Acts and accounts: 1620-30

1620–1621.

• 1620, Sept. 30.—Election of officers.
• Auditors : Robert Wright and Paul Godwyn.
• Baron of the exchequer : John Bourne.
• Master of the fabric : Timothy Rivett.
• Surveyors of houses : Robert Wright and Paul Godwyn.
• Communar : Timothy Rivett.
• Escheator : [William] Hunt.
• Tabellar : Edward Hole.
• Bailiff and cursor : William Sawier.

1620–1, Jan. 3.—Philip Mahatt, B.A., installed in the prebend of Compton Bishop, on the death of Robert Scott, S.T.D., pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo. 168d.

1620–1, Feb. 16.—John Oker admitted a perpetual vicar-choral.—ƒo. 169d.

1621, May 8.—Anthony Methwin, S.T.B., installed in the prebend of Ilton, on the death of John Pellen, S.T.B., pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo. 170d.

1621, May 23.—Dr. John Bowrne presented to the vicarage of Stogumer by Dr. Wright, to whom the presentation had fallen by lot.—ƒo. 171.

1621, June 16.—Thomas James, S.T.D., installed as sub-dean, on the death of Robert Scott, S.T.D., pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo. 171d.

William Woodhowse, M.A., installed in the prebend of Combe XI, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo. 172.

1621, July 2.—Grant to Dr. Revett for life of the canonical house where he now lives.—ƒo. 172d.

The like to Dr. Bowrne.

1621, Sept. 18.—Installation of Ralph Barlow, S.T.D., as dean of Wells, on the death of the last dean, pursuant to mandate of the king.—ƒo. 173.

Accounts of Timothy Revett, Keeper of the Fabric, 1620–21.

Receipts : 1l. 10s. for the burial of Mrs. Phillips.

Payments : 15s. for work about "le bellsoller"; 3s. for repairing "le bridge et Ludborne"; 6s. 1d. for repairing the whirligog; 4s. 2d. for the communion seat; 4s. for the service book; 18l. 6s. 4d. for timber trees. A detailed account of 398l. 1s. 5d. "for building and guilding the organs," including: 206l. to Mr. Dallam; 39l. to Mr. Kettle; 70l. to Mr. Beaumont for gilding; 8s. for taking down the timber from the "belsoller" for the use of the organs; 8s. 6d. for nails and iron work about setting up the organ loft; 3s. for hewing the pillars for the organs; 14d. for mending the quier door and setting on the bolts and lock; 12s. 8d. for the curtain rods; 14s. for making the curtains; 7l. 16s. 1d. for 69 1/4 yards of say at 2s. 3d.; 2s. for 3 doz. of binding inkle; paid by Dr. Wright to Mr. Dallam about this work 64l. [Dean Merideth appears to have given 260l. towards the organ and Dr. Wright lent 100l.]

1621–1622.

• 1621, Sept. 30.—Election of officers.
• Auditors : Robert Wright and Paul Godwyn.
• Baron of the exchequer : John Bourne.
• Master of the fabric : Gerard Wood.
• Surveyors of houses : Gerard Wood and Timothy Rivett.
• Communar : Paul Godwyn.
• Escheator : Robert Marwood.
• Tabellar : [William] Hunt.
• Bailiff and cursor : William Sawier.

1621, Oct. 1.—The dean is admitted a canon residentiary on paying 100l. caution money.—ƒo. 175.

1621, Nov. 17.—Read a letter from the bishop, beginning:—

"Reverend Brethren, I received letters from my Lord of Canterburie's Grace, the tenor whereof followeth :—

"Right Reverend Father in God, my very good Lord, I have received letters from the Lords of His Majestie's most honorable Privie Councell, in the behalf of the poore straingers who by reason of the present troubles in France are fled into this realme; etc."

"By the contents of those letters yow see what his Majestie's most pious charitie recomends unto us"; etc. Resolved to give 5l.—ƒo. 176.

1621–2, Jan. 2.—Ordered "that the curat of the cathedrall church of Wells, that shalbe for the time, shall allway be one that shall carry the bread and wine to the communion table when the sacrament of the Lord's Supper shalbe ministred in the said church, and one of other the ministers shall in carriing the bread and wine as aforesaid assist the said curate."

"That every canon resident of this church, that now is and hereafter that shalbe, that shall beare any office in the said church, shall at the time he shall be elected officer take a corporall oath uppon the Holy Evangelistes truly to execute that office . . .; and the like oath all other officers of the said church chosen uppon St. Jerom's day shall take."—ƒos. 177–177d.

