passage paage lestage stallage tallage carriage pesage pikage and terage throughout all the Kings dominions and that she should within the precincts thereof have Return of writts as also felons goods Fines for trespasses and for licences of concord amerciaments redemptions issues forfeited year day and wast with divers other And the next year following did the same K. further grant to the before specified Q. during her life and to the said Prince in reversion and his heirs a Court-Leet within this mannour with power to hold pleas of all such things as usually were determined before the Justices of Assise for the County of Warwick and likewise to have Return of writts goods of felons and fugitives within the precincts thereof with a gaol for the safe custody of felons or other transgressors And in 21. E. 3. had one Will. le Galeys license to found a Chantry here consisting of three Priests whereof one to be the Warden and to build a Chappell there in honour of the Blessed Virgin with a convenient mansion for them as also to amortize thereunto five mess. lying in Coventre Which Priests were to celebrate divine service daily for the good estate of the said K. E. 3. Q. Isabell his mother Edw. Prince of Wales and of the said Will. le Galeys during their lives and for the health of their Souls afterwards as also for the Souls of Edward late King of England the K. father and of Iohn late E. of Cornwall his brother and all the faithfull deceased After which viz. in 50. E. 3. I find that the said Prince gave 23. mess 6. cottages and 2. gardens lying here in Coventre which were parcell of this his mannour of Cheylesmore unto the Abby of Uale-Royall in Cheshire of Cisterc. Monks founded by the K. his father in 11. of his reign And the same year did he dy seized of this mannour leaving Ric. his son and heir 9. years of age and a half afterwards King by the name of R. 2. in whose days the Park here was not without Deer it seems for in 8. of his reign granting to one Tho. de Quinton the keepership of its pasturage for 6. years paying c. s. per annum to his Exchequer he reserv'd sufficient grasse for them In which 8. year the walls on the South part of this City being not built the Mayor Bayliffs and commonalty thereof humbly besought the K. to give them leave that they might go forward with that work concerning which I shall speak more fully anon who thereupon granted license to them so to do on condition that they should include within their walls his said mannour place standing within the Park of Cheylesmore as the Record expresseth which Park was a woody-ground in those times for in 11. R. 3. the K. assigned Ric. Clerk then keeper thereof to cause as much underwood there to be cut down as would make 3000. fagots and with the money arising by the sale of them to repair the pales And in 9. H. 5. Rob. Castell the K. Steward of this mannour was appointed to cause 12. oaks within it to be fallen for repair of the House as also more underwood to the value of 40. l. for defray of such charges as he should be at therein After this viz. in 16. H. 8. I find that the K. made a lease for 21. years of this his mannour with the herbage of the park and conyes there to Geffrey Whalley Prior of Ulvescroft in Leicestershire for 21. years for the rent of 13. li. -09 s. 05. d. ob And in 3. E. 6. did that K. by his Letters pat bearing date 19. Iulii grant it with the said Park unto Iohn E. of Warwick and his heirs as being part of the possessions annexed to the Dutchy of Cornwall by Charter and not in Parliament to hold in Capite Which Iohn on the 12. of Aug. following made a lease of the premisses unto the Mayor Bayliffs and Commonalty of this City for the terme of 99. years to the uses and intents following viz. that they and their successors for the relief of the poor of the said City should yearly take to pasture in the said Park the number of 80. kyne or heyfers and 20. geldings of such poor Inhabitants of the said City and Suburbs as should not have elswhere nigh thereto sufficient pasture paying yearly for every Cow or heyfer 1. d. and for every gelding 2. d. But after his attainder which hapned in 1. Mariae as in Warwick I have shewed the said Mayor Bayliffs and Commonalty by the mediation of Rob. E. of Leic. son to the said Iohn obteyn'd a grant thereof from Q. Eliz. to hold to them and their successors for ever in fee ferme the Rent reserved being ix li. per annum whereupon they covenanted with the said Earl to observe and perform the trusts before specified for the behalf of the poor Inhabitants as by an Indenture dated 4. Apr. 10. Eliz. appeareth HAving now finished my discourse of Cheylesmore I return to Coventre it self of which the last observable matter that I took notice was touching the paving thereof in 33. E. 1. To the end therefore that it may appear by what degrees it ascended to that beauty and strength in the walls and other buildings of note as also to those priviledges which it now enjoyeth I shall in order of time proceed to declare In 2. E. 3. the Monks of Coventre with the Inhabitants thereof obteyn'd a Pat. for taking Toll of all vendible commodityes that should be brought thither to sell for six years towards their charges of inclosing the same And at the request of Iohn of Eltham E. of Cornwall who had an estate in reversion in the mannour of Cheylesmore as I have there declared for two years more after the end of those six upon condition that the said Earl should not be charged towards building of the gates Which Pat. bears date at Leicester 6. Jan. the same year The particular proportions of Toll little differing from those which were assessed upon every thing for pavage as is before intimated After this in the 6. year of the said K. the Inhabitants of this town had license to erect a Common Conduit of xx foot long and x. foot broad in any of the streets thereof that they should think fittest for their conveniency and benefit And within 2. years following for their better encouragement in prosecuting their affairs obteyn'd a grant to them their heirs and successors of freedom from Toll pavage pontage and murage for all their merchandize throughout the K. dominions in consideration whereof he received a fine of ten marks from them But it had not then the reputation of a City or a Borough and the Record gives this reason eo quod in Quintis-decimis Regi Concessis non contribuit ultra summam c. marcarum In this K. reign it was that Coventre grew up
distinct and altogether separate from the said County of Warr. for ever and no parcel of the same County but from thenceforth called the County of the City of Coventre for ever And that the Mayor and Bayliffs of the said City should thenceforth also for ever be elected at the same time and place and according to the same manner and form as they had used to be in the reign of K. Edw. 3. of famous memory by vertue of his Letters Pat. or in the time of any of the K. progenitors And that the Bayliffs of the said City from the morrow after the feast-day of S. Nic. then next ensuing should be Shiriffs of the County of the said City for ever and yet nevertheless that they should still execute the office of Bayliffs according to the form and effect of the franchises and liberties granted by any of his said progenitors and before that time used And that they which were to be Shiriffs of the said City as aforesaid should in all future times after they had that office take their oaths before the Mayor for the time being and no other and in the Guild-hall of the said City and not elswhere according to due form for the just and faithfull execution of that office within the County of the said City And that the Mayor for the time being by his Letters P. t. under the Seal of his Office should forthwith certifie into the K. Court of Chancery the names of such Shiriffs so sworn as aforesaid which Shiriffs once every month upon the Tuesday should hold a Court for ever executing all such power and jurisdiction within their liberties as other Shiriffs within their Bayliwicks use to do all Writs and Precepts for the future to be directed to them that had used to be directed to the Shiriffs of Warwicksh and executed by them in case the said City and Hamlets had not been so made a County of it self Which Shiriffs should annually make their accounts in the Exchequer before the Lord Treasurer and Barons or before the Barons touching the issues of their said office or by their Atturneys And moreover that the Coroner of the said City and his successors should thenceforth be Coroners of the County of the said City for ever and execute that office in as ample manner as any other Coroner within any County of the Realm had used to do And that the said Coroners for the time being should be also Clerks for taking Recognizances of debts there according to the form of the Statute for Merchants made and provided the lesser part of the Seal for taking such Recognizances to be alwaies in their custody And further by the same Charter did the said K. grant that the Mayor and his successours within the said City and Hamlets should exercise the office of Clerke of the Market there and levy and receive all issues and profits arising thereby to the use of them the said Mayor Bayliffs and Commonalty of the said City for ever As also the office of Steward and Marshall of the K. Houshold And lastly that they the said Mayor Bayliffs and Commonalty with all the Inhabitants of this City should be free from Toll passage pontage murage and pavage for all their goods and merchandize throughout the whole Realm of England and Ireland and enjoy whatsoever priviledges and franchises they or any of their predecessours had used to do Which ample Charter bears date at Westm. 26 Nov. 30 of his reign and was confirm'd by K. Edw. 4. The next thing of note is that K. H. 7. after that signal Victory at Bosworth-field where R. 3. was slain came hither with his Army and lodg'd at the Mayors house by name Robert Onley whom he Knighted at which time the City presented him with C l. and a Cup. The Cross. I Now come to speak of that stately Cross here being one of the chief things wherein this City most glories which for workmanship and beauty is inferiour to none in England the building whereof was begun in ann 1541. 33 H. 8. and finished in ann 1544. 36 H. 8. as by an old MS Chronol of the Mayors appeareth but the name of its Founder is now utterly lost for ought that these Citizens can tell of it To the end therefore that they may not still continue ignorant of so eminent a Benefactor I shall here by the help of that judicious Antiquary my worthy Friend Gervase Hollies of Grimesby in Com. Linc. Esq revive his memory It was Sir Will. Hollies Kt. sometime Lord Mayor of London and son to Thomas Holleys of Stoke near this City as I have evidently found amongst the Registers in Gild-hall and not son to Will. Holleys of London Baker as Stow hath erroneously affirmed Who bearing a special affection to this City in regard he was born so near gave order for the structure thereof as the words of his Testament bearing date 25 Dec. 33 H. 8. which I have here inserted do import And furthermore I give and bequeath unto the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Coventre and to the Commons of the same CCl. sterling to the intent and purpose hereafter ensuing that is to say to make a new Cross within the said City whereof delivered in hand to Mr. Warren Draper of the said City the 24 day of August last xx l. in ready money And also more paid to Mr. Over by the hands of Salt my Baylie of Yoxall 70 l. in ready money and so resteth unpaid Cx l. sterling which I will and desire my Executors see to be delivered and paid unto the said Mayor and Aldermen of Coventre aforesaid to the use and intent aforesaid within one year after my decease c. This Sir VVilliam was father of Sir VVill. Hollyes of Houghton in the County of Nott. Kt. the wonder of his Country for a great and setled hospitality and of so honest and honourable a nature that he is yet mentioned in those parts by the name of good Sir VVilliam Which last named Sir VVill. was great Grandfather to that learned Gent. before exprest as also to the present E. of Clare an 1638. And having thus taken notice of his munificence in erecting so noble a Monument I hope the mention of Eliz. his Ladies Charity though the poor of London were the object thereof will not be thought impertinent considering that it is not elswhere taken notice of Which was that by her Testament six Alms-houses for six poor men or women should be built out of her goods and chattels and lands to the yearly value of x l. be bought out of which weekly every one of the Alms-people should receive 7 d. the remainder to buy coals to make them fires which was accordingly performed in St. Helens parish by Andrew Iud Alderman of London and Thomas Scopham her brother her Executors Howbeit hitherto hath it not been publickly known that she was the Foundress forasmuch as Stow and others do attribute
