HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF St. MARY AT PAINSWICK. 74 . A/I.'y. Castle Hale, Paihswick, Churf^fml. ^ (St»t,o,,Strouo.G°w.'r.) t k? /Vi/iA*^ H 9A/tw _ /^yvX 1 ,^ Si) / M . Kami jrm. S%l\r .J^adddtj J HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF ST. MARY, AT PAINSWICK a Ibistor^ of the Cburcb of St. /Iftarip, at Ip^ainswict? BT ST. CLAIR BADDELEY EXETER WILLIAM POLLARD 4 Co. Ltd., 39 A 40, NORTH STREET And 165, Queen Victoria Stbe»t, London, E.C. 1902 PREFACE Finding my curiosity aroused aa to the History of Painswick Church, it became a matter of regret with me that, turn where- soever I might, the doors of information as to its pre-Reformation History, seemed to be closed. There was no literature on the subject beyond the very meagre references contained in the county histories. There was, moreover, no local Worthy living who might be profitably consulted as an authority, in order to supply my needs. Finding necessity therefore a spur, and at the same time, becoming aware that there must be many others desirous of the same knowledge, I resolved to set apart from other studies, a certain number of hours each day, in order to discover and collate my materials. The results of this proceeding are compressed into the following pages, which are here offered to the reader as a small contribution to the History of Painswick. In particular, I wish to oflFer my hearty acknowledgments to Messrs. Morton Ball, Playne, and Upton, of Stroud, who per- mitted me to examine and search whatsoever Manor Rolls and other documents still remain in their keeping. Also, my obligations are specially due to the Rev. Fitzroy and Mrs. Fenwick, for afifording me free access to the MS. Register (fifteenth century) of Lantony Secunda, in their library; to Mr. F. A. Hyett, for placi^ his great local knowledge and experience at my disposal ; to the Mayor and the Town Clerk (Mr. Blakeway) of Gloucester, for allowing me to make use of their valuable MS. City Records; to the Rev. Herbert Seddon, M.A., Vicar of Painswick, and his churchwardens, and to the Rev. J, Melland Hall, M.A., Rector of Harescombe and Pitchcombc, for similar courtesies; and, lastly, to the patient and intelligent officials of the Public Record Office, in London; to Mr. F. Madan, of the Bodleian Library, to Mr. 498 VI PREFACE Cecil Davis, autiaor of " Gloucestershire Brasses," etc., and especially to J. H. Round, Esq., author of " Domesday Studies," "Feudal England," etc. The Church of St. Mary may be described as a large Recti- linear, or (late) Perpendicular (1490?) one, having a western tower (with lofty ribbed steeple), north and south aisles, and, like that at Haresfield, a double chancel. At the eastern termination of the north aisle is the chapel of St. Peter, having a four-light window, and containing the canopied altar tomb of Sir William Kingston, K.G. ' (1540). This chapel extends / ^ only as far as the western extremity of the first chancel, which tiu' itc krUL consists of twQ bays. It has a good timbered vault, with carven ftjjt^^ /"tA^ bosses. The pulpit, chancel-gates, Gyde-screen, are, all of them, quite modern. The octagonal font, given by William Rogers, Esq., and Charles Michell, churchwardens, 1661, is not remarkable. The nave, of five bays, has octagonal pillars. The tombs in the Church-yard exhibit many varieties of slab, altar, and octagonal, decorated with garlands, cherubs, shield and scroll ; but though the gracefulness, and no doubt, formerly, the sharpness of the workmanship, at once suggests Italian influence, there is no reason to attribute them to foreigners. Numbers of them are the work of John Bryan, who died in 1787, aged seventy-one, whose own pyramidal tomb humbly recalls that of Caius Cestius at Rome. ^ For the loan of Photographs of Court- House reproduced here, my thanks are due to my brother, Mr. John F. A. Baddeley (of St. Petersburg), Mr. E. Reed of Painswick, and the present owner, Mr. E. Marsland. ^ The alabaster coloured efiSgies of John Seaman, D.C.L., and Elizabeth, his wife, of the Court House, 1623-5, have been erected upon this earlier monument, having been removed from the north wall of the second chancel, where they were originally placed in a classic frame-monument of their own. The workmanship closely resembles that of a similar monument in the south transept of St. Lawrence, at Stroud, and others of approximate date, at Gloucester. AUTHORITIES Vll AUTHORITIES AND SOURCES OF INFORMATION " Historia et Cartalariam Monasterii, St. Petri, Olouoestriae," 8 role., BolU Series. Registram Laathonso. MS. Thirlestaine House, Cheltenham. 15th Cent. MS. Hiatoris Prioratos Lanthonn. MS. British Maseom. Cotton. Julius D.X. Plut. XIX. a. Rawlinson, MSS. B. 823, fol. 202-a03b, 168. Bodleian Librarj. Ashmoloan, MSS. 1,118, fol. 07. Unprinted Manor SoUi. " Bibliotheca Gloaoestronsis," rol. 2, p. 88-9, 74. Registers uf the Bishops of Worcester. Cathedral Library, Worcester. Forney, MSS., vol. 3, fol. 160. Bodleian Library. Calendar of Charters, Rolls, etc., at Sherborne House, 1900. " Dagdale's Monastioon," rol. ri. Tanner's Notitia." " Yalor Eoclesiaatioas." " Tazatio Ecclesiastica." Transactions of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Aroheeological Society. Gloaccstershire Notes and Queries. " Monumental Brasses of Gloucestershire." Cecil T. Davis. Gloucester Corporation Records, at the Guildhall, Gloucester. The usual County Histories, Atkyns, Rudder, Fosbrooke, etc. Local Registers, by kind permission of the Rev. the Vicar of Painswick. Haresfield Manor and Parish. Rev. J. Melland Hall, M.A. The Painswick Annual Register. F. A. Hyett. 1890-98. %kt ChurcK of ^t. ^arg, at Painstoick. I HE Domesday Survey (A.D. 1086) shews us that out of a X>. grand total acreage of 20,760^ acres included in the then area of Wiche (or, as it later, for distinction from other Wicks, came to be written Wyke Pcujani, otherwise Pains- wick), 14,400 were wood or forest-land, while 6,360 were regarded as unfler cultivation or fit for it. The Lord of the Manor, Roger De Lari^ owned one team, and held this huge but meanly-rated manor, for the service of one Hide,* from the King in Chief. The tenants possessed no less than fifty-two teams. It results, therefore, that there was 120 acres, or one carucate,'' of land to the typical team of eight oxen.* Moreover, Wick had four mills (flour), valued at .£1 4s. — very valuable possessions. The Shire at this time possessed 251 mills. For all this estate, however, there were but sixty-six male inhabitants.^ But, this little community of very varying rank was not even then without its spiritual instructor. Painswick was one of about sixty parishes in this county which already had its own priest.'' As the Ix>rd of Painswick, in the time of King Edward * The present Parish only contains 3,614 acres. It has, therefore, shrunken almost to one-sixth of its Domesday area. It is to be noted that the entire Hundred of Bislej, in which Wiche was situate, included but 32,294 acres, or only 11,534 outside the manor of Wiche. * The quality of the land is responsible for the lowness of its assessment. The Hide is merely the unit of assessment, not an area of land-measurement. * Caruca : a plough-team. * It does not follow by any means that each team on the manor had eight oxen. They were often smaller, though probably seldom fewer, than four in number. Cf. " Domesday Studies," J. H. Round, p. 209. ' Three Radichenistri — horsemen of the lord ; 85 Villani ; 16 Bordarii (many of these had no teams) ; 11 Sorvi ; 1 Priest. * Bisley had two Priests. B 2 THK CHURCH OF the Confessor, had been Emesi, who became Chaplain to JiPNRY the vTiT»t'5 Queen, Maud, and later a first Prior of LaiUony Prima, in Wales, this fact will seem less surprising. Neither should we be surprised to learn that provision for worship, in the shape of a small Chui-ch, or Chapel, existed here. This is quite possibly represented by the double Chancel forming so curious a feature in the present late fifteenth century Church. In this ca.se the total length of the Norman Church was forty-three feet, which would be ten feet longer than that originally at Stroud.^ Unfortunately, proof of the fact is not forthcoming. That there was certainly a Church in the following, or twelfth century, and, as usual, near it the house or castle of the I^ord of the Manor, I shall have no difficulty in shewing. Even at this date certain places west of the Severn, like Dymock, possessed stone Churches, where stone was not .so easily obtainable as at Painswick. The Villani, or more important tenants of the community, numbered thirty-five, and these were holders from the lord of virgates or half-virgates,^ yard-lands and half-yard-lands. The priest ranked with these, and likewise had his Wrgate and team. He was no more, nor less, a free tenant than were these, though, being in Holy Orders, he was responsible to his 1 )iocesan Bishop (in this case the Bishop of Worcester), by whom alone he covdd be deprived of his living. On the other hand, he was more or less trained in virtue of the office he held by appointment, and was probably a fairly fitting representative of the flock to which it was his mission to minister. Precise details regarding the social status of the parish priest and his relation to his Lord, at that period, are not forthcoming, nor are those relating to the endowment of the living, although the tithe-system had already long prevailed.^ ' Of. " Notes and Recollections of Stroud," by P. H. Fisher, c. 50, and " Haresfield : Manors and Church," by Rev. Melland Hall, M.A., etc. ' Virgata : A.S. gyrd-land — 30 acres ; at later periods it varied considerably. The Virgate corresponded to the possession of a pair of oxen. The Half- Virgfate, or Bovate, to that of a single ox. It was the normal holding of a ViUanus at Domesday. " Seebohm aptly quotes a passage from Domesday Survey relating to Wallop in Hampshire. " There is in addition a little Church (^cclesiola) to which pertain viii acres of the tithes." Cf. " The English Village Community." p. 117. Under the laws of Ethelred each Christian man is ordered " to pay his tithe rightly always as the plough traverses the tenth acre," Idem, p. 116. ST. MARY, AT PAINSWICK 3 And in this connection there is extant an interesting Document in the '* Historia et Cartularium " of the Abbey of St. Peter's, Gloucester. On page 85, vol. i, we read that William (the Conqueror) granted and confirmed to Walt/tr de LncutoriAnJ- between Lantony and some other party, resulting in the appoint- ment of a priest to the service of their Church who was not precisely * their man.' It is interesting to find so early a mention of the priest's name. I do not think the cause of this friction is far to seek. William of Wy ~ combe, the fourth Prior of Lantony Prhna, and second Prior of Lantony Secunda — for it is obvious the two Priories were for a time (perhaps sixty years) merged in one' — had incurred the * Lantony Prima underwent vicissitudes but little understood. After the flight of the Canons and the founding of Lantony Secunda in 1136 at C 10 THK CHURCH OF violent displeasure of the Patron of the Monastery, namely, Soger, the Earl (Cecilia's first husband), owing, we are told (in an early MS. history of the Convent), to his having published a malicious account of the former tyrannous acts of the Earl'a father, Milo, and of his excommunication from the Flock of Christ. We are further quaintly informed that the Canons, having cause to mislike the austerity of this Prior William, "suggest his cruel nature and whatsoever their malice could invent, to Earl Roger, telling him they were not able any longer to endure such an implacable person to rule over them. He, being too credulous, saya our chronicler, hearkens to their accusations, and being haughty through his great power, flies out into passion and swears tttat he would never more enter into the monastery while that man was Prior, and with furious, and almost blasphemous expressions (as such men often have), he threatened to destroy all they had " Further on we hear that the Prior "quitted his place and office, and all the benefits thereto belonging, and spent the remainder of his days in a retired commendable life at Fience (?), having only one of the monks for his companion," and the Sub-Prior, Clement, was elected in his place. The storm, therefore, blew over. As William of Wu w.eombe is stated to have presided several *ij« years in the Church and Convent before this quarrel occurred -/ between him and the Earl (de jure uxoris. Lord of Painswick), < / -^we may with safety place the quarrel late in Earl Roger's career, I /IujM V^^^^V^ about WbCT; and, consequently we may understand that when Cecilia remarried her third hu.sband, Walter of Maine, the "1^' old amicable arrangements regarding the advowson of the Church, \i^S ^*^^ with the Convent of Lantony, were restored, perhaps in 1166 ! , Jx nU'>- b^l But I would here expressly state that this is only personal /. cJkj^v^ conjecture, and that it is proffered only as a probable explanation ^ J Mf- of the above-given document. 'i^ . Whether the next early charter belongs to the twelfth or Gloucester, the former remained as a mere cell to it until in the time of the eighth Prior a Repartition took place, and Lantony Prima re-arose in Transitional j Tofmnn splendour, which it retained until the time of Edward lY, when, having fallen into hopeless decline, it was again Imnded over, with all its appurtenances, to Lantony at Gloucester, by that monarch. At the Partitioning late in the twelfth century, however, Painswick remained with the daughter convent. ST. MARY, AT PAINSWICK 11 thirteenth century, it is not possible to say ; but of its importance there can be no question from the fact of its revealing that Faingtvick Church already possessed a Chapel of St. Peter, who we remind ourselves, was the Household saint of the De Laci Lords of the Manor. •* Prior Lantoni concessit licenciam suis parochialibus ibidem (Wyke) capellara edificare, et cancellum annectere ita quod gutturam et totum murum inter cancellum et capellam Sancti Petri manu- teneant quotiens opus fuerit." " The Prior of Lantony grants leave to his parishioners there (at }Vyke) to build a chapel, and to tie it to the chancel in such manner that they can keep in repair the gutter and entire wall between the chancel and the Chapel of St. Peter, as often as need shall arise." As Painstvick ia not written of as other than Wyke until (circa) 1280, we may take it this document dates no later than that period ; while, of course, it may belong to an entire century earlier, as do the previous ones. Certain pious parishioners in Wi/ke, then, having the design to erect a Chapel attached to St. Mary's Church, license is granted them to do so under a certain condition. The Chapel is to be attached to the chancel of the Church in such a manner that the said parishioners may be able to repair the gutter and wall between the Chapel (already existent) dedicated to St. Peter, and the aforesaid chancel. This makes it evident that the new Chapel was to be thrown out from the chancel on the same side as the older Chapel ; but it was not to interfere with access to the gutter and wall dividing the chancel and that Chapel. The projected Chapel may or may not have been built, and the said condition fulfilled; but in the present Church, which seems to have been entirely reconstructed on another scale from the foundations about 1490, there is no trace of a chapel other than that of St. Peter, unless we include under that description the second chancel, a feature Painswick Church pi-esents in common with that at Haresjield, which likewise belonged to Lantony and bore the like dedication.^ At the latter Church C' Buiur^ * Inscription over the porch at Haresfield, " Conventus Lantone de Scta Mabia." 12 THE CHURCH OP the westernmost cliancel has been held since the Reformation to belong to the Impropriator, while that beyond it was called the Vicar's Chancel. This denomination, however, will scarcely apply to these double chancels save subsequent to the Reforma- tion. Both Churches, of Haresfield and Painswick, are pre- Reformation ones, and the Vicars of both were selected in pre- lieformation days by the Prior and Convent of Lantony Secunda, and canonically instituted by the Bishop of Worcester. Hence it is improbable that their Vicars should have been given a separate chancel, and in considering the point it must be kept in mind that these chancels antedate the beginning of lay-irapropriations. The eastern chancel, no doubt on the site of the original one, therefore, may have been treated at the rebuilding in the fifteenth century in the nature of a Lady Chapel ; though churches already dedicated to the Virgin might seem to have been in no need of one.^ Moreover, Painswick Church did come to possess at the date of rebuilding a Chauntry Chajtel set apart specially to the Blessed Virgin, which we find was endowed by one Walter Collins and others with certain lands and tenements for the stipend of its own Incumbent, whose special duty it was to say mass daily therein. Now, the proper position for such a Chapel in a Church already bearing such a Dedication, was not in a subordinate aisle, but beyond the oi-dinary chancel, at the extreme east end of the Church, where it resembled a Lady Chapel. Hence we may, I think, safely conclude (at any rate, until we have more substantial data to go upon) two things, namely, that the easternmost chancel was originally the site of the Norman chancel ; and that at the rebuilding under Henry VII, *^*^ ^ it became the Chauntry Chapel of St. Mary.'* If this view (of which, however, I am not too sanguine) is correct, it follows that the Chapel called St. Pete's Chapel at the end of the north aisle should represent the ancient Chapel of the same dedication. The great features, therefore, of the re- building in Henry VII's time will have been the large nave, the north aisle, and the western tower. But I confess we are confronted by problems not as decisively to be solved as could be wished, and I venture to offer the above ' This is found to have been the notion prevalent in Cistercian Abbeys where the dedication was invariably to St. Mary. ST. MARY, AT PAINSWICK 13 explanatiou merely as a working hypothesis. There is no proof that the un-named Chapel, for the building of which leave (as we noted) was granted in earlier days, ever was built ; and its dedication, ^nUtr~ CtH'^ in any case, has not come down to us. * But the founder of the first ^.inXtvot^ Church here to St. ISIary, namely Hitgh de Loci, is represented in ^j^tt. n^ what is practically a founder's Chapel, to the north of the chancel, still bearing the dedication to St. Peter, the patron of his family.' To the Chauntry Chapel of St. Mary, and its endowment, founded by Walter Collins, I shall have to return in due course. The next early documents are of interest, and they refer ex- clusively to Warine de Afonchensi, Lord of the Manor of Painswick from 1213 to 1252, a man by alliances and by his wealth sufficiently prominent in his day. He was the son of William de , , ■ Monchensi, by a daughter of the great house of Albhii, P^rls of Arundel. His grandfather William (1) cfo Monchensi had married Agnes, daughter of Pain FitzJohu, sister to Cecilia, Countess of Hereford. fhi'tc* th MutH Pain FitxJohn, d. 1137 .'