Chapter acts: 1544-8

1544–1545.

1544, Oct. 4.—Grant by Polidore Vergil, archdeacon of Wells, to John Gye, of the office of registrar and scribe of the acts of the court of the archdeaconry.
Confirmed by the dean and chapter, April 1, 1545.—ƒo. 110d.

1544, Dec. 10.—Collation by the dean and chapter of John Lambert, vicar-choral, to the chantry of Richard Bampfelde.—ƒo. 104.

1544, Dec. 13.—Appointment by John Chambre, the treasurer, of John Bale to the office of sacrist.
Confirmed by the dean and chapter, Jan. 4, 1544–5.—ƒo. 106.

1544–5, Jan. 16.—Collation by the dean and chapter of Thomas More, vicar-choral, to the chantry of John Herford.—ƒo. 105d.

1544–5, Feb. 10.—Manumission by the bishop of Thomas Borde and his sons, Thomas and Richard, natives belonging to the manor of Blakforde, Somerset, and all their progeny.
Confirmed by the dean and chapter, same day.—ƒo. 107.

1545, April 2.—Grant by the bishop to John Hillacre, Andrew Thomas and John Robert, or any one of them, of the next presentation to the prebend of Combe XIV.
Confirmed by the dean and chapter, April 8.—ƒo. 111.

1545, April 9.—Grant by the bishop to John Tregonwell, LL.D., of the next presentation to the canonry and prebend of Eston in Gordano.
Confirmed by the dean and chapter, April 13.—ƒo. 112.

1545, April 28.—Manumission by the dean of John and William Hobbes, and Richard Trubbe and his son John, natives belonging to the manor of Marke, their sons and daughters, and all their progeny.
Confirmed by the dean and chapter, May 16.—fos. 112, 113.

1545, May 10.—From th'erle of Hertforde, concernyng the garden, stables and priest's chamber in La Mountroy belongyng of olde to the prebende of Ilmister.

After my hartie commendacions. Wheras I am enformed by this berar, whom heretofore I preferred unto the prebend of my donation there, that ye witholde from hym the canonicall house incident to the same, by colour of a lease thereof heretofore to you made by th'abbot and covent of the late monasterye of Mochilney, whiche I suppose ye wolde be lothe to stande to yf ye well considered the lawe in that case before this established, th'endempnitie wherof for the good wille I bere you I wolde be lothe ye shulde incurre. [I] have therfore thoughte good to will and require you at the contemplacion herof to permitte and suffre him to entree therunto and to enjoy the same, as of righte he ought to doo, rather than otherwise to move any matier that might turne you to displeasure, not doubtyng that ye woll consider my good wyll therin, and thanckfullye followe myne advice and request, so that ye shall have no just occasion of further pursute in that behalfe. Thus hartelly fare you well. At the court.—ƒo. 115.

1545, June 1.—Warrant by the dean, William FitzWilliam, for Thomas Clerke, esq., to have every year a buck in summer and a doe in winter from the park at Wedmore.
Confirmed by the dean and chapter.—ƒo. 121d.

1545, June 20.—Grant by the bishop to the king of the manor of Wyke in Gloucestershire, certis de causis et consideracionibus me ad presens specialiter moventibus. Dated at Wyveliscombe.
Confirmed by the dean and chapter, June 23.—ƒo. 116d.

1545, Aug. 31.—Inspeximus and confirmation by the dean and chapter of a grant, dated Oct. 27, 35 Henry VIII [1543], by the dean to James Dyer of the office of steward of Bemstone hundred for life, with a yearly fee of 40s.—fo. 117.

1545, Sept. 18.—Grant by the bishop to Thomas Wriothesley, lord chancellor of England, of an annuity of 20l. for life.—ƒo. 117d.

Communar's Expenses at the Audit, 1545.

1545–1546.

1545, Oct. 1.—Collation by the dean and chapter of John Clyf to the chantry of Bishop Erghum at St. Edmund's altar.—ƒo. 118.

1545, Oct. 3.—Grant by the bishop to Thomas Wryothesley, lord chancellor, of the next presentation to the office of precentor. Dated at Wyveliscombe.
Confirmed by the dean and chapter, Oct. 5.—ƒo. 118.

1545, Oct. 15.—Collation by the dean and chapter of Peter Jackett to the chantry of Bishop Erghum.—ƒo. 119d.

1545, Nov. 4.—Appointment of Polidore Vergil, archdeacon of Wells, Walter Cretyng. LL.D., archdeacon of Bath, Roger Edgeworth, S.T.P., and Heliseus Bodley, to be proctors for the dean and chapter at the next convocation.—ƒo. 121d.