A general survey ordered, of all lands and manors belonging to the dean and chapter.

The "comminour" and the master of the fabric shall end their accounts yearly before December 16.

1622, March 27.—Dr. Wright is appointed to assign a place within the church for the burial of Dr. John Bowrne, deceased. (fn. 1) —ƒo. 178.

1622, April 1.—Mr. William Evans, master of the grammar school of the cathedral church, resigns his office. Dr. John Young, the chancellor, to whom by virtue of his office the nomination belongs, nominates Mr. Robert Aishe, who is thereupon admitted by the dean and chapter.—ƒo. 4d.

William Hunt, clerk, Mus. Bac., installed in the prebend of Wedmore III, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo. 5.

1622, June 12.—William Woodhowse, M.A., installed in the prebend of Wormister, on the death of Richard Powell, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo. 6d.

Grant to Dr. Revett for life of the canonical house in which he lives.—ƒo. 7.

The like to Richard Adams, canon and prebendary of Compton Dundon, of the house where Dr. John Bowrne lived; and his election as canon residentiary, on the recommendation of John [Williams], bishop of Lincoln, in place of Dr. Bowrne, deceased.—ƒo. 7d.

1622, July 1.—Edward Abraham, M.A., installed in the prebend of Combe XI, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo. 8d.

Appointment of Matthew Lawe M.A., to the church or rectory of Allverton or Allerton; he took the oaths of supremacy and allegiance.—ƒo. 9d.

The key of the little chest where the seal is kept could not be had; the chest was broken open.

Dr. Rivett protested against casting lots for benefices.—ƒo. 10.

1622–1623.

1622, Sept. 30.—Dr. Samuel Ward allowed his residence "so long as he shalbe absent in reading the Lady Margarett Lecture in Cambridg, and answering Cardinall Perrone his book."

1622, Oct. 1.—Vicars-choral absent without leave shall forfeit 3/4d. for a morning praper and 1/2d. for an evening prayer, to be divided quarterly among those who have attended diligently.—ƒo. 11d.

1622, Oct. 2.—John Harris, S.T.D. installed in the prebend of Combe XIII.—ƒo. 13.

1622, Dec. 6.—Dr. Revett, the master of the fabric, is deputed to allocate a place within the cathedral for the burial of Thomas Hunnis.—ƒo. 14d.

1623, May 3.—William Wynge appointed clerk and bell-ringer, on the nomination of the treasurer, Robert Wright, bishop of Bristol.—ƒo. 18d.

1623, May 26.—Warner Sowth, LL.B., installed in the prebend of Warmister alias Luxfield, on the resignation of John Still, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo. 19.

Benjamin Hinton, S.T.B., installed in the prebend of Shamford alias Shalford alias Scamford, on the resignation of William Hinton, S.T.D., pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo. 19d.

John Still, M.A., installed in the prebend of Combe V, on the resignation of Warner South, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo. 20.

1623, July 1.—Dr. Godwyn elected steward and official.—ƒo. 22.

1623, July 2.—William Nicolls, vicar-choral, deprived of his office for absenting himself for six months.—ƒo. 22d.

"Whereas ther are fower daies extraordinarie on which sermons are to be preched in the cathedrall church of Wells, viz. the fift of November, the quarter sessions, the 24th of March and the fyft of August, it is decreed and ordered that the deane and canons resident of the said church successively in their turnes shall preach the said sermons yearly; and this decree to commence and take effect from the fyft of November next, 1623; and yf any canon resident shall not observe this decree by preachyng in his owne persone or procuryng one other to supplie his turne, that shall be allowed by the deane or in his absenc by the senior canon at home, geveyng notice of the said persone six dayes before the day of preching, that then for such his default he shall forfeitt 40s., to be deducted out of his divident, and presently to be payed by the comminor; of which muclt [?] 20s. to be paied to the fabrick and other 20s. to be payed to hym that shall preach that turne, he beyng allowed, as aforesaid. It is also decreed that if any of the said prechyng daies shall happen uppon a Sonday, it shall be performed by the deane or that canon in manner and forme aforesaid, and not by the prebend whose turne it shall fall to be by course. And this decree is inacted because wee hould it fitt for the honor of our church that the aforesaid daies of solemnity be supplyed by our selves, as aforesaid. The names of the deane and canons to supplie these turnes of preachyng in order are as followeth :—

• Decanus, 5 Novembris.
• D. Wood, arch. Wellen., quarter sessions.
• D. Young, cancellarius, 24 Marcii.
• Episcopus Bristoll., thezaurarius, 5 Augusti.
• D. Rivett, arch. Bath, 5 Novembris, 1624.
• D. Ward, arch. Taunton, quarter sessions.
• D. Godwyn, Marcii 24.
• Mr. Rich. Adams, 5 Augusti."—ƒo. 23.

