O UR

A IS NCIENT PAR HES ,

O R A

L E C T U R E

Q UATFO RD , MO RVILLE ASTO N EY RE

800 Y EARS AGO .

D ELIVERED BEFO RE m

BRIDGNORTH SO CIETY FO R THE PROMOTION OF RELIGIOUS AND

USEFUL KNOWLEDGE WI H S ME DDI I N L INF RM I N , T O A T O A O AT O ,

ar m

RE V. G EO RG E LEIG H WAs g M .A INCUMBENT E , ,

D O H MESTIC CHAPLAIN TO T E RIGHT HO N. LORD BRIDPO RT

WW W

” JO UR AL O FF CE H GH STR E . CLEMENT ED KINS, PRINTER, N I , I E T

10 0 0013"

T O T HE P A R I S H I O N E R S

A N D

L A N D O WN E R s

O F U F RD M RVI L L E A N D S N E Y R E Q A T O , O A T O ,

THE F LL ING P GES ARE FFEC I N ELY DEDI ED O OW A A T O AT CAT ,

B Y HE I R F I H F UL S E RVA N T A T T ,

G E O RG E LE I G H WAS E Y . ERRATA.

i r . 16 , for Anna n , ead Anna in

i on s . 23, for cur ous e, read curious tone

' c hi f t r. 40, for chiefi reator, road c ef ores e ’ ’ 46 H nr th V TI . r d H nr the Ei t s. , for e y e I S , ea e y gh h

62 harms with hi h hic . , for c w c , read charms w h

68 or ha ts r a i . , f bi , ead h b t

l r m 7 , for them, ead our en.

82 or lari ed r d wine clari ed. , f c fi , ea fi

ion. 92, for a ta calculation, read at a calculat CO N TEN TS .

PAGE

in to local ist ries In troduction . Interest attach g H o

i lle iate C urch ef re the rman Con uest Morv lle , a Co g h b o No q D om esday

d in xc an e for Millieho e b Earl er an d Eardington acquire e h g p y Rog ,

The D anes pass the winter at Quatbridge

’ The Lady Adeliza s vow

a dalen e of u tf rd mentioned Sir alter cott S t. Mary M g Q a o , by W S Rem oval of the Tow n from Quatford to Bridgnorth Form ofpresentation by kingJohn to the Preben d ofEardington Pass ofWenlock Edge made by kin g Henry L Advow son ofMorville Church granted to Shrew sbury Abbey

l und rstorm at the edi ti n of he ur 111 Fata Th e D ca o t Ch ch, 8 Morville appropriated as a Priory to Salop Abbey

ld ur illin sle Aston re and Ald nh O b y, B g y, Ey e am Chapels founded New Chapel at Astley Abbots consecrated D omesday Record ofAston Eyre

m nt ofAst n 118 Endow e Deed o , 3 Salop Abbey gain s the Adv owson of Asto n ’ Bis Swin field s visitati n dinner at M r ill 1 hop o o v e , 290

Mortalit amon the Cler dm 'in the reat Pl u 1 y g gy g g ag e, 84 9

alue ofMorville urch ro ert when r nted to Lord i l V Ch P p y, g a L s e at the PAGE

The Sm th eav er Blane and rac f i y , W , y, T y am lies possess it in succes

Sion fl

Character ofWilliam the Conqueror

enloc A f und d W k bbey o e by St. Milburg

’ D rayton s des cription ofthe Severn Trial by Ordeal Hayments ; Quatford Churchyard ’ Earl Hugh Montgomery s Death

Wulstan ish of r ester , B op Wo c Prebendaries ofBridgnorth

Llanth ony Abbey

r nt n me of uatford Morv111e P ese I co Q , ,

‘ Value ofmoney at diflerent periods Murder ofThomas aBecket

uatford E din t n d ille hools Q , ar go , an Morv Sc ILLUSTRATIO N S .

PAGE

4" View ofBridgnorth Quatford Ferry an d Camp Hill Situation o fQuatford Church Quatford O ak

T u a t ne wit s ell im dd d f S o , h h be e 4“ O ld Map ofBorough of Bridgn orth Q uatford Church Foun dation Deed

O ld hur h of St ar Ma dalen e rid n rt C c . M y g , B g o h

An ien t m s an d iles uatf rd ur c To b T , Q o Ch ch ‘ The Ruin s ofBridgnorth Castle In terior ofMorville Church

Fr esc f rm erl on ut all o, o y So h W Th e Font

T m anum Ast n r e hur y p , o Ey C ch E xterior ofMorville Church 4“ View of Quatford an d Sev ern

W den i ures of the ur van elists M rville oo F g Fo E g , o

indn G . Bell tt and his To the k ess of the Rev . e publisher Ro wley I am in debted for the old m ap of the Bor ough and four of the a v e Illustrati n s mar ed w it an asteris as the ave alread a eared bo o k h k , y h y pp " the An ti uities of id n t l i q Br g or h . I have a so to express my obl gation s Mr idn mi to . S ey S . S th for the information respecting the families of

‘ mit eaver lane an d rac deri l H S h , W , B y, T y, ved from the ate Mr. ardwick s v alua le Gen eal ical Man i b og uscr pts now in his possessien.

OUR N A CIENT PARISHES, &C.

The great antiquity and peculiar histories of our Country Parishes are matters w i w en made n wn can ardl fail to in tere t e rs ns , h ch h k o , h y st hos pe o who reside in them : an d w ell authen ticated accoun ts of any particular paris hes from the earliest date may serve to illustrate w hat has taken place

d i a in other istr cts under similar circums tan ces . The sam e causes hav e pro duced like effects : w hat has happen ed in on e case has happen ed in many other ofour coun try villages : an d especially in those w here the In cum bents now ar nl i ars or Per etual urates . eir ri in an d the an es e o y V c p C Th o g , ch g

ta l in the li i us an d siti n o su ar is es w hich hav e ken p ace re go social po o f ch p h , hav e been the same in the generality of cases. Many great improv ements

n in our ime eff ted an d w n littl of ic w re hav e bee t ec , e k ow e those wh h e

a ut man un dr ed ears a o. Paris es are su divided n ow and brought bo y h y g h b , their boundaries marked out afresh : and it might be w ell if the process could take place more frequen tly. But let us n ot think that this course of

ment has een confin ed to our a e. Man ndr ed ears a o reli improv e b g y hu y g , gions and social progress in this coun try w ere adv ancing w ith almost equal

t u on a l w er level. It has een said t at n ev er w as t ere su h steps, ho gh o b h h c

f ur h Buildin as the resent -w e ma learn w ever fr m an age o Ch c g p , y , ho , o the following pages that in what m ay be alm ost called the most disturbed ’ i n of n lis ist r te en s t ere w ere in on e Paris in this n ei h re g E g h h o y, S ph , h , h g

h six urc uilt —w ereas in our da urc Rates are to be bour ood, ch hes b , h y Ch h

nd not nl f r et to w m we are inde ted for the beautifii l done away, a w e o y o g ho b

i w i h e rs i but t ere is s metimes a dis siti n to build ngs in h c w wo h p , h o po o

is a le grudge ev en the necessary expenditure for their maintenance . It prob b that did w e reflect more on the great number of years many of them h ave ’ di d o u l od t w ould be eld in been de cate to God s service f r the p b ic go , hey h higher regard.

I ma not of cours ho e that t f llow in d tails can interest the y , e, p ha o g e

u lic as m ch as the ill m o o l and erh s ecclesia tioe and P b u y w y w n pe p e, , p ap , s 8

an i i n il it is interestin ver interestin to a reli i mind t quar a s ; st l g, y g gous to trace out the early history ofthose Parish Churches w hich have w ell been “ ” all d th l r of our and and w i are the roviden ofAI c e e go y L , h ch , by p ce

of o f r fa ers re os and w i situated ften in the mo out of ur o e th p es, h ch, o st the wa countr villa es hav e t eir h l services mf rted the souls y y g , by h o y co o , cheered the labours and formed the religious character ofour agricultural

o n d n th u ort of so man a c ristian mourner in ll p pulatio , an bee e s pp y h a classes of society : and if any poor w ords of mine can at all contribute to

w n lic in er s in t em nd to uic en ur l v d r n f a ake pub t e t h , a q k yo o e an reve e ce o r

I have said the subject may not be likely to attract th e minds of the public in gen eral; yet let me not be understood to imply that antiquarian

d ur u t on the con rar t e who i lore is necessarily a ry p s i ; t y, hos gve themselves to it fin d it peculiarly engaging; it brings us acquainted with men ofother minds and habits than our own ; it accounts for many ofthe things w e see

to w m under God we ma for around us ; it show s us ho , , y be thankful our

i itutions nd for man ofthe lessin s w e n it anc ent inst , a y b g e joy ; opens our

nd d nl ran of our ideas remov mi s an e arges the ge , es us for a time from our generations w hom we cannot plague by our petulant remarks and rough

d it tends to i crease our atr otism and warm our bourhoo , n p i local affections, and make our homes dearer to us .

e ther is it ur uit which n eed be c n ned to e ofhi h n N i a p s o fi m n g educatio ,

n n or entire f ed m f om the en large pecu iary mea s , re o r gagements ofbusiness . urn and a uick sound r on b a A man ofa literary t q pe cepti , y wise arrange

versat n of old eo le ma fien eco e ssesse of r valua l local i , o e o p p , y b m po d v y , b e i n nd be at ast u u ve or fo d nf rmati , a , le , a, seful r r o ers. A worth lan o o p y th , y

ituati n of me l lesiati al ildi s r i o h h r the s o so sma lecc c bu ng , the ema ns fw ic we e

' ends ofthe ha els at Aldenham and Underton wluch wil be me tio e in C p , l , n n d the course ofthis lecture. At the back of Underton Fan n House a spot is to this da known as the ha el Y ard and the meadow ad oinin it is y g C p , j g

lled h do ls th ld ca t e Chapel Mea w . He a o informs me at in drainingthe fie 9

ille ur w ich is n ow one ofthe est ie es of astime in roun d Morv Ch ch, h b p c p

i h ound it full of O ld f undati ns O fthe ancient villa e ofMem the par sh, e f o o g

Hardwi e fr m his r fessi n of Re istrar oft is Pecu The late Mr . ck , o p o o g h

d his reat indus tr was en abled to c llect an imm ense am un t liar , an g y, o o

nd n i urh d w i it is a ofin formation conn ected with this county a e ghbo oo , h ch

lm n had als athered pity has n ot been published. The late Mr . Sma a o g

m traditi nar n ti es of uatf rd and had r eser ved a remark togeth er so e o y o c Q o , p able transcript of the en dowment Deed which has formed a valuable key to

A ain if ler men w uld ma e m em ran da of fa ts an d old traditi n s g , c gy o k o c o picked up duringtheir w alk s about their parishes an d v isits to aged per s n s m an interestin matters w uld b r rv ed w i w en tested o , y g o e p ese , h ch , h mi ht t r w mu li t on l al istor . n deed m an a m ere easant g h o ch gh oc h y I , y p

l h s lun to th il fhi n la o m an en erati ns whose fami y a c g e so o s ativ e p ce f r y g o , an d attained that respectability which age an d steady con tinuan ce in an y

Xed ri t c urse of a ti n alwa s i ve su a re aired and v en era le fi gh o c o y g , ch g y h b

illa e atriar t u no s lar is n ot a bad chronicl r of ast ev ents v g p ch , ho gh cho , e p , and is often the depository of a good deal oflocal information in a r ude form ; and it is w ell to lose no opportunity ofm aking notes ofthese dis

inted fra ments oftraditi nar l re and at erin t em t ether li e the jo g o y o , g h g h og k

racular leaves ofthe O umoean i l so t at s uld an future n umbent o S by , h ho y I c

' be itten w it the manic anti uaria or oeth riben di or fo r t se b h q , cac e s c , ( ho “ not ac uain ted wit atin as n e eard it alled the n au ht tri q h L ), I o c h c , g y ck ” of scri lin t ere ma be read at an d a few lues to uide t em bb g, h y y h c g h

through the labyrinth .

f s said ow v r it is nOt an musem nt ' to be con ned nl to the A I , h e e , a e fi o y

ler or what t e are no t to men d leisur av e here a r emarkabl ' c gy, , h y , e. I h y

“ ‘ full and w ell written istor of an ur Mr. Alfi ed Beesle who was h y B b y by y,

imself at one time in usiness and r h mist n hat h , b , was brothe ofa c e i t tow n ;

’ he was a most res ecta le man ofa literar min d an d mem er ofthe am p b , y , b C b

den and Shakes erean Societies and e min ll n durin th r » p , b co g w e k own g e p o

ross o fthe work r c i d l a i g , e e ve va uable ss stan ce from all quarters. I have

als here an interestin hist r in ei bifh o g o y ght numbers of the Town of Dan g ,

reat leasure as it is a reat h nour to h v d m an d mone g p , g o , a e ev oted that ti e y which some would have spent in selfish vanities or worse indulgences to fur i n shingtheir native towns with w ell authenticated records of their past: 10

ist r and man oftheir an ient w rt ies . ith these refat r rem h o y y c o h W p o y arks, “ w hich I hope you will not think out ofplace before a Society for the Pro motion of Religious an d Useful Kn owledge I will ask your fav ourable attention to som e facts I have been able to collect with referen ce to the early

ist r ofm t ree aris es n w led in as t an full do t at u h o y y h p h , ack o g g, I h k y , h m ch ’ of the inf rm ati n is derived fr m Mr . E ton Hist r of r s i d o o o y s o y Sh op h re, an

f n O te in his own w ords. The earliest accoun ts ofMorv ille are lost in antiquity : w e hav e no record o fthe i us man who f unded the first ristian ur t in dis t p o o Ch Ch ch here, a tric w i must in t se da s ave een m stl wit w d d far h ch ho y h b o y covered h oo , an re m d m n ov e fro a y town . Whether he w as some an cien t British chiefwho de sired that those about him should serv e the Lord accordin g to the faith of Christ (for w e kn ow there w ere Christian Churches and duly consecrated British Bishops established in our land long before the Saxon invasion an d the missi n of aint Au us tin e o r w et er he w as s me nverted n o S g ,) h h o co Saxo

an e of the Kin d m ofMer ia who after the n uest of ritain and the Th g o c , , co q B

tr t h r tis hristian s in t ales determin ed to dedicate a or re ea oft e B i h C o W , p ‘ fhis n ew l a uired ssessi ns to the servi e ofAlmi t God and tion o y cq po o c gh y , to substitute the pur e faith of the gospel for the cr uel idolatries of Thor an d Fri a - the first fact w e n w for ertain is th at as l n a o as the g , k o c , o g g ti o Kin d a d th n f s r i. e. m re t an 800 ars a o a w ell me f g E w r e Co es o , o h ye g ,

nd w ll iat hur w it ei t an ns to serv e in it exis ted at Mar e o ed Co eg e C ch, h gh C o , v l l M mb feld and w i w as at t at time the il e which w as then ca led e re , h ch h “ ” ax n undred the en tre of a reat Man r and Caput or Head O f a S o H , c g o ,

r r P i . his un red alled Aln odestreu Mother Church ofa still g eate ar sh T H d , c a

s f ritis ri in as im lied its n am e an d la m a scatte red f rm w a o B h o g , p by , y o ,

division s ofthe Coun ty as w ell as its external boundaries took place in the

Th n ient un dred ofAlnodestreu w as sw e t awa and reign ofHm I. e a c H p y f t ttesden Brimstree and Munslow formed portions of the Hun dreds o S o , ,

ill is n ow in t ttesden Hun non e of w hich existed at Domesday. Morv e S o

and the l al urisdicti n it us ed to exercise ro a l from earl dred, oc j o p b b y y

ma be w ell here to ive I hav e m ention ed the name ofDomesday. It y g ti nal d cument of such earl date some accoun t ofthat most curious na o o , y

t nati n ima ine ossesses. This and remarkable minute ness as n o o her o , I g , p

h rs 1085-6 b ommissions great territorial Record was compiled in t e yea y C l l

l n th and r adth ers appointedby the Norman Con queror to go through the e g b e

an d examine witnesses who c uld iv e inf rma ofthe con quered te rritory, o g o

in the titles wn ers i an d v alue ofalllanded r ert . eir tion respect g , o h p p op y Th m ur rs em detailed information seems chiefly to have been derived fro j o d wn to panelled in each Hun dr ed out of all orders offreem en from Barons o

mmissi n rs w ere to be in f rmed the in the smaller Farmers . These Co o e o by

u n at ofthe n ame of ea Man r and t at of its w ner habitan ts , po o h, ch o , h o

h tim of Kin dw ard the nfess r the also by w hom it w as held in t e e g E Co o ,

l n d ixt acr s made a v ir ate and there w ere f ur number o fhides of a (s y e g , o

the ide the uantit of w d o f asture an d of mead w how virgates to h ,) q y oo , p o , ’ d h w many ploughs w ere employed m the demesn e (o r owner s holding) an o

w r to iv e the num er of tenan ts of ofbeing adv anc ed in value. They e e g b every degree ; the quantity oflan d then an d formerly held by each ofthem ; what w ere the number of laborers an d how employed; and in some cases the num bers an d kin ds oftheir liv e stock. The result oftheir labours was ’ returned into the Kings Court at Win chester in the Easter of 1086 ; no a l fr m it w as all w ed w i a r din to s me ers ns aused its ppea o o , h ch cco g o p o , c “ ” n e o e called mes D a or the fin al ud m nt t u t we ives am t b Do y j g e , ho gh S o g an t r as n viz. t t it is a rru ti n of mus D ei a title o her e o , , ha co p o Do book,

’ ven it fr m ein a l n time de sited in the Kin s treasur in a art gi o b g o g po g y, p of estminster A e called mus D ei or use of od. The reatest W bb y Do , Ho G g care has alw a s een ta en ofit a d it used to b e t un der t ree diff y b k , n e k p h erent locks an d e s on e in the ust d of th reasur r nd th t in k y , c o y e T e , a e o hers that ofthe tw o Chamberlains oi the Exchequer ; it w as for a longtim e deposited in the a ter m e of estmin ster an d mi t be nsulted on a in Ch p Ho W , gh co p y g the r er ofiicers a fee of six s illin s and ei t en e for a sea d p op h g gh p c rch , an four en e er lin e for a transcri t. It is in atin an d in a m t r p c p p L , os abb eviated st le but is n ot difficult to rea h y , d by a person who as gone through a few a es as the ab reviati ns l h p g , b o are a w ays t e same . There is a prin ted edition

Ofit in tw o f li volum in o o es man y large libraries. I have been enabled to

’ examin e on e oft ese at Mr . Mon ekton s of om rd d h S erfo , an found the state ment res e tin Membrefelde or M rville remar a l fiill u n o p c g o k b y , occ pyi ga c n siderable art of on e ofthe column s in t w i eac a e is div ided p o h ch h p g , far more t an an ther villa e in the nei ur d and r vin the im h y o g ghbo hoo , p o g por tance of the lace in tho da s h i p se y . T e n formation we gain from it is ar 12

ran “ ” ed as f llow s Mr . t n : The w l M g o by Ey o ho e anor o f Membrefelde (he is n ot s ea in ofthe Paris w i exten d d “ p k g h h ch e v ery much further) contained

th at the rm an arl of rew s ur R er Belesme l No E Sh b y, og , he d four in his own an ds and su se uen tl l t h , b q y e tw o ofthem to a man n am ed Richard Pin cerna “ ” or utler as ldin r abl t B , ho g p ob y hat office un der the Earl. The w hole had ’ een the Kin s dem esn e in th im b g e t e o f Edw ard the Co nfessor. The re m ain in ei t ides had un der the sam n g gh h , e Mo arch, form ed the endowmen t o f the lle iate ur of ain t re r ofM rville in i Co g Ch ch S G go y o , w h ch w ere min is terin ei t an n s who atten d i g gh C o , ed to the rel gious w an ts of the extensive surr undin distri t for w it th th x o g c ; , h e e e ception of a Priest nam ed in the m d — Do es ay accoun t o f Che tton and Glazeley w hich imflied that there were C — hurches there an d also the private Chapel ofthe Lord ofLinley and the an ient ax n ur of enl k t ere were n o t ers in i c S o Ch ch W oc , h o h the n e ghbour h od. rid n ort Old ur Astle A ts Act n R un d illin sle o B g h , b y, y bbo , o o , B g y,

M n ton asle an d uatf rdhad n o ur es at h o khop , T y Q o ch ch t e tim e. The Church of Sain t Milburg at Wenlock claimed and exercised the spiritual cure ofa m st exten siv e distri t w i w s un ded al n its w l u n o c , h ch a bo o g ho e So thern fro ti h l er by t e a most equal parish of Sain t Gregory ofMorville. The Norman

arl had w ev er determin ed to rem del t is ecclesiastical establis ment E , ho , o h h , an d on the sam e prin ciple that the Norm an Kings portioned out the Lay

r ert of the n uered oun tr to t eir Bar n s an d t er retainers so p op y co q c y h o o h , h e gran te d th e Church an d fiv e hides ofthe land immediately to his new

b r i m on astic establishm ent offoreign m onks at Shrews u y. W th the other three hides h e ben eficed his ow n priv ate chaplains an d gran ted them in Be m ain der to Shrew sbury Abbey as part an d parcel of the o riginal Chur ch ” of ain t re r to ta e effe t after the deat s ofthe t en ncumbents. S G go y, k c h h I

” ere t en w e tra e the first alienati n o f ar c ial c ur r ert H , h , c o p o h h ch p op y, which w as thus turn ed aside from the purpose for which it w as fir st inten d~

ed that is th e su rt of reli i n in t at arti ular distri t fr m w ich it , , ppo go h p c c o h i d w as deriv ed an d m ade to swell the rev enues of a distant monast c bo y.

Rev ertin ow ev er at resen t to the v alue ultivati n and ccu ati n g, h , p , c o , o p o

l i d in t s da s w e fin d fr m mesda t at on ofthese t we v e h des oflan ho e y , o Do y h ’ ms em l ed and the Earl s ow n holding at Morville there w ere tw o ox tea p oy tta e ten an ts an d‘ six oors w ork for six m ore : there w ere nin e v illeins or co g , b

or sm all farm ers wit t ree ox teams and the a a ilit ofmaintainin two , h h c p b y g l v l e ofthis m ore ox team s ; there w ere also four neat herds ; the annua a u

14

inde enden t B r u h of rid n rt f und n l p o o g B g o h o o p ace in Domesday ; was n ot existin t en even as a amlet g h h . There w as a wide barren rock naturally f rtified on three sides ravin es and ll o by v a eys ofgreater or less depth : o n the astern side it ver un th E o h g e chann el of the River Sev ern at a command in ei t. g g is r or latform t en so insi n i cant but n o h h Th ock p , h g fi , w so immr tant t at even a Railw a it is o n h y th ght w ill ere long con nect it with all parts ofthe w rld—t is th n d rt r o h e ese ock had on ce perhaps been the site of a ax on f rtress : but if so it w as at the tim e am S ea in of a ui S o , I p k g , R n , an d

Mr . t n seem s wit lm Ey o h a ost certain ty to prov e that Pam Pudding Hill in the aris of ld ’ p h O bury w as the spot w here Ethelfleda s fortress stood 15 0

ears f r Y y be o e. et w as this un nam ed locality destin ed within tw en ty years after m d Do es ay to becom e the scen e ofgreat local an d even n ational ev ents in w i th in h ch e habitan ts ofMorville Parish (which then in cluded the w hole distri t ut of ev ern must c So h S ) n ecessarily hav e taken an importan t part.

irst am in dut an d rd i F , I y o er of h story boun d to m ention the building ’ of uatf rd ur n secrated on ul 22n d. ain r l Q o Ch ch , co J y (S t Ma y Magda ene s da in th e ear o four ord 1 in th e resen of r i — y) y L 086 , p ce th ee B shops, th e fam us and l Wulstan is of r ester R rt sin is o ho y g, B hop Wo c ; obe Lo g, B hop of eref rd an d R ert de in dse is of ester as the Sec of i h H o ; ob L y, B hop Ch , L c

field w as 1or ei ghty years called. The en try in Domesday respe cting Quat f rd run s t us : The arl imself ssesses Ardin ton e. aint Milbur o h E h po S g, i. e . enl A e of w i she as th atr n ain t used to ssess it W ock bb y, h ch w e P o S , po in th im ofKi n e t e g Edw ard the Cenfessor . There are fiv e hides oflan d.

