Chapter acts: 1495-8

1495–1496.

1495, St. Jerome [Sept. 30].—Collation to priories, chantries, etc., similar to those on pp. 106, 112.—ƒo 55d.

Master of the fabric: Pomeray.
Sub-treasurer: Fox.
Tabular: Clerk.
Communar: Touker.
Escheator: named by the vicars, Aleyn, Seward and Clerke; chosen by the canons, Seward.
Auditors: Boket, baron, Manyman and Cornissh.
Scrutators of canonical houses: Stephens and Menyman.
Keepers of the library: Austell and Cornyssh.
Surveyors of ornaments and jewels of chantries:—.

1495, Oct. 1.—Grant of 40 days, without cotidians, to every canon resident.—ƒo 56.

1495, Oct. 3.—The dean [Gunthorpe], sitting in the chapter house as a tribunal, and assisted by canons Boket, Austell and Manyman, summoned before him Edmund Lascy, Baldwin House and John Trenche, altarists of the said church, to answer the charge that nearly every night [quasi singulis noctibus] they went out into the town, with swords and staves, and often stayed out of the church all night, to the pernicious scandal and grievance of the church, and he warned them that henceforward none of them go out of the church after the proper and accustomed hour. John Trenche was also charged with having a woman in adulterous embraces one night within the churchyard and with having grievously beaten a man in the churchyard with a stick; to which charges John could make very little excuse. Sentence was postponed for the consideration of the other canons.

1495, Oct. 10.—Dean Gunthorpe and Canons Vowel and Gilbert appointed proctors for the convocation at London on the 19th inst.

1495, Oct. 24.—The above-named proctors shall be allowed all the time of their absence, from the beginning of convocation so long as it shall last, in complement of their residence, taking nothing for cotidians.—ƒo 56d.

1495, Dec. 7.—John Assh admitted a vicar non-perpetual for one year, and assigned to the stall of the prebend of Wormyster.

1495–6, Jan. 9.—Certain apostolic letters, directed to the dean and chapter, were published and read before the vicars and other ministers of the church, touching obedience to the rev. father in God, Oliver, lately appointed bishop of Bath and Wells by the apostolic see. (fn. 1) The text of Pope Alexander the VI's letter follows, dated at St. Peter's, Rome, 8th Ides of November, 1495.

1495–6, Jan. 16.—Dean Gunthorpe and Canon Vowel appointed proctors for the church's business at London with the most rev. Cardinal of Canterbury, especially as to confirming the immunities [?] of the church; each of them is granted two months' grace in complement of his residence, sine fructu.—fo. 57.

1495–6, Jan. 18.—John White, the sacrist, was charged by William Boket, the sub-dean, that at the last sessions holden at Wells he had laboured and procured and made a bill to indict Baldwin House, altarist of the church, of felony, before the king's justices. White denied it, but he confessed that William Apriche, servant of the bailiff of the city of Wells, had speech with him about the indictment. And because White could have prevented the indictment and did not do so [potuit impedire et non impedivit], the sub-dean declared him excommunicate, and pronounced sentence of the greater excommunication, and appointed Saturday next, Jan. 23, for him to show cause why he should not be suspended from wearing his habit, as justice demanded. On the Saturday the sacrist was absolved from the sentence of excommunication and restored to his former status. The sub-dean enjoined him that before vespers of that same day he must dismiss his servant, for his manifold and manifest offences, on pain of contempt; further, he must labour to have peace with the said Baldwin and his relations [parentes], and must make satisfaction to them for the injuries and trespasses done to them. On the Saturday following [Jan. 30] the sacrist again appeared before the chapter, and stated that the controversies between himself and the parties aforesaid had been referred to the arbitrament of four neighbours. He subsequently produced two acquittances, one from John House and the other from Baldwin, his son; the question of his punishment was adjourned until the coming of the dean.—fos. 57, 57d.

1495–6, March 7.—Master Peter Carmelianus [?] admitted a canon, and installed by proxy in the prebend of Compton Bishop, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.

John Vowell, being at London on the business of the church, with the lord cardinal of Canterbury, is granted all days from March 1 to Easter, sine fructu.

1495–6, March 12.—Read letters mandatory from Master Hugh Peynthwyn, LL.D., archdeacon of Canterbury, directing the induction, installation and enthronisation of Oliver [King], bishop of Bath and Wells. Dated at Lamehith, March 4, 1495. Sealed with the seal of the cardinal archbishop of Canterbury [John Morton], because the archdeacon had then no seal of his own. (fn. 2) Which was done accordingly, in the person of Master Thomas Gilbert, the bishop's proctor.—ƒo 58.

