THE 
 
 HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES 
 
 ^W-a>qAmM^ ^ OF 
 
 IN HUNTINGDONSHIRE; 
 
 AND OF 
 
 IN THE COUNTY OF CORNWALL: 
 
 with some critical remarks respecting the two saxon 
 
 saints from whom these places derived 
 
 their names. 
 
 (illustrated with fifty engravings, on copper and wood.) 
 
 BY 
 
 GEORGE CORNELIUS GORHAM, M. A. 
 
 FELLOW OF QUEEN'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED BY THOMAS DAVISON, WH1TEFRIARS; 
 
 PUBLISHED BY LACKINGTON, HUGHES, HARDING, MAYOR, 
 AND JONES, FINSBURY SQUARE. 
 
 1820. 

 
 DA- 
 
 V 
 
 it. 
 
 PREFACE 
 
 HAT those persons 
 who " dwell in the 
 sight of remark- 
 able Monasteries ' ' 
 should endeavour 
 to " rescue the ob- 
 servables of their 
 habitations from 
 
 the teeth of time and oblivion", was the ju- 
 dicious advice, happily illustrated by the ex- 
 ample, of no mean Historian a . — The Writer 
 of the following sheets has been beguiled, 
 almost insensibly, into the spirit and practice 
 of this recommendation. Notwithstanding 
 the popular (and occasionally just) ridicule 
 
 Thomas Fuller ; Waltham Abbey, p. 5., edit. 1655.
 
 IV 
 
 which is directed by the multitude against 
 Antiquarian pursuits, — he confesses that he 
 is not unsusceptible of that enthusiasm, which 
 impels the mind to cast a retrospect through 
 the "long-drawn" vista of past ages; to dwell, 
 with a solemn and mysterious interest, on ob- 
 jects which are rapidly fading away in the 
 distant perspective; and to dissipate some 
 little portion of the gathering mist, which 
 mantles between the land of oblivion and the 
 region of authentic record. Under such an 
 influence he commenced his inquiries ; but 
 without even a remote intention of submit- 
 ting them to the public eye. He purposely 
 omits to detail the unimportant train of cir- 
 cumstances, bv which his materials have been 
 gradually extended from the private memo- 
 randa of a port-folio to their present more 
 enlarged and ostensible form. The public is 
 rather interested with the nature and result 
 of an Author's pursuit, than with the inci- 
 dents by which lie was originally invited to 
 his undertaking, and the steps by which he
 
 has at length been conducted to the termina- 
 tion of his task. 
 
 A History of the town of St. Neot's, in- 
 cluding the adjoining (and parent) village of 
 Eyxesbury, in Huntingdonshire, consti- 
 tutes the principal subject of this Volume 
 (Chapter I. ; Chapter II. § n. ; Chapter III, 
 Chapter IV.). In pursuing this investiga- 
 tion, the Author has travelled along an al- 
 most untrodden path : the Monastic His- 
 tory of St. Neot's has received but little 
 illustration from the labors of Dugdale or of 
 Bishop Tanner ; its Topography has been al- 
 together unexplored. The information which 
 the following pages present — sustained by 
 perpetual references to the most antient Do- 
 cuments, and confirmed by many original 
 (and hitherto unpublished) Records, dispersed 
 throughout the notes or inserted in the Ap- 
 pendix — is the result of labor and expense 
 with which the size of the Volume is by no 
 means commensurate. In the use which he
 
 VI 
 
 lias made of bis materials, he has not merely 
 endeavoured to gratify local curiosity: his 
 aim has been higher, and he lias failed in his 
 attempt it' liis Work be considered as un- 
 worthy a place in the Library of the Anti- 
 quarian Collector. However limited lias been 
 the field of liis investigation, he ventures to 
 entertain a hope thai bis Work will not be 
 altogether an unacceptable offering; when 
 considered as tbe first-fruits of researches 
 into the Antiquities of a County still without 
 an Historian, although two Centuries and a 
 half have elapsed since it gave birth to the 
 most celebrated Collector of our national 
 Records — "its brightest 11 ornament" — Sir Ro- 
 bert Bruce Cotton ! 
 
 From the more immediate subject of local 
 Antiquities, some little digression has been 
 
 b The remark is Hill correct, thai " no steps have been 
 
 t.iken towards illustrating Huntingdonshire, since Sir Robert 
 
 Cotton, its brightest ornament, declined the pursuit." 
 
 igh'a British Topography, Vol. I. Pref. p. xi. edit. 1780.
 
 Vll 
 
 made (in Chapter II. § j.) to the Biography of 
 the Saxon Saint whose name is perpetuated 
 in that of the town. The very obscure and 
 contradictory information, which is to be ob- 
 tained from either antient or modern Writers, 
 respecting St. Neot, might alone be consi- 
 dered as a sufficient reason for an inquiry 
 into the accuracy or falsehood of preceding 
 statements. Since the time of Camden and 
 of Wood, the simple authority of those truly 
 great names has been a ready passport (with 
 less diligent Writers) for assertions derived 
 from MSS. of suspected authority or from 
 Records of doubtful age. One learned mo- 
 dern Writer c has, indeed, pursued a line of in- 
 dependent investigation : but, in his eccentric 
 (however original) Volume, fable is perpe- 
 tually intermingled with fact, and dogmatical 
 assertion too often substituted for modest in- 
 quiry. A strict scrutiny into the unsustained 
 positions to which allusion has just been 
 
 c The late Mr. Whi taker ; Life of St. Neot, edit. 1806.
 
 Vlll 
 
 made, necessarily leads to their rejection. 
 The materials for a Bitigraphy of Neot 
 thus become reduced to a lew simple tacts; 
 and we are constrained to awake from the 
 pleasing delusion, by which the events of his 
 life have been closely connected with a re- 
 markable period of British Annals. If the 
 criticisms in pp. 20 — 2b', and in pp. 4-1 — 44, 
 be correct, he will no Longer appear in the 
 venerable character of u the first Theological 
 Professor at Oxford*'; dispensing his pious 
 instructions to that Infant University : nor 
 will lie be encircled with the fictitious glory 
 which imagination has shed around " the 
 oldest Brother of Alfred the Great" ; re- 
 nouncing the ambitious bustle and splendid 
 occupations of the Court, for the devotional 
 retirement and self-denying services of the 
 Cloister. What is lost, however, in effect, is 
 gained in accuracy: the threads of a false as- 
 sociation having been withdrawn, the tissue 
 of History may possibly have been deprived 
 of some gaudy colors ; but her dress exhibits
 
 IX 
 
 a more becoming (though less ostentatious) 
 texture. 
 
 These criticisms respecting the Life of 
 Neot, naturally led to some notice of the ob- 
 scure Cornish village (see p. 29.) which 
 was his principal abode; — the sylvan retreat, 
 where, as a Hermit, he dwelt in his mossy 
 Cell ; — the secluded valley, where, as an Ab- 
 bot, he founded his Monastery and erected 
 his Collegiate Chapel. A brief sketch of the 
 Topography of that parish has been added 
 (see Chapter V.) ; with a more particular view 
 to a description of its beautiful Church, de- 
 dicated to St. Neot. 
 
 The Author thankfully acknowledges the 
 assistance which he has received during the 
 progress of these inquiries. His gratitude is 
 especially due to the Most Noble the Mar- 
 quess of Buckingham, for access to a Cartu- 
 lary of St. Neot's among the MSS. at Stowe ; 
 and to the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop
 
 of Lincoln, for permission to search the Ar- 
 chives of his Cathedral. To the Right Ho- 
 norable the Countess De Grey, he is indebted 
 
 for liberty to make an examination of the 
 MSS. at Wrest; which, though not attended 
 with the particular success anticipated, has at 
 
 least enabled him to correct a mistake of 
 Bishop Tanner (see p. 99 note r.), respecting 
 a supposed ( lartulary of St. X cot's erroneously 
 ascribed to the Library of the Earls of Kent. 
 He has peculiar pleasure in recording the 
 liberal attentions of several professional and 
 literary Gentlemen; — of J. Caley Esq., Keeper 
 of the Records in the Augmentation Office, 
 and in the Chapter Llouse at Westminster ; 
 — of the late S. Eysons Esq., and of his suc- 
 cessoi II. Petrie Esq., Keeper of the Kecords 
 in the Tower ; — of Rev. JJ. Jiandinel, Bod- 
 leian Librarian ; — and of Rev. H. J. Todd, 
 Keeper of the Archbishop of Canterbury's 
 Records at Lambeth ; — by whom his access to 
 the MSS. in the several Collections, of which 
 they are the guardians, has been materially
 
 XI 
 
 facilitated. He is not unmindful of his ob- 
 ligations to J. Simmons Esq. of Paddington 
 House, for the use of his MSS. escheats &c. 
 for Huntingdonshire ; — to E. Lodge Esq., 
 Lancaster, — and to the late F. Townsend 
 Esq., Windsor Herald; — to T. F. Forster 
 Esq. of Clapton, for some MSS. notes re- 
 lating to the stained glass of St. Xeot's in 
 Cornwall ; — to Eev. J. Bean of the British 
 Museum ; — to Kev. Dr. O'Conor, the Libra- 
 rian at Stowe ; — and to many other persons, 
 whose kind offices have not been solicited 
 (nor, he trusts, bestowed) in vain. 
 
 The Copper-plates (pp. i, 75, 91, 92, 142, 
 148, 161, 169, 170,) have been executed 
 after large drawings, from the pencil of Mr. 
 Harraden, in the possession of the Author : 
 the diminutive scale of the Engravings is, 
 doubtless, much to be regretted ; this has 
 been the unavoidable consequence of an ar- 
 rangement essential to their introduction, and 
 the result of considerations which would have
 
 Xll 
 
 fully justified their total suppression. Of the 
 Reliefs on Wood (chiefly outlines), those in pp. 
 I:;. 80, 110, L50, 151, 158, 154, 155, 159, 165, 
 i;o. 237, 238, 245, are from the graver of Mr. 
 Branston: those in pp. 11, 86, 109, 146, 156', 
 L61, L63, 250, 251, 535.'), 254, 2^), are from 
 the tool of Mr. Hughes. The Initial Letters 
 (pp. iii. 1, 20, 105, 136, 229, 249,) are spe- 
 cimens of the taste of the former Artist: — 
 should the promise of excellence, which is 
 held forth by such ornamental introductions 
 to the successive portions of this Work, be 
 in any degree sustained by its general cha- 
 racter, the Author will ascribe his good for- 
 tune rather to the candor of his Headers than 
 to his own merit. 
 
 ,S7. Neofsj Huntingdonshire, 
 
 28 January, 1820.
 
 CORRECTIONS. 
 
 Page 38, line 3, for St. David's, read Sherborne. 
 
 54, 1, 2, for Earl iEgelwin, read Duke Ailwyn. 
 
 55, 25, for cetu, r<?«rf ccetu. 
 
 69, 8, for 198/. 16*. 5d., read 2251. 19s. 2d. 
 
 note r,for Edw. II., read Edw. I. 
 71, 26, /'or Tower, read Chapter House. 
 
 83, 10, for 1244, read 1245. 
 
 26, form. 10. (back), raw/ m. 13. (back) [App. 
 
 VI. j]. 
 2%, for Gasgoigne, re«r/ Gascoigne. 
 85, 25, for Frewelove, read Trewelove. 
 
 87, 26, for Mary, read Marye. 
 
 89, 28, for Tower, read Chapter House. 
 
 95, 18, for Gibbert, read Gilbert. 
 
 102, 13, for St. David's, read Sherborne. 
 
 104, 14, for Tower, read Chapter House. 
 
 115, 1, after 111. 6s. 8f/., insert the reference and note* 
 
 122, 15, for Century XII., read Century XIII. 
 
 152, 10, for early part, read first year. 
 
 11, for between 1558 — 1581 (see p. 170.) read 
 in August 1559, (see p. 171.) 
 174, 3, for the reference (m), read (n). 
 
 176, 31, /or p. 215, read p. 216. 
 
 189, 7, for Chronciler, read Chronicler. 
 
 193, 11, for had, read has. 
 
 210, 6, for the reference (1), read (i). 
 
 254, 32, for p. 100, note s, read p. 101, note u. 
 
 256, 16, for gofer-nelle, read jobj-pelle. 
 
 259, 42, for Daenb, read UUaen&. 
 
 43, for port, read pon. 
 286, 23, for xiiij, read xiij. 
 
 288, 19, for Corrodo, read Corrodio. 
 
 292, 29, for Carte, read Carive. 
 
 298, 29, for Bartholemew, read Bartholomew. 
 
 329, 38, for arc', read acr'. 
 
 * This, however, included the portion of the Prior of St. Neot's, and the pension 
 of the Prior of Newnham ; the portion of the Rector of Eynesbury being only 10/.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 On the early History of Eynesbury, previous to the founda- 
 tion of the Priory of St. Neot. 
 
 § I. Conjectures respecting Eynesbury in Roman 
 
 times P a g e 1 
 
 § II. Conjectures respecting Eynesbury in Saxon 
 
 times 16 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 On the Religious Houses dedicated to St. Neot, in Corn- 
 wall and in Huntingdonshire. 
 
 § I. History of the College of St. Neot, in Cornwall . 20 
 § II. History of the Priory of St. Neot, in Hunting- 
 donshire 47 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Topographical Account of Eynesbury. 
 
 § I. General description of the parish 105 
 
 § II. Particular description of the village, &c. . . . 107 
 
 § III. Hamlets in the parish of Eynesbury 121 
 
 § IV. History and descent of property 126 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Topographical Account of St. Neot's, Huntingdonshire. 
 
 § I. General description of the parish 136 
 
 § II. Particular description of the town, &c 138 
 
 § III. Hamlets in the parish of St. Neot's 181 
 
 § IV. History and descent of property 184? 
 
 § V. Remarkable events at St. Neot's 189 
 
 § VI. Remarkable persons 208 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 Topographical Sketch of St. Neot's, Cornwall .... 229 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Original Records, &c. &c 249
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 m tf)t carlg Mstoxn of (ZEgnegfittrfi, prebtoug 
 to tj)e foundation of tfre priori) of S&Jkafc 
 
 §i. 
 
 CONJECTURES RESPECTING EYNESBURY IN ROMAN TIMES. 
 
 HE village of Eynes- 
 bury, and the contigu- 
 ous town of St. Neot's, 
 are situated upon the 
 E. bank of the Ouse, 
 in the County of Hunt- 
 ingdon. From the mid- 
 dle of Century VIII. 
 to the latter part of 
 Century X., both these 
 places were included in the common designation, 
 Eynesbury. If a village existed here in still 
 earlier times, it was probably called Bury or 
 Burg. 
 
 Whether, indeed, this spot was inhabited in a 
 more remote period, is a question which can only 
 be resolved by probable conjecture, or by in- 
 ferences drawn from the discovery of antiquities 
 
 15
 
 calculated to throw light upon so obscure an in- 
 vestigation. It is, perhaps, reasonable to ima- 
 gine, that a situation by the lord of a considerable 
 River, possessing therefore advantages both of a 
 civil and military character, would not be over- 
 looked by the early British settlers; especially as 
 this district is known to have been inhabited by 
 the Iceni, a powerful and warlike tribe. 
 
 That Eynesbury was occupied as a post of 
 defence, if not inhabited as a town, during the 
 period of Roman sway in Britain, appears highly 
 probable, from circumstantial evidence. Such an 
 opinion rests upon the following reasons : the 
 existence of a Roman Road within the parishes of 
 St. Neot's and Kynesbury ; indistinct traces of a 
 Summer-Camp, in the vicinity of this Road; and 
 the occurrence of decided Roman Antiquities. 
 
 ROMAN ROAD. 
 
 A Roman Road unquestionably passes through 
 both these parishes. The Itinerary of Richard of 
 
 Cirencester, and that of Antonine, are both, it is 
 true, silent with regard to such a Roman way : but it 
 is universally admitted that those works point out 
 only a limited number of the roads and stations 
 which occur in Britain. — The Road alluded to 
 is that which connected the stations of Sandv 
 (Salcnrr'*) and Godmanchester (I)uro///)o?is h ). That 
 
 1 The 2aXr ; vaj of Ptolemy ; and probably the Salincc of the 
 Anonymous Geographer of Ravenna. 
 
 ' The Dvrolipons of Antonine (though placed by Horsley at
 
 such a Roman Street existed was first suggested 
 by Professor Mason of Cambridge. In 1791, Rev. 
 T. Leman, of Bath, satisfactorily traced it from 
 Chesterton on the Ivel (the site of the Roman 
 town Salence), as far as the parish of Eynesbury : 
 the line has since been distinctly pursued through 
 the parish of St. Neot's, and thence to Diirolipo?is, 
 the station on the Ouse at Godmanchester. Our 
 present business is merely with that part of this 
 Road which lies within the two parishes above- 
 mentioned. 
 
 Having passed close to a Tumulus 11 on Crane- 
 Hill, it abuts upon the parish of Eynesbury, pre- 
 cisely at its most S. point, at DrewelVLane (a part 
 of the road from Eynesbury to Potton) which it 
 crosses, bearing N.N.E. Leaving the manor farm 
 of Puttock's-Hardwick and Lansbury grounds a 
 little on the W., it forms the boundary between 
 Eynesbury and Abbotsley parishes. After having 
 crossed the road from Eynesbury to Abbotsley, and 
 the small stream called Hen-Brook at the bottom of 
 the valley, it constitutes the limit between the pa- 
 rishes of St. Neot's and Eynesbury. Following the 
 track of Hail-Lane, it leaves the manor farm of 
 Caldecot and the hamlet of Weald on the E., and 
 
 Cambridge) is now decidedly fixed at Godmanchester or Hunt- 
 ingdon, as originally conjectured by Camden and Gale. 
 
 c Information of Rev. T. Leman. 
 
 d Near Highfield Farm. This Tumulus, formerly planted 
 with trees, was called the Hen-and-Chickens. Since 1791 it 
 has been levelled, and its site is not now known. 
 
 15 <2
 
 the two Wintringhama on the W. It crosses the 
 turnpike road, from St. Neot's to Cambridge, close 
 h\ the village of Weald; the main road being cut 
 off from its course, and forming an elbow of about 
 200 yards upon the very line of the Roman Street. 
 The old moated (arm of Monks'-Hardwick is 
 about one mile to the W. of its course. Crossing 
 Gallow-Brook, the N. boundary of the two pa- 
 rishes, it bears nearly N. E. towards Godman- 
 chester. The extreme length of its course through 
 these two parishes is about 3\ miles. It is not to 
 be distinguished by an elevated crest : the country 
 being open, and the soil a stiff clay, the repeated 
 action of the plough has completely obliterated its 
 former character; it consequently presents to the 
 eye nothing more than an ordinary field track. 
 
 ROMAN CAMP? 
 
 About half a mile W. of this Road, near the 
 farm of Monks'-IIardwick, in St. Neot's parish, 
 are some indistinct Earth-Works, which have been 
 supposed to be traces of a Roman Camp. The 
 enclosure in which it is situated is called" Further 
 High Field." The spot is the most elevated in 
 the neighbourhood; it commands a view of the 
 ford of the Ouse at Eynesbury at the distance of 
 two miles, and of the vale of that River towards 
 Bedford. A small stream, called Fox-Brook, flows
 
 about 400 yards from its S. boundary ; the ground 
 declines, from the supposed Encampment to this 
 stream, by a very gentle slope. It is equally 
 distant from the stations Salence and Dnrolipo?is> 
 being 7i miles from each. These remains were 
 first examined, in 1796, by Rev. B. Hutchinson 6 
 of Holywell. In that year the ground had been 
 ploughed up ; notwithstanding which, " the line of 
 the Intrenchment, and five or six Tumuli," were 
 (according to Mr. H.) well defined. Since that 
 time, the attrition of the plough, and the leveling 
 effects of agricultural labor for 22 years, have 
 almost obliterated the original character of this 
 spot. On the N. and W. sides, however, detached 
 portions of a Vallum may be traced, running into 
 the hedge-rows ; on the S., the boundary is scarcely 
 discernible ; on the E. it is altogether obliterated. 
 The dimensions of this Intrenchment appear to 
 have been about 630 feet by 540. Within the 
 area are faint remains of a great number of Tu- 
 muli f . Adjacent to the middle of the W. side, 
 but within the area, is an oblong space of 150 feet 
 by 100 : it has been enclosed by a bank, except 
 on the S. : — this may, possibly, have been the 
 Praetorium. 
 
 These remains are now so nearly evanescent 
 that they might be easily overlooked, even by the 
 curious eye of an Antiquary, were it not certain 
 
 c Hutchinson's unpublished MS. on Huntingdonshire. 
 f The vestiges of 18 may still be traced, by a slight elevation, 
 and by the different color of the soil.
 
 6 
 
 (from respectable testimony) that they were well 
 defined, 1>\ a sufficiently bold elevation above 
 the level of the open field, so lately as 1796.. It 
 Is not known that any antiquities have been dis- 
 covered upon the spot ; and, unless such should 
 hereafter be noticed, the existing traces of these 
 Earth-Works must be considered as of too indis- 
 tinct and ambiguous a character to be decidedly 
 iv terrible to a Roman origin. On the other hand, 
 the vicinity of this supposed Intrenchment to a 
 Roman Street gives some plausibility to the conjec- 
 ture B that it lias been one of the Castra JEstira ; in- 
 truded to overlook the ford of the Onse at Eynes- 
 bury, and probably also to guard the adjoining 
 Road. 
 
 ROMAN DEFENCE ON THE OUSE. 
 
 That there has been a Roman Work on the 
 River at Eynesbury can scarcely be doubted. 
 The site of this military post appears to have been 
 a little S. W. of the present Church, close to the 
 ford of the Onse. It probably occupied a spot, 
 
 ■ It lias been thought expedient to notice Mr. II.'s conjecture, 
 and to give a precise description of this spot, in order to direct 
 attention to any antiquities which may possibly occur. Per- 
 haps, however, these supposed military Earth-Works are merely 
 the remains of Borne terraces, &c. formerly belonging to a re- 
 sidence in the hamlet of Monks'-Hardwick ; which now con- 
 sists only of two farms, but which formerly (as appears by the 
 Cartulan of St. Neot's Priory) contained several dwellings.
 
 at present known by the name of Eynesbury 
 Cony-geer, which has been waste from time im- 
 memorial, and has long been worked as a gravel- 
 pit. The bank rises abruptly from the Ouse, to 
 a height inconsiderable in itself, but commanding 
 with respect to the level of the surrounding mea- 
 dows : its declivity has clearly been assisted by 
 artificial means. The regular plan of this En- 
 campment has been long since effaced. In the 
 memory, however, of persons now living, lines 
 of intrenchment were visible, within the area of 
 which was an artificial mound h , a favorite resort 
 for village gambols ; these have disappeared, or 
 at least have ceased to retain any definite cha- 
 racter, on account of the long-continued working 
 of the soil for gravel. 
 
 Additional confirmation to the foregoing con- 
 jecture arises from the etymology of the name 
 of this village ; a source of evidence which is 
 acknowledged to be of a subordinate kind, and to 
 have no force except when combined with more 
 decisive considerations. The early Saxon name 
 
 11 It is a popular legend, that a giant, stationed upon this hill, 
 was accustomed to throw a weapon to another giant posted 
 upon the Norman Keep on the River bank at Eaton (distant 
 three-quarters of a mile), which was returned, in a similar way, 
 by the latter. Vulgar tradition (however absurd) is generally 
 formed around some nucleus of fact. Probably in this case, 
 the tradition originated in the circumstance of there having 
 been a military Defence at Eynesbury, as there certainly has 
 been a Norman Earth -Work at Eaton.
 
 8 
 
 of this place was, doubtless, BURG ' or BURY; 
 which, by later associations, was afterwards suc- 
 cessively modified into Eyne's-bury, and Neot's- 
 duky \ an appellation by which (for a time, at 
 least), a part of the town was known. The name 
 nunc was seldom given by our Saxon ancestors to 
 any town which had not been the site of a fortress. 
 
 Decisive Roman Antiquities are not wanting to 
 place these conclusions beyond all rational doubt. 
 In the reign of Elizabeth coins were found here 
 in great abundance. A writer of that age speaks 
 of Eynesbury as, undoubtedly, a military Defence 
 of the Romans'. Upon this authority Mr. Reynolds, 
 
 ' Buiiy, burg, or borough, from the Saxon Buj-lj, a tffwn or 
 citadel; or Beopj, a rock or eminence, the usual situation of 
 ancient cities or military defences. 
 
 k See Chapter IV. § II. 
 
 1 " The bouroughs, or buries, were ccrteine plots of ground 
 ulicrin the Romane souldiers did use to lie when they kept 
 in the open fields as chosen places, from whence they mighl 
 have easie acccsse unto their aduersaries [fanie outrage were 
 wrought.... and of these not a few remaine to be seene in 
 our time.... In these, therefore, and such like, and likewise at 
 Enolsburg, now 8. Neot's, or 8. Need's, and sundrie other 
 
 places is much of their coine also to be found, and some 
 
 peeces or other are dailie taken up, which they call borow-pence, 
 dwarf B-monie, heg's-pence, feiric-groats, Jewe's-monie, and by 
 other foolish names not woorthie to be remembred. At the 
 comming of the Saxons the Britons used these holds as rescues 
 for their cattell. &c" — Holinshed's Chronicle, Vol. I. p. 217. 
 being the Description of England 1>\ William Harrison, Hook U. 
 Chap. jouv. edit. 1586.
 
 9 
 
 in his map of Roman-Britain (prefixed to his work 
 on the Itinerary of Antonine), has annexed to St. 
 Neot's the character A, as indicating that Roman 
 Antiquities have been found there. It is to be 
 regretted that the coins and other remains, which 
 have occurred on this spot in abundance, have not 
 fallen under the notice of any Antiquary. Within 
 a few years Roman money has been repeatedly 
 taken up by laborers ; but, for want of the atten- 
 tion of some person interested in such researches, 
 it has been dispersed without any local remarks. 
 Among the few coins which recent inquiry has 
 brought under observation, No. 1, No. c 2, No. 4, 
 and No. 5, may be positively assigned to the En- 
 campment at Eynesbury or its vicinity. No. 3 was 
 found in the parish ; probably on the same spot. 
 
 1. Large brass : 
 
 Obverse. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM 
 COS XI CENS PER P P (Imperator Cae- 
 sar Domitianvs Avgvstvs Germanicvs Con- 
 svl XI Censor Perpetws Pater Patriae), en- 
 circling 
 
 The Emperor's head crowned with laurel. 
 Reverse. ANNONA AVGVST (Annona Av- 
 gvsti), encircling 
 
 Fortune, with a Cornucopia in her left hand, 
 standing before Ceres seated and holding a 
 torch ; between the two, the prow of a ship, 
 and an altar supporting a corn-measure. 
 S C (Senatvs Consvlto), in exergue.
 
 10 
 
 Pound in 1M7 in Eynesbury Cony-geer, near 
 the Ouse. It was probably struck in commemo- 
 ration of one of the Largesses which Domitian 
 thrice gave to the people, on which occasions 
 
 each man received 300 denarii and a basket of 
 provisions ". 
 
 2. Large brassofthe Emperor ADRIAN, much 
 defaced. Found in 1819 in Eynesbury Cony- 
 geer. 
 
 .'3. Small brass : 
 
 Obverse. IMP C CARAVSIVS P F AY (Im- 
 perator Caesar Caravsivs Pivs Felix Avgvstvs), 
 encircling. 
 
 The Emperor's head crowned. 
 Reverse. PAX AVG (Pax Avgvsti). 
 
 A female holding a sprig of olive in her right 
 hand, and I he 1 1 as I a pur a in her left. 
 V O (Flaminis Officinator"), in area. 
 Found in the parish some years since; the pre- 
 cise spot uncertain. According to Stukeley's 
 hypothesis" this coin must have been struck Jan. 
 80, A. D. 291. It differs from all the 314 coins 
 of Carausius engraved in his elaborate work ; but 
 it nearly resembles Hate XVII. fig. 6. 
 
 m Suetonius, Doniit. Cap. IV. 
 
 ■ '' The Official [for the mint] of the Flamen."— Stukeley. 
 
 • Stukeley's Mcdallic Hist, of Carausius, Vol. I. p. 1.5],
 
 11 
 
 4. Small brass : deposited in the British Museum 
 
 Obverse. CONSTANTINVS IVN N C (Con- 
 stantinvs Ivnior Nobilis Caesar), encircling 
 A half figure of the Emperor ; crowned with 
 laurel; armed with a coat-ofmail; bearing 
 a spear and shield in his left hand; reining 
 a horse 9 with his right. On the shield, two 
 figures joining their right hands. 
 Reverse. BEATA TRAXQVILLITAS, en- 
 circling 
 
 An altar, inscribed with VOTIS XX, support- 
 ing a globe surmounted by three " stars. 
 P T R and a crescent in exergue. 
 This votive coin, of which the Obverse is rare r , 
 was found at Eynesbury about 1797 s . As it does 
 
 p Supposed, by some, to be a type of the Roman Empire ; but 
 Ducange conceives that it is a symbol of the Circensian Games. 
 
 q Supposed to be emblematical of the world preserved by the 
 Gods for the three sons of Constantine the Great. 
 
 r Banduri notices a similar coin of Constantinus Junior, (dif- 
 fering, however, by having the head of the Emperor helmeted, 
 and TRO in exergue), which he designates as " rarissimus ob 
 typum capitis" [Banduri Numismata, Vol. II. p. 336, note (1); 
 and consult p. 314, note (2)]. 
 
 5 Information of the late Dr. Abbot, of Bedford, from whose 
 collection I received this coin.
 
 V2 
 
 not appear that this precise Variety has been yet 
 noticed', an engraving has been given in the pre- 
 ceding page. 
 
 :>. Middle brass : 
 
 Obverse 1 . D N MAGN FATIYN P F AVG 
 (Dominvs Noster Magnentivs Pivs Felix 
 Avgvstvs), encircling 
 
 The Emperor's head. 
 A in area. 
 Reverse. YICTORIAE DD NN AVG ET 
 CAE (Yietoriae Dominorvm Nostrorvm Av- 
 gvsti et Caesaris), encircling 
 
 Two winged Victories supporting a wreath, 
 .surmounted by the Christian monogram £ 
 Within the wreath VOT V MVLT X 
 (Votis V mvltis X). 
 A M B a crescent and a star, in exergue. 
 This votive coin was found about 1776, in Evnes- 
 buiv Churchyard, five feet below the surface, 
 on digging up an Elm tree". 
 
 Fragments of Roman pottery are frequently 
 turned up on Eynesbury Cony-geer. They con- 
 sisl chiefly of an unbaked black or dark-blue clay, 
 with very little ornament. Urns, of inferior work- 
 manship, have also been found on the same spot: 
 
 ' The Legend restored from TIVS P F AVG. 
 
 ■ Hutchinson's MS. on Huntingdonshire. Mr. II. conjectured 
 that this coin was one of ConstanTlYS, which is not the fact.
 
 13 
 
 they have probably been sepulchral ; although 
 the fact of their having contained bones has not 
 been ascertained. Of these Antiquities a single 
 specimen (found in 181 6) has hitherto been 
 preserved. This Vessel has, probably, been a 
 
 cinerary Urn: it is of red pottery, of ordinary 
 design; and has been moulded by the hand, in- 
 stead of having been submitted to the lathe v . 
 Several Urns, of nearly the same form and dimen- 
 sions, but devoid of pattern, were found a few 
 years since in St. Neot's, in a field belonging to 
 G. J. Gorham Esq., on the E. side of Hunt- 
 ingdon Street. They have been rudely formed 
 by the hand, and are composed of unbaked clay. 
 
 v It is now in the Public Library at Cambridge. The dimen- 
 sions are; heights inches, greatest diameter 7, diameter of the 
 
 mouth 24-.
 
 14 
 
 The mouth of each Urn was covered b\ a tile: 
 it was not noticed whether bones or ashes were 
 Inclosed; but skeletons were dug up in the Imme- 
 diate neighbourhood. From the close resemblance 
 which these \ essels boar to tho fragments ofun- 
 baked potter) at Eynesbury, they maj be referred, 
 without doubt, to tho same origin. 
 
 From the (acts and circumstances stated above, 
 it i> no improbable conclusion that there existed 
 a Roman Encampment ontheOuse at Eynesbun . 
 and, perhaps, a town in its vicinity. Both of these 
 might, possibly, have boon overlooked by a Sum- 
 mer-Camp, near tho Roman Road, at Monks'- 
 Hardwick. At what period these Works (if such 
 existed) were constructed, it i^ impossible to 
 
 ertain, unless further discoveries should throw 
 light on such an inquiry. It may, however, bo 
 conjectured that tho same measures ot" military 
 policy which induced tho Roman Propraetor, Os- 
 torius Scapula, to form a chain of Camps upon 
 the \on\ might load him to construct Defen 
 upon tho Oiise. History informs us, that, after 
 the Forts on tho \en had boon constructed a. d. 
 50, tho Iceni broke out into rebellion. After their 
 defeat . Ostorius led the troops into \. Wales: 
 
 ■ Perhaps this passage of die Ouse was upon a vicinal Roman 
 i. unbridge (C«hw iImw), to the Camp at Irchesteron 
 the Xen. 
 
 x Tacitus, Annal. XII. 31. 
 
 ttle i.- supposed by Brotier, (not in Tacit. Annal. XII.
 
 15 
 
 it is improbable, however, that he should have 
 withdrawn the mass of his army from the turbulent 
 tribe which inhabited this district, without having 
 constructed Defences, garrisoned with soldiers, for 
 the purp f overawing them, and of checking 
 
 their future incursions. Perhaps the On* 
 at that period fortified (as the Xen had recentlv 
 been), thus forming an advanced line of defence 
 in front of the most inveterate enemies of the 
 Roman power. Accordingly, we find either de- 
 cided Stations, traces of Intrenchments, or other 
 Roman Antiquities, at the following places on the 
 Ouse, or its branch:-: — Sandy (SaleruE) on the 
 Ivel, Evnesbury, Godmanchester (DuroUpoju 2 \ 
 and Holywell*; all of which posts are nearlv at 
 equal intervals, and would be well calculated to 
 defend this River, as a barrier against the incur- 
 sions of an enemy approaching the Xen from Cam- 
 bridgeshire. 
 
 to have been fought in Huntingdonshire ; Mr. Gale (MS. 
 note quoted in Gough's Camden. VoL L p. 1 -rrr. edit. 1 B 
 thinks it probable that the scene of action described by Ta: 
 was Vandalbury Camp, on the Gogmagog Hills, near Cam- 
 bridge. 
 
 1 Camden conceives that this is a corruption from Dur-oii- 
 pont. the Bridge ox the fin - i 
 
 * Hutchinson's unpublished MS. on Huntingdonshire.
 
 1(> 
 
 $11. 
 
 C0NJECT1 RES RESPECTING EYNE3B1 UY IN SAXON TIMES. 
 
 NO further conjectures, respecting the early 
 History of Eynesbury, can be rationally pursued, 
 from the time of the declension of the Roman 
 Empire in Britain, till the period in which this 
 place received its present name ; and even upon 
 this point no very decisive information can be 
 obtained. 
 
 The name of this place is written with a great 
 many variations in the most ancient Records and 
 Chronicles; they all, however, point decisively to 
 its etymology. On a reference to such of these 
 variations as are given in the margin % it will be 
 evident, that Eynesbury is a corruption of Er- 
 nulph's-Bury abbreviated into Ern'sbury, or of 
 Ainulpii's-Bury contracted into Ain'sbury : the 
 signification of the name is, consequently, Er- 
 nulph's Borough, or Ainulph\s Borough ; — 
 Ernulph, and Ainulph, being only different me- 
 thods of writing the same name. Who was this 
 Ernulph, is a question to which do decisive an- 
 swer can be returned. Fuller (without reference, 
 however, to any authorities) asserts that lie was 
 
 a The following arc the principal : — Ernulphiberia, Eynolves- 
 brri, Eynob obyri, Elnophesbiry, Enulfesbery, Enulvcsbiri, 
 Enolvesbiri, Henulvesberi, Esnibiria.
 
 17 
 
 of " the royal line of the old Britons V It is 
 more probable that he was a devout man, whose 
 memory was venerated by our Saxon ancestors, 
 and to whom some religious Edifice was dedicated 
 at this place. The Jesuit Alford states, on the 
 authority of some English Martyrology, that 
 Ernulph was a Confessor and Hermit, who, 
 after having led a holy life, died A. D. 740 ; his 
 name being perpetuated in the place where he 
 dwelt, and his piety commemorated on 22 Au- 
 gust . There was a Bishop of Metz of this name, 
 who (having retired for the purpose of leading an 
 eremitical life) died A. D. 640, and was buried 
 in the Monastery of Remiremont on the Moselle, 
 in Lorrain d . The author above-quoted had for- 
 merly embraced the opinion that Eynesbury re- 
 ceived its name from this person ; since the French 
 Martyrology (he says) records a tradition, that 
 the remains of the Bishop were translated to the 
 neighbourhood of Bedford, and also appropriates the 
 
 b Fuller's Worthies, under Bedfordshire, p. 1 15. edit. 1652. 
 
 " A. D. 740. — Claudat hunc annum Arnulfus Sanctus, 
 Confessor et Eremita, qui in Scenorum [Icenorum] provincia, et 
 Huntingdoniensi agro, tarn pie vixit, tam pie ibidem mortuus est, 
 ut loco nomen suum in argumentum sanctitatis reliquerit ; ibi 
 ubi hodie S. Neoti oppidum visitur, et Arnulfsbury, aut con- 
 tractus Eynesbury dicitur. In eo loco Arnulfus, cum Deo 
 plures annos fideliter servivisset, et multo virtutum odore pro- 
 vinciam implesset, moritur anno 740, ut habet nostrum [Angli- 
 canum] Martyrologium, ad 22 Augusti, ubi nomen ejus inter 
 Sanctos legitur." Alfordi Annales, Tom. II. p. 553. edit. 1663. 
 
 d Mabillon, Acta Sanctorum, Secul. II. p. 156. 
 
 c
 
 18 
 
 •aim 1 d;i\ (22 August) for his commemoration, 
 which is assigned by the English Martyrology to 
 the British Saint*, [f Catholic Annalists, sufficiently 
 jealous for the honor of sainted remains, have been 
 unable to disentangle these difficulties, it would 
 be in vain for merely topographical curiosity to 
 attempt their solution. Nevertheless, it maybe 
 observed that the argument adduced from the 
 identity of the days of commemoration of the two 
 Ernulphs, is not correct : from what " French 
 Mail \ Tologj " Alt'ord quotes does not appear — it 
 was possibl) an incorrccl and interpolated MS. 
 copy — lor all the 'printed Martyrologies assign 
 either IS July, or l(i August, to Erni i.i'ii Bishop 
 of Met/; the former being supposed the day of 
 his deatli, and the latter of his translation to Re- 
 
 1 <• Quis Aim i.i i s fueril aliquando a me duhitatum est: et 
 si mil opinabar cum intclligi, qui A km i.i is Episcopus dicitur 
 in Supplemento Martyrologii Gallicani : ubi ad22Augusti ita 
 legitur; Translatio Sancti Arm i.imii Episcopi: cujus corpus 
 a Gallia Iradiuil in Angliam delation, et apud Bed ford iam fit i*sc 
 \situm. Enimvero Sancti Nicoti oppidum, in Bedfordi- 
 ensls Provinciae confinio, non procul est ab Urbc Principe. 
 Verum in nostra [Anglicano] Martyrologio legitur Arnulphus 
 alter, Confessor el Eremita, qui in Huntingdoniensi agro sanc- 
 titate claruit: el ab illo rectius oppidum appellatur, nam ibi 
 Bepultus dicitur. Quoniam vera utrumque Martyrologium in 
 eundem diem conspirat ad cultum ejus, nimirum ad 22 Au- 
 gusti, onus forte idemque Sanctus censendus : et disputent alii, 
 an Episcopus e Gallia fuerit; an vcro e Britanno sanguine ortus, 
 in Anglia natus, et defunctus, ut Fasti nostri affirmant." Alfordi 
 Annales, Tom. III. p. 189.
 
 19 
 
 miremont. On the whole, it appears most natural 
 to conclude, with the English Martyrology f , that 
 our Ernulph (being commemorated on 22 Au- 
 gust) was a pious Hermit different from the 
 French Bishop ; and (in defect of better evi- 
 dence) we may acquiesce in Alford's original 
 statement, that the former person lived and died 
 in Eynesbury, about the middle of Century 
 VIIL, bequeathing his name to the favorite spot 
 where he had retired for the purpose of religious 
 meditation. 
 
 f As quoted by Alford (see the preceding notes). 
 
 C 2
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 <f)n tfte religious &OU0C0 tfcbuatetf to Stilrot 
 in (^orntoall an& in JininttngtfonsJjtrc. 
 
 § i. 
 
 HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE OF ST. NEOT, IN CORNWALL. 
 
 EMOTE as are the two 
 places which have been 
 brought together in this 
 Chapter, they are in- 
 timately connected by 
 the narrative of their 
 common patron Saint. 
 In order to give a per- 
 spicuous account of the 
 Monastic History of 
 Eynesbury, it will be necessary to contemplate 
 the scene of the life and death of Neot. For 
 this purpose, retiring at present from Hunting- 
 donshire, we shall pursue our inquiries in a distant 
 corner of the kingdom. 
 
 Considerable obscurity hangs over the birth- 
 place and the parentage of Neot. His Biographers
 
 21 
 
 make contradictory statements upon these points ; 
 and some of their assertions are irreconcilable 
 with decided historical facts. The father of Neot 
 is variously stated to have been King of the East- 
 Angles a , King of the West- Angles [West-Saxons?] 
 and of Kent b , and Tetrarch of Kent c . Respecting 
 the name of his progenitor, there is a disagreement 
 rather apparent than real : two Narratives d conceal 
 it ; the other authorities (above quoted) state that 
 Neot was the son of a King named Fidulf e , El- 
 dulf f , Edulph g , or Adulph h , which are merely 
 orthographical varieties for Ethelwulph \ 
 
 These several testimonies disagree, it is true, as 
 to the extent of the dominions which were subject 
 to the royal father of Neot (a disagreement which 
 proves nothing more than the carelessness or ig- 
 norance of the Writers respecting this particular 
 
 a Life of Neot, MSS. Bodley 535. [App. II. 33.]. 
 
 b Life of Neot, MSS. Cotton Claudius A. V.— John de Tin- 
 mouth's Historia Aurea, MSS. Lambeth 12. [App. II. ©.]. — 
 Tinmouth's Sanctilogium, MSS. Cotton Tiberius E. I. 
 
 c Life of Neot, MSS. Magdalen College Oxford 53. 
 
 d Lives of Neot: Anglo-Saxon Homily, MSS. Cott. Vesp. 
 D. XIV. [App. II. &.] ;— MSS. Bodley 535. [App. II. 23.]. 
 
 e Life of Neot, MS. of the Abbey of Bee, published in Acta 
 Sanct. Sec. IV. P. II. p. 324. 
 
 f Life of Neot, MSS. Cott. Claud. A. V.— John de Tinmouth's 
 Hist. Aurea, MSS. Lambeth, 12. [App. II. ©.]• 
 
 s John de Tinmouth's Sanctilogium, MSS. Cotton Tib. E. I. 
 
 h Lives of Neot : MS. Conventual Library of St. Neot's, quoted 
 in Leland's Coll. Vol. III. p. 11.;— MSS. Magd. Coll. Oxf. 53. 
 
 ' In ancient chronicles this name is also written jEthulph, 
 Addelwlf, ^Edhulf, Athulf, Eadulf, &c.
 
 22 
 
 point of History): they conspire, however, in the 
 principal fact, that Neot was the son of King 
 Ethelwulph, and, consequently, the brother of 
 Allied the Great. 
 
 To reconcile this position with historical facts, 
 is no easy if it be a possible task. The early 
 Chronicles of English History inform ns that 
 Ethelwulph had four sons, Ethclbald, Ethelbert, 
 Ethelred, and Alfred; who successively inherited 
 the crowns of West-Saxony, and of Kent. He had 
 also a son (born before these, and of a different 
 mother) named Atheist an, upon whom he bestowed 
 the Princedom of Kent; whilst he himself re- 
 tained the Kingdom of West-Saxony. Every 
 antient Record (with the exception of the Lives 
 of Neot) is silent as to any other descendant of 
 Ethelwulph. 
 
 Mr. Whitaker attempts to solve this difficulty, 
 by hazarding a bold conjecture. His singular 
 position is, that Neot is to be identified with 
 Athelstan! In the year 851, Athelstan, when 
 Prince of Kent, gained a splendid victory over 
 the Danes at Sandwich. From that period this 
 Prince disappears from the page of History; and 
 William oOIalmesbury k (who wrote scarcely three 
 Centuries later) confesses his ignorance of the 
 manner in which Athelstan terminated his life. 
 Mr. W. maintains that Athelstan " merges from 
 
 k Malmsbury, Dc Gest. Regum, Lib. II. Cap. 2., in Saville 
 Angl. Scrip, p. 37. edit. Franc. 1601.
 
 23 
 
 our view in the person of Neot." Disgusted with 
 the sanguinary scenes which he had witnessed at 
 the battle of Sandwich, he determined to renounce 
 the world: having, therefore, resigned the crown 
 of Kent to his brother Ethelbald, he retired to the 
 Abbey of Glastonbury, and assumed the habit of 
 a Monk. For the purpose of decidedly manifest- 
 ing his relinquishment of former worldly di- 
 stinctions, he changed the name of Athelstan for 
 that of neotW (" The Little One"), an appella- 
 tion at once descriptive of his diminutive stature 
 and of his spiritual lowliness" 1 . 
 
 To this bold theory a very powerful objection 
 
 1 Mr. W. has brought forward some very curious and va- 
 luable information, to shew that the introduction of Greek 
 terms was by no means unfrequent in Centuries VIII. and IX. 
 — Whitaker's Life of Neot, pp. 85, 86. 
 
 m For the statement of the whole argument, see Whitaker's 
 Life of Neot, pp. 69 — 87. The principal reasons assigned, for 
 the identity of Prince Athelstan and St. Neot, are: — 1. That 
 each is said to have been the son of Ethelwulph ; — 2. That in 
 851 Prince Athelstan disappears from the page of History, and 
 that in the same year one Earl Athelstan, with the assent of 
 Ethelwulph, gave some land together tvith his body to the Abbey 
 of Glastonbury, of which St. Neot is known to have been a 
 Monk; — 3. that King Ethelwulph in 851 (in which Athelstan 
 appears for the last time), made a grant of land to the same 
 Abbey; and therefore, probably, on the sntiance of his son 
 into that Monastery. The first of these reasons is the only one 
 which deserves consideration. The second is merely a grant 
 of land on condition that the body of the donor should be in- 
 terred in the Abbey. The third is a coincidence of dates by 
 no means remarkable.
 
 24 
 
 occ\:~<. I: is iible that a prince of Kent, 
 
 and an Heir to the throne of West Saxony, should 
 
 - _ lis lofty worldly honors to assume 
 
 ibit of a Monk, and vet thai - striking 
 
 an example of pious feeling should have been 
 
 ned in profound - y. The religious Order 
 
 which rw .1 him within Ha CfoisU - aid 
 
 ss have blazoned forth to the world - 
 splene. triumph of the Faith ; and even though 
 
 Monks : Glastonbury had, from some im- 
 rious mo: e, st .Lied concealment, so remarkable 
 an event must inevitably have obtained n 
 The i st Chronicles, h ow e v er , are altogether 
 ect 1 such an event, on the part 
 01 the Prince; while the Monkish Narral 
 (th .._ ith laiu: r; claim no 
 
 - _ :i honor for the Sain: . 
 
 1 -^ ^ " V. P. I. p. 311.] 
 
 endeavours :;on. bv an hypo; i flytf 
 
 lstan did not retire voluntarily fir v 
 
 but yielded circumstance Jph 
 
 wee: ne; i _r - g ■ absence h - ion 
 
 the goTernmer - BBex: El . on hi> 
 
 •kingdom of Kent, from which (according to this hypo- 
 thec . .elstan 1 from rr. v.pe- 
 ■d devoted himself Monast 
 - ngemou- j means accounts for the 
 of die Biographers t to a jch a laudable act 
 :"£ _ :.-.:;.. 
 
 ■'■ :: -' -.-' ' '■'■ ■' ''■'■ '•"--- :.:--:-. h^- ; -:•.:; 
 
 raised: .oonvmous Writer in the Gentler '^razirre 
 
 . forlSU. P — . .that
 
 25 
 
 Dismissing the theory of Mr. Whitaker, as un- 
 tenable upon any principle^ : ober criticism, 
 we may proceed to notice the opinion of Mr. 
 Hals'. Mr. H. asserts that Neot was the yo 
 son of Ethelwulph; and, that the name which 
 he ultimately assumed was originally a mere di- 
 stinction from that of his lather, after whom he 
 was called Ethei.wui.ph he : 7- ■.:' . Et elwulph the 
 Less or Ethel wulph Junior. It must be admitted 
 that the silence of History (with respect to the 
 circumstance of Ethelwulph having had such a 
 son) is less remarkable on the supposition that 
 Neot, being the youngest member of the royal 
 Eamilv, never became (like his brother- .:her 
 Prince of Kent, or King of West-Saxony. On 
 the other hand, this assertion, being unsupported 
 bv historical testimony, can only be considered as 
 an ingenious conjecture. 
 
 The reputed royal birth of Neot m ill, 
 
 therefore, be considered as a very doubtful mar: 
 being supported by no other direct testmi 
 
 (though the fact was ttaknowr :■:■ ^ illam of Mab«bi 
 :: _ . :r:~ ~^_-:_i ".::'.;« iz.1 rr:~ ::-__- ~i~..:z. 
 that A; -:i - pK.;:::': 
 
 VS : icon- Lib. IV. Cap. MIL" . As. ho» ever. John de 
 
 F::ian m I . recently as the dose of Century AJA _ bis 
 assertion respecting an even: . ataij IX.. nnsoEtamed by 
 
 : lirly be considered as questionable. 
 'Hafe'BfSS -oted in some 3 > lections by £- 
 7 --:.- Boconnoc. 
 
 I . Grecian will not app e ar biiJMgc to those who are fa- 
 ~-:^ • .:...__ M. _=_-:. 1..:... .::._: .._-. "..i;:.t . z ...
 
 •26 
 
 than thai of the Monks' who wrote the Life of 
 
 this Saint about Century XL Some other Writers, 
 however (though silent respecting the alleged 
 descent from Ethelwulph), state thai Neotwas the 
 near relative of Alfred the Great'. Upon the 
 whole it appears probable, that Neot was descended 
 from a collateral branch of the royal House of' 
 West-Saxony; and that his zealous Biographers 
 (either misled by the circumstance of his intimacy 
 with his relative 1 Alfred, or ensnared by the 
 desire of enhancing the honor of the Saint), 
 hastily pronounced him to be one of the sons" of 
 Ethelwulph, or the brother" of Alfred. 
 
 r Sec App. I., for an account of all the MS. Lives of Neot. 
 
 * " Neotus qui erat cognatus suus." Chronicle of the Con- 
 ventual Library of St. Neot's (Gale's Script. XX. Vol. I. p. 167.) ; 
 — Asscr DeRcb. Gest.iElfredi, in an. S?S ; it is probable, how- 
 ever, that the passage has been interpolated, since it was wanting 
 in the most ancient MS. of Asser formerly in the Cotton Library. 
 
 ' The expressions of Neot's Biographers respecting this con- 
 sanguinity may lie seen in App. II. 21. 53. and (£. 
 
 u Life of Neot, MSS. Cott. Claud. A. V. The assertion rests 
 upon litis Life; tor the other MSS. ([noted above (p. 21. notes), 
 arc either the same Composition or merely Abstracts from it. 
 
 v This assertion appears to have been first introduced into the 
 Sanctilogium of John de Tinmouth, written at the end of Cen- 
 tury XIV. [See App. II. (£. notes]. A single MS. of the Life 
 of Neot [the Life generally cited in this Vol. as, MSS. Cott. 
 Claud. A. V.] quoted by Leland (Coll. Vol. III. p. 11.) from 
 the Conventual Library of St. Neot's, also stated that he was 
 the brother of Alfred; but it was probably an interpolated MS., 
 since neither the .MS. in the Cotton Library, nor that in the Ab- 
 bey of Bee published by Mabillon, contains such an expression.
 
 27 
 
 Neot was born in the former part of Century 
 IX. It seems that he had in early life some in- 
 ducements to select the profession of the army ; 
 but when he had attained to a military age, he 
 resigned the prospects of temporal glory, that 
 he might devote himself to a spiritual warfare w . 
 In the flower of youth, he renounced the 
 world, professed himself a Neophyte", and as- 
 sumed the habit of a Monk, in Glastonbury Ab- 
 bey y , about the middle of Century IX z . Among 
 
 "Lives of Neot: MSS. Cott. Claud. A. V— MSS. Magd. 
 Coll. Oxf. 
 
 x Two derivations of the word NEOTUS have been men- 
 tioned (p. 23. and p. 25.) ; neither of which appear plausible. 
 If, as there seems reason to think, this was not a real but 
 an assumed name, it may, perhaps, be considered as a 
 contraction of NEO/j/^TUS (the " new-born" convert) into 
 NEO'TUS. Nothing was more common than to apply this 
 term to persons who had taken upon themselves religious 
 vows : it also sometimes occurs as a Proper Name [see, Catal. 
 MSS. in Bibl. Regia Paris. Vol. II. Cod. 395. 1923. 2256. 
 &c.]. 
 
 y Lives of Neot : Anglo-Saxon Homily, MSS. Cott. Vesp. 
 D. XIV. [App. II. &.] ;— MSS. Bodley 535 [App. II. $.] ;— 
 MSS. Cott. Claud. A. V. ;— MSS. Magd. Coll. Oxf. 53. 
 
 z It is perfectly clear that Neot must have entered Glaston- 
 bury about the year 850 : yet the most egregious mis-statements 
 occur among his Biographers. He is said to have studied there, 
 under Abbot Dunstan, about 940 [MSS. Cott. Claud. A. V. — 
 MSS. Magd. Coll. Oxf. 53.] ; in the time of Elpheg, Bishop of 
 Winchester, from 935 to 951 [MSS. Cott. Vesp. D. XIV— 
 MSS. Bodley 535.] ; and of Ethelwolde, afterwards Bishop of 
 Winchester in 963 [MSS. Bodl. 535.— MSS. Cott. Claud. A. V. 
 —MSS. Magd. Coll. Oxf. 53.]. William de Mahnsbury says
 
 28 
 
 the Brethren of that House he became eminent 
 for his literary attainments; lie was still more 
 endeared to them by his humility and devotion. 
 Not satisfied with the religious exercises pre- 
 scribed by the rules of the Order, he would often 
 rise in the silence of the night, and steal to the 
 Chapel in the disguise of a penitent, that (with- 
 out being known to any casual intruder) he might 
 pour out his soul in prayer: at the dawn of day, 
 while the Brethren were yet in the Dormitory, 
 he would resume his usual dress, and take his 
 part in all the duties of the Monastery 11 . Having 
 been admitted to Holy Orders 1 ', he was made 
 Sacristan of the Abbey. The lame of his learn- 
 ing and devotion attracted immense multitudes, 
 from all parts of the country, who flocked to 
 Glastonbury to receive the benefit of his instruc- 
 tion . Under a strong feeling of the danger of 
 
 that Neot was the Disciple of Erconwald, Bishop of London, 
 about 680 [De Gest. Pont. Lib. IV., in Saville Angl. Scrip, p. 
 29'2.] ; Higden, writing in the middle of Century XIV., repeats 
 this strange assertion [Polychronicon Lib. V., in Gale Script. 
 XX. Vol. II. p. 2 tl.] 
 
 • Lives of Neot: MSS. Cotton Claud. A. V.;— MSS. Magd. 
 Coll. Oxf. 53. 
 
 b The Anglo-Saxon Homily says he was ordained by Elpheg 
 Bishop of Winchester ; who, however, did not live till a Cen- 
 tury later [Life of Neot, MSS. Cott. Vesp. U. XIV.].— John 
 de Glastonbury [p. 111. edit. Hearne] states that Neot was 
 ordained by the Bishop of Wells ; but his single authority is of 
 little weight, since he wrote so lately as about 1493. 
 
 ' Lives of Neot: MSS. Cott. Claud. A. V.j— MSS. Magd. 
 Coll. Oxf. 53.
 
 29 
 
 popular applause, he determined to retire from 
 this public station, and to lead the life of an An- 
 choret in some less frequented spot . For this 
 purpose he bade farewell to the beloved scenes of 
 his early youth, and quitted the Cloisters of Glas- 
 tonbury, accompanied by a single attendant, Ba- 
 rius c . He selected for his residence a secluded 
 valley in Cornwall ; which is described by the 
 Monkish Writers as " a very fair place d ;" a syl- 
 van retreat, surrounded by almost impenetrable 
 woods, embosomed in the hills, and well sup- 
 plied with springs 6 . Two favorite pools, which 
 were near to his Cell, have afforded materials for 
 some singular legendary tales : the simple fact 
 appears to have been, that one of these reser- 
 voirs was the Hermit's fish-pond ; the other, pro- 
 bably, his bath. The neighbouring village was 
 called Ham-Stoke f , and was distant ten miles 
 from the Convent of St. Petrock g ; the name was 
 shortly after changed to Neot-Stoke 5 ; and sub- 
 sequently to St. Neot's, the appellation which 
 it still retains. In this retirement he passed seven 
 years. He then visited Rome to receive the 
 
 d Anglo-Saxon Life of Neot, MSS. Cott. Vesp. D. XIV. 
 
 e Lives of Neot : MSS. Bodl. 535. [App. II. ft.] ;— MSS. 
 Cott. Claud. A. V. ;— MSS. Magd. Coll. Oxf. 53. 
 
 f Matthew Westminster, p. 330. edit. 1570. 
 
 s Lives of Neot : Anglo-Saxon Homily, MSS. Cott. Vesp. 
 D. XIV. [App. II. &.] ;— MSS. Bodl. 535. [App. II. 53.].— This 
 Convent was at Bodmin, eight miles from St. Neot's.
 
 ;30 
 
 Pope's* blessing, and to obtain his counsel respect- 
 ing sonic scruples which had arisen in his mind as 
 to the expediency of changing his eremitical life'. 
 The Roman Pontiff dissuaded him from solitary 
 devotion ; exhorting him to return into Cornwall, 
 and " to scatter the word of (iod among the 
 people 1 ." In compliance with this paternal advice, 
 Wot again spught his retired valley, founded a 
 .Monastery, or College of Priests, and gathered 
 together some religious Brethren, over whom he 
 was constituted Abbot k . Of this Institution no- 
 thing is known, except that in the time of Edward 
 the Con lessor it possessed two hides of land; and 
 that at the Norman Conquest, it was a religious 
 Society, called " the Clerks of St. Neot 1 ." 
 
 Having brought into a connected view the few 
 undoubted facts which have been recorded rc- 
 
 h Lives of Ncot: Anglo-Saxon Homily MSS. Cott, Vesp. 
 I). XIV. [App. II. «.];— MSS. Until. 535 [App. II. 13.];— and 
 MSS. Cott. Claud. At V.; all agree in stating .Martin II. as the 
 Pope whom Neot visited at Rome; hut he did not ascend the 
 papal chair till 882, after Neot's death. Mahillon [Acta Sanct. 
 Sic. IV. P. II.] suggests, as an amendment, John VIII., who 
 became Pope in 872. Neot's visit to Rome was, probably, still 
 earlier, in the Pontificate of Adrian II. (867—872). 
 
 1 Lives of Neot; MSS. Cott. Claud. A. V. ; — MSS. Magd. 
 Coll. Oxf. 53. 
 
 k Lives of Neot : MSS. Bodl. 535 [App. II. B.] ;— MSS. 
 Cott. Claud. A. V.;— MSS. Magd. Coll. Oxf. 53. 
 
 1 Domesday, Vol. II. f. 121 a.— [App. XXX.]
 
 31 
 
 specting Neot, from his entrance into Glastonbury 
 Abbey to the period of his founding a religious 
 House in Cornwall ; it may be proper to notice 
 very briefly some curious adventures, which have 
 been detailed by Catholic Writers as miraculous 
 occurrences. Most of these, if divested of their 
 legendary coloring, would probably be found not 
 to be altogether fictitious, but to have had their 
 origin in some simple adventure. 
 
 1. Neot was so diminutive in his stature, that he 
 has been called " another Zaccheus." He was 
 accustomed, therefore, when he chanted mass at 
 Glastonbury, to stand on an iron stool, which was 
 long after preserved in that Abbey as a relic m . It 
 happened, on a certain day, that a person of high 
 rank came to the Abbey at noon, " when the 
 Monks usually rested and locked their gates." In 
 vain did the stranger knock for admittance ; no 
 person heard the sound : he therefore repeated 
 the summons with such violence as to awaken the 
 Sacristan Neot, who was officially reposing in the 
 Church. Hastening to the door, when scarcely 
 roused from his slumbers, he missed his iron stool, 
 
 m It was said to be still at Glastonbury at the end of Century 
 XV. — John de Glastonbury, p. 112. edit. Heame. 
 
 n Probably " lying there upon a bench, as Wolstan Arch 
 bishop of York used to lie when he was a Monk ; and having, 
 perhaps, as Wolstan had, the book from which he prayed as 
 his pillow !" Whitaker, [quoting Florence of Worcester 442. 
 Edit. Lond. 1592.] Life of Neot, p. 44.
 
 32 
 
 and was unable to reach the lock. At last, when 
 in greal distress, the lock gradually descended to 
 the level of his Monastic girdle, so that he was 
 enabled to open the door! The legend adds, 
 
 that the lock continued long after in this posi- 
 tion, as a testimony to the truth of the miracle . 
 " In the soberer style of truth," Mr. Whitaker p 
 justly remarks, " the lock was lowered in conse- 
 quence of St. Xeot's distress Thus, what was 
 
 left, as the consequence of a little alteration made, 
 and a memorial of a little event in the life of the 
 Saint, was shaped by the plastic imagination of 
 devotees into the memorial of a miracle that had 
 never been wrought." 
 
 2. The next legend removes the scene of re- 
 puted miracles from Glastonbury into Cornwall. 
 Near the site of the Hermitage, to which this holy 
 ( onfessor retired, was a pool in which were three 
 fishes. Of these (the fabulous narrative affirms) 
 the Hermit had a Divine permission to take one 
 — and only one — every day : this condition being 
 observed, he was assured that the supply should 
 never be diminished. It happened, however, 
 that he was afflicted with a severe indisposi- 
 tion, and was unable to take anv sustenance. 
 His disciple, Barius, with a studious regard to 
 
 Lives of Neot : MSS. Cott. Claud. A. V.;— MSS. Magd. 
 Coll. Oxf. 53. 
 
 p Whitakcr's Life of Neot, p. 45.
 
 33 
 
 the delicacy of his master's appetite, went to the 
 pool and caught two fishes ; having boiled one and 
 broiled the other, he hoped to induce the Hermit 
 to eat. Neot was alarmed, and anxiously in- 
 quired whence the two fishes came. Barius told 
 his simple tale. " What hast thou done ?" said 
 the Hermit : " lo ! the favor of God deserts us : 
 go instantly and restore these fishes to their ele- 
 ment." While Barius was absent at the pool, 
 Neot prostrated himself in earnest prayer, till 
 his servant returned with the intelligence that the 
 fishes were disporting in the water as usual. He 
 again went to the well (continues this fabulous 
 narrative), and took only one fish ; which the Her- 
 mit had no sooner tasted, than he was restored 
 to perfect health q ! 
 
 3. During the period of Neot's residence in 
 Cornwall as an Anchoret, he is said to have been 
 accustomed to repeat the whole Psalter, once each 
 day, standing in a fountain of clear water near his 
 Hermitage. The celebrity of this beautiful Spring 
 has been perpetuated by tradition. It is yet to 
 be seen at the foot of a hill, not far to W. of the 
 Church, some years since clothed with forest trees. 
 An everflowing rill issues from it, which fills a 
 reservoir about four feet square : it was surmounted 
 by a stone canopy, the arch of which fell in a few 
 
 i Lives of Neot: MSS. Cott. Claud. A. V.;— MSS. Magd. 
 Coll. Oxf. 53. 
 
 D
 
 34 
 
 years Bince: the side walls still remain; the aper- 
 ture above is overgrown with briers, ferns, and ivy. 
 About 60 years since, a venerable oak, bending 
 forward from the bank above, spread its branches 
 like a fan over this sainted well. This crystal 
 pool (which was probably fhe Hermit's bath) is 
 said to have been the scene of more than one 
 strange event. 
 
 One of these is recorded in an Anglo-Saxon 
 Homily on St. Xeot r . On a certain day, the Saint 
 retired to his sequestered Spring to chant his 
 psalms. While bathing in the pool, " as his cus- 
 tom was," he heard many horsemen riding through 
 the wood. The timid Hermit tied in confusion to 
 his sylvan "Oratory/' " unwilling that any earthly 
 men should be acquainted with his devotions." 
 In the haste of his retreat he lost his shoe; in 
 search of which (having first concluded his orisons) 
 he dispatched his servant. On his way to the 
 Spring, " a crafty fox (who had run over hill and 
 dale), casting his eyes wildly hither and thither, 
 suddenly came to the spot where the holy man 
 had been bathing his feet, and took away the 
 shoe." In order that " the Saint might not 
 be scandalized by so mean a thing," the fox 
 was miraculously cast into a dee]) sleep, " and 
 died, having the thongs of the shoe in his vile 
 mouth." The servant, having obtained it, re- 
 
 r MSS. Cott. Vesp. D. XIV. ft'. 144 b. 145 a. [App. II. &.].
 
 35 
 
 turned to his master, by whom he was strictly 
 enjoined not to divulge the event till after his 
 death ! The general outline of this story, may, 
 possibly, record some actual adventure which oc- 
 curred to the Recluse in his wild retreat. 
 
 4. Another incident, connected with this cele- 
 brated Spring, bears still less the character of a 
 miracle ; if some slight glosses be removed. " On 
 a certain day," says his poetical Biographer 8 , 
 " when Neot was chanting his psalms in the foun- 
 tain, according to his custom, a trembling doe, 
 flying through the thickets of the neighbouring 
 forest, and bounding over the impassable under- 
 wood, fell down at the feet of the Saint, and by 
 her anxious pantings implored the aid which 
 she could not ask by more intelligible signs. 
 Touched by her pitiful terror, the holy man de- 
 termined to afford her a refuge. The dogs fol- 
 lowed in full chase, panting to tear her in pieces ; 
 but when they saw her at the feet of the Saint, 
 they fled back to the wood, as if they had been 
 wounded, while Neot dismissed the doe unhurt. 
 The huntsman, astonished at the event, cast away 
 his quiver, implored the counsel of the holy Her- 
 mit, by his advice relinquished the world, and 
 became a Monk at the neighbouring Convent 
 of St. Petroc. The very horn which he wore," 
 
 s Life of Neot: MSS. Magd. Coll. Oxf. 53.— Also, MSS. 
 Cott. Claud. A. V. 
 
 D 2
 
 36 
 
 tiniii's this Writer, " remains to this day a 
 witness of the fact, being bung up in the 
 Church!" 
 
 5. In the next legendary storj we are introduced 
 to the Convent, or College of Priests, founded by 
 Xeot when he quitted his Cell to sustain the office 
 of an Abbot. Some thieves came by night and 
 stele the oxen belonging to the farm of the Mo- 
 nastery. On the following morning, when the 
 holy Brethren wanted to use their ploughs, the 
 bullocks were missing. Xeot exhorted them not 
 to be disconsolate. In this difficulty man}' Btags 
 from the neighbouring woodlands tamely offered 
 their necks to the yoke, and patiently submitted 
 to all the labor necessary for the tillage of the 
 farm; when unyoked in the evening they resorted 
 to their favorite pastures, but voluntarily re- 
 turned each morning to their accustomed work. 
 The report of such a wonderful event readied the 
 ears of" the thieves. With unfeigned penitence 
 they repaired to the Abbot, confessed the robbery, 
 lamented their wickedness, assumed the vows ami 
 habit of the Convent, and consecrated the re- 
 mainder of life to devotional exercises. The oxen 
 having been restored, the stags were dismissed to 
 their native woods; but, " concerning them," savs 
 the credulous Biographer, "we have a marvellous 
 report that the whole progeny retains the signs of 
 their having thus labored; there is a white ring, 
 like a yoke, about their necks, on that part which
 
 37 
 
 was pressed by the collar 1 ." " I will not," (adds 
 the more cautious Monk who wrote the Life pre- 
 served in the Cotton Library,) — " I will not po- 
 sitively assert the truth of this report, yet I dare 
 not distrust the power of God and deny it u ." The 
 outlines of truth, and the embellishments of popular 
 superstition, may both be traced in this simple 
 narrative. 
 
 6. One incident yet remains, and is sufficiently 
 credible. The Saint had a rich and proud neigh- 
 bour, who oppressed the inhabitants of Neot-Stoke 
 by compelling them to perform unreasonable ser- 
 vices. The vassals were once driving the Lord's 
 wains from his corn fields. A furious hurricane 
 arose, and blew with such violence that men, 
 oxen, and wains, were forced back " like an arrow 
 from a bow." As soon as the rich man heard of 
 this storm, his conscience suggested that it was 
 an indication of the Divine anger at his oppressive 
 conduct. He hastened to Neot, and, with the 
 hope of obtaining the pardon of his sins, liberated 
 all the tenants of the Church-lands from future 
 services 1 . 
 
 Such are the incidents which, founded (pro- 
 bably) on some common occurrences, have been 
 advanced by credulity and superstition to the 
 dignity of miracles. 
 
 1 Lives of Neot.— MSS. Cott. Claud. A. V— MSS. Magd. 
 Coll. Oxf. 53. 
 u Life of Neot, MSS. Cott. Claud. A. V.
 
 38 
 
 Kin"- Alfred Ls said to have often visited the 
 Cornish village, to the neighbourhood of which 
 Wot retired. His cotemporary, Asser, Bishop of 
 St. David's, informs us, that in the year 867> Al- 
 fred, being on a hunting expedition, turned aside to 
 the Church [at Ham-Stoke], in which St. Guerir 
 then rested, and in which St. Neot afterwards 
 reposed *: having remained for some time prostrate 
 in prayer, imploring the removal of a severe dis- 
 ease- with which he was afflicted, he departed. It 
 was not long before the King's complaint was sub- 
 dued ; an effect which was, of course, attributed 
 to the supposed sanctity of the place in which his 
 prayers had been offered. Whether Neot had, at 
 that time, commenced his residence in the neigh- 
 bourhood of Ham-Stoke, does not appear. After 
 his return from Rome to found his Monastery in 
 that spot, he was frequently visited by Alfred, if we 
 may believe his Biographers w . On these occasions, 
 it is stated, Neot sharply rebuked the Monarch for 
 
 v " Ad quandam Ecclesiam in qua S. Gucryr requiescit et 
 nunc ctiam S. NEOTUS ibidem pausat." Asscr, l)c Itch. (Jest. 
 T.ltVcili, in an. 8S3. — The same incident is recorded in some 
 anonymous Annals of Winchester, probably of no great an- 
 tiquity. " Cornubiam adiit, Ecclesiam Sci. Guerour ubi Scs. 
 reqoiescit Neothi svisitavitprbmorboillosedando." Liber de 
 Hyda, MSS. Lansdowne, 717- (Stowe's transcript.) 
 
 ■ To whose testimony wemaj add that oflngulph, Abbot of 
 Croyland, \\ ho (writing two Centuries after the death of Neot), 
 observes, " Rex Alfredus, Sanctorum pedibus acclivis et siib- 
 ditus, S. Neotuw in summa veneratione habebat." Ingulphi 
 Hist. Croyl. (Fulman, Script, p. 27.).
 
 39 
 
 his unbridled ambition ; he also intimated that Al- 
 fred might expect to be visited by greater misfor- 
 tunes from the Danish invasions than those which he 
 had already experienced. In these severe reproofs 
 the King was charged with having, in the early 
 part of his reign, neglected the petitions and com- 
 plaints of his people; which conduct (it has been 
 thought) alienated their affections, and contributed 
 more than even the Danish successes to occasion 
 his temporary seclusion in the marshes of Athel- 
 ney. The advocates for the immaculate political 
 character of the Great Alfred maintain that this 
 incident is merely a Monkish fiction*. It is re- 
 corded, however, by many ancient Chronicles, and 
 relies upon the same testimony as that which 
 sustains some other generally received narratives y 
 connected with this period of English History : on 
 this ground it has been defended as authentic by 
 some able Writers 2 . The more curious reader will 
 find these objurgatory admonitions of Neot (ex- 
 pressed in terms of unmeasured severity) minutely 
 detailed by the Writers a quoted in the margin ; it 
 
 x See Whitaker's Life of Neot, pp. 142—162. 
 
 y As the story of Alfred having been reproved by the herds- 
 man's wife for suffering her cakes to be burnt. The earliest 
 authority for this narrative (though hitherto unnoticed) is the 
 Anglo-Saxon Homily on Neot [App. II. &.], where the tale is 
 told in an artless manner. Asser is usually quoted ; but the 
 passage was probably interpolated in his work. 
 
 'Turner's Hist. Anglo-Saxons, Vol. II. pp. 180-185. edit. 1800. 
 
 a Lives of Neot : Anglo-Saxon Homily, MSS. Cott. Vesp, 
 D. XIV.; MSS.Bodley, 535.; MSS. Cott. Claud. A. V.; MSS.
 
 10 
 
 will be sufficienl m this place to make a single 
 extract from the most antient of these Records, in 
 which the Saint is said to have thus addressed 
 Alfred : — "O King, thou Shalt sutler much in this 
 life: hereafter so much distress thou shalt abide 1 , 
 that no man's tongue nun say it all. Now, Loved 
 child, hear me if thou wilt, and turn th\ heart 
 to mv counsel. Depart entirely from thine mi- 
 righteousness; thy sins with alms redeem and 
 with tears abolish. 1 '" If we should allow, how- 
 ever, that this narrative is not altogether fictitious, 
 it must be admitted that it has been tinged with a 
 legendary coloring, by the easy credulity or wil- 
 ful exaggeration of Catholic Writers 6 : an observa- 
 
 Magd. Coll. Oxf. 53. Chronicle of the Conventual Library of 
 St. Neot's (in Gale, Scrip. XX. Vol. I. p. 167.). Chronicle of 
 Wallingford, Abbot of St. Albans, (in Gale, Scrip. XX. Vol. 
 I. p. 536.). Matthew Westminster, p. 330. edit. Lond. 1570. 
 The same incident is found also in a work of higher authority 
 by a cotemporary, \iz. Asmt, I)e Reb. Gest. .Klfrcdi. in an. 
 s;s. (••(/ ill in Villi S. Pat ris Neoti legitur, SfC.") : it seems, 
 however, highly probable that this and some other passages in 
 Asser have been interpolated on the authority of the Lives of 
 Neot, being the glosses of some reader, intended originally as 
 marginal illustrations, but afterwards incorporated in the text. 
 
 b Anglo-Saxon Homily on St. Neot. MSS. Cott. Claud. A. V. 
 [App. II. JJ.]. 
 
 c After the invasion of Britain by the Danish chief Guthrum, 
 in S?s, and the flight of Alfred into the marshes of Athelney, 
 in Somersetshire, Neot (latelj deceased) is made to appear for 
 the purpose of administering consolation to the afflicted King. 
 [Asser, De Reb. Gest. Jdt'inli in an. 878, {but probably inter- 
 polated):— Lives, of Neot, MSS. Cott. Claud. A. V. ; MSS.
 
 41 
 
 tion which equally applies to a great number of 
 undoubted facts recorded by the early English 
 Annalists. 
 
 By the advice of Neot, King Alfred restored 
 the English School at Rome d , which had been 
 originally founded by Ina, King of the West 
 Saxons, towards the end of Century VII. 
 
 Some Writers have adopted the opinion that 
 Neot was promoted by Alfred to the Divinity 
 Chair in the newly-founded University of Oxford ; 
 it has been even said that Neot was the projector 
 of that Institution ; notions which must be rejected 
 as altogether unsupported by creditable authority 6 . 
 
 Bodl. 535 : — Chronicle of the Conventual Library of St. Neot's, 
 in Gale, Scrip. XX. Vol. I. p. 167.]- Shortly after, on the night 
 before an engagement with the Danes under Guthrum, the 
 anxious mind of Alfred permitted him not to sleep. Neot, we 
 are told, his countenance beaming with glory, and his robe 
 being white as driven snow, appeared to the King : 
 
 " Ecce ! Neotus adest Domini miserantis alumnus." 
 
 Nor was this merely a consolatory vision : he led the army, 
 fought by the side of the King, and ensured the victory! [Life 
 of Neot, MSS. Bodl. 535.]. 
 
 d Lives of Neot: Anglo-Saxon Homily, MSS. Cott. Vesp. 
 D. XIV. ;— MSS. Bodl. 535. ;— MSS. Cott. Claud. A. V. j— MSS. 
 Magd. Coll. Oxf. 53. 
 
 e The following are the supposed authorities for this fact. — 
 1. A MS. Life of Neot, found by Leland in the Conventual 
 Library of St. Neot's : " Neotus, frater Aluredi Regis qui 
 Achademiam Oxoniensem fundavit instigante fratre." Leland's 
 Coll. Vol. III. p. 11. This, however, was clearly an inter- 
 polated MS. (see p. 26, note v.)— 2. Brompton, who is supposed 
 to have written so recently as the commencement of Century
 
 42 
 
 Wot was not a Theological Professor' at Oxford, 
 nor was thai University founded or restored by the 
 
 \1\. : " ad consilium beati Neotj Abbatis, Scholas Publicas 
 fariarum artium apud Oxoniam [Alfredus] primum instituit." 
 Brompton, in Twysden X. Scrip. Vol. I. |>. si i. edit. 1652. — 3. 
 The .Minor Historj of Etudborne, a Monk of Winchester, who 
 w rote in the middle of Century XV.: " instituit prseterea Scholas 
 Publicas Oxoniis, quas multis privilegiis communivil per Scm. 
 Grimbaldum el Neothum R^onachos." Etudborne, MSS. Cott. 
 Nero A. XVII. f. 7<J b. It is singular that Wharton, who. in 
 the Anglia Sacra, marks the chief variations between the Major 
 and Minor Histories of Etudbome, should have omitted to notice 
 this passage. — 1. Camden's authority is that which has prin- 
 cipally misled subsequent writers. Ho quotes tlie following 
 passage, professedl) from an antient Chronicle of Winchester : 
 "A.D. Incarnationis MCCCVI [DCCCLXXXVI].... incepta 
 est Universitas Oxonise, primitus in eadem regentibus ac in 
 Schola Theologies legentibus Sco. Neoto Abbate necnon in 
 Theologia Doctore egregio, et Sco. Grimbaldo, &c." Vet. Annal. 
 Novi Monast. Winton., quoted by Camden, Britannia, p. 267. 
 edit. 10*07. Camden has given no hint of the source from 
 which be obtained his MS. The Chronicle itself exists in MSS. 
 Lansdowne, 717 it is called the " Liber deHyda;" but is merely 
 Stowe's transcript made in 1572. It contains, also, the passage 
 above quoted from Brompton, and agrees in several other re- 
 spci tS with that Writer. This Chronicle was, probably, a com- 
 parativelv modern figment of some glossing Monk. — 5. Ross, w ho 
 wrote at the end of Century XV., has a similar passage: " A. D. 
 874, Sco. Neote instigante, Scholas Publicas variarum artium 
 apud Oxoniam instituit." boss, Hist. Beg. Angl. p. 77. edit. 
 Ilearne 17 L5. lie states that he consulted an antient Chronicle 
 at Hvde Abbey; which was, perhaps, the same as that quoted 
 by Camden. 
 
 f This statement is maintained, in considerable detail, and 
 with invincible arguments. In Smith [Yenerab. Bedic Hist. 
 Append. XIV. pp. 735 — 737. edit. Folio 1722]. Spelman [Vita
 
 43 
 
 Great Alfred. That honor is not claimed for Neot 
 by his Biographers, nor for Alfred by his Chro- 
 nicler and cotemporary Asser g . A futile opinion 
 was advanced by Fox h that the present New Col- 
 lege received its name from a transition of Neot 
 into Nsof! Twyn and Wood imagined, that the 
 fact of Neot having been a Professor in Oxford 
 may be traced in the name of an ancient Hostle, 
 called Neot y s-Hall\ upon the site of which are 
 the present gardens of New College. These 
 puerile conjectures need no formal refutation. 
 
