372.94257 
 
 So52 
 
 SOME ACCOUNT OF 
 
 LORD WILLIAMS, OF THAME, 
 
 FOUNDER OF THE 
 
 GRAMMAR SCHOOL 
 
 AND THE 
 
 ALMS-HOUSES, AT THAME; 
 
 TOGETHER WITH THE 
 
 COPY OF HIS WILL, 
 
 AND 
 
 COPIES OF VERY VALUABLE 
 
 ENGLISH AND LATIN DOCUMENTS, 
 
 RELATING TO THE ABOVE CHARITY. 
 
 (The Latin Portion Translated by the Reverend John Young. J 
 
 THAME: 
 
 PRINTED AND PUBLISHED AT C. ELLIS* S MACHINE OFFICES, HIGH STREET. 
 
oak st. HDsp 
 
 LIBRARY OF THE 
 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 
 AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN 
 
 372.94257 
 So 52 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 % 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2016 
 
 https://archive.org/details/someaccountoflorOOunse 
 
SOME ACCOUNT OF 
 
 LORD WILLIAMS, OP THAME, 
 
 FOUNDER OF THE 
 
 GRAMMAR SCHOOL 
 
 AND THE 
 
 ALMS-HOUSES, AT THAME; 
 
 TOGETHER WITH THE 
 
 v 
 
 COPY OF HIS WILL, 
 
 AND 
 
 COPIES OF VERY VALUABLE 
 
 ENGLISH AND LATIN DOCUMENTS, 
 
 RELATING TO THE ABOVE CHARITY. 
 
 (The Latin Portion Translated by the Reverend John Young.) 
 
 ENTERED AT STATIONERS’ HALL. 
 
 THAME : 
 
 PRINTED AND PUBLISHED AT C. ELLls’s MACHINE OFFICES, HIGH STREET. 
 
 MDCCCLXXIII. 
 
So5X 
 
 PKEFACE. 
 
 To the Inhabitants of Thame and its 
 Neighbourhood. 
 
 Ladies and Gentlemen, 
 
 The extent of one of the finest charities in Oxford- 
 shire has long been well known to most of you ; a 
 revelation made before a meeting of Charity Com- 
 missioners in the Town Hall, Thame, in the year 1866, 
 showed an accumulation of surplus interest to the 
 amount of between six and seven thousand pounds. The 
 charity referred to is that connected with the “Grammar 
 School and Almshouses,” bequeathed by John, Lord 
 Williams, of Thame, by his Will dated the 18th day of 
 March, 1559. Knowing the prosperous circumstances 
 of this charity, the most strange part of the affair 
 is, how heads of families could have rested so long 
 with a school, bearing an annual income of many 
 hundreds of pounds a year, without making themselves 
 acquainted with every particular connected with it, and 
 the advantages (if any) the inhabitants were to derive 
 from it. An enquiry as to what use the teachings of 
 the school were to the boys of the town was generally 
 met with the absurd answer — that only Latin was 
 taught free. Could such an idea have been the cause 
 of the apathy shown by our townspeople in the matter? 
 This school, so richly endowed, for many years had not 
 
 
4 
 
 educated more than a dozen hoys at a time, and of late 
 years not even a pupil has represented the town. Why 
 is this ? The answer is now plain —Because the towns- 
 people knew nothing of the advantages which the 
 noble-hearted founder of the charity has given to them. 
 The perusal of this book will open the mind of the 
 reader to such a fund of educational wealth belonging 
 to the town and hamlets of Thame as is rarely to be 
 met with. For a long series of years I had been told 
 that documents were kept in the Parish Church 
 explanatory of the uses of the charity both in respect 
 to the School and Almshouses, and I felt a strong 
 desire to examine them and s.ee if they were calculated 
 to serve my fellow-townsmen in affording a superior 
 education for their sons at a cheap rate, or, at most, 
 with privileges akin to similar insitutions in other 
 towns and cities of England ; but the opportunity was 
 not obtainable; Churchwardens were as much in the 
 dark as their neighbours, and could not spare the time 
 it would take to be present while the documents were 
 examined, and considered it unsafe to let them be 
 taken for that purpose from the place in which they are 
 deposited. At last, however, on my being appointed 
 Churchwarden, I stated my intention to some friends 
 of, at once, entering upon the work. Upon agreement 
 we met in the muniment room, but found the deeds, 
 with one exception, were in Latin, and the only docu- 
 ment in English contained but little to raise hopes of 
 the school being of any use to the town beyond pro- 
 nouncing it free. The questions at issue, then, were — 
 Of what use are the Latin documents? Will their 
 translation be productive of any good to the people 
 of Thame ? Or is such a magnificent charity only to 
 supply sinecure livings to a Master and Under-Master, 
 and to maintain five poor old men and one poor old 
 woman? I told those present that as the way was 
 
5 
 
 clear to me now I should copy the writings for transla- 
 tion, when my friend, Mr. Thomas Hearne Seymour, 
 offered his kind and gratuitous services for that pur- 
 pose, and well and carefully did he carry through his 
 long, arduous, and tiresome task ; besides which he was 
 mainly instrumental in procuring a proper person to 
 carry out the work of translation. It was ultimately 
 settled that this portion of the business should be 
 placed in the hands of Mr. Turner, of Turl Street, 
 Oxford, who agreed to carry it out for a certain con- 
 sideration. A letter received from that gentleman 
 shortly afterwards was to the effect that he found the 
 work too difficult for him to grapple with, and he was 
 consequently obliged to engage the services of the 
 Rev. John Young, who is eminent in such matters, and 
 a member of the University of Oxford, but at a cost 
 which considerably exceeded the first contract. This, 
 however, I immediately acceeded to, and the result is — 
 the following pages reveal matters of immense im- 
 portance to the welfare of the rising generation of 
 youth, viz. : — the right to an education of the highest 
 order, at very little cost. The inhabitants it is 
 clearly shown have a right to demand it on very easy 
 terms. Mr. Turner in sending me a notice of the 
 completion of the translation of the deeds, says, “ I 
 am sure when you read them you will bo very pleased 
 you have had them translated, as they are the most 
 curious and interesting ordinances I have ever read.” 
 
 In order to render this work as complete as 
 possible, I have included in the volume a short family 
 history of John, Lord Williams, of Thame, whose 
 memory cannot be esteemed too highly for his bound- 
 less munificence to this town; as well as an account 
 of his burial ; and also a copy of his Will ; together 
 with copies of all the deeds obtainable concerning 
 the School and Almshouses ; the publication of which 
 
6 
 
 will reveal the ardent desire of the noble donor for 
 the proper education of youth, and for the right 
 government of the school. Every particular is gone 
 into which at that time could be thought desirable to 
 place the establishment on a lasting and self-supporting 
 foundation. 
 
 This affair now remains with those whom it con- 
 cerns, to take steps to place the school in such a 
 position as shall not only prove an immense blessing 
 to the town but to the entire neighbourhood. 
 
 I am, Ladies and Gentlemen, 
 
 Your obedient Servant, 
 
 THE PUBLISHER. 
 
 Gazette Office , 
 
 Thame , November, 1872. 
 
ADDENDA TO PREFACE. 
 
 Since the foregoing Preface was in print, a 
 Draft of a Scheme for the future management of 
 the Thame Grammar School has been issued by 
 the Endowed Schools Commissioners. A Scheme 
 totally at variance with the spirit of the Documents 
 now published, and altogether against the interests 
 of the rising generation native to Thame. 
 

 \ 
 
7 
 
 FAMILY HISTORY OF LORD WILLIAMS. 
 
 The following account of this noble benefactor to the town 
 of Thame is 'principally compiled from Dugdalds 
 account of the Family : — 
 
 Lord, John Williams, of Thame, was of the same 
 Family as Sir Richard Williams, Knight, who assumed 
 the surname of Cromwell in the time of K. Henry the 
 Eighth, viz. second son to Sir John Williams, of 
 Burfeild, in com. Berks, Knight, by Elizabeth, his 
 wife, Daughter and Co-heir to Richard More, of Bur- 
 feild, Esquire, (the name of his elder Brother being 
 Reginald Williams). 
 
 He is first mentioned in the 18. Hen. 8., as being 
 a servant to that King ; having ten pounds per 
 annum granted to him by Patent for the keeping of a 
 Greyhound, and in the 27.tli. of the same reign was 
 appointed Clerk of the King’s Jewel house. By which 
 means getting interest at Court he obtained a Patent 
 for the office of Master or Treasurer of the same jewel- 
 house. But Thomas Cromwell, then Secretary of 
 State, being to strong for him forced him to surrender 
 it, and to acccept of another jointly with himself so as 
 to share the profits therof betwext them and the survi- 
 vor, to enjoy it wholly. 
 
 By which and other means getting wealth ; he, in 
 the 30. Hen. 8., purchased the Mannors of great Ricott, 
 and little Ricott in Com. Oxon. from Giles Heron, of 
 Shakelwell, in Com. Mid., Esquire, son of John Heron, 
 
8 
 
 Sometime Treasurer of tlie Chamber to King Hen. 8., 
 to whom Sir Richard Fowler, Knight, (son to Richard, 
 Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster), had formerly 
 sold them. And in the 31. Hen. 8. (being then a 
 Knight), ho obtained a grant of the chief stewardship 
 of the Mannors of Grafton and Hertwell, in the County 
 of Northampton, with the keepership of the Parks 
 there, as also of the Mannors of Wytham, W eston-on- 
 tlie-Green and Botley, in Com. Oxon. In the 38. Hen. 
 8. he was constituted chief supervisor of all the Swans 
 within the River of Thames and all other waters in 
 England, except those of the Dutchy of Lancaster. 
 Moreover in the 36. Hen. 8., he had a special Patent 
 for reteyning of ten persons Gentlemen and Yeomen 
 in his Household, and to give Livery Badges to them ; 
 and in the 38. Hen. 8., another Grant bearing date 
 2nd. Jan., of the office of Treasurer of the Court of 
 A ugmentati on . 
 
 Furthermore in 2. Ed. 6., lie was made Steward of 
 all the lands belonging to Robert, then Bishop of 
 Oxford, the remainder to Francis his son, with an 
 annual salary of six pounds, thirteen shillings and four 
 pence for that service. And upon the death of K. 
 Edward Gth, being one of the first that appeared for 
 Q. Mary in consideration thereof and other his faithful 
 services to that queen was solemnly created Lord 
 Williams, of Thame, at her Palace of St. James’, 
 upon the fifth day of April, in the first year of her 
 reign, (though his Patent be not enrolled), having also 
 his Writ of Summons to the Parliament then sitting at 
 Westminster, (which began by prorogation upon the 
 second day of that month), where he took his place the 
 same fifth day accordingly. After which, before the 
 end of that year, surrendring his office of Treasurer of 
 the Court of Augmentation he had a Grant from that 
 Queen of three hundred and twenty pounds per annum 
 
in lieu thereof during his life, and upon her marriage 
 with King Phillip of Spaine was made Lord Chamber- 
 lain of the Household to that King. 
 
 Nor had he less favor from Queen Elizabeth, being 
 in the first year of her Reign constituted Lord President 
 of her Council in the Principality of Wales, and 
 Marches of the same. Whereupon he went to Ludlow, 
 where he died. By his Testament bearing date 18. 
 March the same year, he bequeathed to his Executors 
 for ever the Inheritance of the impropriate Rectories 
 and Parsonages of Brill, Oakley, Burstall, and East- 
 Neston, to found a Free School, in the Town of Thame, 
 and with the profits thereof to provide a Shoolmaster 
 and an Usher for ever. As also certain lands in 
 Sydenham for the Augmentation of the Alms-house in 
 Thame, and increase of the maintenance for the poor 
 therein. He likewise bequeathed to the Earl of Bed- 
 ford all his Armor for his own body and his Bay 
 Courser with the Furniture and Sword pertaining to 
 the same Armor. To his daughters Norris and 
 Wenman, each of them one standing cup with a cover 
 gilt; and to his brother the Lord Wentworth, his best 
 gown furred with sables. 
 
 Of which testament (amongst others) he constituted 
 Robert d’Oylie of Merton, and William Playce of 
 Lurgyshall, in Com. Bucks, his Executors; who pur- 
 chasing other lands for the support of the same School 
 and Alms-house to the yearly value of £57. 2s. 5d. ; 
 cneoff'ed the Warden and Scholars of New College, 
 in Oxford, and their successors therein to the uses 
 before-mentioned. Appointing that the nomination of 
 the Head Schoolmaster should be by the same Robert 
 d : Oylie and William Playce, and the survivor of them ; 
 but afterwards by the Wardens and Scholars of New 
 College and their successors for ever. And to have 
 yearly for his stipend the sum of twenty-six pounds 
 
10 
 
 thirteen shillings and four pence, and the Usher thir- 
 teen pounds six shillings and eight pence, to he paid 
 quarterly. Which Alms-house to consist of five poor 
 men, and one woman towards whose maintenance the 
 summe of seven pounds and four shillings yearly was 
 given and a new gown every fourth year with eight 
 shillings per annum for the keeping of his tombe. 
 
 Departing this life in the Castle at Ludlow, 14. Oct. 
 next ensuing the date of this his Testament; he was 
 buried in the midst of the Chancel at Thame, where 
 there is a fair tombe erected to his memory whereon 
 are the effigies of himself and one of his wives in white 
 marble (but with their heads towards the East), and 
 on the one side thereof upon a plate of brass this 
 inscription : — • 
 
 Epitaphium domini Johannis Williams, equitis 
 aurati Baronis a Thame; qui obiit XIV., die Oct. 
 An. Dom. 1559. 
 
 Parva tegit cineres Grulielmidis urna Johannis: 
 Nulla tegent tanti secula facta viri. 
 
 Quem dotes animi, fortunas dotibus ultro 
 Ornavit, soi'tis munere plus meritum ; 
 
 Nam potuit virtus meritis si acquirere fortis, 
 Munera, divitias, vir bonus Ecce tulit. 
 
 Tam bonus, ut merito cuncts charissimus esset 
 Ordinibus, titulis major et ille suis. 
 
 Si quaeris '? stirpe satus non vilis ; Equestri, 
 
 Eactus eques; Procerum, post procer unus erat. 
 
 Begum asri Questor ; Begali exinde cubili ; 
 Postremum Cambro praefuit et populo'. 
 
 The plate of brass on the other side was torn away 
 by the soldiers in the time of the civil war. 
 
 This John Lord Williams had two wives, first 
 Elizabeth widdow of Andrew Edmonds, of Cressing 
 Temple, in Com. Essex, daughter and co-heir of 
 
11 
 
 Thomas Blcdlow (by Elizabeth his wife one of the 
 daughters and co-heirs of Sir Humphry Starkey, 
 Knight, Chief Baron of the Exchequer), son and heir 
 of Thomas Bledlow, Sheriff of the City of London, 
 An. 1472. (12. E. 4). Which Elizabeth departing this 
 life 25. Oct. An. 1556. 3. and 4. Pli. and M. ; was buried 
 in the chapel of Ricot, the chief mourner at her funeral 
 being her daughter Isabel, assisted by Mr. Reginald 
 Williams brother to this Lord Williams. 
 
 By this Elizabeth he had issue two sons Henry 
 who married Anne, daughter to Henry, Lord Stafford, 
 and Francis, but died (both of them) in his lifetime, and 
 two daughters Isabell married to Sir Richard Wenman, 
 Knight, and Margery to Henry, Lord Norris. To his 
 second wife, he wedded Margery, daughter to Thomas 
 Lord Wentworth, by whom he had no issue ; which 
 Margery surviving him afterwards became the wife of 
 Sir William Darcie, Knight, and lastly of Sir John 
 Crofts, Knight. 
 
 This peerage is still in abeyance between the noble 
 families of Bertie and Wenman. 
 
12 
 
 THE BURY ALL OF THE LO. WYLLMES, 
 OF THAME, 1559. 
 
 The following account of the proceedings at the burial of 
 Lord Williams , is preserved in the Bodleian Library 
 amongst the manuscripts of Dugdale , and will well 
 repay perusal as a descriptive curiosity of the pomp 
 attending the burial of one ivho stood so high in Javor 
 with the Crown : — 
 
 Th’ ordre of th’ interement and funeral of John 
 Williams, Knight, Barron of Thame, who departyd 
 this Lyfe on Satterdaye, the 14. of October, about x. of 
 the cloke in the mornyng, Ao. p'm*. Regine Elyzabethe, 
 1559. within her Ma tis . castle of Ludlowe in the countye 
 of Salope, where he was lately comen’, being apointed 
 Lord presydent of her grace’s counsell in the marches 
 ther, and after Brought to Rycote, and fro thence to 
 Thame, in the myddest chancell of the Parishe 
 Churche, ther he was buryed as followitlie : — 
 
 It., the said L. had ij. wiffes, the fierst was T. late 
 wiffe to Andrew Edmonde, of Essex, douther to Bledloe, 
 by whom he had yssue Henry Williams, sine prole , 
 Isabell, Margerye, and another sone, and Ffraunces, 
 sine prole. 
 
 And by his ijde. wiffe Margery now Lyying, 
 douglitr. to Thom. L. Wentworthe, suster to Thomas 
 L. Wentworthe, that now is and had yssue a dough ter 
 wch. dyed, and left her an honorabili Living. And 
 likewise delt honorably withe all his servants. 
 
13 
 
 It., by his will lie apoincted his cxecuters Sr. 
 Walter Myldmay, Knight, John Doyley, of Greneland, 
 in the count, of Oxford.* Robert Doyley, his Brother, 
 of Marten, in the same counte, gent., and W. Place, 
 gent’man. 
 
 And for his offersears wher appoincted F francs, Erie 
 of Radforde, Sr. William Scycyll, Knyght, Chieffe 
 secretary to the Queen’s Matas. Rauphe Scrope, of 
 Lincolsine, and Robert Nowell, of Gray sen de. 
 
 Item, after his body was colde yt was bowelled, 
 tramelled and wrapped in Lynnen clothe dyversse 
 folde, and then put into A coffyn coveryd with blacke, 
 and after that a claryott covered with blacke garnysshed 
 wth. scotcheons was prepared the corps was leyd therin, 
 and so by s’ valle Journeys was brought to his house at 
 Rycote, ij. myles from Thame, in the counte of 
 Oxforde, on Satterdaye, the 28. of the same monthe, 
 wher mydest of the great chamber he was layd, and 
 thereon a large pawle of black velvett cont’. 24. yards 
 wth. a crose of white satten of viij. yards lyned wth. 
 black boukcram garnisslied wth. scoshins of sarsenett 
 of him and his witfes. And about yt. wher placed the 
 banner and banner Rollcs of armes as after dothe 
 appere, well, where borne about yt. to the churche, and 
 ther in the sayd chamber yt. Remayned untill Twysday, 
 the 14. November, that hit was conveyed to Thame 
 as hereafter aperetlio. 
 
 Item, the said great chamber was hanged witho 
 clothe withe the halle and others. 
 
 Item, the churche of Tame and chancell and so on 
 bothe sydes wthout the west dore was Likewise hangyd 
 and garnyshed, and so was covered ij. fourmes sett on 
 ether syae about the lierse for the executors and 
 assystances to sytt on, and in the myddes of the sayd 
 chauncell was erected a stronge tymbre herse xix. fotte 
 Note. — ^Should be Bucks. 
 
14 
 
 of L. and ix. do. in brcade bourdyd above upon the 
 joysos wth. utter and undr Rayles, ij. trestes, vij. stoles 
 and a table all cov’ed with Erode narrow cotten 
 garnysshed wth escosheons, xiiij. quyshons, vij. of 
 vclvett and th’othcr of clothe, and all the groundo 
 straed wth Russhes. 
 
 The pyllers fro the rayles to the Joyses were a 
 yarde q’ter a pece coveryd wth. satten and one eche 
 one eschosseon of raettall wrought on Bouckeram, and 
 round about the Joysts hangyd a valence of sarsenet 
 sett wth. Lres. of gold of his wourde A tons venaur. And 
 in the myddill of every sqare, one scoching of armes 
 at wch. valence hangyd a sylke forge, and undernethe 
 the J oysts one Ma tie . of sarcenett Lyned with boukeram 
 wrought in the mydes wth. his armes and crest, and 
 beasts, in ev’y corner his Badge or crest — wele. And 
 next about the vallence from pyller to pyller was sett 
 one Baree coveryd with one brode damaste and 
 theruppon on eche sqare two scochins of Boukeram, 
 and on ev’y corner a great scochins of metal 1 wrought 
 on past brode and above the damaste rounde aboute 
 on the tope of the borde was sett one Gref of payst 
 Boorde of iiij. nayles, iij. Broade all gylt, and in the 
 myddyll of every square on the sayd gylde boorder 
 was wrought his armes and creast wth. Beasts support- 
 ing his and his wiffes in pale at the corners at th’ eade 
 hangyd out ij. Banner-elles one of his father armes 
 alone and ; Bladlowe and Starkey quarterly e. 
 
 It., betwene the said gylte wourke and the damaste 
 and beneathe the damaste betwene yt and the vallence 
 was sett rounde about ij. rowes of pencells conteynyng 
 x. dossen. 
 
 It., on the table was sett the said corps and ther 
 over the pawle of black velvett wlieruppon in the 
 mydell was sett his helme and crest, the sword l’ing on 
 the right syde, the targett on the left, and the cote 
 
armes on theade. 
 
 And so all thing being in a readynos on tvs esdayo 
 in the evenyng, the 14. of November, the corpse was 
 pryvely convayd by charyott to Thame, to Mr. Win. 
 Dormer’s house, wherfore that night he was placyd in 
 the lialle, and in the mornyng being Wynsday, the 15. 
 November, about viij. of the cloke the said corpse was 
 convayed to the Churche as followithe : — 
 
 In prymys the ij. conductors, Richard Alforde and 
 Henry Thomson in b. coll, and b. staves. 
 
 Then the Prest and Clerk e singing, 
 
 then Mr. EEenry Norreys boring the standart his liodo 
 
 on, 
 
 then serten gent’ men ij. and ij. their hodes on their 
 shoulders, 
 
 then Mr. Doyley and Will. Place, gent’, ij. of the 
 executors, 
 
 then Mr. John Wake bering the banner of Armes, 
 then Rouge Dragen, off’, of armes, bering the helme 
 and crest, 
 
 then Chester bering the targe, 
 then Clarenc’ bering the cotte armour, 
 then the corps borne by xij. of his Yeomen, vj. at one 
 tyme and vj. at another, at every corner a gent 'man wth. 
 his hode on his lieade, for the iiij. assistances, viz. : — 
 John Wills, gent., John Goodwyn, gent., W. Dormer, 
 gent., and Thornes Reede, gent.; also at the iiij. corners 
 iiij. gent’men bearing the iiij. Eanerelle of armes, 
 viz. : — Baker, gent., wth the bann’r of the deffounct ; 
 Anthony Foster, gent., wth one of the defuncte and 
 his wife that nowe is Ma’gery, doutli. to T. L. Went- 
 worthe, in palle ; Anthony Butler, gent., with the iij. 
 of the defunct, in pale, wth his first wife wiffe the 
 dought. of Bladley, Late wiffe to Andrew Edmonds ; 
 and Burlassey, gent., wth the iiij. of his mother, 
 Elysabetthe, doughre and heire to John More. 
 
16 
 
 Tlion Sr. Thomas Bcnger, K., and J. Doyley, esquier, 
 then Mr. James Wentworthe and — Norreys, gent’man 
 ussher, , 
 
 And last Henry Norroys and R. AVayneman, esquirs, 
 sons-in- Lawe to the defuncte. 
 
 Then the Yeomen in blacke ij. and ij. 
 
 And then all others that wouldc. 
 
 In well order they proceed to the Churche th rouge the 
 stretes wher ye corps placyd in the myddyll of the 
 herse, the hatchements thereon, the vij. morners wthin 
 the rayles, the banner and standert wthout, at the 
 feete the iiij. banners hoi den at the iiij. corners, all as 
 after apperythe and thexecutors and assystants placyd — 
 
 William Burlassy. Anthony Butler. 
 
 R. Wayneman. H. Noreys. 
 
 jMr. Norreys 
 g. Ussher. 
 
 James 
 
 Wenwt’. 
 
 John 
 
 Doyley. 
 
 Sr. Richard 
 Blount. 
 
 Sr. Thomas 
 Benger. 
 
 Anthony Roster. 
 
 Nycholas Williams. 
 
17 
 
 The chest’ heralde Bade the prayer, wch ho dyd also 
 at other tymes as offten as foil’. : — 
 
 Blessed be God. 
 
 Then the service began, wch was the monyall p., 
 but the spalmes wher of prayse and thanksgyving for 
 the departure of the deade in the ff. of cryst. A’ the ij. 
 chapters wher on out the boke of Job, and th’other the 
 xv. of the ffirst Epist. to the Corrynthe’, wch endyd, the 
 comynyon Began, and at the offering the chieff morner 
 withe the other vj. ffollowing him and thofficers of th’ 
 armes before him p’cedyd upe to the offering wherat 
 he offering only a pece of gold for t’head penny and 
 ret’d tother places, then at th’ hoade of herse Mr. 
 Clarencienex, to Mr. Benger and Mr. Doy’ the cote 
 armes who wth Chester before him offeryd upe the 
 same, at whose hands Recyved yt and Layd yt on 
 table of admynystrcon, and they Returned to theyr 
 places. 
 
 Then Mr. C. and Mr. Wentw’, and Mr. Norreys, the 
 targett, who Lykwyse offeryd the same and returned. 
 
 Then Mr. Norreys and Mr. Wayneman reed, of Mr. 
 C. the sworde, who Likwyse offeryd the same and 
 returned. 
 
 And Last Mr. Benger and Mr. Doyley receved 
 and offeryd lykwyse th’ helme and crest and Returned 
 and toke their places. 
 
 Then the chief morner alone wth. C. before him 
 proceyded uppe and offeryd for himselfe alone and 
 Retourned to his place. 
 
 Then Mr. Benger and Mr. Poyley wth. Chester 
 before him procedy upe offeryd and returned. 
 
 Then th’other iiij. morners offeryd Lykowyse ij. 
 after ij. and returned. 
 
 Then offeryd the ij. executors wth. Rouge before 
 them and the iij. assystants, and then the other gontl’man 
 and the yeomen, and after them the Banner and L. the 
 
 c 
 
18 
 
 standred wth. R. before them. 
 
 Then the serman bygaif by Docter. 
 
