
 
 Can. Residentiarii j in Capitulo oongregali eb Capitulum facientes contulerunt Domino 
 J. Combe, -vicario chorali ecolle catli., predicte Stallum Prebende de Compton Epi vacans 
 et ad ipsorum collacionem jure devoluto legitime spectans Ipsumque dominum J. prefatus 
 dominus Decanus in domo Capitulari ad stallum predictum admisit cum juribus suis et 
 pertinenciis nniversis et decrerit eum installandum fore in eodem ut est moris. Et tunc 
 cum consensu confratrum suorum presenoium dictum Capitulum usque ad xii. die Maii 
 continuavit." 
 
 May 12. — The Dean, assisted by the Precentor, Sub-dean, and three Canons (amongst 
 whom was John Vowell), recited, revealed, and intimated to John Yowell all that they 
 had done as to the usurpation of the Treasurer and R. Worthington, their defence of the 
 customs and rights of the Church, and their provocation and appeal, all of which John 
 Vowell affirmed, approved, and ratified. 
 
 May 19. — The Dean and Chapter ordered {concluserunt ordinaverunt et statuerumt) 
 that, pending the action now being carried on between them and the Treasurer and 
 R. Worthington, the pretended Provost' of the Church, the third key of the common seal 
 should not remain in the custody of Mr. Hugh Sugar, although he was senior Canon 
 Residentiary, because, although he had been asked by the Dean and Chapter to give it up, 
 he flatly refused and declined to do so {negavit ac penitus recusavit) ; and they also decreed 
 that although Hugh Sugar, as senior Canon, would properly be president of the Chapter 
 in the absence of the Dean and Sub-dean, that Mr. Thomas Overay, the Precentor, should 
 be president, and have the custody of the said key. The same day John Vowell, as 
 manager of their affairs before the King and his princes, received leave of absence till 
 Michaelmas. Chapter adjourned till May 25 ; but the Chapter met on May 22 to ratify 
 the said " concession of grace," and again adjourned. They met, however, again on the 
 24th to deliver a certain scriptwm obUgatorium under their common seal to Hugh Sugar, 
 John Wanfforde, and John Aleyn, executors of Richard Swann, late Provost of the 
 Cathedral Church, per quod the said Dean and Chapter bound themselves to pay to the 
 said executors annually the third part of the annual rent of a certain water mill in the 
 domain of Northcory, after the building, erection, and construction of the said mill, 
 excepting and deducting only its annual repair. 
 
 May 25. — The Dean and Chapter, at the instant request of the Dean the said 
 Canon (the words are ad instamiem requisidonem domini decani dicti canonici), gave to 
 the Dean for building his house at Bytesham six oaks — sex quarcos pro meremio de silva 
 decani et capituli in domino illorum apud Wynnescomh, — and ordered John Austell, 
 Seneschall of the Church, to deliver them. 
 
 The same day leave was given to John Vowell to take down {ad prosternendum 
 ohruendum et destruendum) a ruinous dwelling near the high road within his own 
 dwelling-house, on condition that he would erect and construct the hall of his house within 
 two years. 
 
 June 1. — John Jenyn was admitted in vicarium non perpetuatum (he having been 
 lately admitted vicar), on the usual testimony of the Vicars Choral : John Lemman was 
 appointed his ascultor. 
 
 June 2.— Certain letters were presented to the Dean and Chapter from the Arch- 
 bishop of Canterbury, Primate of all England, and Legate of the Apostolic See, in which 
 he said that it had come to his ears that his truly beloved Richard Worthinton had 
 auctoritate ordinaria got himself installed Provost of the Church of Wells, and— jus tamen 
 eum installamdi cui simpUciter coryipetit non arguimius (?) super hoc utrique parti jus 
 
166 APPENDIX M. 
 
 suUm in domino relinquenies — it was his wish and care to take away all cause for action 
 which might affect the honour of God and His Church, and to encourage peace and quiet 
 rather than calumny ; and since the said Richard is willing to renounce all the benefit 
 and rights of his former installation in deference to their right, and to submit himself to 
 them and the Lord Bishop, he therefore prayed to them kindly to admit and install him, 
 as belongeth to them, and to shew all favour towards him, and so on. The letter was 
 written at Kyllyngworth, on May 23rd, 1487, and on being read the Chapter adjourned 
 to the 5th June, but for "certain just and legitimate reasons" further adjourned till the 
 next day, when (and this entry was evidently thought to be of great importance, as the 
 full dates are first given) they mulcted Richard Worthington, Canon Residentiary, for his 
 disobedience, contempt, and perjury, in ^20 of money at the hands of John Austell, 
 seneschall of the Church, to be paid sine dilacione infra tn-iduwm. The same day letters 
 patent were "exhibited" from the Archbishop of Canterbury and Legate of the Apostolic 
 See, siyiUo tnagno in cero rubea sigillatas, and at the same time and place letters patent, 
 under the seal of the Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells, directed to the Treasurer, Hugh 
 Sugar, commanding him (1) to induct and install Richard Worthington into the Provost- 
 ship and Oanonry and prebend of Cumba XII. thereto annexed, and to assign him the 
 place in Chapter belonging to the said provostship, canonry, and prebend, vacant by the 
 death of Richard Swann. In the bishop's letter he says that the provostship and canonry 
 and prebend of Cumba XII. ad nostram collacionem plena jure spectant, and that he 
 institutes and canonically invests him with the said dignity, with all its contingent 
 burdens, duties, and privileges — juribus et consuetudinibus nostris Hpiscopalibus 
 Mcclesiarumque nostrwrum Cathedralium, Bathon et Wellen dignitate in omnibus et semper 
 salvis; he therefore commands Richard Worthington be given real and corporal possession 
 of the dignity aforesaid, with his place in choir and chapter. This was sealed and signf d 
 by the Bishop atJiis house at Oxford, in the diocese of Lincoln, on April 11th, 1487. 
 
 So when both the letters of the Archbishop and Bishop had been read, Richard 
 Worthington renounced the whole benefice received from the commission of the Bishop 
 and his installation (exinde) by the said Hugh Sugar, and for his part humbly submitted 
 himself, asking and begging (rogans et supplicans) that the Dean and Chapter would be 
 pleased to admit him afresh (denuo) as a canon and brother by reason of the prebend of 
 Cumba XII., and to assign him the place in choir and Chapter belonging of old to the 
 Provostship and Canonry. This renunciation, submission, and supplication, reduced to 
 writing, he of his own free will and accord (ex sua mera et propria voluntate) then read ; 
 therein he declared that he. Provost of the Cathedral Church of S. Andrew, and Canon 
 and Prebendary of Cumba XII. annexed to the said Provostship, does here renounce and 
 recede quatinus jwri vestro domini decani et capituli derogavit aut derogare videntwr ah 
 omni jure titulo et possessione mifd adquisita racione instaUaoionis mee nuper in choro : 
 he added that the commission of the Bishop, executed by Hugh Sugar, was minus juste 
 et contra statuta et laudabiles consuetudines dicte ecclesie : this submission he made matura 
 deliberadone, and that he proffered his present request nulla modo coactum set pure 
 simpliciter et spante, and was willing to take all the necessary oaths. Finally he declared : 
 Et protestor in Mis scriptis me nunquam molestaturum vos dominum decanum et 
 capitulum, nee aliquam personam nee vestras aut alicujus vestrum familiares servitores 
 adherentes seu fautores per me aut per alium quovis modo pro aliqua re causa vel 
 materia avigilia pasche ultima preterita ante hunc sextum diem Jwnii A.I), mcccclxxxvii. 
 et cet et cet. Et quod vos dictos Dec. et Cap. et quemlibet vestrum pro hao nova in- 
 
APPENDIX M. 167 
 
 stallacione mea servaho et procwraho servari indempnes erga dictum Reverendum in 
 ckristo patrem et successores suos ac alios quoscumque contra vos aliquid hac occasione 
 attempta/re volentes. After this the Dean, with the consent of the Chapter, accepted 
 the said renunciation and submission et juramenti prestationem (ac benigne recepit), 
 and kindly received him and. ordered him to be inducted to the Provostship and 
 Canonry, and Prebend of Cumba XII. annexed to the same, prout in quada/m, scedula 
 papari quam tunc in manibus tenuit continebatur : this document, after setting forth the 
 renunciation of Richard Worthington, and that he had just taken the corporal oath, adds : 
 Gonsiderato insuper tarn statu in qito est impresendarum Reverendus in christo pater et 
 dominus noster ut non possis habere liberum ad eum accessum pro novo mandato sua decano 
 el capitulo ut maris fuit dirigendo ad te indibcendv/m et instoMandum et seq : after setting 
 forth the peril he had incurred by the Bishop's unjust mandate, and the advice and 
 counsel, no less than the hortamenta et preces which they had received from venerable 
 doctors of law and the Bishop and Archbishop, which hortamenta et preces loco mandaii 
 (uti par est) habere nos convenit, and that apart from all intention of prejudice to the 
 Episcopal dignity of their father the Bishop {jaatris et pastoris), they protest that they 
 intend to preserve, at all costs, whole, unhurt, and inviolate {integra illesa et inviolata), 
 their rights and the rights of the Church ad que servamda juramento astringimur. 
 
 Moreover the Dean, with the assent and consent of his brethren of the Chapter, 
 vices suas commisit ac plenam in domino potestatem to ~W. Boket and John Hyll, Canons 
 Residentiary, to install and induct R. Worthington to the Provostship of the Church and 
 his place in the Chapter.* After this he also took all the necessary oaths in the presence 
 of the Dean and Chapter ; and then the aforesaid Canons, with the witnesses hereafter 
 named, left the Chapter House and entered the choir of the Church, where they inducted 
 the said R. W. to the Provostship, Canonry, and Prebend of Cumba XII., assigned him 
 the stall belonging to the said Provostship Ipsfwmque realiter installwrunt in eodem. They 
 then returned to the Chapter House and assigned him his place in the Chapter et ipsum 
 posuerunt in eodem; which finished, the Dean admitted R. Worthington {sepedictum 
 R. W.) as Canon and brother, and received him to the kiss of peace. 
 
 Present at this installation, induction, and assignation of place in the Chapter, the 
 discreet and honourable John Combe, Richard Huchons, John Monyman, vicars choral ; 
 and Peter Motyn, clerk, notary public; and many other credible witnesses specially 
 summoned and called ; " and me, Thomas Wade, notary public and writer of the acts." 
 
 July 3. — The Precentor, Sub-dean, Provost (sepedictus R. W.). John Laaty, 
 William Boket, and William Chokke, Canons Residentiary, admonished Thomas Titrygge 
 terciwm Altaristami (ut di/oertat se) to dispose himself to take the Canonical oath of 
 obedience to the Dean and Chapter, in accordance with the Statutes of the Church. 
 
 July 19. — Thomas Gilbert, Doctor of Decrees, was by authority of the Bishop 
 admitted, inducted, and installed Canon and Prebendary of Hengstrigg. In the absence 
 of Thomas Wade, Thomas Goldwegge was specially appointed (assumptus) scribe. 
 
 August 27. — Hugh. Sugar, Treasurer, being President, the Sub-dean was presented 
 to the perpetual vicarage of S. Cuthbert's, at Wells, vacant by the death of Richard 
 Worthington. 
 
 Sept. 8. — The Dean, John Gunthorp, offered and presented in the Treasury one 
 ima^e of the glorious Virgin Mary, of silver gilt, weighing 163 ounces, which the afore- 
 
 * The word vacat is here written between the lines. 
 
168 APPHNBIX M. 
 
 said Dean gave to the Cathedral Church, to the honour of God and the most holy Yirgin 
 Mother of God, and S. Andrew, there to remain in the Treasury for ever, to the intent 
 that he might in his lifetime be specially commemorated amongst the living benefactors of 
 the Church, and after his decease amongst the dead. 
 
 Sept. 18. — The Dean and Chapter, in domo capitulcm, sepedicta capitulariter con- 
 gregati, received letters mandatory from the Bishop, under the common seal of the College 
 of the Blessed Mary and S. George, within the Castle at Windsor, [directing them] to 
 install William Smyth, in utroque jure Baccalaurium, to the Provostship, Canonry, and 
 Prebend of Cumba XII. thereto annexed, to which the Bishop had .lately appointed him. 
 In these letters he distinctly says that in instituting and investing him with the aforesaid 
 dignity in the Cathedral Church, and to all the rights thereof — jwribus et consuetudinibus 
 nostris ecclesiarumque nostrarum Cath. Bathon et Wellen dignitatum in omnibus semper 
 salvis ; and this charge he commits to them commwniter et divisim; and, which is remark- 
 able, the Bishop adds that as he has not got his seal with him he gives his letters under 
 the seal of the College of S. Mary and S. George in Windsor Castle, in the diocese of 
 Sarum, Sept. 12, 1487. Thereupon Thomas Overay, Precentor, appointed proctor for 
 W. Smyth, toot the required oaths ; the Dean then ordered him to be installed, and had 
 him installed (installandum fore decrevit et installari feoii) in the Provost's stall, by John 
 Lasty and John Hyll, and afterwards assigned him his place in the Chapter, and received 
 him ad pads osculwm. In this case Thomas Wade has appended his monogram. 
 
 Sept. 18. — Thomas Wade, before the Dean and Chapter, swore on the gospels that 
 he would keep secret the Chapter counsels, and never, for favour of anyone or filthy lucre, 
 write anything in the Chapter Acts but what was perfectly true (Juravit tacfis sacrosanctis 
 evangeliis quod cela/ret consilia CapituU et quod nee propter Javorem alicujus vel lucrum 
 aliquod seriberet aliter actia Gapitularibus quam veraciter hdbita fuerunt). 
 October 2. — Present : John Gunthoep, Dean. 
 
 Thomas Overay, Precentor. 
 
 Hugo Sugar, Treasurer. 
 
 John Waneeohde, Sub-dean. 
 
 John Austell, \ 
 
 John Lasty, / Canons 
 
 William Bocat, I Residentiary. 
 
 John Vowell, / 
 John Goddard (alta/rista) was called upon to take the corporal oath of canonical obedience 
 to the Dean and Chapter, according to the ancient and laudable customs of the Church, on 
 pain of losing his habit ; but on the suggestion of the Treasurer he was given till 3rd. 
 The Chapter met again on that day, when William Capron and John Goddard both 
 refused to take the oath, and were accordingly deprived of their habit, and W. Bocat and 
 J. Yowell were deputed to call upon the Treasurer to nominate two altaristce in their 
 place. 
 
 Hodem die John Tonker took the oath as Sub-treasurer, and was admitted ad vicarium 
 perpetuatum. 
 
 Modem die an annual pension of 20s. was granted to Humfrey Harvey for his good 
 service and advice (counsel). 
 
 Modem die Henry Edyall, by mandate of Robert, Bishop of Bath and Wells, was 
 admitted and installed Prebendary of 8. Decuman (in the person of his proctor, William 
 Bocat) : the oath was taken, and his place assigned in Chapter. 
 
APPENDIX M. 169 
 
 Eodem die the Dean and Chapter granted Thomas Ffor 20 shillings, to be paid aitflra 
 featum Sti Michaelis by the Eschaetor, besides his stall wages and other emoluments, on 
 account of his good service to God and S. Andrew. 
 
 October 4. — John White was admitted and sworn Sacrista, according to the tenor 
 of these words : — Ego, Johannes White, sacrista hujus ecclesie Wellen, era obediens D. & C. 
 et ecclesie Wellertsi in canonicis et licitis mandatis et celabo secreta Capituli si quce ad me 
 devenerint et observabo omnia statuta ordinaciones et consuetvdines dicte ecclesie que ad 
 Sacristam pertinent et bene diligenter ao fideliter pro posse meo deserviam in sacriste 
 officio prout onus dicti officii eodgit. et requirit. Sic me deus adjuvet et hec sancta dei 
 evangelia. 
 
 The Dean then benigne received Thomas "White as sacrist of Wells Cathedral, with 
 the consent of the Chapter, and decreed that within six days he should take his first 
 tonsure, and receive no fees on installations of Canons until first tonsure was completed. 
 
 The same day John Goddaid and W. Capron appeared before the Chapter, and humi- 
 liter se submiserunt ac pro eorum mani/esta offensa et rebdlione veniam petierunt : they 
 touched the gospels and took the oath. The Dean returned their habits and let them go. 
 
 October 5. — Henry Grendall was installed (he was a Vicar Choral) to the Prebend 
 of Ilton, and received from the Dean licenciam residendi continue in vicaria sua de mortok 
 et absentandi usque ad Pascha, and on Dominica Pamis palmarum he must return and 
 intimate to the Dean and Chapter where he means to reside. Meantime he is to receive 
 nothing of the Vicars' commons, but be content with his stall wages. 
 
 October 6. — Chapter granted 40 days' licence to Canons then residing. 
 
 October 16. — Edward Willoughby was admitted to the Prebendary of Wyvelis- 
 combe, and installed in his own person. 
 
 October 17. — John Standewyke, Notary Public, was admitted and sworn General 
 Proctor for Chapter. 
 
 John Vowell was admitted Prebendary of Comba XV., on resignation of Henry 
 Ediall, by his Proctor, William Bocat. 
 
 October 19. — On the nomination of Hugo Sugar, Ralph Gardner, Chaplain, was 
 admitted (and sworn) to the stall of the Prebend of Litton, et ad omnia commoda et 
 emolumenta que pertinent eidem, stallo. 
 
 There was also a mutual controversy between the Dean and Chapter and Hugo 
 Sugar, Treasurer, pro prostradone decapitacione de shridicdone arborum in cvmiterio 
 crescenscium ac pro assignacione sepulcrorum pro sepvMura of dead bodies and the lamps 
 to be kept in the said Church by the Treasurer. This was referred for the jiurpose of a 
 compromise to Richard Lochfeld and Jane, with appeal to the Bishop. 
 
 The Dean and Chapter appointed William Chamberlane their nundwm seu negociorum 
 gestorem specialem et generalem. For rendering these services bene et fideliter, he was to 
 receive 20s. yearly from the Communa, and one gown, cum esculentis et poculentis, from 
 the Canons, just as the Altar-priests : he was also to receive fourpence a day whenever he 
 had to five his opinion on any matter connected with the Seneschall or other Residen- 
 tiary : he also then took the juramentvm corporale in these words [This is the first 
 entry in English in Liber Ruber]: — "I shall be faithful! and trou to the deane and 
 chapitre And to this Cathedral Churche of Welles. And as forr as in me is solicite and 
 procure the Worthy and perfecte of the same And duely and trowly do and execute all 
 and ony things that I shalbe comannde to do by the said deane and chapitre the 
 stywarde or auditours of the Accompte of the saide Churche And suche messages as I 
 
 3z 
 
170 APPENDIX M. 
 
 shall be chargede or sent to do. I shaU them well feithfull and diligently do as ffbrr as in 
 my power is, And trow report make to suche as hathe sent me in any message. How I 
 have spede in the same not sparying so to do for for favor mode desire or prayer of any 
 person And generally all things do that to A trow messager belongeth So help me god 
 and holy dame and by this boke " &c. 
 
 The following entry and act is so remarkable as to require quotation verbal : — Eodem 
 die et loco prefati Decanus et Ga/pitulwm unanimes ordinaverunt et deputaverunt venerahUes 
 viros Magistros Thomam Overay precentorem Willfh, Bocat et Johem Vowell canonicos et 
 confratres negociorum illorum gestores penes dominum Regem et principes et presertim ad 
 procurandum et 'lahorandum pro Reverendo in Glwisto patre et domino domino Roberto 
 Dei gratia Bathon et Wellen Episcopo in custodia ad tunc in castro de Wyvdesore existente. 
 Et concesserunt prefatis magistris dies ahsencie eorwm toto tempore quo pro dicto Reverendo 
 patre london seu alibi eundo redewndo sive iMdem morando occupati fuerint in coinple- 
 mentuni residencie cujuslibet illorum omni presente absque cotidianis distributionibus. 
 
 October 20.^ — John Wanffordde, Sub-dean ; Thomas Overay, Precentor ; Hugh 
 Sugar, Treasurer; John Austell and John Lasty, Canons, appointed egregium virwm 
 John Gunthorp, the Dean, to be their verum et legitimum actorem factorem negociorum et 
 gestorem to manage all their affairs infra regnum Anglie et presertim apud altitudinem 
 metuendissimi domini Regis ac ceteros, Regni Anglie m,agnatos, for the defence and protec- 
 tion of their just rights and affairs. The Sub-dean then issued a form of constitution 
 confirming the Dean in the above-named office. 
 
 OcTOBEE 27. — Thomas Coke was admitted and sworn Altar-priest, in the same 
 way as William Capron and John Gogard were. 
 
 January 2, same year. — Present : William Chokk and John Hyll, Canons 
 Residentiary, in addition to previous names. John Vowell received leave of absence, 
 pro multipliai labore suo circa prosecucione negotiorum Reverendi in Gli/risto patris domini 
 domini Roberti Dei gratia Bathon et Wellen Episcopi, from the second day of January to 
 the following Easter, on condition that he was constantly with the Bishop or about his 
 business during those days of grace. 
 
 On the same day, on the nomination of John Hyll, John Wolmote was collated to 
 the perpetual chantry of S. Edmund, in the nave of the Cathedral, for the soul of Ralph 
 Ergum. 
 
 This collation was secundum Jbrmam actorum capitulorum. 
 
 January 17, 1487. — John Monyman was sworn and presented to the perpetual 
 vicarage of S. Cuthbert at Wells, at the resignation of John Wanfforde. 
 
 On the last day of January, John Staphenes was admitted, sworn, and installed 
 Canon and Prebendary of North Corey. 
 
 February 1, in the same year. — John Stephenes begged to be admitted to a 
 Residentiary Canonry on payment of 100 marks (librarum was the word first written, but 
 corrected for marea/rurti). 
 
 February 5. — The Dean this day received letters under seal from the Abbot and 
 Conventual Monastery of Clyve, presenting Mr. Stephen Clerke, Perpetual Vicar Choral, 
 to the stall which the said Sub-dean and Chapter had given to the Abbot. 
 
 The tenor of the presentation is as follows ; — 
 
 " Venerabilibus et circumspectis viris magistro Johanni Gunthorp Decano ecclede 
 Gathedralis Wellen seu presidenti capituli et ejusdem loci capitulo. Humfridus permissions 
 divina Abbas monasterii beate marie de Gliva ordinis Gisterciensis Bathon et Wellen diocesis 
 
APPENDIX M. 171 
 
 et ejusdem monasterii conventus perpetui firmarii prebende de Gliva in ecdesia Cath«drali 
 predicta. Salutem in domino seinpitemam ad stallum prebende predicts per resignacionem 
 domini Johannis Stephyns ultimi vicarii ejusdem in manus vestras facte et per vos admisse 
 vacans et ad nostrum presentacionem nostramque aliqualem nominacionem spectans Dilectum 
 nobis in Christo domini Stephyn Clerk vicarium Choralem ecclesie cathedralis predicte in 
 ordine sacerdotali constitutum per vos ecia/m, nominatum vestris residenciis uncmimiter 
 presentamus supplicantes quatenus prefatum dominum Stephyn Gierke ad stallum pre- 
 dicPimi admittere et ipsiim vicarium, institutum in eodem cum suis jurihus et pertinenciis 
 universis ceteraque peragere que vobis in hac parte incumbunt digneminium cum favore 
 caritate intuitu Datum svii sigillo nostra in domo nostra capitulari secundo die mensis 
 februarii 1487." 
 
 Upon receipt of the above, the Sub-dean admitted Stephyn Clerk to the above- 
 mentioned stall. 
 
 February 16. — John Skynner, on the nomination of Thomas Overay by Edward 
 Willoughby, his proctor, was admitted to the stall of the Prebend of Wyveliscomb. 
 
 February 27. — Vigore et auctoritate of letters directed by the Bishop to the Dean 
 and Chapter, Oliver Kinge was admitted to the Prebend of Oomba XI. ; and William 
 Burton to the Canonry and Prebend of Wedmore IIII., vacant by the decease of John 
 Baker, both in propria persona. 
 
 March 20, same year. — John Seymour was admitted in canonicum et confratrem 
 dicte ecclesie cum consensu capituli in the person of his Proctor, "William Bocat, and to the 
 Prebend of Eston in Gordano, vacant by the resignation of Will. Smyth . 
 
 April 2. — John Gunthorp, the Dean, having returned, certain circumspect persons 
 were chosen, constituted, made and ordained actores factores et negodorum gestores in 
 omnibus coMsis litibus negociis ac querelis. Their names were — Will. Nykke, Archdeacon of 
 Wells; B,ichard lichfelde. Archdeacon of Bath; John Lasty and John Vowell, LL.D. ; 
 Will. Chanute, John Emlyne, John Rod, General Proctors of the Curie Cantuariensis, 
 with John Monyman and Stephen Clerk, Vicars Choral. 
 
 On the same day, the Dean, with the consent and assent of his brethren, on account 
 of various and urgent causes to the honour of God, S. Andrew, and All the Saints et 
 utilitatem ecclesie Cathedralis, &c., decreed that the common seal should be taken from the 
 chest in the Treasury and kept under safe and faithful custody of Mr. Thomas Overay, the 
 Precentor, in a locked box-to be made for that purpose, and that the key should be in the 
 custody of the Dean, or in his absence of the President of the Chapter. 
 
 On the same day, the Dean and Chapter entered into a compromise as to the various 
 suits and cases pending between them and Hugh Sugar, the Treasurer, racione sub- 
 tracdonis Ivminum, and other injuries and mischief committed by him, contrary to the 
 laudable customs of the Church. 
 
 On the same day, the sitting of the Chapter was continued for a very solemn and 
 singular reason— ^wmw^e et continuante Capitulo — and leave was by them unanimously 
 granted Mr. John Austell, Canon Residentiary, to bury his body in the chapel of Corpus 
 Christi, within the aforesaid Cathedral Church, when his soul has migrated from this light. 
 
 Leave was also immediately granted to John Wanfforde, the Sub-dean, when his last 
 day should come, to bury his body within the chapel of the Blessed Mary Magdalene and 
 S. Margaret, ex parte australi ecclesie. 
 
 John Stevens, on the same day, received forty days of leave of absence, absque 
 cotidianis disPribuciomius. 
 
172 APPENDIX M. 
 
 The same day, the Chapter appointed John Lasty Canon Residentiary, verum et 
 legitinmm actorem infra regnum Anglie, with his daily distributions, notwithstanding his 
 absence ; and John Vowell, Proctor, without his daily distributions. 
 
 April 15. — Asdstentihus sihi. This expression is remarkable as applied relatively to 
 the Dean and the Precentor, Sub-dean, and two Canons who examined certain Vicars, by 
 name Richard Huchens, John Monyman, John Lefema.n, John Combe, and Andrew 
 Grantham, about certain articles concerning the Treasurer. This business, however, was 
 postponed. 
 
 April 17. — John Pomefeld was collated to the one of the four Chantries for the 
 soul of N. Bubbwith (late Bishop), on the resignation or rather dismissal of Edmund 
 Popeley. 
 
 On the same day, the Chapter granted a deed of acquittal to the Dean, John 
 
 Gunthorp, of all sums of money expended by him for the expenses or fabric of the Church. 
 
 This was dated and sealed on the 17th April, fourteen hundred and eighty-eight. 
 
 On the 2nd of May, post mutuam inter eos convocacionem pro moleiidino acquatico apud 
 
 Northcory profidendo, John Stevens was admitted to the perpetual vicarage of JJorth Cory. 
 
 Mat 6. — William Cock was admitted in canonicvmi et confratrem ao prebendarium 
 
 prebende de Gumba quinta, by his Proctor, Thomas Overay, the Precentor. 
 
 May 21 (altered from 11). — William Smythe was admitted ad officium preposituri, 
 and received in Canonicum, &o., ac prebendarium prebende de Gumba XII^^- in eadem 
 eidem officio preposituri annexam. 
 
 Mat 17. — John Genyn was admitted to a perpetual vicarage. Moreover, the Dean 
 enjoined him that he must learn by heart the last part of the psalter cum hymnario before 
 next Easter, sub pena privacionis habitus. 
 
 On the 28th of June, the Vicars Choral appeared before the Chapter, and declared that 
 Robert Balif, who was admitted to a vicar choralship, had been heard by them for the last 
 fortnight, as well by night as by day, and had creditably proven that he had vocem compe- 
 tentem et bene dispositam tarn ad cantamdum quam ad legendum, whereupon he was 
 formally admitted, and Richard Huchons was assigned as his ascultor. 
 
 On the 8th July, Simon Everton was sworn perpetual vicar. . . . Robert Why te* 
 was sworn and admitted in vicarium nan perpetuatum, and assigned the stall of 
 Cumba II. John Lofman was to be his ascultor. 
 
 John Fox was also admitted to the prebend of Litton, at the presentation of the 
 Treasurer, Hugh Sugar. 
 
 JuLT 29. — William Baron and Richard Adyshcote were admitted in vicarios non 
 perpetuatos, the Vicars Choral having deposed that they had sung in the choir for a fortnight, 
 by night and day, and had vocem competentem et bene dispositcmdam, &G. 
 
 John Lofman was appointed ascultor to William Baron. Richard Huchons was 
 appointed ascultor to R. Adyshcote. 
 
 AuGCST 23. — John Morys was admitted to a perpetual vicarship, pro cujus habilitate 
 et moribus mcarii deposuerunt. 
 
 September 26. — John de Bole was admitted seneschallum cum feodis et commodis. 
 
 fol. 23. 
 Mr. Thomas Overay, Precentor, at the instance and special request of the Dean and 
 Chapter, of his own accord and will, took upon himself the oflSce of auditor. 
 
 * He had formerly been a diorister in the Church. 
 
APPENDIX M. 173 
 
 October 1, 1488.— The expression used is somewhat remarkable, where it is said that 
 the Dean, Dignitaries, and certain Residentiary Canons were capitulariter congregatis et 
 capitulum celebrantibus, for a monition was at this time served upon the Perpetual 
 Vicars Choral that they should each one individually, with diligence and faithfully, observe 
 the statutes and ordinances of their own respective chantries. The Dean also admonished 
 them that they must be in the choir before Deus in adjutorium was sung at either prime 
 or vespers. Unless each had legitimate and probable excuse, certain penalties were 
 inevitably attached. fol. 23 h. 
 
 The same day, Richard Pomeray was sworn magister fabrice, and John Bawdewyn, 
 eschcetor, receiving the keys of the common chest. John Tonker also was sworn Sub- 
 treasurer, and received the keys of his office. 
 
 The same day, the Chapter meeting was continued, that the Dean and Chapter might 
 warn Mr. John White, the Sacristan, that it was his statutable duty, according to the 
 laudable use of the Cathedral Church and the custom of previous Sacristans, that he 
 should spend the uight in the Church. This he undertook to do for the future. 
 
 The Chancellor seems to have been anxious to depute his duties as Archiscola to James 
 Grenehalgh, for which {)urpose the Chancellor's proctor appeared and presented him on 
 behalf of his master, John Wilson. Upon this the Dean admitted James Grenehalgh to 
 a stall in the choir, with its emoluments, and presented to him habitum vicarialem. 
 
 Leave was also granted to Andrew Grantham, Vicar Choral, to absent himself from 
 matins (tempore nocturno). At the same time, fearful lest other Vicars should take 
 advantage of his licence, they determined that the name of Andrew t^hould be written in 
 tabula per tabularium, but that his part should be read by a boy. Notwithstanding this 
 permission, he was not to forfeit his pension at the end of the year. 
 
 On October 10th, the Dean and Chapter deputed John Hyll to inspect and supervise 
 all the jewels, vestments, and ornaments of Bishop Beckington's chantry, and John 
 Stevens to do likewise for the jewels and ornaments of Bishop Bubbwith's chantry. 
 
 The same day, the Chapter confirmed the presentation by the Dean to John Vowell of 
 the chantry of S. Saviour, the Blessed Virgin, and All Saints, and admitted him into the 
 real and corporal possession of this chantry, by John Monyman, Communar. 
 
 On the same day, Mr. Hugh Sugar, the Treasurer, being absent, the Dean and 
 Chapter concluserunt et compromiserunt that all the causes and suits which they had taken 
 against the aforesaid Treasurer, lor his subtraction of certain lights contrary to the custom 
 of the Church, should be prosecuted at the common cost and expense. 
 
 But a more important piece of business remained to be executed. Mr. Thomas 
 Vowell, the Capitular Proctor, was given leave of absence to go to London and manage 
 the business connected with the renovation and confirmation of their ancient charters, 
 evidences, and muniments. 
 
 On the 24th of October, the Dean and Chapter seem to have felt the need of change 
 after so much hard work, and unanimously voted forty days of grace (that is, permission to 
 break their residence) to all the Residentiary Canons. Moreover, this convenient self- 
 indulgence was intensified by the final grant contained in these words : Any Canon can 
 make use of this leave of absence ad placitum swu/m up till next Michaelmas. 
 
 On the same day, John Pope was collated to one of the four chantries of Bishop 
 Bubwith, vacant by the resignation of John Pomefeld. 
 
 Dean Gunthorp also received leave of absence on business of the Dean and Chapter, 
 and for the defence of their rights before the King's Highness and the Magnates of Great 
 Britain. 
 
174 APPENDIX M. 
 
 On the day before the Kalends of November, Thomas Legate was admitted and sworn 
 altarista in the same way as William Oapron had been, upon the nomination of Hugh 
 Sugar, the Treasurer. 
 
 On the 4th December, the Sub-dean and Chapter unanimously agreed that any 
 disputes or controversies which arose between them and the Prior and Convent of Monta- 
 ciite should be referred for arbitration to two or four fide dignorum et legis peritorum 
 virorum to be named by the Dean and Chapter. 
 
 Upon the 7th of February, the Dean and Sub-dean being both absent, but in the 
 presence of Hugh Sugar, President of the Chapter, the Vicars Choral appeared and deposed 
 that John Offoombe had for the last fortnight bene et laudahiliter exercuit chorum tarn de 
 die qaam de node, and had a voice competentem et bene dispositam. Upon which he was 
 admitted by Mr. Hugh Sugar ad vicarium non perpetuatwm, and John Stephens, in the 
 name of the Precentor, appointed Andrew Grantham as his ascuUor. 
 
 The following Act of Chapter has so much interesting information as to founding a 
 temporary obit (with its contingencies), that we give it in full, specially as, owing to some 
 error, it was written down four months late : — • 
 
 xxiiii'"- die mensis Octobris. Upon the 24:th day of October, in the aforesaid year, 
 the Venerable Mr. John Gunthorp, Dean; Thomas Overay, Precentor; Hugh Sugar, 
 Treasurer ; John Wanfforde, Sub-dean ; John Austell, John Lasty, "William Booat, John 
 Vowell, John Hyll, and John Stevens, Canons Residentiary of the aforesaid Church, in 
 Chapter assembled and a Chapter making, iinanimously* of their own consent and will 
 promised and agreed to observe, keep, and solemnly celebrate j early, for the term 
 of thirty years, from the present time immediately following to its full completion, the 
 anniversary of Mr. Thomas Hope, late Canon of the Church, on the morrow of the Chair 
 of S. Peter the Apostle, save when the said feast shall fall on a Saturday, in which case 
 the anniversary shall be postponed until the Monday, with the Office of the Dead after 
 Vespers on the Sunday next jireceding, with a Mass on the morrow, to be solemnly cele- 
 brated. For the keeping of this anniversary, the aforesaid Dean and Chapter have received 
 and holden from their Right Reverend Father in Christ, John, by Divine permission Lord 
 Archbishop of Canterbury, forty pounds of money. And, moreover, the above-named Dean 
 and Chapter are under an obligation by their own writing to the same Reverend Father 
 and his successors that they will observe the said anniversary annually as aforesaid, under 
 no less a penalty than that of forfeiting to the said Reverend Father in God and his 
 successors forty shillings for every time that this anniversary shall fail to be kept. 
 
 Bridie halendas Aprilis a more interesting incident occurred : the Dean returned from 
 London, and produced in the Chapter-house the evidences and Charters, in number two 
 hundred (MS. 2 h"), belonging to the said Church, which he had lately taken to London 
 to be confirmed ; and then he proceeded to deliver over to his brethren the above- 
 mentioned evidences and Charters, together with the Charter of their confirmation by 
 King Henry the Seventh et exeinplificaoionis ejusdem. 
 
 Anno domini millmo. cccCLXXxrx. 
 
 The same day, in the presence of the above-mentioned Dean and Chapter, the Dean 
 handed over to John Monyman £39 18s. 8d., to celebrate the mass of John Hope, late 
 Canon of the Church, for thirty years, beginning from the next feast of S. Peter's 
 Chair. 
 
 This is the inevitable phraseology met with in every Chapter Act, without exoepdon. 
 
APPENDIX M. 175 
 
 On the 29th of May, John Monyman appeared as proctor for Walter Knightley, 
 Canon of Wells, and swore that the said Walter Knightley would reside from next 
 Michaelmas, and begged to be admitted to canonical residence on paying caution money 
 amounting to 100 marks. Walter Knightley was so admitted. 
 
 On the last day of May, the Chapter came to the conclusion that the chamber at the 
 end of the nave of the Church lately occupied by Hugh Sugar, the Treasurer, should be 
 arranged for the keeping of the evidences and muniments of the Church. 
 
 Certain Supervisors were appointed, the same day, to see to all the jewels and orna- 
 ments within the treasury, and to examine their indentures. 
 
 John Orchard, the same day, was sworn Chantry Priest of S. Saviour's Chapel, at 
 the altar of the Holy Cross, on the north side of the Church, on the presentation of 
 the Dean. 
 
 On the 22nd day of June, Mr. William Bocat, Canon Kesidentiary, nomine ac vice 
 executorum Magistri Hugonis Sugar, nuper Tliekaura/rii, asked leave to pull down and 
 take away the wooden chapel in the nave of the Church, and to build it again, which the 
 Dean and Chapter granted. 
 
 On the 29th of May, Oliver Dynham was admitted and sworn Canon of the Church 
 and to the prebendary of Sutton, vacant by the death of Hugh Sugar. On this occasion 
 John Overay, the Precentor, acted as proctor. 
 
 On the 9th of June, William Brereton was admitted and sworn to the Canonry and 
 Prebend of Dultingcote, vacant by the death of Henry Thorpe. Thomas Overay acted on 
 this occasion also as proctor. 
 
 On the 28th of June, Robert Balif was admitted to a Perpetual Vicarship. On the 
 8th July, B<)bert White to the same. On the 29th, William Baron and Richard Asshcoke 
 to the same. 
 
 On the 7th of September, the Dean, John Gunthorp, Thomas Overay (Precentor), 
 John Austell, John Lasty, William Bocat, John Vowell, John Hyll, John Stevens, and 
 Walter Knightley, Canons Residentiary, in the Chapter-house assembled and making a 
 Chapter, unanimously, of their own will and accord, deputed and ordered Messrs. John Hyll, 
 John Austell, and John Stevens, their fellow-canons and brethren then present, to supervise 
 and inspect for them and on their behalf all and every the treasures, ornaments, and jewels 
 in the treasury belonging, or rather appertaining thereto, and to see that new indentures 
 were made and entered into between the Dean and Chapter and the Sub-treasurer. 
 
 The following entry is specially interesting as illustrating the unfortunate quarrels 
 which had existed between the Dean and Chapter and the Treasurer, and also as illustrating 
 the manner in which " the antient consuetudinary and ordinal " of the Church might be 
 officially infringed without the cognisance of the Chapter. 
 
 On the same day, the Dean and Chapter, with their own unanimous consent and assent, 
 decreed that two candles should burn in the pulpit, according to the ancient use of the 
 aforesaid Cathedral Church, as they were accustomed to burn, and as is ordered by the 
 Ordinal of the Church ; and they at the same time decreed that, laterna lapidea, the stone 
 lantern, lately made and constructed by Mr. Hugh Sugar, be destroyed and taken away. 
 They also instructed the clerk of the fabric (clerico fabricm) to remove it and take it 
 away. 
 
 The same day, the Chapter continued to sit, and decreed that the master or clerk of 
 the fabric for the time being (providebit et provideat pro clausura cimiterii et habeat 
 gubernacionem custodiam herbagii et arborum in eodem crescencium) should have charge 
 
176 APPENDIX M. 
 
 or custody of the cemetery and herbary ; and in the second place, that the aforesaid clerk 
 or master of the fabric should, by authority of the Dean and Chapter, assign to the Vicars 
 Choral and all other lesser ministers, their families, and the servants of all the Canons 
 departing this life (decedentibus) cum ah hac luce migraverint the convenient places for 
 their sepulture, the Canons only being excepted.. 
 
 The same day they deputed Messrs. William Bocat and John Vo-well to supervise and 
 inspect omnes rotulos Compotorum prepositorum de Cory pro piscariis eorundem ibidem. 
 
 Confirmacio officii apparitoris generalis. 
 
 Deoimo die Septembris Anno domini supradicto venerabiles viri Magistri Johannes 
 Gunthorp Decanus Thomas Overay Precentor Johannes Wanffijrde Subdecanus Johannes 
 Lasty Johannes Yowell Willielmus Chokk Johannes Hyll et Walterus Knyghtley 
 Canonici Residenciarii Ecclesise Cathedralis Wellen in domo capitulari ejusdem existentes 
 et Capitulum facientes literas patentes de officio " principalis " apparitoris ad terminum 
 vice Willielmo Walton et Eeverendo in Christo patre et domino domino Roberto dei 
 gratia Bathon et Wellen Episcopo concessas et factas sub sigillo Eeverendi in Christo 
 patris et domini domini Richardi eadem gratias Exoniensis Epi ad specialem rogatum 
 prefati Reverend! patris Bathon et Wellen Epi sigillatas una cum quadam litera credencie 
 a dicto Reverendo patre Exoniense Epo dicto domino Decano directa et missa ab Edmundo 
 Mill dilecto famulo ejusdem domini Exoniensis receperunt. 
 
 Cujus litere missive tenor sequitur et est talis : — 
 
 Maister Dean I recommaund me unto you And for such besinesse as I have now in 
 hand about thies ambassadour, and other maters I may not at this tyme write unto you 
 my mynde at large in all maters wherfore I hertley pray you that in such thynges as I 
 have commanded my wellbeloved servaunt Edmunde Mill this berer to show unto you on 
 my behalve ye wille gyve unto hym thern as moche faith and credence as if I spake per- 
 sonally w' you my selve. And here after at better leiser I shal write unto you my selve. 
 And thus I committe you unto y° Lord. 
 
 Writen at Wyndesore the v"' day of September your loving broder, NB. Exoniensis. 
 
 Deinde post recepcionem literarum Reverendorum predictorum Doihinus Decanus 
 presente me soriba capituli diligentem a dicto Edmundo inquisionem diu novit et audivit 
 quod fuit voluntas prefati Reverendi patris Bathon et Wellen Epi quod dicte litere 
 patentes de officio predicto ut prefertur concessum a Decano et Capitulo confirmarentur et 
 ratificarentur dictusque Edmundus virtute credencie sue ac prefato juramento corporali 
 dixit et asseruit quod prout audivit a domino suo Exoniensi Epo quod fuit plena voluntas 
 supradicti Reverendi patris et domini domini Bathon et Wellen Epi quod Decanus et 
 Capitulum prefataa literas patentes de officio predicto sic ut premittitur prefato Willielmo 
 Walton ad terminum vite sue concessum ratificarent et confirmarent. Qui quidem 
 Decanus et Capitulum tunc ad personalem informacionem predicti Edmundi Mill ac 
 virtute credencie que supradictas literas patentes confirmaverunt et ratificaverunt ac 
 easdem eorum sigillo communi sigillari decreverunt. 
 
 On the 18th of September, the Precentor and other Canons assembled in Chapter, 
 issued a monition to Hugh Varies and John Jenyns, Perpetual Vicars, that they must be 
 in sacris ordinihus constituti on the first occasion of holy orders being conferred, under 
 statutable penalties. 
 
 On the same day, the Venerable Mr. Thomas Harreys, Treasurer, took the oath, and 
 was sworn into his office, on promising to observe and fulfil all the statutable duties of his 
 office according to the laudable statutes of the Church. 
 
APPENDIX M. 177 
 
 MCCCCLXXXIX. fol, 28. 
 
 The same day, the Dean and Chapter deputed J. Austell, J. Hyll, and J. Stevens to 
 inspect and supervise all the jewels, vestments, and ornaments belonging to the Chantries 
 of Thomas Beckington and Nicholas Bubbwith,and all the other Chantries, whether perpetual 
 or conferred yearly, on the feast of St. Jerome. 
 
 Master Walter Knyghtley received leave of absence from this day to the Feast of the 
 Purification. 
 
 Forty days of grace was also granted to all Canons Eesidentiary. 
 
 On the 17th of October, the Dean and Chapter appointed the Dean (John Lasty 
 being President) their proctor, to expedite their business and controversy between them 
 and the Prior de Monteacuto. 
 
 On the 2nd of October, the Dean and Chapter had the Sacristan before them, and 
 admonished him to ring the bells at mass and all other canonical hours diucius et longiori 
 modo quam ante solebat ; to stay all night in the Church (which he undertook to do), and 
 that having " contracted marriage with a certain woman," he should have that marriage 
 solemnly ratified by next St. Andrew's day, svb pena privacionis habitus sui. 
 
 On the 2ad of October, the Alta/ristce were admonished to be in their habit before the 
 beginning of the Mass of B. V. M., in her chapel, and to continue there till the end of 
 High Mass in the choir and at vespers. 
 
 On the 3rd, the Vicars Choral were admonished to be present in the Church at all 
 the canonical hours, by night no less than by day, and to forbear from wandering about 
 the Church; that they should come in decent and honest habits et quod quUibet eorum 
 habeat aures patentes non cum crinibus coopertas; as also that they should carefully and 
 diligently observe the statutes and ordinances of each and every chantry. 
 
 On the 17th day of October, the Dean and Chapter deputed John Yowell, Canon 
 Residentiary, their proctor, to appear at the Church of St. Paul's, in London (on behalf 
 of the Dean and Chapter), before the Right Rev. Father in God John, by Divine per- 
 mission Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, and the other Prelates in Convocation assembled. 
 
 On the 5th of November, John Atya was presented to the perpetual chantry of the 
 Holy Cross for the soul of John Storthwayte, vacant by the resignation of John Orchard. 
 
 On the 1st of December, the Vicars Choral appeared before Thomas Overay (the 
 Precentor and President of the Chapter), John Austell, John Lasty, John Stevens 
 (Canons Residentiary), in the Chapter-house, and deposed there quod Johannes Sampson 
 nuper admissus in vicarium bene et laudabiliter per quindena/m ultimam elapsam exercuit 
 chorum tarn de die quam de nocte dixeruntque eum habere vocem competentem ei bene 
 disposita/m-tam ad cantandum qimm ad legendum : upon which the Precentor admitted 
 him ad omnia jura comoda et emolumenta vicario non perpetuato pertinencia pro uno anno 
 integro. 
 
 On the 19th of December, the Dean, iu the Chapter-house, by the authority of letters 
 of the Rev. Father in God, Lord Bishop of Bath and "Wells, for his part, and directed to 
 the said Dean and Chapter, and with the consent of his brethren, Messrs. Thomas Overay 
 (Precentor), John Austell, John Lasty, William Bocat, John Vowell, and John Hyll 
 (Canons Eesidentiary), admitted Thomas Harries Treasurer in persona dni Johis Stevens 
 procuratoris sui legittime constituti in Canonicum et Gonfratrem ecclesie predicte ac pre- 
 bendarium prebende de Eat Ha/rptre it eadem et ipsum in realem et corporalem possessionem, 
 eorundem canonicatus et prebende induci fecit staUwmque in choro et locum in capitulo 
 eidem assignavit, dsc, &c. 
 
 4a 
 
178 APPENDIX M. 
 
 On the 11th of January, the mill at Northoory was the subject of discussion, and the 
 Chapter adjourned usque ad diem, Marcurii extune proximum sequentem, when the Chapter 
 appointed John Stevens (Canon) and John Bawdwyn (Vicar Choral) Eschaetors for the 
 Church of Wells, to supervise all the tenements infra civitatem WeUie et alibi in WeU. 
 dicte ecdesie pertinencia et ad faciendum et renovandwm Eentalia super eisdem. 
 
 Eodem die dominus decomus cum consensu Ga/pituli decrevit quod Wi'liehnus Chamber- 
 land ejusdem ecclesie nuncius generalis equUaret usqua ad Dnm Primem de Ba/rliche pro 
 pecumiis et redditihus dicte ecclesie debitis et adhuc existentibus et non solutis. 
 
 The same day, the Dean and Chapter decreed that John Monyman, Communar of the 
 Cathedral Church, should pay to John Bladedon, the administrator of the will of John 
 Eiche, late Canon, and William Childe, executors of the same, xxx libras monetce, which 
 they owed to him. 
 
 W. Bocat was appointed to represent them in aU the case of Northcory, and with the 
 
 Prior of Monteacuto, about the mill to be erected on the said manor, and the fishponds. 
 
 The following entry is so interesting that we may be pardoned for quoting in full : — 
 
 On the 16th day of the month of Jamiary, in the aforesaid year, the Venerable Mr. 
 
 John Gunthorp, Dean of the Cathedral Church of Wells, present in the Chapter-house of 
 
 the same, assisted by the Venerable Messrs. Thomas Overay (Precentor), John Austell, 
 
 John Lasty, William Bocat, John Vowell, William Chokke, John Hyll, and John Stevens 
 
 (Canons Residentiary), objecit domini Johounni Pope annellario ac unius cantarie de 
 
 quatuor Canta/riis in dicta Ecclesia pro anirna bone memorie domini Nicholai Bubbwith 
 
 fundatis capellano quod Idem Johannes crimen adulterii et incontinencie cum Margeria 
 
 Andrews comississet et quod eandem Margeriam diversis noctubus solam (secum) in camera 
 
 sua infra collegium sepius habuisset et quod prolem de eadem procreasset. Qui quidem 
 
 dominus Johannes tunc ibidem coram prefato Decano et Oapitulo dicto die et loco comparens 
 
 omnia predicta sibi objecta fatebatur et prestitit juramentum canonicum ad recipiendum 
 
 penam condignam pro delicto suo. Deinde dominus Decanus cum consensu Capituli 
 
 injunxit sibi penam quod prefatus dominus Johannes dominica proxima sequente viz. : in 
 
 crastino cum uno cereo precii dimidii libri nudo capite et nudis pedibus supperpelliceo 
 
 indutus ante processionem infra dictam ecclesiam Cathedn-alem precederet . . . et cum 
 
 predicta processio ingressa fuerit Chorum quod Idem dominus Johannes in stallo suo in 
 
 forma predicta staret usque ad finem missce dicende vii. jjsalmos penitenciales excepto quod 
 
 tempore off. dictum circum sancto Andree qferret quam penitenciam sibi sic injunctam 
 
 agere et implere penitus recusavit. Ideo propler mam manifestam contumaciam, pariter et 
 
 reb'ellionem dominus decanus cum consensu capituli eidem Johanni suo habitu et Cantan-ia 
 
 privamit juxta dicte Cantarie fundacionem pa/riter et statuta. Et tunc prefatus Dominus 
 
 Johannes Pope Clames CoMtanrie sue Domino Decano inpresencia Capituli sponte liberavit. 
 
 On the 25th, John Grandsby was admitted to the above Chantry, in the place of 
 John Pope. 
 
 On the 13th of March, the Dean and Chapter gave John Vowell, Canon Residentiary, 
 twenty-four days' leave of absence, in London, on the business of the Church. 
 The following entry is also given in full : — 
 
 Vicesimo die mensis Aprilis Anno Domini Millesimo Qu,adragentisimo et nonogesimo 
 in presencia venerabilum virorum Magistrorun T. Overay preaentoris ac presidentis Capituli 
 ecclesie Cath. Well. J. Austell, J. Lasty, W. Bocat, J. Hyll, et J. Stevens Can. Res. ejusdem 
 ecclesie Cath. in domo capitulaH ejusdem existencium et Capitulum faciendum, comparuit 
 discretus vir Magister Hugo Oldam procurator Yen. Viri Magistri W. Smythe propositi 
 
APPENDIX M. 179 
 
 predicte Eocksie Cath. Well, et nomine ac vice ejusdem propositi quoddam scriptum, ohliga- 
 lorium de summa tricjinta lihra/rum sigillo pre/ati Magistri W. Smyths sic/illatum exhibuit 
 tradidit et eisdem presidenti et Capitulo liheravit per quod scriptum obligatorium prefatus 
 Mr. W. Smythe se et executores suos ohligavit Decano et Capitulo predicte ad restaurandum 
 restituendum et resolvendum dictam summam triginta lihra/rum eisdem DecCmo et Capitulo ad 
 umim et utilitaiem prepositorum dicte ecclesie Cath. successorum smirwm quandocunque 
 prefato Mr. W. Smythe dictum offlclum prepositure resignare aut per mortem seu quocunque 
 alio modo dvmittere contigerit nomine cujv^dam, implementi prout Magister Hicardus Swan 
 nuper dicte ecclesie prepositus disposuit et ordinavit et de cujus execuioribus prefatus Mr. W. 
 Smythe predictum implementum triginta lihrarum monetce Anglicane fiabuit et recepit. 
 
 Hiis testibus Magistris Ckristo/oro Norys Arcium Magistro et Roberto Pemherton in 
 decretis Bacallario et me ThomM Wade notario publico et aciorum scriba. 
 
 On the 5th of May, the Treasurer, Thomas Harries, had leave of absence — in comple- 
 mentum residende — or rather received leave to account himself as having been in residence 
 from February 1st to June 1st, and after that to August 1st. 
 
 On the 20th of the same month, in the absence of the Dean, and nomine ac vice 
 Mr. Johannis Wanfforde Subdecani ac presidentis Capituli in ahsencia Decani, the Precentor 
 admitted Robert Sherborn to the Canonry and Prebendary of the Prebend de Bynagre 
 by his Proctor, W. Bocat. 
 
 On the 12th of June, John Skynner appeared before the Precentor and other Canons, 
 who objected that, contrary to the statutes of the Church, he was constantly in the habit 
 of going out of the town to his benefice without asking leave, and that when he came 
 back into the town he was in the habit of spending the night in the house of a certain 
 woman called Matilda Practon, (beyond) outside the Vicar's close. John Skynner was 
 given until Saturday fortnight to reply to these charges, on which day he begged another 
 respite to prepare his answers to the articles exhibited against him. The Dean and 
 Chapter consented to his having another fortnight, and that then absque ulteriori dilacione 
 he should reply. When this day arrived, he appeared and replied that he could not well 
 answer to the charges laid against him, upon which erat repulsus ab habitu sua et rejectus 
 et eodem jyrivatus, justicia suadente. 
 
 On the 18th of June, the Dean and Chapter granted to Walter Knyghtley omnes dies 
 grade in complementwm residende from the 18th of June to the 14th of August, 
 
 And on the 3rd of July to Thomas Harries, the Treasurer, in addition to his previous 
 concessions, from that day ad festum nativitatis Beate Marie inclusive, and Thomas fiiroste 
 was admitted and installed in the Canonry and Prebendary of the Prebend of Cumba 
 XIII., by his Proctor, John Stevens. 
 
 On the 1 2th of July, Oliver King was admitted and installed Archdeacon of Taunton, 
 through his Proctor, Richard Walby. 
 
 On the 9th of August, William Smythe was admitted and sworn to the Canonry and 
 Prebendary of the Prebend of Cumba undecima terdadedma. 
 
 Upon the 8th of September, Thomas Harries, the Treasurer, received leave of absence 
 from the 8th of September to St. Michael's Day. 
 
 1490. 
 
 The same day, the Dean -and Chapter decreed quod tercia pars omnium fructuum 
 reddituum et proventuum prebende de Dultingcote debita execuioribus Magistri Henrici 
 SJierpe prebendarii ejusdem rvwper defuncti pro anno proodmo post obitum suwm proximo 
 post obitum suwm sequenti pro salute Antedicti M. Hewrid integre remaneat ad usum et 
 
180 APPENDIX M. 
 
 utilitatem ecclesie Oath, pro reparacione emendacione et renovacione vestimentorum et 
 aliorum ornamentonmi ad Gcmtarias singulis anuis in festo sancti Jeronimi. 
 
 Richard Pomeray was sworn and admitted Fabric Clerk. 
 
 John Bawdwyn „ „ Eschaetor. 
 
 John Tonker „ ,, Sub-treasurer. 
 
 On the 1st of October, forty days of grace were granted to all the Canons Eesidentiary 
 then present, with the special proviso that this was not to apply to any new Canons. 
 
 John Austell and John Stevens were deputed to supervise and inspect the jewels, 
 chalices, vestments, and ornaments of the chantries of Bishop Bekinton: and Bishop 
 Nicholas Bubbwith, and all the Chantries, perpetual or otherwise, as well as the Lady 
 Chapel near the cloisters, and to report. 
 
 Upon the 23rd of October, William Stokes was admitted in Alta/ristam. 
 
 Admissio Willi Atwodde laihami. 
 
 The same day, the Dean and Chapter being assembled at the customary hour, granted 
 to William Atwodde ffremason pro sua bono et Icmddbili officio in a/rte sua deo et Ecclesie 
 heati Andree ac Dec. et Cap. in posterum vmpendendo. Idem officiwm quod WilUel/mus 
 Smythe eciam lata/mus nuper hahuit in ecclesia cum annua pensions. They gave him also 
 a letter under their common seal, having first of all stipulated that he have his place or 
 house in the city of Wells, and be at all times ready to carry out faithfully and diligently 
 the orders of the Chapter. 
 
 The form of the letter aforesaid was as follows : — 
 
 Omnibus xpi fidelibus ad quos prius scripitum pervenerit Johannes Gunthorp Decanus 
 Ecclesie Gathedralis Sancti Andree Wellen et ejusdem Ecclesie Gapitulum salutem in domino 
 N\)veritis nos dedisse et concessisse Willidmo Atwodde ffremason pro suo bono et diligenti 
 servicio in a/rte sua de ffremasonry quod in vim prestiti jwramenti bona fide et animo 
 deliberato promisit quamdiu vixerit et corporaliter a/rtificium suum absque justo impedimenta 
 eocercere poterit deo et ecclesie beati Andree predicte et nobis et successoribus nostris in 
 posterum impendere twni in eadem ecclesia quam in maneriis ejusdem ecclesie ac nostrorum 
 et successorum nostrorum quMudam annalem pensionem viginti sex solidorwm et octo denari- 
 orum legalis monete Anglicane habendum et percipiendam de nobis et successoribus nostris 
 dicta/m annalem pensionem per manus Custodis Jabrice prejato Willielmo ad terminum vite 
 sue ad quatvm- Anni terminos principales viz. : ad festa Natalis dni . pasche . Nativitatem 
 Sancti Johannis Baptiste et Sancti Michaelis Archangeli equis porcionibus, et cet et cet. 
 
 On the 3rd of November, John Gunthorp, the Dean, Thomas Overay, Precentor, 
 John Austell, William Bocat, and John Stevens, the Chapter, in their own name and 
 (nomine procuratorio) proctorially for J. Wanfibrde, Sub-dean, J. Lasty, W. Chokke, and 
 J. Hyll being absent et diversii infirmitatibus vexatorum, named and deputed J. Austell 
 and W. Bocat to supervise, arrange, and depute three writers to write and register in one 
 book all the evidences and muniments of the said Church without any further delay. 
 
 The same Canons were deputed to inspect the Treasury, and see what vestments and 
 ornaments there and in the other Chantries required repair. 
 
 The same day, 20s. was granted to Thomas Champneys by way of annual pension 
 during the pleasure of the Chapter pro suo bono servicio et discreto consilio ; to be paid by 
 the Communar of the Church. 
 
 On the 1st of December, John Sampson, Vicar Choral, was admitted to a perpetual 
 vicarship pro ejus habilitate tarn in moribus quam sciencia ac eciam ipsius bono gestu, - 
 for which qualities, we may observe, Tnajor pars vicariorum deposuit. 
 
ArPENDIX M. 181 
 
 The same day, the Dean objecit Dno W. Baron vicario choraU. It appears that he had 
 been (intitulatus) ordered in the weekly table of services to rule the choir at matins on 
 the Feast of St. Alidre-w, which office he was statutably bound to fulfil either in his own 
 person or by some other. This, however, he had failed to do, not haviag put in an 
 appearance, whereby a grievous and great scandal was given to the Church, and to the rest 
 of the Vicars a very pernicious example. For this he could make no reasonable excuse. 
 The Dean, accordingly, with the consent of his colleagues, ordered him to be punished by 
 the taking from him his habit and his share of the common fund for one month, and there 
 and then so suspended him, in agreement with the statutes of the Church. 
 
 On the 7th of January, the Dean and Chapter, after a mutual consultation on the 
 matter, agreed that the third part of any prebends vacant by the deaths of their possessors, 
 which according to the statutes and consuetudinary of the Church used to belong to them 
 for a whole year, should for the future be converted to the use of their said Cathedral 
 Church pro salute cmimarwm illorum sic deGedencium. To this order of Chapter the 
 Treasurer, the Sub-dean, J. Lasty, W. Chokke, and Walter Knyghtley agreed by 
 proctor. 
 
 The same day, the Dean received the usual authority to act for the Chapter infra 
 regnum Anglie, &c., and leave of absence to the ensuing feast of the Nativity of St. John 
 the Baptist. 
 
 1491. 
 
 Pridie Kalendis Maroii, the Dean and Chapter gave Walter Knyghtley forty days in 
 compkmentum residencie sue, in addition to the forty days given to each Canon Resi- 
 dentiary ; and on the 9th of April, Thomas Harries, the Treasurer, received leave of 
 absence for sixty days, pro certis negociis London fadendis. 
 
 On the 13th of April, John Chenay, after the usual depositions of the Vicars Choral, 
 was admitted by the Precentor to all the rights, conveniences, and emoluments of a non- 
 perpetual vicarage for one year. John Lofman was appointed his ascultor. 
 
 Quinto decimo die Maii Anno dSi supradicto circa horam quartam post meridiem in 
 quadam magna perlora infra domum residencie suo habitacionis Ven. viri Mr. J. Gunthorp 
 Dec. eccl. Cath. Well Ven. Pater dns Thomas dei gracia Tinensis epus venit coram Ven. 
 viris M. prefato decano ac Thoma Overay Precentori Thoma Harries Thesaurario . Johne 
 Austell Willmo Bocat Johne Vowell et Johne Stevens et licenciam peciit ab eisdem ad 
 exequendum officium circa sepulturam corporis presentis bone memorie Roberti nuper 
 Bath, et Well. epi. Et tunc prefati Decanus et confratres sui unanimi illorum consensu 
 potestatem et licenciam ad sepiliendum dictum corpus eidem diio Tinensi epo prebuerunt 
 et concesserunt potestantes quod in prejudicium statutorum sen laudabilium consuetudinum 
 prefate ecclesie Cathedralis vel suorum aliquid agere vel facere non intendebant. 
 
 And upon the 28th day of May, 1491, the Dean and Chapter {uncmimi illorum 
 voluntate decreverunt fore denunciandum) unanimously of their own will and accord 
 decreed that notice should be given to the Pious Prior of the Cathedral Church of Bath, 
 and the Convent of the same place, that the Bishopric of Wells was vacant by the death 
 of the Lord Robert, of blessed memory, last possessor of the same. 
 
 On the 9th of June, the same year, the Dean and Chapter unanimously decreed that 
 notice should be given to the Prior and Convent of the Cathedral Church of Bath that 
 the proctors of both Chapters should meet apud fernton, on the Thursday next after the 
 feast of St. Barnabas the Apostle— that is, on the 14th of June, to order and provide 
 
182 APPENDIX M. 
 
 proctors of both Chapters to be sent to the king for licence to elect their future bishop : 
 they then deputed W. Bocat and John Vowell to this intent and purpose. 
 
 The same day, Mr. Richard Lichfield, Archdeacon of Bath, W. Bocat, "Walter 
 Knyghtley, and Eichard Nyk, were appointed Capitular Proctors to appear in convocacione 
 cleri celebranda London in ecclesia Sti Pauli xxi. die Instante Mensis Jv/nii. 
 
 On the 20th of June, the Precentor, " in the absence of the Dean and Sub-dean," 
 admitted Religiosum virum dompn».m W. Wykes, Abbot of the Monastery of Mychelnay, 
 Prebendary of the Prebend of Ilmystre. He was installed in his own person. 
 
 On the 2nd of July, Walter Knyghtley received leave of absence to the Feast of the 
 Assumption S. V. M. in complementum residencie sue computari et currere sine fructu. 
 (This is the first occasion that I can see where the term currere sine fructu is used for 
 absque distributionibus quotidianis.) 
 
 On the 18th of July, the Precentor admitted John Broghing to a non-perpetual 
 vicarage, with all its emoluments, for whose good disposition major et sanior pa/rs vica/riorum 
 deposuit. He was admitted into the vicarial stall of the prebend of Cumba III. John 
 Lemman was appointed his ascultor. 
 
 Pridie Kalend. Augusti, John Nolle was admitted to stall of Cumba XIIL, with John 
 Tonker for ascultor. 
 
 On the 2nd of August, Simon Law was admitted Vicar Choral for the prebend of 
 Wanstre, with Richard Huchons for ascultor. 
 
 Here follows a memorandum that John Gunthorp, with the consent of the Chapter, 
 gave to His Most Excellent Majesty King Henry VII. one missal, lately the gift of 
 Thomas Bekyngton, once Bishop of Bath and Wells, in exchange for anotier missal given 
 to the Dean and Chapter by the King. 
 
 On the 23rd of September, the Dean, assisted by the Precen,tor before mentioned, and 
 four of the Canons Residentiary, "objected" to William Chokke, Canon Residentiary, who 
 appeared before them, that he had very often committed the grievous crime of adultery with 
 a certain Agnes Meryke, wife of John Richard, whom he had long held in adulterous 
 embraces, to the grave scandal of the Church. W. Chokke pleaded not guilty to the 
 charge. Upon this, the Dean called upon him to purge himself from these charges on the 
 morrow — that is, the 24th day of the same month, by six priests, honourable, discreet, and 
 trusty men, of whom three should be Canons and three Vicars Choral. W. Chokke 
 accordingly appeared, but we are told defecit in purgadone sua. He stood, therefore, 
 convicted of the crime, but was, by the consent of the Chapter, given another week, at the 
 expiration of which time he appeared again before the Chapter, and promised that he 
 would for the future abstain from such communications with the aforesaid Agnes, and 
 took a corporal oath on the gospels that he would humbly submit to and fulfil sa.lutary 
 penance for his manifest and notorious ofience. He also swore that, should any further 
 charge similar to the above, or of incontinence, be brought against him again by respectable 
 witnesses, from which he could not purge himself, that he would, the first time he was 
 convicted, pay £10 to the fabric fund within three months; the second time, £15 • the 
 third time, £20; and to undergo further and heavier penalties should he be found incor- 
 rigible — namely, the deprivation of his canonry, if, after the third committal, he persist in 
 the same wickedness. The Dean and Chapter also decreed that the said William Chokke 
 should absent himself from the Cathedral Church and city of Wells for two whole years 
 and should receive nothing de magna communa nee cotidianis distributionibus nee ceteris 
 emolumientis ; but that before his return to take up his residence as Canon, he must obtain 
 
APPENDIX M. 183 
 
 special leave of the Dean and Chapter or of their successors : which sentence, payment of 
 pecuniary penalties, and privation of Canonry, W. Chokke gratefully accepted and pro- 
 mised to comply with. 
 
