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'sA.
THE
HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES
M
Piaster,
A MABKET TOWN IN OXFORDSHIRE-.
Complied from Original Records, the Parish Archives, Title-Deeds of
Estates, Harkian MSS., Papers in the Augmentation Office, Scarce
Books, 6rc.> and containing Translations of (he principal Papers,
Charters, &c. in Kennett's Parochial Antiquities.
TO WHICH 18 ADDED
AN INQUIRY
I N T O THE^Bnr^ro^B^ XX F
A CITY OF THE DOBUNI,
THE 8ITE OF WHICH NOW FORMS A FART OF THE C0MM6*
FIELD OF WBNDLEBUBY IN THB COUNTY OF OXFORD.
By JOHN DUNKIN.
WffH AN APPENDIX, AND THE WHOLE OF KENNETTS GLOSSARY.
LONDON:
9rittttQ ftp tticftaro ano Xrtfcir Captor, fbinuJLant,
FOR THB AUTHOR} AND SOLD BT J. AND A. ARCH, CORKHILLJ
AND W. BALL, BICESTBR.
181&
4 '
■ <>
\ *
1
r^
O • to
^ JOHN COKER, EsauiRE,
J LORD OF THE MANOR OF KING's-END IN THE PARISH OF
<2>
BICESTER, CHAIRMAN OF THE QUARTER SESSIONS
OF THE COUNTY OF OXFORD, ETC.
THIS HISTORY OF BICESTER AND ALCHESTER
IS MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED BY HIS MOST OBLIGED
' AND OBEDIENT HUMBLE SERVANT
THE AUTHOR.
, ^JxaaAxx^ ^»oua1JLw^ W*«.6*-Ll ,
*~V33
ADVERTISEMENT.
' The chief part of the materials from which the
following work is compiled was collected, from a
wish to ascertain what reliance could be placed on
the traditionary history of Bicester and Alchester.
Necessarily engaged in other pursuits, which al-
lowed but a very limited opportunity of indulging
the desire of research, several years elapsed in col-
lecting documents for and reducing the history into
its present state, 'And as the utmost extent of the
author's expectations was to afford a moment's enter-
tainment to those friends who might peruse the
manuscript, he was surprised to 6nd not only a ge-
neral willingness to further the object of his inqui-
ries; but an anxiety that the work when completed
might appear in print. To gratify this disposition,
proposals were issued to publish it by subscription,
and the numbers that immediately offered them*
selves as subscribers proved the interest they took
in its fate. That the book might be accessible to
all, it has been chiefly attempted to condense as
much matter as possible in the smallest compass.
vi ADVERTISEMENT.
With this view it was originally intended that the
body of the work should contain orily'the titles of
the charters, grants, and other documents relative to
the prioryy markets, fairs, &c. which are printed in
Kenneths Paiioehial Antiquities, deposited in the
public arjchitefe, or* remain in the possession of prir
vate individuals * *nd< that a serrate Appendix
should be published, in which copies of the whole
should be inserted, together ^ith translations cif
those? which are written in Latin, &c. This plan
was relinquished at the request of seraral of the
subscribers, who suggested that to the general mass
o§ readers an .English translation of the chief papers*
together with an abridgement of the others found in
Kgniretfc, /with! copies of those necdssary to form a
cwtihuatton erf t;hat authors wo*k,. would be sufli*
Giant, while ar* cipportutaity would be thereby af*
forded of re-printing the whole of the Glossary* In
thus complying with ithe wishes of the subscribers^
surely tiae public will not thihkthere needs any apt*
logy.-^Qf the manner in which the performance is
executed every reader will judge for himself; and
since encases will avail nothing, perhaps it is best to
be titent-^Tlte author titists, however, that he may
ADVBltTtSflttEttt. Vlt
say without prwuaiptiqn, thateonsiderable exertion
hbsbeen used ib collecting thfe most aothentfc docu»
meats relative to the places of which he treats— that
no pains have been spared- in endeavouring to obtain
the most correct information of their present state,
and that in all cases he has strictly adhered to truth
and impartiality.
Availing himself of this opportunity, the .author
gratefully acknowledges himself under particular
obligations tethe foitowing gentlemen, who rwdity
assisted him in the prosecution of his work, and
kindly furnished him wit b, original documents,
translations, or (communications.
. ■ • . . , •
John Coker] Esq;
John Gale1t, Esq. F. A.S. Keeper of the Records in the
Court of. Augmentation.
John §atci*ell, Esq* Kettering.
Alfred John Kemps, Esq. Blacfcheath.
Mr. William Upcott, Librarian of the London Institution,
The Feoffees of Estates for Charitable Purposes in Bicester.
Rev. John Marklandj Bicester.
Rev. Richard Fletcher, ditto.
Mr, John KirbV, ditto.
Mr. HiNRY Chandler, ditto.
Mr. Thomas Harris, ditto. -
Mr. William Rolls, ditto.
Mr. RicUakd Smi^h, ditto. &c. '
viU ADVERTISEMENT.
He has also to acknowledge the readiness shown
by Sir G. P. Turner, Bart, to furnish him with the
unpublished documents remaining in his possession
relative to the Priory, while he has to lament the
affliction that deprived him of the benefit which
would have resulted from the fulfilment of his in*
tentions.
Bromley, Kent, January 1, 1816.
ERRATA.
Page.
2tt. Lined, /or There are 15 hides ami an belf land of 9B camcates, Tad
There are ]5 hides and an half. Land of SB carucatef ,
SB. Line 7, fir From Doomsday Book it is evident, read From Doomsday
Book it it clear.
£6. Line •>, fir hence villains were found, &c. rrad and villains MM
found, &c.
37. Line 6, fir and henoe poor lata were found necessary, mad and in con-
sequence poor iou'i, &c.
40. Line 12, Tht quotation should doit at feathers, instead o/drawing-nmni.
5'2. Motc/ir It is not known whether the three deaneries, &c. reai It is not
known when the three, &c.
56. Note, fir The money paid for the running of swine in a forest, read The
SB, Line U.firG. Basset and Efiline his wife gave all their lands, tec. read
0. Basset ami Egiline his wife cave to tho priory all their lands, etc,
58. Line 4, for gave for the health, read gave to the prior and convent for
"•■i health. *
13,/orBishopof Lincoln, Bath, Jcc.rsorfEii.hopj of Lincoln, Bath, fce.
12 (if Note, oraif the Kurd couchsnt.
81, /or his treatment from the French, rtail his treatment from that ,
ipso.
i l6,fir last yean, read decline,
■, Jot Htetto, sheep of two years old. Vide Glossary. readHieltc.
fr. ■ "
3,/er 1S35, 87 Henry VII|, read 150*, 36 fletwy VIU.
•ate-sassae-a-aa**-^^
THE
HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES
OF
BICESTER.
CHAPTER I.
Situation and Name,
■ . . .. . . • j.
IjICESTER, a considerable market town in the hundred
of Ploughley in Oxfordshire, is situated hear the north
•eastern boundary of the county, at the distance of thirteen
miles from the city of Oxford. It' is a town of very remote
antiquity, and is commonly supposed to have been indebted
for its origin to the Saxons ; but the precise date at which
that event occurred, and the circumstances attending it, are
totally unknown . The etymology of its name is almost equal-
ly undetermined ; though several antiquarian writers of reput-
ed erudition, in their endeavours to trace it, have offered some
plausible conjectures on the subject.
Skinner in his Etymologkon Linguee Anglicance, states
that Bicester was originally called by the Saxons Burenceas-
ter, or Bernacester, from Buren or Bern, signifying grain,
and Ceastre a town or station ; but Dr. Plot, in his Natural
History. of Oxfordshire^ contends that it obtained that appel-
lation from the forest of Bernwood, on the edge of which it
then stood, and that it was subsequently denominated Burg-
cester from St. Eadburgh; to whom the priory and parish
B
2 SITUATION AMD NAME.
church were dedicated : in later times, by corruption, Burces-
ter, and since Bisseter. These conjectures however, Kennet
regards as unworthy of attention, and asserts that the town
never was seated nearer than three miles to the forest above
mentioned '.
An anonymous writer, in a MS. History of Alchester, since
printed at the end of Kennet*s Antiquities, derives the name
of Bicester from the apostle Birinus, whom he supposes to have
advised the Saxons to erect a fort here, which they in conse-
quence called, after him, Birini castrum *. — This idea is
treated as improbable by Hearne, but Kennet allows it to
have some weight, and seems to have hesitated whether
to prefer it or the two following opinions. First, that Bi-
cester might he derived from the Saxon Beprn, aword equivalent
to castrum primarium, the principal fortress, which he con-
ceives may have been given to the place on account of the
advantage it afforded to the West Saxons, as a military post
against the Britons and Mercians; or secondly, as hinted by
Harrison, in his Description of England *, that it might come
from Bure, the name of the stream or rivulet which runs through
the town *, With this latter opinion Hearne perfectly coin-
cides, observing that it was named from its situation on the
riveY Bruern or Bourn, and that the true writing hi Bruem-
caster or Botirncester s . With all due deference to the asser-
tion of this eminent antiquary, however, the editor of the
Beauties of Oxfordshire, observes that " it does not seem likely
so trifling a stream as the Bure could impart a name to a set-
' Plot's Oxfordshire, (Oxford, 1705) p. 356.
■ History of Alchester, apud Kennet, p. 687.
i Holinaherl't Chronicle, vol.!,
• Kennel's Parochial Antiquities, p. 27. The variation in the nanfe of
th'w town ma; be some argument to derive it from Birinus; for a* be bat run
ii of Si. Birine, St. Bervn, St. Burine, fkc. what this place followed
i of initial syllables, Uiriue-oeaetrc, Berjaccuter, and BuwKuter.
ina, vol. Ui, p. 80.
WEST SAXONS. 3
dement of consequence ; and it is certain that Berncestre was ,
in the age of Birinus, a frontier garrison, and was possibly built
about his time, arid by his advice, from the ruins of Alchester l "
Amidst so general an uncertainty, it would appear presump*
tuous in me to attempt settling this matter; for, if earlier
writers could determine nothing with precision, much less is.
it now to be expected : besides, probability is not of much
weight, since inquirers often find, in their researches after, the
origin of names, that the most unlikely is the true one* Nor.
is the traveller more* surprised at the insignificant spring ati
the foot of the Abyssinian mountain, front which the fertile
and overflowing Nilus takes its rise, than the readers of his-
tory are at the trifling circumstances which have given appel-
lations to persons and places renowned in the historic page*
, , „, ■ ip. jn ... , ■ I; .j. pi, ■■ ■■,»■
CHAPTER II.
v.
• Description of the West Saxons.
As it is generally allowed that Bicester and the surrounding
villages owed their origin to the West Saxons, and formed part
of their kingdom, a brief account of that people., and of the,
means by which they obtained possession of the country, may
be interesting to the present inhabitants, some of whom are
very probably their descendants.
The warriors usually comprehended under the name pf Saxons
consisted of three tribes or nations, Saxons, Jutes, and Angles.
Of these the Angles were by far tlje most numerous, and ac-
counted themselves the most honourable; insomuch that they
affected to despise the Saxon name, and, when addressed as
■*■»»
1 Beauties of Oxfordshire, by .Brewer* London* l&fcA* p, 534 9
b2
4 HisTdftr Preceding
such r would answer with disdain c * We are not Saxoris, but
Angles." They originally inhabited that part of the conti->
nent which forms the duchy of Sleswick, and were among the
foremost to engage in the expedition against Britain, to which
it is thought the whole nation passed over under different
leaders. By their valour they obtained possessions in every
part of the country ; but in the counties of Oxford, Bucking-
ham, &c. they are described as forming the bulk of the in-
habitants. Their persons were elegant, tall, strong, and
robust ;• their hair, and complexions, generally fair ; their eyes
commonly blue, stern, and piercing; and they are characte-
rized as more, capable of enduring the austerities of winter
and the pangs of hunger, than the anguish of . thirst and the
heat of the summer sun. Their moral character, even as it ia
represented by some of their own writers, would appear to
have been destitute of every virtue except that of valour :
but charity is inclined to doubt the faithfulness of the repre-
sentation, and throw in some brighter tints ; especially as
other authors enumerate the additional virtues of chastity,
hospitality, and kindness towards each other. The following
may be considered as a narrative of the West Saxon military
achievements, in this part of the country, and forming a
history of the principal events connected with Bicester pre-
vious to the conquest.
CHAPTER III.
General and Military History preceding the Norman
Conquest*
In the year 495, about thirty-six years after the landing of
Hengist, the first Saxon invader of Britain, a fresh body of
THE NORMAN CON0LUE6T. 5
these warriors arrived under Cerdic and his son Kenric, and
on the very day of their debarkation were engaged by the
Britons: For that people, perceiving that the Saxons had
xietenhmed uptfn the ruin and subjection of their country,
were resolved to resist the intruders to the utmost of their power.
Uniting themselves under the renowned Ambrosius and Ar-
thur, they fought various battles with such success, that forty
years of incessant warfare elapsed, before the Saxons, though
assisted by numerous reinforcements, could effect the establish-
ment of the kingdom of the West Saxons, which included the
site of Bicester and its neighbourhood.
The Britons inhabiting these parts so powerfully resisted
the remains of the Saxon army which escaped the destructive
conflict of Mount Badon, that they were totally unequal to
further conquest during the life of Cerdic. A new generation
of warriors arose, and victory repaired to the standard of his
valiant son, Kenric: but the Britons, no way dispirited with
the loss of Hampshire, concentrated their forces at Beran-
fa/rig, now Banbury, {A. D. 556) and sought, by a desperate
effort, to regain their lost honour. Their troops were drawn
up in three lines; each consisting of three distinct bodies,
and the cavalry, the archers, and the pikemen were distri-
buted according to the principles of the Roman tactics. The
Saxons charged in one weighty column, boldly encountered
with their short swords the long lances of the Britons, and
maintained the conflict till the evening, when victory was yet
doubtful : still, however, the fact of the fortresses remaining in
the hands of the Britons proves that the contest terminated
in their favour.
New multitudes of German warriors continuing to increase
the armies of the Saxons, and to pour into the country at op-
posite points, distracted the attention of the Britons ; nor
could the courage of despair, evinced in the fatal' battle of
6 HISTORY PRECEDING
Bedford, preserve the British fortresses of Eglesburg or Ayles-
bury, Bensington, and Eynsham, from falling into the hands
of the enemy. Thus dispossessed of their strong holds, and
overwhelmed by numbers, the Britons beheld the whole of
their country parcelled out into districts, over which the
principal chieftains assumed the sovereignty. On this oc-
casion the midland counties were made to constitute the king-
dom of Mercia.
Though Oxfordshire has been usually considered as annex-
ed to that monarchy, a great part of it was really subject to
the West Saxons ; and though the Britons were driven to the
Westward, they remained for some time powerful and inde-
pendent; the West Saxon garrisons of Cirencester and Eyns-
ham were frequently harassed by theft incursions, and in the
last days of their freedom they displayed a valour and resolu-
tion worthy of a better fate. Numbers however ultimately
prevailed : the parties of the Britons were successively cut off;
and when Penda ascended the Mercian throne, he directed the
•whole strength of his kingdom to effect their destruction: those
few who escaped the sword were consigned to abject slavery.
Hitherto the resistance of the Britons had engaged the
common attention of the various tribes of Saxons, and pro-
duced a friendly co-operation ; but when that people were
entirely suppressed, the different monarchs fiercely commen-
ced their inroads upon each other's territory. Among the
foremost in showing his ambition was the West Saxoh prince,
who continually assailed his Mercian neighbours. These find-
ing it difficult to defend their borders, collected their forces,
and fought a desperate battle against the West Saxons at
Cirencester. Both parties having tried their strength, and
neither obtained the victory, it was considered prudent to
form a league between the kingdoms. In this season of peace
the West Saxon monarch was visited by the missionary Bi-
~ THE NORMAN CONQUEST. 7
rinus 1 , who had been djspatehed to attempt the conversion
of the' kingdom by Pope Honorius.
' The opportune arrival of Oswald, king of Northumberland,
at the court of Kynigels, in the year 623, to unite himself in
marriage with the daughter of that prince, contributed greatly
to the success of Birinus. By their united persuasion, Kytti-
gels was not only induced to embrace the Christian faith,
but also to found an episcopal see at Dorchester, of which
Birinus became the first bishop 2 .
1 Though it required no common spirit of missionary zeal to venture among
these barbarians, little is known of the former part of the life of Birinus, or
what induced him to attempt the conversion of the West Saxons. He is intro-
duced to our notice as an ecclesiastic applying to Pope Honorius for a depu-
tation ; and the account goes on to state, that' he was accepted, encouraged,
and afterwards sent to Genoa, to receive ordination from Asterius, at which
place it was expected he might have an opportunity of learning the Saxon
language from the Franks who frequented it for the purposes of trade.
Malmsbury and other ancient writers say that from thence he travelled
through France to a sea port on the Channel, where having performed the
sacred mysteries, he embarked in a Saxon vessel for the shores of Britain.
That when at a considerable distance out at sea, he recollected he had left be-
hind a corporeal containing the blessed sacrament ; and considering it vain
to solicit the return of the pagan sailors who steered tfce ship, and impossible
to leave the treasure behind him, supported by a strong faith, he stept out of
the ship upon the waters, which instantly . became firm under his feet, and
walked to land, where, having secured the vessel, he returned on board in the
same manner, the shfy remaining stationary from the moment he left it. The
ship's crew were of the nation to which he was sent, and being struck with the
miracle, lent a docile ear to his instructions, became the first fruits of his mis-
sion, and gave an earnest of his future success,
Afilner says, "This prodigy is so well attested by most of our judicious
historians, that those who have had the greatest interest to do so, have not
dared openly to deny it :" but it ought to be recollected that this author is
disposed to believe that many miracles took place Qji ring the conversion of our
Saxon ancestors. Hist, of Winchester, vol. i. p. 89, 90.
* It is said that Birinus was stung to death with snakes; and that none of
that species could ever after live within the sound of the great bell of Dorches-
ter abbey church. Mag. Brit, vol. iv. p, 476.
8 HISTORY PRECEDING
A. D. 643. Cenwalch having sucqeeded to the West Saxon
kingdom, shortly afterwards divorced his queen, who was
sister to Penda, the warlike and cruel king of Mercia. That,
monarch, indignant at. what he conceived an unpardonable,
insult, immediately invaded Wessex, and defeating Cenwalch,
forced him to seek refuge at the court of the king of the East
Angles, with whom he resided three years, and was baptized.
At his restoration, he voluntarily gave toCuthred, his brother's
son, to hold as a principality, under him, all that part of his
kingdom which lay on the north side of the Thames, com-
puted at 3000 hides by the Saxon Chronicle; at the same
number of villages by Huntingdon; and at a third share of his
whole dominions by Mahnsbury. The donation, it is not im-
probable, was made at Ashendon, in the forest of Bernwood *.
A. D. 680. Ethelred, king of Mercia, having reduced all
the country on this side of the Thames, and annexed it to the
Mercian kingdom, Theodore, archbishop of Canterbury, anx-
ious to gratify the ruling power, new modelled the bishops'
see at Hatfield, and appointed Eta, a monk of the monastery
of Hilda, at Whitby, to the bishopric of Dorchester, which,
from the time of Birinus, had belonged to the West Saxons,
but was henceforth united to Mercia.
Oxfordshire remained annexed to Mercia till Cuthred, king
of the West Saxons, no longer able to bear the insolence and
extortion of the Mercian kings, gave battle to Ethelbald, at
Burford, A. D. 752, when that monarch was defeated. By
this victory Cuthred recovered the principal part of the
county, and it remained attached to the West Saxons tillOffa
letermined to regain it, marched an army across
A. D. 775), about Souldern or Fritwell, (where
if the Roman Way, since called the Partway,
disforested io tbe reign of J*meal.: it extended from Bor-
THE NORMAN CONQUEST. 9
or, by some, Wattle-bank), to Bensington, which place he
besieged. Kenwulf coming to its relief, sustained a signal
overthrow; and was forced to fly beyond the Thames; while Offa
destroyed the fortress, and took possession of the county*
which his successors retained till Beornwolf was defeated by
Egbert, at the memorable battle of Ellendune, (perhaps El-
lingham in Hampshire), when the county of Oxford was united
to the West Saxon kingdom. Shortly after this, Ludecan
usurped the regal power in Mercia, but was slain by the East
Angles, 825. The Mercians then set up Wiglaf to rescue
them from the West Saxon yoke; but Wiglaf was conquered
by Egbert, who permitted him notwithstanding to hold Mercia
as a tributary kingdom.
The reign of Wiglaf 's successor Berthwulph, a like tribu-
tary prince, was disturbed by the Danes, who overthrew his
army and forced him to seek refuge in a foreign country,
where he died, A. D. 852, The Danes, after taking much
spoil, and committing great devastation, marched southward,
which afforded Burrhed, the succeeding monarch, an oppor-
tunity of strengthening his power by an alliance with King
Ethelwolf, which seems to have had the effect of securing his
dominions, as it does not appear that the Mercians were
again visited by these ruthless invaders until 867, when, hav-
ing succeeded in despoiling York and Nottingham, they pe-
netrated into this kingdom, but were compelled to retreat by
the exertions of Burrhed and his ally Ethelred, aided by the
brother of the latter, afterwards the illustrious Alfred.
In 870 the Danes again issued from York, and entered
Mercia, marking their rout with blood and ruin. The East
Angles, finding their former submissions would not preserve
them from the miseries of war., flew to arms, but being totally
defeated, the enemy seized upon Reading, and ravaged the
surrounding country. To deliver his kingdom from these
dreadfttl enemies, Ethelred collected all his forces, and fought
1 HISTORY PRECEDING
several battles with them. One of these took place at Ashen-
don, near Bernwood, (A. D. 871): but the courage of Alfred,
after a severe conflict -which continued without intermission
the whole of the day, could only effect a temporary victory }
for, within fourteen days, the Danes having concentrated
their forces at Basing in Hampshire, whither Ethelred had
pursued them, again offered battle, and were in turn victori-
ous. The Saxons retreated towards Bernwoody the scene of
their former success ; <€ perhaps," says Kennet, " hoping for
assistance or security from the Roman fort of Alchester." The
Danes immediately followed, and having divided their army
into two parts, fell upon the English/ who were encamped on
the west side of Gravenhill, where Ethelred and Alfred had
cast up strong entrenchments, part of which still remain
m Merton woods. The Danish troops, at the first onset,
were broken ; but having rallied again, they beat the Saxons,
and remained masters of the field. According to their usual
custom, they interred the slain in the wood on the adjoining
hill, which henceforward obtained the name of Gpepea-hul,
the hill of graves, or sepulchres of the dead. Dr. Plot con-
siders this fact to be established by the circumstance of some
Danish armour and immense numbers of bones having been
discovered near that spot. As additional evidence on the same
point, Kennet states that a Danish spur was found on opening
the ground for the foundation of a garden wall for Sir W\U
liam Glynn, at Ambrosden. *
Victory having thus declared in favour of the Danes, they
immediately marched and burned Reading; but Burdred
having consented, by the payment of the infamous Dane-gelt,
to become tributary, they afterwards withdrew beyond the
Humber. When however they had destroyed every thing in
that country they again returned into Mercia; and Burdred
perceiving they were bound by no treaties, once more had
recourse to arms. Being defeated, he abandoned his conn*
THE NORMAN CONQUEST, 11
try in despair, and fled to Rome, were he soon afterwatds
died. The Danes then committed the government of Mercia
to Ceolwulf, on condition of his assisting them in their depre-
dations, and surrendering the kingdom on demand. Affairs
however did not remain long in this state : the Danes bestowed
a part of Mercia on Healfdune ; and Ceolwulf, sensible of
the danger and difficulty of his situation, delivered up the re-
mainder to the celebrated King Alfred.
It is said that while the Danes continued at Northampton,
the Saxons constructed a wall and ditch to prevent their in-
cursions into these parts. If so, it is not improbable that the
wall was raised on the bank of the original ditch, or on a
branch of that made by Offa, (and thence called Avesditcli),
which marked the western boundary of the Mercian kingdom.
A rampart is also represented as having at that time been
erected on a spot at Mixbury, afterwards called Beamont, and
another at Ardley : without doubt there were others at inter-
mediate distances, but their sites remain undetermined/
The genius and success of Alfred procured a general respite
from Danish violence ; and in 886, his policy induced him
to reduce Mercia from the rank of a tributary kingdom to
that of a province, the government of which he committed
to Ethelred, his son-in-law. Great numbers of the Danes
were, however, scattered throughout Mercia ; and, after the
death of Alfred, they resumed their ravages in straggling bo-
dies. These were taken into the pay of Edward and Ethel-
wald, who struggled for the sceptre, and harassed the coun-
try with their conflicts (A. D. 904). The surrender of Ox-
ford, and the subsequent death of Ethelwald, leaving Edward
undisputed sovereign, he directed his attention to the Sub-
jection of the Danes, and accomplished his design, by the
assistance of his sister Ethelfleda, widow of Ethelred, governor
of Mercia. This heroic princess (who inherited more of the
spirit of the great Alfred than any of his other children) despis-
1 2 HISTORY PRECEDING
ing the humble cares and amusements of her own sex, com*
manded armies, built cities, and performed exploits which
would have done honour to the greatest princes. Having go-
verned Mercia eight years after the death of her husband, she
died in the year 920, and Edward took the government into
his own hands.
In those distracted times, between 911 and 914, the Danes
made this county a scene of devastation, and entirely de*
stroyed the old town of Bermcester, and the villages of Ful-
well, Woolaston, Shelswell, Bainton, and Saxonton, some of
which have never been rebuilt.
The exertions of Edward and Athelstan seem to have se-
cured peace to these parts until the time of Edwy, when the
ecclesiastics Odo and Dunstan excited the people to revolt,
and persuaded them to call his brother Edgar to the govern-
ment.
Fortunately the administration of Edgar was popular, and
and hfo reign peacable ; but that of his successor was marked
by Danish invasion and outrage. To gain the friendship of
the barbarians, .and, if possible, thereby to prevent their de*-
predations, a marriage was proposed between Ethelred and
the daughter x>f one of their princes ; but the people smarting
under their violence, secretly resolved (probably countenanced
by Ethelred) on a general massacre, which in Oxfordshire
was carried into effect with every circumstance of cruelty, on
fct. Brice's festival, Nov. 13, 1002, the churches themselves
affording no protection. This treachery was severely reveng-
ed by the Danes, who, with an immense army, invaded, ra-
vaged, and imposed a heavy tribute on the country.
For many years, without any intermission, Oxford paid
tribute to the Danes, during which' time it was subject to
every calamity, and was in part destroyed by fire ; but the
sufferings of the county reached their height, when Sweyn,
A* D, 1013, marching from Gainsborough,, issued orders for
THE NORMAN CONQUEST. 13
his soldiers to plunder the churches and ravish the women,
in every part of the country on this side Wallingford. This
brutal order Was' as brutally executed ; but the subsequent
death of Sqteyn, and the 'elevation of Canute, brought peace
to the exhausted Saxons.
The policy of that prince was to allay the animosities be-*
tween his Danish and Saxon subjects, and to attempt effect-
ing a cordial union between them : nor was he unsuccessful.
Notwithstanding the number of Danes that were settled in
Mercia, the country henceforth enjoyed peace. At what time
the inhabitants of Bicester, and the surrounding villages which
had been destroyed, commenced there-erection of their habi-
tations, record does not inform us, nqr can it be discovered
why those of Berncester preferred the other side of the brook
to the site on which the town had previously stood: conjecture
is useless ; since we hear nothing more of the place till it is
found constituting a part of the vast possessions of Wigod *
de Wallingford, in the reign of Edward the Confessor K
CHAPTER IV.
Roads.
XttE bad state of the Oxfordshire roads T was long proverbial,
and there were' few more deservedly stigmatized than those in
4 Perhaps " de Wallingford" has been added to his name in later ages, to
distinguish this thane or nobleman by his residence, which was at Wallingford,
as it is generally admitted that surnames were introduced by the Normans.
» Rennet, Antiq. p. 23—50.
1 In ancient times the roads were repaired either by sums levied upon parishes,
or by the services of individuals ; arid in the days of popery it was considered as
an highly meritorious act of piety to devote money to this purpose; hence the
14 ROADS*
the neighbourhood of Bicester. At certain seasons the latter
were absolutely, impassible, and at all timed attended with
danger to the traveller. Much improvement, however, has of
late years been effected by the introduction of turnpikes. The
road leading from Bicester to Aylesbury, was the first on which
the. experiment was tried. For this purpose, an act of par-
liament was obtained, 10th Geo. III. A. D. 17 70^ enabling
trustee? to borrow sums of money, for repairing and widening
the road ; permitting them to erect gates, and receive mode-
rate tolls for the liquidation of such sums, foj the term of
twenty-one years from the time of the pasaing of the act*.
By the successive acts of 1791 and 1813, the trustees have
been enabled to direct (heir attention to further improvements;
and the communication between Bicester and Aylesbury may
be considered as convenient as local circumstances will admit.
The tolls are of Ad. for every beast of draught, 2d. for 1 every
horse not drawing, Is. 3d. per score for oxen, &c. and I0d*
for calves,, sheep, &c. besides double tolls on Sundays* The
exemptions are limited to carriages, &c. employed in the pub-
lic service ; to carriages, &c. employed in purposes of hus-
bandry, not going beyond the limits of each respective parish,
and to those used for the purpose of going or returning from
public worship.
In 1793 an act was obtained for "amending, widening,
and repairing the road from Clay-hill, in the turnpike-road
between Neat-Enstone and Chipping-Norton, in the county
of Oxford, over the Heyford-bridge to the Water-Jane, in the
frequency of donations towards mending the highways, many of which still
continue to be received. See Hist, of Bromley, p. 21.
• The act, as usual, does not dispense with any law, custom, or usage which
requires statute work, or sums of money to be paid in lieu of repairs of the
road; but directs the continuation of the same, or a yearly com positron,
to be paid to the surveyor of the roads of the parish in which such highway is
situated. Act, .p. 20, 22.
ROADS. 1ft
town of Bicester, and from Bicester to the turnpike-road in
Weston-on-the-green." The term and powers of the act were
further enlarged and extended in 18 13, .and " the road branch-
ing out of the turnpike-road at Bicester windmill, to the turn-
pike-road leading from Blechington to Onslow-bridge, in the
county of Oxon/^ included in those directed to be repaired.
In the same session (viz, 1793, 31st Geo, III.) was another
act passed for " repairing and widening the road from the
market-place in Bicester to the Buckingham turnpike^road,
in Aynho, in the county of Northampton/ 9 By the extension
of its term and powers, A. D. 1813, "the road branching out
of the turnpike-road at Bicester Town's-end, and joining the
Buckingham turnpike-road, in the parish of Finmere, co.
Oxon, was incorporated with the above ;" since which the re-
pair has commenced.
The tolls and all exemptions on these roads are similar to
those on the Aylesbury road already described ; and the time
allotted for the operation of e^ch of these acts is limited to
twenty-one years *.
There are several other roads leading to the neighbouring
villages of Launton, Bucknell, &c. which remain in their ori-
ginal state ; but as they are not often used for purposes of
traffic, their condition is not so mueh a matter of public con-
sideration.
3 See the different Act*.
lO DESCRIPTION OF THE TOWN.
CHAPTER V.
General Description of the Town.
.Bicester is situated in a flat country, surrounded by rich
arable and pasture land. The air is extremely healthy, and
the water pure. The neighbourhood, whicli is well adapted
for the chase, has long been the annual resort of gentlemen
addicted to that diversion.
The parish, including both the townships, Market-end and
King's-end, may be estimated to contain about 2600 acres,
of which the greater part is in good cultivation. Graven-hill
and Merton are the only woods to which it is contiguous.
The town consists chiefly of one irregular street extending
about a mile and a half in length, with two others branching
from it called Crockwell and Water-lane.
That part of the principal street named New-luildings is
in all probability the most recent part of the town, as they are
not mentioned in any of the ancient writings quoted by Ken-
net ; and the circumstance of an hermitage standing on the
site of the house now occupied by Mr. William Horwood, may
be adduced as proof that there were no other buildings adjoin-
ing in the reign of Edward III. except the chapel of St. John
the Baptist ; both of which were probably surrounded by aplot
of ground, then called " the Hermitage Close," which ex-
tended into Crockwell.
Within the recollection of many of the present inhabitants,
the site of the turnpike was known by the name of Butts-
corner} from which it may fairly be presumed, that this spot
was anciently without the boundaries of the town ; the name
intimating that butts, or ends of lands, (in the field) extended
to that spot'. Perhaps it may be proper to add, that the
niuii seems wirraiiled by Kcnni t's Glossary; though some miy con-
or *Hi5 TOWN* i f
garden belonging to the tiirnpike was formerly the* cbrhtrion
pornld.
Crockwell probably derived its name frorti an ancient tri*
angular well of excellent water, at present covered Hf tin*
corner house, at the bottom of that street, but which was for*
ftierly open and exposed. When it was deemed advisable tb
build over the spring, part of its waters were* conveyed Into &
well on the waste, and part to a small reservoir, called the
Horse Spring, then under the wall, but now in the' close of
John Coker, Esq. The well has been sinfct removed, and that
which is now found near the spot, was made Jit the expense
of the above gentleman, about the year 1794. A few yeaft
ago, Mr. Thomas Harris, a wool-comber, formed the adjoin-
ing premises into a bath, but as the speculation was not suc-
cessful they have since been converted into a dwelling-house.
The name of Crockwell appears as early as A.D. 1211, When
if Walter de Crockwell is mentioned in the priorV annals,
whose name, it is very probable, was derived from this place,
in 1245, a messuage in Crockwell is described as given by
WilHam Longspee to the canons. Crockwell was inhabited
by some indigent people, who received alms of the priory, in
1277 ; and for some year3 has been the abode of ihe poorer
class only V
jecture that it derived its name from having been the spot on" which the butts
for the practising of archery were form el y placed. *
* Until within the last eighteen or twenty years, houses in Crocltwel! were
let to the poor at a moderate rent, (from 15*. to 2/. per annum* according t6
their different state of repair, and toe extent of garden attacnefi); bat aBttft
that period two individuals (one of whom is since dead) Commenced a kind of
speculation in these cottages, to the full extent of their property j and by
dividing and subdividing the old houses, were not satisfied by rendering them
small and inconvenient, but enhanced the rent beyond alt proportion" ; so
that at present there are cottage*, without a foot of ground attached, and at
most consisting of two or three rooms, which are actually let for V. per an-
num.— Disgraceful indeed to the avaricious and unfeeling owner !
C
IS PESCK1PTI0K
Traces still remain of a back road through the brook into
King's-end, which served for the use of teams when the drivers
wished to avoid the town, After the turnpike- road was made,
this way was rendered impassable, and the ground added to
Mr. Coker's close, on the condition of his allowing a foot-
path through the adjoining Dovehouse close : part of these
closes were formerly called Crockwell Moor.
Sheep Street, in old writings, is called St. JohnVstreet,
most likely from its leading to the chapel of St. John the Bap*
tist : and it appears to have borne that name from a very
early period down to the sixteenth century. The present
name is derived from the sheep-market, which is kept in it.
This street, together with the market-place, is inhabited by
the principal tradesmen of the town, whose dwellings are in
general very respectable. The Market-hill is a small square,
having on one side the King's Arms Inn 9 which is the first in
Bicester. The Shambles are a long range of open buildings,
erected for the express accommodation of the butchers,
but which are now little used; that class of the towns-
people preferring shops attached to their own dwellings. For-
merly this place was much resorted to, and was crowded
by a row of butchers' stalls on each side, besides the sham-
bles. The Town-hall is ait adjoining building, bearing
the date of 1686, but erected in 1622 K Its eastern end is
surmounted by a turret, with a bell and clock ; the former of
which is used to collect the officers and townsmen when they
meet here on parochial business. The ground floor is let
to some of the inhabitants, and partly used as a dwelling-
house. In this hall the charity school was held about fifty years
ago, but it has since been transferred to a smaller room built
over the Cage and Engine-house.
* The date of the erection of the " Town© Eaule" may be found on the
back of one of the old writings in the Wallingford chest.
Or THE TOWN. 10
Opposite these stood the pillory and whipping-post, which
was removed some years since, and the irons belonging to it
affixed to a post in the Shambles. The stocks still remain in
front of $he cage*
One branch of the brook crosses the street just below the
end of the Water-lane ; under an arched bridge guarded by
a parapet on one side* . where the channel is considerably en*'
larged for the accommodation of the inhabitants of the town,
in washing and watering horses. On the embankment is ar
single row of houses which constitute the principal buildings
of the Water-lane. The Mee ting -house > on the* opposite
side of the road, stands upon the- site of some buildings which
Were destroyed by the dreadful fire of 1724, which extended
its ravages as far as the back of the King's Arms. . Adjoining
the turnpike was a very ancient mill, mentioned in Doomsday
Book, the ^m of which, a fine body of water, was greatly ad-
mired \>y strangers* The mill-house has been improved,
and is now a handsome structure, but has lost much of its
picturesque appearance, froirr the water having been lately
arched over, and the space covered with green-sward*
» At a short distance from Blind-lane stands the Pest-house,
erected for the reception of persons afflicted with the small
pox. . The Work-house is a substantial building belonging to
the feoffees of estates for charitable purposes, but let to the
parish* and capable of accommodating forty poor individuals.
Nearer to the Market-hill is the handsome residence of
Mr. Davis.
The Causeway extends from the town brook to the church*-
yard, and was originally a raised bank (as the name implies)*
for crossing the brook c the whole of the hollow way has been
of late years filled up, and the brook arched over; but, in
rainy seasons, the bank is frequently overflowed, and the
houses inundated. A small lane leads to ^lace-yard , so
called from its being the site of the Priory.
c2
20 DESCRIPTION OF THE TOWN.
»
The Cliurch-yard, which is considerably elevated above the
highway, is used as a thorough-fere from one township to
the other. The church is the place of worship common to
both townships.
King's-end 9 according to Kennett, is built on the site of
the old town of Berincestre or Bicester, which was destroyed
by the Danes about the year 913. A few houses afterwards
erected on the spot obtained the name of the tillage of
Uigenkul, which, however, gave way to that of King's-end,
the township having been known by the latter appellation so
e*arly as 1399. Till of late years there was a large green,
with several houses upon it ; these have been pulled down,'
and the green added to the pleasure grounds of John Coker,
Esq. the lord of the manor, whose seat is the chief ornament
of the town. For the accommodation of those poor who were
deprived of habitations by taking down the houses on the
green, some buildings have been erected upon the land
adjoining King's-end turnpike.
There is no manufacture of great importance now carried
on at Bicester; though formerly the making of sack-cloth,
and of common leather slippers, together with the combing
of Jersey wool, formed the employment of a large proportion
of the inhabitants. Some of the poor have been of late years
employed in the lace trade ; but even this seems declining,
and time alone can discover whether the new business intro-
duced, viz. the plaiting of straw, will rise to any consequence.
Many ancient writers have spoken in praise of the excellence
of Bicester malt liquor, a reputation which at present it most
justly retains. The town derives great benefit from its mar-
ket and fairs, which are well attended by dealers in cattle.
INHABITANTS, TENURES, ETC 21
CHAPTER V.
Sifite of the Inhabitants, Tenures, tfc.
The earliest authentic records represent Bicester as forming
a part of the Honour of Walling ford ; but as there is no
particular account of the village anteriof to Doomsday
Book, and that volume is universally considered &s- valu-
able a piece of antiquity as any age or nation could ever
boast, a short account of it may not be uninteresting;- —
The idea of this undertaking was most likely suggested by the
survey instituted by the celebrated King Alfred $ and reflects
honour on the memory of William. Executed at a time
(A. D. 1082) when the Conqueror's authority was fully esta^
Wished, and the land divided among his chieftains, it conveys 4
minute account of every part of the kingdom. To attain as
near to correctness as possible, the commissioners were em-
powered: to examine upon oath the lords of each manor, tfye
preslyters of each church, the reeves of every hundred, aria
six villains of every village, relative to the quantity of mea T
dotf, pasture, wood, and arable land in their district, the
names of the proprietors, the nature of their tenures, the
number of tenants, cottagers, and slaves, of all denomina-
tions, who lived upon the different estates, and their probable
▼altfe. ' The work was executed with fidelity, and every par-
ticular entered regularly in the register. Oxfordshire was the
fourteenth county surveyed (A, D. 1084)^ and the following
is a correct extract of the part relating to the village of Bi-
cester,
22 INHABITANTS,
Ide . Ro . (De Oilgi) ten? Bernecestre p .11 .Ma-
ne? • Ibi sr . xv • hidae 1 dir9 . Tra • xxn . car . De
hac tra • 111 . bid® sr in diiio • ^ ibi . vi . car . tl v •
serui . 3 xxviii . uitti cu , xim • bord hnt xvi . car •
Ibi 11 . molini de xl . solid. *j xn . ac pti . Silua . 1 .q}
Ig , 3 una la? Valuit . xv . lift . M . xvi .
Translation. — €€ Robert (De Oilgi) holds Berncester for'2
manors '. There are 15 hides and an half land of 22 caru-
catest of which 3 hides are in demesne, wherein are 6 caru-
cates, and 5 servants and 28 villains, with 14 borderers, and
they have 16 carucates. There are 2 mills * of 40 shillings
rents, and 12 acres of meadow. A wood of one quarrentine
in breadth and one in length, fo the days pf King Edward
it was worth 15/, pow 16/, 3
The total change of measures and manners renders it diffi-
cult tp understand the precipe meaning of the terms used
in the survey, and adopted by writers in the following ages.
Investigation has proved that no definite number of acres can
be obtained from these loose measures, varying according to
the custom of the cpunties. A hide of land, for instance,
according to Gervaise of Tilbury, is 100 acres ; the Malms-
bury MS. computes it at pinety-six : but, in the reign of
Henry HI a a hide at ChestertQn is reckoned at no more than
sixty-four acres, and valued at forty shillings 4 , The carucate
is equally ambiguous, and only signifies as much arable land
as could be tilled by pne plough : according to a computation
1 Now the manors of Bicester and Wretchwie.
* One standing at the bottom of the Water-lane, the other at the north end
of Mr. Colter's close.
> Kennett, p. 65.
4 Hyde from the Saxon byb a boose or habitation. Kennett's Glossary,
TEKU41ES,»BTC. 53
made in the twenty-second year of Edward III. it contained
112 acres, though some charters reckon it at 100, and others
as low as forty acres. Kennett reckons the quarrentine at
forty perches, or a furlong 5 .
The various descriptions of inhabitants are better ascer-
tained. The servi or peasants were those usually denomi-
nated pure villains or villains in gross. These were with-
out any determinate tenure of lands; and, at the arbitrary
pleasure of their lords, appointed to such servile works, and
for sufch wages as they chose to give them. They were ab-
solute slaves in person, issue, and stock J* and might be re-
moved and sold at pleasure. The villani, or villains regar-
dant, were of a superior degree, and'held some cottages and
lands, for which they were burthened at appointed seasons
with some stated servile work or offices, such as mowing,
reaping, plowing, sowing, &e. and were conveyed- from
one proprietor to another, as appurtenances of the manor to
which they belonged 6 . The bordarii, or borderers, were less
servile in condition than the villains : they had a ford or cot-
tage, with a small parcel of land, allQwed them, on condition
* Glossary, art, Carucate, Quarrentine, &c.
* Kennett's (glossary contains the following instances of their persons being
conveyed with their lands *o held in villainage. "William de Longspee con*
firmed to the Priory of Burcester land in Wrechwike — cum villanis et eonim
sequel is et catallis (p. 216). So Hamo de Gtfttone conveyed his lands in
Wrechwike, cam omnibus villanis eteorum tenement is-et sequel is (p. 27t);—
villanw, cum vii|anagii& omnibus, catallis, et tota sequela ipsprum ; (p. 288) ;
— una cum villanis, coterellis, eorum catallis, servitiis, sectis, et sequelis.
p. 310). In the charter of Gilbert Basset and Egiline hjs wife to the priory
of Bicester,— -Terram nostram de Votesdun et deWestcote, cum 'omnibus
pertinentits suis, scilicet dominium nostrum cum villanagio (p. 151). He adds,
this tenure is now extinct, yet the footsteps of it«till remain in those custo-
mary services which are now reserved from some tenants to the lord ; as
particularly from the tenants of Mr. John Coker, lord of the manor of Bur-
cester, Kingsend." None of the tenants, however, of the present Mr. Coker
perform any service, and the nature of the above is now unknown.
2f> INHABITANTS,'
applicable to the village of Bicester, but is generally descrip-
tive of the state of the whole kingdom.
It does not appear that the introduction of the Norman
government materially affected the inhabitants of Bicester.
Their lord was the friend of the conqueror, and maintained his
influence with him till the day of his death : nor is it clear
that his son-in-law introduced any change. In the disputes
between King Stephen and the Empress Maud, Srien Fitz-'
count, the superior lord, with his feudatory vassal Gilbert
Basset, adhered to the empress during every turn of fortune ;
and on the accession of her son Henry IL> they were rewarded
by the following very important charter of privileges, 2d
Henry II.
Translation.—" Henry, by the grace of God King of Eng-
land and Duke of Normandy, &c. to the bishops, earls, ba-
rons, justices, and all my ministers and faithful servants,
French and English, of all England and Normandy, health,
I command you that all the men and merchants of the Honour
of Wallingford, that they may enjoy firm peace throughout Eng-
land and Normandy, wherever they may be. And ye shall know
me to have given and granted to them in perpetuity all laws
and customs, well and honourable, as better and more ho-
nourably they enjoyed them in the time of King Edward, of
fny great-grandfather King William, and the time of my
grandfather King Henry. I grant to them also, wherever
they may go with their merchandise, purchases, or articles for
sale, throughout all my land of England and Normandy,
Aquitain and Anjou, by water and by land, by wobd and by
Strand; they shall be free from tpllage, pontage, passage, pic-
age, pannage, and stallage; in shires and hundreds, and di-
visions of shires and hundreds ; from aid of the sheriff 11 , and
11 Bailiffs of sherifls bald a customary fine to pay them ; from these the men
of the Honour of Wallingford were, by this privilege, exempt.
TENURES, ETC. 27
service of geM and Danegeld", fronrhidage f| , and blood*
tvite M and tireiewite is 9 from murders, and various services ap-
pertaining to murders' 6 , and from works of castles, of walls', of
ditches, of bridges, of footways, and from all customs and secular
exactions, and servile works ,? ; they shall not be molested by
any law to be made above ten pounds. I prohibit and com-
mand, that nothing above this be made, lest any thing above
this vex or disturb. Witness, Theobald Archbishop of Can-
terbury and others.
" Dated at Oxford, the first day of June, A. D. 1156'/*
This charter was confirmed, and enlarged with many ad-
ditional privileges, by Henry HI.
. The above charter clearly defines the usages and customs
of the nation before and after the conquest ; and confirms
the testimony of historians, that almost every crime might
be compromised by paying a certain sum of money, which
the injured party and his friends were obliged to accept of as
a compensation. But it js equally true, that in these and
subsequent ages, violence frequently prevailed, and the exe-
19 Geld, a tax. Dane- geld, a tax imposed by the Danes, which was con-
tinued on extraordinary occasions, for many years after the Conquest.
*3 Hidage, a tribute raited on every bide of laud.
** A customary $oe paid as a composition for the shedding or drawing of
blood.
* ,s A fine arising from any default in the assize of bread.
- *• By the laws of Edward the- Confessor, if any person was murdered, the
murderer was to be apprehended by the fribourg where the body wai found,
and delivered up to justice. If he could not be immediately taken, a respite
of one month and a day was allowed to the said inhabitants; and if he was
not then produced, a fine was imposed of forty-six marks, of which sum Hen-
ry I. appointed forty marks to be paid to the Jciog,%nd six to the nearest rela-
tions of the. party murdered. The inhabitants of Wallingford were exempt
from this fine.
l i Either personal labour, or a contribution in money. Kennett's Glos-
sary.
3$ INHABITANTS,
eution of the laws was interrupted; so that men were obljged
to seek their safety in unlawful combinations, .examples*. of
which are mentioned by Hume. -This subject, however, ap-r
pertaining more properly to general than to local history,
those who wish information respecting it are referred to that
author, or Dr. Henry.
From Doomsday Book it is evident the whole of the ma-
nors of Bicester and Wretchwic belonged to Robert De Oijgi.
When these were afterwards granted to Gilbert 9wet,
senior, it does not appear that any part of them was alienated ;
and that they descended to his heirs in the same undivided
state, for several generations, is evident from an inquisition
taken of the Honour of Wallingford, A. D. 1212, reciting
Richard De Camvil as holding seven knight's fees, which
Kennett makes Bicester, Wretchwic, and Stratton, the origi-
nal grant. But if these knight's fees contained the whole pa T
rishes, it is difficult to reconcile two grants the same year to
Bicester Priory, one of which is expressly said to be by James
le Bret, lord of Biggenhull, and the other by the prioress and ,
nuns of Merkyate, who had a mansion and estate in Bicester 5
unless we suppose the latter manors were granted by the Bat*
set family, who still remained superior lords of the fee, and
that they were held by some unspecified tenure l8 . The other
names which shortly after occur, as possessing land, &c. are
RobertClerk(A.D. 1214), Robert Fitz-Michael (A.D. 1217),
and Thomas Brito (A. D. 1222) ; and these are noticed for
their donations to the priory. But the virgate of land is ex-
pressly stated as given to Robert Clerk ' 9 for his homage andser-
vice, a circumstance which goes very far to warrant the conclu-
sion that the other persons held their lands in the same way,
A: D. 1245. A sum being laid on every knight's fee, for
>» Keimctt, \r. 176 & 177. »9 lb. p. 180,
TENURES, fem Q$
marrying the kingV eldest daqghte^ the prior of Bicester
Priory paid three marks *\
" No better statement can be given of the situation of the
villains not only in Bicester but throughout the kingdom, as
it regarded their services, than the following extract from
an account of the u Tenants, Rents, and Services," within
the manor of Bicester, in eight parchment folios, taken in
1325, 18- 19th Edward II., now in the possession of John
Coker, Esq. lord of the manor, and quoted at large in Ken-
nett's Parock. Ant.
Translation.— " Robert son of Nicholas (rermayn holds
one messuage and half a yard land in villainage, at the will
61 the lady ; and is bound to perform one ploughing in
winter, and one weeding, and one tvedbedrip xl 9 at the
will of the lady, and shall have one meal, and is bound to
perform one mowing for half a day; and a whole yard land
of the same tenure shall have gratuitously at vespers 11 ,,
which are called evenyngs\ as much of what is mown as a
mower can lift up with his scythe, and carry home wkh the
same ; and half a yard land of the same tenure shall have
in the evening gratis, with a companion, as much of what
is mown as a mower can lift up with his scythe and carry
home? and the mower shall have his breakfast from the
l&dy prioress: and the said Robert, and all other copyhold
tenants of the lady, are bound to turn the grass which has
been gratuitously mowed in the meadow called Gilberdesham,
<* Kennett, p. 235. *' One customary day's work. Gloss, ait. Bednp.
. •* Time of even-song, at which it was presumed he would be present. Ken-
nett observes that the daily claim of a faggot by the wood- cutter b derived
from these customs; and adds, with true clerical anxiety for the welfare of
his flock, that it is no better than theft, and ought to be punished accord-
ingly. Glossary.
80 INHABITANTS!
without receiving a dinner, and there to toss up the hay, ancf
make it into cocks; and he is hound to Catty four cartload*
of hay to the yard of the prioress, and he shall have one break-
fast from the lady prioress : and a yard land of the same kind
shall perform three days work in autumn, to wit, one day's
work without a dinner, with three men, and one day's work
without a dinner, with one man ; and if he be a binder, he
shall have at the said day's work one sheaf of wheat for seed
of the last wheat that was bound : and he is bound also to
perform one day's work at the will of the lady, with his whole
family except his wife, and shall dine with the lady ; and as
often as the binder has his dinner, he shall not have the sheaf ;
and he is bound to oarry four cart-loads of wheat in autumn,
to the manor of the lady, and he shall have one breakfast;,
and he is bound to be assessed at the feast of St. Michael* at
the will of the lady prioress; nor is he allowed to sell a male
horse nor an ox of his own feeding, nor to put his son to
learning, nor to give his daughter in marriage 2 *, without,
the permission and will of the prioress : but if the lady pri-
oress be present; the said Robert shall fetch and carry eat-
ables and drinkables to the prioress during the time that she.
shall tarry in the county, at her will ; and he shall also pay
rent per annum, at the four usual times, 2*. 6d. and suit of
court. ,,
Under the article Libere^ Tenentes ad Terminam VittB
Cot tag, are the following entries i
" Matilda le Tallier holds by the court roll one foessuage*
with its curtilege, to the end of her life, and shall pay at the
four usual feasts 45. per annum, and suit of court.
" Isabella Maunde, &c. 2$* John Monkes and Matilda
his wife, by written indenture, &c. 35. John Abbot holds-
t —
*s What would the present generation of farmers say to these restriction* }
TENURES, ETC* 31
till the end of his life, by the court roll, one acre and one rod
pf land, laying in the fields of Bicester, m five parcels, at
IBrf. per annum.
a Alice, iqho was the wife of Richard le Grey, .cotterel
and native to the lady, holds one messuage, two acres of land,
and half an acre of meadow ; and is bound to perform one
day's weeding, and one day's customary work,*andjo*ie day's
haymakings and to find one man to make hay with the afore- 1
said ^Robert, the son of Nicholas, and to make three custo-
mary days' work in autumn, without food, and shall pay \2d.
rent per annum."
From the above extracts it plainly appears that many of
the natives, .cottars, and villains, we e bound to perforin their
various services without food, or, at least, with only one
meal from their lords. The land which they held by these
services was their only wages ; but, at the close of harvest,
.they usually had an extra meal or dinner, called the harvest"
home 7,4 . On this day all the families of the customary te-
nants were bound to give their services, except their wives
and shepherds, the former being supposed to be unable to
leave the house, and the latter their flocks. This day of re-
joicing was usually celebrated with singing and feasting ; and
from this the present custom of keeping harvest-home had
its origin. Nothing, however, shows their state of bondage
more conspicuously than the prohibitory clauses relative to
the marrying of their daughters and the education of their
sons, both grounded on the fears of the lord lest the chil-
dren should be unable to perform the stipulated services.
From the same folios above mentioned it is evident that
the lords of the manor provided a public bake-house, to which
* ** Anno 1293. Homines de Heydington ad curiam domini singulis amiis
inter festoin Michaelis et Sti Martini venient cum toto ac pleno dyteno sicut
fcactenus consueverunt. Kennett, p. 320*
\>
32 INHABITANTS,
every tenant Was expected to take his victuals to be dressed,
where fe regular toll was paid : k is entered* as follows:—
"John the baker, and Christiana his wife, hold to the end of
their lives, as aforesaid, four houses, with their curtilages, and
owe oven, with customary suit tb it, and pay 2s. per annum,
fend suit of court." With the same benevolence they pro-
vided a mill for grinding corn, and here also a regular toll
was taken * 5 .
It would appear pretty evident that mechanical professions
were accounted more honourable than the practice of hus-
bandry, since the laws prohibited any man from putting his
sou, to any employment except agriculture, unless he possess-
ed 20$. per annum m land * 6 . The very cursory notice made
in the folios of the persons attached to mechanical professions,
leaves us ignorant of their state in Bicester; though we may
safely conclude they were few in number, very ignorant, and,
perhaps, inferior in condition to Robert Germyn : indeed, it •
is not improbable the mechanics or tradesmen, described in
the different rolls, were nothing more than natives of the
lordship, occasionally exercising such professions on the
estates.
It has been already stated that every baron held a court, in
which petty offences against members of the same fee were
*5 The mill spoken of must not be confounded with the present King's-end
wind-milt, which was erected by the father of Sir Thomas Grantham, under a
lease from the great-grandfather of the present Mr. Coker, who has in his
possession the original lease.
36 Dr. Henry reckons an estate worth 20*. per annum equivalent to 10J. at
present; and adds, "if any person applied to husbandry work till he was*
twelve years of age, he was not permitted to abandon it, and follow any other
line of life." He considers this law made On purpose to increase the number
of labourers, at this time on the decline through the wars between the rival
houses of York and Lancaster. Henry, vol. x, p . 53 & 54. See also p. 1 71,
where the btatutes 7th Henry IV. chap. 17, are quoted.
TENURES, ETC. 33
tried, and to frhich it was expected that every villain would
bring his cause. It is true, they might remove them into the
king's court : but even there, the villain could obtain ha re-
dress against the impositions of his own lord ; for the indict-
ment was immediately quashed, on the lord's appearing in
court, and proving the prosecutor to be his slave : the law
immediately presuming that, as suck, he was incapable of
possessing property, the lord's power extending over himself
and all he had, except to the maiming, or taking away his
life, or ravishing his relations ; yet against all others could*
the villains maintain an action, none beside having any right
to call them slaves **.
In the court-baron the accounts of the year were usually
settled, the services of each individual registered, and the
fines paid. On the first Saturday in August, 1343, one of
these was held for Bicester, when the accounts were given
as follows :
cs William Rede, for himself 2d. with two oxen.
" Agnes Serich, for herself 3d. and for one ancilla (maid
servant) with four -several beasts.
"John Cope, for himself 3d. with one turkey (Africano).
"Isabella Brown, for herself 2d. and for one ancilla.
" Robert Frerehews, for himself 2d. and suit and service to
the lord with four beasts.
"William Symms, for himself Id. to drawing corn for the
lord.
" Richard Duke 3d. for himself and his servants drawing
corn for the lord *V
" ■' I ' " I ■ H I I ■ I — M^
*s Archaeologia, vol. ii. p. SIS.
• ** the court-baron is closed by the inquest of the jury, as follows ; " In*
quisitio capta, &c. super sacramentum joratorum quidicunt, super sacramen-
tum suum, quod Juliana Hardy, quae tenuit de domino nnum messnagfum
et unam virgatam terra in bondagio, diem clausit extremum, at accidit do-
mino nova beriota 1 boves pret. 1 6s. post cnjus mortem *e»it Wnttarua Hardy,
JD
$4 INHABITANTS,
In a court-baron held at Wretchwic,; the first Saturday in
August, 1382, after the accounts were griven for homage,
pannage, and other profit to the lord, a by-law was made ta
reinforce all former orders for the regulation of hunting,
under the penalty of 2s, fine for every offence ; and tc where-
as the tenants' bees had been disturbed by the huotsmen, no
further molestation should be given, under the penalty of
forfeiting Ad. for such trespass/ 1
Anciently there was also a court held by the lords of the
Honour of Wallingford ; but, on the attainder of John
dela Pole, Earl of Lincoln, for rebellion against Henry VII.,
his manor of Ewelm escheating to the crown* it was by Hen-
ry VIII. constituted an honour, by the annexation of several
manors, among which was Wallingford * 7 . It is therefore
probable that the lords of Ewelm assumed all the privileges
connected with the demesnes thus annexed ; and that they
deputed their steward, bailiff, and others, to hold the courts
of the Honour of Wallingford. At Bicester (a part of that
honour) it was customary to hold this court on Easter Mon-
day ; and those inhabitants who neglected to attend it were
usually fined one' penny, or summoned to Ewelm. This
court has been discontinued for many years, and tradition
et dat domino de fine 66s. 8d. pro licentia ingrediendi et tenendi predic-
ts messuagia et terrain in bondagio, secundum consuetudinem manerii,
reddendo et faciendo opera similia sicut predicta Juliana solebat facere, et
fecit domino fidelitatem, etcepit pleg. de fine, &c. Item dicunt, &c. quod Hugo
King et alii de Wrechwyke vendiderunt ftrbores in gardinis siiis, sine licen-
tia domini, &c. de csetero non vendant sub poena 12<f., &e. Item $£trnt &c.
quod Richard us Syjrech, Robertus Hardy, et Johannes Pry nee, Hugo Page,
et Johannes Page, extraxerunt bona sua extra domum domini, &c.
"Memorand. quod die Dominica in festo St Andres Apos. 17 Ed. I1L om*
nis status de Wrechwyke elegerunt Hugonem Kyng ad officium propositi, et
jurameotum suscepit." Kennett, p. 456.
The propositus (bailiff) appears evidently to have been elected by the men of
Wrechwic,to do all the offices of equity between the lord and his tenants. Glass.
*7 Magna Britannia, vol, iv.
TENURES, ETC. &5
ascribes that circumstance to a Mr. Howlet (circa 1769),
who discovered it to be illegal.
A. D. 1425. Notwithstanding the Scarcity of inns and pub-
lic houses throughout the kingdom, it is evident some of these
existed at this time in Bicester ; for, in the bursar's accounts,
3d Henry VI., we find the names of €< Joan Spinan, Alice Be*
dale, and other innkeepers,' ' who sold to the convent " 132
flaggons of beer for 45. lOflf 28 ."
After the commencement of the fifteenth century, a happy
change took place in the condition of the lower orders of the
people. The wars between the houses of York and Lancas-
ter had greatly thinned the population, and the proprietors
of estates found that the slaves, who laboured for them, and
not for themselves, were often very stubborn, untractable,
and indolent ; so that, by degrees, they discovered that their
work could be performed better and cheaper by hired servants.
The manumission of the slaves had, in many, instances, been
effected by the necessity of arming them, and the feudal laws
admitted no slave to bear arms. The clergy, too, often im-
posed the liberation of the slaves as a species of penance for
certain failings. Time also convinced the landholder that
his estates would be better cultivated, if the villain had aft
immediate interest in the 'produce ; and that the raiser of the
same would be better able to dispose <?f it than the lord or his
steward. Hence arose the practice of receiving rents instead
of services and produce. The granting of leases, which af-
terwards followed, completely emancipated the villain 49 ; so
that, by the reign of Elizabeth, a celebrated writer observes,
«• Kennett's Glossary, p. 574. At tbis period public inns were very rare;
travellers were usually entertained at religious houses for three days together,
if occasiou served : and iudeed many spent their lives in travelling from one
convent to another:— in this case their well-meant hospitality became a nur-
sery for Idleness.
*■ Henry's Hist. Brit. vol. x. p. £4.
r> 2
&6 INHABITANTS,
qo persons existed to whom the former laws relatively ap -
plied* .
. The clergy and monks, under the stale pretence of pre
serving the church revenues, were the last to practise what
they recommended to others : hence, villains were found on
ecclesiastical and monastic estates, long after they had disap-
peared from every other. On some they existed at the Dis-
solution, and passed to the lay grantees of the property to
which they were annexed ; and I have no doubt that this was
the case with those on the estate belonging to the prioress of
Merkyate, in Bicester. Hence, though they had long before
obtained their freedom in other respects, Kennett mentions
the tenants of Mr. John Coker, then lord of the manor, as
continuing, in 1695, to perform certain stated services.
In ancient times, when every person on an estate was con-*
sidered as a part of the /amily of the lord, and dependent oiv
him for protection and support, it was his interest to allow
his vassals the greatest privileges compatible with their situa-
tion. Hence, there were few or none of them who had not
-some small portion of land attached to their cottages, which
they cultivated either after they had performed their custo-
mary day's work, or in the days that intervened. Most of
them had cattle of some kind, and were permitted to turn
them out to feed on the waste lands belonging to the lordship,
or on the common fields after the removal of the produce.
But, after their manumission, they lost all claims to these pri-
vileges. Their wages were thenceforth considered as their only
means of support ; though, as they in most instances con-
«SS— — ^ *^— *■ — ^— — ^^ »^— ^>^p^^^i i ■— -^ mmmm
•
*• Hume's Hist. Ertg. vol. ii. p. 215. Henry VIII. granted a manumission
(1514) to two of bis slaves, aud their families ; fur which he assigns this rea-
son: u God at first created all men equally free by nature, but that many ha4
beea reduced to slavery hy the laws of men. We believe it therefore to be a
pious act, and meriuTi >u^ in the sight of God, to set certain of our slaves at
liberty from their bondage." Rymer, vol. xii. p. 470. Smith's Republic, p. Mi).
TEN V RES, ETC. 3 J
tinned to reside on the manor, the freedom of commonage was
winked at till the practice of inclosing began to prevail. And
great as have been the advantages derived from the reformation
of religion, it was attended with many immediate evils. It in-
creased the number of poor, while it diminished the means of
providing for their maintenance ; and hence poor laws were
found necessary. The retrenchment of numerous holidays in-
deed afforded opportunities for additional exertion; but it is
dear that civil liberty upon the whole tended rather to depress
than raise their pecuniary circumstances. The majority no
longer kept a cow or a pig upon the common, or even poultry
in their yard; their labour was barely sufficient for their support,
and wages did not keep pace with the rise of provisions. In-
closures thinned the number of the farmers also ; and"though
some were elevated, others were thrust into the lowest walks
of life, so that their children were blended in its meanest
tanks. The classes of peasant and' farmer, which formerly
approached each other, became widely separated, — distress
and poverty took up its abode in the cottage, while luxury and
pride retired to the farm-house.
These observations have anticipated those which would
have arisen from the conveyance of the manor of Bicester
Market-end with its royalties and appurtenances, by the Earl
of Derby, (A. D. 1596) to T. Wykins and T. Clements, for the
teVm of 10,000 years to come, the particulars of which will be
hereafter given. Previous to that event, the greatest part of
the township belonged to the lord of the manor; but, after the
execution of that deed, the estate was divided, and sold in se-
parate lots; so that, though the above-mentioned gentlemen
and others afterwards obtained a release, together with a
conveyance of the reversion in fee at the expiration of the
10,000 years, many of the different estates continue at pre-
sent to be held on the original lease, and the tenure is from
that circumstance usually denominated Derby-hold.
30th Geo: II. The act of parliament, in 1757, for the in-
98 INHABITANTS,
closure of Bicester-field, states that Sir Edward Turner isseiz-
ed of great part of the land, and of the patronage to the church j
John Priacep, the vicar, as having right to the small tithes ;
the Chancellor, masters, and scholars of Oxford, as trustees
for the professor of physic; the trustees of the poor in the pa-
rish of Bicester ; the tithing-man for the time being j John
Pardoc, Esq. John Cook, Jasper Robins, William Roberts,
William Blake, Ann Wilson, Sarah Box, William Humphrey,
William Tanner, John Walker, Edward Lock, Mary Horn,
Robert Maynard, John Major, Thomas Allen, Daniel Hor-
wood, James Nixon, Thomas Slater, and divers others, land-,
pwtiers, having all right of common, at stated times, and by
a determined stint.
The act also describes William Shillingford, Richard Kirby,
John Barker, John Hicks, William Rolls, Dorothy Harris, .
Thomas Eyles, Jacob Thomas, Matthew Clarke, John Ring,
and others, as having right to commonage, in virtue of being
owners of certain cottages or tenements ".
To all and each of these a certain proportionate quantity
of land was directed to be assigned, as near to their dwelling
as possible ; or else a sum of money was to be paid, .equiva-
lent to the advantages relinquished. These lands were there-
after exempted from all common pasture, estovers, &c.
Land was also assigned to Sir Edward Turner as rector
impropriate, in lieu of all tithes and dues of corn, grass, hay,
wood, Sec. anciently claimed in the common field, the in-
closed lands being directed to be discharged of the same.
A parcel of ground Was allotted to the vicar, as a compo-
sition tor small tithes, which he was henceforward to relin-
quish : and, in consequence, the proprietors of the several
lands, ancient messuages, and tenements, who were subject
to the payment of rectorial and vicarial tithes, were bound to
lait mentioned enjoyed « " cottage common, vix.for great cattle
tbia right did not extend over the meadows of Town Langford and
Act of Pari. p. G.
TENURES, ETC. 39
fence and maintain the quickset hedges for nine years from
the time of inclosure ; these lands, cottages, or tenements,
hereby becoming discharged of all tithes or rrioduses. But
these allotments were neither to prevent the vicar from having
tithe in ancient inclosed lands, messuages, cottages, gardens^
mills, woods, under- woods, furze grounds, or parcels of land,
whereof the owners had no right of common in the inclosed
field; nor to lessen the title to oblations, mortuaries, or Eas-
ter offerings, or surplice fees,, arising out of the town of Bi-
cester : nor to defeat or lessen the title or right of Sir Edward
Turner to the tithe of the ancient inclosed lands, as rector
impropriate
Special clauses are introduced, that nothing may prevent
** or lessen the right of every person or persons whomsoever,
having title or interest, with workmen, labourers, horses,
teams, carts, or carriages, to come, go, be, pass, and repass, in^
over, and upon all or any part of the meadow or pasture, called
the Sfortar-pits,. at all times, for digging and taking away
mortar $** "or on a certain piece of land, called the Stone-
pit+piece, for digging and taking away stone at all times, in
as full and ample manner as befor£the passing of the act/'
The aet closes- by providing that the lords of any arid every
manor within the limits of the field are to enjoy the same'
privileges, of courts > rents, and services, as appertained to'
them before ; and that nothing shall be construed to the da-
mage of the king and, his heirs * *.
Thus terminated the right of commonage enjoyed by the
inhabitants of the Market-end. The inelosed lands were cer-
tainly improved in value, but many of the poorer inhabitants
were ultimately considerable losers, since the sum received in
compensation was gradually dissipated, and the privilege gone
for ever. The expenses of indosurfts could not be defrayed
by others, and these also were obliged to sell ; so that the
a* Act of Pa¥liament, p» 19.
40 INHABITANTS,
«vil fell upon those least able to bear it. It is not meant to
insinuate that any imposition was practised ; but in all great
changes, the poorer orders of society are certain of being suf-
ferers, their circumstances not allowing them to benefit by
the proffered advantage.
Having thus stated the gradual changes in the relative si*
tuation of certain classes of society, it only f emains to be ob-
served, that it is of late years the farmers have attained a high
rank in life. A writer pertinently remarks, '' in the year
1750 farmers' daughters carried butter and eggs to market,
in green Josephs, fastened round with a leathern girdle ; now
they wear riding-habits and plumes of feathers u : but if such
was their state in 1784; we may notice the steps they have
advanced since that time. Their perverted education (consist-
ing usually of music, dancing, and drawing,) has swelled them
into the courtly misses : the dairy is now abandoned ; they
have their suppers, balls, and parties : and we may shortly
expect to see the convenient farm-house turned into a modern
villa : instead of the careful house-wife, attending her busi-
ness, and the wants of her family, find that the lady of the
mansion must be spoken with in her drawing-room."
Anno 33d Geo. III. The bill which afterwards passed into
an act for the inclosure of King's-end field, stated, that the
arable, meadow, lay, pasture, and waste lands contained by
computation about 1200 acres 34 : that John Coker, Esq. lord
of the manor, was seized of a considerable part of the above
lands, together with part of the tithe of corn, hay, and grain,
growing and renewing yearly within the same field : that Sir
Gregory P. Turner, Bart, as rector impropriate of Bicester,
was seized of certain glebe lands; and entitled to the remain*
der of the above great tithes : that Joseph Eyre, in right oC
the vicarage of the said parish-church, was seized of some
s
M Ges. I man's Magazine, 1784.
M According to Young's Agricultural Report, p. 91, the field contained
1400 acres in cultivation, and 100 of common.
TENURES, ETC. * 41
glebe lands, and entitled to all the small tithes growing and
arising within the township of Bicester King's-end ; and that
Dame Elizabeth Dashwood, widow of the late Sir Jatpes
Dashwood, Bart, was seized of the remainder of the said open
and commonable arable, meadow, lay, and pasture land.
That these lands of the several proprietors, lying intermixed
and subject to the right of commonage, were inconvenient,
and incapable of improvement, in their present state.; they
therefore prayed the authority of parliament to effect an in-
closure of the said lands > which was accordingly granted.
By the act three gentlemen who are described as. quality
men were appointed to survey, divide, and allot the said field
among the above proprietors, according to the extent and
quality of their respective estates ; and they were provided
with ample powers for the sale or exchange of any portion of
the common that might be necessary to carry the act into
effect, and connect the Several parts of each estate. These
commissioners were directed, in the first place, to mark out
such public and private roads, ditches, fences, drains, gates,
stiles, &c. as might seem requisite ; so as that each public
carriage road should be at least forty feet in breadth between
the fences ; the same to be made at the sole expense of the
person through whose land it might be, within two years from
the passing of the act. They were further directed to allot
sufficient parcels of the inclosed land for stone or gravel-pits,
so that there might be no deficiency of materials at any time
for making and repairing the public roads in the township.
Land was also appropriated to the lord of the manor from
the commonable land, in compensation for right of soil, tithe 95 ,
* 5 It may be curious to trace the history of the great tithes in King's-end
field, a memorandum is therefore submitted. An unknown benefactor be*
stowed them on Kirtlington parish church : that church and the titoe were
given to a Cistertian Abbey, at Aulney in Normandy. The abbot of that
place alienated the church of Kirtlington and its appurtenances, for the rent
of 40*. per annum, to the prior and convent of Bicester. At the Dissolution
they pasted into the hands of the king, who granted them to Roger Moore,
/
42 INHABITANTS, TENURES, ETC.
%
&c. to which he was before entitled. To the rector atod
vicar, such other parts of the field as should compensate for
their several yearly tithes, as well from the field, as from such
tenements, gardens, inclosures, &c. as are within the town-
ship, . In those cases where the owners or proprietors of cot-
tages we*e found not entitled to lands or common right in the
field, yearly rents were to be assigned, which were directed to
be paid to the vicar, up to the day of his death, or removal.
A special proviso, however, was introduced, to preserve the
vicar's right and title to mortuaries, Easter offerings, and
surplice fees, 3s they became due within the township.
The act further proceeds by directing the glebe land to be
inclosed at the expense of John Coker and Dame E. Dash-
wood; securing the title of deeds or settlements on any of the
estates ; settling the titles of claimants to trees, fences, &c. ;
allowing the vicar to borrow money to carry the incisure
into effect j and closes by securing the rights of the lord of
the manor.
The advantage accruing both to the farmer and landholder
from inclosures is confessedly very great, though it is impos-
sible to state the amount of the advance of land, either in Bi«
eester or KingVend-field, without access to a rent-roll. If
any reliance may be placed on the agricultural report of Mr«
Arthur Young, it would seem that rents were trebled at Bi-
cester, and that at the time of his writing, land was generally
let from 20$. to 25s. per acre 36 ,
Esq, from whom they passed by marriage to tbe Blounts, and were finally sold
by them to the ancestors of Mr. Coker.
4* The same writer says that Mr. Coker is against leases, and nefer given
•them ; as they tell the farmer when he may begin systematically to exhaust the
firm. ^ In this rich country no great expenses are wanted in improvement,
nod if draining is necessary, Mr. Coker is at half the expense.— However*
•inoe the publication of that work, Mr. Q. &a« granted short leases*
ABSTRACT
OP
RETURNS FOR THE EXPENSE AND MAINTENANCE
OF THE POOR.
King's* end. Market-end.
sS* Sj. rf. sS» *» d.
Money raised by poors* rate and other
rates, ending EgslePlB03> within
the year. .. ., , 112 If 5 1281 13 10$
Average assessments in the year 1783,
1784, and 1?85, .... ,. 39 1 8 567 1 8
Ditto 1776 , ... 36 3 7 296 8 10
At what rskte in the pound, 1803 • . 1 6 6 6
Money expended out of work-houses,
1803 .. .. 10Q 10 953 6 A\
In ditto 1803. .. ... .. .. 338 10 %
Money expended in suits of law, re*
oooval of paupers, and expenses of
overseers and other officers. . . 1 12 9 47 6 Q
Total of expenditure of the poor, 1803.107 13 7 123 9 3 4
Ditto ditto in 177& 35 1Q 3 286 2 2
Do. average 17 8a> 1784, and 1785.. 34 3 6 534 13 8
Expenditure for other purposes, church-
rate, county-rate, militia, high-
ways, &c .. .. 5 3 10 22 12 104
Total expenditure 1803 .. - .. 112 17 5 126l 16 2
Money earned by the poor out of the
work-house, 1803. . .. . . 3 17 6
In work-house. . . . . . . . .. 31 4 3
Kings-end* . Marlet-end.
Nomberof persons -permanently relieved
out of work-house. . • ...... 15 6?
•In the work-house, permanently relieved. • 27
Children relieved under 5 years of age, .3 21
From 5 to 1 4r out of the house. . ..10 30
No, of persons occasionally out of the
house 4 77
No. of persons included in the preceding
columns above 60 years, of age, or
disabled from labour, .. .* .* . 5 29
No. relieved not being parishioners. . . 3 180
Benefit societies holding their meetings
in this place .....". * 2
\o w of members .. .. .-. # . # , 119
44
POPULATION.
The following Table shows the number of houses and inha-
bitants in Bicester in the years 1801 and 1811, as stated in
the parliamentary returns of these two periods.
J Houses. | Occupations. | Persons.
1801.
Inha-
bited.
44
Unin-
habi-
ted.
1
l\0. of
Fami-
lies.
46
buil-
ding.
Agri-
cult.
pers.
112
Trade
and
ma-
nufc.
Not
inclu-
ded in
these
class.
pers.
4
Males
103
Fe-
males
93
Total
Per-
sons.
Bicester
King's-end.
pers.
80
196
Market-end.
364
5
6
461
449
-
811
923
•
826
906
113
837
940
913
1006
1750
408
1946
1811.
»
Bicester
famil.
famil.
famil.
KingVend.
47
60
•
33
22
5
112
113
225
Market-end.
337
414
4
4
438
498
3
3
193
m
215
•
84
886
998
1035
1148
1921
/
237
89
2146
» t 'W v
CHAPTER VI.
Origin of Parish Churches.
The first missionaries who laboured among the Anglo-Saxons
commenced their work in the courts of the different monarchs,
PARISH CHURCHES. 43
arid were generally rewarded by the conversion of the royal
family, and the principal courtiers. Personal attentions, and
munificent grants, naturally followed, and stimulated their
exertions among the inferior inhabitants. But, in general,
the missionaries of the different kingdoms took up their resi-
dence in the capitals, and formed themselves into commu-
nities for the purpose of advancing each other in religious
knowledge, and instructing the youth who were to succeed
them in their sacred calling. From these societies, which
afterwards assumed the pompous titles of chapters and ca-
thedrals, the bishop regularly dispatched the different mem-
bers, to dispense the offices of religion among the distant con-
verts. And such was their estimation among the people, that
no sooner did they appear in the streets, or on the high-ways,
than the multitude swarmed around them, showing them every
possible mark of respect, and receiving their words as those
of an oracle. To facilitate the exercise of devotion, auxiliary
churches were erected, and a few of these scattered through
extensive districts offered the only means of worship. The
public inconvenience of attending them was severely felt;
but, as> Christianity gained ground among the people, and
was embraced by the lords of vast domains, the latter en-
deavoured to procure churches on their own estates. In
their application to the bishops for this purpose, they plead-
ed their unwillingness that their tenants and slaves should
neglect public worship, and their inability to permit their
absence for the time their journeys to distant churches de-
manded. Their petition was granted, on their settling a
sufficient endowment for the maintenance of a priest. This
endowment usually consisted of a certain portion of land,
of slaves to till the glebe, and of oblations made by the te-
nants. The churches were in general founded by the owners
of the lordship, who, in consequence, became the patrons,
obtained the right of presentation, and were allowed a seat
4$ oftietN or
within the raifa of the chanceh When this was not, 9*
case, the priest built them out of the oblations of the neigh-*
hourhood, and the lay patrons endowed the living, the ex-
tent of whose lands formed the boundaries of the parish.
As population increased, and these large domains were divided,
the same objections applied to the parish church as were for*
merly advanced against the auxiliary. The same precautions
for the perpetual maintenance of a pastor were taken, and
another place of worship erected : but it differed from the
former in many respects. The lands of both were granted in
pure and perpetual alms, i.e. with all the advantages of a
free and independent tenure, without burden or reserved rent ;
but the former was considered the Mother Church, and at
stated festivals the whole of the parishioners were required to
attend divine service therein '• Even when Cuthbert, tenth
archbishop from Austin, obtained the privilege of burying-
grounds (A. D. 758) being attached to churches, the privilege
did not extend to these chapels of ease, and for many centu-
ries the dead- were constantly brought for interment to the
mother church. A part of the church also was allotted for
the use of those who attended the chapels, and was usually
distinguished by the name of the hamlet. They were also re-
quired to contribute a certain sum towards defraying the re-
pairs of the church ; and there is no doubt these usages were
continued in many places until the Reformation *.
In the time of Augustine, the tithes of all parishes were di-
vided into four parts, of which one part was applied to the
support of the bishop, a second to the clergy, a third to the
• Collier*! Ecclesiastical History, vol. i. p. 229*230 ; Lond. 1708.
* Kennett, p. 585-596. A cooTiocing proof that the inhabitants of Stratton-
Audley anciently brought their dead to the btirying-ground of Bicester will
be foundjn the annals of the priory, A. D. 1425, in which the parishioners
were fined for the illegal burial of two corpses iu their chapel.
PARISH CHURCHES. 4f
poor, and a fourth to the repair of the church. These were
originally collected by the itinerant priests, or those at the
head of the rural deanery, and were paid to the bishop to
form a common fund for himself and the clergy who lived with
him, or were sent abroad. When the cathedrals were en-
dowed, however, the bishops gave up their claim to the fourth
part ; and in the time of Alfred, the whole tithes were finally
appropriated to the priests, the poor, and for the repair of the
churches. In those manors where no churches were built, the
lords were permitted to receive the tithes as trustees, and, whe&
they were erected op the estates in after ages, reserved the
two parts (viz. for the poor and repairs of the church) to them-
selves. The clergy, however, regarded these privileges with
I «ivy>; and, by their persuasion, they were settled oh some re-
ligious house, or resigned to the pfeuish priest, yet still charged
with these uses, and not as absolute property. The innovs*
titai of ages has totally changed the application ; but hence
came the practice, and depends the custom, of the rector or
impropriator maintaining the chancel J .
We have a very full and ample poof of this in a deed quoted
by Kennett, Par. Ant> p. 59, which contains a donation of the
above-mentioned two parts of the tithe of the parishes of fiur-
chefeter and Wretchwic, with those of Blechingdon, Weston,
! Bucknell, Ardulfley, Northbrodk, &c. by Robert D'Oilgi,
A. D. 1083, to the church of St. George, which he had lately,
buitt in the castle of Oxford, and endowed for a fraternity of
secular priests. On the building of Osney Abbey, the whole
of the endowment was transferred thither, and the monka
continued to receive the tithes of Bicester and the adjoining;
hamlets, till they were assigned to Bicester Priory, in consi-
deration fcf an annual payment of 60*. A. D. 1299.
i
* Kennett, p. 79-80.
48 riRST PARISH CHURCH
CHAPTER VII.
First Parish Church in Bicester.
■4
Bkde having asserted that t€ many churches were built ai\d
endowed by Birinus," among the West Saxons, after Chris-
tianity was planted in that kingdom, Kennett justly concludes
that it is highly probable one of these was founded at Bicester,
both on account of its distance from the cathedral of Dor-
chester, and the security it was likely to derive from the
fortress. This opinion will receive additional strength froiiv
the circumstance of the situation of the present edifice, if it
be granted that the old town of Berncestre stood in King's-
end, and partly in the close of Mr. Coker ', and that the pa-
rish burying-ground has never been changed^ It is also pro-
bable that it was one of the auxiliary churches, from its having
been the head of the rural deanery, and a mother church,
from remote antiquity, and that the original structure was af-
terwards converted into the parish church, on a sufficient en-
dowment being appointed for a priest by the lord of the
manor. That the glebe lands were his gift appears certain
from his retaining the two parts of the tithes till they were
bestowed on St. George's Church in the castle of Oxford;
A. D. 1083. Though we have no precise data for ascertain-
ing the form or materials of the original church of Bicester %
recent discoveries have placed it beyond doubt that the pre*
sent edifice has been constructed out of the remains of some
1 Many of the foundations of the old town remain in Mr. Coker's close.
• Many of the first churches in Britain were constructed of wattles; and
even after the Conquest, some historians make mention of wooden churches,
IN BICESTER. 49
former church, built of stone, and decorated with carved or-
naments. In common with others, we may presume that
the windows were glazed with horn, and the dim light trans-
mitted through its narrow windows shed an awfuf gloom
through the place, rendering candles necessary at noon-day.
Ancient canons ordained that the image of the saint to whom
the edifice was dedicated should be fixed in the church, or a.
portrait of him painted on the wall, or on a tablet, and hung
over the altar, inscribed with the name and the time of the
foundation *. The patron saint we may fairly presume to
have been St. James, from the most ancient fair having been
kept/>n that day, 4 . The additional ornaments of the altar
were the crucifix, Mary, and John.* The whole body of the
church was left open for the people indiscriminately to stand or
kneel at their devotions, the lay-patron alone having a place
allotted to him within the rails of the chancel. Whether any
persons of note were buried within its walls we have no means
of ascertaining; but the presumption is against that belief,
as these would prefer the church of the adjoining monastery.
Kennett represents the church as having originally stood at
the north end of Sheep-street> and states that the present
edifice was built about the latter end of the fourteenth or the
fifteenth century, when the older structure was demolish-
ed. This opinion he founds on an old writing, which re-
cites that, in 1406, John Gybbes of Watlington released
all right and claim in a certain tenement of Bicester,
nigh the church-yard, opposite the priory gate, &c. This
(says he) proves the removal before this time, unless we sup-
■"■»»•»
* Kennett, p. 609, quot Spelman, torn. I. p. 3 IS.
* "At Burcester the wake is observed on the Sunday following the festival of
St. James, and a fair is there kept on the said festival, and on the two days im-
mediately before andafter ; which is a good argument, though other authorities
be wanting, that the old parish church of Bicester was dedicated to St. James,
ftt the new church might be to St. Edburg, patron of the convent." Ken. p. 6 1 2-
E
SO THE FIRST PARISH CHURCH IN BICESTER.
V
pose the camelerium parochiale was distinct from the old
church, on which the new one was afterwards built.
In what way the sums necessary for building this fabric
were raised, or who were the chief contributors to the under-
taking, are points alike unknown. According to tradition,
the tower was originally intended to have been erected near
the present chancel (and the massive thickness of the walls
seems to countenance the statement) ; but that the design
was relinquished by the generous offer of the vicar to build a
tower at the west end, at his own expense, which he after-
wards carried into effect ; and the present structure attests
his taste and liberality 5 .
It is not improbable, that this parish anciently included
many of the surrounding villages, which afterwards became
separate parishes, and acquired authority over their own ham-
lets. Stratton-Audley for a number of ages was attached to
and dependent upon Bicester, as its mother church, and the
vicar's chaplain performed the offices of devotion, in that
chapel. No burials were permitted, but the, dead were uni-
formly brought to Bicester; and when, in 1425, the chaplain
presumed to inter there one of the inhabitants, the prior and
convent sued and recovered damages of the village. Nor do
I read of its eyer being able to assume independence till after
the Reformation.
The high antiquity of a chaplain, as attached to the parish
priest of Bicester, may be gathered from an ancient deed .con-
firming the hermitage and chapel of St. Cross, at Muswell,
to the church of Missenden, A. D. 1106, bearing date 7th
Henry I., and signed " William the elder priest of Bicester,
with William his chaplain."
5 If there is any foundation for the tradition, it is not unlikely the build-
ing of the fabric was considerably advanced, either before the proposal «as
made, or the original design relinquished, which, from the appearance of the
semicircular arches, was cruciform.
DEANERY OF BICESTER. 51
The presentation belonged to the lords of the manor till
the foundation of the monastery by Gilbert Basset, when
the church was conveyed by charter to tfie prior and canons,
who henceforth became its patrons and annexed it to the
priory. As little more can be collected than the bare names
of the vicars, it is intended to mention their appointment,
under the various priors who succeeded to the government of
the monastery.
< h - ■ i ■■ * <
iii i s»
CHAPTER VIII.
Deanery of Bicester.
It is not known at what time rural deaneries were first insti-
tuted, but they were probably copied from secular divisions.
The office of the dean was to receive complaints, inquire into
grievances, to stay personal suits on offer of compensation,
and to inflict the lesser censures of the church. They had at
first the decision of all testamentary and matrimonial causes,
and were assisted by a chapter formed of the neighbouring
clergy ; but their office was at last usurped by the archdeacon,
and became nominal as early as the reign of Edward I.,
though the title is still preserved '.
The antiquity of the Deanery of Bicester extends beyond
apy authorities extant, and probably is nearly coeval with the
introduction of Christianity into these- parts. It originally
consisted of ten churches : but in after ages the two dean-
eries of Kirtlington and Islip being added, together with the
1 Kennett, p. 631—655.
E 2
53 THE AUGUSTINE ORDER.
church of Ambrosden % in the deanery of Cuddesdcn, the
number was augmented ; and, according to Willis, it now con-
tains the following churches, viz. Ambrosden, Audley, Blech-
ingdon, Burchester, Bucknell, Chalton, Chesterton, Kirt-
lington, Fiiimore, Frinkford, Fritwell, Goddington, Hamp-
ton-poyle, Hampton-gay, Hardwick, Heyford-old-portem,
Hey ford- warren, Hethe, Islip, Launton, Lillingston-Lovel,
Merton, Marston, Middleton, Mixbury, Newton-Pu^cel, Od-
dington, Stratton-Audley, Somerton, Stoke-lyne, Tusmore,
Wendlebury, and Weston.
The seal of the Deanery of Bicester was found among the
ruins of Alchester, and is described as containing the im-
press of a pelican standing on a font or pedestal, opening
her breast with her bill, and feeding a brood of young-ones
with her blood. The form of it was oblong-oral; and round
the margin, near the extremity, was the inscription " S. De-
cani Berencestre '."
CHAPTER IX.
The Augustine Order.
The Augustine Order derived their origin from the saint
whose namethey afterwards assumed} and though their found-
er drew up no rules for the particular government of a commu-
nity, but simply made the Scriptures his guide, his followers
■ Kennelt remark*, that " at the timeof the taxation under King Edwaid J.,
e cburcb of Ambrosden Mill continued under the deanery of Cuddeadoo,
t at the flection of a new see at Oxford, or near that lime, wai transferred
leaner? of Bicester." p. 630, It in not known whether the three
■ of Kirtlington, Islip, and Bicejter, were united.
nett, p. 639.
THE AUGUSTINE ORDER. 53
contrived to extract the following regulations from his work*,
^vhich they bound every brother and novitiate to observe ".
I. That no man call any thing his own, but have all things
in common — that to all be distributed according to their
wants — that those who were poor abroad, do not go haughty,
nor those who were wealthy despise the poor— that none have
any property, or take care for food or raiment, but give all
he has to the poor — that none be admitted without trial — and
if any depart the monastery, to carry nothing away with him.
II. After prescribing the service of the church, the Canons
are enjoined to work from the morning to the ninth hour,
and read from the sixth hour to the ninth— when they must
go abroad, it must be by two-and-two, and not to have any
idle discourse.
III. They are enjoined the love of God, and of their neigh-
bour—to be all of one mind — to be present at prayer at the
appointed hour — to subdue the flesh by fasting— to listen to
what is read at dinner, nor to grudge what is allowed to
others who are sickly, or of a weak constitution— not to be
affected in apparel — not to do any thing which may give of-
fence—not to gaze on women — not to conceal any thing
that is given them*— to take care of the sick — if they should
revile one another, to beg pardon— the person offended to
forgive. — They are enjoined obedience to superiors — the sur
perior not to be presumptuous *•
Their dress consisted of a black mantle for an outer cover-
ing, which reached down to their feet, was open, and much
like a cloak with a hood to cover the head, but had no sleeves;
1 They bore the common name of " monk " till the eleventh century ; but
having become extremely lax in their rules, a council at Rome, after conp
demnlng simony and keeping of concubines, ordained the clerks should
lodge and live together, and put into a common stock what they received
from the church. Stevens's Dugdale, vol. ii. p. 64, 6£,
♦ Stevens's Dugdale, vol. ii. p. 126.
54 THE AUGUSTINE ORDER.
they wore beneath this an amice, originally made of skins or
serge, which covered the shoulders, and hung down to the
middle of the back. Under these they wore an albe, made
much like a surplice, reaching below their knees, but the
sleeves were narrow ; when it only reached the knees, it was
called a rochet.
,. They covered their heads at first with scull-caps, worn on
the hood of the mantle; afterwards their caps were made wider
at the top than the bottom, but still round and flat. About
500 years ago they were made square, all of wool, having as
it were four horns, which appeared but little outwardly.
Such were the rules and dress of the black canons 3 of the
Order of St. Augustine. Their rules embraced the three vows
of poverty, chastity, and obedience, with occasional voluntary
penance, in common with the other Orders. And however, at
this enlightened period, men of different persuasions may feel
inclined to deride their fastings, flagellations, and other acts
oi mortification, they may- be abundantly defended by the
tenets and practice of the church for many ages preceding the
establishment of this order. Their dress is liable to no more
exceptions than the present dress of the clergy, or the uniform
xostume of alms-houses or charity-schools. Their rules are
.generally drawn from the Scriptures: and though, in a few
«ases, they may appear rather strained or misapplied, surely
none but the fastidious will conceive themselves justified in
condemning them.
3 The "black canons 7 ' were so denominated, from the black habit worn
over their surplices. They came into England with Atbelwulpb, confessor
to Henry I., and in a few years multiplied prodigiously. Stevens's Dugdaje,
vol* ii. p. 69.
PRIORY OF ST. EDBURG. 55
CHAPTER X.
Priory of St. Edburg.
The Priory of Bicester was founded by Gilbert Basset,
grandson of the first of that name, A. D. 1 182, in the 28th
and 29th of Henry II. for a prior and eleven canons of the
Order of St. Augustine, (in imitation of the number of
Christ and his eleven disciples,) and dedicated to St. Edburg.
His lady Egiline de Courteney surviving him, and by her
munificence contributing towards the endowment, was
reckoned a co-founder. It is not known whether he erected
a new building, or converted his own mansion into a monas-
tery for their reception'. On their introduction he gave
them the following charter of endowment*.
Translation. — " To all the faithful of our holy mother the
Church present and to come, Gilbert Basset sends greeting.
Be it known unto all of you, that 1 have given and granted to
John, Prior of Berncestre, and to the Canons serving God
there, for the welfare of the body and soul of my Lord King
Henry, and for the welfare of my own body and soul, and of the
bodies and souls of Egilina my wife and of my children, and
for the souls of my predecessors and successors, the Church
of Berncestre with all its appurtenances. And in addition
— _ ._■ _■■■■_ ■ u - i ■ ■ ti ■■ - ■ -■■-■■—■ ,^ — -r^-r^^i___
1 " Some say that Bassets house was where the late Priorie stood." Ice-
land's Itin. p. 3. vol. vii. It is, however, thought by several in the present
day, that the foundations which still remain in the Horse-close in an area,
apparently once surrounded by a moat, together with their proximity to the
monastery, warrant the conjecture of that spot having been the site of his
mansion, and that it was encompassed by a considerable park.
* Kennett,-p. 135.
56 PRIORY OF ST. EDBURG.
thereto, all the land which is between the croft of Gilbert the
miller and the messuage which was Adam's, and the messu-
age itself, as far as my park road, together with five acres
which the aforesaid Adam held. And the messuage which
was Osmand Favel's, together with the croft. And the mes-
suage of William the waggoner, and the messuage of Alward,
together with the croft in which the two aforesaid messuages
were. And also every tenth load of my wood, that, as it
comes from the wood, it may be drawn into the Canons*
yard as into my own. And a certain meadow which is called
Hamma, extending from the croft of Seric de Wretchwic by
the mill-dam as far as where the new brook runs into the
old one, and the mill-dam itself, to erect a mill where there
was one formerly ; or if it can be more advantageously erected
in any other place near the mill-dam, let it be done. Also
pasturage in the pasture ground within my domain for three
teams of drawing oxen, together with my drawing oxen.
Also for four hundred sheep. The pasturage belonging to
the church, as well in my domain as in the common pas-
ture, and freedom from pasnage K Also that their tenants
holding of them shall be free and quit from all service, so far
as respects me. Also the church of Ardinton with its ap-
purtenances ; the church of Comton with \ts appurtenaces ;
the church of Missenden with its appurtenances ; for a per-
petual gift, free and quit . from all secular service and ex-
action in the meadows and pastures, in the marshes, in the
mills, in the ways and paths, and in all places, as well and
as freely as property was ever held by any person what-
soever. And I Gilbert Basset will warrant . the aforesaid
churches and the aforesaid possessions to the Canons aforesaid
free from all secular service. And the aforesaid Canons must not
give or exchange the aforesaid churches or possessions for any
3 The money paid for the running of swine in a forest.
JPRIORT OF ST. EDBURG. 57
other church or' for any other possessions, nor to farm let.
Witnesses;-— Rob. de Whitefield, then vicar. Thos. de
Dureval. Egilina my wife &c. Alicia Basset. Henry de Cur-
tenai. Rob. de Almari. Hugh Durevall. Thomas Basset.
Fulc. Basset. James de Gerardmulin. Walerona de Chrich-
lade. Rob. le Waleis. Bartholomew Chaplain. Rob. son of
Ralph. William de Covele. William son of Richard. Warin
Butler. Hasculf de Bixa. Thomas Briton. Adam Clerk.
Richard Clerk de Calverton. And many others."
The first charter of foundation is in a long slip of parch-
ment, with a seal appending of green wax bearing the rude
effigies of a man on horseback and this inscription 4- Sigillum
Gilberti Basset.
Soon after the grant of this charter, Gilbert Basset gave to
the said Prior and Canons a second, reciting the chapel of
Stratton 4 as an appurtenance to Bicester, with lands in the
parish of Stratton : And in the same year, a third and larger,
containing an additional gift of 40 acres of his demesne, s
20 acres in one of the common fields, and 20 in the other.
Both of these are signed by the same witnesses, and beftr
a seal of the same impression.
Kennett supposes the saint to whom this priory was dedi-
cated, was the holy virgin of Aylesbury, who, together with
her sister Eaditha, having taken the veil, were reputed saints.
Their father Frewald gave them the town of Aylesbury 5 .
List of Priors, Benefactors to the Priory : Vicars > &c*
John first Prior. Vicar unknown.
The Prior and Convent having cast a longing eye on the
tithes of Stratton, given to the Abbey of Eynsham by the
grandfather of their founder, sought a quarrel about one vir*
4 Now Stratton-audley. * Kennett, p. 134—139..
58 - PRIORY OF ST. EDBURG,
gate of land which had been lately given to them. By the
interposition of Gilbert Basset the dispute was ultimately set-
tled by the arbitration of Philip Prior of St. Frideswides and
Richard of Aylesbury, — that in consideration of the prox-
imity of Bicester convent, the tithes of Stratton should be
assigned to it for a pension of twelve shillings per annum :
which agreement was immediately confirmed by the founder.
But instead of charging this sum on the temporalities of th e
priory, it was immediately thrown on the appropriated tithes
of the church 6 .
1193. Gilbert Basset and Egiline his wife gave all their
lands of Wotesdune and Westcote their demesne, in pure
and perpetual alms for the health of their own souls and
Thomas their son : and in 1201 7 , G. Basset, after providing
that his body should be buried in the Priory, increased its
revenues by the gift of some land with two mills, which he had
lately bought of Baldwin de Munz in the parish of Kirt-
lington, paying yearly to the monks of Aulney in Normandy
eleven shillings and to the heirs of Ingrain two shillings for
all services. It is however doubtful if he was ever buried
here 8 .
1209. Richard de Camvill and Eustace his wife, daughter of
the above founder, and now patrons of the Priory, gave for
the health of their own souls and Thomas their son, all the
tithe of hay in their domain in the villages of Bicester,
Stratton, and Wrechwic, in pure and perpetual alms.
Near this time the Vicarage of Bicester was ordained by
Hugh Wells Bp. of Lincoln 9 as follows.
* Kennett, p. 144, ' lb. 1 5 1 . « lb. 1 62.
9 Previous to the ordination of vicarages, parish churches appropriated to
• houses of religion, were supplied by secular priests who were stipendiary
curates; but when by the ordination of vicarages the stipend was exchanged
fur a standing portion of tithe, glebe and manse, such endowment bettered
PRIORY OF ST. EDBURG. 59
The Ordination of the Vicarage of Berencestre.
Translation. — "The Vicarage of the Church of Berencestre,
which belongs to the Prior and Convent of the same place, by
authority of Council has been ordained after the following
manner. The Vicar shall have for his stipend and for those of
his Chaplain and Clerk forty shillings annually to be allotted
in certain portions. And he and his Chaplain and Clerk
shall have from the Priory sufficient food for himself, his
Chaplain, and his Clerk, and he shall have from the Priory
hay and provender for one horse : and their offerings ; to wit
one penny for a" burial, (corpore proesenti) and one penny
tor marriages, and one penny for purifications, and on
Christmas Day three pence, on Easter Day two pence, and
he shall have at each of the other two principal feasts one
penny. Also Offerings in Confessions, and by Legacy, as
far as six pence ; and the Vicar and the Canons shall divide
the overplus equally between them. He shall also have a
sufficient dwelling-house out of the Priory. But the Canons
shall bear all the lawful and accustomed burdens of the Church
besides the parish burden. And the Vicarage is worth. ...
but the whole church twenty marks ,0 ."
1210. Egiline de Courteney wife of G. Basset having ob-
tained the moiety of the manor of Wrechwic, formerly,
given as the portion of Eustace to Thos. de Verdun, con-
signed the half of the manor which Gilbert Basset had re-
served to -himself, with the whole of the wood of Gravenhull,
in free tenure, to the Priory 11 .
Robert second Prior. His appointment uncertain.
1211. Richard Camvill and Eustace Basset his wife, for the
sake of their own souls and of their ancestors and sue-
^■•1— HF
his title, and made him a perpetual vicar instead of an arbitrary curate. Ken.
j>. 605. w> Kenpett, 559. » lb. p. 174.
60 PRIORY OF ST. EDBURG.
cessors, gave to Robert Prior of Berencester, and the Cations
of that church, one messuage in the late tenure of Walter de
Crockwell, with all its appurtenances, in pure and perpetual
alms '\
1212. James le Bret, lord of Biggenhull, within the parish
of Berncestre, gave (with consent of Amable his wife) to
the Priory four acres of meadow land in Gore, near the Ham
(«. e. house or piece of land) of Gilbert, by charter 1 *.
Hervey third Prior, His appointment uncertain.
The same year the Prioress and Nuns of Merkyate in
Bedfordshire granted to Hervey Prior of Burncestre two
ridges of land in Hodesham, in exchange for one acre nearer
their land in Nylienaker, and half an acre of meadow near
the meadow called Gilbertsham 14 .
1214. Richard de Camvill and Eustace confirmed the do-
nation of half the manor of Wrechwic given by Egiline de
Courtney; and as a further benefaction, gave to Robert Clerk
for his homage and service one virgate of land in the village
of Bernecestre ,5 , to hold for the yearly rent of one pound of
cummin ; on condition the said Robert, or his heirs, should
find one lamp before the altar of St. Nicholas in the greater
church of St. Mary and St. Edburgh in Bernecestre ; to
burn every night entirely, and every day during divine ser*
vice, and at canonical hours, for the health of the souls of
him, his wife Eustace, Gilbert Basset, Egiline, and Richard
Camvill their son.
By another charter they confirmed the gift of the manor
of Wrechwic, and wood of Gravenhull, with the additional
gift of a certain pasture called Coubrugge l6 .
»« Kcnnett, 175. '3 lb. 176. »4 lb. 180.
f * This virgate of land was one part of Candle-meadow,
»« Kennett, p. ISO.
PRIORY OF ST. EDBURG. <Tl
Richard fourth Prior. His appointment uncertain 17 .
1216. James le Bret, lord of Bigenhull, gave with the con-
sent of Amable his wife, to Richard Prior of Berncester and
the Canons of the same, a meadow called Kinsitheam, for the
•oul of his father Walter Bret, and for the souls of his an-
cestors and successors l8 .
. 1217. Robert Fitz Michael, in consideration of one mark
of silver and the yearly rent of one pound of cummin at
Easter, granted to the church of St. Edhurgh two acres of
land in Buricroft, lying between the land of Nicholas son of
Harold and the land of John Goddard. Soon after the
same person gave two acres in Fori furlong and CrockweU
furlong, by the service of one penny yearly ' 9 .
1218. James le Bret gave to the Priory five acres of his
land in Crcckwell furlong, with a marsh called CrockweU
moor, and four seilons or ridges of land to make there a
lercherie or sheep-cote *°.
1219. Isabel, daughter of Hugh Gargate of Caversfield,
in her pure widowhood gave to the church of St. Maries and
St. Edburgh in Burncester, part of a croft which lay near to the
court of the Canons (the other part having been already
given by Muriel her sister) on condition the said Canons
should receive her and her mother into their prayers for
ever; and when they should depart this life, their names
should be inscribed in the Martyrology of the Convent.
Sybil de Caversfield confirmed one virgate of land in the
l 7 On the authority of Kennett, I have given this prior** name as Richard, and
considered him the fourth in office from John the first prior, though only the
initial R. is given in the deed quoted — p. 183. Willis mentions Reginald as
fourth prior ; but as his name does not occur at length till hfe resignation in
1269, I have considered it too long a period for one person to hold the govern-
ment, especially as they were commonly middle-aged before they received the
appointment. See Willis's Abbeys, p. 172.
* Kennett, 1 86. »» lb. 185. " lb. 187.
6*2 PRIORY OF ST. EDBUBG.
village of St ration, which babel her daughter had given for
the maintenance of one Canon for ever 1 '.
1222. Thomas Brito gave to the church of St. Ed burgh
for the souls of Gilbert Basset and Egiline de Courtnai ten
acres of land in the field of Magendune, seven acres of which
lay between the land of William Petre and William Wind,
three in Endepelhe, and three in Lillesei ".
1225. The Prior presented a vicar to the vicarage, name
unknown".
1227. Walter son of Richard de Kirtlington released and
quitted claim to the Canons all his right and tide to a new
mill onthe other side of Cherwell, with a parcel of willows,
free passage over the river, and a parcel of land near the mill
twenty-four feet towards the north, and seventeen feet in
breadth towards the west side of the mill *+,
1228. In consequence of a dispute between Alan Basset
baron of Wycomb concerning the advowson of Comptoii,
Wilts, it was determined by the Bishop of Lincoln, Bath
and Wells, that the Bishop of Sarum should have the pre-
sentation, but that two parts of the tithe of corn in the said
parish and one croft near the house of the incumbent should
remain a perpetual endowment to Bicester priory 1! .
1229. Alice Basset, widow of William Mallet baron of
Curi-Mallet, Somerset, gave some lands in Dedington to her
nephew Gilbert Basset, who soon after gave them to the
Priory 16 .
1 230. Walter Ingeram gave to the church and priory a plot
, of ground reaching in length from Hoosford to the mill o
Kirtlington, with full liberty to plant or fell trees, sell or con-
vert it to any other use".
I, 189. ** lb- 19*. " lb. 198. " lb. 201. « ft. 205.
PRIORY OF ST. EDBURG* 63
1 23 1 . The Prior presented a vicar to the church of Newton **.
1233, Alan Bsroet baron of Wycomb left by will two hun-
dred marks to th^Jniversity of Oxford, for the maintenance
of two chaplains, and made the Prior and Convent of Bicester
his excecutors, who purchased three carucates of land in
Arncote, witl\ a wood in the said village, out of the rents of
which they obliged themselves to pay eight marks yearly in
two equal payments, for the support of two chaplains or scho-
lars residing in the University of Oxford, who should pray
for the souls of him and his wife; and on every special festival
add a placebo and dirige. This land still bears (or very lately
bore) the name of Prior's-hill.
The schools of Burchester 29 (Scholae Burcestrienses) lay in
School Street, on the north side of St. Mary's church*
1234. William Longspe, patron of the Priory, confirmed
the former grants with pasturage for fifty- two yearlings at
Erdington 5o .
1236. The Prior presented to the church of Little Mis-
send'en 31 .
1239. Robert 3 2 fifth Prior died; and the Convent, haying
obtained leave of their patron W. Longspe, elected Henry one
of their canons,
1240. The Prior presented to the church of Little Mis-
senden, Bucks".
48 Kenuett, 209.
** Kemiett supposes the Scholae Bnrcestrienses originated in this donation,
and that the convent being thus obliged to maintain two scholars hired a tene-
ment of the Abbey of Osney called Hasty ng, and employed it for the in-
struction and residence of scholars. — This plan was adopted by the different
orders in succeeding ages. — p. 213.
3° Kennett, p. 216. 3« lb. 220.
3^ Rub. Grosthead Archidi, Oxon. Henricus Canonicus de Burnecestr. pe-
tita et obtenta licentia tfligendi a Com. Sar. a conventu ejusdem dooms va-
cantia per mortem Robert i Prions in Priprem electus est. Dods. MS. vol.
107. p. 78. « Ken. 224.
64 PRIORY OF ST. EDBURC.
1244. Phillippa, daughter of Thomas Basset, in her pure
widowhood gave t» the church of St. M^y and St. Edburg
all her right in seven shillings yearly rent out of a tenement in
Stodley, to be paid to the canons, on condition the said
canons, for the health of her soul, ajid her ancestors' and chil-
dren's souls, should find one lamp always burning before the
altar of St. John the Baptist in the conventual church of Bi-
cester, — Here she was afterwards buried I4 .
Ralph de Chesterton gave the service of one knight's fee
in Betterton, payable at the death of every Prior of Pothele 3S .
1245. The Convent paid three marks towards the marriage
of the king's son, a grant being made of twenty shillings on
every knight's fee.
William Longspe gave to the Priory a pasture land called
Heesecrvft, lying on the east side of the highway leading to
Wrechwic, as far as the bridge, with the whole meadow ad-
joining, to inclose and convert at pleasure; and also his whole
right and title in a mill held by Robert Puff, saving to himself
and hia heirs the free grinding of corn for himself and family;
and also a messuage in Crockwell, for which the said Canons
used to pay fifteen pence ; in consideration of their remitting
sixty shillings rent per ann. which they had in the mill of
Wivesley' 6 .
1249. Philip Basset, son of Alan Basset baron of Wycomb,
M This lady wai the second wife of Henry Earl of Warwick, who died 19
Henry III. She afterwards married Richard Si ward, from whom ate was di-
vorced,— Kennett, p. 233.
M It seems Thomasde Mazcey had given the manor of Westbatterton to
the Priory of Poghele by the service of one knight's fee to the capital lord,
to be paid at the death of every Prior, which manor was then in possession of
Sir Ralph de Chesterton. By an indenture made between the parties it was
i Sir Ralph should confirm the gift, and the Frjors successively perform
nice. This service constituted the donation to Bicester Priory*— Kenn.
I. » Kennett, p. 235.
PJUORY OF ST. EDBURG. . 65
gave to the church and convent sixteen acres of arable land,
and one acre of meadow in the fields of this village, with four
messuages in the said village, excepting a reserved rent to the
lord of the demesne 37 .
1254. The Pope grants to King Henry the tenth of aH spiri-
tuals for three years. Bicester Priory was then valued at fifteen
pounds, and the vicarage at thirty marks by the Bishop of
Norwich. — Hervey Prior.
1261. John sub-prior of Bicester chosen Prior of^Chet-
wood* 8 .— The 'religious were now become so unpopular as to
occasion some of the inhabitants, in their grants, to prohibit
their children giving their possessions to monasteries 3v .
1268. On the death of Reginald seventh Prior, William de
Quainton one. of the canons was chosen to that office by leave
of Henry Lacy Earl of Lincoln and Salisbury, their patron 4Q .
Isabel de Fortibus Countess of Albenltrle granted a charter
of confirmation to the Priory of five quarters of bread-corn to
make hosts or consecrated bread for the service of the altar,
out of the manor of Heyford-warrin originally given by her
great grandmother Maud de Chesny in the tenth of Ri-
chard l. 41 This grant was afterwards relinquished by the
xqnvent for a composition of six shillings and eight . pence
when the manor was granted to New College Ox on.
1271. Philip Basset gave by charter lands in Clifton, Heen-
. tone, and Dadingtone, with lands, tenements, and their ap-
purtenances in Grimsbury in the parish of Bannebury, Nor-
thamptonshire 4 *.
1272. The remainder of Wrechwic came into the pos-
session of the convent by gift of Ela, widow of James Lord
» Kennett, 241. * lb. 257.
» lb. 264. Habenda et tenenda dictam acram terra de me et hseredibug
meis sibi et haejedibus ftuis vel suis assigiiatis vel cuicunque dictam acram
terra? dare veodere legare vel assignare voluerit in quocuuque stattl ait ex-
ceptis viris religions——
4° Kennett, 269. «» lb. 270. « lb. 274.
F
66 PRIORY OF ST. EDBURG.
Audley, aqd daughter of William Longspe *K She again two
years afterwards renounced all claim to the two carucates In
Wrechwic.
1275. John Pufgh granted to the canons his right in an
acre of arable land lying in Brodehnd in Bicester field ; the
canons releasing to him and Muriel his wife twelve pentie
yearly out of ten shillings annual rent due t* the convent 44 .
The convent purchased all the right and claim of Richard
de CKlne and Christiana his wife in the water-mill in Kirt-
lington* 5 .
It appears by a parchment register that in 1277 the expenses
of the religious were less than the receipts by twenty-five
pounds six shillings and five pence.
Richard de la Vache granted and confirmed to Walter,
prior, all the lands, meadows, &c. he held in the village of
Wrechwic, by gift <rf Hamo de Gattone, the convent paying
five marks and a half yearly, or, in default of payment, him*
self or heirs being allowed to distrain the goods or chattels on
any part of the convent land in that manor &.
1281. Walter, Prior, having caused Thomas de Meriton,
one of his canons, to make an In hoc 47 , in Arncot common
fallow field, near the court or mansion house of the prior, on
the east side in Nether Arncote, the abbot of Oseney com-
plained he was much damaged thereby ; and after much op-
position it was agreed, nothing of the kind should hereafter
be done without consent of the abbot 48 .
1285. Henry Lacy confirmed the charter of Gilbert Bas-
set and that of William Longspe 49 .
«J Kennett, 277. 44 lb. 284.
♦5 «• This was the chiefage or lord's rent, which the convent bought off for
twenty shillings." lb. p. 2S£.
4 s lb. 288.
47 An In hoc seems to have been an in closure in some part of a common
field which lies fallow, because it was agreed that the abbot of Oseney out of
his mere liberality should allow the prior the crop of that croft for this turn.
4» Keuuett, p. 297. » lb. 306.
Taxatio Ecclesiastica P. Nicholai.
PRIORY Of ST. EDBURG. 6jT
1291. A general taxation of all ecclesiastical possessions in
England, toward defraying an expedition to the Holy Land,
granted to pope Nicholas IV, the whole was under the di-
rection of John bishop of Winton, and Oliver bishop of
Lincoln 5 °, when those connected with the church and priory
were valued according to the following list.
s* d.