 Wicho ffynysshed the commyon procedyd forward whor 
 sarten of ye whent up and Received and being endyd 
 the moners departyd fourthe of the church when the 
 officers of armes and gent, before them in good order 
 to Mr. Dormers house, fro whense they cam and ther 
 shyfted them and Ryd to Rycote to dynner. 
 
 And they being departed the corps was buryed in 
 a vault underneth the herse now made for that purpose, 
 wch. endyd, everye man departy to Rycott to dynner 
 and otherwyse at ther leasure. 
 
 The dole was gyven at Mr. Dormers house ij. a 
 peece to all person who wher about. 
 
 Item, the hatchementt Banneroolls on the morrowe 
 after was sett up in the walles of the chanchell in order 
 by the heralds who hade among them for their paynes 
 in Redy monnyffourty marks, besyde the wholl fourni- 
 ture of the herse as it stode, and their Black for their 
 gownes and cottes wch. herse ther stode styll tyll after 
 crystmaste. 
 
19 
 
 LORD WILLIAMS’ WILL. 
 
 In the name of God, &c., I, John Williams, Knight, 
 Lord Williams, of Tame, being sick of body, and yet 
 of perfect remembrance, thanks bo to God, the 18th 
 day of March, in the year of our Lord God, 1559, 
 and in the first year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, 
 do make my last will and testament in manner and 
 form following: — First, I bequeath my soul to Almighty 
 God and my body to be buried in the church of T ame, 
 in such decent manner as my executors shall think 
 convenient. Item, as concerning my lands and tene- 
 ments, I will that the manor, town, and lordship of 
 Tame, with all the parts, parcels, and appurtenances 
 of the same, with all my other lands and tenements in 
 Tame ; the manor of Challforde, with all my lands and 
 tenements in Challforde ; the manor of Stokenchurch, 
 with all my lands and tenements and hereditaments 
 in Stokenchurch, in the county of Oxford ; in the 
 lordship and my manor of Bekinsfelde, in the county 
 of Buckingham, with all my lands, tenements, and 
 hereditaments in Bekinsfelde ; and all my lands, 
 tenements and hereditaments in Marlowe, in the 
 same county ; the manors of Gulhampsted and 
 Sheffelde, and all my lands and tenements in 
 Gulhampsted and Sliefielde; the manor of Uffeton, 
 and all my lands and tenements in Uffeton ; the 
 manors of Northinxsey and Southinxsey and all my 
 lands, tenements, and hereditaments in Northinxsey 
 and Southinxsey, shall descend to my heirs by the 
 
20 
 
 common law, as a full third part of all my manors, 
 lands, and tenements, for the Queen’s Majesty, to have 
 livery and primer seisin of, or otherwise to have the 
 custody of, during the minority of mine heir, as shall 
 appertain to her highness by the laws of the realme. 
 Item, I will that the Lady Margery Williams, my most 
 loving wife, shall have during all that term, of herself, 
 these manors, lands, and tenements hereafter ensuing 
 (that is to say), my house, manor, and lordship of 
 Rycote, with all the parts, parcels, and appurtenances 
 of the same manor. Item, a certain wood called 
 Cudsden Combe, in the parish of Cudsden. Item, a 
 certain copse called Spancops and Leycops, at tayne 
 copse called Stoner’s Copse, in the county of Oxford ; 
 a certain wood called Geris Wood, in the county of 
 Buckingham ; a certain wood called Horram Wood, 
 parcel of the manor of Beckley. Item, the manor of 
 Albery, with all my lands, tenements, and heredita- 
 ments, in Albery ; the manor of Westone-on-the-Green, 
 and the rectory of the same, with all my lands, tene- 
 ments, and hereditaments in Westone-on-the-Green ; 
 the manor of Oddington, with all my lands, tenements, 
 and hereditaments in Oddington, and with certain 
 lands, tenements, and hereditaments, late Pores ; the 
 manors of Cesterton and Wendlebury, with all my 
 lands, tenements, and hereditaments in Cesterton and 
 Wendlebury ; the manor of Lewknor, some time the 
 Duke of Suffolk, with all my lands, tenements, and 
 hereditaments in Lewknor, in the county of Oxford. 
 Item, the manors of Sunningwell and Bai worth, with 
 all my lands, tenements, and hereditaments in Sunning- 
 well and Baiworth ; the manor of Chilswell, and all 
 my lands, tenements and hereditaments in Chilswell in 
 the county of Berkshire, and with all lands, tenements, 
 meadowes, pastures, leases, woods, underwoods, waters, 
 fishing, commons, adyowsons, and hereditaments to the 
 
21 
 
 said lordships and manors, or any of thorn belonging 
 or appertaining, or being accepted, reputed, or taken 
 as part, parcel, or member, of them or any of them. 
 To have and to hold the same to her for term of herself 
 for and in the name of her doury and jointure, and so 
 that she do not recover willingly any clourie in any my 
 other lands, and after the decease of my said wife, I 
 will the said lordships, manors, lands, tenements, and 
 hereditaments, and every of them before bequeathed 
 unto my said wife shall remain unto the heirs male of 
 my body begotten, and for default of such heirs to 
 Henry Norris my son-in-law, and to Margery Norreys 
 my daughter, and to the heirs male of the body of the 
 said Margery begotten, and for default of such issue to 
 the right heirs of me the said Lord Williams for ever. 
 And I further will and bequeath to my said most loving 
 wife the manor of Nottley, and all my lands, tenements, 
 and hereditaments in Nottley, the manor of Crendon, 
 and the rectory and parsonage of Crendon in the 
 county of Buckingham, with all my lands, tenements, 
 
 . commons, advowsons, hereditaments, appertaining or 
 belonging to the said manors of Nottley or Crendon or 
 to the parsonage of Crendon. To have and to hold 
 the same to my said wife for term of her life. Also 
 for and in the name of her doury and jointure, and so 
 that she do not willingly recover any doury in any my 
 other lands, and after her death the same to remain to 
 the heirs male of my body begotten, and for lack of 
 such issue to John Norris son of Henry Norris, and to 
 the heirs male of his body begotten, and for lack of 
 such issue to the right heirs of me the said Lord 
 Williams for ever. Item, I will and bequeath to my 
 trustie servant William Place the manor of Brill, with 
 all my lands, tenements, and hereditaments, called or 
 known by the name of Brill, together with a certain 
 pasture called Wellfield, to have and to hold the same 
 
22 
 
 to him for term of his life. Item, 1 give and bequeath 
 the manors of Bursfelde, Grasschull, with all the parts, 
 parcels, members, and appurtenances of the same and 
 every one of them to my brother Reginald Williams, 
 and to the heirs male of his body, and for lack of such 
 issue the remainder thereof to my right heirs for ever. 
 
 Item, I will and bequeath the rectories and 
 parsonages of Brill, Okeley, Burstall, and Eastneston, 
 to mine executors for ever, to the intent that they, or 
 the survivor or survivors of them, shall within the same 
 erect a Free School in the town of Thame, and to find 
 and sustain with the profits thereof, a schoolmaster and 
 an usher, for ever in such sort and time as my said 
 executors shall think most convenient for the main- 
 tenance of the said School for ever. 
 
 Item, I will certain lands and tenements in Siduary, 
 late parcel of Littlemore, to my executors for ever to 
 the intent therewith to augment and increase the 
 Almshouse of Thame and the living of the poor in the 
 same in such sort and time as they shall think con- 
 venient. Item, I will the manor of Leistropp and all 
 my lands and tenements known or called by the name 
 of Leistrope, to be sold by my executors, and the 
 money thereof coming to be bestowed on my burial, in 
 making of my tomb at Thame, and in payment of my 
 debts. Item, I will and bequeath to every of my 
 servants and others hereafter named, the several 
 annuities appointed unto them to be going out of these 
 manors, lands and tenements (that is to say) — the 
 manors of Horton and Beckley, the manor of Witham 
 Philipp, a pasture called Seycourte, Witham parcel of 
 Abington, Witham parcel of Eversham, Botley, 
 Challey, Stroodhill, and all my lands in Cannor. 
 Item, I will the same annuities to be paid at the feasts 
 of Saint Michael the Archangel and the Annunciation 
 of the Lady, by even portions to every of the said 
 
23 
 
 persons, and that every person shall distrain for his 
 annuity if it he unpaid in the lands aforesaid. And 
 the annuities he these — To Robert Berdge, 6/. 13s. 4d. ; 
 Michael Davy, 6/. ; Robert Rodes, 4 /. ; Henry Astell, 
 6/. 13s. 4d. ; Anthony Astee, 51. ; Henry Farrar, 51. : 
 Henry Auffrey, 4 /. ; Anthony Dockeray, 6/. 13s. 4d. ; 
 William Durden, 40s. ; George Cooke, 6/. 13s. 4d. ; 
 Thomas Husbande, 53s. 4d. ; William Suell, 41., and I 
 forarive him all the debts which he oweth me : Thomas 
 Eastwyke, Gl. 13s. 4d. ; William Thornton, 40s. ; 
 William Burlace, 51. ; William Hardinge, 51. ; William 
 Powell, 40s. ; William Cantwell, 53s. 4d. ; Thomas 
 Cowper, 40s. ; Thomas Waples, 53s. 4d. ; and to the 
 Bailiff of Sidna, for term of his life ; to Hugh Lowes, 
 41. for his life, and 20/. in money, the 20/. to be paid 
 unto him within 2 months after my death ; to William 
 Plant, 40s. ; to George Weat, 10/. for his life, the same 
 to be received by my wife, and she to have the bringing 
 up of him till he came to the age of 21 years; to 
 Francis Garlande, the keeping of Beckley Park for his 
 life, and 41. yearly, and the herbage of such beasts as 
 he hath now in herbage of in Beckley Park. Item, I 
 will and bequeath all the lands aforesaid, out of which 
 the annuities be going, and the parish of Beckley, to 
 Henry Norris and Margery my daughter, and the heirs 
 male of the body of Margery, and for lack of such 
 issue to Reginalae Williams my brother, and to the 
 heirs male of his body, and for lack of such issue, to 
 my right heirs for ever. Item, I will that all the 
 persons before named shall have their several annuities 
 for their lives, and I charge my son Norris and my 
 daughter to see them truly paid. Item, I will and 
 bequeath Crowell, with all the woods of the same, and 
 all my lands and tenements known or called by the 
 name of Crowell, to my loving wife for term of life, 
 the same wood to be spent at Rycote, and not sold or 
 
24 
 
 otherwise used. Item, I will that the house in London, 
 called Easingspittle, with the appurtenances, to my 
 wife for life. And I will that she shall suffer my 
 daughters and their husbands to have such easement and 
 commodity in the same house as they have had in my 
 life, the remainder of the same house, with the appur- 
 tenance, to Henry Norris and Margery my daughter, 
 and to the heirs male of the body of Margery, and for 
 lack of such issue the remainder to my right heirs. 
 Item, I will the manor of South Weston, with all the 
 parts, parcels, and appurtenances thereof to my 
 executors, to be sold by them, and the money thereof 
 coming to pay my debts, to be bestowed upon my 
 funeral and upon other godly uses. Item, I will the 
 manor of Siduary, with the stock of the same, to 
 mine executors for the term of three years after my 
 death, and the profits thereof coming to be bestowed 
 in the performance of my will, and, after the three 
 years ended, I will the stock shall be sold by my 
 executors, and the money thereof coming bestowed 
 upon the performance of my will, and my son Norris 
 if he be willing to buy the same stock to have it better 
 cheap the another man. And I will after the same 
 three years ended the said manor of Sydenham to 
 Henry Norris and Margery his wife and the heirs 
 male of the body of Margery, and for default of such 
 issue to Reignold Williams and the heirs male of the 
 body, and for default of such issue to my right heirs 
 for ever. Item, I do forgive and release unto Mr. 
 Ppter. Edmonds, during all his years he hath in North 
 Weston, all such rents as he shall pay for the same 
 saving only one hundred pounds, the same to be paid 
 yearly to Mrs. Clerk according to his lease, and no 
 more rent nor nothing else. And I bequeath unto him 
 all such years and term as I have in the same North 
 Weston, and all my state of inheritance in the same 
 
25 
 
 to him and his heirs. Item, I give to him all the stock 
 of sheep in Beckley park. Item, I give to Robert 
 Doyle and William Winlove all my lease and term of 
 Shobington and Pepershill equally to be divided 
 between them. Item, I give to the Right Honorable 
 Master Secretary Sycill my lease and term of Grafton. 
 And I will that the stock thereof and the stock in 
 Pepershill, and the stock in Mufferlonge be sold by my 
 executors, and the money thereof coming bestowed 
 upon the performance of my will payment of my debts 
 and other godly uses. Item, I give to my loving wife 
 the stock of sheep being upon all the grounds and 
 lands that I have bequeathed unto her. Item, I give to 
 William Plaise the stock of sheep being upon Brill and 
 Welifield. And I will that he shall honestly find John 
 Williams alias Shafford with the profit of the same 
 stock so long as he the same William liveth. And 
 after the death of the said William Plaise, I will the 
 said Brill and Welifield and the stock of the same to 
 John Williams alias Stafford during his life, the 
 remainder to Henry Norris and Margery his wife and 
 the heirs male of the body of Margery, and for lack of 
 such heirs to Raynolde Williams and his heirs for ever. 
 Item, if any doubt do arise concerning my bequest or 
 any other thing contained in my will, I will the same 
 shall be fully determined anded by my overseers, 
 and my full intent and meaning is that all persons to 
 whom any bequest be made shall stand to their order. 
 Item, I make my executors Sir Walter Myldmay, my 
 cousin John Doyley, Robarte Doyley his brother, and 
 William Place my servant. Item, 1 desire the Right 
 Honorable my Lord of Bedford, Mr. Secretary Sycill, 
 and Robert Nowell, of Gray’s Inn, and . . . Scrope, 
 of Lincolns Inn, to be my overseers and so do make 
 them. Item, I give to Christopher Edmonds my lease, 
 term of years, and all my interest and inheritance, in 
 
 D 
 
26 
 
 a certain mead in North Weston, called Ham, lying 
 along the river near Shobingdon. Item, I bequeath 
 all my rents, tenements, sometime parcel of Littlemore, 
 and sometime collected by Mr. Parrott, of Oxford, and 
 a house with the appurtenances in Tame, late pur- 
 chased of one Bunce to mine executors for ever, to be 
 bestowed upon the maintenance of the Almshouse of 
 Tame and the poor men there, according to the 
 discretion of mine executors. Item, I give to all my 
 servants such as I have made no bequest to a whole 
 year’s wages, to be paid unto them by my executors 
 within six weeks after my decease. Item, I forgive 
 John Cardeli all such debts as he oweth me. Item, I 
 give to my wife these parcel of plate hereafter ensuing 
 (that is to say) a pair of flagons, gilt, weighing 123 
 ounces, a lolle , chased with a cover, gilt, weighing 40 
 ounces, and a gilt bowl, with a cover, wherein she used 
 to drink beer. Item, a nest of bowls, with a cover, 
 gilt, weighing 83 ounces. Item, 2 salts, four square, 
 gilt, weighing 20 ounces three-quarters. A standing 
 cup, with a cover, gilt, given by the Queen’s Majesty 
 at the christening of my lady’s child. Item, another 
 standing cup, with a cover, gilt, given at the same time 
 by the Duchess of Norfolk ; another standing cup, with 
 a cover, gilt, given at the same time by the Earl of 
 Bedford ; a standing cup, with a cover, gilt, given to 
 me for a new year’s gift by the Queen’s Majesty that 
 now is. Item, a pair of flagons, parcel gilt, weighing 
 171 ounces ; 2 pots, with their covers parcel gilt, 
 weighing 87 ounces two-quarters. Item, I give unto 
 her both my basins and ewers, whereof one is gilt and 
 the other is parcel gilt. Item, 4 stock salts, parcel gilt, 
 weighing 34 ounces three-quarters. Item, 2 spoons, 
 weighing 30 ounces, and 13 spoons, weighing 25 
 ounces, d.d. Item, one pair of the two pair of great 
 white standing pots, weighing both pair together 219 
 
27 
 
 ounces. Item, I give unto her three nests of howls, 
 white, with one cover. Item, 24 silver dishes, marked 
 and engraven with my arms, weighing 128 lbs. 125 ozs., 
 and all my silver trenchers, parcel gilt, and the best 
 nest of gilt goblets, with the cover for them. Item, 
 My will and mind is, that if any parcel of the plate 
 before bequeathed to my wife be sold, or be lacking, 
 that then the same so lacking or sold shall be made up 
 and recompensed with other plate remaining at the 
 discretion of my executor’s. Item, I further give to my 
 said wife all her apparel, all her rings, all her broaches, 
 jewels, chains, bracelets, abillaments , and other such like 
 things which were either bought for her, given to her, 
 or which she has worn or hath in keeping. And I give 
 her all the plate that was made for her chamber since I 
 married with her. Item, I give to my son Norres, 600 
 of my stock of sheep going at Seycourte and Witham, 
 and the rest thereof to be sold by my executors for the 
 performance of this my will. Item, I give to William 
 Harding my lease, interest, and term of years of my 
 farm in Botley, which I hold of Lincoln College, in 
 Oxford. Item, I will my wool be sold by my executors 
 and the money thereof coming bestowed on my funeral, 
 payment of my debts, and other ways in performance 
 of my will. Item, I will all the rest of my plate, saving 
 that which I have bequeathed, shall remain to my 
 executors, to be sold, and the money thereof coming to 
 be bestowed in the performance of my will. Item, I 
 give to my loving ten Alman Rivetts, with the furniture 
 and weapons thereto pertaining, and 10 jacks, with the 
 furniture and weapons thereto pertaining. Item, I give 
 my armour for my own person to my Lord of Bedford, 
 and my baye coorser, with the furniture and sword 
 pertaining to the same armour. Item, I will the rest 
 of my armour, with the furniture and weapons of the 
 same, to be sold by my executors, and the money 
 
28 
 
 thereof coming to he bestowed in the performance of 
 my will. Item, I bequeath my term of years in Knap- 
 toft, with the stock of sheep upon the same, to be sold 
 by my executors, and the money thereof coming to be 
 bestowed in performance of this my will. Item, I give 
 to my loving wife 40 milch kyne and 2 bulls, to be 
 indifferently assigned to her by mine executors, and 
 within 6 weeks after my decease to be delivered to her. 
 Item, I give to her 8 waine oxen, with a wayne, and 
 all the furniture to be likewise appointed by mine 
 executors, and to be delivered to her within 6 weeks 
 after my death. Item, I will to her a team of cart 
 horses, 6 to a team, with all the furniture of the same, 
 and a cart, to be likewise assigned by mine executors, 
 and to be delivered within 6 weeks after my death. 
 Item, I will to my wife her own 2 nags, 2 ambling 
 geldings for her gentlewomen, with all their furniture, 
 and 1 0 other travelling geldings, with all the furniture, 
 saddles, and harness for the same, and if the said geld- 
 ings be not appointed out by me in my lifetime then I 
 will my executors to deliver the same as they think 
 reasonable within 6 weeks after my decease. Item, 
 whereas I have received and taken divers fines of 
 sundry persons for copyholds, I will that if the said 
 persons have not their copyholds, nor assurance of 
 their lands in my lifetime, that my executors shall 
 repair unto them again their fines within convenient 
 time after my death. Item, I give to Sir Mildmay 2 
 moylets and a great horse called Castaigna. Item, to 
 Mr. Drue Drury a great horse called Roundhobby, and 
 a gelding called Sorel Stanton, with the saddle and 
 furniture to the same horse called Roundhobby. Item, 
 to my Lord of Hunden a great horse called Sorrell 
 Williams. Item, to my son Norris a colt that came 
 from the court and two such of my young colts as he 
 will choose himself, and two mares of my race, and a 
 
29 
 
 stalland sucli as he will also choose himself. Item, to 
 my servant, Anthony Butler, a great horse called Cooll 
 Gallande, with the saddle and furniture of the same. 
 Item, to Sir Richard Sackville my moyle with the best 
 furniture for him. Item, to Robert Barge, a gelding 
 of the best not bequeathed, with two horse colts, and 
 a gelding called Grey Berge, which I bought of him. 
 Item, I give to the said Robert Berge, in consideration 
 of his pains to be taken in selling such horses, colts, 
 mules, and geldings as I shall will to be sold by my 
 executors, and such as they shall appoint him to sell, 
 the sum of twenty pounds. And, also, I will that my 
 executors shall bear his charges sustained about selling 
 of the same horses. Item, I give to my servant, 
 William Place, a gelding called Bayarde Oglestrop. 
 Item, I give to William Harding a nag called Coke- 
 burton. Item, I give to Secretary Cycill two nags, 
 one called Coke Horsman, the other Pearle. Item, to 
 Mr. Pominon, a gelding called Grey Bellowe. Item, I 
 give to every of my executors 50 /. a piece. Item, I 
 give to Robert Nowell and Scrope of Lincoln’s Inn, to 
 either of them 20/. within 6 weeks after my death. 
 Item, I will that my executors shall bestow in the 
 repairing and amending of the footway between Oxford 
 and Botley 30/. within such time after my death, and 
 more or less than 30/. as they shall think meet. Item, 
 I will that my executors shall relieve and liberally help 
 according to their descriptions, and the great trust 
 that I put in them, such of my servants as I have 
 given no annuities or yearly living unto. Item, I give 
 unto my daughter Norris and my daughter Waynman, 
 to either of them, one standing cup with a cover gilt. 
 Item, to Mr. Bayley, of Oxford, physician, pasture 
 and herbage for two geldings yearly, during all his 
 life, in Beckley Park, and my damask gown last made 
 and furred with covey. Item, to my brother, Lord 
 
30 
 
 Wetworth, my best gown furred with sables. Item, 
 to Sir Ambrose Cane my gown of black velvet 
 embroidered, and the cote to the same. Item, to my 
 Lord Robert Dudley, master of the horses, a black 
 mare called Mande Mulford, with her colt of the last 
 year, which mare I take to be the best marc in England. 
 Item, I give to Sir Walter Myldmay my gowne furred 
 with susarms. Item, to my cousin John Doyly my 
 damask gown furred with sables which was last made. 
 Item, to Robert Nowell, for his painstaking about my 
 will 20 marks and one of my best colts, to be appointed 
 by my executors. Item, to my loving wife the hang- 
 ings, bed curtains, and all other the furniture of her 
 chamber, and the furniture of her bed in as good and 
 large manner as it was the day of her marriage. Item, 
 I do give unto her the beds, hangings, and furniture, 
 in all things, as quilt, covering, and such things of 2 
 of my best chambers at Ricote, to be chosen out by 
 herself. Item, all the beds with the furniture of all 
 the chambers and lodgings, and the furniture for the 
 same beds in the new lodging, and the old without the 
 moat at Rycote. Item, I will that if any of the beds 
 or furniture or other things, which commonly have 
 been in those chambers before recited, be lacking or 
 not within the same, that then they shall be furnished 
 by mine executors in such sort as they have been in 
 time past, as she to have the same furnished. Item, I 
 give to her all her apparel and ornaments for her body 
 in everything. Item, to my cousin, John Doyly, 2 of 
 my colts to be indifferently appointed by my executors. 
 Item, I give to my daughter Norris and my daughter 
 Waynman, the beds and furniture of two of my cham- 
 bers at Rycote being the best after my wife hath chosen 
 as is before said, and the said to be assigned indiffer- 
 ently by mine executors if they cannot agree in the 
 choice of the same. Item, I give to Margery Winlove 
 
31 
 
 my niece, 6 feather beds with the holsters of the same, 
 and 2 garnish of pewter vessels to be appointed out by 
 my executors. Item, I desire and straightly charge 
 my executors to see all my debts paid whether they be 
 due by writings or not. Item, I give to my wife two 
 parts of all my drapery and linen, and the third part 
 thereof to my daughter Norris and my daughter 
 Waineman, to be indifferently divided amongst them. 
 And I will that my two daughters shall consider my 
 two nieces Elizabeth Doyly and Margery Winlove, 
 with some such portion of their parts of linen as they 
 shall think convenient. And if my wife and daughters 
 cannot agree in the division of their linen, I will the 
 same to be equally assigned out by my executors. 
 Item, I will that my wife shall have the use and 
 occupying during her life of all the kitchenstuff, pots, 
 pans, rack, spits, and such other things for the kitchen, 
 of all pewter vessels remaining not bequeathed, of all 
 leads, copper, and brewing vessels and buttery vessels, 
 all stools, chairs, tables, forms, cupboards, chests, and 
 such other implements of household, as cushions, and 
 divers carpets, counterpoints, fire-pans, remaining, and 
 being either at my house at Rycote or at my house in 
 London, and all the same kitchenstuff, buttery vessels, 
 brewing vessels, and other things last before bequeathed, 
 to remain after her decease to my daughter Margery 
 Norris, or to such other of my blood as shall have 
 Rycote after me. Item, I give to my wife all such 
 linen as was provided or bought against the christening 
 of the child and her lying in childbed wholly and 
 entirely over and besides the linen before bequeathed 
 unto her. Item, I give certain parcel of diaper which 
 have not been cut, and which be in my study to my 
 executors to be sold by them, and the money thereof 
 coming bestowed in the payment of my debts and per- 
 formance of my will. Item, the names of the geldings 
 
32 
 
 which I will my wife to have with the furniture of the 
 same, be these Morrell Williams, Sorrell Rufford, Great 
 Bayardo, Bayard Thomson, Cole Cantwell, Cole Thesse, 
 Littell Bayarde, Rone Curtail, a grey gelding lately 
 broken, Gray Milliner, that is to say two more I have 
 bequeathed her before. Item, the two cart horses. 
 Item, I give to Margery Wynlove four kyne. Item, I 
 give to my wife two parts of all my corn and grain 
 being in any my barns or houses, and two parts of my 
 hay and straw, and the third part thereof I will shall 
 be sold by my executors and the money thereof coming 
 bestowed in performance of my will. Item, I give to 
 my wife all the corn and grain growing upon any the 
 lands or grounds that I have before bequeathed unto 
 her. Item, I will that she shall have the preferment 
 in buying the household stuff, in buying horses, or any 
 other thing that is to be sold by my executors, and 
 that she shall have them better cheap than any other, 
 and next to her I will my two daughters shall have 
 the preferment. Item, I give to either of my nieces, 
 Elizabeth Doyly and Margery Wynlove, 20/. a piece, 
 to be paid unto them at the discretion of my executors 
 in convenient time. Item, I will that my executors 
 shall bestow all the rest of my goods and chattels, not 
 before bequeathed, and which hereafter be bequeathed, 
 to any upon the preferment of my kinsfolk, helping 
 and relieving of my servants, repairing and amending 
 of the highways, and upon other godly and charitable 
 uses. Item, I will the manor of Comlier, in Wales, 
 with all the lands, tenements, and hereditaments per- 
 taining to the same, to mine executors, and that the 
 same shall be sold by my executors, and the money 
 thereof coming bestowed in payment of my debts, 
 performance of my will, and other godly uses. Item, 
 I give to my wife the saddles and furniture, as well for 
 her own nag as her gentlewomen’s geldings. Item, I 
 