-rSyhillaipe Lacy. I " 1 Rofi^r E. of Hereford, 1=') Cecilia, Agnt$. = William de Monohensi. William of Poitoa, 2— [ d. a.p. Walter of Maine, 8= ) 1203 ? (1) Ralph, Lord of Painswick. (2) WUliam, d. 1189 ?=p (3) Hubert (Priest). William (2), d. I204.=r. . . De Albini. William (3), Warine.=Joan, 5th da. of William d. 1212. Marshall, E. of Pembroke. Wartne held large lands in Suffolk, Essex, Hertford, Lincoln, Kent, Bucks, Norfolk, some of which had descended to him from Herbert de Monchensi, a Domesday Lord. As I shall hope to treat more fully of him and his lands elsewhere, I shall limit myself to noticing his relations with Painswick Church and ' Of course, it is not impossible that the rebuilt Chauntry Chapel rose with a fresh endowment and a fresh Dedication. In that case, the name of St. Peter most have been given in comparativelj recent times to what was the Chauntry of St. Mary at the date of the Reformation. Evidence as to any such transference of name is, however, entirely wanting, nor is any reason forthcoming. 14 THE CHURCH OF Lantony Priory. Evidence is to hand shewing that aa Lord of Painswick Warine claimed certain rights with regard to the Advowson of the Church, which a Prior of Lantony (John de uiUnbttuuL Nop % m « h y 121$ — 1240) contested. After some two years or more kJR.S) J-Jtl. oi dispute, details of which are lacking, an agreement was arrived at between them in the King's Court, before William de Culewich, the Justitiarius, Adam FitzWilliam, "William of York, and other I t^\i^t< Lords, on the 9th February, 1237. By this,^ Warine surrendei-s ni4u> "^ for ever all rights and claims whatsoever which he had in the ji.mU*-^ Advowson of the Church of ' Paynestvike,' while the Prior on '• V y ,- his part, and on the part of succeeding Priors, in return for ,j-uj Warine's concession, concedes to Warine and to his successors the fru )dHCi3 right of presentation to I-Antony, for the purpose of becoming kliutt^ I** Canons there, three suitable Clerks, who know how to read, to „MA iiujf/u4 chant, and to be of honest converse. And their special function v , , ,. (■ \^^ shall be to celebrate masses for the souls of Warine and his heirs. •' ' ^,«^ o/- And if one Canon of these three dies, then another shall be given (J ui'e. h^ place in perpetual succession. Furthermore, the Prior grants, t y\(nik^. ^^ ^i^ ^^^ behalf and that of all his successors at Lantony, that A/mi** ^'^ ^^ *^^® anniversary of the death of William de Monckensi, Warine's Ulti-pli^ll^ father, the Convent shall feed a thousand poor people in such wise S Ve-icA^^ ^^*^ ^^'^^ individual shall have bread to the value of a half-penny ^^ ^^^ ku- as long as Warine lives ; and that after his death the same shall £/lu ^fiT»-t^l36 continued yearly for ever on the anniversary of Warine's own death, and this shall be done in the presence of the Dean of Gloucester, who for the time shall be acting as Chaplain, or Clerk, of the said Warine or his heirs, by Letters Patent of the said Warine. And thenceforward the aforesaid Prior and his successors shall be quit of the anniversary of William (de Monchensi), father of the said Warine.^ If we turn now to the • Valor Ecclesiasticus,' vol. 2, recording the financial outgoings and ingoings of Lantony at the time of the Dissolution, we find the following item recording the continuance until then of the previous compact : — " In allocutione in mille panibus annuatim in elemosina datis Mille pauperibus die Anniver- sarii Warini de Montcanesii pro animabus ipsius Warini et Ante- cessorum suorum quondam patroni Ecclesise predictse."^ ^ Pedes Finium, Gloucester, Hen. Ill, No. 217. * Arms of De Monchensi. Arg : six barruleta, az. ~ fttturrltj ST. MAKY, AT PAINSWICK 15 One thing, besides, is certain, that Lantony Secunda increased rather than diminished its holding in the Manor of Painswick until it may be said to have carved for itself a manor, or sub-manor, within it, containing a messuage called Combe House, which stood (at least its successor) until within memory of men in a field west of Jenkin's farm. It had the [Church] House of St. John at Edge; and a stone quarry, called Lantony, or Prior's Quarr alias Le Nein Quarr, from which the Church was no doubt rebuilded on a larger scale at the cost and by the design of the Prior and Convent of I^ntony early in the reign of Henry VII. A few years before Warine de Monchensi had arrived at this happy arrangement by which three Canons of Lantony wei-e to pray continually for the soul of his father and himself, the Prior of [iantony had consulted with William de Bleys, Bishop of Worcester (12l¥ — 1236), concerning the Church at Painswick, and come to certain conclusions, the exact nature of which we have no exact means of knowing ; but we learn of its existence from a document confirming such conclusions dating from the Episcopate of Thomas Cobham (1317—1327). '* Episcopus Wygornensis et Conventus ibidem, confirmatione quaquidem venerabilis Pater • Wilelmus de Bleys, Episcopus Wygor- nensis, fecit nobis et Ecclesias nostrse super ecclesiam de Wyke, earn nobis Canonice ratificaverunt et confirmaverunt " [Registrum LantonKJ. It may be asked, * Is not there an inscription in a window in the Vestry of Worcester Cathedral referring to this transaction?' Certainly, a pane therein is inscribed, " WilelmiM Bleys, Episcopus, dedit Ecclesiam de Wyke, cum pertinenciis." If this refers to Painswick, it might be supposed to mean that the Bishop actually gave the entire possession of Painswick Church, with the con- currence of Warine de Monchensi, to the Prior and Convent of Lantony, who already possessed the Advowson ; and this would, perhaps, give us the key to the transaction we desired to under- stand ; but it more probably refers to a Wyke nearer to Worcester, now Droitwich. The next references to Paynswick Church consist merely of the names of certain of its early Clergy. Godfrey of Painswick was present at an assembly of Clergy, at Campden, on the Vigil of Holy Trinity 1282-3, as is shewn by the Register of Bishop Gifford, in the fifteenth year of his Episcopate. At the same 16 THE CHCTRCH OP period is mentioned a secular priest, " Jacobvu de Wyke Pagani " (fol. 150, Regist. Gifford). This is the only transitional form of Painswick found by me, and after this date the name becomes established as Payneawyk, with slight variations in spelling. It is thus not a little remarkable that it took one hundred and forty years to fully attach Pain FitzJohn's name to Wyke and make it Painswyke ! Ifi^inu Ushop , Gii In the twenty -ninth year of Bishop ^GifFard, namely, July 1st, 1297, we find John de Aston presented to the Parish Church of I'ayneswyk by the Prior and C!onvent of Lantony, and confirmed by the Bishop at Alvechurch. He must have taken the place of John, called Keys (fol. 451, Giffard), who had been presented and admitted by the Bishop while at Kemsey. Within the last decade of the thirteenth century Pope Nicholas 1 V levied a heavy tax upon the Church throughout England ; and by its ordinances, dated 15th Kal. April 1291, Vicars, Legacies left to Churches, etc., were to be taxed a tenth, as well as all Bishops, Abbots, and Priors. The following schedule, accordingly, taken from the " Taxatio Ecclesiastica " (p. 221), places before us what Painswick and her Vicar then had to pay. It consists of three items : — £ s. d. The Church is taxed upon £21 138. 4d. - - 2 3 4 The Vicar's portion, upon £7 Os. Od. - 14 The Prior of Hereford (St. Guthlac), £1 Bs. 8d. - 2 8 So that Painswick Church paid in all £3 Os. Od. to the Holy Land Tenth. Here we see the Hereford Priory drawing its annual pension from Painswick in accordance with the early gift of the De Lads ; and it may be called to mind that such pensions as this one were intended to go on for grim perpetuity. St. Guthlac was at the same time drawing 10s. from Edgworth, 10s. from Winstone, xind £1 6s. 8d. from the Rectory of Temple Guiting (held by the Hospital of Quenington). FOURTEENTH CENTURY. It is to be regretted that so far search for Ecclesiastical documents relating to Painswick in the following, or fourteenth, century has not hitherto proved so rich as might have been expected. ST. MARY, AT PAINSWICK 17 The family of Di Monchensi died out in this Gloucestershire branch of it in Diotiisia de Monchensi, who had married Hugh de Vere, son of Robert, Earl of Oxford, i They both deceased in 1313, and she was succeeded by her cousin, Aymer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke, as Lord of the Manor of Painswick. (1) William de Valence (half-=7=/oan, da. of Warine de Mon- brother to Henry III). chensi (Lord of Painswick). ( T Aymer de Valence (killed Joan.w-VTohn Comyn (the Bed). 28rd Jane, 1824), d. a.p. | r -^ (1) Sir Richard 'VeLWiot=rElizaheth,~{2) Sir John de Bromwich. died Oct. 23rd, 1356. I d. 1372. (1) Pctronella, da. of Jame8=Sir Gilbert Talbot,— (2) Joan de Staffonl, da. of Boteler, Earl of Ormonde. d. 1387. i'^Jtrn^ Ralph, Earl of Stafford. (2) Warine de Monchensi, Lord of Painswick 1213 — 1262 (grandson of Agnes FitzJohn and William do Monchensi), m. {I) Joan de Mar$hal, da. of William, B. of Pembroke ; (2) Dionisia. Dionisia (1), da. of Nicola8=T=Tr»7iwm de Ifim* Joan.T=William de Valence de Aneetj. cheiui, d. 1289. d. 1296. r- ni d. 8.p. 1818. Hngh de Yere.=I>iont«ia, m. 1291. Aymer de Valence, Lord of Painswick, d. JunelSI.* 1324. These two pedigrees will render clear incidentally the descent of the Manor to the Talbots from the De Monchensi family. The whole matter, with its complicated, but interesting, contingencies, however, belongs properly to the History of the Manor. In May, 1341, King Edward III, in the grip of difficulties arising from his war with Philip de Valois, his borrowings from Florentine Merchants, and the discontent of his subjects, was granted for two years a tax of a ninth of every sheaf, fleece, and lamb, in every Parish. On p. 408, of the ' Valor Ecclesiasticus,' we see that Painswick duly yielded her contribution. ' Among the Arundel MSS. 220, occurs one of the earliest treatises on teaching the French Language, and it appears to have been written for this Lady of Painswick Manor. I am indebted for this information to the Rev, J. Melland Hall, a well-known authority on Gloucestershire History. It is edited by Thomas Wright in his " Vocabularies," 1857. "Treytez de Mounsire Gautier de Bibelsworthe List a Madame Dyonisie de Mounchensy pur sprise de lang^uage." It is written in verse. D 18 THE CHURCH OP " De Nona Garbarum, vellerum, et Agnoriun, parochialis Ecdenae de Paynesioicke taxatse cum portione et vicario xlv marcis : xxiii". Eo minus quam taxa quia terrae Vicarii cum pratis, pasturis, et redditibus ejusdem oblationes et minutse decimie taxantur eodem anno ad vii''. (Inquisitio Nonarum, anno 15, Edward III). The following document is fortunately dated 1364, and, though it does not relate actually to the Church of Painswick, it relates to its Proprietors, the Prior and Convent of Ijantony, in Pains- wick. It is from the Register before-cited. " Ita convenit inter hos et Ahbatem et Cotiventum Monasterii St. Petri, Gloucestrioe, quod illi tradiderint nobis et ad firmam dimiserint omnes decimas, suas terras, tenementes, Redditus et servitia tenentium, et alia jura, spiritualia ac temporalia, quae habuerunt in Paynswicke pro xl* annuatim, solvenda ad festum Apostolorum Petri et Pauli." This refers to a compact in the time of Thomas Norton (1351-1367), Abbot of St. Peter's, Gloucester, whereby the Priory of Lantony Secunda took over for 40s. yearly, all rights spiritual and temporal possessed by that Abbey in this Manor from aforetime. Now, as the Priory of St. Guthlac, at Hereford, had been given to St. Peter's, Gloucester, it is clear that what belonged to the Priory by name, was virtually the property of the Abbey at Gloucester, which farmed its revenues. This 40s., therefore, is probably the same 40s. of annual pension which we find recorded at the Dissolution of the Monasteries, in the 'Valor Ecclesiasticus,' p. 420. "Pensione annua re-soluta de priore de Lanthone Secunda pro Ecclesia de Payneswick, in Comite Gloucestrise, Priori Sancti Guthlaci, XL»."' There further comes to our aid, in illustration of the properties possessed in Painswick by St. Peter's Abbey, yet another thirteenth century document from the Lantony Register ; this is to the eflfect that " Warine de Monchensi granted and confirmed to the Abbot of Gloucester, and to the Prior and Convent of Hereford (St. Guthlac) two tithes of sheaves (duas decimas Garbarum) from his estate in Wyke (Painswick), and from that which these [Convents] hold in the same. Also a Virgate of land with two tenements and messuages belonging to it; and two portions of all small tithes (except from * In 1413 (anno 1 Hen. V) the Prior and Convent of Lantony speak of ' Nostra Ecclesia Sancti Guthlaci, Herefordise.' ST. MARY, AT PAINSWICK 19 the^dovecot), which they from of old used to claim." Tliis should date back to the time of Henry Foliot (circa 1235). It is to be regi'etted that the Editor of the * Historia and Cartularium ' of St. Peter's, Gloucester, did not discover Cliarters relating to these Painswick properties of the Abbey. These might have enabled us to determine their exact localities. As the Abbey possessed Prink- nash, and at one time had Cranham, and much land in Standish, as well as the Rudge, together with portions in Pitchcombe, it was naturally the most important next door neighbour to the manor of Painswick, and every now and then, as might be expected, its tenants were found encroaching upon this manor, and the Homage of Painswick having viewed the encroachments, are found duly bringing the matter before their lord, after which the respective boundaries are accordingly readjusted An example of this occurs in anno 8, Henry VI (1429). The Homage of Painswick discover *' ut tenentes sui (Abbatis St. Petri, Gloucestriffi), in prejudicium Dominii de Payneswyke, accrochiaverunt de solo dicti Dominii certam terram, apud Horsepoles," in the tything of Edge. The matter of reasonable boundaries is to be adjusted before the feast of St. Anne. Little greedinesses of this type are characteristic of mediaeval religious establishments, at the same time that their policy made for consolidation of properties. The chief part, however, of the Abbatial property in Painswick, lay up at Ebhtvorth. I have found at the end of a Rental of anno 12, Henry VII (1496), the following: — *' Dictus Abbas tenet 1 Messuagium et 1 carucatam terrse apud Ebbworth, reddendum inde per annum, 2*." The Abbot, therefore, in 1496 held a dwelling-house and over 100 acres of land at Ebbworth. For the Carucate, or Plough-land, varied between 130 and 100 acres (or perhaps even less), and it is certain that this estate was, in part, common-land. A Chancery suit before Sir Nicholat Bacon, early in Elizabeth's reign, here helps us. It is raised on the part of John Myll, yeoman, his wife Margaret, and his sons Thomas and Bartholomew, in order to establish their right of common, against Henry, John, and Thomas Sturmey. In it, John Myll sets forth that his family holds the farm of Ebbuforthj to which belonged right of common "for four times forty kine, and one Bull, and sometimes for other beasts to the number 20 THK CHURCH OV eleven, lying in the north side of Gatlky" (and every other year apon the north field of Ebbworth and Northbury . . . that is, to say, from the way that goeth to Qloster), " by lease from the Abbot and Convent of the late dissolved monastery of St. Peter's in Gloucester." Part of the ground was in the parish of Bislbt and was called Woobwell. Before dismissing this incidental subject, it should be noted that Edward YI had granted the abbey lands in Ebbworth to his uncle, Edtoard Seymour, Duke of Somerset (beheaded 1549).' (Aug- mentation Office, Box F). But it is necessary to return to the outline of the story of the Church of Painswick during the later years of the fourteenth century, and I shall continue with it thenceforth until the Dissolution. On 13th June, 1384, Geoffrey Luttervtorth was canonically insti- tuted to be Vicar of Painswick, but within a fortnight, on 27th June, Simon Packer, of St. Owen, Gloucester, exchanged with him by permission of Lantony (Reg : Wakefield, Episc : Wigorn :) and so became Vicar there in his stead. The Rolls of the manor of Painswick for this period are missing, so that the names of the prominent tenants of Sir Gilbert Talbot (died 1387, second of this family as Lord of Painswick), and parishioners of Rev. Simon Packer, are, perhaps irrevocably lost. Nevertheless, the returns for the obnoxious Poll-tax (anno 4, Richard II) for the Hundred of Bisley, make up somewhat for the deficiency, and as some of the names therein liave come down in Painswick to our own day, attached to properties, as well as to persons, I shall be excused for drawing attention to them. The Rolls of Poll-tax are in a sadly mutilated condition, but about ninety (Christian) names can yet be made out, with the sums paid. s. d. Richard Farthingale and Felicia, his wife (brewer) 2 James Knyt (labourer) - - 1 — Seagrym^ (labourer) - - 1 ' The Chauntries throughoat England were appropriated by the Lord Protector, so that in Painswick we shall see that while the Chauntry went to him, the Advowson went to his equally unfortunate brother, Lord Seymour of Sudeley. * Preserved in Seagrims. ST. MARY, AT PAINSWICK 21 Margaret Collyns^ (widow), and Richard, her son - John Sogers (senior) - John* Rogers (junior) - - - John Atte-Wode Walter Meryman (labourer) John Coljns and Joan, his wife Thomas Skenerel and Margaret, his wife Walter Heryngs- and Agnes, his wife (cultore terree) Henry Salcomb*? and Felicia, his wife (cultore ten-se) John Hopkins John Martyn John Crounch (labourer) William Rogers and Juliana, his wife John Packer (Paccare), mercer John Cagge and Juliana, his wife (cultore terra) - John Oyde and Emiayne, his wife (brewer) Roger Facherel and Juliana, his wife John Wither and Elena, his wife (brewer) Agnes Pygace (a day servant) John Pofford and Agnes, his wife Richard Webare (carpenter) Henry Taillour John Robart and Agnes, his wife (cultore terrse) - On 3rd July, 1398, we learn from the Register of Tideman de Wincheovibe, Bishop of Worcester (fol. 26), that the Prior of Lantony granted to him an annual pension of 13s. and 4d. (observe twice 6s. and 8d.) from Painswick, for the reason that the Pope (Boniface IX) had appropriated that Church to the Priory of Lantony.