Decreed that all canons resident, as well present as future, may hereafter enter the choir at all canonical hours and at masses, both day and night, any statute to the contrary notwithstanding.—ƒo 58d.

1495–6, March 18.—Master Thomas Austell, canon of the cathedral church and prebendary of the prebend of Wormystre, admitted a canon residentiary; he paid 100 marks caution money, and was granted 40 days of grace in complement of his residence this present year, as all the canons had on October 1. He was also granted a further 54 days, sine fructu.

Thomas Harries, treasurer, granted 6 days of grace which he spent on the business of the church at the time of the last convocation, sine fructu. Thomas Cornyssh granted 15 days which he spent on the business of the church at London, sine fructu.

1496, April 14.—Sir John Braddon admitted a vicar non-perpetual, and assigned to the stall of the prebend of Whitechurch.

1496, April 28.—Sir Thomas Legate, the like.—ƒo 59.

1496, May 4.—Thomas Perham admitted a canon of the cathedral church, and installed by proxy in the prebend of Combe VII.

1496, May 25.—Thomas Cornyssh and Thomas Gilbert appointed proctors to treat with the prior and convent of Montacute and their counsel at Lamporte, as to the controversies between them with regard to a mill newly erected within the dean and chapter's manor of Northcory. They are granted four days of grace, with cotidians.—ƒo 59d.

1496, May 28.—The dispute is referred to the arbitration of John FitzJames, Humfrey Harvy, John Benyn and John Smyth, chosen by the parties. The dean and chapter gave a bond in 200l. to perform the judgment of the arbitrators.

1496, July 8.—Thomas Kymber and Richard Ednay admitted vicars non-perpetual, and assigned to the stalls of the prebends of Wanstre and Ilton.—ƒo 60.

Sir John Touker, the communar, to deliver to Master John Stephens, the steward, 10l. for the fabric of the buildings within the manor of Northcory.

1496, July 28.—John Clawsey and Nicholas Marshall admitted vicars non-perpetual, and assigned to the stalls of the prebends of Combe III and Wormyster.

1496, Aug. 22.—Agreed to present Sir William Drewe to the perpetual chantry at the altar of St. Kalixtus founded for the soul of Master H. Husy, sometime dean.—ƒo 60d.

1496, Sept. 14.—Master Walter Felde, S.T.P., admitted a canon of the cathedral and installed by proxy in the prebend of Tymberescombe, pursuant to mandate of the bishop, and was installed as chancellor, on the death of Master Robert Wilson.

1496–1497.

1496, St. Jerome, Sept. 30.—Collation to priories and chantries in the cathedral, similar to those on pp. 106, 112.—ƒo 61.

Master of the fabric: Pomeray.
Sub-treasurer: Fox.
Tabular: Clerke.
Communar: Touker.
Escheator: nominated by the vicars, Clerk, Jenyns and Seward; chosen by the canons, Jenyns.
Auditors: Boket, baron, Manyman and Cornissh.
Scrutators of canonical houses: Stevens and Manyman.
Keepers of the library: Austell and Cornissh.

1496, Oct. 1.—Each canon residentiary granted 40 days of grace, without cotidians.—ƒo 61d.

Sir John Fox appointed sub-treasurer on the nomination of Master Thomas Harries, the treasurer.

1496, Oct. 24.—Dean Gunthorpe appointed proctor of the chapter for the business at London with the lord cardinal of Canterbury, and granted all days from his setting forth from Wells to the feast of St. Thomas the Apostle [Dec. 21] next, without cotidians.

1496, Oct. 26.—Sealed a lease from the bishop to the wardens of the church goods of Congaresbury, of a cottage and 100 acres of land in the manor of Congaresbury for 80 years. Memorandum that the prior and convent [of Bath] for this turn sealed first.

Master John Vowell, being then at London, appointed proctor and solicitor for certain arduous business of the cathedral with the cardinal of Canterbury; he was granted all days from this day to St. Andrew the Apostle [Nov. 30], sine fructu.—fo. 62.

1496, Nov. 29.—Master Thomas Jan [?], decretorum doctor, admitted a canon, and installed by proxy in the prebend of Combe XIII [Tymberescombe, struck out], pursuant to mandate of the bishop.

1496, Dec. 15.—Sir Thomas Coorte, chaplain, presented to the parish church or chapel with cure [capellam curatam] of Estlangbroke, on the death of Sir Henry Sutton, the last rector.

1496, Dec. 16.—Robert Shirbourne installed in the archdeaconry of Taunton, in the person of John Gossage, his proctor, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.

1496, Dec. 21.—Dean Gunthorpe, Canon John Vowell, LL.D., and Canon Thomas Gilbert, decretorum doctor, appointed proctors for the convocation at St. Paul's, London, on Jan. 23; they were granted all the days of their absence from the beginning of the convocation, without cotidians.—ƒo 62d.

1496, Dec. 30.—Each canon residentiary granted 40 days of grace, sine fructu.—fo. 63.

1496–7, March 17.—William Cosyn installed by proxy in the archdeaconry of Bath, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo 62d.

Master Robert Wydowe, Mus. Bac., admitted a canon, and installed by proxy in the prebend of Combe II, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo 63.

1497, March 28.—Master John Vowell, then in London, appointed proctor for cathedral business; he was granted all days from St. Gregory [March 12] last to May 1, without cotidians.

1496–7, March 20.—Master John Pykman admitted a canon, and installed by proxy in the prebend of Combe IV, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.

1497, April 5.—Master Thomas Beaumont, clerk, admitted a canon, and installed by proxy in the prebend of Taunton, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo 63d.

1497, April 6.—Master William FitzHerbert, LL.D., admitted a canon, and installed in person in the prebend of Barton.

1497, April 8.—Sir Robert Constable admitted a vicar non-perpetual.

1497, April 14.—Sir John Braddon admitted a perpetual vicar.

1497, June 1.—Master Thomas Tomyow, LL.D., admitted a canon, and installed by proxy in the prebend of Combe X [Taunton, struck out], pursuant to mandate of the bishop.

1497, July 7.—Thomas Kymber and Richard Ednay admitted perpetual vicars.—ƒo 64.

1497, July 21.—Master John Pykman, canon, collated to the canonical house where Sir John Manyman late dwelt.

1497, July 25.—Master John Lugwarden admitted a canon, and installed in person in the prebend of Dynre.

1497, July 27.—John Clawsay and Nicholas Marshal admitted perpetual vicars.

1497, July 28.—Master Thomas Cornissh, canon residentiary, appointed perpetual vicar of St. Cuthbert's church, Wells, on the death of Sir John Manyman.—ƒo 64d.

1497, eve of St. Lawrence.—Thomas Harries, the treasurer, granted 20 days' grace about the king's business, without cotidians.

1497, Aug. 13.—John Lugwarden, canon, and prebendary of Dynre, admitted a canon residentiary; he paid 100 marks caution money; with cotidians up to Michaelmas next only if he be present in the town and keep open door, otherwise he shall receive nothing.

1497, Aug. 25.—John Lugwarden collated to the canonical house where Master William Boket late dwelt.

1497, Sept. 10.—Master Robert Wydowe, canon, installed by proxy in the office of succentor, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo 65.

Master John Argentyne, M.D., admitted a canon, and installed by proxy in the prebend of Holecumbe.

1497–1498.

1497, St. Jerome, Sept. 30.—Collation to priories and chantries in the cathedral, similar to those on pp. 106, 112.—ƒo 65d.

Master of the fabric: Pomeray.
Sub-treasurer: Fox.
Tabular: Clerke.
Communar: Touker.
Escheator: Jenyns.
Auditors: William Bocat, Thomas Cornissh and John Lugwarden.
Scrutators of canonical houses: Stevens and Lugwarden.
Keepers of the library: Austell and Vowell.
Surveyors of jewels and ornaments of chantries: Stevens and Lugwarden.

1497, Oct. 2.—Masters John Stevens and Thomas Cornissh, canons residentiary, and Sir John Touker, vicar choral, appointed proctors of the chapter to appear before Master Thomas Gilbert, vicar-general and official of the bishop and chancellor of the see, for all causes and business there.—ƒo 66.

1497, Oct. 6.—Reynold ap David, prior or master of the hospital or house of St. John Baptist in the city of Wells, appeared in the chapter house and took the oath of canonical obedience to the dean and chapter.

William Gulloke, Richard Hemscote, William Paddoke, priests, and William Graver, deacon, the like.

The said master presented Sir William Paddoke to celebrate for the soul of Walter Lichelade, sometime canon of the church of Wells, for one whole year.

Baldwin Howse, for his contumacy in disregarding injunctions and monitions, was deprived of his habit and expelled from the church.

John Paty admitted an altarist; nominated by William Bocat on behalf of the treasurer.

1497, Oct. 4.—Each canon granted 40 days of grace in complement of his residence, without cotidians.—ƒo 66d.

1497, Oct. 13.—Sir Eugene Dale, chaplain, collated to the office of chaplain of the hospital of St. Saviour, Blessed Mary and All Saints, near St. Cuthbert's church, Wells.

1497, Oct. 23.—John Paty, altarist, appointed to keep the chantry of Thomas Bekyngton, with the accustomed fees.

1497, Nov. 15.—John Standerwick admitted a vicar non-perpetual.

1497, Oct. 17.—The prior of Bruton Priory appeared before the dean and chapter to explain the non-payment of the pension of 8l. due from the prior and convent to the cathedral church from the fruits and income of the parish church of Chiltren Dummer, appropriated to the priory. He said that the rectory had become impoverished per defectum aracionis terrarum arabilium . . . et propter sterilitatem earundem in presenti et diu ante hac dicta rectoria ecclesie predicte est et fuit in tanta exilitate et decasu quod dicta summa viij librarum de omnibus et singulis decimis proventibus et fructubus dicte rectorie pertinentibus penitus levari non poterit. The prior, asked how long this had been so, said that he believed quod ita fuit per spacium quinquaginta annorum et ultra, et quod hoc fuit per negligenciam parochianorum ibidem commorancium pro clausuris terrarum arrabilium per ipsos factis. The dean and chapter and the prior agreed that John Dyer, rector of Higham, John Peny, vicar of Milton, and Giles, rector of Kylmyngton, should inquire as to the true value of the benefice of Chiltren Dummer, etc., and certify the result.—ƒo 67.

Copy of the letter sent by the dean and chapter and the said prior:—

Right worshipfull, we commaunde [sic] us to yow. And where a variance and trouble as yet dependz betwix us, the dean and chapitre of the cathedrall church of Welles, of oon parte, and the prior and convent of Bruton, of the other parte, we, the foresaid both partes, desyring to have knowlieg of the true valour of all maner comodities, profectez and fructez in any wise belongyng as well to the parsonage of the churche of Chiltren Dummer as to the vicarage of the same, have compromised to you, by us the forsaid parties chossen, indifferently to make a due inquisicion in the said church, as wel by the inhabitantz there as other such persones as have best knowlieg in that behalf. Whereffore we pray you and ichon of you to take the labour to go to the said church som day this nex weke, to make a due inquisicion in that behalf, as affore is said; and that doon, to certifie us of all such as ye shal fynde herein; and that it will lyke you that the parisshens may be warned to awayte opon you at such tyme as ye shal apoynte; and that ye will acertaigne us of the said day be you to be apoynted to be there, to th'entent that such provision may be made you for there as shal aparteyne. And thogh this be payneful for you, your labours and peynes shalbe remembred. And we, both parties aforesaid, ar glad to do as moche for your and ich of your pleassour in thing that we may do herafter. Item, over this, for as moch as it is supposed that the said benefice is gretely decayed and not worth viijli. a yere, we pray you to inquire of the decaye of the said benefice, how and in whose defaute and negligence it is so gretely decayed, and how longe it hath be in such decaye, and how many yeres it hath so contynued, so that we both parties may be by you of the premissez and every part of thayme acertaigned by your writyng, signed wit your handes, etc.

By the dean and chapiter of the cathedrall church of Welles, and by the prior and covent of Bruton.

To Maister John Dyer, parson of Higham, Sir John Peny, parson of Milton Podemore, and to Sir Giles, parson of Kylmyngton.

1497, Dec. 21.—Each canon residentiary making actual residence granted 40 days of grace, without cotidians; it shall extend to John Vowell if he comes and actually begins his residence before April 1; otherwise not.—ƒo 67d.

1497, Dec. 22.—Master Henry Rawlyns admitted a canon, and installed by proxy in the prebend of Combe XIV, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.

1497–8, Jan. 2.—Dean Gunthorpe appointed proctor for certain special business before the king and magnates; he is allowed all necessary absence from Nov. 9 to the Annunciation, inclusive, without cotidians.

1497–8, Feb. 23.—Thomas Harries, the treasurer, granted 40 days of grace as he was due to be occupied on the king's business in Cornwall and Devon, sine fructu.—fo. 68.

Sir John Stevens surrendered the office of steward of the cathedral church; at the request of the chapter he undertook the office for the present year.

1498, April 2.—John Vowell may enjoy the 40 days' grace granted to every canon on Dec. 21 last, notwithstanding the act of chapter of the same day to the contrary; sine fructu.

The dean, in the name of the executors of the will of Master Richard Lichefeld, delivered a silver-gilt chalice, weighing 44oz., and a frontal for the high altar of blue cloth of gold [coloris blodii].

1498, April 28.—The dean and chapter gave to North Cory parish church, legenda sanctorum, secundo folio Quanta nos, et legenda temporal[ia] secundo folio Nox subvertitur. To the parish church of Wynescombe a processional secundo folio Deinde turibular'.

John Lugwarden has license to repair his canonical house before the nativity of St. John Baptist, 1499, and to stay in the meantime where he now lives.

Copy of the bill upon the answer of the prior of Bruton at Dicheyate to the dean and others:

Pleasith you to understande that appon diverse sendynges bytwene the deane and the chapiter of Welles, and appon convercacion lately hadde bytwen the saide deane and me, of our comyn matier, I thinke it may take an eend iff I wille sette the benifyce of Chiltryn to them in ferme, wit all hys appertenentes, as it was appropriate to us, for the space of a C yeres save oon; wit this provysion, that if I and my covent att any time think it be benificyall unto us to take the seyd benefyce yn his furste astate unto our handes ayen, then yff we be redy to content theme the costes and chaarges that thei have doun in the meane tyme for the improwment of the same, and geve theme sufficiaunt sewertie fro that tyme afftrewardes in perpetuitee to content theme yerely of ther olde pensyon of 8li., they then shal make relesse of the yeres off the ferme foresayd. That iff y do lett renne the said yeres, and do noght retourn to my olde state, as is above wreten, then my successours for the tyme must make a lyke newe lesse [lease] unto theme, and so frome terme to terme.

1498, May 20.—Considered a communication with the prior of Bruton as to an action [lis] for a yearly pension of 8l. out of the fruits and emoluments of the parish church of Chiltren Dummer, appropriated to the priory of Bruton, for the payment of the said pension to the dean and chapter. The prior offered to let the said church to farm to them for 99 years, in satisfaction [contentatio] of the pension. Resolved to accept the offer.—ƒo 68d.

1498, June 9.—Agreed by the dean and chapter to accept a messuage and tenements adjoining, where J. Cornissh now dwells, after the death of John Nabbe and Alice his wife, to celebrate yearly on the morrow of St. Benedict and to observe their obit.

1498, June 29.—Masters Thomas Cornissh and Thomas Gilbert appointed stewards and keepers of the deanery, now vacant by the death of John Gunthorpe.

1498, pridie Kal. July.—Mr. John Lugwardyn appointed official of the decanal jurisdictions, and Mr. John Standerwyke scribe and registrar of causes and corrections, during the vacancy of the office of dean.

John Lugwardyn appointed official of all the chapter's peculiar jurisdictions of Northcory, Wynsham, Nicholascombes, Chedder, Ludewode Bishop's and Lovington.

Master Thomas Gilbert, decretorum doctor, collated to the rectory or chapelry of the church or free chapel of Alverton, vacant by the death of Mr. William Stevens.—ƒo 69.

1498, July 3.—Master Richard Hatton, doctor, and canon of the cathedral church of Wells, and, as he asserted, deputed by king Henry, appeared in the chapter house at the hour of vespers; and said that, the deanery being vacant by the death of dean Gunthorpe, the king wished and desired [voluit et affectavit] the president and chapter to place the election in his hands, further that it was his mind and wish to nominate as dean a canon of the cathedral church and a doctor. Master Hatton further asserted that if the president and chapter wished to deliberate on their answer and not to consent at once to the king's wishes, yet he desired them in no wise to proceed to the election of a new dean until the king should have had sufficient notice of the day of election.

The president and chapter, with humble recommendation and all submission, replied to the first request that very many canons of the said church are absent and dispersed throughout the whole realm of England, who have right and votes [voces] in the election of the new dean, as well as they, and according to the statutes and customs of the church, these must of right and necessity be summoned and cited to the election; and they asserted that without the consent of these absent ones they could not proceed to an election without giving them due warning. And so they could not at present make any promise to the king as to the election of the new dean, or consent to the same without the consent of the absentees. Further, they said that the president and chapter could not proceed to an election without the license of the bishop; and so, at present, they cannot give any answer to the request.