 On the Feast of St. Jerome, the regular annual appointments were made; but 
 Richard Pomeroy, who was nominated and had taken the oflice of Clerk of the Fabric, 
 was not present nor took the oath. The usual forty days of grace were granted to all 
 Canons who were making actual residence (ad tunc residenciam faciens actualem). John 
 Bawdewyn was, however, suspended for his manifest contumacy in not obeying the lawful 
 monitions of the Chapter, and deprived of his habit. He immediately submitted with all 
 humility, and was reinstated and restored. 
 
 On the 4th of October, the aforesaid Dean, with the consent of the Chapter, by the 
 authority of a certain mandate of the Most Excellent Prince in Christ, Henry, by the 
 grace of God King of England and France the Yllth, in the vacancy of the See, admitted 
 Mr. W. Bocat to the Sub-deanery of the Cathedral Church and to the Personalty of 
 "Woky in the same. He was, in his own person, installed in the stall of the Sub-deanery. 
 
 Eodem die deoretum fuit ad sequest/randum omnes fructus redditus et proventus 
 pnoratus de Barlich pro defectu soltccionis pensionum eccl. Caih. Well, debita et arreragio 
 turn soluto. 
 
 On the 21st of October, William Bocat, the Sub-dean, and the Chapter assembled, 
 appointed the Dean ctctorem ecclesie, with the usual leave of absence. 
 
 Pridie Kal&nd. Novembr., Thomas Overay presented Richard Lewys in Altomstam, 
 iipon the nomination of Thomas Harries, the Treasurer, and gave him the keys. 
 
 On the last day of Febi-uary, in the same year, there appeared before W. Bocat, the 
 Sub-dean, and Thomas Overay, the Precentor, Thomas Harries, the Treasurer, John 
 Austell and John Stevens, Canons Residentiary, Mr. John Vowell, Canon Residentiary, 
 (acting as) proctor of the Venerable Mr. Richard Nykk, Doctor of Law, Canon and Pre- 
 bendary of the prebend of Yatton, lawfully and sufficiently appointed to the same, and in 
 the proctorial name of his master, openly and publicly, then and there, before the same 
 Sub-dean and his brethren, protested as to his residing in the said Church according to the 
 statutes and laudable customs of the same, and sought that his aforesaid master be 
 admitted Canon Residentiary of the said Church. The accustomed caution (money), 100 
 marks, having been forthcoming, the above-mentioned Sub-dean admitted the aforesaid 
 Mr. Richard Nykk, in the person of his proctor, as Canon Residentiary of the aforesaid 
 church et ad omnia comoda et emolumenta oa/nonico residenciario pertinencia; and the Dean 
 and his colleagues, by their consent, provided the said Mr. Richard Nykk with those 
 canonical dwellings which W. Chokke had lately inhabited, and collated him to the same 
 house for his residence therein to be made. Moreover, they granted to the same Richard 
 doMsu/ram juxta dictas domos adjacentem, lately in the tenure of W. Chokke, so that he 
 pay annually to the Dean and Chapter the accustomed rent for the same. 
 
 The same day, Richard Nykk received forty days' leave of absence whenever he 
 pleased cit/ra festwm sancti Michaelis proxirnvmi futurum sine cotidianis distributionibus. 
 
 1492. 
 
 On the 21st of April, the Dean, Precentor, Treasurer (by the usual forms described 
 as present), and Canons Residentiary, ordained, concluded, and willed that one and all the 
 fruits forthcoming of the vicarage Church of Wedmore, whether owing to Roger Jannys, 
 lately vicar of the same, before the day of his death, or to the Dean and Chapter belonging 
 by reason of its being vacant, should be received by John XJstwhate, and well and securely 
 
184 APPENDIX M. 
 
 guarded until it be well known and understood what by right belongs to the aforesaid 
 Roger and his executors ; and after the division and separation of those fruits belonging 
 to the aforesaid Roger from those belonging to the Dean and Chapter, the Dean and 
 Chapter aforesaid will and grant that all fruits, and other their dues, be divided into two 
 equal parts, and that one part be counted to the use and utility of the aforesaid Dean and 
 Chapter, and that the other part of the aforesaid fruits altogether remain for the future 
 vicar, towards the expenses of the vicarage, etc. 
 
 The same day, Richard Nykk received forty days' leave of absence. 
 
 On the 2nd of April, the Sub-dean and Chapter unanimously granted to William 
 Northem, Vicar Choral, on account of his great age and bodily debility, and specially 
 quod frequenter est confessor Ganonicorum pro majore pa/rte, leave not to come to matins 
 tempore nocturno. Et nichilominus quod posset, in dies percipere denarium diumum non 
 obstantibus statutis ecclesie Gathedralis in ea parte editis. 
 
 Mat 21. — John Aleyn was admitted in vicariam perpetuam ecclesie prebende de 
 lydea/rd epl. 
 
 ir.B. — After this date the ordinary entries are omitted, unless they contain any 
 special circumstance worthy of mention, any new name, installation, or accident worthy 
 of comment. 
 
 Pridie Kalend. Julii, Nicholas Halfwell, in medidnis doctor, was admitted in canoni- 
 cum et confratrem eccl. Oath, predicte ac prebendarium prebende de Wedmore tercia. 
 
 July 18. — John Broghing was admitted perpetual vicar. 
 
 August 2. — Simon Lane (presbiter) was admitted perpetual vicar. 
 
 In September, the same year (the exact date is wanting), the Sub-dean and Chapter, 
 under letters patent of the Rev. Father in God Richard, by the grace of God Bishop of 
 Bath and Wells, approved of Edmund Myel as receiver and supervisor of the Bishopric. 
 (A vacant page follows where the letter was to be copied.) 
 
 On the 2nd of October, the several officers of the Cathedral were sworn (their names 
 will be found in the general table of the annual collations) ; and we find one of the first 
 and few notices of the duties and obligations of the Tabellarius, whose position must have 
 been one of the most invidious and responsible in the establishment. 
 
 John Lofman, whose name has been famUiar to us for some years, was chosen 
 Tabellarius, and swore that he woxxld juxta posse for the following year well and diligently 
 exercise his office, and would note all the vicars coming to matins by night, and leaving 
 the choir before the end of the same, and on the next Saturday, at the reading of the Table, 
 would intimate to the Dean, Sub-dean, or President of the Chapter their names, that they 
 might be punished. 
 
 Richard Lewys took the oath required of an altarista. 
 
 On the 9th of October, all the Vicars Choral appeared before the Dean and Chapter, 
 and apologised that nuper illorum temeritate singula/rem opinionem habuerunt et tenuervnt 
 ac contemptibiliter asseruerunt quod quilibet illorum qui intererat horis matutinis quinquies 
 per quamlibet septimanam ex debita et antiqua consuetudine ejusdem ecclesie communam 
 integram dicte septimane perciperet et haberet. Their prayer was favourably and graciously 
 heard, and they were assured of the intention of the Chapter to fully grant all 
 their due. 
 
 March 7. — Simon Lane, who had so lately been admitted perpetual vicar, and is 
 here called Chaplain Vicar Choral, confessed, in reply to the charge brought against him 
 by the Dean and Chapter, that he had often been guilty of adultery with a certain woman 
 
APPENDIX M. 185 
 
 — namely, the daughter of William Welmote, a burgess of Wells ; for which crime he 
 submitted himself to their correction. The Dean therefore enjoined him that on the next 
 Sunday he must humbly walk before the procession with bare feet and head, and only a 
 surplice over his gown, with one candle in his hand, more penitente, and that he offer the 
 aforesaid candle to the wooden image of S. Andrew, before the high altar, when the 
 procession had passed ; and for the grave scandal and infamy which he had occasioned to 
 the aforesaid Church and its ministers, the Dean suspended him from receiving his 
 vicarial habit for six months, and from all his emoluments. Nevertheless, after this a 
 difference of opinion arose as to that part of the public penance which ordered him to 
 process with naked feet and bare head, with one candle in his hand, before the choir ; and 
 some of the Canons dissenting from this, the Dean relaxed that portion of the penalty, and 
 postponed the business for a week. 
 
 Makch 9. — The Chapter gave the Dean acquittal in all his business and money 
 transactions on their behalf ab origine mundi usque presentem diem. 
 
 1493. 
 A.PRIL 4. — Richard Nykke was granted a month's leave of absence to manage and 
 expedite business with the Bishop, and specially for a mandate to induce Archidiaeonos 
 prepositos et ceteras dignitates prehendas sibi amnexas to pay their dues, and 
 
 On April 13, they approved, ratified, and confirmed, and sealed by their common 
 seal a certain charter made to Edmund Mille and Anna his wife, about certain lands infra 
 dominium de Wells ; and ratified, approved, and confirmed in like manner a certain writing 
 about the manor or lordship of Compton Epi, in Berkshire, to John Mercote, &c. 
 
 April 19. — The Sub-dean, W. Boket, was installed in the prebendal stall of White- 
 laky ngton, vacant by the death of John Lasty. 
 
 April 22. — John Manyman was installed Canon and Prebendary -of the prebend of 
 Dynre, by the free resignation of Henry Pavy. 
 
 April 13. — By authority of the mandate of Kichard, by Divine permission Bishop of 
 Bath and Wells, the Dean admitted John Eetforde, in sacra theologia bacallaurium, to 
 the Canonry and Prebendary of the Prebend of Combe VIII., vacant by the death of 
 John Taillor. 
 
 Pridie Kalend. Maii, the Dean admitted Peter Caresleigh Canon and Prebendary of 
 the Prebend of Shalford, alias Scanford, vacant by the resignation of Mr. Boket, who 
 acted as his proctor on this occasion, and was installed on his behalf. 
 
 The same day, Ralph Lepton was admitted Canon and Prebendary of Ayshill, by his 
 proctor, W. Boket, vacant by the death of John Wanfforde. 
 
 On the 3rd of May, the Dean and Chapter approved, ratified, and confirmed a certain 
 charter of their Reverend Father in Christ, Richard, etc., that certain lands which had 
 been recently in the tenure of Beatrix Danbarichcourt in Ca/rsohde infra manerium de 
 Welles be granted to Edmund Mille and his wife for life. 
 
 The Dean and Chapter approved, ratified, and confirmed letters patent from their 
 Reverend Father about the offices of Bailiffs for the liberty as well as the city of Wells to 
 William ffulford. Knight, for the term of his life. 
 
 May 22. John Monyman, Canon, publicly and openly protested his residence, and 
 
 was admitted Residentiary. 
 
 The last day of May, the Chapter decreed that as Mr. Walter Knyghtley had absented 
 himself from the said Church from last S. Michael's day to the last day of the month, and 
 in the meantime had not taken up {incepit) his residence for the past year, that he should 
 
 4b 
 
186 APPENDIX M. 
 
 receive nothing from the daily distributions, nor the great Common, nor the hundred 
 marks for the residence of John Manyman. 
 
 On the 16th June, the Dean and Chapter approbaverunf et ratificaverunt et confirma- 
 veruni mamMnissionem Richa/rdi Hawkyns nativi dni Epi ad manerium, de Bcmwell 
 spectantis, and also to E.. Nykke, Canon, one close of meadow in the Bishop's park in. the 
 manor of Wells, which had been granted him by the Bishop ; and Robert Williamson 
 was appointed to the office Registra/rie Cancellariat' dni epi for life. 
 
 July 2. — John Vasy installed vicar non-perpetual : J. Aleyn, ascultor. 
 
 July 19. — The Dean and Chapter, on letters patent of the Bishop, Richard, etc., 
 granted to Egidius Daubenay (domino de Daubenay) the office of custodian of Westbury 
 Park, and of all the Bishop's deductus of all the parks in the county of Somerset and 
 South Gloucester, and also that of seneschal of the lordship or manor of Dogmerifelde for 
 life, with an annual pension of ten marks from the manor of Westbury, with a clause to 
 distrain, etc. They also granted a pension of twenty marks dno Amisio powlet militi de 
 et super officio seneschali for life. 
 
 The same day, John Oroker, native of the manor of Cheddar, received his manu- 
 mission pro eo et tota sequela sua procreata et procreanda. They confirmed the custody of 
 Banwell park and manor, with the ancient fee, xxvis. vine?., and to Peter Gregory the 
 custody of Evercreech park (under the Bishop's letters patent in each case), with 
 fee of XLS. 
 
 August 10. — John Orchard and Richard Rede were admitted Vicars Choral, with 
 John Tonker and John Aleyn ascultors. 
 
 August 17. — Richard Nykke, Canon Residentiary, and in this instance vicarius in 
 spiritualibus generalis, cited the Chapter in the name of the Lord Bishop of Bath and 
 "Wells : Hujus vera auctoritate mcmdati ex commissione domini Subdecani Johannes White 
 Sacrista personas omnium, et singulorum de ecclesia Cath. Wellen. qui hujusmodi visitadoneni 
 suhire deberent juxta consuetudinem ipsius ecchsie haetenus " usitatam" intali negocio 
 peremptorie dtavit quod comparerent juxta vim formam et effectvm, tenoris mandati Gertifi- 
 eatoriv/m ta/men factum, fuerat sub sigillo ad causas sub nomine Subdecani. 
 
 August 20. — The Sub-dean admitted, with consent of the Chapter and by mandate 
 of the Bishop, Thomas Colson clerk to a Canonry and tlie Prebend of Compton Dunden, 
 vacant by the death of Thomas Overay. He was installed in the person of John Stevens, 
 his proctor. 
 
 August 20. — This entry is somewhat interesting as being the first instance in which 
 we find express mention of a dissentient voice in the Capitular Acts. The Chapter 
 nominated John Algar to a perpetual vicarage. Magistro Ricardo Nikke solo dissenciente. 
 
 John Spereman, the same day, was given 6s. 8d. pro suo bono servicio ecclesie Cath. 
 Well, in officio communis laboratoris ejusdem impenso et in posterum impendendo, which 
 fee was to continue so long as he satisfactorily performed his duties as "common 
 labourer.'' 
 
 September 7. — Bawdewynn Howse was admitted altaHsta; William Silke to the 
 Canonry and Prebendary of Combe IX. 
 
 And on the 17th of September, the Dean and Chapter appointed, made, and 
 ordained me (says the Chapter Clerk) Thomam Wade Actorum Gapitnilorvm scribam pro- 
 curatorem illorum ad provocandum appellandum et Ulorum nomine appellationes petendum 
 ac se et prebendas dicte ecclesie cath. et prebendales ecclesias et capellas ejusdem annexas et 
 habitantes in eisdem ac omnes et singulas sibi adherentes seu adherere volentes, &c. &c. 
 
APPENDIX M. 187 
 
 This was signed and sealed in the presence of Thomas Goldewagge, Notary Public, 
 and John Tonker and John Aleyn. 
 
 After the appointment of the usual officers of the Church, a characteristic act receivea 
 capitular assent : namely, that whenever the Eschaetor renders his accounts of the fruits 
 and forthcomings of a vacant prebend, two parts shall be retained by the Dean and 
 Chapter, and the third part for the vacant prebend ; but if after two years this third part 
 be not asked for, it be given to the Dean and Chapter for the use of the Church and the 
 soul of the prebendary. 
 
 On this occasion the expression is first used of capitular action that det&rminatum 
 et dearetv/m fuit. 
 
 According to these terms a somewhat important business was settled by the Chapter, 
 namely : de cetera Johamnea Howsse in edificio jimta iniroitum cimiterii manens non 
 exercebit domum sitam in le dying ibidem propter corrupdonem et polhicionem cv/rsus 
 aquarum in grave nocumentum vicinorum in ceteris edifldis ibidem mcmendtim et moram 
 trahendum. Et quod aqua habeat suum purum cursum per gwrgites suae prout ab antiquo 
 habere consueverit 
 
 November 4. — The Dean and Chapter (Decano et Thesaurario excepto) gave the 
 Dean and Treasurer thirty days' leave of absence pro quihusda/m, arduis negociis dicte 
 ecclesie London expediendis. 
 
 fol. 47. 
 
 November 18. — ^Thomas Wodyngton, Proctor of W. Wareham, lawfully appointed, 
 appeared on. behalf of his master, on whom the Bishop had conferred the Precentorship, 
 and took the corporal oath of obedience to the Dean and Chapter. It is expressly stated 
 that this dignity was vacant by the natural death of Thomas Overay, whose name we have 
 so often found in the Chapter Acts of the last few years. 
 
 April 18. — John Stevens admitted under order of the Bishop to the Provostship of 
 the Cathedral in the Canonry and Prebend of Combe XII., in the person of his proctor 
 the Sub-dean. 
 
 March 9. — Andrew Bowstede was admitted also to that of Wedmore II., vacant by 
 the resignation of Peter Hnse. 
 
 Pridie Kalmd. Aprilis 1494. — William Thomson was admitted to the Prebendary of 
 Barton, vacant by death of John Hyll. 
 
 1494. 
 
 April 10. — The Provost made the usual declaration as to his receipt of £30, the 
 guarantee so required by statute. 
 
 The Dean and Chapter also confirmed literas unius tosti cum pertin' jacent' in 
 Wynsham concessas WilUelmo Hays, Generoso, Mqrcho Hays, Boberto Baggwell, Hugoni 
 Hobbull et Alford ad terminwm nonaginta annorum per Thoma/m Bwrowe preposilwm ad 
 usum ecclede prebendalis de Wynshami, 
 
 April 7. — John Vowell was given leave to occupy eanonicales domos recently occupied 
 by William Boket, the Sub-dean, on payment of same annual rent to Dean and Chapter. 
 
 The same day, the Treasurer exhibited a provocation or appeal, which was read by 
 the Chapter Clerk. 
 
 April 26. — Letters of the Bishop were confirmed about the lordship of Compton, in 
 Berkshire, and the park-teeper of'Evercreech. 
 
 May 28. The Treasurer was given twenty days of leave, on condition that he would 
 
 well and diligently attend upon the Dean in expediting certain business in London. 
 
188 APPENDIX M. 
 
 July 24. — Richard Nykke was admitted by the Sub-dean to the Archdeaconry 
 of Wells, and then took the following oath : — 
 
 Ego Bicardus Nykke Archidiaconus Well&n ero obediens Decano et Capitulo istius 
 ecclesie Gathedralis Wellen in omnibus licitis et canonicis mandatis ac sfatuta ordinaciones 
 et laudabUes consuetudines ecclesie Cathedralis Wellen predictas juxta posse meum inidola- 
 biliter observabo et presertim ea omnia et singula que michi racione Archidiaconalis dignitatis 
 ex quibuscuTique hujusmodi ecclesie Wellen statutis et ordinacionibus ab antiquo et noviter 
 editis incumbunt et facere teneor in eadem diligenter et effectualiter pro viribus meis /aciam 
 et perimplebo. Et in super jura quod procurabo et jura/re fadam officialem meum qui 'pro 
 tempore fuerit quod hos omnes fructus redditus obvendones et quecumque emolumenta 
 quo'rumicumque benefidorum infra Archidiaconatv/m meum predictum que qualitercunque 
 post hac vacabunt bene et fideliter levabit colliget et recipiet ac de receptis singulis annis 
 calculum convpotwm seu raciocinium Decano et Capitulo juxta Statutwm, dsc, <Ssc. 
 
 July 24. — Robert Middleton was admitted to the prebendary of Yacton. 
 
 The Watermill at North Curry. fol. 48. 
 
 On August 20th, a Chapter meeting was held, when much debate was held upon the 
 discords and controversies between the Dean and Chapter and the Prior and Convent of 
 Monteacuto with regard to the construction and building of a certain watermill at North- 
 cory, et "pro ojqua de Tone" about which the Dean and Chapter compromiserimt ut 
 asseruerunt to the Bishop Ad standum in alto et in basso laudo judicio arbiirio et ordi- 
 nacioni Episcopi et ad hoc obligavervM se. It seems, therefore, that by a certain deed, 
 which is afterwards quoted and called " scriptum obligatorium,'' they had promised to pay 
 £200 to the Bishop aw< sim certo Attornato on the next feast of S. Michael, to which 
 obligation they hereby bound both themselves and their successors, August 24, ninth year 
 of Henry VII. post conquestum. 
 
 The conduct of Capitular business is sufficiently interesting to justify us in quoting 
 the condition of this obligation in full as illustrative of their appeals to the Bishop : — 
 
 Gondicio ipsius obligacionis talis est quod si supra obligati dscamus et Capitulum 
 steterunt laudo judicio arbitrio et ordinacione sitpranominati Beverendi in christo patris 
 B. <Ss W. Episcopi de et super litibus debatis questionibus discordiis et controversiis motis et 
 habitis inter prefatos Deca/num et Capitulum ex parte una et Beligiosos viros priorem et 
 Conventv/m Monasterii de Monte A cuto in Comit. Somerset, ex parte altera pro constrtcccione 
 et edificaeione ejusdam molendini aquatici in aqua de Tone infra manerium eorumdem 
 Decani et Capituli de Northcory et pro eadem, aqua. Necnon pro omnibus et singulis que pro 
 eisdem molendino et aqua moveri seu haberi poterunt in futuro vel ab illis dependentibus seu 
 quomodolibet emevgentibus. Ac eciam si ex parte sua laudum judicium a/rbitrium, et ordina- 
 cionem ejusdem Beverendi Patris inviolabiliter observaverint et perimpleverint eisdemque et 
 in alto et in basso consenserunt et obedierunt ac meUoribus viis et modis quibus poterint pro 
 se et successoribus suis ipsa custodierint et conjirmaverint proviso semper quod predicta 
 laudum judicium arbitrium et ordinacio fiant et reddantur citra festum Natalis domini 
 proximv/m futv/rum post datum suprasariptum obligacionis tunc prefata obligacio ducent- 
 a/rum libra/rum, pro nulla habeatur alioquin in suo robore permaneat, &c. 
 
 On August 23rd, the Chapter appointed the Archdeacon of Wells their proctor in 
 these strifes, debates, discords, and controversies, at their own expense. 
 
 Amisius Pawlett and Edmund Mill were appointed ' the Bishop's park-keepers of 
 Claverton, near Bath, and Poklechurch. 
 
APPENDIX M. 189 
 
 September 23. — The Chapter confirmed a certain charter by which the Bishop had 
 granted the reversion of certain lands to Richard Burnell, Edmund Mille, and Anne his 
 wife, after the death of Johanna Burnell his wife, which will be found written in alio 
 libro {reversionis terrarum, et al. Clausi et edificiorum concessam et factam per dominum, 
 Rica/rdum Episcopum). 
 
 The same day, the Dean and Chapter revocaverunt et cassaverunt that clause inserted 
 and interlineated without reasonable cause by the Bishop about the officers of receiver, 
 supervisor, and keeper of the Park of Pokleohurch. 
 
 1494. 
 
 Thomas Hobson, auditor of Episcopal accounts. 
 
 Thomas Crosse, chaplain of Hospital of S. Mary and All Saints, near S. Cuthbert's. 
 
 November 22. — Prior de Monteacuto in action with Chapter again. The Archdeacon 
 of Wells appointed agent. 
 
 Constant and repeated grace is given during this year to the Dean and other members 
 of the Chapter to be absent on business in London. In all probability this refers to the 
 suit which had long been carried on by the Chapter against the Prior and Convent of 
 Montacute, about the "Water of Tone at North Currey, on which subject the following 
 letter was sent by the King to the " Prior of Montaca" : — 
 
 "Trusty and wellbeloved in god We grete you well and whereas we be enformed that 
 certaine variaunces have of long tyme depended betwixt you on that oon partie and the 
 Dean and Chapitre of our Cathedrall Church of Wellys on the other partie touching a 
 mylle by thayme bilded upon the water of Tone within our Countie of Somerset whereby 
 and thurgh othre things concernynge the same matier y' think that y'^ and yo' monastery 
 your house bee in some things wronged And to them it is denied to the contrary which 
 variaunce or controversie hath for thappeasing thereof by thaggrement of both parties 
 bene pute into the hands of the Right Reverend fader in god the now bisshop oi duresme 
 And late bisshop of Bathe and Wellys who for great or oharegeable busynes l)y him had for 
 us in diverse other matiers And also for lak of a good and metely leysour in that Season 
 made no decree in the same cause ssoo that the variaunce stande now at large again as 
 indiscussed which we wold gladly were resonably appeased, considering that ye both parties 
 bee men of the churche for the Whiche cause ye shuld bee the mor conformable to all 
 resonably meanes of peas. Wherunto the said Dean and Chapitre be right desirous And at 
 all Seasons same bee redy to aggree with you after the discrecion of worshipful indifferent 
 and well consoienced persones for any suche thing as by thayme may bee founden that 
 herafter shalbe to your hurte As we bee enformed desire tharfor and pray you that ye 
 wilbe aggreable as we trust the othr parte wol bee to put the same matiers of variaunnce 
 estsones into the hand of the said Bisshop of duresme under such bonds obligacions and 
 condicions . As affore ware made w' such a good and resonable season as he may geue 
 his decree in the same, with thadvise of such WorshipfuU and indifferent persones 
 as by you both parties shalbe thought metely and convenient to beter ordere the matier 
 to his hande. So that for lak thereof his decree and jugement in that partie shal not nede 
 to be taryed or lett in any wise And over this wher as it may be thoght that the See 
 of Bathe and Wellys afforsaid now vacant ye wil attempte by way of fete some thinge of 
 hurt or displeaser ayeinst theyme concernyng their said mille or thing doon affor this to 
 the weale of the same. 
 
 "We remembring that the said See is now voide of an hede to be protector and 
 defender of the same as apperteyneth wel and strately charge you that duryng the said 
 
190 APPENDIX M. 
 
 season of voidance ye neither do nor attempte to be doon by any colorable meanes thing 
 that may bee prejudicial! or hurtfuU to the said dean and chapitre or thair said mylle or 
 any othr thing affor this doon concernyng the same. As ye Wil Avoyed our gret dis- 
 pleasor and answer unto us in that ye half yeuen under our signet at our manor of Shene 
 the XX day of Marche. 
 
 " To the p^or of Mountaou." 
 
 March 24. — W. Rewys, in mcarium non perpetuatum. J. Tonker, ascultor. 
 
 Last day of February, 1494. — Mr. Roger Cliurch, doctor of decrees, Reverendissimi in 
 Christo patris et domini domini Johannis permissione divina tituli Sancte Anastasie Bomcme 
 ecclesie preshiteri . Cardinalis Gantuariensis Archiepiscopi todus Anglie priinatis et Apostolice 
 sedis legati, in civitate et diocesi Bathon et Wellen . sede episcopali ibidem vacante Gommis- 
 sarius ac vicarius in spiritualihus generalis et cusfos spiritualitatis vice et auctoritate prefati 
 Jieverendissimi, et cet. et cet, visited the Chapter of Bath and Wells and the Vicars Choral 
 et Annicalarios, and the other ministers of the said Church, and continued his visitation 
 thus begun unto the last day of March, on which day the Sub-dean came into the Chapter- 
 house, and by virtue and authority of the same Commissary, with Thomas Gilbert and 
 Walter Morys, prorogued the same visitation for certain reasons until the last day in 
 June, and any day in the meantime, should need so require, in the presence of Thomas, 
 " Episcopus Tinensis," Canon Residentiary, and William Briggman and Thomas Seman, 
 Annivellars, and Thomas Wade, Notary Public and Chapter Clerk. 
 
 April 9. — The Dean and Chapter received certain letters patent from King 
 Henry VII., by which he gave and granted to his chaplain, Richard Hatton, utriusque 
 juris doctori, the prebend of Wedmore V., vacant by the death of William Slaughter nuper 
 incumbentis ibidem. This was given at Westminster on February 9th, 1494. By the 
 authority of these letters, the Dean (it specially adds), cum consensu pa/riter assensu con- 
 /ratrum, admitted Richard Hatton in the person of his proctor, John Manyman. 
 
 On June 24th, the Chapter gave Thomas Gilbert thirty additional days' leave of 
 absence, as he was engaged on the business of the Church in London, with the Cardinal of 
 Canterbury. 
 
 June 23.— Thomas Weston, V.P. 
 
 Pridie Kalendas Julii, the Dean and Chapter gav« T. Gilbert leave to hold and 
 occupy the canonical houses lately in the occupation of Richard Worthington, and that 
 they are deinceps et inantea united and annexed to those houses in which T. Gilbert now 
 resides and keeps residence, on condition that he pay his annual rent to the Dean and 
 Chapter, or their officials, and repair and maintain them at his own cost et Alias non 
 necessa/rias expensas (?) ad voluntatem prostemet et amovebit. (These words added later.) 
 
 TJiom^s, Tinensis Episcopus, was given leave on July 11th to reside for a year in 
 the Hospital of S. John the Baptist, in Wells, from next Michaelmas, under the usual 
 statutable conditions. 
 
 John Wymler, V.P. 
 
 1495. 
 
 On October the 3rd, the Dean, in the Chapter-house pro tribunali sedens assistentibus 
 sibi et tune ibidem inter essentibus, the Sub-dean, and two Canons {fecit convocari) summoned 
 Edmund Lasty, Bawdewynn House, and John Trench, and " objected " that every night 
 they went into the town with swords and clubs, and often stayed out of the Church all 
 night, to the pernicious and grievous scandal of the Church : he then admonished them, 
 generaliter voce oraculo, that for the future none of them were to leave the Church after the 
 
APPENDIX M. 191 
 
 convenient and accustomed {congruam et consuetam) hour, under severe penalties. After- 
 wards he "objected" that John Trench hahuisset quandam mulierem in ampleodbus 
 adulteriis one night in the cemetery, and that he had also severely thrashed a man with a 
 stick in the same place. John Trench could make no excuse, but on account of the 
 absence of many of the Canons, his punishment was postponed for their consideration. 
 
 October 10. — The "Dean was elected by the Chapter, in company with John Vowell 
 and Thomas Gilbert, to be the Capitular Proctors at the Convocation to be held at S. 
 Paul's on October 19th, before the Cardinal aforesaid. The time of their absence was to 
 be counted as residence by Act of Chapter (October 24th), but they were not to receive 
 any " quotidians." 
 
 John Assh admitted V. non P., having vocem optime dispositam, the stall of prebend 
 of Wormyster was assigned to him ; and John Manyman, proctor for "William Wareham, 
 the precentor, appointed Stephen Clerke as his ascultor. 
 
 On the 9th of January, the Sub-dean and Chapter, in the absence of the Dean, caused 
 to be published and read before them the letters apostolic appointing Oliver (King) to the 
 vacant see. The " true tenor " of them was as follows : — 
 
 Alexander Episcopus Servus Servorum dei dileciis filiis Capitulo Bathon et Wellen 
 ecclesia/rum invicem vnitarum saluiem et apostoUcam benedictionem. Hodie venerabilem 
 Jratrem nostrum Oliverum Bathoniensem et WeUensem nuper Exoniensem Episcop,urn. A 
 vinculo qiio ecdesie Exoniends cui tunc preerat tenebatur de fratrum nostrorum consilio et 
 apostolice potestatis plenitudine absolventes ipswm ad nostras Bathonienses et Wellenses 
 ecclesias invicem unitas ; tunc ex eo quod nos dudum, venerabilem fratrem nostrum Rica/rdum 
 Dunelmensem time Bathoniensem et Wellensem, episcopum. A vinculo quo eisdem unitis 
 ecclesiis quibus tunc preerat tenebatur de siniilibus consilio et plenitudine absolventes ipsum 
 ad ecclesiam, dunelmensem tunc certo modo vacantem duodmus auctoritate aposiolica trans- 
 ferendum profidendo eum illi in episcopum et pastorem pastoris solacio destitutas dicta 
 anctoritate transtulimus. Ipsumque Oliverum eisdem unitis eccledis prefedmus in episcopv/m 
 et pastorem. Cwra/m et administracionem dictarum ecclesiarum vnitarum sibi in spirituali- 
 bus et temporalibus plenarie committendo prout in nostris inde con/ectis Uteris plenius 
 eontinetur. Que drca discrecioni nostre per Apostolica scripta mandamMs quatinus eidem 
 Olivero Episcopo ta/mquam pabri et pastori a/nimarwm vest/rarum humiliter intendentes ac 
 exhibentes dbi obedienciam et reverendam debitas et devotas ejus salubria merita et mandata 
 susdpiatur humiliter et efficadter adimplere curetis. Alioquin sentendam, quam, idem 
 Oliverus Episcopus rite tulerit in rebelles ratam, habebimus et fademus Auctore domini 
 usque ad satisfacdonem condignam inviolabiliter observari. Datum Rome apud sanctum 
 petrum Anno incamadonis domini millesimo cccclxxxx quinto . Octavo Idus Novembris . 
 Pontificatus nostri Anno quarto. 
 
 Januaky 16. — The Sub-dean and Chapter gave their Proctors, the Dean and John 
 Vowell (a name is here omitted), two months' leave of absence, to count as residence, while 
 they were engaged in the business of the Cathedral Church before the Cardinal in London, 
 and specially in the matter of the confirmation of their muniments. 
 
 January 18. — (Objectum fuit.) A charge was brought by the Sub-dean, in the 
 presence of the Residentiary Canons, in the Chapter-house, that at the last sessions held 
 at Wells, John White, the Sacrist, had laboured and procured and brought a certain bill 
 (laboravit et procv/ravit ac quamd-am billam eonfecit) of indictment against Baldewinn 
 House, an altar-priest, for felony, before the king's justices. John White, however, said 
 that he had neither laboured nor consented to the indictment of Baldewinn, but confessed 
 
192 APPENDIX M. 
 
 that William Apriche, a servant of the bailiff of the city of "Wells, had had a conversation 
 with him about indicting Baldewinn. But because the said John White could stop and 
 had not stopped (et non impedivit : these words appear to have been crossed out) the said 
 William from indicting Baldewinn, the Sub-dean pronounced John White excommunicated 
 et majoris excommunicationis sententia innodatum according to the statutes of the said 
 Cliurch, and warned him that he would not be absolved till the following Saturday, and 
 that on that day he should appear and show cause why he should not be deprived of his 
 habit. John White did so appear, and declared his absolution from the Sub-dean, but was 
 called upon to dismiss his servant that very same day, before vespers, on account of his 
 numerous and manifest offences. He was admonished also to endeavour to make and keep 
 the peace with Bawdewinn and his parents, and to make him amends for his injustice and 
 transgression. The Chapter was then adjourned till the following Saturday, when the 
 Sacristan appeared and said that the strife and controversy had been referred in arbitrium 
 et lavdum uu"- hominwm vicariorum. The Chapter was again adjourned for a week, when 
 John White appeared and said that their quarrel was yet under consideration, but the 
 Sub-dean admonished him that he must make amends to the offended parties, under pain 
 of losing his habit, by the next Saturday, when the Sacristan appeared, and, as a sign of 
 peace and concord, exhibited duas acquietancias, namely, one from John House, and the 
 other from Baldewinn, his son. Upon this the Sub-dean put off till the ensuing Advent 
 the penance to be inflicted upon the said John for his manifest offences. 
 
 Makch 7. — The Dean, by authority of mandate from the Bishop, Oliver King, 
 admitted Peter Carmelian to the prebend of Compton Episcopi. 
 
 March 12. — The Dean and Chapter received and inspected letters mandatory from 
 Mr. Hugh Peynthwyn, Archdeacon of Canterbury, to induct, install (instawlandum), and 
 enthrone Oliver, &c., &c. The Dean and Chapter accordingly installed and enthroned the 
 aforesaid Oliver, in the person of Thomas Gilbert, his proctor, who took the oath required 
 by the statutes of the Church. fol. 60. 
 
 Makch 12. — The Dean and Chapter (amongst whom appears the name and person 
 of John Austell as a Canon Residentiary) agreed and unanimously ruled and (finaliter) 
 concluded, from " certain just and legitimate causes moving them," that henceforth and for 
 ever all the Canons, no less future than present, who make actual residence, may come into 
 and enter the choir at all canonical hours, and at the masses, either by day or night, which 
 are sung or shall be sung in the choir, at any part of any hour or any mass whatsoever 
 when they shall find the choir singing, statuto actenus in contrarium promulgato penitus 
 non obstante. 
 
 March 18. — Thomas Austell, who, according to Chapter Acts, had been taking part 
 in their affairs and included amongst the other Residentiaries, protested that he had resided 
 et causionem centum marcarvmi exposuit. Upon this he was admitted to all the emolu- 
 ments, &c., &c. 
 
 He was Prebendary of Wormystre. 
 
 He, and the Treasurer and Thomas Cornysh, received different terms of grace for 
 residence, because they had been absent in London on Chapter business. 
 
 March 14, was admitted John Braddon to a non-perpetual vicarage. The stall of 
 Whitechurch was assigned to him, and Richard Gardener as his ascvZtor. 
 
 1496. 
 
 April 28. — Thomas Legate was admitted to the like office in the stall of the Prebend 
 of (name of Prebend is omitted), with Richard Pomeroy for ascultor. 
 
APPENDIX M. 193 
 
 May 4. — Thomas Perham Choum was installed Canon (in the person of his proctor, 
 Thomar-Harries, the Treasuretfln the stal^.^f the Prebend of Comba VII. 
 
 May 25. — Thomas Cornish and Thomas Gilbert were appointed Capitular Proctors to 
 communicate and manage the business of the Chapter in the consultation to be held at 
 Lamporte between the Prior and Conveut of Montacute and themselves, touching the 
 disputes and controversies about the mill lately de novo edificato at North Corey, and the 
 actions pending between them. 
 
 On May 28th, the Dean and Chapter agreed (in the absence of the Treasurer, Thomas 
 Comysh, and Thomas Austell, who gave their consent by letter) to refer the matter to 
 arbitration (compromise-runt ad stcmdum in alto et basso lavdo a/rhiin-io et judido), and 
 chose four independent men, John ffitzjames, Humfrey Hardy, John Bonyn, and John 
 Smyth, binding themselves under an obligation of .£200 to the Prior and Convent of the 
 exempt Monastery de Monteacuto, to be paid by them on the next S. John Baptist's day. 
 This they undertook to pay according to the arbitration of these four, de in et super jwe 
 titulo et possessione edificacionis et construcdonis cujusdam molendini acquatici de novo 
 edificati super aquM de Tone apud hcmpford in quodami solo dicti Decani et GapituK infra 
 maneriwm de Northcory in quo quidem solo dicti prior et conventus habent communam 
 pasture ad annuale tenementum suorum, de hamp depascend. . . . (These last words 
 are very indistinct.) If, however, the Dean and Chapter fully carried out the arbitration 
 by S. Peter's day ad vincula and orders which they had agreed to, this indenture was to 
 be cancelled. Alioquin vn suo robore permaneat et virtute. 
 
 Prebeudal Stall. ABcnltor. 
 
 vm. July. Thomas Kymber \ ( Wanstre. John Broghing. 
 
 Richard Ednat ) ' '\ Ilton. Stephen Clerke. 
 
 The same day, the Chapter ordered John Stephens, the Seneschal, to receive £\Q of 
 John Tonker, the Communar, for the fabric of houses at Northcory. 
 
 28th July. John Clawsey \ c Combe 3'*- Himself. 
 
 Nicholas Marshall J " ' \ Wormyster. Hugh Vasey. 
 
 On August 22nd, the Dean and Chapter decreed that they would present WiUiam 
 Drew to the Bishop, for the Chantiy (perpetual) at the altar of S. KaUxtus for the soul 
 of Mr. R. Husy, late Dean ; and they issued the said presentation under their seal. 
 
 September 14. — The Sub-dean, by consent of the Chapter and the Bishop's mandate, 
 " received " Walter ffelde, professor of sacred theology, in canonicum ecclesie Oath. Well, et 
 con/ratrem, and caused him to be installed, in the person of Mr. John Pykeman, in the 
 stall of the Prebend of Tymbrescombe. 
 
 The same day, Mr. Walter ffelde was installed Chancellor of the Cathedral Church, 
 in the place of Robert Wilson, the last Chancellor (who had died a natural death), in the 
 person of the aforesaid John Pykeman, who on his behalf took the statutable oath on the 
 gospels. As it does not exactly agree with that in the Ordinale et Statuta, it is here 
 added : — 
 
 Ego Joha/rmes Pykeman procurator Fenerabilis viri Magisi/ri Walteri ffelde sacre 
 theologie prqfessoris Gancellarii ecclesie Cathedralis Wellen . ju/ro in a/nimam domini mei 
 predieti quad ipse statuta ordinaciones et laudabiles consuetudines ejusdem ecclesie Cathedralis 
 Wellen irwiolahiliter observabit. Ac ea omnia et singula qu£ dicto domino meo racione 
 dignitatis seu cancellarie sue predicte ex quibuscumque dicte ecclesie Wellen statutis ordina- 
 cionibus vel consuetudinihus in prefata ecclesia incumbunt et facere tenetur eadem dUigenter 
 
 4c 
 
194 APPENDIX M. 
 
 et effeetualiter pro viribus suis /aciet et perimplebit sicut me et dominv/m meum supradictam 
 deus adjuvet et hea sancta dei evcmgeljia. 
 
 On October 24th, the Dean received authority to conduct the affairs of the Chapter 
 in London before the Cardinal, and had leave of absence ab egressu suo de WelUa versus 
 London usque in et adfestum Sti Thome Apostoli. 
 
 On October the 25th, they also signed and sealed an indenture handing over a cottage 
 and certain lands to the custodians of the Church of Congresbury for eighty years. 
 
 They also appointed John Vowell, who was then in London, their proctor and 
 solicitor, to expedite certain arduous business connected with the Cathedral Church before 
 the Cardinal of Canterbury. 
 
 On the last day of November, " with consent of the Chapter and by authority of a 
 mandate from the Lord Bishop," the Sub-dean admitted and received Thomas Jan, doctor 
 of decrees, to be Canon and Prebendary of Combe XIIL 
 
 Decembee 15. — They presented Thomas Ooorte capellanum ad eccksiam pa/rochialem 
 sive capellam cwratami de Estlangbrohe, vacant by the death of Henry Sutton, the last 
 Rector. 
 
 Decembke 16. — The Sub-dean, m^'ore Uterarwm miomdatoriii/m, Reverendi Episcopi, &c., 
 caused Robert Shirborne to be inducted into the Archdeaconry of Taunton, ia the person 
 of John Gossage, his proctor, who took the following oath : — 
 
 Ego Johannes Gossage precv/rator venerabilis viri Magisiri Roberti Shirborne Archi- 
 diaconi Taunton in ecclesia Oathedralis WeUen. jv/ro in amimam domini mei predicti quod 
 ipse erit obediens JDecano et Oapitulo in omnibus Ucitis et canonicis mandatis et celabit secreta 
 CapituK cum ad ipsum devenerint. Ac eciam quod idem dom/mus meus statuta ordinaciones 
 et laudabiles consuetudinss ejusdem ecclesie Cathedralis W. inviolabiliter observabit ac ea 
 omnia singula que dicto domino meo raeione Archidiaconatus sui ex quibuscumque dicta 
 ecclesie Wellen statutis ordinacionibus et consuetudinibus ab anJbiquo seu noviter editis in 
 prefata ecclesia i/ncumhunt et facere tenetur in eadem dUigenter et effeetualiter pro viribus 
 suis per se vel officialem suum /aciet et perimplebit sicut me deus, et cet. 
 
 December 21. — The Dean, with John Vowell and Thomas Gilbert, being appointed 
 Proctors for the Chapter at Convocation, and forty days' leave of ab-sence being granted 
 them, the Sub-dean installed William Cousyn Archdeacon of Bath. 
 
 Makch 27. — "With the usual forms, the Sub-dean admitted, received, and caused to 
 be installed Canon and Confrater to the Prebend of Comba IL Robert Wydowe, in musica 
 BacallavjriMm. 
 
 March 30. — John Pykeman was installed to the Prebend of Comba IV. 
 
 1497. 
 
 April 5. — Thomas Beaumont installed Canon by his Proctor, Thomas GUbert, and 
 installed in the Prebend of Taunton. 
 
 April 6. — The Dean received and admitted William ffitzherbert, doctor of law, as 
 Canon of the Church, and installed him in the Prebend of Barton. 
 
 Prebend. Asoultor. 
 
 Quindenacio of Robert Constable, V. non-P. . John Morysh. 
 
 April 14. — Dean admitted John Braddon V. P. 
 
 June 1. — Thomas Tomyow installed Canon in Prebend of Comba X., by Proctor 
 John Pykeman. 
 
 July 7. — Thomas Kymber and Richard Ednay admitted Vicars Perpetual pro 
 quorum habilitate moribus et sciencia vicarii deposuerunt. 
 
APPENDIX M. 195 
 
 July 21. — The Sub-dean and Chapter gave John Pykeman possession of canons' 
 houses lately occupied by John Manyman. 
 
 July 25. — John Lugwarden installed Canon and Prebendary of Dynre. The following 
 expression here occurs for the first time ; — Eundem, (Suhdeccmus subaicditum) installari 
 Jecit installo prebende de Dymre infra Chwwm ejusdem eoclesie ah antiquo debito ac locum 
 in capitulo eidem assignari atque ad pacis osculum eum recepit, et cei. et cet. 
 
 July 27. — John Clausay | 
 
 Nicholas Marshal J 
 
 JxjLY 28. — ^The Sub-dean and Chapter (consisting of four Canons — John Austell, 
 John Stevens, Thomas Cornissh, and Thomas Gilbert) presented Thomas Comissh to the 
 perpetual vicarage of the parish of S. Cuthbert, at Wells, per mortem naturalem domini 
 Johannis Manyman idtimi possessoris vacantem, and under their common seal presented 
 him to the Eishop. 
 
 August 13. — John Lugwarden, on payment of caution money (100 marks), having 
 protested as to residence : the following express declaration is interesting : — Quern prefatus 
 Svhdecanus cum consensu fraVrum suorrnn predActorum in Oanormam, resideneiam et ad 
 omnia comoda et emohim&nta Ca/nonico resid&ntiario pertinencia admisit cum coUdianis 
 distrihucionibus tamtwm usque ad festum SancPi Michaelis ex tvmc prooeim/wm sequens si in 
 mUa presens fu&rit et ostium apertivm custodierif, &c. 
 
 August 23. — And he was granted illas doinos Camonicales lately inhabited by 
 William Boket. 
 
 August 9. — The Treasurer received ten days' leave ex urgente causa, viz. in negociis 
 domini Hegis. 
 
 September 10. — The Sub-dean, under letters from the Bishop, installed {installari 
 Jedt) Robert Wydowe, in the person of John Pykeman, his Proctor, in stallo succentoris, 
 and under a like authority installed John Argentyne, doctor of medicine. Canon and 
 Prebend of Holecumbe, in the person of John Pykeman. 
 
 October 2. The Chapter chose John Stevens and Thomas Comissh, Canons, and 
 
 John Tonker Vicar Choral, to be their general proctors in om/nibus causis et negociis 
 quibuscMmque ac eciam, exeipienda/m repUcandam litem contestandumque ju/ra/m£ntum tarn de 
 calvanpnia quam, de veritate dicenda cum potestate et cIomsuUs necessariis, <Ssc. 
 
 October 6. Reginald ap Dewid, Prior or Master of the Hospital or House of S. 
 
 John the Baptist, founded in the city of Wells, appeared in the Chapter-house, and took 
 the corporal oath of obedience to the Dean and Chapter, et fidelitate de indempndtate ecdesie 
 ejusdem nichil auferendo seu subtrahendo. 
 
 The same day, hour, and place, John Gulloke, Richard Homestote, and William 
 Paddoke priests, and William Graner, Deacon, took the oath of canonical obedience to 
 the Dean and Chapter ; and William Paddoke was presented to the mass pro anima 
 Walteri Lichelade, formerly Canon of the Church : mediamte ju/ramento, William Paddoke 
 accepted ilhtd arms, and promised to celebrate it himself or by deputy for a whole 
 
 year. 
 
 The same day, with consent of the Chapter, Baldewynn Howse ,was, for his con- 
 tumacy, deprived of his habit and expelled from the church. 
 
 John Patey adndssus Altarista. 
 
 October 13. — Eugene Dale was nominated by the Dean and Chapter to the oflSce of 
 Chaplain of the Hospital of our Saviour and All Saints, founded in S. Cuthbert's : super 
 inde editis et/acUs postea dominus decamus cum consensu Capituli Assignavit me Thomam 
 
196 APPENDIX M. 
 
 Wade soribam actorum capUula/rium ibidem presentem ad inducendum dictum dominum 
 Eitgeniunh Dale in realem et corporalem, dhc. 
 
 October 23. — John Patey was appointed by the Dean and Chapter Custos of the 
 Bekington Chantry. 
 
 November 15. — John Standerwyke was admitted on testimony of the Vicars Choral 
 that he had vocem competentem et suffi<denter dispositam: the stall of Cumba III. was 
 assigned to him. 
 
 October 17. — The Prior of Bruton Convent appeared before the Chapter with 
 reference to a certain pension due to the Dean and Chapter, from the said Convent, on 
 the dues and first fruits of Dinder ; and when he was asked as to why he had not paid 
 the annual pension, he answered that, on account of the poverty of the land and the 
 want of ploughing and its present sterility, it was almost impossible to collect the sum, 
 et quod hoc fuit per negligendcmi pa/rochiamorum ibidem cormnoramxium per spadum 
 quinquaginta amnorum. 
 
 December 22. — Henry Rawlins was received Canon and Prebendary of Cumba XIIII. 
 
 January 2. — The Dean was as usual appointed Capitular Proctor. 
 
 February 23. — Thomas Harries, the Treasurer, " occwpaius in negociis domini nosPri 
 Regis in Cornubia," received forty days of absence. fol. 68. 
 
 John Stevens, from certain just causes, resigned the office of Seneschal, and William 
 Boket, the Sub-dean, ad contemplacionem requisicionem et instanciam ^usdem onus officii 
 accepit. 
 
 April 2. — The Dean delivered to the Church and God, under the last will and testa- 
 ment of Richard Lichefeld, one silver gilt chalice, weighing 44 ounces, and one frontal 
 for the high altar, de pamno aureo coloris blodii. 
 
 The following Act is worth recording : — April 28. — Decanus et Gapitulum unanimiter 
 dederunt ecclesie pa/rochiaU de Northcory legendam sanctorum secundo festo quamta nos et 
 legendam temporalem secundo festo Nox svhvertitwr. Item dederwnt ecclesie pa/rochiali de 
 Wynescorribe unum processionale secundo festo deinde tun-ihvZarium. 
 
 John Lugwarden had leave to repair canonical houses. 
 
 June 9. — The Dean and Chapter accepted certain messuages and tenements adjoining 
 the houses occupied by John Cornissh, to celebrate mass, pro obitu Johannis Nabbe et Alicie 
 uxoris sue, on the morrow of S. Benedict's day. 
 
 June 9. — The Sub-dean and Chapter appointed Thomas Cornissh and Thomas Gilbert 
 seneschals and guardians of the Deanery, vacant by the death of John Gunthorp, and 
 gave them power to collect all the fruits, rents, et proventus of the Deanery, and to dispose 
 of them pro utilitate Capituli : and shortly afterwards John Lugwarden was appointed 
 officialis Jwisdictionis decanatus, and John Standerwyke, notary public, ei regisirarum 
 ta/m causa/rum quam correccionum. It is specially added that he was appointed jttrisdic- 
 cionibus peculiaribus sive spiritualibus de Northcory, Wynsha/m, Nicholastonibury, Chedder, 
 Lideard Epi, et Lovyngton, <bc. Thomas Gilbert was also sworn and admitted to the free 
 chapelry of Alberton, vacant by the death of WUliam Stevens, to which he was inducted 
 by the Dean's official. 
 
 July 3. — The Chapter found it undesirable or impossible to nominate a Dean on 
 account of the absence of so many Canons. The King wished to be informed when they 
 would proceed to the election, but this they professed themselves unable to arrange, and 
 stated that they could not proceed to the election at any time without the permission of 
 the Bishop. 
 
APPENDIX M. 197 
 
 October 1. — Th& whole Chapter was summoned to attend to certain important 
 matters, not mentioned, and they agreed that every Canon who makes actual residence for 
 the following year may have the nomination of the Churches or vicarages perpetual and 
 chantries super nomina illorum conscriptas. 
 
 Nine were named as follows : — 
 
 The Sub-dean shall nominate to Modeford et ad camtariam qvAim dominus Bob. Wade 
 ohtinet si infra a/nrmm vacaverit. 
 
 The Treasurer, Mr. Thomas Harries, to Bokland Abbey and chantry of Thomas 
 Petewyne. 
 
 John Pykeman to Wynescomb et ad cantariam &c. qwxm Mr. Thomas Goldwege 
 
 John Vowell to Shepham et ad camtariam J. Wilmote. 
 
 John Stevens to Lideard Episcopi et ad cantariam J. Hampton. 
 
 Thomas Comissh to Lambrooke et ad cantariam J. Gravesby. 
 
 Thomas GUbert to Burneham et ad cantariam, W. Drew. 
 
 Thomas Austell to Stokegunner et ad camtariam, J. Atya. 
 
 John Lugwardyn to Pokleohurch et ad cantariam E. Toke. 
 
 October 28. — W. Cousyn installed Archdeacon of Bath in stall of Ilton. 
 
 November 15. — J. Standerwyke, Junior, V.P. 
 
 Dbcember 21. — John Pykeman, Prebendary of Cumba IV., protested and sworn 
 Canon, and installed in the presence of Thomas Goldwege, Notary Public. fol. 71. 
 
 December 26. — The Chapter agreed that Thomas Gilbert should have the book of 
 statutes ad corrigendtvm eitndem atque ligandum et imponendum et imponi ordina/ndmn in 
 tuta et salva custodia in libraria ejusdem ecdesie, so that any Canon may have free entry 
 and exit to the same book, at his own pleasure, whenever it seems best to him. 
 
 The same day, the Chapter decreed that the executors of the late Dean, John Gun- 
 thorp, should receive nothing de magna coimmuna for the year ending last S. Michael's day, 
 because he had died before he made and completed his full residence (integram residendam). 
 
 Pridie Kal. Ja/nuani, assembled and discussed what should be done with the rents and 
 first-finits of the deanery while it is vacant, and as to whom they belong or ought to belong. 
 Afterwards, however, the Sub-dean and Chapter met and agreed to abide by the judgment 
 and decision (jitdicio et laudo) of Thomas Colson and Robert Brown, auditors, " seu alio 
 loco dicti Poberti Brown " to settle the business juxta eorum consdenciam after inspecting 
 the Account Roll. 
 
 Thomas Cornissh was appointed Seneschal on the understanding that he non faciei 
 aliqua/m ftnem terrarum beyond 20«. value without the consent of the Chapter. 
 
 John Vowell was appointed with Thomas Cornissh to supervise the goods in the 
 hands of the Communar and Clerk of the Fabric, and to certify the same. 
 
 January 7. — The Sub-dean and Chapter, in "mutual convocation'' assembled, 
 transacted the business connected with the manor of Alberton, granted to them by the 
 late Dean to support and find one mass {wnam missam cwrsalem cotidie) daily by the 
 Canons {aeu saltern), or at least by the senior Vicars Choral, to be celebrated for ever, and 
 as to the other burdens to be supported in the said Church of Wells from the same source; 
 and they agreed to begin the said " cursal mass " at once, and to henceforth continue it at 
 the altar of 8S. Mary Magdalene, Katharine, and Margaret, daily and for ever, according to 
 the mode, form, and order of the chantry or cursal mass founded for the soul of Bishop 
 Bekington. 
 
198 APPENDIX M. 
 
 February 5. — The Chapter granted to Robert Wydowe, Succentor, at the request of 
 John Pykeman, the canonical dwellings lately in the occupation of John Austell. John 
 Pykeman also received the right of presentation to the benefice and chantry lately belong- 
 ing to John Austell, should it fall vacant in the present year. Thomas Goldwege, Notary 
 Public, witnessed this. 
 
 Pebbuart 18. — The Chapter agreed that Thomas Cornissh, Seneschal, should grant, 
 in the name of the Chapter, and deliver {ad firma/m tradat) to farm the Rectory of the 
 Parish Church of Lideard, to a perpetual vicar for a term of five years, per indentwtas et 
 scrvptum ohligatoriwm pro sohtcione redditus ejusdem annttatim. 
 
 The last day but one of March, consensu Capituli, auctoritate mandati Oliveri 
 Episcopi, admitted Stephen Downe, Bachelor of Sacred Theology, to a Canonry and the 
 prebend of Milverton II. Proctor, John Pykeman. 
 
 Pridie Kal. Aprilis, the Sub-dean, by the same authority, admitted John Pykeman, 
 Canon Residentiary, to the Prebendary of the prebend of Ilton. 
 
 Thomas Beaumont, Canon, was installed Archdeacon of Bath, in the person of John 
 Pykeman. 
 
 April 3. — John Borde was presented and nominated to the perpetual vicarage of 
 Mudford, resigned by Thomas Math. 
 
 April 12. — Richard Estway, having a voice " suffidenter dispositam," and the other 
 necessary qualifications, was admitted in vioarum non perpeiuatum pro uno anno integro, 
 to the prebendal stall of Whitechurch : John Tonker, ascultor. 
 
 April 16. — John Lugwardyn, Canon Residentiary, admitted to the prebend of 
 Tymberescomb. 
 
 April 21. — Thomas Cornish, Tinensis Episcc^ms, on whom the Bishop had conferred 
 (or whom the Bishop had collated to) the Chancellorship of the Cathedral Church of 
 Wells, vacant by the death of Walter fielde, took the corporal oath to observe the statutes 
 and customs of the Church ah amUquo et noviter factis et usifafis. 
 
 Same day, by same mandate, the Sub-dean installed George Percy to the prebend of 
 Cumba IV. 
 
 April 25. — The Sub-dean and Canons, Gapittdum ad effectwm suhscrip^u/m facieni^s, 
 agreed that the Chancellor, so long as he was present in Wells, and made actual residence, 
 should have the daily distributions the same as the other dignitaries do, and that when he 
 is absent on his own or Capitular business he shall have nothing more than a simplex 
 Canonicus seu Seneschalhis is accustomed to have. 
 
 June 9. — William Drillon was installed Canon in the prebendal stall of Dynre, in the 
 person of John Pykeman. 
 
 July 19. — John Hardman admitted V. non-P. 
 
 June 2,3. — William Cousyn was installed Dean, under letters mandatory of the 
 Bishop, in the person of Thomas Pykeman. 
 
 July 20. — The Sub-dean, auctoritate et vigore literwrwm mandatoria/rum Episcopi, 
 admitted Thomas Beaumonte in person to the Provostship and Prebend of Cumba XII. 
 annexed to the said Provostship, and he was installed in accordance with the same. 
 July 21. — John Pykeman was installed Archdeacon of Bath. 
 
 September 30. — Richard Rawlyns was admitted and installed Canon and Prebendary 
 of Taunton, in the person of Thomas Gilbert. 
 
 October 26. — The Sub-dean admitted George Sidenham Canon of Wells and Pre- 
 bendary of Combe XIII. Gilbert Jacob, V. non-P. Stephen Gierke, ascultor. 
 
APPENDIX M. 199 
 
 November 28. — The Sub-dean admitted Jheronimuni Botrium de Thabia Jannen 
 Juris utriusque doctoris Canon and Prebendary of Yacton, vacant by " natural death " of 
 Robert Midleton, in the person of Thomas Goldwege, substitute and surrogate of the 
 original proctor of Jerome aforesaid. 
 
 December 7. — John Aleyne, Vicar Choral, obtained leave not to come to matins 
 " tempore Twctumo," and as much as was in their power the Chapter {c[uantum in eis est) 
 dispensed with his attendance at that time, and granted him the daily commons usually 
 paid to all vicars taking part in matins by night, without any diminution : statute in 
 ea parte in contrarium edito non obstante. 
 
 Jauuart 22. — The Sub-dean and Chapter agreed that certain letters patent of the 
 Bishop should be approved, ratified, and sealed : they set forth that inasmuch as Thomas 
 Grene had rendered in time past bonum et fidele servicium " et in future impendet," the 
 Bishop had made him custos parci de Barnwell, and of the manor and mansion of the same 
 place ; moreover he granted to him also officium ballivatus hundredi nostri de Wynterstohe 
 for his Ufe : these duties to be executed by him seu per sufficienter deputatum suum. For 
 these he was to receive ten marks — five for the park custody, five for the manor. To this 
 attached the power of distraint for his payment and all expenses. 
 
 Richard Ruynon, under similar letters patent, was made park-keeper of Evercrich, 
 for which he was to receive forty-one shillings and fourpence. 
 
 Each document bears the following : — fol. 77. 
 
 In cujus rei testimonium sigillu/m nostrv/m presentibus fedmus apponi datum in hospicio 
 nostro de Bathe June infra parochiam S^- Clementi Danorum extra barras Novi templi 
 london. John Pole and Richard Ruynon, " generosi," appointed officers of the Bailiwick 
 and Liberty of WeUs, for which they were to receive £4 6s. 8d. 
 
 February 1. — The Sub-dean and Chapter gave Nicholas Marshall, Vicar Choral, 
 licendam visitandi limina beatorum apostolorum petri et pauli in wrbe Roma/na et absentandi 
 se coMsa peregrinadonis . . . per unum integrum. 
 
 February 26. — Robert Wydow, Succentor (in the person of John Pykeman), 
 protested residence, and was admitted Residentiary on payment of usual caution money, 
 and in case he should be unable to make up his statutable residence before S. Michael's 
 day, the Chapter granted quod idem Robertus Widow porcionem de caucione centum 
 ma/rcarum cujuscumque Camonici pro sua residencia imponendum citra dictum, festum 
 Sancti MichaeUs a/rehangeli ex twno prommwm sequens habeat et perdpiat juxta ratum prout 
 ceteri Ganonici residenda/rii preserves habebtmt et. percipient. 
 
 March 5. — Peter Caresleigh protested as to residence, and same day he was admitted 
 Residentiary. 
 
 April 11. — Richard Estway, V.P. 
 
 Makch 12. — ^WiUiam Soper, Canon and Prebendary of "Warmystre Luxfold. 
 
 April 23. — (It may be observed here that the President of the Chapter was not, in 
 the absence of the Dean and Sub-dean, one of the dignitaries, supposing that they were 
 present, but the Senior Canon.) The Chapter ordered that the twenty marks lately 
 received as caution money from Thomas Gilbert and Peter Caresleigh, "pro illorum 
 residencia" should be kept in the Treasury, in a chest with three keys, to bfe kept by three 
 Canons ; and that all caution moneys {ccmtiones) to be applied to the fabric, with the other 
 first-fruits, legacies, gifts, or sums levied or received, should be kept in the same. 
 
 May 9, 1500.— John Vowell, John Lugwarden, and Peter Caresleigh, making a 
 Chapter, it is said, " cum non fuerint plwres ad tunc presentes," gave the Bishop power to 
 
200 APPENDIX M. 
 
 grant, in the name of the Dean and Chapter, the canons' houses lately occupied {quas tunc 
 inhabitabat) by John Pykeman to any Canon then beginning and continuing his residence, 
 hae vice tomtum dictamque concessionem dicti Eeverendi patris duntaxat concedendam 
 ratam hahentes. 
 
 May 28. — Robert Wydow (Canon) installed Sub-dean. He immediately presided 
 over the Chapter, and on the same day admitted John Lugwardyn to the Succentorship. 
 
 John Argentyne, in medicinis doctor, was installed Prebendary of Cumba II., and 
 Robert Widow, tra musicis Baccalaurius, to Holcomb Burnellj and the aforesaid Sub-dean, 
 Chapter deputy in negocii's eorum et ecclesie Cat/iedralis Wellen cum Beverendo patre et 
 uhilihet infra Regnum Anglice expediendis. 
 
 The same day, the Sub-dean and Chapter granted John Assh pro suo bono et diligenti 
 servicio in cantando infra dicta/m ecclesiam dominicis diebus etfestivis i/mpenso et impendendo 
 proventum unius stalli in choro dicte ecclesie vacantia sol/vendum per manus Clerici fabrice 
 sen in scaccarrio ad bene placitum, deccmi, die. <Ssc. 
 
 John Bawdewyn was presented to the chantry in the chapel of All Saints, vacant by 
 the death of John Tonker, until next feast of S. Jerome. 
 
 Mat 26. — John Salter, V. non-R ; asoultor, William Capron. 
 
 The same day, Thomas Cornissh, the Chancellor, received leave to bury his body 
 jtixta ostium introitus ad domum capitula/rem ad boriale coram altaris (?) sancte crucis infra 
 ecclesiam, et ad preparoMdum locum sepulture sue ibidem quando sibi placuerit. 
 
 John Stevens, Canon, received leave to bury his body juxta horam capellam sti 
 Udmundi pontifieis in nave ecclesie ex pa/rte a/ustraU ejusdem ecclesie; and Thomas G-oldwege, 
 Annivellar, received leave to bury his body in nova capella sanote crucis juxta clausVrum 
 ecclesie. 
 
 June 2. — The Chapter ordered that the muniment and evidences in the hands of the 
 Canons should all be brought in, carried into and placed ia a certain chamber at the end 
 of the Church, to be guarded and kept, and that for the future the said documents remain 
 not in the hands of any of the Canons nisi liberantwr per indentwras et hoc in Capitulo. 
 
 July 31. — John Hardman (Chaplain), V.P. 
 
 August 3. — Edward Bray inducted Canon and Prebendary of Litton j and John 
 Hogekyn, sacre theologie doctor, of Whitelakyngton. 
 
 August 18. — It is specially mentioned that the Chapter were assembled in domo per 
 quorni ingreditwr ad ThesoAMra/riam ecclesie. 
 
 Thomas Gilbert was also ordered to send letters in the name of the Chapter, and 
 address them to Thomas Hobson, telling him to come and hear the account of the Chapter 
 at the next audit. 
 
 September 11. — Oliver Grendon, V. non-P. 
 
 September 20. — William Highway, Canon and Prebendary of Cumba V. 
 
 September 21. — The Chapter (consisting of five) cum nan fuerint plures in villa 
 presentes, appointed John Orchard V.P. of Madeford. 
 
 September 26.— Richard Gilberd installed Canon and Prebendary of Taunton, and 
 after taking the oath <■' postea acceptus fuit ad pacem oscuhim." 
 
 October 3.— In Chapter assembled, the Chancellor, tunc personaliter ibidem existens 
 ex officio suo, presented John Smjrthe to the Dean and Chapter for the office of Magister 
 Scolarum. Ipsvmque ad idem officium admitti peciit : to this the Chapter assented et 
 eidem habitum vicwrialem ac stalhim in choro cum ceteris emohtmentis hujusmodi officio 
 ah amtiquo pertinentibua assignavit. The oath runs as follows : — Ego . J. S. magister 
 
APPENDIX M. 201 
 
 scolarum hujus ecclesie admissus ero obediens deccmo et capitulo ^usdem in omnihus licitis 
 et Ganonicis mandatis Et in antea juxta antiqicam consuetudinem istius ecclesie hvjusmodi 
 offidum magistn scolarum bene et diiigenter exercebo et occupabo ceteraque onera eidem officio 
 incumbencia per me vel per alios nomine meo svhibo, supportabo et agnosca/m quamdiu hie 
 magister scolarum Juero absque impeticione seu contradicdone aliquali sic me, et cet. 
 