In his ow n demense t ere is on e ox team f ur serfs i. e . la orers wit ut h , o ( b ho land t ere are nin villein s i . a ri ul al ants of the l w e t l s ), h e ( . e g c tur peas o s c a s

ldin lan d in return for the ardest in ds ofla ur and tw o beers i. e ho g h k bo ), ( , “ small farmers and use lders from a ax n w rd Bor mean in ho ho , S o o g “ ” ’ e and a in t ir ren in ind for th e su l oft eir ief s ta le hous , p y g he ts k pp y h Ch b “ ” it f wls s & c. All t es e le a: adscri ti or atta ed to the w h o , egg , h e w re g b p , ch

rt and assed w it it w en s ld t e and t eir ildren . e had prope y, p h h o , h y h ch ) Th y

ms and t ere mi t en u for ei t m ore ox teams r u three ox tea , h gh be o gh gh b o ght

i e . t ee un ces into cultiv ation . There is a mill ofthree oun ces ( . w or h thr o

fi hillin s a ear and a n ew use and a r u called ofmon ey or ve s g y ), ho , Bo o gh t u d to to be Quatford paying n othing. In the time of Kin g Edw ard i se w orth forty shillings ; it is n ow worth thirty shillin gs.

i r mem er t at the ad Ma il rst To un derstand this it s n ecessa y to re b h L y b , fi di in 1082 he married the n ext ear w ife ofRoger Earl of Shrewsbury ed : , y

n his se ond wife w n she arrived in En land and ro or the year but o e, c : he g p 15

d th r h a u t rd w have it on the auth rit of n Brom jecte e Chu c t Q a fo , e o y Joh p ’ “ ” to n a chroni ler ofKin n time t at the lace w as t en desert in , c g Joh s , h p h , ’ fact a ar ofthe f rest ofMorf on e of the Earl s hun tin rounds. O n , p t o e g g

’ a re in to his wife s re uest in order to o tain cultivated land and sub g e g q , b sisten ce for his new undati n he ave u Millicho e in rve ale to Fo o , g p p Co D

' Wenlo A e and r i in an the Man r ofArdinton w i h ck bb y, ece ved exch ge o , h c either w as alread at that tim o w his directi n m re r a l t e y e, r as by o o p ob b y h n

nnected i u tford a ri th v rn menti n ed in the co w th Q a by B dge over e Se e , o E n dowmen t Deed: hen ce the anomalous fact ofthe union ofQuatford and

in t n as one aris for l iastical ur s s to the rese n t da Eard go P h ecc es p po e p y, h though situated on t e opposite sides of a considerable riv er. The bridge ’ w as afterwards destroyed; probably in his son s time for military purposes f h o fde en ce ; but t e tw o districts have ever since been one Parish. At Quat “ ” ford Earl Roger built his new House and Borough mentioned in Domes “ ” da as a in not in ecause ein new it w as n ot et su e t to the y p y g h g, b b g y bj c “ ” T ax alled an e elt. The ur w as in r cess of uildin but not c D g Ch ch p o b g,

nished in 10 w en he mate rials for mesda w ere c le ted and w as fi 85 h t Do y ol c , therefore not mentioned in it; but it w as finished an d con secrated the fol

win ear. er w as a Mill at Ardinton e r a l in the ver situa lo gy Th e , p ob b y y

i n ofthe act r Mill at this time for it has n r mar ed t t t o F o y , bee e k hat w a er

mills ave c an ed their situati n less than an t er descri ti n of r ert h h g o y o h p o p op y,

d d th natur of x as in ee from e e the ground might be e pected. A curious circumstance conn ected with this exchange ofproperty throw s som e light on the customs ofthe tim es : w hen the monks of Wenlock gave up their

ro ert on the vern at ardin t n in ex an e for Millicho e t e r p p y Se E go ch g p , h y e served to themselves a small patch of ground on the South bank ofthe

river as a w eir for catc in fish an im rt n t art of t eir dietar — and h g , po a p h y,

his ver small l t of r un d n ot a ov e a uarter ofan a re r m ain di ‘ t y p o g o , b q c , e s s

tin ct fr m the surr un din r ert t u unen l sed an d n ow el n s o o g p op y, ho gh c o , b o g

d n te i h n o t r l d o to the D u masto Esta w h ch as o he an n that side o fthe river . “ ” I said that the chronicler Brompton described Quatford as desert w hen

“ Adeliza landed t ere fr m the evern or made her w ear w a to it er h o S , y y , p ” plures diwtas a mari v ersus domin um suum laboran s as the old w rite r ex presses it in Latin which it w ould be hazardous for a boy in the Bridgn orth Grammar School to ven ture upon : but let me n ot do that lovely spot of groun d so much w rong as to im ply that that w as the first tim e it w as kn ow n

to fame. The late Mr . Smalman used to sa an d Mr . t n n firm s it y, Ey o co , “ ” “ ” that the name of Quatford is derived from the old British word Coed a. 16

“ ” wood on account ofthe vast f rest whic t irteen centuries a o , o h, h g , covered the w le ad acent distri t and of w ich th l ho j c , h e arge but nev er equal forest ofMe rfe w as a remainin orti n till a m uc more rec n d g p o h e t ate, and even in i the t me of Queen Elizabeth had a forester an d steward appointed to it by ” the r w n Th “ “ ” C o . e same w ord Coed gav e the name of Quatt to a neigh he uring v illage which as being the inhabited part ofthe forest was in the “ ” Saxon times called Quat- tun or Town and described in Domesday as “ ” uatene w ile the ar ofthe f rest n ot l ni d “ Q , h p t o yet co o se w as called Coed

d r h n for f om t e adj ace t ford across the Severn . The use of this derivative “ e d is remar a le as elieve it is not f und in an t er l Co k b , I b o y o h vilage in

n g lan d t u in ales the ri inal w ord is r r E , ho gh W o g p ese ved and gives the nam e to sev eral villa es and la es -su as ed Annain An l g p c , ch Co , g esea ; Coed

Kern ew in Monm ut s ire an d t e w ell n , o h h ; h k own Bettw s y Coed near

Llan rw st. The earliest men tion ofQuatford is connected w ith an in terestingperiod ofEnglish History w hen in the autumn of896 King Alfred and the men -of Lo n don blocked up or stranded a Danish fleet w hich had made its way up the ames an d the Lea. The an es des irin oft ir i s f Th D pa g he sh p orsook them , sought an asylum for their wiv es in East Anglia an d marched ov erland to

f r t distri t af r d ll a o es c te war s ca ed Quatbridge on the Severn . Here they intren ed t emselv es and assed th w int r and in the f ll win summer ch h p e e ; o o g ,

897 t e se arated art of t em returnin in t ast An lia the t ers , h y p , p h g o E g , o h

in in m i in f r ti n f go g to Northu berland. Mr . Eyton quotes th s o ma o rom the

axon C r ni le an d an old w riter l ren ce o f r ester. The same ac S h o c , , F o Wo c

un t rn ut th names of laces in t is n ei ur d is iv en co , bo e e by e p h ghbo hoo , g by

r n i i f t ar u te d Mr Bell tt. Th othe E glish h s tor an s. Tw o o hese e q o by . e e

ll i n x t fr m an t er hr ni le len t me Mr . mout a fo owing s a e trac o o h c o c by S ,

e ld r ua rd se l v e for his native v illa e led him ind small fre ho e at Q tfo , who o g k ly to bringme the book when he heard I w as to give a lecture on the sub

“ in t eir str n lds an d castles arnis ed wit ject. Then the Danes leav g h o gho g h h m en an d vitaile teke agayne shipping and set their course in such wise that they lan ded in Sussex and so cam e to the port ofLewes ; an d from then ce

t ards Lon don an d uilded a Tow er or astle n ear unto he river ofLe ow , b C t y

Lendin r hearin t f m n ou xx mile from London . But the e s g hereo a ned t a certain n umber of m en ofarm es who w ith the assistance of them ofthat

un tr ut the an es fr m t at w er and after atte it d w n to th e co y p D o h To , b o

roun d. oo n after the in am e d w n t it er an d to revent the dan g S , k g c o h h , p gers that might en sue comm an de d the river ofLey to be divided into iii

17

str es so t at w ere a s i mi t sa le in times ef re t en a little at em , h h h p gh y b o , h bo i mi t ow . r m t n e the anes leavin t e r s i s an d wiv es gh scantly r F o he c D , g h h p , w ere forced to fly that country an d teke their w ay again tow ards Wales an d cam to u nere to the river ofSev ern e w ere u n the rders t ereof e Quadr ge , h po bo h t e uilded m stle t re i t emsel es for a time : w m the h y b the a ca , he rest ng h v ho

in fi i n time the Lendin ers at k g e s on es w ith h s army pursued. In the m ea

’ e e ta in the anes shi es s m e ft em t e r u t to on d n the L y k g D pp , o o h h y b o gh L o ; ” rest t e f red. th t n r ni ler Matt ew of est h y y To e sam e effec a other ch o c , h W “ minster states t at r r in n i t t r u the r v in e of the Mer , h et eat gby gh h o gh p o c c ians they did n ot stop till they arriv ed at a village on the Sev ern which is t called Quan ebrige .

tifi ati n at uatford Mr . Eyton w rites that n o remains ofthis Danish for c o Q

t to su i aut rit are new raceable. With all due deferen ce how ev er ch h gh ho y, I can n ot believ e that the tradition from time imm emorial w hich has given “ ” “ ” he n am e ofthe ani s m an d am Hill to the remar a le liff t D h Ca p, C p k b c an d tren ch ov erhanging the Severn at Quatford is w rong: it exactly agrees “ w ith the expressio n that upon the borders ofthe riv er they builded them a castle an d from its limited exten t and exposed situ ation they w ere likely “ n u to ass as elm an des ri es it a suffi ien tl ard w in ter at uat e o gh p , Sp c b , c y h Q ” ’ “ ford and to ave sta ed t re in eed s w rds n ot w it out disli e of , h y h e , Sp o , h k ” i i d l o t er o si their lodgingan d cold enterta nm en t. That they occup e a s o h p tions in Morfe f rest such as Burf Castle an eart w r on a ill a ut on e o , , h o k h bo mile and a halfEast ofQuatford an d also possibly the an cien t Burial groun d

r f rr d to b Mr . Bellett is m st r able but that the ill a uatford e e e y , o p ob ; h t Q still called the Danish Camp w as their stron ghold both history an d the situ

ati n ofthe la rett lainl in di cate an d m ade it als a r a le si o p ce p y p y , o p ob b po tion fo r the Norman Earl 180 years afierw ards to adopt w hen he determined upon buildinghis n ew man sion an d Borough c om man din g the ford on on e

d o h side and the bri ge n t e other .

O ur fair distri t had een est wed on him his c usin William the c b b o by o ,

H h d l hi fi i rm an Con queror . e a ost s rst wife Who had been murdered n No

d ecem er 5th . 10 2 . The a unt of t is atastr e O rdericus y , D b 8 cco h c oph by

italis the r n i ler of the Belesm e famil iv es su a ra i i ture V , ch o c y, g ch g ph c p c of the lawless an d dangerous practises an d the superstitious but n ot irreli

io us feelin s ofthe times in uro e t at the tran slation av e m ade of g g E p , h I h it may perhaps interest you an d lead us to prize the blessin gs w e n ow enj oy i o f more quiet possession ofproperty and a surer admin istration ofj ust ce .

The w riter who w as born at Atc m ebruar l 6th . 175 an d ba ha , F y , 0 , p 18 tizcd there in the A ril ofth t ve ears old p e same year, was a fi y dedicated ’ by his father to God s service and sen t to school to the Abbey at Shrews

ur w en t h to M n b y, h ce a t e age often years he w as removed a o astery in tory in 114 1 He describes the Coun tess Mabil as a perfidious blood-thirsty w man of reat tal nt en ind who w as osed to reli io n o g e , eloqu ce and ustry, opp g , ’ but administered with great pow er her husband s possessions in Normandy whil e he w as absent on his n ewly acquired property in England. She w as a s ield to her coun tr and the defen ofth B rd r leasant or orri le h y ce e o e , p h b , as mi t a en to her nei urs but enerall it w uld seem t e latter gh h pp ghbo ; g y, o , h as she had driven from their patrimony many n oble men an d compelled t em to be t eir read. At last sa s the old c r nicler the ust Ar iter h g h b , ( y h o ,) j b ofthe w rld who itifull s ar sinn and h l stri es the im enitent o , p y p es ers s arp y k p , “ permitted this cruel w oman who w as w et w ith much blood to perish with ” the sw ord ofa knight whose castle she had taken unjustly ; and who with his three brothers forced their w ay into her chamber and cut offher head w ile she w as r in in d f er t in h n ofthe ni t the h est g be a t ba h g. T e dark ess gh , win tr seas n w en the rivers w ere fl oded and th ir rudence in des tro y o h o , e p y ingthe bridges enabled them safely to escape fromthe pursuit made after them by her son Hugh Montgomery with sixteen knights ; an d they imme diatel l ft rman d : but an t er rman c i f illiam antol etw een y e No y o h No h e , W P , b

t a il t r had l n n ill-will w as ar ed w hom and the Coun ess M b he e o gbee , ch g

h E Ro t h with having en cour aged them to t e crime. arl ger herefore and is sons seized all his land and sought his death ; but William with his wife and

r o i d ricus w as a m n and t ere for family fled to the monaste y fw h ch O r e o k, h a long time remained in san ctuary un der the protection ofthe monks in great fear : but when there appeared no w ay ofprovinghim either guilty

or inn en t h voluntaril c n sented le all to clear im self. At len th oc , e y o g y h g ’ it w as settled by the decision ofmany chiefpersons in the kings senate that

l m h stain oft is wi dn s the accused man in or der to clear himse ffro t e h cke es , should in presence ofthe clergy undergo the examination ofhot iron ; which

was t us d ne —he carried the s ar lin bar ofiron at a w ite eat in his h o , p k g h h

are and and the will ofGod did not a r urnt and t en the ler b h , by ppea b , h c gy

had een resen t at the s ecta le read d t if the ud ment of b p p c , y arme , tha by j g

fire h e had een r ved uilt he w ould ave een immediatel unis ed b p o g y, h b y p h i h by be ng beheaded with the sword. In all these difi culties t e friendly

t and M n s reatl c mf rted him a d o h ven and earth in Abbo o k g y o o , n m ved ea

20 he lived and the said Adeliza his wife built a church in honor ofthe Blessed Mary Magdalene in Quaddford in the County ofSalop one mile from Brugge — nort . The ca ofw ic in uilt it is said was t is z w ile the h use h h be g b , as , h h said Lady Adeliza at the mandate of the said Count her husband w as first

comin fro f r i n art to him n l d nd w as sailin t rou the g m o e g p s in E gan , a g h gh

lo " dd nl so r a rm of d winds s her shi that sea, su e y g eat sto waves an hook p she herselfand her sailors now bein gin despair w ere expecting nothingbut shipwreck ; w hen a certain Priest of the said Countess fatigued with ex

treme w atc in fell int a slee as God w ill i h in his slee a h g, o p , ed t : e saw p “ c ertain matr n standin an d t us sa in to him If ur lad wit her eo o g h y g , yo y h p

lewis es to be delivered fr m the r t dan er of a rri l let her p h o p esen g ho b e sea,

v ow a vow to God and faithfull romise to uild a ur in n r of , y p , b ch ch ho o the Blessed Mary Magdalene in the place w here she first happen s to m ee t

her us an d the unt and es e i ll r a ll w oak r w s wit a h b Co , p c a y whe e ho o g o h

pigsty. But the Priest havin g aw oke fro m sleep to ld the particulars ofhis

visi n to his mistress w ho w en she had eard t em an d v w ed to fulfil o , h h h o

all the tem est avin resentl eased she uic l arriv ed wit her eo le , p h gp y c , q k y h p p

at the wis ed for s re who w n she had mad a la ri us urn e o f h ho , he e bo o jo y

man da s fr m the sea t wards her us and first met him untin at y y o o h b , h g

uatfort w i w as t en desert in a lac w ere the said oak w as row Q , h ch h , p e h g

in g. Whom she immedi ately asked to assist her in fulfillin g the v ow which she made in her peril con cern in g building a chur ch in hon or ofthe Blessed

Ma Ma dal n in ry g e e . Who assen t g to the vow s o fhis w ife built with her the aforesaid church ; w hich although he had endow ed it with great pos

’ sessi n s et ev en at t is time t at is in n s time it seems w it all i o , y h ( h , Joh ) h ts rights an d pertin encies to be subj ect to the free Collegiate Chapel situated in the Castle of Br uggen orth an d en dow ed with one deanery an d fiv e pre

ben ds out of the aforesaid possessions . Which dean ery in deed an d preben ds the king confers by his ow n right and custom ; although gen erally in all other collegiate royal chapels the D ean s when installed by the Sheriff at the

c llati n o f the in an d ut in r ral ssessi n oft eir eaneries o o k g, p co po po o h D ,

c nfer all the re en ds in the same c a els and in stall in du t an d v isit o p b h p , , c the preben daries : yet in the aforesaid chapel of th e Blessed Mary Magda

l ne th n n f r n o re en d n or d es he visit the re en d n or re e , e Dea co e s p b , o p b p ben daries ; but each in the body ofhis o wn preben d possesses an d exercises m t ” full jurisdiction as w ell in spiritual as in tem poral a ters.

l d s i d th v r r m ar a le O ak standi n in the Mr . Bellott has a so e cr be e e y e k b g hedge of a field w ithin a quarter o f a mile of the church : it must in its

2 1 prime have been a tree ofvery great girth ; but its centre has for ages been en tirel one : n t in whatever ofthe hole ofthe tr m in i rk y g o h g ee re a s, but ts ba and outer part has on both sides curled itselfround (somewhat like the dried rind of an oran e cut in alf and f rmed tw o s r te trees far nou h g h ) o epa a , e g apart for a m an to ride through an d which a person might pass filly times w it ut n ti in an thin remar a le as t e m l l lik ho o c g y g k b , h y ere y ook e two scrub by pollard oaks. O ftheir very extreme age there can be n o doubt ; and

u on hardl ventures to su est it t M h ll tho gh e y gg , ye t e we authenticated facts res ectin the extraordinar a e of a few cel rated tr s n nl p g y g eb ee , ot o y in

Eur e but in Africa D r. ivin st ne and in ndia it is not utt rl op , by L g o , I , e y beyond the v erge ofpossibility that this may be the iden tical oak near w hich

the chur ch w as originally built. It is worth the examination ofthose who

(one ofthem large en ough to hold several persons in its cavity) in the same line offence round the Hill House Farm which w as probably the earliest

enclosur e in that part ofMorfe Forest. “ ” it res ect to the name of uatf rd ur h aint Mar Ma dal n W h p Q o Ch c S y g e e, it is a singular instance of the extensive reading and remarkable accuracy

of Sir Walter Scott that this circumstance should not hav e escaped him . “ ” In the secon d chapter of The Betrothed in the letter from Raymond Be “ r to Guenw n Prince of P w s he thus writes : And ereun to we renge y o y , h

d to whose keeping w e heartily commen d you. Written by our comman at our Cas tle of Garde D oloreuse within the m arches of Wales by a reverend ” t ather Aldovrand a lac m n ofthe ouse of enloc . Sir pries , F , b k o k H W k

u i av e een w ritten a ut the ear 1187 enr Walter Scott s pposes th s to h b bo y , H y

in min d what stated res e tin the f rmer c nnecti n of II. Bearing I p c g o o o

r of ardin t n and the m n s retenti n of Wenlock Abbey with the Mano E go , o k o

h rr as a w eir it is curious to o serve how the plot ofland opposite t e Fe y , b

h inf ti n l t on conceiv e w here or why he got t e orma o . A ess accura e pm

it w as Saint Mary Magdalen e or the Blessed Virgin . I w ill next ask your notice ofthe v ery peculiar material ofwhich the chan cel arch and other old portions of Quatford Church are built : a light “ ” “ ” i m n Tofstein in talian ufa. Pro porous lookin g stone called n Ger a , I T “ feasor Lyell describes it as a porous rock deposited by calcareous waters 22

n h i x sure to air and usuall ntainin rti ns of lants and o t e r e po the , y co g po o p Th m s lid other organic substances encrusted with Carbonate ofLime. e ore o “ ” form of the sam e deposit is called Travertin into which it pu ses and is

“ ” m m su ose ravertin e to be river Anio at Tibur (Tivoli) near Ro e. So e pp T

in considera le uantities tage ; w hole trees being petrified. It forms also b q

s ofthe streams in l u st r ire an d is have eard fre uen tl from ome G o ce e sh , , I h , q y “ ” called Darwin in his Voyage ofthe Beagle m en tion s fin ding ’ on the coast ofVan Dieman s land a solitary superficial patch of yellowish “ ” limeston e or Travertin containing n umerous impressions ofleav es oftrees and land shells n ot n ow existing; a remarkable record ofthe v egetation of

“ ” Tufa in Southern Africa ; and a specimen was brought me last week ofa similar formation now taking place in a slight degree at a springin Ch el

marsh Parish near the Factory Brook. The stone varies much in texture ;

and is t u h s ft to w rk and ver fria le et an ex eedin l dura le , ho g o o y b , y c gy b

su stance for uildin as is r ved on th id of uatf rd urc b b g, p o e outs e Q o Ch h , w here the flat Norman buttresses 77Qyears old preserve their keen edges

ex sed to the w eather. It w as mu used old R mans a c nsidera po ch by the o , o f h li ble part of the city and o t e Co seum being built ofit. The Roman

the middle ages it w as fi'equen tly used on accoun t ofits lightness for filling up the insterstices between the ribs ofa groined roofforming the shell ofa v ault ; and I am informed that for the same reason the Cupola of Sain t ’ eter s at R me is c nstructed ofit. It w as also casi nall for l P o o used oc o y w al s,

as in s me c urc es in Kent and as at ur sle hurc in l u estershir o h h D y C h G o c e, at which place I un derstand there w as on e of the largest deposits of it in

built about the same date as Quatford Church ; and as in th ose days when there w ere few roads a longw ater carriage was preferred to a short distance

land it has been said and it is ver ossi le that th t n ma by , y p b e s o e y have m l been brought up the Severn fro Durs ey to Quatford. I have heard the

lma h h late Mr . Sma n say e ad n ev er occasion to make alterations in any old

ur in t is n ei ur o d but he f un d s me ie f ch ch h ghbo h o , o o p ces o this stone in the foundations or elsewhere ; from which he concluded that the Normans

23

attac ed some s ecial reli ious im rtance to it. Be t is as it ma th h p g po h y, e calcar eous Tufa (for there is also v olcanic T ufa with which we have n othing to do) is a very curious on e . I believe that few people or w orkmen w ent into Quatford churchyard duringthe recent improv em en ts without beingso struck by its singular appearance that they carried aw ay pieces for rockeries

It is thought how ev er by some pm ons that w e need not go so far as used to b su sed i. e . to l ucestershir to fin d th i ti n fr m ic it e ppo , G o e , e s tua o o wh h w s ori inall r cured. The Rev . dw ard Jacson l te rector of ast a g y p o E , a E hope , “ has been so good as to sen d me specimens procured by himself from below Wen lock Edge beneath the bog ofturfwhich in that low er part of Easthope

aris verlies the e l i al f rmati n termed enl c hal h it p h o g o ogc o o W o k S e e wr es , “ — I hold its history to be briefly this a deposit formed in the botto m of lakes or riv ers (such as aforetime rolled down Apedale below Wenlock

Ed e from s rin s containin ar nate of ime—n ot an old f rmati n g ) p g g C bo L o o , but the very most recent one w e kn ow ; in fact still beingformed un der our e es. ere is a bed ofit m n wled e a uarter ofa mile l n y Th (to y k o g ) q o g,

some f ur or fiv e un dred ards wid out ofw i at t is resen t time by o h y e, h ch h p

in t em an d leav es & c . & c. ertainl t i tl r s w it the a h , , C y h s exac y ag ee h p pearan ce of the Quatford Church stone from whic h in the course ofthe re cent w orks sn ail shells hav e been taken out as delicately preserv ed and bright in their colouring as w hen this incrustation oflim s settled upon them a thousan d years ago at least. The accompanying engraving is of a most beautiful specimen of a common garden snail shell which w as foun d m the l very centre of a b ock of stone whe n broken up by the masons . I have also ’ i m sses sion s me v er deli ate i m ressi ns of the art s t n ue fern n y po o y c p o h o g ,

the oak an d t er leaves in the same m aterial. Mr . Jacson c emi all of , o h h c y ‘ describes it thus - 4 Lime co mbin ed with two proportions of Carbonic Acid

tin t re the Bi n n (constitu g he by Carbo ate ofLim e) is soluble in w ater . Spri gs in lim est ne un tries ntain t ese tw o r r i ns and c min int con o co co h p opo t o , o g o

t w it the atm s ere t e ive off the one r i i i u l tac h o ph h y g p oport on w h ch s sol b e, — viz . the gas ; while they precipitate the other part the Carbonate ofLime (or common chalk) w hich is ins oluble : this latter forms a crust parasiti

all on w atev er it a r a es la s il leav es twi s r ds rasses c y h pp o ch , c y, o , , g , ee , g , ” sn ail s ells & c . en ce t is st n e. At M tl h m h , ; h h o a ock Baths t e sa e process ma be f und in on there on the st side ofth riv t y o go g we e er Derwen , whence ' o f an O LD

B®R®lfl®

IN PO S S ES S

“ UN I -AN

ff ti nate cler man 1 boat and create a cruel sensation ; n o a ec o gy ,

made n ervous after an unusuall o six ministerin g can ons were y g i ilit of dan er to t eir flock from ers gation by the bare poss b y g h p the a inted num er in their reckl ing in to the boat above ppo b the nei ourhood s anned fai dinner—but the only bridge in ghb p 25

stream fi om ank to b let from b let t d N t erton or the l w er b y , y o bank , an e h ( o t w n lane near the eaner u li - h no m re a r a to tw o o ) D y p b c ouse , w a e pp o ch

fields w as t en the i h road w e w ill e n ot the turn i e r ad to u t , h h g ( hop , p k o ) Q a ’ ford bridge (0 n ame "the desire of one s heart) and a main line of com

Y o ur excellent t w nsman Mr . an am t ld me a short time ef re his o , B gh , o b o death that he remembered seeing on on e occasion at un usually low w ater

r em in th e a s oftw o piers ofthis v ery bridge . An old v illager told Mr . Smal man that he remembered beams ofw ood being raised from that part ofthe bed o f the riv er : the resent sext n Ri hard urle tells me t ere w as p o , c T y, h w ith in his recollection f rt ears a o f l a uarter ofan , o y y g , an Islet o near y q acr e on w hich grew alders an d willow bushes among which he has often play ed ; and in a very curious map ofthe Borough ofBridgnorth amongthe Co r p o ration records and w hich is certainly as old or older than the Befor

m ar ed on it i nt ro ad is uatford out of the i are k , the anc e show n at Q h gh ” “ ” d to w t is ll d “ ru illet or B l t an old term for an island roa ha ca e B gge B y e , “ d ” in a river . This map is engrav ed in the An tiquities of Bri gn orth by

Mr . Bellett wh o has kin dly allow ed me impressions from it. It bears out exac tly what the Charter says ofthere being in earlier times at Quatford a

b r idge which w as no doubt carried over th e Sev ern on this Bylet or Billet. Th e w eir at Quatford is also marked close above it : and above that the “ ” f r r and h use sh wn Th same term Bru e illet is in the ma e y o are o . e , gg B , p

iv e n to the lan he r nt rid at rid n rth w ic tow n g Is d below t p ese b ge B g o h h ,

ere is much reas n to i received its name fr m the rid e erected th o th nk, o b g

the r e n orth ofthe old bridge at Quatford when that was destroyed. “ But to go on with the Charter : Be it kn ow n to all that Roger the Earl gav e Milinchope in exchange to Saint Milburg for the claim w hich she had

Ardinton . r itnesse : Godebald riest Ri c ard de Bel in There a e w s the P , h

is r ert th Grammarian Ra m ld Es ilial o son of orbet. An d me , He b e , y , R ger C fur ther they gave the Church of Claverley and the land which pertains to

w it all th tit and the ur es of l l orle and Ro int n it h e hes Ch ch A ve ey, N y b o , and of Laiton the whole tithes here w e trace how the Churches of Cla

erle Alv ele Bo in ton uatf rd nd su tl th tw o urc es v y , y, b g , Q o , a bsequen y e Ch h

ofBrid n rt w ere connected as the contin ed to be till ten ears a o in g o h , y u y g , ” “ ” i “ is al urisdiction Ro al w en in one Pecul ar exempt from Ep cop J , and y h ’ 1 2 w n lli n the Pr rt cam forfeited to the in . 10 , by the o er s rebe o ope y be e k g “ They gave als o the third part ofMembrefelde (Morville) Ceatin tonia (Chet" 26 ton and Stotesden and h d in on and Siefton : and tithes ) Corf am an Culm gt , o fthe toll ofthis vill and the holdin gofmarket quit ofcharge : and to serve ” the Church they established there six Can ons (the origin of the six Incum “ bents of the defun ct Peculiar ofBridgnorth) and all these things did the

arl c ncession ofhi ns viz u and hilli who were t ere on the E by o s so , H gh P p h ” da of edication an d on t at da did ive Burchote in Worfield Man or y D , h y g ( ) “ as a foun dation gift quit ofeverythin g: these are witn esses an d then follow s a list oftw en ty- nine n ames some ofw hich shall be here m ention ed together ’ with those dates and facts which (to use Mr. Eyton s words) must stamp the w hole account with a final seal ofunquestionable consisten cy and truth .

e w ere Wulstan is of r es er one ofthe est and wisest men Th y , , B hop Wo c t b ofhis da the nl x n r ate who avin sat ef re the n uest sur y, o y Sa o P el h g b o co q ,

i h n r m r n i t t the time but who lived v ved t e Co que or ; who was o e tha e gh y a , till 109 and w ho s s the x n r ni ler wit ent usias tic admiration 3, , ay Sa o Ch o c h h ofhis coun r n uld lead arm uild a cathedral or w r a miracle t ym a , co an y, b o k

cese mu of th v d n d wm nt la : Ro ert is of ester ch e abo e recite e o e y b , B hop Ch , in whose diocese Quatford then w as . These three were th ere present to dedicate the hur . Al th dea ns of ereford alo taff rd C ch so e Arch co H , S p, S o an d W rcester wit er ert Grammaticus Arc deacon of al in ester o , h H b , h S op Ch , men tion ed by O rdericus as on e of the three wise moderate and learn ed clergy ofwhose society Earl Roger was fond and by whose counsels he was “ uided. An t th w d ld h ho l Lilleshull g o her of ese as Go eba t e w he d ,

— Gubbalds a name it to t is da . l o t monks f , bears h y There were a s hree o ’ ’ aint eter s Shrew s u founded th arl ter s rcester and S P b ry by e E , Saint Pe Wo , l Wen ock. These were the principal clergy presen t ; an d then follows a long

' ” ’ list oflait am n whom were “ Os ert Baron of urf rd and Ri hards y, o g b , B o c

Castle n udlo d who held un der h Earl Bad er R ton and ear L w , an t e , g , y ” B o k n “ o r d “ o er or t uent witness of arl r c to ; R ge e Imci R g C be , a h q E ’ er s c arters and mentioned O rdericus as a faithful and ver valiant Rog h , by y ” man mu h l rl “ H l t d nt n an t er Baron wh c emp oyed by the Ea ; e go e Sta o , o h o held t nton Bro le and eadowl ofthe Earl and founded astle Hol S a , se y M y C ” ate orve “ m n r h l ri hton andhis br h g in C Dale ; Nor an Ve ato w o he d Alb g , ot er “ ” Roger who held Beckbury ; and several other persons.