this Church for the good estate of him the said Iohn during this mortall life and afterwards for the health of his soul as also for the Souls of his Parents and Benefactors and all the faithfull deceased and endow'd with six Mess and one Shop with a Chamber over it situat here in Coventre All which in 26 H. 8. were valued at 05. l. 09. s. per an over and above reprises but in 37 H. 8. at no more then 04. l. 06. s. 11. d. per an Crosses Chantry IN 13 H. 4. Iohn Scarburgh Philip Baron Laurence Coke and Thomas Henryes gave 5. Mess and 04. l. 06. s. 06. d. Rent per an lying here in Coventre to the Mayor and Commonalty of this City and their successors for ever to find a certain Priest to Sing Mass daily at the Altar of St. Katherine within the said Church for the good estate of the same K Henry during this life and for his soul after his departure hence as also for the soul of Iohn Crosse late Merchant of Coventre and the souls of all the faithfull deceased But when this Chantry was dissolved or altered I find not Pyseford's Chantry THis was founded by one Will. Pyseford and endowed with lands for to find one Priest to Sing Mass daily within this Church and to maintain six poor men and their wives such as had been honest House-holders and were fallen to decay within the City viz. 07. d. ob a week to every Couple to pray for the souls of the said William and his Parents for ever Howbeit the certain time of its foundation I have not seen but the lands and tenements thereunto belonging being by the Survey taken in 37 H. 8. valued at 26. l. 09. s. per an the Priest had out of it 6. l. yearly for his salary the residue being for the maintenance of the before specified poor people and discharge of other payments concerning the said lands and Chantry The Taylor 's and Sherman's Chantry OF this Chantryes foundation I find nothing but in the Survey of 26 H. 8. it was certified to be of the clear yearly value of 02. l. 16. s. 6. d. ob per an over and above all reprises Tate's Chantry HEreof all that I have met with is onely that there was an yearly stipend of Cvi s. viii d. payd to a Chantry-Priest singing Mass daily in this Church of St. Mich. by the Company of Dyers in the City of London Marler's Chantry IT doth not very clearly appear that this Chantry was in St. Mich. Church but in regard that there be circumstances which make it probable I have fixt it so It was founded by one Ric. Marler as his last Will doth manifest by which he assigned certain Rents to be yearly received by the Wardens of this City for the time being to find a Priest to Sing daily Mass in a Chappell built over the Grave of him the said Richard for the health of his soul and all Christen-souls and to keep divine Service in the Quire whose stipend was nine marks per an But the foundation of it is of no antiquity for there were no more than two Chantry-Priests successively belonging thereto viz. Henry Marler and Ric. Branker which Ric. was living in 37 H. 8. Trinity Church OF this the first mention I find is of it's appropriation to the Priory in 44 H. 3. In an 1291. 19 E. 1. it was valued at xx marks and the Vicaridge at two marks But in 26 H. 8. the said Vicaridge was rated at 33. l. 1. s. 6. d. ob per an out of which issued a Pension of C. s. to the Prior xvi s. in Procurations and Synodals and to the Church-wardens for a Quit-Rent yearly for the Vicaridge-house xx s. so that the clear yearly value deducting the reprises amounted to xxvi l. v. s. vi d. Patroni Vicariae Incumbentes Prior Conv. de Coventre Henr. de Harenhale 10. Cal. Apr. 1298. Prior Conv. de Coventre Ioh. de Holland 2. Non. Sept. 1334. Prior Conv. de Coventre Ioh. Greneburgh Cler. 4. Id. Ian. 1346. Prior Conv. de Coventre Egid. Fillilod Cap. Non. Sept. 1349. Prior Conv. de Coventre Will. Swet Pbr. 8. Maii 1380. Prior Conv. de Coventre Ioh. de Amcotes Pbr. 12. Martii 1381. Prior Conv. de Coventre Will. Gamell Pbr. 16. Oct. 1383. Ric. Umfrey domicellus Nich. Crosby Cap. 15. Ian. 1421. Pr. Conv. de Coventre Ioh. Meneley Pbr. 20. Dec. 1443. Pr. Conv. de Coventre Tho. Orton in decr bacc an 1508. Pr. Conv. de Coventre Nich. Darington S. Theol. bacc 23. Ian. 1527. Dom. Rex Will. Benet Cler. 5. Nov. 1546 Domina Regina Geo. Brooche in art Mag. 8. Aug. 1554. Domina Regina Geo. Cheston 6. Apr. 1568. Domina Regina Anth. Fletcher Cler. 4. Maii 1576. Domina Regina Humf. Fenne Cler. 21. Febr. 1577. Domina Regina Ric. Eaton Cler. 12. Ian. 1590 Iacobus Rex Tho. Cooper S. Theol. bacc 8. Maii 1604. Iacobus Rex Sam. Gibson Cler. 2. Ian. 1610. Iacobus Rex Ioh. Staresmore in art Mag. 15. Maii 1618. Iacobus Rex Sam. Buggs S. Theol. bacc 20. Iunii 1626. Monumental Inscriptions in this Church On the South Wall of the Quire EPITAPHIUM DOCTORIS HOLLANDI A SHIP SO CONFECTUM qui obiit 9. die Februarii 1636. Et 85. aetatis suae NEmo habet hic nemon hospes salveto Philemon Holland hâc recubat ritè repostus humo Si quaeras ratio quaenam sit nominis haec est Totus terra fui terraque totus ero At redivivus morte tuâ servabor Iesu Una fides votis haec est via sola salutis Hâc spe fretus ego culpâ poenâque solatus Iamque renatus inde novo conspectus amictu Caetu in Sanctorum post redimitus ero Claudicat incessu senior mea Musa vides ne Claudatur capulo mecum simulipsa valeto Valedictio Ad liberos nepotes superstites Dantque omnes unâ dudum de stirpe creati Henrice ah septem de fratribus une superstes O ephanici fratris Gulielmi nuper adempti Et mihi bis puero nutricis Anna Maria Cumque tuis Angelis Elizabeta valete Gulielmus filius sexto-genitus Chirurgus Conventrensis hic etiam jacet sepultus 1632. aetatis suae 40. Henricus filius haeres civis Londinensis P. 54. aetatis suae 1647. On the same South Wall Carmen in obitum charissimi Johannis Whithed quondam praetoris hujus civitatis dignissimi ROma NumaÌ„ jactat decorat Lacedemona priscaÌ„ Iussa Therapneus jura Lycurgus agens Non minor est nobis praeciso stamine vitae Qui jacet hic clausus lumine cassus humâ— Virtutis cursu constans athleta Iehovae O quam longè aberat subdola Graeca fides Mortuus ante diem proh saevo funâ—re raptus Tempore
he appointed to be founded at Astley their stipends and liveries but the inheritance remained to his heir and so eschaeting to the Crown by attainder of Henry D. of Suff. as in Astley is manifested was in 2 Eliz. granted unto ..... Gerard and others to hold in Capite Howbeit afterwards viz. in 44 Eliz. to Clement Fisher Esq and his heirs together with the mines of Coal and advouson of the Rectory But touching the succession of the other Mannours lying within the precincts of this Parish I can say little and therefore shall pass them by The Church dedicated to S. ....... in the year 1291. 19 E. 1. was valued at viii marks but in 26 H. 8. at x l. iii s. x d. over and above ix s. vi d. allowed for Procurations and Synodals Patroni Ecclesiae Incumbentes Will. de Charnels dom de Bedworth Magr. Phil. de Turvill 1300. Henr. de Charnels Ioh. Popard 4 Non. Iulii 1309. Will. Charnels Hug. de Stoke Diac. 4 Non. Iunii 1331. Will. Charnels miles Ioh. de Greneburgh Pbr. 6 Kal. Sept. 1349. Margareta Charnels domina de Bedworth Henr. Hud Pbr. 7 Id. Febr. 1366. Margareta Charnels domina de Bedworth Will. de Ashton Pbr. Non. Maii 1368. Margareta Charnels domina de Bedworth Ric. Waltham 3 Id. Maii 1369. Margareta Charnels domina de Bedworth Ioh. le Hay Id. Iunii 1370. Ioh. Charnels domicellus Ioh. Lavender Pbr. 11 Oct. 1397. Ioh. Charnels domicellus Ioh. Othehull Pbr. 7 Sept. 1400. Dom. Margareta de Astley Tho. Belgrave Pbr. 8 Oct. 1431. D. Regin Grey Will. Bele Pbr. 14 Ian. 1438. D. Iohanna Grey Rog. Webster 5 Novemb. 1445. D. Eliz. domina Ferrers de Groby Rog. Creke Pbr. 1 Iulii 1458. D. Arth. Plantaginet jure Eliz. ux suae Vicecomitissae de L'isle D. Sampson Webbe Cap. 8 Iunii 1520. Henr. Marchio Dorset D. Rob. Cowper Cap. 16. Nov. 1542. Henr. Marchio Dorset D. Edw. Bromley Cap. 11. Sept. 1543. Will. Sanders gen Ric. Palmer Cler. 20 Apr. 1569. D. Regina Ric. Brisco Cler. 25 Maii 1569. Smercote magna THis hath been of long time a depopulated place lying for the most part if not all in Bedworth-parish and in the Conq. Survey is joyn'd with Soule now called Soule-end in Astley parish the E. of Mellent then possessing them both which are certified to contain one hyde having woods of a mile in length and half as much in breadth In that Record they are written Smerecote and Soulege and valued at 5 s. having been the free-hold of one Sexi in Edw. the Conf. dayes After which till H. 3. time have not I seen any more thereof but then did Roger de Craft bring an Assize against VVill. de Charnells and others for common of pasture and certain lands lying here and in Bedworth And in 13 E. 1. VVill. le Boteler of Werington had a grant of Free-warren in all his demesn lands lying in Eccleshale Folkeshull and this place Which said Charter was exemplified by Sir Tho. Boteler Kt. in 15 H. 7. But the substance of both these Smercotes did as it seems belong to the Hospital of S. Iohn Bapt. in Coventre whereof I shall treat in its due place and after the dissolution thereof was past with divers other lands of that kind to Iohn Hales Gentleman and his heirs in 37 H. 8. from whom it divolved to Charles Hales late of Newland Esq descended from a younger brother to the said Iohn Following the stream of Sow it leads me next into the precincts of Coventre now a County of it self but originally part of this Hundred whereof taking my leave for a while I purpose to observe what memorable places are or have bin within that Cities liberties all which by the guidance of this torrent together with Shirburne that passeth through the Esterne part thereof