1623, Sept. 17.—William Oldys, M.A., installed in the prebend of Dinder, on the death of William Rogers, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo. 24d.

John Cooth, M.A., installed in the prebend of Easton in Gordano, on the death of Robert Rislye, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo. 25.

Accounts of Timothy Revett, Keeper of the Fabric, 1622–23.

Receipts : 2s. for the burial of Mrs. James's maid [ancilla], and 1l. 16s. 8d. for Mr. Edmund Bower.

Payments : 7s. for repairing the Ludburne and the public way.

1623–1624.

1623, Oct. 1.—William Attkins admitted a perpetual vicar-choral.—ƒo. 26d.

1623, Oct. 3.—Mr. Richard Adams is chosen master of the fabric.—ƒo. 27d.

1623, Oct. 29.—Philemon Pearce is appointed clerk and bell-ringer, on the nomination of the treasurer.—ƒo. 28.

1623, Oct. 30.—James Reade admitted a perpetual vicar-choral.—ƒo. 28d.

1623–4, Jan. 2.—License granted to Thomas Maicock and Henry Tripp of Shepham and their assigns, for 21 years, "to digg and moyne in the Ingrowndes of the said Henrie Tripp his tenaunds [?] in the manor of Winscomb [Shipham, erased] aforesaid, in consideracion whereof the said Thomas Maicock and Henry Tripp do covenaunt and promise to laie out to the said deane and chapter in lead, at their owne cost and charges, in full payment of the lott and all other profet of the lead oare ther to be landed [?], one eight parte free wrought."—ƒo. 30.

1624, April 1.—John Hoskins, vicar-choral, is deprived or amoved.—ƒo. 31.

1624, May 29.—John Willis, M.A., installed in the prebend of Combe VII, on the death of William Wickham, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo. 33.

1624, July 17.—William Hunte, clerk, Mus. Bac., vicar-choral and escheator of the cathedral church, with the consent of the dean and chapter and in their name, demises and grants to Thomas Packer of Wells, yeoman, for three lives, a house or cottage with a garden and well in Chamberlaine Street, paying yearly to the dean and chapter or to the escheator for the time being 6s. 8d.—[Ledger G, p. 12.]

1624, . . . .—Deed poll by the dean and chapter, lords of the royalties within the hundred of North Currye. "Forasmuche as divers persons of late have incroched and usurped on our rights, priviledges and possessions there scituate and being, in bringinge upp iron, sea coles, pitt coles and other marchandize from Bridgewater and other places by water, and landinge the same on our soile neere unto Ham Mills, and in divers other places within the said hundred, without our leave and consent, to the greate wronge and prejudice of our soile, tennantes and freeholders there;" appointment, in consideration of 10l. fine' and 10s. yearly rent, of Thomas Hancock of Gregorystoke, gent., as deputy and assignee, with full power to contract and compound for royalties for the landing of merchandize on the dean and chapter's lands within the hundred, all moneys so taken by him to be for his own use, without rendering any account; for the lives of Paul, Robert and William Hancock, his sons.—[Ledger G, p. 15.]

1624.—A rental of the manor of North Curry; signed by Robert [Wright, bishop of] Bristoll.—[Book of Arrears, 1631–1643, at end.]

1624–1625.

1624, Nov. 8.—James Brint, the sacrist, resigns; Humfrey Marsh is appointed in his place.—ƒo. 36d.

1624, Nov. 19.—An alteration of the seats in the choir has been made without leave; it must be forthwith reformed. No seats there are to be erected or altered without the consent of the chapter.—ƒo. 37.

1624–5, Jan. 7.—"Covenantes in the leases of the deane and chapter.

First, that the surrender shalbe satisfied.

2ly, that for howses the woud [sic] sustayne, and so for hedges and ditches, &c.

3ly, that without distres there shalbe an absolute reentrye. without demand.

4ly, that there shalbe specified that the rentes shalbe payed at the quarter daye, or within 28 dayes after the feaste, unto the commoner for the time beinge or to his deputy.