— its endowments a circumstance quite in keepingwith the th ee when it

28 stone of which the church had just been built ; proving that at that tim e the tren ch w as open : The rich en dowm en ts ofthe Church naturally followed the remov al o f the Castle an d Borough ; but whether in his time or by the direction of

en r w e ar n ot inf rmed. A ur had en uilt t rid n rth H y I, e o Ch ch be b a B g o within the Castle previous to the accession ofKing Henry II bearing its ’ “ ” m t er s n am e ain t Mar Ma dalen e and ran in as a r al a el o h , S y g , k g oy ch p exempt from Episcopal j urisdiction an d hav ingthe right ofproving Wills an d other pri v ileges thro ughout the

Peculiar : the Kingpre sented to all the Pre ferments an d inducted the Incumben ts by the Sheriff through the Con stable of Brug

Castle . The six pre bendal stalls w hich h d a belonged to Sain t

Mar y Magdalen e of Quatford w ere attached to Sain t Mary Magdalen e o f

rid n rt of f re the resen t B g o h, which the abov e w as a representation be o p

ur w as ui ch ch b lt sixty years ago . i In 1255 u tf rd d a m m r o f the C ur of lav erle Q a o is sa to be e be h ch C y , and the Church of Clav erley w as alw ays attached to the Deanery or chief

re en d f i r es wit a d um en t P b o Sain t Mary Magdalen e of Brug. Th s ag e h oc of 14 12 w hich speaks ofQuatford Chapel as ann exed to the Deanery : an d “ ” t is ssi l has m it th e n am e of the D en n ar el n h , po b y, so ethin gto do w h y b o g

in to th - g e small property on which the public house stan ds near the church . In 1290 w e jus t kn ow there w as a church there fr om being told it w as n ot w orth four poun ds per ann um an d therefore n ot taxable : so that ev en

the n li e the n me tax n ow it was the ust m to exem t Pr ert un der , k I co , c o p op y

a certain v alue .

In 134 1 the v illa f tf rd i m enti n ed as avin een exem ted , ge o Qua o s o h gb p from the gen eral taxation ofBridgnorth though within the liberties of that

r u m n o m n ti n w tev er Bo o gh . The ecclesiastical valuation of l535 akes e o ha

of f Quat ord Church . 29

The property at Eardington granted by Earl Roger to Quatford Church had lon g been alien ated from it an d was divided into tw o portions allotted ’ to tw o stalls ofthe Kings collegiate Chapel at Bridgnorth : with one ofthese w as asso ciated the urch ofAlv ele an d t at r nd Ch y, h p ebe was usually called

h r n t e p e be d of Alveley. The other w as always known as the prebend of

ardin to n : n ot as it w uld seem t at t as an hur h t r E g , o , h here w y c c he e : the clergym an holding that prefermen t probably did some of the duty at Sain t ’ M r M d l n id n - a y ag a e e s Br g orth an d was often non resident. The first pre “ ben dar y o fEardin gton mentioned w as Hul who was in 1169 one of three c ommission ers appoin ted by the Crown to see that the Castle ofBridg north w hic had suffered durin its sec n d sie e enr II 1 h g o g by H y , 155 , w as

r erl re aired an d the ex enditure dul aid amoun p op y p p y p , tingto £26 . 68. 4d. a con siderable sum in those days .

Th e following very interesting extract from the patent rolls or w rits of the Cr ow n w ith the Royal Seal attached giv es the form of presen tation by

Kin J n to the re end of ardin t n as l n a o as 1204 an d s w s g oh P b E go o g g , ho

th t e ven in t se earl da s t ere w ere su thin s as urt influen a ho y y h ch g Co ce,

n o - re siden t in um ents sim n and sin e ures. It is in atin of i n c b , o y c L w h ch “ ' i n The Kin & t the followin g is a tran slat o g c . o Geofiry by the sam e grace

i the ra e of G od is of C v en tr b e it now n un ( . c . by g c ) B hop o y ; k to you that “ ” w e h av e intuitu D ei con ceded an d as far as the patron is con cern ed giv en

lexander ha lain ofour el v ed illiam de Breose t at r d to A , C p b o W h p eben in our Ch apel of Bruges which is v acan t an d is in our gift w hich Ulger and after him Ralph son of Hugh Pan tulf held ; so that Ralph de Ciren cester

r m a ld t at re end a in t ere f annuall to th said Al our Cle k y ho h p b , p y g h o y e ex

' an der as to the Parson 100 shillings in the n ame of pen sion . Wherefore w e comm an d you that you admit the said Alexander to the parson age and

the said Ral to the r etual v i ara e oft at re end and in titut ph pe p c g h p b , s e them

on our resen tati n af resaid : itn ess m self at Vem uil a n i p o o W I y , e ( tow n ” rm an d v em er first da in th e fift ear ofKin n t No y) No b , y, h y gJoh . Tha is

to sa Alexan der w as the re en dar of ardin ton an d the ief ers n y , P b y E g ch p o

ldin the sin e ure di nit ile Ral w as icar and did the w r and ho g c g y, wh ph V o k had w hat profits remain ed after paying his Prin cipaL

t t t er ends ri inall of uatf rd alt r It appears hat the hree o h preb o g y Q o , e

w ards of rid rt had een the n ew arran ement under Kin enr B gno h, b by g gH y the First connected in some mann er w ith Morville ; for in the Hundred R ll of the unt of al of 1 the ix re ends f i o s Co y S op 255 , s P b o Sa nt Mary 30

Magdalene of Bridgnorth with the names ofthe Prebendaries are given as

Th of laverle wit its mem rs i. e. e Church C y h be ,

f Th hurc Alv ithele wit its m m ers e C h o g h e b ,

1. e.

Erdinton . K. Peter de Dur am

lt n i X. r d Av un Wa o ( . e . .( x) Pete e el

U nderton XII . uid de alud , G o P

om rf ud i. e s illin s 1. e. . enr de an el M e e ( . h g, VII} H y L g

A Kerk was lat -4d. ofth e mon ey ofthat day.

2 nr illiam Hoorde is returned as “ ldin the Pre In 1535 , 7 He y VIII, W ho g ' ” f Erdinton in the Ar deac n r ofStafiord and i ese of ov n tr ben d o ch o y D oc C e y,

th r niti n ofthe ri i nal i ese of ester alias Lichfield an d oven ( e ecog o o g D oc Ch , C

' tr bei served an d its v alue in le e ands is stated at £6 13s. 4d y, ng ob ), G b L ,

n d lati ns t £ . d. ivi n a total of £10 in other tithes a ob o a 3 68 8 , g g per

In 14 1 dw ard the lle iate ur of aint Mar Ma i annum . 5 7 , E VI, co g Ch ch S y g dalen e ofBridgnorth w as itselfdissolv ed an d the ecclesiastical property be

n in to it an d its six re ends assed aw a fr m the se i of God lo g g , P b p y o rv ce d f m into the han s o Lay an . Thus have w e traced the downfall of Quatford from a w ealthy collegiate establishment (according to the in ten tion of its Foun der) to a m ere appen dage of a Preben dal Stall itself soon to be abolished; an d thus it remain ed

l urs f ar it t n d for a ongco e o ye s w hou a parso age an with hardly any in come. - — It mus talw ays have been a lov ely spot from its situation must alw ay s have

rese ed its natural eaut but w as a Paris ofn o im rtance de riv ed p rv b y, h po , p o f on e ofits services an d obliged to be held with an other Livin gin order to

f i l r m an v en the m st s n t ittan L secure or ts C e gy e o ca y p ce. et us hope that in spiritual things it fared better : the Church must alw ays hav e been an

of eren e and re ard to m an ers n s as rn e witn ess o th obj ect rev c g y p o , bo t by e sculptured slabs w hich cov ered th e grav es of those w ho ministered or w or s i ed within its sa red w alls and the ri n caus tic tiles w i h pp c , by ch e h ch formed its pavem ent and w ere foun d halfburied in the ground un der the pew s an d w ere collected seventeen years ago an d placed within the Altar rails : they w ere so in teresting that an engrav ing of them w as inserted in ’ the en tlem an s Ma azin e for 1818 fr m w i or r at r fr m the tiles G g , o h ch he o themselves a Parishion er has kin dly made the accompanying illustration .

The slab with the Cross formed by balls or circles is most uncomm on . I

31

r i i i r am n ot aware ofanothe nstance of it. The Cross comb ned w th o sur mounting a circle was a v ery common emblem an d is thought to have im

li i r v n of ristianit v er D ruid sm or the riun h of p ed e the the ad a ce Ch y o i , t m ’ Chris t s redemption to all etern ity ; th e circle being on e ofthe sacred sym a

o f the d uidi l eli ion and als fr m its nev er ndin sha avin h le o r ca r g , o o e g pe h g t d been use d in all ages to den ote eternity. Let us hope tha these blesse emblems co mforted the souls of som e of the people of Quatford in ev ery age ; that some rays ofgospel tr uth alw ays beamed there ; that a seed was

h h un ts alw ays preser ved there to serve t e Lord. An d n ow that t e busy ha o fm en are m ulti lied in t the w n s i s of the Paris n ow t at the p bo h To h p h, h so un d ofw ar is n ev er eard but m an si n s v illas an d c tta es in all the h , o , o g

’ security of pa ce an d law ado rn fair Se v ern s banks ; n ow that the Forge

’ ’ hamm er the issin steam the m s n s i the ar enter s lane the , h g , a o p ck , c p p , ’ lou man s c eerful w is and the merr sh uts of v illa e hildren are p gh h h tle, y o g c — — th e sounds familiar to our ears may w e hope Jwould alm ost ev en here

k ou to ra that l t in s also ma fl uris m re and m re t at as y p y, ho y h g y o h o o ; h i h nl r ed d utified accordin to the illustrati n w i th ts C urch e a g an bea , g o h ch e

v urton has kindl made its e le ma fr m th sides ofthe evern Re . W. P y , p op y o bo S ’ be athe red in more and more in to rist s f ld and the s iritual te m le g Ch o , p p ,

I w ill only add here that durin gthe improv emen ts which took place in the Chur ch in 185 7 a new Aisle was er ected on the south side separated from the nav e by an arcade offour early English arches in Alveley stone ; and also a n ew porch the walls ofwhich are fsced inside with the curious Tufa in

m oulded caps and finished with hoo d m oulds and folia

ted osses : w ic com inin b h h, b g

d situation , ren er it one of

in the coun ty.

Let us n ow return to the

times ofEarlRobert Belesme

A. D . 1102 who avin m , h g re ov ed the Town from Quatford to Bridgnorth and

uilt there a v er str n astl he ruin f n b y o g C e, t s o which with its flat Norma 82 buttress we still look at with admirati n as i d f re the Kin in coun o , w c te be o g c il to giv e accoun t ofhis rebellious design s ; but knowing himself guilty betoo ims lf to f k h e ortifying his castle still more. I will n ot dw ell on th e siege of Bridgn orth by Henry I w hich quickly follow ed : it still formed a doubt was among that loyal assemblage of coun try people (for so the w o rd in the original Latin implies) who encouraged the kingto press forward the siege and rid the country of an oppressor who was such a disturber ofthe

u lic eace des ri ed i fi i d f e fri d p b p , c b by O rder cus as a erce ne ghbour an als en , a cruel us and a re el to his in urn in is nin and lun derin . h b , b k g, b g, po o g p g

Havin ta en rid n r ur an d g k B g orth King Hen ry I. pressed on to Sh ew sb y w ould naturall wit his arm ass t r u rvill the m st im rtan t y h y p h o gh Mo e, o po ’ lace in the n ei our o d fr m its anti it nd h Earl s own r ert . p ghb h o o qu y, a t e p op y The pass of Wenlock Edge was his only obstacle : it w as noted even then for its bad and d i d r ifficult road. The follow ingis the account g ven by O r e i “ cus 700 ears a o Th f t d ac s w as oll w rou with y g : e way or a housan p e h o , gh great rocks and so narrow that it w ould scarcely admit oftw o persons ridin g side side a t i d r it o h de in w i arc ers by , h ck woo ove shadow ed n eac si , h ch h used to be hid and suddenly woun d passers by with crashing missiles an d ’ 1n th e in s arrows. There w ere at that time more than LX thousand Foot k g f rce to h m he orders to ut d o d th hatc ets and to o , w o gave c own the w o wi h l prepare a v ery wide road for him s lfand all passers by for ever . The roya command w as quickly carried out and the w ood beinglaid low a v ery broad ” m in and level road w as made by the ultitude . The Pass however reta ed

Sir Richard Hom e in his translation of the itin erary or journey ofArch bishop Baldwin who in 1187 travelled through Wales and Ireland preaching to get recruits for the Crusade gives the following quaint and curious anec “ dote : From Shrewsbury we continued our journey towards Wenlock by a “ ” narrow and rugged way called 111Street w here in our tim e a Jew (observe

” Archdeacon of the place whose name w as in and the Dean w hose name ” “ r s ur earin the Arc deac n sa that his was Dev el to wards Sh ew b y, h g h o y “ ” Archdeaconry began at a place called 111Street and extended as far as ” “ “ r l asantl t ld t em It would be a miracle if Malpas tow ards Cheste , p e y o h , “ ” untr wh Archdeacon was Sin his fate brought him safe out ofa co y ose , ” “ ” “ v il h entrance to the Archdeaconr Ill treet and whose Dean the De , t e y S “ ” “ ” uit the exit Malpas which in French means a bad step. The bill is q e

34

rece t that Ri h f nd n then icer ofthe un t sh uld p p c ard Bishop o Lo o , V oy Co y, o

ld tri al t defeat of the laimant the kin ho hereupon . The result w as the c , g himself a r ntl si in n t ttended the c ief Bar ns ofthe ppa e y tt g i cour , a by h o count w d witn esses w it man t er res ecta le y, hose names are attache as , h y o h p b ” h i of and honu t rnen . We learn also from this acco un t that this c apla n

' Earl o orville was as mi ht natur all be ex ected a f rei n er R ger at M , g y p , o g

in o tow n n ivin na to a Norman Emil . Mesnil Harmer be ga N rman , a d g g me y And this w as one cause of complain t again st our Norman kings for many

ubse uent rei ns that the fair lands of n land were often estow ed on s q g , E g b foreign favorites ; an d especially that the property and offices of the English Church w ere often held by Fren ch and Italian ecclesiastios whose sympa thi w r no wit the l d of t eir ad tion and who we d m re im licit es e e t h an h op , o o p obedience to the Bishop ofRome than ev en to their ow n sov ereign . The lands of Saint Gregory of Morville which were thus granted to the ’ “ of hr ws ur are tated in D u dal s Mon sticon as f llow s : As tle monks S e b y s g e a o y ,

ordle alias Astle crofi au t n Kinslow Har sford Billin sle N y y , H gh o , , p , g y , ” een t n Tu fort and est n . Let us not t in owever that Morville N o , g , W o h k h

Abbey ; the monks soon set about rebuildingthe Church. “ An old chronicler imon ofD urham writes under the head of1118 In , S , , this year a certain church in Englan d at a village which is called M er

‘ feld w as dedicated by Geofiry (de Cliv e) Bishop ofHerefo rd. All who had come to the dedication were returnin g home ; but after a most quiet state o f the atmosphere sudden ly a tremendous thun derstorm came on. Some o f those w ho w ere travellin g home were so much alarmed that they stopped for shelter to et er O fthis num er w r five t ree men and tw o w men g h . b e e , h o : one of the w om en struck by lightning died immediately ; the other still more wretchedly struck and burnt from her middle down to her feet also d h die . T e men had a narrow escape with life ; and the five horses belong ” in to th art ri h g e p y pe s ed. (ns.)

‘ It is pr obably owing to this afiecfinginciden t that we are able to fix the exact date of the re uildin of M r ill h a. D 111 as t ld b g o v e Churc , . 8, i w ou seem that the chronicler would n ot hav e mentioned the circum stance but fo r this terrible acciden t connected with it. I am aware Mr. Petit does

—t not think any part of this structure rem ains beyond the materials he c n siders the r nt ur to v n built a ut 0 ears l ter i s . o p ese ch ch ha e bee bo 5 y a , .

~ - in the latt of th 1th n r i. a out and he ho lds this er part e 2 ce tu y, s . b 1168 o pinion on the ground that the mouldings ofthe arches are of the Transition

35

er iod bein conve x the secti n re resentin the f rm of a inted r p , g ; o p g o po a ch, which he thinks does n ot occur in earlier w ork. There are other persons who t in differen tl an d ud e from the ver thick walls ofth h k y j g y e tower , the Norman fiat buttresses at the angles and the semicircular arches separa tin the nav e fr om the aisles that the rinci al rt of h g , p p pa t e present church

ere cted the mon s of s ur 111 was m lf by k Shrew b y, 8. I yse more than ever confirmed in this opinion by observing the other day in Shrewsbury Abbey Church n ow un der repair the tw o principal piers at the chancel end to be M of the sam e peculiar shape as the piers at orville w hich Mr . Petit allows “ ” to be of a s m ew at unc m m n lan i. e . a s uar in th o h o o p , q e e sides ofwhich are en a ed shafts or semishafts w se secti n is an o ee in g g , ho o g po ted arch . The

of illets th se ofthe inner row ein smaller t an we usuall b , o b g h y find in Nor

m a e illars r v man w ork ; so e of the c pitals ofth p a e ery elegant. I must not omit here to men tion the remarkable Fresco which was dis cov ered on the inside of the south w all on the right hand side of the porch

im r n ears a o w during the p ov emen ts sev e teen y g hen the pillars 850 . were

th fi m nt of w i wash and l cleared from e dis gure e h te ye low ochre . There had been tw o distinct designs at different dates one above the other ; for the

nife sli d t colours could be separated by a k ppe be ween them . The colours

in w ere in distemper. The figures had been pa ted at a later date than the crow stripes or patches delin eated which w ere in red ; and w ere the remains

of some former pain ting un derneath . There was also a partial backgroun d

r en festo ned at the ott m etw een the ri t an d air offi ures of g e o b o b gh h p g , and

ran of reen like mistlet e on the tree whic h an ev ident b ch g , o , h ad a yellow

ish bark w ith a black outlin e. I sketc hed at the time the exact number oflin es in each figure and drapery : the colours easily chipped and rubbed

n ut r ats ofw it w r an d even dropped offwhe the o e co h e ash we e removed. The Th fi subject w e could n ot determine. e gures w ere about four feet high : some thought they represen ted a marriage ; some that on the right was the

o re ivin his rti n fr m his fat er and on the l f prodigal s n ce g po o o h , e t Adam takin g the apple from Ev e; some that the two left han d figures represented

w men and t ers t at t e w ere en tlemen in the fas i na le ti t naked o , o h h h y g h o b gh

” t m ff l d f r n dr ess ofthe 14th . cen tury. As hey bbed o so easi y an o o e or tw o

r n s t e w ere re ret to sa n si ned a ain to s urit and other easo , h y , I g y , co g g ob c y, lost to antiquarian investigation un der a fresh coat of whitewash ; and the 36

only other record of it now existingis a sketch I sen t at the timc to the

Cambden Society. The Font which is circular and without any shaft is covered with rude

to i it li date sculpture . Mr . Petit does n ot see any reason ass gn to an ear er “ than to the oldest parts ofthe Church ; though (he is obliged to add) it is just ofthat character that might in duce an an tiquary to class it amongvery old specimens without any fear ofbeing met by a decided proofto the con ” trary and is a curious and interesting relic w orthy ofcareful preservation. For my part havin g studied it repeatedly I plead guilty to being one ofits t fondest admirers ; and till Mr . Petit can prov e the contrary mus continue

to attach the oldest date to it. I hon our it as the holy in str umen t by which the Saxon forefathers of this n eighbourhood w ere admitted in to cov enan t with Chris t their Redeemer long before the Norman invaders set their foot on English soil; and I pray it may still remain in its solid stren gth a source of blessings under Divine i grace to as man y gen erations as our w orld tselfmay see .

To the kindn ess ofthe Rev . Wm . Purton I am indebted for an excellent drawin g ofthis remarkable Font as well as for some of the other illustra

tion s in this book.

A ut the ear 1138 o ert Betun Bis ofHeref rd s m athisin as bo y R b hop o y p g,

h said wit the n ecessities of al A e ran ted to t at use an a e , h S op bb y g h ho p f propriation ofits Church ofMomer euld. The advow son ofthe Livinghad

een ranted to the A e seven t ears ef re arl R er and t e b g bb y y y b o by E og , h y presen ted the Rector who received the tithes ; but when a Living was ap

ri ted eit er to an A e or to a a man that art ot eit er l prop a h bb y L y , p y g h al or

i n ofth tit es an d a in ted in the latter cas i h a port o e h , ppo e a V car w o did the duty ; in the former case as at Morville and sev eral other parishes in this n eighbourhood wher e both great and small tithes w ere granted aw ay from

h ivin the c a lain a inted to it or in ther w rd t e L g, h p ppo o o s the In cumbent

w as called the Curate an d su se uentl the Per etual urate and b q y p C , waspaid i by a small yearly st pen d. The abov e Bishop enjoin ed further that it should

’ be colonized with monks from Shrew sbury chan geable at the Abbot s dis “ creti n. The ect ofthe latter r vis was sten si l a full di h o obj p o o o b y, sc arge

ofthe duties ofh s italit t ere in r rti n to th l al m n o p y h , p opo o e oc ea s in short that there should be a residence kept up there for the reliefofthe poor of

di n the stri ct a d ofw ayfarers .

M rville t us e ame a ri r and su ect m st directl to l A . o h b c P o y, bj o y Sa op bbey

Its ecclesiastical ri hts an d a m ents fr m i i t h i g , p y o ts distr c paris es, w th which

37

i h h o do no l n er matters oflocal concern or alone the B s op ad t , were o g

They w ere transferred to the Chapter House at Shrewsbury. ’ t if what t e were as f ll w s The Bishop s charter proceeds o spec y h y , o o

— - f . fr m th ha l of illin sle and alf the corn I. A pen sion o 63 8d o e C pe B g y, h

rds c a el had een sometime re tithes ofthe same vill. In other w o , a h p b p viously built and en dow ed at Billingsley in the parish of Saint Gregory of

r vill and aint r or had ro a l iven u alfthe corn tit es of Mo e, S G eg y p b b y g p h h

lin s d n t r tainin v h t er half and exact Bil g ley as an en owme ; e g how e er t e o h ,

- in a nsi n of half a mark i. s 0 d a a token of sub ection to the g pe o , . 6 8 , s j

— IL A ensio n o f 8 . fr the ha l f d r an knowled ment p 5 om C pe o O l bu y, ac g

— - III. A similar pen sion of 6s. 8d. from Tasley chapel. The charter then men tions certain pensions accruing to Salop Abbey from other sources arising from the appropriation of the rights of Saint ’ re or and furt nfirms the tit es of As tle th of th a ots G g y ; her co h y, bo e bb o w n demesn as w l a th ranted t ers also tw o-t irds of the e el s ose g by o h , h tith s of the rds of Hen le eenton and U ton i.s . t w ich e Lo y, N p ( Cresse ), h

el n ed ri inall to the urc ofM rville. So then at this date 118 b o g o g y Ch h o , 3 ,

in m da i.s . in 2 ears v iz. at illin sle Old ur d le s ce Do es y, 5 y , , B g y, b y an Tas y.

W thin a or tw o R ert itz Aer f unded an er t Aston Aer i year ob F o oth a ,

in it im lf w it sixt ac of land e an l t f en dow g h se h y res , a hous d al ti hes o his d n e. ithin ten ears o ot er suc c a els had n uilt v iz . emes W y tw h h h p bee b , ,

ld n am d nderton with diff nt d m n nd th at A e h an U , ere en ow e ts ; a e same

his ean and a ter at eref rd tells t m h D Ch p H o , he e has consecrated so many chapels (and this is a very curious circumstan ce) as a protection for the ” oor and on account of the w arli e trou les of the time and he en oins p k b , ; j that all these c a els be still su ect to the m ther urc of h p bj o ch h Morville, so that on great festivals the people shall attend there ; and the priest of

M r ville shall ifhe so will ave the b di of o , , h o es the dead carried thither for ” urial. his ima in e is th as n wh n b T , I g , e re o y o burials hav e taken place ton whi at As Eyre ch is little more than a mile distant. Indeed Morville churchyard may be looked upon as having been for many years the last earthly restin g place of the whole population of that exten sive district w hich was subdivided about the period w e are speaking of(1148) into cv eral parishes. The churchyard is a large one ; and on a recent occasion 38 when a grave was prepared at the extremity ofthe North side in what was t ou t to be en tirel new roun d wit out a trace of urial n ear it h h gh y g h b , t e gr ound w as foun d to be full of the bones offormer Christians m an y m any f ages ago gathered to their athers . In the same Deed the Bishop further stipulates that the endowm en ts of these chapels (the lands and tithes given them) shall alw ays be at the dis posal ofthe m other Chur ch ; and he charges his ow n successors not to re

uir m t an he had a inted i the w a of is o al ees lest sa s q e ore h ppo n y Ep c p F , , y “ he an d the ex re ssion is si nifi an t w at ave do n e in defen ce of the , ( p g c ) h I h ” poor m ay prove an inj ury to the m onks . The whole docum en t is v ery curi us it assed r r to l 148 and f rm s art ofthe hartular of al o ; p p io , o p C y S op

Abbey n ow in the possession of Sir Thomas Phillips . It is too lon gto give “ " here ; it mentions in tw o places the defen ce of the poor as the cause of these chapels bein gbuilt ; referringprobably to the danger even of passin g from distant parts ofthe parish to the church for w orship in those days of ’ civil w ar in Stephen s reign ; and als o to the safety as places ofrefuge which

‘ ' these chapels w ould afiord in the difieren t hamlets in an age w he n the co un try was overrun by armed men ; but w hen ev ery church an d chapel how ever small was held comparatively sacred as an asylum for those w ho w ere in fear for their lives either fr m the ress on of thers or it must also o opp i o , ( i mi be said) at times for the r own sdeeds. O ne more extract on this subject I ought to giv e in the very w ords of

h eed i.s . transl ted as reser vin the names oft se c ristian mi t e D ( a ), p g ho h nd

’ ’ ed nefact rs ho t us sou t to romote od s w rs i His r l be o w h gh p G o h p, poo peop e s good and the salv ation oftheir ow n souls ; for these objects are most rightly

’ quiet of the mon ks w e have thought it necessary to n ote here w hich are the cemeteries or chapeb which on accoun t ofthe eminen t tumult ofthe w ars

n ra h w e have co sec ted. In t e parish of the chur ch of Mamerfeld there is

Eton Con stan tihe a lf ir i t irt acres of lan d g ve ha a v gate ( .a. h y ) an d one ” mansi n or man se as a ars n e to t is da is alled in cotland. At o , , p o ag h y c S Billingsley one to which Herbert of Castle Holgate gave tw elve acres of " land and a man se. It was this same Herbert who granted the D udmaston property by a Deed w hich is still in the possession of the ow ner of that

- estate nd i Mr . ton dates 1127 an d has had a fac sirmle of it , a wh ch Ey ,

n rav ed in his Anti uities of ro s ire Vol. iii 2. At ston or e g q Sh p h , , p E (

t the m nin of all th Astons and orres n din to eston Eas Town , ea g e , c po g W , 39

“ three miles from it to the west) there is a chapel to which Robert son of

herius w ence its name Aston Aer av sixt acres and the w le tit A , ( h ) g e y ho he of his demesne and a man se : at Aldr h m i. e. Alden am one to whi h , e a ( h ) c

” v lf i l tr ga e ha a v rgate of and and a manse . Clearly the n oblemen and gen y w ho in those days had property in difieren t dis tri cts and founded churches

“ h fa ri th u i rule th l our r is or of t e b cs : ey acted p to the Scr pture , e ab e w thy

f r him i d o to res de in in the midst ofhis people. What w oul they have

t u t of M rville and n i xt n in o r a r s n ho gh o Asto par shes e e d g ve 3978 c e , ow w ithout a parsonage?

