Liber albus II: Fols. 303-30

Fols. 303–30

Attornment of Thomas de Sudbury dean of Wells and the chapter and college (tenants heretofore of Sir William de Mountagu earl of Salisbury in his manor of Burnham county Somerset, who held the same to him and his heirs of the gift and feoffment of Sir Thomas de Graundson knight) to Nicholas de Carreu the elder, Nicholas his son, and William son of John de Carreu knight, and the heirs of the said Nicholas the elder, to whom the said manor has been given by charter of Dame Margaret late the wife of Thomas de Graundson, and was to her given by writing under Seal of the said earl and by fine. Witnesses: Sir John Tryvet knight, Robert de Orchard, Thomas Knoiel, John Rogus, John Tomer. Dated Wells, 20 May 7 Richard II. (French).
R.III. f. 303.

Agreement indented by the president and chapter of Wells, at the instance of Master Nicholas Carent the dean, that whereas within the deanery manors the dean may not demise to any tenant or tenants his lands called overlond otherwise demenelond beyond the term of his office, nor add the same or any parcel thereof to any tenant for the bettering of his tenement save during his said term, the now dean and his successors may henceforth at their will parcel out, grant, demise and add the said lands to their tenants, and the lands so granted shall be held for ever according to the custom of the deanery, and not severed from the said tenements save by assent of the tenants; and the said tenants may buy the said lands and unite them with their tenements for the bettering thereof. Three parts, one to remain in the cathedral archives, a second with the dean, the third in the manor of Wedmore. Dated Wells, the chapter house, 19 August 1452. (In margin: Licence of the chapter to add lands of overlond to lands of old aster within the deanery of Wells.)
R.III. f. 303.

Indenture of lease made at Wells on Sunday after Michaelmas 9 Henry VI, between John Forest dean of Wells and the chapter on the one part, and Master Henry Abendon canon of Wells on the other, granting to the said Henry and his successors dwelling in the canon's houses wherein he now dwells one toft with curtilage adjoining, which the said Henry now and heretofore held, containing in breadth 30 feet by the Mountrye lane, at a rent of 5s. payable yearly on the 14 November to the escheator of Wells. Dated the chapter house Wells.
R.III. f. 303d.

Proxy of William de Button rector of Cungresbury, addressed to W. bishop of Bath and Wells and to the dean and chapter of Wells, in favour of John de Button canon of Wells and Robert de Braundon clerk, in the matter of an ordinance newly to be made touching his said church. Seal of the archdeacon of Exeter and the said rector. Dated Par[is], iiii id. April 1252.
R.III. f. 304.

Inspeximus and assent by Thomas prior of Bath and the convent to letters of William bishop of Bath and Wells, dated Wells, xvii kal. May 1259 (not here copied).

R.III. f. 304d. (The document was the appropriation of the church of Congresbury to the dean and chapter. See Reg. Drokensford, Somerset Record Soc. i. 224.)

Inspeximus and assent, dated xiiii kal. September 1246, by Thomas prior of Bath and the convent, to a charter of Roger bishop of Bath and Wells, dated Staweye in the parish of Chyu, id. August 1246.

R.III. f. 304d. (For the charter in question see ff. 3d.–6; above pp. 306–8.)

Bond upon oath of Hugh de Lodewell, Thomas Gene, Stephen de Wordenhulle, John de Rischwerth, John Byerd, William Chaundos, Thomas Wyneman, Walter Gele, Richard Gele and Gilbert Averay to John de Godelee dean of Wells and the chapter in 66l. 13s. 4d. for all manner of corn, as well of the demesne as of tithe in the grange and barton of Cungresbiry rectory, to them sold and delivered, to be paid at Wells by instalments on certain dates. Dated Wells, 7 December 3 Edward III.
R.III. f. 304d. (See f. 294, where for Gele is read Bele.)