1545, Nov. 4.—Collation by the dean and chapter of John Shepparde to one of the chantries of Bishop Bubwith.—ƒo. 122d.

1545, Nov. 25.—Collation by the dean and chapter of John Newys to one of the said chantries.—ƒo. 123.

1545, Nov. 26.—Grant by William Rawlyns, the provost, to Humphrey Browne, knt., and William Pawlett of Gothurst, of the next presentation to the vicarages of Combe St. Nicholas and Wynesham.
Confirmed by the dean and chapter, Dec. 29. (fn. 1) —ƒo. 126.

1545–6, Feb. 16.—Manumission by the bishop of John Butler, a native belonging to the manor of Kingsbury, and all his progeny. Dated at Wyveliscombe.
Confirmed by the dean and chapter, April 1, 1546. (fn. 2) —ƒo. 3.

1546, April 6.—Grant by William Rawlyns, the provost, to his kinsman, George Paulett, gent., for life, of the office of surveyor and receiver of moneys of all the manors within his jurisdiction, with a salary of 4l. a year.

Confirmed by the dean and chapter, April 26.—ƒo. 4d.

1546, April 23.—Grant by the dean and chapter to John Russell, knt., lord Privy Seal, for life, of the office of chief steward of all their tenements, in guerris sive aliis negotiis domini nostri regis, with a salary of 4l. a year, saving to William Portman, serjeant-at-law, and Henry Portman, his son, all the rights they now possess as stewards, quoad curias nostras tenendas et alia agenda que ad officium seneschalli capitalis maneriorum, etc., spectant.—ƒo. 3d.

1546, April 23.—Grant to the said William and Henry Portman of the said stewardship, for their joint lives and the life of the survivor, with a yearly salary of 2l.—fo. 4.

1546, April 28.—Grant by the dean to Sir Anthony Browne, K.G., of the office of chief steward of all his tenements, in guerris, etc., for life, with a yearly salary of 5l., saving the rights of James Dyer as chief steward quoad curias, etc.
Confirmed by the dean and chapter, April 29.—ƒo. 5.

1546, June 1.—Grant by the dean and chapter to Edward [Seymour], earl of Hertford, &c., of the next presentation to the vicarage of Buckland Abbots, vacant by the death of John Stronge, M-A.—ƒo. 6.

1546, July 14.—Grant by the bishop to John, lord Russell, John Tregonwell LL.D., and Anthony Belassis, LL.D., of the next presentation to the parish church of Ayshbury. Dated at Wyveliscombe.
Confirmed by the dean and chapter, Aug. 16.—ƒo. 8d.

1546, Sept. 6.—Grant by the bishop to Thomas, Lord Wriothesley, lord chancellor, of the next presentation to the vicarage of Whitchurch. Dated at Wyveliscombe.
Confirmed by the dean and chapter, Sept. 13.—ƒo. 8d.

1546, Sept. 6.—Grant by the bishop to John Dakyn, chancellor, William Bowreman, sub-dean, and John Kydd, notary, of the next presentation to the prebend of Combe XIII. Dated at Wyveliscombe.
Confirmed by the dean and chapter, Oct. 1.—ƒo. 11.

1546, Sept. 16.—Grant by the bishop to Geoffrey Upton, for life, of the office of keeper of the palace at Wells, and also of the prison within the palace, commonly called The Cowe-house. He is to have charge not only of the present prisoners, but also of those who shall hereafter be convicted according to law or attainted by the king's justices. The bishop is not to be charged with any expenses beyond those of ordinary years [communibus annis] hitherto; and he is to be indemnified by Upton against the king in case any prisoners escape, Upton finding sureties in 300l. that he will hold the bishop harmless before the king for any default. Upton is to have the two chambers above the prison, and another chamber in the New Work whose door is nearest the prison, with a small stable adjacent; also 4 loads of firewood from the park and 2 loads of hay, and for salary 13l. 6s. 8d. and 3 yards of best cloth of the bishop's livery, yearly. Dated at Wyveliscombe.
Confirmed by the dean and chapter, Sept. 23.—ƒo. 9.

[In the year 1545 on the feast of St. Jerome (Sept. 30) the following collations were made in Wells Cathedral, in some respects differing from those scheduled in Reynolds' Wells Cathedral. A paper book.]