The same is had consecrat d t r 14th . 11 a n ew c a el at B hop e , O c obe 38, h p

Astle A ots for t r ms to ave n one ef re but r a l dis y bb , he e see h bee b o , p ob b y used; and this chapel w as endow ed by the Abbot of Salop himselfwith

h lfa vir a ofland t irt acres a ouse and assart land i. e. land cleared a g te ( h y ), h , ,

fr m trees w rt 43. r ann um o , o h pe . “ ere t en w ere seven c a els in one reat ari s consecrated one H . h h p g p h by is and t ir ndo men and r l ti n to th m ther ur d fi B hop, he e w ts e a o s e o ch ch e

’ nitely settled : and this (I quote Mr . Eyton s able summ ary ofit) was in

the storm rei n of n tim lit l li el one w uld im a ine to y g Stephe , a e t e k y, o g ,

fav our w orks ofpeace and charity. Without forgettingthe great influence

hi h ua in um n il m rrela iv of d w e ma w c is ever ass g g h a ev with so e co t e goo , y

lassif th su ordinate a nts in t is local c an e and ud e ofeac b c y e b ge h h g , j g h y

his c ndu t. Th is of eref rd R ert etun w as the rime m ver o c e B hop H o , ob B , p o

fth e w r nd h n who has een des ri ed in t er and inde en o o k, a e w as o e b c b o h p

dent rec rds as a nd of th oor an d ressed the n en t of ower o frie e p opp , oppo p

w enev er ass ciat ed w it w r n and a reat ersonal sufferer for his in h o h o g, g p

in tegrity . Next there are the Abbot an d Monks ofthe great Ben edict e House at Shrew sbury yieldinga not v ery ready sym pathy to the m ov em en t

full i t r ut astl t ere are an d care y protecting their own n terests h ougho . L y, h

th ar ns and Kni ts ofthe c un t en d win c a els out oft eir ow n e B o gh o y, o g h p h

r rt w en the s iritual su rin ndence of the district w as ac n w p ope y , h p pe te k o d ” ledged to be the charge ofa religious establishmen t already endow e . “ Th c a els of illi sle Old ur Aston Aer an d Alden am were e h p B ng y, b y, h

f unded n d en dow La man and r a l asle . The reat in as o a ed by y , p ob b y T y g j tice w hich resulted in such cas es w as that in process oftime the Abbey of

r d f endowments leavin but Shrew sbu y engrosse the greater share o these , g 40

i o th nts whereas of course the o ect ofthe a slen der p ttance t e Incumbe , bj

ofthis in Aston Aer to w hich I will next ask your attention. than 700 years o ld : the other two are 670 years old- in addition to the m da accoun t of the manor which runs thus same ainald he D o es y , R (

to Aer and E re holds it of him . Sessi held it in the softened in Aher, , y ) ‘ lda l fime ofKingEdward and was a free man . There are ii hides ge b e

in x I d m th ox t ms and ei h t serfs nine (i. e. pay gta ) . n e esne are ree ea , g ,

used to be worth fifteen shillings in the Saxon times : it is now (i. s . under ” il in the Normans when Domesday was written) worth thirty sh l gs . This and the two estate s Aston and Wytheford w ere held together from that v ery

ri d i. e . for till th sale of the As ton ro rt t m ote pe o , 766 years e p pe y by S .

h harlton Es . ofA le astle sev n ars a o . Jo n C , q p y C , e ye g

Mr . E ton ives an account ofthe itz Aer famil wh o ossessed the y g F y . p property as Lords of Aston Aer down to the year 1310 : they are frequen tly mentioned as attestingdifferen t Deeds. In 119 1Robert Fitz Aer w as chal r f lenged in the cou ts o Westminster for the murder of a m an at Stottesden .

’ The c ar e was afterwards withd w n n till h had sufier d a volun h g ra , but ot e e tary imprisonment and his whole estate had been forfeited to the king. His land was afterwards recovered on his widow paying a fin e of tw en ty merks

ul rd 12 i O n J y 8 . 21K ng Henry III being then at Bridgnorth issued his

“ Fitz Aer to cultivate a piece oflan d pertainingto his w ood of Estan where the road goes down towards Salop betw een the brook and the boundary of ” “ the aforesaid wood ofEstun . The object ofthis permission w as that the

id read mi ht be made safe for n rs in os arts an d that sa g passe ge th e p , they should n either meet with harm to their goods nor persons from the malefac ” tors ofthat neighbourhood by reason ofthe said rifl ets or woods w hich lur in l f w ere k g p aces or robbers. This was not givingthe Aston Aer people ofthat time a very good character : w e are n ot such dan gerous malefactors

now in Aston lane thou fear erha s still f r fr m w t w h . , gh, I , p p a o ha e s ould be In 1235 William Fitz Aer w as one of four Knights who visited all the

Liber omo anciently signifie a gentleman —for scarcel an one besi es was entirely h d y y , d — " ' fi es one wh o coul not be sol attac e to the l h w — ¢lman Glossar . d d, h d and as t e vlllanus as. 8p s y 4-1

’ kings forests in Shropshire and made return as to their condition in obedi

en ce to a royal writ. In 1255 we first find the name of Whetene Aston

us ed a t tte sden ur who de osed that John Fitz A r by S o j y, p e was Lord, hold

John Fite r did suit to the Hundred Court by Bichard Mukel his attor n d - ey an un der tenan t. This illustrates the custom at Aston to the prment day ofthe cottagers in Aston lans payinga quit rent of a few shillings to th e chief Lord at the Hundred Court of Stottesden yearly : and the above

In the second ear ofEd ard 12 Sir ohn Fit r s ti y w I, 73, J e wa a Jus ce

poin ted by precept of the Crown one offour Kn ights to make report as to

th e stat of rid n In 1 4 w fin d his son and heir Hu h e B g orth Castle. 29 , e g

sellin a use in i r t Brid north and on A ril 4th 1314 was g ho H gh St ee , g ; p , ,

Aer who h r m ia t and thefo d ro erties to , by e arr ge conveyed he Aston Wy r p p

the place. For the his tory of the Church we must return to the stormy reign of

S tephen disfigured by civil wars. (in) So in tense and complicated became the national struggle that we know little but ofits beginning an d en d; and

that n ot from an on contem orar ch omle but a ee l and w l out , y e p y r c : d p y e l

This most interesting Deed on a strip of parchmmt not brmder than three fingers is with two others also referring to Aston Church of about

’ i n hi r in Messrs. o and E n s Bank who kindl antiquar a , and cas e R ck yto , y

a friend of his who happened to be stm ck by some Shropshire names on a

l i o r h in n u t the lb. wei ht and the y ng n the counte , av g bee just bo gh by g ; 42

“ ” m i in few hours the w ould ave een in the size ot trades an sa d, a y h b p ld D h and in this and similar ways many curious o eeds ave disappeared. I ’ remember hearing a Baronet s lady who lived sev eral miles from a tow n say

t a dinner ta le that when she w as out f isin lass she had often iven a b , o g g

some ofthe old musty family parchments to the cook to make jelly of. This bundle of Shropshire Deeds happily met with a better fate : the tradesman let his friend have them for the few shillin gs he had just given for them :

t art it th r in and I fear Mr. Morris would no p w h e th ee relat g to Asto n for

“ The followingis a translation of the endowmen t Deed ; Know all men ” ho ar and ho ll t at on the da ofdedicati n ofthe em eter w e w sha be, h y o C y “ ” an old c ristian rd for hurc fr m the first ristian s avin een ( h w o C h, o Ch h g b “ d iv rs uti n to rshi in aults and urial laces of st n r en by pe ec o wo p v b p ) E o , I Robert son ofAherius gave to God and the chapel of the same vill ofEaton one virgate ofland containingsixty acres an d the whole tithe of my demesne ofthe same vill and one manse for thehealth ofmy soul and ofall my pre

decessors an d successors; An d that my gift m ay be free and quit of all reclaim me or m eirs and ma ever remain firm and sta le ave by by y h y b , I h

corroborat ed it it this resent writin an d w it th im i n ofm w h p g. h e press o y

seal. ese ein witn sses R ert divine race is of eref rd Th b g e ob , by g , B hop H o ; einald Pri r of enlo Pe ter he Arc deac n Ric ard and Bl i R , o W ck ; , t h o h ur c, ” D eans Alan de O ton F l ns -d Al h m n ; p ; u cai e dre a a d many others . Y ou will hav e observed the Deed 13 not dated : it w as n ot the custom to

do so in t ose da s : but the date is d h y prov e by the attestingwitnesses . Mr. Eyton first searched what Bishops of Hereford there had been about the “ ” su sed time of the c ristian name of Ro r ppo h be t, an d foun d that Robert

Betun ri r ofLa thon n ear Gl cester w as , P o n y o cons ecrated Bishop of Hereford

1132 o. and died A ril 22n d 114 , ( ) p . 8 . His life w as written by the famous

William of Wykeham who amonghis various high ofi ces and preferments held als the re end of Alv le 1n Kin d ’ o P b e y g E ward the Third s Free Chapel

iven to the r and uoted a ainst imselfthe text Matt “ I i g poo , q g h , . xv . 26, t s ’ ” n o t meet to ta e the c ildren s read and to t i k h b cas t to dogs. I hav e felt

43

in xam le of a tender that it w ould not be right to withhold this touch g e p

w v er overstrained his feelin ma have een and thou h we because , ho e g y b ; g

for an of our faults but onl kn ow that n o scourgin g of ours can atone y , y “ m it is written saia liii. 5 He the meritorious sufferings ofHim ofWho , I h ,

n ssi n s He w as ruised for our ini uities : the w as w ounded for our tra sgre o , b q

i s lest the tenden s uld be in the o hav e n eed rather to fear n our day , cy ho p

ti n and a its of extrav a an ce w ic are reall r in sins posito direc o , h b g h h y c y g should be lightly ac coun te d of. An other of the attestin gwitnesses to As ton Church Deed was Peter the ’ n n d Re tor of d ur rt n ear is s astle : he had een Archdeaco , a c Ly b y No h B hop C b a Canon ofLanthon y of w hich Robert Betun had been Prior : and it w as

t n the l tter w as m ade is of eref rd he s uld natural en ough tha whe a B hop H o , ho give an old frien d an d form er companion a Livin g an d appoint him to be Archdeacon in his n ew Diocese ; though it is possible his clergy m ay hav e taken some exceptions to his choice of a stranger to be placed over them d in stead of one of them selv es. The Alan e Opton mention ed w as Lord of

at the same time t at itz Aer eld Aston and Ful in ld Upton Cresset h F h , ca s he

Aldrabam w here he foun ded a chapel.

hus w e av e ac ounted for five out of the sev en att s n tn T h c e ti g wi esses, and m ay with certainty pass the fixing of the Deed an d the building of 1 d I 1 h Aston Church between 132 an 48 ; t e very date which Mr. Petit

it d Mr . Eyton w rites that there is l tle oubt both the Deeds I hav e quoted Th by Bishop Betun passed in 1138 or 9 . e architectural remains of the i original buildin g exactly agree w th it. The remarkable features are the

C an el arc and the T m anum or semi-circular st n e ver the d h c h y p o o oorw ay,

e resen tin our ord ridin in t erusalem sittin u n r p g L g o J , g po an ass and a ” c lt th e f al of an ass far the m ost stri in ie e of l o o , by k g p c o d sculpture in

the n e ighbourhood. It is in excellent preservation an d in such bold relief

t at ou m a ur d r un d th f r l h y y pass yo han o e o e eg of the animal. O ur ’ Lord s hea d is represen ted with the nimbus or glory aroun d it ; in His left han d is a palm bran ch ; and with His right hand lifted up an d the

t um an d tw o forefin ers exten ded in to en of the l rinit H i h b g , k Ho y T y, e s

lessin the e le one ofw m is sittin s readin lm ran s o b g p op , ho g p g pa b che n the

round and the ther is castin his cl ak or arm n i th g , o g o g e t n e w ay : the hair 44 is dressed in a peculiar manner and has a kind of wavy appearance above

i din the forehead, rem n g one somewhat of the hair in the Nin ev eh sculp

' r ese tati i i tures. A epr n on of t s also publmhed in the Anastatic Drawing ’ Societ s book for 1857 and the ann exed en vin y , gra gis from a sketch kindly

Betw een the years 1167 and 1175 a dispute arose between the son o f the founder of the Church and the Monks of Shrewsbury respecting the H burial of his men of Eaton. e probably claimed the right of buryin g th at Aston w ich al A e o ected to and r th em h S op bb y bj , requi ed em to be

n to t e M t er Church f M rville accordin to th rules laid dow n take h o h o o , g e b Bisho Betun . The uesti n w as referred to o er Bis of orms y p q o R g , hop W

id in fav ur of alo A e the riors of or st and enlock dec ed o S p bb y, p W ce er W

' assisting in the decision . The people of Aston to this day feel the efiecte — ofit no burials take place there. An other dispute arose respectingthe right of advowson ofthe chapel of to him whose father had founded it ; but it w as given against him in favor

A . is to k lace about the r 119 when Wil of Shrew sbury bbey Th o p yea 0,

m h lain of Aston havin resi ned hi ha el int the han lia , c ap , g g s c p o ds o f

illiam de ere is of eref rd t t relate committ d th W V , B hop H o , ha p e e cure of i t cha lain of a ton . At he m tim h writes to th A t to Pe er, p H p t sa e e e e bbot of Shrewsbury ackn ow ledging the advowson to belong to that House an d

tin tha he rante d the ure of it on his own aut rit n ot on the sta g t g C ho y,

n i n of itz Aer or an on e else but ith full r an of th prese tat o F y , w obse v ce e ’ ts ri t. His reas n for writin he sa s is that n o act of his ma Abbo gh o g, y , y be construed by the said Robert in to an acknow ledgement of his claims to the adv ow son : he con cludes with exhorting the abbot to listen to his (the ’ is o s r uest in e alf of the af re named eter of ton w m he B h p ) eq b h o P , Hop , ho ” entitles a discreet person . In a Deed now in the posses sion of Mr .

rri the same illiam divine r th hum le servant of the Mo s , W , by g ace, e b " urc f eref rd addresses all s ns of hol to w om Ch h o H o , o y mother church h l these present etters shall come. He signifies to them all that Robert

sen t w it his own m ut v luntaril conf d that he had n o ri t c , h o h o y esse gh f resentin an on e to the c a el of st n t th advowson t er p g y h p E ai , but tha e h eof did belong and still belonged to the abbot and convent of Salop and that no doubt should arise about this matter in future the said Bishop put to 45

hi l A a s uel to this ver inte the said letters the testimony of s sea . s eq y l i l i ofdi lomac the same Bish issued anot er letter also in Mr gb e p ece p y, op h (

f i m ost eloved rot er divine them that at the presentation o h s b b h H, by

ra e A ot of al and of the o nv ent of the same he has admitted g c , bb S op, C ,

t d h n nicall in stitute d him i ar in the same c a el—ia such on , an as ca o y V c h p

h w v r that the said Peter s all ld the said c a el w ith its a ur sort, o e e , h ho h p pp

o f Est n and a t i of the cust mar c rn tit e of the w le ara le vill o , h rd o y o h ho b

l m i h l n to the arish land. But the tithes of the who e de esne w h c be o g p

i f th d i t i funerals with church (Morville) and the bod es o e ead ( . e . he r )

i u sts s all remain to the M t er ur viz . of Mam erfeld to the r Mq e , h o h Ch ch , ,

i the aforesaid cha el el n s . The said Pete r s all als at Mic ael wh ch p b o g , h o h

s a as an annual ensi n to the M t er ur o f Mamerfeld; ma , p y p o o h Ch ch and shall be answ erable to the Bishop an d his officials for all custom ary

m hi l n t l A i h t r m a pay ents w ch be o g to hat chape . n d that th s c ar e y be

di h i nfirm i i hi un sturbed t e B shop co s t w th s seal. The witn esses w ere

Master R ert Folet F li t illiam a lain Martin de astell i.e. ob ( o o ), W Ch p , C o ( ” Castle l ate and ot rs Ho g ), he .

etw een the ears 1222 and 12 4 illiam itz Aer t en rd o f B y 3 , W F , h Lo

Aston uitted all laim th l it , q c in e chapel thereof to Sa op Abbey. The w

nesses to t is deed w ere illiam itz Os ert an d illiam r t er of h W F b , W , b o h

e inald de u f rd h lain s and t is n un iati n is certifie d a R g T go , c ap ; h re c o by

contem rar deed of enr is of eref rd who alls the ers n po y H y, B hop H o , c p o

renoun in the Kn i t illiam itz er rd of sto n . c g, gh , W F A , Lo E

Mr . Eyto n w rites that he has been particular in givin g at som e length

the c n ten ts oft ese c arters lest the in usti im li d in t em s uld es a e o h h , j ce p e h ho c p l l observation . A benev o en t ayman foun ds an d en dow s a church ; a pious

n t i It n Bishop co secra es t . happe s to be in a distri ct where a great abbey

claim s a rescri tiv e an d ar chial urisdi ti n but n o m n s taxes it p p p o j c o , by ea self w ith such a cure of souls as w ill n ecessitate the foun dation of more h churc es . In pr ocess of tim e the said abbey not only appropriates part

of the en d w m ent of the distri t urc but laims a ri t of resen tin o c ch h, c gh p g

’ to the residue . The f un d r s eir r m n tr or rat er ntests the o e h e o s ates, h co

‘ m t i d w a te r . The Bishop of the diocese is judge ; he aw ards the r ght of a vo

son to the a e re uestin t at he m a imselfn minate to the existin bb y, q g h y h o g “ ” v a an . Mr . t n adds w i ed as w as the fiscal elemen t t at is to c cy Ey o , ck ( h 46

“ a t at rt of it w hi related to n e transactions of enr the s y, h pa ch mo y ) H y ’ VIII Ref rmati n trul it w as in its r wi edness but a measure of S o o , y , ve y ck , ” retribution l The mon astic institutions which had sw allowed up a great part of the property origin ally left to support the pari sh churches through out the land w ere n ow them selves plundered and abolished : but instead o f the property being restored to its origin al use accordin gto the inten tion o f t who v it it w as s uandered awa a diss lute m narc or be hose ga e , q y by o o h, stow ed on rapacious and unw orthy fav orites ; while the parish chur ches which had unhappily been thus subjected to the monas teries had only th e smallest possible pittan ce left them for the subsisten ce of their clergy. Th e

l tit es r at and small w ere ran te d to a men : the ars na es w ho e h , g e , g L y p o g w ere sold as parts of the conv entual property : an d the Perpetual Curates o a lain s w ere l ft wit nl the fixed sum a few unds a ear allo t r Ch p , e h o y , po y ted to t em w i small en u in t se da s did not rise in value with h , h ch o gh ho y , the m as lan d and tit es and la ur did but ecame when m ne ti es, h bo , b , o y so m u l red ts v alue n ext to n t in . ere w ere sev eral ivin s in thi ch a te i , o h g Th L g s

r w ere n ot w rt m re t an £ r n eighbourhood which 150 yea s ago o h o h 6 o £7 .

e m i on e to the resen t da i t n in rve ale am un tin Th re re a ns p y , Sh p o , Co D , o g,

I elieve to £ or so er an n um wit a ulati n o f 19 l s uls. b , 3 , p , h pop o o

t r in stan e I m a state t at revi us to 1709 uatf rd ivin As an o he c y h p o , Q o L g

nl It w n li l in reas d Art ur eav er Es w as o y £5 16s. as the s ght y c e by h W , q. w ho by his will charged his estate an d be queathed out of the tithes o f

M rville Aston and uatf rd small earl a m en ts to the res e tiv e o , , Q o y y p y p c curates but u to 1776 uatf rd w as w rt nl £9 9 8 . 4d. and at th e ; p , Q o o h o y ,

m d the t r ivin s Morville Asto n an d ua tf rd am un ted n l sa e ate h ee L g , , , Q o o o y to £35 9 8 . 4 1 w it ut n ars na e on eit er o ft em w ile still w rse , ho a y p o g h h ; h , o ,

revi us to 109 M rville an d Aston w ere n l £ 11128 . r little p o 7 , o o y ( ) So adv an tage did they ultim ately deriv e fr om be in g conn ected w ith Salop Abbey so little pecuniary ben efit did the on ce importan t Church of Mo r v ille reap from its being dignified by the title ofPriory w hich it still retain s

in th ister oks o f Heref rd an d a rdin to w hi as the e Reg Bo o , cco g ch, I,

n lu Pri r of the lace am bli ed to a fo r the arren n our at u cky o p , o g p y b ho ev ery v isitation higher fees an d syn odals than my n eighbours who are Rec ’ tors or i ars e ause as the is s ofi cial states it is m rivile e b V c ; b c , B hop , y p g ( y som e sort offiction in law I suppose) to receiv e an d en tertain at that ideal

l m Pri r ofMorville the is and his sui at v isita ione p ace y o y B hop te t . It m ay have bee n this priv ilege an d his zeal to perform in a becomin g “ ” man n er the duties of s italit t us laid u n him w ic l d on o fm ho p y h po , h h e e y 47

’ predecessors in Henry III s reign in to an aw kw ard scrape by implicatinghim in a ar e ofdeer stealin : for w e read that on Ma 28th . 1253 hn ch g g y , , Jo

allensis Pri r ofMom ref ud w as t W , o e e accus ed of con niving a th e in troduc tion in to his priory of part of a deer w hich Walter Baldwin ofNorle y and

Ro er D unfow e had unlaw full ta en r a l l g y k , p ob b y in Shir et forest. The case w as to be tried before the justices of the forest ; but in the mean time the

’ Co nn e ted als wit this su e t the Pri r ofM rville s dut to s w c o h bj c , o o y ho

s italit is a v er curi us xtra t iv en m e s m ea a o r . hp p y , y o e c g o e y rs g by M Webb,

e f rds ir anti i d a H re o h e quar an . It is taken from a ocumen t in the possession o f Sir omas innin to n w i has sin e een u lis ed an d ives an Th W g h ch c b p b h , g ac coun t ofthe household expenses of Bishop Swinfield on his v isitation tour h in t e year 1290 . It is w ritte n in Latin an d v ery m uch abbrev iated : w hen “ translated it run s as f ll w s O n T ur da f ll win A ril 2 th h o o : h s y o o g, p o , e w as

’ at Mom erfeld and then comes his stew ard s ledger with the differen t arti “ cles an d quan tity of food con sum ed an d their prices at that day . For

- r 4s 2d. For 4 ua and 2 fla on s of w ine 68 . For 8 uarts of ale b ead, q rts g , q ,

- s 4d. For arta e and rtera e 2d. tem 4 a ns ar ed in the for 3 c g po g , I c po , ch g

’ m er da s ac un t i e r u t wit t em to M rville . For o n e ar ase y co , . . b o gh h h o c c

- - and a alf of eef 68 6d. For 2 am m ns of a n 2s 2d. For 1 r 20 h b , g o b co , po k,

- en ce . For 2 al es 23 10d. For 3 little i s 12 en ce . For 9 s p c v , p g , p cock ,

12 en e . For 48 ullets tw ent tw en e . tem 1 arcase of beefan d 2 p c p , y o p c I c porks w ere a presen t to the Bishop as a guest on his arrival at the place :

f o i r i l t ere rem ain ed to there ore n sum s put dow n fo them . O fthese art c es h ” e used an t er da l as of eef 2 rk s and alfa acon . The acc un t b o h y, carc e b , po , h b o “ th en es on a ain : For s 10 . F 6d. For read 2d. An ther go g egg , d or peas , b , o

ar e for rtera e 1d. The h a and u ters 2 us els ofoats were ch g po g , y, 2 q ar b h

f r f nt is M 1 ) the gift o the prio o the place for 35 horses. The accou 11, ” llin d n 32 shi gs an 3 pe ce .

d s this account This is n o bad bill offare . It is curious w e shoul po sess ’ i in de tail o fthe con te n ts ofthe good Bishop s travellinglarder when he v sited

l lin sn u l un der the Morville as m uch as 5 68 years ago . The v i lage n est g gy imated s en e on the shado w of Meadow ly hill m ust hav e presen ted an an c

’ - fi rses the usual m de of arriv al o fthe Bishop s cavalcade o f thirty ve ho , o

llin i t se d ac m an ied n o d u t for it w as enerall the one trav e g n ho ays, co p o b , g y tra t iv es us to m b an retain ers and follow ers on f t als . The ex , y m y oo o c g ti les off d at also a good n otion of the comparative v alue ofdifferen t ar c oo

- r ls ld. an d allets that time w hen a gammon ofbacon could be bought fo p 48

h andena les us to estimate the real value of were worth a halfpenny (o.) eac ; b difieren t Livings in the n eighbourhood as recorded in the following extr ac t ’ d alu ti n from Pope Nicholas taxation . This w as a surv ey an v a o taken be

n 2 n d 12 2 on ccasi n of e Ni las . avin ran te d to tw ee 188 a 9 , o o Pop cho IV h gg

Kin dward the tent s ofall ec lesias tical in m es in n land for six g E I, h c co E g

w r usuall a a le to the see o f years to come . These yearly ten ths e e y p y b Rome ; though in a form er case also they had been granted for three years

Th e t for w i dw ard . w as to em l t em to King Henry III. e obj c h ch E I p oy h ’ w as a Cr us ade : an d he appoin ted a royal commission to surv ey the Chur ch s l l i possessions through all the kingdom . This v aluation gov ern ed al ecc es astical taxes w hether payable to the King or Pope till the reign of Hen ry

Un der the ear 129 1 w read as f ll ws translated h our the atin y e o o , L f i Here ord D ocese : Deanery of Stoddisdon e. m n o é g 8 . 0

The hurc of en t ne Niev ento n e or een to n 5 6 c h N o , , N 8 The portion of the Abbot of Salop in the same 16 0 The church ofMom erfeld with the chapels of

Astele e Ast n Aer an d 114 8 y , o , 17 6 8 The church of Tosselaye w as n ot w orth [No Ten th was collected on property which did not amount to The portion ofthe prior ofMon m erfeld in the sam e 7 8 [The Tenth was collected because the prior had other property above The church of 4 13 4 ’ The portion ofthe prior ofMoum feldm the sam e 5 0 Vicarage ofthe chapel of Aston Ayer n ot worth 4 0 0

So th t in 129 1M rville Astl A t n and illin sle coun ted as a , o , ey bbots, As o B g y

— an ackn wled ment of 7s d. -and O ld ur a in 3. to the Pri r ofthe o g 8 , b y p y g 5 o

m other church of the district. We will now go back sixty years in order to record an act ofliberality quite in character with the times ; an d traces ofw hich remain to the present day (though under v ery different circum stan ces fr om what the pious donor

ever c n tem lated in the m ann er in i in little at es oflan d be o p ) wh ch certa p ch ,

l n in to rd udele th La im r ri r of the it es lie is lated in o g g Lo S y e y p op ato T h , o

the midst of the Alden am estate . A ut th ear 1224 i il the w id w h bo e y , S b o

' of Robert Toncray en feofied the priory of Morville in a house and lands at

au t n two se arate eeds the last ofw i reserved a ren t offif n H gh o by p D , h ch tee

en ce to ers lf. is r s ed rent she a furt er d uitted i.s. p h e Th e erv by h Dee q ,

50

a le n to riet entitled Master alter de Palmer . He w s mem r b o y, W a be ofa family which at that period w as by far the w ealthiest an d most important

wit n the r u of rid n rt an d w se ur ases and in ter s hi bo o gh B g o h , ho p ch e ts are the promin ent feature ofa large collection of docum en ts at Apley Park : he

was himselftenant ofa m essuage an d land at Crofts . From the Salop As

ize R ll ofthe 4oth . ear of enr III 1255 it a ears t at the sse i s o y H y , , pp h po ss ons ofthis Master Walter lo Palmer at Church Stretto n an d Bridgn orth had

’ iz h in n ds un d r t e f ll n i been se ed into t e k gs ha e h o owi g c rcumstan ces . He

st d in di ted for en tertain in one Ro er de Kinv er an utlaw an d also oo c g g , o ,

r the m urders ofMatilda aun t of n de ata re an d of il i fo , Joh G c , W l am Kil

n . His fat er am n le Palmer seem s to hav e een im li ated may h , H o , b p c . Wal ter how ever contrived to free both him self and his father from all liability

the ivil w er lar e e uniar fferin s in w i h th A t f to c po by g p c y o g , h c e bbo o Build

i ilt w v r is m re l arl r w as w as his surety. H s gu ho e e o c e y p ov ed than by the

l n t suspic ion w hich his large fine alon e w ou d w arra . He w as put upon his

l in h r urt at al Assizes an uar 125 . The O fii i l of tria t e C ow n Co S op , J y 6 c a the Bishop of Cov en try dem anded that he be surrendered to the spiritual

w er ein ler : for in t se da s the ler had the rivile e o fnot po , b g a C k ho y c gy p g

ein tri or at m st n ot sen ten ed an d unis ed th e rimin al ur ts b g ed, o c p h by c co oflaw like other person s ; but pleaded the right of being discharged from

’ the kings courts an d deliv ered up to the Bishop to be dealt with according

l i i l r m u in t f to ecc es ast ca rules w hich w e e ch heir av our. (R.)