Prior de Buracester' h't in Cestreton in t'ris et redd' 1 16 O
Wedlingbur' in redd* et p'ts - - 1 17 4
Wrechwik in t'ris redd' mol' p'ts pan-
nag* etcuV - - - - 2 2 8
Feryngford in t'ris et pratis O 1*0
h*t man'ium de Grimesbur* in Decanat'
de Bannebur* et com' Northt* -600
Ernecote in t'ris et redd* * ~ 3 14 8|
Stepel Aston in redd' - - O 13 4
Blexh'm in t'ris redd J p'tis pastur'mo-
lend' et fruct' aiaf - - 13 19 O
Westcote in t'ris et redd* - - 2 1111
Cave"*sfield in terr' redd' p'tis cur' - 5 18 4
h't in ibidem in fruct' greg' et aial* -020
Decanat 9 Marlebcrg*
Porcio prioris Bumcester Eccl'ia de Compton £b 6s Qd
decima. 10 8
Marieberg Prior'de Burncest' taxatio lOd. decima. 1
Ecc'lia de Burncestr* deduct' pore' - 12 O O
Porcio Abb'is de Alneto in ead* - 1 6 8
It'm porcio Abb'is Oseney in cad' - 2 O O
It m pore' Abb'is de Eynesham in ead' O 12 O
5° Tbe collectors appointed in the diocese of Lincoln were the abbot of
Oseney and prior of St. Catharine's at Lincoln. These deputed Ralph rector of
Wooten, and Richard rector of Gilling, for the archdeaconries of Oxford, Bed-
ford, and Bucks. lb. 312.
f2
68 . PRIORY OF ST. EDBURG.
1299. A dispute settled between the priory of Bicester and
the convent of Asherugge respecting a common pasture near'
to Wrechwike, by an agreement that the prior and convent
might enclose three acres of common pasture in Blackthorns,
excepting meadow to be mowed, in any place where the te-
nants of tlie Priory and convent used to common 5I . •
1300. William de Thornberg ninth Prior quitting Novem-
ber 13th. Roger de Cottesford constituted prior.
The canons of Oseney agree to remit the tithes of Burn-
cester, &c. to the Priory for sixty shillings per annum.
The convent of Bicester demise their prebendary church
of Sutton with the. chapel of Bockingham and their respec-
tive manors to the abbey of Aulney in Normandy, for two
years at two hundred pounds rent 5 *.
1304. The tithe of Biggenhull and Nonnes Place was ap-
propriated to the church of St. Maries Kirtlington, which
church was appropriated to the Cistertian abbey of Aulney
in Normandy. This year the abbot of Aulney demised the
. said church and its appurtenances to the prior and convent
for the rent of forty shillings per annum.
L310. By an inquisition of the possessions of Henry L$-
cy Earl of Lincoln, the jurors found that he held the manor
of Burncester by the law or courtesy of England of the inherit-
ance of Margaret his wife, &c, and that there were in the
said manor one hundred and sixty acres of land. That the prtdr
held of the earl the site of the priory with four carucates of
land, twenty acres of meadow, one water mill with other ap-
purtenances, value forty pounds per-annum; the church of the
said town, value thirty marks, with the manor of Wrechwicke
worth twenty pounds per annum, in pure and perpetual alms;
and that Alice daughter of the aforesaid Henry and Margaret
was the nearest heir of the age of twenty-six years and upward s *.
S' Kennett, 336. ** lb. 342. 51 lb. 360.
Priory or st. £DBUite. 69
1317- The king at Walsingham confirmed the several do-
nations made to the priory by special charter,
1320. Walter de Btirncester** clerk, designing to give to
prior and convent one messuage with ten acres of land in
Grimsbiiry and Warkworth, petitioned for the dispensation
of the statute of mortmain lately passed (A .D. 1276. Edw. I.)
which, on the report of commissioners that it was not pre-
judicial to the king, was granted. This statute prevented
many future donations J5 .
1322. Richard Serich granted and confirmed to the prior
and convent one messuage and nine acres of arable land in
the town and fields of Bicester, held of John Puff, to have
and to hold of the convent from the lords of the fee by
usual service 5A .
1329. A dispute which arose between Oseney abbey and
Byrseter priory relative to the portion of tithes in Ardington
Berks, decided in favour of Byrseter priory, under the hands
and seafe of the oldest inhabitants 57 .
1331. Roger de Cottesford dying is succeeded by Robert
de Curtlington eleventh prior. Admitted 6 calend. of Decem-
ber *.
1342. Sir Richard de la Vache released and quitted claim
to the prior and convent all his right and claim to the several
lands and tenements which the said prior held in the manor
of Wrechwyke, and to all suits and services which could arise
from thence 59 .
1348. Roger Warde became prior 3d cal. of June, on the
death of Robert de Curtlington.
Nicholas Brode admitted vicar 16 cal. December 6q .
** It was common for the religious to assume a surname from the place of
their nativity or former residence. *
* Kenoett, 381. * lb. 389. » lb. 412. This document is very curious*.
* Willis's Abbeys, toI. ii. p. 172. » Kennett, p. 453. * lb. p. 559.
70 PRIORY OF ST. EDBURG.
1349. Nicholas de Shobington appointed thirteenth Prior,
10 calend July 6 '.
Thomas Cok curate of Middleton, William de Stratton
curate of Launton, and Richard de Caversfield curate, jointly
gave to the conventual church of St. Edburg in Burncestre
all the lands, tenements, rent% services &c. which they had
*of the gift and feoffment of Thomas de Stapenhull in the
villages of Burncestre and Middelington, to hold for ever of
the capital lords of the fee 6a .
John Osmond of Chippenham admitted vicar at Peter-
borough 15 calend. June 63 .
1354. Peter le Grote fourteenth Prior resigning, Robert
Blaket succeeded on the 5 of the ides of December, which dig-
nity he retained until his death 1383 64 .
1356. The prior and canons admitted John de Aldwinkle
vicar (John Osmond having tendered his resignation) on the
nones of August ; and Aldwinkle after retaining \% fifteen
years exchanged it with William Belhamy 20 November 137 1 >
for the vicarage of. Weregrove, Sarum 65 . ♦ ' ,
1383. Robert Islip sixteenth prior confirmed April 1st 66 .
1397. John Paulyn vicar, Richard Green curate.
October 14, Richard Parentyn appointed prior 67 ,
1401. Wm. Campion admitted vicar 68 .
Circa, The parish church rebuilt in its present situation ^
141). Richard le Estrange lord of Bicester, and patron of
the priory, granted to Richard Parentyn and his successors a,
pasture called Cowbrige mede, between the water course nigh
the meadow of Biggenhull, and the priors' land called Cow-
brige furlong, in full recompense for the free pasturage of three
team of oxen, which liberty had been lost for a long time.
This however is given and acknowledged as a full equivalent 70 ,
■ " ■ ■ ■ ■> i i . i . ■ ■■ i i t".
61 Willis, vol. ii. p. 172. * Kennett, 471. * lb. p. 559.
6 * Willis, vol. ii. p. 172. * Kennett, p. 558. * Willis, vol. ii. p. 1?2.
^Willis, ib. w Willis, ib; <* KeuneU, p. 55,8. * IK 54$.
PRIORY OF ST. ED BURG, 7 1
1413. Ralph Philip presented by the prior and convent,
upon exchange with William Campion 10 March? 1 .
1425. 3 Henry VI. The chaplain of Stratton Audley
at the instigation of the inhabitants presumed to bury two
corpses in the said chapel when they ought to hare been
carried to the mother church of Bicester. Upon this violation
of parochial rights, the prior and canons of Bicester the
patrons and impropriators of the church made their com-
plaint, and preferred a suit against the inhabitants of Stratton,
and the prior in person went to London to prosecute and so*
licit in the cause, which was finally referred to the bishop of
Worcester, who came to Bicester to try the same ; which
after due hearing and examining was determined in favour
of the prior, and the inhabitants punished for their illegal
offence 72 .
By the bursars' account delivered 1425, it appears to have
been custoraary for them to settle their accounts the day after
Michaelmas "'.
1434. William Campion resigned the vicarage into the
hands of the prior and convent, who appointed John Odam :
admitted at Lydington Oct. 18. 1434.
1439. Richard Parentyn dying, John Wantyng succeeded
to that office as eighteenth Prior 74 .
1440. Richard Parentyn the late prior having held for life
from the lord of the manor one parcel of ground called the
wulle piece or mill piece, extending; in length one acre
called the muUe acre, lying near the highway under the wall
of the priory close, called the horse close or le horscrqfts, on
one part ; and the mete or boundary reaching toward the
7« Kennett, 558. n lb. 577, 578.
?* These accounts are given at length in the Appendix, and will be found to
contain some very carious items.
74 Willis's Abbeys, vol. ii. p. 172,
J2 PRIORY OF ST. EDfiURG.
meadow nigh the brech on the other part, and abutting on
the south upon Lamp dytch near the aforesaid meadow, and
on the north on the highway near the croft of John Russel,
the same land was now granted by Sir Richard Le Strange to
the priory by the service of one red rose on the feast of St.
John the Baptist 75 . .
\ 1453. John Wantyng resigning is succeeded by Edmund
Wycombj and the following maintenance appointed him :
Translation* — John Wantyng prior of Burcestre not hav-
ing from any other quarter the substance of this world, from
whence he is able to support himself, according to his proper
state, rank and age, hath resigned the said priory. The bi-
shop hath preferred to the same priory Edmund Wycomb, and
lissigns.to the said John for his maintenance, a place called the
trymles situated within the priory aforesaid, with its garden ;
also the said John shall have .for the term of his life, for the
clothing and stipend of his servant,*five marks ; also he shall
have four cart-load of firewood from the wood of coppice of the
said prior, and as much bread and beer, fish and flesh and other
eatables and drinkables as two canons of the said priory have
been accustomed to receive.: he shall have also every month
two pounds of -wax. candles for his chamber; and shall have
also every week twelve flaggons of beer and thirty-three con-
ventual loaves for himself and servants 7< \
In the third year of Henry VI. anno 1454. The prior and
convent of Burcestre, entered into the following compact
with John Odam, and granted this instrument for the per-
petual endowment of the vicarage.
Translation. — rEdmund, prior of the priory of St. Edburg
Burcestre, and the convent of the same place, proprietors of
the parish church of Burcestre aforesaid,, and of the chapel of
the blessed virgins Mary and Edburg of Stratton-audley, de-
75 Kepnett, p. 628. * Willis* Abbeys, vol. ii. p. 332.
PfttOHY OF ST. EDBURG. J3
pendant on the same &c. John Odam priest/ perpetual vicar
of the parish church aforesaid &c. We the prior and the con*
vent the proprietors aforenamed will and grant by these presents
for us and our successors, that the said master John Odam
perpetual vicar aforesaid and his successors in future time
shall have and shall enjoy l>y right and title with the vicarage
aforesaid, the manse of his vicaiage with the gardens and
customary places adjacent, and the tithes of vegetables and
of hemp and flax growing in the gardens of the said parish,
also all the tithes, oblations, -mortuaries, altar offerings, corn-
modifies, profits, and emoluments whatsoever, arising at
present or in future from the villages or fields of Burcestre,
Wrechwic, or Biggenhull, and* from other lands and* places
tithable or about to be tithed, within the boundaries or limits
of the said parish church of St. Edburg, wheresoever situated,
arising or in future to arise, and of all places appertaining
to, or belonging, or in future to appertain to the same parish
church, freely, fully and wholly, without • impediment from
us or our successors, excepting and reserving to us the prior
and convent and to our successors all sorts of tithes of gar-
bage and of hay arising from tithable places in the same
parish, excepting also and reserving all sorts of tithes of all
enclosures not gardens at present or in future in the said
parish, in our hands without any fraud existing. . But if any
of these inclosures shall be in the hands of tenants, or occu-
pied by their (ktnej animals, then we will and grant that the
aforesaid vicar and his successors shall have and enjoy the-
tithes of lambs, wool, cheese, butter, and the personal
tithes, in every case reserving the great tithes in all those
places to ourselves and successors, reserving also to ourselves*
and successors all sorts of tithes, oblations, and profits what-
ever arising in the village of Stratton-audley. And also we
will and grant that the said vicar shall have annually two
waggon load °f g°°d J* av furnished and afforded by the prior
74 PRIORY OF ST. EDBURG.
and convent, to be carried to the manse of the said vicar at
a proper time as heretofore accustomed, and 4 waggon load
of fire-wood, out of the wood of the prior called the Priors
woodnear Arncote, to be cut down and carried at the cost of
the said vicar, upon the reasonable arrangement of the prior
and his deputies, after a proper requisition made by the vicar
or his attorney. We the proprietors aforesaid also will and
consent to the expense of maintaining a chaplain in the said
chapel of Stratton, according to the tenor of the above compo-
sition, to celebrate and administer all holy rites to the parish-
ioners there, by the consent, will, and assent of me John the
vicar aforesaid, and also by the consent, will, authority and
assent of the reverend father In Christ lord John by the grace
of God bishop and diocesan of this place, to us atid to our
successors does appertain and belong ; and not only the duty
aforesaid, but also all other duties whatsoever incumbent on the
said chapel or aforenamed church of Bicester, and to the vicar
of the said church, in what manner soever belonging, the
duty of repairing the vicar's manse or of furnishing meat and
drink to the said vicar being alone excepted. In witness and
affiance of which wholly and singularly we the Prior and Con-
vent, the proprietors aforesaid on the one part, to these in-
dentures containing our agreement, and remaining in the keep-
ing of the said vicar, have set our common seal. And I the
vicar aforesaid on the other part, for the greater testimony
and affiance of the premises, have procured the official seal of
the reverend lord archdeacon of Oxford to be affixed. Gi-
ven in the chapter house of the priory of Burcestre aforeaid,
the twentieth day of January, (A*D- 1454,) thirty- third year
of the reign of King Henry VI. ^ 7
1479* John Adams dies, and the Prior and Convent ap-
point Richard Brails vicar, who was admitted at Peterborough
?7 Kennett,p. 669.670.
k-*~
PRIORY OF ST, EDBURG. 75
July 29th same year. After holding it nearly two years and
a half he resigned, and Thomas de Kirkby admitted at the
Old Temple, London, 1481 ? 8 .
1483. Richard Hindlest twentieth Prior enters into an
*
agreement with the Abbot and Convent of Eynsham to pay
yearly the sum of twenty shillings out of the mill at Old Clif-
ton, near Dadyngton. The state of the premises no longer ad-
mitting the payment of fotfy shillings, the original sum is
therefore remitted 79 .
November 20th the same year the Prior died, and John
Tookejr the sub-prior was raised to thatfjMgnity 8o .
1485. Thomas Banbury elected twenty-second Prior 8f .
1486. . The majior and church of Heyford being conveyed
to New College, Oxon, the Prior and Convent released the
rent of corn formerly given them by Maud de Chesney to
make hosts, for the annual payment of six shillings and eight
pence in money.
1498. William Stavely lord of Bignal gave by will twenty-
six shillings andeightpence; — proved November tjie 1st same
year 8a .
1499. Richard Petyrton 17 July succeeds as twenty- third
Prior, on the resignation of Thomas Banbury — is afterwards
promoted to the abbacy of Nuttley, Bucks 8 *.
1503. William Dadyngton confirmed Prior in Dec.
1510. John Coventry elected twenty-fourth Prior Octo-
ber ll 8 *.
1528. Robert Bruce twentv-sixth Prior died 85 .
* Kennelt, 621.
7» Madox's Formula re Anglicanum, p. 107.
80 Additions to Willis's Abbeys, vol. ii. p. 23.
81 Willis, vol. ii, p. 173.
84 He also '« bequeathed his body to be buried in the chance! of the parish
church of Bicester." — Kennett, p. 680.
•' * Willis, vol. ii. p. 173,
•• Cole's MS. vol, 27. p. 8Q, Brit, Mus,
76 PRIORY Or ST. EDrJUKG.
1528. William Browne twenty -seventh and last Prior
elected April 6th M .
1529. Peter Gryffith appointed vicar on the resignation
of Floren tiiis * T .
1534. William Browne, Prior, and eight Monk*, sub-
scribed to the supremacy of Henry VIII. The following year
were visited in general with other monasteries. It is probable
the visitors here were Lee and Leighton, as their visitation
included the diocese of Lincoln H .
1536. The report of the visitors having disclosed mon-
strous vices and enormities which existed among the monas-
tics in different parts of the kingdom, an act of parliament
* Cole's MS. vol. <H. p. 80. * Kennett, p. 631.
■ This step appean to hare been taken with a direct design to produce
charge* against the monks, and thereby effect their rain , they having lately
fallen under the King's displeasure. The instructions of the visitors are very
particular, and it seems almost impossible for (be religious to avoid commit-
ting themselves in their ansaers to some of the eighty-six inqoiries which the
commissioners were directed to press. Among these were the questions whe-
ther divine service was kept up night and day at the right hours— how many
were present and absent — the number of religious, whether according to the
foundation — their former and present revenues — their mortmains and dona-
tions, and whether the founder was authorised to make them r They also were
to examine their local statutes, inquire into the election of their head, teeth*
rule of the house, number the professed, and examine the novices — to inquire
whether the monastics observed their rule, but chiefly the three tows. Whe-
ther any had money without the master's knowledge — if there were any back-
doors to the monastery by which women entered, or if boys lay with them. —
Whether the rules of abstinence, fasting, silence, and hair shirts were observed
— Itiehabit worn, and every transaction of life in conformity to the order, — when
ihtrthe superior and brethren acted towards eachother as prescribed, --the edi-
good order, — the estates properly managed,— -and church presentations
made i— and lastly, one brother una called to state another's views in
ig that place, or managing its concerns: thereby exciting them to inform
:cacb other. No wonder monstrous stories were propagated, doubtless
of them false: but they produced the desired end, the shocking poor mi -
ey were charged with excited the haired of the people, and finally ac-
•hed their suppression . — Burnet's Hist- of Ike Reformation, vol, i.p. 185.
PRIORY OF ST. EDBUftG. *tf
was passed for the suppression of all the monasteries whose
revenues did not exceed two hundred pounds per annum . The
preceding valuation having included the priory of Bicester in
this number, it was accordingly surrendered by Prior Browne
arid his Convent, each of whom had pensions assigned them
out of its revenues, though the amount of that paid to the
Prior (viz. twenty-four pounds per annum) is alone preserved,
1537. Probably the last act of the prior and convent as
an independent community was a grant of the right of pre-
sentation of the vicarage of Bicester to John Longland bishop
of Lincoln, at which time that prelate collated John Phillips.
It is much to be regretted th$t the records of the Aug-
mentation-office do not contain the original surrender of the
monastery. The following, however, is the list of its reve-
nues as delivered into that court, 29 Henry VIII J*
Oxon. Monast*rium de Burcester.
------- Firm' et Reddus cu* )
Burcester - Redd' Cust' Tenen* £ ,3 l0 4
. Firma terr' cfnicar* - 25 10 4
Wretch wyke - Redd* et Firm' - - 22 7 5
Stratton Audeley Firm* terr* - - 16 O O
A ^ n iI 0netU,CUm }Firm-Rectorie'etTerr' 18 Q
basset
Kempton, Dodtngton
Clifton et molehd' ^Exif - - 32,0 2} #
t
Firm* Manerij' - - 8 -6 &
aquat* in Clyftonne
Grymesburye juxta
Banburye -
Nelthropp juxta }
Bannebu^e ^Firm'Mes' - - 1 13 4
' *» The most grateful acknowledgements are due to John Caley, Esq. V.A.S.
keeper of the records at the Augmentation-office, for his obliging communi-
cations, and for his ready assistance in procuring original documents.
78 PRIORY OF St. EDBOHG.
Oxon. Monast' de Burcester.
sB. s. <L
Kirtlyngten et 1 Redd' et Firm* cum Redd')
Tackleye J tam lib* quam cast' ten* C * 1 *' "
Arocote in Hundreed
de Bolingdon '-
Stepulaston -
Middylton
Wendleburie -
Chesterton -
Fryngforde -
Heyforde Warren
CaversfeTde -
Samforde -
Buckenhul ~
Beamonde juxta 7
Missenden J
Westcote
Blackenbull
Compton Bassett
Redd* Mess 9 et Terr'
-
4
11
10
Redd' Mess* et Terr'
—
13
4
Redd' Mess' et Terr'
-
2
Firm' Cottag' <
et Terr'
-
10
Firm* terr'
—
—
5
Redd* terr'
—
mm
2
Penc'
—
mm
1
6
8
Firm' Manrij
—
—
2
13
4
Firm' Mes* et terr'
—
5
Firm terr'
—
-
5
Firm'Man'ij
-
-
13
6
8
Redd* Terr'
mm
mm
4
10
Firm' Claus'
—
—
1
Penc* RTcor
*
—
4
Vendic Bosc
*
Perquis' Cur*
null'
Thus after existing for a period of three hundred and fifty*
four years as the principal mansion in the town, did this mo-
nastery dwindle into insignificance and ruin, su that the most
diligent inquiry can only rescue a few of the names of its prin-
cipal buildings from oblivion*, whose site neither tradition nor
investigation can ascertain.
It is evident from the foregoing annals that the church of
this monastery contained three altars, one of w]pch occupied
the east end, and was distinguished by the name of the high
altar, and the others dedicated to St. John the Baptist and
St. Nicholas. To the former of these, without doubt, (he
clause in the second charter of the founder applies, which di-
PRIORY OF ST. EDBURG. 79
rects that "one virgate of land in Stratton should be applied
to finding a light for the church," and which according to an-
cient custom Was placed on the altar during the celebration
of divine service. This opinion seems also confirmed by the
grant of Candlemeadow by Richard Camvill for the express
purpose of maintaining lamps (or candles) for the attar of
St. Nicholas, which were to burn every night entirely, € * and
every day during divine service, for the health of the souk of
Richard Camvill and Eustace his wife, Gilbert Basset, and Ri-
chard Camvill their son."
The piety of Phillippa Basset, Countess of Warwick, pro-
vided a light for the altar of St. John the Baptist ; and the
circumstance of her being buried within the church would lead
to the conclusion that she was afterwards buried near that
altar 9° ; indeed it is not" improbable that both of the latter
were founded as chanteries, and perhaps by the above bene-
factors, that after their decease masses might be perpetually
sung for the repose of their souls.
Altars of this description were generally decorated with the
image of the saint to whom they were dedicated. The pri-
vate masses were seldom attended with any pomp, and almost
without any attendant except the priest's boy, or some of the
relations of the dead. On the anniversary a missa ad requiem
was sung in the morning, and a dirge in the afternoon. This
service was called the founder's year's knind ; and if there were
lesser commemorations, they were described as a month's or
week's mind 91 .
In common wjth other conventual churches, the religious
had each a stall, similar to those now found in cathedrals,
9° Kennett, p. 232.— The idea is suggested from her having granted seven
shillings rent in Stodeley for maintaining a light to be set on this altar.
•' A dole was frequently given on the anniversary. Peck's Desid. Curiosa,
vol.iK lib. vi. |i. 38. Lond, 1732.
80 PRIORY OF ST. EDBUKG.
which they occupied during divine worship, and there is little .
-doubt but that after death their bodies were buried in this
church. Thin edifice also seems to have contained the ashes
of several noble persons besides the Countess of Warwick.
" The foundress, Egiline de Courteney, some of the Damo-
ries lords of Bucknel and Goddingjon, and one of the last lords
Le Strange, are particularly enumerated as buried within the
walls; but whether any tombs or monuments perpetuated their
memory is unknown *". Even all traces of the pile itself have
perished, and no document remains which can furnish a con-
jecture concerning it. On the Dissolution, the fabric was im-
mediately destroyed, and most likely the bells, lead, and other
materials sold, so that when Leland visited the place a short
time after the surrender, there was not a vestige of its grandeur
remaining. If, however, under the discouraging circumstances
of the failure of traditional evidence,and the destruction of every
fragment of the edifice, it be allowable to hazard a conjecture
of its site, 1 should be inclined to place it within the smaller
inclosure, on the northern side of the garden ; — the space in-
cluded within those lofty walls lying due east and west, and
appearing proportionate to the extent of a church adapted to
the use of this monastery QJ .
»' Gilbert Basset as some think.- was bnried beyond the sea.
*gfean Courteney was buried in the Priurie of Bnrcester.
There were divers of the D'amories auncient gentlemen buried in the Priory
There was alio one of the last- lords. " le Strange " buried. — Leland Itirt,
Tol.Yii.p.413.
One of Mine, Sir Richard D'amory, lord of Buckenhatl (now Bncfcne))) was
an eminent warrior in the reign of Edward 111., and summoned to parliament
from the twentieth of Edward II. to the year in which he died, A.D. 1330.
Ken. p. 41 3.
~ * n aware there are those who consider the church to batebeen situated
he boundary walls, in Place yard. The matter might be divided by
as it is probable some testiges of mortality would appear in the latter
the conjecture is » ell founded.
PRIORY OF ST. EDBURG. 81
Great part of the priory seems to have been left standing
for many years, but nothing can be said of its original form.
It is evident there were several spacious rooms ; the hall or
refectory, where all the canons dined ; the bursary 94 , where all
accounts were settled ; the locuiory ? 5 or parlour, where the
religious retired for conversation after dinner; the chapter-
house ? 6 , where all writings were drawn and sealed ; and the
dortor or dormitory, where all the fathers slept. Of all these
we have only a faint idea of the dortor, which we gather from
the bursar's accounts in 1425, and which represents that build-
ing as a long room covered with tiles, and each end sur-
mounted with a weathercock 97 . How long these buildings
remained in their original state after the Dissolution, is uncer*
tain : the monastery afterwards became the residence of the
Blounts 98 , and was probably then of considerable extent ; but
the only part remaining, is a house now occupied by a Mr.
Wilson who rents the gardens, and is forty-one feet in
length, and sixteen feet and a half in breadth, one end of
which forms a part of the boundary wall belonging to the mo*
nastery. From the situation of the building it is not unlikely
■I ■■ ,!■■ — ■■ . ■■■ II I ■ H I . .. | ,. ,. ,
•* *' Computaverunt fratres Radulphus de MeritGD et Stephanus de Oxom
de Bulgaria domus fierncestre coram auditoribus." Kenn. p. 288. «
95 " Et Willielmo Hykkedoo Latamo conducto per qua trior dies ad faciendum
limen hostii Locutorii versos Aulam Prioris xyj den/' lb* p. $74.
9 s At Osney Abbey the dortor was an oblong room, divided by several par-
titions, between each of which was a bed open at the feet, and a candle which
should serve for each of them till their time to arise at their nightly devotions*
When tlje candles were lighted, the keys of this place were carried to the pre-
fect or vicar, wiio opened it in the morning at the appointed time, when eacll
monk had their summons to rise, and had an bdur given them for private duty
to prepare themselves for other services. — Pesball's Oxford, p. 304.
97 The mention of eighteen corbelstones, explained by Kennett to mean
niches for statues (Gloss.), conveys an idea of this building being extremely
handsome. See Appendix.
9 s History of Alchester.
G
83 PRIORY OF ST. EDBUHG.
that it was the lodge, or the house appropriated to the lodging
and entertainment of travellers : it has undergone many alte-
rations ; but from the form of the windows, and the exterior
appearance of the structure, it seems to have been erected
much earlier than the parish church.
Some years ago, another building stood within the wall on
the right of the entrance, and was then used as an out-house.
The windows were of similar workmanship with those which
remain — the building has been since destroyed — the stone
coping of the boundary is also removed, and the only remain-
ing evidence of its former importance is the Gothic arch by
which the house and garden are entered. A letter from Mr.
1. Smith, the master of Bicester charity-school, (who with his
father was employed many years in these gardens by the late
Mr. Stratum,) states that they " found many earthen floors in
the upper garden, under the southern wall adjoining Clap-
Jfttte" which were probably the floors of the cells belonging
to the monks. Near the centre of the same garden a circular
well was also discovered, which he describes " about a yard hi
diameter, and walled with freestone." He adds: ,( My father
and Master Hudson repeatedly tried to empty it; but after they
had reached the depth of seven feet the water flowed in so fast
that they were compelled to desist ,OQ . Close to the present
building, my father also discovered a very neat coffin about
two feet long ; the bones were so small that he could not as-
certain what they were, and there was no inscription visible.
In the garden called the orchard,, we found a neat little place
io* Thia well was about the centre of the inclined area, and, if tbe building*.
and celli ran parallel with the boundary wall, want nearly an equal distance
from every part of the quadrangle. Hence it is reasonable to suppose that
t the chief water uttnl by the monks. The freeatone walls are now
away, and in Juue lull it appeared an uniijbtlj hollow full of muddy
PRIORY OF ST* EDBURG. 83
walled with brick, and paved with six-inch square tiles orna-
mented with plain circles, and flowers of various kinds ; the
floor was about two feet below the surface of the ground."—
The present occupier informed me that some time ago he
found an immense arched vault, which on opening was half full
of water; this he attributed to the falling in of the old drains,
and on that account finding it useless, he removed the crown
of the arch and filled it up. The adjoining premises are full
of large foundations, once forming offices, &c. connected with
the priory. There is a report that a large arch was standing
close to the present farm-house, some years past ; and that
the farm-house itself occupies the site of the ancient lodge ;
and this report is confirmed by a deed quoted by Kennett, which
states that the priory gate adjoined the church-yard.
The large pond in Place yard was doubtless originally de-
signed for supplying the monastery with fish, as well as the
moats in the Horse-close. Near the entrance of the garden
is a smaller water, perhaps once a stew, where fish were pre-
served for immediate use, as the multiplicity of fast-days in
the Romish calendar demanded a perpetual supply. There
is a ridiculous story of a coach and six horses being lost in this
water, though it is silent as to the owner, and the time when
the accident happened ; but there is nothing whatever which
can countenance the report. On the site of the present rick-
yard, there was once a fine bowling-green, and a public-house
known by the same name, much frequented by the principal
inhabitants of Bicester : Time has laid his destructive hand
on both, and their existence is almost forgotten.
In the days of superstition the canons of St. Edburg much
encouraged the people to frequent St. Edburg's well, whose
waters were considered a sovereign remedy in many diseases.
Early as the days of Edward I. the spring had attained its re-
putation ; and the road leading from the priory towards it
was called Seynt Edburg hes grene way, and Via SancUe
g2
84 PRIORY OF ST. EDBURG.
Edburge. It was afterwards called Edlurg balk, and thence
corrupted into Tadbury balk ; but even the latter name ifi
now almost obsolete. " After the Reformation, the lame and
blind ceasing to resort to this well with their vows and offer-
ings, the saints having lost their honour and the wells their
virtue, the current of the spring became stopped up, and all re-
membrance of it was fast hastening into oblivion," when, for-
tunately for St. Edburg, " the summer of 1666 proving remark-
ablv dry, induced Mr. John Coker, then lord of the manor of
King's-end, in which field it was situated, to open and cleanse
the head of the spring; when such a sudden and great sup-
ply of water gushed forth, that had the old adorers lived, they
would have esteemed it a miracle." From this circumstance
the spring obtained the name of New-fotind spring, which it
stHl retains. The narrow passage between the houses in
King's-end, as well as the road now used at a foot-path to
Middleton, was originally made for the sole purpose of visit-
ing this well ; for we are informed by Kennett that " the green
balk extends half a mile in length, leading to no other place
but the head of the spring ,0f ." This well is situated a short
distance north of a barn &c. erected on the inclosure of the
field, now in the occupation of Mr. Reynolds, and may be no-
ticed as the head of the adjoining rivulet. A few years ago it
was generally admired, as a clear and beautiful spring r but
when I saw it last (in 1815) it was nearly ehoked up with
weeds, and the surrounding ground a perfect marsh. Still
I cannot close this article without indulging the hope that its
ancient celebrity will secure the future notice of the inhabi-
tants of Bicester, so as to prevent the spring from being neg-
lected and consigned to oblivion.
In the thirtieth of Henry VIII. the priory, with great part
101 In the time of Kennett the herbage of this balk belonged to the tithiiig-
man of King's-end. p. 138.
PRIORY 07 ST. EDBURG. 85
of its possessions, is said by Tanner to have been granted to
Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk, and brother-in-law to the
King Ioa : but it appears shortly after to have been again in
the hands of the King ; for in the thirty-second year of his
reign (A. D. 1540) letters patent were granted to Roger
Moore, Esq. conveying the site, lands, and tenements of the
dissolved priory, to himself and his wife, and their heirs ,0 *.
The grant included the patronage of the church, and the rights
which were appertaining thereto, insomuch that we find him
in the following year (1541) delegating the right of presen-
tation pro hac vice to Bennet Wilkins and Thomas Shore of
Bicester ,04 . The monastery and estates passed to his de-
scendants, who finally sold them ; and after several purchases
became the property of the Turners, in whose family it still
remains.
The particulars of the possessions at Letcomb Basset be*
longing to the priory of Bicester ate thus entered in the books
which formerly belonged to the office of the Court of Augmen-
tation, in order to be sold to Mistrys Russel, and the entry
gives us a fair specimen of the way in which church lands were
valued and disposed of at that time.
,ot Notitia Monastica : Burcester, Oxfordshire.
»°3 << De Uteris Regis patentibus Rogcro More et uxore de terris et tene-
ments pertinentibus ad nnper Prioratum de Burch ester alias Byssetqr, in Co*
mitatu Oxoniae, sibi hsredibns masculis concessis." Michael is Records*,
32 Hen. VIII. Rotulo 44. Jones's Index to Public Records.
»•• To prevent the poorer classes of society from becoming sufferers by the
dissolution of religious houses, and the consequent failure of that entertain-
ment they were accustomed to receive at the table of the convent, it was or-
dered that hospitality should be kept up by the farmers of the land belonging
to the late monasteries, under the penalty of paying every month six pounds
thirteen shillings and four pence : yet the penalty not being often required,
hospitality was neglected, so that the forfeitures being great, were abolished
at the request of Parliament, 21 James I. Hist, of Henry VIII. by Lard
Herbert.
Letcomb Basset. I val in
». j> Hij u
86 PRIORY OF ST. EDBURG.
P'cell possession' nup* Monast'ij de Burchestirin
predico' Com, Oxon. 105
Com. Bark.
Item sum reddit. tent,
terr. in letcom basset. p d p.
ann. soluend, ad fest. ibid
Memorandum the p'misses is entyre of themselfes and par-
cell off no honor Manor ne Lordshippe neany of the anci-
ent Revennews off the Crowne nor of the Duchesse of
Lancastre or Cornewall, and are not nyghe any the Kynge
fuid Queene their maiesties howses reserved for their
bynes acce'se.
It'm there are no parke lead pe mynes thereupon to th'au*
ditor his knowledge.
It'm it is to be consydered what woodes or underwoodes
be upon the same for that yt is unknowen to th'audytor.
Ex tertio die Maij 1557 • per me Johani Thomson, audit,
vj»die Maij 155?1 f Jheclereyerely value of thel
Rated for Myotrys J P ^^ ,U J * hiche rated J* \ cviij"
Russell I XXV1 J y eres P chase amounteth f J
The mony to be payd in hand before the 22 of May 1557.
The parsonages of Bensington, Drayton, Stodham, Sher*
borne Clifton, and Overe Io6 , valued at fifty-two pounds per
annum, are enumerated by Willis as part of the possession of
Bicester priory, and stated to have been given by patent with
the rectory and advowson of Stratton-Audley, towards the en-
,0 * Harleian MS. No. 606. Io the catalogue of the Harleian Library, the
volume from whence the above article is extracted is conjectured to have for-
merly belonged to the officeof the Court of Augmentation, as it is inscribed " Li-
ber primus de lez Kates anno tercio et quarto Philip! et Marie regis e£ regine.*'
V* Willies Cathedrals, vol. ii. p. 422-426. But I strongjy suspect it
is by mistake that they are stated as part of the possessions of Bicester
Priory, and that they originally belonged to Dorchester Abbey. See patent
34 Hen. VIII. 1542.
\
PATRONS, VICARS, ETC.
87
dowmentofthe first chapter of the see of Oxford, A. D. 1542;
— They are also said to have been regranted on its removal to
St. Frideswides, 1546, and still to continue annexed.
The manor of Grimsbury, valued at thirteen pounds six
shillings and eight pence, with the estates of Kirtlington and
Tackley, valued at twelve pounds one shilling, were granted in
the thirty-sixth of Henry VIII. to Thomas Blencowe, Esq. of
Marston, who appears to have been one of the tenants of the
priory of Sheene '° 7 . The other parts of the possessions passed
into unknown hands.
List of the Patrons and Vicars of the Church, subsequent
to the reformation.
Vicars, &c*
John Wilkins, presented
September 21, 1541.
By whom appointed.
Roger Moor Esq. granted the
right of presentation toBennet
Wilkins and Thomas Shore of
Bicester, pro hac vice*
Agnes Wentworth widow.
Thomas Aspler, instituted
March 8, 1558.
Richard Aldridge, June 25, Dame Ann Chamberlain, wi-
1564. He resigned the living dow of Sir Roger Ormeston*
into the hands of JohnKennal,
guardian of the spiritualities
Christ Church Oxon. Au-
gust 16, 1565.
George Osbath, instituted
December 4, 1565.
Robert Cauham.
John Bird, B. A. presented
February 15, 1604.
Dame A* Chamberlain*
Sir Michael Blount, Kt.
patron.
*•» I have corrected the amount of the valuation of these estates, as. given
in the Harleian MS. No. 6822, from the records in the Augmentation Office*
88 PATRONS AND VICARS
1606. The benefits arising from the composition entered
into between the Prior and Convent, as proprietors and pa*
trons of the church, and John Odam vicar, (A.D. 1454,) had
been enjoyed by ail his successors until very lately, when Sir
Michael Blount, and Sir Richard his brother, in consequence
of being seised of the priory, obtained possession of the in-
strument of endowment and other ancient writings relative to
the vicarage, and determined to despoil it of part of its reve-
nues. Accordingly they compelled their tenants to refuse pay-
ing the vicar John Bird any more tithes of wood, hay, &c. and
they themselves would no longer discharge the vicarage of
first-fruits, allow rent to be paid for the inclosed lands, or ad-*
mit the claim of small tithes on their own estates. In this
dilemma, deprived of the revenues of his church, and for want
of the instrument of endowment unable to sue at common
law, the vicar was compelled to have recourse to a suit in Chan*
eery, whence he obtained a decree, ordering the payment of
all arrears owing up to the time of the application, and direct*
ing that, for the future, twenty pounds per annum should be
paid to the vicar for the inclosed lands, in equal payments at
Michaelmas and Lady-day ; the vicarage to be discharged
from the payment of first-fruits, tenths, proxies, and synods ;
.the vicar to have the t\the in the common field, and small
tithes paid according to the composition — to be entitled to a
close called the Dove-house-close, and to the profits of doves
breeding in the dove-house — to a little pightle or pig-walk
adjoining the said close — and finally to have two loads of hay
brought home to his house, and four loads of wood yearly out
of the wood called the Prior's wood at Arncote, to be cut down
at the vicar's charge and request by the assignment of the
proprietor. This decree was given May 4, 1608 ,o8 .
»"• Papers given to the Rev. J. Smith by Mr. Cook of Magdalen College,
Oxon, which may very properly be henceforth denominated parish papers ;—r
my acknowledgement! are due to Mr. Wright, for a sight of them in 1619.
OF THE CHURCH. «9
Mr. Bird enjoyed this vicarage forty-nine years, and died
September 19, 1653 ,09 . Kennett places Mr. William Hall as
his successor ; but I am inclined to conclude that a Mr. Bas-
net or Barnet obtained the cure, which he held till the year
1666, when he was ejected as a non-conformist by the Bar-
tholomew act; his name does not occur in Kennett's list, but
he is particularly mentioned in Palmer's Non-conformist's
Memorial, vol. ii. p. 309. His successors were,
William Hall.
Samuel Blackwell, inducted
August 16, 1670.
Thos. Shewring,Aug. 1. 1691. Sir William Glynn, Patron,
Thomas Taylor M0 ,
Thomas Forbes,
Thomas Airson, 1708"'.
1727. It appears that before, or about this time some
disputes had arisen between the vicar and patron, respect-
ing the endowments of the. vicarage, part of which seem
|0 » In the chancel of Wendlebury church is -a stone Inscribed " Here lies
the Body of that reverend laborer in* Christs harvest, pastor at Bisseter
Ann. 49, and at Wendlebury Ann. 39, deceased September 19, 1653, John
Birde, anno aetatis 77."
Anagram. Birde, Bride.
" This Birdes the bride the lambe the bridegroom
. This graves the brides retireing room
Old clothes must off new ones be oo
Against a joyful resurrection
Thrice happy Birde thrice happy bride
Thus to be wedded next Christ's side
John Birde a bride mounting aloft doth fly .
To the sacred bil Is of blest eternity ;
Which place of rest now terminates his flight
Crowning his faith with his redeemer's sight. 11
Monumental Inscriptions, taken May 25, 1660* No. 4170, Harleian MS.
110 Kennett, p. 62 L "' Churchwardens* books.
N ,
J)0 PATRONS, VICARS, ETC.
to have been claimed by the latter, and Sir Stephen Glynne
indicating some desire to dispose of his estates in Bicester,
the vicar by letter warned him against alienating any part
which belonged to the church, and formally claimed the
dove-house and closes adjoining. This letter, however, does
not appear to have been sufficiently attended to, for the
following year Mr. Airson considered it necessary to consult
Serjeant Weldon on the case, — and it seems to have been ul-
timately laid before Sir Matthew Skinner, who in an opinion
dated April 19, 1729, recapitulating the substance of the de-
cree of 1608, says : " The dues settled by that decree can be
recovered by a writ served on the several tenants m ." The
result was a relinquishment of the claims set up by the patron.
Mr. Airson died March 24, 1752, aged 71.
J. Prineep appointed vicar 1752. "*
S. Cooke, 1769—Wood, curate, jS.r Edward Turner, Bart.
Joseph Eyre, 1779 '".-Turner. ^ G p T Bftrt
John Smith. John Markland. f
Vicarage.
The vicarage, which adjoins the church-yard, is a substan-
tial edifice built partly in the Gothic style, and appears of
considerable antiquity. From the view "of it given in the plate
of the church in Kennett's Antiquities, it is not impossible
that it may be of nearly equal date with that structure, though
of late years it has been somewhat modernized. An exten-
sive garden is attached; but the circumstance of its abounding
in bones, apparently human, has led many to conjecture that
it anciently formed a part of the adjoining burying-ground,
though there is neither tradition nor document which counte-
nances the opinion.
111 Pariih papers. "« Gentleman's Magazine.
PARISH CHURCH. 91
*
§
This mansion has been the residence of the*icar or offi-
ciating clergyman for many ages; and is now occupied by
Mr. Markland,
CHAPTER XL
Parish Church.
Haying already stated that the present parish diurch ap-
pears to have been erected about the latter end of the reign
of Henry IV. or the beginning of Henry V. f our attention is
now confined to a description of the edifice. — The church is
neat, large, and commodious, consisting of a nave and side-
aisles, chancel, and school-house, with a lofty tower and pin-
nacles *, The length is one hundred and twenty-five feet, and
the breadth including the side aisles sixty-seven. The walls
adjoining the chancel are much stronger than any other part,
and open into the aisles with plain semicircular arches, a cir-
cumstance which seems to countenance the tradition that
they were originally intended as the basement of the tower,
though the plan was afterwards relinquished. The north aisle
windows retain their original form, but most of the others have
undergone considerable alterations, and there is little doubt
those on the south were similar to those on the north side,
A visitor in May 1660 observed that they contained specimens
of painted glass, two of which were decorated with armorial
1 At the time of Kennett's writing there was a tradition that the township*
of King's-end and Bary-end were united into one parish at the building of
the new church, previous to which the inhabitants Of Biggenhull attended at
their lord's chapel.— Kennett, p. 510.
* Tbe edifice is built of stone apparently taken from Bicester stone-pits.
9$ PARISH CHURCH.
bearings, and on a third the following imperfect black-letter
inscription, the deficiency of which another hand has partly
endeavoured to supply in italics in the MS.
Or* pro a7a 3IoT>i£ IIMfo?n£ et pro fcono flatu
Xfttieq; jfflftatrtj? ejutf . . JHflinnj? patrij*
Jane fcneftram fieri
...... quorum animaim£ ptopimtut Deus Amen 3. . . .
It is not improbable that most of the windows were deco-
rated in a similar manner ; — a relative, when nearly ninety
years of age, assured me the chancel window was often admired
for the painting it contained, in her youth 4 . Since those
times, all have vanished, and nothing but plain glass occupies
their place, divested of mullions and tracery. The period of
these innovations cannot be ascertained, for in the churchwar-
dens' books (the genuine annals of a parish) the sums alone,
without the nature of the repair or alteration, are specified,
and the vouchers are either negligently mislaid or purposely
»^r* * " ■ ' ' ' ' / ' ■ * ■ i n 1 —<^» ^
* HarleianMS. No. 4170.— The 6ame MS. notices the following particulars.
■ " In the north He against the wainscot these depicted.
Ar. on a chevron between 3 lozenges 5 bulls beads.
Paly of 6 ; a bend.
Gu. 2 bars or,Jm paling s. 3 falcons levant ar.
Gu. 2 bars or, impaling a. a lion ramp. s. quartering Barry of 6,
g. and o.
A. on a bend b. 3 backs' faces quartering
quartering M an. 3d as 2d, 4th as 1st. Stanley.
" On a south window here these arms.
Barry of 6 erm. and g. impaling A
Barry of 6, in chief a crescent: impaling 3 wolves heads couchant*
B — 1— a bordure s. bezanty.
Barry of 6 erm. and g. in chief a crescent : impaling a. 3 de lis b.
" in a north window.
Erm. a fesse compony a. and b."
4 Mrs. Hannah Chandler of Kensington: she died 15th December 1813;
aged 88.
PARISH CHURCH. 93
destroyed. Were the progressive alterations minutely remark-
ed, we could forget the expenses of a churchwarden's dinner,
while we read with pleasure the ancient state of the parish.
The appearance of the interior of the church before the Re-
formation may indeed be tolerably guessed at by the descrip-
tion of others handed down to us. A rood-loft or narrow gal-
lery stretched across the body of the church at the entrance of
the chancel, on which a rood or crucifix was placed, accompa-
nied by a statue of the Virgin Mary and the beloved disciple St.
John: the altar stood where the communion-table now stands,
lighted with tapers, and decorated with similar figures, or a
crucifix at least. At a low desk in the mid-aisle the litany
or prayers for the dead were said ' : the pulpit and fontprobably
occupied their present places, and the remainder of the floor
was covered with long open seats 6 many of which still re-
main, then indiscriminately used by the parishioners. In the
changes of religion which took place between the days bf
Henry VIII. and Elizabeth, the altar was destroyed, — a com-
munion-table placed in the body of the church,— was again
restored, with all its appendages, and then once more displaced
by the present table. At the latter eventful period the king's
arms also finally triumphed over the cross, and the Ten Com-
mandments occupied the station they now retain. Could we
see the churchwardens' bills of those days, we could ascer-
tain the number of copes, vestments, and sacred utensils
necessary for the celebration of the ancient worship, all of
which were provided by the parish. — Since that time, the la-
ziness or pride of individuals gave rise to the reprehensible
* Peck's Desiderata Curioea, p. 38.
• Before the Reformation, benefactions were often bequeathed for seating a
church with benches or itools.— Wharton's History of Kiddmgton, p. 4.
94 PARISH CHURCH.
plan of converting the open seats into family pews % and att
increase of this practice, or of the population, soon produced a
want of accommodation. This led some of the inhabitants and
others to enter imo a subscription for the erection of a gallery
at the west end of the church 8 (A. IX 1693) ; and to secure '
the seats to the subscribers, their descendants, and others who
might afterwards take places in it, a faculty was obtained
May 20, 1700, from the vicar-general of the diocese, autho-
rising them to "choose yearly two supervisors, who should
place proper persons therein, and keep the said gallery with a
lock and key 4 . The two wings of this gallery arc expressly
exempted from this inhibition, being declared private pro-
perty. The length is stated at sixteen feet, but the depth is
not specified ; — the front seats appear to have been chiefly ap-
propriated to the singers, from the period of its erection, and
it is evident from various charges in the churchwardens' books
of 1744 and others, that the parish provided a bassoon" 1 for
their use, until they obtained the organ. This instrument was
' Weerer, who lived in thereign of Elizabeth and James I. speaking of epi-
taph* on the pavement of churches in arid about London, says, "Man* mo-
numents are covered with seatts or penes made high and eafieforparisliionen
to lit or sires in, a fusion of no long continuance, and worth J of reformation."
—Funeral Monuments, p. 70). London 1631.
* Gallery-wardens' books. — The principal contributors are Sir William Glynn;
Ralph Holt, Esq. ; William Busby, Erq. ; Mr. Shewiing, vicar, fcc.
> In 1*738, the door of the gallery seems to have been forced, probably by
an individual whom the warden* refused admission into the gallery, as appear*
by the following entries.
£. i. d.
irse-bire and other ex pence*, by going io the Justice) -■ - -
bGoodyDull Jj W 7 O
new key and mending the lock of the door. . 18
sent gallery- warden*, Mr. H. Chandler and Mr. W. Lines, were
.tecibc. 7, 1809.
for mending the bassoon 16s. 3d.— Churchwardens' books for 1744.
PARISH CHURCH* 95
purchased of Sir Gregory Turner for fifty pounds, on the de-
molition of Ambrosden-house, and the sum principally raised
by subscription, though the same books contain an entry in
1772 of " Paid Isaac Clarke, Osmond, and T. Stratton, on
balance due for the organ, eight pounds three shillings." It
Was at first placed much nearer the front of the gallery, but
shortly removed to its present position, on the representation
of many of the inhabitants. For some time Mr. Osmond gra-
tuitously performed the office of organist; on his leaving the
town, no inhabitant being found capable of discharging that
duty with credit, the bassoon was again introduced, till the
appointment of Mr. Bayzand, since whose death the office has
been filled by Mr. William Shears and Mr. T. Hicks. — The
organ is generally admired for its fine tone.
This gallery-staircase also leads to two other galleries of
later erection, built over the north aisle, and belonging to
different inhabitants. A few years ago, another was con-
structed across the east end of the south aisle, for the family
of Mr. Davis. In 1810, the still further increased practice
of family pews having almost deprived the poor of the open
seats, and many respectable families wanting accommodation,
a new gallery was thrown over the entrance into the chancel.
At that time it was placed beyond doubt, that the church
was partly erected out of the materials of some more ancient
edifice, carved stones being found in the centre of the walls,
which were supposed to have ornamented the old church.
This fabric was considerably injured by a dreadful storm which
happened on August 3, 1765, the particulars of which are thus
entered on the cover of the parish register by the officiating
clergyman at that time : — " Thelighteningstruck the ball from
^the weathercock, shattered the pinnacle, and destroyed the
roof of the tower \ ' tore down the arch of the bell-window ;
damaged the stock and frame of the great bell, broke the
chimes, took every pane of glass out of the window and par-
S$ parish church;
tition, and threw them down into the church ; it then tore
up the pavement under the gallery, and ascending broke most
of the lower windows throughout the edifice." The extent
of the repair occasioned by this storm is only specified in the
church-wardens' books by the round sums paid to the dif-
ferent tradesmen j a method of keeping those books much to
be condemned and regretted by every curious inhabitant
throughout succeeding generations.
The pulpit, reading-desk, &c. stand nearly in the centre
of the church ; the former rests against one of the pillars on
the south side of the mid-aisle. In time of service they are
covered with purple velvet purchased at the expense of the
parish, A. D. 1810". The font, near the north entrance of
the church, is ascended by steps, appears very ancient, and
probably stood in the old church; it is sufficiently large to-
admit of the immersion of the infant, as enjoined by the rubric,
**" — *" now entirely laid aside. — Under the gallery hang a
of leathern buckets in case of accidents by fire, a lad-
Soon after the formation of a Sunday-school, seats
cted near this place for the accommodation of the
At the west end of the north aisle is a desk affixed
ill, on which rests the ponderous volume of Fox's
logy j this desk was formerly placed in the chancel,
ook chained to it : the covers are now torn off, though
remain chained together. There is no doubt that the
> placed in the church in the reign of Queen Eliza-
1 has remained there ever since. •
10 the following were the chief monumental inscrip-
this church, which were then entered in a volume
*J°-4170 in the Harleian Library.
kely (hat the former ciuhion, pulpil-doth, &c. were Ihe Mail*
g of Sir William Glynn, aa I have teen no document which inti-
■ny articles of that kind have been purchased by tbt parish aincc
i
\
MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS. 97
€S In the chancel against the north wall, a "great gray
narble raised monument, on a plate of brass affixed to the
wall, this ;
Orate pro oibu? Willi $tatorleg armtol quondam oiti tie fcpgnen tt
SCricie njnjf nV filie et twice tereoitfoni Sotftf fraunce^ miTitt^ et one
SfaftrHe Uporirf eft fttie et (eretntf bin #enrtci JNrfengton ririuti?, 911
qmbrm Hfrmitt ooit oetimo Die 4Bcto*ritf *.^,JJ»CC€CIn:rjtom.
pTetica tero KXitia ofcit 20 ote 0rt*tri£&*tmi JW&r. quorum fuafrti? &c.
Against the south wall here a plate of brass, thereon this;
Here lyeth buried the xx day of September Anno Dni 1551,
Rogeb Moorb Esq. a second son of More de la More in the County
of Oxford, and Agnes his wife, daughter and heir of John Husye
Esquire, the second son of Thomas Husye of Shapwicke, in the
County of Dorset, who had ishwe by the said Roger Moore,
Thomas, Mary, and Elizabeth ; the which Thomas was one of
the Gentlemen Pensioners unto Queen Elizabeth, and in her
Majesty es service in Ireland, was slaine the 10th of Marce 1574,
leaving no ishwe of his body, and Mary his eldest sister married
Michael Blount of Mapledurham in the County of Oxford, Esq.
and had ishwe Richard, Thomas, Charles, Katheryne and Mary,
and Elizabeth his second sister married Gabriel Fowler of Tysel-
worth in the County of Bedford and had issue Ry chard, Mary,
Agnes, Elizabeth, and James.
Over all, these arms ;
A fesse dauncetty.paly of 6, s. and g. between three mullets
s. quartering a chevron between three annulets g. a crescent.
Impaling barry of six erm. and g. in chief a crescent. Over
it two crests. The first, a demy lion ramp. a. charged with a
fesse dauncetty; |he second, a talbot pass, chained and col-
lared, charged on the shoulder with a crescent.
Blount, O. 4 bars nebulee s. quartering, first, a tower,
second, two wolves pass, within a bordure, in chief between .
these two coats a crescent) third, vaire; fourth, a pale ; fifth, a
H
98 MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS.
greyhound ramp.; sixth, a chevron between three pheons;
seventh, as the first. Impaling Moore. Quartering, first, a
fesse between three annulets 5 second, barry of 6 erm. and g. in
chief a crescent; fourth as first. The crest, a wolf passant
upon a crowne.
Fowler, Vert, on a chev. between three lyons pass. gard.
three crosslets ; quartering, first, three bars g. in chief a lyon
pass. g. ; second, a. three wolves heads erased, g. a bordure v.
of castles o. ; third . . • • a chief per pale .... and erm, in the
first an owle. Impaling More, quartering the annulets and
Husye. The crest an owle gorged with a crowne.
The two following are on brass plates in the wall which
parts the Mid Aisle from the chancel in large Roman cha-
racters.
Here lyethe the body of John Cokbr who departed this life the
14 of Feb. 1606. Here alsoe lyeth y e body of Joanb Cokbr
wife of the said John Coker, who departed this life the 16 of
May An 161 8.
Here also lyeth the body of Anns Cokbr wife of Cadwallader
Coker eldest sone to the saide John Coker and Joane his wife who
departed this life the 20 day of Aug. 1625 ".
Here also lie y* bodies of Cadw all ader Cokbr abovenamed and
Catherine his second wife. He Dec. 15 Oct. 1(553, ^Et. 82. She
8 May 1(535. JEt. 36 They had issue, John, Cadwallader, Fran-
ces/ William, Catherine, Joane, and Elizabeth.
On an adjoining plate on the wall,
Here lyeth the body of John Lewes, born in Lyn in the county
of Carnarvon, Gent, who for the love he bare to the said John
" Tbe MS. Copy taken m f660 gives an inscription as follows, which it de-
scribes as being on the floor. " Here lieth tbe body of .Cadwailadb* Coker
who living succeeded his father abovementioned in hismanor of Nun's Place,
and after death in this grave, Obit Oct. 15, A. D. 1653.' v
Query, Has this inscription bean renwvtd, or is it covered by the pewj ?
MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS. 99
Coker desired by his will to be buried neere him. He dyed in
Oxford on the 21 day of September, 1012.
Near it is the, following in black letter.
$eare tj?et& fcurieo t&e <Bobge of WiXlm #ort at gart &tnu to&o oe-
teafrt tfce 5t& of 3taT? 1584. Knb alfo urit& fcim Iprt^e otirpeti ftnn ft*
OWffe, tofro t»a$ oaugftter unto .Uttr, ttftton of Croftone in trfre Count*
of SUneafter tffajiire an* otreafteo tie 6 of Kiiguft foHottinge 15S4 an*
ftao iflue 5 fonnej? ano 4 bau$&ttr£.
Against a pillar not far off, a table of black marble, whereon
this in golden letters ;
AnnbClbments, the wife of Mr. Richard Clements, by whome
he had 4 sons, George, Richard, Thomas, Benjamin, and 6 daugh-
ters, Elizabeth, Anne, Grace, Anne, Judith, Grace, she departed
this life the 28th of May A. D. 1652, of her age 39.
Reader, as in a glasse, thou perfectly may see
How all things here below uncertaine bee
She was her husband's, children's, parent's sole delight,
By death's impartial stroke is taken from them quite.
In the south isle on a brasse on the ground this,
Here lyeth buried the body of Rape Hunt, who was borne in
Lankeyshire, in the Parish of Chilve, he was a long dweller in the
town of Bissiter, and a good benefactor to the poore. He had two
wy ves, Ellen and Katherine, and had issue by Katherine one only
daughter named Anne. He deceased the last day of November 1602.
Towards the bottom of the south He against the wall a
brasse^ thereon this,
Here lyeth buried the bodye of Homfryb Hont and Eliza-
beth his wife. The which had Issue, fyve tonnes and three daugh-
ters, and was borne in Cliff Howse in Lankeshire and deceased the
xxiiij day of Maye in the yeare of our Lord God ldOl."
Such appear to have been the chief inscriptions in the
h2
100 MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS.
year 1660, the following monuments arc among the most
prominent which have been since added.
In the chancel is an elegant monument of white marble,
secured with iron rails, to the memory of Sir Edward Turner
Bart, and his Lady, at the top of which is a medallion con-
taining the profiles of the deceased. The inscription as fol-
lows.
Under this Chancel in a Family Vault are deposited the remains
of Sir Edward Tubnkb Bart, and Dame Cassakdba bis wife,
late of A mb roneden Park in this County. He died October 3 1 at
1J66. She, October IB, 1770,-aged each 48 years. He was
Representative in three Parliaments; one tor this county. He
exerted himself as an active and vigilant Magistrate ; adopted early
in life the noblest political principles, and persevered in tbem to
the end. He was learned without vanity, religious without osten-
tation ; and excell'd in the great characters of Husband, Father,
and Friend.
His sorrowful Widow (eldest daughter of William Leigh Esqr.
of Adlestrop in the County of Gloucester) was beautiful in per-
son, and engaging in her manner, won the esteem of all who knew
ber. A shining example of conjugal Affection, andevtry christian
virtue. To ber children an indulgent Mother, to Servants a kind
Mistress, to the Poor, living and dying, a compassionate Benefac-
tress, as a memorial to posterity of some, only, of the many vir-
tues of this eicellent pair their Jive surviving Children,
Sir Gregory Turner Bart. William Turner Esq John Turner
Esq. Elizabeth Wife of Thomas Twisleton Esqr. of Broughton
Castle in this County, and Cassandra wife of Martin Bladen Hawfce
Esqr. eldest son of the Right Honourable Sir Edward Hawke,
K. B : have erected this monument.
Ou a marble tablet over the chancel door ;
H. S. E.
;asta pia Sabah Keknett, Filia unica et dilecta Roberti
MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS, 10 i
Ginrer et Maris Conjugis, Uxor charissima Whiti Kennett S.T.B.
Vicarii de Ambroseden 13 .
Nata t8 Maii 1675
Nupta 6 Junii 1693
Defuqcta 2 Martii l6g{
Cujus mortem nimis im matura m lugent Maritus et Parentes
moestissimi m.dc.xciv.
On the floor in the chancel.
Here lyeth j^ body of Mrs. Sarah Kenjjrtt, who dyed th© 2
of March l()Q3. Aged 18 years and f.
Opposite on a mural marble monument in the chancel,
H. o. £.
Robertus Carver,
Vir morum probitate dilectus et desideratum. Uxorem duxit
Mariam filiara natu max. Willelrai Barley et Maris Conjugis,
■» As the decease of this excellent young person is still annually commemo-
rated in Bicester by a sermon and donation of forty loaves, on the 2nd of
March, the following letter, written by Mr. Kennett to his friend Mr. Black wall,
conveying the intelligence of that sad event, may be deemed interesting.
" Oh ! Mr. Black wall, how can I write to you when I am so full of confcrslon
and distraction, for the inestimable loss of my poor dear wife, whom my cor-
recting father in heaven was pleased to take to Tiimself this last njght between
twelve and one. You can scarce imagine the sorrow and lamentation of her
father and mother and her desolate husband. We have scarce patience to
talk of any thing relating to her funeral, only we all agree in this request that
you would do the last office for the good creature, and preach her sermon
either at Burcester or Amersden, as we shall think good when we come to be
able to think. We think Monday must be the appointed day, which we know
will be very inconvenient for you ; but pray, good Mr. Blackwall, dispense
with any inconvenience to grant a request that is so passionately made to you,
and come hither time enough to doe that mournful service. If any extraordi-
nary matter should detain yon (bqt le^ nothing less than extraordinary doe it)
dispatch this messenger with expedition ; nay, whether you come or not let
Vim tarry no longer than while you send some answer. Oh! this affliction
was a sad surprise to me. I had but one day to spend in prayers and leaf*
102 MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS.
Ex qua unicam suscepit Filiam Saram, qua nupta Whito Kennett
Clerico immatura roorte praerepta est et jtfxta deposita : Obiit ille
die 1° Aprilis, anno Salutis mdcxcviii. JEtatis ltii.
In eodera pariter sepulchro super ossa Mariti jacet Maria
Uxor ejus. Obijt 19 Dec. A. D. 1722, iEtatis lxx.
On the chancel wall is amarble tablet to the memory of 5
children of Samuel Blackwall; S.T.B. formerly vicar of this
church.
Within the rail of the communion table on the ground,
M. S.
Thoma Aihson hujusce Ecclesiae per triginta sex annos Vi-
carii. Obiit Martii 24 to 1752, Anno. iEtat. 7l mo .
Also Hannah, the wife of Thomas Airson, Vicar, who died
June 13, 1751. Aged 6g years.
— - ~ -
with her; when she spent many of her decaying spirits in rejoicing there bad
never been the least difference between us, in thanking me for all my love, in
protesting her own true affection, and in a sensible way of expressing her re-
signation to God Almighty, and saying she had no other reason to be unwilling
to die but only that she must part with a dear mother and dear father, and
the dearest husband in the world. Oh, Mr. Blackwall, for my own sake I
wish you may not these many years suffer the loss of an excellent wife ; and
for the sake of my sorrowful father and mother wish you may never suffer the
loss of an only child.
i( Your afflicted friend,
" March 2, 169}. " White Kennett.
" My mother orders me to add that she shall never be satisfied if you are
in life and health unless you come and preach her child's funeral sermon.
" To Mr. Blackwall.''
The original letter is preserved among a collection of letters of Dr. Kennett
to Mr. S. Blackwall, Lansdowne MSS. 1068, Vol. 2, Brit. Mus.
Notwithstanding this pressing request, it appears from a following letter
that Mr. Blackwall could not comply with it. Mr. Coker was therefore
prevailed upon to undertake the service, but while preparing his notes for the
•ermon, was suddenly seized with an "indisposition in the head," so that it
was at last performed at Ambrosden by Mr. Northgrove.
MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS. 103
Here lye four children of Thomas Airson, Vicar of this church,
and Hannah his wife, viz. Mary, John, Hannah, and Thomas,
who died young.
Thomas Forbes hujus Ecclesiae Vicarius ob. x mo iv to die
Octob. Anno. 1715. Anno jEtat. 44,
In the chancel on the floor, is a small marble stone,
Hie Jacet Guliblmus Filius Stephani Glynne de Merton Ar-
migeri, qui obiit 2Q Decern. Anno Dom.
The date is obliterated ".
On the ground going out of the chancel into the church
three inscriptions to the memory of Thomas, Cadwallader, and
Sara Coker, infant sons and daughters of Thomas and Sara
Coker; and a fourth inscribed " Hearst Coker, Ob. 5 No-
vemb. 17 19."
On the north-side of the mid aisle is a white marble monu-
ment, with a Latin inscription to the memory of Catherine
Coker, daughter of John Coker, Gent, and Catherine his
wife ; and near it a similar tablet in remembrance of John
Coker, Gent., and Catherine his wife. '
On the north side of the middle aisle is a very elegant
marble monument, ornamented with-an erect figure bearing
a sithe in his hand over a bust, from which are suspended
two small medallions, with the inscription of Carol us II. Dei
gratia. — Beneath is the following,
Spe Resurgendi ;
Juxta deposit! sunt cineres Tbomjb Grantham Equitis Au*
»»«
'* On the north side of the chancel, near an hatchment and helmet, are
some irons fastened in the wall; these are said to have supported several funeral
banners, streamers, &c. in honour of some of the Glynns, formerly patrons of
the church. Query. — For what member of that family were they placed
there?
104 MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS.
rati, natus in hac Parochia de Bissister, Obijt Sunburiss in Co-
jnitatu Midd* Anno jE talis sue lsis. Salutisque bumanae
Granthani Andrews de Sunbury Nepos ex filia uniciia e( Hasies
sumiua pietate et gratitudirte erga Parentem et benefactorem
n-mnificentissimum hoc MonumeMum posuit.
On the same side on a handsome variegated marble Tablet.
Near to ibis place lie the Remain* of Cadwaii, \drh Cok ek
Citizen of London, who died on the eleventh day of January, in
the year of oar Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty, and
in the seventieth of his Age.
By a long and uniform course of assiduity, prudence, and in-
tegrity, be acquired with an unblemished reputation the means of
exercising his natural disposition to benevolence, and at the same
time discharged his duty to his Country, by promoting a;d ex-
tending her Commerce. His surviving Widow and six Children
caused this stone to be erected in grateful testimony of tbe merits
of an affectionate Husband and beneficent Parent.
On a black stone,
To tbe Memory of Ralph Clbh bnts, who de;arteB ibis Lift
tbe 30«h of Octob. A? Doiii 1683, in ibe 74 yeare of his Age.
On the south side of the middle Aisle,
In the first year of tbe Reign of pur Sovereign Lord King James
the 2nd 16S& The Honoured Sir Wm. Glynne of Ambrosden
in the County of Oxford, Bart. Patron of this Church, gave for the
use of such who are of the Communion of the Church of England,
two large Elaggons of massy silver. One silver Salver, One silver
Chalice and Cover, a large Carpet of purple velvet with gold and
silk fringe for the Communion table, A purple velvet Cushion
'• is uid that the metal coffiu contain inf (he body of Sir Thomaa wax
jy somr workmen several years ago, and {he bun,ei thrown into Cp»
Of the vault.
'
MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS. 105
-with gold and. silk tassels, A purple velvet Cloth with gold and
•ilk fringe for the ornament of the Pulpit.
Facing the middle Aisle (towards the Chancel) a marble monu-
ment inscribed ;
To the memory of Mr. Robert Jemmett of this Parish (a true
|5on of the Church of England) who died the 29 Day Octr. J 736,
Aged 63 years.
And also Elizabeth* his disconsolate Wife who departed this life
the 2nd Day of Octo r . 1 746, Aged 80 years. Who to the sacred
^lemory of her loving Husband erected this Monument.
fie was sole giver of the Branch in this Church.
In the middle Aisle op the ground ;
Under this stone lie the remains of Robert Cokrr, Esq. who
departed this life the J 6 Day of April it) the year of our Lord
1789, Aged 79.
The Honorable Charlotte Coker, 1794.
On the south side are monuments to the memory of John
Walker who died January 28, 1783, aged SO, and Ann his
wife who died January 28, 1772, aged 58. John Walker who
died September 2, 1810, aged 70 ; and Hannah his wife who
died January 2, 1790, aged 38. At the west end a monument
for Elizabeth, wife of Richard Walls who died November 3,
1737, aged 36. Their two daughters Anne and Elizabeth;
and the above Richard Walls who died October 22, 1753,
Aged 45.
Few of the remaining monuments containing more than
the birth and decease of the person to whose memory they are
erected, the limited nature of this work will not allow of the
inscription being given at length ; it is hoped, therefore, that
the following abbreviation of their contents will be excused.
On the south side a monument to the memory of John King,
who died MJy 4, 1760, aged 76. Edward Lock, his qephew,
who died August 26, 1772. Edward Lock, father, Jaufcl-
106 MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS.
ary 13, 1762, aged 80. Sarah, wife of the latter, died Fe-
bruary 2, 1748, aged 54. Elizabeth, their daughter, died
October 12, 1733, aged 7 years. Sarah, their daughter, wife
ofThomas Harris ofOxford, died May 27, 1765,aged45. And
John, son of T. and S. Harris, who died September 6, 1760,
in the 12th year of his age.
Opposite, in the south Aisle, is an inscription to the memory
of Sarah, wife of Joseph Kendall, who died July 11, 1803,
aged 23. Nearly opposite to Walker's is 'a tablet which
states that Elizabeth, daughter of John and Elizabeth Hicks,
died June 19, 1741, aged 12 years. John, son of the above,
died June 12, 1758, aged 35. John Hicks, sen. died Novem-
ber 21, 1760, aged 66. And Elizabeth, his wife, who died
December 23, 1768, aged 74.
In the north aisle a monument to the memory of Thomas
Russel, late of St. James's, Westminster, who died January 4,
1718, aged 48. His wife, Elizabeth Walworth, who died
March 13, 1734, aged 64 ; and a memorandum of two sons
and five daughters, who died infants. A monument in me-
mory of Gabriel Burrowes, who died March 14, 16/6, aged
42. William, the son of John and Ann Finch, died May 16,
1701. John Finch, citizen of London and grocer in this
town, born at Warfield, Berks., died February II, 1707, aged
58; and Ann, his wife, who died July 30, 1720, aged 81.
On the same side a mural monument, which states that Mary,
wife of John Tlurrowes, Jan., died September 16, 1724, aged
29 years ; and a memorandum of the birth and death of their
three infants, Mary, Sarah, and Benjamin. A similar mo-
nument near the former, to the memory of Mary, the wife of
John Burrowes, who died July 1 , 1 706, aged 39. John Bur-
rowes, who was baptized March 29, 1666, and buried March
13, 1732, and four of their children. Inscriptions for Robert
ho died May 18, 1688, aged 56 years. Elizabeth,
ihn Woodneld, who died March 13," 1742, aged 61
THE TOWER. 107
years. John Woodfield, who died May 10, 1758, aged 82.
John Blake who died May 24, 1777, aged 61. Ann his wife
who died February 20, 1789, aged 59 ; and two of their sons.
William Eagles of Aylesbury, who departed this life March 28,
1810, aged 62. And William his son who died December 3 l f
1808, aged 38.
The Tower contains a good ring of bells l6 , clock I7 and
chimes, the latter playing every four hours. It is divided into
three stories ; the first floor is the belfry, the third appropri-
ated to the chimes, and the uppermost to the bells. Every
evening at eight o'clock a bell is rung, which practice has
been continued through every age since the Conquest, and may
be properly denominated the Curfew l8 . From the top of the
tower is a good prospect of the surrounding country. Its
height is seventy-five feet, and the square of the base twenty.
THE SCHOOL.
This building adjoins the north side of the chancel, and is
continued from the north aisle of the church, into which there
is an entrance. It appears of later erection than the other
16 The tower contains six bells and a sanctus or saints bell, the latter takes
its name from being rung out when the priest came to these words, Sancte,
Sancte, Sancte Dens Sabaoth, that all persons absent might fall down on their
knees in reverence of the holy office going on in the chorea.— -Wartoo's Kid-
dington, p. 8. Note.
John Coker Esq. has lately offered to be at half the expense of purchasing
two additional bells to the tower, but the object has not been accomplished for
want of equal liberality in others.
"* The clock does not appear in the plate of the church in Kennett's Anti-
quities.
* I have adopted the popular opinion respecting the curfew-bell, in repre-
senting it at introduced by William , as a badge of servitude ; but accenting to
some the assertion is not well-founded, for there is evidence of the custom pre-
vailing in most of the countries of Europe, and intended as a precaution against
fires, which were then very fatal, most of theluwro being built of wood.— See
Henry, p. 335. vol. 6.
108 THE SCHOOL*
parts of the fabric; though at what time is unknown : but
most probably soon after the Reformation. The inside is
fitted up with desks and other conveniehcies. Over it is a
room formerly used as a library, and containing a number of
books, some of which are valuable ; the catalogue remains in
the hands of Mr. Markland. The School is generally thought
to have been endowed, though every writing relative thereto
is said to be entirely lost. In the Magna Britannia it is called
a Free school, " supposed to be founded by Simon Wisdorae,
an alderman l9 of this town ; but, 4 ' the writer adds, " we have
no other grounds for our supposition than that he is found to
have given constitutions and orders for the government of it
in the thirteenth year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth i0 ."
. The school seems to have been placed under the immediate
direction of the vicar, though at what time it ceased to be a
free school is uncertain. The name of Kennett appearing in
the list of benefactors in the .catalogue of books given for the
use of the scholars seems to intimate that it had not ceased
to be such at the time when that gentleman assisted Mr*
Blackwall both in the duties of the school, and the church ;
and even the bare reflection of our present ignorance of this
institution is sufficient to produce the greatest regret, that
any thjng should have ever arisen to prevent the industrious,
learned, and pious author of the Parochial Antiquities from
continuing that excellent work down to his own time.
THE CHTJRCH^YARD,
The space allotted for a burying-ground is well adapted
for an extensive . parish and its dependencies, though some;
have supposed it to have once extended over a part of the
vicarage garden. The ground is much higher than the ad?
m^mmmtmmmm m ^ m ^ ~—*m ■■■■■■ ■■ ip ■■ «iw^— m* — ■■ mm mm-mim*** — ^— — mw+m+m*''* mmm — — ■ — — i^ »
»9 Perhaps *< inhabitant," *> Vol, it. p. 399. cd. 1737.
THE CHURCH- YARD. 109
joining streets, but whether arising from interments, or na-
tural elevation, is uncertain. From its proximity to the old
town of Berencester, and no vestiges of sepulture having been
found in any other part of the parish, I am inclined to believe
this sptot is the original burying-ground, and not unlikely the
site of the former church, notwithstanding the assertion of
Kennett to the contrary. — A path is admitted under the north
wall, and used by the parishioners as a thoroughfare; this is
shaded by elms, and may be considered as the chief promenade.
One of the principal objects in the church-yard is the stone pe-
destal on which the sun-dial is placed, inscribed with thechurch-
wardens' names and the year of erection. The ascent is by
several steps, which anciently were the steps to the cross ; in
the days of popery considered a necessary appendage to the
church-yard. — There are several tombs, some of recent erec-
tion, but none above mediocrity ; that at the end of the chan-
cel, surrounded by iron rails, and erected to the memory of
■ ■ Bowden, a butcher in London, was broken by light-
ning in the dreadful storm of August 3, 1765, and, until a
few months ago, remained unrepaired. On the south side of
the church-yard is the grave of Edward Bowden, who wtfs
murdered by his journeyman George Strap, and for which, as
the stone informs us, he was tried, found guilty at Oxford,
hanged, and his body given to the surgeons to be anatomized.
110
THE CHURCH- YARD.
The following is an abbreviated alphabetical list of names
on the Tombs and Gravestones in the Church Yard.
TOMBSTONES.
NAMES
Wm. Allen
Thos. Eagles
Sarah his wife
Eliz. ditto
John Green
Geo. Howlett
DIED
AGE
NAMES
DIED
13 Aug. 1797 55 y
24 Apr. 1787 70
35 Mar. 1749 25
27 Nov. 1798 82
10 May 1723 78
11 Mar. 1757 62
ra
Edward King 18 Aug.
Richard Kirby 14 Feb.
Mary his wife 20 Dec.
William Robins 29 Aug.
Sarah his wife 16 Oct.
Ann Woodford 22 Dec
ACE
1784 44y
1772 55
1784 67
1776 26
1772 25
1759 83
r«
GRAVESTONES.
NAMES
DIED
AGE
NAMES
DIED
Samuel Baker, 10 Mar. 1810 60y r *
Ann his wife 7 Aug. 1787 85
William Ball 18 Dec. 1785 76
John Barker 2t Feb. 1776 60
John Bathe 23 Apr. 1791 44
Hannah Bishop 21 Nov. 1792 81
T. M. Blowfield 5 June 1814 55
John Boffin 24 June 1811 41
Edw. Bowden Murdered (by Strap)
21 Nov. 1774 55
12 Dec. 1786 43
13 May 1788 40
1 Nov. 1813 73
2 Apr. 1797 62
William Busby 16 Mar. 1792 49
Robt. Carter 25 July 1787 55
John Castle SNcv. 1789 36
EHz. his wife 12 Oct. 1786 42
Matthew Clarke 15 Dec. 1779 75
John Cleaver 2 Feb. 1794 76
Edward Crook SO July 1801 39
Amy his wife 23 Aug. 1803 41
Richard Cox 15 Dec. 1723 73
George Foster 24 Aug. 1802 66
Eliz. Harris 10 May 1799 46
Jos. Humphrey, 11 Aug. 1781 85
Rd. Buckle
Ann his wife
Jon. Burnard
Eliz. his wife
Fran. Jennings 13 Mar.
John Jones 7 June
Richard Jessop 24 July
Richard Kendal 12 Aug.
John Kent 24 Feb.
Thos. Kingstone24 July
Lawrence Lord Mar.
John Pavier 3 Dec.
Sarah Phillips 26 Mar.
William Potter 22 Oct.
Susanna his wife 20 May
Thos. Reading 20 Aug.
Rd. Reading 1 Dec.
Henry Rolls 19 Jan.
John Sanders 25 Jan.
W.Shillingfordl2Sep.
Robt. Shirley 6 May
John Sirett 18 Oct.
John Stevens 14 Mar.
Wm. Tanner 8 May
Thos. Timms* 14 Aug.
Johanna his wife 5 May
Wm.Whichelle20Sep.
Paul his son 20 Sep.
Wm. Woodcock 27 June
Mary Wright 31 Mar.
AGE
1801 56y*
1807 55
1805 88
1813 73
1800 33
1781 59
1785 88
1782 72
1809 60
1809 56
1803 59
1803 63
1812 42
1777 57
1802 34.
1761 6»
1808 77
1812 54
1803 37
1799 46
1754 49
1785 84
1772 60
1772 22
1795 65
1812 40
* Maternal grandfather to the writer. The stone is placed beneath the
chancel windows.
v.
THE CHARITY SCHOOL. Ill
CHAPTER XII.
Charity School. — Sunday School. — Hermitage, Chapel of
St. John, &c.
It is most probable this institution took its rise on the de-
cline of the Free-school before mentioned ; the endowments
or funds of which being diverted into other channels, or mis-
applied by those in trust, awakened in the minds of the inha-
bitants, and the surrounding gentry, the deepest concern for
the education of the rising generation. Rightly judging that
the diffusion of knowledge tends ultimately to the benefit of
society, especially when extended to the lower classes, the fol-
lowing agreement was drawn up and circulated in the town and
neighbourhood.—-" Whereas profaneness and debauchery are
greatly owing to a gross ignorance of the Christian religion,
and for want of an early and pious education of youth, espe-
cially among the poorer sort ; And whereas many poor people
are desirous of having their children taught, but are not able
to afford them a Christian and useful education ; We, whose
names are under written, do hereby agree to pay yearly, at four
equal payments, the several sums of money over-against our
names respectivelysubscribed,forthesettingupaCharity-school
in the parish of Burcester in the county of Oxon, for teaching
to read, and instructing in the knowledge and practice of the
Christian religion as professed and taught in the church of
England, thirty boys out of the aforesaid and neighbouring
parishes, viz. — Ammersden, Bucknell, Launton, Chesterton,
and Wendlebury; and the better to encourage the same, we
do further agree not to withdraw our subscription-money
without giving a year's notice thereof; for which good pur-
poses we do readily and willingly subscribe the following
sums to commence from Michaelmas 1721.
1 1 2 THE CHARITY SCHOOL.
Anonymous, 5/. Os. Od. John Ld. Bp. of Oxon. 2/. Os. Od.
Lord Abingdon, 5/. Os. Od. Rev, Mr. Airson, &c\ &c.'
These subscriptions laid the foundation of the school, which
was opened and continued in the Free School House, ad-
joining the church, for several years* It has been since suc-
cessively removed to the Town -hall, and Guard-room, in which
latter place it still continues. The school is at present sup-
ported by the subscriptions of the inhabitants of Bicester, and
the collections made at an annual sermon preached for that
purpose, in the parish church : but the objects of admission
are now entirely restricted to the children of poor parishioners.
In the year 1725 a gentleman in the neighbourhood who
subscribed largely to the school, declared unless the children
were employed in some sort of work, to accustom them to
labour, he would withdraw his subscription :
Upon this the trustees determined that the children should
be employed in spinning Jersey ; a woollen garter-weaver in
the town agreed to supply them with work, and a person was
engaged to teach them to spin. In June of the same year,
the utensils were purchased, and about the middle of the
month they made a beginning.
It was proposed that they should work during the school-
hours only, six boys to work one day in the week, and the fol-
lowing day six others, &c. — At this time, all the rage was for
employing the poor, and converting the parish-houses into
work-houses, and it seems Bicester was not backward in try-
ing the experiment *.
How long this plan was pursued, we have no means of as-
certaining; but, as the oldest inhabitants have no recollection
1 The original agreement signed by the different subscribers, is still pre-
served among the parish papers, and is written on a long slip of parchment.
* Account of several work-houses for employing and maintaining the poor*
p. 158. Loudou 1732.
fHE CHARITY SCHOOL. 113
*f any Such thing, We may presume it was not continued for
any length of time.
I have been informed that some of the neighbouring gentry
have lately offered to add their subscriptions, if the number of
scholars may be increased, by the introduction of children from
the neighbouring parishes. This has been hitherto declined.
The boys are partly clothed and educated ; are provided an-
nually with a cap, blue coat, and leather breeches new. •Their
general appearance reflects great honour on the liberality of
the parish; and as they sit in a conspicuous part of the church,
the attention of the worshipper is naturally called to further
acts of beneficence.
This school has lately received a considerable benefaction
fromW. Walker, esq. of Stamford Hill; who, — knowing it to
have been the intention of his father, (the late John Walker
Esq. of Hackney,) to settle a part of the interest of one thou-
sand pounds 3 per cent, consols upon this institution, but which
by some means was neglected, — did with a truly filial and pi-
ous liberality carry the design into execution ; and by inden-
ture appropriated the sum of sixteen pounds annually (de-
ducting expenses), arising from the above interest, towards
the support of the school : and as a further benefaction di-
rected, that in case either or both of the church or meeting--
house sunday-schools should be discontinued, the annual sum
of seven pounds given to each, should revert to this charity.
The same indenture directs, that the trustees for the dona-
tion shall have the management of the school ; appoint and '
remove the master, and examine and regulate its concerns.
The children received, are directed to be those belonging to,
or residing in the town : they are not to be admitted under
seven, nor continued beyond fourteen years of age ; to be in-
structed in the principles of the church of England, and in
reading, writing, and casting accounts.
Mr. Walker, sen. was for many years a liberal subscriber
114 THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL.
to the three schools in this parish ; and it is hoped that the
noble example he has set will excite in the minds of the opu-
lent a spirit of emulation in similar acts of beneficence.
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL.
As long as Sunday-schools are found productive of benefit
to the lower classes of inhabitants in Bicester, the name of
Mr .James Jones ought to be remembered with respect and gra-
titude. To that worthy man, the father of a numerous family
solely dependent on his exertions, must the origin of these
establishments in this place be ascribed. Deeply lamenting
the ignorance and profaneness of the pdbr, and judging that
much good might be effected by individual exertion^ he re-
solved to offer instruction to as many as would attend on the
sabbath, and on a stated evening in the week '• The novelty
of the thing produced a great number of applicants, wha were
readily admitted ; and the change which suddenly appeared in
the streets was astonishing. But as Mr. Jones's plan em-
braced instruction in reading, writing, and arithmetic, he soon
found that his circumstances were unequal to the unavoidable
expenses incurred. In this dilemma he solicited the patronage
of the parish. The good already accomplished had con-
vinced every unprejudiced person of the necessity of providing
for the continuation of a Sunday-school ; though the policy of
attempting to instruct the children in any thing more than
reading, and in the principles of the Christian faith, was justly
doubted. Even the advocates of Mr. Jones's plan were com-
pelled to acknowlege that the charity-school already esta-
blished, offered every advantage to all whose children could
3 Sunday schools originated with Mr. Robert Raikes, a printer at Gloucester,
on the representation of the disorderly conduct of the children in the itreets
on a Sunday, by a woman of that place in 1790. He at first defrayed the
whole expense. The plan was carried into Yorkshire, and gradually extended
over the kingdom.— Gen*. Mag. 1804, p. 410.
THE HERMITAGE. 115
avail themselves of daily tuition ; and the advantages of Sun-
day lessons, in writing and arithmetic were at best proble-
matical. While these points were under discussion, the dis-
senters offered their patronage to Mr. Jones : their proposals
being accepted* the school was immediately transferred to that
society*, and the children taken to the meeting-house. A. D*
1794.
This circumstance having decided the fate of the first
school, no time was lost in endeavouring to establish another,
not liable to the objections that had been made to the one
that was first proposed. To further this object, the reverend
Joseph Eyre,, then vicar, preached a sermon, in which he ur-
ged every motive for the attainment of the design ; he asked
** Shall. our brethren the dissenters be forward in so,gooda
work, while we remain supine ?" The appeal was felt, and a
subscription was immediately raised for that purpose. The
number, of scholars of both sexes was limited to one hundred,
over whom two masters and two mistresses were appointed ;
seats wore erected for them in the church ; and the ancient
free-school appointed for their use, where they still continue
to resort for the purpose of tuition.
The school has lately received a donation of seven pounds
per annum from the late Mr. Walker.
j
THE HERMITAGE, CHAPEL OF ST. JOHN BAPTIST, AND
INTENDED HOSPITAL.
1355. In the reign of King Edward ill. a few yards be-
yond the present turnpike-gate in New Buildings, on the site
of the house and garden occupied by Mr. William Horwood,
(gardener) stood the solitary abode of Nicholas Jurdan, an
hermit, and the warden of a chapel dedicated to St. John
Baptist, which probably was not far distant, or perhaps adjoin-
ing the Hermitage.-— This person on May 25th 1355, ob-
tained of the king the following licence to erect and found a
i2
11 6 THE HERMITAGE.
Hospital in Bioester, to endow it with the yearly rent of one
hundred shillings, for the relief of the said poor, and to main-
tain one chaplain for ever*
"Rex omnibus ad quos, &c. Sciatis quod de gratia nostra
speciaii coneessimus et licentiam dedimus pro nobis et haere-
dibus nostris quantum in nobis est Nicholao Jurdan de Bur-
cester, heremitae, custodi capellee beati Johannis Baptist oe de
Burcester, quod ipse quoddam Hospitale pro hospitatione pau-
perum et infirmorum in honorem Dei et gloriosae Virginis
Marise matris ejus, et beati Johannis Baptists apud Burcester,
de novo rundare et centum solidatas terraeet redditus cum per-
tinentiis per annum juxta verum valorem eorum, exceptis
terris tenementis et redditibusquae de nobis tenentur in capite,
acquirere possit. Habenda et tenenda eidem custodi et suc-
cessoribus suis in subventionem sustentationis eorundem et cu-
jusdam Capellani divina in Capella praedicta pro salubri statu
no8tro et Philippae Reginae Angliae consortis ac Edwardi
Principis Walliae filii nostri carissimi dum vixerimus, et pro
animabus nostris cum ab hac luce subtracti fuerimus, et ani-
mabus omnium fidelium defunctorum singulis diebus celebra-
turi in perpetuum, statuto de terris et tenementis ad manum
mortuam non ponendis ideo non obstante, &c. Teste Rege
apud Westminstre, 15 die Mail 4 .
The silence of Kennett throughout the Parochial Antiqui-
ties, respecting this hospital, has led Tanner and succeeding
writers to- conclude that the design was never carried into ex-
ecution 5 5 perhaps in consequence of the death of the hermit.
Indeed, the most minute inquiries afford no traces of such ah
establishment. The chapel of St. John Baptist is supposed by
some to have been valued together with the priory, and demo-
« Kennett, p. 478.
& Tanner's Notitia Mouastica. Burcester, Oxfordshire.
THE HERMITAGE. 1 1?
t
lished soon after 6 . And I am inclined to conclude thatKennett
has been misled by tradition, or some relics of this chapel, to
suppose the parish church stood in this neighbourhood, when
in fact, no other sacred, edifice was ever founded near the
spot.
Besides, all ancient writings uniformly call the Sheep Street,
St. John's Street , evidently from the chapel dedicated to that
saint, either standing in or adjoining to it : whereas, if the old
church had stood there, it m6st likely would have given its
name to the street, especially as the chapel must have been of
comparatively modern erection. — The idea of the church once
standing here, may have arisen from the parish having used
the chapel for public worship, while the church was rebuilding.
It is impossible to say of what nature the hermitage build-
ings were. The name and nature of the j abode betoken so-
litude, we may therefore safely conclude, there were no houses
about that spot. ' Indeed, this opinion is placed beyond doubt,
by the following memorandum in a terrier of the lands belong-
ing to the Prior and Canons of Bicester, taken in the first year
of the reign of Henry IV. A. D. 1399. " Memorand. — Quod
precedens terra dominica Dom. Lestraunge vocata Wowelond,
jacet a fine villa? erga hermitag. et inter Harry -furlong, et
buttat totaliter into Stratton iveye" In the ancient writings
of Mr. Horwood also, the entrance of the hermitage is said to
be from the Broadyates, a proof that the site of New Buildings
was known by those names in former times. And the circum-
stance of the deeds of some of the oldest houses in that street,
acknowledging their being built about two hundred years ago,
seems to warrant the conclusion, that the street was not formed
before that period.
i l i . i m i , i i^ i.
M a gna Britannia, vol. iy. p. 4?4,
118 DISSENTER8.
CHAPTEB XIII.
Dissenters in Bicester. — Meeting House,-+~Quakers.
Xt is uncertain at what time the opinions of the Puritans '
were first known among the inhabitants of Bicester ; though
it is probable that the number who embraced them increased
under the ministry of Mr. Basnet, a clergyman who held the
cure of the parish during the great rebellion. To that class
his subsequent ejection, at the passing of the Bartholomew
Act, was doubtless matter of regret, but it does not appear to
have occasioned any secession from the established church*
This, event seems to have been brought about after the pass-
ing of the toleration-act, by the preaching of the ejected mi*
nisters Mr f John Troughton and Mr. Henry Cornish ; the
former of whom had for several years kept an academy in the
town, and occasionally preached in private. Having thus ob->
tained a number of hearers, a barn was fitted up (circa 1692)
in a yard opposite Coney-lane, and a congregation raised,
over which Mr. Cornish was appointed minister : an office
which he retained until his death 4 .
As these divines are conspicuous in the annals of the neigh-
1 The puritans objected to the whole hierarchy, which they declared was
pot of divine appointment, disallowed of the mode of cathedral worship, disap-
proved of set forms of prayer, sponsors in baptism, and bowing at the name of
Jesus. They objected to the riug in marriage, and observation of saints' days,
fiwr. SeeNeale's History of the Puritans, or Toulmin's Abridgement, v. i. ch. 5,
* The distress which followed the Bartholomew Act induced several of the
ejected ministers to endeavour to establish schools fur the instruction of youth
iu different towns and villages ; others fled to their friends, and remained de-
pendent on their generosity. But at the pasting of the Toleration Act, most
of them issued from their retreats and resumed their functions. The churches
remaining closed against them, they erected meeting-houses in different place*,
jtheir hearers they formed into societies which they denominated churches, anf)
t|ius the first separate congregations originated.
DISSENTERS IN BICESTER. ll9
bouring celebrated university, and their memory still cherished
among the dissenters, a short account of their lives may not
be uninteresting.
John Troughton was the son of Nathaniel Troughton, a
-clothier of Coventry, and educated under Samuel Frankland,
in the free-school. In 1655 he was entered of St. John's
College, Oxon ; became afterwards fellow and bachelor of
arts, and was expelled the college for non-conformity in 1662.
When persecution rendered it necessary to preach in prohi-
bited assemblies, he indulged, no rancour against his oppo-
nents, and sought not to make his hearers become partisans,
but true members of the church of Christ. He inculcated love
and charity towards all, however they might differ in theolo-
gical points, and himself maintained an amicable correspond-
ence with many of the conforming clergy, by whom he was
highly respected, on account of his great learning and mode-
ration. On the issuing of the Declaration of Toleration,
March 15, 1671, Mr. Troughton joined Dr. Langley and
other non-conformists, in establishing a lecture in Oxford.
Their meetings were held in Thame Street, without the north
gate, and among the scholars who often came to scoff, Mr.
Troughton was deservedly admired. Wood says, " the truth
is, though the man was blind, occasioned by the small pox,
ever since he was four years old, yet he was a good school
divine and metaphysician, and had obtained much commen-
dation by the university for his disputes. He was the author
of several valuable works.
" This learned and religious person died in a house of one
of the brethren in All Saints parish Oxon, January 20, 1681,
aged 44 years. His body was carried to Bicester, and buried
in the parish church ; at which time Abraham James, a blind
man, master of the free-school at Woodstock (sometime of
Magdalen Col. Oxon) preached his funeral sermon 3 . 9 '
■» »
3 Wood's Atbenae Oxonienses, p. 686. London 1721.
120 DISSENTERS IN BICESTER*
Henry Cornish was the son of William Cornish of Ditchet,
in Somersetshire : he was entered scholar of New Inn, and
assisted the butler to enter battles in the buttery book. Wood
stigmatizes his education as puritanical, and says that these
principles increased under Dr. Rogers, principal of the Inn.
While he remained in this- seminary it is supposed that he took
the degree of A. M., and became a popular preacher. In the
convulsions which followed, he conscientiously joined the
parliament party and left Oxford ; on their success was ap-
pointed canon of Christ Church and B. D., and had the offer
of D. D., which he refused. In 1646 he was appointed one
of the visitors of the university ; and with Langley, Corbet,
Cheynel, and others, regularly preached at St. Mary's. After
the Restoration he was displaced by the king's commissioners,
though he still continued to preach as a non-conformist in
these parts till silenced by the five mile act. He then retired
to Stanton -Harcourt, and was patronized by the pious Sir Phi*
lip Harcourt. Here he remained preaching occasionally in
private until the declaration of toleration issued by William III*
when he joined Mr. Troughton, Dr. Langley, and Mr. Gilbert
in preaching at Oxford. Ten years after the death of Mr,
Troughton (A. D. 1690) he settled at Bicester, and assumed
the pastoral care of a congregation of dissenters, probably
formed by the labours of the ejected ministers. A barn situ*-
atedin a yard opposite Coney -lane was appropriated to pub-
lic worship, which we may safely infer from the different work-
manship observable in the wainscot of the pews in the present
meeting-house, was fitted up with seats for the accommoda-
tion of the people 4 , Here this gentleman, whose piety and
talents were formerly considered equal to the important task
of preaching before one of the first universities in the world,
and who constantly attracted crowded audiences, when more
4 It is not unlikely that the old seats were brought from the barn, and umc\
in constructing the pews in the preseqt meeting- bouse,
DISSENTERS IN BICESTER. 121
than eighty years of age preached to the inhabitants of Bi-
cester 5 , To the honour of the dissenters Mr. John Oyliffe,
the rector of Dutton, Bucks, asserts " they were as intelligent,
good tempered, judicious, and loving people as a minister
need desire. The good old gentleman was as tender of them
as a father, and they carried it to him with the respect and
tenderness of children ; and vital religion exceedingly flourished
among them/' He died December 1&, 1698, and was buried
in Bicester chancel 6 .
From the registers of the dissenters, which remain in the
hands of Mr. William Rolls, it was evident that their first mi-
nisters considered themselves authorized to marry the mem-
bers of their own community. The very first entry running
hi the following words : " January 24, 169£, Joseph Daniel
and Jeane Abbot were then married in the chapel, certificates
being received that the banns were lawfully published at Stonny
Stratford and Bisseter congregation — by me, Henry Cornish."
It is followed by the entries of the baptism of different chil-
dren ; the first of which appears,
€t February 18, 169f, Thomas, the son of Thomas Wilson,
was then baptized by me, Henry Cornish."
The last entry of this divine is dated May 17, 1698 ; but
throughout the whole of the register no other marriage is
noticed.
- It appears plainly from this book that Mr. John Trough-
ton, son of the former, occasionally assisted Mr. Cornish in
his pastoral labours, and on his death succeeded to his charge.
During his ministry the barn was abandoned, and the present
* Wood says " In his old age he preaches in a barn for profit-sake to silly
women and other obstinate people." Oyliffe says ft As to profit-sake he was
above it, having an estate of his own." I have endeavoured to steer a middle
lourte in delineating his character.
6 Wood's Fasti Oxonienses, p. 91.
122 THE MEETING-HOUSE.
meeting-house erected. After sustaining the important office
forty years, he departed this life December 3, 1739, aged 73.
As little more than the bare mention of the names of his suc-
cessors occurs in any of the books, the list is subjoined.
Mr. J. Troughton was succeeded by Mr. Parke, Mr. Stuck,
Mr. Fenner, Mr. Davis, Mr. Pickersgill, Mr. Hickman, Mr.
Whitford, Mr. O'Bennett', Mr. Howell, Mr. Miller, Mr. John
Dennant (in whose ministry a Sunday-school was established),
and Mr. Richard Fletcher. This gentleman was ordained
over the congregation May 29, 1799, and still retains the pas-
toral care.
THE MEETING-HOUSE.
At the erection of the meeting-house the dissenters in this
town were numerous and opulent ; and this structure is a last-
ing monument of their zeal and liberality. The building is
43 feet in length and 33 in width within the walls. The light
is admitted by four lofty windows, with semicircular heads in
the front, and two smaller on the back. Over the entrance
is a pediment, in the centre of which an open volume rests on
a label, inscribed with the year of its erection. In the book
are the following words engraved u Verbum Dei mpnel in
fjeternum"
The interior is commodiously fitted up. Originally every
part was in strict uniformity ; but the erection of a gallery
and some alterations have destroyed this effect ; yet there are
few who would not still view it with pleasure. The pulpit and
{sounding board were often deservedly admired for their ele-
gant simplicity ; but the latter has been removed some years,
as it was supposed to occasion too great reverberation. Op-
posite the pulpit lies the body of the Reverend John Trough-,
ton, in whose ministry the building was raised. A flat stone
covers his grave, inscribed " Here are deposited the remains
pf the Reverend John Troughton, many years a laborious and
THE MEETING-HOUSE. 1 23
faithful minister to a congregation of Protestant Dissenters in
this parish, and having served this generation by the will of
God, fell asleep December 3, 1739, /Etat. 73, Also, of Sarah
his wife, who departed this troublesome world for a happy
immortality, January *20, 1736. iEtat. 63."
There are several other inscriptions on the pavement, and
two monuments affixed to the walls. One to the memory of
the Sayers, grand children of Mr. Troughton, the ejected mi-
nister ; and the other for Mr. W. Rolls, many years a deacon.
Adjoining the meeting-house is a vestry, of much later
erection, whitfh has recently been enlarged, and is chiefly used
for the various services in the week.
The edifice is surrounded by a burying ground, and orna-
mented with trees. The entrance is in the Water-lane, with
a terrace in front, formed at the expense of the late Miss Mil-
ler, who gave the cushion and pulpit-bible.
This spot was purchased after the dreadful fire of 1724,
and was previously occupied by a range of buildings extend-
ing to the King'si-arms-yard 7 ,
The ancient congregation was presbyterian, and Mr. Miller
(I believe) was the last preacher of that class. The present is
independent. The meeting-house is in the hands of trustees \
Their Sunday-school was established in 1794, and Mr,
James Jones, the projector of these institutions in this parish,
remained master till the illness which terminated in his death.
The benefaction of Mr. Walker appropriates 11. annually
to the support of this school, arising from the interest of
}000/. 3 per cent, consols, liable to the deduction pf incident
taj expenses.
N
' See a paper now in the bands of Mr. Thomas Harris, a gentleman to whom
I am extremely indebted for several important communications.
8 The deed of trust is in the bands of Mr. James Gurden, sen., one of the
[deacons and a trustee, to wtyose kindness I am indebted for a sijjfttof it.
124 THE QUAKERS.
THE QUAKERS.
The Society of friends were formerly pretty numerous in
this town; and had a meeting-house in a yard nearly opposite
the White Lion public-house in Sheep r street. The meeting-
house was fitted up with seats for the accommodation of the
congregation ; and from a large portable desk the speakers
addressed the people. On the decline of the society the
building was applied to other purposes, and finally converted
into dwelling-houses. There are few of that persuasion now
in Bicester, and whenever any of the speakers visit the town
for the purpose of public worship, they usually obtain the
temporary possession of the town hall.
CHAPTER XIV,
Fairs and Market. — Tradesmen's Tokens.
It is generally acknowledged that fairs and markets owe
their origin to the concourse of people who usually assembled
to commemorate the dedication of the churches. Hence
anciently they were held in church-yards, and on the Sabbath
day 1 , till they were prohibited in the reign of Henry III. from
being kept on that day or in those places. The oldest fair
in Bicester is that usually held in Kingsend, by a charter
granted in the first year of King Richard II. to Sir John de
Worthe, then lord of the manor of Bigenhull, and now in the
possession of. Mr. Coker, though this is considered by Kennett
1 A. D. 1204, Eustachius, abbot of Flay in Normandy, was one of the first
«
ecclesiastics who preached against Sunday markets ; and pretended to have
received a letter from heaven, written by the hand of God, in which he
threatened to rain sticks and stones, and boiling water on all who frequented
tbem ! I I—Henry's Hist, of Britain, vol. v. p. 434, apud Hoveden An, p. 457,
FURS AND MARKETS. 125
as no more than a confirmation of an ancient fair, deriving its
origin from the dedication of the old church, which he pre-
sumes was oonsecrated to St. James, as the present structure
is to St. Edburgh. The charter also contains a grant of a
weekly Monday market, which has long been discontinued,
and is as follows :
Translation."] " The king to the arch-bishopsibishops,abbots,
priors, dukes, counts, barons, justices, sheriffs, mayors, mini-
sters, and all bailiffs, and all other our faithful subjects. Know ye
that we, of our special grace, have granted, and by this charter
have confirmed for us and our heirs, to our beloved and faith-
ful subject John de Worthe, Knt., that he and his heirs shall
.for ever have at their manor of Bigenhull, at Burcestre, one
market every week, on the Monday ; and one fair every year
to continue for three days, to wit, on the vigil, on the day,
and on the morrow of St. James the Apostle. Nevertheless
that market and fair shall not be to the hurt of the neighbour-
ing markets and fairs. Wherefore we will and strictly com-
mand that the said John and his "heirs for ever shall have one
market every week, on the Monday ; and one fair every year
for three days, as aforesaid. Witnesses the honourable Fathers
S. Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of all ^England ; W.
London; A. Worcester, Chancellor; and Thomas Exeter, Trea-
surer, our bishops ; John King of Castile and Lyons, Duke of
Lancaster, Mortimer, March, and others.
*" Given under our hand at Westminster 20 day of Oct.
" By writ of privy seal."
This fair and market seems to have decayed afterwards, so
that when the manor came into the joint possession of
^Humphrey Duke of Buckingham and John Felmersham, the
former obtained a renewal of the charter granted to Sir John
de Worthe. This grant is little more than a copy of the above,
and bears date the 20th day of July, 17 Henry VI. 1438.
l2f> FAIRS AND MARKET.
The market Was shortly after discontinued by reason of a
new charter granted to Robert Brooke for one to be held in
Bicester Bury-end. The fair however continues Jto this day,
is annually proclaimed with music on the vigil of St. James,
and is kept in the street of Kingsend a ; many of the respect-
able inhabitants erect booths or affix a bough over their doors,
and are thereby privileged to sell ale and beer during the
fair. Formerly much leather was brought for sale; and as
anciently these marts supplied the surrounding country with
their commodities till the annual period of their return, the
custom has obtained and continued of discharging curriers',
shoemakers', and other bills at this time. From these circum-
stances, combined with the favourable season of the year at
which it is held, this fair may be still considered one of the
best in this country 3 .
The statutes or fairs held on the three successive Fridays in
October after old St. Michael in each year do not seem ground -
ed on any charter ; but on the necessity of an appointed tftne
for masters and servants meeting together for the mutual ac-
commodation of hiring and being hired. The origin of the
custom may be traced from the decline of slavery ; and the
• By the statute of 17 Edward IV. 1477, it was provided that " whereas
divers fairs be holden and kept in this realm, some by prescription, and al-
lowed before justices in eyre, and some by the grant of our lord the king that
now is, and some by grants of his predecessors :— To every onecf the same
fairs there is of right pertaining a court of pye- powders to minister in the
same due justice that every of the persons coming may have due justice, &c."
Then follow clauses to regulate the same, and to provide remedies for every
offence.— See Archaeologia, vol. i. p. 190.
- * Formerly the fair at Bicester was in so much repute, and attended by such
multitudes, that it waft judged necessary for the preservation of the peace in
the night, to appoint watches both in Bicester and the surrounding villages.
At the summer or St. James's fair three or four of the inhabitants used to take
the office in rotation. The practice was discontinued by the falling off of the
fair about twelve years ago.
FAIRS JfSn MARKET. 1 2 J
statutes being held on three successive market days, seems to
prove they had no other foundation than mutual convenience,
because on those days the farmers were expected to be pre-
sent on business. Such also was the opinion of Dr. Plot, who
says " In the north of Oxfordshire it has always been the
custom at set times of the year for young people to meet and
hire themselves as servants, which meeting at Banbury they
call the mop ; at Bloxam the statutes, where they all sort
themselves and carry their badges according as they are qua-
lified ; the carter with whipcord, the shepherds 'with wool,
but the maidens, as far as I could learn, stood promiscu-
ously 4 ." These fairs are of course held in the market-place
in Bicester.
Letters Patent granted to Robert Brooke for holding anew
Market in Bicester Bury - end 3 19 Henry VI. 1440;
Translation^ " The King to all, &c. health. Know ye that
we out of consideration of the good services which our dear
servant Robert Brooke renders, and shall render to us, of our
special grace we grant to him, the picage, stallage, boothage,
and tollage, together with the assize of bread and beer of our
new market below the town of Burcester,in the county of Oxon,
with all profits and emoluments which to us duly belong, or
shall in any mode whatever by reason of the said market be-
long, in respect of pfcage, stallage, boothage, or tollage, for
which truly we are informed nothing has been answered to us
in these days, to be had and held by the said Robert w his
deputy during his proper life, from thence enjoying such fees,
profits, and commodities, as to the same in any manner shall
belong, ren&ering from thence to us the annuity of six shil-
lings and eightpence, to be paid to our receiver of Cornwall
for the time being, or his deputy. The same being for all sorts
i Plot's Oxfordshire, p. 203.
128 fairs and Market.
of burthens and demands ; any other statute, act, or ordina^
tion enacted or made to the contrary notwithstanding. In
witness &c. Given by the king at Westminster the first day
of June*
€€ By writ of privy seal and of the date aforesaid,
" By authority of parliament."
From the granting of the above charter that part of the
town which had been heretofore known by the name of Bury*
end 1 was called Markei-end; and the market thus established
seems t6 have speedily become one of the chief marts in the
county. This eminence it retained till the year 1704, when
the small-pox raged so dreadfully in the town that the market
was entirely deserted; insomuch that the market-place was
covered with grass, and bore the appearance of a meadow. It
was long before the neighbouring villagers ventured again
with their commodities, and trade being once diverted into
other channels, the market never recovered its former im-
portance. However, it is still much frequented by dealers in
cattle, especially in the spring and autumn : but the practice
of selling corn by sample has tended to lessen the appearance
of business 6 .
In 1769 Mr. Howlet having obtained the offices of high
constable of the hundred of Ploughley and steward of the bai-
*v liwick of Bicester market-end, appointed three new fairs to
be held in the market-place. The first on the Friday in
s On this circumstance Kennett grounds much of his argument in favour of
the parish church beiug anciently situated- in Sheep-street.
6 I have heard many of the aged inhabitants say that they have formerly
seen the whole market-hill covered with sacks of corn, &c: the avenues
leading to it crQwded by the farmers' wives with their baskets of butter, eggs,
and poultry ; the parts around abounding with stalls of goods of every de-
scription ; and the streets filled with cattle. They have generally closed this
account by exclaiming, " Ah,! those were rare days V 9
tradesmen's tokens. 129
Easter week, the second on the first Friday in June, and the
other on the Friday following Christmas-day. Of these, the
fair in Easter week is chiefly noted for the number of cattle
usually brought for sale. The others are but little attended.
TRADESMEN, THAT ISSUED TOKENS IN THE SEVENTEENTH
CENTURY.
The coin of the kings since the Conquest was chiefly of
gold and silver, though a bad policy sometimes debased it by
alloy. The necessity of a smaller change compelled dealers
and tradesmen to invent some token, as a medium for currency
between themselves and their customers. Hence arose a di-
versity of these tokens, only current in their own, neighbourhood.
Under pretence of remedying this evil, but really with a view
of enriching a favourite,* patent was granted (July 11, 1626)
to the Dutchess Dowager of Richmond and Sir Francis Crane,
Knt., to coin farthing tokens. They soon made many thou-
sand pounds worth ; and as a proof of the shameful imposi-
tion practised on the public, it is sufficient to state that out of
an ounce of copper, which cost one penny, they 'made twenty-
pence. Their patent was shortly after annulled, and all the
tokens were left on the subjects' hands, who sold them to the
braziers at tenpence or a shilling th$ pound.
Next came the public farthing-token offices in London.
These gave one shilling in twenty to those who came to buy,
and the country was soon inundated with them — gold and silver
vanished — but when they returned to the patentees they dis-
owned all that had not a double ring upon them, of which very
few were found. Hereby the lower tradesmen were all ruined,
who got their living by selling fish, vegetables, &c.
Then they put a brass or other mark in them, but still they
Were asserted to be counterfeited* At last the great quantity
of royal tokens, and the refusal of the patentees to exchange
them, put an entire stop to their currency. The necessity of
change made tradesmen resume the issuing of tokens ; and
K
130 MANOR OF NUN'S-FLACE.
from their commencement in 1642 till they were cried down
by proclamation in 1672 their numbers increased every year.
The earliest town-pieces are those of Bristol and Oxford, 1652,
but after 1666 they multiplied prodigiously 16 .
The tradesmen who issued tokens in Bicester were, Ga-
briel Burrowes, John Borrows, Thomas Burges, Thomas Cle-
ments, William Hudson, William Stevens, and John Warry, of
which the following is a description.
Burrowes, Gabriel, in (arms) — Reverse, Bisseter, Iron-
monger, G.B.
Borrows, John, Iron- LB. — Reverse, -monger inBister,LB.
Burges, Thornas — Reverse, of Biseter, 1665, T°M.
Clements, Thomas, (arms) — Reverse, of Bissiter, Draper,
T.C.
Hudson, William, of Bister— Reverse, in Oxfordshire, 1669,
his halfpenny, W H S.
Stevens, William, of Bister, 1669 — Reverse, in Oxford-
shire, his halfpenny, W^E.
Warry, John, of Bister, three pipers, 1668 — Reverse, in
Oxfordshire, his halfpenny, I M. a heart 17 .
CHAPTER XVI.
Manor of Nut? s Place orKing's-end and Village of BigenhulL
At a very early period the nuns of the priory of Merkyate
(now Market-street), in the county of Bedford, obtained the
grant of a mansion and estate in Bicester, which were after-
■ ' •• ' ■ — — — ■■ ■ i i . ■ ■■ ■— — — — i
16 Snelling on Coins, p. 17. 1 763.
»? MS. Catalogue of Town-pieces and Tokem in the i7th Century. Quarto.
MANOR OF NUN'S-PLACE. 131
wards known by the appellation of the Manbr of Nonnbs
Placb, though at present neither the name of the donor nor
the time of the donation is known. The earliest mention
of this estate is found in an indenture made in the reign of
King John (A.D.I 2 12) between the prioress and nuns of
Merkyate, and Hervey, prior of Burncestre, for the exchange
of two ridges of the nuns' land in Hodesham for one aere
nearer to their land in Nyhenaker, and half an acre of meadow
nigh to the meadow called Gilbertsham. A full statement of
the lands constituting this estate may be found in the folios of
lands, rents, and services taken in 1325 ; and by some con-
sidered as affording the best detail of the services of villainage
extant : the original document is in the hands of Mr, Coker,
the present lord of the manor. The services of one of their
tenants, Robert, son of Nicholas Germayn, are stated at large
in the list of tenures, &c, and a close translation of the whole
court-roll is given in the Appendix. . In the reign of Edward,
IV. the land was assessed among the temporalities of the pri-
oress and nuns of Merkyate, and computed at the yearly
value of fifty-six shillings and ten- pence, of which the tenths
were rated at five shillings and eight-pence. A few years pre-
vious to the dissolution of the smaller monasteries (22 Henry
VIII. A. D. 1530) a lease of it was granted by the prioress
and nuns to John Gryffyth, a servant of the cardinal's ( Wolsey),
for twenty-one years, probably with a view to preserve the es-
tate amid the impending storm which the religious saw ready
to burst upon them \ Soon after the Dissolution, the rever-
1 The lease is given at length in the Appendix.
At the valuation of the estates belonging to the priory of Merkyate, the ac-
count of this estate was entered as follows :
Dom' sive MonasL' in s'taTrini" de Bosco juxt' Markeyate D'na Joh'a Zouch
Priorissa ib*m. „ .
Com. Oxon. Burcest re. Valet per Annu" in Firm"* Man"is ib'mD'ni^
Joh'i Gryffeth per Indentur' ostens' vij xiij iiij
Records in the Augmentation Office.
k2
132 MANOR OF NUN'S-PLACE.
sion in fee of this manor was granted by King Henry VI II. to
John Denton, Esq. of Blackthorn, in the parish of Ambrosden,
and in the year 1582 it was sold by him to Mr. John Coker*.
The family of the Cokers derive their origin from Coker,
a town in Somersetshire ; but in the reign of Henry IV. John
Coker, a member of that family, having married an heiress of
the name of Veale, became possessed of a very considerable
estate at Mapouder, in Dorsetshire, where he settled. John
Coker, a descendant and younger son, who was born at Ma-
pouder in the reign of Henry VIII. married a wife at Pollicot
in Oxfordshire, and resided there a short time ; but afterwards
purchasing the manor of Nun's Place, he adopted the mansion
for the residence of himself and his posterity, which, together
with the estate, still remains in their possession.
The manor-house seems to have had its name changed to
Burchester Hall during the time it was the residence of his
son Cadwallader Coker *, and to have been rebuilt by Mr.
John Coker, his grandson, in 1682 4 .