33 
 
 give to my two nephews, John Williams and Nicholas 
 Williams, to either of them 20/., to be paid by my 
 executors in convenient time after my death. Item, I 
 will that the house of the farm at Botley, with all the 
 buildings of the same, which I have before bequeathed 
 to William Harding, be sufficiently and tenantably 
 repaired in all things by my executors, and they to 
 find and bear the charge thereof, and the same to be 
 done within two years after my death. Item, where- 
 before I have willed that mine executors should repair 
 and amend the footway between Oxford and Botley, I 
 will they shall do the same substantially. And further, 
 that they shall make the arches of the bridge of stone, 
 both for the horseway and footway in such sort, as the 
 same may have a long continuance. I will that if I 
 have done any wrong or any injury to any man 
 willingly, whereby he hath sustained loss, that mine 
 executors shall consider the person so wronged, and 
 see him recompensed in convenient time. I give to 
 Mr. Mynde, mine attorney-in-the-law, 20/. in money 
 and 53s. 4d. yearly, to be paid unto him by mine 
 executors, so long as they have his help, travail, and 
 furtherance in any matters of mine, or any matters or 
 business touching the performance of my last will and 
 testament. Item, wherebefore I have willed divers 
 manors, and certain parcels of land, to mine executors 
 to sell, and the money thereof coming to be bestowed 
 in manner and form declared before and no time 
 appointed or expressed in which they should be so 
 sold. I will they shall have a year at least after my 
 death for the selling of the same, and a further conve- 
 nient time if they cannot conveniently sell the same 
 so soon. Item, wherebefore I have conveyed the lease 
 of my farm of Stokehamond to Edmande Stanton, my 
 servant, and received 20/. and a gelding for the same, 
 I will that if the same farm be lawfully evicted or 
 
34 
 
 gotten from him and then he shall have his 20 /. paid 
 him again, and so recompensed for his gelding, as my 
 executor shall think meet. Item, where I have be- 
 queathed sundry manors, lands, and tenements, to 
 divers persons, whereupon corn, grain, and pulse is 
 growing. I will that mine executors shall have all the 
 same corn, grain, and pulse, except always such corn, 
 grain, and pulse, which is growing upon any the lands 
 bequeathed to my wife, all the which corn, grain, and 
 pulse. I will and give to her, as I have before done. 
 Item, I give and bequeath unto my nephew, Francis 
 Williams, all my manor of Comber, and the site 
 thereof, houses and buildings thereto, belonging, with 
 the domains belonging to the same, and all my lands 
 and tenements, rents, revercons, and service in Comber 
 aforesaid, in the county of Montgomery, with the 
 appurtenances and all my manor, lands, tenements, 
 rents, revercons, and service in Givernogoff, in the 
 county of Montgomery aforesaid, with a ground called 
 Giverneymygyngh, belonging to Givernogoff aforesaid, 
 with all and singular their appurtenances. To have 
 and to hold all the said manors, lands, and tenements, 
 and all other the premises to my said nephew, Francis, 
 and to his heirs for ever. And also I give and bequeath 
 to Robert Hawkes, my servant, 20/., to Edward Mace, 
 my servant, 20/., to John Barber, my servant, 10/., to 
 John Gascoigne, my servant, 10/., all which legacies 
 to be paid to the parties by my executors within 6 
 weeks of my death. Item, I give and bequeath to my 
 niece Honor Cheney 20/. to her marriage, to be paid 
 to her likewise by my executors at such time as they 
 shall think good by their discretion. Item, I give and 
 bequeath to my niece Margery Winlove 40/. in money, 
 to be paid her by my executors within one year after 
 my death. Item, I give and bequeath to my brother, 
 Mr. James Waintworth, all my farm interest, and term 
 
35 
 
 of years yet to come of and in my farm called the Frise, 
 in the county of Oxford. And, also, I will that he 
 shall pay yearly out of the said farm one annuity of 
 10/. by the year to one George Williams, now at 
 Winchester School, and also to one Leonard Williams 
 being now brought up at Brill one other annuity of 
 10/. by the year. The same annuities to be paid 
 during the term of years yet to come in the said last. 
 Also I give and bequeath to my nephew Nicholas 
 Williams all that my manor called Arbor in the county 
 of Berks, with all lands, tenements, rents, reversions, 
 and service to the same belonging or appertaining, to 
 have and to hold the same manor, lands, tenements, 
 rents, reversions, and service with the appurtenances, 
 to my said nephew, Nicholas and the heirs male of his 
 body lawfully begotten, and for default of such issue, 
 to descend to my right heirs for ever. Item, I give 
 and bequeath to Rowland Sprot, my servant and 
 steward 20/. in money for his year’s wages, and other 
 20/. in money by way of reward for his services hereto- 
 fore done, the said 40/. to be paid to the said Rowland 
 by my executors within 6 weeks after my death. Also 
 1 give and bequeath to Mr. Bayly, physician in Oxford, 
 20 marks in money in part of consideration of his pains 
 heretofore taken with me and my wife, for counsel in 
 physic, the same 20 marks to be paid to him by my 
 executors within one half-year after my death. Also I 
 will that my executors cause to be given amongst the 
 poor people in Thame the sum of 20/. in money, to be 
 distributed according to their discretions, within one 
 half-year after my death. Item, I give and bequeath 
 to my servant, William Atkins, all my lands, tene- 
 ments, rents, reversions, and services Cwnbyga, in the 
 county of Mongondy, and all my lands, tenements, 
 and hereditaments, called and known by the name of 
 Cambiga, to have and to hold the same lands and 
 
36 
 
 tenements, with their appurtenances, to the said 
 William Atkins and to his heirs for ever. Item, I 
 give to Thomas Webster, my servant, 20/. in money, 
 in consideration of his pains to be taken hereafter as 
 well in prosecution of causes touching this my last will 
 and testament, and also in writing and taking pains in 
 such things as shall be required at his hands by my 
 executors touching the execution of the same ; and the 
 same 20/. to be paid to the said Thomas Webster by 
 my executors within one half-year after my death. 
 Also, I will and bequeath to my loving wife, Margery 
 Williams, one hundred pounds in money to be paid to 
 her by my executors presently after my death. Item, 
 1 give and bequeath to my son Norroy's children (that 
 is to say), to William Norris 40/. in money, to John 
 Norris 40/. in money, to Edward Norris 40/. in money, 
 to Henry Norris 40/. in money, and to Thomas Norris 
 40/. in money, all of which legacies I will my executors 
 shall pay unto the parties above written within one 
 year after my death. Also, where I do owe to my 
 servant, John Butler, certain money to the value of 
 22/. or thereabouts, I will that my executors shall, 
 upon taking his account, see him contented and paid 
 according to right, the same to be done within six 
 weeks after my death. 
 
37 
 
 COPY OF ENGLISH DOCUMENT RELATING 
 TO GRAMMAR SCHOOL AND ALMS-HOUSES 
 IN THAME, NOW LYING IN THE MUNIMENT 
 ROOM IN THE PARISH CHURCH. 
 
 This Indenture, made the first daye of August, in 
 the sevententh yere of the raigne of our sovereigne 
 layde Elizabeth by the grace of God Quene of England, 
 Ffrannce, and Ireland, defendour of the faith, &c., 
 Betwene Robert Doilye, of Merton, in the countye of 
 Oxford, Esquyer, and William Place, of Lurgishall, in 
 the Countye of Buck, gentleman, executours of the 
 last will and testament of Sir John Williams, Knyglit, 
 late Lorde Williams, of Thame, deceased, of the one 
 partye, and the wardens and schollers of the Colledge 
 of our blessed ladye in Oxford, called Saynt Marye 
 College of Wynchester, on thother partye, Witnesseth, 
 that whereas the said late Lord Williams, of his good 
 and vertuous disposition toward the good and godlye 
 education of the youth of his countrye, did by his last 
 will and testament put in writynge in his lyfe tyme, 
 give certen land, tenement, and hereditament to the 
 said Robert Doylye and William Place, and to others 
 his executours, whose estate and interest therein, the 
 said Robert Doylye and William Place, holye nowe 
 have to theude and intent, that his said executours, or 
 the survyvors or survivor of theym shoulde, in as 
 convenyent tyme as might be after his decease, bestowe 
 
38 
 
 and ymploye the same land, tenement, and heredita- 
 ment, in and upon the mayntenannce of a free Grammer 
 Schoole, for the education and bringinge uppe of yonge 
 children, and upon other charitable and godlye uses 
 within the Towne of Thame, in the said Countye of 
 Oxford. And whereas, the said Robert Doylye and 
 William Place, sythens the death of the said late 
 Lorde Williams, for the better and more sufficient 
 aceomplishement of the good intent and meanynge of 
 the said last Will, have obteyned and purchased to 
 theym and to their lieyres, certen Land, Tenement, 
 and hereditament, hereafter in this Indenture also 
 mencioned, scituate, lyinge, and beinge in Newe 
 Thame, within the said Countye of Oxford. Nowe 
 the said Robert Doylye and William Place, who have 
 ever sythens the decase of the said late Lorde Williams, 
 solye taken upon theym the execution of the said Will, 
 for the true and faythfull executynge, aceomplishement, 
 and perfectinge of the said godlye intent and purpose, 
 and for the better disharge of the Truste in theym 
 therein reposed, havinge, upon good advise and delibe- 
 ration for diverse speciali causes and considerations, 
 chosen the said Warden and Schollers and their 
 successours, in whome they meane to repose the trust 
 for the contynuall ymployinge and bestowynge of the 
 proffitt of the said land, tenement, and hereditament, 
 accordinge to the mynde and Will of the said late 
 Lord Williams, and accordinge to suche composition 
 as, is, and shall be made for the disposition thereof. 
 The said Robert Doylye and William Place, for theym, 
 their heyres, executours, admynystratours, and assign- 
 ed, doe covenannt and grant, to, and with, the said 
 Warden and Schollers and their successors, that they, 
 the said Robert Doyly and William Place, or the 
 survivor of theym, or the heyres, executours, admyn- 
 ystrators, or assigned of them, or of the survyvor of 
 
39 
 
 theym, at tlieir, some of their, proper cost and charg, 
 shall, and will, before the feast of the natyvitye 
 of our Lorde God next followynge the date hereof, 
 convey, and assure, or cause to be conveyed and 
 assured, with warranty of theym, and their heyres 
 agaynst theym, the said Robert Doylye and William 
 Place, their heyres and assigneis onelye unto the 
 said Warden and Schollers and their successors, all 
 and singuler the mesuag, land, tenement and here- 
 ditament, hereafter in theis present Indentures men- 
 cyoned. That is to saye, all that capitali mesuage 
 or house newlye buylded in Olde Thame, in the said 
 Countye of Oxford, called the Schoole house, with a 
 gardyn and orchard and a curtilage thereunto adjacent 
 and lyinge. And all and singuler buyldinge, edific, 
 comodityes, easement, watercourses, soyle and here- 
 ditament whatsoever to the same capitali, mesuage or 
 house belonginge or appertynynge or therewith or 
 thereunto now used or occupyed. And also all that, 
 the rent of thirtye and six pound of good and lawful! 
 monye of England yerelye issuyng and goynge forth 
 of the mannour of Brylle with the appurtenance in 
 the said Countye of Buck, and forth of the Personag 
 or Rectories of Brill, Okeley and Borstall, with their 
 appurtenance in the same Countye of Buck : and forth 
 of one mesuage or tenement with the appurtenance in 
 Brille aforesaid, called Lane’s tenement, and forth of 
 dyverse land, tenement and hereditament in Borstall, 
 Brylle and Okeley aforesaid. And also all the annual! 
 rent of fourtye two shilling yerelye yssuynge and 
 goynge forth of one mesuage or tenement, with the 
 appurtenance in New Thame in the said Countye of 
 Oxforde, and now or of late in the tenure or occupa- 
 cion of Johane Robothome, widowe. And also all 
 that mesuage or tenement, with the appurnannc in 
 Newe Thame aforesaid, nowe or late in the tenure or 
 
40 
 
 occupation of Thomas Symeon or his assigneis. And 
 also all that Rectorye and Churche of Eastneston, with 
 the appurtenannc, in the Cour ' ^ XT Jl 
 
 tenement, rent, tythes, oblacions, obvencions, pentions, 
 portions, proffitt, comodities, emolument and heredita- 
 ment whatsoever, with the appurtenannc as well 
 spirituali as temporali scituate, lyinge and beinge in 
 Eastneston aforesaid, orells wheresoever in the said 
 Countye of Northampton, and in the County e of 
 Bedford, or in the one of theym, to the same Rectory 
 by any manner of meane belonginge or appertayninge, 
 or as member or parcell of the same Rectorye before 
 this at anye tyme estemed, accompted, knowne, 
 accepted, used, demised, or lett. And all that mesuage 
 or tenement, with the appurtenannc, and sixe yard and 
 a halfe of lande, with the appurtenannc, in Sydnam, 
 in the said Countye of Oxforde, nowe or of late in the 
 tenure or occupacyon of one Walter Northe, or his 
 assigneis. And all that cotage and one Close of lande, 
 contaynynge by estymacyon, one yarde and three 
 acres of errable lande, with the appurtenannc in 
 Sydnam aforesaid, nowe or of late in the tenure or 
 occupation of John Springholde, or his assigneis. And 
 all that cotage and one Close of lande, conteynynge, 
 by estimacion, one yarde and three acres of errable 
 lande, with the appurtenannc in Sydnam aforesaid, 
 now or late in the tenure or occupacion of Simon 
 Stephans, or his assigneis. And also, all that cotage 
 and one Close of lande, conteynynge, by estimacion. 
 one yarde and three acres of errable lande, with the 
 appurtenannc in Sydnam aforesaid, and nowe or late 
 in the tenure or occupacion of Henrye Gibson, or his 
 assigneis. And all that mesuage and one yarde of 
 lande, comonlye called Chapman’s, with the appur- 
 tenannc in Eastheurid, in the Countye of Berk, and 
 
 And all and singuler houses, 
 
41 
 
 nowe or late in the tenure or occupacion of William 
 Hyde, or liis assigneis. And all that mesuage and one 
 yard of lande, comonlye called Ffynnamoures, with 
 the appurtenannc in Eastheuryd aforesaid, and nowe 
 or late in the tenure or occupacion of the said William 
 Hyde, or his assigneis. And also, all that mesuage 
 and halfe yard of lande, with the appurtenannc in 
 Eastheuryd aforesaid, and nowe or late in the tenure 
 or occupacion of Thomas Holmes, or his assigneis. 
 And all that mesuage and halfe yarde of lande, with 
 the appurtenannc in Eastheuryd aforesaid, and nowe 
 or late in the tenure or occupacion of Johane Carpenter, 
 or her assigneis. And all that tenement, together with 
 certen lande and tenement to the same tenement 
 apperteynynge, with the appurtenannc in Eastheuryd 
 aforesaid, and nowe or late in the tenure or occupacion 
 of Robert Whytinge, or his assigneis. And all that 
 Close of lande, comonlye called Royle’s Close, con- 
 teynynge, by estimation, three roode of lande, with 
 the appurtenannc in Eastheuryd aforesaid, and nowe 
 or late in the tenure or occupation of Richard Holmes, 
 or his assigneis. All whiche premisses, in Eastheuryd 
 aforesaid, were late parcell of the late priorye of 
 Litilmore, and sometyme collected by Robert Parrott, 
 of Oxforde. And also, all those two mesuage or tene- 
 ment, with the appurtenannc, in Newe Thame aforesaid, 
 sometyme in the tenure of Richard Bunce, and nowe 
 or late in the tenure or occupacion of Robert Phillipps, 
 alias Coxe, or his assigneis. And all that mesuage or 
 tenement, with the appurtenannc, in Newe Thame 
 aforesaid, and nowe or late in the tenure or occupacion 
 of Nicholas Stanton or his assigneis. To have, holde, 
 perceyve, take and enjoye the aforesaid rent, mesuage, 
 lande, tenement, cotage, rectoryes, and all and 
 singuler other the premysses before expressed and 
 specified, with all and singuler their appurtenannc 
 
 F 
 
42 
 
 to the foresaid Warden and Schollers and their 
 successors for ever, to the onelye and severall uses, 
 behoofes, intent and purposes hereafter in this In- 
 denture to be specified, declared, expressed and 
 lymyted, and to no other use, behoofe, intent or 
 purpose, in part of the accomplishement of all whiche 
 premisses, and to the ende and intent the said last 
 Will of and concernynge the same premysses, shall 
 and may be duly accomplished and performed accord- 
 ingly. And for other the considerations aforesaid, 
 the said Robert Doylye and William Place do by 
 these present give and grante unto the said Warden 
 and Schollers and their successours, all and singuler 
 deedes, evidenc, charters, writing, escript, court rolles, 
 rentalls, exemplifications of recorde, surveys, terrers 
 and munyment whatsoever touchinge and concerynge 
 onelye the premysses above by theis present mentioned 
 to be bargayned and solde or onelye concernynge any 
 part or parcell of theym. All which dede, evidenc, 
 charters, writing, escript, courte rolles, rentalls, exem- 
 plifications of record, surveys, terrours, and munyment, 
 or as many of theym as the said Robert Doylye and 
 William Place nowe have, or the one of theym nowe 
 hath, in his or their hands, custodye or possession, or 
 whiche nowe be in the hand, custodye or possession of 
 any other person or persons to his or their use or uses, 
 or by his or their delyverye, or whiche the said 
 Robert Doylye and William Place, or the one of theym 
 maye laufulye gett, obtayne or come by without suyte 
 in lawe, together with the true coppye and copies of 
 all other deed, evidenc, charters, writinges, escripte, 
 court rolles, rentalls, exemplifications of record, surveys, 
 terrours and mynyment, being in the custody or pos- 
 session of the saifl Robert Doily and William Place, 
 or either of theym, or whiche they or either of theym 
 maye laufullye come by without suyte in the lawe, 
 
43 
 
 touchinge or concernynge the premises above by theis 
 present covenanted to be conveyed and assured, or 
 any parte thereof joyntlye with any other land, tene- 
 ment or hereditament ; the same copy or copies to be 
 written at the cost and charges of the said Robert 
 Doylye and William Place, or of the survyvour of 
 theym, or the heyres, executours or admynystratours 
 of the survivour of theym, the said Robert Doylye 
 and William Place, for theym, their heyres, executours 
 and admynystratours, do, by these present covenannt, 
 promyse and grannte to delyver, or cause to be 
 delyvered to the said Warden, or to the Warden of 
 the said Colledge for the tyme beinge requyringe the 
 same, before the feast of the annunciacion of our lady 
 the virgyn next followynge the date hereof, hole, safe 
 and undefaced. And the said Robert Doylye and 
 William Place, for theym, their heyres, executours 
 and admynystratours, do covenannte, promyse and 
 grannte to, and with the said Warden and Schollers 
 and their successours by theis present in manner and 
 form following ; That is to say, that they, the said 
 Robert Doylye and William Place, their heyres or 
 assigneis, at all and everye tyme and tymes hereafter, 
 and from tyme to tyme duringe the space of two yeres 
 next ensuynge the date hereof, at the reasonable 
 request of the Warden of the said Colledge for the 
 tyme being, shall and will do, make, and knowledge 
 and suffer to be done, made and knowledged, with 
 warrannty agaynst theym and their heyres, and agaynst 
 all and every other person and persons havinge or 
 laufullye claymynge to have any right, title, or interest 
 in the premisses or any part thereof, by, from, or under 
 theym, or any of theym, all and every such further 
 laufull and reasonable act and acts, thing and things, 
 devise and devises in the lawe whatsoever, for the 
 further and more better assuringe and sure makinge of 
 
44 
 
 all and singuler the premisses, before by theis present 
 covennanted to bo assured and conveyed to the saide 
 Warden and Schollers and their successours for ever, 
 to the uses, behoofes, intent and purposes, accordinge 
 to the true intent, purport and meanyng of this 
 Indenture, as shall be from tymo to tyme reasonably 
 devised, advised and requyred by the Warden of the 
 said Colledge for the tyme beinge, or by his counsell 
 learned in the laws of this realme ; be it by fyne, 
 feoffament, recovery with duble or single voucher or 
 vouchers, dede or deds inrolled, the inrolment of theis 
 presents release, confirmation with warranty of the 
 said Robert Doylye and William Place and their 
 heyres agaynst theym, the said Robert Doylye and 
 William Place and their and either of their hyres, 
 onely or otherwise with lyke warranntye, or without 
 warrannty, by all the wayes and meanes, or by any or 
 some of theym, or otherwise at the erection, will, and 
 pleasure of the Warden of the said Colledge for the 
 tyme being, and at the proper and onelye cost and 
 charge in the law of the said Robert Doylye and 
 William Place, or the survivor of theym. And further, 
 the said Robert Doyly doth covenannte, promyse and 
 grannte to, and with, the said Warden and Schollers 
 and their successours by theis present, that he, the 
 said Robert Doylye shall and will, at all tymes from 
 henceforth, at his owne proper cost and charge, clerely 
 exonerate and discharge, or otherwise upon sufficient 
 notyce and request, save and kepe harmeles, as well 
 the said Warden and Schollers and their successours, 
 as also the said mesuages, rent, land, tenement, and all 
 other the premisses by theis present covenannted to be 
 assured or conveyed, and every part and parcell there- 
 of, with all and singuler their appurtenanne of, and 
 from all and all manner of former bargaynes, former 
 sales, guyft, grant, titles, right, joyntures, dowers, 
 
45 
 
 uses, Will, intayles, leases, alyenacions, intrusions, 
 mortgage, forfeitures, conditions, judgement, execu- 
 tions, rent, annuyties, statut, merchant statut, of the 
 staple recognyzances, liveries, ouster-le-mayne, and of 
 and from all other charges, titles, troubles and incum- 
 brance whatsoever hadd, made or done before the 
 sealying and delyverie hereof by the said Robert 
 Doylye, or by any other person or personnes lawfullye 
 claymynge by, from, or under the said Robert Doylye 
 before the same sealinge and delyverye ; except, as 
 hereafter is excepted accordinge to the true intent and 
 meanynge of theis present. And the said William 
 Place for hym, his heyres, executours, admynystra- 
 tours and assigneis, doth covenannt, promyse and 
 grannt to, and with the said "Warden and Schollers 
 and their successours by these present, that he, and 
 they, shall and will, at all tymes, from henceforth for 
 ever, at his or their owne proper cost and charge, 
 clerelye exonerate and discharge, or otherwise, upon 
 sufficient notyce and request, save and kepe harmeles, 
 as well the said Warden and Schollers and their 
 successours, as also the said mesuage, rent, land, 
 tenement, and all other the premisses by theis present 
 covenannted to be assured,' or conveyed, and every 
 part and parcell thereof, with all and singuler their 
 appurtenannc of, and from all and all manner of 
 former bargaynes, former sales, gift, grannt, titles, 
 right, joyntures, dowers, uses, willes, intayles, leases, 
 alienations, intrusions, mortgage, forfeitures, condi- 
 tions, judgement, executions, rent, annuyties, statut, 
 merchant statut of the staple recognyzannces, liveries, 
 ouster-le-mayne, and of and from all other charge, 
 titles, trobles, and incombrannc whatsoever hadd, 
 made, or done before the sealinge and delyverye 
 hereof by the said William Place, or by any other 
 person or persons lawfullye claymynge by, from, or 
 
46 
 
 under the said William Place. Exopt allwaye out 
 of theis present, one lease made by Indenture by the 
 said Robert Doylye and William Place to Richard 
 Waye, of Thame, aforesaid, of one mesuage or tene- 
 ment, with the appurtenannc in New Thame aforesaid, 
 nowe or late in the tenure or occupacion of Thomas 
 Symeon, or his assigneis, dated the last daye of 
 Marche, in the sevententh yere of the reigne of our 
 said soveraigne ladye Queue Elizabeth, for the terme 
 of nynety-nyne yeres, whereupon the yerelye rent of 
 fyve pound two shilling foure pence is reserved, and 
 also excepted the demyse, lease and grannt of suche 
 other mesuage, houses, land, tenement, and heredita- 
 ment, with their appurtenannc, scituate, lyinge and 
 beinge in Sydnam aforesaid, as bene in and by the 
 same Indenture bearinge date the said last daye of 
 Marche, in the said sevententh yere mencyoned to be 
 demysed, grannted or leased by the said Robert Doylye 
 and William Place to the said Richard Waye, for and 
 duringe suche yeres, and in suche manner and forme 
 as in the same Indenture is lymyted and expressed. 
 And also, excepted one other lease made by Indenture 
 by the said Robert Doylye and William Place to 
 Henry Gibson, of Sydnam, aforesaid, of a tenament 
 or cotage, and certen land in Sydnam, in the said 
 Countye of Oxford, dated the twentith daye of 
 August, in the fouretenth yere of the raigne of our 
 said soveraigne ladye Quene Elizabeth, for the terme 
 of one and thirtye yeres, whereupon the yerelye rent 
 of six shilling eight pence is reserved. And also, 
 excepted one other lease made by Indenture by the 
 said Robert Doylye and William Place to Maulde 
 Stephans, widowe, of a tenement or cotage, and certen 
 land in Sydnam aforesaid, dated the twentith daye of 
 August, in the fouretenth yere of the raigne of our 
 said soveraigne ladye Quene Elizabeth, for the term of 
 