0 in the case oft is wealt ten an t of hrew s ur A e at r ft the 8 h hy S b y bb y C o ,

’ kin gs justices acquiesced in the dem an d that bein g a Clerk he should be

d li d ver to the ecclesiasti al urts but dire ted the ur first to iv e e v ere o c co , c j y g “ their v erdict on the Crown prosecution that it might be kn ow n w hat kin d ” d T n l r n of character is thus surren ered. he j ury accordi gy p o oun ced him ” “ ” “ uil of the murder ofMatilda but n ot uilt of the t er ffen es : g ty , g y o h o c

n d it ein f un d t at he had La ossessi n s as w ell as ur r rt a b g o h y p o Ch ch p ope y,

h ud s rder d th riff t seize the f rm er o n eh alfof the row n t e j ge o e e She o o b C ,

d n him in th e l i l w hich was all they could do . What w as o e to e cc esias t ca

court d es n o t a ear but t re is a full re rd ofthe w a in w i he m ade o pp , he co y h ch his peace with the civil pow er : his name appears in the accoun ts of the

eriff of r s ire for Mi aelm as 12 6 as res n si le to the r w n for Sh Sh op h ch 5 , po b C o

v ari us sum s am un tin to £5 1133. 4d. a v er lar e fine to be raised in o o g , y g those days ; but for a crime which in a culprit ofless wealth an d in a lower

siti n d ft i fin e he had alr ad po o w ould hav e been punished w ith eath . O h s e y, ’ Mic aelmas 125 ai £4 68 . d. int the in s treasur £5 to by h 6, p d 3 8 o k g y, 5 1

’ Remi ius de Arun del the S riff s ler an d owed nl £ 0 . d. : hi g he c k, o y 3 6 8 s " paym en t ofthis balance is the last item on the Sherifi s accounts o f the year .

We m ay surely learn from this statement relatingto a person wh o lived in our ow n paris h exactly 600 years ago to value m ore our own blessings

th an ful f i an d to be k or the security w e enjoy. We liv e in happ er tim es an d un der an im artial administrati n ofthe aw s when m ne will n ot p o L , o y

l an se w a the stain n r r mit the en alt of lood en v n anded c e a y o e p y b , wh e e h

us ti e is m eted out to ler an d lait to r and ri ali e . j c c gy y, poo ch k

In 134 1w e com e to a season ofdistress : it is recorded that there w as a com m on m urrain among the cattle ; an d that many ten ants in the paris h

h ad throw n up their holdings through poverty. This w as follow ed by the great pestilen ce w hich raged th roughout Englan d from May 31st to Sep

2 th 149 wit su fearful vi len e t at one f urt of the tember 9 , 3 , h ch o c h o h population are said by some chron iclers to have been destroyed ; an d in the thirteen acres ofland bought by Sir Walter Manny as a cem etery n ear

n n an d art ofw hic n ow f rm s the arter use la r und as m an Lo do , p h o Ch ho p yg o , y i i as tw o hun dred person s a day are sa d to have been bur ed. During this heavy period of trial it is satisfactory to kn ow that the parochial clergy of our n eighbourhood n obly did their duty an d did not spare their lives in ministerin g to the sick and dying: for w e fin d that the Livings of as m an y as thirteen out oftwenty-seven clergy in this district became v acan t during

those four fatal m on ths. It does n o t appear howev er that the Heads of the great monastic in stitutions w ere equally zealous or liberal in per forming their duty of providin g religious ministration s in the parishes committed to their authority ; for an en try in the Diocesan Register ofthe date ofJune

. 153 states t at n Perle Pri r of M rville and P l 6th , 3 , h Joh , o o roctor of Salop

e admitted ef re the is at his isitati n -f M rville Abb y, b o B hop V o o , that the

t w as und to fin d and m ain tain a a lain in the a el o l Abbo bo ch p ch p fAst ey,

“ ” “ d t on M rville ur . The admissi n writes depen en o Ch ch o Mr . Eyton argues

th r vi us n e lect ofsu dut or at leas t an attem t to e p e o g ch y, p ev ade it ; an other hint as to the way in w hich the Monastic Houses ofthat period attended to

l in f r e n d n the spiritua terests o thei d pe e ts .

But w e must rin t is l n and fear v er tedi us le ture to a l se b g h o g, , I , y o c c o , — and pass on rapidly to the tim e when a v ariety ofcauses the complaints f ili o the n ob ty about Cour t that the Mon astic Houses possessed a v ery large — proportion ofthe best land in the kin gdom the lax government and 52 imm ral liv in ofsome ofthe reli ious H use t m nd the o g g o s he selves, a absence of an reat measure of u li esteem for t em or r er th inio y g p b c h , ath e op n pre valent among Roman Catholics as w ell as Protestants that the social evils arising from them had arrived at such a height that n o remedy could be

effec tual s rt oftheir en eral su ressi n an ini n san ti n ed n o l ho g pp o , op o c o by ess

a ers n t an Re in ald afterw ards ardinal le who f rmed on of a m p o h g , C Po , o e co

mittee a in ted P0 aul to examine in t the state ofth hur ppo by pe P III, o e C ch ,

and w ho re mmended the radual a liti n of the nventual Orders an d co g bo o Co , himself receiv ed from Queen Mary a gran t of lands from the dissolv ed

ri r of N wbur —theso t in ena led an un ru ul us a ri i us and P o y e g h gs b sc p o , c p c o

extrav a ant in enr I wit th san tion of arliam ent who assed g k g, H y V II , h e c P p

a ill for the ur o to it t w l l a of sacrile e and s olia B p p se, comm hat ho esa e ct g p

ti n the diss luti n o the li i u throu h ut the land an d the o , o o f re go s Houses g o ,

c nfis ati n oft eir estates i w n erall ran ted to some fav rite o c o h , wh ch ere ge y g o

of the in —either r testan or R m n t lic—as a free ilt or on the k g P o t o a Ca ho g , m pay en t ofa small sum ofready mon ey in to the royal treasury. It is stated ’ “ in ume s i stor of n land t t on th w le the in at differen t H H y E g ha e ho , k g tim es suppressed 645 monasteries ; of w hich 28 had abbots that enjoyed a

seat in Parliament c lle es i. c lle iate c ur es of w i h ain t ; 90 o g ( e. o g h ch , h c S

Mar Ma dalen rid n n e m i d in sev eral c un ties y g e, B g orth w as o ) w ere de ol she o ;

2374 chantries and free chapels ; 110 hospitals . Aud it is worthy ofremark

t ueen Mar erself w en she am to th throne ratified in the ful tha Q y h , h c e e ,

m r t i s oliati n ofth r t f h r li i us uses and b lest an ne h s p o e p oper y o t e e go Ho , y an Act ofParliamen t confirmed the holders ofAbbey and Church lan ds in ’ ’ their n ew possession s ; and als o that the Pope s legate in his master s

Morville had existed for 400 years simply as a little Priory or Cell

as eland who lived at t at time des ri ed it on the ri t hand as ( L , h c b ,) gh , I ” n fall its ri inal en tered in to this village from Wen lock . It had been shor o o g

influen ce an d w as subject altogether to Shrew sbury Abbey.

vi us ul th . 15 29 Ric ard Mars all alias a er the tw ent Pre o to J y 30 , , h h , B k , y eighth Abbot of Shre wsbury had resign ed : for on that day the election of

i u e r mas ler twen t nin th and last A t received the h s s cc sso Tho Bote , y bbo ,

T A had a ensi n of£40 er ann um assi n royal assent. he resigning bbot p o p g

him his c nv nt. wards ma in u t at sum a eed un der t e ed by o e To k g p h , D h

l O 2n d. 15 29 rantin him for life the ell or con v ent sea passed, ctober 2 , , g g C

f M rv ille wit all its lands m ead w s astures and ther eredi Gran ge o o h , o , p o h l m i n tam en ts both temporal and spiritual. A return made by roya co miss o 53

une 1th . 14 t lls us h th r and n t v lu h r mi J 6 , 5 5 , e bot e g oss e a e oft e p e ses thus

’ en t of the site of the ell or ran e with all its uses R C G g ho ,

itc en asture arns sta l uildin s & c . in a state k h , p , b , b es, b g , ,

annum . .O 0 . 1 m C I . 0 . 0 0

en t of 92 a res of ara le m ead w rass and r l d R % c b , o , g pastu e an

in di v ers fields and en closures . 7 17 5

en t of tw o ten em ents rn on e of w i ardMars ll the R h ch Rich ha , Prior seems to have 13 4

‘ Rent or farm ofthe tithes of rain an d ha in MorefieldWal , , g y ,

ton L e K n desle Alden am Har sford au t n , y , y y, h , p , H gh o , Croft and Un derton ; and ren t of the tithe of w ool and other produce of the whole Parish of

The outgoings w ere Salary ofthe Curate of D itto ofthe Curate of Wheaton

’ Bishop of Hereford s Visitation

Commissary of 13 9 10} 1 1 s s s s s s s s o s s o s o o £ 6 0

O n ec m er 4th of the same ear i. e . 1545 s. the rev ersi n ofthe D e b . y , , ( ) o

f r n to n udle church property o Morville w as granted by the C ow Joh D y,

isc un t isle o rd Admiral of n lan d c ar ed w it the a v ementi ned V o L , L E g , h g h bo o

ut in s to the ofM rville an d A ton an d to the Bis of eref rd o go g Curates o s , hop H o

' This rev ersion w ould not in the ordinary course have taken efiect till

a th . 1 on w i h da Ri ard Mars all rior ofM r ville w ho liv ed M y 7 558 h c y ch h , P o ,

at rid n rt Mr t n t in s for a tim e ef re his deat w as uried B g o h ( . Ey o h k ) b o h, b ’ at in t e nard s urc . But as usuall a en s ro ert tain ed in Sa L o Ch h , y h pp , p p y ob

l ord isle had; a questionab e mann er is quickly spen t : so here . The L L

h ld rs of some railwa s ares s ld the reversi n l n efore he like t e ho e y h , o o o g b

Site ofthe present Morville Hall.

I ke t ese to ave been ere th Acton Arms Inn now stands . 1 ta h h wh e , 54

am e in t ssessi n of the r ert and it w uld seem as ifMars all th c o po o p op y ; o h , e

Pri r als had s ld his lif in o , o o e terest ; for there is an en try un i er the 37th “ ear of Henr as f ll w s The Kin fo r a fine of £4 y y VIII o o g 17s . gran ts to

n Vis un t isle t at he m a fin e to be lev ied at estmi n ster r n t Joh , co L , h y by W , g a

’ the rem ises ef re re ited an d the rev ersion of Mars all s in tere st t rein p b o c h he , to Ro er m t o f rid n rt to old to said R r n d r g S y h B g o h , h oge a his hei s o f the

in an d his eirs b a ust m ed serv i es . i k g h y cc o c G ven at Westm in ster 18th .

i . D 1 e ruar an n o .e A. . 5 46 . F b y,

is Ro er m t w as Bailiff o f r d n rt in 15 4 an d m r for Th g S y h , B i g o h 5 , Me be the orou h in th e Parliam en ts in 1547 an d 155 th e fir t d B g 3, s an sev en y ears of dw ard VI His ositio n m a av e i i E . p y h g v en h m som e facilities fo r the purchase of the plun de red Church proper ty ; an d few person s in those days seem to av e had an scru les in t us in currin the dan er o fsa rile e an d h y p h g g c g , appropriatin g to their use at a cheap rate a con siderable s hare o fth e spo il; for in additi n to the ur ro er t o fM rville as m en ti n ed a e he als o Ch ch p p y o , o bov , o

e am e o ssessed o fthe tit es o fthe re en ds ofUn derton alton an d Mor b c p h p b , W v ille w i h had elo n ed to the diss lv ed olle iate ur of ain t Mar , h c b g o C g Ch ch S y

’ Ma dalen e rid n or t . His fat er is des ribed in the eralds v isitati n g , B g h h c H o

eld in 1584 as bein o fMo rv ille an d he im selfm arried Fran es dau ter h , g , h c , gh

ofRi ard re ssett Es . o fU to n resset an d it w as t r u this nn ex ch C , q , p C ; h o gh co io n that th e proper ty at Unde rto n (an d I believ e at Bridgw alton also) came in t the an ds of the resset Pel am s w it w om it rem ain ed till it w as o h C h , h h

ou t for the Alden am estate durin the a en o fthe late Mr . lli n s . b gh h , g g cy Co

’ R er m t s son e r e als lived at Morv ille and w as buried t e re og S y h G o g , o , h

1600 an d w as the ran dfat er of the ane m t w ho 1631 m arried , g h J S y h , ,

Ar t ur eav er Es . o f rid n rt an d so t the M rville r er t h W , q , B g o h , ook o p op y

i u d w it th v rs for th n t in to that family. It con t n e h e Wea e e ex 130 years, des en din to Art ur eav er Es . o f rid n rt an d M rville h c g h W , q , B g o h o , w o m arried Maria Caresw ell of Shifinal an d w as uried at rv ille l st f , , b Mo , 3 o

Ma 1 10 leavin sev eral ildren . Am n t ese w ere y , 7 , g ch o g h — l st. o n M .P. for rid n orth 1 13 14 2 1 an d 2 w ho m ri d J h , , B g , 7 , , , 7 , ar e

ara Ac t n an d w as uried at Morv ille 9th anuar 1746 leav in n o S h o , b , J y, , g issue . — 2ui . Edw ard a barrister w ho succeeded to the Morville r ert nd , , p op y, a w as uried t ere 9th Jul 1762 . b h y , — 3rd. Arthur Bailiff o f Brid north w ho w as buried at Morv ille 1 , g , , 75 9 .

f — x An n w h o m arrie d hn Bla n e Es . o f Gre n o in Mo n t o m er i , Jo y y , q gy g, g y shire an d w hose so n Arthur Bla n e in h erited Gre n o fr m his fat er , y y , gy g o h , 5 5

and M rville in ri t of his m t er and divid d hi tim n th t o gh o h , e s e betw ee a

la e an d M rv ille : he died unmarried 19 and w uri d a re n n p c o 7 5 , as b e t T gy o , Coun ty Montgom ery — 5th . An t n M.D of astle e rid n rt ho died 14 leavin ho y, ., C Hous , B g o h, w 7 3, g a dau ter us anna who w as married at at 1 to Hen r the ei th gh S h, B h, 767, y, gh and las t is un t ra an d t th Morv ill and els r erties V co T cy, ook e e W h p op w i she in erited fr m her usin Mr . la ne int the ra famil h ch h o co , B y y, o T cy y ; an d it w as t eir nl sur vivin ild an d eir ss th noura le enrietta h o y gch h e , e Ho b H

usan n a ra rn 1 6 who m arried ec m er 29th 1798 her S h T cy, bo 77 , , D e b , ,

usin arles Hahbur Es . h e had r vi usl r al license assu co , Ch y, q ; p e o y, by oy , med th e additi nal sur n am e an d arms of ra n d w as raised to the o T cy, a

’ eera e in 183 as Baron ud e of ddin n rd udele s rin i p g 8, S el y To gto . Lo S y p c

al estate ein in l u esters ire h had in 114 s ld the M rville p b g G o c h , e , 8 , o o

r ert a ut 1l 6 a res w i in luded the all an d rin i al art of p op y, bo c , h ch c H p c p p the v illa e an d w i exten ded to it in six undred ards of the g , h ch w h h y

use at Alden am to the late Sir erdin an d Ri ard A t n retain in Ho h , F ch c o , g

nl the atr na e of the ivin the tit es an d a few small ie es ofland o y p o g L g, h , p c in diff n t f r h of lle tin t em ef re ere parts o the parish fo t e purpose co c g h , b o the Tithe Comm utation Act did aw ay with all difficulties in that respect. Thus hav e w e traced the Church property at Morville through the

ands ofits v ari us ssess rs e lesias ti s an d la m en for m re t an 800 h o po o , cc c y , o h

ears a an d seen h ow it b de rees e am e en tirel div erted fr m its y b ck, y g b c y o

ri in al use l st the rman arl R er Belesme in 1068 w ho o g ; , by No E , og , , ab lis ed the i t an nries t en existin an d av e the adv w s n of the o h e gh c o h g, g o o

ivin to rew s ur A e 2n d R ert etun is of ereford L g Sh b y bb y ; , by ob B , B hop H ,

11 w h o a r riated all the tit es reat and small for the en efit of 38 , pp op h , g , b th sam e A e n d rd the s oliati n of t at Ab e in its turn e bb y ; a 3 , by p o h b y by

enr . 54 n d the sa rile i us ran t to la m en for t eir riv ate H y VIII , 1 5 , a c go g y h p a randisem en t of r ert w i had een dev ted its i us d n rs to gg , p op y h ch b o by p o o o i l the service of Almighty God an d the religious teachin g of H s peop e .

us al v en M rv ille itself n e the ead of a ax n and Th so ha e w e se o , o c H S o

m da dr d t n tre of a reat m an r an d the M t er urch Do es y Hun e , he ce g o , o h Ch of a s till reater aris l se all t ese di nities an d e me a villa e of n o g p h, o h g b co g i an d n ei b ur d an d as a seat of mportan ce in the affairs of the coun ty gh o hoo ,

— r d ar w ev er to m an of us an d provin cial gov ernm en t n othing; v e y e ho y , i tures ue to the trav el blest with peace an d good w ill; v ery pleas an t an d p c q ’ h m err eal of t se ler s eye ; still cheered on festive occasion s by t e y p ho i f ancien t silv ery bells ; still invited by their holy melody to serv ces o prayer 56

n raise and t eir v r chime at fun r l s th d a d p , by h e y e a s, a e bo y of each departed Christian approaches the Church (a peculiar olden custom in this ’ aris still c mf rtin the m urners hearts and raisin t to t p h), o o g o g hem he

u ts of the resurrecti n to eternal lif d d d tho gh o e, an a better an en uring

niti nd tit es of it ass aw a -t us do n t t n nd societ e o f dig es a l , p y, h i sti u io s a i s m n u ful and rev ered in their time but su e t to th corm tions o f e , se , bj c e p

uman nature c me to an end and disa e r while the f and l h , o pp a ; air ho y edifices they hav e erected long outlast the builders of them . Thus do influen tial families rise an d fall and leave ir ss si s to t ers an d , the po es on o h ” their posterity praise their saying. Let us rather praise God that His

rd d es n ot ass awa but n duret for t th m r i us Wo o p y, e h ev er ; tha e sa e p ec o

' o fiers ofsalv ation through a crucified and ascended Sav iour are still publicly

r ed—t at the same reeds the sam e Psalms the r same Pra e rs p each h C , , ve y y to a r at exten t wit the im ortant advanta e of ein in our n ativ e r . g e , h p g b g ( )

ton ue and wit s me n e essar missi n s to make them a ree wit l g , h o c y o o , g h Ho y

cri ture are used in our ur es n w with w our f re er S p , Ch ch o hich o fath s — w orshipped God in days of yore that the same hopes and assurances o f

aven ar ffered to n coura e us to olin ess and virtue n ow w i eered He e o e g h , h ch ch and su rt the thful s nts of our common OR n ot n l 0 ppo e d fai erva L D o y 80 , but 1800 years ago .

FINIS .

A P P E N D I X .

The absolute dominion of a foreign conqueror over a subj ect coun tr and ver his own ieftains w as r a l n v m r m l tel y o ch , p ob b y e er o e co p e y show n t an t is act of illiam w ic he r ved his aut rit xten din h by h W I, by h h p o ho y e g o ver all parts of Englan d except the six n orthern coun ties ; n ot m erely dealin wit the eneral ri n ci les of its v ernm en t an d le islati n but g h g p p go g o , lookin ginto the smallest matters ofdetail an d requiringfrom each in dividual

fl in t M n ri h older o and a m u e account of all his property. uch has bee ght l aid latel of the ro ected nfis ati n of the in d m of Oude and of y s y p j co c o k g o , the injustice as w ell as impruden ce of such a sw eeping m easure ; but the Norman con querors of En glan d w ere troubled with n o such scruples ; on the first appearan ce of in surrection they absolutely possessed themselv es of

l lan d an d suffered on l a few of the ax n an es to retain an the w ho e , y S o Th y

f it ce t in a su rdinate siti n . Kin illiam a rti n ed it part o , ex p bo po o g W ppo o

rants to the rin ci al of his f rei n c m ani n s in arms and in large g p p o g o p o ,

h t un il of the n ati n t is act of mesda to compelled t e grea co c o by h Do y,

' in i f of th ackn owledge him as the own er ch e e con quered territory. No w on der then that the Saxon s looked upon this Dom esday survey as the badge of their complete subjugation an d spoke of it in the stron gest term s

d i r th n r ni l under the r 1 Thus w e fin t ecorded in e Saxo ch o c e yea 085 .

t is the Kin had a reat meetin wit his itan n rnin thi After h , g g g h W co ce g s 60

land how it w as leased out and to w at in d m n . n , h k of e The sent he his m en ov er all England into ev ery shire and directed them to ascertain ho w m an un dred ides w ere in eac s ire an d w at i y h h h h , h quant ty of land the

Kin im self eld and how mu st c w as u on the land d h gh h , ch o k p , an w at due s h u th elv m nth m h e o ght to hav e by e tw e o fro each s ire . Also he cause d to be re rded in writin how muc land his arch is s ld and h co g, h b hop he , is

is s and his a ts and his earls and thou take l n to t ll it b hop , bbo , , ( gh I o g e ,) w at and how much eac man who w as tenant of land u i d i h h , , occ p e w thin

n land or in stoc and how muc mone it w as worth . ex din l E g , k, h y So cee g y narrowl did he cause the investi ation to be made that h not n y g , t ere w as o e sin le ide n or on e ard ofland na m reov er —it is a dis ra e to r un g h , y , y , o , g c eco t it but he considered it no dis rac to do it - ~n ith an ox n r a w n , g e , e er , o co , or a swine w as t en left ic w n ot wri n d in hi r d all , h , w h h as tte own s ecord; an

As another ins tance of the strong will of the Conqueror and the iron rule he exercised w e read the f ll win in the same chr nicl under the , o o g o e

ear 1 Am n st t er matters t is must n o m ean s f r otten y 087. o g o h , h by be o g ; the good peace that he made in this land; so that a man of property might

o him self l n v er his realm unhurt a in his bosom firll of ld. g by a o e o , h v g go

No man dared to sla an h r ho reat scatter the evil he had don to y ot e , w g e ” the other . 6

used castles to be built and oor men to be made to la our eavil . ca , p b h y

Th kin w as din l m and to o from his su ects man a e g so excee gy ste , k bj y

“ d d ounds of silv er t at he too b ri t and merk of gol an d m ore hundre p , h k y gh

ss an d h loved reedin ess a ve all. He instituted a reat rotecti n ne , e g bo g p o

d he esta lis ed law s t erewit that w oso er sl art or for deer ; an b h h h , h ev ew h

in d h e sh uld be linded he fbrbid the harts and th e oars also to be h , o b ; b

‘ l in s o mu h e l v ed the tall deer as if he w as "t eir father Also he s a ; ch o , h .

I mm an ded res e tin the ares that t e must have free fi re . His ric co p c g h , h y h

n lam en ted it an d th e miserable le murmured at it but so firm w as m e , peop ;

‘ h e that h e ared n t in for the ill will of the w ole of t em et must , c o h g h h ; y

’ n ir l f ll in s le if t w is ed to live or ossess they e t e y o ow the k g p asure, hey h p

t eir lan d or r ert or ave od uiet. Alas 1t at an man s ould h , p op y, h go q h y h

be s o r ud an d t us exalt himself and oast a ov e all men . Ma the p o , h b b y

Almi t m r to hi soul and rant him for iveness of his gh y God show e cy s , g g 6 1

he abolished and thoroughly eradicated the worship of idols from all parts of his dominions ; caused the name of Chris t to be preached in ev ery corn er of his in dom m n l s He was in k g , and built churches in a y p ace . k g of est Mer i .D i f d r at enloc W c a, A . 675 . Sa nt Milburg ounde a nunne y W k, and re ided t erein as A ss and uri d t ere. She had tw o sisters p s h bbe , w as b e h ,

ain t Milr ed an ai t Mil the and one r t er Merefin a ut of S d S n gy , b o h , , yo h tr n d n t rville a scen a t piety. It is very possible that the first church a Mo ma hav n o f e ref rr d to if so it was no d u t involved y e bee ne o those abov e e ; , o b in the m in w hich befell Wenlock and all the religious Houses at the tim e of the n st f i the an es ut A.D . 74 . enloc w as co que o Merc a by D , abo 8 W k re-f unded rior to n ot a nunn r but as a lle e of secular o , p 1035 , as e y, co g

ler m inin accordin to the ax ustom more or less of the mon c gy, co b g, g S on c netic ara ter fri ho arl ofMer ia in anute ch c , by Leo c, w w as made E c by k g C , in 1017 . Mr . ton inf rm us t at ides enl eofri is said to Ey o s h bes W ock, L c

ave f un ded end w ed or nefited li i H us s at ven tr Leo h o , o , be Re gous o e Co y, minster v esham or ester n d t er l es or rat er to av e rest red , E , W c , a o h p ac , h h o t em for t had l h n ruined dur in the h , hey al previously existed ; but ad bee g

tr disturban ces of the century and half which followed the Danish ou age .

He w as us and of the ad div a an d etton w as a art of her h b L y Go , as Ch p d w er it is not im r a le t at M rville l in exactl etween the tw o o , p ob b h o , y g y b districts ma ave een r - uilt a ut t d leas w e n w , y h b e b bo he same perio ; at t k o that it was existing as a Collegiate Church w ith eight Canons in the time of Kin dw ard the nfe r w it w m fri arl of Mer ia w as a g E Co sso , h ho Leo c. E c , s cial fav uri . ndeed as mesda inf t t Kin Edw ard th e pe o te I , Do y orms us ha g

o nfess r had M rv ille in his ow n ldin it is v er r a le t at its C o o ho g, y p ob b h reli i us st li men t ma ave een f unded or rest red t at l go e ab sh y h b o , o , by h ho y man n d t of th ax n in s of n l nd. A ut the ear 1080 th e a las e S o k g E ga bo y ,

orman arl er Belesme esta lis ed a n ew an d stri tl m n asti N E , Rog , b h c y o c ” rder oft in s nl re resen ted in m esda the w rd A e o h g at We ock, p Do y by o bb y , and en dow ed it with nearly all its old possession s ; but it still retained its old name ofthe church of Saint Milburg. 62

Page

D ANEGELT.