Indenture made at Wells, on Sunday after the Nativity of the Virgin 26 Edward III, between the dean and chapter of Wells and John de Hywysch canon of Wells and farmer of the canons' grange on the one part, and John son and heir of John de Wike of Milton by Welles on the other, reciting a suit by the said canon at the assizes at Lamport on Monday after St. James against the said John son of John de Wike upon a writ of novel disseisin for his free tenement in Welles, namely for a rent of 10 minæ of good and clean wheat which defendant and his predecessors used to pay time out of mind, and defendant and his heirs are bound to pay at the canons' grange every year at Martinmas, for their fees formerly of Sir Philip de Milton, as well at Estone as there and at Milton Denebaud, and witnessing an accord between the parties, namely that defendant granted, for him and his heirs, that if such rent be in arrear, the dean and chapter and the said farmer and their successors may distrain upon the fee of Milton Militis, Eston and Milton Denebaud until thereof contented. Common seal of the dean and chapter, and seal of the said canon on one part: on the other seal of John son of John de Wike, and (because that is little known) common seal of the borough of Wells. Witnesses: William de Lutelton precentor, William de Cammel subdean, Master John de Wambergh, Master Stephen de Hulle canons, Walter de Rodeneye, John de Palton knights, John de Langelond, John Ryche, Robert Weyfer.
R.III. f. 305.

Proxy given by John prior of the cathedral church of Bath and the convent or chapter to the said prior and Sir William Birdde one of the monks, to act for them in all causes. Dated the chapter house Bath, 29 April 1493.
R.III. f. 305d.

Foundation of a chantry, to be called the chantry of the Holy Saviour, the Blessed Virgin and all the elect of God, at the altar of Holy Cross on the north side of Wells cathedral. Gift by John Storthwayt chancellor and canon of Wells (with consent of Theobald Gorges knight the patron and Sir Thomas Haynes priest the rector) to Sir John Riche chaplain (first presented by the founder) and to his successors, of 10 marks a year for life for his stipend out of a yearly pension of 10l. of the parish church of Wroxhale (by the grantor obtained by licence and authority of Thomas bishop of Bath and Wells, with the express consent of the dean and chapter of Wells, the prior and convent or chapter of Bath, and the archdeacon of Bath), to found a chantry, and masses for the said bishop, patron, founder and rector, John Roland late canon of Wells, and for his and the founder's parents and benefactors; ordering that the founder 'shall present to any vacancy during his life, and after his decease the chapter, or for lapse the dean or president: that none but honest and fit persons shall be appointed: that the chaplain shall every day say mass at the said altar, the other canonical hours and the offices of the dead there or elsewhere according to the ordinal, but vespers every Sunday and feast day in a surplice by the said altar: he shall in the said masses, offices and prayers make mention of the persons above named: the day of the founder's death shall be noted by the chaplain and by the communar of Wells, and every year an anniversary shall be thereon kept, with placebo, dirige, mass of requiem, and the prayers in the missal appointed, and on the previous day placebo and dirige, also with the distribution hereinafter mentioned: the chaplain shall take no other duty or benefice: the daily mass shall be said immediately after the mass of the cross there: the year shall be divided into four quarters, and the chaplain's stipend shall be paid monthly by the founder during his life, and afterwards by the communar, 11s. 1d. at every month's end, and the residue at the end of the year: the chaplain shall keep, mend, wash and repair the ornaments and vestments presented by the founder, and shall make an inventory upon first taking office by indenture, whereof one part shall remain with the communar: he may not be absent from Wells more than 20 days in a year, and shall during such absence provide a substitute: if disabled by infirmity or other reasonable cause, he may still hold the chantry, but shall be content with 6 marks a year, the other 4 marks being applied for the mass: during a vacancy the communar shall have the custody of all ornaments and other property, he shall induct the new chaplain, and deliver to him all such goods by indenture as aforesaid, shall (after the founder's death) be receiver of the aforesaid 10l., shall provide for the mass during a vacancy, and shall see that the chaplain observes these orders: the chaplain, if absent more than 20 days, if he shall not celebrate mass or make an inventory, or shall pledge, waste or alienate the ornaments or fail to keep them in good order, if he be convicted of any grave offence or otherwise appear unfit, shall be summarily removed by the president of the chapter, and punished for less grave offences and defaults: he must ask leave of absence of the founder during his life, afterwards of the dean or president: he shall at his institution swear obedience to the dean and chapter, and to observe these orders: the residue of the said pension shall after the founder's death be apportioned by the communar as follows: to the dean and chapter every Michaelmas for their indemnification 3s. 4d., likewise to the archdeacon of Bath 12d., to the communar for his pains 10s., for an obit on the founder's anniversary 20s., to the sacrist for ringing and the gongs 12d., for money to be deposited in the treasury to provide for the needs of the chantry 6s. 8d., to the clerk who shall serve the chaplain 6s. 8d. a year, for division among the poor, especially the bedridden, at every anniversary 6s. 8d., to the bearer of the money to pay the said pension 6 d. (2s. a year), to the chaplain for a light 2s. 8d. a year, for washing towels and cloths 8d. a year, for two candles to burn over the founder's tomb at his obit 20d., the residue thereof to be burnt at the said masses on great feast days, for oil for a lamp to burn daily before the said altar while high mass is said at the high altar, and at vespers on Sundays and feast days, and while mass is said at the altar of the chantry 4s. 4d: the chaplain to be present in the choir at the founder's obit on the dean's side, wearing a vicar's habit, and take a vicar's share: power reserved to the founder to amend or vary these orders during his life. Three parts sealed by the bishop, the dean and chapter, the founder, and Sir John Riche, one to remain with the dean and chapter in their treasury, another with the founder and communar, the third with the said chaplain and his successors: the communar shall be overseer of all the premisses, and proctor to sue if necessary for payment of the said pension. Dated Wells, 14 November 1451.