4 Priors in the chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary, collated by the dean and chapter.

2 Priors in St. Martin's chapel, collated by the same.

4 Chantries at the altar of St. Nicholas, J. Button.

1 Chantry at the same altar, collated by the archdeacon of Wells.

1 Chantry at the same altar, collated by dignior persona.

7th Chantry at the same altar, collated by the dean.

Chantry at the altar of Holy Cross near the Chapter House, collated by the sub-dean.

Chantry at the altar of St. Mary Magdalen (Stavordale), collated by the same.

Chantry at the same altar (Bristol), collated by the same.

2 Chantries at the same altar (Wethampstead and Alex. Bamfeld), collated by the same.

Chantry of St. Calixtus (Peter of Chichester), collated by the archdeacon of Wells.

At morrow mass, collated by the succentor.

Chantry of St. Edmund (R. Bampfeld), collated by the dean and chapter.

Chantry of St. Stephen (W. Compton), collated by the dean.

Chantry in the chapel of All Souls (Gaunt's), collated by the dean and chapter.

Chantry in the Lady Chapel behind the high altar (W. Button), collated by the bishop.

To the offices of clerk of the fabric, communar, sub-treasurer, escheator, tabellar, steward, baron, auditors, surveyors of jewels, surveyors of tenements, and cursor.

The following are the procession days in 1545, arranged in the several quarters:—

First quarter.—Dedication of church, St. Luke, All Saints, St. Andrew, Conception of B.V.M., Christmas, St. John Evangelist.

Second quarter.—Circumcision, Epiphany, Purification of B.V.M., Annunciation, Easter, Octave of Easter, Translation of St. Andrew, St. George.

Third quarter.—Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in Rogation Week, Ascension Day, Trinity, Corpus Christi, St. John Baptist, St. Peter and St. Paul.

Fourth quarter.—Visitation, Feast of Relics, St. James, Name of Jesus, Assumption, Nativity of B.V.M.

1546–1547.

1546, Oct. 8.—Lease by the dean and chapter to Richard Evans of Wells of a tenement in the New Work.—ƒo. 1.

1546.—Grant by George Dogyon, precentor and prebendary of Holcombe, to George Carew, archdeacon of Totton, and two others, of the next presentation to that vicarage [? Holcombe].
Confirmed by the dean and chapter, Dec. 4.—ƒo. 12d.

1547, March 27.—License by King Edward VI, with the consent of the Duke of Somerset and the council, to George Carew, royal chaplain, archdeacon of Totton, prebendary and residentiary in Exeter Cathedral, and prebendary of Barton in Wells Cathedral, of non-residence for 5 years, with leave to reside in foreign parts to study the languages, manners, men and good literature [bonarum litterarum].—fo. 16d.

1547–1548.

1547, Oct. 29.—Appointment by the president and chapter of Polydore Vergil, archdeacon of Wells, John Dakyn, LL.D., and Walter Cretyng, LL.D., archdeacon of Bath, as their proctors at the convocation to be held at St. Paul's on Nov. 5.—ƒo. 16d.

1547, Oct. 29.—Petition of the dean and chapter to the king for license to elect a bishop. (fn. 3) —ƒo. 17.

[1547,] Nov. 1. Lettre from the king's majestie's commissioners.—ƒo. 17d.

To the right worshipful] and our veary loving friendes, the president, dignities, archdeacons and the chapitour of Wells.

After our hartie comendacions. Where as at the suite and ernest request of the ministers of the churche of Excester wee have put downe the wearing of black coopes and scapulars and amyases of clothe, because it ys thought to be a kynde of monkerye; and now, entending to sett an uniforme ordere through out all our progresse, wee requyre you and thereat, neverthelesse by the king's majestie's awthoritie unto us comytted, straitely charge you, that ymediately uppon recept herof, all dignities, prebendaries and other ministers of that churche, do surcease from using or wearing any black coope of cloth or scapuler of cloth above their surplesses. And that as well you, within all churches of your peculier jurisdiction, as also all archdeacons and others having ecclesiastical jurisdiction within the diocese of Wells, shall in their severall territories give commaundment unto the churche wardeans and other the parishioners, from henceforth to surcease from kepinge any churche ales, because it hath byn declared unto us that many inconveniencies hath come by them. Nevertheless requiring the said churche wardeans to make yerely collection for reparacion of their churchies, and for sustentacion of other commune charges of the parish accordinglie; and that they likewise do abstein from such unmeasurable ringing for ded persones at their burialls, and at the feast of All Sowles; and that from hencefurthe they use to ringe oon bell at soch tyme as sicke persones lyeth in extreme daunger of death, that they which be haile may be put in remembraunce of their owne mortalitie, and also excited to praie unto God for soche their sicke neighbours, that they may pacientlie suffre death, if God send it, and the hard panges therof, for Christe's love, who suffred much more for them, and that they may so departe out of this lief in true faithe, hope and charitie, as their sowles may be afterward receaved unto eternall felicitie, to raigne with Christ everlastinglie in the kingedome of heaven. And when the corps of any suche dead persons shalbe brought to the churche to be buried, then to ring also moderatlie in the time of the obsequies therof, and no longer. And fardre wee desire you, Mr. Dr. Creting, and Mr. Smyth, to take ordre for the redresse of the comparts that were delyvered unto Mr. Heth, and then to certifie us what you shall doe in the same. And so we bidde you hartilie farewell.