* The sum was made payable at Michaelmas, in the Cathedral Church of Worcester. ' Presorvod in Collins. -' Painswick House ocoapies the site of Heryngs farm. ' Salcombe was in still earlier days (1121) in much probability the name for a tributary of the streamlet flowing from Cranham to Painswick. We are reminded of Salt-Ridge and Salt-Box (Cf. Vol. 1, " Historia et Cartularium," St. Petri, GIos., p. 205). PrtlU^ /Lrt. vvi a d^f^ /X^irt . * Cf. Patent Roll, 21 Richard II, pt. iii, memb. 18, dated May 6, 1398, wherein the King himself in return for a loan of 100 marks ' nuper mutuatis 8. d. 3 1 6 6 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 8 2 14 2 2 6 2 2 6 2 2 1 4 6 2 22 THE CHURCH OP In reality this was a truly filial act on the part of Lantony, toward the Mother-See of Worcester. To it were added other small pensions from St. Owen, Gloucester, and the Cliurch of Prestbury (3s. 4d. each).- The Prior of Lantony says, that it has been agreed to in a solemn and lawful manner by unanimous consent, because the Prior and Convent liave taken into consideration the loss and detriment suffered by the See of Worcester, by reason of the appropriation of these three Churches of Painsunck, Prestbury, and St. Owen at Gloucester, to the Priory. At the same time, we may be sure that, even if it was unanimous, the idea of it can scarcely have been spontaneous. Bishops in those days were apt to be meddlesome and annoying to Abbeys and Priories, and representations not altogether of a mild nature may have preceded this unanimous act. We may, I think, without fear of doing injustice, consider that the annual XI thus divided into three portions of 13s. 4d., and twice 3s. and 4d., was a douceur. This is supported by the closing phra.se used by the Piior of Lantony, in making the grant and its payment by the three vicars. " Post- quam adepti fuerimus pacificam possessionem earum [ecclesiarum]." •' Given in our Chapter House of Lantony the third day of July, in the year of the Incarnation, 1398, and the fourth since our translation." Before leaving the fourteenth century must be mentioned the following interesting fact. Early in the eighteenth century a stained window in Painswick Church bore the following Arms : — " Gules, a lion rampant within a bordure engrailed, Or ; and, in a Bordure flory, three garbs, Or." (Cf. Rawlinson, MS., B. 313; fol. 203 b, Bodleian h^'^-JajLi i Tliese Arms were those of Sir Richanl Taibot, oi Gooderich Castle and Painswick Manor, and of his wife (through whom he possessed both estates), Elizabeth Comyn, the niece of Aymer de Valence. He had died in 1356, the year of the battle of Poitiers, and she in 1372. This glass therefore, in all likelihood, belonged to the latter half of the fourteenth century, and it had been .. . carefully preserved when Painswick Church was rebuilt by the Prior and Convent of Lantony (circa 1485-90) and re-inserted.'^ nobis in Cancellaria nostra,' grants to the Prior and Convent to incorporate the three Vicarages of St. Owen, Gloucester, Painstoicl; and Prestbury, and hold them to their own use in perpetuity ; per ipsum Begem, nunciante Duce Snrreie.' ST. MARY, AT PAINSWICK 23 This will be readily understood, not merely because it has happened in countless other cases, but, because the descendants of the above were still Lords of Painswick when the church was rebuilt, and they lived at the first mansion on the site occupied by the Lodge Farm. It is remarkable how little record is left now to recall an earlier Church here. The rebuilding, the many subsequent restora- tions, and maulings, which the Church (perhaps never an artistic or notable one) has undergone, have left us almost no trace of its predecessors. Nevertheless, it is probable that one of these days some intelligent workman will discover a lower pave- ment, or pieces of early moulding, or stone coffins, below the present surface of the churchyard, which will more than confirm the suggestion offered in these pages. One small fragment of fresco work has been lately embedded in the wall near the south door ; and, high up on the same (inside) wall of the south aisle, will be noticed an inscribed stone. The fragmentary letter? Telong to an earlier date than the present church, Tiiey are only painted, not incised, and the stone, like some of the early glass in the Lady Chapel of Gloucester Cathedral, has been reinserted upside down. At the date (1398) of the above grant of a pension from the Church of Painswick to the Bishops of Worcester, Sir EicJiard Talbot (the second), grandson of Sir Richard Talbot and Elizabeth Comyn, and son of Sir Gilbert Talbot and Joan de Stafford (1356-1387), had been dead two years, and Sir Gilbert (the second), his son, aged fifteen years, was Lord of the manor of Painswick. He and his younger brother, John, afterwards the first Earl of Shrewsbury, perhaps rode about the manor and learned to shoot deer in the park, and pray before the Altar of the Lodge Chapel, the clipped and inscribed slab of which (in length, 4 feet 4 ins.) now forms the architrave' of the principal entrance of a fowl house at the Lodge Farm.^ The inscription upon this slab records its dedication to the Holy Trinity by Nicholas, suffragan (of Worcester), and the character of the writing points to late fourteenth century. This is a veritable relic, of gi-eat local interest, and ought, late as it is, to be carefully removed within doors and looked after. '.Istud Altare DEpiC4.TyM est ix ho korem Sci Tbinitatis et omnivm BANCTOBUK A NlCHOtiOy^FFEAGANEO. "flTw "^^ '^' ^MUt^O IC U /A^ 24 THE CHURCH OF FIFTEENTH CENTURY. In 1402, "John Bucke, priest, bearing letters of Institution and Induction, directed by the Archdeacon of Gloucester (as was usual), was admitted and sworn to obedience, as Perpetual Vicar of Painswickf and canonically therein instituted (according to the formula promulgated by Otho and Ottoboni, the Papal legates), on March 12th." (Cf. CliflTord, Register, fol. 22). The Vicar before this date somewhat resembled the stipendiary Curate of our time, being simply the minister deputed by the Prior and Convent of Lantony to perform Uie duties of parish priest, etc. for them ; he was put in and taken out of the living at their discretion and pleasure. But by a statute passed during this very year (anno 4, Henry IV), this state of things was radically altered. It was enacted — '• the Vicar should be a secular ecclesi- astic ; perpetual, not removable at the caprice of the Monastery ; that he should be canonically instituted and inducted ; that he should be sufficiently endowed at the discretion of the Ordinary to do Divine Service ; to inform the people, and to keep hospitality. It is under this latter statute therefore, that our vicarages in their present form came into existence, and the endowments of them have usually been by a portion of the glebe or land belonging to the Parsonage, and a particular share of the tithes," i.e., small tithes.' (Cf., " a Practical Treatise on the Law relating to the Church and Clergy." H. W. Cripps, M.A., K.C., 6th edition, pp. 139-40.) How long the Rev. John Bucke ministered at Painswick is not known. Sir Gilbert Talbot (2), Lord of the manor, dying in 1419, was succeeded by Ankaret, his daughter by Joan, second daughter of Thomas de Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester. She dying a minor, aged thirteen in 1421, left the manor to her uncle. Sir John Talbot, Lord Talbot, cmd (jure uxoris) Fumival, afterwards first Earl of Shrewsbury. Five years later (13th January, 1426), we find Rbv. John Norton i-esigning the Living, "considering how parlous a matter is the cure of souls," and furthermore disabled by old age and many infirmities, "cupiens quod a cura ac regimine ^ Otho and Ottoboni were two rapacious Legates who presided at a General Council held at London, 20th November, 1237, and remained in England until 1241. ST. MARY, AT PAINSWICK 25 ipsius vicarie, ex causis predictis et alils animum suum ad hsec moventibus, exueri et penitua exonerari dictam Vicariam suam de Payne8u»/ke, cum suis juribua et pertinentiis univereis, coram Johanne Wayte, Clerico Wigornensi." (Cf., Reg. Pulton, fol. 10). On 26th January of the same year, John Launder, Capellanus, was presented by the Prior and Convent of Lantony, and ca- nonically admitted perpetual vicar, 'de continuo et personaliter reddendo.' With regard to this Vicar, I have found a curious document in a Manor-Roll dating anno 6, Henry VI (1429) entitled, " Dimissio unius volatilis Galloi-um Sylvestre," or tlie demise of property to him by means of a Woodcock. The text has suffered by the mischances of time, and requires emendation here and there. " Ad istam Curiam venit Johannis Launder, Perpetuus Vicarius Ecclesie de Paynestvyk, et cepit de Domino vmum volatile Galloruni sylvestre^ per consilium Domini in quodam bosco Domini vocatur Lanoridob- Ordinale cum certo spatio de jure ad dictum volatile . . . dandum ad custodiam dicti Vicarii, sine vasto facto et super hoc Dominus concessit dicto Johanni Launder dictam volatile Gallorum tenendum sibi ad terminum vitis suse secundum consuetudinem manerii, reddendum inde annuatim ad festum Annunciationis Beate Marie, 6d., et non datur de fine causa nida- tionis (t) dicti volatilis, et fecit fidelitatem." The main point of interest apart from the concession of the Bird to the Vicar by the Lord of the manor (Lord Talbot), consists in the mention of the Wood — called Longridge wood to this day — where a few of these birds are to be taken every winter. In the bottom there is a meadow still called Cockshoot. In 1436 (anno 17, Henry VI), we hear of Longridge wood as being carefully defined in its boundary from adjacent arable ground called Berejyyn, belonging to John Goodandfayr and Thomas Harford, • et posuei-unt metas.' It is interesting to find, mentioned acci- dentally in this same year, the name of a hitherto (I believe) unknown Prior of Lantony, John Gerland, in connection with a debt apparently owed by one Thomas Parton, " De Ballivo iiij**. ^ A rather roundaboat description of a Woodcock. ' Longridge. fi 26 THE CHURCH OF quod non habet Thomam Parton ad rem Johanni Gerland, Prioria de Lantony, in placito debiti."' The following succession of Lords of the Manor will illustrate its descent through the fifteenth century 1'albots : — 8iB RicHABD Talbot, J887~Ankar«t, sister of John, Lord (aged 26)— Sept. 7, 1396. Strange, of Blackmere. Sib Gilbxbt Talbot,^(1) Joan, 2nd da. of Thomas de Woodstock, Duke of 1896 (aged 18)— 1419. Gloucester ; (2) Beatrix de Pinto, widow of Thomas, Earl of Arundel. Ankabet, his daughter by Joan, died a minor. Dec. 18th, 1421, and was succeeded by her unole, Sir John Talbot, Lord Talbot and=(1) Maud, da. and h., of Thomas Neville, PuBNiVAL, afterwards Ist Earl of Lord Pumival ; Shrewsbuby, who died, aged 80, in (2) Margaret, da. and h. of Richard Beau- 1458. champ, Earl of Warwick. John (his son by the last). Viscount Lisle of KiN08TON=Joan, da. and coheiress Lisle, co. Berks (creation as Baron, July 26th, 1444; of Sir Thomas Chedder, Viaoount, Oct. 30th, 1451), was killed at Chatillon, to- and widow of Richard gether with his father, 1453. Sta£Ford, Esq., leaving Thomas,ViscountLisle. It is a rather long and lamentable gap we have now to leap to 1486, in order to find another Vicar of Painswick, by name, Robert Myll ; about whom, however, we know nothing except that on 23rd April, 1487, he was fined 4d. for neglecting his hedge at Wcuhtoell. This void is the more regre table, inas- much as the drastic reconstruction and enlargement of the church probably took place during his ministry. It is especially significant that within a few years of this date the Prior and Convent of Lantony are found renting Le New Quart, a stone quarry in Spoonbed Tithing, from John, Viscount Lisle (bom 1479, died 1504), at 8d. per annum, afterwards increased to 2$., so that the building material was their own. A Rental of the manor for the year 1495, gives us the following important list of the properties held by the Trustees^ of the service of Saint Afary^ (of Payneswick). " They hold one Burgage and twelve acres ; and a messuage, and a ' The fifteenth century Priors of Lantony Secunda, were John Wych, John Gerland, John Heyward and Henry Dene. ' Feoffati SerVltii Beatse Marie. 'The Chantry. ST. MARY, AT PAINSWICK 27 farendel of land; also two cottages with a garden called 'Lycchefeld' and * Denys ' ; another cottage with appurtenances ; a cottage and one acre of land called ' Lyons,' lately in the tenure of Richard Hyk ; one parcel of land called ' Pekshals ' with its garden lying next the ' Pynfold.' The rent annual of all these £1 Is. 6^d."' It will be well to give the names of the chief tenants in the Parish and Manor at this date (H95), Richard Gyde William Mynsterworth Thomas Skenerell Richard Canedisley Joan Mason Joan Tonneley Walter Wynnford Walter Segrym John Collyns Nicholas Wheler John Tykle Robert Mylls Agnes Mylls Walter Coke John Peck Henry Pytte John Chambers, who holds three cottages and certain lands of the Demesne land lately in the tenure of Walter Coleyns. [This Walter Coleyns I take to be the founder of the Chantry, con- cerning which more presently.] Thomas Smyth WiUiam Bydfold Richard Adene, and Florentia, his wife. John Gardener William Lacy John Frethe Thomas Heynes Thomas Tayler Richard Farthingale Maurice Edwards Thomas Pytte (Castle Hale) Thomas Mylls John Twynnyng Nicholas More John Frampton EUizabeth Scotte Nicholas Combe William Gardener Thomas Frethe John Herewode John Packe William Poslow Walter Wyndow John Vyner Richard Heryotte Walter Clotte John Mylls Cecilia Cole John Meryman John Mason Thomas Brugs William Cole Richard Churchey Thomas Basset (Shepscombe) • Note. — Perhaps we shoxild multiply by at least ten times, in order to correlate the value with that in our own days! 28 THE CHURCH OF James Mylls (Shepscorabe) John Pyncote Elizabeth Mills „ William Rede Ivichard Colyns „ Thomas Browne John Fletcher „ Robert Stevens Simon Harding „ Thomas Blysse Thomas Pole „ Thomas Gybbes John Pole „ Thomas Freme John Westroflfe „ Thomas Hall John Awbrey „ (Strode-End) and Sir Edward Raleigh holds of William Blysse Payneswyk, at Edgworth. A Manor-Roll of 1485 (25th October), dating, therefore, ten years before the previously-cited document, shews us Walter Coleyru (whom I take to be founder of the Chantry) living and claiming debts : — "Walter Collyns quteritur versus Ricardum Pole in placito debiti. Item Walter quwritur versus Nicholam More et Robertum Myll in placito debiti."' His name occurs on the jury in a View of Frank Pledge for 7th May in the same year (anno 2, Henry VII), along with Nicholas More, one of the above, his debtors. His name is also attached to the Roll with that of Robert Frethe an assessor. On the 23rd April, 1498, another v-iew of Frank Pledge takes place, in which certain land is mentioned as lately in the tenure of Walter Coleyns, namely, 1 acre of demesne land, rented at 6d. annual, and not heriotable. We may, therefore, take it that he died circa 1493-4, which will well accord with the date of the rebuilding of the Church, which must in any case have been late in the fifteenth century. SIXTEENTH CENTURY. How long the Rev. Robert Myll ministered in Painswick I am not able to state, but the next Vicar I have noted is Dominus Patricius . . . Rector Ecclesie de Paynswick (anno 14, Henry VIII) 1522. This is Patrick Corbett, Clericus, Vicarius Ecclesie de Paynswick, ^ This Robert Myll may be the then Vicar. ST. MARY, AT PAINSWICK 29 whose tenement was surrendered in 1552 to the use of one, Robert Adene, "sibi et suis." His will was proven in 1548. He may have been Vicar, therefore, for about twenty years before his removal in 1540. In a letter of John Huntley, J. P., to Cromtoell (vol. 15, p. 409 8. P. Henry VIII) in May 1540, the writer says: "I have sent you up the Vicar of Pains wick, and also the Bill of his accusation." No doubt another Vicar was put into the forcibly vacated living, but his name is not known. It is, moreover, interesting to find that the last Incumbent of the Chantry was William Corbett, perhaps a brother of the late Vicar. Both of them may have been originally Canons of Lantony. (Cf. Gloucestershire Wills, 154160, p. 11.) The R«v. John Williams, LL.D., was instituted Vicar of Pains- wick on 1 3th October, 1548, and seems to have held the living" until 1554. So that Patrick Corbett may possibly have been re-instated after his trials, and died at Painswick in 1548. This perhaps old and sad man had seen the following Lords and Ladies of this Manor : — Elizabeth Grey, Viscountess Lisle, and later the fiist wife of Henry Courtenay, Earl of Devon (died s.p.), 1504 — 1523. Sir Arthur Plantagenet (J^iscmtnt Lisle, in right of his first wife), (born 1480; died 1541). He married (firstly) — Elizabeth Dudley (born Grey), widow of Edmund Dudley (executed with Empson in 1510), mother of John Dudley, afterwards Duke of Northumberland. She died 1527 C?). He then married Honor, daughter of Sir Thomas Grenville, widow of Sir John Bassett, and they lived at Painswick. This Sir Arthur, Lord Lisle, sold the manor of Painswick to Thomas Cromioell, Earl of Essex, in 1538. " I hear your Lordship has obtained Paynestvick," wrote William Popley to Cromwell 11th September. In May, 1540, however, Cromwell alienated the Manors of Payneswick and Morton Valence to Sir William King- ston, K.G., Comptroller of the King's Household, Constable of the Tower, etc., and Mary, his second wife. In July of that year the rapacious Cromwell himself fell suddenly under attainder, and was presently executed without a trial ; and in September Sir William Kingston died at Painswick Lodge, and was buried in the Church in the tomb afterwards shared by his second wife. This, we learn, was wrecked by the 30 TBE CHDRCH OP soldiers during the Civil War, and at a later date turned into a pedestal, as it still is, for the mutilated Jacobean effigies of John Seaman, D.C.L., and his wife (1622-3). Sir William Kingston was succeeded by his son, Sir Anthony (bom 1519, died 1557), and his widow, Mary (previously widow of Sir Edivard Jemingham and daughter of Sir Richard Scrope), pre- sided as Lady of the Manor over the Courts-Baron thenceforward held at Painswick. The previously-quoted Letter to Cromwell, Earl of Essex, as to the removal of the Vicar of Painswick in May 1540, bids us recall to memory the fact that Lantony Priory had been the first of the Gloucestershire monasteries to surrender to the Royal Com- missioners — namely, on 10th May, 1537, and just three years before the date of that letter. Upon the closing of the Priory, the Advowson of Payneswick was granted to Thomas Lord Seymour of Sudeley, and it remained in his gift until his execution by his brother's (the Protector Somerset's) orders in March, 1549. Conse- quently, the Bev. John Williams would have been presented by Lord Seymour — had that nobleman kept out of trouble. The Priory's lands, tenements, and quarry in Painswick had been granted to Arthur Porter, Esq. The Advowson now passed to the Croum. And now it will be instructive to turn to Portfolio 3, of the Valor Ecclesiasticus, and observe the Account Schedule of the Living of Painswick in 1536 : — PRIORATVS LANTHONI. Paynesweke. per £ 8. d. annum. De redditu Assisse (fixed Rent) ibidem liberorum tenentium (free tenants) ibidem - nil „ De redditu customariorum tenentium ibidem 6 2 6 „ De perquisitis Curise ibidem (perquisites of the court there) - - 4 „ Summa - - 6 2 10 * In the Rawlinson, MSS., however, I find "Dr. David Poole, by vertue of their (Lantony and its Prior) grant presented John Williams, Doctor of Laws, and Chancellor of Gloucester," 15th October, 154S. ST. MARY, AT PAINSWICK Reprisse (Deductions). }• In redditu resolute Domino Lisle ' In rent paid to (Arthur) Lord Lisle In feodo Thome Cooke Ballivus ac Collector Kedditus ibidem p. a The fee of Thomas Cooke Bailiff and Rent Collector there, annually Summa Et remanet clare de temporali valore (clear temporal value) 8. d. 2 20 31 per annum. 