Confirmation by bishop Thomas, dated his palace Wells, 18 November 1451; and by Nicholas Carent dean of Wells and the chapter (upon condition that the pension be duly paid, and not otherwise) dated 24 October 1452.
R.III. ff. 306–310.

Inspeximus, dated Wyvelescombe iiii kal. February 1331, by Simon archbishop of Canterbury in his visitation, of letters of archbishop John his predecessor, dated Mortelak xvi kal. November 1281, among the muniments of the dean and chapter of Wells (see the visitation of archbishop Peckham, R.I. f. 111d.—113: above pp. 149, 150); and confirmation of the liberties and immunities of the dean and chapter, their prebends, dignities, rights and free customs in the manors, lands, churches and possessions there mentioned, with decree that they may for ever peacefully hold the church of Stokgommere with the chapel of Bikenalre given them by bishop William de Button the first, appropriated to them by bishop William de Button the second, and confirmed by the chapter of Bath; also the church of Burnham appropriated to them by bishop Walter, and confirmed by the chapter of Bath, after the date of his predecessor's visitation.
R.III. f. 310.

Grant and undertaking, in three parts, by John abbot of Muchelney and the convent to Nicholas Bubbewyth late bishop of Bath and Wells deceased and to John Juyn knight, John Stourton the elder, John Storthwayt and John Reynold his executors, (in recompense for their gift of a sum of money to the abbey in relief of its debts, and of a suit of vestments, namely one chasuble, two tunicles and three copes of black bawdekyn, with orfreys of red cloth, and furniture,) that one monk, a priest of the said convent, shall celebrate mass daily (except on the day of preparation) with the collect Deus qui inter apostolicos sacerdotes famulum tuum at the altar of All Saints on the north side of their choir, and once a week mass of requiem, and that every day at such mass there shall be a ringing with three peals of a certain bell in their belfry between the eighth and ninth hour, and before such mass he shall say the Lord's prayer and the angelic salutation: that such monk shall every year be paid 26s. 8d, by the abbot and his successors: that they will find all necessaries for such mass, bread, wine, book, chalice, vestments, lights, palls and ornaments, repair and maintain the altar, and in the weekly distribution of the said money there shall be no respect of persons, but every monk priest in turn shall take an equal share: that the celebrant for the ensuing week shall be chosen every Saturday and written on the boards, subject to a pain of 12d. payable to the abbot for every mass withdrawn: that an anniversary of the said bishop's obit shall be kept on the feast of St. Simon and St. Jude, with placebo and dirige, and mass of requiem on the morrow, and ringing of bells; and in case of any default the abbey shall be bound to pay to the archdeacon of Wells 6d. for a mass and 13s. 4d. for an obit, or for a year's masses 26s. 8d. to the dean and chapter towards the maintenance of the choristers and markers (tabularii) secured upon their manor of Westcamell. A copy hereof to be written on a panel and set up in a conspicuous place upon or near the front of the said altar, and renewed when necessary, on pain of 20s. to the archdeacon: one part to remain with the dean and chapter of Wells, one with the archdeacon, the third with the abbot and his successors. Dated the chapter house, the Nativity of St. John Baptist 11 Henry VI.
R.III. ff. 310d.–312.