47 
 
 one and twentye yeres, whereupon the yerelye rent of 
 six shilling and eight pence is reserved. And also, 
 excepted one other lease made by Indenture by the 
 said Robert Doylye and William Place to Robert 
 Phillipps, alias Coxe, of two messuage or tenement in 
 Newe Thame aforesaid, dated the three and twentith 
 daye of Aprill, in the sevententh yere of the raigne of 
 our said soveraigne ladye Quene Elizabeth, for the 
 term of fiftye-one yeres, whereupon the yereley rent of 
 fortye shilling is reserved. And also, excepted one 
 other lease made by Indenture by the said Robert 
 Doylye and William Place to Phillippe Kinge and the 
 said Richard Waye, of the Rectory e and Personage of 
 Eastneston, in the Countye of Northampton aforesaid, 
 dated the first daye of April, in the said sevententh 
 yere of the raigne of our said soveraigne ladye Quene 
 Elizabeth, for terme of nynetye-nyne yeres, whereupon 
 the yerelye rent of foure pound is reserved. And also, 
 excepted one other lease made by Indenture by the said 
 Robert Doylye and William Place to Richard Holmes, 
 of a Close in Eastheuryd, in the Countye of Berk, dated 
 the sixtenth daye of Marche, in the thirtenth yere of the 
 raigne of our said soveraigne ladye Quene Elizabeth, 
 for the terme of one and twenty yeres, whereupon the 
 yerelye rent of twenty pence is reserved. And also 
 excepted one other lease made by Indenture by the 
 said Robert Doylye and William Place to Richard 
 Pytman, of a mesuage or tenement, with the appur- 
 tenannc in Newe Thame aforesaid, late in the tenure 
 of Nicholas Stanton or his assigneis, dated the fourth 
 day of Aprill in the said sevententh yere of the raigne 
 of our said soveraigne ladye Quene Elizabeth, for the 
 terme of nynetye-nyne yeres, whereupon the yerelye 
 rent of fiftye-three shilling four pence is reserved. In 
 Consideration of which covenannt, grannt and other 
 conveyannc to be made as is aforesaid, and to the 
 
48 
 
 intent that the said godlye purpose and good meanynge 
 of the aforesaid late Lorde Williams may be in every 
 respect furthered, accomplished, perfected and duly 
 executed, the said Warden and Schollers for theym and 
 their successours do covenannt, promise and grannt to, 
 and with, the said Robert Doylye -and William Place, 
 their heyres, executours and admynystratours by theis 
 present, in manner and forme followynge : — That is to 
 say, that they, the said Warden and Schollers and 
 their successours for ever shall and will, with suche 
 profitt and comodityes yerely arysinge, growinge or 
 comynge of the premisses, or anye parte thereof, as 
 they or any of theym shall or maye laufullye have, 
 recyve, or take, well and dulye for ever upholde 
 and mayntayne a free grammer schole for the free 
 teachinge and exercise of grammer in the said capitali 
 mesuage in Olde Thame aforesaid, there newelye 
 buylded and called the schole house, and in none 
 other place, except in tyme of plage or other contage- 
 ious sickness in Thame aforesaid, accordinge to suche 
 statut, rewles and ordynannc as bene conteyned in one 
 seedule or composition to these present Indentures 
 annexed. And shall and will also with such other 
 profitt of the premises as is aforesaid for ever fynde, 
 susteyne and mayntyne a schoolemaister and an 
 usher ; that is to saye, one honest and discrete person 
 sufficientlye furnyshed and inhabited with learnyng, 
 discretion and other good qualityes for a schoolemaister 
 or cheife theacher, and one other honest and discrete 
 person likewise sufficiently inhabited with learnynge 
 for an usher or under teacher, to instruct, teache, and 
 bringe uppe chyldren and others in the rules of gram- 
 mer in the said capitali mesuage called the schoole 
 house ; except in tyme of plage or other contagious 
 sicknes in Thame aforesaid, for ever, accordinge to the 
 said statut, rules and ordynannc made, agreed upon 
 
and sett fourth as is aforesaid. And shall and will also 
 yerelye and everye yere for ever, with the rent, yssues 
 and proffitt of the premysses, from tyme to tyme, well 
 and trulye paye or cause to be payed to the scliool- 
 maister, usher, and other the persons hereafter men- 
 tyoned, the severall sommes of monye hereafter in tlieis 
 present perticulerly expressed, lymyted and declared. 
 That is to say, to every suche scholemaster of the said 
 scliole for the tyme beinge, for and in the name of his 
 yerelye salarye, stipend or wage, the somme of twentye- 
 sixe pound thirtene shilling foure pence of good and 
 in laufull monye of England, at foure teymes in the 
 yere. That is to saye, at the feast of the natyvitye of 
 our Saviour Christe, of the annunciation of the Virgyn 
 Marye, of the natyvitye of Saynt John Baptist, and of 
 Saynt Michaell the Archanngell, or within thirtye 
 dayes next after every of the said feast by even 
 portions ; and to everye suche ussher for the tyme 
 beinge, for and in the name of his yerelye salarye, 
 stipend or wage, the somme of thirtene pound sixe 
 shilling eight pence of lyke monye, at the same foure 
 severall feast, or within thirtye dayes next after every 
 of the same feast by even porcyons without any 
 deteynynge or witholdinge of any parte or parcell of 
 the said severall sallaries, stipend or wages, or any 
 part or parcell of theym, or anye of theym, from the 
 said schoolemaister or ussher, to be due unto hym, 
 theym, or either of theym, or their, or either of their 
 said sallarye, stipend or wages as is aforesaid, other- 
 wise, or in any other manner then as is hereafter 
 mencyoned or declared, and without exactynge of 
 theym any mony for any acquyttannc or other dis- 
 charge for the payment thereof ; And further, that 
 they, the said Warden and Sch oilers and their suc- 
 cessours shall and will, at all and every tyme and 
 tymes, and from tyme to tyme for ever, so oft as nede 
 
50 
 
 shall requyre, well and sufficiently repayre, uphold, 
 maynteyno and kepe, as well the said capitali mesuage 
 or house newly buylded in Old Thame, called the 
 Schoole house, and all manner of buyldinge belonginge 
 to the same, as also the tombe of the said late Lorde 
 Williams, sett in the channcell of the Parishe Cliurche 
 of Thame aforesaid, in all manner of reparacions so 
 farr forth as the surplusage of the yerelye proffitt and 
 commodities of the premises over and above the 
 severall sommes mony by this Indenture, or other 
 composition appoynted to be payed will beare and 
 extend. And moreover, that neither the said Warden 
 and Schollers and their successours, nor any of theym 
 at any tyme hereafter, shall make any gift, grannte, or 
 other assurannee by way of patent, or otherwise to any 
 person or persons for terme or termes of life, lyves, or 
 yeres of the office of the said schoolemaister or ussher, 
 or the said severall sallaryes, stipend, or wages 
 appoynted for the said schoolemaister and ussher of 
 any part or parcell of them, nor shall do, cause or 
 procure to be done, any art or art, thinge or thing, 
 whereby the said W arden and Schollers for the tyme 
 beinge, or their successours, at any tyme shall, or 
 maye be disabled, at their will and pleasure upon just 
 occasion to expell, remove, or displace any schoole- 
 maister or usher there appoynted to teache, and in his 
 or their place to constitute and appoynte one other or 
 others there to teache accordinge to the true intent 
 and meanynge of the foundation of the said schoole, 
 or accordinge to suche composition and agreament 
 touchinge the same foundation as no we presently e is 
 or hereafter shall be sett fourth in writinge by the said 
 Robert Doylye and William Place, or the survivour of 
 theym on the one party, and the said Warden and 
 Schollers on the other partye. And, to the intent that 
 the said schoolemaister and ussher for the tyme beinge 
 
51 
 
 maye bo alwayes tlio more carefull of tlieir dutyes in 
 the diligent and yertuous exercyse of suche as shall 
 from tyme to tyme be brought up under theym, and 
 that tlierebye, more fruyt by the good increase of 
 yertue and learnynge maye from tyme to tyme bo 
 plentifullye reaped of the foresaid good and godlyo 
 purpose and meanynge of the said’ late Lorde Williams, 
 The said Warden and Scliollers for theym and their 
 successours do further promyse, covenannt and grannte 
 to, and with the said Robert Doylye and William 
 Place, their heyres, executours and ’ admynystratours 
 by this present, that the Warden of the said Colledge 
 for the tyme beinge, at some one convenyent tyme 
 every two yere, or at one tyme at the least in everye 
 third yere for ever, shall and will goe and repayre to 
 the said schoole and then and there shall make a good 
 and diligent visitation, examynation, and serclie as 
 well touchinge the good behaviour, diligence and good 
 order in teachinge to be followed, observed and kept 
 by the said schoolemaister and usher for the tyme 
 beinge accordinge to the said composition, and other- 
 wise, at their discretion, .to be made for the same 
 school, as also touchinge the profittinge of the Scliollers 
 and their severall procedinge in learnynge accordinge 
 to the said rules and ordynannc nowe presentlye made, 
 or to be made as is aforesaid of, or concernynge the 
 same. And whereas, the said late Lord Williams, in 
 his lyfe tyme hadd an almes howse within the said 
 town of Thame, wherein were lodged and maynteyned 
 fyve pore men and one poore woman, by the name of 
 fyve almes men and one almes woman, there to have 
 contynuannce for ever. And wherealso, so the said 
 late Lorde Williams, by his last Will and testament, 
 willed and devised certen land, tenement, parcell of 
 the premysses ; That is to saye, two messuag or tene- 
 ment in Newe Thame aforesaid, sometyme in the 
 
52 
 
 tenure of Richard Bunce, and nowo or late in the 
 tenure of Robert Phillippes, alias Coxe, and all other 
 the said land, tenement and hereditament in Sydnam 
 and Easthcuryd, beingo of the yerelye rent of seven 
 pound foure shilling nyne pence, for the intent there- 
 with to augment and increase the said almes house of 
 Thame and the lyvinge of the pore men in the same, 
 and in and by this conveyannce and agreament are 
 ment and intended severallye to go to that intent and 
 purpose, the said Warden and Schollers for the con- 
 siderations above said for theyrn and their successours 
 do covenannt, promyse and grannte to, and with the 
 said Robert hoylye and William Place, and their 
 heyres, executours and admynystrators by this present, 
 in manner and forme followynge ; That is to say, that 
 they, the said Warden and Schollers, and their suc- 
 cessours for ever, with suche proffitt of the last recyted 
 premisses as they maye laufullye receyve, shall and 
 will trulye give, exhibite and pay, or cause to be well 
 and truly given, exhibited and payed yerely for ever 
 to the said fyve almes men and one almes woman in 
 Thame aforesaid, for the tyme beinge, in augmentation 
 of their lyvinge, or ells to the schoolemaister of the 
 said schoole in Thame aforesaid for the tyme beinge, 
 by him to be paid over to the said almes men and 
 almes woman accordinge to the true intent, purport 
 and meanynge of the said late Lorde Williams, in his 
 last Will and testament expressed and declared, the 
 sum of seven pounds foure shilling nyne pence of good 
 and laufull monye of England, at two termes in the 
 yere ; that is to say, at the feast of the annunciation 
 of our ladye, three pound eleven shilling and six 
 pence ; and Saynt Michaell the Archanngell, three 
 pound thirtene shilling and three pence, either within 
 two monthes next after either of the said feast, or 
 ells aforehand wckely, ratably and proportionatelye 
 
5-3 
 
 accordinge to the said somme, as shal he thought most 
 profitable for the releife of the said fyve almes men 
 and one almes woman for the tyme being, for and 
 toward the supplye whereof, as neade shall requyre, 
 the said Robert Doyly e and William Place have 
 already delyvered the value of one hole yere’s rent 
 beforehande. And also shall and will, from tyme to 
 tyme, agaynst the feast of the birth of our Lorde God, 
 once within everye fourthe yere for ever give and 
 bestowe to and upon everye of the said fyve almes 
 men and one almes woman, in Thame aforesaid, for 
 the tyme beinge, one clothe gowne, to be lyned, faced 
 and readye made in suche sort and after suche rate as 
 hereafter is declared and specified ; that is to say, 
 everye one of the gownes for the fyve almes men 
 to conteyne three yarde of lyon tawney cloth, of 
 Reedinge making, at sixe shilling eight pence a brode 
 yarde and not above, if suche manner clothe maye 
 convenyently be hadd, and in defaidt, or in want 
 thereof, then suche other clothe of the said price as the 
 said Warden and Schollers and their successours shall 
 thinke and es+eme to be most meete for that purpose. 
 And the gowne for the almes woman to contayne two 
 yard and a lialfe of lyon tawney clothe, of Reedinge 
 making, at sixe shillinge eight ponce a broad yarde 
 and not above, if suche manner clothe maye conveny- 
 entlye be hadde as above said, and in default, or want 
 thereof, then suche other clothe as the rest of the almes 
 men shall have, and every of the said fyve men’s 
 gownes to be faced with blacke lambe, at two shilling 
 sixe pence a face and not above. And the lynynge of 
 every of the said fyve men’s gownes to contayne 
 seven yard of white cotton, at eight pence a yarde and 
 not above. And shall and will bestowe upon the 
 makinge and layinge in of the furre of everye of the 
 said men’s gownes, three shillinge and not above. And 
 
54 
 
 upon the lynyngc, furringe, and making of the woman’s 
 gowne, six shilling eight pence and not above. And 
 the said Warden and Schollers, for theym and their 
 successours, do covenannte, promyse and granntc to, 
 and with the said Robert Doylye and William Place, 
 their hoy res, exccutours and admynystratours by this 
 present, in manner and forme followinge ; That is to 
 say, that they, the said Warden and Schollers and 
 their successours for the tyme beinge, shall and will 
 yerelyo and everye yere for ever, paye or cause to bo 
 payed to the clerke of the Parishe Churche of Thame 
 aforesaid, for the tyme beinge, for and in the name of 
 a yerelyo stipende or wages for the dressinge and 
 cleane kepinge of the tombe of the saide late Lorde 
 Williams, in the said Churche, the somme of eight 
 shilling of good and laufull monye of England, at the 
 said foure termes in the yere by even portions ; And 
 shall and will also paye, or cause to be payed to the 
 most anneyent almes man, in contynuannce of the 
 said fyve almes men, for and in the name of a yerelye 
 stipend or wage, for the dressinge, scowringe and clene 
 keapinge of the watercourse runynge from the upper 
 ende of the rayles at the corner of the almes house 
 aforesaid, unto the pry vie at the corner of the orcharde 
 of the said schoole house, the somme of foure shilling 
 of lyke monye at the said foure termes by even 
 porcyons, if suche almes man will take upon hym so 
 to do, and will and do performe the charge thereof, 
 and if he will not take it, or be negligent in so doynge 
 as is aforesaid, then the said stipend to be bestowed 
 upon anye suche other of the said fyve almes men as 
 the said scholemaister of Thame schoole aforesaid, for 
 the tyme beinge, shall thinke most fitt and diligent for 
 that service, provided alwayes that the said Warden 
 and Schollers, nor their successours, nor the former 
 land, tenement or hereditament of the said Warden 
 
55 
 
 and Schollers, or tlieir successours, nor theym, shall be 
 burdened, onerated, or charged with, or for the said 
 payment of the said several! sonnncs mony before in 
 this Indenture, by the said Warden and Schollers, and 
 their successours, covenannted and promysed to be 
 bestowed and ymployed in and upon the said schoole- 
 master, usher, almes men, almes woman, and other 
 uses before mentioned, or in an composition made or 
 to be made, or in any of theym over and above 
 the value of suche yerelye yssues, proffitt and com- 
 modityes of the said rent, mesuag, land, tenement, 
 and other the premysses before by theis present cove- 
 nannted to be assured or conveyed, as the said Warden 
 and Schollers, or their successours, for the tyme beinge, 
 shall and may laufullye have, receyve, or take of same 
 any thinge in this Indenture conteyned to the con- 
 trarye thereof in any wise notwithstandinge : And 
 provided also, that if it shall happen anye of the said 
 mesuag, rent, land, tenement, and other the premysses, 
 or anye of theym other then the said two tenement in 
 Newe Thame, in the tenure of Robert Phillipps, alias 
 Coxe, and the landes, tenement and hereditament in 
 Sydnam and Eastheuryd aforesaid, to be laufullye 
 evicted from the said Warden and Schollers, for the 
 tyme beinge, and their successours, without any fraude, 
 guyle, covyne in theym, or that all the said land, 
 tenement, and other the premysses shall not and maye 
 not be, and for ever contynue of the same yerely value 
 whereof they nowe be over all repryses. That then 
 and from thenceforth it shal be and maye be well and 
 laufull to, and for the said Warden and Schollers, and 
 their successours, for the tyme beinge, ratablye and 
 proportionably to abate, defalke and take out onely of 
 the said severall payment or yerelye sommes of monye 
 of twenty-sixe pound thirtene shilling foure pence, 
 and thirtene pound sixe shilling eight pence, appoynted 
 
56 
 
 for the usuali wages of said sclioolcmaister and usher, 
 so rnuche onelye as shall be requysito and nedefull to 
 bo abated, defalked and taken out for and toward tbe 
 mayntenannee, performannee and contynuannce of tbe 
 ordynanne, as is aforesaid, accordinge to the true 
 intent and meanynge of theis present, or as, is, or 
 shall be specified in the said composition or composi- 
 tions made, or to be made, as is aforesaid, any tliinge 
 in this Indenture conteyned to the contrary thereof in 
 anywise notwithstandinge. Provided also, and the 
 said Warden and Schollcrs, for theym, and their 
 successours, do covenannt, promyse and grannte to, 
 and with the said Robert Doylye and William Place, 
 and their heyres, executours and admynystratours, by 
 theis present, that it shall and maye be well and laufull 
 to, and for the said Robert Doylye and William Place, 
 and the longer lyver of theym, at all and everye tyme 
 and tymes, and from tyme to tyme duringe their two 
 lyves and the lyfe of the longer lyver of theym, at his 
 or their will and pleasure, to have the nomynatinge 
 and appoyntinge of the schoolemaister and usher of 
 the said schoole, and by theymselves, or their deputyes 
 to receyve the rent, revenues and proffitt of all and 
 singuler the premisses before by theis present cove- 
 nannted to be conveyed or assured, and to make the 
 severall payment of wages and sommes of monye before 
 by theis present lymyted to the schoolemaister and 
 usher, almes men and almes woman, and to other uses, 
 and to have te orderinge and disposition of all thing 
 touchinge the said schole and almes house in suche 
 sort as they, the said Robert Doylye and William Place 
 nowe have, at the tyme of the sealinge and delyvery 
 of theis present, So as, and upon this condition, that 
 the said Warden and Schollers, and their successours, 
 be not charged or chargeable by reason of any cove- 
 nannt aforesaid touchinge any thinge or thing whatso- 
 
57 
 
 ever wherewithall the said Robert Doylye and William 
 Place, or the one of theym, or the survivour of theym, 
 shall intermedie by force and vertue of this present 
 proviso, or covenannt any other thinge in this Inden- 
 ture conteyned to the contrarye thereof, in any wise 
 notwithstandinge. And whereas, there is nowe a 
 writinge indented, annexed to theis present, con- 
 teynynge a composition or ordynannee for the disposi- 
 tion of the said mesuag, land, tenement, and other the 
 premisses, before by theis present mencyoned, to be 
 conveyed or assured as is aforesaid. And for the 
 governement of the said schoole, almes house, and 
 other thing whiclie the use of tyme hereafter upon 
 occasion maye be thought mete to be altered, changed, 
 or augemented, Therefore, the said Warden and 
 Schollers, for theym, and their successours, do cove- 
 nannte, promyse and grannte to, and with the said 
 Robert Doylye and William Place, their heyres, 
 executours and admynystratours, by theis present, 
 That it shall and maye be alwayes laufull to, and for 
 the said Robert Doyly and William Place, and the 
 longer lyver of theym, at all and everye tyme and 
 tymes, and from tyme to tyme duringe their lyves and 
 the lyfe of the longer lyver of theym, as he or they 
 shall see occasion, with the consent of the said Warden 
 and Schollers, or their successours, for the tyme beinge, 
 to alter, channge, or take awaye anye statut lawes, 
 rules and ordynanne conteyned in the same composi- 
 tion, and likewise with the consent of the said Warden 
 and Schollers, or their suceessours, for the tyme beinge, 
 to adde, make and create newe statut, lawes, rules and 
 ordynanne for the better government of the same 
 schoole and almes folke, and for the better advance- 
 ment of vertue and learnynge, and that they, the said 
 Warden and Schollers, and their successours shall and 
 will, from tyme to tyme, observe, performe, fulfyll and 
 
 H 
 
58 
 
 kepe, as well all and everye thinge and thing whiche 
 on their part are to be observed, performed, fulfilled 
 and kept, conteyned and specified in the said writinge, 
 indented of composition, annexed to this present ; and 
 also, all and every other thinge and thing on their part 
 to bo performed whiche shal be conteyned in any other 
 writinge, compositions and agreament hereafter to be 
 made betwene the said Robert Doylye and William 
 Place, or the survyvour of theym on the one party, 
 and the said Warden and Scliollers, or their successours 
 on the other partye, And shal be left in force at the 
 tyme of the decease of the said Robert Doylye and 
 William Place, or the survivour of theym ; In witness 
 whereof, to the one part of theis Indentures remayn- 
 yngewith the said Warden and Schollers, the aforesaid 
 Robert Doylie and William Place have subscribed 
 their names and sett seales, and to thother part hereof 
 remaynynge with the said Robert Doyly and William 
 Place, the aforesaid Warden and Scliollers have sett 
 common seale, proven within the said Colledge, the 
 daye and yere above wrytten. 
 
59 
 
 COPIES OF TRANSLATION OF LATIN DOCU- 
 MENTS RELATING TO GRAMMAR SCHOOL 
 AND ALMS-HOUSES, IN THAME, NOW LYING 
 IN THE MUNIMENT ROOM IN THE PARISH 
 CHURCH. 
 
 An arrangement or agreement made between Robert 
 Doyley, of Merton, in the County of Oxford, Esquire, 
 and William Place, of Lurgyshall, in the County of 
 Bucks, gentleman, executors of the last will and testa- 
 ment of John Williams, Knight, Lord Williams, of 
 Thame, deceased, of the one part, and Martin Cole- 
 peper, Doctor in Medicine, Warden of the College of 
 the Blessed Mary in Oxford, called “ Saint Marye 
 College of Wynchester,” and the Scholars of the same 
 College, of the other part. Concerning the building 
 of the Thame School, together with the establishing 
 of the Hospital for poor persons, at the same place. 
 As followeth : — 
 
 In the Name of God. Amen. 
 
 Concerning the building of the Thame School, together with 
 the establishing of the Hospital for poor persons , at the 
 same place. 
 
 CAP i. 
 
 To the prosperity and good of the whole Christian 
 republic, as well as for the promotion of good conduct 
 
60 
 
 and learning, to the glory of the great and good 
 God— 
 
 We, to whom this duty had been delegated in accord- 
 ance with the promise in the will, the executors, Robert 
 Doyley, of Merton, in the County of Oxford, Esquire, 
 and William Place, of Lurgyshall, in the County of 
 Bucks, gentleman, trusting to the “preventing” grace 
 of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, 
 and fully protected by royal authority (as far it was 
 necessary), have at length established the School in 
 the town of Thame, a market town of no mean stand- 
 ing in the prefecture or County of Oxford, at the close 
 of the year of salvation, given to mankind by Christ, 
 1575, in the reign of the most august Princess 
 Elizabeth, Queen of England, France, and Ireland, 
 Defender of the Faith. 
 
 To the building of the School there has been added 
 also the new work — an establishment of no inconsider- 
 able character, viz. — 'of a Public Hospital, intended to 
 benefit certain poor persons, situated not far from the 
 School, as a kind of necessary appendix, in order 
 to crown and complete the whole undertaking, the 
 allowance made for food and clothing annually being 
 increased however, for the several paupers, in so far as 
 the bad state of the times at present seems to call 
 for a somewhat freer bounty than has been bestowed 
 hitherto. 
 
 Whatever benefit may accrue to some persons from 
 the completion of this work (and the benefit to several 
 will be very great, as we hope and trust in the Lord), 
 these persons, all and singular, we wish here briefly 
 to make a request of, and to remind them of their 
 duty, whoever they are that enjoy at present this 
 benefit, such as it is, or will do so hereafter : — 
 
 First and especially, that with us they unite their 
 prayers, and give eternal praise and glory heartily and 
 
61 
 
 with thanks to immortal God, who has blessed this 
 successful undertaking with His most bounteous mercy 
 and with a prosperous issue ; and who (to use Paul’s 
 words here in parenthesis) has worked both to will 
 and to do of His good pleasure, as well in this work 
 as in the successful devising and undertaking of all 
 other works. 
 
 Secondly, that they carefully remember to hold in 
 high esteem the memory of that most illustrious man, 
 John Williams, of the rank of the Military Order 
 of Knighthood, and Lord of Thame, whom we men- 
 tion with all honour. 
 
 It is by his sole persuasion, exhorting and command, 
 that the benefit of both of these benefactions is granted 
 — the one for educating youth properly, the other for 
 the comfort and support of the poor and needy ; so 
 that he can fairly be honoured with the title of founder, 
 as regards the former benefaction, and with the most 
 honourable title of sole patron, as regards the Hospital ; 
 for he superintended, at his own expense, the erection 
 of the School from the laying of the foundation stone 
 onward, and supported it after it was built and inaugu- 
 rated and enlarged, while, he handsomely provided for 
 the House of Charity by annual pecuniary donations 
 and from his patrimony (in both ways as much as 
 necessary), so that deservedly can the School be called 
 and named, in our own tongue, “ Thame Schole, of 
 the foundation of Sir John Williams, Knyght, Lorde 
 Williams, of Thame.” 
 
 In the undertaking and completion of this work, 
 we, for our part (whatever we have hitherto contributed 
 thereto, or shall contribute hereafter), ought to consider 
 it acceptable to him ; and it is obvious that we lay 
 claim to nothing but good intentions, compliance, and 
 industry in the work, since it would have been not 
 only inhuman, but positively’ atrocious and monstrous 
 
62 
 
 to have broken faith in any way with a man who was 
 a very great friend to both of us, and who had treated 
 us most kindly, especially in that matter, which in 
 special terms in his will he so religiously left to be 
 fulfilled; neither could it, or ought it to have been 
 overlooked by us, what the apostle so earnestly enjoins 
 the Corinthians : “ Moreover, it is required of stewards 
 that a man be found faithful or, what he says after 
 the manner of men to the Galatians : “ Though it be 
 but a man’s covenant, yet, if it be confirmed, no man 
 disannulled, or addeth thereto.” Neither ought we 
 to forget the sentiment of a similar character wisely 
 urged upon his son, in time of old, by Solomon in the 
 Proverbs : “ Hinder not a man from doing good when 
 he is able, but do good thyself also, when thou art 
 able.” So that we ought to think we have done our 
 part properly, if we may hereafter hear that one bless- 
 ing of the Gospel at the day of the last judgment (for 
 we must stand before the judgment seat, and stand or 
 fall by the sentence of the only great and good God, 
 our Lord), which even unprofitable servants will gladly 
 hear, provided it can truly be said, “We have done 
 that which it was our duty to do :” for our chief parent, 
 nay, our first parent, was the great and good God, 
 whom we have just mentioned ; for “ every good gift 
 and every perfect gift is from above” from Him, 
 “coming down from the Father of Light” (as James, 
 the apostle writes) ; and when to our first parent had 
 been added the voluntary co-operation of our second 
 parent, so to speak, likewise, of his wonderful piety 
 and munificence, endued with divine inspiration from 
 above, of happy memory, the most worthy Lord and 
 master before mentioned, John Williams — a name to 
 be honoured by both of us with most humble reverence 
 — this undertaking, which was conceived by the aid of 
 the Holy Spirit, has lately been brought to a most 
 
63 
 
 prosperous issue. 
 