From Sarisbury, the first of Novembre.

Also that the ministers of your churche and other persons resorting thither may upon holy daies have some holsome doctrine for their instruction declared unto theym, wee charge and in the king's majestie's name commaunde you to see that oon of the vicars priests of that churche, whome you shall thincke mooste fytte for that purpose, doe reade every holie daie, openlie, plainlie and distinctely, in the quier ymediatlie after the offertory of the high masse, oon of the homelies, in ordre as they stande in the booke which his highness hath sett furth for th'instruction of his people. And that you do punysh soche as shall other negligentlie reade theym or that shall refuse to do their duetie herin, by reteigning of their wages and stipend untill such tyme as they have doen their duetie in that behalf.
Your loveing frends,
William Mey,
Symon Heynes,
Walter Buclour,
Thomas Cottsford.

1547, Dec. 9.—To the right worshipfull the president and the chapitre of Wells.—ƒo. 17d.

After our right hartie commendacions. Where as it hath byn credibly declared unto us that for dyverse good and honest respects it shuld be more commodious, both for the reader of the divinitie lecture there and also for his auditours, that the tyme of the reading thereof shuld be altered, and chaunged from th'afternoone unto the morning. Wherefore by the vertue of our commission wee take this ordre that from hencefurthe the same lecture shalbe had in the quyer or Our Ladye Chapell immediatlie before high masse. And that it may be the more convenientlie so done, ye shall upon the reading daies omitte and leave out the pryme and the houres, any other formour injunction or commaundment to the contrarie gyven notwithstanding. And thus we moost hartelie bydde you farewell. From London, the 9 daie of December.
Your loving frends,
William Mey.
Simon Heynes.

1547–8, Jan. 7.—Mandate of King Edward VI for the installation of the dean. The late dean, [William] FitzWilliam, having made a complete surrender of the deanery and decanal dignity into his hands, the king now, by virtue of an act of the present parliament, reconstitutes the latter, and in exercise of his rights as patron confers it upon John Goodman, assigns to him the canonical house lately occupied by John Dakyn, and orders the chapter to install him. Dated at Lyes.—ƒo. 18.

1547–8, Feb. 3.—Letters patent for the translation of the Bishop of St. David's to Wells. Inasmuch as by an act of the parliament begun Nov. 4, 1 Edw. VI, it was ordered that no conge deslyer be henceforth issued, nor election of archbishop or bishop made by any dean and chapter, but that the king should appoint by letters patent, etc.;—the king now translates William [Barlow], bishop of St. David's, to Wells, having chosen him not only for his singular learning, but also upon the principle that he who has been faithful in a little should be promoted to greater things. The said William is to hold the bishopric for his natural life, with all its spiritualities and temporalities.

1548, June 1.—Lease by the bishop to Sir Nicholas Poyntz of the manor and hundred of Pucklechurch, for 42 years, rent 80l. 3s. 3 3/4d.

Confirmed by the dean and chapter, June 16.—ƒo. 19d.

1548, July 12.—Indenture between the bishop and "the high and mighty prince, Edward. Duke of Somerset," etc. The bishop, "as well for great somes of money to him beforehand paid by the said duke, as for diverse other great consideracions him moving, and by the licence of our soveraigne lord the king under his great seale of England." hath sold unto the said duke, in fee, his manors of Ban well, Wells, Chew, Blakford, Wellyngton, Cranemere and Evercreche, his burgh of Wellyngton, his hundreds of Wells, Wells Forum, Wynterstoke and Chew, and his parks of Wells, Banwell and Evercrech; also all his rights and jurisdictions, etc., in all those his manors in Somerset, etc.
Confirmed by the chapter, Jan. 10, 1548–9.—ƒo. 21d.