To the last-mentioned gentleman the curious must acknow-
ledge themselves under considerable obligations. From his
papers Kennett derived some of the most valuable informa-
tion in his Parochial Antiquities, and by his industry the
* Ex orig. penes Johan. Coker, armig. The reversion of this manor, to-
gether with the estate of Strippwike, at Ambrosden, were granted to Denton
for fifty-seven pounds twelve shillings t
Jones's Index to the Public Records contains the following entry, " De
Justiniano Champney et uxore occasionatis ad ostendendum quo titulo te*
nent Manerium de Barcester vocatum Nonnes Place in Com. Oxoniae." Pas-
chae Recorda 17 Elizabeth. Rot. 64. This seems to intimate that this family
held the manor, and it might be they resided in the mansion ; perhaps they
held it on lease from Denton.
> >" De Cadwallader Coker occasionato ad ostendendum quo titulo tenet
manerium de Burcester Hall in Com. Oxon." Michael. Recorda, 1 1 Jac. I.
Rot. 295. *
« See a plate of the mansion in Kenuett's Par. Ant.
w
■J.
■e
MANOR OF NUN'S- PLACE; 133
neglected well of St. Edburg was restored, after the lapse of
more than a century, during which its virtues had been almost
consigned to oblivion. — He and his descendants lie buried in
Bicester church, in a vault beneath the family pew. — The last
possessor, the Reverend Thomas Coker, is said to have en-
tailed the manor and estates on the male branches of his fa*
mily.
. The present proprietor, John Coker, Esq., succeeded to the
estate on the death of his uncle : by him the family mansion
has been partly rebuilt, though many of the additional apart-
ments remain unfinished. The front presents a handsome
appearance, and by the inclosure of the green he has obtained
a considerable pleasure-ground around it. To the exertions
of this gentleman great praise is due for putting an end to the
inhuman practice of bull-baiting, which formerly was a pre-
valent amusement in Bicester. The writer when a boy saw
with pleasure his determined and laudable conduct in rescu-
ing a poor animal destined to become the victim of this cruel
sport from a savage mob, , and never since that time has the
practice been attempted to be revived. The insults he re-
ceived on the occasion were shameful, but he had the reward
of approving conscience and the benedictions of the humane.
In every plan for bettering the condition of the poor or im*
proving the town, Mr. Coker has been most ready to come
forward with liberality, and it is much to be regretted that
Bicester is not his constant residence.
Mr. Coker married in 1792 the Honourable Charlotte Mar-
sham, the youngest daughter of the Right Honourable Robert
Lord Romney, of the Moat, near Maidstone, Kent. His lady
died in January 1794, leaving an only child, a daughter.
In the year 1798, when these kingdoms were threatened
with invasion by the atrocious ruler of France, a general spirit
of loyalty and patriotism manifested itself throughout all ranks
and descriptions of the people. The university of Oxford was
134 VILLAGE OF BIGENHULL.
not backward in the laudable and spirited exertions displayed
on this occasion. A regiment consisting of five hundred ma-
triculated members of the university was raised, clothed, and
armed at their own expense. Of this regiment Mr. Coker
was unanimously appointed the colonel. In the subsequent
year when the colonel applied to His Royal Highness the
Commander in Chief to have his regiment reviewed by some
general, His Royal Highness was graciously pleased to say
that he would review it himself. Accordingly, on the 18th of
June, in the year 1799, the regiment was reviewed by His
Royal Highness in Port-meadow, when the most excellent and
highly disciplined steadiness and military skill displayed by
the corps drew from the commander in chief the strongest ex-
pressions of commendation and praise.
Upon the death of Sir Christopher Willoughby in 1809,
Mr. Coker was unanimously appointed the chairman of the
quarter sessions of the county of Oxford.
1814. At a numerous and respectable meeting of the no-
bility, gentry, clergy, and freeholders of the county of Oxon,
convened by the high sheriff to consider of the propriety of
addressing the Prince Regent on the occasion of his visit to the
county in company with the Emperor of Russia and King of
Prussia, Mr. Coker, after an eloquent and impressive speech,
moved an address, which was received with unbounded applause
and carried unanimously 5 . On the following Wednesday it
was presented to His Royal Highness at Christ Church by the
Earls of Abingdon and Harcourt, the Bishop of Oxford, J.
Fane, Esq., and numbers of the most respectable gentlemen
of the county.
VILLAGE OF BIGENHULL.
The village of Bigenhull seems to have formerly stood south
• _
5 Times of June 22, 1814.
\
?
VILLAGE OF BIGENHULL, 135
of Berencestre 6 , and on the site of KingVend. Probably it
only consisted of a few scattered houses, as all accounts re-*
present it as having been very small. Without doubt some of
the inhabitants attended at the lord's chapel, but it is most
likely that the greater part of them took their places in the
parish church. There was a tradition in the time of Kennett
that itwas a separate and distinct parish from Bicester Bury-
end, on which point he remarks, " To support the tradition
of two parishes, I find no better authority than the ruins of a
chappel near Bignell-Farm and of a church in Burcester Market*
end, near the Hermitage, at the north end of Sheep-street,
long since also demolished. I rather believe that Bigenhull was
only a distinct manor, like Wretch wic, within the precincts of
Burcester, having a chapel subordinate to the mother church,
and granted as a privilege to the lord of the manor/'
The name of King's-end, or Kyng-end, as descriptive of
this township, appears very early. In a terrier of the lands
of Bicester priory, taken in the last year of Richard II.
A. D. 1399, the field attached is distinctly called the field of
BurncesterKyng-end, and in the reigu of Henry VI. it is evi-
dent that the village itself was commonly known by that name ;
for in the bursar's account of receipts and expenses of the priory
of Bicester for the year 1425, one of the items is, " And
four pounds four shillings and four-pence received for the
rent of fourteen tenements in Burcestre Bury-end and Kyng-
end, as paid by the rent-roll." It is however clear, from the
6 On examining the foundations which still remain in Mr. Coker's close,
one of the most intelligent inhabitants of Bicester remarked that they seemed
to intimate that the old town of Berencestre stood on both sides of a road, which
led, in nearly a straight line, from the Akeman-sueet, near Graven. hill, into
the Bucknell road, above the stone-pits.— And that the fosse and vallum, which
for a short distance are parallel with the brook, and run in the direction of
those in the Horse-close, seem to have joined them, and formed a part of the
ancient fortifications.
IS6 VILLAGE OF BIGENHULL.
care of Sir John de Worth, lord of Bigenhull, to obtain tto
grant of a fair and weekly market for his manor, and the spot
on which it was held, that great part of this township was ac-
counted a part of the ancient manor of Bigenhull, even down
to the middle of the following century; when Humphrey
Duke of Buckingham obtained letters-patent to confirm the
weekly market and St. James's fair. It is not improbable that
the honours of Bigenhull were finally cropt by the estate fall-
ing into the hands of the lords of Nonnes Place, who, when
they condescended to part with it, stripped it of all its ancient
splendour, and simply disposed of the farm.
It is said that the manors of KingVend, Bigenhull, and the
neighbouring village of Kirklington, are part of the domains
of the Dutchy.of Lancaster, and that in consequence the in-
habitants are privileged to attend markets and fairs without
paying toll, by a charter granted at some distant period 7 . I ,
have not been able to discover any such charter ; but the cir-
cumstance of their claim of exemption being allowed in the
market and fairs of Bicester Market -end, is a proof that the
bailiff considers it well founded.
It is customary for the inhabitants of this parish or town-
ship to attend the court leet held under the steward of the
* The late Mr. Kgerton, steward to the former and present lord of the manor,
informed me that one day a stranger exposed his goods for sale in King's-end fair,
but refused to pay the toll, asserting that he was an inhabitant of the domains
of the Dutchy of Lancaster, and producing a paper, which he affirmed was a
copy of a charter, granting to all the inhabitants of those domains freedom from
toll in all markets and fairs throughout England. Mr. Egerton afterwards
much regretted that he did not examine the paper ; yet he rebutted the claims
of the stranger, by remarking that the exemption was limited to places without
the domains of the Dutchy, and consequently did not apply to King's-end ;
which the stranger admitted.
. If there ever was any connection between the manors of Kirklington* Bi-
genhull, &c. it must have been anterior to the grant of the manor of Nan's*
MANOR OF BIGENHULL. 137
manor of Kirklington ; but the jury are always chosen from
among the inhabitants of KingVend, if there are a sufficient
number in attendance, and are privileged to sit in a separate
room. To this court the inhabitants of King's-end usually
pay thirteen shillings and four- pence annually ; twenty- pence
of which is levied on the lord of the manor ; twenty-pence on
Bignel farm ; and four-pence jon each cottage. To ensure a
lull attendance, the court is accustomed to levy a fine of one
penny on every householder absent.
— ' T ■" ,' =£
CHAPTER XVII.
Manor of Bigenhull.
This manor deserves particular notice, as it anciently in-
cluded the chief part of what is now called King's-end. It is
not however recognised as a manor in Doomsday-book, for in
that record two only are noticed, and these defined by Kennett
to be Bicester and Wretch wick; a proof that it was then in-
cluded in the manor of Bur Chester, At what time Bigenhull
was separated is unknown, nor has any account of the tenure
by which it was held reached us. The earliest mention is in
a grant to Bicester priory, A. D. 1212, in the fourteenth year
place to the priory of Merkyate, and then only as members of the same fee.
According to Plot, the manor of Kirklington originally belonged to the kings
l of England, from whom it proceeded to John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster.
This information Plot professes to derive from an old charter in the possession
of Sir T. Cbaoiberleyne, lord of the town. But Dugdale traces the property
\ -from John de Hemetz, constable of Normandy, in the reign of King John,
' ■ through the Bassets to Thomas of Woodstock, who died possessed of the manor,
1 20 Richard II. Was Plot's account correct, and could the manor of Nun's-
place be proved to have once belonged to the same fee, it would be easy to
trace the name of King's-end, and the title of the township to the afore-
mentioned privileges.
138 MANOR OF BIGENHULL.
of King John, when James Le Bret, lord of Bigenhull, and
Atnable his wife, are noticed as generous benefactors to that
infant institution '. In the same century it passed into the
family of the Lang leys ; and Walter, Alice, and John de Lang-
ley are successively mentioned as owners of the lordship. The
folios remaining give an aecurate account of the rents and ser-
vices as they existed in the time of the latter, A. D. 1 325, 19 Ed-
ward II. Thirteen years after (1360) Sir Richard le Vache of
Bigenhull, a descendant of the LeVaches mentioned in the folios,
together with Sir Miles Stapleton of Middleton, were among
the commissioners in the great treaty of peace concluded with
Edward III., by which that monarch received many provinces
without homage. It is not quite so clear that he was lord of
the manor, indeed the probability is against it. How long the
family of De Worthe had obtained possession before John de
Worthe obtained the charter for the market and fair is not
known, nor yet into whose hands it passed before it came into
the joint possession of Humphry, Earl of Stafford, afterward
Duke of Buckingham, and John Felmersham, the former of
whom obtained Letters Patent to confirm the weekly market.
No further accounts have reached us of Felmersham ; but the
whole life of Buckingham seems devoted to the cause of Hen-
ry VI. In the battle of St. Alban's he lost his eldest son
(1455), and by the sacrifice of his own life in the fields of Nor-
thampton proved his enmity to the house of York. Bigen-
hull came afterwards into the possession of John Stokeys, Esq.
and was sold by him to William Staveley, a benefactor to
the priory, in whose family it remained for several genera-
tions. The body of this gentleman lies buried in the chan-
cel of Bicester parish church, and a brass plate, the oldest
monument therein, still perpetuates his memory. His
eldest son George is distinguished by his donation to Uni-
1 Rennet t, p. 176,
MANOR OF BIGENHULL. l&Q
yersity College, Oxford. He gave fifty pounds to purchase
land of the yearly value of fifty shillings, of which he pro-
vided that two shillings and eight-pence should be paid to one
of the fellows in holy orders to say mass as often as he pleased
at the south altar of the chapel,for the souls of George Stavetey,
Isabel hiswife,JohnStaveley,and their friends. Of the remainder
three shillings and four-pence should be allowed on the anni-
versary of his death to the master and fellows to increase their
commons; two-pence to the manciple; two-pence to the head
cook; four-pence to the bible- clerk ; and the overplus to be
divided on the same day between the masters and the scholars.
George Staveley died 17 Henry VIII. A.D. 1523\
How long the manor of Bigenhull remained in the hands
of the descendants of the Staveleys I have not been able to
ascertain. The names of his son John and his grandson
Thomas occur, the latter of whom was in possession at the
heralds' visitation in Oxfordshire in 1574*.
The lordship of Bigenhull and the estates connected with
the ancient demesne, had been alienated some time before Ken-
nett published the Parochial Antiquities (A.D. 1695), for he
says the " name alone of Bigenhull or Bignell remains in a
farm-house, Which tradition speaks of as the seat of the lord
of the manor, now belonging to the daughters and coheirs of
Mr. Samuel Lee, and hath been some time in the occupation
of John Willson ♦."
The honours formerly annexed to this estate led Sir Robert
Dashwood, early in the last century, to commence a law suit
with Mr. Coker for the manor &c. of King's-end ; which was
finally adjudged to the latter, in whose possession all the ori-
• Kennett, p. 681.
3 Harleiaii MS. No. 1095. Brit Mus.
« Mr. Lee is supposed to have made the largest collection of Alchester coins
ever known.
1 40 DONATIONS TO THE PARISH.
ginal documents relative to this manor and township then
were, and with whose descendants they still remain*
Passing through several hands, it was at last purchased by
John Coker, Esq., who sold it to Mr. Forster.* This gentle-
man has lately repaired or rebuilt the mansion : part of the
walls of the chapel are standing, but it has been lately con-
verted into an out-house. There was,a small room or vestry
attached, apparently for the use of the priest, or as a depo-
sitory for the vestments and utensils connected with the cele-
bration of the ancient worship 5 . From # the architecture of
the windows it is not improbable that the chapel may have
been erected in the fourteenth century.
CHAPTER XVIll.
Donations to the Parish.
1 own Stock. At an early period lands and tenements in
the counties of Berks, Oxon, Northampton, &c. were left by
some now unknown benefactor, ( s For the relief of decayed
tradesmen " (the words of the donor) in Burcester.
In the parish-archives, deposited over the church-porch,
are grants of leases of these estates as early as the reign of
Henry VII. ; and probably, were the whole of the records care-
fully examined, the original deed of gift might be found.
Among the loose papers in the Wallingford chest (the only
one I examined) is the following memorandum of the re-
ceipts in the fifteenth year of Elizabeth (A. D. 1572).
5 Some have concluded that this room was designed for the habitation of the
priest, from its containing a fire-place.
DONATIONS TO THE PARISH. 141
S. d.
For tenements in Souldern, per annum...* 10
One ditto in Woodstock - 14
Another ditto in Woodstock
Stratton Audley, for arable land — ..... 4
This chest contains most of the bills of the parish expenses
during the reign of Elizabeth ; yet little use can be made of
them, as frequently those containing the most desirable infor-
mation are without dates ; among these is one wherein the
name and value of the lands belonging to the poor are speci-
fied, the sum total of which is twenty-six pounds and three-
pence three farthings.
A. D. 1598. On the 6th of April, in the forty-first year of
Queen Elizabeth, decretal orders were issued by Sir William
Spencer, Knt., John Welsborn, Francis Ewer, George Cali-
ford, and William Frere, Esquires, as commissioners appointed
to direct the application of this charity, of which the follow-
ing is the substance.
Every aged poor and impotent inhabitant relieved by the
feoffees shall be relieved by the knowledge of the vicar, church-
wardens, and four of the inhabitants rated highest in the sub-
sidy books.
When all these are relieved, the profits remaining unbe-
stowed are to be applied to the marriage of poor maideps
born in and then inhabiting the parish of Bicester ; and if
there are no such maidens to be married, then with the like
assent, to the mending of the highways, which no private per-
son is bound to repair by tenure, prescription, composition, or
otherwise.
No lease of any of the lands, tenements, &c, to be let for
more than ten years from the date of the agreement.
No land shall be let for less than its yearly value, nor any
fine taken, nor any poor person suffered to live on the estate.
142 DONATIONS TO THE PARISH.
If any disbursements are made contrary to these orders^ the
party making them to incur the loss.
The accounts to be audited in Whitsun week before the
vicar, churchwardens, overseers, and other parishioners/ and
what money remains in hand to be put in the chest for the
use of the poor.
It is decreed that in the next conveyance of the land, tene-
ments, &c, to any persons and their heirs, which shall be made
within three weeks after there shall be but four feoffees alive,
these orders shall be rehearsed and acknowledged, to be for
ever hereafter acknowledged and observed, and to be made by
the consent of the feoffees of the lands and tenements ; and
that all former estates made heretofore by Wykins and Moore
were made to the uses hereinbefore expressed. If any of the
parties having interest in the lands shall not observe these
orders, then the conveyance to their heirs and assigns to be
void. " To avoid all disputes, ten shillings only are allowed
to be spent at the yearly meeting about the account/' Should
any of them, the said vicar or churchwardens or overseers,
disagree from the rest of them for any thing done in the pre-
mises, such dissenters shall give a reason for their disagree-
ment (for it shall not be * wilful) ; and if their reason be
not allowed by the major part of the feoffees, all things shall
be proceeded in according to these- articles. Lastly, it is
thought fit, notwithstanding any thing to the contrary, that a
lease may be made of any dwelling-house to which no land is
attached for twenty-one years, if the house be ruinous, and the
lessee is bound by this lease to rebuild it.
Agreeable to the above decree, the mode of appointing
feoffees is by indenture of bargain and sale of the enfeoffed
lands, cottages, &c. by the surviving trustees, for five shillings
for one year, to have and to hold by the rent of one pepper-
corn if demanded* for the use and purposes mentioned in the
above decree, copied into a' release.
DONATIONS TO TtfE PARISH. 143
The release is also by indenture, in which the former feof-
fees for ever quit claim to the above, and convey them to the
persons specified, their heirs and assigns, according to the de-
cretal orders which are copied into it.
The present feoffees are Sir G. P. O. Turner, Sir Henry W.
Dashwood, John Coker, Esq. , George Osmond, Richard Smith,
Thomas Davis, John Blake Kirby, and Thomas Tubb. The
enfeoffed lands, tenements, &c. are
£. s. d.
At Lurgessall, in Bucks, one small public-house
•and premises adjacent, and twenty-eight acres
of pasture land, producing per annum 120
Souldern, in Oxon, two cottages, one small close,
and two closes of pasture of about twenty-
eight acres, producing together 70
Land in Potter's-pury, Cosgrove, and Yardley,
Northamptonshire 24
Bicester Market- end, a barn, yard, and two
closes of arable land, of about twenty-eight
acres 1 25
Two cottages in the same near the church 2
Workhouse in the same, let to the parish 16
Public funds 150/. in 3 per cents 4 10
Total per annum £ 261 10
It is evident the above decree admitted other objects to
partake of the benefits of this charity besides decayed trades-
men; yet it is worth inquiry whether it might not be advis-
able to limit the application to the relief of those inhabitants
for whom the donation was intended.
1749* At the audit holden May 18th it was ordered and
agreed by those whose names are under-written, that if any-
poor persons who received any weekly payments out of the
144 DONATIONS TO THE PARISH.
trust estate should receive collections from the parish, such
weekly payments out of the trust estate should cease from the
time of their becoming chargeable to the parish aforesaid.
Signed John Coker, John Wilson, Mor. Stokes, John Eger-
ton. &c,
To guard against this donation being in any ways applica-
ble to the reduction of the poor's-rates, and becoming wrested
to parochial purposes, the following oath is directed to be
taken by one of the feoffees :
t€ A. B., residing in Bicester, in the county of Oxford,
maketh oath and sayeth that the above account, signed by
him, is a just and true account of the rents and profits of the
messuages, lands, and tenements therein declared, and that
the rents and profits ' arising from the same are wholly ap-
plied in the manner stated in the above account; viz. given
to the poor of the parish of Bicester, in the county of Oxford,
aforesaid, but not applicable to the reduction of the poor's-
rates.
€t And this deponent further declares that from his office of
feoffee to the said charity, he hath a perfect knowledge of the
regulation of the said charity, and of the due application of
the rents and profits stated in the above account. Sworn,
&c. &c."
These accounts are audited every Thursday in Whitsun-
week *•
^ •
1685. In the first year of James II. Sir William Glynn,
Bart., of Ambrosden, patron of the church, gave for the use
of such as are of the church of England, and belonging to the
parish of Bicester, Two large flaggons of massy silver ; one
silver salver ; one silver chalice and cover ; a large carpet of
purple velvet, with gold and silver fringe, for the communion
TT—— ■! ' ' m i ■ 1 1 ■ 11 i n ■!■ 1 1 1 11 1 ' ' ..—»——
1 Original records, books, &c. belonging/to' the feoffees.
DONATIONS TO THE PARISH. 145
table; a purple velvet cushion with gold and silk tassels; and
a purple velvet cloth with gold and silk fringe, for the orna-
ment of the pulpit.
There are several donations payable annually froft diffe-
rent estates in the Market-end ; but as every writing relative
thereto is in the hands of the proprietors only, it is impossi-
ble to give any accurate account of the giver or even amount
of the benefaction, since it is too often the disposition as well
as the interest of the owner of the property not to let the par-
ticulars transpire. Hence these donations in a few years may
be expected to be forgotten. The following is all I can col-
lect respecting them.
Out of a leasehold estate in Bicester Market-end, held for
the remainder of ten thousand years, of the lease granted to
Wykins and Clements, 39 Eliz., consisting of Gillet's Slade ;
Short furlong ground ; Long furlong ground 5 Freebord next
to- Launtorr-moor ; a stone- built messuage next to Coney-
lane, with farm-yard adjoining; a. freehold and leasehold
pasture called the Dairy ground ; St. Peter's meadow and trje
home closes ; is an annual payment to be made of one pound
ten shillings for bread to be given to the poor. By an arrange-
ment at a recent sale of these estates (May 21, 1813) the
whole sum was agreed to be charged on the land, and accord-
ingly is paid by the purchaser, Mr. John Proctor.
Mrs. Mary Carlton, by indenture bearing date November
28, 1717, appointed forty-two shillings and sixpence, the rent
of some land in Brill, to be paid into the hands of trustees on
or before the 14th of February every year; to be by them ex-
pended in the following manner :
- Twenty shillings to be given to the minister for the time
being to preach a sermon in the afternoon of the second day
in March in memory of her daughter Safah, wife of Dr. Ken-
nett, who died March 2, 1693. The clerk to give notice on
the preceding Sunday.
146 DONATIONS TO THE PARISH.
Two shillings and sixpence to be given the clerk for ring-
ing out the great bell before the sermon, and cleaning the
monuments of Mrs. Kennett and her father, Mr. Robert
Carver*
And forty sixpenny loaves of good wheaten bread to be dis-
tributed -after the sermon among forty of the poorest widows,
fipr the time being, inhabiting Bicester ; or, if there are not so
.many, such -as the minister and churchwardens shall appoint,
so that such persons shall have the benefit during their lives.
To enable the churchwardens to procure this bread, the in-
denture directs the trustees of the charity to pay the money
into their hands two days before the sermon is preached ; and
for the security of the whole sum being paid unto the trustees
by the day appointed, they are directed in case of any neglect
" to take the close and keep possession thereof until the same
are satisfied*
. The trusteea^ure also directed to repair both the monu-
ments as they may decay, and to deduct the expense out of the
several sums in proportion to their amount.
To perpetuate this charity and service, the indenture directs
th*t if the same should be neglected by the parish of Bicester,
the donation should go to the minister and parish of Brill,
subject to the same application, except cleaning the monu-
ments ; and in case of their not observing the conditions of
the grant, it is further appropriated to the parish of Ambros-
dffi* who are directed to apply it to the same purposes.
The above sum of forty*two shillings and sixpence issues out
of a cites© containing three acres of pasture land, in the parish
of Brill, conveyed to John Wilson and his heirs and assigns for
6fty pounds. The lease bears date 17 and 18 days of Sep-
tember, 1 Ann. and granted by Maxy Carver of WalKngford*.
1734. Sir Thomas Geantham gave fifty pound* to John
• This indenture is in the possession of thc^fcureliwardeiis.
. ♦
DONATIONS TO THE PARISH. 1 4J
Burrows, gent., the interest of which he directed should be
distributed yearly, at Christmas, among such poor widows as
the churchwardens and overseers appoint. *
A bond uja^ accordingly given by John Burrows of Bicester
to Thomas Airson the vicar for the same, but the interest only
paid up to 1750.
* Richard Burrows gave by will ten pounds per annum
for apprenticing poor children.
" Mr. John Hart gave also by will ten pounds per annum
for the same purpose of apprenticing children.— -Both lost.
" In 173S one Bowell was charged five pounds per annum
on some lands for the purpose of apprenticing some poor chil-
dren of Wendlebury, Bicester, and Chesterton alternately'/*
1799. The Reverend Thomas Coker left by will the sum
of seventy pounds, to be given to the poor of this parish, which
was accordingly given in bread at the town hall by the minis-
ter, churchwardens, and overseers, to two hundred an$ two
families. -
1811.' William Walker, Esq., of Stamford-hill, Middle-
sex, in pursuance of the intention of his deceased father John
Walker, Esq., of Hackney, in the above county, vested th£
sum of ope thousand pounds three per cent, consolidated an-
nuities, on the feoffees for the poor's l*nds, in trust, that the
interest arising therefrom (deducting expenses connected
therewith) might be perpetually applied to the following pur-
poses.
Sixteen pounds per annum to be given to the charity-3.Qh.QQl
in Bicester toward clothing and educating poor children be-
longing to or residing in this parish.
»' ■< " »t ''* ? m " V ■«■■ , ■■ ■ i n 1 ' 1 ■ 1 ■ » ■ P mmmmmmmmm
* Ifitotrtf Thgmsv Bistop of Oxford, U>Mr. Ainm, ritzr at Bfcciter,
J^m ?&» 173$. See parisfc $apers.*~Tte whole of th«* pikers, *no!«4>q?
t^e abov^ indenture, were fouitf fy H ». Cook io a efeest in London, and given
to Mr. Smith, the present vicar.
i2 \
t48 . IOR0S OF THE MANORS
Seven pounds per annum to be applied towards the sup-
port of the Sunday-school belonging tothe same parish-church;
and the remaining seven pounds per annum to be given to the
Sunday-school supported by the Dissenters at the meeting-
house in Water-lane.
The indenture directs that, if either of the latter schools
should be discontinued, the sum applied towards its support
shall be given to the charity-school in addition to the former
donation.
The above grant was intended to have been settled upon
die schools by Mr. John Walker, who was a. constant sub-
scriber to them for many years ; but by some means omitted
in his last will and testament. This intention being well known
to his son, Mr. William Walker, he with a liberality seldom
witnessed piously determined to carry the design into, effect.
CHAPTER XIX.
Biographical Sketch of the Lords of the Manors of Bicester
and Wretchfvic* — Bailiwick of Bicester.
In the days of Edward the Confessor these villages belonged
to Wigod, a powerful and noble thane, who, from the place
of his usual residence, was known by the name of Wigod de
Wallingford. The earliest records introduce him to our notice
as a partisan of the Normans, and state that he met the vic-
torious duke on his return from the battle of Hastings, in-
vited him and his army into his castle of Wallingford, and
entertained them for several days. That during the entertain-
ment he had the satisfaction of seeing the nobles of the ad-
verse party submit themselves to William, and tender him the
OF BICESTER AMD WRBTCHWIC. 1 4$
crown' anil government; and that the pleasures of die feast
^vere finally closed by the marriage of his daughter Aldith to
Robert de Oilly, or de Oilgi, one of the most eminent of the
Nog-man chieftains, and the particular friend of t)ie king. *
The death of Wigpd happened shortly after the marriage of
his daughter; and by the accession of his vast estates, and the
personal favour of the monarch, Robert de Oilly, according
to the best historians, became the most powerful man of his
time 1 . At the command of his sovereign he repaired or
rebuilt the castles of Oxford and Wallingford (A. D. 1071),
and actuated by piety he extended similar favours to many
churches within and without the walls of Oxford. His muni-
ficence built the great bridge, and his charity relieved the wants
of many of the. poor. But the monks embellish his history in
the following manner : — They say that Robert being always
supported by the king's favour grew rich, and injured many
churches,- and particularly robbed the church of Abingdon of
a meadow near Oxford. That the prayers of the monks pro-
cured him a fit of sickness, and the horrors of a dream so
frightened him that he hastened to the abbot, and before the
high altar expiated his sacrilege by the donation of ten pounds
per annum in Tadmarton, and large contributions towards
— . , .
1 Soon after the coronation of William he undertook a tour to the north
of England ; but finding on his approach to Oxford that the garrison resisted
his authority and insulted his person, he stormed the city, and, having ob-
tained possession, gave the greatest part of it to Robert de Oilly, who at the
survey is reported to have, within and without the walls, forty-two inhabited
honses and. eight lying waste.
" In the late expedition Robert de Oilly brought over with him Roger de
Ivery, a fellow adventurer and sworn brother, for they had mutually engaged
by oath to be sharers in the same fortune, which was' a sociable practice of
that age. According to this compact, when the said Robert de Oilly had two
honours given bim beside the estate which came by his wife, he freely gave
one of them (that afterwards called St. Waleries, of which Beckley was the
capital seat, and within, which Ambrosden wai included,) to this Roger de
I?ery." Kenn. p. 56. ■
150 LORDS OF THE MANORS
rebuilding St. Mary's Church. He died in September 1000%
4 William Rufiis.
Milo Crispin married the daughter of Robert 1 , and cm hit
death succeeded to die estates of Wallingford, Bicester,
Wfetehwic, &e. ; but the honours of D'Oilly, with Oxford
Castle, &c. passed to his brother Nigel. Milo died in 1 107*
and six years after his widow married again.
Brien Fitz Count, her second husband, was the natural son
of Alan Fergtmt, earl of Brittany and Richmond, who came
over with the conqueror, by Lucia, daughter of Diu de Bala«*
don, lord of Overwent in Wales. He is chiefly remarkable for
his. attachment to the Empress Maud, to whose fortunes he
adhered under the most trying circumstances. To enumerate
bis various services would be to give the whole history of
the conflict. His life and fortune he devoted to her interest \
armed his vassals in her cause ; exposed his castles to the hor*
rors of a siege, and his estates to forfeiture ; yet after all
had the pleasurp of seeing the cause he had espoused finally
triumph. His domestic peace was embittered, however, by
the recollection that both his sons were lepers, and unable to
succeed him in these military enterprises. Placing them,
therefore, in the priory of Abergavenny, and assigning lands
for their support ; in conformity with .the superstition of the
age he took the cross and departed for Jerusalem. Tired of
the world his lady also retired to a convent, and the honour of
* He left do heirs male: hence Nigel succeeded to the honours of D'Oilly, the
capital seat of which was Hooknorton.— • Kennett, p. 72.
* Milo Crispin married between the survey and 1084. He had large poasesi-
bioos at that period, and generally resided at the castle of Walltngford after
hit marriage. In. bis sickness be gave to Fabricus and the motiks of Abiag*
don ad inn at Colbrook, with half a hyde uf land, and sent Gilbert Pipart, bit
•toward, and Wariu his priest, to deliver possession upon the altar of Abing*
don, To the abbey of Bee in Normandy he gave all the tithes of the bonovr
of Wallingford and the manor of Swanscomb.— Dugdale's Saronagi.
OF BICESTER AND WRETCHWIC, 151
Wallingford thus reverting into the hands of the king, was
far some time retained as a part of the possessions of the
crown, '
It seemfe that during the time of Milo Crispin seven
knights' fees 4 of the honour of Wallingford were granted to
Gilbert Basset, a younger son of Ralph Basset, chief justice
of England, and amongst these fees are the villages of Bices*
ter, Wretehwic,and Stratton particularyspecined (A.D* 1 107).*
In conformity to the principles of the feudal system Gilbert
Basset zealously adhered to his superior lord, Brien Fits
Count, and was present in most of the encounters* Tinc-
tured also with superstition he was a benefactor to the reli-
gious ; gave lands and tenements at Charing to the Knights
Templars, and the tithes of hay and corn in Bicester, and
Stratton to the monks of Eynsham. He died 8 Henry L
A. D. 1162.
In the 10th of Henry II. Thomas, his son and successor, was
sheriff of Oxon, and soon after appointed one of the itinerant
justices. Special services in war procured him the grant of
the lordship of Hedington, the hundred of Bolendon, and
the hundred without the north gate of Oxford : and this
branch of the family were henceforward styled " The Bassets
of Hedendon." By his wife Aliee de Dunstanville he left
one daughter and three sons, Gilbert, Thomas, and Alan.
The daughter was afterwards married to Albert de Grelle.
He died in 1179.
In the history of Bicester his son Gilbert Basset is chiefly
remarkable as the founder of the priory ; but as a baron he
is noticed as one of the attendants at the coronation of King
Richard ; and as a feudatory tenant of the honour of Walling*-
«
' • These seven fees consisted of the manors of Coleham and Uxbridge, com.
Midd. Pichelesborne, coin. Buck. Bumcestre, Stratton, and Wrechwike,
com. OftOti. Ardingtcm, coin* Berks* and Conpton hi com. Wilts.— K«nn.
p. 162, 163. ' ' ' ' -
152 LORDS OF THE MANORS T
ford> by his adherence to the cause of Earl John, for which he
was compelled to purchase the king's pardon at the expense
of eight pounds. The remaining incidents of his life may be
comprised in the one hundred pound fine which he paid for
leave to marry his daughter Eustace to Thomas de Verdon, a
baron and lord of Heth, who shortly after died in Ireland^ — in
the excommunication passed upon him as an adherent of Earl
•John ; — and in his great benefactions to the Knights Tem-
plars* It is generally supposed that he died and was interred
abroad in 1203; but his wife Egiline de Courteney survived
him several years, and was buried in Bicester priory about
1213*.
On the death of Thomas de Verdon the guardianship
of the young widow became a valuable prize to the posses-
sor, and Gerard de Camvil, lord of Middleton, immedi-
ately gave one thousand pounds for this purpose and leave
to marry her to his son Richard (A. D. 1200). From an in-
quisition taken on their succession to the honours of her father,
the return of seven knight's fees is a proof that no part of the
original grant had been hitherto alienated ; and the fine of
two thousand marks and ten palfreys conveys an idea of the
nature and extent of a relief'. It is probable that hencefor-
ward the lords of Bicester abandoned the mansion and park
of Gilbert Basset for the castle of Middleton, and from that
period to the final disposal of the manor there does not ap-
pear to have been any edifice in the town sufficiently capacious
to afford them a residence.
Nothing has reached these times concerning Richard Cam-
vil, except his confirmation of the charters of the founder and
foundress of the priory, and a trifling grant to the same re-
ligious house. He died in 1215, and him daughter and heir,
» Egeltn de Courteoai est de do'ne d'ni R. et t'ra ejus valet ii) Buroefltr, It 11 .
—Testa de Nevil. Record Hen. II L p. 167.
OF BICESTER AND WRETHCWIC. 153
Idonea, * was given in wardship to William Longspe, earl of
Salisbury (son of the celebrated fair Rosamond), with liberty
of disposing her in marriage to William his son.
The extensive possession&accompanying the marriageof Ido-
neadeCamvil enabled the second William Longspe to urge his
claim to the earldom of Salisbury with greater force 6 ; but the
necessity of deterring men of noble birth and splendid talents
from joining the ranks of an invader, by despoiling the offender
and his posterity of their honours, rendered every application
for that dignity unavailing. Yet to convince him that no
personal considerations influenced the decision, his sovereign
granted him the several manors of Audiberne, Wamberg, and
a moiety of Shrivesham, by the service of two knight's fees*
Renowned in the profession of arms, in 1236 Longspe took
the cross*, and the legend says, "The terror. of his name
brought peace to the Christian world." Returning the same
year, he so materially contributed to the victory of Xantoigne
(27 Henry III.) that the king, in the fulness of his gratitude^
granted him sixty marks out of the exchequer till he should
obtain judgment on the earldom he claimed, which was pro*
raised immediately on the king's return to England.
Again disappointed in his expectations, he once more took
upon him the cross (A.D. 1247) % but his finances having failed
him by the time he had reached Rome, he approached the
pope and thus addressed him : " Sir, you perceive 1 am signed
with the cross* and about to fight in this pilgrimage; my marr
tiai reputation is great, but my estate is slender; for the king
of England, my kinsman, hath deprived me of my title and
estate ; but as he did it judicially and not in displeasure I do
not blame him. Involved in distress I am necessitated to have
•recourse to your holiness for assistance; and observing that
Richard earl of Cornwall, ^though he is not signed with the
cross, through the special grace of your highness, has collected
' ....»■
* liis father forfeited the earldom by jpining Lewis, sun of the King of France.
194 LORDS OF THE MANORS
taatiy sums from those who are, 1 presume, to solicit the like
favour, &c." The pope, considering the elegance of his address
and the comeliness of his person, granted his request, and he
immediately received above one thousand marks from those
who had signed.
Two years however elapsed before he proceeded in this ex-
pedition, a part of which time was spent in his native land t
but in July 1250, having received the blessing of his mother,
Eh, abbess of Lacock, who had obtained a high repute for
sanctity, he joined the French forces in the Holy Land,
with many of the nobility and two hundred horsemen. The
king of France received them with the greatest respect, and
their valour-was shortly displayed in the conquest of one of the
strongest towers near Alexandria.
Their march eastward affording them opportunities of seiz-
ing on many caravans, and the success usually attendant on
their enterprises, excited the jealousy of the French, and pro*
<kteed such marks of enmity that Longspe and his followers
resolved to remain at Acre with the Knights Templars till the
arrival of the rest of the English nobles, to whom he designed
to represent his treatment from the French. But before the
end of the year, passing from Damietta towards Cairo, the
Saracens fell upon them with superior forces, and compelled
the brave band to risk an engagement. In the desperate con-
flict Longspe, after killing more than one hundred with his
own hand, had the misfortune to be overpowered and feH.
His bravery secured him a grave among his enemies, and two
years afterwards hid remains were removed with due ceremo-
ny, and entombed by the Christians in the church of S& Cross,
at Acre in Palestine.
Mathew Paris reports that the night before his death
(A.D. 1250, 34 Henry HI.) « Ela his mother saw in a vision
the heavens open, and her son in complete armour, which she
knew by his shield, received with joy by the angels, and she
asking 6 Who is this ?' was answered, € Do you not know your
OF BICESTER AND WRETCHW1C. 155
sou William and hi* armour ? ' she said* c Yes,' and was an*
swered, < It is he whom hie mother now seeth.' She kept
Ihe vision in her mind ; and when about si* months afterward*
his fate was told her* she lifted up her hands and with a
cheerful countenance said, ' I, thy handmaid, give thee thanks*
O Lord, that out of my sinful flesh thou hast caused such a
champion against thy enemies to be born/ " And the same
author adds that, " When messengers were sent two years after
to the Soldan of Babylon for the redemption of prisoners taken
in war, the Soldan said, ' I wonder much at you Christians
who reverence the bones of the dead, that you do not inquire
for those of the renowned and right noble William* Longspe*
because many strung* things are reported of them (whether
true or not I cannot say), namely, that in the dead of night
there have been appearances at his tomb, and that to some
who have called upon his God, many things have been be*
stowed from heaven. For which cause, and in consideration
of his nobility and worth, we have caused his body to be here
entombed/ Whereupon, at the messenger's desire, the body
Was delivered to them by the Soldan* and from thence carried
to Acre, and interred in the church of Si. Cross,"
On the intelligence of this hero's death reaching England,
in conformity with the usages' of that age, the king seised aU
his lands, but restored them to his widow Idonea upon .her
doing homage. At her death William her son succeeded t6
the estates of Bicester, Middleton, &c. (A. D. 1252) ; but
part of the estates in Stratton and Wretchwic passed to James*
baron of Audley, in frank marriage with Ela his wife, a daugh>
ter of the deceased William Longspe.
Little is known of the third William Longspe* except hit
marriage with. Maud 5 daughter of Walter Clifford, with whom
he received a dowry of twenty-eight pounds two shillings and
eight-penee hi land at Galmington, Salop 5 and that his credit
was injured in a tournament at Blythe. Yet he seems to have
engaged in military enterprises, for we find him contracting
1 56 LORDS OF THE MANORS
his daughter Margaret to Henry Lacy, eldest son of the earl
of Lincoln, at the wars in Gascony (1256) ; and assigning the
homages, rents, and services of Middleton and Bicester manor
for her dowry. But it appears that the marriage was not con-
summated for several vears.
Cut down in the prime and vigour of life (A. D. 1257, 41
Henry III.), his widow Maud was compelled by the custom of
the realm to promise on oath she would not marry again
without the king's consent ere her dowry was assigned her :
yet with true female policy, having placed her affections upon
and privately married the Baron John Gifford ; she made a
grievous complaint to the king that he had taken her by force
from her manor-house at Kaneford, and conveyed her to his
cattle at Brimesfield, and still kept her in restraint. On being
sent for, the baron judiciously denied the charge, paid a fine
of three hundred marks for marrying her without the king's
consent, and, having promised no farther complaint should be
made, returned to enjoy the success of the scheme, which had
thus secured the estates. In her widowhood she had carefully
provided for the weal of 4ier departed husband, by the gift of
the lordship of Cavenby, Lincolnshire ; four additional canons
being appointed to Barlings in the same county, to pray for
the souls of William- and Maud Longspe.
The wardship of the youthful heir and heiress was in the
hands of the king and queen, till Alice, the mother of Henry
Lacy, obtained the grant of her husband's lands, and guar-
dianship of her son, for the fine of three thousand seven
hundred and fifty-four pounds 7 . By his marriage with
Margaret Longspe he acquired the earldom of Salisbury,
together with all her father's lands. In 1272 he was
knighted with Edward, son to Richard king of Almain, then
made earl of Lincoln, and the same year appointed governor
..■■■■■■ — «
7 Kemiett, p. 271.
OF BICESTER AND WRETCHWIC. 15JT
of Kriareaborough castle. At this time his influence with
King Edward procured charters for fairs and iparkets at his
manors of Dunnington, Leicestershire ; Buckby, Northamp-
tonshire 5 Wainfleet, Wrangel, and Torreney, Lincoln. *
The martial spirit of Lacy first displayed itself in a quar-
rel with Earl Warren, respecting a pasture near Crendon,
vhich both parties proposed to settle their right to by battle.
Fences were raised; but the King interposed, and from an in-
quiry it appeared justice was on the side of Lacy. Fortune
1iad reserved him a more glorious field for bis noviciate ; and
in the fOth of Edward I. he accompanied that monarch in his
expedition into Wales. After its conquest he so studied the art
of fortifying the north and marches, that the King granted
him the land of Denbigh, where he built a town, walled, and
erected a castle, calling it by the same name. On the front
of the castle was his statue in long robes, and that of Marga-
ret his wife; and anciently prayers were made for Percy and
Lacy. His statue still ornaments the entrance, but his lady's
Ms lately fallen down 8 .
Having been long married, and doubting whether he should
have any children, he surrendered into the King's hands many
of his large possessions, on condition of their being restored
in case of the accomplishment of that desirable event; and
this it seems had taken place before 1291, for on the 28th of
December, Edward I. restored them to him at Newcastle.
He wasj however, unfortunate in his sons; for one of them died
in his minority, and the other was afterwards drowned 11* a
deep well in the castle, on which account that structure was
left unfinished.
In 1292 he was appointed ambassador to France, to form a
treaty for restraining pirates from robbing merchants' ves-
• Dugdale, p. 104. The statue of the founder over the castle is inclosed io
a frame of bods and stalks, and a figure of his wife Margaret on his left hand
in a similar niche was lately pulled down. Cough's Camden, yol. 2 9 p. 579.
Ijfl LORD? OF TBI MANORS
jeb*. The next year he accompanied the King in another
expedition into Wales, but received a repulse not far front
Denbigh : the expedition, however, terminated favourably.
The three following years he fought with doubtful success in
Gascony and Scotland ; and during the whole reign of Ed-
ward was continually employed in wars or negotiations. Such
was the high opinion that monarch entertained of his probity
and fidelity, that on bis death-bed he exacted the promise " to
be good to his son, and never to permit his favourite Gave<-
ttoa's return into England." In compliance with his dying
master's request, he with others entered into* a solemn league
Ibr the defence of the young king's honour, and the rights of
his crown. In return he was constituted governor of Skippon-
castle, and about three years afterwards appointed governor
of the realm in the king's absence, 1310.
In the last years of his life he had the mortification of see*
ing Gaveston triumph over the king's affections, and by bit
ill conduct likely to involve the country in the heaviest cala-
mities* The barons had confederated to oppose the favourite,
and in the last illness of Lacy he sent for Thomas Earl of
Lancaster, who had married his only daughter Alice, aa4
thus addressed him : " Seest thou the Church- of England
heretofore honourable, and free, enslaved by Romish supersti-
tious and the King's unjust exactions; — seest thou the com-
rnon people impoverished by tribute and taxes, and redueetf
to slavery, and the nobility vilified by aliens in their own na*
tive country ! I therefore charge you in the name of God and
Christ, to stand up like a man for the honour of God and
his Church, and the redemption of your country : associate
yourself with Guy Earl of Warwick, when it is proper to
debate of the affairs of your country, and fear no oppose** ;
9 A description of this bloody piratical war may be seen in Hume's Eag*
land, page 132, vol. 2. Edin. ed. 1803.
OF BfdSTCK AHD vYRETCHWIC. 159
thus shall you gain eternal honour." He departed this fife
at his mansion called Lincoln's Inn, in the suburbs of Lon-
don, A. D. 13 10 ; was one of the greatest barons-tn the realm ;
had possessions in Bucks, Berks, Dorset, Hereford, Derby,
Middlesex, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire,
Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, Somerset, and Wales. He
was in many instances a liberal benefactor to the religious,
particularly Bicester, Salcy, &c. To the canons of Bours-
cough he ratified the grant of Henry Torbock. and Eleve his
wife, of a place called Ruddegate, with this proviso, that a
leper from the lordship of Wideness should be admitted and
maintained in the priory, mass celebrated at Easter, and his
name, and the name of Margaret his wife, registered in their
Maityrology,
By his interest with Edward I. he procured charters for
many markets on his different manors. Among the rest he ob-
tained the appointment of » Monday market, and annual fair
on the eve and day of St. Thomas the Apostle, at Middleton
(Stoney) A. D. 121)3, 21 Edward I. which it is likely was at-*
tended by the neighbouring villagers till the establishment' of
one in Bicester.
After the death of Margaret Longspe he married Joan the
sister and heir of William Martin, who survived him ; and af-
terwards without the king's license married Nicholas de Aud-
ley.~He left Alice his only daughter and heir contracted to
Thomas son and heir of Edmund Earl of Lancaster, A. D.
1282, then only nine years of age.
An inquisition taken immediately on the Earl of Lincoln^
death informs us that he held the manor of Bicester in right
of his wife as of the honour of tVallingford 9 by military ser-
vice; that there were within the manor one hundred and sixty
acres of land; that the prior of Bicester held of him the site
of the priory, four carucates of land, twenty aeres of meadow,
and one water-mill, with other appurtenances of forty pounds
160 LORDS OF THE MANORS
yearly value, together with the church of the said town of
thirty marks value, 'and the manor of Wretchwic of twenty
pounds per annum.
Thomas Earl of Lancaster, husband of Alice Lacy, who
succeeded in her right to to the estates of Bicester and Mid-
dleton, was first prince of the blood ; and by the union of the
Lincoln estates with his paternal domains, attended with all"
the jurisdiction and power annexed to landed property in that
age, was by far the most powerful and opulent subject in the
kingdom. It was no wonder, therefore, that he mortally hated
Gaveston, who had concentrated all the regal authority in him*
self, and treated the ancient nobility with contempt. Lancas-
ter's vast possessions and influence soon made him the chief
of the confederate barons ; and success attending their cause,
he was made hereditary Steward of England.
A. D. 1311. When the weak Edward could no longer bear
the absence of his minion, and the return of Gaveston lighted
up the flames of civil war, the Earl of Lancaster once more
put himself at the head of the malcontents, and pursued the
king and his favourite from York to Newcastle. On his ar-
rival he found the king had escaped to Tynemouth, and from
thence sailed to Scarborough, where he had lodged the favourite
in the castle. Besieged by the Earl of Pembroke, Gaveston
surrendered on condition of safety till a general pacification.
Under colour of fulfilling the conditions, Pembroke conducted
him to Deddington castle between Bicester and Banbury,
where he left him with a feeble guard under pretence of
#ther business. In his absence the Earl of Warwick, proba-
bly as. concerted with Pembroke, attacked the castle ; the'
garrison refused to resist; and the unfortunate Gaveston was
taken to Warwick castle, where Lancaster, Hereford, and
Arundel, ordered him to immediate execution.
Though the anger of the confederates was somewhat ap-
peased by the death of the favourite, their designs were not
0* BICESTER AND WRETCH W I C. l6l
completed. They repeatedly attempted to impose restrictions
on the King, and the kingdom was perpetually subject to out-
rages from the different partisans. In one of these, Alice the;
wife of Thomas of Lancaster was taken by violence from his
seat at Caneford in Dorset, by the Earl of Warrene, and con-
ducted to Rygate castle. In their journey the party were
sadly frightened by a company with banners at a distance,
which they suspected were coming to her rescuer ; and they
fled with precipitation : but closer observation proving them
only a religious procession, they returned and took the lady.
As they passed, a mean crook-backed fellow challenged the
countess for wife, alleging he had known her before she was
married; which not being denied, she was delivered up to him,
and in her right he afterwards claimed the earldoms of Lin* .
coin and Salisbury in the King's court. This event occasioned
a divorce between Alice- and Thomas Earl of Lancaster.
1317- The estates of Middleton and Bicester remained
with Alice after her divorce ; but whether she ever married
the crook-backed Richard de St. Martin- is unknown. Stowe
says the separation from Lancaster could produce no regret,
for they had no regard for each other.
In 1323, having married Eubolo Le Strange, son of John
Lord of Knockyn, (for whom she had long had an affection,)
without the King's consent, all her estates were seized, and
she was obliged to renounce the whole of her property except
three thousand marks per annum io . Bicester and Middleton
were surrendered to Hugh Despencer the younger; and Ken-
nett intimates that these forfeitures were imposed by Roger
Mortimer Earl of March.
Their property was afterwards increased by the fee of De .
la Hay, and an annuity for the third penny of Lincoln out of
19 She bad originally estates to the amount of ten thousand marks per an-
num.
M
l6S LORDS OF THE MAJORS
the forfeitures of her former husband ll . And four years after,
the downfall of Hugh Despencer, the King regranted them,
many of their estate*, among which were Bicester and Mid-
dleton.
On the death of Eubolb, occasioned by fatigue in the Scot*,
tkh wars {1335)., Alice ftutfried Sir Hugh de Fresaes, a French
knight,, who shortly after died of a bloody flux "•
The eyentfid life of Alice closed the Thursday after the
feast of St. Michael, 23 Edward III. at the age of sixty *aeve%
and is thus entered in an ancient MS. in the Cotton Library:
« Moritur Alesia Comitissa Lincolniae, anno aeftatis suae 67 &
anno Gratiee 1848, circa fe$tmn S. Mathapi Apostoli & Evan-*
geHste, & sepulta est in eccle$ia canonicorum de Berlyng,
juxta corpus Eubulonis mariti sui, nee reliquit post se hteredem
aliquem de sup corpore procreatum,.8$d in ejus morte sanguis
& hereditaria silccessio ultimas progeniei de Lacy (proh dolor)
terminator l *.
The estates of Bicester and Middleton on the death of Alice
passed to Sir Roger Le Strtofige, of Knockyn, who had married
Joan a daughter and ooheir of Oliyer de Ingram, a descendant of
Isabel daughter and coheir of William. Longspe I4 .— Sir Roge*
was eminent in the wars of Edward III* and in the sixth year
of jhat monarch found ten men at arms and sixteen archefa^-*
He died July 29, 1349, leaving Roger his son and heir twenty r
two IS years of age, by Maud his first wife.
This nobleman also was in most of the expedition* agaiqsf
Franc* in tjie reigns of Edward and Richard II. He died 26tb
i< ■
11 Anciently territorial jurisdiction and official power were attached to the
dignity of an earl, and he was allowed the third penny of the pleas of the
county for his support* ' In the reign of Edward HI* this dignity became titu-
lar : the sheriff is ' now the king's officer, - •
- '* Kenn. p. 427. Dugdale's Baronage, vol. i. p.6 68.
, '~Monast."AngHc."toin;n:'prl90. *
*« Topographer, vol. ii. p. 319. London, 1790.
'* The manor of Middleton was settled as a jointure on Joan his mother-in-
law, afterwards married to Sir Miles de Stapleton.
OF BICESTER AND WRETCH WiC. 1$3
August, 1382* (6 RMpr4 II.) Bicester and Middleton re-
mained with Ahva, hi* relict, till her death, A. D. 1386.
After the death of Sir John thei* son and heir* <1398) Kb
wife Maud- 16 , daughter *»d eoheir ofcSir John de Mehto, held*,
the estate till her decease (5 Henry IV.) September 20, 1403 ^J
14Q& The po&se&sipn of the frtanor by Sir Richard their sbn
is. marked by a trial ia the KingVbeneh for the -manor of
MiddJ$to% which w&s adjudged to him on proving his descent
from Rogetj brother to Eubolo Le Strange the husband of
Alice de Lacy l8 .
In 14.15 ^ on Easter Sunday m the afternoon, Constance*
the wife of Sir Richard Le Strange contended wkh the wife of
Sir John Tnt&el, of Watmingtoa, Cheshire, for precedency,
of place, at the sermon in St* Dunstan's church, East Cheap,
London : upon which disturbance .the two husbands and all
the retinue engaged ir* the quarrel. In the frky several were
wounded, a#d -one Thomas ;. Fetwarden, fishmonger, slain*
Qn.theaflhir being reported to the Archbishop of Canterbury,
he suspended the church, and caused the sentence of excdm^
munication to be read against the authors of it m all the
churches hi the city. On the* 21st of April the said Arch-
bishop sat at St. Magnus to inquire of the authors of that
disorder, -when he found the fault to be in -the Lord- Strange
and his wife, who upon the first of May folk) wing submitted
tbemselyes to pejiance, whieh was thus enjoined theme " That
immediately aU their servants, in their shirts, go before the
parson of St; Dunstan's, from Paul's tto St. Duosten'a church,
and the lord hare-headed with a wax taper lighted, and the
lady barefooted; Reginald Ken wold, archde&eoh of London>
16 Elizabeth mother of Maud is reported to have begged from her husband
as in neb land as she could walk round barefoot in one day, to give for a com-
mon to the inhabitants of the town of Dunster, Salop. Kennett, p. 527,
apud Cambden. »* lb. p. 542. ,8 lb. p. 55Q.
u Stow say* 141*7, Annates, p. 352.
m2
1 64 LORDS OF THE MANORS
following them ; and at the hallowing of the church; the lady
should fill all the vessels with water, and should offer an orna~
merit of tefine pound, and the Lord Strange should offer a
pixe of five pounds."— A good example of discipline and obe^
dience *°.
Notwithstanding the above irreligious act, the susceptibility
of her mind to religious impressions may be gathered from
her last will and testament (8th March, 1438), wherein she
bequeaths her body to ecclesiastical sepulture, whenever it
should please her husband, granting five pounds for a placebo,
dirge, and two hundred masses for the repose of her soul ".
Sir Richard died 27 Henry VI. leaving John his son and
heir five years of age, by Elizabeth his second wife, daughter
of Reginald Lord Cobham of Sterborough ".
Joane the sole daughter and heir of Sir John Le Strange,
and Jacquet J * his wife, daughter to Richard Widvill Earl Ri-
vers, married George, son and heir-apparent to Thomas Stan-
ley first Earl of Derby, whereby the manor passed into that
family.
Dugdale informs us that this George received the order of
the Bath with prince Edward, 18th April, T5 Edward IV. ; and
was summoned to parliament by the title of Lord Strange of
Knockyn, from the time of his marriage till the 12th of Henry
VI I . The fidelity of the Stanleys to the family of Edward IV.
was so well known to their uncle Richard, that after he as-
sumed the sceptre, and the children had disappeared, all com-
munication was forbidden with the Earl of Richmond, who
then was considered the head of the adverse party. To gain
their favour the father was appointed steward of the house-
' *> Kennett, p. 560. »• Ibid.
** .Tbe Inquisition recites " the manor of Burcestre held of the King as part
of the.fconmir ofWallingford by tbe service of tbe thirtieth part of one knight's
fee. lb. p. 662, Dugdale, vol. iv. p. 666.
n Sister to Elizabeth, wife of Edward IV. Dugdale, vol. i p. 666.
OF BICESTER AND WRETCHWIC. 1 65
.hold, constable of England, and knight of the Garter. Sus-
picion, however, so preyed upon the mind of the king, that
he refused Lord Stanley permission to retire into the country,
till he had given up Lord Strange as a pledge for his fidelity * 4 .
But even this did not finally prevent his acting against that
monarch. On the evening of the fatal battle he took the
doubtful post of jitherstone (nearly at an equal distance from
both parties), and this ambiguous conduct induced som^of
Richard's courtiers to advise the immediate sacrifice of the
Lord Strange 25 . Nothing but the hope of preserving the
father's allegiance, by this invaluable prize, till victory over
his enemies placed him in a fearless state, withheld the King
from following their advice : nor till the armies had joined
battle did the Lord Stanley deem it prqdent to join his friends;
and the disastrous issue of the fatal battle of Bosworth for
ever prevented Richard's resenting the desertion.
To reward Lord Stanley's important services, the victor
created him Earl of Derby on the day of his coronation; but
no additional honour was bestowed on Lord Strange. — Dying
during his father's life-time, his son Thomas had livery of his
lands 9th July, 19 Henry VII. andmsucceeded to the earldom
of his grandfather in the reign of Henry VIII. Of the latter
nobleman little has reached us, save his accompanying Henry
into France, when he won Theroune and Tournay; and that
«by will he requested to be buried at Bourscough, Lancashire;
JSyon Monastery, Middlesex; pr Asherrugge College, according
to the county in which he might die. Departing this life at
Culh*!?, 24th May 1521, he was buried accordingly at Syon.
The life of Henry, his eldest son and successor, abounds in
ineidents. He was one of the principal persons in Wolsey's
** Lord Stanley's having married the mother of the Earl of Richmond nato*
rally led Richard t# suspect him. See Ditgdale, vol. ii. p. 248.
<* He had a private interview with the Earl of Richmond the day before,
ihjebatjle. ##.
1 66 LORDS OF THE . MANORS
embassy to France, and was afterwards employed to demand
the liberty of Pope Clement on the Duke of Bourbon's sacking
Rome (22 Henry VIII.). He was one of those peers who sub-
scribed the declaration sent to the Pope, stating the danger
of his supremacy if he did not favour Henry's divorce. He
was afterwards employed to raise forces to oppose the insur-
rection of ". the Pilgrimage of Grace/' a name assumed by
tip rebels who endeavoured to support the ancient religion
(28 Henry VIII. A. D. 1536) . He also attended the Duke *>f
Norfolk, with many others of the nobility, in the Scottish wars
(1542), though he did not long remain there. In the com-
mencement of the reign of Edward VI. he was made knight
of the Garter, and in the fourth year of -the -same reign wit-
nessed the ratification of peace with France and Scotland.
Enrolled among the partisans of Mary, he was -constituted
High Steward of England at her coronation, and seems to
have remained in her favour. By Elizabeth he was appoi nted
a privy counsellor, and doubtless continued in that honour till
ins death, which happened at Latham in 1572, when he was
.buried in the parish church of Ormskirk, where by willhe di-
rected that a chapel 26 . and tomb should be erected; the mo-
nastery of fiourscough, which was the burial-place of his ances-
tors, having fallen in the general wreck of religious houses.
. .. Heury, his son and heir, who succeeded* him, was sum-
moned to Parliament in the eighteenth year of Elizabeth, and
afterwards employed in many: important affairs. In 1585 he was
sent with a numerous suite to carry the ensigns of the Garter
to. the king of France. The following year he was one of the
peers who sat at Fotheringay upon the trial of the Queen of
Scotland } and two years afterwards was sent with other com-
missioners to treat- with the Prince of Parma, general of the
king of Spain's forces in the Netherlands.
-■k:
*° Dugdale, p. 249, 250,
OF BE0S8TC& AN* WRBTGHWIC. *6f
32 Elfcaibeth.^Dugdale describes the last impertaiitoffioe
which he fitted' as that or' Lord High Steward of England, upon
the trial of the Earl of Arundel. He died die 25th of Sep-
tember 1594, and according to his will was buried in his cha-
ptil of Ormskirk.
By- his countess Margaret, daughter to the Earl of Cumber*
land, he had three sons, two of whom, Ferdinand and William,
were successively Earls, of Derby.
Ferdinand his son outlived him but a short time, and is
chidfly remarkable for the .manner of his death, thought by
physicians to have been occasioned by a surfeit taken from
violent exercise in Easier week ; but firmly believed by the
common people to have been effected by witchcraft. Stow
has detailed every circumstance connected herewith at length ;
and as it affords a curious instance of the credulity of that age,
an abstract of the account may not be unacceptable.
1594. The first of -Aprily the Monday before His Honour
feH sick, a woman presented a petition tohira, requesting him
to grant her a dwelling near his residence, that she might
speedily reveal those things which God showed her for his
good. The petition was thought vain, and refused.
April 4. He dreamed his. Lady was sick unto death $ was
troubled in sleep in consequence, but awaking and finding her
well was comforted. Divers grave men had strange dreams
or divinations concerning him about this time*
April 5. There appeared suddenly in his chamber at
Kronstey, abotfc six o'clock at night, the figure of a tall man,
with a ghastly and threatening countenance, who seemed to
' cross him in his chamber; and when the Earl approached the
part where the spectre appeared, he fell sick. His secretary
however saw nothing. The same night he dreamed he re*
ceived several stabs in fighting.
April 10. About midnight one Master Halsal found in
the bed-chamber of the earl a spotted image of wax with hair
l68 LOADS OF THE MANORS
similar to His Honour's, twisted through thebody. This image
Halsal says he cast into the fire before it was viewed, think*
ing thereby to burn the witch, and relieve his lord ; but the
contrary fell out, for he declined daily afterwards.
April 12. One Jane, a witch, demanded of Master Go-
borne whether His Lordship felt pain in his lower parts, and
whether he made water as yet ; and that very night, notwith-
standing all help, it stopped, and so remained till he died.
Several justjces examined certain witches ; one of whom
they conjured in the name of Jesus, that if she had bewitched
His Honour she should pot be able to say the Lord's Prayer :
accordingly she never could repeat thepetition i forgive us our
trespasses/ though often repeated to her.
A homely woman, about fifty years of aqe, was found
mumbling in a corner of His Honour's chamber ; but what,
God knoweth. Sometimes she seemed to ease His Honour ; but
whenever she did she seemed to suffer his pains, and partake
of his complaint. While mixing and blessing certain herbs,
one of the doctors who attended the Earl turned her out of the
room ; yet afterwards she said she could ease but not perfectly
help him, His Honour was so strongly bewitched. All physic
wrought well, but procured him no ease. His pulse remained
good, and as perfect as when in his best health till one quarter
of anhopr before he died. During the whole time of his
sickness he cried out the doctors laboured in vain, for he was
certainly bewitched. Twice when he would have taken physic
he fell into a trance. In the end he often cried out against
all witches and witchcraft, reposing his only hope of salvation,
on the merits of Christ Jesus, our Saviour* 7 .
Dugdale, with much probability, supposes him poisoned,
though he does not hint that suspicion fell upon any one.
According to his will he was buried at Ormskiik. He left
» ■ ' — ■ ■ ■ i i n ■■ « ... I ill || —^— ^— — ^ —
*7 stQw's Annates, p. 767-768.
OF BICESTER AND WRETCHWIC* 1 69
issue by Alice his wife, daughter to Sir John Spencer of
Althorpe, Northumberland, three daughters; Ann, married
to Grey Burges LonrChandois ; Frances, toJSir John Egerton,
Knight, afterwards Earl of Bridgwater ; and Elizabeth, to
Henry Lord Hastings, afterwards Earl of Huntington.
William, his brother, succeeded him in his honours; but
was speedily involved in a dispute with the daughters of his
deceased brother, relative to his title to the Isle of Man,
under pretence of its -harbouring the queen's open enemies
and many English runagates. Elizabeth committed the
protection of it to Sir Thomas Gerrard till the controversy
was determined. After much delay the commissioners for the
inquiry declared that the Earl of Derby had no good title, be-
cause Henry IV. 00 the outlawry of W. Scrope (then Lord)
bestowed it en the Earl of Northumberland ; and upon the lat-
ter's rebellion, six years after, granted it to John Stanley for
life, Northumberland not being attainted, nor his possessions
adjudged confiscate : that this title being found defective, about
a month afterwards, the king and Stanley agreed those letters-
patent to him for life should be surrendered and cancelled, and
the estate be granted in fee: so that, considering the grant being
wade before the earl was legally attainted, they pronounced the
king could not pass unto him any estate for life, and the other
could not be valid. The matter was settled by the earl's
paying to the widow and daughters of the late earl several
sums of money, to quit their claims ; and afterwards the sove-
reign granted it to him and his heirs **.
The manor and estates, comprising nearly the whole of the
town and parish of Bicester (except the grants to the dissolved
priory), had passed in regular descent through several fe-
males, but strictly according to the laws of primogeniture,
from Gilbert Basset the elder to the present Earl of Derby.
0t* ' . , * ' ' I.I ■ . Illl « (|
* Pugdale,voI f ii.p. 2$1 #
1 70 LORDS OF THJE MANORS
But in 1596 this nobleman, in consideration of Thomas Wy~
kins of London and Thomas Clements of Burcester paying trim
the sum of seven hundred and fifty pounds, by indenture
bearing date the 29th of June, 39th of Elizabeth, granted for
a term of ten thousand years to come all his right and title
to the manor and lordship of Burcester, with all its members
and appurtenances whatsoever ; also all and singular messu-
ages, houses, out-houses, barns, edifices, and buildings of every
kind; meadows, leases,' pastures, feedings, comtnons of pas-
tures, heaths, marshes, woods, underwoods, ways, waters,
fishings, rents, &c. ; courts ket, court baron, frank pledge,
profit of court, waifs, estrays, goods of felons, fugitives, and
outlaws ; knights' fees, wards, marriages, escheats, reliefs, he-
riots, fines, amercements, &c. ; and all jn-ofits belonging to
the manor of Burcester : to g&herwith the woods and under-
woods called Earles Hitt y in Ambrosden, and a close and
cottage in Arncott, to be held for their own use and benefit,
they covenanting to pay the said' Earl of Derby and his heirs
-every year, at the feast of St. Michael the Archangel, one
penny. The indenture further provides for and acknowledges
Jhe delivery of all muniments, charters, evidences, &c, to
the aforesaid Thomas Wykins and Thomas Clements, relative
to the manor and estates, which it describes held by the earl
as in fee-simple or in fee-tail * 9 . The indenture is signed by
the Earl of Derby (Will. Derby) in a very stiff hand, and has
a small seal appending; is witnessed by Thomas Ireland, Jo-
seph Sparkes, and Deborah Wymow, and on the back signed
by Thomas Clements* The term of ten thousand years com-
jnehces from the feast of St. Michael following the date of the
•indenture.
A few years after the date of the lease for ten thousand
years Lord Derby conveyed the reversion in fee- simple in the
*» The original deeds are in the possession of the present Mr. Coker.
OF MCE8TER AND vVROTCHWIC. 17 *
rrianor, &c. &c. to certain persona m trust, -for «U.the persons
interested in that lease. This grant of the reversion is parti*
(tularly mentioned in the following decree of the Court of
Chancery ; and the several persona interested in the lease are
by that decree declared to be lords of the manor, &c. &c.
BAILIWICK OF BICESTER.
The manor, estates, &c, hereby becoming the property of
those gentlemen for ten thousand years to corne, was hence-
forward denoramated a baiHwick, and regarded as "pur-
chased for the benefit • of those inhabitants, or others who
might hereafter obtain possession of parts of the demesne' 9
now offered for sale 30 . Accordingly we find Wyfcins and Cle-
ments soon after disposing of several estates by lease, and in
all probability on the same conditions on which they pur-
chased them. But when they had afterwards obtained the
reversion of the manor, &e r they wished either, to regain or
retain the chief part of the manorial rights, which was op-
posed by the last purchasers, and u various law-waits com-
aneneecL" To end these, an. order was obtained iti Chancery
for the matters • in dispute to be settled by arbitration ; and
John Welsborne of Fulwell, and James Power of Blechingdon,
Esquires ; Robert Wmcott of W. and Eudulphe Dingley of
Yarnton, gents., were appointed arbitrators. These by a de-
cree dated the 1st of April, 3rd of James I.' (A. D. 1605),
•finally ordained that Thomas Clements and his sons (pro-
bably Thomas Wykins having no longer interest therein) should
resign all claim to the royalty of the manor or town of Bur*
Chester, together with the profit of the court-leet and court-
•baron, which should be assigned in that way which the ma-
jority of partisans to the decree should appoint, for their use
and benefit. "Also in like manner to resign the bailiwick to
s° See a letter from Mr. T. dements to Mr» T. Co*er, when in treaty for the
purchase of the estates,
1 7 2 BAILIWICK OP BICESTER*
the same persons ; and to prevent all disputes respecting the
appointment of bailiff, John Lacy should be deputed to ex-
ecute that office for one year." It was moreover determined,
for the settlement of all disputes, that no one shall be per-
mitted to erect any buildings on any part of the market*
place ; and in consequence a butcher's shop of recent erection
was ordered to be removed. There is also an item, " We do
order and decree that the mortar-pitts and stone-pitts neare
Burcester shall remayne and be to the use and behoffe of the
late Earle, his tenants, as in tymes past they have been used
and accustomed * l M Following is an enumeration of the set-
tlement of several houses near the market-place upon diffe-
rent persons and.their heirs. Then another item, " We order
and decree that the Town Eall, Grarted House, all the soppes
and pieces (Town Hall, Guard House, all the shops and
iraildings), built upon the waste, on or near the market-place
in Burcester, and all the cottages in Crockwell, shall remain
and be taken as part of the bailiwick, to be disposed of in the
committee for the use above mentioned/' The decree finally
provides, that in case any dispute should hereafter happen,
among the partisans to the same, the surviving arbitrators
have power to settle it*
This decree having thus vested the manor and bailiwick in
the inhabitants who had purchased the leases of T. Wykins,
T. Clements the elder, and his sons, it is evident no indivi-
dual could hereafter become lord of the fee, unless it was pos-
sible for him to obtain possession of the whole demesne, a
case which it is probable will never occur, from the conflict-
ing interest of the parties. That the changes incidental to
every kind of property will necessarily give some a greater in-
fluence than others, is inevitable : hence we find that when the
estates in the possession of a descendant of Mr. Clements came
^»— — i^— ^— — — — .!■ . — — ^— — ~ .■ ■ ~^^— — — ^~^^»^»
3' This item clearly proves the right of every Derby-holder to dig stones at
Vhe stone pks,
BAILIWICK OF BCCESTER. 173
to be added to those already in the hands of Mr. Thomas
Coker, in the beginning of the eighteenth century, that gen-
tleman was not inconsiderately regarded as lord of the manor*
So when these were afterwards sold to Sir Edward Turner,
owner of the priory estates, this accession of property seemed
to warrant the transfer of the title, and has even led some
authors of respectability to copy the assertions of the unin-
formed inhabitants.
The market and fairs are held under the bailiwick, which
now belongs to Sir Gregory P. O. Turner, John Coker, Esq.,
Rev. — Lockhart, Mrs. dimming, Mrs. Churchill, and
others ; amongst which are two.shares belonging to the poor
df Bicester, which are divided annually into five parts, one of
which is applied to the use of the poor of KingVEnd.
CHAPTER XX,
Priory Estates.
JL hose parts of the priory estates contained in the manors of
Bicester and Wretchwic were by letters-patent granted to
Roger More, a second son of More de la More of Oxford-
shire, in the 32d year of Henry VIII. A. D. 1540. Roger
More died in September 1551.
By the marriage of Mary, his eldest daughter, the estates
passed into the hands of Sir Michael Blount of Maple-Dur-
ham, Oxon. The latter gentleman, and probably the former,
resided in a part of the dissolved priory.
Whether the estates were disposed of by Sir Richard his son,
as the parish papers seem to intimate, I have not the means of
ascertaining. They clearly appear to have been the property
t)f the Glynnes in the protectorate of Cromwell.
Sir William Glynne, who was created a baronet the 13th of
174 PRIORY ESTATES. .
Charles II., was the son and heir of Lord Chief Justice Glyurte,
who made a distinguished figure in the reign of Charles K
He erected a noble mansion at Ambrosden, enlarged the
church-yard and the garden of the vicarage, assisted in the;
recovery of an estate originally designed to repair, the- ehwdl*.
gave a noble service of communion plate, and ornaments fojr
the pulpit and altar of Bicester parish church*
Sir William, his son and heir, served in. parliament for the
borough of Woodstock in the reiga of Queen Anne. He con-
siderably improved the glebe lands and ornamented the .church
at Ambrosden.. .His only spfrwas the friend of Kennett,. and
by his interest Sir William presented him to, the living of Am-
brosden : to which circumstance, connected with the di&i
pute relative to the estate withheld from the purpose; of re-
pairing the church, we owe the valuable Parochial Antiqui-
ties, perhaps oneof the best collections any county can boast.
As a tribute of respect, that writer has dedicated one of his
plates (the view of the family mansion at Ambrosden) to his
young friend. This excellent gentleman died before his father.
Sir William departed this life September 3, 1721.
His brother Sir Stephen succeeded him- in his dignity and
estates; but did not long survive him, dying in April 1729,
when his eldest son by the fourth daughter of Sir Edward
Evelyn of Long Dutton, Bucks, became possessed of them.
His life, however, was not long spared, for -he died the follow-
ing September unmarried.
About 1727 it appears Sir Stephen Glynne was in treaty for
the sale of the estates of Bicester, Wretchwie, and Ambros-
den. They finally passed into, the possession of the Tur-
$er$4 a family originally of Leicestershire. On the 24th of
August 1733, Edward Turner, Esq. was created a baronet by
George II. He majrried Mary, daughter of Sir Gregory Page
of Blackheath, and left one son and successor* Hedied in
Lincoln's Inn, June 19, 1737.
PRIORY ESTATES* If 5
In September 1739 his son, Sir Edward, married Cassnrwr
dra, daughter of William Leigh of Addlestrope, Gloucester-
shire, by whom he had issue.
In the election of 1754 Sir Edward and Lord Parker ap-
peared as the candidates for the county of Oxford on the new
interest, and Sir James Dashwood and Lord Wenman on th^
old. .To such a height was party spirit carried, that enor-
mities and excesses the most flagrant were committed on both
sides. The candidates and their friends visited every part o£
the county, and expended vast sums to, secure the interest
of the freeholders. At Bicester Sir Edward endeavoured to
increase the number of his partisans by converting many of
the Derby-holds into freehold estates f . By these and other
means the new interest finally, prevailed* though not before an
appeal to the House of Commons. This election is still re«s
membered by the oldest inhabitants of the county, who fre-
quently amuse themselves and their children by accounts of
the Great Election. \
The mansion of the Glynnes was partly rebuilt and enlarged
by Sir Edward; and the park received considerable additions
on the western side by the inclosure of many acres in Merton
parish. Numerous gravel-walks, statues, and lodges orna-
mented its lawns and woods. The young plantations, and pro-
gressive improvements employed many of the poor, to whom
Sir Edward waa a constant and liberal benefactor. . He died
1 As Sir Edward neither was nor could be lord of the manor of Bicester, and
consequently could not be vested with any interest in the leases, it was 'pre-
tended that the lefal heir of the original lessor had relinquished 'all claim at
the instance of Sir Edward. But there seems to be a general suspicion among
the inhabitants of Bicester, .that some unfair proceedings took place at that
time; for great numbers of the parish records were then either taken away or
destroyed. Sir Edward is believed to have been too honourable^ a man to be
concerned in the latter transaction, and the crime seeMti toJiave been com-
mitted by some less respectable agent.
I76 PRIORY ESTATES.
•
in the midst of his useful career, October 31, 1766, and Was
succeeded by his son, Sir Gregory.
Tradition has currently reported that on the death of hi*
father, Sir Gregory instantly mounted his horse, and rode
round to all the workmen employed about the plantations,
walks, &c, and forbad them to proceed; — that every work was
stopped, and those employed discharged. Shortly after, great
part of the timber in the park and on the estates Was cut
down 5 the materials of the lodges sold, and the land disparked
and inclosed. Sir Gregory considering the house too large,
pulled down a part, but afterwards observing the remaining
structure unshapely took down the whole. Thus about 1769
terminated the existence of the mansion of the Glynnes and
Turners, after having proclaimed their opulence and gran-'
deur for above a century. Cotemporaries describe the structure
raised by Sir Edward as noble and magnificent. Many of the
workmen employed in its erection were concerned in its de-
molition, and it was remarked that the walls were not dry in
many places. Two trees planted at its extremities attest its
extent, and the reverberation of its hollow vaults, conjointly
with the neighbouring solitary moat, serves to remind the con-
templative stranger of the mutability of all earthly grandeur.
In August 1795, Sir Gregory on succeeding to the estates
of his great-uncle and godfather, Sir Gregory Page, by his will
and by virtue of his majesty's signature, added to his own the
name and arms of Page. The splendid mansion of Black-
heath he sold to John Cator, Esq., who shortly after disposed
of it in lots bv auction.
Sir Gregory was married January 1783 to Frances, daughter
of Joseph Howel, Esq., of Elm, Norfolk, by whom he had
Sir Gregory Osborne, his successor, born Sept. 28, 1785.
Frances Stackpole, born January 15, 1787*
Edward George Thomas, born September 12, 1789.
Ann Leigh Gray, born August 9, 1791, died March 1804.
MIORT ESTATES* 177
Francis William Martin, born February 15, 1794.
Sir Gregory Page Turner died at his house in Portland-
place in 1805, aged fifty-seven. He was chosen member of
parliament for Thirsk, in Yorkshire, in 1784, which he re-
presented till his death. It was said that having stood, and
lost, a trial with the maker of an iron bridge over a stream in
his garden, which amounted to nine hundred pounds, the
chagrin on this event occasioned his death. On examining his
secretaire his executors found sixteen thousand seven hundred
guineas. His remains were interred in the family vault at
Bicester.
By his will he bequeathed five hundred pounds per annum,
in addition to the seven hundred pounds settled on Lady
Turner at the time of marriage ; ten thousand pounds to his
second son, and ten thousand pounds to each of his daughters.
The bulk of his landed and funded property he settled on his
eldest son Sir Gregory, amounting to three hundred and ten
thousand pounds. The net produce of the landed property,
is about twenty-four thousand pounds per annum 7 . .
CHAPTER XXI.
Annals of Bicester, #c#
Circa 634. Bicester founded.
873. Battle fought with the Danes near Graven-hill by
Ethelred and Alfred. The Danes gain the victory.
Circa 912. Old Town of Burencester destroyed by the
Danes.
7 Gentleman's Mag., March 1805*
179 ANNALS OF BICESTBRJ. ETC.
1 156. Hetary II. grant* a charter of privileges to the men
of the honour of Wallingford, in which Bicester is included.
1 182. Gilbert Basset founded the monaateryof St* Edburg.
1 193. A tournament on Bfcyards Green; The following is*
the letter by which King Richard permitted ft to be held :— ■
" Richard by the grace of God, &c. To theReveremfRither
in Christ, Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury; &c, greet-
ing. Know that we have permitted tournaments to be held
in England in five places ; between Sarunr and WHton,- between
Stamford and Warrenford, between Warwick ami Kennel worth,
between Brackley and Mixbury, and between Blie and Tytcbill,
yet sothatthepeaceof the land be not broken j nor damage done
to our forests ; and an Earl who shall tourney there shall pay
us twenty marks; a Baron ten marks*; a Knight who has land
shall pay four marks; and a Knight who has no land shall pay
us two marks. No foreigner shall tourney there. Wherefore
we command you that on the day of the tournament you shall
provide at each place two clerks, and your, two Knights to re*
ceive the oath from the Earls and Barons for their satisfaction
concerning the said sums, &c."
These tournaments were brought into England during the
reign of King Stephen, and much encouraged by the martial
disposition of the people, and their tendency to increase the
king's revenues. The mischiefs attending them were so great
that they were shortly prohibited by the popes, and under the
penalty of denying the offenders Christian burial. Though
restrained by act of parliament in the reign of Henry, under
the penalty of the heirs of the offender forfeiting their estates,
the custom was not abolished until the reign of Edward III.
Another tournament was held here in the 33d of Henry III.
1215. The tyranny, rapacity, and lechery of John hav-
ing rendered him odious aud contemptible to his,subjects, the
barons flew to arms, and after several meetings adjourned to
Brackley, whither the king sent messengers to learn their de-
ANNALS OF BICRSTBR, ETC. 1 79
mands, which they delivered in a schedule afterwards called
Magna Charta. After some opposition and delay the king
Was obliged to agfree and sign. During these negotiations
this part of the country was the passage between the jnes~
sengers.
1265. These parishes commanded to send out four or five
men each, according to their population, to meet at Oxford
three weeks after Easter, and thence to march to Kennel-
worth against the rebellious barons. The men marched under
Robert Gifford.
1326. These parts much concerned in the revolution '
which finally deposed Edward II. and elevated his son to the
throne.
1355. May 25. The king grants his licence for the build-
ing and endowment of an hospital in Bicester.
1377. King Richard II. grants a licence to Sir John de
Worthe for a fair and market in Biggenhul, in Bicester.
Circa 1400. The parish church built.
Biggehhul market and fair confirmed to Humphrey Duke
v of Buckingham and John Felmersham, lords of the manor.
Robert Brooks obtains letters-patent for a market in Bices-
ter Bury~end, which afterwards assumes the name of Market-
end ; and Biggenhui Monday market is discontinued.
1535. Bicester monastery visited.
Circa 1536- Surrendered into the hands of the King, and
the Prior and Monks obtain pensions. i.
1538. The monastery granted to the Duke of Suffolk, the
King's brother.
1540. Letters-patent granted to Roger More and his wife,
conveying the land, house, and appurtenances of the late
priory to them and their heirs. 32 Henry VIII. 1
1555. On Easter Sunday a priest, sometime a monk of
1 Michaelis Record. Rot 44.
n2
180 <ANNALS OF BICESTER, ETC.
Ely and of Bicester, named William Branch, alias Flower,
tirith a wood-knife wounded another priest as he was minis-
tering the sacrament to the people in St. Margaret's church,
in Westminster, for which fact the said William Flower, the
24th of April, had his right-hand smitten off; and for opi-
nions in matters of religion was burned in the Sanctuary nigh
to St. Margaret's church-yard \
1634. The heralds visit Oxfordshire. Cadwalader Coker's
arms are confirmed, together with those of the Oxfordshire
gentry: at the same time a special entry is made, that
Richard Clements of Bicester is no gentleman, and Richard
Clark no gentleman, and that they disclaim arms 1 .
During the protectorate Oliver Cromwell is said to have
visited Bicester, and slept one night at a house near the
market-place, belonging to a Mr. Medcalf.
1666. A summer of excessive drought induces Mr. John
Coker, lord of King's-end, to re-open St. Edburg's Well,
whose waters flow abundantly.
1678. April 29. " A terrible tempest of lightning, hail,
and rain, which continued several hours, burnt much corn,
some barns and out-houses, and killed many cattle; also
spoyled several persons, and had like to have destroyed the
whole town 4 ."— The buildings destroyed are supposed to have
stood at the back of the house now occupied by Mr. Walford.
1683. October 9. An earthquake felt all over Oxford-
shire and the midland counties 5 .
1695. Kennett's Antiquities of Bicester, &c. published.
1698. The large gallery in the church built 6 .
1704. The small-pox raged so dreadfully in Bicester that
it nearly occasioned the ruin of the market; insomuch that
« Stow's Annates, 626. ' Harleian MSS. No. 1557.
« Quarto Pamphlet, 167S. * Philosophical Trans. No. 32 1.
e Wardens' book.
ANNALS OF BICESTER, ETC. 181
grass grew in the market-place, and it bore the appearance
of a green meadow. The market has never since recovered
its importance 7 .
1 7 1 8. Sir Edward Longueville broke his neck at Bicester
races 8 .
1724. A sudden and terrible fire, occasioned by the chim-
ney of Thomas Harris and Richard Baker, which in about
three hours consumed and destroyed ten dwelling-houses, be*
side ware-houses, malt-houses, stables, and out-hpuses, in all
about one hundred and fifty-nine bays of buildings, and con-
taining great quantities of malt, barley,*beans, oats, tobacco,
flax, hemp, hay, candles, household goods, wearing apparel,
&c. ; the loss whereof, as near as can be computed by able
and experienced workmen, amounted to two thousand two
hundred and thirty-one pounds fifteen shillings and eight-?
pence. Several of the sufferers obtained relief by a petition
presented to the gentry in the neighbourhood 9 ,
1730. A large fire in Kjng's-end, which consumed many
houses.
174$. Mr. Raymond (a hemp-dresser) raised a company of
volunteers to oppose the progress of the Pretender^ which are
supposed to have cost that gentleman five hundred pounds 1C ,
1752. The Pest House built for the accommodation of
those infected with the small-pox lI .
1754. Meeting of the candidates Sir E.Turner and Sir
7 Cofnmnnic&tioo by Mr. T. Harris.
• Lysons's Buckinghamshire, Art, fpolverton. — Sir Edward's estate in that
village had been sold to Dr. Radclife about six years before. — The races were
held in King's-end field.
' 9 petition now remaining in the hands of Mr. T. Harris, a descendant of
one of the sufferers.
l# The residence and manufactory of Mr. Raymond was on the*ite of tht
house now occupied by Mr. Davis.
m Communication by Mr. T. Harris.
1 82 ANNALS OF BICBSTER, ETC.
James Dashwood at Bicester, for the purpose of canvassing
for the county representation "•
1758. Bicester Field enclosed.
1763. The King of Denmark passed through Bicester.
June 19. Began raining and continued mostly wet weather
till the beginning of February 1764, and a perpetual flood
from November to the beginning of February, a period of fif-
teen weeks **•
1765. August 3. A dreadful storm, and the church, on
fire by lightning.
1774, November* 21. Bowden, a shoe-maker, barba-
rously murdered by his journeyman George Strap, who beat
out his brains with a hammer as he sat at work late one even-
ing. Strap was executed at Oxford, and his body given to
the surgeons'*.
1789, The town illuminated, and great rejoicings on the
King's recovery.
1 793 . The French revolutionary Government having coun-
tenanced seditious and treasonable practices among the dis-
affected in every part of the kingdom, a public meeting was
held on January 8, and an association entered into by the in-
habitants of the town and neighbourhood, for the purposes of
" holding out in their own practice an example of respectful
submission to the laws ; endeavouring to bring to punishment
all who by their writings or actions should in any manner dis-
turb the public peace ; and assisting the civil power on every
occasion that should require their interference." And to show
■*"«i»"
11 In the ensuing election the numbers of votes stood as follows :— Wen.-
jnan 2033, Dashwood 2014, Parker 1313, Turner 1892. Jt seems that Mr.
Coker supported Wenmaq and Dashwood with the votes of twenty-one inhabi-
tants of Bicester.— Seven of Sir Edward Turner's votes in Bicester were struck
off on scrutiny. — dough's Pamphlets, Bod. Lib. Oxford,
>* Memorandums on the lid of the Parish Register,
'? Inscription on Bowden's gravestone,
ANNALS OF BICESTER. ETC. 183
their detestation of seditious writers, the day was closed by the
burning of the effigy of the celebrated Thomas Paine on the
Market-hill.
1 794. Bicester King's-end Field enclosed.
1795. The first stage-coach from Bicester to London.
1798, This country being threatened with domestic fac-
tion and foreign invasion,— in conformity with the example of
the principal towns in England, the most respectable part of
the inhabitants formed themselves into a Company of Volun-
teers, for the protection of the government and maintenance of
tranquillity. The establishment consisted of a captain, lieu-
tenant, ensign, three Serjeants, and sixty privates \ the arms
and accoutrements only were found by Government, but every
other expense was either defrayed by themselves or drawn
from a fund raised by subscription. At the peace of Amiens
this company was dissolved \ but when in 1803 the country
was again menaced by invasion, the inhabitants once more re-
sumed their arms, and a more effective company was formed,
consisting of one captain-commandant, two lieutenants, one
ensign, six Serjeants, six corporals, and one hundred and twenty
privates. Each of the volunteer corps were commanded by
Henry Walford, Esq., and they had the honour of receiving
publicly the thanks of the inspecting field-officers for their
regular musters and proficiency in military tactics. Their per-
mament duty was marked by similar honours, and they were
reported " fit to join troops of the line." This company was
dissolved in 1807 ,4 .
1 803. Bicester Bank established, under the firm of Kirby
and Tubb.
1810. The eastern gallery in the church erected.
** Communicated by Mr. W. Ball.
AN INQUIRY
INTO
THE HISTORY OF
aicfjeater,
A MILITARY STATION OF THE DOB UNI:
The Site of which now forms a Part of the Field
belonging to the Parish of Wendlebury, in the
County of Oxford*
jfetaefc Sttcttfttr $n fair anb goo* ;
Xtttttn? toaW art ftrottgft fun IM,
H&fcm mice tie? ftrofc nom corn tjotjr grrtu
MS. History of Alchetfer, apod Kconett.
187
ALCHESTER.
1 herb is a natural curiosity in the mind of man to become
acquainted with the history of the neighbourhood in which
he first drew his breath or Providence has fixed his residence;
and if any particular spot is rendered memorable by vestiges
of ancient magnificence or traditionary splendour, his curiosity
is excited in a greater degree. But in proportion to the di-
stance of time in which these remains flourished, the paucity
of writers and the want of authentic documents increase the
difficulty of obtaining information, and too often after an ex-
tensive reading and laborious investigation, the mind of the
inquisitive is thrown into the wild regiotis of conjecture.
These observations particularly apply to those ancient relics
of Roman greatnessfound in the meadows of Wendlebury Field,
at a short distance from Bicester, which revolving centuries
have universally regarded as the remains of a once flourishing
city, known by the name of Alchester. — To investigate this
opinion — to afford a view of the various conjectures of those
writers who have professedly treated, or incidentally touched
upon this subject, ajid to endeavour to ascertain the most
probable period when the station rose to eminence, and fell
to ruin—is the object of the present inquiry.
Passing over every supposition relative to the appearance of
the face of the country in which Alchester was situated, either
as it presented itself to the aborigines, or the Roman armies,
188 ALCHESTER.
it may be remarked that the first historical notice which can
be relied on is, that the inhabitants of the principal districts
now denominated Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, at the time
of the Roman invasion in the reigo of Claudius, (A. D. 43,)
were called Bodunni, or Dobuni, a name descriptive of their
low or deep situation, and said by Kennett to be derived from
the British word hadun signifying deep '; but according to
Camden coming from Duffen (Dw/n), a word in the same
language of similar signification; because, inhabiting for the
most part a plain, and valleys encompassed with hills, the whole
people took their denomination from thence. The word Dob
is observed in a late ingenious treatise to mean stream, and in
the same work en, land, is shown to have been often varied to
an or un. Thus the compound term Dobuni may be inferred
strictly to signify a race possessing land on river-sides, or a
people who are stream -borderers *.
The Dobuni are introduced to our notice as a nation sub-
jugated by the Caltietichlo.nl, a warlike people who inhabited
part of the counties of Buckingham, Bedford, and Hertford.
The distance of the Cattjeuchlani seems to intimate that the
Dobuni were few in number, or distracted by divisions, so that
their more powerful neighbour was enabled to subdue and
tyrannize over them '. While in this wretched condition, and
unable to regain their independence, Bericus a British chief,
supposed to be a person of distinction among the Dobuni,
was expelled hia native country for some factious intrigues,
and fled to Rome *, where he endeavoured to excite the Em-
peror Claudius to attempt the conquest of Britain, perhaps se-
cretly offering the alliance and assistance of that people. This
P»TOcb. Antiq. p. 5. * Beautiei of Oxfordshire, p. 3. • Camden.
; suppose* that Eerie »as deprived of bis estate and expelled bi>
by the Cattieucblani when they subdued it. History of England,
ALCHESTER. 189
enterprise being resolved upon, a numerous army was ordered
to be conducted out of Gaul into Britain, by Aulus Plautius, a
wise and valiant general of consular dignity, with orders to ac-
quaint the emperor, if he met with great opposition, that he
might come to his assistance. When the soldiers first under-
stood the object of their destination, they expressed much re-
luctance, and objected to making war beyond the limits of the
world ; so little was Britain known : nor was it without diffi-
culty that their general prevailed upon them to follow him.—
Their army was finally embarked in three divisions, and landed
without accident on the British island.
No opposition appearing from any of the states on the sea-*
toast, Plautius marched his army up the country; and imme-
diately the Dobuni (who are said to have declared they con-
sidered none enemies but the Cattieuchlani) submitted them-
selves, and were received under the Roman protection; and as
a proof of their new masters' favour, Cogidunus their prince
was not only confirmed in the government, but his territories
extended. Thus early did this tribe further the views of the
masters of the world, in contributing their assistance to en-
slave their native country; though it must be admitted with
regard to themselves, that they only exchanged one slavery for
another 5 .
The policy of the Romans, as much as the necessity of de-
fending their friends against the attacks of the hostile nations,
led the Propraetor to select and fortify permanent stations for
his troops ; and it is likely some of these were chosen in or
near the British towns, for the double purpose of preserving
the property and securing the fidelity of the inhabitants 6 .
■' ' ■ ■ ' ■ ' ' -■ i
5 Henry's History of Britain, vol. i. p. 31. London, 1805.
6 Carte supposes that, from the early submission of the Dobuni, and the
immediate uecessity of leaving a garrison to protect the country, this place
was the first station in Britain occupied by the Romans, and thence denomi-
nated Alchcster. History of England, vol. i. p. 101.
190 ALCHESTER*
The presumption is therefore very fair, that such was the
origin of Alchester, originally a British town belonging to the
Dobuni, on the frontiers of the Cattieuchlani, and selected by
Aldus Plautius as a convenient station, whereby he might be
able to repel the incursions of that people, and pursue them
with success as far as Buckingham, or the banks of the Ouse.
This conjecture will be found more plausible on reflecting that
the usual fortifications of a British town 7 would afford the
Reman soldiers' an immediate security against the assaults of
an enemy in an unknown country : it also accounts for their
choice of such a low situation, so contrary to their usual sta-
tions, and agrees with the opinion of Kennett in ascribing its
origin as a Roman fortress to Plautius 8 .
- The name of Alchester, by which the ruins of this station
or city is known, was imposed by the Saxons— written in that
language Galbfceartaejt, and signifies an old town or Roman
military work V
The difficulty of fixing the precise situation of the stations
mentioned in the Roman Itineraries, has produced many dis-
putes among antiquaries who have endeavoured to ascertain
these points : it is therefore no wonder that Alchester is not
without its difficulties ;— but the following may be regarded as
the chief opinions advanced on the subject.
- I. Mr* Salmon attempts to prove from the Itinerary of An-
toninus that this station was the Roman Isanavatia; and the
argumen ts which he adduces in support of this opinion are
drawn from the different statements of the number of miles
and stations between L&ciodorum and Benonis, in the second
- 2 . What the -Britons-tall a town-is attract of woody country surrounded bjp
a- mound and ditch, for the security of themselves and cattle against the incur-
sions of their enemies. Caesar de Bell. Gall. 1. v. c 21. There can be litUe
doubt of the surrounding country answering this description at the time of the
Roman invasion.
8 Paroch. Antiq. p. 5. 9 Camden's Britannia.
alchester: 191
aild sixth jourfieys of Antoninus. This variation he considerr
impossible to be accounted for, unless it be allowed that there
were two branches of the road, which passed through different
stations and met at those points ; and this opinion* he says, is
countenanced by the Iters themselves* one of which (Iter 2)
only mentions the intermediate station of BennQvenna y and
describes its distance from Lactodorum as twelve miles* and
from thence to Benonis as seventeen* making the whole di-
stance twenty-nine miles ; whereas the other (Iter6) describes
Isanavatia and Tripontium as intermediate* and makes the di-
stance to be thirty-three miles. Hence* though he grants that
there is no demonstration that Alchester was ever called Isana-
vatia, yet its distance from Lactodorum nearly agreeing with
the numbers of the itinerary, and the certainty of there having
been a military way leading from that place into Oxfordshire
pointing towards Alchester* has induced him to form the con-
clusion, notwithstanding the objection of those who* content
to travel in the old road* have agreed with Camden* making
Isanavatia the same station as Bennavenna, though thereby
they are obliged to expunge four miles from the Itinerary ,0 .
II. Dr. Stukeley considers this place as the "undoubted
Alaunaoi Ravennas," and that even the original name is pre-
served in the neighbouring village of Launton ll . The Doctor
adds* " whether the present name be Alcester as retaining
any thing of the Latin* or Aldcester signifying the old city, I
dispute not, but think it has no manner of relation to Allectus."
10 Salmon's Survey of England. Oxfordshire, p, 449.
1 1 Stukeley 's ItfaerariumCariosum, vol. i. p. 41 , London, 1 776. It it surprising
that a writer so intelligent as Mr. Brewer should assert that " Dr. Stukeley
warmly supports the notion of this place deriving its appellation from Allectus,
and is desirous of finding an allusion to Carausius himself in the neighbouring
district of Caversfield." (Beauties of Oxfordshire, p. 536.) Nothing ft more in.
correct : the fact is, Mr. Brewer found the above passage in Gough's Camden,
and instantly transcribed it into his own manuscript, without once consulting
Stukeley's opinion on the subject.
192 ALCHESTER.
—Richard of Cirencester '% Baxter, and Horaley 1 *, seem to
have agreed with Stukeley in considering this place as the
Alauna of the Romans.
III. The anonymous author of the Histbry of Alchester
supposes this place to derive its origin and appellation from
AUectus who slew the Emperor Carausius, in the neighbouring
plains of Caversfield : and that having fixed on it as the chief
seat of his government, he called it after his own name Allecti-
Caslrum, or the city of AUectus. Hence he supposes that the
present name is only a corruption of the former, occasioned by
the introduction of a strange language and the lapse of ages u .
From the foregoing opinions it is evident that nothing decisive
can be obtained on this subject. The conjectures of Salmon
appear deserving of attention, as they are founded oh the di-
stances of the Itinerary ; yet it must be remarked that the
site of most of the stations is still disputed ; and even ad-
mitting Stoney-Stratford to stand on or near the spot of the
ancient Lactodorum, the distance from thence to Alchester is
much more than twelve miles, except they are allowed to be
computed miles, and varied according to the custom of the
country ; and even then it is difficult to account for the sub-
sequent stations of Tripontium and Benonis. Stukeley 's
opinion is sanctioned by such respectable names that it
cannot fail of creating attention, especially when it is recol-
'* Iter 18. From Eboracum, York, through the middle of the island tto
Clausentum.
Benormis, Cleycester, by High Cross, Northamptonshire.
TYipontium, Showel near Lutterworth, Leicestershire, 1 K
Isannaria, Towcester, Northamptonshire, 12.
Mlia rostra, Aldcester near Biceter, 16.
Durocina, Dorchester Episcopi, Durinam Stipendaria, Oxon, 15.
Tamest, Stretley on Thames, by Goreing, Berks, 6.— Stukeley, vol. i. p. 137 J
1 J Ravennas. Secunda pars Britannia*. Tamest, Dr. Gale supposes Kingston.
Alauna, Aulcester.— Horsley, p. 492.
*« History of Alchester, printed at the end of Kennett's Antiquities.
ALCHESTJfeft. 193
kcted that Richard of Cirencester might have access to
documents not now in existence. But it must be admitted,
notwithstanding the above opinions, that the conjecture of
the anonymous author has been generally treated with respect.
Yet were it even possible to establish either of the former; still,
if this place was any particular favourite of Aliectus, its name
might be changed by him to Allecti Cast rum. It is how-
ever no more than justice to add, that the latter conjecture
is more ingenious than probable ; that it has no historical sup-
port, artd entirely rests on a presumed affinity of names*
During the long period of the Roman power in Britain, the
Dobuni appear to have remained in quiet subjection 15 ; a pre-
sumptive proof of the paternal care of that government.
Availing themselves of the* opportunities of receiving instruc-
tion, these provincials made rapid progress in civilization, and
considerably improved in the arts and sciences. Their huts
were succeeded by handsome and convenient habitations—
their towns and cities formed into regular streets, and defended
by strong fortifications. In these improvements we are war-
ranted to conclude Alchester had its share, and without doubt
had attained some consideration before the days of Aliectus,
A. D. 294. However, the anonymous writer is of a different
opinion, and ascribes both the building and fortifying of the'
place to Caius Aliectus, immediately on his rebellion against
Carausius ; " that in case he should be put to the worst at the
sea-side, either by his late master, or by Constantius who was
coming to reduce Britain to the Roman government, yet he
might have where to reinforce himself in the main land;" for
which purpose he is supposed to have previously secured a
* Henry, vol. ii. p. 120. A. D. 80. Agricola endeavoured to civilize the
Britons by accustoming them to a more pleasant way of living: be exhorted
them to build houses, temples, courts, and market-places; and was so success-
ful that in a short time every town and city abounded with them.
O
194 ALCHESTER.
communication with the sea, through the towns of " Attaford,
Allinton, and AUingham ,6 ."
The same writer says, " In the forefront of Allchester Al-
Jectus built a sconce or watch-tower, the ruins of which still
appear in a plot of meadow ground, where in our days (A. D.
1620) hath been digged up much Roman money, brick, and
tile, and pavement of curious and wrought tile, of about the
bigness of sixpence, being delicately laid there. Before the
tower was an inward hollow place/' (perhaps a foss or ditch,)
u called a Tyslanicum 1 '*, in which a military engine called
Bulla was kept, made broad- headed like a plough staff, and
designed to beat off the enemy from the walls." This engine
imparted its name to the tower. — u To guard his city and
sconce without,. and to break the incursions of horses, Allec-
tus reared up a bank of earth some two or three miles in length
on the south-west part of the city, that the enemy might not
drawback wings upon him ; a good part whereof may still be
seen in Wendlebury parish 18 ."
. Perhaps it is impossible to present a more accurate idea of
the form and extent of the city than that which is suggested
by the learned Dr. Stukeley, who explored the site with the
Utmost attention, and thus describes it : The city was fenced
with a bank and ditch all round. It is a square of one thou-
sand feet, each side standing on the four cardinal points , these
sides are easily discernible at the corners, at each of which
the, country- people say stood a tower to defend it ; and that
the brook also originally ran round it. The street that passed
from north to south is still visible, as is the other that ran in
the contrary direction, meeting the Akeman in its way from
16 History of Alchester, p..6S6.
*' Kennett rays, "What the writer means by Jyslanicum 1 apprehend not,
nor can I be informed." p. 7. ,8 History of Alchester, p. 683, 684.
ALCHESTER. 195
Langford. Without doubt there were other streets; but they
have not left sufficient vestiges to be distinguished. Great
foundations are known to be in the meadows all around, espe-
cially north and eastward, on both sides of the Akeman- street.
On the west of the city, a little distance from the city ditch,
is an artificial hill, called Castle Hill, full of Roman bricks,
stones, and foundations. I attentively considered the place —
the circuit is very plain and definable ; it was a square of one hun-
dred feet. I guess there has been originally some considerable
building in the middle of an area or court, — whether a praeto- ., ,{V
rium- or temple might probably be ascertained by digging. .
The edge of the area is very distinct on the meadow, by the'**"
difference in the colour of the grass, the one of which is grey, the
other green ; but the main body of the building did not reach
so far, but lies in a great heap of rubbish, much elevated and
of less extent. Before it, to trie south, has been another area,
paved with a bed of gravel, at least one hundred feet broad,
and I doubt not but a curious person who would be at the ex-
pense of digging this plot would find it well worth his while ">.
In the spring of 1766 a very considerable opening waa
made into this mount by Mr. Penrose the proprietor of the
meadow (perhaps in consequence of Stukeley's observations) ;
and the following is a minute account of the discoveries made
at that time. " The workmen began in the south-western part;
and after digging through one foot and a half of old bricks and
tiles, and through four feet of ashes mingled with human bones,
eame to a paved ground -covered with fine gravel. Pursuing
this for seven or eight yards, they reached the walls of the Prae-
torium : these were standing about three feet in height. Going
l » Stukeley's ltin. II. vol. i. p. 42. Strangers may find the ruins in a mea-
dow on the left-hand side of the high road leading from Bicester" to Oxford ;
and on the eastern bank of a small rivulet which- crosses the high-way about
half a mile tonr'Wendtebary, and ene mile and three quarters from Bicestrr.
The city extended over the rising ground on the east.
o2
J 9*> ALCHESTER.
along the outside of the wall about twenty of thirty feet to*
wards the north-western angle, they came to an opening in it
which appeared to be a door-way, and was about eight feet
in breadth. At this opening they began to enter the building,
and immediately discovered a Roman pavement, raised about
four feet from the level of the meadow, and appearing to ex*
tend through the whole compass of the building. This pave-
ment consisted of tessells about one inch and a half in the
square, bearing different colours, neatly cemented together^
and laid upon a bed of mortar.
" Beneath aud on one side of the discovered pavement was
found a Roman hypocaust. It was a low room of one foot
and a half in height, floored with small pieces of cemented
brick, and supported with a great number of little pillars.
These were two or three feet distant from each other, and had
heaps of ashes between them."
The same writer says, "The site of the castrum is a very
damp triangular meadow, bounded by a curving brook on the
west and south : the mount rises about eight feet in height,
nearly covers half an acre of ground, and seems originally to
have been surrounded by a slight ditch.
" The station and town of JEtia- Castra was placed upon a
very disadvantageous site, — a low ground, and a damp soil.
The site of the city has been considerably raised by the foun-
dations beneath, and the adscititious earth above. This ap-
pears sufficiently evident from the level of the meadows around
it, particularly of the neighbouring station. They are all
above one yard and a half lower in the level than the other.
The site of the city, damp as it is at present, must have been
much damper formerly, and nearly as much so as any of the
swampy meadows in its neighbourhood* ."
, The closest investigation at the present day can add little to
the foregoing accounts. With copies of the engravings illus-
<* m
* Whitaker*! Manchester, tqI. i. p. 60.
ALCHESTER. 197
trating Stukeley's Description of Aldchester in his hand, the
present writer carefully examined every spot mentioned (in
the month of June 1814) ; and, as far as he had the means of
ascertaining, found the statements generally correct. The
land had been lately inclosed, and the divisions occasioned
by the planting of new hedges had rendered the appearance
of the streets much less conspicuous than formerly. They are,
however, still discernible by the elevation of the ground. That
which led from north to south may be traced by a hedge
planted on its western side. The street which crossed it about
the centre of the city, and ran from east to west, may be known
by its elevated site, and the circumstance of a new hedge on
the south side. The ditch in front of the hedge is cut through
the foundations of several brick edifices, but whether they
formed parts of small streets cannot be ascertained. The
wall on the eastern side of the city passed through the mid-
dle of this field : the site is quite evident by the change in the
colour of the soil ; that without the walls being of a reddish
cast, while that within is extremely rich and black, probably
from the nitrous particles and animal salts lodged in it. Part
of the foundation of this wall may be seen in the ditch be-
fore mentioned, which is cut through the angle of some build-
ing projecting beyond it. These foundations, from their age
and exposure to the weather, are become quite rotten, though
in many other parts single bricks may be found as sound and
perfect as when first made. The. earth abounds with broken
pieces of pots and vessels formed of various sorts of coloured
earth, red, green, and blue, as when viewed by Dr. Stukeley;
nor is it unfrequent for the plough to draw up large bricks,
and stones, though the spot has formed part of Wendlebury
common field for centuries. Great numbers of coins are still
found ", known in the neighbourhood by the name of Al-
t' Many o£ab» inhabitants in this neighbourhood have at different periods
19& ALCHESTER.
Chester pennies;" the inscription on many is very legible.
The mount presents a considerable elevation, and perhaps for
many years to come will afford the inquisitive stranger the
best means of ascertaining the spot once distinguished by the
abode of Roman power and magnificence.
The author of the History of Alchester says, " In the midst
of that ploughed field, Alchester y one Fynmore a husband-
man of Wendlebury, ploughing very deep, lighted upon a
rough round stone, which being digged out was found to be
hollowed within, and seamed and cemented together ; and
being opened there was nothing found therein but a green
glass of some three quarts, full of ashes close stopped up, with
lead over the mouth, which warrant it to be the urna or burnt
ashes of some great man." This person, the author supposes
to have been Carausius, " slain hard by." At the time of
Stukeley's visiting Alchester, this stone was used as a pig-
trough at Wendlebury, and, as he says, " had remained so
ever since Dr. Plot's time." The cavity he describes as
one foot in diameter and nine inches deep. It was after-
wards placed in the garden wall of the rectory ; but, having
been removed some years ago, is now lost, though some of the
present inhabitants perfectly remember it".
•
obtained considerable numbers of these coins. Mr. B<»nd, sometime rector of
Wendlebury, was furnished by his parishioners with great numbers. 'Kennett
himself says he had nearly one hundred ; but the largest collection ever made
was by Mr. Lee, once proprietor of Bignal-farm : perhaps the best collection
at present is in the hands of Mr. Howse, the landlord of a small inn at Wen-
dlebury.
** The same writer says, " A piece of the mouth of the glass was sent me
this year, 1622," together " with a piece of brass money found ist Alchester,
bearing the name and stamp of DomimicXm. Aug. Germa." — In another place
he says, " George Maund of Chesterton/, gentleman, brought me a piece of
money there found bearing the picture and name of Constantine, who was
second from Allectns ; on the right side whereof was this inscription, Con-
sTantinus Augustus, and on the other side the portraiture of a castle, hav-
ing the tun and stars in chief above it, and having some word on the coin by
A L CHESTER. 199
As the situation of the city was low, probably it was sur-
rounded with considerable ditches, which at once secured it
from inundations and the assaults of an enemy. Dr. Stukeley
sap, "ft deserves to be called urbs prcetensis, and may be
supposed rather a city of pleasure than strength." It is evi-
dent from the extent of the walls that it was not large ; un-
less we suppose that an unfortified suburb surrounded it : and
this supposition may receive some countenance from the
Doctor's assertion of " the adjoining meadows still remain-
ing full of foundations *'." But after all, it is much safer to
receive no further idea of its extent and importance than the
definable site will warrant.
The Akeman-street, the principal vicinal way in this county,
passed close by the north side of this city; and, together with
the other roads, afforded a free communication with every part
of the*country. These roads, the work of the Roman legions
in times of peace, present to the admiration of succeeding
ages a matchless proof of their strength of discipline and their
habits of industry. The Akeman-street appears to have been
constructed in different parts of the country, either with or
without a raised bank, as the nature of the soil demanded. Its
progress is described by Kennett as follows : — " Coming down
the hill from Tuchwic-ground, it passes along the common
road from Aylesbury, over the vale which gives name to the
village of Mersh, leaving some traces of a stony ridge, visible
and useful. Crossing the rivulet at Steanford**, or Worden-
pool, it enters Oxfordshire by Ambrosden, then ascending
Blackthorn-bill ran in the present Bicester road; till in
the side of the castle,— to my judgement it was Gallitas ; it is at this day the
arms of the castle of Wallingford. V. 695.. Kennett supposes the latter in-
scription was written GALL. . . .IT AS, for Galleka Civitas, the city of Wal-
lingford. p. 12.
«» Kin. vol.*. p. 41.
a « So called from the passage being pitched or paved with stones.
2Q0 ALCH ESTER.
Wrechwic 15 -green (which was formerly the common field in
that manor) it turns to the left-hand, and proceeds by the
north side of Graven-hill wood, in the way leading to Lang-
ford, bearing close to the north -side of Alchester, and from
thence proceeds to Chesterton and Kirklington town's- end 5
passing the river Charwell near Taekley, and thence in a
straight line till it enters Blenheim-park, which it quits in a
direction for the village of Stunsfield, on a raised bank. Here
altering its form, though still (even traditionally) retaining its
name, it goes over the river Evenlode, and passes near Wilcot
and Ramsden; then to Astally, over AstweUbridge, and
through the fields to Broadwell -grove, where it is scarce visU
ble. Passing Broadwell-grove the outlines are more bold and
perfect, and the road proceeds in a straight line into Glou<«
cestershire, and thence towards Bath, the old Akemancestre."
He proceeds: " The city of Alchester having had for a,
long time a fixed garrison of Roman forces occasioned other
roads to be formed for a convenient communication with other
stations/' Of these the most apparent leads over Otmore,
which has been (as observed by Plot) evidently paved ; and
points towards Calleva or Wallingford : hence the country-,
people succeeded in persuading Camden that this road was
the original Akem&i?street. Another branch may be traced
" declining from the Akeman-street at Chesterton, and pass-
ing through Middleton Stoney, (where there is a large barrow,
probably a tumulus or sepulchre for the dead,) whence falling
into Wattle-b^nk or Avesditch, this road might lead to
Banbury. Another of these streets left the Akeman-street on
the east side of the brook; then passing through Langford-
ground, cutting the lane which leads to Bicester on the south
side of Candle-meadow 26 , thence passed through the lower
** Anciently written Wrecbroych.
40 A meadow so named from its being cbarged witb furnishing a candle or
lamp for one of the altars in the conventual church in Bicester.
ALCHESTER, 20 1
end of Dunkin's-ground 27 (where upon the late digging of a
pond has appeared the plainest evidence of a paved way), and
continued its course through Lanton, went on to Stratton* 8 ,
and from thence to Buckingham, till it reached the old Lac-
todorum, or Stoney Stratford/ 9
Such appear to be the best accounts which at this distance
of time can be collected relative to the station of Alchester,
and the different roads by which it was approached. Were it
required to affix the period in which it is probable that the
city attained its greatest prosperity, it would be proper to se-
lect that which intervened between the reign of Carausius*
A. D. 264, and Constantine the Great, A. D. 337. At that
time historians represent the British province abounding in
cities and towns, possessed of elegance, wealth, and power.
The loss of its revenues and the boldness of its fleets, while se-
parated from the empire by the rebellion of Carausius and Al-
lectus, might induce the Romans to magnify its importance;
but the circumstance of its monarch being able to defy the
whole power of the emperors, proves that those representa-
tions are not unworthy of credit.
In the long period of tranquillity which followed the sup-
pression of that rebellion, the castles, forts, and walls which
had been erected for the defence of the British province, were
so much decayed that they afforded little defence against the
inroads of the Scots, Picts, and Saxons, who penetrated into
the interior in the reign of Valentkuan, A. D. 364. Various
generals having failed in expelling these invaders, Theodosius
was appointed commander ; and his success and subsequent
policy attest the wisdom of the appointment. Hearne sup-
17 Formerly this ground was a part of the possessions belonging to the an-
cestors of the writer, who for many ages had a considerable estate in the neigh-
bouring village of Merton, and lie buried in that church.
f 8 Stratton is so called from being placed on a Roman street. Keun, p. 18,
203 ALCHESTKR.
poses that " he garrisoned Alchester, A.D. 367, then a large
and well-fortified -city, with a considerable number of well-
disciplined men. That he also set guards upon the frontiers,
ordered divers watches on the highways, and fixed small
garrisons or camps at Stunsfield, Round Castle near Bladon,
and at Coombe." In another place the same author asserts
that Alchester was occasionally honoured with the presence of
Theodosius during the time he governed Britain, and that a
subordinate officer had a hall or palace erected at Stunsfield.