1 2 5 10 RECTORIA DE2 PAYNESWICKE. Cum portionibus decimarum. De prefato Priore eo quod est proprietarius et Rector ibidem et firma Rectoriie predictse cum garbis x* et feni (sheaves and hay) et alio proficuo dimisso Thome Cooke per indenturam ad terminum annorum. £14 4. 8. De firma cujusdam portionb decimarum apud Harescombe (Morecotes]) et Brok- thorpe Ac cujusdam alterius portionis decimarum apud !Shepe»comhe : De exitibus cujusdam portionis deci- marum in Payneswicke predictee in granis communibus annis Viz : ix, quartis frumenti et XXXV, quartis ordei Reprisse. In allocatione in mille panibus Annuatim in Elemosina data millc pauperibus die anniversarii Warini de Montecanesii, pro animabus ipsius [ Warini et Antecess rm quondam pa- I troni Ecclesiae predict® / In pensione annuali soluto PHori Sancti \ Guthlaci exeunte de Rectoria predicta / £ 8. d. 3 16 8 per annum. Summa 25 2 8 2 10 2 4 10 20 12 8 Et remanet Clare de Spirituali Valore p. a. - Payneswyke. A.D. 1536. — — — — ' This is the annual rent of the Stone Quarry referred to previously under Henry VII. ' The Prior of Lantony's. 32 THE CHURCH OF VICARIA. Valet Clare in Redditu et firma una cum aliis decimis ibidem per annum ultra 6* S** solutis archidiacono ibidem 2* pro cenagio et lO^** pro visitatione Domini Episcopi juxta ratam cujuslibet iii<=" anni 2* 8**, minus in toto ob(§). 114 15 \\ Decima inde 1 9 6 J (Vicarial Tithe) There are manifestly certain interesting features all through this series of computations. (1) We have our old thirteenth century friend, Sir WaHne de Monchensi, and his generous compact with the Monastery of Lantony annually still going on ; each pauper costing a little less than a half-penny and the Canons praying for his soul and those of his ancestors, Agnes FitzJohn and Cecilia, Countess of Hereford, and others. (2) We find the eleventh century De Litci^s Priory at Hereford still being paid 40s. from Painswick annually, in perpetuity, but being suddenly brought to a conclusion.^ (3) We have the customary tenants of lands in Painswick {Coonibe House and several cottayes in the toton) paying J&6 2s. 6d. (4) We have the Lord of tlie Manor [Arthur, Viscount Lisle) being paid 2s. rent (for the Prior's Quarry, whence no doubt the Church was entirely rebuilt by order of the Prior and Convent of Lantony). It would be interesting to know how much in wages was paid to the workmen who quarried, and to the mason who fashioned the stones. The extended design was probably made by an official (cementarius in the employ of Lantony). (5) Thomas Cooke, the Prior's bailiff, received annually one pound in wages for collecting the Convent's rents, etc. (6) Every third year the Bishop received 28. 8d. for his visitation, or tenpence halfpenny a year; less one halfpenny in aU. ' It is interesting to find that this money was raised from property held in the fourteenth century by William and Matilda Damsels, their son, John Damsels, temp. Hen. IV, and his son, Ralph, who surrendered it to John "Wych, Prior of Lantony, on Ist October, 1413. It consisted of a half-virgate and a Toft, held ' de nobis et predecessoribus nostris ibidem nt de nostra ecclesia Sancti Guthlaci Herefordiae.' The Prior then let it ' ad fermam * to Thomas and Anne Sudgrove for £6. ST. MARY, AT PAINSWICK 38 (7) And the Archdeacon {of Gloucester) received for Synod 2s. But we miss one thing, namely, that ISs. J^d. formerly granted, as we shewed, in the manner of a compensating annual pension to the Bishop of Worcester. It has apparently vanished. (8) We hear nothing of the lands formerly belonging to the Abbey of St. Peter^s, Gloucester, but rented by Lantony from it. This omission, however, is explained by facts placed already before the reader relating to Ehbivorlh. It is clear that the Abbey had taken up its own lands in Painstoick again. There would appear to have been a Church-House in the tithing of Edge, dedicated to St. John, as a field is described in 1562 (anno 6 Elizabeth) as lying "juxta domum Sci Johannis." Lantony was dedicated to St. Mary and St. John the Baptist. The Church now at Edge bears the dedication to this latter Saint. Let us now return to the subject of the Chantry of St. Mary, and see what further can be gathered regarding it. Among the Chantry Certificates (co. Gloucester), anno 2, Edward VI, is one relating to and describing it as "Our Lady's Service founded by one Walter Colbyns and others who gave certain customary lands by licence of the Lord of the Manor toward the maintenance of a priest to celebrate daily at the altar of our Lady within the said Parish Church, praying for the said Founders' souls and for all Christian souls." " Sir WiUiam Corbett, Incumbent there,' of the age of 40 years, having no other living than in the said service, which is yearly lOs. 74d. 8. d. The said Customary lands and tenements belonging to the same are of the yearly value of Whereof in reprises yearly - And so remaineth clear by year Ornament, Plate, and Jewels thereunto, none ! A Stock of Cattle thereto belonging valued at - 57 Memo : — That one Sheephousb and meadow, parcel of the said premises sometime arrented at 208. by the year is now detained by Sir Antony Kingston, Knt., by what title they know not." * For the duties of Chantry-Priests, cf. " Journal of Bristol and Gloucester Archseol. Society," vol. xxiv, part i, ' Tlie Halleway Chantry,' by E. G. C. F. Atchley. F 34 23 H 10 n 34 THE CHURCH OF But we shall discover more intimate information still, about these Chantry Lands, from a Manor Roll of the 4th year of Philip and Mary, 1554. They were ten in number, consisting of parcells of Land, com- prising tenements with gardens in the town, in Waahtoell, in Ifold, and in Duddescombe. The Lord of the Manor grants to Richard Osborne a small house and garden adjacent to the late JEcdesiastical House (Church House) of Painswick. The lands of the Chantry Chapel, formerly administered by the T'rior of I^antony, have reverted to the Lord of the Manor. It is this which increases the diflSculty in deciding whether the north aisle Chapel or the easternmost Chancel formed the Chantry Chapel of St. Mary. per annum. 2 11 2 6 4 10 2 5 To Thomas A'Meyer was granted a vacant spot of ground close to the High Cross, lately in the tenure of Alice Smyth, at a rent of - 2 To Thomas Coleyns, a similar spot next the garden of Thomas Adeane, lately in the tenure of Richard Spencer, and a parcell there lately belonging to the Chantry, also at a rent of To Thomas Dink, land near l^xvyning Hilly at To John Osborne, ditto at To Richard Osborne, land adjacent to the Church House in Painswick, at To Thomas a'Deane, a cottage and garden at To Walter Castell, land at This schedule includes four acres in Ifold, three in Washwell, and two in Duddescombe, which places included the best demesne lands of the Manor. Yet another document (Karleian MS. 607-51) helps us to realize the distribution of these small parcels of land. It dates from 1557 therefore three years later than the last. " Servicium sive Cantaria Beatas Marie infra Ecclesiam Parochialem df Payneswyke. " Firma unius tenement! tunc prout infra parochiam Predictam dimissa." Court ^)0U6c. Jfirc-^jlacc in Court ^ouse. (Found liehind Wainscottin.cr, 1899). ST. MARY, AT PAINSWICK 35 per 3. d. annum. 1. Richard Okey (per indenturam) - - 12 „ 2. A parcel of (by estimation) | of an acre dimised to William Osborne at - - 2 4 „ 3. Two acres in tenure of Agnes Canton - 5 „ 4. Rent of a cottage in tenure of John Qill returning - - - 4 10 „ 5. Ditto, Agnes Woodhouse - - 5 „ 6. Ditto, tenement in tenure of Edward Parsons - 2 8 „ 7. A parcel called "garden ground," in tenure of Thomas Adene - - - 6 „ 8. An acre of land and a garden, in tenure of Philip Pomfret - - - 1 „ 9. Two acres arable land, in tenure of Thomas Cooke 6 „ 10. A parcel of vacant land, in tenure of Richard Spyncer - - -02,, Sum total - - 34 Rent paid to the Heir of William Kingston, Knight, in right of the King's Manor of Painswick in perpetuity - - 23 4^ Clear value per annum - - SIO 7^ Once again we meet with these lands in the Chancery Decree of the days of James I (1614) in the following passage of the Judg- ment delivered relative to the rights of Henry Jertiingham (jun.), and those of the plaintiffs, the customary Tenants of the Manor : — " And there are also within the said manor certain lands called Chantry lands, which being but of small quantity and lying intermixed among the Copy-holds of the said mannor, have of long time been granted by Copy of Court Roll. We are of opinion that the same Chantry lands shall be accounted and enjoyed as Copyhold by the Respective owners thereof." It will be fitting at this point to refer to the canopied Altar- tomb of Purbeck marble, situated against the north wall of the Chapel of St. Peter. The iA^i^ Tudor character of the work is of 36 THE CHURCH OF ^^JU-J^ % ^/"^' itself sufficient to declare its date as belonging to l^/^"" ^^® /^ ' / metal inscription which ran round its three sides, and the coats of arms which adorned it, as well as the recumbent figures it must -^ J**> ^ ^\^^^ once have possessed, are gone ; as also are the brasses which \^/ //^ decorated the wall behind it. The latter presented Sir William (^tu^,^ Jtt J and Mary Lady Kingston his second wife, with scrolls issuing from their mouths toward the Trinity. Mr. Cecil Davis in his admir- able work on Gloucestershire Brasses, describes both these and the tomb : — " On the wall were the kneeling effigies in Brass of Sir William Kingston and Elizabeth (Mary?) his wife. Above Sir William's head a shield surrounded by the Garter, and above his wife's head also a shield. On the canopy of the tomb four shields, round the verge was the inscription, the front of the base of the tomb has three panels, in each of which was a shield, also a shield in the panel at each end. The slab of the tomb has been utilized as the resting-place for the mutilated effigies of Dr. Seaman and his wife." Mr. Davis likewise quotes from Ashmolean MS., 1118, fol. 97 (in the Bodleian Library). *' In y« Church of Painswick in Glouc-shire In y* North Isle 'On a tumbe there was y* proportion of a man in brasse kneeling, habited in y* garment of a Knight of y* Garter, having ye Crosse of St. Georg on his right shoulder with ye Garter about it and this Inscription under him : — " ' Under this . . . tombe lyeth buryed ye bodye of Sir William Kyngston, Knight of y* Order of the Garter, one of y" Kynges Maiesties privye councell Vice-Chamberlayne to the Kynges Highnes, Comptroller of y* Kynges most honourable Household, Constable of y* tower, Captayne of ye Gard, who departed this present world ye xiii of [May] in je xxxii year of y* dread Soveraigne lord Kyng Henry y* VIII, and also Dame Elizabeth his wife, on whose Boules God have mercy e.* " This Inscription with ye proportion, being torn off from y* Tumbe 1644, or thereabouts by Soldiers, Mr. John Theyer of Coopers Hill, near Glouc. (whose wife is descended from y* said Sir Will) obtained it, and keepeth it to this day. " His Will (writes Mr. Davis) is in P.C.C. F. 32 Alenger." " My body to be buried in the next Church to the place wherein I die." ST. MARY, AT PAINSWICK 37 The widow in her Will desires to be buried at Painswick, " with my late husband, Sir William Kingston, Knight of the Honorable Order of the Garter." Dame Mary Kingston's Will is in P.C.C, F. 23, Populwell. Possibly Elizabeth is a mistake for Dame Mary Kingston, who was formerly Jemingham and by birth a Scrope. h> ; ^u U^ ii^ f irtj ht^'^ i>C FtseK . Sir./iuhtC Urxitipl*^ Lo £ »Jfn'dA^ J^m Sir William, however, was married twice, and his first wife was ^^*;^^r^ ''^ Elizabeth ; but we do not know to what family she belonged. Moreover, she died before he came to Painswick. m /SAo^^ ffune^ t/) Mt hunu The only corrections necessary to the above account is the date. Sir William died 14th September, 1540, at Painswick Lodge; and (Inquis. Post Mortem 32, Henry VIII) that his second wife, who sur- vived him, administered this manor with her step-son, Sir Anthony, of evil fame, was daughter of Richard Scrope (died 1548). Her first husband had been Sir Edward Jerningtianiy of Somerleyton, Suffolk (died 1513). Sir Anthony, bom in 1519, was therefore twenty -one years of age when he succeeded to Painswick. I append the following interesting document, dated August 1540 :— "Sir William Kingston and Mary, his wife, Grant in fee of manors of Painswick and Moreton Valence, and all lands in j- - Painswick, Moreton Epney, Horsewarley, Stanley Pontlarge, ir Strode, Spoonbede, Sheppescombe and Edge, and Edgworth, co. Gloucester, which Thomas Cromwell, late Earl of Essex, acquired of Arthur [PlantaoenetJ Viscount Lisle, Dame Honora his [2nd] wife, and Sir John Dudley [her stepson], which he sold to the present (Grantees, but which were forfeit by his attainder." It will render the complicated succession to this Manor at this period clearer to the Reader here, if I here illustrate the passage of it from the Talbots to the Jerningliams. /. Thomas Talbot, Viscount Lisle, killed by Lord Berkeley at Wootton-under-Edge, 20th March, 1469; married Margaret, daughter of William, Earl of Pembroke; died s.p., 1471. His sister, //. Elizabeth, became his heir to Painswick, etc., and married Edward Grey, son of Elizabeth [Widvillb], Lady Ferrers, of Groby, who became Viscount Lisle in right of his wife. ///. Edward Grey, Viscount Lisle, died 17th July, 1490, leaving \. John JV. ) , , , , _ \ aged 1 1 and more. 2. Elizabei'h V. ) 38 THE CHURCH OF IV. John Grey, Viicount Litle^ born 1479 [died 6th September, 1504], married Muriel, daughter of Thonuu Howard, Earl of Surrey. She married secondly, Sir Thomas Kny vett ( Cf . Cal : Pat and Close Rolls, 21 Henry VII, part i (1504), and had Elizabeth, Viscountess Lisle. Sir Charles Brandon obtained the wardship of this lady upon her mother's second marriage, and craftily procured his own creation as Lord Lisle (15th May, 1513) apparently on a promise to marry her. No marriage took place, and he surrendered that title on being created Duke of Suffolk and marrying Mary Tudor, Queen of France. She married Hbnry Coubtknay, Eabl op Devon, and died without issue. V. Elizabeth Grey, sister of John, Viscount Lis'.r, above, married 1. Edmund Dudley (executed with Empson, 1510), father by her of Sir John Dudley, afterwards Duke of Northumberland (executed 1552). 2. Sib Arthur Plantagbnbt, son of Edward IV, by Elizabeth Lucie. Created Viscount Lislb, in right of his wife, 1523. YI. Arthur, Viscount Lisle (born 1480), married secondly (1527 X) Honor, daughter of Sir Thomas Grenville, by Isabella, daughter of Gilbert Ikttes, Esq. [widow of Sir John Basset], and had three daughters. He died 1541, in the Tower of London, though released from custody. He and Sir Jolin Dudley bargained and sold away Painswick Manor to Thonuu Gromicelly Earl of Essex, in October, 1539. VII. Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, who alienated it in 1540 to VIII. Sir William Kingston, K.G. (as above stated), who dying 14th September, 1540, it passed to his son, IX. Sir Anthony Kingston (bom 1519); died by his own hand when arrested as a rebel at Cirencester, on his way to London, 14th April, 1557. X. Sir Henry Jerningham, K. H., married (1) Frances, daughter of Sir Geoi'ge Baynham^ of Clowerwell, co. Gloucester ; and (2) Bridget, daughter of Sir William Kingston, K.G., and died 1572. «^bcuue, Uabtiig from Court ^ouee to (Churchuarb. fifteenth Ccuturu SBiubotu at ^anistuifh JHauor ^L'obgc. (Now the Lodfro-P'arni.) ST. MARY, AT PAINSWICK 39 In connection with William Corbett, last Incumbent of the Chantry of St. Mary, I find that a Samuel Davys, Clerk (circa 1570), lived at a cottage in Paanswick, next the house of William Corbett ; and his cottage and garden were held by Coj^y., at 8d., dating from 14th Novem- ber, 1539 (anno 31 Hen. VIII). It would seem, therefor©, that we have in Davys a curate of Painswick. Tliifi date of Copy, almost precisely answers the date (May, 1540) of the removal of [Patrick Corbett] the Vicar of Painswick by John Huntley, already referred to. It would, therefore, appear that in William Corbett we have the super- seded Priest of the Chantry living quietly in a cottage near the Church House and Vicarage, many years after what was the most trying crisis of his life. Cliantry priests usually resided close to their churches. A document, endorsed 1582, in the Cecil MS. (part ii, p. 538), seems to point to the fact that the Rectory and Vicarage had become united since the Dissolution, perhaps during a vacation of the Vicarage. " William Gyes to the Queen for his military services was granted a lease in reversion of the Rectories of Painswick and Hemstede in Gloucestershire; but the Queen and not the tenants stands charged with the repairs of the same, and they are fallen into great ruin and decay. In consideration of the sum necessary for repairs, he prays for the grant of another small lease." Between the Pev. John Williams (1548 — 1554) and the Rev. Laurence Case, Vicar of Painswick in 15^ we must place Richard Cheyney, B.D. (bom 1512, died 1579), Archdeacon of Hereford. He became Bishop of Gloucester on 19th April, 1561. He had been deprived during the reign of Mary, which ended only in 1557^ ; so we must hope to discover who filled the vacant Vicarage during three years of Mary's reign. Possibly the above William Corbett ! Cheyney became Rector of Magesmorton, in the Diocese of Lincoln, and Bishops Hampton, Diocese of Worcester. Also, he was made Prebendary of Westminster and of Gloucester, and given the Bishopric of Bristol to hold " in Commendam," ten days after his consecration at Lambeth, as Bishop of Gloucester. He died 25th April, 1579, and is| buried near Abbot Parker's monument in the Cathedral. The Rev. Laurence Gase died in 1564, and on 6th April, the Rev. Walter Jones was instituted to the Crown Living, which he held until ' In this year I find the marriage of 'John Andrewes and Maistres Derrike Kingston.' This John Andrewes had just succeeded to Haresfield Parke, through the decease of his father, Richard Andrews. Will 8th Oct., 1554. Cf. ' Haresfield Manors and Church,' by Rev. J. Melland Hall, M.A., pp. 32-56, and " Trans, of the Bristol and Glouc. Archseol. Society," vol. xix, pp. 279-373. 