Chapter acts: 1498-1501

1498–1499.

1498, St. Jerome's Day, Sept. 30.—Collation to priories, chantries and offices; similar to those on pp. 106, 112.—ƒo. 69d.

Master of the fabric: Pomeray.
Communar: Touker.
Tabular: Clerke.
Sub-treasurer: Fox.
Escheator: nominated by the vicars, Jenyns, Asshcote and Ferre (?); chosen by the canons, Jenyns.
Auditors: Vowell, Gilbert and Lugwardyn.

1498, Oct. 1.—Ordered that every canon residentiary shall appear in the chapter house at the accustomed hour on Nov. 21 next, on pain of paying 40s.—ƒo. 70.

Grant of 40 days of grace to each canon making actual residence, without cotidians.

Each canon making actual residence for the following year may have the nomination to the churches, perpetual vicarages and chantries written over his name, and which are in the presentation or collation of the dean and chapter; to last for one year, viz.:—

Master William Boket, sub-dean, the church of Modeford and the chantry which Sir Robert Wade now holds.
Master Thomas Harries, treasurer, the vicarage of Bokland Abbat's and the chantry of Sir Thomas Petevyne.
Master John Pykman, the vicarage of Wynescombe and the chantry which Master Thomas Goldwege holds.
Master John Vowell, the church of Shepham and the chantry of Master John Welmote.
Sir John Stevens, the vicarage of Lideard Bishop's and the chantry of Sir John Hampton.
Master Thomas Cornissh, the church of Lambroke and the chantry of Sir John Gramsby.
Master Thomas Gilbert, the vicarage of Burneham and the chantry of Sir William Drew.
Master Thomas Austell, the vicarage of Stokegummer and the chantry of Sir John Atya.
Master John Lugwardyn, the vicarage of Poklechurche and the chantry of Sir Richard Teke.

1498, Oct. 28.—William Cosyn, in jure licenciatus, archdeacon of Bath, admitted as a canon, and installed by proxy in the prebend of Ilton, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo. 70d.

1498, Nov. 15.—John Standerwyke junior admitted a perpetual vicar.

1498, Nov. 24.—Ordered that the steward of the cathedral, in his next progress to hold courts, shall enjoin all reeves of manors to pay the rents of the manors quarterly to the steward or communar.

1498, Dec. 22.—Master John Pykman, canon and prebendary of Combe IV, admitted a canon residentiary; he paid 100 marks caution money, and was granted 40 days of grace.

Each canon granted 40 days of grace, without cotidians, in addition to the 40 which they already have.—ƒo. 71.

1498, Dec. 26.—Thomas Gilbert may have the book of statutes to put in order and bind, the same to be placed in safe keeping in the library of the church, so that every canon may have free access to it at his pleasure.

Ordered that the executors of the late dean Gunthorpe shall have nothing from the great commons for the year ending at Michaelmas last, because he died before he had made his whole residence.

1498, pridie Kal. Jan.—Touching rents of assize, fines of land and other things coming to the deanery during the vacancy which of right and custom belong and ought to belong [? to the chapter (fn. 1) ]; nevertheless, the sub-dean and chapter agreed to abide by the judgment of Thomas Colson and Robert Brown the auditors, who shall determine the same on their conscience after inspecting the roll of account.

Master Thomas Cornyssh appointed steward of the church; he must not make any fine of lands beyond the value of 20s. without the consent of the chapter.

1498–9, Jan. 2.—John Vowell and the said steward are deputed to survey the goods remaining in the hands of the communar and clerk of the fabric, and to certify as to the same.

1498–9, Jan. 7.—Considered the question of the manor of Alverton, granted to the dean and chapter and their successors by Master John Gunthorpe, late dean, to sustain a cursal mass in the cathedral daily by the canons or the senior vicars choral, and to support other burdens in the church. It was decided to begin and continue the said cursal mass at the altar of SS. Mary Magdalen, Katherine and Margaret daily, celebrating for the soul of the said Master Gunthorpe and to follow the form and order of the cursal mass for the soul of Thomas Bekington, sometime bishop of Bath and Wells. As to the other burdens, they would deliberate further.—ƒo. 71d.

1498–9, Feb. 5.—Each canon residentiary granted 18 further days of grace, without cotidians.

Grant to Master Robert Wydow, the succentor, at the instance of Master John Pykman, of the canonical house where Master John Austell lately dwelt; to reside there so long as he shall wish.

Grant to John Pykman of the nomination of benefices and chantries which John Austell had while he lived, for the present year.

1498–9, Feb. 18.—Thomas Cornissh, the steward, may let to farm the rectory of the parish church of Lydeard, for 5 years, to the perpetual vicar thereof, who must give a bond for the payment of the rent.