These observations arose from a tessellated pavement having
then been lately discovered at that place 19 *
The opinion of Hearne was afterwards controverted by a
Mr. Pointer, in a pamphlet in which he maintained that Al-
chester never was the station of Theodosius, but of the diffe-
rent generals who commanded in these parts subsequent to
the defeat and death of Allectus. He also ascribes the Stuns-
field pavement to a general of the latter 3 °.
However there may be a disposition to regard the period of
the Roman power with complacency, their maxims of policy
and government were not ultimately beneficial to the pro-
vinces. Professedly a military government, their first object was
to deprive the inhabitants of their arms, and commit the de-
fence of the province to the valour of the legions. The num-
bers of the latter were daily recruited from among the flower
of the youth, who when once enrolled were taught to con-
sider the camp as their home, and their only hope of ad-
vancement to rest on implicit submission to the will of their
commanders, and a strict attention to military discipline.
Hereby they became alienated from the peculiar interests of
*9 Hearne on the Stunsfield Pavement, published with Leland's Itin. vol. vHu
a* Pointer's Account of the Stunsfield Pavement, Oxon. 1713.— From these
writers it appears that the coins found at Alchester have chiefly been these of
Claudius, Probus, Allectus, and Diocletian.
ALCHESTER. 203
their country, and desirous only of supporting the government.
The arts of luxury also which were introduced among the
provincials^ tended to depress and enervate ; and the daily ex-
hibition of strangers raised to the highest honours and offices
in the state, while they were studiously depressed, introduced .
a carelessness of the welfare of thfeir country, and a desire of
personal gratification only. So that when the irruption of the
barbarians rendered it necessary for the Romans to recall the
distant legions, without spirit to defend their possessions the
provincials became the prey of the first daring invader.
The period of the Roman government in Britain, from the
invasion of Aulus Plautius (A. D. 43) to their final departure
in the reign of Honorius (A. D. 420), comprises the space of
three hundred and seventy-seven years, during which Alches-
ter attained and preserved some degree of consideration. That
day now, however, fast approached which would reduce it to
its primitive insignificance : — To mention the circumstances
connected herewith, as far as our scanty materials will admit,
is all that remains.
The immense hordes of barbarians which assailed the em-
pire on every side, together with the perpetual calls of the go-
vernment for new levies of troops,, which were immediately
destroyed, announced to the unhappy provincials the speedy
destruction of the Roman power. But in no/ part of that
vast state were these portentous appearances regarded with
greater terror, or their effects more speedily felt, than in
Britain. The inhabitants beheld the retiring legions with dis-
may and despair; and before they had finally abandoned the
island, trade had ceased, and every mechanical pursuit was
given up ; so that in a few years the necessary art of ma-
sonry had so much decayed, that the Britons were unable to
rebuild the broken wall of Severus, or repair their decaying
cities, without Roman skill and assistance.
When the mistaken policy of the Britons invited the Saxons
204 AIXHESTER.
to assist them in repelling the incursions t>f the Scots and
Picts, and these allies afterwards treacherously sought to
seize upon the country, the British cities afforded their in-
habitants some security against the first attacks of the enemy,
and allowed them time to recover from the surprise occasioned
by this perfidy. Perceiving that the successive multitudes
which continually reinforced the Saxons could aim at nothing
less than the entire conquest of the country, they nobly re-
solved to defend it, or perish in the attempt. Committing
their cause to the sword, they engaged in several desperate
conflicts, and the prosperous or adverse state of the war daily
added discipline and experience to their valour.
For nearly one hundred years the Britons, under various
leaders, maintained a vigorous struggle against the numerous
hosts of Saxons who assailed them on every side. The Bri-
tish fortresses for a long time retarded their progress; and the
natives perceiving their desperate situation, took every local
advantage of hill, forest, and morass. Success at first was
extremely doubtful : the brave Ambrosius (A. D. 490) per-
formed prodigies of valour, and long sustained the fortunes of
his country* His courage was only equalled by his perseve-
rance; and from his assumption of the command to the battle
which terminated his life (A. D. 508) his exertions were
crowned with success. To encourage the Britons, he visited
every part of the country liable to the attacks of the enemy,
and animated their resistance by his eloquence and example.
In these military excursions it is* probable that Alchester was
not neglected, and Kennett supposes the encampment of his
army on the rising ground of Ambrosden is still preserved in
the name of that village.
A. D. 516. The renowned King Arthur served under this
prince, and succeeded to his honours and dangers. In twelve
successive battles the discomfited Saxons felt the severity of
British vengeance ; but their final success attests that they
ALCHESTER. 205
gradually gained ground. Cerdic laid the foundation of the
West Saxon kingdom ; Oxfordshire and the adjacent counties
were occupied by the Angles (A. D. 560), not however until
the country was entirely desolated, and the cities and fortresses
destroyed. The few Britons who remained were reduced to
abject slavery ; and desolation and barbarism spread itself over
the face of a land lately highly cultivated and polished.
Historians represent in strong colours the various cruelties
exercised by Pagan Saxons on British Christians. Their priests
are described as slain before the altars ; their bishops as driven
from their flocks ; and their churches as entirely demolished.
The whole mass of the original inhabitants is said to have
been exterminated, and their language eradicated : indeed,
the whole country was so much depopulated and desolate, that
a few years after the Saxons were settled it bore the appear*
ance of one newly discovered and colonized, so much had
these thrown every thrhg into a state of uncultivated nature * x .
The ruins of some of the strongest edifices in Alchester re-
mained until after the settlement of the West Saxon kingdom,
when these were demolished by Birinus the Bishop of Dor-
chester, and the materials used to build and fortify a town
near its site, on the frontiers of the kingdom, which was
named, after its founder, Burin- ceastre. Time has gradually
softened its name and improved its buildings, but Bicester
must ascribe its origin to the strong and massive walls of the
Roman city 31 .
What scattered fragments remained were used by succeed-
ing ages as a quarry to furnish bricks and stones Tor the con-
struction of their wretched huts and villages. Wendlebury,
Chesterton, and the neighbouring hamlets, all conspired to
blot out its existence from the earth. The lapse of ages
*' Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, vol. vi. p. 393-337,
18mo, London 1807. Henry's Britain, vol.i. p. 125-133. Id. vol. ii. p. 314.
a* Kennett, p. 28.
206 ALCHESTER.
silently crumbled its scattered masses to atoms, the inundations
of the adjacent stream washed away its banks and filled up its
ditches, and the efforts of husbandry eradicated all traces
of its streets ; thus leaving the memory of its former state to
be preserved by the tradition of a strange people, entirely
ignorant of Roman greatness, and perfectly careless of Roman
arts.
The uncertainty that must attend all conjectures respecting
the population of a British Roman city, as well as the nature
of its edifices, public and private, has induced the writer to
pass over the subject 33 . It ought however to be remarked,
that as two British churches are mentioned in Oxfordshire 34 ,
previous to the invasion of the Saxons, the small number of sta-
tions in that county might render it probable that one of them
was built in Alchester. — But on this subject further informa-
tion cannot be obtained. — No event of sufficient importance
occurred in this part of the country to* introduce the semi-
barbarous historians of a strange language and distant aera to
► the knowledge of Alchester. All the Roman monuments of
learning of a local nature perished in the general ruin ; or, if
any manuscript survived till learning shed a dim ray on the
gloom of the Saxon monasteries, the lazy monk suffered them
to decay untranscribed.
— — *— ^— — — ■' ' ■ - — - — - — —
» Those who wish to obtain a description of a British Roman city may
consult Dr. Henry, who has collected most of the descriptions given by the
Roman writers on that subject, vol. ii. p. 1 18 to 123.
34 When Augustine came into the county of Oxford, to a village called
Cumpton, i. e. LongCumpton, Warwickshire, at the edge of the county, the
parish priest waited upon him, and complained of the lord of the manor re-
fusing to pay bis tithes, upon which Augustine reproved him, and convinced
him by a miracle of a dead body raised from the grave; who confessed him*
self to have been patron of the church in the time of the Britons, and to have
been excommunicated for the like default above one hundred and fifty years
before.— Kenn. quot. Bromptun, p.i36.
ALCHESTER. . 207
HISTORY OF CARAUSIUS AND ALLECTT#.
The neighbourhood and city of Alchester having been sup-
posed to oear some relation to Carausius and Allectus, a short
account of these distinguished individuals is subjoined, though
it ought to be recollected that there is no authentic history
which identifies any of their transactions with these places.
The birth of Carausius is doubtful. Dr. Stukeley asserts that
he was born at St. David's, and descended of the old British
blood royal : while Gibbon declares he was a Menapian of the
meanest origin. It is agreed that he was a brave man, and
rose by his merit ; that he had served in Britain and <*aul,
and was afterwards raised to the important station of Count
of the Saxon shore, the duty of which was to guard the sea-
coasts from the descent of "the northern pirates*
Gibbon states that the integrity of the new admiral was im-
mediately warped by his interest ; that he suffered the pirates
to commit their depredations, and then intercepting them
on their return, obliged them to resign a part of their spoil,
which he appropriated to his own use. That these circum-
stances coming to the knowledge of the Emperor Maximian,
orders were issued to put him to death; but that the execution
of them was eluded by his liberality to the fleet and armies
which he commanded; and that these supported the pro-
vinces in the revolt, and saluted him emperor. But a more
plausible and favourable account of the conduct of this hero
is given by Dr. Stukeley :— according to him, the jealousy
of Maximian was excited by the reputation of Carausius,
after he had defeated the Burgundians and Alemains; and
secret orders being issued for his destruction, no other
means of escape 6fler$d than assuming the purple, in which
he was supported by the fleet and the Britons : and after
Maximian had tempted the fidelity of his troops, and hazarded
208 ALCHESTER.
an engagement on the sea, that emperor deemed it prudent
to respect Mfc claim, and acknowledge him as a colleague, on
condition of his continuing to defend the sea- coasts.
The reign of Carausius is generally represented as benefi-
cial to Britain. He secured the friendship of the T>icts and
Scots, repaired the foss dyke, founded Granta, now Cam-
bridge, and projected many public works. But Diocletian
having refused to ratify the treaty which Carausius concluded
with Maximian, and on the great festival of Mars (March 1)
appointed Constantius Chloris Caesar and governor of Britain,
the honours of Carausius became insecure, and he was obliged
to prepare for war.
The friendship of the Franks enabled Carausius to baffle
the whole power of the empire, and for seven years his fleets
rode triumphant from the Pillars of Hercules to the northern
sea. Yet he must feel a secret dismay at the hourly accounts
which he received of the preparations of Constantius. The
stupendous mole which occasioned the fall of Boulogne, and
threw a part of his fleet into the enemy's hand, while it mate-
rially increased his danger, showed the perseverance and abi-
lity of his foe. However, his courage did not forsake him : he
applied himself with great diligence to prepare every thing
necessary to resist the threatened invasion. But while thus
engaged at York, he fell a sacrifice to the treachery of Allec-
tus, one of his chief officers and confidents, who immediately
assumed the government and the purple.
The abilities of Allectus were unequal to the difficulties of
his station ; yet the three years which intervened between the
death of Carausius and the descent of Constantius were dili-
gently employed in fortifying the cities and securing the coasts.
The preparations being at length finished, Constantius divided
his forces into two parts, which he purpose*! to land at oppo-
site points of the coast, that the attention of Allectus might
be distracted. The command of one of the squadrons was
ALCHESTER. 20Q
given to the Prefect Asdepiodotus, and the other reserved for
himself. The former, setting sail, passed the fleet of Allec-
tus near the Isle of .Wight, by favour of a thick fog ; and land-
ing' on the coast of Britain without opposition, immediately
burned his ships, that his troops might have no hope of safety
but in victory. No sooner was the intelligence communi-
cated to Allectus, who had posted himself near London^ than
he hastened to meet and give him battle. This forced march,
however, had so fatigued and dispirited his soldiers, that they
were speedily overcome, and Allectus himself slain. Desti-
tute of a leader, the province immediately returned to the obe-
dience of the Romans, and Constantius was received with
pleasure and surprised with acclamations.
Such appears to be the genuine and authentic history of
Carausius and Allectus; but it is varied by the anonymous
author of the History of Alchester in the following way.
It is said that Allectus, being envious of his master's ho-
nours, determined upon a revolt ; and, having collected his par-
tisans, built and fortified Alchester as an inland town, " that
he might have where to reinforce himself in the main land."
That Carausius, being desirous of crushing one enemy ere
another landed, marched an army into this neighbourhood,
and formed an entrenched camp on Bayard's- Green. That
the armies soon after met, and a 'desperate battle ensued, on
a plain about two miles from Alchester, in which Carausius
was slain, and the place obtained the name of Caraus-field or
Caversfield. That immediately after the battle, Allectus as-*
sumed the purple, and proceeded carefully to fortify the cities,
and place the country in the best state of defence against
Constantius, who was preparing to invade it. That among
the inland fortresses Alchester occupied his utmost attention,
and was frequently honoured by his presence and court ; but
that much of its consideration was lost after he was slain by
F
210 ALCHESTER.
Asclepiodotus at the fatal battle of Elsfield, which closed the
independence of the British province.
Both these statements are submitted to the judgement of
the reader. The writer of the anonymous History of Alches-
ter was evidently a man of learning, and the History itself is
the best specimen of his talents. Some credit is certainly ' j
due to the ingenuity which so plausibly adapted the names .
and events to these obscure places : but the attention which |
his story has gained among succeeding writers may serve to
caution future antiquaries against being led away by a co-
incidence of names.
APPENDIX.
* 2
/
APPENDIX.
No. I. . '
Life of Rosamond Clifford,
WttLiAM LoMspb, the grandson of the fair and unfortunate
Rosamond Clifford, having obtained possession of the Manor
of Bicester, together with the circumstance of this neighbourhood
having been immediately tonnected with her eventful story, ren-
ders some account of her life particularly interesting.
This lady was the daughter of Walter Lord Clifford, who in con-
formity with the practice of that age placed her as a boarder in God-
stow nunnery, for the purposes of education. According to ancient
writers, the females resident in that religious house were allowed
considerable indulgence : they were even permitted to spend
one day in the year at Godstow fair, and occasionally to visit Med-
ley and Binsey. It is supposed that Henry first saw Rosamond
when she was about fifteen years of age (A. D. 1149), and the
prince himself very young. Now if this account of the discipline
of the nunnery be correct, opportunities of overture were abun-
dant : nor is it improbable that Henry softened the fall of his
victim by promises of honourable retribution : — but the love-pro-
mises of a prince depend for performance on political expediency*
The repudiated Queen of France, Eleanor of Guienne, held a
jceptre in her hand ; and the pretensions of ensnared beauty and
f ubdued innocence weighed trivially on the opposite side.
As the circumstances attending their connexion were either
treated with indifference or studiously thrown into shade by the
writers of that sera, an impenetrable doubt involves the whole affair.
But according to the best accounts it appears, that, after Henry had
•succeeded in seducing Rosamond, he constructed for her recep-
tion a bowef or retired dwelling at a short distance from Wood-
214 APPENDIX.
stock palace. This building is described by Chancer (who is sop-
posed to draw the scenery of his. poem entitled " The Dream" from
that park) as a white castle seated on an eminence and adorned
with maples. It is probable that the adjoining gardens consisted of
the topiary work so usual with the fanciful gardeners of that period r
and perhaps the remains of these twisted and unnatural alleys,
together with Henry's amour, gave rise to those tales which have
passed from father to son, or rather from mother to daughter,
touching a bower erected by King Henry for the reception of Fair
Rosamond, round which he constructed a labyrinth so artfully
contrived that no stranger could possibly untread its mazes.
That here Rosamond was concealed from the jealous Queen, till
in a luckless hour that dreaded personage discovered the beauty
at the outward door of the labyrinth. Rosamond fled ; but in her
haste dropped a ball of silk, a part of which adhering to her foot
or garment acted as a clue. The Queen penetrated the recess-;
and, though at first struck by her beauty into amazement, com-
pelled her to swallow poison.
Such is the legendary account. But none of the ancient writers
countenance the story ; and there is no ground whatever for be-
lieving that Rosamond died out of the ordinary course of nature.
Brewer is of opinion that she renounced all intercourse with Henrj
•oon after the arrival of Queen Eleanor in England, and retired
to the nunnery in which her happiest days had passed, and lived
there in penitence and seclusion several years. — This however is
directly contradicted by Brompton and Knyghton, both of whom
fay that she died soon after the splendid apartment was built for her
reception at Woodstock \
• ■ ■ ■ ■■ ■■■ ■■ ■ ■
1 Decern Scriptores, p. 1151. p. 2395.— In the Gent. Mag. is the following
extract, published from a book written in the fourteenth century : " It bifei
that »he (Rosamond) died and was buried whyle the Kynge was absent. When
he came agen be wolde se the body in the grave. And whanne the grave was
opeuned there sate an orrible tode on her brest by twene her teetys, and a foul
adder begirt hir body about hir midle, and she stank e so that the Kynge ne none
other might stand to se the orrible sight. Thanne the Kynge dyde shette agen
the grave, and dyde wryte theese two veenis upon y* grave : Hie jacei in
tomba, kc.» Vol. 54, p. 970.
APPENDIX. 215
ttatamond bad two sons by that monarch, William Longgpe,
or Longsword (so called from the sword be usually wore), after-
wards married to Ela daughter and heir of the Earl of Salisbury $
and Geoffery Plantagenet, elected Bishop of Lincoln and after-
wards Archbishop of York.
The body of Rosamond was interred by her parents before the
high altar at Godstow, and round a costly monument were lights
directed to be kept continually burning) but in 11 91 they were
removed by order of Hugh Bishop of Lincoln, and her body
buried in the Nuns' Chapter-house. At the Reformation her bones
were again disturbed and her tomb destroyed, which is said to have
had on it interchangeable w wirings, decked with red and green
roses, and the picture of the cup out of which she drank the poi-
son. This cup, however, Gough conjectures to have been a cha-
lice, often found on the coffin-lids of ecclesiastics •• When a boy
I accompanied my father to Godstow to view a large stone coffin,
said to have been Rosamond's, but apparently designed for two
bodies, as it was divided by a ridge of stone running from head to
foot* This was afterwards engraved from a drawing by Grose, and
inserted in the Gentleman's Magazine for Nov. 1791*
No. II.
An account of the Tenants, Rents, mnd Services with-
in the Manor of Berencester. 1325. 18, 19, Ed-
ward II.
(translation.)
Berncester. — Persons holding hereditarily by free tenure.
John lb Vbchk and Agnes his wife hold one messuage and its
Curtilage, which is between the land formerly of Emma Bartlett
and the land of John le Bakere. They also hold one acre of land $
whereof one half acre lies under Buchamwey, between the land of
Hugh Eylot and the land of William Hamond $ and the other half
acre lies in the land which is called Grascroft-furlong, and extends
* OxfonUbire : Beauties of England and Wales.
21 (J APPENDIX.
towards Cesterton between the land of Walter de Langleye and the
-iand of William Hamond; and pay rent per annum one halfpenny, at
Easter $ which messuage and its curtilage and land the said John
and Agnes have by the demise of Nicholas le Rede and Anne hit
wife, by their deed, paying rent for the same to the chief lord one
halfpenny as aforesaid. And they hold by form of the statute, as
in the court held at Berencester on Tuesday next after thfe feast
of Saint Dionysius, in the; ninth year of the reign of King Edward
son of King Edward, is more fully contained ; on which day the
said John performed fealty. The said John also holds one messuage
and a half yard land by homage and fealty, which Hugh atte Ford
Chaplain formerly held, and which the said Hugh had by the gift
of Margery atte Ford his mother, who held in capite the said
land of the lady, paying rent per annum 2s. 6d. at four times of the
year ; to wit, at the feasts of St. Michael, of the Nativity of our
Lord, of the Annunciation of the Blessed Mary, and of the Na-
tivity of St. John the Baptist, by equal portions.
Geoffrey de Langleye, son of the Lord John de Langleye lord
of Bigenhull, holds one messuage and one yard land with a meadow
in Berencester, which is called le Palmerslond $ to wit, that messuage
and that yard land with the meadow in Berencester, and pays rent
for the same per annum fa. at the times aforesaid ; which messuage
and yard land, with the meadow, lie in the field according to the
following description -, to wit, one acre lies near the Canons' wall,
between the land of John the Baker and the land of Nicholas 1&
Grey j and one acre above the Hulle, between the land of the
Prioress and the land of Thomas son of William. Also two acres
above Longelond near the Wodewey, between the land formerly
of the Lord John de Langleye and the Wodewey. Also three
acres and a half at the Fish-pond, near the land of Nicholas le
Grey. Also two acres and a half above the Croftland, between the
land of the said Nicholas and the land of the Prioress and the
land ofHobert Eylot. Also one acre at the Mulnewey, near the land
of the aforesaid Nicholas and of the widow Alice. Also one acre at
the Wowelond, near the land of John de la Ford and the land of
John ion of Walter. Also one acre lying between the land of Alice
Heirhicbes and the land of Thomas son of William. Also one acre
APPENDIX, 917
to Bodemore, near the land of the Prioress.' Also three acres abote
Hesneford, between the land of Nicholas le Grey and the land of
Simon le Frend. Also three acres at Fisbthoroe, between the land
of the widow Alice and the land of Walter Cavel. Also one acre
above Crockweltfbrlonge between the land of Nicholas le Grey
and the land of Ralph, at the upper end of the village. Also two acres
above Eldefbrde, between the land of Nicholas' le Grey and the
land of Nicholas Germayn. Also three acres above Hy nacre, be*
tween the land of the Prioress and the land of Walter Cavel. Also
three acres above Imbelowe, between the land of Nicholas le Grey
and Kyngesmere. Also one acre above Haggethorn, near the land of
Nicholas le Grey; Also one acre above Podwellforlong, between
the land of the Prioress and the land of the aforesaid Nicholas.
The meadow belonging to the aforesaid yard land lies par*
1 ticularly as follows : to wit, Two-acres and a half above Rowelovtfe,
between the land of the Prior of Berencester and the land of
Nicholas le Grey. Also one acre (Henedacre) lies in Kynsedeham.
Also three acres at the Whitbeyes, between Heienesmede and the
land of the Lady Prioress. The Prior of Berencester holds two
acres of land of the aforesaid yard land, which he had in exchange
(habuii in escambio) of Walter de Langleye j and they lie to-
gether at Eldeford in the North Field, between the land of Nicho-
las Germayn and the land of Nicholas de Saford.
John son of Thomas Abbod holds by a certain indented writing
made to Thomas Abbod and the heirs of his body, in the name of
Agnes formerly Prioress, and of her Convent, one messuage with
its curtilage, where he dwells, which is situated between the messu-
age which Robert le Webbe formerly held, and the gable of the
capital messuage which H. the Smith formerly held; and pays rent
per annum I2d. and suit of court. The said John holds another
messuage with its curtilage, where he dwells, by a certaitv indented
writing made in the name of Isabella formerly Prioress, and of her
Convent, to Thomas Abbod and the heirs of his body, which is situ-
ated between the messuage which Henry the Smith formerly held
and the great gate of the Lady Prioress, and pays rent for the same
per annum, at the end of the year, 35. 6d. and suit of court. The
same John holds one piece of ground opposite to the ground be-
$ 1 8 APPENDIX.
longing to bit messuage, at the end of the cow-house of the tadf
Prioress, where there used to be ingress and egiess to the croft of
the Prioress from her manor; and pays rent for the same, at the feast
of St. Michael, 2d. And holds without a deed, under the name of
Matilda and her Convent, and the heirs of the body of the said John
lawfully begotten, one messuage with the ground pertaining there-
to, which formerly Roger le Mayoe held near the messuage of the
Lord of Bigenhull, which he holds of the Prioress. Tbey bold
also by the same writing ten acres of land of the said Prioress in
the Field of Berencester ; whereof two acres lie at Eldeford, be*
tween the land of the Prior of Berencester and the land of Nicho-
las de Saford 5 and one acre and a half and one rood lie above
Morforlong, between the land of Gilbert de Stratton and the land
of Nicholas le May; and one rood lies at Levenchesdich, between
the land of the Lord of Bigenhull and the land of John Mich ; and
two acres and a half lie above Lysthynacre, of which half an acre
lies between the land of the Earl of Lyncoln and the land of
Htamonch . , ; 5 and one acre lies between the land of the said Ha-
mond and the land of John atte Ford ; and one acre lies between
the land of John Gavel ; and one acre called Cuttacre lies above
Mangethorn, between the land of John Pines and the land of Agnes
le Blake, and half an acre lies near Buchamwey, between the land
of John atte Ford and the land of John Mich ; and half an acre lies
there. between the land of William Cavel and the land of Robert
Michel; and half an acre lies there between the land of John Knight
and William Cavel 5 and one acre lies above Goldforlong, between
the land of the Lord of Bigenhull and the land of Robert Michel,
and he pays rent per annum, at four times, 10*. 6d.
Robert son of John le Smith holds one messuage near trie court
of the Lady Prioress ; and pays rent for the same per annum, at the
aforesaid times, 3s. and suit of court,
William, son of John Squier, holds one messuage with its
curtilage, to himself and the heirs of his body lawfully be-
gotten, by a certain indented writing made in the name of Agnes
Prioress of Markyate and her Convent 5 which messuage with the
curtilage belonged formerly to Hugh Coci of Berencester 5 and be
pays rent for the same, at the aforesaid times, 2s. and suit of court,
APPENDIX. 1219
John Goldei holds two messuages and four acres of land : where-
of one acre lies above Buchamwey between the land of Nicholas
de Saford and the land of Robert Thames ; and one acre*lies at
Melleweysend between the land of John Gavel and the land of
John de Aston 5 and one acre lies above Nynacre, between the land
of the Lady Prioress which Peter Galewei holds, .and the land of
Andrew le Rooke 5 and half an acre lies above the Mil lewey send,
between the land of John de Aston and the land of Nicholas le
Saford $ and half an acre extends unto Twyseledwey, between the
land of the Prioress and the land of Andrew le Rooke. And he
pays rent for the same per annum, at the aforesaid times, vis. and
mit of court.
Sum of the Rents of the Free Hereditary Tenants 34*. 7$d.
Whereof 8s. S\d. is for the time of St. Michael : 8s. 7%d. for the
time of the Nativity: 8*. 8d. for the time of the Annunciation: and
8s. 8%d. for the time of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist.
Free Tenants of Cottages for the term of their lives.
x Matilda the Taylor {leTaillur) holds by Court Roll one messu-
age with its curtilage, for the term of her life ; and pays rent for
the same per annum, at the four times aforesaid, 4s. and suit of
court.
Isabella Mandi holds one messuage with its curtilage, by Court
Roll, for the term of her life 5 and pays rent per annum, at the
aforesaid times, 2s. and suit of court.
John Monekes and Matilda his wife hold by an indented writing,
for the term of their lives, one messuage with its curtilage, and pay
rent per annum 3s. and suit of court. "
John the Baker and Christiana his wife hold by indented writ-
ing, for the term of their lives, four houses with the curtilage ; and
one oven, with customary suit for the same : and they pay rent per
annum, at the times aforesaid, Qs. and suit of court. Sum 18s.
Lands of the Domains let for the term 0/ life.
John Abbot holds for the term of his life, by Court Roll, one acre
and one rood of land, as they lie in the field in five parcels j whereof
990 APPENDIX.
one rood lie* between the land of Nicholas the Bailiff* of JBigenhull
and the land of Robert Michell of Bigenhull, and extends as far
as OMedich $ and another rood lies between the land of the afore-
said Nicholas and the land of John Rooke above Shottedown, and
extends above Longelond j and another rood lies between the land
of Robert Michell of Berencester, and extends as far as Longelond;
and another rood lies near the land of Nicholas aforesaid of Bigen-
hull, and extend* above Oldedich 5 and another rood lies at the
lower end of Oldedich, near the gap between the land of Nicholas
at the bridge and the land of Robert Eylot. And fie pays rent for
the Bame per annum, at the times aforesaid, ±8d.
The same John holds for the term of his life, by Court Roll, ten
acres and one rood of land, which John Faber formerly held : where*
of six acres and a half lie in Rydiforlong in the Ridemor near Oxen-
ford wey, and half an acre lies aboveOverdemershlond ; and one acre
and a half and one rood lie together near Cuttacre, between the
land of Walter Sebern and the Brodewey, which leads towards
Bikenhull ; and half an acre lies above Cuttacre, between the
land of William Hamond, slave born of the Lady, and the>
land of William le Blake 5 and half an acre lies above Magethora
near the land of Nicholas de Saford, slave born of the Lady ; and
four roods of land lie above the Staneputtes, between Roger leReve
and the land of John James 5 and one rood lies beyond Overlonglond,
between the land of Roger le Reve and and one acre lies
in the Netherbrech, between the land of Nicholas le Reve and* • . •
, The same John holds by Court Roll one acre and a half of land :
whereof one acre lies above Strongforlong, between the land of
WalterSebern andOrcherdeforlong; and half an acre lies nwrOlde-
cnore, between the land of Hamond atte Nunende and Robert Ger-
meyn, slaves born of the Lady-. And he pays rent for the same per
annum, at the times aforesaid, Js> 6d.
The same John holds for the term of bis life, by Court Roll, two
acres of land at Gibelyng, near the land formerly of John de
Bigenhull, on the south side : and he pays rent per annum, at the
times aforesaid, 1 Id
* Praepo»iti.
APPENDIX, Ml
.. John the Baker and his wife hold eight acres of arable land, by
Court Roll, at the will of the Lady : whereof two acres lie between
the land of Thomas Book and the land of Thomas William, and
•xtend above Buckamwey; and two acres lie in the Morforlong,
between the land of John atte Ford and the land which belonged to
Robert Eylot ; and two acres lie at Mangethora, whereof one acre
* lies between the land of Thomas Williams and the land of William
Cavel, and another acre, lies between the lanjl of William Cavel
and the land of William Frankleyn ; and half ad acre and one rood
lie above Cornbull, between the land of Agnes le Blake and (be
land of William le BJake, and one rood lies, between the land of
Simon Qermeyn and the laqd of the aforesaid Nicholas, and one
acre lies above Cornhull, between the land of the Lady Prioress and
the land of John Wattes. And they pay rent for the same per
anpum, at the times aforesaid, 4s. lid.
Nicholas le Blake holds by writing indented, for the term of bis
own life and that of Agnes bis wi^,. twelve acres and one rood of
land : whereof six acres lie above Waterforlong ; and two acres lie
near the way, to wit the Gores above ghorteforlong, and half an
^cre at Kyngesmere, and one acre at Longelondes, and one acre, at
Hangateshull, to wit Foreshete, and one aqre and a half above
Waterforlong nearer to BerenpeBter, and twp roods above Water-
forlong in Lallesden, and two acres in Lallesden, and one rood in
the Broke beyond Bigenhull. And he pays rent for the same per
annum, at the times aforesaid, 7$. dtf.
Simon. Germeyn and Matilda his wife hold by writing indented,
for the term of their life, sixteen acres of land : whereof one acre lfes
in Southfeld above Grascroftforlong,and two acres above Lntterapiw
forlong, and one acre in the Furlong towards Bigenhull, and.fcwo
acres and a half above Hodesforlong, and half an acre (which, is
called Brodehalfsacre) inTachemullewey,and one acre above Mar*
jforlongi nearer to Berencester 5 and three acres in Nprthfejd ab^ve
^rokforlong, and two acres above Waterforlong, and ope aqre . in
Lallesden, and two acres in the Breche. And they pay rent fat
{he same per annum, at the times aforesaid, JO5.
Johp (Je fcacp and JPeteonilla his wife hold by Court JWl Mo
222 APPENDIX.
acres of land lying together abore Overnynacre, between the iatoi
of my lord the Earl of Lincoln and the land of John Rooke in
the north field. And they pay rent per annum, 14d.
John de Aston holds four acre* and a half of land, which John
deBigenhull formerly" held : whereof half an acre lies above Over-
denyshlond, near the land of John Hargur ; and another half acre
lies in the same place, near the land of John Whyn j and half an acre
lies at Mulleweyloncfe, near the land of John Goldes; and one acre
and a half lie at Cornhull, near the land formerly of John le Bakere
holding of the Lady j and half an acre lies at St. Edbutghes Grene*
wet/, near the land of John Abbot j and one acre in Netherdenyshe-
lond, near the land of Simon Ward. And he pays rent per an-
num, %s, \0{d.
William le Blake, slave bdrn of the Lady, holds at will those
three acres which the master William the Vicar sometime held,
and after him John Faber and Isabella his wife sometime held :
whereof one acre lies in the Morforlong, near Sidenhall; and half
an acre lies near Stanfordewey, and another half acre lies
. . and another half acre at Eldeford, and another half acre above
Overdenysbelond. He pays rent per annum, 2s. 3d.
William Cavel and Nicholas de Safbrd, slaves born of the Lady,
hold four acres of land which Roger Morian sometime held :
whereof two acres lie in the Northfeld at Cotemanleye. And they
pay per annum, at the times aforesaid, 2s. 8i And they are held
by Roll at will.
William Cavel, slave born, holds four acres of land by Court
Roll : whereof one acre ties above Hangeteshulle, near the land of
Nicholas le Blake ; and one acre between the land formerly of
Simon Germeyn and a land of Agnes le Blake, and abutting upon
the aforesaid acre and half in Lallesden; and half an acre above
Middlefurlong, between the land of Nicholas atte Brigge and Robert
Germeyn j and one acre in Middlefurlong, between the land of
Nicholas le Blake and the land of Simon Germeyn. He pays rent
per annum, 2*. 8£
Robert le Friend, slave born of the Lady, holdf by Court Roll at
will five acres of land : whereof one acre lies above WadJorlong*
APPENDIX. 223
between the land of Simon Germeyn and the land of the said
Robert ; and one acre lies in the same piece, between the land of
Robert Baud and the land j and half an acre
lies above the Croftelond, between the land of John att& Forde and
the land of John Walter, and extends above the Wodeweye ; and
half an acre lies above Eldefeld, next to the More between the land
of John James and of Walter Sebern; and one acre lies above
Netherdenyshelond, between the land of John Knyght and the land
; and one acre above Shorteforlong, between the land
He pays/ent per annum, 2s. lQd.
Peter Galawar, slave born of the Lady, holds for the term of his
own life and that of his wife, six acres of land : Whereof two acres
and a half lie together above the Netherysacre, between the land
of Robert Germeyn and the land of John Goldes ; and two acres
lie in the Morforlong between the Lord John de Langeleand John
Erbich $ and half an acre lies In the Shorteforlong, above the old
dych between Robert Germeyn and John Stevene; and one acre ex-
tends above Imbetaw Grene\ Wey between the Lord of Bigenhull
and John de Saford, he pays rent per annum, at four times, 4s.
6d. per acre gd.
Sum of Acres demised for the term of life, eighty acres and a
half and one rood.
Robert Elyot Chaplain, son of Robert Elyot lately deceased,
who was slave bora of the Lady, and who held in viUenage 3 two
messuages and two half yard lands of the Lady, holds one messu-
age and half a yard land of the aforesaid two messuages, and two
half yard lands, which messuage is situated near the tenement
formerly of John Syrech -, and the said half yard land contains 2fe
acrts of arable and one acre, one rood, one parcel at Shrofdeles.
Two swathes of the said meadow lie as follows : — Half an acre
lies in Southfeld in culture, atte Spore, near the land of the
Lord of Bigenhull: and one rood at Gadewey, near the land of the
aforesaid lord; and one rood in Oredoune near the land of William
.«fMM*n*pi
I /n bondaqio ,* in bondage or TJIIenage.
224 APPENDIX.
Cavel on the one side, and the land pf Nicholas atte^Brigge } ao4
one rood above Strongforlong near the land of Peter Gallowaf j
and at Wowelond half an acre, near the land. of the Prioress of
Merkyate ; and at Godeforlong half an acre, between the land of
Peter. Galewar and of Walter Sebern ; and half an acre bi Lesemor
tide, near the Iqnd of the Lord of Bigenhull ; and at Funleslo one
rood, near the land of Walter Sebern ; and at the Foxhal half an
acre, near the land of Robert Thames j and in the same place half
an acre, near the land of Simon Germeyn ; and in the same place
half an acre, near the land of John Eylricb ; and one acre in the
same place, near the land 0/ P. Galewar 5 and half ^n acre atte
Twiseledewey near the land of John atte Brigge ; and half an acre
beyond the Twiseledewey, near the land of John le Rooke ; and
half an acre at Shorteforlong, near the land of John Walter; and
half an acre at Brademor, near the land of Robert le Friend ; and
half an acre in the same place, near the land of Walter Sebern; and
half an acre in the same place, near the Jand of John Walter; and
half an acre in the same place, near, the land of the Lady Prioless ;
and one acre atThofteweUemor, near the land of the Lord of Bigen-
hull ; and in Oldefeld half an acre, between the land of the Lady and
of John Walter; alsoin the Not thfeld half an acre, at the Wowelond,
near the land of John Walter ; and one acre above Crockwellefor-
long, near the land of John Walter ; and half an acre above Pouk-
wellefbriong, near the land of Simon Germeyn ; and bfdf an acre
at Isenfbrdhull, near the land of Robert Wymark; and half an acre
at Sidenhal, near the land* of Ely Coke ; and half an acre beyond
the road to St: Edburg, near the land of Robert le Frend ; and half
an acre at Stanforde, near the land of John atte Ford ; and half an
acre in the same place, near the tend of Robert Thames,- and half an
acre in the same place, near the road to St. Edburg; andone rood at
Cornhull; near the land of Walter Sebern 5 and one rood in the same
place, near the land of Andrew le Rooke; and half an acre at Cote*
mantaye, near the land of John atte Ford ; and in the same place
one rood, near the land of John atte Ford ; and at Gatethorn half
on acre near the landof John James; and haifan aere^at Overbrech,
near the land of Simon Germeyn; and half an acre at Sagesthorn,
APPENDIX. 225
near the land of Peter Galewar, and half an acre in the same place
near the king's highway, and at Waltersforlong half an acre be-
tween the land of John Walter and of Walter Sebern and half an
acre in Lallesdon near the land of Walter Sebem, and half an
acre at Kyngesacre near the land of Robert Coleyn and half an
acre at Middleforlong near the land of the Prior of Berencester
and half an acre in the same place near the land of John Cavel
and he pays rent per annum at the end thereof one mark and one
coming to the court.
Of which* meadow half a rood lies atte JFitheyes near the Prior's
Meadow and half an acre atte Lake near the land formerly of Si*
mon Germeyn and one rood hetwhene dike near the land formerly
of John at Ford, and one rood atte Rowelowe by lot as it shall fall
out between the said Robert his brother William, John, Walter,
and Peter Galeware, and half a rood and half a swathe at Sborte-
dolemede and one parcel at Shrofdolemed between the saidRobeit
and his brother William and containing as it shall fall out by lot,
and two swathes at Mathames when it shall fall by lot amongst the
community.
Sum of the rents of the Holders of the Domain Lands for the
term of their lives 64s. 6{d. whereof for the time of St. Michael
16s. \{d. for the time of the birth of our Lord l6s. l|rf # for the
time of the Annunciation . frc.
Rents and Services of Copyholders.
Robert son of Nicholas Germeyn holds one messuage and half
a yard land in villenage at the will of the Lady and is bound to per-
form one ploughing in winter and one weeding and one wed bed -
rip 4 at the will of the Lady, and shall have one meal and is
bound to perform one mowing for half a day, and a whol£ yard
land of the same tenure shall have hery at what are called
euenyngs as much of what is mown as a mower can lift up with
his scythe and carry home with the same, and half a yard land of
the same tenure shall have livery in the evening with a companion
« Reaping performed by a tenant for his lord.
a
226 . APPENDIX.
as much of what is mown as a mower can lift up with hit scythe
and carry home, and the mower shall have his breakfast from the
Lady Prioress, and the said Robert and all the other copyhold te-
nants of the Lady having livery are bound to turn the grass which
has been mowed in the meadow called Gilberdesham without
receiving a dinner and there to toss up the bay and make it into
cocks. And he is bound to carry four cart-loads of hay to the
yard of the Prioress and he shall have one breakfast from the Lady
Prioress. And a yard land of the same kind shall perform three
days work in Autumn to wit one day's work without a dinner with
three men and one day's work without a dinner with one man
and if he be a binder he shall have at the said days work one sheaf
of wheat for seed of the last wheat that was bound, and he is
, bound also to perform one day's work at the will of the Lady with
his whole family except his wife and shall dine with the Lady and
as often as the binder has his dinner he shall not have the sheaf,
and he is bound to carry four cart-loads of wheat in Autumn to the
manor of the Lady and he shall have one breakfast and be is bound
to be assessed at the feast of St. Michael at the will of the Lady
Prioress, «or is he allowed to sell a male horse or an ox of his own
feeding, nor to put his son to learning, nor to give his daughter in
marriage without the permission and will of the Prioress, But if the
Lady Prioress be present the said Robert shall fetch and carry eat-
ables and drinkables to the Prioress during the time that she shall
tarry in the county at her will, and he shall also pay^ rent per
. annum at the four usual times 2s. 6d, and suit of court.
William Hammond holds one messuage and half a yard land by
the same service and pays rent per annum 25. 6d.
William Cavel holds one messuage and half a yard land in man-
-. ner aforesaid and pays rent per annum, 2s. 6d.
John Cavel holds one messuage and half a yard land and pays
rent per annum 2s. 6d.
The same John holds one messuage at the will of the Lady be-
sides the other aforesaid tenement and pays rent per annum 2s.
Robert Michel holds one messuage and half a yard land by the
aforesaid service and pays rent per annum 2s, 6d.
APPENDIX. 227
Robert le Friend holds one messuage and half a yard land by
the aforesaid services and pays rent per annum 2s. 6d.
. Rose who was the wife of John Knight holds &c. as above and
pays rent 2s. 6d.
John Walter holds one messuage and half a yard land and pays
rent yearly 2s. 6d.
Peter Galeware holds the same &c.
William son of Robert Eylot holds the same &c.
Nicholas de Saford. holds the same &c.
William le Blake holds the same &c.
Alicia who was the wife of Richard le Grey villain and slave
born of the lady holds one messuage two acres of land and half
an acre of meadow and shall perform one weeding and one wed-
bedrip and haymaking, and shall find one man to make a haycock
as the aforesaid Robert son of Nicholas and shall perform three
days work in Autumn without allowance of food and she pays rent
per annum I2d.
Nicholas at the Spring holds one messuage with a croft and two
acres of Jand and half an acre of meadow by the same services
as the aforesaid Alice and pays rent per annum IQd. and suit.
Sum of the rents of the Copyholders and Villains 34s. 6d. where-
of for the time of St. Michael 8*. 7 \d. &c.
Sum total of the whole rent aforesaid 7/. 1 Is 8 Id. &c.
John Abbot holds one messuage and pays rent for it per annum
3s. yd. at the times aforesaid and suit of court.
The sime John holds another messuage formerly Roger le
Moy ne's and pays rent for it per annum As. at the times aforesaid.
The same John and Juliana his wife hold 4 acres of land in fee
by deed whereof 2 acres life at the Cadeford and 1 rood at Liveru-
chesdich and 2 acres and a half at the Morfoiiong and they pay
rent for the same per annum 3s. 6d. at the times aforesaid.
The same, hold 6 acres of arable land in fee by deed whereof
\\ acre lie near Buckinghamewey towards the north side and \\
acre lie above Overynacre and 1 acre which is called Catacers and
J acre above Goidfurlong and 4 ends which contain 1 acre &c.
a 2
238 APPENDIX.
The same John holds at the will of the lady ],acre and 1 rood
of land lying in 5 parts whereof J rood lies between the land of Ni-
cholas * Bailiff of Bygenhull and the land of Robert Michel of By-
genhull and extends as far as Olddich and another rood between the
rood of the aforesaid Nicholas and the land of John Rok above
Shortdoun and extends as far as Longeland and another rood near
the land of Nicholas the bailiff of Bygenhull and extends as far as
Oldedich and 1 rood lies at the lower end of the Oldedich near the
Scappe between the land of Nicholas at the Bridge and the land
of Robert El>ot paying rent for the same yearly IScL at the ac-
customed times &c.
Of lands let to farm.
John Squier holds 2} acres of land of the domain of the Prioress,
whereof l£ acre lie above Overfordeshull and 1 acre above Hodes-
forlong for the term of his life and pays rent for the same per an-
num 22\d.
Nicholas le Blake holds 13 acres and 1 rood of land whereof 6
acres lie above Waterforlong and 2 roods near the road, to wit, the
Gores above the Shortforlong and \ an acre at Kyngesmer and 1
acre at Longeland and 1 acre at Hangateshull to wit Foreschetere
and l£ acre above Wateresforlong near Berencestre and 2 roods
above Waltersforlong in Lallesdene and 2 acres in Lallesdene and
1 rood near the broke beyond Bykenhull and he pays rent for
the same per annum Js. 6d. at the times aforesaid and holds for the
terra of his life and that of Agnes his wife.
John de Astone holds 4 acres of land whereof 1 acre lies above
Overdencheland and £ an acre lies at Seynt Edbvrges Grene Wty
near the land of John Abbot and \ an acre at Melesweyende and
1 acre at Cornhull and \ an acre at Standfordsgreneweye and 1 acre
above Netheresdencheland and be pays rent for the same per an-
num 25. lOrf. &c.
Roger Mortimer slave born of the Prior of JJerencester holds 4
acres of land whereof 2 acres lie in Southfeld at Oldediches end
i ■ . i ■ - - —— — — ~— — ~— — ■ — ^ _ — — —
* Propositi.
APPENDIX. 229
and 2 acres lie in Northfeld at Colraanleye and he pays rent for
the same per annum 2s. Bd. at the times aforesaid and it is held for
the term of his life.
Henry by the custom holds 9 acres and 1 ri>od of land whereof
5 acres lie above Radyfbrlong and & an acre above Overdenches-
land and 1 £ acre and 3 roods above Catacre, &c.
No. III.
Charier for the foundation of an Hospital in Burcester.
»
A. D. 1355.
(translation )
The King to all unto whom &c. Know ye that of our special
favour we have granted and given permission for ourselves and our
heirs as much as in us lies, to Nicholas Jurdan of Burcester Her*
mit, Guardian of the Chapel of the blessed John the Baptist of
Burcester, that he may found a certain Hospital for the reception
and entertainment of the poor and sick to the honour of God and
of the glorious Virgin Mary his Mother and of the blessed John
the Baptist at Burcester and may endow it with one hundred shil-
lings of land and rent per annum with the appurtenances according
to their true value, excepting lands, tenements, and rents which
are held of us in capite, to have and to hold unto the said Guar-
dian and his successors in aid of the support of the same and of a
certain Cnaplain to celebrate divine service on every day for ever
in the aforesaid Chapel for our welfare and for that of Philippa
Queen Consort of England and of Edward Prince of Wales our
most dearly beloved son as long as we shall live and for our souls
when we shall have been withdrawn from beholding this light, and
for the souls of all the faithful deceased, the statute against placing
lands and tenements in mortmain notwithstanding, &c.
Witness the King at Westminster 15th day of May.
230 . APPENDIX,
No. IV.
Account of the outgoings and incomings of the Dairy
of Le Brech. 1407, 8, 9, Henry IV. .
• (translation.)
Wkechwyke, Account of Henry Deye and Joan his wife of all
outgoings and incomings of the Dairy 7 of the Lord Prior of Burn-
cestre at his close of Le Brech kept by the same from the morrow
of St. Michael the archangel in the seventh year of the reign of
King Henry the fourth after the conquest unto the same morrow
of the same day in the eighth year of the same reign.
Sale of Cows. First ; the persons aforesaid are responsible for
7s. received for one cow sold to John Grene butcher of Burn-
cester this year. Sum Js.
Sale of Calves. For 20d. received for a calf of the aforesaid
Cow which was sold to the said John Grene this year. And for
I2d. received for a weak calf of a certain heifer 9 sold to the afore-
said John this year. And for 105. &d. received for 5 calves of the
outgoing of this new year sold to the butcher of Langeton this year.
Sum 13s. 4d.
Sale of Skins. In the sale of skins nothing done this year.
Agistment of Beasts. And for 35. Ad. received for the feeding
of sundry beasts within the aforesaid close and out of it this year.
Sum 35. Ad.
Sale of Cheese. And for 67 s. 6\d. received for cheese and butter
as appears by a bill of things remaining with brother Richard Albon
the Canon this year : and the less on account of the very great
plenty of cheese this year throughout the whole parish. Sum 67s.
6\d.
Sale of Fuel. And for 2s. 2d. received for thorns and branches
remaining after the making and repairing of the hedges of the afore-
said close, sold to the men of Langeton this year. And for 3d. re-
Da yri. ? Hekfore.
APPENDIX. 231
celved for one load of. sold to John Gtrene of Burcester this
year. Sum 2$. 6d+
Sum total received 3s aforesaid 4/. 13s. Jfyl.
Allowance. Out of which things are allowed unto the afore-
said Henry and Joan for their yearly salary paid at four-times of
the year 13$. Ad. And in allowance to the same for five bushels
and a half of salt bought this year 35. A\d. And for exchange made
for one cow remaining in store for one bullock of John atte Mulle
12d. And for a new Cowele 9 bought 9c?. And for a new Kevere 1#
bought Sd. And there is allowed unto them for one cow with its
calf bought of John Okie butcher of Stratton 7s. 6d. And there
is allowed to them for two bushels of wheat lOd. And there is
allowed to them for carriage of straw by William Holt junior from
the rectory of Stratton 1 id. And there is allowed to them for the
making and repairing of the hedges by sundry men of Langeton
45. 2d. And for the victuals of the said men 25. Also there is al-
lowed to them for carriage of whitfe straw for the rectory of Strat-
ton aforesaid 1 \d. And for William Throcchere threshing for five
days \0d. And for the repairing of the Cow-bouse lid.— Sum
385. ll£<*.
Costs of a new cart and of new husbandry. And there is allowed
to the same Henry for two oxen bought of John Clerk of Lange-
ton 265. 8d. And for another ox bought of John Yve of Burcester
125. 6d. Nothing is charged here, because it stands' in the account
of the Bursar of the Priory of Burncester. And there is allowed
to the same for two Turkeys (Africanis) bought at Bannebury with
their expences 155. 2d. And in one new plough bought of Hugo
Spinan \Od. And for the making of another plough by John Ben-
hull 4\d. And for one share and one coulter and half a beam u
with one Plowshoe " bought 23d. And another share is pot down
nothing here in money because it was purchased with the work*
ing of a plough ploughing the land of Simon Adam. And there is
allowed to the same for sundries drawing and driving the plough
' A tub with ears carried between two persons.
10 A cover or vessel used for milk or wbey. »» Toughe.
>* Plowsbo.
232 APPENDIX,
with their victuals and expenses this year 17*. g$d. and for II
bushels of wheat bought for sowing 5s. 10£</. aud for one quarter
of pease bought for sowing received from the rectory of
Stralton, as appears by the account-roll of Nicholas Alleyn bailiff
there this year 2s. &d. and 2 quarters of barley reckoned here no*
thing in money because received from the rectory of Stratton afore-
said as appears likewise by the account-roll of the aforesaid Nicho-
las Alleyn this year. And there is allowed for 1 8 bushels of oats
bought for sowing As. 6d. and there is allowed for hay bought for
the cows and oxen 6d. and there is allowed for three new harrows
bought to harrow \%d. and for one seedlip l * bought 3d. and for
one' cart- saddle H one collar with one pair of traces bought 14d.
and for another collar with wbitleather bought Ad. and for the
making of drawing- geer u by Walter Carpenter of Langeton 3d.
and for two other collars bought 2d. and for two hempen halters
with whip-cord 16 bought 3d. and for iron bought with three
horse-shoes bought at sundry times Jd. and for the ex peaces of
William Throcchere. • • . mowing in the meadow of la Breche \6d.
and for one dung- cart ,T bought of Simon Adam with its appurte-
nances \Ad. and for sawing and planing one cart-body w by William
Pire with his victuals 6d. and for making a cart by Richard Schere-
man Qd. and for a pair of wheels bought of John Helmenden 3s. 2d.
and for fastening the fellies 1P of the same 3d. and for shoeing the
same 10 by Laurence Smyth I8d. and for weeding half an acre of
land in the crofts 6d. and there is allowed to the same for Richard
Plumbar for hanging* 1 the waggon for twelve days 3s. and for John
Bowdon for hanging 2 * the waggon for one day Bd. and for victuals
bought for the makers of the Prior's ricks 1 2d. and John Hey-
ward . . . . sixteen acres and a half of different grain 9s. 64.....
Sum 1095. 2\d.
Sum total of all the aforesaid expenses Jl. Js. Sd. and thus the
allowances with the aforesaid expenses exceed the receipts
53s. g\d.
»» Seedcod. »4 Cartsadol. >5 Drawgere. >* Whippecord,
»7 Dongecart. "• Car^body, >f Fritting. «• Calciatura.
91 Furcante, fitting the body to hang on the axle or wheels.— Glossary.
APPENDIX. 233
Account of Henry Deye and Joan his wife of all outgoings and
incomings from the dairy of the Lord Prior of Burncester at his
close of Le Brech in the manour of Wrechwyke kept by the
tame from the morrow of St. Michael the archangel in the
eighth year of the reign of King Henry the fourth unto the same
morrow of the same day in the ninth year of his reign.
First, they reckon nothing this year from the sale of cows.
Sale of Calves. Also they are responsible for lgd. received for
one calf sold to John Grene butcher of Burcester this year. —
Sum igd.
Sale of Skins ; nothing this year.
Agisting of Beasts. And 3s. 5 J. received for the keep of sun-
dry beasts within the aforesaid close and out of it in the com-
mon pasture this year. — Sum 3*. 5d.
Sale of Cheese. And for 57$. 5d. received for cheese and but-
ter sold, as appears by a bill of things remaining with Master
Richard Albon Canon this year, and the less on account of the
very great plenty of cheese throughout the whole parish, and like-
wise besides presents of cheese made by the Prior. — Sum 57$. 5d.
Sum total received 57s. 5d.
Allowance. Out of which things they pray to be allowed for
surplusage of the account of the year immediately foregoing as
appears on the other eide of this roll 53*. Q^d. And for their
salary for this- whole year 135. 4d. And for salt bought nothing
in money, because it was bought with the sale of cheese.
Sum 67 s * * V- and tnu8 > ^P°° tn * s account there is owing to the
aforesaid Henry and Joan 4s. 8|rf.
Account of the aforesaid Henry and Joan for stores remaining
within the aforesaid dairy in the year aforesaid.
First ; they are answerable for three bulls remaining in store-
Sum 3s. and remain.
334 APPENDIX.
No. V.
Priory Accounts. Burcester, 1425.
(translation.)
Bukcester. Account of master Richard Parentyn Prior, and of
brother Richard Albon Canon and Bursar there, of all goods re-
ceived and delivered by them from the morrow of St. Michael the
archangel in the third year of the reign of King Henry the sixth
after the conquest unto the said morrow in the. fourth year of the
same king.
Curtlington. First ; they are responsible for a red rose received
on the day of St. John the Baptist from Henry Bowell of Curt-
lington aforesaid, for certain lands and tenements which the afore-
said Henry holds there by indenture therefore made.
Newenton Purcell. And for one clove received on Easter day
for certain lands and tenements formerly belonging to Roger de
Stodele, and some of which are now made over to John Purcell
lord of the same to hold to him and his heirs for ever.
Pouhele. From whence nothing this year.
Arrears. They are also responsible for 78/. 125. 5\d. remaining
of the arrears of the last account of the year immediately pre-
ceding, as appears at the foot of the account of the same year.—
Sum 78/. 1 25. 5\d.
Rent with farms. And for 4/. 4*. 4d. received for the rent of
fourteen tenements in Burcestre Buryend and Kyngend, as ap-
pears by the rental this year, and for 36s. received for the farm-
ing of a horse-mill within the priory this year, and not more on
account of the bad conduct of the miller, who having occupied it
more than half a year ran away without paying any rent. And
for 26s. 8d. received for a water-mill situated there this year.
And for 735. 4i. received for the rent of tenants in Wrechewyke,
as appears by the rental this year. And for 34s. received for
APPENDIX. 235
crofts lying there this year. And for 56s. 6d. received for lands
meadows and pastures lying in the fields of Wcech wyke aforesaid
let to sundry men of Blake thorn and others, as appears by the tally
against William Spinan collector of the same rent this year. And
for 66s. Sd. received from John Yve for the farm of a new close
near Gravenhull per annum. And for 35s. 6d. received from the
dairy of La Breche* as appears by the account roll of John Deye
and bf Margery his wife this year. And for 37/. 8*. received for
rent in Dadington, Clyfton, and Hampton, with the farm of the
manor and mills of Clyfton aforesaid, with extents of courts,
portmotes "and the toll of the market, as appears by the account
of John Wolfe collector of rent there this year. And for 31/.
13$. Ad. received from the grange of Stratton Audele, as appears
by the account of Nicholas Aleyn bailiff there this year. And
for 6s. Sd. received for a certain tenement which the same Nicho-
las holds there per annum. And for 60s. received from the farm
of Caversfeld per annum. And for J 3/. 6s. Sd. received from
the farm of Grymmsbury per annum. And for 4/. 13$. Ad.- re-
ceived from the farm of Westcote this year, and no more on ac-
count of the falling off of the rent. And for 26s. Sd. received
from the culture and pasture of Black en hull in the parish of
Wodesdon this year. And for 53?. Ad* received for rent in Arn-
cote, with hidage there this year. And for 33*. Ad. received from
John Chambre and from John Yve for the site of the manor with
the lands and meadows of the domain there per annum. And for
25. received for rent from Fryngford per annum. And for 18/.
6s. Sd. received from John Donesmore for the farm of Bemount
per annum. And for Al. As. 2d. received for rent in Curtlington
by tally against William Newman collector of rent there per an-
num. And for 16/. received for the farm of the Church of Ard-
yngton this year. And for 4/. 13$. 4d. received for the farm of
Letecumbe this year, and no more on account of the falling off of
the rent. And 5/. 6s Sd. received from the farm of our part in
y6 A convention of* the inhabitants, in which some customary dues were
paid.
236 APPENDIX.
the church of Campton Basset, and no more on account of the
filling off of the rent this year. And for 185. received for rent
in Wendulburi this year. And for 555. 4d. received for rent in
Takele this year. And for ... . received from the farm of Mud-
lington this year. — Sum l65l. lQs. 6d.
Outgoings t>f the manor. And for 8s. received for one foal
sold by John Deye at Bocks at the feast of the Apostles Peter
and Paul this year. And for 21 s. 8d. received for ten quarters of
pease sold to John Nuttebeme this year. And for 375. Jd. re-
ceived for eighteen quarters and two bushels of pease sold to sun-
dry men in lots this year. And for 26s. 8d. received for pease-
straw sold to John Trote this year. And for 25. Ad. received for
old hay at Crockwell sold to Robert Grene this year. And for
125. received for five skins of oxen. And for 45. proceeding from
the cattle store. And Is. for a certain ** killed at the
larder «and sold by the cook, as appears by the Journal this year.
And for 25. 7d. received for two cow-skins of the store of La
Breche, and which cows were killed in the hostel per week, -as
appears by the aforesaid Journal of things sold this year. And
for 45. 8d. received for three skins of cows bought and killed in
the hostel as above and sold this year. And for 25. received for
sixteen skins of store calves of La Breche killed in the hostel as
above and sold this year. — Sura 1 \Qs. lOd.
Outgoings of the Sheepfold. And for 45. received for twenty
one lambs sold to John Deye of Wrechwyke this year. And for
9* received for thirty six skins of Welch tags killed in the hostel,
between the end of St. Michael and Lent, and sold by brother
William Chestreton cook this year. And for 35. 3d. received for
thirteen skins of store tags killed in the hostel between the end
of Easter and sheepshearing time, and sold by the same this year.
And for 35. \%d. received for fifteen pelts u of hoggrels which had
been bought and killed in the hostel between the same shearing
time and the aforesaid end of St. Michael, sold by the same this
** Hietto, sheep of two years old. Vide Glossary.
* Peltys.
APPENDIX. 237
year. And for 2s. lid. received for fourteen skins. And for 10/. 185.
6d. received for twenty three tods * of clean wool sold to a mer-
chant at Oxon this year at gs. 6d. per tod. And for 12$. received
for refuse wool sold to Nicholas Aleyn this year. And for 2s. for
broken wool, viz. locks so gathered at sheepshearing sold to John
Deye this year. — Sum 12/. 3*. gd.
Outward Receipts. And for 2CW. received for underwood
sold by Thomas Seler at Bernewode this year. And for 2s. 7\d.
received in part of payment for the tithe of lambs in Burcester,
Wrechwyke, and Bygenhull this year. And for 100$. received
from the Vicar of Burcestre, being a donation of the same
towards building anew the dormitory this year. And for 20d. re-
ceived and given by John Tanner towards the same work this year.
—Sum 1055. ll\d.
Letting of Lands. And for 5s, received for a half yard land,
with half an acre of meadow in Longedole raede, and with half
an acre of meadow in Ayl meres mede, let to Richard Cooke, per
copy, for the term of his life, &c. — Sum \Js. Id.
Sale of Herbage. And for Ss. received for the whole tithe of hay
and for headlands lying at Northmede let to Thomas Keep this
year. And foe 5s. received from Mulneham, with three acres of
land formerly arable lying in the Medeacres beyond Langeford
&c. And for gd* &c. for the herbage of the heads of three acres
and a half lying together in a certain furlong called Burygate, which
John Sellar formerly held, &c. And for Schortdole mede nothing
in money this year, because in the hand of the lord. And for the
meadow of the Prioress of Merkyate nothing in mdney, because it
remains in the a#re of the lord this year, &c. And for 6s. Sd. re-
ceived for two hammys* 1 of a meadow in the field of Wendlebury
6old to Philip Webb this year, &c. And the slade towards Gra-
venhull nothing in money this year, because it remains in the store
of the lord, &c. — Sum 4/. 4?. 10</.
Perquisites of court. And for 6s. Sd. from John Smythe,
* fodde. »• Laky*. 31 j. e . the herbage if them.
238 APPENDIX.
flave-born of the Prior, for a certain fine to have entrance in one
messuage with one yard land, formerly belonging to Henry Kyng,
lately demised to John Drap by indenture. And for 3d. received
for extracts of a court held at Bnrcestre on the feast of St. Nicho-
las the bishop this year.-- ^-Sum 6*. X id.
Sum of the whole aforesaid receipts with arrears 273/. lOs. 3\d.
Re-payments and allowances. Of which things they pray
that there may be allowed to the lord Le Straunge for a fur-
long lying on the outside of the door of the mill of the Priory,
85. Ad. per annum. And for payment to the lord of Bygenhull for
a furlong lying next on the outside of the door leading into the
country. . . . the foot- way 6s. Sd. per annum. And in payment to the
same lord for a certain tenement in the Venella n , 20d yearly, and
in payment to our lady the queen for a certain tenure at Dadynton
Yld. yearly j and in payment to the same lady for a certain helowe
wall of one house at Curtlyngton 2d. yearly ; and in payment to the
same lady for a new rent in the same village for a false casting up
amongst the tenants there, the present being the 17th current year,
10d. per annum. And in an allowance to the farmer of Clyfton
aforesaid for the report of the houses and closes aforesaid of his
farm this year, 66s. 8d. &c. And in an allowance to William New-
man, collector of our rent of Curtlyngton aforesaid, for his labour
this year As, And in allowance to the same for irrecoverable
aroei cements this year 6d. &c. And in allowance to the same for
two strange oxen valued at the lord's court, but not paid for and
unjustly detained, 26s. £d. &c. And in allowance to the same for
the digging of stones at the Prior's quarry there, ^th the repairing
of digging tools, as appears by the account of the same John,
58s. 8d.— Sum 10/. 17*. gd.
Annual pensions. And in payment to the Abbot of Osencye at two
times of the year by two acquittances, 60s. And in payment to the
Abbot of Egnesham at two times of the year by two acquittances,
3* Venelle. Fr. Petite Rue. Ang. Street.
X
APPENDIX. 239
40ft And in payment to the Prior of the house of Su Anne of the
Carthusian order, near Coventre, for a certain pension of the late
Abbot of Aulney in Curtlyngton, at two times of the year by two
acquittances, 40s. And in payment to the Abbot of Messenden for
a certain freehold farm in Arncote, at two times of the year by two
acquittances, 61. 13$. 4d. And in payment for a certain pension
called Schirewyte, 4s. annually. And in payment to John Peparof
Wendlebury for a certain pension 6s. Sd. annually. — Sum 14/. 4s.
Tithes and procurations. The tithe of our lord the king, nothing
this year. And in payment for tbe«procuration of the convoca-
tion of the clergy held at London before Christmas this year Qd.
And in payment for procuration of our lord the pope*and acquit-
tance this year 7s. 2d. And in payment to our lord the Archdea-
con of Oxford for procuration of the parochial church of Burces-
tre this year 7s. 7\d. And in payment to the same for the Easter
visitation this year 2s. And in payment to the same for the visi-
tation at St. Michael this year \2d. — Sum 18$. 6\d.
Debts discharged. And in payment to John Buntyng, citizen and
apothecary at Oxford, for sundry drugs bought of the same, &c.
6s. id. &c. And in payment for eels and other fresh fish bought
at Dadington by John Wulfe in the year aforesaid 2s. 4d. — Sum
lis. 5d m
Cost of ploughs and carts. And in two sets of fellowes for wheels*
bought at Be mount, as appears by a paper this year, viz. at two sun-
dry times I85. And in expenses of carriage of the aforesaid two
Bets of fellowes" from thence, with expenses of Richard Dymby
at the same place to- bargain for the aforesaid fellowes, 23d.
And in one pair of wheels called schoxears bought there, as ap-
pears by the aforesaid paper, &c. 7s. 2d. And in six iron strakys,
&c 5s. And in cart nails, gropys, and other iron articles boaght
at Oxford of John Myl ton, ironmonger 3 *, \2s.4d. And in pay-
ment* to John Pope of Middlington for ironwork for the same 20d.
And in ten spikes bought of the same for ironwork for the same
3 Clausis rotarum. ** Yrcninonger.
240 APPENDIX.
lOd. And io payment for frylttng* five wheels this year, Jd.
And in one axletree bought, with patting an axletree to one cart,
Qd. &c. And in five yards of waddemole* bought for horses' col-
lars this year, 2s. Id. Sec. And in three collars, one basse, together
with three halters bought at Sterisbrugge 97 this year 5s. 10{d. And
in one whip bought there this year 2d. &c— Sum 6L 8%d.
Necessary stores 90 . And in one large lock bought before the Feast
of St. Kalixtus Pope this year 1$. And in parchment bought at.
the fair of St. Frideswyde 6d. And in paper bought at the same
time there 4d. And in one chair bought at London at the feast of
St. Thomas Apostle Qd., and in payments to the Sub-prior for coppe-
ras and galls, bought for varnish at the same time 2d. And in two
pounds of candles bought for the Prior's lamp before Christmas
this year 1 2d. And in eight pounds of wax bought at Oxford on
the same day to make two torches " for Christmas at the Prior's
hall 3s. And in repairing a Hour-sieve this year \%d. And in
boulting-cloth 40 bought for sifting flour, Sec. IQd. And in two
horse girths, with more articles bought at the same time for the
Prior's table 6d. &c. And soap bought at one time to wash the
Prior's hall id. &c. And in nineteen ells of linen per ams. bought
for making table-napkins for. the refectory this year 5s. And in
hair-cloth bought there for the bake-house this year 3s. 6d. And
in eight snoden of pack-thread bought there for making a net to
catch rabbits this year 6s. And in six padlocks bought there ls.6d.
And in two large locks 2d. And in one pound of bird-lime 41 bought
there 3d. And in one hair-sieve 4 * bought for the bake-house there
lOd. And in two hand-scuttles bought there Jd. And in five
scuttles 49 of a smaller kind bought there for other offices Qd. And
in four mats bought there this year \3d. — Sum 685. id.
Stores of the inn. And in white bread bought at different times,
as appears by the bill, viz. for the Prior and other guests this year
3s. lOd. And in ale, viz. one hundred and thirty-two gallons 44
- - .■I. ■! , ... .-■- ■ ■■!! ■ ■ I «
J* Fastening with fellows. *« Cl.th to cover horse-collars.
»7 Stourbridge, or Sturbich. * Munita, from Munir> F*.
39 Torceys. 4° Bult< rcloth. <> Byrdlyme.
« Heresy ve. u Scotellis. i* Lagenis.
APPENDIX. 1141
atjd a half, bought of Joan Spinan, Alice Bedale, and otter ale>
wives, as appears by the bill, &c. 4s. Wd. And in thirty-two gal-
lons of red wine bought of Richard Brasyer of Burcestre, at Sd, per
gallop, 31 s. 4d.** And in three gallons and three quarts of sweet
wine bought of the same, at \6d. per gallon, 5s. &c. And in can*
vass* bought at London by Richard Dymby, before the feast of
St. Osith the Virgin, for making sheets, 3s. And in a bolt of red
silk at Steresbrugge, for making a cope 47 (for the priest), As. 8d.
&c. — Sum 104s. \d.
Costs of houses. And to W, Hykkedon, mason, hired for four days
to make a threshold for the parlour door towards the prior's hall,
kc. \6d., and in nails bought of John Bette for the same door 12c?.
and in rings bought for the same door Bd. -, and to John Coventre,
with two servants, tiling over the chamber called Clykchambour,
towards the court, for four days, 3s. Ad, \ and to two sawyers hired
for ten days to saw elm boards for making doors and windows,
6s. Sd. j and in six estregbords", vis. wainscots bought at Steres-
hrugge 2s. Id. &c. > and to W. Hykkedon, hired by the great at
the lord's dwelling-house, to smooth and finish the crest over the
chancel of the priory there, 24s. kc. — Sum 53s.
. Costs of the dormitory-house. And in W. Skern, with his com*
panions, hired by the great to dig walling-stones at a quarry beyond
Crockewell, &c. 23** 4d. &c. And in sundry men hired at two
different times to break stones in the priory for making lime, &c,
144. &c. And in payment to John Chepyn, quarryman, for fitting
and making eighteen corbelstones, to be placed in the aforesaid*
wall, 5s. Ad. &c. And in John Coventre of Banbury, slater, for
undertaking by the great to cover the aforesaid house, 41. id. &c.
And in iron pipes, weighing twenty-eight pounds, with two
weather-cocks, viz. tin vanes 49 , bought of the smith of Cherkon,
to be placed over each end of the aforesaid dormitory, 5s. 2d. &c.
And in sundry men hired to pull down and draw away the old
timber, rubbish, and stones, 10c! . &c— Sum 34/. 1 Js. 4\d.
« It should be 21 5. 4tf. «■ Canvayce. «* Anabatam.
*• Boards from the eastern countries, Norway, &c. # Vanys dc tym
342 APPENDIX.
• •
Expenses of the kitchen. And in twenty pullets bought by the
cook for the feast of St Kalixtus 2Grf. And in one quarter of beef
bought in Bnrcestre market, at the feast of St. Thomas the Apo-
stle, to salt, \6dm And in one cade of red herrings bought of Har-
mand Banbury, 85. And in bogs' -flesh booght for the clerks of my
lord the Archbishop, sitting at a compertorium at Bnrncestre on
Wednesday next before the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, \Qd.
&c. And in one frail m of figs, 3s. Ad. fcc. And in twelve poftnds
of raisins bought, 13rf. &c. And in three couple of green* 1 fish,
with one green ling, with three congers, and with one couple of
bakets **, 95. 7d. tec. And in a large axe, called a flesh axe* 9 * 1 5d~
And in one hundred of halfwaxfysche, booght at Sterusbrugge by
brother Richard Albon this year, 215. &c. And in fifteen couple
of myllewell of the smaller .kind, 10$. 6d. And in twenty mylle-
well of the larger kind, 12s. And in two bunches 94 of gariick, 6d.
And in one salt stone bought for the dove- house, 2%d. &c— -Sum
46L 7$. Sd.
Costs of the sheepfbld. And in the wages of John Colyns,
shepherd at Crockwell, and general superiutendant as well there
as at Wrechwyke, this year, 20d. &c. And in two yards of rus-
set-cloth, bought and given to the same, Is. 2d* Jtc And in
twelve sheep-hurdles bought of Nicholas Aleyn this year, YJ&.
And in payment for lopping and making thirty sheep-hurdles at
Midlington-fold, this year, igd. — Sum 53s. A\d.
Purchase of grain. And in four quarters of wheat bought at
Stratton of Nicholas Aleyn, for making malt this year, 16*. Ice-
Sum 62s. 3\d.
Bought for the store. And in one bay horse bought of William
Salt of Burcestre, before Christmas this year, for the prior's stable,
26s. Sd. And in two colts bought of John Ayrsbrook, at Easter
this year, Qs. And in three hundred and twenty-four pounds of
Spanish iron, bought at Sterusbrugge fair this year, with carriage
of the same, 18*. 5rf.— Sum 54*. id.
h i — — — ~- — — ■ « 1 ii 1 ■ ■■— — — — ^^— ^^^
P Prayle. f Salted, but which have not had time to dry.
f» Bake. St Fleschaxe. « Boncbjt.
X
APPENDIX. . 243
Weeding, mowing, and making of hay. And in payment of sun*
dry men and women on the first day of the month of July, hired
to weed sundry fields of wheat, as appears by a tally against the
field-man* 5 , this year, 14*. lOd. &c. — Sura 7 As. Bd.
Costs of autumn. And in thirty pairs of autumnal gloves,
bought for divers servants and other labourers this year, As. he.
And in Thomas Hamunde, hired by a general consultation to pre-
pare for the cart twenty-nine lands of barley, ten of which extend
themselves into the Caversfield Brook, and nineteen lie in the
middle furlong towards the white cross, towards BuckenhuU, with
the ernes' 6 , viz. 8d. And in given to William Skinner, a l^d
from the bake-house., one of the company of mowers for ten $iayg,
I2d. &c. — Sum 12/. 135. 3d.
Thrashing and winnowing. And in John Leseby, thrashing w
forty-five quarters of wheat, as appears by the tally this year, tak-
ing 3|<f. for each quarter, Qs. A\d. And in fans hired by the great
to winnow all kinds of grain threshed below the priory this year,
10*. — Sum 4/. 15s. id. "
The chamber of the convent. And in payment to the prior and
convent for their clothing, at the terms of the Annunciation of the
blessed Mary, and of St. Michael the Archangel, this year,
10/. 13*. Ad. And in payment to brothers Robert Lawton and
William Meriton, for their expenses towards the orders existing at
Higham Ferrers, before the feast of St. Michael this year, 7*.—
$omlU.U
Purchase of livery cloth. And in red cloth bought for the
esquires and valets of the prior, of John Bandye, of Great Tue,
clothier, about Christmas this year, Jl. 15s. 2d. — Sum 7 1. 15s. 2d.
Fees, with the salaries, of free-men. And in a fee to John Langf •
•ton, steward, holding the court, 2&. 8d, per annum. And in
a fee to W. Saleman, attorney to the prior, at London, 6s. Bd. per
annum. &c. And in salary to John Baldwin, valet de chambre to
the prior, this year, 13*. Ad. And in salary to W. Puffe, baker, J 5s.
» Agillariqm.— A person appointed to take care of the tillage and harvest-
work and pay the labourers. — See Glossary. . * Scattered ears.
S7 Trituranti ad taxam.
12
\
tM4 appendix.
per annum. And in wages to William Skynner, his assistant, 10*.
And in salary to the wife of the same, she being malt drier this
year, 1 05. And in salary to William Guide, barber this year, 6$. And
in salary to Katharine Colyns, making towels for the kitchen this
year, 20d. And in gift to the same for one apron, 3d. And in
salary to the washerwoman, 6s. per annum. — Sum 8/. 17*. 7d.
Wages of the servants. And in wages to Robert Jamys, upper
bailiff at the Grange, 135. 4d. per annum. And in wages to Ro-
bert Clerk, field-man, this year, 135. 4d. &c. And in wages to Wil-
liam Lethnarde, plough-holder, this year, 15s. &c. And in wages
to William Erlyche,. plough- driver, this year, 14s. &d. &c. — Sum
7 1. 13s. 5d.
Wages of labourers. ' And in John Leseby hedging at the
sheepfold at Wrechwyke and Crock well, 13d. &c. And in Tho-
mas Soler, cutting down twenty one cart loads of underwood at
Bernwode, 35. 2d. &c. And in a certain travelling man hired to
drive plough and harrow for twelve days, I2d. &c. — Sum 425. 3d,
External expenses. And in the expenses of John Gyles, of Ox-
ford, with repairing twp saddles there, &c. 2d. And in the ex-
penses of brother William Chesterton, at Letcombe, on the feast
of St. Leonard the abbot, for back rent there this year, 12d. And
in suits to Thomas Takkele, on account of the returning of two
writs at Oxford at that time. Ad. &c. And in Richard Dymby
riding to London, the second week of the advent of our Lord, for a
boy to be made a canon, with two horses for three days, this /ear,
2s, And in payment to Thomas Takkele aforesaid taking a cer-
tain lad, late the servant of John Grene, to Oxford castle, in Christ-
mas week, because he agreed to serve the prior and did not fulfil
bis agreement, 20d. And in payment to the gaoler there to re-
ceive the aforesaid servant before the time into the aforesaid castle,
because he had not a warrant at that time, 35. 4d. Sec. And in
hurdles bought to re-build Clyfton bridge, in the year last past, 7d.
kc. And in old timber bought at Curtlington, with carriage of
the same, for new making a pillory at Dadyngton, 25. &c. And in
payment to John Spinan, for making four quarters of capital malt,
before Easter this year, Idd. And in the expenses of Richard Bo*
APPENDIX. 345
4eler, at Trenthara, on the feast of St. John, antepartum Latinam,
with sealing the letters of visitation of the canons regular, Ad, &c.
And in expenses of the prior at the general chapter held at Leicester,
this year, 48*. 2d. &c. And in payment for beds of the servants of
the archdeacons of Oxfordshire and Bucks, stopping all night at the
inn of John Fletcher once, 2d. &c. And in all kinds of expenses
of brother Richard Albon, at Sterisbrugge fair, with three horses
going and returning, to buy sundry provisions, &c. for five days
this year, 12$. 6d. &c. — Sum 61. 1 5s, gd.
Expenses against the parishioners of Stratton for burial there.
And in gift to Master John Garton, the prior's proctor, against the
same, 3s Ad And in the expenses of John Baldwyn, of London, to
confer with Master William Howper for taking counsel in the sanSe
matter, before the feast of St. Osith the Virgin, this year, 2Qd.
And in the expenses of the prior there for seven days, to prosecute
the same cause, 405. 8d. &c. And in the expenses of John Sale*
man, carrying rabbits, capons, and other victuals to the prior whilst
he was thete, I2d. And in gift to the servant of the rector of
Wycheford, bringing good news concerning the same cause, .on
the day of St. Theodore, 20d. And in gift to Thomas Bekyng-
ham, on the day of St. Katherine the Virgin, the prior's attorney,
before the Bishop of Worcester, in the same cause, 205. And in
the expenses of the Rector of Whyccheford, at London, for four
days, with two horses, before the same bishop, to confer about the
same cause, Js. Sd. &c. And in Richard Boteler riding to Lon-
don, at the feast of St. Mary Magdalen, to inquire concerning the
coming of the aforesaid bishop to Burcestre, touching the same
cause, 20d, And in gifts to the four servants of Thomas Becky ng-
ham aforesaid, . when he was before the aforesaid bishop, to hear
judgement given by the aforesaid bishop, on the morrow of St.
Anne, the mother of Mary, concerning the two bodies which were
buried in the chapel of Stratton, which were to be taken up again
and brought to Burcestre; and concerning the reparation of other
injuries done to the prior and his convent by the tenants there,
6s, Sa\ And in gift to Thomas Soraerton, at the same time, for
counsel, 6s. Sd. And in sundry victuals, &c. 27s, 5d* And in gift
246
APPENDIX.
to the aforesaid bishop at that time pronouncing the aforesaid
judgement, 61. \3s. Ad. And in gifts to his clerks and gentlemen
at that time, 46$. 8cf.— Sum 161. 15s. gd.
Gifts of the prior. And in gift to a certain Carmelite brother
preaching at Burcestre before the feast of St. Luke the Evangelist,
this year, 3s. 4d. And in gifts to the prior's servants cleaning the
fish-pond near the mill, before the same feast, 6d. And in gift to
a certain harper at the same feast, (his year, 8d. And in gift to a
certain boy of London, permitted to be a canon, before the feast of
All Saints, 6d. And in gift to a certain man of Chestreton at the
same feast, who brought to the priory a certain deer which strayed
from it, 2d. . And in gift to a certain minstrel of the Lord Lestraunge
at the same feast, 1 2d. And in gift to a certain servant Jt>elonging to the
forest., who brought venison to the prior on the morrow of the same
feast, \2d. &c. And in gifts to sundry persons playing at football
on the feast of St. Katheririe, Virgin and Martyr, Ad. &c. And in
eight woodcocks bought and given to the Lady Lestraunge on the
eighth day after Epiphany, 12rf. And in gift to the shepherd of
Crockwell on the day of St. Valentine the Martyr, 2d. And in
gifts to the messenger of the Lord Bishop of Lincoln on the day of
Saints Perpetua and Faelicia, 20d. And in one pair of gloves bought
and given to Master Thomas Becky ngton, 20d. And in twelve
pairs of gloves bought and given to sundry men of the Bishop of
Worcester, 5s. And in gifts for distribution to the poor on sup-
per-day this year, 3s. 6d. And in j/ifts to two shepherds, 2d. &c.
And in gift to the minstrel of the Lord Tallebotte on the feast of
St. Edburg the Virgin, 12d. And in gifts to John Donesmore and
other tenants and parishioners of Missenden to repair the bell there,
6s. ed. And in gifts to two servants belonging to the forest, who
brought venison to the prior on the feast of the Dedication of the
Church this year, 5s. And in two pair of best hose given to the
fame at that time, 20c?. And in sundry gifts to the poor at various
times, as appears by a paper this year, 2s. Ad. — Sum 53s. Jd.
Sum total of all the aforesaid expenses .... ^218 9 2|.
And thus the receipts exceed the expenditure &g 55 12 0£,
APPENDIX. 347
No. VI.
Lease of the Manor of Nun's Place, granted by th*
Prioress and ' Nuns of Merkyate to John Gryf-
fyth y 22 Hen. VIII.
Thys -indentyr made the syx and twenty day of May the yer of
the reygn off Kyng Henry the viij. the two and twenty j between
Dame' Jane Souche, Pryoresse of the monasterye of Merkeyate,
and the nonnes of the same monasterye, of the oon p'tye and Johp
Gryfrytb, gentylman, s'nt to the Lord Cardynall on the other
p*tye. Wytnessyth that the said pryoresse and nonnes, by their
own assent, consent, and agreement, be taken, granted, and to
ferme letten to the seyd John, hys executours and assygnes, all
ther man T , londe, and ten'ts, rentys, statys, and meds meddow*>
londs and pasturs, with their app r tynn'es lyyng and beyng yn
townes and felds of Burcester, alias Burestir, called the Nupnej
Place, or by what soever other name or names they be calle.d, ex-
cept and reserving to the seyd pryoresse and to her successor*,
both of the wards and releyvs and halfe of the courts there: to have
and to hold all the foresayd man r , londs, and ten'ts, and other the
p'mysses, with ther app'tynn'es except before expressed, to the
seyd John Gryffyth, hys executours and assygnes, for the terme of
twenty-oon y*rs, fully to be complete and ehdyd, the t'rae to begyn
at the feste of Seynt Mychyll th' Archangell, whych shall be yn
the yer of our Lord God a thousand five hundredth thyrtc and
ffte, or else to begyne and take effect at any tyme feetweo the date
of thyes p'ntes and the seyd feste of Seynt Mychyll th' Archan-
gell, when so ev r yt shall happen the p'mmisaes to come to tfee
hands or possessyon of the seyd pryoress or her successors by for-
fetur, resygnac'on, surrendre, g'unte, by reco'ry or act'on tryed,or
by any other means, and so to contynewe to th' ende and terme of ooa-
and-twenty yew, then next foloyng and fully to be endyd, yeMyjg
and payeng the for'd yerly to the said pryoresse and convent, and
to their successours, ten marks good and lawful money of J»gkwl,
9*8 APPENDIX.
at too tymes of the yer, that ys to sey at the feite of UT Annuncya-
c'on of oar Lady and Seynt Mychyl) thArchangell, by evyn por-
cyons or wythyn twenty days nest aftr end'g of the seyd feste
durypg the seyde t'me. And yt ys coven'ntyd and agreed betwen the
•eyd p'tyes that the seyd John GryfTyth, hys executours or as-
sygness shall yerly pay to the seyd pryoresse and to her saccessours
the moyte* or halffendels of all such wards, relyvs, p'ym'nts of
courts so before excepted and resyrved to the said pryoresse as shall
come to ther hands other by destryes s*nte of the. ..... or other-
wyse may come to ther hands, and yt is coven'ntyd and agreed
betwen the seyd partyes that yff the said John Gryffyth or his as-
sygnees do bryng the seyd rents wythyn the twenty days at any
time as ys aforeseyd to the seyd monasterye, and ther pey the
seyd rent, then the said John Gryffyth and his assynees shall
have allowed him for the bryngyng toward bys labour and costs
ev*y yer twenty-pence good money. And yff the seyd rent be
not brought as ys afforesaid, but that the seyd pryoresse and her
•uccessours be dryven to send for the seyd rent, that then the seyd
John or hys executours or assygoes shall pay for the cost and charge
of the messengers so comyng for the rent for as long tyme as he
shall tary for the same rent, and so yerly as often as the seyd rent
■hall so happen to be unpaid during the seyd tyme. And also yt
ys conuen'ted and grantyd that yff the seyd John Gryffyth, his ex-
ecutours or assygness for nonreceypte of the seyd wards, reley vs, or
pym'nts of courts or for the recovry of the same be dryven to
dyst'ess or to any other acc'n yn the lawe that the pryoress or her
saccessours shall contynnually half the charge for the recovry of
the same as oft as need requires during the seyd time. And the
•eyd half expence yerly shall be alowyd to the seyd John or his
assygnees at the accompte, and yt is further agreed that yf the rent
of ten marks happen to be behynd onpaid yn part or yn all after the
seyd fests aforseyd, by the space of 12 weeks next after any of the
seyd fests during the seyd time that then yt shall be lawful for the
seyd pryoresse to reent* into the said p'mysses or any part thereoff,
and that to repossess and have agen, and the seyd John. Gryffyth,
his executours and assygness utterly to expelle, amove, and put*
APPENDIX. 249
ought, thys indentyr yn any wise notwythstanding. And it is
coven'ntyd and agreed between the seyd pryoresse and John that .
the seyd prydresse and her successors shall avow and maynten all
such actions as shall fortune to be taken yn ther names agenst the
occupy'res of the pHnysses at the costts and charges of the seyd John
and his assygnes at any time between the dat of thys p'ntes and the
seyd yer off our Lord God a thousand five hundred and thyrty and
fyve, and the action er actions they shall not dyscharge nor dyscon-
tyne without the assent, consent, and agreement of the seyd John
Gryffythj his executors or assygnees > and all such recoveryes of the
premysses with the costs and damyges of the same, the seyd prioress
shall suffer the seyd John Gryrryth, his executors and assignees to
take receyve and levye to their own use and p'ffytt, and thus
recey'ed and had, then the seyd John Gryffyth with the profytte
of the same costs and damages to repayer and amend the said
p'mysses in rep*tiones, and the p*myses so repayred to kepe well
and suffy'ently repayred, and so to be kept. And the seyd John
g'untyth for him, his executors and assygnees, that they shall fynd
and br'ng to the receyvor of the seyd prioress and their servants
yerly when they come to receyve the* rents and pronyt of the
p'mysses, horsemete,' mannysmete, and lodging, so they tarry ther
too days and too nights yn the yer. In witnesse wherofe to the
oon p'teof thys indentur remaynyng yn the kepyng of the said John
Gryffyth, the seyd pryoress and convent hath put ther comen sealej
to the oder part of this indentur remaynyng yn the custodye of the
seyd pryoresse and convent, the seyd John have putte his seale.
Geven in the Chapt r - house of the seyd monastrie, under the Chapt r
aforeseyd, the day and yer aboveseyd l .
Seal appending — A lady seated on a throne bearing a large cru-
cifix on her breast. Underneath a nun kneeling, her arms in the
attitude of prayer, with an imperfect inscription in Roman capitals.
. • _ .
1 Ex or'ig. penes Joban. Coker, armiger.
*
APPENDIX.
No VII.
Valuation of the Possessions G?c. of Bicester Priory 9
by the Commissioners at the Visitation of the Mo-
nasteries. 1535. 27 Hen. VIII.
WittiSs Brown P*or>
Prioratu* de Burcestur' in com' Oxon' infra Dioc* Lincoln* et
Decanat 9 ejusd'm.
Valor onia Man'iox Terra* et Ten'to* R'coria* Pentk>nu~ Por-
c'omf ac cet'o* Possessionu tam sp'ual* q a m temporal' predict'
Priorat' pertinenc' nt sequit r .
In primis de Margeria Coplande pro hospicio le Bell cu
molend* infra diet' priorat' cu terris et clauf uris cu
suis pertin* at 03 per indentar' sibi dimiss* per annu yj iiij —
D' Ric'o Banaster gentUman pro nna claus' jux* p s orat'
predict' sibi dimiss* ut pat3 per iodentur' per annu — xj —
D' Joh'e Lambo'ne pro claus ura de Crockwell una cu~
domo colombar* at pat3 per indentur' sibi dimiss'
per annu' — xiij —
D* quindecim tenentibs castumarijs vid3 pro cotag* in
eadem villa tenent' ad volant' dni redditib5 per annu iiij xij iiij
D' Joh'e Bodycotte de Burcestr* predict' pro le Lampe
Acrejacen' in quodam prato vocato Demayne Mede
ak sibi dimiss' per annu — — xij
ma • • . • xnj x uij
D* terris quondam dfiicalit^ raonast'ij pred'ei et jam
ad firmam dimiss' in le hamlett vocaf le Wrechewyk
in parochia de Burcestr' predict' ad firmam dimiss'
per indentar' pro t'mino annox hijs ho'ib3 sequen-
tib3.
D* Joh'e Lambo'ne pro duab5 clausuris in eodem
hamleto etpro ijbj pec' prati in le Kyngesende in
parochia predict' per annu" • iiij xvii iiij
APPENDIX. i51
D* Joh'e Bodycote pro ijb? claus* ib'm cum di' virgat*
terr* jacen' in campo de Blackthorn in parochia pre-
dict* per annu* — . . iij — » —
D* Joh'e Maunde pro una claus' sub silva ib'm vocat'
le Gravenhull per annu" ...... iiij xiij iiij
D* Joh'e Nashe pro ten'to ib'm cum di* virgat' terre
cu~ pertin' per annu' — vj viij
D* ux'e nuper Willi' Walker pro ten'to cum terns et
claus' cu* pertin' sic sibi dimtss' per indentur* per
annu . «-# ?x*uj iiij
D' Nich'o White pro clausura vocat* le Ov'breche
per annu* sic sibi dimiss' • • iiij -- —
D* Will'mo Bosworthe pro ten'to ib'm tent* ad vo«
lunt' dni cum pertin* per annu" .— vj riij
P' terris jacen' in le campo de le Blakthorne inter te-
nentes sive inh'itantes ejusd'm man'ij per balliu*
diet* prions annuati* dimiss' per annu iij yj viij
S'ma recept* xxij iiij — .
Deducco'es et Resoluco'es ejusd'm Monastery singulis annis
imperp'm solvend' exeunt' de t'ris et ten'ts supMict*.
D* quad'm penco'e abbat' et convent* de Osney et sue
cessoribu3 suis annuati' et imperp'aa aolvend* . ... iij — —
Solut* dno de Bygenhull pro uno teo'to in fine regali
ville de Burcestr' predict' per anno* — — %x
Boluf vicecomit* Oxon* pro le castelF fee per annu — iiij —
Solut* drio principi pro sect' cur' relasand* apud Bur-
cestre predict' per annu'. .'. — vj* viij
Solut* arcbidiaconato Oxon' pro procuraco*ib3 et sino-
dalib5 eccl'la* Burcestr* pred'ee per annu* — x ' vij ob*q*
P' pane et vino ad missas quotidianas selebrand' pro
egrot' et mulrerib3 p ! ngnat s et in festo S'ce Pasche
pro om'ibs inh'itantibs ut pat5 per composico'em
inde fact* per annu* — xx —
Solut' ball'io yid3 Joh'i Nashe de manljs de Buntestr*
et Wrechwjrk ptd fcodo Mo per annu — xl — .
254 APPENDIX.
Elimosina daf.
Fro ai'a Gilbarti Bassot fundatoris pred'c'i raonait'ij in
distribuco*ib3 et elemosinis parochianis Burcestr' prc-
d*ce fting'lis annis solvend' et imperp'm at plen" pat3
per cartain fundatoris sui pred'ci vj — xx
Elimosina data.
It*m in cena dni vids Sherthursday om'ib3 et altis pau-
perib3 give leprosis ad tunc co~venientib3 in pane
|>ortu piscib3 et pecunijs annuati* et imperp'm • -xiij — iiij
S'ma deducc'ois • • xii xiij xj
Stratton Awdeley in com' Oxon, et infra Dioc* Lincoln*.
D*£dwardo Denton et Thoma Denton gent* pro tent"
t'ris et decirais r'corie ib'm illis per indenturam di-
rai8s , per annu . . . ; ^xvj — -
S'ma recept' % xvj — - —
Deduc'oes et Resoluc'oes ib'm.
Solut* dno abbat' de Eynsham pro quadam penc'oe
ea&dem decimal pred'cax ut pat3 compositionem
imperp'm inde fact* per annu — xvj —
S'ma alloc' .....— xvj —
Dadyngton Clyston et Hempton in Com' Oxon' infra Dioe*
Lincoln 9 et Decanat' de Dadyngton.
D' ux'e Simonis Mannjmg pro firmaria de Clyston
et molend' adjacent* cu suis pertin' sibi dimiss' per
indenturam pro t'io anno* per annu x — —
D* Thoma Bryce de et pro uno ten'to in Dadyngton
predict' cu pertin' sibi dimiss' per indenturam pro
t'io anno* per annu -— Ij vj
D'redditibS tarn lib'ox tenenc* q'm custumar' ib'm per
annu xix viij viijol
Sm'a recept*... ••xxxij — ijob
APPENDIX. 353
Deduoc'oes et Resolusiones ib*m
Solut' dio Regi pro quiet' reddit* exeunt* de molendino
de Clyston per annu • .....— ij viij
Solut* dno abbat* de Eynshatn pro decimis in man'io
de Cliston exeunt* ut patj per compos* inde fact' per
annu ...... ......,.•• — xyj -^
Elimosina data
In distribuc*oib3 et elemosinis in diet* parochia de
Dadypgton sc*d*m antiquas ordinaco'es prius usitat'
pro ai'a Willi* Hayly benefactoris imperp'm et
annuatr • • — ■ ij vj
Solut* Laurencio Ov*ton ball'io n*ro in predicto man'io
pro feodo suo per annu — xxvj viij
Sm'a deducc*ois ib'm. ....... — xhrij x
Kyrtlyngton et Tackley in Com 9 p'd' Dioc' Lincoln*.
P' Jeh'c Cokk's ballio et collector' redd*us ib'm qam
lib'ox tenenc* q*m cuaturaar* ib ra per annu . . . . viij xiiij iiij
D' Joh'e Andrewes pro uno molendino aquatico sibi
dimiss' pro t*mno annox solubil* ad iiij° r anni t*ios
canonicis Burcestr' pred'ee in drstribucoibj Deo
iVientib3 imperp'm per annu iij vj viij
Sm'arecepf xij — xij
Deducc'oes et Resoluc'oes ib'm Elimosina.
F ai'a Nich*i Baker benefactoris monast'ij pred'ei dat*
est canonic* ejusd'm loci Deo s'rient' pro exequiis
ad iiij or anni t'ios exequen* pro ejus ai'a et om'iu
defunctox in elimosinis an* 4 * et imperp'm. • •••.«• ty' vj trfy
Solut 9 dno Regi pro quiet' reddit' certaX terrax et ten*.
tox cu molendino aq'ico ib'm per annu et imper-
P'«* • — mm XXJ
Solut' dno priori Carruens* jux* Coventre pro porco'e
ib*m prout p$ per compos' inde fact* per annu* et
imperp'm r* .*.....♦... — lj —
ftdrinortb.,,.,., ,.,„,.._ Iij ix
354 4FP£NDIX.
Arnecote in com' Oxan' et in bundr 9 dc Bolyndon infra Dioc'
Lincoln' et Decanat, &c.
Be Thonsa Marshe tenant' ib*m pro i} 1 "* measnagys
ct tribSvirgat" tcrre en qaart'na tenrc cu pertin 9 sibi
dimiss' pro t'mno anno* per anno* ............ — - xxx —
Solut' dnop r iori per tenentes ib'm pro le Hedsylver
in dnico predicto per anna" — — xriij
D* redditibs in predicto Araecott tam lib'ox tenenc'
q a ra custiimar' recept* et precept' per Joh'em
Cokks ib'm bailiv* per annu — lvij vi
S'ma recept' . iiij ix —
Deducc'oes et Rcsoluc'oes ib'm.
Solut' balli'o hundr' de Bolyndon vids EdwardoKyng
pro omn' sv'ic' in Arnecote pred'et per annu . • . • — — xij
S'ma deduce** .......*.......—- — xij
£it rem uij vnj —
Steple Aston in com' predicto ipfra Dioc' Lincoln 9 etdecan'&c.
D* Roberto Pawns pro uno messuagio et cert' t'ris
ib'm cu" pertin* ad firmam-dimiss' per indentura~ pro
t'raio anno£ per annu . .....— xij iiij
Middylton in com' predic'o et dioc 9 Lincoln 9 ac Decanat' &c.
D v Egidio Reede gentilman pro uno messuagio cu
terris et suis pertin' ad firmam sibi dimiss' per in-
denture pro t'io anno* per annu •— x -—
Wendylbury in Com 9 pred'eo et pred'eo Dioc 9 et Decanat 9 &c.
De Joh'e Brice pro uno cotagio cu" cert* t'ris cu" suis
pertin' sibi dimiss* per indenture" pro t'io anno* per
annu... — x —
Chesterton in com 9 predVo.
D' Joh'e Hyde pro cert" terris ib'm pro copiam cur*
ptranmf »............•••«..#..# — ▼ —
APPENDIX. 25$
Fryagford in Com' predVo.
D* Joh'e Arden gent* pro cert* terri* in ead*m villa
pro quiet 9 reddit 9 perannu" ......,.......,-— ij — •
S*marec* • — lxx iiij
Hayford Waren* in com* predVo et dioc' Lincoln* &c.
D* Novo Collegio in Oxon 9 pro tenis firmar* eidem
collcgio pertin 9 vid3 pro penco'e at pat 5 per com-
posicione* per anna" et imperp'm , . . . . — xxvj viij
Cav'felde in com' predVo infra Dioc* Lincoln' et Decanal' &e.
D 9 Ric'o Langeston armig'o pro die' man'ij de Cav'-
felde predict* sibi et heredity suis dimiss* per in*
dentora' solubiT ad ij°* an' t'minos per arum. . . . — liiij iiij
Samford in Com 9 predVo Dioc' Lincoln' &c.
D' firmario ib'm pro uno messuagio et una virgat 9
terre cu~ pertinen' solubil' tam ad f m Sc'i Mich'is
canonic 9 Deo s'vient* in augmentac'oe stipendio*
suo* per anna" — ▼ —
S'ma rec 9 . ........iiij y •—
Deductiones et Resoraco'es ib'm Elemoaina Dat'
F ai'a Godfridi de Bygenhall b'nfactoris mon' pred'ei — vj •*-
qai dedit canonic* pro lalterio davitico dicent' in ejus
adv a sing*lis eo* per se dicent' separati in demos' eis
distrtbaend' annuati' et imperp'm. «• . (into°peramu)~~ mm v
Buckenhull in com' pred'e'o et Dioc' Lincoln' &c.
D' Rob'to Stephens pro cert* terris arrabilibj ib'm
perannu* # . mm 9 •—
S'ma reeept 9 ..,.... ......... mm * «■■
256 APPENDIX.
Food' Annual' Deducc'oes et Resoloc'oes
Solat' Joh'i Cokks de sup'd'c'is terris pro collecto'e
redditus villata^ sup'd'ca* per annu. — xxvj viij
Sm'a alloc* , — xxvj riij
Ardyngton in Com' Berk' et infra Dioc* Sar* et Decan' &c.
iy Thoma Hobbes pro cert* terris et r'coria' ib'm sic
fibi dimiss' per indenture" ad t'mios anno* per annu xiiij — - —
Iii eodem Com* Berk*.
D* eodem Thoma Hobbes pro firmario n'ro apud
Letcombe Bassett per indentura' sic sibi dimiss' pro
t'mino anno* per annu" iiij — —
Sm'a rec' xviij — * —
Resoluc'oes ib'm null'
Grymesbury jux* Banbury in com' Nort^mpt' et infra dioc*
Lincoln' ac Decanat, &c.
D* Anthonio Cope armig'o firmario man'ij ib'm cur
firma molendino* et alio* prone' eidem man'io per-
tin' sic sibi dimiss' pro t'io anno* per annu . . . . xiij vi viij
Sm'a rec' ut 05
Nethrope in Com" predVo et infra Dioc' Lincoln* &c.
D* Henrico Taye et Will'mo Smythe de eadem te-
nentibJ ib'm per copia* cur' de 1JD3 mesuagijs sola*
bil' ad i]°B anni t'ios canonic* in distribuc'oib5 Deo
s*vientib5 annuatt' et imperp'm -- xxxij —
Sm'a rec' pj
Deducc'oes et Resoluc'oes ib'm in Elemosinis.
F si'a WiU'i Hayly benefectoris n'ri pred'ci mon f
dat' est canonic' pro una collect* quotidiana dicend'
ad mjssam B'te Marie Virginia celebrant' ridJ i
APPENDIX. 257
I clina (fne aurtm &c. solubir at iiij or anni t'i'os dis-
' tribuend* per man' prioris ib'm annuati' et imperp'm — xxxij —
I Beamonde jux a Myssenden in com' Buk' et dioc* Lincoln' &c.
D* Henrico Honoure firmario ib'm man'ij cu* pertin'
unacu firma rc'orie sic sibi.dimiss* per indent uram
pro t'mino anno* per annu n xiij vj viij
D' subboscis ib'm crescent' infra domin' predc'm esti-
k i mat* videl't ev'y xij th yere per vicinos et hopestos
ho'ies ib'm inh'itantes ad valenc' sex libra j et quo-
lib*t anno estimaf per annu quolib't anno xij
S'ma recepf xiij vj viij
Deducc'oes et Resoluc'oes ib'm.
Solut* dno abb'i de Magna Myssenden pro man'io de
Amecote prout p3 per cornposic'o'em inde fact'
annuati' et imperp'm vj xiij iiij
It'm solut' archidiac' £uk' pro procuracVe et sino-
dalibj eccl'ie de P'va Myssenden annuati* et im-
perp'm — x viij
Solut 9 in eadem parocbia in distribuc'o'ib3 et elemos*
s'cd'm antiquas ordinac'o'es inde fact* et prius usitat'
ad duos anni t'ni'nos per annu" et imperp'ra ..... — vj viij
S'ma alloc' vel deduce' vij x viij
Wescott in com* Buk' et dioc* Lincoln' &c.
D* Joh'e Latham firmario ib'm cert 8 terris et ten't*
sibi dimiss' per indenturam pro t*i'o annox per annu iiij x — -
Blakenhull in com' Buck' predVo et dioc\
D* Joh'e Goodwyn gentilman firmario uni* claus* pas-
tur' -sibi dimiss' per indenturam pro t'm'no anno*
per annu — xx —
Compton Bassett in com' Wiltes' et dioc' Sar\
D* rVore ib'm pro quadam pensio'e solubil* ad duos
anni t'm'nos prout p3 per cornposic'o'em inde fac-
lam per annu~. . . . , iiij — —
s
258 APPENDIX.
Stodeley in com* pred'co dioc\
D* mag'ro Hung'ford pro reddit* uni* ten'ti cu" pertin'
adjacen' in dicto com' Wiltes' per anna vij 9 taroeo
pred'c'us raagister Hung' ford negat soluc'o'em inde
(Sed salvo jure monastery pred'cl)
S'ma rec' ix x —
Terr' Dnicales Monast'ij pred'ci in manib3 Prioris jam ex-
isted in Burcestr' &c. cu Decimis.
In terris arrabil ib3 ib'm vid3.undecim virgat* terre cu
suis pertin* jacen' in campis Le M'kett ende diet'
| Burcestr' jacent' continent" cciiij** et vj acres ad
iijj d qualib't acra per annu iiij xv iiij
\£t'm in terris arrabilib3 vid3 di' virgat' t're jacent' in
Le Kyngesende continent' quindecira acres cu~ suis
pertin* ad qualib't acra per annu iiij d — v —
In terris arrabilib5 videl't una pecia terre jux* portam
Le Graunge continent' duodecim acr' ad qualib't
acra iiij d per annu — iiij —
It'm in terris arrabilib3 in le hamlett' de Wrechwyk
in parochia die'e Burcestr' vid3 ij virgat' terre et di'
continent* iij xx acr* et quindecim cu quinque lez
butts cu suis pertin' ad qualib3 acra per a m per annu* '
iiy d — xxv x
S'ma acra* arrabil' xx^j et v butts
S'ma valoris eafcd'm acrax arrabil' vj x ij
In una separali pastura vocat' leWynt' pasture ducent'
v'sus le Gravenhull continent* xliiij acres et di' in
trib3 p'tib3 separati' cu sepU>3 fl d qualib't acr* v d . — xviij vj ob.
In una separal' pastura vocat' le Weston Heyes cu*
sepe in medio ejusd'm pastur' cont' xlj acres et di'
qualib't acra ad xix d per annu • • iij v viij •
It'm in al* pastura separal* voc' le Ov'breche cont' xl
acres qualib't acra viij d per annu — xxvj viij
APPENDIX* 25$
V
In una peck prati jacen' in le Westmede cont' quinq;
acr' et di* ad qualib't acra ij* per anna — xj —
It'm in una separal' pastor* vocat* le Horsse Close prope '
monast'iu cont* septem acr' et di' qualib't acra ad
viij d per annu ♦ — v —
S*ma valoris acrafc predic'a* . . . . vj vj xj
It'm in quodarn prato vocat' Longford Mede cont*
iiij or acr' qualib't acr* xij d per annu — iiij —
In ead'm prato vids Longford Mede iiij acr' qualib't
acr' ad xvj d per annu" — v iiij
It'm in quondam campo vocat' Blakthorne Felde cont'
ij acr' prati qualib't acr* ad viij d per annu — ~ xvj
S'ma — x vij
S'ma terr* dnic'
S'ma valoris oniu acra* dftical' cu dec'is et terris ar-
rabilib3 ib'm xiij vij ix
Tot» cxlix xvj — ob'q'
It'm proprijs x ml s terr* dnic xxvj ix ob'q* clj ij x
£ clxxviij xj vij ob*.
Eeod' Annual 9 .
Solut' Ric'o Banaster armig'o pro offic' senescalli per
annu — luij 119
Solut' Xp'ofero Hucvale auditor' nro pro ejus feodo
per annu • • ..»• — xxvj viiij
S'ma alloc' ......,•» iiij — - —
Joh'es Middleton subp'or ib'm
Will'm's Fynche sexten
Will'm's Cav*felde sellerar'
Non h'entes aliquas terras neqj ten't* nee offic' in
monast'io predic'o in successione neq; vad* feoi*
aut annual' stipend* nisi ad voluntate* priori*.
Noia Canonico^ in dicto Mon* vidj.
Will'm's Browne priour ib'm.
Joh'es Middleton subprior ib'm.
260 APPENDIX.
Kad'us Latham canon ib'm,
Rob'tus Bignell.
Job'es Chester.
Robt'us CavYelde.
Jacobus Brystowe.
Job'es Burcestur.
Job'es Lan'nton.
Ric'us Wodstok.
Nich'us Cony.
Will'm's Hampton.
Deduct* xxxj viij ix oV
The sume of the hole Possession sp'uall and temporall
demaynes and other is clxxyj vy — ob> ^
The sume of the deductions and resolucons is . . xxxix viij vj ob»q»
The bole sume declar' is c * lvi J *J .*
Decima pars dao Regi *iiij * iu J "J *
We the seide prior and co'vent of the seide priory
mooste humbly beseche the Kyng's moste Graci-
ouse Highnes and his moste honourable councell,
thut thois sumes and chargis herafter foloyng may Fiat Petic'o
be alloued, which chargis byn annuall and perpe-
tuall, and for no lesse necessitie then the fees and
charg 8 of auditours, receyvours, and bailyffs and
other chargis as hereafter foloithe
Furste for brede wyne and wax erely spente witbyn
the seide priory, aboughte the dyvyne s Vice accord-
ing to their foundation XJ —
It'm for the costs and charges of the auditor and re-
ceyvourgen^llintheauditetyme vj xiij Hij
It'm the same prior desirethe allouanc' of the visita-
co'n of the bishopp ev'y iii de yere iij 1 vj- viij d ^ ^
which is yerely ev'y yere — MI J 'Job'q'
It'm for the cost* charg 8 and expenc 8 of the same
bishop and his officers and menyall servants, in and
at the tyrne of visitac'on ev'y iij de yere vj xiij iiij
which is xliiij*. iiij A yerly. . . ♦ cxlvij vj xj q*
•
APPENDIX. 26l
By the same Commissioners under the Article Com* Oxon'
Lincoln* Dioc' et Decanat' Burcest*, Valores omn' et sin-
g'lox RVoria^ Vicaria^ P'bendar' Cantari^ et alia^ Pos-
session^ tain Sp'ual* quam Temporal' infra Dioc' et De-
canat'^ is the following entry :—
Burcest'
Peres Griffith vicarius perpetuus et vicaria sua valet
per annu" cum repris* co*ib3 annis ex recognic'o'e
sua super sacr'm suu* xvj ~ — .
P*or et convent* ib*m app'ator ejusd'm et infra p'orat*
' predict' on'ant r pro eodem infra p'oratu* predict' comp r
S'ma xvj — —
Et reman* clar' pats
Alloc* null'
Decima pars dno Regi — xxxij l ~
No. VIIL
Extracts from the Churck-wardens' Accounts; and the
King's Books.
The Church- wardens* Bills of the reign of Elizabeth are chiefly
without dates-, and written on long slips of paper. The following
is a specimen of the entries in that of the year 1582*
Paide for ij new lockes xvirf.
for mending of a locke \j&
for nayles
Paide to John Pol lex the nynt h day of December. ....... t vij. acjrf.
■ gyven unto father Jollide , r . . , xijd.
gyven to John Potter 23 Aprile ,. f xxycU
Given unto Margyret Brown on the day of her marriage * ijj,
Payde for the stoppyng of the Town Brook
Given unto a preacher SLOd.
1 1 . ) 1 iii ' ' T I *^— »■ — — ^fc»i— t
1 From the Valor Ecclesiasticus, vol. ii. p. 187. Lond. 1814.
* Probably she was pregnant, and tfce sum given, as a marriage portico.
362 APPENDIX.
Given unto Rd Godard at his marriage ij&
Payd for mending father Harris's hose vjrf.
It is uncertain how long the parish officers continued the prac-
tice of keeping their accounts on long slips of paper ; but their pre-
sent book commences with the year 17O8, and contains few entries
of public interest.
£. s. <L
1708. Pd for casting the third bell, 31b. of metal added 7 3 9
Pd for three hedgehogs, one fox, and a polecat 2 2
Pd the dog-whipper's wages 8 8
1711. Apparitor's fees 2 2
For processioning charges 1 19 10
Clerk's wages 2
1714. For casting the fifth bell and clapper for her 10 16 6
1716. Pd for the expenses of the pennance of Eliz. Wootton . . 3 S
1717. Pd for six leather buckets 1 10
1720. Pd for thirteen doz. sparrows 2 2
1736. Pd for a new church bible 2 7 6
1744. Pd for mending the basoon L6 3
1766. Allowed at the vestry by the parishioners towards mend-
ing the chimes , 14
Mem. 24 Feb. 1771. At a vestry held this day it is agreed by
the inhabitants of Bicester Market-end and King's-end, that
an annual subscription be made to the Oxford or Radcliffe In*
firmary, of three guineas per annum, and the same to be paid
yearly by the church-wardens for the time being.
John Stevens, Robert Shirley, &c.
1772. Payd Isaac Clarke, Osmond, and T. Stratton, due on ba-
lance for the organ „ .... 8 3
king's BOOKS 3 .
Burchester is a discharged living.
Clear yearly value s£4g.
Burchester vulgo Bister, V. St. Edburgh Pri„ Burchester
Propr. Sir John Glynn, Bart., 1719. Sir Edward Turner, Bart.,
1752. Sir Gregory Turner, Bart., 1779.
King's Books £ 16.
+-
3 By X Bacon, Esq. London 1786,
■APPENDIX. 26S
No. IX.
Bicester, Oxfordshire.
At a numerous and respectable Meeting of the Inhabitants of this
• Town and Neighbourhood, held at the Town Hall in Bicester on
- the 8th day of January, 1793J
John Coker, Esq. in the chair,
The following Resolutions were unanimously approved of and
agreed to.
1st. That the late daring attempts of many disaffected and sedi-
tious persons, who by the publication of libels and by treasonable
combinations have endeavoured to subvert the established govern-
ment of this country, and to introduce into it all the miseries of
anarchy and confusion, have given occasion of much alarm and
serious apprehension.
2d. That under such circumstances it is the duty of all good
subjects to cdme forward and to declare their detestation of such
practices, and to interpose their efforts for .the preservation of the
tranquillity and safety of the community.
3d. That the inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood of Bi-
cester are truly .and zealously attached to the present constitution
and legislative power of this country, consisting of king, lords, and
commons.
4th. That they do acknowledge and approve of the timely, judi-
cious, and vigorous measures pursued by the executive power at
this critical juncture.
5th. That they will associate for the purpose of supporting their
said constitution, and defending it to the utmost of their power
against any violation or attack; that they will hold out in their
own practice au example of respectful submission to the laws ;
that they will use their utmost endeavours to bring to punishment
all those who by their writings or actions shall attempt to excite
sedition, or in any manner to disturb the public peace ; and that
they will be personally assisting to the civil power upon every oc*
casion that shall require its interference.
964
APPENDIX.