Danegelt w as a annual tax laid on the whole Anglo Saxon -nation

in t elred A. D . 99 1for the ur fm in in in by k g E h , , p pose o a ta g such a numbe r of forces as w ere thought sufficien t to clear the British seas of Dan ish

ira s w ho reatl an n ed our fi id p te g y oy coasts . It w as at rst Is . on ev ery h e o f lan d an d as t ere w ere ides of lan d in n land it raised ; h h E g ,

ax n un ds e al in uan tit of silv un s ter S o po , qu q y er to po d s lin an d in effi a to m re t an un f g; c cy o h po ds o our money. It w as afterw ards raised to as m u s m e sa as 4 3. the ide . dw ard th e ch , o y , h E

f r mit d i x i Con essor e te th s ta ; Will am I. an d II . reassumed it occasion ally .

’ i f n it In the re gn o He ry I. w as accounted amon g the kin gs stan ding rev e n ues but Kin te en on his r nati n da abr ated it for ev er . N 0 ; g S ph , co o o y , og

ur or ur lan d aid an t in to the an e elt e ause as is set ch ch ch ch p y h g D g , b c f rt in an an ien t ax n law the e le of n lan d la ed m re n fiden o h c S o , p op E g p c o co ce in the prayers o fthe Church than in an y military defen ce they could m ake — l En cyc . Britt.

D .

( Page

THE SEVERN .

F full a un t ofMo rfe rest in its an tien t state I m a refer ou or a cco Fo , y y

’ ' n dix t th R v ll An ti m ties of Brid to n ote A in the appe o e e . G . Be ett s q g n rt —but I ann t resist the leasure o f u tin the f ll w in uain t o h, c o p q o g o o g q lin s of th et r den w h o lived etw een 15 63 an d 1631 an d w r te a e e po D y , b , o ” m alled P l - O lbion or a des ri ti n o the differen t n lis r iv ers poe c o y , c p o f E g h ;

r f rs ret il to the utiful situati n of rew s ur in w hich he e e p t y bea o Sh b y,

n ir l d th e ev ern on all sides but on e — an 'l als to sm all Mar e c c e by S , o

r ke th stream w i div ides Ast n fr m M rv ille an d is lik ew ise B oo , e h ch o o o ,

w een ardin t n an d elm arsh — an d in w i he s w s the boun dary bet E g o Ch , h ch ho that the lofty an d picturesque red rock on w hich Bridgnorth stands had

ti n an d a a o m lim n t to the attra ti n s of Morfe en gaged his atten o ; p ys c p e c o ,

i h ea s of as at that tim e a f rest in v itin for its s ade an d m ild w h ch e sp k , o , g h — tem perature charm s w ith w hich those person s w ho h av e w an dered ev en

in its l d on di i n alo n its t rn undar amid the s ad presen t a tere c t o g w es e bo y, h y

63

groves and steep declivities ofthe High Rock the Hermitage and beautiful

m Hill will t ankfull ac n wled e d re i make Bow an , h y k o g , an jo ce to “ pastime in on every leisure opportunity

i m h in a Mont om ri F rst Ca let comet , g e an mayde ; ’ Her source in Severno e banks that safely havinglaydo. ‘ l her r a mis ss next at hrewsb d h Me e, g e t tre S ury ot meet, To see with what a grace she that faire towns doth greet

In hat sundr s her wondered f h to w y gyre sel e s e throwes,

- h And oft in isles t e shore, as wantonly she flowes ; i O fit ott tak ngleave, oft turns it to embrace :

As thou h n gh s e o ely were enamoumd ofthat place,

Her fore intended course determined to leave

And to that most loved Towns eternally to cleave With much ado at length, yet biddingit adne, Her journey toward the sea doth steadily pursue swee Where, as alongthe shores she prosperonsly doth p ; Small Mar brooks maketh in to her enticingDeepe

’ And as she l l f s ends her eye to Brnge s o ty ight,

' That Forest n m h e doth kindl her invite y p , mild Morfi , y

To see within her shade what pastime she could make.

Where she of Shropshire I my leave of Severus take.

The editi n of ra t n from hi I i h a v e ines is a ver old o D y o , w ch cop ed t e bo l , y ’ one at Sir illiam urtis s a n am ourt with ma s of the riv ers an , W C , C y h C , p , d repm entingthe brooks flowinginto them as nymphs with dishevelled hair sittin or l in r linin on i r xtract g, y g ec g the banks of the ma n ri v e . If my e m ade astil t re ears a o is c rre t t n has mitted ern and h y h e y g o c , Dray o o T

ound ro s the lat iv s e to tw o villa es ond ver and C b ok ; ter g e nam g , C o ” ‘ ound and must a me ith afiection as water C , lways be remembered by w , ing the pari sh in which I ministered for three years and a half on my first cominginto Shropshire .

D r . enr in his ist r of n l n d w rites as f ll w s on the H y, h o y E ga , o o ,

f l th t few or n n e subject o these trials by ordea . If w e suppose a o es n i ti h x s m selv to se fier trials w e s all caped co vc on w o e po ed the es tho y , h

H els is a m all brook f om w i h Mc near S rew sbur takes its name . e r h ch t e village ofBrace olc. h y , 64

h ri oft se times contain innum be very much mistaken . For t e histo es ho er a le exam es of ers ns lun in t eir na ed arms int ilin w ater b fl p o p g g h k o bo g ,

dlin hot l of ir n and w al in u on urni l han g red ba ls o , k g p b ng p ough shares

uzzl nt for this and dis sed to t in t at r vid l p ed to accou , po h k h P o ence gracious y in terposed in a miraculous manner for the preservation of injured inno

x mi r cir l i cen ce . But if w e e a ne eve y cumstance of those fiery o rdea s w th due attenti n w e s all see sufi cient reas n to u t t t th w l as o , h o s spec ha e ho e w

im i n t a gross pos tio on the creduli y of mankin d. The accus ed person w as committed w holly to the care of the priest who w as to perform the ce re m n t ree da s ef re the trial in w i h d tim n u to in o y, h y b o , h ch he a e e o gh barga w ith him for his deliverance ; an d giv e him in structions ho w to act his

f n o r part. O n the day o trial pe son w as permitted to enter the church but the accus ed ers n till after th ir n w as ted w en tw elv e frien ds of p o , e o hea , h the a user and tw elv e of the a used an d no m re w ere admitted and cc , cc , o , ranged alon g the w all on each side at a respectable distan ce . After the ir n w as ta n out of the fire sev eral ra ers w ere said the ac used o ke , p y ; c dran a cu of l w ater an d s rin led his and w it it w i mi t k p ho y , p k h h , h ch gh ta i l if in d ke a cons derab e time the priest w as ulgen t. The space of nine feet w as m easured the a cused imself w it his ow n feet an d h uld by c h h , e w o

l i n l probab y gv e but sca ty measure . He w as obliged on y to touch on e of the m ar s w it the toe of his ri t f t an d all w ed to stretc th k h gh oo , o h e other f t as far t w ards th t er mar as he c uld so t at the c nv e an c oo o e o h k o , h o y e was alm st in stantan e us . His and w as n ot immediatel exam in ed but o o h y ,

f t at d wrapped in a cloth prepared or h purpose three ays . May w e n o t then fr m all t s r auti n s sus ect t at t ese riests w ere in ssessi n of o he e p ec o , p h h p po o some secret that secured the han d from the impre ssion s of such mom en tary touch ofhot iron ; or removed all appearan ces ofthese im pression s in three

of is se ret w n t sa r s n u days ; and that they made use th c he hey w ea o . S ch readers as are curious in matters of this kin d m ay fin d tw o different dir ec tions for making ointments that w ill hav e thi s effect in an old book called

’ D u Can e s los ar . at r atl stren t en s t ese sus i i n s is t at g G s y Wh g e y gh h p c o , h w e m eet w ith n o example of any champion of the church w ho suffered the least injury from the touch of hot iron in this ordeal; but when an y-one w as so f l- ard s to a eal to it or to t at of hot w ater wit a view to oo h y a pp , h , h de riv e the c ur of an of her ssessi n s he n ev er failed to urn his p h ch y po o , b ” fin ers an d l s hi o t th g o e s cause . It is right how ever here t observe tha e learn ed aut r ofth a o e who w as a mem r of th i t ofAn ti ua ho e b v , be e Soc e y q 65

rian s of cotland w as a res terian minister. I av uo e S , P by h e q ted th passage

as iv in his ex lanation of the matter and the enerall re i n an g g p g y ce ved o e, d also as en umeratingthe precautions which w ere allow ed to be taken in favor

ofthe accused.

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u m rs. QUATFORD CHURCHY ARD .

“ is old ex ressi n the a s deriv ed fr m the ren w d Th p o , h y , o F ch or les ” ” aies ed es at a tim w n th un r h , h g , e he e co t y w as n ot in such an en closed “ ” state as at resen t w as the ri in of the n am e the Ha farm in ardin p , o g y , E g

ton tow n s i an d is a mm n n am e for old n l r l r h p, co o e c osur es in sev e a pa ts

of n l n d d l u E ga an e sew here . Th s la Haye sain te w as the n am e of on e

of the leadin siti n s on th e field of aterl an d is cele rated as the g po o W oo , b spot w here the Duke ofWellin gton an d Marshal Blucher m et an d con gratu

la n an h nin a ted o e other on t e ev e g of th t glorious v ictory.

Th e use of the w ord in the Quatford Endow m ent Deed remin ds me also

t at I s uld n ot mit to n ti t at n ient u m uli to f rd h ho o o ce h a c c sto pec ar Quat o ,

or ertainl n ot a v er c mm n on e as I v e n ev er eard ofit elsew ere ( c y y o o , ha h h ,) ” called Ha m ents w i the w all r und the ur - ard exten di n y , by h ch o ch ch y , g

two un dred an d sev ent ards is a orti n ed etw een the f ll win nine h y y , pp o b o o g

r erties in the aris w i are d i mem rial usa e to ee p op p h, h ch boun by m o g k p

ertain len t s of it in fixed re air on the a li ati n of the urc c gh p , pp c o ch h

’ ’ en s the C w ll it t n i s mill Mr . itman s tate ward ; ares e Char y es ate ; Da el ; P es ,

’ ’ ’ at ardin ton late Mr . D u a s Mrs . O ldbur s Mr . Rutter s the Ha E g , pp ; y ; ; y

’ ’ f m n ow Mr al er s r ert ord Sudele s farm at the Kn wle Mr . ar , . W k p op y ; L y , o ;

’ ’ n s at th an er and Mr . rton s at ardin t n . his w ord Hudso , e De y ; No , E go T ” Ha m ent for a c n tri uti n for the ur se of ee in th e w all of an y , o b o p po k p g

en l ur in r ir is n ot f un d in eneral di tion aries s me ers n s av e c os e epa , o g c ; o p o h thought it might be conn ected with some old arrangement respe cting the tithes ofhay ; but it seem s much more probable that it w as derived from the Norman Fren ch used in our coun try in the courts oflaw for a considera

t th ust m itself as w e ave it at ble tim e after the Con ques ; an d e c o , h

tf d m a i l d ted fr m the same earl eri d. Qua or , y poss b y be a o y p o 66

G .

( Page

’ m ar. uueu s D EATH.

’ The axon chr nicle under the ear 1098 s ea in of arl u s S o , y , p k g E H gh

d t d s ri es m ost an t n and r ar us m utilati ns er etrated the ea h , e c b w o ba b o o p p by Norman con querors of England - the an cestors of m any a n oble family ’ — the foun ders ofmany a beautiful buildingdedicated to Go d s hon our w hich m ight w ell make us hesitate before w e condemn in the sw eeping term s sometim es used—the wretched Sepoys for their alleged an d probable m uti lation of too many ofour lam ented countrym en ; especially w hen w e consider that the Normans w ere professing disciples of Him w ho cam e in to the ’ w orld n ot to destro men s liv es but to sav t em the e s w er y , e h ; S poy e

either eathen id laters of the r ssest in d w s er reli i n san ti n ed h o g o k , ho e V y go c o

and r mmen ded the m st rri le deeds of l d or else Ma me tans eco o ho b b oo , ho , the sw orn enemies of Christianity ; and that the Norman s w ere in v ading a foreign coun try for con quest an d ambition ; w hereas the Sepoys w ere

The ax n c r ni ler w ri tes as f ll w s u arl of es r S o h o c o o H gh , E Ch te , a nd u arl of rew s ur in vaded the islan d of Mev ni omm H gh, E Sh b y, a a, c on ly c alled An lese e wit an arm and slew man of the l w m t g y , h y, y We sh ho hey ur d t erein and lin ded t ers avin r vi capt e h ; b o h , h g p e ously cut offtheir hands

nd feet and mutilated t em in a mann er w hi de en f r i a , h ch c cy o b ds to m ention .

An d t e rou t f rt fr m his c ur a ertain riest adv an d in rs h y b gh o h o h ch c p ce yea ,

K nn fr m w m the els re eiv ed advi i named e ed, o ho W h c ce n the matter in w hic h they were engaged; and having mutilated him in the most rev oltin g m anner and ut out one of his e es t e cut of his t n , p y , h y o gue ; but on the third da the merc of God his s eec w as rest r d i y, by y , p h o e to h m . At that tim e Ma nus Kin of rw a son of Kin Olav e son of Kin Har ld g , g No y, g , g o

Hadrada after avin su dued the Or n e s came it , h g b k y , h her with a smallfleet

hen he was attem tin to land u arl of r w s r e out W p g , H gh, E Sh e bu y, cam a ainst him with a lar e force on the v er sea s re an d as i r d g g y ho ; , t is repo te , h e fell avin een hit an w nt , h g b by arro se from the hand of the king about ' ” s ev en da s after he had so cruell treated the af resaid ri t An d y y o p es . yet this Earl Hugh is described by the chronicler of his family as by n o means ruel for his time but amia le an d v rnin c , b , go e g his possessions with m derati n w ile he thus all d th o o , h ow e e m ost w anton atrocities to be inflicted u on an a ed min ister of hrist and t who p g C , hose w ere in open fight resisting 67

i n o f t ir un tr . A ain s uld we not l God that his inv as o he co y g , ho b ess our

t in a ier times in a m re civilized a d w n th e lot is cas h pp , o ge an he e tru prin ciples ofthe Gospel ofthe Saviour ofmen are better understood

( Page 27J

WILLIAM H. REASO NS AGAN ST REBELLIO N.

liam of Malmes ur relates in the f urt B of his histor Wil b y o h ook y,

n der th ar 188 how O do is of a eux an d un le of illiam u e ye 0 , , B hop B y c W ,

it env rev lted fr m him an d f rmed a art of rm an n le m oved w h y, o o o p y No ob s

f d m n w in favour ofDuke Robert o Norm an y. A o gthese as Roger Mo ntgom e r w ho sen din out his arm wit the els fr m rew s ur lundered y , g y h W h o Sh b y, p

’ r esters ire an d had stilel a r a ed r ester w en the in Wo c h ; ho y pp o ch Wo c , h k gs

ldi ers w ho uarded it rel in on the lessin of is ulsten to so g , y g b g B hop W ,

h c m the ust d of the astle w as mmitted t u few in n um r w c o y c co , ho gh be , dis ersed t is multitude an d after w un di n an d illin man to s m p h , o g k g y, ok o e

ofthem prisoners .

He es on to state ho w the in reas n ed wit Earl R er crafli l go k g o h og y, “ saying the n obles might hav e what they pleased; if they w an ted mon ey they might hav e it ; if an in crease oftheir estates they might hav e that also ; only let them be careful the judgment ofhis Father w as n ot called in question ; for ift e t u t it mi t be di sre arded in th e in stan e of imself it mi t h y ho gh gh g c h , gh be a bad example for them ; for the sam e pers on who hadm ade him Kingm ade ” t em arls . x ited t ese w rds an d r mises the arl w ho n xt h E E c by h o p o , E , , e to O do had ee the hief leader of the fa ti n w as the rst to d s , b n c c o , fi e ert.

The castles of ev en se an d R ester were taken O do w as taken n r P y och ; priso e ,

ut l n l n d b a low ed to quit E ga .

I.

Page 27

BISHO P WULSTAN.

The fame of is Wul tan w ho c nsecrated uatf rd ur B hop s , o Q o Ch ch , w as so ustl reat am n his c untr m en for his s ctit and th ir um j y g o g o y an y, e c c stan ces o fhis life w ere so remar a le t at an u tf r i k b , h accoun t ofQ a o d n its early state ma fairl contain thi f y y s urther n otice of him . In a cotemporary chronicle 68

Fl rence o f rcester w ho had c nversed wit him w by o , Wo , o h , e hav e the f him following accoun t o . AD . 1062 The Reverend Wulstan w as i f f Bishop of Worcester . Th s av ourite o G od w as born in that part of the

Mercian territ r l in w it in arwi kshire of reli i us r n o y y g h W c , go pa e ts, his

’ ’ father s name being Ealtstan and his mother s Wulgeov a ; but he became a proficien t in literature and ecclesiastical duties in the monastery o f Pete r

r u . t his arents w ere so dev ut t at l n ri r to their d bo o gh Bo h p o , h o g p o eaths , t to th v w of astit and se arated re i in to finis t eir li hey ok e o s ch y p , jo c g h h ves in the h abit of holy con v ersation . Incited by these examples an d chiefly in sti ated his m t er he uitted the w rld and in the sam e m n a t r g by o h , q o , o s e y

’ of rceste r w ere his fat er had als lived in d s servi e receiv ed th Wo , h h o Go c , e m nasti a its and rade fr m the enera le Brihtea is of o c h b g o V b g, B hop that

ur who als ordain ed him to the rades of deacon and ri Ch ch , o g p est ; and strai tw a ente rin o n a severe an d stri tl reli i us life t in w at hin gh y g c y go , bo h c g, fastin ra er and all inds of v irtues he ui l e ame an g, p y , k , q ck y b c object of admirati n . ence on a un t of his stri tn ess he w as at fir st a o o H , cco c , pp inted m ast r an d w arden o f the urc an d afterw ards in ns uen f hi e ch h ; , co eq ce o s

ill in the ur ffi the elders a in ted him to be ant r sk ch ch o ces , ppo ch e and h treasurer of the church . The custody oft e church being then committed to him he em raced the rtun it of servin God w it less restrain t , b oppo y g h ,

ivin imself u to a c n tem lativ e life in in t th e urc da and g g h p o p , go g o ch h y

i t to ra an d read the i le and dili en tl m rtif in his od n gh p y B b , g y o y g b y by

’ f sts o tw o or t ee da s dur ati n . dev ted w as he to sa red vi ils a f h y o So o c g ,

w h hims lf aw a e duri n the n i t but da and that no t only ould e keep e k g gh , y ni t als an d w at w e w uld ardl elieve un less w e eard it fr m his gh o, h o h y b h o ow n m ut ssin f ur da s an d ni ts wit ut slee so t at his ar ed o h , pa g o y gh ho p ; h p ch u rain w uld be in reat dan er if he did n ot asten to satisf the de p b o g g , h y m and fn l n of n atur s o ature w ith a tas te of s eep. And w hen the urge cy e at las t m elled him to slee he did n ot am er his lim s restin on a co p p, p p b by g bed or v erin but w uld lie d wn for a s rt tim e on one ofthe en es co g, o o ho b ch of the ur restin his on i h h d us d for ra in ch ch , g head the book w h ch e a e p y g or r adin . metim e afterw ard th r r d m w as on the deat of e g So e ev e en an , h

A elw in ri r of the m naste r a oin is Aldred to be ri r g , p o o y, pp ted by B hop p o

f t r f h n r i i ffi fill d in a l uda le m an ner an d a he o t e co g egat on . Th s o ce he e a b ,

n o m ean s a tin th aus terit of his f rmer av i ur but rat er by ba g e y o beh o , h in reasin it in rder to ive to t ers the exam le of a od life . en c g , o g o h p go Th after the la se of a few ears Aldred is o f rcester ein ele ted p y , , B hop Wo , b g c to the Ar is ri of Y o r all th ler and lait unanimousl ele ted chb hop c k , e c gy y y c

70

would urn the cit of orcester s oil the ur of God and St. they b y W , p ch ch

Mar and take heav ven ean ce on the lo al in a itants. O n earin y, y g y h b h g hi r r nd ather ulfstan is of r ter a man of reat t s.the e ve e F W , B hop Wo ces ( g

i t and d ve-like sim icit one el ved ofG od an d the eo le w m he p e y o fl y, b o p p ho

in in as con t an d faithful to th kin his eart l l rd ruled all th gs, stan e g as h y o ), w as exceedingly troubled; but soon recoveri ng confidence by the m ercy of

God alrmd like another Moses re ared himself to stan d manfull , y, , p p y by

his pe0 p1e and his city. While they made ready their arms to repel the

enem he oured f rth su licati ns for th i ndin d n r exh rtin y, p o pp o e mpe g a ge , o g

’ hi eo le that the des air n ot of d s assis tan since He fi ts neither s p p y p Go ce, gh

w ith sw ord nor s ear. Meanw ile th rm n in unsel entreate d p h , e No a s tak g co ,

the Bisho to remove from the urc into th castle amrmin t at t e p ch h e , g h h y

w ould be the more secure reason of his r s n e if reater dan er by p e e c , a g g

d h u h su h shoul appen to attack them ; for they loved him greatly. B t e ( c

w as his inda of dis odtion ass ted to ir re uest m v ed h s k p ) en the q , o by i

fidelit to the kin and his aff ti n to m M ile the e is y g ec o the selves . eanwh , p cO pal household was courageously preparing for the contest ; the garriso n

and the w ole of the citizens assem led declarin t at the w uld m eet h b , g h y o ’ the enem on the other side o fthe v ern id t the is s y Se , prov ed always tha B hop

license be tained. Bein armed and read t e met him on his w a to ob g y, h y y

the castle and e ed th hi sentin , b gg e license w ch they desired; to whom as g ” freel Go said he m ildren o in in se urit wit the y, , , y ch , g peace , go c y, h

lessin of God and mine. rustin in the Lord I romise ou t is da b g T g , p y h y that n o sw rd s all in ure ou n o mis a s n o adversar . Be firm in ur o h j y , h p , y yo

alle ian ce to the Kin manfull fi tin for th safet of the e le and g g, y gh g e y p op ” the it . it t ese w ds t e ur a usl r ssed the rid e and c y W h h or , h y co geo y c o b g , . e eld the nem m l b h e y approaching rapidly at a distan ce . Amongthe a ready ra ed the madn ess of w ar for des isin the mmands ofthe is t e g ; , p g co B hop, h y had urn t m an ortion s ofhis territo n h eard t is the is b y p y . Whe e h h , B hop was stri c en wit reat s rr w ldin th d ti n o the r ert of k h g o o , beho g e estruc o f p op y the c urc and ta in unsel laun ed a ain t t m the adv i e of h h ; k g co , ch g s he , by c

all w ho w ere resen t a eav anat m in r laimin p , h y he a. A w onderful th g, p oc g m ost clearl the w er of God an d the dn s o f h man am e to ass y po goo es t e , c p ; for immediatel the enem who w ere w and rin v er the fields y y, e g scattered o , w ere stri en wit so reat a w ea n ess in t eir lim s an d enfee led ck h g k h b , b by su lin dn ess ofthe utw ard e e t t e l a le to ear t eir ch b o y , ha th y w ere hard y b b h arms ; they could neither recogn ise their frien ds n or distinguish those w ho were attac in t em . W ile lindn ess de ived t m nfidence in Go d k g h h b ce he , co 7 1

’ and the is s en di d were t e that B hop b e ction comforted them . So terrifie h y, th e n ew n ot how to es a e n or did t e see an mean s ofdefen e but y k c p , h y k y c ;

the w ill ofGod ein iv n min t e fell an eas by , b gg e ov er to a reprobate d, h y y

re in to th n the rse p y e hands o ftheir enemies. The footmen w ere slai ; ho m en a tured n lis r an s an Wels m en the rest ust es a in c p , E g h , No m , d h ; j c p g b a fee le fli t. s ho w r f it ful the in al n wit the y b gh Tho e w e e a h to k g, o g h h use ld o f the is full exultin returned wit ut loss to their o ho B hop joy y g, ho h m es th an in G f th f r r of the urc and o , k g od or e safety o the p ope ty Ch h ,

t n i th i ha k ng e B shop for the w holesomen ess ofhis counsel. — A.D . 109 . Th n r l d x l n t m n ulfstan is of 5 e v e e ab e an e cel e a , W , b hop

the l ur of r ester fr m ut set a art to the servi e of God ho y ch ch Wo c , o yo h p c ,

after m an hard stru les w i for the sa e of ain in the l r of y gg , by h ch ( k g g go y the heav enly kingdom) with great dev outn ess an d humility he had earnestly

erv ed God in the ni of turda th 1th of an uar an d in the s , ght Sa y, e 8 J y,

middle of the sev ent ur de arted t is life in the ear 5299 fr m the h ho , p h , y o

be in nin o f the orld in the 10 4th fr m the assi n of the rd a rd g g w , 8 o p o Lo cco

in to the s el in th 4 l st from th rriv l of th An les in ritain , g Go p , e 7 e a a e g B

his in the 498th fr m the arriv al of St. Au ustin e in the 18th lustrum of o g ,

n life . In a w n derful mann er in th v er ur of his de arture he ow o , e y ho p ,

ar d in visi n t f f hi h had es e iall l v ed appe e a o to hat rien d o s whom e p c y o ,

ert is of B eref w ho w as w it him at the n se rati n of Rob , B hop o ( h co c o “ uatf rd ur in th t wn alled ri lade and omman ded him to Q o ch ch e o c C ck , c

asten to r ster in rder to ur him . God suffered n o m an to rem v e h Wo ce o . b y o from his finger the ring along w ith w hich he had received the pon tifical

en edi ti n t at after d t th e l man mi t n ot seem to de eiv e his b c o , h ea h ho y gh c people ; for he had often said to them that he would n ever lose it during ” is life or ev en on th da ofhis ur ial. h , n e y b “ O n the da ef re the n n es of A ril 4th A ril at ni t stars w ere y b o o p ( p ), gh , ” seen as it w ere to fall fr m the sk . R ert is of eref rd a , , o y ob , B hop H o ,

m an o f reat iet died on uesda the th of the alen ds of ul 26th g p y, T y, 6 k J y (

un e 109 ulfstan is of r ester on the th da after his J ), 5 ; W , B hop Wo c , 30 y

de arture out of t is w orld re—a eared to him in a visi n and s ar l p h , pp o , h p y

re rim an ded him for his n e li en e an d idlen ess adm n is ed him to a l p g g c , o h pp y

imselfto the ref rmati n ofhis own life an d t at ofthe e le m mitted h o o , h p op co

to his ar e as w atchfirll as he w as a le an d t at if he w uld do t is ch g , y b ; h o h ,

d for all his in he told him that he w ould soon obtain a pardon from Go s s. And he added that he w ould n ot longsit in the seat in which he then sat ; but

t at ifhe w uld be m re w a ful h uld feast wit him in the resence h o o tch , e sho h p 72

f o God. For both these fathers w ere mutually attached to one another by strongaffection in the love of God; and therefore it is credible that he who had first ne from t is life to G od s uld feel a s li itude for the el v ed go h , ho o c b o one w m he had left in the w rld an d d v d n i ho o , shoul ha e o e h s utmost endeav ours that they might more speedily rejoice together in the presen ce ” ofGod.