 Neot has been erroneously reputed the author 
 of the following works : 
 
 1. Annals of Alfred to lith year of his reign v ; 
 
 /Elfredi, Lib. III. § 55] has adopted a strange hypothesis, 
 that there were two Neots ! the Saint, he acknowledges, 
 did not read Lectures at Oxford; but he conceives that a 
 second person, of the same name, did: his Editor justly discards 
 the supposition. 
 
 s The celebrated passage in Asser on the dissention at Oxford 
 in the reign of Alfred, once defended by Camden, Twyn, 
 Wise, &c. and invalidated by the authority of Archbishop 
 Parker, and by the arguments of Archbishop Usher, Spelman, 
 Smith, &c. is now universally acknowledged to be an interpola- 
 tion. The best evidence of the spuriousness of this passage may 
 be seen in the review of the controversy by Wise, [Asser, De 
 Reb. Gest. iElfredi. edit. Wise.] though written with the de- 
 sign of supporting the disputed paragraph. See, also, Spelman, 
 Vita iElfredi, Lib. III. § 30—41. 
 
 h Fox's Acts and Monuments, Vol. I. p. 186. 
 
 1 Twyn, Antiq. Acad. Oxon. p. 189. — Wood's Hist; Coll. in 
 Oxf. p. 175. 
 
 k Twyn, Antiq. Acad. Oxon. p. 189, quoting Dando Canne- 
 lita. — Tanner's Bibliotheca.— Spelman, Vita /Elfredi, p. 3.
 
 11 
 
 2, Sermons and Exhortations 1 ; 
 
 • >. For the Confirmation of the School [at Rome], 
 one Epistle to Pope Martin II. '; 
 
 1. Exhortations to King Alfred, one book m ; 
 there i~> not the least authority for these statements. 
 
 All sober testimony conspires in the assertion 
 that Neol lived and died at Ham-Stoke, having 
 never quitted that spot except for the purpose of 
 visiting Rome. 1 low long he continued to preside 
 over the Convent, or College, which he founded 
 in Cornwall on his return, is unknown : the period 
 was, probably, very short. The precise year of his 
 death is not stated by any antient authority, and 
 can only be collected from circumstantial evi- 
 dence: the mosi probable date is 877 n - His de- 
 cease occurred on 31 July . The circumstances 
 
 ' Pitsius, De Reb. Angl. in an. 883. 
 
 ra Bale, Scrip. Illus. p. 123. edit. Basle, 1557. 
 
 n Cressy places this event in 890 [Church Hist. p. 768.] ; but 
 Neot was certainly not alive in 883 [Asser De Reb. Gest 
 J'.lfredi, in an. 883] ; and if his biography, though legendan in 
 circumstance, may be trusted in substance, he was dead in 
 878 [Life of Neot, MSS. Bodl. 535.]. The probability that 
 Neot died in 877 is ably maintained by Smith, [Venerab. Beds 
 Hist. App. XIV. pp. 735 — 737.]. The same date is adopted by 
 Mabillon [Acta Sanct. Ord. Bened. Sec. IV. P. II. p. 337.]. 
 
 Ordericus Vitalis, in Du Chesne Hist. Norm. Script, p. 
 542. edit Paris, 1G10.— Life of Neot, MSS. Bene't Coll.Camb., 
 Parker, 161., title to Prologue. — John de Tinmouth's Hist. 
 Aurea, MSS. Lambeth, 12. — John de Tinmouth's Sanctilogium, 
 MSS. C'ott. Tib. E. I.— The 31 duly was the Festival of St. Neot 
 observed at the Priory in Huntingdonshire [Cartulary of St. 
 Neot's, MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. 45 b. compared with Pleas
 
 45 
 
 of his last moments are recorded only in general 
 terms. Having refreshed his spirit by a partici- 
 pation of the emblems of his Saviour's death, like 
 a faithful shepherd he addressed " his own little 
 flock ;" he " exhorted them to live in peace, and 
 spoke much of the means by which the salvation 
 of the soul might be promoted." He then " com- 
 mitted his soul to the mercy of the Almighty, 
 and (stretching forth his hands towards heaven p ) 
 breathed out his spirit in the midst of psalmody 
 and prayers q ." He was buried, with due honor, 
 in the Church which he himself had built, upon 
 the site of the more antient Chapel dedicated to 
 St. Guerir r : after seven years had elapsed a larger 
 Edifice was constructed (in 884 ?) by the religious 
 Brethren of Neot-Stoke s , and the body was re- 
 moved to the N. side of the altar \ 
 
 About a Century later the remains of Neot were 
 
 Quo War. 14 Edw. I. Com' Hunt' m. 4, see App. XVI. |9. and 
 XXII.], and also at the Abbey of Bee [Mabillon Acta Sanct. 
 Ord. Ben. Sec- IV. P. II. p. 337.]. 
 
 p Life of Neot, Anglo-Saxon Homily, MSS. Cott. Vesp. D. 
 XIV. [App. II. a.]. 
 
 i Life of Neot, MSS. Bodl. 535. [App. II. 33.]. 
 
 r Spelman has made a singular and double mistake in the as- 
 sertion that Neot was buried at Eynesbury in Cornwall ! Spel- 
 man, Vita iElfredi, Lib. II. $.59. p. 102. edit. Folio 1G88. Bale, 
 also, asserts that " Neot was buried at Eynesburij by his disciple 
 Barius.'' Bale Scrip. Illus. p. 123. 
 
 s So Ham-Stoke was called after the death of Neot. 
 
 1 Lives of Neot: Anglo-Saxon Homily, MSS. Cott. Vesp. 
 D. XIV. [App. II. St.] ;— MSS. Bodl. 535. [App. II. B.] ;— MSS. 
 Cott. Claud. A. V.;— MSS. Magd. Coll. Oxf. 53.
 
 46 
 
 removed into Huntingdonshire: the particulars of 
 this translation will bo detailed below. The patron 
 Saint having deserted Neot-Stoke, the lands with 
 
 which the College of Priests had been endowed 
 
 fell a prey to the rapacitj of power; for, at the 
 Norman invasion, the Earl of Morion seized on 
 this ecclesiastical property, leaving the Priests do 
 more than a single acre*. From thai period the 
 
 Cornish Convent, or College, is no more heard of; 
 it was, probably, entirely suppressed in the reign 
 of the Conqueror. Not a vestige of this Saxon 
 Institution remains, nor is it known in what part 
 of the parish of Neot-Stoke the Edifice stood v . 
 
 u Domesday, Vol. II. fol, 121 a. [App. XXX.]. 
 
 1 Whitaker's assertion, that some remains of this Monastery 
 are to be seen in the present vicarage-house, is without a shadow 
 of probability. — Whitaker's Life of Ncot, pp. 138, 139.
 
 47 
 
 § II. 
 
 HISTORY OF THE PRIORY OF ST. NEOT, IN HUNTINGDONSHIRE. 
 
 The body of Neot remained undisturbed in 
 Cornwall for about 100 years : it was then re- 
 moved into Huntingdonshire. The fact of this 
 translation having taken place is beyond all doubt ; 
 although Mr. Whitaker, in the face of the strongest 
 evidence, altogether denies it. We have no other 
 explicit account of the circumstances attending 
 this removal than that by the Biographer a whose 
 work (written in Century XI.?) exists in the Bod- 
 leian Library : this narrative is considerably dis- 
 figured by legendary fables ; but, by connecting 
 the broad facts which it details with the History of 
 the times, the following statement may be con- 
 fidently elicited. 
 
 I. FIRST FOUNDATION OF THE PRIORY OF ST. NEOT. 
 
 In the reign of Edgar a shameful description of 
 robbery had obtained among ecclesiastical Bodies 
 — the stealing of relics, upon a pretended Divine 
 revelation. In those days it was no uncommon 
 practice for powerful Abbies to despoil the weaker 
 
 a Life of Neot, MSS. Bodley, 535, [App. III.].— Bishop 
 Bale quotes a Narrative of this translation by Ramsey, which 
 appears to differ from the above [Bale Scrip. Illus. p. 21/.] ; but 
 that MS. is not known to exist. [See Appen. I. (II.) ].
 
 48 
 
 Monasteries, or to rob defenceless villages of their 
 sainted remains, in ordef to increase the celebrity 
 of their own foundations. That the body of Neot 
 
 was stolen out of Cornwall, and brought into 
 Huntingdonshire, by one of these pious frauds, is 
 evident even from the varnished accounts of the 
 Bodleian Biographer (who acknowledges the vio- 
 lence of the act), and of Thomas a Monk of Ely b 
 (who incidentally gives a clue to the names of the 
 parties). This narrative presents us with a melan- 
 choly picture of the superstition and demoralisa- 
 tion of the times; in which a King, a Bishop, an 
 Abbot, and a Nobleman, are found conspiring in a 
 theft, intrinsically contemptible, but of no mean 
 value as a source of ecclesiastical revenue. 
 
 About the year 974°, Earl Alric' 1 (a powerful 
 
 b He wrote about 11 70. 
 The precise year is uncertain. It was in the time of Abbot 
 Brithnod, and therefore in the period ;)7<) — 1)81. The body 
 having been removed in the reign oi' Edgar [Leland, De Scrip. 
 Cap. CXIII.], the event could not have occurred later than 
 975. It appears, also, that some of the Monks of St. Neot's 
 were brought from Thorney [see below] which Abbey was 
 founded in 972; this consequently is the earliest date which 
 can be assigned to the foundation of the Priory of St. Neot. 
 The period, therefore, is limited to 972 — 97">- 
 
 d The nanu> of the first rounders are variously given. The 
 Bodleian Biographer speaks of them as "a certain very powerful 
 and rich Person, and his venerable wife" [Life of Neot, 
 MSS. Bodl. 535. App. III.]. Thomas de Ely calls them simply, 
 " Leqfric, a man devoted to God, and his wife Leqfleda" : [Hist. 
 Cccnob.Elicn.Lib.il. Cap. XXVTH. App. IV.] he mentions 
 also, that iEgclnof was his brother. [Cap. XXIX.]. Leland desig-
 
 49 
 
 Nobleman in Huntingdonshire) and his Countess 
 Ethelfleda d , founded and endowed a Priory at 
 Eynesbury, subordinate to the recently esta- 
 blished Monastery at Ely. It is possible that a 
 religious House previously existed at Eynesbury, 
 dedicated to Ernulph*; but this is uncertain. 
 The interest of Brithnod' the first Abbot of Ely, 
 and the influence of Ethelwolde* Bishop of Win- 
 chester^ having been obtained, the sanction of 
 King Edgar h immediately followed. A patron 
 Saint, however, was wanting, to give popularity to 
 
 nates them as, " Ethelric, a great Nobleman in Huntingdonshire, 
 and Ethelfleda, a Lady scarcely to be equalled" [De Scrip. 
 Cap. CXIIL] ; " the memorable Hero, the celebrated Almoner, 
 and the devoted Worshiper of God, Ethelric" and " the re- 
 nowned Matron Ethelfleda" [Itin. Vol. IV. App. p. 22, quoting 
 a MS. on the translation of St. Ive] ; " Earl Alric" [Coll. Vol. I. 
 p. 68]. The Valuation of St. Neot's Priory 1534 denominates 
 them "Earl Aylric and Elfelda his wife" [see App. XXVII.]. 
 Nothing appears to be known of them from other sources. 
 The Founders are here mentioned as resident at Eynesbury, on 
 the authority of the Bodleian Biographer, just quoted. 
 
 e The assertion that a Monastery had been already founded 
 here by Neot, and laid waste by the Danes; [Thomas de Ely, 
 " Hist. Ccenob.Elien." Lib. II. Cap. XXVIII. MSS. Bodl. Laud. 
 647. (App- IV.)] is manifestly incorrect. 
 
 f Thomas de Ely, « Hist. Ccenob. Elien." Lib. II. Cap. 
 XXVIII. MSS. Bodl. Laud. 647- [App. IV.]. 
 
 s Ethelwolde, we are informed, " obtained a licence from 
 King Edgar, to remove the bodies of Saints, which lay neglected 
 in ruined places, to the Monasteries which he himself had esta- 
 blished." Brompton, in Twysden Scrip. X. p. 868. edit. 16.", 1. 
 
 h Life of Neot, MSS. Bod. 535. [App. III.] : The name of 
 the King is suppressed. 
 
 E
 
 r )0 
 
 the new Monastery: by what circumstance the 
 choice was directed to Wot, it would be fruitless 
 to conjecture. 
 
 Such a powerful saint-stealing combination 
 found no difficulty in removing from Neot-Stoke 
 t he sacred deposit. The managemenl of the theft 
 was committed to the official Warden of the 
 Shrine; who secret!} decamped with the treasure 
 of which he had received the trust. He ab- 
 sconded from Neot-Stoke on St. Andrew's day 
 (SO November); the inclemency of the wintry 
 storms, which happened to be very severe, im- 
 peded not his journey, and he reached Eynesburj 
 in safety on the Octave of the above-mentioned 
 Festival (7 December). He was received, as a 
 welcome guest, into the residence of Earl Alric 
 at Eynesbury; the body remained for a short time 
 under the roof of that Nobleman, the Monastery 
 not having been yet built 1 . 
 
 In the mean time, the inhabitants of Neot-Stoke, 
 Inning understood thai the Warden was missing, 
 and having suspected the fraud, flocked to the 
 Shrine of their Saint to inspect the sacred Chest. 
 On finding that their invaluable treasure was gone, 
 they were filled with self-reproach at their own 
 carelessness, and with indignation at the infidelity 
 of their sen ant. Having armed themselves w r ith 
 such weapons as they could procure, they sought 
 the fugitive among the neighbouring woods, hills, 
 
 ' Life ofNeot, MSS. Bodl. 535. [App. HI.].
 
 51 
 
 and valleys ; after much waste of time and fruitless 
 labor, having obtained information respecting the 
 road by which he had fled, a party of the principal 
 inhabitants traced him to Eynesbury. 
 
 Restoration of the stolen property having been 
 in vain demanded, their rage became excessive. 
 From bribes and threats, they were about to pro- 
 ceed to violence ; and blood would have been shed, 
 had not the royal authority interposed to quell 
 this disturbance. King Edgar (whose licence for 
 the removal of the relics is glossed over, by the 
 Bodleian Biographer, as simply " an unwillingness 
 to allow this sacred treasure to be carried back'* 
 into Cornwall!) sent an armed force to Eynes- 
 bury with full powers " to drive the Cornish men 
 out of the village, and to put them to the sword 
 in case of resistance" : so great (we are told) was 
 the wrath of the Sovereign, that he would scarcely 
 give permission for their return without punish- 
 ment. It is curious to observe how this act of 
 superstitious rapacity is represented as a devout 
 compliance with the will of God : it is stated as a 
 token of His anger at " the sins of the people" of 
 Neot-Stoke (whom He deprived of the treasure 
 which they were unworthy to possess) : and a mark 
 of His approbation of His Confessor Neot, in ap- 
 pointing him a second and more splendid Shrine k ! 
 
 k Life of Neot, MSS. Bodl. 535. [App. III.].— That this 
 pious theft has been justly fixed upon the parties above-men- 
 tioned, will be abundantly evident on a comparison of the 
 accounts by the Bodleian Biographer and by Thomas dc Ely 
 
 E 2
 
 Thus was the modest veil ofpietj thrown over an 
 act distinguished 1>\ superstition and fraud. 
 
 Comp. A|)|). III. and IV.}. The former, it must be ad- 
 mitted, only states the thefi withoul alluding to any of the 
 parties except the King and the Pounder; the latter Dames the 
 parties, Ethelwolde and Brithnod, as lending their patronage to 
 the new Convent at Eynesbury, bul does ool charge them with 
 the theft. If, however, it could be doubted whether these 
 were in reality the persons guilty of the theft, the following 
 narrative (which lias a Btriking affinitj to that given above, in 
 tin- time, the parties, the act, and the motive) will effectually 
 remove Buch a doubt. — King Edgar having conferred on the 
 Abbe^ of Ely the ullage of Dereham in Norfolk, in the Church 
 of which place the body of the Virgin St. Withiburga (sistei of 
 Etheldreda the patroness of the Isle of Ely) was preserved; 
 Ethelwolde Bishop of Winchester, and Briihnod first Abbot of 
 Ely, were desirous of possessing her remains that they mighl 
 translate them to the Abbey. Edgar's licence had already 
 been obtained for this purpose; but "it was thought adviseable 
 to proceed with caution, a- it was likel) that the inhabitants of 
 the place would not easily part with so valuable a treasure 
 without resistance." "On 8 Julv 974, the Abbot, and some 
 of the most active and prudent of the Monks, attended 1>\ Bome 
 servants of the Abbey, all toett armed, set out on their journe\ ; 
 and, on their arrival at Dereham, were received by the people 
 with great respect." The Abbot kept the attention of the 
 people employed !>\ a public feast: at night all retired to rest ; 
 while the Monks were occupied in the Church, opening the 
 tomb, and inspecting the body. In the middle of the night, 
 the Monks bore away the eollin on their shoulders to a carriage, 
 around which were the Abbot's servants as a guard. At 
 Brandon they reached their boats, and set sail. But, the theft 
 having been discovered, the townsmen flocked together, and 
 armed themselves for the pursuit. On their arrival at Brandon, 
 the Monks had fled: taking opposite sides of the Ouse, they 
 overtook the religious Brethren, who sailed on in defiance of
 
 53 
 
 No sooner were the remains of Neot safely de- 
 posited at Eynesbury, than Earl Alric raised over 
 them a Chapel ', and converted the palace of Earl 
 Elfrid m into a Monastery which was dedicated to 
 the Saint. The site of these religious Edifices 
 was on the E. bank of the Ouse, on the N. side of 
 the present town of St. Neot's. In honor of the Saint 
 the name of the place was changed to Neots- 
 bury 1 . At the dedication of the Conventual 
 Chapel, Ethelwolde Bishop of Winchester, iEscwin 
 
 threats ; for their pursuers, having no boats, could offer no 
 resistance, and retired without regaining the spoil. — Thomas de 
 Ely, Hist. Ccenob. Elien. Lib. II. Cap. LIII. MSS. Bodl. Laud 
 647. — See also, Bentham's Ely, pp. 76, 77. 
 
 One other narrative shall be adduced, as equally illustrative of 
 the spirit of those times, and of the particular event recorded in 
 the text. At the request of iEtheric Bishop of Dorchester, a 
 licence was obtained from Canute to remove the relics of St. Felix 
 (formerly Bishop of the East Angles) from Soham in Cambridge- 
 shire to Ramsey Abbey. Abbot Athelstan, with a respectable 
 party of Monks, went by water to Soham, and, repelling resist- 
 ance by the authority of the King and of the Bishop, brought 
 away in their boat " the Shrine containing so vast a treasure."' 
 The Monks of Ely went on board their vessels with a strong 
 force to intercept the Brethren of Ramsey; but (says the 
 Ramsey Historian) " on a sudden a thick cloud arose, and our 
 adversaries wandering from their course, the attendant water 
 restored us safe to the bosom of our domestic shore!" — " Hist. 
 Rames.", in Gale, Scrip. XX. Tom. I. pp. 437, 438. 
 
 1 Life of Neot, MSS. Bodl. 535. [App. III.] ;— MSS. Benet 
 Coll. Camb. Parker 161. 
 
 m Leland, Coll. Vol. III. p. 10.
 
 :>4 
 
 Bishop of Lincoln, Brithnod Abbot <>i' Ely, Karl 
 /Egelwiu, /Edric Pope, /Edelm Polga, and many 
 others, were present. Before the whole congrega- 
 tion, Karl Alrfcand his Lady Ethelfleda entreated 
 Abbot Brithnod and Bishop Ethelwolde, that they 
 would take the Convent under their protection, 
 and furnish it with Monks. In compliance with 
 the petition of the Founders, some Brethren were 
 sent from Ely, and others from Thorney : a Bene- 
 dictine Priory was thus established. It was further 
 agreed that the Monastery should be for ever sub- 
 ject to the Church ofEly ; and that the Priors should 
 always be sent from Ely, unless a person should be 
 found at Neotsbury tit for the office and approved 
 by the Brethren of the Mother Abbey. The en- 
 dowment, by Earl Alric, consisted of 18 hides of 
 land; l 2 of which w r ere in Eynesbury [St. Neot's?] 
 C in Waresley, and 9 in Gamlingay. The Deeds, 
 by which these lands were conveyed, were written 
 in Anglo-Saxon : one was given to Bishop Ethel- 
 wolde, and was deposited in the Church [of Ely?] 
 where it still remained towards the close of Cen- 
 tury XII.; another was given to Bishop iEscwin; 
 the third was retained by the Founders at Ncots- 
 bury. n 
 
 " The particulars of this dedication rest on the authority of 
 Thomas de Ely, Hist. Ccenob. Elien. Lib. II. Cap. XXVIII. 
 MSS. Bodl. Laud 647. [App. IV.]. The Dedication Is again 
 alluded to in the same work. Cap. XXIX.: "cum assent 
 apud EanulfesIbyiiie ad dedicationem Leqfrici &c."
 
 55 
 
 Ailwyn, Alderman or Duke of the East Angles, 
 was the Patron of this Priory . At the dedica- 
 tion of Ramsey Abbey, in 992, Duke Ailwyn, the 
 Abbots of Ely, of Peterborough, of Thorney, and 
 the " chief and potent men of Huntingdonshire °," 
 together with the " celebrated and venerable Ma- 
 tron Ethelfleda who had founded and endowed 
 the Monastery of Eynesbury p ," were assembled. 
 The Duke and the above-mentioned Abbots, after 
 having demanded of all persons present whether 
 they had any claim upon their respective Abbeys, 
 or on " the Monastery of Eynesbury q ," bound 
 themselves by a solemn vow to protect these 
 Houses with all their power. 
 
 Only a few years, however, elapsed, before the 
 newly founded Monastery was disquieted by ap- 
 prehensions of Danish violence. In anticipation 
 of the possibility of such a disaster, the remains 
 of Neot were removed to a part of the country 
 less exposed to barbarian ravages. This precau- 
 tionary translation was effected by a Lady of 
 
 • Hist. Rames. Cap. LV. LVII. (in Gale, Scrip. XX. Tom. I. 
 pp. 422. 423). 
 
 p " Huic dedicationi [sc. Ecclesiae Ramesiensis] intererat, cum 
 cetu Nobilium, inclyta Matrona Ethelfledis, orationibus, jeju- 
 niis, aliisque pietatis actibus venerabilis; quae etiam Ccenobium 
 Enulphesbyrije honorifice condidit et magnifice ditavit." Ice- 
 land's Itin. Vol. IV. A pp. p. 22. (ELibello de translatione Yvonis). 
 
 q " Monasterium de Enolfesbiri, quod nunc Sci. Neoti 
 dicitur." Hist. Rames. Cap. LVII. (in Gale. Scrip. XX. Tom. I. 
 p. 423).
 
 •36 
 
 Eynesbur) named Ixwinn', a person of great 
 property, and sister of Osketul Abbot of Croy- 
 land. This event may be placed (with the highest 
 probability) in the year 1003 s ; when the Danes 
 under Sweyn landed to revenge the massacre 
 of their countrymen by Ethelred. The general 
 panic occasioned by the Danish atrocities, in- 
 duced Lewina to convey "the sacred mould of 
 the Confessor Neot," in a Shrine adapted to the 
 purpose, to her villa at WhitUesea ; from which 
 place she instantly dispatched a messenger to Croy- 
 land, beseeching her brother Osketul to come 
 with a respectable retinue of Monks, and to re- 
 ceive the relics into his Abbey, as a more secure 
 sanctuary. The Abbot immediately repaired to 
 Whittlesea with some of the Brethren. The) 
 returned to Croyland in a solemn procession, bear- 
 ing away the relics through the marshes (ttt that 
 
 r " Leniova ;" Ordericus Vitalis, in Du Chesne Hist. Norm. 
 Scrip, p. 542. edit. Paris, KJ19. " Lcuiua ;" Lcland, It in. Vol. IV. 
 App. p. 7- 
 
 " The body was removed " in the time of Osketul" and con- 
 sequently in some year between 992 and 1005 — The date 1077 
 [interpolated />// the Monks of Bury in the margin of their MS. of 
 John dc Tinmouth's Hist. Aurea, MSS. Bodl. 240] is, therefore, 
 out of the question : the error, probably, crept in from a mis- 
 apprehension of a passage in Ordericus Vitalis, who states this 
 event in a retrospective paragraph to which is prefixed the date 
 IO73.— The dates 993 [Alfordi Annates, Tom. III. p. ilj)] and 
 094 [Crcssy's Church I list. p. ;<;.s] are. perhaps, given at 
 random, on the idea tliat the event occurred in the commence- 
 ment of ( )sketul'a Abbac) .
 
 57 
 
 time almost impenetrable), while the air was filled 
 with the chants and sacred melodies of the holy 
 Brethren. On reaching the Abbey, the remains 
 were deposited, with much devotion, on the N. 
 side of the altar of St. Mary. 4 After the state 
 of the country had become more settled, these 
 relics were restored" to the Monastery of Neots- 
 bury. The Monks of Croyland, nevertheless, 
 continued to boast the empty honor of still pos- 
 sessing these remains in their Abbey v : probably 
 
 1 Ingulph, Hist. Croyl., in Fulman Scrip, p. 55. [App. V.®.]. 
 Ordericus Vitalis, in Du Chesne Hist. Norm. Scrip, p. 542. — 
 See John de Tinmouth's Sanctilogium, MSS. Cott. Tib. E. 1. 
 [App. V. 33.].— Leland's Itin. Vol. IV. App. p. 7. and Coll. 
 Vol. II. p. 233. 
 
 u " Fama equidem praedicat reliquias inde [sc. a Fano Neoti] 
 Crulandiam traductas, et, pace confirmata, postliminii jure suo 
 Fano redditas." Leland, De Scrip. Cap. CXIII. 
 
 7 In times in which it was not unusual to seize on relics by vio- 
 lence, it was also common for Abbeys to refuse to restore re- 
 mains temporarily committed to their protection. So common 
 were such pitiful thefts, that the Monks of Croyland boasted of 
 never having restored the remains of Neot, entrusted to their 
 charge in a moment of danger ; preferring rather to impute to 
 themselves a dishonesty of which they were not in fact guilty, 
 than to forego the advantage of claiming a possession which 
 tended to enhance their celebrity among the superstitious. In 
 1078-9 the Shrine was inspected at Neotsbury by Anselm, who 
 shortly after (when Abp. of Canterbury) officially attested the 
 fact of the body being there. Nevertheless, a Century later, 
 the Abbot of Croyland insisted that this honor belonged to his 
 House. Some of the Monks were sufficiently sincere to " pro- 
 fess their doubts as to the fact:" these scruples were soon re- 
 moved by the Abbot, " who., l>> the light of wax candles,
 
 58 
 
 some trifling relicj which they had retained, gave 
 color to this claim. It is certain, however, that 
 Neot was one of the principal Saints who received 
 
 broke open the chesl with awe; where he found the skull, the 
 collar bones, the Bhoulder blades, some bones <>t' the thorax, 
 with those of the legs and thighs." In 1213 these pretended 
 relics ofNeol were removed by the Abbot Henrj Longchamp, 
 and were •' placed by an altar erected to bis honor" [John de 
 Tinmouth's Sanctilogium, MSS. Cott. Tib. E.I. (App. V. 93.)]. 
 As a proof of the futility of these claims, in 121)5 Oliver Bp. of 
 Lincoln issued a second Attestation, reciting die Testimonial of 
 Abp. Anselm: this document states, that the original Instru- 
 ment of Anselm was even then in existence; that " the parch- 
 ment and writing were uninjured; though the seal was partly 
 destroyed by time" [Archives Line. Cat h. " Memoranda Oliveri 
 Sutton" f. 132 1). and 123 a. App. VI.]. 
 
 A very similar case is mentioned, by Matthew Paris, as 
 having occurred in the middle of Century XI. towards the close 
 of the reign of Edward the Confessor. Alarmed by the Danish 
 ravages, Alfric II., Abbot of St. Albans, requested permission 
 to deposit the remains of the Martyr Alban in the custody of 
 the Monks of Ely, " where they would be more secure from 
 invasion, since the Island in which their Monastery was situated 
 was defended by impenetrable marshes." The danger being 
 past, restitution of the relics was in vain demanded; at length 
 some other bones were sent back from Ely; on which the wary 
 Monks of St. Albans declared that, fearing dishonest)-, they had 
 originally sent the bones of a Monk, on the pretence of their 
 being those of St. Alban, whose remains were secreted in the 
 wall of the Abbey! The Monks of St. Alban's received back, 
 however, these supposititious remains, "'lest the fraud of the Ely 
 Brethren should occasion scandal among the people, and reli- 
 gion be exposed to perfect contempt and ridicule!" [Matth. 
 Paris., Vita Abbat. Sci. Albani. pp. 27. 28. edit. Paris. 1G24.] 
 
 Smh instance- ol miserabh superstition and contemptible
 
 59 
 
 superstitious veneration at Croyland. Ingulph w 
 Abbot of Croyland (towards the close of Cen- 
 tury XI.) mentions " the fire" which burned be- 
 fore the altar " of Neot;" and Malmsbury x (near 
 the middle of Century XII.) speaks of " Neot 
 uniting his shield to that of Guthlac for the 
 protection of the natives." 
 
 fraud, are, in themselves, beneath notice : they are, however, not 
 uninteresting as striking illustrations of the temper of the times, 
 and as examples of the publicly avowed immorality of the 
 religious Societies of that age. 
 
 w Abbot Ingulph records a singular dream which he had (the 
 year before his promotion to Croyland) on 6 December 1075 
 when Prior of Fontanelle. Having been praying in the Church 
 till midnight, " pouring out his heart in supplication that the 
 Lord would be pleased to direct his way," he fell asleep: in his 
 dream he saw a splendid assemblage of Bishops and Saints, 
 among whom were " Guthlac and Neot, both special advocates of 
 Croyland." The whole group having come into the middle of the 
 Choir, Bishop Wlfrann beckoned to Ingulph to approach, and ad- 
 monished him to " take particular care of the fires of the three 
 Saints, Guthlac, Neot, and Waldeve." This dream, Ingulph 
 tells us, was at the time unintelligible, but was afterwards illus- 
 trated by a melancholy event, the dreadful fire of 1091 which 
 destroyed the Abbey of Croyland over which he then presided. 
 [Ingulph, Hist. Croyl. in Fulman Scrip, pp. 75. 76. 99.] 
 
 x " Accessit et novus hospes, sed vetus apud Dominum pa- 
 tronus, Scs. Neotus, qui, quondam beatissimi Erkenwaldi disci- 
 pulus, apud Einulfes'beri maxima semper veneratione habitus 
 est ; sed illinc, pro Danorum incursu, sublatus, et Croland de- 
 latus, modo juncto cum Guthlaco umbone indigenas protegit, 
 advenarum etiam vocibus exorabilis." Malmsb. de Gest. Pont. 
 Lib. IV. in Saville Angl. Scrip, p. 292. edit. Francof. 1601.
 
 60 
 
 The alarm which occasioned the temporary dis- 
 missal of the patron Nairn from his Monastery, 
 was not a \ain anticipation; for the Edifice was 
 afterwards burnt by the Danes'. It is probable 
 that the Convent escaped the immediate danger 
 apprehended by Lewina in 1003: for it docs not 
 appear that they then marched into this part of 
 England. It can scarcely be doubted thai the 
 destruction of the Priory of Neotsbury, by these 
 savage invaders, occurred in 1010. In that year, 
 the Danes are traced from "Buckingham, by 
 the Ouse, to Bedford, and Temsford," ailhiiijirc 
 miles (//'Neotsbury, " burning every thing in their 
 \\a\ ;" the) "then returned to their ships" at 
 Ipswich, shaping their march (in all probability) 
 to Cambridge, where they had recently gained a 
 victory : this course would necessarily bring them 
 into contact with the ill-fated Monastery of St. 
 Neot, which was, doubtless at that time, given to 
 the tlames. 
 
 The Convent either was not entirely destroyed 
 
 i The Danish plunder of this Monaster) has been stated as 
 having occurred before the endowment by Alric [Thomas de 
 Ely, Hist. Ccenob. Elien. Lib. II. Cap. XXVIII., MSS. Bodl. 
 Laud. >>i~. A.pp. IV.] ; this statement is manifestly incorrect. — 
 Leland wrote from the more precise information, received at 
 the Priory, and Btates this evenl as having occurred after the 
 Foundation by Alric [Leland's Coll. Vol. III. p. 10. and De 
 Scrip. Cap. CXIII.]. 
 
 ' s,i\nn Chronicle, pp. l M). Ill edit. Gibson.
 
 61 
 
 in 1010, or was rebuilt; for it still continued 
 to support some Monks, and was subject to the 
 Church of Ely, at the Norman Conquest. At that 
 period it was seized by Gilbert Earl of Owe. 
 The Ely Monks were then violently expelled; 
 partly (it may be presumed) in revenge for the 
 resistance which the Mother Abbey had recently 
 (in 1069) offered to the Conqueror, and partly to 
 make room for some foreign Monks. Three of 
 the Ely Brethren remained in the Convent at 
 Neotsbury with unconquerable obstinacy ; neither 
 stripes nor hunger could force them from their 
 favorite retreat : the enraged Earl at length sent 
 them into Normandy, and charged the Abbot 
 of Bee to keep them in perpetual confinement 
 beyond the Channel. a 
 
 II. THE PRIORY OF ST. NEOT RE-FOUNDED, AS AN ALIEN CELL. 
 
 Richard Fitz-Gilbert de Clare (son of the 
 above-mentioned Earl of Owe), and Rohai's his 
 wife, sent to the Abbey of Bec b for a colony of 
 French Monks, to replenish the vacant Convent at 
 
 1 Thomas de Ely, Hist. Ccenob. Elien. Lib. II. Cap. XXVIII. 
 XCIX., MSS. Bodl. Laud 647- [App. IV.]. 
 
 b The Abbey of Bec-Hellouin (one league from Brione, in 
 Normandy) was founded in 1060. The establishment was sub- 
 verted in the French Revolution, and the Abb) \ is now in ruins.
 
 (V2 
 
 Ni'otshiiiN, which was, henceforth, to become a 
 Cell to the Norman House. Anselm (who had 
 just been promoted to the Abbacy) sent over 
 several Brethren from his Monastery - . This event 
 occurred in the year L078 or I079 d . A letter, 
 written by the Norman Abbot on this occasion 6 , 
 commends the French Monks to the liberality of 
 their patrons. — " Brother Anselm, and Brother 
 Richard the lowly Monk, with the whole congre- 
 gation of Bee, to their dearest Lord Richard and 
 their clearest Lady Rohais ; health, and unfeigned 
 prayers. We render great thanks, first to God, 
 from whom proceeds every good desire, and 
 then to you, for all the benefits which you have 
 
 c Leland, Coll. Vol. III. p. 10. Leland was wrong, however, in 
 his conjecture that this event happened in the time of Henry I., 
 when Anselm was Abp. of Canterbury. It clearly took place 
 when he was Abbot of Bee [see App. VI.]. 
 
 1 This date may be fixed with certainty, from the following 
 considerations. It could not be rarl/vr; for the French Monke 
 irere sent over by Anselm, [Leland, Coll. Vol. III. p. 10.] who 
 was not made Abbot of l>cc till °,G Aug. 107S. Nor was it 
 later; tor in the first year of his Abbacy, Anselm visited the 
 Convents already suhjeeted to Bee [Kadmcr, Vita Anselm. 
 Lib. I.], and Neotfebury was among the Priories which he in- 
 spected [Archives Line. Cath. See App. VI.]. 
 
 c As French Monks were sent by Anselm to Tooting (and, 
 possibly, to some other Cells), at the request of the same indi- 
 viduals, it is not certain that this letter refers exclusively to the 
 Brethren intended for Neotsbury: probably a supply sufficient 
 for several Houses was transmitted from Normandy.
 
 03 
 
 bestowed and promised. Thus you have well 
 proved that your regard for our Monastery has 
 not decreased. May the Almighty God, to whom 
 our prayers daily ascend on your behalf, and by 
 whose love you have been influenced in your liberal 
 conduct towards us, reward you abundantly in 
 the Kingdom of Heaven. We send our Brethren 
 to you, as you desire. They go into England at 
 your request, and under your auspices: be it, 
 therefore, your care to provide for their settle- 
 ment and maintenance f ." 
 
 f " Suo earissimp Domino Richardo, et sua? carissimae Do- 
 minag Rohaidi, Frater Anselmus et Frater Richardus parvulus 
 Monachus, cum tota Congregatione Beccensi, salutem et fideles 
 orationes. Magnas gratias reddimus in primis Deo, a quo est 
 omnis bona voluntas. . . . deinde vobis, pro omnibus bonis qua? 
 nobis facitis et promittitis. In hoc enim monstratis bene quia 
 amor vester, quem semper habuistis ad nostrum Monasterium, 
 nunquam decrescit. . . . Omnipotens Deus, et sancta Mater ejus 
 Maria, quos quotidie rogamus pro vobis, et pro quorum amore 
 nobis facitis omnia, ilia vobis retribuant in Regno Ccelorum. 
 Fratres nostros vobis mittimus, sicut jussistis. Commendamus 
 ergo vobis illos, ut sicut vadunt in Angliam vestra jussione et 
 vestra spe ; ita omnino sit in vestra cura et vestra providentia 
 quid illi faciant, aut quomodo aut unde vivant." Anselmi Ab- 
 batis Becci Epist. Lib. II. 6. edit. Paris. 1721. 
 
 A monitory epistle, addressed by this celebrated Abbot to 
 some of the French Monks (whom he had sent into England to 
 colonise the Alien Priories subjected at this period to Bee) con- 
 tains a severe rebuke of a disorderly Brother. Although it cannot 
 be ascertained to what particular Convent he belonged, yet a 
 short extract from this curious epistle will probably be read with 
 interest. — " Brother Anselm Abbot of Bee, to his Brethren and 
 dear Sons Richard and others from the Congregation of Bee,
 
 ()4 
 
 The precise order of Monks established in this 
 Cell l>\ Anselm, docs not appear to be clearly un- 
 
 ikiu living in England, health, paternal blessing, and love. If 
 vou live discretely, prosperously, peacefully, and near to God, 
 m\ soul congratulates you with a brotherly and paternal affec- 
 tion. As for Mr. Henry, lately the Chamberlain, I hear that lie 
 acts disorderly in main things, particularly in drinking; BO that 
 in public companies he drinks with sottish persons, and is in- 
 toxicated. If this be true, I cannot express how my hear! 
 mourns over so great a fall of our Brother. As far, therefore, as 
 an Abbot can prohibit a Monk, I forbid him to presume to drink 
 either in anj public company, or at sottish meetings. I further 
 enjoin, that he approve his penitence to Archbishop Lanfranc. 
 or to Bishop Gondulf, or to you; and that, with the help of 
 (Jod, hi' carefully abstain from intoxication and from malicious 
 language. If he remain incorrigible, notwithstanding any ser- 
 vice- which we might derive from him in England, let him 
 return to us for wholesome discipline, rather than be irrecoverably 
 lost for want of seasonable correction." — " 1 'rater Anselnms, 
 dictus abbas Becccnsis, Fratribus et Filiis carissimis, Richardo 
 et aliis de Beccensi Congregatione in Anglia conversantibu -. 
 Balutem et paternam cum dilectione benedictionem. Si sane, si 
 prospere, si denique concorditcr et secundum Deum vivitis, 
 congratulatur caritati vestrae rraterno et paterno affectu anima 
 mea. . . . De Domino Henrico, qui Camerarius fait, audio quia in 
 multis inordinate se agit, it maxiine in bibendo; ita ut in Gildis 
 cum ebriosis bibat, et cum eis inebrietur. Quod si verum est, 
 diei re linn possum quantum cor meum de tanta Fratris perdi- 
 tione doleat. . . . Quantum iuitur Abbas debet prohibere Mo- 
 naeho. tantum ego. . . . prohibeo, ne. . . . amplius in Gilda, aut 
 in conventu eorum qui ad inebriandum solum conveniunt, bi- 
 bere audeat. Hoc quoque prsecipio, u^ de practerita inordina- 
 tione, si earn negare Don potest, Domini nostri Lanfranci Archi- 
 episcopi, aut Domini Episeopi Gondulfi, aut vestro judicio 
 pecnitere non negligat : ac deinceps curam se custodiendi ab 
 ebrietate et a malitiosis \» rbis cum Dei atrxilio habeat. At si se
 
 05 
 
 derstood. Leland (on his visit to this Monastery 
 in the reign of Henry VIII.) was informed that 
 " Anselm introduced from France White Monks 
 of a different profession, however, from the Cis- 
 tertians 8 ". Bishop Tanner suggests that they 
 were Tironensians h ; but Stevens asserts that the 
 earliest House of that denomination was not 
 founded till thirty years later 1 . Whatever was 
 the precise Order, the Monks placed in Neots- 
 bury by Abbot Anselm were reformed Bene- 
 dictines with a white habit ; which was afterwards, 
 however, changed for the black dress, for this 
 Priory (like the Mother Abbey) became a regular 
 Benedictine House. 
 
 Some doubts (it should seem) being entertained 
 whether the remains of Neot were actually pre- 
 served in the Convent, — since they had been at 
 least temporarily removed to Croyland, and since 
 the Monastery had been pillaged by the Danes, — 
 the French Abbot came to Neotsbury in person. 
 
 corrigere noluerit omnino, malo, contempta omni utilitate quam 
 per eum in Anglia debemus habere, ut ad nos sub disciplina 
 regendus redeat, quam ut longe a disciplina perdendus reraa- 
 neat." Anselmi Epist. Lib. II. 7. edit. Paris. 1721. 
 
 e "In quo [Ccenobio] fuerunt ad multos annos Monachi 
 Nigri, donee Anselmus Archi. Cant, introduxit Gallos Mona- 
 chos Albos." " Ab Anselmo ex Gallia Monachi Albi evocati, 
 qui alius professions sunt quam Bernardini.'' Leland, Coll, 
 Vol. III. p. 10. 
 
 11 Tanner's Notitia, edit. Nasmith, Pref. p. x. note ra. 
 
 ' Stevens' Continuation of Dugdale, Vol. II. p. 256*. 
 
 F
 
 Thia visit wag made in 107s-!), m the course of an 
 extensive torn- for the purpose of inspecting the 
 English possessions of the Church ofBec k . Having 
 arrived at the Priory, Abbot Anselm proceeded 
 to examine the Shrine, which was of the portable 
 kind called a Feretory. Within were found all 
 the bones of " the precious Confessor Neot"; 
 with the exception of one arm, which was reported 
 to have been left in Cornwall, but which was pro- 
 bably pilfered by the Monks of Croyland when 
 they were intrusted with the care of these re- 
 mains. The bones were immediately re-enclosed 
 in the same Shrine; one "moderate" relic 1 , alone, 
 having been retained by the Norman Abbot, "in 
 token of the veneration in which he held the me- 
 mory of the Saint!" The Shrine'" was then di- 
 
 L " Habebat prseterea ipsum Cccnobium [Bccccnsc] plurea 
 possessions in Anglia, quas pro communi Fratrum utilitatc 
 necesse erat per Abbatis prsesentiam nonnunquam visitari. Ipso 
 itaque BU82 ordinationis [in Abbatem] anno, Anselmus in 
 Angliam profectus est Terras Ecclesise Beccensis per An- 
 gliam adiit, ntilitati Monachorum suorum per omnia Btudiose 
 secundum Deum Berviens. Vadens autem ft ad diversa Mo- 
 aasteria Monachorum, Ganonicorum, Sanctimonialium 
 
 uime Buscipiebatur Iter repetendi Nbrmanniam ingre- 
 
 ditiii ditatus multiplici dono, quod honori ac ntilitati Ecclesiac 
 suae usque hodie Bervire dignoscitur." Eadmeri Cantuar. Mo- 
 
 hi. De Vita Anselmi, Lib. I. pp. 10. 11. edit. Paris, 1721. 
 1 Thia wraa, probably, the jaw-hone; since it was still pre- 
 Berved at the \ I » 1 >< \ of Bee in 1080 [Mabillon. Acta Sanet. 
 Ord. Bened. Sec. [V. I'. II. p. 338.] 
 
 I he Shrine of Neot is first mentioned in 1003, when the
 
 67 
 
 ligently sealed and locked : to prevent idle in- 
 spection, as well as further theft, the key was car- 
 ried by the Abbot to France, that it might be 
 carefully preserved in the Church of Bee. An- 
 selm, when afterwards promoted to the See of 
 Canterbury, addressed a Testimonial n of this in- 
 
 remains of Neot were carried to Croyland " in a Shrine (Sc?-i- 
 nium) adapted to the purpose ;" from which expression it 
 seems probable that the original Shrine was left at St. Neot's 
 [see p. 56.]. — It is here spoken of, as inspected by Abbot An- 
 selm in 1078-9, and as having its key kept at the Mother Abbey 
 in Normandy. — The Sacristan's Cartulary has a Deed (of Cen- 
 tury XIII.) conveying two acres of land, at Chalvesterne, Bed- 
 fordshire, for the repair of the Shrine (Feretrum), and contains 
 many other gifts, for wax-lights to be kept continually burning be- 
 fore it [Cartulary, MSS. Stowelll. 88. (see App. XVIII.)].— The 
 Monks of Bury St. Edmund's allude to it at the close of Cen- 
 tury XIV. (1377 — 1409), as " a Shrine (Scrinium) not a little 
 costly" which at that time was " shewn to visitors by the Bre- 
 thren of Bee inhabiting the Monastery of St. Neot." [Inter- 
 polation in the Bury Copy of John de Tinmouth's Historia 
 Aurea, Book XVIII. Chap.LXV. (see App. V. 23.)].— The opi- 
 nion of Mr. Whitaker that the stone pedestal, which supported 
 this Shrine or Feretory, is still preserved in the Church of St. 
 Neot's, is a palpable mistake. [See this Volume, Chap. IV. 
 
 § II.]. 
 
 " Archives of Lincoln Cathedral, " Memoranda O liveri Sut- 
 ton," ff. 122 b. and 123 a. [App. VI.].— A Monk of Bee in the 
 middle of Cent. XII. considers the fact of the body being at St. 
 Neot's as undisputed: " Neoti vita laudabile videre poteris 
 p flumen Usae decurrens usque in Huntendunesyre ubi corp 9 ei 9 
 sanctissimii pausat; splenduit tempore Regis Alfredi et Marini 
 Papze." Roberti de Monte Torrine'io Chronicon, MSS. Harl. 651. 
 f. 150 a. — It was, probably, at the beginning of Century XIII., 
 
 f2
 
 (iS 
 
 spection, to "the Bishop of Lincoln, and to all 
 who desire to know the truth concerning the bod) 
 of the blessed Confessor Wot." In the same 
 document, he exhorted. the pious to contribute 
 liberally towards the erection of the Conventual 
 Church: it appears, therefore, that the Monastery 
 erected here, about a Century before, by Earl 
 Alric, was either rebuilt or wry considerably en- 
 larged immediately after the Conquest. 
 
 The Alien Priory, having been thus commended 
 to the charity of the devout, soon began to obtain 
 celebrity, and to be enriched by pious donations. 
 
 The earliest benefaction, recorded in the Car- , 
 tulary, occurs in 1100. In that year Matilda de 
 St. Liz, (daughter of Simon first Earl of Hunt- 
 ingdon, and wife of Robert fifth son of Richard 
 Fitz-Gilbert de Clare,) gave to the Convent one 
 third other Manor of Cratefield in Suffolk. This 
 gifl was bestowed with the stipulation, that the 
 Brethren of St. Neot's "should receive into their 
 House two Priests with the Monkish habit to be 
 perpetually maintained by this endowment"." 
 
 The principal endowment, however, was that 
 of Rohais wife of Richard Fitz-Gilbert de Clare. 
 
 thai the Monks of Croyland first asserted that the body re- 
 mained in their Abbey (see p. :>;. note v.). 
 Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust A. IV. f. ;<> b. [App. XVI. ©.].
 
 69 
 
 A. D. 1113, she gave to the Monks the whole of 
 her manor of St. Neot's p . llohais was, conse- 
 quently, reputed the second Foundress. This 
 donation was confirmed in 1250, by Richard de 
 Clare, Earl of Gloucester and Hertford q . 
 
 From the returns made upon official Valuations, 
 it appears, that the annual income of the Monas- 
 tery in 1291 r was 198/. 16s. 5d. ; in 1534 s it 
 was estimated at 2561. Is. Sid. j and in 1540 4 
 the Ministers' Account stated it as 2561. 15s. Sd. 
 In 1544 u the property of the late Convent was 
 valued at 233/. 15s. 8^. More minute informa- 
 tion, respecting the nature and History of the 
 grants of land, tithes, rents, &c, made at different 
 periods, may be obtained by reference to the 
 titles of Deeds v contained in the Cartularies of 
 the Priory, and to such extracts x as are given in 
 the Appendix. It will be sufficient here to men- 
 tion the places in which the possessions of the 
 Convent were situated. 
 
 p Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. 45 b. [App. XVI. 8.]. 
 
 i Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. 27 b. [App. XVI. 33.]. 
 
 r Taxation of Pope Nicholas, 19 Edvv. II. [App. XXIII.]. 
 
 s Valuation of St. Neot's Priory, 26 Hen. VIII., First Fruits 
 Office, [App. XXVII.]. 
 
 1 Valuation of St. Neot's Priory, 32 Hen. VIIL, Augmenta- 
 tion Office, [App. XXVIII.]. 
 
 u Valuation of St. Neot's Priory, 36 Hen. VIIL, MSS. Brit. 
 Mus.Harleian 701. (formerly in the Augmentation Office.). 
 
 v Appendix XV., and Appendix XVII. 
 
 N Appendix XVI., and Appendix XVIII.
 
 70 
 
 Bedfordshire: Barford 7 ; Beeston; Begory 
 Bidenho; Blesworth; Blunham; Bushmead 
 Caldecot; Chalvesteme ; Charlton; Colesden 
 ( "nlniv. orth ; Crandon; Dulow; Eaton-Socon 
 Eaton-Ford ; Edworth; Girtford; Kim'wick 
 Mogerhanger; Roxton; Salston; Sandy; Stap- 
 low; Temsford; Thorncote; Turvey y j Wybos- 
 ton. — Cambridgeshire: Bourne; Caxton; Crox- 
 ton; Gamllngay; Gran Chester; Madingley"; 
 Wells [Upwell?]. — Essex: Wimbish. — Hertford- 
 shire : Westmill. — Huntingdonshire: Abbotsley; 
 Buckworth; Caldecot; Everton; Eynesbury*; 
 Hail- Weston; Midlow; Monks^-Hardwick ; Of- 
 
 ' The Exchequer Records, respecting the Alien Priories, 
 
 give the following curious account, [see App. XXIV.] of the 
 
 stock, kept mi the farms at Turvey and Barf ord by the Prior of 
 
 St. Neot's (for the Abbot of Bee,) in the reign of Edward I. 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 At Turvej ; '2 Cart Horses, each is o S O 
 
 4 [Pack-Horses], each 35 l'l 
 
 10 Ox h 6s. 8d A C> 8 
 
 3 Cow-, each 6 1 
 
 3 1 1 -. each 2s 6 <> 
 
 30 Swine, each Is. 4d.' m 
 
 5 6 
 
 } 
 
 11 Pigs, each 6d. 
 
 IS Geese, each 2d 3 
 
 1 Cock and 5 Hens O O 6 
 
 At Barford ; '1 Av< rs, i ach 5s 10 
 
 I Oxen, each 6s. $d 1 G 8 
 
 1 Cow 4 O 
 
 1 Cock and 5 Hens 6 
 
 * Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. ;<; a. [App. XVI. ID.]. 
 a Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. ff. 89 a. Q>7 a. b. [App. 
 XVI. dp. G. 5a I.].
 
 
 71 
 
 ford D'Arcey [Denys, MS.]; Paxton ; Puttock's 
 Hard wick; St. Neot's b ; Tetworth ; "Waresley 
 Weald; Wintringham. — Norfolk: Beecham-Well ; 
 Burton-Bendish ; Marchford. — Xorthamptox- 
 shire: Barnwell-St. Andrews; Brampton-Dingley; 
 Clopton; Hemington. — Oxfordshire: Cotesford. 
 — Rutland: Wing. — Suffolk: Cratefield d ; He- 
 veningham ; Ubbeston. — Wiltshire : Boscombe, 
 and Cheldreton. 
 
 Henry I., about 1137, granted to the Prior and 
 Convent the privilege of a Market 6 on Thursdays. 
 He also granted them three chartered Fairs: to 
 be held, 1. on Ascension-day 6 , its eve, and the 
 following day; Q. on the day of the Imprison- 
 ment 6 of St. Peter 3 its eve, and the following day; 
 3. on the Festival 5 of St. Neot, its eve, and the 
 succeeding day. (See Chap. IV. § II.) 
 
 Several valuable Fisheries, at Wells ? [Upwell ?] 
 in Cambridgeshire, were given to the Monks of 
 
 b Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. ff. 45 b. 27 b. 37 a. 45 b. 
 
 4r a. [App. xvi. a. n. %. ». as.]. 
 
 c Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. 90 a. [App. XVI. €?.]. 
 
 d Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. ff. 79 a. b. [App. XVI. 
 ©.#.]. 
 
 e Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. 47 a. [App. XVI. £-■]. 
 — Roll Quo Waranto, Tower, 14 Ed. I. Com. Hunt' m. 4. 
 [App. XXII.] 
 
 f Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. ff. 45 b. 46 b. 47 a. [App. 
 
 xvi. n.]. 
 
 s Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV f. 2] b. [App. XVI. *.].
 
 St. Neot's by the Foundress RohaiS, in the reign 
 <»1' Henry L — They possessed, also, a Fishery at 
 Marchford in Norfolk. — Two Fisheries' in the 
 Ouse. between St Neot's and Baton, were given 
 to tne Convent, in the reign of Henry II. or Ri- 
 chard I., by Hugh de Beauchamp, Lord of the 
 neighbouring Castle of Eaton-Socon on the hanks 
 of that river. — Another Fisher) ' in the Ouse, was 
 given, in the time of King John, by William de 
 Sudbury (in the parish of Eaton). 
 
 Hugh de Beauchamp gave the Monks libert} 
 to take fuel, from his woods in Katon-Soeon, for 
 the kitchen of their Convent k . 
 
 The perpetual Advowson of 20 Churches be- 
 longed to this Priory; viz. Bedfordshire : 1. Ed- 
 worth; 2. Melchburn; 3. Temsford; 4>. Turvey. — 
 Huntingdonshire: 5. Everton; 6. Eynesbury; 7- 
 St. Neot's. — Norfolk: 8. Burton-Bendish ; !). 
 Beecham-Well. — Northamptonshire: 10. Bramp- 
 ton-Dingley ; 11. Hemington. — Oxfordshire: 
 12. Cotesford. — Rutland: 13. Wing. — Suffolk: 
 14. Cratefield; 15. IIe\ eningham ; 16. Ubbeston. 
 — Warwickshir : 17- Pillerton. — Wiltshire: 
 is. Boscombe; 1!). Cheldreton.— 20. Auca (the 
 County unknown). — Six of these Livings were ap- 
 
 " Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. 82 a. [App. XVI.8R.]. 
 1 Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust A. IV. f. 67 a. [App. XVI. U.]. 
 k Cartul. MSS. Cott Faust A. IV. f. SI a.
 
 73 
 
 propriated Rectories; viz. Turvey, Everton, St* 
 Neot's, Hemington, Cratefield, and Ubbeston. 
 Eynesbury, and Burton-Bendish, appear to have 
 been once appropriated, but only belonged to the 
 Priory temporarily. 
 
 1. The Advowson of Edworth (St. George's) 
 was given to the Prior and Convent of St. Neot's, 
 between 117-5 — 1181, by Roger Burnard. 1 
 
 2. Melchburn (St. Mary's) was given to the 
 Monks of St. Neot's by Richard de Clare, in the 
 reign of Henry I. or Stephen. In H76 the right 
 of Advowson was disputed by the Brethren of St. 
 John of Jerusalem ; to whom the Prior and Con- 
 vent gave it up, retaining only the Chapel of 
 Knotting m . 
 
 3. The Church of Temsford (St. Peter's) be- 
 came the property of this Monastery in 1129; 
 being the gift of Robert de Carun, when his 
 grandson Anselm took the habit of a Monk at 
 St. Neot's. On 15 April in that year, Robert de 
 Carun presented the Monks with a Crucifix and 
 five Representations of the Passion of Christ, for 
 the Conventual Chapel". 
 
 4. Turvey (All-Saints') was given to the Con- 
 vent by William le Heyr, in the reign of Richard 
 I. ° : the Rectory was appropriated to the use of 
 the Convent on 19 Nov. 1194, and Richard de 
 
 I Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. 57 a. [App. XVI. £.]. 
 m Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. 112 b. 
 
 II Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. S3 a. [App. XVI.®.]. 
 Hund. Roll. Tower, 7 Ed. I. n. 1. m. 5
 
 74 
 
 Weston was presented to the \foarage p . — The 
 tithes which belonged to St. Neot's were granted 
 in 1600| to the Bishop of Ely*. 
 
 ;,. Everton (St. Mary's) was -hen "to his 
 
 Monks" by Gilbert de Clare, Karl of Pembroke, 
 US; — 111S' 1 . It does not appear when it was 
 appropriated. 
 
 (J. Eynesbi ky (St Man's). It appears that 
 one-third of the tithes of Eynesbury had been 
 " settled in the .Monastery of St. Neot's by 
 arbitrary consecration'" in a very antient pe- 
 riod. The Advowson was given to the Monks 
 by Simon de St. Liz, first Karl of Huntingdon 
 of that name, during the incumbency of Wal- 
 frid, about the time of William Rufus; it was 
 confirmed to them by Karl Henry, son of the 
 King of Scotland'. It was appropriated in 11<J1', 
 on condition that the Prior and Convent, being 
 situated close to the great "Thoroughfare and 
 celebrated Road" from London to York, should 
 "give meat ami drink, for the Love of God, to all 
 who should ask them'." A few years after, the 
 right of presentation was litigated by Saher de 
 Quincj ; it is not known on what plea. In 1201 
 
 " Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. to a. [App. XVI. O.]. 
 
 —Bui) ofCelcstine III. Cott. Charters XII. 39. [App. XX.]. 
 
 • Patent Rolls, Rolls (Impel, 4'2 Eliz. p. !>. 
 
 i Cartulary, MSS. Cott. Faust. A. I V. f.73 a. [App. XVI. 2.]. 
 
 r Seidell's Hist. Tithes, p. 33*.— See also Cartul. MSS. Cott. 
 Faust. A. IV. f. 89 a. [App. XVI. §.]. 
 
 ■ Cartul. MSS. Cott.Faust. A. I V.f.f>71>. ISa. [App. XVI. $&.]■ 
 
 1 Bull of Celestine III., Cott. Charters XII. 39. [App. XX.].
 

 
 75 
 
 a Bull of Innocent III. " was obtained for an amica- 
 ble Composition between the parties, and the dis- 
 pute was finally settled in 1204 : the Advowson 
 was ceded to Saher de Quinci, and has ever since 
 descended with the manor of Eynesbury ; certain 
 portions of tithes were acknowledged to belong to 
 the Priory, the particulars of which may be seen 
 in the Appendix". 
 
 A Chapel in the hamlet of Weald, in the 
 parish of Eynesbury, was given to the Priory by 
 Alan Dapifer, Lord of Weald ; on condition that 
 the Monks should perform Divine service there 
 three times in each week*. This Chapel was, 
 probably, founded soon after the Conquest ; since 
 Alan Dapifer then held 2 hides of land in Eynes- 
 bury of Judith Countess of Huntingdon. 
 
 7. St. Neot's (St. Mary's). The parochial 
 Church of St. Neot's was probably erected, and 
 given to the Priory, about the time of the 3d 
 Council of Lateran, 1179 (See Chap. IV. § I. and 
 § II.). The Rectory was appropriated to the 
 use of the Monastery in the time of Pope Lucius 
 III. x ; consequently, about 1183. At the Dis- 
 
 » Cited in Cartulary, MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. 129. 
 
 T Cartulary MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. 42 b. 43 a. 89 a. 
 [App. (£.]. Also, Cartulary of the Priory of Newnham, 
 Beds., MSS. Harleian 3G5G. f. 56. 
 
 • Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. 67 a. [App. XVI. t]. 
 
 * Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. 37 a [App. XVI. $.].
 
 7(> 
 
 solution, the perpetual Advowson of the Vicarage 
 was retained by the Crown: for the History of 
 tin 1 Rectorial tithes, see Chap: IV. § IV. 
 
 A Chapel in the hamlet of Wintringham, in 
 the parish of St. Neot's, founded by William 
 Brito about 1218, belonged to the Priory y . 
 
 8. Burton-Bendish (St. Andrew's) was given 
 to the .Monks of St. Neot's by Roger de Clare, 
 Karl of Hertford, a little earlier than 1 17^. The 
 Rectory was appropriated 1175 — 1180 . 
 
 9. Beecham-well (All-Saints' ?). Given by 
 Roger de Clare, Karl of Hertford, before 1 17 — - l 
 
 10. Brampton-Dingley (St. Mary's) once be- 
 longed to the Monks of St. Neot's. In 1373 the 
 Prior and Convent, with the consent of Edward 
 III., transferred the Advowson to John de Holte, 
 retaining an annual pension of5k\ 
 
 11. Hemington (St. Peter's). This Rectory 
 was appropriated about 1170; Roger being then 
 the Incumbent . 
 
 12. Cotesford (St. Mary's). Given by Roger 
 Burnard between L175 — 1181 d . It does not ap- 
 pear how long the Prior of St. Neot's continued 
 
 i Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f.59 a. [App.XVI. "&.]. 
 1 Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. 77b. 44 a. [App.XVI.©.]. 
 ■ Cartul. -MSS. Cott. Faust A. IV. f. 7; b. [App. XVI. ^.]. 
 b Patent Rolls, Jower, 1-7 Ed. III. p. 1. m. 5. 
 c Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust.A.IV.f. 40b. 4la. [App.XVI.lt.]. 
 CartuL .MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. 57 a. [App. XVI. £.].
 
 77 
 
 to present to this Living : it was in the patronage 
 of the Abbot of Bee 1276—1317% and probably 
 for a longer period. 
 
 13. Wing (St. Peter's and St. Paul's) was in 
 the patronage of the Prior and Convent. But in 
 1209 the right of presentation was litigated be- 
 tween the Prior and Thurstan, Baron de Mont- 
 fort : the Advowson was determined to belong; to 
 the Prior and Convent ; and the right was con- 
 firmed to them in 1245 by Peter, Baron de Mont- 
 fort'. 
 
 14. Cratefield (St. Mary's). William de Al- 
 beni Brito, Baron of Belvoir, son of Matilda de 
 St. Liz, bestowed this Advowson upon the Monks 
 of St. Neot's, between 1154 — ll67 g . The exact 
 period of appropriation is unknown. At the Dis- 
 solution, the Rectory and Advowson of the Vi- 
 carage were granted by Edward VI. to Thomas 
 Sidney and Nicholas Haleswell. 
 
 15. Heveningham (St. Margaret's) was given, 
 before 1198, by Walter, Baron of Dunmow, 
 son of Robert de Clare h . — The King is now 
 patron. 
 
 16. Ubbeston (St. Peter's) was given by the 
 same h . The date of the appropriation is unknown. 
 
 e Kennet's Parochial Antiquities. 
 
 f Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. Q2 a. [App. XVI. <&.]. 
 f Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. 79 a. [App. XVI. JL]. 
 h Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. 78 a. [App. XIV. Jft.],
 
 78 
 
 In 1544, the Aclvowson of the Vicarage was given 
 to John Pope, Esq. 
 
 17. Pilleb ton once belonged to the Prior and 
 Convent of St. Neot's. There was a litigation 
 between the Monks and Thomas Basse! on the 
 right of presentation j but in 1212 they came to 
 an agreement to present jointly'. 
 
 18. East Boscombe (St. Andrew's) was given 
 to the Monastery by Roger Burnard, between 
 117.3— 1 181 k . Being of little value, and distant 
 from the Monastery, it was transferred to the 
 Bishop of Salisbury 1 , on His petition, in 1226. 
 
 1!). West Cheldeeton (St. Nicholas) was given 
 at the same time as the preceding" 1 , and was pro- 
 bably transferred to the Bishop of Salisbury for 
 the same reason. 
 
 '20. The Church of Auca was given to this 
 Priory, about 1170, by Gilbert de Montfichct" :— 
 it is not known what place is intended. 
 
 The patronage of the Priory of St. Neot be- 
 longed to the family De Clare : it descended, 
 
 ' Pleas at Westm., Chapter House, 13 John, Mic. term, roll 
 11 (on the baek) ; and 14 John, Trill, term, roll 3. 
 k CartuL MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. 57 a. [App. XVI. jfc.]. 
 1 Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. Ill a. 
 ■ Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. Ill a. 
 n Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. 37 a.
 
 79 
 
 through the Earls of Gloucester and Hertford, to 
 the last Earl, Gilbert de Clare, in 1313. Matilda 
 Countess of Gloucester (widow of the last Earl) 
 was patroness in 1317°. Ralph Earl of Stafford, 
 having married Margaret daughter and coheir 
 of the said Earl Gilbert de Clare, became the 
 next patron. The patronage was in the Staffords 
 in 1372 and in 1414: it probably continued in 
 that family till the Dissolution. 
 
 Henry Prior of St. Neot's was called to Parlia- 
 ment, by a summons from "Worcester on 4 Dec. 
 1264, among " a prodigious crowd" of others, by 
 Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, on the 
 pretended authority of the captive King Henry 
 III p. 
 
 The number of Monks supported by this Esta- 
 blishment was origin ally Jlftee?i t besides the Prior q ; 
 before 1339 it had been reduced to twelve Bre- 
 thren 11 , which was probably the usual number till 
 the Dissolution ; eleven signed the acknowledg- 
 ment of the King's Supremacy in 1534 r ; but no 
 
 See the List of Priors of St. Neot's : also, Hund. Roll, 
 Tower, 7 Ed. 1. n. 5. m. 1. 
 
 p Close Rolls, 49 Hen. III. m. 11. on the back: printed in 
 Rymer's Fcedera, Vol. I. p. 449. edit. 18 16. — The whole num- 
 ber of Heads of religious Houses who sat in Parliament in that 
 year, was 64 Abbots and 36 Priors. Edward III. reduced them 
 to 25 Abbots and 2 Priors. 
 
 q Inquis. Ad quod Damnum. Tower, 13 Ed. III. n. 59. 
 
 r See the Instrument, in App. XII.
 
 so 
 
 more than seven appear as having received pen* 
 sions at the Surrender in 1539 • 
 
 The Conventual Seal (as found attached to an 
 Instrument' in the Chapter House at West minster) 
 is represented in the annexed Engraving. The 
 
 ■ 
 
 Virgin, crowned and seated under a trefoiled 
 canopy, holds in her left arm the Infant Jesus ; 
 her right hand presents a Prior's Staff to a figure 
 in a kneeling posture. It is probably intended 
 to represent the delegation of the pastoral charge 
 
 • MS. in Augmentation Office, " Pensions temp. Hen. VIII." 
 }>. f)2. [App. XIII.].
 
 81 
 
 to a Monk, who, from his diminutive, stature 
 (see p, 31.), may perhaps have been intended for 
 Neot, the first Abbot of the Cornish House, and 
 the tutelary Saint and patron of the Hunting- 
 donshire Convent. The ground is diapered. The 
 inscription (restored) is, 
 
 SIGILLVM PRIORIS GT CONVGNTVS GCCLGSIG SCI NGOTI 
 
 The Die of this Seal was probably cut early in 
 Century XIII. : the design is rude. 
 
 A small Seal, (annexed to a Discharge in 1383 
 for a portion of tithes in Granchester received by 
 the Prior of St. Neot's from the Master of Bene't 
 College Cambridge, and preserved among the Ar- 
 chives of that Society,) was seen by Mr. Cole 1 in 
 1747. The design is, a man's head filleted with 
 a wreath ; in the area, £. It was, probably, the 
 private Seal of the Prior, William de St. Vedast, 
 or of his deputy John Shyrebourne by whom the 
 Receipt is signed. 
 
 The Arms of the Convent are unknown. A 
 shield displaying a Chevron, under a canopy for 
 the Virgin on the tower of the parochial Church 
 of St. Neot's, may be co?yectured to have been the 
 Bearing of the Monastery (see the Engraving, Chap. 
 IV. § II.). A Cross botonnee, and a Cross double- 
 fitchee, appear also on the roof of the Church : the 
 latter, having clearly been removed from some 
 other situation, was possibly brought from the 
 Conventual Chapel at the Dissolution. 
 
 ' MSS. Brit. Mus. Cole, Vol. XXVI. p. 197— It is not now 
 (1819) to be found among the Bene't Archives. 
 
 G
 
 82 
 
 The following persons (to omit others, of less 
 memorable record, mentioned in the Cartularies) 
 were interred in the Priory of St. Neot: — 
 
 1. The Warden of Xeot's Shrine in Cornwall, 
 who brought the remains to K\ nesbury about 97 ■!■» 
 was honored with sepulture in the Convent . Le- 
 land has asserted that Barius (the confidential 
 companion ofNeol during his eremitical life) was 
 buried here' : this is clearly a mistake, derived from 
 a false tradition mentioned by John de Tinmouth, 
 who asserts that the bod) of Neot was brought 
 into Huntingdonshire by Barius w , whereas it was 
 not removed from Cornwall till a Century later 
 (see pp. IS— .00). 
 
 2. Simon de St. Liz, first Earl of Huntingdon 
 of that name, and a considerable benefactor to 
 the Priory, was certainly buried within its walls" 
 in the reign of William Rufus. Other statements, 
 however, assert that he was buried in the Convent 
 of St. Mary of Charity in France 7 . It is probable, 
 therefore, that the body was removed from the 
 French Convent to the Priory of St. Neot, by his 
 family, soon after the first interment. , 
 
 11 Life of Neot, MSS. Bodley, 535. [App. III.]. 
 1 " Barius, Neoti servus, ibidem sepultus." Leland, Coll. 
 Vol. III. p. 10. 
 " John de Tinmouth's Sanctilogium, MSS. Cott. Tib. E. I. 
 
 [App. V. 33.]. 
 
 1 Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. 79 b. [App. XVI. ©.] ; 
 — also, Dugdale's Baronage, Vol. I. p. 113. 
 
 » Cartulary of St. Andrew's Northampton (quoted in Dug- 
 dale'a Btfonasticon, Vol. I. p. (>?!>); — also, Dugdale's Baronage, 
 Vol. I. p. 58.
 
 83 
 
 3. Robert, Baron of Dumnow, fifth son of 
 Richard Fitz-Gilbert de Clare, was interred here 
 in the last year of the reign of Richard I. z . It 
 is not certain that any other members of the 
 Founder's family were buried at St. NeotV. 
 
 Like the other Alien Priories, that of St. Neot 
 became the property of the English Crown on the 
 breaking out of the French wars, and was restored 
 to the Abbey of Bee on the return of peace. A 
 writ occurs in 1244*, in which Henry III. com- 
 mands the Sheriff of Hunts, to restore the Priory 
 of St. Neot which he had seized in the King's name. 
 — It was probably seized by Edward I. in 1285 ; it 
 was retained by Edward II. ; and restored by Ed- 
 ward III. in 1327 b . — This Cell was again seized 
 by Edward III. in 1337°: the estates, which had 
 been let at his pleasure, were restored in 1361 d . — 
 Another sequestration occurred shortly after ; for 
 we find this Priory in the King's hands in 1370 e : 
 
 z Cartulary, MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. 78 a. [App. XVI. 
 J&.] ; also, MSS. Lansdowne 921. p. 82. 
 
 a Dugdale says that Richard Fitz-Gilbert de Clare " having 
 been slain in Wales shortly after the death of Henry I. was buried 
 at St.Neot's" [Baronage, Vol.1, p. 207] ; but the references from 
 the Baronage to the Monasticon do not sustain this assertion. 
 
 * Close Rolls, Tower, 29 Hen. III. m. 10. (back). 
 
 b Close Rolls, Tower, 1 Edw. III. p. 1. m. 22. [App. VII.]. 
 
 c Gasgoigne Rolls, Tower, 11 Edw. Ill, m. 23. — Rymer's 
 Fcedera, Vol. IV. p. 777. 
 
 d Patent Rolls, Tower, 35 Edw. III. p. 1. m. 14. [App. VIII.]. 
 
 e Exchequer Records, 44 Edw. III. [App. XXVI.] 
 
 G 2
 
 S4 
 
 the possessions were restored l>\ Henry IV. in 
 1399, William tic Saint Vedasl being then Prior'. 
 
 III. Ilir. PRIORI OF ST. NEOT MADE A\ INDIGENOUS HOUSE. 
 
 At Length, in the year 1 ■!•(>!), this Convent was 
 relieved from the jurisdiction of the foreign Ab- 
 bey of Bee, and received the privilege of De- 
 nization, by Letters Patenl of Henry IV. B . The 
 Prior) was then in the patronage of Humphrey 
 Earl of Stafford, afterwards Duke of Buckingham. 
 The reasons for rendering it independent of the 
 French House are stated to have been — that Di- 
 vine Services had been much neglected, and that 
 the Establishment was in danger of being finally 
 subverted, on account of the mal-administration 
 and unworthy conduct of some preceding Alien 
 Priors, and of the immense debts which they had 
 incurred. It was, therefore, decreed, by an Order 
 in Council, that Edward Salisbury, a native of 
 England (who had been presented to the Priorate 
 in 1 1-0.5), should preside over this House as Indi- 
 genous, and no longer subject to the control of 
 the Abbey of Bee ; that his successors should be 
 chosen only from natives of the Realm ; and that 
 none but English Monks should, from that time, 
 be received into the Convent. 
 
 1 Patent Rolls, Tower, 1 Hon. IV. p. 2. m. 13. [App. IX.]. 
 * Patent Rolls, Tower, 10 Hen. IV. p. <>. m. 23. [App. X.].
 
 85 
 
 In 1414, the Prior and Convent petitioned 
 Henry V. to confirm the Letters Patent of Henry 
 IV. for their Denization, and to cause them to be 
 " enacted and enrolled in due form in the Roll of 
 Parliament, for the honor of God and as a work 
 of charity:" which Petition 11 , having been re- 
 ceived in both Houses, obtained the Royal assent. 
 
 IV. DISSOLUTION OF THE PRIORY OF ST. NEOT. 
 
 In 1534' an acknowledgment of the King's Su- 
 premacy was signed by John Rawnds, Prior of 
 St. Neot's, and eleven k Monks; viz. 1. Richard 
 Staughton, 2. Thomas Staughton, 3. Richard 
 Rawnds, 4. John Wintringham, 5. Richard New- 
 bold, 6. Robert Neot, 7. William Barford, 8. Wil- 
 liam London, 9. John Artylborough, 10. Edmund 
 Cambridge, 11. Robert Gamlingay. This Deed 
 (to which the Priory Seal, represented in p. 80, is 
 
 h Pari. Rolls, Tower, 2 Hen. V. p. 2. m. 9. [App XI.]. 
 
 1 The Officers of the Convent, at this period, were, Sir 
 William Gascoigne, head steward; Thomas Fitzhugh, sub- 
 steward ; Henry Comber, auditor ; Thomas Tonny, bailiff for 
 the market of St. Neot's ; Robert Hatley, bailiff for the town ; 
 John Wilson, bailiff for the Counties of Huntingdon, North- 
 ampton, and Rutland; John Clark, bailiff for Bedford and 
 Cambridge; William Frewelove, bailiff for Suffolk, Norfolk, 
 and Essex. [App. XXVII.]. 
 
 k Mis-stated as "nine," in Willis' Abbies, Vol. II. p. 95
 
 I 
 
 86 
 
 annexed) was given in the Chapter House of the 
 Convent, on 26 July 1534; each Monk "having 
 subscribed his proper name with his own hand :" — 
 
 Somoui') T^KlCt2 J-****** 1 
 
 This Instrument is preserved in the Chapter 
 House at Westminster : it is published in the Ap- 
 pendix [App. XII.]. 
 
 The Convent was finally surrendered into the 
 King's hands on 21 December 1539 ! . At that 
 
 1 MS. Augmentation Office, " Pensions Temp. Hen. VIII." 
 p. 92. [App. XIII.].
 
 87 
 
 time John Rawnds was still Prior, and there were 
 seven Monks ; viz. 1 . Richard Staughton alias 
 Andrews, 2. Richard Carnaby, 3. Robert Hatley, 
 4. William Tybye, 5. William London alias Goche, 
 6. John Wiseman, 7- Robert Nichols. Prior Rawnds 
 received a pension of 40/. ; the Monks were 
 allowed pensions varying from 8/. to 51. 6s. 8d. 1 
 The Prior died in the following year. In 1554 
 there remained a charge of pensions for five sur- 
 viving Monks" 1 (Richard Staughton and William 
 London being probably deceased). 
 
 On 18 February 1542, the site of the Priory, 
 its demesne-farm and lands at Monks'-Hardwick, 
 (together with certain lands at Eaton and Colm- 
 worth) were granted by Henry VIII. to Sir 
 Richard Williams alias Cromwell Knt. of Hinchin- 
 brook ; a great favorite of the King, who reaped 
 a rich harvest from the spoils of Abbey lands. 
 This errant" was made in consideration of the 
 manors of Brampton, Hemingford Grey, &c. 
 transferred to the King by a Deed of Exchange . 
 The particulars may be seen by the extract in 
 
 m Original Pension Roll, 2 and 3 Phil, and Mary. [App. 
 XIV.]. This valuable MS. (recently presented to the British 
 Museum) is written on 77 skins of parchment, signed, by the 
 Queen's own hand, " Mary the Queue." 
 
 n Grant in the Rolls Chapel, Patent Rolls 33 Hen. VIII. p. 6. 
 
 m. 37- 
 
 Deed of Exchange in the Augmentation Office, 18 Feb. 
 
 33 Hen. VIII.
 
 ss 
 
 the margin*. The site of the Prion contained 
 ■PJ acres; the demesne farm, 364 acres; and the 
 Monastery lands at Monks'-Hardwick, (>?2 acres. 
 
 p « Indenture made betwene the most excellent Prynce of 
 famua memory oure aaturall Souereyne and lege Lord Henry 
 
 y'eyght and Syr Rychard WiU'ms othe'wyse called S'r 
 
 Rychard Cromwell Knyght one of the Gentyllmen of his gratis 
 
 p'uye chamber. H " And further o'sayd Souereign Lorde 
 
 is pleasid and contented to bargayne and sell to y' : sayde 
 
 Syr Richard ally' his scite circuyte compas and precincteof the 
 late Monastrye of Seynt Neots comely callid Seynt Nedys 
 in f Countye ofHuntyngton uowe dissolued And also all and 
 singler messuage houses buyldyngs curtylagis gardens orchards 
 w' y' grounde and Boyle of y c same waters pounds fysshepoles 
 t\ sAyngS profytta comoditfi and all other Ids hereditaments w hat- 
 Boeuer they be scituat lyinge or beynge w' in f Bame scite cir- 
 cuyte compas or precincte ofy' same late Monasterye of Seynt 
 Neots or that heretofore hath bene reputed estemed or taken 
 as perte or percell of y e same scite circuyte or compas And 
 also all the singler those his messuags lands tenements medowis 
 fedyn«-s pasture woods vnderwoods rents reuersions seruices 
 tithes oblac'ons obvenc'ons quarres marshes pooles waters fyssh- 
 yngs warrens profytts comodyts and all other his hereditaments 
 comonly called the demeane lands of the sayde late monasterye 
 of Seynt Neots otherwyse called Seynt Needs lying or 
 beinge in the townes felds parishis or hameletts of Seynt 
 Neds Wynteringh ame and Hardewyke in y' sayde countye 
 of Hunt' and in the towne felds parishe or hameletts of Eton 
 and CoLMORTH in y* county of Bedds or of eyther of them and 
 now or late in \' tenure or occupac'on of y'' forenamed Syr 
 Richard or of his assignee by reson and force of a certen lease 
 made to the sayde Syr Richard by the late P'or and Con- 
 vent of the same late Monastery whose date is the 26 day of 
 June in y e '2h yere of y' reygn of o r sayde Souereign Lorde 
 [1.">3G] which Baydc scite messuags lands tenemets and other
 
 89 
 
 For the subsequent possessors of this property, 
 see Chap. IV. § IV. 
 
 It has been before observed that the Monastery 
 and Conventual Chapel, atthe first Foundation about 
 974, were built upon the bank of the Ouse, on the 
 N. side of the present Market-Place of St. Neot's. 
 As the Edifice had been much injured, perhaps 
 nearly destroyed, by the Danes, when it was given 
 to the flames in 1010 ; it was restored (p. 68) at 
 the period of the second Foundation, soon after 
 1078. In the reign of Henry III., A. D. 1265, 
 the Bell-tower of the Conventual Chapel fell ; at 
 which time some royal Charters were lost in the 
 ruins q . Whether any parts of the Saxon or of 
 the Norman Edifice were remaining at the period 
 of the Dissolution, is unknown. Leland, who 
 visited it in 1538, gives no account of its archi- 
 tecture. The Ministers' Account, referring to the 
 property granted from the Crown to Sir Richard 
 Cromwell in 1542, barely mentions (as " excepted 
 and reserved") " the Church, the Cloisters, the 
 
 y e premisses late were y e demeane lands of y c sayde late Mo- 
 nasterye of Seynt Neots and late were and remayned in 
 t'hands occupac'on and manurance of y e late Abbot and Con- 
 vent of y e same late Monasterye of Seynt Neots." — Deed of 
 Exchange in the Augmentation Office, 18 February 33 Hen. 
 VIII. [1542]. 
 
 r ' Roll Quo War. Tower, Com' Hunt' 14Edw. I. m. 4. [App. 
 XXII.].
 
 90 
 
 Dormitory called le Dortob [le Dortoir'], a certain 
 Building denominated Prater-Hall ["the Refec- 
 tory?"]) ami the Store-Room called the Buttery'." 
 The whole Edifice lias now disappeared ; 
 
 " no more the glance 
 Of blazing taper through its windows beams, 
 And quivers on the undulating wave:" 
 
 BftUCE. 
 
 nor lias it merely ccascul to exist as a Monastic 
 Establishment ; not a single architectural trace re- 
 mains , 1>\ which the imagination mighl he assisted 
 in rebuilding its ruined walls and restoring its 
 mouldering arches. There is reason to conclude 
 that, ahout 1589, the ruins of this Convent were 
 used as a stone-quarry for building the adjoining 
 bridge over the Ouse (see Chap. IV. § II.). The 
 columns of the S. W. Gate, with the pointed 
 arch forming the entrance to the Porter's Lodge \ 
 — the last vestiges of this Priory — were taken 
 
 r "EccTia, Claustra, Dormitoria voc' leDortor, quadani Domo 
 voc' Fratcr-Aula, et Promptuario vocat' le Buttery." Ministers' 
 Account in the Augmentation Office (reciting an Indenture of 
 20 June 1536). 
 
 * Some few arcade-pannels (with cinquefoiled heads), built 
 into the foundation of a cellar on the N. side of the Market- 
 Place, scarcely form an exception to this remark. 
 
 1 The wall forming the S. boundary of the Priory, ran E. 
 from this Porch through the yards of the houses which now 
 form the N. side of the Market- Place ; its foundations are fre- 
 quent!) me1 with, and stone coffins sometimes occur on the N. 
 side.
 

 
 91 
 
 down in 1814. Not a fragment of the Building is 
 left upon the spot ; 
 
 " Of it there now remains no memory, 
 Nor any little monument to see ; 
 By which the traveller that fares that way 
 ' This once was it !' may warned be to say." 
 
 Spenser. 
 
 Although not a single vestige of the Structure 
 itself has escaped the ravages of time, there still 
 remain five curious oaken pannels (formerly be- 
 longing to the interior of the Monastery) rudely 
 embossed with some emblematical figures : it is 
 uncertain what they have been designed to re- 
 present. 1. The first figure, habited as a Monk, 
 (probably a mendicant Friar), holds a purse in 
 his right hand. 2. The second, dressed as a 
 female (perhaps intended for the Foundress), 
 bears in her right hand a sword, the point of 
 which rests on the ground. 3. The third appears 
 to be a distorted representation of a warrior 
 (St. Michael?): he has a sword in his right 
 hand, a pair of scales on the left shoulder, and a 
 crucifix suspended from the neck. 4. The fourth 
 is in nearly the same costume : a rosary appears 
 round the neck, and a scorpion on the cap or hel- 
 met. 5. An arabesque figure of a Monk, in a de- 
 votional attitude, occupies the remaining pannel. 
 — Possibly figures 2. 3. and 4. may have been 
 intended for allegorical representations of Virgo, 
 Libra, and Scorpio ; having, perhaps, formed part
 
 D2 
 
 of a series of the signs of the Zodiac, which were 
 favorite subjects in Catholic carvings and paintings. 
 
 Leland was shewn, in 1538, two memorials of 
 Wot". 1. Ncot's comb ; made of a little bone of 
 two fingers' breadth, into which were inserted small 
 fishes 1 teeth, the whole having the appearance of 
 a pike's jaw. 2. Neot's interior vest, made of 
 hair-cloth, in the Irish manner. 
 
 PRIORS OF THE CONVENT OF ST. NEOT. 
 
 1. Martin de Vecti, otherwise Martin de 
 Bec*, (and by some called Martin Cook") is the 
 first Prior of St. Neot's whose name is recorded. 
 The time of his institution is unknown: it is 
 probable that he was the first Prior of the Con- 
 vent, upon its second Foundation by the Countess 
 Rohai's de Clare. In 1132 he was removed, by 
 Henry L, to Peterborough, into which Abbey he 
 was received by the Monks with great honor on 
 St. Peter's day*. Abbot Martin visited Rome, 
 
 u " Yidi tunicam intcriorem S. Neoti, ex panno villoso, more 
 Hibemico. Pecten S. Neoti ex ossiculo duos digitus Lato, 
 insertis piscium denticulis, instar maxillae lupi fluviatilis." Le- 
 land, Collectanea, Vol. III. p. 11. 
 
 Hugo Candidus, quoted in Gunton's Peterborough, p. 27& 
 
 ■ Gunton's Peterborough, pp. 22, 23. 
 
 x " Te King iap ~p T^bbot-ruce an Ppiop op 8. N60D, M7TH- 
 TI X par* jeharen. J?e com on 8. Peeper* niepr*e-bei nub nucel 
 punj-cipe into pe COiny-rj-v; .' Saxon Chronicle, under the yeai 
 1132. p. 237. Bp. Gibson'a edit
 
 •
 
 93 
 
 A. D. 1146 y . " All," says the Historian 5 of Pe- 
 terborough, " loved and feared him, for his ho- 
 nesty and his holiness ; and all the time he go- 
 verned, neither Monk nor stranger wanted any 
 thing, but rather were provided for in abund- 
 ance." On the Sunday preceding the Nativity, 
 1155, he " fell sick and took his bed, and on 3 
 January 1156 he breathed his last: the Monks 
 were overwhelmed with grief, and with tears ex- 
 claimed * They had lost their father V" He was 
 buried in the Chapter-House : his monument re- 
 presents the Abbot, " holding a crosier and a 
 book, treading on a double dragon who bites the 
 pillars of the flowered arch of his canopy ; it is 
 now in the south aisle of the Cathedral a ." The 
 Abbots John, Martin, and Andrew, were interred 
 in one grave, and their figures were brought into 
 the Cathedral " from three arches of the Chapter- 
 House now remaining in the south wall of the 
 Cloister j over them is written on the wall, — 
 
 " f^os trts ^rmatcs, quorum est prior gJubas gjofjamus, 
 " &lter iW«E®3UBia©, &nfcrcas ultimus, unus 
 " i^tc daufctt tumulus, pro clausts ergo rogtmus."" 
 
 2. Herbert, occurs Prior, in 1159 and 1173°; 
 
 * Gunton, pp. 276— 2S2. edit. 1686. 
 1 Hugo Candidus, p. 69. 
 
 a Gough's Sepulc. Mon. Vol. I. p. 24. : the monument is en- 
 graved in Plate III. fig. 2. p. 19. of that work. 
 b Gough's Sepulc. Mon. Vol. I. p. 31. 
 r Cartulary of St. Neot's Priory, MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV.
 
 94 
 
 8. (Jam kid, in 1199 and 1201/; 
 
 4. William, from 1206 to 1210'; 
 
 5. Roger, from 1218 to 1223 r . 
 
 (i. Reginald, having- been presented with the 
 pastoral Staff by the Abbot and Convent of Bee, 
 was instituted into his office on 15 Februan 
 I2£6 d . He occurs in 1237 e . 
 
 7. Hugh de Fagernum (otherwise Hugh de 
 Fagerton 1 ) occurs in the year 121<3 e . 
 
 8. Henry de Messville was promoted to this 
 Priorate in 1248, on the resignation of Hugh de 
 Fagerton f . He presided over the Monks of St. 
 Neot's for ten years ; upon his resignation 
 
 !). William de Bonesbor' in 12,58 was ap- 
 pointed to the vacant office, by the nomination of 
 Richard Earl of Gloucester (then patron of this 
 House), with the approbation of the Mother Ab- 
 bey 1 ^ He enjoyed his honor only for the short 
 period of four years, and upon his death 
 
 10. Elyas de Ponte-Episcopi, (otherwise Elyas 
 de Bishop's-Bridge,) a Monk of Bee, succeeded, 
 in 1262, by the same patronage f . 
 
 11. Henry, a Monk of St. Neot's, was insti- 
 tuted to the Priory on 1 Oct. 1264, upon the re- 
 signation of his predecessor Elyas de Ponte-Epis- 
 copi '. It is not known how long he presided : 
 
 A MSS. Harlcian 6950. Extracts from Lincoln Registers. 
 (The original Institution Roll for this period is mutilated). 
 r Cartulary of St Neot's Priory ; MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. 
 
 ' Institution Rolls and Registers, Lincoln Cathedral.
 
 95 
 
 12. Walter de Bern ay was, probably, the next 
 Prior ; but his institution does not appear. He 
 resigned the Staff, however, to 
 
 13. Thomas de Bensenal in 1275 f . How long 
 he presided over the Monastery is uncertain : the 
 period was, probably, short ; for 
 
 14. John de Bosco-Reynoldi [Renhold ? Bed- 
 fordshire] was, probably, Prior in 1285 s . He was 
 certainly removed in 1292 from the Priory of St. 
 Neot's to that of Cowyk near Exeter 11 , a Cell also 
 subject to the Abbey of Bee. On his resignation 
 
 15. John de Sicca Valle, a Monk of the French 
 Abbey, succeeded. He was instituted 19 July 
 1292 h . His death occurred ten years after. 
 
 16. William de Bec (otherwise, William Let- 
 teron), a Monk of Bec, received the vacant 
 office, on 30 June 1302, on the recommendation 
 of Gibbert, last Earl of Gloucester, to the Abbot 
 of Bec h . He having resigned, 
 
 17. Galfrid, also a Monk from the foreign 
 House, was presented to the Priorate, on the no- 
 mination of Matilda Countess of Gloucester, 3 
 July 1317 h . 
 
 18. Clement was Prior about 1327'. 
 
 19. Peter de Falco, a Monk of the Mother 
 Abbey, was presented by the Bishop of Lincoln, 
 and was instituted on 5 April 1341 h . 
 
 s John is mentioned as Prior, 14- Edward ( 1 285 ?) : Cartulary, 
 MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. 27 b. 
 
 11 Institution Rolls and Registers, Lincoln Cathedral. 
 
 1 Cartulary of St. Neot's Priory; MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV.
 
 80. Wii i [am de Bi.u.o-MoN'TF., (alias William 
 Be i\ mo\ r) a Monk of Bee, was instituted on 10 
 An"-. l.U|) k . On his resignation the "Norman 
 Abbot again sent over one of his French Monks, 
 viz. 
 
 21. Galfrid de Bkaxville, who was instituted 
 at St. Xeot's 30 April I852 k . On his resignation, 
 the Abbot and Monks of Bee again bestowed this 
 oiliee upon one of their Brethren, 
 
 22. Peter de Villaribus, wlio was instituted 
 to the vacant Priorate on l 2<) Nov. 13.W. 
 
 28. Christian de Troarno, had the same honor 
 conferred on him, upon °l) May 136V. At liis 
 death, 
 
 24. Robert de Glanville, a Monk of Bee, 
 succeeded to the custody of the Priory (then 
 seized by the Crown) on 10 Aug. 1372 : the no- 
 mination was made by " William de Saint Ve- 
 dast, Prior of Okeburn, and Proctor-General for 
 the Abbot of Bcc 1 ." 
 
 25. William de Saint Vedast, Prior of Oke- 
 burn, had the custody of the Priory of St. Neot 
 (still in the King's hands), and was admitted by 
 the Bishop of Lincoln, on 29 Dec. 1377 '. His 
 temporalities were restored in 1399 m . 
 
 26. Edward Salisbury was, probably, the next 
 Prior. He was presented by King Henry IV., 
 
 k Institution Rolls and Registers, Lincoln Cathedral. 
 
 1 Institution Registers, Lincoln Cathedral. 
 
 m Patent Rolls, Tower, I Hen. IV. p.2.m. 13. [App. IX.].
 
 97 
 
 and instituted on 27 Nov. 1405 1 . He was the 
 first Indigenous Prior since the Norman Con- 
 quest (see above, p. 84). 
 
 27. William occurs Prior in 1422 n ; 
 
 28. John Eaton, in 1447 n > 
 
 29. Henry, from 1459, to 1461°; 
 
 30. William Eynesbury, from 1464 n to I486 ; 
 
 31. Thomas Rawnds in 1490°. The present 
 beautiful parochial Church of St. Neot's appears to 
 have been built in his time, and is said to have been 
 finished, during the last year of his Priorate, in 
 1507 p . On his resignation he received an annual 
 pension of 10/. from his successor (and probably 
 his relative), 
 
 32. John Rawnds, who was instituted on 24 
 Nov. 1508 q . In the year 1512, while he still con- 
 tinued to preside over the Convent, he was insti- 
 tuted to the Vicarage of the new parochial Church 
 of St. Neot's. He resigned his Priory to the King 
 in 1539, and died in 1540. 
 
 n Cartulary of St. Neot's Priory, MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. 
 
 Archives of Bene't College Cambridge (Receipts, given by 
 the Priors of St. Neot's to the Master and Fellows of Bene't, 
 for a portion of tithes in Granchester) — quoted in MSS. Brit. 
 Mus. Cole, Vol. XXVI. p. 197. See above, p. 81. 
 
 p See Chap. IV. § II. 
 
 q Institution Registers, Lincoln Cathedral. 
 
 II
 
 98 
 
 tfSS. BELONGING TO THE PRIORI OF ST. NEOT. 
 
 I. Original Charters. Two Autographs have 
 been preserved, viz. — 
 
 1. Bull of Alexander III. : (MSS. Brit. Mus. , 
 Harl. Charters XLIII. A. 21.)—" Given at Fras- 
 cati, 29 August." The Seal is gone. [App. XIX.] 
 
 2. BulloJ Celestine III.: (MSS. Brit. Mus. Cott. 
 Charters, XII. 39.)—" Given at Rome at St. Pe- 
 ter's, l9Nov. 11111." The Seal is gone. [App. XX.] 
 
 II. Cartulariks. Only two Registers of this 
 Priory are known to exist : — 
 
 1. Cartulary of St. Neofs Priory : (MSS. Bri- 
 tish Museum, Cotton, Faustina A. IV.) — This Re- 
 gister is a small Quarto, containing 301 pages 
 on vellum, neatly written in a diminutive court- 
 hand about, the end of Century XIII.; many 
 Deeds and Memoranda have been subsequently 
 inserted down to 1 l(i(i. The number of Deeds 
 &c. is 654: there have been J36, of which 82 
 have perished, the MS. being mutilated at ff. 37, 
 80, and 91- It belonged to Sir Robert Cotton. 
 
 An abridgment of the titles of the Deeds, and 
 some extracts, are given in the Appendix to this 
 Volume [App. XV. and App. XVI.].
 
 99 
 
 Some extracts exist, also, in the following Col- 
 lections. (1.) MSS. Brit. Mus. Harleian, 2273, pp. 
 82 — 84 (with a pedigree of the Beauchamps, Ba- 
 rons of Eaton-Socon) made for Sir Robert Cotton. 
 (2.) MSS. Brit. Mus. Sloane, 1301, Art. 132, 
 (Ayscough's Catal.), seven pages taken " out of 
 Mr. de St. George's Collections out of the Ledger 
 of St. Neodes." (3.) MSS. Brit. Mus. Cole, Vol. 
 XLV. pp. 187—192. (4.) MSS. in Wrest r Library 
 No. 9. ff. 110b.— 113a., extracted about 15/7. (5.) 
 Fifteen Deeds are published in Dugdale's Monas- 
 ticon, Vol. I., p. 369, Vol. II., p. 876; and (6.) four 
 in Seidell's History of Tithes, p. 334. 
 
 2. Cartulary of the Sacristan of St. Neofs Priori/ : 
 (MSS. Stowe, Press III. No. 88.)— This Register 
 is, also, a small Quarto, containing 92 pages on vel- 
 lum, written in a bold black letter in 1286, Wil- 
 liam le Carun being then Sacristan. The Deeds 
 (which refer exclusively to gifts for the service of 
 
 r A Cartulary of St. Neot's has been supposed to exist at 
 Wrest. The error originated with the " Catalogus MSS. An- 
 gliae"; which, in 1697, noticed the " Registrum Sci.Neothi", among 
 the MSS. of Anthony Earl of Kent, No. 31., transferred from 
 the Cecil Library. Bp. Tanner [Notitia Monastica, edit. 1744], 
 and his editor Nasmith [Notitia Monastica, edit. 1787], con- 
 tinued the mistake ; having stated that the Register of St. Neot's 
 was in the possession of the Duke of Kent. The same error ap- 
 pears with regard to supposed Cartularies ofColne and Evesham, 
 as well as St. Neot's : all of which were noticed, in 1697, as Re- 
 gisters, MSS. at Wrest, No. 31. ; but which are merely Extracts, 
 now classed MSS. at Wrest No. 9.
 
 1(H) 
 
 the Conventual ('Impel) are in number 95. Each 
 of the leading titles is illuminated, though not 
 ver\ ornamentally: to eaeli of the individual 
 Deeds is prefixed a detailed title, in a red letter. 
 Mr. Astle was the possessor in L779 ; at his death 
 it came to the Marquess of Buckingham. It is ele- 
 gantly bound in crimson velvet: on each cover 
 is an oval medallion, set in gold, on which is 
 enameled the coat of Astle. 
 
 An Abridgment of the titles of the Deeds, and 
 some extracts, are given in the Appendix to this 
 Volume [App. XVII. and App. XVIII.]. 
 
 III. MSS. ix the Conventual Library*. Ice- 
 land visited the Library of St. Neot's Priory in 
 153S : three MSS. were noticed by him : — 
 
 1. MS. Life qfNeot.—" On searching the Li- 
 brary of this Monastery, I saw," says Leland\ 
 kk an inelegant Tract on the IifeofNeot; anony- 
 mous ; written partly in prose, partly in verse ; 
 and exhibiting rather affected eloquence than 
 
 * The Precentor of the Priory had " a certain rent of 16s., in 
 St. Neot's for purchasing unci repairing the Books" [Exchequer 
 Records on the Alien Priories, 18 Edw. II. See App. XXV.] 
 
 ' " Vidi ego, excussa hujus Monasterii Bihliotheca, duos non 
 elegantes de Vita Neoti Libellos, sed suppresso in utroque Co- 
 dice Authoris nomine alter, partim prosa partiin etiam 
 
 carmine scriptus, arlectatam nescio quam eloquentiam potius 
 quam Eiistorise fidem integram exhibuit." Leland, De Scrip. 
 Cap. CXI J I.
 
 101 
 
 historical fidelity." — The identical MS. belong- 
 ing to the Convent has probably perished : it ap- 
 pears, however, from LelandV account, that it 
 was the same Composition as the Bodleian Life 
 described and quoted in the Appendix to this Vo- 
 lume [App. I. (II.) ; App. II. 3$; and App. III.]. 
 
 <2. MS. Life of Neot.— This Tract, Leland 11 in- 
 forms us, was also an " inelegant and anonymous" 
 Composition " used in the Liturgical Services 
 of the Conventual Chapel." Mabillon v supposes 
 that it was written by a Monk of St. Neot's. Pro- 
 bably the identical MS. inspected" by Leland at 
 the Priory no longer exists: from his extracts w , 
 however, it was evidently the same work as the 
 Cottonian Life described in the Appendix to this 
 Volume [App. I. (III.)]. 
 
 3. Chronicle of the Conventual Library of St. Neot's. 
 — No other copy of this " Chronicle" has ever come 
 to light, than that which was seen by Leland x in 
 the Library of St. Neot's Priory ; from which he 
 has given some extracts y . The MS. is now in the 
 
 o 
 
 1 Leland, Itin. Vol. IV. App. pp. 1.2. 
 
 u " Vidi ego &c unus in Liturgia ejusdem Templi in 
 
 usu erat." Leland, De Scrip. Cap. CXIII. (See note s.) 
 
 v Mabillon, Acta Sanct. See IV. P. II. p. 323. 
 
 " Leland, Coll. Vol. III. p. 11. 
 
 " " Nos apud Fanum Neoti in vetus Exemplar [sc. Libelli 
 qui Asserii Annales in Epitomen redegit] nuper incidimus." 
 Leland, De Script. Cap. CXV. 
 
 » Leland, Coll. Vol. II. pp. 189—194.
 
 10-2 
 
 Libran of Trinity College Cambridge', under the 
 Class-mark H. 7- 28.; from which MS. it was 
 published in 1691 by Gale (Script. XX. Vol. I. 
 j)]). l M — 175). It appears to he a MS. of Century 
 
 XIII. 
 
 This " Chronicle" contains short Annals of the. 
 leading events from the landing of the Romans in 
 Britain till A. 1). !)1 1- : it is chiefly occupied, how- 
 ever, with a long digression on the Life of Alfred, 
 interspersed with some narratives respecting the 
 intercourse of that King with his supposed relative 
 Wot. It often agrees, verbatim, with the Life 
 of Alfred by Asser Bishop of St. David's; and in 
 more than one instance it purloins from the Ec- 
 clesiastical History of Bede. 
 
 z It has been doubted whether the St. Neot's VIS. and the 
 TrinityMS.be identical (Wise, l)e Scrip. Asserii, p. xxix.) ; 
 the variation, however, which lias been pointed out, is not only 
 ambiguous, but rests upon a short account of the St. Neot's 
 MS. written li\ 1. eland so loosely that he himself has cancelled 
 it with his pen (Autograph of Lei and De Scrip. Cap. CXV., MSS. 
 Bodl. Libr. 5105. p. 116). — It is remarkable that Leland should 
 twice quote the " Chronicle of St. Neot's" (once, De Scrip. Cap. 
 GXV., for the death of Alfred ; a second time, De Scrip.. Cap. 
 (XX., for an account of EthclHcda Lady of the Mercians); 
 yet only the former of these passages is in the Chronicle of 
 St. Neot's, the latter being in Asser De Reb. (Jest. /Elfredi. 
 It is perfectly clear, therefore, that he had confounded the 
 two works. The error must have arisen from the circumstance 
 that the Chronicle of St. Neot's is such a servile imitation of 
 Asser'a Lite of Alfred, that the learned Leland himself has 
 falsel) ascribed it to the same Author (see note h, p. lol.).
 
 103 
 
 Various opinions' have been entertained with 
 regard to the credit which this " Chronicle" de- 
 serves. Gale 1 ', Whitaker , and some other Writers, 
 have maintained that it is the genuine " Annals of 
 Asser" a work referred to in Asser's Life of 
 Alfred, but which is supposed to have perished : 
 the " Annals of Asser", however, as quoted by 
 Brompton d , was a work decidedly distinct from 
 the " Chronicle of St. Neot's". Probably this 
 MS. was the composition of some Monk of St. 
 Neot's, who copied largely from Asser's Life of 
 Alfred, weaving into his " Chronicle" some fa- 
 vorite popular stories from the Lives of Neot. 
 
 This MS. has received various appellations. 
 Leland at first professed himself ignorant of the 
 Author, and simply entitled it " Chronica Fani 
 Neoti\" Gale adopted the same title, which he 
 says is on the MS. itself, though in a more recent 
 hand f ; but the MS. exhibits no such designation, 
 in its present state. Leland subsequently consi- 
 dered it as an " Epitome of the Annals of Asser* ;" 
 
 a See Wise De Script. Asserii, pp. xxviii — xxx. ; also, 
 Nicholson's English Hist. Library, p. 48. 
 
 b Gale, Scrip. XX. Vol. I. Prarf. 
 
 e Whitakers Life of Neot, pp. 216—230. 
 
 d Brompton, in Twysden Hist. Ang. Scrip. X. p. 7^3. 
 
 • Leland De Script. Cap. CXVII. 
 
 ' Gale, Scrip. XX. Vol. I. Praef. " Lelandus appellavit Chro- 
 nicon Sanctl Neoti, quia ibi in manus ejus incidit. Ilabent sane 
 cum titulum Membrana?, scd manu recentiori." 
 
 e Leland, De Script. Cap. CXV.
 
 101 
 
 he finally concluded that it was an original Com- 
 position, and adopted the title " Asserii Amtales\ n 
 Wise has named it " Pseudo-Asserins 1 " The first 
 title k is preferable; since it leaves the controversy 
 untouched, simply affirming that it was originally 
 found in the Priory of St. Neot. 
 
 11 Ldand, Coll. Vol. II. p. 189 (his own interlineation in the 
 Autograph preserved in the Bodleian Library ). 
 
 ' Wise De Script. Asserii, pp. xxviii — xxx. 
 
 k It has been referred to in this Volume (pp. 26,40, 41.) un- 
 der the title, Chronicle of the Conventual Library of St. Ned's. 
 
 * # * The following Records (besides those quoted in other 
 parts of this Volume) refer to the Priory of St. Neot : — 
 Roll Quo War. Tower, 15 Edw. I. roll G. 
 
 Do 27 Edw. I. roll 28. 
 
 Hundred Roll, Tower, . . 7 Edw. I. n. 5. m. 2, 3. 
 
 Escheats, Tower, 25 Edw. I. n. 51. 
 
 Do 32 Edw. IN. p. 2. n. 38. 
 
 Do 46 Edw. III. n. G2. 
 
 Patent Rolls, Tower, . . 34 Edw. I. m. 17. 
 
 Do 5 Edw. II. p. 1. m. 1 5. 
 
 Do 6 Edw. II. p. 1. m. 7. 
 
 Do 6 Edw. III. p. 1 . m. 13. 
 
 Do 1 G Hen. VI. p. 2. m. 23. 
 
 Charter Rolls, Tower, . . 19 Hen. III. in. 15. 
 
 Close Rolls, Tower, 49 Edw. III. m. 31. 
 
 Inquis. Ad quod Damnum, 4 Edw. II. m. 44. 
 Pleas, Chapter House, . . 10 John, Mia roll 12. 
 Orig. Rolls, Exchequer. . 2 Hen. V. Mic roll 11.
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 t^opograpfifcal Account of gggnisffiurg. 
 
 §. i. 
 
 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PARISH. 
 
 HEN the Norman Sur- 
 vey was taken (and, pro- 
 bably, for about a Cen- 
 tury after the Con. 
 quest) the nameEYNES- 
 bury was applied, in- 
 discriminately, to the 
 lands now included in 
 the two parishes of 
 Eynesbury and of St. 
 Neot's. In the following Chapter, the name will 
 be considered as limited, in its reference, by the 
 bounds of the present parish. 
 
 Eynesbury consists of two separate portions of 
 land which surround the parish of St. Neot's on 
 the S. and the E. : this irregularity of shape has 
 originated from the elimination of the latter pa- 
 rish. — The first-mentioned portion is bounded, on
 
 KM) 
 
 the N- b) a. small stream, called Hen-Brook, which 
 separates it from St. Neot'sj on the \V. by the 
 Ouse, which parts it from Eaton Socon ; on the 
 S. by Little Barford; and on the E. by a Roman 
 Road, which runs between this parish and Ab- 
 bot slev. — The other portion is bounded, on the 
 \. bv Toseland ; on the W. by St. Neot's (the 
 Roman Road being the division) ; on the S. I>\ 
 Hen-Brook, which Hows between this parish and 
 Abbotsley; and on the E. by Croxton. 
 
 The parish of Eynesbury contains about 2481 
 acres; its area is, consequently, ratherless than ■]•}, 
 square miles. It was enclosed by Act of Parlia- 
 ment in 17U7. 
 
 By the Census taken in 1811, the population 
 then consisted of 706 persons, 330 males and 376 
 females; the number of families being 1-tQ, and 
 of inhabited houses 131.
 
 107 
 § II. 
 
 PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION OF THE VILLAGE, &c. 
 
 The probability that the village of Eynesbury 
 was once occupied as a Roman Defence, has al- 
 ready been stated at large (Chap. I.). Respect- 
 ing its History in this early period till the Norman 
 Conquest, it may be expedient to recapitulate : — 
 1. that the original Saxon name of this spot was 
 (possibly) Bury, in allusion to the military Work 
 on the Ouse ; — 2. that in the middle of Centurv 
 VIII., this name was associated with another, 
 being changed to Ernulph's-Bury, in comme- 
 moration of some religious person called Ernulph, 
 who selected this place for his abode. The latter 
 was, certainly, its Norman a appellation: it was 
 afterwards gradually corrupted to Eynesbury. 
 
 LOCAL COINS. 
 
 The following Tokens were struck, for this vil- 
 lage, in the reign of Charles II. 
 1 . A brass coin : 
 Obverse. ROBERT BVLL OE encircling 
 
 A Horse's Head bridled. 
 Reverse. EANSBERY 1667 encircling 
 HIS HALFEPENY 
 
 a Domesday Survey, Vol. II. f. 206 b. [Appendix XXL]
 
 108 
 
 2. A brass coin, mentioned by Snelling ("View 
 of the Coinage of England," p. 32.): 
 
 Obverse. ANDREW SELBY OF L668 
 encircling 
 ./ Fleur-de-Us. 
 Reverse. EYNSBVREY AND POTEN 
 encircling 
 
 HIS HALFPENY 
 
 3. A coin, described in a MS. Catalogue be- 
 Longing to Mr. Young a medalist in London : 
 
 Obverse. HENERY ASHLEY encircling 
 
 A 
 HA 
 
 Reverse. IN EYNSBURY 1668 
 
 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH, 
 
 The Church of this village is mentioned in the 
 Conqueror's Survey b . The present Edifice, dedi- 
 cated to St. Mary, still exhibits traces of Norman 
 architecture: the pillars are in that style; those 
 in the N. aisle (the flowery capitals of which are 
 by no means inelegant) appear more antient than 
 the others. There are no other decided remains 
 of the Norman Church ; the walls have been re- 
 built, in a neat but humble style, at a much later 
 period. A lozenge or doubly zig-zag moulding, 
 in the great arch between the nave and the chan- 
 
 Dom< day, Vol. II. f. 206 !,. [ \, M ,. XXI.].
 
 109 
 
 eel, though much defaced by the chisel, shews 
 that this Church has once been chastely orna- 
 mented. The antient steeple, having been struck 
 by lightning, fell down. It was rebuilt in the 
 reign of James II. : the following inscription 
 occurs on the S. side ; — 
 
 IOHN LVKE 
 
 1687 
 
 HENREY ASHLEY 
 
 THOMAS RVTLAND 
 
 CHVCHWARDNES 
 
 the tower, which was then constructed, though 
 neat, is of trifling altitude and altogether devoid 
 of ornament : it stands, detached, on the S. side 
 of the chancel. 
 
 No stained glass, of any antiquity, now remains. 
 A few characters (about two inches in depth) were 
 traced in 1780 by Rev. G. Ashby of St. John's Col- 
 
 lege' 1 : whether they are to be considered as a com- 
 plete or a broken legend 6 , does not appear. 
 
 c It can scarcely be doubted that the third letter was imper- 
 fect, and had been originally similar to the sixth, a common 
 and ornamental variety of the character (c). 
 
 d MSS. Brit. Mus. Cole, Vol. XXX. p. 95. 
 
 e It was, possibly, % n. ellteson for 3)c$u narrate ricrgon : 
 but Mr. Cole conceives that the letters were 3). n. cllr.
 
 110 
 
 Two (.-oats of Anns, beautifully designed and 
 stained, are preserved in a grotto belonging to 
 tin' Rectory: — the bearing is, Gules, within a 
 
 Bordure engrailed a Lion rampant Argent, on his 
 shoulder a Mullet [Gules]} for Grey, Bishop of 
 Lincoln 1 . The shields are supported by Angels 
 whose heads support a Cross botonee. Above one 
 of the shields is, A Portcullis Or beneath // Rose 
 Gules seeded Or. These, possibly, were recovered 
 from the ruins of the chancel, which was demo- 
 lished by the fall of the steeple. They must have 
 been executed in 1430-5. 
 
 ' The Coat of drey was very frequent in the Huntingdonshire 
 Churches. Et was noticed at Buckden, Colne, Kimholton, &c. 
 by the Heralds, during the Visitation of Kisi
 
 Ill 
 
 A slab or stone coffin, level with the pavement 
 and close to the N. wall of the chancel, is said 
 (in a tradition recorded by Sir Robert Cotton") to 
 cover the remains of Saher de Quinci, Lord of 
 the manor of Eynesbury. It bears no inscription. 
 If the tradition mentioned by Sir Robert Cotton 
 be correct, this coffin is probably of the age of 
 Richard I., and certainly not more recent than the 
 reign of King John\ 
 
 In the middle of the S. aisle is a slab of grey 
 marble which has formerly been inscribed with 
 Lombardic characters, and which, therefore, can- 
 not be of later date than about the middle of 
 Century XIV. The inscription round the verge 
 is nearly effaced : the letters have been originally 
 cast in brass ; the sockets of some few T alone remain : 
 
 RichTZR'D : de : gist : id : : DG : 
 
 S3T: ffLOOe : . . . . V. Rff merCl^ 
 
 This has probably been the tomb-stone of some 
 Rector of Eynesbury : it may, in that case, com- 
 memorate either Richard de Clifford who died 
 in 1296, or Richard de Keston in 1311. 
 
 The floor has contained many other brasses ; of 
 which not a vestige remains, w r ith the exception 
 of a fragment (not more antient than the early 
 
 « MSS. Brit. Mus. Lansdowne 921. (Cotton and Astry Notes 
 on Hunts,). 
 
 '' See below, § IV. of this Chapter, p. 12?.
 
 112 
 
 part of the reign of Elizabeth 1 ) which records 
 nothing more than the name of the deceased, 
 
 VALENTYNE FYNCHE. 
 
 On the N. side of the chancel is an elegant 
 mural monument, of white marble, in the form of 
 an escutcheon, in memory of John Turner, Rector 
 of this Church : — 
 
 JOHANNES TURNER 
 
 s. T. B. 
 
 Collegii Magd. Cantab, olim Socius, 
 
 Post Ministerium hujus Ecclesias 
 
 Quinquaginta Be* annos Bumma cum fide peractum, 
 
 Auiniani Deo reddidit quinto dieAi gustj Anno Dni.i ;< >:>.. la atis 
 
 Suae 84. Cujus reliquias, in Spem beats Resurrectionis, 
 
 Sub hoc Marmore locamlas curavere Filii ejus 
 
 Edvardus, Johannes, Samuel, ct 
 
 Unica Filia Maria nupta Iosepiio 
 
 Came Londinensi. 
 
 Doctrinoe ac vitae invigilans, exempla reliquit 
 
 Pastoris studiis moribus apta gregis. 
 
 At the head of the tablet are the Arms : Er- 
 mines, on a Cross quarter-pierced Argent 4 MilU 
 rines Sable ; for Turner. 
 
 Adjacent to this is a similar tablet for his 
 son Edward Turner Rector of Eynesbury : — 
 
 ' Probably between the years 1560-64 (forwhich period there 
 is an hiatus in the parochial Register of Eynesbury) : Valen- 
 tine Finch was living about ."> Ed. VI. as appears from the Bap- 
 tism of one of his children in that year.
 
 113 
 
 Candoris, Benignitatis, 
 
 Doctrinae, Virtutis, si quaeris 
 
 Exemplar, EDVARDUM TURNER (nuper 
 
 Hujus Ecclesiae Rect.) Doctrina omni 
 
 Praecipue Christiana optime instauratum habes. 
 
 Cui, omnibus se comitem reddere, pauperibus subve- 
 
 nire, voluptati erat ; cui, cum verbo turn proprio 
 
 Exemplo Gregem ad virtutis amabiles salutiferas 
 
 Etsi fere impervias semitas, deducere summa fuit cura : 
 
 Qua cura emaciato denic^ corpore, lubens placide in 
 
 Domino obdormivit, Justorum expectans Resurrecti- 
 
 onem, Junij Die 2 do . Anno Dom. 1714, JEtat. 57. 
 
 Castera vis lector? narrabit sera nepotum 
 Fama, hujus pietas est imitanda tibi. 
 
 Sacrae perdilecti Fratris memoriae 
 
 Hoc monumentu dicat nnestissima 
 
 Maria Came. 
 
 Non nisi per mortem patet iter ad astra. 
 
 Sepulchro eodem cineres reservantur 
 
 Venerabiles MA RLE piae Matris atq, 
 
 JOHANNIS k dilectissimi Fratris 
 
 EDVARDI TURNERI, 
 
 Qui e vita migraverunt 
 
 Ilia Octob. die 2 do . 1708 
 
 ' 17 "' Ille Februar. 22 d0 . 1710. 
 
 This monument, also, displays the Achievement 
 of Turner; together with the Crest, A Lion 
 passant Argent, in his paw a Mill-rine Sable. 
 
 k He was senior Fellow and Vice-Provost of King's College. 
 In 1710-1, while senior Proctor, he died of the small-pox. — 
 MSS. Brit. Mus. Cole, Vol. XXX. p. 97. 
 
 r
 
 114 
 
 The parochial Register! commence in 30 Henry 
 VIII. (1538) 1 . The Vestrj Records in 1602. 
 
 1 <• Maryagys in the Parrycheof Aynesbery frorme Myckehel- 
 mas last past the %xx yere of the Rayne of Oure Sofferand 
 
 Lorde Kynge Harry the viij te here folloythe:" 
 
 « Chylderne Kyrsenyd in the xxxvijyereof ovre Souferande 
 Lorde Kynge Harre the viij*.". . . . 
 
 • Byrryalla in the Paryche of Aynsebery fromc'Myckchel- 
 ina> la.-tr paste tin- wx \ ere of the Rayne of Oure Sofferande 
 
 Lorde Kyng Harry the viii" lure folloyth." 
 
 •■ Mvne gatheryd at ovre Soufferade Lorde the Kynge'i 
 covmande for the deff. . ce of the Gxette Tovrke in hys Rayne 
 the wxiiij yere. The fyrste Sonday of Augvste the \ day of 
 thai monyth the yere of ovre Lorde God wxiiij gatherd by 
 the ChyTche Wardyns in the pryche Chyrch: 
 
 Fyrst of the Cvrat i d . 
 
 John Bovrton ij d . 
 
 &c &c" 
 
 The following curious licence occurs, granted about 15()'S: — 
 
 " Whereas by a Statute, made in y e v yeare of y' (Queue's 
 
 Maiestyes Raygne y 1 now is, called y e Statute of Navygacyon, 
 
 \t ie graunted \' l'ersons notoryouslye sycke, maye be lycensed 
 
 li\ the Parson ofy' Paryshewhere y* Partyes dwell, to enjoy the 
 
 benefyl of eatinge of Fleshe, on y' dales prohybyted, by y c 
 
 sayed Statute, for \' recovery nge of theyr healthe (yfyl pleasith 
 
 God); Lei \t be knowne to y'' seere hereof that Jhon Burton of 
 
 \' Paryshe ofEynesburye in y e Countye of Huntington, being 
 
 veryesyke, ys lycensyd to eate Fleshe fory e tyme of his sycknes, 
 
 soo y' he, enjoyeinge y benefytl of y' lycence his sycknes con- 
 
 tynewinge \iij dayes, do cause y e same to be regestered into y e 
 
 Regester Bdbkc in y' same Paryshe Accordinge to y' tenor of y e 
 
 Statute in y' behalf, and this lyeenee no longer to indure, then 
 
 his sycknes doth late: I>\ me Wyttyam Samuell Parson of 
 
 Eynesburye." — The Act is 5 Eliz. Cap. 5. § 14 — 25. "For 
 
 increase of provision of Fish by the more usual eating thereof,
 
 115 
 
 The Rectory was estimated at 17/. 6s. Sd. in 
 the Taxation of Pope Nicholas 1291 (see Nona? 
 Roll); it stands at 321. 3s. 9d. in the King's Books. 
 
 RECTORS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH OF ST. MARY, 
 
 EYNESBURY. 
 
 1. Gilbert was " Presbyter" of the Church of 
 Eynesbury, in the time of the Conqueror's Sur- 
 vey, 1086 m . 
 
 2. Walefrid was " Parson" in the reign of 
 William Rufus, or early in the reign of Henry I." 
 No Incumbent occurs for nearly a Century. The 
 next whose name is recorded is 
 
 3. Albin". 
 
 4. Henry son of Albin 11 ? 
 
 5. Gilbert was Rector in the year J 21 8°. It 
 should appear that at least as early as 1222 Vi- 
 carial tithes had been set apart from the Rec- 
 torial ; for, in that year Robert was presented to 
 the " Vicarage" by Gilbert " Rector of Eynes- 
 bury p ." 
 
 6. John de Latton was instituted to this Rec- 
 tory 7 Oct. 1223, having been presented by Mar- 
 garet Countess of Winchester, widow of Saher de 
 Quinci : the " perpetual Vicarage" was reserved 
 
 as well as in sparing and increase of Flesh-victual, &c", it was 
 enacted that every Wednesday should be a Fish-Day. 
 
 m Domesday, Vol. II. p. 206 b. [App. XXI.]. 
 
 n Cartulary of St. Neot's, MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. 68 a. 
 
 Cartulary of St. Neot's, MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. 59 a. 
 
 p Archives of Line. Cathed. (Institution Rolls and Registers). 
 
 I 2
 
 1!(> 
 
 to Robert ; and the " tithe of corn" to t Ik- Con- 
 vent of St. Neot p . 
 
 7. Richard de Clifford occurs at the close of 
 Century Kill.; the date of his institution does 
 not appear. At his death, 
 
 8. Hugh de Enofield was presented by Eleanor 
 Countess of Derby, and was instituted IS June 
 1296. There was a suit about this presentation ; 
 Thomas 2d Lord Berkeley and Joanna his wile, 
 and John Comyn Karl of Boghan, on the one part, 
 having claimed the Advowson against Eleanor de 
 Ferrers: the right was decided in favor of the lat- 
 ter 1 '. (See p. L28. note i.). 
 
 <h Richard de Kjeston succeeded to the Rec- 
 tory, 21 July 1811, on the death of Hugh de Eno- 
 feld ; having been presented by Eleanor de Fer- 
 rers, Countess of Derby p . He died soon after his 
 institution, and 
 
 10. John de Waldene was promoted to the 
 Living of Eynesbury in 1311, by the same patron- 
 age n . At his death 
 
 11. Thomas ue Lenne [alias de Lonne] was 
 instituted to this Rectory 2 April 1324, on the 
 presentation of King Edward II. p , the patronage 
 Inning fallen to the Crown during the wardship 
 of Robert Lord Ferrers of Chartley. 
 
 12. Thomas de Abyngdon became the next 
 Rector, May 1347, on the resignation of Thomas 
 de Lonne q . His death occurred one year and a 
 
 q Archives of Line. Cathed. (Institution Registers).
 
 117 
 
 half after his promotion, and the Living of Eynes- 
 bury was given to 
 
 13. Peter de Wovere [alias de Ouer, or Over] 
 18 Dec. 1349, by Robert Lord Ferrers' 1 2d Baron 
 of Chartley. 
 
 14. Richard le Parker was promoted 11 Sep. 
 1361 ; presented by Joanna widow of Robert Fer- 
 rers, on the death of Peter de Ouer q . 
 
 15. Gilbert Neel succeeded Parker, on his re- 
 signation, 23 Dec. 1368 ; having been presented 
 by John Lord Ferrers q 3d Baron of Chartley. 
 He resigned, and 
 
 16. Thomas Swateman [alias Swatman] de 
 Pencrith was instituted 19 Dec. 1372, on the pre- 
 sentation of Joanna Countess Ferrers q [deGroby?]. 
 He exchanged tlie Living of Eynesbury for that of 
 Yelling, Huntingdonshire, with 
 
 17. Simon de Swaneseye [alias Simon Goky?], 
 on 12 Dec. 1373; the presentation having been 
 again exercised by Joanna Countess de Ferrers q . 
 
 18. John Gate was the next Incumbent, insti- 
 tuted 11 July 1381 : he was presented on the 
 death of Simon Goky, by King Richard II. q 
 
 19. William Heth in all probability succeeded; 
 but his appointment is not registered. 
 
 20. Henry Drayton was promoted to this Rec- 
 tory 18 May 1414 ; having been presented by 
 Edmund Lord Ferrers 5th Baron of Chartley, on 
 the resignation of William Heth q . He exchanged 
 Eynesbury for Cheadle, Staffordshire, with 
 
 21. William Pirton, 30 Jan. 1415, who was
 
 US 
 
 presented by the same patron r . Pirton resigned, 
 and was succeeded by 
 
 22. Nicholas Shelly, in 1418; Richard Nor- 
 man and John Brotton having been the patrons, 
 pro hoc vice'. At his death 
 
 I ;. John Wight was nominated by Edmund 
 Lord Ferrers, and was inducted 20 Feb. 1 fc34 r . 
 
 24. Hugh Tyler: the period of his death, 
 alone, has been recorded, in the registry of his 
 successor, 
 
 25. William Forest, whose institution appears 
 oh 3 July 1472; the right of presentation having 
 been exercised by Sir Walter Devereux 1 who be- 
 came entitled to the Advowson ofEynesbury, by 
 his marriage with Ann de Ferrers, the daughter 
 and sole heiress of the 6th Baron of Chart ley. 
 
 26. John Bromwiciii:. 
 
 L ±~. Hugh Gibson, LL.B. was instituted 14 July 
 1523 ; presented by Walter Devereux Lord Ferrers 
 ofChartley, on the resignation of John Bromwiche'. 
 
 28. Cheistopheb Baedsey discharged the First- 
 Fruits of the Rectory ofEynesbury 7 May 1554". 
 
 29. William Samuel, paid his First-Fruits, c 20 
 
 Nov. L559 9 :— 
 SQl Richaed Jones, 14 April 1581 s : — 
 31. Thomas Wilson, 27 April 1586 s ; he was 
 
 buried at Eynesbury on L 2S Feb. KJU5'. 
 
 r Archives uf Line. Cathed. (Institution Registers). 
 
 " First-Fruits' Registers. 
 
 ' Eynesbury parochial Registers.
 
 119 
 
 32. Henry Lee, M. A. was instituted (on the 
 death of Thomas Wilson) 19 March 1005 ; Sir 
 Richard Dyer being then the true patron of the 
 Rectory". 
 
 33. Edmund Marmion discharged the First- 
 Fruits of this Living on 3 Jan. 1615 V : he occurs 
 Rector in 1643 W , 
 
 34. John Turner, B. D. succeeded (in 1G49 ?). 
 His ancestors were of Hemel Hemsted, Hertford- 
 shire 5 '. He was formerly Fellow of Magdalen 
 College Cambridge. His epitaph in Eynesbury 
 chancel (See p. 112) records his death on 5 Aug. 
 1705. He had, however, resigned his Living, six- 
 teen years previously, to his son 
 
 35. Edward Turner, B. D., whose institution 
 occurs 24 Dec. 1689, on the presentation of Ed- 
 ward Earl of Sandwich 11 . He died on 2 June 1714, 
 as appears by his Epitaph in Eynesbury chancel 
 (Seep. 113.). 
 
 36. Thomas Fairfax, instituted 28 Oct. 1714, 
 was presented by Edward Earl of Sandwich 11 . He 
 was Prebend of Bedford Minor in the Cathedral 
 Church of Lincoln. He was buried in the chan- 
 cel, without an inscription 3 ". 
 
 " Institution Registers at Buckden. 
 
 v First-Fruits' Registers. 
 
 w Eynesbury Vestry-Records. 
 
 x MSS. Coll. at Arms, K. 7- (Visit. Hunts. 1GS4.) 
 
 y MSS. Brit. Mus. Cole, Vol. XXX. pp. 95—99 ; where may 
 be seen many particulars respecting the later Rectors ofEyncs- 
 bury.
 
 120 
 
 37- Richard Lyne, M. A., instituted 2?Dec. 
 1750, presented 1>\ the Earl of* Sandwich 7 '. Mr. 
 Lyne had been Fellow of Eton College, and Chap- 
 lain to King George II.: be was present at the 
 making of the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, with his 
 patron the Earl of Sandwich'. After his death 
 the Living lapsed ; and 
 
 88. William Cole, presented by the 
 
 Bishop of Lincoln, was inducted .'>() May \ r }()H\ 
 Mr. (Ole was Prebend of Welton Beckhall, in 
 the Church of Lincoln. He died in 1808, and was 
 buried in Eynesbury chancel, where a neat mar- 
 ble tablet has been erected to his memory. 
 
 .'><). William Palmer, M. A., was instituted 
 522 June 1808; having been presented by his fa- 
 ther, William Palmer of Brampton Esq., the pa- 
 tron pro hoc tv'cc. On 5 Feb. 1819 Mr. Palmer 
 was presented to the Prebendal Stall of Welton 
 Painshall in the Cathedral Church of Lincoln. 
 
 ' Institution Registers at Buckden.
 
 121 
 
 § III. 
 
 HAMLETS IN THE PARISH OF EYNESBURY. 
 
 I. Weald a , containing several cottages. A Cha- 
 pel was founded here, about the time of the Con- 
 quest, with a provision for services to be per- 
 formed twice in the week by Monks from the 
 Priory of St. Neot (see p. 75.) : the site of this 
 Edifice is still to be traced in a close called ' Cha- 
 pel Field'. 
 
 II. Caldecot 5 , now only a manor-farm ; there 
 has formerly been a moated mansion. The ad- 
 joining field presents traces of many other dwell- 
 ings. 
 
 III. Lan'sbury, otherwise' Laucelyn'sbury. 
 From the Hundred Roll, and other antient lie- 
 cords, it is certain that a hamlet has once existed 
 here, though it has now disappeared. There are 
 traces of a moated residence ; which, probably, 
 was the mansion of the Launcelyn family, whose 
 name occurs in this parish in the reign c of Ed- 
 ward I. (1279). 
 
 IV. Puttock's-Hardwick 11 . This hamlet was, 
 in 1204, called Upper Hardwick 6 : in 1279 it had 
 
 a UJealb, a Wild, or Wold. 
 b Ealb-Eore, The Cold-Cot. 
 
 c MSS. Brit. Mus. Lansdowne 921. (Cotton and Astry Notes 
 on Hunts). — Hund. Roll, 7 Edvv. I. Com' Hunt' n. 5. m. 3. 
 d })eanb-pic, The Shepherd's village. 
 e Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. 89 a. [Ann. XVI. ©.].
 
 122 
 
 the name of Saher's-Haedwick*, from Saher de 
 Quinci, once Lord of the manor: the present 
 
 name was in use at least as early as the begin, 
 nine of Century \IY . It is now onlv a manor- 
 farm, surrounded by a considerable moat. Over 
 a chimney-piece (the remains of a more antient 
 dwelling) are the Royal Amis and Crest (as em- 
 blazoned from the reign of .lames I. to that of 
 .lames II., inclusive) in plaster. On each side is 
 a figure holding a Crown over a liar}); from the 
 neck of each is suspended a shield, the Bearing 
 on which (probably that of some Lord of the 
 manor) is defaced. 
 
 In this hamlet Mas a Free-Chapel or Chantry, 
 founded early in Century XII. by the family De 
 Trumpington h , and dedicated to St. Thomas the 
 Martyr. It was originally endowed with ten marks 
 of annual rent in Todenham and Farndon for the 
 support of two Chaplains: it appears, however, to 
 have been under the care of only one " Rector or 
 Administrator." 
 
 ' Hundred Roll, Tower, 7 Edw. I. Com' Hunt' n. 5. m. ;. 
 
 I Institution Registers, Lincoln Cathedra]. 
 
 h " In p'd'ca hameletta de Herdewik est quedam lib'a 
 Capella que fundata est a p'decessorib' Rog'i de Trumpington' 
 ()' assignarut in Todknh'm & in Farndon' x marc' annui 
 1 tldit' ad sustentacdm' duor' capell'or 1 (j 1 p'petuo divina ceie- 
 braret in ead'm." Hundred Roll, Tower, 7 Edw. I. Com' Hunt' 
 n. o. 111 3.
 
 12:3 
 
 RECTORS, OR ADMINISTRATORS, OF THE FREE-CHAPEL, 
 OR CHANTRY, OF ST. THOMAS THE MARTYR, AT PUT- 
 TOCK'S-HARDWICK, IN THE PARISH OF EYNESBURY. 
 
 1. John was probably the first Administrator, 
 and was nominated by Gilbert Rector of Eynes- 
 bury in 1222 \ 
 
 2. Henry de Herdewik occurs 1279 k ? 
 
 3. Walter de Linton, at the beginning of Cen- 
 tury XIV. 1 . 
 
 4. John de Mordon, 1314, presented by Sir 
 Egidius de Trumpington, on the death of Walter 
 de Linton 1 . 
 
 5. Thomas de Heo [alias de Ho] 19 Nov. 1319, 
 by the same patron, on the resignation of John de 
 Mordon 1 . 
 
 6. William de Balby [alias Baleby] 1324, by 
 the same patron, on the resignation of Thomas 
 de Ho 1 . 
 
 7. Nicholas de Repton, 1328, by the same pa- 
 tron, on the resignation of William de Baleby 1 . 
 
 8. John de Water Newton, 1331, presented by 
 the Bishop of Lincoln, on the death of Nicholas 
 de Repton 1 . 
 
 9. Roger de Keilmorth [Colmworth ?] 12 Feb. 
 
 1 Archives of Line. Cathed. (Institution Rolls and Registers). 
 The dates are those of the Institutions. 
 
 k " Henr' de Herdewik Capell's tenet de p'd'ca Comitissa 
 xxij. act. . . " Hundred Roll, Com' Hunt', 7 Edw. 1. n. 5. m. 3.
 
 124 
 
 L3S7i by the presentation of Isabella de Trump- 
 
 hurt on '. 
 
 10. James de Bray, S Feb. 1340, presented by 
 Henry Lord Ferrers of Groby, on the resignation 
 of Roger 1 . 
 
 11. Robert Wartn de Kempstone, 22 Nov. 
 l.'->.07, presented by Sir Roger de Trumpingtqn, 
 on the resignation of. lames de Bray 1 . The same 
 patron gave this Free-Chapel to 
 
 12. Henry Bole de Puttokherdewyk, 4 May 
 1361, on the resignation of Robert 1 . 
 
 1 3. .John Throbere, l(i Oct. 1405, presented 
 by the Feoffers ofSir Roger de Trumpington, on 
 the resignation of Henry Role 1 . 
 
 14. John Ram, 5 July 1407, presented by Sir 
 Roger de Trumpington, on the resignation of John 
 Throbere '. 
 
 1.5. John Smyth, 20 Feb. 1409, on the resigna- 
 tion of Ram 1 . 
 
 If). John Felice de Mildenhale, was Adminis- 
 trator 28 Sep. 1410 l . lie was succeeded by 
 
 17. Robert Sherman. At his resignation, 
 
 18. Thomas Hose, 12 Sep. 1 120, was presented 
 by Margaret de Trumpington 1 . 
 
 1<). Richard Twengs was probably the next 
 Rector ; for his successor 
 
 20. Robert Benet was instituted, 4 June 1432 
 having been presented by Nicholas Caldecote and 
 John Goldimxton 1 . 
 
 *{-)' 
 
 Archives of Line. Cathed. (Institution Registers).
 
 125 
 
 21. John Adam, 15 May 1451, on the resigna- 
 tion of Robert Benet ; patron, Sir Walter de 
 Trumpington 1 ". 
 
 22. William Taylard, LL.D. At his resigna- 
 tion, he was succeeded by 
 
 23. Hugh Garnet, 4 Dec. 1504, presented by 
 Sir Edmund Lucy, in right of Eleanor his wife, 
 heiress of Sir Walter de Trumpington" 1 . At his 
 death, 
 
 24. John Eyar [alias Ayer] was instituted 
 9 May 1533, presented by Francis Pigott de Stret- 
 ton Bedfordshire, and Eleanor daughter and heiress 
 of John Enderby m . The same patrons presented 
 the three remaining Rectors, — 
 
 25. Robert Hawkeswell, 27 Sep. 1542, on the 
 death of John Ayer m ; — 
 
 26. Thomas Diconson, B. D., 8 May 1545, on 
 the death of Robert Hawkeswell™; — 
 
 27. Thomas Merell, 16 Aug. 154G, on the 
 death of Thomas Diconson m . 
 
 This Free-Chapel or Chantry appears to have 
 been soon after abolished, and a pension allowed 
 to the last Incumbent during his life. The pre- 
 cise year in which it was dissolved is uncertain : 
 it was, however, before 1554 ; for in that year a 
 pension of 3/. was due to Thomas Marrell n (alias 
 Merell m ). 
 
 m Archives of Line. Cathed. (Institution Registers). 
 " Original Pension Roll in Brit. Mus. [App. XIV.].
 
 126 
 
 $ IV. 
 II Mi i;V AM) DESCENT OF PROPERTY. 
 
 This parish includes the following manors: — 
 I. The manor of Eynesbury, now comprehending 
 only l- lEynesbury-Ferrer's, 2. Eynesbury-Berke- 
 lr\ 's, 3. K\ Desburj -( Iressener's, and 1. Eynesbury- 
 Buckley's, (all at present united) ; II. the Rectory 
 manor; III. Puttock's-Hardwick; and IV. Cal- 
 decot. 
 
 These manors appear, however, to have been 
 all included, in the great Norman Survey, under 
 the general name of Kiw lvesberie. In the time 
 of Edward the Confessor, the whole manor was 
 worth 20/. a . In 1086, it belonged to Judith 
 Countess of Huntingdon, niece to William the 
 Conqueror. She had, in demesne, 4 carncates, 
 34 villeins, and 8 bordars possessed of 28 ploughs: 
 her demesne was valued at 1 17. 12s. The Survey 
 notices 2 mills (Valued at 1/. 12.v.) and 60 acres 
 of wood-pasture ; also a certain sheepfold contain- 
 ing 662 slice]), and 60 acres of meadow (given by 
 the Countess to St. Helena 1 '). 
 
 About the time of William Rufus, the manor 
 of Eynesbury passed to Simon de St. Liz first 
 Earl of Huntingdon, by his marriage with Ma- 
 
 a Domesday, Vol. II. f. 206 1>. [Appen. XXI. ft.]. 
 b Probably to the Priory of Elstow (Elen-stow) Bed-., 
 founded by the Countess, and dedicated to St. Mary and St. 
 
 J Ielena.
 
 127 
 
 tilda daughter of the Countess Judith. By a 
 second marriage, she brought this seignory to 
 David King of Scots. It is probable that (about 
 the reign of Richard I.) Saher de Quinci c held 
 this manor, as of the honor of Huntingdon, of 
 the King of Scotland. His son, Saher de Quinci d , 
 was undoubtedly possessed of this manor in 
 1204 e . 
 
 I. The manor of Eynesbury, properly so called 
 (viz. that which now includes only the four united 
 manors of E. Ferrers, Berkeley's, Cressener's, and 
 Buckley's) is probably that part of the property 
 of Saher de Quinci which descended to his son 
 Roger Earl of Winchester. Roger de Quinci 
 died, 1263, seized of a Knight's-fee in Eynes- 
 bury^ held as of the honor of Huntingdon; 
 having left no male issue, his property was divided 
 among his three daughters and co-heiresses, Mar- 
 garet de Ferrers, Elena la Zouch, and Elizabeth 
 de Boghan, who had livery of their respective 
 purparties in 1277 s * The manor of Eynesbury 
 
 c Dugdale [Baronage, Vol. I. p. 686.] says that he married 
 Matilda de St. Liz : if so, the manor of Eynesbury was, pro- 
 bably, her marriage portion. No such marriage, however, appears 
 in the pedigree of St. Liz, even as given by Dugdale himself. 
 
 d One of the Barons who signed Magna Charta, " whom (says 
 Matthew Paris) King John hated worse than vipers blood." 
 
 c Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. 89 a. [App. XVI. ©.]. 
 
 f Esch. Tower, 54 Hen. III. n. 13., and 55 Hen. III. n. 36. 
 
 * MSS. Cott. Nero D. X. 196 a 200 b. " Participacio 
 
 Feod' milit' de Rog' Quinci quond' Com Winton, facta apud
 
 128 
 
 was divided between the two former. Margaret 
 de Ferrers, Countess of Derby, inherited two- 
 thirds of the fee held, as of the honor of Hunt- 
 ingdon, in capite from the Lady Devorgail de 
 Bayliol, who held from the King of Scotland, 
 he holding from the King of England 11 : she was 
 also possessed of the Advowson 5 of the Rectory, 
 and of the fishery of the Ouse from Barford 
 to Holbek h . Elena la Zouche of Ashby held the 
 remaining one-third of the same fee 1 '. The 
 two sisters, had, also, privilege of free-warren on 
 their demesne lands in Eynesbury k . 
 
 1. The share of Margaret de Ferrers, [from 
 whom the manor of Eynesbury Ferrers derived 
 its name] descended in the line of the Barons 
 
 Stm Neod', in vigiliaS'te Trinitatis, anno gre Millmo CC Sep- 
 tuagessio VII", inter coheredes eiusdm hereditatis; s. p' Mag'rrii 
 Johem de Twyford, Dnm Willm de Caue, et Will' de Faucu- 
 berg', attornat' Margarete de Ferrers Comie Derbie; p* Frem 
 Galfxid de Hauso, Willm de Kauston, et Johem Bonamy, at- 
 tornat' Elene de Zowche; et Dnm Radni de Casteles, et Dnm 
 Thoma de Kynres, et Dnm Robert' de Blok, attornat' Alex' 
 Com de Boghn et Elizabeth uxor' eius." 
 
 h Hundred Roll, Tower, 7 Edw. I. Com' Hunt' n. 5. m. 3. 
 
 1 The Advowson is stated, in the Hund. Roll, to belong to 
 Margaret ; and, in the same Roll, to be shared between Mar- 
 garet and Elena. In MSS. Cotton, Nero D. X. the Advowson 
 is said to belong to the third sister, Elizabeth ; " Advocacio 
 Ecclie deEynesbyry eadit in p'te Com' de Boughm iuxta Sanc- 
 tu Neodu et valet per annu liii*. x' 1 ." In 1296 there was a 
 suit between these parties, to determine the right of presenta- 
 tion : see above, p. 1 16. 
 
 k Hundred Roll, 7 Edw. I. Com' H ,t' n. 5. m. 1.
 
 129 
 
 Ferrers of Chartley 1 . In 14%, William Lord 
 Ferrers, 6th Baron of Chartley, died seized of two 
 parts of the manor of Eynesbmy and of the Ad- 
 vowson of the Church 111 ; which passed, by the 
 marriage of Ann his daughter and sole heiress, to 
 Walter Devereux Esq., who, in right of his wife, 
 was called to Parliament as Lord Ferrers of 
 Chartley. It was in the possession of the Ferrers 
 family in 1548", and probably till the close of 
 that Century, when this and some other manors 
 hereafter specified were united and belonged to 
 the Dyers . 
 
 The remaining third of the Knight' s-fee of 
 Roger de Quinci descended, through his second 
 daughter and coheiress Elena la Zouch, to the 
 Zouches Barons of Ashby, (and to collateral 
 branches of that family?). Oliver le Zouch claimed, 
 in 1285, view of free-pledge, waif, and privilege of 
 free-warren in Eynesbmy, by the warrant of feoff- 
 ment of Elena la Zouch p . In 1313 Alan Lord 
 Zouch of Ashby died seized of one-sixth of a 
 Knight's-fee in Eynesbury q . This part of the 
 fee was certainly in the Zouch family as late as 
 1349, when it belonged to John le Zouch r . It 
 
 1 Escheats, Tower, 49 Edw. III. n. 56. and 14 Hen. VI. 
 
 m Escheats, 28 Hen. VI. n. 22. 
 
 n Escheats, 2 Edw. VI. 
 
 ° See below, p. 131. 
 
 p Roll Quo War., Chapter House, 14 Edw. I. Com' Hunt' m. 4. 
 
 q Escheats, Tower, 7 Edw. II. n. 36. 
 
 r Escheats, Tower, 23 Edw. III. n. 4S. 
 
 K
 
 130 
 
 has not been traded farther in that family; it 
 may be conjectured, with greal probability, that 
 
 it passed to Maurice Berkeley Esq., who, about 
 that time, married Eva daughter of William le 
 Zouch of Harringworth, and who in right of his 
 mother was possessed of another part of the manor 
 of Eynesbury — viz. 
 
 2. Eynesbury-Berkeley's. This was part of 
 the fee of Roger de Quinci, which was proba- 
 bly first made a distinct manor when it was 
 given to Thomas second Lord Berkeley, as the 
 marriage portion of his wife, Joan daughter of 
 William de Ferrers Earl of Derby and Margaret 
 his wife'. At the Inquisition for the Hundred 
 Roll (l l 27<)) it was held, in capite, of Margaret 
 de Ferrers, by Thomas de Berkle 4 , by homage 
 and the service of one-fourth of a Knight's-fee. 
 In 1285 the same Thomas de Berkle claimed view of 
 free-pledge and privilege of free-warren in Eynes- 
 burv": in 1315 he was Lord of this manor', and 
 he died seized of it in 1321 w . The same family 
 was possessed of it in the reign of Henry VII.*; and 
 in 1538 John Berkeley Esq. died seized of W T eald 
 
 * Autograph at Berkeley, quoted by Dugdale, Baronage, 
 Vol. I. p. 355. 
 
 ' Hundred Roll, Tower, 7 Edw. I. Com' Hunt' n. 5. m. 3. 
 — MSS. Cotton Nero D. X. 
 
 ' Roll. Quo War. Chapter House, 14 Edw. I. Com' Hunt' m. 1. 
 
 • Norn. Vill. 9 Edw. II., British Museum. 
 
 a MSS. Lansd. 9*21. (Cotton and Astry Notes on Hunts). 
 " Escheats, 5 and 17 Hen. VII.
 
 131 
 
 and of the manor of Eynesbury, held of the King, 
 by the service of one-third of a Knight's-fee from 
 his honor of Huntingdon 3 ". 
 
 3. Eynesbury-Cressener's was, probably, part 
 of the fee of Roger de Quinci which devolved to 
 Margaret de Ferrers, and which was soon after 
 constituted a distinct manor. The earliest notice 
 of the possessors from whom its present name has 
 sprung, occurs 1410; in which year William, son 
 of Robert, Cressener was seized of the manor of 
 Eynesbury, held in socage from William Lord 
 Ferrers de Groby 2 . It is traced a , in the same 
 family, as late as 1497* in which year it was held 
 by John Cressener Esq. from John Lord Ferrers 5 
 of Chartley. 
 
 4. The manor of Eynesbury-Buckley's has 
 not been separately traced. It probably derived 
 its present name from the Buckleys of Burgat, 
 Hampshire, two of whom married into the family 
 of Baron Nicholas Luke, possessor of the manor of 
 Hardwick in this parish in 1544. 
 
 The four manors of Eynesbury above men- 
 tioned were held, as united manors, by the 
 Dyers . Sir Richard Dyer was the possessor 
 
 » MSS. Harl. 760 (Cole's Esch.).— Inquis. at St. Neot's, 
 1 Apr. 31 Hen. VIII. MSS. Harl. 75G, 759 (Cole's Esch.). 
 ' Escheats, 12 Hen. IV. 
 a Escheats, 32 Hen. VI. 
 >' Escheats, 13 Hen. VII. n. 81, and n. 82. 
 c Escheats, 19 James I. 
 
 K 2
 
 132 
 
 in L596 d ; and Sir Lodowick Dyer of Great 
 Staughton, Hunts., in 1621 c . About the same 
 time they passed to Sir Oliver Luke 6 , of Copley 
 Wood, Beds.; who owned also Lan'sbury or 
 Launceh n'sbury grounds in this parish, which he 
 sold to James Pedley of Abbotsley Esq., Sheriff of 
 Huntingdonshire in l629 f . From Sir Oliver, the 
 manors were transferred to Rev. James Betton 
 D. IV. Richard Gery, of Bushmead Priory, Gen- 
 tleman of the Privy Chamber to King James and to 
 Charles I., died in Hi.SS possessed of these manors; 
 they were inherited by his son William Gery of 
 Bushmead Priory Esq. c . In the reign of Charles II. 
 they belonged to Sir Sidney Montagu Knight; 
 whose heir, Edward Earl of Sandwich, was Lord 
 of the manor of Eynesbury and patron of the 
 Church in l667 h . Having continued to descend 
 in the Montagu family, they are now the property 
 of John the present Earl of Sandwich a minor. 
 
 II. The manor attached to the Rectory, was 
 held, at the period of the Norman Conquest, by 
 
 d Deed 38Eliz. among Eynesbury Vestry Records. 
 
 c He was in the service of the Parliament during the civil 
 wars, and was father of Sir Samuel Luke the supposed original 
 of Hudibras. 
 
 f MSS. Lansd. 921. (Cotton and Astry Notes on Hunts.) 
 
 c Information of Rev. H. W. Gery of Bushmead Priory. 
 See also MSS. Lansdowne 921 . 
 
 h MSS. Lansd. 921. (Cotton and Astry Notes on Hunts.).
 
 133 
 
 Gilbert the Priest, from Judith Countess of Hunt- 
 ingdon : he held 2 hides, and had in demesne 2 
 carucates and 8 acres of meadow; the manor was 
 valued by the Conqueror's Commissioners at 2/. \ 
 The names of the successive possessors of this 
 manor will be seen by referring to the list of 
 Incumbents of Eynesbury (pp. 115 — 120.). 
 
 III. The manor of Puttock's-Hardwick was 
 in the possession of Saher de Quinci, in 1204 k . 
 In 1279, Randolph de Freskeneye held it of Ro- 
 bert Brus, as of the honor of Huntingdon; Brus 
 holding from the King of Scotland, and he from 
 the King of England: it was half a Knight's- 
 fee 1 . The manor appears to have been then 
 divided ; for, in the same Inquisition, Simon de 
 Haniton was found to hold in demesne, from 
 Robert Brus, 40 acres of arable land in the same 
 hamlet 1 . In 1315 it was held by Walter de Mul- 
 lesworth™. In the early part of the reign of Ed- 
 ward IV. the manor of Puttock's-Hardwick was 
 held by Sir John Manyngham, Knt. ; and in 1474 it 
 was granted by the King in fee to Anthony Lord 
 Grey of Ruthin, together with 40 acres of land in 
 Weald". William Turpin held this manor from 
 
 1 Domesday, Vol. II. fol. 206b [App. XXI. & ]. 
 k Cartul. of St. Neot's, MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. 89 a 
 [App. XVI. ffi.]. 
 1 Hundred Roll, Tower, 7 Edvv. I. Com' Hunt' n. 5. m. 3. 
 m Nomina Villarum, 9 Edw. II., British Museum. 
 n Patent Rolls, Tower, 14 Edw. IV. m. 5.
 
 134 
 
 151!) to 1530°; soon after which it passed to Sir 
 Walter Luke, and in 1544 descended, by his 
 death, to Nicholas Luke Baron of the Exchequer, 
 by whom it was held of the King p . It continued 
 in the Luke family for nearly a Century, when it 
 was alienated to the Company of Haberdashers in 
 London, who possessed it about 1660 q . After 
 having been long- possessed by the Kingsleys, it 
 descended', by the maternal line, to Francis Pym 
 of the Hazels Bedfordshire Esq. 
 
 IV. The manor of Caldecot was held, in 
 1279, by Robert de Tottenhale, in capite of Robert 
 Brus, as of the honor of Huntingdon; Brus 
 holding from the King of Scotland, and he from 
 the King of England 5 . It w r as still held by the 
 Tottenhales in 131.5'. From this period it has 
 not been found practicable to trace the manor, 
 till it appears in possession of Sir Oliver Luke q 
 about 1625. About l6f)0 it belonged to the 
 Company of LIabcrdashers q . The Kingsleys held 
 it, for many years ; from them r it passed to Francis 
 Pym of the Hazels Bedfordshire Esq. 
 
 MSS. Harl. 756. (Cole's Esch.) Inquis. 11 and 28 Hen. VIII. 
 p IMSS.Harl.7G0. (Cole's Esch.) Inquis. at Huntingdon 36 Hen. 
 VIII. 
 
 "> MSS. Lansd. 921. (Cotton and Astry Notes on Hunts.). 
 r Information of F. Pym Esq. 
 
 ' Hundred Roll, Tower, 7 Edw. I. Com' Hunt'n. 5. m. 3. 
 ' Nomina Villarum, Edw. II., British Museum.
 
 135 
 
 A PORTION OF TITHES AT WEALD AND CaLDE- 
 
 cot, was given, in a very remote period, to the 
 Monks" of St. Neot's. At the Dissolution these 
 tithes came to the Crown, and were given to the 
 Princess Elizabeth before her accession (see p. 188, 
 note x). In 1600 they were granted' by the Queen 
 to the Bishop of Ely and his successors, being- 
 estimated at 31. 6s. 8d. 
 
 u Cartul.MSS.Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. 89 a. [App.XVI.Jp.ffi.] 
 — See, also, pp. J4, 75 of this Volume. 
 
 T Patent Rolls, Rolls' Chapel, 42 Eliz. p. 9.
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 ^Topographical ftrcount of £t. i/lcofg 
 Jjunttngijonsimc. 
 
 § L 
 
 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PARISH. 
 
 AINT NEOT'S parish 
 extends over a portion 
 of land which, at the 
 
 Norman Conquest, con- 
 stituted one of the 
 manors of Eynesbury. 
 No notice of a distinct 
 Church occurs, till the 
 time of Lucius III : it 
 is probable that the pa- 
 rish of St. Neot's was set apart from Eynesbury, in 
 a period immediately preceding his Pontificate, 
 viz. in the year 117<), at the 3d Council of 
 Lateran, when many of the parochial divisions of 
 England are supposed to have been instituted. 
 
 The parish of St. Neot's is bounded, on the N. 
 by the rivulet called Gallow-Brook, which se- 
 parates it from Great Paxton and Toseland ; — on 
 the W. by the river Ouse, which parts it from
 
 137 
 
 Eaton-Socon and Little Paxton ; — on the S. by the 
 stream called Hen-Brook, — and on the E. by a 
 vicinal Roman Street, — both of which divide it 
 from the parish of Eynesbury. 
 
 The Geological situation of this parish (as, also, 
 of Eynesbury), is on the Stratum usually called 
 the Blue-Marl, which forms a gentle slope, rising 
 from W. to E. about 120 feet above the Ouse: 
 besides the ordinary characteristic fossils, a rare 
 and elegant variety of the Ammonite* occurs here 
 abundantly. No traces of the next superior Rock, 
 the Green-Sand, have been observed. The former 
 proximity of the Chalk is indicated by its detritus, 
 a Chalk-and-Flint Rubble, which caps the hills. 
 
 The area of this parish has been estimated at 
 3387 acres : its surface is, consequently, rather 
 more than 5i square miles. It was enclosed by 
 Act of Parliament in 1770. 
 
 By the Census taken in 1811, the population of 
 St. Neot's then consisted of 1988 persons, 1069 
 males and 919 females; the number of families 
 being 401, and of inhabited houses 396. 
 
 a Ammonites Duncani : Sowerby's Mineral Conchology. 
 Tab. CLVII. " Spec. Char. Depressed; inner whorls partly 
 exposed ; radii numerous, undulated; edge Jlat, bounded by 2 
 rows of tubercles in the interior whorls; a Jew tubercles occur 
 
 on the sides of the inner whorls : aperture ovato-sagittate 
 
 There is a peculiar elegance in this species, which makes us 
 regret its rarity. The fine sharpness of the sinuated edges of 
 the septa is beautiful. ... It was found by J. and P. Duncan 
 Esq r \ after whom it is named, at St. Neot's.''
 
 138 
 
 § II. 
 
 [•ARTICULAR DESCRIPTION OF THE TOWN &c. 
 
 The present town of St. Neot's lias grown out 
 of the antient village of Eynesbury, since the in- 
 stitution of the Monastery in Century X. The 
 name was changed to NeotsbUry, immediately 
 after the first foundation of the Priory", about 
 974 ; and it certainly still retained that appellation 
 in 1078-9 b « Neotsbury, however, appears to have 
 been rather the classical than the trivial name of 
 this town ; it was still, popularly, called lvynes- 
 burv'. The name St. Neot's was, probably, given 
 to the town, when the parish was separated from 
 Eynesbury, towards the end of Century XII. 
 
 St. Neot's is situated on the E. bank of the 
 Ouse. It has a capacious and nearly rectangular 
 Market-Place, the area of which has been esti- 
 mated as containing about 71>00() feet d . There 
 are four principal streets (High-street, Cambridge- 
 street, Huntingdon-street, and St. Mary's-street), 
 
 • Life of Neot, MSS. Bodl. 535. [App. III.]. 
 
 b Arch. Line. Cath. " Mem. Oliv. Sutt." f. 122 b. [App. VI.]. 
 
 c In the time of Hen. I. it was usually called Eynesbury ; as 
 appears by the authority of the Prior in 1285 [Roll Quo War. 
 (App. XXII.)]. The name NeotsbuRY does not occur in the 
 Cartulary of the Priory. 
 
 '' Hutchinson's MS. Collections for Huntingdonshire.
 
 139 
 
 which meet in a common point called the Cross. 
 The Crucifix 6 , which stood here, was, probably, 
 erected upon the spot where the body of Neot 
 rested on its arrival from Cornwall ; and the cruci- 
 form plan of the town itself had, perhaps, a refer- 
 ence to the supposed sanctity of the place. 
 
 The river Ouse is navigable from the port of 
 Lynn to St. Neot's, and thence to Bedford. A con- 
 siderable trade is carried on in corn, wine, coals, 
 iron, timber, &c. The average breadth of the stream 
 is 150 feet. The greater part of the town being 
 only a few feet above the ordinary level of the 
 river, inundations are sometimes consequent upon 
 sudden thaws or very heavy rains, to such an 
 extent as to render a navigation of the streets 
 not merely practicable but necessary. The trifling 
 descent, and, consequently, lazy f progress, of the 
 Ouse to the sea, is, undoubtedly, another cause of 
 the frequent accumulation of its waters in the 
 lower parts of the country through which it flows. 
 Its proverbially tortuous f course has been a subject 
 
 e Though all tradition of a Crucifix on this spot has long 
 since vanished, yet there is perpetual reference to it in the 
 Cartulary of the Priory. (MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. 102 a. &c.) 
 
 f " Ouse's silent tide" and " the luindings of the stream," not 
 without their charms to the muse of Cowper, are among the 
 thousand instances of his minutely faithful allusions. The Ouse 
 is remarkable for the wildest sinuosities even from its birth ; — 
 the singularly devious course of the infant stream (from ' Ouse 
 Well' its source near the manor house of Steane, to Brackley, in 
 Northamptonshire) is a miniature of its more spacious wander- 
 ings in its subsequent track. The Leonine Verses of the Monkish
 
 140 
 
 i)\' frequent and favorite allusion. The fish, which 
 ordinarily occur in this river, arc, pike, perch, 
 bream, chub, roach, dace, gudgeon, bleak, eels, 
 and ciav-tish. 
 
 The Ouse appears to have been formerly -pass- 
 able by two Fords at this place: one (already men- 
 tioned, p. 0.) from Kynesbury Cony-geer, imme- 
 diately in front of the Roman Defence; the other 
 at the site of the present Bridge, the tradition of 
 which is perpetuated in the name of the opposite 
 hamlet, Eaton-Ford, or simply (as it was antiently h 
 called) Ford 1 . The Bridge was, probably, first 
 
 Biographer of Neot (MSS. Bodl. 535. App. Ill), describe the 
 character of the Ouse, (and ofits tributary stream, the Ivel,) with 
 topical accuracy, though not with poetical elegance: — 
 Est quidam Fluvius, vario sinuamine tensus, 
 Tractibus obliquis quosdam relegens Comitatus. . . . 
 Ast, alio de fonte satus, dat abunde meatus: 
 IIeblus et Ousa sui prisci dixere coloni. 
 Michael Drayton (Polyolbion, Song XXII.) describes its de- 
 vious course with the same fidelity : — 
 
 Ouze having Ouleney past, as she were waxed mad, 
 
 From her first stayder course immediately doth gad; 
 
 And in meandred gyres doth whirlc herself about 
 
 That, this way, here, and there, back, forward, in, and out; 
 
 Shoots forward to St. Neot's, into those nether grounds 
 
 Towards Huntingdon, and leaves the lov'd Bedfordian bounds. 
 
 11 Cartularies of St. Neot's Priory [App. XV. and XVII.]. 
 
 ' Thus many of the antient passages of the Ouse are to be 
 found in the names of places on its banks: Strafford [Street- 
 ford, where it was crossed by the Watling Street] ; — Lin ford ; 
 Bedford; Barf or d ; Temsford ; Eaton-Ford [where it was, 
 perhaps, crossed by a Roman street from Camboritum to the
 
 141 
 
 built by the Prior and Convent ; who (besides con- 
 siderable landed property on each side of the water) 
 were possessed of " divers woods whereunto they 
 had passage for their carts and cariags in by and 
 through the said Bridge k ": the same conclusion 
 may be drawn from the circumstance, that the 
 Convent was taxed with its repairs in the reign of 
 Edward III. k . It was, probably, built soon after 
 the endowment of the Monastery. The Cartulary 
 of the Priory makes frequent mention of it, early 
 in the reign of Henry III. — A dreadful accident 
 occurred on this spot (38 Henry III.) to William 
 de Ferrers, 5th Earl of Derby, and Lord of the 
 manor of Eynesbury. Being a great sufferer from 
 the gout, with which he had been afflicted from 
 his youth, " he was drawn from place to place in a 
 chariot." While passing the Bridge of St. NeotV, 
 he was, through the carelessness of the driver, pre- 
 cipitated over the parapet : the Earl escaped imme- 
 diate death, but his limbs were so shattered by 
 the fall, that he survived only a short time, and 
 
 Camp at Irchester on the Nen] ; Offord [Old-Ford, by the con- 
 jecture of Horsley] ; and Hemingford [Hermen-Ford, where 
 it was crossed by the Hermen-Street, or one of its branches 
 according to the opinion of Dr. Stukeley]. 
 
 k MSS. Harl. 304. pp. 86, 87- [App. XXIX.] 
 1 So Dugdale states [Baronage, Vol. I. p. 262.] ; but his au- 
 thority does not appear. He quotes, indeed, Matthew Paris, (a 
 cotemporary of the Earl), who gives a narrative of the accident, 
 but conceals the name of the place, his words being merely 
 " de ponte quodnm."
 
 112 
 
 died on 21 March 1254 m . About a Century after, 
 in the reign of Richard II., the Bridge is described 
 in the Patent 11 oil" as being in a very ruinous 
 state: it was then, 13S8, either totally rebuilt or 
 materially repaired; a toll for two years being 
 granted for that purpose. When St. Neot's was 
 visited by the Antiquary Leland, in the reign of 
 Henry VIII., 1538, the Bridge was noticed by 
 him as a wooden structure . This was, possibly, 
 the antient Bridge built in the reign of Richard 
 II.; which appears to have continued till 31 Eli- 
 zabeth, when it was described (with its Cause- 
 way) as being J04t feet in length, and having no 
 fewer than 72 arches — of which 43, with their 
 piers, were constructed entirely of timber, — the 
 remaining 29 being wooden frames supported by 
 stone abutments 11 . From the Inquisition then 
 taken, it seems probable that the present stone 
 Bridge was built in the following year, 1589, 
 out of materials for which a convenient quarry 
 was found on the spot in the ruins of the lately 
 dissolved Priory: it spans the Ousc by 3 arches; 
 of which the central is a cycloidal curve, the base 
 
 m Matth. Paris. Hist, in an. 1254. 
 
 ■ Patent Rolls, Tower, 1<2 Hie. II. p. 1. m. 35. 
 
 ° " The River there, harde by the Towne stondinge on the 
 Este side of it, dividithe Huntyndunshire from Bedlbrdeshire, 
 and yet a lytle lower hoth the Ripes be in Huntendnnshir. 
 Th ■ Bridge of Scint Nrolrs is of Ty»tLar. v Lelund's Itin., 
 Vol. I. p. 1. 
 
 '■ MSN. Ilarl. 304, pp. 86, 87. [App. XXIX.]
 
 143 
 
 (at the ordinary level of the stream) being 44 feet> 
 and the axis 14^. 
 
 A weekly Market on Thursdays was granted to 
 this town by Henry I. q . — There are four Fairs: 
 1. on Ascension-day, its eve, and the succeeding 
 day, by Charter of Henry I. q ;— 2. on that day 
 three-weeks ; — 3. on the day of the Imprisonment 
 of St. Peter, its eve, and the following day, (31 
 July, 1 Aug. and 2 Aug.) by Charter of Henry 
 I. r ; — 4. on the Festival of St. Neot [his transla- 
 tion ?], its eve, and the succeeding day, (6, 7, and 8 
 December,) by Charter of Henry I.*. 
 
 <• Roll Quo War. 14 Edw. I. Com' Hunt' m. 4. [App. XXII.]. 
 
 r Roll Quo War. 14 Edw. I. Com' Hunt' m. 4. [App. 
 XXII.] . — This Fair is now called ' Lammas] and is kept on 
 1 August ; it is nearly disused. The Quo Waranto Roll states 
 that it was fixed for the ' Imprisonment of St. Peter,' 31 July, 
 1 Aug., and 2 Aug. The Cartulary does not allude to it; 
 unless the Fair, No. 4., for the ' Festival of St. Neot' should 
 be referred to 30 and 31 July, and 1 Aug., as commemo- 
 rating the day of his death, rather than of his translation. — 
 Some confusion arises from the circumstance that the Quo 
 War. Roll mentions three chartered Fairs, but specifies only 
 txvo : and, also, from the loss of some of the royal Charters (re- 
 lating to the Fairs) by the fall of the bell-tower in 1265. 
 
 5 Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. ff. 45 b. 46 b. 47 a. [App. 
 XVI. ^.] This Fair is now called ' St. Nicholas,' and is kept on 
 17 Dec. (having been altered, probably, with the style). — It was 
 formerly observed on 6 Dec. [MSS. Lansdowne 921, p. 81.] ; 
 which was the eve of the arrival of the body of St. Neot from 
 Cornwall. — It seems doubtful whether the Cartulary alludes to 
 this or to the preceding Fair No. 3. (see note r.)
 
 1-4-4 
 
 LOCAL COINS. 
 
 The following Tokens were struck, for tin- 
 town, in the feign of Charles II. 
 
 1. A l)i;is> town-piece, in the British Museum 
 (engraved in Snelling's " View of the Coinage of 
 England," ]>. 16. Plate II. fig. 24.): 
 
 Obverse. THE OVERSEERS OF 
 encircling 
 THEIR HALFEPENY 
 Reverse. THE TOWNE OF S' KVAK 
 encircling 
 
 Two Women spinning. 
 
 2. A brass coin, in the British Museum : 
 Obverse. ROBERT DOMAN 1664 
 
 encircling 
 
 Three triple Crowns .- intended for the 
 Drapers' Amis. 
 Reverse. IN S T NEOTS DRAPER 
 encircling 
 
 D 
 
 RE 
 
 3. A coin, described in a MS. Catalogue: 
 Obverse. JOIi PERRETT 1666 encircling 
 
 A Chevron between S sprinkling Salt-Cellars : 
 the Salters' Arms. 
 Reverse. AT SAINT NEEDS encircling 
 
 P 
 
 IM
 
 145 
 
 4. A coin described in Mr. Young's Catalogue : 
 Obverse. TH HANCOCKE 
 
 Reverse. OF SAINT NEOTS 1667 encircling 
 HIS HALFPENNY 
 
 5. A coin found at St. Neot's in 1818 : 
 Obverse. THOMAS ANNIS OF encircling 
 
 Apollo with his head radiate, holding a Bow 
 and Arrow, and bestriding a Serpent : the 
 Apothecaries' Arms. 
 Reverse. SAINT NEOTTS I667 encircling 
 HIS HALFPENY 
 
 6. A copper coin : 
 
 Obverse. THOMAS NEWMAN encircling 
 A demi Virgin Mary, with disheveled hair 
 crowned: the Mercers' Arms. 
 Reverse. IN S T NEOTS I667 encircling 
 
 HIS HALFPENNY ^ E 
 
 7- A copper coin : 
 
 Obverse. IOHN NEWMAN encircling 
 
 A Chevron between 9 Cloves : the Grocers' 
 
 Arms. 
 
 Reverse. OF S T NEOTS encircling 
 
 .N. 
 I.M 
 
 8. A copper coin : 
 
 Obverse. IOHN HATLY BAKER encircling 
 
 HIS HALFPENY 
 Reverse. IN S T NEOTES 16GS encircling 
 
 Nine Rolls, arranged lozengi). 
 
 L
 
 in; 
 
 <). A brass coin -. 
 
 Obverse. IOIIN HATLEY IN encircling 
 A shield charged with, A Sword in bend- 
 sinister between 2 Etoiles*. 
 Reverse. SAINT XEOTS encircling 
 
 n i 
 
 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH. 
 
 Fob nearly a Century after the Priory had 
 been made Alien it is probable that Neotsbury 
 had no other places of worship than the. Church 
 of (the present) Eynesbuby, and the Chapel of 
 the Monastery. These being found insufficient 
 for the population which began to gather around 
 the Shrine ofNeot, maybe reasonably considered 
 as the cause of the institution of a separate parish, 
 and of the erection of another sacred Edifice at St. 
 Ni.oi's, dedicated (like the more antient Church 
 at Eynesbury) to St. Mary. The date of this event 
 has already been stated (pp. " r ~>, L36.) as, proba- 
 bly, about 1171). The Prior ami Convent (having, 
 
 u The armorial Bearing of " Hatley of St. Edes" is given 
 Bomewhat differently by Edmonson, A Sword in bend Argent, 
 hilt and pommel Or, between 2 Mullets of 6 points pierced (if the 
 S ■nl. Crest : out (if a Ducal Coronet, an Antelope's head Or, 
 armed t lifted and mancd Sable, pierced through the neck iviih a 
 broken spear Gules.
 
 147 
 
 perhaps, built and procured endowment for the 
 Church) became the patrons of the Rectory ; which 
 they appropriated (probably after a single Incum- 
 bency) to their own uses v about 1183 (see p. 7*5.) 
 
 The present Church is an elegant and symme- 
 trical example of that light and airy Gothic which 
 attained its greatest excellence in the reign of 
 Henry VII. Although the character of its archi- 
 tecture is too decidedly marked to render the 
 period of its erection a matter of uncertainty ; yet 
 the precise year of its foundation has not been 
 correctly ascertained. On the respectable autho- 
 rity of Browne Willis w (who, however, does not 
 quote the document on which his testimony relies), 
 it is stated to have been erected " about 1,507" — a 
 date which is, probably, that of its completion. 
 No information has hitherto been obtained which 
 throws any light upon the question, Who were the 
 founders and benefactors by whose munificence 
 this beautiful Edifice was reared ? It may be con- 
 jectured that the Prior and Convent contributed 
 largely to the expense ; from the considerations, 
 
 T Cartul., MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. 37 a. [App. XVI. %."]. 
 
 w " St. Neot's parish Church, the noblest in the County; 
 the tower is one of the finest in England. . . . built about 1507" : 
 MS. note, in the hand-writing of Browne Willis, in the margin 
 of his Survey of Lincoln Cathedral, seen by Mr. Cole in 1760 
 [MSS. Brit. Mus. Cole, Vol. XXXV. p. 127.]. This M SS. 
 note does not, however, appear in any of the printed copies, 
 with marginal MS. additions, preserved in the Bodleian Library. 
 
 L 2
 
 148 
 
 thai thej were the impropriators of the Rectory, 
 and patrons of the Vicarage: this conclusion is 
 further corroborated by the fact that, almost im- 
 mediately after the completion of the new Church, 
 the existing Vicar resigned and was succeeded by 
 the Prior of St. NeotV — the only instance of a 
 Prior having been also an Encumbent of this Living. 
 It is probable that Thomas Lynd 3 of St. Wot's, 
 was a considerable benefactor ; since the Convent 
 transferred to him the right of presentation to two 
 of their Livings (St. Wot's and Burton) for one 
 turn . 
 
 The plan and style of this Structure is perfectly 
 uniform. Its extreme length, from the W. door 
 of the tower to the E. window, is \5 L 2 feet; its 
 breadth (>() feet, exclusive of the porches. At the 
 head of each of the buttresses, are two grotesque 
 corbels, supporting an ogee canopy (fringed with 
 crockets and terminated by a finial) within which 
 a cinquefbil and a trefoil with flowery cusps mu- 
 tually intersect each other. 
 
 In the interior, rive lofty pointed arches are seen 
 on each side of the nave. These spring from 
 elevated pillars, broken into four slender shafts, 
 which are bound below the unornamented capital 
 b\ a fillet: the effect of these simply elegant co- 
 I iimns has been considerably impaired by a modern 
 
 v See the List of Vicars, below, p. 175. 
 ' See his Epitaph below, p. 160.
 
 '<£?oMZt 
 
 ■
 
 149 
 
 wash, with which it has been tastelessly attempted 
 to represent a blue-veined marble, but which 
 ill harmonizes with the chaste simplicity of this 
 Structure. Each of the upright mouldings (which 
 divide the spandrils of the arches and sustain the 
 cross-springers of the roof) has been supported 
 by a corbel formed of the Tudor flower, of which 
 two only remain. 
 
 Upon one of the cross-beams, of the ornamented 
 oaken roof, appears the following inscription, 
 
 1635 
 P. C. L. F. 
 
 the characters being cast in lead : this might 
 lead to an erroneous idea that the roof was re- 
 stored in that year; which, however, was certainly 
 not the fact, part of the original mouldings having 
 been cut away to let in this tablet, which probably 
 refers to a period when the Church was covered 
 with lead, or underwent considerable repairs. 
 The present roof is, undoubtedly, coeval wdth the 
 Edifice. It is bordered by a beautiful cornice of 
 oak, upon which (between mouldings of vine- 
 leaves) are mermaids, fishes, deer, hares, hippo- 
 griffs, and other grotesque designs, carved in fine 
 relief. On this cornice, corresponding perpendi- 
 cularly with the centres of the arches of the nave, 
 are ten Angels ; one holds a chalice and bread ; 
 the others support either an open book, or an 
 escutcheon ; and each bears a Cross pattee on the
 
 ir>o 
 
 head. The Bhields which they display are all 
 blank, with the exception of that over the arch 
 nearest the chancel on the S. side of the nave, 
 
 which is charged with a Cross botonnee: it has 
 not been ascertained to whom this achievement 
 
 belongs. 
 
 The roof of the chancel is upon a lower pitch ; 
 its cross-beams are supported by eight full length 
 figures, designed (perhaps) to represent some of 
 the Apostles. Reckoning from the W. end of 
 the N. wall, the 1st of these figures holds a knife 
 in his right hand and a book in the left (Bartho- 
 lomew?); 2d exhibits a roll of paper in his left 
 hand, his right is gone, a large bag or purse is 
 suspended by a belt from the shoulder ; 3d bears a 
 book in the left; 4th sustains a chalice (John) ; 
 5th displays a key (Peter); 6th has his left hand
 
 151 
 
 under his robe, in the fold of which are three small 
 semi-globular bodies; 7th merely supports his 
 robes with his right hand ; 8th has a book in his 
 left. A scroll encircling the body of each figure 
 has formerly contained a legend descriptive of 
 the person for whom it was intended. 
 
 On one of the cross-springers of the roof of the 
 N. aisle a shield charged with a Cross double- 
 
 JitcMe : it has been brought from some other si- 
 tuation (perhaps from the dissolved Monastery?). 
 
 On the cornice of the roof in the S. aisle 
 of the chancel, appears an Angel holding a Crown 
 ornamented with three Fleur-de-lis. 
 
 Jesus* Chapel formerly occupied the space which 
 now forms the N. aisle of the chancel. The 
 cornice of its roof is filled with the characters f|)C, 
 the usual Catholic contraction for Jesus 2 : The 
 same letters are embossed upon an escutcheon on 
 each of the buttresses on the exterior. Probably 
 
 z It is singular that the notion should have been entertained, 
 that the {j)g and tfic (or the modern IHS and IHC) are abbre- 
 viations for Jesus Hominum Salvator and Jesus Uominum Conso-
 
 152 
 
 this Chapel was a Chantry for the service of masses 
 for the soul of the Founder. After the Reform- 
 ation it was used as a parish Sehool-room, until 
 I ; 15, when it was thrown open to the Church. 
 
 All the windows of this Church (twenty-eight) 
 have been tilled with stained glass; as appears 
 from the mutilated fragments. The remains are 
 very trifling. Some demolition, perhaps, took 
 place, when this Church was visited by Queen 
 Elizabeth's Commissioners, in the early part of 
 her reign, between 1558 — 1581 (see p. 170-)* 
 It may be further conjectured that the glass suf- 
 fered much from the anti-legendary zeal of the 
 Puritans in the time of Charles I.; perhaps it was 
 visited by the merciless William Dousing 11 , or some 
 other image-breaking Commissioner, in 1642: it 
 was, also, the temporary depot of the prisoners 
 taken at St. Neot's, in 1648, by the Parliamentary 
 
 lator. The least acquaintance with Catholic MSS., is sufficient 
 to shew that they are the usual abbreviations for Jesus, spelt 
 after the Greek (IH^otS or IHcotC) either by the ignorance of 
 the Monkish scribes [as Mr. Casley thinks] or possibly through 
 a superstitious veneration for the original letters of the Sacred 
 Name. See this and some other popular errors well exposed 
 in Casley 's Catal. MSS. King's Libr. Pref. p. xxiii. 
 
 * He certainly visited some of the Huntingdonshire Churches 
 (as well as those of Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, and Essex, more 
 especially consigned to his ravages); for he states his demoli- 
 tions at Gransdcn. See a fragment of his Journal in MSS. 
 PubL Libr. Camb., Baker, Vol. XXXVIII. p. 455; published in 
 Dr. Z. Grey's " Schismatics delineated."
 
 153 
 
 Forces 5 ; — an occasion on which it can scarcely be 
 imagined that the Edifice sustained no injury. St. 
 Neot's Church was twice visited by the Heralds ; 
 on 19 August 1613, by Nicholas Charles, Lan- 
 caster; and on 26 July 1684, by Gregory King, 
 Lancaster ; — on which occasions several Church- 
 notes were taken. As the Arms and Inscriptions 
 in the windows noticed in 1613 had disappeared 
 in 1684 (with the exception of one mutilated coat), 
 the conclusion that much of the painted glass was 
 demolished in 1642 or 1648 becomes still more 
 probable. 
 
 The following armorial Bearings in stained glass 
 formerly existed here : viz. 
 
 1 . Quarterly : — first and fourth ; Azure, 3 Fleur- 
 de-lis Or, for France; — second and third, Gules, 
 3 Lions passa?it guardant in pale Or, for England. 
 Remaining in I6l3 c . 
 
 2. Gules, a Castle Argent between 2 Lions ram- 
 pant Or. Remaining in l6l3 c . 
 
 b See § V. of this Chapter. 
 
 c MSS. Harl. 1179. p. 45. (Visit. Hunts. 1613.).
 
 154 
 
 8, Azure, a Woolpack Argent between 8 Birds 
 
 [Doves?] of the Same beaked and leged dales. 
 
 Remaining in l6l3. c . 
 
 I. Gales, Frettij Argent, on a Chief Or a Lion 
 passant of the First*. Remaining in 1684, muti- 
 lated, in the K. window of the S. aisle a . For 
 Smith*? 
 
 5. One coat still remains, which was overlooked 
 in the Heraldic Visitations, and which is in the 
 highest compartment of the first window from the 
 W. of the S. aisle. Azure, an Episcopal Staff in pale 
 ensigned with a Cross pa tee Or; surmounted by a 
 
 c MSS. Harl. 1179. p. 45. (Visit. Hunts. 1G13.). 
 
 d The lion in Chief vras then gone ; but the Fret remained: 
 — MSS. College at Arras K. 7- (Visit. Hunts. 1G84.). 
 
 ■ This bearing (though with different tinctures) was granted 
 in 1583 to Smith of London. In 1583 one W. Smith was insti- 
 tuted to the Vicarage of St. Neot's ; for whom this achieve- 
 ment may, perhaps, have been intended. Or perhaps it was the 
 Bearing of Ralph Smith, patron of this Vicarage in 1541 (See 
 the list of Vicars below p. 176.). The same coat was in the E. 
 window of the S. aisle of Eaton-Socon Church : MSS. Brit. Mus. 
 Cole, Vol. XXIII. p. 50.
 
 155 
 
 Pall Argent edged and fringed of the Second, 
 charged with 4 Crosses patteeftchee Sable : for the 
 
 See of Canterbury. This shield is displayed by 
 an Angel. 
 
 Some slight remains of drapery &c. attest the 
 beauty of the coloring of the figures which have 
 once adorned these windows. In the N. aisle the 
 first window from the W. contains two full-length 
 representations of Angels ; the next has two Saints, 
 one of whom has his robe opened at the breast 
 where he exhibits a Rosary: these four figures 
 are executed with considerable delicacy, but have 
 been decapitated by some pilfering Antiquary. 
 The fourth window from the W. has probably 
 contained figures of St. Etheldreda (see p. 158), 
 and of St. Catharine, whose wheel still remains. 
 In the E. window of the S. aisle there is a figure 
 sitting with a book in his lap, intended, probably 
 for St. Paul. 
 
 The first window from the W. of the S. aisle 
 contains instruments used at the Crucifixion. In 
 one of the upper compartments appears a large
 
 156 
 
 tgj. In a similar style and in the corresponding 
 pari of the frame is the monogram oo R exquisitely 
 designed: the cypher repeats reversely, the space 
 between the intersection of the Letters being de- 
 licately pierced In foliated tracery: the limb of 
 
 the cypher is stained of a dark mulberry color 
 strung with pearls; the tracery with which it is 
 fringed is of a bright yellow. — The cusp of the 
 arch of the opposite window in the N. aisle is occu- 
 pied by another monogram, of the same character, 
 
 but of a more simple design : the cypher is sur- 
 mounted by a Crown and Sceptre, and the whole 
 is stained of a bright yellow. These cyphers are 
 compendious legends for the Virgin; intended 
 (probably) as abbreviations for CDaRia. Such
 
 157 
 
 monograms are not unfrequently affixed to Ca- 
 tholic Madonnas ; and are found in many Churches, 
 particularly those erected in Century XV., exe- 
 cuted with the most ingenious variety of design f . 
 One of the windows (it is not specified which) 
 formerly exhibited a legend, stating that it was 
 glazed at the cost of John and Robert Arnold, 
 and their respective wives Christiana and Alicia : 
 it remained, as follows, in l6l3 g ; 
 
 ^rate pro ambus 3Jo&'t's &rnoftr tt ©brfsttanaruxorts 
 tuts, et pro bono statu Bob'tt &rnofo ft Mriae uxorfs 
 rius, qui tstam fenestram lutrtabmmt. 
 
 A window in the S. aisle (the third from the E.) 
 and its opposite in the N., appear to acknowledge 
 
 f The Suffolk Churches abound with examples of the CO and 
 CO R wrought into a cypher. The most striking, perhaps, are at 
 Framlingham, where it occurs on an escutcheon borne by an 
 Angel forming the pedestal of a niche for the Virgin ; — on the S. 
 porch of Southwold, repeated nine times ; — on the S F porches 
 of Eye and of Worlingham. An example from Ramsey Church 
 Essex, (engraved in Nichols' Brit. Topog. Vol. VI. N°. XLI. 
 p. 129.) nearly resembles the second of those given above. 
 But the most elegant specimens of this monogram are those 
 selected by Gough, Sepulchral Monuments, Vol. II. Part I. 
 Plates XXV. fig. 8. XXVII. fig. 3. (particularly beautiful) and 
 fig. 5. LXXII. The last is a curious example, being an en- 
 graving from a painting (formerly on the wall of Hungerford 
 Chapel in Salisbury Cathedral,) the whole surface of which was 
 sprinkled with the characters 00 and tfjc emblematical of the 
 Virgin and Child. 
 
 8 MSS. Harl. 1179. p. 45. (Visit. Hunts. 1513.).
 
 15S 
 
 ROBERT EDIKGTON as tlie benefactor: The letters 
 J£ <Q, we elegantly traced in large characters: 
 in several compartments is depicted a wine-///// 
 marked with an t; which, in one instance, is fan- 
 cifully placed by the side of a scroll displaying the 
 name thus divided 
 
 Hobctus (fcbnrmrtun senior. 
 
 No other legends remain, except in mutilated and 
 disjointed fragments : the following are scarcely 
 worthy of being rescued from oblivion : 
 
 £bcn (£tf)dtrrctin ora pro nobis 
 
 Sit DTis cum spu mco 
 
 IDonor too 
 
 3Jn tmo confifco 
 
 ®ll mas 5°^ nmcnfc 
 
 the first of these inscriptions, in a window of the 
 N. aisle, was probably annexed to a figure of St. 
 Etheldreda, the patroness of the Isle of Ely ; 
 the last legend, in the S. aisle, possibly points 
 out a benefactor in John Ruding, LL. 13., it being 
 the motto annexed to his Arms on his tombstone 
 in Biggleswade Church, Bedfordshire 11 : he died, 
 Archdeacon of Lincoln, in 1481. 
 
 At the W. end of the N. aisle is an octagonal 
 stone font, devoid of ornament; it is, probably, 
 of the same age as the Church. 
 
 h Willis' Cathedrals, Vol. III. p. 102. Gough's Sepul. Mon. 
 Vol. II. p. '274.
 
 159 
 
 Of the sepulchral inscriptions existing within 
 this Church, the most antient is a slab of dark- 
 blue marble upon the floor of the passage between 
 the N. and S. porches. Upon the face of the 
 
 KV©Kia STOW WTO 
 
 — . 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 W 
 
 
 
 @4 
 
 o 
 
 s 
 
 
 u 
 
 <> 
 
 
 ^7 
 
 =$> 
 
 i 
 
 H 
 
 
 
 
 TLOT*"IM^X<A 
 
 stone is a dog (the emblem of vigilance) supporting 
 a Cross, of which the stem is represented as bud- 
 ding, and the transverse beams as branching into 
 trefoils (thrice-ternate). The brass has long since
 
 160 
 
 beeri detafchfcd; but the sockets of the letters 
 have perpetuated the characters, 
 
 [OjtfTNE • L5C • DOVS& ■ DIST • I SSI • 
 
 ntie- pvr -L6 -Tn.coe • ne • i.yy • 
 
 KY • PVB • LXLCD6 • D6 • LVY • PRI6RX • 
 
 C6NT • IOVRS • D6 • PXKDOVN • WVeitTT ^ 
 
 this inscription may with some probability be 
 
 referred either to John de Eslingham, Vicar of 
 St. Neot's, who died 1305, or to John de Sicca 
 Yai.i.i:, also Vicar, who died between 131.5 — 1349': 
 it can scarcely be more recent than the latter date k . 
 This elegant tomb-stone was copied 1 by the Herald 
 Gresrorv King in 1684. It was engraved, also, 
 for Mr. Gough's Sepulchral Monuments" 1 . 
 
 Many other brasses have perished: the fol- 
 lowing was formerly in the N. aisle : 
 
 <£f por rijautt pi] for pc souks of 2Tf)6as Urmut 
 late T)oman of g< (Trofonc to o c Sbottrapnc Horte 
 Z\\m ptenrg g e bm^. filter anlf 5)oijannc ft is 
 fcmbes : fo&irijc £Tf)os brccasiifc tfjc xxii ban of iftlccfjc 
 pnjerc of o^ liortr lil<£(E<£<EO£^3}3J. 
 
 " The plate for him remains [<2t July 1681] ; 
 viz', in the habit of a Yeoman of the Guard 
 
 1 See below, List of Vicars, p. 173. 
 
 k The name Gousle [or Goushill] remained in this parish in 
 17<K>. '• Bap. May 7. 1/02. Ann daughter of John Gousle." 
 1 MSS. College of Anns K.7. (Visit. Hunts. 1GS4.). 
 n ' Gough'fi Sep. Mon. Vol. II. p. ccxlvii. Plate XVIII. fig. 5.
 
 LV ( 
 
 
 y 4 
 
 s 
 
 
 

 
 161 
 
 with his Pole-Axe, a Rose on his breast, and a 
 Crown on his left breast or shoulder : the brass 
 for his wives gone : the inscription taken off but 
 remains with the sexton : four Roses at each cor- 
 ner; but no Arms"." The whole has been long 
 since effaced. 
 
 Jesus' Chapel contains the fragment of a mural 
 tablet, on which (above an escutcheon charged 
 with a Crown) are the characters 
 
 flfcTHESW 
 
 about the year 1745 there was an inscription, 
 also, under the shield . A strange opinion has 
 been adopted, that this fragment has some re- 
 ference to St. Neot. It is instructive, as well as 
 amusing, to observe by what gentle transitions, 
 from unintentional error to bold speculation, a 
 favorite theory may be plausibly supported. The 
 Crown* on the shield was supposed to denote the 
 royal birth of the Saint (see p. 25) ; the R was 
 
 n MSS. College of Arms, K. 7. p. 18. (Visit. Hunts. 24 July 
 1684). 
 
 ° " Underneath the Crown was an inscription, as appears from 
 the testimony of a respectable person in this place who pre- 
 served the fragment when the Chapel was laid open." MS. 
 Letter (22 April, 1786) from Rev. W. Cole to Rev. Mr. Forster. 
 
 p " In it (Jesus' Chapel) were the remains of a monument sup- 
 posed to have once contained such bones of St. Neot as were 
 carried thither from his Monastery in Cornwall. A regal Crown 
 carved in stone (denoting the royal birth of the person to whose 
 memory the monument was erected) and underneath it the let- 
 
 M
 
 102 
 
 inaccurately' copied as a B; and the punctuation 
 was omitted as being immaterial : thus instead of 
 OR :THE : SOV the Antiquary was presented with 
 
 ( >BTHESOV as the materials upon which his in- 
 genuity might work. — The learned, but fanciful, 
 Mr. Whitaker q (having asked no further indul- ^ 
 gence than the change of a single letter, O into A) 
 ventured the following restoration ; 
 
 OB THESAVrwwi in Ccelo 
 Coronam tradidltfrairi suojuniori: 
 
 an inscription which was supposed to be the coun- 
 terpart of a legend 1 in one of the windows in the 
 Church of St. Neot's Cornwall. His imagination 
 then perceived in this fragment " a pedestal to a 
 chest" enveloping the relics of Neot ; which he 
 believed to have been the very Shrine of the Saint 
 mentioned in John deTinmouth ! (see p. 66. note m.) 
 
 ters OBTHESOV are still preserved". [Forster's Account of 
 the Church at St. Neot's in Cornwall, pp. 25. 26].—" The in- 
 genious Mr. Pennant, a few years since, saw this Crown, and 
 thought it a curious piece of antiquity ; he insisted on its being 
 a Crown not a Coronet. . . . We may fairly conclude, that the 
 Saint was buried here, from the Crown over the Monument." 
 [MS. Letter (22 April 1786) from Rev. W. Cole to Rev. Mr. 
 Forster]. — This ingenious theory was pursued still further in a 
 speculation that the " Crown in painted glass" (above the Cy- 
 pher CD K, see the Engraving, p. 156.) " had probably some 
 reference to the patron Saint" ! [Forster's Account &c. p. 26]. 
 
 ^ Whitaker's Life of Neot, pp. 290. 291. 
 
 c #?u Coronam trafclutt ifrf $uo funioti.
 
 163 
 
 Another conjecture 3 , not less ridiculous, states 
 that this tablet commemorated the munificence of 
 a royal benefactor, 
 
 OB THESAWwwi huic Ecclesice donatum. 
 
 These ridiculously ingenious speculations have 
 been wasted upon the ordinary Catholic legend 
 
 Of ': your : charite : pray :/V^X• I llt'OW/.- of: 
 
 The Crown was, doubtless, the armorial Achieve- 
 ment of the person for whom this monument was 
 made; and who, probably, was the Founder 1 of 
 Jesus' Chapel. 
 
 A mutilated brass occupies the centre of the 
 pavement of this Chapel, to commemorate the 
 decease of Sir Robert Payne, Knight, of Midlow 
 near St. Neot's. The following description is 
 supplied chiefly from the Heralds* Church-notes 
 taken in 1684 u and from a Collection v of Epitaphs 
 
 "Quoted in some MS. Papers ofRev.Mr.Forster ofBoconnoc. 
 
 1 The Shield (differing in its shape from all others in the 
 Church) is precisely on the same model as those on the buttresses 
 of Jesus' Chapel which bear the characters ifyc. 
 
 u MSS. College of Arms, K.7- 
 
 T Monumental Inscriptions in Hunts, taken by R. S. de W. [R. 
 Smith ofWoodstone], 1740 — 1750: a MS. in the possession cf 
 J. Simmons Esq. of Paddington House, containing valuable Col- 
 lections for a County History. It probably contains the unpub- 
 lished Collections of J. Clements of Alhvalton, begun in 1732. 
 A singular mistake has been made, by Mr. Noble, respecting 
 this person : misled by the word " Visitation" (which he under- 
 stood in the Heraldic sense), he thus comments on Gough— 
 
 M 2
 
 164 
 
 made between 1732-50. — Below is a brass plate 
 will) the following inscription (now nearly ef- 
 faced) ; 
 
 HERE LIES INTERRED THE BODY OF SIR ROBERT PAYNE 
 KNIGHT, DECEASED THE I8TH DAY OF JUNE A". DNI 1631, AGED 
 58 YEARS: WHO MARRYED ELIZABETH THE DAUGHTER OF 
 GEORGE ROTHERAM OF SOMERIS IN COM. BEDFORD ESQ. ; BY 
 WHOME HE HAD ISSUE 5 SON KS AM) 6 DAUGHTERS. 
 
 THIS M0lll\[\(i VAULT OF DEATH, THAT MUST RETAYNE 
 
 AS FLEDGE AWHILE THE DUST OF HONOURED PArSF, 
 IS BUT HIS TOMBE, NOR CAN IT STYLED BE 
 
 \ MoM WENT OF IIIM; HIS MEM0R1E, 
 AND FAME ON EARTH, Willi THOSE GOOD DEEDS HE SENT 
 , l<> HEAV1 N BEFORE HIM, ARE HIS .MONUMENT. 
 THE ( 01 NTRVS TEARS, FARR BETTER THAN THIS STONE, 
 
 \\ 11.1. TELL THE READER NOBLE I'.IVNE IS GONE; 
 ASK THEM, NOT MEE ; THEY FEEL THE LOSS OF HIM, 
 
 AND WILL FOR EVER KEEP HIS JUST ESTEEM. 
 
 In the centre of the stone, inlaid in brass, was the 
 figure of a Knight in a kneeling posture, and of a 
 Lady by his side, (remaining about 17'32 v ). At the 
 
 • Mr. Gough says, ' Ashby has a printed undated receipt for 
 5s. for a Visitation by J. Clements'; as there is no such He- 
 raid a* J. C, we must suppose he was only a riding Painter to 
 some Clarenceux, or else to one of the Marshals or other agent 
 of theirs." [Noble's History of the College of Arms, Appendix 
 p. xxvii.]. Mr. ('. was merely a private Collector who issued 
 a prospectus for publishing " Notitja Ecclesiastica, or A 
 
 Visitation of all the Churches in Huntingdonshire" which pro- 
 spectus (enclosed in a letter to Browne Willis) is preserved in 
 the Bodleian Library, MSS. Willis, Vol. XXXIX.: the above- 
 mentioned receipt is nothing more than an acknowledgment for 
 a subscription to his proposed work 
 
 I
 
 165 
 
 head were two shields : — 1. [Azure] a Bend ragule 
 between 6 Etoiles [Or], for Payne w (still remain- 
 ing) : — 2. Party per pale : on the dexter side, the 
 Coat of Payne ; on the sinister, [Ve?*t] 3 Stags 
 
 trippant [Or], for Rotheram, (gone). Sir Robert 
 Payne was Sheriff of Cambridge and Huntingdon- 
 shire in 1607. In the Visitations for Hunts, of 
 1613 and 1684, his family is traced as resident in 
 St. Neot's from the time of Elizabeth to the end 
 of the reign of Charles II. *. The last notice of 
 
 w The Crest for Payne was, — A Beaver passant Or in Grass 
 Vert, in his mouth a Fish Argent (MSS. Harl. 1179. Visitation 
 for Hunts. 1613). The same Crest, [the Beaver proper] was 
 noticed by Sir Robert Cotton, in the Hall at Midlow, in stained 
 glass, " in a window i' th' little parlor," with the Arms of Water- 
 ton in 12 quarterings (MSS. Lansdowne 921. p. 67.). The 
 Crest was, no doubt, taken from the latter family : for Robert 
 Payne Esq. of St. Neot's, father of Sir Robert Payne of Mid- 
 low, married Maria daughter of Sir Robert Waterton of Wa- 
 terton Yorkshire (MSS. Harl. 1 179). 
 
 * MSS. Harl. 1179.; and MSS. Coll. of Arms, K. 7-
 
 the Paynes occurs (in St. Neofs Vestry Records) 
 about the middle of the last Century. 
 
 At the E. end of the S. aisle, by the chancel 
 door, is a slab, on the floor, which commemorates 
 the death of Ann the wife of Captain Samuel 
 Matthews* of the County of Kilkenny; who fled , 
 her country on account of the atrocities of the 
 Irish in the rebellion of lu'89. The inscription * 
 has been embossed in highly relieved capitals ; but 
 is now nearly defaced: 
 
 HIC IACET ANNA 
 MATTHEVS ALIAS 
 CVFF VXOR DV 
 CIS SAMVELTS MA 
 TTIIEVS IN COMIT A 
 TV KILKENIE QUJE 
 FVGIENS A SiEVIS 
 HIBE11NORUM MA 
 NIBVS IIIC OBIIT 
 
 OCTAVO DIE 
 
 MAII ANNO 
 
 MDCLXXXIX 
 
 Below are these Arms. Quarterly: first and fourth, 
 3 Chevronels ; second and third, a Lion rampant 
 (reguardant? J : for Matthews. 
 
 Near the same spot is a black-marble slab on 
 the floor: the inscription is neither elegant, nor 
 even correct — 
 
 x His name occurs in a pamphlet, published in 1C90, — " A 
 List of persons who are all, by an Act of a pretended Parlia- 
 ment assembled at Dublin 7 May 1G89 before the late King 
 James, attainted of High Treason."
 
 167 
 
 H. S. E. 
 
 Corpus 
 
 SAM. SCARLET olim de Lynn R\ 
 
 In Comit. Norfolciae Mercator. 
 
 Quern illuc in itinere mors vocabat 
 
 17 Aprilis Anno Dom. 1698. iEtat. 49. 
 
 Terra, pater, conjux cams (dum vixit) amansque; 
 Nunc ilium in Ccelo gloria summa beat. 
 
 On the floor of the middle aisle, near the W. 
 door, is a black-marble slab, thus inscribed — 
 
 M.S. 
 LAURENTIJ THOMPSON, Gen. 
 
 Apud Drayton in Com. Salopiae nati, 
 Pietate spectabilis ; 
 Affectione conjugali, 
 Benignitate paterna, 
 Benevolentia universali, 
 Amandi, venerandi, laudandi. 
 Uxorum prima 
 Elizabetha, Rob. Dorman Gen. filia, 
 De hoc oppido oriunda 
 Obijt 1 Julij 1705: 
 Altera Eliz., filia Josephi Cramphorne, 
 Vidua Tho. Hyde Com. Hartfordiae Gen., 
 Hujus jam Relicta mortem deflet. 
 
 Tribus e novem liberis, 
 
 E priori conjuge adhuc superstitibus 
 
 Duobus filiis, filias unicae, 
 
 Maestissimis, 
 
 Sui desiderium reliquit 
 
 8 Apr. Anno Salutis 1724 JStatis suae 63. 
 
 The following Arms appear. Quarterly : first and 
 fourth, Gules, a Lion passant guardant between
 
 1(>S 
 
 three Cross-crosslets Or; second and fourth, Or, a 
 Fess between three Martlets Sable* (Vest : ./ Lion 
 rampant Or, ducally gorged Azure. For Thompson. 
 In the chancel are two hatchments: — 
 
 1. Azure, on a Bend between (> Lozenges Or 
 each charged with an Escalop-JShell Sable 5 Escalop- 
 Shells of the Last; for Robert Pulley n of St. 
 Neot's Esq. 
 
 2. Party per pale : on the dexter side The Coat 
 o/Pulletn; on the sinister, Gules, on a Chief in- 
 dented Azure 3 Escalop-Shells Sable, for 
 
 Cresl : a Pelican in her Piety, Or. 
 
 The Organ, with which the Church is furnished, 
 having been built by a private gentleman, Jus- 
 tinian Morse M. D. of Barnct (a celebrated me- 
 chanical and musical genius), was presented by 
 him to the Church of that place, with the stipula- 
 tion that it should be forfeited if the parish ceased 
 to provide an organist. These conditions not 
 having been complied with, Dr. Morse himself, 
 for some time, performed. It was, finally, re- 
 moved to St. Neot's ; Where it was opened, by Dr. 
 Randall of Cambridge, in September \~, [■[). 
 
 A stone stair-ease leads from the middle of the 
 S. aisle to a room, over the south porch, called 
 Dove's Chamber; where there is a small theolo- 
 gical Library for the use of the Minister. It 
 probably received its name from Robert Dove, 
 Vicar of this Church from 1617 to 16*22.
 
 V
 
 3£. 1 
 
 -/O 
 
 fc 
 
 i 
 
 2* 
 
 ■MM* 
 
 

 
 169 
 
 At the W. end of the nave rises a beautifully- 
 proportioned and florid tower 2 ; belted by four 
 ricli zones of quatrefoils, the upper of which con- 
 stitutes a double border. The elevation, to the 
 apex of the pinnacles, is 128 feet : the altitude, to 
 the water-course of the roof, is precisely 100 feet. 
 At each angle are two buttresses, which ascend 
 by five ranges, and are crowned by secondary 
 pinnacles similar to the primary ; — each range is 
 faced with arcade panneling, of a double and 
 single arch alternately ;— the third and fifth stages 
 are finished by a rich ogee canopy fringed with 
 crockets and supported by grotesque corbels. 
 The battlements are counter-embattled, and on 
 the face of each appears the Tudor flower. On 
 each side of the tower, the middle battlement 
 (originally crowned by three slender pinnacles a ) 
 exhibits an emblematical representation of an 
 Evangelist : on the N. is the winged Lion of St. 
 Mark ; on the W. the Ox of St. Luke ; on the S. 
 
 *■ The centre of this tower was selected for one of the angular 
 points of the triangles in the great Trigonometrical Survey of 
 England ; its position, in reference to the Meridian of Green- 
 wich, has consequently been determined with delicate pre- 
 cision [See Trig. Surv. Vol. II. p. 126] : „ 
 
 Latitude N 52 13 347 
 
 Longitude W 15 499 
 
 Time after Greenwich 1 33 
 
 Distance from the Meridian of Greenwich (in feet) 59630 
 Distance from the Perpendicular to the Meridian 273475 
 * See Lamborne's geometrical elevation of the W. front of 
 St. Neot's tower, published in 1764.
 
 170 
 
 the Angel of St. Matthew; and on the E. the 
 
 Eagle of St. John. — On the S. side, about halfway 
 up the tower, is a niehe which has, doubtless, for- 
 
 merly sheltered a statue of the Virgin, to whom 
 the Church is dedicated. This image b was, pro- 
 bably, removed either in 1547 or 1559. At the 
 same time, perhaps, the tabernacle-work of the 
 
 h The following particulars are recorded respecting the re- 
 moval of images &c. from St. Neot's Church. — By the injunc- 
 tion of Edward VI. (in 1547), several " Altars" and the " Rood- 
 loft" were taken down [see App. XXVIII.J].— On the re-esta- 
 hlishment of Popery by Queen Mary, the Commissioners for 
 Cardinal Pole's Visitation (in Aug. 1556) ordered that " all the 
 Altars which were in the Church before the schism" should be 
 re-erected by the end of that month, and that the Rood-loft
 
 • ^Ekm
 
 171 
 
 canopy was disfigured c j but the vault of its roof 
 still displays some pretty tracery. Beneath the 
 pedestal, is an Angel supporting a shield which 
 displays a Chevron*: this bearing was, possibly, 
 that of the Monastery of St. Neot, to which the 
 parochial Church was appropriated (see p. 81. J; 
 or, perhaps, it was intended for Or, a Chevron 
 Gules, the arms of Stafford 6 Duke of Bucking- 
 ham, who was patron of the Priory. 
 
 The tower contains a fine peal of 8 bells, cast 
 by f Joseph Eyre of St. Neot's — the seven smaller, 
 
 with the Images should be restored by Easter 1557, a r &te being 
 levied on the parishioners for that purpose [see App. XXVULJ] 
 —The revival of these Catholic memorials was of short con- 
 tinuance; for, in August 1559, Elizabeth's Commissioners finally 
 demolished them. The three Visitors for St. Neot's Church 
 were, Dr. Bentham (afterwards Bp. of Litchfield), Mr. (after- 
 wards Serjeant) Fleetwood, and Dr. Nevyson ; who " caused 
 the Rood-loft there to be cut down, by the seats of the choir, 
 leaving no memorial thereof," as " an example to the residue of 
 the country to do the like" [see this Vol. p. 214. note]. 
 
 c It was afterwards still more defaced for the reception of the 
 Dial; on the removal of which, in 1818, the defect was supplied 
 by modern masonry. In the Engraving, a restoration has been 
 attempted ; which, if not an identical resemblance, may be con- 
 sidered as a close approximation to the original. 
 
 d Noticed by the Heralds in the Visitation of 1 684". 
 
 e The Stafford Arms were of frequent occurrence in the 
 Huntingdonshire Churches. 
 
 f Eyre was formerly of Leicester, and a very celebrated Bell- 
 founder: there is some account of him and his family in a 
 curious Dissertation on Bells in Dr. Brewster's Encyclopaedia 
 [Article Horology] from the MSS. of the late Mr. Ludlam.
 
 172 
 
 in vj5$ — the eighth in 1764*. The great bell is 
 ] ]• feel in circumference, and weighs 3051//;. 
 
 The Registers of this Church commence in 
 16{)1 ? : the Vestry Records in 1(>.3(>. 
 
 The Vicarage is estimated at 51. in the Taxation 
 of Pope Nicholas (1291); it stands at 10/. in the 
 King's Books. In 1810 it was certified by the 
 Bishop of Lincoln as worth 1 \",L 10s. Id. It is a 
 discharged Living. In 1753 it was augmented, 
 by Queen Anne's Bounty, with 200/. by lot. 
 
 VICARS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH OF ST. MARY, 
 
 ST. NEOT'S. 
 
 1. Walter? was Incumbent of this Vicarage in 
 the year 1225 h . 
 
 2. Alan he St. Neot was presented in 1238, by 
 the Prior and Convent of St. Neot 1 . 
 
 3. Laurence de Clare was instituted on the 
 same patronage, in 12 !•(>'. 
 
 •1-. Walter was promoted to this Living in 1264, 
 by the Prior and Convent, on the death of Lau- 
 rence'. He resigned, and was succeeded by 
 
 5. Robert he Preus (alias Robert de Pra- 
 tell?), in 1270, who was also presented by the 
 Prior and Monks of St. NeotV. 
 
 f'Baptisnies in the vcareof our Lord 169 1 and in the third yeare 
 of OUT Souercign Lord and Lady William and Mary, of England 
 Scotland Trance Ireland, King, Queen, Defender of the Faith." 
 
 h Cartul. of St. Neot's. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. ft'. 59. 6'0. 
 
 4 Institution Rolls and Registers, Lincoln Cathedral.
 
 173 
 
 6. Hugh de Valle was put in possession of the 
 Vicarage, in 1279 ; it having been resigned to the 
 Prior and Convent by Robert de Pratell 1 . 
 
 7- John (de Eslingham ?) occurs as the Incum- 
 bent in 1295 k . 
 
 8. Hugh de Everton was appointed Vicar in 
 1305, by the Convent, on the death of John de 
 Eslingham 1 . 
 
 9. Simon de Blatherwyk, on the resignation of 
 Hugh, was promoted to the vacant Living by the 
 Prior and Convent of St. Neot; and was insti- 
 tuted 16 Dec. 1312 K In 1314, he was presented, 
 by the Prior and Convent of St. Neot, to Berton- 
 Benedict, Norfolk" 1 . 
 
 10. John de Sicca Valle was presented by the 
 same religious House in 1315 ; upon the resigna- 
 tion of his predecessor, Simon '. 
 
 11. Robert is the next Vicar whose name oc- 
 curs ; but the date of his incumbency is unknown. 
 At his death, 
 
 12. Walter Blow (alias Blogh) was instituted 
 to this Vicarage, 16 July 1349, on the presenta- 
 tion of King Edward III. ' ; the Convent having 
 been deprived of the right of nomination, through 
 the seizure of its property by the Crown in 1337, 
 on account of the French war. 
 
 k Cartul. of St. Neot's, MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. 
 1 Institution Rolls and Registers, Lincoln Cathedral. 
 B1 Blomefield's Norfolk, Vol. IV. p. 51.
 
 174 
 
 13. William de la More was instituted 24 
 Nov. L86l : Ik* was presented on the death of 
 Walter Blogh, by the Convent 10 , whose rights had 
 
 been restored in the same year on the return 
 of peace. He resigned ; having exchanged this 
 Living for that of Wymondham, Norfolk, — the 
 Incumbent of which 
 
 14. William de Calyngton, was instituted to 
 the Vicarage of St. Neot's c >3 Feb. 1382: he was 
 presented by Richard II." ; St. Neot's, as an Alien 
 Priory, having been again seized by the Crown. 
 
 15. William Ras, was presented by Richard II. 
 to this Living, vacant by the resignation of Wil- 
 liam de Calyngton ; and was instituted 4 Nov. 
 1383". 
 
 If). Richard Bell, instituted 27 Nov. 1384", 
 and 
 
 17. John George, 18 Dec. of the same year, 
 — were both presented to St. Neot's Vicarage by 
 Richard II."; but the cause of vacancy in each 
 case does not appear. 
 
 18. Thomas Bryan was the next Vicar : he was 
 instituted 8 Oct. 11-00; having been presented (on 
 the resignation of John George) by the Prior and 
 Convent", whose possessions had been restored the 
 preceding year. 
 
 19. Robert Goxyld de Croxton succeeded (on 
 the death of Bryan), 13 March 1418". He was 
 
 " Institution Registers, Lincoln Cathedral.
 
 175 
 
 nominated by the Prior and Convent ; who, upon 
 his resignation, gave the Vicarage to 
 
 20. William Typper, 22 Oct. 1444°. His death 
 occurred six years after ; when the Prior and Con- 
 vent presented 
 
 21. John Gymber, who was instituted 3 Nov. 
 1450°. 
 
 22. Richard Oliver is the next incumbent 
 whose name is recorded ; but his appointment has 
 not been registered. 
 
 23. John Grene, LL. B. succeeded to the Vi- 
 carage at the death of Richard Oliver, and was 
 instituted 2 Oct. 1505°. The present parochial 
 Church was rebuilt (finished ?) during his incum- 
 bency in 1507 (see above, p. 148). In 1512 he 
 was presented to Burton Benedict by the Con- 
 vent of St. Neot m . 
 
 24. John Rawnds, the last Prior of St. Neot's, 
 was presented to the Vicarage, on the resignation 
 of John Grene, by Thomas Lynd (see above, pp. 
 97. 148.). Prior Rawnds was instituted to the new 
 Church, on 28 Sep. 1512°. In 1518 he was pre- 
 sented, also, to Burton Benedict, by Thomas Lynd 
 on " a grant from the Monastery of St. Neot m pro 
 hac vice. 1 " 
 
 25. Richard Palmer, was presented by Oliver 
 Leder Esq., and was instituted 28 Aug. 1540°, on 
 the death of John Rawnds. 
 
 26. John Fakon was promoted to the Vicarage, 
 
 Institution Registers, Lincoln Cathedral.
 
 176 
 
 j Feb. 1541j on tlie resignation of Richard Pal- 
 mer; having been presented by Philip Clumpe 
 
 gentleman, and 1 val}>h Smyth. 
 
 [26.] Faucet? — In August 1556, the Com- 
 missioners for Cardinal Pole's Visitation of the 
 Diocese oi Lincoln, reported*, that " Faucet, a 
 Priest and Schoolmaster at St. Neot's, who in the 
 
 time of the schism had married one Elizabeth 
 Williams, lied before his citation." Elizabeth 
 Williams appeared ; to whom it was signified that 
 " she was divorced by the authority of the Church." 
 
 27. John Ttme p (alias Timmks' ) was instituted 
 5 May 1562, on the presentation of Queen Eliza- 
 beth. At his resignation 
 
 28. Peter White (father of the learned Francis 
 White Bishop of Ely r ) was instituted 20 Nov. 
 1573, having been presented by Queen Elizabeth 1 '. 
 (See a further account of him, pp. 210 — 215). 
 
 29« William Smyth, M. A. w r as instituted in 
 May 1583 ; having been presented by Queen Eliza- 
 beth, on the resignation of the former Incumbent 9 . 
 
 30. Peter White, P. A. was instituted 11 July 
 1588 ; having been presented by Queen Elizabeth 
 on the death of the last Incumbent 1 '. 
 
 31. Robert Dove paid the First-Fruits of his 
 Vicarage, 22 Nov. I6l7 q . 
 
 * See this Volume, Appendix XXVIII.J 
 p MSS. Lansdowne 443. and 444. (Institutions to Crown 
 Livings, temp. Eliz.) 
 i First-Fruits' Registers. 
 1 See below, p. 215.
 
 177 
 
 32. Thomas Phage discharged the First-Fruits 
 of this Living, 2 Dec. l622 q . He occurs Vicar in 
 1651 \ 
 
 33. James Mabinson, M. A., was instituted 15 
 June 1670, on the presentation of Charles II. u 
 
 34. Samuel Taylor was probably his successor; 
 but the institution is not registered. 
 
 35. Thomas Sheppard, M. A., instituted 6 Jan. 
 1690 ; presented by William and Mary, on the 
 death of Samuel Taylor u . 
 
 36. William Gibbs, M. A., instituted 12 Aug. 
 1707, on the presentation of Queen Anne u . 
 
 37. John Hooper, B. A., instituted 7 Dec. 1713; 
 presented by Queen Anne, on the death of Gibbs u . 
 
 38. John Maud, M. A., instituted 14 Dec. 1742; 
 presented by George II., on the death of his pre- 
 decessor 11 . 
 
 The three remaining Vicars have all been pre- 
 sented by his present Majesty : — viz. 
 
 39. Robert Hudson, LL. B., on the death of 
 John Maud, instituted 20 June 1763 u ; 
 
 40. John Bewsher, M. A., on the death of Ro- 
 bert Hudson, instituted 22 Aug. 1796 u ; and 
 
 41. John Arthur, (the present Incum. 
 bent), on the death of John Bewsher, instituted 
 1 Nov. 1806 u . 
 
 1 MSS. Lansdowne 459. (A Report to the Committee of En- 
 quiry about scandalous Ministers) ; " Mr. Phage, Vicar of St. 
 Neat's, a preaching Minister." 
 
 u Institution Registers, Buckden. 
 
 N
 
 17S 
 
 BBNEFAi TIONS AND i HARITJES. 
 
 (1.) For the use of the Parish. 
 Henry Carter Esq. gave a fire-engine valued 
 
 at 50/. 
 
 (2.) For the Poor. 
 
 1. Mrs. Joan Cromwell, by will July 1620, 
 gave 2/. to the poor, payable out of a close called 
 Winnels. 
 
 2. Mr. Robert Slade, by will" L622, gave 
 I < I/. 
 
 3. Mi:. Hugh Wye, by will 1648, gave some 
 parcels of ground, the rent of which is to be laid 
 out in bread. 
 
 1. Mr. Robert Payne, by will, .0/. 
 
 5. Mr. Jackson, by will I67O, 10/. 
 
 6. Mr. Robert Doman, 10/. 
 
 7. Mrs. Elizabeth Doman, by will 1707> 10/. 
 
 8. John Dryden, Esq., gave 100/. to be laid 
 out in an estate, the rent of which is to be given 
 annually to "the poor not taking collection;" 
 and 
 
 9. Mrs. Mary Strachie, 1768, gave 20/., 
 with the same limitation. 
 
 10. Mr. .Joseph Eyre, 1771, 100/., to be distri- 
 buted in bread on St. Thomas' Day. 
 
 ■ The Vestry Chest (which has been shamefully robbed of 
 most of its Records) still contains a copy of" this will. 

 
 179 
 
 (3.) For the Charity -School. 
 
 1. Mr. Gabriel Newton, Alderman of Lei- 
 cester, by will 17*50, gave 26/., out of lands in that 
 County, in trust to the Corporation of that town, 
 payable to the Minister and Church-wardens of 
 St. Neot's, " towards the cloathing, schooling, 
 and educating of 25 boys, of indigent and neces- 
 sitous parents of the Established Church, between 
 the ages of 7 and 14 years." 
 
 2. Mr. Loftus Hatley, 17.57, gave 100/. ; and 
 
 3. Mrs. Elizabeth Bailey, 1783, gave 400/, 
 in land. 
 
 (4.) For the service and repair of the Church. 
 
 1. Sir John Cotton Bart., 1726, gave 400/., to 
 be laid out in land, for the perpetual Augmenta- 
 tion of the Vicarage. 
 
 2. The Parish (during the pleasure of its In- 
 habitants) pays, to the Minister for an afternoon 
 Lecture, 17/. ; arising from acknowledgments 
 by the Earl of Sandwich and S. Leightonhouse 
 Esq., in lieu of a right of Common on their estates. 
 
 3. The Vicar for the time being gives (during 
 his pleasure) 30s. to the organist ; which sum is 
 an acknowledgment paid by the parish to the 
 Vicar for his right in Jesus' Chapel thrown open 
 to the Churchin 1745". 
 
 4. Mrs. Elizabeth Bailey, 1783, gave 100/. 
 
 b St. Neot's Vestry Records. 12 Nov. 1745. 
 
 x '2
 
 ISO 
 
 the interest of which is to be paid annually to the 
 organisl . 
 
 5. Mr. Robert Slade, 1622, gave 10/. for the 
 repair of the Church \ 
 
 6. Charles Baynton Esq., 1712, raised the 
 floor and rails of the chance 1 !, and erected the 
 altar'. 
 
 7- Miss Vaugiian beautified the chancel and 
 altar. 
 
 8. Lawrence Thompson Esq., gave a silver 
 communion-plate. 
 
 !). Mrs. Elizabeth Reynolds, widow of Rev. 
 Dr. Reynolds of Little Paxton, gave a silver can- 
 dlestick for the pulpit. 
 
 c u Over the vestry door, near the altar, which is very neat, 
 
 THIS ALTAR WAS ERECTED AT THE SOLE EXPENCE OF COLONEL 
 
 Charles B m \to\-, Draper and Citizen of London, A. D. 
 1J12." Inscrip. in Hunts, collected by R. S. de W. (MSS. 
 PaddingtOD House). — This inscription was probably effaced by 
 the succeeding benefactor.
 
 181 
 
 § III. 
 
 HAMLETS IN THE PARISH OF ST. NEOTS. 
 
 I. Monks'-Hardwick 3 , on the N. side of the 
 parish, and two miles from the town, was so 
 called from having been (together with a large 
 tract of the surrounding lands) the property of 
 the Convent. It now consists of a single farm, 
 which stands within a large rectangular area en- 
 compassed by a broad and deep moat. An an- 
 tient stack of chimnies shews that this has once 
 been no mean residence : it was formerly (1598) 
 the possession and (it is believed) the abode b of 
 Henry Cromwell Esq., son of Francis Cromwell 
 Esq., of c Hemingford, and second cousin of Oli- 
 ver Lord Protector; an adjoining field has once 
 been the garden of the mansion, and is still called 
 * Cromwell's Close.' The supposed Roman En- 
 campment in this hamlet has already been men- 
 tioned (pp. 4 — 6). 
 
 II. Wintringham, on the E. side of the parish, 
 
 a J)eajib-tUic, The Shepherd's- Village. 
 
 b MSS. Brit. Mus. Lansdowne 921, p. 82. (Cotton and Astry 
 Notes on Hunts.) — Also MSS. Harl. 759. (Coles Escheats). — 
 Both, however, are ambiguous as to the question whether Henry 
 Cromwell resided at Hardwick ; though it appears probable that 
 he did. 
 
 c The Escheat says, " of Hardwick'' ; probably he occasionally 
 resided on that property, see the preceding note. — MSS. Harl. 
 759^ (Cole's Escheats, 40 Eliz.)
 
 1S-2 
 
 and two miles from the town, now consists of two 
 farms, UPPER and Lowr.it WlNTRINGHAM. Upper 
 
 Wintringham Mas the scat of the Paynes d ; bul it 
 may be questioned whether the mansion stood on 
 the site of the present farm, or in a neighbouring 
 field called ' The Birches', where there has evi- 
 dently been a moated dwelling. The Paynes 
 were here at least as late as Hid!)'. Oxer a 
 chimney-piece in the farm of Upper Wintring- 
 ham, the following inscriptions f appear upon oak 
 pannels: — 
 
 R . P. E . P. 
 
 N0SSE TEIPSVM . MEMENTO MORE 
 
 BEATVS VIR QVI TIMET DNV. SPALM 112. 
 
 AVXIUVM MEVM IN DM). 
 
 VERITAS VINCIT OMNIA. 
 
 FELICES TER ET AMPLIVS QOS IRRVPTA COPVLA TENET • 1567. 
 
 SVR WATER MILDMAY, MDLXVII. 
 
 E. R. 
 
 Underneath the second series of mottos, are two 
 coats of Arms: 
 
 1. Under a Crown, and between the letters 
 E. 11. Quarterly: first and fourth; 3 Flctir-de- 
 lis ; second and third, 3 Lions passant guardant in 
 pa le : for E N G L a n n . 
 
 d MSS. Lansdowne, 921, p. 82. (Cotton and Astry Notes on 
 
 Hunts.) 
 
 • MSS. Harleian, 1457, p. S16. See also p. 165 of this Vol. 
 
 f The precise arrangement (not being easily represented 
 without an Engraving) has been neglected.
 
 183 
 
 2. Between two Thistles. Party per fess nebulee, 
 3 Greyhounds* heads coupee collared and studed ; 
 a Martlet for difference : for Mildmay of Chelms- 
 ford. 
 
 R. P. and E. P. are probably intended for 
 Robert Payne and Elizabeth Payne. E. R. is 
 clearly for Elizabetha Regina. Why Sir Walter 
 Mildmay's name is associated with that of Payne 
 does not appear. 
 
 There was a Chapel here, founded about 1218 
 by William Brito of Wintringham (see p. 76.) ; 
 also in the same Chapel was a Chantry for a service 
 to be performed, by Chaplains of the Mother 
 Church of St. Neot's, for his family during his 
 travels g . 
 
 * Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. f. 59 a. [App. XVI. &.].
 
 1S1 
 
 § IV. 
 
 HISTORY AND DESCENT OF PROPERTY. 
 
 I. THE MANOB OF ST. NEOT'S. 
 
 In the Conqueror's Survey (1086) the manor of 
 
 St. Neot's was reckoned as one of the manors in 
 Einvlvesrerie : it belonged to HoliaVs', wife of 
 Richard Fitz-Gilberl de Clare; and was proba- 
 bly given her by her father Walter GifFard Earl of 
 Buckingham as her marriage portion. Even so 
 early as the time of the Survey, she seems to have 
 endowed the Priory with a considerable portion 
 of her lands at St. Neot's for the support of the 
 Monks, who held from her 3 carucates in de- 
 mesne 6 , together with a mill, a fishery, and 6.5J 
 acres of meadow*. The manor was then valued 
 at c 21/. ; besides that part which was appropriated 
 to the support of the Monks, and which was worth 
 4/.". Rohais had in demesne 7 carucates*. A. D. 
 1113 she gave "the whole" of her manor "to St. 
 Mary of Bee and to St. Xeot of Eyneshnry' 1 ." 
 The Priors of St. Neot's, or rather their superiors 
 the Abbots of Pec, remained Lords of the manor 
 till the Denization of the Convent; after which 
 
 a Domesday, Vol. II. f. 207 a. [App. XXI. ».]. 
 
 b Estimating the carucate at l'io acres (the moan value which 
 has been allotted to it), the demesne farm of the Priory in 
 10S(>' would he .300 acres: its actual measurement, in 1757, was 
 3G4 acres ; though it is not certain that they w ere exactly co- 
 extensive. 
 
 d Cartul. MSS. Cott. Faust. A. IV. 45 b. [App. XVI. SI.].
 
 185 
 
 the seignory continued in the Priors till the Disso- 
 lution. We find lands at St. Neot's held, under 
 the Prior and Convent, by the following persons : 
 — in 1305 and 1310 by Stephen de Bec e ; 1334 by 
 Robert Richmond and Odo le Clerk f ; and in 
 1349—1369 by the Lovetots g . The manor of St. 
 Neot's was in the Crown, during the several 
 seizures of this Alien Priory in time of war (see 
 p. 83.). At. the Dissolution, in 1539, it was re- 
 tained in the King's hands. In 1544 it was held 
 in capite, by Henry Cromwell Esq. h (afterwards 
 Sir Henry), the son of Sir Richard. In 1548 Ro- 
 bert Spencer possessed 256 acres of land, held in 
 socage, of King Edward VI., as of his manor late 
 parcel of the Monastery of St. Neot 1 . Thomas 
 Hatley held lands at St. Neot's, in 1550, from 
 Princess Elizabeth 1 ". John Barnes, in 1556, held 
 lands, at Monks'-Hardwick, from Philip and Mary, 
 by the service of ^ of a Knights'-fee 1 . In 1597? 
 Francis Cromwell Esq. of Monks'-Hardwick, died 
 seized of the manor of St. Neot's m . James I. 
 granted this manor in 1620 to Sir Richard Lucy 
 
 e Escheats, Tower, 34 Edw. I. n. 209. Inquis' ad quod Dam- 
 num, Tower, 4 Ed. II. m. 44. 
 
 f Escheats, Tower, 8 Edw. III. p. 2. n. 9. 
 
 * Escheats, Tower, 23 Edw. III. n. 48. and 43 Ed. III. n. 67. 
 
 h Escheats, 36 Henry VIII. 
 
 1 Escheats, 2 Edward VI. 
 
 k Escheats, 4 Edward VI. 
 
 1 Escheats, 2 and 3 Philip and Mary. 
 
 m Inquis. at St. Ives, 40 Eliz. (Cole's Esch. MSS. Harl. 759.)
 
 186 
 
 Bart., of Broxbourne Herts.". Having passed 
 from him in 1631, by sale, to Sir Sidney Montagu 
 of Hinchinbrook , ii descended to his son Ed- 
 ward; who was called to Parliament 1660 (l>\ a 
 title derived from his manor) as Baron Montagu 
 op St. Xkot's 1 '. The manor has continued to 
 descend with the title in the I louse of Montagu; 
 and ii now belongs to John the present Earl of 
 Sandwich a minor. 
 
 II. THE PRIORY LANDS. 
 
 The site 1 of the Priory (49 acres), its demesne 
 farm (364 acres), and the Monastery lands at 
 ilardwick (672 acres), were granted q by Henry 
 VIII. in 1542 to Sir Richard Williams alias Crom- 
 well. Monks'-Hardwick was the property* of his 
 son Sir Henry Cromwell. In 1597 Francis Crom- 
 well Esq. of Ilardwick, died seized of the site 
 of the late Monastery of St. Neot's (called ' the 
 Fermerie'), and 80 acres of pasture at Great and 
 Little Wintringham (' the Birches'), held of the 
 Crown by military service": Henry Cromwell 
 
 n Grant in the Rolls' Chapel, Patent Rolls 18 James I. p. 1. 
 n. s. Si'i- also Escheats, 2 Charles I. 
 
 ° Deed of Feoffment (in possession of the Earl of Sandwich). 
 
 1 This honor was conferred upon him, in consequence of his 
 having brought over the Fleet to Charles II. 
 
 ' Grant, in the Rolls' Chapel. Patent Rolls 33 Hen. VI II. 
 p. 6 m. ;',;. — See, also, pp. 87. 88. 
 
 r Escheats, 36 Ilimv VIII. — See, also, p. 181. 
 
 ■ [nquis. a1 Skive's #0 Eli/.. (Cole's Esch. MTSS. Harl. 759.)
 
 187 
 
 Esq. his son succeeded him in his estates. Ed- 
 mund Anderson Esq., died 1638 seized of the 
 site of the Priory, and the farm of Hardwick, 
 held of the King by military service \ Sir Stephen 
 Anderson Bart, of Eye worth Beds, held this 
 estate in the time of Charles II. ; but the family 
 becoming extinct in 1773, the property (consisting 
 of 1283 acres) devolved to Charles Anderson- 
 Pelham Esq. afterwards Lord Yarborough. From 
 him it was purchased, in 1793, by O. Rowley 
 Esq. ; whose family residence at Priory Hill (built 
 in 1796) commands a pleasing view over the 
 town of St. Neot's and along the vale of the Ouse. 
 Monks'-Hardwick passed, by sale in 1812, to the 
 Devisees of Dr. Moss, Bishop of Oxford, and, by 
 marriage, to John King Esq. The site of the 
 Priory was transferred to the Earl of Sandwich : 
 the Priory farm (the antient demesne of the Con- 
 vent) is still the possession of O. Rowley Esq. 
 
 III. THE GREAT TITHES OF ST. NEOT'S. 
 
 The great tithes of St. Neot's belonged (by 
 appropriation about 1183) to the Prior and Con- 
 vent: on 25 May 1.537, they were let u to Thomas 
 Tonney Gent. ; being estimated at 17/. 6s. 8d. 
 At the Dissolution, they came in reversion to the 
 Crown. In 1566 (being then in the occupation of 
 
 1 Inquis. 14 Charles 1. (Cole's Esch. MSS. Harl.760.). 
 " Lease cited in the Ministers' Account of the Priory of St. 
 Neot (Augmentation Office).
 
 188 
 
 Thomas Tonne)) they were granted*, by Queen 
 Elizabeth, to Edward Lord Clinton and Saye. 
 This property was afterwards in the possession of* 
 .John Grubham Howe w ; but the mode of transfer 
 is not known. Mary Howe, a sole heiress of that 
 family, com eyed it by marriage to Sir George 
 Smith Hart.; from whom it was inherited by his 
 grandson, Sir Robert Howe Bromley Bart, of Stoke 
 Hall Notts., the present possessor. 
 
 IV. A PORTION OF TITHES IN ST. NEOT'S. 
 
 A portion of tithes x consisting of the tithe of 
 wool and lambs, (the property of the late Monas- 
 tery of St. Neot), was given to the Princess Eliza- 
 beth before her accession. These tithes were 
 granted-' by the Queen, in 1600, to the Bishopric 
 of Ely, being estimated at 3/. 6s. 8d.; in lien 
 whereof, an allotment was made at Wintringham, 
 at the enclosure of the parish, 177 () - 
 
 v Patent Rolls, Rolls' Chapel, 8 Eliz. p. 7. — By a mistake in 
 the grant, they ait- stated to have been "parcel of the posses- 
 sion of the late dissolved Monaster} of Ramsey." 
 
 w Information of Sir Robert Howe Bromley. 
 
 * The title to this portion of tithes, (as w til as to that at Weald 
 and Caldecot, p. 135.) and to other property in the parish of St. 
 Neot's, was litigated by Francis Cromwell in 1563; as part of 
 the demesne of the Priory granted to Sir Richard Cromwell 
 by Hen. VIII. — The tithes were determined to belong to the 
 Crown; the other claims were allowed in favour of Cromwell. 
 Rolls, Lord Treas. Rememb. Offiee, Trim term 5 Eliz. roll !). 
 
 1 Patent Rolls, Rolls' Chapel, 42 Eliz. p. <).
 
 189 
 
 §v. 
 
 REMARKABLE EVENTS AT ST. NEOT'S. 
 I. STORM OF 14G5. 
 
 A dreadful storm passed over this town, on 
 St. Bartholomew's Day, 24 August 1465, — Hail- 
 stones 18 inches in circumference are stated, by 
 the credulous Chronciler a , to have fallen! 
 
 II. FLOOD OF 1579. 
 
 Inundations can scarcely be reckoned among 
 the remarkable occurrences in St. Neot's. That 
 which deluged the town in the autumn of 1579 
 was (it may be presumed) unusually destructive, 
 since it is particularly mentioned by Stowe. — " In 
 September and October fell great winds and 
 raging floods in sundry places of this realm, where- 
 through many men, cattell, and houses were 
 
 drowned The town of Saint Edes in Hunt- 
 
 ingtonshire was overflowne suddenly in the night, 
 when all men were at rest ; the waters brake in 
 with such violence, that the towne was almost all 
 defaced, the swans swam downe the Market- Place, 
 and all the towne about the boats did float V 
 
 1 Baker's Chronicle, p. 250. 
 
 b Stovve'-s Annals, p. 688. edit. 1631.
 
 hM> 
 
 in. bat ILK of nan. 
 
 During the civil commotions in the reign of 
 Charles I., (1648) this town was the scene of a 
 short, but decisive, contest, between the Royalists 
 and the Parliament forces; in which action the 
 former were totally defeated. The following par- 
 ticulars (chiefly gleaned from some rare pamphlets 
 and periodical publications of that period) al- 
 though, perhaps, scarcely worthy of being re- 
 deemed from oblivion as contributions to the 
 stock of general History, are by DO means devoid 
 of a local interest. 
 
 Henry Rich, Karl of Holland, took up arms, in 
 favour of the King, in the month of July 1648; 
 this measure, however, had been preceded by so 
 much imbecility and hesitation, that the opposite 
 party had full leisure to watch and to anticipate 
 his earliest movements. At Kingston-on-Thames 
 his troops were routed on 7 July, in their first en- 
 o-ao-ement with the Parliament soldiers. A con- 
 siderable part of his adherents took the road to 
 
 c The Earl of Holland had previously acted a wavering part, 
 la 1643 he joined the Parliament; — in the course of the same 
 year he was with the King at Oxford; — and before its close 
 stole away from Oxford, " by the help of a dark night and a 
 good guide." There is but too much justice in Clarendon's 
 remark, that he " grew up under the shadow of the Court," 
 and " desired to enjoy ease and plenty when the King could 
 have neither." Hist, of Rebellion, Yo!. [I. P. I. Book VI.; Vol. 
 III. P. I. Book XL
 
 191 
 
 London, and dispersed in the Metropolis 11 . The 
 Earl himself, with about a hundred horse, wan- 
 dered without purpose or design d : having passed 
 through Harrow-on-the-Hill e , St. Alban's, Dun- 
 stable, and Brickhill (with the view of proceeding 
 into Northamptonshire) he suddenly shaped his 
 course to the east, and entered St. Neot's on Sun- 
 day evening 9 July/ 
 
 The Royal party, although completely broken 
 at Kingston, appears to have been considerably re- 
 cruited and strengthened during the retreat to St. 
 Neot's. Various accounts have been given of the 
 number of the Cavalry which entered the town ; 
 it appears to have consisted of about 400 g , com- 
 manded by good officers, among whom were, the 
 Earl of Holland, the Duke of Buckingham, and 
 the Earl of Peterborough. Colonel Dolbier, an 
 old Dutch officer of great bravery and talents, 
 attached himself to the same cause, and was 
 
 d Clarendon's Hist, of Rebellion, Vol. III. P. I. Book XI. 
 
 e Sanderson's History of Charles I. edit. 1658. 
 
 f " They feared to draw nearer to Northampton least the 
 Lord Grey should way-lay them as nimbly as his Lordship 
 assisted Col. Rossiter." A Great Victory obtained by Collo- 
 nell Scroope against the Duke of Buckingham at St. Need's in 
 Huntingtonshire, on Munday, July the 10th. 1648. London: 
 printed for the generall satisfaction of moderate men, 1648. 
 
 s The Pamphlet entitled, A Great Victory, &c at St. 
 
 Need's (London, 1 648), states the number as " between 400 
 and 500."— The Moderate Intelligencer (1648) No. CLXXIIL, 
 says " 300.*'
 
 192 
 
 appointed Quarter-Master-General: he had for- 
 med} served the Parliament, as Commissary^Ge- 
 neral of the Horse, under the Karl of Essex; but, 
 having been neglected, changed sides' 1 . 
 
 Soon alter their arrival, on the Sunday evening, 
 a council of war was called to decide upon the 
 line of march for the morrow. Considerable de- 
 bate upon the subject occurred; which was ulti- 
 mately influenced by the opinion of Dolbier; who 
 maintained that St. Neot's might be held against 
 an\ force which would attack the troops, and who 
 pledged his honor that he would either secure the 
 party against a surprise that night, or meet the 
 death of a soldier in the defence of the town. 
 His proposition having been adopted, the Duke of 
 Buckingham addressed the magistrates and prin- 
 cipal inhabitants of St. Neot's as follows: — 
 
 " Gentlemen. We come not hither to carry 
 any thing from you ; but have given strict orders 
 that neither officers nor soldiers carry what is now 
 yours away. Nor are our intentions to make a 
 new war ; but to rescue the Kingdom from the 
 arbitrary power of the Committees of the several 
 Counties that labor to continue a bloody war to de- 
 stroy you. Our resolution for peace is, by a well- 
 settled government under our royal King Charles; 
 and we do bless God that he hath made us instru- 
 
 b Clarendon, Vol. III. P. I. Book XI.
 
 193 
 
 ments to serve the King, the Parliament, and the 
 Kingdom in the way of peace. 1 " 
 
 The Earls of Holland 1 " and Peterborough, also, 
 addressed the inhabitants to the same effect. Con- 
 fident in the strength of their position, and greatly 
 fatigued by their march, the Noblemen and of- 
 ficers retired to rest. Colonel Dolbier, however, 
 kept watch during the whole night ; engaged, it 
 may be presumed, rather in anxious thoughts as 
 to the event of his pledge, than in those convivial 
 indulgences with which he had been charged by 
 his enemies 1 . 
 
 In the mean time, the small party of horse 
 which had pursued the Royalists from Kingston, 
 was joined (on Saturday 8th m ) at Hertford by 
 some troops under the command of Colonel Scroop 
 which were detached from the Leaguer of Col- 
 chester. The united force consisted of seven 
 troops n . At half past two on Sunday afternoon* 
 " one of the Committee of the Militia went him- 
 
 1 A Great Victory &c. at St. Need's. London, 1 648. 
 
 k " At which [viz. public addresses] the Earl of Holland had 
 better faculty than at the sword." A Great Victory &c. at 
 St. Need's. London 1 648. 
 
 1 " The Earl of Holland was so weary and shaken in his 
 
 joynts, that he had a better will to his bed than his horse 
 
 Dolbier watched (and drank sack stiffely) that night." A Great 
 Victory &c. at St. Need's. London 1648. 
 
 ■ Rushworth's Hist. Coll. 1187- (Dispatches from St. Neot's 
 read in the House of Commons 1 1 July 1648.). 
 
 n A Great Victory &c. at St. Need's. London 1 648. 
 
 O
 
 H)4 
 
 self with Colonel Scroop to Hitchin"; at which 
 it he procured " six good guides (two of them 
 ( Captains in the Militia)", who directed the Par- 
 liament troops by the nearest way to St. Xeot's". 
 
 All was quiet in the town during the whole of 
 Sunday night : but, about two o'clock on Mon- 
 day morning (10 July), the outposts gave an 
 alarm of the approach of the Parliament forces. 
 The Noblemen and officers were roused from 
 their sleep by the general shout, " To Horse! To 
 Horse"!" The Duke of Buckingham, who slept 
 al a gentleman's house two or three miles from 
 the town' 1 , was soon dressed and mounted: the 
 other officers speedily assembled; but the Earl 
 of Holland (if the enemy did not slander him) 
 " took more deliberation to dresse him"' 1 . 
 
 A Letter [sent from Hertford, 11 July 1G48, by Isaac Puller 
 and William Plomer] to the Honorable Committee at Derby- 
 House. London, Printed for Edward Husband, Printer to the 
 lion. House of Commons, 12 July 1648. 
 
 '■The Perfect Weekly Account. No. XVH. (A Letter, read 
 in the House of Commons, from S. '!'., dated St. Ede's July 10. 
 
 I (US.) 
 
 i A Great Victorj &c. at St. Need's. London, 1648. — It 
 i* further Mated that the Earl was not dressed when the aet ion 
 over. There is evidently an allusion to this eireumstanee 
 (whether fact or cahunnx ) in the following passage, which re- 
 fers to the Karl's subsequent imprisonment in Warwick Castle, 
 — " where his Lordship may spend the time as well as he can, and 
 have leisure to repent his juvenile folly, and dresse himself; and, 
 when he has bemoaned and cried Pcccavi, perhaps he maj be
 
 195 
 
 The Parliament's forlorn (composed of 100 dra- 
 goons ) came to the town's end, [or rather to 
 Eaton-Ford,] a little before sun-rise. The Royal- 
 ists disputed the bridge warmly ; but (on account 
 of the sudden attack) the few who had assembled 
 were soon overpowered, and driven before the 
 Parliament's forlorn into the town 5 . The Earl 
 of Holland's forces were then divided into three 
 companies, which were drawn up on the market- 
 hill s . The main body of the enemy shortly after 
 entered* with Colonel Scroop ; six" troops were 
 instantly brought into action, in a warm charge 
 against the Royalists. The engagement is said to 
 have been " hot" ; but to have lasted only for 
 a short time u , when the Royalists were totally 
 routed. Colonels Dolbier and Leg fought with 
 great bravery 11 . Dolbier redeemed the pledge 
 which he had solemnly given on the preceding 
 
 admitted to London, to make cringes and shew himself before 
 the ladies!" Mercurius Britannicus, No. X. (1648). — Sander- 
 son, also, asserts that the Earl was " not dressed or not up" 
 [Hist, of Charles I. p. 1069. edit. 1658]. 
 
 s The Moderate Intelligencer, No. CLXXIV (1648). 
 
 1 Whitelock's Memorials, p. 315. edit. 1682. 
 
 u The Moderate Intelligencer, No. CLXXIII. (1648).— A very 
 trifling number of men, however, were lost on either side. The 
 Earl of Holland, when brought to trial, " extenuated his offence 
 as rash, not much hurtful, &c. ;" — and, on the Scaffold, spoke of 
 the action in the same manner, " God be praised, although my 
 bloud comes to be shed here, there was I think scarcely a drop 
 ofbloud shed in that action that I was engaged in". 
 
 o 2
 
 196 
 
 evening: disdaining an ignominious flight, to 
 which sonic of his superior officers owed their 
 safety, he maintained a hopeless conflict, and fell 
 manfully whilst charging the enemy*. The pre- 
 cise circumstances of his death have been va- 
 riously stated \ Some accounts record, that he 
 
 1 A Greal Victory &c. at St. Need's. London 1648. 
 
 ' The Account adopted in the text appears to be the best 
 authenticated. Clarendon says that it was uncertain whether 
 Dolbier, and the Others who fel] in this action, wore " slain out 
 
 of former grudges, or that they offered to defend themselves": 
 Oldmixon justly expresses his surprise at this statement, since 
 
 " it was notoriously known that they fought and were routed" 
 [Hist Engl, during the reign of the Stuarts, p. 343.]. — White- 
 lock asserts that Dolbier was slain in the inn, where he at- 
 tempted to defend the Earl of Holland [Whitelock's Memo- 
 rials, p. 315. edit. lfiS'2.]. — Another Writer has given a highly 
 improbahle account of his death : " Dolbier, one of the Par- 
 liament settes, was killed by one of his Majestie's party; who, 
 discovering his treachery, shot him before he charged the 
 enemy, as being of the two the more dangerous, and first to be 
 dealt withall"[MercuriusMelancholicus, No. XL VIII. (U>48.)]. 
 The latter account probably originated in an opinion, which 
 was hastily adopted by some persons, that Colonel Dolbier and 
 tin' Earl of Holland were merely tools of the Parliament, who 
 excited the Royalists to a premature rising in order the more 
 easily to betray them. A Writer on the King's side observes, 
 that the Earl of Holland's " carriage at St. Need's was such 
 as his honor lies at stake for (if he forfeited it not before); 
 he is hereby, if he be innocent, challenged with a publique 
 clearing of this charge; otherwise, beside future vengeance, let 
 him expect Dolbier s fate, and by the same hand : adieu Hol- 
 land !" [The Decoy, or a Practice of the Parliament's, by the
 
 197 
 
 was mortally wounded" ; others, that he was found 
 slain y ; and it has been added, that the Parlia- 
 ment soldiers, " to express their detestation of his 
 treachery, hewed him in pieces 2 ." Colonel Leg 
 was mortally wounded, though he survived the 
 action 3 . Sir Kenelm Digby's eldest son, a Co- 
 lonel of quality and several other officers whose 
 names were not known 5 , together with 14 private 
 soldiers, were slain a . Many were drowned in the 
 Ouse in flying from their pursuers 3 . The Parlia- 
 ment's side acknowledged only 4 common men 
 killed ; besides Colonel Scroop's Lieutenant-Cap- 
 tain and 3 privates wounded 3 . 
 
 The Earl of Holland fled to his inn ; the great 
 gates of which having been closed, his body guard 
 
 perfidie of the Earle of Holland, to discover and destroy the 
 loyall Party. London, July 1648]. — Dolbier is acknowledged 
 by his enemies to have fought bravely. As for the Earl of Hol- 
 land, though he displayed no personal courage, his sincerity in 
 this attempt was manifested by his being brought to the block in 
 the following March : his former conduct gave some color, how- 
 ever, to this suspicion (see note c, p. 1 90). 
 
 x Mercurius Pragmaticus, No. XVI. (1648). 
 
 » Perfect Weekly Account, No. XVII. (1648). 
 
 z Ludlow's Memoirs, Vol. I. p. 256. edit. Vevay 1698. 
 
 a A Further Victory against the Duke of Buckingham by 
 Col. Scroope;...with a list of the Collonels and Officers names 
 kild and taken: also the Earl of Holland his speech to the 
 Souldiers when they took him in his chamber. London, Printed 
 for the general satisfaction of all moderate men, 1648. 
 
 b Rushworth's Hist. Coll. 1187.
 
 198 
 
 Mill attempted a defence. Some pistol shots were 
 fired upon the assailants; who soon forced the 
 gates of the court-yard*, and rushed forward to 
 the Earl's bed-chamber'. The door having been 
 broken open, the Ear] surrendered himselfVithout 
 lint her resistance, addressing the soldiers in Ian- „ 
 linage to the following effect : — 
 
 " Gentlemen soldiers! 1 am a gentleman, and 
 desire that I may be used as a gentleman. I pray 
 yon lei me have quarter for my life. I am your pri- 
 soner, and desire that I may be civilly used, and 
 that you will shew yourselves soldiers and gentle- 
 men towards me. I oiler yon no opposition, but 
 freely surrender myself your prisoner*." 
 
 Having been delivered to Colonel Scroop, the 
 Mail was conveyed in a carriage" from his inn to 
 another part of the town, where he was kept a 
 close prisoner till the pleasure of the Parliament 
 should be known' 1 . 
 
 About SO other gentlemen and officers were 
 taken prisoners in this engagement ; among whom 
 were, — Colonel Leg mortally wounded, Colonel 
 Coventry (with his coach ami six horses), Quar- 
 ter-Master Lieutenant George Wheeler", Captain 
 
 c The Earl " was in>\ out of his bed, but had not quite dressed 
 him" [A Great Victory &c. at St. Need's. London lo"48]. 
 Tin- appears, however, to be a calumny; for other accounts 
 
 Mate that he u;i> present at the engagement. Seep. 194, note q. 
 « Clarendon. Vol. III. P. I. Booh XI. 
 r A Further Victory &c. London, 1648.
 
 199 
 
 Lieutenant Till', Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Colonel 
 Skeimsher, Lieutenant-Colonel Godwin, Major 
 Holland, and Major Stepkin. 8 
 
 In a few days Colonel Scroop received orders, 
 from the Parliament, to send a strong body of 
 cavalry to St. Neot's, to convey in safety the 
 Earl of Holland and five other Field-officers pri- 
 soners to Warwick Castle ; " being committed 
 thither for High Treason, in levying actual war 
 against the Parliament and Kingdom 11 ". 
 
 The further fruits of this victory were, — 120 
 common men taken prisoners ; besides 200 horses', 
 several having been left in the town by the fugi- 
 tives. For greater security, the prisoners were 
 marched into St. Neot's Church ; where they re- 
 mained well guarded till the following day, on 
 which they were sent to Hitchin k . Even the less 
 important spoils reaped by this success were re- 
 corded with an ostentation which might have 
 been expected rather from a more splendid tri- 
 umph : among these were enumerated — the Earl 
 
 f The Moderate Intelligencer No. CLXXIII. (1648). 
 
 s Rushworth's Hist. Coll. 1187— A Further Victory, &c... 
 London 1648. 
 
 h Journals of the Commons, Vol. V. p. 633. 
 
 1 A Great Victory &c. at St. Need's. London, 1648. — The 
 Perfect Weekly Account, No. XVII., swells the number to 300 
 prisoners. 
 
 k A Letter to the Committee at Derby House. 11 July 1648.
 
 4 2()() 
 
 of Holland's " chirugeon 1 "; most of the Duke of 
 Buckingham's and the Karl of Holland's servants, 
 together with their two Bumpters laden with 
 "rich cloathes of the Lords'""; one-hundred-and- 
 
 titiv stand of arms"; the Karl of Holland's white 
 charger, with a splendid caparison, and "arich 
 saddle of 2QL" m ; 600L in gold taken from the Earl's 
 private chest" and his " blew ribbon and his 
 George" taken from his person"; 100 " great sad- 
 dles""; "powder some pounds""; besides "silver, 
 and gold, and store of other good plunder"". — 
 The soldiers declared that " they never met with 
 such golden bootie ; fine cloathes, gallant horses, 
 and pockets full of coin ". 
 
 The young Duke of Buckingham is said to have 
 been " much amazed at this action 1 ". As soon 
 as the dispersion of the Royalists became general, 
 lie galloped out of the town accompanied by GO 
 troopers, taking the road to Huntingdon, with the 
 intention of making the best of his way into Lin- 
 colnshire 1 '. Colonel Scroop was unable to com- 
 
 'The Moderate Intelligencer, No.CLXXIII. (1648). 
 
 m A Further Victory &c. London, 1648. 
 
 n A Great Victory, <S.e. at St. Need's. London, 1648. 
 
 Sanderson's Hist, of Charles I. p. 1069. edit. 1658. 
 
 p A Further Victory &c. London, 1648.— Rushworth's Hist. 
 Coll. 1 187-— The Moderate Intelligencer, No. CLXXIII. (1648). 
 — The number has been increased to " nigh 200" in the Pamphlet 
 entitled, A Great Victory 8tC. at Saint Need's London, 1648.
 
 201 
 
 mence an immediate chase j his men being much 
 fatigued* 1 by their night-march from Hitchin : a 
 fresh troop, however, which had not been in action 
 in the town, was speedily mounted, and put in 
 close pursuit r . The Duke soon abandoned his 
 design, and returned privately to London 8 , from 
 whence he afterwards escaped to France 1 . The 
 Earl of Peterborough fled privately" on his 
 charger ; but, afterwards, leaving his horse, en- 
 deavoured to secrete himself more effectually by 
 assuming the appearance of a plain country gen- 
 tleman ; in which disguise he was found and taken 
 prisoner by a small party of soldiers 3 . While his 
 guards were conveying their prisoner through a 
 town to which they came, a party rose in his 
 behalf, and after a warm contest, effected his 
 rescue 3 . He afterwards came, voluntarily, to 
 London v . 
 
 The news of this victory was received with 
 great satisfaction by the Parliament, as com- 
 pletely cutting off the hopes which the Royalists 
 
 i Whitelock's Memorials, p. 315. edit. 1682. 
 
 r The Perfect Weekly Account, No. XVII. (1648). 
 
 s The Perfect Weekly Account, No. XVIII. (1648); a tract 
 containing " some passages" relating to this event " omitted by 
 other pens". 
 
 1 Ludlow's Memoirs, Vol. I. p. 256. edit. Vevay 1698.— San- 
 derson's Hist, of Charles. I. p. 106 . 
 
 " A Further Victory &c. London 1648. 
 
 T Mercurius Pragmaticus, No. XVI. (1648).
 
 202 
 
 had ^<> confidently'" entertained from the rising of 
 the Ear] of Holland. A grant of 100/. was voted 
 to Quarter-Master Isaac: Anthsobus, for his excel- 
 lent conduct in this engagement 1 . A Narrative 
 of the late events " commemorating the many 
 blessings of Almighty God, in owning the Parlia- 
 ment's cause", was drawn up by command of the 
 Commons; and having been read in the House 
 was ordered to he printed and published 7 . Tues- 
 day 1|) July was " set apart for a day of public 
 Thanksgiving* unto Almighty God for his great 
 
 ■ The defeat was so sudden, thai the Royalists affected at first 
 to disbelieve it. " Another great victory at Saint Edes. ... the\ 
 >a\ thej have taken My Lord of Holland, and killed Dalbeer : 
 believe them if you sec it : the Saints tan afford you three dozen 
 of Lies better than one Oath !" — The Parliament-Kite, or The 
 Tell-Tale Bird, No. MIL Printed in the year of the Saints' 
 Peer. 1648. 
 
 x " A Letter from Colonel Scroop, from St. Neote's, of 
 10° Julii 1648, giving account of the great victory it pleased 
 God to give the forces under his command, against the Earl of 
 Holland anil others, at St. Neote's; with a list of the Prisoners 
 taken, and of the persons of quality slain ; were this day [12 
 Julj ] read Ordered : That the sum of loo/, he forth- 
 with paid to Quarter Master Isaae Anthrobus, out of the first 
 money that shall be raised out of the estate of the Earl of Hol- 
 land, as a gratuity for his good service at St. Neot's." Jour- 
 nals of the Commons, Vol. V. p. G33. 
 
 J Journals of the Commons, Vol. V. p. o'39. 
 
 ' Upon which a Writer, on the side of the King, ironically 
 remarks, — " The great Victory indeed was, the routing of tin
 
 203 
 
 blessings and mercies bestowed upon the Parlia- 
 ment's forces a ": at which time, Mr. Bond Master 
 of the Savoy, and Mr. Obadiah Sedgwick, were 
 ordered to preach before the House, and their 
 Sermons to be printed b . 
 
 Royal Party at Kingston and then again at St. Neot's : suc- 
 cesse enough (sure) to keep the Thanksgiving Pipes of the State 
 in tune for a Twelve-moneth at least!" Mercurius Pragmaticus. 
 No. XVI. (1648). 
 
 a Journals of the Commons, Vol. V. p. 633. 
 b It is doubtful whether the latter was ever published. — The 
 Sermon by Mr. Bond, on Psalm L. 23., is entitled " Eschol, or 
 Grapes among Thorns" [Small 4to. pp.41.]. In the Dedica- 
 tion he thus plays upon the title : — " Honourable Senate, I doe 
 at last present you with that Cluster of Grapes which have beene 
 longer in the Presse than your order doth seeme to permit : they 
 are called the Grapes of Eschol [Num. XIII. and XIV.], because 
 that Cluster was both a taste _ and pledge of Canaan to the 
 few believing spies ; but to the rest, and to all other murmurers, 
 they proved Grapes of Gall and bitter Clusters [Deut. XXXII. 
 
 32.] I know there are not onely a sort of fierce enemies 
 
 which like the Turkish Ianizaries will be ready to stave and 
 breake the cask, because they are not to share in this wine ; and 
 to these I say, as he in the Epigram, Rode Caper vites ; but there 
 are also many voluntary Rechabites amongst our friends, which 
 will not touch with these Clusters, because they like not (per- 
 haps) the Vine on which they grow. Alas ! is there no way 
 yet to make us all of a diet at our necessary food ? Surely 
 hunger and thirst will bring us to it." Introd. pp. 1 — 3. The 
 allusion to the affair at St. Neot's is short :— " Kent hath had 
 a principal share of these troubles. And her sister Essex is 
 now in the furnace. Besides Surrey, Middlesex, Hertford, Hun- 
 tington, Suffolke, and Norfolke ; if they have not been scorched
 
 204 
 
 Tin." Earl of Holland was kept a prisoner at 
 Warwick Castle till the beginning of the follow- 
 ing year. On 16 Feb. 1649 he was removed to 
 London, and on #7 Feb. brought to trial. He 
 pleaded that " his crime was not capital but cri- 
 minal ", and that " free quarter had been given 
 him when he was taken at St. Neot's". The Earl 
 persisted in the latter plea to the last, ami seems 
 to have considered that he delivered himself pri- 
 soner at St. Neot's only on condition that his life 
 should not be forfeited. He urged this plea before 
 the High Court on c 2~ Feb.; again on S March; 
 and, on the scaffold,' " looking over among the 
 people, pointing to a soldier, said, ' This honest 
 man took me prisoner, you little thought J should 
 have been brought to this, when I delivered my- 
 self to you on conditions.'" On 7 March, his 
 brother the Earl of Warwick, the Countess of 
 Holland, and several Ladies of rank, petitioned 
 
 by tin.- flame, yet have they had some of the smoake in their 
 
 eyes The Lord make the inhabitants of these yel unplun- 
 
 dered Counties to bewise for themselves, that thej ma\ not cry 
 
 lor a rod or <_ r row sick of their own peace There was yet 
 
 one terrible weapon more, at which our enemies would needs 
 fight it out with our God, and that was open pitched hattles, 
 
 and fixed garrisons besides that scene of the Barons' warres, 
 
 neere Kingstone, and its catastrophe at St. Neot's." pp. 27, 
 28,31. 
 
 The Several Speeches of Duke Hamilton Earl of Cam- 
 bridg, Henry Earl of Holland, &c. upon the Scaffold. Pub- 
 lished 1>\ special Authority; London 1649.
 
 205 
 
 the High Court for the Earl's life 1 ' ; but only ob- 
 tained a reprieve for two days d , an interval which 
 was devoted to the most earnest preparation for 
 death 6 . The House of Commons divided on the 
 
 d Whitelock's Memorials, p. 387. edit. 1732. 
 
 e The closing scene of this unfortunate Nobleman's life is very 
 affecting ; and, although not sufficiently connected with the im- 
 mediate subject of these pages to be detailed in the text, will 
 scarcely be deemed intrusive in the margin. — When the High 
 Court opened its commission, he was dangerously ill in his 
 confinement at Warwick Castle ; where his Lady watched his 
 sick couch with a tender interest, and petitioned the Court for 
 a little delay, since, from the certificate of his physician, he 
 was unfit to travel. The indulgence granted him was very 
 limited ; within less than a month, he was removed to town, 
 tried, condemned, and executed. His Lady followed him to 
 London, and in vain implored mercy for her unhappy partner. 
 Whatever were the frailties of his former life, yet after his con- 
 demnation, he spent the two remaining days of his existence in 
 a solemn preparation for the awful hour which awaited him 
 He refused admission to every friend, except a pious minister, 
 Mr. Hodges, who " only lay in his chamber to discourse with 
 him and to comfort him". Mr. H. gave the following relation 
 
 of the interesting occurrences of this short interval. " Be- 
 
 1 . 
 
 tween the time of his sentence and execution" the Earl " would 
 
 not see his Lady, nor any of his children, ' which,' he said, 
 ' would add too much to his sorrow, and discompose his 
 thoughts, which were now only to be set on another world'. 
 The Earl for several days after his sentence was in great per- 
 plexity and agony of his thoughts, and said ' he had not as- 
 surance of pardon of his sins, and of the love of God to him, that 
 he was not prepared to die, that Christ would be of no advantage 
 to him'. Mr. H. endeavoured to allay these doubtings, and to 
 comfort the Earl with declaring to him ' the infiniteness of
 
 question of a pardon, and (lie Speaker gave Ins 
 casting vote against this unhappy Nobleman*. He 
 
 God's mercies, and bis willingness to pardon all poor sinners 
 thai come to him through Christ ; thai never any who sought 
 the love of God in Chrisl with a true faith, did ever fail to ob- 
 tain the assurance of it to his distressed soul'. The Karl de- 
 Bired Mr. II. to pray with him, to seek God for his mercy; and 
 the Karl himself frequently prayed to the same effect with won- 
 derful fervency of expression. Still he continued in a despond- 
 ing condition, till the day before his Buffering, when, immedi- 
 ately after prayer, the Earl with rejoicing told Mr. H. « that 
 God had heard their prayer; that his spirit was come in to com- 
 fort him ; that he had prevailed through the strength of Christ 
 over Satan and all his spiritual enemies, and all temptations, 
 that the Lord had given him an assurance of his love in Christ; 
 and that now he was both willing and ready to die.' They went 
 to prayer together to bless God for this great mercy, and 
 to beg the continuance of this frame of spirit to the last. The 
 Earl (who had not slept for several nights before, nor eat his 
 meat) now suped and went to bed with no more disturbance 
 in his spirits, than in his best health, and slept so soundly all 
 the night and this morning that they were much troubled to 
 awaken him. lie went to the scaffold without being any whit 
 daunted; and after some discourse with the gentlemen, he 
 shewed himself to the people, who were generally moved with 
 sorrow for the sufferings of so gallant a person, whose mien and 
 comeliness would move compassion". He spoke at the front 
 of the scaffold towards Westminster Hall. He then "turned 
 to the other side of the scaffold, and kneeled down to prayer. He 
 pulled off his gown and doublet, having on him a white satin 
 waistcoat, and put on a white satin cap, and prepared himself 
 for the block, took his leave and embraced with much affec- 
 tion, Mr. H., Mr. Bolton (another minister), his servants, and 
 others; forgave the executioner, and gave him his money lOl.
 
 207 
 
 was executed, on 9 March, before Westminster 
 Hall d . 
 
 in gold. Then he laid himself on the block, prayed a while, 
 and gave the sign by stretching forth his arms ; on which the 
 executioner severed his head from his body at one blow, which 
 with his body was presently put into a coffin and carried away." 
 [Whitelock's Memorials, p. 387. edit. 1732].— The Earl's Speech 
 on the scaffold, also, seems to shew that he died under the deep 
 influence of Christian principles. [Speeches of Duke Hamilton 
 Earl of Cambridg, Henry Earl of Holland, &c. . . . upon the Scaf- 
 fold, 9 March. Published by special Authority. Lond. 1649]. 
 — Clarendon does not drop a hint of any of these interesting 
 circumstances. He could not sufficiently forgive the former 
 political imbecilities of this Nobleman (see this Vol. p. 190, note 
 c), though ultimately a martyr to the royal cause, even to 
 touch with a delicate hand the circumstances of his last mo- 
 ments ; but coldly observes that " he was then so weak that he 
 could not have lived long, and when his head was cut off very 
 little blood followed". Clarendon's History of the Rebellion, 
 Vol. III. P. I. Book XL
 
 208 
 
 § VI. 
 REMARKABLE PERSONS. 
 
 I. Hugh de St. Neot, a learned Carmelite who 
 flourished in the reign of Edward III., was a na- 
 tive of this town*. He went to study at Ox- 
 ford 1 '; where he acquired such celebrity by his 
 public disputations and preaching, that the degree 
 of D. D. was at once conferred upon him by the 
 University without the usual forms and fees c . 
 Alter having quitted Oxford, he took the habit 
 of a Carmelite Friar; retiring to the Monastery 
 of that Order at Hitchin in Hertfordshire. " To 
 him" — (as Fuller remarks, in his usually quaint 
 manner, criticising the proverbially inaccurate 
 Bishop of Ossory) — "to him Bale (though that be 
 the best Bale which hath the least Bale and most 
 of Leland therein) giveth this testimony; that, 
 living in the Egyptian darkness, he sought after 
 the light of truth ; adding, that he was, * Piscis in 
 palude nihil trahens de sapore palustri,' a Fish in 
 the fens drawing nothing of the mud thereof, 
 
 ■ Leland, De Scrip. Cap. CCCLXXXVH :— Bale, I)c Script, 
 p. 103. edit Basle. ir>57 : — Pitsius, De Reb. Angl. in an. 134-0: 
 — Tritbemius, Paradisus Carmel. Dec. p. 28S: — Tanner, Bi- 
 bliotheca, p. 419: — Fuller's Worthies, Huntingdonshire, p. 50. 
 
 h So states Leland; in opposition to Bale and Pits, who assert 
 that he studied at Cambridge. Fuller (probably copying Bale) 
 Bays thai he was of Cambridge. 
 
 Bale, De Script, p. 402.; but Fuller doubts whether the 
 degree was conferred " without paying of tees or keeping of 
 Arts,
 
 209 
 
 which is a rarity indeed d ." He died at Hitchin 
 8 Sept. 1341, and was buried there*. — He wrote 
 some theological works, which have probably pe- 
 rished : — 
 
 l. f " Elucubrationes in Lucam Evangelistam, 
 Lib. I." — Commencement of the Prologue 5 ; " J^ota 
 quo* cntatuor ISbangritstc ttiti omncs, etc." Commencement 
 of the Book h ; "Meatus Hucas tstutf lEbangelfum, etc." 
 
 2. h "De Conceptione Marias, Lib. I. Com- 
 mencement; "En WHk§q toa fucrit in origin*, etc." 
 
 3. h "Sermones per Annum, Lib. I." 
 
 4. h " Quaestiones disputata?, Lib. I." 
 
 II. Sir John Gedney, Lord Mayor of London 
 in 1427 and again in 1447, was son of Mr. William 
 Gedney of this town : " he bore, Argent, on afess 
 
 d Fuller's Worthies, Huntingdonshire, p. 50. ; quoting Bale, De 
 
 Script, p. 402. 
 
 e So Leland, De Scrip. Cap. CCCLXXXVIL— But 1340 is the 
 year stated in Bale, De Scrip, p. 402 : — and Pitsius, De Reb. 
 
 Angl. 
 
 f Bale, De Scrip, p. 402 : — Leland, De Scrip. Cap. 
 CCCLXXXVIL— Tanner, Bibl. p. 419. 
 
 * Tanner Bibl. p. 419., quoting Bale MS. Sloane. 
 
 h Bale, De Script, p. 402. 
 
 P
 
 210 
 
 Azure between 3 Leopard's Heads Gules as many 
 Eaglets displayed Or 
 
 ,i »» 
 
 III. Sib Robert Drope, Lord Mayor of Lon- 
 don iii 1 17 1-, was son of Mr. John Drope of St. 
 Neot's: " he bore, Argent GuttSe de PoLv, on a 
 chief Gules a Lion jxissa/it guardant Or. 
 
 1 >> 
 
 IV. Peter White, a pious and learned Divine 
 in the reign of Elizabeth, was Vicar of St. Neot's. 
 — lie is the individual obscurely noticed 1 by 
 Anthonv a Wood and by Bishop Tanner j who 
 appear to have been unacquainted with his per- 
 sonal history, as well as uninformed of his Uni- 
 versity: it is still uncertain whether he was an 
 Oxford or a Cambridge man. He first occurs in 
 1566 ! as Curate of Eaton-Socon in Bedfordshire, a 
 village one mile from St. Neot's. In 1573 he was 
 presented, by the Queen, to the Vicarage of St. 
 Neot's; and in 1577 to that of Eaton. He re- 
 signed both these Benefices in 1588 : it appears, 
 however, (from his signatures in the Registers') 
 that he exercised his ministry at Eaton without 
 interruption till 1600; his hand-writing occurs 
 there for the last time in 1606 1 . He was re-pre- 
 sented to the Living of St. Neot's in 1588, and 
 
 1 MSS. Lansd. 931. p. 81 (Cotton and Astry Notes on Hunts.) 
 k Wood's Athena; Oxonienses, Vol. I. p. 57G. edit. Bliss 
 1813.— Tanner's Bibliotheca, p. 762. 
 1 Eaton-Socon Parochial Registers.
 
 211 
 
 held it till his death, 19 Dec. 1615 1 ; "having 
 been a preacher for fifty years and more" 1 ." 
 
 Whether Peter White was ever an inhabitant, 
 as well as an Incumbent, of St. Neot's, may be 
 considered as doubtful, Eaton was, certainly, 
 his abode, at least as early as 1575, till 1594, and 
 probably till his decease 1615 1 . He had "five 
 sons Divines."" His family appears to have con- 
 sisted of — 1. Robert, B. D., Curate of Eaton- 
 Socon from 1600 to 1606 1 , appointed Vicar of the 
 same Church in 1616 ' ; and Archdeacon of Norfolk 
 23 Sep. 1631 ; it is probable that he was the oldest 
 son" 1 ; — 2. Edward" 1 , the period of whose birth is 
 unknown; — 3. Francis, born [at St. Neot's?] 
 1564 (see below p. 216.) ; — 4. John, born [at St. 
 Neot's?] 1570, (see below p. 223.) ;— -5. Wri- 
 tington, born 30 Oct. 1575 at Eaton, of which 
 village he was Curate from 1606 to 1609 1 , as also 
 of Eynesbury from 1605 to 1615°; he was Arch- 
 deacon of Norfolk, 19 Oct. 1629 to 1631;— 
 6. Thomas, born 12 June 1581 l . — He had also 
 four daughters, 7« Priscilla, 8. Dorothea, 9. 
 Barbara, and 10. Constantly. 1 
 
 Wood k calls Peter White " a severe Calvinist," 
 and Cole p conjectures that he was "a Puritan. ,, 
 That he warmly embraced and defended the great 
 
 ra See note p, page 225. 
 n Fullers Worthies, Huntingdonshire, p. 50. 
 ° Eynesbury Vestry Records. 
 
 p MSS. Cole (Alphabetical Athenae, Letter W., p. 134). 
 
 p 2
 
 212 
 
 principles of the Reformation appears by the two 
 following Tracts : — 
 
 l.' 1 "ACJodlye and fruitefull Sermon [on Revel. 
 I. 12, IS.] against Idolatrie : Wherein thefoolishe 
 
 '• Tin's is a very scarce Tract. A Copy is preserved in the 
 Archiepiscopal Library at Lambeth (in a Volume containing 
 other Pieces) under the- Class-Mark, 8vo. 37. 8. 13. — Tliis 
 curious Discourse was preached in consequence of a con- 
 tention between the Protestants and the Papists at Eaton- 
 Socon, on the removal of a Rood-loft from the village Church. 
 A few extracts are subjoined, as containing some topographical 
 allusions. — "To the Reader. Svche hath been the rash and 
 mdiscreel deling of the defendours of the Popishe errours and 
 abuses, reprooued in this little treatise, that after the preaching 
 of this Sermo, diuers slanderous reports were giuen forth of me: 
 whereby 1 am enforced in the defence of my Ministery, to 
 bring to the view of many, that thing which at the firste I de- 
 liuered to a fewe, Remember (I pray you) that extra- 
 ordinary occasion did leade (yea rather drawe) me thervnto. 
 For where I had begun to read and interprete the reuelation of 
 S. John, and had in my last Lecture handled some part of this 
 Text here recited, by reason of a contention begun amongst 
 n, about a remnaunt of a Roodelofte, then standing in the 
 Churche where this Sermon was preached, (which Roodelofte 
 indeed wanteth nothing of his former state, but only the images 
 and vppermost front. The loft being nine foote in bredth yet 
 standeth, with the beame where the Roode or Idoll did 
 stande, hauing the Tabernacles that sometimes stoode vpon the 
 Alters placed from the beame aforesayde, downewarde vnto the 
 loft for a Diuision, and all the neither front downeward, re- 
 maining as it did In the time of popery.) A monument with 
 small charge and lesse laboure, quicklye repayred for the 
 idolatrie that it was firste appointed vnto. Vpon this occasion
 
 213 
 
 distinctions and false interpretations of the seconde 
 commandement, and other scriptures pretended 
 by the Papists, are plainly and fully confuted : 
 Preached the. XV. daye of Ianuarie. 1581. in the 
 Parrishe Church of Eaton Sooken, within the 
 
 (I say) after a shorte recitall of thinges touched in my lecture 
 last before, I tooke matter of the Candlesticks mencioned in the 
 
 Text to handle the Question then in contention among vs 
 
 Wherein I have neither (as I thinke) shewed malice, rashnesse, 
 or yet plaid the part of a mad man, (as it hath pleased some to 
 report of me) but simply and truelye, to the conuincing of 
 popish errors and idolatrie, and to the quieting and strengthning 
 of the weake consciences of the simple of mine owne charge, 
 layed foorth the truth. . . . But such is the difficultie of the 
 reedifying & building vp. ... of the spirituall house or Temple 
 of the Lorde, but cheefely now in these euill, last, and daun- 
 gerous dayes. ... by outward enemies, as the professed Papistes, 
 Harding, Saunders, Dorman, Heslins, Allen. #c. with the 
 rable of Jcbusites (no Ihesuits) subuerters, no sauers, doe 
 together with domesticall enemies. . . . busily let and hinder 
 this heauenlye building." — In the body of the Sermon, the 
 Preacher observes ; " In this place, the questions of these & 
 such like, hath broke in amog vs. For the deciding whereof 
 the right reuerend & learned father my L. of L. [Bishop Cooper] 
 was determined this day to haue occupied this place, who being 
 letted w l weightie matters otherwise, cannot now answere your 
 expectations, .... The question among vs now in contention 
 is of imagery, and whether this part of the Roodelofte yet 
 standing be a monument of Idolatry or not. . . . They say this 
 
 Roodelofte is no monument of Idolatrie Nowe enter into 
 
 the consideration of your owne myndes, and remember with 
 voure selues, whether when you beholde this lofte, you at some 
 time or other, thinke with youre selues, sometime yonder stoode 
 a Crucifixe. .plats and ^ohn, or when your Chyldren doe aske
 
 214 
 
 Countie of Bedfbrde, by 1\ \V. Minister and 
 Preacher in thai place, tertullian: Jdolumtam 
 
 fieri, (jnani coli, Dens prohibit, lanctantii s : 
 Non c st dubium (jnin religio nulla sit, vbicunq3 si- 
 mulachrum est. At London Imprinted by Frauncis 
 
 you what this Lotto is, or why it Btandeth there, and is more 
 gave, then the residue of the Churche: Doe you Dot answere, 
 It was the Roodelofte, there stoode the Roode, iKlavn and $ofcn, 
 and when tlu\ Bay e further, where is now the Roodes, and why 
 
 i> it now taken awaye, do you not aunswere, They were Idoles, 
 and therefore arc taken awaye. Thus. . . . the cogitation of 
 your own mindes, the questioning of your young ours, the 
 common name wherehy it is called, teacheth thai it i- a Monu- 
 ment of Idolatrie. Further the lawes of this Reahne, the 
 iudgemente of our most gracious prince. . . . teacheth vs that this 
 Roodelofte is a monuinente of Idolatrie, for curry where in the 
 fyrste veareofher Gracious reigne, they gaue commaundement 
 to ouerthrowe them in euery place, as may appeare vnto you 
 by Saint Neot's your next neighbour, where Doctor Bentha, & 
 Doctor Neueson, and Sergent Fleetwood caused the Koodlofte 
 there to be cut downe, by the seates of the quyer, leuing no me- 
 moryal thereof, y % their dpyng myght be an example vnto to the 
 residue of the countrey to do the like.... Let me say' vnto 
 you as Moysea at the red Sea sayde to the Israelite. ... ye see 
 the Egiptian8 now, but after this day shall yee see them no 
 more, be not offended, quiet 3 our m\ ndes, \ e nowe see this mo- 
 numct that hath BO troubled vs, but after this, the fourme and 
 feshio shall ye Bee it no more, the Lorde will so deale with vs, 
 assure your seines... .But some will saye this is verye bote, 
 and vncharytable, so openlye, and so sharpelye to reprooue, 
 it woulde [s//o«/r/] haue bene more mylde, and priuate: God 
 is my witnesse I wish no mannes fynger to ake, but onelye in 
 the feare of God reprooue not the persons, but reprooue and 
 conuince the Errors &c."
 
 215 
 
 Coldocke. 1581. " — 8vo. [_size ofl2,mo.~\ containing 
 22 leaves, 23lacfc=lttta:. 
 
 2. r " An Answeare vnto certaine crabbed 
 Questions pretending a reall presence of Christ in 
 the Sacramente: Latelie propounded by some 
 secret Papist, to the great troubling of the con- 
 sciences of the simple, Together with a Discouerie 
 of the Iesuiticall opinion of Justification, guilefully 
 vtteredby Sherwyne 3 at the time of his execution. 
 
 r A Copy of this rare Volume was in Mr. Herbert's Collection, 
 [Ames' Typographical Antiquities by Herbert, p. 1172, edit. 
 1786]. Another copy is in the Public Library Cambridge, in 
 a Volume of scarce Tracts, under the Class-Mark, Ff. 16. 72. 
 — The " Discouerie," is a valuable Tract : it contains a 
 scriptural and luminous discourse on the doctrine of Justification. 
 
 s " Raph Shervvin," a seminary Priest, " one of the foure 
 executed at Tiburne for treason on Friday the first of December 
 [1581]. . . . purchased by his deepe & desperate Hipocrisie a 
 commendation aboue the rest, as though there had bin wrought 
 in him before his death, some tast of Christ and true religion. 
 But all was subtiltie & hipocriticall hipocrisie, to leade the 
 people from the detestation of his popery to a liking or a more 
 tollerable iudgement thereof. . . . Therefore one Master Edward 
 Fleetwood, a godly learned Preacher, and J, thought good by 
 conference with Some of his fellowes yet remaining in the 
 Tower, to learne out by them his meaning in the good forme of 
 wordes by him at his death vttred. . .and hauing coferece with 
 James Bosgraue, John Hart, & Henrie Orton, we found. . . . 
 
 Sherwin meant not to retract any thing from the grossenes 
 
 of Poperie, but guilefully and subtilly to vpholde the whole." 
 White's Discouerie &c ; Pref. — See, also, Strypes Annals, Vol. 
 III. p. 84.
 
 21<> 
 
 Gathered & Be! foorth by Pete* Whytk, very 
 necessan & profitable for tins daungerous time. 
 Seene & allowed according to theQueenes Maies- 
 tiea [niunctions." — ./ Fleur-de-lis, with the motto, 
 
 " « 7BIQVE FL'ORESCIT." " London Imprinted by 
 
 lolm Wolfe and Henry Kirkham, & are to be sold 
 al bis shop at the little north doore of S. Paule". 
 Dedication \> leaves; Trad 1 4 leaves, Svo. [siqe of 
 
 77/c " Disc-oiu'i ic," to a separate title page, 
 with ///c same colophon. At the end, " London Jm- 
 printed by John Wolfe L58S," Preface 6 leaves; 
 Tract 11 feat*?*. s-,n. JL3lack letter. 
 
 V. Francis White, D. D. Bishop of Ely, and 
 son of the above 1 Peter White, is said to have 
 hem a native of St. \eot\s". There is strong 
 reason, however, for doubting the accuracy of this 
 statement. It is more probable that he was horn 
 
 1 Francis White is made the s f Hi gh White Esq., in 
 
 the very imperfect and inaccurate pedigree of White in 
 Thoresby's Leeds, p. 257. edit. 1715. — Hugh White was 
 probably the uncle instead of the father. 
 
 " On the authority of his nephew, Fuller states, " Francis 
 Wmi i was born at St* Neot's, and not in Lancashire as I and 
 others had been misinformed:" he adds, however, a note of 
 doubt, in the margin; " sed qiusre." [Fuller's Worthies, Hunt- 
 ingdonshire, p. 50.]— Browne Willis states positively that he 
 was born at St. Neofs. [Willis' Cathedrals, Vol. III. p. 363].
 
 217 
 
 at Eaton-Socon v . His Father, (as has been ob- 
 served above p. 211.) was certainly resident at 
 Eaton as early as 157-5; but whether his abode 
 was in that village, or in St. Neot's, at the period 
 of the birth of his son Francis, cannot be ascer- 
 tained^ 
 
 Francis White was born in 1564 v . If it be 
 doubtful whether he was a native of St. Neot's, it 
 is certain that he received his earliest education at 
 a School in that v town (whilst his father held the 
 Vicarage) ; from which he was sent to Caius 
 College Cambridge, in 1579, at the age of 15 v . 
 Whilst at the University, he applied to his theolo- 
 gical studies with great diligence. After having 
 proceeded to his degree, and received holy 
 Orders, he met with a kind patron in Lord Grey 
 of Groby ; by whom he was presented to the 
 living of Broughton Astley, in Leicestershire y . 
 
 v Such is the testimony of the Admission-Book of Caius Col- 
 lege, Cambridge : — " Whyte Eps Ellens '. Franciscus White, 
 Alius Petri White Concionatoris, natus in Eton juxta St. Neotts in 
 Com Bedford', educatus in ludo literario St. Neotts, annorum 
 15, in nostrum Collegium admissus est Pensionarius minor 
 literarum Graecarum 20 die Martii 1578° [1579]. Pro eo fide 
 jubet Mr. Stephanus Perse A. M. et hujus Collegii Socius. Solvit 
 pro ingressu 3s. 4d." 
 
 w The parochial Registers of Eaton-Socon commence in 
 1566, only two years later than the birth of Francis White ; — 
 and those of St. Neot's, more than a Century after, in 169'2. 
 The question cannot, therefore, be resolved by reference to 
 these documents. 
 
 y Fuller's Worthies, Huntingdonshire, p. 50.
 
 218 
 
 From thai retired country village, "(why should a 
 candle be put under a bushel?), he was brought to 
 be Lecturer of St. Paul's in London, and Parson 
 of St. Peter's in CornhillV [n the year 1622* at 
 the age of 58, he was promoted to the Deanery of 
 Carlisle ; in 1625 he was appointed Senior Dean 
 of Sion College*. In 1626 (soon after the pub- 
 lication of his learned Controversj with the Jesuit 
 Fisher) he was advanced to the Bishopric of 
 Carlisle 1 '; he was translated to Norwich in 
 
 ' Dr. White wras appointed, by James I., to watch the Papists 
 in their attempts to ensnare the Countess of Denbigh; the 
 Deanerj of Carlisle is said to have been bis reward. 
 
 1 Bentham's Ely, p. 800. 
 
 |p This promotion seas thought, by many, to have been a rcw ard 
 for his assistance in the proceedings of the High-Commission 
 Court, and for his support of High-Prerogative principles. The 
 aspersions of some stated that he had offered a bribe tor his place. 
 " The other Bishopricks are destined to men of corrupt minds: 
 Dr. White is Bp. of Carlisle" [Letter from Mr. Cook to Abp. 
 Usher, 30 Nov. L626,]. "Dr. White, now Bp. of Carlisle, 
 hath sold all his hooks to Hills the Broker: his pretence is the 
 charge of carriage so far by land, and the danger by water : 
 some think he paid for his place: I did hear of his censure of 
 your Lordship, which I would not have believed, but that I 
 heard it credibly reported about the time of your Lordship's de- 
 parture hence." [Letter from Dr. Ward to Abp. Usher 13 
 Feb. 1627]. There is an allusion to this circumstance in "Sir 
 Walter Earle his paraphrase fitly spoken" (11 Feb. 1628) "con- 
 ning Bp. White in a former Parliament: 
 
 Qui color Ai.r.i s erat nunc est contrarius Albo, 
 in English thus, The colour that was White is now turned 
 Blacke, for Bp. Winn: hath sold his Orthodox Bookes and 
 bo Ighl Jesuits', that Bp. White may go arm inarm with Mon-
 
 219 
 
 1*628 c . In 1631 he was removed to Ely d . On 17 
 March 1632 he went to Cambridge for the pur- 
 pose of consecrating e the Chapel of Peter House : 
 upon that occasion, the members of Gonville and 
 Caius College invited the Bishop to an entertain- 
 ment ; " where with a short speech, he encouraged 
 the young students to ply their books, by his 
 example, who, from a poor Scholar in that house, 
 by God's blessing on his industry, was brought 
 to that preferment^" 
 
 Dr. White engaged deeply in controversy with 
 the Papists. " He had several solemn disputations 
 with the Jesuites (Father Fisher and others) ; and 
 came off with such good successe, that he re- 
 duced many seduced Romanists to our Church. 
 He often chose,' , continues Fuller*, " Daniel 
 Featly D. D. his assistant in such disputes ; so 
 
 tague" Bp. of Norwich. [Printed at the end of Sir F. Seymor's 
 Speech in Parliament against the Toleration of Jesuits, 1641]. 
 
 c " In the heads of Articles to be insisted on in an intended 
 declaration of the Commons, and agreed to in a sub-committee 
 for religion 25 Feb. 1628, complaint was made of the growth of 
 Arminianism, and that those persons who maintained that sort 
 of doctrine were preferred : one instance, among others, was in 
 the case of the late Bp. of Carlisle, who, since his Arminian 
 Sermon on Christmas-day foregoing preached at Court, was 
 advanced to the See of Norwich." Burn's Hist. Cumberland, 
 Vol. II. p. 286. 
 
 d Godwin, De Praesulibus. 
 
 e For an account of this Consecration, see MSS. Brit. Mus. 
 Cole Vol. XXIV. pp. 17—27- 
 
 1 Fuller's Worthies, Huntingdonshire, p. 50.
 
 220 
 
 thai I may call this prelate and his Doctor, Jona- 
 than and his Armour- Hearer, jointly victorious 
 over the Romish Philistines." An outline of one 
 of these public disputations, held in 1623 by Dr. 
 White and \)w IVatU, against the Jesuits Father 
 Fisher, and Father Sweet, has been preserved by 
 Arthur Wilson in his History* of James I; to 
 which the more curious reader is referred. 
 
 In the latter part of his life, he gave great 
 offence to the Presbyterians by the Intolerance of 
 his sentiments, and by his conduct in the High- 
 Commission Court. The Dedication and the 
 latter part of his "Treatise on the Sabbath" (pub- 
 lished in 1635) were thought particularly illiberal \ 
 
 c Published in Rennet's Hist. Engl. Vol. II. p. 770. 
 '' « John White Bp. of Winehester had this disticke be- 
 stowed upon him by John Parkhurst; 
 
 'Candidus es recte, nee Candidus es. Rogitas cur? 
 ■ (famine Candidi s es; moribus at Niger es !' 
 - And ma\ we not now say the like of some of our Candid Pre- 
 lates ?, . . 
 
 Qui color Ai.m s* erat nunc est contrarius Albo, 
 
 that the\ have in a short time altered their colour for the 
 worse, and 1 like the Albanes of whom Pliny writes) growne 
 Blacke in their old age, when as they were White in their 
 youth, contrary to the o6etome of all other people." Prynne's 
 Queneh-C'oale pp. 'js;. \>s.s. edit, lo'.j; : in the Introd. p. 32. he 
 alludes to his " 'treatise on the Sabbath,'' as containing, " in 
 
 • " Sec ' Orthodox Faith' &c, to compare his and his brother's doctrines and 
 positions there defended with those since mentioned in the last Treatise'' on the 
 Sabbath, " and in the UL'h-Commission Court"
 
 221 
 
 In Feb. 1637-8, at the age of 74, Bishop White died 
 at his palace in Holborn : he was buried in St. Paul's 
 Cathedral with much pomp, but without any se- 
 pulchral memorial K The following works attest 
 his theological learning : 
 
 1. " The Orthodox Faith and Way to the 
 Chvrch explained and iustified : in answer to a 
 popish Treatise, entituled, White died Blacke ; 
 wherein T. W. P. in his triple accusation of 
 D. White for impostures, vntruths, and absurd 
 illutions, is proued a trifler ; and the present con- 
 trouersies, between vs and the Romanists are more 
 fully deliuered and cleared. By Francis White, 
 Doctor in Diuinitie and Deane of Carlile, elder 
 brother of Doctor John White. ,, — 1st edit. 4<to. pp. 
 405. Lond. I617.— -2rf edit. Folio pp. 190. Loud. 
 1624. 
 
 2. " A Replie to Iesuit Fishers answere to 
 certain questions propouded by his most gratious 
 Ma" e . King lames. By Francis White D. of Div. 
 Deane of Carlile Chaplaine to his Ma tie ." Folio 
 pp. 592, London 1624. (With a Portrait, see 
 below, p. 223.) 
 
 hope of preferment, many Arminian and Popish doctrines." — 
 See also Huntley's Breviate of the Prelates' Usurpations, p. 144, 
 and Introd. p. 159, edit. 1 637-— Fuller's Church Hist. Book X. 
 p. 144. — MSS. Brit. Mus. Cole (Alphab. Athenae, Letter W., 
 p. 2 b.) 
 
 ' Godwin de Praesulibus.
 
 '22*2 
 
 The title contains some curious mottos and de- 
 vises, viz. — a hand drawing a net full of frogs, 
 
 PISCATORI8 RETE ha hut UANAS, (The Fls/wr's net 
 has frogs): — a female figure emblematical of Truth, 
 her head surrounded by a glory, a crown and bible 
 in her right hand, a palm branch in her left; 
 
 \ liiiii \s i \ i\ ■()( a ; VERITATE APERIT DIES: — a female 
 ficrure emblematical of Falshood, a cloud on her 
 head, a crown and sceptre at her feet, a mask in her 
 left hand, and a crocodile on her right arm; men- 
 
 1) U1Y UiUIVOCV; ERROR C/ECUS ET FALLAX; BEAT] 
 PACIFIC I. 
 
 3. " A Treatise of the Sabbath-Day. Containing 
 A Defence of the Orthodoxall Doctrine of the 
 Church of England, against Sabbatarian-Novelty. 
 By D r . Fr. White, L. Bishop of Ely." 1st edit. 
 \ln. pp. 311, London 1635.— Zd edit 1635.— 3d 
 edit 1636. 
 
 1. "An Examination and Confutation of a law- 
 lesse Pamphlet inlitvled, A briefe Answer to a 
 late Treatise of the Sabbath-Day: Digested Dia- 
 logue-wise, betweene two Divines A and B." 
 By Dr. Vn. White, L. Bishop of Ely." 4/o.,^;p. 
 L62. London 1637, 
 
 There are Portraits of Bishop White : 
 (1.) By T. Cockson, i-to.; prefixed to his Reply 
 to Fisher. It is encircled by the following in- 
 seription: effigies doctissimi uiri dni. fran-
 
 223 
 
 CISCl WHITE, S. T. PROFESSORIS ET ECCLESLE CA- 
 
 th'is carleolensis decani a° jeta. 59. In dif- 
 ferent parts of the border appear the mottos, 
 
 NULLA DIES SINE LINEA, INDUSTRIAL! ADIUUAT 
 
 deus, — jkerebunt piscatores [the Fishers shall 
 mourn], isai. xix. 8., — anno 1024, — and the Arms 
 of White, viz. Gules, a Chevron between 3 Boar's 
 Heads coupee Argent. Beneath is the motto, 
 
 Wisdome and grace see in that modest looke, 
 Trueth's triumph, errors downfall in this booke. 
 
 (2.) By G. Mountin, 4>to., London; with the 
 Arms, and the following lines : — 
 
 Quid trepidas Pietas ? jam festos indue Vultus, 
 Nee Latiae timeas guttura saeua Lupae : 
 
 Adstat ab excelso Vindex demissus Olympo, 
 Qui tibi, quiq. tuis Cuspis & iEgis erit. 
 
 Vt Vultus, mores si picta tabella referret, 
 Deficeret precio, Ditis, & area Jouis. 
 
 (3.) Another in 4>to. ; published in " Fitzer, 
 Viror. Clar. Imag., Francof. 1632." It appears 
 to be an imperfect copy of No. (2.) ; and has the 
 two last lines of the same motto. 
 
 VI. John White, D. D., is said to have been a 
 native of St. NeotV. The place of his birth is 
 
 k On the authority of his son, Mr. White, a Druggist in 
 London; quoted (with a note of doubt) in Fuller's Worthies,
 
 224 
 
 involved in tin- same uncertainty which lias been 
 already mentioned with respect to his brother 
 
 Francis (pp. 216, 2170* ^ ' s probable that he 
 was bom at Eatoo-Socon 1 , and educated in the 
 Grammar-School of St. NeotV". At the age 
 of 16, he was entered a Sizar at Cains College, ► 
 Cambridge 1 . " IK* did not continue lone in that 
 University, but the University continued long in 
 him ; so that he may be said to have carried Cam- 
 bridge with him into Lancashire (so hard and 
 constant in his study) when he was presented 
 Vicar of Kccles therein. Afterwards Sir John 
 Crofts [0/* Scuvham~], a Suffolk Knight, being in- 
 formed of his abilities, and pitying his remote 
 living on no plentiful benefice, called him into 
 the South; and was the occasion that King James 
 took cognizance of his worth, making him his 
 Chaplain in Ordinary. It was now but the third 
 moneth of his attendance at Court, when he 
 sickened at London in Lombard-street, dyed [at 
 the age of l/i], and was buried in the Church of 
 St. .Mary Woolnoth, 1615, without any other mo- 
 numents save what his learned works have left to 
 
 Huntingdonshire ]>. 51. The same assertion is made in Wood's 
 Athena Oxon., Vol. III. p. 238. edit. 1813. 
 
 1 " White Johannes White, filius Petri Concionat', natus 
 in Eaton in Comitatu Bedford', educatus ibidem in ludo literario 
 ejusdem oppidi, adolescens annor' 16, admissus est .Midiastinus 
 slve pauper Scholaris Mri. Doctoris Perse M. D., 15°. Feb. A°. 
 Dni. i:,s:>, (jui pro eo fide jubet. Solvit pro ingressu \1d." 
 
 'The Admission Book of Caius Coll. says, of Eaton ; but 
 compare p. '217 note v with the preceding note of this page.
 
 225 
 
 posterity ; which all who have either learning, 
 piety, or ingenuity, do, yea must, most highly 
 commend." a He died in great poverty"; leaving 
 
 n Fuller's Worthies, Huntingdonshire, p. 51. 
 
 ° His Will contains little besides a protestation of his reli- 
 gious sentiments (prefixed to his " Workes"), some pious counsel 
 to his family, and grateful acknowledgements to his friends. A 
 few extracts are subjoined. — " To Iohn J say, J have devoted you 
 to the ministry, and have spent much to fitt you thereto. ... Be 
 kynde to yo r poore blynde sister, in whome there hath alwaies 
 \been~\ muche grace. To Christian [a] J saye, My poore blynde 
 wenche, God hauinge endued thee w th many guifts of nature, 
 whereby thou wast the stay and comfort of o r house, lately tooke 
 away thy eies with little hope of recouerie, but beare what God 
 hath sente, and patiently renounce the world, God shall give thee 
 lighte to see Him that dwelles in lighte inaccessible. . . . Farewell 
 my whole familye, and remember the instructions wherein J 
 have brought you uppe. Farewell my paryshe; remember my 
 preaching, and life amongst you; maintaine loue and charity; 
 and put away thatt cursed malice w ch J found amongst you. . . . 
 Farewell my good Lorde Wentworth, and yo r noble Ladye ; my 
 Christian patron S r Iohn Crofts, and yo r deare Ladye; who 
 first of all brought mee into Suffolke, to a fayre and the best 
 Liuynge that either you had to giue ; you sent for mee, when J 
 was vnknowne to you, out of a farre country, where J lived in 
 those distresses w ch J was neuer able to looke through to this 
 
 daye; you furnished me w th bookes fitt for my studies ; &c 
 
 Farewell my good Father who hauinge beene a Preacher (if J be 
 not deceiued) these 50 yeares and more, besides yo r admirable 
 paynes and industry in all the rules left vnto all ministers by 
 St. Paule, you have brought up 5 of yo r owne able to preache 
 profitably, yo r oldest sonne in his owne country where he lives, 
 beinge knowne for gravity and learninge to be inferior to fewe 
 in this Kingdome; God reward yo r love and piety to yo r 
 children, and bringe you w th all peace vnto your grave. ... J
 
 206 
 
 yen children ; John, Christiana, Fleetwood, 
 Edward, Richard, Francis, and Peter. His aged 
 father was living, Vicar of St. Neot's, at the time 
 of his decease". 
 
 A portrait of John White is prefixed to his 
 "Workes," with the following inscriptions: ef- 
 
 ik.II.s DOCTISSIM] VIR] DOMINI ion. wis WHITE, S. 
 
 iin.oi.. profess.; — The Arms of White, with the 
 
 motto si NON HODIE QUANDOJ — 
 
 En tnicat vt vultus Johannts gratior Albi! 
 
 (Invida vel rumpus ilia Livob Atrox) 
 Quern modo Caelator cum sculpserit arte suprema, 
 
 Vt referal vitam mortua imago Viri: 
 Forma tamen mentis quo plus diuinior oris, 
 
 Doctius hoc Scriptis pingitur Ipse suis. 
 
 R. B. 
 
 The following works proceeded from his pen : — 
 
 1. "The Way to the trve Chvrch: wherein 
 the principal] motives perswading to llomanisme, 
 and Questions tovching the Natvre and authoritie 
 
 of tht' Church and Scriptures, are familiarly dis- 
 puted, ami driuen to their issues, where, this day 
 
 am BCarce able to say any more, greater occasion calls me of, 
 my owne weakeness and more necessary meditation with God 
 breakes me of, and have taken me by the hand, with whome J 
 truste tn bee shortly, hauing a steadfast perswasion, through 
 fayth in Christ, that J shall sec him, and enioy him, and hue w" 1 
 him tor cuer. Which he graunte of his abundant mcrcie, who 
 will haue mercie on whome he will hauc mercic, and will shew 
 compassion on whome he will shew compassion. Amen.'' — 
 Registers in the Prerogative Court, SoAME 17-
 
 227 
 
 they sticke betweene the Papists and vs ; Con- 
 trived into an answer to a Popish Discourse, con- 
 cerning the Hule of Faith, and the Marks of the 
 Church. And published to admonish such as de- 
 cline to Papistrie, of the weake and vncertaine 
 grounds, whereupon they haue ventured their 
 soules. Directed to all that seeke for Resolvtion : 
 and especially to his louing countrimen of Lan- 
 cashire. By Iohn White, Minister of Gods word 
 at Eccles." 1st edit. 4<to. pp. 4<54<. London 1608. 
 — 2d edit. 4?to. pp. 456. London 1610. . . . edit. 4fo. 
 pp. 456. London 1616. — 5th edit, (in the " Workes") 
 folio, pp. 239- London 1624. 
 
 2. " A Defence of the way to the trve Chvrch, 
 against A. D. his Reply. Wherein The Motives 
 leading to Papistry, And Qvestions touching the 
 Rvle of Faith, The Avthoritie of the Church, The 
 Svccession of the Truth, and The beginning of 
 Romish Innouations, are handled and fully dis- 
 puted. By Iohn White, Doctor of Diuinity, 
 sometime of Gunwell and Caius Coll. in Cam- 
 bridge." 1st edit. 4<to. pp. 55J. London 1614. — 
 . . . edit, (in the " Workes") folio pp. 31 6. London 
 1624. 
 
 3. " Two Sermons : The former [on 1 Tim. ii. 
 1.] delivered at Pavls Crosse the fovre and twen- 
 tieth of March, 1615, being the anniuersarie com- 
 memoration of the Kings most happy succession 
 in the Crowne of England. The latter [on 1 Tim.
 
 ±2s 
 
 \i. 17.] al tin* Spittle od Monday in Easter weeke, 
 liii.s. By [ohm White D.D.". ..edit. Atto. pp. 
 85. London nil.}.— . . . edit [in the "Workes") 
 folio pp.36. London 1624. 
 
 The three preceding arc published in one Vo- 
 lume, entituled, 
 
 " The Workes of that learned and reuerend 
 Divine, John White, Doctor in Diuinitie." Folio 
 pp. 289, 316 and 36. London 1624. (With a Por- 
 trait; see above, p. 226.).
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Copograp&ical &ftetc& of gu &toV$ 
 ©ornfoall 
 
 HE Cornish (like the 
 Huntingdonshire) pa- 
 rish of St. Neot's, 
 being closely connect- 
 ed with the narrative 
 of the Saint from which 
 it derived its name, de- 
 mands some further no- 
 tice. It was not only 
 the site of the Her- 
 mitage and College of Neot ; but, also, of a 
 Church originally erected by, and afterwards de- 
 dicated to, the Saint. The History of the former 
 has already been given (pp. 20 — 46.) ; an account 
 of the latter will, almost exclusively, occupy the 
 present Chapter. 
 
 The Cornish village (in singular correspondence 
 with the Huntingdonshire town) has had three ap- 
 pellations. Until the close of Century IX., it was 
 called Ham-Stoke (p. 29, note f.) ; from that
 
 230 
 
 period till the Conquest, or Later, it had the name 
 \i Di-SioKi.; it was afterwards changed to its 
 present denomination, St. Neot's, or more com- 
 monly St. Neot. It is situated on a small stream, 
 called St. Neot's-River (a branch of the Fowey), 
 which rises in Dosmerry-Pool in this parish. 
 
 There are <) manors. — 1. St. Neot [Neotestov ', 
 and Nietestou'' of the Norman Survey]; c 2. St. 
 Neot-Barrett; 3. Fawitone; 4. Trenay; 5. Pen- 
 gelly; (>. W. Draynes; 7« Trevegoe; 8. Carbilia, 
 oi- Carbarrow ; 9- Treverbyn, now only known by 
 a small tenement of that name. — To trace the 
 descent of property' in this parish, does not fall 
 within the plan of this Volutin ■. 
 
 In 1811, the population was estimated at 1041 
 persons, 509 males, and 532 females; the number 
 of families being 192, and of inhabited houses 
 165. 
 
 The celebrated John Anstis, Garter Principal 
 King at Arms, was born at St. Neot's on 28 Sep. 
 1669. 
 
 One mile X. E. of Dosmerry-Pool, are some re- 
 mains of a Chapel dedicated to St. Luke; the an- 
 tient font Mill remains. 
 
 ' Westminster Domesday, Vol. II. f. 121 a. [App. XXX. SI.]. 
 b Exeter Domesday, f. 207 a. [App. XXX. 33.]. 
 See Lysons' Magna Brit., Cornwall, pp. 224 — 246.
 
 231 
 
 THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH. 
 
 It has been already mentioned (p. 45.) that, 
 about the middle of Century IX., Neot erected a 
 Church here on the site of the more antient Chapel 
 of St. Guerir ; — and that the Edifice was rebuilt, 
 on a larger scale, about 884. 
 
 In the reign of Henry I. the Advowson was 
 given by William Earl of Moreton to the Priory 
 of Montacute d in Somersetshire, to which House 
 the Rectory was appropriated. The present Edifice 
 was erected in the time of Edward IV. The fol- 
 lowing inscription, in rude characters, appears 
 upon the roof near the W. end of the nave ; 
 
 an no tm m ccccl 
 
 t &t il ca ta 
 
 xx x free too in 5 
 
 there has been a dislocation of the letters, and a 
 transposition of the lines ; the inscription having 
 been originally, 
 
 anno tm mcccclxxx free bom 9 cMcata 
 
 from which it seems clear that the greater part, if 
 not the whole, of the present Edifice was erected 
 in 1480 e . It is a handsome Building; but the S. 
 
 d Dugdale's Monasticon, Vol. I. p. 6*70. 
 
 e Mr. Whitaker thinks the date is intended for 1530 
 [mccctciai]. He is disposed to limit the feference of this date 
 to the totver ; for which there does not appear the least reason.
 
 232 
 
 side is m a much more elegant style than the N., 
 which perhaps inav be considered as of an earlier 
 date. The pinnacles of the buttresses between 
 the S. windows arc elegant) and, ascending con- 
 siderably above the parapet of the roof, give the 
 exterior an airy appearance. At the W. end rises^ 
 a neat tower, with a peal of 6 bells; it is built of 
 white granite ; the altitude, to the summit of the 
 pinnacles, is 71 feet. The extreme length of the 
 Church, from the W. door of the tower to the E. 
 window, is 1 Hi feet ; the breadth is 55 feet. 
 
 The interior consists of a nave and two side 
 aisles. The S. aisle is separated from the nave by 
 7 uniform pointed arches. The N. aisle has 6 
 arche*8, corresponding with those opposed to them 
 in the S. aisle ; the seventh, or most Eastern, is an 
 ogee arch (upon a lower pitch), which was pro- 
 bably cut out of a Saxon arch, having belonged 
 to a more antient structure, and having formed 
 the entrance to a Chapel where the remains of 
 Neot were originally preserved (see below.). 
 
 The roof is a semicircular vault of oak. It 
 IS ornamented with lozenges, containing knots, 
 flowers, and initial letters : in the western lozenge 
 is the date 1593. 
 
 The greatest ornament of this Church, is its 
 beautifully stained glass. Of this a considerable 
 
 His strange position that the body of the Church was built in 
 1199, is nothing hut a wild conjecture, unsupported by the 
 ■tyle of its Architecture.— See Whitaker's Life of Neot, pp. 
 191— 803.
 
 233 
 
 portion remains, although in a mutilated state. 
 It is to be lamented that many of the legends of 
 these richly " storied windows" have perished, for 
 want of having been collected earlier. 
 
 North Aisle. 
 
 These windows are inferior, in their archi- 
 tectural construction, to those of the S. aisle. 
 Each consists of four low lights, with trefoiled 
 heads, united under a canopy of slight curvature. 
 
 I. The W. window is altogether mutilated. 
 
 II. The 1st from the W. was glazed at the 
 expense of the young men of the parish ; 
 
 lei gumpttbus 3)ubcnum hujus Parochicc fianc 
 jfenegtra facicntiii. 
 
 It details the legend f of St. Neot (pp. 31 — 37.), 
 the story being painted in twelve compartments : 
 
 1. Neot placing a Crown on the head of 
 Ethelbald, (p. 23.) : 
 
 P?tc trautott Cotonam iFtt guo juntort. 
 
 This is the only legend depicted in this window 
 which is not contained in the MSS. Lives of the 
 Saint (see Appendix, No. I.). 
 
 f Published in 178G by Rev. Mr. Forster, Rector of Boconnoc, 
 in " Some account of the Church and Windows of St. Neot's 
 in Cornwall" (4to. pp. 26.) ; with a coarse outlined-Engraving.
 
 2:i4 
 
 >:. Ni:ot kneeling, between a Monk and an 
 Abbot (pp. «S, fj.)i 
 
 ?i>ic pevfectus est i"tlonnc!)U5» 
 
 S. Neot reading in a pool, a doe at Ins feet, 
 a huntsman delivering up Ins horn (p. 35.): 
 
 ?i)ic ftftoewi in jfontc (£crba libera fecit. 
 
 I. Neot receiving instructions from an Angel, 
 respecting 3 fishes in his pool (p. 32.) : 
 
 ?i)ictrcs ^teccs in jfontc inbcnciatrcbclationc angelica. 
 
 5. Neot desiring Barius to bring- him a fish 
 from the pool [nearly effaced] : 
 
 %ic jubebat sibi ^igeem affevvi. 
 
 (>. Barius broiling a fish for his master (p. 33.) : 
 ?f)ic Barius 
 
 7- Barius bringing two fishes to Neot (p. 33.): 
 ?l?tc Eariug portabat t>uo<s $)tecc<> in Sijsco. 
 
 8. Barius restoring the two fishes to the pool 
 (p. 33.) : 
 
 ?Oic Barius mittcbat illos tjuos pieces itcru in dfontc. 
 
 !). A thief driving away the oxen from the 
 Monastery (p. 36.) : 
 
 ?i)ic BovesJ'urto sublatijuerunt. 
 
 10. A Monk ploughing with stags: 
 
 ftitjugwn imponcbatur Cervis vice %nmcntO rum. 
 
 II. The thieves restoring the oxen (p. 36.) : 
 
 ?l)ic iptKt*. . . . UobcS restitucrunt qui isto 
 
 12. Neot kneeling to receive the Pope's blessing 
 (}). 29, 30.) : 
 
 }i}'\i iioma; a Papa benedictionem acccpit.
 
 235 
 
 III. The 2d from the W., was made in 1529, 
 at the expense of the young women of the parish : 
 
 1Er sumptibus j&ororum j&ci JJicotl quae istam 
 jpenestram frcerunt ano Shu JWillcssimo iniingentes= 
 Simo biccssimo nono. 
 
 In the lower compartments are 20 small female 
 figures, grouped in fives. In the four lights, are, — 
 
 1. St. Patrick [Petrock?] with a crozier and 
 
 mitre : 
 
 j&te lattice ora pro nobis. 
 
 2. St. Clere with a crozier and mitre : 
 
 j&tc @lc« ora pro nobis. 
 
 3. Mancus, Bp. of Cornwall g , with his crozier 
 
 and mitre : 
 
 jsfetc iftance ora pro nobis. 
 
 4. A crowned figure sitting, supporting (in the 
 fold of his robe) 10 heads : 
 
 j£te < cum otbus jettS ora pro nobis. 
 
 IV. The 3d from the W., was glazed at the 
 cost of the married women of the parish in 1530: 
 
 W.x sumptibus CUxorunt hujus Parocftia e ptc 
 otciocntalt j&ti ilicott istam facientium dFcncstram bi= 
 trcam ano 2>ni iftilkssimo quingcntcssimo bicessimo 
 triccssimo. 
 The lower compartments have 20 small female 
 figures, grouped in fives. In the 4 lights appear, — 
 1 . A figure displaying a book : 
 j&ti i&aria ora pro nobis. 
 
 * Whitaker's Cathedral of Cornwall, Vol. II. p. 213. Mancus 
 was buried at the neighbouring Lanreath near Fowey.
 
 236 
 
 •j. St. Maisiaa 1 ', her hands clasped on her 
 bosom, ;i dead child in her lap: 
 £ta jfttabcna ora pro nobis. 
 
 S, A Saviour with clasped hands: 
 
 $csu jFilt sDct miserere 
 
 1. Saint Mybbard 1 holding a head in his right 
 hand : 
 
 ^te jilabcreoc ora pro nobis. 
 
 V. The ltli from the W., was painted and 
 given by Ralph Harris, 
 
 Jsi bono ct tumptibtu liauulphi ?i)arrjs ct ejus 
 laborc facta fuit. 
 
 It has lour Lights, similar to the preceding; 
 
 1 . — ,Ste Johannes iJaptista ora pro nobis. 
 
 2. A Saint with a mitre and crosier: 
 
 jcte ora pro nobis. 
 
 3. — 5tc 2Lconart)c ora pro nobis. 
 
 4. St. Andrew' leaning on his cross: 
 
 4ste Andrea ora pro nobis. 
 
 VI. The 5th from the W., appears to have 
 been the gift of one Calway in 1577; 
 
 Orate pro bono statu 3Jol)'is Calban . . .(1577.) 
 
 '' The patron Saint of the adjoining St. Mabyn near Bodmin. 
 She was daughter of Brechan, a petty King of Wales, who had 
 ■:\ children. Leland, Coll. Vol. IV. p. 153. 
 
 1 A Hermit, son of an Irish King, buried at the neighbouring 
 Cardingham near Bodmin. Whitaker's Cathedral of Cornwall, 
 Vol II. p. '212.
 
 237 
 
 In the four lights we have the following arms and 
 inscriptions : 
 
 1. Sable, a Fess between 3 Daggers Or; for 
 Calway. 
 
 2. — j&te labg ora pro me. 
 
 3. — j&te ffiermagm ora pro me. 
 
 4. A Crucifix ; 2 bones in saltier on the ground : 
 
 3Je<$u $ili Set mteercre met. 
 
 VII. The E. window of the N. aisle, (a pointed 
 
 arch) contains the figures of two Saints : 
 
 j£te Johannes ora V ro no ^ ls 
 j&te ora pro nobis. 
 
 There have been, also, three escutcheons: 
 1 . Parti/ per pale : on the dexter side, Argent, 
 a Chevron Sable between 3 Gournets hauriant Gules, 
 
 for Tubb; on the sinister, Sable, a Fess between 
 3 Daggers Or, for Calway. 11 [Gone]. 
 
 2. The Coat of Tubb. [Gone]. 
 
 3. Quarterly : first and fourth, The Coat of 
 Tubb ; second and third, The Coat of Calway. 
 [Remaining]. 
 
 k " John Tubb of Trengoffe near St. Neot's, married Joan 
 daughter and coheir of John Calway." Visit, of Cornwall.
 
 L>:*S 
 
 ( 'll WiT.I . 
 
 \ HI. The Easl window, over the altar, (a 
 pointed arch). There have been four Saints; 
 St. Peter remains in the 2d light. There have „ 
 also been two ( loats of Arms: 
 
 l. Or, 8 llcnds Gules, a Bordure Sahle bezantSe 
 [for Valletom : j ). Remaining. 
 
 2. Argent, a Saltier between 1< Etoiles Sable (for 
 LUCCOMBE of Bodmin?). 
 
 Soi i ii Aisle. 
 
 These windows arc in a more elegant style. 
 They are all pointed arches, containing four long 
 lights with trefbiled heads, beneath more minute 
 ramifications. 
 
 1 Bendy of 6 Argent and Gules, a Bordure Sable bezantee; 
 tor Valli rORT. — Visit, of Cornwall, MSS. Coll. of Arms. 
 
 . a Saltier Sable between 4 Etoiles Gules ; for Luc- 
 YiMt. of Cornwall, MSS. Coll. of Ann-.
 
 239 
 
 IX. The E. window of the S. aisle is the most 
 perfect, and the richest in coloring. It represents 
 the Creation, the fall of man, and his expulsion 
 from Paradise ; bringing down the history of the 
 first family to the death of Adam. The whole 
 story (which is a mixture of Scriptural narrative 
 and Jewish fable) is depicted in fifteen compart- 
 ments, beautifully stained: — 
 
 1. The Almighty, with compasses, planing the 
 Creation. 
 
 2. The Creation of the earth: 
 
 ?$tc Dcus fecit &<juatn ct STerram. 
 
 3. The Creation of animals : 
 
 ?l?tc SBcttS fecit Pisces et Bestias. 
 
 4. The Creation of man : 
 
 $}tc I3eu$ fecit &tja. 
 
 5. The Creation of woman : 
 
 tyic Setts fecit lEba tie &tja. 
 
 6. Adam and Eve, by the tree of knowledge : 
 
 fflit Sincjelug Sttja tie fntctifctts 
 
 7. Adam eating the forbidden fruit : 
 
 f£?ic &feam mantitt proljibitu fructu. 
 
 8. Adam and Eve driven out of Paradise by an 
 
 Angel : 
 
 fflit ®ngclug practpictiat &t)£ Disceticre tic ^arat)iso. 
 
 9. Adam tilling the ground : 
 
 ^i}ic &tjam mcipiefcat lafcorarc. 
 
 10. The sacrifices of Abel and Cain : 
 
 ?£ic Slbcl et ©ain sacrificabant 
 
 11. The murder of Abel : 
 
 #?ic ©ain occitiit &bcl.
 
 •240 
 K\ The rebuke and condemnation of Cain: 
 
 £l sanguis jfvatrts tut clatnat ad me de terra. 
 1 \ t An old man (Lantech) with a bow in his 
 band) having just shot an arrow into the breast of 
 ( lain half-concealed in a bush ; a child, by the side 
 of Lamecb, pointing out Cain: 
 
 ?»>ic liamccl) sagittat Cain. n 
 
 l I. Seth placing S seeds under the tongue of 
 
 Adam : 
 
 ftU -Srtb ponittria Grana sub lingua Slbar". 
 
 These air tlu- "Jewish traditions" alluded to by Stevens 
 [Continuation of Dugdale's Mona»t. Vol. 1. p. 217-]: it is sin- 
 gular thai Mr. Pontei should not have been aware that any 
 
 mefa existed [Some Account ofSt. Nfeot'a Church, 1786", p. 2.] 
 Gough, also, Btrangely denies that any representations of Jewish 
 
 Legends exist in this Church. [Camden's Brit. Vol. I. p. 17- 
 edit. Gough ITS!"]- — ' ' u ' opinion of Stevens, that these subjects 
 were taken from "the Jews, who antiently traded hither for 
 tin," is perfectly ridiculous : nevertheless it has been adopted by 
 Bishop Gibson [Camden's Brit. Vol. I. p. 19. edit. Gibson 1753]; 
 and, by Wliitaker [Life of Neot, pp. 188, 202.] who maintains 
 that this circumstance necessarily fixes the date of these paintings 
 to the reign of King John ! Nothing was more common than the 
 adoption of these Jewish fables, in the period in which St. Neot's 
 Church was actually built, and its windows stained (1480 — 1530). 
 The subject of the 13th compartment is a Rabbinical fable 
 founded on Genesis IV. IS. — That of the 14th alludes to a tra- 
 dition (partly Jewish and partly Popish) that the wood from 
 which the Temple and the Cross were made, sprung from three 
 la which Seth had been commanded to place under the 
 tongue of Adam, after his death. This curious Legend is de- 
 tailed, in 64 Stanzas, in a Dutch Work entitled " Historia 
 Sancttr Cruris, Bclgicc 1483;" of which an interesting account, 
 ther with a translation, may be seen in Dibdin's Bibl. Spenc. 
 Vol. III. pp.348— 377-
 
 241 
 
 15. The Almighty commanding Noah to build 
 
 the Ark : 
 
 ifae tibi &rcam. 
 
 X. The 1st from the E. contains the History 
 of Noah : 
 
 1 . Noah building the Ark : 
 $£ic Jioji fecit Stream. 
 
 SL Noah rolling a cask into the Ark: 
 f^ic Jiog introibit in Stream. 
 
 3. Noah sending out a raven and a dove : 
 
 $?tc Jiog emtstt ©orbum et ©olumbam ex Area. 
 
 4. Noah sending out a dove : 
 
 fflit emisit ©olumbam quce abiit et non est reversa. 
 
 5. Noah and his family quitting the Ark : 
 
 fflit i&og egressus est tje Strea. 
 
 6. Noah offering up a sacrifice on an altar: 
 
 $}k iiog obtulit ©loeaugta super SUtare. 
 
 7. Noah intoxicated, and mocked of his son : 
 
 |£ie ©Ijam bttjtt =Patrem nudum 
 
 8. The death of Noah? 
 
 P>{f ilog mortuas est. 
 
 XI. The 2d from the E. was glazed by the 
 Borlase family : 
 
 ©rate pro aiabus ©atjjarine JSurlog ,flicj)olai 
 furiosi et 3Jo!)annte CUgbgan qui istam jpenegtram 
 fecerunt fieri. 
 
 The 4 lights have full length figures of Saints : 
 
 1. The favorite legend, St. Christopher cross- 
 ins; a river with the infant Jesus on his shoulder : 
 j&te ©jmstau/ere ora pro me. 
 
 R
 
 '242 
 
 •j. St. Nkot, crowned (in allusion to his royal 
 descent ? Bee pp. 23, 233.): 
 
 S&tf Jlrotc ova pro mc. 
 
 3. St. Leoh mid (sec \. Aisle, V. 3., p. 23G.) : 
 ,Stc Uconarbc ora pro nobig. 
 
 i. St. C \ i ii LBiNE : 
 
 ,St'i Catbarina ora pro nobi*. 
 
 XII. The 3d from the E., was despioiled of its 
 exquisite paintings about 1770 by the Vicar (Sa- 
 muel Thomas) and the parish, by whom it was 
 "presented to Dr. ('. Lyttleton, then Dean of 
 Exeter, afterwards Bishop of Carlisle*." Some 
 arms of the Benefactors (said to have been a fa- 
 mily of the name of Martyn) were taken from 
 three of the compartments; there yet remains the 
 
 mutilated inscription, 
 
 (Dratc pro bono statu Martyn ct filior»m 
 
 guor»/» qui istam Jencstr am fieri Jeceritnt \ 
 
 1. The first of the four lights has been entirely 
 removed ; the subject was the four Evangelists. 
 
 2. A Crucifix: the subject has been the Cruci- 
 fixion ; the head of the Saviour is said to have 
 been exquisitely designed. 
 
 3. St. John : 
 
 Stc J)oI)annc5 ora pro nobtg. 
 
 l. St. Stephen: 
 
 jttc ^tcptjanc ora pro nobig. 
 
 ' Foreter'a " Account of the Church and Windows of St. 
 Neot*s," p. 1 1.
 
 243 
 
 XIII. The 4th from the E. was the gift of John 
 Mutton : 
 
 Istam Fenestram fieri fecit 3}o|)aittWg iWutton 
 eror ac kujus Ecclesice benefactor. 
 
 The 4 lights contain the 4 Evangelists : 
 
 1. St. Mark, with his emblem, a winged Lion: 
 
 3}ni'um Icuamjclti %\)\x £pt ipUii HJct, Stcut 
 Sc'ptu e i 2Jsag ^rop!)cta. 
 
 2. St. Luke : the commencement of his Gospel: 
 
 JFutt in Dtcbuis ?i?crotji<5 Megig ^utjaae Sac! Dos 
 quioam note ^acariag tie bice &bia ct uior illius tie 
 filiabus Slron et nomen ciug lilteabetl). 
 
 3. St. Matthew ; — a child kneeling in prayer : 
 
 Siber generation^ %\)\i X$i jfftil 33auitj filit 
 &bra])am. 
 
 4. St. John ; and his emblem, an Eagle : 
 
 3)n lautjem ^Jojjannis. 
 
 %n principio crat uerbu et uerbu erat aputj 33eu 
 ct 33c 9 erat uerbu. 
 
 XIV. The 5th from the E., exhibits the legend 
 of St. George : 
 
 1. St. George in battle : 
 
 tylit (Scorgius pugnat contra (Sallieanos. 
 
 2. St. George slain ; St. Christopher in one 
 corner : 
 
 ?!?ic (Sallicani mactant (Seorgin. 
 
 3. The Virgin raising him from the grave : 
 
 #?ic b'ta i&aria regugtat eu a ©umulo. 
 
 4. The Virgin arming St. George for battle : 
 
 tyit i&aria armat (Eeorgtu* 
 
 r 2
 
 •244 
 
 5. St. George mounted, and killing the Dragon: 
 loic mactal Dvaconcm. 
 
 ii. Si. George led into the King's presence : 
 
 7i>ic capitur ct tmcituv ante lUcjcm. 
 
 7. St. George put to torture: 
 
 ?i)tc corpus ejus laccratur. 
 
 s. The beheading of St. George: 
 
 ?i>ic (T.corcuus fcccollatuS est. 
 
 <). The design has been completely destroyed : 
 VJit (Ticorcjius .... tmmolatur. . . . 
 
 10. St. George in a furnace of melted lead: 
 
 ?i)ic ponitur in Jfurno turn $Jlumbo 
 
 11. — ?i)ic traljttur cum Sfjuo inDomito. 
 
 12. — ?l)ic jFtltus 3) m pcratoris erftat super cu. 
 
 In the upper compartments are three figures. 
 1. (St. Mary ?) a female holding a chalice. 2. In 
 the centre, the Saviour rising from the tomb. 
 3. A Saint (John ?) with a crozier and a book. 
 
 XV. The 6th from the E. A naked figure 
 crowned ; about which are various designs; viz. a 
 sword, a horse-shoe, a wimble, an adze, a ham- 
 mer, candles, scales, a lantern, a bow-and-ar- 
 row, a whip, a saw, money, the 5-of-clubs, dice, 
 a spinning-wheel, a sheaf of corn, a scythe, 
 pincers, &c. In the point of the arch is a Dove; 
 and beneath a small figure is leccc ftncilla
 
 245 
 
 . XVI. The West window contains no more 
 stained glass than the following Coat of Arms : 
 
 Quarterly : first and fourth, Gules, 3 Lions pas- 
 sant guardant Or ; second and third, Sable, 6 Mul- 
 lets Argent, 3, 2, 1. 
 
 The remains of Neot were deposited in this 
 Church at his death in 877, and were translated 
 to the N. side of the altar about 884. When this 
 Edifice was rebuilt in 1480, the part of the wall 
 in which the relics had originally been deposited 
 was not removed; it forms the N. side of the 
 Chancel (see p. 232). On the N. side of this wall 
 (where was doubtless the Saxon Chapel) is a small 
 recess, from which projected one end of a stone 
 Casket 18 inches by 14. Here were deposited 
 remains of Neot ; the Founders of the Priory at 
 Eynesbury having left a relic b of the Saint for the 
 Cornish Church, when they stole the greater part 
 
 h One arm was missing at the Huntingdonshire Priory in 
 lO'S-9, which was then said to have been left in Cornwall (see 
 p. 66", and App. VI.]
 
 24/8 
 
 of the treasure aboul 97 I ! I' 1 October 179^ this 
 little Cemetery w as broken open by some intoxi- 
 cated workmen, whose- curiosity had been excited 
 1>\ a visil of Mr. Whitaker. The Casket, above- 
 mentioned, was found to be a shallow Cenotaph: 
 behind it was a stone, closing the mouth of an aper- 
 ture rudel) formed in the solid wall ; in this inner 
 recess was discovered " about a quart of a mould- 
 earth, verj fine in itself, vet adhering in clots, and 
 dark in colour"". By the side of this cavity is u 
 wooden tablet; on which are inscribed some 
 (juaint and puerile verses, supposed to have been 
 written just before the Reformation. The gross 
 inaccuracies of the narrative which they detail, 
 will be manifest from what lias been said in 
 Chapter II. : — they are inserted in the Appendix 
 [No. XXXI.]- 
 
 On two pews, iii the S. Aisle, are the Arms 
 of Mom x, Horsey, Coode, Trevanion, Court- 
 ney, Montagu, Edward Duke of York, Lord 
 Strange, Treganyox, Burk, Bki.lot and Grylls. 
 
 The Registers of this Parish commence in 1549. 
 
 The Vicarage is estimated at 61. [3s. id. in the 
 Taxation of Pope Nicholas (1291); it is esti- 
 mated at 13/. iSs.Sd. in the Valor 26 Hen. VIII. : 
 it stands at \\l. is. <>V. in the King'sBook. 
 
 Mr. Whitaker's antiquarian enthusiasm kindles at the sup- 
 posed discovery of" the \n\ last and evanescent relics of that 
 body which was once actuated by the high-set soul of a St. 
 
 >t1" — See Whitaker's Life of Neot, pp. 203—21 1.
 
 247 
 
 The tithe-sheaf of the manor of St. Neot-Bar- 
 ret, is appropriated to the repair of the Church. 
 
 VICARS OF THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH OF ST. NEOT's 
 
 CORNWALL. 
 
 1. Martin de Huntingdon, Oct. 1266, pre- 
 sented by the Prior and Convent of Montacute d . 
 
 2. William de Totton, 18 Oct. 1280, presented 
 by the Bishop of Exeter d . 
 
 3. John Echym, 10 Dec. 1318, on the presenta- 
 tion of the Prior and Convent of Montacute d . 
 
 4. Roger de Helston, 26 May 1329, by the 
 same d . 
 
 5. John Molyns, 2 Oct. 1342, by the same d . 
 
 6. William Galy, 21 June, 1362, by the same d . 
 
 7. Richard Galy, 23 March 1363, by the Bi- 
 shop of Exeter d . 
 
 8. John Trengoff, 17 Dec. 1369, by Edw. III d . 
 
 9. John Symon, 21 Feb. 1429, by the presenta- 
 tion of the Prior and Convent of Montacute d . 
 
 10. John Pyy, 4 Sept. 1440, by the same d . 
 
 11. Thomas Davy, 13 Oct. 1469, by the same d . 
 
 12. William Pope, 8 July 1472, by the same d . 
 
 13. John Wyppyl, by the same d . 
 
 14. Thomas Bodley, 28 Apr. 1498, by thesame' 1 . 
 
 15. Roger Savage, 10 Oct. 1499, by the same' 1 . 
 
 16. Robert Tubbe, 4 Aug. 1508, by the same d . 
 
 '' Institution Registers, Exeter. The dates are those of the 
 institutions.
 
 248 
 
 i;. Richard Bennet, 7 July, 15 IT, by John 
 TregonweU I ). 1). ' 
 
 is. Thom \s John, 9 Dec. 1549, by Edw.VI. d 
 
 l!>. W \i. 1 i.i; R [\(,w ood, 17 Dec. 1585, by Queen 
 
 Elizabeth*. 
 'jo. Joseph Mai was ejected"; and 
 ~1 Maciiin was Incumbent " during the 
 
 confusions" in the reign of Charles I.: " lie hath 
 
 a Sermon extant called Epaphras "". 
 
 22. Thomas Phi lite was Vicar in l660 f . 
 
 23. Joseph Row j ., 8 March 1707, presented by 
 John Knur 1 '. 
 
 24. John Parsons, 8 Sep. 1730, by Francis 
 Sawle d . 
 
 25. Samuel Thomas, 15 March 1750, by Ste- 
 phen Thomas'. 
 
 26. Richard Gervois Grylls, 5 April 17<K3, 
 on his own petition 11 . 
 
 1 Institution Registers, Exeter. 
 
 ■ Walker's Sufferings of the Clergy, p. 305. edit. 1714. 
 
 1 Terrier for the parish of St. Neot's, at Exeter.
 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 A T o. I. 
 
 Account of the MSS. Lives of Neot. 
 
 N Bishop Asser's Acts of Alfred 
 a reference occurs to the "Life 
 
 OF THE HOLY FATHER NEOT a ," 
 
 which (if this reading be ge- 
 nuine b ) must have been written, 
 almost immediately after the de- 
 cease of the Saint, in the pe- 
 riod 877—893: Mr. Whitaker c 
 conjectures (without a shadow 
 of evidence or probability ! ) that 
 this Life was composed by his 
 disciple Barius, at the Priory of 
 St. Neot in Huntingdonshire (see p. 82). Whatever was 
 the period in which the earliest Life of Neot was written, 
 it could not have been later than Century XL ; for an Anglo- 
 Saxon MS. (described in the next paragraph), undoubtedly 
 not more recent than that age, refers to a former Narrative 
 called " The Book". 1 ' 
 
 3 " Ut in Vita Sci. Patris Is'eoti legitur." Asser, De Reb. Gest. iElfredi 
 Magni, in an. 878. 
 
 b Although contained in the very avtient MS. of Asser, once in the Cotton 
 Library (destroyed in the fire of 1731), jet it is not without suspicion of having 
 been an early interpolation. 
 
 « Whitaker's Life of Neot, p. 304. edit. 180G. 
 
 d "He pier* on lujefce, bier DG BGL j-ecje*, to bochcpelapejepett." 
 " He was in youth, thus THE Book iauh,set to biblical lore." — Hit pEigS on 
 LiG-tOrUTTCN f bep Halje pepe to niaeptinjebypi^." " It is said in 
 Writing thai tkn 6aint went to &laStoubury. ,, —MSS. Cott Vesp. D. XIV. 
 li*. U3a. b.
 
 250 
 
 Eight MSS. Lives of Neol still remain : these may be re- 
 duced to four; three being merely abstracts, and one a copy. 
 
 (I) 
 
 MSS. BainsH Museum, Cotton, Vespasian D. XIV. 
 (ff. 1 10 b. — 1 is a.). An Anglo-Saxon MS., of pp. 12, on 
 vellum, in small 1 to. It begins thus 6 : 
 
 BED I'alt'opjre. UK' pylleSeopcyoen beo |U- 
 
 men baele emb j^yrren balden )?e pe fcobaeig 
 
 purvSijeft. b eopep jeleajie \>e tjuimpe reo. j-op 
 
 This small Tract is a Homily for Ncofs day, comprehending 
 a slx.it Narrative of the Saint's Lite. The scene is altogether 
 in the West of England, and no mention is made of the 
 translation of the body of Neot into Huntingdonshire: it 
 was probably, therefore, a Homily for the Church or College 
 of Priests at St. Neot's in Cornwall. Differing in its composi- 
 tion from all the other Lives, it agrees with them in digress- 
 ing from the principal subject to the military disasters of 
 Allied, and to his victory over Guthrum the Danish Chief. 
 It omits all the miracles (see this Vol. pp. 31 — 37.) which 
 an' to he found in the other Lives; whilst one legend (p. 
 34.) is peculiar to this MS. — As to its age, it bears every 
 mark of being a MS. not later than of Century XL On 
 the other hand, as it contains the strange anachronism (com- 
 mon to all the other Lives) which asserts that Neot, who 
 
 died about 877, was ordained by Elpheg Bishop of Win- 
 chester, who died in 951, t is improbable that it was writ- 
 ten verv soon alter the death of that prelate. It may, there- 
 fore, be referred to the middle of Century XL This is, un- 
 doubtedly, the most antienl Life of Neot known to exist; 
 although hitherto unnoticed, except by Wanley', and inci- 
 dentally by Turner . It is here published entire |_App. II. 31.]. 
 
 ' In iti< specimen* of these MSS., the initial (and a few other) letters alone 
 ■re absolute fac-iimilei ; the remainder being as near a resemblance as could be 
 iiw i.\ ■', p. s -The illuminations of the initials CD, B, I), are blueish- green ; 
 - 6| C, b. red; F, A, ultra-marine blue: the tracery about the limb of each 
 
 ' Wanley** Catalogue of Anglo-Saxon MSS. p. 205. 
 
 . I h -r - -- Hist, oi Anplo Saxons, Vol. II p. 80. edit. 1801.
 
 251 
 
 (II.) 
 
 1. MSS. Bodleian Library, Bodlf.y, 535. (ff. 39 a. 
 to 51 b.). Containing pp. 26., written on vellum, in small 4to. 
 
 iNCipiT pRoLoGUS DE UITA SaNCTT 
 NEOTI pRESBITERI ET CONFESSORIS- 
 GATI NGOTI CONFESSORIS VITAGTJ COCD 
 pendiofo aggredienf obediencie titulo . omi 
 pofcenfcif di mifcdaru fonte expoftulo. quatm 9 
 q' etide fern celefti adiunx contubernio. in 1 hui 9 modi ope 
 
 habitare. IXCIJMT UITA. 
 
 US 1GITVR NEOTVS FECVNDE BRITANIE QVE NVNC 
 anglia dr. eoif ciadrc' parenfcib^ cret 9 . qui ufq^ 
 adeo q'ppe cainali uiguere fcemafce . qd etia on 
 encalm britonu regno regah fuccederenfc force. 
 
 N on miii aut\ egregu in cafchohce fidei extitere cfeffione. 
 
 |) os df dihgente affignanf exfumo deuotione . in nullo 
 
 e 
 
 From Chapter XVI. to Chapter XXI. inclusive, is a 
 Narrative of the translation of the Saint from Neotstoke to 
 Eynesbury, and of the first foundation of the Huntingdon- 
 shire Monastery. It begins' 1 in the following manner: — 
 
 VOLVTIS pinde nnulhf Cepo^ curncuhf plurimi^ 
 indigetu ppediencib3 peccacif . t q'a aput ompm deum 
 
 h Bale (Scrip, p. 217.) mentions a Narrative of (his translation, which began 
 €itm bcati <£onfc#SOl'ijS rcliiJuicB, etc. — He ascribes this Composition, also, 
 to William de Ramsey. The MS. has probably perished.
 
 •2V2 
 
 Tin-; Life omits the legendary talcs, respecting the Saint's 
 residence in Cornwall. — It is, probably, a MS. of Century 
 XII., and. having been copied by some ignorant scribe, 
 is much vitiated. — It exhibits the gloss " Vita S. Neoti Au- 
 
 f/iair (in/, luiiiu ••<//": Bale 1 and Mabillon \ also, attribute 
 
 this Composition to William <lc Ramsey, a Monk of Croy- 
 
 laml. It Minis t<> be undisputed that Ramsey wrote a Life 
 of Neol about 1180; from which circumstance all the three 
 Compositions, (II.), (III.), and (IV.), have been ascribed 
 l.) him. As the Author, though prolix in his account of 
 the translation of the remains of Neot to Htmtingdonshire 9 
 makes no mention of their removal to Lincolnshire , it seems 
 improbable that this Narrative was written by a Monk of 
 Cropland, when it is considered how pertinaciously that 
 Ahlicv asserted its claim to the honor of affording a sepul- 
 chral asylum to this wandering Saint (see p. 57. note v.). 
 On tin' contrary, since the uninterrupted 1 repose of the 
 Saint in Huntingdonshire is asserted (lest the admission of 
 even a temporary removal should countenance the Croyland 
 claim of continued possession), it can scarcely be doubted 
 that it wa> composed by a Monk of St. Neotfs. — A Copy of 
 this Life was seen in 1588 by Leland in the Library of St. 
 .VotV Priory: another fell into his hands at Croyland" 
 Abbey, from which he has given sonic extracts", professing 
 himself ignorant of the name of the Monk by whom it was 
 composed; the Narrative of Neot's translation into Hunt- 
 ingdonshire was not" contained in the latter MS. — This 
 Life has been published , from the Bodley MS., by Whita- 
 ker: the most unpardonable blunders of his transcriber and 
 of the press have been added to the manv Corruptions of 
 tin' original. Some extracts appeal- in this Volume [App. II. 
 U. | ; Chapters X\ I. — XXI. are published in App. III. 
 
 <!. M>>. Bexe't College Cambridge, Pabkeb 161. 
 
 This MS. consists of pp. 10., written in double columns on 
 vellum, in folio. It is an abridgment of MS. Bodl. 585. — 
 It seems to be a MS. of Century XIII. 
 
 - rip. Illust. p. :ir .Hit. Bade, 1537. 
 
 V ■ Suet Sec. 1\ . 1'. II. p 323. 
 
 ' Talis pendebat Providentia ut Neoti pignu?, hkperpftim consenratom, 
 
 u/mj niniim, traasfrrratar." [MSS. Bodl. 5i5. (sec App. III.)]. 
 
 It ind,t)( Scrip. Cap. (Alii, (see this Vol. p. 100.) 
 
 ' " ,i - Wn. Vol. IV. App. pp. I, 2. '• Ex Libro inccrti Autoris, sed 
 
 '• '•' Y'«ta S Neoti Hie fad [finitnr] vetus Exemplar Croilmdeim$ 
 
 Uonattet multilum, quart quod reUquum emt de rebus Ncoticis desiderabatur." 
 
 N l.nak. r*s Life ui Neot, pp; 3M — 3G5.
 
 253 
 
 •(III.) 
 
 1. MSS. British Museum, Cotton, Claudius A. V. 
 (ff. 145 b. — 160 b.). Contained in pp. 31., written in 
 double columns on vellum, in 4to. 
 
 i j 
 
 Sfmtptt ^Iobujs m tutam 
 $amtt i^eott a66att& 
 
 raoo umuergarum 
 t&senttalts mum p 
 petuttas . tUmento f 
 confuse uenugttsstma molts; 
 
 Salutte. ©xpltctt $IOgU$* 
 
 ^nctptt tttta sanctt jieo 
 tt attbatt** 
 
 i^5>auno0tet ti)cxpc. 
 &S to too. gitmt pns 
 tmago umqp solts ra 
 fctug. (jut tn ut^certli3 mtgcUte ati 
 
 boo a&fiuc an 
 glta que pgeo no 
 mute arttannta fctcefiatur 
 
 It is from this Biographer that the legendary tales, re- 
 specting Neot's residence in Cornwall, are derived (see pp.
 
 254 
 
 81— 87., '-' ;; - 234.). — This "MS. was, probably* written ;it 
 the doij «»t' Century XIII., or early in Century XIV. — 
 Tin' gloss of a comparatively recent hand attributes tins 
 Life t«> William de Ramsey; " Per Guliheltnum Abbatem 
 [Monachum] Croylandensem <///". 1180." MabiIlon p con- 
 lectures thai it was written by a Monk of St Neot*s soon 
 after the Conquest. — It was used, on the Festival of the 
 Saint, in the Liturgical Services of the Priory of St. .Wot' 1 . 
 In the Library of that Convent Leland saw aCopy in 1538, 
 from whirl) he has made sonic extracts'". — Mabillon has 
 published' this Life from a MS. of Century XII. formerly 
 in the Abbey of Bee. 
 
 °.. .Ion\ de Tinmouth's "Histoeia Aure.\," Hook 
 X X I .. CHAP. 68, 64, 65. The Chapters in this work 
 which relate to Neot are merely a compendious abstract of 
 the Cottonian Life. It was written, in 1367, by John, a 
 Monk of St. Alban's. Two Copies exist: 
 
 (1.) MSS. Lambeth Palace, 10, 11, 12, (the Lite of 
 Neot being contained in MS. 12, H". 88 a. — 89 a.). Folio, 
 vellum, written in double columns ; the initial letters richly 
 illuminated. A MS. of Century XIV. 
 
 I3c $co jieoto afcfcato 
 
 utt fjuf&a vex ocrtbctaltu anglo^ ac 
 canctc note climlpl/ ctjirgtc magts 
 Ufteralitatt stufcicns q muttanc scv 
 mens cupttutatt | multa fcc facultatttiujs. 
 
 (2.) MSS. Bodleian Lihnny/, Bodley ( M0. (the Life of 
 Neot being contained in pp. 335 — 887.). Folio, vellum, 
 double columns ; written in 1-377 at the expense of Roger de 
 
 Huntingdon, lor the Monks of Bury St. Edmund's. — In the 
 
 v A. 1., Sand Sec. IV. P. II. i-. 333. 
 
 i Leland, De Scrip. Cap. CXH1. (see this Vol. p. 100, note s."). 
 
 i I ( land, Collectanea, VoL III. p. II. 
 
 • \.-., Sanct. Sec. 1\. P. II. pp. 324 — 836. — It is singular that Whkaker 
 should bare been ignorant of the existence of this Life, either in a IMS. or printed 
 form: "alat ! wt peuui ihit treasure in a few fragmenU only, and know »" more 
 of ii than u't<a /iin'/ .i i :-m eatrocU very briefly made by Leland can till us." 
 NVLitaker*s Life <-i n< ot, p. <i.
 
 255 
 
 margin, is an interpolation on the translation of the body of 
 Neot to Croyland ; this gloss is partly a remark by the in- 
 terpolator himself [see this Vol., App. V. 23. p. 273, note f.], 
 and partly taken from the MS. which follows, viz. 
 
 3. John de Tinmouth's " Sanctilogium" ; MSS. 
 British Museum, Cotton Tiberius E. I. On vellum, 
 double columns, folio ; much damaged by fire. The Chapter 
 relating to Neot consists of pp. 4, abstracted from the 
 " Historia Aurea", and beginning with the same sentence. 
 It contains a paragraph on the translation of his body to 
 Croyland, and the Collects used at his Festival. — It is a MS. 
 of the close of Century XIV. — Published, nearly verbatim, 
 by Capgrave'. Whitaker" has also published it; but incor- 
 rectly. An extract appears in this Vol. [App. V. 33.] 
 
 (IV.) 
 
 MSS. Magdalen College Oxford 53. (pp. 199—205.). 
 Vellum, double columns, in 4to., containing 673 lines. 
 
 ^nctpit tuta sa J^cott abntts 
 
 Jiglia que tota m regt mtlttat um. 
 uon&a gttta plurt&3 una futt. 
 <&uatuorT p'nug rege* l)ut${>e rcftur. 
 tj'g(T3 guam. rcgig j)onore regtt. 
 j&uffectt cutq} jsua p<s. nee plura petefcat' 
 ait' i alt'tug ml j? ture peltt. 
 ^ax statul'. utta rotors. tngcortita nulla. 
 3Jnt' eos. regnat gfa. Ituor a&egt.. 
 & gtmili $ jSufctectt tii pace morantur. 
 iion sctso captte. cct'a membra utgent. 
 tempts tllius fcltcta sceula reru. 
 ©opta magna, galus maxima, t'ra ferax. 
 
 This is merely a puerile version of the Cottonian Life, 
 (III.) 1. ; under which it would have been classed, were it not 
 quite distinct as a composition although not independent 
 as an authority. It is a MS. of Century XIV. By some 
 
 1 Legenda Nova Angliae, ff. 239 b— 241 a. edit. 1516. 
 u Whitaker's Life of Neot, pp. 366 — 374. 

 
 256 
 
 recenl band it u ascribed to William de Ramsey; (i Per 
 Gutfhelmum Ramescye Monachum Crolandensem. Bishop 
 Bale 7 , Mabillon 1 , and the Annotate? • on Sir John Spei- 
 man, also attribute it to Ramsey. — It lias been published in 
 the posthumous work ofWbitaker b , with great incorrectness. 
 
 NO. II. 
 Extracts from the MSS. Lives of Neot. 
 
 A. 
 
 [«• MSS. British Museum, Cotton, Vespasian D. XIV. fi". 142 !>.— 
 148 a.] 
 
 OF 86INT6 NeOTC. 
 
 Xvx ba leopepte. 1 1 ) ** pylle$ eop cy$en beo pumen baelo 
 emb Wppen Paljen be pe toba'i^ pupo^eo. |> eopep ^eleape ]>e 
 epumpe reo. pop ba mancynn behopeft gobcunbpe lane -fy 
 heo buph ba nnijen ro lip 1 ]- yt^v hecimien. Pit paerfc on 
 ban haljen gobppelle p ]i hht on Dobep jelaSun na behybb 
 beon ne pceal. ac up apete opep ]?an canbelptape. -p ]?a be 
 baep m joS mujen bone leome zepeon 7 on hhre beon. Spa 
 eac ne nuhte 8c s WOTU8 behybb beon ne bebijelob pa ]>a 
 lobhine geuppeb habben polbe. 
 
 Pe pa'|- on tujelSe baep be Bee pecge$ to boclicpe lape 
 jepett. 7 ro gobcunben beapen becom. 7 geopne pmeabe 
 ba he anbptpul] paer emb j> ece lip. 7 hpu he pcrblucept 
 hep on hp* pop jooe libben mihte. ppa hie appiten ip. -b pe 
 pcij i) ]Ticol 7 neape be ro ban eeen lip' belnnpo. 7 nan 
 niann baep ro ne becunrS. bute buph mycel geppync 7 pop- 
 haepebnyppe. 8pa bybe 8cp NGOTVSpopluepbe bine pylpne 
 ppS jelupcpullunje byrpep hp'p. Pe paep manopape 7 milbe 
 ealle niannen. 7 he oaeighpamhce to hi] - Dpihtene clypobc 
 
 i rip. 111ms. p. ?16\ edit. Basle, 1557. 
 • Acta Saw 1. So IV. 1'. It. p. 328. 
 
 ■ spfliuaii, Vita J.ltrtdi, p, 103. nota a , edit. 1688. — By a strange anachro- 
 nism, Rnmsev i> there said la have written " about 1360" instead of 1180. 
 '■ Whitaker*t lit.- of Neot, pp. 317— 338.— Mr. W. {p !».) calls it •' ihe 
 Life nt' Neot now known." It is only a version of a Life [(,111.) 1.]. 
 uhich ittetfit by no meant the mott antient, 
 
 ' llir whole of this Life is here published, literatim, except l lie occasional 
 BdoptiuD OJ ■ Capital.
 
 257 
 
 aepcep Dauibep pange pupp cpe^enbe. Dpihcen. pine pejej 
 ic lupine 7 pine ae ic polpgen paence. bo beo ine sepfceji pinpe 
 milbheopcnyppe. 7 Caec me pine pihcpipnyppe. Sobhce ^) 
 ilea gebeb up lp alepb gyp pe pylle^ mpeapbhee Co gobe cly- 
 pigen 7 hip milbheopcnypj-e bibban. 
 
 Pic pseijS on geppican -j) j?ep Paige pepe Co Irlaepingebypig 
 geceppeb paepe on Seep iElpegep bagen ]?aep halgen Bipcopep. 
 7 see him unbeppeng pone Paige pacepb hab. 7 lnne pel 
 geheolb 7 paep unbep pel gebeah. 7 paep eallen mannen 
 eabmob 7 lupigenblic. 7 hip palmep 7 o^Spe gebeban he 
 geopnhce beeobe baeijep 7 niheep. Knb hip gepune paep fy he 
 polde on baeig gelomen hip cneope gebegen. 7 eac ppylce on 
 nihe Co pan iElmihcigen Irobe. ppa pe halge Hpopcel 8cp 
 Bapcholome 9 bybe. hunb piften [on mhc 7 eallppa ope on 
 baeg.] Pe gemunbe pyinle hi]* pynnen pe he on hip luge'Se 
 geppemebe. 7 pa geopnhce bepeop 7 bepeoppebe. 7 oSpe 
 gobe popbipnen aeceopbe. 
 
 pe geneopobe Romebuph peope piften Xpe Co lope 7 Seince 
 PeCpe. 7 paepe hip pynnen popgypenyppe unbeppeng. Pe 
 paep on eallen Erobep beboben ppy^e pullppemeb. Sohce 
 pa yeyte pcope geonb call pipp lanb on Co pumgene. 7 pa 
 gemecce he puph Erobep popepceapunge. 8eo lp paepe baelep 
 pyppep lanbep cen milen pjiam Pecjiocep-Scope. pame hacc 
 NGOTGS-bTOCit. 7 he him paep pununge gecimbpobe on 
 ppySe paegepen pcope. 7 mypige paeceppeaSep paep abucen 
 pCanbeS. 7 pa pynben ppySe pynpume op Co pyegene. . paep 
 pe Irodep peope Sep NGOT 9 hip lip abpeah on mycelpe pop- 
 haepebnyppe. opeji maen oftpe mobep 7 mseignep peoppigenbe 
 ]?an pe hme Co peope geceap. ty paep Irobe pylpen. Ne 
 maeig nan mann pulhce gecyften hpu pcrShce he hip hp 
 abpeah aep hip maeppeppeopc-habe ne aepc\ Ne glaeingbe he 
 hip hchame nub beopepupben pepube, ne he nub epcmeCen 
 hi]' mna'S ne gepyllbe. ODid pan pe he pupp lange gebpoheneb 
 haepbe. on paepe pcope pe pe pon aep pope paeben. pa ongann 
 pe ungepeopenhce peonb him cogeanep anbigen. ppa him aelc 
 50b opftmdS. Ongann pa paenben hip aeccpige paepnen ty pynb 
 copenungen cogeanep pan Palgen pepe. Sc he pone peonb 
 opepppaS nub pihcen geleapen puph Irobe)' gepcylbnyppe 
 pirn coinen gelomen co Palige Erobep iEnglep anb hire 
 geppeppeben 7 pel gehepcen. 7 lime manoben ^ he ne 
 geppice Dobep popb co bobigenne ealle mannen oSS hip hpep 
 aenbe. 7 behecen him jepippe ^ ece hp \>e he nu mib 
 myphoe on puneS. Pe bybe ppa pe vEngel bebeab. Bobebe 
 ealle mannen pihcne geleape. pan pynpullen 7 ])an pe heojia 
 pynnen anbeccen polben 7 a.'p]ie jej-pican. Pe behec liobe]' 
 
 s
 
 258 
 
 - In] imlhheoptnyrre. 7 tap to-ecan |> eca bx. 
 5 obe lie manobe pa beo on beona zobnyppe jnipn- 
 
 puneban. 
 
 1: - jelamp pumebaeize |» pe Palze pane on aepne mopzen 
 bizellice pepbe m hif paecep-peaSe. 7 peep hip bpohtnunze^ 
 7 hi|- j aim] an-^'T »>n ban peetepe hnacooan leomen abpeah 
 hi|- xepune paep. Da zenepbe he psepmze pibenba menize. 
 Pe pa hpa?blice mib mycelen orpte priam baepe pelle onecte. 
 Dolbe i> hip bpohenunz eenizen eon&iice man cuS pupbe on 
 hip life \mrr ban 'Vn.'ii be opep eailen raxe$. Fopleap pa on 
 ban pa?pelbe hip aenne pooh. 7 oSepne mib him 60 hipzebeb- 
 Inijv ham -7;,-l> i: <»Iir«-. OOib ban be he top palmep 7 top 
 xebeben 7 pcebinxan embhybizlice pmeabe. ba beco him ro 
 ^emynbe hip oBep pooh. \> he hine on ban paepelbe popleap. 
 Clypobe ba bun ro hip 1'f 17,11. 7 bebeiab him \> he him hip 
 roo jepeccen pcolbe. Pe pa paep hip ceebep beboban ze- 
 heppum. 7 hpaebhce pepbe ro Jjaepe pelle. 7 tape on ban 
 e punbeplice pipe zemecte. \> ip j> an px be ip zeapept 
 ealpa beopa |;r|i ann zeonb bunen 7 benen punbeplice 
 bepeonbe mib exen nibep 7 bibep. 7 paepinxe beco to [rape 
 pcope tape pe palze pepe hip p'c zefcpon. 7 bone pcoh 
 zelcehte. 7 eetpapen [>ohte. Da bepeh ]>ap toreapjaepte 
 Dpihten. 7 nolbe J) hip |?eope on ppa mebemlice jainzen 
 zeunpoereb paepe. bepaenbe ]a plaep on pone pox pjw 1' he 
 lii|- 1 1 j_- alec haobenbe ba bpanxep oc jun pco on hip ppao 
 mu$e. Be j>eixu j-a baepto xeteiznbe. 7 j?one pcoxenam 7 
 ban Palxe zebpohte. 7 him cybbe eaU bpaet paep zelumpen 
 [•a I . pe |'.i pe Palze baep mycele punbpobe. 7 bebeab ban 
 beizne on pa p Paelenbep name ]» he tot nanen ne cybbe asp 
 In)- lipep aenbe. 
 
 ( )n ban time paer iElppeb Km-;. 7 ro j- an Palzen zelomen 
 cum < mb In)' papl ■ ]'t.i]ip'. he hine eac |?peabe maneza 
 pops. 'u. 7 him Co cp\ mib pope-picezunze. Gala }m Kinz, 
 mycel pcealc )>u fwlizen on [jyppen hpe . on ]>an copeapben 
 rum' ppa myo le anzrumnyppe |mi zebiben pcealc. }> nan 
 maennipc tunze hit eall apeczen ne maeiz. Nu leop beapn 
 -jvlicji mexyp ]mi pylc.7 pine heopte ro mine paebe xeceppe. 
 I, pic ealhnxe ppam jnnpe unpintpirnyppe. 7 ]nne j'ynnen 
 mib a lnit'||( 11 alep. 7 mib teapen abijole. 7 zebpinz ]nne 
 lac ro Bomebuph Maptmu ban Pape. be nu peak 
 Gnzlircpe Bcole. 6e Kmz iElppeb bybe ]»a j-pa pe palze 
 hine bebeab. 7 hip beboben zeopne hly)z;e. 7 he him peala 
 copepsbe nub pope-pitezunze ppa him pyb^Sen aneobe. 8e 
 I- • 1 \ r ij»' oSpe popban. lc nylle be bebizelizen ^,<>^t' Kmz 
 j> me topeapb i|" popneh pe baeij mmep pop'Spi'bef bone ic
 
 250 
 
 jepnbe pmble mib ealpe heopce. Kc ic peeje jec ^ scpcejt 
 mmen popopibe \m peale police n pcealc. 7 ppam Dempepe 
 peobe pu aplemeb bypc op |?inen cynepice. 7 pine caempen 
 7 hepecojen pe ppam gepiceS 7 toptaencfce byS. Spa hie 
 on Dpihcenep ppopun^e appicen ij\ paec pone pe hepbe 
 aplemeb 7 opplajen by$. ponne byS pa peep ealle cop- 
 Caencce. !Sc ponne pe ealpe angpumepc byS on pine mobe. 
 je^aenc pu mm. 7 ic pe ^ej'cilbe on Dpihcenep name, pa 
 pe King pap popb gehepbe. pa pophcobe he peaple ppy"Se. 
 7 hip blecpun^e abaeb. 7 apeig gepenbe. pirn aneobe pvb- 
 Sen ppa Sep N6OT 2 him popepaebe. 
 
 Daep palgen uncpumnyppe peox pa ppam baege Co baeige. 
 7 pa on pan ycemepcen baeige hip hanbbpeben up co heopone 
 apcpehce. 7 mib blippe hip gape apenbe. 7 co pepce gepenbe. 
 Softlice Gnglep cogeanep hip paple comen. 7 heo gelaebben 
 mib mvcelen gepean co heopojucep myphSe. Pip leopn- 
 lngfcmhcep pa bebypigben hip he mib mycelen pupftmynce 
 innen paepe Cipice pe he pylp on aep gepecce. ptep becom pa 
 on paepe hpile mycel ppetnyppe pcaenc ppyle hie eall gejrpea- 
 pob paepe on paepe pcope mib pynpume blopcmen 7 pypc- 
 gemangum. paep pupben eac peale uncpume gehaelbe 
 ppam mipchcen bpocen puph Erobep mihcen 7 paes Palg'en 
 geeapnunge. 7 epc bmnen peopen geapen hip ban up genu- 
 men pupben. 7 on o^pe pcope mib pupbmynte aleigb neh 
 pan alcepe. 7 paep epc peapS mycel ppotnyppe ptaeac gepop- 
 ben on paepe pcypunge. Ppaec pa popb ealle gepyllede beon 
 pcolben pe pe Paige popepaebe beo pa Kmge. Com pa Du- 
 •Spum pe haeftene King mib hip paelpeopen hepe aepepc on 
 Gapcbaele Sexlanbep. 7 paep peala manne opploh. Sume 
 eac pleamep cepcen. 7 pume on hanb eoban. Da /Elppeb King 
 pe pe aep embe ppaecon \ op axobe. ■]> pe hepe ppa pcrShc 
 paep. 7 ppa neh Gnglelande. he pone poppyphc pleamep cepce. 
 7 hip caempen ealle poplec. 7 hip hepcogen. 7 eall hip 
 peobe. mabmep 7 mabmpacen. 7 hi]- hpe gebeaph. Fepbe 
 palucigenbegeonb hegep 7 pegep. geonb pubep 7pelbep.ppa 
 \ he puph Dobep pippunge gepunb becom co iE$eling-ege. 7 
 on pumep ppanep hupe hip hleop gepnbe. 7 eac ppylce him 7 
 hip ypele pipe geopne hepbe. PiC gelamp fume baeige ty 
 paep ppanep pip haecce hipe open 7 pe King jraepbig paec. 
 hleop-pinbe hine beo pan pype. pan heopen nycenbe j> he 
 King paepe. pa peapS ^ ypelepip paepinge ajrypob. 7 cp' co pan 
 Kinge eojipe mobe. Daenb pu pa hlapej- ]> heo ne pojibeopnen. 
 pop pa ic ^ej'eo bei^hpamhce ]) pu mycelaece eapc. Pe paej* pone 
 jeheppum pan ypele pipe, pop pan pe he nebe pcolbe. Pe pa 
 pe jobeRinjmib mycelpe an^pumnyppe 7 piccecunje to hip 
 
 s 2
 
 k 2(>0 
 
 Dpibcene cfypobe. hip milbpe bibbenbe. Ppaee pa buce him 
 
 aneobe ealppa re Palze him copepaebe on-aep. 7 mane eap- 
 
 he abneah |x>ne pe nu apeccen mu^en. ac he peapB 
 
 epe pop-pa$e zeppeppob. |>iipli j'out' Pal^tMi NGOTGN. 
 
 Pe com co him anep nihrep on ppepne ppy$e bpihce pci- 
 
 nenbe. 7 him Co cp*. Gala j>u Kinz, hpaet pyle ]»u ro mebe 
 
 zepyllen ban be l'>' ppS |>\ 1 r<-n une'Snyjyen alype"& Pe 
 
 peap$ apyphc on ppepne paeplice ppy$e. 7 |>ch jwm Palzen 
 
 zeanbppenobe. Gala leop li«' cp 1 hpaet maeiz, ic pyllen. Ic 
 
 earn eallep Drobef benaemeb 7 miner kynepicep. ,S(> Pdjp 
 
 him anbppepobe. Ic earn NGOTU8 l»m ppeonb. 7 ic nu 
 
 bhppize nuN heopene Kinze. Dehyht qu <>u hip nnhte. 
 
 Donne becumpt )'u Bepcep eapcepn Co Jnnen aeftele. 7 ]>c co- 
 
 zeanep tn u i >> |mh cobpaepeb hepe. 7 pinep cymep beaple 
 
 papjemjelS. Ic J*e copopen pape. l"Ni me Bepcep poize. 7 
 
 bin pole pamob. Ic- poftlice cobpaepe ealle bine priSeppinnen. 
 
 7 pone Kinz be be cozeanep pin$. ro zeleapen zebeze. Pic 
 
 zelamp ]\-i eall]*pa. 7 Gu$pu pe hae$ene Kiin; com ro .Kl- 
 
 ppebe pan Cpipcene Kinje mib (meoctene caempen. 7 ppriSep 
 
 pilnobe. 7 ro pulhce penj. 7 he cpelp dazep aspcep pan hep 
 
 on lanbe punebe. mib mycelpe bhppe. 7 py&Sen gepunb 
 
 zepenbe miS hip hepe lape ro hip azenen eapbe. mi^> eallpe 
 
 pibbe. \>a pcox . Klppebep cynepu-e. 7 hip popb pibe ppnang 
 
 |> he on zobcunben zeppiten pel zelaepeb pa?]*, ppa \ he 
 
 opep%eah Bipcopep 7 GQaeppeppeoptep. 7 pehbiaconep. 7 
 
 Cpipcenbom pel peah on pan zobe time. 6ac ip ro pytene 
 
 |> pe Kidt, ASlppeb maneza bee |>upli Erobep Irapc zebyhce. 
 
 7 bmnen tpam 7 cpenciz. geapen hip cynepicep. 7 pipp 
 
 Mice hp poplec. 7 ro pan ecen zepenbe. Spa him Dob 
 
 zeu$e. pop hip pihcpipnyppe. Gala maen ba leope ]>a paepon 
 
 gobe dazep. on |>an zobe cime. pop Cnipcenep polcap zeeap- 
 
 nunge. 7 pihcpippa peapobmanna. Nu ip aeijhpanen heop 
 
 7 P°P« 7 opepcpealm mycel pop polcep pynnen. 7 paeptmep 
 
 reizfcepzeaonpubezeaon pelbene pynb ppazpbe. ppaheoiu 
 
 paepon. ffc ypeleS ppj Seeall eorriSe paepeme. 7 unpihtpipnyppe 
 
 mycele pexe$. pibe geonb puplbe. 7 pibbe colypnyppe. 7 tael- 
 
 nyppe. 7 pe bincS du paeppept. 7 geapepe pe oSepne maeiz. 
 
 beppican. 7 hip Behce hi op am/men. Gac man ppepeb man. 
 
 mape pone he pcolbe. Ty hir ip |'«-pypjv. pibe on eapfte. 7 
 
 bi ]>;ui pe mujen unbeppcanben |» hir ip neh Domep-beeze. 
 
 Ne ppape-S nu pe paebep [?an pune. ne nan mann oopen. 
 
 Scaefc man pinS onzean oiSpen. 7 Crobep laje ne jemeiS. 
 
 n» I T ;| me pcolbe. Beo ba pe muzen onzjt-en $ tipp puplb 
 
 i|- apeijpeapb 7 ppy«e neh pan aenbe l'yrp-n puplbe. Gale 
 
 jepaeliz bjrB pe [*e tune pylp n on rime jebypeje^S. Veen nu
 
 261 
 
 bibben jeopne Semce N60TGN 7 oSjie Paljen ^ heo upe 
 pin^epep beon Co pan heopon Kinje. -j) pe naeppe eallep Co 
 ypelne cime ne jebiben on pypren eapmen lipe. 7 -ty pe mocen 
 aepcep popbproe Co ecepe pepte becumen. 
 
 33. 
 
 [MSS. Bodleian Library, Bodley 535.] 
 
 Sanctus igitur Neotus fecunda; Britannia?, quae nunc 
 Anglia dicitur, Eois traditur parentibus cretus ; qui usque 
 adeo quippe carnali viguere stem mate, quod etiam Orienta- 
 lium-Britonum regno regali suecederent sorte. . . .Horura 
 Deus diligentem assignans ex summo devotionem, in nullo 
 fore dissimilem eis attulit heredem. . . .In aetate namq, puerih 
 adhuc positus, puerorum lascivias mundanis cum omnibus 
 neniis spernens penitus, comptis moribus crescebat et actibus. 
 Adhuc quoque adolescentulus, cunctisparentum expositis re- 
 bus, mundum, nondum vir aetate, viriliter tamen cum omni- 
 bus pompis suis abegit. . . . 
 
 Erat in illis temporibus famosum in Britannia? Anglicae 
 partibus Coenobium, urbs Glaestingas nominatum. . . .Hunc 
 igitur locum Dili Omnipotentis adolescens toto mentis enisu 
 amplexatus est, tanquam munitissimum asylum contra callidi 
 hostis multimodum jaculum. . . .Specialiter autem frequenti 
 erat incumbens orationi; illius non immemor verbi Dni, 
 " Orate ne intretis in tentationem,'" et Apostoli, "Sine,"" inquit, 
 " intermissione orate." Saepenumero quoque adeo furtivis 
 intempestae noctis silentio vigilabat supplicationibus, ut 
 quis esset mutatis penitus dissimularet vestibus. . . .Mox 
 autem imminebant crepuscula lucis ; assuetis resumptis in- 
 duviis, regularibus tota die inserviebat obsequiis. . . . 
 
 Quum b in Christo mandatis omnibus indeficiens Dei servus 
 anhelaret Neotus, superno admonitus oraculo, ut virtutum 
 novalia alio excoleret Dno Deo, Occidentalium partes gentis 
 Anglorum Britannicorum (natio enim ilia a Romanis affertur 
 Cornu-Galliae vocabulata) perlustrare disposuit. .. .Mox, ubi 
 quod percupiebat comperit, viz. aptum solitudinis recessum, 
 arduam virtutis austerioremque vitam ducere constituit. A 
 Sci autem Petroci Monasterio ha?c distat heremus x fere 
 lapidibus; tracto vero ab ipso beato viro nomine, Neote- 
 stoce a° loci incolis est appellatus. Qui locus nemorosis un- 
 
 h Ur.quam, MS. c Adloci, MS.
 
 202 
 
 dique vallatinr arboribus, perspicuisque emanat flurninibus, 
 maris quoque superstal afnnitate contiguus. . . .Solitarie i»i- 
 tur, in Dei Omnipotentia Bervitio, uno integro Lustro an« 
 oinque duobus, paucis admodum notus perroanens, ]>ii la- 
 boris desiderio, amoreque exignitus di\ ino, Rofnae principum 
 Apoetolorum Petri el Paul) visitare proposuil limina. Quod 
 exoptato percurrens animo, cum honore maximo a Dno bus- , 
 ceptut esl Apostolico. . . . Dem benedictione fretus Aposto- 
 lica. . . .prseelectum capiens locum. . . .Ccenobium ccepit edi- 
 
 Bcare Fratrum 
 
 Eadem itaque tempestate, Dei famuli Neoti famam Rex 
 Anglorum concipiens Haeluredus. . . .toto Becorpore pronus 
 ante eum advolvens more sub antiquo benedictionem sibi 
 
 dari expostulavit . . .Dni autem miles Neotus ut etiara 
 
 si!<i consanguinitate proximum carnis honorifice suscipiena, 
 multa eum in divmis edocuit, atque deinde ex suis 
 pravis actionibus correxit. . . .Kx hoc deinceps tempore 
 
 Baepius idem Rex Dei alumnum requirebat Neotum 
 
 Quadam siquidem die Rex praefatus de more familiariter 
 cum adeo paucis ad Dei hominem accessit. Quern Dei fa- 
 mulus Neotusj inter alia plurima, acriter iterum de 
 sin- Dequi&simis actionibus increpuit, etiam ignis poenas ap- 
 posuit, potentes potenter tormenta pati demonstravit, et 
 praeter hsec omnia fere quae ii afrutura erant prassago spiritu 
 protulit " Tanta," inquit, "Rex ab adversantibus mfor- 
 tmiia pateris; atqui tarn multa adhuc patieris. Namque 
 regno, quo tumes, quo immoderatam debacchando tyranni- 
 
 dem exerces pnvaberis; a gentibus exteris Christum 
 
 ignoranubus invam lis; \i\ solus ab adversariis evadens, pro- 
 fugus latitabis divinitus, sicque peccato cogente aliquot 
 diebus manebis. . . .Pro tui igitur regni salute ac statu, 
 s.uuorihus usus consiliis, fegatos Romam eum munerjbus 
 reverendissimo Papas Marino dirige ; hunc obnixius depre- 
 care, auatenus Ang;lorum Scholis R >inae libertatem dignetur 
 concedere. Ego enim universae carnis viam ingrediens, Dno 
 into. I, mi Christomihi hoc revelante, mequedehocseculo vo- 
 cante, in proximo concedam naturae. Cum vero divina quod 
 dispoeuil prudentia super te adimpleverit . . .Gubernantis 
 omnia auxiIiumprotinusinvoca,et . . .tibioptatum prsestahit 
 idiuni". . . .Quibus Rex auditis, vehementer ex intimis 
 ; factua medullis, oratione pariter et benedictione petita, 
 isdiutiusperfusus lachrvmis, abiil tristis. Apparatistamen 
 ex famuli Omnipotentu Deijussu magnifice legatis, Romam 
 (quemadmodum edoctus fuerat) misit; quod petiit ex voto 
 absque ulla int. rcapedine .1 venerabili Papa irapetravit ....
 
 2i>3 
 
 Non multo post igitur vir Dei Njcotus, corporis attactus 
 languore, et hoc perindies ingravescente. . . .postquam se 
 Dominici corporis ac sanguinis participatione munivit (pacem 
 propriis commendans oviculis, ac multis quibus animae salus 
 assequitur in communi exhortamine prolatis), suo in Omni- 
 potentis Dei misericordia contradito spiritu, inter ipsa psal- 
 modiarum et oraminum verba, alacris sanctam caelo animani 
 reddidit. . . .Venerabile vero corpus ejus in sua, cum ouini di- 
 ligentia, tumulatum est Ecclesia. 
 
 Jam vero Phoebo signorum tecta remenso, 
 Cursu biseno, revoluto septies anno, 
 Protinus in fabrica majori condita Templa 
 a religiosissimis amplificata sunt mortalibus. Unde res ex- 
 petebat opportuna, servi Dei corpusculum alias in eadem 
 Ecclesia transferendum ; quod devotissime excubiis, orationi- 
 bus, ac jejuniis est inde levatum ; et eximie ad Aquilonarem 
 ejusdem Ecclesia? altaris partem, idoneo satis loco, constitit 
 reconditum. . . . 
 
 <£. 
 
 [John de Tinmouth's e "Historia Aurea" Book XXI. f Chap. 63, 
 64, 65. MSS.K Lambeth 12. ff. 88. 89.; MSS. Bodleian Library, 
 Boilley 240.] 
 
 Furr quidam Rex Occidentalium Anglorum ac Cantiae 
 nomine Eldulphus, egregiae magis liberalitati studens quam 
 mundanas serviens cupiditati. . . .Dns autem, cum sit ex- 
 celsus, humilia respiciens, et alta a longe cognoscens, ejus 
 opera respexit, eique filium dedit nomine Neotum. 
 
 Hie itaq,NEOTUs, regali prosapia ortus, transactis infantiae 
 annis, literis ac moribus traditur infbrmandus. . . .Cum enim 
 militares tetigisset annos, seculari noluit implicari militia; 
 sed potius temperaliter eligens abjectus esse in domo De^ 
 sui quam in regio gloriari palatio, in Glastoniensi Coenobio, 
 sub Dunstano Abbate, Monachus effectus est; in brevique 
 
 e This extract has been made from Tinniouth's Epitome, rather than from 
 the antient authority MS. Cotton Claud. A. V.; as being more compendious, 
 although (as far it goes) expressed nearly in the same words. 
 
 « Book XV III., MS., Bodl. 240. ; , . 
 
 b This extract is printed after MS. Lamheth, except where a variation is 
 
 noticed.
 
 264 
 
 ml teniae religionis asoendit fastigium, quod nihil ei virtues 
 ■atiic deessc crederetur . . . .Eratque clams moribus et 
 virtu tibus, lingua facundus, verbo discretus, Bcientia lauda- 
 bilis, ina niirabilis, consilio utilis, el omnibus factus 
 
 amabilis, aspect u angelicus, sed corporis brevitate alter Zac- 
 cheus; scabello namque ferreo supposito missas celebravit.... 
 Tandem populi frequentiam ac favorera declinare aftec- 
 tans, iliv'mo praemonitus oraculo, intra Corn tibiae confinia 
 remote qusesivit aolitudinis looa; unius clientis nomine 
 Harii, quem sui feceral secreti conscium, contentus comitatu, 
 (|ui.|, cum nee in vita dec in morte deseruit. Sicquc, ipso 
 ducente quo prasmonente, ad locum siln a Deo praeparatum 
 devenit. [' Distal enim heremus ilia a S Petroci m C trnubia 
 Monasteno milliariis fere \ ; et, tracto ab ipso viro Dei 
 nomine, ab incolis locus ille Neotkstoke* appellatur.] 
 Eral autem locus ille nemorosus, fluviis perspicuus et mari 
 affinis Transacts autem in loco illo, in magna vitae per- 
 r>ne, annis vij, Romam profectus, a Papa Martino ho- 
 Dorifice susceptus, utrdque alterius recreate solamine, pos- 
 tulate cum benedictions assecutus, domum rediit; et Mo- 
 nasterium construxit, ac Monachos congregavit. . . . 
 
 Venil aliquando ad virum Dei Aluredus 11 Ilex West- 
 Saxonum, corpore humiliatus, el mente benedictionem ejus 
 postulans; quem benedixit, edocuit et erudivit eum scientia, 
 nam prudentiae ostendens illi. Pravos ejus redarguens 
 actus, jussit m melius converti ; et tento securius quantd pro- 
 pinquus de sanguine ejus tractus 1 . Alio quoque tempore 
 Kegem eundem de tyranica improbitate, de superba regi- 
 minis austeritete, acfiter S< s increpavit Neotus. . . . kw Quid 
 gjoriaris," inquit, k- in malitia? quid potens es in iniquitate? 
 Elevatus es ad modicum et non subsistes, et sicut sumnii- 
 
 k " Anno '■ l .'" in the margin ; a date manifestly wrong (see p. 27, note /.). 
 ' An • u in the margin i i MS. Bod I. I io. li is found, elso, in John 
 
 ictilog inn" MSS^ Cott. Lib. E. I ; and in the Life oi Neol 
 MSS. I p. 261. from which it was no doubt copied into the 
 
 ISS 
 • Neol //. 
 
 k I • parallel passage in the Sanctilogium expressly calls Alfred the "bro- 
 ther" ■ Venit aliqnando ad virum Dei train -suns Alfredus' 1 [Tinmouth's 
 in. MSS. Cott lib. E» I.]. MS. Bodl. has the same as an interjyo- 
 I here is no authority for this in the original Life MSS. Cott. Claud. A.V. 
 — - v). 
 
 I jfe, of which this is an Epitome, is more explicit as to the con- 
 
 linitj between Alfri »Jeot. " Tanto securing quanto carnis propagine 
 
 lur affinius: ntqxu enm alienut, w ere inferior Scs.eral NboTUS, 
 
 nguiiu i-r, 'i, v" [MSS. I otton, ( laud A. V.]. — " Nam fuitei ipto 
 
 imcttu tanpame natvs" [Life of Neofc, |£S6. Magd. Coll. Oxf. 53.].— See
 
 265 
 
 tates spicarum contereris. Ubi est gloriatio tua ? Etsi non- 
 dum exclusa est, aliquando tamen excludetur. Ipso enim 
 regiminis principatu, cujus inani gloriatione te ipsum ex- 
 cedendo superbis, in proximo privaberis. Irrumpentibus 
 quippe intra regionem istam barbaris, atque Dei permissione 
 triumphantibus, vix solus evadens, vagus et profugus eris 
 super terrain. Sicque pauper et egenus aliquandiu latitabis, 
 timens ne omnis qui invenerit te occidat te. Cum autem 
 hujusmodi infortunii cognoveris effectum, comfortare et esto 
 robustus; viriliter age, et comfortetur cor tuum. In omni- 
 bus Dei misericordiae memor eris, qui, cum iratus fuerit, 
 misericordiae recordabitur. . . .Nunc igitur quantocius, Ro- 
 mam legatos dirigens, Martinum m Papam magnis ampliare 
 muneribus ne tardes ; suppliciter rogans ut Anglicam 
 Scholam in eadem urbe sitam non deneget applicare liber- 
 tati ; ut per hoc bencficium gratius tibi praestetur inter in- 
 commoda subsidium. Ego vero post modicum viam uni- 
 versal carnis ingrediar ; quae tibi praedico credere ne dif- 
 fers." Missis itaque Romam nuntiis quod petebat im- 
 petravit. . . . 
 
 Tandem Scs Dni Confessor, Angelis in sublimi plaudenti- 
 bus, debitam humano generi resolutus in mortem, cselo 
 gaudenter susceptus est [" Pridie Kal. Augusti]. 
 
 [° In eadem autem Ecclesia, quam idem Dili Confessor a 
 primis construxerat fundamentis, sacrum ejus ac venerabile 
 corpusculum veneranter est humatum. . . .Aliquanto tem- 
 pore transacto, placuit indigenis et Fratribus suis ut am- 
 pliarentur Edificia. Unde factum, prout res exigebat, ut 
 sanctissimum Confessoris corpusculum de loco in quo prius 
 erat reconditum in Aquilonari altaris parte honorifice et 
 devote reponeretur.] 
 
 m Marinum; MS. Cotton Claud. A. V. 
 
 n Added in the " Sanctilogtum" MSS. Cott. Tib. E. I.; and interpolated in 
 the margin of MS. Bodl., by a later hand. 
 
 ° This passage, being altogether omitted in Tinmouth's Epitome, is supplied 
 from the more antient Life MSS. Cotton, Claud. A. V.
 
 '2<><> 
 
 No. III. 
 
 the translation of the remaim of NEOT,Jrom Neot* 
 STOrE [St. Weofs] in Cornwall, to Ernui rn's-IU ■/,■)• 
 | .SV. Neo(s~\ /'// Huntingdonshire. 
 
 [M eian Library Oxford,") Bodley . r >.r>.] 
 
 XVI. Evolutis proinde nonnullia temporura curriculis, 
 plurimisque indigenarum' praepedientibus peccatis, ve] quia 
 apud Omnipotentem Deum inoommutabiliter praeerat fixmn, 
 quatenus, ad reverendi Confessoris sui Neoti augmentum, 
 .■ilid meritorum Buorum ampliaretur oraculum; ad hoc, ut 
 fideles haberenl quod venerarentur et amarent, infideles vero 
 unde inexcusabiles essent et timerent; suo cuidam ejusdem 
 bus Ecclesiae custodi et famulo venerandus Christi Confessor 
 Neoti b \ isu apparuit manifesto, 
 
 [ntuitusque suum custodem, talia fatur: 
 
 •• Annuo te servum Domini, nunc concipe verbum ; 
 
 Hinc nn' transfer, abi, custos, nolito morari; 
 
 Elegi loculum Christus quern jussit habendum. 
 
 V dubites, jubeo, supero modo missus Olympo. 
 
 En comitor tecum, dum sit quod gestio plenum. 
 
 \Hn luinc dimitto, duo sed mihi condere glisco: 
 
 Ossa licet sumas, doceo quo limite tendas.™ 
 l)iu tamen famulo custode hsesitante, et usque adco dif- 
 ferente secum 1 saepius multa, item alia et alia cogitante; pro- 
 ponebal enim sibi itineris difficultatcm, rurto cognito indi- 
 genarum insectationem, nullam loci quo tenderet notionem; 
 
 Denuo commonitus, sed terque quaterque coactus, 
 
 1 r turn speransj nulL' secreta revelans, 
 
 Tandem inde, exjussu, correpto pignore primo 
 quidem delituit, ac deinSco Comite rugitmis iter quantocius 
 arripuit 
 
 Era! in Aquilonarium partium axe quidam Praepotens et 
 Dives valde, nun bus reverentissima Conjuge, quern fama 
 volabat hand modica Christiana? devotionis esse cultorem per 
 omnia : 
 
 Ilunc, celeri gressu, famulus tentavit adirc; 
 
 Mi spitiumque petit, quod mox optando recepit. 
 
 rors, i f iliis vitiated MS., are corrected in the Extract. 
 '"■II i- doubtful, the original i- thrown into the margin. 
 , Lndjgelutn, MS. s m MS. ' Securoque, MS.
 
 267 
 
 " Qua? autem itineris causa esset," a Patre-familias, " quo vel 
 tenderet, et unde," sa?penumero sciscitatus, rem dissimulanter 
 secretam tenuit, ac tantum Dili quendam" sui famulum se ag- 
 gressum perhibuit. Divitis tamen supradicti tecto, uti assecla 
 domus, cum communi familia est ex voto potitus. Scientis 
 enim et Videntis omnia talis pendebat Providentia, ut et 
 servus discipulus moraretur, et Dei famuli Neoti pignus, 
 hie perpetim conservatum v , alias minime transferretur™. 
 
 XVII. Et Neotestocexses accolae, (famulum custodem 
 concipientes abesse, et tunc siquidem haud frustra suspecti, 
 deinde suum adeo praecipuum requirentes thesaurum, atqui 
 invenientes sublatum,) nimio multati dolore, nimioque con- 
 sternati rancore, ipsi suam redarguunt incuriam; ac ubi ubi 
 directis veredis, maximam armatorum compellant copiam. 
 Ad hoc, custodem famulum per se subsequi mdioe nacto de- 
 liberant. Jam itinera iucassum plurima consumpserant x 
 jam montes, valles, semitas, calles, flumina, paludes lustra- 
 verant; cum tandem, eodem quo famulus progredientes 
 itinere, unde iter ceperat y reperere summo cum sudore. 
 " Curtalia praesumpserit ?" exhortantur edere servum, limis 
 intuiti eum. Ac nunc blanditiis, nunc vcro terroribus et 
 minis, hunc invadere moliuntur ; venenumque furoris ei 
 incutiunt. Opprobriis' etiam conviciantur, 
 
 Vimque inferre parant, et Scm tollere tentant. 
 
 Mox pavefactus adit Dnm cum Conjuge cara; 
 
 Profert in medium " Se Scm ferre.NEOTUM", 
 
 Denique rem famulus veluti fuit ordine pandit. 
 Ad hoc, " Sibi nil esse querendum", dicit, " si Dni sui 
 jussis morigeratus sit". Hsec, et ad hunc modum alia, 
 famulus dicebat multa; cum Diis domus quae ferebantur 
 addidicit omnia. Quocirca maximo exhilaratus gaudio, 
 simul Divino hoc asserens efi'ectum judicio, sese medium 
 obtulit ; 
 
 Litigiumque premens, sapientis verba refudit. 
 " Haud censeo v , inquit\ " vos tali nxandos negotio. Qui 
 enim hujus Sci, ut dicitis, Confessoris Neoti reliquias, 
 Dispositor rerum Summus omnium, nostras ad plagas 
 accedere jussit, si quoquo terrarum sit hinc re-gerendus, 
 nobis in eo sperantibus (ut fideliter credimus) demonstrabit. 
 Producantur, igitur, Sci b , sed et Dei Onmipotentis servi, 
 Neoti pignora. Ex intimis dentur Deo prxcordiis preca- 
 mina ; quatenus, qui suis in Sanctis gloriosus est, ipse Deus, 
 nobis in se demon strarc dignetur credentibus, si Sci sui 
 
 i' Quoddam, MS. v Conscr%'atunnn, MS. w Tranferretur, MS. 
 
 * So in MS. y Ceperant, MS. '■ Impropriis, MS. 
 
 - Inquam, MS. '' Si^a^. MS.
 
 268 
 
 \, oxi patrocinia, hue allata divinitus, hinc sint ampliua re- 
 movenda". Quod satins admodum eia visum est iaoneum. 
 Supplicationibus itaque peractis, senior inquit eis, "Jam 
 vestrum esl tmde rixabamini prendere, et pariter, si fas est, 
 aluiv". Litis, igitur, attingere tentantibus vires deficiunt; 
 nee prorsus amovere Sanctissimi corpus Neoti queunt. 
 Tunc multo j>lus obstupefacti capite, sseviunt, turbantur, et 
 fremunt ; furor eis tantum verba niinistrat'. "Vos", in- 
 quiunt, " ossa Bolummodo inula, nos vero loci venerandi 
 habemu8 sepulchra ; vos terram factam, nos spiritus virtutem 
 eeremam: vos mortem, nos vero vitam". Ad luec Pater- 
 familias, Conjugecum veneranda, 
 
 IVfotus et iratus citius discedere jussit ; 
 Ni faciant, damnum cum corpore ferre minatus. 
 [nsuper Anglorum Hex, causis concitus horum, 
 Talia concipiens, asseclas illico misit; 
 Praecipit, hos pellant, aut nectant, aut quoque caedant, 
 Sanctum thesaurum nolens hunc esse relatum. 
 Namque furor Regis tarn saevus canduit inde, 
 I His quod demum vix copia mansit eundi. 
 Cilitus allatum sit nobis rase quietum. 
 Mittunt egregii pignus fugiendo Neoti. 
 Heros laetatur d ; Conjux probat et veneratur. . . . 
 XX. Christianas igitur professionis temporis processu, 
 multiplicata numerositate, sacras ibi excubias celebrare, 
 immortale laudis sacrificium Deo Omnipotenti persolvere, 
 casteraque supplicadonum munia horis canonicis reddere; 
 unde multo perspicacius signorum eximia inibi coruscare... 
 Denique \ ir darns bonitatis dogmate* gnarus 
 Cogitat Ecclesiam Sancto componere dignam, 
 Conjugecum cara virtutum robore clara. 
 
 Esl quidam fluvius varjo sinuamine tensus; 
 Tractibus obliquus, quosdam relegens comitatus, 
 Fertilitate gravis glebes * jiratis quoque lautis; 
 Hunc Austri-Zepnyri Ions gignil ab ore riganti. 
 Ast, alio de fonte satus, dat aliunde' meatus. — * 
 1 1 1 mi 3 et 0us4 sui prisci dixere colom 
 Hos fbntes ambos grato Bub amore maritos, 
 Qui generant fluvium propria de voce parentum. 
 I li> II BBLUS : ( )DSA situs spatiosum c dat sibi litus; 
 Indeque torrentum vires confert sociantum ; 
 Ac nunquani steriles cursu properante paludes 
 
 ' Ministratos, MS. * Probatur, MB. Bodl ; laetatar, MS. Parktr lf>3. 
 
 • Dogmiae, MS. ' Abiixie, MS. * Gleba patris, MS. 
 
 , .,, h Vrl <). njo irtu d,«. ., 
 
 NuiMpiam sterilet, ™*
 
 269 
 
 iElici' lustrat quae nobilis Insula constat; 
 Moxque petit Guellam k , cujus nectens quoque dextram, 
 Concidit in vastas Neptuni gurgitis undas, 
 Hoc que sub Oylanda 1 nymphis tellure dicanda™. 
 Supra ergo assignati fluvii ripam, ex provisu (quod credi 
 fas est) Divino, saepe jam dictus Familias-pater, pari Con- 
 jugis voto, coepit Templum edificare, competenti satius litoris 
 loco, 
 
 Nomine sub Dni Confessorisque Neoti. 
 Quae devoto perficiens opere, curavit etiam eximio contra- 
 dito cultu condecorare. Religionis quoque sanctissimae ha- 
 bitus apposuit Famulos, qui Omnipotenti Deo Scoque suo 
 Neoto congruentes devotius persolverent hymnos". Ad 
 hoc, sumptus lautifice eis praesanxit necessarios; locique 
 ipsius nomen, ad perpetuam servi Dei Neoti memoriam, 
 Neotesberia cognominavit, ad praesentem diem, usque sat 
 ex debito jure. Qui profecto locus a Bedefoiidensi distat 
 fere ter-tribus Consulatu p lapidibus; item alteri bis-duobus 
 addito uno milliariis, scilicet Hountendon.e propinquat 
 Comitatui q : inter utrumque tamen venerandus situs locus 
 utrique perpatet contiguus. Quia igitur ibi specialiter tanti 
 viri Dei excoluntur pignora, tarn circa adjacentes populi, 
 quam longius remoti, ejus profecto piissima ex eorum devotis 
 supplicationibus sentiunt solamina. . . . 
 
 XXL... Ipse quoque Pater-familias, nee minus devotissima 
 Conjux, exuberantibus replebantur gaudiis. 
 
 Aspera r flabat hiems brumali frigore fervens, 
 Cum nive seu pluviis. Jam membris s ipse Decembris 
 Septem 1 quippe dies dederat, brevitudine prsepes. 
 Hoc simul octavae celebrantur tempore sacrae 
 Andreae, Simonis Petri dubio sine fratris ; 
 Idus cum septem u festo numerantur eodem 
 Istius mensis vocitati jure Decembris. 
 cum de quo prasdiximus custos v -famulus beati Confessoris 
 Neoti a Cornu-Gallia corpus Aquilonaribus delutit Anglis 
 diyinitus. Qui videlicet custos-famulus, veluti fidelis servus, 
 Dni sui nutibus attentus, mentis exequens (quae sola vera 
 
 • Aileci, MS. ; probably intended for Aelici, Aeligi, or Heligi. Helig being 
 the Monkisli name tor Ely. 
 
 k Upwell? ' Lincolnshire Holland. m Dicata, MS. 
 
 " Yninos, MS _ ° Sancti, MS. p Consoiatu, MS. 
 
 i This enigmatical passage seems to assert, that Neotsbury is .9 miles from Bed- 
 ford, and 14 from Huntingdon; the real distances being 12 and 9 miles. 
 
 r SPERA, MS.; the A having been clearly omitied, wuh the design of 
 being introduced in colors. 
 
 s Membris at ipse, MS. 
 
 1 From 30 Nov. (St. Andrew's day) till 7 Dec. (the Octave of th.,t feast)? 
 
 u VII. Id. Dec, or 7th December. v Cunctos, MS.
 
 '270 
 
 liberty est) nobilitatem, usque ad buss ultnuum vkae finem 
 ritatis exhibuit devotionera. Quern caalicas ad auras, 
 perpetua coronandum gloria, delatum, cum Banctisama Dei 
 viro N koto habi tare credimus. . . .Cuius etiara fidelis dis- 
 dpuli ossi in eadem Bancti viri Ecclesia diligenter asserun- 
 tur reoondita. . . . 
 
 Xo. IV. 
 
 On the first Foundation of the Monastery of St. Njeot, in 
 Huntingdonshire, by Earl Lieqfric \ Alrtc ] ; and on the De- 
 dication of the Conventual Chapel, by JEscwin lip. of 
 Lincoln, about A. 1). 974. — Also on the seizure of the 
 Priory by the Normans, about A. D. 1077. 
 
 [Thomas de Ely's "Historia Ccenobii Kliensis," Bool; II. Chap. 
 XXVIII. and XCIX.:— *MSS. Bodl. Libr. Land. Miscel. 647. ff. 
 g a. 32 b. ; — MSS. Trin. Coll. Cambridge, O.ii.l. if. 53b. 88b.] 
 
 XXVIII. De EYNOLUESBERIV-Restat igitur 
 enarrandum de Henuluesbiey, quern Scs Neotus primum 
 Monachili ordine instituit*; sed iniqua Danorum pervasione 
 jacuil din miserabiliter desolandus. Post plurimorum autem 
 temporum curricula venerabilis pater .Edelwoldus locum 
 eundem, sicul caetera per Angliam loca veneranda, relevare, 
 el ad pristinura decorem divini obsequii reformare studuit; 
 Monachos adducens de Ely denuo illuc regulariter sub 
 Priore collocavit. Cum enim ad prsefatae Basilicae dedica- 
 tionem consisteret, vir Deo devotus Leofeicus el Uxor ejus 
 l.i on ; i) \ nomine consilium habuerunt cum eo, ef cum 
 Abbate Brithnodo, rogaotes cos obnixe ut Monachos illic 
 constituerenl ; al illi votum eorum muldpliciter amplectentes, 
 quosdam de Ely, quosdam Tero illic de Tornei'a destinaverunt. 
 Deinde coram omnibus Episcopum atque Abbatem humi- 
 liter postulabant, quatenus, pro Dei amore et sanctae reli- 
 tis reverentia, eis, tanquam suis, providcrcnt atque con- 
 Bulerent, ut vitam religiosam digne observarent; et esset 
 locus i|»i Abbati et cunctis Buccessoribus suis Ecclesia? de 
 Ely semper subjectus; Bed ut Prior illic jugiter de Ecclesia 
 de El) haberetur, nisi ex ipsis talis posset inveniri, (et hoc 
 
 extract 11 printed from tlie Oxford U.S.; some various rci'l'm^ from 
 • he gi Ms. bi ing noticed in the margin. 
 
 Hi iiulu- iberi, MS. Trin. 'Constiti it, MS. Tun.
 
 271 
 
 assensu atque consillo Fratrum de Ely,) qui ipso officio 
 dignus existeret. Ad victum vero eorum et vestimentum, 
 18 hydas continuo statuerunt, necessitati illorum utiliter 
 providentes; c 2 videlicet in praedicta villa de Henulues- 
 buri% et 6 apud Weueresle, et 9 apud Gamingeia : 
 unde testes fuerunt /Escwinus Episcopus qui Ecclesiam 
 tunc dedicavit, ^Egelwinus Alderman b , iEdricus Pape, 
 iEdelmus Polga, et cseteri qui ad dedicationem illam fue- 
 rant congregati. Atque hoc tribus scriptis Anglice [Anglo- 
 Saxonlce] constat esse firmatum : unura habuit Episcopus 
 iEdelwoldus, quod in Ecclesia pro testimonio hactenus ser- 
 vatur; aliud iEscwinus Episcopus; tertium ipsimet sibi re- 
 tinuerunt. Locus autem ille ad Ely diu pertinuit, donee 
 Anglia subjugatur a Normannis ; sed Ecclesia, gemens in 
 suis oppressionibus, illud, cum multis et magnis injuste sibi 
 ablatis, calumniatur ; et continue ad Deuni cum Psalmista 
 querimoniam facit, adversus eos qui dixerunt, ' Venite et 
 disperdamus earn de gente, et non memoretur in ea nomen 
 Israel ultra. - ' Nam postea, Normannis Angliam obtinenti- 
 bus, unus illorum, Gilebertus de Clara, eundem locum sibi 
 vindicavit, Fratresque de Ely, uti in proprio illic degentes, 
 fugavit : tres vero, non fame non verbere depellere valens, 
 apud Beccum in custodian) ultra mare delegavit ; ac Mona- 
 cnos inde adducens ibi locavit, expulsis violenter indigenis. . . . 
 XCIX. Quam VIOLENTER locus de EYNOLUES- 
 BYRI X abstractly sit Elyensi ecclesle. — Gilbertus 
 de Clara, genere ac dignitate carnis praeclarus, sed tota 
 anima atque virtute Sanctae ^Edheldredae, Dominatrici Eli- 
 ensis Ecclesiae, in cunctis adversarius, cui locum de Ey- 
 noluesbery subripiens sibi vindicare praesumpsit, indeque 
 nostros, violenter ejectos, recedere compulit ; nonnullos vero, 
 jugi inedia maceratos et diu afflictione gravatos, de loco ne- 
 quivit pellere. Tamen sic domare illorum constantiam pos- 
 tremo cogitans, jubet eos protrahi foras, et ultra mare apud 
 Beccum perpetuo custodiae mancipandos transmisit. Sicque 
 Monachis nostris a loco depulsis atque proscriptis, Monachos 
 inde adducens apud Enuluesbiri 5 , contra rationis ordinem, 
 et injuste pro nostris, locavit: quern illi, licet indebite, usque 
 ad nunc diem pro voto obtinent, et nos super hujusmodi 
 infestationis molestia judiciali disceptatione frustramur. 
 
 •Enuluesbeii, MS. Trin. b Aldelman, MS. Trin. 
 
 x Enultesbery, MS. Tun. * Henuluesberi, MS. Trin-
 
 •272 
 
 NO. V. 
 
 On (he translation of the remains qfNEOT^from Xeots- 
 urny tt> CROYLAND, about A. 1). 100:5. 
 
 &. 
 
 [Ingulph'i " Historia CroylandensU" ; published in Fulroun, Rer. 
 Am_I- Scrip. Vei. p. 55.] 
 
 I \ tempore Dni Osketuli Abbatis Crovlandiae, cum Dani 
 totam terram inquietarent, indigenae de villi- et vicis ad ciyi- 
 tateset castella, et plurimi ad paludes et lacuum k>ca invia, 
 refugientes, Danorum transitum et discursum pro anima 
 praecavebant. Accidil ergo quandam magnam Dominam 
 villae, quae Elnophesbybi vocatur, Lefwinnm nomine, so- 
 rorem Bcilicel ex parentum propamine Dni Osketuli Abbatis 
 Crovlandiae, ad Witlesey tunc villam suam venire, el secum 
 sacras reliquias, scilicet sacratissimam glebam Scj Neoti 
 Confessoris, de Elnophesbyby, quia minus honorifice ja- 
 cuerant, ac Danorum depredationi patuerant, in Scrinio ad 
 Ikh- aptato deferre. Quae dirigens eelerem nuncium ad 
 fratrem suum Dnm Abbatem Osketulum, supplice postulabat 
 Bupplicatione, quatenus cum congruo Fratrum suorum co- 
 mitatu Witleseiam plaoeret accedere, et dictas reliquias Sci 
 \i nri Confessoris secum in suum Monasterium cum digna 
 reverentia deportare. Hie gaudens et exultans, assumptis 
 secum quibusdam Fratribus, Witlesiam adiit, et dictas 
 sanctas reliquias, cum debita honorificentia et psalmorum 
 melodia, ad Croylandiam transtulit ; ac juxta Scae Dei geni- 
 tricis Marias altare cum devotione debita collocavit. 
 
 [John de Tininouth'a " Sanctilogium" : :i MSS. Brit. M us. Cotton, 
 Til" mi. E I. — It occurs, also, as a marginal interpolation in the 
 /; rian Copy «/" John de Tinmouth's *' Historia A urea" MSS. Bod I. 
 
 - 1 1 >. 1- 
 
 \ i nerabilis quaedam Matrona nomine Lewina, Enol- 
 DESBiBi) quae mine villa Sci Neoti dicitur, Domina, (ubi 
 
 * I i i. printed from tlie Cotton IMS., except where a variation is 
 
 I D. 1077, MS B ey. [see this Vol. p. 56. note s.)
 
 273 
 
 quondam ejusdera Sci. corporis glebam sive reliquias disci- 
 pulus ejus barrius', divinitus admonitus, detulerat) ad Mo- 
 nasterium Croulandise, cui frater suus Osketcllus pra?fuit, 
 barbarorum metuens hostilitatem, amore fraterno compulsa, 
 reliquias Sci Neoti adduxit ; sicut scriptum in eodem Mo- 
 nasterio palam ostenditur. Unde postea, dubitantibus de 
 hoc quibusdam Fratribus, Abbas, cum devotione accensis 
 cereis, loculum cum timore f'rangens, invenit testam capitis, 
 ossa de collo, de scapulis de thorace nonnulla, ossa tibi- 
 arum et coxarum 6 . Has enim secum Domina praefata 
 [reliquias] attulit; in priori loco ossibus quibusdam cum 
 cineribus dimissis. Translata enim* fuerunt ossa ilia ab 
 Abbate Henrico, et juxta altare in honore ejus con- 
 structum collocata A. D. 1213. [ ( Diebics tamen nostris, in 
 Monaslerio Sci Neoti, a Fratribus Monasterii Beccensis 
 occupato, Scrinium satis prctiosum adventantibus ostendi-. 
 tur.2 . * . 
 
 [ s Neote, dilecte Deo, vita eras et animo consecratus 
 Domino : nunc exultas in fulgido Angelorum consortio. Re- 
 cedebas a seculo, semper vacans soli Deo, qui te junxit 
 sidereo angelorum contubernio. Ibi nostri memor esto ! 
 
 ►|< (Bxn pro nobis!] 
 
 [_ s Prassta qua?sumus Omnipotens Deus, ut qui gloriosi 
 Confessoris tui atque Abbatis Neoti commemorationem 
 agimus piam h , apud Majestatis tuae clementiam in nostra in- 
 tercessione sentiamus, per &c.]. 
 
 c Barri, [erroneously for Barri 5 ] MS. Cotton ; and MS. Bodl. 
 
 d Testiiiu capitis, et ossa de collo, et de scapulis, et de thorace, etinsuper non- 
 nulla ossa tibiarum et coxarum. MS. Bodl. 
 
 ' Enim postea fuerunt, MS. Bodl. 
 
 f This passage is peculiar to JUS. Bodl., and is interpolated by a later hand. 
 As this MS. was written in 1377, and as this dassage refers to the Priory of St. 
 Neot as Mill Alien, the interpolation must have been made in the period KJ77 — 
 1409. The MS. belonged to the Abbey of Bury St. Edmunds: this interpolation 
 was, doubtless, made by Boston J)E Bury, a learned Monk, who visited 
 .St. Neot's Priory about 1400 (see his work, Calul. Scrip., Eccl. in Tanner's 
 Bibl. pref. p. xxiv.). 
 
 s r l hese Collects are only in MS. Cotton, in the margin at the foot of the page. 
 
 h Agimus, pi urn apud Ste., MS'. Cotton. 
 
 T
 
 JTJ 
 
 \<>. VI. 
 
 Letters Testimonial Jrom Anselm, Abp. of Canterbury, re* 
 specting his visit (when Abbot of Bee) to the Shrine of 
 the Patron Saint at Neotsbubf, A. 1). 1078-9 ; — with the 
 
 i *nfirmation of the same by (ilin >■ Sutton, Bp. of Lincoln, 
 ID, 1295. 
 
 \i chives Line. Cadi., " Memoranda Oliveri Sutton", ff. 1 22b. 123 a.] 
 
 Pateat universis, quod noa Oliverus, permissione divina 
 Line 1 Ep . Literas scae recordationis Anselmi Cant' Archiepi, 
 quoad cartam ipsam in nullo vitiatas, vidimus et inspeximus 
 >i il> hac forma : — 
 
 " Anselmua Dei gratia Archieps etc., [Roberto liloit'] re- 
 11 verendo Epo Line', et omnibus qui velint Bcire veritatem 
 " ilf oorpore beati Neoti Confesscris, salutem. Sciatis pro 
 •• « rto, ((nod ego ipse, cum Abbas essem Becci, requisivi in 
 •■ \ otesbebia, in Scrinio quod vocant Feretrum, et inveni 
 •• ossa >t i el pretiosi Confessoris Neoti; et statim reposui 
 •• ea in eodem Scrinio, excepto uno brachio quod dicitur esse 
 '• in Cornu-Galliae, et excepto modico quod mecum, propter 
 " memoriam et venerationem ejusdem Sci, retinui: etdili- 
 " geUter serato Scrinio, intus clausis eisdem ossibus, retuli 
 ■• mecum clavem ad Ecclesiam Becci ubiinhodiernum diem 
 u studio>e servatur. Precor autem, ut omnes, quibus Deus 
 " opportunitatem dabit et requisiti fuerint, aliquod auxilium 
 " (proul Deus illis inspirare dignabitur, aut in facto aut in 
 " verbo) adconstruendam ejusdem Sci Confessoris Ecclesiam 
 " impendant; et nullus els, qui opus ejusdem Ecclesise pro- 
 " curant aut ad hoc auxilium quaerunt, aliquomodo molestus 
 •• existal : quatenus unicuique 1 )eus in vita aeterna retribuat, 
 " et idem Scs pro illis Deum (sicut illis scat expedire) inter- 
 
 " ivdat." 
 
 Nos quoque quantum possumus Deum suppliciter exora- 
 mus, ut omnibus, qui eidem Ecclesise aliquod auxilium im- 
 pendent, mam retnbuat benedictionem et peccatorum eorum 
 absolutionem vatt '. Et ne auctoritas dictarum Literarum, per 
 ulteriorem inveterationem sigilli eisdem appensi ad praisens 
 pro parti' consumpti, per processum temporia evanescat, ip- 
 sarum tenorem huic scripto recentiori commendari ct nostri 
 ugilli munimine fecimus roborari. 
 
 Datum apud Bikkeleswad viij TC Id. Maij A. I). 1295. 
 
 So in M&
 
 275 
 
 No. VI. t 
 
 Mandate of Henry III. to the Sheriff of Huntingdonshire, 
 for the Restoration of the Priory of St. Neot which he 
 had unjustly seized by the pretended authority of the 
 King, 1245. 
 
 [Close Rolls, Tower, 20. Hen. III. m. 13. (back).] 
 
 Rex [Radulpho de Hereford^ Vicecomiti Cantebr' & 
 Hunt', salutem. Monstravit Nobis \_Hugo de Fagerton~\ 
 Prior de Sco Neotho quod tu (occasione praecepti nostri, 
 quod nuper tibi fecimus de terris Abbatum & Priorum & 
 aliorum Religiosorum de partibus transmarinis cedentium, 
 vel decedentium, in manum nostram capiendis) ipsum 
 Priorem de Prioratu suo disseisivisti, 8c in manum nostram 
 cepisti ; similiter & terras quorumdam aliorum Virorum Reli- 
 giosorum de partibus transmarinis, ea occasione in manum 
 nostram cepisti : quod quidem ex dicto mandato nostro 
 elicere non potuisti. Et quia fines ejusdem mandati nostri 
 excessisti, tibi praecipimus quod eidem Priori de praedicto 
 Prioratu suo cum omnibus pertinentiis suis, & omnibus aliis 
 de partibus transmarinis, quos de terris suis contra formam 
 prsedicti mandati nostri in aliquo disseisivisti, talem seisinam 
 habere facias qualem inde habuerunt ante susceptionem 
 ejusdem mandati nostri ; et si quid de bonis eorum ea occa- 
 sione cepisti, per pacem quam tecum fecerunt, vel alio modo, 
 id eis sine dilatione reddi facias. Et tu nihilominus, sicut 
 corpus tuum diligis, sis coram Nobis in crastino clausi Paschae, 
 ubicumque tunc fuerimus in Anglia ; ad ostendendum quo 
 waranto ipsum Prioratum cepisti in manum nostram, & 
 terras quorumdam aliorum; et ad audiendum inde judicium 
 tuum : Et habeas ibi hoc Breve. 
 
 Teste Rege apud Westmonascerium xj m " die Aprilis anno 
 regni nostri xxix"". 
 
 T 
 
 <■>
 
 •J/ti 
 
 No. \ II. 
 
 Mandate if Edward III (A. D. ]->'!l.) for the Restoration 
 of the .linn Priory of St. Neot, which had been seized 
 by Edward II. on account qftlbe French war, 
 
 Etolls,Tower, 1 Edw. III. p.l.m. 22.— Rymer , sFoedera,Vol.IV. 
 
 pp. .40, 247, 248.] 
 
 Ri:\ Thesaurario el Baronibus de Scaccario, salutem. 
 Supplicavil Nobis dilectus Nobis in Christo [Clemens] Prior 
 de Sco NeotOj quae est Cella Abbatiae Beccensis, per peti- 
 donem Buam coram Nobis et concilio nostro exhibitam, quod, 
 cum Dns 1'- auper Rex Angliae, Pater noster, occasione 
 guerrae inter ipsum et Begem Franciae motae in Ducatu 
 Aquitaniae, terras, tenementa, feoda, et advocationes ad 
 Pnoratum praedictum spectantia, (simul rum aliis terris, 
 tenementis, teodis, et advocationibus Religiosorum Alienige- 
 narum, de potestate dicti Regis Franciae existentium in 
 regno nostro) capi fecisset in manum suam, una cum bonis et 
 catallis ejusdem Prioris in eisdem terris el tenementis existen- 
 tibus; El terras et tenementa ad Prioratum praedictum spec- 
 tantia, praefato Priori, perLitcras Patentee dicti Patrisnostri 
 sub sigillo Scaccarii praedicti consignatas, commisisset tenenda 
 .ul voluntatem Buam, pro quadam certa firma si!)i inde an- 
 nuatim reddenda, feodis militum et advocationibus Ec- 
 clesiarum sibi retentis; Et etiam tradisisset praefato Priori 
 bona el catalla praedicta, per certam manucaptionem ad re- 
 spondendum inde ditto Patri nostro ad voluntatem suam; 
 \ elimus eidem Priori dicta terras, tenementa, feoda, et 
 advocationes, una cum bonis el catallis praedictis, restituere, 
 et arreragia firmae suae praedictae sibi pardonare: Nos, de 
 a8aensu Praelatorum, Comitum, Baronum, et aliorum Mag- 
 natum, in instanti Parliamento nostro existentium, volentes 
 praefato Priori gratiam facere Bpecialem, reddidimus cidem 
 Priori terras, tenementa, feoda, et advocationes praedicta, 
 una cum bonis et catallis Bupradictis, et hac vice de gratia 
 nostra speciali pardonavimus ei arreragia firmae suae prae- 
 dicta •: I'.t ideo vobis mandamus quod praefato Priori omnia 
 terras, tenementa, feoda, et advocationes ad Prioratum 
 praedictum spectantia, quae occasione praedicta in manum 
 aicu" Patria aostrj capta fuerunt, una cum bonis et catallis 
 pnedlCtis, sine dilatione liberari, ipsumque et manucaptores
 
 271 
 
 suos de bonis et catallis pra?dictis .... exoneran et quietos 
 esse faciatis ; salvo Nobis apporto Abbatiae praedictaa de prse- 
 dicto Prioratu debito, quousque aliud super hoc duxerimus 
 ordinandum. 
 
 Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium iiij'" die Februarii. 
 (Per Petitionem de Concilio.) 
 
 No. VIII. 
 
 Letters Patent of Edward III., (A. D. lS61.),for the Re- 
 storation of' the Alien Priory of' St. Neot, which had 
 been seized on account of the French war. 
 
 [Patent Rolls, Tower, 35 Edw. III. p. 1. m. 14.— Rymer's Feeders, 
 
 Vol. VI. p. 311.] 
 
 Rex omnibus ad quos &c salutem. Licet nuper Pri- 
 
 oratum de Sco Neoto, in Comitatu Huntingdoniae, occasione 
 guerrae inter Nos et Gallicos tunc motae, ac omnia terras, tene- 
 menta, feoda, et advocationes ad Prioratum ilium spectantia, 
 inter alios Domus et Prioratus Religiosorum Alienigenarum 
 de potestate Franciae, una cum bonis et catallis in eisdem 
 Prioratibus et Domibus existentibus. . . .in raanum nostram 
 ceperimus, et custodiam eorumdem Prioribus locorum prae- 
 dictorum, et aliis, pro certa firma nobis inde reddenda, per 
 diversas Litems nostras Patentes commiserimus : Quia tamen 
 pax inter Nos et magnificum Principem, Regem Franciae, 
 fratrem nostrum carissimum, jam reformata et publicata ex- 
 istit : Nos, ob honorem Dei et Seas Ecclesiae, volentes dilecto 
 Nobis in Christo [Pet/o de Villuribus ?] Priori de Sco 
 Neoto gratiam facere specialem, eidem Priori dictum Pri- 
 oratum de Sco Neoto, ac omnia terras, tenementa, feoda, et 
 advocationes ad Prioratum praedictum spectantia, simul 
 cum omnibus bonis et catallis in eo existentibus, resti- 
 tuimus, habenda et tenenda adeo plene et integre sicut ea 
 tenuit ante captionem supradictam, absque aliqua firma Nobis 
 inde, ratione captionis prajdictae, exnunc reddenda: Et 
 ipsum Priorem et Manucaptores suos de firma praedicta 
 exnunc exoneramus et quietamus per Praesentes; arreragiis 
 firmas illius, si quae fuerint de tempore praeterito, et debitis 
 quae ante captionem supradictam debebantur, et nondum 
 soluta existunt, Nobis semper salvis. In cujus &c 
 
 Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium xvj'° die Februarii. 
 (Per ipsum Regem ct Concilium.)
 
 27S 
 
 No. IX. 
 
 Letter* Patent of Henry IV. (A. I). 19&9)Jbr the Restora- 
 tion of the Alien Priory of St. Njeot, which had been 
 eeuced by Edward III. on account of the French war. 
 
 [Pkteot Rolls, Tower, 1 Hen. I \ r . p.u. I. p. g. m. 13. — Rymer*a Foedera, 
 
 \ (.1. \ 111. pp. 101, IOJ, 103.] 
 
 Rxx omnibus ad Quoe&c. . . .salutem. Sciatis quod Nos, 
 
 Iiitinu' considerantes qualiter nonnulla Prioratus, Domus, 
 et Loca reliciosa AHeiiicenarum infra regnum nostrum An- 
 gliae et Walliae existenua, per nobiles progemtores nostros 
 ac alios regni nostri proceres et magnates, ad divina officia 
 at- hoepitalitatis et eleemosynarum afiarumque pietatis et de- 
 votidiiis onera facienda et Bupportanda laudabiliter fundata 
 et oonstructa exstiterunt; Quodque eadem Prioratus, Do- 
 nuis, et I. oca religiosa, tam per sul>itas et frequentes amnio- 
 tiones el i nmlsiones Priorum et ( tacupatorum Locorum prae- 
 dictorum, quam per diversos seculares et alios firmarios 
 eorundem, (postquam in manum Dili E. nuper Regis An- 
 gliae ,\vi nostri, occasione guerrae inter Nos el illos de Francia 
 niota', primo scisita luerunt.) ita enormiter, tam in domibus, 
 quam in rebus el possessionibus, destruuntur, dilapidantur, 
 et devastantur, quod divinus cultus regularesque observantiae 
 inihi cessant, ac hospitalitates, et eleemosynae, et alia insuper 
 caritatis opera, inibi Btabilita et fieri consueta, subtrahuntur, 
 mciioii pia Fundatorum vota multipliciter defraudantur et 
 firustrantur, ad Dei Omnipotentis offensam et displicentiam 
 non modicam ul speramus; El volentes proinde, ad ho- 
 norem Dei ac Scae Ecclesiae, pro divini cultus augmenta- 
 tion., ac dictorum operum caritativorum et aliorum onerum 
 mcumbentium innovatione et continuatione, gratiosius pro- 
 \ idere ; 
 
 De gratia nostra speciali, et ex certa scientia nostra, et de 
 assensu Concilii nostri, in praesenri Parliamento, manum 
 noetram d< Prioratu Conventuali deSco Neoto Ordinis Sci 
 Benedict] Lincolniensi Diocese, 
 
 In quo quidem Prioratu F rater Willielmus de Sco 
 \ L8T0 Monachus Prior admissus, institutus, et inductus 
 cxistit, sicut per Litems admissionis, institutionis, et induc- 
 oonis hujusmodi Nobis in CanceUaria nostra exhibitas et 
 ostensas plene liquet. Qui quidem Prioratus in manum dicti 
 Am nuMri, inter alias terras et tenementa Rctigiosorum
 
 279 
 
 Alienigenarum, cle dominio et potestate Franciae existen- 
 tium in regno nostra Anglia?, et alibi infra dominium et po- 
 testatem nostram, nuper captus et seisitus entitit, et in 
 manu nostra occasione praedicta existit, 
 
 Penitus ammovemus, et eundem Prioratum eidem Wil- 
 lielmo de Sco Vedasto concedimus et restituimus per 
 Praesentes, habendum et tenendum sibi et successoribus suis 
 Prioribus loci praedicti, una cum omnibus cellis, maneriis, 
 terris, tenementis, redditibus, servitiis, feodis militum, advo- 
 cationibus Ecclesiarum, Vicariarum, Capellarum, et Can- 
 tariarum, et aliorum beneficiorum ecclesiasticorum quorum- 
 cunque ; ac etiam cum omnibus pensionibus, portionibus, 
 annuitatibus, decimis, obligationibus, eleemosynis, ac aliis 
 emolumentis, proficuis, rebus, et possessionibus, tarn spiritu- 
 alibus, quam temporalibus, ad Prioratum praedictum perti- 
 nentibus ; Reddendo inde annuatim Nobis et haeredibus 
 nostris, durante guerra inter Nos et illos de Francia, anti- 
 quum apportum duntaxat quod ad Capitalem Domum 
 Prioratu s praedicti in partibus transmarinis, tempore pacis, 
 de eodem Prioratu reddi et solvi consuevit ; Ita tamen quod 
 idem Prior et successores sui Monachos, Capellanos, Secu- 
 lares, et alios Ministros Anglicos, in Prioratu praedicto, ad 
 numerum juxta primariam fundationem ejusdem debitum et 
 consuetum, inveniant et sustentent; Ac decimas, quintas- 
 decimas, et alia subsidia quaecumque, cum Clero et Com- 
 munitate regni nostri Angliae, quotiens et quando concedi con- 
 tigerint, Nobis et haeredibus nostris, pro spiritualibus et tem- 
 poralibus suis, solvant ; Aliaque onera et pietatis opera eidem 
 Prioratui ab antiquo incumbentia faciant et sustentent, juxta 
 primariam fundationem supradictam ; Aliqua ordinatione in 
 contrarium edita, seu dicta seisinaPrioratus praedicti cum per- 
 tinentiis suis prasdictis in manum dicti Avi nostri, aut aliqua 
 alia seisina in manum nostram aut praefati Avi nostri seu 
 Richardi nuper Regis Angliae, occasione guerrae praedictae, 
 inde facta, seu aliquibus concessionibus vel commissionibus 
 inde, ante haec tempora, per Nos, aut dictum Avum nos- 
 trum, seu praefatum Richardum nuper Regem Anglia?, ali- 
 quibus personis ad firmam factis, non obstantibus ; 
 
 Volentes insuper et concedentes, pro Nobis et haeredibus 
 nostris prasdictis, quod praedictus Prior et successores sui 
 praedicti, de quacumque aliafirma et solutione annua, Nobis 
 vel haeredibus nostris, pro Prioratu praedicto, occasione 
 guerrae praedictae, praeter dictum antiquum apportum an- 
 nuum duntaxat, in futurum solvendis, quicti smt et exone- 
 rati ac penitus absoluti ; Et eundem Priorem, et manucap-
 
 .) 
 
 280 
 
 a BU08, necnon alios quoscumque inde exoneramus et 
 quietamus per Praesentes; Proviso semper, quod de arre- 
 ragiis firm a: Prioratus illiua, ante datam Praesentium debitis 
 .I nondum solutis, m qua? fuerint, Nobis respondeatur et 
 aatisfiat ut esl justum. In cujus &c. 
 Tt ste li' ge apud Westmonasterium xyiij " die Novembris. 
 ( Per ipsum Regem.) 
 
 No. X. 
 
 Letters Patent of Henry I J'. (A. 1). IKH))./<V the Deniza- 
 tion of the Alien Priory of St. Neot. 
 
 [Patent Rolls, Tower, 10 Hen. IV. p. 'I- m. 23.] 
 
 Pro Peiore ET CONVENTD DE Sam TO NioTO. 
 \{\.\ omnibus 8tc. . . .salutem. Seiatis quod cum dilecti 
 Nobis in Christo Edwardi s Prior Prioratus de Sco Neoto 
 ac Conventus ejusdem Loci (qui est de patrpnatu Comitis 
 Stafford el fundatione antecessorum suorum, qui quidem 
 Prioratus alienig' 1 ft Cella Abbatiae de Beckherlewyn in 
 Norman' de potestate Franc' existit, de quo quidem Pri- 
 oratu antiquum apportum ad xxx solidos se extendit quam 
 Bummam idem Prior et Conventus annuatim tantinnmodo 
 ad Scaccarium nostrum solvere tenentur prout in eodem 
 
 Seeio de reeordo plenius apparet) Nobis nionstraverint, qua- 
 liter praedicu* Prior et Conventus ut Alienig' et non Indig' 
 existant teneftntur et reputentur, Ac eUam quod Prior 
 
 Prioratus pr.edieti est perpetuus, ae Prioratus suns prse- 
 
 dictus Conventualis, ipsique et prssdecessores sui Priorea 
 loci pr&dicti a tempore cujus contrarii memoria non existit 
 perpetui, ae Prioratus praedictus Conventualis, existunt: 
 Qui quidem Prioratus, per malam et indebitam guberna- 
 tioneni Priorum alienig ibidem prsedecessorum prsedicti 
 nunc' Prions, ac etiam ratione magnarum summarum in 
 quibus pnedictus Prior per prasdecessores suos Priores 
 Alienig' loci prsedicti tain erga Nos quam erga diversos alios 
 homines est mcursus, in penculo finali6 destructionis et per- 
 petuae exhaereditionis existit, ae Divina Servitia, ibidem per 
 nobiles fundatores el patronos loci prsedicti ab antiquo or- 
 dinata et stabilita, subtracts et diminuta existunt, ut ac- 
 inus: Noa (ob reverentiam Dei et Set Neoti in cujus 
 honor,- Prioratus pnedictus fundabatur, et ad finem quod
 
 281 
 
 unus Prior et unus Conventus Monachorum Anglicorum ad 
 Divina, devotius pro Nobis et progenitoribus nostris ac etiam 
 patrono suo ct anteccssoribus suis patronis et fundatoribus 
 Prioratus praedicti, facienda ibidem fieri possit, ac etiam pro 
 eo quod praedictus Edwardus nunc Prior Prioratus pra'dicti 
 est ligeus noster natus infra regnum nostrum Anglic) de 
 gratia nostra speciali et de assensu Concilii nostri ac pro 
 ecc marcis ad opus nostrum ad Receptam Sccii nostri 
 solutis concessimus, pro Nobis et haeredibus nostris quantum 
 in Nobis est, quod Pr^dicti nunc Prior et Conventus 
 
 ET SUCCESSOR KS SUI DE CETERO INDIGENCE EXISTANT ac 
 
 reputentur teneantur et tractentur tanquam indigene nati et 
 indigene fundati infra regnum nostrum Angliae ; Et quod 
 praedicti Prior et Conventus et successores sui ex nunc 
 libere habeant et teneant Prioratum suum praedictum cum 
 Ecclesiiset aliis possessionibus juribus et pertinentiis quibus- 
 cumque, absque aliqua firma sive apporto annuatim ad Seem 
 nostrum vel haeredum nostrorum pro custodia ejusdem red- 
 dendo ; Quodque Prioratus praedictus, ac maneria dominia 
 terrae tenementa redditus et servitia letae curiae feoda advoca- 
 tiones Ecclesiarum Vicariarum Capellarum et Cantuariarum 
 wardae maritagia releviae escaetae sectae curiae visus franci- 
 plegii libertates franchesiae ac aliae possessiones et res tarn spi- 
 rituales quam temporales Prioratui praedicto pertinentia sive 
 spectantia, de eaetero non capiantur aut seisiantur in manus 
 nostras seu in manus haeredum vel successorum nostrorum lie- 
 gum Angliae, ratione alicujus scismatis sive guerraemotae vel 
 moveixhe inter Nos haeredes vel successores nostros et illos de 
 Franc 1 aut alios alienig 1 quoscumque aliqua de causa pro qua 
 
 dicta Prioratus maneria &c seu alia supradicta tarn spi- 
 
 ritualia quam temporalia ad alienig 1 religiosos spectantia in 
 manus nostras vel haeredum nostrorum sea successorum 
 suorum praedictorum capi vel seisiri possent vel deberent; 
 Et quod nulla impositiones contributiones onera quotae fines 
 firmae subsidia taxae tallagia sive auxilia praefatis Priori 
 et Conventui vel successoribus suis tanquam alienig 1 in pos- 
 terum quoquo modo imponantur, licet aliqua impositiones &c. 
 ....aliquibus aliis religiosis alienig 1 per Nos vel haeredes nostros 
 occasione quacumque imponi contigerit in futurum; Sed 
 quod iidem Prior et Conventus et successores sui habeantur 
 teneantur et tractentur tanquam Indigenae et Anglici, et 
 ejusdem conditionis existant sicut sunt vere Anglici infra 
 regnum nostrum Angliae nati, in perpetuum ; Quodque 
 praedicti Prior et Conventus et successores sui de apporto 
 praedicto, ac de quibuscumque aliis firmis finibus subsidies ct
 
 282 
 
 aliis oneribua el inrpositionibus taxis quods tallagiis auxiliis 
 et demandu quae de ipsis tanquam alienig', occasione guerrae 
 scismatis Beu alterius causae cujuscumque alienig' tangentis 
 noota vel movenda imposita vel imponenda reservata vel re- 
 servanda, Puturis temporibus exigi poterunt, erga Nos et 
 haeredea nostros Reges Angliae quieti sint exonerati et abso- 
 luti in perpetuum; Et quod praedicti Prior et Conventus et 
 Buccessores Bui de caetero habeant et teneant Prioratum 
 suuro praedictum, emu advocationibus ac aliis possessionibus 
 juribus et pertinentiis suis quibuscunque quocimque nomine 
 censeantur, quietum et exoneratum de quacunque firma Bive 
 apporto Nobis vel haeredibus nostris annuatim ad Seem nos- 
 trum vel haeredum uostrorum pro custodiaPrioratus praedicti 
 aut |>r<> aliquibus prsedicto Pnoratui pertinentibus sive spec- 
 tantibus reddendo seu solvendo, absque perturbatione mo- 
 lestatione gravamine impeditione contradictione vel impedi- 
 mento Nostri vel haeredum dosI rorum aut ministrorum nostro- 
 nnn vel haeredum nostrorum quorumcunque; El quod nullus 
 ad essend 1 Prior Prioratus praedicti sit electus nee Prior ibidem 
 existat, si ipse verus Anghcus ac natus infra regnum nostrum 
 Angliae non existat, quoquo modo in perpetuum, aliquibus 
 statutis ordinationibus fundatione sive fundationibus in con- 
 trarium factis aut aliqua alia causa quacunque non obstanti- 
 l)ii-. In cujus rei testimonium, lias Literas nostras fieri feci- 
 mus Patentes. Teste Rege apud Westm 1 xiiij to die Maij. 
 (Per Breve de Private Sigillo.) 
 
 No. XL 
 
 Petition of the Prior mid Convent of St. NEOTto Henry V. 
 (A. 1). Jill), for the confirmation of the preceding 
 No. \.] with the Royal Assent to the sunn: 
 
 [Parliament RolU, Tower, 8 Hen. V. ]>. 2. m. o.— Printed in Rotuli 
 Parliamentary, Vol. IV. p. 42. ] 
 
 1mm fail assavoir, cj de part les Priour & Covent de 
 Si iM Neotk, l'uit une Petition baillee a fire Soverain Sr le 
 Roi, en cesl ParlemenJ, donl le tenure cy ensuit. 
 
 •• \ Roy, nre Sr tres Soverain, supplient voz Oratours, 
 
 " I.dv. \i:d. Priour del Priorie de Seint Neote, & le Ooveni 
 
 • demesmelelieu, quell esl del patronage le Count de Staf- 
 
 •• ford, & la laudation de sis Auncestres, q come mesme le
 
 283 
 
 " Prioric, & toutz les possessions a ycell regardantz, furent 
 " possessions Aliens, come Celle a PAbbecie de Beekher- 
 " lewyn en Nonnandie, &. nemy Denizeins, tanq., vre tres 
 " gracious Pier, Henri nadgairs Roi d 1 Engleterre, le xim e 
 "jour de May, l'an de son regne disme, p ses Lettres Pa- 
 " tentz, de sa grace especiale & de fassent de son Conseill, 
 " & pur Trois Centz Marcz paiez a l'oeps de vre dit Pier, 
 " graunta pur luy, & ses heirs, entre autres, q les ditz 
 " Priour & Covent, & lours successours, delors soient De- 
 " nizeins, & come Denizeins neez, & Denizeins founduz de- 
 " deinz le Roialme d'Engleterre, soient reputez, tenuz, &, 
 " tretez, 8c q les ditz Priour & Covent, & lour successours, 
 " delors eient & teignent fraunchement lour dit Priorie, 
 " oveso^ lour Esglises, & autres possessions, droitures, & ap- 
 il purtenantz qconqes, saunz ascune ferme ou apport a TEs- 
 " cheqer vre dit Pier, ou ses heirs, pur la garde d'icelles 
 " rendre; & q'ils, & lour successours, soient quitz, des- 
 " chargez, & assoultz, pur toutz jours, envers vre dit Pier, 
 " & ses heirs Rois d 1 Engleterre de toutz maners apports, 
 " fermes, fyns, subsides, & autres charges &, impositions 
 " taxes, quotes, tallages, aides, & demandes, queux de eux 
 come Aliens, p cause de guerre, scisme, ou autre 
 cause qconq touchant Aliens, moevez ou a moeverz 
 imposez ou a imposerz, reservez ou a reserverz, en 
 temps a venirz purront estre demandez. Et auxi, q les 
 ditz Priour & Covent, & lour successours, delors eient & 
 teignent lour dit Priorie, ovesq^ les advoesons, & autres 
 lour possessions, droitures, & appurtenantz qconqes, quite 
 & deschargee de qconq^ ferme ou apport, a rendre ou a 
 paier a vre dit Pier, ou ses heirs, annuelment, pur la 
 " guarde du dit Priorie, ou par ascuns a mesme le Priorie 
 ** regardantz, ou appurtenantz ; & q null soit Priour illoeqs, 
 " ne eslit Priour de mesme le Priorie, s'il ne soit verroie 
 " Engleis, & nee dedeinz le Roialme d 1 Engleterre, come p 
 " les ditz Lettres Patentz piert pluis pleinement. Plese 
 " a vre Roiale Mageste, p auctorite de cest present Parle- 
 " ment, accepter, ratifler, approver, graunter, & conf'ermer 
 " les ditz Letters Patentz, & toute la contenue d'icelles, a 
 " voz ditz suppliantz, & lour successours, selonc Teffect & le 
 " purport de mesmes les Lettres Patentz, & q'eles purront 
 " estre enactez & enrollez, en due fourme, en le rolle du dit 
 " Parlement, pur Dieu & en oepre du charite.'" 
 
 La quele Petition, & Lettres Patentz, des queux mesme 
 la Petition fait mencion, overtement lieux en mesme le 
 Parlement, Le Roi, de l'assent des Seignrs Espirituelx & 
 
 .. 
 
 a 
 
 i.
 
 '284 
 
 ']', m port -1\, & ;i la requeste des Communes assembles en 
 ycell Parlement, granta la dite Petition, selonc le purport & 
 l'effecl d'icell, & deaqueux Lettres Patentz le tenure auzi cy 
 ensuit 
 
 M lhsKii i s, Dei gratia, Rex Anglie& Francie, & Do- 
 " minus Hibernie, Omnibus ad quos presentes Litere 
 •• pervenerint, Salutem. Sciatis, quod cum dilecti Nobis in 
 •• Christo, En\i vrdus, Trior Prioratus de Sakcto Neoto, 
 '• ac Conventus ejusdem loci, Sec " [Vide No. X.j 
 
 No. MI. 
 
 Acknowledgment of the Supremacy of Henry VIII., by the 
 Prior and Monks of St. Neot's, 16 July 15S4. 
 
 [Original in the Chapter House Westminster j with the Conventual 
 Seal, and the Autograph Signatures. Set />/'• 80, B5, 86.] 
 
 (,)i i \i ea eo.1 hod solum Christiane Religionis et Pietatis 
 racio, Bed nreeciam obediencie regula, DnoReginro Henrico 
 ejus n5is octavo, cui uni et solo post Christu Ihesum servato- 
 rem nrm debemus universa, non modo omimoduin in Christo 
 el eandem sinceram el integram perpetuaq, animi devotionem 
 fidem obsvanciam honorem cultu et reverenciam prestemus, 
 sed eciam <lc eadem fide et observancia nra raconem quociens- 
 cuOj postulabitur reddamus, et palam omibus (si res poscat) 
 libentissime testemur; Noverint universi ad quos pns scriptu 
 tvenerit, Qd nos Johannes Raundys Dei pacientia Prior 
 )omus sive Prioratus Sakcti Neoti Ordinis Sancti Bene- 
 idicti Lincoln Diocet ejusdem loci Coventus, uno horeet voce 
 atq, unanimi Sum cosensu el assensu, hoc scripto nro sub 
 sigillo nro comuni in Domo nra Caplari daf, pro nobis et pro 
 successoribus riris ofnilr, el singlis imperpetuu, profitemur 
 \'-,v ac fidelr promittimus el epondemus nos dittos 
 P rem et Conventu ac successores nros omnes et singlos 
 j ram inviolatam sinceram perpetuaq, fidem obsvanciam 
 i't obedienciam Bemper prestituros erga Dnm Regem firm 
 I It urn fi octavu et erga Anna Regina Uxorem ejusdem et 
 olem ejus ex eadem Anna ttime tam progenitam qm 
 1 iiitlani, el quod hec eadem populo notificabimus 
 
 Iicabimus el suadebimus ubicuq, dabitur locus et occasio ; 
 tfirmatu ratumq, habemus, semperq, el perpetuo 
 
 I
 
 285 
 
 habituri sumus, qd predictus Rex iir Henricus est caput 
 Ecciie Anglicane ; Item qd Romanus Epus, qui in suis bullis 
 Pape nomen usurpat et Sumi Pontificis principatu sibi arro- 
 gat, nicliilo majoris dignitat 8 habendus sit qm ceteri quivis 
 Epi in sua quisq, Diocese; Item qd nullus firm in ulla sacra 
 c5cione privatim vel publice habfenda eundem Epm Romanu 
 appellabit noie Pape aut Sumi Pontificis, sed noie Epi 
 Romani vel Ecciie Homane, Et qd nullus nrm orabit pro eo 
 tanqin Papa sed tanqfn Ep5 Romano; I tin qd soli dicto 
 Diio Regi et successoribus suis adherebimus, et ejus leges et 
 decreta manutenebimus, Episcopi Romani lcgibus decret 8 et 
 canonibus que contra legem divinam et sacram scripturam 
 aut contra jura hujus Regni esse invenientur imperpetuu 
 renuciantes; Item qd nullus nrm oim in ulla vel privatavel 
 publica concione quicqm ex sacris scripturis desumptu ad 
 alienu sensu detorquere presumet, sed quisqui Christ Q ejusq 
 verba et facta simpliciter aperte sincere et ad normam seu 
 regulam sacra£ scripturarum et vere catholicoa et crtho- 
 doxoru doctoru predicabit catholice et orthodoxe ; Item qd 
 unus quisq, nrm, in suis oracoibus et compcacoibus de more 
 faciendis, primu oim Regem tanqm supremu caput Ecclie 
 Anglicane Deo et populi precib3 coinendabit, Deinde Regina 
 Annam cu sua sobole, turn demu Archiepos Cantuariens 
 et Eboracens cu ceteris cleri ordinibus prout videbitur; 
 Itni qd omnes et singli predicti Prior et Coventus et succes- 
 sors nri conscientieetjurisjurandi sacramC'to nosmetipos fir- 
 miter obligamus qd oinia et singla predicta fideir imperpe- 
 tuu obsvabimus. In cujus rei testimoniii huic scripto iiro 
 cofnune sigillu firm appendimus, et rira noia propria quisq^ 
 manu subscripsimus. Dat' in Domo nra Capitulari, decimo 
 sexto die mens Julij, Anno Diii ]\lillimo qulgen" 10 tricesimo 
 quarto, Regni vero Regis nri Henrici octavi vigesimo sexto. 
 
 Dompn 9 Johes Rawnd s For ifem 
 Dompn 9 Ricard 2 Stanton 
 Dompn 9 Thomas Stowton 
 Don Rycard 9 Rawndys 
 Don 9 Johes Wyntryngh a m 
 Dompn 9 Richardus Newbolde 
 Dompn 9 Robart 9 Neot 3 
 Dompn 9 Willm 9 Barforde 
 Donqm 9 Willm 9 London 
 Dompn 9 Joes Artylboro 
 Dompn 9 Edmundus Cayembrygge 
 Dompn 9 Robartus Gayemblyngay
 
 286 
 
 No. XIII. 
 
 Peatiam aUewed to the Prior and Monks of St. Neot's, at 
 the Surrender of their Monastery into the Kings hands, 
 g] December 1689. 
 
 \ MSS, Augmentation Office; from a P><>i>k entitled " Pensions temp. 
 
 Hen. \ 111." p.Q8j 
 
 Seynt Neotts 
 in Hunt'shyre. 
 
 1 1 1 i! \ i nil ensuth the names of the late Pryo r & Chanons 
 ther w' tluT pencyons to tlicm assyned bv the Kyngs comys- 
 syorus to be payed to them yerly duryng ther lyves attij 
 tip... of the yere thai is to sey at t the rest* of the Annum- va- 
 tion ot'o' Lady kX Seym* Mychell tharchangell l>v even por- 
 cions tin' fyrel paym 1 theroi to begyn att the lest of the An- 
 nuncyation of o 1 Lady nexi eosuyng the date herdf'wyche 
 late Porye was Biirrendred vnto tne Kyngs use thexxj 1 daye 
 of December in the xxxj' yere of the Raign of o r souaign 
 Lord Kynge Henry the viij" 1 . 
 
 Johes Rawns late Pryo' ther . . xl u . 
 Ricus Starton al 1 Andrewe 
 Ricus Carnaby 
 
 Robtua I latliv 
 WiH> Tybye . 
 Wills London . 
 Johi - \V\ smaii 
 Robtua Nvcholls 
 
 viij 11 . 
 
 
 
 M 1 - 
 
 xiij". 
 
 iiij' 1 
 
 vj". 
 
 
 
 v.)''. 
 
 xiiij". 
 
 iiij" 
 
 v.r- 
 
 \ll| . 
 
 iiij' 1 . 
 
 v'». 
 
 v .r- 
 
 viii '. 
 
 v". 
 
 v .f- 
 
 viij' 1 . 
 
 Phylyp Parys. 
 Jo. TregonweU 
 •In. I tushes.
 
 2S7 
 
 No. XIV. 
 
 Pensions $c. due to Officers and Monies of the dissolved 
 
 Priory of St. Neot, surviving in 1554-5. — Also, t/ie 
 
 Pension of the last Incumbent of the Free-Chapel of St. 
 
 Thomas the Martyr, at Puttock's-Hardwick in the 
 
 parish of Eynesbury, 1554-5. 
 
 [MSS. British Museum ; Original Pension Roll, 2 and 3 Philip and 
 
 Mary, folio 21 b.] 
 
 COM 9 HUNTINGDON. 
 
 Sci Neotis nup Moru. 
 
 Feod 1 . Oliueri Leader sen" oim poss" 1 dci 
 nup mon] p annii .... 
 
 Ann. Wiftmi Thodey senl ac Thome 
 
 Ric 1 et Wittmi Thoday fir suoip 
 Oliueri Leader et Johnis Wrothe 
 
 p annu 
 
 Robti Hayes p annu .... 
 Phillippi Clampe p annu . . . 
 
 Pens'. Robti Nicholas p annu .... 
 Johnis Wyseman p annu . . 
 Wittmi Carnabye p annu . . . 
 ^ ittmi Tybie p annu .... 
 Robti Hatley p annu .... 
 
 lj". Xllj\ lllj" 
 
 ili 
 
 y u - 
 
 y 
 
 VI" 
 
 vj' 1 
 
 Vj s . Vllj c 
 
 Vj s . Vllj" 
 
 VJ s 
 Xllj' 
 
 xiij s 
 
 Vnj" 
 
 viij* 1 
 
 iiij' ] 
 iiij" 
 
 Lib 9 a Capett, in Coin pdic 1 
 
 Pens'. Thome Marrell Incumben - ' Lib 9 e 
 
 Caperr in Aynesbuuy p annu iij' 1
 
 288 
 
 No. XV. 
 
 / fract of the Titles of Deeds fyc, in ///<• Cartulary of 
 
 ST. \ i:o l's Priory. 
 MSS. British Museum, Cotton Faustina A. IV.] 
 Memoranda qujedam Registro prsposita, pleraque 
 
 A MANU RECENTIOR] EXARATA. 
 
 (Fol. I .1. — 16 ;i.) 
 
 OfEdworth, 1466. [1.]' 
 1), Bramptona, 111-7. [2.] 
 1 V Bramptona, 1 t75. [•'>.] 
 De w vinl) yrsh, 1 IK), [k] 
 De Henetfnghama, 1295. [5. 
 De Bramptona, 1 I s.j. [(>.] 
 De Turveya, 1327. [7.] 
 Statute de Servientibus. [8 ] 
 I ,e meme en Francais* |0 J 
 ExpositioVocabulorum. [10.] 
 Memoranda quaedam. [11.] 
 De Corrodo concesso Joh'de 
 
 Hoctona, 1278. [12.] 
 De Villa de S. Neoto. [IS.] 
 De eadem. [1 1. 1 
 De diveras Piscaturis in 
 
 Welles. [15.] 
 De Ubbeston, 1290. [16.] 
 Taxatio Ecclesiastica. anno 
 
 1291.' [17.] 
 De diversis Piscaturis in 
 
 Welles, [is i .y . 
 De Monast' Norn. [19, 20.] 
 
 Excommunicato in transeres- 
 sores Chartse libertatum 
 RegniAngbae, 1253. [21.] 
 
 Do libertatibus Episcoporum 
 el Baronum. [22, 23.] 
 
 Carl a libertatum Johan' Com' 
 Ces? el Hunt'. [24.] 
 
 Confirmatio libertatum ]\I<>- 
 nasterii de Sco Neoto, ab 
 Hen III., 1252. [25.] 
 
 Carta Hie 1 Com 1 de Clara de 
 terris Monasterii de Sco 
 Neoto, 1250 [26.] 13. 
 
 De Villa de S Neoto. [27.] 
 
 De eadem. [28.] 
 
 Inquisitio terrarum quae te- 
 nentur de Priore de S. 
 Neoto. [29.] 
 
 ElEKCHUS CARTARUM d . 
 
 De Westmell. [30.] 
 DeParvaPaxtona,126& r 31.] 
 Registrum Bonorum Pnora- 
 tus de S. Neoto*. [32.] 
 
 * The number it ih.it of the Deed : wh< n included within brackets, it dcnoics 
 thai m Nnmber ia attached in the Deed in the M s *v 
 
 l nations ol St Neot's, Ev< rton, and I ynesbnry, alone appear. 
 '-'lack -Letter Capitals, refer to the Orel's as published in this 
 Appendix, No \\ [.—The Letter (D), denotes that the Deed to which it is an- 
 : is published in Dugdc - | in Selden (see p. 9 j . I 
 
 d 'Iliis fades commences with the Deeds which follow (hi p. 289), and is con- 
 tiiuH d to tlmt which is auroben d C. 174. (in |>. '.^7). 
 
 ■ This Valuation was made for a Tax of I wo- tenths, exacted by Riclmrd II. , 
 i D, ; 171 Set ».pp. No. WIN.
 
 289 
 
 'Jnctpit Ifom'strum ^rtoratus to §?co J2coto. 
 
 I. Cartje Pontificum Romanoeum. 
 Bulla Alexandri III. a [1.] Bulla Lucii III. a [2.] 
 
 II. CARTiE AltCHlEPISCOPORUM, EpiSCOl'ORUM, ArCHI- 
 DIACONORUM, JUDICUM, AbBATUM, PrIORU.U, &C. 
 
 (Fol. 37 a. — 45 b.) 
 
 De EccP de S. Neoto, de 
 
 Evertona, et de Auca. 
 
 C. 1. (D). 
 DeEccrdeS.Neoto.C2.3i. 
 De Capella de Wald. C 3, 4. 
 De Wintringehama. C 5. 
 De Walde. C 6. 
 De Ailmarescheya. C 7. 
 De Chaldechote. C. 8. 
 De Wintringehama. C 9. 
 Concordia inter Abbatem de 
 
 Saltreia et Herbertum Pri- 
 
 orem de S. Neoto. C. 10. 
 De Eccl'de Evertona. C 11 
 
 —14. 
 De EccF de Tamseforda. 
 
 C 15. 
 De Eccl 1 de Evertona, deTur- 
 
 veya, et de Tamseforda. 
 
 C. 16. 
 De EccF de Tamseforda, et 
 
 de Cnottinge. C 17. 
 De Eccl' de Tamseforda. 
 
 C 18, 19. 
 De Eccl' de Cnottinge. C 20. 
 DeEccl' de Torvey a. C 2 1 . $L 
 De Torveya. C. 22, 23. 
 De Eccl' de Hemingtona. 
 
 C. 24. ft. 
 
 De Eccl 1 de Bramtona, et de 
 
 Hemingtona. C. 25. 
 De Eccl' de Wenge C. 26. 
 De Eccl 1 de Cloptona. C 27. 
 De Eccl' de Bramtona. C. 28. 
 De Eccl' de Bernwella. C. 29. 
 De Eccl' de Hemingtoa. C. 30. 
 De Eccl' de Cloptona, Hem- 
 ingtona, Bramthona, et 
 
 Bernwella. C. 31. 
 De Eccl' Triii' Hunt'. C. 32 
 
 —36. 
 Concordia inter Priorem de 
 
 Stokes et Priorem de S. 
 
 Neoto. C 37. 
 De Eccl' Trin' Hunt'. C. 38. 
 Compositio inter Seherium de 
 
 Quenci et Priorem de S. 
 
 Neoto, de Eccl 1 de Eynes- 
 
 biria. C. 39. 
 De Grantedena. C. 40, 41. 
 De Eccl 1 de Enesbiria. C 42. 
 De Eccl' de Wimbis. C. 43. 
 De Grantesete. C 44. 
 De Grantendena. C. 45. 
 De Eccl' de Wimbis. C. 46. 
 De Eccl' de Cratefelde, Ubes- 
 
 tun'', Burtun', et Welles. 
 
 C. 47. (D). 
 
 " The Title printed in Italics, denotes that the Deed is not in the Cartulary; 
 the MS. being mutilated. 
 
 U
 
 290 
 
 I >, EccT de Henelingehama. De EccP de Henelinghama. 
 
 c \S. (D). C.52,53. 
 
 De Eccl'deBichewelle.C. 1!). De Ecd' de Ubestuo', etde 
 
 1 V EccFde Bertun' C. 50. 0- Cratefelde. C. 5 1, 55. 
 
 De eadem. C. 61. Th' Bichewelle. C. 56. 
 
 III. Casta Regum, et Cybogbapha. 
 
 (Fol. 45 b— 53 a.) 
 
 Cabta Henbici I. 
 Db lVfanerio Einulfiberiae. 
 
 c. i. a. (i». 
 
 De Libertatibus. C. 2,8 
 De Feria S. Neoti. C. 4. g 
 De ¥a\-V de Bernwella C. 5. 
 De W'imbis. C. 6. 
 De Evertona. C. 7- 
 Breve ad Forestarios. C. 8. 
 Breve de Vexatiorje. C. 9. 
 
 Cabta Henbici II. 
 De Libertatibus. C. 10. 11. 
 De Ecd'Trin 1 Hunt". C. 12. 
 De Feria S. Neoti. ('. 18. 
 Do Wintringehama C Ik 
 De Libertatibus. ('. 15. 
 De Mercatu S. Neoti. C 16 
 
 —is. 
 l)r eodem. C. li). S. 
 De Dilewik'et Ailmaresheya. 
 
 C. , l J0. 
 De Libertatibus, C. 21. 
 
 Casta II. Regis Scotia. 
 De Molend' in Huntf. C. 22. 
 DeMolend'inPaxtona.C.23. 
 De Herdwik et Caldecote. 
 
 C. 24. 
 De Donationibua Antecesso- 
 
 nim. C. 25. 
 
 Carta W. Regis Scotia. 
 
 De Molend" dePaxtona.C.26. 
 
 C. Com 1 Simon 1 , de eodcin. 
 C. 27. 
 
 C. H.Com' 61* Regis Scoti*, 
 de Molend* iu Hunt" 1 , et de 
 EccT de Evnesbur'. C. 28. 
 
 De Herdewik. C. 29. 
 
 Cyeographa inter 
 Priorem de S. Neoto et Fra- 
 
 tres. Hospital' Jerus 1 . 1230. 
 
 C 30. 
 [C. Hen. II.de Libertatibus. 
 
 C. 81.] 
 P. de S. N. et Alanum Dis- 
 
 pensatorem Hen. II. C.32. 
 P. de S. N. et Matild' de 
 
 Ango de Herdwik. C. 33. 
 Hugonem fil' Henr' et Odo- 
 
 nem Burnard. C. 34. 
 P. de S. N. et Priorem de 
 
 Hunt 1 . C. 35. 
 P. de S. N. et Joir de Ka- 
 
 rnn. C. 36. 
 P. de S. N. et Abbat' de 
 
 Tliomeia. C. 37. 
 P. de S. N. et Abbat' de 
 
 Burg. C. 38. 
 Amabilem Verley et Rob -1 
 
 turn Troussebut. C. 39.
 
 291 
 
 P. de S. N. et RotTtum En- 
 
 geigne. C. 40. 
 P. de S. N. et Wil' de Cove. 
 
 C.41. 
 P. de S. N. et WiP de Bret- 
 
 ville. C. 42. 
 Wil 1 fil' Alias et Hugonem de 
 
 Alno. C. 43. 
 P. de S. N. et Wil' Engeigne. 
 
 C. 44. 
 
 P. de S. N. et Eustachium 
 
 Monachum. C. 45. 
 P. de S. N. et Samel* am de 
 
 la Haje. C. 46. 
 P. de S. N. et Thelarios 
 
 Hunt 1 . C. 47. 
 Johan 1 fil' Edich et Edm' de 
 
 Tetesworde. C. 48. 
 P. de S. N. et Hugonem Epis- 
 
 copum Elyen\ C 49, 50. 
 
 IV. Cart.e de Bedeforda. 
 
 (Fol. 54 a— 56 b.) 
 
 De Ailmaresheia in paroch' 
 
 de Etona. C. 1. 
 De Bereforda. C. 2. 
 De Boestona. C. 3. 
 De Kinemundewik. C. 4. 
 De Boestona. C. 5. 
 C. Petri Cl'ci de Bereforda. 
 
 C. 6. 
 De Duuelho. C. 7. 
 De Ailmaresheya. C. 8. 
 
 C. Umfred 1 fir Adas. C. 9. 
 C. Will' de Soches. C. 10. 
 De Wybaldistona. C. 1.1. 
 De Chalvesterne. C. 12 — 14. 
 De messuag 1 ultra Pontem 
 
 S. Neoti. C. 15, 16. 
 De Colesden. C. 17—19. 
 De Chalvesterne. C. 20. 
 De dimid' acr 1 terras apud 
 
 Colesden. C 21. 
 
 V. CaRT.E BlIRNARDENSlUM. 
 
 Fol. 56 b— 57 b.) 
 
 De Ailricheseia. C. 1 . 
 
 De Boestona. C. 2, 3. 
 
 De Evertona. C. 4. 
 
 De Eccl' de Cheldretona, 
 Boscumbe, Godsford, et 
 Edewrtha, C. 5. §k. (D). 
 
 De iisdem. C. 6 — 9. 
 De Boestona, C. 10. 
 De elemosynis antecessorum. 
 
 C 11. 
 De Ecclesia de Eddewrtha. 
 
 C. 12. 
 
 VI. Cartje de S. Neoto. 
 
 (Fol. 58 a— 67 a.) 
 
 De Hauekesdena. C. 1 . De Muncke-Herdewic. C. 3. 
 
 De Walde, Hauekesdena, 
 
 De Wintringehama. C. 2 
 
 u %
 
 292 
 
 I deoote, Churchesweie, chia de S. Neoto, conces 
 
 I wholes, &c. C. i. sis interann 1 1210—1229. 
 
 |i Foxholes apud Herdwik. C. 11 — 51. 
 
 ( - De Wintringehaina. C. 52. 
 
 De Wintringehama. C. 6. De Wnlde. C. 53— 57. 
 
 |) Capella de Wintringe- De Caldecote. C. 58. 
 
 hama. C. 7. R. De I [erdewyk. C. 59. 
 
 D, Wintringehama (' B. De Walde. C. 60, 61. 
 
 De Herdewik ('.!'. 10. I)' 1 fundatione Capella? de 
 
 De diversia tenements el Walde. C. 62. 1. 
 
 tenia, in Villa el in Paro- De Walde. C. 63. 
 
 \ I I. (' \kt £ DE I [UNTINGD1 NBSIRA. 
 Fol. 67 .'-72 b.) 
 
 I) oemore vocat 1 Le Ho. De Parva Paxtona. ('. 18, 
 
 ( I. 1!'. 
 
 De Piscaria in Usa. C. 2, t). Do Touleslond. C. 20—22. 
 
 De boscode'l He ('. 8. De Ageden.C. 2.3—25. 
 
 I). >Eccl'd< ■ Kviif-liir". C'.-l-.?i?. De Stanstrete, 1226. C. 26. 
 
 De Bichamsted. C. 5. De Stocton. C. 27—29. 
 
 De bosco de Sudbury. C. 6. De Adboldesle. C. 30. 
 
 I ) Sudho. C. 7. De Buekwrth. C. 31, 32. 
 
 I ) Westona, &c. C. 8. De Losbbrnfeld. C. 33. 
 
 D Suho. C 9, 10. De Eecl' Sci Clem 1 Hunt'. 
 
 De Westona. C. 11, 12. C. 34, 35. 
 
 De Parva Paxtona. C. 13— De Eocl 1 Sri Bened" I runt'. 
 
 L6 C. 36. 
 
 !> \l igna el de Parva Pax- De Elemosyna concessa Hu- 
 
 tona. C it. goni de Adboldesle. [C. 87.1 
 
 \II1 Cabti de Evertona et de Tettewkth. 
 
 Fol. 73 a— 75 a.) 
 
 De EccTde Evertoa. C. 1.2,, De terris &c. in Evertona. 
 1> eadem. ('. 2. ('. 7—10. 
 
 De terris in Evertona ('..;. l. De Tettewrth. C. 11 — 16. 
 
 1 1 Eccl' de Evertona. C. 5. De terris in Evertona. C. 17. 
 
 idem. C 6. (D). De redd in Tettcwrth. C. 18.
 
 293 
 
 IX. Cart.e de Kaxtona et de Brunne. 
 
 (Fol. 75 a — 77 a.) 
 
 De terris apud Kakestunam, 
 
 sive Caxtonam. C. 1 — 7- 
 De Madeldene. C. 8. 23. (D) 
 C. Comitis Eustachii de donis 
 pra>dictis. C. 9. 
 
 De terris in Caxtona. C. 10. 
 
 De Brunne. C. 11—15. 
 
 De concessione Kob'ti Prath 
 
 de Brunne, Villain, cum 
 
 sequela sua. C. 16. 
 
 X. CartjE de Bertunne-Binediche, de Bicham- 
 Well, de Obestona, de He'ningehama, de Crate- 
 feld, et de Wimbis. 
 
 (Fol. 77 l>— 80 b.) 
 
 De Eccl 1 de Bertona. C. 1. 
 
 © (D). 
 De Eccl 1 de Welles. C. 2 ^. 
 De Eccl 1 de Bertona. C. 3. 
 De tenemento Herlewini Pres- 
 
 byteri C. 4. 
 De tenem 1 in Croveleia. C. 5. 
 De Bertona. C. 6 (D). 
 De Eccl 1 de Obestona. C. 7. 
 De Eccl 1 de Obestona et He- 
 
 veningehama. C 8 . Jit. (D) . 
 De Obestona. C. 9—13. 
 
 De Eccl 1 de Heveninghama. 
 
 C. 14—18. 
 De Eccl' de Cratefeld. C. 19. 
 De eadem C. 20 i&. (D ) 
 De terris in Cratefeld. C. 21. 
 De manerio de Cratefeld. 
 
 C 23. ©. (D). 
 De Eccl 1 de Cratefeld. C. 24. 
 De terris in Wimbis. C. 25 
 
 — 28. 
 De Ecclesia de Wimbis. 
 
 C 29, 30. 
 
 XI. Cart^ de Turveya. 
 
 (Desunt onmes.) 
 
 De terris in Turveya. C. 1 . 
 De terra vocat" 1 Middelho. 
 
 C.2. 
 De Eccl' de Turveya. C. 3. 
 De terris in Turveya. C. 4. 
 De Eccl' de Turveya. C. 5. 
 De diversis terris et tene 
 
 mentis in Turveya. C. 1 1 . 
 De terris in Turveya. C. 12 
 
 —13. 
 De EccV de Turveya. C. 14. 
 De terris, tenementis ,■ et aliis 
 
 possessionibus in paroehia 
 
 de Turveya. C. 15 — 52.
 
 294 
 
 \ll. Carta de Bellocampensibus. 
 
 (Fol. 81 a— 83 a.) 
 
 / > | ,:/(> jiirid Pontem S. 
 
 D /,7/v/ in Dileank. ('. 2. 
 
 /> diversis terris. t '. 3. 
 
 /) //nx'M ad Coquinam Mo- 
 
 nachorum ('. I. 1 ' 
 1 )r t ria in Adboldesleye. C.5. 
 De DUewik. C. 6, 7. 
 1),' \\ ibauldestone. C. 8. 
 De Thamisforda. C. 9. 
 
 De boscq Del ll<>. C. 10. 
 
 De iij hospital' in Villa de 
 Etona. C. 1 1. 
 
 De Piscar 1 in Usa.C. I2.JU. 
 
 De iisdem. C. 13—16. 
 
 Conventio inter Joh' de Bel- 
 locampo et Priorem de S. 
 Neoto, 1223. C. 17. 
 
 De diversis terris in Tome- 
 cote. C. 18, 19. 
 
 \III. Carta i>e Tamiseforda. 
 
 (Fol. 83 a— 88 a.) 
 
 De Eccleoa de Temsefbrda. Galfridum Priorem de 
 
 ( '. 1,2. Sancto Neoto. C. 1 5. 
 
 De terris in Tamiseforda. De terris in Tamiseforda. 
 
 ('. .",— i 1. C. 16—36. 
 
 Conventio inter Nich 1 Cleri- Dc Ecclesia de Tamiseforda. 
 
 cinn de Tamiseforda e1 C. 37. Z. 
 
 XIV. Carta; de Quency bt de Chmu.tona. 
 
 (Fol. 88 a, 8<j a.) 
 
 Carxje Comitis Lbgre- De terris in Cherltona. C. 3. 
 
 • 1 5TB i i . Conventio inter Priorem S. 
 
 De t. rris in Cherltona 1118. Nigalii de Melento, et Pri- 
 
 C. I- orem et Conventum de 
 
 I > Tamodestona, C. 'J. Sancto Neoto, 1225. C. 4. 
 
 '' This Deed is mutilated only ;it the commencement.
 
 295 
 
 Cart^e de Quency. 
 De quieta clamatione juris in 
 
 Cherltona. C. 5. 
 De Decimis in Grantesete. 
 
 C.6.(S). 
 De Decimis in Sutho. C. 7. 
 
 De Decimis in Eynesburia. 
 X.8.4F. 
 
 Compositio inter Seherium 
 de Quency, et Galfrid' P. 
 de S. N. de Ecclesia de 
 Enesburia. C. 9. ©. 
 
 XV. Cart.e de Grantesete, de Croxtona, et de 
 
 Grantesdena. 
 
 (Fol. 89 b.— go a.) 
 
 De Decimis de Grantesete. DeXmisinCroxton.C.3.(S). 
 C. I. (S). De diversis terris in Gran- 
 
 De Decimis iisdem. C. 2. tcsdena. C. 4, 5. 
 
 XVI. Cart^e de Wereslat, de Westmulna, de He- 
 
 MINGTONA, DE BeRNWELL, DE BkRTUNA, ET DE WeNGE. 
 
 (Fol. go a— gi b.) 
 
 De Decimis in Wereslai. 
 
 C. l. &. (D). (S). 
 De iisdem. C. 2. 1c. 
 De iisdem. C. 3. 
 De terr' in Wereslai. C. 4. 
 De j marca. C. 5. 
 De Westmulna. C. 6 — 10. 
 De eadem. C. 11 — 13. 
 De EccV de Hemingtona. C. 
 
 14—21. 
 De Hemingtona. C. 22. 
 
 De quibusdam Xmis. C. 23. 
 
 De Xmis de Bernwell. C. 24. 
 
 De Eccl deBertunna Benedic 1 . 
 C. 25—27. 
 
 De diversis terris in Wcnge. 
 C. 28—30. 
 
 De EccV de Wenge. C. 31. 
 
 De Mole?id' de Neuentuna, 
 C. 32—33. 
 
 De Capella in Bertunna Be- 
 nedict. C.34. 
 
 [CARTJE QUiEDAM A MANU RECENTIORI INTERPOSIT^.] 
 
 (Fol. g2 a— g3 b.) 
 
 Carta RohaVdis, relictae Ri- De Ecc? de Wenge. [2.] <&. 
 cardi Filii Com 1 Gileberti, (D). 
 de Piscariis de Welle. [1.] De terris in Tettewrth. [3.J
 
 298 
 
 M morand' de Tolneto. I 1 I 
 
 ]'■ rtona, 1 356-7 j |5, B. | 
 
 De Deeiinis 
 tona. 1 7]. 
 
 in 
 
 I [eming- 
 
 \\||. Ci.ir [>] rEMPORB HlJGONlS DE FaGER^UM 
 
 Pb ioki s. 
 
 Fol. 04 Ek — 131 l>.) 
 
 De Akeden C. 1 
 
 De Barnetona. C. 2. 
 
 De Gamlegay. C. 3. 
 
 De Barnetona. C. 1 . 
 
 De Parva Paxtona, 1233. 
 
 C. ... 
 De Turveya C. 6. 
 De Caldecote. C. 7. 
 
 Wibaldastana. C. 8. 
 1) Piscaria in Parva Pax- 
 tona, 1234. C. 9. 
 De Feodis Bellocampi. C. 10. 
 De Busl ma. C. 11 — 13. 
 1 )r Tettewi >rd, it de K\ ertona. 
 
 < . I t— 21. 
 De Gameleg', C. 22 -39. 
 De Eccl' de Torveia. [C. 40, 
 
 ii. I 
 De Duuelho. C. 10. 
 
 De Forda, 1230. C. 11. 
 
 1),- S. Neoto. C. !'_'. 
 
 De ij Caponibus. ( '. M. 
 
 De S. Neoto, 1220—1230. 
 (.11 -55. 
 
 De Diuilho. C. 56. 
 
 D S. Neoto. C 57, 58. 
 
 De terra in Okris. ( '. 59. 
 
 De Gameleg*. C. 60—70. 
 
 1 )>■ Turn. ('. 71. 
 
 1 )<■ Wibaudestona. C. 72.' 
 
 De Colmorth. [C. 73.] 
 De S Neoto [C. 74.1 
 De Piscaria in CJsa. [('. 75.] 
 DeEccrdeCratefeld.C.72. c 
 De Eccl 1 de Henelinghama. 
 
 C. 7:;. 
 De Eccl 1 de Bertunbinedic. 
 
 C. 74. 
 De Croxtona. C. 75, 76. 
 De Eccl' de Boscumbe. C. 77. 
 De ( Iroxtona. U. 78. 
 De Eccl 1 de Bertunne. C. 79. 
 De Eccl 1 de Bernwell. C. 80. 
 De EccPde Bramtona. C. 81. 
 De Eccl' de Heveninghaina. 
 
 C. 82. 
 De EocT de Melcheburn. 
 
 C. 83—85. 
 De Turveya. C. 86 — 91. 
 De Gameleg 1 . [C. 92—95.] 
 De Tnrveya. [('. 96 — 105.] 
 Carta Johannis de Sondeia. 
 
 [('. 106.] 
 De Torveya; [C. 107,108.] 
 De Evertona. [C. 109.] 
 C. WiT de Baieiis. [C. 110.] 
 DeS. Ncot<». [C. 111.] 
 C. Heliae Fabri. [C. 112.] 
 De Bedefort. [C. 113.] 
 ('. llic' Burnart. [C. 114.] 
 
 1 N< . 73. u tpeated in the Cartulary ; and the three intervening Deeds 
 h»*i N - ttai bed to them.
 
 297 
 
 De Ecclesia de Cnottinge. 
 
 [C. 115] 
 De Torveya. [C. 116.] 
 DeGameleg'.[C. 117— 119.] 
 De Torveya. [C. 120—126.] 
 De Gameleg . [C. 127—130.] 
 De Turveya. [C. 131 — 135.] 
 De Eccl'deBertuna Benedic 1 . 
 
 [C. 136—138.] 
 De Gameleg. [C. 139.] 
 De Evertuna. [C. 140.] 
 Carta Rogeri de Quency de 
 
 Manerio de Cherltona. 
 
 [C. 141.] 
 De Turveya. [C. 142.] 
 DeS. Neoto. [C. 143.] 
 De Marisco de Heycharwe- 
 
 fen, 1243, [C. 144.] 
 De Marisco juxta Much were. 
 
 [C. 145.] 
 De Marisco de Merch. [C. 
 
 146.] 
 De Offord le Daneys. [C. 
 
 147.] 
 De Haylewestona. [C. 148.] 
 
 De messuag 1 in Villa S. Ne- 
 
 oti ad Crucem. [C. 149.] 
 De Turveya. [C. 150—154.] 
 De terns in Brnesheyfeld. 
 
 [C. 155.] 
 De Longeland. [C. 156.] 
 DeTurweva. [C. 157, 158.] 
 De Offord" [C. 159—161.] " 
 De S. Neoto. [C. 162.] 
 De Eccl 1 de Hevenighama. 
 
 [C. 163.] 
 De Chalvesterne, A. D. 1245. 
 
 [C. 164.] 
 De Turveya. [C. 165—167.] 
 De Kaxtona. [C. 168.] 
 Bulla Papa? Innocentii III., 
 
 1201, de Compositione de 
 
 Ecclesia de Eynesburia. 
 
 [C. 169.] 
 De Feodo W. de Bellocampo 
 
 in Etona, 1240. [C. 170.] 
 De Turveya. [C. 171—173.] 
 De Ecclesia de Wimbis. 
 
 [C. 174.] J 
 De Wenge. [C. 175.] 
 
 XVIII. CaRT.E QUiEDAM MISCELLANEA. 
 (Fol. 132 b. — 151 a.) 
 
 DeTemiseforda,1240. [1,2.] 
 De Wymbis, 1250. [3.] 
 De Crandona, 1240. [4.] 
 De Turveya, 1251. [5—12.] 
 De pens' conces' Hug' de 
 Alney Clerico, 1260. [13.] 
 De Duuelho. [14, 15.] 
 De Herdewic, 1254. [16.] 
 De Duuelho, 1254. [17.] 
 De Herdewic, [18.] 
 DeForda, 1255. [19.] 
 De Thurveya, 1253. [20.] 
 
 De S. Neoto. [21.] 
 De Offord. [22.] 
 De Hayllewestona. [23.] 
 De S. Neoto, 1256. [24.] 
 De Piscaturis in Usa. [25.] 
 De Herdewic. [26.] 
 De Paxtona, 1257. [27.] 
 De Chalvesterne. [28.] 
 Donatio Will' le Charboner, 
 Villani, facta ab Henr' En- 
 gay ne. [29.] 
 De S. Neoto, 1257. [30.] 
 
 ■' This is the last Deed contained in the Index ol'llie Cartulary.
 
 996 
 
 1 1 n ivfonla. [31, 88.] _ De Cherltona. [4-6, 47.] 
 
 i indium rollers' Matilda? De CaXtona. [48. 
 
 de Bichamsted. [S3.] De Bichamstede. [49.] 
 
 Corrodium eoncesf Ric'o le De Gameleg.' [50.] 
 
 'I'lu in de Turveya. [34.] Mem* e MagnoRotulofSl.] 
 
 |) Evertona. [35.] De Wiboldeston'a. [52.] 
 
 Privilegia conces*, ;i Will' P. Plac* ap' AWstm', 1332, de 
 
 de S. \.. Ric'o de Wivel- Ubbestun'. [53.] 
 
 forda deVo, 1260. [36.]' Recordum de Mogerhariger, 
 
 Memorandum de Sabina ux- Evertona, et Themisforda, 
 
 ore Rob'ti Leonard. [37 | 1329. [54.] 
 
 C\ llmr' Prioris de S. N., Excerpta e Magno Jlotulo, 
 
 1257. [38.] 1332. [55.] 
 
 1), Bartholomeo de Heming- Plac' a])' Westm' 1312, de 
 
 tona, bctvo ( Joventr . | :;.'>. |' Croxtona. [56.1 
 
 C. I I. nr' Prions de S. X., Plac' ap' Westm', 1366, de 
 
 1265. [40.] S.NeotoetWintringliama. 
 
 De S. Neoto, 1265. [41.] [57.] 
 
 I), Caldecote. [42. | DeThoday-Wode,inComitf 
 
 De EccT de Cratefeld. [43.] Bed' [58.] 
 
 De Brunne. [44.] Fragmenta quasdam fere de- 
 
 De Eccl'de Cratefeld. [45.] Leta. 
 
 ' Richard de Wivelford was allowed 5*2*. per annum, so long as he should 
 " itaiid in i!k- Si b tola." Ifhe should prefer spending In** \ ac:it inns at St. Neot's, 
 the pension wasto l"' discontinued during his residence in the Convent. He 
 «.is allow ed| every yar, "one robe of good quality, Mali as was given toother 
 <•'< rks ; also, one of the horses of the- IWonastery, on going to and returning from 
 Si boola." Folio 139 l>. 
 
 1 Bartholemew de Hemington was taken into tin Berviceofthe Convent with 
 the following stipulations, — He was to wait in the "Guests' Hall" f" Aula Hos- 
 pitum" J, and to undertake journies tor the affairs of the Priory, at the discretion 
 of the Trior. He was not allowed to marrj ; nor to bequeath his property of any 
 di " ription, which was to belong to the Monastery at his death. In consideration 
 n: [heat s, r \ ice*, lie w.is allow ed, fur his daily support, — " from the Buttery, one 
 manchel f" nucha monachilit," a small loaf,] oi the same quality as those given 
 to t lie Ml inks, and one gallon and a halt 'of beer , — also, from the common Kitchen, 
 
 such pottage as die Monks eal in the Refectoryr 1 ' for cloathes, 13s. 4d. per 
 annum. In the case oi his marrying, or neglecting his duties, or offending the 
 Monks, or stc sling the property of the Convent, he was to forfeit the whole of his 
 allowance till suitable n paration hail been made. Folio 140 a.
 
 299 
 
 No. XVI. 
 
 Extracts from the Cartulary of the Priory of St. Neot. 
 [MSS. British Museum, Cotton, Faustina A. IV.] 
 
 a. 
 
 On the manor of St. JVeot's, (A. D. 1113). 
 
 [Folio 45 b.] 
 
 Anno ab Incarnatione Dili 1113, Henrico regnante Dei 
 gratia Rege Anglorum, Rohes uxor Ricardi filii Comitis 
 Gisleberti, dedit Deo, et Sea? Maria? Becci, Scoque Neoto 
 Erx t ulfiberi,e, et Monachis ibidem Deo famulantibus, totum 
 insimul idem manerium Ernulfiberi.e, et quicquid ad illud 
 pertinet, sicut ipsa tenebat ; pro salute Regis Henrici, uxoris 
 ejus Matildis, atque filiorum suorum ; et pro anima Willielmi 
 Regis patris sui, et Matildis matris sua?, fratrumque suorum ; et 
 pro anima Ricardi maritisui, et salute animae sua?, filiorumque 
 et filiarum, atque omnium parentum suorum. Hoc donum 
 concessit Gislebertus filius suns, uxorque ejus iEliz \_Ade- 
 lizd], et filii sui; rogatu et petitione ejusdem Rohes matris 
 sua?, fratrumque suorum, Rogeri scilicet, Walteri, Roberti, 
 sororumque suarum, necnon parentum et amicorum suorum. 
 — Testibus &c. 
 
 On the manor of St. Neot's, (A. D. 1254). 
 [Folio 27 b.] 
 
 Omnibus &c. Ric" 1 de Clare Comes Glovernia? et Hert- 
 ford, salutem in Diio. Noverit universitas vestra me. . .confir- 
 masse . . . .Deo, et beata? Maria? de Becco, Scoque Neoto, et 
 Monachis ibidem Deo servientibus, . . . quidquid habent de 
 feodo meo in manerio et parochia Sci Neoti. . . .Salva 
 tamen mihi et ha?redibus meis, tanquam patronis, Custodia
 
 300 
 
 Prioratua Sci Nkoti, quando Prior (qui pro tempore fuerit) 
 mortuufl mI amotuB fuerit, w\ quando man' transient. . . 
 
 Datum apiul London', A. D. 1254. 
 
 On the manor of Crjtefield, (A. J). 1100). 
 
 [Folio 7«) b.] 
 
 M \mi dis de Sin I.k in. uxor' Roberti lilii Ricardi, om- 
 nibus &c . • .Noverit universitas vestra. . . .me dedisse 
 ct present! carta confirmasse Deo, el Ecclesiae Sci Neoti, et 
 Monachis Becci in ea Deo servientibus, totatn tertiam par- 
 tem manerii mei <lr Cb \n sfield, quod est liberum marita- 
 gium liuuii). . . .Prsefati autem Monachi, ad petitionem 
 meam, receperunl duos Presbyteros ad habitum Monachilem 
 in Domosua, in perpetuum de prsedicta elemosyna victuros ; 
 pro salute animae meae, et animae patris mei cujus corpus il>i 
 requiescit, el animabus omnium antecessorum el successorum 
 meorum. Quare volo, &c. . . .Facta est autem haec elemo- 
 syna, Anno ab Incarnatione Dni 1100. 
 
 D. 
 
 On land at Madeldene. 
 
 [Folio 70' a.] 
 
 & \m praesentes &c quod ego Tedbaldus di 
 
 Chalere, pro salute animae meae, el uxorismeae, el haeredum 
 meorum, el patris mei. . . .dedi Deo el Monachis Sci Neoti, 
 el Buper altare obtuli, in perpetuam elemosynam, . . .totam 
 terram meam quam habui ex utraque parte Madeldene, 
 
 ejacebal inter terras Dni mei Stephani el terrain Gaud- 
 trull MiJitis. . .El quia ego sigillum Don habui, petitione mea 
 I) iismeus Stephanus hanc donationem meam sub suo sigillo 
 confirmavit. — Hujus rei Testes &c. 
 
 ■>n U it thut corrected, " fui( uxor Rob'ti now filia."
 
 301 
 
 (Jf. ... 15. 
 
 Ora « portion qf tithes in Wareslef, (before A. D. 1132). 
 
 [Folio go a.] 
 
 Ego Robertus Waste concessi Deo, et Seas Marias Becci, 
 et Sco Neoto Confessori, et Ecclesiae ejus de Ernules- 
 bekia, et Monachis qui inibi Deo deserviunt, duas 
 partes totius deciraae meae de Wereslai; inomnividt. sub- 
 stantia mea, in segetibus, [et] in animalibus unde decima dari 
 debet. Et hoe feei praecipue pro anima Soeni de Essessa 
 [Essexa ?], et pro salute Dni mei Roberti, filii praedicti Soeni, 
 qui mihi banc terram dedit, et pro salute Gunnor uxoris 
 suae, et pro salute mea, et uxoris meae, et Willielmi filii 
 Gere'i Patris sui, . . .Hoc autem concessi apud Ernules- 
 beriam in Capitulo in praesentia Martini Prioris ipsius loci et 
 totius Conventus. Ubi et recepi tunc, et uxor mea mecum, 
 societatem et beneficium loci, et Ecclesias Becci cui pertinet 
 Cella ilia ; pro me, et pro praedictis Dominis et amicis meis. 
 Cujus rei posui, cum uxore mea, donum super majus altare, 
 per unum candelabrum ipsius Ecclesia?. Testibus &c. (&.) 
 
 [Folio gob.] 
 
 Ego Gilebertus et uxor mea concedimus libere Eccrae Sci 
 
 Neoti, et Monachis &c duas partes decimae totiusdni nostri 
 
 de Wereslai. . .sicut habuerunt de antecessoribus nostris To- 
 roldo vid'. et Rofito Waste, et nominatim recipere ad ostium 
 Grangiae nostras... Testibus &c. in praesentia Martini praedictae 
 Eccrae tunc Prioris,et in praesentia Dili Engenulfi Monachi. 
 Apud Wereslai, in Buro nostro. ($i.) 
 
 On a portion of tithes in Eynesbury, {about A. D. 1202 ?). 
 
 [Folio 8g a.] 
 
 Notum sit omnibus tarn praesentibus quam futuris quod 
 ego Seherius de Q p ncy concedo et confirmo Monachis Sci 
 Neoti decimationes quas antiquitus habuerunt in villa mea 
 de Eynesbir 1 , sc. tertiam partem decimationis de dominio 
 meo. — His testibus &c.
 
 302 
 
 Composition respecting the tithes of Etnesbury, (1S04). 
 s ilui srtularj of Ncwnham, MSS.Harl. 3056. f.56 b.] 
 
 \ o n m sit praesentibua el futuria, quodcausaquaevertebatur 
 inter Galfridum Priorem et Monachoa de Sco \ koto ex una 
 parte, el Seherium de Q*ncy. et Raclum Priorem ct Canoni- 
 008 di" Neweham ex altera parte, super Ecclesiam de Kyxes- 
 iii k". . . .amicabili Composrtione in nunc modum conquievit. 
 \ ul . Quod idem Seherius ct hceredes sui prsesentabunt Cle- 
 ricum in perpetuum ad medietatemgarbarum Kcclcsia^deEY- 
 nesbib 1 etad terrain ipsius Eccleaiae, ct ad onmes obventiones 
 ad altare ipsiua Ecclesiss provenientes. Monachi vero Sci 
 
 \i (i i i aliam medietatem omnium decimarum bladi totiuspa- 
 rochiae ultegre percipient ; sc. totam decimationem terrarum 
 apud Waldb ct apud Caldecot, tam de dnico quam de om- 
 Dibus aliia tenia; ct decimationem omnium terrarum apud Su- 
 PEBIOBEM HeBDEWIC, pncterquam de dnico Schcrii ; et deci- 
 mationem de tota porcione Henrici Lancelin, tam de dnico 
 quam de aliis ten-is; el decimationem de dim 1 virgat 1 Nich 1 
 Wale, apud Rulho; ct medietatem decimationia garbarum 
 de feodo Yvonia Q*rel, apud Bebefobtj; ct medietatem 
 garbarum de dnico Schcrii, apud Eynesbie 1 . Salva 
 tamen dictia Monachia tertia garba prsefati dnici, quam 
 antiquitu8 tenuerunt, ct tenebunt sicut prius; solvendo, . 
 nomine decimarum ail dictam Ecclesiam pertinentium, c 
 solidos Canonicis de Neweham, sicut in Cvronrapho 
 inter eoa concepto continetur. Residuum vero decimarum 
 
 pi remit l ClericUB Schcrii ; pr;cscntatus vero. a Scherio et ab 
 
 haeredibua suia, juramentum corporaliter praestabit, quod 
 nihil contra praeaictam Compositionera macninabitur in prae- 
 'judiciuin Monachorum vel Canonicorum, ct quod contra 
 detentorea decimarum eis justitiae plenitudinem sine dila- 
 tinne exhibebit Hanc Compositionem praedicti Priores et 
 Conventua praedictarum Ecclesiarum inverbo Dni se ob- 
 Bervaturoa in perpetuum promiserunt, et sigillis suis ap- 
 positis confirmaverunt. Et Seherius de Quency, pro se et 
 haeredibua Buis, hanc Compositionem se fideliter in per- 
 petuum observaturum fore ode interposita promisit, et sigilli 
 sui appositione confirmavit — Hujua Compositionis hi sunt 
 I Sec. 1 Iae Compositio facta fuit, Anno Gratia" 1204; 
 
 Feria ij ante Pentecosten.
 
 303 
 
 On the Church of Eynesbury (temp. William Rufusf). 
 
 [Folio 67 b.] 
 
 Simon Comes omnibus Baronibus suisde Huntingdonesyra, 
 salutem. Sciatis quod ego dedi Deo, et Ecclesias Sci Neoti, 
 et Monachis in ea Deo servientibus, pro animabus patris et 
 matris meas, in perpetuam elemosynam, Ecclesiam Seas Ma- 
 rias de ENESBiit' cum omnibus ad earn pertinentibus : Ma- 
 tilda Comitissa uxore mea volente et concedente ; et Wale- 
 f'rido Presbytero, qui tunc fuit Persona illius Ecclesiae, nobis 
 consimiliter annuente. . .Testibus &c. 
 
 3L 
 
 On the Chapel of Weald, in the parish qfEYNESBURY. 
 
 [Folio 67 a.] 
 
 Sciant prassentes, et futuri, quod ego Alan us Dapifer 
 Dominus Waldi, dedi, et concessi, et praesenti carta mea 
 confirmavi, Deo, et Ecclesias Sci Neoti, et Monachis ibidem 
 Deo servientibus, Capellam de Waldo, cum omnibus per- 
 tinentiis suis. . . .Ipsi vero Monachi iij diebus in ebdomada 
 in eadem Capella divinum officium facient celebrari. — His 
 Testibus &c. 
 
 On the appropriation of the Church of St. Neot's, 
 (about A. D. 1183). " 
 
 [Folio 37 a.] 
 
 Omnibus &c. Nichot de Sigillo Archidiaconus Huntedon' 
 salutem. . . .Universitati vestrae dignum duximus intiman- 
 dum, venerabilem Dnm nostrum* Lucium III. Papam hoc 
 
 a The Bull of Pope Lucius was in the Cartulary, as appears by the Index; 
 but the Cartulary having been mutilated, only the subscription remains, " Da- 
 tum Velietr', AT. May :" see f. 22 a. line 6., and f. 37a.
 
 ■ Ml 
 
 piiaericordia beneficium indulsisse Monachis de Sco Neoto, 
 lit Ecclesiae parochiales ad cos pertinentes, decedentibus 
 Clericis, in iii.iiiu sua libera possinl retinera et earum bene- 
 ficia ad sustentationem Fratrum et hospitum ac pauperum 
 Biisceptionem integre percipere, electis ab iis Vicariis <]ui 
 nobis et Buoceasoribus nostris debeant praesentari. . . .Inde est 
 quod, paternis vestigiis inhaerentes, praedictis Monachis Ec- 
 clesiam beats Maria- Sri Neoti, cum omnibus pertinentiis 
 Biiis, ad prsenominatos usus deputatam, concessimus et cartae 
 nostra: attestatione confirma* imus. Et ne in posterum tam pia 
 dispositio ab aliquibus malitiose possil perturbari, cam aigilli 
 nostri appositione communivimus. Statuentes ut praedicti 
 Monachi, siiui Persons, de ipsaEcclesia,jet omnibus I'ructibus 
 ejus, jure personal] libera el integre valeant ordinare: salva 
 in omnibus Lincolnicnsis F.cclesiae diirnitatc. — His Tcsti- 
 l)u-- etc. 
 
 u. 
 
 On the Chapel and Chantry of Wintringbam, in the 
 paths!, of St. Neot's, (A.D. 1°.18). 
 
 [Folio 50 a.] 
 
 S< [ant praesentes et futuri, quod ego Willielmus Brito de 
 WiNTRiNGHAM nee vendico ncc uiK|iiani vendicabo jus ali- 
 quod in Capella de Winthingham ; nee in Cantaria Ca- 
 pellae quam Dims incus Rogerus Prior promisit ibidem 
 fieri per Capellanos Ecclesiae parochialis Sci Neoti, ad in- 
 staini.uii imam, pro familia mea dum in peregrinatione 
 
 tm in; niside solo bene placito ipsius,ve] successorumsuon 
 
 el Conventus Si i Neoti. Nee et[iatn] aliquifl faciam, nee 
 fieri permittam, quo per aliquem de meisin aliquo minuatur 
 His matricis Ecclesiae Sci Neoti. Et nehoc cuiquam veniat 
 in dubium, banc promissionem, sacramento corporaliter 
 prasstito pro me et pro haeredibus meis, et sigilli mei de 
 praesenti Bcripto dependentis testimonio, confirmavi. — His 
 Testibus: ^ Waltero, Capellano ejusdem Ecclesiae; >J<Ric 
 Gillemor, Capellano; >J< Ric Palmar; ^ Alano Presby- 
 i-nK^j-ui; Franc; ^RogoCoco; ^ EustachioHerupe; 
 ►£< \\ altera MarescaH ; ^ Philippo Janitore; A Wifto de 
 
 Aliml ; et alii-.
 
 305 
 
 3f. 
 
 On the Church of Everton, (between A. D. 1137 and 
 
 A. D. 1148). 
 
 [Folio 73 a.] 
 
 Gilbertus filiusG. Comes de Pembro [£] &c.,EpoLincoi, 
 et Henrico ArchidHuntendon, cunctisque fidelibus Scse Ec- 
 clesiae, salutem. Sciatis me dedisse Ecclesiam de Euerton, 
 in elemosynam, Deo, et Sco Neoto, et Monachis meis, per- 
 petualiter possidendam, cum omnibus rebus eidem Ecclesise 
 pertinentibus. . . .Hanc donationem confirmavit Dnus Ni s . 
 Teobaldus Archiep 1 Cantuariae, et Primarius totius An- 
 glise, in Conventu Londoniensi, coram his Testibus &c. 
 
 On the Churches of Ubbeston and Heveningham, 
 (before A. D. 1198). 
 
 [Folio 78 a-] 
 
 NoTtni sit praesentibus et futuris, quod ego Walterus 
 filius Roberti dedi Ecclesiam de Obestona et Ecclesiam de 
 Henelixghamia Deo, et Ecclesiam Sci Neoti, et Monachis 
 Beccensibus in ea Deo famulantibus, in perpetuam et puram 
 elemosynam, cum omnibus pertinentiis suis. . . .pro anima 
 Roberti filii Ricardi patris mei cujus corpus ibi requiescit, 
 et pro salute mea, et Matildis uxoris mese. . . .Hi sunt 
 Testes &c. 
 
 On the Church of Cratefield, (between A. D. 1154 and 
 
 A. D. 1167). 
 
 [Folio 79 a.] 
 
 Willielmus de Albeneio, Alius Matildis de Seint Liz, 
 universis Sea? matris Ecclesize filiis salutem. Notum sit vobis, 
 quod ego, consilio prudentum hominum et militum meorum, 
 concessi, et hac mea Carta confirmavi, Monachis Becci apud 
 Scm Neotum Deo famulantibus, Ecclesiam de Cratefeld, 
 cum omnibus eidem Ecclesiae pertinentibus, in puram et 
 liberam elemosynam. . . .Hujus donationis sunt Testes &c. 
 
 X
 
 306 
 
 (O. . . 
 
 On the Church ofBERTON'BENDISH, {about A. D. 1172V 
 
 — Anion the appropriation of the same, (about A. D. 
 1177). 
 
 [Folio 77 I).] 
 
 Si i \\i praesentes et futuri, <jm>tl ego Rogerusde Clara 
 Comes Herefordiae, concessu filii mei Ricardi, el consilio 
 Baronum meorum, dedi et concessi Ecclesiam de Bertona, 
 quae est de feodo meo. . . .Monachis Becci apud Scm 
 
 Si «'ii m. . . . I loi- autem feci pro salute mea, el uxorismeae, 
 ct hseredum meorum, et antecessorum meorum qui Monas- 
 tcrium Sci Ni.ori fundaverunt, et suis benefices aedificave- 
 runt. . . .Testes sunt &c. ((D.) 
 
 [Folio 44 a. 1>.J 
 
 Omnibi a eve Johannes Dei gratia Norwic' Eps sa- 
 
 lutem \d universorum volumus pervenire notitiam nos 
 
 . . . .concessisse dilectis nostris in Christo Monachis de Sco 
 Nioki Ecclesiam Sci Andreas in Bertunne Bennedic, 
 ex donatione nobilis viri Rogeri Comitis de Clara illius Ec- 
 clesiae patroni, in usus proprios cum omnibus ad eandem 
 Ecclesiam pertinentibus perpetuo possidendam; salva pen- 
 sione Alexandri de Brauncestre illius Ecclesia? Persona? 
 quamdiu vixerit; salvis el honore et obedientia et reve- 
 rentia el debetis consuetudinibus Sea? Norwic 1 Ecclesia?, ct 
 honesta et" Bufficienti Vicarii sustentatione qui in memorata 
 Ecclesia ministrabit. — Testibus &c. (0-) 
 
 P. 
 
 On the Church of BEECE dM-WELL, (about A. D. 1172). 
 
 [Folio 77 I).] 
 
 Rogerus de Clara Comes rlerfordias omnibus &c. . . . 
 Sciatis quod ego dedi Ecclesiam de Welles, cum omnibus 
 
 KrtiiH'iitiis miis, . . .Deo, et Scae Maria-, et Monachis Sci 
 inn. pro animabus antecessorum meorum, ct pro salute 
 mea el baeredum meorum, in uberara ct puram elemosynam. 
 Quare volo ul praedicti Monachi habeant et possideant 
 praefatam Ecclesiam plenarie et integre, quietam ab omni 
 aervitio el exactione. — IIi> Testibus iN.c.
 
 307 
 
 a. 
 
 On the Church of WlNG, (A. D. 1245). 
 
 [Folio 92 a.] 
 
 Sciant praesentes et futuri, quod ego Petrus de Mon- 
 teforti, filius Thurstini de Monteforti, concessi et con- 
 firmavi Ecclesiae Sci Neoti. . . .omnes terras &c. . . .in villa 
 de Wexge, cum advocatione Ecclesiae ejusdem villa?, quae 
 antecessores mei dederunt. . . .Praesens scriptum sigilli mei 
 impressione roboravi. Pro hac concessione et confirmatione 
 dedit mihi Hugo, tunc Prior Sci Neoti, vi marcas argenti. 
 Actum apud P 9 ston, Anno Gratiae 1245, die decollationis 
 Sci Johannis Baptistae. — His Testibus &c. 
 
 On the appropriation qfllEMiNGTON {about A. D. 1173). 
 
 [Folio 40 b.] 
 
 Univeesis Scae matris Ecclesiae filiis Adam Decanus de 
 Tichmer 1 salutem in Dno. Universitati vestrae notificetur, 
 me, ex suscepto mandato G[al/'ridi ?] Lincot Ecclesiae electi, 
 in Capitulo apud Vndele \_Oundle~], H[erbertum~] Priorem 
 et Monachos Sci Neoti in Ecclesiam de Hemingetona in- 
 troduxisse, et eos in plenariam rnisisse possessionem. Ita 
 quod Roger us Presbyter de Hemingetona in vita sua illam 
 nomine Monachorum possidebit ; . . .post decessum vero 
 ipsius, in subjectionem et dispositionem Monachorum pra> 
 dictorum preefata redibit Ecclesia. — His Testibus &c. 
 
 On the Churches of E. Bos combe, W. Cheldreton, 
 Cotesford, and Edworth, {about A. D. 1178). 
 
 [Folio 57 a.] 
 
 Rogerus Burnard omnibus &c. . . .Notum sit vobis me 
 concessisse, et carta mea confirmasse, Monachis de Sco 
 Neoto, Ecclesiam de Boscumbe, et Ecclesiam de Chel- 
 
 X 2
 
 
 (ton, if Ecclesiam de Godsfosd, et Ecclesiam de Edde- 
 itbtha, ruin omnibus ad easdem Ecclesias pertinentibus, 
 in perpetuam el liberam eleroosynam ; pro anunabus patris 
 et matris meae, quorum corpora il>i requiescunt; et pro 
 galute mea et haeredum meorum. Quare volo 8zc. . . .His 
 Testibi 
 
 On the Church of Temsford, (A. D. 1129). 
 
 [Folio 8 I a.] 
 
 Millssimo cehtessimo vigessimo nono ab Incarnatione 
 Anno, xvij Kal. Maij, secunda reria Pascnae, regnante 
 Henrico Rege, Robertas de Carun. . . .dedit Deo, et Scae 
 Mariae Becci, el Sco Neoto, . . . Crucem et v Imagines de 
 dispensation passionis Dm nostri Jhesu Christi ; et quum 
 Anselmus Sacerdos nepos Roberti de Carun Monachatum 
 Buscepit, tunc concessit cum eo finaliter Ecclesiam de T a- 
 HisEFoan quam tenuit. . . .Testes hujusrei &c. 
 
 On the Appropriation oftheChurch nfTuRFFA r ,J.D.ll94i. 
 
 [Folio 40 a.] 
 
 Univ] rsis Scae matris Ecclesiae filiis &.c. . . .IIujto Dei 
 gratia Lincolniensis Eps salutem. . . .Noverit universitas 
 vestra, nos, de assensu Rog 1 Dream et Capituli nostri Lin- 
 colniae, . . .dedisse et concessisse Priori et Conventui Sci 
 \ i .ii, Domine perpetui beneficii, medietatem Ecclesiae de 
 Tobueya quas est de eorum advocatione, in forma sub- 
 Bcripta; via '. quod teneant in proprios usus totam decima- 
 donem garbarum de dominicis Ilu^onis de Alneto et Witt 
 I Maunsel, el decimas de Curia dicti Prioris in eadem villa, 
 et medietatem garbarum totius residui ejusdem parochiae. . . 
 Reliquam veto medietatem Ricardus de Whestun Clericus, 
 quern ad eorum praesentationem admisimus, et successores 
 Bui, . . .integreet perpetuo possidebunt. . . .Et nt ha?c nostra 
 ooncesaio perpetuam obtineat ormitatem, praesenti scripto 
 Btgillum nostrum una cum aigillo Capituli nostri Lincolniensis 
 duximua apponendum. — I lis Testibus, &c.
 
 309 
 
 On some Fisheries in the Ouse. 
 
 [Folio 6? a.] 
 
 Sci ant praesentes et futuri, quod ego Willielmus de 
 Subir 1 dedi. . . .Deo, et Ecclesiae Sci Neoti, et Monachis 
 ibidem Deo servientibus. . . .partem illam de Aqua Usj; 
 quam ego et antecessors mei habuimus ubicunque terra mea 
 contingit Aquam illam. Ita ut nulli ex hominibus meis vel 
 alii alicui liceat ingredi praedictam Aquam quae Usa dicitur, 
 absque licentia praedictorum Monachorum, ad piscandum in 
 ilia. . . .His Testibus &c. ($)) 
 
 [Folio 82 a.] 
 
 Sciamt praesentes et futuri, quod ego Hugo de Bello- 
 campo filius Oliveri de Bellocampo dedi. . . .Ecclesiae Sci 
 Neoti et Monachis ibidem Deo servientibus. . . .partem 
 illam Aquae quam ego et antecessores mei habuimus in Aqua 
 quae dicitur Usa, ubicunque terra mea jacet contra terram 
 eorum, ab Aqua quae dicitur Holebecke usque ad Subir 1 ; 
 et praeterea illam partem meam Aquae ab Holebecke usque 
 ad Stagnum de Eynesbiria. Quare volo. . , .ut nullusex 
 piscatoribus meis vel aliis hominibus meis intret de caetero 
 praedictam Aquam ad piscandum in ea, nisi per licentiam prse- 
 dictorum Monachorum. — His Testibus, &c. (221) 
 
 On some Fisheries at Well. 
 
 I Folio 23 a.] 
 
 Ecclesia Sci Neoti habet apud Welles tertiam par- 
 tem illius Aquae quae vocatur Bat elb i:chi a, et piscaturarum 
 ejus; et omnium Lacuum, sc. perpetuarum Aquarum (jiiae 
 pertinent ad ipsam, similiter tertiam partem. Habet et illam 
 Aquam totam quae dicitur Algareshe, et omnes perpetuas 
 Aquas quae pertinent ad illam. Habet et medietatem illius 
 Aquae quae vocatur Mexwere ; et omnium Aquarum quae 
 ad illam pertinent, similiter medietatem. Habet quoque 
 quartam partem illius Aqiiae quae dicitur Willac ; et illarum 
 Aquarum quae ad illam pertinent similiter quartam partem :
 
 310 
 
 qua \Yni.\r pertinet ad Wisebechiam. De Eueedwic 
 quartam Doctem,e1 quicquid ad earn pertinet. DcHadchete 
 medietatem, el quae illi pertinent. De Foedwere Fulle- 
 big'dei el V rHESTEBECHE quartam partem, et quae illi per- 
 tinent 1)'- Vse* uidebeche octavam partem, et medietatem 
 
 \\ DESUATE. Dt' TWILE6WEEE (nt.iv.ini paitcill, et quae 
 
 illi pertinent— Has Piscaturaa babel Ecclesia S< i Neoti de 
 antiquitate, et etiam ex dono Hohais uxoris Ricardi filii 
 ( mi- Gilleberti. — Habet et ex dono Regni lilii Godlemon 
 de Welles quartam partem de Neweee super A.smeee. Ex 
 dono Osberti lilii Roberta octavam partem de Depeweee, et 
 octavam partem de Theeeweee. 
 
 Charter of Henry L,Jbr a Fair at St. Neot's. 
 
 [Folio 4'. 1).] 
 
 Henricus Rex &c. . . .Sciatis me concessisse Priori et 
 Monachis Scj Ni oti de Ernoluesb i \ ut habeanl Feriam 
 iij diebus; videlicet, in vigilia et in die festi Sci Neoti, [et 
 in die subsequent! '], cum talibus consetudinibus quales 
 habeo in meis Feriis, Et homines illuc venientes [et] re- 
 dientes cum omnibus rebus suis firmam pacem meam ba- 
 in,,!]!, ne [nee] aliquis ri> injuriam vel contumeliam faciat. — 
 Testibus &c. 
 
 Charter of Henry 1 1. .for a Market at St. Neot's. 
 
 [Folio 47 a.] 
 
 I [enrk ds Rex &c. . . .Sciatis me concessisse et confirmasse 
 in perpetuam elemosynam Deo, et Ecclesiae beatae Mariae 
 Becci, et Priori et Monachis Sci Neoti qui manent in villa 
 quae vocatur Ernuli ebubia, ut in eadem villa Eenulfe- 
 imkia habeant singulis septimanis unum Mercatum ad diem 
 Jovis. Et vqlo ^r. . . .et prohibeo ne quis cos inde injuste 
 vexet vel disturbet — Testibus &c. 
 
 Sopplied irora a similar charter of Henry II., fol. 46 b.
 
 311 
 
 No. XVII. ' 
 
 Abstract of the Titles of Deeds contained in the Cartulary 
 of the Sacristan of St. Neot's Priory. 
 
 [MSS. -Stowe, Press III. No. 88.] 
 
 jBUgfetrum ©attar' Sbacristar' £ct Jieott, ftm ab fcstum 
 gtnuciact'onfg Sbte JWart'e, &nno gjiuamacot's 3Bhi iffl°. 
 <TO°. octog' sexto, tcmpe f'rfs WSKi le GT-aron tic 23ecco tunc 
 <£acste. 
 
 I. De Villa Sci Neoti. 
 
 C. Witti Prioris et Conven- 
 
 tus de Sco Neoto ad Os- 
 
 bertum Sley. [l a .] 
 C.HugonisP.deS.N.adRo- 
 
 b 9 tum de Gamelegye. [2.] 
 C. Rogeri P. de S. N. ad 
 
 Wiftm Fullonem. [3.] 
 C. Hugonis P. de S. N. [4.] 
 C. Hugonis de Bellocampo. 
 
 C. Rob ti Cissons de Forda. 
 
 [6.] 
 C. Wiffi Fullonis de S. 
 
 Neoto. [7.] 
 C. Adae de Bolnihurst. [8.] 
 C. Osberti Hog. [9.] 
 C. Agnetis quondam uxoris 
 
 Osb 9 ti Hog. [10.] 
 C. Witti de Albeni. [11.] 
 
 C. Witti de Evertona. [12.] 
 C. Jonis de Sondeia. [13.] & b . 
 C. Isoldis la Brut. [14.] 
 C. Witti de Albeni. [15—24.] 
 C. Arnaldi de Anno. [25.] 
 C. Albeni Pain. [26.] 
 C. Witti Delamore. [27-] 
 C. Albeni filii Pagani. [28.] 
 C. Eliae Gillemore. [29.] 
 C. Witti Aurifabri de Sco 
 
 Neoto. [30.] 13. 
 C. Amicia) Sororis Oseb ti 
 
 Vicecomitis. [31.] 
 C. Rici de Bedeforda. [32.]B. 
 C. Witti Jurdan de Forda. 
 
 [33.] _ 
 C. Prioris Rogeri et Con- 
 
 ventus de S. N. ad Petrum 
 
 Curlin. [34.] 
 
 II. De Forda. 
 
 C. Hug 1 de Bellocampo. [35.] C. ejusdem. [39.] 
 
 C. Helias Gillemore. [36.] C. Rici Mathu de Forda. 
 
 C. Rici Aurifabri de Sco [40—41.] 
 
 Neoto. [37.] C. Jonis de S. N. ad Wittm 
 
 C. Witti Dauno. ©. [38.]. Braciatorem. [42.] 
 
 » Neither the Deeds, nor the Folios, are numbered in the MS. 
 
 *>The Letters %, IB, €, &c. refer to the Deed as extracted in No. XVIII.
 
 312 
 
 111. 1)k Eton a. 
 
 C Willi de Albeni. [43.] C. Willi de Etona. [45.] 
 C. Wiffi Runeeferi. [11.] C. Willi de Albeni. [46.] 
 
 IV. De Devklho. 
 
 C. Rogeri Prions de Sancto C. Johis de Noville. [48.] 
 Neoto ad Johem de No- C. Radulphi fil' Rogeri. [49.] 
 ville. [47.] C-\ C.StephamdeNeutorie.[50.] 
 
 V. De STArELiio. 
 C. GaliVidi de Teil. [51. J C. altera ejusdem. [52.] 
 
 V I. De Colmorde. 
 
 C. Odonis le Chanu. [58.] C. Sabinse filiae Odonis lc 
 C. Simonis le Chanu. [54.] Chanu. [55.] 
 
 VII. De Wiboldistox 1 .. 
 
 C. Hugonis de Bellocampo. C. Hugonis de Veteri Ponte 
 [66.] [57, oS.^\ 
 
 \ III. Dl*. ClIAI.VESTLRNE. 
 
 c. Radi filii Giletfti de Chalvesterne. [60— 62.] 
 
 Chalvesterne. [59-] C. Walteri filii Aufridi de 
 
 ('. Elogeri filii Bernardi, de Chalvesterne. [G3.] 
 
 IX. De Colesdene. 
 
 C. Radi fil 1 Gileberti. [64.] C. Wiffi de Colesden. 166.] 
 Carta Aniabilia' de llokes- Carta Amabiliae de Rokes- 
 dona, j 66.] dona. [67.]
 
 313 
 
 X. De Rokesdoxa. 
 
 C. Jordani de Wiledene. C. Gimerii Sacristse de 
 [68.] Sancto Neoto, ad Ansel 1 
 
 C. Sabinae filiae Henrici. [69-] de Midletona. [70. ] 
 
 XI. De Temeseforda. 
 
 C. Willi P'oris et Convent 9 Albeni. [72.] 
 
 de Sco Neoto, ad Thoma C. Willi filii Nicrii de The- 
 
 filiu Walteri. [71.] meseforda. [73—75.] 
 
 C. Wiffi filii Nicfti de The- C. H P'oris de S. N. ad 
 
 meseforda ad Wifrm de Willm de Herdwik. [76 ] 
 
 XII. De Caldecote. 
 
 C. Gaufridi P. de S. N. ad C. StephaniLauncelyn.[79.] 
 
 Ricum fir Pagani. [77.] C. Gauf ' de Britewill. [80.] 
 
 C. Radi filii Deriene de Cal- C. Heliwisse et Albredae filiaa 
 
 decote. [78.] Rici filii Pagani. [81.] 
 
 XIII. De Herdwik. 
 
 Conventio inter Ricardum de Gloucestre, Sacristam de Sco 
 Neoto, et Willielmum Ordbar de Herdewik. [82.] 
 
 XIV. De Westonemade. 
 C. Willielmi de Bures. [83.] C. Hug 1 de Bellocampo. [84.] 
 
 XV. De Bichamstede. 
 
 Carta Willielmi Quarel, de messuagio in Bichamstede. [85.] 
 
 XVI. De Bedeforde. 
 
 Carta Magri Rogeri de Kemistone, de xij d annui redd. [86.]
 
 'H4 
 
 XVII. De Huntindona. 
 
 ( ; ,.ta Roberti Bardi. [ST.] C. Ferri filii Thomse [88.] 
 
 XVIII. De Cratefeud. 
 
 Carta Willielmi de Albeni, de ij~. annui redditus perci- 
 piendis de tenemento Willielmi filii Arnaldi. [89.] 
 
 XIX. Db Dyxeslee. 
 
 Carta Matilda- de Lovetot, de ij\ annui redditus perci- 
 piendis de terra sua quam tenuit Wilts Bunda. [90.] 
 
 X X. De Evertona. 
 
 Carta Walteri de Sco Brevello ad Sacristam, de donatione 
 illiua measuagii cum toto crofto in Evertona q' jacet inter 
 me8suagium Gumulde Chanterel et messuagium Ead' filii 
 Godefhdi. [91.] 
 
 XXI. De Parva Paxtona. 
 Carta Alani filii Hugonis, de donatione in Paxtona. [92.] 
 
 XXII. De Stoni Stratforde. 
 Carta Wiffi filii Ilamonis, de donatione in Stratforde. [93.] 
 
 XXIII. De Bukesworde. 
 ( larta Felicias quodam uxoris Ham' de Bukesworde. [94.] jf. 
 
 XXTV. De Alboldeslee. 
 Carta Hugonis Cuncvn de donat' in Alboldeslee. [95.]
 
 315 
 
 No. XVIII. 
 
 Extracts from the Cartulary belonging to the Sacristan of 
 
 St. Neot's Priory. 
 
 [MSS. Stowe, Press III. No. 88.] 
 
 ft. 
 
 For a Wax-light* before the Great Crucifix in the Con- 
 ventual Church of St. Neot. 
 
 Sciant praesentes et futur', quod ego Johannes de Sondeia 
 
 dedi, concessi &c Deo, et beatae Mariae, et Sacristae 
 
 Ecclesiae Conventualis Sci Neoti, quoddam messuagium 
 meum .... in villa de Sco Neoto, .... in auxilium sus- 
 tentationis cujusdam Cerei ardentis in perpetuum coram 
 Majori Crucifixo in Ecclesia Sci Neoti, singulis diebus 
 per annum, dum cantatur Missa matutinalis beatse Mariae ; 
 et ad duplicia festa dum cantatur magna Missa; habendum 
 et tenendum in liberam, puram, et perpetuam elemosynam. 
 . . . .HisTestibus; >J< Henrico de Faffingtone; et aliis multis. 
 
 23. 
 
 For a Wax-light* before the Crucifix on the south side of 
 the Conventual Church. 
 
 Sciant praesentes et futuri, quod ego Ricardus de Bede- 
 forde dedi, concessi, et hac praesenti carta mea confirmavi, 
 Deo, et Ecclesiag Sci Neoti, ad Luminare ante Crucem 
 quae est versus Australem in eadem Ecclesia, xij denarios 
 
 redditus anriui His Testibus ; ►£< Rico, >J< Alano, 
 
 ►J* Waltero, Capellanis de Sco Neoto; et aliis. 
 
 a " Under the Reformation", says the Historian Fuller, in his humorous style, 
 "more Light and fewer Candles!" [Fuller's Waltham Abbey, p. 16. 
 edit. 1655.] — Equally just (though less refined) was the satirical remark of a 
 plain countryman, "one Alexander Allisonne", at Abbotsley in Huntingdonshire, 
 in the reign of bloody Mary: having " detained from the Vicar a pa3'ment for 
 two Candles", he was reported to Cardinal Pole for the contemptuous Protestant 
 remark " that A wiser Vicar than yee will not require them !" [Car- 
 dinal Pole's Visitation for the Diocese of Lincoln, Aug. 1556 : preserved in Fox's 
 MSS. j and printed in Strype's Memorials, Vol. III. p. 177.].
 
 310 
 
 er. 
 
 For Waxlighti before (he Crucifix, the Shrine of Neot, 
 
 and tin Altar of the Virgin. 
 
 S< i.wr prsesentes et futuri, quod ego, Willielmus Dauno 
 
 dedi See redditum xviij denariorum; videl 1 ad Lu- 
 
 minare sustinendum in Eccfesia Sci Neoti ; vj denarios 
 inde ad Luminare ante Crucem, et vj denarios ante Fere- 
 tiuin, el \j denarios ante Altare bcate Mariie. — His Tcs- 
 tibus &c. 
 
 For a Wax-light before the Shrine of Neot. 
 
 Sciant prasentes et futuri, quod ego Willielmus Auri- 
 faber vendidi Willielmo de Albeneio ij acras terrae in campis 
 
 Sci Neoti quas acras praefatus Willielmus dedit Deo, 
 
 it Sacristarias Sci Neoti, in auxilium inveniendi unum 
 Cereum continuo ardentem ante Feretrum Sci \eoti, ...... 
 
 ]Ii> Testibus; >J< Rico P'sbfo, filiomeo; et aliis. 
 
 <*. 
 
 For a Lamp Injure the Image of the Virgin. 
 
 Novi i:i\t omnes quod ego Rogerus Prior de Sco 
 
 Neoto it totus ejusdem loci Conventus, concessimus Jo- 
 hanni de Novill Clerico illos v solidos amnios quos Alanua 
 v nobis debet de terra sua apud Deuelho, ad converten- 
 dos eos Sacristarias nostras ad Bustentandam in perpetuum 
 Lampadem unam ardentem, tempore ecclesiastici servitii 
 tarn de die quam de nocte, coram Imagine gloriosi Virginia 
 
 genetricis Dei Maria 1 in Ecclesia nostra Sci Neoti 
 
 Hoc antra), ne cuiquam venire possit indobinm, testimonio 
 praesentis sigilli nostri de communi assensu duximus eonfir- 
 mandum. Volumusetiam ut cum Lampade ilia Cereum pro- 
 curi . Sacri8ta'] s quod ritq perpetuo in majoribus festis 
 
 ibidem ardeat ad majorem Missam, et tarn ad matutinas quam 
 ad vi Bperas, 1 1 singulis diebus ad Missam de Sea Maria.
 
 317 
 
 Deed of Felicia cle BucJizaorth conveying Henry Dore, a 
 Villein, to the Saffristan of St. Neot"s, A. D. 1235. 
 
 SciAXTpraesentes et futuri, quod egoFelicia quondam uxor 
 Henrici de Buckesworde, in mea libera voluntate constituta, 
 dedi, et concessi, et hac praesenti mea carta confirmavi, Deo, 
 et Sco Neoto, et ejusdem Ecclesiae Sacrista? quicunque pro 
 tempore fuerit, Henricum Dore, filium Ivonis Dore, nativum 
 meum, in perpetuum, cum omni sequela sua et cum omnibus 
 ex ipso provenientibus. . . . Praesenti scripto sigillum meum 
 apposui. Datum Anno Gratiae 1235, die Sci Michaelis. — 
 His Testibus ; >J< Helia Gillemor, Capellano ; et multis aliis. 
 
 No. XIX. 
 
 Bull of Pope Alexander III., confirming the Churches of 
 BertoN-Bewdish, Boscombe, Cheljdretox, and 
 Cotsford, together with property at Neifenton and 
 Buckworth, to the Monks of St. Neot^s ; about 
 A. D. 1175. 
 
 [ a Autograph, MSS. British Museum, Harleian Charters XLIII. A. 2 1 .] 
 
 Alexander eps seruus seruoa bei. Dilectis nTiis \Hcr- 
 berto ?] Priori 7 Fnbus Sci Neoti. sait. 7 aplicamben. Justis 
 petentium besiberiis bignu. est nos facilem prebere consen- 
 sum. 7 uota que a ratioms tramite non biscorbant. effectu p 
 sequente coplere. 6a ppt dilecti in brio fill, uestris mstis 
 postulationibus grato concurrentes assensu. Gcctias be 
 Berton. 7 be Bascube. 7 be Chelbretona. 7 be Cotesforb. 
 cvm suis ptinentiis. cum assensu epi rationabiht uobis colla- 
 tas. 7 unum OOolenbmum in Neuwentori. ex bono W. rilii 
 Robti. 7 tres uirgatas tre. in Buckeswrba. sic ea mste 7 
 pacifice possibetis. uobis. 7 p uos ecctie uestre auctontate 
 apostohca confirmam 9 . 7 presentis senpti patiocmio com- 
 
 » The Seal is gone. — On the outside is written " II. ISomanot' JPontificum." 
 and " Conjii viacion of Churches and Landts to the Piiorey of St. Neots."
 
 318 
 
 muni'. Statuentes. Ut nulli oiTuno hoinum hceat hanc 
 pagini no-ii.' i-oiiliniiatioius infhngere. uel ei ansa teme- 
 rano oontraire. Si quia au! hoc attemptare psumpsent. in- 
 bigiiationem omipotentis bei. 7 beatofc jPetn 7 Pauliaptox 
 eius m oouent incursurum. Dat\ Tusculan. mj. ki. Sept. 
 
 No. XX. 
 
 7J//// of Pope Celestine ///.. confirming the Churches of 
 
 ETNE8BURY <uul TUBVEY to the Monks of St. NEOT'S; 
 
 A. D. 1194. 
 
 [ b Autograph, MSS. British Museum, Cotton Charters XII. 30.] 
 
 Czle8Tind8 epsseruus Beruorum bej. veiiabili fn. \Hu- 
 gon%\ Linconien epo, sail el apiicam ben. Sacrosca Romana 
 eccha benotos et bunnies lilios exassuete pietatis officio pro- 
 penaiua biljgere cosueuit. et ne prauorum hominum Jhcitis 
 grauaminibus molestetur, cos protectaonis sue mmnmine tan- 
 quampia mater solita esl coiouere. Vnbe quia singulis ab 
 bos clamantib 5 apiicam tenemur presibium inptin. Jntuitu 
 pietatis et nusencorbie \Galfrido?] Prion et Conuentuj Sci 
 Neotj. eccbam be Esnebia. et eccbam be Torueia. be q'bus 
 lam annuain pension acceperunt present] paguia connrma- 
 mus. Siquroem prebicti Prior et Conuentr in transitu uiarum 
 et strata celeberima constituti. omibu transeuntibu 2 cibum 
 el potum petentibu pro bej misericorbia largiuntur. et 
 rebbitu prebictarum ecciiarum proprio usui hospitum se 
 expenbere profitentur. Ga ppter fratmtati ure per apiica 
 Bcripta pcipienbo manbamu* q u tin 9 p reuenia beatoa aptoa 
 Petri 7 PauL 7 nra. pnomi oat is P'ori 7 Cuentuj prebictas 
 eccbas Bicul eas tuste 7 rationabiliter po^sibeant. 7 psentis 
 Bcnpti sunt comumti. appellatione remota. 7 nullis li'ttis 
 obstantlbu in pace jKissibere pmittatis. 7 a becanis ab arehi- 
 biaconis 7 ab 01D3 hdmum omcialiu insolentiis. auclontate 
 beat] Petri 7 lira. pmumtOS bel'ensetis. 7 si quis huiu 2 mobi 
 cdfirmationi 7 pbictis P'otj 7 Couentuj in hoc psiipserit 
 contrabicere. auctontate nra excomunicatu pul)lice benu- 
 Uetis. Dai Rom ap$ Scm Petru. xnj°. kt. becebris. Pon- 
 tlficatu nil anno quarto. 
 
 k The Sc.il is peine —On the back i-; written " EomailOt' Pontificum. j. "; 
 ■nd " fatrwfacfa Juitj .1" 153*7. Ntatet." 
 i'i U.v. . intended/or litt^iv
 
 319 
 
 No. XXI. 
 
 Survey of the Manors of Eynesbury and St. Neot's, 
 
 A. D. 1086. 
 
 [Domesday Book, Vol. II. f. 206 b. ; Chapter House, Westminster.] 
 
 Terra Jvditte Comitise Toleslvnd Hvnd\ 
 
 53 In Einvlvesberie. fib rex Edw\ ix. hid 1 ad gld. T 9 ra. 
 xxviii. car. Ibi nc in dnio. nil. car lit comitissa. 7 xxxmi. 
 uilt 7 viii. bord'. hrites. xxviii. car 1 . Ibi aeccta 7 pbr. 7 11. 
 molini. xxxii. solidofc. 7 lx. ac siluse past'. In ead uilla est 
 qdda ouile sexcent 1 7 lxii. ouiu. 7 lx. ac p"ti. qd ded com- 
 itissa ad scam Helena. Valet, lxx. solidos. pbr . 
 
 De sup'dictis. ix. hid tenet de comitissa Gislebt 9 n. hidas. 
 7 ibi ht in dnio. 11. car. 7 viii. ac"s p"ti. Valet. XL. sot. 
 
 De ead ?ra ht Alan 5 dapifer ej 9 . 11. hid 1 de ea Ibi sunt 11. 
 bord:. 7 uat. x. sot. 
 
 T. R. E. uat ft), xx. lib m dnium comitissae uat. xnn. 
 life. 7 xii. sot. 
 
 23. 
 
 [Domesday Book, Vol. II. f. 207 a- ; Chapter House, Westminster.] 
 
 • f. Gisl' 
 
 Terra Roth a is Vxoiiis Ricard. Toleslvnd Hvnd\ 
 
 53 In Einvlvesberie hb Robtus fili 5 Wimarch xv. 
 hid' ad gld. T ; ra. xxvn. car. Ibi nc Rohais uxor Ricardi 
 ht in dnio. vii. car. •„ i P5a uii! a 
 
 lbide ht S 1 Neot 9 de ea. in. car in dnio. 7 |xix. uilt 7 v. 
 bord hrites. vii. car. Ibi. 1. molin. xxm. solidojp. 7 I. picaria 
 q e appcia? cu Manerio. 7 lxv. 7 dim 1 ac" p'ti. T. R. E. 
 uat. xx.iiii. lib. m xxi. lib. pter uictu monacho^ q'appciat. 
 mi. lib. 
 
 De ead' ?ra tenet Wilts brito. n. hid 1 7 1. uirg' de ea. 7 
 ht in dnio dimid 1 . car. 7 in. uilt 7 nil. bord cu. 1. car 1 . 
 Valet, xxx. solid 1 .
 
 .3*20 
 
 No. XXII. 
 
 Privileges of the Prior of St. Neot'Sj in the town and 
 
 'manor of Stf. N£OT , S ) A. 1). 1286. 
 
 [R..1I »« Quo Waranto", Chapter House, Westminster, 14 Edw. I., 
 Hunt' m.4. — Published in the printed Record {edit. 1818) 
 p. 301.] 
 
 Prior de Sco Neoto [Johannes de Bosco-Reynoldi?~] 
 
 Bum' t'uit ad respondend dno Regi de ptito quo ward clam'' 
 
 tore visum fnci pi mcatu & Imam in villa Sci Neoti et 
 
 visum f"nci plegii in Crandon' Et catalla liolum suox 
 
 i ' ° ■ i -- - c^ c 
 
 dapnatop et amciamenta hoium suox p quacuq^ causa lu- 
 
 rinl anici.iti El quo wafo clam' p se & hominibus suis ee 
 
 q'etus de Bectia Bhira* ^ hundros murdro & aliis regalib3 
 
 prestaconib] que ad ipm Regem &. Coronam suam ptincnt 
 
 sine licencia &. voluntate Sec. 
 
 Et Prior venit et dicit c | tt tota vifta Sci Neoti & villa de 
 
 Cb wikin" sunt de feodo suo et clamat here pdcum visum 
 
 de omnib-, comoranuD3 in pdcis villis ct tenet visum suu 
 
 bis j> aunu et sine sviente Regis et nichil dat dno Regi p 
 
 pdeo visu Requis 1 si heat furcas tumber*' pillor 1 dicit qd net 
 
 ilia judicialia in villa Sci Neoti Et quesitus de quib} ar- 
 
 ticfis inquirit in visu suo ct quot tiet decennarios dicit qd 
 
 inquirit de artictia de quib, Vic 1 inquirit in t r nu suo It 
 
 dicit qd dns 1 lenr Rex secundus concessit Abbti & Mo- 
 
 nachis de Becco qd tieant & teneant omes posSones et ele- 
 
 niosinas suas litias solutas ^. q'etas cu soka saka tol & theam 
 
 \- infangenthef et utfangentnef cu omnib} libtatib} ct libis 
 
 eonsiirtudinibi suis de sliiris Sc bundris ptitis ct querct 
 
 murdro et de wappentak Et (|d heant catalla hoium suoa 
 
 fugitioa utlagatoi et amciamentas dium hoium suo* pquacuq, 
 
 causa anuiatoo Dat' ]> nianu Regis apud Westm' iiij'" die 
 
 Maij anno r' sui t'cesimo Septra Quam quidemcartara pf'ert 
 
 et que hoc idem testatur Et dicit qd ijie ct omes pdec' sui 
 
 Priores de Sco Neoto a tempe quo non extat memoria 
 
 nucusa semn auerunt x tenuunt pacm visum JJiciteciam qa 
 
 est Monachus de Becco c et qd Prioratus suus spectat ad Ab- 
 
 ' The dcpcntlcnry of the Priory of St. Neot's upon the Abbot of Bee is tbu.f 
 
 I in a Bobseqaent Inquisition | V. I). 1 130) : — " Ric'us de Aldeburgb, qui 
 
 acquit' pr.i dno 11' -•<.■, '".icit q'd p'dcus Prior de Sco Neoto [Clemens?] est Prior 
 
 dalivai el aroobilu ad voluutatem Abbatis de Becco Herlewini ; p' q'd idem 
 
 Prior ad aliqoai lib'tatei clamand' admitti non debet &c." — Roll Quo War., 
 
 !w. III., Com' Uedf roll 26 (buck), p. V>. of the printed Record.
 
 321 
 
 bacyam de Becco ande dicit qd p pdcam cartam & simili? 
 p longam seis a m suam clam'' here pdcam visum et p pdcam 
 cartam clam' fare pdca amciamenta eatalla & pdcas quiet- 
 ancias Et quo ad mcatu in villa Sci Neoti dicit qd: H. 
 Rex p'mus concessit ]\Ionach Sci Neoti unfi mcatu in villa 
 que antiquit vocabat 1 " Ernulphiberia et que modo vocaf 
 villa Sci Neoti p die Jovis p cartam ipius H. quam pfert 
 et que hoc testat 1 " Et quo ad feria dicit qd het fenam p tres 
 vices p annu videt3 vigilia die & in crastino Ascencois cini 
 et simili? in vigilia die et in crastino Sci Petri ad vincta Et 
 dicit qd ipe et oraes pdec 1 sui a tempe quo non extat me- 
 moria hucusq., semp huerunt et tenunt pdcam f'eriam et hoc 
 modo predco Et sup hoc pfert cartam H. Regis p'mi in 
 qua continent 1 " hec vba pcipio qd faciatis Monachos Sci 
 Neoti hre de illis qui ad mcatu suu et ad feriam suam 
 venlint theoloniu et stallagiu et oiries alias rectas consuetu- 
 dines suas quas heo in meis dnicis nicatis Dicit insup qct 
 huit alias cartas regias que amisse funt et depdite infra jam 
 viginti annis elapsis q a ndo canipanar' ecctie sue corruit unde 
 die" 1 qd tali waro clam 1 here pdcas lihtates Et ido quo ad 
 mcatu sine die ad presens salvo &c. 
 
 Et Gilbtus de Thornton' qui sequif p dno Rege petit qd: 
 carte dni Regis p ipm Regem & consiliu suu judicenr ad 
 cuj 9 modi libtates se possint extende Et similir si pcipiat ad 
 scc a rium catalla & amciamenta pdca Et sup hoc datus est 
 ei dies in Scc'io in crastino Sci Andree &c. Ad que die 
 venit pries Prior p attorn - ' suu Se q, judm nondum fem est 
 dat 9 est ei dies in Octab Pur 1 lie Mar' in Scc a io&c. Postea 
 a die Pascnin una mensem que die huit p coem pclam' venit 
 pdes Prior p attorn 1 suu Et q, judm nodum fem est dat 5 
 estei dies hie a die Sci Michis in xv dies Ck.c. Ad que die 
 venit pdes Prior p attorn' suu Et dat 9 est. ei dies a die 
 Pasch in xv dies &c. Ad quem die ven' pdes Prior p attorn 1 
 suu & datus est ei dies hie a die Sci Michis in xv dies &c. 
 Deinde dat 9 est dies a die Pasch in xv dies &c. iJeinde 
 dat 9 est ei dies hie in Octab Sci Mich.
 
 22 
 
 No. XXIII. 
 
 Valuation of the Priory of St. Njeot, A. 1). 1291 
 
 Pmoratus Si i Neoti. 
 
 Prior Sci Neoti In in £. s. d. 
 Sin Neoto 1 1 1 ; i : r 1 1 r et valet ciT suis 
 
 hamelett 1 64 7 6 
 
 Haylweston in xmX & redd 1 .... (> 
 
 Middeho [Midleho] in redd 1 .... 010 
 
 Bukewrth in redd' 5 
 
 Werslede redd 1 14 4 
 
 ( Minn I Dacyin iris 10 
 
 ()\'tnn [Etftori] in ?ris redd 9 cur' & 
 
 fruct'aial' 3 15 
 
 Magna Stotton in redd' 5 
 
 Eton de redd 1 1 10 8 
 
 lenho Thornecote Weston 1 [Beston?] 
 
 Gretford [Girtford'] Kynmtideswyk 
 
 in redd 1 .".... 15 9[ 
 
 Temesford in ?ris redd' ptis & cur . . 2 16 4 
 
 Bluhm in tris redd" 1 & cur' 5 12 11 
 
 Bereford in fris redd 1 ptis 1 10 
 
 '1 urveye in ?ris ptis redd 1 curr' ... 3 10 1) 
 
 Bedeford [Rokesdon c ~\ de redd' ... 070 
 
 Caxton 4 ;i 4 
 
 Brunne [Sourne] 5 3 
 
 Gamelingeye 224 
 
 Abinton " 020 
 
 Barveton 068 
 
 in the Taxation Roll has been neglected, 
 with that of Pope Nicholas, excepting one or 
 Ltions. 
 
 '-, MSS. I / iustina A. I\'. f. 36 a.
 
 323 
 
 Decanatu de Roteland [Wingf] ... 700 
 
 Wymbiss de redd' ....... 180 
 
 Upwell et Utwell de redd' 10 
 
 Cratfeld de redd' 2 
 
 Berton de redd' 2 16 
 
 P'och' Sci Stephi \_Norwic"] .... 010 
 
 Pens' 1 Monachor' de Sco Neoto in 
 
 Temeseford {EccVia de] 4 
 
 Bernewelle [EccVia de] 3 
 
 Clopton [EccVia de] 10 
 
 Brampton [Dingley] Ecclia de . . . 5 
 
 Croxton in dec' 1 13 4 
 
 Wymbiss [EccVia de] 4 
 
 Porco Prioris de Sco Neoto in 
 
 Sci Neoti, Ecctia de 21 6 8 
 
 Eynesbur' 1 ', Ecctia de 6 13 4 
 
 Evertone e , Ecclia de 11 6 8 
 
 Grantescere [GrancJiester] .."... 200 
 
 Heveningham [EccVia de] 10 
 
 Ubbestone [EccVia de] 6 13 4 
 
 Cratefelde {EccVia de] 14 
 
 Bycham' Well [EccVia de] 4 
 
 Berton Sci Andr 1 \_Berton-Bendkh] . . 13 6 8 
 
 Hemington , Ecclia de G 13 4 
 
 Pokbrok, Ecclia de 10 
 
 Bernewell 10 
 
 Turveye, Ecclia de 8 13 4 
 
 Bereford 6 8 
 
 Wylye {JDecai? de Baldok] .... 168 
 
 Sacrista Sci Neoti h't in Hunt' de redd 1 '. 2 
 
 Precentor ejusdem Domus h't in Sco Neoto 
 
 in redd 1 . . . 16 
 
 Elemosinar' ejusdem Domus h't ibidem de 
 
 redd' 8 6 
 
 Refector' ejusdem Domus h't ibidem de redd' 5 6 
 
 f Summa Totalis, .£225 19 2 
 
 J Gynesbur', in the Tax. Eccl. ; <£ having been mistaken for d5. 
 « Not specified as belonging to the Convent in the Tax. Eccl.; but see the Car- 
 tularv of St. Neat's f. 36 a. 
 
 f The Items being dispersed, no Total appears in the Taxation. 
 
 v O 
 
 1 r*
 
 •1. 
 
 14 
 
 No. XXIV 
 
 >/»/ of Stocky on tin- demesne farms qf Tubvet and 
 Bjrford, Bedfordshire, belonging to //"' Prior of St. 
 Neot ?, .// trust/or the Abbot qfBec, A. 1). 1^29-i. 
 
 i Report! r< peeling the Alien Priorie9, 28 Edw. J.— From a 
 Transcript, in ihe British Museum, Vol. I. p. 108.] 
 
 ToRTJEYE, ABBATIS DE BeC. 
 
 Ibidem invent 1 Bunt ij equi cared 1 viij 8 ., \>c eujush iiij 8 .; 
 Item iii)°* afFri xij 8 ., pc 1 cuju-h iij 8 . ; Item x boves lxvj\ 
 viij .. pc' rnjush ill in 'it'; Item lij vacc' xx\, pc 1 cnjusl} 
 .ii mic"; Item iij bovicti vj».,'pc cujusl3 ij 8 .; Item xlj 
 pore*, quo]} \\\ -unt supann, pc 1 cujus^ xvj '., ct xj sunt 
 cefl pc 1 cujuslj \j'. mTi xlv 8 . vj d . ; Itm xviij auc' iij 8 ., pc' 
 cujual3 ij 1 -; [tem i gallus et v gallin'j pc' vj d 
 
 Bbbefobd, Abbatis de IJec. 
 [tem apd Bebeford ejusdem Abfcis invent* sunt ij cq' 
 aflri \. pc 1 CUJ11SI3 v 8 .; Item iiij boves xxvj s viij' 1 ., pc' 
 CUJUS13 di mrc' ; Item i vacc', pc- 1 iiij 8 .; It' i gallus v gallin 1 , 
 
 r ^j : 
 
 No. XXV. 
 
 Extent of Priory lands in the parish of St. Xzot's; 
 with the valuation of tlte appropriated Rectory qf St. 
 Neot's, and of a portion of tithes in Eynesbury, 
 A. 1). 1824. 
 
 I hcquer Records r< meeting the Alien Priories, 18 Edw. II. — From 
 a Transcript, in the British Museum, Vol. I. |>. 2lC] 
 
 Priobatus di; Sco Nkoto. 
 
 Ex 1 1 \ 1" \v.\7, et ten' ad Priorat 1 de Sco Neot' in Com 
 Hunt' gpectant' fact 1 coram Johc de Crek Milit' ct Magro 
 1 noma de Garton Custod' domo$ rdigiosox alienig 1 in Com'
 
 325 
 
 Cant' et Hunt* p Dnrn Rege assignat 1 apd Scm Neot' 
 xxix no Nov. Anno Regn Reg' Edward' fiF Reg' Edward' 
 xviij™ 
 
 Fructus et bcrbag 1 cu ij Colubar' que sunt in eode Pri- 
 oratu valent p annu x s . Et sunt ibidem in dnico v c lvij 
 acre ?re arabit minor numero, et valet quelibet ac a p annu 
 iiij d . ; sm ix 11 . v s . viij d . : Ite sunt ibid" 1 xx acre p'ti falcabif, 
 et valet queit ac 1 p annu xx' 1 . ; sfn xxxiij s . iiij d . Et xx acr 1 
 pastur 1 sepabii, et valet quelibet ac' p annu vj d . ; sm x s . Ite 
 sunt ibm iij molend' aqtic', que valent p annu, salvis svicijs 
 Dno£ feodi, xxxvj s . Itc ibidem deredditu assis' libox. tenenc p 
 annu x 1 '. v\ vj d . Et etiam de redd' eoxdem i libr pipis pc 1 
 viij d . Dicut etiam qd nundin et meat' ibidem valent p 
 annu lx s . Et placit' et pquisit' cur', cum visu F a nc' pleg', 
 valent p annu xl s . &c Sm tocius extent 1 supdee lj h vi d . 
 
 Itfri dicut qd pdcus Prior babet in Grangia sua de 
 Herdwyk herbagiu f'ruct 5 et una colubar 1 que valent p 
 annu iij s . iiij d . Et sunt ibidem in dnico vj c acr' tre arrabit 
 minor numero, et valet quelibet ac a p annu iij d . ; sm vij 1 '. x s . 
 Et sunt etia ibidem in dnico iiij acr' pastur' sepabit, et valet 
 quelibet ac a p annu iiij d . ; sm xvj d . Sm toci 9 extent' maner' 
 de Herdwyk, vij". xiiij 3 . viij d 
 
 Ite dicut quod Prior et Convent 1 de Sco Neoto babent 
 Ecctiam pocbiale de Sco Neoto in pp'os usus ; ad quam 
 q'dem Ecctiam sptant exx acre ?re arrabil de quib3 dca 
 Ecctia est dotata, et valet quelib} ac a p annu iiij' 1 . ; sm xl 3 . 
 Et dicunt qd pdei Prior et Covent 9 pcipiut integre oines 
 garb decimal infra limites dee pocbie existent', et valent p 
 annu, salvis rep'sis autpai, xx mr, et no plus, eo qd sunt in 
 dca pocbia quedam ?re st'iles et inculte, et quedam tre p 
 frequentes pluvias et inundacoem aqua^ emerse ; Sin valor' 
 Ecctie de Sco Neoto xv 1 '. vi s . viij d . 
 
 Item dicut qd pdei Prior et Covent 9 bent qmdam por- 
 coem garba^ decimal infra lymites pocbie de Eynesbiry, 
 et valet p annu, salvis rep'sis autpalib}, x mr; de quil)3 
 Prior et Covent 9 de Newenbm pcipiut quolibet anno xiij-. 
 iiij' 1 ., no'i'e ppetue annue pension ; Sm porconis pdee p veru 
 valorc vi 1 '. 
 
 Item dicut qd pcentor dci Priorat habet in pdea villa de 
 Sco NEO'r'de quodm cto reddit' xvj s . que intitulant 1 ad libros 
 inveniend 1 et reparand 1
 
 320 
 
 No. XXVI. 
 
 On the tame, A. 1). 1:370. 
 
 Exchequer Records respecting thr Alien Priories, 44 Edw. 1 1 1. — From 
 aTrauscript in the British Museum, Vol. I. pp. 4tT0, 421.] 
 
 I \.«i [sico capta opud S< \i Neo Tlf xiij " die A n't anno 
 
 regni Kegis bjdwardi ccij xlmj 
 
 [C/u/s/iaiii/s de Troarno] Prior de Sco Neoto Alieni- 
 gena tenet in villa Sci Neotis Prioratfi ibm, in quo sut 
 quedam edificia que nichil vat p annu nit l reps*. 
 
 Set dicul qd fructus et h bagium infra don PrioratO ual 
 p annu \I'. ite dicut qd idm Prior tenet 1'ccliam pochiale 
 ue Sco Neot 1 in pp'os usus, que uai n annu xx 1 '., p£ mi- 
 oimas decimas ppetuo Vicarioibm debitas. 
 
 [tc dicul (pi lam Prior tenet in dnico suo ibm vij r xx acr' 
 
 arabit; quaa hij'lxxx ual j> annu xii 11 ., pc' acr' v]' 1 . ; 
 
 e| ij \1 acr" | \ ij' xx acr' Pre jacent ad warectu et in coi, et 
 
 nichil \al p annu. 1 1 fTi dicut qd i<1m Prior tenet ibni xl 
 
 ' p ti, que vai pannu iiij 11 ., pc' acr' ip. Itm dicut qd idm 
 tenet ibin xl acr' past'e, que vai p annu xiij". iiij' 1 pc' acr' 
 iiij '. Itin dicut qd idm Prior tenet ibm tria molendina 
 aquatica, que nichil vai p annu, eo qd p magna fluvia 
 vastant' et destruunt\ Jt' dicut (jci idm tenet in eaitni villa 
 unu molendinu equinu, de novo reparatO, que vat p annu 
 v marc 1 vj\ vij . ; qudm plea iij molendina aquatica non 
 rcpant'. ItiTi dicut qd idm tenet ibm de redditu assis' in 
 nianibi liboj tenenciu xx 1 '. iij\ iiij' 1 . Itm dicut qd idm 
 Prior tut de firma rrtcati ibm \ " [libra??]. Ptita etpquisita 
 cur 1 it-iii vai p annu iiij 1 '. vj\ viij' 1 . Itm dicut qd idm het 
 a pcell tie ifem vocat' Almeslond, que vai p annu 
 xxvj\viij^ Et dicut qd sepal piscaria ibm vai pannu xl 1 . 
 
 Itm dicut qd idm Prior habet apud Monkesheedwyk et 
 Wyntryngh^m, i;i eodm Com in eadm pochia de Sco 
 
 N EOTO, UUU Dl< SSUi ■■; ifl vocat' MoNKESGRATJNGE ; (jit (plidm 
 
 messuagiu nichil vai pannu ult tt repris' : et dicut qd fructus 
 
 et abagiu ibm vai p annu xviij '. Itm dicut qd idm Prior 
 
 ;u vijxxacr' trc; quaj iiij' Ixxx acr tre vat p annu 
 
 ' acr' iiij' 1 . ; et ij xl acr 1 Pre j>.tca/, vij'xx acr' Pre nichil 
 
 nl p annu, q, jacent ad warectu et in coi. Itm dicut 
 
 qdjdm Prior habet ibm iiij acr 1 p»ti, que vai p annu viij 8 , pc 1 
 
 • ll ''" ij • I'-' dicul qd nulla pastura segalis est ibm '.
 
 327 
 
 No. XXVII. 
 
 Valuation of the Priory of St. Neot, A. D. 1534. 
 
 [" Valor Ecclesiasticus"2G Henrv VIII. ; Record in the First- Fruits' 
 
 Office.] 
 
 Decanatus Sancti Neoti in Com Huntington infra 
 Dioc 1 Epi Lincoln'. 
 
 MONASTERIU' SIVE PRIORATUS SANCTI 
 NEOTI IN COM' HUNT' UBI JOHANNES 
 RAUNDES EST MODO PRIOR ET INCU'BENS. 
 
 TEMPAL 1 
 
 Villa Sci Neoti. Valet in 
 
 Reddit 1 assis' infra villam 
 
 ibm per arinu' . ... 18 4 U 
 Reddit' ad voluntatem dni 
 
 iom per annu' . . . . 32 19 11 [ 
 Reddit 1 tenentiu' in divs' 
 
 Hamelet' ibrn videPt 
 
 Wyntringham Weld 
 
 Caldecote Forda Tamys- 
 
 forth Turvey et Colmorth 
 
 g 
 
 annu' 2 12 1(U 
 
 + 
 
 Reddit' in Wintringham . 9 12 
 Reddit' divs' Shop' Mes' et 
 
 Tenementoa infra dcam 
 
 villam 9 6 4 
 
 Firm' iij molioa aquat' cu' 
 
 uno molend' equino ithn 
 
 p annu' 24 
 
 Reddit 1 molend 1 ifem ... 3 8 
 
 1 6 8 
 it 
 
 nundinal 9 G 8 
 
 Reddit' divY al' ten't 1 infra 
 
 Decan' Sci Neoti ... 5 4 5 
 In toto p annu' ut pat} p va- 
 lore dci Monaster' super 
 banc declaration' exaiat 1 . 112 1C 8? 
 
 + 
 
 Firma cois pistrini 
 
 Firma Tolneti meat' et
 
 328 
 
 ( ffi H, <Ut. Valel in ^. *. & ^- »• *■ 
 
 Reddit' assisMndivV villia 
 villat' el hamelett 1 in 
 Com ii'in videl't 
 
 Eton 
 
 Wibolston . . 
 Forda .... 
 Deuilhoo . . 
 Beger} .... 
 Salteston .... 
 Busshmed . . . 
 Everton .... 
 Tetworth . . • 
 Thornecote . . 
 Bayston .... 
 (ink lord 
 
 Sonday .... 
 KviiTvyke . . . 
 Bedenhoo 
 Reddit 1 tenenc 1 custum' 
 de Temysford gcell' 
 MaSij de Crendon 
 Finn 1 terr 1 dnic 1 ManSij 
 de Crendon .... 
 Reddit' et Firm' pertin^n 1 
 Manlio de Charleton . 
 Firma ManSij de Barford 
 FirmaManJij deThutvey 
 Minut 1 reddit 1 in Wibols- 
 ton Forda Eton Deuil- 
 hoo Colmorth Everton 
 Crandon Tymesforth 
 ( laldecote et Colesden 1 G 7i- 
 
 In toto j) annu 1 .... 3G 15 2} 
 
 Com' Hunt*. Valet in 
 
 Reddit 1 tenenciu 1 in divs 1 
 villat' jacen' videl't 
 Haleweston Midlowe 
 L'axton Magna ctlPax- 
 ton Parva Bukworth 
 AbbotisleyWersley Of- 
 ford Dacy etVilla Hunt 1 
 l> annu" prout in valore 
 9< i Monaster 1 plenius 
 annotant 1 et tleclar' 2 17 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 11 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 
 
 1G 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 g 
 
 a 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 G 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 O 
 
 8 
 
 G 
 
 G 
 
 3 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 
 
 13 
 
 15 
 
 11 
 
 a 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 

 
 329 
 
 Com Cantebr 1 . Valet in £. s. d. £. s. d. 
 
 Reddit 1 et firm 1 infra divs' 
 villat' iftm videft 
 
 Caxton .... 1 4 4 
 
 Burne 114 
 
 Gamlyngay ... 2 3 4 
 
 In toto p annu 1 .... 490 
 
 Com NorthY. A^alet in 
 
 Reddit' et firm' divs' te- 
 nent 1 in Barnewell per 
 
 annu 1 200 
 
 Com Rutland. Valet in 
 
 Reddit' et firm' terr' et 
 tenemental in Wynge 
 
 p annu' 4 5 4 
 
 Com Norff \ Valet in 
 
 Firm' piscar'aque de Mar- 
 
 cheforde per annu' 1 G 8 
 
 Com Suff\ Valet in 
 
 Firm 1 Manjij de Upston 
 
 cu' terr' dnic 1 per annu' 2 
 Reddit 1 in Cratefelde per 
 
 annu' 16 
 
 Com Essex. Valet in 2 1 G 
 
 Reddit' assis 1 divs 1 tenY in 
 
 Wymbisshe per annu 1 .... 185 
 Com Hertf. Valet in 
 
 Reddit 1 et firm 1 tenenc 1 in 
 
 Westmyll per annu 1 13 4 
 
 Terr 1 Dnic 1 . Valet in 
 
 Terr 1 dnic 1 eidm Priori 
 
 pertinen 1 cu 1 Grangia de 
 
 Hardwyke, videl't In 
 
 terr' arrab quaFt acra 
 
 v] d cont' in numo iij c lx 
 
 acr 1 9 
 
 rrat , xxxacr 1 qua 1 ltacr 1 iij. s 4 10 
 Pastur' inclus' xc arc' 
 
 precio cuiuslt acr 1 xij d 4 10 
 Pastur 1 jacent' ad larg' cxl 
 
 acr 1 qua'lt acr 1 iiij d . . 2 fi 8 
 Firm 1 domus columbar 1 
 
 jacen' infra precinctu 1 
 
 Prioratus predci . . . 10 
 In toto p annu' .... 20 1G 8
 
 17 
 
 8 
 
 4 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 ;*:30 
 
 Pquis' Cur 1 v> ■£• *. <?• £■ *• d 
 Ptitia tt pquis' cur' tent 1 
 infra dnia el maner' Prio- 
 ratui itiin ptinent 1 una cum 
 finibi terre toil)*, anjnia 2 13 4 
 
 Spual* 
 
 Rector 1 appropriat 1 \ alet in 
 Proncuifl proi enien 1 dc divs' 
 Rectorus Prioratui preftco 
 appropriat' el in divs* 
 Com 1 jacen 1 videTl 
 
 Vine Sci Neoti in Com 
 Hunt' .... 
 Everton in eodem Com 
 Hemyngton in Com 
 Nortn't' .... 
 Turvey in Cofu Bedd' 
 I rpston in Cora Sufi" . 
 Cratfelde in eodem 
 Com SuH* . . . 2 ]:3 I- 
 In toto p annu 1 .... — 36 1 8 
 
 Penc 1 Annual*. Valet in 
 
 Proficuis de diVs 5 annual 1 
 pven 1 videTt de 
 
 Rectorie de Temesfbrd 
 
 in Com Bedd 1 ..400 
 Rectorie de Clopton in 
 
 Com North'tf . . 1 .5 S 
 Rectorie de Bramptop 
 Dyngley in eode 1 
 
 < om 16 8 
 
 Jtcciorii' de Croxton in 
 
 Com Cant' . . . 1 13 4 
 Rectorie de Barton 
 Bendiche in Com 
 
 ( Norfr 5 
 
 Rectorie de Hemyng- 
 
 ham in Com Suff' . 13 4 
 Rectoriede Wymbisshe 
 in Com Essex ..400 
 In toto p annu' .... 17 jy q
 
 331 
 
 Porcion. Valet in £. s. d. £. s. d. 
 
 Proficuis proven'' pro por- 
 cion 1 videVt de 
 
 Rectorie de Enysbury 
 in Com Hunt' p por- 
 cion 1 decimaru ..368 
 Decim 1 garba^ in 
 Welde et Caldecote 
 in eodem Com ..300 
 Magr 1 Collegij Corpis 
 Xpi Cant' p porcion 1 
 decimaru in Gran- 
 
 cestr 16 8 
 
 Decim' cert 1 claus 1 cu 
 bosc 1 in Sudbury in 
 Com Bedd' . '. . 1 13 4 
 In toto p annu 1 .... 968 
 
 Summa totalis tarn Temporalium quam 
 
 Spualium gdict' £256 1 3y 
 
 INDE REPRIS 1 
 
 Feod 1 . In Feod' 
 
 Wittmi Gascoigne Militis 
 Capital 1 Senesc' diet' Mo- 
 naster' 16 8 
 
 Thome Fitezhugh Subse- 
 
 nesc' ibm 16 8 
 
 Henrici Comber Audit' 
 
 ejusdem Monasterij .16 8 
 
 Thome Tony Batti mrcat 1 
 
 Ville Sci Neoti ... 6 8 
 
 Rob 9 ti Hatley Batti ejus- 
 dem Ville ..... 1 6 8 
 
 Johfiis Wilson Bafti sive 
 Collect' reddit 1 in Com 
 Hunt 1 NorthY et Rut- 
 land ...... 1 6 8 
 
 Join's Clerke Batti sive 
 Collect' reddit 1 in Com 
 Bedd' et Cant 1 ... 1 6 3 
 
 Wittmi Trewelove Batti sive 
 Collect 1 reddit' in Com 
 Suff" Nortf' 1 et Essex .068 
 
 In toto per annu 1 . . . 8 13 4
 
 332 
 
 Beddit* resolut? • ''. *. d. £. s. <!. 
 
 In Reddit 1 resolut' Dno 
 
 i; -i vocat' PypesilveY 1 
 
 r.i(liii 1 tun Regi .id I luii- 
 drffi b 1 ill' Barford ]> 
 
 anini' 
 
 1 
 
 !2 
 
 Procurac 1 e1 Sinodal 1 
 
 Archno 1 [uatington p 
 pcurac' el sinodal 1 Ec- 
 
 i-li'.io Si i Neoti et Bver- 
 
 ton 16 
 
 Arcliiio Bedd 1 p pcurac' 
 
 el sinod' medietat' Ec- 
 
 cfie de Turvey ... 5 •'* 
 
 In toto per annn' . . . 1 1 3 
 
 Penc*. 
 
 Priori de Newenham pro 
 
 annua pencone exeunt 1 
 
 de Eccha de Eynesbury 
 
 in Com" 1 Huntington 13 4 
 
 Elemos' 
 
 Elemos' distribute paupe- 
 
 ribus ij U'lnporib} anni 
 
 vidiTt Diebus inj'" tem- 
 
 pu' ante Fest' Natal' Dm 
 
 Et primam sept' quad- 
 rages ad orand' p aTa- 
 
 \n\> Aylrici Comitis 
 
 primi fundatoris ttci 
 
 Monaster 1 el Elfelde 
 
 IV tju> Necnon p ani- 
 
 nia Dne R.OHA1 s fun- 
 
 datric 1 ibm Ac rtiam 
 
 I! K*i)i nr Clase Et 
 
 alinrfi BenefactorOejus- 
 
 dem Monastery p annu' 4 
 
 Summa totaMe Repris 1 14 9 11 
 
 Bl reman' dare ^241 11 4^ 
 
 Inde pro X" 1 '217. Ss. Id. ; 

 
 333 
 No. XXVIII. 
 
 Valuation of the Priory of St. Neot, A. D. 1540. 
 [Ministers' Account, 32 Hen. VI 1 1.; Roll in the Augmentation Office.] 
 
 TERRE ET POSSESSIONES NUP MONASTERII 
 SCI NEOT' IN COM 1 HUNT PTIN 1 . 
 
 COMP , US THOME TUNNEY ET ROB?TI HATLEY REC 1 ET COLL' 
 
 ^_ ~_ 
 
 REDD 1 ET FIRMAR IBM P TEMPUS P DCM. 
 
 Redd assis' Libo^ tenen'm in He JWarfcct £■ s. d. 
 
 ^trftC infra villam Sci Neot' .... 6117 
 
 Redd: libo* tenen' in ^atttt JtolJ Skttttt . 1 11 ■> 
 Redd libo^ et custum' tenen' in (£atttimg« 
 
 J&tttt* ; • 3 5 6 
 
 Redd libo^ et custumar' tenen' in p^Untfag- 
 
 fcon £txtiz 3 3 <J 1 
 
 Redd Assis' libos et cust 1 tenen' in p^tal) 
 
 £tVCtC . / ; 4 5 21 
 
 Redd Assis 1 et Custum' tenen' nuper £tin' 
 
 officio Sacriste •• 1199 
 
 Redd Assis' et libo* et custum 1 tenen' infra 
 
 villa Sci Neoti 25 5 3 
 
 Redd Assis 1 libo^ et cust' tenen 1 in Bargrave 7 1 
 
 Redd terr 9 ad voluntm in Hardewike-felde . 1118 
 
 Redd terr 9 ad volunt' infra villam Sci Neoti 5 1 
 
 Firma Shopa* infra villam de Sci Neoti ptf . 7 5 4 
 Firma terr 9 infra Hamlet 1 de Wintringham 
 
 infra pochiam Sci Neoti 9 19 4 
 
 Welde et Caldecote J 2 4!- 
 
 Firma terr 9 et tento^ 1 in Forda .... 1 6 10 
 
 Redd Assis 1 lib 1 in Eton 14 01- 
 
 Redd Assis 1 libo* in Wiboldston .... 7 11 
 
 Redd Assis' libopt custum 1 tenen 1 in Devilhoo 10 6 
 
 Staplo 
 
 Collysden „J ,J 
 
 Firma terr 9 divs cum at firmis 7b 1 b h 
 
 Redd mobil 1 ma&ii Sci Neoti 2 
 
 Firma maSii de Crandon ...... 200 
 
 Redd Assis 1 libo* custum' tenen' et ad volun 
 
 maSii de Crandon ....... 6 8 10 
 
 Redd terr 9 et tento^' in Euton I x 
 
 Redd Assis 1 liboj tenen' in Tetworth ... 061
 
 2 6 
 6 8 
 
 334 
 
 £. .s. d 
 
 Redd custum' tenendum in Tetworth . . . 2 8 10 
 Redd Assis' libo? (■u^t , tenen 1 el ad volun' in 
 
 Mogerang • < t * 
 
 Redd 1 \--i-" linoj et cust 1 tenen' el ad vol' in 
 
 Charleton 6 6 4 
 
 Knit Assis' lifcoa tenen 1 et ad vol' in Sondae 3 9 
 Redd Assis* li$o? tenen 1 in Beeston • . . 
 Redd Assis* lifco* tenen' el ad vol' in Thofhe- 
 
 oote 
 
 Redd cust 1 in 
 
 Barfbrd 
 
 Begorey 
 
 Busshi in [ede] 
 
 Caxfpn 
 
 Borne 
 
 Halyweston 
 
 Middelhowe 
 
 Paxton magn' et parva 
 
 Challeston 
 
 Buckeworth 
 
 Werisley 
 
 Abbotesley 
 
 Barnewell 
 
 Offord Dacye 
 
 \\ inge 
 
 Marcne 
 
 Ubston 
 
 Westmyl] 
 
 Wimbisshe 
 
 Rectoria de 
 
 1 1. im\ nston' 
 
 1 win el Tetworth 
 
 Cratefield 
 
 Ubston 
 
 Thurvey 
 
 Pencoes, et Pare 1 de 
 
 Priorissa de Harrold [hoc anno) . . 
 Rector* de 
 
 Temysford 
 
 Clopton 
 
 Brampton Dingeleye 
 
 Cioxton 
 
 Barton Bendishe 
 
 I [e*nynffhame 
 
 Wymbissbe 
 
 Eynesburve ■ 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 11 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 I 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 18 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 3 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 s 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 1 
 
 9 
 
 2* 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 5 
 
 8 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 1 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 
 8
 
 335 
 
 Xmis in Grancestre de Mro et Sociis £. s. d. 
 
 Col 1 Corp 1 Xpi 16 8 
 
 Xmis in Welde et Calcote de Waltero 
 
 Luke 300 
 
 Colmorthe Ill 
 
 Villa Hunt' 10 
 
 Cratefeld 16 
 
 Re'te forinsece in Sudbury in pochia de Eton 1 19 5 
 
 Pquis 1 Cur (Jioc anno) 
 
 Summa totalis Onlis et Recept' pdict' £256 15 8 
 
 No. XXVIII. X 
 
 Extracts from Cardinal Poles Visitation of the Diocese of 
 Lincoln, for the re-establishment of Popery, in the reign of 
 Queen Mary, August 1556. 
 
 [MSS. a of Fox the Martyrologist ;from which it zvas published in Strype's 
 Memorials of the Reformation, Vol. III. Records No. LI. p. 107-] 
 
 Faucet, Sacerdos ac Pedagogus apud Sc'um * Neotam, 
 notatur, q d tenet quandain Elizabetham Williams, quam 
 tempore Schismatis duxerat : antequam citatus fugit. Citata 
 tamen Elizabeth comparuit. Cui a Dno est injunctum, ne 
 de-cetero admittat dcm Faucet in suum consortium, quousq^ 
 divortium auct'e Ecclie sit inter eos factum. 
 
 Injunctum est Parochianis Sce' Neotis q d citra ultimum 
 diem hujus mensis re-edificent omnia Altaria qua? ante 
 Schisma luerunt in eadem Ecclia ; impositione sive taxa in 
 Parochianos imn facta. Iisdem etiam injunctum est q d citra 
 finem Pasche prox. re-edificent Crucifixorium cum Imagini- 
 bus ad hoc necessariis imposterum facta* ut prius. 
 
 a It dues not appear among the Foxian MSS. transferred by Strype to the 
 Harleian Collection. 
 * So in Strype.
 
 330 
 
 NO. XXIX. 
 
 On the Great Bridge of St. Neotts, A. D. 1588. 
 
 [MSS. Brit. Mus. Harl. 304. ff. «0' a.— B7 a. The ( IriginaL] 
 
 \ Brbif <»t' Two [nquisicons taken at Fordend of Eaton 
 [Eaton-Ford\ l ( ) Decembr A 31° of the Queens Ma" 
 reign [31 Elizabeth, .1 J). 1588], before the Reverend 
 father Wittm [Wickhani] Bishopp of Lincoln, ^ others 
 Commissioners to enquire of divers articles touching the 
 Mate of the great Bridge of Si Neotts, as followeth viz. 
 
 Com. Bedds. 
 
 1. To the fiiM Tho Julian and others answere that the 
 Ion"- Bridge or Causye conteyneth in Length 704 feet, wherof 
 
 I 8 Arches wholly hnilt of timber contevne in 
 
 Length 448 feet 
 Breath LOJ 
 
 29 Arches of tymber work of severall heighthes and 
 lengths of 7, J', an'd 12 feet apeece, built uppon a 
 stone wall of 6 feet high, And contevne in 
 
 Length 256 
 
 Breadth 7-£ 
 
 2. The foundacon fit to be of stone so hijjh as the 
 waters comonly ryse in tyme of fludds, And will conteyne 
 41- Arches w' 1 will require 
 
 :;. Tymber 153 tonn 5 feet at xvj".viij d . 
 
 the tonn i 
 
 Stone BOO loads at xij'. the bade 
 4. Lyme 138 chaldron at x . viij 1 . 
 C irpenters ^\ Sawers .... 
 Sand 276 loads at vj' 1 . . . 
 
 Masonry 
 
 Cariage ofTimber 153 tonn. 
 Ston at ij\ vj 1 . 
 Lyme at iij\ iv'. 
 Overseers 
 
 5. A" 23 B . E 3. 23 Edw. III. A. I). 1349.] the tenants 
 the -.nanno' of Baton psented the Prio r of St Neotts for 
 
 Jxxvi) 1 . 
 
 xrj«. 
 
 
 xlv". 
 
 
 
 lxxiij". 
 
 xiij*. 
 
 iiij d . 
 
 lxj 1 '. 
 
 
 xviij' 1 . 
 
 v.!'. 
 
 xviii'' 
 
 
 1". 
 
 xiij\ 
 
 iiij d . 
 
 lxj". 
 
 in)*. 
 
 
 Cxi/i". 
 
 X'. 
 
 
 xxiij" 
 
 
 
 xiiij 11 . 
 
 
 
 Dlxxv". 
 
 xij*. 
 
 ii d .
 
 337 
 
 not repayring the Cawsey And payned him to repair it by a 
 day. 
 
 Evidence given that one bequeathed xh to the Prio r of 
 St Neotts towards repaire of the said bridge, whereby they 
 suppose that the charge of the same belonged to the Prio r . 
 But whether in respect of the Priorye & possessions thereof 
 or of the manno 1 of St Neotts pcell of the same and now in 
 her Ma ,s possession they know not. 
 
 That the Prio r and Covent were possessed of divers woods 
 wherevnto they had passage for their carts & cariags in 
 by and through the said Bridge or Cawsye. But the Jury 
 cannot say that he hath builded repaired or amended the 
 same Bridge or Cawsye. 
 
 That th 1 inhi'tants of St Neotts & well disposed people of 
 the counties of Hunts, Bedds, & North. & divers other places, 
 of their owne charge and libalitye, have synce the Suppression 
 repaired, builded, and maynteyned the said Bridge and 
 Cawsye vntill of late. 
 
 6. & 7. The Jury cannot directly answ r . saving that th' 
 inhitants of Bedd' shire be grevously burdened taxed and 
 charged, w" 1 money & cariage for repaire of divers great 
 Bridgs. 
 
 Yet this not w'standing they will 
 frely cary to the repaire of the said 
 Bridge 400 loades of lyme stone or 
 other necessaries except tymber. 
 This cariag estemed at .... 1". 
 
 8. The Quenes Ma tic hath no woods neerer then 
 Warden 8 myles distant and whether those be sufficient for 
 the repaire the Jurye referr the report to Her Ma ties officers. 
 
 Twentie tonns of timber maie be had out of divers mens 
 woods therabouts. 
 
 9- That a Towle or Taske may be raised for repaire of 
 the Bridge uppon passengers not being of the counties of 
 Hunts & Beds : nor coming to any marketts or fayres at St 
 Neotts. 
 
 Every laden Cart or Wayne . . . ij d . 
 
 Packhorse ob. 
 
 Bullocks 20 and horned Cattell . . iiij' 1 . 
 
 Sheep 120 xij' 1 . 
 
 Colts or Horses ob. 
 
 Hoggs 20 iij d . 
 
 And so after the rate. 
 
 Z 
 
 Bedford- 
 shire-men.
 
 338 
 
 Com. Hunts. 
 
 1 — 6*. Nicholas Sumbom and others sale as before iu 
 ( om' Bedds. 
 
 [7.] C Thej wilbe oontenl (rely to 
 
 Huntington- 3 carve 15'A tonn of timber u h 
 
 £amoimteth vnto Ixj . mj . 
 
 BtNeoM I ''hey will digg '27G loades of 
 
 Towne. \sand estemed at yj u . xviij". 
 
 [8.] Twenty toon of timber may be had out of Her Ma' 1 
 wimhIs in the towne of Somer sham. 
 
 Diverse Persons therabouts have woods wherout 88 
 tonus of Timber may be taken. 
 
 [9.] That a Tow 11 or Taxe may be raised in manner as 
 before. 
 
 Furthermore 
 To the b* Article. The saide Commissioners do ccrtifie 
 thai synce the fest of St Michaell tlf archangel] Edward 
 Vw ae Bailif of the manor of St Neotts hath at liis owne 
 costes \- charg* mainteyned the saide comon Bridge or 
 Cawsey in repaire, w' 1 ' doth amount (as by a bill therof ap- 
 pereth) to the somme of vij u « viij*. x' 1 . 
 
 Sm l Total 1 of the whole 
 charges to be disburced; 
 with vij' 1 . viiij*. x 1 . alreadie 
 bestowed by Mr. Ed. 
 
 Payne Dlxxxiij 1 '. j\ 
 
 WherofTher is offered to 
 be disburcedby the men of 
 Bedibrdshire .... 1". 
 
 I I unts Ixj". iii'f. 
 
 St Neotts towne . . vj 1 '. xvii'p. 
 
 — ■ ■ — Cxviij 11 . ij\ 
 
 And so Remayneth clerely to be bestowed CCCCIxiiij". xix~. 
 
 Abstracted p Fo:Hift Audi?.
 
 339 
 
 No. XXX. 
 
 Possessions of the College of St. Neot, A. D. 1086. 
 
 [Exchequer Domesday, Vol. II. f. 121 a; Chapter House, Westminster.] 
 
 Clerici S' Neoti ten' Neotestov. 7 t°neb T. R. E. 
 Ibi st. 11. hidae. q nunq geldauer. Ibi st. mi. bord. V a t. 
 v. solid. Tota banc tra pter una acra trae qua pbri hnt ab- 
 stulit comes [Morito?iiensis] ab aeccta. Odo ten -1 de eo. 7 
 uat. v. soi. p'us ualb. xx". sot. (Si.) 
 
 [Exon' Domesday, f. 207. Archives of the Dean and Chapter of Exeter.] 
 
 Presbiteri de SCO NIETO. lint. 1. mansione que uocaf 
 Nietestou q". tenuit ide scs ea die q l rex E. f u 7 . m . In 
 ea st 11. hide tre q nuq u reddrt Gildu. Ibi st 1111. bord. 7 1. 
 bos. 7 xx. ones. & x. caprae. 7 ual& p annu v. sot. tota banc 
 ?ra pret. 1. agru que p'biti bnt. absta"lit conies de moritonio 
 pdicto sco. banc teniic Odo de comite 7 ualik, p annu v. 
 sot excepto sup a dicto agro. 7 q"do Conies abstulit sco 
 ualebat xx. sot. (U.) 
 
 No. XXXI. 
 
 Inscription over the Cenotaph of St. Neot (See p. 246.). 
 
 Hie olim noti jacuere relicta Neoti, 
 Nunc praeter cineres nil superesse vides : 
 
 Tempusin bac fossa carne cosumpsitet ossa; 
 Nomen perpetuum Sancte Neote tuum ! 
 
 Consuming time Neotus' flesb 
 
 And bones to dust translated, 
 A sacred tomb tins dust enclosed 
 
 Wbicb now is ruinated ; 
 Tbo' flesb, and bones, and dust, and tomb, 
 
 Tbro' tract of time be rotten, 
 Yet Neot's fame remains with us 
 
 Which n'ere shall be forgotten : — 
 Whose lather was a Saxon King, 
 
 St. Dunstan was his teacher ;
 
 
 ;wo 
 
 In famous Oxford he was eke 
 
 The lirst professed preacher 
 That there in Schools by quaintest terms 
 
 The Bacred themes expoflded, 
 Which Schools, by his advice, the good 
 
 King Alfred well had founded. 
 But in those days the furious Danes 
 
 The Saxons" peace molested, 
 And Neo1 forced was to leave 
 
 That place so much infested 
 
 With hostile spoils* Then Ainsbury 
 
 I lis place of refuge was 
 Within the Shire or Huntington, 
 
 Where since it came to pass 
 That for his sake the place from him 
 
 Doth take its romon nana-. 
 The vulgar call it now St. Need's 
 
 Their market toun of fame: — 
 There Aline built a Monastry, 
 
 To Neot 'twas behested, 
 And Rosey wife to the Erie of Clan 1 
 
 With means the same invested 
 For maintenance in after times: — 
 
 Where long he did not stay, 
 But thence, enforced by furious Danes, 
 
 I Ie forward took his way 
 To GueRRIER's-Stoke, for his repose, 
 
 This place, so called of yore. 
 But now best known by Neot's name 
 
 More famous than before; 
 For why ? A College here of Clarks 
 
 lie had whose fame encreased — 
 When-as his corpse was clad in clay, 
 
 And lu- from hence diceased 
 Sonic say his bones wire carried hence; 
 
 St. Need's will have it so, 
 Which claims the grace of Neot's tomb; 
 
 But hereto we say, No! 
 
 THE END. 
 
 LONDON : 
 
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