J. Coker
W. Phillpot
W. Ball
J. R. Greenhill
F. Jennings
J.Sanders
J. Haley
W.Tredwell
H. Borton
J. Eyre
I. Kent
J. Stratton
G. Lamb
T. St ration
E. Wbale
J. Leigh Baract
W. Phillips
T. Stopp
Rev. W. Ellis
W. Allen
T. Gouah
Rev. W. E. Ellis
J. Kirby
J. Jessop
Bev. E. Turner
J. Slopes Clk
R. Foster
H. Walfbrd ,
G. Collins
H. Carter
J. Moore
W. Blunt
J. Dsgley
T. Potter, jun.
T. Milter
J. Warr
V. Penrose
G. Pavier
S. Bowerman
T. Davis
O. Foster
T. Stevens
R. Shirley
J. Ruruard
T. Hicks
M. Heather
J. Stratton
G. Osmond
W. Potter
Bicester Bt
J. Stevens
I. Thomas
I. Clarke
R. Johnson
T. Bailey
T. BWfield
T. Pardo Brett
R. Jessop
W. Shillingford
T. King
W. Hadland
R, King
T. Weslcar
W.Cross
W. Mapelwhite
R- Smith
J. Jagger
W. Field
T. Potter
G. Poster
T. Humphrey
R. Kirby
G. Butler
T. Egerton
T. Reading
J.Coles
W. Foster
M. Browne
J. Shirley
J. Maynard
H. Trafford
W. Clarke
E. Humphrey
R.King
W. Coleman
J. Blowfield
W. Painter
T. Kirby
J. Burroughs
J. Webb
T. Egerton
—
O. Bnsby
J. Jackson
J. Humphreys
W. Westcar
T. Harris
J. Busby
J. Thonger
W. Phillips
J. Wells
ILEarlom
W. Beck
W. Berry
J. Foster
J. Daglej
A. Bradwin
W. Birch
T. Foster
J. Smith
H. Churchill
C. Hadland
W. Watson
R. Slaney
- W. Bryan
J. Burrows
J. Burroughs
E. Tanner
»
R. Humphrey
J. Smith
T. Hawkins
T. Watson
C Blunt
J. Egerton
APPENDIX.
265
a coxiii
T. Hicks
J. Fenemore
N. Coxill
R. DumbletoQ
J. White
W. Rollins
W. Bosley
J. Axtill
T. Heritage
J. Mealings
J. Neal
T. Humphrey
T. Hazell
J. Smith
T. Parrot
T. Gtmtris9
T. Williams
J. Heritage
W. Elstone
W. Holton
W. Hunt
J. Waddup
A. Brad win
N. Ward
J. El st on
J. Neal
M. Neal
£. Foster
M. Thomas
W. Foster
J. Jones
W.Nevill
W. Crump
R. Handcock
J. Golden
J. Holland
£. Coxill
J. Nerill
J. King
W. Adams
J. George
W. Pavier
W. Inwood
W. Hodges
W. Pates
T. Allard
W. Izzard
T. Jennings
T. Shephard
W. Butler
J. Higgs
W. Coxill
W. Berry
R. Grimsley
R. Jessop
W. Daws
W. Spacey
J. Hazell
J. Jagger
R. Bathe
J. Jones
W. Tanner
T. Croxton
J. Bottrill
B. Edmunds
J. Hitchcock
E. Penrose
J. Gurden
T. Franklin
T. Carthew
J. Jessop
R. Maynard
J. Whale
J. Hewitt
T. Stratton
T. Gibbons
J. Mewkill
W. Clifton
J. Heritage
T. Hawkes
R. Gunthriss
N. Pbulton
G. Grimsby
J. Ball
J. Bowden
D. Creed
W. Knibbs
F. Blewett
J. Munden
W. Cox
J. Heirtage
W. Whitehead
G. Spencer
W. Howse
T. lines
R. Grimsby
T. Bowden
W. Jennings
G. Stevens
W. Alley
B. Archer
W. Barrett
D. Green
R. Heritage
S. Phillips
T. Petty
R. King
T. Wiggs
J. Travers
W. Woodcock
J. Lamb
J. Williams
W. A. Leverett
M. Wick
T. Pitts
W. Tooley
J- Jagger
D. Creed
W. Jackson
J. Stanbridge
J. Bosley
J. Clifton.
T. Paxton
J. Turner
& Cartwright
200
APPENDIX.
J. Skinner
R. Edmunds
. W. Hawkins
W. Marcey
J. Westbury
J. Harris
T. Bowen
W. Blencowe
T. Prior
P.Crook
J. Harris
J. Edwards
H. Lines
J. Archer
W. Pratt
T. Edwards
J. Edmonds
J. Bollock
J. Marten
T. Woodcock
J. Sirett
J. Kendall
W. Smith
To this Instrument of Association the following Declaration of
the Protestant Dissenters of Bicester was affixed.
Bicester, January 14, 1793.
We his majesty's loyal subjects, the Protestant Dissenters of the
town of Bicester, do cheerfully upon the present occasion make
public declaration of our constant zealous fidelity and attachment
to the reigning illustrious House of Hanover, and to the constitution
of civil government of this country, established at the Revolution iri
the year 1688 ; and we do hereby declare our abhorrence of all
traitorous-speeches and publications, and our readiness to aid the
civil magistrate in suppressing all seditious attempts to subvert the
civil government or to disturb the public peace.
Signed by the consent and direction of the whole congregation,
William Miller, Minister.
No.X.
Sports, Customs > &c. in Bicester and Us Neighbour-
hood.
Quintal.*— In the days of Dr. Plot it was customary at mar*
riages for tbe inhabitants of the village of Blackthorn to amuse
themselves with running at the quintal. The nature of the sport
is thus described by Kennett : " They set up a roll, or that in-
strument of agriculture used to break the clods in the field, and at
the erect end they hapg a strong rafter board, which turns on the
APPENDIX. 267
spindle of the roll : to one end of this moving beam or ballance
they nail a slab or broader piece of thick board, and at the other
end they hang a leather bag rilled with gravel or sand of equal
poise, which flies round and smites the inexpert rider."
From his subsequent account we gather, that the player was*
usually on horseback, and funished with a staff or pole, with which
he struck the slab with all his force. If he was not dexterous and
his horse swift, he was almost certain of receiving a blow from the
sand-bag as the rafter turned round — to bis own disgrace and the
merriment of the spectators. This sport has been long discon-
tinued, and no tradition of its having been«ever practised, remains
among the inhabitants of Blackthorn or its neighbourhood.
Sports on Shrove Tuesday. — The sports of this day were
very considerable before the Reformation, and intended as an in*
dulgence previous to the approaching season of Lent. Their com-
mencement is still announced by the ringing of " the pancake
bell *' at eleven o'clock, the ancient hour of dinner. At the first
sound of this bell the young people formerly left their employ*
ments, and after a "hasty dinner hied away to their varied amuse*
ments, which consisted in the barbarous practice of tbowing at
cocks, or the more active sports of jumping, wrestling, ringing of
bells, &c. On this day the parish-clerk still considers himself en-
titled to the profits arising from ringing of the bells, and accord-
ingly they are let by the hour to those who prefer that exercise*
For a trifling sum others are permitted to walk on the tower or
on the leads of the church. But though these as well as most
other amusements exist, so much have they declined of late years
that at present they are chiefly practised by children, and in a short
time it is probable they will be discontinued and forgotten.
Mat Day. — About a century ago May Day was considered a
very great holiday in Bicester and its neighbourhood. Both pa*
rents and children felt highly interested in its pleasures, and parties
vied with each other to produce the best garland of flowers. A
little lord and lady decked in gay ribbons and accompanied by
H6S APPENDIX.
several attendants, with small instruments of music, called on their
friends, and went in procession round the town and neighbour-
hood. The afternoon and evening were spent in the greatest hila-
rity, and generally concluded with a dance round the May pole.
This custom is evidently derived from the heathen festival insti-
tuted in honour of the goddess Flora, who was imagined to pre-
side over flowers. It has declined many years, and is now regarded
by the children of the poor only.
Whitsun-Albs are of remote origin, and, in common with
church-ales, clerks ales* &c. formed one of the chief amusements
of the middle ages. The object of this entertainment appears to
have been a burlesque on greatness; hence a barn, the scene of
their festivity, is called a hall, two of the principal male and
female characters are dubbed lord and lady, and others bear the
name of my lord's waiting- man, and my lady's waiting-
maid. A treasurer who carries a tin box before bim, a set of
morris dancers, a merry- and re w to clear the ring for dancing,
&c, form the remainder of the group; and these fantastically
dressed and decorated with ribbons, dance or parade among the
spectators. The barn doors are ornamented with an owl and
monkey, who bear the appropriate names of my lord's parrot
and my lady's lap-dog, and to miscall any of these, or accept of
my lord's cake or ale, which are carried about in profusion and
offered to every one, subjects the offending party to a forfeiture of
sixpence, for which however he is treated with a ride on my
lord's gelding ! (if a man behind my lady, or if a female be*
fore my lord,) who of course 'considers himself entitled to a
salute : but if this honour is declined, for an additional six*
pence the forfeiting party is privileged to enter my lord's hall,
and is entertained with cake and ale. By the sums collected in
this manner, together with those arising from the voluntary visits
» A monstrous waodcn horse, carried on men's shoulders to a certain «tt-»
Stance amidst the shouts of a large company of followers.
APPENDIX. 26$
of parties to the hall, the expenses of the entertainment, which
are very considerable, are defrayed, and oftentimes the surplus is
applied to charitable purposes*. A towering May pole erected
some time before Whitsuntide serves to announce the amuse-
ment to the neighbouring villages, and the crowds which usually
attend attract great numbers of those itinerant traders who frequent
markets and fairs, so that the festival may be considered one of the
most entertaining in the country s .
»
Meadow Mowing. — At the mowing of ReveL-mede, a meadow
between Bicester and Wendlebury, most of the different kinds of
rural sports were usually practised; and in such repute was the
holiday, that booths and stalls were erected as if it had been a fair*
The origin of the custom is unknown ; but as the amusements
took place at the time when the meadow became subject to com-
monage, some have supposed it originated in the rejoicings of the
villagers on that account. These sports entirely ceased on the en-
closure of Chesterton field.
Harvest Home. — This custom still prevails among the farmers,
and nearly according to ancient usage. It simply consists in a
supper given to those employed in getting in the corn, some of
whom ride to the farm on the last load, shouting " Harvest
home !" But if this happens to lie through the town, their merri-
ment is frequently interrupted by the pails of water which the
f At Bicester in particular this has been the case. A few years ajjo a
funeral pall for the use of the poor was purchased iu this way; and a similar
object was contemplated by the projectors of the last Whitsun-ale; but through
the unfavourable state of the weather the expenses of the amusement were re-
alised only : yet on representation of the circumstance to Mr. Coker, he
carried the design into effect. This handsome pall is now kept at the work-
house, and lent to any applicant.
3 At the neighbouring village of Ktrklington is a similar amusement neld
annually on Lammas-day, and from thence denominated a Lamb-ale. The
common people bay, if the latter were discontinued in that village, the inhabi-
tant! of Bicester King's- end would be privileged to- establish it in that town-
ship.
tfa APPENDIX*
■
sportive inhabitants endeavour to throw on them from their win*
dows. The harvest home is a relic of servile easterns ; and in
ancient times was considered a part of the reward for customary
services. The present mode of hiring labourers and servants has
certainly tendered the custom unnecessary; yet it remains for the
farmer to consider how far the prospect of the merry-making sti-
mulates the exertions of the workmen.
A similar supper was given by the late Joseph Bollock, Esq. of
Gaversfield, at the close of the season for gathering bops.
Payments. — It was formerly usual for many of the inhabitants
to pay sums for reals, &c. in the parish-cburcb, or in and over the
cburcb-porcb; and to lodge copies of their leases, Sec. in the pa~
rtsb-cbests, many of which still remain in those depositories. An
indenture stipulating payments as above is given by Kennett 4 , made
1352, 26, 27 Edward III., between Sir John Trymnel and
Thomas de Panton and Camerona his wife, for the conveyance of
the enfeoffment of two cottages, with their appurtenances, which
were held by John Spaygne and John de Langton in Bicester, for
the yearly rent of twenty- nine shillings sterling, to be paid in the
parish-church on Sunday after the octaves of St. Michael. In the
church-wardens' chest are also several leases of the estates given
for charitable purposes, which expressly stipulate for the payment
of rents on a certain day into the hands of Mr. John Coker, in the
room over the church-porch.
Mumping. — But perhaps the most singular custom is that which
has long obtained on the morrow after Christmas-day, and is usu-
ally denominated Mumping. Immediately after breakfast many of
the poor assemble together, and in a body visit the gentry and
tradesmen to solicit a Christma3-box. As they expect- a certain
sum per head, none of the family are left at home, and the num-
ber of men, women, and children collected together for this pur-
pose sometimes amounts to one hundred. This imposition on the
* Psroch. Ant. p. 476.
APPENDIX. 2?l
more industrious is generally reckoned at one penny for evefy
grown person* and a halfpenny for a child. To guard against a
second demand from the same individuals, many of the inhabitants
detain them at their doors till the whole are assembled, and then
admit then} into a yard or court, where they receive their ciisto*
raary dole, and are then re-admitted into the street. The circuit of
the town generally occupies them from ten in the morning till
three in the afternoon, during which the most active collect from
about ten to eighteenpence, which enormous sum is usually spent
in some refreshment in the evening.
The other sports and amusements are those which are common
to the whole country.
ADDENDA.
The following account of the confinement of several Protestants in
Bicester Priory having been omitted in its proper place, the
Reader will excuse its insertion here.
In the year 1521 numbers of the inhabitants of Chesham, Ux-
bridge, and the surrounding towns, were accused of heresy before
John Longland, bishop of Lincoln \, and many being intimidated
by ecclesiastical threatenings, were induced to abjure their opini-
ons and submit to penance. These were severally committed to
the abbeys and monasteries of Bicester, Tame, Nuttley, Asherugge,
Eynsham, Oseney, and others, there to be kept and found of alms
all their lives, being prohibited from passing the precincts of the
different monasteries without the bishop's dispensation. They were
all enjoined this penance— On a particular market-day to go
1 From the last will and testament of Isabel 1 Staveley widow, of Burcester, it
seems that she married the father of this prelate.— Kenn. MS. Collec. Lansd.
MS. vol. ii. 992.
27? APPENDIX,
thrice about Burford-market, stand on the highest greece of th«
cross bearing a faggot, — again to bear the same faggot both at
Burford and their own parish-church during the celebration of high
mass,, and at the burning of an heretic,— every Sunday and Friday
during life to say Our Lady's Psalter, — on no account to attempt
hiding the mark imprinted on their cheek, or converse with su-
spected persons on pain of relapse*.
The same writer says that in the reign of Queen Mary the Earl
of Derby so far degraded his -rank as to engage in the prosecution
of heretics, that be several times examined G. Marsh at Latham,
and materially contributed towards committing him to the flame.3 5 .
Amount of the Subscription in aid of the Sufferers at the Battle of
Waterloo.
Collected from pew to pew in the parish-church after
a sermon preached by the Rev. J. Markland, July 23,
added to a donation of 10/. by J. Coker, Esq.. . •• «£43 13 O
Collected among the Dissenters 4 gg 4 10 9
• Fox's Martyrology, p. 838. Lond. 1583. » lb. 1562.
* Times Newspaper, August 3], 1815.
GLOSSARY
TO EXPLAIN
THE ORIGINAL, THE ACCEPTATION, AND
OBSOLETENESS
OF
{BSftott® antj prases;
»
§
AND TO SHEW
THE RISE, PRACTISE, AND ALTERATION OF
Customs, HataM, anli *Warmer&
By WHITE KENNETT, D.D.
LATE LORD BISHOP OF . PETERBOROUGH .
LONDON:
prmttto ftp tticfcart an* SCrt^ur ffapfor, fefcat-ttanr,
and Sold bt j. and a. axcb, coxnhiu..
1816.
; / t ,• ' •
i *
GLOSSARY
TO EXPLAIN
The Original, the Acceptation^ and
Obsoleteness
OF
WORDS AND PHRASES;
AND TO SHEW THE RISE, PRACTISE, AND ALTERATION OF
CUSTOMS, LAWS, AND MANNERS.
By WHITE KENNETT,
VICAR OF AMBROSDEN.
GLOSSARY.
The authorities to t^ch the letter K is offijct will be found in tlte
Parochial Antiquities.
A BUND A. A mete or Bound. — Juxta ripam de Charwell usque
ad metas et Abundas ibidem per me concessas, K. p. 208. From Sax.
Banba bond, from Binban to bind. Hence bat-Band, wrist-Band,
neck-Band : to Bound, to re Bound. A Ban, an enclosed field or
limited piece of ground. Tbe Ban of a house or a mill, the close
or back-yard adjoining to it. A Bandog, a mastiff kept close, or
tied up. A Bandore, or veil of a widow to bind over or cover her
head and face. A horse-Bin, which in Kent is that apartment of
a stable where the chafT and cut meat is secured by a partition of
boards. A Bin or Bing, a safe, an aumbry or cupboard in a but-
tery or lardar. The kiln of the furnace wherein they burn their
charcoal for the melting of mettals, is commonly called the Bing.
And the cistern into which they throw their crystallized allom for
the water to drain from it, is called a Bing at Whitby in Yorkshire.
A Bind of eels is a string or stick of eels. A Binne of hides or
skins is in some countries a quantity for common sale, consisting
of thirty- three skins or hides.
Abuttare. To Abutt, vid. Buttes, Aluttat super preedietam
terrain, K. p. 399. In a terrier, or description of the site of land,
the sides on the breadth are said to be aajacentes, lying or border*
ing, and the ends only in length are abuttantes, abutting or bound-
ing. Which in old surveys they sometime expressed by capitate
to head, or the head-land so bounding. At in the rental of Wye
in Kent belonging to the abby of Battel in Sussex, Tenent octa
acras juxta Goreswall eapitantes ad preedietam tvallam, Custumar
de Beilo, f. 241 . Hence to go About was properly to go round by
the end, instep! of striking cross the middle.
Acolythus. An Acolite, who in our old English was called
a Colet, from which office came the family of Dean Colet founder
of Paul's School. An inferiour church-servant, who next under the
sub-deacon waited on the priests and deacons, and performed the
meaner offices of lighting the candles, carrying the bread and wine,
b2
4 GLOSSARY.
and paying other servile attendance, Pacante ecclesia de Ambres-
don, rector et conventus de Asherugge Johannem de Capella Aco-
lythum prcesentarunt, K. p. 346.
Ace a. An Acre, from Sax. JEceji a field. The word at first
signified not a determined quantity of land, but any open ground,
especially a wide campagne : and that sense of it seems preserved
in the names of places, Castle- acre, West-acre, &c. in com. Norf.
When the word was applied to the measure of ground, the quantity
was still various, hut determined by the stajptes of 31 Edvr. L and
24 Hen. VIII. c. 4 : one acre to consist of eight score perches,
fourty in length and four in breadth, or so in proportion. Though
the perch still differed in different counties, vid. Perch. At the
great Doomsday inquisition the common pasture seems measured
by hides, the arable land by carucates, and the meadow by acres,
K. p. 65. — Exceptis virgis et butlis, quorum quatuor virga* faciunt
unam acram, et aliquando plures, similiter aliquando quatuor but-
tes, aliquando. quinque, aliquando sex, aliquando septem, aliquando
octo faciunt unam acram, videlicet secundum quantitatem earundem
in longitudine et latitudine, K. p. 534.
AcauiETARE. To Acquit or discharge, or to testifie the receipt
of a debt by giving an Acquittance. Pro ista donatlone et conces-
sion acquietaverunt fratres prcedicti d£ quinque wards argenti,
K. p. 126. It was the common form in deeds of gift and other'
conveyance.— Nos autem — warantizabimus acquietabimus et defen-
demus in perpetuum, — Pro hoc autem tvarantia acquietantia et de-
Jensione* — Hence to Quit any claim or pretension. To get Quit of
any danger or trouble. Quite, perfectly, entirely, as Quite dead,
&c. Quotted, satisfied and cloyed, as his stomach is quite Quotted.
Actiones. The whole process and transaction of a gift and
charter, and other formal rites and solemnities of a publick con-
veyance. So in the' donation of Musewell in Ambrosden to the
abby of Missenden,— ^^erwn/ hiis actionibus prcesentes et testes,
K.p.76.
Adramibe, Adrhamire, Arramire, Arramare. To Arrain, i. e.
to appeal to the law, to offer proof for the claim of right, to pro-
ceed to an assise or trial, and stand to the verdict of a jury. So,
To Arraine a writ of novel disseisin, u e. to prefer such an action,
and prosecute the issue of it. To Arraign an assise, i. e. to make
plaint, to open the cause, and sue for justice. To Arraign a crimi-
nal, %. e. to indict and bring him to his trial. Dr. Cowel would
derive this term from the French arranger, to dispose or set in
order, which conjecture is approved and justified by the latter edi-
tor of that interpreter. But the more learned Sir Henry Spelman
refers it to the old French word arramir, to swear or take a solemn,
GLOSSARY. 5
oath. As if Aft amir e assisam were to appeal to the oaths of wit-
nesses, and to the verdict of a jury. But indeed I rather think
that Adramire was at first a contraction of Ad arma ire, because the
old legal trial both for the title of estates arid the charge of crimes
•was by solemn combat or du«l, when Arramire or Arrantare was to
alarm or call the accused person to a*decisive trial at arms. And
because the champions were upon the first challenge to swear that
they would put themselves on this military issue : and at the time
and place of combat were again to take formal oaths to observe the
stated laws of the camp $ therefore Arramire was to swear, but in
a secondary sense, as solemn swearing did attend and relate to their
solemn fighting. When this barbarous custom pf determining a
cause by arms and blood, was succeeded by the more civilized way
•f assise or trial by jury, temp. Hen. II., then the word was con-
tinued when the method was altered, and Arramire versus aliquem
was to appeal for justice against a person, and to sae for the bene-
fit of a publick trial. And Arramire reum, was to arraign a crimi-
nal, and offer proof for the conviction of him. — Thomas Abbas de
Egnesham in curia hie Adramivit versus eos de advocaiione ecclesice
de Sulthorn,K.p.S51.
Adv»ouson of Churches. No church legally consecrated
without an allotment of manse and glebe, made generally by the
lord of the mannor, who thereby became^advocate or patron of
that church, K. p. 222. So as the lordship of the mannor and pa-
tronage of the church were rarely in different hands, till advou-
sons were unhappily given to religious houses, K. p. 276. During
a controversie for the right of patronage, the diocesan presented to
the church salvo jure utriusque. So in a suit depending between
William earl of Sarum and the abbat of Barlings, for the advou-
6on of the church of Midleton, K. p. 192. . So Hugh bishop of
Line, presented to the church of Godington, in a dispute of title
between Thomas de Camvill and the abbess of Alveston, K. p. 193.
When two several persons presented their respective clerk, an in- ,
quisition was directed from the archdeacon to be executed within
the parish, and returned into the court, K. p. 346. No such in-
quisition if the right were apparent, Nulla inquisitione in hac parte
capta, quia domino constabat dejure patronatus, K. p. 507- When
the king presented a clerk upon a false title, the bishop instituted
the other's clerk, but with great deference to the king's pretended
title, and obliging the clerk so instituted to an oath of resignation
if the king's right should afterward appear. Post institufionem
warn prcedictam juravit tactis sacro Sanctis Evangeliis quod si con-
tinent dictum regem evincere jus patronatus ecclesice memoratce
(i. e. deAmbresdon) illam sine coactione aliqua resignaret,K. p. 347*
6 GLOSSARY*
If the patron presented not within six months, there was a lapse
to the bishop, Dicunt etiam quod tempus semestre nondum elap-
sum est, K. p. 351. The king and other guardians presented in
the right of wards, K. p. 192, 1Q3. When the right of advou-
son was determined by law, a writ fey to the bishop to admit the
right clerk, Concessum est quod praedictus Thomas abbas kabeat
breve episcopo Lincoln, quod ad prcesentationem ipsius abba lis ad
prcedictam ecclesiam idoneam personam adtfiittat, K. p. 351. The
Advouson of churches in such mannors, as were held of the king
in capile, not to be given by the lords to religious or charitable
uses, without inquisition Ad quod dampnum, and license of the
king, K. p. 352. Trials for right of advouson were in courts Chris-
tian, K. p. 642. To prevent litigious suits for the title .to bene-
fices, the rural deans took an Account of the names and number of
the parish churches within their respective districts; what the
Christian name* and sirname of the several incumbents, the time of
their collation to such benefices, by what title they held them,
whether by institution, commendam, or custody ; of what age they
wese, and in what orders; whether beneficed in more than one
church; the name and quality of the patrons; and the value of
every benefice by the last taxation* This register was distinctly
transcribed, and a fair copy delivered to the diocesan, by him trans-
mitted to the metropolitan in the next provincial council, K. p.' k 647-
Vid. Patron.
Advouson op Religious Houses. As those who built and
endowed a parish church were by that title made patrons of it,
so those who founded any house of religion had thereby the ad-
vouson or patronage of it. Sometime the patrons had the sole
nomination of the prelate, abbat, or prior ; either by investiture or
delivery of a pastoral staff, as William Mareschal earl of Pembroke
to the abby of Noteley, com. Buck. K. p. 147. O r Dv hare dona-
tion or presentation to the diocesan ; as Reginald earl of Bologne
in his charter to the priory of Cold Norton, Non hoc autem pr after-
mittendum est, quod domus ilia de nostra donathne est, et nos ibi
priorem apponere debemus, K. p. 163. If a free election were left
to the religious, yet a congi d^esUre or license of electing was
first to be obtained from the patron, or in his absence out of En-
gland, from the seneschal or steward of his barony. So in the
nunnery of Stodley, the founder Edmund earl of Cornwall thus
provided, Nee est prcetermittendum, quod quotiescunque priorissam
eligere contigerit ud eundem prior alum y de seipsis priorissam de as*
sensu meo vel seneschalli met, si in Anglia nonfuero, eligere licehit.
Cum autem electa Juerit, ad prcesentationem meam vel seneschalli
mei si in Anglia non fuero domino Lincoln, episcopo debet pr&-
GLOSSARY. 7
stntari, K. p. 105. When the title of patronage was in dispute,
the religious applied themselves to which they pleased of the con-
tending parties : so the monks of Notley asked license of electing
their abbat from the Lady Maud de Mortimer, whom they pre*
turned to be their patroness, though the earl of Glocester clairried
that right, K. p. 314. The patronage lapsed to the lord of the
honour, if the family of the founder was extinct : so Edmund earl
of Cornwall became patron of the nunnery of Goring, by no other
title than as that house was situate within the honour of Waling-
ford, K. p. 329* On the death of the prelate or governour the
lands escheated to the patron as lord of the fee, and were to be
compounded for by relief, heriot, and other burdens of military
service : unless their endowment was frank-almoin, or such right
in the fee was expressly renounced : as Edmund earl of Cornwall
in his charter to the college of Bonhommes at Asheragge.— ha
quod cedente vel decedente rectore ecclesice de Esserugge prcedicta,
quod nos vel karedes nostri—nullatenus habeamus ingressum in
prcedictis manerns seu Advocationibus ecclesiarum preedictarum sive
in aliquibus mis pertinentiis quicquam nos intromittamus tempore
vacafionis quo carebunt rectore, sed semper in manibus ipsorumjra*
trum tarn tempore vacationis quam aim temporibus remaneant, ne
staium suum in aliquo mutent, K. p. 311. In the vacancy of any
religious house the patron presented to the churches of which the.
religious had the advouson. — Lucia de Arderne recognovtt advoca*-
Honem Ulam (i. e. ecclesice de Souldern) esse Jus prcedictte ablatio?
de Egnesham et post mortem cujusdam GUberti abbatis vacante
preedicta abbatia quidam Richardus de Gravesend quondam Ian"
coin, episcopus loci illius ordmarkts, et advocatus prcedictce ad*
batue contuGt Ulam ecclesiam cuidam Galfridode Stokes clerico suo,
K. p. 351. When an abby of royal foundation was engaged in
great debts, at the next vacancy the king took the abby into his
lands, and committed the custody to some steward, to receive the
profits and discharge the said incumbrance, K. p. 35$.
AraiCAtfA. A Turkey, either from Africa the country from
whence $ey were brought into these northern parts $ or perhaps
from the old Latin Afra, a Bird. — Afros aves esse aiunt, Lar.
Gloss. MS.— Sew Africans foemhue, K. p. 287.. A certain num-
ber of this sort of .fowl was frequently reserved among the provi-
sions paid to the lord from his custumary tenents. .
Agillarius. A Heyward, i . e. A Herd-ward or keeper of
the herd of cattel in a common field, sworn at the lord's court
by solemn oath, of which the form is delivered by Kitehin, Of
Courts, f.46.— Quoddam pratum viride ouod vacatur Hey wards •
mere, eo quod pertinent ad qfficium Agiflarii domini Lestraunge*
GLOSSARY.
K. p. 534. Which pratum viride was I believe the same with
what is now called Tadbury balk or The Edburg way balk, in the
field of Bisiter King's end, of which the grass or herbage is still the
right and profit of the tithing-man of King's- end. ' The office of
Agillarius was of two sorts, first, the common Heyward of a
town or village, to supervise the greater cattel or common herd of
beasts, and keep them within their due bounds j be was otherwise
called Bubulcus, Cowward, (which is turned into a name of re-
proach, a pitiful Coward) who if be was a cottager or other servile
tenant, he was exempted from the custumary works and labours,
because he was presumed to be always attending on his herd, as a
shepherd on his flock, who had therefore the like privilege.— 'Sunt
tin xvi. Cotarii, quorum alii sunt Bulmlci domini, alii sunt Pastores,
qui si non esseni, deberet quilibet unum opus singulis septimanis per
annum. Cartul. Glaston. MS. f. 40. Secondly, the Agillarius of
the lord of a mannor, or of a religious house, who was to take care
of the tillage and harvest work, to pay the labourers, and to see
there were no encroachments or trespasses committed, &c. The
same in effect with that officer who is called the Fields-man and the
Tithing man* — Et insolutis diver sis hominibus etfosntinis primodie
Juln conductis ad sarculandum diversa blada ut patet per taUiam
contra agillarium hoc anno xvi.sol. x.den. K. p. 576. His wages in
3 Hen. VI. was a noble, — Ef in stipendio Boberti Clerk agillarU
hoc anno* x\\\. sol. iv.den.. K. p. 576.
Agi8tator. The Agister in a forest, from the French gister
to lie and feed for a certain giste or rate paid to the king. Agister
in the modern French adjouster, to receive in cattel to be so pas-
tured or gisted, to keep them within their bounds, and deliver them
to the owners upon the payment of such terms for their feeding.
Agistareforestam was to take in cattel to pasture within the bounds
of the forest, for one month 9 viz. fifteen days before Michaelmas,
and fifteen days after, when the running qf cattel would be no
prejudice to the game. Agistator was the forest officer, who wat
to take account of the cattel so agisted, whether they belonged to
tenants within the forest, who had free gistment, or to neighbour-
ing inhabitants who paid a common rate. The Agistatores in an
old version of Charte de foresta are called Gyst-takers or walkers.
Omnium regardatorum et agistatorum forestce pra?dicta? t K. p. 209.
Homines sui reddent pannagium dicto manerio cum agistamentum
acciderit, K. p. 229. Eorum antmaUa agistata fuerunt per duos
annos jam elapsos, et solvent Joh. Appulby pro agistamento xiii. sol.
iv. den. K. p. 497. Hence our graziers now call the foreign cattel,
which they take in to keep by the week, gisements or juicements,
(pronounced like thejoices in building, corrupted from the French
GLOSSARY. 9
*djou$lment, the cross pieces of timber that are adjusted or fitted
to make the frame of the floor.) And to gise or juice ground, is
when the lord or tenant feeds it not with his own stock, but takes
in other cattel to agist or feed in it. All glossographers agree to
derive this word from the French gister te lie, gest a bed, &c. But
I rather think agistamentum bears relation to ager, the field or
feeding place of cattel, and might be<the same as agrarium, age-
Hum, agroticum, the pro6t of feeding cattel Upon such a ground or
field. Unless it were so, I cannot imagine why the duty or levy
for repairing the banks and walls in Romney- marsh was called
agistamentum, and the laying such a proportion of this duty upon
the several estates was called agistatio, — Tunc sequitur numerus
omnium acrarum infra dictum mariscum. — Et etiam agistatio tarn
in magna tvallia de Apuldre quant in parva wallia ad quantitatem
terrarum. Ordinatto Marisci de Romney, K. p. 20.
Alt a Via. A Highway or common road. Item alia via et ge-
nerate inter BrehuU et Pidinton maneria Lomini Regis omnino es-
set astopata: which was adjudged a trespass against the king and
county, K. p. 250. Critic, ks .might dispute whether the Latin alius
gave name to or was borrowed from the British al high, or alt the
ascent of any mountain, as Atpen the Alps, from al high, and pen
a head or top. Whence Alpes past into ah appellative for any
mountainous or rising places. As High gave a common to aHighal
or Hill. .
Altar agium. The profits arising to the priest from the people's
offering at the altar. Out of these custumary dues the religious
assigned a portion to* the vicar : so the prior and canons of Saint
Frideswide, — De prcefatce ecclesue nostras (i. e. de Oakle) et ca-
pellarum ejusdem altaragiis, ut tentmur, congruam portionem re*
servatam eidem vicario de qua valent commode sttstentari,fL. p. 455.
Sometime the whole Altarage was allotted to the vicar, Ha-
bebit vicarius de Cestreton totum altaragium, K. p. 543. The
regulars and secular priests invented a great many pretty arts to
augment the altar-offerings. Among other this one was so ludi-
crous, and conveyed such thoughts ok impurity, that it was ex-
pressly prohibited by the great reformer of his age Bishop Grost-
head. — Audwimus autem, unde non mediocriter dolemus, quod qui-
damsacerdotes hujus lucri plenas injungunt pcenitentias, quale* sunt,
quod mulier cognita a viro post partum ante suam purificationem
deportet demceps oblationem ad altare cum qualibet muliere puri-
ficanda -in eadem parochia; — quod penitus inhibemus* j ^Const\t,
Robert i Episc. Lincoln. MS. f. 3. — Since the Reformation several
disputes arose what dues were comprehended under the title of
Altar agium, which were thus remarkably determined in a trial in
1 GLOSSARY.
the Exchequer in Michaelmass term, 21 Eliz. on Thursday No-
vember 12 Upon the hearing of the matter betwixt Ralph Tar*
ner, vicar of West Haddon, and Edward Andrews, it is ordered,
that the said vicar shall have by reason of the words jiltaragiim
cum manso competent, contained in the composition of the profits
assigned for the vicar's maintenance, all such things as he ought to
have by these words, according to the definition thereof made by
the reverend father in God John bishop of London, upon confe-
rence with the civilians, viz. David Hewes, judge of the Admi-
ralty 5 Bartholomew Clerk, dean of the Arches; John Gibson,
Henry Joanse, Laurence Hewes, and Edward Stanhope, all doc-
tors of the civil law : that is to say, by Mtaragium, tithes of wool,
lambs, colts, calfs, piggs, goslings, chickens, butter, cheese, hemp,
flax, honey, fruits, herbs, and such other small tithes, with offer-
ings that shall be due within the parish of West-Haddon.
And the like case was for Norton in Northamptonshire, heard
in this court within these two or three years, upon the hearing
ordered in the like manner.
Which judgement I presume was. grounded on these and the
like authorities. Vkarius de Colingham habeat totum altaragium,
exceptis decimisfeoni et nutrimentormm animalium provenientiumde
dominico domini regis. Mon. Ang. torn. 3, p. 139.— J*a quod prae*
dktus vicarius^^prcedictts oblationibus et obventionibus, turn bladis
aut garbis nisi plantatis out pede fossis ad altaragia arnimuniter
spectantibus contentus, &c. Will. Thorn, cap. 30, §4 &c. Yet
it seems to be certain that the religious when they allotted the AU
iaragium in part or whole to the vicar or aapelhme, they meant
only the customary and voluntary offerings at the altar, for some
divine office or service of the priest, and not any share of the stand-
ing tithes, whether predial or mixt
Am asia. A mistress or concubine, ab amanda, as amorous,
amiable, &c. Henricus primus filius WUUelmi Bastard dedit Edi-
thorn JUiam Fame amasiam suam Roberto de OUeio second* in ux-
or em, K* p. 88.
Amekciamentum. A pecuniary punishment imposed upon of-
fenders, a (a mercie, at the mercy of the court, and therefore in
our law cases is frequently called Misericordia; and therefore this
difference is commonly stated between fines and amercements.
Fines are punishments certain and determined by some statute.
Amercements are arbitrary impositions proportioned to the fault,
at the discretion of the court. If the amercement were loo griev-
ous, there was a relief to be sued by a writ, called Moderate mi-
sericordia. The amercements in county courts or the assises held
by itinerant judges were sometimes granted by the king as a
GLOSSARY* 1 1
ipecial profit and privilege to a servant or favourite : so King
Hen. III. to his brother Richard earl of Cornwall, K. p. 219.
The amercements in the view of frank-pledge or court-leet were
due to the lord, and received by his bailiffs : Ballivi comitis Glou-
cestrue venient quolibet anno semel ad tenendum visum franci plegii
in eodem manerio, et asportabunt omnia amerciamenta inde prove-
nientia,¥L. p. 3\g. A common privilege that persons should be
amerced by their peers or equals. So in the lords court within
the mannor of Hedingdon,-~Qif oties contigerit aliquem pr&dict**
rum hominum pro aliquo delicto quoquo modo amerciari in endem
curia, per pares suos et non per alios amercientur, et hoc secundum
modum delicti, K. p. 320. Amerciamenta illevabilia were such
amercements, as through poverty or escape of the persons became
desperate debts, and were deducted in the accompts of the bayliff
or steward, or collector of rents and dues. The prior and canons
of Burcester to the receiver of their rents at Kirtlington,— -/» oIUh
cutis Mem pro amerciamentis illevabiiibus hoc anno vi. den. K»
p. 373.
Anabata. Anaboladium, h Gr. dvaGdXXsffbeu, to cast over
or cover. A cope or sacerdotal vest to cover the back and shoul-
ders of the priest. Et in bolt rubei say apud Steresbrugge propter
anabatam faciendum, iv. sol. viii. den. K. pi 574.
Anca. A goose, generally female in distinction from the gan-
der, which in the north they call a si eg. Anca seems a corruption
fromAnserina, — Cum decima ancarum et ovorum — por cellos, uncos,
ova, K, p. 455. Anca, Ancus, was the thigh or hind legg. — Affer
quatuor *panes, offer ancum porci, i. e. a leg of pork. Hence a
Hanch of venison, up to the Hanches in dirt And hence with some
allusion to have a Hank upon, to Hanker after.
Annivbbsabium, An Anniversary, called by our forefathers
a Year-day and a Mind-day, % . e. a memoriaKday. The yearly
return of the day of death of any person, which the religious re-
gistred in their Obitnal or Martiroiogy, and annually observed in
gratitude to their founders and benefactors. It was sometime made
an express condition in a charter : Yoland Countess of Dreux to
the «abby of Brueil, — quod singulis amis post obitum meum Anni?
versarium solempniter celebrabunt, K. p. 190. Reginald de Pavelly
founder of the abby of Lisle-Dieu in the diocese of Hhemes had
his anniversary there observed October 29, which practise of the
religious was a great advantage to the history of men and times.
A pietance or portion of meat and drink was sometime granted for
this purpose. Henry vicar of Weston gave six shillings yearly
rent to the abby of Oseney,-— <Jteo* quidem attornavi adunam pie*
tantiam faciendum in conventu Osneiensi annuatim in perpetuum in
1 2 GLOSSARY.
die Anniversarii met obitus pro anima mea, K. p. 263. This was
one of the trading arts of the religious, who frequently sold the
purchase at very considerable rates. £dniund Rede, esq. gave
largely to the abbat and convent of Dorchester for their sale of
this privilege, — Unum Anniversarium novem lectionum videlicet
Placebo et Dirige semel in anno, K. p. 626, Whatsoever was
given to this use was forfeited to the crown by Stat. 1 Edw. VI.
cap. 16. — The surviving relations made customary offerings at the
altar, at every return of such anniversary, in gratitude to the me-
mory and in charity to the soul of their departed friend. This the
religious did sometimes assign for a part of the vicar's maintenance :
Omnes oblationes in nupiUs, purificatiombus, Anniversaries, in cera,
fecunia, oris, autfructibus, K. p. 455.
Antecessor. The word not so often applied to the ancestor
of a family as either to the prepossessor of an estate or the prede-
cessor in an office. Sicut Anttcessores sui tenuerunt melius de me
et Antecessoribus meis, K. p. 73. — Alexander episcopus Lincoln.—
Sicut Antecessors nostri earn prce/atce ecclesue de Egnesham dede-
runt et concesserunt, K. p. 90.
Appendi ci a. The same as Pertinentuz, the appendages or ap-
pertinences of any estate. So Simon earl of Northampton gave
to the Knights Templars Meritonam cum omnibus Appendiciis suis,
K. p. 1 10. Hence our Pentices or Pent houses, Appendicia domus,
a Pent-stock. &c.
Appellatio. An appeal from some sentence or jurisdiction to
a presumedly higher judicature, which appeals were frequent,
both from the civil magistrates to ecclesiastical powers, and again
from the courts Christian to the common law. This liberty of ap-
pealing was expresly renounced to make some compacts the more
firm and unalterable. So the prior and convent of Burcester,
upon a bargain with the abbat and convent of Oseney, — Renun-
tiantes in hoc facto omnibus impellojiqnibus super hoc habitis 9 appel-
lationibus, in integrum restitution^ regus prohibition*, et omni alii
remedio juris canonici et civilis, K. p. 344. Appeals to Rome
when made common, were so great an interruption of all justice
that they were forbid and severely punished. So when Gilbert de
Segreve archdeacon of Oxford in 34 Edw. I. appealed from the
king's court to the pope, he was summoned to Westminster, and
obliged to renounce his appeal by oath, and to find pledges for ap-
pearing at the next parliament, K. p 353.
Appkopriatio. The granting a parochial church or the great
tithes and better profits, ad proprios usus, to the proper uses of
some religious house, to enjoy for ever : whence they called it
perpetuum beneficium. The prior and convent of Barcester had
GLOSSARY. 13
two parts of the great tithe in Cbmpton Basset appropriated to
them, nomine perpetui beneficii, K. p. 205. In this manner was
the illegitimate birth of most appropriations j the lay-patrons de-
voutly and, as 'they thought, innocently resigned their right of ad-
vouson to religious houses, who by their interest and money pro-
cured from the popes and bishops the annexion of all tithes and
profits to themselves, K. p. 312. They had many artificial pre**
tences to al ledge. to the pope and the diocesan, to extort their con-
sent, K. p. 48 1 . The methods of appropriating and the fatal abuse
of thus robbing church and clergy discoursed at large, K. p. 433.
The appropriators often encroached upon the remnant of the vicar,
for which invasion of right the stout vicar of Ellesfeld, in 24
£dw. I. entered an action against the prior and canons of St. Fri-
deswide, K. p. 326. A canon or other religious who was not a
monk, by the pope's indulgence could hold a vicarage with bis
station in the convent. — Proviso tamen quod ecclesia (sciL de Acle)
per idoneum canonicum domus vestrcc prcedictae (scil. S. Fride*
swidce) prout sede apostolica vobis est indultum, et antiquitus exti-
tit consuetum, deserviatur : qui quidem canonicus tanquam vica-
rius perpetuus a loci diocesano curam animarum recipiet, K. p. 3/5.
Unvm de canonicis nostris ut olim fuisse digrtoscitur rite elec-
tum et ad ejusdem ecclesice vicariam legitime institutum accepimu^
K. p. 455. The religious took advantage of the vacancy of a
church, and then prevailed with the patron to appropriate and give
them immediate possession. So Robert Gait in the time of Hugh
Wells bishop of Lincoln gave the vacant church of Hampton
Gay to the abbat and convent of Oseney, and then notified it to
the bishop, desiring him to give them admittance. — Noverit discre*
tio vestra quod defuncto G. persona ecclesice de Hampton me
eandem ecclesiam vacant em dedisse et concessisse in perpetuam elee-
mosinam abbati et convent ui de Oseney, K. p. 404. At other
times the religious obtained leave to appropriate a church of their
own patronage, when it should next be vacant, and then, impa-
tient for their prey, bought out the incumbent, or got it void by
resignation or exchange, K. p. 407. One great mischief of ap-
propriations was this : In the ordination of a vicarage the altarage
or voluntary oblations were often divided between the vicar and the
religious, which soon lessened the charity and piety of Christian
people, who grew less free in their offerings when they found a
great share must go away from the parish priest, to whom they
designed that bounty, K. p. 455. The religious very apt to oppress
the vicar, by throwing procurations and other burdens on them,
and particularly when they bad covenanted to maintain a capel-
Jane in some chapel of ease within the parish, they shifted off. that
1 4 GLOSSARY.
charge and cast it on the vicar, K. p. 568. That the bishops might
not loose by granting their assent to appropriations, they sometime
compounded with the religions for an annual pension to answer the
dues that might otherwise arise to their see from, the succession of
rectors. So in the appropriating of Merton to the abby of Egne-
sbam, — Reservamus insuper nobis et successoribus nostris efnscopis
Lincoln, nomine recompensatianis indemnitatis et comrnoditaiis qum
de dicta ecclesia obvenire solebat m singulis vacationibus ejusdem,
et potent similiter obvenire, pensionem annuam viginti solidorum ex
causa consimili, K. p. 483. One great and popular pretension of
appropriating benefices to the use of the religious, was to enable
them the better to relieve the poor, and in the form of appropri-
ation it was sometimes expressly ordained that a perpetual portion
should be allotted at the discretion of the bishop to relieve the indi-
gent parishioners. So when the church of Charlton upon Ottmoor
was given to the nuns of Henwode com. Warwic.«— £f etiampro
recreatione pauperum parochianorum ipsius ecclesiee alia perpciua
portio moderanda arbitrio diocesani loci deputari debet K. p. 522,
524. After the Statute of Mortmain the religious still carried on
their gainful trade, by obtaining a dispensation from the king. So
in the appropriation of Merton to the abby of Egnesham, K.p.482,
Fid. Vicaragr.
Affropriabv ad honorem. To bring a mannor within the
extent and liberty of such an honour. Petrus de Askerugge tunc
seneschallus honoris Sancti Walerici appropriavU dictum manermtn '
ad honorem Sancti Walerici, K. p. 336.
Afprofriarr communam. To separate and enclose an open
common, or part of it. — Quodpossint sibi appropriate et includere
pro voluntate sua ires acras prcediclce placue, ue.in communipas*
tara, K. p. 336.
Apfrenticius. An Apprentice or young person bound by in-
dentures to a master, who upon such covenants is to teach him his
mystery or trade. In 12 Edw. III. Confirmavi Willielmo fratri
meo apprenticio apud London, K. p. 44g. This I think is the oldest
aqthority for the name of a servile apprentice : at least I have met
with no mention of tbem till the beginning of the next reign,
when Henry de Knighton, sub an. 1381, Apprenticii quogue re-
Hctis magistris suis illuc accurrebant. And Thomas Walsingham
in Ric II. p. 301, De Londoniis multi apprenticii, plures servi,
sumptis albis capuciis, invitis magistris et dominis sunt prqfectu
The students and professors of the common law had the appella-
tion of apprentitii ad legem, apprentitii ad b arras, juris regni
apprentitii. Of which titles see Selden's Notes on Fortescue,
p. 2.
GLOSSARY. 15
■
AtCHiDiAcoKua. Archdeacons were at first employed by the
bishops in more servile duties, and always in subservience to the
urban or rural deans of Christianity, to whom they were as much
inferiour as their order of deacon was to that of priest. Till by the
advantages of a personal attendance on the bishop, and a delegation
to examine and report some causes, and a commission to visit
some remoter parts of a diocese, their power and dignity was ad-
vanced above the arch-presbyter or dean, K. p. 633. Arch-
deacons within the diocese of Lincoln collected the spiritualities of
the bishop, and paid him some pensions or portions out of their
office : — Sutnma redditus.de quo* archidiaconi respondent episcopo
Lincoln, per an. ccxvi/. xvw. viVid. K. p. 350.
Argentum Album. Silver coin or current money. By
Doomsday tenure some rents to the king were, paid in argento
albo, common silver money, others in libris ursis et pensatis, in
the metal and full weight. So the king's maunor at Brehull red-
dit per annum xxviii. libras de alio argento, et proforesta xii. li*
bras ursas et pensatas, K. p. 1 65. Hence in the next age that
rent which was paid in mony was called blanch-fearm, now the
white-rent i and what they paid in provision was termed .black"
mail. ■
Aribtum levatio. An old sportive exercise, which seems to
have been the saire with running at the quintan or quintal* which
was to fix a post perpendicularly in the ground, and place on the
top of it a slender beam turning on a spindle, with a slob or flat
board at the one end, and a bag of dirt or sand on the other; that
while the rider strikes at the shield or board, he roust shew his
strength and dexterity to escape a blow from the turn of the other
end. This sport might be called Arietum levatio, because such
violent manner of riding at and striking did seem to resemble the
Roman ways of playing their battering rams: or rather because
the shield or board upon the* striking end was made in the fashion
of a ram's head : or because they fastened the horns of a ram at
the returning end, to make the blow more comical. This custo-
mary English sport, practised usually at weddings, was either so
ludicrous or so dangerous that it was often forbid by ecclesiastical
authority. Among the inquiries to be made by the archdeacons
within the diocese of Lincoln, an. 1233* An aliculi leventur ori-
ttes, velfiant scotalla, vel decertetur m praseundo cum vexillo nut"
tricis ecclesuB. In the synod at Worcester, an. 1240, can. 38. a
strict command was given, Ne intersint ludis inhonesiis, nee susti*
ntant ludos fieri de regm et regina, nee arieies levari, nee palestras
publico*. There be two other authorities lhat seem more directly
to imply it was the same with fbe quintan. A constitution of that
l6 GLOSSARY.
«
great preserver x>f church discipline Bishop Grosthead commands
that in every church should be published a prohibition, Ne quis-
quam levet arieies super rotas, vel alios ludos statuat, in quibus de-
certatur pro bravio, nee hujusmodi ludis quisquam intersit. And
another constitution of Walter bishop of Durham, an. 1255. In-
super interdicimus levationes arietum super rotas, et ludos quibus
decertatur ad bravium exequendum. In both which injunctions the
expression of levare super rotas seems to determine it a versatile
sport, like a beam or rafter turning equilibrious upon a pole or post
erect. And the bravium or prize which was to be given to the
victor, is so described in the quintal by Mat. Paris, sub an. 12$3.
Eo tempore juvenes Londinenses statuto pavone pro bravio, ad sta-
dium quod quint ena vulgariter dicitur, vires proprias et equorutn
cursus sunt experli. From whence I am apt to conclude that quin-
tana and arietum levatio were the same manly exercise, or at
least that the latter was but a varied improvement of the former,
K. p. 21.
Arma Dare. To make a Knight. An. 1144. 9, 10, King
Srepb. Ego Brienlius jilius Comitis quern bonus Bex Henricus nu»
trwit; et cui arma dedit et honotem, K. p. 101.
Arma Capers. To be made a Knight. An. 1278. 5, 6, Edw.
III. A die quo dictus Comes (sciL Henricus de Lacy) arma mili-
taria a Domino Henrico Rege patre nostro cepit, K. p. 289.
Armtgeri. Not only a title of dignity but the common appel-
lation of servants, especially in convents. I suppose the better
sort of servants, yet such as wore liveries in the priory of Burcester,
where in 4 Hen. VI. the prior and bursar accounted, — Et in
blodeo ^panno emplo pro Armigeris et valectis Prioris de Jokanne
Bandye de Magna Tue, K. p. 576. This is the same servile office
which by Sir Henry Spelman is called qucedam species armigero-
rum, in the abby of Battle, com. Suss., where the abbat and con-
vent granted to Hugh Fraunceis armigero suo, a yearly pension ox
wages, and a custumary livery, ac etiam liberaturam nostram, de
secia armigerorum nostrorum, quotiens nos liberaturam generalem
dare contigerit —Necnon tabulam suam infra idem monasterium in
aula nostra prout alicui armigerorum nostrorum ibidem deserviturseu
deservietur, dum tamen idem Hugo Fraunceis nobis et successoribus
nostris suum congruum servitium medio tempore, corporis sui vale*
tudine durante, realiter exkibeaU Possibly these Armigeri of the
religious (like the military armour-bearers) might be their retinue
of the better rank, who carried their banners in any public proces-
sion, and attended in some other of the wore gentile offices. As
our bedelli Armigeri, Bsquire bedejs.
Arreragjum. Arrears or debts unpaid within the due time.
GLOSSARY. 1/
From the French artiers a retro, behind.— Facialis habere Jeoium
suum una cum arreragiis suis, K. p. 28g.—Omnimoda computa et
arreragia computorum ac relevia exitus et alias f or isfactas siveforis*
facturas et alia debita qucecunque, K. p. 475. Respondent de ar-
reragiis ultimi compoti, K. p. 570. Hence the Rere of an army*
the Rier-band j the Rier-county, or some place appointed by the
sheriff after the end of his office to receive the king's arrears.
Articulus. An Article or complaint exhibited by way of
libel in a court Christian. — Possint eos et eorum successores per
otnnem censuram ecclesiasticam ad omnium et singulorum pr&mis*
sorum observationem absque articuli seu libelli petitionee et quocun-
que strepitu judiciali compellere, K. p. 344.
Arura pro Aratura. Ploughing. Una arura, one day's work
at the plough, — Tenet in bondagio et debet unam aruram in yeme,
et unam sarculaturam, K. p. 401. Hence in Wiltshire to Ear is
to plough, and Earing is a day's ploughing.
Assartum, Essartum, Ex at turn. A piece of land within the
limits of a forest, grubbed up or divested of the wood and trees, and
converted into tillage. Manwood derives it from an old French
word, assartir, to make plain. Spelman thinks Essartum was from
the Latin exertum, pulled or rooted up. Some derive it a sar*
riendo, weeding of fields. Skinner runs into more fanciful con-
jectures, a Lat. exarturare, i. e. art us seu ramos arboris descindere*
arbor em detruncare, vel si malts a Lat. exsaltuare, (i. e.) solium in
agrum cultum transmutare, Jacili sane 1 in e transitu. Mr. Sora-
ner is much more rational and happy, who thinks exartum to be a
contraction of exaratum. To which opinion the learned Du Fresno
inclines. Alii denique ab Exaro, unite Exaratum, ager exaratus^
prcescissus, etper con tr actionem Exartum, uti scribi passim in veins*
twribus chartis observare est. Quam ultimam sententiam fulciunt
tabulce veteres in Chronko Besuensi, an. 5. Ludov. Imp. p. 513,
ubi Exaratum scribitur. JEd\fkiis desuper positis, campisque, pra-
tis, sylvis, exaraiis, pomiferis, &c. Simon de Gerardmulin con-
firmed to the abby of Missenden the chappel of Holy Cross in
Pidington, et Jotum assartum quod adjacet, K. p. 108. — Red-
dendo pro prcedicto assarto unum denarium, K. p. 178. Land not
to be assarted within the bounds of a forest without license from
the king, nor could that be obtained without a previous inquisition
Ad quod dampnum — Jurati dicunt quod foret dampnum et valde no-
amentum forestce, si tres acrce assarte essent in quoddam planum
quod vocatur Fernhurst inforesta de Bernwode, K. p. 249.
Ass is a, ab Assidendo. Originally a court wherein the judges
as Assessors did hear and determine any cause. Thence the word
was translated to signifie an ordinance or statute-law, a
c
1 8 GLOSSARY;
trial, a jury, a writ, &c. We now apply the word to no ether
court of judicature but the county courts held by the itinerant
judges, called the Assises.
Assisa Magna. A more solemn trial by a jury of twelve or
more knights, to be elected and returned by four other knights, to
give their verdict in a cause, prosecuted per breve de recto, L e*
where the dispute lies not of the bare possession, but of the right
and property : distinguished from the assisa parva or minor, where
the question is only of possession, in which the jury were twelve
ordinary legal or free- men returned by the sheriff. Roger de
Amory quit claimed to the abbat and convent of Oseney, two
knights fees in Weston, — Unde eos implacitavit in curia domini
regis per breve de recto, et pros ecu turn est quousque dictus abbas et
conventus posuerunt se super thagnam assisam, K. p. 257- Johan-
nes de Handlo defendit jus suum, et ponit se in magna assisa domi*
ni regis, K. p. 415. In a great assise the sheriff returned four
knights of the same county by the king's precept,— Vice comid
Oxon. per breve nostrum de judicio prceceptum fuit quod venire
faciat coram vobis quatuor milites de com. prcedicto, K. p. 446 i
which four knights were to appear in court at a day prefixed, and
there in presence of the plan tiff and defendant, or their attornies,
were to elect out of themselves and others, twelve, thirteen, or
sometimes sixteen knights, to be summoned against another day
of hearing,— Quatuor milites in propriis personis suis venerunt et
super sacr amentum suum in prcesentia partium prcedictarum elege*
runt de seipsis et aliis sexdecim milites, K. p. 485. — Ponunt se tfft
4kagna assisa domini regis — et offerunt domino regi dimidiam mar-
cam pro inquisitione seisince prcedictce, — dies datus est partibus
prcedictis,—ad audiendam electionem magna? assisce dom. regis, et
tunc venerunt quatuor milites ad Jaciendam electionem illnm,
K. p. 480. The twelve. or more knights elected by the first four
were to be all such as held lands and tenements within the county,
or else incapable to serve on the jury, — Quidam illorum de terris
et tenemeniis qvce tempore electionis prcedictce in com, prcedicto ha-
luerunt, se totaliter dimiserunt, K. p. 446. If between the elec-
tion of knights and the lime of trial any of them were dead or sick;
or dispossest of estates within the county, others by the king's pre-
cept to the sheriff were to be elected in their room, — $i vobis
<onstiterit aliquos de prcedictis militibus sic electis mortuos esse, sive
de terris et tenement is suis prcedictis se dimisisse, sive perpetuo Ian-
guidos esse, ut est dictum, tunc loco eorum alios legates milites, ejus-
idem com. eligi et ulterius in eodem negotio Jacere 9 &c. K. p. 446.
If the jurors so elected refused or negected to appear, the sheriff
was commanded to distrain their goods and chattels, and arreat
GLOSSARY* 19
their persons and bring them into court. — Predpimus Mi— quod
distringas Edmundum de Cornubia, militem &c. electos in curia
nostra — per omnes terras et catalla sua in balliva tua — et quod
habeas corpora eorum coram justitiariis nostris apud Eh or. K. p. 446*
Assise judicium. Judgement of the court given against
pi an tiff or defendant upon default,— lpsi non veniunt ad huncdiem*
unde Judicium Assisa? capiatur versus eos per eorum defaltam,
K. p. 351.
Assisa Fores tee. The laws or particular orders of the Forest
establisht in an Assise or court held by the forest officers, — Johan-
nes Jilius Nigelli habet in bosco do mini regis Housbote et Hey bote
cum omnibus Jeodis forestario pertinentibus secundum assisam Jb-
restce, K. p. 266.— Priorissa de Littlemore devastavit boscum suum
de Shot tore contra assisam foresta?, K. p. 4Q8*
A ssr s a ultimce prcesentationis. Assise of darrein presentment,
A trial for the right of patronage by enquiring who took the pre-
cedent turns of presentation, for the more easie discovering and
fixing the property of the advouson.— Thomas abbas de Egnesham
per attornalum suum optulit se versus Luciam quae fuit uxor Tho*
mce de Leuknore et Petrum de Schevyndon quod essent hie ad hunc
diem audituri Assisam ultimce prcesentationis, K. p. 351.
Assisa panis et cervisue. The power or privilege of Assising or
adjusting the weights and .measures of bread and beer. As the
weight of bread prescribed by the vice-chancellor, and supervise^
by the clerk of the market, is still called the Size of bread : So
half a crust or a farthing bread in Oxford is in Cambridge called a
"Size of bread. And a servitor is there a Sizar, or one who is to
live upon such an Assized allowance. Hence to Size, t. e. to match
cloatb, silk, &c. to get more of the same Assize or proportion.
Hence Size for height and stature, of a middle Size. Sizely in the
North is proud and coy, &c. — Sir Ric. D'Amory in 18 Edw. II.
was Sysor, or bad the assize of bread and beer within the city and
suburbs of Oxford for the yearly rent of one hundred shillings :
but on complaint of the university and city, the king granted back
that privilege to the mayor and vice-chancellor, K. p. 393.
Assisus. Dimised or firmed out for such an assise or certain
rent in mony or provisions. Terra assisa was commonly opposed
to terra dominica : this last being held in demesne or occupied by
the lord; the other let out to inferiour tenants. So among the
lands of the Knights Templars belonging to their preceptory of
Sandford,—- Apud Covele de dono MatUdis regince habentur quatuor
hidce, quorum duos sunt in dominico, et due assisce ab hominibus,
K. p. 141. Apud Meritone dues in dominico, et quinque assises ab
bominibus, ib. Hence redditus assisus, the set or standing rent.
c 2
20 GL0SSAKT.
Suut ibidem de redditu assise, xli. K. p. 314. Smrnma redJUuvm
assisorum de marerio, K. p. 355. Hence to Asses or allot the
proportion and rates in taxes and payments by assessors in as s es s
merit.
Associations On tbe death of King Edw. I. Henry Lacy
earl of Lincoln, Anthony Bee bishop of Durham, and divers others
barons, entered into a solemn association to defend King Edw. II.
and the rights of his crown, K. p. 355. In 5 Edw. II. Thomas
earl of Lancaster and several peers associated by solemn oath to
relieve the oppression of Holy Church, and to recover the just
liberties of the kingdom, "K. p. 364.
Attach i are. To Attach or seize upon. Attachiare bona, to
distrain goods. Attachiare personam, to arrest a person. From
the Fr. attacker, to attack or take into custody, which the
learned Dn Fresne supposes derived from tbe old Gallic tasca,
tasckia, the rent of land or tenement, from the British f asc tribute,
tascyd collector of the tribute, (whence our tasque or imposed
labour. A tasquer or day labourer. A fcu ^tie-master, &c) So as
attacker was no more at first than to gather rent or collect tribute,
or else upon refusal to take it by force, as a debt and forfeiture to
the state. — Tibi praecipimus quod ipsvm Ychehtm atiackies, ita quod
corpus ejus habeas coram barombus, K. p. 328. Robertus Frere
et Joshua PkiUippes attackiatijuerunt, quod transierunt cum carte*
tis suis ultra pratum dombii de Langeford, K. p. 458.
Attachiamenta bonorum. A distress taken upon the goods
of persons sued for personal estate, by the legal attachiatores jot
baylifrs, and kept in their custody as a security to answer the
action. It was a privilege granted to the abbat and convent of
Oseney, to have the Attachments of all their tenants quit- claimed
or released, — Omnia attackiamenta hominum nostrorum et plegifr
rum suorum habenda quiet a clamata sunt, K. p. 1Q6.
Attachi amenta Forestce. AH timber toppings and other vert
felled or cut within the liberties of a forest without the view of the
verdor and license of the king, were forfeited and to be Attached
by the forestar, — Nichil de boscis pr&dictis caper e potuerunt nisi
per liberationem fores tarii — absq. aitackiamento et impedimento fo-
res tar n prcedicti, K. p. 370.
Attachi amenta de spinis et bosco. The privileges granted to
the officers of a forest to take to their own use thorns, brush, and
windfall trees within such precincts. So John Fitz- Nigel! fores*
tar of Bernwode,— debet habere feodum in bosco domini regis vide*
licet attackiamentum de spinis de bosco suo, et de bosco qui vente
prostituitur, K p. 209.
Attobhare Rem. To Attoorn or turn over mony and goods,
GLOSSARY. 2 \
i. t. to assign and appropriate them to a certain use,— quos auidem
quatuor solidos — attornavi ad unam pietantiam faciendam tn con-
ventu Oseneiensi, K. p. 283.
Attoknasb Personam. To depute a representative or proxy,
as in trials at common law, the plan tiff or defendant retained attor*
natum suum, positum in loco suo ad lucrandum vel perdendum,
K. p. 405.
Averia. Cattle. Sir Henry Spelman deduces the word from
the Fr. ovre (work), as if chiefly working cattle. But more probably
from avoir, to have or possess ; the word sometime including all
personal estate, as catalla did all goods and chattels. But com-
monly taken for all kind of stock or feeding cattle,—^ introitum
et exitum cum averiis meis et suis, K. p. I89. Communem pastu-
ram ad averia sua, K. p. 227. Propriatn^ habet communam ad
omnia averia in sylva dictorum prioris et conventus, K. p. 48Q«
In Northumberland they now say, a false Aver, for a sluggish horse
or lazy beast, perhaps from averia, yet the honoured Spelman
rather derives it from the old Lat. affri or qffra, (country horses,)
and cites the proverb, A false Aver or Afer. In the north they
likewise use average for what in Kent we call the gratten, in other
parts the eddish, in Wales the adlodb, the rougbings, the stubble
and pasture left in corn-fields after the harvest is carried in. From
averia comes averare 9 which Spelman interprets to carry goods in
a waggon or upon loaded horses, but it seems rather to drive
cattle to a fair or market*, — Omnes homines (i.e. de Kyngston) debent
ter averare ad Bristoliam. Cartul. Glaston. Abbat. MS. f. 40.
Aver-Corn. A reserved rent in corn paid to religious houses
by their tenants or firmers, which Mr. Somner deduces from the
Fr. ovre or ovrage (work), as if corn drawn to the lord's granary by
the working cattle of the tenant. But it seems more natural (like
averia) from avoir, to have or receive such a quantity of corn. I
suppose it owing to the Sax. Cyruc-jceat or Church-scot, a
measure of corn brought to the priest on St. Martin's day, as an
oblation for the first fruits of the earth. Under this title the re-
ligious had a reserve of corn paid yearly, as in an inquisition of the
estate of the abby of Glastonbury, an. 1201, 2 King John, —
Walione reddit in gabulo assiso iy. lib. xv'i.sol. — de Churchscet xu
summce et dimid. frumenti. Cartul. Abbat. Glaston. MS. f. 38.
Which curckscet by a Norman epithet might easily be called aver*
corn* Possibly from hence the Northern word havers oats, the like
asperate as in haver de pois for avoir du poids. But more probably
from a German original, habern oats in the High Dutch.
x Auditores. Those religious in a convent who were deputed
to state, examine, and pass the bouse-accompts^— Computavit co*
22 GLOSSARY.
ram dominis — Avditoribus deputatis, K. p. 287- Hence the Au-
ditors, Auditory, Audit-house, Audit- time, in cathedral and col*
legiate bodies.
Avbs Di ch. A corruption of OfFa's Ditch, which seems to have
been at first the boundary between the West Saxon and Mercian
kingdoms, and afterward maintained to keep off the incursions of
the Danes into these parts, from Northampton and other quarters.
It appears to have been continued from Wansdike in Wilts, to
Mixbury, com. Oxon. p. 40. A Dike in the north is a ditch to a
dry hedge, where the wet ditch is called a Sough. From Dike
comes the southern Doke, a deep furrow in arable land or any
sudden fall of ground.
Auxilium pelere. To pray aid in a suit or cause, i. e. when
an inferiour tenant is impleaded and not capable to defend the
right in his own name, he prayeth aid of the superiour lord to as-
sist and justice his plea, — Johannes de Handlo implacitatus de ma-
nerto de Pidington—dicit quod ipse non potest prcedicto priori sine
ipso domino rege respondere, et petit auxilium de ipso domin®e,
K. p. 414.
Auxilium Curia?. A precept or order of court for the citing
or sub-pcenaing a party, — Vocat inde ad warantiam Johannem Sut-
ton de Dudley chevaler et Is ale Ham uxorem ejus, ut ha beat eos hie
in octal. S. Michaelisper auxilium curia?, K. p. 477-
Auxilium facere alicul in curia regis* To be another's friend
and solicitor in the king's court, a fiduciary office solemnly granted
by some courtiers to their dependants in the country. — Sciant pra?-
sentes et futuri quod ego Bernardus de S. Walerico concessi Rogero
de Bercheley et hceredibut suis auxilium et consilium meum in curia
domini mei regis AngUce, K. p. 126.
Auxilium Regis. V'id. Scutagium.
Auxilium Vicecomitum. The aid or customary dues paid to
the sheriff for the better support of his office. Prior de Kime
com. Line, tenet duas carucatas terra? in Thorpe per servitium xl.
denarinrum per annum ad auxilium vice comitis. Mon. Aug.
torn. 2, p. 245. a. — An exemption from this duty was sometime
granted by the king as a special privilege. So King Henry II. to
the priory of St. Osith of Chich in Essex, — Sint ipsi et omnes ho*
mines sui liberi et quieli de auxiliis vicecomitum et pruepositorum
hundredorum, ib. torn. 2, p. 184. So King Henry II. granted to
the tenants within the honours of Walingford and Bercamsted,—
Ut quieti sint de auxilio vicecomitum et servient urn, K. p. 1 14.
Ay si amenta. Easements, from the Fr. aise*, easie: or from
the Sax. Ei$, Kasie or ready, which Chaucer calls Eith and Etb :
and the Northumbrians still use Eeth, the Welsh Esmwyth. Iq
GLOSSARY. 23
grants of conveyance aud dimise Aysiamenta did include any liberty
of passage, high-way, water- course, or other custumary benefit for
the ease and accommodation of the owners or inhabitants of any
house, or the tenants of any land. — Quiete bene in pace etjure h&-
reditario in omnibus ay siamentis infra villain et extra ad dictum
messuagium — pertinentibus, K. p. 194. — Cum omnibus pertinentiis
suis valoribus et aysiamentis, K. p. 229. Hence a house of office
is, called an Easement, commonly a house of Ease.
Axatio car ec tee. Putting on the axle-tree of a waggon,— £f
in uno axe empto cum axatione unius carectce, K. p. 574.
B.
Baius Equus. A Bay horse. From Lat. Badius, Gr. Bat§w$
a Bats, et Bcc'iov, a bough or branch of a palm-tree $ so as Badius
was coloris phaenicei. — Et de uno eauo baio empto de IVillielmo Salt
ad stabulum prioris xxvi.w/. viW.den. K. p. 576. Heuce Baiard
an appellative for horse. Prov. None so bold as blind Bayard.—
Or in Chaucer's phrase,
u Ye ben as bold as is Bayard the blind." .
Hence Bayard' s-warering, Bayard's-green, &c
Ballita. A Bailywick. From the Fr. bailler, to deliver or
commit. Ballivus was the person to whom an authority and trust
was committed within such a district. Balliva was the whole di-
strict within which the said trust was to be executed. A whole
county was so called in respect of the sheriff. A whole barony in
respect of the lord or baron. A hundred in respect of the chief
constable. A man nor in respect of the steward. A circuit of
villages and hamlets, w'^th respect to the capital mannor, where the
religious held their court or bad a mansion-house. So the abbat
and convent of Oseney had their balliva de Weston, which con*-
tained Westou, Blechesdon, Burcestre, Chestreton, Wrechwike,
BucknelJ, Audley, Arncote, and Northbrook, K. p. 60. The
circuit within the liberties of the constable of the castle of Wal-
lingford, called by him Balliva mea, K. p. 112. The sheriff of
every county had two itinerant bayliffs, who were to execute writs
and judgements, &c. — Johannes Laundels vicecomes Oxon. dilectis
nbi Johanni de Baldindon et Roberto touches hoc vice ballivis suis
Uineraniibus salutem, JL p. 48/. The secular clergy sometimes
took these mercenary offices, prohibited by a constitution of the
excellent bishop Grosthead, — Ad amputandum quouue omnem cu»
piditatis speciem inhibemus firmiter non solum ordinaria sed special*
auctoritate apostolica, ne beneficiati vel ad sacros ordines promoH
;
24 GLOSSARY.
sint vicecomkesveljustitiarii secuiares vet hallivas teneant, undelai~
cis potestatibus obligantur ad ratiociiria de ballwis eisdem reddendo.
Constit. Rob. Episc. Lincoln. MS. Fid. Propositus.
Barrow. A large biUock or mount of earth raised or cast up,
which may seem to have been one of the Roman tumuli or sepal*
cbers, K. p. 18. From the Sax. Boeng, a raised heap of earthy
or rather from Beajiu, Beojia. which was commonly taken for a
grove or toft of trees on the top of a hill. From the old Gallic
Bar, a high place, from whence several towns in Italy and France
from their lofty situation had this name of Bar and Bari.. One of
the most noted mountains in North Wales is called Berriw. Hence
the Bars, properly a partition set upon rising steps. The Bar or
fate of a city, as Temple Bar in London, Bootham Bar in York*
'he Barriers or mound to fence off the croud in military sports. .
Bas-Chevaliers. Low or inferiour knights, as distinguished
from barons and bannerets, who were the chief or superiour
"knights, K. p. 378. Hence we now call our bare simple knights, in-
feriour to baronets, Knights Cacbellors, i. e. Bas-Ckevaliers.
Which in all likely hood gave name to the academical degree of
Bachellors, as a quality lower than that of masters and doctors.
So in France they call the suburbs the Bas-ville, or the inferiour
town. The learned Spelman very rationally derives the oppro-
brious name of Bastard from the Fr. Bas, and Sax. rteojit, rise or
original, as a person of a base and vile extract. The same termi-
nation remains in Upstart, a fellow of a new and late rise.
Basse. A collar for cart-horses made of flags,-*- Jw tribus
coleris, uno basse, cum tribus c apis iris, emptis apud Sierisbrugge,
K. p 574. Hence the round matted cushion of flags 7 used for
kneeling in churches is called Passe, in Kent a Trush.
Batexlus. A boat or small marine vessel, ft is a very frivo-
lous conjecture of Dr. Skinner, — Nescio an nostrum Boat ortum
sit a Teut. Bott nuntius q. d. cymla internuntia classis. It la
more certain the Lat. Batus, Hispan. Batel, Ital. Batello, came
from the Sax. I at, and that from the old Brit. Bdd, which in
present Welsh and Irish is a l:oat. — Possessiones, naves, batellos,
ac bona et catalla sua qucecunque, K. p. 657. Hence a Bottom,
which is still a common word for a marine vessel of burden, a good
Bottom : whence the naval term of Bottomry, when the master of
a ship borrows mony upon the credit of his vessel, or a safe voyage.
Botellus, the lower part of the belly, which we now call the Bot-
tom of the belly, — Si stomachus vel botellus perforatus Juerit, ita
tit stercus per vulnus exierit. Leg. Frison Tit. 22.
Beaumont. Bellus Moris, Fair Mount. Several places of ac-
cent and fair prospect were 90 called by the Normans. As tho
GLOSSARY*. 35
king's house in Oxford : the plat of an old fortification at Mix*
Dorv, &c.
Bbdbllus. A Bedell or cryer. Sax. Bybel & Bybbe, to pub*
lish, as to Bid and forBid the banns of matrimony, Bidding of
prayers. Hence the university Bedels, the Bedell of beggars*
The rural deans had their Bedels, which we now call apparitors
and summoners, to cite the clergy and church officers to visitations*
and execute the orders of the court Christian, K. p. 648.
Bbdbip, Bedrepe, Wedbedrip, From Sax. Bibban, to pray,
and Repe to rip or cut corn. So as Bedrepe was the custumary
service which inferiour tenants paid to their lord in cutting down
their corn, or doing any other work or labour in the field. It
chiefly related to the days of work in harvest,— Tenentes de Ewei
dehent venire in autumpno ad precariam quce vacatur a la Bedripe.
Placit, 10 Hen. III. Emalaus carectator tenet unum messuagium
et duos acras terra in duobus cavtpis (sett, de Pidington) et reddit
per annum duos solidos et alias consuetud&nes ad bedreptum in au-
tumpno, K. p.496. From the Eng. Bidding or praying, it was
called in Lat. Precaria, which did likewise comprehend any days
or season, when the said servile tenants as Beadsmen were to per-
form any duty or labour for their lord, which were commonly
called Bind-days, s. e. Bidden-days, when adpreces demini, at the
beads, or petition of the lord or his steward, the tenants were to
give their custumary attendance and labour, — Debet venire auoW»
bet anno ad duas precarias carucce cum earuca sua. Custumar. de
Bello, f. 60. Called also Precatura and Preces, which were at
any indefinite time,— -Quilibet carectarius manerii debet arare tree
acras et dzmidiam inter festum sancti Michaelis et sancti Martinis
et in vere debet arare bis ad precaturas, et in testate, &c, — Quili-
bet debet arare ad duas preces in hyeme, et ad duas preces in vere*
Cartul. Abbat. Glaston. MS. f. 40. And therefore the more so-
lemn Bedrip in harvest was called Magna Precaria, to distinguish
it from the other Bidden-days in any different season, and diffe-
rent work,— Johannes Boy land tenet unum cotagium — et debet io-
venire unum'hominem ad magnam precariam in au tumpno. Custu-
mar. de Bello, f. 97. It was likewise called Wedbedrip, from the
■Sax. yeb, a covenant or agreement, (whence to Wedd, Wedding,
Wedded husband, &c.) as if a league or compact made between
the lord and tenant, — Robertus filius Nicholai Germayn tenet
unum messuagium et dimidiam virgatam in bondagio ad voluntatem
domino*, et debet unam aruram in yeme, et unam sarculaturam, et
debet wedbedrip pro vohntate domince, K. p. 401. Alicia qum
Juit uxor Ricardi le Grey—faciet unam sarculaturam et unam wed*
bedripam et levationem feoni, K. p. 402. Heno* a Bedde-ale or
36 GLOSSARY*
Bid-ale was an assignation made for neighbours to meet and driafc
at the house of new married persons, or other poor people, and
then for all the guests to contribute to the housekeepers.
Bellum Duetium. Duel or combat. An old customary way
of trial by arms, wherein the appellant or challenger and the de-
fendant or accepter were at a nxt time and place to engage in
single combat, either by themselves or by their deputies, and the
cause was adjudged to the conquerour. This fierce practice was
-allowed and confirmed by the laws of William the Conquerour,
cap. 68, §g ; and those of Hen* I. cap. 45 , 4Q, wad some new orders
prescribed for the regulation of it. Leg. Hen. I. cap. 5Q* So that
it is an evident mistake in the late ingenious author of An Intro*
duction to the History of England, that " William the Conqueror
endeavoured to abolish two ancient forms of trial used among the
Saxons with great reverence, even during their Christian worship.
—These were the trials ordeal and of camp fight, K. p. 246. —
Both these sorts of trial this king abolished as unchristian and un-
just, and reduced all causes to the judgement of equals, or of a
jury of twelve neighbours, and by legal forms," K. p. 249. When
it is certain the trial of camp-fight or duel was no custom peculiar
to the Anglo-Saxons, but was the practice of most northern nations,
especially of the Franks and Normans, and was indeed introduced
by William the Conquerour, not found here as an ancient usage,
much less abolished by him. He made no one order to cancel or
to restrain it, but made An express law to license and authorize it.
Before the Conquest not one law or one example of this practise,
but after the Conquest some publick laws, and very many prece-
dents Hoc genus (i. e. duelli) a Normannis (cum Anglis Mis an*
tiquiorihus an tea ignoium erat) invecium est. Antiq. Britan. p. 103.
Duellum, singulare cert amen iuteltige, quod genus examinis, cum in
Anglo SaxonuJii monumentis, quod sciam, non occur rat, Normannis
eorum successoribus, ut verisimile est, debemus-, a quibus a Norman"
fda post Conquestum, ut vocant, hue adducium reor. Somneri Gloss.
-in voce Duellium. I wonder Sir W. T. could fall upon such an
ignorant errour; but thus it is to write history without stating any
times or producing any authorities. This is to invent not to relate.
Alas, history is a very sacred subject; and though matters of
opinion may admit of desultory essays, yet matters of fact must be
delivered with great integrity and judgement. .This camp-fight
or duelling was of two sorts, either by court military iu cases of
felony or treason ; or by court civil for the trial of estates : both
these are antiquated, but never really abrogated. Of the latter
-sort there was a solemn allowance, an. 1571$ 13 Eliz., in the case
of Simon Low tnd John Kime plaintiffs, and Thomas Paramore
GLOSSARY. 2?
defendant, for the mannor and lands in the Isle of Hartie, near
Shepey in Kent. Of the former kind the last example was in
6 Car. I. between Donald lord Rey appellant, and David Ramsey*
esq. defendant. But in both these instances, after a great many
formalities, the matter was referred witout proceeding to actual
fight. In. the ninth of King Steph. Brien Fitz- Count lord of Wa-
lingford, sent a challenge to Henry bishop of Winchester, wrote
in red letters, and concluding thus, — Ea quce in hoc scripto assero
contra Henricum nepotem regis Henrici episcopum IVintonice prce-
sto sum probare vel bello veljudicio per unum clericum vel per unum
laicum, K. p, 101.
Benevolentiam Regis habere. , To purchase the king's pardon
and favour, and be restored to honour and estate. — Thomas de &
Walerico dat regi mille m areas pro habenda benevolenlia regis, et
pro habendis terris suis unde disseisitusfuit, K. p. 172.
Beojin. A Saxon epithet of dignity and eminence. Bernwode,
coin. Buck, seems to have been so called as a forest of the greatest
remark, K. p. 28.
Bejin. A Barn, granary, or grange. The learned Fr. Junius
judges it to be compounded of Bene, barley 5 and Enn or Eapn, a
place or repository : and asserts it to be so wrot, where it fre*
cjuently occurs, in the Saxon Gosples, Benejin, and sometimes se-
parately Bepe-enn, which Spelman writes Bejieun. So Bejie- j?tc,
a grange or the tillage of corn ; Bene-gajrol, a tax on corn ; Bepo-
ton, a name given to those villages where the religious bad a com-
mon granary. But it is a fond conjecture of Dr. Skinner that Bur-
cester, com. Oxon. was Bejin-ceartep, or Barn-cestre. When,
•though I inclined to believe, it bore some relation to the first
bishop of Dorchester, and might be possibly Birini-Castrum. Yet
I rather think it was originally Buri-Castrum, or Castrum ad Bu-
rum, from the Bury or rivulet on which it stands, and which still
retains the name of the Bury, though commonly the Rea •, especi-
ally because the east-end of the town, now called Market-end,
before the grant of a new market by Hen. VI. was always called
~Bury-end.
Bercaria, Berqueria, Berkeria, A sheep-fold, sheep-cote,
sheep-pen, or other inclosure for the safe keeping a flock of sheep.
Abbreviated from Berbicaria, from Berbex, detorted from Verves.
Hence I^at. Berbicus a ram, Berbica an ewe, caro Berbecina rout*
ton. Berbicarius, Bercarius, Fr. Berger, a shepard.— James le
Bret of Bigenhull gave four short ridges or butts of land to the
priory of Burcester,— ad faciendam berkeriam sive quicquid eis me*
bus placuerit. K. p. 1 87. John de Charlton and Christian hit
wife gave to the abby pf Oseney a piece of land in Hokenorton,
38 gjjossary.
upon which stood the Berchery of Sutton, K. p. 348. Summa
ridituum porcoriarum et bercariarum si fuerint ad Jirrnam vs. \\d.
K. p. 354. Et in Johanne Leseby faciente sepes apud bercariam
de Wrechwyke et Crokewell, xYu.den. K. p. 577. Quidam berca-
rius de Ambresdon tenet terras in Wrechwyke, K. p. 470. Hence
the word Bercen or Barken, which is now commonly used for a
yard or Back-side in Wilts, and other counties. But it first signi-?
lied the small croft or close where the sheep were brought up at
sight, and secured from danger of the open fields.
Ber i a , Berie. Most of our glossographers in the name of places
have confounded the termination of Berie with that of Bury and
Borough, as if the appellative of ancient towns. Whereas the
true sense of the word Beria, £ng. Berie, is a flat wide campagne*
as from sufficient authorities is proved by the learned Du Fresne
in his Glossary, voce Beria, and in his Notes on the Life of St.
Lewis, p. 89, where be observes that Beria S.Edmundi, mentioned
by Mat. Paris, sub an. 1 1 74, is not to be taken for the town but
for the adjoining plain. To these and other his remarks on that
word, may be added, that many flat and wide meads and other
open grounds, are still called by the name of Herie and Berie-field.
So the spacious mead between Oxford and Ifley was in the reign
of King Atbelstan called Bery. B. Twine MS. c. 2. p. 253. Such
were the Berie -meadows, which though Sir Henry Spelman inter-
prets to be the Demesne meadows or Mannor- meadows, yet were
truly any open flat meadows that lay adjoining to any vill or firm.
The same with Berras in that plea between the bishop and prior of
Carlisle, 18 Edw. I. — Et quod rex inforesta sua prcedicla (scil. de
Inglewood) potest villas cedificare, ecclesias cons truer e, Berras as*
sartare, et ecclesias illas cum decimis terrarum illarum pro volunr
tate sua cuicunque voluerit conferre. Where berras assartare, must
be to assart or plough up the plain, open heaths, or downs. Hence
our warrens were called cony-Berries. A flat threshing floor is
in the north called a Berry-sted and Berry ing-sted; Berrier a
thresher. As Bersted in Kent was Beri-sted or an open flat place.
Hence the termination of many places that are so situate, as Mix-
Berie, Acorn Berie, now CornBerie, &c.
Bezanti ne, Bixqntin. A piece of mony coined by the western
emperours at Byzantium or Constantinople, of two sorts, Bisantins
aureus et albue, gold and silver, both which past in England. The
monks of Oseney, in consideration of the mannor of Hampton,
gave ten marks of silver to Robert de Gait, and one Bezantine to
his wife, K. p. 97. The silver Besantine was the value of two
shillings, K. p. 109. Chaucer represents the gold Besantine or
Beaaunt, to have been a ducket \n weight*
GLOSSARY. 0$
Bidentes. Two-yerlings : tags or sheep of the second year.*—
William Longspe granted to the prior and canons of Burcester,*—
pasluram ad quinquaginta bidentes cum dominicis bidentibus meii
ibidem pascendis, K. p. 21 6. The wool of these sheep being the
first sheering, was sometime claimed as a heriot to the king on the
death of an abbat. Vid. Heriot.
Big a, Bigata. A cart with two wheels, drawn often with one
Jiorse, King Hen. III. confirmed to the priory of Repingdon,
com, Derb. — unam bigam cum unico equo semei in die in bosco suo
de Tikenkale errantem ad focale ad usus suos proprios portandum,
Mon. Ang. torn. 2, p. 280. So King John to the abby of Noteley,
com. Buck. Concessimus eisdem canonicis ducts bigas singulis an~
nis euntes etredeuntes pro bosco adfocum eorum, K. p. 1($0. The
prior and canons of Burcester allotted to the vicar of that church,
duas bigatas bonifoeni—et quatuor bigatas lignorum pro focalibus
de silva prioris vocata Priorswood, K. p. 6?0. The two paps of
teats of a female are called in Essex the Bigges. A cap with two
long ears worn by young children and girls is now called a
Biggin.
Bladum. Commonly taken for all sorts of standing corn itt
the Blade and ear, — Quilibet eorum (i. e. tenendum de Hedingdon)
animalia habens metet in autumpno unam acram bladi de blado cfo-
mini ibidem, K. p. 320. In autumpno metent blada domini, ib.
But in our old charters the word Bladum did include the general
product of the ground, fruit, corn, flax, grass, &c. and whatever
was opposed to living creatures. So when Joan de Pidington gave
or confirmed the hermitage of Musewell to the abby of Missenden,
she granted all the tithe of her demesne lands in Pidington, — de
blado et de omnibus fructibus terrce, et de ovibus et porcis p K. p. JQ.
—Decimam de dominio suo tarn in blado quam in agris et porcelHs^
K. p. 77* Hence Germ. Blatt, Island, and Dutch Blad, Eng.
Blade of corn or grass, Blade of a knife, shoulder- Blade, and by
farther metaphor a fine Blade or brisk young fellow. * The word
was sometime applied to all sore of grain or thresht corn,— -7V/a
quart eria Jrumenti, tria quart eria avenarum, et unum quarterium
Jabarum y — erunt quieti de soluiione prccdicli bladi in perpetuum,
K. p. 291. Sometime appropriated to bread corn, or wheat, in.
Fr. Bli. 80 the Knights Templars granted to Sir Widode Meriton's
wife, — duas summas bladi, K. p. 120.
Blodeus. From Sax. Blob, Island. Bloob. Of a deep red
colour, or what we call as red as blood. The old phrase of Blae
and Bludie, what we now call Black and Blew. Siquis verberan*
do aliquemfecerit blae et bludie, ipse qui fuerit blae et bludie prum
SO GLOSSARY*
debet exaudiri. Leg. Burg. Scot. cap. 87- Hence Bloat coloured
and Bloated, i. e. sanguine and high coloured : which in Kent wtf
call .a Blousing colour, and a great Blouse is there a red-faced
wench. Hence to Blush or turn red in (he facej to Blote her-
rings, or by srnoak to make red herrings; a Bloc or Blotch and
Blur, a spot of deep tincture. The prior of Burcester gave his
liveries of this colour, —Et in blodeo panno empto pro armigeris et
valectis prions de Johanne Bandy e de magna Tue, K. p. 5 76'.
Blodewite. From Sax. Blob blood, and pite a fine or penalty.
It was a cnstumary amercement paid as a composition for the
shedding or drawing blood. And sometime a privilege or ex-
emption from this penalty was granted by the king as a special
favour. So King Henry II. granted to all tenants within the
honour of Walingford, — ut quieti sint de hidagio et blodewite et
bredewite, K. p. 1 14. Hence we say a Bloody fine, a Bloody sum
of mony.
. Boou, Bodun, Bod. Brit. Deep. Hence the Dobuni dqfnwere
called Boduni, Bodunni, from the deep fat soil where they inhabited
in Glocestersbire and Oxfordshire. And thence probably Bodtcote
or Boducot, com. Oxon. Hence the Lat. Bodia, Bodium, the fiat
or level ground : and sometimes for a low cottage. Hence our
Eng. Body, which in some parts of Lincolnshire they use only for,
the belly or lower part. Hence the Bottom of any thing opposed
to the top. Bodmin or the deep bank in Cornwall. And Pliny
mentions the old Gall. Bodincus for Bodennag or Bottomless;
Bonchys. Bunches. Fr. Junius derives it from the Dan.
Buncker, the tops of hills. But I rather believe it from the old
Lat. Bonna, Bunna, a rising bank for the term or bound of fields;
whence Bonnarium, a fence, or hedge, or wall, and Bonnagium
mony or service paid for the maintaining of mounds or boundaries
of ground. Hence the word Bown is used in Norfolk for swelling
or rising up in a bunch, or tumour. A Bun is a copped cake. The
Bun or upper part of a barrel, the Bun-hole or Bung-hole. A
Bunting or round bid. A Bonnet, a little cap or hat, or other
covering for the head. — Et in duo bus bonchis allei vi.den,
K. p. 575.
lioNDAGiUM. Villenage, servitude, bondage. From Sax,
Bono, Bonds or fetters. Hence Prov. I will be your Bond-slave'.
Fid. Abumdare. — Filius Boberti Elyot nuper defuncti nativi do-
mince qui tenuit in bondagio duo messuagia, K. p. 3g9~Bobertus
filius Nicholai Germeyn tenet unum messuagium et dimidiam vir*
gatam terra* in bondagio ad volun latent domirue, K. p. 40k Te-
nants in bondage paid heripts and did fealty, K. p. 450, were
GLOSSARY. 51
flot to fell trees in their own gardens without license of the lord,
ib. Widow of a tenant in bondage held her husband's estate,
quamdiu vixetit sine marito, K.p.458. Vide Villenagi&m#
Bordarii. Some derive it from the old Gall. Bords t the limits
or extreme parts of any extent. As the Borders of a country, and
the Borderers or inhabitants in those parts. Whence the Bordure
of a garment, and to im Border, which we corrupt to tmbroider.
•But our old Bordarii, Bord men, were rather so called from Sax.
Bopb, a house and sometimes a table. Hence our English Boar-
ders, who board or lodge and table at such a bouse or such a
Boarding-school. A cup- Board, a side- Board -table : and Board-
ing was an old word for facetious table talk. The Bordarii often
mentioned in the Doomsday Inquisition were distinct from the
Servi and Vitlani, and seem to be those of a less servile condition,
who had a bonb or cottage with a small parcel of land allowed to
them, on condition they should supply the lord with poultry and
eggs, and other small provisions for his board and entertainment.
Hence Bordlode was the firm or quantity of food which they paid
by Ibis tenure. Bordlandswere the small estates that were so held.
As in latter times Bordage and Board-halfpenny were the dues
paid in fairs and markets foe boards or tables, booths and standings.
The old Scots had the term of Burd and Meet* Bur d for provisions:
Burden-sack for a sack full of provision. From whence most pro*
bably comes our Eng. Burden, at first only a load of meat and
drink, which we seem still to retain in the Prov. He has got his
burden, i. e. He has got as much drink as he can beare or carry.-—
Robertus de OUgy tenet Berncestre, sunt ibi — 5. servi, et 28. villa*
ni, cum 14. bordariis, K. p. 65.
Bordbl. Lat. Bordellum. A Sax. Bonb a house. At first it
signified any small cottage, which growing infamous for a licen-
tious ale-house, and the common habitation of prostitutes, a
Bordel, or by metathesis a Brothel and Brothel»hou<e, was a lewd
publick house, a stews, from which few me hordelier a common
whore. Hence in Chaucer a Borel- man a loose idle fellow, and
Borel -folk drunkards and epicures, (which the Scotch now call
Bureil folk). Goddes nous is made a tavern of gluttons, and a
Bordel of lychours. K. p. 6 1 3.
Botuacium. Boothage or custumary dues to the lord of the
market for the pitching and standing of Booths: of which Dr.
Skinner (as in most other words) gives this very ill account.
Minsevus defiectit ah AS Bobe tentorium tumultuarium, quod
nusquam lego. Potius a C. Br. Broth, tugurium, derivarem, nisi
quod suspicor hoc sit nostrce originis. Mallem igitur deducere *.
BeJg. Boade, Bode, domuncula^ casa, pel Dan. Bood, taberna^
S3 GLOtfftARY.
Xhtdfortasse a Bdg. Bouwen eedificare, hoc ab AS. Btan amir*,
A^on habitare. I rather think oar Eng. ifooM came from the old
Lat. Bota, Bula, Butta, a vessel for any liquid, from the old Gall.
Bouts, which the learned Da Fresne says were leather jacks or
vessels to cany wine cross the mountains, whence Butta and Buttis
signified any larger continent of wine, as oar Batt of wine, and the
Butettus or Botetius was a less vessel, as oar Bottle of which the
most ancient was the leather-Bottle. Hence the cellar or place
where they set their wine was called Buthe and Botha, whence
oar Battery, and Botharuu was the Battler who had custody of
the wine. Bothagium was the tax or doty laid on wine. From
all which it is easie to imagine that the pnblick place in a market
or fair where they exposed their wine to sale was called a Booth,
and the custom paid for snch liberty of standing and selling was
Bothagium, Boothage. — 19 Hen. VI. Rex concessit Roberto Broke
—picagium, stallagium, bothagium, et toUagutm una cum assisa
pants et cervisue de novo mercato infra viUam de Burcester,
K. p. 680. From the same old Gallick Bouts, leather continents
of wine, came oar Eng. Boots, of the same substance and astoe
similitude. So as there was more wit than is commonly appre-
hended in the repartee of Erasmus to Sir T. More, Bibitur ex ocrei*.
This makes me mink of a country proverb, Such a man has got
in his Boots, u e. He is very drank, or has been at a drinking-
Bout
Bouch of Court. From the Fr. Bouck a month, or rather
from the Fr. Boughs, Lat. Buiga, Eng. Budget, of British original,
tor the present Welsh use Bolgan, and the Irish Boig far a belly,
and by metaphor for a pair of bellows. Hence a big nit belly is
called a Bulge-belly, and Bulging- belly, and any thing prominent
is said to Bulge out : from whence Bulke or bigness, a Bally-
fellow, Bully-rock, a Budge-fellow. Bouch of Court (or as it
commonly occurs) Bowge of Court, whioh was an allowance of
diet or belly provision from the king or superiour lord to their
knights, esquires, and other retinae that attended them in any mi-
litary expedition. Thomas earl of Lancaster retained Sir John de
£wre to serve him with ten men at arms in time of war, allowing
them Bowge of court, with livery of hay and oats for their horses,
K. p. 378.
Bovbria. A Cow-house. — Idem Johannes tenet unam placeam
terns ex transverso curtilagii sui ad capud boverus domittce pria+
rime, K. p. 395. — Computat de quatuor solidis provenientibus de
siauro boverue, K. p. 571.
. Bovbllus. A young steer or bullock castrated.— *Unus bovet*
tut mas. quatuor bovicuLBfoemince, K. p. 287.
GLOSSARY. 33
Bovicula. An heifer or young cow, which in the east riding
of Yorkshire they call a Whee or Whey, and a spoiled heifer is
called in Oxfordshire a Martin.— Powi/n/ smtentarhsexdecim vac-
c<a? et urns taurus cum boviculis, K. p 4Q3.
Brasium prmparare* To make Maul t (Island. Malt), which
was a service paid by some tenants to their lord,— in manerio de
Pidington ouiHbet virgatarius prceparabit domino unum quarte-
rium Lrasii per. annum, si dmnvm invenut boscum ad siccandum,
K. p. 496.
Brb v b perauirere. To purchase a writ or license of trial in the
king's court : whence the present usage of paying 6s. 8d. where
the debt is 40/., 10$. where the debt is 100/. and so upward in
suits of raony due upon bond, K. p. \66.
Breve de Redo. A writ of right, by which a person ejected
sues for the possession and fee simple of an estate detained from
him. ' So the abbat of Egnesham impleaded Bernard de S. Wa-
lery for the mannor of Erdinton, — Per breve de recto in curia Ho-
ler ti episcopi Lincoln ice, K. p. 133. Roger D'Amory quit claimed
to the abby of Oseney two knight's fees in Weston, — Unde eo&im*
piacitavit en curia domini regis per breve de recto, K. p. 257 • Any
writ or precept from the king was called Breve, which we still re*
tain in the name of Brief, commonly used for the king's letters
patent to authorize the collecting of charity for poor sufferers.
And the minutes of a cause gtren for the direction of a pleader is
called a Brief or Breviat.
BftEDswirs. From Sax.Brteob bread, and ptte a fine or pe*
nalty. So as Bredewite were the amercements arising from any
default in the assise of bread. To be exempt from this penalty
was a special priviledge granted to all the tenants of the honour of
Walingford by King Henry If.— Ut qtdeti sint de hidagio et
Bhdewite ei Bredewite, K. p. 1 14.
B&ioa. A quarrel, suit, or controversie. Fretn Goth.
BKIKAW, German. Brechen, Sax. Bnecan and Bjuttan, to
break or divide. Thence our Breach and Brangle, or quarrel. A
Brack or hole. A heart- Breaking or dividing. A Brace or divi-
sion into two parts. A Bracket or small piece of board to support
a shelf A Break in Norfolk is land ploughed or broke up the first
year after it has lain fallow in the sheep walks. To Britten beef
in the North is to break the bones of it : thence Brittle, which in
Cheshire they call Brichoe, whence our Bricks in building seem so
called from their frangible quality. A' Brake is an instrument
wifh which they break flax or hemp. Brake and Braken, fern.
The Breech or divided part of the body, (the same reason gives
d
34 GLOSSARY.
name to the Twist) covered with Breeches. The Brink or edge
of a hill, &c. where the ground breaks off. A Brisket of beef, or
piece cot off the breast. Hence the old Lat. Bricia pants, a piece
of bread. Bruscia, bruscus, brash or brittle wood. Brisin in toe
present Irish is to break. — Pro dicta briga sive discordia inter eos-
dem sedanda, K p. 410.
Brush i a. Briars, thorns* heath, a Sax. Bpsep. — Tantum de
roloribus et brueriis quantum pro veetura indiguerit, K. p. 620.
Lat. Brolium, Broilum, Briulum, Brullium, a hunting cbace or
forest. Bruillus, Brogillus, a wood or grove. Fr. Breil, BreuUy
Breutile, a wood or thicket in a forest. Hence the abby of
Bruerin the forest of Which wood, and Bruel, Brehul, or Brill, in
the forest ci Bernwode, K. p. 41.
Bultbr-Cloth. A linen or hair cloth for sifting or siercing of
meal or flower. From German Beutel a sive, Beutelen to Bolt or
sift. The versatile engine for sifting with more ease and expedi-
tion, is now called a Bolting-mill, and the cloath round it the
Bolter, — In emendatione unius cribri pistruue hoc anno uden. ob. et
in Bulter- cloth empto ad pisirinam, x.deu* K. p. 574. Hence
the old Gall BekUer, Bluter, to sift, which Menagius fancies to
bear affinity to the Lat. volutare. The modern Fr. Blatter. Hence
the Lat. Bolendigarius, Bolengarius, Fl. Bottlen, Fr? Baulenger, a
.baker or bread maker. On which word the learned Du Fresno
has a trifling conjecture, much below his gravity and judgement,
— Fidentur pis tores it a appellati, quod panes informant g lobar urn,
quos+Boules dicimus, confidant. When they were evidently, so
called from Bolting or sifting their flower. From hence by me-
taphor to Bolt out, or rush upon, as He Bolted out upon me. To
Bowlt a cony, to start or put her up. Bolting or, jutting out, as
a piece of timber that overlays upon a beam, has the end Bolting
out : and any such prominence in architecture was called a BcJtel*
The Bolt ofi a door that runs into the staple. The Boltsptrit of a
ship, i. e. the spiret or mast that Bolts out Pease-Bolt in Essex
is the pease-straw, when the grain is thresht or sifted out In the
same county Bullimong is several grains mi*t or sifted together.
Hence possibly the old word, a Bolt of silk or stuff, a long narrow
piece,— f)f in Bolt rubei say apud Steresbrugge propter anabaiam
J'aciendam, iv.sol. viii.</en. » K. p. 574.
ButfDA. A Bound, fncludcnaoforestam ex parte dextra per
omnes bundas et metas subscriptas, K. p. 323. Vid. Abund£rb,
BuagaOium . A sort of quit rent paid to the chief lord for the
houses and tenements in a town or borough,— Sw»«a reddituum
assisorum de burgagio in Thame, Ixgvi. K. p. 354* As Burgbote
GLOSSARY. 35
wat the tax for repairing the common building* or the town,
Jfargbrecb was a fine imposed for the breach of peace within the
town, &c.
BuRfrARiA. The Borsery or place of receiving and paying
mony and rente by the Bursarii, Bursers or officers of accompt
in religious houses, — Computaverunt Jratres Radulphus de Meriton
et Stephanus de Oxon de bursaria domus Berncestre coram audita*
ribus, K. p. 288. * The conventual Bursar was to deliver up his
accompts yearly on the day after Michaetmass, K. p. 570. From
Bursa, which gives name to our English Burse, and hence the same
officer who is called Boursar in a college, is in -a ship called the
Purser. A Pursy man is one who breathes with difficulty, because
his breast and belly are fat and extended like a Purse. To dis-
Burs or expend, disBursements or expences. Formerly all exhi-
bitioners or stipendiary scholars at Paris were called Bursars, as
they Jived on the burs or fund, or endowment of founders and be-
nefactors,—//! ea universitate (sciL Oxonia) sunt clara collegia a
regibus, rtginis, episcopis, et prtncipilus fundata, et ex stipendiis
eorum scholastici plurimi abmtur, quos Parisii bursarios vocamus,
Jo. Maj. Gest. Scot. 1.1. cap. 5. Which Bursarii were most pro-
perly those novices or young scholars who were sent to the univer-
sity and maintained by the religious out of their publick burs or
stock, Nomasticon Cistertiehse, K. p. 645*.
Busche, Buscagium, Boscagium. Brush- wood, fire- wood,
under- wood, — Salva liber tate pnnnagii porcorum et busche in
charta Matlkeei decani contenta, K. p. 240. From the German
Busche, wood. Whence the device that is wore by women to
keep in their belly is called a Busk, because made of wood, though
now generally of whale-bone. Hence apparently our Eng. Bush
and Bushes in a wood or hedge : and the coronated frame of wood
hung out as a sign at taverns, is called a Bush.
Bussellvs. A bushel, from Buza, But to, But lis, a standing
measure of wine. Butticella, Bussellus, a less measure : from the
old Fr. Bouts, which were properly leather vessels to carry wine,
whence our leather Boots and leather Buskins, and leather
Boudget. Bussellus was therefore first used for a liquid measure
of wine, eight gallons, — Octo librce faciunt galonem vini, et octo
galones vini faciunt bussellum London quae est octavo pars quarteriL
Composit. Mensuarum, an. 51 . Ffen. III. apud Spelmannum in voce
Galo. The word was soon after transferred to the dry measure of
corn, of the same quantity, — Pondus octo Ubrarum Jrumenti facit
bsusellum de quibus octo consistit quarterium, Fleta 1. 2. cap 12, § 1.
—Qu&Hbti acra poterit seminari tempore suo duobus bussellis fm*
menti, K» p. 495.
d2
96 GLOSSARY.
Butts*. The ends or short pieced of land in arable ridges and
farrows. Gilbert Basset gave to his priory of Burcester, vfginff
acras in Heile-jurlong et buttes apud Ymbelowesmere, K. p. 136,—
quatuor seliones terras qui vocantur Buttes, K. p. \&J .-*- Johannes
Abbod et Juliana uxor — tenent quatuor but fa quce continent unam
acram, K. p. 402. Vid. Abuttabe.
Bybdlymb. From Bird and Lime, Island, Lym, Dan. Lim,
glew or jmy viscous mattei, — Et in i. libra de Byrdlyme empta
ibidem iii. den. K. p. 574.
C.
Cad* of herrings, — Et in uno cade rubei allecis empto de Har»
ntando Banbury, viii. sol. K. p. 575. The quantity is thus deter*
mined in the accounts of the celeress of the abby of Berking.
" Memorandum that a barrel of herryng shold contene a thousand
herryngs, and a Cade of herryng six hundreth, six score, to< the
hundreth," Mon. Ang. torn. 1. p. S3. In Kent a Cade of beef is
any parcel or quantity of pieces under a whole quarter. Hence in
the North to Cadge is to carry, and a Cadger is a butcher, miller,
Or carrier of any other load : and ; Cadge-belly or Kedge-belly is a
full fat belly.
Calcka, Calceia, Calcetum. A high-way maintained and re-
paired with stones and rubbish : from the Lat. Calx, chalk, Fr.
Chaux, whence Chausset, Eng. a Cawse-way, or way raised with
mould and paved with chalk, stones, or gravel. Calcagiurn was.
the tax or contribution paid by the neighbouring inhabitants toward
the making and repairing such common roads. And Calcearum
operationes were the work and labour done by the servile tenants,
from which duty the tenants within the honour of Walingford were
-exempted by King Hen. II.-*- Ut quieti sint de operationibus castel-
forum— et calcearum > K. p. 1 14.
Calci atura Rotarum. The shoeing of wheels or straking of
them, or nailing iron strakes round the fellows, by which * the
wheels are shod and made fit to travel, — Pro uno pari rotarum—
et pro cakiatura earundem per Laurentium Smyth, K. p. 550.
Hence no doubt comes the Calking or Cauking of horse-shoes; i. e.
to turn up the two corners, that a horse may stand the faster upon
ice or smooth stones. And the Cauking of a ship or vessel, to
make her ride or sail the more safely.
Calumpnia. Claim or challenge, Ut hoec eletmosvna rata sit
et absque calumpnia in poster urn, K. p. 77.—Ita quod neque ego
nequt hceredes mei regressum habeamus vel calumpmam aliquam
versus aliquos de prafato manerio, K. p. 127*
GLOSSARY. 37
Camb*a. From the old German Cam, Cammer, crooked,
whence our Eng. Kembo, arms in Kembo, a Comb in the North
Camb, the present Irish use Coma for a bed. Camera signified at
first any winding or crooked plat of ground, — Tres cameras ad
vinea — unam earner am terraf, &c. apud Du Fresne in voce. The
word was afterward applied to any vaulted or arched building, es-
pecially to a shop for the sale of goods; and seemed at last appro-
priated to an upper room, or what we now only call a Chamber.
— Robert Clerk granted to Robert le Taillur, Quondam cameram
Cum pertinentiis — dictarn cameram cum placia terra?, K. p. 258.
Canon. Not the Mass-book, as mistaken, K. p. 307, hut a
Book wherein the religious of every convent had a fair transcript
of the rules of their order, frequently read among them, as their
local statutes : which book was therefore-called Regula and Canon.
The publick books of the religious were these four: 1. Missale,
which contained all the offices of devotion. 2. Martirologium, a
register of the Christian saints and martyrs, with the- place and time
of passion. 3. Canon or Regula, the institution and rules of their
order. 4. Necrologium or Obituarium, in which they entred the
death of their founders and benefactors, to observe the days of com-
memoration for them. But as the two first, so likewise the two
latter were sometime joined in the same volume.
Cantaria. A chantry, a small chappel single, or annext to
some parochial church, founded and endowed for the maintenance
of one or more cbantors or chantry-priests, whose office it was to
sing masses, and perform other memorials for the soul of the
founder, or such other friends whom be had nominated, — &omi-
nus Walterius Blanket* capellanus perpetuus Cantaria? Sanctce Tr**
nitatis in mcletia omnium sanctorum Oxonim, K. p 066. In which
the capellane or cbantor was instituted and inducted, and took an
oath to observe the statutes of the founder, K. p. 567. Several of
these Chanteries were annext to cathedral churches, and no less
than fourty-seven to that of St. Paul's in London. Those that es-
caped the act of 37 Hen. VIII. were all dissolved 1 Edw. VI.
cap. 14.
Cantkedum. A Cantre or Cantred. From Brit. Cant, a
Hundred, and Tre or Tred, a Village. The same division of
counties in Ireland and Wales as our hundreds in England. Hun-
dredus Latine dicitur, JVallice et Mibernice cantredus, et continet
centum villas, Jo. Brompton inter X. Script, col. 957.-7- C<tf-
trum et cantredum d* bualt cum pertinentiis Wallva, K. p. 427,
Hence the Cantons of Switzerland. To* Canton out, t. e. to divide
into parcels. A Canton or corner iniieraWry. To sell by Cantell
was an old custom *f selling by«ifee lump without tale or measure,
38
GLOSSARY.
which CanteUitm Sir Henry Spelman thinks to be velut auanHU
htm \ but it seems more probable from Cant, a hundred, or Cant-
oning, dividing into hundreds, and was the selling about a hun-
dred weight of goods, or a hundred in tale by guess, as, we now
call the taking of a hundred pound by content, when we take one
hundred pound bag sealed up, without telling the raony. Hence
a Cantel is still retained for any indefinite number or dimension,
as in Kent we say a Cantell of people or cattle: a Cantel of wood,
timber, bread, cheese, &c. »
Canvoys. Canvas. Coarse hempen cloath, a Lat. Cannabus,-
& Gr. Kdvyoc£i$ y hemp. Whence a Canopy or Cannoby.. an um-
brello, made usually of such linen, — Et in canvoys empto Londin.
per Richardum Dymby pro lintheaminivusfaciendis, iii sol. K. p. 5J4.
Hence by metaphor (at Skinner fancies) to Canvass about, and
to Canvass for votes, as bearing allusion to the beating of hemp or
making canvass. Though perhaps it might be as wise a conjec-
ture to say that Canna was a cup or can, whence Canava or Can*
nova was the buttery, especially in religious houses, and Cannavu-
sare was to promote drinking, which I am sure is the present me*
tbod of Canvasing in elections.
Capblla. A cbappel, or what we now call a chappel of eae,
tuilt within the precincts of a parish for the benefit j>f one or
more families who lived remote from the parish- church, and made
subservient to the said mother church. Such a cbappel was often
granted in the court or mannor house of the patron, as a privilege
to himself and family. So Robert de Grosthead bishop of Lincoln
to Aflftlliamde Clinton patron of the church of Eston, com. Buck.
K. p. 221. The same prelate to Roger de Hida at his, mannor-
house at Whitchurch, com. Oxon. X. p. 233. At the consecration
of a cbappel there was often some rixt endowment given to it, for
its more light and easie dependance on the mother-church. So
at Stratton Audley within the parish of Burcester, Gilbert Basset
gave to his new priory, — Capellam de Strattun et in eadem villa
de Strattun unatn virgatam terra? collectam de terra rusiicorum,
auce datafuitin dote prcedictm cape/ Ice, K. p. 136. The institu-
tion and dependance-of cbappels and their cape! lanes, with the
dignity, and liberties of motber«churches discoursed at large,
K. p. 585.
Capbllanus libera? Capetlm. The chaplain to a chappel of
ease, .maintained by the parish priest, or by the appropriately or
by the inhabitants, or by joint contribution a€ them. His stipend
was five marks per an. in the year 1280, K. p. 588. He was
bound by oath to pay due reverence and obedience to. the parish
priest, &. p. $gg. He was sometime called Servient de Capella^
GLOSSARY. 3<}
at .in a charter of King Jobn, — Dedi et concern Walter* Borstard
Servient* de+ Capetia nostra manerium nostrum de Brehull,
K. p. 164.
Capbllanus Baronis. A lord's ot baron's chaplain. Those
who had a chappel allowed them at their court or mannor-house,
habVtbe privilege of maintaining a domestic chaplain to officiate in
the said chappel without prejudice to the parish priest* By the
council of Claremont, an. 1005, can. #8* No lay-man was to re-
tain a chaplain without consent of the bishop.-v-Warine, chaplain
to Milo Crispin baron of Walingfbrd, 7 Hen. I. K. p. 78. The
present rights of the nobility for retaining and qualifying of chap-
kins, are determined by Stat. 21 Hen. VIII. cap. 13.
Capbllanus Sacerdotis. A curate priest or deacon, retained
by the parish priest to assist him in the offices of bis church, and
the care of louls. — Wdlielmus senex sacerdos de Burcester cum
fVUBelmo capeUano suo, K. p. J6.—Testibui Rogero decano de
Pure, MaUheo capeUano de Ambrosden,. . Fulcone capellano de
Meriton, K. p. 121. In large parishes the incumbent was obliged
to keep two or more capellanes to assist him, K. p. 122. who
were obliged by an oath of fidelity to their masters the parish
priests, K. p. 600. Yet no parish priest could take such a curate
without the license or approbation of the bishop by the synod of
Poictiers, an. 1280, can. 3.
Caput Jejunu. Ash-Wednesday, being the head or first day
of the Quadragesima] or Lent fast, K. p. 132. So Caput anm $
New-year's-day, upon which was observed the Festum Stultorum,
to deride the rite of Circumcision* in contempt and hatred of the*
Jews, forbia\ by an express constitution of Bishop Grosthead, be*
cause there was a great levity in the observance of it, and because
it ridiculed the circumcision to which our Saviour submitted. So
Caput kaiendufum Man, May-day.
Caput Baronice. Head of a Barony. It was the capital vil-
lage of a barony, where the baron bad his principal seat and com*
mon residence. So in the barony of St. Walery, com. Oxon. the
Caput Baronice was Beckley, where Richard king of the Romans
and baron of St. Walery, had his court or pallace, K. p. 02. The
same with Caput Honoris, in the barony of Giffard, coin. Buck.— »
Caput Ulius honoris Crendon 9 K. p. 167. This head of a barony
could not be settled in dowry, nor divided among, female co-heirs
as coparceners, but in default of issue male it passed entire to the
eldest daughter.
In Capite tenere. To hold immediately from the king, or of bit
crown in gross, without dependance upon or annexion to any
ftpnor, castle, or mannor. Called sometimes In Capite Corona*,.