These long quotations contain an in teresting an d in sev eral re spects an instru tive a count of a m an of emin ent fait i t w ose virtues c c h and p e y, h , irreproachable con duct and firmn ess of character were ackn owledged by the n uerors of his untr c mm nd d t nd m lled co q co y, o a e their respec , a co pe . them in s ite of t e p h mselv es to give up their inten tion to depose him. At the same time t ese extracts e r n , h r p ese t in a strikingmann er the exaggerated reli i us feelin of th se times w en so far fr m it in t u t wron go g o , h , o be g ho gh g or c n trar to Scri ture it w ma in f o y p , as i g ed to be meritorious or a husban d and wife to se ar te alt t er in t eir adv ancin e rs and ivin u th p a oge h h gy a , , g g p e duties and res on si ilities ofa state rdain d God to enter in t differ n t p b o e by , o e con ven ts for the rest oftheir liv es in the hope of ser vingHim more accept

' a l —w en v r ri ies an d su odil rivati ns and snfierin s as b y, h se e e auste t ch b y p o g almost produced insanity w ere considered fit ac companiments and to a certain degree marks an d proofs of superior dev otion and piety ; and when it w as n o t thought sufi cient to record such a panic as has often caused large armies engaged in plundering to be beaten by a few resolute m en (an d w i w as indeed an an sw er ut t r u natural auses to th e effectual h ch , b h o gh c ferven t ra er of a ri ous man it ut ttri utin it to miraculous p y ghte ), w ho a b g a enc . u h w ev r w as the s irit of t se tim es A ren c autho r g y S c ho e , p ho F h of our da ierr on the rman n uest writes in a different t ne y, Th y, No Co q , o , w en s ea in of is ulfstan he des cri es anot er ev ent of his life h p k g B hop W , b h , so rem ar a le t t I will n lude t is a unt insertin it. k b , ha co c h cco by g All the religious authority had passed into the han ds ofmen offoreign extraction ; and of all the ancient Saxon prelates there remained only

ulfstan is of r ester . He w as a man ofw ea an d sim le min d W , B hop Wo c k p ,

n a a le of an act of darin who after a m mentar ex itement of i c p b y g, o y c h e had rendered them every service in his pow er ; he had made pastoral

’ v isits and proclaimed the kings amnesty in those provinces where the pacification hitherto remained incomplete ; he had marched in person to bar the passage of the Severn again st Roger of Hereford; but he was of

n lis des nt and li the rest his da of trial arri ved. In the ear E g h ce , ke , y y

74

( Page 30

Pas nm s ms s or BRID GNO RTH.

The t ree r en ds of alt n Underton an d M rville h p eb W o , , o , seem to hav e represented that portion ofthe original gran t to Quatford Church m en tion ed in the nd w m en t eed as the t ird art of the tith es ofMembrefeld n E o D h p e , a d w hi w ere afterw ards atta ed to St. Mar Ma dalen e rid n r ch ch y g , B g o th . O n the f rfeiture o f arl R ert Belesme A. . 1102 w at v o E ob , D , h e er he had held in dem esn e becam e then ceforth demesne ofthe Crow n : an d such parts of t is lan d as st d in M r ville Un derton alt n L e an d r a h oo o , , W o , y , pe h ps Harps ford w ere at som e early an d un recorded period gran ted by the Crow n to th e a v e re en ds in the R al lle iate ur in the astl of rid n bo p b oy Co g Ch ch C e B g orth .

t n t at la ri us re e n Mr . Ey o with h bo o s arch a d min uten ess for w hich his wor k is so rem arkable has trace d out with m uch probability som e of the v arious

l i ti who eld t ese referm en ts as m u ecc es as cs h h p ch as 600 years ago . A fe w

s it ma be w ell to re rd. In 1255 the ten ure o f t in stan ce y co , hese three canon s o f Sain t Mary Magdalen e in Morville Manor w as estim ated in th e

un dr d lls for r s ire at 3 vir ates i. e . 2 10 acres and H e Ro Sh op h } g , , , they w ere

free ofall suite of Court.

23rd. anuar 1204 . Kin n at estmin s r i th ean an d J y, g Joh W te nform s e D

a ter of ru t at he has nfer red on his ler Master n de Lei Ch p B g, h co C k , Joh

oester t at re en d in the ur of r u w i had el n ed to th e Pri r , h p b ch ch B g h ch b o g o ofMoun t Walter in Champagn e ; an d they are to receiv e him as their fellow

n us w e fin d t at in 120 the re en d of M rville in th ur cano . Th h 3, p b o e ch ch

of ru i. e . rid n rt w as eld a f rei n er . B g, B g o h , h by o g

0th . v em er 1205 . Kin n resen ts en r Ar dea n ofStaf 3 No b , g Joh p H y, ch co

’ f rd to the re end w i w as Master n de ei ester s . is w as enr o , p b h ch Joh L c Th H y

nd n who fr m his Ar dea nr w as r m ted in 12 1 to be r de Lo o , o ch co y p o o 3, A ch

bishop of Dublin . He w as presen ted to Worfield Church by King Joh n on the same day as that on which he w as collated to the preben d of Brug; an d ’ n arlier 1th . Au ust 1203 m ade ean of ain t Mar s al had bee e ( 3 g ) D S y , S op ; a dignity w hich he held with his Archbishopric till 1226 ; an d w as repeat ’ f edly a Judge in the Kings Cour ts dur in g the ten first years o John .

' r 12 . enr Ar deac n ofStafiord av in resi n ed alter 23rd Ma ch , 08 H y, ch o h g g , W

de Castello is presen ted to his v acan t prebend; and the Dean and Chapter

are to assign him a stall in the choir an d a seat in the chapter . ’ u u 1 . illi m de Eiscam the in s si ian is to 22nd. A g st 263 W a p , k g phy c , 75

ave t at re en d of ru w i en r de an le deceased la l h h p b B g h ch H y L g y, , te y held. In the v aluation of 129 1(when Nicholas Bruyn w as holdin gthis preben d) its in com e w as osten sibly as follow s

At Mo m erfelde 30 acres ofland w rt 4d er r , , o h . p acre pe annum

Mead w lan d avera in in 6 ears the an n ual al o , g g y v ue of.

R n ts & e , c

£1 8 3}

But this v aluation includes only the tem poralities ofthe prebend.

In 15 35 on e n amed is er w as ssessed of t is re en d. Its value in , F h po h p b

- i i glebe lan ds an d other th n gs s put at £6 .

f rm ti n w en the ean er of rid n rt w as di ss lv ed the At the Re o a o , h D y B g o h o ,

li A t h i . preben d of Morv eld w as gran ted to Wil am c on Esq. an d is he rs See

’ ti hr0 Duke s An q. S p: p. 49 The preben d of Walto n or Bridge- Walton or Bridge- Warton seems to

av en a fre uen t a se of liti ati n . As earl as 111 the ean an d h e be q c u g o y 8 , D

a ter of eref rd inf rmed R er an n of ru t at t e had re eived Ch p H o o og , C o B g, h h y c

te fr m the P e w ho had eard t at th A of l had een a man da o op , h h e bbot Sa op b

d iled of the tit es of alto n w it ut sen ten ce or r n le ause and espo h W ho easo ab c ,

R er an n of ru un ustl detain s the same The n n d a that og , C o B g j y . Dea a Ch p ter are appoin ted Commissioners to in v estigate the case ; an d they order the

h r u t d said Can on to appear in t e Chapte Ho se a Herefor .

A a later date 12 3 at the al O t er Assizes t ere was a dis ute t , 0 , S op c ob , h p

en illiam de Pierre oin t w ho eld t is re en d and the rd of betw e W p , h h p b , Lo

‘ le Ro er r et as to a uesti n of undar . Tas y, g Co b , q o bo y

An d a ain it w as n ot till Au ust 13th 125 6 t at ete r de Aubucun g , g , , h P ,

n d of alt n ren un ed at Mam erfeld all laim to th rea n prebe W o , o c c e g t a d

m l it s of alton w i w ere in dis ute etw n s al t he W , h ch p b ee him and Salop

th latter laimin t em in ri t ofM rville Abbey, e c g h gh o church.

In 15 5 on e n amed Mubber w as ldin t is re end i u i 3 , ho g h p b ; and ts val e n

l lan d & c . is stated at £6 . gebe , ,

It is remar a le t at to t is da t ree. fields at alt n c m risin k b h h y h W o , o p g

a ut 22 a res are m ar ed in the aris m a as the lle e eas bo c , k p h p Co g L ow s, w hich there can be little doubt w ere the ones originally attached to the

d of alto n in th ll iate ur preben W e Co eg ch ch of Bridgn orth .

O fthe several re en daries ofUnderton traced out Mr . t n w ill P b by Ey o , I only mention the following - the first as an instance of the man ner in 76

- div e ted fi cm l their which our English ecclesiastical endow ments were r

vil nd cowardl kin n in rder t o proper uses by that most ser e a y g, Joh , o

of ran ce at a time w en it suited his strengthen his interest at the court F h Pow er purpose to make peace w ith that . avin e 24th. n D e Gra Arc deacon of l u ester In 1200, Jun , Joh y, h G o c , h g

d in the urc of ru Kin n t en at in n redgned his preben ch h B g, g Joh , h Ch o , l n t of5 0 mer s assi ns it for life to Master omas to make up an ann ua re k , g Th “ ’ n l cler to the in imself an d to the in s m ost illustri us de Arge to , k k g h k g o

lue at 6d. er 15 acres ofland at Underton , va , p

w orth £2 in 6 ears and so avera in er annum .. Meadow land, y , g g, p

o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o l 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o o o o o o o o o ’o c o o o o o o o o o

Total 2 5 4

h l Assizes Mi lmas 1292 his w le refermen t w as But at t e Sa op , chae , , ho p v alu d m r s i.e. £12 . e at 18 e k ,

L.

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CELIBACY or rm: ow ner .

The canons (or rules decreed) at an Englis h coun cil held at Win ches ter AD . 1076 all w ed the secular cler who had es to , , o gy wiv keep them ; f r id t ose who had no t wives to marr an d is s to rdain o b h y, B hop o a married m A a il f an . gre t coun c o the clergy held at Westminster by Archbishop ’ An selm w it the in s consent in 1102 w en t a ste furt er than , h k g , , p h Lanfranc had d ne and c mmanded married cl r to ut awa t eir wives and o , o e gy p y h , prohibited marriage to all persons whatever who w ere in the seventh degree of in dred a vexati us law that rou t reat w er and w lth to the k o , b gh g po ea ” urc and reat in convenien es on the state . ch h, g c

In 110 an t er un il was eld in ond n in the resence of th 8, o h co c h L o p e

in the n ilit and relates w en ten canon s were made at the insti a k g, ob y p , h g tion ofArchbishop Anselm to enforce the celibacy an d preven t the marriage h l o f the clergy. Even t e owest orders of priests were commanded to put

78 t ose who s c e to retain them w ic it is stated rou h ho ; h h, , b ght a great sum ” in t the r l o oya coffers.

contin ual siti n in n l d oppo o E g an ; an d it w as n ot till the mo reas ed pow er of the M nasti rders the result f ’ o c O , o KingHen ry s submission an d penan ce after the murder of mas a e et t Tho B ck , hat the custom w as established in

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A similar accou t f - n o the thun der sto rm at the dedication of Morville

Church is iv en the g by old w riter w ho continued the chronicle ofFloren ce . of rcester un d r the ear 111 Wo , e y , 8 .

WO O DEN FIGURES. MORVILLE CHURCH.

In the accoun t of Morville Church I hav e om itted any n otice o f the an n exed fi ures of the four v an elists w ich t ou of m arativ l g E g , h , h gh co p e y recen t date u t n ot to be w ll assed v er . e used to stan d w en , o gh ho y p o Th y , h

ame to the iv in 19 ears a o on a en under a low aller e in d I c L g y g , b ch g y b h the s ut d r and w en the aller w as a n d w n w ere m v ed in t th o h oo , h g y t ke o , o o e belfr l ft to m a i l y o ke room . It is n ot kn ow n w here their orig na position m a av e y h been . Some person s thin k they w ere used as br ackets to support the rinci als of the r f o f th n av re cut r udel but w it a p p oo e e . They a y, h

reat deal o f har a ter out of s lid l or l s of oak in alt reliev in g c c , o b ocks s ab o o , some parts from six to eight in ches high ; each figure an d all its details out of its ow n sla w it th ex e tion of on e n d of a fi ure an d the s b , h e c p ha e ch g book

’ o f all w i are m v a l ex e t ain t ar s . The w ei t of ea sla , h ch o e b e, c p S M k gh ch b is v er n sidera le fr m to 4 01bs . The f ur v an elists are re re y co b , o 30 o E g p sen ted w it their distin uis in em lem s z— ain t Matt ew wit the an el h g h g b S h h g , o fw i the w in is lost t is is rat er un omm n as he is m re fre uen t h ch g , ( h h c o , o q ly represen ted as a m ere m an ) : Sain t Mark w ith the lion : Saint Luke w ith th e o x and Sain t n who had ri inall a en in his han d a m an ied , Joh ( o g y p ) cco p ’ m lem s are deriv ed fr m the Pr et ze iel s v isi n by an eagle . These e b o oph E k o “ i i 10 w ere it is w ritten As for the li en ess o ft eir o f the Cher ub m ( . ) h k h fa ur h ad he face o fa m an and the fa e of a li n on the ri t ces , they fo t , c o gh side : an d they four h ad the face of an o x on the left side ; they four also

80

w o m the su sed to av e an r ert t n i t and da h y ppo h y p op y, bo h by gh by y , m ales and fem ales and ut t em int ris n for t eir ld and sil an , p h o p o h go v er, d tormen ted them w ith un speakable torm en ts : for there w ere n ev er martyrs so torm n t d t e e as hey w ere . They hung them by the feet and sm oked t em w it f ul sm e t e hun t em the t um s o r the ead h h o ok ; h y g h by h b , by h ,

and un t f m ail on i f t h g coa s o the r ee . They put kn otted stri ngs about t eir heads an d twisted till it w en t to the rain s . e ut in to h , b Th y p them dun e n s in w i w ere adders an d sn ak es and t ads and illed t em g o h ch , , o ; k h t us . o me t e ut in a ru et use t at is in a est hi h S h y p c c ho , h , ch w ch w as s rt an d narr w an d s all w and ut s ar st n es t erein and t rust ho , o , h o , p h p o h , h the m an t e rein so t at t e r all th im In m tl h , h h y b oke e l bs . an y of the cas es w ere thin gs loathly and grim ; there w ere chains w hich tw o or three m en had en u to do t o ear on e w i h w as t us made t at is fasten ed to a o gh b , h c h , h ,

’ eam an d t e ut a s ar ir n a ut the man s t r at an d his n e so b ; h y p h p o bo h o ck, t at he uld in n o dire ti n eit er sit or lie or slee but he m ust su rt h co c o h , , p, ppo

ll he ir n Man t d ill t r it er can n r a t o . y housan s they k ed w i h hunge . I ne h o m ay tell all the w oun ds n or all the pain s w hich they did to the w retc hed

m en of t is lan d and t is lasted n ineteen ears w ile te en w as in h ; h y h S ph k g,

l ntri uti on th t and a w ays it w as w orse an d w orse . They laid co b ons e ow ns

ev er n ow and t en an d alled it ten serie an d w en the wret ed m en y h , c ; h ch

h ad n t in m re to ive t en t e lun d r d and urn ed all the t wns : o h g o g , h h y p e e b o

’ an d you might easily go a w hole day s journey an d n ev er fin d a m an remain

in in a t w n n or the land tilled. en w as com clear an d fles and g o , Th , h ,

heese an d utter for t ere w as n n e in the lan d. ret ed m en died c , b , h o W ch

- in who f rm erl had een ri m en o f hunger . Som e w en t a begg g o y b ch ;

fl t r r h v t n reater wret edness som e ed out of he coun t y . The e ad n e er ye bee g ch

n m n rs an t e did for after a in the lan d; n or ev er did heathe e w o e th h y ; ,

tim e the s ared n eit er ur n or ur ard but t all the ds , y p h ch ch ch chy , ook goo

w i w ere t erein an d t en urnt the ur and all t et er . eit er h ch h , h b ch ch og h N h

’ ’ ’ did t e s are the is s lan d n or the a at e n or the riest s but the h y p b hop , bb , p ; y

lundered m n s an d ler s an d ev er on e lundered an t er ifhe ould. p o k c k , y p o h , c

f tw o or t ree m en am e ridin to a t w n all th towns i fled on acc unt I h c g o , e h p o

t u t h n th of them ; they ho ght tha they w ere robbers . T e bishops a d e

l r on stan tl ursed t em but t at w as n t in to t em for the c e gy c y c h , h o h g h ; y

re all a ursed an d forsw om an d l st. atever m en tilled et the w e cc , , o Wh , y

ar t re n o rn fo r the lan d w as en tirel destr ed su d in s e h bo co , y oy by ch o g ;

n d e le said en l t at rist an d his sain ts sle t. uc and m re a p op op y h Ch p S h , o

th an w e can sa w e suffe red n in eteen win ters for our sin s. y , 8 1

ANGLO -NO BMAN MANNERS AND CUSTOMS .

And yet with all this fiercen ess of character an d unscrupulous o ppres sion of a v an quished race the Anglo - Norm an n obles w ere m en of luxury

in w i t e liv ed and of ivalrous ndu t and refin em ent for the age h ch h y , ch co c on man y occasion s . As it may interest some ofmy readers to kn ow a few further particulars relating to the m anners and dress of those con querors of our coun try w ho

xer ised su a lastin in fluen e on our law s lan a e an d reli i us have e c ch g c , gu g go

nd ial instituti n s and s m e of w se n am es w e ave h ad asi n to a soc o , o ho h occ o

’ refer to add the f ll win s e t es ta en fr m Henr ist r of En , I o o g k ch k o y s h o y g lan d a v e-m en ti n ed w i en ters w it rti ular fulness int su h bo o , h ch h pa c o c

‘ il th l - n d deta s . As a race e An go Norm an s w ere remarkable for the beauty a

ele an e of t eir ers n s and for t eir f n dn ess for dress an d s w . eir g c h p o , h o ho Th

air w as l n an d ur led but t ei l rds s aven e w e re a s h o g c , h r w ho e bea h . Th y c p

of l t or fur rnam ented a rdin to th e taste ran an d ir um stan es c o h o cco g , k c c c

of the w earers : t se of in s earls an d ar n s ad rn ed w it earls an d ho k g , b o o h p

f t d of the e le at t at precious ston es . The shirts ev en o the grea bo y p op h early tim e w ere oflin en and hav e n ot much altered their shape to the pre

f i l a ed alm st to sent day . The doublets or surcoats o the h gher c asses re ch o their feet : those of the common people n o t low er than the m iddle of the

t i w it sleev es d w n to the w rists : t e w ere ut on v er the ead and h gh , h o h y p o h — fasten ed roun d the w aist with a belt or girdle those ofprin ces embroidered

l d n l ief v estm ent o f with go d an set with precious sto es . The c oak w as a ch

th i l en r . a resen t e h gher c asses . O n e o fthe Bishops of Lin coln m ade H y I p of a cloak of the fin est cloth lin ed w ith black sables w ith w hite spots w hich

cost £ 100 of the m n e oft se tim es e ual in efi cac to £ 15 00 of our o y ho , q y

m n e . i s o y The r breeches an d stockin gs w ere both of cloth . William Rufu

disdain ed a air of t h l n p s ockin gs w hic cost ess than £ 10 of our mo ey. The tim e ofdin n er ev en at Court an d in the families ofthe greatest barons

w as 9 in the f ren n and the time of su e in th f n n a rdin o oo , pp r 5 e a ter oo , cco g to a fav ourite prov erb thus translated from the Fren ch :

rise at 5 to dine at 9 To , ,

To su at 5 to bed at 9 p , , M akes a m an live to 99 .

Man ofthe ler too t se ular an d re ular ein v er ri e t y c gy , bo h c g , b g y ch , k p

excellen t ta les . Gir aldus Cambren sis an old r ni ler states t at the M n s b , ch o c , h o k

of St. within at in hester m ade a f rm al m lain t to en r a ainst S , W c , o co p H y g their Abbot for taking aw ay 3 of the 13 dishes they used to hav e every 82

da at din ner . imn l akes an d s i d r y S e c p ce b ead were used by persons of ran an d f rtune comm n read of the w le fl ur c ars d k o ; o b ho o , o e an fine, the

ri e of w i w as settled law a rdin to the rice ofwh p c h ch by cco g p eat, w as tim; in m st fre uen t use and the l w er e le had read. made ofr e ba le o q ; o p op b y , r y , or ats the mm n li u rs w ere m ead ider err o ; co o q o , c , p y and ale ; the claret o f those times w as clarified and m ixed with spices ; hypocras was win e

' m w it e But in th mi of ixed h hon y. e dst all the magnificence m which the

rm an in s an d n les liv ed t ere w ere so me thin s whi h t No k g ob , h g c mus appear to us exceedi ngly mean ; se veral estates in En gland w ere held by the tenure

’ offindin lean st aw to r the in s bed an d litter f r is g c r k g , o h chamber as often

s be lod ed in th se laces and i is m enti ned as a r f of T is a g o p ; t o , p oo homas

’ e et s ele ant m a ner oflivin t he man ded his v ts t v B ck g n g, hat com ser an o co er the fl r o fhis dinin r o w it le n str w r h ev er m e ni in wi ter oo g o m h c a a o ay y a ng n ,

nd wit fre ul us s n r n ra f tr s v er da i s mm a h sh b r he a d g ee b nches o ee e y y n u er, that such o f the knights as came to din e with him as could not find room on the enches m i t sit d w n an d din mf rta on t e fl o wit o t b , gh o e co o bly h o r h u

l t ir fin lo t spoi ing he e c hes .

If we lo on to a later date A. . 1313 w e m f rm some ide a of the ok D , ay o m agnificen ce and hospitality of those time s fro m an account of the house

ld ex ences of mas arl ofLan as ter durin that ar : t e m unted ho p Tho , E c , g ye h y a o to no less than £7309 n tainin a mu i r s and ual in , co g s ch s lve a eq efi cacy to o four m oney ; and yet at that time the pipe ofFren ch w in e c st onl 3. d. a o din to t e s e c u tion e u to £4 » o y 17 5 , cc r g h am omp ta q al 56 f th u d i lit o f our money .. We may judge also o e grande r an hosp ta y with w hich this Earl liv ed and the immens e quantity of provision s consumed in his family in on e year from the quantity of wine which was no less than l i 37 p pes . Later in the same century the passio n for extravagance in dress rose to such a height that the legislature found it ne cemary to interfere and to regulate the dress of all ranks of people in 9. Parliament held at Westmin “ s r 1 in rder t e re mble to the Act said to revent t at te , 363, o , as h p a , p h destruction an d pov erty with w hich the w ho le kin gdom w as threatened by the outrageous excessive expen ces of m any person s in their apparel ” f alm es ur in his lif of abov e their ranks an d fortun es . The monk o M b y e

writes the s uire endeav urs to uts ine the kni ht the Edward II. , q o o h g , ” ni t the ar n the ar n the earl the earl the in in dress and the k gh b o , b o , k g ; clergy them selv es are represen te d by cotemporary writers as no less vain

n l it t uld i t a more an d e xtrav agan t in their dress tha the a y. Wha co exh bi

84

as illustratin a remar a le feature of the reli i us feelin of th se tim s g k b go g o e , and one w hich led to the erection ofmany of those beautiful houses ofreligio n (of which w e only see the ruin s) in th e most picturesque and secluded parts of the coun try.

The un le of in Art ur St. avid the tutelar saint of ales seced c k g h , D , W , in fr m the ares an d ustle of the w rld se a w ild an d se luded s o t g o c b o , cho c p

' in the v ale of v ias on the an of the riv er Hon dd sur r unded b E , b k y, o y m untains as the scen e of his dev ti nal retirem ent. ere he uilt a o , o o H b small chapel an d hermitage : but subsequen t to his death the cell w as

d the l f d untenanted an p ace un requente for cen turies . In the time o f

illiam Rufus u de aci a rm an ar n in the urse of un tin W , H gh L , No b o , co h g pursued the deer into this v alley at the foot of the Black Mountain ; and whilst resting himself after the fatigues of the chace with his compan ion s in the un t illiam o n e ofhis retainers dis v erin the ruin ed a el o f h , W , , co g ch p

t. av id suddenl ex erien ed an en t usiasti desire to lead a reli i us S D , y p c h c go life ; and str on gly im pr essed with the w ildness o f the scenery and san ctity

the la e ui tted his militar areer an d ere dev ted his future life of p c , q y c , h o to the servi e of God. After h had assed a few ears in t is s litude c e p y h o , and tain ed dev ti nal cele rit a c a lain to Maud n s rt of in ob o o b y, h p , co o k g

enr I. w as in du ed to in him as an ass iate in retirem e nt. t eir H y , c jo , oc By h

m ined eff rts a sm all c a el w as ere ted and nse rate d Ur an co b o h p c , co c by b ,

' is of Llan dafi an d am elin e is f eref rd in the ear 1108 B hop , H , B hop o H o , y , an d dedi ated to St. n the a tist . n after t is u de a i c Joh , B p Soo h , H gh L c ,

arl of eref rd f un ded t ere a ri r of the Au ustin e rder to w i h E H o , o h p o y g o ; h c

nr his u n am n ef t rs an d t us atr nised the n ew He y I. an d q ee bec e be ac o ; h p o , m naster ui l w as famed for extra rdinar san tit an d t d nati ns o y q ck y o y c y, bo h o o

' an d bequests rapidly multiplied. At first the num erous ofiers w ere rej ected

the ri r and his i us ret ren wit the de larati n t at t e had by p o p o b h , h c o h h y determin ed to die poor in the hous e of God: but their reluctan ce hav ing

een v er m e the en treaties of ueen aud exten siv uildi s w ere b o co by q M , e b ng erecte d an d the conv entual church con structed which Gyraldus Cambrensis describes as a good building; havin g the roof v aulted w ith stone an d

covered w ith lead.

d n The prosperity o f the establishm ent how ev er w as but of short uratio .

n the death of en r I. the w ars etw ee n te en an d the m ress O H y , b S ph E p

Maud exten ded their ban eful influen ce ev en to this sequestered Spot. The

m n s w ere reatl insulted and illa ed th e els w ho seized the o k g y p g by W h,

ortunit of if tin t i atr f opp y man es g he r h ed or the English. In this dis tre ss 85

the m nks a lied to t eir ri r w ho at t at time w as R ert de Bettws o pp h P o , h ob ,

Bis of er f rd h m assi natin t ir sufferin s the assistan e hop H e o ; e , co p o g he g by c of Mel de a i an d his ow n li eral d nati n s en a led t em to ere t a o L c , b o o , b h c n ew m n ast r at a la e alled de n ear l u este r w i w as con se o e y p c c Hy , G o c , h ch i crated by the Bishops ofWorcester and Hereford in the year 1136 . Th s after the ri inal us e w as called lant n w hi nam e the ruin still o g Ho L ho y, ch

h n bears . The n ew mon astery w as at first allow ed only as a cell to t e o e in the v ale of Evias ; but havin g been en dowed w ith large possession s by

Mel an d in n s n r se int e le rit an d s len d ur . eli ted o k g Joh , oo o o c b y p o D gh wit t eir n ew situati h m n f r t t eir seat in the m untain s an d h h on t e o ks o go h o , n ot nl refused to retur n as sti ulate i in t eir en a em en t but deman ded o y p h g g , fo r th e subse quen t establishm en t pre- emin en ce o f ran k ov er the mother

i d fits v alua l to nri h church . The latter w as pillaged an d str ppe o b es e ch t e f rm er an d nv erted in to a use of rre ti n for t eir refrac t r m n s. o , co ho co c o h o y o k

is des l t state of the a e n the v ale o f v ias it is said in duced Th o a e bb y i E , ,

in th m Edw ard IV. to un ite the tw o mon asteries by charter ; m ak g at e sa e tim e the on e at l ester the a e an d the t er a ell to it an d li in G oc bb y, o h c , ob g g the m onks of the prin cipal house to m aintain there a residen tiary prior and f an n s i our c o . It s doubtful how ev er w hether thi s un ion w as ev er effected ; — as th e an nual rev enues at the Dissolution w ere separately v alued the one

n ear l ster at £ 13. l ld n d t i in M i G oce 648 9 . a h s on mouthsh re at £7 133. 2d. a rdin d Th i cco g to Dug ale . e s te w as gr an ted to Richard Arn old; an d came into the possession ofthe Oxford family by the auditor Harley hav ingpur

ed it of h I i r s n t h r f l chas t e grantee . t s at p e e t e p operty o Wa ter Lan der

Es . but littl n ow rem ains of t is an ien t m onas ter but th ruin o f i q , e h c y e s ts ” n v en tual ur It i s ill m ar d w i h l co ch ch . s t ke ho ever n t e m aps as L an thon y

A e an d its n am e still a ears o n the ler ist as a Per etual ura bb y, pp C gy L p C cy i n Mon m outhshire of the yearly v alue of £5 5 .