5ly, for every house in the New Workes the tenant for the time being or his assigne shal beare a twelve parte of the charge of the greate goutes in the camery and under the cloyster until it come to the first tenement at the east end."—ƒo. 1.

1624–5, Jan. 10.—Lease to John Bradford of Wells, gent., for 40 years, of a tenement in New Works and a garden in New Works Gardens; rent 26s. 8d. Lessee to do suit of court twice a year at Cannon Barne, and to pay one twelfth of the cost of repairing the great gowts and pipes of lead in a place called the Church Camery, through which the water passes to the New Works, so often as repairs are needed up to the east end of New Works.—[Ledger G, p. 4.]

1625, April 4.—Letters patent of the office of keeper of the bishop's palace and bailiff of the stock [stauri] and of the bishop's woods and underwoods at Wells, granted by the bishop to Walter Busshell, gentleman, and his assigns, for the lives of himself, John Lund [?] and Edward Bushell, gentleman.—ƒo. 38d.

1625, April 5.—Martin Simons, M.A., admitted a perpetual vicar-choral.—ƒo. 39.

1625, June 1.—Walter Tailer resigns the office of master of the choristers. The dean thereupon produced a paper schedule under the hand and seal of Edward Abbott, the precentor, to whose office the deprivation or nomination of the master of the choristers belongs, as follows :—"Whereas I have receaved divers complayntes of the neglect of the choristers of Wells, both touching their education and instruccion, and that I have heretofore admonished and warned the master of the said choristers thereof; I doe therefore by vertue of these presentes fully authorize and depute the right worshipfull Mr. Deane of Wells [Barlow] to visitt and examine the said master of the choristers touching any such fault or neglect, as may be justly against him objected, and him the said master to depose and dischardg of his said office," &c. Dated Feb. 12, 1622[-3].

The dean, by virtue thereof, appoints John Oaker, one of the vicars-choral and organist, to be master of the choristers, and he is sworn.—[Ledger G, p. 19.]

1625, July 1.—Mr. Richard Adams is chosen as steward of the dean and chapter.—ƒo. 41d.

1625, Aug. 5.—Robert Kettle admitted a perpetual vicar-choral.—ƒo. 42.

1625–1626.

1625, Dec. 8.—Robert Aishe, M.A., installed in the prebend of Combe IX, on the death of Robert Withers, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo. 46.

"Wheras ther was a decree mad the 28th daie of October last past, (fn. 2) in the chapter howse, by the reverend father in God, Robert, by God's providenc lord busshopp of Bristoll, treasurer of the cathedrall church of Wells and canon resident and president of the chapter ther, Gerard Wood, Timothy Revett, Paul Godwine, doctors of dyvinity, and Mr. Richard Adams, canon residents of this cathedral church, agaynst the now deane of the said cathedral church, I, the said deane, doe now protest agaynst the said decree, and do utterly disclaime and dissent from the same, as voyd and of no force in lawe; and I doe protest that I never denyed to bring in the . . . . recordes for which the said decree was mad, and am redy to bring them in to the archives . . ."—ƒo. 46d.

1625–6, Jan. 9.—William Beamont, gentleman, is charged and confesses "that he hath not neither doth come to the church to heare dyvine praier and sermons, nor hath receaved the holly communion by the space of three or fower yeares last past." He is ordered by the chapter to attend prayers and sermon and to receive the Eucharist in the cathedral on the next following Sunday.—ƒo. 47d.

Margin : "Notatur that he is a popishe recusant, and doth not frequent the church to heare dyvine praier and sermons, nor receave the holly communion three tymes in the yeare, as he ought to doe."

A similar charge against Mary, wife of the said William Beamont, and against George Clarck, his servant [famulus], Mary Clarck and Alice Clarck.—ƒo. 48.

A charge against William Evans, gentleman, his wife Mary and his daughter Sarah, that he is suspected of being popishly inclined, and doth keep his family in his house, who do not frequent the church, etc.—ƒo. 48d.

James Morton senior, when charged, answers that he was present at prayers and sermon on Sunday last in the cathedral and received the holy communion at Easter last. He is ordered to attend again on the following Sunday.

James Morton junior and Mary Aish are similarly summoned.

Mary, wife of John Clarck, one of the vicars-choral, appeared to answer a charge "that in the cathedral church of Wells at the tyme of dyvine praier, shee did chide and brawle with Agnes Corne, the wife of John Corne, one of the vicares-choralls of the sayd church, and did strike her on the mowth and mad her mowth bleed." She denied the charge, "only shee confesseth that shee did putt downe the said Agnes Corne's foote, which shee had sett upp to keep her, the said Clarck, from commyng into her place in the seate." Agnes Corne was also charged with brawling.—ƒo. 49.