Decree or monition of John Cossam prior of Bruton (appointed with the abbot of St. Augustine Bristol and the dean of Salisbury, by bull of Pope John XXIII dated Bologna xviii kal. September 1 Pope John, judge and preserver of the lands, rights and spiritualities of the dean and chapter, papal indults and the constitutions of Pope Boniface VIII notwithstanding, upon the petition of the said dean and chapter and complaint that they are troubled by divers prelates, lords and laymen, and that recourse to Rome is difficult,) to all those occupying or detaining property or rights of the dean and chapter, to deliver up the same and cease troubling them within six days; inhibition against any hindrance or interference with their jurisdiction by the archbishop or his official, the dean of arches, commissaries, or other officers of the court of Canterbury, on pain of interdict, suspension and excommunication; and order to all abbots, priors, deans, archdeacons, precentors and chancellors within the province (upon request of the dean and chapter) to publish or cause to be published this process and monition, and to cite before them any who dispute the same, reserving power of absolution to himself and his said colleagues. Dated in the prior's principal chamber at Northbruham by Bruton, 20 October 1411, in presence of William Bargh and Thomas Blaneford donzels literate of the dioceses of Wells and Salisbury, and Thomas Sergeaunt of the diocese of Wells. Attested by William Brett clerk of the diocese of Salisbury notary public and secretary of the said prior.
R.III. ff. 312–316.

(NOTE: ff. 312–335 are mounted on guards, and several made up of pieces pasted together.)

Appropriation by John bishop of Salisbury, with consent of the dean and chapter of Salisbury, to the dean and chapter of Wells, of the church of Buckland (Bokeland) Abbas in his diocese, upon the decease or cession of John Axebrigge now rector, towards the maintenance of three priests to celebrate masses for ever in the cathedral of Wells for Nicholas Bubbewyth late bishop of Bath and Wells (therein buried), who has given them the advowson of the said church which was of his patronage as bishop, and towards other charges and works of piety, saving a vicarage therein competently endowed of old time, paying of the revenues the yearly stipends of the chaplains aforesaid, namely 100s. each, and 4 marks a year among poor parishioners of Bokeland, according to the appointment of the said late bishop's executors, and to indemnify the church of Salisbury yearly pensions of 6s. 8d. to the bishop, 6s. 8d. to the dean and chapter, and 6s. 8d. to the archdeacon of Dorset, saving also the jurisdiction and rights of the bishop, and the dignity of the church of Salisbury. Copy letters patent of the king, tested at Westminster, 26 November 2 Henry VI, being a licence in mortmain, granted by advice and assent of the great council, for 50l. paid in the hanaper, to bishop Nicholas to give the said advowson to the dean and chapter of Wells, and to the dean and chapter to take the advowson, and to appropriate and hold the said church. Copy gift of Nicholas bishop of Bath and Wells to the dean and chapter of Wells of the said advowson, dated Woky, 16 October 3 Henry VI, and witnessed by Sir William Palton, Sir Thomas Beauchamp, Sir Thomas Stowell knights, John Warre, Thomas Arthur, Philip Hampton, John Palton. The appropriation dated at the bishop's manor of Remmysbury, the last day of February 1424: attested by John de Okeborne clerk of the diocese of Salisbury notary public, registrar and secretary of the said bishop John, and witnessed by Master John Symondesburgh, Master Alexander Sparowe canons of Salisbury, and William Hynde rector of Bredstret Wylton.

Consent of the dean and chapter of Salisbury, dated 1 May 1424 (sic).

R.III. ff. 316d.–319d. For the patent, see Cal. p. 168.

Gift by William de Wellyngton canon of Wells to the dean and chapter of Wells of 10s. yearly rent, payable at the Purification by the grantor, his heirs or assigns, of houses situated at the corner of the churchyard of St. Andrew Wells towards the Hokerston (which houses are pensionary to the said dean and chapter), to be divided in the choir of the said church by the communar on the anniversary of Roger de Cruk late provost there, with warranty. In case of fire, ruin or other impediment, the grantor and his heirs will rebuild the houses, or pay the said rents of their lands and tenements elsewhere. For this gift the executors of the said Roger have paid 20 marks. Seals of the grantor and of the chapter. Witnesses: Master Philip de Stanton precentor of Wells, Master Ralph de Wykeham archdeacon of Bath, John de Wymburn canon of Wells, Sir Philip de Wyk' knight, John de Garcelade, Richard the baker, William de Legh.
R.III. f. 319d.