 October 5. — The Seneschal was ordered to begin and hold his cu/riam et visum 
 curiarum pro termino Michaelis arvni instants. 
 
 The same day, the Chapter continuing to sit, and being in " mutual convocation," 
 discussed de et super jure et titulo precentoris et in ejus absenda succentoris admittendi et 
 ordinandi Choristas, when it was determined that according to the statutes and uses of 
 the Church the Succentor has such power quociens et quMndo locus alicujus eoru/m (choris- 
 tarum) vaca/re contigerit. The Succentor, however, said that he had no intention of so 
 doing, nee aliter aut aliquando in posterum intendet aliquem vel aliquos admittere, if the 
 Precentor chose to appoint his proctor in his absence (which presumably he had not done). 
 Thomas Wade, actorum capitularium scriha. 
 
 October 15. — The Chapter confirmed the letters patent appointing to the Parkship 
 of Westbury. 
 
 October 24. — Gilbert Jacob, V.P. 
 
 November 19. — The Chapter granted to Richard Atya, and his wife, the 
 
 reversion of the manor of Okyngton, in Wyveliscomb, for life, immediately after the death 
 of Elena, relict of John Sidenham, for £20, &c., &c. 
 
 The Prior or Master of S. John's Hospital took the oath of canonical obedience. 
 
 December 4. — Thomas Clifford, Canon and Prebendary of Whitchurch. 
 
 December 31. — The Sub-dean, under mandate of the Bishop, admitted the Most 
 Reverend Father in Christ et dominum dominum ffrandscum dei et apostolice sedis gratia 
 Archiepiscopum, bizamtium ac sacri Imperii prindpem, Archdeacon of Wells and preben- 
 dary of Huwyssh thereto annexed, in persona Eodrigi Machado vulgwriter Richmonte 
 nuncupati. 
 
 John Prediam, "V. non-P. 
 
 January 2. — The Dean and Chapter gave the Chancellor eighty days of grace to 
 manage certain affairs with the Archdeacon of Wells. 
 
 February 9. — Jacob Rogers installed Canon and Prebendary of Wanstre. 
 
 February 18. — .John GuUoke, Richard Hemescote, William Grayner, priests, and 
 Richard Smythe, deacon, belonging to S. John Baptist's Chapel or Hospital in Wells, 
 appeared and took the oath of canonical obedience. 
 
 The same day, the Sub-dean and Chapter granted to Thomas Wade, writer of the 
 Chapter Acts, and to Hugh Vasy, Yicar Choral, Ucenciam visitandi sanctum Jacobvm in 
 Galicia. They also consented to stand by the opinion of our Most Reverend Father in 
 Christ, Richard, Bishop of Rochester, super vacad<mem vicarie ecclesie parochialem de mened 
 juxta condidonem unius scripti obligatorii ibidem per Magistrwm Johannsm Pyhman 
 puhlice exhibiti. 
 
 April 1. — The Chapter consented, willed, and decreed quod ordinacio duarum Can- 
 ta/riarwm in ecclesia Cathedrale WeUen et in capella beatissime Virginis juxta claustrum 
 ejusdem per nobilem virum dominum Johannem Bicconell fundatas prout in quadam 
 scedula papiri sit confeeta eorum sigillo commwni sigillelMr et roboretur. 
 
 May 24. — De mamdato Domini Sub-decani John Becham inducMs fuit in realem et 
 corporalem possessionem Camonicatus et prebende de Cumha duodecimo in persona ven. patris 
 
 4d 
 
202 APPENDIX M. 
 
 doraini Thome Tinensis Episcopi ac installatus erat in choro et Gapitulo per Thoma/m 
 Ha/rries et Johannem Vowell ; at the same time, de mandato Sub-decani Thomas Tinensis 
 Episcopus et Cancdla/rius dicte ecclesie, was inducted and installed Prebendaiy of Compton 
 Dunden. 
 
 May 26.— John Salter, V.P. 
 
 The following entry deserves attention : 
 
 Kalend. Jv,nii Anno dm i.hi., Mr. Thomas Willmott, Bachelor in Decrees, Chaplain 
 of the perpetual chantry at the altar of S. Edmund in the nave of the Cathedral Church, 
 wishing and determining {volens et affectans), from certain just and legitimate reasons, to 
 get out of and be exonerated from the said Chantry, resigned the said Chantry into the 
 hands of the Sub-dean, pure sponte simplidter et absolute et ab eadem Jureque titulo et 
 possessione totaliter recedit. His resignation was immediately accepted by the said Sub- 
 dean. Immediately afterwards, the Sub-dean and Chapter granted to the same John 
 "Wilmote one of the four Chantries founded for the soul of Bishop Bubbwith, of blessed 
 memory, vacant by the death of Robert Wade. 
 
 June 11. — John Lugwardyn was allowed the Canons' houses occupied by John 
 Pykman. 
 
 John Abbot having resigned the Chantry of Bishop Ralph Ergum, John Atya was 
 installed. fol. 85 b. 
 
 John Abbot was then inducted to the Chantry of S. Saviour, in the Chapel of B.V. M., 
 for the soul of John Storthwayt, by Richard Addiscote, Comminary «f the Church. 
 
 June 15. — John Streyntham was installed Canon and Prebendary of Dyndre, by his 
 Proctor, John Stevyns. 
 
 June 15. — A charge was preferred by the Sub-dean and Chapter against John 
 Braddon, Vicar Choral, that the Sub-dean had often warned him to abstain from keeping 
 company with Johanna Mill ward, wife of John Millward, but that he still was with her 
 in suspected places, and that he had insulted and defamed the Succentor and the Arch- 
 deacon of Bath (verbis inhonestis et obprobriosis molestavit inquietavit et perturbavit ipsosque 
 vilepensit et contempsit contra statuta). He^ could give no excuse, and was therefore 
 suspended ab habito suo usque a,d tempus quo aliter per Capitulum, fuerat determinatum. 
 
 June 24. — Hugh Ing was admitted Canon and Prebendary of Cudworth and Knoll, 
 by his Proctor, the Sub-dean. 
 
 July 3. — John Braddon appeared before the Chapter and confessed se gramter 
 offendisse. Upon this, the Sub-dean admonished John Abbot jurare de stando mandatis 
 Ileitis Capitiili in futurum et ad peragendam penitentiam condignam sibi injungendam pro 
 offensis suis : this he did. Thereupon he was bid to ask pardon of the Archdeacon and 
 Succentor, which he did also, and then submitted himself for Capitular correction. The 
 Chapter then decreed that he should stand in the choir in secunda forma, and should walk 
 in procession inter vicarios perpetuatos et non perpetuatos tanquam inferior vicarius per- 
 petuatus, until the next feast of S. James. They gave the Sub-dean power to restore him 
 to the higher grade whenever he pleased, and to return his habit, sic quod ipse permutet 
 stallum vicarie prebende de Tymbercombe cum alio tanti valoris quod ipse facere promisit et 
 sic fecit. 
 
 July 10.— Thomas Beaumont, Provost of the Cathedral, installed Canon and Pre- 
 bendary of HasUbere, by his Proctor, Thomas, Tinensis Episcopus. 
 
 John Braddon seemed incorrigible, as, the same day, he was charged with manifest 
 contumacy and contempt and rebellion, and that he had been guilty of audacious perjury 
 
APPENDIX M. 203 
 
 in continuing to consort with Johanna Millward. He, however, repeated his promise, and 
 his penance was continued until the feast of the Assumption. 
 
 July 25.— Richard Pomeroy, Fabric Clerk, appeared before the Chapter and con- 
 fessed that he had unjustly and badly {injuste et male) abused his office, inasmuch as he 
 had taken down the great bell de turri australi ecclesie, and hac| had it put out to be re- 
 cast, without the authority, counsel, or leave of the Chapter. For this he submitted to 
 the judido laudo et decreto of the Chapter, and for all his other transgressions. This the 
 Chapter benigne et favorabiliter accepted, et remiserwnt relaxamnt et pan-donaverunt eidem 
 Ricardo omnes et omnimodas acciones transgresdones et offensas radone dicte campane seu 
 alterius rei cujusmnque ah origine mundi usque m et ad xxv. diem pro quinque marcis 
 solvendis dicto Capitulo. 
 
 Eodem die, the President and Chapter gave leave to John Braddon to celebrate mass, 
 and restored him to his former position quantum ad mspensionem ita quod a penitentiario 
 quod incurrebat a penitentiario absolvatur. Leave was also given to John Abbot, 
 Chaplain of the perpetual chantry at the altar of the Holy Cross, to absent himself from 
 the said chantry and of going away with the Sub-dean as long as he -was absent. 
 
 August 26. — Hugh Veyzy was presented to the parochial vicarage of Pocklechurch, 
 in the diocese of Worcester, vacant by the death of John Peryman, on payment of a 
 pension of half a mark annually. 
 
 September 10. — The Chapter ratified letters of manumission to John Skorde, of 
 Compton Episcopi. 
 
 Oliver Grendon admitted V.P. 
 
 Seau/nda monicio facta domino Johanni Braddon. 
 
 September 15. — John Braddon appeared before the Chapter, and was charged by the 
 Dean with having (on the Sunday after the Nativity B. V. M., when the Sub-dean had 
 according to the statutes corrected him for his negligence in divine service, as both contu- 
 macious and disobedient) used many inhonesta et opprobriosa verba towards him, for which 
 he must be deprived of his habit. This he did not deny, and the Chapter upon this 
 declared that he had incurred the statutable penalty and must be absolved by the Peniten- 
 tiary from his perjury. He was then condemned to lose his habit, and to have nothing 
 from the common fund until the next feast of All Saints, unless he could obtain meliorem 
 graciam a Subdeca/no et Capitulo. 
 
 September 13. — The Dean and Chapter appointed Reginald Bray mihs in officium 
 Senescali vel Senesealcie omnium hundredorum dominiorum terra/rv/m et tenem,entorum 
 Gapituli ecclesie Gathedralis ad terminum, vite sue sub eo qui sequitur tenore verborum. 
 Omnibus Christi fidelihus ad quas presens scriptum pervenerit Willielmus Cousyn Becanus 
 ecclesie Gathedralis Wellen et ejusdem loci Capitulum salutem in domino Sempiternam, 
 Sciatis vos prefatos Decanum et Capitulum pro bono consiUo per nobilem et mMgnificum 
 virum dominum Regi/naldu/m Bray militem ante hec tempora nobis vmpenso et in posterum 
 impendendo dedisse ac pro nobis et successoribus nostris concessisse eidem honorando viro 
 domino Reginaldo officium senesealcie om/nium hundredoru/m dominiorum terra/rv/m et 
 tenementorum Capituli ecclesie Gathedralis Wellen predicte spectandum seu pertinencium' 
 tam infra Gomit. Somerset, quam extra habendum et occwpandum dictwm officium per se 
 vel sufficienfem deputatum suum ad termdnum vite sue domini Reginaldi. Pro quo quidem 
 officio bene et fldeliter exercen^o dedimus et concessimus prefato domino Reginaldo unum, 
 annualem Redditum sive pensionem XL°- annuatim per manus Comrnuna/rii ecclesie Gathe- 
 
204 APPENDIX M. 
 
 dralis predicts qui pro tempore fuerit ad festv/tn Sti Michaelis Archangeli eidem aut sua 
 
 certo asdgnato sohevdum. Mcmdantes igitv/r omnibus et singulis hallivis prepositis ministris 
 
 hominibus et tenentibus rwstris quibuscumque quod eidem prenobili viro domino Reginaldo 
 
 in hujusmodi officio sua intendentes et auxUiantes in omnibus proui decet. 
 
 October 1. — A tenement in Wells, called " The Antelope," was let by the Dean and 
 
 Chapter on a repairing lease of eighty years domino Tinensi episcopo et succentori for is. 
 
 per year. 
 
 1501. 
 
 December 6. — The Treasurer, Thomas Harries, was admitted Seneschal of the 
 Church, on the condition that when in Wells, and residing, he should have the daily 
 distributions ; but when he in curiis tenendis seu aliis negociis ecclesie equitabit et laborabit 
 tunc distribuciones cotidianas tanquam simplex Ganonicus viz. \uid. per diem percipiet ; 
 but when absent on his own business, nothing (nullo modo). 
 
 December 21. — The Sub-dean and Chapter, granting forty days in complementum, 
 residencie, did so with this condition, that if any Canon before the expiration of these forty 
 days should go the way of all flesh, they should not be counted as residence. Thomas 
 Lugwardyn, the Saecentor, and Thomas Gilbert, tunc universis infirmitatihus vexati, were 
 unable to attend. 
 
 John Stadford pro sua bono servicio deo et Scmcto Andree impenso et in posterum im- 
 pendendo, and specially because he had no Chantry this year, was to have 20s. from the 
 Master of the Fabric on S. Michael's day. 
 
 John Prediam admitted V.P. 
 
 January 29. — John Pykman, Richard Mayow, Thomas Gilbert, and Richard Hatton 
 appointed Capitular Proctors to Convocation. 
 
 The same day, the Sub-dean charged Gilbert James with having committed adultery 
 with a oertaiu Rose. To this he confessed, and professed his willingness to submit to 
 Capitular correction ; continuata fuit causa. John Salter was also charged with having 
 heavily beaten her sister Catharine, which he confessed to, and submitted to correction 
 and penance, which was that for the next week he should be present in choir at all the 
 canonical hours by night and day, as also at high mass from the beginning to the 
 end, and should receive nothing from the common fund, unless otherwise ordered by the 
 Chapter. 
 
 January 29. — A monition was issued by the Chapter to the Vicars Choral absent or 
 present, under statutable penalty, ut deinceps veniant ad chorum et intersint horis canonicis 
 tam de die quam de node. Et ne exeant chorum, circum,quaque per columpnas ecclesie 
 vagantes tern/pore divinorum quousque alta missa et cetere hore canohice cantentu^r et plenius 
 finiantur sub pena perdicionis et amissionis commune. Illis dwntaxat exeeptis qui propter 
 majorem etatem vel corporalem debilitatem seu infirmitatem aliam justam et racionabilem 
 causam, se poterunt excusare, &c., secwndum statuta. Moreover, the Sub-dean admonished 
 primo secundo et tercio ac peremptorie the Vicars that they must attend primis matutinis 
 cvjuslibet festA diei per annum sub pena legitimo impedimenta cessamte ceteris vero temporibus 
 radone officiorum eorwmdem, sint excusati graciose. 
 
 March 4. — John Pykeman was appointed Capitular Proctor to Convocation, and the 
 Sub-dean was granted the Canons' houses lately occupied by John Lugwardyn. 
 
 1502. 
 
 April 5. — John Salter was charged with laying violent hands on Hugh Vowler 
 Chaplain and Vicar, whereby he incurred excommunication. He acknowledged the crime 
 
APPENDIX M. 205 
 
 and was deprived of his habit, and suspended until the next feast of S. Jerome, without 
 daily commons or emoluments of his Chantry. 
 
 May 4. — &cnptum indentaiMm was accepted and ratified by the Dean and Chapter, 
 from the Bishop, to William Wadde and Agnes his wife and Eichard their son, granting 
 him unum clausvmh vocatum Breverinding continens in se triginta et quatuor acras terre 
 jacentes infra manerium de Wyke juxta Poklechurch in comit. Gloucestrie ad terminvm vile 
 eorum et ciyuslibet eorundem successive. 
 
 The Chapter also presented Robert Tresewell to the perpetual vicarage of the parish 
 church of Chiltrem domorum, he for his part promising (obligavit se in suo scripto 
 obligatorio) centum marcarum to the Dean and Chapter, quod illos non perfurbabit molestabit 
 nee aZiquam sectam in posterum fadet pro aliqua augmentacione vicarie sue quamdiu fuerit 
 vicarius. 
 
 Mat 14. — Robert Bruscwig (?) was also nominated to the parish church or chapel, 
 with the cure of Estlangbroke, and (as usual) presented to the Bishop sub sigillo communi. 
 
 John "Vowell, occupatus London in negociis ecclesie, received twenty days of grace ad 
 complementum residende ; and Peter Caresleigh four days of grace quibus fuit occupatus 
 in tenenda Curia illorwm. 
 
 May 28. — The Sub-dean admonished John Standerwike, Vicar Choral, ut in posterum 
 melius exerceat chorum el intersit divinis obsequiis sub pena statuti. This was the first 
 admonition ; but he was also admonished to wait on the choir in missis horis mMutinis e* 
 vesperis juxta formwm statutorum. 
 
 June 8th, 1502. — The "Venerable William Cousyn, Doctor of Decrees, Dean of the 
 Cathedral Church of Wells, appeared before Robert Wydow, Sub-dean ; John Pykman, 
 Archdeacon of Bath ; Thomas Beaumont, the Provost ; John Vowler, John Stevyns, 
 Thomas Thomes, Hugh yng, and John Bicconel, Canons,* there assembled, and, laying 
 his hand upon the holy gospels, took the corporal oath, in accordance with the laudable 
 customs and statutes, which the Dean of the said Church has from ancient times been in 
 the habit of taking ; and afterwards the aforesaid Dean was installed, in his own person, in 
 the usual and accustomed stall assigned to the Dean, and to his place in the Chapter, and 
 was afterwards received to the kiss of peace, ut est maris. 
 
 June 17. — Peter Caresleigh was ajipointed to manage certain business for the 
 Chapter at Lydeard Episcopi and ChUtren domorwm, and received six days of grace in 
 complementum, sue residende anni presentis cwmfruetu ex causa predicta. 
 
 August 11. — John Vowell received twenty days of grace absque cotidianis distribu- 
 
 tionibus. 
 
 Visitatia. 
 
 xvi"°- die mensis Augusti Anno domini mlii. Dominus Decanus et omnes Gamoniei 
 Residentiarii in visitadone ordina/ria Severendi in Ghristo patris et Domini Domini per- 
 misdone Divina Bathon et Wellen Episcopi in domo capitulari ecclesie Cathedralis Wellen 
 compa/r&ntes ad contempladonem, et instandam dicti Reverendi patris concesserunt [name 
 omitted] offidum communis laboratoris et plumbatoris dicte ecclesie cum feodis et vadis 
 solito et consueto quamdiu eisdem placuerit dwratwrum,. 
 
 August 18. — Hugh Vaysy was given leave to absent himself from the Cathedral from 
 next Michaelmas to next Easter following : he was to receive in the meantime nothing of 
 
 * Observe that here it is not said that the Canons were Uesidentiarii, as in every other record of 
 Chapter Acts. The Dean was not present at the next Chapiter meeting. 
 
206 APPENDIX M. 
 
 his emoluments at the Vicars' Commons sed tantum percepcione stalli sui reputahit se 
 contentum. 
 
 September 4. — Thomas Tinensis Episcopus was admitted and installed Precentor; 
 John Pykman, Doctor of Decrees, was installed Chancellor; and Thomas Thomes, Arch- 
 deacon of Bath. \ 
 
 September 11. — The Sub-dean and Chapter ad mstamciam et speaialem requisicionem 
 Episcopi presented John Stevens to the perpetual vicarage of Cheddre. 
 
 September 17. — John Standerwyke was the second time admonished ui melius 
 exerceat et frequentat chorum et intersint divinis obsequiis et precipue matutinis nocte : 
 hec est secunda monicio eidem facta. 
 
 September 18. — Thomas Rowthall, Doctor of Decrees, admitted Canon and Pre- 
 bendary of Tymberescomb, by his Proctor, John Pykman. 
 
 September 21. — In this Chapter Act Thomas Cornissh is mentioned as Precentor. 
 The Sub-dean, absente Decano, the Precentor, Chancellor, and one Canon, cirni plwres in 
 villa non fuenmt, gave to Robert Pemberton, Clerk et aliis, the first and next vacancy of 
 the Chapel or Church of Alberton. 
 
 They also appointed the Sub-dean Seneschal of the Chapter : Qui quidem Rohertus 
 Widows eorum anuit votis. 
 
 The following Act of Chapter, coming as it does after the express declaration that 
 only three Canons were to be found in Wells, has a touch about it of petulant self- 
 accusation : — The same day (that is, September 21), ex justis certis et veris causis illos ad 
 hoc moventibus et presertim honorem dei et ecclesie Sti Andree ac divinum servicium in eadem 
 necnon dispendium et obprobrium dicte ecclesie concernendum et tangentem unanimiter coTn- 
 promiserunt quod noluerunt -nee aliquis illorum in absencia ceterorum seu alicujus iUorum 
 noluit consentire addendum seu concedendvjn in posterum aliquam gradam dierum generalem 
 seu specialem in complementum residencie Canonicorum prout retroactis temporibus concedere 
 sokbant et ex hinc actus ordinarius suum consensum prebuit pariter et assensum. 
 
 The Precentor also, and Mr. Broke (generosus eorum), were appointed ad levandum 
 recuperandum et recipiendum certa debita antiqua a T. de Wyllng de Pohleohurch et aliis, 
 and if need required, to prosecute. Thomas Tinensis Episcopus, the Precentor, Richard 
 Mayow, Richard Hatton, and Thomas Thomes, Canons, were nominated Capitular 
 Proctors, to appear before Henry, Archbishop of Canterbury, in Convocation to be held at 
 St. Paul's on February 14th, and prorogued until the 11th October following, cum clausula 
 substituendi alios procuratores, leave of absence being given to Domino Tinensis. 
 
 OcTOBEE 1.— The Chapter granted Gilbert Jacob, Vicar Choral, pro suo bono et 
 diligenti servieio deo et pio Andree impenso et in futwrum impendendo 26s. Sd, per 
 magistrumfabrice. Edward Prowse, V. non-P., J. Orchard, ascultor. 
 
 October 3. — The Chapter sealed and signed quoddam acriptum manumissionis to 
 Thomas and Nicholas Hawkyns, natives of the manor of Banwell. 
 
 October 6. — William Hichman, Abbot of the Monastery of Strateford Langthom 
 was inducted to the Prebendary of Cnmba XV., in the person of John Smythe, legitime 
 substituti per Robertum Widowe : Testibus John ffox et John Braddon et me Thoma Wade 
 notama publico et actorum capitularium scriba. Christopher TJrsy wyk was admitted Canon 
 and Prebendary of Eston in Gordano, in the same way as above. 
 
 Octavo die mensis Octobris Anno quo supra Subdecanus et Capitulum Indenturas inter 
 Decanum et dominum Williehnum Basset Capellam,vm de et super tradiccione ad jirmam 
 ecclesiarum de ma/rhe, <fcc., approbaverunt, Se. 
 
APPENDIX M. 207 
 
 October 12. — They also ratified quoddam scriptum indentatwm Episcopi, giving the 
 manor of Compton Episcopi to Elizabeth Cousyn, his sister, and Robert Cousyn, son of 
 Elizabeth, for sixty years. 
 
 NovEMBKR 19. — Thomas Beaumont installed Archdeacon of Wells. 
 William Rawlyns was installed Provost of the Cathedral Church of Wells, in the 
 accustomed stall, in the person of Thomas Beaumont, his proctor. 
 
 John Mortek was installed Prebendary of Haselbere, in the person of Thomas 
 Beaumont. 
 
 NovEMBEB 25. — The Sub-dean and Chapter unanimously deputed the Van. Thomas 
 Harries, Treasurer, there present, Supervisor of the new Chancel of the parish Church of 
 Northcory, and granted him, ex dicta et aliis certisjustis et veris cauais illos ad hoc moventi- 
 bus, forty days of grace sine fructu illia tamen exceptis quibus ibidem presens fuerit 
 circa dictum opus occupatus. They granted him also a chamber and fodder for his horses 
 aa often and whenever he was there so engaged. 
 
 November 22. — John Yaa, Chaplain of the Chantry at the altar of S. Edmund, in 
 the nave of the Cathedral Church, founded for the soul of Ealph Ergum, in the Chapter- 
 house, desiring, from certain just and legitimate causes exui et exonerari Gantariam eandem 
 into the hands of the Sub-dean, ibidem presentis vi voce oraculo pure sponte simpliciter et 
 absolute et a jure titulo et possessions ejusdem totaliter recedit. Immediately afterwards, the 
 same John Yaa was presented intuitu caritatis to one of the four chantries founded for 
 the soul of Nicholas Bubbwith, late Bishop, vacant by the death of John Hampton. At 
 the same time and place, William God was presented to the vacant Chantry at the altar 
 of S. Edmund, in the nave. 
 
 December 23. — Nicholas Halleswell, medicine doctor, was admitted and installed 
 Prebendary of Cumba III., in the person of John Pykman. 
 
 If.B. It is not here said that he was admitted in Ganonicwm et Prebendarium, but 
 
 in realem et corporalem possessionem prebende. 
 
 January U.—Dominus Tinensis and Peter Caresleigh were deputed Capitular 
 Proctors ad tractandum communicamdum et finaUter terminandwm materiam et contro- 
 versias between the Prior and Convent of Bruton and the Dean and Chapter, about a 
 certain pension from the first fruits of the parish church of Ghiltren domorum, juxta 
 illorvm discredonem discrecionem ratum et gratum habentes et quicquid prefati procwratores 
 
 fecerint in eisd&m. 
 
 The same day, John Broghing, senio deductus et gravitate inflrmitatis sepius vexatus, 
 received leave to be absent tempore noctv/mo a matutinis for two nights every week ultra 
 alias duas noctes de consuetudme sibi et ceteris vicariis gradose septimatim concessas,ao that 
 he was only obliged to be present et exercere chorum three times a week ;" he was also to 
 receive suam communam integram so long as he fulfilled these conditions. 
 
 February 13.— The Sub-dean and Chapter had recourse to a new plan for avoiding 
 residence. They granted that every Canon who actually resided last year may have in 
 the present year in complementum residencie every week dtra/estum Michaelis Archamgeli, 
 two days of gr£|,ce to be spent as they please, so long as they reside in Wells at least 
 for one day inter dominicam et dominicam every week, and not otherwise, neo alio 
 modo ulterius vohierunt et concesserunt quod predicti dim dies grade septirmtim ut pre- 
 mitUtur cedcmt et prosint cuilibet Ganonico residentiario proinde ac d fuisset contmuo 
 presens in ecelesia Caihedrali seu dvitate predicta tota s<^timana cum coMianis distri- 
 budonibus. 
 
208 APPENDIX M. 
 
 The President and Chapter also granted Domino Tinensi, the Precentor, one vacant 
 spot {solum) lying in the west part of the wall of the Cemetery between the said wall and 
 
 the tenement of the Precentor (quodquidem vacuum solum contenet pedes et in 
 
 longitudine pedes), for ninety years, at the annua,! rent mentioned, prout 
 
 in Scripto illorum indentato plenius et evidenter patet. 
 
 Pebruaby 22. — John Mertok was installed Succentor, in the person of Robert 
 Wydow. 
 
 The document (scriptum) granting the manor of Compton Episcopi to Elizabeth 
 Cousyn and Robert Cousyn was exhibited and cancelled (atque pro nullo cassatwm), and 
 another deed was made {confectum), granting the manor of Blackford to the same, and 
 confirmed by the Chapter. 
 
 March 2. — Hugh yng, lately admitted Canon Residentiary, received like leave of 
 absence with other Canons granted on February 13. 
 
 March 7. — Richard Pomeray received leave to absent himself, in posterwm, from 
 matins tempore noctumo pro suo bono et dUigenti servicio deo et sancto Andree in prefata 
 ecclesia impenso necnon pro aliis causis justis, et cet. T. Wade present. 
 
 March 14. — Thomas Thomes, Archdeacon of Bath, palam ac publics protested that 
 he wished to begin and continue residence. The hundred marks of caution-money were 
 forthcoming, and he was granted " grace " for his residence, and also that he might reside in 
 the house of any residentiary, or elsewhere in the town, as he pleased, usque in et ad domini- 
 cam in albis, so that in the meantime his house might be better repaired and prepared. 
 
 April 11. — Hugh yng's "grace" was confirmed ^' sed sine fructu ganideamt illis 
 cotidianis distribucionibus.'' 
 
 The Chapter consented and gave their assent that they would conform to the will and 
 discretion of the Bishop (Oliver) to accomplish the will and desire of Henry VII. de et 
 super forma et ordinacione oradonum et suffragiorum pro salubri et bono statu ejusdem 
 domini Regis in dicta ecclesia Gathed/rali in posterum juxta formami et ordinacionem 
 alia/rum ecclesiarum Gathedralium. 
 
 Mat 6. — John Draper, Chaplain, admitted Magister Scolarum. 
 
 Mat 27. — George Perse admitted Prebendaiy of Ilton, in the person of Hugh ynge. 
 
 The same day, WilKam Barons, legum doctor, admitted Prebendary of Cumba IIIL, 
 in the person of Hugh ynge. 
 
 Mat 31.— John Bray admitted Prebendary of Lytton, in the person of Thomas 
 Beaumont. 
 
 June 21. — The Chapter granted John Abbot, Chaplain at the altar of the Holy 
 Cross, licenciam equitandi London cum Subdeccmo, and of absenting himself from the 
 Chantry during the Sub-dean's absence, on condition that another Chaplain in the mean- 
 while took his turns. M prefatus Subdecanus cum consensu capituli dictum capitulum 
 continuavit usque eras. 
 
 July 6. — Thomas Legate V. non-P. 
 
 August 8. — The Sub-dean and Chapter (amongst whom is Thomas Thomyow, Arch- 
 deacon of Bath) admitted Beligiosum virum dompnum Joharmem Wellyngton abbatem 
 monasterii de Athelney in Ganonicvm et prebendarivm prebende de langsutton: he paid 
 caution money, viz., iiii"- Ubras . ac saoriste xiii»- nn«- et scribe actorvm capitula/rum 
 iii^- nil*- (These payments are in later hand.) 
 
 August 11.— The Archdeacon of Bath received from the Chapter the Canons' houses 
 lately occupied by Thomas Gilbert, and unvm clausum prati near the said houses on the 
 
APPENDIX M. 209 
 
 north side adjacent, lately in the tenure of Thomas Gilbert, on condition that he occupy 
 them and pay xx'- rent cum servicio ah antiquo debito. 
 
 August U.— Alexander Hody was installed Canon and Prebendary of Hasilbere, in 
 the person of John Moyne. 
 
 August 17. — Egidius Daubney {nohilis vir), Lord of Daubney, was appointed to the 
 office of Seneschal of all the Chapter lands. 
 
 Die obitus Domini Oliveri Bathon et Wellen episcopi. 
 
 August 29. — Thomas Harries (Treasurer) was installed Prebendary of Hengstrigge, 
 in the person of John Stevens. 
 
 The same day, Hugh ynge was installed Prebendary of Harptree. 
 
 October 1. — Pridiam, Vicar Choral, obtained leave to be absent from last Michaelmas 
 past to next Michaelmas, causa exercendi studium Oxon. vel alihi infra regnum Anglie ; he 
 was only to receive the stall wages. 
 
 The Sub-dean was presented to the perpetual vicarage of Bokland Abbey, in the 
 diocese of Sarum. The Chapter also ordered that for the future, in the Church of Wells, 
 on every double feast, at second vespers, the Responsory be solemnly chanted, notwith- 
 standing any statute to the contraiy. 
 
 October 22. — The See being vacant, and the King (Henry VII.) therefore present- 
 ing, John Stevyns, President of the Chapter, in the absence of the Dean and Sub-dean 
 in rematis agentibus, assisted by the Precentor, the Archdeacon of Bath, and John Austell, 
 Canons Residentiary {indud fedt), had Hugh yng* inducted to the succentorship of the 
 Church, vacant by the death of John Martok, in the person of the Archdeacon of Bath, 
 his proctor. 
 
 October 24. — Thomas Goldwege was installed to the prebend of Cudworth, and was 
 received Canon and brother et ad osculum pads; they also appointed Thomas Wade, 
 Chapter Clerk (actorv/m capitularium scriba), to the perpetual chantry at the altar of 
 S. Stephen ordered for the soul of Stephen Hulle, once Canon of the Church, and for the 
 souls of all benefactors, and all the faithful desid, which was vacant by the promotion 
 {p&r dimissionem,) of Thomas Goldwege to the Canonry aforesaid, who immediately pro- 
 tested that he had commenced residence, paid caution money, and was so admitted Residen- 
 tiary. Forty days of grace were again granted to all Canons residing actually ; if, how- 
 ever, aliquis canonicorwm viam universe camis fuerit ingressus, before their expiration, 
 these days were not to be counted. The houses lately occupied by the Sub-dean were 
 granted to him, and leave to be exempt from all burdens and from residence until next 
 Christmas day exclusive, so that they might be repaired and more decently prepared, and 
 that while he was in the town he might have his daily distributions. 
 
 November 11. — The Dean, William Cousyn, also protested as to residence, paid 
 caution money (100 marks), and was admitted a Residentiary, with the same exemptions 
 and grace for absence under the same conditions as Thomas Goldwege. 
 
 The following day, the Dean and Chapter admitted Robert Church Prebendary of 
 Cumba IV., in the person of Hugh yng. In this Act the Succentor takes precedence of 
 all the other Canons. 
 
 November 27. — The Sub-dean, by King's mandate, admitted John Cole Prebendary 
 of Cumba VIII., in the person of John Jenyns. 
 
 • He was a Bachelor in Deerees. 
 
 is 
 
210 APPENDIX M. 
 
 December 3. — Eobert Church aforesaid appeared before Sub-dean and Chapter, and 
 protested, and was made Canon Residentiary. 
 
 December 15. — Walter Philipp admitted V. non-P. 
 
 December 17— The Sub-dean, "in the presence" of the Chapter assembled in the 
 Treasury, admitted Thomas Wade, Chaplain (who had been nominated on October 24), to 
 the chantry at the altar of S. Stephen, suh eo qui sequitur tenore verhoruin : — 
 
 WUlielmus Cousi/n Decanits Eodesie Gathedralis Wellen et ejusdem loci Capitulwm 
 honesto et discreto viro Magisl/ro Thome Wade capellano auctoritate apostolica notwrio 
 publico salutem in auctore salutis Canta/riam perpetuam ad altare Sti Stephani in eccleeia 
 Cathedrali Wellen antedicta ad celehrandwrn aliaque suffragia dicenda pro anima domini 
 Stephani HuU olim ipsius ecclesie canonici animabusque parentum et bene/actorum suorum 
 ac omnium fidelium defunctorum ordinatam et fundatam per dimissionem Magistri Thorns 
 Goldwege ultimi capellani et canonici possessoris ejusdem vacantem ad nostramque 
 collacionem pleno jure spectantem tihi conferimMS intuitu caritate. Ac te capellanwm per- 
 petuum dicte Cantarie de observando ordinaciones ipsius Cantorie quatenus veram noticiam 
 ejusdem habere valeas juratum canonice instituimus im eadem cum suisjuribits et pertinenciis 
 universis. The Sub-dean then inducted Thomas Wade. It is expressly added: decano 
 ejusdem ecclesie tunc absente. 
 
 December 21. — A bill was brought before the Sub-dean (decano absente presidens) 
 which is said to have been con/ecta et contracta in the Chapter-house by Capitular consent, 
 December 24, 1502, for the expenses of building the new chancel at Northcory, and which 
 debeat Registrari in Libra Registri Capituli. In the bill the chancel of the Church is 
 described as being totaliter ruinosum; inasmuch as onus illud (that is, of restoration) 
 nimis grave videbatur et quasi inportabile si in una vel duobus annis onera ejusdem ediflcii 
 portarentur, the Treasurer offered to pay the expenses incurred, on condition that the 
 Canons Residentiary would pay annually super compotu/m magne com/mune to be subtracted 
 from the portion of each Canon xx°- per year, and so on from year to year, beginning at 
 the great Common in 1503, until the whole sum was paid. It amounted to 52"- 13=- S"*-, 
 as shown by the bill in the hands of the auditors in scaccario ; so the Residentiaries 
 this year (19th Henry VII.) paid £8 13». ^d., thus owing Thomas Harries, the 
 Treasurer, £44. 
 
 December 21, 1503. — Agreed that the official of the Dean and Chapter Peculiar, in 
 the years in which he shall levy £20 and upwards, shall receive 20s. for his fee; other 
 years he was to rest content cum summa tantum quam, faciet eo officio. 
 
 A new rule seems also to have been made with regard to the office and privileges of the 
 Seneschal, that whichever of the Residentiaries was appointed neque vendicet neque habeat 
 omnes et singulos dies anni officii sui cum pleno fructu, because it was not conformable 
 with the laudable statutes of the Church, sed pocius corruptela. He was, however, to have 
 omnes dies cum pleno fructu when actually engaged in Chapter business, and in going and 
 returning therefrom ; and to the intent that the Seneschal might become more diligent in 
 his office, he was given ten days in each term of his annual office for his own business, to 
 be counted as residence {sine cotidianis) ; neither was he to omit anything de eschaeta anni 
 sui, nisi pro mortua/rio corporis presentis : pro diebus processionalibus nichil percipiat 
 absens, unless he was actually engaged in Chapter business. 
 
 January 2. — John Butham, Canon, was allowed to occupy Canons' houses lately 
 occupied by Thomas Tomyow, until a new Residentiary was appointed. 
 
 The same day, Hugh yng received leave of absence from that day to the feast of 
 
APPENDIX M. 211 
 
 S. Petronille, si vivat et dicto die superstites fuerit. The new Caaons Residentiary hare, 
 as at other times, are specially excepted in any concession of this sort. 
 
 January 15. — John Yaa had leave to change his chantry (one of the four for the soul 
 of Nicholas Bubbwith) for the perpetual vicarage of the Prebendal Church of Huwyssh, et 
 nor} aliter nee in alio modo. 
 
 February 15.-^The Dean appointed Capitular Proctor to Convocation. 
 
 February 28. — The Chapter agreed ad tradendum et dimittendum horreum vacatum 
 vul^arit&r Canonha/m ad firmam Johanni Morler (Master of the Hospital of S. John the 
 Baptist), for the term of six years, for the annual rent of £37 6s. 8d 
 
 A messuage in High Street, Wells, had been granted to John Walshote and his 
 assigns for eighty years ; this was extended to ninety. 
 
 Thomas Tinensis, the Precentor, received leave ad tenendum et celebrandum officium 
 mortuorum pro obitu hone memorie domini Oliveri nuper Episoopi Baihon et Wellen. Mr. 
 Thomas Lugwardyne et ipsius domini Thome cum ah hac luce migraverit in crastino 
 Sti Jeronimi annuatim usque in et adfinem, nonaginta novem annorum . . . celebran- 
 dum per quorum, obitu ut premittitur celebrando prefatus venerabilis pater concessit Decano 
 et Capitulo annuale redditum triginta solidorum : this was derived from a hospice called 
 the Antelope, held by the Dean and Chapter with other closes and meadows. 
 
 March 18. — Thomas Austell "renounced" the office of Seneschal for certain good 
 reasons. His renunciation was accepted, and Peter Caresleigh chosen in his stead. 
 
 John Jonyngs (Jenyns) was excused from matins {tempore noctwmo), but to keep all 
 his Commons and other emoluments. This was ratified, approved, and confirmed by 
 Chapter Act, April 1. 
 
 March 26. — Oliver Grendon had been {intitulatus) appointed to read the gospel et 
 necligenter per ipsum in ea parte non ledum, was suspended for a month from his daily 
 commons and his habit. 
 
 April 1. — Thomas Beaumont appeared, and was (after the usual formalities) installed 
 Residentiary in the person of Thom^as Tinensis Episcopus, receiving eighty days of leave, 
 and being appointed Capitular Proctor with the Dean to Convocation. 
 
 April 6. — The Dean being present, the Chapter received the legacies of Oliver 
 (King), late Bishop of Bath and Wells, as follows : — 
 
 Two silver gilt candlesticks, weighing 101| ounces ; one vessel for holy water, cum 
 aspersorio, weighing 34^ ounces ; two phials of silver gilt, weighing 29 J ounces ; one 
 silver gilt image of S. George, weighing 48 ounces, excambio for an image of S. Andrew 
 the Apostle, weighing 47 ounces, which image of S. George the said Dean and Chapter 
 received instead of an image of S. Andrew the Apostle, especially because there are already 
 two images of S. Andrew the Apostle in the Treasury : which legacies the Bishop gave to 
 the honour of God, the most holy Mary his mother, and S. Andrew, apostoli mitissimi, 
 to remain for ever in the Church, to the intent that his soul might be specially remembered 
 for ever amongst the departed benefactors of the Church. On which account the Dean 
 and Chapter admitted and received the soul of the said Bishop into a full participation of 
 all blessings, as well in the vigils, fasts, prayers, and masses, as in all the giving of alms, 
 or other pious works, and devout suffrages of the Church. 
 
 April 14. — W. J. Harman, V. non-P.: ascultor, Morys. 
 
 April 20.— The Dean and Chapter deliberated about certain documentary evidence 
 concerning the demesne and mill at Northcory on the Tone, and Thomas Beaumont, the 
 Archdeacon of Wells, returned xxx*"- which he had received nomine cujusdam implementi 
 prepositure. 
 
212 APPENDIX M. 
 
 Pridie Ealend. Maii, John Goddard was admitted V. non-P. : ascultor, W. Capron ; 
 and Roger Churche presented him to the prebendal stall of the vicarage of Cumba 
 VIII. 
 
 May 5. — The Dean, Thomas Cornish, and Roger Churche, were deputed to ride to 
 Northcory to meet the Bishop of Winchester, and arrange de quodam, cwrsu ague de Tone 
 et molendino nuper edificato : Insimul promiserimt ratum et gratuxn perpetuo habiturum 
 iotum et quicquid prefati Decanus, precentor et Rogerus cum consUio diet. Domini Episcopi 
 fecerint et terminaverint. 
 
 May 6. — The Dean charged Oliver Grendon with laying violent hands on Hugh 
 Vowler, which he, for his part, confessed, and humbly expressed his regret. He and the 
 said Hugh were immediately afterwards warned to abstain from visiting the house of a 
 suspected woman called Agnes ffere, under pain of suspension. 
 
 May 10. — William Hychyns, V. non-P. : Thomas Seward, ascultor. 
 
 May 11. — Thomas Austell, racione officii SenescaUcie, received leave from Christmas 
 Day to Lady Day. 
 
 May 13. — The Chantry of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the cemetery of the Parish 
 Church of Northcory was conferred upon John Manfeld, Chaplain, vacant by the death 
 
 of John Chandler; and William was ordered to induct him. The Dean was 
 
 appointed Proctor to settle with the Bishop of Winchester about the mill at Northcory. 
 The Dean and Chapter consented to have Thomas Hobbson for their auditor at the next 
 audit, with a fee of 40s. without the first-fruits scaccarii, or of the Provost, but also without 
 the expenses and necessary burdens ^videlicet pergamena pro rotulis compotorum pre- 
 henda/rum equorum et ceterorum necessariorum. 
 
 May 14. — Sede vaccmte, by Royal mandate, James Villers was admitted Canon and 
 Prebendary of Tymberescombe. 
 
 May. 14. — Ralph Gardner, John Broghyng, and John Clavelshay, Vicars Choral, 
 were excused matins (tempore noctimno), propter illorum senectutes ac graves inflrmitates 
 necnon alias et legitimas causas, except on the principal feasts and Major Doubles. They 
 were to receive their daily commons if they were present on the above-mentioned days. 
 
 May 20. — The Sub-dean (in the absence of the Dean), cum consensu Capituli, 
 auctoritate Episcopi et permissions Archiepiscopi Cantuariensis, installed Robert Dykar 
 Chancellor, in the person of Thomas Goldwege. John Holme admitted V. P. 
 
 June 10. — Thomas Goldwege was presented to the perpetual vicarage of Cheddar, 
 vacant by the death of John Stephyns, in the person of Roger Churche, his proctor. 
 
 June 12. — Roger Churche was presented to the perpetual vicarage of Northcory, 
 vacant by the death of John Stephynes. 
 
 June 20. — Thomas Hobson appointed auditor on same conditions as before, but also 
 cumi esculentis et poculentis pro se et famulis ac equis suis cum pergameno paupiro (sic) et 
 aliis expensis : the provosts and bailiffs, however, were to retain their fees. 
 
 June 22. — The Dean, with a full Chapter, moverunt et excitaverunt the Vicars Choral 
 to say certain prayers, orations, and suffrages for King Henry VII., which were set out in 
 a certain paper (tabula) for that purpose. The Vicars, mocionibus annuentes, expressed 
 themselves quite willing to observe the said prayers and suffrages, et in omnibus gubemari 
 per decanwm et Capitulum, and to consent to and obey their exhortations. 
 
 June 26. — John Aleyn, a Vicar Choral, appeared, and produced before the Chapter 
 certain evidences and muniments in quadam pixide, concerning the chantries of John 
 Biconell, miles, which they received. 
 
APPENDIX M. 213 
 
 June 26. — The Sub-dean and Chapter said they had not got the seal of their own 
 Peculiar at hand, and asked Thomas Goldwege, the official, if he would kindly seal their 
 presentation of Roger Church to the Church of Northoory, if they sent it to him, which 
 he consented to do. 
 
 June 30. — Robert Dykar was installed Chancellor in his own person, and took the 
 oath, with this singular saving clause : et perimphho nisi aliter mecwm dispensatum fuerit 
 pro eisdem. 
 
 July 19. — Roger Church resigning the vicarage of Northcory, William Capron was 
 presented by the Dean and Chapter perwiissiowe Archiepiscopi loci ordinarii. 
 
 July 20. — "William Knotte, V. non-P. ; J. Hardman, ascultor. 
 
 August 2. — John Abbot, priest, V. non-P. He was immediately admitted to the mass 
 for the soul of John Stotwayte, at the altar of the Holy Cross, and was to receive only 
 five marks, and think himself lucky with that : quihus reputabit se contentum. 
 
 August 26. — It was ordered by the Chapter that the service of the dead for the soul of 
 the late Bishop Oliver should be kept and celebrated solemnly on the feast of S. Augustine, 
 Bishop and doctor, and ex speciali grada they dispensed with the statute and ordinance of 
 the Church to the contrary. 
 
 September 19. — The Sub-dean charged John Braddon with neglecting to celebrate the 
 matin mass according to the order of the Church, so as to cause grievous scandal and 
 detriment to the Church, which charge he did not refute ; he confessed he had often done 
 so. He was then charged with keeping company with Johanna Millward, contrary to the 
 order and monition of the Chapter, upon which, inhonestis verbis et obprobrio vilipendit 
 et contempsit Svb-decanvmi et alios Ccmonicos; he was once more warned to avoid Johanna 
 Millward, and suspended until otherwise determined by the Chapter. 
 
 Skptember 18-19. — The Sub-dean charged {pbjecit) John Braddon with disrespectful 
 behaviour towards himself and the Chapter, not only on the said day, but on the Tuesday 
 and Wednesday following ; that on Thursday he had entered the choir without his habit 
 during divine service, and then and there despised (contempsit) and insulted him. He 
 pleaded guilty, and submitted himself to correction, and promised to undergo salutary 
 penance ; whereupon he was ordered to appear before the Chapter to have his penance 
 assigned him on Tuesday, which he did. This penance was then enjoined him, that with 
 bare feet and head, and only a surplice over his gown {toga), with a candle of one pound 
 weight in his hand, more penitentis, he should go before the procession of the Church for 
 two days, namely, the 6th and 13th instant of October, and when the procession enters 
 the choir, stand in the choir (before the high altar : this is scratched out), , and say the 
 psalter of Blessed Mary the Virgin (or at least the seven penitential psalms : this is 
 inserted over), which, devoutly said, he should offer his candle to the image of S. Andrew. 
 This penance, however, the Dean and Chapter were willing to relax, provided that John 
 Braddon would find one respectable surety (fidemissorem honestum) for his good behaviour, 
 conversation, and honourable and obedient conduct towards the Chapter for the future. 
 
 OcTOBEK 7. — The Sub-dean said that John Braddon had not done penance as enjoined 
 on {J. B. non comparenti ibidem) the said Sunday, et pertinaciter recusavit to obey their 
 injunctions, whereby he had manifestly incurred the serious charge of perjury. This 
 charge the Sub-dean committed to writing, and John Braddon was denounced and pro- 
 nounced contumacious, and ordered to appear to answer to the charges brought against him, 
 the next Wednesday, and show reasonable cause why judgment be not given against him. 
 The following was the substance of a letter {copia literce) sent by John Braddon to Doctor 
 
214 APPENDIX M. 
 
 Church, "in derision," on the Sunday when the procession was over :— " WorshipfuU 
 maister doctor it is soo I have a litill besinesse to do the which causyth me y'- 1 may nott 
 intende to do my penance Wherefore I woll desire and pray you hartely for the goode 
 mynde y*- ye here unto me . undeservid . for to do my penaunc this day for me." On the 
 said, day the said John, pleading infirmity, and not putting in an appearance, the Sub- 
 dean pronounced him guilty of contumacy, reserving the terms of his punishment to the 
 next Saturday, when (Canon Careslegh being present also) John Braddon appeared, and 
 the Sub-dean charged him with having (on the preceding Sunday, when he ought to have 
 done his appointed penance) carried about with him under his vestments a long knife 
 (mwmjw longvm cultellwrn), which he did not deny. He was then ordered to bring with him 
 the next Wednesday one or more suflacient sureties for his- good behaviour, and to receive 
 id quod justicia hahebit. When that day came, J. Braddon appeared, but brought no 
 surety for his good conduct, but addressed more contumelious words and unseemly speeches 
 to the Chapter. Yet being anxious to reform J. Braddon, and thinking to give him an 
 opportunity of considering the consequences, the Chapter was prorogued until ad diem 
 Veneris, October 28th, when they peremptorily cited him to appear before them, and find 
 suflacient security for his good conduct, and then to receive, for his contempt, perjury, and 
 rebellion (multiplices rebelUones) illud quod justum fuerit et consonvm racioni. The Dean 
 had then returned, and admonished J. Braddon judicialiter to appear before them for the 
 correction of his soul on the next die Mortis. 
 
 On October 28th, J. Braddon did not appear. The Dean (and Chapter), judicialiter 
 pro tribunali sedens, commanded John White, the Sacristan, to publicly and repeatedly 
 summon (preconizari) John Braddon at the door of the Chapter-house, which the Sacristan 
 did, and, immediately returning, certified to the Dean and Chapter that John Braddon 
 did not appear or in any way respond : upon which, by the consent of all his brethren 
 above named, and their express will, in accordance with the exigency of the law and the 
 statutes of the Church, the Dean proceeded against the said John Braddon in the 
 following words : — 
 
 In dei nomine. Am^n. Nos Decanus et Capitulum hujus Wellen ecclesie in loco 
 capitulari capitulariter congregati et Capitulum ibidem facientes contra te dominum 
 Johannem Braddon unum vicariorum nostrorum choralium ad vicariam choralem in dicta 
 nostra Wellen ecclesia canonice admissum et nobis ad canonicam obedienciain prestandum 
 quamdiu sic vicariam illam tenueris in tua prima admissione ad eandem judicialiter coram 
 nobis juratum nostre jurisdiccioni subditum et subjectum. In quodam negocio reatum 
 sive criminis perjurii tibi per nos alias ex ofiicio nostro articulati et objecti. Atque ex tua 
 confessione spontanea et deliberata judicialiter eciam coram nobis pro tribunali sedentibus 
 emissa confessati atque comperti legitime procedentes de meritis tuis exigentibus tandem 
 per nostram sententiam super hoc canonice latam pronunciamus te in crimen manifest! et 
 notorii perjurii in anime tue grave periculum dampnabiliter incurrisse. Unde per nos 
 habita jam matura deliberacione et tractatu de consilio juris peritorum cum quibus com- 
 municavimus in hac parte servato eciam in hao parte servando dei nomine invocato ad te 
 canonice primendum pro eodem reatu perjurii sic per te ut premittitur dampnabiliter 
 contracte diffinite duximus procedendum fore et sic procedimus in hac forma : 
 
 In Dei Nomine. Amen. Nos Decanus et Capitulum supradictum in loco nostro 
 capitulari capitulariter congregati et Capitulum ibidem facientes quia peracta antedicta 
 proposita deducta confessata et probata liquido comperimus te dominum Johannem 
 Braddon vicarium choralem predictum manifeste et notorii perjurii reatum dampnabiliter 
 
APPENDIX M. 215 
 
 incurrisse contraxisse et commisisse in anime sue maximum detrementum et in aliprum 
 perniciosissimum exemplum. De predicta tua vicaria chorali quam in Ecclesia nostra 
 Wellen modo tenes cum omnimodis commodis fructibus commoditatibus emolumentis ' ad 
 eundum quoquomodo et qualiter cunque spectantibus sive pertinentibus privandum fore 
 decernimus atque sic te eisdem presenti privamus et privatum fore et esse imperpetuum 
 declaramus et pronunciamus per hanc nostram sententiam quam sic diffinite super hoc 
 fecimus in his scriptis presentibus tunc ibidem dominis Johanne Aleyne, Eicardo 
 Pomeray, Johanne ffox, Johanne Warder, et Johanne Clawsay, vicariis choralibus ad 
 audiendam sententiam predictam vocatis. 
 
 October 1. — Robert Brown, Chaplain, admitted to the Chantry of the Blessed 
 Saviour, on the north side of the Church, founded for the soul of John Storthwayte, vacant 
 by the resignation of John Abbot : inducted by William Capron, Communar. The Sub- 
 dean and Chapter also granted to Amisius Powlet, miles, the next presentation to the 
 Chantry which Richard Yyke holds, whenever and howsoever it be vacant. Ita quod 
 ille presentet personam ydoneam, et hdbilem ; they also gave him, for his good service, 
 counsel, and help, impenso et impendendo 26s. 8c?., to be paid annually, and to John 
 Skewys (generostcs) a pension of 20s. ; they also made John Pole ffeodarium Decani 
 et Capituli, with an annual pension of 13s. ^d., to be paid by the Communar on 
 S. Michael's day. 
 
 October 5. — The Chancellor, Robert Dyker, installed Prebendary of Cory. 
 
 The same day, letters apostolic were received by and read before the Sub-dean and whole 
 Chapter, as well as all the Vicars Choral and other ministers of the Church, wherein 
 Pope Julius appointed Adrianum Sti Grisogoni preahiterum Cardinalem Bishop of Bath 
 and Wells, translating him from Hereford for that purpose. Upon these Roger Church 
 and Thomas Goldwege mandato Archidiaconi Gomtuoff-ieThsis installed the Cardinal in sede 
 episwpali infra ecclesiam cathedralem in persona magistri polodori virgenii (sic) subcollectoris 
 in regno Anglice. 
 
 November 12. — The Dean was appointed Capitular Proctor to manage their afiair 
 with the Lord Bishop of Winchester, in London. The words are : pro certis negodis et 
 arduis utilitatem ecclesie Gathedralis Wellen conc^mentibus. 
 
 December 14. — Walter Philipp V.P. 
 
 December .23. — John Biccham, Prebendary of Cumba XII. (pedit admitti), does not 
 appear to have " protested," but, on paying caution money, was admitted a Residentiary 
 Canon, and assigned the houses lately occupied by Thomas Austell. 
 
 [Marginal note here says : 7 Canon, uti credo, faciunt Gapitulum.] 
 
 On this occasion there were present : Robert Wydow, Sub-dean ; Thomas Tinensis, 
 Precentor; Thomas Beaumonte, Archdeacon of Wells; Thomas Harries, Treasurer; 
 Thomas Thomyo, Archdeacon of Bath ; and Thomas Goldwege — six in number. 
 
 April 6, 1506. — There were present the Dean, called now William Cosyn ; (Thomas 
 Comissh, Precentor ;) Peter Oaseley, Roger Churche, and John Beckham, in addition to 
 those mentioned at the lasc meeting, and granted a piece of ground belonging to the 
 Canons' barn {horreum a muro ierre parvi Ga/rdini ante fenestram magnam pa/rluri domus 
 canonicalis pre/ati Thome Goldwege in parte occidentali dicti horrei situate usque ad murum 
 Gaa-dini Rica/rdi Trigge ex parte boriali directe extendens) to Thomas Goldwege, at an annual 
 rent of 8d., to be paid to the keeper of the said Canons' barn. 
 
 April 12.— A pension of l3s. 8d. was granted to Nicholas Trap for his good counsel, 
 to be paid by the Communar. 
 
216 APPENDIX M. 
 
 December 19. — The Dean and Chapter met and discussed about the payment of 
 subsidies to the King for certain houses called New Warke, in the High Street of Wells, 
 and other houses in the city, and having looked at and examined copiis Begistri domini 
 Regis then and there shown them, they condescended (condescenderunt) to pay for the same 
 £2 lis. 8d. per dictum decanum ex mutuo. 
 
 March 18. — By special mandate of Bishop Hadrian, Eichard Gardener was admitted 
 Canon and Prebendary of Cumba XI., in the person of Thomas Beaumonte. 
 
 April 23. — John Taylor, Doctor of Decrees, was also admitted Canon and Prebendary 
 of Wedmore III., in the person of the Sub-dean. 
 
 May 24. — The Chancellor, Robert Dyker, in the Chapter-house personally present 
 with the Dean and Chapter of the said Church, and with them making a Chapter, gave to 
 the aforesaid Dean and Chapter leave, authority, and full power to nominate, elect and 
 take (nssumere) for this once only et non aliter nee alio modo such a man as might seem 
 suitable to them as Scribe or Registrar of the Dean and Chapter, and of their Acts there 
 done, absque tamen prejudicio et libertate suceessorum suorum pro tempore existencium 
 CanceUa/riorwm, de quo puhlice tunc protestahatur. 
 
 The same day, a pension of 26s. 8d. was granted to Edmund Mylle (generosus) and 
 Anne his wife pro suo bono consUio impenso et in posterum impendendo, for life. This 
 grant is repeated on the following page, where, as may be fairly concluded from the pro- 
 bable concession made by the Chancellor so recently, the Chapter Acts were entered by a 
 new Chapter Clerk, for, for the rest of the book, a large sprawling indistinct slap-dash 
 sort of handwriting takes the place of the neat, if somewhat crabbed, writing of Thomas 
 Wade, who has now disappeared from the scene. In one or two instances further 
 on, his small and concise hand seems to reappear, but only for a single entry here and 
 there, although towards the end of the volume there is more attempt at neatness and 
 legibility. 
 
 After this, the above pension is again entered and acknowledged, and 
 
 December 23. — John Bekham was installed Residentiary, after protesting that he 
 meant to begin residence. He was Prebendary of Cumba XII., and therefore on January 
 11 th he claimed from the Provost of the Church (the words are) pre/atus M. Bekam peciit a pre- 
 fato decamo procuracione (T) prepositi dicte ecclesie ut asseruit xxvi^- viii*- eidem M. Johanni 
 radone prebende sue de Cv/nba XII. pro termino natalis domini ultimo et dapso debito sibi 
 deliberari et solvi prout dominus prepositus infra xv. dies post quemlibet terminum reddere 
 tenetwr quos xxvi°- viii*- pre/atus decanus procuratorie (?) dixit good eidem M. Johanni. 
 Solvere voluerit sub protestacione quod in futwrwm non fit in prejudicium tituli et Juris 
 domini prepositi Gui procwrator pre/atus Mr. Johannes respondit quod dictas pecunias sub 
 tali protestacione sic Recipere voluit Et M. Decanus diadt tunc valeat ut valere poterit. 
 
 The renunciation of John Braddon was read in a certain parlour infra hospicium of 
 the accustomed residence of Thomas Comissh. There were also present Robert Broune 
 and William God, Chaplains of Coventry and Lichfield, and Bath and Wells, and Robert 
 Williamson, Notary Public. 
 
 July 18. — William Huchyns was admitted V.P., and then on the Gospels swore 
 quod tunc non utetur aliquihus appdlacione querela aut aliis defensionibus juris vel facti 
 quibuscunque, and that he would accept and submit to all necessary conditions, omnibus 
 dolo, fraude, et calliditate cessantibus. 
 
 July 19.— William Knott, V.P. 
 
 Here follow various entries in and after 1505. 
 
APPENDIX M. 217 
 
 November 3.— The Dean and Chapter agreed that the Book of Statutes and the 
 book called « Blakregistr'" should be chained on the great chest in the Chapter-house, and 
 that each Canon should have one key (this, however, is scratched out), and the Precentor 
 agreed to make chains and keys for each Canon ex svmptibus ecclesie. 
 
 Next follows a letter written by the Chapter to my Lord of Winchester, in which we 
 learn that " while dyvers of the Brethren of our Chaptre were at the myll of Noi-thcory, and 
 ther hard the gretes and complaynte which yo' tenants made, and where, as it is thought, 
 to theym that our said myll should be the occasion of the grete floods and drowning of 
 them, which in our mynde is not thought possible to be. Nevertheless to have you good 
 lord unto us to cesse ther clamas, we shall be contented to lose a quartes rent and for that 
 tyme cause the floodgate of o' said myell to be pulled up so that the water shall have his 
 full course ; whereby it shall appear hereafter whether that or myll be the occasion of any 
 such floods and drowning of the medews And as for bote passage yor sedd officers know 
 right well that in aU the said season the water is so lowe and so shipes and barges in the 
 River betwen o' myll and Taunton that it is not possible to convey any bote that way 
 And in the wynter season the medewes be so filled and Replenysshed with water that the 
 boote may go over at every place so that they shall not be lett by^the myll." They then 
 beg the Bishop to show them the same favour as before. "And thus the holy trinite 
 confyrrae you acoordyng to your noble desires. 
 
 " By yo' dayly orato's the brethren of the Chaptre of Wells." 
 
 A letter sent to the Prior of Montacute, relates how " the Chaptre think it sad that 
 o' mill and yo' miller should be the occasion of the grete floods," which, however, they do 
 not think possible, and hope that pulling up the said gate will prevent " the grete floods, so 
 that the myll this wyntr' tyme should goo right well and so nether ye nor we to have 
 any losse." 
 
 The Dean writes later on : "I have spoken with my Lord of Winchester for our mill, 
 and have moved him both with resons and pyers to be a good lord unto us for the said 
 myll, but in noo wyse can I have his lordship at no conclusion but that he will have down 
 the bay of stone made by the prior And at one season he said he wold be content to 
 Remytt his account but he would have a commission of Sheriff's by the E«son where of 
 he said he was sure to have his mynde And after my poor mynde it were better to put 
 the matter in to gentilmens hands then to laboryng men of the Countrey for thay do speke 
 up right well and make a great clamor w*out Reson as ye may know opynly by the copy 
 of a biU the which I send you by my servant the which my Lord of Winchester took me 
 to rede and I in the most haste I cowde make caused it to be wrytten and gave xxx*' 
 therefore to the intent ye should knowe the complaynte and also the doblenesse of the 
 priour of Mountacu or else of his tenents," <fec. 
 
 The Bishop, however, " saith that he will not beleeve his trusty counsell in saying nay 
 And me nor none of us in saying soo" (that is, in going against his decision) ; the Dean 
 " could not have him at no conclusion." 
 
 As a postscript he adds : '• I pray you kepe the copy of this complaynte as secretely 
 as ye can for if it were known that I did copy theym it might peradventur turne to my 
 Rebuke." 
 
 The Chapter met, and replied that if the Bishop would not agree to their proposition 
 about pulling up the gate, it had best be determined by " Sheriffs, or by certain gentilmen : 
 there had lately been grete waters and floods (which they would have his Lordship know), 
 and as yet blessed be God none hurte neythyr drownyng of the country." 
 
 4 F 
 
218 APPENDIX M. 
 
 The bill of "compleynte" then follows, in which the petitioners set forth that " withy n the 
 Tything of Ruyssheton parcell of the lordship of Taunton where tyme out of mynde they 
 were never troubled nor accombered in their copyholds by grete flood of water of the 
 Jlyver that cometh from Taunton towards brigewater unto now of late by Reson of 
 beldyng of a myll called Hammyll for so it is that if theyr fall eny Reyne of Water 
 ther by stoppyng of the floodyates of the said myll as the flood may not passe your said 
 peticioners medews common and wallys of theyr howses bee overflowen which is and shall 
 be if it be not reformed to theyr utter undoying and also distruccon of theyr lands and 
 Rente : the higheways were so infoundered that the poor tenants and inhabitants 
 aforesayd may nether go to their grounde with horse nor carte whereof we be not able to 
 lyve and pay our rent : they had in times past compleyned of the annoyance and there- 
 fore now meekly desire yo' Mastership tenderly to consider the premisses and to provide 
 for a Remedy therein. Sheweth unto your Maystership themarchaunts and other occupiers 
 , tenants and inhabitants unto our Lord Bisshopp of Wynchester of his Toune of Taunton 
 That whereas we the said tenants occupiors and inhabitants and all other merchants of the 
 same toune oute of tyme of mynde in the Right of o' said Lord have peasably used and 
 had course Recourse and free passage upon the Water of Toon Bathe polemyll and brigel- 
 water for all manner of Marchaundises Come Cole stones and all other stufi" by us bought 
 and sold unto the tyme a Myll called Ham myll which of tyme paste was arresed and newe 
 made by the prior of Mountacu and the Deane and Chapitre of Wellys." The floods, 
 however, they go on to say, were so bad that they had no passage in the winter season, 
 and could not supply to " such persons as we bye and sell of." 
 
 The poor men next adjoining to Ham myll next make their 'complaynt for their 
 medews called nolle medewes and nak medewes and divers other pastures — and for their 
 corne ofttymes drouned and highwayes foundered — for the ford depe worne where thorough 
 we be sore charged to make a brigge for Weynes and horses every twoo or three year to 
 be new mended — ^they had no good carriage home for their corne and hay . ofttymes we 
 have spoken hereof in our course and can have no remedy And we understand your 
 Maystership have auctority to enquire of all manner hurt and greves done by occasion of 
 the same myll.' 
 
 It was signed by Robert Gave, John Ball, 
 
 Walter Chbde, John Gamltn, 
 
 John Hefford, William Richards, 
 
 Nicholas Wyndesor, and all the tenants of 
 Creche and hammer to the priour of Mountacu &c. and delivered by Maister firost for 
 their Remedy. 
 
 The following document is sufficiently interesting to be given in full : 
 
 " Plaise it your good lordship to understand that accordyng to your commandment 
 Maister Thesaurer M. Mylle and J. atouslate beyng at Taunton mette with my lords 
 Tinensis M. Symonds and doctor Tomyow of the Church of Wellys And the stuard of the 
 prior of Mountacu at Ham mylle. And ther was wyth us of your Toune of Taunton Sir 
 Thomas Greynefeld maister Newton and many of the moost honest merchants and tenants 
 of your toune and lordship of Taunton and also diverse of the Abbot of Glastonbury 
 tenants of the foresaid prior of Mountacu tenants which be sore greved and annoyed by 
 occasion of the said Mylle . as your Lordship may perceyve by the copyes of the bille of 
 Complaynte above said which were putt into us before we mette at the said myll All 
 which parties' complayntes were there wyth us and shewed unto theym of Wells there 
 
APPENDIX M. 219 
 
 greves as appereth in their said bille And offered theymself to be sworn upon a Bok that 
 there complaynts were true et &o. Whereupon we viewed the ground the water and the 
 flood gates and bay of stone rered by the said prior which be the cause of the said infamy. 
 And the foresaid personnes of Wellys cowde not denye but that your tenants of Taunton 
 can ha^re no passage w* bote by that Myll to brigelwater as they ought to have nor in 
 manner deny but by makyng of the said bay of stone and floodgate the waters when floods 
 be over flowen the ground. And after long communicacion between us of the premisses 
 hadd they of the Churche of Wells appoynted with us to common with me of their com- 
 pany and before all . agreed to send writing unto your Lordship what direccion they wUl 
 take for Reformacion of the measures forsaid which will be as in your mynde full hard to 
 doo oonlesse the said Baye and floodgate be utterly take away and amoved from the 
 groune of the water And if by the means of your good Lordship it may be soo doon ye 
 shall not oonly do grete good to your owne tenants but also unto meny other and have 
 their prayers for ever ffor undoubtedly and this be not Reformed ye shall have grete losse 
 in Ruysshton ffor their be now divers tenents living in your grounds and no way will fynd 
 for theym et &c. and also ever sith this Ham myll was made ye have lost ii«. Rent for 
 Were y' ye hadde ther &c." 
 