I shall without much thwarting my resolved method industriously performe Hawksbury ON the East-side of this Brook lyeth Hawksbury in the Parish of Sow which antiently belonging to the Priory of Coventre had the reputation of a Mannour the rent or ferm whereof in 26 H. 8. was certified to be C s. Upon the dissolution of which Monastery it was in 34 H. 8. granted out of the Crown by the name of the Mannour Messuage and Ferm of Hawksbury and Hawksbury-grove to the Mayor Bayliffs and Commonalty of the City of Coventre and their successours who are still owners thereof Ansty IN the furthest nook of Coventre liberties North-eastwards stands Ansty which before the Norman invasion being part of the possessions that Godâ—va wife to Earl Leofrike had was after the Conquest in the K. possession and let out to ferm at the time of the general Survey unto one Nicholas but the number of hydes which it then particularly contained cannot be known in regard Folkshill and it are there joyned together which were then certified to be ix hydes and valued at xii l. In that Record it is written Anestie which differs nothing in effect from the present name but the original thereof was Heanstige as I think which for easiness of pronunciation is thus turn'd to Anstie for being so it is significant as to the situation hean in the Saxon high and stige a path-way That these lands which belong'd to the said Countess came afterwards to the Earls of Chester I shall in Coventre declare at large but the first particular person that I find possest thereof and by grant without doubt from one of those Earls was Roger de Burchervill or Buschervill in 30 H. 2. it being then held by him for half a Kts. fee. This Rog. de Buschervill gave some lands lying here to the Monks of Combe so also did one Henry de Buschervill by a daughter and heir of which family it divolved to Ireys as the descent here inserted doth shew Thomas le Ireys in 27 H. 3. being certified to hold it by half a Kts. fee. Tho. Fitz-Lucian Baro de Donnore in Ultonia infra reg Hib. Agnes de Boschervill D. de Ansty Galf. le Ireys miles Johanna de Charnels Rog. de Culy 16 E. 2. Tho. de Culy ob 8 R. 2. Joh. de Culy ob s. p. Eliz. ux Joh. Stanhop de Rampton 8 R. 2 Ric. Stanhope miles ob 14 H. 6. Joh. de Culy mil. 11 E. 3. Thomasina filia co-haeres Hugo de Culy ob s. p. Rogerus Hugo de Culy defunctus 11 E. 3. Rog. de Culy miles ob s. p. 33 E. 3. Margeria soror Tho. de Erdeswike ob 6 R. 2. Ioh. Deincourt de Blankney 2. maritus Rog. Deincourt fil haeres aet 15.17 R. 2. Henr. le Ireys Oliva Mandevill de Hib. Matilda Guliel Prior de Coventre Galfr. canon de Kenilworth
to a very flourishing condition as by what I have said and shall further shew appeareth for in 18. E. 3. at the instance of Q. Isabel who had an estate in Cheylesmore for life as also in consideration that the reversion thereof was vested in Edw. then Prince of Wales D. of Cornwall and E. of Chester the K. by his Letters Pat. bearing date 20. Jan. did make it a Corporation consisting of a Mayor and Bayliffs which the Inhabitants should have power to choose and make out of themselves yearly who taking their oath according to the accustomed manner in the like cases might from thenceforth do all things appertaining to those offices And that they their heirs and successors for ever should thenceforth also have power to hold plea as well of trespasses contracts and agreements as of all other things hapning within the town And for the better tranquility of the said Inhabitants and of all merchants repayring thither the K. then granted that from thence-forth there should be a Common Seal by his Royall direction consisting of two pieces according to custome for Recognizances of debts there according to the form of the Statutes-merchant made and published the greater part whereof to remain in the custody of the Major for the time being and the lesser in the hands of a certain Clerk to be there deputed by the said K. his heirs and successors according to the tenure of the said Statutes And that the said Major and Clerk from thenceforth should receive Recognizances of debts according to the tenor of those Statutes as also to give in charge and commit them to due execution And lastly that there should be a Prison made in that part of the Town belonging to the said Q. for the chastizing of malefactors there taken wherof the Mayor and Bayliffs for the time being to have alwaies the custody and charge The xii persons that purchased these liberties for Coventre being Nicholas Michell Henry Dodenhale Walter Whitweb Roger Hunt Will. Trymelei Geffrey Freberne Iohn Rushall Rob. Thymbler Ric. Kerseley Will. Walsale Maurice Norfolk and Will. Wellyngbright Whereupon about two years after they elected a Mayor viz. Iohn Ward and after him continued the like yearly choyce as by the Catalogue of them which I have at the end of my discourse touching this City inserted may appear And in the year 1355. 29 E. 3. did they begin to build the walls by vertue of the K. license in 2 E. 3. before mentioned Richard Stoke at that time Mayor laying the first stone at the gate called New-yate where they began the work but whether they did vigorously proceed therein I cannot say rather supposing that they were restrained For afterwards when Edw. the black Prince came to enjoy that interest here which was setled upon him by the entail before mentioned having granted the same to the Mayor Bayliffs and Commonalty thereof to hold in Fee-ferm for so doth that Pat. dated at Westm. 20 Nov. 37 E. 3. import he gave them license to enclose this City by that name it is there called with a wall of lime and stone embattailed to hold to them their heirs and successours of him the before specified Prince and his heirs for ever Whereupon the next ensuing year these good men of Coventre considering with themselves the great charge that would be required in thus fortifying the Town obtained license 3 Nov. from the K. to tax all the Tradesmen and Inhabitants thereof according to their estates and faculties and to collect all such sums of money as should be levyed for that purpose For effecting whereof accordingly the Mayor and Bayliffs then being with Thomas de Nassyngâ—on Will. Wolfe and Will. Corby were appointed Assessors out of which tax were excepted the lands and goods of all Ecclesiastick persons And to the end that the great charge which they were to undergo in making these walls might be the better born amongst them the K. being very desirous to further the work granted a Commission dated 3 Iulii 40 of his reign unto the Mayor and Bayliffs then being together with VVil. Catesby Nich. Michell VVill. Botoner Ric. de Stoke Henry de Dovedale and Iohn del Tofte giving them power to levy and receive these customs following viz. of every tun of wine 2 s. of every quarter of malt 4 d. of every Ox 4 d. of every Hog and Calf a peny and every Sheep a farthing sold in this Town for the space of 5 years then next ensuing towards the alleviating their charge But this assessment much pinching the Victuallers about 4 years after they made a grievous complaint to the K. alledging that they were almost undone by it Whereupon by his Pat. dated 14 Febr. 44 of his reign he revoked the former Commission commanding nevertheless that the Merchants and other rich men should be taxed with the meaner sort according to their several abilities towards the support of that cost in building those walls That Coventre then flourish'd very much may be discerned by so great and costly a work as this of the Walls Gates and Towers still remaining and second to none in England appears to be as also by that incomparable structure of St. Michael's steeple begun in ann 1373. 47 E. 3. Henry Clerke being Mayor and finished in ann 1395. 18 R. 2. the year of Richard Lichfeild's Mayoralty Neither did it want any advantage that by the K. favour could well be had for to the end that they might securely enjoy all those liberties and priviledges granted by K. H. 2. H. 3. Edw. 2. and E. 3. which are together contained in the Charters of 15 and 20 of E. 3. K. Ric. 2. in 1 of his reign made them an ample confirmation and not onely so but in the same year did constitute Iohn Percy Adam Botoner Henry de Keel Simon de Lichfeld Iohn de Herdwyke and Iohn Toftes Justices for conservation of the peace within the Town of Coventre with power to hear and determine matters of felony and trespass And moreover was out of his Princely goodness so indulgent to them that by his Pat. dated 4 Maii 8 of his reign he ratified the Charter of license made by K. Edw. his Grandfather in 37 E. 3. for building and embattailing the walls and thereby granted them liberty to dig as much stone in his Park of Cheylesmore as should suffice for so much of them as includes the Mannour-house of Cheylesmore with the making of one Gate near the said park adjoyning to the House of Friers-minors which is now called the Gray-frier-yate And likewise that towards the support of that charge the Mayor and Bayliff should for the space of 5 years then next ensuing have his Ferm of sealing woollen cloaths here to the value of xxiiii l. sterling And in 11 of his reign vouchsafed such freedome to the Mayors after that time to be elected there that they should
not go before the Barons of his Exchequer for to take their oathes neither that the Mayor nor any of the Commonalty should from thenceforth be put to collect Tenths Fifteens or other taxes out of the compass of the Town And in 15 of his reign bestow'd upon them as much stone out of his Quarries in the park at Cheylesmore as served to build the great Gate in Spon-street near his Chappel of Babelake And lastly towards the end of his reign by the assent and mature deliberation with his Councel as the words of his Charter import did he grant and confirm to the said Mayor Bayliffs c. and their succâ—ssours that they might make improvement and commodity of all the Gates Towers Walls and Bridges about the Town and of whatsoever purprestures as well in lands as waters made or to be made as also of all the wast ground within the following limitsâ— viz. from Iabets-Ash to the Mill called Nassyngtons-milne and from thence to the corner of the stone wall of Cheylesmore park and from thence by the wall and pale of the park to Baroneswell and thence to the house of Iohn atte Yate and so leaving the Mannour and Paâ—k of Cheylesmore with the Church of the Friers-minors on the left hand from thence to the corner of Crabtree-feild and so under Crabtree-feild by a certain high way unto Spon-Church thence to Dudmanes-well and thence to the Church and Churchyard of St. Nich. thence to Bottescrosse thence to Harnall-quarelle thence to Gosford-green and Iabets-Ash before mentioned All which was so given to them towards the repair of their walls and payment of the Fee-ferm and other charges incident unto them By which Patent the Mayor Recorder and 4 of the most substantial Inhabitants had power to enquire of hear and determine all causes and complaints that might concern the office of Justices of peace touching Labourers and Artificers so that the Justices within the County of Warwick should not intermeddle in this Town nor the Suburbs thereof in any of those cases And that they the said Mayor Bayliffs c. should have the benefit of all fines issues and profits accruing by their said Justiceship as fully as any of their predecessours ever had with all other customs and priviledges granted to them by the same K. progenitors The next observable passage relating to this City is that in 21 R. 2. the lists were here appointed and set for deciding that difference by combat which was betwixt Henry D. of Heref. and Iohn D. of Norf. the K. himself being then present The coming of which Dukes accordingly viz. the D. of Hereford from Baginton-castle and Norfolk from Caludon I have in those places already toucht But in K. H. 4. time I find nothing memorable excepting that the K. held a Parliament here in ann 1404. 