40 THE CHURCH OF 1573, when he was buried at Paintwick, 20th March. A quotation from the Manor Roll of 1568 (24th May) serves to shew the situation of the Vicar's Tithe Bam. The Court orders John Aldridge to repair his hedges ' apud Vycarifs IJyll,' between Washewell and tlie Vicar's Barn, within eight days, under penalty in default, of lO"*. Likewise, in 1608, the same Vy caries Hyll is referred to when Sir Henry Winston (of Standish) is ordered by the Court of the Manor to repaii^ a ditch belonging to him there, in default of which he is to incur a fine ij CuttL Fkk of XX" at the feast, of the Ascension. ^ fUr't^Mi, This Sir Henry Winston had then become owner by purchase of the .ilxJi ^"OaT- Advowson, which Sir Christopher Hatton had sold to a nephew, William Newport, a few years before. The Rev. ANrnoirr HiooiNs, sometime Rector of Sutton under Brailes, was instituted 11th April, 1573; but he must have either died, or have been transferred elsewhere, within a few years. He waa succeeded by Rbv. Arthur Masbinqer, 22nd (?) November, who in turn gave way to Rbv. Macriob Perse, or Pbarsb, 15th December, 1578. On 19th November, 1584, Rbv. John Bullinoe[aii, D.D., Rector of Boxwell and Witliynton, was instituted to the Vicarage, although he held already the Bishopric of Gloucester (3rd September, 1581), and that of Bristol " in Commendam." He died at Kensington, 20th May, 1598. He had resigned the Bishopric of Bristol in 1589 (when Dx*. Fletcher was appointed in his stead), and Painswick Vicarage, perhaps a little later, for on 5th February, 1594, Rbv. Roger Garrolo waai instituted and held it to his death in December, 1598 (buried Dec. 17th). It is probable that the Rev. James Thomas had acted as Vicar for the Bisliop for some time before Mr. Garrold's institution. During the latter's ministration, 1596-7, occurred a greM dearth in Painswick. This is proved by a Court Roll entry, dating 39th Elizabeth : — " The Parish of Payneswyk (is) so greatly oppressed with such a number of poore miserable people that there could be no relief afforded toward the said Anne Jake, widow of John Jake, and her five daughters." Yet this tenant of the manor held a messuage with two acres of ground. By a special surrendw into the Lord's hands of these properties, she ultimately obtained relief. In addition, her eldest daughter surrendered her Burgage to the use of William Wren. But these properties were so dilapidated as to be in danger of becoming forfeit for neglect of statutory repairs. Another event of grave significance to the Living of Painswick, as it proved, occurred at the same date. In 1596, the Queen made over to Sir Christopher Hatton the Advowson of Painsmck, ST. MARY, AT PAINS WICK 41 which had been with the Crown since the attainder of Lord Seymour of SudeUy, fifty years before. The Lord-Keeper, however, parted with it to his nephew, who presently sold it to Sir Henry Winston, of Standish. In 1599, Sir Henry Winston presented the Rev. Francis Tate (2nd June), and many years later himself sold the Advowson of Painswick, according to Atkyns, for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Parish ; thereby nominally reducing the choice of Vicar to a matter of popular election, but, in reality, handing it over, as proved to be the case, to the Puritan party. Mr. Yate buried his daughter, Elizabeth, 15th January, 1602; but we know very little about him, except that William Acson, his suc- cessor, was his Curate for many years. ^ ^HaM^tUcL fUt tUut^/Uuf ^sfu4€*t. , i*^ ^6oi In the settlement of the well-known Cliancery suit^ 1613-14, it is mentioned that the tenants of the Manor of Painswick paid the Award of \h» Commissioner, to Henry Jerningham, Esq. (1572 — 1619), for his Goodwill £1,450, in two sums, at the Church Porch of Paynswicke, Ist December, 1614, and 5th December, 1615. Before leaving the long reign of Elizabeth (1557 — 1603), it seems fitting to mention that already, in 1565, John Osborne rented a vacant plot adjoining the Court-Orchard, " super quo le Court-House olim constructus fuit." That is to say — " on which site the Court-House formerly was built," i.e., now (destroyed) gone. This tells us at once that a " Court-House," in earlier days than 1565, existed on that site, which still bears the name.^ We, however, find that one Thomas Gardner, who, in 1590, owns the Court-Orchard, agrees that himself and his heirs shall in perpetuity repair and maintain the wall between it and the Churchyard or Cemetery, and thus exonerate the inhabitants of Painswick of all expense therein. Thomas Gardner will have been the builder of the oldest portions of the present Court-House. I have thought best to introduce this here, because, in a manner, it closely relates to the Church ; and for the same reason is here adduced the following: — " 25th April, 1567 (anno 8 Elizabeth). Tlie Lord (of the . Manor) grants to Richard Williams a parcel of ground near the Church- Style, on the western side of the Church-yard, and between it and the ' It is probable that on, or near, this spot stood the small castle of the Monchensi, Lords of the Manor, given up as a residence by the Talbots (?) when the Lodge was first built. Castle Hale is termed 'Castellum' in docu- ments of early fifteenth century. The term ' Hale ' is, of course, Anglice — ' stocks.' G 42 THE CHURCH OF Court-Orchard." The new Gate-House (1901), tLei-efore, probably occupies tlie site of the old Church-style, and the cottage adjoining it occupies the parcel of ground above-mentioned. The street joining St. Mary's Street, on the north-east side of the Church-yard, to New Street, and now called Victoria Street, was for many centuries known as Fryday Street, and it possessed one of the three Public Fountains ; moreover, it bore this name until the third quarter of the eighteenth century, and probably until still later days. The name of the road leaving Painswick on the Stroud side, was simply the King's Uigh-way, Via Regia, leading up to New Street. The exchange of a cottage on 20^ October, 1607, between Thomas Gardner and Thomas Stamnge, makes us aware of the fact. It probably stood where the ' Home ' now stands, at the entrance of Stamages Lanb. These are the words — The cottage is described as situated near the " Via Reqia (King's Highway) versus Stroud, a villa de Payueswick.'"^ On the other side of the town this Highway must have left Painswick not far from Tibhy-well fountain ; for, in a view of Frank-Pledge, dated 16th October (anno 15 James I), 1617, it is ordered that " one Cliarles Stevens shall lop certain of his treee which grow out of hand to the detriment of the Via Regia, near the Fountain called Tybbye-Well, before Xmas; or in default, shall pay 10»." This helps to give us the eastern and western limits of Jacobean Painswick. Tlie other streets in the town were St. Mary Street, New Street, and High Street, now Bisley Street, Tlie Rbv. William Acson, who has been referred to as being curate to Mr. Yate, was instituted as Vicar, 16th June, 1622 ; Sir Henry Jerningham, Bt. (Ill) having lately succeeded (1619) to the Lordship of the Manor. Tlie Advowson liad been purchased from Sir Henry Winston in the name of Trustees for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Parish, who were represented on this occasion by Mr. Thomas Bingle.^ These Trustees, we are told by the Rawlinson MSS., were Prin, Mackivorth, Ven, Ford, and Cradock; though I am inclined ta believe that these men pm\;hased it, not from Sir Henry Winston, but, from those to whom he sold it, and consequently, some years later. Mr. Acson seems to have belonged to a clerical family. I find a Thomas Acson, Vicar of Wootton-under-Edge (will proven), 1641, and Samuel Acson, Clerk, at Whaddou, 1645. During his ministry, trouble 1 The stock-house, built in 1628, and several cottages occupied, until 1840, and later ; the strip bordering the Church-yard on the north side, now occupied by ornamental trees. The stocks and whipping post stood close to the present north gate, and faced nevMi. Zd^yT- ^ I have not been able to fix the exact date of this transaction. ST. MARY, AT PAINSWICK 43 was brewing for Painswick, from witliin as well as from without. On the one hand, dissensions would be certain to arise over this new and peculiar resort to Popular Election of the Vicars, by a majority of voters, who could be termed the Chief est and Discreetest of the Parishioners, and wliose Trustees for the Advowson acquired the right of increasing their number from time to time, emd conveying their rights to other persons and their heirs. That this proceeding presently led to long and costly litigations is quit« certain, and it culminated in the case of Fearon v. Webb, ended 20th January, 1807. It is manifest that any discoverable irregularity in nomination or election might easily give rise to serious divisions in Painswick. And, on the other hand, with the rapid development of Puritanism, together with violent civil broils during the ensuing reign of Charles I, the Episcopal Clergy becfune marked out to suffer persecution and deprivation. Elspecially would they be likely to suffer in this manner, if they stood loyally to their Church and King. It is probable that Mr. Acson threw his eloquence somewhat ardently into the cause of King Charles, for, on 20th February, 1639-40, it was resolved by the House of Commons tliat he was unfit to hold any ecclesiastical benefice. He was, in fact, declared a malignant ; but nothing was decided with regard to his removal. Tlie same resolution was renewed, however, on 20th May following,* and he was, consequently, ejected from his Living. "* ^ ^^^ ^ P- C*f. /■ U*i.cccc )i»Aiv ./e^iji.l, . at^ Now, it so happened that Sir Henry Jemingham and Eleanor, his wife, in the spring of 1636 had alienated the Manor to Sir Ralph Button, of Standish, who was now, therefore, Lord of Painswick, and actually living at Painswick Lodged The most significant feature about him, perliaps, for us, is that he was a passionate Royalist. He had already served as Deputy-Lieutenant for Gloucestershire, in 1625 (22nd July). At the outbreak of hostilities, he promptly raised a regiment of horse, 800 strong, which claimed to be the second in order of precedence raised in the realm for the King's Majesty. With such a Lord of the Manor, the Rev. Mr. Acson, then, must have found a very sympathetic patron; and he may have been tempted to strong and perilous words. At any rate, he was ejected on a complaint exhibited by the inhabitants of Painswick, in March, 1641.1 ' He was also Lord of the Manor of Standish ; which William Button, of Bherbomf, had purchased from the Winrionit in 1613. * In a Roll of the Manor for 23rd April, 1636, I find William Acson gnrrendoring one farendel of land and a messuage, at Shepscombe, for the use of his son, Joseph Acson. 44 THE CHURCH OF Thf Puritan Trustees (who do not seem any of thein to have been natives of Painswick, but who now held the Advowson), we learn from a vduable Rawlinson MS., had granted " the next Avoydance," i.e., vacancy in the Vicarage, to Bud and Hey don, " who were friends of Wild, and he was accordingly presented by them. Wild was always poor and much in debt " (f ol. 204). At any rate, the Rev. Thomas Wild was accepted and duly inducted to the Living, obviously at a critical moment, both with regard to Painswick in particidar, and to the County of Gloucester generally, not to speak of the entire realm of England. I shall return to Mr. Wild in due course. The following year, 1642, found the Lord of the Manor, the before- mentioned Sir Ralph Button, intent on raising men-at-arms in tlie King's favour, and it is likely, as I shall be able to show, that some of these belonged to Painswick and Standish, his two Manors. The Parliament, on its side, was extremely busy, and had in July appointed Essex and Bedford its generals. Hearing what Dutton was doing on his Gloucestershire estates, the House of Lords issued an order to the Under-Sheriff of that County to take force and arrest him (12th August, 1642). The House being informed "that Sir Ralph Dutton beats up a Drum in Gloucestershire and Hereford for soldiers," orders that he shall be apprehended and brought before the House as a Delinquent, and Lords-Lieutenants and Deputy-Jiieutenants, and all his Majesty's officers shall be assisting to apprehend him (Cf. " Jomiial of the House of Lords "). The following tells us the result of this Order. It is taken from one of the Royalist Tracts, printed for H. Blunden, in London, 1642. — " Gloucestershire. Master Hill, the Under-Sheriffe of Gloucester, with ten more, set upon Sir Ralph Dutton with ten Cavaliers, who were raising men against the Parliament in that County, forced Sir Ralph to swinime the river of Seveme, and tke two of the Cavaliers and brought them this 22nd of August to the Parliament, who had the thanks from the Parliament, recompence for their fidelitie and paines, and incouragement to send up all malignants, Cavalliers, and Array men, if they appear in that Countie, and that all Counties should do the like." On the 23rd of the same month, the King, being resolved on war, unfurled the Royal Standard at Nottingham, " a stormy and tem- pestuous day " ; and Sir Ralph Dutton appeared there with men-at-arms, "complete 800 with flying colours." It is probable he left a sufficient force to preserve his Manor House at Painswick, but it does not seem to have been able to save his com then ripening in the fields. For" Captain Backhouse, one of the most active of the Parliamentary officers under Massie, at Gloucester, incidentally, but most interestingly. 5^ *5 ST. MARY, AT PAINSWICK 45 lets U8 know, in a letter referring to the granaries in Gloucester, in view of straitened circumstances, and an eventual siege, that Sir Ralph Button's corn was captured and brought into that city by himself. We know from other sources that Backhouse was familiar with the ground between Painswick and Brookthorpe, probably with Seven-Leaze Lane, and waa destined to do considerable fighting in the region of Edge. In his letter of 5th February, 16i4> ^® writes — " As for Provisions and Ammunition, I have not been in the Granary since the (stato of) siege ; but, to deal truly with you, I verily believe the garrison is filled for 6 moneths; for the Come of Master Guise, Master Dohhs, Sir Henry SpiUar, Sir Ralph Button, and others, whom we call malignants, was brought in, indeed by myself ... I know two men who have laid in two thousand bushels here, juid the Governor made a strict proclamation that all the Citizens should make provision for six moneths, many of whom have done." On examining the Sessions books at Uie Guildhall, at Gloucester, for the autumn of 1642, I find Chrixtopher Bevan and John Bavis, of Painswick, together with John Thayer, of Gloucester, appearing under recognizances for their good behaviour before Bennis Wise, Esq., and presently, James Bavis, yeoman, of Painswick, and William Willis, of Standish, and James Willis, of the same place, and Thomas Cope, of Longford, appear in the same manner and place ; and they had to reappear from time to time, and can be traced till after Easter, 1643. One of these names is of especial interest to us. It is that of John Theyer. For this is not improbably the same individual with Mr. John Theyer, of Cooper's Hill, near Gloucester, into whose hands, in 1644, came the brasses torn fronvToir William Kingston's tomb in "^*^ ^ '**'■'* Painswick Church, and whose wife was descendant of that eminent ^ /'»e j ^/^Z knight (Cf. Ashmolean MS., 1,118). ^y^u f^ ^^ With the exception, therefore, of Theyer, the rest were all tenants of Sir Ralph Button, who had been captured and were, I presume, detained as Royalists. In Walker's " Sufferings of the Clergy," it is mentioned that Mr. Wild, the Vicar of Painswick, himself endured five months imprisonment at Gloucester, having been " plundered by a party of the Garrison." This was probably m^l643, as he was back in Painswick in 1644, and was proceeded against by the more factious of of his (Puritan) parishioners ; but I have not succeeded in tracing this fact in the remaining documents at Gloucester. By the beginning of 1644, there were Parliamentary small garri- sons, supplied from Gloucester, at Prestbury, Boddington, Westbury, Arlingham, Essington, Frampton, Frowcester, Horsley, and Lyppiat, which it was considered, had, by subtraction, perilously weakened 4tj TUB CHUKCH OP the city ite^; and a great intrigue was being conducted by letters between Sir William Vavasour with Master Stanford, Royalist Colonels, and Backhouse, in Gloucester, in order to persuade the latter by bribery to deliver up the city to them. " Edward Stanford, Esq., a grand Papist, but a Lieutenant-Colonel among the Cavaliers." Sir William Vavasour was a Colonel of distinction, but not advanced to the dignity of Colonel-General, or Commander- in-Chief, in Gloucestershire, for the Royalist Forces, until after August, 1643, and the abandonment of tlie siege. Backhouse played mo«t skilfully, as he fdiews, with these commanders. The fact wew he had been assistant to an attorney before he took to the sword, and so was doubly armed for his subtle task in Gloucester. It is, therefore, to the spring of 164^ that we should appropriate Sir William Vavasour's letter to Lord Percy, General of Ordnance, relating that he had tatken