 Then follows a document, hereafter transcribed, which, as far as I can see, has nothing 
 to do with Northcory and Ham payll. 
 
 And touching the manor of Stonelynche the Lordship of Dounton which was Henry 
 Higons my lord at our being ther ther was Elizabeth that was the said Higons wife and 
 shewed unto us a dede engentured berying date the Vi"" yeare of king Edward the IIII* by 
 the which Richard Bishop of Sarum, John Suyforrow (?) clerk and other lett the said 
 manor and other Lands unto Sir Roger Tocots for terme of vii. yeres the Remaindre 
 thereof after the saide terme unto Henry higons and to Elizabeth his wife and to the 
 heyres of the body of the said henry et &c. &c. She shewed no dede of feoffment by the 
 which the forsaid bisshop of Sarum and other were enfeoffed in the said manor nor she 
 shewed no letter of Attorney that the said Bisshop his cofeoffees should make to delyver 
 season of the said manor to the said Sir Roger Tocots &c. but she shewed a letter of 
 attorney that Sir Roger Tocots made to oon Gregory thornton and Thomas Thornton to 
 Receyve for him season of the said manor I have the copy of the said dede and letter of 
 attorney and also I have in writyng the saying of such witnesses as she brought before 
 Maister Thesaurer and me to testifie of the lyvery and season of the said Manor which 
 prove not directly the lyvery and season thereof as your Lordship shall more playnly see 
 at my comyng to your good Lordship which I truste shall be sone after Alhallowstyde I 
 have apoynted w* Maisteress higons that if she have any other writyng concernyng the 
 premisses she to send it to London to hire Counsayll and they to awayte upon your lord- 
 shipp to shew it and as to the occupacion of the said manor . I have taken a direccion 
 between Maister Wodshawe and the firm or therein As your Lordship writte unto me to 
 doo And as for any other grete matters We hadde not yet hidderto as knoweth our Lord 
 God who preserve your good Lordshipp in body and health long to endure Scribeled the 
 xiiii*'' day of October with the hande of your servant 
 
 William ffrost. 
 
 January 2. — The Seneschal had orders to sell dham caducam apvd Wyriescombe et 
 quereos a/pud Whitechwrche. 
 
 A memorandum that Thomas Austell, Canon, received viii. marks pro parte sua 
 de c. marcis solutis per M. J. Beckham pro caucione ma quos idem M. Thomas Austell 
 
220 APPENDIX M. 
 
 solvit per manus dicti M. J. Beckham Jan. 2, 1505, quiaprefatus T. AustellJiesidentiarius 
 {residens inserted over) hoc anno. 
 
 January 16. — Thomas Goldwege, proctor of Robert Dyker, the Chancellor, publicly 
 protested gtiod si quatenus posset requiri in eventu, quod presentacio Magistri scola/rum sine 
 deputacione ex antiqua et laudahili consuetudine pertineret CcmceUario vellet consequi jus 
 supradicti Cancellarii pretendens nullum prejudidwm domino Episcopo nee Dec. et Gap. And 
 on this condition, and not otherwise, nor in any other way, he presented Roger Wynwode 
 to the office of Magister Scola/rum Ipsumque ad idem, officiwm admitti peciit : this Roger 
 Churche, the Bishop's Yicar General in spiritualibus confirmed. . . . The Dean 
 admitted him, and gave him the Vicar's habit and stall in the Choir. 
 
 January 29. — It was agreed that every Canon Residentiary pay from his share of 
 the great Common for the last year past to the Treasurer for the building of the Chancel 
 of Northcory Parish Church xx'- The Dean, however, postponed this business until other 
 information had been received. 
 
 The Dean and Chapter allowed William Browne, who celebrated for the soul of John 
 Storthwayte, in S. Saviour's Chapel, to exchange with William God, of S. Edmund's altar. 
 
 February 6. — The Communar, William Capron, was ordered to pay the above-named 
 XX'- from each Canon's (Residentiary) portion to the Treasurer for the aforesaid purpose, 
 and to pay T. Harreys and Hugh yng their arrears for past years. 
 
 Ffrends tho we recommend us so it is we be enformed that a certeyn tenant of ours 
 withyn our lordship of Gregory Stoke is departed unto God by any ffortune of his plague . 
 by Reson whereof the enquire of his desire apperteyneth unto us according to our liberties 
 and ffraunchescez Which we have Withyn the said lordship These things considered We 
 exhorte you and also pray you not to medle nor interfere with us in our Jurisdiccion nor 
 liberties foresaid whereyn ye shel desire oure righte hertie thanks And if ye ordre yourself 
 otherwyse We must and shall approve our liberties fraunchesses to the best we can or 
 may Whiche we truste ye wille not move us unto And thus Jesus preserve you at Wells 
 IX. day of februarie. 
 
 By the Chapitre of Wells. 
 To our wellbeloved ffrende Cuthberte clawsy and John Birt of Southpederton. 
 
 February 24. — The Seneschal had leave to sell wood in all the Capitular manors. 
 
 The same year, the Chapter confirmed certain lands and tenements to Lawrence 
 Hampton — namely, two cottages and twenty-two acres of land and pasture de Overlands 
 at 17s. lOd. rent, and nine acres and a half in Smythpath at 12s. per year, and eight acres 
 in la Closefelde at 8s. per year, and three acres in la Barton close at 6s. per year all of 
 these lying in the parish of Wynsham, juxta Gherde in comit. Somerset, for sixty years ; 
 and he was to pay to the provost or his successors the aforesaid rent at the four quarters 
 of the year in equal portions. Ac omnia alia consuetudina/ria et servicia diotis cotagiis et 
 terris supradictis aliquo mado de jure debita sive consueta. And at the entry of every 
 provost to his provostship duos capones precii octo denariorum, &o. &c. If, however the 
 rent, 43s. lOd., was not paid within fifteen days of its being due, the provost might enter 
 and distrain until the rent with arrears were fully satisfied. Many other conditions were 
 attached, as to waste, &o.; and the Dean and Lawrence Hampton each thereto set their 
 seal, March 24th. 
 
 The same day, for urgent reasons, the Canons present ordered that the mass for the 
 soul of John Gunthorp, the late Dean, should cease after March 14th j and if any one 
 should afterwards celebrate it he should receive nothing for his labour. 
 
APPENDIX M. 221 
 
 March 14 — The Dean and Thomas Beaumont received leave to be absent as Proctors 
 of the Chapter to manage their business with the Bishop of Winchester about the mill at 
 Northcory. 
 
 1506. 
 
 The Archdeacon of Wells reports that he and the Dean had seen the Lord of Win- 
 chester, who said that he had been " dyvers tymes misinformed by us ; " he was as " soft 
 in manner and word as cowde be pacified ; he gave them gentil and kynd wordes like a 
 nobleman, but they were compelled to abyde his leyser." He goes on to say: — 
 
 "And as to Mr. Hatton We have not as yet spoken w' hym but have dyvers tymes 
 sought him and also made messyngers unto hym, which have spoken with hym And as 
 we can understand he proposeth to couple us with the King's Counsell in this matter 
 which we WoUe avoyde and if we can to the best of our powers. 
 
 "We have moved my lordship of Wynchester in thys cause and he will not muche 
 meddle therein because it toucheth the kynge hys mynde We shulde not be hasty upon 
 the said doctor Hatton but to take hym at tymes Convenient and to handle hym as wysely 
 as we can. 
 
 " We have in lykewyse made serche in the Chancery for the ... of Alberton 
 And as yet we can not fynd it. The vi. clerke of the said Chauncerye be so besayed in the 
 king's causes that they can attend no pore men. Yet I assure you by ther licence humfrey 
 my servant hadd a sight of oone boke ab Anno vi*" ffenrid Septimi usque Annum xviii. 
 yusdem Ye must pardon us thoughe we can make no perfite answere to you at this tyme 
 And thus our lord spede both you and us Written at London this flriday third of April. 
 
 " Your brother Thomas Beaumont." 
 
 May 2. — The Precentor and Archdeacon of Wells were appointed to look out in 
 vestibilio omnia antiqua vestimenta . capas et alia antiqua orrMmenta que non servaniur ut 
 melms in alios tisus convertantur. 
 
 The Chapter then wrote to the Dean to say that they know he can answer for 
 hymself . but that in case it belongyng and touching them they would like to have copies 
 of all documents affecting them and that he may have reasonable Space and leyser to come 
 and common with your brethren here at Wells and to have their mynde and at a certain 
 day resonable by you assigned they shall have answer in such matters as they lay and 
 propose against us by God's grace which ever preserve you from WeUs im. day of Maye. 
 
 May 13. — ^Philip Usthwaite was deputed to ride to London to see the executors of 
 late Dean about Alberton ; they also appointed the Precentor to see about one mitre 
 which was in the Vestibule broken, and to have it mended. 
 
 Mat 25. — Thomas fferr excused matins, except on major doubles and principal feasts. 
 The Dean, Precentor, and John Edmunds were appointed solicitors and proctors to go to 
 London to see the Bishop of Winchester about Northcory null, and to see about the late 
 Dean's gift of Alberton. 
 
 March 15. — John Edmunds submitted himself to the Chapter for their correction, 
 and on his undertaking to perform the required penance, promised to give unwm par 
 vestimentorum to the altar of Mr. Gunthorp, the late Dean : he appears to have defamed 
 certain women. 
 
 October 4. — The Sub-dean was admitted Residentiary, and the Archdeacon of Wells 
 was sworn Baron of Exchequer : J. Careslegh and John Edmund, auditors. 
 
 William Lewlyn, gentilman, gave annual rent of 100a. to the Dean and Chapter out 
 of his property {messuagiis testis molendinis . Columbariis terris tenementis pratis paHwris 
 
222 APPENDIX M. 
 
 et hostis), with power of distraint, in the parishes of Churchleigh and Birdwick in 
 Gloucestershire ; and Roger Amyse, Thomas Jonys, Eichard Gregory, and William Poleyn 
 were under an obligation to pay this sum between them. After many other documents 
 reciting the teuor of this gift, the following is in English ; — 
 
 The Lands whereof the annuitie of y^ shal go out be en fee symple Lande up to me 
 beyng in no hands of any other for terme of lyve of yeres or otherwyse than by copy made 
 in myne oune name And for the knowledge thereof I wryte this with myne oune haunde. 
 And as for the copyholders if it be thought necessarye they shall surend &c. And then 
 the said Annuite shal be graunt &c. And after that ther copyes new made &c. 
 
 "William Lewelyn. 
 
 The Lands afore rehersed bene all my lands in Ghurchelegh and Berdewyke in the 
 county of Gloucester the yearly value of the said lands unto me is Vi"- and more and all 
 charges borne &c. 
 
 Then follows the Annual Rental of all his tenants. 
 
 November 12.— The Chapter gave W. Knott, W. Philipps, T. Browse, and Robert 
 Merk xxvi^- viii*- for their good service to God and S. Andrew. 
 
 November 26.— Philipps and Prowse appeared before the Chapter, and were charged 
 with fighting with long knives, and that Philipps had given Prow.se a cut with his long 
 knife, so as to bring blood : they were suspended for a fortnight. 
 
 Oliver Grendon, absent without leave, was admonished. 
 
 Another letter follows to the Bishop of Winchester, in which the Chapitre say that 
 Whereas we understand that by the meanes of your kind and lovynge Niece Maistresse 
 Mylle and hyr husband ye our especiall good lord unto us touchynge the mater of our 
 Mylles of Cory . In the beste manner that we can We thank your good Lordship in the 
 same beseeching you of continuance. 
 
 February 17. — Soon after this date, a letter was received from the Bishop of Bath 
 
 desiring the presence of John Hans (Jamiliarem swwni) in his own church, to see and 
 
 speak with him. 
 
 1507. 
 
 April 10. — The usual leave of absence was granted to Canons and Sub-dean, and it 
 was ordered quod omnes lapides pro edificadofie Claustri deducantur sumptibus bonorum 
 ecclesie : Capitular consent was also given to what the Seneschal facit vel faciei circa 
 edificadonem orrei apvd N.cory, and the Archdeacon of Bath and J. Edmunds were com- 
 missioned to ride to see the Prior of Montacute about the mill. 
 
 A letter (myssive) was written to John Fitz James, and in his absence to his son, about 
 that special favor and good counscel they had given to their trusty brother John Edmunds 
 before the Commissioners, who had not opynly given verdyte nor was sentence ordered by 
 them : they go on to say that so it is none having understanding that by the command- 
 ment of Mr. Ffroost only there was a scire facias directed to y° Sheriffe the copy whereof 
 with much peyne we have gotyn they ask them to look over the bill and send their best 
 counsel to them. They sign themselves " By your lovers Dean and Chapitre of Wells." 
 Then follows a letter of John, Prior of Montagu who seems disappointed that the settle- 
 ment of the matter was postponed to suit the leyser of Mr. Myless till the first day of May. 
 
 The Sub-dean and Chapter replied that they intended to meet the following Wednes- 
 day to consider this matter, when the Steward and Mr. Mylles would meet, and they 
 would pull up such things as we commanded to do by the King's commandment. This to 
 the WorshipfuU ffader prior of Mountagu. 
 
APPENDIX M. 223 
 
 Right Worshipful! Sir We Reoommaunde us to you And when lately ye were w' us 
 here at Welles and shewed us that ye had yeven to us a monicion accordyng to the King's 
 Wrytt to Remove such beldyngs as we liadd made in the Water of tone in the Lordship 
 of Northcory. Sir we trust that we have perfourmed the King's commaundement in that 
 behalf. And in so muche as we thynke ye shal Retorne the Wrytt at the next Sessions 
 therefor We pray you to take the labor and peyn to come to the sayd place of the Water 
 of tone Where we have beldyd our mylle as shortly as ye may conveniently When one of 
 our brethren shall mete with you And we shall recompens you for your Labours so that 
 ye shall be pleased to see the said Water When we have done accordyng to the Wrytt as 
 we truste we have And so to retorne your processe And if ther be any thyng y* we may 
 do you pleasure In we shal be Redy by the grace of God who ever keep you. Written at 
 Welles this Wytsonday in haste By yours President and Chapitre of Wells. 
 
 To the Worshipful! Richard philipps Under Shereffe of Somersett. 
 
 This bill witnesseth that I Thomas Christieson deputy to Sir Raynolds Bray knyght 
 treasurer of the kyng's warres have Receyved of Maister John Gunthorp clerk, deane of 
 Wells in Redy money XL. marks in party of payment of CC. marcs of his benevolence 
 granted to the King's grace toward his grete viage into his Reaume of ffraunce. Itm I 
 have receyved of hym ye toll levyed at the kyng's Receipt pro denariis mMtuatis of the 
 Collectors of the dymes of the Archdeaconry of dorset and of the diocese of Bathe and 
 Wells coteyning cvi''- xiii'- VLix^- to be hadde of the said collectors for the performyng of 
 his said graunte if it may be hadd in conveynyent tyme for the forsayd cause of graunt. In 
 witness whereof to this bill I have subscribed my name the xxiiii"' day of ffebruary Anno 
 Regni Regis Henrici VII'^'- VII"- (J.) T. pierson. 
 
 Then follow various entries for the denariig mutuatis. 
 
 Then "A True bill made at Westminster the xiii* day of July in the xxi'* yere of 
 the Reygne of our Soveraign Lord King Henry the VII*"" witnesseth that Roger Luxton 
 clerk one of the commissioners of the said Soveraign Lord for the receite of his bene- 
 volence " had received of the executors of the late Dean 200 marks. 
 
 July 10.— The Dean and Chapter agreed that henceforth on ferial days and feasts 
 sine regimine chori two choristers may attend matins, on feasts cum Regvmine chori four 
 choristers ; but on double feasts seven choristers. 
 
 The Dean and Chapter wrote to the Chancellor on this wise : — 
 
 Becanus et Gapituhum ec. Oath. W. CanceUario ejusdem ecdesie eorum confratri 
 Salutem Quia scrvpslt Ad te diver sis vicibus thesaurarius ipsius ecdesie Wellen ut id quod ad 
 tuum attinet offidum diligencius adimpleris Neodum ad id pervmplendum in conscenda sua 
 quicqua/m funga/ris licet rdrtufe juramenti ad id astrictus sis hiis ad te per ha/rum literarum 
 nostra/rum tabellariuin statuta et ordinaciones nonnulUu dignitate CanceUa/riatus tui 
 prescripti cum exempla/ri Juramento in hac parte conveniencia. Ut ipsis lectis et per te 
 intellectis nichil ingratitudinis ex parte nostra in hiis que contra te facturi sumus aut 
 negUgencie ex parte ttca, and so on. They then proceed to ask him to fulfil his statutable 
 duties satisfactorily a fortnight before the feast of S. Jerome, which if he neglects to do 
 they will cite him in stallo sua to appear before them in the Chapter-house, and proceed 
 against him : they therefore beg him to immediately say what he will do. 
 
 September, 1507. 
 Be feodo per M. Higons Magistrum Ghoristarum, 
 
 July 23. — Master Hygons, Master of the Choristers, with the consent of the Chapter, 
 promised to pay Richard Bramston, Yicar Choral, xl'- per annum defoodo et porcione sua, 
 
224 APPENDIX M. 
 
 to teacb. the choristers to sing well and faithfully, as R. Hygons had done in times past. 
 And that Richard Bramston would take care of and play at the organs in the great choir, 
 and also in the Lady Ghapel. 
 
 July 17. — The Chapter corrected "Walter Philipps and Harman for their various 
 delinquencies in not coming to matins on the vigil of the Translation of S. Thomas the 
 Martyr, but playing at ball {in annalem) and they were admonished to attend matins, 
 prime, mass, and vespers, by day as well as night, from that day until the feast of S. Peter 
 quod dicitur ad vincula (namely, fifteen days), and that they fail not for three weeks. 
 
 Harryes and Paty, Yicars non-perpetual, were admonished for fighting in domo 
 suspecte mulieris, staying apvd Est Walles, at ten o'clock at night, and they were warned 
 that they must not stay at that house (worn adherecmt prefato domui), but be in the 
 Yicars' Close, by eight o'clock, under statutable penalties. 
 
 The same day, Oter and Hopar, clerks of the Church, were admonished for being in 
 the Church one night quum Campana pulsat ad Guff', and Hoper was warned not to be 
 at a certain house in East Wells under pain, &c. 
 
 By August I7th, however, Harryes had left the Vicars' Close after 8 p.m., and given 
 one slap with his hand to, and fought with, some person unnamed, for which he was 
 ordered to appear and lay down his habit, which he did ; but it was restored to him 
 Oct. 1, and he was warned that de cetera exerceat chorum et custodiat honam Regula/m sub 
 pena excommunicacionis. 
 
 October 1.- — The Communar was ordered not to undertake any repairs or work for 
 the Chapter which cost more than 40s., without the advice and consent of the Seneschal : 
 that should he do so, he be punished. 
 
 Richard Hoper was deprived, So 
 
 When W. Smyth, Othara Rowland, and Richard Haynton were appointed, they were 
 warned to be in the Close by 8 p.m. 
 
 Robert Walle, Y. P., November 26 ; on which day also the Yicars Choral — namely, 
 Aleyn, Broughyn, fibx, Warder, White, Yeysey, fferr, Jenyns, Everdon, Morys, Herdman, 
 Prowse, Hermann, Abbot, and Merke, were examined secretly and separately de habilitate 
 Gilbert! ffrauneis, Y. non-P., and they deposed that according to their knowledge he was 
 not habilis, that he had not a competent voice to serve the choir, while some deposed that 
 he was of bad conversation. Et super hoc the Precentor, auctoritate Subdecani et ex con- 
 sensu con/ratrum, decreed that he was not presentable. 
 
 The same day, it was agreed and determined that the Treasurer should find all the 
 stone work and wages of the stonemasons, and of the other men serving on the new 
 cloisters now begun, until it be finished ; and that the Residentiary Canons should find 
 omnia mercuria et plumbum, and the carpenters' wages, until it be finished. 
 
 J. Braddon admitted V. non-P., called Quindenacio. 
 
 Oliver Grendon admitted Y. P., perpetuatio, cum clausulo de se bene gerendo. Richard 
 Bramston and John Lylyhede were also " perpetuated," with this special provision quod 
 quilibet eorum det suam diligenciam legendi planum cantvm camtandi et psalterium cum 
 ympnis Sdendi infra annum sequins. 
 
 Eebeuaey 6.— By special mandate of the Bishop, Robert asshcom was admitted 
 Canon and Prebendary of Comba YI. 
 
 The same day, the Sub-dean, by mandate of the Bishop, inducted Polydore Yirgil, 
 alias Castellensis, Archdeacon of Wells, into the Prebend of Brent, in the person of John 
 Edmunds, liis proctor. 
 
APPENDIX M. 225 
 
 April 11. — The Chapter granted Bawdewya Mallet a pension of xx'- pro bono, &c. 
 
 The Sub-dean and Chapter ordered that John Clauaay, should have the office of 
 instructing and teaching the Choristers et Tahellcurios ad comtandum et discamtandum et 
 singula alia fadenda que ad hujusmodi officium pertinent Et dictus Johamnes Clausay 
 custodiet et faciei tarn in choro qua/m inOapella beate tnarie virginis onines sectas, as Richard 
 Hygons had done in times past : he was also to play the organs in the 'Great Choir as well 
 as in the Lady Chapel behind the high altar temporibus congruis ; for these labours he was 
 to receive of the clerk of the fabric four marks of the two vacant stalls ; he was also to 
 receive de Eschaetore omnia eschaeta cum consensu vicariorum ut vicarius non perpetuatus 
 habet durante vita R. Hygons que veniunt per annum. Insuper domwm a/nnui valoris 
 XXVI'- viii'l- He was also to receive XL'- per year de feodo et porcione R. Hygons, with 
 power to appoint a deputy, should he become ill or too old. 
 
 Mat 20. — Oliver Grendon appeared before the Chapter, and, on account of his many 
 and manifest offences, and failing to keep and observe the statutes of the Church, the 
 Sub-dean, J. Hous, asked him if he was willing to recede sua propria voluntate quam 
 privari of all his right, titles, and possessions in the Church. He preferred to retire, and 
 his successor was accepted. 
 
 Mat 13. — The Dean and Chapter agreed " quad pro talilus Weyvyset Stryves," which 
 had been taken apud Byconaller per cawsay et ballivos actio captanda sit contra cos. 
 
 The same day, the ordinance of the Chantry of Bishop Bekyngton, of blessed memory, 
 was read in the Chapter-house. 
 
 The manumission of John ffewell. 
 
 Eodem die, concesserunt ad conjirmamdas literas dm, decani pro certa parte terre super- 
 quam partem pars domus ecclesie cmte vocatam churchhouse apud Wedmore edificata existit 
 
 sub sigillo. 
 
 JuLT 11. Reginald West, in person of T. Harry es, spedali mandato, installed Pre- 
 bendary of Cumba II. 
 
 Amisius Paulet appointed Seneschal. 
 
 Reginald "West personally installed, 25th July. 
 
 JuLT 26. Aleyn, Seward, Simon Lane, Vicars Choral, were presented to the vacant 
 
 stall in the gift of the Abbot of Clyve. 
 
 The same day, the acquittal was signed of Careslegh and J. bekham, administrators 
 of the last will and testament of Richard Asshcot, lately Communar of the Church. 
 
 1508. 
 
 About this tyme the Dean writes to the Abbot of Clyve, intimating that it has ever 
 been their custom, inter nos et vos, that we nominate three Vicars Choral of the Cathedral 
 — namely Aleyn, Seward, and Simon Lane, to the stall of the prebend of the Abbot of 
 Cliva, vacant by death of J. Whyte, and he therefore asks the Abbot to present and 
 choose one to the aforesaid stall when he will.— July 28, 1508. 
 
 A letter was also sent, July 16, to the auditor, Thoms Hobson, who, as we can judge 
 from the Chapter's letter, proposed not to attend the audit at the regular time, but to 
 postpone it: 'now we her say that ye have suche charges to yo'- grete bono'- and profite 
 wherby ye may not conveniently be at o'- Audit as ye have been : they pray him to have 
 the same good mynde towards theym and not to be at the peyne and labor to send them 
 any other person, for that they had determined to continue to have their audit as their 
 predecessors had done, "as knoweth God, who ever preserve you."' 
 ^ 4g 
 
226 APPENDIX M. 
 
 September 10, 1508. — The Dean admitted Poledorus Virgilius Castellends in propria 
 persona into Archdeaconry of Wells with Prebend of Brent. 
 
 Seftembee 4. — The Chapter elected and took Robert Bekham ad officium subsene- 
 scallatus sive clerici scaccarii on these terms : if in the opinion of J. Edmunds, the Sene- 
 schal, he be found hahilis for the said office, and if the said Edmunds shall report that 
 R. Bekham has well managed their business at the court at Burnham. Then all the 
 Canons, and even T. Goldwegge, appointed R. Bekham Sub-seneschal for the following 
 year. 
 
 October 16. — J. Powell V. non-P., on condition that he operam det libro et quod 
 hahilis sit in fine ami. 
 
 Welbeloved Bredren I recommaunde me unto you And wherof special! favour that I 
 bere to you broder doctor Churche I entende to give hym a benefice Wheruppon he is 
 contented to leva that benefice which he hath of y™ greffc beside Welles In my hertywyse 
 I pray you to vouchesafe to make a presentacion to me of the same benefice without any 
 name And I promyse you I shal name to you a broder of yo"" aune vertuouse well lerned 
 and a good prechour which I doubte not shal please god and content you right well And 
 if ye wull thiss muche do at my desire I trust sometyme to do you as grete pleasure. At 
 my manour of Lambithe the xviii. day of October. William Cantuab'. 
 
 To my brethren the Deane & Chapitre 
 of the Cath. Churche of Wellys.. 
 
 The copy of tlie letter sent to my Lord of Ga/nterhury hy the president and Chapitre of the 
 
 Cathedral Churche of Wells. 
 
 Moost Reverend fader in God and right singular good lord we humbly recommaunde 
 us unto yo' good grace . And wher late We have recey ved yo' Reverend lettres Wheryn 
 yo"" good grace hathe desired us for the greft of a benefice which doctor Churche hathe of 
 the grefte of this Chapitre . pleasethe yo' said grace to knowe that of long tyme used and 
 so yet contynued any benefice beyng of the grefte of the said Chapitre be geven when hit 
 voided to oon of the actuel Residenciaries of this Churche if any will accepte hit . Wher- 
 fore we humbly desir yo' good grace we may observe and kepe this olde usage And we 
 shal pray for the honor preservacon of yo' good grace . from Wells xxvi. day of October. 
 
 By yo' oratoris the president and 
 Chapitre of the Cath. Churche of 
 WeUes. 
 
 November 30. — The Dean and Sub-dean being absent, the Treasurer admitted 
 Reginald West, Prebendary of Cumba IX., Canon Residentiary. Robert Mare, Vicar 
 Choral, had leave to stay away a year from next Christmas, to study at Oxford et non 
 aliter nee alio modo. 
 
 October 2. — The Dean and Chapter " relaxed " a payment of l». due from Hugh 
 Veysy, Vicar of Poklechurch (an annual payment due to the Chapter), because of the 
 poverty of the vicarage on account of the building of the chancel of the Church. 
 
 December 14. — Quindenado Will. Lane : it is here specially said that he was admitted 
 V. non-P., cum consensu mca/riorum, with leave of absence until the feast of the Purifi- 
 cation. 
 
 They also gave Capron, the Communar, unum stahulum situatum in le Mountrey 
 Lane at the old rent, until the arrival of a Residentiary Canon in the Canons' houses 
 situate hard by the said stable. 
 
APPENDIX M. 227 
 
 January 5. — They also let him have the Canon bam {h)orreum for seven years for 
 xxxviii-, exceptis perquisitis et proficiis curie ibidem que pertimhunt Ganonicis Besidentiaa-iis, 
 on a repairing lease. 
 
 Januaby 22.— The Chapter presented J. Edmunds to the Parish Church or Chapel 
 of Alverton, vacant by the resignation of Roger Churche, ultimi Pectoris. 
 
 January 31. — John Bekham, Canon, received leave, as Capitular Proctor and solicitor 
 to look after their afiairs in the vacancy of the Parish Church of Chedesty before the 
 Bishop of Winchester, cum/ructu et quotidicmis. 
 
 February 8.— Reginald West was admitted Prebendary of Holcombe, vacant by the 
 death of John Hous, and the same day installed Sub-dean. 
 Ordinado ohitus Mr. J. Hous nuper subdecani. 
 
 The Chapter agreed to observe, keep, and celebrate a solemn mass annually for thirteen 
 years henceforth, and to fully keep the day of his anniversary on August 29th, except 
 when that day fall on a Sunday, when it shall be put off ad secundam f&riam, cum officio 
 mortuorum post vesperas die dominica precedence et missa in crastino. For these anni- 
 versaries, the Dean and Chapter had received a venerabili viro Gipricmo Belia veneto in 
 artibus Magisi/ro parisiencium (as appears from an acquittal given by the said Chapter) 
 vigintis marcas sterlingorum : the sum was £13 6s. %d. 
 
 February 28. — The Chapter gave Richard Ruyon x'- pro amerciamentis captis apud 
 N.Oory. 
 
 February 17. — John Hardman was corrected for adultery with Johanna, wife of 
 plummer ; but being repeatedly called upon to confess his crime, refused to do so (Chapter 
 adjourned till March 3, and following Saturday) ; at last submitted to correction, when he 
 was ordered to attend prime and high mass for a fortnight sine habitu, and matins by 
 night for the same time, and to avoid such company : afterwards, they mitigated and 
 changed his penance. March 17, however, they ordered him to attend matins by night 
 for one continuous month from present date, and every week day at high mass, and that 
 genuflectendo he should say before the image of S. Andrew the third part of the psalter of 
 the Blessed Virgin vel psalmos passionis domini. 
 
 1509. 
 April 2. — The Dean received grace of absence for one month on this condition : that 
 he make his stay in Wedmore, Mark, or some other belonging to his deanery of Wells, et 
 non aliter. This condition was withdrawn June 13. 
 
 April 29. — John Chambers admitted Prebendary of Wyveliscombe, vacant by death 
 of Edward Willoughby. 
 
 May 16. — The Chapter granted on lease of fifty years to Peter Carsleigh, Canon, one 
 messuage with curtilage, and two cottages, situate in Wells, lately held by Walter Baker: 
 rent 13«. id. 
 
 Gomonici supradicti conaesserunt M. Gareslegh, unum clauswm, annexum domini manerii 
 de Wynscombe cum quado/m terra unius subbusti. In eodem mcmerio voc' . , . et 
 rediget ipsum subbustum in pastures quam cito poterit hahcnd! et tenencU clausum cmti 
 quadaim terra unius subbusti sibi et assignatis suis solvend' annuatim xvf- 
 
 Et consequenter the Dean and Chapter granted to John Walshote, of- Wells, mercer, 
 and Isabelle his wife, totum Ulud icTiementum vulgariter wuncupatum the Kateryne whele, 
 situate in Welles, cum gardino adjacente, from this the twenty-fourth year of Henry VII. : 
 £53 id. And they were to pay to the Bishop, for the Chapter, 10s. 8d. on each saint's 
 day. In the indenture it is described as being in australi parte alti vici ibidem inter tene- 
 
228 APPENDIX M. 
 
 mentum novum quod modo tenet Thomas Brewster ex parte occidentali et tenementum prioris 
 et conventus domus S. Joh. Ba/ptiste ex parte orientali : the garden extends a vico predicto 
 anterius usque bordam usque cursum aque ibidem vocatum la Millstronie posterius versus 
 austerum. Supposing repairs were not done or rent paid, they were to be warned by Sene- 
 schal or Communar to repair within the half year, under a penalty of xx=- The second 
 time, to repair within a year, under a penalty of xl^- The third time, if they had not 
 repaired within the year, it was lawful for the Dean and Chapter to enter et ea ut in 
 pristino statu retinere hac tradicione sive dimissione non obstante. 
 
 T. Prowse, " noted " for his incoutinence with Elena Dyke, of Wells, appeared before 
 the Chapter, and, May 12, confessed his peccadilloes, but on condition of keeping good 
 rule {custodiret bonam regulam) he was forgiven. 
 
 Mat 29. — W. Haryngton, L.D., was installed Prebendary of Wedmore Y., vacant 
 by death of R. Hatton. 
 
 Junk 4. — The Chapter met and concordatum inter eos habere generalem pardonacionem 
 pro ecdesia et Oapitulo. 
 
 June 13. — W. Mors was commissioned to do certain work for the Chapter, et con- 
 cordatum et conclusum erat inter prefatos canonicos quod deinceps quilibet canonicus resi- 
 denciarius existens in villa legittime prepeditus scilicet infirmitate habebit dictam missam ut 
 prius in ordinacione ejusdem. Ante hoc prius tempus consuetudo erat contraria. 
 
 The same day, they granted John Paty a chamber in the cloisters ad occupandum 
 et pernocta/ndwm ad placitwm eorum. 
 
 John Cole Prebend of Oomba VIII. 
 
 July 14. — The Provost, W. Rawlins, confirmed to John Cole, and Edith, widow of 
 Mors, and to John, son of John Mors, quinque clausa pasture de Overland, in the parish 
 of Welyngton, for 10s. rent; and if the rent was not paid quarterly, or within fifteen 
 days of the quarter, power was reserved to distrain, intrare, distringere, aspertare et 
 abducere. 
 
 The Provostship also was given by attorney to Richard Ruyon Gentilman and John 
 Parker : witnesses were John Gifibrd, John Budde, W. Shapcotte, and J. Spirynge. Con- 
 firmed by the Dean. 
 
 August 1. — Robert Asshcomb installed Prebendary of Cumba VI. 
 
 August 8. — "W. Mors, Vicar-General in spiritualibus in the Chapter-house, in the 
 Visitation Ordinary of the Bishop pro tribunali sedens deerevit et ordinavit cum consensu 
 canonicorum Residenciariorum tunc presenaium. Quod quumcunque Episcopus presens est 
 et executor officii in choro. Quod tunc duo canonici dignitates habentes erunt Rectores ehori 
 si sint duo presentes. Et in casu quod non sint duo canonici dignitates habentes presentes 
 quod tunc unus habens personatum sit Rector cum canonico dignitatem habente. Et 
 ULTERIUS decretum et ordinatum fuit quodqum decanus est executor officii quod tunc 
 duo canonici personatus habentes sint Rectores chori tociens quociens si sint duo presentes . 
 sin autem alius simplex senior canonicus cum uno personatu habente. Et INSURER 
 dearetum fuit et ordinatum. Quodquum aliquis canonicus dignitatem obtinens est executor 
 officii quod tunc duo simplices canonici erunt Rectores in choro. Et similiter qum aliquis 
 personatum habens est executor officii in majoribus duplicibus festis quod tunc duo canonici 
 simplices erunt Rectores. Simili modo qum aliquis canonicus simplex in majoribus duplicibus 
 festis est executor officii tunc duo camonici simplices erunt Rectores chori 
 
 The same day, the Dean, Sub-dean, and four Canons ratified the above ordinances, ut 
 bene et inviolabiliter observentwr. 
 
APPENDIX M. 229 
 
 August 18. — Robert Honywode, doctor legum, installed Archdeacon of Taunton and 
 Prebendary of Milverton. 
 
 August 30.— Robert Gumby, alias Aiisteyne, installed Prebendary of Dyndre, in 
 place of John Streynsham, freely resigned. 
 
 September 4. — R. Bramston and John Lilyhede were admonished to receive ordines 
 subdiaconatus by Christmas time, under penalty of losing habit. Si ordines celebrati sint 
 infra diocesim Bathon et Wellen. 
 
 September 13.— W. Haryngton personally installed Prebendary of Cumba V. 
 
 September 15. — The Sub-dean and Chapter ratified et quantum in eis fuit confirmed 
 Will. Clarvys, keeper of the Hospice of the Bishop of Bath {sic), situated in parochia Sti 
 dementis dacorum extra barram novi Templi london. in Com MiddS for life. This they 
 granted him, with a certain manse or tenement annexed to the said hospice, ex parte 
 exteriori, quod Ric. Takyllys modo tenet et occupatum situatum inter tenementum quod J. 
 Mddes modo tenet ex parte oecidentale sumptibus nostris cum omnibus commoditatibus et pro- 
 ficiis. Ortorum sive gardinorum. W. Clarvys was to receive at their hands 2;|d. per day 
 ac unam Eobam de secta generosam. Et eciam unum farculum ciborum cum pane et potu 
 convenienti whenever the Bishops should happen to stay there. And supposing that the 
 said William Clarvys did not get his 2|d. per day, he had power to distrain in tenementis 
 nostris vocatis le Cardincdlis hatt et la Tabard parcellis predictorum tenementorum, with 
 power distringere districcioties et sic captas licite aspertare abducare effugare et penes se 
 retinere. July 2, 1509. 
 
 This was confirmed by William Bird, Prior of the Cathedral Church of Bath, and 
 William, Dean of the Cathedral Church of Wells. 
 
 October 1. — John Holme, V. P; But Mr. W. Mors being present protested that 
 propter diversas cau^as et magna gramamina he would not give his consent to the perpetua- 
 tion of J. Holme, although the other Vicars Choral had deposed to his being habilis. 
 
 The same day, it was agreed that Hugh yng and Roger Churche should look for 
 {viderent) all- the statutes in quihuscunque libris et ad invicem colligerint, and place them 
 in order in one book, and receive for their labour xx»- 
 
 The same day, it was ordered that the new Seneschal should be elected on the day 
 after S. Jerome, so that he might balance (equitavit) his account with the old Seneschal in 
 curiis before Christmas. Et hahebit emolumenta ecclesie qum occupatus est in curiis et 
 negociis ecclesie secundum statuta. 
 
 October 8. — John Holmes was excused matins by night on the usual terms, and the 
 Chapter ordered that no vicar who was absent from church on his own business or ill 
 should receive his matins ; but that if J. Holmes faithfully kept them, he might do so. 
 
 Haryngton, Taylor, and Batmanson were appointed their advocates in the case of 
 Chedsey against Mr. ffisher, &c. 
 
 The Precentor was appointed Eschaetor : yng, Edmunds, and Careslegh, Seneschals. 
 
 John Powell admitted V. P. 
 
 The manumission of John fibwles, alms Vowles. 
 
 October 13. — The Dean, in the presence of the Succentor and four Canons viva voce 
 proposuit et dixit that it pertained to him and that he had the power of pardoning all the 
 vicars who were not at night matins et sic pardonavit : which done, the said Canons, ut 
 prefertwr presentes, yng, Austell, Goldwege, Bekham, and Edmunds, and T. Harryes, for 
 the absent Canons, contradicted, and protested that they would not consent to this power 
 and pardoning of the Dean quia tangit ilhs et quemlibet eorum. 
 
230 APPENDIX M. 
 
 The same day, the ordinance of the Chantry of Bishop Beckyngton was read in the 
 Chapter-house before the Canons, by the Dean. 
 
 October 22. — The Dean presented W. God to the Chantry of S. Saviour, the Blessed 
 Virgin, and all the elect of God, at the altar of. the Holy Cross, in the north side of the 
 Church, founded for the soul of John Storthwayte, vacant by the resignation of Robert 
 Browne; and instituted him to the said Chantry in the pei'son of W. Capron, the Com- 
 munar : receives for the induction in=- \\\i^- , et dominus decanus habuit pro Induccione 
 up- nil''- 
 
 The Indenture shows that the Dean granted to Thomas, Tinensis Hpiscopus, Vicar of 
 Wedmore J to Baidewin Malett, Richard Ruyon (generoso), John Champney, John Weston, 
 J. Hogge, Roger Kynge, J. Randalle, J. Hultynge (?), J. Taylor, Dionisius philpe, W. 
 Chelcroste, J. Bassett, J. Chelcroste, R. Manyman ; to the Guardians of the Parish 
 Church of Wedmore — Robert Golney, J. Brownyng de Londe, and W. Warre, the pasture 
 of palmede una cum piscaria mea in aqua per latus ejusdem more decurrentis inter hawke- 
 were et hlahhuscherer, to pay 15s. ScZ. for pasture and 4s. for fishing. The Dean had also 
 assigned to R. Baldewyn one messuage, jacens infra homagium de Muddesley de antiquo 
 astro vocatum Ghidderleigh, with forty-four acres of meadow land, 20 lying in Chidderleigh 
 Close, 2 acres in Sandfelde, and 1 1 lying in occidentali campo de Wedmore et Londe., and 
 11 lying in Chedderley's mede : rent 2s. ^\d. Also to Thomas Baldewine one messuage 
 et dimidiam virgatam terre in Stoughton, and 22 acres of land in north camp of Wedmore 
 in Redlunch and Medelonde, and one close called Newham, in Muddlesleigh, for the 
 messuage Gd., and for the land 5s. '9^, and for the aforesaid close 20s., for 99 years, on 
 this condition — that durante termino hie expresso invendent unum capellanum idoneum 
 habentem organum vocis quo possit servire deo et heate marie in ecclesia de Wedmore qui 
 jurabit tactis sacris evangeliis coram vicario quod durante termino predicto per se vel per 
 aiium celebrabit missam bassam in eadem ecclesia ad altars sancte Anne ter in septimana 
 s. die dominica, die Mercurii et die Veneris, justo impedimento cessante pro bono statu mei 
 W. Cousyn, Decani, et successorum meorum et omnium confratrum meorum dummodo 
 sumus in humanis et pro animabus nostris et successorum nostrorum quum ob hac luce 
 migravimus et pro (mima domini oliveri quondam Episcopi B. et W., also of Dean fforest 
 and Carent, and all the parishioners of Wediiiore. And in case Thomas Baldewyn or his 
 assigns forget these conditions, or pretend to be ignorant in any particular, we will that 
 they or their assigns do in pleno halimatto tento apud Wedmore once a term show and 
 read publicly to me and my successors or«ur officials that grant, under a j.enalty of 10s. 
 for each time ; and supposing that the sum of iiis- 22ii- which is paid for all the parcels, 
 and for the whole or any parcel, be in arrears for one month after the said term, and be 
 asked for by the Provost of Wells or any other deputy of mine, or if the aforesaid mass 
 has not been said or celebrated in the form above said, it shall be lawful to distrain and 
 expel them all aiid their assigns. It says specially that fossabunt et repa/rabunt firmas. 
 Sept. 1, 1509.. 
 
 Confirmed in Chapter Nov. 3. 
 
 The same day, John ffowle had to pay sealing fee, amounting to Liii^- iiiid-, for his 
 manumission. The Chapter also granted a vacant spot of ground lying in australi parte 
 Scancelli occidentalis cimiterii de ecclesie parochialis de Wedmore to the guardians of the 
 Church: sealing fee yi^- viii'^- 
 
 The tenor of fibwle's manumission is given, by which it appears that he was freed ab 
 omni jugo servitutis ac librum fecisse William ffowle alias Vowles etatis sexaginta quatuor 
 
APPENDIX M. 231 
 
 annorum vel circiter de Pylton in Comit. Somerset, nativum nostrum de Manerio nostro de 
 Muddesley cum tota sequela sua procreata et procreanda. Oct. 27, 1509. 
 
 Confirmed Nov. 3, 1509. 
 
 Decembek 1. — John Claymond, Prebendary of "Whitchurch. 
 
 The Dean and Chapter deliheraverunt certa statuta eos et quemlibet eorum concernmcia 
 ut possint per ipsa statuta sepius inter eos legenda fieri certiores. 
 
 December 14. — Thomas Lynacre, Prebendary of Eston-in-Gordano. 
 
 The grant above made to the Churchwardens of Wedmore was that they might erect 
 and build on this vacant spot unum domum, vulgariter nuncupatam a Churchehouse, at 
 the expense of the parish. The length of the vacant spot was 44 feet (pedes paulinos), in 
 breadth 24 feet. John Chelcroste and John Clerke were Churchwardens, id. Rent. He 
 gave deed of attorney to W. Milbone and John Cupper. 
 
 These acts the Dean and Chapter confirmed quamtum in nobis est. 
 
 Febkuasy 16. — The Seneschal was ordered to sell the wood at Shepham : they con- 
 versed about the barn at Congresbury. 
 
 The Chapter sent a letter to Mr. Hugh yng and Eoger Churche, in which they state 
 " forasmuch as lately an unkynde trespass had been done to our Church by Richard Bram- 
 ston somtyme vicar which come in privye gisegised [sic) apparel to have had away one of 
 our best queresters that is to say fiarr and therewith taken . that they move them to obteyne 
 of the king protection whereby we may in tyme hereafter disappoynte such unfittyng 
 labours ageynst the Cathedral Church so sett quasi in culo mundi. And over this yf ye 
 thynk it expedient to have granted in the same peticcion in tyme of necessite We to have 
 the king's favor to have any childe in Monasteryes or any other place Withyn the diocese 
 to serve Seynt Andrewe.'' The Dean was in London also " at the tyme and his wishes 
 were not known but he would leave it to their discreccion trusting you to have all other 
 causes in Remembrance as well for Bucland Abbot fibr more the farmer of Burnham as 
 for birt of byconaller. Thus fayr ye well Sdbhato ante primami dominicam XL™*- 
 
 January 5.— Thomas Prowse, who on May 12, 1510, had confessed to incontinence 
 with Elena Dyk, was charged quod ipse suscitavit unum puerum de prefata Elena, He 
 acknowledged his guilt and submitted himself, and was let ofi" on the same conditions as 
 before. 
 
 Postea vero mensibus Novembris Decemibris Ja/nuarii publice voce et/ama laborarunt et 
 adhuc laborant in Wells quod famiula Willielmi Walby et famula J&hannis Hwnt de eadem 
 ipsi gnate erant cvm Thorns Prowse : he was warned to appear, January 2nd, before the 
 Chapter, and was charged with having begotten two sons — one of Denys, servant of John 
 Hunt, and another of Isabella Dey, servant of W. Walby. He denied both. Chapter 
 adjourned till 5th, then till 7th, then till 12th. Prowse negavit crimen set confessus est 
 famwmi. Dean warned him on 15th to purge himself manu sociorum ^us : he appeared 
 and failed to do so. The Dean and Chapter declared him convicted, and asked him to 
 swear to do penance. He refused to obey Chapter ; and because he obstinately refused to 
 obey the mandates, canonical uses, and customs — which oath he had taken on his admission, 
 they declared him incidisse in perjurium, et pronunciavit eum perjurium et privavit eum 
 Jiabitu suo. 
 
 March 15. — He reappeared and submitted, and bound himself and his heirs and execu- 
 tors to pay to the Dean and Chapter £10 of money on feast of nativity of John the Baptist. 
 
 The condition was annexed in these terms : — The condicon of this obligacon is such 
 that if the withynbounden Thomas prowse from henceforth be founde in a cryme of flforni- 
 
232 APPENDIX M. 
 
 cacon or of adultery with any singil or "Wedded Woman or if any woman come alone sus- 
 piciously into his Chamber if good profe may be founde and made thereof that then the 
 said Thomas prowse bothe fall in his bounde of x(li.) and also to be deprived of his habyte. 
 Et sic Sestittoet eundem Prowse ad hahitum sum ut vicarium perpetuatvm sed sme stallo et 
 Ccmmra. 
 
 March 14. — A Chapter was held, and a discussion took place whether or not every" 
 Canon should forfeit his daily distributions unless he was once at matins or at prime or 
 mass or vespers, excepting the two days of grace in the week ; but as they came to no 
 conclusion, the Chapter was postponed till the arrival of other Canons. 
 
 March 15. — The Sub-dean, Reginald West, in Chapter viva voce protested that he 
 
 would not consent to give any grace to any Canon for the future, for his part, for the 
 
 present year ; and so he required me, Robert Williamson, Chapter Clerk, to enter this 
 
 protest in the Chapter Acts. 
 
 1510. 
 
 March 26. — Robert Gumby protested, and was admitted Residentiary, and had 
 assigned to him the Canon's house last occupied by Richard Worthyngton in Mountry 
 Lane : in the meantime, while repairs were going on, he was pei-mitted to occupy the 
 hospice of the Archdeacon of Bath ; and because W. Mors could not make his residence in 
 the house given him at his admission, they granted him cum magna difficultate a certain 
 house situated near the cemetery, which Gilbert Jacob lately occupied, dummodo quod 
 iste Actus nan trahitur in exem/plum aliorum quousque potest providere alia/m domum sibi 
 convenientem Eesidenciam facere personalem et continuam juxta mores et consuetudines dicte 
 ecclesie Cath. quam quondam domum canonicaliter per ipsv/m providendam effect/ualit&r 
 fadet suam diligenciam. 
 
 The same day, J. Edmunds delivered to the Chapter one pair of vestments of white 
 damask, with angels, for the altar of Mr. John Gunthorp, late Dean, according to his 
 inj unction. 
 
 The Chapter gave W. Mors the mass of J. Gunthorp et similiter processiones, ipso 
 infirmitate gravato et legittime prepedito. They also agreed that every Residentiary in the 
 town, and legitimately hindered — that is, infirmitate tentus, should have a mass of Thomas 
 Bekyngton. The Sub-dean gave his assent si non sit contra voluntatem fundatoris. 
 
 April 29. — The Chapter gave Stephen Dowse, Canon, 13s. id., to preach four times' 
 in the year apud Lovyngton et Bareughe, pertinsntes eidem ecclesie Cath. 
 Mat 18. — J. Grove, V. non-P. 
 
 Mat 26. — They agreed quod liber qui vacatur Blakbohe jacens in thesaura/ria cathenatur 
 in parva librajria by Michaelmas, et quod unum desh preparatur pro eodem libro, and that 
 each Canon Residentiary have one key if he like. 
 
 Mat 27. — Richard Patey was enjoined penance for his divers offences in absenting 
 himself from divine service — namely, vespers, matins, prime, mass, no less on doubles 
 than on minors, and also on week days, that die Mercurii in vigilia corpus christi staret ad 
 vesperas et ad matutinas in/eriori loco in secundo gradu in superpelliceo absque habitu. Et in 
 crastino sic eodem modo stabit ad primam et ad altam Missam . et dixit qu^d vellet provjse (?). 
 Notwithstanding this order, presumptuose he entered the choir in his habit, not for the 
 purpose of doing penance. The Dean called him, and asked him why he had not done 
 penance. He answered : Nolo peragere penitentiam publicum sed mallem recedere. The 
 Dean said Transeatis! But he, June 8th, 1510, being again asked whether or no he would 
 do penance, respondit plane quod nollet peragere publicam sed vellet recedere. Et sic 
 
APPENDIX M. 233 
 
 ibidem quam Capitulo sponte et cum sua propria volunfate recessit. Et tuna Dominus 
 Decanus cum consensu Capituli declamavit eundem R. Patey non vicarium. 
 
 The Dean granted P. Oarslegh, Canon, a messuage with curtilage and two cottages, 
 situatis in Burgo Wells, que omnia quondam tenuit Walterus Barber. 
 
 1510, June 8. — The Dean and Chapter agreed that the order decreed the Recreation 
 made of old in septimana pentecostes according to the customs of the Church (which 
 Recreacion is called O O O ), be kept and observed with the addition of this 
 condition ; that each Residentiary Canon having dignity, if he be present in Pentecostes 
 septimana secundum cursum suum deberet recreare canonicos et vicarios in domo sua 
 post nonam, secundum, antiquam consuetudinem. Et quum absentes sint in eadem septimana 
 quod tunc infra decern dies. Si quis vero eorum, hocfacere recusaverit sub forma subscripta 
 carebit suis quotidianis. 
 
 August 17. — WiUiam Champernoun, Magister Scholwrum. 
 
 August 19. — The Dean, before the Chapter, said : Ego prefiod istum xix. diem 
 Augusti visitare annivellarios collegii. Propono visita/re annivellarios Collegii . predicti 
 Camonici (Tomyow, West, Goldwege, Bekham, Edmunds, Gumby) immediate Eesponderunt 
 et diacerunt. Quod visitado annivella/rioru/m pertinet ad Dec. et Cap. et non ad Dec. solum. 
 Et sic in nomine Capituli habebit exercicium visitacionis ibidem. The Dean then said he 
 meant not to visit to the prejudice of the Chapter, et sic nom,ine Capituli visitavit Annivel- 
 larios in collegia xix. August. 
 
 August 30. — The Dean delivered to Mr. John Bekham one book, written in pa/r- 
 gam^no, containing certain charters of Bukland Abbey and of Bicon-waller. 
 
 September 4. — Roger Preston, Sub-deacon, Y. non-P. 
 
 June 7. — Henry VIII. (2.); Testatur quod the Bishop of Bath and "Wells (Richard) 
 gave to Oliver Moryell, crossbow maker, all that messuage situate in Clement Danes, a 
 tenement between the tenement of Hugh, the Bishop of Exeter ex pan-te orientali, and the 
 tenement where Margaret befe lately lived, and one stable of the aforesaid Cardinal ex 
 parte australi et Regiam mam ex pa/rte boriali, for annual rent of 26s. 8d., and if this rent 
 was not paid in whole or in part by any All Saints' day for twelve weeks, or insufficiently 
 repaired, the Bishop might re-enter. 
 
 October 1. — Robert Gumby, for Canon's house in Mountry Lane, paid 13s. 4:d. half 
 year's rent, and promised to pay 20s. per year for next year, until he could get a house of 
 
 his own. 
 
 1510 October 15. — Decano absente, cum uno consensu the Chapter agreed that the 
 Sub-dean should continue, on October 17th, the visitation of the College begun by the 
 Dean, and continue it until the morrow of S. Katharine. 
 
 The same day, John Harnow was charged with having begotten a son by one Matilda, 
 which he confessed, and that he had thus incurred sentence (f excommunication, as 
 appears in Statutes. The Chapter was then, as usual, adjjirt'iied'v from Saturday till 
 Saturday, and on 26th October J. Harnow appeared and b^d benefiit of absolution, and 
 swore corporal oaths to obey injunctions of Chapter. Tie Sub-dean V^^ ^ij him walk 
 before the Cross in the procession on the next Sunday in his surplice, witsMjout his habit, 
 « cum holy water bohet in manu ma,'^ and that aft|rthe procession he sit i\..■.^,:^ gtall « ut 
 solet cantando:" afterwards he enjoined him q^I dishus Mercurii et veneris x'-n secunda, 
 ebdamada he go before procession again in li^e manner. This penance he fulfilled. 
 
 NoTEMBER 16.— John Hampton, V.„non-P. V 
 
 December 7.-Chapter nominated John Champernoun, alias Chambome, ChapU^i^ ^t 
 
 4H \ 
 
234 APPENDIX M. 
 
 Parish Churcli sive Gapellam curatam, vacant by death of Robert Bekkewyk, Rector of 
 Eastlambrook, and so presented him to the Bishop. 
 
 October 12. — The Bishop granted to Peter, son of Hugh Tailor, S. Clement Danes, 
 two tenements adjoining the Cardinal's house in which Oliver Morrel lately l^^«d, the cross- 
 bow maker, on the east, and the tenement of the Cardinal occupied by NicholSg' Haddef on 
 the west, stable of Cardinal on south, and King's highway opposite on the north, for forty 
 years, for £3, with penalties, if not paid within six weeks of time due. 
 
 December 22.— This was confirmed by W. Birdde, Prior of Cathedral of S. Saviour 
 and SS. Peter and Paul, at Bath, and Chapter of the Order of S. Benedict [quomtum in 
 nobis est). 
 
 Also by Dean and Chapter of "Wells, December 24th. 
 
 January 1. — The Seneschal not to part with Reversions of lands or tenements to any 
 persons without denouncing their names in Chapter and obtaining leave of greater part : 
 he is not to continue difierent tenures in one person, nor without consent of whole Chapter 
 grant tenement antiqui Astri: he may, however, grant lands called Overland when 2s. and 
 no more can be levied. 
 
 No widow was to have Ucenciam se maritandi unless in full Court or before Dean and 
 Chapter swrsum reddidit tewwra/m vel tenuras ut sic solutis herietis dominis debitis racione 
 sursum reddicionis factaque fine competenti juxta arbitrium Gapituli et ipsius Seneschalli pro 
 ipsa tenv/ra sive tenuris rehereat ante omnes alios sibi et ipsi quern ducet in maritwin. 
 Whoever should contravene this decree was to lose dimidietatem libertatis xx. dierum sibi 
 racione officii concessorum. 
 
 January 15. — W. Villers, clerk. Prebendary of Tymberscombe, vacant by death of 
 James Villers. Roger Church, Seneschal for three years. He was appointed Capitular 
 official for all their business at N. Cory, Wynsham, Nicholas tonbury, Chedder, Lydeard 
 Epi, Lovyngton, to inquire, correct and punish, prove wills, admit administration, and to 
 deliver a faithful account of fruits and receipts. 
 
 January 25. — W. Champernoum, Chaplain to chantry of H. Huse. 
 
 February 18. — John Chamber installed Treasurer by Proctor Bekham, substitute of 
 J ohn Alber. 
 
 1511. 
 
 Thomas Goldwege presented to Shepham. 
 
 April 1, 1511. — John Wilmote, Bachelor of Decrees, presented to chantry of Ralph 
 Ergham. 
 
 Walter Hancoke to one of four chantries of Bishop Bubbwith, resigned by J. Wilmote 
 
 April 15. — Richard Austell, altarista. Seneschal ordered to sell wood in Estpark 
 de Estcory. 
 
 Obit of Mr. HugVSugar to be continued. 
 
 May 17.— J. Gr/«>"<^e, v. p. 
 
 May 26. — Grr?/**®'^ *° ^ger Church nomination to chantry founded at Northcory ir 
 cemetefy. 
 
 June 5.—"^ Horsey, Preben6ia,ry of Wedmore IV. 
 
 Tolleracio 2'- P°P6> ^^ amnivellar f,om his chantry, propter infirmitatem. 
 
 July T—'"^- '^^> ^- ^lo^-P- Qu'indenacio. 
 
 JuLV^3/--Joli'i ff°^ installed Prebendary of Hengestringe, vacant ^er liberam resig 
 nacioner/"' T- Harryes (per mortem— this occurs in margin, underlined in red ink). 
 
 g/tePTEMBER 2. — Roger Preston V.P. 
 
APPENDIX M. 235 
 
 September 12. — Sub-dean confirmed to J. Sclater (a saddler), John Coke, and Thomas 
 Hunter, three tenements in S. Clement Dacorwn (always so spelt here). The Sub-dean 
 specially said it was not done (this confirmation) to the prejudice of the Dean. 
 
 Sclater's tenement was called the Cardinal's hatt, lately occupied by W. Pott on the 
 east, and that of John Lovell in quo Petrus fforton, bokebynder, now lives on west, and 
 the walls of the said Cardinal ef muros de Strcmde on the south, and King's highway on 
 the north, opposite, for forty years, for five marks, to be given up repaired at end of term: 
 if rent not paid in part or whole in twelve weeks after each quarter, power reserved to 
 distrain. Confirmed by the Dean of Wells, and Birde, Prior of Cathedral Church of Bath. 
 
 April 8. — Indenture to John Coke, for one messuage and garden in same parish, 
 between house of Thomas fiarling on west, and Richard Takell on east, et murus loci et 
 aule mansionis Gardinalis on south, and King's highway opposite on north, for forty years, 
 for 4:0s. rent. 
 
 April 10. — Indenture to Thomas Hunter for one messuage, Henry SavUl's house on 
 west, and John Dikynson's on east, and wall and hall of Cardinal, &c., as before, for forty 
 years at 20s. : if not paid within forty days, power to distrain. Confirmed as before. 
 
 1511, S. Jerome's day. — Robert Webbe, chaplain of Estlambroke, which is called 
 capellam curatam, vacant by resignation of J. Champernon, alias Chambourne. 
 
 October 1. — The Chapter delivered to T. Goldwege two acquittances pro Alverton. 
 They immediately concluded that he and Robert Gumby should exhibit their indentures 
 to be corrected de Rebus etjocalibus in Thesauraria on Sunday after feast of S. Fides — i.e., 
 October Uth. Every Vicar, too, must give legal monition in Chapter beforie the Canons 
 before he recede. 
 
 Thomas Dray presented to chantry of Henry Husey. 
 
 The Chapter granted to Precentor one messuage with garden adjacent to Eafcwalls, 
 which John Knyflf lately held, between messuage of the Prior of S. John Baptist, in which 
 John Barber lives, on the east, and the Vicars' new close of the Cathedral on west, with six 
 acres of land in quodam stadia vocato dtjdman between the land of the late Nicholas Vele 
 on the east, and that of late Thomas Hous on west, and sis acres in other stadium from 
 dydman versus in. le busshes et six acres desuper Wareorchard, near the road to Bath, 
 one rood there, three roods in same stadium, one acre iu Myltonfeld called balitrow, and 
 six acres in Cassewelmede, for 5s. M at usual quarter. They also granted him the rever- 
 sion of four acres in west and east Oampo de Wells, in tenure of Richard Atwater for sixty 
 
 years. 
 
 October 30.— John Godard, Magister Scltolarum, if the Chancellor approved, excused 
 
 matins with usual exceptions. 
 
 October 31.— Harman again warned to avoid Matilda, Precentor's servant. 
 
 November 8. — Ordinacio cantarie J. Bekyngton read. 
 
 Est Stoke park granted to W. Northover. 
 
 They granted to the Dean Wa^an cujusdam parcelle voc' Imberford (1) for £5, on con- 
 dition that it be divided among the Residentiaries :— to Thomas Goldwege, two oaks ; 
 T. Edmunds, two oaks ; Bekham, seven oaks a/pud Wynescombe. 
 
 J0LY 1.— Agreed that if they could have and receive £20 for Whitchurch, that their 
 
 Seneschal be admitted adfirmam. 
 
 January 17.— Roger Church, General Vicar, said he had de proventibus belonging to 
 Lady Chapel, and W. Mors said he had 26s. Bd. which he thought ought to be spent in 
 repairs, supposing that they would warrant and defend the Chapter. 
 
236 APPENDIX M. 
 
 The Chapter appointed M. Copland (Proctor of Canterbury) proctor for Chapter in 
 their case about Mr. Carrow, that the Dean should have 26s. ScZ. which he paid Vicecomiti, 
 pro citacione. They gave John Bekhaui leave to see the grain at Wynscombe. Pomeray 
 was ordered to make good hoc "Whwlgog" opposite the Archdeacon's gate, and that the 
 gate near the Camery be locked. 
 
 March 13, 1511. — The Precentor commissioned to ride to Ilchester to represent 
 Chapter at assizes. Edmunds was sent with him ; Whityng also et alium quemcunque 
 esse solitwm. 
 
 Communar to have pipe mended through which the course of water descends in a 
 certain house of the new work, and to build a wall round the gardens of the new work, et 
 mundcmduw, et mundam, facere le dung lying there, to mend the wall infra le " Whirlgog" 
 near the house occupied by John Howse. 
 
 Polydore Virgil Bishop's proctor. Westbury Park granted to T. Broke for 26s. 8rf., 
 3s. 4c?. to scribe, and for keys \Qd. 
 
 December 9. — Granted T. Goldwege locus sepulture in capello corporis christi in north 
 part of Church. 
 
 December 17. — The Sub-dean granted a chamber infra domum eleemosinariam in 
 Wells to John Gollover. 
 
 January 2. — T. Harryes, late Treasurer's name to be inserted in rotulo presencium 
 dominicalium, because in his life he had exposuit de bonis suis ad communem utilitatem 
 ecclesie more than 200 marks cujios anime propicietv/r deus Amen. 
 
 January 8. — Becretum erat quod ohitus pro domino N. hvlbwith nuper Epus defalcatwr 
 ad terminum x. annorum et 6s. ScZ. de stipendiis cujusUbet Capellcmi Capellanisper tot amnis. 
 And the Seneschal and T. Goldwege were given leave to grant to the parishioners of 
 Shepham one tenement of the late Isabella piers. Robert Bowring received a fee of 20s. 
 
 May 14. — W. God and Edmund Jackson were summoned to attend Chapter on May 
 28, 1513, ad respondendu'm. 
 
 May 18. — Thomas Twessel appointed auditor by the Bishop. 
 
 July 1. — A long deed of concession follows, by which Bishop granted custody of 
 hospice in S. Clement Danes. 
 
 July 6; — Robert Hill, Master of Arts, elected Magister Schoh/rum. 
 
 S. Cuthbert's being vacant by death of Thomas Tinensis, Precentor, the Chapter 
 discussed as to presenting clericum, idoneum, and the Dean therefore to get at their votes 
 and minds. 
 
 Prima, Querehat a Mr. Thoma Thomyow votum suum in ea qui nominavit et conseiv- 
 sit ibidem max in Mr. W. Mors. 
 
 Secundo, interrogavit Mr. Reginald West quem ille duceret presentandum qui sic inter- 
 rogatus consensum suum tribuit in Mr. J. Calveley, M.A. 
 
 Tercio, interrogavit Mr. Peter Ga/rslegh qv^m ille vellet nominare . . . in J. CalVeley. 
 
 Quarto, Hugh yng in J. Calveley. 
 
 Quinto, T. Goldwege in Mr. W. Mors. 
 
 Sexto, Roger Church in J. Calveley. 
 
 Septimo, J. Bekham in J. Calveley.. 
 
 Octavo, W. Mors, who nominated himself. 
 Et ex premissis constat dictum Mr. J. Galvekif presentandum. 
 
 The Canons then asked the Dean whom he would name, but he did not wish to 
 nominate but to postpone the matter till the next day. The Canons, however, stayed and 
 
APPHITDIX M. 237 
 
 objected, and called upon the Dean to present him as elected by the greater part of the 
 Chapter ; ad eandem famen hoc facere distulit et de facto recusavit. The Dean soon after 
 left, and the Sub-dean, staying with four Canons, declared J. Calveley presented in ea re 
 major pa/rs dupli (?) tocius capituli vel saltern major pars had nominated him. They elected 
 him, and nominated him to be presented to the General Vicar, in spiritualibus, of the 
 Bishop, Eoger Church. 
 
 July 13.— Thomas lovell to Bukland Dynham, in place of Grandissalvi ferdinandi 
 dead. 
 
 November 6.— Admitted Residentiary ; he engages to spend £40 clear. 
 
 August 6.— John Parsons, Annivellar, was charged with adultery with the wife of 
 John Tresorer, because he was found in her house suspiciously in the night: he submitted. 
 His punishment was qwd depinget unum regem ante ostium chovi nonpicfum incontinenter 
 et in casu J. P. nan fuerit indictatus in curia domini Regis by Michaelmas, quod ttmc 
 depinget alium regem adhuc non pictvm. The Sub-dean would not consent. 
 