Quitclaim indented, by Idoigne late the wife of Hugh de Beauchamp knight, lady of Lillesdon, to the dean and chapter of Welles and their successors, of all right to common with her beasts, as appurtenant to her free tenement of Lillesdon, upon a piece of moor called Botirlake. Witnesses: Sir John de Clyvedon, Sir Ralph de Middelney, John atte Sloo, Walter Caucy, Thomas Knapp. Dated Northcory, Thursday after the Purification 20 Edward III. (French.)
R.III. f. 320.

Grant indented by Nicholas Carent dean of Wells and the chapter, that Henry called de Anglia late bishop of Winchester and cardinal priest of St. Eusebius in the church of Rome shall be a participator in all prayers, spiritual sacrifices and works of piety in their church, and that they will every year celebrate the anniversary of his obit on 11 April, with mass of requiem etc. on the previous day, unless it fall on the Thursday, Friday or Saturday in holy week, on Easter day or the Sunday after Easter, in which case it shall be celebrated on the second Tuesday after Easter; and that special mention of him shall be made every Sunday when prayers for benefactors living and dead are publicly said at the time of the solemn procession in the nave, and in masses for benefactors; in recompense for the special liberality to their church shewn by John archbishop of York and cardinal priest of St. Balbina, Edmund duke of So[merset] and marquis of Dorset and others the said cardinal's executors in the distribution of goods committed to their charge, by conferring thereupon certain jewels of silver gilt, namely one image of the Lord's resurrection standing upon a base of green enamel, with a beryl on the breast to put the Lord's body in, weighing 95 ounces troy, and two basins of chased work of vine leaves (de foliis columbinarum) weighing 188 ounces troy, also a sum of 148l. Three parts, one to remain at the disposal of the said executors, one in the archives of the bishop of Winchester, the third in the archives of the dean and chapter. Dated under their common seal, the chapter house Wells, 24 April 1448.
R.III. f. 320.

Indenture made at Cheweton under Menedepe in the county of Somerset, 7 March 3 HenryV, between John prior of the conventual church of the house of Jesus Christ of Bedlem at Shene of the Carthusian order and the convent on the one part and the dean and chapter of Wells on the other, witnessing that the priory has demised and to farm let to the dean and chapter and to their successors the rectory of Cheweton, with tithes, oblations, proventions, suits of court, rents, services, fines, amercements, heriots, mortuaries and profits, the advowson of the vicarage excepted, from Michaelmas last for 10 years at a yearly rent of 45l. payable in the cathedral of St. Paul London to them or to the chamberlain of St. Paul at Christmas and Easter (the first payment to be at Christmas 1416), over and above a yearly pension of 25l. 6s. 8d. due to the dean and chapter, with power to distrain for arrears; the dean and chapter bearing all charges ordinary and extraordinary, except tenths, subsidies and tallages granted by the clergy to the king, whereof they shall be discharged upon notice to the prior or to the subprior of Witham, or otherwise shall be entitled to deduct the same from their rent; the priory shall at once erect buildings needful for husbandry, and the dean and chapter shall keep those and all other buildings in repair: power to the priory to enter twice a year and survey the same, taking easement therein 4 or 5 days at their own expense; and to reenter if the rent be 6 weeks in arrear: acquittances not made in the church of St. Paul aforesaid to be of no effect. Defeasance by the prior and convent of a bond in 100l. given by the dean and chapter, provided they keep all the covenants hereinbefore written. Grant by the dean and chapter that the priory may resume possession before the expiration of the said term, upon giving 6 months' notice in the church of St. Andrew Wells, paying there 10 marks, and surrendering their part of this indenture and the said bond, saving the said pension to the dean and chapter, and saving also their easements in the rectory grange from Michaelmas to Pentecost at the end of the last year of the said term.
R.III. ff. 321–2.