6 of his reign the place of that Convention being a great Chamber in the Priory Wherunto by special precept to the Shiriffs in their several Counties no Lawyer nor any person skilled in the Laws was to come which Parliament was ever since called Parliamentum indoctorum and well it might be so for these taking into consideration the K. supply with money for defence of the Realm in respect of the then imminent danger from the Scots Welsh c. concluded to do it by devesting the Church of its temporal possessions Whereupon there grew a hot contest betwixt the Clergy and Laity the Kts. for the Shires alledging that they had often served the K. in person against his Enemies spent their estatesâ— and exposed themselves to manifold perils whil'st the Clergy sate idle at home and stood him in no stead To whom the Archb. of Cant. answered that the Clergy had assisted as much as they by giving Tenths as often as they gave Fifteens and that their Tenants for the number of fees they held did personally serve in the wars as well as theirs And that besides all this they were not wanting day nor night by Masses and Prayers to implore Gods blessing for the K. and all that served him But the Speaker of the Commons Sir Iohn Cheyne by name with a stern countenance said that he valued not the prayers of the Church Whereupon the Archb. replyed that it might easily be seen what would become of the Kingdome when devout addresses to God wherewith his Divine Majestie was pleased were set so light by Much ado there was but to conclude the worthy Archb. viz. Tho. Arundell standing stoutly for the good of the Church preserv'd it at that time from the storm impending Coventre being thus grown to such a height of splendour by those strong and high walls with so many beautifull Gates stately Turrets and other eminent Buildings as also by the priviledges and liberties granted thereto from so many Kings and now of late honoured with the K. presence in his Parl. there held as I have said raised no little joy in the hearts of its wealthy Merchants as may appear by what I am about to say who shew'd themselves no niggards of their riches there acquired further to promote the glory thereof For in 6 H. 5. I find that Iohn Leder and Iohn Esterton both of Coventre gave no less than 20 mess. Iohn Preston one mess. and 20 s. rent and the said Iohn Leder Ric. Southam Laurence Cook and Will. Dilcock 25 mess. 27 acres of land and 13 s. rent all lying within the precincts of Coventre to the Mayor and Commonalty thereof and their successours towards the support of such charges as they were like to undergo for the publick affairs of this place And in 2 H. 6. Will. Babington and Will. Botoner taking into consideration the charge in repair of those Walls and other necessary disbursments for the general advantage of this Corporation bestow'd another messuage on the said Mayor and Commonalty and their successours for the uses abovesaid At which time the said K. confirm'd unto them the Charter of K. Edw. 3. for the Mayor and Bayliffs with other their liberties and jurisdictions But above all the favours vouchsafed by former Kings that of the same K. H. 6. in 30 of his reign must have precedence which K. ob specialem internam affectionem quam erga Civitatem sive Villam nostram de Coventre ac Majorem Ballivâ—â— Communitatem ejusdem Civitatis sive Villae gerimus c. for those are the words of his Charter granted that the said City with the Villages and Hamlets of Radford Keresley Folkeshull Eccleshale Anesty Calwedon Wykene Henley la Wode-end Stoke Byggyng Whitteley Pynley Asthull Horewell Harnhale and Whaberley as also part of Sow and that part of Styvichale lying within the liberties of Coventre all which were within the precincts of the County of Warwick should from the feast of St. Nicholas viz. 6 Dec. next ensuing the date of his said Charter be an entire County of it self incorporate both in deed and name
the work wholly to the same Sir Andrew Iud passing by this pious Lady without any memorial for the same In that place where this Cross is now situate there stood antiently another which having been set up in ann 1423. 2 H. 6. was taken down in ann 1510. 2 H. 8. but for what reason I find not The next most memorable thing in order of time relating to this place is that purchase by the City made in 34 H. 8. from the Crown of much Monastery-land lying in and near â—hereto viz. the great Orchard containing 8 acres and the little Orchard 2 acres One Rode lying within the precincts of the Priory a Pool called New-pool containing 1 acre a Mess. called the Mote-house with divers lands thereto belonging a Wood called St. Cleres-grove with a Water-mill and divers particular parcels of land lying in Radford Certain mess. and lands in Bigging alias Stoke-Bigging with a large field called Harnal-field Divers other grounds called the Stripe Swanscroft Parsons-meadow Marble-field Windmyll-fields and Crowmote The mess. and ferm of Hawksbery and Hawksbery-grove with a certain Mannour-house there moated about as also a number of particular grounds lying in Sow Folkeshull and Wykin together with the House of Friers-minors commonly called the Gray-friers with its whole site and circuit All which and much more that for brevity I omit to particularize were for the sum of 1378 l. 10 s. granted to the Mayor Bayliffs and Commonalty and their successors by the K. Letters Pat. dated 19 Iulii 34 of his reign to be held in Capite by the xx part of a Kts. fee and paying 7 l. 13 s. 2 d. yearly to the said K. his heirs and successors After which time viz. in 6 E. 6. that the lands and possessions of the Gilds and Chantryes came to de disperst they made the like purchase from the Crown for in consideration of the sum of 1315 l. 1. s. 8 d. they had a grant of whatsoever belong'd to Corpus-Christi and the Trinity Gilds As also to those Chanteryes called Mereton's Forde's and Pysford's-Chanteryes alias Forde's-Almes-houses and Copston's-Chantry together with divers lands lying in Weston Kinsbury Alspath Mereden and Gallesby in the Counties of Warw. and Leic. pertaining to them And likewise of Shepey's Haye's Preston's Allesley's Percye's Loginton's and Cellet's-Chantryes with lands in Gosfordstreet c. pertaining to the Chappel of St. George and divers rents belonging to the Priests of St. Michaels-Church with lands in Starton given for the maintenance of Obits But it was neither the lustre of their beautifull Cross nor all those large and easy acquisitions that did any whit balance the loss this City sustained by the ruine of that great and famous Monastery and other the Religious-houses c. which had so lately preceded for to so low an ebbe did their trading soon after grow for want of such concourse of people that numerously resorted thither before that fatal dissolution that many thousands of the Inhabitants to seek better livelyhoods were constrain'd to forsake the City insomuch as in 3 E. 6. it was represented unto the D. of Somerset then Protector by Iohn Hales a person of great note in those daies and whose memory is still famous here that there were not at that time above 3000 Inhabitants whereas within memory there had been 15000. To recompence which decay of trade in 6 E. 6. they obtained a Charter for another Faire to be kept here annually beginning 21 Oct. and to continue two daies after But after this time till 19 Iacobi I find nothing else memorable that relates to this City in general other than what I have already mentioned in my discourse of Cheylesmore Which King then granted them a most ample confirmation of all their former Charters Liberties Priviledges Lands and Rents As also that the House where they usually assemble for their City-affairs should be called the Councell-house of the said City and that those who then were or after that time were to be elected thereunto should be called the Councell of the City And moreover that the Mayor Recorder Bayliffs and other Officers should yearly be elected on their Leet-day to be held within a month after Michaelmass by xxxi persons nominated of those who have formerly born the principal offices in the City And likewise that there should be ten Aldermen in the ten wards as formerly had used to be And that the Mayor Recorder and those ten Aldermen should be Justices of peace within the same City and County thereof As also that the said xxxi persons should have power to tax themselves and all other the Inhabitants within the walls of the said City to the charge of repairing the said walls so as alwaies it discharge not those who of right or custome are liable thereto By which Pat. had they likewise a grant of two new Faires one to be held upon the first of April and the other upon the 16 of August with such Tolls as are taken in Smythfield within the suburbs of London And that they should take Recognizances for the peace and good behaviour and for appearance at the Sessions within the said City And further that they should have a second Councel consisting of 25 persons called the Common-Councell of the said City to prepare the affairs thereof for the Mayor and greater Councel And to have the government of such Orphans of Citizens of that City and of their estates as shall be commended by their own parents to the tutelage of the Mayor and Aldermen thereof in which case the Corporation to secure the Orphans portions to whomsoever that trusts them and pay six pounds per Centum for their maintenance And lastly that the said Mayor Bayliffs and Commonalty might have liberty to purchase lands in Mortmayn to the value of 300 l. per annum to the general behoof of this City provided that such lands be not held in Capite nor Kts. service VVhich Pat. bears date 18 Iulii 19 Iac. Having now done with what concerns the City in general I will here subjoyn a Catalogue of the Mayors thereof An. 1347. 21 E. 3. Iohn Ward Will. Horn. Iordan Shepey he built Iordan-well Will. Luff Nich. Michell Ric. Freberne Iohn Hayton Walt. Whitweb Henry Dodenhale X. An. 1355. 29 E. 3. Ric. Stoke Nich. Michel Henry Clerke Will. Botoner Will. Yarmouth Ric. Stoke Nich. Percy Will. Botoner Henry Clarke Will. Botoner XX. Henry Clarke Will. Botoner Henry Dodenhale Nich. Michell Iohn Tofte Iohn Papenham Iames Benyngton Iohn Percy Henry Clarke Will. Botoner XXX Adam Botoner Will. Wolfe Iohn Papenham An. 1377. 1 R. â— Iohn Papenham Ianyn Swynnyshed Ric. Luff Henry Kele Iohn Knight Ric. Dodenhale Ianyn Deyster XL. Adam Botoner Ric. Clarke Henry Kele Iohn Tofte Henry Kele Henry Kele Iohn Scarborought Iohn Liberde Iohn Northwode Iohn Crosse. L. Ric. Lichefeld Iohn Onley Ric. Clarke Iohn Preston Geffrey Hampton Will. Whitchurch An. 1399. 1 H. 4. Nich. Dodeley Rob.