 September 3. — W. God was charged with the crime of adultery with. Alice Knytter. 
 He denied crime, but confessed the report. Candle penance was ordered, but changed : he 
 was ordered ut depinget ymaginsm Sti Michaelis cum tabemaculo, to which he consented. 
 
 Notes at end of Liber Ruber — 
 
 Chapter Acts 1487-1515 in same hand as Index. 
 
 19° Ma/rtii 1669 Stylo Anglic Recepi istum librum in custodiam a familia Magistri 
 Dowihvjayte. 
 
 A. H. 
 
 Postea alius liber Actorum Oapitularium in Lucem prodiit incipiens Anno Dom. 1571. 
 
 After this the Acts continue up to Jan. 28, 1644, when Capitulum cessat per Bella 
 Givilia, appearing again on April 1, 1664. 
 
 At the conclusion of these Eaocerpta from the Liber Ruber, it may not be amiss to 
 observe that no attempt has been made to place every Act or event here recorded in exact 
 chronological order. This is not adhered to by the Chapter Clerk, who himself wrote 
 them. In some parts, he appears to have dotted down at a later date confirmations or 
 corrections. of Capitular action, whenever he had the time or opportunity, and at others to 
 have taxed his memory for a faithful transcript of documents not at hand. Writing 
 currente calamo, he has sometimes missed out important words — sometimes repeated 
 insignificant words. These and similar irregularities have rendered some of the entries 
 difficult to decipher and translate, but it may be borne in mind the Latinity of the age 
 was not of the highest order, and that a polished and precise style was neither practicable 
 nor possible under the circumstances. Not unfrequently we are treated to false concords 
 and cases for which any Eton schoolboy would have had sure cause to repent ; but as 
 these records are not here given, nor were originally written as an exercise in arte gra/m- 
 matica, this need not disconcert the reader. The object has been simply to ofier, as far as 
 possible, a continuous history of cathedral life and system at a period when, as is generally 
 confessed, these once splendid establishments were passing to their decline and decay. 
 Wherever any doubt or diflSculty occurs on account of the elision or repetition or indis- 
 tinctness of a word, a note of interrogation is placed, or the original given untranslated, so 
 that the reader may form his own ideas, or suggest a probable emendation of the text. 
 
238 APPENDIX N. 
 
 In other instances, where the original Latin is given, it has been done for the purpose 
 of illustrating some idiomatic formalism or peculiar phraseology characteristic of Capitular 
 business ; and in others, because of the importance of the passage. 
 
 It has been truly said by Mr. John Caley (Wright's " Court-hand Restored," p. ix.) : 
 The character or handwriting of ancient records has gradually degenerated from age to age. 
 And so in many cases in the Liber Ruber the parchment extracts are fairer to read than 
 those in the after part of the book on paper. In like manner, the Chapter Acts here 
 given are far easier to decipher than those in the same keeping at Wells which date from 
 the year 1571 onwards, when each transcriber wrote according to his own fancy. 
 
 It is only necessary to add that a slight error occurs in the Appendix of the First 
 Report of the Historical MSS. Commission, quoted by Mr. P. H. Dickinson in his Preface 
 to the Indices to the Liber Ruber and Albus I. and II., where it is said, referring to the 
 paper portion of the Liber Ruber, that "these entries range from 1487 to 1664." They 
 cease at the year 1513 (vide supra). The mistake has obviously arisen from catching sight 
 of the latter date at the foot of the page. 
 
 APPENDIX N. 
 
 The following entries as to some of the obits and chantries may here well find a 
 place. That of Bishop Savaric is thus recorded, Reg. I. 23 : — 
 
 Sub idem tempus — i.e., Jan., 1198, concessit etiam Savaricus eisdem Canonicis Ecclesiarn, 
 de Pilton in augmentwm communce, dec. Statuit insuper ut in eddem ecclesia duo Preshyteri 
 de eadem Commv/na perpetuo sustentwr, pro animd sud et decessorum et successorum suorum, 
 singulis diebus officium, celebraturi; perceptual etiam singuli pro stipendiis suis annuatim 
 duas marcas et dimidiam et communam panis sicut Vicfu/rii ipsius Ecchsice. In amniversario 
 quoque die obitus sui centum pauperes in eadem Ecclesia reficiendos fore decrevit, voluitque 
 ut qui exequiis suis pro more istius Ecclesioi interfuerint, pro solatio laboris sui de eadem 
 Gommuna perciperent Canonici Scilicet singuli denarios quaternos, Vicarii autem binos. 
 
 1237. — Peter, late Dean, having left all his land at Merlegh in Wokey, and half a 
 rood in Wells, and W. de Maulesbergh renouncing all his right in the aforesaid lands. 
 Bishop Joscelin considered that these lands should be retained ad opus Episcoporum, and 
 that out of £7 10s. which the Archdeacon of Wells has been accustomed to pay to the 
 Bishop, he assigned 60s. to be paid to the service at the altar of S. Kalixtus, payable by 
 the Archdeacon — namely, Id. to the daily Celebrant, to the assistant Chaplain (not a 
 Vicar) 1 farthing, for lights 5s., and on the day of his anniversary 10s. This was ratified 
 by the Prior and Convent of Bath.— Reg. III. 131, 190, 132, 363, &c. 
 
 1251. — In festo S. Ba/rtholomcei Capitulum contulit obitwm Lucce de Membury 
 Walhelino. Jan. 28. — Henricus Thesawarius et Canonici contulerunt obitum Propositi de 
 Cumba. 
 
 1263. — Joh. de Axbrigge Subdecamus Wellen., cum inter homines esset, Roberto priori 
 de Staverdale ordinis S. Victoris et Conventui donavit 40 marcas, quibusfundos quosdam in 
 Wyncaunton emerunt, reddituros annuatim Vicario alicui 30 solidos, qui pro anima sub- 
 decani ad altare S. Marim Magdalence singulis diebus celebraret et 13 Cat. Augusti Epis- 
 copus (Will. Button) stipulationem communivit. 
 
 The same Sub-dean also gave 40 marks to Elias, Master of S. John's Hospital at 
 Bristol, to buy land near Bristol at the annual rent of 30s., to be paid to the Vicar 
 
APPENDIX ST. 239 
 
 celebrating at the same altar. The same Sub-dean seems to have also endowed the Convent 
 of Worspring, for we find, Reg. III. 174, &c., that the Prior and Convent scripto se ohli- 
 gaverunt in 1266 to pay 20s. a year to the Vicar of Wells, who should celebrate his obit, 
 and to this intent he had given them 30 marks. The same Prior and Convent _^(f em suam 
 astringunt to pay 50s. to the Chaplain of the Church at Wells who should celebrate for 
 the souls of W. de Wethamstede and Alexander de Bampfeld, and 3s. id. to supply wax : 
 for this annual payment they had received 100 marks. — Reg. I. 118. 
 
 April 4, 1268. — Galfridus de Bridporte instituted a chantry in the Lady Chapel, in 
 Australi parte Hcclesice, and gave 100s. from Kerch el to the support of four priests, who 
 should celebrate for the souls of Galfrid and Agatha de Meysi. In consideration of this, 
 the Dean and Chapter remitted a former gift made in 1250. 
 
 The same year, a certain Thomas de . . . gave an annual pension of 4s. de 
 domibus suis in Novo vico, to keep the perpetual anniversary of Reginald Score, a Vicar 
 of Wells. 
 
 July 12.— Walter de Lichlade, the Succentor, bound himself and his successors to 
 pay 2s. Qd. every year on the feast of S. Fides for the obit of the same Reginald, and 2s. to 
 the ciistos of the altar of the Blessed Virgin, to keep one wax candle burning before that 
 altar. 
 
 6 Id. Nov. — Prior Robert of Barlich and the Convent there of the order of S. 
 Augustine, instituted the chantry of Hugh de Rumenall (Romynall) late Treasurer of the 
 Church of Wells, and bound themselves to pay the celebrant 100s. yearly, inasmuch as his 
 executors had given them 200 marks, with which they had bought the advowson of 
 Wynesford and a pension of 100s. on the manor.— Reg. III. 136. The care of this 
 chantiy was subsequently demanded by the Dean and Chapter for the Succentor, and 
 appropriated to that office in the Church (see p. 74) ad Altare Corporis Christi. 
 
 In 1269, about the feast of the Nativity of B.V.M., Richard Bampfield, Can9n of 
 Wells ordered his own Chantry ; prcedia et fundos complures in Woohey cum Berkmia, 
 Doultineot et Wellia Dec. et Cap. contulit : with these rents two Priests were to be sup- 
 ported, who should daily in turn say mass for his soul at S. Edmund's altar, in the Nave 
 of the Cathedral Church, near the spot where he had arranged to be buried. On his 
 anniversary, to each celebraut 50s.; for two candles to bum during the mass, 3s. U. ; to 
 200 poor people 8s. 4d.— that is, to each |d ; and 20d to the more infirm poor {Icmguidi- 
 orihus) who should be ashamed to beg ; to the Communar and distributing Priests \M. ; 
 10s. between the Canons who took part in the mass; 6s. for one wax candle to burn 
 before the Cross in the Nave of the Church; and to the Vicar-proper of the altar B.V. M. 
 on S. Andrew's day 4s. for one taper {mortarium) to bum every night before this altar ; 
 to the Sacrist 6d; to the Sub-sacrist 2d. pro pulsando suo Classico the same day. He also 
 gave the houses belonging to the Vicarage of S. Cuthbert at the annual rent of one mark, 
 quam hodie Vicarius Cwpitulo reddit. This was confirmed by Bishop W. Button, kl. Oct. 
 
 —Reg. III. 288. 
 
 6 Non. Oct., 1271.— Bishop Button appropriated the Church of Stokegummer, after 
 the death of the" present Rector, to the Chapter, and decreed that of the profits they should 
 pay 50s. a year to the Priest who celebrated his mass in the Lady Chapel, and 50s. to fifty 
 poor people on his anniversary. 
 
 1272 Die Veneris after S. James' day, July 29.-John de Tonbrigge, Magister Dorn.us 
 S. Mwrci \e Bileswyke, near Bristol, and the Brethren there, bound themselves to pay 
 yearly 63s id. to the Dean and Chapter as follows :-6 marks to the Chaplain celebrating 
 
240 APPENDIX W. 
 
 for the soul of John de Hereford, late Canon, and the remaining 10s. to the poor on the 
 anniversary of his decease. 
 
 On S. Matthew's day, the Bishop, heir of John de Button, late Provost of Cumba, 
 granted to the Chapter prcedium de Middhton, saving ten marks to be for ever paid for 
 the souls of William, late Bishop, and the aforesaid J. de Button. 
 
 On the vigil of S. Nicholas day, the Prior and Convent of Berliz (Barlich), in con- 
 sideration {in compensationem) of 520 marks received from the Bishop, Dean, and Chapter, 
 and executors of the will of John de Button, the Provost, promise to pay yearly 26 marks 
 to the Wells Chapter, of which.it was determined that 6 should be spent for the soul of 
 the late Bishop, 15 for that of John de Button, 2 J on the anniversary of Henri de Bracton, 
 and half a mark on the anniversary of Adam de Gissich, formerly Canons. 
 
 And for the payment of these 26 marks Berlizienses patrimoniwm Conventus sui, ef 
 speciatum proventus Ecclesiarum de Brumpton, Wynesford, et Hillferun oppignerdba/nt. — 
 Eeg. I. 89; Reg. II. 17 6. 
 
 In 1275, one John Heveking having granted certain Canons' houses in the street quo 
 itur versus Torrwrn^o the Chapter and Walter Burnell, Vicar, the Chapter conferred the 
 same on the aforesaid Walter, on condition that he pay, 8 kl. Fehr. every year, 6s. for the 
 obit of Richard Button, late Precentor. And about the 12th July, the next year, the 
 ordinance of J. de Button's chantry was published (edita), for the Canons of Berliz and 
 the Archdeacon of Wells were bound under an obligation to pay 25 marks a year, with 
 which wax candles might be prepared, and four chaplains kept to celebrate daily, at 
 S. Nicholas' altar (in the Lady Chapel near the Cloisters), constructed with the property 
 (de ionis) of John de Button, for his soul, that of William, his brother, and a nephew of 
 the Bishop's.— Reg. I. 22; Reg. III. 124. 
 
 1277, 4 Ifon. Jul. — John, the Prior, and the Convent of Worspring, promise to pay 
 the Canons of Wells 10 marks a year to hire a chaplain to celebrate daily for the soul of 
 William the second, late Bishop, and specially on the day of his death. This was confirmed 
 by the "curatores testamentwii" of W. de Button's will, October, 1279. 
 
 March 8. — The same Convent promise to pay the Communar 30s. a year, proict 
 curatores testamentarii EaduJphi de Lollinton olim Canonici disposuerint distribuendos. — 
 Reg. I. 110. 
 
 The same Convent, in March, 1291, undertook to pay the Communar half a mark and 
 16s. to be distributed to the poor on the days of Canon Lollinton's obit. — Reg. I. 116., 
 
 1279. — Walter Burnell aforesaid received certain houses apud la Mountorie, which 
 belonged to Lucy de Membury, on condition that he paid 6s. M. a year to the celebrants 
 at the obit of Lucy and Alice Bouche.- — Reg. I. 111. 
 
 1285.— William de Welinton, Canon of Wells, pledged [oppignorabat) his houses at 
 the corner of S. Andrew's cemetery versus la Eoherstone to the Dean and Chapter for 10s., 
 to be distributed every year on the anniversary of Roger de Cruk, late Provost ; and for 
 this payment, the administrators gave William 20 marks. They also gave Richard le 
 Tonker 5 marks, who pignori posuit his houses in vico Fullorum for 5s., to be distributed 
 to the poor on the same day. 
 
 The Schedule which here follows is a compilation of all the annual collations to the 
 Chantries and other offices in the Cathedral, found in the lAber Ruber, for a period of 
 nearly thirty years ; and, if compared with the history of the internal economy and 
 management of the Church during that time, furnishes a very instructive insight into the 
 general conduct of Capitular business, the validity of the statutes, and the position of the 
 dignitaries. 
 
Missing Page 
 
€\ft €\fKxUt 
 
 GRANTED TO 
 
 THE DEAN AND CHAPTER OF WELLS 
 
 BY 
 
 QUEEN ELIZABETH. 
 
 4i 
 
THE 
 
 CHARTER OF QUEEN ELIZABETH, 
 
 GRANTED TO THE 
 
 DEAN AND CHAPTER OF WELLS. 
 
 SLU^KmUt, by the grace of God, of England, France, and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the Faith, &c. 
 To all to whom these present Letters shall come greeting : Whereas the Cathedral Church of Wells, in our 
 county of Somerset, was long since founded by our most noble progenitors, and enriched and endowed with 
 various dignities, offices, manors, land, tenements, Uberties, franchises, and jurisdictions, all and singular, which 
 were in the possession of the Dean and Chapter, the Precentor^ the Archdeacon of Wells, the Chancellor, the 
 Treasurer, the Archdeacon of Taunton, the Archdeacon of Bath, the Sub-dean and Prebendaries of the 
 Cathedral Church aforesaid, and of their predecessors from the very first erection and foundation of the said 
 Church, until of late, some persons pretending that on account of the diversity of the title or titles of the Dean 
 and Chapter of the said church appearing in the charters of our predecessors, it is no lawful corporation, and 
 that if it be alleging nevertheless that on account of the surrender made by one William Fitzwilliams, late Dean 
 of the said Church, and on account of an Act of Parliament, in the time of our most dear brother King Edward 
 Sixth for newly creating a Dean who should preside in the old Chapter, the same was dissolved. It is there- 
 fore besought us to erect and found the said Church anew, and to enrich and ornament the same with the 
 revenues and possessions with which it was formerly endowed. And we, desiring nothing more heartily than 
 that the true religion and pure worship of God may flourish and be taught, and as much as possible openly 
 made known in every place; and in order to remove and abolish all questions whatsoever which may thereupon 
 arise, have determined to create, erect, found, and establish the said Cathedral Church anew, and to ornament 
 and endow the same with proper officers, dignities, revenues, and possessions. We will therefore, and do by 
 these presents, for us, our heirs, and successors, ordain, constitute, and establish, that the said Church may and 
 for ever shaU be a Cathedral Church, and all future times for ever be called and known by the name of the 
 Cathedral Church of Wells; and further, of our more abundant grace, certain knowledge, mere motion and 
 plenitude of the royal power with which we are endowed, we do for us, our heirs and successors, make, create, 
 ordain, and constitute, and in the said Church found and establish, to endure at all future times for ever the 
 dignity or office of Dean, which said dignity or office shall for ever be called and known by the name of the 
 Deanery of the Cathedral Church of Wells ; and the dignity or office of Precentor, which dignity or office shall 
 for ever be called and known by the name of the Precentorship of the said Cathedral Church; and the dignity 
 or office of Archdeacon of Wells, which said dignity or office shall for ever be called and known by the name of 
 the Archdeaconry of Wells ; and the dignity or office of Chancellor, which said dignity or office shall for ever 
 be called and known by the name of the Chancellorship of the said Cathedral Church ; and the dignity or office 
 of Treasurer, which dignity or office shall for ever be called and known by the name of the Treasurership of 
 the said Cathedral Church ; and the dignity or office of Archdeacon of Taunton, which said dignity or office 
 shall for ever be called and known by the name of the Archdeaconry of Taunton ; and the dignity or office of 
 Archdeacon of Bath, which dignity or office shall for ever be called by the Archdeaconry of Bath ; and the 
 dignity or office of Sub-dean, which said dignity or office shall for ever be called and known by the name of the 
 Sub-deanery of the Cathedral Church aforesaid ; and further, of our especial grace, certain knowledge, mere 
 motion and royal authority, we do for us, our heirs and successors, make, create, ordain, constitute, and in the 
 said Cathedral Church for ever erect, found, and establish forty-nine Prebends, the first whereof shall be called 
 and known for ever by the name of the Prebend of Currie, which said Prebend of Currie aforesaid we do by 
 these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, join, unite, annex, appropriate, and consolidate with the afore- 
 said dignity or office of Dean of the Cathedral Church aforesaid for ever; the second shall be called and known 
 by the name of the Prebend of Huyshe and Brent, which said Prebend of Huyshe and Brent aforesaid we do, by 
 these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, join, unite, annex, appropriate, and consolidate with the afore- 
 said dignity or office of Archdeacon of Wells for ever; the third shall be called and known by the name of 
 the Prebend of Mylverton prima, .which said third Prebend we do in like manner for us, our heirs and 
 
244 QUEEF ELIZABETH'S CHASTER TO 
 
 successors, join, unite, annex, appropriate, and consolidate with the aforesaid dignity or office of Archdeacon of 
 Taunton aforesaid ; the fourth shall be called and known by the name of the Prebend of Mylverton secwida ; 
 the fifth shall be called and known by the name of the Prebend of Cumpton Dunden ; the sixth shall be called 
 and known by the name of the Prebend of Wormester ; the seventh shall be called and known by the name of 
 the Prebend of Warmynster, otherwise Luxfield ; the eighth shall be called and known by the name of the 
 Prebend of Wyvilliscombe ; the ninth shall be called and known by the name of the Prebend of Lytton ; the 
 tenth shall be called and known by the name of the Prebend of Cumpton Bishops ; the eleventh shall be called 
 and known by the name of the Prebend of Whitchurch ; the twelfth shall be called and known by the name of 
 thei Prebend of Henstridge ; the thirteenth shall be called and known by the name of the Prebend of Dnlting- 
 colt, otherwise Pynghurst; the fourteenth shall be called and known by the name of the Prebend of Easton-in- 
 Gordan ; the fifteenth shall be called and known by the name of the Prebend of Taunton ; the sixteenth shall be 
 called and known by the name of the Prebend of Haselberg ; the seventeenth shall be called and known by the 
 name of the Prebend of Buokland Dynham ; the eighteenth shall be called and known by the name of the 
 Prebend of East Harptry ; the nineteenth shall be called and known by the name of the Prebend of Stamford, 
 otherwise Shalford ; the twentieth shall be called and known by the name of the Prebend of Whitlackington ; 
 the twenty-first shall be called and known by the name of the Prebend of Tymbersoombe ; the twenty-second 
 shaU be called and known by the name of the Prebend of Holoombe; the twenty-third shall be called and 
 known by the name of the Prebend of Dynder ; the twenty-fourth shall be called and known by the name of 
 the Prebend of Ayshill ; the twenty-fifth shall be called and known by the name of the Prebend of "Wan- 
 strowe ; the twenty-sixth shall be called and known by the name of the Prebend of Barton ; the twenty-seventh 
 shall be called and known by the name of the Prebend of Iltoun ; the twenty-eighth shall be called and known 
 by the name of the Prebend of Cudworth; the twenty-ninth shall be called and known by the name of the 
 Prebend of Wedmore II. ; the thirtieth shall be called and known by the name of the Prebend of Wedmore III. ; 
 the thirty-first shall be called and known by the name of the Prebend of Wedmore IV. ; the thirty-second shall 
 be called and known by the name of the Prebend of Wedmore V. ; the thirty-third shall be called and known 
 by the name of the Prebend of St. Decuman ; the thirty-fourth shall be called and known by the name of the 
 Prebend of Combe I.; the thirty-fifth shall be called and known by the name of the Prebend of Combe II. ; 
 the thirty-sixth shall be called and known by the name of the Prebend of Combe III. ; the thirty-seventh 
 shall be called and known by the name of the Prebend of Combe IV. ; the thirty-eighth shall be called 
 and known by the name of the Prebend of Combe V. ; the thirty-ninth shall be called and known by the name 
 of the Prebend of Combe VI. ; the fortieth shall be called and known by the name of the Prebend of Combe 
 VII. ; the forty-first shall be called and known by the name of the Prebend of Combe VIII. ; the forty-second 
 shall be called and known by the name of the Prebend of Combe IX. ; the forty-third shall be called and known 
 by the name of the Prebend of Combe X. ; the forty-fourth shall be called and known by the name of the 
 Prebend of Combe XI. ; the forty-fifth shall be called and known by the name of the Prebend of Combe XII. ; 
 the forty-sixth shall be called and known by the name of the Prebend of Combe XIII. ; the forty-seventh 
 shall be called and known by the name of the Prebend of Combe XIV. ; the forty-eighth shall be called and 
 known by the name of the Prebend of Combe XV. ; the forty-ninth shall be called and known by the name of 
 the Prebend of Yatton. We will also, and for ns, our heirs, and successors, do make, create, ordain, appoint, 
 and constitute our well-beloved John Harbert, Master of the Eequests, to be the present and modern Dean of 
 the aforesaid dignity or office of Deanery of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, and Prebendary of 
 the Prebend of Currie aforesaid, to the said Deanery annexed. And we do by these presents endow, adorn, 
 and invest him, the said John, with the dignity, oflioe, and Prebend, with all their rights, members, and appur- 
 tenances. And James Cottington, Doctor in Divinity, to be the present and modern Precentor of the aforesaid 
 dignity or office of Precentorship of the said Cathedral Church ; and we do by these presents endow, adorn, and 
 invest the said James with the said dignity and office, with all their rights, members, and appurtenances. And 
 John Langworth, Doctor in Divinity, to be the present and modern Archdeacon of the aforesaid dignity or office 
 of Archdeaconry of Wells aforesaid, and Prebendary of Huyshe and Brent aforesaid, to the said Arch- 
 deaconry annexed ; and we do by these presents endow, adorn, and invest him, the said John Langworth, with 
 the said dignity, office, and Prebend, with all their rights, members, and appurtenances. And Thomas Manton, 
 Master of Arts, to be the present and modern Chancellor of the aforesaid dignity or office of Chancellorship of 
 the Cathedral Church aforesaid ; and we do by these presents endow, adorn, and invest him, the said Thomas, 
 with the said dignity and office. And John Bowrne, Master of Arts, to be the present and modern Treasurer of 
 the aforesaid dignity or office of Treasurership of the said Cathedral Church; and we do by these presents endow, 
 adorn, and invest him, the said John, with the said dignity and office. And Philip Bysse, Doctor in Divinity, 
 to be the present and modern Archdeacon of the aforesaid dignity or office of Archdeaconry of Taunton and 
 Prebendary of Mylverton pnTrea, to the said Archdeaconry annexed ; and we do by these presents endow, adorn, 
 and invest him, the said Philip, with the said dignity, office, and Prebend. And WiUiam Powell, Doctor in 
 Divinity, to be the present and modern Archdeacon of the aforesaid dignity or office of Archdeaconry of Bath , 
 aforesaid; and we do by these presents endow, adorn, and invest the said William with the said dignity 
 and office. And James Bysse, Master of Arts, to be the present and modern Sub-dean of the aforesaid 
 Cathedral Church; and we do endow, adorn, and invest him, the said James, with the said dignity and office 
 And further, of our especial grace, meer motion, and royal power, we do for us, our heirs and successors, 
 make, create, ordain, appoint, and constitute William Watkinson, Master of Arts, to be the present and modern 
 
TEE DEAN AND CHAPTER OF WELLS. 245 
 
 Prebendary of the Prebend of Mylvertou secumda aforesaid ; and the aforesaid James Cottington to be the pre- 
 sent and modern Prebendary of the Prebend of Cumpton Dunden aforesaid ; and the aforesaid William Powell 
 to be the present and modern Prebendary of the Prebend of Wormestre aforesaid ; and the aforesaid James 
 Bysse to be the present and modern Prebendary of the Prebend of Warmynstre, otherwise Lnxfleld, aforesaid ; 
 and William Barlow to be the present and modern Prebendary of the Prebend of Wyvilisoombe aforesaid ; and 
 Robert Earle to be the present and modern Prebendary of the Prebend of Lytton aforesaid ; and William 
 Forthe to be the present and modern Prebendary of the Prebend of Oumpton Bishops aforesaid ; and George 
 Cooper to be the present and modem Prebendary of the Prebend of Whitchurch aforesaid; and Robert 
 Hovenden to be the present and modern Prebendary of the Prebend of Henetridge aforesaid ; and William 
 Whitlocke to be the present and modern Prebendary of the Prebend of Dultingcolt otherwise, Fyngburst ; and 
 William Moseley to be the present and modern Prebendary of the Prebend of Easton-in-Gordan ; and John 
 Parrar to be the present and modern Prebendary of the Prebend of Taunton aforesaid ; and Thomas Masters 
 to be the present and modern Prebendary of the Prebend of Haselherg aforesaid ; and Matthew Sutcliffe to be 
 the present and modern Prebendary of the Prebend of Buokland Dynham aforesaid ; and William Jones to be 
 the present and modern Prebendary of the Prebend of East Harptree aforesaid ; and William Stone to be 
 the present and modem Prebendary of the Prebend of Stamford, otherwise Shalford, aforesaid ; and John 
 Tuthin to be the present and modern Prebendary of the Prebend of WhitelacMngton aforesaid ; and Henry 
 Hyll to be the present and modern Prebendary of the Prebend of Tymbreacombe aforesaid ; and Robert Forth 
 to be the present and modern Prebendary of the Prebend of Holoombe aforesaid ; and Robert Goodwyn to be 
 the present and modern Prebendary of the Prebend of Dynder aforesaid ; and Thomas Barker to be the 
 present and modern Prebendary of the Prebend of Ayshyll aforesaid ; and Justinian Lancastre to be the 
 present and modem Prebendary of the Prebend of Wanstrowe aforesaid ; and Thomas Drope to be the pre- 
 sent and modern Prebendary of the Prebend of Barton aforesaid ; and Abraham Gonham to be the present 
 and modem Prebendary of the Prebend of Ilton aforesaid; and Robert Newman to be the present and 
 modern Prebendary of the Prebend of Ondworth aforesaid ; and the aforesaid Thomas Manton to be the 
 present and modern Prebendary of the Prebend of Wedmore II. ; and Henry Sowtherton to be the 
 present and modem Prebendary of the Prebend of Wedmore III. aforesaid; and William Gilbert to be 
 the present and modern Prebendary of the Prebend of Wedmore IV. aforesaid; and Henry Russell to be the 
 present and modern Prebendary of the Prebend of Wedmore V. aforesaid; and Roger Gode to be the 
 present and modern Prebendary of the Prebend of S. Decuman afore said j and William Marston to be the 
 present and modern Prebendary of the Prebend of Ctombe I. aforesaid ; and Edmund Watts, Master of Arts, 
 to be the present and modem Prebendary of the Prebend of Combe II. aforesaid; and Henry Walshull to be 
 the present and modern Prebendary of the Prebend of Oombe III. aforesaid ; and John Saunders to be the 
 present and modern Prebendary of the Prebend of Oorabe IV. aforesaid; and Thomas Maddox to be the 
 present and modem Prebendary of the Prebend of Combe V. aforesaid ; and Anthony Bltnco to Be the present 
 and modem Prebendary of the Prebend of Combe VI. aforesaid ; and William Wyckham to be the present and 
 modern Prebendary of the Prebend of Combe VII. aforesaid ; and Francis Godwyn to be the present and 
 modern Prebendary of the Prebend of Combe VIII. aforesaid ; and Francis Alford to he the present and modern 
 Prebendary of the Prebend of Oombe IX. aforesaid ; and Paul Methwen to be the present and modern Pre- 
 bendary of the Prebend of Combe X. aforesaid; and Anthony Methwen to be the present and modern 
 Prebendary of the Prebend of Oorabe XI. aforesaid; and Thomas PoweU to be the present and modem 
 Prebendary of the Prebend of CcmbeXIf. aforesaid; and the said John Bowrne to be the present and modern 
 Prebendary of the Prebend of Combe XIII. aforesaid ; and Robert RoUes to be the present and modern 
 Prebendary of the Prebend of Combe XIV. aforesaid ; and Edwaird Tynes to be the present and modern 
 Prebendary of the Prebend of Combe, XV. aforesaid ; and Richard Wood to be the present and modern Pre- 
 bendary of the Prebend of Yatton aforesaid; and the aforesaid WiUiam Watkynson, Prebendary of the 
 Prebend of Mylverton II. aforesaid ; and the aforesaid James Cottington, Prebendary of the Prebend of 
 Cumpton Dunden aforesaid ; and the aforesaid Wmiam Powell, Prebendary of the Prebend of Wormestre afore- 
 said • and the aforesaid James Bysse, Prebendary of the Prebend of Warmystre, otherwise Luifield, aforesaid ; 
 and the aforesaid WiUiam Barlow, Prebendary of the Prebend of Wyvilisoombe aforesaid ; and the aforesaid 
 Robert Earle Prebendary of the Prebend of Lytton aforesaid ; and the aforesaid William Forthe, Prebendary 
 of the Prebend of Cumpton Bishops aforesaid ; and the aforesaid George Cooper, Prebendary of the Prebend 
 of Whitchurch aforesaid; Robert Hovenden, Prebendary of the Prebend of Henstridge aforesaid; and the 
 aforesaid William Whitlocke, Prebendary of the Prebend of Dultingcolt, otherwise Fiaghurst; and the afore- 
 said William Moseley, Prebendary of the Prebend of Easton-in-Gordan aforesaid; and the aforesaid John 
 Farrar Prebendary of the Prebend of Taunton aforesaid; and the aforesaid Thomas Masters, Prebendary of the 
 Prebend of Haselberg aforesaid ; and the aforesaid Matthew Sutcliffe, Prebendary of the Prebend of Buckland 
 Dvnham aforesaid; and the aforesaid William Jones, Prebendary of the Prebend of Bast Harptree aforesaid ; 
 and the aforesaid William Stone, Prebendary of the Prebend of Stamford, otherwise Shalford; and 
 the aforesaid John Tuchiner, Prebendary of the Prebend of Whitelaokington aforesaid ; and the aforesaid 
 Henrv Hyll Prebendary of the Prebend of Tymberscomhe aforesaid; and the afores«id Robert Forthe, Pre- 
 bendarv of the Prebend of Holcombe aforesaid; and the aforesaid Robert Goodwyn, Prebendary of the Prebend 
 of Dvnder -aforesaid; and the aforesaid Thomas Barker, Prebendary of the Prebend of AyshiU aforesaid; and 
 the aforesaid Justinian Lancastre, Prebendary of the Prebend of Wanstrowe aforesaid; and the aforesaid 
 
246 QUEEN ELIZABETH'S CHARTER TO 
 
 Thomas Drope, Prebendary of the Prebend of Barton aforesaid ; and the aforesaid Abraham Couham, Pre- 
 bendary of the Prebend of Ilton aforesaid ; and the aforesaid Bobert Newman, Prebendary of the Prebend 
 of Cudworth aforesaid ; and the aforesaid Thomas Manton, Prebendary of the Prebend of Wedmore II. afore- 
 said; and the aforesaid Henry Sothertou, Prebendary of the Prebend of Wedmore III. aforesaid; and the afore- 
 said William Gilbert, Prebendary of the Prebend of Wedmore IV. aforesaid ; and the aforesaid Henry Eussell, 
 Prebendary of the Prebend of Wedmore V. aforesaid; and the aforesaid Roger Gode, Prebendary of the 
 Prebend of S. Deonman aforesaid ; and the aforesaid WiUiam Marston, Prebendary of the Prebend of Combe I. 
 aforesaid ; and the aforesaid Edmund Watt, Prebendary of the Prebend of Combe II. aforesaid ; and the 
 aforesaid Thomas Walshall, Prebendary of the Prebend of Combe III. aforesaid; and the aforesaid John 
 Saunders, Prebendary of the Prebend of Combe IV. aforesaid ; and the aforesaid Thomas Maddor, Prebendary 
 of the Prebend of Combe V. aforesaid ; and the aforesaid Anthony Blinco, Prebendary of the Prebend of Combe 
 yi. aforesaid ; and the aforesaid William Wykoham, Prebendary of the Prebend of Combe VII, aforesaid ; and 
 the aforesaid Francis Godwyn, Prebendary of the Prebend of Combe VIII. aforesaid ; and the aforesaid Francis 
 Alford, Prebendary of the Prebend of Combe IX. aforesaid ; and the aforesaid Paul Methweu, Prebendary of 
 the Prebend of Combe X. aforesaid ; and the aforesaid Anthony Methwen, Prebendary of the Prebend of Oomba 
 XI. aforesaid ; and the aforesaid Thomas Powell, Prebendary of the Prebend of Combe XII. aforesaid; and the 
 aforesaid John Bowrne, Prebendary of the Prebend of Combe XIII. aforesaid; and the aforesaid Eobert 
 Eolles, Prebendary of the Prebend of Combe XIV. aforesaid ; and the aforesaid Edward Tynes, Prebendary 
 of the Prebend of Combe XV. aforesaid ; and the aforesaid Eiohard Wood, Prebendary of the Prebend of 
 Yatton aforesaid. We do by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, severally endow, adorn, and 
 invest with the aforesaid several Prebends as aforesaid. We give also, and of our meer motion and certain 
 knowledge, do, by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, grant to the aforesaid John Harbert, Dean 
 of the Cathedral Church aforesaid. Prebendary of the Prebend of Currie aforesaid ; James Cottington, Pre- 
 centor of the said Church ; John Laugworth, Archdeacon of Wells aforesaid, and Prebendary of the Prebend 
 of Huythe and Brent aforesaid ; Thomas Manton, Chancellor of the Cathedral Church aforesaid ; John Bowrne, 
 Treasurer of the said Church ; Philip Bysse, Archdeacon of Taunton aforesaid, and Prebendary of the Prebend 
 of Mylverton prima aforesaid ; William Powell, Archdeacon of Bath aforesaid ; James Bysse, Sub-dean of the 
 Cathedral Church aforesaid ; William Watkinson, Prebendary of the Prebend of Mylverton II. aforesaid; James 
 Cottington, Prebendary of the Prebend of Cumpton Dundeu aforesaid ; William Powell, Prebendary of the 
 Prebend of Wormestre aforesaid ; James Bysse, Prebendary of the Prebend of Warmynstre, otherwise Lux- 
 field, aforesaid ; William Barlow, Prebendary of the Prebend of Wyviliscombe aforesaid ; Eobert Earle, Pre- 
 bendary of the Prebend of Lytton aforesaid ; William Forth, Prebendary of the Prebend of Cumpton Bishops 
 aforesaid ; George Cooper, Prebendary of the Prebend of Whitchurch aforesaid ; Eobert Hovenden, Prebendary 
 of the Prebend of Henstridge aforesaid ; William Whitlocke, Prebendary of the Prebend of Dultingoolt, other- 
 wise Finghurst, aforesaid ; William Moseley, Prebendary of the Prebend of Easton-in-Gordan aforesaid; John 
 Farrar, Prebendary of the Prebend of Taunton aforesaid ; Thomas Masters, Prebendary of the Prebend of 
 Haselberg aforesaid ; Matthew Sutcliffe, Prebendary of the Prebend of Buokland Dynham aforesaid ; William 
 Jones, Prebendary of the Prebend of Eastharptree aforesaid; William Stone, Prebendary of the Prebend of 
 Stamford, otherwise Shalford, aforesaid; John Tuchiner, Prebendary of the Prebend of Whitelaokington 
 aforesaid ; Henry Hyll, Prebendary of the Prebend of Tymberscombe aforesaid ; Eobert Forth, Prebendary 
 of the Prebend of Holcombe aforesaid; Eobert Godwyn, Prebendary of the Prebend of Dynder aforesaid; 
 Thomas Barker, Prebendary of the Prebend of Ayshill aforesaid ; Justinian Lancastre, Prebendary of the Pre- 
 bend of Wanstrowe aforesaid ; Thomas Drope, Prebendary of the Prebend of Barton aforesaid ; Abraham 
 Conham, Prebendary of the Prebend of Ilton aforesaid ; Eobert Newman, Prebendary of the Prebend of Cud- 
 worth aforesaid ; Thomas Manton, Prebendary of the Prebend of Wedmore II. aforesaid ; Henry Sotherton, 
 Prebendary of the Prebend of Wedmore III. aforesaid; William Gilbert, Prebendary of the Prebend of 
 Wedmore IV. aforesaid ; Henry Russell, Prebendary of the Prebend of Wedmore V. aforesaid ; Eoger Gode, 
 Prebendary of the Prebend of S. Decuman aforesaid; William Marston, Prebendary of the Prebend of Combe 
 I. aforesaid ; Edmund Watt, Prebendary of the Prebend of Combe II. aforesaid ; Thomas Walshall, Pre- 
 bendary of the Prebend of Combe III. aforesaid ; John Saunders, Prebendary of the Prebend of Combe IV. 
 aforesaid; Thomas Maddox, Prebendary of the Prebend of Combe V. aforesaid; Anthony Blinco, Prebendary 
 of the Prebend of Combe VI. aforesaid; William Wyckham, Prebendary of the Prebend of Combe VII. 
 aforesaid; Francis Godwyn, Prebendary of the Prebend of Combe VIII. aforesaid; Francis Alford, Pre- 
 bendary of the Prebend of Combe IX. aforesaid; Paul Methwen, Prebendary of the Prebend of Combe X. 
 aforesaid; Anthony Methwen, Prebendary of the Prebend of Combe XI. aforesaid: Thomas Powell, Pre- 
 bendary of the Prebend of Combe XII. aforesaid; John Bowrne, Prebendary of the Prebend of Combe XIIJ. 
 aforesaid; Bobert Eolles, Prebendary of the Prebend of Combe XIV. aforesaid ; Edward Tynes, Prebendary of 
 the Prebend of Combe XV. aforesaid; and Eiohard Wood, Prebendary of the Prebend of Yatton aforesaid; 
 severally, and to the successors of every of them severally, perpetual succession in their several dignities, offices, 
 and prebends aforesaid ; and that every of the aforesaid John Harbert, James Cottington, John Langworth, 
 Thomas Manton, John Bowrne, Philip Bysse, William Powell, James Bysse, William Watkinson, James Cotting- 
 ton, William Powell, James Bysse, William Barloe, Eobert Earle, William Forthe, George Cooper, Eobert Hoven- 
 den, William Whitlocke, William Moseley, John Farrar, Thomas Masters, Matthew Sutcliffe, William Jones, 
 William Stone, John Tuchiner, Henry Hyll, 'Robert Forthe, Robert Godwyn, Thomas Barker, Justinian 
 
THE DEAN AND CHAPTER OF WELLS. 247 
 
 Lancastre, Thomas Drope, Abraham Oonham, Eobert Newman, Thomas Manton, Henry Sotherton, William 
 Gilbert, Henry Eussell, Roger Gode, William Marston, Edmund Watt, Thomas Walshall, John Saunders, 
 Thomas Maddox, Anthony Blinoo, William Wyokham, Francis Godwyn, Francis Alford, Paul Methwen, 
 Anthony Methwen, Thomas Powell, John Bowrne, Kobert Eolles, Edward Tynes, and Richard Wood, and the 
 successor and successors of eyery of them shall be able to sue, claim, and plead, and be impleaded, defend and 
 be defended by the aforesaid distinct and separate name of every of them so as aforesaid ; severally assigned 
 or given to them by these presents in whatsoever Courts and places of our Laws, and elsewhere in and upon all 
 and singular actions, causes, suits, demands, writs, plaints, real, spiritual, personal, and next and in all other 
 affairs, causes, and matters whatsoever, and that of every of the aforesaid John Harbert, James Oottington, John 
 Langworth, Thomas Manton, John Bowrne, Philip Bysse, William Powell, James Bysse, William Watkinson, 
 James Oottington, William Powell, James Bysse, William Barloe, Robert Earle, William Forthe, George Cooper, 
 Robert Hovenden, William Whitlocke, William Moseley, John Farrar, Thomas Masters, Matthew Butcliffe, 
 William Jones, William Stone, John Tachiuer, Henry Hyll, Robert Forthe, Robert Godwyn, Thomas Barker, 
 Justinian Lancastre, Thomas Drope, Abraham Conham, Robert Newman, Thomas Manton, Henry Sotherton, 
 William Gilbert, Henry Russell, Roger Gode, William Marston, Edward Watt, Thomas Walshall, John 
 Saunders, Thomas Maddox, Anthony Blinco, William Wyokham, Francis Godwyn, Francis Alford, Paul 
 Methwen, Anthony Methwen, Thomas Powell, John Bowrne, Robert RoUes, ■ Edward Tynes, and Richard 
 Wood, and the successor and successors of every of them by the aforesaid distinct and separate name of every 
 of them so as aforesaid by these presents severally assigned or given to them shall and may be able to take, 
 receive, purchase, give, alienate, grant, and demise to them and their successors, manors, lordships, lands, 
 tenements, Uherties, franchises, and other hereditaments ; whatsoever possessions, goods, and chattels, profits, and 
 emoluments, as well spiritual or ecclesiastical as temporal, and all others whatsoever of us, our heirs and successors 
 by letters patent, or from any other person or persons whatsoever. And further, of our especial grace, certain 
 knowledge, and meer motion, and of our royal power, we do, for us, our heirs and successors, ordain, constitute, 
 and in the Cathedral Church aforesaid create, found, and establish certain other dignities or offices to endure at 
 all times hereafter for ever ; one of which shall for ever be called and known by the name of Canon Residentiary 
 in the said Cathedral Church of Wells, and that those who shall be enriched and endowed with the said dignity 
 or office shall be called and known by the name of Canon Residentiary in the Cathedral Church aforesaid. We 
 will also, and for us, our heirs and successors, do make, create, ordain, appoint, and constitute the aforesaid 
 John Harbert, James Cottington, John Langworth, Thomas Manton, John Bowrne, Philip Bysse, William 
 PoweU, James Bysse, John Saunders, Francis Godwyn, and Edmund Watt, to be the present and modern 
 Canons Residentiary in the said Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid ; and we do by these presents endow, 
 adorn, and invest them with the dignity and office aforesaid. And we do will and ordain by these presents 
 that when as soon as four or more of the said modern Canons Residentiary shall die or depart from the said 
 offices or dignities, that then and from thenceforth, from time to time, other Canons Residentiary, but not 
 more than the number of eight Canons Residentiary, shall be elected and appointed in manner and form as here- 
 after in these presents shall be limited, and in order that in all future times for ever there should be a Dean and 
 Chapter of the Cathedral Church aforesaid, who should preside over the rest in the rule, management, and 
 Government, and disposal of the affairs of the said Church, we will and ordain, and of our certain knowledge 
 and meer motion do, for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant to the said Dean and Canons Residentiary 
 and their successors that, the aforesaid Dean and Canons Residentiary, in the Cathedral Church aforesaid, and 
 their successors, from henceforth for ever, may and shall be of themselves a body corporate and politic in deed 
 and in name, and shall have perpetual succession; and that the said Dean and Canons Residentiary and their 
 successors may and shall be called and named " The Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells." 
 And we do by these presents make, ordain, constitute, create, erect, and establish them, the said Dean and 
 Canons Residentiary and their successors a body corporate and politic in deed and in name ; and we do unite, 
 join, and consolidate for ever the said Dean and his successors to the aforesaid Canons Residentiary and their 
 Bucoessors, and the said Canons Residentiary and their successors to the said Dean and his successors. And 
 we do declare, erect, and for us, our own heirs and successors for ever, accept them for one body, and that the 
 said Dean and Chapter and their successors, by the name of the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of 
 Wells, shall be able to sue, claim, and plead, and be impleaded, defend, and be defended, answer and be answered, 
 in whatsoever courts and places within our kingdom of England ; and in and upon all and singular causes, 
 actions, suits, demands, writs, plaints, real and spiritual, personal and mixed, and in aU oi!her affairs, causes, 
 and matters whatsoever. And that the said Dean and Chapter and their successors shall be able to take 
 receive and purchase,, of us, our heirs or successors, by letters patent, or of any other person or persons, to 
 them and their successors, and to give, alienate, demise, and grant manors, lordships, lands, tenements, Kherties, 
 franchises, and other hereditaments, goods and chattels, profits and emoluments, as well spiritual or ecclesias- 
 tical as temporal, and ail other things whatsoever ; and that the said Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church 
 of Wells aforesaid, and their successors for ever may have a common seal and seal all manner of charters, 
 writings, deeds, or muniments in any manner touching or concerning them or the Cathedral Church aforesaid ; 
 and that it shall be lavrful for the said Dean and Chapter and their successors, from time to time, at their pleasure 
 to alter their seal and to make a new and form another or others whensoever it shall be necessary ; and further, of 
 our more ample and especial grace, and of our certain knowledge and meer motion, we have given and granted, 
 and for us, our heirs and successors, do by these presents give and grant to the aforesaid Dean and Chapter of 
 
248 QUEEN ELIZABETH'S CHARTER TO 
 
 the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, and their successors, all the Cathedral Church of "Wells aforesaid, 
 lying and being in Wells, in our County of Somerset ; the house of the choristers, being near the said Church, 
 and all lands, tenements, pensions, portions, rente, sums of money, wages, rewards, and stipends, called stall 
 wages in the Church aforesaid, and hereditaments whatsoever given, limited, or appointed, for the repairing and 
 support of the fabric of the Cathedral Church aforesaid, together with all those chapels, leads, bells, belfries, 
 cloisters, edifices built over the cloister areas, cartillages, cemeteries, gates, vaults, or subterraneous places, 
 buildings, structures, ways, and places, being within the site, circuit, compass, and precinct of the said 
 Church, or of the close of the said Church, which the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells, 
 by whatsoever name of incorporation have heretofore used or enjoyed, or which have been commonly 
 reputed or esteemed as part, parts, or parcel of the said Church or close, together with all 
 and all manner of vessels, jewels, ornaments, goods, and implements of the said Church. We 
 give also, and of our certain knowledge and meer motion, and do for us our heirs and successors, 
 grant to the aforesaid Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, and their 
 successors, one messuage or Chapter-house -adjaoent to the said Cathedral Church, one messuage or Canon 
 •House in Wells, in our aforesaid county of Somerset, now or late in the tenure or occupation of the aforesaid 
 Philip Bysse ; one other messuage or Canonical House there, now in the tenure or occupation of the said James 
 Bysse ; two other messuages or Canonical Houses, now in the occupation of the said John Saunders ; one other 
 messuage or Canonical House there, now in the tenure or occupation of the said John Bowrne '; one other 
 messuage or Canonical House there, now in the tenure or occupation of one Eichard Bowrne ; and one other 
 messuage or Canonical House there, late in the tenure or occupation of one John Smith ; and also all houses, 
 edifices, cellars, gardens, orchards, dovehouses, crofts, meadows, pastures, easements, and commodities what- 
 soever, to the said messuages or Canonical Houses, or to any of them belonging, or appertaining, or with the 
 same or any of them, being heretofore demised, used, employed, letten, or occupied as parcel, appertaining, or 
 belonging to the same or any of them ; and all that farm aud grange called The Canons Grange, with the 
 barton thereof lying in or near Wells aforesaid, whereof William Fitzwilliams, the late Dean, and the then 
 Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, as in right, force, or 
 colour thereof received, enjoyed, or had the yearly rents, revenues, or profits ; and all messuages, houses, 
 edifices, lands, tenements, mills, meadows, commons, tythes, rents, reversions, services, pensions, and 
 hereditaments to the said farm or grange, belonging, or appertaining, or as part, parcel, or member thereof 
 being heretofore had accepted, reputed, letten, or used, as fully and entirely and in as ample manner and form 
 as the said William Fitzwilliams, late Dean of the said Church, and the Chapter of the Cathedral Church 
 aforesaid, by reason, right, or means of the said Cathedral Chm-ch, had held or enjoyed, or ought to have 
 holden or enjoyed; and further, of our more ample grace, certain knowledge, and meer motion, we do for us, 
 our heirs and successors, give and grant to the aforesaid now Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of 
 Wells aforesaid, and their successors, all those the manors or lordships of North Currie, East Currie, other- 
 wise Gregorie, Stoke, Westhatche, Wrentick, Knapor, otherwise Knapfee, Newport, Wynscombe, Shepham, 
 Alverton, Ediston, Biddisham, Bycknaller, Eastlambroke, and Westmeare, otherwise Meare Court, with all 
 their rights, members, and Appurtenances, in our said county of Somerset, whereof the said late Dean and 
 Chapter of the Cathedi-al Church aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, as in right, force, or colour 
 thereof received, enjoyed, or had the yearly rents, revenues, issues, or profits ; and all those the messuages or 
 farms of Ockhampton, Ediston, -and Lovington, with all their rights, members, aud appurtenances, in our said 
 county of Somerset, whereof the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by 
 whatsoever name of incorporation, as in right, force, or colour thereof received, enjoyed, or had the yearly rents 
 revenues, issues, or profits ; and also all those the Eectories and Churches of St. Cuthbert and of North Currie 
 East Currie, Westhatche, Wynscombe, Lovington, Stoke, Gummer, Burneham, Congersburie, Cheddar, Lydiar, 
 Episcopi, Mudf ord, .and Southbarrowe,, with all their rights, members, and appurtenances, in our said county of 
 Somerset, whereof the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsover 
 name of incorporation, issue, right, force, or colour thereof, have received, enjoyed, or had the yearly rents 
 issues, revenues, or profits ; and all that ithe Hectsry of Buckland Abbat, with all its rights, members, and 
 appurtenances, in our county of Dorset ; and all that the Eectory and Church of Pucklechurch, with all its 
 lights, members, and appurtenances, in our county of Gloucester ; and all that the Eectory and Church of 
 Whitchurch, with all its rights, members, and appurtenances, in the said county of Dorset, whereof the said 
 late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation as in 
 light, force, or colour, thereof have received, enjoyed, or had yearly rents, revenues, issues, or profits. We give 
 also, and for us, our heirs .and successors, do grant to the said Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of 
 Wells aforesaid, and their .successors, all and all manner of advowsons, donations, nominations, collations 
 presentations, free dispositions, and rights of patronage of all and singular those rectories, vicarages, churches 
 and chapels of S. Cuthbert, North Currie, Gregorie, Stoke, East Currie, Wynscombe, Shepham, Alverton, 
 Lambrooke, Bumham, Cheddar, Lydiard Episcopi, Mudford, and Stogummer, in the said county of Somerset 
 and Bucklaud, in the said county of Dorset, and Pucklechurch, in the said county of Gloucester, whereof the 
 said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells, by whatsoever name of incorporation, as in righi 
 force, or colour thereof, had or enjoyed the donation, presentation, collations, or dispositions ; and further of 
 our more abundant grace, certain knowledge, aud meer motion, we give, and for us, our heirs and successors do 
 grant to the aforesaid Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells, and their successors, all that the 
 
THE DEAF AND CHAPTER OF WELLS. 249 
 
 Prebendary of Sutton, otherwise Long Sutton, in our said county of Somerset, and all that the Eeotory of 
 Dulverton, in the said county of Somerset, with all their rights, members, and appurtenances, in our own said 
 county of Somerset ; and the advowsons, donations, nominations, collations, presentations, free dispositions, 
 and rights of patronage of the Vicarages of Dulverton and Long Sutton aforesaid, in the said county of 
 Somerset. "We will also, and of our own especial grace, certain knowledge, and meer motion, do for us, our 
 heirs and successors, give and grant to the aforesaid Dean and Chapter, and their successors, all those thirteen 
 messuages, with their appurtenances, situate, lying, and being in Wells aforesaid, in a certain street there, 
 called The Newwork, now or late in the several tenures or occupations of Thomas Bartlett, Thomas Sawyer, 
 William Newton, Peter Lane, William Clarke, Bridget Goodyer, Eleanor Evans, Phillip Walsh, Leonard Crosse, 
 Henry Wells, Peter Archer, Ann Smyth, and Francis Lombard ; or their assigns or of the assigns of some of 
 them, whereof the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of WeUs aforesaid, by whatsoever name 
 of incorporation, as in right, force, or colour thereof received, enjoyed, or had the yearly rents, revenues, 
 issues, or profits. We will also, aud of our own especial grace, certain knowledge, and meer motion, do for us, 
 our heirs and successors, give and grant to the said Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells 
 aforesaid, and their successors, all those seven messuages, with the appurtenances, lying and being in Wells 
 aforesaid, in a street there, called Sadler Street, now or late in the several tenures or occupations of William 
 Murton, Edmund Bowre, Thomasine Johns, John Ash, and Philip Gefferies, or their assigns, or the assigns of 
 some of them, whereof the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever 
 name of incorporation, as in right, colour, or force thereof, received, enjoyed, or had the yearly rents, revenues, 
 issues, or profits ; and aU that yearly rent of 16d. per annum, issuing out of a certain messuage, with the appurten- 
 ance, situate in the said street, called Sadler Street, now or late in the tenure or occupation of Paul Methwen, or 
 his assigns, by the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of 
 incorporation, as in right, colour, or force thereof, received, or enjoyed. We give also, and for us, our heirs and 
 successors, do grant to the aforesaid Dean and Chapter and their successors, all those twelve messuages and one 
 garden, with the appurtenances, situate, lying, aud being in Wells aforesaid, in a certain street there, called 
 Chamberlain Street, now or late in the several tenures or occupation of Agnes Edwards, Bartholomew Hagget, 
 Agnes Burton, Maurice Robinson, John Horloge, Christopher Hayne, John Llewellin, Augustine Bullman, 
 Henry Savorie, Thomas Sawyer, and one Everd, or their assigns, or the assigns of some or one of them, whereof 
 the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorpora- 
 tion, as in right, color, or force thereof, received, enjoyed, or had the yearly rents, revenues, issues, or profits ; 
 and all that yearly rent of lis. 8d. per annum, issuing out of certain tenements in Chamberlain Street aforesaid, 
 now or late in the tenure or occupation of William Watkins, or his assigns, by the said late Dean and Chapter 
 of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, as in right, colour, or force 
 thereof, heretofore received or enjoyed ; and further, of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and meer motion, 
 we do, for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant to the said now Dean and Chapter of Wells aforesaid, and 
 their successors, all those ten messuages and one certain parcel of land, situate, lying, and being in WeUs 
 aforesaid, in a certain street there, called East Wall, now or late in the several tenures or occupations of 
 Marian Chedsey, Barnabas Gorman, Francis Smyth, Thomas Everet, Thomas Morris, OsweU Daniel, Thomas 
 Atwood, Francis Smith, and John Kerle, or their assigns, or of the assigns of some or one of them, ^vhereof the 
 said Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, as in 
 right, colour, or force thereof, have heretofore received, or enjoyed the yearly rents, revenues, issues, or profits; 
 and all those several yearly rents 6s. lOd., 6d., and 12d. per annum, issuing out of certain messuages in Bast 
 Wall aforesaid, now or late in the tenures or occupations of Jane Loxton, Eobert Sheppard, and Robert Norton, , 
 or their assigns, which the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatso- 
 ever name of incorporation, as in right, color, or force thereof, received or enjoyed. We will also, and of our 
 especial grace, certain knowledge, and meer motion, do for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant to the 
 aforesaid now Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, and their successors, aU those five 
 messuages, one acre of land, one close of land, called Gildenhurst, and one acre of meadow in Wootton Mead, 
 situate, lying, and being in Wells aforesaid, and Pioton, in the said county of Somerset, now or late in the 
 several tenures or occupations of Mary Hillatre, Thomas Tugwell, Thomas Fox, Anthony Lewis, Humphrey 
 Early Peter Archer, Thomas Leign, and William Sturton, or their assigns, or the assigns of some or one of 
 them 'whereof the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name 
 of incorporation, as in right, colour, or force thereof, received, enjoyed, or had the yearly rents, revenues, issues, 
 and profits; and further, of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and meer motion, we do, by these presents 
 for us om: heirs and successors, give and grant to the said Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Chmrch of WeUs 
 and their successors, all those four messuages and one close of land, situate, lying, and being in Wells and Ehne, 
 in the said county of Somerset, with the appurtenances, now or late in the several tenures or occupations of 
 Martha Fisher Joan GaUenton, Thomas Brick, Edmund Bower, and Robert Mai-tin, or their assigns, or the 
 assigns of some or one of them, whereof the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of WeUs 
 aforesaid by whatsoever name of incorporation, as in right, colour, or force thereof, received, enjoyed, or had the 
 yearly rents, revenues, issues, or profits ; and all that yearly rent of 12d. per annum, issuing and to be received 
 out of a certain messuage in Elme aforesaid, now or late in the tenure or occupation of Edmund Bowre, or his 
 assigns which by the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of WeUs aforesaid, by whatsoever 
 name of incorporation, as in right, colour, or force thereof, received or enjoyed. We give also, and by these 
 
 4k 
 
250 QUEEN ELIZABETH'S CHARTER TO 
 
 presents, do for us, our heirs and successors, grant to the said now Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church 
 of Wells aforesaid, all those five messuages, with the appurtenances, situate, lying, and being in Torre Lane, in 
 Wells aforesaid, now or late in the several tenures or occupations of David Thompson, William Smyth, John 
 Smyth, Peter Archer, and Thomas Stafford, or their assigns, or the assigns of some or one of them, whereof the 
 aforesaid Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, 
 as in right, colour, or force thereof, received, enjoyed, or had the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or profits. We 
 give also, and do by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, grant to the aforesaid now Dean and 
 Chapter and their successors, all that half-acre of land, with the appurtenances, in Wells aforesaid, in a certain 
 street there, called Tucker Street, now or late in the tenure or occupation of Thomas Sawyer ; and all that 
 messuage, with the appurtenance, in Wells, in a certain street there, called Beggar Street, now or late in the 
 tenure or occupation of Anthony Willcox, or his assigns, whereof the aforesaid late Dean and Chapter of the 
 Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, as in right, colom:, or force. thereof 
 received, enjoyed, or had the yearly rents, issues, revenues, or profits. We will also, and of our especial grace, 
 certain knowledge, and meer motion, do, by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, grant to the said 
 Dean and Chapter and their successors, all those yearly rents, following (that is to say) — all that yearly rent 
 of 26s. 8d. per annum, issuing and to be received out of a certain land in Wedmore and Marke, in the said 
 county of Somerset ; and all that yearly rent of 26s. 8d. per annum, issuing and to be received out of a certain 
 house or messuage in Wells aforesaid, called the Ohauuter's House, which by the said late Dean and Chapter of 
 the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, as in right, colour, or force 
 thereof, were heretofore received or enjoyed ; and also all that one-half acre of land, with the appurtenances, in 
 Wells aforesaid, now or late in the tenure or occupation of Thomas Sawyer, whereof the aforesaid late Dean and 
 Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, as in right, colour, or 
 force thereof, heretofore received or enjoyed, or had the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or profits ; and also all 
 those several yearly rents of 16s. 8d. per annum, issuing or to be received out of a certain messuage or Canonical 
 House in Wells aforesaid, now or late in the tenure or occupation of William Powell ; and 10s. per annum 
 issuing and to be received out of a certain messuage or Canonical House in Wells aforesaid, now or late in the 
 tenure or occupation of Edward Watt, or his assigns, which, by the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral 
 Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation as in right, colour, or force thereof, were here- 
 tofore received or enjoyed ; and all that orchard, with that parcel of land, with the appurtenances, containing, 
 by estimation, nine acres, lying in the parish of S. Cuthhert, in the said county of Somerset, now or late in the 
 tenure or occupation of Francis Smyth, together with an half-acre of land, with the appurtenances, in the parish 
 of 8. Cuthbert aforesaid, now or late in the tenure or occupation of George Lambert, or his assigns, 
 whereof the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of 
 incorporation, as in right, colour, or force thereof, received, enjoyed, or had the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or 
 profits ; and all that tenement, with the appurtenances, with all the lands and meadows to the same apper- 
 taining, lying and being in Wokeyhole, in the said county of Somerset, now or late in the tenure or occupa- 
 tion of one Boulting, or his assigns, with one other tenement with the appurtenance in Dnlcott, in the said 
 county of Somerset, now or late in the tenure or occupation of Jno. Neale, or his assigns, whereof the said late 
 Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, as in right, 
 colour, or force thereof, received, enjoyed, or had the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or profits ; and also all those 
 parcels of land following (that is to say) — two acres of meadow, with the appurtenances, in Wells aforesaid, 
 now or late in the tenure or occupation of Richard Cole ; and two acres of meadow or pasture, with the appur- 
 tenances, in Wells aforesaid, now or late in the tenure or occupation of Philip Bysse ; and one acre of meadow 
 with the appurtenances, in Wells aforesaid, now or late in the tenure or occupation of Jno. Levett ; and one 
 and a half aore'of meadow, with the appurtenances, now or late in the tenure or occupation of Thomas Sawyer, 
 whereof the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of 
 incorporation, as in right, colour, or force thereof, received, enjoyed, or had the yearly rents,' issues, 
 revenues, or profits ; and also all those pensions, portions, yearly sums, or rents of money following (that is to 
 say) — all that pension, portion, yearly rent, or sum of money, of 42s. 2d. per annum, issuing and payable from 
 and by the Commonalty of the city of Wells, in the said county of Somerset ; and also all those pensions, 
 portions, yearly rents, or sums of money, of £& per annum; and also 4s. per annum, issuing and payable out of 
 the Succentorship of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, lately annexed to the Deanery of Wells aforesaid ; 
 and also all those pensions, portions, yearly rents, or sums of money, of £6 14s. 8d. per annum, issuing and payable 
 out of or by the Vicar's Choral of New Close, in Wells aforesaid, whereof the said late Dean and Chapter of the 
 Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation in right, colour, or force thereof, 
 received, enjoyed, or had the yearly rents, issues, revenues, or profits. And further, of our especial gi-aoe, 
 certain knowledge, and meer motion, we do for us, our heirs, and successors, by these presents, give and grant 
 to the aforesaid now Dean and Chapter and their successors, all those two messuages, with the appurtenances, 
 situate, lying, and being in Wells aforesaid, in a certain street, called Grope Lane, now or late in the tenure or 
 occupation of Thomas Box and Eichard Minor, or their assigns, whereof the said late Dean and Chapter of the 
 Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, in right, colour, or force thereof, 
 received or had the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or profits. And further, of our more abundant grace, certain 
 knowledge, and meer motion, we do for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant by these presents, to the 
 aforesaid now Dean and Chapter, and their successors, all and singular those messuages, fofts, cottages, mills, 
 
THE DEAF AND CHAPTER OF WELLS. 251 
 
 houses, edifices, dovehouses, lands, tenements, meadows, feedings, pastures, woods, underwoods, tithes, obla- 
 tions, rents, reversions, services, and rents upon whatsoever demises and grants, reserved annuities, yearly 
 rents, farms, waters, fisheries, fishings, fee farms, parks, chases, trees, commons, moors, marshes, ways, void 
 grounds, courts leet, perquisites and profits of courts, views of frank pledge, bondmen, bondwomen, villains, 
 with their sequels, knights' fees, wards, marriages, escheats, reliefs, heriots, rights of patronage, advowsons of 
 rectories, vicarages, chapels, and churches, pensions, portions, and sums of money, estrays, tolls, customs, fairs, 
 markets, profits, commodities, emoluments, and hereditaments whatsoever, with all their appurtenances, as well 
 spiritual as temporal, of what kind, nature, or sort soever they be, or by whatsoever they are known, esteemed, 
 or called, situate, lying, and being, coming, growing, or renewing, in Wells, the parish of S. Outhbert, Dynder, 
 Wokey, North Currie, Hatohe, Wrentiohe, East Ourrie, Gregorie Stoke, Knape, Knapfee, Wynscombe, Ship- 
 ham, Alverton, Biddesham, Bycknaller, Stogursey, Ediston, Lambroke, Oakhampton, Wyviliscombe, Burne- 
 ham, Congersburye, Ohedder, Dulverton, Lovington, Lyddiard Episcope, Long Sutton, Mudford, Stoke 
 Glimmer, and South Barrow, in the said county of Somerset ; Buckland and Whitchurch, in the said county of 
 Dorset ; and Puckleohuroh, in the said county of Gloucester ; and elsewhere in the aforesaid counties of Somer- 
 set, Dorset, and Gloucester, which at any time heretofore did jointly belong and appertain to the Dean and 
 Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, and whereof the said William Fitzwilliams, the late Dean 
 and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid; by whatsoever name of incorporation, in right, colour, 
 or force thereof, received, enjoyed, or had the yearly rents, issues, and profits, as fully and entirely, and in as 
 ample maimer and form as the said late Dean and Chapter by right, force, or reason of the said Cathedral Chm'ch 
 have or hath had, holden, or enjoyed, or used, or ought to have had, holden, or enjoyed, or used. And further, 
 of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and meer motion, we do by these presents, for us, our heirs and 
 successors, give and grant to the aforesaid Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, and 
 their successors, all those pensions, portions, or yearly rents following (that is to say)— all that pension, portion, 
 or yearly rent of 33s. 4d. per annum, issuing out of the Rectory of Taunton, in the said county of Somerset, 
 which the said William Fitzwilliams, late Dean, and the then Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells afore- 
 said, by whatsoever name of incorporation, in right, colour, or force thereof, received or enjoyed; and all that 
 pension, portion, or yearly rent of 28s. 8d. per annum, issuing out of the Eectory of Westlyng in the said county 
 of Somerset, which the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid by whatsoever 
 name of incorporation, in right, colour, or force thereof, received or enjoyed ; and all that pension, portion, or 
 yearly rent of .£23 6s. 4d. per annum, issuing out of the manor of Morebath, in our said county of Devon, 
 which the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of 
 incorporation, in right, colour, or force thereof, received or enjoyed; and all that pension, portion, yearly rent or 
 sum of money of 16s. 8d. per annum, issuing out of the Bectory of Blackford, iu the said county of Devon, 
 which the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of 
 incorporation, in right, colour, or force thereof, received or enjoyed ; and all that pension, portion, yearly rent, 
 or sum of £10 6s. 8d. per annum, issuing out of the late Monastery of Worspring, in the said county of 
 Somerset, which the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever 
 name of incorporation, in right, colour, or force thereof, received or enjoyed; and all that pension, portion, or 
 yearly rent of .£5 per annum, issuing out of the Eectory of Carhampton, in the said county of Somerset, which 
 the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells, by whatsoever, name of incorporation, in 
 in right, colour, or force thereof, received or enjoyed ; and all that pension, portion, or yearly rent of 53s. 4d. per 
 annum, issuing out of the Eectory of Old Cleve, iu the said county of Somerset, which the said late Dean and 
 Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells, by whatsoever name of incorporation, in right, colour, or force 
 thereof, received or enjoyed ; and all that pension, portion, or yearly rent of 20s. per annum, issuing out of the 
 Eectory of Tevell, in the said county of Somerset, which the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral 
 Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, iu right, colour, or force thereof, received or 
 enjoyed ; and all that pension, portion, or yearly rent of lis. 8d. per annum, issuing out of the Eectory of West 
 Harptree and Littleton, in the said county of Somerset, which the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral 
 Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, in right, colour, or force thereof, received or 
 enjoyed; and all that pension, portion, or yearly rent of 18s. 8d. per annum, issuing out of the Eectory of 
 Hendon and Lullington, in the said county of Somerset, which the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral 
 Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, in right, colour, or force thereof, received or 
 enjoyed ; and all that pension, portion, or yearly rent of 13s. 4d. per annum, issuing out of the Bectory of Budde- 
 leigh in the said county of Somerset, which the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells 
 aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, in right, colour, or force thereof, received or enjoyed ; and all 
 that pension, portion, yearly rent or sum of money of 12s. 16d. per annum, issuing, payable, and to be received 
 ouf of the Sucoentorship of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, annexed to the said Deanery of WeUs, which 
 the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Welle aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorpora- 
 tion iu right, colour, or force thereof, received. or enjoyed; and all that pension, portion, yearly rent, or sum of 
 money of (£S 6s. 8d. per annum, issuing, payable, and to be received out of theTVicarage of Chewe, in the said 
 county of Somerset, which the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by what- 
 soever name of incorporation, in right, colour, or force thereof, received or enjoyed; and all that pension, por- 
 tion, yearly rent or sum of money of) £6 13s. 4d. per annum, issuing, payable, and to be received out of the 
 Vicarage of Chewe aforesaid, which the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, 
 