40 GLOSSARY.
Bernard de S. Watery gave the site and adrouaon of the abby of
Godestow to King Hen. IL Ita ut prafata abbatia de caster* ha-
beatur libera, eg In Capite corona: regis sit, stent abbatia mncti Ed*
tnundi, et alice regales abbatia:, K. p. 127. No tenure In Capite
could be alienated or transferred without the king's special license,
ljut .upon any such conveyance it escheated to the king wither t
express pardon, — Pardonavimus dilecto et fideli nostro Johanni de
Handlo transgression em qua* fecit adauirendo sibi, et hceredibus
mis baUivam foresttirice—quce tenentur de nobis in Capite, nostra
super heec licentia non ob tenia, K.p. 356.
Capita lis Honor. The chief honor or prime barony of the
whole county, com* Buck — Wiilietmus Mareschallus comes de
Pembroke habet ibidem capitalem honorewt, sciL hofiorem Gtffard >
K. p. 167.
Capitalis Dominus. The lord of the fee from whom the
estate is held by inferior tenants, — Solvendo ires denarios erga Ca»
pitalem Dpminum, K. p. 220. — Faciendo inde servitium Capitali
Domino feodi, K. p. 162.
Capitalis Curia. The chief mannor-house or place-house, or
court of the lord of the mannor, which in Kent is now often
called the Court lodge. Robert earl of Dreux confirmed to the
abby of Oseney Manerium de Mixbury cum capitali curia,
K. p. 191. The same with Capitate messuagiunt, — dicunt per sa+
cramentum suum quod capitate messuagium valet per an. cum tola
inclausa, iis. K. p. 314.
Caput Loci. The. end of anyplace. Ad caput villce, at the
end of the town, K. p. 3g4. Ad capud boveriae, at the upper
end of the cow-house, K. p. 3g&. Alia roda jacet *adr inferius
capud del* Oldedich, K. p. 397.
Capita li a Agri. Head lands.— Canonici concesserunt hommi*
bus de Wrechwike dims acras prati pro capitahbus suarum crqfta-
rum seeks rivulum versus molendinum fiuentem ad faciendum st4g-
num, K.p. 137. Vid. Havbdblond.
- Capitula Ruralia. Chapters held by the rural dean and clergy
within the precincts of every distinct deanery, at first every three
weeks, then once a month, and more solemnly once a quarter,
K. p. 640.
Caauca, Fr. Carrol, a plough, from the old Gallic, Carr, which
is the present Irish word for any sort of wheeled carriage,—^ Qui
carucas habuerunt, arabunt terram domini in dicto manerio,
K. p. 320. From hence the Sax. Ceojil, a plough- man, the
Northerp Korl, our Southern Churl, and in corruption of places
Char I, as Charlton, Charlbury, &c. Carl in. modem Welsh is a
rustick or clown.
GLOSSARY. 41
Carucata. A plough-land, or as much arable ground as in
one year could be tilled with one plough : which in the reign of
Rich. 1. was computed at sixty acres, Mon. Ang. torn. 2. p. 10/.
Yet another charter, 9 Rich. I. allots one hundred acres to a cam*
eate. And Fleta, temp. Edw. I., says, if land lay in three common
fields, then nine-score acres to a carucate, sixty for winter tillage, .
sixty for spring tillage, and sixty for fallows. But if the land lay
in two fields, then eight-score acres to a carucate, one half for
tillage and the other for fallow> lib. 2. cap. 72. £4. The measure
of a carucate was different according to time* and place. In
23 Edw. III. one carucate of land in Burcester contained one
hundred and twelve acres 5 and two carncates in Middleton were
three hundred acres, K. p. 471. Caruca wa9 sometime used for
Carucata, Robert de Ver confirmed to the monks of Thorney,— >
Decmas de auinque carucis quas pater concessit in Islep DraitUne
ei EaHnlon r K, p. 82. In Doomsday inquisition the arable land
was measured by carucates, the common pasture by hides, and
the meadow by acres. In some countries the word is still pre-
served a Carve of land, and the imposition on land carucagiutn et
carcagium is called Carvage.
Carucata Bourn. A team or draught of oxen, which in some
Western parts is still called a plough of oxen. Gilbert Basset, founder
of Burcester priory, grants to it — Pasturam in mea dominica pas*
tura ad tres carucatas bourn trakentwm una cum bobus meis trakex-
tibus, K. p. 135. Called Boves de Caruca in a charter of Aubrey
de Vere to the abby of Noteley, K. p. 155.
Carucatarius. He that held land in soccage or plough tenure,
— summa reddituum carucatariorum si fuer'mt ad fir mam, xxii*. — .
Summa gailinarum carucatariorum et- cotariorum cxiv. gaiUmse.
K. p. 354.
Car bcta. A cart or carriage or waggon. From the same Lat.
Carrum, Brit. Cart, which signified any sort of vehicle by landtw
sea. Thence a Carrac, Lat. Carraca, Carrica, a small ship, the
caYgo o£ a ship, Lat. Carracagium. A Carrot, or Carect, used
formerly for any weight or burden, though now appropriated to
the weight of four- grains in diamonds.— Nullus vice comes vet bai-
livus noster vel aliquu alius capiat equos vel carectas alicujus pro
caragio faciendo, nisi reddat liberaikmem antiquitus statutam scili-
cet pro carectp ad duos equos x.den. per diem, et pro larectm ad
iii. equos, xiv.den. per diem* Mag. Char. cap. 22. Gilbert Basset
gives to the priory of .Burcester, in his foundation charter,^-*-*
Decimam carectam ligni mei, ut sicul venitur de bosco, attrahaiur
in curiam canonicorum sicut in meam, K. p. 135.— Thoma*
de S. Walery gave to the nuns of Stodeley—Qualibet stpd*
4% GLOSSARY.
mana unam earectam Bgni mortui in bosco de Morton, K. p. 170.
Homines de ffe&ngdon foenum curiabunt usque ad curiam pncdicii
raaneru, ilii videlicet qui carectas kabuerunt, et qui carectas turn
habuerunt venitnt cum furcis suis ad dittum foenum levandum et
thassandum, K. p. 320. The Brir. Cart was Sax. Cf at. Thence
a Cradle or little carriage for children, applied to some other
utensils that carry or bear any thing. As hi the North a dish-
Cradle, for the setting up wooden dishes or trenchards. ' And in
Kent a sithe-Cradfte, or rack of weod fastened to a sit he for carry-
ing the mowed barley clean into the swath. - Thence a Cratch or
Critch, a rack in a stable. And hence Crutches to bear up or.
carry lame persons. In the North, especially at Shefield in York-
shire, they call a kennel the Carr-sick, froraTarr m&sike, a farrow
or gutter, q. d. carr- gutter, A Carr is in other places a wheel-
trade or wheel-rout, or any such hollow trench where water
stands. Hence to the Carrs or Carriers of a spinning-wheel. Nor
is it impertinent to observe that Carr a gutter is in Lincolnshire a
Gool, in Kent a Guzzle, in Wiltshire a Gushill and Gooshill, which
is the reason why the Southern goosberry is called in the North,
a Carrberry. And Carter is the name of a spintuag insect like a
spider. Hence again the Lat. Car pent um, in the present Irish a
Carbad, or waggon covered with a Carpat or Carpet, as our wag*
gons now with tilts. A Carpenter, &c. Hence the Charge or
carriage of a gun. And a Char to be Charr'd in the. North, i. cv
a task or labour to be discharged.
Carectata. A cart-load or waggon-load. The prior and
canons of St. Frideswide gave the vicar of Oakle — duos carectatas
feoni, et duos carectatas straminis, K. p. 455.
Carectarius. A carter. Hugo filius Elue carectaru de Be*
fencester, K. p. 325
. Cart-Sadel, The saddle that laid on the flllar- horse, — Pro
uno cart-sadel, uno colero, cum uno pari tractuum emptis, \\vd.
K. p. 549. Saddle is from the Sax. Setl, a seat or place. Hence
the frame of wood to support the barrels in a buttery or cellar, is
called the Seddle and Settle. So a Settle or couch, a Settle-bed or
truckle-bed. In Kent to Sessle about is to change seats very often.
Cart-Bqdy, The wooden body of the cart or waggon. Et
pro sarratione et delatione unius Cart body \\d. K. p. 550. In
Sussex it is called the Buck of a Cart, t. e. the belly of a cart :
from Sax. Buc, a belly, used by metaphor for a jug or big-bellied
pot, thence a Bucket or less measure oflhe like shape. From the
Teuton. Bucken; Sax. Bugan, to bend : whence Bucksome flex-
ible, or of a pliable body, Bonny and Bucksome lass. Hence to
Buckle or to bend. A Quckle. a Buckler* To Pu<Jge or move
Q.L088AKY. 43
about, whence Budge and Budgy is the same as Bucksorae, brisk
and jocund. A Buck or Belly is in some places called a Budge,
thence by metaphor a bag or sack, and a Budget or little bag. A
Budge-barrel, a Budge-bellied or big-bellied fellow, &c. A
Badger or Badger, », «. a carrier or retailer of Bodges or bags of
corn*
Carraria, Carrarium. Now corrupted into Quadraria and.
Quadrarium, a quarrey or stonepit. The Irish retain the true ori-
ginal a Carrie, and the French tin carrier e, — Una acta jacet in
Jurluugo prcedkto in quo prior habet quarreram, K. p. 52Q. Cor-
rupted farther into Quamrarzum, — Concessieisdem liberam viam ultra
pasturam meant de quadrario $uo usque ad prcedictam ripam ad
stagnum dicii molendbii emendandum, K. p. 208 Hence the old
word a Querrour or digger of stones. By the like change of '£
into qu, we say a Quarrey or prey, as the Quarry of a hawk, which
no doubt was Carrey, or the prey carried off*
Casula quasi Capsula. The Chesible or loose upper vestment
of the priest officiating in divine service : like our*fffesent surplice,
Vestvmentum principale scilicet casula alba, K. p. 5j|6. •
Castellorum operatio. Service of work and labour to be done
by inferiour tenants for the repair and building of castles. Toward
which some gave their personal assistance, and others a contribu-
tion. This was one of the three necessary taxes from which few
persons were* exempted, — Libert ab omni serviHo, exceptis poniit
el arcis constructions et expeditione contra hostem. This occurs in
^several of our royal charters. But an immunity from this burden
was sometimes granted. So King John to the. nunnery of St.
Catharine without the city of Exeter, — quietus esse de operation*-
bus castellorum et pontiutn. Mon. Ang. torn. 1. p. 503. b. So
King Hen. II. to the tenants within the honour of Walingford,— .
Ut quieti tint de operationibus castellorum, K. p. 1 14.
Castellorum custodia. The service of keeping and defend*
ing, or watching and warding in any castle. The barony of
Coges, com. Qxon. was held per setjantiam custodue casieUi de
Dover, K. p. 324.
Cbllarium. A Cellar. — Istud ceUarium et illud solarium quo
sito sunt intra domum meam, K. p 325. From the Lat. Cetla,
Eng. Cell, or little place or repository .> Hence the old Latin CeU
dra, a certain measure, which the Scotch call Chalder, and we
retain in the measure of coals a Chaldron.
Cessarb in solutume. To fail in payment. Quoties prior et
conventus Bumcester in prcedktorunt sexagmta soUdjorwn. solution*
fermtnis prcedktis cessaverint, ¥L p, 344.
44 GLOSSARY.
Chalemgia. A claim or challenge, from Fr. Chal longer,
which Menagius derives from the Gr. KoAay. — Ita quod ego et
heerede$ met nullam chalengiam poterimus habere de futuro,
K. p. 125.
Chabta. Not only a charter or deed in writing, but any sig-
nal or token by which an estate was held,— Jf$/&?/mitf Jilius iVi-
gelli tenuit custodian forettce de Bemwode de domino rege per
unum comu quod est charta pnedicteefore&taz, K. p. 73.
Chbminus, Ckiminus. A high. way, from the Fr. Ckemin,
or rather from the Sax. Cy man, to come, — Quinquaginta aaras
terra* cum chtminis suis et omnibus aliis pertinentiis, K. p. 428.
Hence a Chimney or Cheminey, a way or passage for the smoke.
Chihch-Scot. Cypic-rceat, i. e. church-payment or contri-
bution. The Latin writers have commonly called it Primitive
seminum, because it was at first a quantity of com paid to the priest
on St. Martin's day, as the first fruits of harvest : enjoined by the
laws of King Ina, cap. 4, and King Canute, cap. 10. But it was
afterward taken for a reserve of corn rent paid to the secular priests
or to the religious. So in the reign of. Hen. III. Robert de Hay
rector of Souldern claimed from the abbat and convent of Oseney
a certain measure of corn under the title of Churcbscet for their
demesne lands in Mixbury, K. p. 187. It w *s sometimes a
genera] word, and included not only corn but poultry or any other
provision that was paid in kind to the religious. So in the inqui-
sition of the rents of the abby of Glastonbury, an. 1201. Mane-
Hum Glaston. reddit per an* in gabulo vii./t6. yi. sol. n.den, — Jn
Churchscet lx. gallinas et semen Jrumenti ad ires acrat. Cartul. de
Glaston. MS. f. 38.
Chop-Church fes. Those secular priests who drove a trade or
made an advantage by exchanging of their benefices, against whom
some constitutions were expresly made to restrain that mercenary
practise, K. p. 541. From Sax. Ceap, goods or vendible wares,
thence Ceapan, to buy or to cheapen. .Thence a Chapman, a
Cheap -price: this word gave name to several places of market and
trade, as Cheapside in London, Chepstow in Wales, Cheping-
Norton in Oxfordshire, &c. Hence likewise to Chaffer or to
barter, to Chop or to change, Chopping, vendible or valuable, as
a Chopping-horse, a Choppipg-boy : both which have been cor-
rupted into Swop and Swopping : and in the North into Coup and
Cowping, which in Norfolk and Suffolk is Cope and Coping.
Chosa. From the Fr. chos.e, a thing or small matter. The
Knights Templars gave to Simon son of Sir Wido de Merifon
marcas centum ad quasdam chosas emendas, K. p. 120. Fr. queh
GLOSSARY* 45
que chases corrupted into Kickshaw*, thence to Choose or Uke
one thing out of several others : to Choose or to take more than
is just and dne.
Chorepiscopi. Rural bishops delegated by the prime dioce-
san, their authority restrained by some councils, and their very
office by degrees abolished. After whom the rural dews were so
commissioned to exercise episcopal jurisdiction, till inhibited by
Pope Alexander III. and the council of Tours, K. p. 639.
Chyrographom. Anypoblick instrument of conveyance attested
by witnesses was in the Saxon times called Chirographum, which
the Normans stiled Charta. Of which Ingulph gives this good
account, — Chyrographorum conjectionem Am?luanam t quce antea
usau^ad Edwardi regis tempora fidelium prtesentium subscript**
ntvus cum crucibus aureis, aliisque sacris signaculujirma fuerunt :
Normanni condemnantes chirographa, 1 ckartat vocabant, et charta*
rum Jirmitatem cum cerca impressione per unius cujusque special*
stgillum sub instillatione trium vel quatuor iestium adstanthtm
conficere consiituebant. Histor. Ingulphi, p. 901. But to pre-
vent frauds and concealments they made their deeds of mutual
covenant in a script and rescript, or in a part and counter-part,
upon the same sheet* of paper or parchment, and in the middle
between the two copies they drew the capital letters of the alpha*
bet, or sometime the word SYNGHAPHUS in the like great
letters, and then talliated or cut asunder in indented manner the
said sheet, which being delivered to the two parties concerned,
were proved authentick by matching with or answering to one
another* Like the tallies in wood, or like our present indentures
in writing. When this prudent custom had for sometime pre-.
vailed, then the word Chirographum was appropriated to such bi-
partite writings,— 25/ in hujus ret testimonium kuicscripto in modum
chyrographi confecto vicissim sigilla nostra apposuimus,' K. p. Iff.
-*-£// autem ista conventia rata et inconcussa perpetuo permaneat,
prcesentis scriptis serie et utriusque monasterii sigilli testimmio una
cum sigUIis abbatum diviso inter 'eos chirographo confirmata est*
K. p. 223. Such alternate writings were called likewise Scrtpta
Chirographata, K. p. 234 : and chortle dhrisat, Mon. Ang. torn. 2.
P- 94.
Christianitatis Curia. The Christian or ecclesiastical court
opposed to the civil court or lay court, or Curia Domini Regis.
These courts of Christianity were not only held by the bishops in
synods, and the archdeacons and chancellors in consistories ; but
they were also the rural chapters, where the rural dean or dean of
Christianity presided, and the elergy were assessors and assistants;
K. p. 641. JmAtkm Christianitatis facer ewta to prosecute and
46 GLOSSARY*
censure 9 criminal in the ecclesiastical court, as 28 Hen. T. AfeW*
rnnder Lincoln, episcopus Guidons de Charing parochismo sua satu-
tem. Mando tUn et preecipio mi cito reditu ecclesiet de Egnesham
et Walter* abbati ecclesuvm suam de Meritona, — quod ni ctto fece-
ris 9 prafdpio ut Walter** archidiaconus nobis justitiam Christian**
tatufacsat, donee reddas, K- p. 00.— Osbert vicar of Merton im-
pleaded in the king's court by Thomas le Gamvil and Elisabeth
his wife for proceeding in a cause before the court Christian
against the king's prohibition, K. p. 289- So -fchel de Kerwent
rector of Bucknel to be arrested and impleaded before the barons
of the exchequer by the king's precept to the sheriff, — ouod idem
Ychetus rpsum abhatem {de Osenev) jam in curum^Chnstianiiatis
coram officiario diocesani prcedicti trahit m pladtum, ipsum multi*
pliciier ibidem inquietando in nosiri contemptum manifestum,
K. p. 328.
Cladus, C lades, Clada, Cleta, Ctida, Cleia. From the Brit.
Clie, the present Irish. Clia, a hurdle? whence Dublin was for-
merly called BaUe diet, u e. the town of hurdles. A hurdle for
sheep is still in some counties called a Cley. Etinxn. cladk ovi-
libus emptis de Nicholao Aleyn hoc anno xviii.dot. et in sohttis pro
putaiioneet factura triginta cladorum ovilium apod parcum de
Mid&ngton hoc anno x\\.den. K. p. 575. — Et in cladis emptis ad
pontem de Clyftvn de novo faciendum, K. p. 577 • A Hurdle is
from the Sax. fcypbl, Teuton. Horde. Whence a basket made
of twigs interwoven like a hurdle, was in some places called a
Hard, thence a Hoard or Store, to Hoard up. A Hurdle is in
some northern parts called a Fleak, and in Kent is sometime
called a~Hiddle, Raddle, or Ruddle : from the rods or twigs of
which tbey are made, as a 'Riddle-wall, a Riddle-basket, &c.
Clamob. Complaint for want of justice. Alexander bishop
of Lincoln to Wido de Charing, — Ne pro recti veljustitue penuria
ampHus audiam clamor em, K. p. QO. In the same sense as now
to Clamour, and to make a Clamour.
. Clamor. A crie by a publick cryer. — Mandatum est majori
et balHvis Oxon. quod per totam villam Oxon. clamarifaciant, quod
omnes public* meretrices et concubince clericorum infra octo dies
post hunc clamor em factum exeant villam Oxon. K. p. 2 17.
. Clauobrb. To enclose or turn a common into closes and en-
closures. — Dedi et concessi totam culturam ad claudendam et faci-
endum quicquid inde dictis canonicis placuerit, K. p. 236. Hence
a Closet, a Cloister, a Clod, Clotted-blood, a Clout, Clouted-shoes,
a Clouterly fellow. Hence the Sax. Club, a rock. Clongh in the
North is a vally enclosed between two bills. A Clodge in Kent,
a lamp of clay or dirt. Clodgy and JCledgy stiff and dirty.
GLOSSARY, 47
Claostvha. Brush wood for hedges and fences. King
Henry III. gave to the prior and canons of Chetwode,— ^twaf «*
carucatas clausturce ad pr&dictce terns clausturam sustinendam,
K. p. 247. This sort of wood is called Teenage, from Sax. Tynan,
to enclose, thence to Tine the door* i. e. to shut the door ; the
Tines of a harrow, i. e. the teeth of it ; the Tines of a buck's*
horn, &c. .
Clavus. A clove, as clavus eariophili, an aromatick clove,
clavus allii, a clove of garlick. — Reddendo mini et hceredibus meis
unum clavum cariophili tan turn, K. p. 294. Hence the Sax*
Cleopan, to divide or to Cleave, a Cleft, a Clift, a Cleaver, and in
the opinion of Skinner to Club or divide a reckoning, Club-law,
i. e. by equal division.
Clepud, Iclepid. Called or named. — An old man that is CJe-
pud Jon Butforde, p. 412, — that is Iclepid Rich. Davyes londe.
ib. From the Sax. Cleopan, Clypian, to call or name. Hence too
to Clip or Clep a word, u e. to miscall or pronounce it wrong.
Prov. To Clip the king's English. To Clap or make a noise. The
Clapper of a mill or of a door, a woman's Clapper, &c. .
&IEMCVS. A secular priest in opposition to a religious or re-
gular. King John committed to William de Corn bull and Gerard
de Camvill, — Otnnes terras et res abbatum et priorum et omnium
religiosorum, et etiam clericorum de episcopate, K. p. 171. The
benefit of the clergy was an immemorial part of common law.
confirmed and abridged by several statutes : but perverted from
the first intention, which was, that the privilege should extend
only to those in sacred orders, afterwards for the encouragement
of literature to any offendour Who could read like a clerk, and
now at last to the most ignorant wretches, by the favourtof the
judge, and the collusion of the ordinary. The word Clerk was by
degrees in general attributed to every scholar, and at last was com-
mon to every scribe and notary, whence so many of our law offices,
Clerk of the peace, Clerk of the assises, Clerks in the chancery;
but these latter were commonly in holy orders before the Refor-
mation.
Clehicus Sacerdotis, A parish-clerk, who was to take an
oath of fidelity to the parish priest, and was sometimes maintained
by the appropriates as a menial servant to the vicar. So in all the
churches appropriated to the abby of Oseney, — Canonic* vera cle*
ricum ei (i.e.vicario) et ecclesice ministerio, et ejus obsequio de-
votum invenient, qui jur amentum jidelitatis ipsi vicario priestabti,—
Ubi autem non fuerint canonici residentes, cherhcus, qui ut supra-
dictum est expensU eorumprocurabiturclavemeorum defer et in domo
eorum, et curam habebit uberam, ut per ipsum vicario svj/kienter
48 GLOSSARY.
in inchtatibus et honori&ce omnia ministrentur, K.p..304. The parish
clerks were formerly to be men of letters, and to teach a school
is the parish, and were sometimes elected by the parishioners*
upon whose alms they were supposed to live. So John Peckham
archbishop of Canterbury, an. 1280, ordained in the church of
Bauquell. and the chappies annext to it, — Volumus tamper ibidem
esse duos clericos scholasticos per parochianorum, de quorum habeant
where eleemosinis, indusiriam eligendos, qui aquam benedictam cir-
cumferent in parochia et capellis, diebus dominicis et festivis in divu
nis ministrantes officiis, et profestis diebus discipUnis, scholasticis
indulgentes. Men. Ang. torn. 3. p. 227. Parish clerks were. to be
school* masters in country villages by the constitutions of Alexander
bishop of Coventry, an. 1237, and by the synod of Cologne,
an. 1280. It would be a good service to the church and naiion to
restore this ancient practise, especially in remote country villages?
where the clerk would do more to the service of God and the
benefit of the people if he were able to instruct the children in,
reading and writing, and rehearsing the Church Catechism, that
they might be bred to some sense of Christianity and good man*
ners*
Cjloere. A prison, I believe of some Brit, original, which
might give name to the old Lat. Cloeria, which Du Fresne con-
jectures to have been a corruption of clau stria, a Close place of re*
stiaint. The dungeon or inner prison in Walingford castle was
called Cloere-Brien, K. p. QJ. Hence the Lat. Cloaca, which was
originally a dungeon, or the nastiest part of a prison, called by the
French Basse-fosse, and afterward by an easie allusion applied to a
jakes or house of office. The old Cioacerius is interpreted in a
MS. Gloss. Careens custos. The present cloacarius or keeper of
the house of ease, is an office in some religious houses imposed on
an offending brother, or voluntarily chose by him for an exercise
of humility and mortification, and in some of our English con-
vents beyond the seas, this sweet office is called Count of Holt.
Clyk. A bell, Lat. Cloca, Clogga, Glogga, /Sax. Clugga,
Teuton. Glocke, German. Gloggen, Fr. Cloche, Welsh, Clock,
(possibly from Brit. Clywed, to hear, whence Clyst an ear) Irish,
Clug, perhaps all derived from the sound.' As from the like
sound, the Clicking of clock or watch, the Clucking of a hen, the
Clinking of chains, the Clapping of hands, the Clattering and Clut-
tering of vessels or other moveables, the Clatting or Cutting of the
finger-nails with scizzers, or Clatting of wool with shears, the
Cnacking or Knacking of the tongue, i. #. affecting to apeak
finely, a word in the North applied to such as love to speak ki the
Southern dialeet,-— £ttp?r cameram voeaiam Clyk-checmbour versus
GLOSSARY* 49
brriam, K. p. 5fb. . So that oar £ng. Clock is plainly so called
from striking on a Clyk or bell.
Cock-boat. A small boat that waits upon a larger vessel.
Dr. Skinner keeps to his habit of trifling in the origination of this
word,—- Nescio an a rostro quod aliquo tnodo Galli crista simile est:
i>el ut optime monct Doctor Th. H. & Fr. G. Coque, concha marina,
"hoc credo et'tam deflexum a concha eliso n. To which fancy the
learned Sir Henry Spelman does incline, Coqua, Linter. a Gall.
coque^i. concha, testa. Ang. a Cock -boat. But certainly what we now
tall a Cock-boat, was formerly a Cogge-boat, and simply a Cogge.
As Chron. MS. an. 15 Edw. Ill; cited by Spelman in voce Cogo-
fies. Many Cogs and ships were taken. And Chaucer:
tc He found Jason and Heracles allso
Shutle in a Cogge to loud were ygoe."
which word occurs in the stat. 23 Hen. VIII. cap. 18, and is still
preserved upon the sea coasts in Yorkshire, where they call a small
iisher-boat a Coggle, and in some places by corruption a Cobble :
from the German Kogge 9 a ship,— Posuerunt magnam navim, vut-
'gariter diet am Kogge, cum armatis viris. Histor. Archiepisc. Bre-
tnens. citat.apud Du Fresne in voce Kogge. Hence the Lat. Coqua,
C°gg a > Coggo, Cogo. — An. 1066. Venit ad hoc in Angliam (Rex
-NoricoTum ) trecentis coggonibus adu edits. Mat. West, sub aw.—
Pr¶tis cogonibus, golieis, et aliis navibus onerariis,—600 naves
et 24 coggas bene paratas. Mat: Par. sub an. 1218. Hence Cocula
x>r Cocuium, a Cogue or little drinking cup in form of a boat,
used especially at sea, and still retained in a Cogue of brandy.
The Coges or Cogs of a mill- wheel} are those slobs or broad pieces
of board, that like Cogs or boats are drove along by the stream,
and so turn round the wheel, and axis, and stones. Hence our old
Sax. Cocrebe, a seaman, called in the Laws of King Hen. I.
cap. 19, CoCseti, and cap. 81, CothsetL The old Glossary to these
laws made in the reign of Edw. III. interprets Cocsade, Cocarius,
which die learned Du Fresne seems to understand Coquus, a
Cook, but Cocarius is indeed a Boatman, from Coca or Coquia, a
Boat. As with little variation a Cogge rpane, a Cock-swain, now
a Coggeson or Coxon, is an officer in a ship. Hence the old Lat.
Cogcio f Coccio, a wandering and begging seaman, which Sir Henry
Spelman believes to have been so called from the Gr. kcvkvco, lugeo,
ploro ; Cotyones, Fr. Coquxns, but the true name and original was
Cogciones, Cog-men or Boat-men, who after ship-wrack or losses
by sea, travelled about to beg and defraud the people, restrained
by many civil and ecclesiastical laws, — Ut isti mangones et cogcio*
50 GLOSSARY*
nes f qui sine omni lege vagabundi vadunt, per islam terrain non
sinantur vagari, et deceptiones hominibus agere, vid. Spelman in
voce Coccio, et Du Fresne in voce Cociones. From this Lat. Cog-
ciones, Fr. Coquins, comes our Eng. Cockquine or Cock quean, an
impudent beggar or a cheat : whence no doubt to Cokes or im-
pose upon by lies and stories, like seamen with their pretended
losses and sufferings. And a Cokes is an easie credulous person
deluded by such shams and false tales. In our sea terms we have
still several words that are owing to the obsolete Cogge, a boat.
As the certificate given to mariners for having paid custom and
other naval dues is called the Cocket. The hard sea bisket is
called Cocket-bread, the beach or pebbles with which they ballast a
ship are Coggle stones and Cobble- stones. Fisher-men's great
boots with which they wade into the sea are called Cokers. Of
the same etymology is the Lat. Cocula, Coccula, Cucula, called by
the present Irish Cochull, a coarse shagged mantle wore at first
by seamen, as now by all the poorer people, like our Western
Whittle, — Atque quotjubce in tua coccula, (quod vulgariter voca-
iur quoddam genus indumenti quo Hibernenses utuntur, deforis pie*
nam prominentibus jubis, seu villis in modum crinium sunt contextce)
tot homines per te a poems perpetuis eruentur. Vita S. Cadoci in
MS. Cod. Landav. Eccles. citat, a Spelmanno in voce Coccula.
(The Welsh call a Shepard's hood or coul Cochol.) From whence
the Cucullus or monk's Coul. The present Welsh Cruch is a boat.
Hence tor a ship to Cruise up and down the sea, a Cruiser.
Hence the Lat. Cocula or Cogue, a drinking dish in form of a
boat was called Crusela, Crusellus, from which our Eng. a Cruise
of vinegar or oil, a Crucible for melting and trying of mettals.
And as the wearing Cucula or Cucullus was in Eng. a Coul, so the
vessel Ciccula or liquor continent gave name to our modern vessel
a Coul, carried between two persons with a Coul -staff. And the
Coccula or sea garment was called Crusina and Crosina.
Colerus. A collar or any thing that goes round the neck,
which in old English was the Coll or Cull, from Lat. Co Hum.
Hence the Collar of a doublet, the Collar of a horse, the Collet of
a ring, and perhaps a Col lop of meat, the Welsh call a band a Col-
ler, the old Lat. Colponer, slices or cut pieces, in Welsh a Goli«
with. This possibly is the reason why a great piggin or pail with
a wide neck is called a Collock in the North,— Et pro uno cart-
saddle, nno colero, cum uno pari tractuum ernptis xivrf. K. p. 54Q*
CoiLimo. A fraudulent contrivance and compact between
two or more parties to bring an action one against the other for
some deceitful end, or to prejudice the right of a third person,-*
GLOSSARY* 5 1
mqutslti de cotlumne inter partes prcelocuia contra statu turn {%. e,
U^estmm 2. cap. 32.) ac etiam de vatore ejusdem ecc/esue, dicunt
quod nulla est collusio inter partes inde prcelocuta, K. p. 351.
Combe. A vally or low place between two hills, which is still
so called in Devonshire and Cornwall, Sax. Cumbe, from Brit.
Kum or Cwm, any deep or hollow plnce. The learned Du Fresne
conjectures thus, Anglo Saxonibus Comb, Britanrds Kum valiis,
sic dicta, quod cumbce seu navigii itu nuncupati quod cavum est et
Ipngius specitm referat : sen ab alveo navis qui Cumba etiam dice*
itatur. But 1 rather think the Lat. cumba, melted into cymba,
like the Brit, ctvmri into cymri, was derived from the Brit, or old
Gall. Cum, Kum or Cwm> For cumba signified at first only the
keel or bottom of the ship or boat, and thence by synecdoche
(like Carina and Puppis) was taken for the whole vessel. Hence
no doubt catacumba* the Catacumbs or Caverns of ancient sepul-
ture near to Rome, where the primitive Roman Christians buried
their dead cata cumbas or ad cum b as, at the crypts or hollow
Caverns. Whence in our old charters cumba terra? and comba
ierrce occurs for a low piece of ground. As in England several
villages from their low situation in a bottom, or at the foot of hills,
obtained the name of Combe and Compton, as in Warwickshire,
Oxfordshire, &c. K. p. IOQ. Hence our country-men retain the
word Comb or Coom for the Bin or low place where they keep
corn and chaff for their horses. So in Wiltshire the Comb or
Coom of a window, is the bottom or lower ledge of the window.
Mr. Somnerwith good judgement confutes the derivation of Cam-
bria or the country now called Wales, from Camber son of Brute,
or from Cimri the progeny of Gomer : and then takes much pains
to deduce it from the Brit, cam and combe, crooked, as if Cambria
from its situation among creeks and windings : as a Camber nose, a
crooked nose. Arms a Kembo, Kim-kam, &c. But at last he seems
to come nearer to the truth, — Si tamen r earns dicenda sit Cumbria,
quam Cambria, quod per me licet l , turn petendum forte nomen-a
veteri nostra tium voce she verbo to cumber, i. e. impedire, moles-
tare} quod, ihstar Cumberland! ac, Cambria regio sit montibus ab.
ruptis, terrarum arduis, saxetis, silvis, saltibus, stagnis, paludibus,
impedita, inaccessa, et impervia, saltern viantibus quam mol&ta.
This learned man would have been more happy if (without rest-
ing Hi the word cumber, which is owing to cumbe or filling up a
deep hollow place) he had proceeded to derive cumri from cwm,
and brory a place or country : so as the Brit. Cwmry, Lat. Cum-
bria, like our Eng. Cumberland, might be a country where the
inhabitants lived chiefly in the Combs or doughs, or vallys sur-
rounded by the mountains.
c2
52 GLOSSARY^
Communa, Communio pastures. Commons or right of Com-'
mon in open fields or woods : all the tenants and inhabitants who"
had this right (now the Commoners) were formerly called the
Communance and Comaunce. — The abbat and convent of Missen-
den in right of their cell or hermitage at Muse well bad communio'"
nem pastures tarn in bosco quam in piano, K. p. 76.— Inquisitiojiat
uttum mem brum Mud de tnanerio de Brehuli quod idem Thomas
tenet, debet participate de vasto manerii de Brehuli ratione commu*
me ejusdem manerii, in qua communa nihil habent ut dicunt,
K. p. 171. Whence communare to enjoy the right of Common-
ing, — Talis appropriatio et inclusio nonfiat in prato falcabili, sed
m tali loco ubi tenentes omni tempore anni consueverunt communare
seu communam clamare, K. p. 336.
Compertorium. A judicial inquest in the civil law made by
delegates, to find out and relate the truth of a cause, — Et in car"
nibus porcinis emptis pro clericis domini archiepiscopi sedentibus
super compertorium apud Burcestre, K. p. 575.
Comfutum redder e. To give up Accounts. Hence the old
word a Count or declaration in law. The Contours or Counter*
were the serjeants at law retained to plead a cause, as Chaucer,
" A Sheriff had he been and a Contour,
Was no where sich a worthy Vavasour."
Hence to cast Accompt, a Counter or table of Counting in a shop,
a Counter or piece of brass with which they Counted. The
Counter or prison in London where the citizens were secured till
they had accounted and paid their debts, — Adamus de Calmer e
reddit computum pro Bernardo de S. JValerico, K. p. 123.
Compostum, Compositum, Compost. Any dung or s ullage or
other unctuous matter, compounded (in heraldry Componed) to
fatten and improve a soil : whence compos tare to lay on dung or
enrich the ground,— Inter Hokeday et diem S. Martini bene pos-
sunt ibidem ducentce quadraginta mut tones sustentari ad opus domi-
ni ad terram suam eompostandam, K. p. 4Q5*
Confessor. In 34 Edw, III. the arch -bishops and bishops
through their respective dioceses granted indulgence to all those
who went to sea against the common enemy, with particular privi.
lege to choose their own Confessor, K. p. 488. For the Confes-
sjonar to receive Confessions, was in the old Eng. to Shreve or to
Shrive, Sax. rcprjran, whence the party Confessed was bej-qupaa,
whence our Eng. Besbreved, or looking like a confessed or be-
shrieved person, who is imposed a penance j to Beslirew is to im-
precate or denounce the curse of sin as in Confession. The act of
Confession was called jcnijte, whence possibly to Shift or Shuffle
GLOSSARY. 53
in discourse, like people who are ashamed or afraid to tell all their
faults. The most solemn time of confessing was the day before
Lent, which from thence is called Sh rove-Tuesday.
Consecratio, The first form of consecrating churches in
England wa« at a synod held at Celchyth, an. 816, K. p. 6og.
A solemn consecration of several churches in the diocese of Lincoln,
and particularly in the archdeaconry of Oxford, an. 1238, by Ro-
bert Grosthead bishop of Lincoln, and William Brewer of Exeter,
K. p. 221. No church could be legally consecrated without an
allotment of manse and glebe, generally given by the lord of the
mannor, who thereby became patron of the church, K. p. 222.
Several portions given to the church of Chesterton, nomine dotis
ad ejusdem ecclesice dedication em, K. p. 222. Onevirgate and six
acres of land given at the consecration of the church of Wormen-
hale, K. p. 327. £> ne virgate, one tothland, and eight acres given
at the dedication of the church of Heyford ad pontem, conse*-
crated by Wulfwin bishop of Dorchester, who came to that see
an. 1046, and died an. 1067, 2 Will. Conq. p^514. Two marks
paid as a procuration to the bishop, for the provision and entertain-
ment of himself and retinue. — Nos R, Clonens, episcopum vice ve-
fierabilis patris R. Dei gratia Line episc. ecclesiam de Elsefefd sep*
timo id, Julii, an, Dont. mcclxxhi. dedicasse, et receplsse a procu-
rator rectoris dictce ecclesice duas marcas, nomine procurations
ratione dedications ecclesice, K. p. 515,
Conservator. A delegated umpire or standing arbitrator,
who as a third impartial friend, was chose or appointed to compose
and adjust all differences that should arise between two other
parties. — Ego Simon rector ecclesice de Hay ford- Warine — subju
ciendo me coercioni et compulsioni, civilibus judicibus vet delegatis,
seu conservatori quern dicti religiosi et eorum successores duxerint
eligendum, K. p. 5 13. Whence our English Conservatour became
a forinsick word, as Conservatour of the truce and safe conducts,
appointed by Stat. 2 Hen. V. cap, 6, and 4 Hen. V. cap. 7,
Conservatours of the peace or justices institute^ by King Edw* lilt
&c.
Consistohium. The court Christian or spiritual court, held
formerly in the nave of the cathedral church, or in some chappel,
isle, or portico belonging to it, in which the bishop presided, and
had some of his clergy for assessors and assistants. But this Con-
sistory court is now held by the bishop's chancellor or commissary,
and by archdeacons or their officials, — Cum inter abbatem et con-
ventum Osen. ex parte una, et priorem et conventum de BurcesUr ex
pit era, in consistorio Lincoln, aliquandiu 1/ tig a turn fuisset, K. p. 343*
.QoNSTAByLARius. Constable. A Lat. Comes ^tabuJh U*$
54 GLOSSARY.
matter of the hone, or prefect of the imperial stables id the de-
cline of the Roman empire. Afterwards applied to any officer
who had the guard or custody of any place or persons. Brien
Fitz-Count constable of Walingford, 13 Hen I. K. p. 84. Ho-
lerfus de Oily constabularius regis, K. p. 93.
Consuetudo. Dies de consuetudine, A day's work to be paid
as a customary service by the tenant, — Detent redditum, et prcete*
rea quinque dies de consuetudine, K. p. 229.
Con venire coram Rege. To convene or cite a person to ap-
pear in the king's court, and answer an action preferred against
him.^Manerium de Erdinthon do minus rex tradidit cuidam Ber~
nardo de Sancto Walerico, quern Godefridus abbas de Egnesham
scepius con ve nit coram rege dejure suo, K. p. 133.
Coppire domum. To Cope a house or to lay on the roof and
covering on the top of it. — Johanni Banbury tegulatori capienti in
grosso ad coppiendam prcedidam domum \w.lib. i.den. K. p. 575*
.From the Sax. Coppe, the height or top of 4 thing, Cop a head,
all from the Brit. Koppa, the top or highest part. Hence the
Cope or upper covering, as Prov. Under the Cope of heaven. A
Cope or upper garment, as the outer vest of a priest, and the cloak
or surtout of any other person, as in Chaucer a Cope is used for a
cloak. Hence possibly the southern term to Gaincope or cross a
field, i. e. to strike off the nearest way to the top or head of the
land. A hat with a high crown is called a Copped crown hat. A
sea Cobbe or Coppe is a bird with a tuft of plumes on the bead,
A Coppe or Cob-nut is the top or chief or head-nut. A Cobble is
a large pebble stone. Coping stones are laid on the Cope or Cop-
ing or top of a wall. Copt in the North is high, as a Copt- man,
i. e. a proud and high-minded man. Copt-know or Copt-knolle
is the conical top of a hill. A Coppice is properly a small wood
or toft of trees on the ascent of a hill. A Cop of hay, a Cop of
pease, a Cop of straw, &c. are used in Kent for a high rising heap;
which the monks turned into Coppa, so to be understood in that
passage of Will. Thorn inter X Script, col. 1820. an. 1177.—
Pacti sunt homines de halmoto de Menstre in Thaneto—fruges owi-
nts suas coppare extunc et deinceps, et sic per coppas omnes decimas
suas ipsi et hceredes sui a modo et in ceternum legitime dare-.
Which the learned Du Fresne cites in voce Coppa : but seems to
understand it only of cutting down their corn, whereas it denotes
the gathering or laying op the corn in Copes or heaps, (as they da
barley and other corn not bound) that it might be the more easily
and justly tithed. — Quere whether these words are not owing to
the same original, a Knob or Knoppe a high swelling bunch. A
Ropll of trees or high toft of trees upon a hill.. Knolla or round
GLOSSARY. 55
beaded roots or turneps so called in Keiit. A Knoddle or Noddle
a head. A Knot or protuberance in trees, &c. Gold knops or
the flowers of the ranunculus. The Knape or Nape, Sax. Neap,
in Kent the Nod of the neck. A Cap for the head, the Cape of a
cloak, &c.
Co prose, Copperas, Vitriol. From Copper, & Lat. Cuprum, or
Dutch Koper. The German Kupfferigtangesicht, was an old phrase
for what we call brazen -face or copper- face, and Kupferige-nase>
for what we call a Copper-nose, or a red carbuncled nose, which
was exposed as a sign to some Hospitia, innes, or houses of enter*
tainment, from whence was the first occasion df Brazen- nose
College in Oxford, — In solutis sup-priori pro coprose et gaily s
emptis pro encausto Yuden. K. p. 574. The chief places where
they made this Copperas in England, are Deptford and Folkstone
in Kent, and Brickelssy in Essex. The metalline stones from
which the liquor is dissolved are gathered on the coast of the Isle
of Sbepey, and on the shore near Bright- Helmston in Sussex, and
several other parts
Corbel- Stones. I think the same with what Dr. Skinner
calls Corbets, and from some authority expounds them to be stones
wherein images stand. It seems derived from the Fr. Corbeille,
Lat. Corbulus. The old Eng. Corbel and Corbetel was properly
a nich in the wall of a church or convent, in which they placed an
image, and the Corbel-stones were the smooth and polished stones
laid for the front and outside of the corbels or niches. As at pre*
sent on the south-side of the church of Ambrosden, the said cor-
bels or niches remain, though the images are taken away. But
the same niches and little statues or figures in them continue in
the walls of very many old churches and steeples. — Et in solutis
Johanni Chepyn latamo aptanti et facienii xviii. corbel stony s po«
rieru&s in prcedicto muro v. sol. iy. den. K. p. 5J5.
Cot ag i ou. A Cottage or a Cor, from Sax. Core, Island. Ket f
a little house or hut, — Tenetur per socagium, et non habentur iH~
dem nisi tria cotagia, K. p. 305- Duo messuagia cum uno cotagio g
K. p. 379* Hence a sheep* Cote or sheep-Cot. Cotswold in
Glocestersbire, &c. and the teimination of Cote or Cot in very
many villages. .
Cotarius. Sax. Cotrebe, old Eng. Cotseth, Cottman, Gottyer,
now Cottager, or the inhabitant of any country Cot.— Summa gal"
linarum carucatariorum et, cotarifirum xiv. gallince, K. p* 354.
Hence a country down is now called a Meer Cot, as a citizen ig-
norant of country affairs* a Meer Cit.
, Cotbrbllus. Spelman and Da Fresne make Cotarius and
Coiereltus to be both the same servile inhabitants. But I think m.
56 GLOSSARY.
the Doomsday Register and other ancient MSS. there does appear
a distinction, not only in their name bnt in their tenure and quality.
The Cotarius bad a free soccage tenure, and paid a firm or rent in
provisions or mony, with some customary service. But (be Cote-
rellus held in absolute villenage, and bad his person and goods dis-
posed at tbe pleasure of the lord. — Ed m and earl of Cornwall gave
to tbe fionbororhes of Asheragge his mannors of Chesterton and
Ambrosden, — Una cum villanis, coterellis, eorum catallis, ser-
vitiis, sectis et sequelis, et omnibus suis ubicunque pertinentibus,
K. p. 310.
Cotland, CotsethlaruL Land held by a cottager whether in
soccage or v'i\\et)a%e,—Dimidia acra jacet ibidem inter cotland
quam Johannes Goldering tenet ex una parte, et cotland quam
Thomas IVebbe tenet ex altera, K. p. 532.
Cowele. A Cowl or Coul, or tub with two ears to be carried
between two persons on a Coul- staff. From Cucula or Cocula, a
vessel like a boat, from Coca or Cogga, a boat, vid. Cogge. A
Cowl in Essex is the appellative for any tub : whence a Cowler,
now pronounced a Cooler, or brewing vessel. — Pro novo cowele
empto \\. den. K. p. 54Q.
Crest, Crista. Any imagery or carved work to adorn the head
or top of any thing, like our modern cornish. This word is now
adopted by tbe heralds, and applied to the device set over a coat of
arms. — Et IVillielmo Hykkedon conducto in grosso ad mensam do-
mini ad dolandum et perficiendum le crest super cancellum prwratu\
ibidem, K. p. 5J5.
Ckoit, from Sax. Cpopre, Cjiupre, which Spelman deduces
from the Lat. Crypta or Gr. Kcvirlw. A close or small enclosure
nigh a dwelling bouse, Totam terrain qua: est inter croftam Gilberts
molendinarii, et messuagium quodfuit Adami, K. p. 135.
Croppus. A Crop of corn or t he yearly product of arable land.
From Sax. Cpoppar, ears of corn, Cpop, the top or head of any
thing: whence to Crop or cut off the upper part: Crop-eard, a
Crop of beef. In Sussex they call darnel Crop, and in Worcester,
shire buck-wheat goes by this name of Crap. The old Lat. Cropa
was the buttock of a horse, whence a Crupper,— Idem a bbas ex
mera liberalitate sua croppum de dicta crofta prcefato priori instant
ter concessit pro hac vice, K. p. 2Q8.
Cmucem assumere. To take the Cross, or to engage upon oath,
to undertake a personal expedition in the Holy War, for the re-
covery of Jerusalem, and as a badge of their vow to Saunter, ta
wear a cross on their upper garment. So Brien Fitz Count lord of
Walingford took on him the cross, and adventured to Jerusalem,
K. p. 111. When persons had taken the cross, they bought ax\
glossary: 57
Absolution to excuse them from the danger : by which means some
of the nobility, when they had formed a crusade of great numbers
among their tenants and dependants, they obtained a general* dis-
pensation from the Pope, which they sold again by retail, to release
and disengage all those who had more mind to stay at home. This
project was very beneficial to Richard earl of Cornwall : and
therefore the same favour was asked and obtained from the Pope
by William Longspe in 30 Edw. III. K. p. 238.
Cup a, Cuppa. A Cup or small metalline drinking vessel.
Sax. Cuppe, Brit. Kuppan. Hence a Cup-hord, a Cupping-glass^
an acorn-Cup, and the Italian Cupula was taken from this form.
The plate or drinking Cup of bishops and abbats was part of the
heriot paid to the king at their decease. — Abbas de Oseneia obiii
anno regni regis Edwardi vicesimo quinto, — petitt eschaelor ad
opus do mini regis cuppam et palefridum dicti abba lis defunctr,
K. p. 330. Fid. Prynne, Histor. Collect, torn. 2. p. 834.
Curia. Taken sometimes for the persons or feudatory tenants
who did their suit and service at the court of the lord. So to a
charter of Bernard de S. Walery, 30 Hen. II. — Hiis testibus — et
omni curia mea, K. p 139*
Curia Canonicorum. The convent or conventual house.—*
Juxta rivulum extra curiam dictorum canonicorum, K. p. I 77.
Curia Penonce Ecclesits. The parsonage house, — Omnes ab-
ventiones altaris et caemiterii prcedictce ecclesice, et tolam terram et
curiam persona?, K. p. 205.— crof tarn qua? jacet juxta curiam per-
sonce, lb.
Curia capita lis. Fid. Mansum capitals.
Curije advent us. The service of coming to the court of the
lord, — Reddit per annum ad terminum ipsius unam marcam, et
unum adventum curies, K. p. 400.
Cvkialitas. Courtesie or pure kindness. — Et in datis Willi*
elmo Skynner garconi de pistrina ex curialitate falcatorum per
K.dies x'u.den K. p. 5?6. Curialttas Anglice was that custom
which we call the courtesie of England, when a man who has had
a child by his wife deceased, enjoys her estate daring his owtl
life.
Curtilagium. From Lat. Curs, Curtis > a coop or pen, or
other Small enclosure. A Curtilage, mistaken by our writers for a
garden, when it properly was a yard or back-side adjoining to a
bouse for the running of poultry, the keeping of hogs, &c. — Cur*
tilagium cum pertinerUiis suis, K. p. 269. Et dicunt quod infra
curiam domini est unum curtilagium ad nutriendos porcellos quod
valet per an. xiirf. K. p. 495.
Gustos Abbot ice. . The person to whose custody a vacant ahby
88 GLOSSARY.
was committed, who as a steward of the rents and profits, was to-
give account to the escbaetor, and he to the king — Mandatum est
Wattero de Lutegareshale cuiiodi abbatice de Oscneia quod occa-
iione dictorum atpce palejridi et lanarum nichil esigat, K. p. 330.
Custumarius. An itiferiour tenant in villenage or soccage,
who by custom is obliged to pay such service of work and labour
for his lord.— Tpse Robertas et omnes alii custumarii dotninte,
K. p. 401.
Cyric-Scete. Vi&. Chuhch-scot. The original of the
custom and continuance of it historically delivered, K p. 603.
D.
Dane-Gelt. A tribute which the Danes upon their frequent
incursions imposed on the English, as the arbitrary terms of peace
and departure, an. 873, K. p. 38 : first imposed on the whole
nation to continue as a yearly pension to the Danes under King
Etbelred, an. 99 1. Alfred and Ingulph report that King Edward
the Confessor remitted and abrogated this tax. But it is certain
that William the Conquerour, though he would not reduce the
annual payment, yet he ordered the raising of it as often as the ne-
cessities of invasion or of expedition did require. It was severely
exacted and augmented by William Rufus. And in the reign of
Hen. I. it was computed among the king's standing revenues.
The next successour, King Stephen, promised by oath on his coro-
nation day, that this Danegeld should be for ever remitted, Hen.
Hunt. p. 387* From which time some writers have dated the ex-
piration of this tax. Yet it seems rather to have continued upon
extraordinary occasions, till it was abrogated by time, or rather
swallowed up in tallage and parliamentary impositions The laws
of Edw. Conf. cap. 11, rate this tax at \2d. on every hide. Hen.
Hunt, computes it at 2#. on each hide; and Jo. Brompton at 3d*
on a novate or ox gang. No doubt it varied according to the diffe-
rent exigencies upon which it was levied. To be exempted from
this tax was a peculiar priviledge granted by King Hen. II. to the
tenants within the honor of Walingford, ut sint quieti de geldis et
danegeldis, K. p. \ 14. In the donation of lands to religious uses,
when many other burdens were remitted, this was still reserved :
bo in 27 Hen. II. Henry de Oily gave four hides in Chesterton to
the abby of Egnesfaam, libera* et quietus ah omnibus querelis, er-
ceptis murdredo et danegeldo, K. p. 184, 403.
Dayeria, Dayriy Dairy. It is derived by Dr. Skinner from the
Fr. Derrier, as if the Dairy were on the back part or behind the
jest of the house. The learned Fr. Junius is no more happy.
GLOSSARY* 59
when he refers Ft to the Greek — Aaelpa et per syncvpen '8atpa>
Hesychio exponilur$a.ytfj,w fytfeipos, gnara, perita. Non enim c»-
jusvis est curare lacticinia, sed a lactic'tniis edulia concinnaturam
sivgulari ruslicarum rerum experieniia imbutam esse oportet Om-
nino interim hue pertinet, quod Galiis Darioie dicitur cibi genus
quod iisdem Galiis alias nuncupatur Laicteron vel flan de laict. Ac
fortasse quoque Danis ab eadem origin* Dartre dictum est jentacu*.
lum, quod septentrionales lacticiniis jentare sint soliti. Both these
are trifling conjectures : the word Dayrie, or Deirie, is originally
English, from Day, Deie, Sax. Dag, and signified at first the daily
yeild of milch cows, or the daily profit marie of them. As a Day-
work of land was such a quantity as could be ploughed up by one
plough in one clay. W. Thorn inter X Script, col. 2203, which
the French called Journal, Lat. Jornale. So in Lorraine and
Champagne, they now use the word Dayer for the meeting of the
Day-labouring women to give an account of their day's work, and
receive the wages of it. The Dairy-maid is called Androckia in>
Fleta, 1. 2. cap. 87. Androckia pudica esse debet, et laboriosa
daerice, — A Dairy in the North is called the Milkness, as the
Dairy-maid is in all parts a Milk-maid. — Wreckwyke, compotut
Henrici Deye et Johannes uxoris suce de omnibus exitibus et proven-
tibus de dayri domini prions de Burncester, K. p. 548. — Compu*
iant de xwv.sol. \\.den. receptis de dayeria de la Breche, K*
p. 570.
Dapifer, a dapes ferendo. At first a domestick officer, like our
steward of the household, or rather clerk of the kitchen. Then<
by degrees any fiduciary servant, especially the chief steward or
head bayliflf of an honor, barony, or mannor.— Malcolmus rex
Scotue dapifero suo de honor e de Huntingdon, K. p. 1 tp. Possibly
from Dapifer, the chief servant of better figure than the rest,'
comes our present phrases a Dapper-fellow, and. Dapperly -done.
Hence the Lat. Dapsi/is, hospitable and generous* — Dap sills m
mensa frugalia pabuila pr cos tans, K. p. 340.
Dec anus Chrwianiiatis. The dean rural or urban wha had
the district of ten churches in the country or city, within which,
he exercised a jurisdiction of great advantage to ecclesiastical dis-
cipline. They were sometime stiled ArcJdpreshyieri, and were a*
first both in order and authority above the archdeacons, K. p.*63fl«*
They were elected by the clergy, and by their votes again deposed \t
but afterwards were appointed and removed at the discretion of the'
bishop, and thence called Decani temporarily as distinguished from
the cathedral deans, «who wer* Decani perpetui, K. p. 639. The 1
rural dean was sometime simply called Decanus, as in a charter 0$
Jfetw deTOsse of Wendtebory, 1 1 Hen. 1L HiU testibus—Jfa,
CO GLOSSARY.
gero detano de Pire, K. p. 121. So likewise the urban or city
dean, as in a composition between the abby of Egnesham, and
priory of Burcester, 34 Hen. II. Hiis testibus — Nigello decano
de Orenford, K. p. 144. Called Decanus Episcopi in the Laws of
Edw. Confess, p. 633. Deans rural and urban collected the taxes
imposed upon the clergy, K. p. 130. The chapter in every
deanery were a court Christian for determining the right of tithes,
&c. K. p. 123. Robert Grosthead bishop of Lincoln by advice of
the predicant fryers, commanded his archdeacons and rural deans
to make strict inquisition into the lives of all the nobility and com**
monalty within their precincts, which was thought such a griev*
ance and imposition upon the liberty of sinners, that upon com-
plaint the king interposed and stopt the proceedings, K. p. 238,
The taxation of benefices by Walter bishop of Norwich, an 1 254,
was done by the bishop's appointing the dean and three rectors or
vicars in every deanery, who upon oath were to certifie the just
estimate of all church revenues, K. p. 312. All the parochial
clergy bound by oath to attend the rural chapters, to which pur-
pose the appropriators were sometime obliged to find a horse for
the poor vicar, K. p. 304. It was their office to give induction to
clerks after their presentation by the patron, and admission or in*
stitution by the bishop. So an. 1220, 5 Hen. III. Richard rural
dean of Wodesdon inducted the prior and canons of St. Frides-
wide into the appropriated tithes of Oakle, and certified it by
special instrument concluding thus, — Ego et plures alH viri fide
digni de capitulo de Wodesdon in hujus rei testimonium sigilla nostra
apposuimuSy K. p. 40/ . The same office done by John vicar of
Wynchendon dean of Wodesdon, an. 1326, ib. The sentence of
superiour ecclesiastical judges committed to the execution of the
rural dean, K. p. 408. The title of Decanus Christianitatis
falsely applied to the cathedral dean by the editor of Append, ad
Fascic. p. 636. An historical account of deans rural, urban, ca-
thedral, and conventual, delivered from p 631 to p. 653.
Dedication of Churches. The wake or feast of dedication
kept with solemnity and generous entertainment, — Et in datis
duobus valectis foresUe portantibus carnes Jerinas priori infesto de-
dications ecclesue hoc anno v. sol. K. p. 578. Solemn processions
on the day of dedication, K. p. 658. Those inhabitants who had!
the priviledge of a chapel of ease, were to repair to the mother
church on that festival, K. p. 5g5 ; and there to make their ob-r
lations, K. p. 5g6. The history of the institution and observance
of wakes or feasts of dedication, K. p. 6lO» Fid. Consbcbatioi*
pf Churches.
. Dbfalta, Defaltum. From Fr f Defaut, default, a neglecj ox
GLOSSARY; j&l
Amission of appearance in a court of justice, for which judgement
might be given against the defalter. — Ipsi non veniunt ad hunc diem*
wide judicium assises capiatur versus eos per earum defaltum,
K. p. 351. Ipse non venit et alias fecit defaltum, K. p. 479.
Defenders se. A phrase in the Doomsday Register to be tax*
for such a quantity of land. As the mannor of Brill was taxt for
twenty hides-, Tunc xx. hides se defendebant, K. p. 105.
Deforciare. Fid. after Devota.
Demesne. From the Lat. Domintcum, as that part of a mannor
or estate which the lord keeps in his own hands, or to his own use.
Or as some pretend from the Fr. de mesne, as land which a maii
holds of himself, and not from a superiour lord. It was generally
taken for those grounds that were adjacent to the court or mannor
house, which the lord did not let out to feudatory or servile tenants j
but either manured himself or assigned to tenants at will. The
barons often granted (with consent of ecclesiastical authority) the
tithe of their own demesne to religious houses, K. p. 75, 76. In,
those mannors which our kings held in demesne, they had palaces
or royal seats, where by frequent changing of their stations, they
made a sort of constant progress through tbeir whole kingdom,, '
K. p. 52. — Manerium de Brehujl Juit antiquum dominicum regis^
K. p. 286. — Homines de manerio de Hedingdon quod est deantiquo
dominico coronas Anglics, K. p. 31 9. At these demesne mannors
the kings had free chappels exempt from episcopal jurisdiction : as
at Brill, Hedingdon, &c. Dominicurp, pratum, the meadow grounds/
Dot rented out, but kept in the hands of the lord, K. p. 76.
Denarius S. Petri. Peter-penny, Hearth-penny, Romefeah,
Romescot. In the North Ream-penny : where they use this pro-
verb, He reckons up his Ream -pennies, i. e. he tells all his faults.
This levy was at first a penny from every house wherein there
were thirty pence vivce pecuniae of ready money : collected and
sent to Rome 4 which by custom passed into a standing tax, though
at first it was only a voluntary contribution, of which one half was
to goe for alms to the English school at Rome, and the other tp
the Pope's use. It was given first by King Ina, and confirmed by
King Offa and King Ethelwolph, established by the laws of King
Canute, cap. 9, Edgar, cap. 54, Edw. Confess, cap. 10, Will.
Conqu, cap. 18, Hen. I. cap. 11. Collected by the bishops, whp
employed the archdeacons and rural deans to receive it before the
festival of St. Peter ad vincula, Aug. 1 , as appointed by the ca-
nons of King Edgar, K. p. 603. The whole sum was by P. Greg.
stated at two hundred pounds twenty-six shillings, of which the
proportion in this diocese of Lincoln was 42/. King Edw. III.
an. 1305, forbid the payment of this, duty to the .Pope. But this
62 * GLOSSARY.
was only a bold instance of that prince's displeasure. For the cti*»
torn soon returned, and continued to the reign of Hen. VIII. when
Polydore Virgil was employed here as the Pope's general receiver*
No place nor religious house was exempted from this imposition,
but only the abby of St. Albans. Some churches and parishes-
paid a stated composition, as in 30 Hen. II. CapelUs de Egnes-
ham et de Chersinton, et de Ardinton, similiter eliam ecclesus de
Stoches et de Cherlebiri ab omni onere epitcopali ab antiquo liberce
sunt, nee solvent pro denariis beati Petri nisi octo solidos, K. p. 140*
In the diocese of Canterbury the rural deans were the collectors in
their respective districts, K. p. 648. The religious often obliged
their firmers and tenants to pay a ceitain proportion towards this
tax : as in the rental of the abby of Glastonbury taken an. 1201. —
Manermm Glaston. reddit per annum in gabuio vi, lib, vii. so/.— in-
denartis S. Petri xxxiii. den. — Pylton reddit in gabulo x\\\. lib. iv.soL
—de denariis S. Petri m.sol. &i. Cartul. Abbat. Glaston. MS*
p. 38.
DfiNABfus tertius Comitatus. In the fines and other profits
arising from the county courts, two parts were allotted to the king
and a third part or penny to the earl of the county, who either re-
ceived it in specie at the assises and trials, or bad an equivalent
composition paid from the Exchequer. So Eubulo le Strange in
right of his wife Alice, daughter and heir of Henry de Lacy earl
of Lincoln, had by letters patent 5 Edw. III. Custodian et war-
dam castelli nostri de Lincoln, cum ballwu ibidem, et viginti libra*
tas annui redditus pro iertio denario comitatus, K. p. 418.
Denarii. A general term for any sort of money,— Solventur
kominibtts de Hedingdon de denariis domini, singulis annis proximo
die qntofaleare incipient, quinque solidi, K. p. 320.
Dbsfonsakb. To take a woman in marriage. So of Maud
daughter and- heir of Robert de Oily, sen. Milo Crispinus despon-
stmt earn, K. p. 112. Mulier desponsata, a lawful wife. Henry
de Fonttbus gave his estate to his sister and her husband, in default
of issue so lawfully begotten, — Nisi hceredem habuero de muliere
desponsata, K. p. 115.
Detachi are, Dittachiare. By a writ of Detachment to seise
or take into custody goods or persons,-— Nee nos nee hctredes
nostri preedictum Radulphum vel hceredes suos dittachiemus uel dis-
seisin faciemus, K. p. 203.
Dkvisje. The borders or limits of division between lands, pa-»
rtshes, or counties,— Sic usque Hetheneburn inter Akemansirete inter
devisas com. Oxon. et Buck. K. p. 324* Hence the Devises or
Devises, a town in Wiltshire, situate on the confines of the West
Saxon- and Mercian* kingdoms.
GLOSSARY. 63
Devota Deo, A woman in her widowhood, or latter part of
her life, took a religious habit, and was called a Vowess or De*
votee. — So Edith widow of Robert de Oilly, jun. in old age grew
penitent, and became Memorabilis matrona Deo devota, K. p. Q5*
DfiypoHciAHE, Strictly and properly to turn oat by violence, or
to keep possession of lands in open violation of the rights of the
heir or lawful owner. But it often signified no more than to fence
off a suit or action, or to defend the right and property of posses*
sion. And therefore in assises or trials, the claimer or plaintiff
was called Querens, and the possessor or defendant was Deforciant.
— Inter Johannemjilium Nigelit querent em, et Sampsontm de Adin*
grave et Mariam uxor em ejus defor riant es, K. p. 29 1. Idem
K. p. 291,321.
Deforciatio. * A distraint or seizure of goods for satisfaction
of a lawful debt, — Nos et hceredes nostros distringere pessint per
bona mobiHa et tmmobilia et hominum nostrorum, et deforciationem
tenere quousque plenarie fuerit sal isf actum, K. p. 293.
Diss eis irk. To disseise, eject, or turn out of possession.
Rex Richfttdus I. disseisivit Gerardum de Camvilia de castello et
vicecomitatu Lincolniensi, K.I p. 1 52.
Distringere. To distrain and keep the distrktiones, distresses^
or distraints, till payment and full satisfaction,— Possini nos et stu>
cessores nostros et prcedictas omnes terras— distringere ad solutienem
memoratam, et dislrictiones reiinere quousque— plenarie Juerit satis*
factum, K. p. 344.
Domesday-Book. When King Alfred divided his kingdom*
into counties, hundreds, and titbings, be bad an inquisition taken
of the several districts, and digested into a register called Dam-boc,
f. e. the judicial or judgement book, reposited m the church of
Winchester, and thence entitled Codex Wvntomensis, to which
King' Ed w. sen. seems to refer in the first chapter of bis Laws.
The general survey taken by King Will. Conq. was after the pre*
cedent of King Alfred, and seems but a corruption of, or rather an
addition to, the same name, Domboc into Domesday-book. And
therefore a trifling derivation to impute the name to Domus Dei, as
if so called from the church wherein it was first reposited- Nor is
it any wiser conjecture to ascribe it to Doomsday or the final day
°f judgement. When the appellation does really imply no more
than the Doom-book, or register from which sentence and jodger
ment might be given in the tenure of estates : whence by Latin
writers commonly called Liber Judkialis. Nor may it be impro-
per to observe (because no notice has been yet taken of so small
a matter) that the addition of dey or day , (Dome+boc, Domesday*
book) does not augment the sense of the word, bat only doubles
64
GLOSSARY.
V
and confirms it. For the word dey or day in that composition 1
does not really signifie the measure of time, but the administration
of justice. For as Dr. Hammond well observes in bis Annotation
on Heb. 10, 25. The word day in all idioms does signifie judged
ment. So 1 Cor. 3, 13. AvQpanrive vpepa, is humane judgement;
&c. And even now in the North a Deies-man or Days-man, is an
arbitrator, an umpire, or judge. So as Doomsday-book is no more
than the book of judicial verdict, or decretory sentence, or doom-
ing of judgement, K. p. 63.
Domina. A title given to those women who in their own right
of inheritance held a barony. So Maud the daughter of Robert
de Oily, sen., who inherited the honour of Walingford, was there-
fore stiled Matildis domina de Walingford, K. p. 78.
Dominium. Right or legal power. — In sylva dicti manerii stvt
dominii de Pidintona, aut infra pnecinclum ejusdem nan habeni
n&qui exiranei dominium alicjuo modo in parte vel in toto se intro-
mittere, K. p. 498.
Dos. It properly signified the portion brought by the wife to
Jthe husband, and not the dowry settled by the husband on the
wife. Yet it was sometime taken in this latter sense, for the
jointure to be enjoyed by the widow after the husbands decease.
And if an equal provision had not been made before the husband's
death, his relict might sue the heirs at law de rationabili dote> for
a reasonable share of the estate to be assigned for her maintenance.
So Eustace the relict of Thomas de Verdon taking for a second
'.husband Richard de Camvill, she claimed her reasonable dowry of
Nicholas de Verdon, her husband's heir, which occasioned a legal
fine, inter Bichardum de Camvill et Eustaciam uxorem ejus peten-
tes, et NichoLaum de Verdon tenentem de rationabili dote ipsius Ett-
slacice, quam ipsa clamat versus eundem Nicholaum de omnibus te-
nements qucefuerint Thomce de Verdon quondam viri sui, K. p. lfjfj.
Vid. Duarium.
Draw-Gbre. Any furniture of cart-horses for drawing a wag-
gon or other carriage : from Draw and Sax. geajine, in our Eng.
Geer, any preparatory utensils or instruments, and especially cloaths
and bodily habit, whence geapkm or jerkin, a short diminutive
coat. From jeajinian, to provide or to cloatb* This the modern
Latin writers turned into Gerada, which Du Fresne rightly inter-
perets, utensilia aut quemvis apparatum, but seems with some
violence to derive it from the German Ghe-reed, when it bears
more immediate relation to the Sax. geajine, old Eng. Geere, as
in the obsolete proverb, Ne gold ne geere, i. e. neither money nor
goods. In no geere, i. e. not ready, unprovided : whence the old
word Geerejull or Gierefull, well habited or well fitted with arjns,
GLOSSARY. 65
as in Chaucer, Troilus, 1. 4, f. 167. " To preve in that thy gierfull
violence." Hence the Sax. Geajio, Eng. Yard, properly Geard or
Garden, or as now in Lincolnshire Garth, a place well fenced and
cultivated. Thence Gypban and gypbl, to girt, a girdle, a garter.
In the North to Garre, t. e. to make a garment or do any other
work. Sax. Geapn, Eng. Yarn, still in the North called Garn, or
wool workt into a thread, Geapnian, Eng. to Earn, or obtain by
labour. The old word Garth is owing to the same original, and
signi6ed any work or device, to take or to catch game. As the
Fish-garths in stat. 23 Hen. VIII. cap. 18, were nets and unlaw-
ful engines for catching fish, used by the Garth men or poachers,
mentioned stat. 1, 13 Rich. II. cap. 9, et an. 17, cap. 19. The
sound and the sense of the Sax. Geajipe and geajiroan are more
nearly preserved iu the present English Head-geer, i. e. head-
cloaths j Horse-geer, t. e. harness ; Gearish and Garish, z. e. spruce
and fine. And in the North to geer or to gear, is to dress j whence
prov. Snogly geared, i. e. neatly dress'd. As in the South, we say
such a person is in his geers, or out of his geers. — Pro factura de
draw gere per Walter urn Carpenter de Langeton iii d. K. p. 54Q.
Dua&ium, Doarium, Dotarium. The Dowry of a wife settled
on her in marriage to be enjoyed after her husband's decease. The
English Dowrie is by Fr. Junius rightly referred to the old Eng.
to Dowe,i.e. to give, as Chaucer, " To whom for evermore mine
hart I do we," whence a Dose or Do ws, or portion of any thing given
to eat or drink, is as near the old Eng. as the primitive Greek.
The same Junius does conjecture that our English Widow is hence
owing to the Sax. ]?eb and bujie, as if a woman wedded to or by.
covenant assured of such' a certain dowry. To which sense the
word Dowager does well agree. The wife with consent of her hus-
band could assign a part of her dowry to religious uses. — Ego
Edit ha Roberto de Oili conjugali copula juncta consilio et voiuntate
ejusdem Roberti mariti met de duario meo de Weston dedi in perpe*
tuam eleemosinam, &c. K. p. 94.
Dytenum, Dictenum. A Dittany, Ditty, or Song. Venire cum
toto ac pleno dyteno, to sing harvest home. Homines de Hedyng-
don ad curiam domini singulis annis inter festum S. Michaelis et
S. Martini venient cum toto ae pleno dyteno sicut hactenus consue-
veruht, K. p. 320.
E.
Eleemosina. Sax. iElmerr, Eng. Alms; Eleemosinaria, Fr.
Aumonerie, Eng. Aumerie, Aumbry, Ambry, which in the North
they now use for a pantry or cup-board, Welsh Almari. Eleemo-
f
66 GLOSSARY.
iinarius, Almoner, Eleemorina pur a et perpetua, et libera. Pure
and perpetual Prank-Almoigne. Lands so given to religious uses
were discharged from all taxes and other secular burdens, — Qua-
liter extincta sunt feoda domini a I' bat is quce ab ipso petita sunt, —
prefer t chart am Hoberti de Olleio, et confirmation em regis quod
habet—in puram et perpetuam eleemosinam, K. p. 605.
Emendatio damorum et sepium. The repair of houses and
mending of hedges. To religious houses a privilege was often
granted to receive as much wood as was needful for these purposes.
So the abby of Mis sen den in right of their hermitage at Muse well
bad a grant from Joan de Piclington, — de bosco quoit opusjuerit ad
em en dot tone m domorum et sepium s varum, K. p. 76.
Emendatio Panis et Cervisue. The assise of bread and beer,
or the power of supervising and correcting sucb weights and mea-
sures, a privilege granted by the king to lords of mannors, which
power gave occasion to the present office of Ale-taster, appointed
in every court-leet, and sworn to look to the assise of bread, and
ale or beer, within the precincts of that lordship, — Ad nos spectat
emendatio panni pani* et cervisue, et quicquid regis est excepto mur*
dredo et latrocinio probata, K. p 196
Episcopalb onus, Episcopalian. Synodal*, Pentecostals, and other
taxes and contributions from the clergy to the diocesan bishop.
Which burden was remitted by special privilege to some churches,
and especially to those free chappels that weie built upon the king's
demesne. So 30 Hen. II. Capellcede Egncsham et de Cher sin ton
et de Ardinton. Similiter etiam ecclesue de Stoches et de Cherle-
biri ab omni onere episcopali liberce sunt, K. p. 140.
Ernes. The loose scattered ears of corn that are left on tbe
ground after the binding or cocking of it.— Conducto ad prcepa-
randum usque ad carectam xxix. se Hones— ordei cum les ernes rt».
vui.den. K. p. 576. From the old Teuton. , hr, an ear of com ;
Emde, harvest ; Em den, to cut or mow corn Hence to Ern is
in some places the same as to Glean, or what in Kent we call to
Lease. Hence Ersh in Sussex is the stubble after the corn is cut,
what in Kent we call the G rat ten, in the North Eddish, from the
Sax. Gbijc, rough ings and aftermaths. The Ersh in Sussex is in
Surry the Esh, as a wheat- Esh, a barley-Esh, &c.
Escabtob Regis. The king's eschaetor, who took into custody
and accounted for all escheats to the crown, as forfeitures, lapses,
wards, &c. Of which officers there was one commissioned in
every county to execute the office for one year, and to certihe bis
receipts into the Exchequer. Thomas Maunsel escaetor regis in
com. Bdck. computut regi xxxvj. de manerio de Lutegareshale,
K. p. 246. This officer received all heriots due to the king, and
GLOSSARY. 67
entered upon all vacant sees and abbies held in barony, and ac-
counted for the intermediate profits which arose before the resti-
tution of the temporalities, K. p. 330.
Eaf 1 c urn anti a . The office of Spigurnd or sealer of the king's
writs. Spigumellus, which word Spelman and Du Fresne recite
without interpreting. It seems detorted from the Sax. Spapnatt,
to shut up, to seal, or to secure : whence the Spar of any mineral,
t. e. the outward coat that involves or shuts up the oar. The Spar
of a door, i. e. the bolt. To Spar a door in the North is to shut
the door. Spars and Sparables are nails to enclose and shut up,
&c. The monks of Rochester were to allow a set quantity of pro-
visions to the king's Spigurnels at their coming to that city. — Pro
ista autem provisione et concessione detent prior et conventus Roffen-
sis ulicunque dominus rex Jiterit quieti esse pro cera ad sigillum.
Spelman, in voce Spigumellus. Oliver de Standford in 2? Edw. f .
held lands/ in Netlebed, com. Oxon. per serjeantiam espicurnantice
in cancellaria domini regis, K. p 292.
Essoin. Fr. Essoigne, Lat. Essonwm, Exonium. From the
old Lat. Sunnis, an impediment, let, or hindrance. When a per-
son was cited to appear and answer in any court, upon any just
cause or reason of absenting, he was allowed to alledge his Essoin
or excuse, and if the pretence were just and well approved by the
court, he had his Essoin or respite of longer time. Essontum de
malo lecti was in case of sickness of the party summoned, which
sickness was to be attested in open court four days successively,
when the judges might appoint four knights to attend the sick per-
son, and see him depute a proctor or attorney to appear for him.
But this excuse was not allowed to the proctors or attornies them-
selves, because one deputy could not depute another, K. p. 108.
Essoin was granted on a non-suit, and the parties suffered them-
selves to be- non-suited to gain this respite. Predictus Johannes
fecit se esse non versus prvedictum priorem de prcedkto placito, et
hahuit diem per essontum suum ad nunc diem, K p. 41 4. — Et pros-
dietus Johannes tunc fecit se essoniari de servitio domini regis et
hahuit inde diem per essontum suum hie usque a die Paschatis in
TLV.dies, K. p. 471.
Esthegbords. Eastern-boards or deal- boards brought from the
eastern parts for wainscote and other uses. — Et in sex estregbords,
viz. waynscots emptts apud Steresbmgge ii. sol. Yu.den. K. p. 575.
Evbvtngs. The delivery at even or night of a certain portion
of grass or corn to a custumary tenant, who performs his wonted
service of mowing or reaping for his lord, and at the end of his
day's work receives such a quantity of the grass or corn to carry
home with him as a gratuity or encouragement of his bounden
f2
68 GLOSSARY.
service. So in the rnannor of Borcester, — virgala terra integra
ejusdem tenurce halebit libcram ad vesperns qua* vocatur Evenyngs
tantam sicut fo lea tor potest per falcem injure et domum portare per
ipsam, K. p. 401. Tlii* gave occasion to ihe present corrupt and
shameful practise of day-labourers in felling and taggo'ine of wood,
who at every evening earn* home with them a burden oi wood, at
great as they are able to bear, though it be no part of their wages
or covenanted hire. Now servile tenures and customary services
are extinct, this practise of labourers carrying home a load or
bundle is no better than pure theft, and ought in all honour and
justice to be pnnisht and reformed.
Ex actio secular is Any sort of tax or imposition paid by feu-
datory and oervile tenants, from all which the freeholders within
the honor < >f Walingford were exempted by special privilege, —
Ut quiet) swt nb onmi consuetudine et exactione seculari, K. p. 1 14.
ExcoMMi'NiCATUM capias, or a writ de excommunicato capiendo.
A precept cirected to the sheriff from the court of Chancery for the
apprehension of a person who ha* stood obstinately e communicate
for fourty days. — Robert de Pidington and others imprisoned for
such contt irpf of ecclesiastical authority, were at the request of
the arch-bishop of Canterbury released to prosecute their appeal to
Rome, K. p. 352.
Exehcitus bestiarum. A herd or drove of deer or other forest
game. — Hie locus est magis et maximvs exercitus bestiarum totius
foresta?, K. p. 249 .
Exhibitio. An allowance for meat and drink, such as the re-
ligious appropriators made to the poor depending vicar So in all
clinches appropriated to the abby of Oseney, Vuarius habebit
svfficienlem txhibitionem sicut canonici quoad vichtatia in mensa ca-
nonicorum ubi canonici moram faciunt, K. p 304.
Explicia, Expletia, Expleta The rents or intermediate pro-
fits of an estate in trust .—Capiendo inde explicia ad valentiam
quinque solidorum et amplius, K. p. 414.
Extenta. The survey and valuation of an estate made upon
inquisition or the oaths of a jury, impanelled by the sheriff by
vertue of the kings precept. — Extenta terrarum et tenementorum
tjucB fuerunt domim Johannis Jilii Nfgelli defuncti in villa de Bor-
s tally com. Bucks, facta ibidem, K. p 314. Extenta manerii de
Ambrosden per duodecim juratores , an. 28 Fdw. I. K p. 681.
Extra cta Cur ice. The profits of. holding a court arising from
the custumary dues, fees, and amercements, — Computant de tribus
denariis receptis de extractis unius curia? tentas apvd Burcester,
K. p. 572.
Eyte. A low wet place or little island, called in some old
GLOSSARY. 69
writings an Eight, which Skinner would have to be a contraction
of Islet, i. e. a small island. But the word bears more immediate
relation to the Sax. Gage, Lat Eta, an island, which in termi-
nations is Ey, the present Islandick appellative for an island ;
which syllable ends the name of very many of our little islands, as
Eley, Shepey, Pevensey, Ramsey, &c. Hence an Eylet, and
Eylet- or ilet hole. The French in Da Fresne's opinion have
hence borrowed their Enu, water, and possibly the Irish Ait, a
place. — Duas placias prali qutejacent propelhamisiam quae vocan-
tur Porters-Eyte, K. p. 295. So the low meraby tract that lies by
the river in Blackthorn, within the parish of Aoibrosden, is now
called filackthorn-Eyte.
F.
Falcare prata. To cut or mow down grass in meadows
hayned or laid in for hay : a custumary service done for the lord
by his inferiour tenants. — Homines de Hedingdon per duos dies prata
do mini falcabunt, tertio veto die her bam ibi falcatam vertent,
K. p. 320. Fatcatura una was the service of one time mowing
or cutting grass in the demesne meadows of the lord. Tenet in
bondagio, et debet unam falcaturam per dimidium diem. ib. FaU
rata was the grass fresh mowed and laid in swathes.— "Ipse Rober-
tas et omnes afii custumarii domince tiberam falcatam in prato vocato
GUberdesham sine prandio debent tornare, et inde Jcenum levare, et
mulliones inde facet e, K. p. 401. The custumary mower had the
liberty of carrying away with him at night a bundle of hay, as
much as he could take up and carry off with his sithe. In manerio
de Pedinton— quilibet f abator habebit ad vesperam singulis diebus
quamdiu falcabit fasciculum fveni quantum potest capere. sursum
cum fake sua sine auxilio aliorum, JC p. 4Q6. This liberty was
legal, when custom or compact settled it on servile tenants 5 but
in our present labourers who have their full days wages, for them
to carry home wood or any other materials whereon they work,
is no better than an open theft, which is certainly a sin for the
hireling to commit, and as certainly a shame for the master to con-
nive at.
Falmotum, Falchesmota, Folkesmote, Folkmote. From Sax,
Folc, people, and Mote or gemote, a convention or assembly.
So as the Folhnot was a popular convention of all the inhabitants
of a city or town called a Burgmote, or of all the free tenants
within a county called the Schjremote. Which solemn assembly
in boroughs or .towns upon extraordinary occasions, was to be con*
vened by sound of bell called the Motbell. In the county Folk-
70 GLOSSARY.
mote, all knights and free tenants did their fealty to the king, and
elected the annoal sheriff on Octob. 1, till thii popular election
was devolved to the king's nomination, an. 1315, 9 Edw. II. after
which the city Folkmote was swallowed up in the common council,
and the county Folkmote in the sheriff's turn and assises. The
word Folkmote was sometimes of a less extent, and applied to any
populous meeting, as of all tenants to the court leet or baron of
their lord So to a charter of Wido de Meriton about 10 Hen. II.
Testes donationis sunt Fulco sacerdos de Meriton, Luvelhis de ffor-
sputh, et totum falmotum meorum hominum et suorum, K. p. 120.
Some remains of the word Mote and Gemote are in the Moot-
house or council chamber in some towns. Moot- hall, Moot-case,
Mooting, &c.
Favhatio. The Fawning of does, or casting their young
Fawns. From the Fr. Fa'dn, a little kid, which Menagius deduces
from the Gall. Fan, si child. Whence Pierce Ploughman, f. 37,
uses the word Fauntekyns for little children. — " And confirmyn
Fauntekyns." And to this seems owing the western term to Fang
for a child, i. e. to be god- father or god-mother to that child : or
in Somersetshire by the usual melting of F into V, to Vang, as He
Vanged to me at the Vont. To the same original we may ascribe
the word Fangles or Vangles, properly the baubles or play things
of children that are proud to be new Fangled. From the Fr. Faon
Du Fresne deduces the flesh Faoneson, venison, which in the
Forest Charter of Rich. I. is called Foinesun. Tempus vel mentis
fannationis, was the Fawning or the fence month, fifteen days
before Midsummer and fifteen after : when great care was taken
that' no disturbance should be given to the does or to their young.
•—Aceederent ad male faciendum tarn tempore fannationis quam alio
tempore, K. p. 249.— Tenentes de Brenull, Bor stall, et Okie infra
forestam prafdicti monerii habent commvnem pasturam omnium
averiomm — omnibus temporibus eis placentibus, prceter t um capris
bidentibus, et porcis cetatis unius anni in mense fannationis, vide*
licet quindecim antefestum Natwitatis 8. Johannis Baptist a? et quin-
decim post, K. p. 502.
Felonia, Felonum bona. Felons' goods due to the king, and
by him granted to the lords of mannors, &c— Cum messuagiis,
gardinis, <ed\ficiis, feloniis, eschaetis, &c. K p. 412. The learned
Spelman deduces the word Felon from Sax. Faclen and Felen, Teu-
ton, Faelen, to Fail or offend. Or otherwise from Sa Feh or
yeah, Fee or estate, and German Urn, value or price : as it Felony
were the trespass of a vassal against his lord, to be punished by the
loss of bis fee, or the mulct of his whole estate. For all those of-
fences which now come under the name of Felony, had pecuniary
GLOSSARY. 71
mulcts or weres and weregilds imposed on the committers, till
King Henry I. an. 1108, inflicted death on thieves, and several
statutes have since declared what crimes shall fall under the name
and penalties of Felony. Hence the old Ft How n and Fell cruel.
Feb de se, a self murderer. To Feal in the North is to hide any
thing surreptitiously gotten : as in the prov. He that feals can find.
Our word Fellow seems to have, had the worst sense of an asso-
ciate in felony, which sense is still preserved in the proverb, Ask
your fellow whither you be a thief.
Feodum, Feudum. Any Fee, benefit, or profit. Sax. Feo, pea,
feoh, stipend, gratituities, and other perquisites of any place or
office. — Johannes filius Nigelli habet in bosco domini regis housbote
■et hey bote cum omnibus feodis forestario pertinentibus secundum assi*
samforestte, K. p. 266. — Mandamus quod Henrico de Lacy, com.
Line, facialis habere feodum suum quod percipere debet, et anteces-
sor es sui in com. Line, percipere consueverunt ad Scaccarium,
K. p. 289, Feoda sometimes implied all the dues of scut age and
other taxes in military service. Qualiter extincta sunt feoda domi-
ni abbatis quce ab ipso petita sunt patebit inferius, K. p. 305.
Feodum habere, to have or enjoy all the custumary rights and pro-
fits of an office. As John Fit z Nigel fbrestar of fiernwode— »
debet habere feodum in bosco domini regis videlicet attachiamentum
de spinis de bosco suo, K. p. 209.
Feodum Mititis vel militare. A knight's fee, which by vulgar
computation contained 480 acres, as 24 acres made a virgate, four
virgates one hide, and five hides one knight's fee, for which the
common relief was one hundred shillings. Yet no doubt the di-
mension was uncertain, and differed with times and places. In
3 King Steph. at Ottendon, com. Oxon. five virgates made the
fourth part of a knight's fee, K. p 93.
Feodum Laicum. A Lay- Fee, or land held in fee by a lay-
man, in opposition to the tenure of Frank- Almoigne in religious
houses.— Abbas de Egnesham — pro habenda recognitione utrum
dues carucatce terree^^sint laicum feodum Thomce de S. Walerico>
vel libera eleemosina pertinens ad abbatiam suam, K. p. 168.
Feoda rt, Feodatarius. The seneschal or prime steward, who
received the custumary fees of the lord, aids, reliefs, heriots, &c.
An. 24 Hen. VI. " Robert Power, feodary of my lord the duke of
Bokyngham, hath reseyved of Edmund Rede esquire xxvf. for a
relyf, and vs. for a tenable eyde to the marriage of the heldyst
daughter of my seyd lord for the fourth part of a knight's fee in
Adyngrave," K, p. 655.
Feopfamentum. A Feoffment, or title by which a person is
possest of an estate in fee to himself and his heirs. Deanttquo
?2 GLOSSARY.
stu veteHfeoffamento was the tenure of lands held from the crown
before the reign of Hen. II. and those lands in which the owners
were afterwards enfeoffed, were called De novo feoffamento. So
Richard de Camvil in 1 1 Hen. II. held the mannor of Middleton
as one knight's fee, De antiquo feoffamenlo, K. p 121. An. J 3,
.Hen. II Henry de Oily held thirty-two knight's fees and a half of
the old feoffment, and the twentieth part of a fee of the new
feoffment, K. p. 125.
Feoffare ali q vein in terris. To enfeoff a person or persons in
an estate, as feoffees in trust, for a legal method of insuring or con-
veying the said estate to such persons or uses. — Edwardus Rex, &c.
Licentiam dedimus Johanni Jilio Nigel/i quod de its quce de nobis
tenet in capite feoffare possit Robertum de Harwedon, et ipsi Ro*
berlo tit dare possit et concedere, &c. K. p. 338.
Feri je. Fairs, Sax. Faejenj, at first occasioned by the resort of
people to the feast or dedication, and therefore in most places the
fairs (by old custom, not by novel grant) are on the same day with
the wake, or the festival of that saint to whom the church was
dedicated, K. p. 6l 1. And therefore kept often in church-yards,
till by authority restrained, K. p. 6 13. From the solemn feasting
at wakes and fairs, came the word Fare, provision, good fare : to
fare well : Farly things, t. e. fine and curious things : Farantzud
farantly in the North, specious and handsome, as prov. Fair and
Farantly. So farand in composition for a jolly festival humour,
as prov. He is in a fighting-farand, u e. He is fiustred and in a
fighting humour. And children when they are pert and witty
beyond their years are said to be Aud- farand. And in our Ian-,
guage those persons who got a high colour «y eating and drinking,
were said to have a red fare, as we say a red face.
Fictio. Old Eng. Feintise, fraud or deceit : whence feign t,
faint, i. e. false arid deluding, as in old law terms a Faint action, a
Faint pleading, &c. Absque fictione, without falshood or knavery,
— Qui carucas habuerunt arabunt terram domini in dicto manerio
eodem modo et in tantum quo terram propriam absque JUtione ar are
deberent, K. p. 320.
Firma. A Farm or land and tenements hired at a certain rent.
From Sax. Feorim, meat or entertainment ; Feoj man, to feast or
entertain. Whence Lat. Firma, for the reception and entertain-
ment of the king, or any other lord and his retinue : as frequently
in Doomsday book, a condition of tenure was pro firma per unun\
diem, or pro firma unius noctis. Whence firma signified the rent
and profits of an estate, because in the Saxon and part of the.
Norman times, the rent of lands was paid in provisions, especially
to the king, till Hen. II. fpr better conveniency altered ihe custom^
GLOSSARY. 73
into an equivalent of mony, which pecuniary rent was still called
Fir ma Regis. So Henry de Essex sheriff of Bucks. 4 Hen. II.
computavit de \\s. de firma regis in Brehul, K. p. 114. Simon
Fitz-Peter sheriff of Bucks. 5 Hen. II. accounted for Hi/, xij. \id
de veteri firma in Br u he Ha, K. p. 115. From the Sax. Feopm
Fr. Junius* does thus ingeniously and evidently derive the diet of
sodden wheat called Furmetie and Frometie, — Valgus Anglorum
nusquam (quod sciam) frumentie {quasi a frumento) sed receptis*
sima ulique consuetudine frometie dicat, plane statuendum videtur
cibum hunc propria voce primitus jeopmetie dictum a peojime quod
prima sua acceptation olim denotabat edutia omnia ad victum ne-
cessaria : jreopman est victum prcsbere. Ab hoc igitur jreopme
veteribus jreopme'cie dictus videtur cibus quern prcedia rustica fa-
cillime uberrimeque suppeditabant ad hospites prandio cosnave exci-
piendos. And possibly to this original is owing the French Fro-
mage, cheese ; and the Irish Flummerie, made of oatmeal.
Ad Firm am dare. To Firm-let, or to let out for a reserved rent,
Gilbert Basset concludes his foundation charter to the priory of
Burcester — Prcedicti canonici supradictas ecclesias vel possessiones
non debent dare vel pro alia ecclesia vel alUs posses sio nib us commu*
tare, neque ad jirmam dare, K. p. 135. Ad fir mam perpeiuam
credere, to let by copy-hold of inheritance at a stated quit rent and
other reserves, — Abbas et conventus Glocester. crediderint ad per*
petuam firmam omnes decimationes, &c. K. p. 223. Idem p. 344,
349. Ad firmam tenere, to hold a farm : so Robert Fitz-Simon of
Meriton gives the Knights Templars tres acras terree in manerio
de Meriton, quas acras Nicholaus Roc aliquando tenuit de me ad
firmam, K. p. 138. Firmam reddere, to pay a covenanted rent.
King John let out his mannor of Brehul to Walter Borstard,—
Reddendo inde annuatim antiquam firmam, et de incremento xl s.
pro omni servitio, K. p. 1 94. Tenere pro hac aut ilia Jirma, to
hold for this or that rent. Hugo de Plesseys concedit pro se et hce-
redibus suis, quod omnes homines teneant terras suas in eodem ma*
nerio pro eadem firma per quam eas prius tenere consueverunt,
K. p. 319. Affirmatus, Farmed out or let for a certain rent,—
Item de bur go ajfirmato xxiii I.— Item de hundreto affirmato ix/.
K. p. 354.
Firmarius. A Farmer, or he that firmed or rented an estate,
the tenant or occupier of it. — Nigello Travers tuncfirmario de Bre-
hul, K. p. 300. Si tarn en hujusmodi clausurce in manibus tenen-
tium seufirmariorum extiterint, K. p. 609.
Firma re. To fortifie, — Licentiam dedimus Johanni de Handlo
quod ipse mansum suum de fiorstall juxta Breliull in com. Buck*
tnuro de petra et calcefirmare et kemellare possit, K. p. 363.
74 GLOSSARY.
Flesche-Axe. A cleaver with which batchers cat oat their
meat.— Et in magna secure vocata JUsch~axe xv. den. K. p. 575*
Flesh from Sax. Flasrc, or more commonly place which was not so
properly the flesh of a living creature, as of a dead one when the
skin was stript off. Whence to Flea or to Fleak, i. e. to pall off
the skin. A school phrase, to be fleak t off, i. e. to have the skin
fetcbt off by whipping. A Flake is properly a piece of skin tore
off the flesh, whence by metaphor a Rake of snow. Flaks or
Flags in Norfolk are the turfs which they pare off from the surface
of the earth. A Fleak in the North is a hurdle made of twigs that
are shaved or stript of their rind. Fleaky, Flaggy, Flabby, is feel-
ing soft like flesh. A Fleck is properly a sore in the flesh from
whence the skin is rubbed off: whence by metaphor they use io
Lincolnshire the word Flecked for spotted.
Foe al i a . Fuel , fire- wood. The prior and canons of Burcester
allowed the vicar, — quatuor bigatas Hgnorum profocalibus de sttva
prioris vocata Priors wood, K. p. 6JO.
Fob mum verier e. To turn grass or bay, K. p. 321. Foenum
tornare, to turn grass or hay, K. p. 401. Foenum levare, to make
hay, K. p. 321. Foenum cariare, to carry in hay, K. p. 321.
Foeni muUumes facere, to make bay into cocks or pouts, K. p. 401 .
Foragium. Forage or fodder for horse or other cattle. Fr.
Forage, Forrage. Lat. Fodrum, Foderum, from Sax. Fobpe,
Island. Foodur, German Futter. Whence to Fodder cattle, i. e.
to give them food or fodder : and by metaphor to Fodder a room*
i. e. to throw things loose about it. To keep a Fodder or Fudder,
f. e. to fling or scatter about. — The prior and canons of St. Prides-
wide gave to the vicar of Oakle duo quart eria frumenti pro
prebenda equi sui, et decimam foeni de Lathmede pro for agio,
K. p. 455.
For era, Forreria. A Foreland or Foreness, formerly called a
Heavod-land, now a Head-land, or that part in a field whose end
lies abutting on the side of another land.— Fuit seisitus in manerio
domini de una forreria in Alchester, K. p. 46q. Hence our Fur-
row from Sax. Fynian, to plough : and possibly to this we owe
the old word to Fure, to go, as prov. Whither fured you ? i. e.
Whither went you ? for rather to the Sax. Fanan*) And the
Fourm of a hare, and a Form or seat.
Fokestarius. Forestar, or keeper of a forest, assigned by the
king, or employed by knights and barons, who bad lands and
woods within the bounds of a forest. — Rex preecipit quodomnes
UH qui boscos habtnt intra metas fortstce domini regis, quod ponant
idoneos Joreslarios in loscis suis, K. p. 174. Item prcecipit quod
sui for est arii curam capiant super forestarios militum et
GLOSSARY. T&
rum, K. p. 174. No sale or waste to be made of the woods
within the precincts of a forest without the view or livery of the
Forestar, — Boscus de Ernicote et boscus de Pydington faerint qffb-
restart post coronationem domini Henrici regis proavi domini regis
nunc ad tale dampnum, quod nee ipsi nee eorum antecessors seu
praedecessores per tempus prcedictum usque nunc nichil de boscis
prcedictis caper e potuerant, nisi per liberationem Jbrestarii et ejus
forestariorum voluntatem, K. p. 370.
Forinsbcus. Outward or on the out- side,— Excepto uno selione
forinseco iliius croftce versus austrum adfaciendam quandam viaut,
i. e. the outward ride or furrow for a common path.
Fob in se cum servitium. The payment of aid, scutage, and all
other customary burdens of military service. — Salvo forinseco ser-
vitio dominorum t K, p. 229. — Salvo forinseco servitio quantum per-
tinet ad dimidiam virgatam terrce, K. p. 230. — Salvo miki et hce-
redibus meis forinseco servitio debito et consueto, K.p. 235.— Pro
omnibus servitiis forinsecis, et intrinsecis curiarum sectis et omnibus
secularisms demandis, K. p. 345.
Forinsecum Manerium. That part of a mannor which lies
without the burg or town. — Summa reddituum assisorum de ma-
nerio forinseco Banbury cum molendinis forinsecis. — Item de mo-
lendinis in Banbury, K. p. 354.
Forschet, Forescheta. From Sax. Fort, before, and Sceat, a
part or portion. The outer or fore-part of a furlong that lies
toward the high way, to the quantity of about half an acre.— Una
acta et dimidia videlicet foreschetjacent ibidem, K. p. 531.— -Partim
inter Gohttvell-furlong, et partim inter unam foreschei in Bus-
thameS'furhng, K. p. 532.-— H<bc pecia terrce prions vocatur He*
ralds-pece, et habet unam forschetam jacentem proxime juxta pr&-
dictam meram, K.p. 535. — Inter unam forschetam quam Hugo
Bylendon tenet, K. p. 537. — l*te frw dimidue aerie sunt fbre-
schets et incipiunt furlong de Long-CutUswurth, K. p. 538.— ifoc
fur lung incipit cum una forescheta, ibid. As Forschet was a slip
or small piece of land : so Ferschet was the customary payment for
passage over a river, from Faep, a journey or passage, Gie> water,
and Sceat, a scot or tax, or equal part of payment. .Whence a
Ferrie or Ferry cross a river, Ferry-boat, for which passepgers pay
their fare. A fellow passenger was called a Fere*
Fossa tor vm operatio. The service, of work and labour done
by inhabitants and adjoining tenants for repair and maintenance of
the ditches round a city or town : for which Borne paid a contri-
bution called Fbssagium. An exemption from this duty was some-
time granted by special privilege. So King Hen, II. to the te-
J6 GLOSSARY.
nants within the honor of Walingford, — Ut qirieti stmt de operaU-
ontbus casteUmrum, et m m t o r u m, etfossatorum. K. p. 114.
Fkahciplbgium. Fisms Franciplegti. From the Fr. Frank,
free, and plege, a surety. The ancient custom for the free men of
England at fourteen years of age to And surety for their truth and
fidelity to the king, and good behaviour to their fellow subjects.
This surety among the Sa\ons was taken in their Friborg or 11th-
ing-court or Laj>, { which word Lath is still preserved in the court
of bay 1 iff and jurates of Romney-marsh convened at Dimchurch
in Kent ; After the coming in of the Normans the custom was
by them called Frank-plege, and was continued in the court leet
of royal jurisdiction, to be held annually on the feast of St. Michael
by Magna Charta, cap. 36. So that habere visum Jranciplegii, to
have the view of Frank-pledge, was no more than to have the pri-
vilege of holding a court leet, the power of which was determined
by the Mat. 8 Edw. II. and 1 Edw. HI. — This liberty granted to
religious bouses as the pertinence of such a mannor. Ecclesia S.
Georgii data full fratribus Osen. et habet ibidem visum Jranciplegii,
et totum regale scrvitium, K. p. 60. — Richard earl of Cornwall
granted to the abby of Oseney, Franciplegium de tota villa de Mix*
bury, K p. 21 1 . A right inherent in the crown, and to be con-
veyed to a subject only by express charter. Johannes Jilius NigeUi
sen. summonitus full ad respondendum domino regi de placito quo
waranto clamat habere visum Franctplegii de tenentibus suis in
Borstal!, qui ad dominum regent et curonam suam pertineL — /o-
hannes dixit quod ipse et antecessores sui a tempore quo non extat
memoria extiterunt seisiti de prcedicto visu, et quod ita sit petit quod
inquiratur — Et Gilbertus de Thornton qui sequitur pro rege dicit
quod Franciplegium est qucedam liber {as regia mere spectans ad co~
ronam et dignitatem domini regis contra quam tonga seisina valere
non debet, unde petit* judicium, K. p. 313. View of frankpledge
to be held once a year, by the lord's bayliff or steward. Ballivi
comitis Gloucest, venient quolibet anno ad tenendum visum Franci-
piegH in eodem manerio, K. p. 31 9. — Ad visum suum tenendum
prout mos singulis annis exislit, K. p. 331. At such court,
twelve-pence was in some places levied by the steward in full of
all dues. So at Knyttinton, com. Berc. Seneschallus honoris S.
IValerici tenuit unum visum per annum levando de eadem villata
xii. denarios de recto visu pro omnibus, K. p. 333. The place of
holding such court was on some open green, except in rainy
weather, when it was adjourned to the mannor-house, or the house
of any tenant. Fuit locus tenendi visum ibidem in quadam viridi
placea in villa de Knyttinton, — et in tempore pluvioso pet liceniiam
GLOSSARY. 77
ballivi prions aliquando seneschallus tenuit -visum ibidem in curia
prioris, et aliquando in domibus aliorum tenendum, ib.
Fray lb of figs. A basket in which figs are brought from
Spain and other parts. Minshew derives the word from Lat.
Frogiiis. Skinner from the Italian Fragli, the knots and folding
of the flags with which it is made. No doubt the name is owing
to the language of that place from whence they are brought.—
Et in uno jrayle ficuum Hi. sol. iv. den. K. p. 375.
Fratrbs Jurati. Fid. Sworn-brothers.
Frumentum. Bread corn or wheat opposed to all other
grain. — Tria quarteria frumend, tria quarteria avenarum, &c*
K. p. 291— The canons of St. Frideswide allowed the vicar of
Oakle, quinque quarteria Jrumeuti, et quinque quarteria ordei,
K. p. 455.
Fryttyng of wheels. Perhaps what we now call the Rinding
of wheels, i. e. fitting and fastning the fellows, (or pieces of wood
that conjointly make the circle) upon the spokes, which on the
top are let into the fellows, and at the bottom into the hub. — In
solutis profryttynge quinque rotarum hoc anno vii den. K. p. 5J4.
Fun dat or. Founder of a religious house. This title was not
only given to the first actual founders, but continued to those
barons and knights who held the fee of the estates given to those
monasteries, and were the patrons of them, K. p. 00. And if
after the extinction or long intermission of this title, any person
could prove his direct descent from the prime founder, he was as-
sumed by the religious to the name and honour of their founder.
So the convent of Augustine friers at Oxford, — Edmundum Rede
et hceredes suos in fundatorem dictce domus suscepimu* ac admisi-
mus de jure sibi adquifito ex prcofalo lineali descensu % K. p. 637.
And accordingly received him with solemn procession, ib.
Furca. A Fork to gather up and pitch hay and straw j called
in old Eng. a Gib, whence the Furca, gallows, Sax. Galja, was
called a Gibbet. A nut hook in the North is a Gibbon. A quarter-
staff is a Gib-staff. And in Sussex a Gibbet is any great cudgel
which they throw up in trees to beat down the fruit. A hanging-
coat that was cast over the shoulders, and hung down with two
long sleeves, was called a Gipe and a Gippo, and Gippon. The
Furca in the Roman agriculture was the twist or forked piece of
wood, which they set under the rods or fore-part of the plaustrum
to bear it up, which in the North they now call a Nape or Neap.
—Furcare carectam, was I suppose to hang a waggon, or to fit the
body of it to hang upon the axel and wheels. — Allocantur elsdem
pro Richardo Plumbariojurcante carectam per xii. dies. \\\s. — etpro
Johanne Bowdon furcanfe carectam per unum diem nid. K. p. 550.
78 GLOSSARY.
FuRBNDBLLtJS, Fardella, Ferlingus. A Fardingel, Farundel,
or Ferling of land, i. e. the fourth part of an acre, which in Wilt-
shire is now called a Fardingale : and in other parts a Farthindale,
from Sax. FeojrS, fourth, and Del or beal, a part. Whence a
farthing or fourth part of a penny. And in the north a Furendel
or Frundel of corn is two gawns or gallons, i. e. the fourth part of a
busheL— -Hugh Richards of Borstall granted to John de Handlo—
unum furendellum prati in Bradmoor, K. p. 339. Which fourth
part of an acre is in the east riding of Yorkshire called a Stang.
FuRirus. An oven. — Johannes le Baker et Christina uxor ejus
tenent quatuor domos cum curtUagiis et unum furnum cum secta
custumaria ad eundem,i.e. one publick oven in a common baking-
house, with the custumary profits of it. For the tenants were
formerly obliged as to grind their corn at such a mill, so to bake
their bread at such an oven, and to pay Jumagium, Furnage, or
such a, custom for baking, as toll for grinding. The word Furnus
is now translated from an oven to a Furnace.
G.
Gab alum, Galulum, Galium. From Goth. FlK/VA.. Island.
Gall, German Geehvel, Dutch Gevel, Eng. Gavell and Gabell, the
head or end or extreme part of a house or building. As the Gable*
head, the Gavle-end.— Quancfam particulam terrtse— extra gablum
molendini octo pedes in latitudine, K. p. 201 . — Qute domus sita est
inter galulam tenementi mei et gabulam tenementi Laurentii Kepe*
harm, K. p 286. — Quod situm est inter messuagium quod Ro~
bertus le Webb aiiauando tenuity et gablam capitalis messuagu quo4
H. Haber aiiauando tenuit, K. p. 395. Hence a wide galling room.
Gallus stives iris. A woodcock. — Et in octo galiis silvestribus
emptis et datis domino Lestraunge ad Octal. Epiphanies z'n.den.
K. p. 578.
Gallys, Galls. From Sax. Gealla, German and Island. Gall.
—In solutis suppriori pro cop/rose et gaily <s emptis pro encausto ii. den.
K. p. 574.
Gappe A breach or Gap in a hedge.— Alia roda jacet ad t«-
ferius capud del Oldedkh juxta le Gappe, K. p. 397. From Sax.
Geapan, to open or to Gape, Dan. Galer. Whence our Eng. to
Gabber, i. e. to open the mouth without articulate sound. Thence
Goth. Gaepstock, in the northern English a Gobstick, a spoon.
To Gobble, to open the mouth wide and swallow greedily any gob,
or goblet, or gobbet.
Garba. A sheaf of corn, of which twenty-four made a thrave.
From Fr. Gerle and Garb.—~Posito ad caput ejus frumenti mans-
GLOSSARY. f9
pulo quern patria lingua Seaf (alias Sceqf) dicimus, Gallice vera
Oar bam. Mat. West. p. 1 66. It extended to a cock of hay, a fag-
got of wood, or any other bundle of the fruits or product of the
earth. Manasser Arsic baron of Coges gave to the priory at Coges
two garbs of tithe at Fritwell, while the third garb was only paid
to the parish priest, K. p. 81. Which two garbs were resigned
by the prior of Coges to the prior of St. Frideswide, in considera*
tion of two shillings yearly rent, K. p. 123. — Custumarius dominie
in autumpno, si sit li gator, ad dictas precarias habebit unam garbam
seminis de ultimo blado ligato,—Et quoties ligator hubet prondium,
non habebit gar bam, K. p. 401. Within the mannor of Piding*
ton,-—//i autumpno qui operantur super proprium custom, omnes et
singuli ligatores herbarum habebunt unam garb am ad vesperam,
K. p. 496. Hence a Gerbe in heraldry. Garbage, any collection,
especially of filth, as guts and Garbage. The dust and sullage of
drugs and spices is called the Garbles in stat. 21 Jac. I. cap. 19;
The officer whose duty it was to Garble spices or to separate the
dregs and refuse, is called the Garbler of spices, 21 Jac. I. cap. 9.
And the Garbling of bow-staves was choosing out the best, and
throwing aside those which were of no use or service, stat 1
Rich. III. cap. 11. And possibly from hence by metaphor the
choicest garment was called a Garb, from which the person was
said to be in a neat or handsome garb. What we call a sheaf of
arrows, was formerly a Garb of arrows, which by the laws of
Rob. I. king of Scotland, was to consist of twenty four arrows.
Gab cio. Any poor young servile lad or boy-servant. Fr.
Garcon. It seems of old GalTick or British original $ for in the
present Irish Garsun is an appellative for any servant. In all the
churches appropriated to the abby of Oseney, — Canonici vicarv*
clericum invenient—et ipsi vicario similiter Garconem invenient
ipsius olsequio deputatum, quos in omnibus suis expensis procura*
bunt, K. p. 304. — .Et in datis Willielmo Skynner garconi de pi-
strina ex curialitate falcatorum per x. dies xii. den. K. p. 576.—*
£t in solutis Thomce Takkele adducenti quendam garconem nuper
servient em Jok*innis Grene ad castrum Oxon. in ebdomeda NataHs
Domini, quia convenit servire priori, et non implevit, K. p. bf7.
Geld. Any tax or imposition. From Goth. PI Aw., Sax.
Gelb, German Gelt. In the North they still call the rate paid for
the agistment of cattle Nowt-geld or Neot-geld. The mint- master
of Walingford had his house free from Geld, while he coined
mony, K. p. 54. Whence Lat. GeJdare, Sax. Geloan, to pay
taxes : whence by liquefaction to Yield or pay. To Gelt or extort
a man's mony from him : and possibly by metaphor to Geld or
castrate.—- Qaietam esse a geldis was a special privilege. So King
80 GLOSSARY*
Hen. IL granted to the tenants within the honor of Walingford,
— ul qmeti sint de geidis et danegeidis, K. p. 1 14. Hence the
Lat. Gilda, Eng. Gild, a fraternity or society, who Gelded or paid
all pnblick charges out of a common stock, and were called
Gildones and Congildanes, and made their Gilden or pubhck feast
in a Gild-hall or Guild-ball : of which Jcbn Bale in his Preface to
the Joorney of Johan Lelaud, 12 B *° an. 1599, writes thus : " This
most worthy commodyte of yonr countrey, I mean the conserva-
cyon of your antiquytees, and of the worthy labours of your
Jerned men. I tbynke the renown of such a notable acte wolde
have much longer endured than of all your belly banketts and
table triumphes, either yet out of your newly purchased banles to
kepe S. Georges feste, u e. Gylde-hawles."
Gersuma, Guersuma. Sax. Geanjuma, which Mr. Somner
derives from the old Sax. Geapo, ready, and Sum or jome, as if
ready mony. Gersum signified any ex pence or payment, but was
commonly used for the ready mony or other valuable consideration
paid in hand, to bind or confirm any bargain, which we call Ernest.
—Pro hoc concessione dedit dictus Richardus duos mar cos ar genii
ingersumam, K. p. 125, — Pro hoc mea dbnatione — dedit miki prce-
dictus Johannes in gersuma quadraginta soiidos stcrlingorum, K. p.
178> 194, 225, 325.
Gohe. A small narrow slip of ground. — Duce lodae jacent
juxta viam scilicet le Gores super shoteforlong, K. p. 393. — Una
acra et dimidia jacent simul ibidem, et vocantur quinque Gores,
K. p. 532. — Una acra cum uno Gore, K. p. 534. The Lat. Gors,
Eng. Gort and Guort, which occur in the Doomsday- book, are by
Spelman interpreted a narrow part of a river, or weer for the
catching of fish. And a Gord of water is by Gouldman explained
to be a narrow stream of water. Hence a slip of cloth sewed into
any garment we call a Gore, and Gorette and Gusset. The old
Fr. and Eng. Gort, guort, and gorz, Lat. Gordus, are by Da Fresne
deduced from Lat. Gurges, whence the French and English bor-
row their gorge, a throat, to be Gorged or over-fed, a Gorget, to
wear under the throat or round the neck. G .re-bellied, fat and
corpulent, &c.
Grangia. A Granary or Grange : commonly taken for the
country farm and out-houses where the religious reposited their
corn. Ordinavtmus eidem vicario nostra tresdecim quurteria bladi
boni per cipienda de grangiis prcedictce ecclesue per annum, K p. 455.
But more properly taken for any barn with a ihres ing- floor. — In
hebdomade proxime post festum S. Martini quilibet virgatarius.
terrce arabit domino tres rodas terra?, et etiam intrabit grangiam
domini ad semen dicta terrce triturandum, K. p. 496. In Lincoln-
GLOSSARY. 81
•hire they call every lone-house, or farm that stands alone by
itself, a Grange.
Gh as- Hearth. The custumary service for all the inferiour
tenants to bring their ploughs, and do one day's work for the lord
within four days after Michaelmass. — Quando autem facient con-
smetudines she redditus, venient omnes carucce infra vUlam de Py-
dinton ad arandem terram domini uno die quern eligere voluerit
ballivus infra quatuor dies proxime post festum S. MichaeUs per
summonitionem ballivi vel propositi quod vocatur Gras- Hearth,
K. p» 496.— */» eodem maneria— propositus erit quietus ah omni
servitio pro labors prater Gras-hurt, K. p. 497. Goth. FKAS>
Sat. Gaepj* and Gpaer, whence what we commonly call Grass is
in some northern parts called Gers.
Grava. Sax. Gpaep, a Grove. — Thomas de Druesval gave to
the abby of £gnesham,— -quondam gravam juxta Epelhanger, et
quondam insulam proximam vilke de Stoches, et servitium quod
Adam de Wodecote fecit ei in dicta grava et insula, K. p. 329*
Whence a Grovette or Grotte, or Grotto*
Graven-Hill. The hill of graves or sepulture of the dead.
Sax. Gpsejr, a Grave, Island. Grafa, to digg, Goth. FKAKA^f t
-whence to Grub or digg up. A Gripe or Grip or ditch, which in
•Lincolnshire is called a Grove, in southern parts a Grippe and a
Grindlet, in the North a Grape. Hence to be Groveling on the
ground. To Grave or cut in wood or metal or stone. A Groove
or Grove, a furrow or deep line struck by a joiner.
Gropts. Hooks and irons belonging to a cart or waggon.
From Sax. Gpipan, to take or hold : whence to Gripe or hold fast,
Griping or covetous, to Grope or feel out, to Graple or fasten with
Grapling-irons, in old Kng. Grapenels. — Et in claw carectatis
gropys et aliis ferramentis tmptis Oxon. de Johanne Mylton yren-
monger xii. sol. iv. den. K. p. 574. They have an iron hook
faatned to the axis with a short chain, to hook upon a stave of the
wheel, to keep it from turning round on the descent of a hilly which
they call skidding of a wheel, Lat. rotam suffiaminare. .