ibi jacent Iohannes Edmundus et Henricus filii domini Willielmi de Hastings filii D. Iohannis de Hastings Et Ioh. Huntingfeld filius Will. de Huntingfeld et D. Iohanna consortis suae That this Order of Friers was very much esteem'd and reverenced by all sorts of people is evident enough For whosoever shall take notice of such bequests as by the Testaments of most men and women were made in antient time may find that as they seldome neglected to give more or less to one or other Religious house of this Rule so if they were persons of quality they did frequently make choice of their sepulture in them as I shall have occasion to shew in some part of this work Neither was it the least pollicy of these Friers to obtain from great persons such a disposall of their bodies considering how they were imployed and trusted in making their Testaments as I have already shewed For where ever they sped in that kind they were sure to have a good Legacy from the Testator and not without hope by so fair an example to obtain no less advantage from his posterity So that Tho. de Walsingham speaking of the buriall of Q. Elianore's heart in the Church of the Friers-Minors at London did not without cause complain of them in these words Qui meaning the said Friers sicuti et cuncti fratres reliquorum Ordinum aliquid dâ— corporibus quorumcunque potentium morientium sibâ—met vendicabant more canum cadaveribus assistentium ubi quisque suam particulam avide consumendam expectat you see he writes somewhat passionatly of the poor Friers but consider that he was himself a Monk and the reason may easily be discerned Before the suppression of the Monasteries this City was very famous for the Pageants that were play'd therein upon Corpus-Christi-day which occasioning very great confluence of people thither from far and near was of no small benefit thereto which Pageants being acted with mighty state and reverence by the Friers of this House had Theaters for the severall Scenes very large and high placed upon wheels and drawn to all the eminent parts of the City for the better advantage of Spectators And contain'd the story of the New-Testament composed into old English Rithme as appeareth by an antient M S. intituled Ludus Corporis Christi or Ludus Coventriae I have been told by some old people who in their younger years were eye-witnesses of these Pageants so acted that the yearly confluence of people to see that shew was extraordinary great and yeilded no small advantagâ— to this City The next thing whereof I am to take notice in relation to this Friery is K. H. 8. Survey in 26. of his reign At which time it did apâ—pear that they had no lands or tenâ—â—ents nor other possessions spirituall or temporall but onely a liberty in the Countrey to receive the Charity of good people This being so I expect that some may demand why it was not dissolved in 27 H. 8. when the leâ—ser Houses went to wrack Whereunto I answer that the Act for that purpose extendeth onely unto Monks Channons and Nuns but if it be askt why these were then so sheltred from the first storm the reason I think is apparent viz. there was nothing to be got by their ruin forasmuch as they had no endowment of lands c. though God was as much dishonoured by the lewd lives of the Friers for want of good government as the preamble of that Act imports in case it say true as by any other whose Houses were certified to be of less value then C C. l. per an which favour we see gâ—ve these poor Friers liberty to breath here a while longer in expectation of their ruin viz. till 30 H. 8. that all the great Houses were dissolved they being then forc'd to subscribe an Instrument whereunto their Common-Seal is affixt and in which the error of that Regular câ—urse they had practised is confest whereby they surrendred this House into the said K. hands as the Copy thereof being not ordinary and therefore here inserted doth manifest For as moche as wee the Warden and Freers of the House of Saynt Frances in Coventre commonly callyd the Grey-Freers in Coventre in the County of Warwick doo profoundly consider that the perfection of Christian livinge dothe nott consist in dume Ceremonies werynge of a grey coot disgeasinge our selfe aftur straunge fassions do Kynge noddynge and beckyng in gurdyng our selves wythe a gurdle fulle of knotts and other like Papisticall Ceremonies wherein we hade ben mooste principally practised onâ— misâ—yd in tymes paste but the very tru waye to plese God and to live a tru Christian mon wythe out all ypocrisie and fayned diseimulation is sinceerly declared unto us by our Mr. Christe his Evangelists and Aposteles being myndyd hereaftur to followe the same conformynge our self unto the will and plesure of our Supreme hedde under Gode in erthe the Kynges Majestie and not to folowe henseforth the superstitius traditions of ony forinsecall potentate or peere wythe mutuall assent and consent doo submitt our selves unto the mercy of owre seide Soverayng Lord. And wythe like mutuall assent and consent do surrendre and yelde up into the hondes of the same all our seide House of Saynt Frances in the Cite of Coventre commonly callyd the Grey-Freers in Coventre wythe alle the londs tenements gardens medows waters poâ—diards fedings pastures comens Rents reversions and alle other our interest ryghtes or titles appertaining unto the same Mooste humbly beseechiuge his mooste noble Grace to dispose of us and of the same as beste shall stonde wythe his mooste gracious pleasure And further frely to graunte unto every on of us his license under wreiyng and Seealle to chaunge our habitts into secular fashion and to receve suche maner of livinges as other seculat Priests commonly be preferred unto And we all faithfully shall pray unto Almighty God long to preserve his mooste noble Grace wythe increse of moche felicite and honor And in witnes of alle and singuler the premisses wee the seide Warden and Covent of the Grey-Freeres in Coventre to thes presences have putte our Covent Seealle the fivithe day of Octobâ—â— in the thertythe yere of the raynge of our mooste Soveraynge Lord King Henry the eyghte Per me Iohannem Stafford Gardian Per me Thomam Maller Per me Thomam Sanderson Per me Iohannem Abell Per me Iohannem Woode Per me Rogerum Lilly Per me Thomam Aukock Per me Matheum Walker Per me Robartum Walker Per me Thomam Bangsit Per me Willielmum Gosnelle Which said House or site was in 34 H. 8. granted by the K. inter alia to the Mayor Bayliffs and Commmonalty of this City and their successors for ever NEar unto the ruins of this Friery is there an Hospitall now called the Gray-Frier-Hospitall in respect of its situation touching the Foundation whereof and its successive Benefactors I shall
mortua subscripta Henricus quartus Rex Angl. Henr. Princeps VValliae Henr. Bewfort Epicp Wint. Henr. sextus Rex Angl. Franc. Henr. Frowyk de London Alicia mater ejus Henr. Comes VVarwici Cecilia ux ejus D. Ioh. Botourt miles Iocosa ux ejus D. Ioh. Rex Castelli Legionis D. Lanc. D. Constancia regina Castelli Leg. Ducissa Lanc. recepti fuerunt in Fraternitatem Gildae die Sab. prox ante festum S. Lucae Evang. anno regni Regis R. 2. post Conq. Angliae secundo D. Ioh. de Arundell D. Alianora consors sua recepti fuerunt in Gildam 4. die mensis Nov. Anno D. 1379. Ioh. Beauchamp Iohanna ux ejus Ioh. Drax Serjaunt de Armis D. Ioh. Holland Dux de Exon. D. Isabella Ducissa Ioh. Holland miles D. Eliz. ux ejus Ioh. filius frater Regum Dux Bedfordiae Comes de Richemuad de Kendale Constabularius Angliae Isabella Comitissa VVarwici Katerina Ducissa Lanc. D. Ric. Comes Arundell ux ejus Die Merc. prox post festum annunc S. Mariae Anno M. CCCLXXVI D. Rog. de Clarindon miles filius excell Domini nostri Principis VValliae D. Rob. Stretton Episc. Lich. D. Regin Grey dominus de Ruthyn de VVayesford Tho. Beauchamp miles Co. VVarwici VVill. Beauchamp miles ux Tho. Arundell Archiep. Cant. Henr. de Ardern miles D. Ioh. Clinton miles eâ— ux ejus D. Tho. Lancastriae filius illustr Regis H. 4. locum-tenens Hiberniae VVill. de Burgh Iustic Domini Regis Margar. ux ejus D. Will. la Zouch miles Eliz. ux ejus D. Vmfridus filius illustr Regis H. 4. Dux Glouc. D. Humfr. Comes Staffordiae with a multitude more from all parts And it is observed that the annuall Master of this Gild was he that had been Mayor the year before who during his continuance in that office sate next to the Mayor in all publique meetings The Oath of which Master I have likewise here inserted I shall be good and true to the Brethren and Sistern of the Trinity-Gild S. Mary S. John and S. Katherine of Coventre and all lawfull points and Ordinances of this place afore this time ordeyned truly to kepe to my power and in especiall all the ordinances that been or shall be the generall days ordayned truly kepe and observe Also I shall truly receive and true accompt yeild as well of my receipts as of all other things that longen to the Master of this Gild and the arrerage of my accompt if any be truly pay or I depart from my accompt and all other things truly doe that longen to the office of the said Master So help me God and all Saints Also I shall once before Candlemas next coming with 6. or 4. Brethren of this Yeild oversee all the tenements of the sams Yeld Upon the Survey taken in 26 H. 8. it appears that Mr Rob. Glasmond being then Warden of this Colledge of Babbelake for by that name it was then called had viii l. per ann stipend and that there were 7 Priests more which had iiii l. xiii s. iiii d. per ann a peice for their Salary But in 37 H. 8. upon the Survey then taken I find that the revenue of all the lands belonging to the said Gild amounted to Cxi l. xiii s. 8 d. out of which