1625–6, Feb. 27.—"Memorandum that nothinge was done the 27 of Februarii [to which day the various charges of recusancy had been adjourned] because neither the deane nor any other of the canons resident of the cathedral church of Wells weare that daie in Wells, except Mr. Doctor Revett and Mr. Adams, who both weare very daungerously sick."—ƒo. 50d.

1625–6, March 6.—William Beamont, excommunicated; Mary Evans, Sarah Evans, Mary Aishe, James Morton, senior and junior, George and Alice Clarck, dismissed, on certificates that they had attended service and received the Eucharist.—ƒos. 51d., 52.

1626, April 4.—Robert Chute appointed steward of the dean's manors in Somerset, for life.—ƒo. 54.

1626, June 11.—Thomas Lowe admitted a perpetual vicar-choral.—ƒo. 54d.

1626, Aug. 16.—William Laud, S.T.D., bishop of St. David's, elected bishop of Bath and Wells, on the death of Arthur Lake, pursuant to the king's letters patent.—ƒo. 55d.

1626, Sept. 11.—Stephen Brerier [Berrier, in margin], M.A., installed in the prebend of Yatton, on the resignation of William Beckett, pursuant to mandate of George [Abbot], archbishop of Canterbury.—ƒo. 56.

1626.—A list of pensions, rents and annuities for the master of the choristers to receive for the maintenance of the choristers quarterly. Total, 44l. 8s. 8d. Indorsed : The master of the choristers' dues for the use of all the choristers, being entertained at his table.—[Loose papers.]

Accounts of Timothy Revett, the Communar, 1625–26.

Payments: 10l. to Robert Ashe, the schoolmaster; 20l. to John Oker, the master of the choristers.

Accounts of Timothy Revett, Keeper of the Fabric, 1625–26.

Receipts : 2s. for the burial of Henry Morton, and 16s. 8d. for Mrs. Barker.

Payments : 3s. for repairing the bridge; 4s. 7d. for repairing the Ludburne; 3l. to John Haywood for repairing the organ; 3s. 4d. for 10 books, when the plague was raging [grassante peste].

It is agreed that my lord of Bristoll [Robert Wright, bishop of Bristol], for his kindnes in lending to us one hundred pownds for many yeares for the setting up our organs, shall be remitted the ten pownds superd upon him for the prebend of Henstridge for five yeares last past, and so to be remitted till the remainder be payde unto him.

1626–1627.

1626, Sept. 30.—Ordered "that, whereas the Reverend Father in God the Lord Busshopp of Bristoll, treasurer and canon resident of this church, Doctor Yong, cancellor of the said church, and Doctor Ward, archdeacon of Taunton, and canon residentiaries of the said church, have all the benefitts and comodities belonging to a canon resident of the said church and do not keep their residenc here, that yearly each of them shall pay to the fabrick of the said church, out of their dividents and comodyties they and every of them doe and shall from henceforth receave of and by the said church, tenn powndes." Dr. Wood dissented, and protested that the decree was void.—ƒo. 57d.

1626, Nov. 8.—William Clunn admitted a perpetual vicar-choral.—ƒo. 58d.

1626–7, Jan. 2.—Grant to Edward Bisse the younger, of Spargrove, gent., and his assigns, for three lives, of the rectory of St. Cuthbert's Church, Wells, for a fine of 240l., payable at eight yearly audits.—ƒo. 59.

1626–7, Jan. 15.—Ralph Barlowe, S.T.D., presented to the vicarage of Chedder, on the death of Francis Arundell.—ƒo. 60.

1626–7, Feb. 22.—Jonas Cook, M.A., installed in the prebend of Milverton II, on the death of Henry Allen, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo. 60d.

1626–7, March 2.—John Harris, S.T.D., installed in the prebend of Whitchurch, on the death of George Cooper, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo. 61.

1626–7, March 18.—Francis Clunn admitted a perpetual vicar-choral.—ƒo. 61d.

1627, June 1.—Thomas Tucker, S.T.B., installed in the prebend of Combe XIII, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo. 62d.

1627, July 2.—Dr. Wood is elected steward for two years.—ƒo. 63d.

The office of high steward to the bishop granted to John Powlett, esq., and John Powlett, his son and heir apparent, for their lives.