1499, March 30.—Master Stephen Dowce, S.T.B., admitted a canon and installed by proxy in the prebend of Milverton II, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo. 72.

1499, pridie Kal. Aprilis.—Master John Pykman, canon residentiary, installed in person in the prebend of Ilton, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.

Master Thomas Beumount, canon, installed by proxy in the archdeaconry of Bath, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.

1499, April 3.—Sir John Borde, chaplain, presented to the perpetual vicarage of the parish church of Mudford, on the resignation of Sir Thomas Math.

1499, April 12.—Richard Estway admitted a vicar non-perpetual, for one year.—ƒo. 72d.

1499, April 16.—Master John Lugwardyn, canon residentiary, installed in person in the prebend of Tymberescombe, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.

1499, April 21.—Sir Thomas Cornyssh, bishop of Tine and canon [residentiary], installed in person as chancellor of the cathedral church, on the death of Master Walter Felde, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.

Master George Percy installed by proxy in the prebend of Combe IV, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.

1499, April 25.—Resolved that the chancellor, when present in Wells and making actual residence, shall have cotidians, but when absent, whether on his own business or the chapter's, notwithstanding his dignity, he shall not have more daily than a simple canon or steward was of old time wont to have.—ƒo. 73.

1499, May 18.—Grant of 20 more days of grace to each canon residentiary making actual residence, sine fructu.

1499, June 9.—Sir William Thirllow admitted a canon and installed by proxy in the prebend of Dynre, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.

1499, June 23.—Read letters mandatory of the bishop for the induction of Master William Cousyn (or his proctor) in the deanery. Master John Pykman, as proctor, having promised on the Gospels to pay 40l. to the sub-dean and chapter within 15 days, on account of the vacant prebend annexed to the deanery, was duly installed.—ƒo. 73d.

1499, July 19.—Sir John Hardman, chaplain, admitted a vicar non-perpetual for one year.

1499, July 20.—Master Thomas Beamounte installed in person in the provostship and the prebend of Combe XII thereto annexed, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.

1499, July 21.—Master John Pykman installed in the archdeaconry of Bath, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo. 74.

1499, Sept. 29.—Sir Richard Rawlyns admitted a canon and installed by proxy in the prebend of Taunton, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.

1499–1500.

1499, St. Jerome's Day, Sept. 30.—Collation to priories, chantries and offices, similar to those on pp. 106, 112.—ƒo. 74d.

Clerk of the fabric: Pomeray.
Communar: Touker.
Tabular: Capron.
Sub-treasurer: Fox.
Escheator: nominated by the vicars, Fere, Asshcote and Jenyns; chosen by the canons, Jenyns.
Auditors: Boket, Austell and Lugwardyne.

1499, Oct. 6.—Grant of 20 days of grace to each canon residentiary making actual residence, sine fructu.—fo. 75.

1499, Oct. 26.—Master George Sidenham admitted a canon and installed by proxy in the prebend of Combe XIII, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.

Gilbert Jacob admitted a vicar non-perpetual.

1499, Nov. 28.—Sir Jheronimus Boerius of Thabia Januen', juris utriusque doctorem, admitted a canon and installed by proxy in the prebend of Yatton, on the death of Master Robert Midelton, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.

1499, Dec. 7.—Grant of 20 further days of grace to each canon residentiary, sine fructu.—fo. 75d.

Sir John Aleyne, vicar choral, has license not to come to matins in the night time, nevertheless he shall have his daily commons undiminished.

1499–1500, Jan. 2.—Grant of 40 further days of grace, sine fructu, to every canon residentiary making actual residence.

1499–1500, Jan. 22.—Confirmation of letters patent from Oliver [King], bishop of Bath and Wells, to Thomas Grene of the office of keeper of the park and manor or mansion of Banwell and bailiff of the hundred of Wynterstoke, for life, at a yearly fee of 10 marks. Dated Sept. 20, 14 Henry VII, at our inn [hospicium] of Bathes Inne, in the parish of St. Clement Danes, without the bars of the New Temple.—ƒo. 76.

The like to Richard Ruynon, as keeper of the park of Evercrich, at a yearly fee of 41s. 4d. Dated at Bathe Inne, Dec. 9, 15 Henry VII.—ƒo. 76d.

The like to John Pole and Richard Ruynon, gents., as bailiffs of the bishop's liberties within and without Somerset, including the functions of clerk of the market, for their lives, at the yearly pension of 10 marks; they must render a yearly account and discharge all outgoings to the king. Also to the same, as bailiffs of the city or borough of Wells, at a yearly pension of 4l. 6s. 8d. Ruynon shall not intermeddle in the said offices without the leave and goodwill of Pole, nor take any of the fees, wages or other profits during Pole's life. Dated (blank).—ƒo. 77.