inter alia was then paid 6 l. 13 s. 4 d. per ann to a certain Priest called the Warden of the Chappel of Babbelake And to eight other Priests celebrating divine service there 37 l. 6 s. 8 d. per ann To the Master of a Grammar-School there 6 l. 13 s. 4 d. per ann To two Clerks singing there 8 l. per ann To two Boys also singing there 2 l. per ann To divers poor men which had formerly been Brethren of the said Gild 10 l. in money according to the antient use To Tho. Gregory Clerk-Controuler of the same Gild 6 l. per ann And every Priest having likewise a Chamber within the precinct of the same Babbelake worth 4 s. per ann a peice Bond 's Almes-houses HEre was moreover within this place of Babbelake an Almes-house founded by one Thomas Bond a rich Merchant of Coventre wherein at the time of the said Survey were ten poor men and one woman kept to pray for the souls of the said Tho. Bond his grandfather father and all Christian souls All which were at that time maintained at the charge of Tho. Bond grandchild to the said Thomas by whose last Will the said Almes-house was to have been built and such poor maintained with a Priest and to that end certain lands put in Feoffees hands of 49 l. 11 s. 7 d. per ann value Out of which was paid to those poor people every Saturday 6 s. 8 d. which amounted to 17 l. 6 s. 8 d. per ann To the Priest celebrating divine service 13 l. 6 s. 8 d. per ann and 20 s. for a gown In toto 14 l. 6 s. 8 d. For 38 yards of black cloth to make gowns for the said poor men per ann 3 l. 16 s. 0 d. In Alms given to the poor yearly 13 s. 4 d. For 20 load of wood yearly for the said poor people 1 l. 3 s. 4 d. per ann For the Bayliffs fee 2 l. per ann In toto xliii l. viii s. xi d. ob But this being dissolved by Act. of Parl. as all other Chantryes Gilds and the like Fraternities were in 1 E. 6. I mean what belong'd to the Gild was by the K. Letters Pat. dated 12 Dec. 2 E. 6. granted unto the Bayliffs and Commonalty of this City and their successors to hold in Burgage by the service of 1 d. per ann Touching which Almes-house I shall further adde in memorial of the said Tho. Bond and other its Benefactors the Inscription upon the walls thereof This Hospitall was founded A. D. 1506. by Mr Tho. Bond Draper sometime Mayor and Alderman of this City for ten men and one woman who gave certein lands for mayntenance thereof which his son John Bond continued during his life But Tho. the son of John claimed those lands as his own whereupon the City sued him in Chancery and had a Decree against him which cost them a great sum of money for certein lands valued then at 20 l. per ann In the seventh year of K. James the said lands were questioned as concealed from the Crown which lands and tenements the City were enforc't againe to purchase of the K. to their very great cost and expences Notwithstanding the Citty have continued the charitable uses as formerly and as the lands have been improved so hath the maintenance of the old men been bettered and each mans place is now worth eleven pounds by the year Mr Sim. Norton Draper Mayor and Alderman of this City An. D. 1641. gave 300 marks for and towards the mayntenance of one man and one boy in this Hospitall of Babbelake
to the Monks in the said 34 year of H. 3. as parcel of the Mannour of Coventre Which Monks had Free-warren there and Heriots of all their tenants with the tithes appropriated to them as belonging to S. Mich. Church in Coventre Whitmore THis though it be for the most part woody yet is in some places so moorish as that the ground beareth nothing but moss which being in one place white gave occasion doubtless for its name But it was antiently a member of Radford and partly by the grants of several devout people as well as purchase became of so large an extent as that in 6 E. 3. the Monks of Coventre obtaining license from the K. made it a Park which according to the measure in those daies contained 436 acres of wast and woods But coming to the Crown upon the dissolution of that Religious House it was in 1 E. 6. granted to Sir Raph Sadler Kt. inter alia by the name of Whitmore-grange in the parish of the holy Trinity in Coventre And from him soon after convey'd to Iohn Hales of whom I have in S. Iohn's Hosp. made mention who dyed seized of it 26 Dec. 15 Eliz. leaving Iohn his nephew son of Christoph. his next heir who in ann 1586. built a very fair house upon part of it called New-House which by Iohn Hales Esq his son and heir was sold in our time to Sir Ric. Burnaby Kt. and by him afterwards to .... Cooke who soon past it away to Sir Christopher Yelverton of Eston-Mauduit in Com. Northampt. Kt. of the Bath the present possessor thereof Radford THis little village takes its name from the fordâ— through which the road-way from Caresley to Coventre lyeth and though it be not particularly mentioned in E. Leofrik's Charter to the Monks of Coventre yet was it then granted thereto as being included within that moytie of Coventre belonging to the Monastery and in the parish of the holy Trinity After the dissolution of which Religious House the lands here were sold out to sundry persons so that it will not be of moment as for any historical respect to look further after them Arnhale THis place now reduced to one house being a member of Coventre was involved in that grant made by E. Leofrìke to the Monks upon his foundation of that Monastery whereof I have already spoke though it be not particularly named therein and after the dissolution thereof granted inter alia to Iohn Hales and his heirs by the name of Harnall grange with the pastures thereto belonging and the pool called Harnall-pool or Swanswell pool lying within the precinct of those grounds Which Iohn dyed seized thereof in 15 Eliz. leaving Iohn the son of his brother Christopher his nephew and heir Stoke OF Stoke which in our old English signifieth a village there is no mention in the Conq. Survey it being then as a member of Coventre possest by the Earls of Chester as may seem by that render of the Chappel in K. Steph. time made by E. Ranulph to the Monks Which Chappel being within the parish of S. Mich. was appropriated to the Monastery therewith in 44. H. 3. From these E. of Chester it came to Rog. de Montalt by the marriage of Câ—cily sister and one of the co-heirs unto Hugh E. of Arundell whereof in Coventre I have spoke of whom several persons held lands here in 34 H. 3. as appears by their reservation of the services due upon those tenures at such time as the Mannour of Coventre was by them past in fee-ferm to the Monks the names of which persons were Walter D'eyvill Rob. de Stoke Thom. de Neuvill and Walt. de Coventre In 7 E. 1. the said Rog. de Montalt being Lord of this Mannour had here two Free-holders occupying one carucat of land but the Prior of Coventre had then 4. who held half a yard land 2 acres and a half with a croft and a meadow At that time also had Nich. de Segrave 2 yard land here possest by Free-holders and Tho. de Arden one in the tenure of 3 Cottyers Which Nich. and Thom. held the premisses of the said Rog. de Montalt But here was an antient family that had their denomination from this village the first whereof that I meet with being Seherus de Stoke son of Hugh le Harper of Stoke who gave to the Monks of Combe a wood called Harpers-wood with a mess. garden c. in this place about K. Iohn's time From which Seâ—er descended Tho. de Stoke of Stotfold in Staffordsh who bore for his Arms fretty with a boars head cooped in a Canton And from him Will. de Stoke of whom in 22 H. 8. ..... Horne purchased this Mannour Who reserving to himself part of the demesns sold the same soon after to the Mayor Bayliffs and Commonalty of the City of Cov. and their successors unto whom it now belongeth In this place the Monks of Coventre had the largest proportion as appears by that Survey taken in 26 H. 8. But the Hospital of S. Iohn in Coventre had a parâ— paying xii d. per ann chief rent to the Mannour of Stoke All which having been purchased by sundry Citizens of Coventre is now adorn'd with many fair Summer-houses The Chappel whereunto the Inhabitants of Bilney antiently resorted had heretofore Divine service performed therein thrice every week at the Prior of Coventre's charge the tithes whereof were appropriat to the Monks who allowed to the Priest serving the Cure therein Cxii s. per ann or tithes to that value as in 26 H. 8. was certified but since the later end of Q. Eliz. time it hath been a Presentative as the Institution of these several Incumbents doth manifest Patroni Incumbentes Eliz. Regina Henr. Belingham Cler. 16. Iunii 1598. Eliz. Regina Iulinus Wynsper Cler. 23. Martii 1598. Iacobus Rex Humfr. Wildinge 27 Iunii 1614. Iacobus Rex Geo. Lockwood Cler. 12. Nov. 1617. Carolus Rex Rob. Chadburne Cler. 12. Ian. 1626. Biggin THere is now no other memorial left of this place than a Ferm-house called by the name of Biggin-Hall antiently written Bugging which in our old English signifieth the same with domus and is in the North parts of this Realm still retained in that sense divers Mannour-houses being there so called In 7 E. 1. the Prior of Coventre then owner thereof had 8 servants who held 4 carucaâ—s of land here by performance of certain servile labours Which lands were after the dissolution of that Religious House granted inter alia to the Mayor Bayliffs and Commonalty of that City Bisseleie I Now return to the river Shirburn which being issued out of Coventre leaves Bisseleie on its Eastern bank This hath been very antiently depopulated as it seems for since K. Steph. time that Ran. E. of Chester acknowledged the Chappel then here inter alia