Accounts of Paul Godwin, the Communar, 1626–27.

Payments : 10l. to Robert Aishe, the schoolmaster; 20l. to John Oker, the master of the choristers.

Accounts of Timothy Revett, Keeper of the Fabric, 1626–27.

Receipts: 10l. 12s. 4d. for burials, viz. Widow Lacy 1l. 9s. 8d., Mrs. Dowten 16s. 8d., Mr. Bellamy 1l., Mrs. Halswell 1l. 16s. 8d., Mr. Saye 16s. 8d., Widow Griffin 16s. 8d., Mrs. Samborne 1l., Widow Tricketts 1l., Dr. Duck's son 1l. 10s., Widow Atwood 3s., and Ambrose Morton's son 3s.

1627–1628.

1627, Oct. 1.—On reading letters from the bishop, and on being informed by Mr. Adam Torrles, both by writing and verbally, "that yf Mr. Busshell would surrender the patentes of the offices which he houldeth of the said Lord Busshopp for three lives, viz.:—the office of stoare balife, keeper of the prison called the Cowhowse, woodward and keper of the pallaces of the busshopp, and tak them for his owne lyfe, the said busshopp would graunt them to hym; which the said Mr. Busshell refused, in regard wherof the said lord busshopp, as also in that the said Mr. Busshell hath done many ill offices to hym, hath graunted the said Mr. Busshell's offices to Mr. Adam Torrles and Mr. Richard Robinson severally, for their lives; which severall patentes the said deane and chapter, upon reasonable causes them movyng, have graunted to confirme with their common or chapter seale, and have sealed the same with the said seale."—ƒo. 65.

Vincent Pearce, S.T.P., installed in the prebend of Wedmore IV, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo. 65d.

1627, Oct. 24.—The canonical house vacant by the death of Mr. Henry Allen is granted to Mr. Thomas Tucker, S.T.B., prebendary of Combe XIII.—ƒo. 66.

1627, Nov. 21.—Alexander Huishe, S.T.B., installed in the prebend of Wedmore II, on the death of William Slater, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo. 66d.

1627–8, Jan. 2.—Dispensation from residence granted to Dr. Barlow, the dean, in accordance with letters received from the king.—ƒo. 67.

1627–8, Jan. 15.—John Tailor admitted a perpetual vicar-choral.—ƒo. 68.

1627–8, Jan. 31.—Henry Pope admitted a perpetual vicar-choral.—ƒo. 68d.

1628, April 1.—Mr. Tristram Towse, notary public, is deputed to act as chapter-clerk, vacant by the death of Thomas Maicock, until a new clerk shall be appointed by the dean and chapter. [The dean and sub-dean were both absent.]—ƒo. 70d.

1628, May 29.—Martin Simons, M.A., one of the vicars-choral, presented to the rectory of Shipham by Dr. Wood, to whom the presentation had fallen by lot.—ƒo. 71.

1628, July 1.—Thomas Lowe, clerk, vicar-choral, deprived of his office for being absent for six months.—ƒo. 72.

Bartholomew Cox, notary public, appointed chapter-clerk, on the nomination of Dr. Young, the chancellor, and sworn. Tristram Towse appointed deputy chapter-clerk and registrar of the dean and chapter's peculiars.

Dr. Revett, the master of the fabric, is to collect all arrears of stall-wages from the prebendaries.—ƒo. 72d.

1628, July 14.—Thomas Turner, S.T.B., installed in the prebend of Combe XIV, on the death of John Baber, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo. 74.

1628, July 24.—Leonard Mawe, S.T.D., elected bishop of Bath and Wells, on the translation of bishop Laud to the see of London, pursuant to letters patent of the king of license to elect.—ƒo. 75.

1628, Sept. 2.—The see being vacant, the right of nominating a poor man to Bishop Still's almshouse falls to the dean and chapter; they nominate Miles Longe.—ƒo. 76.

1628, Sept. 6.—Charles Bray, S.T.B., installed in the prebend of Haselberge, on the death of Thomas Masters, pursuant to mandate of George [Abbot], archbishop of Canterbury.

John Dodd, S.T.B., installed in the prebend of Combe II, on the death of — Eggleston, pursuant to mandate of George [Abbot], archbishop of Canterbury.—ƒo. 76d.

1628, Sept. 23.—Christopher Tisdall, or Tisdale, M.A., installed in the prebend of Buckland Denham, on the death of William Pearce, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo. 77.

Accounts of Paul Godwin, the Communar, 1627–28.