252 QUEEN ELIZABETH'S CHARTER TO 
 
 by whatsoever name of incorporation, in right, colour, or force thereof, received, enjoyed, or had ; and also all 
 that pension, portion, yearly rent or sum of money of £6 13s. 4d. per annum, issuing, payable, and to be 
 received out of the Vicarage of Chewe aforesaid, which the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church 
 of "Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, in right, colour, or force thereof, received, enjoyed, or 
 had ; and all that pension, portion, yearly rent or sum of money of 16s. 8d. per annum, issuing, payable, and to 
 be received out of the Eectory of Stoke svitus Hamhden, in the said county of Somerset, which the said late 
 Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, in right, 
 colour, or force thereof, or enjoyed ; and all that pension, portion, yearly rent or sum of money of 10s. per 
 annum, issuing, payable, and to be received out of the Vicarage of Twyerton, in the said county of Somerset, 
 which the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of 
 incorporation, in right, colour, or force thereof , received or enjoyed ; and all that pension, portion, yearly rent or 
 sum of money of 20s. per annum, issuing, payable, and to be received out of the Eectory of Montague, in the 
 said county of Somerset, which the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of "Wells aforesaid, by 
 whatsoever name of incorporation, in right, colour, or force thereof, received or enjoyed ; and all that pension, 
 portion, yearly rent or sum of money of .£3 10s. per annum, issuing, payable, and to be received out of the late 
 Hospital of S. John, of "Wells, in the said county of Somerset, which the said late Dean and Chapter of the 
 Cathedral Church of "Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, in right, colour, or force thereof, 
 received or enjoyed ; and all that pension, portion, yearly rent or sum of money of £i 13s. 4d. per annum, 
 issuing, payable, and to be received out of the Eectory of Chiltron Dumer, in the said county of Somerset, which 
 the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of "Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorpora- 
 tion in right, colour, or force thereof, received or enjoyed ; and all that pension, portion, yearly rent or sum of 
 money of £10 per annum, issuing, payable, and to be received out of the Archdeaconry of "Wells aforesaid, which 
 the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of "WeUs aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorpora- 
 tion, in right, colour, or force thereof, received or enjoyed ; and aU that pension, portion, yearly rent or sum of 
 money of £3 per annum, issuing, payable, and to be received out of the said Archdeaconry of "Wells, which the 
 said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of "Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, in 
 right, colour, or force thereof, received or enjoyed ; and all that pension, portion, yearly rent or sum of money of 
 26s. 8d. per annum, issuing, payable, and to be received out of the said Archdeaconry, which the said late Dean 
 and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of "Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, in right, colour, 
 or force thereof, received or enjoyed ; and all that pension, portion, yearly rent or sum of money of £6 13s. 4d. 
 per annum, issuing, payable, and to. be received out of the lands late of the Gaunt, Bristol, and now paid by the 
 hands of the Chamberlain of Bristol, which the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of "Wells 
 aforesaid, by ■ whatsoever name of incorporation, in right, title, or force thereof, received or enjoyed ; and all 
 that pension, portion, yearly rent or sum of money of 26s. 8d. per annum, issuing, payable, and to be received 
 out of the Vicarage of Cheddar, in the said county of Somerset, which the said late Dean and Chapter of the 
 Cathedral Church of "Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, in right, colour, or force thereof, 
 received or enjoyed ; and all that pension, portion, yearly rent or sum of money of 40s. per annum, issuing, 
 payable, and to be received out of the Eectory of Norton, subtus Hambdon, in the said county of Somerset, 
 which the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of "Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of 
 incorporation, in right, colour, or force thereof, received or enjoyed j and all that pension, portion, yearly rent 
 or sum of money of 13s. 4d. per annum, issuing, payable, and to be received out of the Vicarage of East Coker, 
 in the said county of Somerset, which the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of "Wells afore- 
 said, by whatsoever name of incorporation in right, force, or colour thereof, received or enjoyed ; and all that 
 pension, portion, yearly rent or sum of money of 40s. per annum, issuing, payable, and to be received out of the 
 Vicarage of Nether Stowey, in the said county of Somerset, which the said late Dean and Chapter of the 
 Cathedral Church of "Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, in right, colour, or force thereof, 
 received or enjoyed ; and aU that pension, portion, yearly rent or sum of money of 20s. per annum, issuing, 
 payable, and to be received out of -the Eectory of Currie Eyvell, in the said county of Somerset, which the said 
 late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of "Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, in 
 right, colour, or force thereof, received or enjoyed; and all that pension, portion, yearly rent or sum of money of 
 6 s. 8d. per annum, issuing, payable, and to be received out of the Eectory of "Westlydford, in the said county of 
 Somerset, which the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of "Wells aioresaid, by whatsoever 
 name of incorporation, in right, colour, or force thereof, received or enjoyed ; and all that pension, portion, yearly 
 rent and sum of money of 46s. per annum, issuing, payable, and to be received out of lands of the late College 
 of Mount Eoy, in the said county of Somerset, and now payable by Ayshton Aylworth, now tenant of the lands 
 of the said late college, which the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Chm-ch of "Wells aforesaid, by 
 whatsoever name of incorporation, in right, force, or colour thereof, received or enjoyed ; and all that pension, 
 portion, yearly rent or sum of money of £25 6s. 8d. per annum, issuing, payable, and to be received out of the 
 Eectory of Chuton, in the said county of Somerset, which the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church 
 of "Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, in right, colour, or force thereof, received or enjoyed : 
 and all those pensions, portions, yearly rents or sums of money of £20 per annum, issuing, payable, and to be 
 received out of the Provostship of "Wells aforesaid, now annexed to the Deanery of Wells aforesaid, which the 
 said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, in 
 right, force, or colour thereof , received or enjoyed; and all that pension, portion, yearly rent or sum of money of 
 
TEE DEAN AND CHAPTER OF WELLS. 253 
 
 ^3 per annum, issuing, payable, and to be received out of the Archdeaconry of Taunton, in the said county of 
 Somerset, which the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of WeUs aforesaid, by whatsoever 
 name of moorporation, in right, colour, or force thereof, received or enjoyed ; and all that pension, portion, yearly 
 rant or sum Of money of 13s. 4d. per annum, issuing, payable, and to be received out of the lands of the late 
 dissolved Hospital of S. John's, Bristol, which the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells 
 aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, in right, colour, or force thereof , received or. enjoyed ; and all 
 that pension, portion, yearly rent or sum of money of 6s. 8d. per annum, issuing, payable, and to be received 
 out of the Church called Christ Church, Bristol, which the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church 
 of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, in right, colour, or force thereof, received or enjoyed ; 
 and all that pension, portion, yearly rent or sum of money of 8d. per annum, issuing, payable, and to be received 
 out of the Eectory of Freshford, in the said county of Somerset, which the said late Dean and Chapter of the 
 Cathedral Church of WeUs aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, in right, colour, or force thereof , received 
 or enjoyed ; and all that pension, portion, yearly rent or sum of money of 6s. 8d. per annum, issuing, payable, 
 and to be received out of the Vicarage of Creeche, in the said county of Somerset, which the said late Dean and 
 Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, in right, colour, or 
 force thereof, received or enjoyed; and all that pension, portion, yearly rent or sum of money of 6s. 8d. per 
 annum, issuing, payable, and to be received out of the Eectory of Muriet, in the said county of Somerset, which 
 the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of WeUs aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorpora- 
 tion, in right, colour, or force thereof, received or enjoyed ; and all that pension, portion, yearly rent or sum of 
 money of .£20 per annum, issuing, payable, and to be received out of the Vicarage of S. Cuthbert, of Wells, in 
 the said county, which the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by what- 
 soever name of incorporation, in right, colour, or force thereof, received or enjoyed; and all that pension, 
 portion, yearly rent or sum of money of JE13 6s. 8d. per annum, issuing, payable, and to be received 
 out of the said Vicarage, which the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells 
 aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, in right, colour, or force thereof, received or enjoyed; 
 and all that pension, portion, yearly rent or sum of money of 13s. 5d. per annum, issuing, payable, and to 
 be received out of the said Vicarage, which the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of 
 Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, in right, colour, or force thereof, received or enjoyed ; 
 and all that pension, portion, yearly rent or sum of money of 60s. per annum, issuing, payable, and to be 
 received out of the Vicarage of Pucklechurch, in our county of Gloucester, which the said late Dean and 
 Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, whatsoever name of incorporation, in right, colour, or force 
 thereof, received or enjoyed ; and also all and all manner of other pensions, portions, yearly rents and sxims of 
 money, as well of us as of other persons whomsoever, which did heretofore belong and appertain to the Dean 
 and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells, and which were jointly had or received by the said WiUiam 
 Fitzwilliams, late Dean, and the Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Welle aforesaid, or John Goodman, late Dean 
 and the Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid. We give also, and of our certain knowledge, and 
 meer motion, do, by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, grant to the said Dean and' Chapter of the 
 Cathedral Church of WeUs aforesaid, and their successors, all that Poor House, in Wells aforesaid, with all and 
 all manner of houses, edifices, lands, tenements, pensions, tithes, woods, rents, reversions, and hereditaments 
 whatsoever, in Wells, S. Cuthbert, Glaston, Wokey, and Eastlambrooke, in the said county of Somerset, 
 to the said late Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, given, united, and bestowed, 
 or otherwise to the Dean and Chapter of the Church aforesaid, lately belonging and appertaining for the 
 support of the poor of the said house, and whereof William Fitzwilliams, late Dean, and the then Chapter of 
 the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, to the same appointed, had or 
 received the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or profits. We give also, and for us, our heirs and successors, do, 
 by these presents, grant to the said now Dean and Chapter, and their successors, all that hundred of North 
 Ourrie, with all its rights, members, and appurtenances, in the said county of Somerset, with the two lawful 
 courts or views of frank pledge, holden twice a year within the said hundred, whereof the said late Dean and 
 Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, by whatsoever name of incorporation, in right, colour, or 
 force thereof, received, or had the yearly advantages, issues, or profits, with all and aU manner of profits, com- 
 modities, and perquisites of the hundreds and courts aforesaid ; and all and all manner of Uberties, privileges, 
 estrays, goods, and chattels, waived, and other advantages to the hundred aforesaid, appertaining, belonging, 
 happening, whereof the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells, by whatsoever name of incorpora- 
 tion, in right or force thereof, had or received the yearly issues, advantages, revenues, or profits ; and also all 
 and singular messuages, granges, mills, houses, edifices, barns, stables, dovehouses, gardens, orchards, garden 
 grounds, lands, tenements, meadows, feedings, pastures, commons, demesne lands, wastes, furzes, heath, moors, 
 marshes, woods, underwoods, waters, watercourses, streams, banks, ponds, fishponds, fisheries, fishings, suits 
 800 mulchors, warrens, mines, quarries, rents, reversions, services, rents, charge rents, seek and rents, and 
 services as well of free as of customary tenants, works of tenant farmers, fee farms, annuities, knights' fees, 
 wards, marriages, escheats, reliefs, heriots, fines, amerciaments, courts leet, views of frank pledge, perquisites, 
 and profits of courts leet, and all things to courts leet and view of frank pledge, appertaining or belonging, 
 chattels, waived, estrays, bondmen, bondwomen, and villains, with their sequels, estover, commons of estover, 
 fairs, markets, tolls, tollage, customs, rights, jurisdictions, franchises, privileges, profits, commodities, emolu- 
 ments, and hereditaments whatsoever, with all their appurtenances, of what kind, nature, or sort, soever they 
 
254 QUEEN ELIZABETH'S CHARTER TO 
 
 be or by whatsoever names they are known, esteemed, called, or named, situate, lying, or being, coming, grow- 
 ing, or arising in the hamlets, parishes, towns, or counties aforesaid, or in any or either of them, to the said 
 manors, rectories, lands, tenements, and other the premises by these presents before granted, or to any of them 
 belonging or appertaining, or as members, parts or parcels of the said manors, lands, tenements,' and other the 
 premises by these presents before granted, or of any or either of them being heretofore demised, letten, had, 
 known, accepted, used, occupied, or enjoyed, with all and singular their appurtenances, whatsoever; and also the 
 reversion and reversions whatsoever of the aforesaid manors, rectories, lands, tenements, hereditaments, and all 
 and singular other the premises above by these presents granted, and of every part and parcel thereof. We 
 give further, and for the consideration aforesaid, and of our more abundant especial grace, and of our certain 
 knowledge, and mere motion, do for us, our heirs and successors, grant to the aforesaid now Dean and Chapter 
 of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, and their successors, all and all manner of our woods, underwoods, 
 and trees whatsoever, growing, or being out of, in, or upon the aforesaid manors, lands, tenements ; and all and 
 singular other the premises by these presents before granted, or any parcel thereof ; and all the lands, ground, 
 and soil of the same woods, underwoods, and trees ; and the reversion and reversions whatsoever of all and 
 singular the premises by these presents above granted, and of every parcel thereof ; and also the rents and 
 yearly profits whatsoever reserved upon whatsoever demises and grants made of the aforesaid manors, 
 rectories, messuages, lands, tenements, and other the premises by these presents before granted, or of any 
 parcel thereof ; and the rents and yearly profits of all and singular the premises above granted, and of every 
 parcel thereof ; and further, of our more ample especial grace, and of our certain knowledge and meer motion, 
 we have given and granted, and by these presents for us, our heirs and suceessors, do give and grant to the ,said 
 now Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church aforesaid, and their successors, from henceforth for ever, may 
 have, hold, and enjoy, and may and shall be able to have, hold, and enjoy, within the aforesaid manors, 
 lands, tenements, or other the premises by these before granted, and within every parcel thereof, so many, 
 so great, such the same, such like, and similar courts leet, view of frank pledge, law days, assize and 
 assay of bread, wine, and ale ; and also chattels waived, estrays, chattels of felons, and fugitives of felons 
 of themselves, and of persons put in exigent deodands, knights' fees, wards, njprriages, escheats, 
 reliefs, heriots and all other rights, jurisdictions, franchises, liberties, customs, profits, commodities, 
 emoluments, and hereditaments whatsoever, as and which, 'and as fully, freely, and entirely, and in 
 as ample manner and form as the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Chm-oh of Wells aforesaid, or 
 their predecessors, by whatsoever name of incorporation, or any other person or persons heretofore having, 
 possessing, or being seized of the aforesaid manors, lands, tenements, and all and singular other the 
 premises, by these presents before granted, and every or any parcel thereof, have or hath had, holden, or 
 enjoyed, or ought to have had, holden, used, or enjoyed, in the aforesaid manors, messuages, lands, tenements, 
 and other the premises above by these presents granted, or in any parcel thereof, by reason or force of any 
 charter, gift, grant, or confirmation by us, or by any of our progenitors heretofore had made, or granted,or con- 
 firmed, or by reason or force of any lawful prescription, usage, or custom heretofore had, or used, or other- 
 wise, by any lawful means, right, or title whatsoever; and as fully, freely, and entirely, and in as ample manner 
 and form as we or any of our progenitors have had or enjoyed, or ought to have had, used, or enjoyed, the afore- 
 said manors, rectories, lands, tenements, and all and singular other the premises by these presents before 
 granted, or any parcel thereof. We give further, and by these presents, do for us, our heirs and successors, 
 grant to the aforesaid now Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, and their successors 
 the aforesaid manors, lands, tenements, and all and singular other the premises by these presents before 
 granted, and every parcel thereof, with all their rights, members, and appurtenances, fully, freely, and, 
 entirely, and in as ample manner and form as the aforesaid manors, lands, tenements, or any parcel thereof 
 came or ought to have come to our hands or to the hands of our most dear father and brother Henry VIII. and 
 Edward VI., late Kings of England, or to the hands of either of them, or to the hands of our sister Mary 
 late Queen of England, by reason or force of the dissolution of any monasteries or priories, or by reason 
 or force of any escheat, or of any attainder or forfeiture, or by reason or force of any Act or Acts of Parliament 
 or by any other lawful means, right, or title whatsoever in our hands now are, or ought to be, or might be 
 except always, nevertheless, to us, our heirs and successors, wholly reserved. The advowsons, disposition 
 nomination, and right of patronage of the Deanery of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, and also 
 except all lands, tenements, and hereditaments to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells 
 aforesaid and their successors, by whatsoever name of incorporation given and granted wholly and only for the 
 use and maintenance of the Vicars Choral, in the said Cathedral Church of Wells, and their successors for ever. 
 To have and to hold the aforesaid Cathedral Church, with all its privileges, liberties, and free customs, ancient 
 and modern ; the aforesaid Church, chapel, leads, bells, belfries, cloisters, cemeteries, messuages, houses, edifices 
 curtilages, vessels, jewels, ornaments, goods, chattels, and implements of the said Church, with aU and singular 
 their appurtenances; and also all and singular the aforesaid manors, 'lordships, rectories, messuages lands 
 tenements, rents, reversions, courts leet, views of frank pledge, liberties, franchises, jurisdictions, rectories 
 chapels, advowsons of rectories, churches, vicarages, and chapels, rights of patronages, pensions, portions 
 yearly rents, and sums of money aforesaid, and all and singular other the premises above expressed or specified 
 and by these presents before granted, with all and singular their rights, members, and appurtenances to the 
 aforesaid now Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Welle aforesaid, and their successors for ever to 
 the only use and behoof of them, the said Dean and Chapter and their successors, for ever. To hold of us our 
 
THE DEAN AND CHAPTER OF WELLS. 255 
 
 heirs and successors, freely, quietly, and peaceably of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by 
 lealty only in free and oommon socage and not in chief, nor by knights' service ; and henceforth rendering, 
 paying, and doing to us, our heirs and successors for ever, all and all manner of suchlike the same rents, 
 services, and payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, which at any time, heretofore, have to us been 
 rendered, paid, or done, or have been accustomed to be rendered, paid, or done, out of, or for the same, or any of 
 them, or by reason or force of them or any of them, and in such manner and form as heretofore they have been 
 done or paid, or been accustomed to be done or paid ; we will, nevertheless, and do, by these presents, establish 
 and ordain that the said Dean and Chapter and their successors shall, from henceforth, pay or cause to be paid 
 yearly to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, Ohoristere, and Schoolmaster, and 
 other ministers of the said Church, and to so many and such poor persons as have heretofore, by reason of any 
 constitution, been maintained or relieved by the Dean and Chapter of the said Cathedral Church, such sums of 
 money as the late Dean and Chapter of the said Cathedral Church, jointly or separately, at any time within 
 twenty years last past, have paid or ought to have been accustomed to pay to them ; and for the better rule, 
 ordering, and disposition, of the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, and their 
 successors, and that everything which shall be necessary and expedient to be done for the honour of God and 
 the increase of divine worship may be executed, performed, and despatched by them and their successors for 
 ever. We will, and of our royal power do, for us, our heirs and successors, by these presents, give and grant 
 to the aforesaid now Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, and their successors for 
 ever. That the said Dean and Chapter-and their successors, or the major part of the said Dean and Chapter, 
 from time to time, for ever, may and shall have full power, ability, and authority of framing, making, ordaining, 
 and establishing laws, statutes, rules, canons, and ordinances whatsoever, for the good and wholesome rule, 
 management, disposition, and ordering of the said Dean and Chapter and their successors, and for the good rule, 
 government, and ordering of the Canons Eesidentiary, and other Prebendaries in the said Cathedral Church, of 
 the Vicars Choral, Choristers, clerks, and other officers and ministers of the said Church, and for the ordering, 
 disposition, and government of the manors, tenements, rectories, pensions, jurisdictions, liberties, franchises, 
 and other hereditaments, to the aforesaid now Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church aforesaid, and their 
 successors, granted or to be granted ; provided always that such laws, statutes, rules, canons, and ordinances, 
 to be framed, made, ordained, and established by authority of these presents, be not contrary to our laws of this 
 our famous kingdom of England, nor to the laws, statutes, rules, or orders made or to be made by royal com- 
 mand or authority for the rule and government to be exercised in the Church aforesaid, and because it appears 
 to us to be necessary that the said Dean and Chapter and their successors should have authority of electing and 
 making other person and persons to be Can'on and Canons Eesidentiary in the said Cathedral Church after the 
 removal, cession, or death of the present Canons and other Canons Eesidentiary hereafter to be elected or made 
 in the said Cathedral Church. We wUl, and for us, our heirs and successors, do by these presents, grant that 
 no election or constitution of any other person or persons shall be made or had, unless before such election and 
 constitution four of the said Canons Eesidentiary before-mentioned shall die or be removed from the dignity or 
 office of a Canon aforesaid ; and that after the death, cession, or removal of four of the Canons Eesidentiary 
 aforesaid, then and from thenceforth the Canons elected and to be elected to be residentiary shall not at any one 
 time exceed the number of eight Canons Eesidentiary, nor voluntarily remain below the number of six Canons 
 Eesidentiary, of which number the Dean of the said Cathedral Church for the time being we will always to be 
 one, if he be willing; and after four or more of th^Canons Eesidentiary shall die, or cede, or be removed from 
 the office or dignity of Canon, in order that the said body of the Dean and Chapter by us, by tenor of these 
 presents above created, may always continue and be filled up, and remain of a fit and proper number of Canons 
 Eesidentiary, at all times hereafter for ever, that then and from thenceforth, and at all times hereafter for 
 ever it may and shall be lawful for the said now Dean and Chapter and their successors, that the said Dean and 
 Chapter and their successors, or the major part of them, may and shall be able to elect and constitute another 
 Prebendary or other Prebendaries out of the Prebendaries of the Prebends aforesaid, in the said Cathedral 
 Church, erected and founded for the time being to be Canon or Canons Eesidentiary in the said Cathedral 
 Church of Wells aforesaid ; so, nevertheless, that such election and constitution, elections and constitutions, 
 be always made and had from the Precentor of the Cathedral Church aforesaid, the Archdeacon of Wells, 
 the Chancellor of the said Church, the Treasurer of the said Church, the Archdeacon of Taunton; the 
 Archdeacon of Bath, or Sub-dean of the said Church for the time being, the Prebendary or Prebendaries 
 of the Cathedral Church aforesaid, possessing any Canonical messuage in WeUs aforesaid, and wishing 
 and desiring the dignity or office of such Canon, if the aforesaid Precentor, Archdeacon of Wells, 
 Chancellor, Treasurer, Archdeacon of Taunton, Archdeacon of Bath, and Sub-dean, or any of them for the time 
 being, appear to the said Dean and Chapter then being, or the major part of them, fit and able, and to be approved 
 of by the said Dean and Chapter, or the major part of them. So, nevertheless, that by any election hereafter to be 
 made there shall not be elected or constituted more than the aforesaid number of eight Canons, to be Canon or 
 Canons Eesidentiary in the said Cathedral Church, of which number of eight Canons Eesidentiary the Dean of 
 the Church aforesaid for the time being we will shall always be one, if he be willing ; and in order that learned 
 men may be and perpetually reside in the Cathedral Church aforesaid, we will and command, whensoever any 
 dignity or office of the dignities or offices of Dean of the Cathedral Chm:ch aforesaid, Precentor of the said 
 Church, Archdeacon of Wells, Chancellor, Treasurer, Archdeacon of Taunton, Archdeacon of Bath, or Sub-dean 
 of the said Cathedral Church shall happen to be vacant, that so often and as and at the same time when such of 
 
256 QUEEN ELIZABETH'S CHARTER TO 
 
 the dignities or offices aforesaid so being vacant shall be bestowed upon any other person, then and so often 
 there shall not be more than the number of seven Canons fiesidentiary in the Cathedral Church aforesaid, of 
 whom the Dean of the said Church for the time being we will shall always be one, if he be willing. With this 
 intent that he upon whom the dignity or office so being vacant shall be bestowed, shall be elected and consti- 
 tuted a Canon Eesidentiary in the Cathedral Church aforesaid, if to the Dean and Chapter of the said Cathedral 
 Church for the time being, or to the major part of them, he shall appear fit and able ; we will ''also, and do com- 
 mand, that the aforesaid Canons, now residentiary in the said Cathedral Church, and all others who shall be 
 hereafter nominated and appointed to the dignity or office of Dean of the said Cathedral Church, or to the dignity 
 or office of Canon Eesidentiary in the said Cathedral Church, shall yearly be and remain resident in a Canonical 
 House in manner and form following, that is to say, that all the Deans of the Cathedral Church aforesaid, who 
 shall hereafter be nominated and appointed to the dignity of the Deanery of the said Church, the present Pre- 
 centor of the said Church, the present Chancellor of the said Church, and his successors, Chancellors of the said 
 Church, the present Treasurer of the said Church, and his successors, Treasurers of the said Church, being a 
 Canon, or Canons Eesidentiai-y in the said Church, shall be and personally remain resident arid exercising hospi- 
 tality in a Canonical House in Wells aforesaid, for the space of four months in every year at the least, and that 
 every of the aforesaid other Canons Eesidentiary, and who hereafter shall be a Canon Eesidentiary in the said 
 Church, shall be and personally remain in residence and exercise hospitality in a Canonical House in Wells 
 aforesaid, for the space of three months in every year at the least ; and if any of the aforesaid Deans and Canons 
 shall not be resident and exercise hospitality in Wells aforesaid yearly, in manner as is aforesaid, that then he 
 and they who shall not be resident and exercise hospitality, shall not be partaker or capable of any part, portion, 
 or profit to be divided, had, or received, at the audit of the said Dean and Chapter next after such absence or 
 default, or non-usage of hospitality; we will also, and by these presents do grant and command, that after 
 the Visitation of the Bishop of Bath and Wells and his successors, / within the Church aforesaid, or the 
 Liberty of the said Church for the time being, the said Bishop and his successors shall from time 
 to time for ever, as soon as may be according to the ecclesiastical laws, canons, and customs of 
 this our realm of England, and at furthest within four months next after such visitation, finally 
 judge, chastise, punish, and correct all and singular crimes, faults, and offences found and presented 
 at such visitation ; and if he shall not do so we, in order that the said crimes, faults, and offences may 
 be punished with due despatch, do give and for us, our heirs and successors, grant to the said now 
 Dean and Chapter, and their successors, fuU and lawful power and authority of chastising, punishing, and 
 correcting all and singular crimes, faults, and offences found and presented in form aforesaid, according to the 
 ecclesiastical laws of this our realm of England, any episcopal authority, law, custom, statute, usage, or restric- 
 tion to the contrary notwithstanding ; and that the said Bishop and his successors shall immediately after four 
 months next after every his visitation deliver to the said 'Dean and Chapter and their successors all the 
 presentations and findings of any crimes, faults, or offences whatsoever, from time to time, to be had or made 
 in his visitation, if the said Bishop or his successors shall not in the meantime have finally judged, punished, 
 chastised, and corrected the crimes, faults, and offences aforesaid in such visitation to be had or presented ; and 
 further, of our more abundant especial grace, certain knowledge, and meer motion, we do, for us, our heirs and 
 successors, give, and by these presents, grant to the aforesaid John Harbert, Dean of the Cathedral Church of 
 Wells aforesaid, and Prebendary of Gurrie, and his successors, the aforesaid dignity or office of Dean of the 
 Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, and the aforesaid Erebend of Ourrie, with all its rights, members, and 
 appurtenances to the said Deanery annexed ; and all those the manors or lordships of Wynesham and Combe, 
 S. Nicholas, with all their rights, members, and appurtenances, in the said county of Somerset, which Valentine 
 Dale, late Dean of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, as in right of his said Deanery, had held or enjoyed, 
 or ought to have holden or enjoyed ; and all that messuage, with the appurtenances, in Wells aforesaid, now in 
 the tenure or occupation of John Harbert, or his assigns, which Valentine Dale, late Dean of the Cathedral 
 Church aforesaid, as in right of his Deanery had, held, or enjoyed, or ought to have had, holden, or enjoyed ; 
 and also all those rectories of Chard, Wynesham, Combe, S. Nicholas, Wellington, BucHand, Wedmore, Marke 
 and Byddesham, with all their rights, members, and appurtenances, in the said county of Somerset, which 
 Valentine Dale, late Dean of the Cathedral Church aforesaid, as in right of his said Deanery, had held or enjoyed 
 or ought to have holden or enjoyed; and all those the advowsons, donations, presentations, and rights of 
 patronage of the Eectories and Vicarages of Wynesham, Combe, S. Nicholas, Byddesham, and Wedmore 
 aforesaid, which Valentine Dale, late Dean of the Cathedral Church aforesaid, as in right of hie Deanery, had 
 held, or enjoyed, or ought to have had, holden, or enjoyed ; and all those messuages, lands, tenements, commons, 
 woods, underwoods, pensions, portions, tithes, profits, rents, reversions, emoluments, and hereditaments 
 whatsoever, in the said county of Somerset, which Valentine Dale, late Dean of the Cathedral Church aforesaid, 
 as in right of his said Deanery, had, held, or enjoyed, or ought to have had, holden, or enjoyed ; and also all, so 
 many, so great, such and such like liberties, privileges, authorities, pre-eminences, franchises, jurisdictions, and 
 exemptions, as well spiritual as temporal, as and which the said Valentine Dale, late Dean of the said Cathedral 
 Church of Wells, or either or any of his predecessors, as Dean or Deans of the said Cathedral Church or in 
 right of the said Deanery, hath or have at any time since the beginning of our reign, had, holden, or enjoyed or 
 by any lawful means whatsoever ought to have had, holden, or enjoyed, except always, nevertheless, and out of 
 this, our present grant, wholly reserved to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells, and their 
 successors, all pensions, rents, payments, and debts, to the said Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of 
 
THE DEAN AND CHAPTER OF WELLS. 257 
 
 Wells aforesaid, and their successors, paid or to be paid, and saving also to us, our heirs and successors, the 
 advowsou, donation, and free disposition, and right of patronage of the Deanery of the Cathedral Church 
 of Wells aforesaid, to have and to hold the said dignity, Deanery, Prebend, manors, messuages, rectories, 
 advowsons, pensions, portions, and other the premises whatsoever (except before excepted), to the aforesaid 
 John Harbert, Dean of the Cathedral Church aforesaid, granted as aforesaid to the said John Harbert, Dean of 
 the Cathedr;il Church aforesaid, for ever, to the only use and behoof of the said John Harbert, Dean, and his 
 successors for ever, to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county 
 of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief nor by kuights' service, and rendering, 
 paying, and performing to us, our heirs and successors for ever, all and all manner of such and the same rents, 
 services, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, which at any time heretofore, out of or for the same 
 or any of them, or by reason or force of the same or of any of them, have been accustomed to he rendered, paid, or 
 performed, and in the same manner and form as they have been heretofore performed or paid. We will also, and 
 do, by these presents, establish and ordain that the said Dean and his successors shall, from henceforth for ever, 
 pay or cause to be paid, yearly, to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid, to the choristers, 
 schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said Church, and to so many and such poor persons as and which here- 
 tofore by reason of any constitution, have been maintained or relieved by Valentine Dale, late Dean of the 
 Cathedral Church aforesaid, such sums of money as the Dean of the said Cathedral Church did heretofore, 
 jointly or separately, pay, or ought, or was accustomed to pay to them ; and further, of our more abundant 
 especial grace, and of our certain knowledge and meer motion, we do for us, our heirs and successors, give and 
 by these presents graut to the aforesaid James Cottington, Precentor of the Cathedral Church of Wells afore- 
 said, and his successors, the aforesaid dignity or oifioe of Precentor of the said Cathedral Church of Wells ; 
 and all and singular the same and such rectories, messuages, lands, tenements, advowsons, rights of patronage, 
 tithes, oblations, rents, reversions, franchises, liberties, rights, jurisdictions, exemptions, proving of testaments, 
 administrations, and hereditaments whatsoever, and of what kind soever, as well spiritual as temporal, as and 
 which the last Precentor of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, as in right or force of the said dignity or 
 office of Precentor heretofore, had held, used, or enjoyed, or which to the said dignity or office were heretofore 
 annexed or whereof the Precentor of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, for the time being for the space 
 of twenty years now last past, as in right, colour, or force of the said dignity or office, received, had, or enjoyed the 
 yearly issues, rents, revenues, or profits, all pensions, portions, rents, payments, and dues paid and to be paid 
 to the Dean and Chapter of Wells aforesaid excepted; to have and to hold the aforesaid dignity or office of Pre- 
 centor, rectories, advowsons, donation, messuages, lands, tenements, gardens, orchards, feedings, pastures, tithes, 
 rents, reversions, liberties, franchises, jurisdictions, and all and singular other the premises to the aforesaid James 
 Cottington, Precentor of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, granted as aforesaid, with all their rights, 
 members, and appurtenances, to the said James Cottington, Precentor of the said Church, and his successors 
 for ever, to the only use and behoof of the said Precentor and his successors for ever, to hold of us, our heirs 
 and successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common 
 socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' service, and rendering, paying, and performing to us, our heirs and 
 successors, for ever; all and all manner of such, and the same rents, services, payments, sums of money, and 
 tenths whatsoever, which at any time heretofore have been rendered, paid, or performed, or have been- 
 accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed out of, or for the same, or any of them, or by reason or force of 
 them, or any of them, and in the same manner and form as have been heretofore performed or paid, or have been 
 accustomed to be performed or paid. We will also, and do, by these presents, establish and ordain, that the s^id 
 James Cottington, Precentor of the Cathedral Church of Wells, and his successors, shall from henceforth for 
 ever, pay, or cause to be paid, yearly, to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid, choristers, school- 
 master, and other ministers of the said Church, and to so many and such poor persons as and which were 
 heretofore maintained or relieved by the last Precentor of the said Cathedral Church, by reason of any consti- 
 tution, such sums of money as the Precentor of the said Cathedral Church, jointly or separately, heretofore paid, 
 or ought, or was accustomed to pay; and further, of our more abundant especial grace, and of our certain 
 knowledge, and meer motion, we do, for us, our heirs and successors, by these presents, give and graut to the 
 said John Langworth, the present Archdeacon of Wells and Prebendary of Huyshe and Brent, to the said Arch- 
 deaconry annexed, and his successors, the aforesaid dignity or office of Archdeacon of TyeUs, in the said county 
 of Somerset, and the aforesaid Prebend of Huyshe and Brent, and all and singular the same and such like 
 rectories, messuages, lands, tenements, advowsons, rights of patronage, tithes, oblations, rents, reversions, 
 franchises, liberties, rights, jurisdictions, compositions, exemptions, proving of testaments, administrations, and 
 hereditaments whatsoever, of what kind soever, as well spiritual as temporal, as, and which the last Archdeacon 
 of Wells and Prebendary of Huyshe and Brent, as in right or force of the said dignities or offices of Archdeacon 
 or Prebend, or of either of them, heretofore had, held, received, or enjoyed, or which to the said dignities or 
 offices or either of them were heretofore annexed, or where of the Archdeacon of Wells and Prebendary of Huyshe 
 and Brent aforesaid, for the time being, for the space of twenty years now last past as in right, force, or colour 
 of the said dignities or offices, or either of them, received, had, or enjoyed the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or 
 profits (ail pensions, portions, rents, payments, and dues to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of 
 Wells aforesaid, paid or to be paid, excepted) ; to have and to hold the aforesaid dignity or office of Arch- 
 deacon of Wells, Prebend, and all those rectories, churches, chapels, manors, messuages, advowsons, pensions, 
 portions, and aU and singular other the premises whatsoever to the aforesaid John Langworth, Archdeacon of Wells 
 
 4l 
 
258 QUEEN ELIZABETH'S CHARTER TO 
 
 and Prebendary of Huyshe and Brent, so granted aa aforesaid, with all their rights, members, and appurtenances, 
 to the said John Langworth, Archdeacon of Wells aforesaid, and Prebendary of Huyshe and Brent aforesaid, 
 and his successors for ever, to the only use and behoof of the said Archdeacon and his successors for ever ; to 
 hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by fealty only, 
 in free and common socage, and not in chief or by knights' service, and rendering, paying, and performing to 
 us, our heirs and successors, for ever, all and all manner of such like and the same rents, services, payments, 
 sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, which at any time heretofore, out of or for the same or any of them, 
 or by reason or force of the same or any of them, have been rendered, paid, or performed, or have been accus- 
 tomed to be paid or performed, and in such manner and form as heretofore have been performed or 
 paid, or been accustomed to be paid or performed. We will, nevertheless, and by these presents do establish 
 and ordain that the said John Langworth, Archdeacon of "Wells aforesaid, and Prebendary of Huyshe and Brent 
 aforesaid, and his successors, shall from henceforth for ever pay or cause to be paid yearly to the Vicars Choral 
 of the Cathedral Church aforesaid. Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said Church, and to so 
 many and such poor people as and which were heretofore maintained and relieved by the last Archdeacon of 
 Wells aforesaid, and Prebendary of Huyshe and Brent aforesaid, by reason of any constitution, such sums of money 
 as the Archdeacon of Wells aforesaid, and Prebendary of Huyshe and Brent aforesaid, heretofore to them jointly or 
 separately paid or ought or has been accustomed to pay. And further,of our especial grace,certain knowledge, and 
 meer motion, wo do, for us, our heirs and successors, by these presents give and grant to the aforesaid Thomas 
 Manton, Chancellor of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, and his successors, the aforesaid dignity or 
 oifice of Chancellor of the said Church, and all and singular the same and such rectories, messuages, lands, 
 tenements, advowsons, rights of patronage, tithes, oblations, rents, reversions, franchises, liberties, rights, juris- 
 dictions, exemptions, proving of testaments, administrations, and hereditaments, whatsoever and of what kind 
 soever, as well spiritual as temporal, as and which the last Chancellor of the Cathedral Church of Wells afore- 
 said, as in right or force of the said dignity or office of Chancellor heretofore held, received, or enjoyed, or which 
 to the said dignity or office were heretofore annexed, or whereof the Chancellor of the Cathedral Church afore- 
 said, for the time being, for the space of twenty years now last past, as in right, force, or colour of the said 
 dignity or office, received, had, or enjoyed the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or profits (all pensions, portions, 
 rents, payments, dues, to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells, paid or to be paid excepted) ; 
 to have and to hold the aforesaid dignity, rectories, advowsons, donations, rights of patronage, messuages, 
 lands, tenements, gardens, orchards, feedings, pastures, tithes, rents, reversions, liberties, franchises, jurisdic- 
 tions, and all and singular other the premises whatsoever granted to them aforesaid, Thomas Manton, Chancellor 
 of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, with all their rights, members, and appurtenances, to the said 
 Thomas Manton, Chancellor of the Cathedral Church/aforesaid, and his successors for ever ; to hold of us, owe 
 heirs and successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by fealty only, in free and 
 common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' service, and rendering, paying, and performing to us, our 
 heirs and successors for ever, all and all manner of such and the same rents, services, payments, sums of money, 
 and tenths whatsoever, which at any time heretofore to us have been rendered, paid, or performed, or have been 
 accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed out of or for the same, or any of them, or by reason or force of them 
 or any of them, and in such manner and form as they have been heretofore performed or paid, or have been 
 accustomed to be performed or paid. We will, nevertheless, and do, by these presents, establish and ordain 
 that the said Thomas Manton, Chancellor of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, and his successors, shall, 
 from henceforth for ever, pay or cause to be paid yearly to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid. 
 Choristers, and other ministers of the said Chm'ch, and to so many and such poor persons as, and which by 
 reason of any constitution, were heretofore maintained or relieved by the last Chancellor of the said Cathedral 
 Church, such sums of money as the Chancellor of the said Cathedral Church heretofore, jointly or separately, 
 paid, or ought to have been accustomed to pay to them. And further, of our especial grace, and of our certain 
 knowledge and meer motion, we do, for us, our heirs and successors, give, and by these presents grant, to the 
 aforesaid John Bowxne, Treasurer of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, and his successors, the aforesaid 
 dignity or office of Treasurer of the aforesaid Cathedral Church of Wells, and^all and singular the same and 
 such rectories, messuages, lands, tenements, advowsons, rights of patronage, tithes, oblations, rents, reversions, 
 franchises, liberties, rights, jurisdictions, exemptions, proving of testaments, administrations, and hereditaments 
 whatsoever, and of what kind soever, as well spiritual as temporal, as and which the last Treasurer of the 
 Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, as in right or force of the said dignity or office of Treasurer heretofore had 
 held, received, or enjoyed, or which to the said office or dignity were heretofore annexed, or whereof the 
 Treasurer of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid for the time being, for the space of twenty years now last 
 past, as in right, force, or colour of the said dignity or office, received, had, or enjoyed the yearly issues, rents, 
 revenues, or profits (all pensions, rents, payments, and dues to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church 
 of Wells, paid or to be paid excepted); to have and to hold the aforesaid dignity or office of Treasurer, and all 
 the aforesaid rectories, messuages, advowsons, pensions, portions, and all and singular the premises whatsoever, 
 with all their rights, members, and appurtenances, to the said John Bowrne, Treasurer of the Cathedi'al Church 
 of Wells aforesaid, granted as aforesaid to the said John Bowrne, Treasurer of the Cathedral Church of Wells 
 aforesaid, and his successors for ever, to the use and behoof of him, the said Treasurer, and his successors for 
 ever : to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by fealty 
 only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' service, and rendering, paying, and performing 
 
THE DEAN AND CHAPTER OF WELLS. 259 
 
 to US, our heirs and successors for ever, all and. all manner of such and the same rents, services, payments, sums 
 of money, and tenths whatsoever, which at any time heretofore, out of or for the same, or any of them, by reason 
 or force of them or any of them, were heretofore to us rendered, paid, or performed, as have been accustomed to 
 be rendered, paid, or performed, and in such manner and form as they have been heretofore performed or paid, or 
 have been accustomed to be performed or paid. We will, nevertheless, and do, by these presents, establish and 
 ordain that the said John Bowrne, Treasui-er of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, and his successors, shall, 
 from henceforth for ever, pay or cause to be paid yearly to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid, 
 Choristers, and other ministers of the said Cathedral Church, and to so many and such poor persons as hereto- 
 fore, by reason of any constitution, were maintained or relieved by the last Treasurer of the said Cathedral, 
 such sums of money as the Treasurer of the said Cathedral Church paid, or ought, or hath been accustomed to 
 pay to them. And further, of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and meer motion, we do, by these presents, 
 for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant to the aforesaid Philip Bysse, Archdeacon of Taunton, Pre- 
 bendary of Mylverton prima, to the said Archdeaconry annexed, and his successors, the aforesaid office or dignity 
 of Archdeacon of Taunton and the Prebend of Mylverton prima aforesaid, in the said county of Somerset, and 
 all and singular the same and such manors, rectories, messuages, lands, tenements, advowsons, rights of 
 patronage, tithes, oblations, rents, reversions, franchises, liberties, rights, jurisdictions, exemptions, proving of 
 testaments, administrations, and hereditaments whatsoever, and of what Und, as well spiritual as temporal, as 
 and which the last Archdeacon of Taunton and Prebend of Mylverton prima, as in right or force of the said 
 Archdeacon or Prebend heretofore had, held, received, or enjoyed, or which to the said dignities or offices were 
 heretofore annexed, or whereof the said Archdeacon of Taunton and Prebendary of Mylverton prima aforesaid 
 for the time being, for the space of twenty years now last past, as in right, force, or colour of the said dignities 
 or offices or Prebend hath, had, received, or enjoyed the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or profits (all pensions, 
 rents, payments, and dues paid or to be paid to the Cathedral Church aforesaid excepted) ; to have and to hold the 
 said dignity or office of Archdeacon and Prebend, and all and singular the manors, rectories, messuages, advowsons, 
 pensions, portions, and all and singular other the premises whatsoever to the said Philip Bysse, Archdeacon of 
 Taunton aforesaid, so granted as aforesaid, with all their rights, members, and appurtenances to the said Philip 
 Bysse, Archdeacon of Taunton aforesaid, and Prebendary of Mylverton ^»mo aforesaid, and his successors, to the 
 only and proper use and behoof of him the said Archdeacon and his successors for ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and 
 successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich in our county of Kent, by fealty oidy, in free and common socage, 
 and not in chief, nor by knights' service, and rendering, paying, and performing to us, our heirs and successors 
 for ever, all and all manner of such and the same rents, services, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatso- 
 ever, which at any time heretofore out of or for the same or any of them, or by reason or force of the same or 
 any of them, were to us heretofore rendered, paid, or performed, or were accustomed to be rendered, paid, or 
 performed, and in such manner and form as they were accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed. We will, 
 nevertheless, and do, by these presents establish and command that the said Philip Bysse, Archdeacon of 
 Taunton and Prebendary of Mylverton prima aforesaid, and his successors, shall, from henceforth for ever, pay 
 or cause to be paid yearly to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral aforesaid. Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other 
 ministers of the said Church, and to so many and such poor persons as and which were heretofore, by reason of 
 any constitution, maintained or relieved by the last Archdeacon of Taunton aforesaid, and Prebendary of 
 Mylverton prima aforesaid, such sums of money as the Archdeacon of Taunton and Prebendary of Mylverton 
 prima heretofore paid, or ought or hath been accustomed to pay to them jointly or severally. And further, of 
 our especial grace, certain knowledge, and meer motion, we do, for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant 
 to the aforesaid William Powell, Archdeacon of Bath, and his successors, the aforesaid dignity or office of 
 Archdeacon of Bath, with all its rights, members, and appurtenances, in the said county of Somerset, and all and 
 singular the same and suchlike rectories, messuages, lands, tenements, advowsons, rights of patronage, tithes, 
 oblations, rents, reversions, franchises, liberties, rights, jurisdictions, exemptions, proving of testaments, 
 administrations, and hereditaments whatsoever, and of what kind soever, as well spiritual as temporal, as and 
 which the last Archdeacon of Bath aforesaid, as in right or force of the said dignity or office of Archdeacon 
 heretofore had, held, received, or enjoyed, or ought to have had, holden, received, or enjoyed, or which to the 
 said dignity or office were annexed, or whereof the Archdeacon of Bath aforesaid for the time being, for the 
 space of twenty years now last past, as in right, colour, or force of the said dignity or office received, had, or 
 enjoyed the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or profits (all pensions, rents, payments, and dues to the said Dean 
 and Chapter paid or to be paid excepted) : to have and to hold the aforesaid dignity or office of Archdeacon of 
 Bath, rectories, messuages, lands, tenements, advowsons, pensions, portions, ecclesiastical jurisdictions, and all 
 and singular other the premises whatsoever, to the said William Powell, Archdeacon of Bath, granted as afore- 
 said, with all their rights, members, and appurtenances, to the said William Powell, Archdeacon of Bath, and 
 his successors for ever, to the only use and behoof of the said Archdeacon and his successors for ever; to hold 
 of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by fealty oidy, in 
 free and common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' service, and rendering, paying, and performing to 
 us, our heirs and successors, for ever, all and all manner of such and the same rents, services, payments, sums 
 of money, and tenths whatsoever, which at any time heretofore, out of or for the same or any of them, or by 
 reason or force of the same, or any of them, were to us therefore rendered, paid, or performed, or have been 
 accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, and in such manner and form as they were heretofore performed 
 or paid, or have been accustomed to be performed or paid. We will, nevertheless, and do, by these presents, 
 
260 QUEEN ELIZABETH'S CHARTER TO 
 
 establish and ordain that the aforesaid William Powell, Archdeacon of Bath aforesaid, and his successors, shall, 
 from henceforth for ever, pay or cause to be paid yearly to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid, 
 Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said Church, and to such and so many persons as and 
 ■which were heretofore, by reason of any constitution, maintained or relieved by the last Archdeacon of Bath 
 aforesaid, such sums of money as the Archdeacon of Bath aforesaid heretofore paid to them jointly or severally, 
 or ought to have been accustomed to pay. And further, of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and meer 
 motion, we do, for us, our heirs and successors, by these presents, give and grant to the aforesaid James 
 Bysse, Sub-dean of the Cathedral Church aforesaid, and his successors, the aforesaid dignity or office of Sub- 
 dean of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, and all and singular the same and such rectories, messuages, 
 lands, tenements, advowsons, rights of patronage, tithes, oblations, rents, reversions, franchises, liberties, rights, 
 jurisdictions, exemptions, proving of testaments, administrations, and hereditaments whatsoever, and of what 
 kind soever, as well spiritual as temporal, as and which the last Sub-dean of the Cathedral Church of Wells 
 aforesaid, as in right or force of the said dignity or office of Sub-dean aforesaid, had held, received, or enjoyed, 
 or which to the said dignity or office of Sub-dean aforesaid, had held, received, or enjoyed, or which 
 to the said dignity or office were heretofore annexed, or whereof the Sub-dean of the Cathedral Church 
 of Wells aforesaid, for the time being for the apace of twenty years, now last past, as in right, force, or colour of 
 the said dignity or office hath received, had, or enjoyed the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or profits (all pensions , 
 portions, rents, payments, and dues to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells, and to be paid, 
 excepted); to have and to hold the said dignity or office of Sub-dean of the Cathedral Church of Wells afore- 
 said, rectories, messuages, lands, tenements, advowsons, pensions, portions, ecclesiastical jurisdictions, and all 
 and singular other the premises whatsoever to the aforesaid James Bysse, Sub-dean of Wells, granted as afore- 
 said with all their rights, members, and appurtenances to the said James Bysse, Sub-dean of the Cathedral 
 Church of Wells aforesaid, and his successors for ever, to the only use of him, the said Sub-dean, and his 
 successors for ever. To hold of us, our heirs and successors as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county 
 of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' service, and rendering, 
 paying, and performing to us, our heirs and successors for ever, all and all manner of such and the same rents, 
 services, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at any time heretofore, out of, or for the same or 
 any of them, by reason or force of the same or any of them, have been therefore to us rendered, paid or per- 
 formed, or have been accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, and In such manner and form as they were 
 heretofore performed or paid, or have been accustomed to be performed or paid. We will, nevertheless, and do 
 by these presents establish and ordain that the said James Bysse, Sub-dean of the Cathedral Church, and his 
 successors, shall from henceforth for ever pay, or cause to be paid yearly to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral 
 Church aforesaid. Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said Church, and to so many and such 
 poor persons as and which by the last Sub-dean of the said Cathedral Church were heretofore, by reason of any 
 constitution, maintained or relieved, such sums of money as the Sub-dean of the said Cathedral Church here- 
 tofore paid to them jointly or severally, or ought or hath been accustomed to pay. And further, of om: especial 
 grace, and of our certain knowledge, and meer motion, we do for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant by 
 these presents to the aforesaid Robert Earle, Prebendary of Lytton, and his successers, all that the Prebend of 
 Lytton^ with aU its rights, members, and appurtenances, in the said county of Somerset, and all and singular the 
 same and such manors, messuages, lands, tenements, advowsons, rights of patronage, tithes, oblations, rents, 
 reversions, franchises, liberties, rights, jurisdictions, exemptions, proving of testaments, administrations, and 
 hereditaments whatsoever, and of what kind soever, as well temporal as spiritual, as and which the last Pre- 
 bendary of Lytton aforesaid, as in right or force of the said Prebend heretofore had held, received, or enjoyed, 
 or which to the said Prebend were heretofore annexed, or whereof the Prebendary of Lytton aforesaid, for the 
 time being, for the space of twenty years now last past, as in right, force, or colour of the said dignity or office 
 received, had, or enjoyed, the yearly issues, rents, or profits (all pensions, rents, payments, and dues to 
 the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, paid or to be paid, excepted) ; to have and to hold to the said Robert 
 Earle, Prebendary of Lytton aforesaid, and his successors for ever, to the only use and behoof of him, 
 the said Prebendary, and his successors for ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor 
 of East Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, 
 nor by knights' service, and rendering, paying, and performing, to us, our heirs and successors for ever, 
 all and all manner of such and the same rents, services, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at 
 any time heretofore, out of or for the same or any of them, by reason or force of the same or any of them have 
 been therefore to us rendered, paid, or performed, and in such manner and form as have heretofore been paid or 
 performed, or have been accustomed to be paid or performed. We will, nevertheless, and do by these presents 
 establish and ordain t'nat the said Robert Earle, Prebendary of Lytton aforesaid, and his successors shall, from 
 henceforth for ever, pay or cause to be paid yearly to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid. 
 Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said Church, and to so many and such poor persons as and 
 which by the last Prebendary of Lytton aforesaid, were heretofore by reason of any constitution maintained or 
 relieved, such sums of money as the Prebendary of the said Prebend of Lytton aforesaid, heretofore paid to them 
 jointly or severally, or oughl or hath been accustomed to pay. And further, of our especial grace, certain know- 
 ledge, and meer motion, we do for us, our heirs and successors, by these presents give and grant to the aforesaid 
 WiUiam Barloe, Prebendary of Wyvilsoombe aforesaid, and his successors, all that the Prebend of Wyvila- 
 combe, with all its rights, members, and appurtenances, iu the said county of Somerset, and aU and singular the 
 
THE DEAN- AND CHAPTER OF WELLS. 261 
 
 same and such rectories, messuages, lands, tenements, advowsons, rights of patronage, tithes, oblations, rents, 
 reversions, franchises, liberties, rights, jurisdictions, exemptions, proving of testaments, administrations, and 
 hereditaments -whatsoever, and of what kind soever, as well spiritual ag temporal, as and which the last Pre- 
 bendary of Wyvilscombe aforesaid, as in right or force of the said Prebend heretofore had held, received, or 
 enjoyed, or which to the said Prebend were heretofore annexed, or whereof the Prebendary of the said Prebend 
 for the time being for the space of twenty years now last past as in right, force, or colour of the said Prebend 
 received, had, or enjoyed, the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or profits (all pensions, rents, payments, and dues, 
 paid or to be paid to the Dean and Chapter of Wells excepted); to have and to hold to the said William Barloi i 
 Prebendary of Wyvilsoombe aforesaid, and his successors, for ever, to the only use and behoof of him, the said 
 Prebendary, and his successors for ever ; to hold of ua, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East Green- 
 wich, in our county of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' service, 
 and rendering, paying, and performing to us, our heirs and successors for ever, all and all manner of such and 
 the same rents, services, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at any time heretofore, out of or 
 for the same or any of them, or by reason or force of the same or any of them, have to us therefore been rendered, 
 paid, or performed, or have been accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, and in such manner and form as 
 they have heretofore been paid or performed, or been accustomed to be paid or performed. We wiU, nevertheless, 
 and do by these presents establish and command that the said William Barloe, Prebendary of Wyvilsoombe 
 aforesaid, and his successors shall, from henceforth pay or cause to be paid yearly to the Vicars Choral of the 
 Cathedral Ohuch aforesaid, Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said Church, and to so many 
 and such poor persons as and which were by the last Prebendary of Wyvilsoombe aforesaid, heretofore by reason 
 of any constitution maintained or reUeved, such sums of money as the said Prebendary of the Prebend of Wyvils- 
 oombe aforesaid heretofore paid to them jointly or separately, or ought or hath been accustomed to pay. We 
 give also and do, for us, our heirs and successors, grant to the aforesaid James Cottington, Prebendary of Cump- 
 ton Dunden aforesaid, and his successors, all that the Prebend and Eectory of Cumpton Dunden, with all its 
 rights, members and appurtenances, in the said county of Somerset, and all and singular the same and such 
 rectories, messuages, lands, tenements, advowsons, rights of patronage, tithes, oblations, rents, reversions, fran- 
 chises, liberties, rights, jurisdictions, exemptions, proving of testaments, administrations, and hereditaments 
 whatsoever, and what kind soever, as well spiritual as temporal, as and which the last Prebendary of Cumpton 
 Dunden aforesaid, as in right or force of the said Prebend heretofore had held, received, or enjoyed, or whereof 
 the Prebendary of Cumpton Dunden aioresaid, for the time being, for the space of twenty years now last past! 
 as in right, force, or colour, of the said Prebend received, had, or enjoyed, the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or 
 profits (all pensions, rents, payments, and dues to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of WeUs paid 
 or to be paid except-ed); to have, hold, and enjoy, to the said James Cottington, Prebendary of Cumpton 
 Dunden aforesaid, and his successors for ever, to the only use and behoof of him, the said Prebendary 
 and his successors ; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county of 
 Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief nor by knights' service, and rendering, paying 
 and performing to us, our heirs and successors for ever, all and all manner of such and the same rents, services, 
 payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, at any time heretofore out of or for the same, or any of them, 
 by reason or force of the same, or any of them, have been therefore to us rendered, paid, or performed, or have 
 been accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, and in such manner and form as they have heretofore been 
 paid or performed, or have been accustomed to be paid or performed. Wo will, nevertheless, and do by these pre- 
 sents establish and ordain, that the said James Cottington, Prebendary of Cumpton Dunden aforesaid, and his 
 successors shall, from henceforth for ever pay or cause to be paid yearly to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral 
 Church aforesaid. Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said Church, and to so many and such 
 poor persons as and which by the last Prebendary of Cumpton Dunden aforesaid, were heretofore by reason of 
 any constitution maintained and relieved, such sums of money as the Prebendary of the said Prebend of 
 Cumpton Dunden aforesaid heretofore paid to them jointly or separately, or ought, or hath been accustomed to 
 pay. We give also, and do by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, grant to the said William Powell, 
 Prebendary of Wormester aforesaid, and his successors, all that the Prebend of Wormester, with all its rights, 
 members, and appurtenances, in the said county of Somerset, and all those lands, tenements, meadows, feedings, 
 pastures, the wood called The Park Wood, commons, woods, underwoods, rents, reversions, jurisdictions, privi- 
 leges, liberties, and hereditaments whatsoever, as well spiritual as temporal, as and which the last Prebendary 
 of Wormester aforesaid, as in right or force of the said Prebend had, held, received, or enjoyed, or whereof the 
 Prebendary of the said Prebend for the time being, for the space of twenty years now last past, by reason, 
 colour, or force of the said Prebend had, received, or enjoyed the yearly rents, revenues, or profits (all pensions, 
 rents, payments, and dues to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells paid or to be paid 
 excepted); to have and to hold to the said William Powell, Prebendary of Wormester aforesaid, and his 
 successors for ever, to the only use and behoof of him, the said Prebendary, and his successors for ever ; to hold 
 of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by fealty only, in 
 free and common socage, and not in chief nor by knights' service, and rendering, paying, and performing to us 
 our heirs and successors for ever, all and all manner of such and the same rents, services, payments, sums of 
 money, and tenths whatsoever, which at any time heretofore, out of, or for the same or any of them, or by 
 reason or force of the same or any of them, have been therefore to us rendered, paid, or performed, or have been 
 accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, and in such manner and form as have been heretofore performed 
 
262 QUEEN ELIZABETH'S CHARTER TO 
 
 or paid, or have been accustomed to be performed or paid. We will, nevertheless, and do, by these presents, 
 establish and ordain that the said William Powell, Prebendary of Wormester aforesaid, and his successors, shall 
 from henceforth pay or cause to be paid yearly to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid. 
 Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said Church, and to so many and such poor persons as and 
 which were by the last Prebendary of Wormester aforesaid, by reason of any constitution maintained or relieved, 
 such sums of money as the Prebendary of the said Prebend of Wormester aforesaid, heretofore paid, or ought, 
 or was accustomed to pay to them jointly or severally. We give also, and for us, our heirs and successors, 
 do by these presents grant to the aforesaid William Forthe, Prebendary of Cumpton Bishops, and his successors, 
 all that the Prebendary of Cumpton Bishops, with all its rights, members, and appurtenances, in the said county 
 of Somerset, and all and singular the same and such rectories, messuages, lands, tenements, advowsons, rights 
 of patronage, tithes, oblations, rents, reversions, franchises, liberties, rights, jurisdictions, exemptions, proving 
 of testaments, administrations, and hereditaments whatsoever, and what kind soever, as well spiritual as tem- 
 poral, as and which the last Prebendary of Cumpton Bishops, as in right or force of the said Prebend heretofore 
 had, held, received or enjoyed, or whereof the Prebendary of Cumpton Bishops aforesaid, for the time being, for 
 the space of twenty years now last past, as in right, force, or colour of the said Prebend hath received, had, or 
 enjoyed the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or profits (all pensions, rents, payments, and dues to the Dean and 
 •Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells paid or to be paid excepted) ; to have and to hold to the said William 
 Porthe, Prebendary of Cumpton Bishops aforesaid, and his successors for ever, to the only use and behoof of 
 him, the said Prebendary, and his successors for ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor 
 of East Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief nor by 
 knights' service, and rendering, paying, and performing to ue, our heirs and successors for ever, all and all 
 manner of such and the same rents, services, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at any time 
 heretofore, out of, or for the same or any of them, or by reason or force of the same or any of them, have been 
 therefore to us rendered, paid, or performed, or been accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed. We wiUi 
 nevertheless, and do by these presents establish and ordain that the said William Porthe, Prebendary of 
 Cumpton Bishops aforesaid, and his successors shall, from henceforth for ever pay or cause to be paid yeaxly to 
 the "Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid. Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said 
 Church, and to so many and such poor persons as and which were by the last Prebendary of Cumpton Bishops 
 aforesaid, heretofore by reason of any constitution, maintained or relieved, such sums of money as the Pre- 
 bendary of the said Prebend of Cumpton Bishops, to them jointly or severally, hath heretofore paid, or ought, 
 or hath been accustomed to pay. We give also, and for us, our heirs and successors, do by these presents grant to 
 the said George Cooper, Prebendary of Whitchurch, and his successors, aU that the Prebend of Whitchurch, 
 with all its rights, members, and appurtenances in the said county of Somerset, and also all lands, tenements, 
 commons, woods, underwoods, tithes, rents, reversions, advowsons, rights of patronage, privileges, liberties, 
 and hereditaments whatsoever, and of what kind soever, as well spiritual as temporal, as and which the last 
 Prebendary of Whitchurch aforesaid, as in right or force of the said Prebend heretofore had, held, received, or 
 enjoyed, or whereof the Prebendary of the said Prebend for the time being, for the space of twenty years, now 
 last past, by reason, colour, or force of the said Prebend, hath received, had, or enjoyed, the yearly rents, 
 revenues, or profits (all pensions, rents, payments, and dues to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church 
 of Wells aforesaid paid or to be paid excepted) ; to have, hold, and enjoy to the said George Cooper, Prebendary 
 of Whitchui'ch aforesaid, and his successors for ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor 
 of East Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief nor by 
 knights' service, and rendering, paying, and performing to us, our heirs and successors for ever, all and all 
 manner of such and the same rents, services, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, which at any 
 time heretofore, out of or for the same, or any of them, by reason or force of them or any of them, have been 
 therefore to us rendered, paid, or performed, or been accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed. We will, 
 nevertheless, and do by these presents establish and ordain that the said George Cooper, Prebendary of Whit- 
 church aforesaid, and his successors shall, from henceforth pay or cause to be paid yearly to the Vicars Chora 
 of the Cathedral Church aforesaid. Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said Church, and to so 
 many and such poor persons as and which were by the last Prebendary of Whitchurch aforesaid, by reason of 
 any constitution, heretofore maintained or relieved, such sums of money as the Prebendary of the said Prebend 
 of Whitchurch aforesaid, heretofore paid to them jointly or severally, or ought, or have been accustomed to pay. 
 We give also, and for us, our heirs and successors do, by these presents, grant to the said Robert Hovenden, 
 Prebendary of Henstridge aforesaid, and his successors, all that the Prebend of Henstridge, with all its rights, 
 members, and appurtenances in the said county of Somerset, and all and singular the same rectories, messuages, 
 lands, tenements, advowsons, rights of patronage, tithes, oblations, rents, revenues, franchises, liberties 
 rights, jurisdictions, exemptions, proving of testaments, administrations, and hereditaments whatsoever, and of 
 what kind soever, as well spiritual as temporal, as and which the last Prebendary of Henstridge aforesaid, as 
 in right or force of the said Prebend heretofore had held, received, or enjoyed, or whereof the Prebendary of 
 Henstridge aforesaid for the time being, for the space of twenty years last past, as in right, force, or colour of 
 the said Prebend hath had or enjoyed the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or profits (all pensions, rents, payments, 
 and dues to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells paid or to be paid excepted) ; to have, 
 hold, and enjoy, to the said Eobert Hovenden, Prebendary of Henstridge aforesaid, and his successors for ever, to 
 the only use and behoof of him, the said Prebendary, and his successors for ever j to hold of us, our heirs and 
 