 For after that heavenly centurion had suggested 
 some such thing (both necessary and fitly to be done) 
 as the centurion in the Gospel formerly replied to 
 Christ, when he said, u I say to my servant, Do this, 
 and he doeth it this thrice excellent man most 
 obediently followed the suggestion to the letter ; for 
 though, not with his own hands, yet, at his own cost 
 (he did the work), and by his own eloquent language, 
 taking care and giving orders and injunctions that it 
 should be performed in accordance with the will, 
 which amounts to his doing the work himself, according 
 to the well-known and common axiom of civil law, 
 ci What a man does by another’s agency, that he is 
 supposed to do by his own.” • 
 
 So far about the undertaking about the author of 
 it, and about ourselves, who have done our part, such 
 as it is, as his substitutes. 
 
 Of the guardianship or trusteeship of the same, and of 
 the Statutes. 
 
 CAP II. 
 
 The only remaining duty devolving upon us accord- 
 ing to the terms of the will is apparently that timely 
 provisions be made with as much care as possible 
 (as far as we can do so) in an undertaking of so 
 honourable a character, which will be a work of still 
 greater expectations (as we hope) for future time, 
 though it is still young and in its infancy ; this duty 
 ought by no means to be omitted, or to be performed 
 with supine negligence or forgetfulness, so as to be 
 kept alive for a few years only, but that it may last in 
 safety and security, and unimpaired as long as possible, 
 happy and prosperous for many generations. And this 
 work we may in a certain sense call our own, a sort of 
 posthumous son of our own (born, that is to say, after 
 
64 
 
 the burial of the parent), or rather a pupil committed 
 to our guardianship and care, such as it is. 
 
 It was to be feared that such a tender offspring, 
 scarcely yet come to manhood, might bring very grave 
 danger upon itself, and all but ruin itself, if it were 
 deprived of our guardianship suddenly, such as it 
 is, and should have the power of living too freely, and 
 licence to do as it liked, while it is yet of premature 
 age and inexperienced judgment. 
 
 Wherefore, as we are mortals, and know most 
 surely that we shall be free from no human frailty, so 
 that we must some day go the way of all flesh (Gfod so 
 willing it), and sooner or later change this life for 
 death ; and since it would seem not unlikely that if any 
 accident befel us after the manner of men, this pupil 
 of ours, left without a guardian, would either strike 
 upon the rocks of evil living and misconduct, or make 
 shipwreck upon the disorderly administration of the 
 domestic and family affairs. We have anxiously and 
 seriously begun to think of substituting a new guardian- 
 ship from some source, and about drawing up certain 
 statutes and ordinances, by which both the government 
 of this School and the profitable management of the 
 Hospital attached to it might be carried on as uprightly 
 as possible, just as a merchantman is by her helm, oars 
 and sails guided hither and thither ; or a horse of a 
 naturally wild spirit is guided by the reins, urged on 
 by spurs, and trained to step properly. 
 
 When the care of accomplishing both these matters 
 —that of the guardianship, and also that of drawing 
 up rules — had distracted us long and greatly ; lo ! the 
 Spirit of Divine Power shone from heaven most kindly 
 upon you (0 ye most dear pupils in Christ) and on us 
 also in a very moment of time, as they say ; for the 
 Spirit breathes where He will, and was willing that 
 this should happen to us, which we so anxiously sought 
 
65 
 
 for : as the Patriarch Jacob, in old time, assigned God 
 as the cause of the very speedy discovery of the game 
 which he caught, to his father Isaac : — where it was 
 God’s will (he says) that “ I should soon find what 
 I desired.” 
 
 For the most vigilant Warden of the College of 
 the Blessed Mary in Oxford, called “ Saynt Marye 
 Colledge of Wynchester,” Martin Colepeper, having 
 the title of Doctor of Medicine, and the whole body of 
 the same society founded by Wykeham (which society 
 we wish to mention in this place with respect, and to 
 hold in all things most dear to your memory), most 
 politely and kindly promised us their guardian aid, 
 support, help, and patronage at our very first request, 
 and from the very first. 
 
 Now, as both of them, the Warden, that is to say, 
 and the Society of the same College (especially as 
 they are our superiors in rank and station and age), 
 may assist us greatly both by their learning and the 
 example of a godly life, and strengthen our hands by 
 their ripened and wise judgment, what else plainly is 
 this but the immortal kindness and great providence of 
 Immortal God, that so suitable guardians and patrons, 
 and such kind-hearted men were given you ? so that 
 we ought deservedly to give great, very great thanks 
 to them, with all our heart, seeing that they have been 
 ready so promptly to undertake this duty of admitting 
 you under their guardianship. 
 
 Therefore, we wish you to esteem their authority 
 as sacred, and we most religiously request, command 
 and enjoin you to look upon their opinion as unim- 
 peachable in matters of difficulty, and in the transaction 
 of business, as is abundantly and plainly evident from 
 the mutual compact made between us, and the agree- 
 ments signed by both parties, on parchments drawn up 
 on this subject. 
 
66 
 
 To this was added the royal authority also under 
 the public seal of the whole of England, a sort of 
 central mainstay, as we say usually, and more than 
 herculean club, for the sake of great obedience and 
 strength. 
 
 It remains for us to add also the other portion, 
 which is akin, as it were, to the former matter concern- 
 ing the guardianship ; and this duty, consisting of the 
 making of laws and statutes (beginning all oyer again), 
 if we have the help and good-will of Christ here also, 
 as our ruler and guide (from whom we take our begin- 
 ning) in this matter, we may take in hand with hope 
 of success. 
 
 If we have already stedfastly and eagerly invited 
 the Warden and fellows of the College afore-mentioned, 
 the patrons and assistant guardians of this School, all 
 and singular, to consent to undertake this guardian 
 office frankly and promptly and kindly, of their wonted 
 kindness of heart towards men in general, as well as 
 of their reverence for useful learning, and to stand by 
 their pupils or charges everywhere with fatherly 
 affection, as well on ordinary occasions, as often as it 
 shall be necessary, and especially when any one of 
 them shall seem to depend on them only for support, 
 so that when youths of promise (such as, we hope, will 
 be trained in this School from time to time) are kept 
 from pursuing their studies through want, they may be 
 assisted, as far as possible, in accordance with that 
 divine and gratuitous munificence, above all praise, of 
 the most illustrious William of “Wikam,” formerly 
 Warden of Winchester. While his gift was made to 
 them only, we hope that some small portion, at least, 
 of the same munificence may reach the pupils of this 
 School, just as we see streams flowing from their 
 sources, and yet watering the whole plain that lies 
 beneath them. 
 
67 
 
 Of the division and plan of the Statutes. 
 
 CAP. III. 
 
 The Statutes and Rules are naturally of a threefold 
 character, in accordance with the various condition, 
 station and rank of the personsy to whom they have 
 reference ; viz., the persons who will be over the 
 School, those who will be under them, and certain 
 poor persons also, whom it will be necessary to feed 
 and clothe in a more liberal manner than heretofore in 
 this Hospital ; and therefore we desire the order or 
 plan of the Statutes to be in three parts or divisions ; 
 treating first of the scholastic duties of the head 
 master and under master ; secondly, of the pupils who 
 come to the School to learn ; thirdly and lastly, of the 
 paupers themselves. These will require some Statutes 
 on the domestic arrangements also, that the whole 
 framework both of the School and of the Hospital 
 may be firmly propped up on them, as a kind of 
 supports or sinews. 
 
 Concerning the election of a Schoolmaster. 
 
 CAP. IV, 
 
 As in the government of a ship there must be a 
 captain in command, so also it is necessary in a 
 learned academy to have a master and sub-master to 
 govern their scholars, in order that the foundation of 
 good learning may be laid, so that the boys may 
 not be enveloped in the thick darkness of ignorance 
 by reason of want of knowledge, or may most dis- 
 gracefully founder as if in harbour (as they say) 
 through an excessive licentiousness in their mode of 
 life, at the very commencement of their career. 
 
 Therefore, there will here be the need of our assist- 
 ance and zeal to a greater degree in proportion to the 
 
68 
 
 more imminent and perilous shipwreck which seems to 
 overhang the mind than the body, their intellects than 
 their wares ; if any mishap should arise, either in 
 learning or teaching, other than is proper, which, if 
 discovered afterwards would overwhelm the institution 
 with irreparable loss : and since that happens just in a 
 similar way in the formation of undeveloped character, 
 which physicians have observed to happen in the 
 human frame ; to wit, that a disease when in its first 
 outbreak, is rarely or scarcely ever cured a second 
 time. We have thought it right to implore the aid, 
 help and assurance of the Warden of the before- 
 mentioned College in Oxford and nine fellows of the 
 same College (who at that time were the seniors of the 
 House, simply and solely, from their first admission as 
 fellows of that College, and not to be understood as 
 seniors in any other respect ; whom, on every occasion, 
 we wish so to be understood, whenever we shall make 
 mention of the senior fellows), that whenever it may 
 happen that they wish in any way the office or duty of 
 master of the Thame School to be vacated, they may 
 be willing, carefully and anxiously to consider the 
 appointment of a suitable successor, on the first 
 opportunity. 
 
 We desire that they be informed of the vacancy 
 within two days (if it happen owing to the death of 
 the afore-mentioned master in Thame School, or shall 
 have been clearly ascertained in any other way) by a 
 letter from the under master, or a messenger to be 
 sent specially for that purpose to Oxford at the general 
 expense, the under master otherwise to be fined, at the 
 discretion of the afore-mentioned Warden, a sum of 
 ten shillings. 
 
 In the interim, the afore-mentioned under master 
 may fill the vacant post of master as diligently as he 
 can, until all the transactions have been completed 
 
69 
 
 connected with the appointment of a successor. And 
 to provide him with a larger salary, we desire that a 
 shilling a day, deducted from the master’s salary, be 
 paid him through the afore-mentioned Warden. 
 
 When the news of the vacancy of the post of master 
 is received, he, the Warden that is to say (if he be at 
 home), and the nine Fellows afore-mentioned, after 
 notice given to them within two days by the same War- 
 den, shall meet in the Chapel, or some other suitable 
 place in the College, at a fixed hour to be fixed before- 
 hand by the Warden : and they shall each mark their 
 own votes on a list, separately, in their own hand- 
 writing, the names and surnames of two men being pro- 
 posed, whom each may wish to nominate and choose for 
 the office, in this or a similar form of words : u J. T. N. 
 nominate and choose N. N. or N. N. for the office of 
 Master of Thame School.” 
 
 But if the Warden should by any chance be absent 
 when the news of the vacancy is received, we desire 
 that his return be waited for, and that nothing, so far 
 as it concerns this election, be done without his know- 
 ledge or advice. Then, after the afore-mentioned nine 
 Fellows (in the manner we mentioned before) have first 
 tendered their votes for one or other of the two candi- 
 dates, the Warden shall himself also last of all tender 
 two votes in the same way. 
 
 When the votes have next been reckoned up by the 
 Warden in person and two other of the Senior Fellows 
 of highest standing, they shall be considered as nomi- 
 nated and elected who have received the majority of 
 votes (including those of the Warden) ; or else whom 
 the Warden, in conjunction with three others, has 
 thought suitable for the appointment: provided they 
 be persons who, being endued with the knowledge of 
 polite literature sufficiently for the duties of the office, 
 have attained the degree of Master in Arts, or posses- 
 
70 
 
 sing that of Bachelor, being of the age of six-and-twenty 
 years at the least, and not older than sixty. Such per- 
 son or (as far as can be) persons as like these as possible 
 do we wish to be nominated and elected. 
 
 Provided that the election in no case be put off 
 longer than six days, to be reckoned from the very 
 commencement of the vacancy, unless the absence of 
 the Warden happen to make a longer delay necessary. 
 We desire that his return, if he be absent, be waited 
 for as long as forty days. Provided that, if he does 
 not return within the forty days mentioned, it may be 
 permitted to the Sub- Warden to take his place in this 
 matter : and for his substitutes to take his place in 
 turn, just as if the Warden himself were present. 
 
 This twofold election having been finished, and 
 published by the Warden or the Sub-Warden, as soon 
 as they leave the chapel aforesaid, some one of the 
 number of the nine Fellows aforesaid shall be chosen 
 by the common votes of the same electors, who shall in 
 the public name of the electors, by means of a letter of 
 commendation, signed by the Warden and three Fellows 
 aforesaid, make known the election to the most honour- 
 able Lord Henry Norreis (if he be alive), and in case 
 of his death, to the heirs of the same person [if there 
 be any of age and are actually hereditary possessors of 
 Ricott Manor, in the County of Oxford]. They shall 
 signify to these persons that the form of election has 
 been faithfully followed and observed by them accord- 
 ing to these our statutes, and then they shall request 
 the same lord, or his heirs aforesaid, to be good enough 
 to confirm the appointment of one of the two nominated 
 and chosen by themselves, the votes and numbers for 
 each being also stated, whoever shall seem in the judg- 
 ment of the lord himself, or his heirs, to be the most 
 suitable person. 
 
 And to him, the fellow aforesaid, who shall under- 
 
71 
 
 take this duty, to pay his expenses both ways, and, as 
 a fee, we desire that twenty shillings, English money, 
 be paid ; to be deducted and paid from the annual 
 salary [at the close of the next following term, after the 
 completion of the journey] of the person who shall be 
 elected to the office of Master. 
 
 After the reception of the letter, we desire that 
 liberty be given to the aforesaid most honourable Lord 
 Henry Norreis, or to the heirs of the same person, if 
 deceased, as stated before, to make choice according to 
 his inclination, and by his authority to confirm the 
 election of one of the two so nominated and selected in 
 the office of Master : provided it take place within a 
 space of forty days, and they be willing to send 
 evidence of their confirmatory choice, or letters testi- 
 monial (as they are called), signed in their own hand- 
 writing, to the Warden and the nine Senior Fellows, 
 by the same messenger, and they shall signify to them 
 whom they, after their mature consideration, prefer in 
 that election. 
 
 And whosoever shall have been elected and con- 
 firmed in that form and manner to the office of Master, 
 before he enter upon the office, or claim any rights 
 therein, shall remember that it is necessary for him to 
 do two things. One is, that within two days from the 
 sending of the letter of the aforesaid most honourable 
 Lord Henry Norreis, or of his heirs, if he be deceased, 
 in the aforesaid Chapel or within the precincts of the 
 same College, in the presence of the same persons, to 
 wit, — the Warden, and the other electors, either all or 
 three of them, — he shall read the whole and entire 
 statute, in Latin, concerning the duty of the School- 
 master. 
 
 And when this has been read through, he shall 
 promise that he will give his earnest attention and 
 endeavour, as far as in him lies, in all things to fulfil 
 
72 
 
 his duty as a Schoolmaster, to which office he has just 
 previously been elected and confirmed. 
 
 Nor shall ho only make this promise in words pub- 
 licly and openly, but he shall make a deposit in the 
 sum of twenty pounds of our money, or bind himself in 
 writing, to perform the duty required of him in accord- 
 ance with the laws of England. 
 
 And the fine for losing and paying this sum of 
 money, under these verbal conditions, we wish to lapse 
 to the Warden of the same College, and to his succes- 
 sors, for the public use of the College itself, if, after 
 being admonished once, twice, and a third time (on 
 three several occasions), by the Warden for supine 
 neglect, he has failed to reform; or if, after a fourth 
 occasion, he shall have refused to retire from his office, 
 when it shall seem good to the W arden and the other 
 three Senior Fellows of the same College that he 
 should do so, in accordance with our statutes. 
 
 The other thing is, that within another two days, 
 or, at the most, within three days, he shall repair to 
 the place where the aforesaid most honourable Lord 
 Henry Norreis, or his heirs, as we have said before, 
 shall be living ; provided that they are at Kicott, or in 
 London, or at the King’s Court (wherever it may be, 
 being at the time within a distance of sixty miles from 
 Oxford), or at any other place at their own home, not 
 further than sixty miles from Oxford ; and there, in a 
 congratulatory kind of speech, to be given in Latin, or 
 in our own mother tongue (according to the choice of 
 the persons for whose pleasure it will be given), he 
 shall zealously commemorate that illustrious munifi- 
 cence and charity, worthy of eternal remembrance, of 
 Lord John Williams, both towards learning and to- 
 wards the housing of paupers. 
 
 And as he has left this munificence by the right 
 of his will as a sort of heirloom for his descendants, by 
 
73 
 
 no manner of means must we neglect to entrust to his 
 illustrious family, adorned with so many and such 
 honourable sons, with all the honour due to them, 
 the approving and confirming of this election of the 
 Master. 
 
 We desire that the preceding confirmation of the 
 election of a schoolmaster, after being observed in 
 accordance with the former regulation, shall be held 
 to be ratified and really confirmed as soon as the most 
 honourable Lord Henry Norreis, and his heirs, and the 
 real and perpetual holders of the same manor of Ricott, 
 have consented to give their several votes and assent in 
 its favour. 
 
 But if the votes have not been given, or have been 
 refused for a space of four days, it shall be lawful for 
 one of the two, without any other ratification, after 
 being nominated and chosen by the Warden and the 
 others, the three Fellows aforesaid, to enjoy the full 
 and entire right, and to take upon himself without 
 delay the duty of teaching ; whomsoever of the two it 
 shall have pleased the Warden and the three Fellows 
 aforesaid to choose and appoint to perforin the duties 
 of that office. 
 
 Provided that the whole election, as far as regards 
 the appointment of a Master and the ratification of the 
 same, be delayed by no means beyond twenty days, to 
 be reckoned from the very beginning of the vacancy in 
 that office, unless the absence of the Warden shall have 
 necessarily demanded a longer delay, as we stated 
 before. 
 
 But if it happen that the aforesaid Lord Henry 
 Norreis, or his heirs, if he be deceased, those whom ho 
 referred to above, be distant more than sixty miles from 
 Oxford, at the time when the confirmation of the 
 appointment ought to be made, and if they shall not 
 have returned within six days to their usual residence ; 
 
 J 
 
74 
 
 or if all patrimonial rights shall have lapsed to any 
 other owners whatsoever and lords of the aforesaid 
 Manor of Rieott, except the heirs of the same lord ; or 
 if, lastly, the aforesaid heirs shall not yet have fully 
 completed the twenty-first year of their age ; we here 
 decree that none of these provisions need be followed 
 or necessarily observed which we have hitherto added 
 concerning the making of the aforesaid choice and selec- 
 tion ; but one of the two aforesaid persons, chosen and 
 confirmed in his election by the Warden and the others, 
 the three Senior Fellows, may perform, enjoy, and hold 
 possession of his office of Master, just as if not a single 
 word had been said by us hitherto concerning the 
 carrying out of this matter. 
 
 And we desire that his perpetual functions and 
 administration of his office of Schoolmaster be by no 
 means curtailed or straightened, as long as he desire to 
 enjoy it ; provided he zealously adorn the office which 
 he has obtained, and if it is not his fault that his pupils 
 do not make very favourable progress as regards their 
 moral character, or in their knowledge of literature, in 
 proportion to their several talents and abilities. 
 
 But if it chance that either he is tired of teaching, 
 or a better and more lucrative mode of life is offered 
 him elsewhere, so that he wish to lay aside that work 
 and to throw up his office, he shall be free to do so, as 
 he pleases ; provided he give a notice of sixteen weeks 
 beforehand, to be sent by him, after mature deliberation, 
 to the Warden and the others, the three Senior Fellows. 
 
 But if this preliminary notice has not been given, 
 we by no means desire permission to be given to him 
 to bid farewell to his office aforesaid, or to send a 
 message suddenly and unexpectedly ; under a penalty 
 of the above-mentioned pecuniary fine, to be paid to 
 the Warden and aforesaid College. 
 
 Nor, again, do we wish to act towards the School- 
 
75 
 
 master in any other way or with any other rights than 
 that he in turn may enjoy the benefit of a fourteen days’ 
 notice, if perchance any other just reason expressly 
 stated in these our statutes shall have arisen, for which 
 the Warden and the aforesaid three Senior Fellows 
 think fit to remove him from his post and deprive him 
 of the office of teaching : provided that during the 
 intervening time in which he shall think of changing 
 his abode he do not relax in his zeal for teaching; 
 otherwise, without any income paid him for the inter- 
 vening time, he shall be deprived of the office and 
 stipend of Master after one month, if it shall seem good 
 to the Warden and the others, the three Senior Fellows. 
 
 Of the election of an Under-Master. 
 cap. v. 
 
 But since we are here incited with some sort of 
 hope and expectation of a more abundant harvest in 
 future [God so willing it, who alone gives the increase, 
 where men plant or water] it is possible that a greater 
 number may come together to learn than one School- 
 master can manage, to give attention to the education 
 of them all and several : wherefore that great opportu- 
 nity may be given to both parties, as well of teaching 
 more skilfully as of learning more successfully, we wish 
 to divide the duty of instructing in this School, in the 
 same way as in the management of a ship, the work of 
 the captain is wont to be lightened somewhat and 
 diminished, by the addition of the subsidiary help of 
 the sailors, rowers, and other helpers of the ordinary 
 class. 
 
 Therefore we have provided that an Under-Master 
 be appointed to this School, who may as it were be a 
 right-hand man to the Master, and may lighten the 
 work imposed upon him by dividing the duties between 
 
76 
 
 them : or may take the place of the Master when absent 
 for very urgent cause, or prevented from attending for 
 any other legitimate reason. 
 
 Wo desire that the whole power of choosing the 
 Under-Master and of supplying his place (whenever 
 necessary) be in the hands of the Master, so that he 
 may appoint the most suitable person for such an office, 
 at his own discretion, for his own credit and reputation, 
 or else at the peril of injuring it [provided it be done 
 within a month, or, at the most, within the two months 
 immediately following" ; appoint the person, that is to 
 say, whose good moral character and skill in teaching 
 obtained by some experience recommend him. 
 
 As soon as the Under-Master has been chosen by 
 the Master, on the next following Sunday, in the South 
 Chapel of the Parish Church of Thame, in the presence 
 of the Churchwardens (if they be at home) and six, or, 
 at the least, four of the principal inhabitants of that 
 parish, he shall read in his mother tongue, publicly in 
 the presence of the aforesaid Master, the former part of 
 the preceding statute of the election of a Master as far as 
 the words, “ fidem Me opem , Sfc.” leaving out the conjunc- 
 tion “when,” wherever it occurs, and changing the mood 
 of the verb : and also the former part of the statute of 
 the duty of the Master and Under-Master [as far as the 
 words “ Pcedagagi ergo praesentia ”] which is appended 
 here. And when it has been read, he shall faithfully 
 promise to do 1ns best to fulfil the statute in every 
 point, as far as it concerns himself in this form of 
 words : — 
 
 “I, A. M., appoynted and chosen to the Usshershippe 
 of this Schole of Thame, do firmly promise and under- 
 take on me, before you the Inhabitants of this said 
 parishe, to fulfylle, execute, and performe, all that 
 shall appertayne to the said office, so farre fourth as in 
 me maye lye, anye manner maye, according to the 
 
77 
 
 purpot and true meanynge of the statut made in that 
 behalfe, &c.” 
 
 He shall not only express himself so in words, but 
 he shall be bound over in writing also to perform the 
 same, under a penalty of ten pounds of our money, in 
 the same manner as we have described in the case of 
 the Master himself, to the Warden of the said College 
 and his successors. And the Master shall take care 
 that this paper, signed by the Under-Master in his own 
 handwriting, with the additional surety of being sealed 
 with his own seal in the presence of the aforesaid 
 witnesses, be delivered to the Warden of the said 
 College (if he be at home, or to him as soon as he 
 returns) : otherwise, the- Master to be fined a sum of 
 ten shillings, to be deducted from his salary, as a 
 penalty if he neglect to do this : so that afterwards (if 
 occasion so require) he may be dealt with in accordance 
 with the sealed agreement if he do not keep his word, 
 thus publicly tendered, owing to supine negligence or 
 any fault of his own. 
 
 When the Under-Master has been elected after this 
 manner, it shall be lawful for him to perform the duty 
 thus conferred upon him, and to enjoy its rights, so 
 long as he conduct himself creditably. On this con- 
 dition, however, that if after a lapse of three months 
 from his admission he seem altogether unequal and 
 unsuited to the performance of the said duties, either 
 as regards his moral character or his skill in teaching, 
 he may be removed from his post on the decision and 
 judgment of the aforesaid Warden and the two Senior 
 Fellows of the said College, and retire in favour of 
 another, whomsoever the Warden aforesaid and the 
 two Fellows aforesaid shall at the time choose to appoint 
 in his room, for that one term only. 
 
 Neither shall it be lawful after this for the Master 
 to remove him from his post at his own discretion, 
 
78 
 
 unless some suclx matter take place through his fault 
 for which ho may and ought deservedly to he removed, 
 after the consent of the Warden and the others, the 
 two Senior Fellows, has been previously obtained : and 
 even then we do not wish this power to be given to 
 the Master, unless the Under-Master shows no signs of 
 reform, after being a second time brought before the 
 aforesaid Warden and Fellows. And if he is brought 
 a third time before the aforesaid for like negligence 
 and refractory obstinacy, and his case is judged by 
 them, he may be altogether removed from his post. 
 
 This may on the first offence only be done by the 
 aforesaid ; but, afterwards, the Master shall have power, 
 at his pleasure, to remove the Under-Master from his 
 post, after he has been so often admonished ; provided 
 that his salary first be paid him in full, reckoned for 
 the full time which he has been employed in the duties 
 and office of teaching. 
 
 Of the duty of Master and Under-Master. 
 
 CAP. VI. 
 