Payments : 10l. to Robert Ashe, the schoolmaster; 20l. to John Oker, master of the choristers.

1628–1629.

1628, Oct. 1.—Mr. Yarrow complained of William Clun, vicar-choral, for calling him "base scurvy bitinge fellow, in the quire of the cathedrall church, and that all the service that he, the said Yarrow, did, was to eate upp poore folk's victualls."—ƒo. 78d.

Clun complained that Yarrow called him "base fellow and sheten preist, in the quire at the tyme of divine service, and that at another place he, the said Yarrow, called him hackney-preist and stone-preist."—ƒo. 79.

1628, Oct. 4.—Henry Croke, S.T.B., installed in the prebend of Combe III, pursuant to mandate of the king and the bishop.—ƒo. 81.

1628, Oct. 23.—Martin Simons, clerk, informed that in Stephen Weare's house in Wells, Mary Clark, wife of John Clarke, vicar-choral, said "that the ministers were whore-masters and drunckardes." She stated that she referred to Corne and the two Cluns, "and that she would never receave the communion at neither of their handes." Mr. Simons answered that "he did thinke she would doe pennance at the crosse for it." Henry Pope, vicar-choral, who was present at the time, stated that Mrs. Clark said "that there were such ministers made as would undoe the kingdome, and that some of them were made by the bishopp of Bristoll, and that the bishopp should heare of it in both eares when he came to Wells, and that Mr. Corne, Mr. Frauncis Clunn and one Mr. Earle were they that were made ministers by the said bishopp." The bishop of Bristol "protested that he hath made noe vicars chorall of this church ministers but by the comendacions of the deane and chapter, and that he desireth to be righted in this opprobrious scandall."—ƒo. 79.

1628–9, Jan. 2.—William Hunt, clerk and prebendary and vicar-general of the church, and Martin Symons, clerk, M.A., vicars-choral, informed "that Mr. Corne and Mr. Murry, vicars-chorall, doe geve them place of precedencie in the quire of this cathedrall church, notwithstandinge that the said Mr. Hunt and Mr. Symons ar senior preists in the holy order of the preistwood [sic] and the said Mr. Hunt is a senior vicar of the said church. Wherunto the said Mr. Corne and Mr. Murry, beinge present, say that they ar senior vicars-chorall of the close of the vicars of the said church, and have likewise entred into the holy order of preistwood; and that the said Mr. Hunt and Mr. Symons ar bound by the oathes, as they have severally taken uppon theyer first admission, to respect theyer seniors; and so they clayme the precedencie of the said Mr. Hunt and Mr. Symons, as beinge senior vicars of the said howse, moore auntient then eyther the said Mr. Hunt or Mr. Symons ar; and such precedencie they clayme in all places of meetinges, aswell within the close of the said vicars as without." The dean and chapter order "that the vicars that now ar or heareafter shalbe princypals may take place within the said howse, yf the bishop of the diocesse for the tyme beinge doe allow therof; and that the said Mr. Hunt, in as much as he is a prebend of the said church, a batcheler of musick and the elder preist of this church in holy orders of preistwood then eyther the said Mr. Corne or Mr. Murry, therefore the said deane and chapter doe order and decree that the said Mr. Hunt and Mr. Symons, in all other places without the vicars' hall and the precincts of that howse, shall have precedencie accordinge to theier antiquitie of preistwood and their other degrees; and other vicars of the said close shall have place accordinge to their senioritie ther, in all places within the said vicars' hall or precincts of their howse."—ƒos. 82, 83.

1628–9, Jan. 3.—Letter of attorney to Timothy Rivet, D.D., archdeacon of Bath, to sue all prebendaries in arrear with the payment of their stall-wages to the fabric of the cathedral or in respect of any other duties and payments.—[Ledger G, p. 74.]

1628–9, Feb. 26.—Augustine Bensford admitted a perpetual vicar-choral—ƒo. 83d.

1629, July 1.—Martin Symon admitted "that ever sithence the third day of Januarie last or theraboutes, when he was by the howse discomuned because he did endeavor to performe the order set downe for and concerninge precedencie in the cathedrall church of Welles, because his meanes was kept from them [sic], and still was ponished by the howse of the Closehall by layinge mulcts of mony on him for performinge the said order, he hath absented himself from executing his office of his vicar chorallship in the said church; sayinge farther, that he is ready to performe his office of vicarship as he is bound by law, desiringe the favor of the deane and chapter therin, and desireth the continewance of this busines until the bishop's next visitacion." He was warned to frequent the church and do his office there.—ƒo. 85.