THE DEAF AND CHAPTER OF WELLS. 263 
 
 successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common 
 socage, and not in chief nor by knights' service, and rendering, paying, and performing to us, our heirs and 
 successors for ever, all and aU manner of such and the same rents, services, payments, sums of money, and 
 tenths whatsoever, which at any time heretofore, out of, or for the same or any of them, or by reason or force of 
 the same or any of them, have therefore been to us rendered, paid, or performed, or have been accustomed to 
 be rendered, paid, or performed, and in such manner and form as heretofore were or have been accustomed to be 
 rendered, paid, or performed. We wUl nevertheless, and do by these presents establish and ordain that the said 
 Bobert Hovenden, Prebendary of Henstridge aforesaid, and his successors shall, from henceforth for ever, pay 
 or cause to be paid to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, Choristers, Schoolmaster, 
 and other ministers of the said Church, and to so many and such poor persons as and which by reason of any 
 constitution were maintained or relieved by the last Prebendary of Henstridge aforesaid, such sums of money 
 as the Prebendary of the said Prebend of Henstridge aforesaid heretofore paid, or ought, or hath been accus- 
 tomed to pay to them, jointly or severally. We give also, and do by these presents, for us, our heirs and 
 successors, grant to the said William Moseley, Prebendary of Easton-iu-Gordan aforesaid, and his successors, 
 aU that the Prebend in Easton-in-Gordan, with all its rights, members, and appurtenances, in the said county of 
 Somerset, and all and singular the same and such rectories, messuages, lands, tenements, advowsons, rights of 
 patronage, tithes, oblations, rents, reversions, franchises, liberties, rights, jurisdictions, exemptions, proving of 
 testaments, administrations, and hereditaments whatsoever, and of what Mnd soever, as well spiritual as tem- 
 poral, as and which the last Prebendary of Easton-in-Gordan aforesaid, as in right or force of the said Prebend 
 heretofore had held, received, or enjoyed, or whereof the Prebendary of Easton-in-Gordan aforesaid, for the 
 time being, for the space of twenty years now last past, as in right, force, or colour of the said Prebend received, 
 had, or enjoyed the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or profits (all pensions, rents, payments, and dues to the 
 Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells paid or to be paid excepted) ; to have, hold, and enjoy to 
 the said William Moseley, Prebendary of Easton-in-Gordan aforesaid, and his successors for ever, to the only 
 use and behoof of him, the said Prebendary, for ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor 
 of East Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief nor by 
 knights' service, and rendering, paying, and performing to ns, our heirs and successors for ever, all and all 
 manner of such and the same rents, services, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, which at any 
 time heretofore, out of, or for the same or any of them, or by reason or force of the same or any of them, have 
 been therefore to us rendered, paid, or performed, or have been accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, 
 and in such manner and form as heretofore were or have been accustomed to be paid or performed. We vrill, 
 nevertheless, and do by these presents establish and ordain that the said William Moseley. Prebendary of 
 Eastou-in-Gordan aforesaid, and his successors shall, from henceforth for ever pay or cause to be paid yearly to 
 the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid. Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said 
 Church, and to so many and such poor persons as and which were by reason of any constitution maintained or 
 relieved by the last Prebendary of Easton-in-Gordan aforesaid, such sums of money as the Prebendary of the 
 said Prebend of Easton-in-Gordan aforesaid heretofore paid, or ought, or hath been accustomed to pay to them 
 jointly or severally. We give also and do, by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, grant to the 
 aforesaid William Whitlocke, Prebendary of Dultingoolt, otherwise Finghurst, aforesaid, and his successors, 
 all that the Prebend of Dultingcolt, otherwise Finghurst, with all its rights, members, and appurtenances, in 
 our county of Bucks ; and also all those lands, tenements, commons, woods, underwoods, tithes, rents, reversions, 
 advowsons, rights of patronage, privileges, liberties, and hereditaments whatsoever, in the said county of Bucks, 
 as well spiritual as temporal, as and which the last Prebendary of the said Prebend had held, received, or 
 enjoyed, or whereof the Prebendary of the said Prebend for the time being, for the space of twenty years now 
 last past, by reason, colour, or force of the said Prebend received, had, or enjoyed, the yearly rents, revenues, 
 or profits (all pensions, rents, payments, to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, 
 paid or to be paid excepted); to have, hold, and enjoy to the aforesaid William Whitlocke, Prebendary of 
 Dultingoolt, otherwise Finghurst, aforesaid, and his successors for ever, to the only use and behoof of him, the 
 said Prebendary and his successors for ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East 
 Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief nor by knights' 
 service, and rendering, paying, and performing to us, our heirs and successors for ever, all and all manner of 
 such and the same rents, services, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, which at any time hereto- 
 fore, out of, or for the same or any of them, or by reason or force of the same or any' of them, have been there- 
 fore to us rendered, paid, or performed, or have been accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, and in such 
 manner and form as heretofore were or have beeii accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed. We will, 
 nevertheless, and do by these presents, establish and ordain that the said William Whitlocke, Prebendary of 
 Dultingcolt, otherwise Finghurst, aforesaid, and his successors shall, from henceforth pay or cause to be paid to 
 the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid. Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said 
 Church, and to so many and such poor persons as and which were by reason of any constitution maintained or 
 relieved by the last Prebendary of Dultingcolt, otherwise Finghurst, such sums of money as the Prebendary of 
 the said Prebend of Dultingcolt, otherwise Finghurst, aforesaid, heretofore paid, or ought, or hath been ac- 
 customed to pay to them, jointly or severally. We give also and do, by these presents, for us, our heirs and 
 successors, grant to the aforesaid Thomas Masters, Prebendary of Kaselberg aforesaid, and his successors, all 
 that the Prebend and Kectory or Church of Haselberg, with all the'r rights, members, and appurtenances, in the 
 
264 QUEEN ELIZABETH'S CHARTER TO 
 
 said county of Somerset, and aH and singular the same and suoli rectories, messuages, lands, tenements, advow- 
 sous, rights of patronage, tithes, oblations, rents, reversions, franchises, liberties, rights, jurisdictions, exemp- 
 tions, proving of testaments, administrations, and hereditaments whatsoever, and what kind soever, as well 
 spiritual as temporal, and as which the last Prebendary of Haselberg aforesaid, as in right or force of the said 
 Prebend heretofore had held, received, or enjoyed, or whereof the Prebendary of the Prebend of Haselberg 
 aforesaid, for the time being, for the space of twenty years now last past, as in right, force, or colour of the said 
 Prebend, hath received, had, or enjoyed, the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or profits (all pensions, rents, pay- 
 ments, and dues paid or to be paid to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells excepted) ; to 
 have, hold, and enjoy to the said Thomas Masters, Prebendary of Haselberg aforesaid, and his successors for 
 ever, to the only use and behoof of him, the said Prebendary and his successors for ever ; to hold of us, our 
 heirs and successors as of our manor of Bast Greenwich in our county of Kent, in fealty only, in free and 
 common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' service, and rendering, paying, and performing to us our 
 h^irs and successors for ever, all and all manner of such and the- same rents, services, payments, sums of money 
 and tenths whatsoever, which at any time heretofore, out of, or for the same or any of them, or by reason or 
 force of them or any of them, have been therefore to us rendered, paid, or performed, and in such manner and 
 form as they have been heretofore accustomed to be performed or paid. We will nevertheless, and do, by these 
 presents, establish and ordain that the said Thomas Masters, Prebendary of Haselberg aforesaid, and his 
 successors shall, from henceforth for ever pay, or cause to be paid yearly, to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral 
 Church aforesaid. Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said Church, and to so many and such 
 poor persons as and which were by reason of any constitution heretofore relieved or maintained, by the last 
 Prebendary of Haselberg aforesaid, such sums of money as the Prebendary of the said Prebend of Haselberg 
 'aforesaid hath heretofore paid, or ought, or hath been accustomed to pay to them jointly or severally. We give 
 also, and do by these presents, for us our heirs and successors, grant to the said Eichard Wood, Prebendary of 
 Yatton, and his successors, all that the Prebend of Tatton, with all its rights, members, and appurtenances, in 
 the said county of Somerset, and all and singular the same and such rectories, messuages, lands, tenements, 
 advowsons, rights of patronage, tithes, oblations, rents, reversions, franchises, liberties, rights, jurisdictions, 
 exemptions, proving of testaments, administrations, and hereditaments whatsoever, and of what kind soever, 
 as well spiritual as temporal, as and which the last Prebendary of Tatton aforesaid, as in right or force of the 
 said Prebend heretofore had held, received, or enjoyed, or whereof the Prebendary of Tatton, for the time being, 
 for the space of twenty years now last past, as in right, force, or colour of the said Prebend, received, had, or 
 enjoyed, the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or profits (all pensions, rents, payments, and dues paid or to be paid" 
 to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells excepted); to have, hold, and enjoy to the said Eichard 
 Wood, Prebendary of Tatton, and his successors for ever, to the only use and behoof of him, the said Prebendary 
 and his successors for ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our 
 county of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' service, and 
 rendering, paying, and performing to us, our heirs and successors for ever, all and all manner of such and the 
 same rents, services, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at any time heretofore, out of, or for 
 the same or any of them, or by reason or force of the same or any of them, have been therefore to us rendered, 
 paid, or performed, or been accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, and in such manner and form as 
 heretofore they have been performed or paid, or been accustomed to be performed or paid. We will, neverthe- 
 less, and do by these presents, establish and ordain that the said Eichard Wood, Prebendary of Tatton aforesaid, 
 and his successors shall, from henceforth for ever, pay or cause to be paid, to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral 
 Church aforesaid. Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministerB of the said Church, and to so many and such 
 poor persons, as and which by reason of any constitution, were maintained or relieved by the last Prebendai'y 
 of Tatton aforesaid, such sums of money as the Prebendary of Tatton aforesaid paid, or ought, or hath been accus- 
 tomed to pay to them jointly or severally. We give also, and for us, our heirs and successors, do by these presents, 
 grant to the aforesaid Matthew Sutolifte, Prebendary of Buckland D jmham, and his successors, all that the Prebend 
 of Buckland Dynham, with all its rights, members, and appurtenances, in the said county of Somerset, and all and 
 singular the same and such rectories, messuages, lands, tenements, advowsons, rights of patronage, tithes, obla^ 
 tions, rents, reversions, franchises, liberties, rights, jurisdictions, exemptions, proving of testaments, administra- 
 tions, and hereditaments whatsoever, and what kind soever, as weU spiritual as temporal, as and which the last 
 Prebendary of Buckland aforesaid, as in right or force of the said Prebend heretofore had held, received, or 
 enjoyed, or whereof the Prebendary of the said Prebend of Buckland aforesaid, for the time being, for the space 
 of twenty years now last past, as in right, force, or colour of the said Prebend, hath received, had, or enjoyed the 
 yearly issues, rents, revenues, or profits (all pensions, portions, rents, payments, and dues to the Dean and 
 Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells paid and to be paid excepted) ; to have, hold, and enjoy to the said 
 Matthew Sutcliffe, Prebendary of Buckland Dynham aforesaid, and his successors for ever, to the only use and 
 behoof of him, the said Prebendary, and his successors for ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our 
 manor of East Greenwich, in our coimty of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, nor 
 by knights' service, and rendering, paying, and performing to us, our heirs and successors for ever, all and all 
 manner of such and the same rents, services, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at any time 
 heretofore, out of, or for the same or any of them, or by reason or force of the same or any of them, have been 
 therefore to us rendered, paid, or performed, or have been accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, and 
 in such manner and form as heretofore they were or have been accustomed to be performed or paid. We will. 
 
THE DEAN AND CHAPTER OF WELLS. 265 
 
 nevertheless, and do by these, presents, establish and ordain that the said Matthew Sutoliffe, Prebendary of 
 ■ouckland Dynham aforesaid, and his successors shall, from henceforth for ever pay, or cause to be paid yearly 
 to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid. Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the 
 said Church, and to so many and such poor persons as and which were heretofore, by reason of any constitution 
 maintained or relieved by the last Prebendary of Buckland Dynham aforesaid, such sums of money as the Pre- 
 bendary of the said Prebend of Buckland Dynham paid, or ought, or hath been accustomed to pay to them jointly 
 or severally. We give also, and for us, our heirs and successors, do by these presents grant to the aforesaid 
 William Jones, Prebendary of Eastharptree aforesaid, and his successors, all that the Prebend of Eastharptree, 
 with all its rights, members, and appurtenances, in the said county of Somerset, and all and singular the same 
 and such like rectories, messuages, lands, tenements, advowsons, rights of patronage, tithes, oblations, rents, 
 reversions, franchises, liberties, rights, jurisdictions, exemptions, proving of testaments, administrations, and 
 hereditaments whatsoever, and of what kind soever, as well spiritual as temporal, as and which the last Pre- 
 bendary of Eastharptree aforesaid, as in right or force of the said Prebend heretofore had held, received, or 
 enjoyed, or which the Prebendary of Eastharptree aforesaid, for the time being, for the space of twenty years 
 now last past, as in right, force, or colour of the said Prebend, received, had, or enjoyed, the yearly issues, 
 rents, revenues, or profits (all pensions, rents, payments, and dues to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral 
 Church of Wells, paid or to be paid excepted) ; to have, hold, and enjoy to the said William Jones, Prebendary 
 of Eastharptree aforesaid, and his successors for ever, to the only use and behoof of him, the said Prebendary, 
 and his successors for ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of Bast Greenwich, in our 
 county of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' service, and 
 rendering, paying, and performing to us, our heirs and successors for ever, all and all manner of such and the 
 same rents, services, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, which at any time heretofore, out of, or for the 
 same or any of them, or by reason or force of them or any of them, have therefore been to us rendered, paid, or 
 performed, or been accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, and in such manner and form as heretofore 
 they were or have been accustomed to be paid or performed. We will, nevertheless, and do by these 
 presents, establish and ordain that the said William Jones, Prebendary of Eastharptree, and his successors shall, 
 from henceforth for ever, pay or cause to be paid yearly to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church afore- 
 said. Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said Church, and to so many and such poor persons as 
 and which, by reason of any constitution, relieved or maintained by the last Prebendary of Eastharptree aforesaid, 
 such sums of money as the Prebendary of Eastharptree aforesaid paid, or ought, or hath been accustomed to 
 pay to them jointly or severally. We give also and do, by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, grant 
 to the aforesaid John Tuchiner, Prebendary of WhitlaoMngton, and his successors, all that the Prebend of Whit- 
 lackington, with all its rights, members, and appurtenances, in the said county of Somerset, all and singular the 
 same and such rectories, messuages, lands, tenements, advowsons, rights of patronage, tithes, oblations, rents, 
 reversions, franchises, liberties, rights, jurisdictions, exemptions, proving of testaments, administrations, and 
 hereditaments whatsoever, and of what kind soever, as well spiritual as temporal, as and which the last Pre- 
 bendary of Whitlackington aforesaid, as in right or force of the said Prebend heretofore, had held, received, or 
 enjoyed, or whereof the Prebendary of Whitlackington aforesaid, for the time being, for the space of twenty years 
 now last past, as in right, force, or colour, of the said Prebend, had or enjoyed the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or 
 profits (all pensions, portions, rents, payments, and dues to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of 
 Wells aforesaid, paid or to be paid excepted); to have, hold, and enjoy to the said John Tuchiner, Prebendary of 
 Whitlackington aforesaid, and his successors for ever, to the only use and behoof of him, the said Prebendary and 
 his successors for ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our 
 county of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' service, and render- 
 ing, paying, and performing to us, our heirs and successors for ever, all and all manner of such and the same 
 rents, services, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at any time heretofore, out of, or for the 
 same or any of them, or by reason or force of the same or any of them, have been rendered, paid, or performed; 
 or been accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, and in such manner and form as heretofore they were or 
 have been accustomed to be paid, done, and performed. We will, nevertheless, and do by these presents, estab- 
 lish and ordain that the said John Tuchiner, Prebendary of Whitlackington aforesaid, and his successors shall, 
 from henceforth for ever pay or cause to be paid yearly to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid , 
 Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said Church, and to so many and such poor persons as and 
 which by reason of any constitution, were heretofore maintained or relieved by the last Prebendary of Whit- 
 lackington aforesaid, such sums of money as the Prebendary of the said Prebend of Whitlackington aforesaid 
 paid, or ought, or hath been accustomed to pay to them jointly or severally. We give also, and do by these 
 presents, for us, our heirs and successors, grant to the aforesaid William Stone, Prebendary of Stamford, other- 
 wise Shalford, and his successors, all that the Prebend of Stamford, otherwise Shalford, with all its rights, 
 members, and appurtenances, in our county of Essex, and also aU lands, tenements, meadows, feedings, pastures, 
 commons, tithes, advowsons, rights of patronage, rents, reversions, privileges, liberties, and hereditaments 
 whatsoever, and of what kind soever, as well spiritual as temporal, as and which the last Prebendary of Stam- 
 ford, otherwise Shalford, aforesaid, as in right or force of the said Prebend heretofore had held, received, or 
 enjoyed, or whereof the Prebendary of the said Prebend for the time being, for the space of twenty years now 
 last past, by reason, colour, or force of the said Prebend received, had, or enjoyed, the yearly rents, issues, 
 revenues, or profits (all pensions, portions, rents, payments, and dues paid or to be paid to the Dean and Chapter 
 
 4m 
 
266 QUEEN ELIZABETH'S CHARTER TO 
 
 of the Cathedral Church of Wells excepted); to have, hold, and enjoy, to the said William Stone, Prebendary of 
 Stamford, otherwise Shalford, and his successors for ever, to the only and proper use of him, the said Prebendary, 
 and his successors for ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our 
 county of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' service, and render- 
 ing, paying, and performing to us, our heirs and successors for ever, aU and all manner of such and the same 
 rents, services, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at any time heretofore out of, or for the 
 same or any of them, by reason or force of them or any of them, have been rendered, paid, or performed, or been 
 accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, and in such manner and form as they were heretofore paid or 
 performed, or have been accustomed to be paid or performed. We will, nevertheless, and do by these presents, 
 establish and ordain that the said William Stone, Prebendary of Stamford, otherwise Shalford, aforesaid, and 
 his successors shall, from henceforth for ever pay, or cause to be paid yearly, to the Vicars Choral of the Cathe- 
 dral Church aforesaid, Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said Church, and to so many and such 
 poor persons as and which were by reason of any constitution, maintained or relieved by the last Prebendary of 
 Stamford, otherwise Shalford, aforesaid, such sums of money as the Prebendary of the said Prebend of Stam- 
 ford, otherwise Shalford, aforesaid, hath heretofore paid, or ought, or hath been accustomed to pay to them 
 jointly or severally. We give also and do for us, our heirs and successors, by these presents, grant to the afore- 
 said Henry Hill, Prebendary of Tymbrescombe, and his successors, all that the Prebend of Tymbrescombe, 
 with all its rights, members, and appurtenances, in the said county of Somerset, and all and singular the same 
 and such rectories, messuages, lands, tenements, advowsons, rights of patronage, tithes, oblations, rents, rever- 
 sions, franchises, liberties, rights, jurisdictions, exemptions, proving of testaments, administrations, and here- 
 ditaments whatsoever, and of what kind soever, as well spiritual as temporal, as and which the last Prebendary 
 of Tymbrescombe, as in right or force of the said Prebend heretofore had held, received, or enjoyed, or whereof 
 the Prebendary of Tymbrescombe aforesaid, for the time being, for the space of twenty years now last past, as 
 in right, force, or colour of the said Prebend received, had, or enjoyed the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or 
 profits (all pensions, portions, rents, payments, and dues paid or to be paid to the Dean and Chapter of the 
 Cathedral Church of Wells excepted); to have, hold, and enjoy to the said Henry Hill, Prebendary of Tymbres- 
 combe, and his successors, for ever, to the only use and behoof of him, the siiid Prebendary, and his successors for 
 ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by 
 fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' service, and rendering, paying, and 
 performing to us, our heirs and successors for ever, all and all manner of such and the same rents, payments, 
 services, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at any time heretofore out of, or for the same or any of them, 
 or by reason or force of the same or any of them, have been rendered, paid, or performed, or have been accus- 
 tomed to be rendered, paid, or performed. We will, nevertheless, and do by these presents, establish and ordain 
 that the said Henry Hill, Prebendary of Tymbrescombe aforesaid, and his successors shall, from henceforth for 
 ever pay, or cause to be paid yearly, to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid. Choristers, School- 
 master, and other ministers of the said Church, and to so many and such poor persons as by reason of any con- 
 stitution, were heretofore maintained or relieved by the last Prebendary of Tymbrescombe aforesaid, such sums 
 of money as the Prebendary of the said Prebend of Tymbrescombe heretofore paid, or ought, or hath been 
 accustomed to pay to them jointly or severally. We give also, and do by these presents, for U3, our heirs and 
 successors, grant to the aforesaid Thomas Barker, Prebendary of Ayshill, and his successors, all that the Pre- 
 bendary of Ayshill, with all its rights, members, and appurtenances, in the said county of Somerset, and all and 
 singular the same and such rectories, messuages, lands, tenements, advowsons, rights of patronage, tenths, obla- 
 tions, rents, reversions, franchises, liberties, rights, jurisdictions, exemptions, proving of testaments, administra- 
 tions, and hereditaments whatsoever, and of what kind soever, as and which the last Prebendary of the Prebend 
 of Ayshill aforesaid, as in right or force of the said Prebend heretofore had held, received, or enjoyed, or whereof 
 the Prebendary of Ayshill aforesaid, as in right or force of the said Prebend heretofore had held, received, or 
 enjoyed, or whereof the Prebendary of Aysliill aforesaid, for the time being, for the space of twenty years now 
 last past, as in right, force, or colour of the said dignity or ofSce received, had, or enjoyed the yearly issues, 
 rents, revenues, or profits (all pensions, rents, payments, and dues paid or to be paid to the Dean and Chapter 
 of the Cathedral Church of Wells excepted); to have, hold, and enjoy to the said Thomas Barker, Prebendary of 
 Ayshill aforesaid, and his successors, for ever, to the only use and behoof of him, the said Prebendary, and his 
 successors, for ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county 
 of -Sent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, nor by Icnights' service, and rendering, 
 paying, and performing to us, our heirs and successors for ever, all and all manner of such and the same rents, 
 services, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at any time heretofore, out of, or for the same or 
 any of them, or by reason or force of the same or any of them, have been rendered, paid, or performed, or been 
 accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, and in such manner and form as they have been heretofore ren- 
 dered, paid, or performed, or have been accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed. We will, nevertheless, 
 and do by these presents, establish and ordain that the said Thomas Barker, Prebendary of Ayshill aforesaid 
 and his heirs and successors shall, from henceforth for ever pay or cause to be paid to the Vicars Choral of the 
 Cathedral Church aforesaid. Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said Church, and to so many 
 and such poor persons as and which were, by reason of any constitution, heretofore relieved or maintained by 
 the last Prebendary of Ayshill aforesaid, such sums of money as the Prebendary of the said Prebend of AyshiU 
 aforesaid, heretofore paid, or ought, or hath been accustomed to pay to them jointly or severally. We give also 
 
TEE DEAN AND CHAPTER OF WELLS. 267 
 
 and do by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, grant to the aforesaid Abraham Conham, Prebendary 
 of Ilton, and his successors, all that the Prebendary of Ilton, with all its rights, members, and appurtenances, in 
 the said county of Somerset, and all and singular the same and such rectories, messuages, lands, tenements, 
 advowsons, rights of patronage, tithes, oblations, rents, reversions, franchises, liberties, jurisdictions, rights, 
 exemptions, proving of testaments, administrations, and hereditaments whatsoever, and of what kind soever, as 
 well spuritual as temporal, as and which the last Prebendary of Ilton aforesaid, as in right, force, or colour of the 
 said Prebend heretofore had held, received, or enjoyed, or whereof the Prebendary of Ilton aforesaid, for the 
 time being, for the space of twenty years now last past, as in right, force, or colour of the said Prebend hath 
 received, had, or enjoyed the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or profits (all pensions, rents, payments, and dues to 
 the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid paid or to be paid excepted); to have, hold, 
 and enjoy to the said Abraham Conham, Prebendary of Ilton aforesaid, and his successors, for ever, to the only 
 use and behoof of him, the said Prebendary, and his successors, for ever: to hold of us, our heirs and successors, 
 as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not 
 in chief, nor by knights' service, and rendering, paying, and performing to us, our heirs and successors for ever, 
 all and all manner of such and the same rents, services, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at 
 any time heretofore, out of, or for the same or any of them, or by reason or force of the same or any of them, 
 have been to them rendered, paid, or performed, or have been accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, 
 and in such manner and form as heretofore they have been performed or paid, or have been accustomed to be 
 i)erf ormed or paid. We will, nevertheless, and do by these presents, establish and ordain that the said Abraham 
 Conham, Prebendary of Ilton aforesaid, and his successors shall, from henceforth pay, or cause to be paid to the 
 Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid, Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said 
 Church, and to so many and such poor persons as and which by reason of any constitution were heretofore 
 maintained or relieved by the last Prebendary of Ilton aforesaid, such sums of money as the Prebendary of 
 Ilton aforesaid paid, or ought or hath heretofore been accustomed to pay to them jointly or severally. 
 We give also, and do by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, grant to the aforesaid Robert 
 Newman, Prebendary of Cudworth, and his successors, all that the Prebend of Cudworth, with all 
 its rights, members, and appurtenances, in the said county of Somerset, and all and singular the 
 same and such rectories, messuages, lands, tenements, advowsons, rights of patronage, tithes, oblations, 
 rents, reversions, franchises, liberties, rights, jurisdictions, exemptions, proving of testaments, administrations, 
 and hereditaments whatsoever, and of what kind soever, as well spiritual as temporal, as and which the last 
 Prebendary of Cudworth aforesaid, as in right or force of the said Prebend hath heretofore had, held, received, 
 or enjoyed, or whereof the Prebendary of Cudworth aforesaid, for the time being, for the space of twenty years 
 now last past, as in right, force, or colour, of the said Prebend, hath received, had, or enjoyed, the yearly issues, 
 rents, revenues, or profits (all pensions, rents, payments, and dues paid or to be paid to the Dean and Chapter 
 of the Cathedral Church excepted) ; to have, hold, and enjoy, to the said Eohert Newman, Prebendary of Cud- 
 worth aforesaid, and his successors, for ever, to the only use and behoof of him, the said Prebendary, and his 
 successors, for ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county 
 of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' service, and rendering, 
 paying, and performing to us, our heirs and successors for ever, all and all manner of such and the same rents, 
 services, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at any time heretofore out of or for the same or 
 any of them, or by reason or force of the same or any of them, have been to us rendered, paid, or performed, 
 or been accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, and in such manner as they have heretofore been per- 
 formed or paid, or been accustomed to be performed or paid. We will, nevertheless, and do by these presents, 
 establish and ordain that the saidBohert Newman, Prebendary of Cudworth aforesaid, and his successors shall, 
 from henceforth for ever, pay or cause to be paid yearly to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid. 
 Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said Church, and to so many and such poor persons as and 
 which by reason of any constitution were heretofore maintained or relieved by the last Prebendary of Cudworth 
 aforesaid, such sums of money as the Prebendary of the Prebend of Cudworth aforesaid paid, or ought, or hath 
 been accustomed to pay to them jointly or severally. We give also, and do for us, our heirs and successors, 
 grant to the aforesaid Thomas Drope, Prebendary of Barton aforesaid, and his successors for ever, all that the 
 Prebend of Barton, with all its rights, members, and appurtenances, in the said county of Somerset, and all 
 lands, tenements, meadows, feedings, pastures, commons, woods, underwoods, tithes, advowsons, rights of 
 patronage, rents, reversions, privileges, liberties, and hereditaments whatsoever, and of what kind soever, as 
 well spiritual as temporal, as and which the last Prebendary of Barton aforesaid, as in right or force of the said 
 Prebend heretofore had held, received, or enjoyed, and whereof the Prebendary of the said Prebend for the time 
 being, for the space of twenty years now last past, by reason, colour, or force of the said Prebend hath received, 
 had, or enjoyed, the yearly rents. Issues, revenues, or profits (all pensions, rents, payments, and dues to the said 
 Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells paid or to be paid excepted) ; to have, hold, and enjoy to the 
 said Thomas Drope, Prebendary of Barton aforesaid, and his successors for ever, to the only use and behoof of 
 him, the said Prebendary, and his successors for ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our 
 manor of East Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, 
 nor by knights' service, and rendering, paying, and performing to us, our heirs and successors for ever, all and 
 all manner of such and the same rents, services, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at any 
 time heretofore out of, or for the same, or any of them, or by reason or force of the same, or any of them, have 
 
268 QUEEN ELIZABETH'S CHABTEK TO 
 
 been to us rendered, paid, or performed, or have been accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, and in 
 such manner and form as heretofore they have been performed or paid, or been accustomed to be performed or 
 paid. We will, nevertheless, and do by these presents establish and ordain that the said Thomas Drope, Pre- 
 bendary of Barton aforesaid, and hia successors shall, from henceforth for ever pay, or cause to be paid 
 yearly, to the Vicars Choral aforesaid, Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said Church, and to 
 so many and such poor persons as and which, by reason of any constitution, were heretofore maintained or 
 relieved by the last Prebendary of Barton aforesaid, such sums of money as the Prebendary of the said Prebend 
 of Barton aforesaid, heretofore paid, or ought, or hath been accustomed to pay to them jointly or severally. 
 We give also, and for us, our heirs and successors do, by these presents, grant to the aforesaid J uetinian 
 Lancaster, Prebendary of Wanstrow, and his successors, all that the Prebend of Wanstrow, with all its rights, 
 members, and appurtenances in the said county of Somerset, with and all the lands, tenements, meadows, 
 feedings, pastures, commons, woods, underwoods, tithes, advowsons, rights of patronage, rents, revenues, 
 privileges, liberties, and hereditaments whatsoever, and of what kind soever, as well spiritual as temporal, as 
 and which the last Prebendary of Wanstrow aforesaid, as in right or force of the said Prebend heretofore had 
 held, used, or enjoyed, or whereof the Prebendary of the said Prebend for the time being, for the space of twenty 
 years now last past, by reason, colour, or force of the said Prebend hath received, had, or enjoyed the yearly 
 rents, issues, or profits (all pensions, rents, payments, and dues to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church 
 of Wells aforesaid, paid or to be paid excepted) ; to have, hold, and enjoy to the said Justinian Lancaster, Pre- 
 bendary of Wanstrow aforesaid, and his successors for ever, to the sole use and behoof of him, the said Pre- 
 bendary, and his successors, for ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East Green- 
 wich, in our county of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' 
 service, and rendering, paying, and performing to ua, our heirs and successors for ever, all and all manner of 
 such and the same rents, services, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at any time heretofore, 
 out of, or for the same or any of them, or by reason or force of the same or any of them, have been to us ren- 
 dered, paid, or performed, or have been accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, and in such manner and 
 form as heretofore they have been performed or paid, or have been accustomed to be performed or paid. We 
 will, nevertheless, and do by these presents, establish and ordain that the said Justinian Lancaster, Prebendary 
 of Wanstrow aforesaid, and hia successors shall, from henceforth for ever pay, or cause to be paid yearly, to the 
 Vicars Choral of the Oathedi-al Church aforesaid. Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said 
 Church, and to so many and such poor persons as and which were heretofore, by reason of any constitution, 
 maintained or relieved by the last Prebendary of Wanstrow aforesaid, such sums of money as the Prebendary of 
 the said Prebend of Wanstrow aforesaid hath paid, or ought, or hath been accustomed to pay to them jointly or 
 severally. We give also and for us, our heirs and successors, do by these presents grant to the aforesaid 
 Eobert Godwyu, Prebendary 'of Dynder, and his successors, all that the Prebend of Pynder, with all its rights, 
 members, and appurtenances in the said county of Somerset, and all lauds, tenements, meadows, feedings, 
 pastures, commons, woods, underwoods, tithes, advowsons, rights of patronage, rents, reversions, privileges, 
 liberties, and hereditaments whatsoever, and of what kind soever, as well spiritual as temporal, as and which the 
 last Prebendary of Dynder aforesaid, as in right or force of the said Prebend hath, had, held, received, or enjoyed, or 
 whereof the Prebendary of the said Prebend for the time being, for the space of twenty years now last past, by 
 reason, force, or colour of the said Prebend hath received, had, or enjoyed the yearly rents, issues, revenues, or 
 profits (all pensions, rents, payments, and dues to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells paid 
 or to be paid excepted) ; to have, hold, and enjoy to the said Eobert Godwyn, Prebendary of Dynder aforesaid, 
 and his successors for ever, to the only use and behoof of him, the said Prebendary, and his successors for 
 ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by 
 fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' service, and rendering, paying, and 
 performing to us, our heirs and successors for ever, all and all manner of such and the same rents, services, 
 payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at any time heretofore, out of, or for the same or any of 
 them, or by reason or force of the same or any of them, have been to us rendered, paid, or performed, or have 
 been accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, and in such manner and form as heretofore they have been 
 performed or paid, or have been accustomed to be performed or paid. We will, nevertheless, and do by these 
 presents, establish and ordain that the said Eobert Godwyn, Prebendary of Dynder aforesaid, and his successors 
 shall, from henceforth pay, or cause to be paid yearly, to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid 
 Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said Church, and to so many and such poor persons as and 
 which were heretofore, by reason of any constitution, maintained or relieved by the last Prebendary of Dynder 
 aforesaid, such sums of money as the Prebendary of the said Prebend of Dynder hath paid, or ought, or hath 
 been accustomed to pay to them jointly or severally. We give also, and for us, our heirs and successors, do by 
 these presents grant to the aforesaid Eobert Porthe, Prebendary of Holcombe, and his successors, all that the 
 Prebend of Holcombe, with all its rights, members, and appurtenances in the said county of Devon, and all and 
 singular the same and such rectories, messuages, lands, tenements, advowsons, rights of patronage, tithes, 
 oblations, rents, reversions, franchises, liberties, rights, jurisdictions, exemptions, proving of testaments, admin- 
 istrations, and hereditaments whatsoever, and of what kind soever, as well spiritual as temporal, as and which 
 the last Prebendary of Holcombe aforesaid, as in right or force of the said Prebend heretofore had held, received,' 
 or enjoyed, or whereof the Prebendary of the said Prebend for the time being, for the space of twenty years 
 now last past, as in right, force, or colour of the said dignity or office received, had, or enjoyed the yearly issues, 
 
THE BEAN AND CHAPTER OF WELLS. 269 
 
 rents, revenues, or profits (aU pensions, rents, payments, and dues to tlie Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral 
 Church of Wells paid or to be paid excepted); to have, hold, and enjoy to the said Bobert Forthe, Prebendary of 
 Holoombe aforesaid, and his successors for ever, to the only use and behoof of him, the said Prebendary, and 
 nis successors for ever; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county 
 01 K;eut, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' service, and rendering, 
 paying, and performing to us, our heirs and successors for ever, all and all manner of such and the same rents, 
 services, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at any time heretofore, out of, or for the same or 
 any of them, or by reason or force of the same or any of them have been to us rendered, paid, or performed, or 
 have been' accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, and in such manner and form as heretofore they have 
 been performed or paid, or been accustomed to be performed or paid. "We will, nevertheless, and do by these 
 presents establish and ordain that the said Eobert Forthe, Prebendary of Holcombe aforesaid, and his successors 
 shall, from henceforth for ever pay, or cause to be paid, yearly to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church 
 aforesaid, Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said Church, and to so many and such poor 
 persons as and which were heretofore, by reason of any constitution, maintained or relieved by the last Pre- 
 bendary of Holcombe aforesaid, such sums of money as the Prebendary of the said Prebend of Holcombe afore- 
 said paid, or ought, or hath been accustomed to pay to them jointly or severally. And further, of our especial 
 gi'ace, and our certain knowledge and meer motion, we give, and for us, our heirs and successors do, by these 
 presents, grant to the aforesaid Thomas Manton, Prebendary of Wedmore II., and his successors, aU that the 
 Prebend of Wedmore II., with all its rights, members, and appurtenances in the said county of Somerset, and 
 all pensions and hereditaments whatsoever to the said Prebend belonging or appertaining, or whereof the Pre- 
 bendary of the said Prebend, for the time being, for the space of twenty years now last past, by reason, colour, 
 or force of the said Prebend, received, had, or enjoyed the yearly rents, issues, revenues, or profits (all pensions, 
 rents, payments, and dues to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells paid or to be paid 
 excepted); to have, hold, and enjoy to the aforesaid Thomas Manton, Prebendary of Wedmore II., and his 
 successors for ever, to the only use and behoof of him, the said Prebendary, and his successors for ever ; to hold 
 of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county of Kent, byfealty only, in free 
 and common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' service, and rendering, paying, and performing to us, our 
 heirs and successors for ever, all and aU manner of such and the same rents, services, payments, sums of money, 
 and tenths whatsoever, which at any time heretofore, out of, or. for the same or any of them, or by reason or 
 force of the same or any of them, have been to us rendered, paid, or performed, or have been accustomed to be 
 rendered, paid, or performed, and in such manner and form as heretofore they have been paid or performed, or 
 have been accustomed to be paid or performed. We wUl, nevertheless, and do by these presents, establish and 
 ordain Ih^ the «aid Thomas Manton, Prebendaj:y of Wedmore II. aforesaid, and his successors shall, from hence- 
 forth for ever pay, or cause to be paid, yearly to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid. Choristers, 
 Schoolmaster, and other miniaters of the said Church, and to so many and such poor persons as and which by 
 reason of any constitution, were heretofore maintained or reKeved by the last Prebendary of Wedmore II. afore- 
 said, such sums of money as the Prebendary of the said Prebend of Wedmore II. aforesaid hath paid, or ought, 
 or have been accustomed to pay to them jointly or severally. We give also, and for us, our heirs and successors 
 do, by these presents, grant to the aforesaid Henry Sootherton, Prebendary of Wedmore III. aforesaid, and his 
 successors, all that the Prebend of Wedmore III., with all its rights, members, and appurtenances, in the said 
 county of Somerset, and all pensions and hereditaments to the said Prebend of Wedmore III. aforesaid apper- 
 taining or belonging, or whereof the Prebendary of the said Prebend of Wedmore III. aforesaid, for the space of 
 twenty years now last past, received or had the yearly issues, rents, or profits (all pensions, rents, payments, 
 and dues to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid paid or to be paid excepted) ; to 
 have, hold, and enjoy to the said Henry Sootherton, Prebendary of Wedmore III. aforesaid, and hie successors 
 for ever, to the only use and behoof of him, the said Prebendary, and his successors for ever; to 
 hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county of Kent, 
 by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' service, and ren- 
 dering, paying, and performing to us, our heirs and successors, for ever, all and all manner of such and 
 the same rents, services, payments, sums of money and tenths whatsoever, as at any time heretofore, out of or for 
 the same, or any of them, or by reason or force of the same, or any of them, have been to us rendered, paid, or 
 performed, or have been accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, and in such manner and form as hereto- 
 fore they have been performed or paid, or have been accustomed to be performed or paid. We will, neverthe- 
 less, and do, by these presents, establish and ordain, that the said Henry Sootherton, Prebendary of Wedmore 
 III. aforesaid, and his successors, shall, from henceforth for ever, pay, or cause to be paid, yearly to the Vicars 
 Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid. Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said Church, and 
 to so many and such poor persons as, and which, by reason of any constitution, were heretofore maintained or 
 relieved by the last Prebendary of Wedmore III. aforesaid, such sums of money as the Prebendary of the said 
 Prebend of Wedmore III. aforesaid hath paid or ought to pay, or hath been accustomed to pay to them jointly or 
 severally. We give also, and do, by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, grant to the aforesaid Wm. 
 Gilbert Prebendary of the said Prebend of Wedmore IV. aforesaid, and his successors, all that the Prebend of 
 Wedmore IV. aforesaid, with all its rights, members, and appurtenances, in the said County of Somerset, and all 
 pensions and hereditaments to the said Prebend of Wedmore IV. aforesaid appertaining or belonging, or 
 whereof the Prebendary of Wedmore IV. aforesaid, for the time being, for the space of twenty years now last 
 
270 QUEEF ELIZABETH'S CHARTER TO 
 
 past, as in riglit, force, or colour of the said Prebend, received or had the yearly issues, rents, or profits (all 
 pensions, rents, payments, and dues to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells paid, or to be 
 paid, excepted); to have, hold, and enjoy, to the said Wm. Gilbert, Prebendary of Wedmore IV. aforesaid, and 
 his successors for ever, to the only use and behoof of him, the said Prebendary, his heirs and successors, for 
 ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by 
 fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' service, and rendering, paying, and 
 performing to us, our heirs and successors, for ever, all and all manner of such and the same rents, services, 
 payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at any time heretofore, out of, or for the same or any of 
 them, or by reason or force of the same, or any of them, have been to us rendered, paid, or performed, or have 
 been accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, and in such manner and form as heretofore they have been 
 performed or paid. We will, nevertheless, and do, by these presents, ordain and establish that the said Wm. 
 Gilbert, Prebendary of Wedmore IV. aforesaid, and his successors, shall, from henceforth for ever pay, or cause 
 to be paid, yearly to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid, Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other 
 ministers of the said Chnrch, and to so many and such poor persons as, and which, by reason of any constitu- 
 tion, were maintained or relieved by the last Prebendary of Wedmore IV. aforesaid, such sums of money as the 
 Prebendary of the said Prebend of Wedmore IV. aforesaid hath paid, or ought or hath been accustomed to pay 
 to them jointly or severally. We give also, and do, by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, grant to 
 the aforesaid Henry Eussell, Prebendary of Wedmore V. aforesaid, and his successors, all that the Prebend of 
 Wedmore V., with all its rights, members, and appurtenances, in the said county of Somerset, and all pensions 
 and hereditaments to the said Prebend of Wedmore V. belonging dr appertaining, or whereof the Prebendary 
 of Wedmore V. aforesaid, for the space of twenty years now last past, received or had the yearly issues, rents, 
 revenues, or profits (all pensions, rents, payments, and dues to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of 
 Wells aforesaid, and their successors, paid, or to be paid, excepted) ; to have, hold, and enjoy, to the said Henry 
 Bussell, Prebendary of Wedmore V. aforesaid, and his successors for ever, to the only use and behoof of him, 
 the said Prebendary, and hie successors for ever; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East 
 Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' 
 service, and rendering, paying, and performing to us, our heirs and successors, for ever, all and all manner of 
 such and the same rents, services, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, which at any time hereto- 
 fore, out of or for the same or any of them, or by reason or force of the same, or any of them, have been to us 
 rendered, paid, or performed, or have been accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, and in such manner and 
 form as heretofore they were performed or paid, or have been accustomed to be performed or paid. We will, 
 nevertheless, and do, by these presents, establish and ordain that the said Henry Bussell, Prebendary of Wed- 
 more V. aforesaid, and his successors shall, from henceforth for ever pay, or cause to be paid, yearly to the 
 Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid. Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said 
 Church and to so many and such poor persons as were heretofore, by reason of any constitution, maintained or 
 relieved by the last Prebendary of Wedmore V. aforesaid, such sums of money as the Prebendary of the said 
 Prebend of Wedmore V. aforesaid hath paid, or ought or hath been accustomed to pay to them jointly or 
 severally. We give also, and do, by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, grant to the aforesaid Wm. 
 Watkinson, Prebendary of Mylverton II. aforesaid, and his successors, all that the Prebend of Mylverton II. 
 aforesaid, with all its rights, members, and appurtenances in the said county of Somerset, and all those pensions 
 and hereditaments to the said Prebend of Mylverton II. aforesaid appertaining or belonging, or whereof the 
 Prebendary of the said Prebend for the space of twenty years now last past, hath received or had the yearly 
 issues, rents, revenues, or profits (all pensions, rents, payments, and dues to the Dean and Chapter of the 
 Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, paid or to be paid, excepted); to have, hold, and enjoy, to the said Wm. 
 Watkinson, Prebendary of Mylverton II. aforesaid, and his successors for ever, to the only use and behoof of 
 him, the said Prebendary, and his successors for ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor 
 of East Greenwich, in our coimty of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, nor by 
 knights' service, and rendering, paying, and performing to us, our heirs and successors, for ever, all and all 
 manner of such and the same rents, services, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at any time 
 heretofore, out of, or for the same or any of them, or by reason or force of them, or any of them have been to us 
 rendered, paid, or performed, or been accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, and in such manner and 
 form as heretofore they have been performed or paid. We will, nevertheless, and do, by these presents 
 establish and ordain, that the said Wm. Watkinson, Prebendary of Mylverton II. aforesaid, shall from hence- 
 forth for ever pay, or cause to be paid, yearly to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid. Choristers 
 Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said Church, and to so many and such poor persons as and which by 
 reason of any coristitution, were heretofore maintained or relieved by the last Prebendary of the said Prebend 
 of Mylverton II. aforesaid, such sums of money as the Prebendary of the said Prebend hath paid, or ought or 
 hath been accustomed to pay to them jointly or severally. We give also, and for us, our heirs and successors 
 do by these presents, grant to the said Jno. Farrar, Prebendary of Taunton aforesaid, and his successors all 
 that the Prebend of Taunton, with all its rights, members, and appurtenances in the said county of Somerset 
 and all pensions and hereditaments whatsoever to the said Prebetid of Taunton aforesaid belonging or apper- 
 taining, or whereof the Prebendary of the said Prebend of Taunton aforesaid, for the Space of twenty years 
 now last past, hath received or had the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or profits (all pensions, rents, payments 
 and dues to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of WeUs aforesaid, paid or to be paid, excepted) • to' 
 
THE DEAN AND CHAPTER OF WELLS. 271 
 
 have, hold, and enjoy, to the said Jno. Farrar, Prebendary of Taunton aforesaid, and his successors, for 
 ever, to the only use and behoof of him, the said Prebendary, and his successors for ever ; to hold of 
 us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by fealty only, 
 in free and common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' service, and rendering, paying, and performing to 
 us, our heirs and successors, for ever, all and all manner of such and the same rents, services, payments, suras of 
 money, and tenths vrhatsoever, as at any time heretofore, out of or for the same, or by reason or force of the same 
 or any of them, have been to us rendered, paid, or performed, or have been accustomed to be rendered, paid, or 
 performed, and in such manner and form as heretofore they have been performed or paid, or been accustomed to 
 be performed or paid. We will, nevertheless, and do, by these presents, establish and ordain that the said John 
 rarrar. Prebendary of Taunton aforesaid, and his successors, shall, from henceforth for ever pay, or cause to be 
 paid, yearly to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid. Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other 
 ministers of the said Church, and to so many and such poor persons as and which were heretofore by reason of 
 any constitution relieved or maintained by the last Prebendary of Taunton aforesaid, such sums of money as 
 the Prebendary of the said Prebend of Taunton aforesaid hath paid, or ought or hath been accustomed to pay 
 to them jointly or severally ; and further, of our especial grace and of our certain knowledge and meer motion, 
 we do, for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant by these presents to the aforesaid Wm. Marston, Pre- 
 bendary of Combe I. aforesaid, and his successors, all that the Prebend of Combe I. aforesaid, with all its rights, 
 members, and appurtenances in the said county of Somerset, and all pensions and hereditaments to the said 
 Prebend of Combe I. belonging or appertaining, and whereof the Prebendary of Combe I. aforesaid, for the time 
 being, at any time within the space of twenty years now last past, hath received or had the yearly issues, rents, 
 revenues, or profits (all pensions, rents, payments, and dues to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of 
 Wells aforesaid, paid, or to be paid, excepted); to have, hold, and enjoy, to the said Wm. Marston, Prebendary of 
 Combe I., and his successors, for ever, to the only use and behoof of him, the said Prebendary, and his 
 successors for ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county of 
 Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' service, and rendering, pay- 
 ing, and performing to us, our heirs and successors, for ever, all and all manner of such and the same rents, 
 services, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at any time heretofore, out of or for the same or 
 any of them, or by reason or force of the same or any of them, have been rendered, paid, or performed, or 
 have been accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, and in such manner and form as heretofore they have 
 been performed or paid, or been accustomed to be performed or paid. We will, nevertheless, and do, by these 
 presents, establish and ordain that the said Wm. Marston, Prebendary of Combe I. aforesaid, and his successors, 
 shall, from henceforth for ever pay, or cause to be paid, yearly to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church 
 aforesaid, Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said Church, and to so many and such poor 
 persons as and which were heretofore by reason of any constitution, maintained or relieved by the last 
 Prebendary of Combe I. aforesaid, such sums of money as the Prebendary of the said Prebend of Combe I. 
 aforesaid hath paid, or ought or hath been accustomed to pay to them jointly or severally. We give also, 
 and do, for us, our heirs and successors, grant to the aforesaid Edmund Watt, Prebendary of Combe II. and his 
 successors, all that the Prebend of Combe II., with all its rights, members, and appurtenances, in the said county 
 of Somerset, and all pensions and hereditaments to the said Prebend of Combe II. belonging or appertaining, 
 or whereof the Prebendary of Combe II. aforesaid, for the space of twenty years now last past, hath received or 
 had the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or profits (all pensions, rents, payments, and dues to the Dean and 
 Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, paid or to be paid excepted) ; to have, hold, and enjoy to 
 the said Edmund Watt, Prebendary of Combe II. aforesaid, and his successors for ever, to the only use and 
 behoof of him, the said Prebendary, and his successors for ever ; to hold of us, om' heirs and successors, as of our 
 manor of East Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, 
 nor by knights' service, and rendering, paying, and performing to us, our heirs and successors for ever, all and 
 all manner of such and the same rents, services, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at any 
 time heretofore, out of, or for the same or any of them, or by reason or force of the same or any of them, have 
 been to us rendered, paid, or performed, or have been accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, and in 
 such manner and form as they have heretofore been performed or paid, or have been accustomed to be performed 
 or paid. We will, nevertheless, and do by these presents, establish and ordain that the said Edmund Watt, 
 Prebendary of Combe II. aforesaid, and his successors shall, from henceforth for ever pay, or cause to be paid, 
 yearly to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid. Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of 
 the said Church, and to so many and such poor persons as and which were, by reason of any constitution, 
 maintained or relieved by the last Prebendary of Combe II. aforesaid, such sums of money as the Prebendary 
 of the said Prebend of Combe II. aforesaid hath paid, or ought, or hath been accustomed to pay to them jointly 
 or severally. We give also, and for us, our heirs and successors, do grant to the aforesaid Thomas Walshall, 
 Prebendary of Combe III. aforesaid, and his successors, all that the Prebend of Combe III., with all its rights, 
 members, and appurtenances, in the said county of Somerset, and all pensions and hereditaments to the said 
 Prebend of Combe III. aforesaid belonging or appertaining, or whereof the said Prebendary of Combe III. 
 aforesaid, for the space of twenty years now last past, received or had the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or 
 profits (all pensions, rents, payments, and dues, to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Chm-oh of Wells 
 aforesaid, paid or to be paid excepted) ; to have, hold, and enjoy to the said Thomas Walshall, Prebendary cf 
 Combe III. aforesaid, and his successors for ever, to the only use and behoof of him, the said Prebendary and 
 
272 QUEER ELIZABETH'S CHARTER TO 
 
 hia successors for ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county 
 of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' service, and rendering, 
 paying, and performing to us, our heirs and successors for ever, all and all manner of such and the same rents, 
 services, payments, suras of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at any time heretofore, out of, or for the same or 
 any of them, or by reason or force of the same or any of them, have been to us rendered, paid, or performed, or 
 have been accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, and in such manner and form as they have heretofore 
 been paid or performed, or have been accustomed to be paid or performed. We will, nevertheless, and do by 
 these presents, establish and ordain that the said Thomas Walshall, Prebendary of Ooinbe III. aforesaid, and 
 his successors shall, from henceforth for ever pay, or cause to be paid, yearly to the Vicars Choral of the 
 Cathedral Church aforesaid. Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said Church, and to so many 
 and such poor persons as and which were heretofore, by reason of any constitution, maintained or relieved by 
 the last Prebendary of Combe III. aforesaid, such sums of money as the Prebendary of the said Prebend of 
 Combe III. aforesaid hath paid, or, ought, or hath been accustomed to pay to them jointly or severally. We 
 give also, and for us, our heirs and successors, do by these presents, grant to the said John Saunders, Pre- 
 bendary of Combe IV. aforesaid, and his successors, all that the Prebend of Combe IV., with all its rights, 
 members, and appurtenances, in the said county of Somerset, and all pensions and hereditaments to the said 
 Prebend of Combe IV. appertaining or belonging, or whereof the Prebendaries of Combe IV. have heretofore, 
 for the space of twenty years now last past, received or had the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or proiits (all 
 pensions, rents, payments, and dues to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, paid 
 or to be paid excepted) ; to have, hold, and enjoy to the said John Saunders, Prebendary Of Combe IV. aforesaid, 
 and his successors for ever, to the only use and behoof of him, the said Prebendary, and his successors for 
 ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by 
 fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' service, and rendering, paying, and 
 performing to us, our heirs and successors for ever, all and all manner of such and the same rents, services, 
 payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at any time heretofore, out of, or for the same or any of 
 them have been to us rendered, paid, or performed, or have been accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, 
 and in such manner and form as they have been heretofore performed or paid, or have been accijstomed to be 
 performed or paid. We will, nevertheless, and do by these presents, establish and ordain that the said Joh'n 
 Saunders, Prebendary of Combe IV. aforesaid, and his successors shall, from henceforth for ever pay, or cause 
 to be paid, yearly to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid. Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other 
 ministers of the said Church, and to so many and such poor persons as and which were heretofore, by reason of 
 any constitution, maintained or relieved by the last Prebendary of Combe IV. aforesaid, such sums of 
 money as the Prebendary of the said Prebend of Combe IV. aforesaid did, or ought, or hath been accustomed to 
 pay to them jointly or severally. We give also, and for us, our heirs and successors, do by these presents grant 
 to the aforesaid Thomas Maddox, Prebendary of Combe V. aforesaid, and his successors, all that the Prebend 
 of Combe V., with all its rights, members, and appurtenances, in the said county of Somerset, and all pensions 
 and hereditaments to the said Prebend of Combe V. aforesaid appertaining or belonging, or whereof the Pre- 
 bendaries of Combe V. aforesaid, for the space of twenty years now last past, have received or had the yearly 
 issues, rents, revenues, or profits (all pensions, rents, payments, and dues to the Dean and Chapter of the 
 Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, paid or to be paid, excepted); to have, hold, and enjoy to the said Thomas 
 Maddox, Prebendary of Combe V. aforesaid, and his successors for ever, to the only use and behopf of him, the 
 said Prebendary and his successors for ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East 
 Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' 
 service, and rendering, paying, and performing to us, our heirs and successors for ever, all and all manner of 
 such and the same rents, services, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at any time heretofore, 
 out of) or for the same or any of them, or by reason or force of the same, or any of them, have been to us 
 rendered, paid, or performed, or have been accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, and in such manner 
 aud form as heretofore they have been performed or paid, or been accustomed to be performed or paid. We 
 will, nevertheless, and do by these presents, establish and ordain that the said Thomas Maddox, Pre- 
 bendary of Combe V. aforesaid, and his successors, shall from henceforth for ever pay, or cause to be 
 paid yearly to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Chui'ch aforesaid. Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other 
 ministers of the said Church, and to so many aud such poor persons as and which were heretofore, by 
 reason of any constitution maintained qr relieved by the last Prebendary of Combe V. aforesaid, such sums 
 of money as the Prebendary of Combe V. aforesaid did, or ought, or hath been- accustomed to pay to them, 
 jointly or severally. We give also, and for us, our heirs and successors, do grant by these presents to the 
 aforesaid Anthony Blinco, Prebendary of Combe 'VI. aforesaid, and his successors, all that the Prebend of 
 Combe VI., with all its rights, members, and appurtenances, in the said county of Somerset, and all pensions 
 and hereditaments to the said Prebend of Combe VI. appertaining or belonging, or whereof the Prebendary of 
 Combe VI. aforesaid, for the space of twenty years now last past, hath received or had the yearly issues, rents, 
 revenues, or profits (all pensions, rents, payments, and dues to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church 
 of Wells aforesaid, paid or to be paid, excepted) ; to have, hold, and enjoy, to the said Anthony Blinco, Pre- 
 bendary of Combe VI. aforesaid, and his successors for ever, to the only use and behoof of him, the said Pre- 
 bendary, and his successors for ever; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, 
 in our county of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' service, and 
 
THE DEAF AND CHAPTER OF WELLS. 273 
 
 rendering, paying, and performing to us, our heirs and successors for ever, all and all manner of such and the 
 same rents, services, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at any time heretofore, out of, or for 
 the same or any of them, or by reason or force of the same, or any of them, have been to us rendered, paid, or 
 performed, or been accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, and in such manner and form as heretofore 
 they have been, or have been accustomed to be performed or paid. We will, nevertheless, and do by these pre- 
 sents, establish and ordain that the said Anthony Blinco, Prebendary of Oombe VI. aforesaid, and his 
 successors shall, from henceforth for ever pay, or cause to be paid yearly to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral 
 Church aforesaid, Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said Church, and to so many and such 
 poor persons as heretofore, by reason of any constitution have been maintained or relieved by the last Pre- 
 bendary of Combe VI. aforesaid, such sums of money as the Prebendary of the said Prebend of Combe VI. 
 aforesaid hath paid, or ought, or hath been accustomed to pay to them, jointly or severally. We give also, and 
 do by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, gi-ant to the aforesaid WiUiam Wickham, Prebendary of 
 Combe VII. aforesaid, and his successors, all that the Prebend of Combe VII. aforesaid, with all its rights, 
 members, and appurtenances, in the said county of Somerset, and all pensions and hereditaments, to the said 
 Prebend of Combe VII. aforesaid, appertaining or belonging, or whereof the Prebendary of Oombe VII. 
 aforesaid, for the space of twenty years now last past, hath received or had the yearly issues, rents, 
 revenues, or profits (all pensions, rents, payments, and dues to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral 
 Church cf Wells aforesaid, paid and to be paid excepted), to have, hold, and enjoy to the said 
 William Wickham, Prebendary of Combe VII. aforesaid, and his successors for ever; to the only use and behoof 
 of the said Prebendary and his successors for ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of 
 East Greenwich, in our county of Kent (Somerset in copy), by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not 
 in chief, nor by knights' service, and rendering, paying, and performing to us, our heirs and successors for ever, 
 all and all manner of such and the saine rents, services, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsover, as at 
 any time heretofore, out of or for the same or any of them, or by reason or force of the same or any of them, 
 have been to us rendered, paid, or performed, or been accustomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, and in 
 such manner and form as heretofore they have been performed or paid, or been accustomed to be performed or 
 paid. We will, nevertheless, and do, by these presents establish and ordain that the said William Wickham, 
 Prebendary of Combe VII. aforesaid, and his successors, shall, from henceforth for ever, pay or cause to be paid 
 yearly to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid, Charistere, Schoolmaster, and other ministers 
 of the said Church, and to so many and such poor persons as and which by reason of any constitution were here- 
 tofore maintained or relieved by the last Prebendary of Combe VII. aforesaid, such sums of money as the Pre- 
 bendary of Combe VII. aforesaid did, or ought, or hath been accustomed to pay to them jointly or severally. 
 We give also, and for us, our heirs and successors, do grant to the aforesaid Francis Godwyn, Prebendary of 
 Combe VIII. aforesaid, and his successors, all that the Prebend of Combe VIII., with all its rights, members, 
 and appurtenances, in the said county of Somerset, and all pensions and hereditaments to the said Prebendary of 
 Combe VIII. aforesaid, appertaining or belonging, or whereof the Prebend of Oombe VIII. aforesaid, for the 
 space of twenty years now last past, hath received or had the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or profits (all 
 pensions, rents, payments, and dues to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid paid or 
 to be paid excepted) ; to have, hold, and enjoy to the said Francis Godwyn, Prebendary of Oombe VIII. afore- 
 said, and his successors for ever ; to the only use and behoof of him, the said Prebendary, and his successors for 
 ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by 
 fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' service, and rendering, paying, and 
 performing to us, our heirs and successors for ever, all and all manner of such and the same rents, services, pay- 
 ments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at any time heretofore, out of or for the same or any of them, 
 or by reason or force of the same or any of them, have been rendered, paid, or performed, or have been accus- 
 tomed to be rendered, paid, or performed, and in such manner and form as heretofore they have been performed 
 or paid, or have been accustomed to be performed or paid. We will, nevertheless, and do, by these presents, 
 establish and ordain that the said Francis Godwyn, Prebendary of Combe VIII. aforesaid, and his successors shall, 
 from henceforth for ever, pay or cause to be paid yearly to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid. 
 Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said Church, and to so many and such poor persons as and 
 which were heretofore, by reason of any constitution were maintained or relieved by the last Prebendary of 
 Oombe VIII. aforesaid, such sums of money as the Prebendary of the said Prebend of Combe VIII. aforesaid hath 
 paid, or ought, or hath been accustomed to pay to them jointly or severally. We give also, and for us, our heirs 
 and successors do, by these presents grant to the aforesaid Francis Alford, Prebendary of Combe IX. aforesaid, 
 and his successors, all tiiat theJPrebend of Combe IX., with all its rights, members, and appurtenances in the said 
 county of Somerset, and all pensions and hereditaments to the said Prebend of Oombe IX. aforesaid, appertaining 
 or belonging, or whereof the Prebendaries of Combe IX. aforesaid, for the space of twenty years now last past, 
 have received or had the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or profits (all pensions, rents, payments, and dues to the 
 Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid paid and to be paid excepted) ; to have, hold, and 
 enjoy to the said Francis Alford, Prebendary of Combe IX. aforesaid, and his successors for ever ; to the only 
 use and behoof of him, the said Prebendary, and his successors for ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, 
 as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not 
 in chief, nor by knights' service, and rendering, paying, and performing to us, our heirs and successors for ever, 
 all and all manner of such and the same rents, services, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at 
 
 4n 
 
274 QUEEN ELIZABETITS CHARTER TO 
 
 any time heretofore, out of or for the same or any of them or by reason or force of the same or any of them, have 
 been to us rendered, performed, or paid, or been accustomed to be rendered, performed, or paid, and in such manner 
 and form as they have been heretof or performed or paid, or have been accustomed to be performed or paid. We will, 
 nevertheless, and do by these presents establish and ordain that the said Francis Alford, Prebendary of Combe 
 IX. aforesaid, and his successors, shall from henceforth for ever pay, or cause to be paid yearly to the Vicars 
 Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid, Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said Church, and 
 to so many and such poor persons as and which by reason of any constitution were heretofore maintained or 
 relieved by the last Prebendary of Combe IX., such sums of money as the Prebendary of Combe IX. aforesaid 
 hath paid, or ought, or hath been accustomed to pay to them jointly or severally. We give also, and do, by these 
 presents for us, oiir heirs and successors, grant to the aforesaid Paul Methwen, Prebendary of Combe X. afore- 
 said, and his successors, all that the Prebend of Combe X., ynth. all its rights, members, and appurtenances in 
 the said county of Somerset, and aU pensions and hereditaments to the said Prebend of Combe X. aforesaid, 
 appertaining or belonging, or whereof the Prebendaries of Combe X. aforesaid, for the space of twenty years now 
 last past, hath received or had the yearly issues, revenues, or profits (aU pensions, rents, payments, or dues to 
 the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, paid or to be paid excepted), to have, hold, 
 and enjoy to the said Paul Methwen, Prebendary of Combe X. aforesaid, and his successors for ever, to the 
 only use and behoof of him, the said Prebendary, and his successors for ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and 
 successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common 
 socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' service, and rendering, paying, and performing to us, our heirs and 
 successors for ever, all and all manner of such and the same rents, services, payments, sums of money, and 
 tenths whatsoever, as at any time heretofore, out of or for the same or any of them, or by reason or force of the 
 same, or any of them, have been to us rendered, paid, or performed, or have been accustomed to be rendered, 
 paid, or performed, and in such manner and form as they have- been, or have been accustomed to be performed 
 or paid. We will, nevertheless, and do by these presents, establish and ordain that the said Paul Methwen, Pre- 
 bendary of Oombe X. aforesaid, and his successors shall, from henceforth for ever pay, or cause to be paid 
 yearly to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid, Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of 
 the said Church, and to so many and such poor persons as and which were heretofore, by reason of any consti- 
 tution, maintained or relieved by the last Prebendary of Combe X. aforesaid, such sums of money as the Preben- 
 dary of the said Prebend of Combe X. aforesaid, did, or ought, or hath been accustomed to pay to them, jointly 
 or severally. We give also, and for us, our heirs and successors, do by these presents grant to the said Anthony 
 Methwen, of Combe XI. aforesaid, and his successors, all that the Prebend of Oombe XI., with all its rights, 
 members, and appurtenances, in the said county of Somerset, and all pensions and hereditaments whatsoever, to 
 the said Prebend of Combe XL, belonging or appertaining, or whereof the Prebendaries of Combe XI. afore- 
 said, for the space of twenty years now last past, have received or had the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or 
 profits (all pensions, rents, payments, and dues to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells 
 aforesaid, paid and to be paid excepted), to have, hold, and enjoy to the said Anthony Methwen, Prebendary of 
 Combe XI. aforesaid, and his successors for ever, to the only use- and behoof of him, the said Prebendary, and 
 hifi successors for ever; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our 
 county of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' ser-rice, and ren- 
 dering, paying, and performing to us, our heirs and successors for ever, all and all manner of such and the 
 same rents, ser-yices, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at any time heretofore, out of or for 
 the same or any of them, or by reason or force of the same, or any of them, have been, or have been accustomed 
 to be, to us rendered, paid, or performed, and in such manner and form as heretofore they have been, or have 
 been accustomed to be, performed or paid. We will, nevertheless, and do by these presents, establish and 
 ordain that the said Anthony Methwen, Prebendary of Oombe XI. aforesaid, and his successors shall, from 
 henceforth for ever pay, or cause to be paid yearly to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid. 
 Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said Church, and to so many and such poor persons as and 
 which were heretofore, by reason of any constitution, relieved or maintained by the last Prebendary of Oombe 
 XI. aforesaid, such sums of money as the Prebendary of the said Prebend of Combe XI. aforesaid did, or ought, 
 or hath been accustomed to pay to them, jointly or severally. We give also, and for us, our heirs and 
 successors, do by these presents, grant to the said Thomas Powell, Prebendary of Combe XII. aforesaid, and 
 his successors, all that the Prebend of Oombe XII., with all its rights, members, and appurtenances, in the said 
 county of Somerset, and all pensions and hereditaments to the said Prebend of Oombe XII. aforesaid, belonging 
 or appertaining,, or whereof the Prebendaries of Combe XII. aforesaid, for the space of twenty years now last 
 past, have received or had the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or profits (all pensions, rents, payments, or dues 
 to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, paid or to be paid excepted), to have, hold, 
 and enjoy to the said Thomas Powell, Prebendary of Oombe XII. aforesaid, and his successors, to the only use 
 and behoof of him, the said Prebendary and his successors for ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of 
 our manor of East Green-wich, in our county of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in 
 chief, nor by knights' service, and rendering, paying, and performing to us, our heirs and successors for ever, 
 all and all manner of such and the same rents, services, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at 
 any time heretofore, out of or for the same or any of them, or by reason or force of the same or any of them, 
 have been, or have been accustomed to be, to us, rendered, paid, or performed, and in such manner and form as 
 heretofore they have been performed or paid, or been accustomed to be performed or paid. We will, never- 
 