Grossus, Conducere in Grosso, to hire a workman by the great,
for performing such a work without computing the time. — Et
Williebno Huikedon conducto in grosso ad mensam domini ad do-
landum et perficiendum le crest super cancellum prioratus ibidem
xxiv. sol. K. p. 575. Grossus denarius, a Groat.
Gubrra. Publick war or private dissension. From Sax. Gep,
arms or weapon. — Quantum tnde habuit ante guerram, et disseisi*
tus est occasione ipsius guerrce, K. p. 184. Thence to warn, u $\
to challenge.
g
88 OLOSSJfflT.
Got a Aoousti. The calends or first dayof ^August, the 4k*
stival of St. Peter twi vinculo.. Durandus suggests a reason of the
name from a young lady being cured on that day of a quinste in
ker throat by hissing the chains of St. 'Peter. But perhaps Quia
/Uigusti aignifieditbfe first day of that month only, as gula was the
mouth or entrance of any thing. As gula Jluvii, the mouth of -a
river, • &c. Die sab bad pott gulam Augusti, K . p. 228 .
Gwayf, Waif, . Watvium. Such goods as felons, when pursued,
<ast down and leave in the high way, which become a forfeiture
to the king or lord of the mannor, unless the right owner legally
claim or challenge -them within one year and a day, — Recognitum
est militibus et Itberis hominibus — quod ad nos spqtfat le Gwayf $
&c. Ita et statim redditum est nobis le Gwayf le Ernkot scilicet
'ii.porci cum v. parcel/is, K.p. ig6.
H.
•
Habiwda. Abundance, plenty.— Jfewpfw de caseo et v httirp,
et eo minus propter habundam casei maxim am, K. p. 548.
Haia. A Hedge, from Sax. ^ftegge, has;, in Lincolnshire a
Hack. Hence. in Xenta -Haw, i.e. a small ck»e)hedged in. <&
iHaw^thorn, i. e. a hedge-thorn. Haws, or in the north Hagfcea,
thefruit of that thorn. The Hagge or Hatch of a door. Heok
a door in the north. The < Hatches- of a ship. As from the iLat.
Jfcta, Hey-bote or Hedge -bote, i. e. liberty for taking wtt*d>for
reparation of fences. A Hay or net to take conies. To danoe
the Hay,r&c. Proverb in Chaucer, " Nether busk noriHy,">£ e.
. Neither wood nor hedge.— /Tlerraj tt ientmmkiam aquis haUs
f9ssatis,,&4:. K.p.474. Cum gardinis, eurtilagus, -ptatis, Attar,
muris, fbstatis, K. p. 36Q.
-\H*&s. A<eert 4rfMishdried and salted, called Poor- John, in
-ithe«w«6t parts Jiakot, 'from Sax. fracdb. A ptov.in.Kent, "As
' diy ras-a Hake." — Btin triltus c&pulis, vkidis jfrisds, cumwuo torit&i
'fynge, cutn tribusoongere, etamurm oeputa^xleJiake, K.cp*fl75.
Hamma. -from Sag^ftam, a house. Hence .what »we <«11
-Home they ternx-Hame in the north, and Homely <fbr Homely.
To this we -owe the- termination! of so (many English places in Ham,
-as Bttckiagbani, &c. Hence <a ^Hamlet, ^a^ooHeetian of Jioi mcs/ *-
JMa-kettomquee est\hamleitumimpar>odii&.de,Ambrt$don t K>p*d4&
But as Haya wast both a house, a hedge, Jand^ close; sodlamsr
Heam > had all those acceptations. tft< sometknesisignuled a fcetige,
ixdieiice^ovHemin or toenekwe, tbetHemvar outward bolder ofca
.garment. Jt&rther signffiedja small 4M»ft ©r-eodosed meauoww-
Quoddam pratunculum quod vocatur Hamma, K.p. 135. Qmi«
feLOSGARy.
h^6k^s^aH^^orejyxiahBmmi<yUhtrti, K.p.176. JDfmi»
- jdfe acDee pr&i proptnqwms prato nostro yuod vacatur Gilebetd*-
Aonv K. p. 177.— «7»ooWatB pratum domini met quod vacatur. Kin-
stifi-hewm, £. p. 188. <Computant de sex solidu octo denarus re»
teptis de duolus hammys prati im campode JVendleburg, K.p. 572*
Hast a pord. A .shield of 'brawn. — Johanna de Mutegrave
iehei terras in Btechesdan de domino rege per servitium deferendi
daminercgiunam hmtatoporci prcf.'nd. tmm fugaverit in pavcotuo
tfe Comtbme, JL p. 4ao.
.- -Ha^vbd-emxmd. From Sax. teeapob. A Head-land, now com*
xnonly a Had land, whence the Head-way or Had -way .—Item unm
pecia terrcejacet ibidem cum Havedelonds, etjacet pro duaimsamis
iof dtttftfift, &. p.£3& • in.Htperiore fit** acrve S. Edlmrga? jacent
xptaivor Irode-lohdsyuas alii vacant Prestes- hav.ed~londs , K.p.537-
tfaxFORft. An iieifer, whidh in the east riding of Yorkshire is
tailed a Whee or Whey, and in some midland parte a Twinter,
t. e xif *wo winters. And in Oxfordshire a s^lai'd heifer is teamed
a MstEt'm.—iGompniant de xii. deaariis receptk de de£ili vituio cu-
jusdamhG^Qf^veM^/ahatmiGr&ie, K p. 648. Vtd. BovrcutA.
'Hslowb-otall. The Hell-wall or end wall that covers and
defends J he :rest . ef the building. From Sax. ftelan, to coyer,
Scotch Hele, in north Wales Hilio. Hence in the north of En*
gland the Hjdling of a .bed, i. *. *heihed-doathsor covering, which
*ur Oxford bed-makere .call ithe Healings. Whence hi Kent to
Heal Jip a child in a <cradle, >or any ether person in a bed : and- m
9ome parts tfo ileal .a bouse k to cover die top. And in the West,
•tibe workman <wbo covers a house wish <slatts4>r tibs, k called a
fiulheror Healer : whence <to Heal, a wound, u e. to cover it with
akin: and by metaphor to -Heal any sickness, to be Marl tand
Healthy. In 60CnejDOStbern parts ttelo w. or Heioe as basbfoll, or
close and reserved, with a face capered. To die same original are
owing the Hulls* or cods, or coverings of beans, pease, &c. 4km
Hulls or chaff of othercatn : Helmet or covering of the head* A
Helm in like North, i. e. a Hovel or any covered place. Possibly
the Heakn or H&wm with which they thatch or cover bouses. To
fiheal or (uncover, as the Shealing of beans, pease, etc A Shel or
outward covering. Inftfee North to Shed or Shealmiik is to curdle
it, or separate the pasta. HoUeo in the North is a wall »et before
dwelling- houses to aeoune the family from the Masts of wind rush-
ing in when the Heck .or door 4s .open : Xo which wall on rhat*ide
next the hearth is annext a sconce or serene of wood or stone.-—
In sobuis Mem dammm pro quodam HeUmae*wmH unius damns apud
jOwrUgwgtom anmmatim ii. den. K. p. 5JSI .
Mbn. Old: whence Henshaw in Cheshire is by Leland dev
ga
64 GLOSSARY,
rived from Hen, old, and Shaw a wood. Henley in Oxfordshire,
which Dr. PJot thinks to be so denominated from Hen and Lley, a
place, being the old town of the Ancalites in the time of Julias
Caesar, K. p. 2. So Gual-Hen, Vallum Antiquum, now Waling-
fbrd in the opinion of Humph. Lluyd, K. p. 5.
Herbaoium. Herbage or grass, especially to be cat or mowed.
Salvo miki et hceredibus meis herb agio dicti stagni, et herbagio ex
altera parte aquce, quantum aliquis homo pro profunditate aqua
poterit meter e, K. p. 201. Herlagium anterius the first crop, in op-
position to after-math. Dicunt quod est communis via, et sua com*
munis pastura, quum foenum et anterius herbagium amoveantur,
K. p. 45Q.
• Herciare. To Harrow. Hercia, an harrow, from Herpes,
Herpicia, contracted Hercia. — Homines manern de Hedingdon solas
equos habentes terram domini ibidem herciabunt, et per duos die*
in quadra gesima similiter arabunt, et herciabunt, K. p. 320. In
manerio de Pydintoh omnes virgatarii terra? araHHs per quatuor
dies per totum annum — venient cum uno equo et uno crate ad her*
ciandam terram domini quousque plene perseminetur , K. p. 49$.
Et allocantur pro tribus novis cratibus emptis ad herpicandum,
K. p. 549. Thence to Harry and Hurry, to be Harried and Hur-
ried up and down, Harast.
Hehemitorium. A Hetonitage, which signified strictly a con-
vent of hermites, or frier minors, who under the institution and
discipline of Fr. Paul inhabited desart and solitary places. — Johan*
nes Stokton prior conventus Oxon. ordinis Jratrum heremitarum
Sancti Augustini, K. p. 672. But secondly, this name was attri-
buted to any one religious cell, built and endowed in some private
and recluse place, and then annext to some larger abby, of which
the prelate or governour was called HeremUa. So Ralph the Her-
mite built a hermitage in a close retirement at Musewell, with-a
chappel dedicated to the Holy Cross, annext to the abby of Missen-
den, K. p. 74. King Hen. II. gave the hermitage of Finemere,
which was of the fee of Rowland Malet of Queinton, to the abby
of St. Marie's Noteley in Crendon com. Buck. K. p. 118. Xing
Hen. III. gave the hermitage of St. Werburg at Brehul to the
prior and canons of Chetwode, K. p. 246. King Edw. III.—
Hex omnibus &c. Liceniiam dedimus — Nicholao Jurdan de Bur*
tester Heremita? custodi capellce beati Johannis Baptistce de Bur*
cester quod ipse quoddam hospitale—apud Burcester de novojundare
possit, K. p. 478.
Hbresyve. From Sax. ftaep, Island. Hoar, and Sax. Syjre, a
Hauvsive. Et in uno heresyve emptor ad pistrinam ibidem z. den*
K, p. 574.
GLOSSARY. 6ft
. Hbribtum, Heriotum, Hariotum. Sax. fcengeat, from fcejie,
an army, and Great, a march or expedition. For heriots were first
paid in military arms and horses: which proportion of horse and
armour according to the different quality of the deceased, was
settled by the laws of King Canute, cap. 6g, and is still com*
roonly the best riding horse of which a tenant dies possest. He-
riot-service was a reserve by charter or other conveyance, and made
one condition of the tenure of estates in fee simple, which is now
for the most part extinguisht. Heriet-custom, when a tenant for
life was by custom obliged to such payment at his death j which
payment to be made not only by ths next, heir in Wood, (as a re-
lief was only due) but by any the next successor. It was the prac-
tise of our devout ancestors to have a heriet paid to the parish priest,
which was commonly the best horse of the deceased, led before
the corps, and delivered at the place of sepulture, of which piety
several instances are given by Dugdale, Antiq. Warwic. p. 080.
This no doubt was one sort of soulcheat or legacy to the church,
for satisfaction of all tithes and dues ignorantly detained In ab-
bies of royal patronage, at the death or cession of an abbat, his cup
and horse were paid for a heriet to the king. — Cum ex consuetu-
dine approbata et obtenta habere consueverimus palefridos el cuppas
episcoporum etjabbatum regni cedentium et decedentium, Prynne,
His tor. Collect, torn. 2, p. Q34.-*-Abbas de Oseneia obiit anno regni
Eegis Edwardi 25. — Petiit esc hoe tor ad opus domini regis cupam et
palefridum dicti abbatis defuncti, et etiam ianas bidentum ejusdem
abhatUB de tempore vacationis, K. p. 330. Those who held in
bondage or villenage paid a heriet. In manerio de Wrechwykd—
Juliana Hardy quee tenuit de domino unum ruessuagium et unam
virgatam terrce in bondagio diem clausit extremum, tt accidit domi-
no nova herieta, n boves, pret, xvis. K. p. 450. Robertus Hikes
tenens domini de IVrechwyke qui tenuit in bondagio— diem clausit
extremum, et accidit domino nova heriota, unus bos pret. v'ms. etuua
vacca preL vs. K. p. 458. Willielmus Foul qui de domino tenuit—*
apud Wrechwyke in bondagio, diem clausit extremum, et debentur
domino nomintbus heriettce et mortuaru ii. vaccne pret, xii «. K. p. 470.
In manerio de Pidington siquU villanus morietur super feodo domi*
ni, dabit domino me/iorem bovem suum, ita scilicet, quod sustentabit
uxorem ejus in domo et terra 'quamdkivixil, si teneat se viduam, sw$
occasione nemo maritabitfiliam suatn sine licentia domini, K. p. 4Q6.
The religious appropriators reserved the Live Heriets, t.« such a*
were paid in cattle, to themselves; and allowed the inanimate
Heriets, as of less value, to the poor, vicar. So in the endowment
of the vicarage of Oakle, the prior and canons of St, Frideswide—
Qrdinavimus eidem vicario universa herieta inantma-ta, K. p. 455*
8ft GLO0SA&Y,
Aod some appropriators exacted a Hetiet fionxevdry dy fas? vioafir,
aft a badge of servile subjection to them.— -Vkarius de Cestreto*
post ejus decessum dabit herieHam rectori et conveniui domus <fe
Asherugge, K. p. 543.
Hey bote. From Sax. "bay, a hedge, and Bote, repair or eroen*-
dation. The liberty of catting sa much underwood and bushee
within the premises- as is necessary for mending and maintaining
the fences or hedges* John Fit* Nigel foreatar of Berewode had'
in dominko bosco dotnini regis Husebote et Hvybote pro custodial
dktce fores tee, K. p: 209. Fid. Husebotb.
Hide of Land. Not as Potrdorc Virgil: fancies, from the hide
of a beast, as if an English hide of land were like the extent of
Carthage, Quantum taurino possint circundare tergo. But from
Sax. t)yb, a house or habitation, from tiyban, to cover. The word
was sometime taken for a house, as we still preserve the word
Hutte for a cottage- And what Bede calls Famiiias (which Fornix
lia seems to have been a circuit of ground sufficient for the mats*
tenanceof a family) his Saxon intei prefer King Alfred calls fay be*
laober. The quantity of it was afterwards described to be as much*
as was sufficient to the cultivation of one plough. Hida Anglic*
pocaiur terra unius arairi culturw sufficient, whence our term of
plough-land. The quantity of a hide was never expresly deters
mined. Gervase of Tilbury makes it one hundred acres. The
Malmsbury MS. cited by Spelman computes it at ninety-*ix acres*.
. one bide four virgates, and every virgate twenty-four acres* And
yet the history of the foundation of the abby of Battle ( Mon. Ang,
torn.. 1, p. 313) makes eight virgates go to one hide. But Polydore
Virgil blunders most, who reduces a hide to twenty acres. Tha-
truth seems to be, that a hide, a yard land, a knight s fee, &c con-*
teined no certain number of acres, but varied according to different
places. In the Doomsday Inquisition the first enquiry was- bow
many hides* K. p. 65. One bide of land at Chesterton 1 5 Hen II.
Contained sixty- four acres, K. p. 125* The yearly value of a bide
of land irvBlechesdon was fourty shillings in 35 Hen. III. K.p*244r
HiDAGiutt. Any royal aid or tribute to be raised in such- a pro-*
portion upon every hide of land. Will Conq, an. 1084s imposed
si* shillings on every hide; William Rufus four - r and King Hen. I«
tyree shillings*. To be exempted from* this common tax was a pe-
culiar privilege granted to the tenants within. the honor of Wa*
lingford,- *-Ut quietl sint de geUUs et danegddis et de hidtigio %
K. p. 1 14. When the. lord paid Hidage to the king, the tenants
paid a proportion to the lord of the manner, — Prior et bursarius
de-Burcester eomputani de \\n.»hiv.d*h, reeeptisdereiHtoUiA**
GAQfiflAJLY. 8f?
H14.L. Though by» tbia word wer now oommonly roeaa a*jr
rising ground* yet soma would have it restrained to ♦ such rising* a*
were occasioned by the burial of the dead, as barrows and tumuli*.
As. the w#rd Hell, which though now appopriated to/ the place of
the damned, yet at first signified no more than a grave, from fcelaft
to cover, K. p. 37. Whence Island. Bel is death.
Hobelbrs, Hobelariu A sort of light horsemen, who rode on*
small nimble horses, with light armour, which made them: fitter
for any expeditious service, like our present dragoons. The word)
» commonly supposed to come from their Hobbys or small horses*,
which Casaubon, Fr. Junius, and others deduce from Gr. Iftottf :>
yet Sir James Ware, Axitiq. Hiber. cap. 7>. says they, were Irish
horses, and so called from their easie pace. Hence we still call, a
little nag a Hobby, a Hobby-horse, and our plough men to some
one of their cart-horses generally give the name of Hobin, the verjt
word wTiich PhiLComines uses, Hist. 1. 6, cap. 7. And therefore
the Hpbelers were by the French, or rather- by the Armoricans*
called Hobiners. Fourty men at arms and thirty Hobelers, K. p.
459* The Lat. Huba and Hoba signified a countrey-house or small
cottage, from Sax. fcope, Teuton. Hoff, modern German Howe*
Eng. Hovel. Whence the Coloni, ceorls or clowns* were called
Hobarii, to which we owe the name of Country-hobs, Plough-bob*
bers, now Plough -jobbers, Hobberoouls now JobbernouU, or jolu
headed country fellows. To the same Huba possibly we owe the?
Hub of a wheel, a Hubbub or confused clamour, &c.
Hoke. A Hook, nook, or corner. Sic usque le hoke versus la
foereslone, K. p. 3^4. The Lat. Huchia, in Picardy and Scotland
Hue he, Eng. Hutch, was* a long wooden box, from whence pos*
sibly a Huckster, who carried about goods to sell in such a bottj
and perhaps things are thence said to be laid or kept in Hugger*
mugger.
Hokbday. The Tuesday fortnight after Easter day, celebrated
with sports and rejoycing in memory of the Danes being killed on
that day, and expelled this island, an. 1002, under King Ethelred*
Mr. Lambart makes it frucxtueroeg, dies MarUs irrisorius* Spel*
mart from German Hocken, to besiege or to bind. But possibly
Hokeday was no more than Heabaej, high-day. Sax. ttaa, Fr.
Haut, corrupted into Hock and Hog, as Haut-goust Into Hogo.-m
Hum inter Hokeday at diem S. Martini bene possunt ibidem ducenCm
quadra gin t a mut tones sustentari ad opus domini ad terram suajm
comfmtandam, K« p. 4Q£t
Homines. All sort of feudatory tenants. They claimed a pri-i
vilege of having their causes and persons tried only m the eourtaf
tbeic tank WtmCtaa£&<k Camvii, 4 Richard.!, ma charge^
*** .
8ft GLOSSARY.
with (reason and other high misdemeanors, he pleaded that he was
Homo Comitii Johannis, and would stand to the law or justice of
his court; K. p. 152.
Homaoium. The duty of submission and profest dependance
tnade by every Homo or feodal tenant, at first accession to an es-
tate held from a superiour lord. The manner of paying this Ho-
mage was determined by the stat. 17 Edw. II. If the lord ac-
cepted the homage, it was a concession of the tenant's right. — Op-
tulitei Bernardus homagium, sed recusant e abbate Godefrido, Ro-
lertus secundus episcopus Lincolnice suscepit Mud, salvo jure abbatis
et conventus de Egnesham, K. p. 133.
Hostije. Consecrated wafers in the holy eucharist or Ho6t.
Isabel countess of Albemarle confirmed to the convent of Burccster
five quarters of bread corn, — ad hostias faciendas in domo prcedicta,
K. p. 270. From this Lat. Hostia Mr. Somner deduces the Sax.
fcufel, the Lord's Supper, and fturlian, to administer that sacra-
ment, and old Eng. to Housal, to receive it. And hence no doubt
the old word Oste, the altar, and Oste-clothe, the altar-cloth, both
which are transferred by metaphor to the top oi' a kiln for drying
malt, and to the hair-cloth on which the malt is laid.
Hostricus. From Lat. Astut, a goshawk. The mannor of
B rough ton, com. Oxpn. in the reign of Edw. II. was held by John
Mauduit—T/z capite per serjantiam mutandi unum kostricum do*
mini regis, vel ilium kostricum portandi ad curiam domini regis,
K. p. 5<X).
Hundredus. The word not only used for the division of it self,
but for the levy or contribution paid to the hundredarius or chief
constable of every hundred for better support of bis office. From
which imposition some persons were exempted by special privilege.
So Hen. II. to Bernard de S. Walery, — ut terrce sues tint quieUe
de sevris et hundredis, K. p. 123. Secta hundredi was to pay a per-
sonal attendance, and do suit and service at the hundred court held
in some places once in three weeks, and in others once a month.
Bardulphus de Cestreton debet sectam ad hundredum de Chadlinton
de tribus septimanis in tres septimanas, K. p. 318. By the stat. 14
Edw, III. these hundred courts were reduced to the county courts,
yet some few hundreds have their old franchises remaining. Hun*
dredus affirmatus f the profits of a hundred court firmed out for a
Standing rent. Item de burgo qffirmato xxiii /. Item de hundreto
qffirmato— K. p. 354.
Husebotb. From Sax. tour, a house, and Bote, amends or
repair. The liberty of cutting as much wood on the premises a*
is necessary for the support and repair of the farm-house and ad-
joining buildings. — Concessi prcedictce Alesue heybotum et hausba*
GLOSSARY. 89
turn in dominicis boscis meis de Acle, K. p. 259. — De antiqua con*
suetudine tenentes de PiUngton habent Housbote et Heybote in bosco
domini per licentiam domini, et per visum batlivi ejus, — Et si boscus
domini abeat in vastum, turn acquietabunt dominion de prcedictis
Housbote et Heybote, K. p. 497. We now call it Estovers, or ita-
tionabile Estuvezium, quod duplex est cedificandi et ardendi. Coke
011 Littleton, f. 41 . Whence Stover in Sussex is used for the fod-
der of cattle. From Sax. Bote comes our Eng. no Boot, i. e. no
profit. What Booteth it ? i. e. to what purpose. To give to Boot,
t. e. to give odds as in compensation. Bote, a remedy, as Chaucer,
" Bote of his bale/' i. e. remedy of his grief.
I.
Illusio mandati. An evasion or contemptuous omission of any
order or command. — In nostri contemptum manifestum., et manda-
iorum nostrorum illusion em, K. p. 335.
Impanalarb. To impanel or return upon a jury. From Lat.
Panella, which, says Spelman, is properly Pagella, atque inde de*
ducta ginn transeunte. More naturally a contraction of Paginelta,
which was the narrow scroll or slip of paper or parchment, where*
upon the sheriff wrote the names of the jurors. As Fortescue de
Laud. Leg. Ang. cap. 25. Vicecomes retornabit breve prcndictum
coram justitiariis una cum paneUo nominum eorum (Juratorum) quos
ipse ad hoc summonivit. It is a sorry supposition of Sir Edward
Coke, Gloss, ad Littleton, sect. 234. " Panel is an English word,
and signifieth a little part, for a pane is a part, and a panel is a little
part."-— Non ponatur nee impanaletur in aliquibus assisis, juratis,
recognitionibus, &c. K, p. 657. Hence the counter- Pane of an
indenture, or the duplicate responding sheet. The cover or
counter* Pan of a bed. A Pane and Pannel in glass and wainscote.
The brain- Pan. A Pan or broad plate, now commonly an earthen
dish. A Par. -cake, not because made in a pan, but in the fashion
of a panella : as a raarche Pane, i. e. a sugar-cake. In the North
a Pan in building is a term of architecture for that piece of timber
which lies on the top of a wall, to which the bottoms of the spars
or rafters are fastned: which in timber buildings is commonly
called the Rasen, or Resen or Resening. Thence to Pan, t. e. to
close or join together. As prov. " Weal and women cannot pan,
but wo and women .can*" Dr. Skinner gives this silly derivation,
Pannell a, Lat. Pannus, q. d. Panneltus, metaphora a segmento panm
ad segmentum ligni tabulati traducta.
lu? lecto, idem ac ImplacUo. To implead in a court of justice.
9& GLOSSARY.
Cum homines de manerio de Hedingdon Hugonmn, de Plasty m*
curia domini regis imp lect assent, K, p. 31Q.
Impobtunitas viarum. Badness of the ways. CaptlUe paro* ,
chianis ipsis ex gratia sunt concessit, quia ad matrioem ecclesiam pro*
imffortunitate viarum et temporum — accedere neamant, K. p. 58ft»
Inclausa. An Inclosure round a house. Dicunt per sacr amen-
tum suum quod capitate messuagium valet per annum cum tota in*»
dausu, \\s. K. p. 314.
Incrbmentum, An advance in rent or other payment*—
Reddendo antiquam Jfirmam, et de incremento xl s. K. p« 164.—
Taxatiespiritualitatis una cum incremento perretaxationem, K. p.3.1 6*
To which was opposed Decrementum, abatement, whence Deere-
ments in our buttery books.
Indictatio. An Indictment or presentment of those who com-
mitted any illegal trespass. The benefit of which indictments in
the Swainmote was given to the forestar. So in the forest of Bern-
wode, John Fitz Nigel had Indictationes siqua fuerint de viridi et
venations, K. p. 209, 2 ^5.
Infangethef. A liberty granted from the king to some lords
of a mannor to try all thieves their tenants within their own court*
As Outfangethef was a liberty of trying forreiners or strangers ap-
prehended for theft within their own fee. Sir John de Molins had
a charter for these privileges in bis mannors of Brill, Ludgaresbale*
&c. 1 1 Edw. II. K. p. 447. From Sax. Dey, a thief; and Faogan
to take. Whence in the North to Fang is to take, and thence pos-
sibly the Fangs or tusks of a boar.
Infidel el Inter infideles connumerare, to -excommunicate.
So Henry bishop of Win ton threatned Brien Fitz- Count lord, of
Waltngford,— jft vos nisi correxeritis inter b\fideles AngUaa connum
meralo, K. p. 100. *
Inhoc. This word is neither interpreted nor mentioned in any
gtossary I have yet seen. It signified any corner or out part of a
common field ploughed up and sowed (and sometime fenced off),
within that year wherein the rest of the same field lay fallow. It is
vow called in the North an Intock, and ia Oxfordshire a Hitching.
It seems derived from Sax. Inge, a field or meadow, and Hoke, a
corner or nook. Whence an Inge now in Lincolnshire signifies
any open field "or commou. The making of such Inhoke or en-
closure by any one lord or tenant, was- a prejudice to all who had
the right of common. — Frater Walter us prior Merencestrice fieri
fecit quoddam Inhac incampo waretabili utviusque Ernkote in Mucr
klecrqft sub curia ejusdem prions per quod alms: Oeen, dioehat se ds
conrmumpasiura ibidem duseiswi,. &„p» 297. NoverU un'wemta*
GLOSSARY. 91
veetaamsfceiste ayoddam Inhokutm t» camped* Dunthrop sine as*
tensu ei voluntate prioris et conventus de Cold- Norton, — unde quo-
nmdam fratrum et atiorum amicorum freti consilio prcedicium Jn»
hokum volunt depascete, K. p. 298. This trespass or encroach*
meat was expresly prohibited in some charters.' — Hoc raiione auod
daminus hay am nee paslunem separabiiem faciei ah hominibus infra
campum warectabilem, K. p. 496. The nature of an Inhoke is
more plain by this deed. Anno regni regis Henrici filii regis Jo-
hahnis quinquagesimo secundo die 8. Barnabee apostoli facta fuit
heec conventio inter fratrerti W.abbatem Osen ei priorem de Cages,.
at dominant Kathennam Lot • l^Roberium de Broc dominos villce de*
parva Tywa et alios liberos tenentes ejusdem nilheex una parte, el
Johannem de Pratellis dominum de magna/ Tywa ex altera, videlicet,
cum dictus Johannes seminasset et bihokamfecisset de quadam cuU
tura quce vocatur Costowa sine voluntate died abbatis ei afierum.
pramominatorum, et insuper in de/ensum posuisset communem pas*
turam totius wareitce inter viam quce vocatur IVodewey, et parvant-
Tywam, quam communam dictus abbas et prcenominati clamaverunt
ex antiquo esse jus suum, &c. Dictus Johannes recognovit illam-
communam pas turam esse jus ipsius abbatis et ajiorum dominorum
fnujeneminatoTum quotient a diciis eulturis biadum asportatum fuerit*
et terra seminata nonfuerit. Et obligavit se ei hceredes suos imper-
peiuum per fidem et praesens scriptum quod nunqjuam de dicta pas-
tura quicunque seminabit nee Inhokam faciei in prajudicium dicti
abbatis, &c. Ex Regist. Osep. MS. penes Decan. et Capit.JEd. Ch.
Ox. MS.
Inlandys. Inland was that part of aq estate which was held
in demesne, or to the proper uses of the lord in opposition to the
Gotland, which was set to tenants ; or rather the indosnres as di*
stingnisht from the common* fields. Thomas Billingdon quit
claimed his right of commonage in all the Inland y s of £d ward Rede
lord of Borstall, 15 Hen. VI. K. p. 624, '
Inquisitio. An Inquest on the oaths of twelve or more legal
men to give verdict in any cause, for licence of which a fine wqt
paid to the king. — Thomas de Fekingham debet regi qmnque mar*
caset unumpalefridum, sic quodinquisitiofiat utrum^&c. K. p. 171.
Insbct atoiu A prosecutor or adversary.— ^W eiiam ejusin^
sectatores parvo post tempore duraverunt, into dirm morte perierunt,
1L p. 388.
Instaur amentum. Store or breed. — Et de insiauramento tria
jumenta, i. e. three store cartel, K. p. 288.
Institution. A clerk might be instituted in an ecclesiastical
benefice, either in person or by proxy. — Johannes le Fleming pree-
stntatusad evclesiamde Jmhmbnxet mimitmy, ettttfm m Jferaog*
92 GLOSSARY.
Johannis de ScalUby presbyteri procuraioris sui canonice institulUM,
X. p. 334.
Invadiarb. To engage or give security. From Lat. Vadium,
Guadium, a pledge or surety. Thence a Gage, a Wager, a Mort-
gage, to Wage war or law, Wages, &c. — Habenda sibi et hceredi-
bus — et cuicunque dare, vender e, invadiare, assignare, &c. volue-
rint, K. p. 262.
' Investitura terrce. Livery of land and tenements from the
lord to any inferiour tenant. — Quando aliquis tenens de Wrechivyke
mortuusfuit, et terra sua sit seminata, et uxor ejus non potest inve*
nire plegios ad tenenda messuagia et terras quas ipse et ipsa in vita
sua tenuerint, quod erit ad elect ionem domini quis habebit investilu-
ram prcedictce terra, K. p. 459.
Jurnalb. The Journal or diary of accounts, or receipts and ex-
pences in a religious house. — Ut patet per jurnale hoc anno — >u*
patet per prcedictum jurnale, K. p. 571. From Fr. Jour, a day,
whence Journey was properly one day's travel. Journe was in old
Eng. one day's work. A Journy-man, or one who works by the
day. To Adjourn, &c.
Justitia. Just rights, liberties, and privileges. — Dummodo di~
ocesani episcopi eis sujjragetur assensus, et per novam structuram ve-
terum ecclesiarum justitia non Icedatur, K. p. bQ4.
Justitiarius Forestce. Justice in Eyre.— -Testibus Hugone It
Vespenser justitiario fores tee citra Trentam, K. p. 33y.
K.
Kalbndje, Rural chapters so called because held on the ka-
lends or first day of every month, as at first every three weeks, and
at last only once a quarter, K. p. 640.
Kehnbllakb. To build a wall or tower Kernelled or Crenelle,
with Cranys or notches out of which they shot their arrows. Spel-
man derives it from the Sax. Cyrmel, a seed or Kernel, from
whence says he Cynnelen, to rise in knobs or bunches. But Du
Fresne justly reflects on this violence done to the word, and finds,
it to be quarnellus or quadranellus, a four square hole or notch*
ubicunque patent quarnelli sive fenestra* This form of walls and
battlements for military uses and chiefly for shooting with bows
and arrows, might possibly borrow name from quadrellus, a four
square dart.
"Nee tamen inter ea cessat balista vel arcus
Quadrellos hcec multiplicat, pluit ilia sagittas"
Licentiam dedimus Joharmi de Handlo quod ipse mansumsuum d*
GLOSSARY. 99
Borstal! juxta Brehul in com. Buck, muro depetfa et calcejirmare
et kerneUare possit, K. p. 363. Sir John de Molins obtained leave
to fortifie his mannor-houses of Stoke- Pogeis and Ditton with
walls of stone and kernelled, K. p. 463.
Kbverb. A Cover or vessel used in a dairy bouse for milk or
whey. — Compotus Henrici Deye et Johannes uxoris de exitibus et
proventibus de Dayri — Allocantur pro novo Kevere empto viii. den.
Hence in Devonshire .a Keeve is the Vat or Fat wherein they work
their beer. And in Kent a Keeler is a broad shallow vessel of
wood wherein they set their milk to cream and their wort to cool.
The Kevels in a ship are the holeswheiein they lay up the shrouds
and tackling.
Lacrymatoribs. Small earthen vessels, wherein the tears of
surviving friends were reposited and buried with the urns and
ashes of the dead, K. p. 13.
Lag ana; A Gr. Adyavoc. Whence Sax. Flaxa, Eng. Flaggon,
and Flesk of wine, Flask for gun-powder, Flasket for cloaths, old
Eng. Flash of arrows, &c. Claret was eight-pence and Muscadine
sixteen-pence per lagenam at Burcester in 3 Hen. VI. K. p. 574.
Lardarium. Lardi Locus. The Larder or place where the
Lard and meat were kept. Whente to Lard with bacon. Tenentes
de Pidington cariabunt salem domini deforo ubi emptus fait ad lar-
darium domini, K. p. 496.
Lbgatum. A mortuary. In all churches appropriated to the
abby of Oseney, the perpetual vicars by. endowment were to have
every second mortuary, if to the value of sixpence : and one half
of it if beyond that vdae.—Picaruis per abbot em et conventum
Qsen. prcesentandus et instituendus ab episcopo—habebit secundum
legatum ad valentiam sex denariorum, et quod ultra sex denarios
fuerit, intra ipsum et canonicos dimidiabitur, K. p. 304. So at
Burcester, K. p. 559.
Per Legem AngUce tenere. To hold by the law or courtesie of
England : when a man is tenant for life to the inheritance of his
wife deceased. Hen. de Lticy com. Line, tenet manerium de Bur*
cester ad terminum vitm sua* per legem AngVue de hcereditate Mat*
garetee uxoris sum, K. p. 3<Jl.
Leg ales homines. Persons who are legally qualified to serve
in a jury, as being neither excommunicate nor out-Jawed. Abbas
Robertus implaeuavuh—et electi sunt duodecim homines legates de
vidnetOy K. p. 134.
Lses. A common pasture. From Sax. Lasrye, whence in the
$4 GkOBSAHtf.
.North Leasow, a meadow. And jn Kent .most of ita widVftidH
jraon heaths or .pasturesare called Leesea, as Brabor n Lees, £dsv
ling-Lees,, &c.~ JDwiiitia acra & Jjese^mor-side, &. { p. 400. tOtari
close in Adingrave called Penuie leys, K. ,p.i(&4. Though this
latter «eems from the Sax. iLeag, a field, whence a Lay and Ley of
fen^, .and the Laies in a common field.
Le.varb denarios. To Levy tor araise mony. Pdnts de Ashe*
*ttgge fane seneschallus honoris S, Wahrioi oppropriavk dictum ma*
mjerium adkonovem &. Wcderki, ,et ibidem Usnmt. visum .per awtvmi
levando -de eodem viUaia xu.denarios de recto visit pr* ommims^
J»,. p.. 333*
Lev a re foenum. To make hay, or properly to cast itrato wiodk
rows, in order to cock it up. — Debent quinque dies de consuetudini
videlicet per unum diem foenum levare, et per tres in aulutnpno mt*
tere, K. p. 229. — Homines de Hedingdon venient cum furcis suit
td^timfvtoumdevjandum et thassandum, K..p.320. Una leva*
rfipfomij one day's hay-making, a service paid the lord by inferior
tenants. — Aticia quae fait uxor Richardi ie 'Gtey.,-*jaciet Mas*
$W<wiQtor&A,tfrutnniMX(^th^^ K. p. 402*
Libejl w*. A (Libel or declaration in a count * of civil .or eccle-
.•tastkal judicature. JPetitio Lilmili, the sueing for <or taking out
such UbeLr-rftosin/ eos et wrum tucoessores per omnem ccnsttmxm
wkfiMStkem ad iomnktm et singulorum ptcemissortm observemtiafn
tfhsque artimU sen UbelTi (petitione et quotunque strepiiu judmedi
jBmpdkxe* K. v p.£44.
Libera. A Livery or delivery of so much gtass or corn to a
4Wto*nary tenant who cute.dowm ior prepares the. said grass.ottcorn*
<m& r«ecejves some. part or small portion .of it as a reward or gratuity.
~~fi#foltit dihermtiad>v6spe*as yuce vacatur evenyngs, &• p. 401.
t$pibe iLivery «fdaay and oats, as giving -out such a quantity of ipso-
welder for the feeding hovses, K. .p. 8$8* Whence a Ltaety*
stable, Livery^hawes, servants in Liwery. A *Abite Livered <feU
Liberator a et seisina. Livery and seisin given by -thesope*
tiiajHf Joed of the fee. When a minor was in ward, asd came to
jflge, ihe estate of military service in the&iog's bands was debvsrad
„np : &r> which Livery >the heir .paid 'a ifine *>r .composition. €0
Xterattl de GamvH hawing maBded€u9tace -daughter of Gilbert fias*
set, gave two thousand marks and ten paliiries lto tbe-.kingibr Ltamgr
-of ber father's inheritance, jKLip. l6f.
■ I*ib ra *d wuvMrum. A (pound in ready i»o»y ^opjpesedio libra
<jtr*»& ipenmMa, 41 pound Wright in *dHd -metal. In Bc^mktay
Register the king's mannor of Brill reddebai tempore negi$'&d»
~ tmmentm, K.p. KS$.
OLOS8ARY* W
■ vLiaim. Liege, pure, lawful. Fidnilas Jigia, pure
faood^—Ysahel GargatJUia mea in ligiaviduitate et libera poiestaie
iwa, K. p. 190. Poiettas ligia, free and absolute disposal,— 2^0
Maude Aldifhleia in libera viduitate mea et Ugia potestate, IC.p.280.
LiNTfiAMBN. A towel or other, course linnen cloth. — Etin
canvays empt. Londin. per Rkhardum Dymby—fpro lintheamitiitms
Jaciendis iii. sol. K. p. 574.
Litmatura. Literature, in old Eng. Lettrnre. Ad. literati**
ram ponere, to put out .children to school. Which -liberty was
tdenied to some parents who were servile tenants without consent
of the lord. So in the. lands at Butcester which were held in <vil-
lenagpirom the prioress of Merkyate^ — Quilibet cttsiumarius nen
-debet filvttm snum adliteraturam ponere, neqve filiam suam marii-
^are sine Iwentm et voluntate priorissts, K. p. 401. This Julian
Jike prohibition of educating sons to learning, was owing to this
reason, for fear, the son being bred to letters .might enter into r$-
4igkm or sacred orders, and so stop or divert the services which
Jae might ;atherwise«do as. heir or successor to his father.
Locutoimum. A parlour. Xliereligbas after they had dined
tin their common refectory bad a withdrawing room, where ttbey
■met ibr diseouitse and conversation : which room 'far that aocjatafe
mse they /called Locutorknn, aheuendo, and Parlour -a Wr. Purler,
~«Et WUlieUno Hykkedon latamo eonduttoiper tfuatuer\dies ad fa*
€tendumUmenhosUi'locutoru versus aulam prioris jLvi.dm. K.p.$;$4.
Lokts* *8ax. Loecar, Locks 1 or flocks of course and refuse
wool, which in ICen tare called Lucks and Bag-wool.-— Computes!
de duebus <$eUdi$ receptis de lana fracta videlicet Lokys*ottecta <J*
Xonsura ovium vendita Jokanm Deye.iioc anno, >K. p. 572. Whence
:« Look of hair, and arhard matted or iclatted >Lock **of hair in the
-oeck.is called an Bllflock. Thence Lock, a thread, . and Loekiam
linnen cloath of a couneri thread.
LoauELA sine die. A respite in law, or dernurr to an indefinite
time. — Si vir tenensfuerit infraiuetatem et uxor plena cetatis, cum
implacitatifuerint, non remanebit loquela sine die propter minorem
vettitemviri, K. p. 2-10.
>Lom INAK4S. A lamp or candle set 'burning- on * the altar -of any
-church or chappel, for the -maintenance of wbich lands and rent
charges 'were frequently 'given to religious ^houses and parish
churches. >6a Gilbert Basset gave to his new-priory- at BuTcester,
— *unam vfrgaiam tenw>m StrMton^adlwnimtre-prcedkteeeetlesiee,
K. p. 136. it was sometimes -expreily provided that this luminary
should barn all flight, and in the day* at canonical hours, and 'du-
ring divine-service. :So>Riehard de'Camvil and Eustace 'his *wtfe
'gave * wgate of 4aad in Burcetter to Edbert Clerk,— Itaiamn
96 GLOSSARY.
quod prcedictus Rolerlus Clericus vel hceredes sui inttenient taittpti*
dem unam ante altare sancti Nicholai in majori ecclesia S. Maria* it
S. Edburga? de Berencester, — qualibel node toialiter, et quoHbet
die dum divina celebrantur, et ad haras canonicales ardent em,
K. p. 1*0. Which virgate of land seems to have been one part
of Candle -meadow, so called from being thus charged with finding
a light or candle in the conventual church, whbh part of the said
meadow was afterwards resigned to the said prior and convent—
Philippa countess of Warwick gave seven shillings yearly rent to
the priory of Burcester,— - Ita tamen quod dicti canonici — unam
lampadem semper ardentem coram altari beati Johannis Baptists in
ecclesia conventuali de Berencester in perpetuum inveniant, K.p.233.
Hugh de Plugenet granted to the Priory of St. Frideswide com-
mon pasture in his mannor of Hedingdon, &c. to find one lamp itt
the said church of Hedingdon, K. p. 334. A Luminary at the
great altar was sometimes maintained by the* rector of the church,
and in vicarages this expence was charged on the appropriators. —
So in the ordination of the viearage of Meriton appropriated to the
abby of Egnesham, — Incensum luminare in canceUo prcedicto dictos
religiosos et eorum successores supportare volumus et ordinamus in
perpetuum suis sumpUbus subire, K. p. 483. By the ecclesiastical
constitutions in Normandy it was ordained that once in a year about
Pentecost, the priest and capellanes should come with their people
in a full procession to the mother church, and for every house
ahould offer on the altar a wax taper to enlighten the church, K«
p. 598. The rents that were given to this use were sometimes em-
bezled by the parish priest, against wjiich abuse bishop Grosthead
provided in this diocese, — Prcecipimtis etiam ut redditus assignati
per devotionem laicorum ad luminaria vel ad alios usus honestos in
ipsis ecclesiis non committantur per ipsos rectores in usus et emolu-
menta eor undent. Consttt. Rob. Episc. Lincoln. MS.
M.
Manerium. A Mannor. Skene gives it an affected derivation^
Manerium quasi Manurium, such a circuit of land to be Manured. or
cultivated by handy- work. But it is truly from the Fr. Manoir, ha-
bitation, or-Lat. Manendo, the place of residence to the chief lord.
This word was brought in by the Normans,— Ga^rufus Constan-
Hensis episcopus — dono Gulielmi regis ducentas et octoginta villas,
auas a manendo manerios vulgo vocamus, obtinuit, Order. Vital. L 4«
The constitution of a mannor was this, The king granted to some
baron or military man a- certain circuit of ground for him and bis
to dwell upon and to enjoy, holding some part in demesne to
GLOSSARY. 91
m
their own use and occupation ; and letting out other parcels to free
or servile, tenants, who were to do their suit and service at the
court of the said mannor, now called the lord's court and court
baron. Manerium was sometimes used simply for the court or
mansion of the lord, whence we say the site of the mannor, and
the mannor-house, called otherwise Manerium domus, as Reginald
earl of «Bologne and Ida his countess gave to the priory at Cold
Norton Manerium domus sicut sedet et conMtuthm est, K.p. 163.
Again it was sometimes taken for the mannor-house, and all the
demesne land belonging to it, — Habelit vicarius de Cestreton to-
tum altar agium ac omnes decimas minores et oblationes ad dictam
ecclesiam qualitercunque spectantes, decimis tamen quibuscunque de
manerio ibidem provenientibus totaliter exceptis, K. p. 543. In the
Doomsday tenure, one village or parish was often held for two or
more mannors. So Robert de Oily held Burcester pro duobus ma-
neriis, K. p. 65. . At present the word Mannor does not so much
imply the seat or the land, as it does the royalty and jurisdiction
belonging to a court baron. For a man may now have the mannor'
though be has not a foot of land within the bounds of it, which is
called a Mannor in Gross. As the other may be called a Mannor
Appendant which goes along with the mannor-house, or site, or
other ground.
Mans i o Canonicorum. The court or chief country-house of
the religious upon one of their mannors, where they kept their
courts, and sometimes resided for health and diversion. In Weston
virgatam, ubi mansio canonicorum est, K. p. J 98.
Mansum Capitale. The chief manse, or mannor-house, or
court of the lord. Henry de Oily gave to the abby of Oseney
Capitale mansum meum in Weston cum ejus pertinentiis, K. p. 150.
Called sometimes Curia Capitalis. — Thomas de S. Walery gave to
the abby of Oseney tot urn manerium meum Mixebury cum capitali
curia, K. p, 150. *
Mansus Preshyteri. The Manse of the parish priest, the par-
sonage or vicarage-house — tiabeat etiam dictus vicarius (i. e. de
Ambresdon) pro inhabitatione sua ilium mansum in quo presbyter
parochue dieted ecdesue inhabitare consuevit, et duo cotagia evdem
adjatentia, r . p. 43 1 .
Manuprisor. One who was bail, plege, or security for another
person Sir Eubulo le Strange in 5 Edw. III. was a Manuprisor
for Hugh de Spensar, K. p. 419. Whence Without bail or Main-
prise.
Mara. A Moor. Either from Lat. Mare 9 or rather Brit. Mor.
The word Mara was used for any lake, pool, pond, or other stand-
ing water, — Sedens super locum quern usu quotidiano loquendi Ma-
li
gfe GLOSSARY.
ram vocamus, Will. Gemet. 1. 2, cap. TO.— Castrvm ft manerium
de Bolynglroke cum soke mora et marisco, K. p. 418. Called
sometimes Mera from Brit. Mir, Sax. CDep, water, whence a Mere-
swine, a dolphin, a Mear or lake, Mire or dirt, the Meers or
ditches, or Mere-stangs, or other boundaries of land. — Istud pro*-
cedens furlong jacet ab Oxenford-wey usque ad quandam meram
terra? dominicce dom. Lestraunge, K. p. 530. A Lousmonger's-
path prcedicta jacet hna viridis mera, et in fine inferiore ipsius mera?
descendit quidam sulcus fiuens inter medium de Stanford-more,
K. p. 53 1 . — Incipiendo juxta quoddam parvum morejacens adfinem
cujusdam Semites pedes tris vocata? Seynt Edburgh-tvey, K. p. 53 1 .
— Cum marisco integro qui vacatur Croc well-moor, K. p. 187*
Hence to Moore a ship, i. e. to lay her up in the mud of a haven.
Marinarius. A Mariner. Marina-riorum Capitaneus, the ad-
miral or warden of the ports, which offices were commonly united
in the same person. The word Admiral not coming in before the
latter end of King Edward I. — Rex capitaneo marinariorum, tt
thdem marinariis — salutem, K. p. 322.
Marchio. From the Lat. Marckia, Sax. OOeapc, limit or
bounds. Hence the Marches, old Eng. Marchis, or borders of
'Wales. The March or limited motion of an army, though *this
military Marching seems rather from the Brit, and old Grail. March,
a horse, from whence Sax. OOaepe, Eng. Mare. Marchio was strictly
the governour*of the Marches, but any keeper or constable of an
eminent castle was called Marchio. As Brientius filius Comifis
marchio de IValengj'ord, K. p. 85. Whence our titles of Marquess
4 and Marchioness. •
Maritagium, dare in maritagio. To give an estate as a mar-
riage portion to a daughter. — Concessimus Thomce Basset terram de
Dedinton quam dederat Wtllielmo Malet in maritagio cum filia sua,
K. p. 102. Villam de Menelida quam Alanus de Dunstanvill pater
ipsius Cecilice dedit ad se maritandam, K. p. 17 1. Maritagium
Liberum, frank-marriage ; when a baron, knight, or freeholder,
granted such a part of his estate with a daughter to her and her
husband, and the heirs of her body to hold without any homage or
service to the donor. So Maud daughter of Simon St. Liz, gave
to the abby of St. Neots, com. Hunt, the third part of the mannor
of Cratesfeld, held byber in. frank* marriage, — Dedi tertiam partem
totius manerii mei de Cratesfeld quod est liberum mafilagiunimeuni,
K. p. 70. — IVillielmus Longspe dedit et concessit : Heririco Jtlio Ed"
mundi de Lacy Margaretam filiam suam et hceredem, tt cum ipia
in libero maritagio vianeria sua de Burncesi'er et Midliftgton, K.
p. 251. In libero maritagio suo, in her pure widowhood, when the
relict held the lands which she brought to her late husband:—
GLOSSARY. 99
•
Post mortem Holer ti de Oily Editha in libero maritegio suo plurU
mas terras dedit canonicis de Oseneia, K. p. 90. In marriage it
was a custom for the woman to be endowed at the church door.
K. p. 388. Maritagium habere, to have the free disposal of an
heiress in marriage, a favour granted by the king who was guardian
of all wards or heirs in minority. — Mandatum est vicecom. Oxon.
quod habere faciat W. com. Sarum maritagium filice Ricardi de
Camvill genitce de Eustachia — ad opus Willielmi sui primogeniti,
X. p. 1 82. Pro maritanda Jilia, a fine or composition paid to the
king by every baron or military tenant, for leave to marry a sole
daughter and heir. Gilbert Basset 6 Rich. I. gave one hundred
pounds fine to the king, that his daughter Eustace might be mar-
ried to Thomas de Verdon, K. p. 154. If any person married such
an heiress without the king's leave, he lost her whole estate, unless
he could compound by a severe fine. So Robert de Peesley paid
sixty marks and one palfry to be reconciled to the king for having
married Alice de Chesterton, K. p.l6l. John Giffard paid three
hundred marks for marrying without licence Maud the widow of
William Longspe, K. p. 2/5. Jurdan de Meriton paid twenty
marks fine for taking Maud the relict of John le Marsh, K. p. 308.
Sir John de Handlo compounded for one hundred pounds upon
. marriage of Maud widow of John Lovel, K. p. 371* Alice coun-
tess of Lincoln and Sarum lost the greatest part of her estate for
this trespass of marrying Eubulo le Strange, K. p. 39 1 . Some in-
feriour tenants were under the same obligations to the lords, as the
lords to the king, — Si homines (de Hedingdon) filias suas extra liber"
tatem dicti manerii maritare voluerint, dabunt domino pro qualilet
Jilia sic maritata duos solidos, — et hoc pro catallis extra liber tatem
dicti manerii cum ipsa remotis : et si infra libertatem ejusdem ma~
nerii eas maritaverint, nihil dabunt pro maritagiis earundem, K.
p. 320. In the mannor of Wrechwyke — Willielmus Searich ad ha-
bendum in uxorem Johannam quce fait uxor Willielmi Foul venit
hie in curiam, et dot domino define pro eadem in maritagio habenda
x 5. et habet inde diem solvendi, K, p. 470. Among the custumary
tenants at Burcester King's-End, who held from the prioress of
Merkyate — Quilibet custumarius non debet—filium suum ad litera-
turam ponere, nequefiliam suam maritare sine licentia et voluntate
domince priorissce, K. p. 401 . The widow of a tenant in villenage
held her husband's estate during, her widowhood, Matilda qucefuit
uxorRobertiHikkesclamavit totumprcedictum messuagium—dumvixe-
rit sine maritofaciendo servitia et redditus omnes, K. p 458. The fine
or composition paid by such tenants for the liberty of disposing theii
daughters was called Merchetum, Merchet, from the Scotch Mar-
.qhet, Marcheta, which was a commutation of mony or cattel given
h2
100 GLOSSARY.
fo the lord to buy off the old impious custom of the lord lying trie
first night with the bride. Hect. Boet. Hist. Scot. p. 2f30. Bucham
2. 7« Skenaeus in voce, &c. From which Marcheta mulieris used
sometimes for the said commutation, and sometimes by metaphor
for a maidenhead, possibly comes the prov. " Such a woman's
Marchet or market is spoiled ;" more especially applied to her who
has lost her Marchet or virginity. Hence in several parts of En-
gland the word Merkin is used for Puhes mulieris. From the word
Marry they use Marrow in the North for a companion or fellow,
as gloves and shoes are not Marrows, i. e. are not well matcht, or
not fellows.
Martyrologium, Martilegium. A Martyrology or register
kept in religious houses, wherein they set down the donations of
their benefactors, and the days of their death : that upon each an-
niversary they might commemorate and pray for them. And there-
fore several. benefactors made this a condition in their charters, —
Isabel Gargate covenanted with the prior and canons of Burcester,
— Cum de hac vita migraverimus, facient nomina nostra scribi in
martirologio sua, K. p. 18Q. Henry Lacy earl of Lincoln was a
benefactor to the canons of Burscough com. Line, pn this condition,
that they should insert in their Martyrology and canon or mass book
his name, and the name of Margaret his wife, K. p. 30/. The
canons of St. Marie Overy in Southwark for the favours of Sir
John de Molins covenanted, that as soon as they should hear of the
death of him or of Egidia his wife, they would inscribe their name
in their publick Martyrology, and make recital of them annually in
their chapter, K. p. 425. The religious granted the promise of this
civility to their patrons, as a complement of gratitude and respect,
— Nos Johannes Clyfton et convent us canonicorum regular turn man,
Dorcestre Lincoln. — voluimus et ordinavimus quod cum contigerit
eundem Edmundum (i. e. Rede de Borstal) ab hac luce migrare, ut
nomina omnium supradictorum cum obitu eorum in nostro martilegio
Inserantur ,et singulis annisfuturisperleganturindieanniversariorum
suorum prcesenti conventu in domo nostra capitulari, K. p. 62<).
Mattes. Mats made of straw or rushes. From Lat. Matta,
Ovid. 1. 6. Fast. — in plaustro scirpea Matta fuit, which perhaps the
Romans borrowed from the old Teuton. Matte, Sax. CCeatte. To
make bed-Mats of reeds or straw was a great employment of the
ancient monks. Hence to be Matted or entangled, — In quinque
scotellis minoris sort is emptis ibidem pro cceteris qfficiis ix. den. ei in
x. Matts ibii. hoc anno xiii. den. K. p. 574.
Medietas Beneficii. The Moity, or half the annual profits *of
an ecclesiastical living, which some of the clergy freely contributed
to King Edw. I. to maintain a war with France, for whicifbenevo*
GLOSSARY. H)l
lence the king granted his special protection,— Cum dilectus nobis
magisier Radulfus de Mertival persona ecclesice de Ambrosden me-
dietatem beneficii, &c. —nobis insubsidium nostrum de anno prcesentt
juxta taxationem ultimo inde Jactam Hberaliter concessit et gratan-
ter, K. p. 322.
Mercandisa. All goods and wares exposed to sale in fairs and
markets. In omnibus burgis et villatis nostris, et etiam in singulis
nundinis, et mercat'is nostris libere valeant emere et vendere omnes
mercandisas absque ullo iheloneto seu siallagio, K. p. 321. And
therefore Mercatores was not restrained, as it now seems to be, to
Merchants or traffiquers in forreign commodities, but extended to
all sort of traders, pedlers, buyers, and sellers, — Omnes homines et
mercatores honoris de Walingford, K. p. 113.
Merennum, Merannum, Merremium, Maremium, Maeremium,
quodvis materiamen, unde vocis origo, called in French le merrien
and marren. Any refuse wood, or old pieces of timber a/id boards
lhat are left among the rubbish after building or repairing, or pull-
ing down of houses, — In diversis hominibus conduct is ad seponendum
et extrahendum vetus merennum massam et lapides x. den. K. p.575.
— Et in merenno empto a pud Curtlyngton cum cariagio ejusdetn pro
collistrigio apud Dadyngton de novofo'ciendo, K. p. 577«
Metteshep. Perhaps it ought to be Mittenscep, from Sax.
COitten, to measure, or CDitta, a mete or measure, and Ceap, goods
or chattle : for the Metteshep seems to be a fine or penaltie paid
by the tenant for his neglect or omission of doing his custumarv
service. In the mannor of Pidington — qucelibet virgaia terrce sol~
vet per an* quinque solidos et quatuor dies de consuetudine, videlicet
unum diem ad pratum domini falccindum ad cibum doming vet do-
mino dabit quadraginta denarios pro Metteshep, K. p. 4Q5.
Ministrallus, Minis trellus , a ministrando. At first any buf-
foon or actor of ridicule, commonly retained for the diversion of
persons of quality, and afterward restrained to a player on musick,
a Minstrel. Et in datis cuidam ministrallo domini Lestraunge in
eodemfesto xiL den. K. p. 57$. These Minstrels or merry fidlers
were in several parts of England a sort of corporation, and had a
King of Minstrels, for which a charter and a confirmation of it may
be seen in Mon. Ang. torn. J. p. 355.
Missale celebrare. To say Mass, and administer the sacrament
of the Mass. Habebit de qblatiqnibus ad altare provenientibus unum
denarium, missale quoties celebraverit, et denarius provenerit, K.
p. 304.
Molitura, Mulitura, Multura -, a Molo to grind. It some-
times signified a grist or sack of corn brought to the mill to be
ground. But more commonly taken for the toll paid for grinding.
102 GLOSSARY.
So Sir Wido de Meriton in his charter to the Knights Templars,—
Con cesser unt mihi fratres unam libertatem adsuum molendinufiksci^
licet molendi segetem pro mullura reddendo, pro segeie quce est in
tremula, et meum brasium sine mullura, K. # p. 120. Molilura li-
bera, free grinding without paying toll, a privilege which the lord
generally reserved to his own family, — Salva mihi et haredilus
meis violitura libera familice nostrce quiet a in dicto molendino, K.
p. 236. Salva mihi et hceredibusmeis secta curice, et molendinimei
de BigenhulL cum omnimodo blado et brasio, K. p. 2Qt>. Our Eng.
Mil is from the Sax. OOylen, Island. Mil, to grind : in prceterilo,
Mulde, whence in Lincolnshire a Mill is called a Miln, and in other
parts a Muln, as Muln wey, u e. the Mill-way, K. p 3Q5. Hence
the Sax. CTolb, Island Molld, Eng. Mould, or what is ground to
dust, old Eng. Mulle, pouder or dust. Mouldy, and ready to
Moulder away. Mullock in the North dirt or rubbish : and a Mole
from casting up the Mould is called a Mould- warp. A. Mullet,
the stone on which painters grind their colours. Molter in the
North the toll of a Mill.
Molneda, Mulneda. A Mill-pool. Gilbert Basset in his foun-
dation charter to the priory .of Burcester, gave — quoddam pratun-
' culum quod vacatur Ham ma, quod extenditur de crqfla Serici de
Wrechwic per la Mulnedam usque illuc ubi novus rivulus descendit
in veterem rivulum, et ipsam mulnedam ad faciendum ibi molendi-
num, K. p. 135. Molta, Fr. Moulte, was to be paid for the service
of grinding, or the use of a mill. If I should from hence derive
our Eng. Malt, Dutch Mout, it would be a less absurd conjecture
than that of Dr. Skinner, who would deduce it from the verb to
Melt, quia, ut omnibus notum est, aqud maceratur, donee germina
emit tat.
Mortmain. Statute made in 7 Edw. I. de- terris in manum
mortuam non ponendis, to restrain the donation of any lands or te-
nements to religious or pious uses, where they lay in a- dead hand,
without succession or due service to the lord and the king. By
any such donation after the said stattite, the lands were forfeited to
. the king, if the more immediate lord of the fee made not his
claim within one year after such alienation, — Accepimus perinqui-
sitionem coram nobis factam quod abbas et conventus de- Oseney ap-
propriarint sibi et domui suae duas virgatqs terrce in Cheslreton —
post publicationem statuli de terris et tenementis ad manum mortuam
non ponendis editi sine licentia regis, K. p. 367* When the kings'
by special license dispensed with this statute, there was a previous
inquisition Ad.quod dampnum, and a return upon oath, that it
would be no prejudice to the dignity and revenues of the crown,
K. p. 381* This law is now relaxed by stat. 39 Eliz. cap. 5, of
GLOSSARY. 103
giving lands* to hospitals : and 14 Car. IT, cap. 9, of purchasing
lands and tenements for the poor within the cities of London ana
Westminster.
Mortuarium. A Mortuary. The word was used in a civil as.
well as an ecclesiastical sense, and was payable to the lord of the
fee, as well as to the priest of the parish.— Debentur domino (z. e.
manerii a\e Wrechwyke) nominihus herieta* et mortuarii duce vaccm
pret xii. sol. K. p.470. Vid. Herietum et Legatum.
Mullo, Mullio. A cock or pout of grass or hay. — Ut strepitum
rugientis aquce audivit—monticulumfoeni quod extra tugurium erat,
veiociter ascendit. ' Impetus autem irruentis et omnia involventis
aquce foenum sullevavit, et de loco illo mullonem hue et illuc \fluctu-
antem longe trans iu lit. Order. Vital. 1. 13, p. 6QQ : — Ipse Robertas,
et omnes alii custumarii domince liber am falcatam in prato vocaio
Gilberdsham sine prandio debent tornare, et inde foenum levare, et
tnulliones inde facer e, K.p. 401. — Alicia qucefuit uxor Richardi le
Grjey—faciet unam saculaturam, et unam tuedbedripam, et levatia-
nemfoeni, et inveniet unum hominem ad mullion em foeni faciendum,
K. p. 402. Hence in old Eng. a Moult, now a Mow, Sax. (Cope,
of hay or corn.
Multo, Mutilo, Hfolto, Muto, Mutto. A Mutton or sheep.
Several ridiculous derivations are given of this word. Joh. de Gar-
landia from Mutus, dumb. Et cum sit mutus, poterit bene muto
vocari. Menagius from Mons, as if creatures that fed chiefly iq
the mountains. Ferrarius would fetch it a Montando, because for-
sooth the venereal rams do mount or cover the ews. And Dr.
Skinner with like modesty from the aid Lat. Muto, the yard of a,
man or beast, as if rams of all creatures were best provided in that
member. I suppose the original was British ; for Molt in the pre-
sent Irish tongue signifies a ram, or male wether, to which the Lat f
Multo is alway restrained, and does not extend to the female sheep
or ewe, — quatuor loves, sex mutilones, K. p. 2S7« — Inter Hokeday
et diem S. Martini bene possunt ibidem ducentce quadraginta mut-
tones sustentari ad opus domini ad terram suam compostandam, K.
p. 495. — In stauro sunt lii. matres oves, xxxv. multones, xii. agni
mares, et xiv. agni feminales. — xxxii. oves laatrices, iii. multones,
xl. oves oiiosas, i. e. thirty-two milch ews, three rams or wethers,
fourty barren ews. Cartul. Abbat. Glaston. MS. f. 39. Hence the
gold mony impressed with an J gnus Dei on one side, were from
that figure called Multones, which were common in France, and
current in England, as appears by a patent 33 Edw. III. cited by
the learned Spelman, though he had pot then considered the mean-
ing of it. Rex tenetur Ottoni de Grandisono in decern millilms tnuU
104 GLOSSARY.
tonum auri. And hence the military engine like the Roman bat-
tering ram is called Monton by Frosart, Hist. vol. 3, cap. 102.
Murdredum, Murdrum, Mordrum. Murder, from Sax. CDojio,
death, Island. Mord. By the laws of Edw. Confess cap. 15. If
any person was murdred, the murderer was to be apprehended by
the friborg where the body was found, and delivered up to justice.
If he could not be immediately taken, a respite of one month and
a day was allowed to the said inhabitants j and if he was not then
produced, a fine was imposed upon them of fourty-six marks 3 of
which sum, by the laws*of Hen. I cap. 91 , fourty marks were paid
to the king, and six to the nearest relations of the party murdred.
So that Quietum esse a murdredo was an exemption from this fine,
and was a special privilege granted to the tenants within the honor
of Walingford, — Ut (juieti sint de murdredis et de variis ad murdre*
dum pertinentibus , K. p. 114.
Murorum operatio. The service of work and labour done by
inhabitants and inferiour tenants in building and repairing the walls
of a city or fortress. From which duty some were exempted by
special privilege. So King Hen. II. granted to the tenants within
the honor of Walingford — ut quieti sint de operationibus castello-
rum et murorum, K. p. 114. For which expence a tax was levied
called Murage. Whence those officers who in the city of Chester
are to supervise and repair the city walls, are now called Muren-
gers.
Musivum opus. Musaic, and corruptly Mosaic work. Pavi-
menta tessellata, Pavements of curious little pieces of brick, or tile,
or marble, about the bigness and form of dice, with wliich the Ro-
mans generally paved the place where they fixed the pretorium or
general's tent : of which several have been ploughed up in this
county, K. p. 12. Fr. Junius cites this account of them from a
MS. Saxon Glossary of Laurence Noel, — " Musaike work, which
is a kind of ornament made in picture with little square stones like
dies of all colours, set together with certain fine cyment upon a
wall or floor, so that the forms of things be therewith pourtrayed
and expressed as though they were paynted. Also it is more dura-
ble than any kind of" paynting, by reason that neither by weather,
wearing, nor washing, the colour can be taken away, which hath
the thickness of the little dies wherewith this work is made. Of
this kind of work is little in England. Howbeit I have seen of it,
especially upon church- floors before altars, as is to be seen before
the high altar at Westminster, although it be but gross. In Italy
it is almost every where, and in most churches to be met."
Muto, mutare. To Mew up hauks in the time of their Muting
GLOSSARY* 105
or Molting, or castiog their plumes. Hence the Muta Regia, the
Mews near Charing Cross in London, now the king's stables, for-
merly the falconry or place for the king's hawks. The mannor of
B rough ton com. Oxon. in reign of Edw. II. was held by John
Mauduit — per serjantiam mutandi unum hostricum domini regis,
vel ilium hostricum portandi ad curiam domini regis, K. p. 56Q.
My cher. % A sordid covetous extortioner. " In such feyrs and
markets whersagver it be holden, therben many theyves, mychers,
and cut purse," K. p-.'tirKk.
Myllewell. A sort offish, the same with what now in Lan-
cashire is called Milwyn, which Spelman renders green fish, but it
was certainly of a different kind. — Et in tribus copulis viridis piscis,
efin xv. copulis de Myllewell minoris sortis x. soL vi. den, et in xx.
Myllewell majoris sortis xii. sol. K. p. 575.
N.
Natio. A native place. The jurors of the borough of Wa-
lingford return upon oath — quod nullus de natione istius burgi pro
quocunque facto quodfecerit debet suspendi, imo secundum consuetu-
dinem istius burgi debet o cutis et testibus privari, K. p. 258.
Nativus. A servant or villane by. birth and descent from ser-
vile tenants.— Servi out nascuntur, aut Jiunt ; nascuntur autem ex
nativo et nativa alicujus copulatis vel solutis. — Item nascitur servus,
qui ex nativa soluta generatur, quamvis ex patre libero, quia sequi-
tur conditionem matris, quasi vulgo conceptus. Bracton, 1.1, cap. 6,
sect. 4. — Terrain JVUlklmi Hamond nativi domince—Nicholai 5a-
ford nativi domina>, K. p. 397. — Rogerus Mortimer nativus priorts
de Berencester, K. p. 403. — Cum omnibus servitiis liber or um homi-
num et nativorum de Heyford et Caldecote cum corporibus dictorum
natvvorum catallis et eorum sequelis, K. p. 514. Hence the old
Eng. Neife, a bond- woman, mentioned stat. 9 Rich. II. cap. 2, and
I Edw. VI. cap. 3.
Navis, Navicula. A Caster or small silver dish to hold the
frankincense, before it was put into the thuribulum or smoaking-
pot. — Inter ecclesice ornament a — turribulum cum navi, K. p. 59Q«.
It seems so called from the shape resembling a boat or little ship,,
as a Cogue of brandy from the like reason. Fid. Cock-boat.
Ad No nam. At the ninth hour by Roman computation, i. e.
at three in the afternoon. Vescitur ac nona merenda messor in hora.
—///a die comedent iidem homines, et omnes dicti messores cum do-
mino ad nonam, et prcefati homines, et non messores eodem die cum
domino cosnabunt, K. p. 320. The monks and other religious had
£heir Refectionem Nonce, or Biberes Nonales, properly their dinner.
106 GLOSSARY.
— Non licet clericis ante horam tertiam prandere. Can. cit. a) 9pel-
man. Which Biberes or refection given to school-boys and chil-
dren about three after-noon, we still call a drinking. It was
from this Nona, formerly the chief eating time, we take our word
Noon, though removed to another hour. And it is from hence that
in Kent a Noonchion or Nunchion of bread, or any edible is a great
piece, enough to serve for the Nooning or dinner of any common
eater.
Nuces colligere. To gather small or hazle nuts. One of the
works or services imposed upon inferiour tenants.'— 'Homines de
Hedingdon uno die colligent nuces nomine domini in Iosco qui voca-,
tur Slotvode, K. p. 320. Homines de Py din ton per unum diem coir
ligent nuces ad opus domini in bqsco suo cum uno homine, K. p. 4£6«
Nutrimentum. Breed of cattle. — Quilibet custumarius domu
ri(B non debet vendere equum masculum neque bovem de propria nu*
trimento suo, K. p. 401.
O.
Obl ati ones j4 liar is. Oblations or offerings from the parisht
ioners to the parish priest were solemnly made four times in a year,
—Ordinavimus eidem vicario (i. e. de Oakle) omnes oblationes quce
quater in anno ab omnibus parochianis. offeruntur, K. p. 455. The
custumary oblations at Burcester in the ordination of that vica-
rage about the year 1212, were one penay for a burial, one penny
for a marriage, one penny for churching a woman : and the altar
or sacrament offerings were three- pence at Christmas, two-pence
«t Easter, and a penny at the two other principal feasts, besides the
offerings at confession, K. p. 56Q. Among the altar oblations were
reckoned the little sums paid for saying masses and prayers for the
souls of the deceased. As in the churches appropriated to the abby
of Oseney,— Vicarius kabebit de oblationibue ad altar e provenienti^
bus unum denarium, missale quoties celebraverit, et denarius pro-
venerit, et quicquid ex devotionejideiium et rationabiliter fuerit col-
latum, K. p. 304.
Oblationes Funerales. If the corps -of the party deceased was
carried from the mother church to any other place of sepulture,
there were custumary offerings due to the parish priest where the
party died : of which offerings the sordid approprjators sometimes
engrcst three parts, and allowed only one to the oppressed vicar.—-
Ordinavimus eidem vicario (i. e. de Oakle) quariam partem omnium
obventionum funeralium dictorum parochianorum alibi quam apud
Acleiam sepultorum quce de jure vet ere vel novo debentur ecclesice
parochiali, K. p. 455. At the burial of the dead, it was a custom
GLOSSARY. lOf
for the surviving friends to offer liberally at the altar for the pious
use of the priest, and the good estate of the soul of the deceased,
which the appropriators were sometimes so just as to allow the vicar,
— Omnes oblationes in nuptiis, purificattonibus, sepulturis, anniver-
saries, K. p. 45*5. This pious custom does still obtain in North* 1
Wales, where at the rails which decently defend the communion,
table, I have seen a small tablet or flat board conveniently fixt, to
receive the money which at every funeral is offered by the surviv-
ing friends, according to their own ability, and the quality of the-
party deceased. Which seems a providential augmentation to. some
of those poor churches.
Octavits. The Octaves, in old Eng. the Uras, or eight days
after any festival, for the observation whereof Alcuinus gives this
reason, — Octave, quas kodie colimus, ideo reverenter celebrantur,
quia primis diebus concurrunt sicuti unus dies dominicus ad alterum f
qui eadem die celebratur. — Infra octavos, within the said term of
eight days. They were only some prime and remarkable feasts
which were thus attended with Octaves, which feasts are enume-
rated in the laws of Edw. Confess, cap. 12. — Eeclesia de S. Fride*
swidce annuatim persolvet ecclesice de Coges duos solidos vel Bisan-
tiutn unum infra octavas S. Michaelis, K. p. 123.
Opficiarius Episcopi. The bishop's chancellor or official in
his court Christian. — Idem Yckelus ipsum abbatem ea de causa jam
in curiam cfiristianilatis coram officiario diocoesani prcedicti trahU
inplacitum, K. p. 328. t
Offi cinqs'* Wash-house, brew-house, and what we call out*
offices. — Capitale messuagium valet per annum cum tota inclausa
lis. et non plus, salua reprisa domorum et aliarum officinarum, K«
p. 314.
Opera. Works or services done by vassals or tenants in bon-
dage to the lord. — Johannes prcepositus tenet unam virgatam terrce
arabilis de Bardulpho,et debet opera quce valent quolibet anno xiiLr.
iv d. ob. q. K. p. 3 18. But servile tenants had their wives and their
shepbards excused from these labours. Vid. Pastor.
Operatic One day's work performed by such inferiour te-
nants. — Homines de Hedingdon facient Httgoni et hceredibus suis pro
qualibet virgata tern* sexdecim operationes, videlicet, uno die inter
feslum, &c. K. p. 320.
Opilio. A poor person or indigent beggar — Et in datis opilioni
de Crockwell in die S. Valentini martyris W.den. — et in datis duo-
bus opilionibus Wden. K. p. 578,
Ordeal. From*Sax. Op, great, and Dele, judgement. The old
judicial custom of proving the guilt, or attesting the innocence, of
parties accused, chiefly by water or hot iron. As Queen Emma
108 GLOSSARY.
submitted to the walking blinded and barefoot over nine hot plough-
shares laid at an unequal distance, and thereby purged herself from,
the charge of incontinence, K. p 53 . This was simply called Jm-
dicium in opposition to Bellum, duel or camp-fight, which was the
other custumary purgation : and neither of them was abolished by
Will. Conq.- though Sir W. T\ does so assert. Fid, Bellum. Ser-
vants or other deputies might undergo this trial in the cause and
name of their masters, especially of those lords who were bishops
and ecclesiastical men. As in time of Will. Rufus Remigius episc.
Lincoln, de regia proditione aliquando accusatus, sed famulus suus
ignitijudicio Jerri dominum purgans, regio amori restituit. Mat. Par.
sub an. 1085. — So Brien Fitz Count in his challenge to Henry bi-
shop of Winchester, an. 1 144, — Contra Henricum prcesto sum pro*
bare vel hello vel judicio per unum clericum, vel per unum laic urn,
K. p. 101.
Oedinarius. He that has the ordinary jurisdiction in eccle-
siastical matters, as the bishop of a diocese, &c. Richardus de
Gravesend quondam Lincolnice episcopus loci illius ordinarius, et ad"
vocatus prcedictoe abbatice, K. p. 351.
Ordines. A general chapter, or other solemn convention of
the religious of such a particular order. — Et in solutis frairibus Ro-
berto Lawton et Willielmo Meriton pro suis expensis versus ordines
existentes apud Hygham- Ferrers antefestum S. Mickaelis hoc anno
vii. sol. K. p. 576*
Ordinum Fugitivi. Those of the religious who deserted their
houses, and renounced their orders in contempt of their oath and
other duty. The favouring and protecting such fugitives was
charged on Thomas earl of Lancaster. — Ordinum fugitivos, legisque
transgressoreSy ne lege plecterentur, pertinaciter fovere , K. p. 388.
P.
Pakthbed. Pack-thread. From old Teuton. Pack, a bundle $
Packen, to make up a load or burden. Hence a, Pack-horse, a Pack-
saddle, a Pack-needle, to Pack up, a Packer of cloath, to Pack
away, &c. And possibly from hence the Sax. Pocca, Island. Poke,
Eng. Poke or bag, and Poket or Pocket. In the east riding of
Yorkshire Poke is the general word applied to all measures, as a
Met- poke, a three bushelPoke, &c. Perhaps from Pack or Packed
inay come by abbreviation a Pad or bundle, a Pad of straw, to Pad
or to bind up. But a Pad or horse, and a Padder or high-way man,
are more plainly from the Sax. Paab, a path or way. — Et in octo
snoden de Pakt fired emptis ibidem pro quodam reli faciendo, K.
p/574.
GLOSSARY. 100
Palafredus, Palfridus. A Lat. Paraveredus, a Palfry or sad*
die-horse. This was commonly part of the fine or composition
with the king for seisin or livery of an estate. Richard d*Camvill
gave two thousand marks and ten pal fries forthe inheritance of his
wife Eustace Basset, K. p. 167. Thi* seemed a remainder of the
old custom of paying the relief in horse and arms, as a proper badge
of military service, till in 27 Hen. II. there was a commutation
of mony for the arms, but the horses or part of them were still de-
livered in specie. A Palfry was part of the fine or penalty im-
posed for a transgression against the king. So Robert de Peesley
paid sixty marks and one Palfry, to be reconciled to the king for the
otfence of marrying without the king's consent, K. p. 161. A
Palfry was paid to the king for license to obtain a trial for the right
of lands, — Abbas de Egneskam debet unum palefridum pro habenda
recognitione duodecim legalium hominum, K. p. 168. At the death
of every bishop and abbat who held in barony, a Palfry of the de-
ceased was part of the heriot to the king, — Obiit abbas de Oseneia,
petiit escaetor ad opus domini regis cupam et palefridum died abba-
tis, X. p. 330.
Parous. A Park. From Fr. Pare or Parque, or rather Sax.
Peannoc and Peappuc, an inclosure. John Ross of Warwick as-
. serts the first park in England to have been made by Hen. I. at
Woodstock, an. 1119, K. p. 87. But Spelman proves from the
Doomsday-book and other authorities, there were parks in the time
of the Saxons, who called them Dejiejralb, i. e. Deer-fold. Par-
cagium was a contribution paid by adjoining tenants toward repair
of the walls, pales, or other mounds* of a park. Operationes Par-
corum were so many days work for that purpose. An exemption
from this duty was granted as a special privilege to the tenants
within the honor of Walingford, — ut quieti sint de operationibus
castellorum et — parcorum, K. p. 114.
Pandoxatus, Pandoxata, Pandoxator, Pandoxatrix. An Inn-
keeper, or Alehouse-keeper, from Gr. UavSoxslov, Hospilium, —
Et in cervisiis videlicet exxxii. lagenis et dimidia etnptis de Johanna
Spinan, Alicia Bedale, et aids pandaxatis, ut patetper bullam Iv.sqL
x. den. K- p. 574.
Parroc. Sax. Peajinoc, a Par rock, Padd ck, or Puddock, a
small Park or enclosure near a house or chief seat for the conveni-
ence of securing deer, to be turned out and hunted. In the dona-
tion of Gilbert Basset to the priory of Burcester, — Duce acrce et
dimidia quce vertuntur in Parroc, K. p. 136. Whence a Pattock
or Paddock-course.
- Parcella Honoris vel Manerii. When one parish or hamlet
pertains to another honor or mannor as a part or parcel of it — Jo~
110 GLOSSARY.
• hannes de la Vache — seisiius de m&nerio de HohenorUm, cum parti"
nentiis. — Johannes Trillowe seisitus de Chesterton in dominico suo ut
defeodomnde prcedictus locus est parcella, K. p. 580. Terra et bos-
ats in Rytherfield Gtey. ienentur de ablate de Abingdon ut parcellum
defeodo de Padenale, K. p. 617. It was to this Parcelling of ba-
ronies and manners that it now happens we have part of one pa*
• rish remote and incompast in another ; and whole parishes belong-
ing to one county lie out of the common extent, and within the very
bowels of some other county.
Parochia. The word to be understood a Diocese not a Parish
in that expression, — Honorius provinciam suam in parochias divisit,
K. p. 58(5. The beginning and gradual advauce of parishes and par
rish churches, K. p. 587-
Parochianus. A compellation given by a bishop to any person
living within his diocese and jurisdiction, — Alexander Lincolniensis
episcopus Guidoni de Charing parochiano suo, K. p. 90.
Particula. A slip or small parcel. Simon de Gerardmulin
gave to the abby of Missenden the chappel of Holy Cross at Pi-
dington, and — quatdam particulam nemoris quce est inter eandem
cdpellam et netnus de Brunette, K. p. 108.
Pasnage, Pannage, Panonage. Lat. Pastio, Pastionaticum,
Pasttnaticum, Pasnagium, Pannaghtm. From the Fr. Pasnag, Lat,
Pasco, the feeding of hogs : or from the old Eng. Pawns, t. e. the
mast of beech and oak, and fruit of other forest trees. Cowel gives
it a much harder derivation from Fr. Panez or Panels, the root of
wild parsnip. And it is no less absurd in Dr. Skinner to deduce it
from the Fr. Pain, or Lat. Panis y bread or other food. Pannagium
had a double acceptation, first for the running and feeding of hogs
within a forest : secondly, for the price or rate paid for their so
running. Liberum out quietum pannagium, was free Pannage, or
liberty of hogs running within the limits of such forest or woods ;
a privilege granted to some private persons, and to several religious
houses. Aubry earl of Damarun confirmed to the abby of Missen-
den the hermitage of Musewell, — et pasnagium quietum dt suis
dominicis porcis, K. p. 131 . Sir William Fitz-Elias granted to Ali-
cia de Maydvvell — hey bo (urn et housbotum in dominicis boscis de
Ahle ad por cartas suas faciendas ubi sibi placuerit, et ad habendos
porcos suos quietos de pannagio, K. p. 259. Gilbert Basset granted
to his new priory at Burcester — quietantiatn de pasnagio, K. p. 135.
The price of Pannage within the liberties of the abby of Battle,
com. Suss, was two-pence for every hog of full age. So at Esta-
ples in Picardy, two-pence for every grown hog, and two denier s
for a little hog, (which young bog of the first year we call in Kent
a Sheat, and in Sussex a Shote) to be .paid on St. Andrew's day.
GLOSSARY. Ill
In Scotland the tithe or tenth hog was paid for Pannage : as in
those forest laws, — Iste autem est modus'pannagii, videlicet de qua*
libet cindre, id est.de decern porcis, rex habebit meliorem porcum, et
forestarius unum hogastrum. This custom obtained in England,
and was here called Tack, — DmbiPpannagium vocatum Tacky vide*
licet, pro decern porcis unum porcum meliorem, et si non hahetde-
■cem, dabit domino decimum denarium porcorum suorum cum appre-
tiati Juerint per vicinos suos. Ex Lib. Baron ise de Shereborn MS,
•In 19 Hen. III. the four agistors within the forest of Bernwode
were obliged to take care of the running hogs from Holy Rood day
•to fourty days after Michael mass, and then to take the Pannage of
one farthing for every hog, K. p. 21 9: If the Pannage were not
duely paid, there was a process from the Exchequer, and #Btraint
by the sheriff,-— Quia constat per inspectionem rotulorum de Scacca-
rio—debent de pannagio — Mawdatum estvieecom. ut distringat ip*
sos vel hceredes vel tenentes terras eorum ad reddendas regi portiones
ipsos contingentes de prcedictis denariis, K. p. 259. The tithe of
Pasnage was sometimes alienated from the parish priest to the ap-
propriators. As the tithe of Pannage at Musewell within the parish
-of Ambrosden was granted to the abby of Missenden as a part of
the endowment of their cell or hermitage of Holy Cross at Muse-
-well, K. p. 75. And so confirmed by William king of Scots, 13
Hen. II. — cum tota decima de dominio de Pedyngtbn in omnibus
rebus quco decimari debent, et de decima de padsnagio, K. p. 124.
Passagium. A tribute or toll paid by travellers or passengers
for the repair and maintenance of some road or passage : from
which contribution some were by special privilege exempted. As
King Hen. II. granted to the tenants and traders within the honor
of Walingford,— Ut quieti sint de thelonio, pontagio, pass agio, —
K. p. 114.
Passagium. A channel or d'ke cut for .a water' course on' the
side of a river, or a weer for fish. So Wido de Meriton to the
Knights Templars, — Dedi — omnes percaptutas quasfratres incebe*
runt versus me in faciendo passagium suum, K. p. 120. *
Pastor. A Shepard. When inferiour tenants were obliged to
bring themselves and their whole family to do work and services
for the lord, an exceptidfr was made of their wives and their shep-
herds, as also of the cow-herds : for this reason, that the first might
alway attend their houses, and the other their flocks and herds.
So the tenants in Hedingdon, — tribus diebus autumpno metent bla-
da domini sump lib us ejusdem domini, primo scilicet die cum omnibus
famulis suit, exceptis uxoribus et pastoribus suis, K. p. 320. — Cum
totafamilia sua prceter uxorem suam, K. p. 401. — Sunt ibi sexde*
dm cotarii, quorum alii sunt bubulci domini, alii sunt pastor es, qui
112 GLOSSARY.
si non esscnt, deleret quillbet unum opus singulis septirtianis per art*
num. Cartul. Abbat. Glaston. MS. f. 40.
Patronus. The advocate or patron of a church, who had Air
Patronatus the right of advouson, which was at first acquired by
endowing a parochial church at tfce foundation of it with manse
and glebe, which endowment was generally made by the lord of
the mannor, to which piety we owe the original of Lay Patrons,
K. p. 222. The Patrons for a mark of honour had precedence in
their own churches, and in all solemn processions, within the limits
of the parish, wherein they had a right of carrying the chief flag,
or first colours, K. p. 425, 507. No other lay men but the pa-
tron only was to be admitted within the bars or partition of the
cbancej from the nave of the church, in time of divine service.
j4d hcec adjicimus ne laid stent vel sedeant inter clericos in cancello
dum divina ibidem celebrantur, nisi forte ob reverentiam vel aliam
ration a bil em causam et manifest am. Hoc solum patronis permitti-
tur. Constit. Rob. Episc. Line. MS.
Pax firma. Peace and freedom from arrest, or any other- mo-
lestation. Henry bishop of Winchester to Brien Fitz-Count lord
of Walingford. — Firmam pacem omnibus adferiam meam venienti-
bus a vobis et vestris dari qucesierim, K. p. 1 00.
Pec i a, Petia. A Piece or small parcel of ground.— Cam dua-
bus pedis — dictce terrce pertinentibus, K k p. 240, Whence to Piece
and to Patch..
Peltys. Lat. Pelves. Pelts or sheep. skins when the wool ia
off. Germ. Peltx. Hence the Pelt-rot, when sheep dye of po-
verty or ill keeping. Pelt in falconry is the skin of a fowl stuft,
or any carcase of a dead fowl thrown to the hawks. — Computant
de tribus solidis % uno denario, ob. receptis de xv. Peltys bidentum de
stauro necatarum in hospitio inter tonsuram etftstum S. Michaelis^
K. p. 572. The Lat. Peltis was in Sax. Fael and pelt, whence our
Fell monger who dresses the skins. A Felt or hat made of courser
wool. Pelvis in old Eng. a Pelt, was likewise a leathern bag made
of sheep skin, in which they carried salt, &c— Homines de Dukele-
church deb en t habere unum baconem de tribus solidis, et duos caseos,
et duas pelves pi en as salts, et duas summas de ligno. Cartul. Abbat*
Glaston. MS. f. 40. ««
Pentecostalia. Pentecostals or Whitsun-contributions, that
were allotted to the bishops, and are still paid in some few dioceses:
pf which the first occasion was possibly owing to the oblations
made to the cathedral church at that season of the year, K p. 597*
Percaptura. A wire, a fishery, or place in a river made up
for the better convenience of preserving and taking-fish. Of which
kind there were several artificially contrived in most waters- and
GLOSSARY. 1 13
streams. So Wtdp de Meriton granted to the Knights Templars
Omnes percapturas quds fratres inceperunt versus me in facierido
passagium suum, K. p. 120.
Pertica. A Perob, which in the reign of King John was the
measure of twenty foot, and was the same as Virga, — Qucelibet
virga, unde quarantance mensurabuntur, erit viginti pedum. Mon.
Ang. torn. 3. p. 16. So in 33 Edw. I. — quadragenas unam acras
et unam rodam et dimidiam per perticas viginti pedum, K. p. 350.
But now commonly a Perch, a Rod, a Pole, in Wiltshire a Log, is
sixteen foot and a half in length, whereof fourty in length and four
in breadth make one acre of ground. Yet there is no such fixt
standard, but that it differs by custom in several counties.
Picagium. Picage. A custom or duty paid at fairs and markets
for breaking the ground and pitching of stalls and standings. From
Lat. Pica, Fr. Pic, Eng. Pick, Pick-ax, and in Sussex a Pitch, old
Eng. Pekois. Whence to Pjck, or Peck, a Picker, a Pecker, to
Pitch down, to Pitch up, a Pitch-fork, in Wiltshire a Pick, a soul-
dier's Pike, a Peek or high top, as a woman's Peak, the Peak of
Derby, &c. To have a Pique or quarrel, to be Piquant, &c.~
King Hen. II. granted to the tenants within the honor of Waling-
ford — ut quietisint de thelonio, pontagio, passagio, et.piccXgio, K.
p. 114. The profit of Picage was generally granted in charters for
the holding a fair or market, \Q Hen. VI. Rex concessit Roberto
Brook — picogium, stallagium, bothagium, et tollagium, una cum **>
sisa pants et cervisue de novo mercato infra villain de Burcester,
K. p. 680.
Pietantia. A Pjetance or Pittance, or allowance of bread and
beer, or other provision to any pious use, especially to the religious
for an augmentation of their commons,— -Quos quidem quatuor
soiidos — attornavi ad unam pietantiam in conventu Oseneiensi annw
atim in perpetuum in die anniversarii met obitus pro anima mea,
K. p. 283. From the Lat. Pietas comes our Pitty, which Duglass
calls Ptetie, thence Petans, Piteous, Pitiful, &c.
Pi sca r i a . A Fishery, or Were, wear or wire, Sax . J?«p. Ber-
nard de S. Walery granted to the nuns of Godestow,— imam pisca*
riam de Werehama, K. p. 128.
Placia. A Place or plat of ground, commonly the site of a
bouse or other buildings. In Yorkshire and Lancashire a Plack,
from Sax. Plaece. Whence the court or principal seat in a village
is in several parts of England called the Place, and Place-house.
Yngeram de Kirtlinton gave to the prior and canons of Burcester,
— totam Mam placiam quce se extendit, — K. p. 208, — cum quadam
placia terrce, K. p.*268.
Placitum. A Plea, Suit, or Trial. Whence Pleas of the crown,
1 1 4 GLOSSARY.
common Pleas, Pleading, Pleader, kc. Placitum motumfuit inter
dictos re/igiosos et nos, K. p 285. In Placitum trahere, To pro-
secute or cite into any court of justice. Idem Ychelus ipsum abba"
tem ea de causa jam in curiam christiani talis coram officiario dicece-
sani pr/pdicti trahit in placitum, ipsum multipliciter ibidem inquie-
tando, K. p. 328 Placitum conventionis , A composition or final
agreement of a depending suit by mutual compact, — Undeplacitum
conventionis sump turn Juit inter eos in eadem curia, scilicet quod
prcedktiy tsfc K. p. 286. Concordia facta in curia domini regis-—
unde placitum conventionis sumptum Juit inter eos in eadem curia,
K. p. 321.
Planum. Plain or open ground, opposed to woods and coppices.
—Communionem pastures tarn in bosco quam in piano, K. p. 76.
— In viis et plants, in aquis et molendinis, K. p. 187. Hence a
Plane or instrument of Planing, a Plat, Plot, or smooth place, the
Plan or Plat- form of a building. A Plate, Platter, a Plash of water,
to Plash or cut. down, Plat-footed, &c. And what we now call
the Blade of a sword or knife, was formerly termed the Plat.
Plebania. A mo her church with depending chappels, thus
defined by the old canonists, — Plebania est aliud genus beneficii, et
majusq'uam rettoria, habetsubse cape/ las. et dignitatem esseputant
interpret es. Syntag. Juris. 1 15, cap. 24 K. p. 589.
Plows ho. The plate of iron that is a shoe or defence to the
bottom of the plough, as wheels are said to be Shod or Shoed,
when they are guarded with iron, - Pro uno vomereet una cultura
et dimidia Toughe cum uno Plowsho emptis xxiii. den. K. p. 549.
A Plough, by the Alemans called Pluck and J*lug f by the Danes
Ploug, by the Dutch Ploeg, by the Anglo Saxons Sul, whence the
aratrum now in Wiltshire is called a Sullow, and the word Plough
is there attributed to any pther waggon or carriage. But no question
the Saxons had likewise the word Plucce for a Plough, and their
Pluccian, our to Pluck, was originally to draw or pull along the
Plough, which by metaphor was applied to any other sort of
plucking or pulling. To this we owe a Plug or piece of wood to
stop a hole, and to be Plugged or pulled out at pleasure.
Plurality of Ecclesiastical Benefices. This corruption so great
in the reign of Edw. I. that Bogo de Clare rector of St. Peter's
within the city of Oxford, was presented by the earl of Glocester
to the church of Wiston, com. Northamp. and obtained leave to
bold it with one church in Ireland, and fourteen other churches in*
England, all which benefices were valued at 238/. 6s. Sd. K. p. 292.
Pontagium. Pontage, a toll or custom paid by travellers or
passengers over a bridge toward the repair ancHnaintenance of it.
King Hen. II. granted to the tenants and traders within the honor
GLOSSARY. 115
of Walingfbrd and Bercamsted — ul quieti sint de thelonio, ponta-
gio, passagio. &c. K. p. 114. This privilege some donors called
Pontcm Liberum t as to the prior and canons of Burcester at their
mill iri Kirtlington, — Concessi etiam dictis canonicis quod habeant
pontem liberum ultra aquamad bladum cariandum, K. p. 201. It
is a good pious custom that still obtains in Ireland, where the natives
at passing over any bridge, pull off their hats, or give some other
token of respect, and pray for the soul of the builder of that bridge*
Pontium operationes. The custurnary service of work and
labour done by inferiour tenants for making and repairing of
bridges ; from which servile duty some persons were by special
privilege exempted, as the tenants within the honor of Walingford
were, — quieti de operationibus castellorum et pontium, K. p. 1 14.
Porcus. A Swine, Sax. Spyn, a Hog, called a Porker, espe-
cially in those counties where sheep of the first or second year are
called Hogs, and Hoggrels. — Dare porcos in bosco, to grant pan-
nage or free running of hogs in such a wood or forest, — Ego Bi-
cardus le Bigod de Merston dedi canonicis de Nuttele quadraginta
porcos in bosco meo, K. p. 220.
Porcoria, called in Lindwood Porcitecum. A Hogstie, which
in the North is called a Swinhull, and a Swine-crae. In the woods
and forests where the hogs run for pannage, there were several of
those Porcoria? or huts, where the Swine-herds at night secured
their drove of hogs. — Concessi Alicia: heybotum et housbotum in do-
minicis bqscis meis de Acle ad faciendas porcorias suas in boscis prce-
dictis, K. p. 259- — In manerio de Dorcestre—suntma reddituum por-
coriarum et bercariarum sifuerint ad fir mam vs. \\d. K. p. 354.
Pobtmota. Sax, Pojtt- gemote, a Portmote, Port-meeting, or
convention of the inhabitants of a port or borough, in which some
custurnary dues were paid to the lord of the fee. The prior and
bursar of Burcester in 3 Hen. VI. accounted — defirma maneriiM
Clyfton — cum extentis curiarum, portmotis, et tolnetofori, K.p.570.
Postulatio. A Postulation made upon the unanimous elect-
ing of any person to a dignity or office, of which he is not capa-
ble by the ordinary canons or statutes, without special dispensation.
So a chapter postulated for a bishop actually possest of another see.
And the religious postulated for a prelate to be taken from another
convent. — Johannes supprior de Berencester a canonicis de Chet-
wode postulatur, K. p. 257- An election could be made by a
majority of votes, but a postulation must have been Nemine contra-
dicente.
Potagium. Pottage or liquid broth, of which Porridge and Pos-
set are evidently corruptions, though Dr. Skinner violently fetches
Porridge from Lat. Porrus, an onion, because forsooth the Romans
i2
116
GLOSSARY.
put leeks in their broth ; and Pomet from the Fr. Poser, to settle,
because the curdled or coagulated parts do fix or settle. It is pittj
men's wit should be so much above their judgement. — From hence
a Porringer or Pottage-dish, formerly called a Pottenger, and the
smaller continent which we now call a Pipkin was formerly a Pos-
oet. The appropriators were sometimes so liberal as to allow peas-
porridge to the \ icar. So the prior and canons of St. Frideswide
to the vicar of Oakle, — unum quarterium pisarmm de metiorUms
dicti manerii sui pro potagio sua, K. p. 455.
Pmatdnculum. A ham or little meadow, which word Mea-
dow, Sax. GCeoe, Fr. Junius derives from the old Teuton. Modem,
to mow. and says the Danes call a Mede or Meadow Mease, the
Dutch May- land* and the old Frisians Mitde Gilbert Basset in
bis foundation charter to the priory of Burcester, gives — qSuddam
pratunculum quod vocatur Hamma, K p. 135.
Pa abb k da. A Prebend, an endowment in land, or pension in
money, givt n to a cathedral or conventual church m prtebendam,
ft. e. for a maintenance of a secular priest or regular canon, who
was a Prcebendary as supported by the said Prebend. Twelve shil-
lings per an. was given out of the manner of Hedingdon for a Pre-
bend in the conventual church of Oseney, and was continued a
rent charge upon the whole manner, K. p. 334. Ecctesia Prcebeu-
da&St a church appropriated to a cathedral or religious house, the
profits whereof were assigned for a prebend either in gross to the
whole society, or to some particular member. — Prior et conventus
de Burncester dimiserunt ecclesiam prebendaiem de Soiton cum ou
pella de Bokyngham, K. p. 342. Prcebenda in profane and com-
mon acceptation was any sort of allowance or provender for cartel.
As the prior and canons of St. Frideswide gave to the vicar of
Oakle duo quart eria frumenti pro prebendu equi sui, et deczmam
foeni de Lathmede pro for agio suo, K. p. 455. — Vxcarius de Bur-
cester habebit Jbenum et prebendam ad equum unum de primal*,
K. p. 559.
Pjuecsptoria. A Preceptory, or commanderie. As the larger
monasteries had their remote country cells which were subordinate
to the mother house of religion : so the Knights Templars and Hos-
pitalers sent part of their fraternity to some country cell governed
by a preceptor or coramandour, and thence called a Precepiorie
or Commauderie, all which were subject and accountable to the
prime body who bad their principal seats in London. So the pre-
cepiorie of Sandford com. Oxon. — Hoc factum est tempore fratris
Juhannis existentis prceceptoris de Covele, K. p. 121.
PuMPOhiTVs Manerii. The bayliff or steward of a mannor, who
was to collect the rent*, to levy distresses, to prevent tr e spasses, to
GLOSSARY., 1 1 7
keep the peace, and to do all the offices of equity and right between'
the lord and tenants. — Computavit Johannes Canon propositus de
Clifton de tnanerio de Clifton, K. p. 287- — Sibilia fiiia Wdlteri
filii propositi de Pyria, K, p. 327. — Nicholaus propositus de By->
gen hull, K. p. 202, 203 This provost or steward of a mannor was
elected by all the tenants at the lord's court, and there took an oath
of impartial fidelity in his office. So 17 Edw, III. Omnis status
de Wrechwyke elegerunt Hugonem Kyng ad officium propositi, et
jut amentum suscepit, K. p. 456. Part of his office was to take into
the lord's hands such lands as the tenant through poverty was not
able to occupy, — Jufati dicunt quod uxor ejus (i. e. Thomo Bavard
natwi domini t en en t is domini de Wrechwyhe) non potest tenere pr&-
dicta messuagium et ten am propter pauper tatem, ita ut propositus
possit capere in manibus domini prodicta messuagium et terram,
K. p. 458. The clergy or secular priests were sometimes elected
into this office, till they were restrained by ecclesiastical authority,
as particularly by the constitutions of Robert Grosthead bishop of
Lincoln. — IValterus Hardy clericus eft propositus domini, et pro-
stitit sacramentum ad officium propositi bene etfideliter faciendum,
K. p. 470.
Pr^bstatio. A payment. — Prodicti prior et conventus Burn*
cestro omnia onera or dinar ia et extraordinaria et omnes prosta-
tiones ratione dictarum decimarum semper sus tine bunt, K. p. 344. '
Precaria. A Bedrep, or day of custumary work and labour
done to the lord by his servile tenants, especially in the time of
harvest.-— *Vvrgata terro ejusdem conditionis faciei tres precarias in
autumpno, videlicet precariam sine prundio cum tribus hominibus,
et unam precariam sine prandio cum uno homine, K. p. 401. — Ali-
cia quofuit uxor Richardi le Grey—faciet tres precarias in autttmp*
no sine cibo, K. p. 402. The tenants who thus paid their boundea
service to the lord, besides their ordinary meals and repasts, had a
more solemn entertainment at the end of harvest, when they came
to the couit or seat of the lord, cum toto ac plena dyteno, t. e. in a
full body to sing harvest-home. Which is the original of our now
obtaining custom, though the reason of it is altered. This treat
given now to the tenants and labourers is in Kent at the end of
wheat- harvest, and is called a Whetkin : but in these midland parts
it is at bringing in the latest corn, and is termed a Harvest-home.
Fid. Bedrepium.
Presbyter. The parish priest in opposition to the capellane or
curate. — Hiis testibus, Walter capellano de Heyfyrd, Wattero pres-
bytero de Meriton, K. p. 121. Fulcone presbytero de Meriton, K.
p. 122.
PRiso-pnis. A Prisoner. From Fr, Prendre. The tenants were
118 GLOSSARY.
lometimes obliged to maintain at their own charge all prisooets
who were apprehended within the extent of their own mannor.
Homines de Hedingdon omnes prisones qui infra dictum manerhtm
capieniur sumptibus propria* custodient, K. p. 320.
Pkocusabb. To provide for, or to entertain. In all the
churches appropriated to the abby of Oseney, — Canonici ipsi vica-
rio invenient clericum et garconetn, quos in omnibus suis expensis
procurabunt, K. p. SOI.
Phocuratio. A pecuniary sum or composition paid to'an or-
dinary or other ecclesiastical judge, to commute for the provision
or entertainment which was otherwise to have been procured for
him. A procuration of two marks paid to the bishop for conse-
crating a church. — Nos ecclesiam de Elsefeld— dedicasse, et recepisse
a procurator e rectoris dicta ecclesia: duos marcas nomine procurati-
onis ratione dedicationis eccletice, K p. 515. In 3 Hen. VI. the
prior and bursar of the convent of Burcester accounted — pro pro-
curatione convocationis cleri tentce London ante natate Domini hoc
anno ix. den, Et in solutis pro prccuratione dom'mi papce vii. sol.
ii. den. Et in solutis domino archidiacono Oxon. pro procurations
ecclesue parochialis Burcester hoc anno vii sol. vii. den. ob. q. K.
p. 573* The archdeacon s procuration was commonly laid upon
the appropriators, yet often injuriously thrown back upon the vicar.
—Ctetera onera ipsius ecclesue (i. e. de Ambrosden) ordinaria
subeat vicarius prcedictus, prceter procurationem archidiaconi, quam
iidem religiosi solvent in/uturum, K. p. 43!.
Phocuratorium. The Procuratory or instrument by which a
person or persons did constitute or delegate their proctor to repre-
sent tbem in an ecclesiastical court or cause.— -Tenor veto procura-
torii dktorum religiosorum, K. p. 584.
• Procuratores Ecclesue Parochialis* Church-wardens who
were to act as proxies and representatives of the church for the true
honour and interest of it. — Johannes Peris sen. et Johannes Baily
procuratores ecclesue parochialis de Acle, K. p. 562.
Procursus bestiarum inforesta The walk, or range, or'run-
ning, for deer and other beasts in a forest. — The jury found it
would be a prejudice to assart, s. e. to grub and cultivate, two
acres of land upon Fernburst within the forest of Bernwode, — quia
si essent assartaUe, bestue amitterent procursus suos ad transversum
forestce, K. p. %4Q.
Prohibitio. A Prohibition, or writ from the king in behalf of
one prosecuted in the court Christian, upon an action or cause be-
longing or pretended to belong to the temporal jurisdiction. — John
.de Pydington had a prohibition against William vicar of the church
of Little-BrickhUl, 20 Edw. I. K. p. 3 18. This liberty of suing a
GLOSSARY. 119
prohibition wasexpresly renounced in some covenants between the
religions. — Renuntiantes tn hoc facto omnibus impellationibus super
hoc ha litis, appellationibus, in integrum restitutioni, regiw prohi-
bition, et omni alii remedio, K. p. 344.
Provincia. A Diocese. — In provincia Alexandri Lincoln. epi~
scopi, K.p. 93. *
Protect! o. A writ of Protection was given to religious houses,
and to particular priests for contributing freely to the king. — Ex
hac causa libentius providere volentes suscepimus in protecdonem et
defensionem nostram specialem prcefatum Radulphum et singulos de
prcedicto Radulpho homines, terras, res, redditus, et omnes posses-
stones ejusdem,' K. p. 323, 329.
Pullanus, Pullus. A colt or young horse, by Chaucer caHed
a Stod, as now in the North a Stot, Sax. Steba and Stob, Eng.
Steed, — duo pullani foemini (t. e. two mare colts) quatuor boves,
&c. K. p. 287* Tres pulli masculi, unusfoeminus, K. p. 288.—
De octo solidis receptis de uno pullano vendito per Johannem Deye
apud Bucks. K. p. 571.' Sex pulli et tres equulce, et unus equulus
de duobus annis, et duo pulli de uno anno, K. p. 38 From the
Lat. Pullus came the Sax. Folle, old Eng. Phully, now Filly, a*
young colt, or in some parts only the mare colt. In a team, the
horse which goes in the rods is commonly called the Fillar and the
Fill-horse. It is a sorry ignorance in. M in shew to derive Filly, a
colt, from Film, a daughter. And a very learned man could only
trifle on this word. — FUlie,recepto scepe nomine generosioribus qui"
htsdam AngUs dictiur equa prceter cceteras adamata. Fortasse ni-
mirum aliquis eauulm sua* adblandiens ^iXijv olim dixerit, atqu€
inde remanserit hcec denomination Fieri quoque potest eos equulam
prcectpue in deliciis habitam Phillie nuncupdsse, ab Mo Pnyllidos
nomine, quod perdith dilectis amicabus passim tribuuntimpotentiores
amasii. Fr. Junius tn voce Phillie.
Purpars. Fr. Pour part, pro parte A Purparty, or that part
or share of an estate, which being held in common bycoparteners,
is by partition allotted to any one of them. — Inquisitio de fueredi*
tate jjlargaretce et Elizabethan— liberes, habendainpurpariem ipsius
Elizabethan, K. p. 502.
Putta. Sax. Piece, a Pit, Stone-pjt, Chalk-pit, &c. . From
Puteus, a well, or rather Putus 9 little. Una in Crocwell-Jurhtng
qua? jacet ad puttam inter terram Johannis le Palmer, &c. K. p.
186. This in the broad country tone is still called a Putte. Stane-
puttes, the Stone-pits, K. p. 397. Hence by metaphor Lat. and
Ital. Putta, Fr. Putte, a whore, and Putagium, in old Eng. Putre,
fornication on the woman's side. As now in London a Buttock
or Puttock is a plain dealing whore, opposed to a File or pick poo
120 GLOSSARY.
ket whore. In the North a Pottock-candle is the least in the
pound, put in to make weight, called in Wiltshire a Pissing candle,
in Kent a Make- weight.
Quadrarium. A Quarry, or stone-pit. Fid. Carrum. *
Qua rente* a. A Quarantine, a Fourty long, or Furlong. From
the Fr. Quarente, fourty. A measure of fourty perches. Quaren-
tana veto quadraginia perticis. Mon. Ang. torn. 1. p. 313. In
which computation the perch was twenty foot. Queelibet vbrga
wide quarentena mensurabuntur, erit v'tgtnti pedum, Mon. Ang.
torn. 3. p. 16. In the Doomsday survey, it was the usual mensu-
ration of wood-land. So in Burcester there was — Silva unius qua*
renterue longUudine et unius latitudine, K. p. 65. A Quarentine
was also the space of fourty dajs, wherein any person coming from
foreign parts infected with the plague, was not permitted to land
or come on shore, till he bad performed his Quarentine, or fourty
days were fully expired. A Quarentine was likewise a benefit al-
lowed by the law of England for the widow to continue in her hus-
band's chief mansion-house (if it were not a castle) for the space
of fourty days after his decease.
Quarter i um. A Quarter, a seam, or eight bushels of corn. —
Tria quarteriajrumenti, tria qunrteria avenarum, et unum quarte-
riumfabarum, K. p. 291. Fid. Sum ma.
Querela. An action preferred in any court of justice, in which
the plamifF was called Querens, and his breve, complaint or de-
claration, wa« Querela, whence our Eng. Quarrel. Quietos esse a
querelis was to be exempted from the custumary fees paid to the
king or lord of a court for the purchasing a liberty to prefer such
an action. But more usually to be exempted from fines imposed
for common trespasses and defaults. So King Hen. II. to Bernard
de S. Walery, — Terns sues sint quietce de omnibus placitis et que-
relis, exceptis murdredo.et latrocinio, K. p. 123. — Quaiuor fudas
apud Cestreton liberas et quielas ab omnibus querelis excepto piur-
dredo et danegeldo, K. p. 403.
Quietus. A writ of discharge granted to those barons and
knights, who personally attended the king in any foreign expedi-
tion, and were therefore exempted from the claim of scutage, or
a tax on every knight's fee. So Gilbert Basset had his writ of
Quietus in 2 King John for seven knights fees within the honor
of Walingford, K. p. 162.
Quintan, by the French termed Quintain* by the old English
Quintane and Whintane, now commonly corrupted into QotaftU.
GLOSSARY. 1 21
At first a Roman military sport, still retained in those parts of En-
gland which lay adjacent to the Roman garrisons and ways > and
now made a custumary sport at weddings, K.p. IS.
R.
Raises. The northern term for the Risings, the barrows or
hillocks raised for the burial of the dead, K. p. 37* They use like-
wise in the northern parts near Scotland a Ra^m-raise to signifie-
the motion of stepping backward for the better advantage of taking
a leap forward*
Rba or Jiey, an appellative for a river, whence Suthrey, the
county on the south-side of the river Thames, K. p. TJ. The small
rivulet that runs through Burcester and cross Otmoore, is called the
Rea or Rey : which in Lat. was termed Bunts, whence Burcester
Bury-end or River-end, in opposition to King's-end. And in
Bury-end feld there was Schort-reye-croft, Nether-reye-croft,
and Over-reye-croft, K. p. 536. So St. Marie Overies on the.
South wark side of London.
Rscognitio. The impanel of a jury, or inquest of twelve or
more legal men, who were therefore called Recognitores. — Habere
recognitionem, to have a trial or verdict of jurors, for liberty of
which a fine was paid to the king, — Abbas de Egnesham debet unum
palefridum pro habenda recognitione duodecini legalium hominum
de vicineto de Er din ton, K.. p. 168. Recagnitio novce assisw, a new
Ulal.—Richardus de Camvill et Eustacia uxor ejus debent unam
marcam pro habenda recognitione novce assises, K. p. 173:
Rectum. Right of inheritance. Brien Fitz Count engaged to
serve Maud the empress,— Eaip. auxiliari rectum suum acqubrere
quod vi aufertur, K. p. 101. Right and satisfaction to be obtained
in a legaj course of justice. Alexander bishop of Lincoln to Guy
de Charing, — Ne pro recti veljustitue penuria amplius audiam cla-
mor em, K. p. 90. Fid. Brevb oe Recto.
Rector ia. The word used for a parsonage-house, even where
there was no instituted rector. As at Stratton-Audley a cbappel
appendant to Burcester and appropriated to that priory*— -Pro ca-
riagio albi straminis a rectoria de Stratton, K. p. 54Q.
Regardatorbs Foreslce. Those officers who were every year
upon oath to make a Regard, or take a view of the forest limits,
and enquire into all the damages and trespasses committed, and
present them in writing at the next swainmote or forest- court*
Manwood refers their institution to King Hen. II* but Spelman
believes the name at least was since given, and that in the reign of.
143 GLOSSARY.
Hen. II. they were called Custodies venationis. — Per s act amentum
omnium regardatorum et agittatorum, K. p. 209.
Regressus. A re-entry upon an estate past away, which was
commonly renounced in tbe charter of conveyance. Bernard de
S. Walery gave the site and advouson of Godstow to King Hen. II.
—//a quod neque ego neque hceredes met regression habeamus, vel
calumpniam aliquant versus aliquos de prcefato manerio, K. p. 127*
RfiLBviUM. A Relief or fine paid to the king by all who came
to tbe inheritance of lands held in capite or [by] military service, to
Relieve or as it were to redeem their estate, and obtain possession
of it. It consisted at first in horses and arms, till by the Assise of
Arms, 27 Hen. II. every man's armour was preserved for his heir,
and the Relief payable in money, of which the fixt rates were de-
termined by Magna Charta. An earl for his whole county one
hundred pounds. A baron for his whole barony one hundred marks.
A knight for his whole fee one hundred shillings 5 and so in pro-
portion, to be paid by every inheritor of an estate, at full age, the
heir male at twenty-one, female at fourteen. Thomas de S. Wa-
lery lord of Ambrose! en indebted to King John one hundred and
seventy marks for a Relief, K. p. 15Q. Sir William Fitz-Elias paid
one hundred shillings for bis Relief of one knight's fee in Oakle,
11 Hen. II. K p. 202. Tbe judges determined that William
Longspe should pay two hundred pounds for tbe Relief of two ba-
ronies, K. p. 24(5. One hundred pounds paid for tbe Relief of one
barony by Hugh de Plessett, 4J Hen. IN. K. p. 2(30. One hun-
dred pounds by Theobald de Verdon baron, K. p. 282. If the ba-
ron were beyond the seas at the time of his coming to full age, the
estate was by the king's special favour surrendered to his use, with
security given for paying a reasonable Relief at his return.— Cum
idem Henricus sit in transmarinis partibus, volentes ei gratiam fa-
cere, omnia prcedicta ipsi reddidimus, accepta securitate de xationa-
bili relevio, K. p. 469. Reliefs were payable not only to the king
as prime lord, but to all barons and knights by those tenants who
held under them by military service. This was chargeable on es-
tates of this tenure given to religious houses. As the priory of
Poghele in com. Berks, at the succession of every new prior paid to
Sir Ralph de Chesterton lord of the fee one hundred shillings for
the Relief of one knight's fee in Bettreton, K. p. 234.
Relevare. To pay such Relief and obtain possession of such
estate. Some custumary and servile tenants did Relieve or pay a
fine for renewment of a tenure on tbe death of the last possessor,
which in one virgate was double the rent, and four shillings over.
80 in the mannor of Hedingdon 20 Edw. I. Cum integrant virgo-
GLOSSARY. 123
«
tarn terra tenens decesserit, hcsres ejus per duplicatwnem sui redditus
annualis et per quatuor solidos ierminum ultra relevabit, et qui mi'
nus tenuerit de una virgata, ultra redditum suum duplicator*, mi'
nus det secundum quantitatem tenementi sui* K. p. 3 Ip.