Painmnck, " though the Rebels have possession of many Houses," and beseeching his Lordship to send him more common bullets (Cf. Harleian MS., 4,713, fol. 121). This will bring the two known skirmishes, of which Painswick was the scene, fairly close together. They may, indeed, have been within a few days of each other. And it is time to give account of these because the Church was seriously damaged in one of them ; and the one cannot be narrated without the other. Backhouse, writing under the date of 5th February, 164f|, says — " Upon receipt of these letters {i.e., from ]Ma8ter Stanford and Sir William Vavasour) the next news we heard was that Colonels Mynne and St. Leger with the Irish forces march't to Paynsvncke for subsis- tance, but in deed to plunder the country ; to prevent which our Governor {Massie) drew out a party of Horse and Foote, where there was a skirmish and some losse on both sides." In fact. Sir William Vavasour, in his last letter, 1st Feb- ruary, had said to Backhouse — " my men are faine to march into the country for subsistence." On the other hand, we have the Royalist accoimt of the same rftirmish from Mercurius Aulicus (Thursday, 8th February), — " And to bring in Peace and Truth, their countryman. Master Massey, peeped out of Gloucester on Monday morning last, to Painswick (three or foure miles thence), where Colonell Mynne was quartered, but suddenly retreated. In the aftemoone hee came againe with a stronger party, whereupon the Colonell drew out jiart of his Forces, beat up Massey's ambushes, killed 80 of his men, tooke betwixt 20 and 30 prisoners, whereof two Lieutenants, without the losse of any one man, besides 150 very good fire Armee." ST. MARY, AT PAINSWICK 47 Mr. F. A. Hyett well says — " The accounts of an engagement given in the news-books, or by contemporary historians, of the rival parties, ' are generally irreconcilable, especially as to the number of the killed and prisoners. . . There are, however, fewer discrepancies than usual between this account and that in the Mercurius Aulicus." (Cf. " Painswick Annual Register," 1893). Sir William Vavasour himself was now at Tewkesbury. Gloucester, with the valley around, was already enduring a sort of remote siege, and the iaxvos and manors of Cot&wold were drawn upon. Tlie chief dwelling-houses were usually fortified by their owners against marauding parties, belonging to both causes equally. Many places were actually garrisoned, and Painswick became one of these. But we find Vavasour making his forays on both sides of Glou- cester armed with a couple of small guns. CorOct writing of BodcHngton House, where was one of Massey's petty garrisons, relates that " Vavasour came up with five-hundred foot and two pieces of ordnance, fired his gunnes against the House, and engaged himself in the assault." We have Vavasour's own account of his visit to Painstinck, and also Corbet's account of it; so we may once again place them together. Vavasour, to be brief, writes to Lord Percy, General of the Ordnance, stating that he has taken Painswick, though the rebels have there gotten possession of many of the houses, which he intends to take with cannon. He, therefore, entreats his Lordship to despatch to him more bullet* (Harleian MS., 4,713, fol. 121). The sctircity, as well as the waste of ammunition, was a constant factor in determining tht completeness, or unsuccess., of skirmishee on both sidee. Corbet (" Bibliot. Gloucestrensis," p. 88) writes — " Sir William Vavasour, * ^- ^^f-^^- having obtained two Culverins from Oxford, with a proportion of powder, advanced with a strong brigade toward Painswick, with uiiusuall preparations and expectation. Their march afflicted the country, and indangered our out-garrisons. (He) entered Painsvncke with as gallant horse and foot as the King's army did yield. Here the (our) €k>vemour had placed a guard in a house near the Church, into which the Church also was taken in by a breastwork of earth. The intention of the (this) guard was to command contribution and keepe off a plundering party ; and Order was given to the Lieutenant which commanded, to maintaine it (Painstinck) against a lesser party : but if the maine body and artillery advanced upon them, to relinquish it and retreate down the Hill to (Brookthorp) Bruckthrop, (where the Governor had set a guard to prevent the Enemies falling downe into the bottome) for which purpose they were assisted with a troop of horse, to make good such a retreate if need were. But the Lieu- 48 THE CHURCH OP tenant, more confident of the place, and not iinderstanding the strength of the (opponents') army, and not willing to draw off before the last minute, was inforced by the enemy to engage himself, and many willing people of the neighbourhood in that weak hold, and upon the first onset deserted the house, being the stronger part, and betook himselfe to the Church, which, wanting flankers,^ the enemy had quickly gained by firing the doores and casting in hand-granadoes, some few were slaine in defending the place, and the rest taken prisoners. We lost three inferior oflScers, seaven and thirty common soldiers, and many country-men ; at that season the (xovemour had commanded to Stroud another guard of fifty musketiers to support and strengthen the place in its own defence. But ammunition was their only cry. . . . They wasted the hill-countries, while we secured the vale . . . where the enemy prevailed, they plundered to the bare walls, and this was the accomplishment of the great service so long expected from Sir William Vavasour." The houses in tlie ascent erf New Street, opposite the Church, were only cottages ; but they then occupied both sides (rf the street. Those on the Church side terminated in the small Town-Hall beside the North Gate; at that date but fifteen years built, and quite low in elevation. Naturally, the only house by position and size of accommodation, which suggests itself as forming a convenient stronghold for a small garrison, and being fitted for enclosure with the Church by a breastwork, is the Court-House, then belonging to Mistress Anne Seaman, and her son, aged sixteen. In an examination of the Court-Orchard made for the Eev. Mr. Doumes, Vicar, and Edmund WicJc, Impropriator, by William Freme and Humphrey Land, in 1722, '' two little Ridges lying near the House " are mentioned. May not this be a r^erence to the remains of the aforesaid breastwork? But whether so, or not, it is clear that had tlie enemy approached from Stroud, or from Bulls Cross, Court-House should "have been a point of considerable vantage. The Lieutenant was perhaps led astray by its size and commodiousness. But the enemy came from Tewkesbury, entering Painswick, therefore, from the Cheltenham end. Hence, the retreat to the Church as a point of vantage, and hence, probably, the inden- tations, quite possibly due to " culverin " balls, stUl showing high up on the Church tower on that north side only. But although Vavasour became anxious for more ammunition, he evidently succeeded well enough by the usual methods (namely, firing the Church doors and ' i.e., it stood alone, ' disengaged ' from buildings. ST. MARY, AT PAINSWICK 49 then pouring in hand-granadoes) in subduing the King's enemies. The Eev. Mr. Wild may have perfonned a funeral service over the slain ! As Massey succeeded in capturing Tewkesbmy on 12th April, we may safely date the Painswick fighting to February and March, 1643. It is clear that the Court-House must have suffered, both from its rough garrison, and from the fighting near, if not all around, it. Mr. F. A. Hyett writes — " A curious corroboration of [Corbet's] this narrative has been recently brought to light. During the enlarge- ment of the south aisle of the Church (1890-1), buried near the south door was found a piece of moulding, which had evidently at one time formed a part of the doorway, and bearing unmistakeable traces of fire." The above narrative bears testimony to the fact that all Painswick waa by no means for King Charles; while it corroborates, by that, the former action of the Parishioners against the last Vicar, Mr. W. Acson. But, doubtless, those were not wanting who held quite other opinions, and heartily admired their Manor Lord, Sir Ralph Button, and his friend, Vavasour. Feelings ran high. Painswick, as far as we know, remained in Royalist hands, and the summer was comparatively quiet in Gloucestei-shire. In August, however, an event was in store. King Cliarles, marching from Berkeley to Tetbury, passed on to Cirencester. Having slept a night there, he passed directly to Painswick. As he naturally stayed on each occasion at the most commodious and available mansion on his path, in the present instance, in the absence of any proof to the contrary, he would have been entertained at the Manor-House, called the Lodge,^ belonging to his devoted servant. Sir Ralph Button, an abode then nearly twice its present dimensions, enclosing a quadrangular court not dissimilar to that at the New Inn, at Gloucester. It was entered in these days from the Cirencester side. King Charles waa on his way to Matson House, placed at his disposal by the Selwyns. He was accwnpanied by his two sons, whom, doubtless, he desired to become witnesses to the expected fall of Gloucester. Tlie forces probably encamped on Painswick Hill (then called Kimshury Hill), while the more important officials, after the usual practice, quartered themselves in the chief houses of the town, some of which, like the Church, no doubt bore testimony to the Spring fighting. ' Before its sale, in 1831, the Lodge used to be let for £1,000 per anQtini. It had been customary to pay £4 for Vicarial Tithes, and Land-tax on Tithes £1 12. 7. Three hundred and sixty acres went with it, including Longridge Wood. H 50 THE CHURCH OF It is not to be passed over, however, that in Painswick itself is fostered a tradition that King Charles stayed at the Court-House, i.e., that of the Seaman Family, and that the Court-House has gained its designation from that circumstance. Moreover, I have been assured more than once tlxat a secret passage ' for the King to make his escape by ' is still known to many elderly folk hei-e, and leada directly from the House to the Church. Of course, the ' Court ' was wherever the King was, and the King certainly slept at Painswick on 9th August, 1643. There is preserved at Paradise House (Mr. H. Herbert) a Military Order, ^ " given at our Court, at Painswick," the following day. It is, therefore, necessary carefully to observe in which direction the available evidence leads uS;, ere we come to any final decision, if indeed we can do so, as to where the King and his sons, and their lai*ge suite, passed the niglit. But it must be noted that no scrap of writing, no observation found in any document, no hint in either the Rawlinson MSS. or in Abel Wantner's abundant, but almost worthless, Collection, nor even in Sir Robert Atkyns' History of the County, lends the slightest colour or foundation for the belief. Even to come down to much later sources of information, neither Rudder, Fosbroke, or Rudge, seem to have heard of such a tradition ; so that one would be almost inclined to suspect that its origin is recent, and possibly founded uix>n the designation of the House, and upon the natural conjecture that it must have been the largest house, at the date of the King's visit, in the town. In fact, at pi-esent, the * tradition ' can be traced only to the days of the former possessor of the document, William Nicks, Esq. It was found at Tewkesbury, and created much interest more than half a century back. Lords of the Manor : — /. Sir Hknrt Jbrninoham, Bart. (1619), (died 1646), married tfiX weas, daughter of Thomas Throckmorton. //. Sir Ralph Dutton, Knt. (of Standish), Deputy Lieutenant for Gloucestershire, 1625. Becomes Lord of the Manor of Painswick by an Arrangement with Sir Henry Jbrninoham, 1st Aug., 1636. His estates sequestered for Delinquency, by Parliament, but released 26th Dec., 1650, by his brother, John Dutton, of Sherborne, a devotee of the KiTtgf. Sir Ralph Dutton married Mary Duncombe, dau. of William Duncombe, of London, and is described as of ' Pains- wick Lodge.' His son, William, succeeded to Standish. ' Printed in vol. 2, "GIouc. Notes and Queries," pp. 244-6. ^ ^ 1^ ST. MARY, AT PAINSWICK 51 mi si)kf III. Sir Henrt Moorb, Bart., 1665, presvunably acting as Trustee for ^ ^mu£^ IV. Sir Henrt Jerninoham, Bart., grandson of the above Sir ^yf^ -^^ Henry Jerninqham, mairied Maiy, dau. of Benedict Hall, Esq., and died 1680, leaving — V. Sir Francis Jbrningham, Bart, (died 1730), married Annb, dau. of Sir George Blount. The foregoing pages will have demonstrated that a Court-House of this Manor liad existed on the site of the present mansion, and had vanished even before the reign of Elizabeth. The nucleus of the present Court-House (merely so-called because occupying the site of an ancient one), was built as a private residence by Thomcu Gardner about 1590, and enlarged considerably by John Seaman, D.C.L., in 1615. ^ The important additions relate chiefly to the eastern side of the mansion. Unfortunately, this great wing was so badly founded that in 1640, only three years previous to the King's visit to Painswick, all its eastern doors and windows had to be filled in with stone and the entire flank heavily buttressed. The above date is found on the north-eastern buttress. The date, 1604, over the! central entrance to the house, belongs to the time of the Gardner family. That porch is not bonded in, and there may have been initials, which have been cut out by some later owner. A clumsy stone insertion remains tliere. In fact, the Mansion must, to some of the Painswick folk of those days, seemed rather tragically to reflect the declining fortunes of the Seaman*. For it was only fresh from its serious restorations, when it would seem to have been occupied by the fighting garrison sent up by Colonel Massey, from Gloucester, a circumstance hardly calculated to improve it. But there was tragedy also overshadowing tJie Family, and as it had become connected by marriage with the Rogers family, of Castle Hale, and with the family of Wathen, the occurrence about to be related must have cast a gloom over their entire local circles ; for the Seamans belonged to Chelmsford as well as to Painswick. John Seaman,^ D.C.L., and Elizabeth Norton, his wife, left three sons behind him — Samuel, William, and Edward. " My son, Samuel, if he marry, then he and his wife shall have their habitation in my new dwelling Mansinn-Hou-se, in Painswick, paying reasonablie for their diet for themselves and their company. (Will proven 19th Sep- ' Bndder gives (p. 163), re "Chancellors, or Vicars-General — "John Seaman, LL.D., was promoted about the 2nd of October, 1600; and Thomas Edtoardt, LL.D., occnrs with him in this oflBce, 10th of Angnst, 1608 ; but upon what account it does not appear. He died in 1623, and was buried in the 52 TUE CHURCH OF tember, 1623, Fos: 30). Having niaxried, Samuel died in 1632, leaving Anne, his widow, with Richard, bom in 1627, his heir. To William, Dr. Seaman's second son, was bequeathed Wycott Farm, at Wythington, where he married Ist June, 1633. To Edward, his father left a considerable property in Pitchcomhe and Uarescombe, which had been purchased from John Luine and John Butler. With this, either was included, or was added by thef inheritor after his father's death, the Shbephgusb, wherein he resided. He also bequeathe<^liim one hundred Pounds. Pedigree of Seaman. (1) John Skakan (Woollen -Draper of Chelmsford), d. 6th Nov., 1604. (2) John Skamak, D.C.L., of Paniield Priorj, E8sex,=7=ELiZABKTH Nobton, and Conrt House, Painswiek, d. 30th June, 1628. I d. 16th Aug., 1625. I 1 1 1 ^AW«fc«r (8) John, SAMuiL,n=Ajme ; William (of With-=f=Edith .. . EDWABD(of ff^^JCe..Gto. d.s.p. d.l632. |... yngton, 1688). ElCHABD,=f=Katherine Wright Irf M*^>p b. 162%J' of Oxford. ' ^f*- The Sheep. house and Pitchcomb) (attainted 10 Car. I.). John'^KATHERiNK, ; y^ . OiLEs (of Court-House,=r Elizabeth . . . West. b. 1668. • Painswick). >./^»^. (living 1698). (1) Grace Seaman, da. of Dr. Seaman, I mar. Humphrey Wathen, Esq., | Sept. Ist, 1623. r S 1 (2) Elizabeth mu:. Chables Rogers, Elizabeth, Grace, bapt. Maroabet, Esq. ft Cun*- HLL.riniJi:c4: bapt. Sept. October 1st, bapt. 28th (3) Mart, /bapt. 5th Jan., 1615, at 9th, 1675. 1677. Dec., 1683. Painswick. chancel of Paimwich, where there was a handsome monument of alabaster and black marble erected for him, with the following inscription : — " Hie jacent Cineres Domini (summe venerabilis) Johannis Seaman, L.LD""*, Dioseseos Glouc''^*" Cancell(arii) ; tam Virtutis, tarn Fortunsa dotibus spectatissimi. Ingenio, ratione vigens, pietate, fideque, Viiit, at effractua corpore mille malis, Hac patet ad coelos via: consopita fatigat Corda stupor; sapiunt saucia corda Deom. Hie bonis merito clarum caput, acer Hie malis censor, justitiseque tenaz. Posuit charissimee olim nutricis, fidissimseque semper conjugis cura piissima. Labores clausit, 1623. .^tatis 59." f. — .2. ^ b'l ST. MARY, AT PAINSWICK 53 And now befalls a tragedy. Probably at the close of 1634, he committed a murder, for which he was arrested, sent up to London,. tried at the Sessions House of the Old Bailey, convicted of murder and homicide, " per ipsum commissum et perpetratum," and consigned to gaol pending the last penalty of the law, 19th February, 1635. In all likelihood, he was sent back to Gloucester, and hfinged there in the spring of that year. His lands were granted by the Crown to Sir William Stafford, by letters patent, 20th November, 1636. (Cf. Exchequer Special Commission, City of Gloucester, 5,819, 5,820; also Harleian MS., 5,013, fol. 15). The following were his forfeited properties : — A fee-farm of 1 mes- suage ; Le Welle, 6 acres ; In the Hill, 1 acre ; Le Sheephouse, 2^ acres ; Le Hale, close and mead, and Le Wheat, close and paddock, 3 acres ; in Edgmondfield, 11 acres; in Witcombefield, 6 acres (lately acquired from Robert Wight and his wife). I have not succeeded in discovering the name of his victim. It is thus evident that a most lamentable cloud had fallen upon the Seaman family at Painswick. The costly alabaster monument to an eminent Doctor of Law and his lady, who Iiad been three and twenty years Chancellor of the Diocese, freshly adorned the eastern-most Chancel of the Church, while one of their sons was hanged as a common felon for a murder committed within a mile of the spot. " Dr. Seaman lived in ye Great Court-House ne'er ye Church. His effigies on Alabaster in his Doctor of Lawe's gowne . . . kneeling at a Desk with a booke, and his Wife on ye other half of ye Desk." (Rawlinson MSS.).l It is probably merely a coincidence that the Sessions Book of Gloucester presents us with an order made at Quarter Sessions, 20th March, 1635, which, at first sight, suggests some connection with the foregoing. " Thomas Seaman being committed, Richard Seamdn, Augustine Higgins, and Anne, his wife, bee bayled prisoners being arraigned for suspicion of Felony, were acquitted by the Petty Jury." 1 The following " Arms " were noted by Badder in the eighteenth century in PainsvHck Church, together with brasses to Dr. Seaman and his lady, who had died 16th August, 1625 :— Babon and FxiniK. (1) Gnlea, three boars' heads couped Argent. (2) Argent,. on a bend, between two lions ramp. Sa. three escallops of the field. These arms, however, are not those of Seaman, which are Argent three bars wavy Azure over all a crescent. Gules ; but would appear to be those of Lacy, and Norton, of King's Norton, co. Worcester. 