AN EPISCOPAL VISITATION 333
church is dilapidated, with broken windows, and leaky roof, and
the rectory house is falling to pieces for want of repair. At
Peterchurch, the rector refuses to provide the necessary service-
books, or to mend a breach in the churchyard wall, or to repair
the chancel. At Werley, the rector is accused of threshing his
corn in the churchyard, and is ordered not to do so again; but
an accusation that the vicar pastures his horses, cows and ducks
therein is expressly denied. Parish after parish presents similar
pictures: the vicar or the chaplains are absentees or irregular;
the services are neglected or hurriedly said: at Garwy, where
Welsh and English both were spoken, the parson could not
understand many of his congregation who spoke only Welsh.
Some parsons were ill-famed of tavern-haunting and drunken-
ness; others were common traders, "buying and selling various
goods and taking money therefor "; others, again, refused to bury
the dead, or to baptise, or to administer the last sacrament with-
out giving sufficient reason. The chaplain of Colwall is accused
of forging a will, and naming himself as executor; while the
vicar of Yazore, and the vicar of Erdesley are both known as
common usurers.
So we might go on with this wearisome list. If we turn to look
at the individual parishes in detail some astounding complaints
come to light. To take one or two examples, almost at random.
The parishioners complain that the rector of Wentnor does not
Efficiently conduct the Mass and other services, that he has
allowed his manse to fall into disrepair, and that he frequents
taverns by day and night to the scandal of religion. This, how-
ever, he denies. They also assert that he does not provide the
vestments as he is bound to do, and that he had "put his benefice
to hire" to John Bent, a dishonest and uncapable chaplain, who
still retains some of the church ornaments, and who is ill-famed
with a certain Meveddus. The affairs of another parish (North
Lydbury), which were dealt with the same day, showed that the
chancel needed repair, and the necessary vestments were lacking,
both by the rector's neglect. The deacon neglected the bell-
ringing, and the vicar absented himself from Michaelmas on-
wards, but drew his salary all the time. The deacon was accused
of having lost a chalice, while the vicar was said to have com-
mitted adultery with Johanna Staltoghe. The same day, the