Demise indented by John bishop of Bath and Wells to William Baroun esquire of his manor of Bysshoppescompton in the county of Berks, with the hundred thereto annexed, to hold for life without impediment (sic) of waste, at a yearly rent of 8 marks payable at Easter and Michaelmas, and to the king what is due to him for the said hundred if it be worth as much from year to year, the bishop bearing all other charges temporal and spiritual: power to distrain for arrears, and warranty. Dated the palace Wells, 1 April 5 Henry VI.

Confirmation by John Forest dean of Wells and the chapter, dated 8 April; and by William Southebroke prior of Bath and the chapter or convent, dated 9 April 1427.
R.III. f. 322d.

Confirmation by decree of John bishop of Bath and Wells, dated London, 12 February 1438, of a composition concerning the vicarage of Yevel (long ago instituted by bishops William and Ralph, but since in dispute between the vicars and rectors, owing to divers changes of cultivation within the parish to the vicar's detriment as they have alleged) by indenture made between the abbess and convent of the Holy Saviour, the Virgin Mary and St. Bridget of Syon of the order of St. Augustine called the Holy Saviour in the diocese of London (to whom the church of Yevel is appropriated) on the one part, and Sir Richard Stone vicar of Yevel on the other, whereby the abbess and convent are to take the tithes of sheaves and hay in fields, gardens and closes, of mills, and of flax growing in yards or gardens, and the principal mortuaries of all dying within the parish; the vicar's portion to consist in the altarage of the said church and of the chapel of Preston Plucknette, the tithe of hemp in Yevel and Preston Plucknette, and of flax not growing in yards or gardens, in the second legacies commonly called mortuaries of men dying in tenements or burgages within the parish other than the rector's tenants who are not burgesses, in all small tithes of the parish (except those arising from the towns or hamlets of Berwyk and Stoford, which the chaplain of Berwyk takes in right of his chapel, and those of the demesne lands of Bermondeshey abbey in the towns of Preston Bermondeshey and Stone, for which the abbey pays a yearly pension of 22s. 6d. to the rector); he shall also have two houses in Quedam strete which the rector formerly purchased for the vicar's dwelling: as to charges, the vicar shall maintain the lights in the chancel, shall serve or cause the church to be served by fit ministers, and find a chaplain to serve the chapel of Preston Pluckenette, celebrating there three days a week, as the rector used to do; he shall take upon him the charge of rural dean in his turn when chosen, shall pay the king his tenth, when granted, in his due proportion, and procurations to the bishop at his visitation and to the archdeacon of Wells, and for the provender of the horses of the archdeacon's official and registrar at the general chapter held at Yevel about Michaelmas every year, also Martin's gift and Easter rent: the abbess and convent shall repair and maintain the chancel, and other charges ordinary and extraordinary shall be borne by them and the rector proportionately.
R.III. f. 323d.

Acknowledgment by John le Markaunt burgess of Wells (true lord of a messuage, garden and dovecote in Welles on the east side of Newe strete, between a tenement now of Richard atte More on the north and a tenement now of Master Walter de Hulle subdean of Wells on the south) that the premises aforesaid are for ever charged with a rent of 13s. 4d. payable to the dean and chapter of Wells every year on 31 January, which rent William de Pulton canon of Wells and formerly lord of the premises, before the statute of mortmain, bequeathed to them by will for his obit in the church of Wells, and they after his decease long time peacefully took before and after the said statute, but Walter de Middelton burgess of Wells (late lord thereof) ceased to pay in the 13th year of Edward III; and bond for payment of the same, with power to distrain for arrears. Seal of the said John, and of the bishop's exchequer. Dated Wells, 1 April 14 Edward III. Witnesses: Richard le Eyr, Thomas le Saltere, Hugh de Somerton, Walter de Cumpton, Thomas de Testwode, Richard de Harpetre, Robert de Lovyngton.
R.III. f. 324d.

Grant by John le Merkaunt that the dean and chapter may henceforth peacefully enjoy a rent to them bequeathed, before the statute of mortmain, by canon William de Pulton, of his messuage, garden and dovecote in Newe strete Wells; for better declaration whereof he has on the day of the date of these presents paid them 13s. 4d. in name of such rent, willing that they may distrain for arrears. Seal of the said John, and of the borough of Wells. Dated Wells, 1 April 14 Edward III. Witnesses: Richard le Eyr, etc., (as in the last instrument).
R.III. f. 325.