54 THE CHURCH OF " Anne Jones and Thomas Seamaa being committed for Felony, were continued until the next Assizes, and the . . . Giles Hayward, Grace Cordway, Thomas Greene, [were] bound by recognisances to prosecute at the next Assizes." But Dr. Seaman had no son named Thomas. It is, therefore, only coincidence that two individuals bearing the honoured name of Seaman should have been sent up to the same Assize for capital crimes from the same Coimty. I do not mean to pretend that this family calamity, which occurred a few years before the King's visit to Painswick, would have necessarily prevented the latter taking up his temporary abode in the Court- House, if there had been no otlier mansion for him to go to. But he» would scarcely have come from Cirencester to Painswick, one would imagine, if his friend, Sir Ralph Button, had not put his Manor Lodge at his disposal, as a convenient halting-place between the residence of Sir William Masters and the mansion of the Selwyns at Matson, whither he was destined. The King's practice was, not unnaturally, to sleep at the largest mansion in the neighbourhood oi the towns at which he stopped ; and this invariably belonged to people of rank and distinction, very often ardent devotee* in his cause. It must also be recollected that at this time the Parliament had not obtained the upper hand. The King was, so far, without anxiety as to the issue of the great struggle. It is, therefore, clear that in coming to Painswick he could scarcely have selected the (to him) obscure Seamans, and their very limited accommodation at Court-House, in preference to the hospitality of Sir Ralph and Mary, Lady Dutton, at the Manor Lodge, in whom he had most devoted friends and very deserving subjects, whom he must have felt bound to honour. Moreover, their mansion lay actually on his route. He could profit in two ways by visiting them. It would well suit his convenience, while he could reward thmn for their sacrifices by doing them the honour of accepting their hospitality. Sir Ralph was soon afterwards advanced by Prince Rupert to the rank of Adjutant to the Governor of Oxford. If, on the other hand, the so-called tradition as to the King having stayed at the Court-House, with all his Court and his two sons, at any rate, on this occasion, could be traced even as far back as to the eighteenth century, or to the County Historians, it would certainly command serious attention. But, in spite of every effort, I have been unable to discover traces of it behind the nineteenth century. I now return to the Reverend Mr. Wild and the violent close to which his ministry in Painswick was brought. ST. MARY, AT PAINSWICK 55 Thomas Wild (10th February, 1641) was the son of John Wild (Walker tells us, p. 398), " sometime Vicar of Rainesbury, in Wiltshire, and educated at Trinity College, Oxford. The first of his sufferings that I meet with was his being plundered by a party of the garrison of Gloucester, and imprisoned in that city five months^ ; after which, about the year 164-1, some factious fellows of his Parish exhibited articles against him to the Committee of that place [i.e., the local Parliamentary Committee]. On which, he was summoned before them, and attending, accordingly, he could not at the time of his trial (or rather condemnation), I am sure I cannot say * hearing,' for they would not suffer him to be heard, or so much as the favour of having an answer, which he had drawn up, to the articles preferred against him, read by the Committee, notwithstanding (or perhaps, because), there was a crowd of witnesses appeared in his favour. " Nor did the Committee, as far as I can letLm, make use of their common stratagem, and defer the trial till they might find an opportunity of turning him out with less show and appearance of oppression ; but proceeded directly to sequester him at that very time. " It was the extremity of winter when Mr. Wild was thus called before the Committee ; and, as they had condemned him without the formality of a hearing, so the fellow who had waited for the Living of Paintwick (in which Mr. Wild resided) proceeded (as far as I can learn) to execute the sentence on him or his family, at least, without staying to hear it, or attending the orders of the Committee upon it. And accordingly, taking advantage of Mr. Wild's absence, put himself in possession of the Vicarage House by the undisputable authority of Horse, or at least, by a troop of the feictious mob in the Parish, who broke open the house, and threw Mrs. Wild and her family out into the streets in that bitter season of the year, denying her the liberty so much as to boyl a skillet of milk for her crying and himger- bitten children, though she begg'd the favour upon her knees. Whereupon they were constrained to take shelter in a bam (Vicar's Bam?). The name of this merciless intruder was GBORaE Dorwood (b. 1616). Mr. Wild had a temporal estate, ^ which was also put under sequestration, and he was imprisoned a second time, at what place, or for how long a time I know not. He died about the year 1647, after which his widow lived in a small tenement of her own, which not being sufficient to support the children, they were constrained to wander and seek their bread where they could find it. Mr. Wild was a learned and loyal man, and of good repute in his country." ' A serious length of time for the people of Painswick to lack a pastor ! ' Shipton Sollers, parsonage. 56 THE CHURCH OF In the Rawlinson MSS. at the Bodleian Library (Mr. F. A. Hyett tells us in his interesting " Painswick Annual Register for 1898-8 "), it is stated that " Dorwood, who succeeded Wild, came in by seques^ tration in the late times, but upon the Restoration, he took a nerw Presentation from Prin^ and Ven (sic), the surviving trustees." Mr. Dorwood^ himself died 2nd December, 1686, after a long ministry, and lies buried in the Chancel with the following inscripton on his memorial tablet : — " Hie jacet Sepultus Corpus R«verendi Georgii Dor wood, Hujus Ecclesie Nuper Vicarii cujus anima hinc Emigravit 2<** Die Decembris Anno Domini 1686. -ffitatis 70. " Strict was his Life, his doctrine sound, his Care More to Convert the Soul than please the ear ; A watchman true, whose Peaceful Soul now blest Crown'd in A moment with Eternal rest." It is to his ministry belongs an event with which Painswiek is connected in no uninteresting manner. I allude to the relief of the unfortunate inhabitants of Marlborough. That town had endured a terrible siege in 1642 (5th December), and had been fired in several places, no less than fifty-three dwelling-houses having been destroyed. Later on, the King's troops seem to have acquired a habit of raiding it ; so that its condition was far-fallen and very miserable, when, on 2nd May, 1653, during a gale of wind there broke out a fire so disastrous as to reduce a large portion of the town to ruin, together with a great part of St. Mary's Church. So general was the commiseration felt for Marlborough, that Cromwell issued official appeals for its relief from Sadler's Hall, London. Evelyn, while visiting his wife's relatives, a year later, passed through and found the place desolate. > Cieorge Clarke became Prin's heir, and claimed and naed the Bight of Presentation, 1685-6. * Hia name occurs among those Clergy who subscribed " A Memorial of God's word in Gloucestershire." He seems to have brought two sisters to Painrwick with him. Rebecca married John Gardner 2nd April, 1668. He himself married Rebecca . . . ., who died 19th December, 1663, having had issue, Timothy, bom August, 1655 ; Nehemisdi, bapt. 6th October, 1657 ; Josiah, who married, 13th May, 1680, Francis Smith; and Hester, who married Henry Winchcombe, 3rd December, 1674. ST. MARY, AT PAINSWICK 57 The following figures represent the Bubscriptions of the Parishioners of Paynswicke together with " the general summes given by them towards the Releefe of the Inhabitants of Marlborough in Willtsheere, taken 27th July, 1653 " : — Spoonbkd Tithing. 8. d. s. d. George Dorwood (Clke.) - 10 John Knowles 1 John Rodway - 6 Edward Watkins - 1 Mr. Try - 5 Edward Wight - 1 4 Richard Alldrig - 6 Richard Wiltsheere 6 John BiddeU 2 Robert Lewis 2 6 Mr. Greene 2 6 David Worgan - 6 Henry Garner - 2 6 Robert Lord 1 Anthony Poul - 1 6 Stroud-End. Mr. Filde - 1 Richard Webb - 6 John Hamond - 1 Thomas Clesel (Clissold ?) 1 Edward Gardner - - 1 John Wals 1 John Webb - 2 6 John Gide 1 John Neablet - 2 6 Thomas Blisse 1 Henry Mayo - 2 6 Edgb Tithiko. Henry Webb 9 Mr. Lygon 1 Richard Smith - - 1 Walter Castle - 1 Thomas L(oveday) - (?) Wid: Winn 1 Thomas P(acker) - (?) Richard Packer - - 1 William Phillips - Shkkfscombb (nil). It does not follow that all the subscribers are named here, for the list has suffered from decay and damp. John Lygon, J.P. (probably the Mr. Lygon above-mentioned) was acting as Registrar in Painswick Manor from 1653 to 1656, in which latter year he died, and was buried there, 10th August. He was the son of Arnold Lygon, Esq., who took a lease of eighty years from Henry Jerningham of several messuages and two mills in Painsivick, in 1598, ' for the rendering of a pepper-corn at S. Michael's feast.' I 58 THE CHURCH OF In this same year, Mr. William Rogers was enlarging the House called Castle Hale (which his father, Robert Rogers, had acquired from Thomas Gardner, 3rd June, 1616) as a dated stone in the house, bearing his initials, still shews. Many of the members of the Homage of the Manor Courts, over which Sir Ralph Button (drowned at sea in 1646, at Burnt Islamd, while escaping from Leith to France) had presided, must have been still living. As documents of this period, 1636, relating to Painswick, except ' Inquisitiones post mortem,' are scarce, I append their names : — Richard Packer John Osborne Anthony Poole Giles Poole William Mayle Maurice Clements Richai-d Gardner (erased) William Burdock Richard Smith Thomas Osborne (de Seagrims) Thomas Walker John Gardner Robert Hillman (junior) Richard Willsheer Thomas Loveday (junior : erased, Thomas Packer but re-written) John' Poole (gent.) is the Seneschal of the Manor. The Manor Constables were Giles Feild and Giles Hau-dinge. The Manors of Edgworth and Ebbworth were held from Painswick, respectively by Henry Poole, Esq., and Sylvanus Wood, Esq. Arthur Hillman and Richard Nashe had the custody of the Public Fountain in *S'^ Mary Street ; and Elias Barnard and Thomas Osborne of that in Fryday Street ; while that in New Street was looked after by John Holder and Thomas Cooke. We find also mentioned the following tenants of the Manor : — Thomas Bishopp John Winchcombe Walter Cooke William Barnes William Guest John Tunley Richard Mill Robert West Thomas Weight John Hooke Henry Clayfield Thomas Badding Richard Meysey John Mower Thomas Horrupp William Pawling Thomas Wynn William GriflFen. Henry Mayo Thomas Taylor ' Married Anne Rogers, 8i$ter of William Rogers, of Ca$tle Hale, 29th Pebruar7, 1657, and was buried 10th April, 1667. ^ ^/"^ pmt 0^K/m^C^x ^^ntnw^ /uu«/^' j^^^^^p^ ST. MARY, AT PAINSWICK 59 John Hammond Anthony Blisse Thomas Clissold John Mason John Tickell John Loveday Thomas Castle Henry Fletcher John Reeve Henry Webb In 1661, William Sogers, Esq., and Charles Michell became Church-Wardens, and the present Font bears their initials and this date. In 1686, Mr. Rogers gave a treble Bell to the peal, and this ensued upon repairs to the clock and chimes — " For work done to the Clock and Chimes to this second day of September, 1681, five povmdes and five shillings." Samuel Webb and Mr. Giles Seaman,*, Church- wardens. (From Church Accounts). The present Church box was also made for them. In the Rawlinson MS. (B. 323, fol. 2036) ocurs the following notice of a Hatchment formerly in the Church, commemorating the deceased wife of William Rogers, of Castle Hale. " In a hatchment on ye South side of ye Chancel is a memorial for a Gentlewoman yt was buried elsewhere. The Coate is Rogers [ .... J impaling Hawlbt : Vert, a saltire engrailed Argent. At ye bottome M[emorifle] S[acnmi] Susannce Conjugis Guillelmi Rogers de Castro Halense, quce in puer- perio obiit 18 Maii 1682." Mr. Dorwood's son, Josiah, married Francis Smith, 13th May, 1680, and died 1688. His father bought some fields, which came into ' In 1074, we find " Oiles Seaman : Gent : for the Court-Orchard and that which belongeth to it, and for the other parcel of his lands. B. d. [Edoi Tithino] • - 7 8 14 Si Widdcw Seaman - - 4 6^ " [From a Tithing List in the possestion of F. A. Hyett, Esq., J.P., etc., at Painswick Honee]. In 1680, " Oiles Seaman : gent : and hit mother, £1 la. ll^d." In 1683, " Margaret, daughter of Qilee Seaman : Oent : baptised 15th Decem- ber." In 1689 — " It is ordered by this Court (Quarter Sessions, Gloucester) that the order formerly made in this Court that the Court-House of Painttvick should be made use of ' for a Constable, be set aside.' " [" Antiquarian Notes," by F. A. Hyett, Esq.]. Ur. Seaman died in 1690 ; and in the Constables book for next year stands a ■ad entry — " Spent in bringing Miatress Seaman before ye Justice, 4*." She was living at Painswick till 1698, when the name entirely disappears. 60 THE CHURCH OF the possession of Nehemiah, his second son, who later on describes himself as of Newent. He died in 1 702. ' Dorwood's field ' was just below Hambutts. Rev. Samuel Rogers was presented by Sir Thomas Atkins, Philip Sheppard, and Robert Wood, 3rd December, 1685, as Trustees of tht Parish, in whom the Advowson of the Church had, as we have noticed, become vested for the benefit of the Parishioners. It is recorded, however, that he was presented again on 3rd March, in the ensuing year (1686), by King James 11. It is manifest the Prerogative of the Crown could scarcely have acquired a right to such a Presentation, unless appealed to by the said Parishioners. It is probable that such an appeal wm made by certain Parishioners in Painswick, with the result that the King merely ratified the former Presentation. Sir Robert Atkyns, when, a few years later than this date, he was collecting materials for his ' History of the Ancient and Present State of Gloucestershire,' learned that — " There is a large Glebe belonging to the Vicaridge worth 60/ yearly ; the Demeans of the Mannor pay no tithes ; the Vicar hath Bangrove Mead in lieu of them. First Fruits Tenths Procurations (Archdeacon) - Synodals (Easter Visitation) Pentecost (Whitsun farthings) Rev. Samuel Rogers, by his wife, Susanna, had a son, Samuel, baptised 13th August, 1689; William, 30th September, 1694; and Thomas, 12th April, 1698 ; besides three daughters, Mary, Lewes, and Susanna. He himself died in 1 702 ( ?) He does not seem to have been connected with the family at Castle Hale. It is certain that the loose and imprudent manner in which the rights of the Trustees of the Advowson had been conceded and then hemded on from one to another, and from testator to- heir, since it became (as we saw) invested in Trustees, heA by this time brought about a labyrinth of complications and profit, not to the Church, but, to the Lawyers. A rent of £24 4s. 8d. had been reserved out of the Rectory, and certain lands in Pains- wick, and was granted, in 1612, to Francis Maurice and Francis Philips. This rent, therefore, being granted to Patentees, became extinct as conceived. These Patentees afterwards granted this Rectory without any rent to Edward Alye and his heirs. He, in turn, or his heirs, granted it on in as simple a manner as he had it to £ 8. d. 14 15 1 1 9 6 6 8 2 2 0" ST. MARY, AT PAINS WICK 61 Edmund Fletcher, his heirs and assigns for ever, under whose title the Impropriators in Sir Robert Atkins's time, claimed their title to this Rectory. A prime question consequently arose as to whether the Patentees to the grant from the Crown oi-iginally, or the persons who claimed right to the Rectory in the days of Queen Anne, could be held to be entitled by the words of the Grant to any other tithes than tithes of Cock-corn, or Sheaf -corn, grain, or hay? The Vicars of Painswick up till that date usually claimed and received tythe-Hay from all such mead as liad never been ploughed, or broken up, which Cotswold folk know as stean (stone) mead. The Crown had, however, granted all tythe-hay as belonging to the Rectory, if the Vicar could not produce the Grant of the Endowment to prove it granted to him. Custom, nevertheless, would go a long way in influencing judgment. The ' Onus probandi ' all the same remained in such cases with the Vicar, against whose right to this, the claiming had not till then locally been made. This will sufficiently show how distracting a net of difficulties with doubtless corresponding personal antagonisms, had been woven around the Living by the subtle irregularities of amateur Trustees. But still other and equally intricate tangles remained to solve. At that period the Dyers of Painswick undertook to grow their own woad for dyeing ; and in order to do so, much of the land which had been formerly sown with rape-seed (for oil manufacture) and corn, became appropriated for the growth of the plant with the juice of which our Celtic ancestors are held to have painted, or perhaps, tatooed themselves. To whom, it was asked, should the tithes of woad belong? It was held, not unanimously perhaps, that they would belong to the Rector in lieu of great tithes. Then, again, it was found that If old, Washewell, Ham, and Duddescombe, fonnerly held to be the Demesne lands, and, of course, the best arable portions of the Manor, had since the grant of the Rectory (Advowson) from the Crown to Sir Christopher Hatton (21 Elizabeth) become converted into pasture lands, and very much more inclosed and apportioned out ; so that nine-tenths of them were no longer used for the growing of the com, but for feeding cattle. But little hay, therefore^ could be gotten from them. Hence, it was arguable, that if that state of things were continued, the Rectory would within calculable time become of small worth. Consequently it had to be settled, that if the Vicar was entitled to tithe-herbage in one part of the Parish, his right to it in another could scarcely be challenged. 