exactions And by other Benefactors had as folâ—followeth viz. 4. mess. 2. acres and a half of wood and 20. s. rent lying in Coventre and Bedworth given by Bernard de Arley 1 E. 3. Twenty acres of land 1. rood of medow and 30. s. rent in Stonley Harnale and Coventre by Nich. Crumpe of Coventre 2 E. 3. Three mess. 6. acres of land and half an acre of medow lying in Coventre and Corley by Ric. Southam Priest And 5. more mess. lying in Coventre by Henry Page of Wellesborough 15 E. 3. Four mess and 11. s. rent in Coventre by Iohn de Filungley Priest 21 E. 3. One mess. in Coventre by Iohn de Melton Priest Iohn Smyth Hosyer and Tho. Marchall 6 R. 2. Four mess. 5. shops and 12. d. rent in Coventre by Hugh de Geydon Vicar of Merton and Will. Suwett Parson of Southam 9 R. 2. Four mess. 40. acres of land and 20. s. rent in Coventre with two acres of wood in Bedworth As also five mess twelve Cotages and eight shops in Coventre likewise given by the said Will. Suwett and Hugh Geydon in 16 R. 2. And besides all this an allowance in bread beer and two messes of meat as much as was sufficient for two Monks every day given by the Monks of Coventre to them at the foundation of this Hospitall Other lands and rents they had as is evident by the Survey taken in 26 H. 8. but when or by whom bestowed I have not seen the value of all being then certified to extend unto 99. l. -13 s. -06 d. per an Out of which I will onely instance such of their reprises as are most observable viz. 33. s. -04 d. yearly to the Mayor and Chamberleyns of this City towards the repair of the walls 26. s. per an in bread and beer given to poor people at the Gate of the Hospitall by the Ordinance and foundation thereof 60. s. yearly in renewing of 20. Beds for entertainment of poor and weak people as also of strangers 16. l. per an for the stipend of three Priests serving there viz. 05. l. 06. s. -08 a piece All which with the other deductions not mentioned amounting to 32. l. -10 s. 04. d. per an leave the clear yearly value as it was at that time certified 67. l. -03 s. -02 d. But this Hospitall with most else of the same kind being dissolved in the Parl. of 37 H. 8. was by the said K. Letters Pat. dated 23 Iulii the same year with all the lands and possessions thereunto belonging granted unto Iohn Hales Gent. and his heirs which Iohn being an active man in those days and Clerk of the Hamper an Office then of no small benefit and having accumulated a great estate in Monastery and Chantry lands resolved to erect a lasting monument to his memory for he had neither child nor wife and thereupon designing the foundation of a Free-School here and that the King should have the honour thereof for which respect he had no little favour in his purchases as I have credibly heard obtaind license for the amortizing of lands thereto of CC. marks per an value converting the buildings to that use on the front whereof is this following Inscription SCHOLA REGIS HENRICI OCTAVI A IOHANNE HALES Armigero fundata in qua bonis literis imbuantur pueri usque ad consummationem saeculi in Christi gloriam Ecclesiae aedifiâ—ationem Howbeit till the 15 of Q. Eliz. reign which was the year wherein he dyed this School so by him begun to be founded was not certainly endowed but then did his Executors viz. Thomas Docura of Offeley in com Hertf. Esq. and Bartholmew Hales of Snytterfeld in this County of War Gent. in accomplishment of the trust reposed in them by the said Iohn by their deed dated 5 Martii convey and assure unto the Mayor Bayliffs and commonalty of this City the site of the said Hospitall and lands thereto appertaining with divers mess. Gardens c. lying also in Coventre and belonging to the late dissolved Priories of Coventre and Kenilworth together with certain Mills called the White frier-mill Bastile mill and Hill-mill to the intent that out of the profits of the premisses the sum of xx l. yearly should be payd to an able Schoolmaster for to teach Grammar in the said School and x. l. to an Usher the Schoolmaster having for his habitation the mansion-House wherein the late Master of the said Hospitall did dwell and the Usher another House within the site of the said Hospitall Lii s. per an to a Musique-master for to teach at three convenient times in every week so many of the Schollars of the same School to sing as should be willing to learn And to a Bayliff to gather up the said Rents and see the Houses kept in reparations xxvi s. viii d. yearly the residue to be imployed in repayring of the same Houses and the overplus to augment the living of the said School-master and Usher The Gray-Friers THe place where this quondam Religious house stood is very well known to all that have observed any thing of Coventre in regard the spire-steeple which was part thereof is yet standing giving occasion unto strangers that pass through the town to think that there is still a Church in that place But before I descend to speak in particular of this Friery it will be proper I conceive to say something of their Order in generall and next of their propagation in this Kingdom First therefore as to their originall we shall find that St. Francis a person famous for his strict and holy life was the man from whom this Order sprung whose birth-place being of a noble extraction is said to have been at Assise in Umbria a Province of Italy And that in the very time of his youth betaking himself to divine studies no whit regarding the transitory pleasures of this present world he afterwards neglected his patrimony which was not small wore a coul and hair-shirt went barefoot and macerated himself with frequent watches and fastings As also to the intent that he might make choice of voluntary poverty he resolved to enjoy nothing as his own no not so much as food for his body otherwise than what he received in Almes from good people And moreover if he had any thing left after a slender refreshment he ever bestow'd it on the poor reserving nothing for the morrow That in the night time he always slept in his cloaths lying down upon a Matt having no pillow for his head but a stone And thus going barefoot with an Evangelique preparation did embrace an Apostolique life preaching upon Sundays and Festivalls in Parish-Churches which did so much the more work upon the hearts of his auditory by how much he was a stranger to all carnall desires The Statutes of which Order to this day observed together with some other strict Rules he presented to Pope
and one man and woman in Gray-Friers-Hospitall which man and boy are accordingly placed in this House and the Citty at their own charge makes their mayntenance equall with the rest of the Hospitall-men and boys In the year 1560. this Hospitall for Boys was first erected in the place where now it is being a House of the Cittyes and was for some years mainteyned by the Citty and the charity of well disposed people of Cittizens and Strangers till Mr Wâ—eatly in An. 1566. setled some lands towards the mayntenance thereof and other Benefactors since have given in all with his gift about 96 l. per ann Which being not sufficient to maynteine xxi Boyes and a Nurse and place them out Apprentices the Citty doth make up the rest being above 40 l. a year one year with another Corpus-Christi-Gild In Mill-lane THis Gild was founded in 22 E. 3. by Rob. Chaundos Iohn de Wynwik Clerk Iohn de Wyndsore Iohn de Weston Tho. Chaloner Will. Prest Henry de Busseby Nich. le Hunt Iohn Prest Will. de Teynton Gilb. de Pulteney Iohn Russell sen. Ric. le Gonere Iohn de Busheley Rog. de Tuwe Nich. Floutere Ric. Coupere Peter Percy and Nich. Pake in honour of the body and blood of our blessed Saviour for one Priest to sing Mass daily for the good estate of the same King E. and of the said Rob. Iohn c. above specified during their lives in this world and for their souls afterwards as also of all the faithfull deceased Unto which Iohn Scardeburgh of Coventre Iohn Wedon and divers others granted 29 mess. and a half 8 acres of land and 18 d. yearly rent all lying in Coventre in 15 R. 2. The lands and tenements belonging whereunto were by the Survey taken in 37 H 8. certified to be yearly worth 36 l. 10 s. 8 d. Out of which was annually paid to 4 Priests performing divine service in the Churches of the holy Trinity and S. Mich. viz. to each of them 4 l. a peice In toto 16 l. To poor people such as had formerly been of this Fraternity C s. per ann And in obits yearly C s. Of this Gild was Prince Edw. a Brother being so admitted 18 E. 4. as he was also of Trinity-Gild before mentioned Sheremen and Taylors Gild. adjoyning to Gosford-gate in S. George his Chappel as is said THere was yet one Gild more viz. of the Sheremen and Taylors founded it seems in R. 2. time to the honour of Christs Nativity Which K. gave them license to purchase lands in this City of 8 marks per ann value to find a Priest to sing Mass every day for the souls of the Founders thereof and all the faithfull deceased Whereunto K. H. 6. in 17 of his reign added his license for their purchasing of more lands to the value of x marks per ann and that they should choose 4 men of their Fraternity yearly at the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord to be Masters or Governours of the same and to have a Common Seal as also power to plead in any of the Kings Courts as a body corporate From which Gilds or Fraternities there is no doubt but divers Companies in the Cities and Corporations through England took their first patterns for obtaining such priviledges and immunities as at this day they enjoy And now that these Citizens had thus associated themselves into the several Fraternities before mentioned they began to have an opinion that if any more such Gilds were allowed in this