John Corne was charged "for that he, in the chapter howse, on the first day of July, beinge one of the generall chapter dayes wherin the vicars-chorall usually ar called, beinge told by Mr. Dr. Rivet that he was a sawcie fellow—in that he did say that whatsoever order the deane and chapter did set downe concerninge precedencie in the said church, he would not performe it—the said Mr. Corne, in cholerick, angry, contemptiouse and unmannerly fashion, told the said Dr. Rivet, befoore the said deane and chapter and all the vicars appearinge, `Call them sawcie fellowes that eate of your sawce; I eate noen of it.'" Corne refused to answer, was pronounced contumacious and suspended. He threatened to appeal to the bishop.—ƒo. 85d.

Dr. Rivet appointed steward for two years.

1629, July 4.—David Flud admitted a perpetual vicar-choral.—ƒo. 86.

1629–1630.

1629, Sept. 30.—The dean protested against the non-residence of Dr. Young and Dr. Ward.—ƒo. 87d.

1629, Oct. 1.—John Corne made humble submission, and was restored on taking an oath to observe the laws and orders of the church.—ƒo. 88d.

A lease for 40 years was granted to Arthur Duck, LL.D., of the great house wherein he lives, abutting on the house of the college, for a fine of 20l. Dr. Wood protested, as he had done in the cases of Dr. Wright's and Mr. Bowrne's houses.

Dr. Revett appointed official for two years.

William and Alexander Towse, gentlemen, appointed clerks of all manor courts, for their lives.—ƒo. 89.

Lease to Arthur Duck, LL.D., for 40 years, of all that great messuage, tenement and house abutting on the late house of the college on the north east, now in possession of William Evans, gent., and the canonical house of Thomas Tucker, now prebendary, on the north west; rent 19s. and 12d. A lease dated Oct. 1, 6 James, 1608, to John Langworth, S.T.D., archdeacon of Wells, was surrendered.—[Ledger G, p. 76.]

1629, Oct. 6.—William Roberts, S.T.D., installed as sub-dean on the death of Thomas James, pursuant to mandate of George [Abbot], archbishop of Canterbury.—ƒo. 89d.

1629, Oct. 19.—Thomas Rideout, M.A., presented to the vicarage of Buckland Abbas alias Buckland Nuton, with the chapel of Plushe [?] annexed, on the resignation of Charles Robson.—ƒo. 90d.

1629, Oct. 29.—Walter Curle, S.T.D., bishop of Rochester, elected bishop of Bath and Wells, on the death of Leonard Mawe, pursuant to letters patent of the king giving license to elect. The dean was not at home and his key of the chest in the treasury, where the common or chapter seal is kept, cannot be found; the dean's wife said that she had not got it. Ordered that the chest be opened for the sealing of the necessary letters and certificates.—ƒo. 91d.

1629, Nov. 6.—Dr. Barlow, the dean, wrote signifying his consent to the election of the new bishop.—ƒo. 93.

1629, Dec. 24.—The installation, induction and enthronization of Dr. Curle as bishop of Bath and Wells.—ƒo. 93d.

1629–30, Jan. 2.—Tristram Towse, in return for many benefits received from the chapter, undertakes during his life to provide wax candles for the iron candle-stick [? pro cero ferario] which John Bowrne, esq., gave to the cathedral.—ƒo. 95d.

1630, April 2.—Lease to Francis Willughby of Wells, gent., for 40 years, of a tenement in a street commonly called the New Works, next adjoining to the Guild Hall on the south, the porch or gate leading into the church yard of the cathedral on the north, and the chorister house on the east; paying yearly to the dean and chapter or their commoner, to the use of the choristers of the cathedral, 40s. Lessee to do suit twice a year at the court called the lawday holden at Cannon Barne, "ther to be justifyed, ruled and ordered by the steward of the said courte of the said deane and chapter, as other of the tenauntes of the said deane and chapter ar and of right ought to be."—[Ledger G, p. 78.]

1630, April 13.—Thomas Walker, S.T.B., installed in the prebend of Litton, on the death of Mr. Woodyeates, pursuant to mandate of the bishop.—ƒo. 98.

1630, July 1.—The office of dean's registrar granted to Nicholas Willughby, notary public, and his assigns, for life—ƒo. 99.

1630, Aug. 31.—Mr. Arthur Alderley admitted a perpetual vicar-choral.—ƒo. 99d.