 How perilous a thing it is either to strike upon 
 rocks, when at sea, owing to carelessness of want of 
 skill on the part of the captain, or to make shipwreck 
 of the wares on board, is too plain to need much 
 explanation. For nobody can doubt, that the entire 
 safety of the whole ship depends upon the proper 
 management by the captain, otherwise, it may be 
 carried headlong into most certain ruin and to losses 
 which can scarcely ever be made up. And generally the 
 loss is the smaller, the cheaper are the wares that are on 
 board. But in guiding this ship of learning, in which 
 the demeanour, the hands, the tongues, in fact the 
 bearing of the whole body, nay even, the internal 
 principles of the mind will have to be formed and 
 
79 
 
 fashioned aright; if any misfortune (which God forbid !) 
 should arise through the want of skill or carelessness 
 of those in command, what else would this be, but 
 throwing overboard as it were all the cargo ; certain 
 ruin to good character, and most certain shipwreck of 
 their talents, — so that both Master and Under-Master, 
 who are to be in charge of the learning, can thence 
 understand what diligence, care and watchfulness is 
 required of both of them, and that they must not be 
 wanting in their duty nor perform it perfunctonly; but 
 that each of them must so conduct himself that he may 
 be able and repeat the saying of St. Paul now and 
 then without shame: “Thou who teacliest another, 
 teachest thou not thyself! ” In fact, let each of them 
 proceed boldly, and apply to himself as something 
 peculiarly appropriate to his case, what the same 
 Apostle says with general reference to everybody: 
 “Let every man so walk, as he was called by God; 
 whether he that he teacheth in teaching, or he that 
 ruleth with diligence.” 
 
 Whereas the presence of the Master amongst his 
 pupils is always necessary, and cannot long be done 
 without, as they scarcely learn in three days what 
 they easily forget in one, if ow T ing to too much holiday 
 they get out of practice ; we desire that he be not 
 allowed by any means to be absent from home more 
 than a month during the entire year, either all at one 
 time or at intervals. 
 
 Especially on those days on which it is usual to 
 give holiday to youths at school, to wit, on the whole 
 and half-days, until the time of the public evening 
 prayers ; besides the Feasts of Christmas, Easter, and 
 the Quinquagenarian Feast, which they call Pentecost. 
 And to those days we wish also to add the time when 
 it will be necesssary for him to go to Oxford, in order to 
 call upon the Warden, or any matter of importance apper- 
 
80 
 
 taining to the general good of the School or of the 
 Hospital for the Poor, such as the time for receiving 
 and paying the rents and annual revenues at his own 
 fixed times, as well as for the sake of rendering the 
 annual account once every year. 
 
 But if he absent himself for more than three days, 
 detained on law business in London or elsewhere, when 
 ho is at the law courts on business, he shall get some 
 other learned man to take his place, to be supplied at 
 his own expense ; but the Warden must previously 
 have approved of the substitute as fitted to undertake 
 the duty, before the Master has left home. And the 
 same arrangement we desire to be made if he is laid up 
 with a lingering disease in bed (which God forbid !), 
 and is unable to appear in public or actively to perform 
 his duties as Master. 
 
 If he act contrary to these provisions, that is to say, 
 if he forget the oath which he has taken, and behave 
 himself negligently in giving instruction, and after 
 being admonished by the Warden on three several 
 occasions if he again forget himself; if through any 
 fault of his own he render himself an object of contempt 
 to his pupils ; if, in fact, he be longer from home than 
 the time allowed ; — he shall pay a pecuniary fine of 
 twenty pounds (which we mentioned before), without 
 any hesitation whatever, to the aforesaid College : or 
 he shall be completely removed from his office of Master, 
 as soon as it shall seem fit to the Warden and three 
 others, Senior Fellows of the College. 
 
 The Master may give leave of absence to the Under- 
 Master, as he thinks fit : provided the indulgence be 
 not granted at unseasonable times or too frequently, 
 especially on those days on which it will be his duty to 
 be at school. But the Under-Master shall by no means 
 be permitted to go more than three miles in any direc- 
 tion, without the knowlege or leave of the Master, 
 
81 
 
 undor a penalty of sixpence, which we desire to bo 
 deducted from his salary, and given to the general 
 purposes of the Hospital for the Poor, as often as he 
 contravenes this statute. 
 
 On the method of teaching and the time suitable. 
 
 CAP. VII. 
 
 We must not omit in this place what appertains to 
 the manner and order of teaching, and the suitableness 
 of the time : that both Master and Under-Master may 
 remember “ not to think of himself more highly than 
 he ought to think, but to think soberly,” and not to 
 waste uselessly this splendid endowment, and let their 
 great knowlege (if their’s be such) of hidden things be 
 rendered useless ; but to give themselves up to the 
 service of those whom they see committed to their 
 charge for the purpose of being instructed, like a swift 
 race-horse, who will relax his speed and walk if, 
 perchance, he has undertaken a journey with a very 
 young boy on his back. 
 
 For narrow vessels are easily filled, 8 if you pour 
 into them gradually and slowly; but if it be done 
 rashly and hastily, they scarcely ever, nay, almost 
 never, imbibe the extra moisture. 
 
 So there will be need of assiduous attention, in 
 order that each day may have its proper task com- 
 pleted. 
 
 Perhaps it will be more to the purpose to have 
 given this admonition, rather than each should prescribe 
 for himself how to avoid faults in either way, either 
 of conniving at serious faults with too much indulgence, 
 or of becoming very angry at minor faults, when milder 
 treatment would suffice. For in teaching literature we 
 do not wish there to be a man like the famous Orbilius, 
 who was so fond of the rod, or like Mitio, in Terence ; 
 
 K 
 
82 
 
 both of whom ought deservedly to bo banished from 
 our schools, the one for his severity, the other for 
 excessive leniency. The maxim of the poet should 
 reign in a school, “ The happy kept a middle course.” 
 
 One thing we have determined to forbid utterly, 
 viz., that on no pretence whatsoever may a boy be 
 struck, or beaten, or thumped, either with a rod or by 
 any other blow, either on the head, the eyes, the ears, 
 the mouth, or any other part of his body. 
 
 We wish, moreover, that the custom be here dili- 
 gently observed, which is usual in the other famous 
 schools : viz., that on ordinary days the Under-Master 
 go to the school to teach at 6 o’clock a.m., while the 
 Master shall enter about 7 o’clock; both of them to 
 perform their duty with proper attention, tmtil a 
 suitable time for dinner. And when this is finished 
 the former shall return to school at once, at 1 o’clock 
 p.m. ; and the latter at 2 o’clock. And neither of 
 them shall leave (without legitimate excuse) in winter 
 before 5 o’clock, in summer before 6 o’clock; unless 
 they have obtained permission to have a holiday, and 
 so can arrange to have the hours altered. 
 
 While we wish the whole power of granting this 
 indulgence to be in the hands of the master alone (as 
 long as he is at home), or of his substitute, yet, he 
 may not grant this at random to all of them, or oftener 
 than once in the same week ; nor on any day, on 
 which a crowd of persons is wont to gather in the 
 Thame Market Place, for making purchases or holding 
 a market. 
 
 On having Prayers Morning and Evening , and reading the 
 sacred Testament before dinner. 
 
 CAP. VIII. 
 
 So far for all these matters, which ought to bo 
 looked upon as mere appendices and additional things, 
 
83 
 
 provided the kingdom of heaven is indeed he sought 
 for, in the first place and before all things. Now, as 
 the way of attaining unto the kingdom of heaven 
 depends mainly on daily prayers, it will appertain to 
 the office of Under-Master, either himself, as soon as 
 he enters the School, first to say daily the public 
 prayers, which shall be inscribed on a tablet hung up 
 in the School, or to hear them said by one of the best 
 scholars, unless he be absent for some legitimate 
 reason. And when he is about to leave in the evening, 
 or is going to dismiss the pupils earlier, in order to 
 allow them to have recreation, he shall either do the 
 same thing again, or see that it is done. 
 
 Morning Prayers io be said in School before their other 
 
 Exercises. 
 
 Psalm Ixvii. Deus Misereatur. 
 
 God be merciful unto us, and bless us : and shew 
 us the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto us : 
 
 That thy way may bo known upon earth : thy 
 saving health among all nations. 
 
 Let the people praise thee, 0 God : yea, let all the 
 people praise thee. 
 
 0 let the nations rejoice and be glad : for thou shalt 
 judge the folk righteously, and govern the nations 
 upon earth. 
 
 Let the people praise thee, 0 God : yea, let all the 
 people praise thee. 
 
 Then shall the earth bring forth her increase : and 
 God, even our own God, shall give us his blessing. 
 
 God shall bless us, and all the ends of the world 
 shall fear him. 
 
 Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the 
 Holy Ghost ; 
 
84 
 
 As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall 
 be : world without end. Amen. 
 
 Lord, have mercy upon us. 
 
 Christ , have mercy upon us. 
 
 Lord, have mercy upon us. 
 
 Let us pray. 
 
 “ And lead us not into temptation ; But deliver us 
 from evil. Amen.” 
 
 Early in the morning, most gracious God, Thy 
 miserable servants cry unto Thy Almighty power, 
 whom Thou hast made, as an earthen vessel to the 
 potter, as wandering sheep to their shepherd, or as 
 most miserable servants to a most kind master, deign 
 to enter their hearts this day, deign to send Thy light 
 into their minds, wiping away from them the mist of 
 ignorance, and taking away from them all fleshly lusts, 
 that their minds being freed from such hindrances they 
 may be able to hear and receive true learning, by the 
 help of which they may grow to a perfect knowledge 
 of Thee, whom to know and love is the greatest 
 happiness. Amen. 
 
 Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this 
 time with one accord to make our common supplica- 
 tions unto Thee ; and dost promise, that when two or 
 three are gathered together in Thy Name Thou wilt 
 grant their requests: Fulfil now, 0 Lord, the desires 
 and petitions of Thy servants, as may be most expe- 
 dient for them ; granting us in this world knowledge 
 of Thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. 
 Amen. 
 
 0 Lord Jesus Christ, eternal wisdom of the Father, 
 Thou who hast added to man’s nature the benefit of 
 teachableness, memory, and understanding, hear our 
 prayers : Give the help of Thy grace to our own natural 
 endeavours, that we may the more readily learn true 
 
85 
 
 knowledge and sacred learning, which shall serve Thy 
 glory ; so that our minds, strengthened by the help of 
 these things, may attain a fuller knowledge of Thee, 
 whom to know is the highest happiness of man ; and 
 that following the example of Thine own most holy 
 boyhood, we may daily increase in years, and in 
 wisdom and favour with God and man. Who livest 
 and reignest one God, with the Father and the Holy 
 Spirit, to all eternity. Amen. 
 
 Bless ye the Lord. 
 
 In the name of the Father and the Son and the 
 Holy Spirit. Amen. 
 
 Prayers to be said before leaving School. 
 
 (the FIRST PSALM TO BE SUNG IN ENGLISH ANTIPHONALLY 
 TO ANY CHANT.) 
 
 Jesu, Redeemer of all men, Thou anchor of our 
 salvation, hear the prayers of those that call upon Thee, 
 and gently help us. Thou art our only hope and healer 
 of the wounded heart, conscious of our . many evil 
 doings we suppliantly pray to Thee. Take away 
 darkness from our senses, and send Thy light upon us. 
 Instil into our minds Thy ways. Grant that our will 
 may always respond to our natural powers, and that 
 labour may improve the weakened powers of our mind. 
 Grant that we may so obey our masters, who have rule 
 over us, that they may never be roused to anger and 
 weary themselves thereby. Grant that we may be able 
 hereafter to make use of the studies which we learn, 
 that they may resound to Thy glory, all our life long. 
 Amen. 
 
 Psalm iii. (Bible version.) 
 
 Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the 
 Holy Ghost ; 
 
86 
 
 As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall 
 bo : world without end. Amen. 
 
 Lord, have mercy upon us. 
 
 Christ, have mercy upon us. 
 
 Lord, have mercy upon us. 
 
 Let us pray. 
 
 Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy 
 Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in 
 earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily 
 bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive 
 them that trespass against us. And lead us not into 
 temptation ; But deliver us from evil. Amen. 
 
 BENEDICAMUS DOMINO, DEO GRATIUS, ETC. 
 
 We desire also that the custom be observed of 
 spending a quarter of an hour daily before dinner 
 in reciting some chapter of the Old or New Testament 
 in the English language, such as the Master may think 
 fit to select as suitable, whether for inculcating piety, 
 or for checking the frivolity of the young, to be 
 repeated clearly and distinctly by one of the pupils, 
 who is best able to read it with ability and proper 
 articulation. 
 
 On the method of Teaching , and of the obedience of the 
 Under-Master to the Master. 
 
 CAP. IX. 
 
 Although it is scarcely possible for any strict rules 
 to be laid down with regard to the method of teaching, 
 in a matter so uncertain which varies continually at 
 the different places and at different times ; yet, we 
 have thought it right to lay down this as a universal 
 rule of general application ; viz., That this depend 
 upon the will, judgment and authority of the Master 
 alone, and that the Under-Master depart not so much a 
 
87 
 
 hair’s breadth (as the saying is) from this ; for it will 
 be his duty to u roll the stone” and a weave the web” 
 in harmony with the Master. For, if they should 
 disagree about the method to be adopted in teaching, 
 what else would this be, but in truth to roll the stone 
 of Sisgphus up the hill and down again, to weave and 
 then unweave Penelope’s web. 
 
 And that no such thing may happen in the course 
 of their teaching, or in any other matter, such, for 
 instance, as in reproving the conduct of the pupils, we 
 desire that the Master have authority over the Under- 
 Master, as, in fact, his very title seems to imply ; so 
 that there is no room left for refusal, or refractory 
 obstinacy. But, if the Under-Master act contrary to 
 this Statute, he may be punished after being brought a 
 second time before him, as the Warden himself shall 
 decide, and that with greater severity, in proportion to 
 the frequency of his offence. 
 
 But meanwhile we wish briefly to advise the Master 
 to follow, as nearly as he can, the method of teaching 
 which he will know to be served at Winchester in the 
 School, founded by Wykeham (the womb from which 
 he himself sprang, or his nurse, if you will) ; To wit, 
 he shall ’divide his pupils into certain classes, according 
 to the number and standard of those who come for 
 instruction ; appointing certain prefects over the classes 
 who may be able and willing to be set over the others, 
 both for their learning and steady character, and also 
 report to the Master or Under-Master the names of 
 those who are in fault ; he shall instruct the boys in 
 the making of verses, and occasionally in writing a free 
 flowing prose style, especially boys of that age whom 
 he himself considers sufficiently advanced and capable 
 of performing this with some skill and dexterity. 
 
 And for acquiring such skill and dexterity, the 
 reading of Virgil will very greatly contribute, as also, 
 
88 
 
 Horaeo, Ovid, Plautus, Lucan, and other principal 
 poets. These we wish to be introduced into this 
 School as familiar and domestic, and with them, 
 Cicero, Livy, Sallust, Justin, Herodian, Terence, 
 Lucian, and other authors of great name. 
 
 But if any passage or blemish occur in these 
 authors, according to the fashion of their time (like a 
 mole on the body of a person who is otherwise 
 extremely beautiful) which may be injurious to true 
 piety or good morals, it shall be passed over, as it were 
 dry shod, without being touched. This ought to be 
 the especial care of both of them, the Master and 
 Under-Master alike, that in reading the authors, the 
 best and those who are friendly to true piety should 
 always be selected. 
 
 Of the Salary and Residence of the Master and TJnder- 
 Master , and other matters appertaining thereto. 
 
 CAP. X. 
 
 As the Master and Under-Master have enough to 
 do to perform their duties properly according to these 
 directions, and to urge on this literary ship with oars 
 and sails to their utmost ability, so that after a prosper- 
 ous and successful voyage they may at sometime bring 
 home merchandise which will benefit the whole country, 
 when at length they have reached the much looked for 
 harbour, we have taken care that provision should be 
 made as justly as possible as regards assigning the 
 salary and the dwellings to be enjoyed by each of 
 them. For “ the sun ariseth,” to use the words of the 
 royal Psalmist, “ and man goeth forth to his work and 
 to his labour until the evening:” is not then “the 
 labourer” (on the testimony and authority of Christ 
 Himself) “ worthy of his hire ?” The royal Prophet 
 again says somewhat bitterly, “ The swallow hath 
 found her an house, and the turtle dove a nest where 
 
89 
 
 she may lay her young,” so that it would bo utterly 
 unworthy,, either that no house should be built for the 
 use of men serving the state so well, or that they should 
 have any other site assigned them than that which 
 would best serve their purpose in every respect. 
 
 As regards the salary of the Master, therefore, we 
 desire that forty marks of our money (that is to say, 
 English money) be paid him yearly, at the usual four 
 quarter-days in the year ; viz., at Christmas, at the 
 Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, on John the 
 Baptist’s Day, and at the Feast of Michael the Arch- 
 angel, — to be paid in equal portions ; and twenty marks 
 yearly to the Under-Master, at the same times and in 
 the same manner. 
 
 But if it chance that either of them die before the 
 completion of the quarter, we wish the executors of 
 either, or the administrators of his will to be treated 
 with on fair and equitable terms, as regards the salary 
 not paid up ; and that his fair proportion of salary be 
 paid up, in the name of the deceased, with reference to 
 the time and labour spent on liis duties, whether he be 
 Master or Under-Master. 
 
 The Warden afore-mentioned shall have full power 
 to fix the proportion of salary to be paid ; provided 
 that he see that he cause it to be paid in full and 
 without charge to the persons interested, as becomes a 
 man of honour and probity. 
 
 Their separate abodes we assign to them in the 
 following way. The Master shall have for his private 
 use, the lower room on the right hand side as you enter 
 the school, together with the bedroom above, and the 
 library attached to the porch (?) of the aforesaid school. 
 He shall also have the use of all the attics above his 
 own bedroom and that of the Under-Master, as also 
 those above the school itself ; to serve partly for the use 
 of the Master himself, and partly for the accommodation 
 
 L 
 
90 
 
 of pupils, whom lie may wish at his own discretion to 
 take as boarders; one privy ( Icdrinal ?J being reserved 
 for his own private use, and for his use only. We 
 desire also that the use and productions and whole 
 rights of the orchard and the garden to be assigned to 
 the Master alone. 
 
 The Under-Master shall have the other lower room, 
 on the left side of the school, and the bedroom imme- 
 diately above it. 
 
 So much for the private apartments of each. N either 
 shall take possession of the apartments of the other, 
 without obtaining permission previously, nor shall he 
 lay any claim thereto, except as regards the use of the 
 well, to which we desire that they shall both have a 
 common right. 
 
 It shall not be lawful for either of them at their own 
 discretion, on any pretext whatever, to make any 
 alteration or change in the present regularly-built 
 structure, or in the house adjoining; nor even to add 
 new windows or doors or closets in the walls. We 
 desire on the contrary that the shape of the building 
 remain as at present, when repaired and roofed ; and 
 that no change or pulling-down be effected in any 
 portion of the building, which we the aforesaid execu- 
 tors of the most honourable Lord Williams have either 
 constructed, or of any addition to which we shall at 
 any future time cause to be made, or which either of 
 us who survives the other shall cause to be made. 
 
 We desire that the Master and Under-Master shall 
 both be forbidden to keep their wives (if they have 
 married any, or hereafter shall marry) or any part of 
 their family within the walls, rooms, attics, or apart- 
 ments of the Masters, for they have been built for the 
 purposes of teaching and learning, and ought to be 
 kept in a state of complete quiet and silence, so that no 
 improper disturbance may arise in any way to interfere 
 
91 
 
 with the studies of the School, though we wish it to be 
 understood that if they have fallen sick, or one of 
 them has, either or both of them may have his food 
 and other eatables necessary for the recovery of his 
 health prepared at his own residence, whenever he shall 
 consider it convenient, so long as the sickness lasts, 
 and until he has recovered his health, provided only 
 that it be done with all possible cleanliness, and with 
 the least annoyance to other people. So much for the 
 Master and Under-Master, on whom devolves the office 
 of teaching. 
 
 APPENDIX TO CAP. X. 
 
 On the Privileges granted to Mr. Edward Harris. 
 
 Before we leave the aforesaid duty of the Master 
 and proceed to draw up other statutes, we have thought 
 it in accordance with strict justice, and but reasonable 
 that the enjoyment of this office of Master should be 
 given in preference to all others, as a sort of special 
 benefaction, by way of reward for his labour, to the 
 man, who has assisted us in an especial manner before 
 all others with all his energies in forming this School 
 for learning, even from his very childhood; to wit, 
 Edward Harris, who has attained the position of 
 Master in Arts, who has now been for eight years head 
 of this School, to his own credit and to the advantage 
 of his pupils alike, so that he must plainly seem most 
 worthy of enjoying some fruit of his own previous 
 labour and energy, even though he may have become 
 unable to perform the duties of teaching himself, owing 
 to becoming enfeebled by increasing years, or prevented 
 by the state of his bodily health. For we have been 
 taught, on the authority of the apostle, that “ the 
 husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of 
 the fruits,” and in the olden time deserving soldiers, 
 who had performed their military duties satisfactorily, 
 
92 
 
 when the time came for them to bo presented with the 
 foil and to retire from the service, by no moans used to 
 be cashiered, but a payment (dimensi loco ) used to be 
 made to them from the public treasury either monthly 
 or yearly. And so it has happened that we, the afore- 
 said executors of the Will, Robert Doylie and William 
 Place, voluntarily and unsolicited, have decided to 
 make over to the same Edward Harris (if he shall 
 happen to survive us at our decease, or either of us 
 who may live the longest) all the rights, all and 
 singular, connected with the office of Master, together 
 with the emoluments, the rooms, &c., and all advan- 
 tages connected therewith as his own perpetual and 
 undisturbed right. For this purpose our letters (which 
 they call “letters patent”) have been added, enabling 
 him to retain the aforesaid rights, all and singular, 
 permanent and unimpaired, with no interference from 
 any person whatever, either the Warden or the Fellows 
 of the aforesaid College, as long as he chooses to per- 
 form the duties of the aforesaid office. 
 
 But with this proviso notwithstanding, that if he 
 grows weary of teaching, or thinks himself unequal 
 through increasing years to the aforesaid duties, he 
 must understand that he must find a substitute to 
 perform the work, and entrust his own scholastic duties 
 to another, to be performed at his own charges and 
 expense ; and this person must be one that the Warden 
 aforesaid has previously approved of, as a fit and proper 
 person to undertake that duty. 
 
 But his successors in this office of teaching must 
 remember that this benefaction of ours, whatever it is, 
 is an exceptional or rather a personal matter, which 
 relates to one person only, so that it must not by any 
 means be strained to apply to others, since it is applied 
 to one individual only. 
 
 Such a privilege as this cannot be granted to any 
 
93 
 
 other person after the present instance. On the con- 
 trary, we declare expressly that neither the Warden 
 and Fellows afore-mentioned, nor any other persons, 
 may grant such a privilege. In fact no one shall have 
 the indulgence of letters patent (as they kre called), or 
 any other privilege, of a like nature, on any pretext or 
 request or persuasion whatever. „ 
 
 We desire that the Mastership may be held by the 
 present Master and the duties energetically performed 
 by him, as he has been appointed thereto ; nor may 
 the duties be performed by a substitute, except for very 
 urgent cause, as already set forth in these our statutes 
 and ordinances. 
 
 Of the duty and some other things connected tvith the Pupils , 
 arranged as a decade or decalogue. 
 
 CAP. XI. 
 
 The office of teaching, which has been already 
 spoken of, cannot be referred to without a kind of 
 reciprocal notion as regards the pupils themselves, as 
 there is another correlative side of the picture, without 
 which the side relating to the teacher could not be 
 fully apprehended, so that we must now pass some 
 statutes about the pupils, though they will be shorter 
 than the others. 
 
 F or the orders given by the superior Masters, or by 
 the Masters in proportion to their rank and station, as 
 the case may be, if properly performed, fully supply 
 the place of statutes to the pupils. Still, we shall, as 
 briefly as possible, touch upon the main points of 
 certain matters, for the purpose of setting forth our 
 own feelings on these subjects as to what we wish the 
 pupils to do, and also, that the Masters may infer the 
 remainder from these brief statements, as you would a 
 lion by his claws. 
 
94 
 
 First, then, no boy shall be admitted into this 
 School as a pupil until the Master has been first 
 consulted, and his permission craved and obtained. 
 
 Secondly, no boy whatever shall have leave to 
 enter the School, except he be experienced in reading 
 English, and be fit, ready, and able to take up the 
 study of the rudiments of grammar. 
 
 Thirdly, if any boy run away from School, or 
 withdraw from it in disgrace, or absent himself longer 
 than he ought to do, through inconsiderate advice 
 and thoughtlessness of his parents, without first obtain- 
 ing the Master’s leave, he shall not be again allowed to 
 enjoy the advantages of this School, until the consent 
 of the Master be again a second time obtained. Still, 
 it will be proper for the Master to shew himself ready 
 to forgive in this matter, and not by any means to be 
 inexorable or obstinate, except for very good reasons. 
 
 Fourthly, the Under-Master is hereby strictly for- 
 bidden to admit any boy into this School as a pupil, or 
 to expel him after he has been admitted, contrary to the 
 wishes of the Master. Neither shall he give a boy 
 leave to play, if he is at home. Nor, if the boy is at 
 school, shall he give him leave to go out of school. But 
 if the Master is absent or away on a journey, the Under- 
 Master may act according to his discretion, as regards 
 all the former regulations; provided he consider the 
 matter well, and bear in mind the proverb, u Ne quid 
 nimis” 
 
 The fifth regulation seems not be unreasonable, but 
 in accordance with the strictest notions of right, that 
 every pupil admitted into this School shall, previous to 
 his admission, pay to the Master one drachma, to be 
 applied to the general purposes of this School ; and 
 when a suitable sum has accrued from this source, it 
 may be applied to keeping up the stock of books (or 
 new books may be purchased) which, in accordance 
 
95 
 
 with our testamentary duty, we have procured, so that 
 they by a sort of perpetual right remain immovable in 
 their proper places, ready for all those who wish and 
 know how to make a proper, sober, legitimate use of 
 them. And when that one drachma has been once 
 paid we desire that no further payment by the same 
 pupil afterwards, towards this purpose. 
 