place they might receive some inconvenience thereby And therefore in 1 H. 5. procured a declaratory Patent from the K. that thenceforth there should not be any new Gild erected But the young people viz. Journeymen of several trades observing what merry-meetings and feasts their Masters had by being of those Fraternities and that they themselves wanted the like pleasure did of their own accord assemble together in several places of the City and especially in S. George's Chappel near Gosford-gate which occasioned the Mayor and his Brethren in 3 H. 6. to complain thereof to the King alledging that the said Journeymen in these their unlawfull meetings called themselves S. George his Gild to the intent that they might maintain and abet one another in quarrels and for their better conjunction had made choyce of a Master with Clerks and Officers to the great contempt of the K. authority prejudice of the other Gilds viz. the holy Trin. and Corp. Christi and disturbance of the City Whereupon the K. directed his Writ to the Mayor and Justices with the Bayliffs of this City commanding them by Proclamation to prohibite any more such meetings HAving thus taken notice of all that is or hath been within the Walls which is worth observation I come to the Suburbs where I find nothing considerable but the Chappel or Hospital of Sponne on the West part of this City This Hospital was founded in H. 2. time by Hugh Keveliok E. of Chester who having a certain Knight of his houshold called Will. de Auney a Leper gave in pure Alms for the health of his soul and the souls of his ancestors his Chappel here at Sponne with the site thereof and half a carucat of land thereto belonging for the maintenance of such Lepers as should happen to be in the Town of Coventre In which Chappel was antiently one Priest at least to celebrate divine service for the living and the dead And with him had also wont to be certain Brethren and Sisters together with the Lepers praying to God for the good estate of all their Benefactors But this Hospital upon the grant of the Mannour of Coventre to the Monks in 34 H. 3. by Rog. de Montalt and Cecily his wife was inter alia reserved to the said Roger and Cecily and their heirs which Cecily had Coventre by inheritance from those Earls And in the Release made to the said Monks of the premisses by her the said Cecily in her widowhood is said to have been sometime belonging to the Abby of Basingwerk in Flintsh But clear it is that the Monks shortly after appropriated it to their own use though they held it not so very long for I find that it came at length to the Crown together with the Mannour of Cheylesmore and therein continued till 14 E. 4. But then did the K. pass it away to the Canons of Studley in this County and their successors by the name of Libera Capella S. Mariae Magd. apud Sponne juxta Coventrâ— with all the lands tenements c. thereto belonging in pure alms to pray for the good estate of him the said K. and of Q. Eliz. his consort Edw. his eldest son Pr. of Wales D. of Cornwall c. during their natural lives and for their souls afterwards as also for the soul of Ric. late D. of York the said K. father and all his progenitors The Arch-deaconry of Coventre AND now
in all 17. quarters and a half and 6. quarters of Malt made in beer at 4 s. the quarter The yearly fee then to the principall Officers being to Henry Marq. Dorset their high Seward Liii s. iv d. To Robert Caster gent. their generall Receiver xxvi s. viii d. And to Thomas Gregory Auditor xxvi s. viii d. So that being in clear yearly value less than CC li. it was suppressed by Act of Parl. in 27. H. 8. whereupon the Monks were for the most part disposed of to other Religious Houses that then stood undissolved Thomas Tutbury the then Abbot having a Pension of 23 li. per annum assigned to him during his life Catalogus Abbatum 1. Willielmus primus Abbas obiit Id. Dec. anno 1159. 2. Rogerus obiit Non. Feb. anno 1178. 3. Nicholaus obiit Cal. Sept. anno 1188. 4. Henricus obiit 3. Id. Sept. anno 1189. 5 Will. Pershore translatus ad Bordesley 6. Will. de Campden Abbatizavit 8. ann 7. Will. de Tysoe obiit 10. Cal. Aug. an 1217. 8. Ranulphus cessit officio ann 1221. 9. Will. Gyldeford depositus ann 1231. 10. Osbertus de Westwelle renuntiavit officio Non. Sept. ann 1258. 11. Petrus Wyche obiit 9. Cal. Martii 1261. 12. Ric. de Merynton à regimine amotus ann 1272. 13. Tho. de Orlescote translatus ad Bordesle an 1277. 14. Wâ—ll de Heyford assumptus in Abb. de Bordesse an 1293. 15. Ioh. de la Sale depositus post an 16. 2. menses 16. Rob. de Hockele obiit die S. Desiderii Episc. an 1349. 17. Rob. de Atherston renuntiavit officio anno tertio regiminis sui 18. Thomas de Weston alià s dictus Tho. de Pipe successit eidem Roberto 9. Cal. Iunii an 1352. aetate juvenis Rob. Sutton 10. H. 7. Thom. Hodskinson Thom. Tutbury 27. H. 8. After the before-specified dissolution it contitinued not long in the Crown for in 30. H. 8. it was granted to Charles Brandon D. of Suff. and his heirs Which D. had issue Henry and Charles who both dying childless Sir Ric. Cavendish Knight Sir William Sidney Knight Thomas Glemham Esq. Tho. Lovell Esq. Christian Darnell widow Eliz. the wife of Walter Ayscough Esq. and Eliz. the wife of Iohn Trye were found to be their cosins and heirs Betwixt whom partition being made 21. Maii 2. Eliz. the site of this Monastery with part of the lands thereunto belonging was allotted unto William Cavendish Esq. son and heir to the said Sir Richard Which Will. by the name of Will. Cavendish of Trymley St. Martin in Com. Suff. Esq. by his deed bearing date 17. Martii 3. Eliz. sold it unto Sir Rowland Hill and Sir Thomas Leigh Knights Aldermen of London After which upon division made of divers Mannours and Lands joyntly acquired by them the site of this Monastery became allotted to the same Sir Thomas Leigh who purchasing in the greatest part of all other lands lying in Stonley thereabouts and obtain'd in 4. Eliz. a Pat. of confirmation for them all together with the Mannour of Stonley Which Sir Thomas being son to Roger Leigh of Wellington in Shrop-shire descended by a younger branch from that antient family of the Leigh's of High-Leigh in Cheshire as their descent sheweth and bred up under the said Sir Rowland Hill an opulent merchant of London became at length for his skill and diligence his Factor beyond Sea and underwent that trust so well that Sir Rowland having no child match't his neece whom he much affected to him viz. Alice daughter to ...... Barker of Hamon in Shropshire upon whose issue he bestow'd the greatest part of his estate Much might be said of this Sir Thomas Leigh who was Lord Mayor of London in 1 Eliz. but let the Epitaph upon his Monument at Mercers-Chappell where he lyeth buried suffice for he dyed in that City ....... 14. Eliz. leaving issue 3. sons Rouland Thomas and William The eldest of which was largely provided for in Gloucester-shire at Longborow and thereabouts by the said Sir Rouland Hill his Godfather But the second here And the third at Neunham in this County had ample possessions setled upon them by their father and mother she being joyned purchaser in all and lived here at Stonley to a very great age to see her childrens children to the fourth generation where departing this life ..... Ian. an 1603. she was buried at the upper end of the Chancell on the North side The memoriall of which worthy Lady though there be none over the place of her sepulture will continue in that lasting monument of her piety erected in this Town I mean the Hospitall for poor people of which I shall say more anon Thomas the second son Knighted by Q. Eliz. and honoured with the title of Baronet at the first erection of that order scilicet 29. Iunii 9. Iac. wedded Katherine daughter to Sir Iohn Spenser of Wormleighton Knight by whom he had issue Sir Iohn Leigh Knight his son and heir whom he survived And having lived to a great age in much reputation being Custos Rotulorum for this County and in all publique employments of his time one of the superior rank deceased in Febr. 1. Car. leaving Sir Thomas Leigh son to the before specified Sir Iohn his next heir Which Sir Thomas now Lord of this Mannour having been dignified with Knighthood by King Iames wedded Mary daughter and coheir to Sir Thomas Egerton Knight eldest son to Thomas Lord Ellesmere Lord Chancelour of England and firmely adhering to the late King Charles in his greatest distresses was in testimony of his stedfast loyalty advanced to the degree and title of a Baron of this Realm The Church dedicated to our Lady whereunto belonged 8. yard land being given by K. H. 1. to the Canons of Kenilworth shortly after the Foundation of that Monastery was appropriated to them by Geffrey Muschamp Bishop of Coventre and Lichfield in King Iohn's time with a Pension of v. marks out of the Vicaridge and confirmed by Pope Gregory the ix anno 1228. 12. H. 3. And in anno 1291. 19. E. 1. valued at 24. marks the Vicaridge in 26. H. 8. being likewise rated at vi li. -xv s. iv d. over and above xxx s. yearly Pension then payd to the Canons of Kenilw. and 8 s. per annum allowed for Procurations and Synodals Which Vicaridge was by the Lady Aliza Dudley augmented with 20 li. per annum out of lands purchased in Manceter whereof I have there taken notice who also gave three large and faire pieces of gilt plate to remain for the use of the Communicants here for ever The Hospitall before mentioned was founded by the said Lady Alice Leigh for ten poor people viz. five men and five women all of them to be unmarried persons and nominated by her but after her decease by Sir Thomas Leigh her son during his life and his heirs for ever