1499–1500, Feb. 1.—Nicholas Marshall, vicar choral, has license to visit the limina of the blessed apostles Peter and Paul at Rome, and to be absent on his pilgrimage until Feb. 1 next, receiving nothing by way of emolument or of vicars' commons while absent, save only the income of his stall.—ƒo. 77d.

1499–1500, Feb. 26—Master Robert Wydow, succentor, prebendary of Combe II, admitted a canon residentiary; he paid 100 marks caution money; if he cannot complete his actual residence before Michaelmas next, the chapter, of special grace, grant that he may nevertheless have the portion of his caution money to be allotted to each canon in respect of his residence up to Michaelmas, at the same rate as the other canons will have for the present year.

1499–1500, March 5.—Master Peter Caresleigh, prebendary of Shalford, admitted a canon residentiary; he paid 100 marks caution money.

1499–1500, March 10.—Grant of 12 days of grace, sine fructu, to Peter Caresleigh.—ƒo. 78.

1499–1500, March 12.—Master William Soper admitted a canon and installed in person in the prebend of Warmystre-luxfeld, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.

1500, April 11.—Richard Estway admitted a perpetual vicar.

1500, April 23.—Ordered that 20 marks lately received by Master Thomas Gilbert, the steward of the church, from two "cautions" of Masters Robert Wydow and Peter Caresleigh for their residence, be placed in a chest in the treasury, under three keys, to be kept by three canons; and that all "cautions" to be applied to the fabric of the church, and other incomings, legacies or gifts raised and received for the fabric, be also placed therein.

1500, May 9.—The bishop is empowered to grant, in the name of the dean and chapter, the canonical house where Master John Pykman now lives, to any canon beginning his residence there; for this turn only.—ƒo. 78d.

1500, May 25.—Master Robert Wydow installed in person in the sub-deanery, and Master John Lugwardyn installed as succentor, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.

Master John Argentyne, M.D., installed by proxy in the prebend of Combe II, and Master Robert Widew, Mus. Bac., installed in the prebend of Holcomb Burnell, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo. 79.

Grant of 20 days of grace to each canon making actual residence this year, without cotidians.

Master Robert Wydow, sub-dean, deputed to carry on the chapter's business with the bishop, anywhere within the realm, up to Michaelmas next, sine fructu seu aliaque distribucione and is dispensed with residence so far as they can.

Grant (during pleasure) of the income of a vacant stall in the choir to John Assh, for good and diligent service in singing on divers days and festivals; at the hands of the fabric or in the exchequer of the said church.

Sir John Bawdewyn granted the chantry in the chapel of All Saints, now vacant by the death of Sir John Touker.

1500, May 26.—John Salter admitted a vicar non-perpetual.—ƒo. 79d.

Sir Thomas Cornissh, the chancellor, has leave to be buried near the door of entrance to the chapter house, at the north corner of the altar of Holy Cross, and to prepare his place of sepulture when he pleases.

Sir John Stevens, canon residentiary, has leave to be buried near and on the south side of the new chapel of St. Edmund, pontifex, in the nave of the church.

Master Thomas Goldewege, annuellarius, has leave to be buried in the new chapel of Holy Cross, near the cloister, and to prepare the place when he pleases.

1500, June 2.—Grant of 10 days of grace, sine fructu, to every canon making actual residence this year.

Ordered that all muniments and evidences of the church, in the hands of any canon, be brought in and placed in a certain chamber at the end of the church for preservation; and that henceforth no muniments or evidences remain in the hands of any canon unless delivered by indentures.

1500, July 30.—Letters patent of the offices of keeper of the park and manor of Banwell, granted to Thomas Grene for life, were newly ratified and confirmed.—ƒo. 80.

Sir John Hardman, chaplain, admitted a perpetual vicar.

1500, Aug. 3.—Edward Bray, clerk, installed by proxy in the canonry and prebend of Litton, and Master John Hogekyn, S.T.D., by proxy in the canonry and prebend of White-lakyngton.

1500, Aug. 18.—The chaper sat in domo per quam ingreditur ad Thesaurariam ecclesie predicte.

Grant of 6 days of grace, without cotidians, to Master Peter Caresleigh.

Master Thomas Gilbert is to write to Thomas Hobson to come to hear the accounts of the chapter at the next audit.

1500, Sept. 11.—Oliver Grenden admitted a vicar non-perpetual.—ƒo. 80d.

1500, Sept. 20.—William Highwey, clerk, installed by proxy in the canonry and prebend of Combe V, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.

1500, Sept. 21.—Sir John Orchard, chaplain, presented to the vicarage of Modeford, on the death of Sir John Borde, the last vicar.

1500, Sept. 26.—Master Richard Gilberd installed in person in the canonry and prebend of Taunton.

1500–1501.

1500, St. Jerome's Day, Sept. 30.—Collation to priories, chantries and offices, similar to those on pp. 106, 112.—ƒo. 81.

Clerk of the fabric: Pomeray.
Communar: Addiscote.
Tabular: Capron.
Sub-treasurer: Fox.
Escheator: nominated by the vicars, Jenyns, Clerke and Capron; chosen by the canons, Jenyns.
Auditors: Cornyssh, baron, Lugwardyn and Caresleigh.

According to ancient custom the baron is the senior canon present in the exchequer and the two senior residentiaries after him present in the city; and if any of these be absent, then another, who is the senior present, shall supply his turn.

1500, Oct. 1.—Grant of 40 days of grace, without cotidians, granted to all canons making actual residence this year.—ƒo. 81d.

1500, Oct. 3.—Master John Smythe appointed master of the schools on the nomination of Thomas Cornissh, bishop of Tine and chancellor of the cathedral church, with the ancient emoluments; he was assigned a vicarial habit and a stall in the choir; he took the oath of canonical obedience to the dean and chapter.

1500, Oct. 5.—Ordered that the steward of the church do hold or cause to be held their courts and views of courts for Michaelmas term this year, according to ancient custom.—ƒo. 82.

Ordered that in the absence of the precentor the succentor has the right and ought, if present, to admit choristers to fill vacancies. Master John Lugwardyn, the succentor, protested that he did not intend to do so, in prejudice of the precentor, if the latter could do so by his proctor.

1500, Oct. 15.—Confirmed letters patent of the bishop granting the office of keeper of the park of Westebury, Somerset, to William Weld, his servant, for life, with a yearly fee of 58s. 8d. and all trees blown down by the wind and all other accustomed profits and commodities; power of distress on the manor of Westebury. Dated at our manor of Chewe, Sept. 30, 16 Henry VII. The prior and convent of Bath sealed first for this turn.

1500, Oct. 24.—Gilbert Jacob admitted a perpetual vicar.

1500, Nov. 19.—Grant to Richard Atya and—his wife and the survivor of them, for life, of the reversion of the manor of Okyngton, in the parish of Wyvelescombe, after the death of Ellen, relict of John Sidenham, lately deceased, so long as it shall be vacant [quandocumque vacare contigerit]; for a fine of 20l. Provided always that Richard and his wife must reside on the manor and not let it to farm; but when they are bowed with age [cum fuerint senio confracti] then they may let it for the life of the survivor of them, so that they may dwell [moram trahere] near the parish church of Wyvelescombe.—ƒo. 83.

1500, Nov. 19.—Sir John Merler, prior or master of the hospital or house of St. John Baptist in the city of Wells, took the oath of canonical obedience to the dean and chapter, according to the ordinance of Lord Jocelin, sometime bishop.

1500, Dec. 4.—Thomas Clifford, clerk, admitted a canon and installed by proxy in the prebend of Whitechurch, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.

1500, Dec. 30.—Francis, archbishop of Busuntium and prince of the holy empire, installed in the archdeaconry of Wells and the prebend of Huwyssh annexed thereto, in the person of Rodrigo Machado, commonly called Richmonte. (fn. 2) —ƒo. 83d.

1500–1, Jan. 2.—John Prediaux admitted a vicar non-perpetual, for one year.

Grant of 40 days of grace to Thomas Cornissh, the chancellor, in respect of certain business for the church with Master Richard Nykke, late archdeacon of Wells.

Grant of 40 days of grace to Thomas Harries, the treasurer, for certain benefits lately done by him to the church.

Grant of 20 days of grace to every other canon then present, without cotidians.

1500–1, Feb. 9.—James Rogers, clerk, admitted a canon and installed by proxy in the prebend of Wanstre, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo. 84.

1500–1, Feb. 18.—John Gulloke, Richard Hemescote, William Grayver, priests, and Richard Smythe, deacon, brethren of the hospital or house of St. John Baptist in Wells, took the oath of canonical obedience to the dean and chapter, according to the ordinance of Lord Jocelin, sometime bishop.

1501, April 1.—Grant of 20 days of grace to Thomas Gilbert and Thomas Austell, as the other canons resident had on Jan. 2; the like to Peter Caresleigh, then absent; sine fructu.