THE DEAN AND CHAPTER OF WELLS. 275 
 
 theless, and do by these presents establish and ordain that the said Thomas Powell, Prebendary of Oombe XII. 
 aforesaid, and his successors shall, from henceforth for ever pay, or cause to be paid yearly to the Vicars Choral 
 of the Cathedral Church aforesaid, and to the Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said Church, 
 and to so many and such poor persons as and which were, by reason of any constitution, relieved or maintained 
 by the last Prebendary of Combe XII. aforesaid, such sums of money as the Prebendary of the Prebend of 
 Combe XII. did, or ought, or hath been accustomed to pay to them, jointly or severally. We give also, and do 
 by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, grant to the aforesaid John Bourne, Prebendary of Combe 
 XIII. aforesaid, and his successors, all that the Prebend of Combe XIII., with all its rights, members, and 
 appurtenances, in the said county of Somerset, and all pensions and hereditaments, to the said Prebend of 
 Combe XIII. aforesaid, appertaining or belonging, whereof the said Prebendaries of Combe XIII. aforesaid, for 
 the space of twenty years now last past, have received or had the yearly issues, rents, or profits (aU pensions, 
 rents, payments, and dues to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of "Wells aforesaid, paid and to be 
 paid excepted), to have, hold, and enjoy to the said John Bourne, Prebendary of Combe XIII. aforesaid, and his 
 successors, to the only use and behoof of him, the said Prebendary, and his successors for ever; to hold of us, 
 our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by fealty only, in free and 
 common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' service, and rendering, paying, and performing to us, our 
 heirs and successors for ever, all and all manner of such and the same rents, services, payments, sums of money, 
 and tenths whatsoever, as at any time heretofore, out of or for the same or any of them, or by reason or force 
 of the same, or any of them, have been to us rendered, paid, or performed, or have been accustomed to be ren- 
 dered, paid, or performed, and in such manner and form as they have heretofore been, or been accustomed to be, 
 performed or paid. We wUI, nevertheless, and do by these presents establish and ordain that the said John 
 Bourne, Prebendary of Combe XIII. aforesaid, and his successors shall, from henceforth for ever pay, or cause 
 to be paid yearly to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid. Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other 
 ministers of the said Church, and to so many and such poor persons as and which were, by reason of any con- 
 stitution, heretofore maintained or relieved by the last Prebendary of Combe XIII. aforesaid, such sums of 
 money as the Prebendary of the said Prebend of Combe XIII. aforesaid, did, or ought, or hath been accustomed 
 to pay to them, jointly or severally. We give also, and for us, our heirs and successors, do by these presents 
 grant to the aforesaid Eobert EoUes, Prebendary of Combe XIV. aforesaid, and his successors, aU that the Pre- 
 bendary of Combe XIV., with aU its rights, members, and appurtenances, in the said county of Somerset, and 
 all pensions and hereditaments to the said Prebend of Combe XIV., belonging and appertaining, or whereof the 
 Prebendaries of Combe XIV aforesaid, for the space of twenty years now last past, have received or had the 
 yearly issues, rents, revenues, or profits (all pensions, rents, payments, and dues to the Dean and Chapter of 
 the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, paid and to be paid excepted), to have, hold, and enjoy to the said 
 Kobert Eolles, Prebendary of Combe XIV. aforesaid, and his successors, to the only use and behoof of him, the 
 said Prebendary, and his successors for ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East 
 Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' 
 service, and rendering, paying, and performing to us, om- heirs and successors for ever, all and all manner of 
 such and the same rents, services, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at any time heretofore, 
 out of or for the same or any of them, or by reason or force of the same or any of them, have been, or have been 
 accustomed to be, to us rendered, paid, or performed, and in such manner and form as they have heretofore 
 been, or been accustomed to be, performed or paid. We will, nevertheless, and do by these presents establish 
 and ordain that the said Bobert BoUes, Prebendary of Combe XIV. aforesaid, and his successors, shall from 
 henceforth for ever pay, or cause to be paid yearly to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid, 
 Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said Church, and to so many and such poor persons as and 
 which were, by reason of any constitution, maintained or relieved by the last Prebendary of Combe XIV. afore- 
 said, such sums of money as the Prebendary of the said Prebend of Combe XIV. aforesaid hath paid, or ougl.t, 
 or hath been accustomed to pay to them, jointly or severally. We give also, and for us, our heirs and successors, 
 do by these presents grant to the said.Edward Tynes, Prebendary of Oombe XV. aforesaid, and his successors, 
 all that the Prebend of Combe XV., with all its rights, members, and appurtenances, in the said county of 
 Somerset, and all pensions and hereditaments to the said Prebend of Oombe XV., belonging or appertaining, or 
 whereof the Prebendaries of Combe XV. aforesaid, for the space of twenty years now last past, have received, 
 or had the yearly issues, rents, revenues, profits (all pensions, rents, payments, and dues to the Dean and 
 Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells, paid or to be paid excepted), to have, hold, and enjoy to the said 
 Edward Tynes, Prebendary of Oombe XV. aforesaid, and his successors for ever, to the only use and behoof of 
 the said Prebendary and his successors for ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of East 
 Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' 
 service, and rendering, paying, and performing to us, our heirs and successors for ever, all and all manner of 
 such and the same rents, services, payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at any time heretofore, 
 out of or for the same or any of them, or by reason or force of the same or any of them, have been, or have 
 been accustomed to be, to us rendered, performed, or paid, and in such manner and form as they have heretofore 
 been or been accustomed to be performed or paid. We will, nevertheless, and do by these presents establish 
 and ordain that the said Edward Tynes, Prebendary of Combe XV., and his successors, shall from henceforth 
 pay, or cause to be paid for ever yearly to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid. Choristers 
 Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said Church, and to so many and such poor persons as, by reason of 
 
QUEEN ELIZABETH'S CHARTER TO 
 
 any constitution, were maintained or relieved by the last Prebendary of Oombe XV. aforesaid, such sums of 
 money as the Prebendary of the said Prebend of Oombe XV. aforesaid hath paid, or ought, or hath been accus- 
 tomed to pay to them, jointly or severally. We give also, and do for us, our heirs and successors, grant to the 
 aioresaid James Bysse, Prebendary of Warmynster, otherwise Luxfleld, and his successors, all that the Prebend 
 of Warmynster, otherwise Luxfleld, with all its rights, members, and appurtenances, in the said county of 
 Wilts, and all and singular the same and such rectories, messuages, lands, tenements, advowsons, rights of 
 patronage, tithes, oblations, rents, reversions, franchises, liberties, rights, jurisdictions, exemptions, proving of 
 testaments, administrations, and hereditaments whatsoever, and of what kind soever, as well spiritual as tem- 
 poral, as and which the last Prebendary of Warminster, otherwise Luxfleld aforesaid, as in right or force of the 
 said Prebend, hath heretofore had, held, received, or enjoyed, or whereof the Prebendary of Warmynster, other- 
 wise Luxfleld aforesaid, for the space of twenty years now last past, as in right, force, or colour of the said 
 Prebend, hath received, had, or enjoyed the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or proflts (all pensions, rents, pay- 
 ments, and dues to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, paid or to be paid 
 excepted), to have, hold, and enjoy to the said James Bysse, Prebendary of Warmynster, otherwise Luxfleld 
 aforesaid, and his successors for ever; to the only use and behoof of him, the said Prebendary and his successors 
 for ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and successors, as of our manor of Bast Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by 
 fealty only, in free and common socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' service, and rendering, paying, and 
 performing to ua, our heirs and successors for ever, all and all manner of such and the same rents, services, 
 payments, sums of money, and tenths whatsoever, as at any time heretofore, out of or for the same or by reason 
 or force of the same or any of them, have been, or have been accustomed to be to us rendered, paid, or per- 
 formed, and in such manner and form a^ heretofore they have been performed or paid, or been accustomed to be 
 performed or paid. We will, nevertheless, and do by these presents establish and ordain that the said James 
 Bysse, Prebendary of Warmynster, otherwise Luxfleld, and his successors shall from henceforth for ever pay, or 
 cause to be paid yearly to the Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid, Choristers, Schoolmaster, and 
 other ministers of the said Church, and to so many and such poor persons as and which were heretofore, by 
 reason of any constitution, maintained or relieved by the last Prebendary of Warmynster, otherwise Luxfleld 
 aforesaid, such sums of money as the Prebendary of the said Prebend of Warmynster, otherwise Luxfleld, did, 
 or ought, or hath been accustomed to pay to them, jointly or severally. We give also, and for us, our heirs and 
 successors, do by these presents grant to the said Eoger Good, Prebendary of S. Decuman, and his successors, 
 all that the Prebend of S. Decuman, with all its rights, members, and appurtenances, in the said county of 
 Somerset, and all and singular the same and such rectories, messuages, lands, tenements, advowsons, rights of 
 patronage, tithes, oblations, rents, reversions, franchises, liberties, rights, jurisdictions, exemptions, proving of 
 testaments, administrations, and hereditaments whatsoever, and of what kind soever, as well spiritual as tern* 
 poral, as and which the last Prebendary of S. Decuman aforesaid, as in right or force of the said Prebend here- 
 tofore had held, received, or enjoyed, or whereof the Prebendary of the said Prebend of S. Decuman aforesaid, 
 for the time being, for the space of twenty years now last past, as in right, force, or colour of the said Prebend, 
 received, bad, or enjoyed the yearly issues, rents, revenues, or proflts (all pensions, rents, payments, and dues to 
 the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, paid and to be paid excepted), to have, hold, 
 and enjoy to the said Eoger Good, Prebendary of S. Decuman aforesaid, and his successors for ever, to the 
 only use and behoof of him, the said Prebendary and his successors for ever ; to hold of us, our heirs and 
 successors, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in our county of Kent, by fealty only, in free and common 
 socage, and not in chief, nor by knights' service, and rendering, paying, and performing to us, our heirs and 
 successors for ever, all and all manner of such and the same rents, services, payments, and sums of money, and 
 tenths whatsoever, as at any time heretofore, out of or for the same or any of them, or by reason or force of the 
 same or any of them, have been, or have been accustomed to be, to us rendered, paid, or performed, and in 
 such manner and form as heretofore they have been or have been accustomed to be performed or paid. We will, 
 nevertheless, and do by these presents establish and ordain that the said Eoger Good, Prebendary of S. 
 Decuman aforesaid, and his successors, shall from henceforth for ever pay, or cause to be paid yearly to the 
 Vicars Choral of the Cathedral Church aforesaid. Choristers, Schoolmaster, and other ministers of the said 
 Church, and to so many and such poor persons as and which were heretofore, by reason of any constitution, 
 maintained or relieved by the last Prebendary of S. Decuman aforesaid, such sums of money as the Prebendary 
 of the said Prebend of St. Decuman aforesaid did, or ought, or hath been accustomed to pay to them, jointly and 
 severally. And further, we will, and do by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, establish and ordain 
 that the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, and their successors. Dean of the said 
 Cathedral Church for the time being, and his successors, and all the dignitaries, officers, and Prebendaries afore- 
 said, and their successors, and every of them shall yearly, and from time to time for ever pay, or cause to be paid 
 BO many and such sums of money, payments, pensions, annuities, and stipends of stalls to and towards the sup- 
 port and reparation of the fabric of the Cathedral Church aforesaid, as and which the said Dean and Chapter, or 
 the Dean or dignitaries, officers, and Prebendaries aforesaid, or any or either of them have, or hath at any time 
 heretofore duly and rightfully been accustomed to pay, or ought to pay. We will also, and do by these presents, 
 and for us, our heirs and successors, establish and ordain that so many, so great, such and such like sums of 
 money, payments, pensions, annuities, and stipends of stalls, called stall wages, heretofore paid or applied, or 
 accustomed to be paid and applied, by the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church aioresaid, or by the afore- 
 said dignitaries, officers, or Prebendaries, for the maintenance of any greater number of Vicars Choral within 
 the said Cathedral Church of Wells, then are now maintained within the said Church. That the residue of aU 
 
THE DEAN AND CHAPTER OF WELLS. 277 
 
 the said sums of money, payments, pensions, annuities, and stipends called stall wages, so not paid and applied 
 for the maintenance of so gi-eat a number of Vicai-s as hath heretofore at any time being, or shall from hence- 
 forth be maintaiued within the said Cathedral Church, shall from time to time, from henceforth for ever, be 
 kept, converted, and applied to and towards the support and reparation of the fabric of the said Cathedral 
 Church, and to no other uses or purposes whatsoever; which said pensions, portions, yearly rents, and sums of 
 money aforesaid, and to be paid yearly to the said several Prebends of Combe and Wedmore aforesaid, shall be 
 paid, or ought to be paid by the Dean of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid. And further, in order that 
 every ofSoe or dignity founded, erected, and established in the Church aforesaid, shall have its own proper duty, 
 and the persons exercising those dignities and offices may hold then: own proper places and offices. We vrill, 
 and do by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, ordain that the aforesaid John Langworth, Preben- 
 dary of Huyshe and Brent aforesaid ; Philip Bysse, Prebendary of Mylverton I. aforesaid ; William Wattinson, 
 Prebendai-y of Mylverton II. aforesaid ; James Cottington, Prebendary of Cumpton Dunden aforesaid ; William 
 Powell, Prebendary of Wormestre aforesaid ; James Bysse, Prebendai-y of Warmynster, otherwise Luxfield, 
 aforesaid; William Barlow, Prebendary of Wyvilisoombe ; Robert Earle, Prebendary of Lytton; William 
 Forth, Prebendary of Cumpton Bishops ; George Cooper, Prebendary of Whitchurch ; Bobert Hoveuden, Pre- 
 bendary of Henstridge; William Whitlooke, Prebendary of Dultingcolt, otherwise Finghurst; WiUiam 
 Moseley, Prebendary of Easton-iu-Gordan ; John Farrar, Prebendary of Taunton ; Thomas Masters, Prebendary 
 of Easelberg; Matthew Sutcliffe, Prebendary of Buckland Dynham; William Jones, Prebendary of Bastharp- 
 tree; William Stone, Prebendary of Stamford, otherwise Shalford; John Tuchiner, Prebendary of White- 
 lacMngton; Henry Hyll, Prebendary of Tymbrescombe ; Robert Forth, Prebendary of Holcombe; Robert 
 Godwyn, Prebendary of Dynder; Thomas Barker, Prebendary of Ayshill ; Justinian Lancastre, Prebendary of 
 Wanstrowe; Thomas Drope, Prebendary of Barton ; Abraham Conham, Prebendary of Ilton ; Robert Newman, 
 Prebendary of Cudworth ; Thomas Manton, Prebendary of Wedmore II. ; Henry Sootherton, Prebendary of 
 Wedmore III.; William Gilbert, Prebendary of Wedmore IV.; Henry Russell, Prebendary of Wedmore V. ; 
 Roger Gode, Prebendary of S. Decuman ; William Marston, Prebendary of Combe I. ; Edmund Watt, Preben- 
 dary of Combe II. ; Thomas Walshall, Prebendary of Combe III. ; John Saunders, Prebendary of Combe IV. ; 
 Thomas Maddox, Prebendary of Combe V. ; Anthony Blinco, Prebendary of Combe VI. ; WiUiam Wyckham, 
 Prebendary of Combe VII. ; Francis Godwyn, Prebendary of Combe VIII. ; Francis Alf ord. Prebendary of 
 Combe IX. ; Paul Methwen, Prebendary of Combe X. ; Anthony Methwen, Prebendary of Combe XI. ; Thomas 
 Powell, Prebendary of Combe XII. ; John Bowrne, Prebendary of Combe XIII. ; Robert RoUes, Prebendary of 
 Combe XIV. ; Edward Tynes, Prebendary of Combe XV. ; and Richard Wood, Prebendary of Yatton afore- 
 said, and every of them and their successors, and the successors of every of them, shall for ever be joined and 
 combined with the aforesaid Dean and Chapter and their successors, to the ends, intents, and purposes follow- 
 ing only, that is to say, as Prebendaries aforesaid, every of them and their successors, and the successors of 
 every of them shall have a stall in the choir of the Cathedral Church aforesaid, and that they, and every of them, 
 shall have a place and voice in the Chapter of the said Cathedral Church, only to elect a Bishop to the Episcopal 
 See of Bath and Wells aforesaid, whensoever it shall be needful. And, therefore, we give and for us, our heirs 
 and successors, do will and grant to the Prebendaries aforesaid, and every of them, and to their successors and 
 the successors of every of them, full power and authority to exercise, enjoy, and use a stall in the choir of the 
 Cathedral Church aforesaid, and to a place and voice in the Chapter of the said Church, only to elect a Bishop 
 to the aforesaid Episcopal See of Bath and Wells, from time to time for ever, together with the Dean and 
 Chapter of the Cathedral Church aforesaid, and their successors ; and, further, of our more abundant especial 
 grace, and of our certain knowledge and meer motion, we do for us, our heirs and successors, give, and grant, and 
 pardon to the aforesaid Dean and Chapter and their successors, and to the aforesaid John Harbert, Dean of the 
 Cathedral Church aforesaid, and Prebendary of Currie aforesaid ; James Cottington, Precentor of the Cathedral 
 Church aforesaid ; John Langworth, Archdeacon of Wells, and Prebendary of Huyshe and Brent aforesaid ; 
 Thomas Manton, Chancellor of the said Church ; John Bowrne, Treasurer of the Church aforesaid ; Philip 
 Bysse, Archdeacon of Taunton, and Prebendary of Mylverton I. aforesaid; William Powell, Archdeacon of Bath 
 aforesaid, and to the said James Bysse, Sub-dean of the Cathedral Church aforesaid, and to each of the forty- 
 nine Prebendaries aforesaid, severally, all and singular, the issues, rents, revenues, profits, and arrears what- 
 soever, of all and singular the premises above expressed and specified, and severally granted to them as afore- 
 said, and every parcel thereof, from the time when the said premises, or any parcel thereof, came, or ought to 
 have come, to our hands, or to the hands of any of our ancestors hitherto coming, growing, and renewing; to 
 have and to hold to them and their successors for ever, of our especial gift, without account or any other thing, 
 to be therefore to us, our heirs or successors, in any manner rendered, paid, or done. And further, of our more 
 abundant grace, certain knowledge, and meer motion, we do for us, our heirs and successors, will and grant that 
 the. Bishop of Bath and WeUs, who shall next be Bishop of the Episcopal See aforesaid, and his successor and 
 successors shall from time to time have, hold, and enjoy to him and his successors, all and all manner of so 
 many and the like advowsons, donations, collations, free dispositions and rights of patronage, of all and singular 
 the dignities, prebends, and officers aforesaid, as and which the last Bishop of Bath and Wells aforesaid had 
 held or enjoyed, or ought to have holden or enjoyed, in right or by reason of the Bishopric of Bath and Wells 
 aforesaid; except always, nevertheless, and to us, our heirs and successors, wholly reserved, the advowsons, 
 disposition, nomination, and rights of patronage of the Deanery of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, as 
 often as and whensoever it shall happen to be void. And further, of our more abundant grace, and in the pleni- 
 tude of our royal power, we do for us, our heirs and successors, will and expressly command that this present 
 
278 QUEEN ELIZABETH'S CHARTER. 
 
 grant, will, and gift, and these our letters patent, and every word, sentence, and clause contained and specified in 
 the same shall be interpreted, taken, e3q)0unded, understood, adjudged, and determined as well before us and our 
 successors, in whatsoever courts of us, our heirs and successors, as well spiritual as temporal, and in all other 
 places and before whatsoever judges, justices, ministers, and other persons, and persons whomsoever, according 
 to our true intent heretofore in these presents expressed or specified, to the greatest benefit and profit of the 
 aforesaid Dean and Chapter and their successors, and of every person who now is, or at any time hereafter 
 shall be. Dean of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, or a Prebendary in the said Church, or nominated, 
 appointed, assigned, or promoted to any office or dignity in the said Church, and most strictly against us, our 
 heirs and successors. We will also further, and do by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, grant to 
 the aforesaid Dean and Chapter and their successors, to the aforesaid officers and Prebendaries and their 
 successors, that these bur letters patent, or the enrolments thereof, shall be hereafter firm, vaKd, good, sufficient, 
 and effectual in law towards and against us, our heirs and successors, as well in all our courts as elsewhere 
 within and without this kingdom of England, without any licences, confirmations, or tolerations from us, our 
 heirs or successors, to be hereafter procured or obtained by the said Dean and Chapter and their successors, or 
 the aforesaid officers and Prebendaries and their successors, or any or either of them. Notwithstanding the 
 misnaming or misreciting, or not reciting the aforesaid manors, rectories, messuages, lands, tenements, and other 
 the premises above granted, or any parcel thereof, and notwithstanding the not finding of an office or inquisi- 
 tion of the premises or of any parcel thereof, by which our title might or ought to have been found before the 
 making of these our letters patent. And notwithstanding that express mention is not made of the true yearly value 
 and certainty of the premises, or of any gifts or grants heretofore made by us, or any of our progenitors, to the 
 aforesaid Dean and Chapter and their successors. And notwithstanding the misreciting and not reciting any 
 demise or grant heretofore made of the premises, or of any parcel thereof, as well of record as not of record. 
 And notwithstanding the not naming the tenants, farmers, or occupiers of the premises, or of any parcel 
 thereof, or the not naming or not rightly naming the nature, kind, sort, quality, or quantity of the premises, or 
 of any parcel thereof. And further, we will and by these presents do for us, our heirs and successors, grant to 
 the aforesaid Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church aforesaid, and their successor?, and to all and every of 
 the aforesaid officers and Prebendaries, and their successors, all and singular the aforesaid manors, messuages, 
 lands, tenements, rectories, tithes, annuities, and hereditaments, and all and singular other the premises by 
 these presents before granted, without any writ of ad quod damnun, or any other writs, licenses, or tolerations, 
 to be sued forth or prosecuted from us, our heirs and successors, notwithstanding the Statute made in the Par- 
 liament of the Lord Henry the Sixth, late King of England, our ancestor, in the eighteenth year of his reign, or 
 anything contained in the said Statute. And notwithstanding the Statutes against putting lands and tenements 
 in mortmain ; and notwithstanding our proclamation had made, and published for certain penal Statutes, and of 
 and for concealed lands bearing date at our manor of Greenwich, the fifteenth day of December, in the twenty- 
 second year of our reign, or any other Statute, Act, Ordinance, or provision in any wise notwithstanding ; pro- 
 vided always, nevertheless, that if the said manors, rectories, tithes, messuages, lands, tenements, and other the 
 premises by these presents, so as aforesaid granted, or any of them, or any parcel thereof, are now in charge 
 before the auditors of the several counties aforesaid, or any of them, or are parcel of any honor, manor, farm, 
 or rectory, being so as aforesaid in charge. That then these our letters patent, as to such parcel of the aforesaid 
 manors, tithes, lands, tenements, and other the premises above, by these presents granted, being so as aforesaid 
 in charge, shall be void and of no effect in law, and nevertheless as to the remainder shall stand and be good 
 and sufficient in law, anythingin these our letters patent to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding. 
 We will also, and do by these presents grant to the aforesaid Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church* of 
 Wells aforesaid, that they may and shall have "these our letters patent, in due manner made and sealed under 
 our gi-eat seal of England, without fine or fee, great or small, to be therefore to us, in oiu- Hanaper or elsewhere 
 to our use in any manner to be rendered, paid, or made. Although express mention is not made in these 
 presents of the true yearly value, or of any other value, or of the certainty of the premises, or of any of them, 
 or of other gifts or grants at any time heretofore made by us, or by any of our progenitors, to the aforesaid 
 Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Wells aforesaid, or any Statute, Act, Ordinance, provision, pro- 
 clamation, or restriction to the contrary heretofore had, made, published, ordained, or provided, or any other 
 thing, cause, or matter whatsoever, in any wise notwithstanding. In witness whereof we have caused these 
 our Ifetters to be made patent. Witness ourself at Westminster, the twenty-fifth day of November, in the 
 thirty-fourth year of our reign. BY THE QUEEN HEESELF. 
 
 S. Gehbarde. 
 
 Note. — The foregoing Charter was transcribed from a translation made from the original for the late 
 Joseph Lovell Lovell, Esq. (Chapter Clk. & Depy. comoner of the Cathedral), by whose son, Edwin 
 Lovell, Esq., the copy was written. Thos. Sbeel, 1867. 
 
 Copied from a MS. volume among the " Serel Collection of Papers" in the possession of the 
 Somerset Archceological Society, at Taunton Castle. " 
 
LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. 
 
 T%e names of Svhscrihers are put in the order in wliich they were received. 
 
 The Dean and Chapter of Wells (16 copies). 
 
 The Eai-1 of Devon. 
 
 The Right Hon. The Lord Chief Justice. 
 
 Chancellor Harington (since deceased). 
 
 E. A. Freeman, Esq. 
 
 Eev. E. F. Taylor, jun. 
 
 Eev, Sparrow Simpson. 
 
 The Dean and Chapter of S. Paul's. 
 
 Eev. Edward Smith. 
 
 Eev. E. Wallis. 
 
 Eev. Henry C. Seller. 
 
 J. T. Irvine, Esq. 
 
 Eev. G. Buckle. 
 
 Eev. C. H. Nutt. 
 
 Eev. J. B. Medley. 
 
 Prebendary Stephenson. 
 
 The Eight Eev. The Lord Bishop of Exeter. 
 
 Eev. John Earle. 
 
 Prebendary S earth. 
 
 Eev. W. Eustace Daniel. 
 
 Eev. "W. E. BuUer. 
 
 J. Coleman, Esq. 
 
 Eev. Godfrey Thring. 
 
 Eev. J. A. Bennett. 
 
 Eev. W. H. Wahrond. 
 
 Eev. George Tugwell. : 
 
 Eev. G. D. W. Ommanney. 
 
 Canon Liddon. 
 
 Eev. C. S. Grueber. 
 
 James Craik, Esq. 
 
 Henry Duncan Skrine, Esq. 
 
 Eev. Canon Dixon. 
 
 W. J. Blew, Esq. 
 
 Eev. J. B. H. Hawkins. 
 
 Eev. Henry Olutterbuck. 
 
 Earl Beauchamp. 
 
 Eev. W. H. Milman (for Sion College Library). 
 
 Eev. Ediyard Atkinson. 
 
 The Dean and Chapter of York. 
 
 Eev. H. "W. Phillott. 
 
 Eev. A. W. Grafton. 
 
 Henry Huokes Gibbes, Esq. 
 
 Eev. C. Carey. 
 
 Eev. Sydenham H. A. Hervey. 
 
 Eev. H. A. Wilson. 
 
 Eev. Francis Procter. 
 
 The Hon. and Eight Eev. The Lord Bishop of Bath 
 
 and Wells. 
 W. T. Brooke, Esq. 
 Eev. Canon Crane. 
 W. Hebb, Esq. 
 The Marquis of Bute. 
 J. H. Shakespear, Esq. 
 The Ven. Archdeacon Maltby. 
 John Shelly, Esq. 
 Eevl H. T. Kin^don. 
 Eev. C. W. Heaton (since deceased). 
 
 W. Wynne Pfoulkes, Esq. 
 
 Eev. J. T. C. Chatto. 
 
 Chi'ist Church Library, Oxon. 
 
 W. G. Crother, Esq. 
 
 Eev. E. C. Lathom Browne. 
 
 Eev. Frederick Broi^Ti. 
 
 Edwin Hippisley, Esq. 
 
 J. T. Hooper, Esq. 
 
 E. Neville Grenville, Esq. 
 
 Frederick White, Esq. 
 
 George T. Clark, Esq. 
 
 Edw. J. Stanley, Esq. 
 
 The Hon. and Eight Eev. William Clifford. 
 
 Miss J. Trevelyan. 
 
 Lord Hylton. 
 
 Frederick Shum, Esq. 
 
 William Long, Esq. 
 
 Eev. W. Lyte Stradling. 
 
 Mr. Thos. Serel. ^ 
 
 W. J. Welsh, Esq. 
 
 Eev. B. Boyd, 
 
 Lieut.-Col. Bramble. 
 
 E. Green, Esq. 
 
 Eev. J. BuUanshaw. 
 
 Eev. A. EusseU. 
 
 Charles Wade, Esq. 
 
 A. J. B. Beresford Hope, Esq. 
 
 Henry George Moysey, Esq. 
 
 E. H. Paget, Esq. 
 
 Francis F. Fox, Esq. 
 
 Charles Henry Fox, Esq. 
 
 W. Bond Paul, Esq. 
 
 Eev. J. W. Hicks. 
 
 Charles Lilburn, Esq. 
 
 Eev. Thos. J. Ball. 
 
 Triibner & Co. 
 
 The Very Eev. The Dean of Norwich. 
 
 Eev. John Thomas Jeficock. 
 
 J. Eglinton A. Gwynne, Esq. 
 
 Mr. Eiohard James Manning. 
 
 Mr. John Beauchamp. 
 
 Messrs. Hippisley & Sons. 
 
 J. Wickham Legg, Esq. 
 
 George Edmund Street, Esq. 
 
 H. C. Maxwell Lyte, Esq. 
 
 T. Lewis Ffitche, Esq. 
 
 The Hon. and Very Eev. The Dean of Worcester. 
 
 Eev. Edgar C. S. Gibson. 
 
 Wells Theological College. 
 
 Exeter College, Oxon. 
 
 W. H. Eoper, Esq. 
 
 Society of Antiquaries, London. 
 
 Captain Boss. 
 
 Charles Bowstead, Esq. 
 
 Dr. Eane. 
 
 Charles Spencer Perceval, Esq. 
 
 Hon. C. Wood. 
 
 1 
 
LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS— coreisBMetf. 
 
 Rev. T. P. Ravenshaw. 
 
 Eev. 0. R. Durrani. 
 
 Doyne C. Bell, Esq. 
 
 Eev. Canon W. Cooke. 
 
 Francis S. Powell, Esq. 
 
 B. T. Duke, Esq. 
 
 J. E. Bailey, Esq. 
 
 J. H. Chapman, Esq. 
 
 Thomas Brooke, Esq. 
 
 Richard Hanby, Esq. 
 
 John William Pashley, Esq. 
 
 Sir Walter 0. James. 
 
 Rev. Arthur F. Sibley. 
 
 J. H. Bossall, Esq. 
 
 Thomas Goodland, Esq. 
 
 J. P. St. Aubyn, Esq. 
 
 Captain Arthur Sutherland Reynolds. 
 
 Keppel Garnier, Esq. 
 
 Rev. H. Bothamley. 
 
 William Emerson, Esq. 
 
 WiUiam Oakley, Esq. 
 
 Arthur Gates, Esq. 
 
 Arthur W. Blomfield, Esq. 
 
 Charles John Eyston, Esq. 
 
 Eev. Thomas Lees. 
 
 B. Beadham, Esq. 
 
 A. A. Clarke, Esq. 
 
 George Nicholas BuUer, Esq. 
 
 W. Wilshere, Esq. 
 
 J. G. Godwyn, Esq. 
 
 0. W. Holland, Esq. 
 
 J. T. Micklethwaite, Esq. 
 
 W. G. F. Phillimore, Esq. 
 
 The Dean and Chapter of Salisbury. 
 
 Rev. A. G. Dowell. 
 
 Eev. Archer Thompson. 
 
 Stephen Tucker, Esq., Somerset Herald in Ordinary. 
 
 Edmund Bishop, Esq. 
 
 Eev. F. E. Warren. 
 
 Rev. W. Perry. 
 
 The Dean and Chapter of Winchester. 
 
 The Dean and Chapter of Chichester. 
 
 The Dean and Chapter of Canterbury. 
 
 Rev. E. L. Elwes. 
 
 Rev. John Baron. 
 
 Rev. Hugh Pearson. 
 
 S. Jones, Esq. 
 
 P. J. Morrell, Esq. 
 
 William Dore, Esq. 
 
 Eev. John Tinkler. 
 
 F. H. Hunt, Esq. 
 
 F. H. Dickinson, Esq. 
 
 Rev. J. T. Fowler. 
 
 -I*-. 
 
 4 
 
 1 11 _^ 
 
 ' i*^,ii'*,^jft 
 
 
1 ' ' *^'''-x£ "p'l" 
 
 'M'^i^wMP 'wytw/f.; 
 
 :,.:?a^ y..=eA-g.*g^.j:s».>:i 
 
ERRATA ET ADDENDA. 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Page i. line 17. — It seemed scarcely necessary, or indeed possible, to add here the 
 many other names of note in connection with Somersetshire ecclesiology. I have here 
 only named those with whom I have been more immediately brought in contact in the 
 present publication ; but the following acknowledgments are richly deserved : to Mr. 
 Thomas Serel for his indefatigable willingness to give me all the information in his power ; 
 to Mr. T. W. Phillips for his excellent photographs ; to Mr. Garrod, the Chapter Clerk, 
 for his impressions of the different seals j to Mr. Bidgood, the energetic Curator of the 
 Museum in Taunton Castle. 
 
 Line 31. — I ought, perhaps, to add that the last restoration was in the hands of the 
 late Sir Gilbert Scott and Mr. Ferrey, under whom Mr. Irvine was engaged as Clerk of 
 the "Works, a position which has enabled him to make a more thorough and scientific 
 examination of the Cathedral and its adjoining buildings than has been ever previously 
 made by amateur archaeologist or professional architect. 
 
 P. ii. 1. 25.— See page 20, History of Wells Cathedral, E. A. Freeman. 
 
 P. iii. 1. 7. — The following entry is made on the inside of the binding of this book, at 
 the beginning : This Booh was written hy Mr. Naihanael Chyles, and given to the Dean 
 and Ch^- hy Archd^- Sandys in his last Will and Tes^-- as appears hy an Act of Chap^< 
 Oct. \st, 1708. 
 
 Line 12. — ^At the time these introductory remarks were written, I had not succeeded 
 in obtaining access to Dean Cosyn's so-called History of the Cathedral. Having since had 
 the opportunity of thoroughly inspecting it, I have been enabled to make one or two 
 corrections and additions to the original Preface. 
 
 P. iv. 1. 34. — For evermore read ever more. 
 
 P. vii. 1. 28. — For At page 59 read At page 52. 
 
 Line 43. — On reference to Dean Cosyn's MS., I find that these Consuetudines 
 referred severally to the following much-vexed questions : — 
 
 CL The power of Archdeacons in the Cathedral Prebends. 
 CII. Humanitatis Officia. (See p. cxxxvi.) 
 cm. The subdivision of the estate of deceased Canons. (See p. cxxxvii.) 
 
 P. viii. 1. 9. — On this point, see the remarks of Canon Jones in his very pertinent 
 pamphlet, " Sariberiensia," pp. 19, 20. At the time this Introduction was penned, I had 
 not had the good fortune to see the tract here mentioned. 
 
 Line 46. — On account of the great length to which this volume had already extended 
 I was obliged to eliminate a long account of the different events connected with the 
 Metropolitical Visitation of Archbishop Laud. 
 
ERRATA ET ADDENDA. 
 
 P. xii. footnote. — Here I may add that I have punctiliously followed Thomas Hearne 
 in his manner of treating Leland's MSS., when he says, in his Preface to the 3rd edition 
 of The Itinerary, p. xv., that, following the advice of the excellent Antiquary of Whaddon 
 Hall, in Buckinghamshire, " I was so nice in this affair, that I observed Mr. Leland's way 
 of spelling, and omitted nothing not so much as the Asterisks and other notes of that 
 nature that had been inserted by him, nor did I leave out even those words that are 
 plainly redundant, nor pretend to alter or correct those that are manifestly wrong and 
 occasioned by the hast the Author was in, or else by the Defect of his memory." 
 
 P. xiii. 1. 12. — The original quotation runs thus: Nos autem operse hujusmodi 
 Primitias, seu iKvoypa^iav aut lineationem, emittere maluimus ex vetustiori atque longe 
 abhuic dissito seculo. Rem scilicet ita in tuto fore plane censuimus, nee calumnianti ut 
 pote Delatorum sive Ignorantise sive Impudentise, neque Simulationi Susurronum uUa- 
 lenus obnoxiam. 
 
ERRATA ET ADDENDA. 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 P. xviiL 1. 6. — More accurately : Floret ibidem memoria nostra collegium Sacerdotum 
 percelebre, in quo continenter viri sunt bonis moribus et doctrina clari. Quare mihi 
 neutiquam modico honori duco quod abhinc Annos quatuordecim, Archidiaconus Vuellensis 
 factus sim ejus Collegii unus, habeamque, et seq. 
 
 Line 10.— Appendix M., p. 224, Feb. 6, and p. 226, Sept. 10, 1508. 
 
 P. xix. 1. 9. — More faithfully : In Fontanensi seu Vuellensi ecclesia turn demum Can- 
 cellarii quoque fungebatur officio. Calamum suum Candelarius, prosa et carmine, aliqua 
 cum fselicitate exercuit, usus familiaritate. Thom» Beckingtoni, Batoniensis ac Vuellensis 
 Episcopi : cui quse scripait opuscula dedicavit. Extant archetypi ipsi in Fontanensi biblio- 
 theca, serico villoso vestiti, auro et minio pulcherrime picti. 
 
 Line 21, — The fourth and seventh lines more accurately run: — 
 Bereft of Name, and sackt of Histories 
 and, Ah wicked Book-thiefe whosoever did it. 
 
 P. xxii. 1. 5. — Johannes itidem Vuellensis episcopus, homo Gallus, per idem tempus 
 Ccenobium Bathoniense rectorum incuria pene labefactatum, et seq. 
 
 P. xxiii. 1. 46. — Godwin says September 11th. 
 
 P. xxiv. 1. 12. — For penuria read penurift. 
 
 P. xxxvi. 1. 10. — For Soun read Sonn. 
 
 P. xxxvii. 1. 43. — " The diameter of the Chapter-house is — " : The clear width of 
 the Chapter-house to the back of the stone Stalls is about 55 ft. 9 in. 
 
 P. xxxviii. 1. 40. — Chyle seems here to have been in some uncertainty as to whether 
 he would be right in writing Frontispicio ; and, as often happens in his MS., his correc- 
 tions are difficult to decipher. 
 
 P. xl. 1. .30. — Possibly : Mulctce ecclesiie fabricse applicandse, referring to the fact that 
 fines for infringement of statute or dereliction of duty were not attributable to the com- 
 mon fund for division amongst the Canons, but devoted to the repairs of the Church. 
 
 P. xlii. 1. 24. — I am not quite certain whether Somerton is the correct reading; 1. 26, 
 for Tonker Strete read Tucker Strete. 
 
 P. xliii. 1. 12. — For the pix de Jesura read the pix de Jesina or Jesima; 1. 17, for 
 The Blessed Mary que dicitur Jesiva read Jesina or Jesima. 
 
 In Mr. Waterton's most pious and exhaustive work, Pietas Mariana Britannica, 
 1 879, I find the elucidation of this somewhat rare and peculiar dedication, p. 234, § Our 
 Lady in Gesine, Bedgang or Childbirth. This title is intended in reality for the 
 Nativity of our Lord. In the Benedictionale of S. Aethelwald our Ladye is represented 
 as veiled and lying in bed, a female attendant veUed is placing an ornamented pillow 
 under her head ; S. Joseph is sitting on a chair at her feet ; lower down at the right of 
 our Ladye, her Divine Son, arrayed in swaddling clothes, lies in a manger. 
 
 In 1326-28, Roger de Waltham erected in the Cathedral of S. Paul, London, "a 
 glorious tabernacle which contained the image of the Blessed Virgin, sitting as it were in 
 childbed, as also of our Saviour in swaddling clothes, lying betwixt the ox and the ass, 
 and S. Joseph at her feet." Thus, says Mr. Waterton, this representation of our Ladye 
 was known to the Anglo-Saxons, and it often appears in carved ivories and illuminated 
 MSS. It was de;3cribed as that of our Ladye in gesine, both in England and elsewhere : 
 nevertheless, adds Mr. Waterton, this mode of representing our Ladye is manifestly 
 incorrect. 
 
ERRATA ET ADDENDA. 
 
 The word Gesine, or Jesiue, as it is spelt in the Wells- Fabric Kolls (the g being of 
 course soft and so written asj), is thus explained by Ducange : — 
 
 Gesina. Puerperium, Gallis alias Gesine ab antique verbo Gesir, Jacere. Tabular. 
 S. Sergii Andegar. Et promisit ut faceret concedere uxori suce, cum a sua Gesina levaret, 
 Inventar. Ecclesise Noviom. an. 1419. Calix qui est de capella Gesince nostrce Domince. 
 Ibidem. Fro imaginibus Dei et B. Virg. Matris suce Marice d, le Gesine ; or again under 
 Gesma. Leges Norman, apud Ludewig, cap. 43. Puerperii autem infirmitas, qnse Gesma 
 vocatur, terminationem querelarum prorogat ac protendit. 
 
 The early Anglo-Saxon use of the word, and its change from Gesina to Yesina or 
 Jesina, as found in this instance, is well illustrated by William Somner in his Dictionarium 
 Saxonico-Latino-Anglicum (Liber admodum rarus), published at Oxford, 1659, where, 
 under the letter XsQ, he observes that this letter was apud Saxones semper ferl super- 
 fluum, and adds : — 
 
 This preposition was of our ancestors much used, and it is yet exceedingly used in 
 the low Dutch: where according to their usuall manner of pronouncing with aspiration, 
 they use to put an h to it and so make it ghe. We have since altered it from ge to y 
 (and sometimes i) which yet we seldom use in prose but sometimes in poetry for the 
 increasing of syllables, as when we say ywritten & & &c. So we find the word Decenneb 
 for natus, born ; Irecynb for natura, genus, modus, nature, kind, way ; Irecynb-limj 
 Genitalia. 
 
 P. xliv. 1. 14. — For consangnineis read consanguiuei. 
 
 P. xlv. 1. 31. — For lavacum read lavacrum. 
 
 P. xlviii. 1. 39. — Abbapcione de le Eobell : can this be Abbaccione or Allapcione, i.e., 
 percussione de le Bobell, the ringing of the Bowbell 1 
 
 P. lii. 1. 5. — For Kig read King. 
 
 P. Iv. 1. 44. — For transentium read transeuntium. 
 
 P. Ix. 1. 11. — For ns. read n: 3. 
 
 P. Ixv. 1. 31. Chyle continues here : Catch who cam, was their word, what the King 
 
 left the pope took Hys Holyness being as good at it as any prince whatsoever. 
 
 P. Ixvi. 1. 23. After " the yeare 1666," Chyle writes : But that the metropolis & & 
 
 P. Ixvii. 1. 21. Camden actually wrote: A dextra ripa eadem fere distantia inter 
 
 sylvas, et seq. 
 
 P. Ixviii. 1. 24. — For malo tibi sit read malo pater tibi sit. — Juvenal, lib. iii., Sat. 
 
 viii. V, 269. 
 
 p_ ixix. In the List of Receipts from Westbury, Compton, Banwell, Westerly, and 
 
 Kingsbury Hundred, the o of the word obolus has been mistaken for 0. The respective 
 pence and fractions of a penny should be l^d., 2^d., 3|d, 4fd., and Id. 
 
 P. Ixxi. 1. 16.— For lb. read li. 
 
 Line 28. This passage in Chyle runs more exactly thus: Having brought this 
 
 Bishoppwriok to its hight and glory as to her Revenues and possessions (tho who were the 
 Benefactors or how there several manners came to this See, more then what I have already 
 said I cannot trace) I come now to shew her Catastrophe. How it first dwindl'd . . . 
 I shall leave her to her present enjoyments, &c. 
 
 P. Ixxiii. 1. 23. — For Stogumie read Stokegursey. 
 
 P. Ixxiv. 1. 1. For erects read evecta; 1. 3, /or- posita read potita. 
 
 P. Ixxv. 1. 5. — For doner read owner. 
 
 p. Ixxxiv. 1. 9. — For amarum read annorum. 
 
ERRATA ET ADDENDA. 
 
 P. Ixxxv. 1. 38. — For igno read pro. 
 
 P. Ixxxvi. 1. 3. — For celeb ran tes read celebrantis. 
 
 P. Ixxxvii. 1. 34. — For mit' read mil' (? militem). 
 
 P. cii. 1. 15. — For last read East. 
 
 P. cviii. 1. 2. — For I will not say that ttis that read I will not say that this is that; 
 footnote, 1. 1. — For Bschaetos read Eschaetas j ib., 1. 2. — The exact quotation is, Eschaeta 
 apud nos didtur est, et seq. 
 
 ' P. cix. 1. 7. — The Gloss really runs thus : Si Decedens tres vel plura cujuscunque 
 generis in bonis suis habuerit animalia (optimo cui de jure debitum reservato) Ecclesise 
 suse a qua sacra recipit dum Viveret sine dolo fraude seu contradictione qualibet pro 
 recompensacione Decimarum personalium necnon et oblatorum, secundum melius animal 
 reservetur post obitum pro salute animse suse Ecclesise suae hujusmodi liberandum. Quod 
 si duo tantum in bonis Decedentis extiterint animalia, de mansuetudine Ecclesi* exactio 
 quselibet nomine Mortuarii remittatur. 
 
 Footnote, 1. 4. — ^or justitia read jnstitiL 
 
 P. ex. 1. 6.— For 23 read 23d. 
 
 P. cxv. 1. 20- — For recant' privarum read recent' pisarum; 1. 22, for portant Fernia' 
 12d. et pro furnacione ejusdem fernise read in each ease ferinse. 
 
 P. cxvii. 1. 8.— For £66 7s. read £66 7s. Ofc?.; 1. 26.— This line, according to Chyle, 
 runs thus : Hex, Regina, Princeps, eorum Liberi, et seq.; and the next line but one per- 
 tinentiis stands for " pertinentibus." 
 
 P. cxviii. 1. 29. — For Is. read 50s. Chyle certainly appears to differ from Mr. Irvine 
 in his reading of this Roll: 1. 32, he adds : Will'mus Modeford qui dedit suum redditum 
 in Southover; 1. 41, /or St. Lo he reads Slo ; and 1. 43, Nich'us Crysham/or Crystesham. 
 
 P. cxix. 1. 4. — For una read unam ; 1. 12, for Docer read 1 Docer' ; 1. 17, for 3 marc' 
 read 4 marc'; 1. 21, for 14s. id. read 13s. id.; 1. 43,/or Cantse read Canciaj. 
 
 P. cxx., " A true Note of the 30 Stalls." — For this valuable memorandum I am also 
 beholden to Mr. Irvine. 
 
 P. cxxii. 1. 11. — For cseptis read coeptis. 
 
 P. cxxiv. 11. 18, 19. — Chyle's marginal reference is "Britton, p. 601," which, in hasty 
 copying, I misread for an allusion to the work of the well-known limner of Cathedral 
 beauties. Chyle left the whole quotation as he first wrote it. 
 
 P. cxxv. L 22. — For tribus read duobus. 
 
 P. cxxx. 1. 26. — For so all unbiassed people read to all unbiassed people. 
 
 P. cxxxi. 1. 2. — For In the Government read 'Tis the Government; 1. 20, for 
 Romanish read Romanists. 
 
 P. cxxxvi., footnote. — The preamble of Bishop Grandisson's visitation charge con- 
 tinues : ac Animse Devotione deberent horas Canonicas, susurrando transcurrunt, Collo- 
 quia vana, et inutilia immiscendo, ante Finem quandoque recedentes. Nonnulli etiam 
 Canonici Hospitalitatem, prout eis incumbit, ac Pauperum Christi, quorum administratores 
 fore dignoscuntur, Indigentias negligentes, dum ea tantum quse sua sunt non quK Jesu 
 Christi quserunt, Laqueo Diaboli damnabiliter illabuntur. 
 
 P. cxliv. 1. 30. — For Impertencies read Impertinencies. 
 
 P. cxlvi. 1. 18. — For premissorum read permiserunt. 
 
 P. cli. 1. 24. — For Mandamus in Yos read Mandamus ne Vos. 
 
 P. clxviii. 1. 4. — Probably these were the Caursmi who came to England about 1235 
 and proved the pests of the land. 
 
JERRATA ET ADDENDA. 
 
 P. clxx. 1. 16. — For heading read headings. 
 P. clxxx. 1. 23. — For prsesidendum reac? prsevidendum. 
 P. clxxxii. 1. 33. — For ordinavi seu praeparavi read ordinari seu prseparari. 
 P. clxxxiii. 1. 10. — :Bishop Bekyngton must have introduced this custom from the old 
 Statutes of Eton College (No. XXX.), of which he had himself been a member. 
 P. clxxxv. 1. 19. — For coleatis read coUatis. 
 
 ARRANGEMENT OF STALLS PRIOR TO ALTERATION IN 1848. 
 
 It is clear that either W or O^ must have stood for Combe 15, both in the Choir and 
 Chapter-house. W certainly represents Combe 15 in the Choir. Under the present 
 arrangement of the Chapter-house, the Archdeacons of Bath and of Wells have changed 
 places, on the right and left hand of the Bishop. 
 
ERRATA ET ADDENDA. 
 
 OEDINALE ET STATUTA. 
 
 This MS. has been here printed page for page and line for line, so as to facilitate 
 reference to the original. 
 
 I owe it at least to Mr. Dickinson to say that I have had the great privilege of 
 inspecting his rough notes on the Ordinale et Statuta, and that from these the following 
 observations are selected : — 
 
 Mr. Dickinson, imprimis, observes that besides the copy of the Wells Statutes at 
 Lambeth, there is a MS. in the British Museum^ Harl. 1682. 
 
 On this point, reference can of course be made to Dugdale's Monasticon (vol. ii. 
 p. 284), where the headings are given. 
 
 "There are some odd words which occur, so far as I can remember, both in the 
 Lambeth copy and in Chyle, which in no way interfere with the sense, but appear to be 
 owing to the manner in which a person not accustomed to Kitualistic matters had dealt 
 with contractions of words he did not understand. 
 
 " The absence of all direct reference to the Statutes in the book of an author who 
 has taken so much trouble as Chyle, shows that they were not known in his time (1672). 
 And it seems to follow that they must have been destroyed in the time of the Common- 
 wealth. The state of the documents at Wells does not indicate any wholesale destruction : 
 apparently all those relating to North Curry were sold to the Pyne family. I should 
 imagine that Cornelius Burgess and his friends left the archives intact, but they might 
 not think it amiss to destroy the Statutes to which Archbishop Laud had directed atten- 
 tion in his Metropolitical Visitation. The Questions and many of the Replies are given 
 in the Fourth Report of the Historical MSS., pp. 124-159. The Wells Replies are dated 
 June 5, 1634." 
 
 Mr. Dickinson then alleges various reasons for supposing that Cornelius Surges and 
 his contemporaries destroyed the Ritual books to prevent a restoration of what they 
 thought superstitious. Anyhow, it would appear the Statutes vanished between 1634 
 and 1672. 
 
 He adds : " It may be remarked that it would be well to" ascertain if possible who 
 Dr. Creyghton was, and who were his representatives, in order to recover, if possible, the 
 valuable MS. from which Chyle obtained his materials." It is much to be regretted that 
 Mr. Dickinson has not hitherto seen his way to giving the public the benefit of his painful 
 and accurate collations of the MSS. bearing on the Use of Wells. 
 
 The Ordinale et Statuta have been collated with the MS. of Dean Cosyn and the 
 Liber Ruber, so far as they go, the former being denominated by the letter C, the latter 
 by L. R. 
 
 No attempt has been made to improve the characteristic carelessness of the seven- 
 teenth century transcriber. Wherever his abbreviations or elucidations of the text are at 
 all tolerable, they have been unnoticed. It was obviously undesirable to alter the whole 
 character of the MS. by printing it as it oitght to have been written in the seventeenth 
 century. Imprimis, it may as well be stated that the habitual mistakes of writing "Gratia " 
 for Gradah, " Trinitas" for Tractus, " Laudamus" for Laudes or Laudibm, have been left 
 unaltered, having been generally referred to in the Preface. 
 
 It is here left for the liturgical student to collate the Use of Wells, as here exhibited 
 with the Sarum of S. Osmund, and to punctuate as he think best. 
 
 The repeated use of the various forms of the verb inchoare (which is nearly always 
 
ERRATA ET ADDENDA. 
 
 wntten mcohare), the substitution of Kyrielison for Kyrie eleison, superiori for mperiore, 
 scarcely need remark. 
 
 P. 3, 1. 1. — For ne formas read nt formas (!). C. 
 
 P. 6, 1. 19. — For primis vigiliis read a primis vesperis. C 
 
 P. 8, 1. 4. — For tenebis et in hebdomade read in tenebris et in hebdomada ; 1. 29, for 
 simul Invitatoriu read similiter Invitatorium ; 1. 32, for ad primu ofiicium est read ad 
 primam officium est. C. 
 
 P. 9, 11. 21, 22. — Admatutinas . . . sorihuntxir, not in G.; 1. 28, /or ad legendam 
 read ad secundam. 
 
 P. 10, 11. 6, 7. — Nisi Episcopus . . . thuribulu, wo< m <7.; 11. 10, 11,/or Hoc pac- 
 to sacerdos C. reads hoc peracto sacerdos; 1. 12, for se recipiat prius G. reads se respiciat 
 prius. 
 
 P. 12, 1. 18, — After duo Canonici de Secunda forma G. reads et a principali capite. 
 
 P. 16, 1. 24. — For ad altare conversus G. reads ad altare reversus. 
 
 P. 17, 1. 5. — For opposito C. reads apposite; 1. 23, for versiculum autem laudum G. 
 reads versiculum ante laudes. 
 
 P. 20, 1. 2. — For incipiatur G. reads excipiatur. 
 
 P. 21, 1. 31. — After Super quicunque vult it should read aliquis incipiat excellentior, 
 et seq. 
 
 P. 22, 11. 12, 13. — For Tte miasa est C. reads Ita missa est. 
 
 P. 23, 1. 24. — For ad quartam G. reads ad primam. This possibly accounts for the 
 " q " seen in the margin, standing, it may be, for qumre i 
 
 P. 24, 1. 1. — For tertia lectioni read tertia lectio in ; 1. 5, Eespondiu cantent tres de 
 excellentioribus : Here ends so much of Dean Cosyn's MS. (pp. 34-46) as touches the 
 so-called Ordinate. 
 
 The subsequent errors of the transcriber are so obvious to the ordinary student, that 
 there is no need for their being noticed here. The probable circumstances under which 
 the Lambeth MS. 729 was transcribed have been referred to in the Introduction, pp. vi,, 
 vii., and in the Preface, p. cxxxv. 
 
 The numbers found in the margin of the Lambeth MS. have been throughout in- 
 serted, though I am unable to trace their meaning. See pp. 11, 12, 14, 21, 22, 23, 24, 
 26, 28, 30, 32, 33, 34, 41, 43. These very nearly, though not exactly in some cases, agree 
 with the marginal figures in G. 
 
 P. 57, 1. 10. — Statutum eat in Capitulo Wellii, L. R.; 1. 23, fleobotomandi, L. R. 
 
 P. 59, 1. 9. — Juxta canonicas sanctiones, L. R.; 1. 12, 13, occasum detrahere clericali, 
 Z. R. 
 
 P. 60, 11. 7, 8. — Qui potentes sunt et validi in proximo capitulo post suam absentiam 
 coram ibi presidente allegare tenentur ut videri valeat, L. R. 
 
 P. 61, 1. 5. — Premissa ipsum decernimus, L. R.; 1. 31, ad aliquod ofiicium in ecclesia 
 fadend' ita quod tempore debito vicanus pa/ratus sit semper illud officium facere, et seq., 
 
 L. R. 
 
 P. 63, 1. 28. — For ominu malorum read omniu maloriim. 
 
 P. 64 1. 20. For vinculo arctantur read vinculo arceantur ; 1. 23, for covincantur 
 
 read convincantur; 11. 28, 29, /or Mill-""- cc"""- xliiii"- read Millmo- cC""- xliii"; 
 
 p, 65 1. 3. For modicis ex hoc statuti read modicus ex hoc Statuto ; 1. 7, for dun- 
 
 taxat read dum tamen ; 1.10, for Oanonicus read convictus ; 1. 12, for partus read pueri, 
 and for partum read puerum ; 1, 30, /or amovendos read ammonendos (J). 
 
ERRATA ET ADDENDA. 
 
 P. 66, 1. 22. — For prudentes periti read priidentes pariter. 
 
 P. 67, 1. 6. — For injuriandi read murmurandi ; 1. 8, for post sequentes redd postea 
 subsequentes ; 11. 29, 30, for sciverint et poterint read sciverit et poterit ; 11. 32, 33, for 
 conscribantur read concedantur. 
 
 P. 68, 1. 7. — For mutari read immutari; 11. 25, 26, for prefuerit read presens fuerit. 
 
 P. 73. — Under Ad altare S. Crucis, 1. 1,for prebenda read persone. 
 
 P. 74, 11. 14, 15. — For prediotam aut read predictam ante; 11. 22, 23, for conformes 
 efficiamur volumus read conformes effici valeamus. In margin " Oysterfeast.'' See 
 Appendix M, p. 233, 1510, June 8th. 
 
 P. 75, 11. 3, 5, 6. — The Chapter de Percussionibus has been vigorously crossed out 
 ■with a pen, as have also the words, qui Ghristi vicarius in terris esse and in Romcma 
 Curia. 
 
 Immediately afterwards appears the following additional Statute, omitted from the 
 Lambeth MS., under the following titles in the margin : — 
 
 Ordinaeio qd munim&nta ecclie registrentur : Charte transcribende. 
 
 Item qd quedam carte nostre que sunt velut Thesaurus ecclesie in parte de debilitate 
 quedam vero quasi vetustate consumpte volumus quod per discretos veros concanonicos 
 nostros presentes ecclesie Cancellarius qui curam et custodiam habet earundem citra 
 festum S. Michaelis examinentur et in uno registro de verbo in verbum conscribantur et 
 qua cicius comode fieri poterit sub manu pul?lica autoritate Judicis competentis ad per- 
 petuam rei memoriam publjcentur saltern ille de quarum consumpcione magis timetur. 
 
 Line 17. — After clericalem L. R. has Die Innocentium ; 1. 24, for quiq, L. R. reads 
 quandoque J 1, 26, ybr quiq, L. R. reads quamquam ; 1. 27, for parocho L. R. reads per 
 toto. 
 
 P. 76, 1. 18. — For in causam read in casu. 
 
 The Statute Quod sit in arbitrio, precedes Quod vicarii remanentes, which is imme- 
 diately followed by the Statute commencing Quod annelarii dicant horas, found on 
 p. 158, Appendix M : — Item quia a quam pluribus, et seq. 
 
 P. 77, 1. 4. — For presidimus C. reads presidemus ; 1. 5, for Cedimus C. reads Dedi- 
 mus; 1. 29, for perurgente G. reads purgente; 1. 31, for licite C. reads legitime (?); 1. 34, 
 for contigerint C. reads contingerint. 
 
 P. 78, 1. 6. — For possum 0. reads possimus ; 1. 13, for defentionum C. reads defen- 
 cionem ; 1. 29, for Peucey G. reads Pencriz. 
 
 P. 79, 1. 8. — For onera C. reads honera; 1. 26, for distructione G. reads distiictione. 
 
 P. 81,11. 1, 2. — i?b9- juQctorum G. reads meritorum; 1. 18, for circumventibus G. reads 
 circumvenientibus ; 1. 20, for mostrum read nostrum. 
 
 P. 82, 1. 27. — For tonsuris read tonsura ; 1. 32, for condecentes read concedentes. 
 
 P. 84, 1. 1. — For Si quis vero read Si vero; 1. 21, for monemur read movemur ; 
 1. 24, for poleruq, G. reads pleruq^. 
 
 P. 86, 1. 15. — For amine G. reads anime. 
 
 P. 87, 1. 7. — For serula G. reads serura. 
 
 P. 88, 1. 3. — For venim etiam G. reads verumptamen ; 1. 6, for obsenas C. reads 
 obstinas; 1. II, for decernimus G. reac/s decrevimus ; 1. 12, for gesticulationes G. reads 
 testiculationes ; 1. 16, for negligetur C. reads negligentur. 
 
 P. 89, 1. 5. — For ulterori G. reads ulteriori and for promissa C. reads premissa; 1. 12 
 for nos C. reads nostris; 1. 15, for per sequentes G. reads prosequentes ; 1. 17, for pre- 
 missis G. reads TpremissMS, and for septiman (7. reads septimane; 1. 21, for depreheusa 
 
ERRATA ET ADDENDA. 
 
 C. reads deprehendatur ; 1. 22, for committi C. reads convicti ; 1. 26, for animo C. reads 
 anime; 1. SI, for personatas C. reads persona tus. 
 
 P. 90, 1. 3. — For sortiri C. reads sortire ; 1. 5, for in dubio C. reads indubium ; 1. 9, 
 for libidini C. reads ludibini ; 1. 10, for in centuu G. reads incentivum ; 1. 13, for 
 aboland' C. reads abolendum, and for que culpabilem 0. reads se culpabilem; 1. 19, for 
 tali C. reads taliter ; 1. 26, for e G. reads et. 
 
 P. 91, I. 5. — i'br persecuntur C. reads prosecuntur ; 11. 14, 15, ad hostium . . . 
 excessum, not inG.; 1. 27, for Que finita C. reads Qua finita; 1. 28, for Trinitas C. reads 
 Trinitatis. 
 
 P. 92, 1. 1. — For quosq^ read quousq,; 1. 10, /or aimas read animas; 1. 14, /or 
 Cantuarii G. reads Cantar' ; 1. 29, for precipue C. reads prave. 
 
 P. 93, 1. 3. — For da Syon G. reads de Syon; 1. 15, after necnon et vicariis servitia 
 facturis G. has beate marie virginis et mortuorum in capella dicte virginis et beati martini. 
 
 P. 97, 1. 9. — For Ut ne read Et ne ; 1. 12, for inserviendum read inserendam. 
 
 P. 99, 1. 21. — For togam cum read togam cum capic' ; 1. 29, for in deti read 
 in den'. 
 
 P. 100, ]]. 9, 10. — For nil. Clerici vicarii de secuda forma quilibet recipiet . iii''- read 
 ex assignacione prioris quilibet recipiet iii^- ob. ; 1. 11, for per anuu XL'- read per annu XL* ; 
 1. 15, for Drobenefforde read rokenefforde : it is obvious all through this MS. that the 
 work of correction and illumination was never even begun ; 1. 24, for Martini Bristol! 
 read Scti Marci Bristoll. 
 
 P. 103, 11. 26, 27. — For Commeratio read Commemoratio. 
 
 The extracts from the lAher Ruber, which commence at page 115, are by no means 
 easy to decipher, owing to the deploral)le condition of the MS., which has been evidently 
 subjected to damp, is much defaced in places with galls, and has been frequently obliterated 
 either by accident or intent. I therefore lay no claim to have accurately deciphered all 
 of the more ancient thirteenth century records, or those of the fifteenth and sixteenth 
 century which follow. Numerous conjectural emendations of the text may suggest them- 
 selves^ there may be many obvious errors. I am only thankful, under the circumstances, 
 to have succeeded in partially bringing to light the contents of this most interesting 
 volume. The constant innumerable recurrences of such words as domini contracted into 
 dni, of eccleaise into eccl., ecclie (as found, for instance, on the Seal of the Dean and 
 Chapter), of Episcopus into Epus, and so on, are so familiar that I have not thought it 
 necessary to give the abbreviation. 
 
 P. 121, CCXLI. — For Luninton read Luvinton j ? Lovinton alias Lovington. 
 
 P. 122, 1. 6. — For Archidiacontibus read Archidiaconatibus ; 1. 31, for Ido read Id. 
 
 P. 124, 1. 3, side-note. — For magiun read imaglum ] raajus? or magnum'!; 1. 17, /or 
 animas read annuas ; 1. 43, /or Worsprius read Worspring. 
 
 P. 125, I. 28. — For Snbthesaiirarius read Subthesaurarius ; I. 42, for serurio read 
 seruris. 
 
 P. 126, 11. 28, 29. — This article most probably should read : Item de ornamentis 
 ecclesie scilicet ut de calice utrum sit argenteus integer et honestus de Missali et 
 gradualibus et aliis libris si sint de usu, et seq. 
 
 P. 128, 1. 19. — For pridea read predicta. 
 
 P. 143, 1. 28. — For visitarit read visitavit. 
 
 P. 146, 1. 4. — A more recent study of the MS. at Wells inclines me to believe that 
 nolumus is the true reading of the text. 
 
ERRATA ET ADDENDA. 
 
 P. 153, 1. 17. — For examinedab out read examined about. 
 
 P. 155, 1. 5. — Thomas de Aggche should in all probability be Thomas de Assche. 
 
 P. 158, 11. 19, 20. — Ab observacionem premissoram should probably run thus : ad 
 observacionem premissorum substraccione stipendiorum suorum. 
 
 P. 160, 1. 8. — For commissarorium read commissariorum. 
 
 P. 167, 1. 9. — Considerato insuper, &c. For the position of Bishop Stillington at 
 this period see " Godwyn on Bishops," pp. 377, 378. 2nd edition, printed by T. Adams' 
 1615. 
 
 P. 168, 1. 41. — Eodem die John Tonker. I must confess to having my doubts as to 
 whether the real name is Touker or Tonker. The name Toker, or Touker, is not 
 unfamiliar to me in the archives of Exeter Cathedral from a very early date ; but after 
 diligent comparison of the many passages where it occurs, I could not resist interpreting 
 it with an n instead of a u. The same orthography has been adopted throughout, and, 
 after all, the difference is of little importance as an historical fact. 
 
 Numerous discrepancies and irregularities will be found in the spelling all through 
 these extracts, and numerous instances where, on account of the scribe writing currente 
 calamo, a letter or part of a word is elided or repeated. 
 
 P. 172, 1. 22. — We always find it said that every Yicar on his appointment "in per- 
 petuity " was obliged to learn by heart the last part of the Psalter, cum hymnario, or in 
 some other way to know the psalms and antiphons without reference to a book. This 
 appears to have been repeatedly insisted on ; and we find that the Canons for themselves 
 strenuously resisted so undignified a usage by compulsion, and succeeded in exacting from 
 one of the Bishops the following convenient and plausible concession. It is headed ((7., 
 p. 258):— 
 
 De graciis concessis Ganonicis. 
 
 Item quia ex canonicorum presencia multum divinis officiis decoratur ecclesia cultus 
 divinus augetur quieta conversacio ministrancium plus redolet et cesset illis presentibus 
 frequens vagandi materia placeat ordinare TJt Ganonicis nocturnis volentibus officiis 
 interesse licitum sit in Choro libros suos habere cum lumine ad Ipsorum majorem devo- 
 cionem et solacium nullum Gravamen aliorum. 
 
 P. 178, 1. 32. — For dicende read dicendo ; 1. 33, for dictum circum read dictum 
 cereum. 
 
 P. 180, 1. 22. — For prius scriptum read presens scriptum. 
 
 P. 181, 1. 36. — For potestantes read potestates. 
 
 P. 185, 1. 38. — For Beatrix Danbarichcourt read Beatrix Daubarichcourt. The name 
 is also spelt Dabricescourt, Daberichcorte, Dabriggecorte. 
 
 P. 199, I. 22. — De Bathe June. This allusion I am unable to decipher. It is not 
 satisfactory ; possibly Tunc (?). 
 
 P. 205, 1. 38. — The date should of course be mdii. 
 
 P. 216, 1. 34. — For dixit qaod read dixit quod. 
 
 P. 217, 1. 20. — For yo' dayly crate's read jd' dayly orato's (?). 
 
 P. 229, 1. 13. — For occupatum read occupat(?). 
 
 In the Charter beginning page 243, for Dultingcolt, otherwise Fynghurst, read always 
 Dultingcott, alias Tingherst or Thingest. 
 
 It is somewhat remarkable that amongst the Errata at the end of Vol. II. of the 
 1710 edition of Inett's " Origines Anglicanse " we find : — p. 216, 1. 38. Finghurst r. Ting- 
 hnjurst. See Ecton's "Thesaurus,'' p. 18. 
 
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