Bond indented of Joan North abbess of Syon of the order of St. Augustine called the Holy Saviour in the diocese of London, in a yearly pension of 20s. to be paid to the dean and chapter of Wells and to their successors, or to the chapter during the absence of the dean or the vacancy of the deanery, on the Nativity of St. John Baptist, to indemnify them for the loss of two thirds of the fruits of the parish church of Yevel due to them during a vacancy, the said church having been to the said abbey appropriated in aid and part of their endowment by Martin V now pope, saving the vicar's portion therein; securing the said pension upon their goods in the parish of Yevel or within the diocese of Bath and Wells. Dated the monastery of Syon, 4 January 1427.
R.III. f. 325d.

Indenture made at Wellis in the county of Somerset, 2 October 13 Edward IV, between John Gunthorpp dean of Wells and the chapter on the one part and John Sydenham the younger of Wyveliscombe gentleman on the other, being a lease to John Sydenham, Ellen his wife, and Thomas their son, for their lives, of the manor of Okehampton with howsebote and haybote within the parish of Wyveliscombe, late held of them by Thomas Brown of Yatton (formerly of Wells) and Alice his wife, at a yearly rent of 100s. payable quarterly, maintaining houses, walls, dovecotes, ponds, fisheries, roofs and enclosures, doing suit yearly when required at the bishop's court at Wyvelescombe, paying the king's taxes and other charges, and rebuilding any house that may be burnt or fall down (provided the dean and chapter shall deliver them timber for the same by survey of the steward): power to distrain for arrears or in default of such repairs, or to reenter for the same after a year's notice by the steward: warranty by the dean and chapter.
R.III. f. 326d.

Lease indented by Nicholas Carent dean of Wells to Simon Roo, Roger Jaimys, David Whyttok clerks, John Vowlys mason and their assigns, of the reversion of a tenement with curtilage and garden in Wedmore, 8 acres of arable land, and 18 acres of meadow adjoining the said tenement, now held of the dean for life by William Clerke, to hold for 99 years from the death, surrender or forfeiture of the said William, at a yearly rent of 6s. 8d. payable quarterly, with warranty. Witnesses: William Vowell, John Milborne, John Godwyn, Henry Latam. Dated Wells, 20 March 36 Henry VI.

Confirmation by John Spekyngton president of Wells cathedral and the chapter, dated 19 September 1458.
R.III. f. 327d.

Decree of Thomas bishop of Bath and Wells, upon the petition of Master John Storthwayt chancellor and canon of Wells—after summoning before him Theobald Gorges' knight, lord of the manor and patron of the church of Wroxhale (Wroxale), Sir Thomas Haynes now rector of the same, and all others interested, and hearing the consent of the said patron and rector (whose deed of submission is recited), and information of the value of the said church—condemning the said rector and his successors to pay every year at Wells on the usual quarter days to the dean and chapter of Wells or their communar a pension of 10l. towards the charge and maintenance of certain daily masses at the altar of Holy Cross on the north side of the church of Wells, and other works of piety to be appointed by the said chancellor, reserving of the said pension a cess of 40d. to the dean and chapter, and of 12d. to the archdeacon of Bath to indemnify them, to be paid at Michaelmas 1451 and thereafter yearly: monition to the said rector to observe this decree under a pain of 40s. to be applied to the fabric of the cathedral: every rector henceforth shall swear to observe the same, and shall make the payment aforesaid, and if such payment shall be 24 days in arrear, all the revenues of the parish church are hereby sequestrated, to remain in the custody of the archdeacon or his official or of the dean of Radclyve until the pension, pain, damages and costs be contented; if 40 days, sentence of excommunication is hereby published against the rector or his successors, absolution being reserved to the bishop, the official or president of the consistory of Wells. Dated the palace Wells, 16 September 1450, in presence of of Master Robert Stillyngton doctor of laws and canon of Wells, Master William North and Master John Machon the bishop's secretaries, Thomas Been, William Vowell and John atte Water notaries public.

Attestation by William North bachelor of laws of Gorton in the diocese of Salisbury, and by John Machon clerk of the diocese of Worcester, notaries public.
R.III. ff. 328–330.