62 THE CHURCH OF This would be sufficient to illustrate the absurdity of the phrase— * the chief est and discreetest of the Parishioners " — used by the original Grantor of the Advowson in creating the Trust. In 1684, George Clarke, the heir of the then surviving Trustee, conveyed the Right of Presentation to a number of persons and their respective heirs. The perplexities thus given rise to culminated through many a minor crisis in a Chancery Suit (Fearon v. Webb), 1807, in which, Rev. John Fearon, who had been popularly elected, 10th July, 1795, won his (ase (but had to pay costs) owing to the wise construction the Lord Chief Baron McDonald placed upon " the Chiefest and discreetest of the Inhabitants and Parishioners," which he described as " blind words." I cannot do better than quote his expressions in giving judgment. " When this Advowson was, as it appears, purchased from a dissolved Monastery, the Instruments, supposing them to have been like the old Instruments that we see now, were clear only in one member of the Description, viz., ' Inhabitants and Parishioners,' which must mean ' Inhabitants, being parishioners.' It is equally clear that these words are not to be taken in the unlimited and unconfiued sense ; a restriction l)eing added, viz. — ' the major Part of the Chiefest and discreetest of them.' The use of these words is a strong badge of antiquity. I presume that formerly, a few of the principal people of the Parish met and settled the business themselves, and did not interfere. But now, when it is necessary, it is difficult to put a construction upon these words. The degrees of ' Chi^ness ' and ' discreetness,' it is impossible to grasp. As to the point of ' Difr> cretion,' that must be determined by the age of 21. By the want of any other rule that can be intelligible, I am driven to that, but I am, satisfied it was not the original intention. It is much wider than the intention, but it is the only rule that can be taken. It is really to be lamented that a private Act of Parliament is not proposed ; for Uiis decision does not prevMit the mischief. It is still a popular Election with all its consequences. Nothing can be more hostile to the hope of having a proper Clergyman than this mode of canvassing. It is a very fit subject for the interposition of the Legislature. But upon this case there is no ground to be taken, save these two broad lines — ^that the Right of Election is in those who pay to Church and Poor, and those who have attained 21, being Inhabitants and Parishioners." The Decree, therefore, stood " that the Trustees do present him.** The remaining Lords of the Manor during the eighteenth century were all members of the Jemingham family : — ST. MARY, AT PAINSWICK 63 /. Sir John Jerningham, Bart., 1730, married Margaret, daiL of Sir Henry Bedingfield. //. Sir George Jerningham, Bart, (brother to the foregoing), died 1774, married Mary, dau. of Francis Plowden, Esq. ///. Sir William Jerningham, Bart., married Frances, dau. of 11th Viscount Dillon. He sold the Manor, in 1802-3, to IV. Edward Crookb, Esq., of Stroud. Returning to the commencement of that century, on the death of Rev. Samuel Rogers, the election fell upon Rev. John Dowries. In 1722, he and Mr. Edmund Wick, the Impropriator, appointed William Freame of Cranham, and Humphrey Land of Haregcombe, to go round and view all the ploughed and unploughed land in the Parish, with a view to prevent all future differences. " And we began our View at Mr. Sheppard's estate, called the Quarr Estate," smd they ended it at the ' Rack-Lease.' Mr. Dowries was succeeded^ by the following Vicars : — Rev. John Wiltshire - 25th May, 1737. ,. John Moseley* - -1762; died 8th October, 1794. (On 26th May, 1765, the Church was struck by lightning and damaged. (Cf. Salisbury Journal for that year). Rev. John Fearon - - 1795; died 10th June, 1823. ^ — ^KSRT Cat Adams] 1 8 8 . ■ „ Robert Strong - - 10th July, 1823 to 1856. Mr. Strong was the last Vicar elected by the Parishioners In 1839, the Advowson passed by sale, following upon an Act of Parliament, into the hands of a Private Patron, Mr. Biddle; the income then being estimated at £600 per annum. Rev. Arthur John Biddle - I8.06 to 1868. „ Hon. Percy C. Willoughhy 1866 to 1876. (Church restored at cost of £2,000, 1876-9). ' The ^Vicars are believed to have resided at the House now called The v • / J QabU», in the vicinity of the Crota. All lli ^ai-htr »m /u*>^ /rUu-c l;i/a eJ- u /t*H*L CiM*^ < * Vol. LXIV, pt. xi, p. 966, " Gentleman's Magazine," for a.d. 1794.—" At near 90, Rev. Mr. Moseley, Vicar of Painswck, co. Gloucester, which he held 1779. The living is in the gift of the Paurishioners, and whenever a vacancy occurs there is generally a strong contest. About thirty years ago, when Mr. Moseley was elected by vote, the contest ran so high that it was near ten years before the Vicar was established in the living. The Bishop found himself under the necessity of appointing curates during that period. There are upwards of five thousand persons in the pjmsh who have votes." The Rev. Mr. Pitts acted as his Curate. 64 THE CHURCH OF ST. MARY, AT PAIN8WICK Rev. Herbert McCrea - resigned 1885. (On Sunday, 10th June, 1883, the spire was struck by lightning and shattered). Rev. William Herbert Seddon 1885 to 1890. „ William Seller C«e«<- fTtZ/iafTw 1890 to 1897. „ William Herbert Sfddon - 26th December, 1897. The Living (formerly in the gift of Dyson Perrins, Esq.) is now in the hands of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. Thb Bblls.^ The Bells (twelve in number since 1821, when the two smallest^ were added at a cost of £120), were most of them recast in 1731. One of these had been the gift of Edmund Webb, Esq., 1686. Another had been given by William Rogers, Esq., also in 1686. They have been reframed and rehung, November, 1901. The largest, the tenor bell, weighs 1 ton, 6 cwt., 2 qrs., 22 lbs. It bears the inscription : — " I, to the Chmrh, the living call, and to the Grave, do summon all. 1731." Other bells are inscribed : — "John Downes, Vicar, A.R,3 1731." " Thomas Smith and William Bamee,* Churchwardens. A.R. 1731." " Prosperity to all our Benefactors. 1731." " Abr : Rudhall cast us all. 1731." ' For the literature relating to these famous and finely-rung Bells, tee Gloucestershire ' Notes and Queries,' vol. i, p. 23, 1881. Also, in vol. iv, by Rev. R. H. Blacker, pp. 298, 638, 670. ' Flowers of the South from the Hortus Siccus of an old Collector,' p. 114, 4to, London, 1869, by W. H. Hyett, Esq., F.R.S. Also, a scarce sheet printed by A. and B. Walker, of Gloucester, recording how the Painswick Ringers distinguished themselves, on Dec. 9th, 1838, by an astonishing feat of Ringing 10,224 changes in six hours and fifty minutes, under the Direction of Mr. William EstcoTirt. The ' Painswick Magazine' for 1888-9, and in later years, contains valuable detail. * The two new ones were recast in 1887, with very unsatisfactory results. * Abraham Rudhall. * A slip of white silk, neatly imprinted with an ornamental Border, and inscribed " William Babnss, Gent. Painswicke, 1731," found by the present writer in the leaves of an old book, probably commemorates the rehanging of the bells on that occasion. INDEX Acson, Joseph, 43. Acson, Rev. Samuel, 42. Acson, Rev. ThomaB, 42. AcBon, Rev. Wm. (Vicar), 40, 41-42, 43. Adams, Rev. Henrv Cay (Vicar), 63. Adene, Richard, 2^. Adene, Robert, 29. Adene, Thomas, 34. A'Deane, Thomas, 34. Albini (Earls of Arundel), de, 13. Altar-stone, inscribed (1390?), 23. .\lvechurch, 16. Alye, Edward, 60. A'Meyer, Thomas, 34. Andrews, John (of Haresfield), 39. Andrews, Richard (of Haresfield), 39. Anesty, Dionisia de, 17. Anestj, Nicholas de, 17. Area of Painswick Manor, at Domes- day, 1. Arlingham, 45. Aeton, John de. Vicar of Painswick, (13th century), 16. Atchley, E. G. C. F.. 33. Atkyns, Sir Robert, 50, Atkyns, Sir Thomas, 60. Awbrey, John, 28. Backhouse, Capt., 44. Bacon, Sir Nicholas, Suit before, 19. Bangrove Mead. 60. Barnes, Mr. William, 64. Bassett, Sir John. 29, 38. Bassett, Thomas, 27. Bates. Gilbert. Esq., 38. Baynham, Frances, 38. Baynham, Sir Gko., 38. Beauchamp, Rich., E. of Warwick, 26. Bedingfield, Sir Henry, 63. Bedford, Earl of, 44. Bell, The Treble Bell, 59. Bells, The Painswick, 64. Beton, R. de, B. of Hereford and Prior of Lantony Prima, 3, 5. Bevan, Chr., 45. Bibelsworthe, Gautier de, 17. Biddle, or Biddell. Rev. A. J., 63. Bidden, John, 57. Bisley, at Domesday, 1, 20. BLiektr, Rev. R. H., 64. Bleys, W. de, Bishop of Worcester, Blisse, Thomas, 28, 57. Blisse, Wm., 28. Blount, Sir G., 61. Boddington^ near Gloucester, 45, 47, Boniface lA., Grant to Lantony, 21. Braci, Robert de (Prior), 5. Brandon, Sir Charles (Suffolk), 38. Breastwork, A, 47. Brookthorp, 45, 47. Brucs, Thomas, 27. Bucke, Rev. John, Vicar of Pains- wick, 24. Bud, 44. Bullets, 46. BuUinghom, Rev. John, D.D. (Vicar), 40. Burdock, William, 58. Bydfold, Wm., 27. Cagge, John and Juliana (1381), 21. Campden, Assembly of Clergy at (1&2), 15. Canedislev, Richard, 27. Canton, Agnes, 35. Castell, Walter, 34. Castle, Walter, 57. Castle, Thomas, 69. Castle Hale, early references to, 41, 51,58. Cecilia, Countess of Hereford (Fitz- John), 6, 8, 9, 10, 13, 52. Chambers. John, 27. Chancel (Double), The, 11. Chancery-Suit, The, 41, 62. Chantry-Lands, The, 33, 34, 35. Chantry-Priests, 33. Chantry Chapel of St. Mary, 12, 33, 34. Charles I., King, 43. Cheyney, Rev. Richard (Vicar), 39. Churchev, Richard, 27. Church-llouse, The, 33. Church-Style. The, 41. Cirencester. King Charles at, 49. Cistercian Abbeys, their dedications, 12. aarke, Geo., 62. 66 THE CHURCH OF Clement, 6th Prior of Lantony, 10. Clissold, Thomas, 59. Clotte, Walter, 27. Cobbam, Thomas, B. of Worcester, 15. Cockahoot (Meadow), 25. Coke, Walter, 27. Cole, Cecaia, 27. Cole, Wm., 27. Coleyns, Thomas, 34. Coleyns, Walter, 12-13, 27, 28, 53. Colleyns, Margaret and Richard (1381), 21. Collins Walter, Founder of a Chan- tiy Chapel, 13. 27, 28, 32. Collyns, John, 27. Colyiis, John and Joan (1381), 21. Combe House, at Painswick, 15, 32. Combe, Nicholas, 27. Comyn, Elizabeth, her marriage, 17, Comyn, John (The Red), Lord of Badenoch, 17. Cooke, Thomas, 31, 32, 55. Corbett, 47. Corbett, Patrick, Vicar. 28, 39. Corbett, Wm., Incumbent (Sir), 29, 33 59 » /» ' Court-House, The, 41, 47, 48, 50, 62. Court-Orchard, The. 47. Courtney, Hen., E. of Devon, 29, 58. Cranham, 19. Cromwell, Thomas, Earl of Essex, 29. 58. Crounch, John (1581). 21. Culewich, W. de, 14. Culverins, 47. Damsels, John. 52. Damsels, Matilda, 52. Damsels, R^ilph, 32. Damsels, Wm., 32. Davis, Cecil, Mr., His Work on Gloucestershire Brasses, 36. Davys, Rev. Samuel, 59. Dearth in Painswick, 40. Dene, Henrv. Prior of Lantony, Secunda, ^. Dillon, 11th Viscount, 65. Dink, Thomas, 54. Dobbs, Master, 45. Dorwood, Rev. George (Vicar), 56, 59. Dorwood, Josiah, 59. Downes. Rev. John (Vicar), 48, 65. Droitwich, 15. Duddescombe, 54, 61. Dudley, Edmund, 29, 58. Dudley, Eliz. (see Grey), 29, 57. Dudley, John, Sir (Duke of Northum- berland), 29, 56. Duncombe, William and Mary, 49. Dutton, Sir Ralph, of Standish. 42, 48, 49, 55, 57. Dutton, William (of Sherborne), 43. Dyers, The, of Painswick, 61. Eastington, 45. Ebbworth, Abbey Lands in, 19. Edgworth, 68. Edward HL, 17. Edward IV., 5,58. Ernesi, 2, 4. Essex, Earl of, 29, 57, 44 Estcourt, William, 64. Facherel, Richard (1581), 2L Farthingale, Ri., 27. Farthingale, Richard and Felicia. 1381). 20. Fearon-r.-Webb 43. Fearon, Rev. John (Vicar), 62. 63. Feild. OUes, 58. Ferrers, Elizabeth, Lady. 57. Filde. kr., 57. Fitz William, Adam (Justitiarius), 15. Fletcher, Edmund, 61. Fletcher, Henrv. 59. Fletcher, John' 28. Foliot, Henry, Abbot of St. Peter's, Gloucester, 19. Frampton, John, 27. Frampton, 45. Freame. Wm.. 63. Freme, Thomas. 28. Fresco-work, 23. Frethe, John, 27. Frethe, Robert, 28. Frethe, Th., 27. Frowcester, Garrison at, 45. Fryday Street in Painswick, 42, 58. Gardener, John, 27. Gardner, Thomas. 41, 51, 56, 68; builds the present Court house, covenants to keep the cemetery- wall in repair and to free the in- habitants of Painswick from re- sponsibilitv therein, 41. Gardener, Wm., 27. Garrisons in Gloucestershire, 45. Garrold, Rev. Roger (Vicar), 40. Gate-house, The new, 42. Gatley, 20. Gase, Rev. Laiirence (Vicar), 39. ST. MARY, AT PAINSWICK (J7 Gerland, John, Prior of Lantony Secnnda, 25, 26. Gide, John, 57. Gifford, B. of Worcester, 16. Gill, John, 35. Goodandfeyi-, John, 25. Godfrey of Painswick, Vicar of Painswick, 15. Goodrich Ca«tle, 22. Grey, Edward^ Vise. Liele. 37. Grey, Eliz., Vise. Lisle, 29 37, 38. Grey, John, Vise. Lisle, 38. Grenville, Honor, Vise. Lisle 29, 38. Grenville, Sir Thomas, 29, 38. (juise, Master, 45. Gathlac, St., Priory of Canons (Hereford), 3, 16, 18, 31. Gybbes, Thomas, 28. Gyde, Richard. 27. Qyde, John (1381), 21. Gyoi, Wm., 39. Hale, It* meaning, 41. Hall, Benedict, Eki., 51. Hall, J. Melland, Rev., Author and ArcbsBologist, 17. Hall, lifaiy, 51. Hall, Thomas, 28. Hambutts. 60. Hammond, John, 59. Halleway Chantry. 33. Hardinge, Giles, 5iB. Hardinj^, Simon, 28. Har^sfit'ld, Church at, 11. Harford, Thomas, 25. Hatton, Sir C, 40, 61. Hayles, 4. Henry L, King, 3. Henry 11., King, 3. Herbert, Mr. H. (of Paradise House), 50. Herewode, John, 27. Heryngs, Walter and Agnes (1381), 21. Heryotte, Ri., 27. Heydon, 44. Heynes, Thoma«, 27. Heyward, John, Prior of Lantony Secnnda, 26. Hide, The^ a unit of Assessment, 1. Higgins, Kev. Anthony (Vicar), 40. HiU, Master, 44. Honor, Viscountess Lisle, 29, 37. Hopkins, John (1381), 21. Horrup, Thomas, 58. Horsepoles, Early reference to, 19. Horsley, 45. Horton, Thomas, Abbot of St. Peter's, Gloucester, 18. Hvntley. John, J. P.. 29, 39. Hyett, F. A.. Esq., 47. Hyett, W. H., Esq., 64. Hold (Demesne land), 34, 61. Jake, Anne and John, 40. James II., King, 60. Jerningham, Sir Edward, Bart., 30, Jerningham, Sir Francis, 51. Jerningham, Sir George, Bart., 63. Jerningham (or Jemegan), Sir H., (L),^. Jerningham, Henry (junior), 35, 41. Jerningham, Sir Henry (III.), Bart., 41, 42, 50. Jei-ninghom, Sir H. (IV.), 51. Jerningham, Sir John, Bart., 63. Jerningham, Sir William, Bart., 63. Jones. Rev. Walter (Vicar), 39. Keys, John, Vicar of Painswick, 16. Kingston, Sir Ant., 33, 35, 36, 37, 38 ; Bridget, Mistress, 38. Kingston, Derrike, Mistress 39. Kingston, Eli«., Lady, 35, 36, 37. Kingston, Sir Wm. (K.G.), Lord of the Manor, 29. 36, 38. Knyt, James (1381), 20. Laci, Hvgh de. Lord of the Manor, 3, 7.13. Laci, Roger de (Lord of Painswick, eleventh century), 1, 3-4, Laci, Sibilla de (Fitz-John), 7. 13. Laci, Walter (1) de, 3. Laci, Walter (2) de, 3^ 4. Laci, William de. 4, 27. Lady-Chapel at Gloucester, The, 23. Land, Humphrey, 63. Lantony Prima (in Wales), 2, 5, 9. Lantony Sccunda (at Glo'ster), 3, 5, 14, 15, 26, 30, 31, 32. Lantony, at Gloncester, makes com- Eact with Warine de Monchensi, at dissolution, 30. Lannder, Rev. John (1426), (Vicar), 25. Lightning strikes the Church twice, Lodge, The, Manor, 23, 43, 49; its vfuue. Longridge-wood, in the fifteenth cen- tury, 25. Loveaay, John, 57. Loveday, Thomas, 57. Lucie, Elizabeth, 38. Lutterworth, Rev. Geoffrey, Vicar Painswick, 20. Lygon, Arnold, 59. Lygon, John, 57. Lyppiat, Garrison at, 45. 68 THE CHURCH OF Maine Walter de, third husband of Cecilia, Countess of Hereford, 8, 9, 10, 13. Martyn, John (1581), 21. Mason, Joan, 27. Mason, John, 27, 59. Massie, Col. (Governor), 46, 47. Massinger, Rev. Arthur (Vicar), 40. Mateon House, 49, 64. Maud. Queen of William I.. 2. Maurice, Clements. 58. Maurice, Francis, 60. Mavo, Henry, 58. MctJrea, Rev. Herbert (Vicar). 64. MercuriuH, Aulicus (Qazette). 46, 47. Meryman, John, 27. Meryman. Walter (1381). 20. Michell. Charles. 59. Mills, Flour, in Gloucestershire, at Domesdav, 1. Mills. Elizabeth, 28. Mills. Thomas, 27. Milo Fitrwalter, Constable of Glou- cester, 6, 10. Monasteries, Gloucestershire, 30. Mwichensi, Agnes de (Fitz-John), 8, 13. 17, 32. Monchensi. Arms of, de, 14. Monchensi, Dionisia de, Her mar- riage, 17. Monchensi, Herbert de (a Domesday Lord). 13. Monchensi, Joan de (Manhal), 13, 17. Monchensi, Ralph de (Lord of Pains- wick), 9, 13. Monchensi, Warine de (Lord of Painswick), 8. 13, 31. Monchensi, William de (I.), Lord of Painswick). 8, 13. Monchensi. William {UA de. 8, 13. Monchensi, William (111.) (Lord of Painswick), 8, 13. Moore. Sir H., Bart. (Lord of the Manor), 51. More, Nicholas, 27. Morton, Valence. 29. Moseley. Rev. John (Vicar). 63. Mvll, John, Suit for recovery of lands, 19. Myll, Rev. Robert (Vicar). 26. 28. Mylls, Agnes, 27. Mylls, James. 28. MvUs, John, 27. Mylls. Robert, 27. Mynne, Col.. 46. Mynsterworth, William. 27. Neville, ThMnas. Lord Fumival, 26. Newport, Sir William, 40. New Inn (Gloucester), 49. New Street, 42, 48, 58. Nicholas IV., His Taxation of Churches, 16. Nicholas. Suffragan of Worcester, 23. Ninths of Sheaves, fleeces, and lambs (Tax), " Nona Garbarum," 17. Norton, Ehz. (Seaman), 61. Noi-ton. Rev. John (Vicar) (1426), 24. Norwich, John de, Prior of Lantony (1215— 1240K 14. Nottingham, King Charles at, 44. Okey, Richard, 35. Osborne, John, 34. Osborne, Ri., 54. Osborne, Wm. 35. Otho and Ottoboni, L^ates, 24. Owen, St., Church of, at Gloucester, 22. Packe, John, 27. Packer, John (1581), 21. Packer, Rev. Simon, Vicar of Pains- wick, 20. Paradise House, 60. Painswick Church rebuilt, 22. Painswick Rectory, 39, 61. Paeham, John de', B. of Worcester. Parton, Thomas. 26. Parsons^ Edw., 35. Payn, FitzJohn, Lord of Ewyas. 5-8. Pearse, Rev. Maurice (Vicar), 40. Peck, John, 27. Percv, The Lord, 46. Perrins, Dyson, Esq., 64. Peter, St., Chapel of, in Painswick Church, 4. 10, 11, 12, 55. Philips, Francis, 60. Pitchcombe. 19, 52. Plantagenet, Arthur, Vise. Lisle. 29, 52, 57. Plowden, Francis, Esq., 63. Plundering Parties, 47-8. Poiton, William de, 2nd husband of Cecilia, Countess of Hereford, 8, 13. Pole. John, 28. Pole. Thomas, 28. PoU-Tax, at Painswick (1381), 20. Pomfret, Philip, 35. Poole, Dr. David, 30. Poole, Giles, 58. Poole, H., Esq.. 58. Poole, John, 58. Poffoi-d, John (1381), 21. Popley, William, 29. Porch of Church. 41. Porter, Arthur. Esq., 30. Poslow, Wm., 27. ST. MARY, AT PAINSWICK 69 Prestbury, 21, 45. Priest, Ilie, at Domesday, 2. Puritan influence affects Church, 42, 43. Pygace, Agnes (1381), 21. Pyncote^ John, 28. Pytte, Henry, 27. Pytte, Thomas, 27. Quarr Estate, 63. Quarr, Priors (cUi^.,,1»J(«..-J~f. .._.~^^,. ?7^:^l;^;J;J^;i),;!'^;":-;^^:^^r»^^'r'f*^:l:•:''7*^■;y:tf^,I^^ ■•';«? '<»(?;».» wt^j