Master Thomas Wade, scribe of the chapter acts, and Sir Hugh Vasy, vicar choral, have leave to visit St. James in Galicia; Vasy shall have no emoluments from the church, except the income of his stall, nor of vicars' commons, while he is away.

Agreement to submit to the arbitration of Richard, bishop of Rochester, as to the vacation of the vicarage of the parish church of Menede.

Ordered that the ordinances [ordinacio] of two chantries in the cathedral and in the chapel of the B.V.M. near the cloister, founded by Sir John Bicconell, be ratified and confirmed by their common seal.—ƒo. 84d.

1501, May 24.—Grant of 20 days of grace to every canon resident making actual residence this year.

Master John Becham installed by proxy in the canonry and prebend of Combe XII.

The bishop of Tine, chancellor, installed in person in the prebend of Compton Dunden.

1501, May 26.—John Salter admitted a perpetual vicar.

1501, kal. Jun.—Master John Wilmott, in decretis bachelor, chaplain of the perpetual chantry at the altar of St. Edmund in the nave, surrendered the same into the hands of Robert Wydow, the sub-dean.—ƒo. 85.

Master John Willmote collated to one of the four chantries founded in the cathedral for the soul of bishop Bubbwith, now vacant by the death of Sir Robert Wade, the last chaplain.

1501, June 11.—Master John Lugwardyn collated to the canonical house where Master John Pykman late dwelt.—ƒo. 85d.

Sir John Atya, chaplain, collated to the chantry at the altar of St. Edmund in the nave, founded for the soul of bishop Ergham, vacant by the resignation of Sir John Abbot.

Sir John Abbot collated to the chantry of St. Saviour, the B.V.M. and all the elect at the altar of Holy Cross on the north side of the church, founded for the soul of Master John Storthwayt, vacant by the resignation of Sir John Atya.

1501, June 15.—Sir John Streynsham admitted a canon and installed by proxy in the prebend of Dyndre, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.

1501, June 23.—It was objected against Sir John Braddon, vicar choral, (1) that whereas the sub-dean had often warned him to abstain from the company of Joan Millward, consort of John Millward, and from going to suspicious places with her, yet he did not so abstain; (2) that he had disturbed and abused Masters John Pykman and John Lugwardyn with opprobrious words, contrary to the statutes of the church. He made no sufficient excuse, and was suspended from his habit until further order.

1501, June 24.—Master Hugh Ing admitted a canon, and installed by proxy in the prebend of Cuddworth and Knoll, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo. 86.

1501, July 3.—Sir John Braddon, vicar choral, appeared, made full confession of his faults, and begged pardon of the sub-dean and Masters Pykman and Lugwardyn. He swore on the Gospels to amend, and was restored to his habit; until the feast of St. James the Apostle next he must stand in the choir in the second form and in all processions of vicars go between the lowest perpetual vicars; the sub-dean, when he shall please, may restore him to the stall of the vicar of the prebend of Tymbercombe [sic].

1501, July 10.—Master Thomas Beamount, provost of the church, installed by proxy in the canonry and prebend of Hasilbere, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo. 86d.

Confirmation of the above sentence on Sir John Braddon.

1501, July 25.—Sir Richard Pomeray, clerk of the fabric, appeared and confessed that he had done unjustly and evilly in his office in taking down a great bell from the south tower of the cathedral church, and having it newly cast [de novo fundendam], without the authority or leave of the dean and chapter. He was pardoned on paying 5 marks for the raising and hanging the same.

The chapter gave leave to Sir John Braddon, vicar, to celebrate mass, and restored him to his former estate.—ƒo. 87.

Sir John Abbot, chaplain of the perpetual chantry at the altar of Holy Cross, has leave to go with the sub-dean, so long as the sub-dean shall be absent.

1501, Aug. 26.—Sir Hugh Veyzy, chaplain, presented to the vicarage of the parish church of Pokilcherche, in the diocese of Worcester, on the death of Sir John Peryman, reserving the yearly pension of half a mark to the dean and chapter.

1501, Sept. 10.—Confirmation of letters of manumission from the bishop to John Skorde of Compton Bishop's.

Oliver Grenden admitted a perpetual vicar.

1501, Sept. 13.—Sir Reynold Bray, knt., appointed steward, for life, of the hundreds, lordships, etc., belonging to the chapter, with a yearly rent or pension of 40s.—ƒo. 87d.

1501, Sept. 15.—Sir John Braddon, perpetual vicar, was charged with neglect of his duties and opprobrious words to the sub-dean; he confessed his offences, and was deprived of his habit until the feast of All Saints, taking no commons in the meantime.—ƒo. 87.