. Religiosi. The Religious or all regulars of a religious order,
as opposed to lay men and to the secular clergy. Before the statute
of Mortmain, the nation was so sensible or the extravagant dona-
tions to the religious, that in the grant and conveyance of estates
it was often made an express condition, that no sale, gift, or assig-
nation of the premises should be made to the religious.-^- Tenenda
sibi et hceredibus suis, vet cuicunque vender e t dare, vet assignare to*
luerint, exceptis viris religiosis et Judcehs. »
Rep a stum. A Repast or meal. Unum Rep as turn, one meal's
meat given by custom to servile tenants* when they laboured' for
their lord. — Tenet in bondagio, et debet unam toedbedrip pro volun-
tale do mince, et habebit unum repastum, K. p. 401
Reprisa. The deductions and charges paid out of lands and
tenements to be allowed and excepted in the clear value of the es-
tate. — Capitate messuagium valet per annum cum tota inclausa
ii. sol. el non plus, satva reprisa domorum et aliarum officinarum,
K.p.3l4.
Res pectus. Respite or longer time. Se ponere in respectum,
To gain a continuance of term, or forbearance, in order to make
a better proof or defence in a cause depending.; — Robertus Prere et
Joshua Phelippes attachiati — se ponunt in respectum- quousque me*
litis poterit per fide dignos probari, K. p. 458.
Restitutio in integrum. A writ of restitution, to put a person
into repossession of such lands and tenements as whereof he had
been wrongfully disseised. The procuring such writ was ex-
presly renounced in some covenants of sale, the better to secure a
title to the purchaser. Renuntiantes in hoc facto omnibus impella-
tionibus super hoc habitis, appelkttionibus, in integrum restitutions,
tegiee prohibition^ &c. K. p. 344.
Restitutio Temporalium. AH bishopricks and abbies held in
capite upon every vacancy or death of a prelate, were taken as a
lapse in(o the king's hands by the eschaetor, who was to receive
the intermediate profits, and upon the election and confirmation of
a successor, a writ was issued out De Restituttone Temporalium.—
Abbas de Oseneia obiit 25 Edw. I. et ante res tit utionem temporalium
dictce abbatice successori dicti abbatis dictce domus electo factam,
petnt eschaetor ad opus domini regis cupam et palefridum, K. p. 330.
Retinbmentum. "Reserve. — Sine ullo retinemento- ad me trrf
hceredes meos pertinente, K. p. 162.
• Rotultjs Curiae* The court roll of the lord, in which the
1 24 GLOSSARY.
«
names, rents, and services of. the tenants were copied and enrolled/
Per rotulum curue lenere, by copy hold. — Matildis le Taillur tenet"
fer rotulum curia unum messuagium, K. p. 396.
Rotuli Placitorum.' Court records, or the register of trials,
judgements and decrees, in a court of justice. — Dicti homines prce-
missas conventiones in rotulit placitorum domini regis de anno supra*
dicto ad majorem securitatem inrotulari proairarurtt, K. p. 321.
Rudg*. The back or top of any thing, thence by metaphor ap-
plied to a hill or any ascent. As Asherugge, Mons Fraxineus, a
hill of ashes. From Sax. fcnrge, ttyick, Dan. Rye Hence a Rack
and Rick of hay or straw. A Rack of mutton, Dorsum ovile. A
Ridge of land. The Ridge of a house. Rugged or high -backed,
a Rug, Rough, Rough ings, Rigging or cloaths. To Rig or lade a
vessel. And in old Eng. the word Rigge was used for the back,
as Pierce Plough-man describes the pedlar with " a Pake at his
Rigge/' t. e. a pack at his back.
Rustici. Those Corls, Churls, Clowns, or inferiour tenants
who held cottages and land by the service of country work or hand-
labour. The land of such ignoble tenure was called by the Saxons
Gajollanb,as afterwards Socrage tenure, and was sometimes distin-
guish* by the name of Terra Rusticorum. So Gilbert Basset gave
to his priory of Burcester— > Unam virgatam terrte in Strattun col*,
lectam de terra rusticorum, quae datafuit in dote prcedictce capeUce,
K. p. 136.
S.
Sacbrdos. The parish priest, rector, or vicar, as distinguished
from his capellane or curate. So to the donation of the hermitage
of Musewell to the abby of Missenden, the witnesses are— JFf/fo-
elmus senex sacerdos de Burcester, cum Wtllielmo capellano suo 9 et
WUlielmo sacerdote de Jmbrosden, K. p. JQ. To a charter of Sir
Wido de Meriton to the Knights Templars. Testes donationis sunt,
Fulco sacerdos de Meriton, K. p. 1 2Q.
Sack amentum. An oath. The common form of all inquisi-
tions made by a jury of free and legal men; Qui dicunt super
(out per) sacramentum suum,. K p. 314. Whence possibly the
proverbial offering to take the Sacrament in affirming or denying,
was first meant of an oath.
Sacramentum Altar is. The sacrifice of the mass, or what we
now call the Sacra men t»of the Lord's Supper : for which commu-
nion, the bread and wine was provided by the priest out of the
ample offerings, and in appropriated churches this burden was)
often laid on the vicar. — Panem et vinum, pro sacramento altaris
GLOSSARY. 1 9S
vicarius illius ecclesue (t. e. de Meriton) propriis sumptilus exhibe-
bit, K. p. 483.
Sackilegium. Sacrilege, or an alienation to lay men and to
profane or common purposes of what was given to religious per-
sons and to pious uses. Our fore-fathers were very tender of in-
curring the guilt and scandal of (bis crime. And therefore when
the Knights Templars were dissolved, their lands were all given to
the Knights Hospitalers of Hierusalqm,-— Ne in pios usus erogata
contra donatorumvoluntatem in alios usus distraherentur, K. p. 390.
Salarium. A Salary. At first it signified the rent or profits of
a Sola or bouse. In Gastoigne they now call the seats of noble*
men Sales, as we do Halls. It afterwards stood for any wages or
annual allowance, — Qui quidem capeUanus et successor es sui nomine
ealarii sui recipient singulis annis in perpeluum omnimodaS decimas,
K. p. 66l. ,
Salt-Sylvbr. One penny paid at the feast of St, Martin by
the servile tenants to their lord, as a commutation for the service of
carrying their lord's salt from market to his larder. — In manerio de
Py din ton quilibet virgatarius dahit domino unum denarium pro
Salt- Sy her per annum ad dictum festum S. Martini, vel cariabunt
salem domini de foro ubi emptus fuerit ad lardarium domini, K.
p 496.
•Sarculabe. To weed standing corn. From Lat. Sarclum, Sur-
culum, a weeding- hook. — Tenentes de Hedingdon per duos dies in
quadragesima similiter arabunt, et herciabunt, et uno die postea sat*
culabunt blada domini ibidem, K. p. 320. — Et in solutis diversis ho*
minibus etfaeminis primo die Julii conductis adsarc'ulandum diversa
biada, ut patet per talliam, contra agillarium hoc anno xiv. soL
x. den. K. p. 576. Una Sarculatura, the service of one day's
weeding for the lord. — Tenet in bondagio, et debet unam aruram,
et unam sarculaturam, K. p. 401.— Alicia qvcefuit uxor Richardi
It Grey faciei unam sarculaturam, etunam wedbedripam, K.p.402.
Say. Silk. A Lat. Sericum, Ital. Seta, Teuton Seide, Sax. Si-
Dene. Whence oar Sattin, which yet Vossius deduces from Lat.
and Gr. 11»ion 9 as that from the Syriac Sadni. — Et in bolt rubei
Say propter anabatam faciendam iv. 50/. v'ui.den. K. p. 574.
Sassons. The corruption of Savons, a name by which the En-
glish were formerly called in contempt (as they still are by the
Webb) while they rather affected the name of Angles.
. Salicbtum. An Osier-bed, or low moist place on the bank of
ft river for the growth of osiers, willows, or withies. Sax. Fehjej,
old Eng. Wickers. Thence a Wicker basket, a Wicket or door
made of basket work. The Wicket or cross stick to be thrown
down by the ball at the game called Crickets, &c. Molendinum
126 GLOSSARY.
it KertiaUou am qtmiam partkula sulked, quct de meofeodo est,
K.p. 201.
A Scbaf. A measure of corn. Lat. Schapa, Schapkmla, & &a-
pha, a boat, or Scipp or Sciff. Sceppa sqHm, a quantity of salt. Moo.
Aog. torn. 2. p. 284. — Eight quarter and one sceap of wheat,
K. p. 604. Hence a basket is called a Skip or Skep in the south
parts of England, and a beehive is called a Beeskip.
Scuozbars. They seem to have been plough- wheels, from
Sax. Scor, Shoes, and Gjuan, to plough or ear. — Et in no pari ro*
tarum vocal. Schozears empio ibidem vii. so/, ii. den. K. p. 573.
Scibkwvtb. An annual tax or imposition paid to the sheriff
of the county or shire, for holding the assises or county courts.—
In totalis pro quadam peristome vocata Scvrewute annuahm iv. soL
K. p. 573. Shire, Schyre, from Sax. Scypan, to divide, whence a
Sbare.or division, a Shore dividing sea and land, a Skry to cleanse
and separate corn, a Skreen or partition in a room. To Shear or
to cut with a pair of Shears, a Wheat-shearing in Kent is the time
of cutting wheat. A Sciver, now a Shiver or Shavings of wood, a
Sceuer for meat, a Schrift or shift, a Schred or shred, a Scheart or
shirt, Sceord or short, a Sceort or skirt, &c. In Kent we call a
bridle-way a Sheer- way, as separate and divided from the common
road, or open high-way.
Scotblla. Scutella, a Scutum. Sax.Scutel, Scncrel, any thing
of a flat and broad shape like a shield : especially a plate or dish,
as a shallow platter is still called a wooden Scuttle : *and in Kent
the shovel with which they turn their malt is called a' Scuttle. To
the same Lat. Scutum we owe the Scuttles of a ship, a weaver's
Shuttle, a Shuttle-cock, &c. — Et in dualus scoteltts manuaiibus
emptis ibidem vii. den. et in quvnque scotellis minoris sortis emptis
ibidem pro cceteris officm ix. den. K. p. 574.
Scbutinium. A view and inquest made by neighbours as se-
lect arbitrators to adjust any depending difference. — Idem prior facto
inde per vicinos diligenti scrutinio certioratus per eosdem, K. p. 2Q7*
Scutagium. Scutage, from Lat. Scutum, a shield, whereon
they wore a device or military distinction, whence Scutum Armo-
rum, a coat of arms. Fr. Escusson, whence our Escocheon or
Scutchion. All tenants who held from the king by military service
were bound to attend personally in wars and expeditions j or for
default of personal service, a Scutage or composition tax on every
Scutum mUitare or knight's fee and the proportionable parts was
assest and levied for the king's use. In 7 Hen. II. there was a
Scutage of two marks on every knight's fee, K. p. 1 18. A Scu-
tage of one mark in 13 Hen. II. K. p. 124. A Scutage of ten
shillings ou every fee collected in 3 Rich. I. K. p.. 148. A Scutage
GLOSSARY. 1 27
of twenty shillings for the king's redemption, $ Rich. L K.p.154.
A Scutage of two marks in the first of King John, K. p. 160. The
same Scutage in 2 King John, K. p. 1 62. A Scutage of three
marks in 27 Hen. III. K. p. 231. A Scutage of twenty shillings
oh each fee for marriage of the king's eldest daughter in 29
Hen HI. K. p. 235. A Scutage of fourty shillings for making
Prince Edward a knight in 39 Edw. III. K.p.240. A Scutage of
fourty shillings in 6 Edw. I. K. p. 290. If a baron or knight had
paid his personal attendance, in any expedition, he had the king's
discharge from Scutage to himself or to his heir. — Rex vie. Qxon.
—Sciatis quod W. Longspe quondam comes Sarumjuit nobiscum in
exercitu nostro Muntgumery. Ideo tibi pnscipimus quod de Scuta-'
gie quod per summonitores scaccam exigis afilio — pacem ei habere
permit tas, K. p. 200. The barons and knights when they paid a
Scutage to the king, bad power to levy the same tas of those te-
nants who held from them in military service. And this was often
made an express condition in subordinate grants and conveyances.
So Amfride Fitz- Richard gave to the abby of Oseney one hide of
land in Chesterton;— Ita quod quando dominica terra de Cestreton
dat scutagium, dicta terra dabit quintam partem unius scuti, K.
p. 126.-»-.De liberis tenentibus dicunt t quod Robertus PickereU tenet
de octo virgatis terrce cum pertinentiis in Meriton, quce pertinent ad
manerium de Pydinton, et tenentur de domino ejusdem per servitium
militare, et quum scutagium currit domino, dabit unam marcam,
K. p. 495. The barons upon other extraordinary occasions ob-
tained the king's precept, whereby they were impowered 'to tax
their inferiour tenants. As when Richard king of the Romans and
earl of Cornwall was to visit Rome, upon his owu and bis royal
brother's urgent affairs, the king issued one writ to the said earl,
to authorise him to demand, and another to his tenants to oblige
them to pay, a certain Scutage to him. And at another time by
the king's order a Scutage was imposed on all the tenants of the
said Richard, to raise the mony which he had expended for his re-
demption when a prisoner to Montfort's party, K. p. 268.
Seal. Sax. "Sigel, from Lat. Sigillum. Those persons who had
no proper seal of their own procured the seal of some other pri-
vate friend or publick officer to be affixt to their acts and deeds.
So Margaret le Frankleyn in 10 Hen. III. put the seal of Gerard
de Wyzeri, because she had no seal in her own right, K. p. 199,,
If persons thought their own seal to be obscure and unknown, they
generally procured the affixing of some more authentick seal ; as
in the form of several charters, — Quia sigillum meum penitus est in-
cognitum — Ideo sigiUum*— apponi procuravi, K. p 442, 663, 066.
&BCRETAHIUS, a Seorttis, a Secretary. The word formerly sig-
1 28 GLOSSARY.
nified any confident, favourite, or intimado. — Cuncta denique agen*
da sua ad nutum unhts secretarii sui passim committer e, KL. p. 383.
Sect a Curias. Suit and service done by tenants at the court
of their lord,— Homines de Hedingdon f orient sectam curia domini
de sex stptimanis, et si breve domini regis in dicta curia attachietur,
tunc sectam illamfacient de tribus septimanis in tres septimanas, K.
p. 320. This suit or attendance was often remitted to- the religious
as a special privilege. So Richard earl of Cornwall confirmed to
the abby of O&eney their land in Mixbury, — quce terra quandoqui-
dem consuevit facere sectam ad curiam nostrum de North-Osenei,
kanc sectam, &c. relaxamus in perpetuum, K. p. 212.
Sect a Schirarum.et Hundredorum. The attendance, suit, and
service done by tenants in the county and hundred courts. Quietos
esse de hoc secta, was a privilege to be exempted from such custtu-
mary service. So the abbat of Abbotesburie in com. Dorset, had
this privilege in ftie hundred of Whitchurch, — Prcedicti abbas et
prcedecessores sui sunt quieti de secta illius hundredi per eoncessionem
Roberti de Mandevil quondam domini ejusdem hundredi. Mon. Ang.
torn. l.p. 279. So King Hen. II. granted to the free tenants
within the honors of Walingford and Bercamsted, — ut sint quieti
de sectis schirarum et hundredorum, K. p. 1 14. The religious had
commonly their tenants discharged from this duty for those lands
which they held in frank almoigne, — Eleemosinam liberam et
quietam ab omni^ectantia et exactione, K. p. 1 32.
Seed-Cod. A basket or other vessel of wood carried upon one
arm of the husbandman, to bear the seed or grain which he sows
with the other hand. From Sax. Saeb, seed, and Cobbe a purse,
or such like continent. Hence Codd in Westmorland is a bolster
or pillow, and in other northern parts a Cushion, as a Pin cod,- i. e.
a pin -cushion, a Horse- cod, i e. a horse-collar to guard his neck.
The God of a man or beast, a Cod-piece, a Peas-cod, &:c. — Pro una
seed-cod empto iv.d. K. p. 54Q. . This Seed-cod was commonly by
' the Saxons called Saeb-Leap, which very word Seed leap is still re-
tained in Essex, but here in Oxfordshire corrupted into a Seed- lip,
and in other parts a Seed-lib. The Sax. Leap was properly a ba-
sket or pannier made of osiers; whence a Weel made of willows or
osiers to catch fish, is now in Leicestershire called a Leap. From
this continent they borrowed the Latin word Lepa, a Lepe, or
measure of about five gallons, as in this citation from an extent of
the mannor of Garinges produced by Sir Henry Spelraan, — Debet
triturare tres bussellos f rumen ti, et dimidiam lepa?, vel quinque bus-
sellos jabarum, pisarum, vel vescarum. And more evidently from
an extent of the mannor of Terring in Sussex, 5 £dw. I. quoted
by Mr. Somner, — IVxllxelmus le Cupere tenet jerlingum unius vir-
&LOS*AR*. IS*)
gates amttnentem quatuordecim acras pro oetodsem denarussolven*
dis,—rtt coUiget de nucibus in bosco domini tertiam partem unxusmen-.
suras ques vacatur Lepe, quod est tertia pars duarum busseUorum^
et valet quadrant em. The words Leap and Lib in Sussex do now
signifie the measure of half a bushel, or four gallons. ,
Sblio. A ridge of ploughed land, or as much as lies between
two furrows. In old Eng. a Selion of land, and a Stitch of land/
Coke on Littleton derives the Lat. &e/io from the Fr. SeHon, a
ridge,- Bat the learned Spelman gives its original to the Sax. Sul,
or Syl, a plough, which in*tbe North is still called a Sull, and in
Wiltshire a Snllow. — Joan prioress of Merkyate and her sisters
granted to Henry prior of Burcester and the canons— duos seliones
in Hodeshauti K. p. l66.—quatuor seliones terras qua* vocantur
luites, K. p. 187* Alice Segrim granted to Sir John de Handlo,
—duos teliones feme arabilisjn Souther oft, K. p. 347* — Octo acres
jacent apudle Bowelonde in novemdecem selionibus, — et dues acres
continent quatuor seliones cum duabus buttis, K. p* 428. — Ad prce*
parandum usque ad carectam xxix. seliones ordei, K. p. 576. From
the Sax. Sul came the Lat. Sulinga, old Eng. Sulinge, a plough-
land, which thus occurs in an old charter of King Offa to arch-bi-
shop Janibert, — In nomine Jesu Salvatoris mundi, &c. Ego Offa
rex totius Anglorum patriae dabo et concedo Janiberht archiepiscopa
ad ecclesiam, aUquam partem terra* trium aratorum, quod Cantia*
niste dicitur three Sulinge. From Sull a plough we must derivo
to Sully, t. e. to throw up dirt, and perhaps the looks and colours
of Sullen and Sallow ; nor is it unlikely our Eng. Soil and to Soil,
are rather owing to the Sax. Sul than to. the Lat. Solum.
Sbisina, Saisina. From Fr. Saisir, to take or possess. Pontre
in seisina, to give or put in possession. Constituo — attornatum
meum ad ponendum Johannem filium Nigelli jun. de BorstaU no~
minemeoin seisina de omnibus terris, &c. K. p. 275. Longa seisina,
long and- immemorial possession. Franciplegium est qucedam /»-
bertas regia mere spectans ad coronam et dignitatem domini regis,
contra quam longa seisina valere nan debet, K. p. 313.
Sbneschallus. A Seneschal, from the Germ. Sein, a house
or place, and Schale, a servant. The Seneschal of a baron was his
chief steward or head bayliff that kept his courts, received his rents,
and managed his demesne lands. Hugh de Bocbland was Senes-
chal to Brien Fit z Count lord of Walingford, K.p 100. Edmun*
dus cdmes Cornubies dilecto et fideli suo Simoni de GrenhuU senes-
chollo honoris S. WaUrici solutem, K.p. 331. When the baron,
was absent out of England his Seneschal acted all matters as his
lord's attorney or proxy,— -Nee est praftermittendum quod quoties-
eunquepriorissam eligere contjgerit ad eunden\ prior at urn, de seipsis
k
130 GLOSS ART.
priorissam de assensu meo, vd irmewkulH met skis Angfim mm fur*,
o&gere Bcebii, K. p. Iti5.
Sar*ai a, Separaria. A Seven! or divided enclosure, — Placm
qua? jacet juxta separiam prions et conventus de Bumcester, JL
p. 336.
SsouBSTSABt. To Sequester the profits of an estate or bene-
jfioe, or detain them from tbe use of the proprietor or owner. A
power of sequestration reserved to the bishop against tbe appropri-
ators, if they failed in any performance of covenant or pension. As
in tbe ordination of tbe vicarage of Meftoo, — Uceat eo ipso, et nan
servato aUo processu, nobis et succesoribus nostrisepiscopis Un c olnia ?
omnesjructus reddstus et prowentus ipsius ecclesue sequestrate, et sub
tuto tenere sequestro 9 donee dicta pernio cum sums arreragus integr*
persobatur, K.p.483.
Saaui. To prefer an action and prosecute a cause, as attorney
of the planting — GUbertms de Thornton qui sequitur pro rege dicii
quodJrancipUgium, &c. K. p. 313.
Ssousla, Suit and service and all other customary duties of
those tenants who depended on the lord. William de Longspe
confirmed to tbe priory of Burcester their land in Wrechwick,—
cum villanis et eorum sequdis et cataUis, K. p. 2If£ — FUianos cum
viUanagOs omnibus cataUis et tota sequela ip$orum T K. p. 288. —
• Vna cum villanis, cot erellis, eorum cataUis, servitiis, sectis, et seque~
Ms, et omnibus suis ubicunque pertinentibus, K. p. 310.
Sua PendsbiBs. A Pad-lock, which Pad Minshew makes to
, be a co n t r action of Fendible, but Skinner from the German Padde,
Sera* LaUbuium, the staple into which the bolt runs. — Et in sex
wen* pemUbUibus empHs ibidem xviii. den. K. p. 574. The Sas.
Loc signified not only the Lock of a door, but any sort of enclosure,
whence a Lock or restraint of water on the river, a Lock or pen
for sheep.
Skjltahtia, Servientia* A Serjeantry or service done for the
holding of lands, either Grand -*serjeaotry, some honourable mili-
tary service paid only to the king, as to carry his banner, to bear -
• his sword, to find him a certain number of men and horses, Arc.
Of Petit-serjeantry, some inferiour and less noble service paid to
tbe king or any other lord, as reception and entertainment, pro-
vender tor horses, to give a bow, spurs, gloves, &c. — Johannes films
Nigelli tenet de rege unam hidam terra? arabilit in Borstal! per
magnatn serjeantiam custodiendi fores tarn de Bernwode, K. p. 265.
—^Isabella de Handlo tenuit unum messuagium quatuor carucatas
ierraf, et triginta unum solidatos, et quatuor denariatos redditus t»
Hedindon a domino rege in capite per magnam serjeantiam inveni*
endi unum hominem, et custodiendi Jbrestam de Sho(oUex,jp.,Sl++
^ -t
GLOSSARY* 13(
%>ode, £. jp. 4^0. Richard de Prestcote held one hide of land in
Blechesdon,— -per serjantiam portandi unam hastam porci.'—By the
petty serjeantry of carrying a shield of brawn to the king as often:
as be banted in the forest of Cornbury, K. p. 2441 Joan de Muse-
grave held the same lands by the, same tenure in 13 Edw. III.
K. p. 450. Oliver de Standford in 27 Edw. 1. held lands in Netle-
bed com. Oxon. — Per serjantiam espicurnantice in cancellaria do~
mini regis,— : By the office of Espigurnel or sealer of the king's writs
in Chancery, K. p. 292. Ela countess of Warwick held the man-
nor of Hokenorton com. Oxon. — Per serjantiam scindendi coram
domino rege die natalis Domini, et habere cultellummlomini regis de
quo scindit, K. p. 308. The mannor of Broughton com. Oxon. In
reign of. Edw. II. was held by John Maudqit in capite,— Per ser-
jantiam mutandi unum hostricum domini regis, vel ilium hostricum
portandi ad curiam domini regis, K. p. 56g. ♦Aston- Bernard com.
Buck, held in 20 Edw. III. by John Molins from the king in ca-
pite,-*-by the serjeantsy of being marshal of the king's faulcons
and other hawks, K. p. 56fr William de la Pole marquess of
Suffolk held the mannors of Neddyng and Klttilberston com. SufF.
by the serjeantry of carrying a golden sceptre with a dove on the
head of it, on the coronation day of the king's heirs and succes-
sors. As also another scepter of ivory with a golden dove on the
head thereof on the day of the coronation of the queen, and all sue*
ceeding queens of England, K. p. (53 1. Sir John de Molins held
the mannor of II mere com. Back, by the serjeanty of keeping the
king's hawks, K. p. 449. Amory de S. Amand held the mannor
of Grendbn com. Buck, and the advouson of the church of Beckley
com. Oxon. by the petty serjeanty of furnishing the lord of the
honor with one bow of ebony and two arrows yearly, or sixteen
pence in mony, K. p.358.—Summa reddiluum assisorum de ma-
nerio Banbury,— -Item de serjantia cxl. gallince, et mccc. ova, K.
p. 354. By the stat 12 Car. II. when all tenures were turned
into free and common soocage, the honorary services of grand-ser-
jeanty were alone excepted.
Srrvi. Servile tenants. Our northern Serin had alway a much
easier condition than the Roman slaves. — Servis non in nostrum
morem descriptis per JamUiam ministeriis utuntur. Suam quisque
tcdem, suos penata regit. Frulhenti modam dominus, out pecoris,
out vestis, colono injungit, et servus hactenus paret. Tacit, de Mor.
German. Which plainly describes the condition of our Saxon and
Norman servants, datives, and villanes. No author to my know*,
ledge has flxt the distinction between Servus and ViUanus, though
un&ubledry their servitude was different : for they are all along in
the Qpomsday book divided from one another. So in Burcester
k2
I Si GLOSSARY.
there were— quinque servi, et viginti octo villani, K. p. 65. 1
suppose the Servi were those whom our lawyers have since- called
Pure Villanes, and Villanes in gross, who without any determined
tenure of hind were at the arbitrary pleasure of the lord appointed
to such servile works, and received their maintenance and wages
at discretion of their lord. The other were of a superioiir degree,
and were called Villani, because they were vilUe et glebes adscripti,
held some cottage and lands, for which they were burdened with
such stated servile offices, and were conveyed as a pertinence ct
the mannor to which they belonged. The Ancilla or woman ser-
vant so dispose* at the pleasure of the lord. Sir Simon de Men*
ton granted to the Knights Temp\ars t ~-Augnetem de Meriton quoe
fuit jilia Willielmi patris Wdlteri ejusdem villce, et omnia catalih
quae habet vel habere pot erit, et omnes proventus qui de ea exierunt
velexibunt, K. p. 135.
SbrvitiuM Regale. Royal service, or the rights and preroga-
tives that within such a mannor belong to the king if lord of it :
which were generally reckoned to be 4bese six : I. Power of judi-
cature in matters of property. 2. Power of life and death in cri-
minal causes. 3. A right in wayfs and strays. 4. Assessments.
5. Minting of money. 6. Assise of bread, beer, weights and mea-
sures. All these entire privileges were annext to some mannors
in their grant from the king, and were sometimes conveyed in the
charters of donation to religious houses, — Ecclesia S. Georgii data
fuit fratribus Osen. et habet \ ibidem visum jranciplegn et totum regal*
servitium, K; p. <>0.
Servi bntes Ficecomitum. The bayKffs of sheriffs, who had an
Auxilium or custumary aid paid to them,' from which some per-
sons were by special privilege exempted. So King Hen. II.
granted to the Homines et Mercaiores honoris de JValingford, ui
quieti sint de auxilio vicecomitum et servient urn, K. p. 114.
Servi ens de manerio. A Steward who is employed by the lord
to occupy such grounds, and to account for the yearly profits of
them. — Computat Walterus de Gaung serviens de Arnikote coram
. auditoribus de omnibus receptis, K. p 28?.
Sewer, Dapifer mens alls. An officer like our clerk of the
kitchen, who ordered the serving up of dishes to the table. Dr.
Cowel derived it from the old Fr. Asseour, a disposer.' William
Martel sewer to King Stephen, K. p. 97.
Sj del inge. A ridge or butt of arable land lying along the side
of a stream or river.— >Cujus aqua manat ultra et prwter dictas
buttes, et ideo vocantur Sydelynges, nee pertinent ad furlong de
Long-Stanford nee ad Busthames furlong, sedjacent inter medium,
K. p. 531.— Deimfo transeundum est ad fur lung. de Thromwell cum
GLOSSARY* 133
U Sidtfynge adjacenle, K. p. 532. — Ab hoc furfang procedunt U
Sidelynges de quibus patet superius, ib. From Sax. Sib, Sibe.
Thence *a Side or party, to Side or adhere to, a Sidetnan or assist-
ant, to Side about, or turn. ' In the North wast- coats are called
Side-coats ; from a situation on the Side or along by, in Lincoln-
shire and most northern parts they use the word Side for Long, as
a Side- field, a long field : and for high, as a Side-house, a Side-
mountain ; and by metaphor for proud, as a Side woman, i. e. a
haughty proud woman : which in Sussex is Sidy, as a Sidy-fellow,
-i. e. an imperious surly fellow.
Sionum. A cross prefixt to the name of a subscribing witness
ss a sign of attestation and approbation to a charter or other deed,
commonly used among the Saxons and first Normans, before the
use of seals or military coats of arms, tfr Signum Roberto episcopi
Lincoln. t%4 Signum Nigellide Qtiy, &c. K. p. 78.
Simony. Upon proof of Simoniacal presentation, the clerk
. was ejected, the patron lost his next turn, and the bishop collated;
.as in the church of Bucknel, an. 1524, K. p. 619.
Slade. Sax. Slab. A long flat piece of ground. Pratum voca-
tum le Slade, K. p. 465. — Sladt-furUwg, K. p. 53?,— furlong de la
Slade, ibid, de la Slade versus Gravenhull nichil in denartis hoc
anno quia remanet ad siaurum donrini, K. p. 572. Hence Sax.
Shfc, Dan. Slet, Eng. Sleet, t. e. smooth and plain. To Slide, a
Slidge or Sledge, to Sleek cloaths with a Sleek-stone, to Slib or Slip,
Slape qr smooth in Lincolnshire, Slape.ale, L e. plain ale opposed
to worm-wood, scurvy-grass, or other medicinal ale. A Slab or
smooth plank. A Slate or flat step of a ladder in the North, where
butchers' call the tongue and root of a hog killed and cut out a Slot
>of pork. In Northumberland the Slot of a door is the bolt : and
in the South to Slot a- lock is to thrust it back. Slate or smooth
mineral stone. A Slappel or smooth piece in Sussex. A. Slap or
flat box with the open hand. A Slog or Slough of smooth water
aud dirt. Slaps or seamen's breeches. Slippers. A Sliff or
Sieve. To Slubber or run smoothly over. Old Eng. Slidder, small
-rain or Sleet. A Slape or smooth descent. To Slitter or cut
smooth. A Sliver or smooth piece, &c.
Smigv a, Migma, a Gr. Miyvvfii, Misceo* Soap, or a confec-
tion of soap and other unctuous matter for washing and cleansing
of boards, cloaths,. &c. — El in smigtnate evtpto quadam vice ad la-
vandam aulam prioris i. deru K. p. 574.
. Snodde. A smoQth roll or bottom of silk or thread. From Sax.
•Snob, a fillet or hair-lace with which women smooth up their hair,
which in the North parts of England is now called a Snude, and
in Scotland a Snod. Which Snod as an adjective in the North is
134 GLOSSARY.
a common word for smooth. And Snodly for smoothly and
neatly, as Snodly geared, i.e. smoothly and finely drest. And
wheat ears are said to be Snod when they have no beard or awns.
And a tree is Snod when the top is cut smooth off. Hence to
Snod along, to go close and smooth ; to lie Snod and Snug, to lie
close.— Et in octo-Snoden de Pakthread emptis ibidem pro quodam
retifaciendo pro luniculis capiendis hoc anno sex sol, K. p 574.
Solarium. An upper room, chamber, or garret, which in some
parts of England is still called a Sollar. — htud cetlorium etillud so-
larium sita sunt intra domum meam, K. p. 325. — Pro ductus cella-
riis et duobus solariis eisdetn ad terminum vitce traditis et concessis,
JK. p. 448. The Sax. Sol signified a rope or haltar to tie cattle in
their stall, which in several parts of England is still called a Soul
and.a Sole, whence to Sow], to pull and tie up ; and by easie me-
taphor to Sowl one by the ears, u e. to pull one's ears, a ccramon
phrase in Lincolnshire, upon which Dr Skinner is thus ridiculously-
witty; To Sowl one by the ears, vox agro Line, uskdtissima, i. e.
'awes summa vi ve/lere, credo a Sow, i. e. aitres af riper e et vellere>
ut suibus canes solent.
Socage, Soccagium, Sax.JSoc, Soca, right and jurisdiction. Soe-
cage was a tenure of lands by which a man was enfeoffed freely or
in fee simple, without any military service, relief, ward, or mar-
riage, paying only to the lord a stated rent in mony or provisions.
So the Kings of England often nrm'd out their demesn lands, as
Brill com. Back, let out in Soccage for the reserve of one hundred
capons to the king's table, K. p. 52. Tenants who held in boccage
might by custom be obliged to' some services of plough' or cart
which were called Soccagia, and sometimes were expres\y re-
nounced by the lord, — Pro omnibus servitiis, tallagus, soccugiis, et
pro omnibus secufaribus exactionibus et terrenis demandis, K. p. 262.
- To prove the tenure of Soccage was a sufficient .discharge from
claim of scutage and military service to the lord of the fee, — Qua-
liter extincta sunt feoda domini abbatis quce ab ipso peiiia sunt—
Residuum quod habjet de honore Sancti WaUrici tenetur de abbatt
regalis loci per assignationem comitis per soccagium, et non halen-
tur ibidem nisi tria cotogia, K. p. 305.
Soka, Soca, Sax. Socn. A liberty or franchise of holding a
court and exercising other jurisdiction over the socmen or soccage
tenants within the extent of such an honor or raannor. — Castrum
et manerium de Bo lyng broke cum soka, mara, et marisco cum pert**
pentus, K. p. 41 8. From Soccage, commonly called the plough
tenure, in the North they still call a plough-share a Sock or Ploughs
sock.
pFPRAaivM Aureum. A Spur Royal. Lat, Spourones, Spurs, Sax,*
GLOSSARY. 135
Spona, a Spur, Span, a tread or track, whence the Sporting of a
wheel, i . e. a wheel track in the North. A Sporre-way or Spurr-
way i&£ussex, i . e. a sheer* way or bridle-way. Spo]vnan, to spurn
or to kick. To walk or run a Spurt. To Spur or to strike. A
Sparthe or double axe, as Spencer, " He "hath a Sparthe of twenty
pound of weight." But this rather from Lat. Spar us, Sax. Spsepa,
Eng. Spear. Nor is it absurd to think that our English Sport was
originally foot-ball-play, though since extended to any other game.
-"Pro Mac recognitione Johannes dedit prcedicto Hugoni unutn spu-
rarium aureum, K. p.321.
STAiujM. Some think it a contraction of Stabulum. Sax. Stal,
a Stall, a seat, a standing, and in old Eng. any sort of chair or stool,
as Spencer, *' A woman at a door sate on a Stall.*' From Stall as
applied to the standing or apartment of horses in a stable, tomes
the. Lat. Stalonus, Eng. Stallion, and old Eng. a Stallere, u e. a
groom. A Still or stand to set beer upon in a cellar. A Stage.
To Stall in Lincolnshire to feed, or fill, or make fat. A Stalled ox,
i. e % a fat ox. And perhaps the Stale and Staling of horses. Sax.
Stal-peopb, Stalwart, strong, as Duglass renders fortia corpora in
Virgil, — stalwart bedyis. T-he Stalking or walking of a horse.-*
In the chancel of every conventual church, the religious had each
of them a Stall. As now in cathedral q\i\res,-±Wilkelmi de Long"
spe animam Ela alhatissa de Lacock vidit coslos penetrantem in stauo
suo, et coram cceteris sororibus denuntiavit, K. p. 244.
Stallagium. Stallage, a custumary rent paid in fairs #nd
markets for the liberty of a Stall or standing, by the Stallangers or
the creamers, t. e. those traders who exposed their goods to sale
' In the said Stalls. To be exempt from this duty, or to have a
free standing, was a privilege granted by King Hen. II. to the
tenants and merchants within the honor of Walingford,-~trf0iifVfi
sint de thdonio, stalUgio, He. K. p. 114. Edmund earl of Corn-
wall to the Bonhomroes of Asherugge and their tenants,-*-*/ in
singulis burgis et villaiis noslris, et ettam in singulis nundinis et
rnercatis noslris Uhere valeant emere et vendere omnes mercandisas
/absque ullo tkeUmeto seu stallagio nobis vel k&redilus nostris inde
prmsentando, K. p. 3 1 1 From the Stall of wanes and goods comes
the Staple of merchants, Staple-commodities, &c.
Stapron. A course apron.~*r-ift in stipendio Katerince Colins
facienti mantalia coquinte hoe anno xx den* et in datis eidem pro,
una stapron iii. den. %. p. 57$*
Status de maneruh AH the tenants and legal men met in the
court of their lord to do their custumary suit, and enjoy their cus-
tumary rights. — Apud curium de Wreckunke tentam injesto & An*
4rev ? an. 17 Edw. III.— Omni* status de Wreckunke eUgeruni
136 GLOSSARY.
ffugonem Kyng ad qffichm propositi, et juramentum suscepit, &.
p. 456.
Staubum. Any Store or standing stock of cattle, provision,
&c — Computant de quatuor solidis provenienttbus de stauro hove-
ria?, K. p. 57 1.— (fe dutiius coriis vaccarum stauri de la Breche, ib«
Steelingi, Esterlingi. Sterling money, old Eng. Starlinges,
Lindwood has a childish fancy* that a Starling or bird was imprest
upon such old coin. Some pretend it was the purer metal which
the Easterlings or eastern merchants brought into these parts*
Others would presume it first coined at the castle of Sterling in
Scotland. But Mr. Soraner seems most happy in the derivation of
it from the Sax. Steope, a rule or standard,- from Sreopan, to guide
or govern. So as Sterling mony seems to be that sort* of coin,
whicn for metal' and value was to be a common standard of all
current mony. Which seems the more probable, because such '
mony at the first coming in of the Normans was called Sterilensis.
. AsOrderic. Vital, shban. 1082. — Porrigam auindecim sterilensium.
From the same Sax. Steopan comes our Eng. to Steer right j the
Steer Or Stern, and the Star-board of a ship. A Steers- man or pilot.
To Stare or fix the eyes. To Start. The Sttrrop in a saddle,
Sterbrech in our old law, i. e. a trespass in stopping or molesting
the common road, whence a Stray, and. to go astray. Mr. Somner
< does ingeniously conjecture that the termination of Ster in several
faculties and trades is owing to the same original and signifies the
mastery or command of such an art, as a Maltster, a Gamester, a
Spinster, a Songster, &c.— decern solidossterlingorum, K. p. 120.
Strakys. The St rakes or Streaks of a wheel, i e. the iron
plates that shoe the fellows of a wheel, or be nailed round the.
circumference of ft. A Lat. Striga,* long furrow, Sax. Stepice,
Germ. Streke, Eng. Stroak or Streak. Whence a small stalk or
young strait branch, is in Kent and other parts called a Strig. A
Strickle dr smooth strait piece of wood to Strike corn in the mea-
sure of it.- To Stroak down. To Streek in the North, i.e. to pull
out, or open, or lay smooth.— In uno pari rotarum vocal. Schozears
empt. ibidem, ut patet per prcedictum papirum vii. sol. ii. den. et in
vi. Strakys jerreis iv.sol K. p. 573.
Stkand. Sax. Srpanbe. Any shore or bank of a sea or rivet.
An immunity from custom and all imposition paid for goods and
vessels of such places was granted by King Hen. II to the church
of Rochester, — Concedo et confirm o in perpetuum cum socner et
seke/strande and stream. Mon. Ang. torn. 3. p. 4. So the same
prince granted to all. tenants and traders witbin the honor of Wa»
-lingford, that-*By water and by land, by wood and by strmd, quiet}
4tnt de thelonfo, font agio, &c. K. p T 1 14. Pence the street W the
GLOSSARY. 137
west suburbs of London, which lay next the shear or bank of the
Thames is called The Strand* Whence a ship or vessel running
on the shoar, and being broke to pieces, is said to Strand and to be
Stranded. And G. Duglass mentions the Strandis of the sea.
Strata. Sax. Stpaete, Eng. Street or high-way. Hence to
Strout and Strut along, to make Streit or Strait, to Stretch out,
&c. — Extendit se in latitudine juxta altam stratum versus, ccemi-
terium ecclesice parochialis de Berencester, K. p. 325.
Stbkpitus Judicial The circumstances of noise and croud
and other turbulent formalities at a process or trial in a publick
court of justice. — Passint eos et eorum successors per omnem cen*
suram ecclesiasticam ad omnium et singukrum prcemissorum obser-
pationem absque articuii sen libeili petitione et quocunque strepitu
judiciali compellere, K. p. 344.
.Subtta, Secta. Suit or service done to a superiour lord. From
the Fr. Suivre, to follow. — Pro omnibus servitus, citrus sectis, suettis,
releviis, &c. K. p. 262.
Suffragia orationum. The prayers and holy offices performed
by the religious for their founders and benefactors. Bernard de S.
Walery gave the site and advouson of the abby of Godstow to King
Hen. 1L-*- Salvis tantummodo mihi et hceredibus yieis ejusdem ec-
clesice orationibus et eleemosince suffragiis, K. p. 127. Isabel Gar*
gat gave a croft to the canons of Burcesrcr, — Dicti vero canonici
receperunt me et dominant matrem meam speciatiter in orationibus
suit et suffragiis domus sues imperpetuunt, K. p. 149. Sir John de
Molios was a special benefactor to the canons of St. Marie Overte
in South wark, for which they made him partaker of all their prayers
-and suffrages, and covenanted to mention him in all their masses,
vigils, &c. K. p. 425.
Sulcus Jquw. A small brook or stream of water, which in
•Essex is called a Doke. — In fine inferiore ipsius mercedescend.it qui"
dam sulcus Jiuens inter medium de Stanford-more prcedicta usque in
Nether- Stanford, et ibi vocatur Bygenhull-broke, K. p 531. From
the word Brook comes .possibly the fishing term of Brokling or
Brogling for eels. In Sussex and some other parts the clouds are
said to Brook up, when they gather and threaten rain. To Brookle
or Brukle in the North is to make wet and dirty.
Summa, Saugma, Sauma, £ Gr. Dayfta Fr. Saume, Somme.
Properly any load or burden of a horse. In old charters we fre-
quently find Sauma v\ni and Summa ligni for a horse load of wine
or wood. Mr. Somner believes that this sort of burden gave name
to a Sumpter-horse, Lat. Equus Sautnarius, Fr. Somiere. Summa
frumentif Sax, Seam and ream-bynben-, was the quantity of eight
bushels or a quarter, still called a Seam in Kent and other South
138 tiLOft&ARY.
parts. The Knights Templars gave to the wife of Sir Wido de
Meriton, — duos summas bladi, K. p. fl20.—»Onei3eam of nuts was
equivalent to two shillings in 23 Hen. II. K. p. 132. Maud de
Cheney gave to die canons of Borcester, — quinque summas Jru-
menti ad hostias faciendas, K. p. 158. Hence a sum of mony.
The termination of Sum and Some implying a plenty and fullness,
as Troublesome, &c. The Summer in building, or chief beam to
support the roof. A terra in falconry, a hawk is full Summed,
when the plumes are roll grown, &c.
Summonitor, A Summoner or Apparitor, who was to cite in
a delinquent to appear at a certain time and place to answer a
charge exhibited against him. Two persons were joined in this
office, who in citations from a superiour court were to be peers or
equals of the party cited. At least the barons were to be sum-
moned by none under the degree of knights, hence Summonitores
ordinarily legates, boni. — Summone ibidem per lonos summonitores
eundem Thomam quod sit coram nobis in crastino S. Jokannis Bap-
txstoe responsurus ad hoc quod ei proponetur, K. p. 177* — &*»u»o-
niius ad respondendum, Legally summoned or cited to answer an
action or complaint,— Johannes filius Nigellisen. summoniius fuit
ad respondendum domino regideplacito quo warranto clamat habere
visum franciplegii, K. p. 3 13. Summonitores Scaccarii, Those offi-
cers* who assisted in collecting the king's revenues by citing the
defaulters into the court of Exchequer ,*—De scutagioquod per sum'
monitor es Scaccarii exigis, K. p. 200. Hence in the diocese of
Canterbury the apparitors in each deanery are called the Sumners.
Swanemotum. From Sax. Span, a Swain, as Country-swain,
Boat-swain, and Gemote, a court or convention. The Swane-
mote was a court held twice a year by the tbrest officers, fifteen
days before Midsummer, and three weeks before Michaelmas, for
enquiry of the trespasses committed within the bounds of the forest.
An inquisition de statu foresta* de Bernwode, 38 Edw. III.— Di-
cunt quod fores tarn ut injure domini regis dtctceforestm habere de-
bent una vice per annum ad Swanemota sua cum tenta Juerint re-
pasta sua in aliquibus maneriis, K. p. 449. What Mr. Somner
writes Span Sir Henry Spelman makes to be Spang, a labourer,
whom Chaucer calls a SwinkeY, from Spinctn, to labour and take
pains, whence in Kent a hard labourer is said to Swink it away.
From thence Spingan, to thresh, in the North to Swingle, with a
flail there called a Swingel, whence to Swinge off, or take a Swing-
ing blow.
Swatha. Sax. Spaft, a Swath or in Kent a Sweath, in some
parts a Swarth, i. e. a, strait row of cut grass or corn, as it lies in
the Swath at first mowing pf it. A Swathe of meadow was ^
GLOSSARY* 1 ^9
longe ridge of ground, like a Selion in arable land. William Bur-
ward sold his part (ft* five Swaths in a meadow called Bikemore,
K. p. 3SO. Ducp Swathes died prati jacent ut sequitur, K. p 399.
Duos Swathes apud Mathammes, K. p. 401. Hence in the Norrh
a Swath hanks is a Swarth of new cut grass or hay; where a green
.Swarth in a bottom among arable land is called a Swang. Hence
Sax. Sp»$il, a Swath,' or Swaddle, or Swadling-cloaths. To Swad-
dle or bind up. A Swad or bundle of hay or straw. The. Swads
or Swods of pease, Sax. Speapb, The Swearth, Swarth, or Sword
of bacon. Green, swerd or the turf of grass ground. A -Swatch or
Switch, a small stick or rod, a Swache in the North ^s a tally of
wood, especially fixt to cloth sent to the dyer. To Swaddle and
Swatchel, i. e. to beat or strike with a wand or rod that shall bend
round the body, or thing so* stricken. As prov. in Kent, " lie
a waddle your sjdes," u e. with a whip or wand I will strike, and
make it bend and meet round your body. By metaphor, Swad in
the North is slender, i. e. x\ose bound, as a Swad- fellow, a meer
Swad. And by a like figure Swath, smooth and calm, as Swath -
weather.
SwoRN-Brotbers. * Fratres Jurati. Persons who by mutual oath
covenanted to share each the other's fortune'. — Statutum est quod
ibi detent populi omnes et gentes universes singulis avnis, semel in
anno scilicet, convenire, scilicet in capite kalendarum Man, et sefide
sacramento noil /rack) ibi in unum et simul confederare, et consoli-
date, sicul conjurati fratres. Leg. Edw. Confess, cap. 35; —In any
notable expedition to invade and conquer an enemies country, it
was the custom for the more eminent souldiers of fortune. to en-
gage themselves by reciprocal oaths to share the rewards of their
service. So in the expedition of Duke William, Eudo and Pinco
were sworn brothers, and copartners in the estate which thecon-
querour allotted to them. So were Robert de Oily and Roger de
I very, by vertue of which contract, the said Robert gave one. of his
two honors m this county to his sworn brother Roger, from whom
it was first called the man nor of I very, as afterwards the honor of
St. Walery, K. p. 56. Rohertus de Ohio et Roger us de Iverio fra-
tres jurati, et perjidem et sacramentum confaederati venerunt ad
conquestum Anglice, K. p. 57. No doubt this practise gave occa-
sion to our prov. of " Sworn- Brother, and Brethren in iniquity,"
because of their dividing plunder and spoil.
Svnodi. The ancient episcopal synods (which were held once
a year about Easter) were composed of the bishop a* president, the
dean cathedral as representative of that collegiate body, the arch-
deacons as at first only .deputies or proctors of that inferiour order
1 40 GLOSSARY.
of deacons, and the urban and rural deans who represented all tb#
parochial priests within their division, K. p. (88«
Synodali a. Synodals or Synodies, a pecuniary rent, com-
monly two shillings, paid to the bishop at the time of his annual
synod by every parochial priest. This burden was sometimes
justly laid upon the appropriates : so at JVlerton appropriated to
the abby of Egoesham, — SoluUonem detinue cujuscunque sutrentis,
ac synodaHumf et aliorum censuum ipsam ecclesiam pro tempore com- .
cementium,—Retigiosos et eorum succesores supportare volumus, K.
p. 483.
SYfeoMLEs Testes. -The urban and rural deans were, at first so
called from informing and attesting the disorders of clergy and
people* in the episcopal synod. But when they sunk in their au-
thority, the synodical witnesses were a sort of impanelled jury, a J
priest and two or three lay men for every parish. .And at last two ^
for every diocese were annually chosen, till by degrees this office
was devolved on the church- wardens, K.p.644). Juramentum
. Synodale was the solemn oath taken by the said Testes, as is now
by church-wardens to make their just presentments.
T.
*
T. B. E, Tempore Regis Edwardi. It occurs frequently in the
Doomsday Survey, where the valuation of manners is recounted,
what it was in the late reign,' and what in the present. So-— •JMa-
nerium de Burcester T. R E. valuit quindecim biros, modo sexde*
CIJB, K.. p« 05.
Tallia, Talia, From Sax. Tahan or Taellan, to account or
estimate : or from the Fr. Tailler, to cut. A Tally or piece of
. wood cut with indentures or notches in two corresponding parts,
of which one kept by the creditor, the other by the debtor. Am
now used by our brewers, &c, and was formerly the common way
of keeping all accounts.—- Ut patet per talliam contxfl, Willielmum
Spinan collector em redditus ejusdem anni, K. p. 570. — Receptis de
reddilu in Curtlington per talliam contra WHlklmum Newman col-
lector em redditus ibidem, K. p. 5?4 • Hence to Tell mony, old
Eng. a Tailed sum. The Tale of mony. The Tallier (TaJdiator)
of the Exchequer, whom we now call the Teller.
Talliari de certo tallagio. To be assest or taxt at such a rate
or proportion, imposed by the king on his barons and knights, or
by them on sheir inferiour tenants. — 33 Hen. III. Rex Ulas xvi.
Ultras ad quas homines qui fuerint Godefridjk de Craucumb in Py-
dinlon — nuper talliati fuerint, ajsignavit ponendas per visum Hu-
GLOSSARY. 141
gnnit Gargate, — Et mandatum est vice com, Oxon. quod homines d$
prcedicto manerio pro prcedicto tollagio die ccetero mm distringas 9
K. p. 241. The inferioqr tenants sometimes made a composition
with their lord for this Tallage. As the tenants of Hugh de Pies-
sets in Hedingdoa,— Quotient dominus rex suos domiuicos talliare
contigerit, dabunt prcedicto Hugoni et hceredibus suit quinque mar-
cos, et dictus Hugo concessit pro se et heeredibus suis, quod iidem
homines quieti sint de tallagio pro* eisdem, K. p. 321. This Tal-
lage of the customary tenants was sometimes fixt and certain, and
sometimes at the arbitrary pleasure of the lord.— *Extenta maneru
de Ambrosden 28 Edw. I. — Sunt ibidem ix. cotterii, et reddunt per
annum ix. sol. et debent ialliari per annum de certo tallagio ad sex
libras, K. p. 682. In Burcester King's-end — Quilibet custuna-
rius domince debet talliari adfestum S. Mkhaelis pro voluntate do-
mince prior usee, K. p. 401. —In Mo manerio de Pedinton quaelibH
vkgafa terrce dabit ad tallagium domini circa natale Domini \\s.
X. p. 495. — Tenent quinque acras terrce et duos acras prati de do-
mtnico pro dimidia mar caper annum salvo tallagio domini ad festum
natalis Domini, JK.. p. 495. The lords in Ireland impose an arbi-
trary tax on their tenants which they call a Cutting, the literal
meaning of the French Taillage.
Taxa. The Task or labour of a workman. Trituratur ad taxam,
a Tasker or thresher in the barn, who works by the great, or by
the measure, not by the day.-— Et in solutis Johanni Lesebu tritu-
ranti ad taxam xlv. quarteria Jrumenti ut patet per talliam hoc an-
no, capiendo pro quolibet-quarterio iii. den. ob. K. p. 576.
Taxatio Norwicensis. The valuation of ecclesiastical benefices
made through every diocese in England, on occasion of the pope's
granting to the king the tenth of all spirituals for three years.
Which taxation was made by Walter bishop of Norwich delegated
by the pope to «fels office in 38 Hen. III. and obtained tHl the
19th of Edw. I. when a new taxation advancing the value, was
made by the bishops of Lincoln and Winchester at command of
the king and permission of the pope, K. p. 249, 315.
Tempobalia. The lands, houses, tithes, and other fixt endow-
ments of a bishoprick or abby, distinct from the spiritualities, which
arose more immediately from the function and office, as synodals,
pentecostals, &c. These temporalities held by barony, were seised
into the king's hands by the escbaetor at the death of every such
prelate: and after the election and confirmation of a successor,
there was a writ de restitution temporatium, K. p. 330.
JTsmporalia Ecclesice Parochialis. The manse, glebe, and
tithe, as distinct from the voluntary oblations, and other contingent
perquisites. Upon a judgement in th.e Exchequer against Ichel de
143 Glossary
Kerewent rector of Bucknell, an. 26 Edw. I. his temporal* wett?
seised, and put into custody for two years, K» p. 330.
Tbhbmbntum. Tenure or holding.— Z7w«n vkgatdm terra* *V
Meriton,— habendum et tenendum— de tenemento Dominorum Tern*
plari&rum, K. p. 129. Tentmenta were lands or houses or any
yearly profits Tenanted or held by tenants. -
Tbnths. First fruits and tenths of all ecclesiastical benefices
were paid; to the see of Rome*, and by Pope innocent IV. the
Tenths were first given to King Hen. III. an. 1253, for three
years, which occasioned the Norwich taxation, an. 1254, which
proved a great oppression to the clergy, and soon made more
grievous. For when the pope had again granted the tenths to the
king for three years, for a compensation of what they fell short of
the due value, the king in the 63d year of his reign, an. 1269,
made the clergy pay* with in those three the. tenths, of four years,
K. p. 312.— An. 1268, 16 £dw. I. Pope Nicholas IV. granted the
tenths to the king for six years., toward his expedition to-the Holy
'Land, and that they might be then collected to the full value, a
new taxation by the king's precept was begun an. 12$8, and
finished on. 1291* 19, 20 Edw. I. by the bishops of Lincoln and
Winchester, K. p. 315.
Tbbba. In the form of inquisitions entred in the Doomsday
Register, this word Terra put simply, must signifie arable land, at
distinct from wood, meadow, and common pasture. So in Bern*
oester,— Ibi sunt 15 hidm et dimidia— Terra 22 carucatarum. Da
hoc terra tres hides in dominio. — So in Bucknel, — Ibi sunt J hidct.
Terra 10 carucataram> isfe. K. p. 65. 1 confess I do not build
this on the authority of any author ; but there seems to be no
sense without this distinction, that the hides were a computation
of the whole manner in gfoss ; . which was afterwards particularly
described under the distinct heads of Terra or aMsble land, Pratum
or meadow, Silva or wood land.
Tbkra Normannorum. Such land In England as had bee&>
lately held by some noble Norman, who by adhering to the French
king had forfeited his estate in this kingdom, which by this means
becoming an escheat to the crown was called Terra Normannorum^.
and .restored or otherways disposed at the kings pleasure.—
8 Hen. III. Rex vicecom. Oxon. salutem. Sdas quod commisimus
Thomce Basset manerium de Kirtlington quae est terra. Normanno*
rum, K. p. 197.
Tb3Sellata pavimenta. Hie pavements in the tents of the
Roman generals made of curious small square marbles, bricks, or
tiles, and called Tesselice, from the form of dies, K. p. 1 2. Sutjh
a Tessellated pavement of porphyry ojarble was laid by King
GLOSSARY. 143
£dw. I. round the sepulcher of bis father at Westminster, K.
p. 13.
Thank. Sax.Degen, a military servant, from Deman, to serve,
Dening, any duty, charge, or office. Cymnger-Degen, the king's
Thejae or Thane was a Saxon lord or nobleman. And* after toe
Conquest the word was sometimes used to denote all persons of su>
periour degree, K. p. 54. *
Thassare, Tassare. To lay up hay or corn into a Tass, Toss,
•tack or mow, Lat. Tassa, Tassus, Tassiut, Sax. Tar, Fr. Tas .—
Homines de Hedingdon qui carectas noil habuerint vement atmjur-
cis suit ad dictum feonum leyandum et thassandum, K. p. 320. — Qui
carectas non kabuerint adjuvabunt ad thass/andum bladum, ib.— -Pro
victualibus emptis pro factoribus tassiorum prioris *u£ K. p. 550.
Hence a Tassel or Tossel, to Tass or Toss, Hay-toss^ a mow of
corn in a barn is called in Kent the Toss. And by metaphor the
yard of a man is called his Tass. Gawen Dugiass calls a wood-
stack or wood-pile, a Tass of green stick. In old Eng. Taaa was
any sort of heap. As Chaucer, " To ransake in the taas of bodies
dead/* And Lidgate Trail. 1. 4, c. 30.
" An hundred knyghts slain and dead alas
That after were found in the taas.*'
Titbe. Two parts of the tithe of a mannor or parish were
often given to a religious house : of which the reason was this. —
Tithe of England in the time of Augustin the monk was divide^
commonly into four parts : and in the teign of King Alfred re-
duced to three parts, of which a first part to the repair of churches,
a second to the relief of the poor, and a third only to the mainten-
ance of the parish priest. Hence the lords of mannors at their first
building of churches did often allot no more than that third part of
tithes for an exhibition to the parish priest, and kept the other two
parts in their own hands for the uses of the church and poor: tiH
by degrees they either gave in the two other parts to the parochial
priest, or else with tbt bishop's consent assigned them to some re-
ligious house, K. p 79. This was the meaning of giving two-
garbs or theavs or sheaves to the religious, while the third garb re<-
mained due to the parish priest, K. p. 81. So Brien Fitz-Count
gave a third part of the tithe of his demesne in Hillingdon to the
monastery of Evesham, K, p. 100. So Robert deOily to the secu*
lar canons of St. George in the castle of O* ford. — Duas partes de-
eimce de omni re quae decimari solet de omnibus dominicis de Hoke"
nor ton, Swerefordia, &c. K p. 104. In the parish, of Compton-
Basset corn. Wilts, the Persona or rector had— tertiam partem
deximarum garbarum : and the prior and convent of Burcester had
144 GLOSSARY.
— duos fortes decvnarum garlarum, K. p. 205. By the law* of
King Edgar made about 670 if a Thane or lord should have within
his own fee a church, with a burial place, f. e. a parish church, he
must give the third part of his tithe to it. But if it bad no privilege
of burial, i. e. if it were oolj a chappel of ease depending on a
mother church, then the lord was to maintain the priest out of his
nine parts, K. p* 594. Two parts^of the tithe of thederaesoe of
Heyford-Warine was given to the chappel of St. Georges, and
thence transferred to the abby of Oseney, K. p. 513. In the
roannor of Chesterton, the abby of Glocester had two parts of the
tithe of the demesne land, which they firmed out to the abbat and
convent of Oseney, who as appropriators had the third part, K.
p. 223. Thk division of tithe was the occasion of disputes and
quarrels, anu therefore, one part was often bought off, and united
to the other : or at least one share rented out to those who had the
other, that the whole tithe might be collected together. So the
monks of £gnesham compounded with the canons of Burcester to
receive a yearly pension of twelve shillings in lieu of their two
parts of tithe in Stratton, K.p. 144. Two parts of the tithe of
Burcester belonged first to St. George's and then to Oseney abby,
till in 28 Edw. I. the abbat and canons of Oseney resigned their
right of two parts to the prior and canons of Burcester, who had
before as appropriators a third part, for a rent or pension of sixty
shillings yearly, K. p. 343. The arbitrary disposition of tithes by
lay men was a conceit of Mr. Selden, confuted, K. p. 105. Paro-
chial tithes were sometimes given to the religious for admitting the
donor's son into their house and order, K.p. 81. Tithes could
not- be lawfully detained or enjoyed by a lay man, — Salvis ecclesUe
mslrce de Missenden decimis ad capellam de Musetvell spec tan tibus,
et siqua sunt alia ad dictam capellam spectantia, quad laico retinere
non licet, K. p. 226. Tithes personal were alway paid in country
villages, as well as in populous towns and cities :. and in appropri-
ations, because hard to collect, they were generally allotted to the
vicar. — So the prior and canons of St. Frideswide to the vicar of
Oakle, — Omnes decimas personates in dictis- provenientes de quaes tu
eorum qui de mercatura vivunt, K. p. 455. So the prior and con-
vent pf Burcester to the vicar of that church, — Vicarius et succes-
sores decimas personates percipient et habebunt, praedialibus eorun*
dent locorum nobis et successoribus nostris omnino reservatis, K.
p. 669.
TiTHiNG-Men. In the Saxon times, for the better conservation
of peace, and the more easie administration of justice, every hun-
dred was divided into ten districts or Tithings, each Tithing made
up of ten friborgs, each friborg of ten families, and within every
GLOSfcARf* . 149
»
Inch l"ithing--»-£ia foannti justitiarios super qubsque decern fribor-
gos, quos decanospossumus appellate, Anglice veto Tieohejob, i. e,
caput de decern. Which Tithing-men or civil deans were to ex*
amine and determine all lesser causes between villages and neigh-
bours, but to refer all greater matters to the superiour courts, which
had a jurisdiction over the whole hundred, K. p. 633.
Todde. Perhaps from Sax. Todsclan, to divide or parcel out
A Tod of wool is a parcel containing twenty-eight pounds or twd
stone, by stat. 12 Car. t. cap. 32. But in these parts the wool-
men buy in twenty-nine pounds to the Todd, though they sell out
but twenty-eight.^-Computant de decern libris xviii. sol. vi. den*
teceptis de xxiii. todde lance puree venditce cuidam tneredtori Oxbn.
hoc anno, per le todde ix, sol. vi. den. K. p. 572. •
Toft a, To/turn. A Toft, the ground which has been the site
of a late messuage, or the place where any mansion or building
lately stood. — Ratum kabemus et stabile donum quod fecit de una"
tofto et crofio, K. p. 30/.
Toll. Lat. Tolnetum, Thehntum, a Gr. TeXaJvwv. In the
Saxon charters Thol was the liberty of buying and selling, or keep*
ing a market in such a mannor. In later times it signified the 4
custnmary dues or rent paid to the lord of a mannor for his profits'
of the fair or market, called the Toling-pence. Mod. Ang. torn. 2.
p. 280. Alexander bishop of Lincoln gave to the abby of Tame— 4
centum solidos de tkelonio Bannebirue, i. e. two hundred shillings
yearly rent out of his Toll at Banbury, K. p. 94. King Hen. II.
granted a privilege to the tenants and traders within the honor of
Walingford — ut quieti sint de tkelonio, K. p. 1 14. Edmund eail
of Cornwal granted to* the Rector and Bodhommesof Asheruggti
and their tenants — ut in omnibus burgis et villatis nostris, et etiam
in singulis nundinis et mercatis nostris Mere valeant emere et ven*
dere omnes mercandisas absque ullo tkeloneto sen stallagio, K. p. 3 1 1 .
Hence the Toll-booth or Toll-sey, or place where such custom wail
paid. This Toll at pubiick fairs and markets was paid at the sound
Of a bell, as we have now a market -bell, which possibly might give
name to the Tolling of a bell, and to the proverb of being Tolled
in, or drawn into a bargain. In Derbyshire they say Thole a while,
i. e. Stay a while.
Torcbys, Torchia, Fr. Torche, Eng« a Torch, d Lat. Torquis,
Fr. Tort, a wreath j or Torris, a fire-brand. — tn octo libris cerce
emptis Oxon. eodemdie ad faciendum ii. tor ceys versus natale Domini
ad aulam prioris iii. sol. K. p. 574.
Torneambnta. Torneaments, military exercises of armed
horse-men to improve their strength and activity in war. From
the Er. Tourner, to turn about. They were invented in France by
1
146 GLOSSARY.
Geflry de Proilli, who was killed at Anjoa an. 1066. Justs and
Torneamenta are commonly joined in representing the celebration
of these manly sports 5 bat there was this difference between them,
Torneaments implied the mutual engagement of several sides and
parties : but Justs were the single combats of any two horse- men,
one against the other. The first Torneaments authorised in En-
gland were in 5 Rich. I. when one of the three solemn places ap-
pointed by the king was Bayard's-green between Mixbury and
Brackley, K. p. 153. Piers de Gaveston ia 2 Edw. II. proclaimed
Torneaments to be kept nigh his castle at Walingford, wherein he
highly affronted the English nobility, K. p. 357- Solemn Justs
performed at Whitney com. Oxon. between Humphrey Bohun earl
of Hereford on the one part, and Aymer Valence earl of Pembrook
on the other, K. p. 386. King Edw. Ill*, to express his joy for
the birth of a seventh son at Woodstock, appointed publick Justs
and Torneaments in that town, to which the nobility resorted in
great numbers, K. p. 478.
Tothlanda. A certain measure of land, in the dimension
whereof I can find no direction, and can make no safe conjecture,
—cum unavirgata terree, et cum una tothlanda, et octo acris,
qucefuerunt datee in dedicatione (Ecciesue de Hertford ad pontem)
.wulfunni episcopi Dorces trice, K. p. 514.
Tough. The beam of a plough, or that part by which it is
drawn along. From Sax. Teon, to draw. Hence Tough that can
be drawn out in length. To Tow or draw along a boat. Tow in
spinning, or ductile flax or hemp. — Pro uno votnere et una cultura
et dimidia toughe cum uno plowsho emptis xxiii d. K. p. 549.
Tb actus -uum. Traces by which horses- draw a apt or wag-
gon; Par tractoium,z pair of traces,-- «iVa uno cartsadel, uno co-
leroy .cum uno pari tractuum emptis xlvd. K. p. 549. Hence prov.
He is out* of his traces, i e. He is out of his way of business. A
Trace or Track, or way drawn or markt out, by which a follower
may Trace and Track the foregoer. The Lat. Traho was by the
Saxons turned into Dpagan, whence to Drag, to Draw, to Drain $ '
to Drate in the North, to Draw out one's words in speaking.
Dree in the North long and tedious, as a Dree way. A Dray or
cart. A Dray-horse. A Drudge. Old Eng. to Dretcbe, i. e. te
protract or spin out the time. A Dretchingor deity.
Translastare, pro transferrer To remove or transfer.— Tunc
transfatavit se dicta domina usque ad .Swaneton, et ibi obiit, K,
p. 282.
Thbhuta, Treumia, TremeUum. The Hooper or Hopper in a
mill; into which the corn is put to fall from thence to the grinding
stones. Perhaps from (he similitude to the Trameia or Tramelium,
GLOSSARY* 1 4f
tit net* wbitib we stili retain in the word Trammel* a net to catch
larks. And possibly the Lat. Tremellum and TramaLlum might bi
both of Saxon original, from Tpa or Tpe, {so K.] two, and Mael, a
cros6, alluding to the travers form of the holes in a net. — Do liberq
molere in molendino meo, ita quod immediate post bladum existens in
treumia, quod vu/gariter dicitur ingranatum, eorum bladum wo-
letur. Da Fresne, in voce Treumia. Baldwin Wac to the priory
of Deping, — Sciendum (amen est quod prcedicti monachi facient sec-
tarn tnolendmi met tarn de blado sua quam hotninum suorum. Ha
quod ipsi habeant primam moliluram post bladum .quod invenerint
in iremello. Mon. Ang- vol. 1. p. 4/0. a. So Wido de Meriton in
his charter to the Knights Templars, — Concesserunt mild jratres.
unam liber tat em ad suum molendinum scilicet molendi segetem prv.
multura reddendo, pro segete quae est in tremuta, K. p. 120. Our
Hopper seems from the Sax. bop, a circle or Hoop* or bop pan, to
Hop, dance, or turn about, to Hobble, &c. as is implied by Chaucer,
"The hopper waggeih to and fro." Hence a Hoppet in Lincoln*
shire is a little hand-basket. A Hop or Hoop in Yorkshire is a
measure containing a peck, or a quarter of a strike. A young child
danced in the arms is by metaphor called a little Hoppet* Any one
whose lameness lies in the hip is called Hopper-arsed.
Trinoda necessitas. A threefold necessary tax or imposition
toward the repairing of bridges, the maintaining of castles or garri-
sons, and an expedition against invading enemies. In the grant and
conveyance of lands, they were many times excepted from ail
other secular service, — Excepta trinoda necessitate — Except'u his
tribus, expedition e, pon^is et arcis construct tone t K, p. 46.
To ella, Toacula, Toalia, Tobalia, Fr. Touaille., A Towel, or
linnen cloth to wipe the hands. Menagius derives it from the Lat.
Torale, quod toro vel mensce adstruebatur. But it is as wise to ,
„ conjecture that our Towel might be from the Sax. Top, i e. Tow
or course hemp, as well as*a Napkin from the Sax. iJnoppe, the
nap op lint of cloth. ~- Inter ornament a ecclesice — Zona cum duabus
tuallis benedictis, K. p. 5Q8.
Tuknus Vicecomitis, The Sheriff's Tjira or court kept twice
every year within a month Rafter Easter, and a month after Michael-
mass, as the court leet of the county, at which all free tenants were
obliged to do their suit and service, except those who compounded
at a certain yearly, sum, for the privilege of sending only one per-
son to attend the sheriff, to represent and excuse the lord and
tenants of that manner. — Bardulfus de Cesfreton debet viii. sol* de
4Urno viceeomists, et cum vkecomes tenet turnos suos in prcedicfo
hundreds, idem Bardulfus mittet ibi unum de suis ad petendam
12
148 GLOSSARY.
Hbertafem suam, et kabebit, nee ipse nee homines sui venient ibi,
K. p. 318.
Turribulum, Thitribuhm. The pot of frankincense used in
the old offices of religion. — Inter ecclesue ornamenta — TurribuUtm
cum navi, K. p. 598.
V.
Vadium. A pledge or surety. Ponere per vadium, to take se-
curity or bail for the appearance of a delinquent in some courts of
justice .—Edtvardus rex vicecom. Oxon. salutem. Prcecipimus tibi
sicut alias tibi pr&cepimus, quod ponas per vadium et salvos plegios
Johannem de Burey, K. p. 334.
Valectus, Valettus, Vasletus, VassaUius. A young Vassal, at
first in an honourable sense for the son of a nobleman, afterward
for an Armiger or military attendant, and at last for an inferiour
servant. Whence a Varlet or vile fellow, a Valet de chambre :
and hence possibly a servant's Vales or mony given to those Va-
lets, — Et in blodeo panno empto pro armigeris et valectis prioris,
K. p. 5J6. — Et in stipendio Johannis Baldwin valecti tamer ce pri-
oris hoc anno ziii. sol. iv. den. ib. — Et in datis cuidam valetto fo-
restce portanti carnes ferinas priori in crastino ejusdemfesti xii. den.
K. p. 578.
Vandalen. A German word to wander,- Sax-. Panbniarr.
Hence the people who came out of Scythia and settled on the coasts
of the Baltic sea toward Germany, were called by the Romans
Vandali, and by the Saxons Wandalens and fVendelens, who being
employed as auxiliary souldiers in (his island, gave name to Wen-
dleburg near Alchester, K. p. 14.
Vanys. Lat. Vannusy Sax. Fan a, A Vane or Fane, a versatile
ornament on the top of a house or tower to shew the turning and
setting of the yrmi^—Cum duobus ventilogiis videlicet Vanys de
tyn emptis de fabro de Cherlton ponendis super utrumque finem
prcedicti dormitorii, v. sol. ii. den. K. p. 5J5. Hence a Fanne
with which they ventilate or winnow corn. The Fann of a lady
to cool her face.
Vassallus. A diminutive from Vassus, a military servant; the
title was afterwards given to servile tenants, who when they made
any grant or assignation of land held by them, the grant was to be
confirmed by their lord, K. p. 127. Sir Richard d'Amory com-
puting for the lands of the Knights Templars, escheated to the
king 2 Edw. II. accounted fourty shillings and ten-pence for the
rent of Vassals and cottagers, K. p. 357.
GLOSSARY. H9
Vastum. A waste or common lying open to the cattle of all
tenants who have a right of commonage, which right was some-
times determined by a trial at law. — Thomas de Fekcnham debet
regi quinque marcas tt nnum palefridum, sic quod inquisith fiat
utrum membrum illud de manerio de Brukull, quod idem- Thomas
tenet, debeat participate de vasto manerii de Brukull ratione com*
munce ejusdem manerii, in qua communa nihil habet, ut dicunt,
K. p. 171. Vastumforesiaj vel bosci, when part of a forest or wood
had the trees and underwood destroyed, and lay in a manner waste
and barren. — Sciatis quod de vastis nostris inforesta nostra de Bern*
toodein com. Buck, dedmus, &c. K. p. 351.—$ boscus dommi (de
Pidenton) abeat in vastvm, turn acquietabunt dominum pro diciis
Housbote et Haybote, K. p. 497. To waste or destroy the vert of
the forest was a trespass against the assise or laws of the forests.-—
Dicunt quodpriorissa de IAttlemore devastavit boscum suum de Shot-
tore contra assisam Jbrestte, K. p. 498.
Vknatio. Sometimes used for the exercise of hunting, and
sometimes for Venison. If any without license hunted within the
liberties of the king's forest, a severe penalty was imposed at the
next swanemote : which fines or amercements were not allowed
to the forester, but commonly reserved to the king. So when
William Fit?*Nigel enjoyed several privileges as forester of Bern-
wode, it was — Exceptis indtctamentis de viridi et venations, qua?
domino regi omnino reservabantur, K; p. 73.
Vxntilarb. To fann or winnow corn. Ventilatrices, the
women who were employed in this work: — Et in ventilatricibus
amductis in grosso ad ventilanda omnimoda grana triturata infra
prioratum hoc anno, K. p. 576. Sax. Pinb, £ng. Wind, thence a
Windore. In Kent the swaths of grass when turned and a little
dried are cast into Windrows, to be farther exposed to the wind
and sun. In some south parts the border's of a field dug up and
laid in rows, in order to have the drie mould carried on upon the
land to improve it, are called by this same name of Wind-rows.
Vb«tu&a, Vestitura. A Vest, vesture, advesture. An> allow-
ance of some set portion of the products of the earth, as corn, grass,
wood, &c. as part of a salary to some officer or servant, for their
livery or vest. So foresters had a certain allowance of timber and
under- wood yearly out of the forest for. this use,— Jnnuatim perci-
piendum tantum de roboribus et brucriis quantum pro vestura indi-
guerit, K. p. 62D.~-Ldberare faciatis eidem tanta robora'et brueria
quanta indigent usque ad lis. pro vestura sic restricta, K. p. 621.
Dm Vi Laic a amovenda. When the bishop of a diocese has
certified into the court of Chancery, that the rector or vicar of any
church within hit jurisdiction is kept out of bis benefice by any
150 GLOSSARY.
lay force or power, then may a writ be granted to the sheriff to
remove all such violent force and resistance, which writ is there-
fore entitled De vi iaica amovenda.— Edtvardus rex vicecotn, Oxon.
salutem.—Prcecipimus tibi quod omnem vim laicam quce se tenet in
eccUsia de Bukenhull, quo minus idem episcopus ojficium suum spi*
rituale ibidem exercere possit, sine dilatione amoueres ab eadem,
K- p. 335. ■ •
Vic aria. At first no more than any curacy or donative, till by
ordination and fixt endowment it was made presentative, and called
perpetual. Five marks were at first the common allotment to a
perpetual vicar, — Vkaria in capella de Hedtngdon—consistitinomi
nibus obventionibus altaris cum minutis decimis totiu,* parochhe, ex-
ceptis decimis agnorum, et decimis casei, de curia domini provenien-
tibus, — Et valet vicaria quinque m areas et ampiius, tota autem ec-
clesia xx. marcas, K,. p 511. An advance was afterward made of
ten marks, and sometimes to ten pounds. So in the ordination of
Merton vicarage, an. 1357, 31 Edw IN. — Reservata congrua
portiane pro vicario perpetuo~*-qvam portionem in decern marcis
summce pecuniae sterlingorum fore et consist ere secundum taxationem
decimarum, K. p. 483. The vicarage of Churchill com. Oxon,
ordained an. 14 Edw. HI consisted — in decern libris -argenti sol*
vendis vicario ad duos anni ierminos per priorem et canonical de
S.Frideswida, et de manso competenteet honesto : et in quinque acris
terns ar a bills in uno campo, et quinque in altero, K. p. 506* £n*
dowment of the vicarage of Chesterton, K. p. 543, of Burster,
K, p. 559* The same church bad sometimes a rectory and vica-
rage separate and distinctly endowed. So at Chesterton com.
Oxon.-- }V?Uielmus archidiaconus London, ratione terrce ethcertdis
Roberti de Chesterton in manu sua existeniium prcesentat ad eccle-
fiam de Chesterton, salva vicaria Ranulphi de Besaciis quam hdbet
in eadem, K. p. 103. When a vicar was too poorly endowed be
complained to the diocesan, who bad power to augment bis portion
out of the appropriated tithe. So the vicar of Ellsfeld nigh Oxford,
applying himself to Oliver bishop of Lincoln, got an augmentation
of three seams or quarters of corn from, the prior and canons of
St. FrideVwide, who were the sordid appropriators, K. p. 515.
Some imperious appropriators, to prove themselves lords over the
servile vicar, expresJy covenanted for & heriet to be paid them at the
death of every vicar t r—Vkarw$ de Cestreton post ejus decessum da-
bit heriettam rectori et conventui de Jsherugge, K. p. 543. and
sometimes. against all equity and conscience laid the repair of the
lhancel on the poor vicar, ib. Yet the case of vicars was gene*
rally better in the days of popery, because their own diet, and soit->
able accommodation for their vicar. and clerk, and the keeping of a,
GLOSSARY. 151
horse, were commonly allowed them by the convent, and taken in
specie at their court or mansion-house in the parish, whenever the
religions resided there for their health, their business, or their plea-
ware. So at Burcester, K. p. 559. It was very happy for the in-
terest of the church and clergy, that at the first endowment of
vicarages, the portion was assigned in improvable land and tithes,
not in a stated sum of mony, K. p. 605. In the new valuation of
church benefices, 26 Hen. VIII. vicarages were computed as if
the greater tithes were included. So as the first fruits and tenths
fell as heavy on the vicar as if he had been really rector of the same
church, K» p. 632.
Villa Regia. A title given to those countrey villages where
the kings of England had a royal seat or palace, and held the man-
nor in tbetr own demesne. So Brill com. Buck, was called Villa
Regia, K. p. 58: So Hedingdon com. Oxon. &c.
Villata. A small village opposed to Burgus a larger town.-—
In omnibus burgis et villatis nostris, K. p. 3 1 1 .
Villa Ntrs. A Villain, or rather a Villane. Some pretend it
from the Fr. Vilain, Lat. Fills, base and vile. But rather from
Villa a countrey farm, (as Rustici, Coloni, &c.) where these men
of low and servile Condition had some small portion of cottages
and lands allotted to them, /or which they were depending on the
lord, and bound to certain works and other corporal service. They
were of two sorts, 1. Vil lanes in grow, who as to their persons,
their issue, and their stock, were a sort of absolute slaves, the sole
property of their lord, moveable and alienable at pleasure. 2. Vil-
lanes regardant or appendant to a .mannor, who were ascribed- as
members of sach a fee, and as a pertinence of it, descended to the
heir, or past along to every new lord. For their service they held
some small-portion of house and -land in Villenage. In Doomsday
Inquisition these Villanes were recounted as- an emolument and
appendage of every mannor 5 so in Burcester twenty -eight Vil-
feties, in Bucknel six Villanes > &c. K. p. 65. Their persons were
conveyed along with their lands -so held in Villenage. Widode
Areines gave to the abby of Oseney his land in Mixbury,— Sex
virgatas terrce de villenagid, cum vkUanis et eorum sectiset servims,
K. p. 212 William de Longspe confirmed to the priory of Bur-
cester land in Wrechwike, — Cum villanis et eorum sequelis et ca-
taUis, K. p. 216. So Robert de Amory to the abby of Oseney
two hides in Chesterton. So Hamo de Gat tone conveyed his lands
in Wreckwike, — Cum omnibus villanis et eorum tenementis et se*
quefis, K. p. 27a. — Villanos cum villanagns omnibus catalHs et
tota sequela ipsorum^.K. p. 2&8.+> Una cum villanis, coterellis;
eorum catallis, servitiis, sectis, et sequetis> K. p t 310. In the char-
152 GL0I&ARY.
ter of Gilbert^ Basset and Egelioe hit wife to their priory at Bur-
ceater,— Terrflin nostrum de Fotesdun et de IVestcote eum omnUmo
pertinentiis suis, scilicet dominium nostrum cum vibmgio, K. p. 151.
The Villanes over and above their operations or cnatumary labour*,
paid an annual rent in mony. So in the extent of the mannor of
Ambrosden .taken in 28£dw. L — Sunt ibidem triginta et septem
villani, quorum quisque tenet unam virgatam terrm* et reddunt per
an. ix I. vs. K. p. 628. This tenure is now extinct, yet the foot-
steps of it still remain in those custumary services, which are now
reserved from some tenants to the lord, as particularly from the
tenants of Mr. John Coker lord of the mannor of Burcester King's-
End.
Vicinetum, Fisne, Fisnage. Neighbourhood.. All persons
to be returned on a jury as legal men, were to be deeodem vicineto,
formerly of the same hundred, as now only of the same county.-*
Blecti sunt duodecim homines legales de vieineto, K. p. 134.— Per
sacramentum proborum et legalium hominum de vicineto de Chester-
ton, K. p. 367.
Virg ata terrte. A Yard-land. Sax. Gypb-lanb, Gy/10, a rod
or Yard, Gynban, to Girt, in the North to Gyrd. Hence a Yard,
a close, a backside, in the North a Garth. A Garden, Fr. Jordan.
A Garland. A Garret. A Garter. A Girdle. A Horse-girt, &c,
A Gird-land, or Yard-land wag 'originally no more than a certain
extent or compass of ground surrounded with such bounds and
limits. - And therefore the quantity was uncertain according to the
difference of place and custom. They reckoned in some parts
fburty, in other thirty, twenty, and at Wimbleton in Sorry but
fifteen acres. Spelmao. Gloss. Five virgates of land made the
fourth part of a knight's fee in Otendone com* Oxon, 3 King Stepb.
K.p.93. Two Virgates or Yard-lands in Chesterton 24 Hen.IlL
contained fourscore and ten acr es> K. p. 224.
ViaiDB, Vert or green. Whatever grows in a forest, and bears
boughs and leaves for the covering and shelter of the deer. Either
Over-vert, Haut-bois, High-wood, Timber-trees ; or Nether-vert,
SoA-bois, Under-wood. All which Firidarius the Veredor was to
supervise and maintain, and to. bring indictments at the Swane-
roote against those who wasted or trespassed on the Vert. The
amercements for such offences were generally reserved to the king.
So William Fitz-Nigel held the forestarship of Bennw>de.— £*-
cepiis indictamentis de vkidi et venatione, quce domino regi ouatao
reservabantur, K. p. 73. In all inquisitions taken of the slate of
forests, the Viridar was one of the jury. — Inquisiiio c<xptcir—d* Jih
testa de » Bernwode—domini Wditeri Upton, Johannis Graundm
fcc— K. p, 2Q9.
GLOSSARY* 1 A3
Vnus Fo rest arier u m. View of the forestirs. When the liberty
of Hoasbote, Heybote, Fire- wood, or any the Tike privilege, was
granted within the bounds of a forest, it was not to be taken bat
ad visum forestariorum, upon view and approbation of the fores*
tars, K. p. 160. Thomas de S. Walery granted to the nuns of
Stodley — qualibet septimana unam carectam ligni morttri in bosct
suo de Hor ton per visum for estarii sui ejusdem nemoris, K. p. 170.
The profits of this View were firmed or rested from, the king. —
Certus visus valet per annum ii. sol. et reddit domino regi pro prioe-
dicta hida et certo visu x. sol. K. p. 3 14.
Vis us custodis manerii. The inspection or care taken by the
steward or bayliffof a roannor, foi the doing right and justice to
the lord.— iter ilias sexdecim libras et dmidiam marcae ad quas ho-
mines de Pydinton nuper talUati fuerant, assignavit ponendas per
visum Hugonis Gargate tustodis prwdicti manerii in prcedkto ma*
nerio instaurandum, K. p. 241.
Visus FranaplegU. Vid. Fbanciplegium.
Vivarium. Any place for the nurture and confinement of liv-
ing creatures, as a park, a warren, a fish-pond, ace. — llbad tene-
mentum cum vivario, et aliis pertinentiis, K. p. 224.— E/ tit datis
prior is servientibns purgantibus vivarium versus moiendinum ante
idemfestum iv. den. K. p. 578.
W.
Waddemolb, now called Woadmel, and in Oxfordshire Wod-
deneli, a course sort of stuff used for the covering of the collars of
cart-horses. Mr. Ray in his Collection of East and South Country
Words describes it to be a hairy course stuff, made of Island wool,
and brought thence by our seamen to Norfolk, Suffolk, &c. Per.
haps from the Sax. feob, grass, hay, weed, and (Dele, any hollow
continent, as if a collar stuft with straw or hay. Or possibly from
the Island. Vadur, a rope or any Wod of course hemp, and Mel,
to beat, or Mail. — Et in quinque virgatis de Waddemole empiispro
coleris equinis hoc anno ii. sol. t. den* K. p. 574.
Wake', Vigil, Eve. Feast of the dedication of churches. The
original and continued observation historically delivered, K. p. 609.
Wapentachium. A Wapentake. A portion or division of a
county in the North, of the same extent' as a hundred in other
parts. The Laws of Eqward Con f. cap. 33, derive it from the
Sax. paepnu, weapons, and Taccane, to confirm, or Tac, a touch,
because in their solemn meetings they clattered their arms as a
token of agreement. But Jo. Brompton gives this allusion, — Wa~
pentake Angtice idem est quod arma capers, eo quod in primo ad-
154 GLOSSARY.
ventu rtovi domini solebant tenentibus pro homagmrena^erearma'sud.
X. Script, col. Q57* -To which custom Ranutph of Chester refers
the word in his Hist. 1. 1. cap. £. This derivation as most agree-
able is confirmed by Mr. Somner, wbo y both in his Glossary and
in his Saxon Dictionary, deduces the word from Sax. paepen, arms
or weapons, and Teecan, or rather Bersecan, to deliver up : from
whence, says Mr. Somner, to betake or commit, and Tacke in the
North for a firm or any tenement let out for rent. — Cam molen-
dinis, firmis, wapentachus, et hundredis affirmatis, K. p. 354.—
Cumvillis et hamlet tis, terns, tenements, hundredis, et wapentagus,
K. p. 389.
War a ntum . Right and title to Justine and defend a possession*
Spelman and Somner deduce it from the Sac. Peruan, to defend
and to beware. But Du Fresne (possibly with less reason) onuses
to derive it from the Lat. Creantare> to verifie or secure, from
whence in his opinion the Fr. Grantor and Garantir, &c. Placi-
tum de Quo waranto, an action brought by the king to cite the de-
fendant to prove his right of possession. — Johannes films Nigelli
sen, summonitusjuit ad respondendum domino regi de placiio quo
waranto clamat habere visum francipUgii, K. p* 3 13. Thence a
Warant, or writ to authorize the apprehension of a debtor or de-
linquent. To Warant any matter, to defend and Justine the truth
of it.
Warantia. A defence and legal assertion of right and title.
Vocare ad warantiam, to desire a court of justice to cite or warn in
a party to Warant or defend a title, which as superiourlord of the
fee he is bound to maintain. So John de Fey to being sued for the
mannor of Pidington, which he held under Sir John de Sutton and
Isabel his wife, — Venit in curiam, et per Richardum de Sheldon at-
tornatum suum vocat inde ad warantiam Johannem Sutton de Dud-
ley chevalier, et Isabel lam uxorem ejus, ut habeat eos hie in octabis
S. Michaelis per auxilium curia?, R. p. A*]?.
Warda. Sat. peanb, Guard, Ward, or custody. Before the
stat. of 12 Car. II. cap. 24, which dissolved the court of Wards,
the heirs of all the king's tenants, who held in capite or by military
service, during their nonage or minority, were in the Ward or
custody of the king, or others by him appointed. The king dis-
posed and committed these Wards as a compensation for debts and
services, — Faciemus eidem Radulpho et heeredibus suis competens
escambium in wardis et eschaetis ad valentiam prcedkti manerU,
K. p. 203.
Wards Penny, War-penny, War-scot, Warth. A customary
due paid to the sheriff and other officers for maintaining Watch
and Ward, payable at the feast of St. Martin. In the beginning
GLOSSARY, 165
of Edw. I. Sir Bardrilph de Chesterton held the raannor of Ches-
terton,- — Et debet, sectam ad hundredum de Chadlinton — et debet
yuinquedertariosde Warde-pennie adjestum S. Martini, K. p. 318,
Warbctare. From Carectum, a plough. To plough up land
in order to let it lye fallow for the better improvement, which
ground in Kent we call Summer-land. Mense jipriH watectdndi
erit tempos idoneum et amcenum, cum terra Jregerit post catruca/m,
Fleta 1. 2, cap. 33, sect.' 4. — Homines de Hedingdori uno die warec-
tabunt terrain domini, prout decet, ad unum diem dun carucis suis,
K. p. 320. Thence Warectum, a fallow field, which Sir Edward
Coke poorly fancies to be Warectum, quasi vere novo victum vel sub-
actum* — Campus warectabilis, campus ad tvarectam, terra warec-
tata,adwarectandim^tempustvar*ctationis. WaUerus prior Be-
rencestrue per fratrem TJtomwm de Meriton jieri fecit quoddam
Inhov in campo warectabUi utriusque Emicote, K. p. 297. Sir
Roger de Arpory gave to the nuns of Godestow — viginti quinque
acras in Blechesdon ad seminandum, et totidem ad warectandujn.
Mon. Ang. torn. 1. p. 425. In manerio de Pydinton qucelilet acra
valet sex denariis tarn warectata, quam seminala, K. p. 4Q5. In
communi pastura f sicut in bosco et in campis ad tvarectam possunt
sustentari xvi. vaccce et unus taurus cum boviculis, K. p. 495.—
Dominus Lestraunge habet duas separates pasturas in hoc campo, et
sunt separates usque adfinem Sancti Jacobi apostoti omni anno, ex-
cepto anno quo campus prcedictus jacet warectatus, K. p. 535. — ■
Communam in campis de Burncesler, tarn post blada vincta, quam
tempore warectationis omni anno, K. p. 539.
Warrbna. A Warren, from Sax. J/epan, to guard or keep.
Libera Warrena, free warren was a liberty granted by the king to
the lord of a mannor, that within such an extent he should keep
and preserve, and take to his own use, fish, fowl, and other game,
which no other person should hunt or destroy without leave of the
lord, K. p. 247.
Wayn8Cots. Deal boards to wainscote a wall. German
Wands chot ten y from old Teuton. Wand, a wall, and Schotten to
cover or defend. — Et in sex estregbords videlicet Wayzscots emptis
apud Sterisbrugge iusol. iii. den. K. p. 5/5.
Weyp, Wayf, Wavium. From Sax. faej, a "Way, a Lat. Via, For
the Latin P" consonant was by the Romans themselves pronounced as
our W\ Vmum Winum, Valium Wallum, &c. which was the reason
why the Saxons changed the letter finto W % as wine, wall, way,
&c. To which the bri tains prefixt a G, as Fectis, Wight, Gwydh;
Venta, Went, Gwent. So Viavium, Waif, Gwaif.— Recognition
est militibus et liberis hominibus — quod ad nos spectat le Gwaif,
K. p. 196. Waif was felons goods, or things feloniously stolen,
1 66 GLOSSARY.
left by the thief, and forfeited to the king or to tin* lord, *ho eg-
joyg the right by a pant from the crown. — Emma Cooke dotnum
Johannis Attewelle in Overwynchendonfregit, et xix. marcas—fe-
Unuee farata fuit — quae seisitce fuerunt ibidem tanquam weyf tit
manum prions, ut de antiqua consuetudine fieri consuevit, K. p. S06.
Witheys. Any low place where willows grow. From Ptiftg,
a Willow tree, ftiffie, a With or Withe, — Tres acrce apud le Wk^
tkeyes, K. p. 3Q5. Jbimidia rodajacet ad Witheyes juxta pratum
prims, K. p. 400.
r.
Vconomi EccUsub. Pro Oiconomi. Church-wardens. — Qui
ibidem compotum yconomorum diciee eeelesim de Oakle,-r-Et ipso*
onerent sive liberent, et novo* yconomos etigant seu deputent, K.
p. 6\6.
f
INDEX.
A. page
Account of the tenants, rents,
said services within the manor
ofBicester,18Edw.III.
Recount of the outgoings and in-
comings of the dairy of La
Brech, 8 Hen. IV.
Account of the receipts and ex-
penditure of the prior and ca-
mps of Bicester Priory, A. D.
1425
jLdamSy John T
Airson, Thomas '
Ake man-street, description of
41 Chester, its etymology
conjectures respect-
- 215
- 230
234
74
89
199
190
ing its Roman name
— present state -
discoveries on digging
191
197
195
87
70
- 209
among the ruins
Aldridge, Richard
Aldwinkle, John de •
^llectus rebels againstCarausius,
and defeats that monarch
at Caversfield
» i» slain by Asclepiodo-
tus in battle - - 210
Altars, the number Of, in the
church of Bicester Priory 78
' to whom dedicated - ib.
1 how decorated * - 79
Annals of the Priory of St. Ed-
burg • . 57.73
Ardmgton, tithes of, settled on
Bicester Priory . . $9
Arthur, hi* battles with the Sa*-
ons -
Asberugge, rector and convent of
Aspler, Xhomas
Audley, James Lord, his bene-
faction to Bicester Priory
Augustine visits Oxfordshire^and
raises a dead body to life 206
Order, their origin,
204
68
8T
- 66
52
68
- vro
rules and dress
Aulney Abbey
B.
Bailiwick of Bicester, when in-
stituted
■ with whom
remaining - - 173
Bake-house provided by the lord
of Bjgenhul for the use of his
tenants - - Si
Banbury, Thomas - - ' 75
■ Alice • - 65
——'Allen,his disputes with
Bicester Priory • - (fe
founds the Bices-
• &
ter schools at Oxford
Basset, Gilbert, obtains the grant
of seven knight's fees of
the honor of Walingford,
which includes Bicester
and the neighbouring pa-
rishes
bis benefactions to
- 151
the religions - - ib.
- Gilbert, founds Bicester
PxiOry - • 55
INDEX.
Basset, Gilbert, grants land for
the endowment - 58, $9
■ chief events of
his life - - 151, 152
Philip
Philippa
• /
Battle of Ashendon
Battle of Basing -
Battle of Banbury
Battle of Cirencester
Battle of Gravenhull
Bellamy, William
Bensington Parsonage -
Bicester, situation 'and etymo-
logy -
■ description of the town
Bigenhul, village of
■ history of the manor
pjreaent state of
65
64
10
ib.
5
-6
10
70
86
X
16
134
157
139
'6*
Bird, John
"his epitaph at Wendlebury 89
Blackball, Samuel
Blount, S'rr Michael
Sir Richard
- 8$
- 87
- S3
- 74
60,61
- 62
- 69
77
75
50
69
Brails, Richard
Bret, James le
Brito, Thomas
Brode, Nicholas
Brown, William, surrenders Bi-
cester Priory
Bruce, Robert
Burials, none permitted at Strat-
um Audley
Burnceste*r, Walter de
furrows, Richard, his donation
for apprenticing poor children 147
Butt's-coroer ancientry without
the town - * 1$
; C.
Camden, William - - 70
Cam vil I, Richard de, marries the
" widow of T.Verdorf - 152
— his benefactions to the
Priory of Bicester 58. 60
Carlton, Mary, her benefaction
to the poor - - 145
, — — — appoints a sermon
to be preached 1 on the 2nd
* ** Sunday in Marcel - 146
Carunau?,' Robert ' - - 87
£attieuchlafli . ' - ' - 188
CavefsfteM, Ridratti de ' -" TO
Sybil de -' - 61
Caversfield, Village of, etymo-
logy - - sosr
battle
fought - - ib.
Cenwalch - 8
Cerdic - 5
Chamberlain, Dame Ann - * 87
Charity School established -111
— — scholars taught to
work in school hours - 1 12
benefaction to 113
Charter of Hen. 11. to the inha-
bitants of the honor of
Wallingford - - 26
for a fair in King's -end 125
Chesney, Maud de
Chesterton, Ralph de
Church in Bicester, supposed to
be built by Birinus
' *■ " dedicated to
St. James
anciently
stood in Sheep»street
1 " rebuilt
75
64
48
49
ib.
ib.
Clements, Thomas, purchases
* the bailiwick of Bicester 170
■ ■ ' ■ attempts to retain the
manorial rights - - 171
Clerk, Robert - - 60
Clifton '. • - - 86
Coins found at Afchester -198.
Cok, Thomas - - 70
Coker, John, see manor of Nun's
Place - - - • -
Coker, Thomas, his donations to
the poor - 147
Commonage, description of - 36
— ■ '■■ right of, terminated 39
Constantius opposes Carausius 203
Cooke, S. ' - 90
Cornish, Henry, enters New Irtn
Hall, Oxford - - 120
— — — «■ joins the parliament
parfy - ' -
- is appointed visitor of
the University
- displaced by the king's
commissioners
settles at Bicester, and
ib.
ib.
ib.
becomes pastor of a dis-
senting congregation - ib.
his death and character 181
Cottesfbfd, ftoger de - - «9
Coventry, John • - - 75
toxxkx.
Crispin, Milo -" -
Ciockwell, Walter de
Street, account of »
■ instances of the extra-
vagant rent of cottages
>■ well, where situated
Moor
150
«50
11
ib.
ib.
61
66
69
Cufae, Richard
Curtlington, Robert de
D.
Dadyngton, William - - 75
D*Amory, Sir Richard * 80
Daoes enter Oxfordshire - 9
*-•— defeated at Gravenbill • - 10
-destroy Berincester and
the oeigbbonring villages 18
r»— -massacred at Oxford - ib.
Deaneries, institution of - 5 1
Deanery of 'Bicester, the seal of 53
■ ' churches in ib.
Dennant* John - • - 13d
Derby, Earls of, see Stanley .
Derby-hold, its origin • .. • J3ff. 190
■ 1 n ■ estate* converted .
into freeholds - - 1 75
Dissenters, their tenets - 118
■?*■■
instances of marriages
■ celebrated by their mi-
nister • ' • - 181
Dbbuni - - • - 188
Donations to the parish of Bi-
cester -;- - .140
Doomsday-book, account of • - ft I
■ ■ extract from - 83
■ ■ ■ explanation ' of
• the terms - - H*
Drayton ... - -86
E.
EtheMleda governs Mercia - H
■. m ■■ -her character - ib.
Extracts from the church-war^
dens' books - - 261
■ *roth the king's book? 869
Eynesham, the-abbat and con-
vent of - - - 54
Byre, Joseph - - 90
F.
Fairs and markets, origin of - 184
■ «' . ^ # hi ' ii anciently heH
- in chnrch.yards on a
• Sunday - - ib.
Fairs and markets, charter for
- one at Bicester - 185
■ market discon-
tinued, and a new one es-
tablished in -Market-end
r- — > M. Howlet
tabiisbed three new fairs
Farmers, ancient state of
- alteration in the man-
ners of their daughters
Fitz -Count, Brien, wars against
King Stephen
. i takes the cross,
and his estates seized by
the king
Fitz-Michael, Robert
Forbes, Thomas
Free- school, account of
Freewahl, father of St. Edburg
and St. Editfca
127
189
S7
40
150
ib.
61
.89
107
- 57
G.
Gargate,. Isabel, .her donation to
vthe priery • -
«t— Mantel . * . *.;
Gerraayn, Robert, the tenure by
which he held, his lands, cot-
tage, &C.
Glass-urn found in- Alcfaester -
Glynne, William, purchases an
estate at Bicester
■ . " i .m ■ 1 1 » is created a ba-
ronet - •
— — his benefactions
to Bicester church .
builds Am bros*
—»■■—
den-house
Sir William, chosen
member for Woodstock
*-* — — - dies
' ■■ ■ Sir Stephen, sells the
estates of Bicester and
Ambrosden
Grantham, Sir Thomas,' his do-
nation to poor widows
•_ — . , , inscrip-
• tion on his monument
Graven-hill, Danes buried there
■ the wood given to Bi*
- cester Priory
Green, Richard - •
Grimstmry, land aty given to
Bicester Priory ' -
■ ■ valuation of
61
ib.
89
173
ib.
104
i74
ib.
ib.
ib.
140
103
19
59
-TO
65
S50
INDEX.
Grimtbury, to wham given afar
mclosures, rise of the rent
the Dissolution ~ t
87
of land
49
Grote, Peter le
no
Ingeram, Walter
62
Inns, scarcity of— Travellers en-
•
H.
tertained at religions houses
55
Hall, William
89
Islip, Robert
no
Harvest-home, origin of the cus-
Jones, James, establishes a Sim-
tom
31
day-school
in
i all the families
*
Jurdan, Nicholas, obtains a char-
bound to give their ser-
ter for a hospital at Bicester
115
vice on the last day of
harvest, except their
wives and tenants - ib.
present mode of
keeping the feast - 269
Hearqe, Thomas, his opinion re-
specting Alchester - - 201
Hermitage and chapel of St.
John the Baptist '- - 115
Hervey, prior of Bicester - 60
Hevford-warrin - 65. 75. 255
Hindlest, Richard '• - - 75
Hodesham, land in, exchanged
for Nyhenaker - - 60
Honour of WaMingford - 31
■ ■ charter
granted to the 'inhabi-
tants
court of,
- 26
• when held, fines levied,
discovered to be illegal 34, 35
Hospital, charter for one at .Bi-
cester - - 116
Inclosure of King's-end field,
. substance of the bill ob-
tained for the
i names of the
proprietors
roads, fcc.
width of public
account of the
great tythes
provisoes in the
act
40
ib.
41
ib.
42
Inclosures of Market-end field,
bill obtained - 37-?»
, ■ ■ ■ names of the
landowners - - ib.
■ names of those
having a right to com-
monage - - ib.
i m consequence of
K.
Kennel, John - - 87
Kennett, Sarah, inscription on
her monument - . - 101
Kennett, White, affecting letter
of, detailing the circumstances
of her death - - ib.
Kenric - - 5
King's-end, built on the site of
Bigenhnll - ftO. 135
■i n privileges of the inha-
bitants - - 136
Kirklington, land in - *~ - 58
Kirkltngton, Walter de X- . '63
L.
Lacy, Henry, earl of Lincoln,
marries Margaret Longspe 156
■■ procures charters for
lairs - - 157
— — military enterprises ib«
■ death of his son - ih.
— embassy - • 158
— • joins thebarons against
Gaveston - - ib.
■ ■ death of bis wife - 159
■ marries his daughter
to Thomas earl of Lan-
caster - - ib.
dies - - ib.
■ inquisition - - 6S
Lacy, Alice, seised by Earl War-
ren's partisans - 160
claimed by Richard aa
his wife - • 161
■■ divorced from the Earl
of Lancaster - - - »V
— — marries Eubolo le
Strange - - ib,
• forfeits her estates - ib*
death of Eabofe - 164
marries again. ♦ ib*
dies - - ifr»
IKDEXt
Lamb-ale & - 869
Lancaster, Thomas earl of, op-
poses Gaveston - 160
■ «- ■■■ * made steward
of England - . •» ib.
Law prohibiting men from fol-
lowing any profession except
agriculture - -32
Lestrange, Sir Roger - - 163
■ Sir John - - ib.
— — — Sir Richard and lady
quarrel with the wife of
Sir John Trussel in St,
Dunstan's Church - 163
——' perform penance - 164
Letcomb Basset - -85
Longspe,WiIliam, marries Idonea
deCamvil - - 153
— — — claims the earldom
of Salisbury - - ib.
■ his benefactions to
Bicester Priory - 63, 64
■ military achieve-'
meats - - 153
— — slain by the Sara-
cens - - 154
seen by his mother
ascending to heaven - ib.
■ miracles at his tomb 155
Longspe, William, son of the
above - - ib.
1 scheme of his widow
to retain her estates after
marrying a second has-'
band without the king's
license - - 156
M.
Magendime, field of - - 62
Maryland, John -- - 90
May-Day, amusements of - 267
Meadow-mowing - - 269
Meeting- House, description of 122
Missenden Little - - 63
Mortar-pits, Derby holders pri-
vileged to dig mortar at - 39
Mumping, custom of - - 270
N.
JTicholas, Pope, ecclesiastical
taxation - - 67
Nun's Place, history of the ma-
nor - - 130
————— granted on lease to
John Griffith - - 13ft
Nan's Place sold to Mr. John
Coker - ~ 132
* manor-house re-
built \ - - ib.
* the green inclosed,
and converted into a plea-
sure ground - - 13&
O.
Oilgi, or D>OilIy, Robert, marries ,
Aldith daughter of Wigod 148
■ the greatest man
in the county - • 149
— — — builds Oxford cas-
tle, the great bridge, &c. ib.
grants the tithe
of Bicester and the neigh-
bouring villages to the
church of St.George, Ox-
ford - - - ib.
monkish story
concerning his illness - ib.
death - - 150
Osbath, George - - 87
Oseney Abbey, description of the
dormitory of - - 81
Oseney, Abbot, complains of da-
mage in their possessions
atAmcote - - 66
- remits the tithe of
Bicester parish to that
priory - - .68
Osmond, John - - 70
P.
Paine, Thomas, burnt in effigy 183
Parentyn, Richard - - 70
Parish churches, origin of - 44
— — their endowment 45
■ ■ privileged with
burying grounds - 46
. - part of the church
allotted to the use of the
. hamlets - - ib.
Parish church of Bicester, when
. built - - 91
, description ib.
'■ galleries - 95
■ organ, pul-
pit, reading-desk, and
font - - 96
monumental
inscriptions - - 97
tower • 107
■ ■. churchyard 108
JNJ>S<»
wJt*tr*n of the church anciently
allowed a seat io the
chancel - - • A6
Patron Saiut - - 49
PauIyn,Jobn - - 70
Payments - - 270
Peoda .- 6
Penrose, Mr., digs among the
ruins of Alchester - 1 95
A discoveries ' - 196
Petyrton, Richard - - 75
Philip, Ralph - - 71
Place-yard, story of a coach and
six horses lost in a pond - 83
Plaatius, Aulus, leads a Roman
army into Britain - 189
— his wars - ib.
■ — - plants a garrison
at Alch ester - - 190
Poor of Bicester, an abstract of
the returns for the' expense
and maintenance of, For seve-
fal'years - - 49
Population in 1801 and 181 1 - 44
Princep, John - - 90
Priory of St. Edburg, by whom
founded - - 55
■ charter of foun-
dation - - ib.
— — — Patron Saint 57
— — — donations, Sec. 57.76
» description of
the buildings at'the time
of the Dissolution - 81
■ i '. ' ■ m statement of its
revenues • i 77, 7 8
■ n to whom grant-
ed - 85. 173
Priory church, account of - 78-80
— — conjectures respect-
ing its site - - ib.
Protestants, account of some con-
. fined in Bicester Priory - 271
" Pugh, John , - -66
Q.
Quakers . >- - -144
Quintin, description of that sport 266
F.
Roads, the ancient and present
state of those in the
* neighbourhood of Bicester 13
■■ ■>■■— thelf 'teparr anciently • -
considered an act of piety ib.
**
Roads, turnpikes, tolls, &c<
■ i Roman
Rosamond Clifford, life of
— not poisoned
■ interred at God-
- 14
- 215
- ib.
stow church
■-— — « extract
-214
from an
ancient book relative to
the opening of her grave
by King Henry - 214
removal of bet
body by order of the bi-
shop of Lincoln
Rural Deans
Russel, Mistrys, purchases land
at Letcomb Basset, formerly
belonging to Bicester Priory
215
51
SG
S. '
$axons, description of 3
i n invade Britain • ■» 4
u i settle in Oxfordshire - 6
Sericb, Richard - -69
Sheep-street, formerly St.
Joho's-stieet - - IS. 117
Sherborne . - - 86
Shewf«g, Thoma* -- ■ - 8ft
Shobington, Nicholas de - 70
Shore, Thomas * -- 8£
Shrove Tuesday, y&orts of - 267
Small pox rages at Bicester, and
occasions the ruin of tha mar-
ket - - 180
Smith, John, his description of a
well and coffin found in Place
Yard Gardens - - 82
Smith, John - - 90
Sports and -pastimes - - 266
Stage-coach -- - -183
Stanley, George, Losd Lestrange,
marries the daughter of
Sir John Lestrange - 164
■ given up- to Richard
III. as an hostage for the
fidelity of his father - 165
■ " ■ Themas, Earl of Derby ib.
■ Henry, Earl of Derby,
accompanies Wolsey to
France * - 166
■ suppresses the pil-
grimage of grace - ib.
■ »■ persecutes the Wi-
clifites • - 272
' " dies hi - - 166
■*/
INDEX.
Stanley, Henry, bit son, life of
■ Ferdinand, Earl of Der-
by, said to be bewitched
detail of his illness
167
itx
and death
William, Bar! of Derby,
involved in a dispute re-
specting his title to the
leleofAfan
sells the manor of
- 168
169
170
70
73
Bicester
Stapenhuir, Thomas de
Staveley, William, his benefac-
tions to Bicester Priory
* ' — inscription on his
monument •<• - 97
Stodham - .86
Stone-pits, Derby-holders privi-
leged to dig stones at -172
Stratton, village of, its etymology 201
anciently an " hamlet
of Bicester' - - 50
the great tythes given
*■*
— *
- to Egnesham Abbey - 57
■■ ' the chapel conveyed
by charter to Bicester
Priory - - jb.
the great tythe con-
veyed to that monastery
- for an annual pension - 58
■ ■■ tythe of hay given to
the same ■<■ • - ib.
- — - the inhabitants pu*
nished for burying their
dead in that village - 71
— — the rectory and ad-
vowson of the church
granted to the see of Ox-
' ford - . 86. 245
Stratton, William de - - 70
Stukeley, Dr., his observations
onAIcbester - • .191.194
Suffolk', Duke of, obtains the
grant of Bicester Priory - 8*
Sunday Schools, account of - 114'
T.
Taylor, Thomas - - 89
Tenures . . - 24
Theodore, Archbishop of Canter-
bury, unites the bishoprick of
Dorchester to Mercia - 8
Thornberg, William de - 68
Tithes first granted by the lord
of the manor - - 45
— — divided into four parts by
Augustine - - 46
■ anciently collected by iti-
nerant priests - - 47
— Bicester and Stratton given •
to St George's church,
Oxford - - ib,
— transfer of the grant to
Oseney Abbey - ib.
Took er, John * - 71
Tower of 'Bicester church, tra-
dition respecting - 50
« — w bells, &c. - 107
Town Hall - - - 18
Town-stock, account of - 140
■ - i. ■ orders issued by the
court of Chancery rela-
tive to the application of
the charity
-present state of the
St
funds, &c.
Tronghtoo, John, enters
John's College Oxon
- — ■ is ejected
* ■ settles at Bicester
■ ' his death and cha-
racter
Trooghton, John, son of the for-
mer - ! -
Turner, Edward, purchases the
priory estates
— created a baronet
— — dies
Mb
141
14S
119
ib.
ib.
ib.
121
174
ib.
ib.
- Sir Edward, is a candi-
date for the representa-
tion of the county in par-
liament - : - 175
— •— - rebuilds Ambrosden
house, and extends the
park
dies - !
- Sir Gregory, succeeds to
his father's estates, and
discharges all the work-
men employed in the
plantations at Ambros-
den
•pulls down the house,
ib.
176
- ib.
cutsdOwn the timber, and
incloses the park - ib,
— * causes of his death 1 77
— his will • - ib.
INDEX,
V.
Vache, Richard de la, grants
lands to Bicester Priory on
certain conditions • - 66.69
Valuation of the estates of the
Priory of Bicester by the com -
ipissioneni appointed by Hen-
ry VIIL 7 - 250
Vicarage of Bicester ordained - 59
its revenues in-
creased by -a new instru-
ment granted by the prior
. and convent - -72
Sir M. and Sir R.
Blount seize upon some of
its revenues - • 88
areuWiged to rer
fund them by a-decree of
Chancery - - ib.
the vicarage again
injured by the sale of Sir
S. Glynne's estates - 90
measures taken to
obtain redress . - ib.
Vicarage-house, description of . iJ>.
Villains, description of the - 23
their services . •» 29
-not allowed to sell a
stone-horse, or ox, or>give
their sons any learning, or
marry their daughters,
without consent of t^eir '*•
lord - - 30
causes of their emanci? .
pation - f 36
instance of manumission
granted to two of the king's
slaves and their families
by Henry VIIL
'relics of villainage exist-
ing in 1695...
.Visitors appointed to inspect all
the monasteries
their instructions
* j > ■' report *> •
- ib.
- ib.
76
ib.
77
Volunteer company established 2 85-
W.
talker, William, his benefac-
tions to the schools - 1 13. 1 47
Walsioffbam, the king at - 08
Wantydg,John - - 71
Warde, Roger de r - 69
Warkworth, land at, given to
Bicester Priory - * ib.
Well of St.Edburg, where situ-
ated - - 83
, virtue of its waters ib.
re-opened by Mr.
Coker
- 84
present name and
state • - - ib*
Wells, Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln,
ordains the vicarage of
Bicester - -58
. orders the removal of
the body of fair Rosamond 215
Wentworth, Agnes
Wbitsun-ales -
Wigod de Walingford entertaius
the Romans after the bat-
• tie of Hastings -
• marries his daughter
87
268
148
149
85
87
199
19
to Robert deQilly
Wilkin*, Bennet
Wilkins, John
Woro'en Pool
Work -house, account of
Wretch wic,how written anciently 200
. account of, see Priory
Estates
Wycpmb, Edmund, grants a new
instrument of endowment for
the vicarage of Bicester
Wykins, Thomas, and T.Cle-
ments purchase the bailiwick
of Bicester
- 72
- 170
Y.
Year*s-mind, bow celebrated - V9
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