 Sixthly, we ordain that every pupil who has been 
 admitted, or is to be admitted into this School, shall 
 pay a sum of one shilling of our money to the Master, 
 and sixpence to the Under-Master, in lieu of a better 
 stipend, at each quarter of the year ; the same to be 
 paid regularly at the beginning of the quarter. ' They 
 shall also pay twopence to the Master in the same 
 manner, the money to go towards the cleaning of the 
 school (twice a week at the least), and to the purchasing 
 of rods. But beyond these sums, neither of the 
 Masters shall be allowed to make any arrangement 
 with any of the pupils with a view to increase his 
 stipend, on any pretence whatever, however plausible ; 
 unless the payment be increased by way of gratuity, or 
 a voluntary gift, a matter concerning which no restraint 
 ought to be imposed. 
 
 Seventhly, with regard to those pupils who are 
 relatives of the most illustrious lord and heir, our most 
 respected John Williams, who has been such a friend 
 to the School and to ourselves ; as also with regard to 
 the sons of the farmers and other dependants (whom 
 they call “ tenants”) connected with this School or 
 Charity House, or the sons of these sons : provided 
 that they are living in Old or New Thame, or shall do 
 so hereafter ; besides also all those who have a fixed 
 abode, or shall have such, in the villages commonly 
 called Prestend, North Weston, and Moreton, we 
 desire that all and singular of them may be freed from 
 the payment heretofore mentioned, as ordered to be 
 
06 
 
 paid to the Master and Under-Master at the commence- 
 ment of every term ; hut the drachma to he paid at 
 their admission to the School, and the twopence every 
 quarter for the purposes alluded to, they shall pay, just 
 as all the other boys do. 
 
 The gist of the eighth statute is, that the relatives 
 of the afore-named most honourable Lord John 
 Williams (if any do come to School to learn) shall 
 have the right of using the larger attic afore-mentioned, 
 as a special privilege, before all the other pupils, who- 
 ever they may be, if they so wish it. 
 
 But if there be no such relatives at School, then 
 the Master shall be at liberty to assign that room 
 to those whom he pleases, and he make arrangements 
 with the boarders or their parents, so that each may 
 contribute his own share, either for procuring lights or 
 for stacking as much firewood for the winter, as may 
 be necessary, according to his pleasure, so that the 
 greater service and advantage that they obtain, either 
 after dinner (before they retire to rest) or before dinner, 
 whether for attending to their hand-writing or any 
 other literary exercise, they may the more willingly 
 pay their share for the opportunity thus granted to 
 them to the Master, provided he make a fair and 
 reasonable demand from them. 
 
 Ninthly, though we cannot doubt that the Master 
 himself may be willing to prescribe the best arrange- 
 ments for the government of his School, in accordance 
 with his office, in order that everything may go on 
 properly either at home or when the boys are out of 
 doors ; still, we thought that we should add here, 
 in order to refresh his memory, that he shall take 
 great care, in order to avoid foul smells, neither to 
 throw the urine within the court-yard attached to the 
 School, nor to allow anyone else to make water there. 
 Neither shall the pupils be allowed to play at hand-ball 
 
97 
 
 beneath the court-yard, or to amuse themselves in any 
 other way there, lest the glass windows should be 
 injured, or some public injury committed. In the 
 School itself it shall be utterly forbidden to play at 
 that childish sport of hurling up and down, or throw- 
 ing or flying in the air, or flinging either hand-balls, 
 or books, or inkstands, or pens, or hats or caps, or 
 pegs, or any other material belonging to the School, 
 which may injure or deface in any way the windows, 
 or walls, or ceilings. 
 
 Care shall likewise be taken that the boy who sits 
 nearest the doors shall shut the inner door as quietly 
 and with as little noise as possible ; and he shall not 
 kick it carelessly with his heels, but take hold of the 
 handle or ring and close it gradually and slowly. 
 
 Tenthly, and lastly, there still remains a point 
 which we do not wish to be thought a matter of only 
 minor importance, but on the contrary, as among the 
 first things to be observed, that on every Sunday and 
 festival, every one of the pupils who are living in the 
 Parish of Thame shall assemble at the School, both 
 morning and evening, after the bell as usual has given 
 the first summons to public prayers, and there they 
 shall wait upon the Master, till the time when the bell 
 ought to toll the last summons to church. And the 
 intervening time between the two tollings of the bell 
 shall be devoted to the catechism, or other sacred books 
 of a similar character, as the public decrees of the realm 
 require. After that, the pupils shall be arranged in 
 order, and proceed to the Church in a becoming manner, 
 in the company of the Master and Cnder-Master ; and 
 there the Master and Under-Master shall seat them- 
 selves in their proper seats (placed there for their use 
 in the chancel aforesaid) and the pupils also in their 
 proper scats, until the end of the prayers. And after 
 prayers the pupils shall return with the Master to his 
 
 M 
 
98 
 
 house in the same manner as before, and then after- 
 wards disperse to their own homes. In the absence of 
 the Master this duty shall devolve upon the Under- 
 Master ; and if he, too, is absent, some other person, 
 whom the Master chooses to appoint, shall take charge 
 of them to and from church. 
 
 So much about the pupils, which we have set forth 
 as briefly as possible in the form of a school decalogue, 
 so to speak. 
 
 A brief compendium of this Decalogue shall be 
 drawn up in hexameter verse, including some other 
 admonitions and advice, and be fixed on a suspended 
 tablet, which shall be fastened on the outer wall of the 
 school ; so that there cannot be any room for pleading 
 ignorance, and that no one may idly pretend that he 
 has not been forewarned. 
 
 Of continuing the School in the time of the Plague. 
 
 CAP. XII. 
 
 So far then of the matters relating to those who are 
 to be taught, or who are to undertake the task of 
 teaching, to wit, the pupils and the teachers, who 
 ought to act in concert together, in an united work, being 
 present and constantly together ; just as it is not fitting 
 for the captain [of whom we have so often made 
 mention from the very beginning of the statutes] to be 
 absent too long from his nautical duties, in fact, the 
 ship itself ought not to be long at rest or lying-to, as if 
 she were in harbour. For if this be the case, there will 
 be a risk of her springing a leak in her timbers, or 
 becoming unfit, by continued want of use, for naviga- 
 tion. Just as then, the proper end of a ship of burden 
 shews us that it should not be laid up too long, so this 
 School also has been established with the purpose of 
 always offering an opportunity for attending thoroughly 
 to the instruction of youth. 
 
99 
 
 Still, such is in a general way the character of the 
 times, such, in fact, is the changeable condition of all 
 human affairs, that not only are individual persons 
 sometimes well and healthy, at other times sick and 
 liable to succumb through disease ; but sometimes 
 even cities, and still more towns and villages, either 
 wholly or in part, are depopulated by their own 
 epidemics and wasting pestilential infections. So it 
 has become necessary to draw up a statute concerning 
 this matter, which is as it were common to teachers 
 and pupils alike— a matter, in fact, which may befal 
 either of them, — whereby they both may understand 
 how they ought to act if, perchance, a plague (which 
 God forbid !) should begin to settle in the aforenamed 
 town of Thame ; whereby, we add, both of them, 
 being prepared beforehand, may be able to continue 
 their literary pursuits (if they wish), just as our captain 
 already alluded to, does not desist from the voyage 
 which he has undertaken, because a storm arises ; but 
 rather is on the look-out with all the more care and 
 watchfulness and diligence, both for himself and his 
 passengers. 
 
 We have therefore thought it right to add, by way 
 of a statute, that if anything should intervene, which 
 may make it necessary for the studies f o be given up 
 for a time, owing to the plague or any other contagious 
 disease appearing in the aforesaid town of Thame, or 
 in other neighbouring places, the least possible peril or 
 harm shall be allowed to happen to the Master or 
 Under-Master owing to such an event ; nay, they shall 
 be allowed to take timely precaution for themselves 
 and their own people, provided they do not act hastily, 
 nor until the aforesaid Warden shall have been con- 
 sulted and have given his consent. 
 
 We desire that the full stipends, without any 
 deduction, be paid in the usual way to the Masters 
 
100 
 
 (luring the interval, if they are either absent or desist 
 from keeping school for a time, owing entirely and 
 only to this cause. 
 
 This, however, ought fairly to be expected from 
 them, in fact, ought to be done by them; viz., That if, 
 during the plague, the parents of their pupils, or their 
 guardians and friends wish to hire other suitable 
 premises in the country, where the teaching may 
 be carried on ; where, in fact, either all the youths or 
 a great part of them could be instructed in the usual 
 manner, then, no obstacle shall be raised by both or 
 either of them, to prevent their attending to their 
 respective duties of Master and Under-Master, provided 
 suitable premises be hired at the expense of the parents 
 aforesaid or of others, and they be relieved from the 
 other pecuniary burdens arising from the emergency. 
 
 And in the matter of approval or disapproval, if any 
 scruple or difficulty arise in this matter, we wish that 
 it be referred to the decision and authority of the afore- 
 named Warden, so that he may decide as his wisdom 
 and notion of equity shall direct, as to when they 
 ought to migrate, how long to be absent, and when to 
 return. 
 
 The fixed and proper time for returning, when the 
 Master and Under-Master may come back to the town 
 of Thame (after a fortnight’s notice from the Warden) 
 shall be this ; viz., As soon as the Mayor of the afore- 
 said town, in a public letter signed by himself and six 
 other inhabitants of Thame, shall have informed the 
 Warden aforesaid of the stoppage of the greater 
 danger, and the entire removal of any reason for 
 further absence. 
 
 Of the Paupers , and their number , duties , Sfc. 
 
 CAP. XIII. 
 
 The last portion of our three-fold division yet 
 
101 
 
 remains; viz., That pertaining to the paupers and the 
 House of Charity. 
 
 This, too, may he subdivided into three parts : — 
 First, the statutes about the number of the persons to 
 be provided for ; secondly, of the amount of the salary 
 and portion allotted to each ; lastly, of their duties. 
 
 As to the numbers then, we desire that there be 
 six ; five men and one woman ; those, to wit, who 
 have already been admitted into the aforesaid House 
 of Charity, or who are hereafter to be chosen in their 
 place, by the most honourable Lord Henry Norreis or 
 his heirs, as often as a vacancy shall arise. For to 
 them alone ought to belong, as hereditary, every right, 
 whole, entire and intact, of electing the aforesaid 
 paupers. 
 
 As to the increase or augmentation of their income, 
 the paupers shall severally every week receive a sum 
 of as much money as may properly bo paid to each, 
 according to mutual agreement, as is agreed upon 
 between us, the aforesaid executors, and the Warden 
 and Fellows aforesaid of the said College, after we 
 have mutually given our word to stand by this agree- 
 ment ; in fact, according to the due proportion, which 
 the yearly revenues shall from time to time allow, 
 either by increase or falling off. 
 
 There will be need of still fewer words on the 
 duties of the paupers : for they themselves are of such 
 an advanced age as to know well off how to conduct 
 themselves respectably, or at any rate, they ought to 
 know . And we hope that no one will be admitted or 
 elected into the number of paupers who are to be main- 
 tained, except it be a person of good character, and one 
 who thinks himself in spirit a pauper, just as if he were 
 without any income, or in fact deprived of all rights ot 
 citizenship. Such a person ought the more readily to 
 be “ a law unto himself,” and so do nothing unbecoming 
 
102 
 
 Perhaps, however, it is worth while to add in this place, 
 that the paupers, all and singular, should again and 
 again remember, why they are thus provided for at 
 the public expense ; that for the sake of the voluntary 
 and free munificence they may also in turn do their 
 part, which is, to offer up constant prayers to immortal 
 God, and strive with all their might, that the Heavenly 
 Power may be made propitious to themselves and the 
 whole race of mankind, particularly the Christian world, 
 and that they may follow as closely as possible the 
 example of Moses (as far as their infirmities will permit 
 them) when Israel was fighting, and keep their inno- 
 cent hands always raised towards heaven ; or the 
 example of that thrice excellent old man, Onias (?), 
 who was wont to address God constantly on behalf of 
 all the people, “ a true lover of his brethren,” &c., as 
 the Scripture says of him. 
 
 And that which they ought to do on other occasions, 
 when it is convenient, they ought especially to do on 
 those days when they ought to be present at daily 
 morning and evening prayer in the Parish Church of 
 Thame ; unless being prevented owing to infirmity of 
 years, or some other very urgent cause, they cannot 
 attend. And the right of approving or disapproving 
 the reasons for this absenee we consign to the Master 
 to decide. 
 
 This one point, however, we wish to invest with all 
 the power and force of a statute, viz., that on Sundays 
 and festivals, both whole and part, occurring during 
 the year, they must attend at the usually assigned seats 
 in the chancel of the aforesaid Parish Church of Thame. 
 And there, either standing or kneeling, they must stay 
 until the conclusion of the public prayers, near the 
 tomb of the most honourable lord, their patron, John 
 Williams. They may not intrude as they like in any 
 other person’s seat, as though they had a better right 
 
103 
 
 to occupy it, but they must severally be satisfied with 
 their own seats. Partly that “ all things may be done 
 decently and in order,” especially in the church (as 
 the apostle particularly enjoined), partly that if any 
 seat has become vacant, it may be seen whose place 
 is vacant, just as the absence of David from the 
 king's table was in times of old easily seen by 
 his father-in-law. The seats then be thus assigned 
 to each of them in the aforesaid chapel in this order : 
 fc'inee the tomb consists of four sides and four right 
 angles, and is surrounded by iron railings on all sides, 
 cancellating the place in the front, which looks from 
 west to east, shall be given to the pauper who has been 
 longer than the rest in the aforesaid Hospital. And 
 the person next in order of admission into the Hospital 
 shall have the place on the right of the former, on the 
 south side of the tomb. The third in standing shall 
 be placed on the left hand, that is on the north of 
 the tomb. The other two, in the same manner and 
 order, viz., the fourth and fifth, shall seat themselves 
 opposite to each other on the north and south, next to 
 the person on either side. The woman shall occupy 
 the furthest seat, apart from the men, in the centre 
 between the aforesaid cancellos , and with a space 
 between her and the men, and they shall be seated in 
 such a way as to preserve a space between each other, 
 and shall not talk to each other while the sacred prayers 
 are being read. And we wish them to maintain the 
 same order and position, whenever they appear in 
 public together, or do any other thing in common, viz., 
 that the seniors go first, according to their standing 
 and the length of time which they have spent in the 
 aforesaid hospital. The last place as the most suitable, 
 must always be kept for the woman, that she may not 
 precede the men, since the man ought everywhere to 
 be the head of the woman, as the Apostle himself 
 
104 
 
 bears witness. 
 
 And no excuse shall be admitted as legitimate for 
 the absence of any one, of the aforesaid prayers, from 
 attendance at the public prayers, except only infirm 
 bodily health, or some serious business matter of such 
 a character, that it cannot conveniently be attended to 
 at any other time, or put off any longer. 
 
 But if any of them behave in an irregular manner, 
 as regards the aforesaid matters, or frequently offer 
 some excuse for his absence when it is not necessary, 
 the Master, or in his absence, the Under-Master may 
 admonish him of his duty. At the same time, two or 
 three witnesses must be brought forward from the 
 same parish, persons of undoubted respectability and 
 good character. And if after two or three public 
 admonitions he will not come to his senses, on the 
 third occasion a severe rebuke shall be administered 
 by the Warden afore-mentioned ; and unless he com- 
 plies before the completion of the month next ensuing, 
 he shall on the fourth occasion be punished for his 
 carelessness so often repeated ; viz., he shall be fined a 
 fourth part of his increased salary (which otherwise he 
 ought to receive every week) ; the fifth time he shall 
 go without a half of this increased salary ; but, on a 
 sixth occasion, whoso has not the sense to be wise even 
 thus late, if he so act knowingly and deliberately, he, 
 as undeserving of such increase, shall, in future enjoy 
 no part of this benefaction or increase to his stipend, 
 or of the clothing, which is an additional gift (which 
 will be treated in its proper place). 
 
 And we desire that the same punishment be inflicted 
 if anyone of the aforesaid paupers has deliberately fixed 
 his abode in some other place than the town of Thame 
 aforesaid, or shall be too long absent from the town, 
 especially if being unencumbered with a wife, he shall 
 afterwards, when admitted into the society, marry 
 
105 
 
 again ; and the same regulations shall hold with regard 
 to the woman aforesaid (mutatis mutandis) just as to 
 the men. 
 
 We do not wish leave to be given to any of the 
 aforesaid paupers to admit any lodger or boarder into 
 their house, by way of raising the fine aforesaid, lest a 
 superfluous and crowded • number of persons of small 
 means may be a source of complaint to the inhabitants 
 of Thame, who may justly grumble at the annoyance 
 and inconvenience. 
 
 Further, if any of them act contrary to these 
 statutes, or be in the habit of frequently disturbing 
 the public peace through his misconduct, and after 
 being so often warned by the Master or the Warden, 
 do not return to a quieter way of living, we desire 
 that he be deprived and stripped of all such benefaction 
 as we have spoken of. 
 
 As regards foul crimes, such as open adultery, daily 
 drunkenness, and others of this sort, if any such crimes 
 be committed (which Grod forbid!), the Warden afore- 
 said shall deprive the person so convicted of both the 
 benefactions aforesaid. 
 
 Those money fines, which shall be deducted from 
 the aforesaid addition or weekly increase of salary, 
 shall be paid by the Master honestly, for the common 
 advantage of the other paupers of the Hospital, at the 
 end of every week, in the presence of the convicted 
 person, who shall be there to see it, when a portion of 
 his stipend is duly deducted from him. 
 
 Let this be the end of the statutes of a private 
 character, which we thought fit to draw up in separate 
 laws, for the Master and Under-Master who shall teach 
 the pupils who shall be taught, and for the maintenance 
 of the paupers. 
 
 N 
 
106 
 
 Of the duty of the Housekeeper, <Sfc. 
 
 . CAP. XIV. 
 
 The work of providing food is twofold : one, the 
 procuring ; the other, the preserving and distributing 
 of it [for the food is procured by the hands to no pur- 
 pose, or chewed with the teeth, unless that food be 
 well digested by the stomach, and be distributed in 
 proper proportion through the several parts of the 
 body]. Now on the first point we have spoken fully 
 in the very beginning of the statutes, viz., about those 
 who have provided this means of support, both for the 
 School and for the House of Charity, to wit, the most 
 High and Great God, and the most illustrious Lord 
 John Williams (of most happy memory). It remains, 
 therefore, to add some few words on the second point, 
 that is to say, the preservation and distribution of this 
 Charity as a kind of necessary appendix, in which 
 some statutes on household matters may be laid down, 
 on receiving, keeping, and refunding the annual 
 revenues and sums derived from the estates, both for 
 the School and Hospital. For who is there but must 
 foresee that there will be especial need of the assistance 
 of a faithful housekeeper ? In an office like this it is 
 very much easier to pull to pieces than to build up and 
 put together, just as, in fact, is the case in all such 
 matters. It is not a smaller thing, but generally a 
 greater, to preserve what has been acquired, than to 
 acquire it. 
 
 We desire, therefore that the Master act as house- 
 keeper or secretary of both establishments : that is, of 
 the School and also of the Almshouse, so far as regards 
 the receiving of the annual revenues ; but the keeping 
 of these revenues shall continue to be with the Warden 
 and the other nine Senior Fellows of the College afore- 
 said ; in the manner and order which we shall set forth 
 
lor 
 
 below. 
 
 To wit, that the Master immediately on his first 
 admission to his office, shall, before he leaves Oxford, 
 present sufficient sureties as guarantees of his honesty 
 to the aforesaid Warden and Fellows, and these in his 
 name, together with himself, shall promise and shall 
 be bound over in writing, under a penalty of one 
 hundred marks of English money, to the effect that he 
 is a person of credit and probity, and he will so transact 
 all the business which shall occur in his office of secre- 
 tary or housekeeper ; and that he will once every year 
 fix a time himself for the purpose, and shall make a 
 balance-sheet then of his receipts and expenditure ; and 
 after the account is made up, he shall, either at once or 
 within three days, see that the sums of money due 
 shall all and several be paid. And after the giving 
 and receiving of the bond, he shall then be allowed to 
 receive, in the name of the School and the Almshouse, 
 the rents of the farms due or that ought to be due, and 
 those from any other source likewise ; and to give 
 security for the same in the shape of dimissory letters, 
 which are called receipts. 
 
 And in order to strengthen the security thus given, 
 as regards its weight and authority, we desire that the 
 Warden and the others, all and singular Fellows of the 
 same College, shall be pressed to allow the Master, 
 when once elected and confirmed in his situation, free 
 power to use their common and public seal (which they 
 use in the less important matters in their College, for 
 there will not be sufficient and satisfactory security, 
 unless they add their authority thereunto), and also 
 allow him to use it in all the other business appertain- 
 ing to his office. 
 
 When the secretary has received the revenues, 
 he may keep by him for himself the portion which 
 will be due every quarter-day as his stipend as Master ; 
 
108 
 
 and he shall presently, or within four days (to he 
 reckoned from the time of receiving these revenues), 
 pay also to the Under-Master five marks of our money 
 (that is, English money) every quarter as stipend ; and 
 he shall pay to the public servant of the Parish Church 
 of Thame (whom they commonly call “clerk’’) two 
 shillings, and one shilling to the person in charge of 
 the conduit, in the same manner and at the same time. 
 
 The former of these is entrusted with the charge of 
 keeping everything clean and bright in the tomb of the 
 aforesaid most honourable Lord John Williams, therein 
 buried ; and the other with the cleansing of the canal 
 or conduit, through which the rain-water and other 
 filth are carried away from the town of Thame, from 
 the place where the wooden traps (or doors) are 
 situated, near the gates of the Almshouse, as far as the 
 cesspool, situated at the very end of the Master’s 
 orchard. 
 
 And the duty of looking after this conduit we 
 desire to be entrusted to one of the number of the 
 aforesaid paupers of the same hospital ; to the person, 
 to wit, who shall have been longest a resident of the 
 hospital (provided he wishes to undertake it), or to any 
 other of that body who shall, at the discretion of the 
 Master, supply his place. 
 
 As regards the payment of the paupers’ stipends, in 
 the way that their slender circumstances render it 
 desirable, so that it may be ready for their continual 
 requirements and daily sustenance, the secretary shall 
 follow this plan, with the assistance of the Warden and 
 the others, the three Senior Fellows aforesaid : viz., he 
 shall pay each pauper his individual share at the end of 
 every week, after the end of the public prayers on the 
 Sunday, in the chapel of the aforesaid Church, at the 
 tomb aforesaid. 
 
 For he gives twice who gives quickly; and the 
 
109 
 
 money for their maintenance ought to he given to 
 paupers of this sort, who provide for themselves daily, 
 rather by small sums and divided, than by a large sum 
 in a lump. 
 
 Of the annual account to he rendered by the House- Steward. 
 
 CAP. xv. 
 
 Though we may least of all people doubt that this 
 steward of ours will be anxious to do everything, both 
 in this matter and all others, in such a way as to be 
 found a wise and faithful steward, both in his steward- 
 ship and in his mastership, yet we have thought good 
 to add a few other things by way of caution, viz. : — 
 
 First, of the annnal accounts to be rendered; 
 secondly, of the repairs and general expenses ; thirdly, 
 of the cloaks to be provided for the use of the paupers ; 
 lastly, of the visitation to be made by the Warden. 
 
 The aforesaid Warden then may appoint a day, 
 between the beginning and the end of the month of 
 November, on which he shall order the steward to 
 attend yearly at Oxford, and there render an account 
 of all the receipts and expenditure for the current year, 
 in the presence of the Warden and the other three 
 Senior Fellows aforesaid. 
 
 Whatever they by their decision and votes approve 
 or disapprove in this account we wish to stand good, 
 to the effect that whatever they decide to be owing, 
 which ought to be paid rightly and fairly by the 
 steward, this shall be paid there and then, or within 
 three days, in full. 
 
 And on the day that it is paid up we desire that it 
 be placed in the common chest, which (we desire) shall 
 be kept in the house of the aforesaid Warden at Oxford, 
 and be protected by a triple set of locks and keys. 
 
 And the keeping of the keys we assign in this 
 
110 
 
 manner : one to the Warden, one to the Senior Fellow 
 of all in the College, and the third to the Master himself. 
 
 And we request that in this same common chest 
 also, at the end of each account day, be placed the 
 ordinary pence [if there be any left in the hands 
 of the Master, which has not been expended for 
 the purposes of the library] which he has received from 
 the pupils yearly, on their first admission into the 
 School ; but we wish them to be kept apart from the 
 other money and the annual revenues ; and not to be 
 taken out, except for the purpose already stated. 
 
 As soon as the aforesaid Warden and the others, 
 the three Senior Fellows, shall have been satisfied that 
 the Master has done his duty as steward properly in all 
 things, it will be best for him (as soon as he has 
 received security from them in their public capacity, as 
 far as regards the aforesaid receipts or expenditure for 
 that year) to be free to return as soon as possible to his 
 interrupted task of teaching. 
 
 The subscription in writing of the aforesaid Warden 
 and the three Fellows aforesaid shall suffice for giving 
 the security, by which they signify that they have 
 ratified and passed the former account rendered by the 
 steward, on the paper which we have provided to be 
 prepared for this purpose. 
 
 Of the repairs and other general expenses. 
 
 CAP. XVI. 
 
 No one ought to fancy that this precaution and 
 provision on our part in such a small matter is super- 
 fluous. For however small and paltry the addition to 
 the sum of money may be which will be placed in the 
 common chest, after the annual account has been ren- 
 dered, in the way we have described, yet it ought not 
 to be despised as worthless ; for the steward ought to 
 
Ill 
 
 act as honestly in the least matters as in the greatest, 
 according as Christ Himself said, 11 He who is 
 faithful in the least, is faithful also in much ; and he 
 that is unjust in the least, is also unjust in much.” 
 Very wisely also has Jesus, the son of Sirach, warned 
 us of the necessity of this. “ He who despiseth 
 mean things (says he) shall gradually fall.” The 
 issue of the matter also, as well as our daily 
 experience, teaches us that the dream of Mardochseus 
 was not without meaning ; in which a little spring 
 seemed to him to have grown into a very large river, 
 and to have become very great waters. 
 
 So, from this annual accession of fujids, (God 
 ■willing) we hope that the schoolroom, together with 
 the Master’s and Under-Master’s houses attached to it, 
 as well also as the tomb of the most illustrious lord, 
 our master, John Williams, situated in the midst of the 
 chancel of Thame, may be repaired (as often as it may 
 be requisite) ; and also that the necessary general 
 expenses arising out of legal matters, and other 
 domestic business and expenses may be provided for. 
 
 The steward of this establishment also, must be not 
 only faithful as concerning the former provisions, but 
 wise also and sagacious and prudent, so that care be 
 taken to repair the aforesaid buildings and rebuild 
 them, when it is desirable ; so that the repairs be not 
 made with unnecessary delay, or yet more often than 
 necessary. 
 