P

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mcoms s r LI I G & o VN S, c. Hav in g described the spoliation o f th ese Livings an d the diversion of t ir en d wm en ts in t la an ds it is fo r m an reas ns w ell t at s uld he o o y h , y o h I ho state h ow an d to w hat degree they hav e since been augmented. It appears t at the salaries of £5 168 . ea aid alo A e to the urates of h ch , p by S p bb y C Mo refelde an d Wheaton Aston w ere the only provis ion made for Divine 86

and as a somewhat natural consequen ce of this poor fixed prov ision tbr

the cler at a time w en m ne w as muc an in in v alue and in th e gy h o y h ch g g ,

’ unsettled state of ec lesiasti alaffairs it w uld seem fr m Str es Ann als c c , o o yp , that in som e poor paris hes there w ere for a time no regularly ordain e d ministers at all and it is ev stated that in the rei n of liza et 155 9 , en g E b h , , it was a reed Arc is Par er of Y r and a reat m a rit of th e g by hb hop k , o k, g jo y

then existin is s t at in ers n s to be alled Readers s uld be g B hop , h certa p o c ho a in ted tem or il in su aris es and t eir form of a in tm en t is ppo p ar y ch p h , h ppo rec rded. h e w ere to b m n of s er n v rs ti n an d nest ehavi ur o T y e e ob co e a o ho b o , and distinguished from others by some grav e habit ; they w ere n ot to

reac n or inter ret but read in c m m n Pra r t at w i h w as p h p , to o o ye h h c

’ appointed by public authority : they w ere n ot to administer the Lord s

su er n or a tism but to ex rt the n ei ur d to l v e and unit to pp b p , ho ghbo hoo o y,

ur the dead ur w m n and ee the re isters and to re eiv e small b y , ch ch o e , k p g , c salaries appoin ted by the Bishops accordin gto the exigen cies of the tim es in

ill d Ast n w ev e r du ed to t destitute parishes. Whether Morv e an o ere r e c his

f i ar n ot inf rm ed but it seems m re t an state o spiritual dest tution w e e o , o h

r a l t t n o r n s w ere rea ed in t em and t at p ob b e ha for a lon g tim e se mo p ch h , h this circum stan ce in duced religious min ded m en to m ake some augmentatio n

f th ivin s f ll w in st t m ent rud l cut in o e L g . I infer this from the o o g a e e y a stone slab ov er the door from the n av e to the belfry ofMorville church : THOMAS BURTE CIT I"EN AND PEWTER LOND ON GAVE IN HIS LIFE TIME FIVE P I D C IX P O UND ES A Y EARE. AND AT H S E EASE S O L UND S A Y EARE FOR EVER. THE ONE HA FE TO WARD S THE MAINTENANCE OF A PREACHER AND THE OTHER HALFE TO THE PO ORE O F I THIS PARISH OF MO RV LD E. An d again on the Ben efaction Tables w e read “ alter A t n Es . av e £ 100 to ur ase lan ds of in eritan e th W c o , q , g p ch h c , e

in me w ere f is to be for ever di stri uted the on e half to a rea in co h o b , p ch g

minister the t er alfto the r oft is aris , o h h poo h p h.

mas urte Pewterer of n d n av e on e undred unds for the Tho B , , Lo o , g h po

T is was the ri in of th s t tu M r arit res e in h o g e pre en S bby oo Ch y, p ct g

w i the ommissi n ers of ariti s a in ted the r w n 18 19 h ch C o ch e ppo by C o , , report as follow s : “ o mas But te his will dated 30th nuar 16 1 av the sum of Th , by Ja y, 3 , g e

88

same w it the li h ke sum of £200 by lot. In pursuance ofw hich agreem ent the said vern rs in the ear 1784 laid out the s id t r sums Go o y , a h ee o f £200 e a am un tin to £ 0 in the ur of a r in m essua n ch , o g 60 , p chase ce ta ge a d about

7 a res of land situate at ardin t n i.s . in the to wns i in t is ari h c E g o ( h p) , h p s , whic w ere c nve ed to the Rev . n a w ard t en curat o f uatf rd h o y Joh H y , h e Q o , to hold to him and his successors for ev er for the perpetual augmen tation f ” o the said curacy. This is the present Parsonage : it used to be a tan

use an d w as so ll till cam to th iv in and t ou t t at with ho ; ca ed, I e e L g, h gh h its n ew occupation it had better hav e a n ew and sw eeter -sounding name ; I therefore m erged the Tann us in the m ore euphonious gen eral nam e of ” the Kn wle ands t t fthe aml t on the s of the ev ern w ere o S , ha o h e bank S h it is so rettil situated In 120 the additi nal sum of £200 w as ranted p y . 8 , o g

’ by Queen Ann s Boun ty to be expended on it ; with this the present draw ” - n ri in ll le e it ing room w as built. The land n ot having bee o g a y g b ,

th u l r of t i s and a s tithe to rd udele the la reverses e sua o der h n g , p y Lo S y, y im r riat r instead ofreceivin it. p op o , g Thus we have the emoluments of the Livin g ofQuatford as follow s

3. d.

The original charge on the Tithes at the 5 16 0 ’ Art ur eav s t 8 18 4 h W er (Sa na) beques , ’ rt ur eaver s r 1 14 0 0 A h W (Junr.) Rent Cha ges, 767

23 9 4 bei ng the exact sum

Re resen tativ e rd udele at the resent da . p , Lo S y, p y

d of in th ris O ur as in 1827 urchased A mea ow 8a. 2r. 1p. e pa h of ldb y w , , p i n for £1000 by the Parliamentary Grants fund for the benefit ofthis L vi g.

hi 4 hi h to et with the above £23 98 . 4d. and T s pays a rent of £3 , w c g her a compensation of £1n'om the Severn Towin g Path Company makes the

' f the arsona e total annual m come ofthe Livin g £58 93. 4d. exclusive o p g

f l e fees and a v luntar earl su scri tion of£ 18 sev en acres o geb , , o y y y b p

n indl set on fo t w en the second service on from fiv e of the parishio ers, k y o h

Sundays w as commenced. acres and contained at the last census 181 The parish comprises 1813 ,

ith a o ulation of 692 of whom 454 are on the Ear inhabited houses , w p p ,

The la im ro riate ithes are commuted at dingtou side ofthe Sev ern . y p p T

03. 4d. 89

The Parish is fortunate in having the followin g Property in land appro

r iated to the re airs and t er u fthe ur in ludin the ex en se p p o h ses o Ch ch , c g p o f a ferryboat to take the people ov er the riv er to and from Church gratis

n ll c t m it w a ri inall deriv ed the arit o a o casions ; bu fro what source s o g y , Ch y C ommission ers state they hav e in vain endeavoure d to discov er ’ 9 t" O z 5 M s

Q Q Q ' W ?

’ as vb o o o

The two 16a paid by Salop ‘Abbcy to the Curates of Morville and Aston and char ed on th tith s h n th Ch h , g e e w e e urc propefl y 90 was sold at the Re formation seem to hav e been the whole ofthe fixed income of the Liv in s till 1635 w en it w as in r d g , h c ease £6 a year by the moie ty of the tu b Moo r arit In 1 it w u m - S b y ch y. 70 9 as a g en ted by a sm all ren t charge o n the tithe s ac o rdin to th ll f c g e Wi o Mr . Arthur Weav er : the exact amoun t

do n o t n o w but it did n ot ex e ed £ 15 s . as th w i I k , c 8 , e hole sum n ow pa d

the la im r riat r fo r the tw ur l by y p op o o ch ches is on y £26 . In 174 9 th e

’ Queen An n s Boun ty laid out £200 in purchas ing for the curacy of Aston “ Eyre a m essuage an d o ut -bui ldings and 39§ acres called Keehail in th e

aris of Lland ssil M n t m er s ire and in th am e r in con un p h y , o go y h e s e y a j c

tio n w ith Art ur eav e r Es . un . w ho av e £200 t e laid out £40 0 in h W q j g , h y the urc ase o f a Farm alled Bolbo ro u h n sistin o f a m essua e o ut p h c g , co g g , ” ildin n bu gs a d 73} acres in the afore said parish for the Liv ing o fMor v ille. What has be come of the house an d buildin gs at Keehail I do n ot kn ow the w ere r a l in rd r to av id dila idati ns ulled d w n an d th e y p ob b y, o e o p o , p o , tw o farm s un ited as the farm ofU er B l r at resen t n tain s the a v e , pp o b o p co bo

uantit ofland 112 a res out of w i a ut 14 are w dlan d an d a s q y , c ( h ch bo oo ), p y

£ 100 ren t. In 1760 the R al B un t de v ted £200 m re to the en d w , oy o y o o o m en t of Ast n and ur ased a w ellin - us e an d arden Mill use o , p ch D g ho g , Ho ” and der mill and 24 a res in the aris o f Redmarle r este rshire . cy , c p h y, Wo c

is small r ert 60 miles fr m the iv in in an O site dire ti n to Th p op y, o L g, ppo c o

last and rin in a ren t of £20 su e t to a en an d fre uen t the , b g g , bj c g cy q

x en ces w as re m m en ded o n m min to the ivin to o tain leav e e p , I co y co g L g b

m th P tr n n d Bi to ell in 1 4 fo r 65 0 an d to add to the fro e a o a shop s 8 3 £ ,

ur ase m on e £ 110 re eived m e for its dila idati ns : w i h tw o sums p ch y, c by p o h c ,

d i 8 . d. for the ex ences of sale & c . left £726 168 . 9d. afte r de uct ng £33 3 3 , p , ,

h an d of he v ern rs of the B un t to the redit of the ura in t e h s t Go o o y c C cy,

i 2 128 4d. for w hich they allow ed 3; per cen t. .s . £ 3 .

’ On ce more Queen An n s Boun ty cam e to the aid of these Livin gs an d

ran ted in 17 94 £ 200 Lo t an d in 179 8 £400 to m ee t an t er £400 g , by , , o h

1fo r £ 1000 a iv en illiam asle w d Es . an d ur as ed in 180 g by W H oo , q , p ch , ,

arm lled Cwm m aw r nsis tin o f a m essua e an d ut uildin s an d F ca , co g g o b g ,

- i 122a. 2r . 20 . in the arish o f Llan adar n f n dd Radn rs ire . s , p p b y y , o h Th

l n h P r etual ura o f Ast n and rin s a ren t o f farm a so belo gs to t e e p C cy o , b g

£5 178 . 0d.

Thus the total in com e of Morville the Mother Church an d its chapelry

4d u of i th sti di r urate re eiv es ofA ston Eyre is £210 12s . . o t w h ch e pen a y c c in salary and furnished lodgings equivalent to £110 . There is n o parsonage

92 comin ofthe Normam when their shillin of 12 n ies w a i tro g , g pe n s n duce d , the mar w as v alued at 160 en nies or 13 . 4d. us k p , s Th , whenever a poun d ofm ne w as m en ti n ed at t at er d it si ifi o y o h p io , gn ed as man y silver pen n ie s as w ei ed 5400 r rain s an d was the l r gh T oy g , a gest and the most comm o n den minati n ofm n e . Th mar i — o o o y e k w e ghed exactly two thirds ofit. Th e Anglo Norman shilling represented as m any silver pen nies as w eigh ed 27 0

r rain s or the tw en tiet art ofa un h nn T oy g , h p po d. T e pe y w as the com

m on real c in ofth e eri d 12 to a s illin . un d i o p o , h g Every po w e ght of sil

v er w as in ed in t 240 ennies eac wei in ro r co o p , h gh g 22} T y g ains . Th e proportion ofgo ld to silv er i n the country appears to hav e been as on e t o

nin m arks of ilv r w id nine : e s e ere pa fo r w hat w as called on e mark ofgold.

It has een calculated t at to wards the end ofthe Sax tim es as) . 104 b h on , 3,

ic f thin s ac rdin to our resent l u m n d the pr e o g co g p ang age, ust be recko e

thirty tim es cheaper than it is n ow .

I the rei n of illiam . £106 1e ualled ofour da . In 1 n g W I q y 100 , money contained n early three tim es as much silver as the same n omin al

r sent r m re exactl 1w as e ual to 2 1 arriv sum at p e : o o y, £ q £ 6s . 3d. To e

f cal ul ti n it has id w m l su there ore a ta c a o , been sa e should first ultip y each m

But sec ndl the same n minal sum n o n i d t r tim es by 3. o y, o t only co ta n e h ee

mu silver but the same u n tit of silv w fi times o re as ch , q a y er as about v e m

ua le : w e s uld t eref re n ext multi l it in t w rds m n e v al b ho h o p y by 5 ; or o her o , o y

w as w rt n earl t ree tim es as mu as n o w and mm ities w ere ten times o h y h ch , co od

r us in 1126 a tim e of extrem s ar it th uarter of w eat cheape . Th , e c c y, e q h ’ X 1 v u in in hn s tim e was sold for 68 . 08. al e our day . In k gJo ’ d f n n “ Anti ui marks equalle o our mo ey. I Mr . Eyton s q ” “ ” ties un der the head of Clav erley w e read an accoun t of the re-stocking ’ ofthe Royal Man ors in Shro pshire ; and an en try in the Sheriff s accoun ts

h 1208- 9 ntains a detailed statement of the uantit and cost oft e years , co q y ofstock w hich had been purchased to make good the final deficien cy : for

n ei t xen n e ssar to ma e u six team s at Worfield had cost in sta ce , gh o ce y k p ,

- r s d. a ead 180 s ee ne essar to m a e u 600 in the four m arks , o 6 . 8 h ; h p, c y k p

d st or on s illin eac : and s o f rt . A ain in same Man or ha co £9 , e h g h o h g ,

the middle ofthe rei n of en r a m st fruitful ear wheat 1244 , about g H y III, o y ,

r i . e. 23. 108 .value in our da . was only 28 . the quarte , y

t cal ulatio ns a ers n w h o had a n minal in me of£10 Acc ording to hese c , p o o co i ed as mu silver as one who had a year in the reign ofHenry III. rece v ch

f a ar and could hav e lived as well urchased a nominal in come o £30 ye , , p

r at lothes & c . as one w ho has now an income of£150 as much labou , me , c , , , 93 and a man in th n ould hav had uiv al nt o w ith an come of £150 e , w e eq e t

new .

In the 14th centur urates re eiv ed ef re the reat estilence in y, C c (b o g p

1348 4 or 5 mar s a ear i.s . £4 or . In 14 00 after the n lis ) k y , 0 £50 , E g h v i tories v er the ren silv r e am so m uc m re len tiful t at l d. c o F ch, e b c e h o p h k co ntain ed as mu silv er as 3d. f rm erl an d w uld ur ase e uiv alen t ch o y, o p ch q

d f m n Th n ri to I s. 3 . o our o ey. e relativ e proportio s at this pe od m ay be

v l n t n l taken as equi a e o y to about l s. to 108 . of our mon ey. It w as estab lished law 2n d en r . 14 14 t at n o earl a lain w it in th by , H y V , h y y ch p h e realm shall take from then cefor th more for his w hole w ages by the year

i.s . for his ard a arel and t er n e essaries but sev en m er s or ( bo , pp , o h c ) k , ,

4 1 s . 4d. i a ut £4 18 . 4d f m n the sam e statut £ 3 .s . 6 . our e . e , bo 3 , o o y By it w as rdain ed t at Paris Priests w i be or s all be retain ed to serve o h h h ch , h

all ta e fr m en e f rt for t eir w le w a es but 8 m er s or cures , sh k o h c o h h ho g , k ,

re ned a fair in m e for £5 63. 6s . 8d. £5 a year w as cko co

l uld liv le tifullv in 1400 a yeoman ; so that those in midd e ranks co e as p n , or 15 00 on £ a ear ofthe m n e of t at a e as t se of the sam e ran , 5 y o y h g , ho k can liv e on £5 n ow i.s . r ll d 1 of urs but in w at it 0 ; £5 ea y equalle £ 0 o , h w ould bu it e ualled £50 or m r rn w as alw a s m u dearer in y , q o e . Co y ch

r rti n t an ther eata les a rdin to t eir ri es at resent on ao p opo o h o b , cco g h p c p ,

t i i i i d ur coun o agr culture be ng so l ttle un derstood. It require m ore labo

d ex en se and w as m re re ari us t an it is at res n t an d the raisin an p , o p c o h p e ; g of it so little answ ered the ex en se t at r azin w as referred as m re p , h g g p o

’ rofita le n twit stan din the low ri e of ut e r s m eat In th rei n p b , o h g p c b ch . e g of HenryVIII. there w as an other chan ge in the relativ e proportion s ; it is calculated that money w as w orth about 5 tim es as m uch as n o w ; so that

6d. w uld be e uivalen t to 28 6d n d o q . . ; a though the w ages of a common la urer were nl 3d. a da he w as reall s ll bo o y y , y a w e off as a labourer in our tim w h ets l d es o g s. 3 . a day .

’ The above remar s taken fr m enr s Hist r of n land the n k o H y o y E g , E cy “ ’ clo wdia Brittannica and the oin s of n land u mit 14 p , C E g p blished by S h , 8 6 , may give some idea ofthe v alue ofmon ey in those days : but there is m uch uncertain ty ; the only thing about w hich there is v ery little doubt is that though all the n ecessaries of life w ere then m uch cheaper than they are now to a reater de ree t an s me of th remar s w uld in dica , g g h o e abov e k o te ,

‘ eo le were reall not better ofi : if rovisi n s w ere v r t ere w as p p y p o e y cheap, h much cruelt and r i n al y opp ess o so ; an d true happiness. the real enj oym ent 94

’ o flife t en as now d en d v mu on ea ers n s own mana emen t , h , , ep ed ery ch ch p o g

’ ofit an d on th de r e to w i he s u t G d s lessin . , e g e h ch o gh o b g

R.

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’ r conrsu sricu . cu m s AND s s cxs r s s ucc es s e s.

The total exemption o f the clergy in criminal accusation s from a trial before the ivil urts of usti e t u ften en deav ured to be esta lis ed c co j c , ho gh o o b h , could in Englan d n ev er be thoroughly effected : it w as repeatedly protested a ainst an d n l artiall n eded the r w n as w e see fr m the g , o y p y co c by C o , o

’ n du t f th i f co c o e k ngs justices in the in stan ce to which this n ote re e rs . A

un dred ears be f re it had een resisted b en r II. am n t at litic h y o , b y H y o g h po

’ an d pow erful monarch s plan s for restricting the undue and dangero us e cclesiastical imm un ities of those times ; an d it had form ed on e o f the Con stitution s of Claren don w hich w ere pas sed by a gen eral coun cil of the n bilit and relates of n lan d 25 th Januar 1164 . ese arti les o r o y p E g , y, Th c rules w ere 16 in n um er an d were f un ded on the an ien t law s an d ust m s b , o c c o

f n l o E g an d prior to the more recen t papal en croachm en ts o f those days . Among them w ere the follow in g That all suits con cern ing the adv ow so n an d presen tation of churches should be determin ed in the civ il courts that clerks accused of any crim e should be tried in the civil courts ; that all appeals in spiritual causes should be carried from the archdeacon to the bishop ; from the bishop to the prim ate ; from the prim ate to the king;

’ and should be carried n o farther w ithout the kings consen t : that goods forfeited to the king should n o t be protected in churches or churchyards that the clergy should n o longer prete n d to the right of en forcing paymen t b at o r r mise but s uld leav e t ese law suits e uall wit t ers to y o h p o , ho h q y h o h ” ’ - Hume s Histor o E n land. the determin ation o fthe civ il courts . y f g

m a et Ar is o f an ter ur had been most The fa ous Thom as Beck , chb hop C b y,

l s o si n t ese u n w illin gly persuaded in comm on w ith the other pre ate t g h “ o l r n d n and had at len t r mised le all wit d Co n stitution s f C a e o , gh p o g y, h goo

it s his re lute faith an d w ithout fraud or reserv e to obey them : and w a so

d v d t ese and similar e n de av our and fixed determin ation to resist an e a e h

tru le for restrictions o f ecclesiastical pri vileges w hich produced that s gg

l n d leri al rero ativ es an d those o utbursts eight years be tw een the roya a c c p g ,

e id s w ic en ded 29 th e em er 1170 in c f a ngry fe lings on both s e h h D c b , ,

’ ’ f ur n i ts o f the in s use ld and t he Archbishop s m urde r by o k gh k g ho ho ,

96

dited a ro al charter to nl andal Br was with other y We ock Abbey, R on ,

’ “ ” The follow ing are copies oftwo entries in D ngdale s Monasticon

r th i n tracted form and lan ua e t e will in terest nl a v r F om e r co , g g , h y o y e y few readers but are w ort rintin amon o t er aris records : t eir ia , h p g g h p h h f formation is give n in the body o the Lecture. The second en try is inserted “ ” in u d l from the O ri inalia Runs w ic are “ a series ofm em oranda D g a e g , h h of matt r nn w ith th n n t or casual revenu o fthe row n e s co ected e co sta e C ,

in back as far as the 11th . ear of en r III A. n. go g y H y , ( “ Anno iii of m er xxxvi . Hen viii ro domino admirallo An lia . , j Dece b , j . p g

sessionum nn per monasterii de Sallopp. concess . cuidam Ri cardo Marshalle

“ ’ clerico pro termino vita: absque aliquo inde redden do ultra v . xvj . ob. pro

i endio curati de Morefeld “ xv ' i n dio curati d Wh eaten st p , vi . j . ob. pro st pe e

d ” iii . ro sin odalibus r ur io i j p p oc at n bus , & c.

The other extract runs thus :

‘ “ D e homa io Ro eri Sm th do Br d en orth ro ran is na er c ells do g g y y g p g g , p

K n desle Alderm n Har isford roft Hau ton et Underton in Cm . y y , a , p , C , gh ,

Salop per lie . inde fact Rot. xxiij .

” ” ‘ “ “ tin fbr The contraction ob . in the first extract stands for obolus La ” ” ” “ f “ q f “ r Wella and hal penny : . stands or quadrant" O u “ " n ' h ir ati ancestors Li ra ofte too much loved s . d. come fi om t e L n b , ” “ ” “ Solidus and Denarius w hich likewise no doubt in their day e xercised a pow erful an d often evil in fluen ce ov er the human mind.

‘ h o d h un alton Le for L e Whetton The second extract s ul ave r , W , ( y ) ,

The follo wing very inte restingextract is from the Register o f Math 97

“ D 1 9 e n Eliz beth e ri e . Anne om. 55 , et R g o a a P m

N te t at u n the 26th . da of ne was servi e rst cele rated in the o , h po y Ju c fi b

English tongue. Ann o prime Elizabetha . wise on that same day first enjoyed the blessed privilege ofthe public

rvices of th m iz d in their o n tive ton ue instea ofin se e Church sole n e wn a g , d t e Latin lan ua e th u n o record of it is reserved. Th li h h g g , o gh p e Eng s

; 1 tamed in 155 1. Queen Mary r eigned from July 155 3 to Nowembel: 558

ar chial re ist r had e i tit ted om rom well o d E P o g e s b en ns u by Th as C , L r ssex in the 27th . e o enr I 1 : b t t are ot an co y ar f H y VI I, 536 u here n m y mpen s tiv el which o ack s far and v n er ved w t so mu c e y g b o , ha e bee pres i h ch ar as that of nl ' ri i l r i t We ock. Indeed the above extrac t is not fro m th e o g na egs er,

binding with that kn ow ledge of how things ought to be done and that liberal spirit w hich characterise the public proeeedings of that enterprising

enloc e i no D . 1 of aint W k R gister beg ns Nove mber, Am om 5 58 ; That S ’ ar a dalene B id north do n ot e in till 1610 ain t eonard s M y M g , r g n es b g ; S L dates fr m 551a is in tion Mo rville R ister s o 1 , nd v ery good preserva ; eg begin ) i an i d - i i 1 n 1562 d is carr e down in one book .to 1812 ; Tasley begns n 563; the earliest entry at Quatford is in 1577.

avin conclud th records of st c ntnries ma be e it H g ed ese pa . e , I y p rm ted to mention with thankfulness the building ofthree schools within the last twelv e ears h r t f i of t e rish a ev ent c y he di ferent distr cts h se pa es, n hm teristic ofthe a hi l ti h ge in w ch w e liv e and ofits educationa ac vity, T o ugh

as a ati , oet s n i i da L n p ang eve n h s y, ” Tem ora mutanmr noa et .mutamnr in . illis p , , , the times are chan ed and we are chan ed with the w ea —thou h g , , g r g

meadows and highly manured and well drilled ploughed lands i ndeed “ (If 98

in n s uare plains of marshy grass and the uplan d forest ofMorfe cover gma y q

d m t ofth m w rite their ow n can at least read the Word of God, an can os e

hi man ofthe no lest bar ns of old could n ot do : and we see names, w ch y b o

fore w e thankfully remember how much w e are indebte d to generations longdeparted to their rest for hav in g established on such a sound basis the giv ingsuch strength and breadth and v igour to mir national character ; an d w hile w e are unw illin g to see the Law s ofEngland changed without sufi

der value our resent advanta am n w ic that ofincreased knowled e p ges , o g h h, g ,

r ovided it be ri tl used and tem ered w ith umilit an d c arit is the p gh y , p h y h y, most excellen t : but let us rather en deav our to give free curren t to its ferti

’ lizin streams and b od s ra direct an d san ctit its course. er g , y G g ce y V y thankful therefore l am to those liberal persons who have assisted me in

The sc l at uatf rd as uilt '14 on eleven erc es ofland iv en hoo Q o w b , 8 6, p h g

the arish and n s . It was by P , co v eyed to the Incumbent and his succe sors in ten ded as a da s ool onl for the childr f t i an d y ch , y en o that small ownsh p, as a Sun day school for as many children also as w e could get to cross the

h i it for t e Teacher) only £218 . It is now in conveniently small for ts Sunday w rk u in th h o , b t o er respects successful under its estimable mistress who as

c urc be a reat comf rt to a h succeedin n um ent. In 2 it h h, g o e c g I c b 18 5 , received a e of£20 fr m th lat Mr. Sm lm n w w L gacy 0 o e e a a , hich as in vested

after deductin £20 e ac ut in the 3 er cen ts and f rms its nl ( g L g y D y) 5 p , o o y en d wmen t. The children a 2d. w l w i h iv n v ra of o p y eek y, h ch as g en a a e ge f £ 13 148 . or the last sev en years ; the subscriptions for the same time have , v ra ed £2 1 the l a e g : year y expences £89 .

The chool at ardin t n w uilt o f d i S E go as b 1847, n 26 perches o lan gven

ord udele and nv e d to n i by L S y, co ye the Incumbe t and his successors : t was

made su ect to Gov ernment ins e ti n nl r 4 nd r i bj p c o ; w as e a ged in 185 , a ece ved

rants fr m th mmittee of oun il f£ g o e Co C c on Education to the amount o 185 , and £20 fr m th f t o e Here ord Diocesan Society. The School room is 35 fee

b 18 feet. Th l y e tota cost includinga class room and house was £608. It