 But everything ought to be done in the same or 
 similar way to that followed by physicians, who take 
 the best precautions for health in the case of the human 
 body as soon as disease breaks out. For danger arises 
 in this case also from delay, just as the medicine is 
 obtained too late in the case of bodily disease, when 
 the malady has taken firm .hold owing to continued 
 delay. 
 
112 
 
 Therefore, whenever necessary repairs are necessary, 
 it will appertain to the duty of the steward, after first 
 consulting the Warden aforesaid, to prepare in good 
 time the materials, whether wood, marble or brick, or 
 tiles, and the like, whatever is necessary for the purpose ; 
 so as to have them in readiness for the workman to be 
 able, at the commencement of spring, to begin the work 
 with all celerity. 
 
 The work must not be undertaken before the month 
 of March, nor continued longer than the end of the 
 month of October next ensuing, except some very 
 urgent and sudden reason, allowed by the discretion 
 and assent of the aforesaid Warden, shall have demaded 
 that this time be altered, either to an earlier or later 
 period of the year. 
 
 Of the providing of cloaks for the use of the Paupers. 
 
 CAP. XVII. 
 
 When sufficient has been done in the matter of 
 providing these expenses, and allowing them at the 
 discretion of the Warden and the other three, the 
 Senior Fellows of the aforesaid College, we have thought 
 it right that this point also should not be passed over, 
 but added as a fuller and more explicit direction ; viz., 
 that the same steward, after an order received from the 
 aforesaid Warden, shall buy a piece of cloth four times 
 a year, or shall take care that it is bought through some 
 other fit and proper tradesman, one of fair price and of 
 a durable character, which will wear a long time; so 
 that cloaks, reaching to the ankles, may be made for the 
 several paupers, at the general expense of the Alms- 
 house. We desire that proper under-clothing, which 
 they call “ duplicates,” may also be provided, made of 
 black lambskin wool, as much as necessary’ ; according 
 as it is plainly arranged by mutual agreement set forth 
 
113 
 
 in plain words between us, and confirmed by the public 
 seals of both parties, viz., the Warden and aforesaid 
 Fellows, and also ourselves on the other part. 
 
 The common fund will supply sufficient money for 
 the purchase of this cloth, and for the other necessary 
 expenses. This money will be delivered into the hands 
 of the stew ard, at the discretion of the Warden and 
 three Fellows aforesaid, when they shall deem it 
 necessary. 
 
 These cloaks, reaching to the ankles, shall be 
 decorated with the military silver buttons of the most 
 honourable Lord John Williams (as they have already 
 been in the habit of wearing them), and be distributed 
 by the steward before Christmas Day to the paupers of 
 the aforesaid Hospital, under this treble condition ; 
 viz., that they shall use them themselves at their own 
 free will and pleasure, as long as they live ; that they 
 never pledge them on any account ; that if they 
 chance to die before the cloaks are worn out, or before 
 they ought to have their new cloaks for the ensuing 
 year, they shall leave them for the use of their 
 successors. 
 
 And every person, who is about to enjoy this 
 benefaction, shall be bound on oath to observe this 
 treble condition before the aforesaid Master and his 
 successors, under a penalty of forty shillings, before 
 his cloak be given to him. 
 
 Thus, fraud on the one side (if such should be 
 attempted) may be met, and the Master and his 
 successor on the other side may demand back (if 
 necessary) the cloak, together with the silver buttons 
 aforesaid, which is rather deposited under the aforesaid 
 condition than given simply and without any condition, 
 and may keep it at his own house for the use of the 
 next successor in the Hospital. 
 
 o 
 
114 
 
 Of the Visitation to be held by the Warden. 
 
 CAP. XVIII. 
 
 Lastly, the Warden may every second or third 
 year, as he shall think fit, visit the aforesaid School 
 and Almshouse, and make enquiry and investigation, 
 and decide and definitely state that all is going on 
 right that it appertains to his duty as lawful visitor to 
 enquire into. 
 
 And whatever he decides with regard to the matters 
 already set forth [unless he plainly contravenes our 
 statutes] shall stand good, and none of our people may 
 retreat from his decision or determination, neither 
 may any one waste time by interposing troublesome 
 questions, but obedience shall be exacted on all points, 
 under a penalty of undergoing ipso facto perpetual 
 deprivation, if the Warden’s decision is not abided by. 
 
 We desire that there be paid to this Warden, out 
 of the common fund, by the steward before the Warden 
 departs from his visitation, three gold angels of our 
 money, or the full value of the same (to wit, thirty 
 English shillings), as a kind of return for his trouble, 
 and to pay the expenses which he may incur in this 
 matter. 
 
 Conclusion of the Statutes. 
 
 CAP. XIX. ^ 
 
 Now that we have arranged these matters, so that 
 order may be restored if any improper conduct has been 
 indulged in by any of our people before the visitation 
 of the aforesaid Warden, and so that all may strive 
 diligently to preserve peace and concord together, it 
 seems proper to draw our statutes and ordinances to a 
 close. At all events we hope we have performed our 
 duty in accordance with the will, both as regards the 
 erection and government and preservation of the School 
 
115 
 
 for learning, and also as regards the better nourishment, 
 support, and clothing of the paupers. 
 
 So we wish to wind up these statutes in the same 
 way as Ecclesiastes of old added a most suitable end to 
 his teaching and preaching; so that, applying the 
 language to the present occasion, we say to the pupils 
 of this School, and to all and several who shall enjoy 
 the benefits of this Almshouse, “Fear God, and keep 
 His commandments. For this is the whole duty of 
 man.” And it has pleased us to add the Apostle’s 
 words, for the sake of greater force and vigour : — “If 
 there be, therefore, any consolation in Christ, if any 
 comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any 
 bowels of mercies, fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, 
 having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 
 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory ; but 
 in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than 
 themselves. Look not every man on his own things, 
 but every man also on the things of others, &c.” And 
 very last of all we add with the same Apostle, “We 
 have confidence in you, brothers in the Lord, that ye 
 both do and will do the things which we command you ; 
 and the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, 
 and into the patient waiting for Christ.” Amen. 
 
116 
 
 ENGLISH DOCUMENT. 
 
 The Statute appoynied to he reade hy the Ussher, before 
 
 the Parishe of Thame , the first Sondaye after his 
 
 admysion. 
 
 The dutye and charge that properly apperteyneth 
 to a scholemaister and ussher within the Scliole, where- 
 in they teache their schollers, seameth in manner to he 
 much lyke, and not farre distant from that whiche 
 the cheife master and govenor of a shippe hath to 
 perfourme and discharge in saylinge upon the seas ; 
 wherebye, the said scholemaster and ussher to 
 endeavour to the uttermost they maye, so to laye 
 the foundation and grounde worke of all good art 
 and scienc to be buylded upon the same, that the 
 youthe comytted unto their charge, may neither 
 through blynde ignorannce and lacke of knowledge 
 be nouseled uppe in darkness and want of good learn- 
 innge ; nor by their evill ensample of corrupt lyvinge 
 be so trayned uppe in vyce, that they maye seme to 
 hasarde, and in manner to marre all that ever they go 
 a boute, even at the very begynnynge it selfe of their 
 tender age, much lyke to unwise maryners, that do 
 runne upon shelfes, rockes, or quicksandes, at their 
 very first settynge fourthe out of the haven. In 
 consideration whereof, the carke and care whiche 
 ought in this behalfe to be hadde and used in the 
 said offices, maye worthelye seme more nedefull and 
 requysite ; forasmuche, as the hasardinge and damage 
 of the sowle and mynde of man, is farre more grevous 
 
117 
 
 and of more waiglit then any bodely losses or harmes ; 
 if any faulte shoulde happen or falle unto youthe while 
 they are as yet under teachinge and learnynge at their 
 masters hands, scarce able to be amended and recovered 
 duringe their whole lyfe afterwarde, the manner and 
 fashion of learnynge anye propertye or qualytie in 
 tender age, beinge in manner lyke, even as the phisi- 
 tian observeth it to be in the bodye of man ; that if the 
 first dygestion of the meate which is eaten became 
 faultye and wantynge of his perfection, it will scarcelye 
 and very hardelye be amended or bettered in the rest 
 that followeth, but waxe rather worse and worse, than 
 recover it selfe unto any perfect estate. And agayne, 
 howe dangerous a matter it is in saylinge upon the 
 seas, through the defaulte or lacke of skylle in the 
 cheife maryner, to runne upon rockes, or ells by wracke 
 to loose good merchanndise, it appeareth so evident, 
 and is so well knowen of all men, that a man neadeth 
 not to use manye word in declaringe the same ; foras- 
 muche, as no man doubteth but that the safetye of the 
 whole vessell dependeth on his behavior, if it be well 
 governed : and lykewise, being ill governed, it must 
 needes fall headlonge (as it were) into verye greate 
 daunger, and leese more then can well afterwarde be 
 recovered. The losse and damage whereof, many 
 tymes seameth to be of so much the lesse value, as the 
 merchanndises thereby lost are the lesse sett by and 
 regarded. But heare nowe on the other parte, as 
 concernynge the due government of this shippe or 
 vessell appoynted for the trafficke and atchyvinge of 
 good learnynge, wherein yonge men’s behaviour, talke, 
 dealing, countenannc, and gesture of their whole bodyes, 
 yea, and their conditions also and trade of lyvinge are 
 and ought to be shaped, framed, and fashioned : if anye 
 faulte shoulde happen (whiche Grod forbyd) through 
 lacke of knowledge, or other suche lyke oversight of 
 
118 
 
 their governors and teachers, what were that els to he 
 accompted of, or to be tearmed otherwise, but even the 
 utter subversion and overthrow of the whole charge 
 corny tted in that behalf, the ruyne and decay e of all 
 good nurture, yea, and the utter undoynge of as good 
 wittes as may canne be ? So that both scholemaister 
 and ussher maye easelye gather and understande 
 therebye howe dyligent eyther of theym ought to be, 
 what carke and care their office necessarily requyreth, 
 who shall take on theym to teache in schole : that they 
 perfourme the same thoroughlye in all respects, without 
 anye slight or sclender demeanor to be used therein : 
 but so rather to behave theymselves that they may 
 both reade, nowe, and then and oft repeate unto 
 theymselves theise wordes of Saynt Paule, where he 
 sayetli — Thou that art a scholemaister unto other, 
 teachest not thou thi selfe first of all ? &c. ; whereat 
 not to blushe at all, nor to be made ashamed in 
 readinge or repeatinge thereof : but that he may go 
 forwarde stille, and applye that other sayinge of the 
 said Apostle unto hymself pryvately, which he speaketh 
 generally unto all men, what estate soever they be 
 of, — Let everye man walke in that vocation, whereunto 
 God hath called hym, whether it be a scholemaister in 
 scholynge others, or the officer in careful admynystra- 
 tion of his office. 
 
119 
 
 PREFACE TO THE FOLLOWING APPENDICES, 
 WHICH ARE TO BE ADDED TO THE FORMER 
 STATUTES OF THAME SCHOOL, &c. TRANS- 
 LATION OF LATIN DOCUMENT. 
 
 Not rashly but most advisedly has the wise man 
 remarked : “ Man is but beginning 1 , when he has 
 
 finished his work as if he wished to give his testi- 
 mony in favour of the confession afterwards freely 
 made by the Apostle, “We know in part neither 
 can we advance to such an extent in knowledge, but 
 that something always remains in this life to be added 
 to our former knowledge. For' one day adds some- 
 thing to another, and to-day, as it were a pupil of its 
 predecessor, brings knowledge to the light in the face 
 of the former darkness of night ; so that we may in 
 truth take warning, each and all of us, to measure our- 
 selves by our own standard, and (with the same 
 Apostle) to think humbly of our own perfection, such 
 as it is- (for it could more rightly be called imperfec- 
 tion), so that each one in his turn may say of himself, 
 “ Not that I have received or am already perfect,” &c. 
 (and the other statements to the same effect) : and that 
 no one may be wiser than he ought to be about his 
 own words and deeds, but that each may suppliantly 
 ask of God, and that with all fervour, that. he may 
 have revealed to him, what it is to his own advantage 
 to know more fully and more perfectly. 
 
 And a feeling of this sort ought to be implanted in 
 
120 
 
 the mind, both in other matters and with special 
 modesty and humility in drawing up laws and statutes, 
 so that nobody may think that he can betake himself 
 with such wisdom to the drawing up of laws or the 
 making up of statutes, as that a more lengthened 
 experience and knowledge of circumstances cannot 
 always add something new to them; so that when 
 some new circumstance has arisen, some new remedy 
 seems naturally to he required. 
 
 For this is the praise of God Almighty alone, viz., 
 to be able to determine a thing once for all, which 
 shall not require any addition or alteration hereafter. 
 
 But human infirmity will be abundantly satisfied, if 
 after the second, or third, or fourth attempt it has 
 attained to that mark which it first set up as attainable 
 by the eye of mind and reason. 
 
 Application of the Preface to the present matter. 
 
 And thus it has happened that I, William Place, of 
 Thame, in the County of Oxford, gentleman, and one 
 of the four executors in accordance with the Will, 
 named by the most honourable Lord John Williams, 
 the sole survivor, after more carefully examining certain 
 statutes of Thame School and of the Almshouse annexed 
 thereto, which were drawn up several years ago by 
 myself and my colleague, have come to the conclusion 
 that some appendices are still wanting to the aforesaid 
 statutes, which might be of great service to the School 
 and Hospital aforesaid ; and I have thought that I 
 ought by no means to neglect to add them on the first 
 opportunity, in order that they might also have the 
 additional authority of the votes and judgments of the 
 very wise men, who are tutelary patrons of the School 
 and Almshouse ; viz., Martin Culpeper, Warden of the 
 New College of St. Mary Winton in Oxford, and the 
 
121 
 
 Scholars and Fellows of the same College. 
 
 Wherefore I decree, ordain and promulge under 
 this form of words, that no one of those to whom they 
 appertain, may be permitted to contravene them, but 
 that all and singular may understand that they are 
 bound over to observe these appendices just as if they 
 had been decreed when the original statutes were 
 drawn up. v 
 
 APPENDICES. 
 
 Certain Appendices added to the former Statutes of Thame 
 School , fyc., and confirmed by William Place , Gentleman , 
 and Sir Martin Culpepper , Warden of the Hew College 
 of Saint Mary W inton, in Oxford , and the Scholars 
 and Fellows of the same College. They are severally 
 attached to the separate chapters , leaves , pages , and 
 lines , as they appear in the original document. 
 
 APPENDIX I. [CAP. VI.] 
 
 Besides the holidays of Christmas, Easter, and the 
 Quinquagenary Feast, called Pentecost, and besides 
 other holidays also occurring in this parish of Thame 
 every year, owing to the yearly markets which are 
 wont to be held on the feast of Michael the Archangel, 
 when a great crowd of people assembles, so that no 
 quiet moment can be had for some days there for the 
 purposes of study : when these feasts occur therefore, 
 the public work of teaching may be omitted for a time, 
 according to the following plan and arrangement, viz. : 
 From the fourth day immediately preceding the feast 
 of Christmas, until the weekday following the Epiphany, 
 and so on in order, from the fourth day before the 
 feasts of Easter and Pentecost respectively, until the 
 
 p 
 
122 
 
 thirteenth or fourteenth day that follows next after the 
 end of these feasts; and from the second day before 
 the happening of the market on the aforesaid feast of 
 St. Michael until some fixed day after the end of the 
 same market, to be determined at the will and pleasure 
 of the schoolmaster, provided that day does not exceed 
 the fifteenth from the very beginning of this vacation, 
 the school may have holiday from the work of teaching. 
 
 To these anniversary holidays we wish also that 
 that time be added during which it will be necessary 
 for the Master to be in Oxford, to call upon the Warden 
 on any business of importance &c. (page 79, last line), 
 [word for word to the end of that paragraph, together 
 with the appendix]. 
 
 So that the Under-Master may take his place in the 
 teaching in the meanwhile, while the master is absent 
 one or two days on this business. But if “beyond 
 three days,” &c. (page 80, 6th line from top), [ word 
 for word to the end of the sixth chapter, as before in 
 the original document]. 
 
 APPENDIX II. 
 
 We wish the custom which obtains in the other 
 most celebrated schools to bb carefully observed here, 
 viz., that week days from the Annunciation of the 
 Blessed Virgin to the Feast of St. Michael the- Arch- 
 angel, the Under-Master go to School to teach at six 
 o’clock every morning, and the Master about seven 
 o’clock. 
 
 And from the aforesaid Feast of St. Michael, the 
 Under-Master and Master go to School to perform 
 their duties diligently, the former at seven o’clock in 
 the morning, the latter about eight o’clock, until dinner 
 time, &c. (page 82, 16th line from top), [word for 
 word to the end of cap. 7, as it is in the original 
 document]. 
 
123 
 
 APPENDIX III. 
 
 We have thought it right that there should he 
 added by way of a statute, that if any occurrence takes 
 place, by which it may properly be doubted whether 
 it may spread wider, in reference to plague or any 
 other contagious disease first beginning to break out in 
 the aforesaid Parish of Thame, the Master may there 
 and then understand that he must play the part of 
 “ Prometheus,” and take the utmost precautions for the 
 safety of himself and his pupils, that no danger may 
 arise from any quarter, by which the safety of some 
 may seem likely to be endangered owing to others, or 
 from the nearness of any place which is affected with 
 the contagion, or from thoughtless going to and fro in 
 the streets or houses where the epidemic exists. 
 
 And he shall guard himself and his school with the 
 utmost possible precautions, not only from without, 
 but also at home, so that a safe and free access may be 
 obtained for continuing the same School, as long as it 
 will appear to be the will of Almighty God that it may 
 be continued without fear of similar danger befalling it. 
 
 And because in keeping off such dangers, it seems 
 better to be on the side of fear, than to be too unmind- 
 ful of precautions, we do not only advise, but in fervent 
 language also exhort, order and command that the 
 Master remove his pupils, whether they are his own 
 scholars, or the children of some other nobles and 
 magnates who are boarding with him in his own 
 private apartments, on the very first occasion that any 
 rumour of disease reaches him, either to their parents 
 or to their guardians, or else see that they be received 
 elsewhere to reside, so that they may not begin to fall 
 sick at the School (which, God forbid), and so he him- 
 self afterwards with “ Epimetheus,” when it is too late, 
 begin to grow wise, and so imperil the whole school 
 
124 
 
 owing to his negligence. 
 
 But if the fear of contagion has grown so strong 
 that a just and sufficient reason seems to exist for 
 giving up school for a time, the Master and Under- 
 Master shall not incur any loss thereby, but they shall 
 each enjoy their stipends full and entire, even if they 
 have ceased to teach for such reason. And therefore 
 they may take timely precautions for their own safety 
 and the safety of those in their charge, without incur- 
 ring loss thereby, provided it be done after careful 
 consideration, and not until the aforesaid Warden has 
 been consulted and has given his consent (p. 99, 3rd 
 line from the bottom), [word for word until the end 
 of cap. 12, as it is in the original document]. 
 
 APPENDIX IV. 
 
 As to the long cloaks made after this fashion, and 
 adorned with the silver military buttons of the most 
 honourable Lord John Wyllyams [which they have 
 now long worn, according to the fashion prescribed], 
 the steward shall, distribute them to the paupers of the 
 said Hospital before Christmas, for their use ; but not 
 just whenever it shall please them to wear them at their 
 own fancy (for it is the custom to supply them yearly 
 with a thicker and cheaper garment), but as a better 
 and neater dress, to be kept by them, in order that 
 they may appear in public in neat apparel at certain 
 fixed times, to wit, during the festivals of Christmas, 
 Easter, and Pentecost, and yet not during the whole of 
 each of these festivals, but only those which are usually 
 kept as feasts ; also on the Feast of the Circumcision of 
 our Lord, during His Epiphany, at the Purification of 
 the Blessed Virgin, at the Annunciation of the Virgin, 
 on the Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist, on the 
 Ascension of our Lord, on the Feast of the Holy 
 Trinity, on the birthday of St. John the Baptist, on 
 
125 
 
 the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, on the Feast 
 of St. Luke the Evangelist, at the Feast of all Saints, 
 on all the days in fact kept as the birthdays of the 
 several Apostles, those, at least, which are usually kept 
 as feasts. 
 
 But on other Dominical days occurring during the 
 week, or on other weekdays or half-holidays, no one of 
 the aforesaid poor persons shall be permitted to use the 
 aforesaid long cloaks on any account, unless a proper 
 reason for wearing them shall have arisen (to be 
 approved by the Master), such as the visit of Royal 
 Majesty, when every mark of respect ought to be paid; 
 or when the presence of other magnates and nobles of 
 this kingdom is to be honoured, on occasions when 
 they pass through the town of Thame, or when any 
 one ot them shall so pass through. 
 
 But if any of the aforesaid paupers shall take upon 
 himself to wear his newest cloak on any other but the 
 appointed occasions, let him know that he shall not do 
 so with impunity, but he shall pay a fitting penalty for 
 his presumption and disobedience; viz, if he be con- 
 victed of breaking the regulation, either by actual 
 evidence or by means of witnesses, ho shall be fined 
 six pence for the first offence, and twelve pence for the 
 second offence. And this fine, we ordain shall be 
 deducted from his weekly allowance that otherwise he 
 would have ; and on the following Sunday after the 
 commission of the offence, the Master shall divide this 
 fine, to be enjoyed by the other paupers of the Hospital, 
 in the presence of the offender himself, in order that he 
 may take warning, after being thus twice admonished 
 of his fault. But if he will not learn wisdom after 
 this, but offends again a third time, he shall be entirely 
 forbidden the use of his cloak, so that he shall not be 
 any longer allowed to keep it, but it shall for the future 
 remain in the possession of the aforesaid schoolmaster, 
 
126 
 
 until the culprit seriously repents of his fault, and shall 
 suppliantly request that the same he restored to him by 
 the aforesaid Master, and shall give his word to keep 
 the ordinance prescribed more carefully for the future. 
 
 appendix v. 
 
 That we may not have to trust to a mere verbal 
 oath only we wish greater weight to be added, as 
 a kind of additional strength, by adding also a caution 
 of a binding nature ; to wit, the Master shall not only 
 twice explain in plain words in our mother tongue to 
 each pauper, before he delivers the cloak up to him for 
 his own use, these four conditions given below, but 
 shall also compel him to be bound over in a penalty of 
 forty shillings [each shall be separately bound over to 
 observe these conditions in his own handwriting], 
 according to the same form and order of words which 
 has begun to be in use there, “ mutatis mutandis ,” as 
 the custom is, as far as regards the necessary alterations 
 in days, months, years, surnames and Christian names. 
 
 This shall he the first of these Conditions. 
 
 1. On receiving a new cloak of the character 
 described, and of wearing at the prescribed times only. 
 
 2. On not pledging the cloak on any occasion 
 whatever, or for any cause whatever, and of not giving 
 it to any person whatever by way of barter. 
 
 3. On returning the cloak together with the silver 
 buttons after the death of the pauper who would 
 actually receive it, if he depart this life before that 
 another new cloak according to the regular mode of 
 distribution has been given him, that he may leave it 
 for the free use of his future successor. 
 
 4. When a new cloak would have to have been 
 
127 
 
 given to a deceased pauper, the old cloak for the 
 preceding four years must by no means be torn up and 
 converted into common use, neither may it be given to 
 any outsider whatever, least the aforesaid ornamental 
 buttons should be worn at large by persons not con- 
 nected with the hospital. But both cloaks shall remain 
 within the Almshouse, and be kept for the use of that 
 person only who is to take the place of the deceased 
 pauper, provided the successor is willing to pay five 
 shillings in all good faith to the executor or other 
 person legally appointed to look after the deceased 
 pauper’s affairs, in order that money may be forth- 
 coming to carry the deceased pauper respectably to 
 burial from his own abode, so that the town of Thame 
 may not be burdened with that expense. 
 
 And every pauper, who is to enjoy the benefaction, 
 shall be bound over to the aforesaid Master and his 
 successors to observe faithfully these four conditions 
 aforesaid, under the aforesaid penalty of forty shillings, 
 before his cloak is delivered to him, that each one may, 
 &c. (p. 113, 9th line from the bottom), [word for word 
 to the end of the following paragraph, with this con- 
 clusion]. 
 
 It will be as well also for the sake of greater 
 precaution to add, that the aforesaid Master may not 
 only be permitted, but may do so at his pleasure, to 
 visit the room of each pauper once every quarter of a 
 year, and there see by inspection whether decency and 
 cleanliness are maintained, and especially whether the 
 cloaks aforesaid are in a proper state of preservation ; 
 as it will greatly conduce to the interests of the whole 
 Almshouse that nobody make an improper use of his 
 own property, either through continued neglect or 
 excessive carelessness, and that such abuse may be 
 encountered as soon as possible. 
 
128 
 
 APPENDIX VI. 
 
 Unless that visitation should happen to fall in that 
 year in which the Almshouse paupers ought to have 
 their new cloaks supplied out of the public fund (as it 
 has been ordered in the former statute). For in that 
 year, since the poverty of the aforesaid fund will by no 
 means allow of both expenses being defrayed at the 
 same time, viz., the providing of the aforesaid cloaks 
 and the paying of the expense of the visitation also, 
 we desire that care be taken with regard to the first 
 point, so that there be no defrauding or lessening 
 of the sum provided for the clothing of the paupers, so 
 that if the other matter (viz., the visitation held by the 
 Warden) happen in the same year, it may either be 
 omitted for that turn, or put off till the following year. 
 Unless the aforesaid Warden shall perchance be pleased 
 of his own good-will to undertake the duty of visitation 
 at his own expense owing to some very urgent business 
 (for that once), and to perform so religious a duty 
 at his own charges, so that the public fund may be 
 spared from an unwarrantable burden. 
 
 We desire that great care be taken by the Warden 
 and the Master with regard to the preservation of the 
 public funds of the charity, so that if any repairs of the 
 building should be. necessary, or any other extraor- 
 dinary expenses arise, they may he put off for that 
 year when the cloaks are to be provided for the paupers, 
 and deferred till a more suitable time, rather than that, 
 owing to these expenses, it should be thought that the 
 aforesaid cloaks have not been fully and completely 
 provided : unless so great necessity has arisen for 
 making repairs that they cannot on any account be 
 deferred, as we have ordered above in its proper place 
 [and so let the conclusion of the statutes follow on 
 word for word, as before in the principal document, 
 with' the subscription of the names and surnames]. 
 

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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA