^S»i^l^

i^is-

florae 3iecanicae 2eiurales»
an glttcmpt to Illustrate,
33g a 5«r(«S of Kotes anO IE.tttatti5,
'^fit "Namt ana ©ftU,
®i)e Origin, appomtment, antt jfuntttons,
personal anb ©apitular,
of
3^ural Beans.
¦WITH A FEW INCIDENTAL REMARKS ON
Cfje Uiu anU IBuav of latital JSisSops,
AND ON THE
Encariimatfon of ^arocfital ©Urgg.
TO WHICH IS ADDED, AN
appenUiac of Botnmmt&t ^nrient anti Motfcvn.

WILLIAM DANSEY, M.A.
I'KEBENDAHY o/ SALISBTJKT, R^CTOH OF DONHEAD ST. ANDREW,
iSiUtnl i®«an.
VOL. I.
SECOND EDITION.

LONDON :
J. G. F. & J. RIVINGTON.
MDCCCXHV.

EnEPfiTH20N TAP FENEAN nPS2THN,
ESIKNIA20N AE KATA FENGS nATEPHN"
X0IZOI TAP E2MEN, KAI OYK OIAAMEN,
2KIA AE E2TIN HMQN O BI02 EHI TH2 rH2'
H OYK OYTOI 2E AIAAgOY2I, KAI ANAPrEAOYZI 20I,
KAI EK KAPAIA2 AYTGN ESASOY2I PHMATA;

LONDON : PRINTED BY WILLIAM WATTS, CROWN COURT, TEMPLE ]

TO
THE RIGHT REVEREND FATHER IN GOD
EDWARD
LORD BISHOP OF SALISBURY
THIS SECOND EDITION
OF
A SERIES OF NOTES AND EXTRACTS
ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE OFFICE
OF
IS DEDICATED,
AS A TOKEN OF OFFICIAL AND PERSONAL RESPECT,
BY HIS LORDSHIP'S
OBLIGED AND FAITHFUL SERVANT,

®l^iE a2a®?^©m.

SgnoO. EaoOitctt, can. lvii. a. d. ccclxiv.
OY AEI EN TAI2 KfiMAI2 KAI EN TAI2 XnPAlZ KA0I2TA20AI Eni2K0n0Y2,
AAAA nEPI0AEYTA2.

IstOotus JWcrcator.
NON OPORTET IN VILLIS BT VICIS EPISCOPOS ORDINARI, SED VlsitatortS, ID EST,
QUI CIRGUMEANT, CONSTITUI.

©oncil. ®ititt«n. can. xiii. a.d. dcccl.
PROPTER ASSIDUAM ERGA POPULUM DEI CURAM, SINGULIS PLEBIBUS aitf)lpte66B-
terOS PB^ESSE volumus; qui non solum IMPEBITI VULGI SOLLICITUDINEM GEBANT,
VERUM ETIAM EORUM PRESBYTERORUM, QUI PER MINORES TITULOS HABITANT,
VITAM JUGI CIRCUMSPECTIONE CUSTODIAi^T, ET QUA UNUSQUISQUE INDUSTBIA DIVI
NUM OPUS EXERCEAT, EPISCOPO SUO BENUNTIENT.

fflifison'g ©oOti 3)ur, iEctlciS. tit. xlii. cap. vin.
The ffiijortpiscppi had the inspection, under the bishop, of the clergy in
THE COUNTRY, AND OF THOSE PARTS OF THE DIOCESE WHICH WERE REMOTE FROM
THE EPISCOPAL SEE ; TILL, IN THE COUNCIL OP LAODICEA, ANN. 300, IT WAS OR
DAINED, THAT NO BISHOPS SHOULD BE PLACED IN COUNTRY VILLAGES, BUT ONLY
nEPiOAEYTAi, Itinerant or "PisUing ^reabaters.

^vetace*

Non abs re mihi vifum eft fore, fi qusepiam afFerrem, ut
facilius ad memoriam revocarentur fanctiffima priorum inftituta,
quibus obfervatis, noftra christiana respublica et aucta eft femper
et confervata. joh. franc, pici, mirandulm domini, De Reformandis
Moribus Oratio. FASCICULUS RERUM, p. 417.

WENTY years have nearly paJJ'ed away Jince my
attention wasfirji directed to the fubject-matter of
thefe volumes; andfcarce lefs than half that period,
Jince the former edition was committed to the prefs.
During the interval from the latter date, I have not
been unmindful that a fecond imprejjion might, at
fome future day, be called for ; and with that view I have availed
b

vi ^xefaiE.
myfelf of every opportunity which has offered of gathering additional
information to illujirate it^.
The period is now arrived at which that call is made; and, being
prepared for it, I feel it to be my duty to refpond to it without delay;
nay more—fo long as the Church folicits information on this subject,
to fupply it, at my own rifk, in the fulleji and moji attractive form
I can. If it has been my privilege, as I am told in reference to the former
edition of thefe notes, " to render an acceptable fervice to the Church,
by a feafonable addition to the hiftory of ecclejiajiical difcipline — in
a department wherein ThomaJJin, Van Efpen, Gibfon, Burn, Bingham,
and others, whofe compilations are conjidered to be the moJi elaborate
and complete in their hind, are ejfentially defective" — I can only fay
that I am moJi grateful for the opportunity afforded me of fo far
ferving the injiitutions of the Church ; and I truJi that the prefent new
and improved edition may be found further helpful to the fame holy
caufe. It is indeed matter of heartfelt thanhfulnefs to an obfcure in
dividual, in the retirement of a country parfonage, to have been allowed
by a feries of publications, from time to time renewed, to awahen the
attention of thofe in the higher places of the Church to the utility and
importance of a branch of our diocefan fyjiem, which for many centu
ries had been fo generally and unaccountably forgotten. Since the

( ' ) The only works of which I had in vain endeavoured to procure a fight, when
my former edition was publiflied, viz. Zeltner's Tractatus de PtrioOeuttJi Veteris
Ecclefice Rejlituendis, and Schmidt's Differtatio de JfcjjnoOiS Archidiaconorum et
^rc]&lp«S62t«romm in Germanid, I have fince had an opportunity of confulting ; but
I find nothing in thofe compilations which my own refearches had not already
realized to my readers. I mention this here, as in my former preface thefe works
were anxioufly inquired after.

^refaK. vii
publication of Archdeacon PriauM s little Tract^ — thefir/i of the feries
alluded to — entitled, A brief account of the nature, ufe, and end of
the office of beait rural, with copious annotations by the editor
{A.D. MDcccxxxii.), the injiitution has been partially revived in almoji
every diocefe of England, in fome few of Ireland— for in fome it before
exijied, — and has even been introduced into the Colonies'^.
Though far from infenjible to this fact, and to the general approval
bejiowed on my refearches by the Clergy at large, and by thofe more
ejpecially who are engaged in diocefan government, I regret that I am
Jim compelled to fpeak of the revival as partial and incomplete.
I Jhould accept as my moJi cherijhed reward the practical adoption of
the entire adminiftrative fyftem, of which I am the humble advocate.
— But this is not yet realised. Our diocefan economy isjiill defective.
<Kural IJgatxriBg, it is true, exiji as cantonments of all our ancient
diocefes ; while rural treang arejiill wanting m fome, rural chapters
in almoft all. With the utmoji deference I would ajk, why Jhoidd
this be ? why fliould we, in any injiance or degree, repudiate what
our forefathers found experimentally fo helpful to local order and
difcipline in the Church? IfHt^mit^ are to be kept up, why not their
supertntenljsnts ? and if treans are admijjible, why not chapters?
Why Jhmdd we fever what the Church of old always united? Why,
in Jhort, Jhould not irtang and chapters co-exiji in every tieanrg of

(') Reprinted in the ^pptnOil, Vol. il Salisbury Documents.
(^) I have pleafure in recording that tural Ij^ang are acknowledged in feveral Acts
of Parliament of late years, as concerned in the ecclefiaftical adminiftration of the
Empire ; and that his Grace the Lord Primate, in his Charge delivered at his ordi
nary vijitation in September mdcccxl., expreflly ftates, that " Their authority, which
has hitherto refted on the voluntary acquiefcence of the clergy, will in future have
the fanction of law."
62

viii preface.
every diocefe ? — "Sure I am," says Bijhop Atterbury, when Archdeacon
of Totnefs, " that if ever a re-eftablifhment of church-difcipline in its
vigour be Jincerely intended, one, and a chief, method of promoting it
muji be by a rejioration 0/ rural Jj£ans and tfiapttrg to the full extent
of their ancient powers^."
Toward effecting this object fomewhat has been already done, as
thefe pages willjhew ; hut I would ajfure thofe who have been bach-
ward in doing more — who have adopted the rurt^iJEtanal %t\imt only
in part — who have fanctioned the revival o/tifang rural, but have taken
no Jieps towards connecting them with their legitimate adjuncts, the
rural cfiapterg, /rom which, as it appears to me, they were never
disjoined in the days of a more perfect difcipline— that they have left
half their good work undone : they have mutilated the integrity of the
office, have abridged its ufefulnefs, and deprived it of much of its
dijiinction and influence. While remaining in its prejent maimed
and lifelefs Jiate, it may well befaid of it as of Lucans oak —
-nee jam validis radicibus haerens

1

Pondere fixa suo eft ; nudofque per aera ramos
Effundens, trunco, non frondibus, efficit umbram.''
Feeling this very Jirongly, I once more refpectfully, but earnejily,
folicit the attention of the hierarchy, the bijkops, and archdeacons, to
thisjiilljlighted branch of the Ifecanal tngtttute, and to the arguments
and examples whereby its rejioration is abundantly recommended in
Part V. Sect. iv. of my fecond volume, and in the Documentary
Appendix of the diocefes of Winchejier, Chichejier, Exeter, and

(I) This laft expreffion, " to the full extent of their ancient powers," is of courfe
to be underftood, as doubtlefs it was fpoken to the aifembled clergy of the arch
deaconry, with fome degree of qualification.

preface. ix
Salisbury. I do fo in the hope of being further injirumental to
reviving generally the capitular organization of the rura.l treanrteg, and
thereby rejioring that femblance of fymmetry and completenefs to the
fcheme of ecclejiajiical adminijiration, which our Chrijiian forefathers
dejigned for us in all itsfulnefs and efficacy, and carried out themfelves
in practice to the great advantage of the Church.
I would aJk thofe who have doubts about the propriety or utility of
rejioring local ggnoDg of the clergy under ifccanal gupcrinteniicncc to
read the late Bijhop Otters letter to the rural Ucang of the diocefe of
Chichejier ; Archdeacon Atterbury' s Charge to the Clergy at Totnefs
(both printed in my Appendix) ; Archdeacon Hare's at Lewes {A.D.
MDCCCXL.); Archdeacon Thorp's at Brijiol {A.D. mdcccxl.); Archdea
con Lear's Addrefs at the opening of the tfccanal chapters at Sarum
(reprinted in my Appendix); my Hcttcr to the latter, with the autho
rities there quoted; the Britifti Critic /or April mdcccxxxvi., awt?
July mdcccxl. ; and the more recent remarks of Bijhop Thirlwall on
thefubject, in his Charge to the Clergy of the diocefe of St. David's
(j.D. MDCCCXLII.)
As to the new matter contained in this edition, I may obferve,
generally, that it is fcattered through the text, notes, and appendix ;
wherever, in Jhort, it was applicable. Many unpublijhed injiruments
of recent date are introduced, by the hlndnefs of our Church-rulers
and others, into the Appendix of Englilh Documents : while, in refe
rence to Ireland, / am happy to fay that the additional information
fupplied by more extenjive refearches on my own part, aided by the
correjpondence of learned friends on the other Jide of the channel, has
enabled me to adopt the fame diocefan arrangement as in the Englifh
fees; a great improvement upon the former edition, wherein the infm--
matlon refpecting the Ijccanal office in Ireland was confufed, meagre,

x preface.
and unfatisfactory in the extreme. My moJi refpectful thanks are due,
under this fection, to the Lord Primate, the Archbljhop of Dublin, the
Bijhop of Down and Connor and Dromore, the Dean of Lifmore, the
Precentor of OJfory, the Archdeacon of Cork, the Rev. Drs. Todd,
Boyton, Wilfon, and Weji, the Rev. A . Irwin, C. Crofthwaite,
W. Reeves, and others. To Dr. Todd I am particularly indebted
for a MS. copy of the Vifltation-Book of the province of Armagh
{A.D. mdcxxii.) — prefented with a liberality which muJi be attributed to
the general inter eji which he takes in thefubject of Church-antiquities,
and with a courtefy for which I feel individually moJi grateful.
I wijh it had been in my power to have achieved as much for
Scotland as for Ireland. Indeed any attempt to illujirate the rurt-
bccanal difcipline of the Epifcopal Church of Scotland might be thought
by fome, under the prefent deprefsed condition of that branch of the
Church Catholic, and the mutilation of her diocefan and cathedral Jiaff,
beyond the reach of this inquiry. But it muJi be borne in mind, that
we have to do with other times than thofe in which we are living. Our
evidences of Scottijh Church-economy, such as they are — and would
that they were more copious, and embraced more of the ancient fees —
are all adduced from records of the olden time, when the polity of our
northern Jijier was as fully developed as our own. True it is, that
the main inducement to inquiry and illujiration is there wanting ;
the examples of days gone by can no longer Jilmulate to imitation as
with ourfelves ; — while here the difcipline of antiquity is, at leaji thus
far, recoverable ; the bccanal fyjiem may be revived and adopted at
any time in its fulleji meafure ; and it is cheering to fee that we are
daily ^ftrivlng to regain it. Not fo our lefs favoured brethren of the
north. The office of rural bean, as far as I am informed — and I
fpeak on the authority of BiJIiop Rujfell, the able hi/iorian of the

preface, xi
Church hefo wellferves — has not been recognifed north of the Tweed
Jince thejixteenth century. Indeed, the Epifcopal Church in Scotland,
between the Reformation and Revolution, prefents aformfo incomplete,
and in fome refpectsfo anomalous, that nothing favouring of primitive
order and difcipline in her adminijiratlon could be reafonably expected.
Nor, in truth, under more favourable circumjiances, could it he fup-
pofed, that, while the rurt-bccanal office had become obfolete and anti
quated in England, it Jhould have Jhewn any fymptoms of life and
vigour in Scotland. While Jiruggling for a hare exljience, the Church
of the latter country could not venture to lay claim to thofe decorations
of office in her diocefan machinery, which were hers in her more pro-
Jperous days of national recognition. All thefe, however, may hereafter
come hack upon her, with a more than tolerated epifcopate, in God's
appointed time. Her fcattered documents — " fragmenta tantum fle-
bilis naufragii " — it is our duty, in the meanwhile, to gather up and
difpofe of to the beji advantage, that it may hefeen that England and
Scotland were heretofore one and the fame in that department, at leaJi,
of their ecclejiajiical fyjiem, which it is the object of thefe pages to
explain and recommend. Time and further refearch may bring to Ught
more of Scotland's much-deJiderated Church-records, in the form of
diacefan canons and conjiitutions. Something has been lately done
by the learned Antiquarian Societies of the North — the Maitland and
Bannatyne Clubs^- — in behalf of the fees of Olafgow and Moray.
Something is now doing in behalf of that of Aberdeen by the Spalding
Society ; and more, perhaps, may be expected from the zeal of Archte-

(') See Quarterly Review, No. cxliv. Sept. mdcccxliii. p. 379. I have to thank
the Hon. W. L. Melville for a loan of the Megfettum lEptgtopatflS iWotabiensig, and
the JKjgtSttttm ?EptSC0patiiS ffilaggucnStg, courteoufly granted, at the folicitation of
Profeffor H. H. Wilfon of Oxford, in furtherance of thefe refearches.

xu

preface.

ologijis in illujiration of other fees hereafter. Whatever has been
hitherto publijhed in Wilkins's and other collections of earlier or later
date, has been turned to account in the following pages.
To Bijhop Coleridge we owe the firji attempt to carry out, in the
Colonial Church of the Britijh Empire, the ruri-becanal machinery
which has been found fo helpful to diocefan government at home. My
readers, I amfure, will feel grateful to his Lordjhip for giving me the
opportunity of enriching my Appendix with the firJi rural=bean'g com-
mijjion in one of the firft-created Weji-Indian bljhopricks, together
with the fcheme of territorial adminijiration devifed by himfelf, and
fubfequently altered and extended by his fucceffors to meet the exigen
cies of their increafed refponjibilities, Bijhops Parry, Davis, and
Aujiin have followed Bijhop Coleridge's Jieps in the regimen of the
diocefes of Barbados, Antigua, and Guiana ; nor had his example been
difregarded by Bijhop George Aubrey Spencer in the newly-created
diocefe of Newfoundland, when he was tranjlated thence to the fee of
Jamaica ; where it is to he hoped he will purfue the fame fyjiem of
rural Church-government.
Rectory House, Donhead St. A?idrew,
Saint Philip and Saint James's Day.

ORDER AND ARRANGEMENT OF THE CONTENTS.

TAgI2 2YNEXEI IIANTA.— Balsamon ad Can. xxiv. Aposlol.

VOL. I.
Part I, — Name tsf 'Settle.
Sect. T. — Summary View of the ©itleS applied to the ^«an J^ural :
THE RELATIVE AnTIQUITY OP THE MOST APPROPRIATE ©itUS.
Many titles applied by glossariographers to tijans rural are impertinent — others of
local and partial application. Two alone appropriate ; viz. attijiJ^Xt^i^Ut and
tietanU0. ^rtJiprJStgter — the more ancient title — of Latin origination, though
of Greek extraction. npaT0nPE2BYTEP02, npnT0iEPEY2, nPSJTOnAnAS,
synonymous Eastern appellatives. ^rc]&ipreg6gt«r the most appropriate title.
APXinPE2BYTEP02 and nPQT0IIPE2BYTEP02 applied to the same individual.
The relative antiquity of the terms in the Greek and Latin churches. Both of
them are many centuries older than tiecanu^. Antiquity of titcanug in church-
polity — of elder use in lay and monastic polity — St. Jerome quoted . . p. 1 — 6
Sect. II. — ^rcjipresligtet — different kinds op ^rtjjpregbgttrs.
^rcj)ipr«sft2ter — origin of the term. Two kinds of arcj^prte$t$i in the Western or
Latin church — cat!)«Dral or urJan — bltan or rural, ^rftan defined. Mural
defined. ^rotoprwStS or protopoptS correspondent to them in the Eastern or
Greek church. Kennett's distinction of titanH — Gibson's — Duarenus's — sup
ported by Silvester, Augustin Barbosa, Perro Manrrique, Galganetti, and others.
References to authorities for the duties of catJtDral titanS or arc|)prteStS in early
times. IJican or rural arcj&priegts — first mentioned by the council of Tours,
A.D. dlxvii., and by Gregory, bishop of Tours  7 — 14

©ontcntg.

Sect. III. — Hecanug — the identity op Weam Mural & ^rclbpwS'i'S*^^ Mural.
iStCanuS — origin of the term. IBean rural — definition of, by Lyndwood. Identity
of office of tijan rural and arcfjpr^sbgtcr rural, proved by many authorities.
Johnson's assertion, that these officers differed, is insupportable — more proofs of
their sameness. The date of the change of title, about A.D. dccc. — and the
reason of it, a desire, on the part of the church, to copy the state-polity of the
time. Reasonableness of the alteration in respect of ecclesiastical jurisdiction —
lay l)«attateS better defined than spiritual artStprJgbaterateS. Analogy of
secular and ecclesiastic office in the ninth century pointed out by Walafrid
Strabo  15—21

Part IL — S^fie ©rigtn of tfie ©ffice.
Sect. I. — The origin of IBcaM Mural in general. — ©IborepiScopi.
The institution of rural tieans, as to time and place, uncertain. Morinus's theory
of their origin reasonable. Necessity of early coadjutors to urban bishops.
^rtl)pr{ei5tS or {leaniS, not the first episcopal helpmates, ©j&orepigcopt ordained
long before — contemporaneous with irpeerfivrepoi eTri^aipioc. Their distribution
and incardination. Uapottccat — how distinguished — the threefold division of
paroeciae, of difficult appropriation (save in the case of the urban bishop) to the
different offices of the priesthood. Incumbency of the presbyter — of the t]&or-
jpiSCOpug. Greek scholiasts and Latin versionists of the councils throw little
light upon the subject. Statements of learned men, and probable resolution of
- the question as to the residence of blllan titsjops — references. Selden's economy
of the Greek church. Reference to Archbishop Wake. Minute particulars
upon this head unimportant to the present inquiry. Delegation of power to
trust-worthy superintendents sanctioned by the primitive usage of the Christian
Church. Reference to Dr. Priaulx's Brief Account &c. The constitution of
the cj&orepi^copal office. In point of order, tjorcpfecopl were genuine bishops.
Boehmer's opinion of them — originally all bishops co-equal — subsequently
fettered by the Ancyran fathers, cjbortptgcopf became 6fSJ&ops' tieputks, blcarti
jplgtoporum— pwloDeutae in the east— artjbprtsfisttrs in the west. Duarenus's
opinion of the origin of the rural arcl)pricStf)ooD out of the t|&or«piscopate—

®0ttt«tttS.

Spelman's and other confirmations of this derivation. The one office succeeded
to the other generally, in the eastern and western churches. In the east, the
place of chorepiscopi was supplied by perioDeutffi, or bisiting prcgfegtersi {A.D.
CCCLXIV.), under the sanction of the council of Laodicea, afterwards called
txaxti)^, protopriestg, and protopopcs. No such canon in the west — perioDeutffi,
are not found, by name, in the western church ; but arc|&ipr«sbgtcr0, exercising
the same functions. Both called bl^itatoreS. Reasons why these functionaries
are supposed to be identical in the east and west — founded on their similarity
of office and geographical distribution. Balsamon's description of the Grecian
office — Beveridge's — Justellus's of the Latin, from Gregory of Tours — Petrus
de Marca's perioljeuta — points of resemblance noticed between the eastern and
western ecclesiastics. Russian perioticutfe called ]3lag0cf)ennie. Early con-
.^nexion between the Gallican and Asiatic churches, and probable influence of
the latter on the policy of the former — The first appearance of arcljprieStfi as
bigitatorcs in the Gallican council of Tours (A.D. dlxvii.) is reasonably
deduced from the institution of periotieutffi as bisitatorcS in Asia Minor. The
change of ci&orcpiscopacg into rural arcjipregfisttracg very slowly carried for
ward, ©ountrg bishops and blgiting prtSbgtcrS long co-existent. Their offices,
theoretically, quite compatible with each other and with that of the archdeacon.
Suspension of tj&orepigcopi in the west by Charlemagne and the Pope — reasons
for it. Appropriation of their duties to urban bishops and rural arcjjprcsbgtcrs
or tieand — opinions of Morin, Thomassin, Peter de Marca, FUesac, and many
others on the subject of this devolution. Partial overseers of dioceses, deno
minated by the Greeks tjorcpiscopi, elsewhere arr^JJ^acong and arcjbprijsts, are
called, in the rural parts of the diocese of Augsburg, tecani ruraks. The view
taken of the derivation of the arcl)ipr«sbgtcral institution fi^om the cj&orepigcopal,
confirmed by many learned authors, and indirectly by the Pavian council, A.D.
DCCCL.; which gives to arcj&presbgters rural their first plenary commission —
confirmed likewise by the same clashing, at first, of the new institution, as of
the old, with the privileges of city bishops. Papal interference to suppress the
assumption of tJ)orepigcopal rank by rural tJtanS. '^ni)Ji}tii»i^Uti or ijcanS
rural legitimate successors of billan UsijOfi. Appointed by name to succeed
them in Ireland in the twelfth century. Spelman's account of the corba of
Ireland. Usages and titles of the church of Saint Martin at Utrecht. The title
of tjuri or tjburoio of the eastern Maronites, derived from that of tj)orepi0copu0
by Dominic Macer. Morisan's account of the Syro-Maronite urban and rural

©ontents.

functionaries, extracted from the synod of Libanus — the protopope tl)0r=
cpigcopus — periolJeuta — their functions, privileges, and ensigns of office,
respectively  22 57
Sect. II. — The origin of Mural 13 cans in England. — Institution of
Parishes and Parochial Clergy.
iicang rural not to be sought for in England till the establishment of parishes and
parochial clergy. Summary of our church-economy in its earliest days. Bishop
and clergy lived together at the cathedral. Missionaries. Churches erected
soon after the first preaching of the gospel. Chapels-of-ease or oratories
served by itinerant pastors. Collegiate union and missionary instruction pre
vailed for more than seven hundred years. No traces of a parochial clergy,
properly so called, in the British church — nor for the first two centuries of the
Anglo-Saxon church.
Auxiliary churches or vlUican chapels-of-ease erected by British bishops and clergy-
noticed by Bede and other authorities. These were non-parochial foundations.
Examples in the churches of Saint Patrick and Saint Dubritius— and, in later
days, of Puch and Addi. Their precincts limited only in respect of the mini
stering clero-y, sent from the cathedral to officiate at them. While this system
of itinerancy lasted, there was no call for local ticang— reasons.
The duration of this simple church-polity not accurately known. Commenced in the
British times — renewed by the Anglo-Saxons, under the authority of Pope Gre
gory and Augustine — continued in Bede's days — evidenced in many places of
his ecclesiastical history, and of his letter to Archbishop Ecgberct. Ministers or
collegiate churches — Parochial divisions inconsistent with the then community
of ecclesiastical revenues. Establishment of proper parochial cures towards the
close of the eighth century — commenced by bishops, kings, and thegns. Filial
churches subordinate to the matrix ecclesia of the diocese — resident priests with
distinct endowments. Parishes at first much larger than at present — more like
our rural Dcanrieg in extent — subsequently subdivided. No localized parochial
minister till after the middle of the eighth century in any diocese in England.
Ecgberct's excerpts no authority to the contrary. Incardinated presbyters noticed
in the synod of Celcyth A.D. dcclxxxv., and again A.D. dcccxvi. No men
tion of itinerancy later than the synod of Cloveshoe, A.D. dccxlvii.
The institution of parishes and proportion of churches to them, a slow and gradual

©ontcnts.

work, somewhat advanced by the year dccc. Scope aflbrded for the appoint
ment of t)cang rural in the ninth century — but none appear. In France,
parochial cures, priests, and arcjpricgtg of the country, much earlier instituted.
No traces of ticans rural in England till the eleventh century — their non
appearance attributable, perhaps, to the magnitude of the first parochial divi
sions, and the personal visitations of the bishops every year. Multiplication of
parishes and congregations, and consequent necessity for other spiritual visitors
in aid of the diocesan. Mother- churches of Edgar's and Canute's days.
Daughter-churches become parochial. The great number of churches in the
land matter of complaint under the Confessor.
Parochialization completed under Edward. Institution of OcanS rural — commenced
in the middle of the eleventh century, if not earlier, in imitation of the Gallican
church. Continental councils bearing on the office — adapted to our then civil
state by Thomassin. IBccanug cpigcopi of Edward's laws. His duties. Notices
of him in Saxon polity very scanty. The constitution of his office obscure.
A diocesan delegate according to Dr. Inett — not a resident officer of the ticanrg.
This opinion incorrect. The Jjcan rural was residentiary, according to Whitaker.
JWinigtJr episcopi of Edward's laws probably the l)ean rural — attendant at an
ordeal-trial. The Laodicean canon on the periol)euta known to the Anglican
church, which had ever much regard to the Orientals. JBeanS rural noticed in
France A.D. dcccl., in the archdiocese of Rheims — three centuries earlier in
the diocese of Tours, viz. A.D. dlxvii. Baronius's remark on the flourishing
state of church-discipline in France at that time. Probable reasons for the
non-existence of teans rural in England at an earlier date. Not mentioned in
councils &c., where they probably would be, had they been in existence —
Dooms Ecclesiastical of Withred — Edgar's Canons — Laws of Satisfaction &c.
ofWithred — Dialogue of Ecgberct.
Gibson's opinion of the rnri=l|iccanal institution's antiquity in England. Incidental
notices of the prffifectus or gaccrDoS episcopi of Edgar — and propositus episcopi
of Canute. Were they teans rural ?
White Kennett's theory of the office — the cause or reason of its institution in this
country. Its polity imitative of the civil economy of the state. The parallel of
the two beautifully worked out by Kennett — but the hypothesis not admissible,
to the extent of originating the office of iJean rural.
Kennett's own words extracted from his Parochial Antiquities.
Remarks of the editor — his partial dissent from the author. The theory said by

©ontents.

Atterbury to be founded in error — his reasons. Also objected to by Whitaker
— his censure of Kennett, Warner, and Burn.
Many things conspired to the introduction of I)eanS rural, according to Stillingfleet
and Atterbury — the principal of which were the abolition of cj&orepiScopi in the
west, and the avocation of bishops from spiritual to secular busiiiess. Dr. Inett's
dissent — his hypothesis not unreasonable, as applying to the tiecanal institution
of the reign of William I. Extract from the Origines Anglicanm.
The baronial services of the bishops allowed by Inett to have operated to the esta^
blishment of iJeanS rural in some degree — ^Not so the abolition of tj^orepiscopi.
These and rural Deans had their origin, in Inett's opinion, at the same time ;
and may be traced to the multiplied business of ecclesiastical jurisdiction need
ing other helpmates. The editor suggests that the Cean rural of Ireland suc
ceeded the cjorepiscopus. Notices of tieans rural in England in the twelfth
century, iieans of Craven in Yorkshire, and of Thetford in Norfolk. Whita-
ker's objections to Kennett's date of the institution, as subsequent to Alfred's
reign — to Johnson's again, as wandering yet farther firom the truth. Whitaker
places it in the seventh century — a proofless assertion.
Archdeacons of higher antiquity than arc JpreSbgterS in England. Wilfired, an arch
deacon, present at the council of Baccanceld, A.D. dccxcviii. Notices of
archdeacons of Canterbury in the ninth century. Again mentioned in the tenth
century, in the Laws of the Northumbrian priests. References to authorities
for and against the jurisdiction of ante-Norman archdeacons . , . . 58 — 110

Part III. — !^^t lElectiott anb Eitstftuttott of 3Seang <Kural.
Sect. I. — Right of Election.
The designations of IjeanS rural in many early councils are indicative of bishops
being the authors of their appointment, as they were of those of the cjorepiscopi
and perioUeutee. The clergy first elected their own Deans, subject to the bishop's
approval. After confirmation, DeanS rural not removeable by the bishop without
the consent of the electors. In the year dcxxxiii. of Christ, the arcjbipresbgteral
office was elective — the electors being by delegation, the archdeacon, clero^y,
and people — the same in the year dccclv. — the bishop having no power of
displacing an arcjpriest, except for crime. A curious canon of the council of

©ontents.

Tours. Such power of election, permissive on the part of the bishop. Elective
character of the catJeDral Dean. This appointment lost to the diocesan — not so
the Dean rural'S. No farther notice of the people, as co-electors. Archdeacons
continue joint electors with the bishop. Hincmar's instructions to his arch
deacons on the subject of electing DeanS rural. The bishop reserves a veto on
the appointment. Arnulph, bishop of Lisieux, allows his archdeacon to present,
subject to episcopal approval. The clergy of Ferrara elect their arcj^priest, with
the same reservation in favour of the bishop, who may ratify or not. I3eans
rural made subject to archdeacons, and named from their very subjection ; which
is rendered absolute by Innocent III. — appointed and displaced by the bishop
and archdeacon conjointly. Lyndwood's glosses upon this doctrine of the
Pope, confirmatory of the concurrency of jurisdiction.
The election influenced by the custom of each diocese. Gloss of Hostiensis, as to
French usage. Atterbury's interpretation of the law in reference to England.
Ancient usages of the dioceses of Exeter and Canterbury — of the archdeaconries
of Richmond and Chester — of the diocese of Meath — of Melun — of Poictiers —
of Derry — of Milan — of Salzburg. The regulation laid down by the Refor
matio Legum Ecclesiasticarum, — by the council of Cologne — ofMalines. The
constitution and appointment of the arcjipresbgteral ofiBice in Belgian churches
extracted from Van Espen. Intended canons for England A.D. mdlxii. —
MDLxxi. King Charles the Second's Declaration, A.D. mdclx. Bishop Bedell's
rule in the diocese of Kilmore. Projected regulations of the appointment in
the Convocational proceedings under Queen Anne. Council of Reussen.
Siecanal appointments in modern days influenced by the same consuetudo loco
rum. The usages of many dioceses of England — of Canterbury — Lincoln —
Exeter — London — Bangor — Bath and Wells — Chester — Chichester — Ely —
Hereford — Lichfield — Llandaff — Norwich — Oxford — Peterborough — Winches
ter — Gloucester and Bristol — Saint David's — Saint Asaph — Worcester — and
Salisbury — the latter particularly detailed. Usages have varied in the dioceses
of Sarum and Winchester — not at present in accordance with ancient custom.
Dr. Cowell's definition of Dean rural, copied by Dr. Godolphin, gives the
appointment and displacement of this officer jointly to the bishop and archdeacon.
Recent institution of DeanS rural, in the diocese of London noticed. Suggestions
by an anonymous author  Ill — 132

©ontents.

Sect. II. — The Method op Institution.
No forms of institution extant, in print or manuscript, antecedent to the sixteenth
century. IBeanS rural appointed by oral declaration and tradition of the
Decanal seal. No deeds of commission in diocesan registers. 3ieanSi)ip of the
Court of Arches. Formal conveyances of it to the rector of Saint Mary-le-Bow
— rural or urban Dean of London. Kennett's reasons why this officer retained
his power and formal commission in scriptis. Designations by writ or patents
may have been used — though none are extant. Many documents of institution
of the sixteenth century in England. A few short continental formulae. Patent
of institution of the diocese of Chester of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
S9canS rural anciently took an oath in some dioceses at the time of institution — in the
diocese of Meath A.D. mccxvi. In that of Sarum, the sacramentum corporale
was administered to DeanS by the bishop on presentation, after institution by the
archdeacon. The obligation of an oath probably was continued. Scotch
council of Edinburgh enacts it. Administered in the province of Rouen —
form of jurament of the diocese of Evreux. The DeanS rural of the diocese of
Sarum were sworn bjiBishop Ward to the due execution of their functions.
Godolphin's juratory articles ministered to rural Deans. No oath recommended
in the convocational proceedings about rural Deans, A.D. mdccx., but a paper
of instructions, and the exaction of a solemn promise. Modern usages — in
England generally, wherever the office obtains — in Cornwall particularly, an
archidiaconate of the diocese of Exeter — form of Decanal oath there used —
Subscription and Declaration of DeanS in diocese of Saint Asaph, under Bishop
Horsley. Dr. Kennett's suggestions to Bishop Gardiner of Lincoln, on the
method of instituting Deans rural  133 — 145
Sect. III. — The Duration of Office of 39eans Mural.
The office of Dean rural generally temporary — terminable at the will of the delegator.
Glosses of Lyndwood and John de Atho to that effect. In the Reformatio
Legum Ecclesiasticarum, the projected office annual.
In the proceedings of Convocation about rural DeanS, under Queen Anne, the dura
tion three years, subject to the bishop's discretion. Somner's statement is
correct, of DeanS being amotive. Exceptions— some were perpetual, with archi-
diaconal jurisdiction— examples. 19eanS of Peculiars. Norwich Deans rural,
perpetual. Collations to rural Decanates in that diocese. Siean of Whalley?

©ontents.

Chester Deans rural, perpetual — Ley's account of them confirmed by
Ledger-Book. Removeable by the archdeacons, A.D. mcc. Afterwards, patent
officers for life. Their jurisdiction distinct from the ordinary jurisdiction of the
diocese.
The rural Deansjbip of Manchester an office for life. All rural DeanS at first perpe
tual, according to Whitaker. Usage of the archdiocese of Salzburg. IBean
rural for life called sometimes plebanus. Date and origin of the term — rare in
English councils — common in Tuscany. References. Whether temporary or
perpetual, the appointment not to be simoniacally conferred — forbidden by
French and Spanish councils. Duration of the office now-a-days in England.
The author's opinion adverse to the annual appointment of DeanS rural, 146 — 1 58

Part IV. — 'STfie pergonal ^Functions of Wtam Iflural.
Sect. I. — Introductory Summary of Personal Duties.
References to authorities for the personal duties of the Laodicean perioDeuta, the
successor of the cj^orepiScopuS- Sequence of functions to be discussed. Bishop
Gibson's definition of the proper office of a rural Dean. Dr. Field's translation
of Pope Gregory's Decretal, descriptive of the same. The power of Deans
improved by custom — from being merely inspectional, became judicial. Analogy
between the Decembir and Dean rural. Standing office of rural Deans in
England, according to Gibson's Codex. Some branches of duty only occasional
— ^not powers of right belonging to the office. The Editor's doubts. Siecanal
duties variable in different dioceses, according to Van Espen — undefined,
according to Somner. To be judged of by their exercise— subordinate — but
important to church-discipline. The writer's summary of the personal duties of
Deans rural, as exhibited in the sequel  159 — 166
Sect. II. — Parochial Visitatioi*.
Bishop Gibson denies to the Dean rural all right of parochial visitation — yet a
parochial visitor the Dean has ever been — shewn from Van Espen, Field,
Somner, Johnson, Andrews, Kennett. Gibson is condemned by Whitaker as
having made " a great mistake". Van Espen and Boehmer quoted. Mural

©ontents.

Deans were parochial visitors of very early days^ — perioDeutae — successors of the
cl)orepiSCOpi, Appointed visitors before archdeacons — who were cathedral, and
not diocesan officers. 5ieanS rural visited only " in substitution and vicarage."
Richard and Boehmer cited. The original authority for these delegations of
visitatorian power, in the Latin church, to be found in the council of Toledo,
A.D. Dcxiii. Council of Chalon and Rheginon referred to. Mural Deans visit
not de jure in England. Memoranda of Decanal visitation under episcopal or
other sanction. The earliest on record are those of Hincmar, A.D. dccchi.
Lateran council, A.D. mclxxix. — confirmed by Archbishop Hubert and by Cardinal
Othobon. Thomassin's remarks. Exactions forbidden, and procurations allowed
to Deans rural. Procurations disallowed, except for actual visitation. Restric
tions on Decanal visitation — canons to enforce it — of Le Mans — of Saumur — of
Clermont — of Saintes — of Liege — of Autun — of Saint Asaph — of Chichester —
of Melun — Constitution of Pope Benedict XII. on procurations of DeanS rural.
Visitational dues of DeanS rural allotted by the Liege statutes, A.D. mccccxlvi.
Meath canons on arcj^ipresb^teral visitation cited in full. Exactions again and
again inhibited. Inquisition under Henry II. to correct Decanal extortion.
Our suspicions of the purity of the arcj&presbgteral character excited — highly
criminal in France. Ley's account of a visiting arcftprieSt from Saint Bernard
— the orig-inal speech quoted.
Farther proofs of the visitatorian capacity of DeanS rural in the fifteenth, sixteenth,
seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries. Council of Tours — of Angers — of Con
stance—Cardinal Campegio— bishop of Seez— synod of Augsburg— Germanic
Formula Reformationis — councils of the province of Rouen — provincial Scotch
councils of Edinburgh— Deans rural of the diocese of Chester have, by patent, a
right ofvisitation, and all jurisdiction pertinent thereto. The twelve DeanrieS
now consolidated— the Decanal power ofvisitation remains. Council of Trent
—Brent's version. Council of Cambray— deans of Christianity visit, instead of
bishop and archdeacons. Synod under Maximilian, archbishop of Cambray.
Synod of Salzburg— DeanS rural to visit and be visited.
Council of Malines ratifies Tridentine decrees &c. Synod of Ypres— of Bru<res.
Archbishop Borromeo's Milanese Articles of Inquiry for foraneous btcarS orDelnS
rural. CouncU of Rouen-of Tours-of Malines, A.D. UBcvn.-Spicilegium
Ecclesiasticam of Lunig-synods of Ypres, A.D. mdcix. mdoxxx.— of Antwerp
—of Bois-le-duc— council of Bourdeaux— synod of Saint Omer— of Namur-of
Malines — of Bayeux — of Cologne — and of Ghent.

©ontents.

Visitational powers of the DeanS rural of Jersey and Guernsey — summary history of
their jurisdiction. Canons ecclesiastical cited. DeanS rural visited, under Bishop
Ward, in the diocese of Sarum. Convocational proceedings about rural Deans
under Queen Anne. Gibson's Listructions to rural DeanS of the diocese of
London. Council of Reussen, A.D. mdccxx. Evidence enough of a sort of
visitatorian capacity— acted upon for one thousand years, and more.
Reflections upon the function of visitation as exercised by Deang rural — compared
with that of archdeacons. Kennett's view of the priority of right on the part of
Deans rural to visit parochially — and how they lost it. Archidiaconal visitation
— its ancient and modern character.
SieanS rural summoners of the parochial clergy to episcopal visitations under Bishop
Grosseteste. Very early employed on this duty by the council of Rouen.
iieans rural entertain the bishop on occasions of confirmation — a canon of the
council of Pavia regulates the entertainment for man and horse on these
occasions  167 — 208
Sect. III. — Synodical Duties.
HeanS rural attendant at episcopal synods to make presentments, &c. — thence called
by some, incorrectly, ©eSteS SsnoDaleS. Synodal witnesses distinct officers from
Deans rural — noticed by Archbishop Edmund — and by the council of Narbonne
— called Juratores Synodi — Questmen — Sides-men quasi Synod-men — not
successors of rural Deans, but established long before them, in the days of
Hincmar. The duties of laical ©eSteS SgnoDaleS — these officers called, by
Rheginon, Decant. Thence the misapplication of the title ®eSteS SfiUODaleS
to spiritual DeanS rural. References in illustration. 33cans rural, in point of
function, were ffieSteS SS'^O^si''^^ — O"* °^^ occasion so named — they appoint
testes SgnoDaleS at Antwerp. Approximation of DeanS rural of modem days
to ancient synodal witnesses. The extent of their powers incidentally noticed.
Episcopal synods resumed — diocesan visitations — their frequency of old time. Mural
Deans rightfiil coadjutors at them — of what ecclesiastics they consisted in England
and on the continent. Their frequency variable at different periods and places
 once — twice— thrice. Once on the continent — twice in England. Usages
of Europe — province of Rouen — Germany, Cardinal Campegio— Formula
Reformxitionis. Council of Cologne— synod of Cambray— of Ypres— of Rouen.
again— of Rheims— of Saint Omer. Siecanal duties in connexion with epi-
c 2

©ontents.

scopal synods— presentments at them— Cardinal Pole's Injunctions on pre
sentments. The usages of Saint Udalrlc in the diocese of Augsburg— his
interrogatories to the clergy. Diocesan synod of Salingestat. Presentments
of the synod of Saint Hippolyte, in the diocese of Padua. Presentable facts
and offences of later synods, and duties of DeanS rural at them — Council of
Cambray — Norwich presentments under Bishop Freak. Council of Bourdeaux
— of Narbonne — of Lisieux — of Milan, under Borromeo — of Cologne. Form
of presentment by Maximilian Henry, archbishop of Cologne. Diocesan synod
of Reussen — articles of inquiry to be prosecuted, and the results presented
at synod.
Canonical vesture observed at episcopal synods and other clerical meetings — regu
lated by the councils of Arras — of Cologne — of Autun — of Seez. Propriety
of behaviour inculcated by the councils of Tournay — of Lisieux — of Rouen.
Board and lodging provided for DeanS rural and parochial clergy, while in
attendance at the episcopal see of the province of Rouen.
Decay of synodical duties of DeanS rural in England. Their services borne by
churchwardens and convocational proctors. HeanS rural respected in the
synods of Paris, of Salzburg in Germany, and in many Belgian churches — long
since deprived of all synodical honour in England. HeanS rural meet at an
episcopal conference annually in the diocese of Salisbury .... 209 — 230
Sect. IV. — Supervision of the Laity.

Chap. I. — Prefatory Arrangement — Supervisal of Laical Offences.
Personal duties of DeanS rural, incidentally noticed under visitational and synodical
proceedings, to be now given, with many others, in detail. Prefatory arrano-e-
ment of the remaining sections. DeanS rural general supervisors and censors
of the inhabitants of their Decanates — Van Espen, Molanus, and Kennett quoted.
This power exercised by them in their personal capacity, independent of their
Chapter — important to church-discipline. ^rcl^ipreSbjiteral government over the
laity early supported by church-canons — Council of Auxerre — Capitulary of
Charlemagne— Council of Meath— of Clermont. The clergy of the diocese of
Saintes ordered to lay all grave faults of their parishioners before their Dean.
No pecuniary composition for crimes to be admitted by the DeanS rural of
Worcester —nor by those of Germany under the influence of Cardinal Cam-

©ontents.

pegio's Ratisbon constitution. What offences subject to Decanal cognizance? —
All open and scandalous offences are under their cognitional jurisdiction — such
as at present are noticeable by churchwardens, according to the canons of the
Church of England — enumerated by name. The ruri-Decanal office virtually
non-existent when those canons were drawn up in mdciii. The lighter faults
always cognizable (personal or capitularly) by DeanS rural — graver carried
before the bishop — Meath canon. Conciliar decrees empowering DeanS to take
cognizance of incest, adultery, ribaldry, harlotry, dice-playing, blasphemy, heresy,
fighting and brawling in consecrated places, &c. &c. from the synods &c. of
Rouen, of Arras, of Lincoln, of Ypres. Other sins and crimes added by the
Reformatio Legum Ecclesiasticarum of England to the Deans' catalogue of
presentable offences. Controul of DeanS rural over the laity of the diocese of
Chester.
Efforts of certain Belgian synods to suppress licentiousness and immorality on the
Lord's Day and on festivals — and to support the sanctity of those days by
inhibiting all secular business in trade and agriculture, unless by licence of the
Dean of ©JriStianitS of the district — civil interference therewith uncanonical.
Occasions of Decanal dispensation.
Other laical breaches of church-discipline subject to presentment by DeanS rural.
Canon of the see of Arras interdictory of usurarious trafficking. Abusers of
Apostolical letters, and of the bearers of them, liable to excommunication.
Mid wives of the diocese of Antwerp under the spiritual jurisdiction of the rural
Deans — Unsworn midwives presentable by the DeanS of the diocese of Ypres at
the bishop's court  231—247
Chap. II. — Purgational Duties.
Deans rural entrusted to take the purgation of laymen for incontinence or other
crime — Kennett and Somner quoted. The purgatory process and course of
correction set forth by Hubert Walter. Regulations of it under the manage
ment of Deans rural — compurgators — penance. Purgations and failures of
purgation frequent in visitational records— DeanS rural had much to do with
purgations heretofore — Gibson's remarks upon this branch of discipline, 248—252

©ontents.

Chap. III. — Exorcistical and Catechistical Duties.
Deans rural appointed ecclesiastical exorcists in the dioceses of Ypres and Cologne
— also catechists at Ypres  253 — 254
Chap. IV. — Funereal and Testamentary Duties.
Deans rural to be careful that the rites of sepulture are duly performed over
departed laymen — saving usurious extortioners. To regulate the wages of
undertakers, bell-ringers, &c. Obliged to report all deaths to the bishop or his
official — all testaments unproved, &c  255 — 256

Sect. V. — Supervision op the Clergy.
Chap. I. — Summary View of the Duties and Ministrations of DeanS Mural
towards the Clergy.
Inspection of the lives and conversation of the parochial clergy the more especial
duty of rural Deans. Dr. Field's version of the canon law to that effect. White
Kennett's summary of Decanal duties respecting clerical manners and ministra
tions. Van Espen's view of them, as exercised by arcj&prieSlS in the character
of pastores pastorum. Their great importance to the interests of religion
among the laity and clergy. The Dean rural the instructor, friend, and coun
sellor of the country clergy, as well as the inspector of their conduct and
pastoral performances. Extracts from the synods of Cambray — of Antwerp —
of Saint Omer — of Lisieux — ofNamur — of Cologne  257 — 261
Chap. II. — Archipresbyteral or Archipastoral Ministrations of DeanS Mural
towards the Clergy.
^rcjbpriests in the fullest sense arc{)pastorS — respected and beloved by their subject
pastors. Their spiritual ministrations to the latter, the same as those of the
pastors to their respective flocks, in health — sickness — death. Inculcated by the
synods of Antwerp — of Cologne — ofNamur — of Milan. The Milanese canon
on arcfjipastoral visitation of parochi in sickness, generally applicable to all
spiritual superintendents of the country — plebanS, arcJprieStS, prefects of rural
Districts, and foraneouS bicars — some of the distinctions between these different
officers noticed  262  264

©ontents. xxvii

Chap. III. — Duties of DeanS Mural in reference to Clerical Deaths,
Funerals, Testaments, &c.
Deaths of the clergy notified by DeanS rural to the diocesan in the councils of
Melun, of Paris, of Rouen, of Lisieux, of Arras, of Gloucester, of London.
Deans ordered to celebrate the exequies of deceased clergymen at Ypres and
Antwerp — to announce the deaths of parsons, vicars, &c. to the mother-
churches at Worcester — usages there on the death of a Dean rural — at Ypres —
at Cologne. The goods and chattels of the defunct committed to the custody of
the Dean of the Deanrg at Worcester — at Tournay — at Ypres — at Autun — at
London  265 — 269
Chap. IV. — Supervision of Clerical Apparel.
Supervision of ministerial habit and tonsure an early duty of arcJprfeStS rural.
Deans themselves to set a good example of canonical costume. Penalties
imposed on priests and arcJprieStS for non-obedience, by Langton, Hubert
Walter, and Othobon. Peckham's enforcement of the law against unclerical
attire. Immunities attached to crown and tonsure, in case of arrest. 270 — 273
Chap. V. — Supervision of Clerical Conversation, as to Life and Manners.
Appearance at indecent sports and plays, forbidden to the clergy — DeanS rural of
Worcester ordered to prevent it — of Lincoln. Bishop Grosseteste's keen inqui
sition of lives and manners, prosecuted by DeanS rural. Religion and good
discipline asserted thereby. Clubs and banquetings interdicted at Saint Omer.
Field-sports, hunting, shooting, &c. pointed out for Decanal correction in the
diocese of Avranches.
Conduct disgraceful to the distinction of crown and tonsure, rendered the clergy
liable to the loss of such sacerdotal insignia. DeanS rural ordered, again and
again, to deprive them of crown and tonsure — at Sens — at Rouen — at Chateau-
Gontier. A curious canon of the diocese of Liege, on the subject of jugglers,
&c. Clerical players, tavern-keepers, usurers, traffickers, &c. ordered to be
presented by DeanS rural at Treves, at Autun, at Constance, and other places.
Of all sacerdotal transgressions, incontinency most strictly and repeatedly inhibited
by the councils of the church. DeanS, as spiritual watchmen, charged to be
specially vigilant — themselves to abstain from all conjugal intercourse. Method

©ontentS;

of ensuring the continence of arcj&prieStS in the diocese of Tours. flrcJprieStS
punished with confinement, and bread-and-water diet, for negligence of their
juniors — deprived of communion for a whole year for non-presentment of
incontinency by the council of Auxerre. Rouen canon De clericis uxoratis —
Decanal character expected to be exemplary. Clerical celibacy enforced in
England by Anselm, with the aid of DeanS rural, A.D. mcvii. — earlier attempts
of Anselm and his predecessors. English clergy married till the tenth century.
Jeremy Taylor cited. The interference of DeanS in support of the papal inhibi
tion of matrimony — and for correcting the vices of the clergy consequent on
the unnatural restraint — Fuller cited. The first appearance of DeanS in Eng
land, in this capacity, A.D. mcvii. — subsequently under Archbishops Corboyl
and Walter, A.D. mcxxvil — mcxcv. In the next century. Decanal vigilance in
culcated at Sarum — at Durham, and by the primate. Bishop Grosseteste com
mitted to this absurdity — and annoyed by the immoralities consequent upon
celibacy. Concubinary priests excommunicated in the diocese of Constance —
Deans liable to excommunication for non-denouncement of offenders against
the canon. Continental Deans not often noticed in connexion with celibate
laws — ^much less frequently than those of Great Britain — the probable reasons
thereof suggested. Early penalties in England for clerical incontinency.
Suspension and excommunication, frequent punishments of guilty clerks. What
ever their delinquencies, the churches not to be suspended, but the offending
ministers themselves to be made amenable to the penalties against incontinence.
No suspended or twice-convicted incontinent to be allowed to resume his
office. Penalty against commutation of penance by DeanS in the diocese of
Winchester.
The conduct of Cardinal de Crema a serious blow to the continuance of clerical
celibacy in England — Fuller and Taylor quoted. Henry I. grants the enjoy
ment of their wives to the clergy, on the payment of a certain tax — the DeanS
probably the collectors of this wife-composition  274 — 289
Chap. VI. — Supervision of the Spiritual Ministrations of the Clergy.
Summary statement of the spiritual ministrations of parochial presbyters subject to
Decanal observation. DeanS to enforce the observance of canonical hours —
these defined — references. Bishop Grosseteste notices the non-observance of
Iwrre canonicm, as deserving of rebuke by his archdeacons and DeanS. The

©ontents.

same irregularity purposed to be amended by Cardinal Campegio in Germany,
and by the synods of Antwerp.
Other deviations from the Rubric of the day pointed out by Grosseteste — who was
desirous of purifying the temple of God of all pollution. Charges to the DeanS
rural of the diocese of Cambray to see that the clergy are attentive to preaching,
administering the sacraments, &c. Synodal instructions of the see of Rouen
for the due performance of the special services of the church — the churching of
women-^the administering the mass to the betrothed — the full publication of
banns &c. — the Dean's licence required under certain circumstances of marriage-
contract in the diocese of Tournay. Two masses in one day forbidden at
Gloucester — DeanS to present offenders — the like irregularity inhibited at
Antwerp.
Processional rogation placed under the regulation of DeanS rural in the diocese of
Cologne — their authority supported by canon. Doubts about fasts and proces
sions to be solved by the DeanS of Rouen. Idolatrous processions with
sports &c. to be put down summarily by the DeanS of Noyon. Brief history of
processional rogation in England. No notice of Decanal interference with the
ceremony or its adjuncts in the councils of Great Britain and Ireland, 290 — 299
Chap. VII. — The Authority of DeanS Mural in supporting Church-Disgipline,
AND supervising THE EXTERNALS OF ReLTGION GENERALLY.
Recapitulation of the several duties of DeanS rural connected with this department of
their office  300
§ I.  RESIDENCE OF THE PAROCHIAL CLERGY ON THEIR CURES.
Deans rural, themselves resident, bound to see that all incumbents resided, and paid
attention to the fabric and duty of their churches. Non-residents, and other
delinquents, presentable by the councils of Rouen — of Liege — of Cologne — of
Saint Omer — -and of Antwerp. No pastor to be absent more than five days
without a Decanal licence, in the diocese of Antwerp. The benefices of non
resident beneficiaries to be taken under sequestration by the DeanS of Autun
and Bayeux. Want of repairs sufficient cause of sequestration in the diocese
of Autun and Saint Omer. Non-residents by licence in the diocese of Ghent to
exhibit their licence to the arcJlprieSt — curates to exhibit their letters of appoint
ment. The duties of resident DeanS rural detailed in the councils of Rheims
and Malines. Non-resident . parsons and vicars presentable by the Gloucester
Injunctions of Cardinal Pole  301 — 304

©ontents.

§ 2.  REGISTRATION OF THE CLERGY, &C.
Registration- duties of DeanS rural. Kennett's examples from Stratford's constitu
tions of Deans so employed under the title of orDinaries. Peckham imposes on
them extensive registrarial functions — Johnson's version of the Reading council
cited. Benefices and beneficiaries registered by the DeanS of Saint Omer, and
of Rouen  304—307
§ 3.  PROHIBITION OP UNLICENSED MINISTERS.
Unlicensed and vagrant ministers to be prohibited by DeanS rural from officiating
within the dioceses of Liege, Saint Omer, and Bruges. Ordered to be taken
and examined by the DeanS of Cologne as to their orders, testimonials, &c.
Rules of the synod of Constance — of the council of Augsburg — of the diocese
of Avranches and of Cambray, as to strange and unknown ministers, and the
duties of Deans rural in supporting the discipline of the church against them,
307—310
§ 4.  PROHIBITION op ILLEGITIMATES UNPROTECTED BY PAPAL DISPENSATIONS.
Deans charged to look out for sons of clergymen or illegitimates possessed of eccle
siastical benefices without dispensation — remarks of Thomassin. Sons of
immediately-preceding incumbents illegitimatized as successors to their fathers
—references  310—312
§ 5.  GUARDIANSHIP OF THE TEMPORALITIES OF THE CHURCH DURING VACANCY
AND SEQUESTRATION.
The temporalities of the church consigned to Decanal guardianship in very early
days — Council of Pavia. Mr. Somner quoted. Custody of vacant benefices
and cultivation of glebe-lands entrusted to DeanS rural at Worcester — at Exeter.
Custom of the diocese of Constance during the vacancy of a church. Episcopal
rights during vacancy. Deportus paid to the bishop and archdeacon by the
Deans at Melun. ^rcJprleStS allowed quarentenm out of the produce of vacant
benefices in the diocese of Poictiers. Inquisitions De ecclesiis defalcatis pros
ecuted by Deans at Liege. Violations of the persons of clerks, and of the
property of the church, punishable by DeanS in the dioceses of Arras— of Com-
peigne — and De Senlis.
Usages of England in respect of sequestration for debt — DeanS rural employed
therein — an example from the Parochial Antiquities. The ministerial part of
sequestration, for whatever cause instituted, consigned to them — decrees to that
effect from the synods of Ypres, of Tournay. DeanS rewarded for their trouble
at Ypres. A wary canon of Ossory to facilitate the collecting church- fruits

©ontents.

under sequestration. Constitutions of the isles of Jersey and Guernsey on this
head. DeanS rural in England no longer employed on this duty — which is now
consigned to churchwardens — might be advantageously restored to the more
ancient officers, as trustees of management — suggested in Convocation, 313 — 321
§ 6.  CARE OF ECCLESIASTICAL EDIFICES  CHURCH  MANSE  CHURCHYARD — CHURCH
UTENSILS, GOODS, AND ORNAMENTS  SACRAMENTS AND SACRAMENTALS.
The care and examination of ecclesiastical buildings, incumbent on DeanS rural.
Bishop Marsh's Visitation Charge referred to — the canons upon this head many
and positive — some cited under visitational duties — Meath constitutions of Simon
de Rochfort — Monition of Bishop Sutton of Lincoln, to a Dean of Hoyland —
synod of Constance — Cardinal Campegio — synod of Malines — of Cambray — of
Saint Omer — of Tournay — of Milan — of Malines again — of Ypres — of Bois-le-
duc. Modem instructions to DeanS rural always comprehend churches, and their
furniture — church-houses, &c. — churchyards. Synod of Arras. The profanation
of churchyards noticed in mandates to DeanS rural of the diocese of Lincoln.
The due keeping up of the fences of cemeteries enjoined to the DeanS of Lisieux
— these points should never be omitted in modem instructions to DeanS rural —
much need for their being enforced- The consecration of new bells, at Saint
Omer — at Ghent — at Seez — at Ypres — annexed to the Decanal office — also the
reconciliation of churchyards, and suspension of unconsecrated altars and
cemeteries. The approval of images before erection entrusted to DeanS rural of
Augsburg, Ypres, and Antwerp. Mutilated images to be removed by them.
Church-fumiture — books — vessels — vestments, &c. subjected to the inspection of
Deans or arcj&prieStS by Hincmar — the same continued from that time to the
present— quotations from the council of Meath — of Cologne. Where necessary,
church-furniture ordered to be supplied by the synod of Cambray — of Milan.
Church-goods and ornaments to be strictly watched at Harlem, that no one
pawn them to usurers — if ever misapplied to profane uses, to be again redeemed
by the Dean rural, pastor, and heads of the parish. Deans rural to see that the
altars of their churches are decent, and well-furnished, in the diocese of Avranches
— that the sacramental utensils, registry books, &c. are well kept in the dioceses
of Acqui, Bois-le-duc, Cologne, Bayeux, and Malines.
The care of DeanS rural in distributing chrism and oil at Rouen and Liege. Usages
of Great Britain in respect of these sacramental articles— in the diocese of Sarum
— Southwell. Sacramental duties at Saumur — at Tours — and generally in the

xxxii ©ontents.

province of Rouen. Again at Ravenna — at Amalphi — at Antwerp — at Malines
— at Cologne. The connexion of DeanS with sacraments and sacramentals, as
instructors of the younger clergy in England — with confirmation, as bound to see
that catechumens were duly instructed before presentation to the bishop — with
penance, as the appointed confessors and penitentiaries of the clergy, 322 — 340
§ 7.  PENITENTIARY DUTIES OF DcaUS MUCal.
Duties of Deans rural in connexion with confession and penance. Primitive
e^ofioXoytjc-i;. DeanS appointed delegate penitentiarii — the time of their first
institution to the penitentiary office unknown. Ministerial to the bishop in
preparing lay-penitents for undergoing the service of penance on Ash-
Wednesday. The ceremony described. Decay of public repentance.
Penitentiary DeanS noticed by Hincmar — supervisors of penance in the archdiocese
of Rheims — earlier notice of them in the council of Pavia. DeanS rural the
confessors of the clergy of their DeanrieS — Kennett's references rather doubtful
on this head — allusions to other confessors besides the Decanal. No notice of
Deans rural by name as confessors till A.D. mcclxxxiv. in the council of
Saint Hippolyte — Peckham appoints confessors to rural DeanS — the same men
tioned in many other councils. The Meath canons impose on their DeanS the
supervision of church-penance ; but are silent on private confession. The
synods of Arras and Saint Omer constitute them the proper confessors of their
Decanates. The Deans rural of England deprived of the confessorial office.
Causes of the ordinary priest herein superseding the arcjpricst — John de Atho's
reasons. The friars interfered with this branch of discipline.
Regulations about penance for crime in the diocese of Chichester. Grades of sins
and graduated powers of absolution entrusted by the church to its different
confessors. DeanS rural allowed to absolve, in cases reserved to the episcopal
sees of Seez and Lisieux. Literce absolutorice of the DeanS of Cambray. In
the diocese of Salzburg, all persons disobedient to this branch of church-disci
pline to be presented by the DeanS to the bishop. In the diocese of Ypres, the
Deans of ©jbristianitg, confessors of their subject clergy — ordered to see the
confessionals in their churches placed in suitable situations ... 34 1 — 353
Sect. VI. — Supervision of Schools.
Authority of bishops over schools and schoolmasters — on the continent — in England.
Delegated to DeanS rural in Belgium and elsewhere. Councils of Malines cited.

©ontents.

Masters and mistresses of schools examined and approved by DeanS rural, before
institution, at Antwerp and Ypres. Visitation of schools by the same, at Malines
—at Cambray — at Salzburgh. Scope and aim of Decanal inspection of semi
naries. No evidence of the trust being committed to DeanS in Great Britain in
the olden time — but it forms an item of their duty in the proceedings of Convo
cation under Queen Anne, in the suggestions of White Kennett to Bishop
Gardiner, and in the Officium Decanotum of Bishop Ward of Sarum. It is also
found in the instructions to DeanS rural of our own days .... 354 — 358
Sect. VII. — Supervision of Hospitals and Charitable Foundations.
The episcopal right of visiting hospitals and other charitable foundations delegated
to Deans rural, here and abroad — limited to spiritual hospitals. Synod of Liege.
Deans ordered to visit hospitals in two provincial Scotch councils — in the
provincial council of Cambray — in the synod of Tournay — of Ghent. Bishop
Ward's Instructions at Sarum. Convocational proceedings under Queen Anne.
References to the usages of the dioceses of Winchester and Worcester, 359 — 362
Sect. VIII. — Ordination, Institution, and Induction.
Chap. I. — Ordination.
Muri=Decanal duties in respect of the ordination, institution, and induction of clerks,
long since superseded in England. The author of A Humble Proposal &c.
cited — Council of Trent referred to. DeanS rural conversant with the prelimi
naries of ordination — successors of cl[)0repisc0pi in the charge of examining
candidates for orders — and presenting them at the altar — Saint Basil referred
to — Council of Nantes cited. Thomassin's reasons for the appointment of
arcfjpresbgters rural to this service very just.
Inquisitions De ordinandis clericis ordered in the diocese of Constance to be pros
ecuted by Deans rural — the same in the diocese of Avranches. Letters Testi
monial respecting life and conversation — age — acquirements, &c. of candidates
— genuineness and value of title — granted by DeanS in many dioceses, and
made indispensable at Cambray — at Tournay— at Seez — synod of Utretcht.
Kennett's suo-o^stions — Convocational proceedings — diocese of Winton re
ferred to .^°  363—369

©ontents.

Chap. II. — Institution and Induction.
Presentation of ordained clerks to the bishop, by DeanS rural of the diocese of Tours,
in order to institution. DeanS themselves instituted clerks, ex consuetudine, to
chapels at Liege and at Florence — institution generally the act of the bishop —
induclioQ that of the rural Dean— no payment for it allowed by a Worcester
constitution. Corporal institution delegated to DeanS in Belgium — not theirs
jure communi, but the bishop's — granted to the Dean of the district for conve-
niency. Oath of induction administered by the Dean. Synod of Ypres — no
presbyters allowed to induct without a licence from the Dean. Examples of
induction by DeanS rural in England, in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.
Fees forbidden to DeanS and others for investitures — and yet extorted by them
— condemned by Archbishop Stratford. DeanS employed vicariously, as in
ductors, by archdeacons. Kennett's suggestions — proceedings of Convocation —
recommended to the notice of the hierarchy  370 — 376
Sect. IX. — Citatory and Certificatory Duties.
Deans rural ministerial to bishops and archdeacons, as summoners of delinquents to
make their appearance in COurtSs@i)rfstian — Lyndwood and Field cited.
Somner's limitation of their citatory and certificatory services to clerical cases
alone is incorrect. Their employment in this capacity attributable to the
mal-practices of earlier summoners — Otho's constitution regulatory of citation.
Deans guilty of mal-administration in processes of citation — corrected by Arch
bishop Peckham's constitution — the same quoted, with Lyndwood's gloss. All
primary citations issued by others than the Dean rural, official, or apparitor,
uncanonical and void. Examples of Decanal summoners frequent in ancient
histories — one cited from Thorn, with the certificatorium of the Dean of Lenham
— a second from Prynne's Usurpations  377  382
Sect. X. — Decanal Apparitors.
Deans rural allowed the use of bedels or apparitors — who, like their masters, were
supervisors of manners — their duties — responsibility. Regulations of the appa-
ritorial economy in general by Archbishop Boniface, at Lambeth. Earlier
restrictions of Decanal bedels at Dublin — at Norwich — later at Winchester.
Every apparitor attached to a Dean to be at least an acolyth by a canon of the
church of Worcester — Archbishop Stratford's farther restrictions. Apparitor

©ontents.

of Deans rural continued till the Reformation— found in the Reformatio Legum
— suggested for adoption in the diocese of Kilmore — employed in the isles of
Guernsey and Jersey — dwindled into a mere servant at Reussen . . 383 — 388
Sect. XI. — Authentic Seal.
The seal of office an important instrument in the hands of the Dean rural— consti
tuting, in England, his investiture. Its use confirmed by Cardinal Otho — not
inscribed with the name of the Dean, but of the office — which was temporary,
with a few exceptions. Personal names inscribed on the seals of permanent
dignitaries. Mural Dean of Manchester perpetual — inscribed his proper name
on his seal. Examples of the more ordinary type quoted. All officers using
authentic seals charged to keep them in safe custody, and to use them accord
ing to law.
Documents to which rurl-Decanal seals were affixed — cerlificatoria — procuratoria —
inquisitiones de jure patronatus — inductions of clerks — testamentary papers and
letters of administration — valores beneficiorum — taxations — testimonials for
orders — marriage-banns, &c. &c. Abuses in sealing certificatories and letters
procuratory, corrected by Archbishop Peckham. Seals of DeanS rural affixed to
the valuations of benefices under the Norwich taxation. Other uses of the
Decanal signet specified from Mr. Lewis's work and other authorities. The
powers of the seal ceded at the expiration of one year — seemingly an innovation
upon antiquity — resisted by the DeanS — John de Athon's comment thereon. No
fees allowed for sealing documents by DeanS rural — otherwise by archdeacons.
Deans not in general extortionate in England — charged with rapacity at Poic
tiers and Saumur. A small recompence allowed to the DcanS of the diocese of
Cambray for the labours of the signet. Few notices of the Decanal seal in
continental synods — principally (3f the province of Rouen — in Rouviere's Reo-
mxius — in Lutheran Church of Russia. Notices of seals of DeanS rural in
Archaeologia — ^in Lewis's Tract on Seals — in Somner's Antiquities of Canter
bury. The seals of the rural DeanS of Sutton Valance, of Dover, of Ospringe in
Kent — of Burcester in Oxfordshire — of Fincham, Norwich, Hingham, and
Breccles in the diocese of Norwich. Chester seals not obtainable, except of
modern date — seal of the general rural Dean of the archdeaconry of Chester —
of the Deanrg of Newcastle — of Chateau-du-Loire. Muri=Decanal seals still
considered authentic in the Court of Arches. What seals considered authentic
by our ecclesiastical-law reformers. Seals of the arcj)priest of Leodium and of

©ontents.

the Deanrg of Sunning, exhibited in notes. Suggestions for the restoration of
the rural Dean's seal — instructions as to its canonical type. The author's seal
ofoffice  389—416
Sect. XII. — Taxes collected by DeanS Mural.
Taxes of various kinds imposed on the clergy, collected by rural DeanS. Decimce
Saladinm, A.D. mclxxxviil, levied by them. An irregular impost probably
gathered and re-distributed by them in the diocese of Lincoln. DeanS, collectors
of clerical payments in France, A.D. dcccxliii. — of Decimm Saladinte, A.D.
MCCLiiL, and A.D. mcclxxxviii., in England — {Valor Ecclesiasiicus Henr. VIII.)
— collectors of Rome-scot at Canterbury — probably at Norwich — and in all other
dioceses. Archdeacons gathered Rome-scot in the diocese of Sarum, and
perhaps employed rural DeanS as deputies. Bull of Pope John XXII. addressed
to Deans and others as tax-gatherers for his Holiness. Synodals and cathedra-
tlca collected by DeanS for the bishop, and, where due, for the archdeacon.
Commission to the rural Dean of Hastings to collect synodals. Authority of the
rural Deans of Chester to gather procurations and synodals for the bishop. The
Deans of the diocese of Norwich obliged to receive all diocesan dues, episcopal
and archidiaconal, and to pay them over to the respective parties. Their honesty
as synodal-gatherers at Dublin rather doubtful. Pentecostals probably received
by Deans  417—428

©ontents.

VOL. II.
Part V. — V^iie (Capitular jputvctiong of Beans IRural.
Sect. I. — The Institution and Economy of Mural ©JaptetS.
©apitular duties defined — Deans authorised to convocate local synods or rural chap
ters — in Ireland — the diocese of Meath — in continental dioceses — Cambray —
their object — of what clergy they consisted — regulations respecting the presi
dency over them. The ancient canon law silent on the subject of ruri=Decanal
tJjapterS — rare on the continent — more frequent in England. Traces of them
in the reign of Edward the Confessor — Johnson, Wilkins, and Spelman cited.
Lyndwood's explanation of the term capitulum. Two classes of rural cj^apterS —
one three-weekly — the other quarterly. Three-weekly meetings changed to
monthly— called calenDs. Hincmar's institution of them — their economy de
scribed. No earlier notice of ruri-Decanal rapitula. Clerical conventions not
presided over by DeanS, also called ealenDae — obtained in the ninth century.
The latter recommended by Bishops Atto of Vercelli, Riculph of Soissons, and
Ulric of Augsburg. Pouh presbyteral and arc|)ipresbgteral chapters took pre
cedence of all other business on the first day of each month.
Extraordinary or special meetings. Quarterly meetings. Their economy. Early
notice of them at Exeter and Sarum. The clerical members sworn on admis
sion. Regulations of particular churches — of Treves — Ypres — Cambray — Autun
— Ferrara — Bois-le-duc, &c. Stratford's decree ordering the places of holding
clerical meetings in England, a relief to the rural priesthood.
Duly-convened rural eJjapterS, protected by canon at Cambray — at Malines — their
objects incidentally noticed. The expences of cj&apter-holding, how defrayed.
Profits of Deans rural seemingly scanty and insufficient for the purpose. ©J)ap-
terS consequently reduced in frequency — at Ypres — at Rheims — at Rouen^ — at
Malines — from four times to thrice, twice, once. Monthly meetings of Deans
anD eJapterS entirely laid aside, save at Milan — at Kilmore — and in some
dioceses of the province of Rouen. Attempts to revive Deanrg meetings of the
clergy in England, A.D. mdclx. d

©ontents.

Monthly clerical associations unattended by DeanS rural continued at Namur — at
Ambrun. Van Espen's reflection upon them. Probably there were no rural
Deans within the jurisdictions, where none presided at the clerical meetings. 1—21
Sect. II. — The Business transacted at Mural ©JapterS-
Chap. I. — ^Preliminary Remarks. — The Dress of DeanS and Clergy at
Mural ©Japters.
The business of rural ci)apterS — in general not separable into two distinct classes,
according to the. two periods of meeting — distinction of cases and courts rarely
noticed. Quarterly and menstrual types of Chapters scarce ever both observed
in one diocese, except in England. Quarterly, called principalia capitula —
monthly, inferior — the jurisdiction of both, for the most part, voluntary, ©uriffi
©JriStianitatiS. Their object, the support of church-discipline in the country.
Dress of DeanS rural and their subject clergy, at c{)apterS, regulated by the synods
of Norwich — of Chateau-Gontler — of Saint Omer — of Lambeth — of Rouen —
of Seez — of Lisieux  22 — 25
Chap. II. — Publication of Church-Canons, Decrees, Instructions, &c.
and Gathering of Church- Alms.
Mural c]&apterS, viewed in the light of ecclesiastical courts of publication, promulgated
the laws of provincial and diocesan synods, &c. (Durham canons, Otho's con-
stitutlons, Meath canons) — also cases and crimes reserved to the papal and
diocesan courts — (the same versified by the church of Bayeux) — presbyteral
cases, or those from which presbyters could absolve— Decanal casus minores,
from which DeanS absolved at their clbapter-COUrtS. Sentences of excommunica
tion published at capitular Sessions, which had actually passed the church.
Registers of excommunicates kept by DeanS rural for the purpose of publication.
Papal confirmations of excommunications published by the same officers. Church-
alms received by them — Scotch council quoted — Bishop Ward of Sarum.
Standing sentences of excommunication repeated in parochial churches by the mem
bers of the cj&apter. The statute of Othobon against concubinaries rehearsed at
the four quarterly meetings — also the statutes of Otho, Langton, Winchelsey,
and others. Libri Synodales recited at Le Mans, and Treves. Publications of
canons in rural cj^apterS, at Bois-le-duc, Tournay, and Acqui .... 26 — 35

©ontents.

Chap. III. — Information and Reformation of Church-Abuses, &c.
Mural cj&apterS intended for the presentment and reformation of defaults in church-
discipline. Archbishop Hincmar's rural sessions. Informations laid before
rural ci^apterS — entertained by the DeanS generally,, without judicial process.
Decrees of the council of Cambray — of the synod of Antwerp — of Bois-le-duc —
of Cambray — of Saint Omer — pertinent to presentments of abuses, and the
remedies thereof, short of the solemnity of judicature for their correction. The
eJapterS were deliberative local conventions. The economy of Milanese rural
or foraneous conventions appointed by Borromeo, cited In full, from the first
provincial council of the archbishop. Reports made to the bishop in the
Milanese and Belgian churches. Canons of Rouen and Rheims for the regula
tion of conventions — their decay in the Gallican churches, and perfect maturity
in the Italian, at one and the same period  36 — 43
Chap. IV. — Contentious Jurisdiction.
©JapterS viewed as judicial courtS-©j&ristian — subject to DeanS rural, as Decani
©JriSttanitatiS — their business — the punishments they were capable of adjudging.
The character and laws of the COurt-©l)rtStian — the administration of the
same. The rural clergy to form a consistory, whenever required by the Dean.
The judicial character of the Dean, personally, and in relation to his Chapter, much
controverted. John de Athon, Lyndwood, Barbosa, Corvlnus, Godolphin, and
others, against it — quotations in point. Thomassin, Kennett, Brewster, and
others, in favour of it. Judicial power of Dean rural retained in the diocese of
Salzburg in the sixteenth century. Extract from Brewster's Collectanea Eccle
siastica relative to the contentious jurisdiction of the Dean, independent of his
capitulum. The author's resolution of the extent of the Dean's judicial power,
personal and capitular. Simplest form of judicial proceedings In the rural
COUrt-©|&ristian, from Hubert Walter.
No person presentable judicially at the court, unless his faults were a public scandal.
Plurality of local consistories in the same Deanrg condemned — but protected by
long usage. Regulations of Decanal courts at Nantes — at Anglers. Composi
tion or arbitration enjoined in personal suits of all kinds that would admit the
one or other — no payment to be exacted. Extensive duties of arbitration
charged on DeanS rural at Ypres. The spiritual welfare of the suitors should
d2

xl ©ontents.

be the chief object of the court. Composition enjoined at the 3SalenDa in the
diocese of Rheims. DeanS appointed arbitrators and referees, by the archbishop
of Canterbury, in the case of Bishop Grosseteste  44—59
Chap. V.— Punishments inflicted by Mural court8-©!)riStfan.
Censures and punishments imposed judicially by DeanS rural in local courts. Moni
tion — purgation— penance— suspension ab ingressu eccZesi«— suspension from
office and benefice— excommunication. Abuses of penance by pecuniary com
mutation at Saumur— at Winchester. Limitations on Decanal censures at
Ravenna and Laval. Excommunication denied to DeanS rural, except by
express authority of the bishop— opinions various on the point— Lynd wood's—
Spelman's— Brett's— Kennett's— many councils imply the power to be vested in
the office. The jurisdiction of Decanal chapters in tithe-causes indicates a power
of excommunication vested in them. DeanS rural agents of excommunication,
in the name of superior prelates, and in their own name, as heads of rural
consistories  60—68

Chap. VI.— Recovery of Church Dues— Tithes, Mortuaries, &c.
The connexion of DeanS rural with tithes and mortuaries, traced to Edgar's Saxon
laws— the officers of Edgar's and Canute's laws noticed. Process for recovery
of tithes from Bromton — under Henry I. — Selden cited.
Mural chapters cognizant of subtracted and litigated tithes — rarely called on to
adjudicate in consequence of the plenary powers of the priesthood to protect
itself by summarily excommunicating such offenders. Archdeacons presided
sometimes at chapters, instead of DeanS. Archdeacons and DeanS executors of
the decrees of higher courts in tithe causes. DeanS of Jersey and Guernsey
conversant with all tithe-subtractions.
Mortuaries recovered in rural cj&apterS — at Dunstable — at Evesham — at Warwick.
Mandate for the payment of a mortuary executed by the Dean of Burcester and
his clergy. Rules for exacting mortuaries by Archbishop Gray — by Giles
Bridport — by Archbishop Winchelsey— by Archbishop Langham — DeanS rural
concerned in the execution of the law of mortuaries  69 — 78

©ontents. xli

Chap. VII. — Testamentary Matters.
Testamentary jurisdiction, with all its appurtenances, entrusted to Deans rural and
their cj&apters. Deans called locorum orDinarii (?) — in the councils of Dublin
— Lambeth — Exeter — cognizant of testamentary matters. Their jurisdiction in
the diocese of Chester very ancient in reference to wills, &c. under certain
limitations — still retained there, and at Manchester. Remarks of an anonymous
author on the subject. Testamentary power of the Dean of the city of Norwich,
and the other rural DeanS of that diocese till the Reformation. Bishop Freak's
suggested government by rural Deans with testamentary jurisdiction . . 79 — 84
Chap. VIII. — Matrimonial Causes.
Matrimonial causes and matters of divorce, according to Kennett, subject to rural
COUrtS-®JriStian in England till A.D. mccxxh. These matters inhibited to
Deans rural by Langton. Reasons for the inhibition assigned by Lyndwood,
Atterbury, Somner. Matrimonial jurisdiction may be consigned to them by
special commission. DeanS of the archbishop's peculiars cognizant of matri
monial causes — having archidiaconal power in their DeanrieS.
No traces of Decanal jurisdiction over marriage and divorce, in rural districts, after
the thirteenth century — Kennett seemingly mistaken. No delegate officer
allowed to proceed to a final decree in his court or cjbapter, without first con
sulting the diocesan. Inhibitions innumerable against rural DeanS and cj^apterS
interfering in matrimonial and other grave matters of ecclesiastical cognizance,
in the thirteenth, fourteenth, and subsequent centuries — Thomassin and Kennett
referred to  85 — 90
Chap. IX. — Beneficiary Matters.
Trials for the right of advowson, and the possession of benefices, committed to ruri-
Decanal CJ&apter-COUrtS — inquisitions Into the last turn of presentation, &c.
Meath canons quoted — Dr. Field. Inquisitional abuses corrected by Archbishop
Peckham — inquisitions ordered to be held In full chapter — penalties on disobe
dient Deans rural. Ambulatory courts-®j&ristian, under Deans rural, appointed
by the Rouen councils for the recognition of churches whose jus patronatus
was under dispute. Inquisitiones Ecclesiarum negligently prosecuted in Nor
mandy by Deans rural. Dr. Kennett's suggestions on this head to Bishop
Gardiner — Convocational proceedings under Queen Anne .... 91 — 95

xlii ©ontents.

Chap. X. — Valores Beneficiorum.
Valores of appropriate benefices preparatory to the ordination of vicarages, and
general valuations of all church property for assessing papal and royal taxes,
were worked out in rural CJ&apterS- Appropriation originated vicarages —
inquisitional process for their endowment, carried forward in cflapterS under
episcopal sanction. An example cited. Valor Beneficiorum defined — first in
stituted in the thirteenth century. Previous assessments made not on oath, but
by common estimation — alii example quoted. Method of compiling the Valor
of MccLiv. by rural Deans and chapters, described from the Annals of Burton.
96—102
Chap. XI. — Examination of Scholars educated in Parochial Seminaries.
The rural capitula of Normandy constituted courts of examination to ascertain the
qualifications of the parochial youth under public instruction in each Deanrg, and
to select from among them the fittest of the candidates for holy orders to be
advanced in the higher branches of scholastic knowledge — the council of Rouen
cited. Deans rural visitors of seminaries of education in Germany, in England,
and Ireland — cjiaplcrs connected with educational inquiries in diocese of Ches
ter, by Bishop Otter  103—105
Sect. III. — Concluding Remarks on Mural ©j&apters — their Decay and
Dissolution, more particularly in England.
Some of the duties allotted to DeanS rural and their Chapters rather occasional
employments than powers of right. DeanS rural rather usurpers of the privi
leges of others than deprived of their own. Kennett's defence of their judicial
character — Thomassin's account of it, at its zenith and decay. Decline of rural
capitula in England more particularly — intrusion of archdeacons into them by
command of Otho. Kennett's account of their abrogation — Whitaker's —
Thomassin's. Decanal chapters continued in many dioceses of Germany. 106—113
Sect. IV. — Recommendations and Suggestions for the Re-organization of
Muri-Decanal ©lergg-Jtteetings, or ©JiapterS-
The institution of rural associations of the clergy most desirable at the present time
— to be holden quarterly under the DeanS rural, and to exercise voluntary juris
diction alone. Examples, foreign and domestic, of their beneficial influence on

©ontents, xliii

the well-being of the church. Letter to archdeacon of Sarum quoted. Bishop
Ward's cfjapterS- Bp. Burnet's meetings — Hall — Kennett — Brett — Atterbury
quoted. Bp. Burgess's Decanal meetings. British Critic — Dean of Chichester —
Archdeacon Thorp — Gresley — Bp. Otter — Archdeacon Hare. ©JburcJ-JHnion
Societies — their constitution — may be made ruti-Decanal as well as diocesan —
those of the dioceses of Saint David's and Salisbury referred to. Hints for the
improvement and extension of the economy of ©JurcJ-SSnion-SocietieS, by the
institution of Decanal branches  114 — 133

Part VI, — '^f)e 5Beclitxe anJj IRebtbal of tfie ©ffice.

Sect. I. — The Decline of DeanS Mural, more particularly in England.
The decline of ruri-Decanal jurisdiction in England more marked than on the conti
nent. Spelman's notice of the decayed state of the office in his time — the same
remarked by Somner — Cousins — Mocket — Zouch — Godolphin — Inett — Kennett
— Whitaker — Atterbury — Prideaux — Nelson — Brett — and Blackstone. The
present state of the office, as to jurisdiction  134 — 142
Sect. II. — Conciliar Decrees for the Revival of Deans Mural.
Efforts made to sustain the office of Dean rural in many European churches — coun
cils cited. Trentine decrees — Acqui — Rheims — Salzburg — Milan. White
Kennett's opinion shewn to be erroneous respecting Italian DeanS rural — decree
of the council of Toulouse. Modern condition of the office In France — its con
stitution much the same as in England, but better kept up — extracts from
M. L. de Hericourt's Loix Ecclesiastiques de i^rarece— Richard's Analysis of
the Councils. State of the office in Spain. Russian DeanS rural, or 3@lagO-
cjennie — the constitution of their order under Platon. DeanS rural in Poland.
Muri-Decanal polity of England. Efforts to revive DeanS rural in England under
Henry VIII. and Edward VI. Reformatio Legum, Ecclesiasticarum. Endea
vours under Elizabeth, A.D. mdlxii. — mdlxxi. — Kennett's and Atterbury's
remarks thereon. Prophesyings proposed at the Hampton-Court Conference,
under James I. — rejected by the King. Bishop Bedell's revival of DeanS rural
in the diocese of Kilmore in Ireland. Charles the Second's Declaration. Con
vocational proceedings under Queen Anne  143 — 178

xliv ©ontents.

Sect. III. — Suggestions, Public and Private, for the Establishment of a
Mural ©l&urcJ-Police in the DeanrieS of England.
Suggestions of individuals for the revival of church-discipline, by the appointment of
secondary ecclesiastical officers. Address of Martin Bucer to Edward VI. Pro
posal of John Rogers, the proto-martyr, under Queen Mary. Unition of cures
suggested by the archbishop of Canterbury. Prophesyings — their probable
effect — Holinshed's opinion of them. Projected union of prophesyings with
Decanal conventions. Decay of discipline. Sir Nicholas Bacon's suggestion, in
his speech to the Parliament. Bishop Freak's proposal. DeanS rural recom
mended by Bishop Hall. Archbishop Usher's modification of episcopal govern
ment — Short's sketch of the primate's proposal. — Dr. Bernard's Tractate on the
subject — remarks on the archbishop's plan, by the author. Dr. Parr, and Dr.
Brett. Bishop Kennett's Letter on DeanS rural to Bishop Gardiner of Lincoln.
Extracts from Dr. Brett's Account of Church Government and Govemours —
Bumet's H O. T. — Seeker's Fifth Charge — Bishop Mant's History of the Church
of Ireland — Archdeacon Bayley, and others. Increased number of Decanal
appointments in England — in Ireland — in Barbados, &c  179 — 202
Sect. IV. — Conclusion.
Recapitulation of the origin and spread of DeanS rural in the East and West. Their
decay in Great Britain much to be regretted. Want of local orDinarieS and
parochial visitation generally confessed. Atterbury's earnest appeal for the
restoration of rural DeanS and cj&apterS — Prideaux's regret at their failure — their
restoration strongly urged by the author of A Humble Proposal for Parochial

^ppenDii.

^ppenDir of Documents, ancient anD moDern . . 215

iLaoDicean ©anon, with Annotations .

. 218—220

Part I.— ©ontinental Documents .

. 221—345

II. — lEngUsJ Documents . .

. 346—512

III.— JErisJ Documents . . .

. 512—551

IV.— Scotcjb Documents . . .

. 551—561

v.— ©olonial Documents . .

. 561—563

florae Becanicae 9ie^urales.

PART I.
®fie Name anb ®itle.

SECTION I.
Summary View of the ®itleS applied to the Dean Mural ; The
relative Antiquity of the most appropriate ®ttleS.
ANY have been the names and titles of the
rural tteait, at different periods and places, if
we may believe gloffariographers, and admit,
as his appellatives, all that conjecture has
collected in their columns. But of thefe, fome do not
pertain to the ifeait at all ; others are of local and partial
application : — two only can be called his rightful pro- \
perty; viz. ^rcfitpregfiBter^, with its fynonymes, derived;
from presbyteral primacy; and Becanug^ from a prefi-
dency over ten, either perfons or places^.

See Spelman. et
Ducang. Glojfar.
Macri Hiero-
lexie.etWo&m&n,
Lexic. in vocibus
Arckipresbyter, Chorepifcopus,
Corba,CoTbanus, Curio, Decanus,
Parochus,Peria-deuta, Plebanus,
Protopapas, ef
Protopresbyter.

(') " Quemadmodum inter epifcopos epifcoporum primus, five anti- Aug. Barbofa rfe
quiffimus, did ccepit archiepifcopus, et inter diaconos pnmus,five cmteris Dignitatibus,
antiquior, dictus eft archidiaconus, ita primus presbyterorum arcjii- ' °^^' ^'' ^' '
presbgter vacatur, quafi presbyterorum primus, five prafectus.''
O " DecanoS vocant eo quod fint denis prcepofiti." j Anguftin.rfeit/o-
1.^ jj./ -,., I ribus Lcclefue,
C) It will be shewn, in future pages, that to one ot the titles men- l.i. c.xxxl
tioned in the marginal reference, viz. perioDeuta, Grwce TrepioSevrtjs, the '
Dean Mural of later days may lay claim as the Eaflern archetype of his
office.
 B  ,  , , . 

Name anD ®itle.

[Part I.

Gibfon's Cod.
I.E.A.Tit.XLU.
c.vin. p. 971.
Somner's Antiq,
of Canterbury,
Parti, p. 175.

Thomaffin. V. et N. E. D.
Part I. L. n.
c. in. p. 221 .
Morin. de S. O.
Part III. Exerc.
XVI. c. II. p. 215.
cm. p. 218.

SS.CC. Tom.iii.
col. 88, 89.
B,attely's Cant.
Sacr. Part. IV.
C.II. Hi/t. Eccl. L.VI.
clx. p. 323.
Hi/t. Eccl.
L. VIII. c. XII.
p. 341.
Annot. ad H. E.
Socrat. loc. cit,
rot. 2.

The former is the more ancient title, being that by
which ecclefiaftic Ireatig of all kinds, whether catSeSral,
urbatt, or rural, have been generally known in the records
of the church from their firft creation, and are ftill
deflgnated in the writings of canonifts.
Though of Greek extraction, the term arcfitpregbster
is of Latin origination and application ; the oriental
church employing the lefs imperious ftyle of nparo-
npESBYTEPos^, npaTOiEPEYs, and fubfequently npoTO-

Jacobi Gear.
Eucholog. GrtEcor. p. 287.
Bevereg. Synod.
Tom.L pp. 438,9.
Thefaur. Ecclef.
Tom. IL col.
876. in V.

(') So Arfaclus, who fucceeded Chryfoftom in the bifhopric of
Conftantlnople, is ftyled (in Actis fynodi ad Quercum, A.D. cccciii.)
nPS2TOnPE2BYTEP02 and Martyrius -n-puToSiaicovog. But, inafmuch as
St. Stephen is called, in the Greek Menology, protodeacon and arch-
deacon, and the IleTpos tj? nPfiT0nPE2BYTEP02 t^s ev 'AXe^avlpeiq
eKK^rimag of Socrates is the identical arcjjpriest, Peter of Sozomen —
eiryTiaro ®e6cptAog rov rare APXinPESBYTEPON, k.t.A.. — the famenefs of
the refpective offices is fhewn under the diverfity of title. (See Centur.
Magdeburg. Cent. v. cap. vii. p. 735. de gradibus perfi)narum.) And
Goar, in his verfion of the Eucliologium, invariably tranflates npaTO-
nPE2BYTEP02 by arcjipresbgter.
Valefius, the learned editor of Socrates, however, confiders the terms
arcjpriest and protopriest not convertible: for feveral arcjpresbgters
occur in particular churches, he fays ; but never more than one proto-
presbgter: — arcjpresbgters again, in villages and towns, fucceffors
of the chorepiscopi, but pcotopresbgterS only in cities ; whence, in the
Euchology of Goar, npaTOnPEZBYTEPOS t^s ir6\ea>^. And yet, let
me obferve, the XlPfiTOnAIIAAEZ of Balfamon ad Can. viii. Antioch.
have to do with the country; anfwering to the irpecrfivrepois toTs inri
X<^pai ¦irpaTevovcri of Arlflenus on the fame canon : and Suicer fays of
the protopapa, that he clearly is " vel primus presbyter, vel fane arcji-
presbgter Latinorum.'' And, more to the point, it will be hereafter
feen, in a paffage cited from the tomes of the councils (Manfi Supplement.
ad SS. CC. Tom. vi. col. 352.), that the title of protoprcsbgter is applied
to the Dean-rural in the council of ReulTen of the year mdccxx. Tit. ix.

Sect. I.]

Summarg 1?"ieto of ®itles.

nAHAS^ — in harmony with their early nomenclature,
which gave to the archdeacon of the eaft the title of
TrpciToBlaKovos — diftinctions ftill obferved in the fame King's Greek
' Church, p. 207.
church m the orders oi proto=6tereB or protopope, and ' and ms. Ad<i.

protodeacon, ^rotopregfigter, however, being a title of mere prece
dency, is not fo appropriate to our weftern Ijean as
arc^tpreghgter, which implies governing power and autho
rity in addition to bare rank; though, in the Greek
church, the two names are evidently ufed fynonymoufly,
the APxinpE2BYTEP02 of Sozomcu being the npaTonpEz-
BYTEP02 of Socrates.
Applied to the chief fpiritual officer under the bifhop
in matricl ecclejd^, the Greek terms appear, for the firft
time, in the church-hiftory of the fifEh century; the
Latin title arcfiipregbgter (for we have no inftance of proto=
pregfegter in that language — at leaft, none of ancient date)
occurs a century earlier, in an epiftle of St. Jerome,

Morifan.rfcspcc-
topopiS Diatri-
ba, c. III. p. 40,
seqq.

Sozomen. H. E
L. VIII. c. XII.
p. 341. Socrat.
//.jE.L.Vi.c. IX.
p. 323.

(') When the presbyters of the Greek church began to be called
¦Trairai — papce, papades, or pupates, the protopresbgteri became proto-
papae — a title which occurs for the firft time, I believe, in Scylitzes ;
who mentions Styllan as a protopapaS (circiter A.D. dcccclxiii). On
the word papas, fee Morifan. cap. iv. — It feems that irairag fignified
epifcopus, and iraTrS? presbyter — " ut paulatim definere inter epifcopos
id nomen ccepit, ita circumflexd pronundatione, elatum crevit deinde
inter presbyteros," fays the author of the Diatribe on protopopeS.
(^) "Matrix ecclefia proprie ea dicebatur in qua epifcopus ipfe cum
presbyterio fuo, quod nunc capitulum canonicorum didtur, refidebat,
cathedralis hodie vacatur." In the Latin councils it is varioufly called,
cathedra — matrix cathedra — dvUatenfis ecclefia : — in the Greek,
/jLarpiKiov — KvpiUKov Ttjg troXeag. From which laft term, KvpiaKov (" the
Lord's Houfe, becaufe erected not to man, but to the honour of our
Lord and Saviour") is derived the Saxon ISgrtfe, the Scotch IKgrfe,
b2

Morifan. de
«PI-Ct0)jopi§,
c. III. p. 42.
c. IV. p. 58.
See Bingham
O.E. B. n. c.ii.
S.7.

Snicer. T.E.
Tom. I. col. 321.
in V. ^arpixiav.

Cave's Primi
tive Chriftia-
nity, c. VI.
p. 135.

Name anD ®itle.

[Part I.

Epift. IV. ad
JiuJ'ticum,
circa med.

SS. CC. Tom. II.
col. 1438. Edit.
Colet.

Synodic. T. II.
Annott. ad
Can. I. Cone.
Chaleed. p.l08.
CC. Illuftr.
Hartman. et Ru-
elii, T. II. p. 354.

55. CC. Tom. II.
col. 318. et cc.
Illuftr. Tom. II.
p. 339.
Pandect. Canon.
Ton). II. Annot.
in CC. Cone.
Ancyr. p.l78.
c.xv.

Tractatus lii-
ftorico-Canonic. ad Cann. Cone.
p. II. sec. IV.
p. 9.

Epitome ofCC.
p. 45.

(^.D. cccLxxviii.) "SinguU ecclejiarum epifcopi, Jinguli
arcj)tpregl)glert, Jinguli archidiaconi, et omnis ordo eccle-
fiajlicus fuis rectoribus nititur :" — and in the tomes of the
councils, for the firft time, in the feventeenth canon of
the fourth council of Carthage, (^. D. cccxcviii.) — " Ut
epifcopus gubernationem viduarum, et pupillorum, ac pere-
grinorum, non per feipfum, fed per arcfitpregligterum, aut
per archidiaconum agat."
Thefe are the earlieft notices I have met with of the
title of arcfiprtegt in theChriftian church; unlefs, indeed,
the Latin verfion of the Arabic canons of the council of
Nice, (-4.D. cccxxv.) (deemed by Baronius, Hartman,
Du Pin, Bifliop Beveridge, Johnfon, Van Efpen, and
others, a fpurious and fuppofititious augmentation of
I the authentic code of this oecumenic fynod^) be admif-
fible authority for a higher antiquity; in the fifty-
feventh canon of which occurs the following paflage —
" protopapa verd, id eJi, arcfitpregbgter quoque honoretur in

and Englifh ©jburcj^. " Cum autem," fays Beveridge (drawing from
I the title a moft important and reafonable inference), " hcec communis
\ fuerit majoribus nojtris ecclefice cujuslibet templive denominatio, veri
nobis fimillimum videtur, prima ChriJliancB religionis femina a Greeds
' htc difperfa fu'iffe. Neque enim exifiimandum ejl, quod Latini Grmcum
nomen ecclefiis imponerent."
(') After noticing the objections to their authenticity. Van Efpen
1 concludes, " Ais aliifque argumentis perfiiafum eft hodie eruditis omni-
j bus, a Niceend fijnado 20 duntaxat canones, qui et vulgo fub ejus no
mine leguidur, editosfidfje : rejectis ut fuppq/itiis 80 canonibus Arabicis
[ a Turriano editis ; et ab Abrahamo Ecchelenfi Maronitd fynodi Ni-
'¦¦ coencB vindicatis ; quos per errorem et ipfi Ramani correctores pro veris
agnoverunt in notis ad can. 12. dijt. 16." Dr. Grier fays, in his valu
able epitome, the number of the Nicene Canons never exceeded twenty ;
I although Turrian enumerates no fewer than eighty.

Sect. I.

Summarg 'Fieto of titles.

abfentid epifcopi tanquam epifcojms, quia eJi loco ejus, et
caput facerdotum, qui fub potejiate ejus funt in ecclefia &c
In accordance with the above authorities, Jablonfld ^^fi^- ^fi^ ^
and Moftieim affign the origin of the order to the fourth ^^f^/y^^''/-
century : but at all events, we have evidence of the ufe : p-»'"- Maciaine.
of the title of arcttpregbgter many centuries before thati
of irecaixug — " decern presbyteris pnelatus" ; — for the latter! 5°°^™'^7s™-
is not found, in application to fpiritual church-governors, [ de Sacerdotibus.
till the reign of Charlemagne, in a conftitution of which '
fuppofed date it will be prefently mentioned, and in a
rule of Hincmar's capitula addreffed to his archdeacons, Hincmari opera,
¦* 1 r- Tom. I. p. 738.
(J.7). DCCcLxxvm): — and fubfequently to the former,
but antecedently to the latter date, in the Decreta of
Pope Eugene II., the fixth canon of which enacts \
" Nullus in Ijecattum vel archidiaconum, niji diaconus vel , ^J^^^f^°'^-'^'^'
presbyter, ordinetur. Qui Ji ordinari contempferlnt, honore
fufcepto priventur."
The author of the treatife de Beneficlis Ecclejiajiicis,
publiflied at Paris A.D. mdccxxxiv, is miftaken, when
he affirms (Vol, i. p. 85) that the title of trecanug is feen
for the firft time in the council of Clermont, can. 3.
{A. D. Mxcv.) In the age of Charlemagne it firft appears :
and we look in vain for it in church-records of earlier
date. Not that I am ignorant that the title SeKadapxos

(') The SS. CC. fparfim repeat this canon; and a council of Sau
mur, held under the archbifhop of Tours (^.D. mccliii), enforces it in
the cafe of DeanS rural by name. " Can.'v. De archidiaconis, arcjbis
presbgteris, et Decants ruralibus ad ordines promovendis." See Van
Efpen de mtate et qualitaie beneficiandorum, in Jur. Eccles. Univ. P. ii.
Tit. XIX. cap. I. pp. 463, feqq.

SS. cc. Tom,
XIV. col. 138.

6

¦Name anD ©itle.

[Part I.

Lib. VI. c.xiv.
p. 461.
SS.CC.Tom.vi.
col. 1487.

£/M/a. col. 1598.

Reginon. de
Difcipl. Ecclef.
L. 11. art. 69.

SS. CC. Tom.
VII. col. 406.

Molan. de Ca
nonicis, Ij. II.
c.VI. p. 149.
SS.CC. Tom. IX.
col. 28. 601.

(decanus) occurs in the Ecclefiaftical Hiftory of Eva-
grius in the Jixth century, :s.iTTai §e nj twv ev MapTvpoiroXet
SeKaUpxoiv, K.T.X.: nor that we have "Petrus in Chrifii
nomine decanus &c.", as the laft of the fubfcriptions to
the fifth council of Toledo {A. D. dcxxxvi). The former
example has nothing to do with church-economy ; and,
as to the latter, I am inclined to think that the mar-
ginal reading of "diaconus" fliould be fubftituted; and
I would extend the fame emendation to the fignature
' of " Clemens decanus &c.", fubfcribed to the feventh
i council of the fame place {A. D. dcxlvi).
i To the council of Rouen in France I have elfewhere
i referred for the title, as borne by laical perfons, con-
; nected with the church-police of that country, not dif-
1 fimilar to our modern church-reeves, guardians, or
j wardens (circiter AD.ach): "Can. xv. ut Kecant in
! civitatibus et in vicis publicis viri veraces et deum ti-
mentes conjiitumtur &c." And I here add St. Jerome,
Epiji.xxii. {AD.cccc); St. Auguftin. de Mor. Eccl.
^ L.I, c. XXXI. (A.D.ccccx); CaflTian. de Inji. Mon, L. iv.
c. VII. (^.D. ccccxl); St. Benedict (.^.D.dxx); and the
i Capitula of Charlemagne, de Uccant'g et prcepojitis &c.
! (A. D. DCCLXXxix) ; for early inftances of its ufe in mo-
'[ naftic polity. — Of which, the moft remarkable is that of
St. Jerome, which I fubjoin : " Prima apud eos (Cceno-
' bitas) confoederatio eJi, obedire majoribus, et quicquid ju/fe-
; rlnt facere. Dlvlji funt per iecuriag, itaut novem hominibus
i tietivitm prceftt ; et rurfus irecem preepogttog /m6 ye centefi-
; mus habeat, Manent feparati, fed junctis cellulis ufque ad
; horam nonam; ut injiitutum eJi, nemo pergit ad alium, ex-
I ceptis his iJecaitfg &c. ad Euftoch. de cujiodid virginitatis,
Epift. XXII. c. XV.

Sect. II.]

^rcj)ip«sbater.

SECTION ir.

ftrc]btpresb2ter — different kinds of glrcjpresbgters.

ITHOUT entering into the queftion, whe- |saimaflHsrfe
„ „ , ,. I Primatu pap

ther the gtrcStpregigter (" fummus presbyter, pp. 8, 9.
rT •• ^ ; JO J^-r. 'Thomaffin, F.
Honorii G.A. cap. lxxxii. de bacerdoiious,,etN.E.D.deB.
" the Head-presbytery Gibfon Cod. I.E. A. c. ni.Tom.i.
nr, ^ rv. -1 .1 <. • t \ pp. 221, 222.
lit. viii. cap. II.) was necenarily the lenior presbyter, —
feniority in thofe priftine days being dependent on j
¦!rpu}TOK\r](rta, and not Ttpoyevecria, priority of ordination, |
and not of birth, when found difunited^, — or at what
time fuch a cuftom, feemingly long dominant in the

(') A very early council of Rheims enacts (J.D. dcxxx.) Can. xix.
" Ut in parochiis nullus laicorum arclbipresbgter prceponatur : fed
qui fenior in ipfis effe debet, clericus ordinetur. From which it would
appear that laics had been in the habit of usurping this title, — fome
civil power, perhaps, being attached to it : at leaft, the words " Qui
fenior in ipfis effe debet," would rather indicate it. " Vox enim ilia
fenior jam tum dominum fignificabat," fays Thomaffin. Tom. i. p. 224.
And fuch feems to be the interpretation put upon this canon by the
author of a modern work "rfe Chriftiance ecclefice prima, me^ice, et
noviffimcB celatis politid;" who writes, "cum Jkc. vi. ineunte illis
(arcf)ipresbgtcriS) demandari coepijfet cura tum parceciarum urbis, tum
ruralium, paullatim eorum poteftas patere ccepit, eo ut ab ipfis opti-
matibus munus illud fummopere optari, ac quandoque ufurpari ccepe-
rit, prcejertim in Galliis.''

SS.CC. Tom. VI.
col.1435.

Alexii Aurelii
Pellicia, L. I.
Sect. n. p.l43.

Kame anD ®itle.

[Part I.

De Sacris Ec-
cleJiiB Minifte-
riis, ac Bene-
Jlciis, \j. I.
C. VIII.

weftern church, (though Boehmer is inclined to doubt
its having ever prevailed, Jur. Eccl. Protejiant. L. i.
T. XXIV. §. xLix.) yielded to the higher claims and more
juft pretenfions of perfonal merit i, which had early
obtained the preference and headfhip in the eaft; — it
will fuffice for the purpofes of our prefent inquiry, that
arcfiprtegtg, to what caufe foever owing their primary
advancement, were, in the fixth century^, of two kinds,
— catftetrral or ur6an, and bican or rural, — ^and have fo
continued to the prefent day.
" earfiatti dicuntur," in the words of Duarenus, " qui
in urbe et in majore ecclejid officio fuo funguntur. Cum
enim epifcopus propter abfentiam forte vel occupationes fuas,
non pojfit omnia epifcopi munia vel folus, vel una aim pres
byteris obire,fed curas fuas cum eis partiri necejfe habeat;
utilius vifum eJi ex presbyteris unum cceteris prceponere,
qui ea quce ad presbyterorum officium pertinent, partim ipfe
exequatur, partim aliis faclenda prcefcribat ; quam omnibus
: JimM presbytens id committere, ne contentio aliqua inter ipfos
I ex communione admini/irationis oriretur   . .

Obfervatiom on
the firft Apift.
Canon, p. 5.
Thef. Eccl.
Tom.il. col. 825.

De Syned. Ve-
ter.Ebraor. Ij.J.
C.XIV. col.1120.
fol. edit.
Annotat. ad
Socrat. //. E.
L. vt. c. IX.
sec. V. p. 323.
Richard. Ana-
lyfis CC. Gen. et
Pari. Tom. III.
p. 36.

" Presbyters were fo called," fays Bifhop Burnet, " not from their
age, as they were men, but from the age of their Chrlftianity." " No
men eft non cetatis " (fell. -Kpecr^vTepo^ in Suicer's words, "fed cyffidi et
dignitatis." It is a remark of the learned Selden, in explanation of the
titles of feniores, presbyteri, &c., that the fame latitude was extended to
thefe terms when ufed in lay-policy ; " apud Anglos antiquitus voca-
bantur eldermen feu aldermen, quafi feniores, non propter fenectutem,
cum quidam adolefcenles ejjjhit, fed propter fapientiam."
(') " glrcjipresbgter," fays Valefius, " women honoris eft, non vetuf-
tatis. Epifcopi enim ex presbyterorum collegia eos quas vellent acc|tli=
presbgteros eligebant, ut docet LIberatus in Breviario, cap. xiv."
(°) "Sexto circiter fceculo, dijtincta fuere arcj^ipresbgterorum ge
nera duo, ut alius arcjipresbgter urbanus eJfet, ruralis alius."

Sect. II.]

^rcj&ipresbgter.

9

^rcfitpregbgtert bi'cant nullam in urbe potejiatem, nullum
minifierium habent, fed in majoribus celehrioribufque pagis
conjiituuntur. Ac Jingulis, praeter ecclejice proprice cura-
tlonem, certarum ecclejiarum, certorumque presbyterorum,
qui videlicet per minores titulos habitant, infpectlo, obferva-
tioque committitur." See alfo Morin. de Sacris Ordina
tionibus Pars III. Exercit. xvi. cap. ii. 2, 3. p. 215. Boeh
mer. Jus Ecclejiaji. Protejiant. Tom. i. L. i. Tit. xxiv.
pp. 582-3. and Morifan. de ^rotopapig cap. vii. p. 104,
where the twofold diftinction is extended to the Greek
as well as the Latin church : — " quemadmodum in occi-
dentali ecclejid arcJ)tpregbgterorum duo genera erant, quorum
alii quidem, quos urftanog dicebant, cathedralibus ecclefiis
incardinati effent; alii verd, quos ruraleg, rugttcog, forengeg,
paganog, btcanog cognominabant, pagorum presbyteris, poji
fuhlatum prcejertim ufum cjorepigcoporum, ita mandato
epifcopi prceeffent, ut plebis capita, parochique conjiitueren-
tur : haud Jecus in ecclejid Grceca, prater cathedralium
ftotoi^aij^m, feu primos poJi epifcopum in ecclejid cathedrali
presbyteros, innumeri occurrunt locorum protopapffi, et ple-
bium curtones."
The diftinction, here made, is the popular one,
generally received; but Bifliop Kennett's is fomewhat
different ; — though he refers to Duarenus as his autho
rity. Severing altogether the catjetfral arcfitpregbgteri
from the Ijeang rural of his interefting epifode, the paro
chial antiquary fays of the latter, "Thefe Ireang were
conftituted over a certain number of churches within a
large city, and were then called irecant urbant and btcant ;
or elfe over the like extent of country churches, and
were then ftrictly called ttecanf ruraleg." Gibfon, too,
applies urban t in the fame limited fenfe, to the exclufion

; Diatriba de
j^pcotcpapiS.cap.I VII. I. p. 104.
Curio. Dacang.
in Glofs. Tned.
Grcecit.

Parochial Anti
quities, Vol. II.
p. 339.

Cod. I. E. A.
Tit. XLIL c. VIII.

10

Name anD ®itle.

[Part I.

Van Efpen Jur.
Ecclef. Univ.
P. I. Tit. XII.
cap. II. p. 58.

of catfieftral treang, but btcatti he ufes as a fynonyme of
ruraleg \
Upon this view, the reader will perceive that urban
and btcan iieang were merely rural Ireang^, fet over

Les LoixEcclef.
de France &c.
par M. Louis Oc
Hericonrt.Analyfe, p. 73.

Antiq. of Can
terbury, P. I.
p. 175.

(') A farther diftinction between catj&eDral or urbicar Deans, and
Deans-rural or Decani ©Jristianitatis, is derived from the fuperior rank
of the former — " ^rcj&ipresbgteri rurales nullam dignitatem, fed merum
officium habere cenfentur ; ac in omnibus fuis functionibus ab inftruc-
tionibus epifcoporum dependent ; arcj&ipresbsteratuS vera cat]&eDraliS vera
eft dignitas; muniaque de jure vel confuetudine annexa, jure digni
tatis, id eft, jure ordinario ficuti archidiaconi habent; ideoque nee pro
arbitrio epifcoporum talli aut diminui poffint."
In Les Loix Ecclefiaftiques de France we find the following particularities
of duty fpecified as belonging to the arcJ)ipr?treS of the Gallican church.
" Titre xxiv. De I'office de I'arcjipretre. Dans le feptieme et dans
le neuvieme fiecles, les fonctions de I'arcjipretre De I'eglise catj^eDrale
etoient de veiller fur tous les cures de la ville, qu'on appelloit alors cardi-
naux ; de leur faire obferver les ordonnances de I'eveque ; d'offrir le
faint facrifice en I'abfence de I'eveque aux jours folemnels ; d'entendre
la confeffion de tous les pretres, et de leur impafir des penitences. (H
y a encore des arcfjipretres dans quelques eglises cathedrales, qui ford
Vaffice, a certains jours, en I'abfence de I'eveque ; mais qui n'ont aucune
jurifdiction fur les cures de la ville epifcapale : on voit encors dans
d'autres diocefes des cures qui ant le titre D'arcj^tpretreS De la bille,
aufquels cette qualite ne don?ie que quelques marques de diftinction, fans
aucune jurifdiction fur leurs confreres. 3l'arc]^ipretre De la bille etoit
foumis a I'archidiacre.)
" Les arcjiipretres De la campagne, qu'on appelle communement DogenS
ruraux, doivent veiller nan-feulement fur les peuples, mais encore fur la
conduits des cures qui font dans Vete.ndue du Dogenne ; faire obferver
exactement la difcipline ecclefiaftique, et rendre un campte fidele a
I'eveque de tout ce quife pajfe."
(^) So Somner underftands and applies the title: — "  It re
mains that I fpeak fomewhat of the Dean, an ecclefiaftical officer fet to
over-fee a certain number of parlfhes, amongft which are thofe of our
city, and a neceffary member in the ecclefiaftical or fpiritual government
of the fame. We call him a rural Dean."

Sect. II.]

?lrct)ipresbater.

11

parochial churches and their incumbents, in urbe or in
vico, diftinct from catfieljral Ucang, whofe prefidency was
only over perfons. But I prefer the popular notion of
Bifliop Atterbury (no very high authority in thefe mat
ters), becaufe it is fupported by the Summa Silvejirina
fol, xxxix. (which makes the " arcbi'pregbgter ctbitatengfg "
the fame as " ^. ecclegtffi catbetrtalfg, qui alio nomine
dicitur irecanug,") and by fuch learned canonifts as Car
dinal Hoftienfis, Panormitan\ Lyndwood, Auguftin Bar-
bofa, Ferro Manrrique, Galganetti, Van Efpen, Molanus,
and others, as well as the above-cited author de Sacris
Ecclejice Minijieriis ac Beneficlis.
To quote only a few: — "EJi autem duplex arc6ipreg=
bgter," writes Auguftin Barbofa, " unus urbanug, et alius
x\xxvi\\%feu foraneug: urbanug eJi qui in urbe degens dig-
nitati prceeji cathedrali, vel collegiatd ecclejid; rural fg
verd, vel foraneug, qui ruri ecclejice prceeji parochiali, feu
plehanice  et hic propria videtur did tit mnn% , , . ,non
quod necejfarld decem prceejfe debeat, fed quia facta tranjla-
tione a perfectione denarii numeri irecanug folet appellari
omnis Ule, qui alicujus ordinis primus, et prcecipuus eJiT
"^rcjbtpregbgterfyMM^m duplid differentia," fays Ferro
Manrrique, "alii namque dicuntur cibttatengeg .... alii
autem ruraleg, /ew plebani  arcftipregbgter ruralig
feu plebanug folicitudinem plebantee fu<e, tam in rujticos,
quhm Jacerdotes in divinis et vitce circumfpectione gerant."

(') See Panormitan. Tom. ii. p. 73 ; Hoftienfis Tom. i. fol. cxix. ; Gal-
ganettus de Jxire publico, L. iii. Tit. xxii. ; de ^rcj&ipresbgtertS et
Decanis, pp. 230, 231 ; Van Efpen /. E. U. Part i. Tit. vi. de IBecanis
®]&ristianitatis, p. 29. ; et Tit. xii. cap. ii. p. 58. ; Joannes de Deo
Pcenitential. cap. xi.

Archidiaconal Charge to the
Clergy of Tot
nefs, 1708.

Augurtini Bar-
bofae de Canoni
cis et Dignita
tibus cap. VI.
p.64. de 9(vc[)i=
pcclbljtci'O.

D. M. F. Manr
rique de Presce-
dentiis et Prce-
lalionibus Ec-
clejlafticis,Quael't. VI.
p.36. 1.

12

Kamc anD 'JiTitle.

[Part I.

Molan. de Ca
nonicis, L. II.
c.viii. p. 157.

Ley's Defenfwe
Doubts &c.

p. 44.

Decret. Pars I.
Diftinct. XXV.
de Ecclef. Offic.

Molanus, having noticed the arcStpregbgtert cibitatcngeg,
fubjoins " reliqui verd pajiores pajiorum u/itate did folent
ftecant ruraleg, vel trecant GDStfgttanitatfg : fed hodii arc6f=
^xt%h'stexi fuarum regionum did malunt."
"To fpeake in the phrafe of the prefent age," fays
the fcrupulous paftor of Great Budworth, " the urban we
may call catfteUrall Ueang ; the bfcan, Ireaneg rurall." See
I alfo Downame's Defence of his Cmifecration Sermon, L, i.
' chap. 8. p. 188-9. and, for the fourfold divifion of ireang
according to the Ecclefiaftical Law of England, fee
: Burn's E. L. Vol. ii. p. 75. 39eang and CCfiapterg.
From thefe brief, but sufficient definitions and expla
nations of arcfitpregbgtcral duties, the reader will under-
ftand, IN LIMINE, their diftinction, nature, and character :
though our prefent buflnefs is only with the titles of the
office, not with its duties. Of the firft here defined, the
urban or catfieJjral arcbprtegt — 'his origin and office — it is
! foreign to my purpofe to say any thing, otherwife than
as fliaring, with his more humble namefake, the title of
j arcj&fpregbgterand irecanug, or aflimilating, in fome of his
functions, with his btcan reprefentative. His particular
duties in the primitive church, localized in an epifcopal
city, we learn from a letter of Ifidore \ bifliop of Seville,
to Ludifred, bifliop of Corduba,(j.Z).DXcv.) — incorporated
in the canons of the council of Toledo, (A.D. dcxxxiii.)
— from a decretal of Pope Leo IV. {A.D. dcccl.), and

(') Gratian refers to Ifidore and the council of Toledo as his autho
rities ; but I find no fuch paffage in the letter of the bifliop of Seville,
nor In any council of Toledo. There is no notice whatever of the
arcjbpresbgter In the letter to the bifhop of Corduba, publifhed in the
SS. CC. Tom. VII. col. 434, feqq. See Baluzii Notce ad Gratianum,
D. 25. c. 1., ad calcem Antonii Auguftini Dialog. &c. Lib. ii. p. 455.

Sect. II.]

^rcibipresbgter.

13

other later fources^:— and thofe of the bican or rural
arctpriegt, exercifed "per minores titulos^," over the
clergy diftributed amongft the country churches, we
learn from a canon of the council of Pavia, (A.D. dcccl.)
— recited aiiToXe^e), and confirmed by a council of Rome,
otherwife called of Ravenna, (A. D. dcccciv.) — of which
more anon.
Nearly three centuries before the council of Pavia,
bfcan arcSpregbgterg are recorded in the nineteenth
canon of the council of Tours, {A.D. dlxvii.) — the ear
lieft notice ^, perhaps, of thefe functionaries extant : for
they are certainly not fo ancient as catfieljral ireang ;
infomuch as fixed parifh priefts were of much later infti-

(') See De officio Decani CC.M.B. et H. Tom. i. pp.497— 499. and
more fully pp. 535 and 741 — for the duties of the CatJeDral Dean in Eng
land. The latter references ftate the ufages of the churches of Lincoln
and Sarum, the former those of Lichfield. — For continental ufages,
fee Boehmer, Jus Ecclef. Proteft. Lib. i. Tit. xxiv. § l. and Corvin. de
perfon. et benefic. ecclef. Lib. i. Tit. xx. n. 6. The JJlegistrum ^ancti
©SmunDi, a valuable JMS. lately tranfcribed, under the aufpices, and
at the coft, of Bifhop Burgefs of Sarum, is full on the fubject of the
catj&eDtal Dean's duties. See fol. 1, 2, 3, 4.
C) The tituli were the fmaller churches; fo called from this clrcum-
ftance, that the presbyters, who officiated in them, were called by the
names of the places where they were erected, i.e. received titles, which
fixed them to those particular cures. See alfo Bingham O. E. B. viii.
cap. I. s. 10.
(') Whether the following canon of the fecond council of Bracara, the
metropolis of Gallicia, (A.D. dlxiii.) refer to urban or btcan arcj^prieStS)
or both, I leave to the reader to determine ; — probably to the former
only: — "w. Item, placuit, ut de rebus ecclefiaftids tres cequx Jiant
portiones ; id eft, epifcopi una, alia clericorum, tertia in reparatione vel
in luminariis ecclefice : de qud parte five arcjbtpresbgter, five archidia
conus, illam adminifirans, epifcopo fadat rationem."

Decretal. Gre-
gor. IX. L. I.
T.xxiv.rfeO^c.Archipresb.

Cann, Cone.
Anonymi SS.
cc. Tom. XI.
col. 706.

SS CC Tom. VI.
col. 539.

Mosheim'sE. H. Cent. IV.
P. II. p. 394.
Vol. I. note 9.

55. CC. Tom. VI.
col. 521.

14

!tCame anD ®itle.

[Part I.

Mrac.L.i. C.78.
L.il. C.22.
DeGlor.Confeff.
C.5. Fit. Pat. e. 9.

tution than the college of presbyters, and confequently
the rulers of the former, than thofe of the latter. How
ever, that arcSpregbgterg were diftributed in rural diftricts
in the fixth century, is clear from the writings of Gre
gory, bifliop of Tours, who died before its clofe ^ We
there find the following notices of them. "g(rc6tpreg=
bgter parochice Nemaufenjis, &c." "glrcjbfpregbgter qui
tunc locum Ulum regebat, &c." " Ciim arcin'pregbgter loci
Eulalius clericos conviviis invitdjfet, Edatius verd alius
presbyter viduis ac pauperibus reliquis edulium prcepa-
raret, &c." " ^rcSipregbgter Mereenjis vici, &c." All
which paflages feem to indicate that arcftprtegtg were
localized in country pariflies, and invefted with a ge
neral fuperintendence of others adjoining, in addition
to their own perfonal cures, or, at leaft, with parochial
rule and governance of other presbyters, in the fixth
century.

( ' ) Gregory, bifliop of Tours, or, as he is often called, Georgius Flo-
rentius Gregorius, was born at Auvergne, about the year dxuv., and
died at Rome in the year dxcv.

Sect. HI.]

Hecanus.

15

SECTION III.
JSecanus— the identity of IBeans Jflucal and glrcjbpresbsters Iflural,
HE title of IBecanug or IBtm (for the pri
mary fignification of which, fee Suicer's
Thefaurus Ecclejiafiicus, in voce AeKuvog,
Tom. I. col. 834.), whether applied to fecu-
lar or ecclefiaftical office, has its origin in a prefidency
over ten, either perfons or places. " Aekanos a Sexa?,"
according to Sir Henry Spelman, " in militia dictus eJi,
qui decem prcefuit militibus ; in monajieriis, decem mona-
chis ; in ecclejid mMJori, decem prcehendis ; in epifcopatus
divijione, decem clerids feu parochiis ; in centurice Jive
hundredi dijiinctione, tsstmid^fuce fodalibus."
The irean rural, with whom alone, of the many^ here
defined, we have any concern, was fo called becaufe he
ufually had charge over ten country parifhes and their
clergy^: — "dicuntur irecant," fays Lyndwood, " ed qudd

(') The reader will be amufed, and perhaps edified, with Ley's
defcription of the different forts of DeanS (if he chance to pofTefs the
book) in " Defenfive Doubts, Hopes and Reafons, for Refufall of the
Oath, impofed by the fixth canon of the late fynod." London, 1641.
pp. 44, feqq. " Firft of DeaneS," fays the paftor of Great Budworth
in Chelhire — " The doubt is, What DeaneS are here meant — The reafon,
Becaufe in the whole canon law there is no title of the degree of a Deane
(fays Azorius) &c. &c."
C) But the fame latitude obtained in rural as in urban appointments,
in refpect of numbers : for " nothing more common," in Fuller's words,
^ "than

Gibfon Codex
I.E.A.Tit.yiui.
cap. VIII. p.971.

Ghffar. Ar-
cheeolog. p. 164.

Provincial. L. I.
Tit.2. p. 15.gl.
in V. SccanoS
cttcal«S.

Hiftory of Wal-
tham Abbey, ^.&.

16

Name anD ®itle.

[Part I.

Regin. Ij.1.
p. 291.
Burchard.L.XIX.
c. XXVI. p. 205.
Gratian. I. Dis.
i.e. LXIV. p. 71.

Thomaffin. K et
N. E. D. de B.
Part II. Ij. I.
c. V. Tom. I.
p. 225.

Downame's De
fence of his Con-
fecration Ser
mon, Ij. t. chap.
VIII. p.l89.

decern clerids {rectoribus ecclejiarum, Spelman. Glojfar.
Archceol. in voce) Jive parochiis prcejint, fecundum
Papiam." The identity of the office of the latter and of the
countrg arcfiprtegtg is clearly proved from the ancient
corjiitution — heretofore erroneoufly attributed to the
council of Agatha (A.D. dvi.), and by Rheginon, Bur-
chard, and Gratian, admitted into their feveral compila
tions, as one of its canons — wherein thefe functionaries
are enjoined under both titles, identified with each other,
to attend at the church-door on penitential fervice at
the commencement of Lent. The words of this conjii-
tutlon (which, as not being found in any of the canons
of that council now extant, I have, on competent autho
rity, already ventured to appropriate to 'the time of
Charles the Great — with the church-difcipline and titles
of which period it harmonizes well, while it is at variance
with thofe of the earlier date alluded to,) are thefe : —
" Ubi adejfe debent titcmi^, id eJi, arcfitpregbgtcri paroc6ia=
rum, cum tejiihus, id eJi, presbyteris poenitentium, qui

" than to wean terms from their infant and original fenfe, and by custom
to extend them to a larger fignification ; as Dean afterwards plainly de
noted a fuperior over others, whether fewer than ten, as the fix preben
daries of Rochester; or more, as the three-and-thirty of Salisbury."
See alfo Dr. NlchoUs's comment in Mant's Prayer Book, Introduction,
p. xviii. in V. " every Dean ;" and Auguftin Barbofa de Canon, et Dig-
nitat. c. VI. p. 64. before quoted.
(') "As the arcjiipresbgteri in latter times were called Decani," fays
Dr. Downame, " urban or catl)eDral Deans, fo the presbyters of the citie
(Trpea-fivrepoi Tt]g iroAew? — cane Neaccefar. c. 13. civitatenfes presbyteri —
cone. Agath. c. 22.) were in proceffe of time called canonid and pre-
bendarii, and the company of them, which have beene called presby-
terium, was termed capitulum, in Englifh chapter.''

Sect. III.] Uecanus. 17
_ j
eorum converfationem diUgenter infpicere debent &c."
Their famenefs is farther eftabliflied by a paflage in the
capitulary of Touloufe (J. D. dcccxliii.), under Charles Karoii caWi c<
1-.^,, ,.„ fuccelToruin ca
ttle Bald, which Ipeaks of the arcfipnegtg as actually ^("^a, v. on.
conftituted in their ireanri'eg — cap. iii. " Statuant epifcopi
loca convenientia per ifecaniag, Jicut conjiituti funt arc^t'^
pregbgterf &c." — by a canon of the fynod of Treves p.RoveniTJeo-
{A. D. dccccxlviii.), cited, with the latter to the fame ""*"* "' ^'
effect, by Father Rouviere, in his Hijiwy of St. Johns
Monajiery at Rheims — " ^rcfttpregbglert, qui et irecant
ruraleg appellantur &c." — by the council of Clermont ss. cc. Tom.
(^. 7>. MXCV.), " ut nullus Jit arcftipregbgter, quod alicubi f^n.ml
didtur irccanug &c." — by the councils of Tours (A.D. sscc.Tom.
MCLxiii.), and of Rome (^.D. mclxxix.), "IBztmi quidam can."vu.'coi.'
vel arcbipregbgtert ad agendas vices epifcoporum &c." — by "^^^ "
a refcript of Pope Innocent III. (A.D. mccxiv.) — " ^rc6t= oecreiai ore
pregbgterf, qui a pluribus irecanf nuncupantur &c." — by a 'f-x^"i'=-™-
fecond council of Treves (A.D. mcccx.) — "ISecant ruraleg \ Thef.Anecdot.
feu forengeg arcbfpregbgteri &c." — and laftly, by a conftitu- i ' ^' *'*' •
tion of Pope Benedict. XII. (^.Z>. mcccxxxv.), "ISecanig : speimamConc;;.
ruraltbug duntaxat exceptis, qui in aliquibus regionibus ss. cc. Tom.
arc§tpregbgteri nominantur." ^^' '°^' *'^*'
Upon thefe many averments, we may, afluredly, con
clude the identity of the arcStpregbgteral and irecanal [
charges : — upon which point, indeed, I fliould have been
lefs full and particular ^, had not Mr. Johnfon, the
learned and laborious tranflator of our Ecclejiajiic

(') As nearly all the evidence to be hereafter adduced refpecting the
duties of thefe ecclefiaftics is cited upon a full conviction that their office
was the fame under either title, it feemed important to eftablilh the fact
of identity upon incontrovertible grounds.
VOL. I. 0

18

Name anD ®itle.

[Part I.

Eccl. Laws &c.
Addenda,A.D. MLXIV.

cc. M. B. et H.
Vol.1, p. 547.
Vol. II. p. 393.
and p. 465.
Whitaker's Hifl.
of Manchffier,
Vol.11, p. 380.

Ghffar. ad
Scriptor. x.
Ducang. in voce.
Politia Eccl.
Angl. c. I. p. 3.
& c. IX. p. 88.

Defcript. I. E.
P.I. sec. III.
Cofin. Tab. xir.

Laws, controverted it in his notes upon the Saxon
inftitutes. — " Very egregious miftakes," fays the vicar of
Cranbrook, " have been committed by a famous anti
quarian in relation to thefe officers called rural ireang.
He fuppofes them to have been the fame with the arc5=
pregbgterg of the feventh and eighth century ; which may
be confuted by looking into the Decretal, L. i. Tit. xxiv.
XXV." But the reader will acknowledge that Bifliop
White Kennett, to whofe able work on Parochial Anti
quities Mr. Johnfon alludes, might adduce ftrong evi
dence for his aflertion, in the cafes of continental
church-police already referred to ; and, were the iflue
yet dubious, in confequence of foreign examples being
\ inadmiffible, might accumulate on them our infular con
jiitutions — the arcfipriegtg of Ireland being therein faid
: to be the prefidents of the rural ifeanrteg in mccxvi ; and
¦ arcbprtegtg or ireang being expreflly mentioned in a Bull of
I Pope John XXII. to the clergy of England in mcccxvii ;
j and in the Procefs of Grenefeld, archbifhop of York,
during the years mcccx and mcccxi ; and yet farther
I might he fupport his view by the united fanctions of
j Somner, Ducange, Dr. Mocket, and Dr. Zouch : — " Quem
recentiores irecanutn ruralem," fays the antiquarian of Can
terbury, " et exteri arcbtpregbgterum btcanum, antiquiores
Angli irecanum eCfin'gttanitatig vocdrunt." "  irccana=
ttbug prcefduntur ruraleg i(ecant," — Dr. Mocket remarks,
" antiquis arcStpregbgtertg non muMm dijimiles :" — and
again lefs qualifiedly, " irecant ruraleg veteris ecclejice c6or=
eptgcopig et arcStptegbgtertg regtonartt'g haud dijimiles :" —
and Dr. Zouch, " Sub archidiaconis conjiituuntur irecant
ruraleg, qui olirn arcbtpregbgtert ruraleg dicehantur." — Need
I add the afleveration of Mr. Whitaker, the Hiftorian of

Sect. III.] IPecanus. 19

Manchester, that "the rural irean is the fame ecclefiaftical Part'-c-^'"-
officer as the arcfitpregbgter or arcftpriegt?" or the much
earlier opinions of Spelman, Rouviere, Morin, Thomaffin,
and others, to the fame point ? — Nay, Mr. Johnfon him
felf, in his Ancient and Prefent Church of England,
acknowledges that " arcSpregbgterg and rural ireang are
much the fame."
The date of this change of name may be fixed, on the
authority of the firft-cited conftitution, about the clofe of van Efpen jmi-.
¦' ' _ Eccl. Univ. P. I.
the eighth or the commencement of the ninth century; Titvi. cap.i.
and the inducement to it, the divifion of diocefes at that
time into irecennarteg or iieanrteg ; over which arcfiprtegfg,
previoufly exiftent as fubordinate, vicarious church-
governors, were then placed with the new title of ireang, &« speiman.
in accordance with the prevalent civil polity of the time, ! in v. bcconatus,
and invefted with vaftly augmented jurifdiction, in con
fequence of the decay and abolition of cSoreptgcopi.
"^rcfitpregbgtert dicti videntur irecant," fays Morin, " ^o i ^^^^«^^« or-
qubd antiquities dioecefes erant per irecantag divifce^, quibus ! Ex^rdt
prceerant arcfitpregbgteri." (Ex Capit. Caroli Calvi c. 3.

XVI.

Hifiorical and
Political Dif-
courfe &c. chap.

(') "Diocefes have been fubdivided into fuperior precincts," fays
Nathaniel Bacon, " called DeanarleS or DecanarieS, the chief of which
was wont to be a presbyter of the highejt note, called DecanuS, or arcj&- xii. p. 23.
presbgter. The name whereof was taken from that precinct of the lay- |
power, called Decennaries, having ten presbyters under his vifit, even as |
the DecennerS under their chief."
" Aucta dioecefi epifcoporum," fays Boehmer, " hanc in plures Deca- ; Jus Ecclefiaft.
natus diftribuerunt etfingulis Decanatibus Decanum feu arcjipresbgterum ~™ " "'^ ¦ '¦ ¦
prcefecerunt, quem arcj^ipresbgterum ruralem dixere, qui presbyterorum
ruralium curam habebat." See Van Efpen /. E. U. Part i. Tit. vi.
cap. I. p. 29 : wherefore, by Pierre Rouviere the Decanate of Ofcar is
called Decania arcftipresbsteralis— an arcj&priest being the ecclefiaftical
governor of the Deanrg.
c2

Tit. XXV. sec.
XLIX.

Reomaus'p.GW.

20

Name anD ®ttle.

[Part I.

Cave's Piimi-
tiveChriftianity,
P. I. c. 8. p. 222.

Ducangii Gloffar. in voce.

Thomaffin. T. et
N. E. D. Tom. 1.
Partli. L.I. c.v.

Condi. Gallice Tom, iii.) And very reafonable, indeed,
it was, that the bifliop (who was, "according to the
notation of his name, ctkoitos, a watchman and fentinel,
and therefore obliged ema-KOTreiv, diligently and care
fully to infpect and obferve, to fuperintend and pro
vide for, thofe that were under his charge,") fhould take
advantage of new civil diviflons of his -napoiKia, for the
purpofe of meting out to certain deputies, already con
ftituted in the church, well-defined diftricts of fupervi-
fion. For being unable to infpect perfonally all his
widely-fcattered congregations, after the multiplying of
country churches; and arcfttpregbgterateg {" dijirictus
arcfitpregbgterf ruralig") being, like the elder cJ)oreptgco=
pateg, ecclefiaftical territories of indiftinct limitation,
(indeed we know nothing about them beyond this —
that their extent was fettled, and the capital of each
appointed by the abfolute authority of the bifliop ^; a
particular church in every diftrict being exalted into
a pre-eminence over the reft, and the rector of the
one made the fuperintendent of the others,) he would
gladly, for the better ordering^ of his diocefe, merge the
uncertainty of the fpiritual in the certainty of the fecular

VanEfpen/.E.C^. P. I. Tit. VI.
CI. p. 29.

.Stat. Synod.
Dioc. Yprens.
Tit. VII. c. I.

(') "Similiter in potefiate epifcopi ejl Dlstrictum Decanorum vel ex-
tendere vel limitare ; imo et unam Decaniam five Dtstrictum arcl&ipresbg-
teratuS in plures dividere, aut plures in unam, conflare."
(^) " Utiliier in omnibus epifcopatibus," fays the bifhop of Ypres in
Flanders, " recepta ejt cujujque dicecefis in DecanatuS partitio &c." On
the fcore of conveniency alone, as far as I can fee, is the divifion of
diocefes into DeanrieS preferved in our ecclefiaftical books, in modern
days, where the Dean exifts not. For regulating the attendance of the
clergy on the different fynodal vifitations of the bifhop and his arch
deacons, the diftrict is ftill ufeful ; but would be far more fo, if it had
its local ordinary.

Sect. III.]

Becanus.

21

diftribution, the arcjfpregbgterate^ in the irecanate, and
the title of arc^prfegt in that of irean=rural ; and, there
fore, Thomaffin ufes the terms arcj&fpregbgteratug and
irecanatug as equally fignifying thefe ecclefiaftical divi-
fions of the diocefe. {
On this fubject of the analogy of fecular and eccle- De Exordiis et
¦ XtlCTBTflStltiH Its-
fiaftic office, here briefly alluded to, in the ninth cen- [ rum Ecdejta/i.
tar J, Walafrid Strabo has written at large, in his Com- Hittorp. Tom. i.
paratio Ecclejiajiicorum Ordinum et Secularium ; and, i
more to the point of our inquiry, Bifliop Kennett, in his
Parochial Antiquities ; as the next divifion of our fub
ject, on the origin of the irecanal office of the countrg^
will fliew.

( ' ) " Vetus fuit harum Decaniarum infiitutio," obferves Pierre Rou
viere, " reique ecclefiaJliccB in agris opportuniffima. Cum enim ad
presbyteros rure degentes extendere fe continued non pojfet epifcoporum
aut archidiaconorum vigilantia, collocati fuere per intervalla, in qui-
bufdam quafi excubiis presbyterorum aliqui Decani, vel arcjdipresbgtert
vodtati, ut ccBterorum presbyterorum ac plebis moribus, vice epifcopi
aut archidiaconi invigilarent."
" The craft of the prelates," fays Nathaniel Bacon of our Saxon blfhops,
" was to diftribute their fpiritual offices through the kingdom, fo as to
influence and direct every part of the temporal government, and to
actuate the whole for the church's good. Thus every temporal officer
had a fpiritual concomitant."

Reomaus Sec.
p. 629.
6c bccania ac.
cI)ipct§6i)tccQli, Ofcarenjis be-
canu^.

Hifiorical and
Political Dif-
courfe &c.
Part 1. c. XII.
p. 23.

22

[Part II.

florae ®ecantcae li^urales*

PART IL
®6e ©rtgt'n of tfie <©fSce.

A Humble Pro-
pofalfor Paro
chial Reforma
tion &c. chap.
vir. p. 30.

SECTION I.
The origin of iieans JJlural in general. — ©Jw^pfStopi.
HEN, where, and by whom, rural arcfiprtegtg
or ireang were at first inftituted, we in vain
endeavour to learn, in the filence of eccle
fiaftical hiftory relative to their primary
eftablifliment. Our knowledge of them is derived, not
from the records of their inftitution, but from their
names and acts mentioned in the tomes of the coun
cils, and other church -authorities of high antiquity.
These exhibit them in fettled power and influence,
exercifing their minifterial functions in aid of the dio
cefan bifliop, wherever the calls of parochial vifitation
cap.i.p.29. required additional fuperintendents, delegate reprefen-
tatives of the fupreme k-nicrKo-nos, for fatisfying fpiritual
wants, and fupporting local difcipline in new Chriftian
communities. The date of their firft appearance in the weft-em
church, as far as it can be afcertained, has been inci
dentally ftated under the former divifion of our fubject.
The circumftances, likewife, under which both urban

Van Efpen
/.£. t/.P.I.Tit.
VI.

Sect. I.]

©rigin of iSeans Kural. — 0J)orepiscopi.

23

and rural ireang are fuppofed by Duaren to have arifen
in the church, have been briefly delivered in the defini
tions of their refpective duties, cited from that eminent
canonift's treatife De Beneficiis &c. Of the origin of
the catfiehral irean I purpofe to fay no more. Of the \
irean^rural'g inftitution in particular, Morin thus rea
fonably exprefles himfelf, having juft before fuggefted
the probable origin of the urban functionary — " Pullu-
lante ecclejid, et radices, palmitefque per agros et vicos
diffundente, arcbtpregbgtert'g opus fuit, qui non modo frres-
byterorum urbicorum, fed etiam rujiicorum curam gererent.
Satis tum non fuit aliquem presbyterum honore et concejfu
aliis prceferri. Necejfe fuit unum cceteris prcefid, et folici
tudinem epifcopalem cum autoritate fublevare. Multiplicatis
enim per varias dioecejis paroedas presbyteris, difficile fuit
epifcopis folis tot presbyterorum et parceciarum folicitudinem
habere. Itaque unum cceteris prcepofuerunt, qui Us invigi-
laret, leviora quceque corrigeret, et de diffdlioribus ad
epifcopum referret."
To this learned writer we readily grant the reafona-
blenefs of his view of the origin of the arcStpregbgteral
economy in the abftract, and its excellent adaptation
to the purpofes mentioned — the fpiritual furveillance,
under the bifliop, and in his name, over rural presbyters
and their flocks. Still the office appears not, till fome
centuries after Chriftianity had extended itfelf from
urban to rural diftricts, and the bifliop's increafed la
bours had long needed helpmates in the latter quarters.
How, then, was the ecclefiaftical difcipline of the country
in the mean while fupported, and the affairs of the
more diftant parts of the diocefe looked after, before
the inftitution of ireang rural, and while as yet the arch-

Morin. de Sacr.
Ordinal. P. III.
Exercit. xvi.
c. II. p. 215. III.

See Morin. de
Sacris Ordinal.
P. III. Exerc. IV.
c. I. p. 42. IX.

24 ©rlgln ot t^e ®fKce. [Part II.

deacons had no relation to the diocefe, but only to the
epifcopal fee? (Gibfon CLE, A, Tit. xlii.) Were there
any epifcopal fubftitutes of earlier days, from whofe
delegate capacity our rural arcfipregbgterg may be fup-
' pofed to have derived, in any degree, the type and cha
racter of their vicarage ?
Dark as is the hiftory of the irecanal office as to time
and place of origin, and fruitless any attempt to eluci
date it, out of the fcanty church-documents bearing
on its elder days, we know thus much: — arcfipriegtg
or ireang were not the firft officers to whofe vicarious
protection under the city-bifliop, the church, in her
wifdom, committed the infant regiment of her rural
minifters and converts. Before the date of fuch crea
tion, there were " chofen out of the fitteft and graveft
perfons," certain epifcopal deputies— btcartt ept'gcoporurai
Suicer. r.E. — denominated cborepfgcopi — tuv %wpoi/ or t^? x"P«f ^'"^'
;t.g.„v»«»,. j,^„^o^_« ^hofe bufinefs it was," in the language of Dr.
Primitive Chrif- Cavc, " as fubordinote fort of bifhops — countrg or (as
p^alf ¦'¦ amongft us they have been called) gufiragan btgfiopg, to
fuperintend and infpect the churches in the country,
that lay more remote from the city where the epifcopal
fee was, and which the bifliop could not always infpect
and overfee in his own perfon."
B.i.c.y.Tam.i. Of tlicse blllan bfgbopg and vican or rural priefts—
/or. can.Lvra, xfiPEniSKonoi, that is, and TtpecT^vTepot eirixcipioi or -npecr^vrepoi
can.\xxx"va!'''l e^ Ta?s /cw/xwi? KOLt x^pa's — tbe ancient Greek councils
^ni^Reiiq. j make mention at the fame time, as if of contempora-

Sacr. V. III.
p. 461. Cone.
Neocesfar.

can. XIII. I /i\ "Primitus inllitutos ab epifcopis cjorepiscopos /ere canflans eft
Ducang. Glojj. , ,, ._,•/¦ i- ¦ ••
in voce gtjoc ! fmtentia, ut effent eorum blcarii m vicis ac pagis, et epifcopalia m m
cpiicopw . munera minor is momenti abirent."

Sect. I.]

©rigin of Ueans Jrlural. — ©froreptStopi.

25

neous eftablifliment, or, at leaft, co-exiftent in country
diftricts; — the presbyters^ generally diftributed, one or

(') Dr. Maurice is of opinion that the firG, fixed presbyters were at
Alexandria : and, certainly, Sozomen obferves it as a fingularlty of that
diocefe, that auxiliary, or parochial churches, were in his day appro
priated or committed to fo many certain fixed presbyters. (Hi/i. Eccl-
li. I. c. XV.) — Indeed, as early as the middle of the third century, Dio-
nylius, bifhop of Alexandria, feems to have congregated at Arfenoeta in
Egypt Toi/y irpe<r0VTepovi koi SiSatr/caAovs rcov ev raT? Kciftats aheXcpZv.
lib. II. De Promiff'. apud Eufeb. H. E. vii. 2-1. Later in the same cen
tury there is diftinct notice of a localized parochial prieft in a village of
Mefopotamia (Acta Dijputatianis Archela'i Epifcopi et Manetis Herefi-
archae — circiter A.D. cclxxviii) "  Manes autem fugiens
advenit ad quendam vicum longe ab urbe pofitum, qui appellabatur
Diodori. Erat autem presbyter loci illius, nomine et ipfe Diodorus,
quietus et mitis, &c."^ cap. xxxix. See Bifhop Wake's Vifitation Charge,
A.D. MDCCix. pp. 3, 4. and a paffage cited from Eufeb. Hi/t. Ecclef.
Li. II. c. III. in note (d), p. 4. — Epiphanius, in his difcourfe of the Arian
and Meletian herefies, (It is the remark of Dr. Maurice,) fpeaks of fixed
presbyters as particular and Angular in the church of Alexandria ; while,
in other churches, which had titles as early, the presbyters were moveable
at pleafure. 'EKacrTo? rSv irpecr^VTepoiv e'^ei th? iSi'a; Kufias, is the
exprefs affertion of St. Athanafius, Apol. ii. A.D. ccclviii.
At Rome, particular titles are not annexed to the names of presbyters
till towards the end of the fifth century ; when, as we now fign ourfelves
rectors and vicars of fuch a place, the Roman priefts (then, probably,
fixed in their refpective cures) fubfcribed themfelves, " Ccelius Januarius
Presbyter Tituli Vejtince, Martianus Presbyter Tituli Sanctce CcbcHicb, &c."
whereas before, they merely figned generally, " Prieft of Rome, &c."
It Is a curious fact, let me add, and worthy of notice, as bearing upon
the antiquity of aur vifitational duties, that bisiting preSbgterS firft
appear about A. D. ccc, in an epiftle of Peter archbifhop of Alexandria ;
and again in an epiftle of the Egyptian bishops about the fame time : —
presbgteral superintenDents feeming to fynchronize. In the date of their
inftitution, with that of the parochial clergy in Egypt ; over whom they
prefided fubordinately to the urban bifhops, and inftead of the cj&orept-
SCOpi, who are not there found at all. When

Vindication of
Diocefan Epi-
fcopacy, p. 65.
Routh's Reliq.
Sacrce, Vol. III.
p. 477.

Vol. XV. p. 230.
Slater's Original
Draught &c. in
anfwer to Lord
King, c. VIII,
p. 297.
S. Cyril. Lect.
VI, 30. ed. Oxon.

DiocefanEpifco-
pacy, ubi fupr^.
Bingham's Eccl.
Antiq. B. IX.
c. VIII. s. 4 & 5.
B. V. c. VI. 8. 5.

Brett's Account
of Church Go
vernment and
Govemours,
cap. VII. p. 170.

Routh's Reliq.
Sacr. Vol. II.
pp. 348, 382.

26

©rigitt of tire ©IRce.

[Part II.

Boehmer. Dif-
fert.V.deChrift. Coslibus in vicis
et agris, p. 305.

Ecclef. Politic.
B. V. 80. p. 433.

more to each place (after they had ceafed^ to live in
community with the bifhop, and to itinerate at his com
mand) through the towns and villages of the eaft, as
Chriftianity extended from city to country — the cftor=
eptgcopt occupying fuch more important fites^ — metro-
comice perhaps (matres vicorum capita inter omnes vicos) —
as were fecondary only to the epifcopal cities.

Fade Mecum,
Vol. II. pp.11.
18, 19.
Bevereg. Syno
dic. Vol. I. pp.
10.19.21.

Fade Mecum,
Vol.11, pp.79, 80.

SpelmanniGZo^.
Archesol.invoce,p. 410.

When the example was once fet of affigning " precincts to every
church or title, and appointing to each presbyter a certaine compaffe
whereof himfelfe flioulde take charge alone, the commodloufneffe of this
invention caufed all parts of Chriftendome to follow it, and, at length,
amongft the reft, our owne churches, about the year dcxxxvi," fays
Hooker, (but this is an error-^Eo.) " became divided in like manner. But
other diftinction of churches, there doth not appeare any in the Apoftle's
writinges, fave onely, according to thofe cities wherein they planted the
gofpell of Chrift, and erected ecclefiaftlcall coUedges." See Duarenus
de Sacris Ecclefice Miniftr. ac Benef. L. i. c. vii. pp. 20, 21.; alfo
Wharton's Defence of Pluralities, pp. 53, 54. Parker's Account af Church
Government for fix hundred years, pp. 136, 137. Burnet on the First
Apojiolical Canon, pp. 33, 34. and Bingham O.E. B. v. c. vi.
(') It is fairly deduced by Mr. Johnfon from the fifteenth, thlrty-firft,
and twenty-fecond Apqflolical Canons, that there were, in thofe early times
— the nonage of the Chriftian inftitution in refpect of its outward polity —
no fuch thing as priefts acting independently of their bifhop at that date,
viz. the latter end of the fecond century. The diocefan and his clergy
lived together in a body, in conftant communion with each other, in the
city or other capital place of the diocefe, then called irapotKta — (" A lively
refemblance whereof remaineth in the DeaneS and chapters of cathedrali
churches " — fays Dr. Downame). Equally certain is It, at a later period,
from the thirteenth canon of the Neoccefarean caundl, held about the
fame time as the Ancyran (A.D. cccxiv.), that there were then country
priefts and churches in places remote from the city — one ftep towards the
divifion of diocefes into what we now call parifhes. See Bingham's
Ecclef Antiq. B. v. c. vi. 4, 5, on this fubject.
(^) " In metrocomiis, non epifcopi, fed XfiPEIIISKOnoi et nEPi
OAEYTAi (id ejl circuitores) injlituti olim, ut can. 57. Concil. Laodic.

Sect. I.]

®riain of Heans Mural. — ©Jjoreplscopi.

27

Such, it is rational to fuppofe, was the diftribution of
the rural priefthood^, with its appropriate hierarchy, in
the eaft; where the old Greek fynods recognise three
diftinctions of -napoiKiai — thofe Iv «?? enhKoiroi kxeipoTO-
vovvTo — a fecond clafs denominated kyxciipiot, and a third
dypoiKiKal. — To adapt which, with any degree of confi
dence, to the different grades of the priefthood, is
beyond my power. The firft were the urban bifliops'
diftricts ; the latter two were rural ¦napoiKiai — jxiKpcu kcu
ov 7to\vTr\riee7s (Zonar.) ; and the cfiorepigcopug, probably,
dwelt in the larger of them — kv ixea-ois «7po?f ku) Ku/xa/f,
and not ev ecrxariais ("the outfields"—as Dr. Chalmers
would fay) (Ariften.), that is, in the eyx<^P'oh and not in
the dypoiKiKoi — though both were fubject to his infpec-
tion, and all to the city bifliop or diocefan. See Bifliop
Taylor's Epifcopacy Aferted, feet, xliii. p. 216, feqq.

See Zonaras &
Ariftenns ad
Con. XVII. Cone.
Chaleed.
Bevereg. Synod.
Vol.1, pp. 134,
135.
Snicer. Thefaur.
in V. rffK^oixiK.
col. 599. Tom. II.
Zeigler. de Epi
fcopis, C. XIII.
de ctjotopifc.
XXI. p. 216.
Routh Opufcul.
Ecclef. Vol.u.
p. 467.
Blondel. Apol.
de Epifc. et
Presb. a. iii. pp.
127, seqq.

can. 10. Concil. Antioch. can. 6. Concil. Sardic. Hcb vicorum matres
erant (the mother churches) ut metrapoles civitatum. Unde forsan
Cephacajtellum, act. 3. Concil. Chaleed. in hac fubfcriptions  Noe
Epifcopus Cephacajtelli fubfcripfi. Et nas in Gallia Narbonenfi Metro-
comias nunc Capcajlles appellamus. Phil. Berterius Pilhanon, dia
triba I. c. 6. pag. 71."
Thefe metrocamicB were, in after-days, the fites of the baptifinales
ecclefia, over which the plebium arcj&ipresbgteri or Deans rural prefided. j
" His maxime baptifmalibus ecclefiis, quce aliarum velut matres erant,'
fays Thomaffin, "prcsficiebantur arcl)ipresbgteri, et hinc curam atque Zeigler de^Epi-
Jtrenuitatem fuam in plebes parochofque sui Decanatiis om?ies explica
bant;" as, in earlier days, the c]&oreplScopl fuperintended the churches cpifcopiS,
of their cjorepiscopate.
(') No clerks were allowed to be ordained in the primitive church i
airoAeXvfievag — at leaft, the exceptions to the rule were very rare. The
cuftom of confecrating bifliops " p artibus infidelium," who were never
to fee their bifhoprics, was an abufe of the Romifh church of later date.
See Bingham O.E. B. iv. c. vi. s. 2, 3.

fcopis, c. XIII.
p. 216. de c()OC-

28 ©risin of ti&e ®£Bce. [Part II.

Works by Heber, Vol. vii. and Slater's Original Draught
in anfwer to Lord King, p. 104. The latter of whom
(Slater) very juftly remarks, that thefe btllan btgfiopg
though bigfiopg in billagcg were not confined each to a
Jingle village : they had territorial, not congregational
i jurifdiction.
. But the diftinction, as to incumbencies, is not sufB-
; ciently marked, in Greek records of the incardination of
the clergy below the rank of the urban bifliop, to admit
FiiefaciParoBcia, of moTc than conjecturc, as to where the cftorfpigcopug
dwelt, and where the ordinary parochial minifter alone.
Nor is any light thrown upon the fubject by the Latin
^¦^'^' "^"m' verfionifts of the canons ; who varioufly and indifcrimi-
—App.^.xxvi. inately render the fame Greek terms by presbyteri rurls,
—App. p. LXX. ! "^ /• /2 • •
as Dionyfius and Crefconius; presbyteri forajiici, as
N-AJex^dri Martin of Braga; presbyteri vicani, as, in much later
Trias-Quaifiio \ ^^ays, Gcutian Hervet, &c. &c. And the local titles,
pp.i66,feqq. | beftowcd ou the cborcpt'gcopt in either language, are not
more diftinctive of the character of the rural refidences.
Indeed, all we know about their incumbendes, is juft
j this — after the church began, in Jeremy Taylor's words,
"to put a bridle" on the cborcptgcopt by canon, and they
were refractory and difobedient under the impofed re-
ftrictions, it was determined that no more perfons of
epifcopal rank fhould be ordained in country places
Bevereg. Synod, generally  kv Tois KOifXatS KOt kv Tat? X'^paiS — kv KtO/ZJ? TIW r)
Vol.-i.Conc.Lao- o ' '•» "¦' \ -? / r,' ¦> '^ „„A
dicen.c.hYii. j6poc)(eK^ TToAet, YjTtvi KUI CIS /.lovoj TrpecrfsvTepog eitapKei: — ana
cml'sardic. thcncc WO infer, that, before that reftriction, fuch as
c. VI. p. 490. -ypgre called cborcpfgcopl were ordinarily there refident, in
De Sacr. Ordi- ^^ vao^ Central and convenient, at leaft, if not the moft
ercw.'c^i^^"' I important fites, within their refpective jurifdictions, —
^ifrlVVm '" ^^tra urhem," fays Morin, "in pagis, vids, et oppidulis"

Sect. I.]

©rigin of Iieans Mural, — @l)orepiScopi.

29

O.E. B. II.
c.xiv. 8. 10

cited in
Appendix H.D.R. Vol. It.
Bingham, O.E.
B. II. c. XII. B. 1,
2,3.

— and Mr. Nelfon — "in tfie largeji villages of every
diocefe;" — though they never figned themfelves as in
connexion with any particular place, when fubfcribing
the councils at which they were prefent, but merely
" Palladius cfiorcpt'gcopug," " Seleucius cfiorcplgcopug," &c.,
with occafionally the title of their province. In the Capi
tularies of Charlemagne (L. vii. c. 187), they are called " bil-
lant eptgcopt," and by Hincmar {Opufc, 33. cap. 16. p. 437)
"bfcant." Bntfee Bifliop Beveridge ad can, xiii. Ancyran.
in Routh's Reliq. Sacr. Vol. in. p. 486. alfo the councils
of Laodicea and Sardica above quoted : Le Jau de Aucto
ritate Pontificis, Lib. iv. p. 588-9 ; Morifan. de Protopapis,
c. viii, II. p.l05, feqq. ; and for the ufage of Great Britain
in felecting "noted and populous towns" for her urban
bifhops' fees, vide Gibfon's CLE. A. Tit. viii. cap. i., and j a.d.mdxxxiv.
for the gubgiittarg or guffragan bigfiopg of England, ap
pointed by the 26 Hen. VIII. c. 14. "who had their fees
in toums, and not in cities," fee Dr. Burn's Ecclejiajiical
Law, Vol. I. p. 227.
The view which the learned Selden takes of this part
of the economy of the Greek church, as far as it has
any bearing on the origin of endowments, may be learnt
from the following brief epifode, devoted to the fubject,
in his Hijiory of Tythes : — but he is, I fliould fay, with
all due deference to his profound antiquarian knowledge
in general, decidedly in error, when he difallows any
broad difference between presbyteri parochiani and
cjborepfgcopt. "As metropolitich fees, patriarchats (exarchats also
in the eaftern church) and bifhopricks, thofe greater
dignities, were moft ufually at firft ordained and limited
according to thfe diftinction of feats of government, and

Hiflory of
Tythes.cbap.VI.
III. pp.80, 81.

30

Origin ot tje Office.

[Part II.

Cone. Sardic.
cap. VI.

Cone. Neocafar.
cap. I.VIII.
Cone. Antioch.
capp. LXXXVII.
— I.XXXIX.
Leg. Aleman.
cap. XIII. Cone.
Gangr. can.

Bishop of Lin
coln's Charge,
pp. 3, feqq.

inferior cities, that had been afligned to the fubftitutes or
vicarii of the Prcsfecti-prcetorio or Vice-Royes of the Eaft
or Weft empire ; fo were pariflies appointed and divided
to feveral minifters within the ecclefiaftick rule of thofe
dignities, according to the conveniences of country-
I towns and villages ; one or more or lefs (of fuch as
being but fmall territories might not by the canons
be bifliopricks) to a parifli ; the word paroeda or parifh
at firft denoting a whole biflioprick (which is but as a
j great parifli), and fignifying no otherwife than diocefe,
but afterward being confined to what our common lan
guage reftrains it. The curates of thofe pariflies were
fuch as the bifliop appointed under him to have care of
fouls in them, and thofe are they which the old Greek
councils call Trpecr^vrepoi eirix^pioi, OV ol ev raif ^WjOa/?, or
kv Toig KCifxaig irpecr/SiJTepot, that is, presbyteri parochiani,
within the biflioprick, neither were the cSorept'gcopt much
different from them. Thefe had their pariflies afligned
to them; and in the churches where they kept their
cure, the offerings of devout Chriftians were received,
and difpofed of in maintenance of the clergy and relief
of diftreffed CJhriftians, by the oeconomi, deacons or other
officers thereto appointed under the bifliop &c." — But
we are going aftray. The reader who may wifli for
information on the ufages of the Eaftern church — the
parent of all our inftitutions in Chriftian polity — ^is
referred to Archbifhop Wake's Vijitation Charge at Lei-
cefter (mdccix), as bifliop of Lincoln. He will there
find an excellent fummary of the fubject, as bearing on
the ancient rights and privileges of the church.
Such minute particulars are unimportant to the main
drift of our prefent inquiry ; which w'ould only go to

Sect. I.]

Origin of Heans Mural.— ®]&orepiScopi.

31

prove, that, in very early days, there were in the coun
try what we call parochial presbyters with local cures,
fubject to the fupervifion of epifcopal coadjutors of
urban bifliops : — the neceflity, reafonablenefs, and law-
fulnefs of which organization of her priefthood by the
Chriftian church, my predeceflbr of the ticanrg of Chalke
has advocated in his inftructive refearches into the
origin of the irecanal office — (hewing the practice of de
legating to truftworthy fuperintendents the care and
management of certain parts of ecclefiaftical concerns,
to be " grounded upon feveral precedents in the word of
God." — For thefe, and my very copious notes in farther
explanation of " this partition of things belonging to the
epifcopal function in the Eaft,ern church," together with
the origin, regulation, and diffolution of the first-ap
pointed bifliop's deputies — "commanded to be efteemed
very honourable " by the Neocsefarean fathers, — ^I muft
refer my readers to the illuftrated reprint of the auto=
grapfi annexed^ — requefting their attention, however,
previoufly, to fome farther remarks on the cjoreptscopal
office at its zenith and decline, and on its gradual tranf-
ition into arcfitprcgbgteraCB, in which it finally merged,
both in the Eaftern and Weftern churches.
Let me not be mifunderftood, when employing the
terms fubordinate and vicarious in reference to these
rural prelates. I would not have it fuppofed that the
cSorepigcopi were ever, in point of order, other than
genuine bifliops, from the period of their firft appear
ance to that of their final abolition : — however equi
vocal their character, in the opinion of the fceptical
hiftorian of the Decline and Fall, and however unwilling
De Soto, De Marca, Morin, Natalis Alexander, Van Efpen,

1 See Mosheim's
Ecclef. Hiftory,
Cent. I. Part II.
c. II. XIII. p. 106.
Vol. I. Mac-
laine's Tranf-
lation.

H.D.R. Wo\.n.
Appendix.Diocese of Salif-
hury — A Brief
Account &c. &c.

Hift. of Rome,
Vol.11, p. 214.
note. 4to. Edit.

32

Origin of tlie Office.

[Part II.

and our own Selden, to grant them the full measure of
their holy calling \
Their very name and origin, and the conftitution of
their office, prove their prelatical dignity, as Boehmer
has luminoufly fhewn in his Dijfertationes Juris Ecclejiaf-
tid Antiqui ad Plinium Secundum et Tertullianum ; and
more briefly, in his Obfervationes Selectee, annexed to
the end of the 1ft Vol. of the Archbifhop of Paris's
learned treatife De Concordia Sacerdotii et Imperii.
There is no authority, the German afferts, for fup-
I pofing that the cfiorepfgcopi enjoyed not the full powers
i of the epifcopate, in a ftate of independency, up to the
Boehmeri Dif- I pcrlod of thc couucil of Aucyra. — " Eandem dignitatem
fert.I.E.A.ad if . , , , v • • • . J.•^ i
piin.secund.eti m agris habchat 6 Trpoeo-Tuj quam m civitatibus, eadem
Tertull. Diff. V. '• ,° y r, ¦ • 7 -7 x ^ -^ • r
Viv.p.3oi.and utrobique, autore Jujimo, munm obibat, et ita ommmoaa
epifcoporum tam ruralium quam civitatenfium erat iaoTiixla.
Neque enim ante fceculum iv. ullum poteji addud tejiimo-
nium, eoc quo planum reddi pqffet, vel nomine lios epifcopos
in agris conjiitutos ab urbicis dijiinctos fuijfe. Adhuc
fceculo III. simpliciter vocatifunt epifcopi &c^."

Differt. V. §. IV.
pp. 300, feqq.

Cap. XIII. Ob-
/era. IX. pp.334,
feqq.

9(l)(!Cnbi;'.Salishury Docu
ments.

( ' ) Raban Maur, Barlow, Hammond, Cofin, Cave, Beveridge, Bafnage,
Johnfon, Bingham, Boehmer, Weifman, even Blondel himself, and, in/lar
omnium, the very learned Prefident of Magdalen College Oxford,
Dr. Routh, editor of the Reliquice Sacrce et Opufcula Eccleficiftica, being
all arranged on the fide of their plenary epifcopal rank and function
(and they are only a tithe of what might be cited), muft affuredly out
weigh the whole crew of dlffentients quoted by Bingham B. 11. c. xiv. s. 2.,
many of whom, from finifter motives, would degrade the cj^orepiscopal
order, and amalgamate it with presbyteracy.
O See notes to Priaulx's Brief Account, 10. p. 10. for an example;
and fee references there cited, and alfo Mr. Johnfon's admirable note to
can. X. Antioch. in Cade of the Univerfal Church, Fade-Mecum, Vol. 11.
p. 93. and Weifmanni Hijtoria Eccleficiftica, Vol. i. p 434.

Sect. I.]

Origin of 30eans Mural.— ©Jorepiscopi.

33

But when the polity of the church began to conform
itfelf to that of the ftate, their condition worfened.
Before that, all bifliops were on an equal footing — the
cfiorcpt'gcopt being fo many (rvWeirovpyo), or comminijin, or
colleagues, of the bifliops of cities, and not btcartf epfgco=
porum, correctly fpeaking, till a later date. There was
no fuch thing as fubjection of rural to urban prelates, till
the Ancyran fathers originated the limitation of the cj&or=
cpfgcopal function^ — gradually more and more abridged
by other councils ; till, at laft, nearly all their authority
being taken away, the ftraitened cboreptgcopt could do
little or nothing proprio jure, but acted almoft entirely
by delegation. And then it was, that the title of epigcopo=
rum bicartt, or bfgbopg' ^Jeput{eg^was applied to them, the

Ejufdem
^.viii. pp.308,
feqq.

(') At this and later date, Mr. Lewis fays, their office was, to pre-
fide over the country clergy, and inquire Into their behaviour, and make
report thereof to the city bifhop : and alfo to provide fit perfons for the
inferior fervice and minlftry of the church. And, to give them fome autho
rity, they had the following privileges conferred upon them. 1. They
were allowed to ordain readers, fubdeacons, and exorcifts, for the ufe of
the country churches ; but they might not ordain priefts nor deacons
without the fpeclal leave of the city bifhop, under whofe jurifdiction both
they and the country were. 2. They had a power to confirm thofe
who were newly baptized in country churches. 3. They had power to
grant letters dimlffory to the country clergy who defired to remove from
one diocefe to another. 4. They had liberty to officiate in the city church
in the prefence of the bifhop and presbyters of the city, which country
presbyters had not. 5. They had the privilege of fitting and voting in
fynods and councils.
(^) In tJie Manual according to the ufe of Sarum, the Suffragan
feems to be called the hisJop'S Ueputg ; fince, In the charge there given
" to godfathers and godmothers," they are charged, " to lerne the child,
or fe that he lerned the Pater ncjler, Ave, and Credo, after the lawe of
all holy churche, and in all goodly hafte to be confermed of my lord of
the diocefe, or of his tiepute."
VOL. I. J)

Provinc. Ij. I.
T. II. gl. in V.
eorum vices.
"Walon.Meffalin.de Epifc. et
Presbyt.^.Z\%Lewis's Ejfay
on Suffragan
Bishops, p. 6.

Cone. Antioch.
can. X.

Cone. Antioch.
can. VIII.
Conc.'NeoGeeJar,
can. XIII.
See Routh's Re-
liquies Sacns,
Vol. III. p. 486.
Fol. xxxiil. c*.
Ed. 1554.

34 ©rigin of tjbe Office. [Part II.

very title employed by our own Lyndwood to defignate
Jjeang rural, " quafi qui Iv x<^p(} epifcopi conjiituti et locum
ejus tenentes." From this ftate of deteriorated authority
of btllan btgj&opg, the tranfition was eafy enough, with
a little more curtailment, to bfgttatortal arcfttpregbgteracB^
Accordingly, it was on the abolifliing and antiquating
of thefe officers, (of whom I fear the reader will think
too much has been already said, and will ill bear what
I remains behind,) that Duaren fuppofes btcan arcjprtegtg
; or iteang were brought into general ufe — invefted with
powers much inferior to their mitred predeceffors, and
lefs likely, by approximation of rank, to become offen-
dtrmniihr' ''• ^^® ^^ urban epifcopacy — " quibus neque epifcopi nomen
00 Brae/fe L. I. attributum ejif fays the canonift of Bourges, " neque aliud
quicquam eorum, quce epifcoporum propria funt : ne fortafse
j ipfis audadce atque infolentice illius, propter quam dejecti
fuerant minuti ijii epifcopi, occajio prceberetur."
^Jl{ce1v.uL ^^ which opinion, he is fupported by Sir Henry Spel
man ; — who, having ftated that the cfiorept'gcopiig was
"ideo injiitutus, vel potms fubjiitutus, ut dum epifcopus
civitatem, hic vicarius ejus, rus et villas curaret," con
cludes his gloflarial remarks in the following words : —
" ©fiorepigcoporum munus cum nomine fenslm antiquatum,
abolevit (nee prid^m) ecclejia: fubinductis verb in eorum
vicem (qui epifcopis liberiits cedunt, et humiliori jure contenti
funt) arcfifpregbstertg, alids irecantg ruraltbug, et plebanig^."

(') See Bifhop J.Taylor's Epifcopacy AJferted, feet, xxxii. pp.130,
131. Vol. VII. Works, hy Heber; and Blondel. .^poZo^-. pro fentent.
Hieronymi de Epifcopis et Presbyteris, feet. iii. p. 95.
C) See Thomaffin and Morin beyond; Nelfon's Rights of the Clergy,
p. 271 ; A Humble Propafalfar Parochial Reformation, c. i. p. 15 ; and
Pegge's Letter to Ducarel on Bijhops in Partibus Infidelium, p. 22.
Bibliotheca

Sect. I.] ©rigin of ISeans JJlural.— ©fiorepiscopt. 35
Such, afluredly, was the relative pofition of thefe '
fpiritual office-bearers, the one to the other, in the
church at large, both in the eaft and weft; — the rural
or btcan arcStpregbgter or protopregbgter, the Jeaif pregbster
of tfie countrg, in general terms, fucceeding the c6or=
eptgcopug^: — in the weft, immediately and by name, —
without the intervention of any other title, — in the ;
eaft, mediately and under the changeful appellations of
HEPIOAEYTHZ, ESAPX02, nPfiTOnPESBYTEPOZ, aud nPfiTOnAHAZ 
btgitor, exarcfi, protoprtegt, and protopope. In the weft, no cc.u.BetH.
canon of any fynod fubftitutes the lower for the higher
dignity, till many centuries after the thing had taken
place ; — ^indeed, none, within my knowledge, till the ;
twelfth century. But in the eaft, fuch a canon is 55. cc. Tom. i.
f. 1 . .. p - - . . 1 -1 col. 1539. Tom.
lound m the lourth century, — the provincial council iv. coi. losi.
of Laodicea (J.D. ccclxiv.) confirmed by the oecumenic
council of Chalcedon (A.D. ccccli.), diftinctly fubfti-
tuting btgttatorial pregbgterg, delegate fuperintendents ,
of the fpiritual concerns of the comitry, entitled depi- Bevereg. symd.
• 1 1 r, , ,.., V / V ¦ 1 • Tom. I. p. 490.
oaeytai, m the place of btllan btgfiopg; m compliance scb.i.c.f.
with the Sardican canon, which had forbidden the erect- j App. p. lxxxh.
ing epifcopal fees in country villages^, "left the name onTumai^u
O tr tr JO' ,-(^ppg Obferva-
tions &c. p. 48.
Bibliotheca Tapographica Britannica, N°. xxviii. Strype's Cranmer,
Vol. I. pp. 51. 87. Vol. II. p. 1041. and Archd. Manning, afthe Unity of the
Church, pp. 142, 143, and notes.
(' ) " Recentiorem ejffe hanc vocis protopapae notionem adpofite manuit
ci. Mazochius," fays Morifan, "quod nufquam prius adparuerint hu- ^j^pTl's'.^' ''*'''
jujmadi protopapa, nifi e medio Jublatis in Greecid cjorepiscopis ,' ac
fuopte veluti regiminis ingenio, fubjlitui in pagis aportuit, qui qucedam
illorum officia fiipplerent, ut perioDeutiS, mutato nomine, fubrogatas
fuijfe eiarcjos tradunt." i
O The church, being apprehenfive "left the wandering employment ^ Cave's P. C.
of the chorepiscopi fhould reflect dishonour on the epifcopal office," (at
D 2 leaft

Morifanns de

Part I. c. VIII.
p. 224.

36

©rigin of tje Office.

[Part II.

col. 539.

and dignity of a bifliop," in Burnet's language, " fliould
be vilipended."
In the councils of the weftern church, the Laodicean
nEPioAEYTHi: — the btgttator of Dionyfius and Crefconius,
the curator of Salmafius and Suicer — ^has no place by
his eaftern name, though functionally he appears to
^f^c.Tom.vi. be the arcftpregbgter or irean rural: — under the former
of which appellatives, he is recorded, for the firft
time, in the nineteenth canon of the council of Tours
(A.D. -dlxvii). Wherever found, and under whatever
title, the officer in queftion is, in rank and capacity,
below the btllan btgbop and above the villan presbyter,
as is evident fi'om the paffages cited by Bifliop Be
veridge from Juftinian and Gennadius, in his learned
annotations on the fifty-feventh canon of the fynod of
Laodicea ^
Granting, however, that, in the eaft, the xapEn skohos

Annott. p. 198.
Synod. Tom. ii.

Obfervat. X. ad
calcem P. de
Marc, de C. S.
et J. Tom. I.
p. 337.

Jus Ecclefiaft.
Proteftant.h.Ill.Tit. XXXIX.
§ XXII.

leaft fuch was one plauflble plea for the alteration,) " appointed thefe
pres6gters itinerant in their room ; who, being tied to no certain place,
were to go up and down the country, to obferve and correct what was
amifs." Or, it may be, as fuggefted by Juftus Henning Boehmer, that
the nEPlOAEYTAl owed their inftitution to the ciriiumftance of the Chor
episcopi having pertlnacioufly refifted the continual interference of the
urban bifhops with the exercife of their epifcopal functions ; in confe
quence of which, the latter, being defirous to get rid of them, appointed
bisitors in their ftead, to fuperintend and infpect the country churches.
" Ita villanis ecclefiis fchema quoddam et umbram officii epifcopalis''
(fays he elfewhere) " quod explicuere nEPIOAEYTAI, relinquere voluerunt,
utfaciliori opera et fine murmuratiane cjorepiscopi extingui pqffent."
See Archdeacon Parker's Account of Church Government far thejvrjl
fix hundred years, pp. 155, feqq.
(¦) See Burnet's Supplement about Mural ISisJbopS, annexed to his
Obfervations on thejirjl canon of the Apojlles, p. 49.

Sect. I.]

©rigin of ISeans Kural.— -©jboreplstopi.

37

of the third century became the nEPiOAEYTHs^ of the
fourth, the EgAPX02, perhaps, under the bifliops after
wards, and laftly the upnTonAnAs^, with its various fyn-
onymous titles in the writings of the canonifts and fcho- !
liafts of the Greek church, (for proofs of the truth of
which pofltions, in the commentaries of Balfamon, Zo- \h.d.r. voi.ii,
naras, Ariftenus, and Blaftares, the reader is referred to |&ifsbury''bocu-
my annotations on Dr. Priaulx's Brief Account annexed) ''"^""'
— how, it will be aflied, paffed this eajiern btgttator into I
the wejiern church ? and why fliould it be fuppofed, that i
the rural arcfiprcgbgter of the latter derived the conftitu- |
tion of his fpiritual fuperintendency from the hepioaeyths
of the former? — The probability of the circumftance,
founded on the fimilarity of their office and their geo
graphical diftribution, is all we can allege in fupport of !
the notion, that the Afiatic bt'gftor is the archetype of |
the European tfean rural.
Firfi ; — as to their fimilarity of function — take Balfa- ^fc'/Tomf
mon's expofition of the Laodicean canon — dWot uev pp-ss.so
, , n , .. Bevereg. Synod.
Kavoves ev Ta?j KUijxatg kou ev ro7s xoipiois xnPEni2KonoY2 ku) Tom. i. pp. 479,
p. 198.
SS.CC.Tom.IV.p. 535.

(') In the council of Chalcedon, presbyters bearing the title of nEPI
OAEYTAI are noticed — d evXafiecTTarog irpea-ISvrepoi Koi IIEPI0AEYTH2
'AAe^avSpos (act. iv.) — BaAei/Tti/Jv Ttva  ifperr^vTepov kcu HEPI-
OAEYTHN (act. X.) — and again, in the fifth council of Conftantlnople,
S^epyioi irpea-jivTepo? Koi nEPlOAEYTH2. See Bingham's Ecclef Antiq.
L. II. C.XIV. 12.
O " Ut apud nas," fays Morifan, " cjoreptscopis ruraleS arc]&ipres-
6Steri, Hecanique @j&ristianitatis, ita et apud Gtcbcos fuffectifunt proto-
papee pleiiium CurioneS." And in the twelfth century, Ariftenus had written
in his glofs on the tenth canon of Antioch and the letter of St. Bafil on
the fubject of the CJ^orepiSCOpi — XBPEni2KOnoi Je e'laiv, ol crrmepov ev rats
Ktifiatg /cat x'^P"^^ nPaT0nAnAAE2 \e<y6fxevoi. See Routh's Reliquice
SacrcB, Vol. iii. p. 439.

Tom. V. p. 45.

Diatriba de
*pcotO))apiS,c. VII. p. no.

38

©rigin of tfie Office.

[Part II.

Annott. ad can.
LVII. Laodicen.
Synodic. -p.ldZ.

£.I.C.KTom.i.p. 90. vide Trac-
tat. de Vifit.
Epifc. per A. t
Epifc. Midenf. j
A.D. MDOXcvi. :
pp. 4, 5. 1

Account of
Church Govern
ment for 600
years, p. 157.
Morifan. de
spcotopapiS,C.VIII. p. 120.

De Concord. Sa-
cerd. et Imper.
L. II. c. XIII.
Tom. I. p. 284.
4to. Edit. Bam-
baziie. et Boeh
mer. Obfervat.^.
ad calcem Tom.
ejufdem, p. 357.

•npecT^vTepovg KadicTTacrdai SioplffavTO' 6 Se Trapav Kavav hepi-
0AEYTA2 ¦napaKeKeverai yiveadai Ka) p.rj kirtcTKoiTovs' n/a /u^
yevrjTai evKUTacppovrjTos rj ap^yteputcrvvri. nEPIOAEYTAI Se elcytv oi
(T>]p.epov •npo^aKKojj.evoi irapa tuv eiticTKonuv esapxoi. ovtoi yap
ireptoBevovcTi ku) eiriTYipovcn ra i^v')(iKa crcjiaKiiaTa, Kai KaTapri^ovcn
Toiig Tria-Tovs.' — and that of Zonaras — depioaeytai Se \eyov-
rai, Sta to Trepiep^ecrdat, kou KarapTi^eiv tovs tticttovs p.r) ej^ovTay
KadeSpav o'tKeiav. (See more, in my notes to Priaulx.)
— Next, hear Bifliop Beveridge's glofs on the fame
nEPIOAEYTAI — " Hi presbyteri erant, qui nullo certo loco
addicti, epifcopi nomine rujiicanas paroedas circumeuntes,
eas vijitabant ; unde circuitoreg et btgttatoreg dicti funt."
— Next, Juftellus's — who cites them in a letter of Gre
gory the Great, under the fame title of btgttorg, in the
Latin church — " iTigt'tatoreg ecclejiarum, clerique eorum,
qui cum ipJis per nonfuce civitatis parochias fatigantur, ali-
quod lahorisjui capiant, te difponente fubjidium." Gregor.
L.iii. Ep.ll. ad Maximian. Epifc. Syracuf.
— ^And laftly, Petrus de Marca's — who wrongly identifies
the cborept'gcopug and nEPioAEYTH2 (for, if the fame, we
furely may afli, with Archdeacon Parker, Why was one
abrogated, and the other fubftituted in his place ? and
why, let me add, amongft the Syro-Maronites, fliould
both ecclefiaftics be, now-a-days, continued ? Why ? but
that they ever were as quite diftinct in the elder Greek
church, as they at prefent are amongft the Chriftians of
Mount Libanus, where they have totally diff'erent allot
ments of office to perform) — but rightly qualifies the
ambulatory character of the nEPioAEYTH2 with " nifi aliter
vifum fuerit epifcopo, qui periolJeutam alicui ecclejice vicance
adfcribere poteji, collate et adjuncto munere cceteras vifitandi.
Quce videtur mens fuijfe Synodi Laodicence ; cum ant^

Sect. I.] . ®rigin of Heans Kural— ®i)orepfscop{.

39

cfiorepigcopt minifierium clero dvitatis adfcriptum potiUs vide
retur quam vicance alicui ecclefice affiocum."
Now, it is in the delegate character of this bt'gitatortal ^
function, and, more particularly, in the latter conftitution
of it, that the nEPioAEYTH2^, uniting the office of a pa
rochial incumbent and that of a btgttator, approximates \
moft clofely to the arcbpregbgter=rural of the weft, as
found amongft ourfelves : — and it is, when not fo fpe- \
cially connected by local ties to a circumfcribed and I
particular fupervifion, with incumbency — KaOeSpav oiKeiav
fir) en^wi/, " mdli fedi adfcriptus " — that the fame officer zonaras ad can.
affimilates with the foraneous btcar or irean rural of the i-aokcen. '
archdiocefe of Milan. Nor is he, indeed, under the :
latter type, without his counterpart in Spain; where,
Auguftin Barbofa tells us, are " btgttatoreg aut bicarit foranei, z>e canonids et
A ./• . .. . T. ^,, ... Dignitatibus,
quorum opera epijcopus m tota utitur dioecefi — m tact, c.vi. p.68.
rural arcbpregbgtcrg or iteang. But whether commiffioned
at large, or otherwife, the perioireutae of old were, ini
Boehmer's words, "quafi procuratores et eptgcoporum!
btcartt," and, as fuch, "regiones epifcoporum circumibant
et vijitabant." And fuch, in the modern orthodox Ruf
fian church, are the diocefan reprefentatives of the old
pertoireutee called, in the Ruffian language, 23lagocbennte
(fee extracts from Archbifliop Platen's Infiructions in
the ^ppentttx) — and fuch, in the Lutheran church there
eftabliflied, are the ^robgtg, anfwering to the 23lago-

Slppcnti;:, Ruf
fian Documents.

(') " lt'"iSttator, nEPioAEYTH2, appellatur rjorepiscopus in concilia
Laadiceno : eaque nomine pulcherrime fpiritalis hcec juriJRictia decla-
ratur. Ciim enim bicarii foranei epijcoparum effent, el ii prorsus qui
pofiea dicti funt Jjecani rurales, in vifitando macdme eo tractu, qui
eorum fidei et adminiftrationi creditus fuxrat, spiritale Juum imperium,
jurifdictione et charitate temperatum, explicabant."

Thomaffin, V. et
N.E. D.Tom.i.
Part I. L. n.
cap.i.^x.p.217.

40

©rigin of ti)e ©ffice.

[Part II.

See Burton's
Lectures on Ec
clef. Hiftory,
Lect.xx.p.l72.

Origines Litur-
gicce. Vol. I.
pp.108, 9.

cftennie. (See extracts from the Statutes of the Lutheran
church of Ruffia, in the ^ppeniftx.)
Secondly ; — with regard to their geographical diftri
bution. — It is not unworthy of repetition, that the firft
fynodical notice of the nEPioAEYTH2 is in the provincial
council of Laodicea, in the fourth century ; that of the
arcbpregbgter-bican, in the council of Tours, and in the
writings of Gregory, bifliop of that fee, in the fixth cen
tury : and that it is the opinion of the learned, that
there was an early connexion between the Gallican and
Afiatic churches \ Irenaeus, bifliop of Lyons, the firft

Cone. Laodic.
can. XIX. C. C.
E.U.inB.l.C.V. Tom. I. p. 51.

Hift. Ecclef
Bedas, Tjb. II.
C.II CC.M.B.
etH.\o\.\.-g.15.

Roberts's Ap
pendix, No. VI.
p 316. Dijferta-
tion on the Hift.
of the Anc. Brit.
Church.

(') The original famenefs of the ancient liturgies of the exarchate of
: Ephefus (the churches, that is, of Aiia and Phrygia, Including Laodicea),
and primitive Gaul, is reafonably entertained by Mr. Palmer in his
Origines LUurgiccB ,; and it is a curious fact, that, whereas ^the latter
effentially differed from the Roman, the Alexandrian, and the Great
Oriental, its variation from the laft, viz. that of Bafil and Chryfoftora,
is diftinctly pointed out as being In that very part which is fo carefully
. regulated by the nineteenth canon of Laodicea. Whence the learned
author infers the previous exiftence in the Afiatic exarchate of a primi
tive liturgy (perhaps of apoftolical origin) identical with the Gallican,
and fubfequently conformed to the Oriental by the interference of the
' canon in queftion. — Let me fubjoin, as interefting to ourfelves —
There is no trace of more than two primitive liturgies in the weft — the
Gallican and Roman. The former feems to have prevailed in Gaul and
Spain, and probably in Britain : at leaft the Britifh differed from the
' Roman, as appears from the anfwer of Auguftine to the Britifh bifhops
at the Worcefterfhire conference — the " ccelera qucs agitis moribus nafiris
contraria," the cuftoms contrary to the Roman cuftoms : whence is in
ferred the famenefs of the Gallic and Britifh rites and ceremonies of worfhip.
See Spelman. Brit. Cone. Tom. i. p. 167 ; and Stillingfleet's Orig. Brit.
c. IV. The Britifh church obferved the rule of the Gallican, as to the
time of keeping Eafter : and as the church of Lyons followed the doctrines
of IrenEeus, who received them from Polycarp, the difciple of St. John,
fo the Britifh church referred their doctrines decifively to the fame Apoftle.

Sect. I.]

©rigtn of IBeanS Mural.— ®j&orepiScopi.

—

founded Chriftian eftablilhment of Gaul, was a difciple
of Polycarp, bifliop of Smyrna ; and many of the miffio-
naries of the former church are reported to have been
difciples of the difciple of St. John. From Afia, there
fore, the church of Gaul may reafonably be fuppofed to
have originally derived her ecclefiaftical rites, cuftoms,
and difcipline, founded, in all probability, on the inftruc-
tions given by St. John to the feven churches of that
country (of which Laodicea was one), and more or lefs
modified, at a later period, by fuch canons as were
enacted by the councils of the parent church for the
fubfequent regulation of her own polity. In Afia Minor,
cfioreptgcopi originally abounded, and fubfequently peri=
oieuta. If, therefore, from Afia came the polity of the
Gallican church, it is not unreafonable to fuppofe that
from Afia came the inftitution of fubordinate rural
bigitorg into the diocefe of Tours; where they firft
appear in Weftern Europe, nearly two hundred years
after their creation in the eaft ; but as foon, perhaps, as
the economy of the weftern church admitted or required
parochial vifitation by other than bifliops ^

¦W.T.Cony-beare's Bampton
Lectures 1 839.
pp. 284-5. &
note.

Revelation,
chap. I. V. 1 1 . &
chap. III. V. 14.

(') Upon thefe dark points, where fo much is left to conjecture,
I venture not to hazard an opinion, but merely fuggeft the probability
of the above hypothefis. " I would have none to ymagine that I take
upon me peremptorily to determine anie thing in this matter of an-
tiquitie, as being not ignorant with what obfcuritles queftions of this
nature are involved ; efpetially where helpe of auncient monuments is
wanting. My purpofe only is, to pointe unto the ffountaines, and to
compare the prefent ftate of thinges with the practice of auncient tymes;
thincking I have done well if hereby I male give occafion of further
inquirie unto thofe who have greater judgment and more leifure to
boulte out the truth of this bufines."

Usher's MS.
Treatife on He-
renaches &c.

42

©rigin of tj&e ©ffice.

[Part II.

Bingham O.E.
B. II. C.XIV. s. 12.

Archd. Parker's
Account ofCk.
Government,
p. 155.

Bevereg. Synod.
Tom. I. p. 439.

SS.CC.Tom.ts..
col. 695—826.
Cone. Aquifgr.
n. capit. u.
can. IV.

Though the arcfiipregbsteral or protopregbateral, pert=
oireutal or btgttatorial, office was intended by the ancient
councils of the church to fuperfede the cfioreptgcopal, and
i did eventually do fo ; ftill it was a long time before
; this change of polity was finally confummated. For
effecting the object, the canons were, for the moft part,
topical, and concerned only particular provinces : fo
j that we find the church, about this date, fays Arch-
; deacon Parker, varioufly governed, in fome places by
countrg btgfiopg, in others by bigtting pregbgterg, and in
fome diocefes by both^. Even in the Greek church, it
would appear from Balfamon's commentary on the tenth
canon of the fynod of Antioch, cfioreptgcopt and protopa=
paiteg CO-exifted — KeKofKufxevov inch Twv /cavwwv ecrriv, emcTKo-
TToi/j yivecrdat els ^pa^^eias itoKeis kou KCifxas, Koii Sia tovto e')(ei-
poTovovv els ravTas tcpecr^vTepovs, rjrot np£2TonAnAAA2, Ka) xap-
Enr2KonoY2. In the Latin church of the ninth century,
; the fuperior functionary co-exifted with the inferior, —
the former, we may fuppofe, in a waning, the latter in
a nafcent ftate ; and the bifliop had the advantage of
the triple miniftration of cftorepigcopug^, arcfipregbgter,
and archdeacon : — to whom, collectively, the title of
: " epifcoporum minijierii adjutores " is applied by the third
! capitular of Louis the Pious, chap, v., and that of
" epifcoporum minijirif by the fecond council of Aix-la-

Canones Arabici
ex editione M-
fonfi Pifani et
Francifci Tur-
riani in Hart
man. et Ruel.
CC. Illuftr.
Tom.n.

(') In the fiill enumeration of ecclefiaftical officers in the Latin ver
fion of the Nicaeno- Arabic canons (of very doubtful, or no authenticity)
annexed to the genuine Nicene code, arcj^preSiiSterS are alfo joined
with cj^orepiscopi and archdeacons at a much earlier date (A.D. cccxxv).
But there, probably, urban or cathedral arcJprieStS are meant. The
fifty-eighth canon fpeaks of the cjorepiscopus and archdeacon " tanquam
ducB manus et ducB alee, quibus epifcopus volat."

Sect. I.] ©rigin of ISeans Mural.— ©jborepiscopi. 43

Chapelle (A.D. dcccxxxvi.), in the latter part of chap. ii.
de vita et doctrind inferiorum ordinum. From whence
may be inferred the compatibility of their contempora
neous jurifdiction, as well as their general fubjection to j
one fuperior.
And why fliould they not have been co-exiftent in
extenfive diocefes ? For the archdeacon being, in thofe 1
days, a clofe attendant on the bifliop in the epifcopal ;
city, refldent there, and only occafionally, and on fpecial j satteiy's can-
** -' ^ J .} ^ i- ! tuana Sacra,
bufinefs, fent, as a commiflary or mandatary, into the ¦ p»[^J^- "''»?¦"•
country (more often on fecular than on fpiritual affairs),
there was room enough for the employment of the
other two in their purely fpiritual capacities, without
interference with each other's privileges, or thofe of the
urban bifliop. To the cfioreptgcopug, or btllanug epigcopug,
of the date alluded to, we readily affign^ a general
fuperintendency over the whole country region and its
villages, remote from the epifcopal fee, and the exercife
therein of certain epifcopal functions, gradually more
and more curtailed to the period of their final annihila
tion, in lieu of the urban bifliop ; who " himfelf looked Taylor's Epi.
to the metropolis and the daughter-churches by a general xxxvn.
fupraviflon:" — To the arcbpregbpter, we grant a partial
fuperintendency over a certain number of pariflies of a
particular diftrict, within the precincts of which he was
himfelf incumbent^.

(') " ©l&orepiscopi minifierium eft," fays Ebbo, bifliop of Rheims, Opufc. Ebbon.
" omnem facerdotalem totius regionisjibi commiffcB converfationem ccyrri- "t ^"^' ^'"'^'
gere atque dirigere &c." See P. de Marca de C. S. et I. Lib. ii. cap. xiv.
Tom. I. p. 293. 4to. Edit. „ . , .
1. . 1 1 Prima Ltnea-
( ) So Dr. Cofin, Tai. XI. feems to divide thefe functionaries: — "per menta prajentis
totam aliquam dicecefim; ut eptscopi titulares qui olim cjborepiscopi, fialik'aAngii^
nunc MDLxxxix.

44

©rigin of tj&e ©ffice.

[Part II.

Capitular. L. vi.
cap. 121.

Such an arrangement of ecclefiaftical officers — each
refpecting the rights and privileges of the other, and all
having the common good of the church at heart —
appears to us as if it muft work well, and be productive
of much advantage. But it was not fo ; — harmony did
not, long together, reign between the bifliops and their
mitred rural Jjeputtes^, who were continually put down,
and again reftored, according to the temper of diocefans,
for feveral centuries ; till the church, becoming, at laft,
weary of the continual clafhing of epifcopal and cfiorept^
gcopal interefts, determined, in the time of Charlemagne^,

Origines Eccle
fiaft. L. II. cap.
XIV. § xn.
Tom. I. p. 199.

Capitular. Reg. {
Francor. Lib. VI. '
c. 121. Tom. I,
p. 327.

nunc episcopi Suffraganei vacantur &c. &c. — In parte aliqua dicecefeos,
ut arcjipresbsteri (quos tecanos rurales vacant) atqu£ nunc plerumque
adhibenlur ad convocandum clerum. — Signijlcandum eis nonnihil ab
Ordinario (ut Jit) per literas. — Inducendum in beneficia vice archidia
coni rematihs agentis."
On the caufes which induced the popes to change the cfiorepiscopi into
titular fiisl)opS,yee Nelfon's Rights afthe Clergy, p. 137 ; alfo Boehmer.
Differtat. v. de Chriftianorum ccetibus in vicis et agris, § viil. p. 308.
D. I. E. A. The latter began to be appointed, according to Jortin, at
the clofe of the fecond century. Ecclef. Hi/t. iii. 64. See alfo Newman
on Suffragan Bijhops, p. 38.
(') Mr. Bingham alleges other caufes for their final fufpenfion and
abolition—" Jam vero poteftas cliorepiscoporum " (I quote from Grifcho-
vius's verfion) " labafcebat, et ad deteriorem, ftatum inclinata gradatim
imminuebatur, donee tandem fceculo ix.ftctis et fabricatis decretalibus et
infcenam productis, haud veri nominis epifcopi effe dicer entur : atque ita
per paparum tyrannidem in ecclefiis occidentalibus prarjus ahrogarentur."
O " Placuit ne cj^orepiscopi a quibufdam deinbepsfiant, cjuoniam hac-
tenhs a nefcientibus fanctarum patrum et maxime apoftohrum decreta,
fuifque quietibus ac delectatianibus infervientibus facti funt. Idcirco et
ohm perfcepe, et noftra, a fanctd apaftolicd fede funt prahibiti; et ne
deinceps a quoquam, tam ardinante, quatn ordinari cupiente, talis prce-
fumptio qjfumatur, a cwnctis regni noftri epifcopis eft infynado cananico
prohibitum." And the fame was decreed by feveral other councils

on the entire fufpenfion of the latter order ; (as far at
leaft as fuch an object could be effected by canon;
for many bifliops "fuis quietibus ac delectationibus inJice-
rentes," ftill continued to depute the labours of the
epifcopate to their inhibited reprefentatives of the
country,) and apportioned the feveral duties to the city
bifliops, arc^prtegtg and rural treang. — " Nomen primiim uovm. de sacr.
fujiulerunt epifcopi, ne ampliils fuperbiendi illis occajionem Exereili
daret: deinde offida bipertlti funt. Quce epifcoporum erant
propria, ut ordinare, ecclejias confecrare, confirmare, et
ejufmodi cum nullo presbytero ab eo tempore ampliils com-
municarunt, fed JiU folis refer varunt. Ccete)-a verb quce ad

Sect. I.]

©rigin of IBeans Mural— ©j&orepiscopi.

45

p. 57. II.

(yee Ducange in voce cj&orepiscopus) : but yet, for all that, they ftruggled
on for a long time after, and were not totally abrogated, as Peter de
Marca obferves out of Sigebert, till the end of the eleventh century. See
De Soto de In/litutione Sacerdotum, qui fub epifcopis animarum curam
gerunt, p. 340-41 ; Dodwell's Separation of Churches, cap. xxiii ; Arch
deacon Parker's Account af Church Government, p. 160; Boehmer Jus
Ecclefiaft. Prateftant. Lib. iii. Tit. iv. § xxxi, xxxii. ; and an article In the
Britifh Magazine for Sept. 1836 — on rural JisJopS and rural DeanS — to
which the Editor of that periodical calls particular attention in a foot
note p. 300.
" Damnatus tamen non ubique cjorepiscopus," fays Matthaeus, " et
utut centies damnatus, epifcoporum ignavid tamen, tum feculi negotiis
obfejfi et impediti, dum otio fuo confulunt, paulatim revixit &c.'' And
fo Natalis Alexander — " ©JorepiSCOpoS favit epifcoporum in facris U)e gljouetsifco-
minifteriis obeundis defidia. Homines fdlicet laici ad epifcopalem dig- jp'isy' '"*'
nitatem honoribus et divitiis opimam evecti, onera illi conjuncla ferre •
dedignabantur, ideoque ilia in CJOorepiSCOpoS transferebant, dum interim i
ipfi liberihs genio fuo indulgerent." A further reafon for the continu- \
ance of thefe prelates may be found in the opportunity thereby afforded
to kings and rulers of putting oflF the election of urban bifhops to vacant
fees, and receiving into their own pockets, or thofe of their courtiers,
during vacancies, the difference between the larger income of the fuperior
ecclefiaftics and the limited ftipend of their fubftitutes.

De Nobilitafe
&c. L. II. c. XL.
p. 632.

46

©rigin of tje ©ffice.

[Part II.

Vet. el Nov.
Eccl. Difcipl. de
Benef. Tom. I.
P.I. L. II. c.v.

De Concordia
Sacerd.etlmper. L. II. c. XIV.
Tom. I. p. 294.

De Sacr. Ordi
nal. B. III. Ex
ercit. IV. c. VI.
p. 57. III.

Colet. Not. ad
Can. Arabic.
Cone. Nicesn.
SS. Cone. Tom.
II. col. 317.

jurifdictionem, et ecclefice regimen pertinent, arc]&tprcgb8teris,
et ifecants ruraltbug potijfimiim attribuerunt. Unde etiam anti
quities paulo poJi chorqyfcoporum extinctionem arcStpregbgtert
d multis ttecant ruraleg vocabantur, ut notat Innocentius III."
Nor does Thomaffin's appropriation of the antiquated
duties of the cjorepigcopate differ from Morin's ; fave that
he grants a Ihare of them to the ruling deacons —
"Proximo poJi cjborepigcopog hco erant arcfiipregbBteri, quo
factum eJi ut ubi fuhlatum eJi illorum collegium, in maximum
partem protejiatis et minijierii eorum adoptati hi fuerint,
parte reliqud in archidiaconos refufd:" — in which latter
remark, he is fupported by Peter de Marca, who grants
to the archdeacons "follidtudinem animadvertendi in pref-
byteros et pagorum vi/itandorum, quce prceter ccetera c^orepi-
gcopig competehat ;" but takes no notice whatever of the
portion of thofe duties which fell to arcSpregbgterg : —
whereas Morin looks upon the latter as having enjoyed
them prior to their being fhared by the archdeacons —
" Pofiea nefcio quo cafu plurimum imminuta eJi arc^tpregbg-
terorum autoritas, et cum archidiaconis contra jus antiquum
communicata." Elfewhere, Thomaffin, curforily glancing at the de
cayed office of the cSoreptgcopug during the flxth and
feventh centuries, yet farther notices the ftrong affinity
which it would have borne to the rural arcfipregbgter'g,
had the latter enjoyed^ a greater territorial extent of

(') — Which more extenfive jurifdiction obtained at a later date in the
diocefe of Milan, in the cafe of the foraneous bicarS of Archbifliop Bor
romeo. — " ad vicem cjorcpiscoporum, quibus jam non opus eft, accedunt
\ nunc bisitatores quos vocant, in Mediolanenfi ecclefia, bicarioS foraneos :
hi funt facerdotes probati, quos epifcopus deligit, et certas regiones dice
cefis fucB attribuit infpiciendas et luftrandas, ut in dvitate fud gregem qui

Sect. I.]

©rigin of Heans IJlural.— ®iborepiScopi.

47

parochial jurifdiction : " Ivoc faltem dicemus, cum arcl)f-
pregbgtertg ruraltbug magnam cjboreptgcoptg affinitatem inter-
cejjiffe, Ji horum fidei plures ejfent mandatce fubjectceque
parochice." " Quos Greed cborepigcopog, hoc eJi certarum
regiuncularum in qudlihet dioeceji fpeculatores," fays the
fynod of Augsburg, " alii archidiaconos, alii arcjbiprcgbBterog
vocant, in nojird ecclejid cathedrali, quo ad certum dijirictum
moeniis Augujianee civitatis adjacentem archidiaconi, in
reliqud verb dioeceji Ijecanorum ruralium nomine cenfentur."
Laftly, Filefac affirms the identity of the Greek perioiteutse
and Latin iteang rural in thefe words — " Si jus canonicum
Latinorum fequi vellemtts pertoiteutag non alios Jignificare
^Mamarcfiipregbgterogyew ifecanog rugticanog diceremus:" and
Natalis Alexander ftates the devolution of cfioreptgcopal
vifltation and correction to archdeacons and iteang rural : —
" Sollicltudinem lujirandi rujiicanas parochias, et corrigendi
presbyteros, quce cfioreptgcopig competehat, in archidiaconos et
irecanog ruraleg transfuderunt epifcopi:" — and once more
Blondel — "In liorum curam archidiaconi, arcbtpregbgtert,
quofque nunc itecanog ruraleg vocare mos eJi, ex parte fuccef-
ferunt." Apolog. Sect. iii. p. 134. See alfo Morifan. de
^rotopapfg, cap. vii. p. 108. to the fame point ; and parti
cularly, p. 115. where he fays expreffly that the protopapae
plebium curtoneg fucceeded the c^oreptgtopf.
But enough : — To multiply authorities on fo clear a
point as the origin of the rural arcSipregbgterate or ireca
nate (for we may, with Thomaffin, ufe the terms as
fignifying the fame jurifdiction) out of the c^orepigcopate.

I Thnmaffm. V. et
' N.E.D. Part. i.
L.ii. C.I. 16.
p. 218.

SS. CC. Tom.
XIX. eol. 1301.

Parcecia, cap.iv.
p. 59.

Differtatio de
g()CCtuifcopiS,
p. 1881
Differt. Ecclef.
Trias.

Diatriba de
spcotopopiS.

qui extra civitatem eft, quafi prcsfens intueri et curare pajjit: quibus
qui primi nomen hoc impojuerunt, videntur mihi nomen CJ^orepiSCOpi ab
infpicicTidis regionibus interpretali."

48

©rigin of tje ©ffice.

[Part II.

Deer. Greg. IX.
L.I. T.xxiv.
CIV.Hoftienlis in
Comment, fol.
cxix. SS. CC. Tom.
IX. col. 1070. &
Tom. XI. col.
706.
Canones Conci-
lii Anonymi.

Jacob. Goar.
Eucholog. ^.WJ.
not. 25.

appears altogether unneceffary; and therefore I need
not accumulate on the many names already adduced
in fupport of the opinion, thofe of Goar^, Valefius^,
M.A. de Dominis ^, Stillingfleet, Downame, Colet, Richard,
Brett, Pegge, Nelfon, and others. The fact fpeaks for
itfelf; and, as Morin has obferved, the words of the
thirteenth canon of the Pavian council (^.D. dcccl.),
repeated in that of Rome or Ravenna (A.D. dcccciv.),
indirectly confirm the correctnefs of our view.
The canon referred to is an important one ; and there
fore I quote it in full, with fome of its annexed gloffes :
"Propter ajjiduam erga populum Dei curam, Jingulis plebibus
arcjjtpregbgterog prceejfe volumus ; qui non folum imperiti
vulgi follidtudinem gerant, veriim etiam eorum presbyterorum,
qui per minores titulos (ecclejias gl. Hoft.) habitant, vitam
jugi circumfpectione cujiodiant, et qua unufquifque indujirid
divinum opus exerceat, epifcopo fuo renuntient (quod folus

Valefii Annota-
tiones Socrat.
Hift. Eccl.
L. VI. c. IX.
Sac. 7. p. 323.

(') " 'O npQTonAiiAS — quiet npfiTOiEPEYZ : arcJipresf'Stf'J eft, et
antiqui cJorepiSCOpi, fi nan nominis faltem poteftatis fucceffar ; nam et
in infulis Venetorum hectares inftituit, et de rebus ecclefiafticis dijudicat.
Ubi plures facerdotes concelebrant, primas ipfe tenet, et eKcpcov^a-eig pro
fert : et tandem, ut loquitur Codinus cap. i. irparog itrrt tov /S^/xotoj,
^epcov ra SevTepe7a rod apxiepeax; : unde et in vicis, epifcopo abfente,
reliquis facerdotibus femper prceeminet, et in eos jus exercet."
O " arcjipresbgteri in vids et appidis interdum conftituebantur,
quippe quifuccej^erant in locum cborepiscoporum."
Bingham is not quite correct, when he fays the power of the ancient
chorepifcopi dwindled into that of the archdeacons. The latter succeeded
to yome additional authority on the abolition of cj&orepiscopacg ; but the
greater part of the power of billan bisDopS devolved on teans rural.
See O. E. B. ii. c. xxi. s. 10.
C) See M. A. de Dominis de Republicd Ecclefiafticd, L. ii. c. ix.
p. 291.

Sect. I.] ©rigin of Deans JJlural. — ®f)orepiscopi. 49

epifcopus efi judex ordinarius in fud dyoceji de jure com
muni, gl. Hoft.) Nee obtendat epifcopus non egere plebem
arcfiipregbgtero ; quafi iffe eam gubernare valeat; quia etji
valde idoneus Jit, decet tamen ut partiatur onera fua ; et
Jicut ipfe matricl ecclejice {cathedrali, majori titulo, gl. Hoft.)
prceeji, ita anliiij}\z%i^tm prcejint plebibus'^, ut in nullo titu-
het ecclejiajiica follicitudo ; cuncta tamen (fubaudVmajora et
dubitahilia, gl. Hoft.) ref erant ad epifcopum, (prceter minora
quce ipfe determinare poteji, cum habeat ordinariam jurifdic
tionem, gloJfT) Nee aliquid contra ejus decretum ordinare
prcefumant: (fubaudi etiam leve, cum enim arcbtpregbgtcr
et archidiaconus vicarii funt epifcopi, patet quod epifcopus
poteji eos, nifi confuetudo objiet contraria, quandocunque vo-
luerit prohibere, vel eorum fententias revocare, glojf. Hoft.)"
We here fee granted to rural arcbpregbgterg (in the 'o°^-^-pni""
firft canon of the weftern church that gives them plenary Exercit. iv
~ V cap.vi. p. 57.m.
inftitution, and clearly diftinguiflies them from the urban

(') In accordance with which prefidency over the ecclefice baptifinales
of the country, here denominated plebeS, the earlieft atteftation of the
countrg arcbprieSt, which has come under my notice, gives him the title
of arcjilpresbgter tie plebe. It is fubfcribed to a grant of Benedict,
bifliop of Adria, ^.D. MLiv. — "Petrus arc^ipreshgter tie plete Sancti MarsLtori Antiq.
Cqfianifirmavi." _ _ ^^t^^m'""'-
The cited Pavian canon being an important document, the reader will
not deem the remarks of Muratori upon it irrelevant. " Ex his habes," ^^-^ ^jj
fays this laborious compiler, " rurifuiffe matrices five primarias parochias,
plebis appellatione di/tinctas, ubi baptifinus celebrabatur; quibus qui
prcsficiebantur, arcjipresfigteri confuevere vacari. Erant autem et alice
m,inores parochice (minores tituli-capellcn) arcjipresbgtero ita fubjectce,
ut quoties de ibi collocando rectore five presbytero ad confejftanes
audiendas, aliaque prceter baptifmum, aliaque peragenda, electio fpec-
taret non folum ad epifcopum, fed etiam ad arcjipresftfiterum." After
which, he quotes examples of the latter's "jui conftituendi rectores in
minoribus titulis."
VOL. I. E

50

©rigin of t]&e ©ffice.

[Part

Chronica Ger-
vasii, Scriptor.
X. col. 1447.

SS. cc. Tom.
xrn. col. 304.
can.vn. &col.
425. can. XV.
Decret. Gregor.
IX.L.T. T.IV.

3

officers) the whole of the cjboreptgcopal functions, fave
thofe alone of the higheft grade (as collations to holy
orders &c.) ;¦ which the bifliops refumed and retained
in their own hands ; inafmuch as thefe were incommu
nicable powers, and could not, canonically, be delegated
to perfons not of epifcopal dignity. And fo clofe was
the approximation, and indiftinct the line of demarcation
between arclipregbgtergjtp at its zenith, and cljcrepigcopacg
at its decline, that the privileges of urban bifliops were,
at one time, as much infringed by the ambitious inter
ference of their unmitred iteang, as they had previoufly
been by that of their mitred guffragang.
Even when the church had decreed, in more than one
council, the entire abolition of cljoreptgcopt, and had, by
the canon above cited, and many others, ftrictly defined
the duties of their fuccefsors, (fo that there fliould be
no more confufion of privileges in the adminiftration of
fpiritual affairs,) we find the rural arcliprtegtg, like their
cjorepigcopal predeceffors, tranfgreffing the boundary line
within which conciliar law had placed them, and at an
annual rent ("Jub annuo pretio" — "pro certa pecunice
quantitate")—£im.om.&cal\Y purchafing of their diocefan
bifliops a fort of eptgcopal rank and judicial confequence :
till at length, in the twelfth century, the councils of
Tours (A. D. mclxiii.), and of Rome (A. V. mclxxix.),
viewing the practice, as, at once, a burden and difgrace
to the church, and fubverfive of its difcipline, inhibited
j it, on pain of deprivation \
( ' ) The origin of the abufe, and the interference of the papal fee for
its fufpenfion, are thus recorded by Pierre Rouviere, in his Hftaria Mo-
ncfterii S. Joannis Reomaenfis in Tractu lAngonenfi ;— " Munus eorum,
(fell. Decanorum ruralium) etfi initio fuit, cv,rare plebem agrejlem, mino-
, rumque

Sect. I.] ©rigin of IBeans Mural. — ©Jorepiscopi, 5 1

This, however, was, confeffedly, on the part of the
bifhops, an improper delegation of fome of the higher
powers of epifcopacy to unlawful hands, at the price of
a bribe ; and, on the part of rural iteang, an ambitious
attempt to enlarge the exercife of their privileges under
a certain prejiation or payment, fimilar to that, perhaps,
by which archdeacons, at one time, obtained an amplifi
cation of their powers.
But that arcbprtegtg, with their legitimate and ufual
capacities, were fuitable fucceffors of btllan btgj&opg in
the weft, may be inferred from the fact, that, in certain
diocefes, the former are expreflly ftated to have been

rumque titulorum presbyteros; tamen lapfu temporis eo procejfit, ut
jurifdictione epifcopali parte aliqua augeretur. Hic enim eft, quod in
hoc Tabulario Reomaenfl alibique pajfim tam crebra reperiantur ijeca
norum de rebus ecclefiafticis judicia et arhitria, quce Jliperioribus fceculis
nan tam facile occurrunt. Eo vera progrejfa eft aliquando eorum po
teftas, ut prceter ilia, quce erant ordinis nihil non autoritatis epifcopalis
exercerent, canductd annuo precia epifcopi jurifdictione. Quce res cum
Alexandro III. vifa eJfet non parum periculafa, fordida, atque ecclefice
onerofa, fie fanxit in Concllio Turonenfi. ' Quoniam in quibufdam
partihus tiecant quidam vel arcjipresbgteri ad agendas vices epfcoparum,
feu archidiaconorum, et terminandas caufas ecclefiafticas fub annuo
precioftatuuntur, quod ad facerdotum gravamen, et fubverfionem judi-
darum non eft dubium redundare, id ulterius fieri prohibemus. Quod
fi quis de ccetera fecerit, removeatur a clero : epifcopus autem, qui hac
Juflinuerit, et ecclefiafticam jurifdictionem fud patitur diffimulatione
perverti, diftrictione canonicd percellatur.' Ita refert can. Quoniam.
Ne prcelati vices fuas 8fc. Defiit, ut opinar, haud diu pofiea hcec car-
ruptela, fed JjecaniS fua nihilaminus manfit jurifdictia, quam deferibit
concilium Coloniertfe. ' Quofdam accepimus,' inquit, ' impedire tlecanoS
XUxaUi quaminus pq//int officia, et jurifdictionem fuam exercere,Jynodos
Ubere celebrare, et excejjiis carrigere, qui et ipfi intelligant fe excommu-
nicalianem a jure, et canonibus latam incur rere.' "

52

©rigin of t]&e ©ffice.

[Part IL

Ware's Works
ijf Harris. Vol.i.
p. 141.
& O'Conor's
Rerum Hibern.
Script. Veter.
Vol. I. Prolego
mena, CLVI.

CC. M. B. et H.
Vol. I. p. 547.

fubftituted for the latter ; as the perioiieutae were fubfti
tuted for the c^oreptgcopt of the eaft. In Ireland, for
inftance, we learn, from the preamble to the conjiitutions
of Simon de Rochfort or de Rupeforti, bifliop of Meath
(A.D. MCCXVI.), that the legate John Paparo, cardinal
of St. Laurence in Damafo, and legate from Pope Eu
gene III. to the Irilh, ordained, in a general fynod, held
(A.D. MCLii.), in the abbey of Mellifont, or, as fome fay,
at Kells or Kenanufe in Meath, — "inter alias falubres
conjiitutiones, tunc et ibidem factas, ut decedentibus c5or=
cptgcopt'g, et exiliorum fedium epifcopis in Hibernid, in
eorum locum eligerentur, et fuccederent arcbipreghgtert a
diocefanis conjiituendi, qui cleri et plebis follidtudinem
gerant infra fuos limites, et ut^ eorum fedes in totidem
capita itecanatuum ruralium erigerentur &c." After which
follows a copious lift of canons regulative of the tranf-
muted office, — all of them of a vifitatorial and infpec-

Accouni of Ire-' (') From this, remarks Wakefield, we are enabled to forma pretty
c. XXV. pp. 4.i5 correct idea of the ftate of the ancient Irifh hierarchy. Ireland was full
'^'Si- i of Chorepiscopi, billage or rural bishops. In Meath there were, Clonard,
I Duleek, Kells, Trim, Ardbraccan, Dunfhaghlln, Slane, Foure, Skrine,
Mullingar, Loughfeedy, Athunry, Ardnurchor, and Ballyloughort. In
Dublin were. Swords, Lufk, Finglas, Newcaftle, Tawney, Salmon-Leap
'¦ or Leixlip, Bray, Wicklow, Arklow, Ballymore, Clondalkln, Tallaght,
and O'Murthy ; which included the rural Deaneries of Caftledermot and
Athy. Thefe were all rural Deaneries ; and, of courfe, rural sees, before
LcdmicVsAntiq. the year MCLII. " If the number of rural Deaneries," fays Ledwich, " at
their firft erection, and afterwards, in confequence of Paparo's regula
tion, could be difcovered, from records In the Vatican, or elfewhere, it
would give us the number of rural sees. The rural Deaneries, in the
common, are not correct, elfe I might ealily have adduced them. Our
bifhops, I fuppofe, might have amounted to above three hundred." See
alfo the Rev. W. H. Hale's Efay on Tithes, Part ii. p. 53. & nates 1, 2, 3.

pp. 82, 83.

Sect. I.]

©rigin of IBeans Mural, — @f)orepiscopi.

tional character, in order to the reformation of the
church and clergy.
And in the fame country, according to Sir Henry
Spelman, the title by which the itean rural was known,
viz. corba, was derived, by a barbarous contraction, from
cborcptgcopug : — " ®orba eminentioris lod fuit atque idem
qui itecanug ruralig, plebanug, arcjipregbgter, feu cl)orept=
gcopug : d quo et nomen (barbard contractione) videtur
fortitus. Hibernid enim {literas h et y> confundentes)
eundem CojipAcb et Co|tbAcb vocant. Co^i pro chor, pAcb,
et bAcb, 'pro pifc et bifc pronundantes'^."
(') See Ware's Antiquities of Ireland by Harris, Vol. ii. chap, xxxv.,
af tlie Corbes or Carbanes, Erenachs or Herenachs, &c. " The comor-
6an or corfie is fuppofed by Ufher" (In a treatife written on the fubject
in MDCix.) " to be the fame with cj&orepiscopus or arcjipresbgter, was of a
higher dignity than the herenach, canonically ordained prieft, and ftated
in the mother-church. He had alfo the firft ftall in his own church, and
an empty ftall in the cathedral. The commorban is called in the fcholar's
certificate given by Sir John Davis, plebanus, quia plebi ecclefiafticm
prceeft, having the fuperintendence over the reft of the body ; and fo he is
called in the faid grand inqulfltion under the county of Cavan, where it
is faid alfo, that the plebanus or corbe is the head of a larger fept than
the herenach, and fometiraes of feveral fepts, and hath fometimes
feveral herenachs fubject to him ; but that the herenach was head of a
fmaller fept, which only was fubject to him. The herenach was
admitted only to the firft tonfure, and never to the priefthood. Both corbe
and herenach were anciently married men, till celibacy was enjoined the
clergy ; and we find their fons fucceeding to their offices ; and the lay-
abbot in Wales was under the fame circumftances. They were fubject
likewife to the bifliop's vifitations, to whom they gave a fubfidy at their
entrance, and were chargeable with proxies and refections, and, like
others of the clergy, were liable to fequeftratlon for caufe ; of which
there is a precedent in the archbifliop of Dublin's reglftry, as to the
corbe, in the government of Archbifhop Walton, in mcccclxxiii." —
pp. 235-6. — See the Rev. W. H. Hale's Appendix to his EJfay an Tithes, Part

' See apjjcnbiA',
Ireland.

Gloff. Archesol.
in voce, p. 151.

t

Archbi/kops of
Armagh, p. 101.
Vol. I. Works.
See goti. mtU.
goccti', p. 96.
(fiOO— COS.)

54

Molan. de Ca
nonicis, L. n.
c. XXXII. p. 264.

©rigin of tj&e ©ffice.

[Part II.

Maori Hiero-
Lexic. in voce,
p. 147.

Morifani de
?pcotDpapiSX)(a- triba, cap. VII.
pp. 112, 113.
Waddington's Greek Church,
pp. 10,11.

In the church of St. Martin at Utrecht, according to
Molanus, the firft of the fubdeacons, or the archifub-
deacon, has the title of cl)oreptgcopug, and exercifes the
office of arcbtpregbgter or iiean rural ; being not " chori
itecanug," but "itecanug ruralig,— ;^m primus inter itecanog
ruraleg, quem Leodii irecanum itecanorum vocant." And to
the fame root may be traced the cburt or cSurofo of the
eaftern Maronites — the name by which the arcj&presbgter
or local parochus, according to Dominic Macer, is diftin-
guiflied ; to whom the bifliop, at the time of inftitution,
gives the paftoral ftaff of office.
But this cburt or cburojo, as he is called in the lan
guage of the people of that country, is rather to be con-
fldered an urban eccleflaftic, on the authority of the laft
fynod of Libanus, quoted by Morifan in his Diatriba de
^rotopapig, than as connected with the villages.
The Maronites (who are chiefly inhabitants of Mount
Libanus), when they retained the cjoreptgcopt in their
towns and villages, eftabliflied pertoiieutae under them.

Part II., containing an extract from Ufher's unpublifhed treatife on the
Herenach, Termon, and Corban lands, in the Lambeth Library. Upon
thefe officers, fee alfo T. D. Whitaker's Hftory of fVhalley, Book ii.
chap. I. p. 42. " With what exactnefs,'' fays he, after having defcribed
the peculiarities of the Irifh functionaries, " do the feveral characters of
thefe kindred offices in the church of Ireland apply to the Dean of
Whalley ! For, like the herenach, he had lionorem villce ; like the ple
banus, he had patronage and jurifdiction over feveral dependent churches,
together with a vicar and chaplain of his own ; and like the COrban, his
function was hereditary, tenable alfo by perfons In inferior orders, and
compatible with the married ftate." It does not appear, that this ano
malous perfonage was a rural Dean. — In his perfon were united the
rights of patron, incumbent, ordinary, and lord of the manor. But it has
not been found, that he ever had a feal of office.

Sect. I.] ©rigin of Heans iJlural.— ©fiovepiscopi. 55
but had no protopopeg as plebium curtoneg, fuch not
being required in addition to the rural circumcurgatorg.
|9rotopopeg obtained only in the epifcopal city — and
there, one only, who was the bilhop's vicar. " In eccle
fia orientali," fays the fynod of Libanus, " epifcopus in
urbe habet vicarium, qui protopapa, protopregfagter, arcbt-
pregbgter, et a nobis cburt appellatur: in Jingulis vids, et
pagis cfiorept'gcopog conjtituit: perioiteutag autem, feu ctr=
cumcurgatoreg, atque btgttatoreg ordinat, quorum cura eJi,
vicos omnes, et pagos circumobire, et cunctos ad rcctce
vitce, fanceque doctrlnce normam efformare. Horum autem
dignitas perpetua eJi, quia per manus impofitionem tra-
ditur, tametfi propter delictum fujpendi pojjint ah officio,
et amoveri." The rarity of Morifan's Diatribe on Greek
protopopeg in this country will, I truft, defend my intro
duction of a few more particulars refpecting thefe Syro-
Maronite ecclefiaftics at the conclufion of this divifion
of my labours. I fcarce know where elfe to admit them,
and they are far too curious to be entirely paffed over.
In the prefence of the urban bifhop, neither the pro=
topope nor the rural btgbop, nor the ctrcumcurgator, exer
cife their functions : — their ufual enfigns of office are
laid afide : — they neither bear the crofs in their hand,
nor the mitre on their head, unlefs expreflly licenfed fo
to do by the diocefan. But, in the abfence of the latter,
the protopope in the cathedral, and the cboreptgcopug in i
the country, on folemn days and feftivals, occupy the |
firft place in the choir, and wear the mitre — leaving the |
higher feat of the bifliop unoccupied. When all thefe i
oriental fub-dignitaries are convened before their fupe- \
rior prelate, the arcbprtegt or protopope of the city has i
the precedence of the cfiorepfgcopug, and the latter ranks \

56

©rigtn of tjbe ©ffice.

Part II.]

Morifan. de
sptOtopaiJiS,p. 114.

Angiia Sacra,
Vol. I. p. 64.
Dr. Fiddes's
Collect, to Life
ofWolfey,f.91.

above the perioiieuta. Again, as to the ecclefiaftfcal
ornaments alluded to — the protopope is the bearer of two
croffes, a mitre, and a paftoral ftaff: — the perioiieuta is
not entitled to a mitre, but only to a crofs, and a fhep-
herd's crook, in token of the commiffion, with which he
is invefted, of fuperintending the diocefan flock, — for
he is a diocefan officer. The inflgnia of the cfiorepigcopug
are the fame as thofe of the arcSpregbgter of the cathedral.
See the Ruffian documents of the ^ppeniltx; and Dr.
Brett on 23tgbopg gbuffragan, c. xii. pp.230, feqq. on the
cboreptgcopt of Alexandria, Bohemia, &c.
From Mr. Wharton, it appears that our cl)oreptgcopi or
gufiragang of the weft were allowed the baculus pajio-
ralis ; and Mr. Anftis is of opinion, that they wore mitres
with a flit in the front, in order to diftinguifh them fi^om
the fuperior prelates. See the feal of the Suffragan Bi
fhop of Philadelphia below engraven. It is probably the

Sect. I.] ©rigin of IBeans Mural. — ©borepiscopi, 57

only feal of a bifliop in partibus infidelium now remain-, Pegge mur
ing ; and if fo, a curioflty of no fmall regard \ p-362. xxxvm.

(') The feal is engraven for the fake of exhibiting the inflgnia
of office of the Anglican cl)OrepiSCOpuS. It prefents to our view the
effigy of Bifhop Swilllngton in pontificalibus, ftanding in a tabernacle,
with a heart in his right hand, and a crofs in his left. The coat under
neath the figure is, a felfe charged with three pellets between three tons,
and the infcriptlon runs s . doIni . tome . episc . philadelphiencis.
Thomas Swilllngton, Pegge tells us, was prebendary of Stow in Lind-
fey. In the church of Lincoln, and appointed suffragan to John Long-
land, bifliop of that fee, with the title of Philadelphia, July 1 5, mdxxxiii.
The exercife of his epifcopal function was confined to the two archdea
conries of Lincoln and Leicefter.

58

©rigin of tj&e ©ffice.

[Part II.

SECTION II.
The origin of IBeans Mural in England. — Institution op
parishes and parochial clergy.
EFORE the divifion of parifhes, the endow
ment of parochial churches, and incardina
tion of presbyters in country cures, it were
vain, of courfe, to look for ireang rural in
England \ A few remarks, therefore, on thefe prelimi
nary meafures, will neither be uninterefting, nor irrele
vant. They will aid us in our inveftigation of the
specific fubject of the prefent fection — the origin of the
irecanal office in our own ifland.

»

M

mh

t^^fflE^5v2

m.

Beveregii Cod.
Can. Eccl. Prim.
L.ii. c.v. p. 2 18.

Theodoret. Epift. III.
Routh Script.
Eccl. Opujc.
Tonn. II. p. 407.

(') " Vox trapoiKM paroeda in antiquis ecclefice fcriptoribus et canoni
bus conciliarum, territorium, fedem, five ditionem ad epifcopum perti-
nentem perpetuo fignificat : quo fenfu hodie vox dicecefis a nobis vulgo
ufurpatur, adeo ut unufquifque epifcopus fuam haberet irapoiKtav, quam
epifcopali autoritate gubernabat. But, fubfequently, it came to fignify
a parifh, as at prefent underftood ; in which fenfe it is ufed by Theo
doret, in his epiftle to Leo M. and in the feventeenth canon of the oecu
menic council of Chalcedon. See P. de Marca de C. S. et I. Lib. li.
c. xiiT. 3. — Bilfon's Perpeluall Gouvernement af Chriftes Church, chap. ii.
p. 184. Edit. MDXCiii, and Slater's Anfwer to Lord Chancellor King's En
quiry, &c. pp. 31, feqq. (which, by the way, fo far fatisfied his lordfhip,
that he gave the author fome preferment ; though the diffenters continue
to quote his lordfhlp's Primitive Chriftianity as if it had never been
abundantly refuted, even to the conviction of its noble author) — alfo/ee
Burton's Ecclef. Lectures, xii. p. 359.

1  ¦ 
Sect. II.] HeanS Mural in lEnglanl).— ^arocfiial ©lergg. 59

The -napotKia was here, at firft, as elfewhere, the Stol-
KYjcyis (vide Suicer. T. E. in v. BtoiKrja-is. v.) — the whole
epifcopal diftrict — in which the bifliop and his clergy
lived together at the cathedraP or mother-church (fo
called, fays Panormitan, " quia ficiit mater general, ita et

Downame's Confecration
Sermon, p. 25. &
Defence, B.ii.
c. I. p. 8.
Kennett's Cafe
of Impropria
tions, fub initio.
Stillingfleet's
; Eccl. Cafes,
ecclefia baptifmalis regenerat," Tom. ii. p. 73), and per- ' ^orks, voi. m.
formed in one fpot the public offices of religion to the c'awdreyo/Pa-
congregated worfhippers of a whole diocefe; or fupplied feqq.
¦,%¦-,-,,' IT , « n ¦, 1 Burnet's Pafto-
the tew widely-lcattered chapels, field-churches, or ora- rai care, c. x.
- f 1 • T i Soothev's Hift.
tones, m the more remote parts oi the country, with ' of the church.
Vol. I c. VI
fpiritual inftruction and confolation, by the inftrumenta- ; pp. '79, feqq.
lity of itinerant priefts ; who themfelves, here and there,
erected fuch local houfes of prayer, out of the means
fupplied by the liberality of bifhops and contributions
of converts ; while the munificence of pious kings and
princes, in places of the greateft refort, gave being to
cathedrals or diocefan temples.
Churches were, doubtlefs, erected here, foon after the seiden-s Hiftory
' ' ' of Tythes, c. 9.1.
firft preaching of the GofpeP — probably in the firft p-25o-
(') " Thefe churches are called cathedrali," fays Holinfhed, " bicaufe The Defcription
the bifhops dwell or lie neere unto the fame, as bound to keepe continuall ^ „ i p. 135. '
refidence within their jurifdictions, for the better overfight and gouver-
nance of the fame : the word being derived a cathedra, that is to faie a ;
chaire or feat where he refteth, and for the moft part abideth. At the
firft, there was but one church in everie jurifdiction, wherinto no man
entred to praie, but with fome oblation or other toward the maintenance
of the .paftor : for as it was reputed an infamie to paffe by anie without j
vifitation: fo it was a no leffe reproch to appeare emptie before the j
Lord. And for this occafion, alfo, they were builded verie huge and j
great, for otherwife they were not capable of fuch multitudes as came
dailie unto them, to heare the word, and receive the facraments."
0 To what particular apoftle Britain is more immediately beholden Collier's Ecclef
for Its acquaintance witn the truths of Chriftianity, it is laid to be (^m, a. i. Cent.
difficult I. pp. 3. 6, feqq.

60 ©rigin of t{)e ©ffice. [Part II.
century : — for, though the earlieft teachers may have
congregated their auditors at crolTes in the open air ; it
is inconceivable, how Chriftianity could be long and ex-
tenfively received amongft the people, in fuch a climate
as ours, without churches \ or, at leaft, fome convenient
houfes, or other places in the nature of churches, ap
pointed for the exercife of devotion. And we know, on
incontrovertible evidence, that, in the fecond century,
Britain had generally received the Gofpel — the "Bri-
Tertuiiian od- ; fannoTum inacccfld Romanis loca" were, in Tertullian's
verjus Judceos, • ." ' ^
B.212. mords, " Chrijio fuhdita." Nor lefs certain is the infti-

Eusebii I)e- difficult to determine. But the evidence which proves that a Chriftian
III. 1).112. Edit, i church was planted here by fome of the apoftles, and moft probably by
Colon. ^jjg great apoftle of the Gentiles, is affuredly entitled to grave confi-
deration. The reader, who may be defirous of purfuing the fubject (too
extenfive to be here incidentally dlfcuffed), will find all he can require to
eftablilh St. Paul's claim. In Bifliop Stillingfleet's Origines BritanniccB,
chap. 1. pp. 35, feqq. ; Bifhop Burgefs's very learned " Tracts on the
Origin and Independence af the Ancient Britijh Church," (2d Edit.
London, mdcccxv) ; " Remarks on the Weftern Travels of St. Paul,"
(London, mdcccxx) ; " A Charge to the Clergy af Sarum " (mdcccxxix),
pp.1 1, feqq. and Second Charge, pp. 53, feqq.
Lectures on (') Profeffor Burton fays, there is no evidence of Chriftians affembling
Lect!xxm. ' ia what would now be called a church, before the third century. The
P- 279- charge of having neither altars, images, nor temples, was brought againft
them as late as the beginning of the third century. Still I think they
muft have had buildings of fome kind or other for their religious worfhip
in Britain before this date. Bede, fpeaking almoft in the very words of
Gildas (de excid. Britan.), fays the Britifh Chriftians reftored t/ieir churches
after the Dioclefian perfecution. So that they muft have exifted before
that event. See Brett's Account of Church Government &c. p. 169.
2d Edit, on the fubject : alfo Suicer T.E. in voce vaos, in favour of Burton's
view, and Mede's Difcourfe of Churches, and Bingham's O. E. B. viii.
c. I. s. 13. againft it. Mede quotes a very remarkable paffage from St.
j Chryfoftom on Britifh Churches and Altars. Works, B. ii. p. 386.

Sect. II.] Ueans l^ural in lEnglanD.— i^arocfiial ©lergg.

61

tution of bifhops^, priefts, and deacons, among us; — I Lloyd's cam c/t
whereby the form of church-government was complete, ; Great Britain,
and, fpiritually fpeaking, the Britifh church fully efta
bliflied. Strong, however, and uninterrupted as is the evidence
of a vifible church^ in thefe realms, through, what is

(') The council of Aries in France (A.D. cccxiv.) was attended by,
three Britifh bifhops (probably the three metropolitans of York, London,
and Caerleon ?), by one presbyter, and one deacon : — all of whom fub
fcribed, or rather prefixed their names. " Unde fimul conftat," fays
Bifhop Beveridge, " non epifcopos tantum, fed presbyteros et diaconos
iftis diebus hic corftituios ejfe, ac prainde perfectam etiam ecclefiam, tola
ecclefiq/licarum perfonarum ?iumero abfolutam.'' (Fide plura in loco.)
The dvitates of Britain, at the time alluded to, were thirty-three ; of
which thirty were in England and Wales : and Mr. Turner thinks that
the ecclefiaftical concerns of each civitas were regulated by a diocefan
bifhop ; over whom was a fuperior bifhop in each province, anfwerable to
our metropolitans, though not diftinguifhed witb the title of archbifhops.
See Wharton de Epifcopis Landinenfibus, pp. 4, 5. and Whitaker's Hftory
af Mancliefter, Vol. i. B. i. c. xi. pp. 402, feqq.
C) The light of the Gofpel having been introduced into Britain, was
never afterwards extingulfhed. When driven from the Interior provinces
by the devaftating fword of the pagan Saxon, the Britifh church withdrew
with its hierarchy into the faftneffes of Wales and Cornwall ; and was
there exifting as an apoftolical, independent church, (" avroKecpaAo?,"
fays Bifhop Beveridge, "nulli extraneo epifeopo,fed Jiio fali metropo-
liiano fubjacens,") when Auguftine arrived In the Me of Thanet (A.D.
Dxcvi). — Nay more — preferving its integrity for a century and a half
and beyond, after the monk had commenced, with his forty coadjutors.
the labours of re-converting the then heathenized inhabitants of the
interior of the ifland. See the bifhop of St. Afaph's admirable annota
tions on the fixth Nicene canon ; Borlafe's State of Chriftianity in
Cornwall, § iii. p. 340. Antiq. of Cornwall ; Cave's D'Jfertation con
cerning the Government of the Ancient Church, c. v. pp. 248, feqq., and
Soames's Bampton Lectures, p. 453.
The evidence of each fucceffive age moft clearly proves, as Bifhop j
Burgefs

Lloyd's Church
Government,
c. III. p. 72.
Cave's Church
Government,
c. V. p. 24.5.
Annott. in Can.
Cone. Niccen. I.
Synod. Tom. n.
p. 78.
Routh's Reliq.
.Vacr«, Vol. IV.
pp. 94-5.
Hiftory of the
Anglo-Saxons,Vol. I. B. I. c.
vin.pp.83,feqq.

Matth. Weftmo-
naft. ad ann.
586.

Annotationesad Clin. Cone.
Nicesn. Primi,
p. 58.
heAmE.H.G.A.L. I. cap. XXV.
L. V. cap. XXIV.

62

©rigin of tje ©ffice.

[Part II.

called, the Britifli period of our eccleflaftic hiftory, viz.
the firft fix hundred years after Chrift — there is no trace

Clemens Ro
man, ad Cor.
p. 8.
BeA3iH.E.Q.A.
L. I. c. IV.
Carte's General
Hift. of Eng
land, Vol. I
B. II. vni.
Cave's Church
Government,
c V. p. 245.

Drayton's Po-
lyolbion. Song 8.
p. 273.
Selden's notes,
p. 277.

BeiasE.H.G.A.L.i.capp.vi.vii.
Henr. Hunting
don. Hift L.I.
p. 305.
Bingham's Ec
clef Antiq. B.ix.
capp. VI. VII.
Church Hiftory,
Cent. IV. B.I.
p. 24.
Drayton's Po.
lyolbion. Song 8.
p. 247.

Burgefs has long fince fhewn in his profound and accurate refearches
on the fubject, that Chriftianity was at no period extirpated from Bri
tain. See Pagitt's Chriftianagraphie, P. iii. pp. 6, feqq. ; The: Conti
nuance of Chrftianity in Britaine ; and Roberts's Appendix, N". vi.
Hftory of the Ancient Britijh Church ; and Bifliop Burgefs's Tracts be
fore quoted, pp. 96. 125, feqq.
In the firft century we have the preaching of the Gofpel in Britain by
the great apoftle of the Gentiles — HavAos — Ktjpv^ 'yevofievos ev re t^
araroAj) Kai EN TH AY2EI — iiKaiocrivrjV SiSa^ag oAov tov koctixov, koi
EHI TO TEPMA TH2 AY2Efi2 EA0S2N — k.t.\.
In the fecond — the public avowal and protection of Chriftianity by
Lucius, a Britifli prince — "the firft Chriftian king in the world" —
(^.D. CLxvi. — CLxxvi.) — "called by the Britons ileber JWaur, The
Great Brightnefs." By whofe means, undoubtedly, the Chriftian church
in our ifle (Stillingfleet's Origines Britannicce, chap. ii. p. 62.) was che-
rifhed and advanced, though not originally founded. For we cannot
award him the plenary praife of Michael Drayton's mufe, as —
"  That good king, to whom we chiefly owe
This happinefs we have, Chrift crucified to know."
See Stevenfon's Supplement to Bentham's Ely, Remarks, pp. 145, feqq.
" King Lucius." Hales's Primitive Church af the Britijh Ifles, pp. 106,
feqq., and Roberts's Chronicle of the Kings of Britain, B. iii. pp. 90, 91.
and notes.
In the third and fourth, the Dioclefian perfecution — '' omnibus fere
anteactis diuturnior atque immanior " — in which St. Alban, our proto-
martyr, and Aaron and Julius, "legianu7n urbis cives," and many
others, fell.
In the fourth, the prefence of a deputation of Britifh bifhops at the
councils of Aries (A. D. cccxiv.) Sardica (A. D. cccxlvii.), and Arimi-
num (A.D. CCCLIX.) — " the moft avouchable evidence," in Fuller's words,
" of Chriftianity flourifhlng in this ifland in this age " —
" — When the primer church her councils pleaf d to call.
Great Britain's bishops there were not the least of all,
Againft the Arian feet at Aries having room.
At Sardica again and at Ariminum." In

Sect. II.] IBeanS Mural in lEnglanD. — ^arocfiial ©lergg.

63

of a parochial clergy in the modern acceptation of the ^^^'J^^l^l^^f
term: — nav more — ^for two centuries, or nearly fo, after fnation charge,
•' _ . ' MPCCIX. p. 26.
the landing of Auguftine and his companions in the Ifle
of Thanet (A. D. dxcvi.), we are told by a high authority

In the fiflh, the fynod of Verulam (against Pelaglanifm ; which, at
that time, in Bede's language, "fidem Britannorum fcedd pefte c&mma-
culaverat") — where were prefent, in addition to the Britifh prelacy,
Germanus bifhop of Auxerre, and Lupus bifhop of Troyes — "Apoftolici
patres," — " qui ad confirmandam fidem gratia ccekftis Britannias
venerunt." See Smith's notce ad Bedam, p. 54 ; Carte's General Hiftory
of England, Vol. I. B. iii. iii. pp. 182, feqq., and Dr. Hale's Primitive
Church of the British Ifles, p. 131.
In the fame century — a fecond fynod, three years afterwards, againft
the fame herefy, at which attended Germanus again, and Severus bifhop
of Triers, a difciple of Lupus. When, likewise, the inceftuous marriage
of King Vortigern with his own daughter was condemned by the bifliop
of Auxerre and the whale British clergy in council affembled.
In the fame century — two or more Irifh fynods recorded by Wilkins :
and others again, which the induftry of Sir W. Betham has lately brought
to light, held about the year ccccl. (Irish Antiquarian Refearches.)
In the fixth, the celebrated fynod of Menevia — a general convention
of all the bifhops and clergy on account of the Pelagian controverfy, at
Llanddewi Brefi, under Archbifhop David ; who removed the metropo
litan church from Caerleon to Mynyw — " ab urbe legianum ad fuam
Meneviam" — ("fince, holy David's Seat " — Drayton) St. David's. See
Bale and Wilkins in CC. M. B. et H. Vol. i. p. 8, note ; Stillingfleet's
Origines, c. v. p. 348 ; Rapin's England, Vol. i. B. ii. p. 43 ; and Carte's
England, B. iii. iii. p. 186. Tyrrell's Ge?ieral Hiftory of England,Y ol. i.
B. III. p. 149; and Hoare's Giraldus Cam6re7i^s, Vol. ii. B. ii. c. i. and
Annotations by Sir R. C. H. ; also Nelson's Life of Bull, p 350. Oxon.
In the fame — the fynod of Victoria, alfo in Wales, for the confirmation
of the acts of the preceding fynod of Menevia. (Ex Giraldo Cambrenf.
de Vita S. David, lect. 9.)
In the feventh, the meeting of the bifliops or doctors of the Britons
with Auguftine at Auguftinaes-ac ; and at a fecond fuller fynod, when
the Britifli bifhops (feptem Britonum epifcopi, et plures viri doctiffimi
maxime de nobiliffimo eorum mancifterio, quod vacatur lingua Anglarum Bancar-

BeixEH.G.A.
L. I C. KVII.
cc. M. £. et H.
Vol. I p. I. ac.
446. p. 2. ac. 449.
ProfperAquitan. De Ingratis.
PoetteChrtslian.p. 663.

Tieis:E.H.G.A.L. I. c. XXI.
Nennii Hift.
C..38. Wilkins's
not. ad Concil.
Britan. ac 449.

Grier's Epitome
of the Councils,
pp. 83, 84.

CC. M. B. et H.
Vol.1, p. 8.
ac. 519.

Polyolbion, Song 5. p. 263.
& Selden's II-
luftrations.

Collier's Eccl.
Hift. of Gt. Bri
tain, B. I. Cent.
VI. p. 56. & Stil
lingfleet's Origi
nes, c.v. f.350-^.
BedscE.H.G.A.L. II. cap. n.
CC.M.H.et H.
Vol.1, p. 2 4. See
note ex Spel
man. ibid.

64

©rigin of tje ©ffice.

[Part II.

j in thefe matters, Archbifliop Wake, " there were no fuch
j things as either parifli-churches, properly fo called, or

stillingfleet's Origines, c. v.
pp. 356, feqq.
Bingham's O.E.
B. II. c. xvm.

Hifiorical^ Po
litical Difcuurfe
&c. Part I. c. V.
p. 13.

Ancient Sf Pre
fent Church of
England, Vol. i.
p. 4.

Hift. of Ancient
Brit. Church,
p. 323.

•• Bancornaburg, cui tempore illo Dinooth abbas prcefuiffe] narratur)
delivered their ever-memorable proteft againft the Pope's authority, and
all communion with the church of Rome : — when " the rude fchifmatics,
in the form of the clerical tonfure*and in the day of the celebration of
Eafter, obftinately refifted the imperious mandates of the Roman pontiffs."
So writes the infidel Gibbon.— -We care little for the farcafm intended to
be conveyed ; while the fact itfelf is fo fully acknowledged. (D. ^ P.
V. III. p. 624.) See the abbot of Bangor's anfwer, refufing fubjection
to Auftin and the Pope, in Wilkins, CC. M. B. et H. Vol. i. pp. 26, 27 ;
Carte's England, Vol. i. B. iii. xiii. p. 224 ; Rapin's England, Vol. i. B. m.
p. 68 ; Tyrrell's England, Vol. i. B. iv. pp. 160, feqq. ; and The Chronicle
afthe Kings of Britain, pp. 175, feqq., and Roberts's notes. Upon which
anfwer, Nathaniel Bacon remarks — " This was the Britons' refolution,
and they were as good as their word ; for they maintained the liberty of
their church five hundred years after this time ; and were the laft of all
the churches of Europe that gave their power to the Roman beaft ; and
in the perfon of Henry the Eighth, that came of that blood by Teuther,
the firft that took away that power again."
But, Mr. Johnfon fays, foon after Bede finifhed his Ecclefiaftical Hi.^
ftory (A.D. Dccxxxi.), " the Welfli as well as Englifli became entirely
Romanifts ; "— while others, with more truth, have held, that there is evi
dence of the Britifli church having maintained its independence of the
fee of Rome as late as the year dcccciv. (/ee Collier's Church Hiftory,
B. III. p. 171), and even till the conqueft of Wales by Henry I. See
Archdeacon Goddard's fecond Vifitation Charge to the clergy of Lin
coln, mdcccxx. p. 27, note, and again note p. 82. " Notwithftanding an
infulated fact or two which mark communications with Rome, and even
deference to it," fays the archdeacon, " though not fubjection, the Britifli
church may be faid to have fubfifted throughout the Saxon times in the
remote parts of the ifland, nor was it finally merged in the church of
England till the conqueft of Wales under Henry the Firft." See Bifliop
Burgefs's note on Britifh Ordination, Tracts an the Origin of the Bri
tifh Church, Appendix, p. 318. " In Ireland," writes Mr. Roberts, "it
continued to the reign of Henry II." Appendix, N". vi.

Sect. II.] lieana Iplural in lEnglanti,— i^arocjial ©lergg. 65

fettled priefts to officiate in them." But this is rather
aflfumed as probable than proved as certain. The ftate
of the cafe 1 believe to be this : — The hiftorical docu
ments are few that have come down to us, bearing upon
the polity of the ancient Britifli church ; and thofe few seiden's Hift. of
r J ' _ _ , Tythes, c, 9. I.
give us no reafon to fuppofe that the practice of this p- 249.
ifland, in refpect of its then imperfect church-economy,
differed from what was uniformly received through thofe
parts of Chriftendom of which we have the beft tefti-
monv remaininej : — in all of which, a fyftem of collegiate Wharton's Dc-
.nn^ . n • n -f ^ ? fence of Plurali-
union and miflionary mftruction ieems uniformly to have wes.pp.si.feqq.
preceded the appropriation of presbyters to particular Dr'.Fieido/TAe
cures — in accordance with which the bifhop and his clerus p. 740. '
continued to live together at the cathedral, and to per
form the ordinances of religion there and abroad, as
occafion required; until fuch time as the ecclefiaftic
economy of the diocefe was matured for clerical refi
dence on endowed country cures. ^The latter point, the
Britifli church, as diftinguifhed from the Anglo-Saxon, is
fuppofed by Selden, Wharton, Inett, Wake, and others,
never to have attained. At leaft, no evidence of the
fact, worthy of credit, has defcended to our times ; and,
in the abfence of fuch, the general cuftom of Chriften
dom is applied to the Britifli church ; which is concluded
never to have had an incardinated parochial miniftry. !

(') The ftory of the parijh-prieft of Cumpton, i.e. Long-Cumpton
in Warwickfhire, waiting on Auguftine on his way to the conference of
the Britifli bifhops in the remoter parts of Mercia, and complaining of
the non-payment of tithes by the lord of the manor, is rejected, with its
miraculous accompaniment, as an abfurd legend : — indeed, were it, in
all its circumftances, true, Bifliop Kennett remarks, it would carry back
parochial incumbency to a very early date.
VOL. I. F

Parochial Anti-
quitics. Vol. i.
p. 35.

66

©rigin of tje ©ffice.

[Part II.

Beise H.E.G.A.
L. I. C. XXTI.

Stevenfon'sj Supplement to
Bentham's Ely,'
Notes, pp.11, 12;

Still, auxiliary churches, or villican chapels of eafe to
cathedrals or mother-churches, were erected by the Bri
tifh bifhops and miflionary clergy, out of the contributions
of the faithful, in different parts of the country, remote
from the epifcopal fees. Of the fact of fuch erections
'. no doubt exifts. They are, again and again, noticed in
i Bede and other writers, as well as the parent edifices.
j They are mentioned alfo in thofe moft. authentic records
I of contemporary matters of church-hiftory, the fynods of
the day, in the tomes of the councils of Great Britain and
Ireland. To particularize feems fcarce neceffary. Let
it fatisfy the reader, that ages before the Gregorian mif-
fionaries and their Saxon converts began, " convenire,
pfallere, orare, miffas facere, prcedicare, et baptizare," in
the much-vaunted church of St. Martin by Canterbury,
the native Britons had erected that edifice — "ecclefia
in honorem Sancti Martini antiquitus facta," fays Bede,
" dum adhiic Ramani Britanniam incolerent :" and there the
Chriftian Bertha, Queen of Kent, had been wont to pray
with her chaplain, Bifliop Luidhard, and a Chriftian con
gregation. Ages before the Romanifts obtained their
licence " ecclejias fahricandi vel rejiaurandi " on Britifti
foil, the aboriginal "fideles Chrifii" had conftructed
places of worfliip^ in various parts of the ifland; and.

Kennett's Cofe
of Impropria
tions, p. 5.
Whitaker's Hift.
of Mancliefter,
V. II. B. II. c. xr.
§ III. pp. 440.
44C.

( ' ) Many churches and parifhes ftill retain the names of Britifh faints ;
not only in Wales and Cornwall (where we fliould expect to find them),
but in the bowels of England, and in Huntingdonfhire more, perhaps,
than in any other midland county. The churches of Evefham, Avalon
(Stillingfleet's Origines B. c. i. p. 26), Manchefl«r (St. Michael's), Dover
Caftle, and other places, are fuppofed to have been of Britifh origin,
equally with St. Martin's by Canterbury. See Stillingfleet's Ecclefiafti
cal Cafes, Vol. I. pp. 125, feqq., and an interefting account of the Anglo
 Roman

Sect. II.] IBeans Hural in lEnglanD.— i^arocjial ®lergs.

67

when the Diocletian^ " turbo perfecutionis," which had
razed them to the ground, had blown over, the fame
indigence had again reftored them — " progrejji in publicum
fideles Chrifii, qui fe tempore difcriminis fylvis ac defertis
ahditifve fpeluncis occultaverant, renovant ecclejias ad folum
ufque dejiructas, hafilicas fanctorum martyrum fundant,
conjiruunt, perficiunt, &c."
In thofe early days, any pious prieft, who defigned to ¦ a Defence of
inftruct the country people, Mr. Wharton thinks, might, p. e™ ' ""''
with the approbation and licence of the bifliop, build to
himfelf a church — " a plain and humble conveniency of
divine worfhip " — and therein, after confecration duly
performed, might teach as many of " the neighbouring
ruftics " as chofe to attend upon him.
To fuch non-parochial foundations, the twenty-third
canon of the Irifli epifcopal fynod {A.D. cccclvi.), feems
to refer — "Si quis presbyterorum ecclejiam cedificaverit,
non offerat, antequam adducat Juum pontificem, ut eam
confecret, quia Jic decet," (c. 23), &c. And fuch were
thofe of Dubritius, in South Wales {A. D. ccccxc.) ; whofe
primitive church-eftablifhment, recorded in an anony
mous i^Sb-^ of the Cottonian Library (fince printed in

Synod. S. Pa-
tric, &c. cc. M.
B. et H. Vol. I.
p. 3.

Roman Church of Brixworth in Northamptonfliire, in the Britijh Maga
zine, Supplement Dec. mdcccxxxiii. pp. 746, feqq. ; alfo^^e Hart's Medulla
Canciliorum, cap. v. pp. 38, feqq., a valuable fynopfis, highly creditable
to its compiler.
( ' ) Though Conftantius, the Roman governor of Britain at that time,
had an inclination to favour the Chriftians, yet it was not in his power
to difpenfe with the Imperial edicts, and he complied fo far with them
as to demolifh the churches.
O This ancient author de Fundatione Ecclefice Landavenfis (who
wrote circiter A.D. mcxx, as Wharton thinks) has been mifunderftood.
Far from proving the divifion of diocefes into pariflies, and affixing certain
F 2 priefts

hactSLTit.deMorl. Perfec. c. 15.

Defence of Plu
ralities, p. 67.

68

©rigin of tje ©ffice.

[Part II.

Chap. 9. 1.
pp. 249, feqq.

Beiie E.H.G.A.
L.v. c.iv. c.v.
& Smith's notes.

the Monast. Anglican. Tom. in. p. 188), is cited by Selden,
in his Hijiory of Tythes — " Videns fanctus Dubritius largi-
fiuam potentum manum erga Jihi commi/fam ecclejiam, par-
titus eJi difcipulos, mittens quofdam difcipulorum suorum per
; ecclejias Jihi datas ; et quidam fundavit ecclejias ;' et epi
fcopos per dextralem Britanniam coadjutores fibi, ordinatis
': parochiis fuis, confecravit."
Thefe churches of the Irifli and Welfli archbifliops,
like the earlieft of the Anglo-Saxon foundations of after
date, (witnefs that noted by Bede " in villa comitis cujuf-
dam qui vocahatur Puch," who invited the bifliop of
Hexham to confecrate it ; and a fecond " comitis voca-
\ hub Addi," confecrated by the fame prelate — fince called
j South and North Burton ) circiter A. D. dcc, had fome
kind of limits of adjoining villages or towns, and fo were
in that refpect parochial : but the parochice were limited
only in regard of the miniftering presbytery, and the
feveral functions of the bilhop's chaplains — "epifcopi
clerus" — fent, as occafion required, from the cathedral

Defence of Plu
ralities, p. 69.

Spelman. Concfi.
Angl. Tom. I.
p. 409.
Collier's Eccl.
Hift. B. III.
p.l78. EJufd. p. 413.

priefts to them, the 0iSk. only fliews that the province of South
Wales (Dextralis Britannia) was then divided into feveral diocefes, and
bifhops ordained in every one of them : the term parochia being the
ancient ecclefiaftical name of a diocefe. As for the fupply of country
churches, this teftlmony feems rather to imply, that it was performed by
itinerant priefts, whom Dubritius fent in their turns out of his own
college. However, afterwards, when the Britons were driven into Wales,
and were fully fettled in it, that country being become populous thereby,
they found it neceffary to divide it into parifhes, and to aifign priefls to
them. For in the laws of Howel Dha, king of Wales, made about the
year dccccxl, there is mention made of the houfe of the parifh prieft,
" damns CapeUani villce," in every village. Although the divifion was
even then fo imperfect, that frequent fubdivifions were fubfequently
made ; as appears from the thirty-fifth law of the fame king.

Sect. II.] IBeaniS l^ural in lEnglanli.— ^arocjbial ©lergg.

69

or religious houfe adjoining, to preach the word and
adminifter the facraments within appointed circuits.
Still, the larger provinces of the prelates being denomi
nated parochice, thefe little diftricts of delegate miniftra
tion affumed, it may be from analogy, the fame appella
tion, being the contracted diocefes of fubordinate ambu
latory clergymen ; but not, ftrictly fpeaking, pariflies in
the ordinary acceptation of the word, though fuch they
have erroneoufly been fuppofed to be.
While this primitive arrangement prevailed, in the
nonage and immaturity of Chriftian difcipline and prac
tice, the miflionaries difpenfed the word and facraments
abroad; and, returning from their holy circuit to the
centre of unity, the epifcopal college, reported to their
diocefan the ftate of his TtapoiKia, and the fuccefs of their
evangelizing tours. So long, then, there was no call
for the furveillance of local Ijeans, — the C!hriftian flock
either being habitual worlhippers coram epifcopo, in pre-
fential communion with him, or conftantly reported to
him by the delegated emiffaries of his college, the dio
cefan priefts.
.The duration of this fimple church -polity is not
exactly known. In the Britifli times it doubtless com
menced ; though little or no teftimony, as I have faid, is
extant to declare the ecclefiaftical ufages of thofe primi
tive times ; and, after a period of pagan darkness and
perfecution (which drove the ancient infular clergy into
Wales and Cornwall), the fame economy again appears
in the days of the Anglo-Saxons ; a community and col
legiate life of the bifhop and his clergy being appointed
for the model of the latter church by Pope Gregory at its
firft eftablifliment ; and the fyftem of itinerant preaching

Selden's Hj/« of
Tythes, c. 9. II.

Wharton's De
fence ofPlurali-
\ ties, pp. 63, feqq.

Kennett's Cafe
' of Impropria-
^ tions, p. 3.
! Stillingfleet's
{ True Antiquity
I of London ; Ec
clef Cafes, V. II.
p. 578.

Selden's Hift. of
Tythes, c. 9. i.

Beise Hift. Eccl.
L. I. c. xxvii. &
L. IV. c. XXVII.

70 ©rigin of tj&e ©ffice. [Part II.

Wharton's De
fence of Plural.
p. 74.
Alcwin. de Pon-
tif. et Sand.
Ebor. V. 1289.

and difpenfing the word and facraments, by tempo
rary minifters difpatched from the affbciated body, being
generally practifed when venerable Bede — "presbyter
eximius meritis" — finilhed his church-hiftory {A.D.
DCCXXXl).^

BeimH.E.G.A. (') The ufage of the Britifh church aud people in refpect of itine-
Lib. iir. c. XXVI. I , , _ _ 1,111- n.
1 rancy, about the year ccccxc, has been already declared, in a paflage
Wharton's De- ¦ cited from the JW^. Hiflory af Llandaff. " If any credit is to be given
«««, p. 68."™ ' I '-o ^^^ ancient lives and legends of the Britijh bifhops and faints, this
; was the practice at that time in the Britijh church : That the bifhops at
! their cathedrals, and holy abbots and doctors in feveral parts of the dio-
. cefe, fhould educate and maintain great numbers of priefts in a collegiate
life, and prelide over them ; who in their turns fhould travel about and
inftruct the lay Chriftians in all the circumjacent territories ; and that
being done, return to the college, and give way to others to fucceed them
in the fame employment." But, on the other fide of the queftion,7ee
' Mr. Whitaker's remarks in his Hftory of Manchefter, Vol. ii. B. ii. c. ix.
§ II., and alfo Epift. Gildae. Scriptores, xv. pp. 23, feqq. Increpatio in
Clerum. In reference to the Englifh Saxons (A.D. dclxiv.), itinerancy is point
edly fhewn in the following anecdotes of our great ecclefiaftical hifto
rian — "Si quis facerdotum in vicum forte devenerit, max congregati in
unum vicani verbum vitce ab illo expetere curabant. Nam neque alia
ipfis facerdotibus aut clericis vicas adeundi, quam prcedicandi, bapti
zandi, irfirmos vifitandi, et (ut breviter dicam) animas curandi, caufa
fuit." And before, in the fame chapter — " ubicunque clericus aliquis
I aut monachus adveniret, gaudenter ab omnibus tanquam Dei famulus
exciperetur. Etiamfi in itinere pergens inveniretur, accurrebant, etjtexd
cervice vel manu fignari, vel are illius fe benedici gaudebant. Verbis
quaqiie horum exhoftatoriis diUgenter auditum prcebebant" &c. And
Lib. IV. c. XXVII. again elfewhere — ''Erat quippe moris eo tempore populis Anglovum,
ut veniente in villam clerica vel presbytero, cuncti ad ejus imperium
verbum audituri conflu£rent, libenter ea qua dicerentur audirent, liben-
I tilts ea quce audire et intelligere poterant aperanda fequerenlur."
H.E.G.A.h.ni.\ Facilities of local worfliip were then moft rare. Churches were verv
C.II. Ij. TI. i • 1 1 /* l
C.XIV j widely fcattered. In the part of Northumbria, denominated i?ermcia,
 i  (North-

Shot. II.] ISeans Mural in lEnglanl). — ^arocjiial ©lergo.

ID

Nay, it would appear, from his celebrated Epijile to
Archbifhop Ecghert on the ftate of religion in North-
umbria (A.D.dccxxxiv.), that thofe parts were almoft
utterly deftitute of fpiritual afliftance, not only from
bifliops, but from miflionary presbyters alfo. The former
not only neglected to vifit, in perfon, the villages and
hamlets of the inacceflible and mountainous woodlands,
but fent no officiating minifters from the epifcopal col
lege, fupported though it was by the general fund of;
the diocefan tithes^ levied on the deferted diftricts —
" Audivimus enim etfama efi," writes the presbyter to his
metropolitan, " quid multce villcs ac viculi nojirce gentis in
montibus Jint inaccejjis et faltibus dumojis pojiti, ubi ¦iiim-
quam multis tranfeuntibus annisjit vifus Antijies qui ibidem
aliquid mimifierii aut gratice coelejiis exhibuerit, quorum
tamen nee unus quidem a tributis Antijiiti reddendis effe
pojjit immunis ; nee foliim talibus locis dejit Antijies, qui
manus impojitione haptizatos confirmet, veriim etiam omnis

Carte's General
Hifl. of Eng
land, Vol. I.
B. III. XVII.
pp. 242, feqq.

Epift. V.Beioi
ad Ecgberct.
Aniift. Edit.
Smith, p. 307.
1.25.

(Northumberland and the South of Scotland between the Tweed and
Firth of Forth) we are affured, on the high authority of Bede (A.D.
Dcxxxv.), there was no church or altar erected — " nullum fidei Chrif
tiancB fignum, nulla ecclefui, nullum altare, &c " — fave only the church
of St. Ofwald. In Deira (Lancafter, York, Weftmorelaud, Cumberland,
and Durham) no oratories, or baptifteries, fave one bnfilica alone in the
villa regia of Campadonum. For an account of the ftructure and mate
rials of many Saxon churches, ^ee Turner's Hiftory of tlie Anglo-Saxons,
Vol. II. B. XII. c. v. pp. 415, feqq.
(') While the neceflities of the country were thus upon occafion fup
plied, it did not alter the ftate of the ecclefiaftical patrimony ; which ftill
remained invefted in the bifliop for the common ufes of religion, as
devoted folely to God and his clergy. Out of the general fund the bifhop
gave to each officiating minifter the dividend to which he was entitled
for the fpiritual duties he performed at the bifhop's mandate.

Kennett's Cafe
of Impropria
tions, p. 3.

7.2

©rigin of tjbe Office.

[Part II.

Epift. V. Bedffi
ail Ecgbert.
Antift. Edit.
Smith, p. 306.
1.33.

Bingham's Ec
clef. Antiquities,
B. V. c. VI. 5.
B.IX. C.VIII. 6.

Siillingfleet's Pref to Ecclef
Cafes, Works,
Vol. III. p. 615.

Wharton's De
fence of Plural.
p.68.

doctor, qui eos vel fidei veritatem, vel difcretionem bonce ac
malce actionis edoceat, abfit."
The archbifhop himfelf being unable to attend to all
the miniftrations of religion in all parts of his vaft dio
cefe, the writer urges the appointment of afliftant itine
rant presbyters and teachers — " quia latiora funt fpatia
locorum, quce ad guhernacula tuce dicecefis pertinent, quam ut
folus per omnia difcurrere, et in Jingulis viculis atque agellis
verbum Dei prcedicare, etiam anni totius emenfo curriculo,
fitfficias ; necejfarium fatis eJi, ut plures tibi facri operis
adjutores adfcifcas, presbyteros videlicet ordinando, atque
injtituendo doctores, qui in fingulis viculis prcedicando Dei
verbo, et confecrandis myjteriis coelejiibus, ac maxime per-
I agendis facris baptifmatis ojfficiis, ubi opportunitas ingruerit,
I iiijijiant."
j At this date, then, we may conclude, the fyftem of
j miflions from the epifcopal college, ill fupported as it
i was in certain parts of Northumbria, was the only mode
I of propagating the truths of the Gofpel amongft the
unconverted, and fupplying the returning wants of fpi-
i ritual miniftration amongft the faithful. At leaft, the
only material modification of it (if modification it can
be called) was in fuch parts of the country as Chrif
tianity moJi prevailed, wherein, fays Bifliop Stillingfleet,
" encouragement was given for building churches, at a
convenient diftance from the cathedral, and fettling a
number of presbyters together there, which were after
wards called collegiate churches : — 'to which the great
and devout men of that time gave liberal endowments,
that they might the better attend the fervice of God
there, and in the country about them." Whence other
zealous itinerants, again, iffued forth upon the fame

Sect. II.] ISeans Mural In lEnglanD. — ^arocj&ial ©lergg.

73

footing as from the epifcopal college, to convert and
inftruct the circumjacent inhabitants ; and continued fo
to do, as long as the miflionary fystem of evangelizing
prevailed — till, in fhort, the country was parochialized. —
And when did this important innovation take place ?
The idea of pariflies, viewed in the light of " diftricts
bounded in regard of the profits from the people therein,"
in Fuller's words, " payable only to a paftor incumbent
there," is inconfiftent with the community of ecclefi
aftical profits jointly enjoyed by the bifliop and his
clergy during the greater part of the eighth century.
But towards its clofe, C!hriftianity having rapidly ad
vanced, and " devotion," to ufe Selden's phrafe, " having
grown firmer," the eftablilhment of proper parochial
cures was generally commenced by the bifliops^ and
kings ^, in their refpective manors, and, more efpecially,
by the opulent thegns^, the great landed proprietors of

( ' ) " Birinus epifcopus Dorcincae &c. . . . f actis dedicatifque eccle
fiis, multifque ad Daminum pro ejus labore populis advocatis, migravit
ad Dominum."
C^) " Inter alias quas fabricavi ecclefias, &c." Carta EthelbertI
Regis in Monaft. Anglican. Tom. i. p. 24. The earlieft lay foundations of
churches noticed by Bede, are thofe before cited of Counts Puch and
Addi (circiter A.D. dcc.) — but about A.D. dccc. they appear to have
been common, if we may credit the charters of confirmation made by
Bertulph, king of Mercia, and others, to the abbey of Crowland, on the
authority of Ingulphus.
(^) To this origin we trace the hiftory of private patronage: — the
manorial lords, having founded and endowed local churches out of their
own private refources, obtained. In return for their liberality, the right
of prefenting to each a competent paftor, approved by the bifhop, and
amenable to his jurifdiction, for inftitution and induction to the fame.
And our churches, to all appearance, are ftill, generally, prefentable to
by

Church Hifl.
Cent. VII. p. 80.
Sherlock's Charge at Vijita
tion, MDCCLIX.

Bishop of Lin
coln's Vifitation
Charge,Mr>cciK.
p. 26.
Kennett's Cafe
of Impropria
tions, p. 6.

BeA^ E.H.G.A.
Lib. III. cap. vil.

M'hitaker's Whalley, B. ii.
c. I. p. 3.S, note.

Burnet's Pajlo-
'raZCare.chap.x. p.23L Clergy
man's AJfijiant,
iSoames on Pa
tronage of Liv-
[ingSt m Brit.
\Magazine,I No. XX. p. 285.

74

©rigin of tj&e ©ffice.

[Part II.

the Anglo-Saxons, who were defirous of the benefit of
refident priefts, for themfelves and vaffals, on their own
I extenfive domains, and of having the limits of the fame
: made permanent ecclefiaftical divifions, within which
: they might partake of the offices of religion, without
being compelled to have recourfe to a diftant cathedral.
Collier's £ccfe/. colleffiate, or mother church. Thefe foundations had,
Hift. of Gt. Bri- • & > _ J
'«™. B-in- probably, proceeded more rapidly, had it not been for the
mania ^ then dominant of erecting monafteries (fo ftrongly
! animadverted on by Bede ), which in many diftricts
diverted the bounty of the rich from the more falutary
direction of parochial eftablifhments. However, by de-
; grees, each eftate and commenfurate parifh obtained its
I appropriate place of worfliip — a filial church fubordinate
1 to the maternal temple of the diocese, with a refident
incumbent and diftinct endowment of its own^. So

Turner's llifi. of
the Anglo Sax-
OTj.s,Vol.I.p.398.

The Hift. Sf An
tiquities (f the
Deanery of Cra
ven &c. p. 5.
2d Edit.

by the legal reprefentatives of the very parties who built them originally,
formally fettling upon them, refpectively, at the fame time, from land of
their own, a dowry of glebe, and the tithes of their own eftates. See
Dr. Burton's Thoughts an the Separation of Church and Stote, pp. 7, feqq.
(') King Edgar boafted that he had erected forty- feven monafteries.
C) To the following beautiful epifode of the Hiftorian of Craven, not
inappofite to the text at this point, the reader, I am sure, will readily grant
the meed of approbation : — " I would aik, says Mr. Whitaker, " whether,
at the foundation of parilhes, and for many centuries after, it were pof-
fible to devlfe a method of supporting an incumbent equally wife and
proper with that of a manfe, glebe, and tithes ? — The paftor was not to
be a vagrant among his flock ; an houfe therefore was to be provided for
him ; he wanted the common neceffaries of life (for it was held, at that
time, that even fpiritual men muft eat and drink), and money there was
none to purchafe them ; a moderate allotment, therefore, of land was alfo
required. But the growth of grain, a process which demands much care
and attention, would have converted the incumbent, as it has been well
and frequently urged of late. Into an illiterate farmer. It was proper,
therefore.

Sect. II.] Beans Mural in lEnglanD.— iParocjjial ©lergg.

75

much being "reftrained from the common treafury of
the diocefe," and perpetually annexed, with the bilhop's
fanction, to each new creation, as was fuf&cient for the
niaintenance of afeparate officiating minifter upon each
demefne. This practice being generally received, at
laft an uniformity obtained in this innovation of paro
chial right ^.
At firft, thefe precincts were much larger, and eaft
into fuch-like divifions in each diocese, (the bifliop of
Worcefter thinks,) as, at present, conftitute our rural
5jeanrt£» —varying in fize according to the difference of
the feveral circuits -of the founders' demefnes, — and were i
fubfequently fubdivided ; — but, whatever their magni- !
tude, there is no record of localized parochial presbyters
attached to any fuch particular incumbencies in England, [
till after the middle of the eighth century. i
It is true, that the advocate of earlier incumbencies

Wharton's De
fence of Plurali
ties, p. 90.

Stillingfleet's Bonds of Rejign.
Works.Vol. III.
p. 723.

therefore, that the glebe fhould be reftricted within fuch limits as would
fuffice for the production of milk, butter, cheefe, animal food, and fuch
other articles as require little labour; while the bread-corn, and other
grain of the minifter, should be fupplied by the induftry of his parifhioners.
And if the minifter fed the people, as it was his office to do, with " the
bread that endureth," there was an harmony, as well as equity, in requiring
that they fliould feed him in return with that " which periflieth." But
this primitive and pleafing reciprocation of good offices too quickly ceafed
to be univerfal ; and the common corruption of our nature will fuper
fede the neceffity of inquiring, whether the evil began with the fubtrac-
tion of tithes or teaching. The declenfion would be mutual ; and law,
not love, would foon become the meafure both of the one payment and
the other." — The Hiftory and Antiquities of the Deanery of Craven, &c.
Edit. 2. p. 5.
(') See Sir Thomas Ridley's View of the Civile and Ecclefiaftical Law,
p. 216, note ; and Whitaker's Hftory of fVhcdley, B. ii. c. i. pp. 37, 38.

76 ®rigin of tje ©ffice. [Part II.

might allege the firft and fecond of Ecgbert's Excerpta
in proof of fuch a notion. They, feemingly, evidence
Johnfon's Ec- the fact, " that parifh-churches began then to be built
clefLaws,No\.I. J f O
DccxL. apace in the province of York," as Mr. Johnfon deduces
CC. M. B. et H. from Can, i, — " Ut unufquifque facerdos ecclefiam fuam cum
omni diligentid cedificet, &c." And the twenty-third,
twenty-fourth, twenty-fifth, and twenty-fixth canons go,
apparently, to eftablifli the fame point. But, it muft be
I borne in mind, that the date of this compilation is un-
' known. The vicar of Cranbrook places it A. D. dccxl. ;
'. Spelman and Wilkins, A. D. dccl. ; and others miich later
— as late as the tenth century. The truth, perhaps,
may be, that, though the archbifliop, whofe name the
i Excerptions bear, was the founder of the code, about
the time firft fpecified, his fucceffors and others aug-
; mented, curtailed, and tranfpofed its contents at difcre-
! tion ; incorporating many canons of the ninth and tenth
I centuries with the authentic collection of the firft ama-
i nuenfis, Hucarius. So that this code of the province of
\ York, as it now appears, with the many augmentations
! of Ecgbert's fucceffors, (the work probably, as a whole,
of fome learned monk of the tenth century,) is no evi-
; dence of the ftate of clerical fettlements during the
archbifliop's occupation of that See {A.D. dccxxxiv —
DCCLXVi). The rules are, almoft entirely, copies and
extracts from continental canons ; which circumftance
alone would render them inadmiflible as teftimony of
our infular condition, at that or any other time : for
they do not appear to have been ever received or ratified
by any Englifh council.
But, towards the clofe of the eighth century, we have
j other indifputable proof of presbyters appropriated to

Sect. II.] IDeans Mural in lEnglanD.— ^arocjial ©lergg.

77

Selden's Hift. of
Tythes, c. 9. IV.

particular churches. — In the fynod of Celcyth {A.D.
DCCLXXXV.) it is ordered, " Omni anno in fynodalihus con- cc.M.B.etii.
i/t-* '17 1 T 1 AC
ventihus ab epifcopis Jngularum ecclejiarum presbyteri, qui ' can! i'.
populum erudire debent, de ipfd fide diligentijjime exami- <
nentur, &c." And again, in a fecond fynod of the fame !
place {a.d. dcccxvi.), all the fervants of God are bade !
to affemble "per Jingidas parochias in Jingulis quihufque I
ecclefiis f at the death of the bifhop, to chant thirty |
pfalms for his departed foul, and perform other cere
monies of faffing and prayer : — where, it would feem,
pariflies limited as in later days, are to be underftood.
As fuch foundations increafed, the neceflity of fending
itinerant priefts through the diocefes diminifhed, and at
laft wholly ceafed; — fo that we have no mention of them
later than the fynod of Clovefhoe^ {A.D. dccxlvii.); in
the ninth canon of which, they are enjoined to a due
exercife of their functions of baptizing, teaching, and
viflting, "per loca et regiones laicorum., quce fibi ah epi
fcopis provindce infmuata et injuncta funt, &c."
The inftituting of parifhes, and proportioning of cc.u.B.etH.
churches to them, was certainly a flow and gradual work \ Notes to Bishop
of many generations — feveral caufes and perfons con- ! cAa(,§-e,MDccix.
fpiring to it — as Selden, Wharton, Stillingfleet, Wake, : " ' '
and Kennett, have abundantly proved. And, againft ; Kennett's cafe
the authority of fuch writers, fo profoundly learned in «oni,pp.4, leqq.
ecclefiaftical antiquities, few, I fhould think, will be

(') This Clovefhoe, where feveral councils were held in the eighth
and ninth centuries, has been generally, but wildly, fuppofed to be Cliff,
at Hoo in Kent. It was certainly in Mercia, as the kings of Mercia
were conftantly prefent. And it was plainly Glevum, Clevum, or Glou-
cefter, being Clou's or Clove's Hoo or caftle, and Gloucefter being alfo
part of Mercia at that time.

Whitaker's Hift.
of Manchefter,
Vol. II. p. 393.

78

©rigin of tje ©ffice.

[Part II.

Hiftory of Man
chefter, \ol.ii.
p. 371.

found to fubfcribe to Mr. Whitaker's bold and gratuitous
affertion, that " all parifhes were formed immediately on
the Saxon converfion, or even eftablifhed previoufly for
ages among the Britons of the provinces ^"
Leaving, however, this much-ventilated fubject— the
obfcurity of which is not a little increafed by the dif
ferent interpretations of the word parochia — it will fuf
fice for us that a large number of parochial fettlements
were appointed towards the clofe of the eighth century,
and, by its completion, the ecclefiaftical divifion of dio-
wharton's De- ccfcs, aud " parocMal limits of the parifhioners' devo-
fence of Plurali- i. m • ,-i i> j.i j-
ties, p. 85. i tions," were grown iulfaciently common tor the ordinary
TytTes,c.l.n. inftructiou of the people to be wholly left to the parifh
priejis, and itinerancy entirely abolifhed^.
How foon, after the organization of the rural clergy
I upon this new footing, artfipresiiBters were appointed to
overlook them and their flocks, it is difficult to deter-
mine. Scope is afforded for the commencement of their
infpectional fervices, in aidance of the bifhop, at the
i date referred to : but it does not appear, that they were
! called into being till more than two centuries after.
At leaft, no church-record affords any tidings of them,
within the writer's knowledge, in our own iflands.

(') See Blackftone's Commentaries, Introduction, §iv.
(*) Presbyters are often recorded in Domesday-book as refident,
where there is no mention of churches, and are fuppofed to have given
titles to places fo circumftanced — as Prieft's-town or Prejlon, Prefect,
Preft-wich &c. : — in the fame way as kirJcs, churches, or ecclefim, when
fuch edifices were rare, gave to the favoured towns, or villages around
them, the names of Kirkby, Kirkham, Ormeskirk, Eccles, Eccles-ton,
Eccles-hall, &c. The etymology of Crafs-ton, perhaps, may be traced
to fome cruciform object of adoration.

Sect. II.] IBeang iJlural in Unglanl).— ^^arocjial ©lergg. 79

In France, the firft foundation of parifh churches and
ordinary cures was much earlier than in England ; and
fo alfo was the bftaix artfiiptJSliBtEral inftitution of higher !
antiquity in the former than in the latter country. In
French councils and capitularies, mention is made of
rural parifhes^ and priefts in the fifth century, and of
arcfiprfsbBters in the fixth.
But, probable as it is, that the whole machinery of
the Gallican church-police ^ would fpeedily find its way
into Britain, from the conftant intercourfe between the

(') And in Italy, according to Muratori, parochial divifions were as ' Muratori y^nfty.
early as the fourth century. " Ad fceculum vulgaris epochce quartum ^"'^'f^^/\°'"-
preecipue pertinet parceciarum, five ut appellare Jblemus, parochiarum,
divifio, et aJJignata parocho cuicumque populi portia regenda. Et
prima quidem inftituti fuere parochi in urbibus, tum in agris, ut Chrif- ;
tianarum multitudini in dies crefcenti paftorum prcefentium ape fad- :
nils conjideretur. Baptifinales autem ecclefice procedente tempore ejuf
modi ecclefice appellatcB funt, quad baptifterium etjus baptizandi fideles,
antea uni urbis cujvfque ecclefice refervatum, commune factum fuit cum
ruralibus quoque parachialibus ecclefiis, ne in incommadiim infantium
haptizandorum vergeret nimia facri fantis diftantia. Ruralium dixi : ''
nam quod eft ad urbanas parochias, longe ferius iis facta eft venia mi- \
nftrandi baptifmatis. Nempe olim, erat cuicumque civitati una bap- {
tifmalis bafilica, plerumque penes cathedralem, ad quam deferre opus
erat quoslibet civitatis pueros facrd undd luftrandas  Plebes j
quoque nuncupabant/ur parochiales ecclefice, unde ad nos manamt Ita- I
lica vox Pieve. Plebis quippe nomine olim defignabatur collectio fide- j
Hum, fub unofacerdote pafda : qua fenfu etiam dioecefes interdum occur
runt appellatce plebes," &c. With the firft part of this ftatement on :
rurales parochice, Thomaffin alfo agrees. See his Vetus et Nova Ec- I
cleficB Difciplina, Tom. i. P. i. L. ii. c. xxii. x. p. 292.
(^) " That there was all along, in thefe days, a very near affinity The authority
between the polity of France, and that of our own country, in its eccle
fiaftical, as well as in its civil eftablilhment, might from many inftances
 evidently

of CJiriftian
Princes over
Synods, &c.
p. 154.

80

©rigin of t&e ©ffice.

[Part If.

Stillingfleet's Eccl. Cafes,
Vol. I. p. 145.

CC. M. B. et
Vol.1, pp. 95.
146. 213.

H.

Johnfon's Ec
clef Laws,
DCCCCXLIII.

two countries ; fuch does not appear to have been the
cafe as to this particular department of fpiritual office.
The fyftem of country awj^tpugbgttratJS or trjcanates
with their attached fuperintendents, does not appear
I amongft. us till the eleventh century— owing, perhaps, to
, the magnitude of our firft parochial divifions, and paucity
j of diftinct congregations and incumbencies, which for a
time called not for fuch appointments. Befides — such
as they were, they were vifited, every year, by the higheft
ecclefiaftical officer. The bifhops annually " went about
their diocefes in order to an inquiry and correction of
mifcarriages," vifiting parochially every church, and
manfe, and paftor, and flock. They vifited, indeed, be
fore the divifion of parifhes at all. The council of
Clovefhoe, under Archbifhop Cuthbert, orders diocefans
to vifit their parochice (diocefes) once a year, and to
teach the people of all conditions and of both fexes
" utpote eos qui raro audiunt verbum dei ; " prohibiting
all pagan obfervances &c. (can. in.) ; and the fame in
junction is repeated in the council of Celcyth {A.D.
dcclxxxv. can. in.). After the divifion of parifhes, an
nual epifcopal vifltations continued to be parochially
made, as appears from the conjiitutions of Archbifhop
iOdo (.^. P. DCCCCXLIII. can. in.); "the bifhops going
about their diocefes every year, and vigilantly preaching
the word of God."
While, then, church-difcipline was thus fupported by
the diocefan in his own perfon throughout the whole

Hift. of Ancient , evidently be made appear," fays Archbifhop Wake. See alfo Hales's
Primitive Church af tlie Britifti Ijles, p. 68 ; Collectanea Cambrica,
N°. VI. ; and Roberts's Vifitation Sermon, mdcccxii. notes p. 20, and
Appendix, N" vi. p. 316.

Sect. II.] Deang Mural in lEnglanl).— ^arocljial ©lergg.

parochia, we have no reafon to expect the introduction '
of any official deputies ; and none accordingly are found '
between the bifhop and presbyter with any office or
jurifdiction in the diocefe at large. By degrees, how
ever, the ecclefiaftical condition of the country changed ;
and the fpiritual government of the faithful became too
arduous for one epifcopal overfeer or vifitor to manage.
Parifhes, originally co-extenfive with the largeft manorial
limitations — commenfurate, as I have faid already, with
our modern rural Ijfanrtes — were again and again fub
divided; till, at laft, they reached the comparatively
fmall bounds, and multiplied diftinctions, which now, for
the moft part, obtain. Every new proprietor, by grant
or purchafe, of a partitioned lordfhip, was naturally de
firous of a new place of worfhip \ a refident minifter,
and parochial circuit, proper to his own eftate — accom
modations, which the diocefan paftor liberally ceded for
the advancement of C!hriftianity.
Thus with the divifion of lordfliips^, churches and
parifhes fimultaneoufly multiplied. And, notwithftanding
the refervations in favour of the feniores ecclefice — the

(') lu Spain, and fome other countries, no patron can alienate an
advowfon, but by felling the manor to which it belongs ; and ftill, by
our law, if the lord of a manor grant to another perfon his manor, cum
pertinentiis, the advowfon or patronage of any church or churches, ap
pendant to that manor, paffes to the purchafer, or other grantee, though
there be no exprefs mention of the advowfon ; nay, though the words
cum pertinentiis be omitted. Bifliop Burnet fays the feparating an
advowfon or prefentatlon, and felling them off from an eftate to which
the endowment was annexed, obtains in no other nation or church than
our own.
Q) "¦Ecclefia verb iftorum omnes fere tot perfonas et participes ha
bent, quot capitalium virorum in parochia genera fuerint."
VOL. I. a

Johnfon's Ec
clef. Laws,
DCCCCLVIII. c. 2.
MXVII. c. II.

Johnfon's An
cient 8f Prefent
Church of Eng
land, Parti.
ch. IX. p. 68.
See Kennett's
Impropriations,App. No. V. p. 6.

Paftoral Care,
c. X. Clergy
man's Afftftant,
p. 235.

Girald. Cam
brenf. Defc.
Wall. L.ii.c.\i.

82

©rigin of tj&e ©ffice.

[Part II.

See Turner's
Hift. of the An-
glo. Saxons, Vol.
I. B. III. c. V.
p. 228.

LL. Ecclef. S.
Edward. CC.
M. B. et H. Vol.
I. p. 311. can. IX.

Turner's Hift. of
the Anglo-Sax
ons, Vol.1. B.v.
c. I. p. 296.

mother-parifh-churches — of Edgar's and Canute's days,
(whereby thofe churches, in cafe of new ones being
erected within their limits, were entitled to two-thirds
of the tithes and oblations of the elder parochia in its
fulleft extent), the daughter-churches, "by connivance
of.tlie time," became poflefTed of an equitable fhare of
the parochial rights, and participated, at the fame time,
in the temporal heritage of their parents ; that is, as far
as the lands fltuate around the new creations were once
tributary to the old, the latter were entirely deprived
of them, and the fecondary benefices therewith perma
nently endowed — faving alone the t5urtj&=Stot to the
mother-church, which was continued to her as a mark
of fuperiority.
Thence it happened, that in the reign of the Confeflbr
the very great number of churches (ftrange as it may
found to modern ears, and fcarce credible after all the
ravages of the Danes in the ninth century^) was a fub
ject of complaint : the new foundations, by the fubtrac-
tion of large portions of tithe of the primary dotations,
greatly impoverifhed the old parochial incumbencies —
"Multis in locis modo funt tres vel quatuor ecclejice, ubi tunc
temporis una tantum erat, et Jic {dedmce Jingulorum facer
dotum) coeperant minui." {A.D. mlii.) The maintenance

( ' ) Alfred's interefting allufion to thefe ravages, in his Preface, while
contrafting the former and then ftate of the kingdom, fliews the number
of well-furnifhed churches in the ninth century to have been confide-
rable — . ..." I alfo remember," fays the king, " how I faw, before
that every thing was ravaged and burnt, that the churches through all
the Englilh nation flood full of vefTels and books, and alfo of a great
many of the fervants of God &c. ! " The churches, at that time, were,
for the moft pait, built of wood, and therefore foon deftroyed by fire.

Sect. II.] ISeans Mural in lEnglanD.— ^arotj&ial ©lergg.

of officiating priefts was much leffened from this addi
tional caufe — that the clergy, having been in affluence
while their larger pariflies were undivided, did not at
that time exact their rights to the full ; and the fame
being neglected were, in a great meafure, fubfequently
loft : while, at the fame time, the very cantonment of i
the tithes amongft a greater number of poor clerks ren- 1
dered their payment more neceffary. i
However, notwithftanding the complaints of the pri- 1
mary foundations, the fecondary ftructures advanced, '
gradually and progreflively, to the ftate of perfect bene- ;
flees, and were invefted with diftinct glebe and tithes, j
apart from the mother-parifh-church, as the latter, in its |
day, had been portioned off from the cathedral endow- j
ment\ Before, or about, the time of the Confeffor, this j
innovation on the elder parochial divifion was com- j
pleted ; and the ecclefiaftical bounds of parilhes gene- j
rally fixed, as they have fince obtained throughout Eng- !
land — (fee LL. Eccl. Edgar. R. cc. vi. ix. xv. Canut. R.
c. xiii) — the diverfity of our prefent parifhes in fize ori
ginating in the endlefs diverfity of the feveral circum
ferences of the founders' poflfeffions.
To reduce and preferve the multiplied parochial cures
within the pale of difcipline, we may fuppofe, that, about

Johnfon's An
cient Sf Prefent
Church of Eng-
land,Vo\.\.-^.\T.
Collier's Ecclrf.
Hiftory, B.lII.
p. 228.'

(') In honour of the cathedral church, and in token of fubjection to
it, as the bifliop's fee, every parochial minifter, within the diocefe, pays
to the bifhop an annual penfion, called anciently catJeDraicum : which ac
knowledgment is fuppofed to have taken rife from the eftablilhment of
diftinct parifhes, with certain revenues, and thereby the feparating of thofe
diftricts from the immediate relation they had borne to the cathedral
church. Mr. Johnfon feems to confider the catj[)et)raicum the fame as
c|^urc|&-SCOt : fee Ancient and Prejent Church of England, Vol. i. p. 15.
g2

Wharton's De
fence of Plural.
pp. 98, 99.

Gihfon's Codex
I. E. A. Tit.viii.
cap. I. Vol. I.
p. 171.

84

©rigin of tj&e ©ffice.

[Part II.

Ducangii Gloff.
Tom. I. in voce.
See Thomaffin.
V.etN.E.D.
Tom. I. P. II.
c. V. p. 225. V.

Preface lo Eccl.
Cafes, xil.

Hift. of Eng
land, Vol. I.
B.IV. p. 112.

this time, a certain number of incumbencies or prJsi)B:»
terates were thrown together, and conftituted an artj)f=
prEsftgtsrate^ — "diftrictus arcfitpresbatnt ruralis" — at the
fole and arbitrary appointment of the bifhop of the dio
cefe ; or, as population thickened, within the limits of
the fame, and new churches arofe, that a certain number
of contiguous cures, in clafles of ten'^ or more (the eccle
fiaftical in this matter copying the civil ftate) were
fevered off from the primary jurifdiction, and modelled
into tieanries^; or, in other words, diocefes were broken
into arrlltpresbBtEtat^s, and thefe again remodelled into
JjEtanates, and placed by the diocefan under the vicarious
tutelage of trcans rural : who ftill preferved, in eccle
fiaftical language, the title of arcfiprtestg*. — "Slrt6iprJS=

, (') Or the arcj&ipreg6gterate may reprefent Bifhop Stillingfleet's pri
mary parochial divifion, a fection of the diocefe correfponding to the
modern rural tieanrg ; wherein was originally one church — the matrix
: ecclefia — with its incumbent minifter ; whofe huge parifh was fubfequently
• cantoned into minor jiresllgterateS ; over which the elder prieft prefided,
as the pleBanug of the continent over his minores tituli ; and continuing
to dwell at the principal town or place (the metrocomia, where was the
original matrix ecclefia), exercifed, as arcj&priegt, ecclefiaftical rule over
i the whole jurifdiction, churches, presbyters, and people. See the note
from Holinfhed, below.
C) "Within the diocefe of Worcefter," Bifliop Stillingfleet fays, "in
! two I)eanarie$i of it, there are to be found in Domesday-book above
I twenty parifli churches : in the teanarg of Warwick, ten ; and in the
I Deanara of Kingftone. fifteen,
C) Rapin notes, that in the days of Alfred the fecular clergy had
taken poffeffion of the monasteries, from whence the monks had been
, driven by the Danes ; and lived there in common, under the direction of
an arcj&priest.
(") "As the number of Chriftians increafed," writes Holinflied in The
Defcription of England, " fo firft monafteries, then finallie parifli churches, were

Sect. II.] IBeans Mural in lEnglanl). — ^arocj&ial ©lergg.

85

Morin. de Sacris
Ordinat. P. ill.
Exerc. XVI. c. II.
p.217. x.

figtert dicti videntur Wetmi," fays Morin, " eo quod anti
quitus dioecefes erant per tretantas divifce, quibus prceerant
artfitpresliBtert ; ut videre efi in capitul. Carol, calv. c. in.
T. III. Cone. Gallice."
Some fuch ecclefiaftical arrangement as that alluded
to, probably, took place in England about the middle of
the eleventh century, if not earlier, in imitation of the
economy long before eftablifhed in the Gallican churches; '
whence, in Mr. Whitaker's opinion, the whole of our | Hift. ofuan-
fpiritual police emanated. Whether, however, this no- B.ii.'c'ix.'/m.
tion be admitted or not, there were canons enough of i *"'
influential councils, bearing upon the office in queftion, i
to make known its utility, and pave the way for its
introduction from the continent into England — witnefs
the fecond of Tours, the Capitulars of Charlemagne, and
the Pavian and Lateran councils, cited in earlier pages. —
In the latter it had been expreffly decreed, (both at

were builded in everie jurifdiction : from whence I take our Ijeanerie
churches to have their origlnall, now called mother churches, and their
incumbents arcj&preegtg ; the reft being added fince the conqueft, either
by the lords of everie towne, or zealous men, loth to travell farre, and
willing to have fome eafe by building them neere hand. Unto thefe
lieanerie churches alfo the cleargie in old time of the fame Deanerie were
appointed to repaire at fundrie feafons, there to receive wholefome ordi
nances, and to confult upon the neceflarie affaires of the whole jurifdic
tion ; if neceffitie fo required : and fome image hereof is yet to be feene
in the north parts. But as the number of churches increafed, fo the
repaire of the faithfull unto the cathedralis did diminifh : whereby they
now become efpeciallie in their nether parts rather markets and fhops
for merchandize, than folemn places of praier, whereunto they were firft
erected." Second Booke, chap. i. of the Ancient and Prejente State of
the Church of England, p. 135. See alfo Stavely's Hift. of Churches in
England, c. vii. pp. 108, feqq. ; Stillingfleet's Ecclef Cafes, p. 650. and
the fourfold divifion of churcMs there ftated ex LL. Canuti Regis.

86

©rigin of tj&e ©ffice.

[Part II.

ThomaflTin. V. et
N.E. D.Tom.i.
P.I. L.II. c.VI.
p. 227. I.

Ticinum and at Rome) " ut Jingulce plebes art!)tpr£sb!)=
terum haheant." Where the word "plebes," Thomaffin
remarks, much to our prefent purpofe, "plurium paro
chiarum tractum dejignat, quibus conjiat unus irecanatus.
Quot plebes, totidem debent eJfe artfitpresliBtjrt, qui follid
tudinem gerant, non laicorum tantUm fidelium, fed paro-
chorum. Sicut epifcopus matrici prceeji ecclejice, ita arc|&i=
presliBtf'^i prcejint plebibus, &c." By which explanation
this artfitpresbBt^tal regiment is made to fall in with
our then civil ftate as founded by Alfred^; — the confti
tution of which is faid to have beftowed on the firft
i reprefentative of the arcfiprtJSt's office, in ante-Norman
England, the title of iiEcanus ; as the final claufe of the
fame canon, " cuncta tamen referant ad epifcopum," (the
bifhop being the author of the appointment) diftinguifhed
it by the adjunct of " epifcopi."
To purfue the fubject of the titan rural'S origin no
further — it is certain, that, in the year mlii., this then
important perfonage appears, for the firft time, in the
tomes of the councils of Great Britain and Ireland,
under the ft,yle and title of SBecanus lEpistopt^ — in which
Spelman Gloff. ' capacity hc takcs cognifance of the violation of the
Archceol. p. U5. \ , °
Gibfon c.i.E.A. I peace within his JjjanrB, and, with the earl and king,
j receives a fhare of the emendation or fine of £.8
I awarded upon it — the king having one hundred fhillings.

LL. Edward
Conf. cap. 31

G. Sharp's Ac
count of the An
cient Divifion
&C. p. 3.

Carpeniler : Ap-

pend.ad Ducane;. i , , , ,
Tom.ii, coi.ie; i ttanitatiis.

( ' ) " The firft divifion of this kingdom into hundreds and tithings
was ordained by the virtuous and patriotic King Alfred, who is expreffly
faid to have therein followed the prudent counfel given by Jethro to
Mofes, Deut.1.9— 17."
C) USecanus epiiscopi— " idem qui vulgo ISecanuS Muralis aut @j&rig-

Sect. It.] ISeans Mural in lEnglanti.— ^arocj&ial ©lergg.

87

the earl of the county fifty fhillings — "Bsranus autem
tpt'gcopt in cujus "Unmatn pax fracta fuerit reliquos decem"
— which words can be applied only to the office of rural
Ijeans, according to the refpective diftricts which they
had in the parts of every diocefe. " There could be
no breach of the king's peace," fays Sir H. Spelman,
glofling upon this canon, " but it muft also break the
peace and unity of the church ; therefore, the bifhop's
Jjean, in whofe treanrB the peace was broken, had ten
fhillings for his part of the mulct or fine thereof."
Under the government of the Saxons the titan rural
feems to have had more to do with civil than fpiritual
office, and, in that refpect, to have differed from the
Jjttan artfipregfister of the continent of the fame and
earlier date. When the arcfiipregliBt^'^flte was converted
into the &«ca«ate, and the artftprtcgt into the Jjtan, the
office itfelf feems to have been fomewhat fecularized,
and the officer made a fort of country magiftrate. But,
in truth, the notices of the titan are fo fcanty, and the
authority of the church and ftate fo blended together
among the Saxons, in fupporting the common interefts
of religion and government, that we cannot pretend to
explain the nature and extent of the particular duties
that devolved on him in their ecclefiaftical polity apart
from their civil. As far as they go, the laws of King
Edward and their additaments are authentic memorials
(I believe — though Atterbury queftions, in part, their
genuinenefs) of the ecclefiaftical regime of the eleventh
century ; and I would that they were more full on the
fubject of our inquiry, inftead of throwing, as is the cafe,
little light upon it !
The titan of thefe laws being called ifJtanug episcopi

Ancient Govern-
mentof England.
Reliq. Spelman,
p. 50.

See Wilkins,
Not. ad LL.
Ecclef S. Edw.
Vol. I. p. 310.
Charge to the
Archdeaconryof Totnefs,
MDCCVIII.

Codex I. E. A.
Vol.11. Tit. XLU.
cap. VIII. p. 971.

88

©rigin of tj&e ©ffice.

[Part II.

Origines Atigli-
cantB, Vol.11.
c. III. p. 66.

LL. Edward.
Confefs. cap. 31.
& Scriptores
pofi Bedam,
p. 607.
Rog. Hoveden.
Annul. Lsgg.
Will. Senior.
C.I.E.A. ubi
fopra, p.971.
Hift. of Man
cliefter, B.II.
c. IX. § III.
CC.M.B.etH.
Vol.1, p. 311.

Ecclef Laws,
MI.XIV. note (g).

" without doubt," Bifhop Gibfon argues, " was appointed
by the bifhop, to have the infpection of the clergy and
people, within the diftrict in which he was incumbent,
under him, and him alone." — But fo much is left to
conjecture, as to the conftitution of his office, that Dr.
I Inett, drawing a different conclufion, is inclined to view
j him, not as a localized functionary with a fettled diftrict
I of supervifion, but rather as a fpiritual emiffary, like the
: archdeacon of that day, a diocefan officer, with occa-
I fional delegations of power from the bifhop, as circum-
I ftances required ; — a different perfonage quite from the
I incumbent titan rural of after days. And yet, the laws
of the Confeffor, be it remembered, fpeak of the " Jjccanus
I in cujus trecanatu &c." as if the officer intended were in
immediate connexion with a particular fteanrg, and not
a remote non-refldent delegate, difpatched on emergen
cies from the epifcopal fee. That. he was a refidentiary
officer, again, is the opinion of Mr. Whitaker ; who views
the code of the Confeffor as a document that may be
relied on, and draws from it a general inference that the
rural titan was everywhere Te^et?, and the rural tieanry
everywhere laid out, among our Saxon anceftors — an
' inference by no means warranted.
If the officer called " minijier epifcopi" in the tenth
canon of the fame code be, as is reafonably entertained,
I the fame functionary as the "iietanus tpfscopt" of the
I thirty-firft canon, we have an extenfion of his powers
I from matters connected with the kings peace, to that of
1 the management of an ordeal-trial. Mr. Johnfon, how-
j ever, does not apply the " bifliops minijier " to the titan,
1 but to the archdeacon, " or whatever officer the bifhop
thought fit to fend." Who more fit than the local orlJinarg,

Sect. II.] ISeang Mural in lEnglanl). — i^atocj&ial ©lergg.

89

the titan of the diftrict, in which the ordeal was to be
heldi? I do not fay pofitively that the firft rural arcSprcsbBter,
or titan, was not a diocefan emiflary of the nature re
ferred to by Dr. Inett ; nor that the type of his office was
not founded on the eaftern model of the fee of Laodicea ;
where the pjrioifcuta was fometimes a rcsiljcnt curator,
fometimes, and perhaps more frequently, an itinerant '
coaifjutor of the urban bifhop — after the abolition of the !
cfiorcptscopus, who was the city-bifhop's previous help- ,
mate, — There is every reafon to fuppofe the fifty-feventh |
canon of Laodicea known to the Anglican church at the ,
time of the fynod of Celcyth ; in the fourth canon of ;
which it is decreed, "ut fynodalia edicta univerfalium fex cc.M.B.etH.
conciliarum cum decretis pontificum Romanorum fcepiiis
lectitentur, obferventur, et juxta eorum exemplar ecclefice
Jiatus corrigatur, ut ne quid novi ah aliquibus introdud]
permittatur, ne Jit fchifma in ecclejid Dd." From whence i sccuf Laws,
it may be inferred, that the church of England received
the whole body of canons and codes contained in the
firft fix general councils, and, of courfe, thofe of the
topical councils ratified and confirmed by them {fee
the fecond Volume of the Clergyman's Vade-Mecum by
Mr. Johnfon), of which collection the Laodicean decrees
formed a part.
The ancient church of our ifland had ever a great
regard to the Orientals ; as appears from another claufe

Vol. I. p. 147.

(') Collier interprets the phrafe by the bifhop's official. On the
Anglo-Saxon ordeals, fee Wilkins LL. Inee, p. 27 ; Collier's Ecclef. Hift.
of Great Britain, B. iii. p. 231.; and Turner's Hftory of tlie Anglo-
Saxons, Vol. II. chap. VIII. p. 266. 4to. edit.

DCCLXXXV.?iO(e,can. IV.

Preface, cxiii.

Ecclef. Hiflory,
B. III. p. 228.

90

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[Part II.

Hiftory of Man
chefter, Vol. II.
B. II. c. IX. § III.
p. 380.

p. 393.

SSCC. Tom.vi.
col. 539.

of the canon juft cited, whereby it is enacted that the
Englifh monks and regulars fhould ufe the habits of the
Orientals. — So that, it is poffible, our church may have
derived the btsittng prcsiBtcr'g office direct from the Eaft,
inftead of receiving it mediately from France.
The evidence, however, fuch as it is, of the firft irean
rural of Britain — ^the Uecanus episcopt — (whether the offi
cer be of Oriental or Gallican derivation) would, affuredly,
lead us to fuppofe him a local incumbent invefted with
a capacity to vifit and correct defaults within his jurif
diction, rather than a mere diocefan mandatary.
In the kingdom of France, where the ecclefiaftical
records have been more carefully preferved, and our
ecclefiaftical notices are more numerous and accurate,
the Ueans were, undoubtedly, not diocefan emiffaries, but
local incumbents. " We fee them," fays Mr. Whitaker,
" eftablifhed in their Jjeanries, and making vifltations in
them, as early as dcccl ; and, even feveral years earlier,
invefted with a conflderable authority, and acting as
ecclefiaftical judges immediately below the archdeacon
and bifliop." For this ftatement Mr. Whitaker cites as
his authorities, Hincmar. p. 716. Tom. i. Articles of En
quiry made by the i0eans ; and Baluzius, c. 860 & 1123.
Tom. I. I fuppofe these were the moft ancient examples
which this very learned antiquary could produce. But,
the reader will have feen, my refearches have been more
fuccefsful, and have carried back the oflBce in France to
the Jixth century^ — ^to the council of Tours ^ {A.D. dlxvii.)

C) There is a canon of this council of Tours well worthy of notice
in thefe our days, when the ufages of antiquity are, from finifter mo
tives, fo often mifreprefented with regard to the diftribution of church
"¦ property ; —

Sect. II.] Heans Mural in lEnglanl),— i^arocj&ial ©lergg.

91

— a period when, according to Baronius, church-difcipline
was very energetically fupported by the Gallican prelates,
— " ob complures S. epifcopos, qui prceerant diverfarum
provindarum ecclefiis, vigehat magnoperi ecclejiajiica dif-
dplina &c." Refident btcan arcSpresJbsters are there
noticed, as in the full exercife of their infpectionary
powers : and they are again and again mentioned, as I
have already obferved in the firft branch of our inquiry,
in the writings of Gregory of Tours, a little before the
date of the council referred to. But to return home : —
Whether the Uecanal office ofthecountrB was of much,
or even any, higher antiquity in the Britifh ifles, than
the eleventh century, I cannot difcover^: — the proba-

property ; — though Mr. Hale, in his admirable treatife " on the fuppofed
exftence af a quadripartite and tripartite divifion of tithes in England,
for maintaining the clergy, the poor, and the fabric afthe church'' and
in his evidence before Parliament on the fame fubject, has fet that fallacy
at reft for ever, as far as regards our own country : — to one of the reci
pients of the bounty in queftion, the canon of Tours referred to applies
— viz. the poor. — So far from the Gallican church having been, at that
time, alone burthened with the poor, the council orders that the inha
bitants of each place, lay and clerical, fliould ^Mp^ort their awn poor ; —
" Ut unaquceque dvitas pauperes et egenos incolas alimentis congruen-
tibus pafcat fecundum vires, ut tam vicani presbyteri, quam cives omnes,
fuum pauperem pafcant : quojiet ut ipfi pauperes per dvitates alias
nan vagentur." (Concil. Turon. ii. A.D. dlxvii.)
(') A naked traditional account of an earlier Jjcan is preferved in the
curious memoir, ihe Status de Blackburnjhire. The ftory ftates, that the
incumbents oi JVhitechurch under the Leigh (Walley) wrote themfelves,
and were ufually ftyled, not rectors, but tleang ; of which the reafon is
fuppofed to be, that, on account of the remote and almoft inacceffible
fituation of the place, entangled with woods and overrun with wild beafts,
the bifhops of Lichfield devolved upon them a large portion of eccle
fiaftical jurifdiction, referving only to themfelves the decifion of certain
diflKult

Baronii Annal.
Ecclefiaft. Tom.
VII. col. 776.

SS.CC. Tom.vi.
col. 536.

Whitaker's Hift.
of Whalley, B.II.
I. pp.31, 32.

92

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[Part II.

Conc.Berghamft. cc.M.B.etH. Vol. I. p. 60.

Cann. fub Ed-
garo Rege,c.vn.
cc.M.B.etH.
Vol. I. p. 225.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol.1, p. 62.

Whitaker, ib.
pp. 39, 40.

bility is, that it was not. The non-exiftence of a gene
rally diftributed parochial clergy before that date, was a
bar to its inftitution. There was no call for the office ;
and there is no trace of its exiftence. The duties of
i the continental arcfipresbBtcr were thrown on the ordi-
i nary prieft of England by the feventh canon of the
j Dooms Ecclefiajiical of King Withred {A. D. dcxcvi), and
I by the fixth of King Edgar's Canons {A.D. dcccclx).
I From the former, it is clear, that the prieft was thought
' to be under obligation to prefent offenders to the bifhop
— " Si facerdos injujium concuhitum permiferit &c. : " and
by the latter, fuch a prefentment is expreffly taught ;
— " Docemus etiam, ut quilibet facerdos in fynodo enundet,
fi in parochia fud nofcat aliquem erga deum contumacem,
vel qui in peccatum mortale male indderit, quem ad emenda-
tionem inclinare nequit, vel non audet propter feculares."
Had the trcan of King Edward's laws, viewed in the
! character of a fpiritual fupervifor of morals and religion
(fuch as he was in his arcfitpresliBtcral capacity in France)
been in exiftence at the date of the Berghamftead
fynod, or even the later Canons of Edgar, the duty of
delating offenders &c. had, probably, devolved on him ;
— fuch having been the accufatorial office of his coun-
tertype of France, many centuries before the latter
date, and more than a century and a quarter before
the former.
Again, the Laws of fatisf action for violation of orders.

difficult and important cafes : that this conftitution remained for four
hundred and feventy years before the conqueft &c. &c. Dr. Whitaker
confiders this ecclefiaftic not to have been a rural tjean. See fome
remarks upon his anomalous femi-fecular character, in an earlier page.

Sect. II.] IBeans Mural in lEnglanti.— ^arocj&ial ^lergg. 93

of the aforefaid King Withred {A.D. dcxcvi), recite
the different Ecclefiajiical Degrees, and the fines or
emendations to be paid by perfons guilty of violating
them; but there is no notice of any functionary be
tween the prieft and bifhop : nor does any fuch appear
in the Dialogue of Ecgbert ( J. Z). dccxxxiv); one of the cc.M.B.etH.
refponfes of which apportions the quantum of penance " ' " ^'
and price, inflicted by the church, for the murder of a
bifhop, a presbyter, a deacon, and a monk. If arch
deacons and arcJbpresbBters were then in exiftence in the
Englifh church, they were not rated in the fcale of
appreciation. The legiflative arithmetic, by which every
perfon among the Anglo-Saxons was valued at a certain i
fum, denominated his foere, took no cognifance of them i
by any fuch compenfatory payment. But fee the re- 1
marks prefently following. j
The learned author of our Ecclejiajiical Codex re- JGibfon's cod.
marks (Tit. xlii. cap. viil of rural Ueans), that "the p'.97i.'
office is mentioned in the laws of Edward the Confeffor, i
as an office of antiquity at that time." But I do not j
fee that the words of the particular canon referred to
authorife the opinion that the office was one of long
Jianding, here in England, at the period in queftion, (if
fuch be Gibfon's meaning,) though it was on the conti
nent of Europe. Indeed, for the reafons juft ftated, it
probably could not have been.
But upon this fubject of the antiquity of the office, it cc.M.B.etH.
IIP T-11T V.I.p.245.^.i).
may, m paffing, be obferved, (indeed I owe it to Mr. dcccclxvu.
Brewfter, the author of the Collectanea Ecclefiajiica, not
to pafs it over unnoticed,) that the " preefectus episcopi "
of King Edgar's Law Ecclefiajiical (iii. de dedmis) — the
"saterUos episcopi" of John Bromton's text of the fame.

Scriptor. X.
Chron. J. Brom
ton, col. 871.
cc.M.B.etH.
Vol. I. p. 302.
A.D. Mxxxiii.

94

©rigin of tj&e ©ffice.

[Part II.

Origines An-
glicance. Vol. II.
p. 59.

Brady's Gloff.
p. 59.
Parochial Anti
quities, Vol. 11.
p. 337.

Homer. Iliad.
A. 514.

Ecclef. Hiflory
ff Gt. Britain,
B.Iii. p. 186.

— and the "preeposftus eptscopi" of Canute's Laws Eccle
jiajiical (viii. de dedmis reddendis), may pojjibly mean
the Uean rural; as the terms "preefectus" and "preepo-
situs " are often applied to urban Ueans, and may, by
parity of conftruction, be transferred to b tcan alfo ^. Upon
thefe tithe-canons of Edgar and Canute, and the officers
employed in adminiftering them (called by Dr. Inett
" the bifhop's deputies "), I fhall have occaflon again to
fpeak, under the head of rural cfiapters, as courts of
®6riSttanttB for the recovery of church-dues ; — merely
here fubjoining, that the more ufual interpretation of
the term " ^raeposttus lEpiscopt" is the Bifliop's Reevel
As no precife time can be determined when the office
of rural Uean firft began, and no writers have affigned the
caufe or reafon of its inftitution in this country, the Vicar
of Ambrofden expreffes a conviction that its very ex-
ijience is to be primarily fought in an imitation of the
civil economy of the ftate. The parallel drawn of the
lay and clerical politia of the day by this learned writer
— in ecclefiaftical antiquities avrjp -noKKuiv dvra^tos aMwi/—
is ingenious; but, in my opinion, however ftrong the
analogy pointed out between the two, there are obftacles
to the admiffion of the hypothefls that the rural Ueansfitp
of the church originated in an imitation of the jurifdic
tion of the tithing-man of the ftate. Still, the parallel
is fo nicely worked out by Kennett, fo interefting in its

(') See Ducange's Gloffar. in voce Prcepofitus, Tom. v. p. 759., and
Wharton's Angiia Sacra, Vol. i. pp.431. 448. 559, for examples.
C) Mr. Collier, in his verfion of the third canon of Edgar's Confiitu-
tions, introduces the bifhop himfelf, inftead of his officer, as the tithe-
arbitrator, in conjunction with the flieriff and the parfon of the parifh.
Of Canute's canon he takes no notice.

Sect. II.] ISeans Mural in lEnglanD,— i^arocj&ial ©lergg.

95

(') Thus fpake the feventeenth canon of the CEcumenic Council of
Chalcedon, fub fine — to?? itoXitikoi^ koI hrjfiocriois Tvirotf Kai rcov eKK^t]-
(nacTTtKav irapoiKiZv r) ra^ii aKo\ovdeiTo>. (Editor.)
(*) See Walafrid Strabo's Camparatio ecclefiafticarum ordinum et
fecularium, in his work ' De exordiis et incrementis rerum ecclefiafti
carum,' cap. 31: alfo the running glofs of Muratori upon the lower
grades of ecclefiaftic and fecular offices of the fame author, in his Anti-
quitates Medii JEvi, Differtat. decima, Tom. i. col. 519. (Editor.)

details, and fo pertinent to this part of our fubject, that
I am induced to lay it before the reader in the words
of the author ; — premifing, that he does not profefs to
inveftigate the original inftitution and jurifdiction of i
rural Ueans beyond our own church and nation, nor
attempt to extend the refemblance to any other coun
tries than thofe having the like civil government.
"In the external policy of the Chriftian church,"
fays Dr. Kennett, "feveral ecclefiaftical offices of dig
nity and power were modelled^ by the examples of
places and perfons in the civil government. It was fo
in the primitive^ ages through the Eaft and Weftern
empires, where (as if the church by this compliment
courted the favour and protection of the ftate) the titles
and pre-eminence of patriarchs, primates, metropolitans,
and fome other dignitaries, took the rife and foundation
from the temporal powers, that is, from their different
exercife of government in cities and countries. The
office of rural Ueans was undoubtedly owing to the fame
emulation of following the methods and forms of civil
government; and therefore, as in this northern king
dom, for the better confervation of peace, and the more
eafy adminiftration of juftice, every hundred was divided
into ten diftricts or tithings ; each tithing made up of

Routh Opufcul.
Ecclef yo\.II.
p. 411

Hittorpii de Di
vinis Cathol.
Ecclef. Officiis,
Tom. I. col.
695-6.

96

©rigin of tj&e ©ffice.

[Part If.

LL. Edward.
Confefs. 32. de
centurionibus.

Ibid cap. 33.
de hundredis.

ten friborgs, each friborg of ten families ; and in every
fuch tithing ^Jiatuerunt jujiitiarios fuper quofque decem
friborgos, quos Uecanos pojfumus appellare, Anglic^ vero
j Tiephft^tob, i.e. caput de decern^;' which juftices, or civil
' Ueans, were to examine and determine all lelTer caufes
between villages and neighbours ; to levy the fines or
emendations according to legal forfeitures ; to compofe
all occafional differences, and prefcribe the meafures of
fatisfaction ; and, for this purpofe, to keep their ftated
meetings for complaint and inquiry; but to refer all
greater or more criminal caufes to the fuperior juftices,
or thofe who had jurifdiction over the whole hundredi
So, in compliance with this fecular method, the fpiritual
i governors, the bifhops, divided each diocefe into Ueane-
ries or tithings, each of which was the diftrict of ten
parifhes or churches ; and over every fuch diftrict they
appointed a Uean, who fhould in like manner reconcile
the differences of Chriftian neighbours; and receive
complaints, and inquire into grievances, and impofe the
lefTer cenfures of the church : and for this purpofe to

w. K. gj!«. sibb.
Par. Antiq. Vol.
II. p. 338.

(') Caput de decem — IBecembir — ^^peha&n. Margin. Annot. Glojfar.
Archceol. p. 248. See alfo Dugdale's Origines Juridic. c. x. Court Ba
ron, p. 25. ^ " iiecanus, Friboroughed or Headborough." The occafion
of the lay-inftitution is given in fall by Sir Henry Spelman, from the
original laws c. xx. lac. cit. Glojfar. Archceol. — and tranflated in The An-
dent Government af England, p. 51. (Editor.)
C) " The lords of the hundred, by the laws of Hen. I. c. 8., were to
hold their courts twelve times in the year, i.e. once a month; efpecially,
a full appearance was required twice a year. So the Oeansi had their
fynods." "The like fimilitude between the earl and the bifhop; both their
aeftimations valued alike in the laws of King Ethelflan ; and two fchire-
motes every year, as two epifcopal fynods."

J

Sect. II.] Ueans Mural in lEnglanU.— ^arocjial ©Icrgjj. 97

hold their folemn chapters, and preflde in them, and judi
cially determine all matters of lefs concern ; but to refer
the cognifance of all greater caufes, and fufFer appeals
to the fuperior courts of ®]&ristiant'tB, and fo on, to the
fupreme ecclefiaftical judicature \"
" Thefe Ueans were conftituted over fuch a number of -
churches within a large city, and were then called Uecant
(') The like office of OeanS begad very early in the greater monafte- Parochial Ami
nes, obferves Bifhop Kennett, efpecially in thofe of the Benedictine ^p* 339 feqq"'
order ; where the whole convent was divided into decuries, in which the Ilegul. S.Bened.
Cean or tenth perfon prefided over the other nine ; took an account of Moeunt'Tc IQ
all their manual operations ; fuffered none to leave their ftation, or omit B. Ifldor. de
their particular duty, without exprefs leave ; vifited their cells or dormi- c. 15.
tories every night ; attended them at table, to keep order and decorum S. Hieronym. ad
at their meals ; guided their confcience ; directed their ftudies, and ob- xxii!'c. xv!'de
ferved their converfation ; and for this purpofe held frequent chapters, CoenoUtis. See
wherein they took public cognifance of all irregular practices ; and s. i. fub fine.
impofed fome lefTer penances ; but fubmitted all their proceedings to the Alteferra^/ce*.
abbot or prelate, to whom they were accountable for their power, and -"cap. 9.
the abufes of it. And in the larger houfes, where the numbers amounted
to feveral decuries, the fenior Oean had a fpecial pre-eminence, and had Synod. Aquif-
. /. n 1 7 1, 1.1 A J gran. can. 55.
fometimes the care ot all the others devolved upon him alone. And
therefore the inftitution of catj&et)ral l)can0 was certainly owing to this
practice. When in epifcopal fees the bifhops difperfed the body of their
clergy by affixing them to parochial cures, they referved a college of
priefts or fecular canons for their counfel and affiftance, and for the con
ftant celebration of divine offices in the mother or cathedral church ;
where the tenth perfon had an infpecting and prefiding power, till the
fenior or principal Oean fwallowed up the office of all the Inferior, and in '
fubordinatlon to the bifhop was head or governor of the whole fociety. .
His office, as defcribed in the churches of Lichfield and Coventry and
St. Paul's, was to have authority over all the canons, presbyters, and
vicars ; to give pofleffion to them when inftituted by the bifhop ; to Monaft. Angli-
infpect their difcharge of the cure of fouls ; to convene chapters, and ™%4l'"386'
prefide in them ; there to hear and determine proper caufes ; and to vifit
all churches once in three years within the limits of their jurifdiction.

98

©rigin of tj&e ©ffice.

[Part II.

urban! and bicani ; or elfe over the like extent of country
churches, and were then ftrictly called Uecan! rurales.
I And, indeed, the tithing-men in the ftate, and the rural
! Ueans in the church, had the extent of their jurifdiction
; and the exercife of it fo much alike, that the one could
be no lefs than a tranfcript of the other. And, there-
: fore, it is farther obfervable, that we meet with no fuch
I offices as rural Ueans in Italy or Spain ; but, I think,
only in England, France, and Germany, or thofe northern
parts, where the like cuftom in civil policy prevailed.
And as hundreds and tithings kept their name, when
they bare no longer a ftrict relation to the number of
villages or people ; fo likewife the rural Ueanertes conti
nued, when they loft their firft allufion to ten parifhes
or churches, and the diftrict of them was contracted or
enlarged at the pleafure of the bifhop \"
"Though fome Ueanries do ftill retain the primitive
allotment of ten churches, efpecially in Wales, where
the moft ancient ufages continue in the diocefe of St.
Afaph, the Ueanries of Bromfield and Yale, and of Kid-
wen; in Bangor diocefe, the Ueanries of Llin and of
Llivon; in the Diocefe of Landaff", theUcanrg of Ufli; in
that of St. David's, the Ueanrg of Emlin, have the pre
cife number of ten parifli churches. And feveral other

Regni Antrlice
Gubernatio
Ecclefmftica,
cap. IV.

(') "Totum AngUce Regnum," fays Dr. Cofin, " ra^iowe ecclefiafticis
in eo jurifdictionis, dividitur in duas archiepifcopales pravindas — Can-
tuarienfem el Eboracenfem. Utraque provincia in fuas epifcopales
dioecefes, fingidw propemadum dioecefes, prcefertim quce majares funt,
in archidiacanatus, quandoque quartam partem dicecefis continentes;
Oecanatug, quibus prcefiduntur ruraleg Oecani antiquis arcj&ipresigteriu
non multum diffimiles, et camplectentes plerumque Oecem paroedas, quas
concilium Chalcedonenfe Regionaks vocat; &c." (Editor.)

Sect. II.] IBeans Mural in lEnglanD.— i^arocjial ffilerga.

99

Ueanries, that upon their new divifion were made up of
two conjoined, or three contracted into two or one, do
now contain the number of fifteen, twenty, or thirty
churches, according to the divifion fo made. As for
inftance, the prefent Ueanrg of Burcefter is made up of
thirty-one parifh churches : of which the one church of
Ambrofden being excepted, as before the Reformation
being in the Ueanrg of Codefdon, the remaining thirty do
expreffly anfwer the three diftinct Ueanries of Curtling-
ton, Iflip, and Burcefter, of which the two former were
annexed to the latter." Dr. Whitaker, in his Hijiory of
RichmondJhire,Y6\.. ii. p. 210, notices that the rural Ueanrg
of Kendal confifts of ten parifhes, and that of Kirkby
Lonfdale of the fame number : though of the latter, five
are in Lancafhire, four in Yorkfhire, and one in Weft
morelaud, p. 276.-'
Plauflble as is this theory of the parochial antiquary,
and true to the extent of affording a fatisfactory expla
nation of the nature of the local jurifdiction, and the
probable origin of the name of Uean, applied to the
tenant of the arcfitprEsbgtcral office — an application, con
feffedly, fynchronizing in its date with the ftate-polity
alluded to, or immediately fucceeding it^ — it ftill ap
pears to me to have little or nothing to do with the rife

(') See alfo Hft. af Mancliefter, Vol. ii. B. ii. c. ix. p. 3S1.
(*) The date of the inftitution of civil DeanrieS or Decaniffi is not
exactly known : on the continent it obtained earlier than among our
felves ; but no where for nearly fix hundred years after Chrift. On the
authority of Baluzius, Muratori places it at the clofe of the fixth cen
tury — "primus, qui regionem civitati fubjectam in centenas et Oceania ji
divififfe creditur, fuit Chlotharius II. Rex Francorum drciter Annum
Chrifii DXCV."
h2

Muratori Anti
quitat. Medii
Mvi, Differtat.
Decima, Tom. I.
col. 520.

100 ©rigin of tj&e ©ffice. [Part II.

of the fpiritual charge itfelf; which, as identical with
that of the rural arctpresbgtersfiip, is traced to a much
earlier date than the fecular office of tything-man, and
found where the latter never exifted. Lay influence
may have modified the form and extent of the ecclefi
aftical jurifdiction, but cannot be faid to have originated
an office more ancient than its fancied archetype.
c'ler^" 1} Tot Accordingly, by Atterbury, when archdeacon of Tot-
«c/i, MDCCVIII. nefs, the fcheme of Kennett was objected to, as founded
in error. " It is untrue," fays he, " that the inftitution
of rural Ueans was peculiar to Germany, Gaul, Great
Britain, and the northern parts of Europe ; but alto
gether unknown to Italy, till the time of Cardinal
i Borromeo ^ The ground of that error was a falfe
' notion entertained by Kennett, that the Uean rural in
the church anfwered to the tything-man in the ftate,
' and had the fame extent of jurifdiction ; which led him
to imagine that tfiat portion of a bifhopric, which we
call a rural Ueanrg, was to be found in no countries but
where the like civil diftribution into tythings prevailed.

(') Dr. Kennett and Dr. Atterbury rarely agreed upon any fubject.
But I believe the latter is here right. The facts of hiftory are certainly
againft the hypothefis of the bifhop of Peterborough. We have found
many inftances of this facerdotal dignity in Italy and Spain, in the courfe
of our inquiry : and, if the cafe were otherwife, the non-occurrence of
! the office (in Italy at leaft) would be readily accounted for in the reafon
/' et N. E. D. alleged by Thomaffin, (for he feems to agree with Kennett, as to there
L. III. c. i.xxvi. ; being no fuch officers in Italy) viz. the fmallnefs of Italian bifhoprics,
p. 794. III. , gjj^ confequent needleffnefs of fubordinate tiecanal jurifdictions. But,
i in truth, arcj&prteStiS or Scans were of early inftitution in Italy, though
I not exactly on the fame footing as they were fubfequently placed by the
} reforming archbifliop of Milan.

Sect. II.] ISeans Mural in lEnglanO.— ^arocj&ial @lcrgg. 101

Gloffar. Arch.
in V. bcCfinotuS/
p. 166.

I need oppofe nothing to this opinion beyond the autho
rity of Sir H. Spelman, in that part of his gloffary which
he himfelf printed ; where he tells us, that the rural
Ueanrg anfwered (not to the fecular ty thing, but rather
and more nearly) to the county hundred. '50ecanatus
didtur de portione epifcopat4s, centurice feu hundredo comi-
tatiis rejpondenti, et Uecano olimfuppojitd!' "
Equally unfatisfactory is the hypothefis of the bifhop
of Peterborough to the accurate and penetrating refearch
of Mr. Whitaker, the Hiftorian of Manchefter; who,
fi-om his examination of the Ueanrfes of Lancafhire, fhews '
"the folly of the inconfiftent relations, which have been Hiftory of Man-
equally adopted as true, — that Ueanries were made in p. 393!'
the church in order to correfpond with the tythings, and
to agree with the hundreds in the ftate. The uniformity
of the ecclefiaftical and civil tything is aflerted by Bifhop i
Kennett. The famenefs of the Ueanrg and the hundred
is affirmed by Dr. Warner. And both accounts are
equally adopted by Dr. Burn in his Ecclejiajiical Law. \
But they are as wrong as they are contradictory."  ¦
"This ftrange miftake," continues Whitaker, "has fo
far influenced Bifhop Kennett, that falfely fuppofing the
tythings of the ftate to have been inftituted by Alfred, and ;
obliged not to make the copy more ancient than the origi- \
nal, he therefore dates the ecclefiaftical tything below the \
age of Alfred, and aflTerts the latter to have been in no
kingdom that had not the former ; when the latter was
confeffedly in Wales, and actually in Ireland, Hungary,
Bohemia, and Poland, where the former never was."
What, then, after all this hypothefis, contradiction, and '
uncertainty, may we aflume to have been the true reafons ;
of the firft rife and inftitution of this office in England ?

102 ©rigin of tj&e ©ffice. [Part H.

Ecclef Cafes, ' Thcrc wcro many things, the Bifhops Stillingfleet and
^yorks, Vol. III. ¦' 1 1 .1.
p. 654. ! Atterbury, with great probability, conjecture, which con-
chidiaconai tributcd to letting the archdeacons, and arcSpresbgters or
MDCCVIII. rural Ueans, into a part of the ecclefiaftical jurifdiction^;
Lewis's £/«,/ on and thcfe were, "the laying aflde the chorepiscopi in the
Suffragan Bi- .
shops, v 7. Weftern parts," (of which fo much has been already
faid), " as taking too much upon them " — and the pub
lic fervices to which the bifhops, as the king's barons,
were obliged under the Norman government. This
[ prefTure of fecular buflnefs, added to attendance at all
I ecclefiaftical fynods, occafioned^ temporary delegations
: of the whole epifcopal jurifdiction to fome officers, and
of certain parts of it to others, erected for this purpofe,
from whom the bifhops preferved a right of appeal ; —
I there being, in the words of Jeremy Taylor, " no canon.

C) The caufes that originated the Oean'S archetype in the eaftern
church of Afia Minor, as affigned by Boehmer, are worth noticing —
'Prot^lt'l'film " ^^^^ periodeutcB inftituti.) § xxiii. Hoc fceculo, variis inteftinis malis
Tit. XXXIX. notabili, officium, {lerioOeutarunt in quibufdam, ecclefiis demum invaluit,
' P' • ! tum quod epifcopi primarii propter quotidiana cum Arianis alii/que
certamina, fere a follidiudine debitd vifitandi ecclefias avocarentur, et
Jynodis hinc inde convocatis interejfe, ab ecclefia Jud abejfe juberentur ;
! tunn etiam quod quarundam provincia feu dicecefis jam latius extenfa
\ eJfet, cuifolius epifcopi vifitatio annalis haud fuffidebat. Hac de causa
j hanc partem muneris fui, quod vifitatione frequentiffimd explicandum
j erat, vicariis quibufdam cancrediderunt, qui a nutu epifcoporum depen-
; debant, omnia ad epifcopum referebant, et auctoritate epifcopi per dioe-
cefm circumibant &c."
Zn'of^il"^""' i ^'^ "^' ^^ probable," fays Lord Bacon (fomewhat out of temper,
Church, Works, i feemingly, with thefe delegations of the hierarchy), " that bifhops when
• • P' • 1 they gave themfelves too much to the glory of the world, and became
grandees in kingdoms, and great counfellors to princes, then did they
delegate their proper jurifdictions, as things of too inferior a nature for
; their greatnefs &c."

Sect. IL] 3Seans Mural in lEnglanO.— ^arocj&ial ©lergjj,
or perfonal declamatory claufe, againft a bifliop giving
more or lefs of his jurifdiction by way of delegation."
Nay, we may go further; and fay, with Mr. Johnfon,
that in the codes of the primitive and univerfal church,
examples occur of every kind of fpiritual authority,
exercifed by bifliops principally, being, on occafions, de
legated to presbyters, except that of ordination alone \
From the conjectures of the cited bifliops of Wor
cefter and Rochefter, again. Dr. Inett in part diffents,
ftarting a fupplemental hypothefls of his own, by no
means unreafonable. — "The feparation of the eccle
fiaftical and civil courts^, and fetting up the conflftory,"
remarks the author of the Origines, " made it neceffary
to change the forms and circumftances of ecclefiaftical '
proceedings, to introduce fuch new officers as were

103

Epifcopacy Af-
ferted. § L.
Works, Vol. VII.
p. 268.
Preface to Vade-
Mecum, p. Ixxii.

Bingham O.E.S.ii. cm.
8. 5. c. VII. s. 5.

Origines Angli-
cancB, Vol. ii.
chap. in. p. 64.
William 1. Ann.
MLXXXV.

CC. M. B. el H.
Vol. I. pp. 84,
212, 225.

(') See Capitul. Regis Carolomanni (A.D. dccclxxxiii.) cap. 7. apud
Thomafs. V. et N. E. D. Tom. i. P. ii. L. i. c. v. p. 225. ii.
(') This feparation was made by William I. But before that period,
and, it may be, from the firft introduction of Chriftianity, the bifhop,
both in England and elfewhere, had a feparate court for matters purely
fpiritual, diftinct from the fecular courts. This is fhewn by the tenth
anfwer of The Dialogue o/ Ecgbert (J.D. dccxxxiv.), in Wilkins ; by
The Ecclefiaftic Laws af Hoel Dda, L. ii. c. xxviii. (A.D. dccccxliii.) ;
and by the feventh of King Edgar's Canons (A.D. dcccclx.). Indeed,
from the latter may be inferred the exiftence, in the tenth century, of a
fubordinate ecclefiaftical court invefted with a delegate power from the
bifhop, the final referee of appeal. " Docemus etiam," fays Edgar's
canon, "ut nullurn negotium, quod inter facerdotes eft, deferant adjudi-
dum fcBCulare, fed componant ac pacificent illud proprii illorum facii,
vel transferant ad epifcopum, fi opus fuerit : " — which may be confi-
dered as preparing the way for the " Juftitia Epifcopi," the judge de- i See .lohnfon's
puted by the bifliop, or the bifliop's fpiritual law, the " Oecanus," or '¦ noie%v^T
" minifiter episcopi, cum dericis Jids," of Edward the ConfefTor's laws, the ;
fuperintendent of the rural clergy in cj&apter affembled. i

101 ©rigin of tj&e ©ffice. [Part II.
needful to convene and cite the parties concerned to
attend the procefs, and to execute the fentence ; and
that, the better to fuit the conduct of church affairs to
thofe of the ftate, and make this new eftablifhment to
anfwer the ancient divifion of the kingdom into counties
and hundreds, the bifhops of England did, about the
year mlxxxv, divide their diocefes into archdeaconries
and Ueanries, and, to fit theirs to the branches of the
civil authority, took the archdeacons, the urban, and
rural Ueans, into a fhare of their jurifdiction, and fitted
their titles to, or rather borrowed them from, the
diftrict they affigned them ; and that hence it came to
pafs, that the archdeacons, whofe courts were to anfwer
thofe of the county, had ufually the county for their
diftrict, and their titles from the diftrict in which they
acted : and the names of rural Ueanries feem to be taken
from the hundreds, and were, and generally are, the
fame to this day."
It is not unlikely. Dr. Inett allows, that the perfonal
fervices of the bifhops, as barons, might have fome influ-
^wfJZ'voin ^^^® upon this affair in England. " But whatever effects
chap.ra.§xvi. j the laying afide iJtllan litsjops may have had in other
i weftern nations, there is no vifible reafon to believe that
it had any influence on the Englifh church ; for that
church was not founded till the inconvenience of the
authority exercifed by the c^oreptscop! was become vifible,
and provided againft by the canons of the Chriftian
church ; and that office was never received in England
till after the Norman conqueft^ ; and then the introducing

An Hiftorical / 1 \ a j ¦•-.•>
Account of ( ) And yet Bifhop Lloyd of St. Afaph obferves, in his notice of Patrick s,
menlte^c!'i"!' converfion of the Irifli nation, his ordination of thirty bifliops, and
p. 92. Nennius's

Sect. II.] 39eans Mural in lEnglanO.— ^arocj&ial ©lergg. 105

the authority of rural Ueans was fo far from having its
beginning from the ceafing of the office of suffragans to

Nennius's tale (fee Scriptores xv. p. 113. cap. lix.), whereby they are
increafed to three hundred and fixty-five &c., that " perhaps the meaning
might be, that befide thofe thirty bifliops which Patrick ordained for the
bifhops' fees, he alfo ordained as many guffragan^ as there were rural
OeanrieS, in each of which there were eight or nine parifh-priefts, taking
one tieanrg with another. If St. Patrick would fo far confult the eafe of
the bifliops, or the people's convenience, he might do it without altering
the fpecies of the church-government." But on the truth of this tale of
St. Patrick, _/ee Dr. Maurice's doubts in hia Defence of Diocefan Epifco
pacy in anfwer to Clarkfon, pp. 153, feqq. ; alfo Ledwich's Antiquities of
Ireland, pp. 82, 83. and Jamiefon's Account of the Andent Culdees of
lona, pp. 335, feqq. And although Holinfhed fays of the office of " the
catj&eOrall teane," that it was " a calling not knowne in England before The Defcription
the conqueft ;'' yet both the chronicler and the author of the Origines g „ f'i'^'135
are, probably, miftaken. Of the exiftence of the catj&eOral Ijean before
the conqueft there can be no doubt. And the following paffage from
Mabillon's Benedictine Annals makes the chorepiscopal inftitution more
ancient in our ifland than has been generally fuppofed. " Non longe a
loco ubiftetit Sancti Petri monafterium extra civitatem Cantuarice, in
parte itidem orientali, exftabat vetus Sancti Martini ecclefia, ubi Auguf-
tinujs fedem fuam primitus fixer at. Iftic epifcopus, verius cj&orepigcopug,
irftitutus fuit, qui vices archiepifcopi abfentis in omnibus gerebat, et
monachasfiibi ex majori ecclefia, monachus ipfe, in obfequium ajfiumebat.
Idem fiolemnitates in fede metropalitand celebrare falitus, archidiaconi ,
etiam ajficium agebat, clericos archiepifcopojiihjectos carripiens et emen-
dans : cum prior feu OecanuS majoris ecclefice eos, qui in ecclefiis fibi
fuhditis degebant, corrigeret." Annates Benedictini, Lib. x. xvi. Tom. i.
p. 274. See alfo Acta Benedict, fcecul. vi. Pars 11. p. 656. note (a),
from Gervafius Dorobernlenfis in Actis Pontificum, Cantuar. cap. de
Egelnotho, and Battely's Cantuaria Sacra, Pars iii. pp. 131, feqq. Ger-
vafe fays, that "formerly the archbifhop of Canterbury had a cj&orepigco- \
pu0, who refided in the church of St. Martin without Canterbury, whofe
office upon the coming in of Lanfranc was abolifhed, as we hear it
was done in all parts of the earth. Decem Scriptor. col, 1650. As
Lanfranc

106 ©rigin of tj&e ©ffice. [Part II.

diocefan bifhops^, that, in all probability, the general
fettlement of arcj^prcsfagters, or rural Ueans, and suffragan
bisfiops in England, were ufages derived from the fame
original and much of the fame date, and had their be
ginning from the feparation of the ecclefiaftical from the
civil courts, and the variety of caufes occafioned by the
fubtilties of the canonifts, and the prevailing power of
the clergy, which drew fo much bufinefs into their hands,
as made it impoffible for the bifhops to attend all the
parts of the ecclefiaftical jurifdiction. And, though fome
advances were made towards this change, in the latter
end of the eleventh, and in the beginning of the twelfth
century, yet, it feems probable, it was never generally
fettled in England, till the latter end of the thirteenth,
or the beginning of the fourteenth."
" At leaft thus much is evident, that whereas neither
the name nor the office of the suffragan bisfiops are to
be found in the canons or hiftories of the Englifh church
before the conqueft., and but very little of them for
above an age after ; from the latter end of the thirteenth
and the fourteenth century, down to the Reformation,
our hiftories are everywhere full with their names and
offices : and there is fcarce a regiftry in any bifliop's
office, that does not afford us light enough to afcertain

Lanfranc came into England with William I., it is clear, the cj&orepiiSCopal
office was of earlier date than the conqueft. Lanfranc refufed to con
fecrate any more bifhops of St. Martin on account of their fcandalous
poverty. See Brit. Magaz. Vol. ii. p. 345.
(') Deans rural exercifed jurifdiction in Normandy before the Duke
of Normandy became king of England. See Concilia Rotomagenfis
ProvincicB, Part i.

Sect. II.] SBeans Mural In ^Englant).— i^arocj&ial ©lergg.

107

the names and the powers of their refpective suffragan
bisliops^ and rural Ueans."
"But whenever archdeacons and rural Ueans were
introduced," he elfewhere adds, "we certainly do not Ejufd.-p.6e.
hear much of them till the ufurpations of the bifhops of
Rome gave reputation to the canon law, and brought
every thing into the confiftory, that either was really, or
could be pretended to be, fit for the cognifance of the !
church." With all refpect to Dr. Inett, I fubjoin the fact, that, cc.M.B.em.
at the firft adoption of the Uean" rural in Ireland {A.D. h.d.r.v.iy.
MCLii.), it is expreffly ftated that he fucceeded the c5or= irishDocuments,
episcopus: — the fjillan prelates and fuch as occupied j Meath! °
fmaller fees being removed, the churches, which had i
previoufly been the feats of the prelacies, were made
the capitals of Ueanries, and arcSprtestS inftituted in them
by the bifhop in lieu of cfioreptscopf.
In the twelfth century, the fubfcriptions of rural Ueans i
to documents are by no means uncommon. Among i
the atteftations of fome ancient charters connected with '
the Ueanrg of Craven in Yorkfhire, Dr. Whitaker notices, I ^?!t "/J?™"!,"'
¦^ ' ' p. 481. Edit. 2.

(') Dr. Pegge, who diftinguifhes between cj&orepigcopt and bifhops in
partibus irfidelium, fays the latter commenced about A.D. mcccxxv,
and were inftituted to affift archbifhops and bifhops in large diocefes, and
to perform all prelatical duties in exempt monafteries. The diocefan
bifhops, either for their own eafe, or becaufe of their neceffary abfence in
embaflies, or attendance at court &c., procured them to be confecrated,
to refide in their ftead. And the monafteries did the fame, making fome
of their own order bifhops by the aid of the Pope, and thereby keeping
aloof from the jurifdiction of the diocefan. See A Lft of tlie guffragan
MiSJ&opS in England, by the Rev. H. Wharton, in Pegge's Account of
Suffragans, pp. 29, feqq.

Letter to Du-
carel.p.23. Bibl.
Topog. Brit.
No. xxviii.
Strype's Life of
Cranmer, p. 36.

108

©rigin of tj&e ©ffice.

[Part II.

Hift of Norfolk,
Vol.v. See Du
ration of Office.

Hiftory of Man
chefter, Vol. II.

eft is

p. 381

in the year mclxxxvi, a Uean of Craven who was rector
of Arncliffe ; and, about half a century earlier, the fame
rural dignity and title, enjoyed by a rector of Kettlewell.
A rural Uean of Thetford in Norfolk is recorded by Mr.
Blomfield in the year mclxxv.^ But thefe are dates of
yefterday, in comparifon with that affigned to the pri
mary Uecanal inftitution of the north of England by the
Hiftorian of Manchefter : — " Greatly is the learned Bifliop
Kennett miftaken," fays the Fellow of Corpus Chrifti
College, " in fuppofing the office of the archdeacon to
have been lefs ancient than that of the Uean. The one
was juft as ancient as the other. As greatly miftaken
is he, in his attempt to magnify the antiquity of rural
Ueans ; when, unfaithful to his own defign, he dates the
commencement of them fome time fubfequent to the
reign of Alfred. And his antagonift, Mr. Johnfon, has
wandered ftill farther from the truth, in his contrary
defign to lower their antiquity, when he reduces it even
to the eleventh or twelfth century. The rural Uean
: was conftituted at the fame time with the parifh prieft ;
and Lancafhire was partitioned into Ueanries very early
; in the feventh century."
The latter alTeverations, be it remembered, ftand
Ejufd. p. 393. I proofless in the hiftorical references of the antiquarian :
I and glad as we fhould be to difcover, there or elfewhere,
j evidence of the facts afferted, we cannot but doubt, in
(') My antiquarian friend. Dr. Sutton of Norwich, informs me that
the earlieft collation of a Oean to Thetford was in the year moccxviii, in
the perfon of John Northftrete. Dr. Sutton has examined the books of
Inftitution, and finds Blomfield to have been led into error by Martin's
i 0iSb. Hftory. There may have been admitted capellanes before, but
'. not collated Oeans. 2d Edit.

Sect. IL] IBeans Mural in lEnglanl).— ^arocj&ial ©lergg.

109

the abfence of fuch, the exiftence of Ueans rural in Eng
land at the period alluded to.
The archdeacon, in my humble opinion, claims a
higher antiquity here, than the arcjbpresbBter rural. The \
latter appears not till the eleventh, or, at the very \
earlieft, the tenth century, — fuppofing, that is, with :
Brewfter, the praefectus episcopt of Edgar to be the Uean cc.M.B.etH.
rural. Whereas archdeacons had exiftence long before • " '¦ p-
though the fort of jurifdiction they exercifed be proble
matical. By the one hundred and feventh canon of \
the Excerptions of Ecgbert (called A.D. dccl.), they are \
charged to fee that prifoners have relaxation on Sundays, i
But, this being an Orleans canon {A.D. dl.), and added ¦•.
to the Excerpta we know not when, may be objected to
as evidence. Not fo the great council of Baccanceld, I
under Cynewulf, king of Weffex (.^.Z>. dccxcviii), where \ Ejufd. ¦p.\62.
an archdeacon (Wilfredus) is the laft of the fubfcribers. !
Mr. Somner notices feven archdeacons of Canterbury in \Antiq.ofCant.
the ninth century : and, from the Laws of the Northum- i cv.M.B^etk.
hrian priejis, it is evident that the office was then '^''¦''¦^'^'
{A.D. dccccl) one of importance ; during the whole of
which period we have no traces of the rural Uean's ex- \
iftence in our ifland.
On the continent, it is true, in the Gallican church,
there are much earlier notices than with us : but no
where, I believe, antecedent to archdeacons. See Bing
ham's Ecclef Antiq. B. ii. c. xxi. ; Atterbury's Rights and
Powers &c. pp. 321, 322. ; and Brett's Church Govern
ment and Govemours, cap. ix. pp. 180, feqq. ; and, on the
other fide of the queftion, whereby the antiquity of the
archidiaconal jurifdiction is reduced below the conqueft,
fee Nicholfon's 'Preface to the Scottijh Hifiorical Library,

SS.CC.Tom.vi.
col. 539.
A.D. DLXVII.

no

©rigin of tj&e ©ffice.

[Part II,

Scottish Hifio
rical Library, in
Preface, p. xxn.
Ecclef Cafes,
Vol. I. p. 146.

pp. XXI, feqq., who doubts the authenticity of the figna
ture of Wilfrid above referred to, and affirms the North
umbrian canons to be "younger than they feem to be,
and borrowed from abroad ; being only dreffed up {a la
mode d'Anglois) with Saxon penalties and mulcts." The
learned archdeacon of Carlifle is decidedly oppofed to
Atterbury's ftatements in his Rights and Powers &c.,
and roundly afferts, " that no archdeacon ever exercifed
! any jurifdiction in England till fome time after the con-
j queft ; that is, till the canon-law was eftablifhed here : "
— in which opinion, he is fupported by Bifliop Stilling
fleet. But the antiquity of this office is not the object
; of our inquiry : let it suffice that, in the opinion of the
beft ecclefiaftical antiquaries, it was a creation of the
third century of the Chriftian Church. See Bingham
O. E. ubi supra. Bifliop Gibfon's Codex I. E. A. Vol. ii.
Tit. XLII. cap. VIII. p. 969, of Archdeacons, and Mr. Nelfon's
Companion for the Fejiivals and Fajis, p. 387.

florae Siecanicae i^urales*

PART III.
®fie lElection anU Institution of i@eans aaural.

Ill

SECTION I.
The Right of Election.
E proceed to a moft important divifion of our
fubject — the authority by which rural Ueans
are conftituted in the church — to whom do
they owe their primary inftitution ? — Upon
this queftion their titular diftinctions in ancient councils,
capitularies &c., will throw fome light, as far as the ufage
of the Weftern church is concerned ; while, in refpect of
the Eaft, it has been again and again ftated, that the
inftitution to the primary cjborepiscopal, and to the fe
condary perioUeutal offices, was exclufively vefted in the
diocefan bifhop. The clboreptscopi, at firft, and the perto=
Ueutac, afterwards, were appointed by the prelates to
whom they were ancillary — the latter deputies being
the Ueans rural of the Eaftern church. Nor did the cafe,
effentially, differ in the Weft. Sharers, from their firft
eftablilhment, in the adminiftration of ecclefiaftic jurif
diction and difcipline, their names in the Latin church
point out their minifterial relation to the bifhop, as the
perfon from whom their delegated powers originally
emanated.

See Priaulx's
Brief Account
&c. p. 2.

Beveregii Sy
nodic. Tom. II.
Annot. p. 198.
Ad Can. Lao
dicen. I.VIT.

112

SS.CC.Tom.is..
col. 695. 826.
Wilkins LL.
Anglo. Sax. et
Civ. p. 197.
CC. M. B. et H.
Vol. I. p. 506.

^Election anO Institution.

[Part III.

Southey's Book
of the Cliurch,
Vol. I.e. VI. p. 84.

Dr. Field o/iAe
CAwrcft, Booke V.
S5.CC. Tom.vi.
col. 536.

' On meeting with the defignations — " Epifcoporum
j minifierii adjutores" (capit. iii. Ludov. Pii, J.D. dcccxxviii.)
— "Epifcoporum minijiri" (Concil. Aquifgran. ii. c. iv.
^.Z). dcccxxxvi.) — " Minifter f " Sacerdos f " iSecanus Epi
fcopi " {LL. Edward. A.D. mlii.) — " Bccani ve^arcfitpresisT
teri ad agendas vices epifcoporum" (Concil. Turon. can.vii.
^.D. mclxiii.) — "3Becant conjiituti fub epifcopis" (Concil.
Londin. A.D. mcc) &c. &c., in reference to rural Ueans
or arcSprtests, we cannot hefitate to connect their appoint-
I ment and employment with the bifhop. Still it appears,
from the earlieft records of the office that have come
down to us, in the Weft, that thefe functionaries were
originally chofen by their own clergy, fubject to the
bifhop's approval, and were only indebted to the latter
for their confirmation — an act which he might execute or
not, at his own pleafure. And when their inftitution
had been ratified by the diocefan, they could not fubfe-
i quently be difplaced by him, according to the feventh
canon of the fecond council of Tours {A.D. dlxvii.),
without the joint confent of the electors. Such, at leaft,
is the Dean of Gloucefter's interpretation of the canon,
" Ut epifcopus nee abhatem, nee arcfitpresligterum,^?^^ omnium
\fuorum compresbyterorum et abbatum conjilio, de loco fuo
prcsfumat ejicere, neque per prcemia alium ordinare, nifi facto
concilio tam abbatum quam presbyterorum fuorum, quem
culpa aut negligentia ejidt, dim omnium presbyterorum con-
Jilio refutetur ; " and he extends it to our rural functio
naries. See alfo can. xi. {ex fynod. incerti loci A.D. dcxvi.)
S/S. (7(7. Tom .VL col. 1395.1
(') This canon alfo inhibits the appointment of arcj&priegtS per prcemia
(fimoniacally) both fpiritual and laical : — for fometimes it feems the latter were

Sect. I.]

Migj&t of lElection.

13

How long fuch a power of electing and continuing
arcfipriests in office remained with vican or rural pres
byters is unknown; — probably, for no long period:
though the privilege of recommending to the bifliop,
and, in fome places, even of nominating perfons eligible
to the duty, has been permanently exercifed by them.
Be that, however, as it may, it is quite clear, on the
authority of Ifidore, that about the year dcxxxiii of
Chrift the arcJbtpresftBteral office of the countrg was elec
tive; the electors being, by delegation, the archdeacon,
clergy, and people : " Si in pulebibus arcJbtprcsliBtEri ohi-
erint, aut fro aliquo reatu exinde ejecti fuerint, archidia
conus {fpedali auctoritate epifcopi — niJi hoc habeat de
confuetudine prcefcriptd, gloff.) quanta odiis proficifcatur
illiic, et cum clerids, et populis (al. presbyteris, in marg.)
ipjius plebis electionem fadat ; quatenHs dignus pajior domui
DEI confiituatur; et dum o^-dinatur, ejus providentid ipfa
plebs cujiodiatur." And the fame may be inferred from

were inftituted: — " Ut abbates, vel arcj&tpregftgtert, abfque culpa de eccle-
fiaftico minfterio removeri non debeant : nee per prcemia nullus abbas
vel arcj&ipreshgter panantur. Quod fi quis facere prcefunfipferit, com
munione privetur. Nee fcBCulares arcj&ipreSbgteri po/zaw^Mr. Forfitanfi
talis fuerit, quem pro merito perfonce infolatium ecclefice pontifex necef-
farium effe judicet, ut fine ejus defenfione paroeciani illi fe defenfare
nan pojfint." But laical arcj&pregfigterS are forbidden by the nineteenth
canon of the council of Rheims before cited (A.D. dgxxx.) — " Ut in
parochiis nullus laicorum arcj&ipresJ^Ster prceponatur : fed qui fenior in
ipfii effe debet, clericus ordinetur." And fee alfo can. xvi. (ne OecanatuS
tnxa\e& pro pretio canferantur) of the Council of Rouen (A.D. mccxiv.)
— " Inhibemus ne OecanatUg ruraleg ad tempus vel in perpetuum pro
pecunid vel aliquo pretio canferantur alicui, ficutftatutum eft in conci-
liis Lateranenfii et Turonenfi : eos qui contra hoc venerint decernentes,
prceter poenas in condliis comprehenfias, juxta prceJatorum arbitrium,
gravi poena puniendos." And can. xxiv. (A.D. mccxxxi.)
VOL. I. I

Decret. P. I.
Dift. LXIII.
c.xx.

SS.CC.Tom.vi.col. 1395.

SS.CC.Tom.vi.
col.1435.

Concilia Roto
magenfis Pro
vindce, Part I.
p. 113.

p. 136.

114

lElection anO Sngtitution.

[Part III.

SS
col.

CC. Tom. IX.
1164.

the council of C!isalpine bifhops, held for the fettlement
of ecclefiaftical difcipline, at Pavia (.^.D. dccclv.) ; which
admits the people as co-electors — (unlefs " electionis
confortium" mean no more than the prefence of the
people for fufFrage of public teftimony, and not of
formal choice) — and, like the council of Tours before
cited, difallows the difplacement of arcl&prtests by the
bifhop, after inftitution, except for criminality, or ill-ufage
of the churches under their adminiftration — a curious
exemplification of which is afforded in the conclufion
of the following extract : " Sane removenda quorundam
laicorum procadtas, qui hoc folo ohtentu, quod ad electionis
confortium admittuntur, arcfiipresbgteris fuis dominari prce-
fumunt: et quos tanquam patres venerari debuerunt, velut
fubditos contemnunt. Hi igitur intra proprii juris termims
funt redigendi, et fi extraordinariam dominationem in ec
clefiis exercere prcefumpferint, regia funt difciplina coercendi.
Ipfi verb qui ad gubernandas plebes legitime provecti funt,
nullatenHs a fuis epifcopis repellantur, nifi aut in alicujus
criminis reatum inciderint, aut eafdem plebes maU tracta-
verint. lollenda eJi enim prava omnino confuetudo, quce in
quibufdam locis oriri ccepit : quia nonnulli arcjbipresligtert vd
aliorum titulorum cujiodes, fruges, vel aliarum ecclejiarum
reditus, ad proprias domos abducunt. Quidam vero aliorum
pojfejfiones conducunt, ut in eis quce ab ecclefiis fuis maU
fubtraxerunt recondant, &c."
Such authority of election, exercifed by thefe parties,
was, probably in all cafes, by fpecial permiffion of the
bifhop ; as it is, wherefoever prevalent with the clergy
of the prefent day ; the diocefan poflTeffing a clear nega
tive on the election in the privilege of confirming or
fuperfeding it. And to the fame conceffion, originally,

Sect. I.]

Migj&t of lElection.

115

may be affigned the elective character of the urban or
catfieUral Uean; who, at his firft inftitution, was nomi
nated out of the college of presbyters by the bifliop
alone, as his vicarious fuperintendent in the epifcopal
church; but fubfequently became independent of the
bifhop, as far as election went, and only beholden to
him for a ratification of the chapter's nomination. By
which early grant, the urban arcjbpriest's appointment was
loft in perpetuity to the diocefan : — not fo, however, the
Uean rural's ; which, if at any time furrendered to an
inferior conftituency, was generally again recovered at
the will, and exercifed at the difcretion, of the bifhop,
with or without archidiaconal, clerical, and popular
interference, at his perfonal choice, he having de jure
"thefolejhip of election;" although, in modern days, we
have heard of archdeacons prefcribing (?) againft their
bifhop in the exercife of this branch of his authority.
Of the parochial laity, as joint electors, we hear
nothing after this date ; nor is it probable that fuch a
power, feeing, in the fore-cited Pavian council, the abufe
to which it was liable, was long entrufted to their hands.
But archdeacons, having grown up to a permanent
participation of other epifcopal duties, feem^ to have
continued thence forward {viz. from the days of Ifidore)
fharers alfo — by fufferance, I fliould fay, rather than
right of office (for how could any archdeacon prefcribe
againft his bifliop ?) — in the appointment of rural Ueans
in many diocefes. For which intervention, more or lefs
at all times dependent on cuftom, an early fanction is
alleged in the thirteenth canon of Hincmar's Capitula,
addreffed to his archdeacons Guntar and Odelhard,
{A.D. DcccLxxviii.) ; wherein the archbifhop enjoins the
i2

Gibfon's Codex
LE. A. Vol.u.
Tit. XLII. cap.
VIII. p. 971.

116

lElection anO Bngtitution.

[Part III.

col. 25.

Arnulphi Lexo-
vienfls Epifcopi,
Epift. XXVII.

I latter officers to proceed to the election of Ueans with
I due confideration, and to conftitute them conditionally
'¦ in cafe of his abfence, — referving to himfelf the power of
I confirmation or deprivation, as he might deem expedient,
Hincmari Opera, pn beius made acquainted with their choice. " Si Uecanus
Tcm.I. p. 738. ~ , n
SS cc. Tom. s.. i^ mini/ierio vejirof fays he, "aut negligens, aut inutilis
! et incorrigibilis fuerit, vel aliquis eorum obierit, non incon-
Jiderate Uccanutn eligite. EtJi ego in propinquo fum, ad me
illam electionem referte. Etfi ego in longinquo fum, Uecanum
ilium qui electus eJi interim conjiituite, donee ad meam noti-
tiam electio ilia referatur, ut med conjiitutione aut confir-
metur, aut immutetur."
A letter of Arnulph, bifhop of Lifieux, gives the arch
deacon the right of prefenting the arcj&prttst to the
I bifliop, who had the power of refufing him inftitution, if
! he thought him unworthy of the office : but, at the fame
I time, he could not proceed, againft the will of the arch-
' deacon, to a fecond inftitution ; " dim ei in archidiaconatu
fuo alius quodammodo archidiaconus annafcatur."
Nor was the bifhop's refervation of a veto upon the
election lefs marked, in cafes where the clergy enjoyed,
! by cuftom or conftitution, a delegated power of choice.
; Witnefs in the church of Ferrara : where, though the
" conjiitutiones " of the "parochi " of that ftate, con
firmed by the bifhop {A.D. mcclxxviii.), give to the
fubject " ca2)ellani" oi the "parochia" the privilege of
; electing their own arcfit'presbgter, or, as he is denominated
! in the glofs of Muratori, "caput congregationts parocjiorutn,"
(provided, that is, they made their choice within fifteen
days from the date of a vacancy by death) ; yet the
ftatutes referve to the diocefan a veto on prefentation.
And, fuppofing the parochial incumbents, here called

/I nUquitates
Medii JEvi,
Tom. VI. col.
436. 410.

Sect. I.]

Migj&t of lElection.

117

capellanes, not to comply with the inftructions paffed
"pro fuce congregationis regiminef in this particular,
the elective capacity devolved on the bifhop — " quum
arclbtpresbpter viam carnis ingrejfus fuerit univerfce, capel-
lani infra quindedm dies proximos futures arcj&ipresbgteri
electionem facere teneantur, ipfam electionem confirmandam \
aut infirmandam nofiro domino Ferrarienfi epifcopo prce-
fentantes : aUoquin prcefata electio ad ipfum dominum epi
fcopum devolvat."
So great, however, was the afcendency and influence :
which archdeacons had attained in thefe appointments '
in the twelfth century, and fo fubordinate the Uecanal to
the archidiaconal functions, that in a canon of the great
Lateran council {A.D. mclxxix.) under Alexander III., ;
regulative of the vifitatorial expenfes of rural Ueans and
higher dignitaries, the former are fpecifically denomi
nated, from their fubjection, " Uecant conjiituti fub archi- \
diaconis :" — which fubjection is repeated and made ab
folute by the decretal epijile of Pope Innocent III. {A.D. \
mccxiv.) — "^rcfitpresbpteri, qui a pluribus Uecani nuncu
pantur, (that is, rural Ueans, /or Ueans of cat^eUral cjburcfies
were never fubject to archdeacons — Dr. Brett) archidia
coni^ jurifdictioni fe noverint fubjacere : and, yet farther.

(') " Statuiinus et prcecipimus quod omnes presbyteri et Oecani
rurales obediant archidiaconis fuis in omnibus ileitis et honeftls, earum
jura et noftra obfervent et fadant obfervari. xiv. i. - Statuta fynodalia
ecclefiicB Leodienfis," A.D. mcclxxxvii.
" Ordinatio vicarice de Pyryton cujus eccl'ia appropriatur abbatice de
Tewkesbury, mccccl. — Item dictus vicarius et fuccejfbres fui invenient
et exhibebunt unum Ijecanum ruralem ad deferviend. Ordinariis loci in
Oecanatu de Powlett quotiens hujujmodi anus ad dictam eccl'iam juxta
confuetudinem d'cti Oecanatus evenire contigeret." Meg. 329iell.

SS cc. Tom.
xiir. col. 419.
can. IV.

Decret. Gregor.
IX. L. I. Tit.
XXIII. vn.
Accouni of
Church Go
vernment, &c.
cap. VIII. p. 183.

SS. CC. Tom.
XIV. col. 1134.

W. K. ^li. ?fbb.
Par. Antiq.'Y. II.
p. 351.

118

lElection ant) JFnStitution.

[Part III.

Whitaker's H^ift.
of Manchefter,
Vol. II. B. II.
c. IX. § III.
p. 383.

Provinciale, L. II. T. I.

L. I. Tit. ir. gl.
V. 6ccono§ tu-
rakS.L. III. T. XXII.
g^.w.bccanomm. L.I. T'll.ii. gl.v.
eorum vices.

L.II. T.I. g/.
in V. bccano6.

Conft. Dom.
Oihon. de vn.
Sacram. gl. in v.
bccanotuum
fuorum, f.W.

confirmed by the reply to the queftion, " Utrum Uecani
rurales, qui pro tempore Jiatuuntur, ad mandatum tuum
folum, vel archidiaconi, vel etiam utriufque, infiitui debeant
vel dejiitui, Ji fuerint amovendi"? — To which the papal
anfwer is: — "Ad hoc breviter refpondemus, quod cum ah
omnibus, quod omnes tangit, approbari debeat; et cum com
mune eorum (i.e. of the bifhop and archdeacon) Uecanus
qfidum exerceat; communiter eJi eligendus, vel etiam amo-
vendus." Though equally an ordinary, equally a prelate, with
the archdeacon and bifhop, the Uean rural of England, as
well as the continent, was fubordinate and minifterial to
both — being early and repeatedly called the Uean of the
archdeacon and bifhop. Wherefore the doctrine of the
Roman refcript is transferred by the bifliop of St. David's
to his Provinciale : " Didt Innocentius," obferves Lynd
wood in his commentary in v. Uecant rurales, " quod funt
perfonce habentes qucedam ofiicia community fpectantia ad
epifcopum et archidiaconum, et ideo community eorum re-
ceptio et amotio pertinet ad utrumque : " — in another place
he calls them "Uecani temporales ad aliquod minijierium
fub epifcopo vel archidiacono (al. archiepifcopo) exercendum
conjiituti:" — ^in a third, " qui fub archidiacono quandoque
certum minijierium habent:" — in a fourth, "vicarii epi
fcoporum et archidiaconorum (al. archiepifcoporum) :"— in
a fifth, " minijiri tam epifcoporum, quod archidiaconorum,
{non tamen aliorum ordinariorum)." And to the fame pur
pofe fpeaks the gloffary of John de Athon on the Lega-
tine conjiitutions of Otho : — " iBecanatus rurales, et per
confequens Uccant ibi, prcefecti funt ipforum archidiaconcmim;
fed certefalvd confuetudine locorum tam prcefid debent Uecant
tales, quam etiam, amoveri, per epifcopum et per archidia-

Sect. I.]

Migjt of lElection.

119

conum Jimul de jure ;" — where, fays Gibfon, the claufe,
"falvd confuetudine locorum f explains the glofs (f fecundum
confuetudinem lod ') on the word " communiter f in the fore
going conjiitution of Innocent III. See ^umma ^ilbestrina,
P. I. de Archidiacono. 9. fol. xxxviii. and Hoftienfis de Offic.
Archidyaconi, Tom. i. fol. cxvi. The latter of which com
mentators feems to have correctly interpreted the text
as oi local and not _^eneraZ application — "fecundum confuetu
dinem Frandce^ —  in aliquibus ecclefiis confiituuntur
tales Uecanf per epifcopum et arcliidyaconum communiter ad
qucedam officia eis communiter exercenda : nee injiituuntur in
aliqua ecclejid nee confirmantur : immo quafi minijteriales
et ofijidales funt utriufque, et pro magna parte non confiitu
untur perpetuo, fed ad tempus. Ubi ergo talis vel Jimilis
non efi confuetudo, hoc quod ibi dicitur non vendicat Jihi
locum." Nor does Atterbury's interpretation of the canon law
in reference to Englifh ufage differ from that of the
Cardinal, Lyndwood, Gibfon, and others. Ever fince
the firft-cited letter from the Roman fee, the bifhop of
Rochefter affirms, the archdeacon's authority has inter
vened, with that of the bifhop, (as in the diocefe of
Exeter,) towards appointing Ueans rural ; except where,
by grant, compofition, or cuftom immemorial, things
have been otherwife ordered; as the cafe was in the
diocefe of Canterbury, where, thirteen years after the
date of this refcript, a fpecial grant was made to the

Codex I. E. A.
Vol. II. Tit. XLII.
cap.VIiI. p. 971.

Hoftienfis /7fjoer
primo decretal.
Tom.I. fol. CXVI.
col. 3. & Panor-
, mitan. Tom. Ti.
p. 70.

Vifitation
' Charge to the
Clergy of Tot-
; nefs, MDCCVIII.

(') " De droit cammun," fays Les Loix Ecclefiaftiques de France,
" les 3iogeng Muraur dependent de I'archidiacre et de I'eveque, qui daivent
les elire et les depofer conjaintement ; (mais il y a des diocefies ou I'eveque '.V- 73.
nommefeul les Siojiens Muraui; d'autres ou iis font eius par les cures
du Hogenne, qui les prefintent a I'eveque)."

Analyfe des De-
cretales, Titre
XXIII. Parti.

120

lElection anO Insititution.

[Part III.

Somner's Anti
quities of Can
terbury, P. I.
Appendix, No.
i.x. p. 66.

No. IIX. p. 65.
See Appendix to
Supplement, Part II. p. 60.
Brett's Account
of Church Go
vernment and
Govemours, ex.
p. 188.

T. D. Whitaker's
Richmondjhire,
Vol. I. p. 34.
OTS. Scbgci;
35oofe SiCCcS.
SKcfli$t. gcStr.
p.l.

archdeacon of the injiitution and dejiitution of rural Ueans
by Stephen Langton, the archbifliop, in the following
words — previoufly revoking his own official's appoint
ment of them ex confuetudine — . . . . " Statuimus ut
archidiaconi Cant, qui pro tempore fuerint Uecanos conjii-
tuant, et amoveant pro fuce voluntatis arbitrio, proilt meliils
viderint expedire in Dioc. memoratd, et fibi refpondeant
Jicilt decet, dim ahfurdum Jit, ut alius eos conjiituat quam is
qui eis debeat prceejje, et cui refpondere tenentur, prcefertim
cum ipfis (Uecanfs) referentibus, corrigere debent {archidia
coni) cceterwum errata." And in a perfonal grant to
Archdeacon Hubert by Archbifliop Wethershead (fur-
named Le Grand), two years afterwards, the " irjiitu^
tiones et dejiitutiones Uecanorum " are continued ; but with
the faving claufe, " prcehabito confilio nojiro." The arch
deacon of Canterbury had not loft this privilege in the
latter end of the feventeenth century; — for it is faid,
that when Archbifliop Sancroft would have nominated
rural Ueans in his diocefe, he was oppofed by his arch
deacon, Parker.
Again, before the foundation of the fee of Chefter,
the archdeacons of Richmond and Chefter^ (while their
jurifdiction was fo prepofteroufly extenflve as it was —
each indeed having an unlimited ordinary jurifdiction in
his own archdeaconry) could appoint their vice-arch
deacons and rural Ueans at pleafure, and remove them

(') On the extinction of the two jurifdictions, the endowments which
had been attached to them from the twelfth century were transferred to
the epifcopal fee, with this provifo, that there fliould ftill continue two
titular archdeacons, with yearly ftipends of 50/. each, out of the old
revenues.

Sect. I.]

Miglit of lElection.

121

without rendering a reafon. And to fhew the irrefpon-
fible power of the archdeacons within their archdea
conries, the rural Ueans conftituted by them could not
be called upon to attend the archbifliop's courts, nor
could aids be impofed, nor a church, nor clerk be fuf-
pended by the metropolitan within their limits. This
is particularly recorded in the olU Hfcger or 'Foucjbicr of
the archdeaconry of Richmond, in reference to that
archdeacon : — " Item archinus ponet fud auctoritate vice
archin et Uecanos in fuo arciiinatu quofcunque voluerit et
amovebit et deponet eos fine omni contradictione. Prceterea
verb vice-archinus et Uecani non tenentur venire ad placita
archiepifcopi nifi fponte voluerint, &c." {Ex tranfcripto
Vet. Libr. vocati tfie olU Hetger or VfiVi.t\)m &c.) And
the fame obtained with regard to the archdeacon of
Chefter. But in Ireland, two years after the promulgation of
the fore-cited papal epiftle of Innocent III., we find the
bifhop of Meath ftill retaining, and enforcing, the exclu-
five right of nomination to rural arcJbipcesbBterates ; "va
cante per mortem, aut alio quovis modo arrfitpresbBteratus
ojfido, eligendus efi per nos, aut fucceff ores nojiros fuccejjor,
quia jurifdictionem fuam a nobis haurit." In the diocefe
of Melun {A.D. mcci.). Innocent III. continued to the
bifliop the inftitution and deftitution of Ueans=rural, inde
pendent of archidiaconal interference, though the ruling
deacons formally laid claim to it, " afferentes quod, eis
inconfultis, non licet aliquem injtituere in Uecanum:" while
the bifhop of Melun affirmed, on the other hand, that
the appointment and removal of thefe officers, through
out the diocefe of Melun, had ever been granted by the
papal fee to his predeceffors. The difpute ran high;

fiiOoitntcS ai'rt)i=
blaconotiiS 95icf)=
iiionbioc, MCC.
9Ji6. per.es Re-
giftr-. diocef.
Ceftr.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol. I. p. 547.

PraclaraEeclef.Difciplin. Mo
nument, ad cal
cem Theodori
Pcenitential.
pp.720,721.£a; Chartulario
Ecclefme Mel-
denjis.

122

lElection anti Institution.

[Part IlL

SS.CC. Tom.
XIV. col. 270.
can. X.

Harris's tVare^s
Works, Vol. I.
p. 290. Ex Re-
gi/lr. Swain.
Tom. I. p. 279.

SS. CC. Tom.
XXI. col. 43.
Thomaffin. V.etN.E.D.
T.ir. P. II.
L. III. c. 76.

Conft. et De
cret. Synod. Sa-
lisburg. Con.
XXV. cap. IV.
pp. 121,1122.

and the parties having affembled at the cathedral of
Melun, for the fake of fettling it, the pope decreed, with
' the confent of the bifhop and archdeacons, "pro bono
! pads," " quod rurales Uecanos Meldenfts epifcopus, archidia-
1 conis inconfultis, poJfit eligere,' injiituere, et mutare, falvd
tamen fideUtate quam de confervando jure archidiaconorum
confueverunt prcejiare." Ufage always ruled the point.
In the diocefe of Poictiers {A.D. mcclxxx.), Bifhop Walter
: inhibits the retirement of Ueans rural from office without
his permiffion ; and therefore we may infer that he ap
pointed them: — "Inhibemus arcjitpresbBtcris et Uecanfs, ne
recedant abfque licentia nojird : et injungimus eifdem, quod
antequam recedant, fcribant et nobis referant excejfus factos
\ contra jurifdictionem ecclefiajiicam." In Ireland, again,
i {A.D. Mccccxxx.) during the vacancy of the fee of Derry,
Archbifhop Swain being guardian of the fame for the
time being, conferred on Donat 0-Kerulan, one of his
fub-guardians, the rural Ueanrg of Magthya, in the diocefe
of Derry, to continue during pleafure. And, at a much
later period, in Italy itfelf, (between the two oppofite
precedents of Innocent III. quoted from the canon law,
refcript againft refcript,) Borromeo, the celebrated arch
bifliop of Milan, appropriated to himfelf the right of elec
tion, on the occafion of eftablifliing among his parocMal
clergy the fpiritual fupervifors termed titcartt foranei;
whom he made amenable to himfelf alone, and amotive
at his will and pleafure : — " Hi bicarit voluntate epifcopi
ab ofiUdo amoveri femper pojjint ; acfi male id adminijira-
verint, poenas dent ejufdem epifcopi judicio."
Such was their conftitution, too, in the archdiocefe of
Salisburg {A.D. mdlxix.) — " iRurales Uecant dfuis epifcopis
confecuti cum authoritate ofiidum et dignitatem, tales fe

Sect. I.] Migljt of ^Election. 123

reddant, ut conceptce de ipfis expectationi, et fuo muneri,
ac fuorum epifcoporum fatisfaciant voluntati &c." And
in our own country, about the fame date, the arch
deacon was entirely deprived of all participation in the
appointment, unlefs perchance he happened to be the i
ordinary (which alone the bifhop was de jure), when'
he was capacitated to appoint. It was not to be fup
pofed that our Reformers would have much refpect for ;
papal edicts upon this or any other branch of polity ; I
and accordingly, we find, that it was decreed by the
compilers of the projected Reformatio Legum Ecclefiaf
ticarum to this effect: "J9ecanatus quilibet arcjbtpres- DeEcciefwet
bgterum rusttcanum habeat, vel ab epifcopo vel ecclefice nimumqfeoffi-
ordinario prcefidendum." But in the following chapter , clp'.v^f p.' 9*6.
" De Archidiaconis," thefe fuperior officers are enjoined i
to fee that the arcftpresbpters duly performed their ^
functions. In the provincial council of Cologne, under Arch
bifhop Herman {A.D. mdxxxvi.), p7-o reformatione clerico
rum et cceremoniarum ecclejice, the twentieth canon gives
to the archdeacons the fole power of election and ad- '
miffion : — "Archidiaconis no/iris incumbit, ne ullos inido- s^- c<^- Tom.
„ . , ^ , , ,. , . i XIX- <:ol.l293.
neos ojficiales aut Uecanos rurales deligant aut admittant,
fed ad has functiones viros tantum ajfumant, cum doctrind
prcejiantes, tum vitce innocentis inculpatceque, qui nullius
criminis labe notabiles, officium fuum irreprehenfihiliter exe-
quantur." While, on the other hand, in direct variance
therewith, the council of Malines {A. D. mdlxx.) enacts,
cap. III. {De Becanis ©Sristtanttum) : — "^rcfiipresbBteri ss.ccTom.
rurales m fingulis dioecefibus pro difcretione epifcoporum
qfjumantur, qui pojfint pajioribus vita, confilio, et exemplo
prodejfe; et non pluribus prcefidantur ecclefiis, quam pojjint

Synod. Prov.
Mech. p. 43.

124 ^Election anO Institution. [Part hi.

Tit.vi. c.i.

commode regere ; ac font arbitrio epifcoporum amovibiles."
But the caufe of this exclufive jurifdiction being vefted
in the bifliop may be, as fuggefted by Van Efpen, that
the entire archidiaconal power had in Belgium merged
\ in the epifcopal.
To the latter learned canonift we are indebted for
¦ the farther ufages of the Belgian churches in reference
to the appointment and conftitution of this truft : —
It^ci'jjZ:'?! ' " ^^- Moribus Belgii pafsim obtinuit, ut non tantHm epi-
v-29. fcopi foli pro fuo arbitrio Uecanos rurales conjiituant, fed
infuper libertas eis fit, quemcunque e presbyteris, quem huic
¦ offido maxime judicant convenire, eligere ; nee folet ojfidum
arcfitpresbstEratus ulli determinatce parochice aut dignitati,
vel beneficio effe annexum."
"¦ Similiter in potejiate epifcopi eJi, dijirictum Uecanorum
vel extendere, vel limitare; imo et unam Uecaniam /'w
; dijirictum arcfiipresbgttratils in plures dividere ; aut plures
: in unum conflare"
" V. Functiones quoque et potejtas Uecanorum d commif-
Jione feu injiructione, quam ah epifcopis accipiunt, unice
I dependent: unde in litteris, quibus arcf)tpresbgter ruralis
I conjiituitur, inferi confuevit hcec claufula : arcjbt'presbgterum
I dijirictus N. te nominamus et deputamus cum facultatibus
1 hujufmodi arcbtpresbgterts concedi folitis ac confuetis juxta
! injiructiones datas."
su-jfe's Annals, But to rctum to our owu COUU try : — In the year
mdlxii, among the eccleflaftical regulations then in
tended, one was, " That in every Ueanrg in the country,
there may be conftituted by the bifliop, one grave and
difcreet prieft, to be arcfitpresbgter or Uecanus ruralis."
Which act of conftituting, by the canons of mdlxxi.
{Liber canonum &c. de archidiaconis), fuppofes the previous

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol. IV. p. 264.

Sect. I.]

Migljt of lElection.

125

recommendation of the archdeacon^; "peractd vifitatione,
archidiaconus fignificabit epifcopo, quos invenerit in quo
que Uecanatu ed doctrind et judicio prceditos, ut digni fint,
qui"^ pro condone doceant populum, ('for preachers in thofe
days were rare ' — Gibfon,) et preefint aliis. Ex illis
epifcopus potefi delectum facere, quos velit effe Uecanos
rurales." To the bifliop the fame power of nomination is con
tinued by the fifth canon of His Majesty's Declaration
concerning Ecclefiajiical Affairs {A.D. mdclx.) : — " IXural

Sparrow's Col
lection of Ar
ticles &c.

(') May I notice, at this point, a, formula of the Romlfli Church in
England, of the time of Charles the Firft, by which, Richard Smith,
bUhop of Chalcedon, appoints his archdeacon, and gives him the power
of electing his own OeanS rural? — The original document Is ftated to be
in St. Gregory's feminary at Paris, by the author of The Cliurch HJtory
of England (Dodd, I believe), whence I tranfcribe the following extract : —
"  Quo vera clerus, et populus tud follicitudine, curd, ac diligen
tid, in via virtutis incedat, et bonorum operum fructus ubique profe-
m,ines, volutnus ut totum diftriclum tuumfemel faltem in fingulis annis
in propria perfand vifites ; et duos vel plures presbyteros, viros idoneos,
atque integrce et probatm vitce, in prcsdicto dijlrictu tuo, eligas, qui mu
nus Decanorum ruralium obeant in locis intra dijirictum tuum a te prcB-
ttituendis, prcefloque fint rationem tibi continuo reddere de moribus pres
byterorum, et prcedictarum perfonarum Idicarum intra tertninos tui
diftrictus degentium, feu commorantium. Quorum virorum, ita a te
electarum, namina ad nos dejlinabis, ut, literarum nafirarum vigore
approbatianem, et conjirmationem confequantur &c." Part vi. char. i.
Book HI. art. iv. Records afthe Clergy, p. 152.
C) In the diocefe of Winchefter, the Oean rural, annually elected
upon the old foundation, preaches two vifitation fermons during his
year of office ; and the fame cuftom obtained in the days of Atterbury
(archdeacon of Totnefs mdccviii.), and ftill obtains, in the diocefe of
Exeter : — probably, in both cafes, founded on this canon, which was
interpreted as referring to Vifitation fermons.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol. IV. p. 562.

See H. D. R.
Vol.IT.Appendix.Part. II. Sect. III.
Diocefe of Lon
don. & a Letter
figned C. D. S.
in the Roman-
Catholic Maga
zine for Auguft
1835.

Atterbury's Ar-
chidiaconal Charge,
MDCCVIII.

126 lElection anOlnstitution. [Part III.

Ueans, as heretofore, to be nominated by the bifliop of
j the diocefe." While in the diocefe of Kilmore, during
Burnet's Life of, thc epifcopato of the primitive Bifhop Bedell, the old
Bedell, ^.\H. „ „
cuftom, of the clergy electing their own Ueans, returned :
vS' ^' '^' ssf ' — " ^* fecundum prijiinam et antiquam hujus dicecefeos
I Kilmorenfis conjiitutionem, in tribus ejus regionibus tres
\ tittanifint, ab ipfis minijtris ejujdem Uecanatus eligendi, qui
vitam et mores cleri jugi circumfpectione cujiodiant, et ad
epifcopum referant, ejufque mandata accipiant, et, quoties
opus erit, per apparitorem Uecanatus ad compresbyteros fuos
tranfmittant."
voiw^'m' ^¦'^ "^'^^ Proceedings in Convocation about iRural 3i9£ans
{A.D. MDCCX.), the Upper Houfe feems to have been
unwilling to admit the doctrine of Innocent's refcript,
: fo often alluded to, but rather inclined to reftore to
' the diftrict clergy the priftine capacity of electing their
own Ueans, fubject to epifcopal fanction alone. " That
i the clergy of every Ueanrg, or the greater part of them,
fhall chufe a perfon qualified " {i e. " beneficed within
the Ueanrg, as rector, vicar, or perpetual curate, refident
upon his benefice or cure, of the elder and graver fort
of the clergy, and a graduate in one of the two uni-
verfities within this province " ....)...." who fhall
be prefented by the archdeacon or other ordinary to
i the bifliop for his approbation ; and when approved,
' fliall be appointed by the bifliop under his hand to exe
cute the faid office for the term of three years, unless
I caufe fliould appear to the bifliop for altering the faid
term." The latter part of this projected canon was pertlna
cioufly refifted by the Lower Houfe, in their eagernefs
to advance the privileges of their own members, by

Sect. I.] 3&ig!)t of lElection. 127

invefting archdeacons with the joint-power of difmiffing,
as well as appointing, Ueans rural, according to the papal i
decree, and the gloffes of John de Athon and Lyndwood
on the legatine and provincial confiitutions : — or, at leaft,
they would have carried, as an indifpenfable amendment,
that the archdeacon's confent fliould be firft obtained,
before the bifhop proceeded to the authoritative act of
difplacement. On the continent, ten years after this convocational i
war about the rurt=Uecanal conftitution in England, the i
council of Reuffen ilTued the decree following, without '
noticing in whom the right of electing rural protopres- i
bgters lay; but appointing them paftors of the paftors of |
their Ueanries, and correctors of facerdotal faults and fail- \
ings, perfonally or by delation to the bifhop, as the head \
of their jurifdiction. "Quoniam protoprtsbgtcrorum (tittB.-\ condUum ru-
norum ruralium) officium gravius efi, quam exifiimatur : \ mdccxx.)
monet fancta fynodus, ut ii tantum affiimantur, qui selo, ^g^'f^'Jl^^^f
pietate, doctrind, et eruditione cceteris prceluceant, ex fcecu- \ ^oi. 353.
laribusfi idonei inter eos fuerint; fin minus ex regularibus.
Ipfi vero fecum cogitent, fe effe confiitutos pafiorum fui j
difirictus pafiores, eaque de causa, nifi ipforum defectus cor- 1
rigant, vel ad epifcopum deferant, fuoque ojfido accurate fun- !
gantur, cceterorum animas de ipforum etiam manibus requi-
rendas eJfe."
As to Uecanal appointments in modern days, the fame
conjuetudo locorum, as we have above referred to, has
much influence over them. There is no general rule of
election and inftitution. Every diocefe adheres to its
own cuftoms. In fome places, the mandate of election somner's^n^o/
¦'- Cant. loc. citat.
proceeds, by the bifhop's grant, from the archdeacon
alone, as (to quote from our infular ufages) formerly in

128

lElection anO Engtitution.

[Part III.

Atterbury's Vi
jitation Charge,
MDCCVIII.
Strype's Annals,
V. ii. P. II.
Appendix, Nir.
XXXII. p. 698.

the diocefe of Canterbury \ and, at one time, feemingly,
in that of Lincoln {fee, in the ^ppenUtx, "admonitio epifco
palis archidiacono facta de fumptibus Uecano ruralt allo-
candis:") — in others, from the bifhop and archdeacon
jointly, that is, from the bifhop through the archdeacon,
as now-a-days in the diocefe of Exeter^, where the clergy
are the actual electors : — in others, again, from the
bifhop alone, as in the diocefes of London, Bangor, Bath
and Wells, Chefter, Chichefter, Ely, Hereford, Lichfield,
Llandaff, Norwich, Oxford, Peterborough, Winchefter,
Gloucefter and Briftol, St. Asaph, St. David's, Worcefter,
and Salisbury^, — in the latter of which the office is, at
prefent, on the authority of our venerated diocefan him
felf, entirely dependent on the perfmial jurifdiction of the
bifhop ; — the archdeacon having nothing to do with the
appointment, except fo far as the bifhop may defire
him to mention the names of clergymen eligible to the
duty; — which has been occaflonally done by the rural

(') The Commiffion now iffues from the archbifhop directly to the
rural Oean In the diocefe of Canterbury : and the fame rule obtains in
the diocefe of Lincoln, and almoft all others.
O " Volumus etiam ut Decanatug Plymptan ficut ab antiqua folet et
auteidico fcripto bonce memoricB I. Exon. ep'i plenius et melius teftatur
eccl'ice de Plymptan remaneat, ita fdlicet ut clericus per te et fuccejfcyres
tuos et canonicos arcM'o Tattanice qui pro tempore fuerit prefentetur,
et curam tJecanatliS per eum fufcipiat — quod ep'us et ejus officiates
repellendi Ulas qui per vos fuerint prefentati nullam prorsus habeant
potefiatem.'' Inter privilegia monqfterii de Plimton. Temp. Ivelii
prioris. 3Rcg. ^^limton IMS- Not. JWS. ^00. Kennett's Par. Ant.
V. II. p. 353.
(') Such alfo is the ufage in Ireland, as far as I am acquainted with
its rurt-Oecanal adminiftration ; and likewife in the diocefe of Barbados,
on the authority of Bifhop Coleridge.

Sect. I.]

iUltgljt of lElection.

129

presbyters themfelves; — but in neither cafe with any
power of nomination, as an official right. Such likewife
was the conftitution of the office in the days of Bifhop
Ward, and alfo in thofe of Bifhop Fifher, in the diocefe of
Sarum. And yet, to fhew how much the ufages of the
church have varied, at different periods, in relation to
the economy of this office, even in the fame diocefe, we
find traces of an oppofite cuftom to that now prevalent,
in the early conftitutions of the fee of Sarum. In the
Conjiitutiones factce in pleno caplo eccl'ice Sarum in fefio
AJfiimpt. B. Virginis, anno mccxxii., this claufe occurs :
"Becant etiam rurales de communi confenfu d'ni e'pi et
archid'orum injiituantur et dejiituantw." And in the
canon " de Uecanis injtituendisf of the Alice Gonfiitutiones
Mgidii Saresberienfis Episcopi {A.D. mcclvi.), is the fol
lowing injunction : "Statuimus, ut cum Uecant rurales ido-
nei ah archidiaconis fuerint infiituti, nobis et fuccejforihus
nofiris prcefententur ad facramentum corporale prcefiandum :"
— clearly fhewing, that, in the days of Bifhops Poore^
and Bridport, the inftitution of Ueans rural was partially,
at leaft, a matter of archidiaconal concernment in our
diocefe. Nor, indeed, in that of Winchefter^, has the

(') Bifliop Poore drew up a body ot conftitutions at a diocefan fynod,
fubfequent to the year mccxxii, for the regulation of his fee. They are
divided into eighty-feven canons ; of which the penultimate commands
the archdeacons to take care that the laws are duly obferved ; — to give
copies of them to the rural OeanS, who are to tranfcribe them, and furnilh j
the rectors and vicars within their precincts. . j
C) In the diocefe of Winchefter, there are, at prefent, two foundations I
of rural Oeansi, the old and neiv^ — the latter inftituted a few years fince by '
Bifliop Sumner, and appointed folely and exclufively by his authority
(fee flppenOil, Winchejter Documents) — the former of ancient ftanding
and peculiar conftitution ; whereby the clergy are empowered to elect a
VOL. I.  K  perfon.

.(Reg. Dfiiiunb.
E'pi Sarum 5J!6.
apud W. K. in
ajis.abb.

CC. M. B. et H
Vol.1, p. 715.

See I. Filefaci
Selector. L. II.
p. 97. de Corpor
Sacram.

Collier's Eccl.
Hift. of Great
Britain, B.v.
p. 440.

130

lElection anti institution.

[Part III.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol. II. p. 299.

Interpreter in
verb. Scnn.
R. C. of ScQtlS
and Chapters,
c. VII. p. 53.

act of appointing been always with the bifhop, to the
exclufion of the archdeacon ; though in the prefent age
the latter is no party to it : — for in the fynodal conjiitu
tions of Bifhop Woodloke {A.D, mcccviii.) it is ftipulated
"quod de ccetero, tam Uecant, quam apparitores eorum, per
nos, aut offidalem nofirum, archidiaconum, vel ojfidalem
eorum, communiter eligantur, et amoveantur fimiliter com
muniter per eofdem."
Indeed, fo good a cafe of feeming right to a participa
tion in the appointment of Ueans rural generally, in Eng
land, do the archdeacons put forward, that Dr. Cowell in
his Interpreter, and Dr. Godolphin in his Repertorium Ca
nonicum (the latter copying the former), have compofed
their definition of Uean rural in accordance with it— influ
enced, no doubt, by the papal refcript of Innocent III : —
"A perfon having ecclefiajiical jurifdiction over other minifiers
and parifhes near adjoining, afiigned unto him by the bifhop
and archdeacon, bdng placed and difplaced by them." Still
it is the writer's firm conviction that no archdeacon can
lay legal claim to co-electorfhip with the bifhop, ; whofe
office alone it is de jure to appoint Ueans rural in his
diocefe. In the moft recent revival of "the ancient ufe of

perfon, at the archidiaconal vifitation, to fill the nominal office of Oean
rural, and to preach at the two fubfequent vifitations of the archdeacon
and bifhop's commlffary (in Surrey). But the office is in fact, Archdeacon
Hoare informs me, a mere nullity, except for preaching ; for which pur
pofe the election is annual, and the Oean changed. This ancient foun
dation, though thus limited by ufage, it is expreflly provided by the
bifliop, is not to be affected by his new appointment. The latter is
general throughout Hants and Surrey: the older inftitution, on the
authority of Archdeacon Bayley, obtains not in Hants.

Sect. I.]

Mig]&t of lElection.

131

Ueans rural " in England (viz. in the diocefe of London,
where, while I am writing — December mdcccxxxiii —
they are juft appointed), the act of appointment was ex
ercifed by the bifhop ; but the Ueans are to afiifi the
archdeacons in the execution of their office, and to act
in fubordination to them ^ ; which feems to be, in my
humble opinion, as judicious a mode of rendering the
inftitution of Ueans rural efficient, without the rifle of
rendering it offenfive to the intermediate functionaries,
the archdeacons, as can be devifed.
" Although there are inftances, in times paft and pre
fent, of the clergy electing Ueans among themfelves,"
fays an anonymous author, " yet confidering they are to
correfpond with their bifhop, to act many things in his
name and by his authority, and to be accountable to
him, it is but meet he fhould have the choice of them,
as for the moft part he formerly had."
" The wife election of the Uean rural is a matter of the
greateft importance, and requires the greateft care;"
for "he muft be one that fincerely loves God and the
church, and hath a tender regard to the fouls of men.
He muft alfo be furnifhed with found learning, and with
dexterity to manage men and bufinefs : " — " the peace
and fafety of the church, the ftopping of herefie and
fchifm, the preventing the growth of popery, and chiefly
the recovering of decayed piety among the people, de
pending on the judicious appointment of this officer."

(') In Gratian's time, Bingham obferves, archdeacons had power over
arcj&pregflgterg or rural Oeang, and ufually now retain it. It is worthy
of remark, that rural OeanS are not mentioned elfewhere in the Ecclefiafti
cal Antiquities.

K 2

A Humble Pro-
pofalfor Paro
chial JiefotTna-
tion &c, cliap,
xix.pp.120,121.

O.E. B. 11.
c. XXI. s. 8.

13-2

lElection anO Institution.

[Part III.

"If all the qualiflcations requiflte cannot eafily be
found in every Ueanarg, yet it is neceffary to go as near
them as poffible ; but efpecially to provide men of clear
reputation for unblameable behaviour, and of difcreet
zeal for the honour of God and advancement of re
ligion."

Sect. II.]

iWetJoO of 3Enstitution.

133

SECTION II.

The Method of Institution.

AVING done with the right of election and
appointment of Ueans rural — in whom it pyri-
marily refted, and in whom hy delegation —
we naturally inquire, in the next place, how,
or hy what method, were thefe officers inftituted in the
church^? — by oral declaration, or by formal commiffion
in fcriptis ? — If by the latter, are any fuch formulce of
inftitution known to antiquaries ?
After affiduous fearch — not in the archives of public
libraries, nor in the manufcriptal records of epifcopal
muniment-rooms, (for I enjoy few fuch opportunities of
inveftigation,) but in printed books of eafier accefs and
perufal — I am compelled to reply, to the beft of my
belief, that none have been ever given to the public of
a date antecedent to the fixteenth century; and it is
faid by a far higher authority in thefe matters, the vicar
of Ambrofden, that none exift in manufcript. At leaft
Dr. Kennett replies to the bifhop of Lincoln's queftion
(') It w.ere abfurd to think of recovering any authentic inftruments
of inftitution of the Eaftern OeanS rural — the perioOeuta of Afia Minor,
or of the fubfequent erarcji or protopapaOeS. But fee Goar. Euchol. |
GrcBCOr. p. 271. and again p. 277. and note p. 287 ; alfo notes to Dr. [
Priaulx's Brief Account &c., for a form of ordination of a protopapa^.
Qu. Was this form ufed at the ordination of bican as well as ur6an
protopopeg ?

H.D.R.\o\.ii.StpjjcnWrrSalisbury Documents.

134

^Election anO Institution.

[Part III.

cross. SCCbcnb.
Parochial Anti
quities, Vol. n.
pp. 356, 357.

Kennett, ubi
fupra, p. 357.

Kennett, pag,
citat.

upon this point, that he had met with none in the courfe
of his refearches : — "As farr as my prefent thoughts can
reach," Kennett writes, " I believe the rural Ueans were
long appointed by the diocefan without any formal com
miffion in fcriptis, and invefted in the office by the deli
very of the common feal, which at the death of each Uean
was returned to the bifhop, or committed into cuftody
by his order, to be given to a fucceflTor at the bifhop's
nomination." Oral declaration or nomination, and tradition of the
Uecanal feal, feems to have been the ordinary way of
inftituting Ueans rural in England; and this, probably,
at the times of epifcopal vifitation. Had there been
deeds of commiffion, heretofore in ufe, they would have
been found in fome of the diocefan regifters^ ; but there
is not the leaft intimation of any fuch, in an authentic
form, to the very time of the Reformation ; — at leaft, in
reference to Ueang rural, ftrictly fo called : though many
formal conveyances^ occur of the Ueansjip of the court

(') White Kennett particularly notices, that no deeds of commiffion
are feen in the worthy Dr. Button's moft accurate collections from the
rolls of H. Wells and R. Grofthead, bifhops of Lincoln, nor in thofe of
Walt. Grey of York.
(jy " Prater Johannes eccl'ice Cant, minifter humilis — dilecto filio
magifiro P. nuper OecanatiiS eccl'ice beatce Marice de Arcubus London.
cufiodi falutem — dilectum Jilium mag'rum Roger um de Rothewelle cle-
ricum nofirum in eccl'ia B. Maria de Arcubus prefecim'us in Oecanum
— vobis mandamus — utfigillum OecanatuS eidem Rogero liberetis. Dat.
apud Favrefham ix. cat. Octob. A.D. mcclxxix." By which it feems
plain, that, upon the deceafe of the Oean, another clergyman was made
keeper of the feal, till the archbifhop appointed a fucceflTor, who had
felfin of his office by delivery of the faid feal without any other delega
tion in writing. Which nomination and tranfmitting the feal was the
ordinary way of inftituting rural Oeang.

Sect. II.]

iWetDot of Institution.

135

of arches, in the archbifhop's regifters,' — an office hereto
fore attached to the rectory of the church of St. Mary-le-
Bow, or B. Marice de Arcubus — the incumbent of which
was once rural or urban Uean of London — tfie Uean of
©firtsttanitg^' — having under his peculiar diftrict the
churches exempt from the diocefan, and fubject to the
archbifhop's immediate jurifdiction.
The non-appearance of formularies of Uecanal inftitu
tion in diocefan regifters, while they abound in the
archiepifcopal, is accounted for by Kennett in his jIBSb.
letter to the bifhop of Lincoln: — "The Uean of the
arches or peculiars in London kept his cuftomary rights,
and obtained fome new prerogatives, becaufe there was
no archdeacon to reftrain him : whereas in other ordi
nary Ueanertes, the refpective archdeacons had fo crampt
the authority of rural Ueans, (nay, in fome diocefes had
extorted from the weaker bifhops the power of confti
tuting and removing them at pleafure,)*that I prefume,"
fays the antiquary, " there was no great folemnity in
appointing men to execute the declining office, com
monly beftowed by verbal nomination and tradition of
the feal."
Wherever there was exprefs defignation by unit or
patent, it was in the ufual form of the ordinary's dele-

(0 " E cceteris in urbe Londinenfi parwciis," fays Oughton, "jamdiu
fuerunt et adhiic extant numera tredecim, fub jurifdictionis peeuliaris
privilegia, diftinctce et omnino exemptce ; qucB nempe ejufdem dicecefeos
epifcopo nullatenusfubjaceant,fed ipfijfimo metrapalitana, qua ordinario,
immediate fiubjectce remanent ; quarum una eft ilia parochia Sanctce
Marice de Arcubus, et habebatur quafi preecipua," &c.
" 06 arcuatam bafilicam, in qud, pro tribunali, federe folebat, tecanus
de Arcubus."

Ubifuprd,
p. 358.

Onghton's Ordo
Judiciorum Pro
legomena, X. XI.

136

lElection anD Ingtttntiou.

[Part III.

X. col. 1976,
ScconotuS
ordinati per
Abhatem Tho.
Fjndon.

SJJS.Ecbgcc-aSOok penes Regiltr.
dioc. Ceftr.

See Chronica gating any other official or commilTary, mutatis mutandis.
W.Thora.Script. O n J J y
And White Kennett acknowledges it as probable that
there may have been fhort inftruments of conveying the
ordinary truft of Uean rural, though not remaining upon
record ^ Be it fo, or otherwife, antecedent to the epoch
referred to by the learned author ; many fuch documents
have been met with in diocefan regifters, flnce that
event, in England, and a few fhort formulae of inftitution
of Ueans on the continent (one of which has been already
quoted. Sect, ii.) are feen in Van Efpen, /. E. U. Part i.
Tit. VI. cap. I. p. 29. Some interefting 0L^. forms have
reached me from the diocefe of Chefter, by the kindnefs
of Mr. Ward, and are given in the ^ppenUtx under that
title. On the twenty-fourth of May mdli, Bifhop Bird (the
flrft prelate of the new fee of Cliefter) granted the office
of rural Uean of Kendal, Lonfdale, and Catheric Ueanries,
to Thomas Bland for life {^'durante vita fud naturali") by
patent, {fee the document, with feveral others, in the
i glppenUtx — Chefier Documents — N°. i.) — Thefe patents, as
formulae of inftitution, are curious, and have never
before been laid before the public. From them it ap
pears, that the principal regiftrar of the diocefe did not
interfere with the Utcanal jurifdiction, but that the Ueans
had feparate regiftrars of their acts appointed by the
(') It is certain the next fucceflbr to Peckham, Archbifliop Win-
chelfey, made a Ijean of St. Mary Arches by thefe exprefs letters-patent.
— " Robertus Cant. ar. ep'us dilecto Jilia ¦mag'ro Henrico de Najfington
cananico eccl'ice Line, falutem. Officium Decanatug eccl'ice Beatce Marice
de Arcubus London, eum fuis juribus et pertinentiis univerfis, et exerci-
tium jurifidiclionis ejufdem — tibi committimus per prefentes — dat. apud
Otteford. 3. kal. Jun. mccxcv."

Kennett, pag
citat.

Sect. II.]

iWetJoD of institution.

137

bifhop. {See ^ppenUix N°. ii.) In mdcxv^, the office of
rural Uean of all the Ueanries of Richmond archdeaconry
(fave only Amoundernefs) was united with that of com-
miflfary, and granted by patent for life to Edmund Main-
waring and Mark Pickering {fee ^ppEnUtx N°. v.), and fub
fequently to Jofeph Cradock (including Amoundernefs)
in MDcxxxvi, who continued patentee of all the Uecanates
at the time of the Reftoration in mdclx. Confirmations
of other fuch patents appear in the acts of the Uean and
chapter of Chefter of later date, all parties acknowledging
the feparate jurifdiction of the Ueans rural {fee Remon-
Jirance of the Uean and cfiapter, and Anfwer of the bifhop,
A.D. MDCLXii, ^ppenUtx N°. vii.), and cautioufly preferving
it in the fucceffive particular and general patents for a
century afterwards.
There anciently obtained in fome diocefes a cuftom of
fwearing Ueans rural to the obfervance of certain articles
at the time of their inftitution ; of which the firft notice
I have met with is in the feventh canon of the Meath
Confiitutions {A.D. mccxvi.), to this effect : — " Ut in ad- '¦
miffione ad officium juramentum prcefient de fideli execu- |
tione fui ofijidi. Item de inquirendo et prcefentando nobis et

cc. M. B. et H.
Vol. I. p. 547.

(^) At the prefent time, the whole Decanal jurifdiction is exercifed by
the commlffary of Richmond and archdeacon of Chefter, the rural
DeanrieS being all vefted in them ; and, by right of the ancient office of
Dean rural, their jurifdiction is confiderable, though the archdeacons of
Richmond and Chefter, as fuch, have no jurifdiction whatever — that is,
in their archidiaconal capacity alone — the fame having been furrendered
to the crown at the inftitution of the fee, and vefted in the bifhop, who
has not thought fit to give to the archdeacons any jurifdictlon,^ and they
are entitled to none by the charter but what he choofes to beftow on
them, with the falary of 50/. to each.

138

lElection anD Institution,

[Part III.

cc. M. B. et H.
Vol.1, p. 715.

cc. M. B. et H.
Vol. IV. p. 49.
can. xni.

See appcnM^',
Cliefter Patents,
No. I.

Ditto Charge,
Ditto, No. III.

CC. Rotomag.
Prov. P. n.
p. 398.

ojfidalibus nofiris nomina et cognomina omnium etfingulo-
rum infra fuos Uecanatus, qui puhlice et notorie defamati aut
vehementer fufpecti funt de aliquo crimine aut inf amid, per
auctoritatem nofiram puniend. et corrigend." &c. See here
after, under Vifitational duties — '^.ik.'^. Part iv. Sect, ii.
About forty years later we read of the facramentum
corporale as being taken by Ueans rural of the diocefe of
Salisbury, on their prefentation to the bifhop, after infti
tution by the archdeacon. See the Confiitutiones alice
of Giles Bridport {A.D. mcclvi.), can. de Uecanis infi
ll tuendis : and on the nature of the corporal facrament
I {"Tactis corporaliter facrofanctis evangeliis in publico corpo-
r aliter fubeant facramenta." Conft. Siculse, L. i. Tit. lix.)
See Ducange Gloffar. Tom. in. col. 884.
The obligation of an oath, I have no doubt, continued
to be impofed on thefe officers fubfequently, though the
Concilia Magnce Britannice et Hibernice of Wilkins afford
no record thereof till the provincial Scotch council of
Edinburgh {A.D. mdxlix.) ; wherein it is enacted, " quod
Uecant ante fufceptionem fui officii jurent de fideli^ejus admi-
nifiratione in omnibus," &c., as hereafter cited in full,
under vifitation duties.
In the patent of Uean rural of the Ueanries of Kendal,
Lonfdale, and Catheric, to Thomas Bland, A.D. mdli, it
is faid, " Tibi in virtute juramenti tui coram nobis de officio
prcedict. fidelith exequend. in hac parte priiis prcefiit.
damns et concedimus," &c. : and the oath is again referred
to in the bifhop's Charge to the Ueans, A.D. mdxciv. ; but,
as if it ceafed to be exacted, the words occur in no fub
fequent patent.
The Rouen collection of councils prefents us with
the form of the Uecanal oath, as it was adminiftei»ed in

Sect. II.]

IMetJboD of Institution.

139

the diocefe of Evreux {A.D. mdlxxvi). It appears among
the ftatutes of the fummer fynod, under the title " de
iSecantS aauralibus ; " and is thus introduced — "Nefrufird
lex etfiatutum detur,fi nemo fit qui obfervet, vel obfervari
in noftra abfentid procuret, prcecipimus Uecanis ut tanquam
ex altd fpeculd profpiciant in omnes, ac fideliter deferant
delinquentes et contumaces: in quem finem damns ipfis
potefiatem citandi quofcunque fine alio mandato fpedali, et
prohibemus ne conniveant, vel cum ullo pretio interpofito
tranfigant fub poena erga nos perfidice, et perjurii in deum
contra juramentum, quod omnibus fynodis volumus ab illis
in nofiris manibus fieri et renovari, cujus hcec efi forma ex
fanctis canonibus fumpta —
lEgo N. Uecanus de N. furo per deum vivum et iicec fancta
evangelia quod amodo in antea quidquid novi, aut audivi,
aut pofimodum inquifiturus fum quod contra voluntatem
DEI, aut rectam Ciirifiianitatem in Uecanatu mihi commifffo
factum fit aut factum erit,fi in diebus meis evenerit, et ad
cognitionem meam pervenerit, aut indicatum mihi fuerit,
fynodalem caufam effe et ad minifierium domini md epi
fcopi pertinere : quod nee propter amorem, nee propter
timorem, nee propter pretium, nee propter parentelam, nul-
lateniis celabo prcsdicto domino meo epifcopo, aut ejus miffo,
cui hoc inquirere jufferit, aut ejus ofiiciariis. Sic me deus
adjuvet et hcec Sancta Dei Evangelia."
We have recorded the adminiftration of an oath to
the Ueans rural of the diocefe of Salisbury by Bifhop
Bridport in the middle of the thirteenth century. An
oath was alfo adminiftered to them by Bifhop Ward in
the latter part of the feventeenth century. The Articles
of Enquiry drawn up by him (foon after his inftallation)
for the ufe of the Ueans rural of his diocefe are yet extant

DiOtitiac ©ctfji
(SplfcopiSacum,Tranfcript,
p. 339.

a()^lcn^i^^Salisbury Do
cuments.

140

Ruperior. Ca
nonic, in App.
p. 6. (23.)

A Humble Pro-
pojalfor Paro~
chial Reforma'
tion, p. 31.

^Election anD Institution.

[Part III.

in his Common-place Book, and are headed, "Officium
iBecanorutn ISuraltum ad quod juramento afiringendi."
From the form of the Uean's oath, fet down by the
diligent Dr. Godolphin in his Repertory, as in old times
adminiftered, the then authority and jurifdiction of this
rural officer in England may be fufficiently underftood.
The exact date of the inftrument I am unable to afcer
tain. It is in vain fought for in an authentic fhape of
earlier publication. The duties enumerated are found
difperfed through ancient councils, but no where fo
compendioufly and formally drawn up. Nor have I met
with any genuine form of Uecanal jurament in actual ufe
in modern days, except in one diocefe of England \
Godolphin's is to this effect : —
Articles mintstereU to $?ural 39eans.
"%A.B., Uo sfioear, diligently and faithfully to execute
the office of Uean rural within the Ueanrp of C.
" 1. I will diligently and faithfully execute, or caufe to
be executed, all fuch procefles as fhall be directed unto
me from my lord biffiop of E. or his officers or minifters,
by his authority.
" 2. Item, I will give diligent attendance, by myfelf or
my deputy, at every conflftory-court, to be holden by
the faid reverend father in God, or his chancellor, as
well to return fuch proceflfes as ffiall be by me or my

(') In the Commiffion ufed by Biffiop Burgefs in the diocefe of St.
David's, and kindly forwarded to me by Bifliop Thirlwall, thefe words
occur — " You being Jirfi in our prefence duly fworn upon tlie Holy
Evangelifts to act faithfully in tlie difcharge of your faid office qfj^ural
IDean."

Sect. II.]

JWetijoD of Institution,

141

deputy executed; as alfo to receive others, then unto
me to be directed.
" 3. Item, I will, from time to time, during my faid
office, diligently inquire, and true information give unto i
the faid reverend father in God, or his chancellor, of all i -
the names of all fuch perfons within the faid Ueanrn of C. '\
as fhall be openly and publickly noted and defamed, or s
vehemently fufpected of any fuch crime or offence, as is
to be punifhed or reformed by the authority of the faid
court. " 4. Item, I will diligently inquire, and true informa
tion give of all fuch perfons and their names, as do admi
nifter any dead men's goods, before they have proved
the will of the teftator, or taken letters of adminiftration
of the de ceafed inteftates.
" 5. Item, I will be obedient to the right reverend
father in God, /. bifhop of N., and his chancellor, in all
honeft and lawful commands ; neither will I attempt, do,
or procure to be done or attempted, any thing that fhall
be prejudicial to his jurifdiction, but will preferve and
maintain the fame to the uttermoft of my power."

In the Refolutions of the Upper Houfe, confequent on
tJie Report of the Committee of the two Houfes of Convoca
tion about ISural 39eans, {A.D. mdccx.), no oath was pro-
pofed, but it was ordered " that A Paper of Infiructions
from the bifhop fhall be given to every rural Uean, without
fee or reward^, directing him how and in what manner to

(') If we may believe the violent anti-epifcopal author o{"A Short
View af the Prcelatical Church of England," there was once a cuftom
of exacting a fee on the adminiftration of the oath ofoffice to Deans
rural.

cc. M. B. et H.
Vol. IV. p. 638.

fftU'll

142

lElection anD Institution,

[Part III.

Ex. Epift. Au
tograph, Rev. I.
Wallis de Bod
min.

A Short View of
the Pnelatical
Church of Eng.
land, MDCXLI.

Ecclef. Courts'
Report,MDCCCXXXII.pp. 517, 518.
Appendix, C.
Part vn. No. i.

execute that office ; and that every Uean fhall folemnly
promife, in the prefence of the bifhop, or any other.
perfon appointed by him, to execute the faid office ac
cording to fuch inftructions, to the beft of his fkill and
power." Such may be faid to be the general ufage at prefent
in the diocefes of Great Britain and Ireland, wherever I
rural Ueans exift. Some fort of inftrument paffes medi
ately or immediately from the bifhop, his official, or
archdeacon, to the Uean, invefting him with full powers
to execute the truft, for a deflnite, or indeflnite period,
as the cafe may be ; and, at the fame time, inftructing
him how he is to perform its particular duties. In
Cornwall, where I am informed " the office has never (?)

rural. Among the means of epifcopal aggrandizement, it is there alleged,
with no good intent towards our apoftolical hierarchy, that one fource
of wealth to prelates was — " By making rurall DeaneS yearely (where
they be) in every Deanrg : — and for the oath taken, fome pay 8s. 6d.
or a noble, but no benefit to the Deanrg at all, but to execute bifhop's
mandates." At prefent, I am not aware that any payment is made for his com
miffion by the Dean rural of England, except In the province of York ;
where, in the lift of fees taken in the exchequer and prerogative courts,
appears " Cammifficm for a rural Dean, hs. 4d. (Judge), 3s. (Regiftrar)."
But in parts of that province the Decanal office is one of confiderable
emolument, and held by patent for life (viz. in the archdeaconries of
Chefter and Richmond), fo that the functionary may well pay for his
commiffion. See Table of Fees &c. N°. i. beginning " For bufinefs cer
tified by tuxal tseam :" — Deans rural in general have "wo comings-in,"
and therefore had need have no goings-out, beyond what they unavoid
ably incur in the fulfilment of their ordinary duties of parochial vifita
tion, and attendance on the citations of their diocefan. But fiee fome
remarks on the income of cjborepiscopi, and their fucceffors the DeanS of
tjbe countrg, in my Second Vol. P. v. S. in. notes.

Sect. II.]

iWetSoD of Institution.

143

been difcontinued," the ancient cuftom of adminiftering
an oath, at the time of inftitution, yet furvives, with
other primitive peculiarities connected therewith. The |
office is there, as it was in Lyndwood's days genen-ally \
in England {fee the next fection) annual. The bifhop's I See stpijenbi;^,
mandate paffes from the vicar-general and commiflfary of no.;
the diocefe, under his official feal, to the archdeacon —
" charging and commanding him to monifh, or caufe to
be monifhed, all the clergy of his archdeaconry before
him affembled on any competent and convenient day
and place, then and there to elect, and nominate, one fit
and convenient clerk of each Ueanrg, to be the Uean rural
of each Ueanrg, within the archdeaconry for the year
enfuing : — and giving him free power and lawful autho
rity to adminifter in due form of law to each and every
of the Ueans rural, who fhall be elected in purfuance of
the mandate, the ufual and accuftomed oath for the
faithful execution of their refpective offices " — to this
effect : —

«¥ou sSall Slnear well and truly to execute the office
of a Uean rural within your Ueanerg, for the year enfuing ;
you fhall diligently, in the year, vifit all churches and
chapels within your Ueanerg, as alfo all parfonages and
vicarage houfes ; you fhall make true prefentments of
fuch defects as you fliall find therein, and alfo the
defects of books, ornaments, and other utenfils and fur
niture, belonging to each church or chapel ; you fhall
either, by yourfelf or deputy, faithfully execute, or caufe
to be executed, all fuch proceflfes and mandates as fhall
be fent to you from your ordinary, and make true re
turns of the fame. — 'So help you God."

See Tenor Ju
ramenti &c.
StVpcntir.
Exeter Forms,
No. 11.

144

lElection anD Institution,

[Part III.

See 3t|.ipcnbU',
Exeter Forms,
No. III.

Ex. Epifl.Wti.
Edw.Wyatt,Regiftrar.

Till within thefe few laft years, the oath was ufually
adminiftered, immediately after dinner, at the table
where the clergy dined, on the occafion of the arch
deacon vifiting the refpective Ueanries of his jurifdiction
— holding, that is, his fynodal vifitations in each — (the
time felected for the appointment, under the epifcopal
mandate, as moft convenient for the affembled clergy to
elect their Ueans rural) ; but the prefent archdeacon of
Cornwall (the Rev. John Sheeplhanks) thinking it more
decorous to hold the election and adminifter the oath,
when the clergy are called over, at the altar, after divine
fervice, that* courfe is now conftantly purfued. Infiruc
tions are afterwards delivered to the Uean for the execu
tion of his office, with a Booh of Forms for making
his prefentments; copies of which are delivered to
the churchwardens, who are called upon, in the fubfe
quent year, to anfwer inquiries as to their conduct
in difcharging fuch prefentments : — and this is done,
before the archdeacon, in the prefence of the Ueans
rural. It was cuftomary in the diocefe of St. Afaph, during
the epifcopate of Bifliop Horfley, for the rural Ueans,
before their appointment, to make a formal declaration
of affent, and to fubfcribe, to the Thirty-nine Articles
of Religion, and to the three articles in the thirty-flxth
canon, in the prefence of a notary public. This cuftom,
however, of which a record remains in the fubfcription-
book of the See, has altogether ceafed — the prefent
Bifhop appointing to the office by letter only.
In the ^ppenUix of documents will be found numerous
forms and tables of inftructions for Ueans rural from the
ninth century downwards to the prefent time. They

Sect. II.]

JWetJboD of Institution

145

are culled from authentic fources in print and manu
fcript, and may be relied on for their authenticity.
But before I conclude this fection on the fubject of
the inveftiture of Ueans rural, I muft again cite the
01^. letter of White Kennett to the bifhop of Lincoln,
pregnant as it is with much pertinent and fenflble fug-
geftion to the point. " If your lordfhip doe not think it
fufficient to ordain rural Ueans by oral declaration at your
times of vifitation," writes the vicar of Ambrofden to
Bifhop Gardiner, "but to give them particular commif-
fions to authorize them (which indeed will look more
folemn and authentic), your lordfhip may ufe a fliort
and general form; fuch as one of the foregoing, {fee
Sect. II. notes); or fuch as is now commonly ufed in
creating an official or furrogate ; or fuch, mutatis mu
tandis, as now conftitutes a dean of arches. Or elfe
your lordfhip may have a new form drawn up, which
fhall decently mention the good old cuftom, and the
benefits of reftoring it, and fo delegate the perfon to
exercife the office of Uean of ©iiristianitg within fuch a
known Ueanerg, without fpecifying the acts or bounds of
his authority ; becaufe thefe muft be limited or enlarged,
as the prudence of governors fhall direct, or indeed as
the iniquity of times will bear. For at firft-, my lord, the
archdeacons and officials, &c. will be jealous of them, and
will create difturbance, if there be any feeming trefpafs 1
upon their accuftomed rights. And yet there be many |
parts of difcipline that may be committed to the rural I
Ueans without any pretended invaflon upon the arch
deacons, or others, &c."

TOIii I-

SSRi. 9(t)^cnt)o:
Parochial Anti
quities, Vol. II.
p. 358.

146

lElection anD Institution.

[Part III.

SECTION III.
The Duration op Office op iieans ISlural.
Y whomfoever Ueans rural may have been, at
different periods of their hiftory, conftituted
and appointed, and in whatfoever way, the
office itfelf has generally been, and ftill con
tinues, in moft diocefes (as we have already hinted), of a
temporary nature, the powers with which it is invefted
by delegation being revocable at the will of the dele-
Anaiyfiscc. j gator. — " 3Ruralis arcSipresfjgter non dignitas efi',' fays
Tom. III. p" 36. ' Richard, "fed fimplex ad epifcopi voluntatem revocahik
j officium." This precarioufnefs of title is implied in the paffages,
already cited from foreign canonifts, on the removal of
Ueans rural, when occafion required it ; and it is expreffly
affirmed by our own Lyndwood — ''eorum officium efi
temporale et non perpetuum," — differing in that refpect
from the Uecanal dignity in cathedral, collegiate, and
fuch like churches, "g-m'^MS perpetuo intitulantur." — '^Sunt
hi Uecani temporales ad aliquid minifierium fub epifcopo vel
archidiacono (al. archiepifcopo^ exercendum confiituti ; — nee
habent injiitutionem canonicam tanquam in beneficio." — 'And
again, " quoUbet anno mutantur Uecant, et fiunt novi." To
the fame purport writes John de Atho, in his earlier
gloffary on the Legatine Confiitutions of Cardinal Otho,
in the canon " ne caufes matrimoniales judicibus imperitis

Pi-Qvincial.'L.lJ.
T. I. gl. bccani

L.i.Tit.n. gl.
bccnnoS tucolcS.

L.II. Tit.i. gl.
omni anno.

Sect. III.]

IBuration of ®&ce.

147

committantur ;"¦ — "non efi perpetuus (foil. Uecanus ruralts) U'- ''"""'«''"''"''
etfic confuetudinem prcefcribere non pqffet, — -fed efi amotivus i
ab officio ad nutum fuperioris, cujus efi minifier." And j
once more the Bifhop of St. David's, on the fame point i
of prefcription — "cum tales Uecant rurales^ non fint per- ' Provinciai.Tu.it.
^ . ^. . . _ -' 5 ¦ T.i glaudire
petui, et quicquid faciunt, non fuo fed alieno nomine faciunt, i pnefumant.
etiam ratione confuetudinis prcefcribere non pojfunt." \
Similar was the intended regulation of the office in :
the Reformatio Legum Ecclefiafiicarum — " Munus autem
ejus (arcjbtpresbgteri rusttcani) erit annuum." But in the | Ti' v^cn. c. v.
Proceedings in Convocation about iJlural liicans, in the |
reign of Queen Anne, the period of Uecanal tenancy, ;
recommended by the Upper Houfe, was three years ^; — |
"unlefs caufe fhould appear to the bifhop for altering! cc.M.B.etH.
1 n • 1 „ 11 IP 11 Vol. IV. p. 638.
the laid term ; — or, as the latter claufe was amended
by the Lower Houfe, — " unlefs great caufe fhould appear
to the bifhops and archdeacons having jurifdiction, or to
the bifliop where there is no archdeacon having jurif
diction, for difplacing them fooner."
True, therefore, it is, as remarked by the Hiftorian of Parti. p.i76.
the Antiquities of Canterbury, that rural Ueans were " ge
nerally amotive, and removable ad nutum confiituentis ;"
— but there have been exceptions to the rule.
In fome places, by virtue of cuftom and the grants of

(') Which was the reafon, Gibfon obferves, why the feals the Deans
rural had for the due return of citations, and the difpatch of fuch bufi
nefs as they were employed in, had only the name of the office (and not,
as other feals of jurifdiction, the name of the perfon alfo) engraven on
them. C) The Bifhop of Down and Connor and Dromore appoints his
rural Deans by commiffion "for the term of three years, or during
pleafure." mdcccxliii. l2

Gibfon's Cod.
I.E. A. Yolii.
Tit. xui. cap.
vm. p. 972.

See appctlDijr,
Iriih Documents,
Down & Connor
& Dromore.

148

^Election anD Institution,

[Part III,

Godolphin's Re
pertorium Ca
nonicum. chap.
VII. p. 53.

Burn's Ecclef.
Law, Vol. 11.
p. 118.

T. D. Whitaker's
liiclimondfhire.
Vol. I. p. 339.

See Borlafe's
Antiquities of
Cornwall, Tan
ner, p. 67.

bifhops, they enjoy a perpetual jurifdiction^ fubordinate
only to the biffiop and archbiffiop; — they are "vicarii
epifcopi et archiepifcopif and have power of acting by
themfelves or deputies. Of this nature are the Ueans of
Shoreham, Croydon, and other the archbiffiop's pecu
liars ; who have archidiaconal jurifdiction under the
archbiffiop, and are fubject to him alone. The official
principal, vicar-general, or commiflfary of the archbifhop,
have no concurrency of jurifdiction in thefe Ueanries ;
but appeals lie from the Uean to the official principal,
and they are fubject to the archbiffiop's vifitation by
himfelf or his vicar-general.
Under the title of Uecant rurales, modern writers alfo,
fometimes, place the Ueans ^ oi Battle, Booking, Middle-
ham, St. Burian, Guernfey, and Jerfey, all of whom are

( ' ) Battle or Battell — De Bella — is an ancient Deanrg of Suffex, a
peculiar jurifdiction without a chapter. See Dugdale's Mancjlicon An
gUcanum, Part XIX. p. 239. New Edit.
Backing is the head of the archbiffiop's peculiars in EfTex and Suffolk ;
four of which are fituated in Effex, and three in Suffolk ; and all fubject
to the Dean of Becking, as archiepifcopal commlifary. See Morant's
Middleham is a collegiate church in the gift of the crown, with jurif
diction, privileges, and exemptions, unimpeached and undiminlffied to
the prefent day. The Dean has the probate of wills, and fome other
rights of ecclefiaftical jurifdiction within his pariffi, together with a court,
an official, and a feal of office. " The paroch chirche hath beene, as
fum wene," fays Leland, "a collegiate chirche. The parfon is yet
caulled the Dean of Midleham. Richard the 3d lay at itt, and coUe-
glated the chirche there, but Henry the 7th toke the new college land
awaye." St. Burian enjoys its Decanal dignity immediately under the crown ;
the Dean exercifing an independent jurifdiction in all ecclefiaftical
matters within the pariffi and its dependencies. He is rector, and entitled to

Sect. III.]

Duration of ®flice.

149

perpetual, and in our days are more correctly called
Ueans of peculiars ; though feveral, or perhaps all, may
have fprung originally from Ueans rural. Indeed, Sir
Henry Spelman so thinks with regard to some of them :
— "Sunt etiam in ruref fays he, " Uecant pauculi, nulli
collegio prcefecti, fed jurifdictione qudpiam gaudentes, ut
Uecanus Croidenice in comitatu Surrice, Uecanus de Bello,
i. 23attel, in comitatu Cantii, &c. Videntur ex ruralium
Uecanorum genere fuiffe : quod hinc ab epifcopo, illinc ab
archidiacono, vel exhmifium omnino efi, vel prifiino fplen-
dore denudatum."
But to come to less equivocal Ueans : — In the diocefe of
Norwich, the continuance of Ueans rural in office feems
to have been perpetual, and their admiffion more folemn
than elfewhere. For, in the time of Archbiffiop Witlefey,
while that fee was vacant, collations to feveral rural
Ueanries occur (whereas in other places they are called

Gloff. Archaiol.
p. 165.

to all the tithes of St. Burian : where alfo a vifitation court Is held in
his name, churchwardens fworn, and wills proved, &c. The appeal from
his court is directly to the king in council. Three prebends were attached
to this royal peculiar from the Conqueft downwards; but before the
Reformation, Dean and prebendaries had deferted St. Beriana and her
Ihrine. " Ther longeth to S. Buryens a Deane and a few prebendarys,"
fays Leland, " that almoft be nether ther." Leland's llin. vii. 127. This
ancient fanctuary, with its titular Dean, has not much, affuredly, in com
mon with the conftitution of an ordinary rural Decanate.
The DeanrieS of Guemfiey and Jerfiey prefent more points of refem
blance ; and, on that account, I have felected from their canons and con
ftitutions ecclefiaftical of the reign of James I. fome few regulations of
the Decanal office, its character and functions, as then appointed in thofe
remote parts of the diocefe of Winchefter. Thefe extracts are diftributed,
either as text or foot-notes, under the various heads to which they apply.
See Falle's and Morant's Jerfey, and Berry's Guernfey.

Gibfon's Codex,
I.E.A. Tit.XLIi.
C.VIII. p. 972.

Whitaker's Ca
thedral of Corn
wall, C.I. p. 21.
Sic.Lyfon's Corn
wall, p. 49, feq.

1.50

lElection anD institution.

[Part III.

admifiions only) ; and, in an ancient metropolitical vifi
tation of the fame diocefe, the firft in every Ueanrg is fuch
an one, perpetuus Uecanus \ To which may be added,
fays the biffiop of London, wha^. we find before, in the

Sib. SnStit.
atoviDic.

Blomeiield's Norfolk,Vol. I. p. 473.
Vol.11, pp.52.
228. 271. 422.

Vol. IV. p. 63.
Vol. V. pp. 124.
358.
Thetford, from
^.Z).MCCCXVIII. Wi. Dr. Sutton.

Vol. vn. pp.39.
211.36.S.
Vol.viii. pp.181.
530.
Vol. IX. pp.400.
471.Vol. X. pp. 107.
312. Vol. XI. p. 145.

i (') On the collation of Henry Gold well to the Deanrg of Cranwich in
; Norfolk, this injunction is entered : " Et epifcopus virtute obedientice,
¦firmiter injunxit omnibus et fingulis abbatibus, prior, rector, vicar, cu-
j ratis, 8fc. tam clericis quam laicis per diet. Decanat. quod Henrico Gold-
wella Decano perpetuo earum,, obediant pariter et intendant in omnib'us
licitis, canonici/que mandatis."
The Dean of Rockland-Toft in Norfolk exercifed jurifdiction over
thirty rectors and vicars befides the three pariffies within the bounds of
his own incumbency : he was, as well as the other DeanS, Mr. Blomefield
: tells us, collated by the biffiop. All the DeanrieS had pecufiar feals ap
propriated to them. They were not temporary, or durante epifcopi bene
placita, but perpetual offices ; and were often refigned and exchanged
for other preferments in the church. Mr. Blomefield gives a lift of the
Deans of Rockland from ^.D. mcccxv. to A.D. mccccxcviii. ; of thofe of
Thetford from A.D. mclxxv. to A.D. mccocxx. ; of Cranwich from
A.D. Mcccxv. to A.D. mdix. ; of Breccles from A.D. mcccx. to A.D.
MccccLxvi. ; of Hingham from A.D. mcccvii. to A.D. mcccclxvii. ; of
Norwich city from A.D. mccxvi. to A.D. mdxix. ; of Humiliart or Hum
ble-yard from A.D. mcclvi. to A.D. mccccxlvii. ; of Deffwade from
A.D. mccxvi. to A.D. mccccxcviii. ; of Redenhall from A.D. wcccxxvi.
to A.D. MDXxxiv. ; of Burnham from A.D. mccxviii. to A.D. mccccxciv. ;
of Blofield from A.D. mcclvi. to A.D. mcccxlvii. ; of Fincham from
A.D. MccL. to A.D. MDXVIII. ; of Repps from A.D. mccciv. to A.D.
Moccxxxix. ; of Lynn from A.D. mcccxv. to A.D. mdxliii. ; of Holt
from A.D. mcccxviii. to A.D. mccccxxxix. ; of Brifley from A.D. mccc.
to A.D. MccccLii. ; of Broke from A.D. mcclvi. to A.D. mccccxxxvi. ;
of Hitcham from A.D. mcccxiv. to A.D. mcccxlix. ; of Flegg from
A.D. mcclvi. to A.D. mccccxlv.
About A.D. MDXL. the rural DeanrieS came all into the biffiop's hands,
and their jurifdictions into the archdeacons. Being valuable preferments,
they were taxed for their annual profits to their refpective DeanS in the
Norwich taxation.

Sect. III.]

HSuration of ©ffice.

151

T. D. Whitaker's
Hift. of Whal
ley, B. II. c. I.
p. 42.

regifter of Archbiffiop Peckham; who commands the
biffiop to fequefter " proventus omnium Uecanatuum, in
quibus Uecant, et in facerdotio confiituti, non faciunt perfo-
nalem refidentiam'^."
Again, — If the anomalous perfonage, so fully and
amufingly defcribed by Dr. Whitaker, under the title of
Uean of Whalley, can be confidered a rural Uean, we have
an example of the office being hereditary. But, clofe
as this ftrange perfonage approximates to the corban of
Ireland (in being compounded of patron, incumbent,
ordinary, and lord of the manor), and aware, as I am,
that Sir Henry Spelman views the corban as the coun
terpart of the Uean rural of England, I cannot fubfcribe
to the accuracy of the opinion which would confound
thefe ecclefiaftics under the fame general character.
A lefs doubtful exception to the office's limitation,
the paftor of Great Budworth affords, in the notice
beftowed upon it in his Defenfive Doubts, hopes, and
reafons, for refusall of the Oath, impofed by the fixth canon i^^l^'^^^f
of the late fynod — "In this dioceffe (C3iefter), the Ueanes j
for many yeares paft have had a great part of epifcopali j
jurifdiction ffiared among them," fays John Ley; — "and
this, by patent for lives or yeares, from the biffiops, l^eSK^..
allowing fometimes larger, fometimes leflTe authority,
unto them." — Which ftatement I find confirmed by a

'we 50.

(') Biffiop Kennett's ilWS. additions to his own copy of his Parochial
Antiquities cite the following extract from the regifter of John Drokens-
ford, biffiop of Bath and Wells (A.D. mcccix. — mcccxxix.)
" mcccxxv. 13. kal. Octob. Joh. de Rouleffiam ad officium arc]&ipreS-
fiDteratuS in eccl'ia de Fokyagton ficundum formam ordinationis dicti
arcj&ipreSl&SteratUS qui penes d'num remanet ad prefent. d'ncB Aliciae de
Knovil dictcB eccl'ice et arcjiprestfiterattis patronce."

ategiStc. Joh.
Drokenesford epi. B.W.

152

lElection anD Institution.

[Part III.

pp. 1,2, leqq. &
pp. 70, feqq.

Ejufdem, p. 6.

Whitaker's Hh
ftory of Man
chefter, Vol. II.
pp. 391—398.

manufcript HeUger in the poffeffion of IVIr. Ward, the
prefent deputy regiftrar of that diocefe, who kindly
granted me permiffion to confult the fame.
Though in the year mcc, it is clear, that the rural
I Ueans or vice-archdeacons, as they are often denominated
; in the 1LeUger=i)Oofe, were removeable at the will of the
; archdeacons, yet, it is prefumed, that, at the time of the
1 erection of the fee of Chefter (out of the furrendered
: jurifdictions of the two archdeaconries of Richmond and
I Chefter) the rural Ueans held their offices for life ; as
j they, beyond all doubt, fubfequently did. At the period
i alluded to, rural Ueans were fubfifting, and did not fur-
: render their functions as the archdeacons did, but con-
! tinned (as before placed by the archdeacons) in their
- refpective Ueanries under the diocefan biffiop of the new
i fee ; who deemed it expedient, from time to time, as the
j Uecanates dropped in, to continue to perpetuate them by
I patents for lives^; the Ueans being ftill poffeffed of the
fame furbordinate jurifdiction which they had exercifed
under the archdeacons ; — a jurifdiction obtained by long
cuftom, diftinct from the ordinary jurifdiction of the
diocefe ; and entitled to independent actuaries, regi
ftrars, &c. of its own.
The engraving of the name with the office on the feal
of the rural Ueans of Manchefter, Mr. Whitaker remarks,
of itfelf proves the appointment to have been there for
•indeed the fame perpetuity belonged to it, as to

lite .

(') See the evil of this fyftem oi patents far lives, as practifed in the
diocefe of Chefter, in the eftate of that diocefe in the time of Bifhop
Bridgeman, printed from the iltts. ileDger-33oofe. ^ppenDil of docu
ments of this See, N". vi.

J

Sect. III.]

IBuration of ®ffice.

Tsil

the other Uecanates of the old archdeaconry of Chefter,
of which it formed a part — a perpetuity, which, the cited
hiftorian affirms with his wonted pofitivenefs, univerfally
attached to the office at its firft inftitution \
In the archdiocefe of Salzburg, it feems, Ueans rural
were wont to hold on beyond the biffiop's pleafure, " ita
ut fibi perfuadeant, fe eo officio, et jurifdictione, oh quam-
cunque caufam non pojfe defiitui:" — to counteract which
uncanonical notion, the fynod of mdlxix decrees, that all
elected Utans ffiall appear before the ordinary for infti
tution, and afterwards perform the duties of their office
to his entire fatisfaction, as the condition of their con
tinuing to hold the fame ; — " Qua in re," concludes the
conftjtution, " neque alicui fit injuria, cum hujufcemodi
munera, merajint epifcoporum officia, quibus fuis provider e
ac coifulere debent ovibus,Jibi a fpiritu fancto commif/is."
In fome places, where our rural functionary enjoyed
a perpetuity of tenure, (and fuch, we are told, was the
conftitution of his charge not unfrequent on the conti
nent, and at firft, perhaps, in many diocefes of Great
Britain,) it is faid, that he was diftinguiffied by the
lefs common title of plebanus^ — "a regimine plebis" — •

Conftitut. et
Decret. Synod.
Salisburg. XXV.
cap. V.

(') What was the duration ofoffice of the ancient cjorepiscopt, I do
not remember to have any where feen. But it is at leaft queftionable,
whether it was not for life. Not fo that of the biffiops in partibus infi
delium of England. Their commiffion, at and after the Reformation,
was revocable.
(') Upon the nature of this title, Biffiop Stillingfleet affords fight, as
it obtained in England foon after the firft inftitution of a parochial
clergy ; and from him it would appear, that the pletanuS of thofe days
was not the fame, effentially, as our Dean rural of after-days, however
identified in the columns of gloflTariographers. "There were fome
cures,"

Filefaci Parce
cia, p. 49.

Strype's Mem.
of Cranmer, Ap
pendix, No.xxn.

Duties Sf Rights
of the P. Clergy,
Works, Vol. in.
p. 651.

154

iilection anD Institution.

[Part HI.

Tractatus (Le-
andri Galga
netti) de Jure
Publico, Lib. III.
Tit.xxra.p.231. Venetiis,
Mncxxm.folio.

a title, which, Filefac thinks, originated in the days of
Pope Lucius III. {circa annum mclxxxi.), as fynonymous
with paroscus: but very many perpetual Ueans rural
were not plebant, and very many plebant were not Utans
rural. The term plebanus is of very rare occurrence in our
! cures," fays he, " which had chapels of eafe belonging to them ; and
¦ they who officiated in them, were called capellani, and had their fub-
fiftence out of the oblations and obventions, and were often perpetual
and prefentative. And where the incumbents had feveral chapels of
eafe, and only affiftants to fupply them, the canon law doth not call them
rectores, but plebani; who had a fort of peculiar jurifdiction in lefler
matters ; but ftill they were under the biffiop's authority in vifitations
and other ecclefiaftical cenfures, becaufe the care of the whole diocefe
belonged to him jure communi, &c.'' And here let me add, that fome
what of this character may ftill attach to the Dean rural abroad : or why,
otherwife, would he have to perform, among the duties of the plefianate,
that of preaching and teaching in ecclefia ple&auali, (as the mother
church of fubordinate daughter-chapels,) impofed upon him by Galga
netti on the authority of the council of Trent, in fefs. v. de reformat.
" arcjipresbs*"^ *'^''° i^tiralis presbyterorum, et laicorum plelianise fuce
curam gerit, contra tamen decretum epifcopi nihil ordinare poteft. — Sed
et ipfe, et alii omnes parochiales, vel curatas ecclefias habentes, tam in
civitatibus, quam in vicis per fe, vel alios idoneos, fi legitime impediti
' fuerint, diebus faltem do?ninicis, feftifque falemnibus, plebes fibi com-
'¦• mi/fas, pro fud et earum capacitate pafcant falutaribus verbis : docendo
ea, quce fcire omnibus necejfarium eft ad falutem, annunciandoque eis
cum brevitate, et facilitate fermanis vitia, quce eos declinare, et virtutes,
quasfictari oporteat, ut pcenam ceternam evadere, et ccelejlem ghriam
\ canfequi valeant," &c. See the learned remarks of Muratori, in his
feventy-fourth differtation, Antiquit. Med. Mvi, Tom. vi. on the eccle
fiaftical incumbents termed plebani and arcfiipresbgteri — and a Bull of
Pope Alexander III. (A.D. mclxviii.), Tom. vi. col. 423. confirming to
a pleban the fubject churches of his pletanate: and at p. 441, one of
Archbiffiop Anfelm of Ravenna, confirming to an arcjbpresbgter his
fubordinate capellse &c. (A.D. mclvi.)

Sect. III.]

Huration of ©ffice.

155

Engliffi councils, (indeed I remember to have met with
it only once or twice); but in Tufcany, the Sbumma ^i\-
tjestrina notes that the " arcfiipresbgtEr ruralis communiter
didtur plebanus alibi Uecanus." And, from the treatifes
of Auguftin Barbofa de Canonicis et Dignitatibus &c., and
Ferro Manrrique de Prcecedentiis et Prcelationibus Eccle-
fiafiids, in Spain alfo, the title of plebanus is common
amongft the canonifts. " ^lebans," fays Johnfon, are the
fame with Ueans rural, only fome fay that they were per-
petuaP." Whether temporary or perpetual, the appointment to
the office of Uean rural was on no account to be fimo
niacally conferred: — "Inhibemus," fays the fourteenth
canon of a Parifian council {A. D. mccxii.), repeated avro-
Xe^e) in the fixteenth of the council ofRouen(^.D. mccxiv.),
"ne Uecanatus rurales ad tempus vel in perpetuum'^ pro

C) See C. M. B. et H. Vol. in. p. 73 ; Thomaffin. V. et N. E. D.Tom, i.
Part. II. L. I. c. V. p. 226. viii. ; and Dr. Whitaker's Hift. offFhalley, B. ii.
c. I. p. 42.
(*) Defpite of prohibitory canons, certain rents were anciently paid
by the rural DeauS of Chefter to the biffiops of that See ; as appears from
the following claufe in one of their patents, "Reddendo nihilominus
annuos redditus ex dictis Decanatii&US exeuntes nobis et Juccejfaribus
nqftris debita modo et temporibus confuetis : " and from the fame, or the
like claufes, in all other patents of the rural DeanS : — in fome of which
the fum payable is particularly expreffed. The rents amounted formerly
only to 24/. 10s. Sd., till about two hundred years ago ; when the value
of money having advanced, the biffiops advanced them to lOOZ., the
fum they had to pay to their archdeacons. Such a refervation of an
annual payment out of the Decanal jurifdiction, although, in common
cafes, it would be a forfeiture of the office and the power of granting it
(by the ftat. 5 & 6 Edw. VI.), being here founded on ancient cuftom,
does not place it within the prohibitory ftatute.

ParsL de 2li;cl)i>
pi'C66l)tCC0,
\ fol. XXXXIX.
' Ecclef. Laws,^c.
Vol. ii. An.
: MCCCLXIII.

SS cc. Tom.
XIII. col. 824.
869.

See 3()5pcniii;r.
Chefter Patents.

Dr. Andrew's
opinion in ^§.
£cb8Cl-=33oolt(
penes Regiftr.
Diocef. Ceftr.

156

lElection anD institution.

[P-\rt III.

ss. cc. Tom.
XIII. col. 1036.

pecunid vel aliquo pretio alicui conferantur, ficut fiatutum
efi in concilio Lateranenfi et Turonenfi. Eos qui contra
hoc venerint decernentes, prceter poenas in condliis compre
henfias, juxta prcelatorum arbitrium gravi poena plectendos."
And the eighteenth canon of a Spaniffi council {incerti
loci circiter A.D. mccxvi.) enacts, "cum arcftipresbgteratus
fpiritualem jurifdictionem habeant ; difiricte prohibemus ne
arcftipresbgteratus fub aliqua penfione ad terminum alicui
concedatur." The office of Uean rural, now-a-days, in England is
generally held durante epifcopi benepladto. But in the
diocefe of Exeter it is an annual appointment, and in
that of Winchefter it is the fame, in the inftance of the
older inftitution (ftill nominally kept up) ; while in the
new foundation, under Biffiop Sumner, it is of unlimited
duration, as in the other diocefes of England.
There are reafons, in the writer's opinion, why Ueans
rural ffiould not be fo often as annually changed. To
fay nothing of the improbability of all the clergy of any
Ueanrp being equally well qualified, and equally conve
niently placed to fulfil the duties of parochial vifitation
(for where the office is annual it is ufually by rotation),
it is fcarce poffible for any Uean, however well fituated
with regard to the pariffies fubject to his infpection, and
bent upon performing the duties of his ft,ation, to be
really efficient of much good within fo ffiort a period of
fervice as one year. He may infpect and order repairs,
without doubt, but there is little chance of his feeing
them executed before his ffiort-lived authority will have
expired. In many cafes a fecond and a third parochial
vifitation may be required, to infure the completion of
neceffary alterations and reparations by churchwardens

Sect. IIL]

duration of ©ffice.

157

and others : and how can this be effected upon one
confiftent plan by an ever-changing functionary?^
The Uean rural ffiould be appointed for an indefinite
period — that is, for as long as the biffiop may think fit
to depute to him the truft — which will generally be
as long as the Uean is refident within the jurifdiction,
and performs the duties of his calling to the fatisfaction
of his employer — quamdiiife bene gefferit.
In fome cafes it is neceffary to divide eftabliffied rural
Ueanries into two, three, or four jurifdictions, according
to their extent, and to allot a fuperintendent to each, in
order to fecure the full advantages of parochial vifitation
to every church and manfe, with as little trouble as pof
fible to the biffiop's vicarious infpectors. But whatever
the extent of fupervifion, whether over ten, fifteen, or
twenty pariffies^ (few jurifdictions contain lefs than the
firft or more than the laft number), in every inftance,
the office will be more efficiently exercifed, if it be of
unlimited duration. The circumfcribed period of his
officialty deprives the annually-elected Uean of the great
inducement to vigilance and activity, which the more
permanent functionary enjoys in the confcious certainty
of being able to carry forward and complete any required
meafures of amelioration by his perfonal agency.

(') I am told that the fyftem of annual election does not work well in
the diocefe of Exeter. The refponfibility of the office is not duly felt,
becaufe it cannot be effectively difcharged.
(^) When the office was revived in the diocefe of London about ten
years fince, the Biffiop did not deem it expedient to reftrict himfelf to
the ancient divifion of the diocefe into DeanrieS ; but multiplied the
number of officers fo as to give to each rural Dean the average number
of ten pariffies.

158

lElection anD institution.

[Part III.

Atterbury's Ar
chidiaconal Charge,
MDCCVIII. Correfpoiidence
by Nichols,
Vol. II.

! The evils of the annual fyftem of election and change
; are pointed out by Dr. Atterbury in his archidiaconal
Charge to the Clergy at Totnefs: and wherever the
officer is fubject to yearly mutation, the advice of the
archdeacon is worth attending to, as it fuggefts the only
means of palliating an acknowledged imperfection :—
"When Ueans rural are chofen," fays Atterbury, "it
were to be wiffied that they would, as foon afterwards
as conveniently they can, fet about the work, without
deferring it, as they too often do, to the very time of the
expiration of their office ; when they have neither leifure
nor inclination to make due inquiries, or, at leaft, due
prefentments upon them; but fatisfy themfelves with
the promifes of the refpective perfons, incumbents, to fet
j things right, without having time left fufficient to oblige
I them to perform thofe promifes ; which are made again,
perhaps, to the next Uean rural, towards the clofe of his
office alfo, with as little effect as they were to the former:
and thus dilapidations and the decays of churches in-
creafe without end and without remedy \"

(') I am informed by the venerable Dr. Barnes, the prefent Arch
deacon of Barnftaple, that Biffiop Philpotts has requefted that the rural
Deans of the diocefe of Exeter may in future remain in office for three
years, the elections being triennial inftead of annual, in the four arch
deaconries of Exeter, Totnefs, Barnftaple, and Cornwall. (2d Edit.)

159

florae Becanicae Ite^urales^

PART IV.
'^tt personal ^Functions of Beans Hural.

SECTION I.
Introductory Summary op Personal Duties.
P the perfonal duties of the oriental Uean rural
(if we may fo call the Laodicean hepio-
AEYTH2 — the fucceffor of the xnpEniZKonos)
we have faid as much, in our preceding
pages, as the brief notices of his office in the records of
the Eaftern church will warrant. Referring the reader i
to Part II. S. I. of the prefent work — to the copious \ s*"'"'". ¦^'"¦"
¦^ _ _ •"¦ mentsin^)f^mi
notes annexed to Dr. Priaulx's Brief Account Sec. — to
Suicer's T. E. in voce — -and to Balfamon, Zonaras, Ari
ftenus, Juftellus, and Beveridge ad Can. lvii. Laodicen.
reprinted in the ^ppcnUtx — for farther information re
fpecting the oriental officer (whofe character is no
otherwife known to us than by the canon of his primary
inftitution, and the commentaries upon it), we will pro
ceed at once to the perfonal functions of the occidental !
Uean, as exhibited in the definitions and gloffes of our :
ableft canonift, Biffiop Gibfon, and the authorities cited,, ppfs^qq.'*"
or referred to, in his Codex of Ecclefiafiical Law.
Thefe defcriptions fummarily difpatched, we will

Bevereg. Syno
dic. Tom.I.
pp.479, feqq.
Tom.II. p. j98.

160

personal iFunctfons.

[Part IV.

Codex I. E A.
Tit. XT II. C. VIII.
Vol. n. p. 972.

Deer. Greg. IX.
L. I. Tit. XXIV.
CIV.

Tractatus de
Prcecedentiis
etPrislationibus
Ecc/ejufticis,Quiett. VI.
pp.38, 39, 40.

afterwards take up the canons illuftrative of the office in
detail — collected, with confiderable care, from the whole
range of European councils, church-hiftories, and other
authentic documents — and digefted and arranged upon
fuch a plan as to afford the cleareft and fulleft informa
tion refpecting the vifitational, fynodical, and other mul
tifarious branches of the Uean rural's perfonal duty: —
noticing, in our progrefs, any occafional points of refem
blance between the eaftern and weftern ecclefiaftics,
which a more particular examination of the Uecanal
duties of the Latin church may call to our recollection
in the gloffes of fcholiafts and commentators on the
cliorepiscopal and perioUeutal of the Greek.
"The proper office of a rural Ucan^, however confti
tuted," fays Gibfon, " was the infpection of the lives and
manners of the clergy and people, within their diftrict.
in order to be reported to the biffiop." In the body of
the canon law (already cited in the Latin, in Part ii. § i.
p. 48.) it is fo defcribed ; and, in Dr, Field's verfion of

(') The perfonal rank of the rural arc^preSfigter forms a queftion,
feemingly, of difficult folutlon to the canonifts. After a brief expofi
tion of the opinions of others, Michael Ferro Manrrique, a Spanlfh
canonift, thus refolves it: — " arcj&ipresbgteri ruvales/w ^\i\>mi dicuntur
eJfe in aliqua dignitate fialtem large,etiamfi conventum aut collegium non
habeant; fed folum plebem fiuam et clericos ipfius, quibus preefint:" —
his reafons being — "quia tales arcl)iprcsbgteri habent, qucilem jurifdic
tionem, nedum in follicitudine et curd divinorum et plcfeantae, veriim in
renunciando epifcopo, et ad ilium referenda cuncta, cjuce in plebibus
acciderint." Inafmuch as they are "prcefides et prcelati et ordinarii et
pojfunt minora negotia decidere tanquam judices /labentes jurifdictionem,
et graviora referre, ergo pofiti fiunt in aliqud dignitate, &c.'' Laftly,
touching precedency, he fubjoins, rural arcjbpriests " tanquam prcelati
prcBcedunt omnes in ecclefiis plebis fuce, etiam rectores parochialium."

Sect. I.]

IntroDuctorg Summarg.

161

the fame title, in the following terms — " That each divi
fion of the people of God in their feverall limits have
their arcj&presbgter, who may not only take care of the
rude and ignorant multitude, but may alfo with conti
nuall circumfpection obferve and looke unto the life and
converfation of the presbyters, which dwell in the lefier\
titles, andffiew unto the biffiop with what diligence each!
of them performeth the worke of God. Neither let the I
biffioppe contend and fay, that the people committed to ;
his charge need no arcjbpresbgter, as if he himfelfe were \
able fufficiently to governe the fame ; becaufe, though
he be exceeding worthy, yet it is fit he ffiould divide his
burthens, that as he is over the mother church, fo the
arcftprcsbgters may be over the people abroad, that the
ecclefiafticall care ftagger not, or be not too weake in
any thing. Yet, notwithftanding, let them referre all
things to the biffiop, neither let them prefume to order j
any thing againft his liking and decree." \
The like defcription of the office is alfo found in the \
Reformatio Legum, of which I quote Biffiop Kennett's '
verfion — forefeeing that I ffiall have occafion to cite
many claufes of the Latin text in the fequel : — " That
every Ueanerg ffiould have a rural arcSpresbgt£r appointed
by the biffiop, or by the ordinary of the church, whofe
office ffiould be annual ; who, as a watchman, ffiould ;
continually fupervife the presbyters, deacons, church- j
wardens, and fextons, that all of them difcharge their |
refpective duty. Who ffiould inquire of all idolaters,
heretics, fimoniacs, bawds, whores, adulterers, forni
cators, perfons who had two wives or two husbands,
forcerers, witches, calumniators, blafphemers, fodomites,
drunkards, forgers, and perjured witneffes in teftamentary
VOL. I.  M  _^__

Dr. Field o/rte
Church, Booke
V. p. 507.
See Morin. De
Sacr. Ordinal.
P.m. Exerci-
tat. XVI.
de 5(cri)i)3i'C§b.
cap.n.p,217. x.
Thomaffin. V. et
N. E. D. P.I.
L. II. c. VI.
pp. 226, feqq.
naaren.DeS.E. M. ac B. L.I.
c. VIII. p. 22.

Reformatio LL.
Ecclef.Tit. ie
Ecclefia et Mi-
niftris ejuf. c V.
Parochial Anti-
quities. Vol. Ii.
p. 308.

162

personal ^Functions.

[Part IV.

Codex I. E. A.
Vol.ii.Tit.xLU. cap.viil. p. 972.

caufes, and all violators of the ecclefiaftic laws, and the
injunctions of the biffiop. And ffiould have authority
to cite before them and to examine all perfons fufpected
of fuch crimes ; and then within ten days ffiould return
in writing to the biffiop or ordinary of the place the
whole matter of the accufation, whether by public fame,
or attefted by the depofition of witneffes, or juftly fu
fpected. And if any perfon refufe to come to him when
duly cited by the apparitor, he ffiall be cenfured as con
tumacious, &c. And within every fix months the faid
rural Uean ffiould inform the biffiop or ordinary of the
place, how many fermons had been preached in his
Ueanerg within that fpace of time."
" And where, in the plan that was under confideration
ann. mdlxii." continues Gibfon, " the fame duty is laid
out, it is expreffly added, — But the faid Uean not to deter
mine any thing in thofe matters."
"This report to be made to the biffiop concerning
the manners of the clergy, and people, rendered them
neceffary attendants on the epifcopal fynod or general
vifitation, which was held for the fame end of infpecting
in order to reformation : and they might on account of
the informations given by them be fometimes called
Tefies Synodales ; but not, I conceive, exclufive of the
Tefies Synodales properly fo called, or that ffiefe fuc
ceeded the rural Ueans in the office of detecting (however
thofe things have been affirmed); fince they have no
fuch title given them, in any canon or conftitution, that
I have met with ; and it is alfo certain, that the calling-
out the Tefies Synodales at fynods, was in practice long
before the declining fiate of the rural Ueans." (See Sec
tion III. Editor.)

Sect. I.]

IntroDuctorg Sutnmarg.

163

" But however, at firft, the office of rural Ueans was
merely infpection ; by degrees they became poffeffed of
a power to judge and determine in fmaller matters; and
therefore, upon the forementioned rule of the canon
law, (quoted entire, with its glofs, in earlier pages, from
the council of Pavia ^.D. dcccl.), at the words cuncta
tamen referant ad epifcopum, the glofs defcribes the im
provement of their power by cuftom, prceter minora, quce
ipfi arcfttpresbgteri determinare pojfunt, cum haheant ordi
nariam jurifdictionem : — which is, in effect, the fame con
ftitution that we find in the laws of Edward the Con
feffor, concerning the Decemvir, or the Head-man of
every tything, in the ftate : Ifii inter villas et vicinos
caufas tractahant, et fecundum forisfacturas emendationes
capiebant, et concordationes faciebant, videlicet, de pcfcuis,
pratis, mefiihus, et de litigationibus inter vicinos, et innu-
meralibus hujufmodi decertationibus, quce humanam fragili-
tatem infefiant, et eam incejfanth oppugnant. Gum autem
caufce majores erumpebant, referebantur ad fuperiores eorum
jufiitiarios, &c.
"This then was thefiandingo^ce of rural Ueans, —
To infpect the manners of the people and clergy, to
determine leffer matters themfelves, and to report the
reft to their ecclefiaftical fuperior \ But, as to other
branches of power (fuch as inductions, inquifitions de
Jure Patronatus, cuftody of vacant benefices, trial of
caufes by delegation, and the like) which have been

(1) — " Recogitare debent arc5ipres6steri,7e eJfe conftitutas paftorum
et ecclefiafticarum fui diftrictus pajiores; ipfarumque parochiarum
vice-epifcopo directiani intendere ; ut vel ipfi defectus corrigant, vel ad
m,inus epifcopum de omnibus plene inftruant." Editor.
m2

Deer. Greg. IX
Lib. I. Tit. XXIV.
c. IV. Editor.

Leg. Edward.
Confefs. c. 32.
Editor.

Kennett's Paro
chial Antiqui
ties, Vol. n.
Editor.

Van Efpen
LE.U.V.\.
T.vi.c.in.p.30.Editor.

164

personal dFunttions.

[Part IV.

placed to their account, as branches of the office ; in thefe
they feem only to have been occafionally employed by
their ecclefiaftical fuperiors, to whom they fwore obe
dience at their admiffion. And therefore the faying
that they were yome^mes employed in fuch matters, would
have been lefs apt to mislead the reader, than the repre-
fenting fuch duties, wherein they were but occafimmlly
employed, as powers of right belonging to the office."
" It hath been alfo affirmed, that parochial vifitations
are part of the office : and it is true, that where the
Lateran council determines the retinues of vifitors, and
allows to archdeacons five or feven horfes ; it is added,
irecant confiituti fub epifcopis (al. ipfis, in marg.) duobus
equis contenti exijtant: but I may venture to fay, that,
though the faid Lateran canon is transferred by the
bulli into the canons of the council of London, ann. mcc ;
yet in all the Provincial and Legatine Conftitutions, or
the gloffes upon them, there is not the. leaft intimation
of their being parochial vifitors, or their having any con
cern therein ; which work, by the whole tenor of them, is
fuppofed to belong wholly to archdeacons, as the legal
adminiftrators of that branch of the epifcopal jurit
diction." Hitherto Biffiop Gibfon and his authorities. — But,
perhaps, it -will not be going too far in the humble col
lector of thefe notes on the Uecanal office of tfie countrg,
to fay, that the learned canonift, in the foregoing ftate^^'
ment, is at iffue with other antiquaries, and poffibly
miftaken. It is difficult to fay what were permanent powers of
right, and what of temporary delegation. Strictly fpeak
ing, the former were very few ; and, fuch as they were,

Sect. I.]

IntroDuctorg Sumraarg.

165

Van Efpen
Jur. Ecclef.
Univ. Part I.
Tit. VI. cap. V.
p. 31.

perhaps, more extenfively annexed to the office on the
continent than in England, and in fome places here than
in others ; and fo feeming contradictions may be recon
ciled. "Circa hcec aliaque jura et officia arci)tpresbgterorum
notandum, ilia plurimilm ex confuetudine, et infiructionihus,
feu facultatibus, quce arcfitpresbgterts in fingulis dioecefibus
dari confueverunt, dependere et variari; aded ut ex con
fuetudine aut decreto unius dicecefis quoad fimilia ad alias
dioecefes ordinarie non liceat inferre."
. Mr. Somner acknowledges the undefined nature of the ^ntiquuies of
^ .f I Canterbury,
office of Ueans ruial. " Their jurifdiction," fays he, " for iP^^i. pp.175,
ought that I can find, is not fo certain, nor particularly [
laid down any where, as it can be faid to be, of this or |
that form, or to be thus or thus bounded out. And
therefore as they are generally amotive, and removeable
ad nutum confiituentis, fo is it arbitrary to the fuperior
that ordains them, I fuppofe, with decency and order,
what charge or bufinefs they ffiall undergo."
Be their powers what they may — we judge of them
alone by their exercife ; and however fubordinate our
rural ordinary may at all times, and in all places, have
been, the great machine of ecclefiaftical difcipline having
been principally conducted and applied by his agency in
country diftricts, he muft be viewed as an important
perfonage in the by-gone days of his plenary jurifdiction
— fuch as the following pages will ffiew him to have once
poffeffed at leafi by epifcopal commiffion. An officer to
whofe perfonal vigilance, fubordinate to, or a-part from,
the archdeacon, as the cafe might be, the biffiop con-
figned the vicarious vifitation of the rural cantonments
of his diocefe — the fupervffion of the clergy therein as
to manners and function — the detection of vice — the

166

Personal ipunctions.

[Part IV.

fupport of churches and ecclefiaftical manfions — and the
care of all things which concerned the public worffiip of
Almighty God — cannot have been other than a moft
influential member of our rural church-police, while
capacitated to fulfil and actually difcharging fuch grave
and vital duties ; and, in the ratio of his then importance,
an interefting fubject of antiquarian inveftigation to
modern ecclefiaftics.

Sect. II.]

^arocibial 'Visitation.

167

SECTION II.
Parochial Visitation.
O begin with an effential branch (as the writer
believes) of the Uean rural's perfonal functions
— the cardinal duty on which nearly all the
reft depend — parochial vifitation : — Never at
any period, according to the compiler of our Codex of
Church Law, did the rural arcfipresbgter attain to the
right of parochial vifitation ; though a parochial vifitor, by
epifcopal delegation, he has ever been, in every Chrif
tian country, from his firfi eftabliffiment to the prefient
time. "^rcj&tpresbgteriS_y2iJe Uecanfs ruralibus incumhere curam
parochiarum fuorum refpective difirictuum extra dubium efi','
Van Efpen obferves, " adeoque jus efi arcfiipresbgteris
vifitandi dictas parochias, quoties id neceffarium aut utile
videbitur, ut dehitam parochice notitiam habere queant"
" Touching the power and authority of thefe arcfipres-
bgters," fays Dr. Field, " . . . . they were twife in the
year to vifite all the churches within the limits fubject
to them, to fee what was there amiffe, defective, or
weake, that fo they might either reforme, fupplie, or
ftrengthen the fame."
" By cufiom warranted by lawf Mr. Somner writes,
"many of them had a kind of jurifdiction^ to vifit their
(') Dr. Godolphin enumerates the feveral officers, to whom, under the
biffiop, the due execution of ecclefiaftical laws is entrufted, and who " are to

Gibfon's C. I. E. A.
Vol. II. Tit. XLII.
c. VIII. p. 972.

Jur. Ecclef.
Univ. Part I.
Tit.vi. cap.v.
p. 31.

Of the Church,
Booke, V. p. 507.

Antiquities of
Canterbury,
Part I. p.l76.

Repertor. Canon.
Appendix, p. 3.
(12)_p.7.(!i5.)

168

personal ^functions-

[Part IV.

Ancient and
Prefent Church
of England, V.l.
c. VIII. p. 64.

£K«. ScbfCt-
^ooiex Regiftr.
Diocef. Ceftr.

p. 73.

Parochial Anti
quities, Vol. II.
p. 360.

Ueanrg, and to inquire of crimes and defamations hap
pening in the fame, efpecially by the clergy, and to take
cognifance thereof; correcting, for the fmaller offences,
by themfelves ; and for the reft, referring them to the
fuperior, the biffiop, namely, or archdeacon, at the next
fynod, chapter, or vifltation, reporting unto them what
they found, like as did the Irenarchce and Apparitores of
old, their notoria to the magiftrate."
" They had power to vifit and hear caufes," fays Mr.
Johnfon, " and a fort of authority, latterward, to correct
delinquent clergymen, but not to proceed to cenfure, &c."
Such an opinion, again, in modern days, the learned
civilian Dr. Andrews expreffes : — " They had by law tk
right of vifitation both of the laity and inferior clergy.
: In fmaller matters they had a right of judging ; but in
I thofe of a higher nature, they were to refer to the bifliop,
'and to follow his directions. They had an ordinary
I jurifdiction within their Ueanries : their attendants at the
time of vifitation were reftrained, and their demands of
procurations regulated by the canon law."
This early capacity, by Biffiop Kennett alfo denomi
nated a right of vifitation, and ftated to have been long
retained, and exercifed ex confuetudine over all the
churches, as well as clergy, of their Ueanries twice a-year
(for all vifitations were at firft parochial), Gibfon, as

to make infpection into the manners of each particular diocefe— the
chancellor, commiffaries, archdeacons, officials, and DeanS rural." And
then (25) he fays — " for the government of the church, and correction
of offences by the aforefaid officers, vifitations of pariffies and diocefes
were allowed, that fo all poffible care might be taken to have good
order kept in all places of the diocefe." See alfo Molanus de Canonids,
L. II. C.VIII. pp. 158-9.

Sect. IL]

i^arocfiial 'Fisitation.

169

I have faid, altogether denies to Ueans rural in England.
" In all the Provincial and Legatine Confiitutions, and
the glq/fes upon them," writes the canonift, " there is
not the leaft intimation of their being parochial vifitors^,
or having any concern therein."
Here, however, Mr. Whitaker afferts the biffiop of
London to have made " a great miftake ;" for that the
rural Uean, as the ordinary and prelate of his Ueanerg, like
the archdeacon and biffiop, perfonally vifited every bene
ficed clergyman and church ; and, like them, had a right
to a procuration from each, or one day's entertainment
for himfelf and his attendants. And affuredly, unlefs
invefted by the biffiop with a vifitatorial capacity, in fome
fenfe or other of the term, rural Ueans could not have
performed their duties of infpection in aidance of their
fupreme head, the urban diocefan: — acting in whofe
name, the primary objects of their office was to examine
the demeanour of the clergy and the conduct of the
laity, and to promote the important interefts of religion

(') Archbiffiop Peckham feems to acknowledge them as parochial
vifitcyrs in his letter to Anian biffiop of St. Afaph (A.D. mcclxxxiv.),
hereafter quoted. He orders them to be procured for by the rectors and
vicars of the diocefe.
In Lyndwood's glofs upon the words alii ordinarii in Archbiffiop
Stratford's vifitation conftitution (A.D. mccclxii.), rural Deans are not
excluded, though, it muft be confefTed, they are not named. The glof-
fographer writes — ^^archidiaconis cequales, et inferiores eis" — which
explanation will affuredly admit Decanal orDinarieS. See the Meath Con
ftitutions, IV. V. VI. beyond.
See Dr. Phillimore's opinion on the power of rural DeanS to exercife
injpection by authority of the biffiop in the diocefe of Lincoln. Ecclef.
Gazette, p.l64. March 1839. N°. 9.

Codex LE.A.
Tit.XLIi. C.VIII.
p. 972.

Hiftory of Man
chefter, Vol. II.
pp. 384. 394.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol.11, p. 105.

Provincial. Lib.
III. Tit. XXII.
p. 224.
Appendix,
Lincoln Documents.

170

personal ipuncttons.

[Part IV.

Jur. Ecclefiaft.
Univerf. P.I.
Tit. VI. cap. III.
p. 30.

Boehmer. Juf.
Ecclef. Proteft.
L. III. Tit.
XXXIX. § XXIII.
Codex I. E. A.
Tit. XLII. c. VIII,
Vol. II. p. 969.

Bingham O.E. B.n.
c. XXI. s. 9.

in both : and the fecondary, to infpect the ftate of the
ftructure, and the condition of the furniture, in the rural
churches ; and to keep the ecclefiaftical houfes in good
repair. " Cum arcfitpresbgteri omnibus pafioribus et eccle tiqfiicis
fui difirictus fuperintendere, et invigilare debeant," fays
Van Efpen ; " attendere quoque, num nihil in parochiis
fibi fubjectis, ad earum debitum regimen et curam anima
rum fpectans negligatur; nihil evidentius, quam inter primas
arcfitpresbgterorum ohligationes, effe parochiarum fibi fub-
jectarum exactam, et frequentem vifitationem, qud medi
ante in notitiam parochiarum venire, et corrigenda corri
gere, aut ad epifcopum corrigenda referre queant."
I am inclined to believe that they were parochial vi
fitors of very early days — eftabliffied, in all likelihood, at
the abolition of the cfiorepiscopt to this department of
office : — ^nay, as pertoUeutse, with whom, in earlier pages,
we have endeavoured to affimilate them, they were
effentially vifitors — " epifcoporum vicarii, qui regiones
epifcoporum circumibant et vifitabant, auctoritate quddam
epifcopali, qud etiam defectus emenddffe, et alia quce vifita-
tionum necejfitas pofiulahat, peregijfe videntur'.' Vifita
tion was an attribute of their office even before it was
delegated to the principal deacons ; who, under the title
of archdeacons, at their original inftitution, had no
relation to the rural diocefe at large, but only to the
epifcopal fee.
But that rural Ueans or arc6presbgters, or even perio=
UeutK, ever parochially vifited their fubject churches
otherwife than by exprefs or implied permiffion and
authority of their diocefan, I am far from affirming : —
indeed, there is not a tittle of evidence, that they ever

Sect. II.]

Parocjial Fisltation.

171

exercifed this, or any other branch of duty, except as
epifcopal delegates " in fubftitution and vicarage." So
true is it, as afferted by Richard, that rural arcfipresbgters,
Ueans rural, and foraneous btcars, act not, " nifi per com-
mifiionem, quce ad epifcopi nutum revocari potefi;" like
their archetypes the hepioaeytai of the eaft, of whom
Boehmer fays, "Hi vicarii d nutu epifcoporum dependehant,
omnia ad epifcopum referebant, et auctoritate epifcopi per
dioecefin drcumihant." (loc. citat.)
In this delegate capacity, prebyters acted as i)tstta=
tores at a very ancient date, in the Weftern church, as
they did under the title of perioUeutse in the Eaft. See
Routh's Reliq. Sacrce, Vol. iii. pp. 348, 382 ; and notes to
Priaulx's 'SCreatise, N°. xxxiii. The biffiop had power
granted to him by the fourth council of Toledo^ {A.D.

(') According to the decree and direction of the Toledo Council,
" we ffiall find," fays Dr. Field, " that biffiops hindered by other em
ployments, fickneffe, weakneffe, or age, fo that they could not go in
perfon to vifit their churches, fent fome of their chiefe presbyters or
deacons, but efpecially the chiefe deacons, to performe the worke of
vifitation for them ; becaufe they being the chiefe among the deacons,
which are but church-fervants, were more attendant about them for
difpatch of all publick bufineffes, than presbyters. Thefe chiefe deacons,
or archdeacons, at firft they fent onely to vifit, and to make report, but
not to fententiate any man's caufe, or to meddle with the correcting or
reforming of any thing ; but afterwards in proceffe of time they were
authorized to heare and determine the fmalleft matters, and to reforme
the lighter and leffer offences : and therefore in the councell of Laterane
under Alexander the Third, it is ordered that the archdeacon ffiall not
give fentence againft any one. But in the councell of Rhoane it is
appointed, that the archdeacon and arc^pres^st*'^ ihsW be fore-runners
to the biffiop, and ffiall reforme the lighter and fmaller things they finde
to be amiffe." " Hence

Analyfis CC.
Gen. et Part.
Tom. III. p. 36.

H. D. R. Vol. II.
Slppcnbi^'.SarumDocuments. SS. CC. Tom.vI,
col. 1461.

Of the Church,
B. V. p. 509.

172

i^ersonal ^fpunctions.

[Part IV,

Ecclef. Cafes,
Vol. I. p. 77.

OT.CaTom.vii.
col. 398.

De Difciplin.
Ecclef. Lib. Ii.
No. LVII.

DCXIII.), of invefting presbyters or deacons, vicarioufly,
with the exercife of parochial vifitation : — every diocefan
being, by himfelf or deputy, obliged to vifit annually all
the churches and pariffies of his diocefe. " Quodfi ipfe
aut languore detentus, aut aliis occupationibus implicatus,
id explere nequierit, presbyteros probabiles {probabilis
vitce. Burchard. L. i. c. lxxxvii.) aut diaconos mittat, qui
et reditus bqfilicarum, et reparationes, et minifirantium vitam
inquirant:" Can. xxxvi. — "which is the original," fays
Biffiop Stillingfleet, "of the archdeacon's vifitation;" and,
I would add, of the Uean rural's, in the Latin church.
The council of Chalon in France protects the paro^
chial clergy from the intruflon of civilians in the cha
racter of vifitors (at variance alike, fays the canon, with
eftabliffied cuftom, and canonical regulation) unlefs fpe-
cially invited by the arcjprcsbgter of the diftrict; — which
would indicate that the local clergy were, there and at
that time, fubject to the latter's peculiar and exclufive
infpection under the diocefan biffiop : Can. xi. In the
fame office of perfonal vifitation Rheginon affociates the
arcfipriest with the biffiop and archdeacon at a later date.
Agreeing, then, with the biffiop of London in his

" Hence in time it came, that archdeacons much ufed by biffiops, as
moft attendant on them in the vifitation of their churches, and reforming,
fome fmaller diforders, at length by prefcription claymed the correction
of greater things, as having of long time put themfelves into the exer
cife of fuch authority. And thus the deacons, or at leaft the chiefe of
them, the archdeacons (which at firft might not fit in the prefence of a
presbyter, but being willed by him fo to doe) in the end became, by
reafon of this their employment by the biffiop, to be greater, not onely
than the ordinary presbyters, but than the arcJpreS^literS themfelves." &e.
— See Biffiop Marffi's Charge to the Clergy of Peterborough, mdcccxxiii.
pp.16, feqq.

Sect. IL]

i^arocliial Visitation.

173

unqualifled negation of all power in rural Ueans to vijit
de jure (if fuch be the author's meaning in the above-
cited paffage) independent of the diocefan, at leaft in
England (for to the canons and cuftoms of his own
country alone Gibfon alludes); we will proceed to
adduce, in chronological order, fuch memoranda of
vifitational meafures conducted by Ueans rural, as the
councils of Great Britain and the continent prefent ; in
order to ffiew the important fact, that they did vifit " by
fubftitution and delegation " under the fanction of the
church^ — beginning with a curious manual of inftruc
tions to Ueans — (" Capitula quibus de rebus magifiri et
Uecant perfingulas ecclefias inquirere, et epifcopo renuntiare
debeant") from Hincmar, archbiffiop of Rheims, bearing
date A.D. dccclii. — the earlieft, I believe, on record for
regulating rurt-Uecanal inquiries by vifitation. From this
document, which the reader will find in the ^ppenUfx, it
is evident that rural Ueans, eftabliffied in their Ueanries,
made annual parochial vifitations in France, in the middle
of the ninth century : and, from the obligation impofed
on them to deliver yearly in July their vifitational returns
to the archbiffiop, may be inferred the vicarious cha
racter of their infpectional journeys.
Out of this Hhemiih formula of the middle of the ninth
(') The power of the diocefan biffiop to delegate to arcSprcShgterS
rural his vifitatarian right of parochial infpection, as often as may be
expedient for the due confervation of the churches and manfes of his
diocefe, cannot be doubted — when he can do it to any presbyter-rural ;
— and the fame is capable of fuch a commiffion of vifitation. The
biffiop of Chichefter authorifed two clergymen (A.D. mdclxxxvi.) to
vifit every church, parfonage-houfe &c., within an archdeaconry of his
diocefe, and to make their return to him, or his vicar-general.

Hincmari Oper.
Tom. I. Capitula
et Coronatiimes.
5*. CC. Tom.x.
col. f>, feqq.

Boehmeri Jus
Ecclefiaft. Pra
teftant, Lib. III.
Tit. XXXIX,
§XXXV.

(Commiffio pro
vifitatione pa
rochiali.) Gibfon Cod.
I.E.A. Append.
p. 1550. XVIII.

174

personal ^Functions.

[Part IV,

SS cc. Tom.
XIII. col. 419.
can. IV. Annal.
R. de Hoveden
Script, po/t. Be
dam, p. 807.

r. et. N. E. D.
de B. P. III.
L. II. c. XXXIII.
V. III. p. 376.

Collier's Ecclef.
Hift. Appendix,
/^.D.MCLXXXII. Hen. n. 29.

century, probably, fprung the more copious inftructions
of Rheginon towards its clofo' — ¦" Infiructio de his, quce in
\ vifitationihus ecclefiarum epifcopum vel ejus minifirosper vicos,
pagos, et parochias fuce dicecefeos inquirere olim oportuit."
The latter table is fuppofed by Baluzius ad Reginon.
p. 533. to have been in general ufe in Weftern Europe;
though the abbot of Prumia compiled his Difciplina
Ecclefiafiica, more efpecially, for the German churches.
The celebrated council of Rome under Alexander 111.
{A.D. MCLXXIX.) writing expreffiy on the fubject of vifi
tation, and confirmed by our own provincial council of
London {A.D. mcc), under Archbiffiop Hubert, and by
the Legatine Confiitutions of Cardinal Othobon {A.D.
MCCLXVIII.), fets a limitation to the vifitatorial retinue of
rural Ueans, as well as that of fuperior church-dignitaries :
— "Quodrca fiatuimus quod archiepifcopi parochias vifi-
tantes, pro diverfitate provindarum et facultatibus eccle
fiarum, quadraginta vel quinquaginta evectionis numerim
non excedant : cardinales verb viginti quinque non exce-
dant (thefe are omitted at London) ; archidiaconi quin
que aut feptem ; Uecant, confiituti fub ipfis, duobus equis
eodfiant contenti." And why ffiould the canon be thus
reftrictive upon the latter functionaries, if they never
vifited parochially ? '^ His omnibus," fubjoins Thomaflin,
"jus erat vifitationis et procurationis ; " and to all alike
is forbidden, in their retinue, the ^accompaniment of

( ' ) Three years after this council of Lateran, the following curious
indulgence to the Berkffiire clergy was iffued by Pope Alexander : —
"ALEXANDER PAPA CLERICIS,
PER ArCHIDIACONATUM BeRKESIRE CONSTITUTIS,
INDULGET NE CaNES, VEL AcCIPITRES
Archidiacono exhibeant.
" ALEX-

Sect. IL]

Parochial Visitation.

175

hounds and hawks, frequent appendages of dignity in
thofe days, both in lay and clerical life : " nee cum cani-
hus venatonis et avihus proficif cantur, fed ita procedant, ut
non qu<2 funt fua, fed quce Jefu Chrifti queer ere videantur:
nee fumptuofas epulas qucerant, fed cum gratiarum actione
redpiant, quod honefi^ et competent^ fuerit illis minifira-
tum." And to archdeacons and rural Ueans, in parti
cular, exactions on the clergy are ftrictly inhibited in
the fequel of the fame council — " Archidiaconi verb, five
Uecant nullas exactiones, vel tallias^ in presbyteros, five
clericos exercere prcefumant." See Boehmer " de cenfihus.

" ALEXANDER EPISCOPUS, fervus fervorum Dei, dilectis Filiis
Clericis, per Archidiaconatum Berkefire conftitutis, Salutem et Apofto-
licam Benedictionem.
" Cum, nobis fit, quamquam immeritis, omnium Ecclejiarum cura
commiffa ; ficut officii noftri debito, cogimur provider e ne fiubditi fiupe-
rioribus debitam reverentiam fubtrahant et honorem, ita quoque volumus
prcBcavere, ne a majoribus fubditi valeant indebite prcegravari; ea
propter, quieti veftree paterna Jbllicitudine providentes, auctcn-itate vobis
Apaftolica i?uiulgemus, ne Canes vel Accipitres ARCHIDIACONO
veftra cogamini exhibere, nee eum pluries, quamfemel in anno recipere,
tunc ei per diem unum et nactem neceffaria miniftraturi, cum feptem
tantum equitaturis, et perfanis totidem, et tribus fervientibus peditibus.
" Nidli ergo hominum liceat hanc paginam naftrce concejfionis infrin-
gere, vel ei aufu, temerario contraire.
" Si quis autem hoc attemptare prcefumpferit, indignationem Omnipa-
tentis DEI, et beatarum Petri et Pauli, Apoftolorum ejus, fe naverit
incurfurum. " Dat. Lateran. viii. KL. Martii. " Filis fericis coloris ftavi."
(^) Tallia — " Cenfus vel tributum quod virithn exigitur." Spelman.
Gloff". Arch, in voce. " Exactia, impofitio " — Ducang. Glofs. M. et I. L.
in voce.

176

Personal ^Functions.

[Part IV.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol.11, p.l 51.

exactionibus et procurationibus," in Jus Ecclefiafiieum Pro-
tefiantium, Tom. iii. Lib. iii. Tit. xxxix. § ci. p. 633.
All thefe vifitors, as above ftated, were allowed their
cuftomary procurations, originally in provifions, but fub
fequently in pecuniary compofition^; the churches to
be vifited having the privilege of withholding payment
unlefs the duty of vifitation was duly performed ; " cum
procuratio aliud non fit',' fays Peter Quivil in the Exeter
fynod (.4. D. MCCLXXXVII.), "n^^^«/?ento^io vifitantis." To
the like purport a continental fynod of the fame year
{Statuta Synodalia Ecclefice Meldenfts {A.D. mcclxxxvii.),
in its twenty-fifth canon, writes — " Prohibemus ne archi-

Whitaker's Hift.
of Manchefter,
Vol.11, p. 385.
See alfo John
fon's Eccl. Laws,
V. n. A.D.
MCCCXXXVLnote.

Sext.Decr.Jt.in.
Tit. XX. c.l.

Gibfon's Codex
LE.A. Tit.XLIi.
cap. III. p. 958.

(') Vifitational procuration became gradually fo fixed and certain,
that it was frequently redeemed, or changed into a pecuniary payment,
obferves Mr. Whitaker, as early as the year mcc. ; and has long fettled
into a pofitive fum. It was very wifely appointed at firft, as a provifion
for the maintenance of the ordinary and his attendants during the time
of vifitation, and to preclude that natural fear of expence which might
abridge the frequency, and contract the particularity, of this ufeful exer
tion of difcipline. But this end is now anfwered no longer. The firft
departure from the defignation reduced it into a pecuniary payment.
Cuftom foon afcertained the particular fum. And the lowered value of
money has rendered the latter infignlficant. It is no longer fufficient
for the purpofes, for which it was originally impofed. And the very
ufeful, the parochial, vifitation has therefore contracted itfelf into little
more than a formal and hafty one by Deaneries. Vifitations are now,
for the moft part, fynodal, and not parochial — in confequence of the
vifitor availing himfelf of the indulgence which the law grants in fpecial
cafes, where every church cannot be conveniently repaired to : " et Ji
commode vel abfque difficultate accedere ad unamquamque nan poterit;
de pluribus locis ad unum congruum, cle^ricos et laicasftudeat convocare,
ne in illis vifitatio poftponatur," Prom this indulgence, and the great
extent of diocefes and jurifdictions beyond what they originally were,
grew the cuftom of citing the clergy and people to attend vifitations at
particular places. See Gibfon's note ad can. lx. (A.D. mdciii.)

Sect. IL]

i^arocfiial 'Fisltation.

177

diaconi vel Uecant rurales aliquas exigant procurationes,
nifi legitime vifitaverint. Prohibemus fub poena fufpenfionis
fuhditis eorum, ne folvant procurationes, vel aliquid loco
procurationis, nifi legitime vifitantibus. Ita cum requifiti
fuerint, fuper hoc,fi opus fuerit, fidem fadant facramento,
ne prcedicti archidiaconi vel Uecant numerum in Lateranenfi
condlio corifiitutum excedant. Et moderatas fadant ex-
penfas, ne longi temporis victum brevis hora confumat." And
another fynod at the fame place in its ninety-fourth
canon, de procuratione Uecanorum — "prcecipimus presby
teris omnibus ne redpiant Uecanos ad procurationes, nifi
cum duobus equis; quod fi contrarium factum fuerit, contra
presbyterum et Uecanum graviter procedemus."
Reftrictions are indifcrimin'ately jjaffed on archidia
conal and Uecanal vifitations by the councils of the day ;
— that they be not onerous to the clergy in point of
expence ; while, at the fame time, it is enacted, that, at
all events, they be performed. So, that of Le Mans
{A. D. MccxLVii.), in its canon de officio Uecanorum, orders,
^'ut Uecant quamlihet fibi fubjectam ecclefiam vifitent annu-
at\m perfonaliter et prioratus : etfi procurationes voluerint
omittere, nullatenus tamen vifitationem omittant." That of
Saumur {A.D. mccliii.) not only confirms the canons of
earlier fynods, pertinent to thefe matters, obliging the
functionaries in queftion to an obfervance of them, but
particularly, and by name, forbids to rural arcfipriests the
fubftitution of officials in parochial vifitation, perfonal
miniftration being their bounden duty.
The canon de ofijido arcfttpresbgterorum of the fynod of
Clermont {A.D. mcclxviii.), fo corroborative of the vifi-
tatorial power, and declaratory of the points of inquiry,
to which the attention of the Ueans was to be directed.

Thefaur. Anec-
dot. Tom. IV.
col. 897.

col 906.

S'atuta Synoda
lia Ecclef Ceno-
nianenfis. Thef Script.
Veter. Tom. VII.
col. 1401.

SS. CC. Tom.
XIV. col. 138.
can. VIII.

SS. CC. Tom.
XIV. col. 399.
can. VIII.

178

Personal iFunctlons.

[Part IV.

claims our fpecial notice : — " Statuimus ut arcfifpresbgteri
quamlihet fibi fubjectam ecclefiam vifitent annuatim perfo
naliter. Et fi procurationem omittere voluerint, nidk-
teniis tamen vifitationem omittant. Item inquirant fum-
marih de omnibus notoriis : etfi quid efi quod fcandahm
generet ibidem in populo, five clero, et quod per fe non
poterunt corrigere, nobis vel offidali nofiro referant infra
menfem : ut fecundum relationem ad plenam inquifitimem
defcendamus, et corrigamus, ficut nobis videbitur expedire.
" Item qucerant, utrum ecclefiis vel prioratibus impofites
fuerint novce impenfiones ab abbate, vel ab alio aliquo, abfque
confenfu nofiro. Etfi invenerint, nobis renuncient fidelitk
abfque mora.
"Item prcecipimus, quod arc^tpresbgieri, quandb procu
rationes redpiunt, duorum equorum numerum non excedant,
prout in Lateranenfi et in provindali concilio efi fiatutum.
Etfi excefferint, procuratio denegetur." The canon then
proceeds to prohibit them meddling with judicial caufes
without fpecial mandate, on pain of excommunication ;
or uttering interdict or excommunication, except by the
authority of their fuperiors, &c.
The fynod of Saintes (.^. D. mcclxxxii.) forbids all
pecuniary compofition, (which had, indeed, been pre
vioufly reftricted till after vifitation performed, for fear
of abufe), and enjoins archdeacons and arcfiprtests to be
fatisfied with two fercula by way of provifion, to fojourn
with the vifited only one night, and to abftain from ex
tortion of every kind. That of Liege {A. D. mcclxxxvii.)
orders, that no allowance whatever be made to the fame
i perfonages " ratione vifitationis, nifi ad ecclefias fpecialitk
viRtationis causa venerint vel accejferint." "  etcum
archidiaconi vel Uecani rurales vifitaverint," fays another

Slat. Synod.
Ecclef. Leodi
enfis, can. VI.
SS. cc. Tom.
xiv.col. 1135.
XIV. III. See
alfo Thefaur.
Anecdot. Tom.
IV. col. 494.

Sect. II.]

i3aroc|)ial 'Visitation.

179

canon of the fame church, " et ad aliquam ecclefiam per-
venerint, quce vifitanti per fe ad aliqua non fuffidt, tunc
duas vel plures conjungant, et eas uno die vifitent, et tunc
expenfas illius vifitationis ab ipfis ecclefiis vifitatis pro rata
cujuslibet redpiant, nee aliquam pecuniam ab ipfis ecclefiis
habeant, quam quod expenfce illius vifitationis yo/vawter."
In the diocefe of St. Afaph (J.I>. mcclxxxiv.), the
rural Ueans or local officials are ordered, by the letter of
Archbiffiop Peckham, addreffed to the diocefan biffiop
and clergy, to be procured for by the rectors and vicars
— "Uecanos verb rurales vel officiates locales volumus a
rectoribus et vicariis procurari, nifi forte ah iifdem pro
necefiitate aliqud invitentur." See alfo the Chichefter
Synodal Statutes of Biffiop Richard de la Wich {A.D.
MccxLvi.) — Archbiffiop Stratford's Vifitation Canon {A.D.
McccxLii.) — Lyndwood's glofs in v. alii ordinarii ; and the
" Infiructio iSecanorum tam in curfu vifitationis, quam
extra," in the Statuta Synodalia Ecclefue Meldenfis {A. D.
McccLxv.), in our appenUtx.
But the moft important of all documents, in corro
boration of the vifitatory capacity of rural Ueans, or, at
leaft, fecond only to the quoted canon of the great La
teran council (^.D. MCLXXIX.), is the "Confiitutio Bene-
dicti PP. XII. fuper procurationibus vifitantium" {A.D.
Mcccxxxv.) — wherein, among the procurations of other
ecclefiaftical vifitors, thofe of rural Ueans, " qui in aliquibus
regionibus arcfitpresbgtert nominantur," are authoritatively
regulated and eftabliffied,— the fame being in England
the fum of ten turons, at the rate, as the Pope informs
us, of twelve turons to the floren of Florence {is. id.
Spelman in v.). The paffage is fo explicit on the fub
ject, that I extract it:— "Illud quoque, quod archidiaconis
n2

cc. M. B. et H.
Vol. II. p. 105.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol.1, p. 690.
Provincial.
p. 224.

Thefaur. Anec
dot. Tom. IV.
col. 926.

cc. M. B. et H.
Vol. II. p. 580.

Jobnfon*s Eccl.
Laws, Vol.u.
ann.MCCOXXXV.

SS.CC. 'iom.x^.
col. 424.

180

Personal ;iFunctiottS.

[Part IV.

ss. cc. Tom.
XIX. col. 43.

fuperiiis duximus ordinandum, locum habere volumus in
Uecanfs, prcepofitis, aliifque perfonis ecclefiafiicis fuperih
non exprefiis, quibus vifltationis officium et procurationis
receptio ex privilegia apofiolicce fedis, vel de jure, feu de cm-
fuetudine, competere dignofcitur : Uecanfs ruralfbus dumtaxat
exceptis, qui in aliquibus regionibus arcSfpresbgterf nominan
tur; circa quos, in receptione hujufmodi procurationis, id
quod fiatutum efi de aliis arcj&ipresbgterfs, volumus obfervari."
Nor are their vifitational dues forgotten in the plan
of reformation, compiled by the biffiop and chapter of
Liege {A.D. mccccxlvi.), and confirmed by Pope Ni
cholas V. Two new fpecies of perquifites are there.
allotted to our Ueans of ©Sristfanitg, entitled cathedrati-
cum and obfonium ; but they are to be fatisfied with a
quarter of the archidiaconal dues : — " Ne Uecant <&^xi%-
tfanitatum" (called in the next claufe 'Uecani rurales')
"fub colore vifitationis ^cfo, vel illius remijfione redpiant de
fuis quartis capellis pecunias annuas, nifi perfonaliter vifita
verint, et cum effectu. Et tunc fient contenti quartd parte
illius, quod archidiaconis pro integrd ecclefice vifitatione dele-
tur. Et idem volumus obfervari infolutione ohfonii et cathe-
dratid ipfarum quartarum capellarum dictis Uccanfs fa-
ciendd." Before we finiffi what is hitherto unnoticed, in coun
cils of later date, of the infpectional duties of Ueans rural,
we muft recur to the famous Iriffi Confiitutions (firft
publiffied by Archdeacon Wilkins from a M^. in the
biffiop of Clogher's poffeffion); in which is feen the
fulleft account of any of our infular councils of the duties
of arctiipresbgteral vifitation, as exercifed in certain
pariffies of the diocefe of Meath, during the epifcopate
of Simon de Rochfort {A.D. mccxvi).

Sect. II.]

Parochial Fisitation.

181

The fourth, fifth, and fixth confiitutions particularly
fpecify the fubjects of examination at the annual vifita
tions of rural arcfipriests ; omitting altogether other vifitors
of every denomination.
" IV. Ut arcfiipresbgterf quotannh, et fcepiiis fi opus
fuerit, perfonaliter vifitent fiatum et conditionem omnium
ecclefiarum infra fuos Uecanatus; et fi qua ecclefia repara
tione indigeat, hortentur gregem Dominicum ad earum repa-
rationem, actaque vifitationis ad nos in proximd fynodo
tranfmitti curent. Videant etiam an domus pafiorum et
capellanorum fint fartce tectce ; corruptelas morum in populo
reformare fiudeant, etfi quas abfiergere nequeant, ad fyno-
dum diocefanam referant, ut de iis emendandis cum condlio
cleri deliberare pofiit.
" V. Item ut procurent fidele tranfcriptum ad nos in
fynodo tranfmitti de fiatu et conditione librorum, vaforum,
vefiimentorum, et aliorum ornamentorum etfupellectilium in
ecclefiis infra fuos Uecanatus, et de iis refidendis, quoties
expedit, fiatuamus.
" VI. Curent infuper poenitentias canonicas a nobis vel
officialibus nofiris impofitas delinquentibus debits, et ed, quce
decet, folemnitate peragi, et perimpleri in ecclefiis infra fuos
limites, quibus ipfi cum presbyteris parochialihus interfint,
tanquam tefies, ut qud humilitate et devotione pcenitentice
laborihus defuncti funt, tefiificare pojfint."
The eleventh conftitution, copying the Lateran canon
already cited, inhibits " exactiones vel tallias : " — from the
frequent repetition of which interdictory claufe in the
councils of the time, it is manifeft that, both here and
abroad, our arcSpriestS were wont to tranfgrefs in that
refpect. Indeed, it was to correct abufes of this kind,
before the iffuing of the Lateran edict, that a certain

cc.M.B.etH.
: Vol. I. p. 547.

182

Personal Jpunctions.

[Part IV.

Dr. Brady's
Hift. of Eng
land, f. 309.

Chronica Ger-
valii, Scriptores
X. C01.14U.

Defenfive j
Doubts, Hopes, '
and Reafons, &c.'
pp. 49, 50.

number of vifitors were appointed, under Henry II.
{A.D. MCLXx.), to an inquifitorial tour through the dif
ferent counties of England, and inftructed " to enquire,
in every biffiopric, what, and how much, and for what
caufe the archdeacons, or rural Ueans, took of any one ;
and the whole was to be written down : " or, in the
words of the original chronicler, "quid, et quantum, et
qud de caufd, archidiaconi vel Uecanf injufie et fine judicio
ceperint — et hoc totum fcribatur ;" — for, at that date, thefe
officers of the church held their judicial courts of Chrif
tianity, occafionally, at the times of vifitation.
From the fact of the iffue of this commiffion of in
quiry, OMY fufpidons are, at leaft, excited of the purity of
the arcllfpresbgteral character here at home : but in the
Gallican church, the charges are pofitive and highly
criminatory of the vifiting arcj&prfests^ — lofing nothing of
their heinoufnefs in Ley's amufing verfion of the original
anecdote of "the zealous preacher in the councell of
Rhemes" — who "complained that the arcS presbgter went
! about in vifiting of his circuit, felling all fortes of flnnes,
1 murder, adultery, inceft, facriledge, perjury, and thereby
flUing his purfe ; the fame whereof coming to the eare
of the biffiop, hee fends for him, that hee may have a

ss cc. Tom.lx,
col. 826.

(') Indeed, in very early days, it Was arraigned — the latter part of the
fecond chapter of the fecond council of Aix-la-Chapelle (J.D. dcccxxxvi.)
condemns the avarice of arcj^preStigterS and other epifcopal fervants in
its fourth canon : — ..." Comperimus quorumdam epifcoporum mi-
ni/lras, id eft cjorepiscopos, arcJipres6steroS, et archidiaconos, nanfolim
in presbyteris, fed etiam in plebibus parochice fuce avaritiam potius exer
cere, quam utilitati ecclefiqfticcB dignitatis infirvire, populique faluU
canjulere. Quam negligentiam, immo earum execrabile ac damnabik
cupiditatis vitium omnes in commune ddnceps vitandumftatuimus &c.'

Sect. IL]

Parocf)ial Ic^isitation.

183

Sermo cujufdam
ad Cler. in Cone.
Rhem. in Oper.
S. Bernard, col.
736. Tom. II.

ffiare with him : upon demand he denieth, upon denial]
they wrangle : but at laft hee knowing that if the biffiop
be againft him hee muft forgo his gaine, hee yieldeth
him a part : and fo, faith that preacher, are Herod and
Pilate reconciled againft Chrift." But let us have the
original — "glrcSfpresbgter drcuit obedientiam fibi credi-
tam ; et ut impleat faccum fuum, tradit fanguinem jufium.
Vendit nempe homicidia, adulteria, incefius, fornicationes,
facrilegia, perjuria ; et ufque ad furnmum implet manticam
fuam. Famd igitur volante innotefdt epifcopo talis qucefius;
et accerfito arcjbfpresbgtero : 'Da mihi,' inquit, 'partem
meam' At ille : ' Nihil dabo tibi.' E contra epifcopus :
'Si non dederis mihi,' inquit, 'partem meam, auferam tibi
omnia.' Fitque altercatio maxima, et propter avaritiam fit
difcordia. Pofiea vero arcjbfpresbgter revolvens fecum, quod
auctoritate epifcopi fungatur potefiate ifid, et quod fine
gratia ipfius nihil pojfit; perversa converfus : 'Poenitet,'
inquit, ' me, acdpe partem tuam et infuper de med quod bene-
pladtum fuerit ;' et recondliantur. Heu ! ficut Her odes et
Pilatus recondliati funt, et Chriftus crucifixus efi ; fie nihilo-
miniJts ifii reconciliantur,et pauperes C\mSti fpoliati funt." \
This was, indeed, in the language of the paftor of :
Great Budworth, " laffiing out beyond their line ; " and i ^£««>|^
if there were any chance of a recurrence of fuch abufes, | p. 49 '
" either by the connivence, or by the corruption of the
biffiops in later times," it is well "that the arcgpresbgters
have had leffe to doe, and fo done leffe evil".^

( ' ) To check the like abufes in the vifitational circuits of commiffaries | strype's Annals
and officials, Bifliop Freak fuggefts the propriety of inftituting iJeanS \ "il, Vol n.*"""
rural or superintenDents within the diocefe of Norwich (^.D. mdlxxx). Ph- p.696.
Of the vifltations of the former he fays—" What felling of the people's
fins, without any regard or confideration of duty at all ; what unfiling of

184

Personal jFunctions.

[Part IV;'

ss. cc. Tom.
XIX. col. 76.
can. IX.

SS. cc. Tom.
XVI. col. 1121.

Fafciculus Re
rum, p. 425.

Return we now from thefe corrupt practices of our
predeceffors in office, (and, criminal as they were, they
ftill ffiew the refponfible vifitatorial character of the
perfon exercifing the functions of arcpprtest, and are fo
far to the point,) to the period at which we fufpended
our inveftigation of the perfonal duties of Ueans rural, for
the fake of reviewing the Meath canons.
In the ecclefiaftical councils of the fifteenth century
(to proceed chronologically), the fame inhibitory claufes,
as we have before cited from earlier councils, continue to
be applied to archdeacons and rural Ueans, relative to
procurations. The council of Tours {A.D. mccccxlviii.)
enacts that there be no payment without due previous
vifltation. "Archidiaconi, arc^fpresbgterf, Uecanf, et alias
perfonce ecclefiafiicce de jure aut confuetudine ecclefms vifl-
tantesT? non debiti vifitaverint, nihil percipiant &c." And
the provincial council of Angers of the fame year again
places the greedinefs of Ueans and others in procurational
matters under reftraint : — "Prohibemus ne de ccetero dif-
penfatione legitimd fuper hoc ceffante, archidiaconi, arcjf-
presbgterf, Uecant, ultra unam procurationem recipere una
die, five unum locum vifitatum,^ve plura etiam loca vifltare
fufficeret, ad procurationem integram perfolvendam, quoque
modo prcefumant ; nee etiamfi non debits vifitabunt, quid^
quam percipiant." See alfo Appendix, Concil. Confiantienfis,
L. V. c. II. {A.D. Mccccxvi.)
The " confiitutio " of Cardinal Campegius " ad remo-

of verdicts for money ; what manifold corruptions and briberies are ufed
by abufe of regifters ; all the whole country, with deteftation, feeth. And
thereupon moft men, by the abufe, do utterly contemns all ecclefiaftical
government."

Sect. IL]

Parochial Fisitation.

185

vendos abufus " {A.D. mdxxiv.) ratifies to rural Ueans an
authoritative infpection of the property of the church in
the following claufe: — "Domos quoque, fundofque dotales
beneficiorum collapfios infiaurent pojfeffores, quantum ne-
cefiitas pofiulaverit, reparataque in debitd firucturd con-
fervent, et per archidiaconos et Uecanos rurales, ac alios, ad
quos de jure vel confuetudine fpectat, ubi negligentes fuerint,
per fubti'actionem proventuum, authoritate nofird, arctiiis
compellantur." The fame infpectional duties are ,im-
pofed on rural Ueans in the Liber Synodalis of the biffiop
of Seez (AD. MDXXIV.) — "Quod fingulis menfibus Uecani
rurales haheant vifitare fuos Uecanatus, cafus, crimina, et
exceffus fubditorum inquirendo. Qubdque ecclefiarum rec
tores de fuorum parochianorum delictis et excejfibus publids
et fcandalofis ipfos Uecanos inf ormare fiudeant, fub poena
50 folidorum Turonenfium. Qui Uecanf nos et ecclefiam
nofiram epifcopalem Sagienfem terminis fibi prcefixis inf or
mare tenebuntur."
"Item volumus eofdem Uecanos {ut meliiis crimina, cafus,
et excejfus fubditorum cognofci valeant) in qudlihet vifita
tione ad minus interrogent decem perfonas fide dignas,
notabiles et omni exceptione majores, de fiatu et regimine
nofirorum fubditorum in eodem loco manentium : atque de
prcedictarum confiitutionum, et aliarum per nos aut prce-
deceff'ores nofiros confiitutarum obfervatione."
The fynod of Augsburg {A.D. mdxlviii.), in its feventh
canon, orders arcSpresbgters to visit parochially twice a
year ; and whatfoever corruptions, fpiritual or temporal,
they cannot perfonally correct, to prefent officially to
the biffiop at the epifcopal fee, if urgent, or at the next
following diocefan fynod, if there be no danger from
procraftination :— and this they are to do in obedience

cc. Rotomag.
Prov. P. II.
p. 437. Synodi
Sagienfes.

SS. cc. Tom.
xrx. col. 130L

186 Personal iputtctions. [Part IV.

to their oath. Moreover, they are fpecially charged, in
their vifitational progreffes, to fee that no images or
pictures be erected in their diftrict churches, without
the previous permiffion of the biffiop ; and to collect all
heretical works, and uncanonical liturgies and ordina
tions, and to fend them to the biffiop without delay.
Reformationis \ Plenary power of vifitation is granted to rural Ueans
p. 28! " i in the German churches by the Formula ReformaUo-
MDXLvlii. i nis of the fame year, under the head de Vifitatione: —
5Becanf rurales, territorii, feu regiunculce fuce ecclefias finguMs
quibufque annis vifitare debent. Ad hoc enim negotium in
partem follidtudinis epifcopalis vocatifunt." Indeed, they
are tied down to the fame form of vifitational inquiry in
their feveral fubdivifions of the diocefe, as the biffiop in
I the whole : — "Ad hanc formam vifitent quoque, et in
quirant, ac poenitentiam injungant archidiaconi et Uecani
' rurales in fuis regiunculis; graviora verb, et quce per feipfos
emendari nequeunt, referant ad epifcopum, et fynodum epi-
i fcopalem, publico judicio fubmittenda, eorum enim vifita-
tiones parvce qucedam et particulares funt fynodi, fynodo
majori fubjectce, et fecundum ejus judicium dirigendce." See
alfo Synodales Confiitut. Arboricenfis Dioecefis (.4.1). mdl.)
Statut. XXXIX. CC. Rotom. Prov. P. ii. p. 289 ; and the Sta
tutes of the diocefe of Lifieux, in the fame collection,
p. 481.
cc.M.B.etH. As vtfitors, again, they are acknowledged, in the pro
vincial Scotch council held in Edinburgh (.4. D. mdxlix.),
whofe duty it is to fee that the drefs of the clergy be in
all refpects canonical — "fuper quibus per fingulos Uecanos
in eorum vifitationihus, et fi quis fuerit, fiat diligens in-
quifitio, &c." (can. iv. de vefiibus clericorum). And again
(can. XIII. de vifitationihus) it is decreed,  " Quiii

Sect. IL] Parochial Visitation. 187

nonnunqudm puhlici exceffus, tam majores quam minores,
per Uecanos et alios vifitatores occultari et difiimulari
dicuntur, eo quod pecuniarios qucefius a concubinariis et
adulteris acdpere non eruhefcant,fadendo eos in tali foeditate
fordefcere, quod Uecani ante fufceptionem fui officii jurent de
fideli ejus adminifiratione in omnibus, et cum exceffus
majores eorundem commijfariis deferunt, non priiis recipi-
antur ab eis, quam illi denub jurati fuerint, quod omnes et
fingulos excefius majores, tam publicos quam privatos, fibi
per ajfifas et inquifitiones utrobique delatos, abfque gratia et
favore, prece vel pretio, nullis penitus omifiis, commiffariis
tradant, quifi reperti fuerint in prcemiffis culpabiles, perjurii, :
amijfionis officii, et aliis arbitrariis poenis per ordinarium
infiigendis fubjaceant ; et fuper hoc follidti inquirant commifi- 1
farii, proilt domino ordinario funt refponfuri:" and laftly, |
in a council of the fame province {A.D. mdli. confirmed
AD. MDLix.) it is ordered (can. xiv. de clandefiinis matri- cc.M.B.etH.
' ^ Vol. IV. pp. 71,
moniis, et hannis, et regifiris curatorum) that the Ueans rural | n.
of the province "in fuis vifitationihus diligentem indaginem]
fadant, et deficientes ad commi/fdrios referant," &c. ; and
they are farther noticed in the eighth ^and ninth canons
in the fame capacity.
What vifitatorial jurifdiction the rural Ueans of the
diocefe of Chefter enjoyed during the exiftence of the
unlimited ordinary -powers of the archdeacons of Rich
mond and Chefter, and while they were within the
diocefe of Lichfield and Coventry, it is now impoffible to
afcertain : but fince the foundation of the new biffiopric,
many of the ruri=Uecanal patents granted by the. biffiop, *'^|'w^'J^jJ;
and confirmed by the U^an and chapter of the cathedral, ™«««»-
appear in their books, and fome few of the patents
themfelves.

188

PersonaliFMttctlons.

[Part IV.

9K8. Ccbflcc-
Vioati ex Kegifi
Diocef. Ceftr.
pp. 71, 73.

From thefe it would appear, that much of the furren
dered jurifdiction of the old archdeacons was delegated
to the Ueans rural (all having merged in the biffiop by the
charter of foundation) ; and the archidiaconal right of
vifitation continued to furvive in the vifitational powers
of the Ueans rural ; who, whatever they may have done
in earlier days, certainly, after the change of the ecclefi
aftical regime, being armed with an epifcopal jurifdic
tion by virtue of their patents and the ufage of the
archdeaconries, as vicarii epifcopi, vifited their Ueanrfes
twice a-year, convened before them the churchwardens,
received their prefentments, and corrected upon them
all offences ecclefiaftical (inceft, adultery, and fome
others excepted), and proved the wills and granted
adminiftrations of all perfons whofe effects amounted
not to 40?. (knights, efquires, and clergymen, excepted) ;
and, in cafe any perfons whatever fubject to their vifita
tions refufed attendance at them, the deans proceeded
againft them by ecclefiaftical cenfures, in the fame
manner as the biffiop or his vicar-general does upon
an epifcopal vifitation. They were alfo entitled to the
ufual places of judicature for holding their vifitations ;
and if they were obftructed therein by any perfon fub
ject to their jurifdiction, they might admoniffi, and, upon
non-compliance, excommunicate. For the oath of cano
nical obedience is not perfonal to the biffiop, but to his
jurifdiction, and extends to an obedience to the rural
Ueans who act by his authority.
It is probable that the Ueans poffeffed thefe powers ab
antiquo ; for, in a patent granted to a chancellor of the
diocefe only twenty years from the firft foundation of
the See, after a general grant without exceptions, there

Sect. IL]

Paroc]&lal Fisitation.

189

is an additional one made to him of the place of rural
Uean of three rural Ueanries, " to do all things which ah
antiquo belonged to that office," fpecifying in detail thefe
vifitational duties. And again, in the document drawn
up at the convention of the biffiop and Ueans rural in the
palace at Chefter, A.D. mdxciv., the Uecanal power of vifi
tation is diftinctly fet forth, and the particulars thereof
enforced in the way of order or monition from the dio
cefan to the rural Ueans.
The rural Uean of Chefter (for the twelve Ueanrfes are
now confolidated) continues his vifitation-court {A.D.
mdcccxxx.) for fwearing in churchwardens, proving wills,
and granting adminiftrations, where the effects are under
40/. And over the eight Ueanrfes of the archdeaconry of
Richmond, an officer bearing the title of commlffary
prefides, invefted with the Uecanal jurifdiction of tefta
mentary matters, vifitational duties &c.^, but in which
capacity he vifits parochially does not exactly appear.
Mr .Ward, in his evidence before the ecclefiaftical courts'
commiffioners, " apprehends that he vifits parochially, as
commlffary." The council of Trent continued to rural Ueans the
power of vifltation under certain regulations, eftabliffied
in their twenty-fourth feffion : — "Archidiaconi, Uecanf, et
alii inferiores in iis ecclefiis, uhi hacteniis vifitationem
exercere legitime confueverunt, debeant quidem ajfumpto
Notario de confenfu epifcopi deinceps per fdpfos tantum

(') It is cuftomary in the diocefe of Chefter, before epifcopal vifita
tions, and preparatory thereto, for inhibitions of the rural liean of the
archdeaconry of Chefter, and of the commlffary of the archdeaconry of
Richmond, to take place.

See a^jpctlbi;*,
Chefter Docu
ments, No. in.

Ecclef. Courts'
Report,
MDCCCXXXII. Mr. Ward's Evi
dence, p. 181.

Ejufd. p.l90.

Synod. Trident.
seff. ¦HK.iv.
cap. ni.
-SACC. Tom.xx.
col. 158.

Ecclef. Courts'
Report, p. 346.

190

Personal dpunttions.

[Part IV.

The Hiftorie of
the C. of Trent,
p. 786.

SS. CC. Tom.
XX. col. 1397.
cap. VI.

Van Efpen Jur.
Ecclef. Univ.
Part I. Tit. xn.
cap. I. p. 57.

Decreta Synodi
Carmracenfis,
fol. 3. c.i.ii.

ibidem vifitare :" and they were to tranfmit their vifita-
tion-acts, inquifitions, and all other inftruments, to the
diocefan biffiop, within a month. The particular objects
of attention to the vifitors are pointed out, as being, to
preferve found orthodox faith, to expel herefy, to fup
port morality, to correct vice, to exhort people to reli-
I gion, innocency, and peace ; and, as occafion might
require, and prudence dictate, to promote the general
interefts of the Chriftian community. From the perfons
vifited parochially, throughout their refpective diftricts,
the officers were not to receive any thing but " frugall
and moderate diet, which might be given," in Brent's
verfion, " either in kind or money ; yet fo, that if there
was a cuftome in any place not to receive fo much as
thefe, it was to be obferved."
The Cambray council {A.D. mdlxv.) bids the Ueans of
©Srfstfanftg ("Uecanf rurales quos ©firfstfanftatfs aj^el-
lant ") to vifit their diftrict fchools every fix months, or,
at leaft, once a-year, and diligently to certify the ordinary
of their ftate of difcipline. Indeed, it appears from
Zypaeus that a concordate was entered into between the
biffiop and the archdeacons of the diocefe of Cambray,
that neither ffiould perfonally vifit, but that the Ueans of
©Srfstfanftg ffiould be the vifitatorial reprefentatives of
each, by mutual agreement.
Accordingly, in the Acts of the diocefan fynod under
Archbiffiop Maximilian {A.D. mdlxvii.), the vifitational
duties of the arcjpresbgters or Ueans of the parochi are
thus laid down: — " Cap. l Cum arcSfpresbgterf JWMwtw/i
ecclefiarum quarundam follidtudinem gerere, eafque fimgulari
quddam annua vifitatione recognoficere. Volumus et man
damus, ut quam diligentifiime advigilent ne quid in illis

Sect. IL]

Parocl)ial Visitation.

191

ecclefiis defit, quod ad divinum offidum pro fud dignitate per-
agendum requiritur." " Cap. ii. Cum autem deus in fpiritu
et veritate adorandus fit, folUdte etiam profpiciant Uecani
noftri in ecclefiarum vifitatione — An non irrepferint hi eas
aliqua fijtperfiitiofia et vana, in cceremoniis, procefiionihus,
peregrinationibus, imaginum et reliquiarum ac fanctorum
veneratione, quibus mentes Chriftiance a fincero Dei cultu
fensim dimoveri pojfint. Ubi verb hujufmodi aliquid com-
pertum hahuerint, volumus nobis nofirifve vicariis quam-
primum denundari &c."
The fynod of Salzburg {A.D. mdlxix.) orders the ap
pointed vifitatores of the diocefe to folicit all the infor
mation they can from the archdeacons and rural Ueans,
in furtherance of their general parochial vifitation ; and
then proceeds to fay, that the fpecial vifitations of thefe
inferior officers are not thereby fuperfeded; but that
they are to be executed by them notwithftanding, and
the refults of their inquiries to be laid before the fupe
rior vifitors within a month. Moreover, the council
enacts, that the rural Ueans themfelves ffiall be vifited,
and examination made " de illorum officiis, an dfdemfatif-
faciant, et quomodo, an fint fuffidentes, follidti, prudentes,
expediti, et jufii, vel injufii, avari, munerum cupidi, poenas
pecuniarias imponentes, perfonarum acceptores, delicta non
punientes, fed difiimulantes, jufiitiam et cequitatem petenti-
bus morem non gerentes, et ad id genus alia, qua adfefpec-
tant, prcefient, necne."
The Malines council {A.D. mdlxx.) promulgates the
Trent decrees refpecting vifitation generally ; and orders
that rural Ueans, where they were not in the habit of
vifiting churches, ffiould be immediately invefted with
that power ;— the biffiop taking care that their procura-

Conftitut. et
Decret. Synod.
Salisburg.Conft. Lxii.
cap. VI. p. 320.
et cap. XIV.
p. 326.

SS. CC. Tom.
XXI. col. 608.

192

Personal ^Functions.

[Part IV.

Stat. Synod.
Dioec. Yprenf.
Tit. VII. CXIII.

cap. XX. See
alfo cap. XXI.

SS. CC. Tom.
XXI. col. 462.

tirnis (^'fubfidia vifitationis") ihovldi be fufficiently remu
nerative for the labour and expence of vifitation ; and
that whatever was immoderate in the way of charge
upon the clergy, ffiould be corrected.
The ftatutes of the diocefan fynod of Ypres {A.D.
MDLxxvii.) ratify the like capacity of vifitation to Ueans
of ©firfstfanftg, on the authority of the Trentine fathers;
— the biffiops delegating to their rural deputies the right
of vifiting the churches of their Ueanrfes on fuch years as
they themfelves are unable to vifit: on which occafions
the Ueans are to follow the rules of epifcopal vifitation
laid down by the council of Trent — the fubftitutes acting
in the name and by the authority of their employers,
and being fully capacitated to carry forward the whole
vifitational inquiry into the conduct of church-officers,
the condition of church ornaments and utenfils, the ftate
of church-fabrics, parfonages, &c. For all which vica
rious trouble, it is decreed — " Ut in nulld parochia etiam
fi minima fit, 'Uttuxia fecwndwm prcefcripta fiatuta vifitanti,
detur infra octo aut decem fiuferos : in nulld autem, etiam
maxima, accipiat ultra dalerum vel coronatum : in mediis
verb fervetur mediocritas, habita ratione laboris et confue
tudinis." Any extraordinary labour is to be paid for in
extra procuration. See alfo Stat. Synod. Dioec. Yprenf
{A.D. MDCIX.) Tit. III. cap. vi. and, particularly, in the
documentary ^ppjnUfx, the extract from the Decreta et
Statuta Primce Synodi Dioecefiance Brugenfis, A. D. mdlxxi.
De diverfis Uecanorum ©firfstfanftatfs offidis. The duties
of vifitation are there fo minutely detailed, I have thought
the document worthy of being copied.
A few years later, Charles Borromeo, in the fifth
council of Milan {A.D. mdlxxix.), impofed on his Ffcarfi

Sect. IL]

Parocjial Ftsitation.

193

JForanef the infpection of the rural clergy, their churches,
church-furniture &c., by perfonal vifitation and exami- ,
nation, conducted according to the items of the following I
manual of inftructions : — The jforaneous Ff cars are to ;
inquire —
 "Qui parochorum in primis zelus in animarum .ss.ccvom.
falute procurandd ; quce in facramentis minifirandis fedula :
dUigentia; qudmfrequens in paficendis verbo Dmfidelibus '
officium ; quce denique in omnibus parochialis muneris par
tibus vigilantia, quceve afiiduitas. — Quce populi in Chrjiiance
caritatis operibus exercitatio, quam religiofius fefi orum dierum
cultus, quam pia in ecclefiis converfatio, quce in doctrince <
Chrifiiance fcholis frequentia : turn de aliis piis fodalitatibus
difquirant, tum denique de reliqud omni ejufdem populi difci
plina, et in via domini progrejfu.
" Pofi videant, qui fingularum ecclefiarum, prcefertim pa
rochialium flatus, an fi quce inflaurationem defiderant ; an
debito cultu fraudantur ; an facris veflihus, ornamentis,fupel-
lectileque ecclefiafiica, ad cultum neceffaria, infiructce funt;
an denique ulld ex parte incultce.
"Poflremb an fi aliqua funt provindalium, dioecejana-
rumque fynodorum decreta, edicta, vifitationum prceficripta,
aliave epifcopalia juffa, quce executionem non habeant ; quid
item impedimenti, aut difficultatis, aut denique caufce fit,
quamobrem eorum executioni non fit locus, &c." {See alfo
ori jporaneous Ffcars, their qualities, and inquifitorial
duties, the council of Rome under Benedict XIII., SS.
CC. Tom. XXI. col. 1864.)
Again, the council of Rouen {A.D. mdlxxxi.) orders,
in its twenty-feventh canon, that Ueans rural follow the
canons of inquiry there copioufly laid down for epifcopal
vifltation, " et vifltationis a fe factce infra menfem rationem

194

ss cc. Tom.
XXI. col. 637.

Personal jFunctions.

[Part IV.

Lnnichli II.
Spicileg. Ecclef.
p. 183.

Stat. Synod.
Dioec. Yprenf.
Tit. XVIII.

Stat. Synod.
Dioec. Antwerp,
pp. 328-29.
Tit. XXIV. cap.
III. p. 385.

' reddent epifcopo, et depofitiones teflium, ac integra acta
; ei exhibere tenebuntur." {CC. Rotomag. Prov. Part i. 214.)
, — and the like charge is impofed on them by the
I council of Tours {A.D. mdlxxxiii.), SS. CC. Tom. xxi.
i col. 850 ; and of Malines {A.D. mdcvii,), SS. CC. Tom.
j XXI. col. 1462. — the latter publifliing certain heads of
I inquiry for the use of the arcfipresbgters in their vifita
tional proceedings.
In the feventeenth and eighteenth centuries we find
the fame truft continued to them. In the Spicilegium
Ecclefiafiieum of Lunig, thefe precepts are recorded as
given to Uecanal vifitors of Julien and its furrounding
district (^.D. mdcii.) — " IBecani exigant a fcabinis et ju-
ratis tahellam ffirog^ ^ettul {h.e.fpedficationem delictorum
judici denuntiatorum) aut copiam authenticam. Ut viri
zelofi et integri in fide fcahini fynodales eligantur. Ut
communia puncta et interrogatoria fcabinis communicent,
fuper quibus tenebantur facere inquifitionem et dare infor-
mationem." A chapter of the diocefan fynod of Ypres {A.D. mdcix.)
prolongs to Ueans rural the vifitatorial powers they en
joyed by the earlier fynod of mdlxxvii : and a fubfequent
council (.^. D. mdcxxx.) makes them downright inquifitors
into the manners and habits of the rural clergy, the
employment of their time at home and abroad, their
ftudies, hours of confeffion, &c. &c. ; all which they are
to pry into, by the moft fearching perfonal vifitalion. —
The fynod of Antwerp {A.D. mdcx.) confers on them the
fulleft vifitational authority ; and bids them lay their acta
vifitationis before the biffiop — . . . ''Vifitantibus verb
Uecanfs ruralfbus, tanquam d nobis mijfis, omnem debitam
reverentiam et afiifientiam ad exequendam commifiionem a

Sect. IL] Parochial Visitation. 195

nobis injunctam exhibeant," fays Mirseus, "etfi aliqua ad\
reformationem aut bonum ecclefice fadentia fciant, henevole I
fuggerant." See alfo Ordinationes Joannis Malderi Epifc.
Antwerp. {A.D. mdcxxx.)
A chapter of the fynod of Bois-le-duc {A.D. mdcxii.) is \ statuta synodi
expreffly dedicated to arcftipresbgteral vifitation : — "^rcfii- ' 'ntxVcap.'iv.
presbgterf,yeM Uecanf parochias fibi commiffas cum Xenodo- \^'
chiis, capellis, et confraternitatibus, afiumpto fecum notario, '¦
vel faltem aliquo presbytero, quotannis fecundilm infiruc-
tionem illis dandam, authoritate nofird vifitent, ac de vita, ':
fide, et moribus parochorum, facellanorum, cufiodum, ludi-
magiftrorum, cedituorum, ac gubernatorum menfce Sancti
Spiritus, reliquorumque incolarum fefe diUgenter informent, '
ac advertant, an piis fundationibus, eleemofynis, et oneribus '•.
benefidorum et offidorum ecclefiiafiicorum laudabiliter fatif
fiat, itemque utrim, ecclefice reparatione egeant, et coemeteria
ben^ occlufa fint: nee facramentalium et ornamentorum
ecclefice, atque fcholarum vifitationem prcetermittant &c." 1
A canon de vifitatione of the council of Bourdeaux
(^.D. MDcxxiv.] affociates our rural arcSpresbgters with
other eccleflaftic tefies for the more effectual conduct of
parochial inquifltion. — Cap. xxi. — in. "^rcfifpresbgterf 55. cc. Tom.
feu Uecanf in fingulis dioecefibus conjiituti, jugi drcum-
fpectione mores clericorum, fiatum et ordinem parochiarum,
ac etiam laicorum, follidti obfervent et profpiciant, deque '
iis omnibus fingulo quoque menfe epifcopum certiorem fa
dant. Et ne propter arcSfpresbgteratus diflantiam minus
ofiUcio fuo fatisfacere pojfint : in cujuslibet arcftfpresbgteratfis
tractu, duo rectores aut plures pii ecclefiaflid tefles fynodo
dioscefand ab ordinario nominati et electi, arcSfpresbgterfs
feu Uecanfs adjungantur, qui zelo regiminis ecclefiaflid in-
flammati, fedulo invigUent, et ordinarium flatis temporibus,
 '  og  

196

Personal ipunctions.

[Part IV.

Stat. Synod.
Dioec. Audom.
Tit. xvm. c. IX.
p. 88.

Van Efpen
J.E.U. Pars I.
Tit. VI. cap. HI.
p. 30.

Tit. VII. cap. II.
apudVa.a Efpen.

deflatu, conditione, et excefiihus hujufmodi arclifpresbgieratug
certiorem fadant : poflintque ordinarii arcf)fpresbgterfs, Ue
canfs, et teflibus fynodalihus inquifitionumfeu informationum
conficiendarum, fine alio fpedali mandato, facultatem, quo
citius qucBcumque vitia purgentur, et cuncti in ordine con-
tineantur, concedere : quas inquifitiones et alias probationer
ah iifdem perfectas, teneantur officiales recipere, et ex iifdem
ad alia juris remedia procedere."
The fynod of Saint Omer {A.D. mdcxl.) writes—
Uecanf in vifltationibus fuis fcholas non prcetermittant,
fed fimgulis fiemeflrihus vifltent, et accurate inquirant. Sec,"
— That ofNamur {A.D. mdclix.) admoniffies all arcfipres-
bgters, " Ut annales vifltationes obeuntes, et alias diligentb
inquirant, quibus rebus pafloresfe impendant, utfii quos oth
deditos repererint, ne nihil agendo male agere difcant, eos
actionibus ecclefiiaflico homine dignis incumhere, et per bom
opera certam fuam vocationem facere procurent &c." The
fame duties are impofed by the fynod of Bruges—
" Sedulo inquirant arcj^fpresbgterf in fuis vifitationihus de
vita, doctrind, et moribus curatorum et aliorum presby
terorum ; ac prceceptorum feu magiflrorum ; et cujus fint
qualitatis, fidei, et nominis ac famce." And the fynod of
Ypres legiflates with the fame degree of latitude and
particularity. The lateft inftructions to Ueans rural of the diocefe of
Malines enforce vifitation — "Ut potifiimam officii fui par
tem, vifltationem curent arclifpresbgterf, fedulb, accurate, et
cum timore dei perficere, et prcecipu^ invigilare, ut altaria
et facramentalia, ipfaque templa nitida ferventur, pafiorefque
\ipfi, quoad ohligationes et functiones fuas pafioraks exacti
fint et diligentes, an quo fludio, quove exerdtio otium pel-
lant. Quare non plures uno die vifltabunt ecclefias, quam

Sect. IL]

Parochial Visitation.

197

commode pofiiint." And farther— that timely and feafon
able repairs of eccleflaftical houfes be attended to, and
their fabric not allowed by gradual decay to fall into utter
ruin and wafte, the fynod decrees — " Arcfiipresbgterf, uhi
ipfis id juris ex confuetudine competit, domos paflorum et
beneficiatorum fingulis annis ferib vifltent ; et quandb eas
reparatione indigere advertent, eam mox fieri mandent et
non obedientes denuncientur epifcopo, vel ejus vicario gene
raU, ut ad debitas reparationes fadendas, prout juris et
rationis- fuerit, compellantur, et pro prceteritd negligentia
etiam puniantur^." (Tit. xxn. c.vii.)
" Ues Cogens Ue la ©fire'tfente et ruraux," fays the fynod
of Bayeux {A.D. mdclxii.), " auront foin de faire une fois
Van les vifltes de presbyteres, de drefier leurs proces verbaux
de I'etat auquel iis les trouveront, et les mettront aux greffes
de nos officialites, &c."
Again, — the Synodal Decrees of the archbiffiop of Co
logne {A.D. mdclxii.) order — ^" Ut de paflorum, vice-paflo-
rum diligentid, et cetatis tenerioris profectu nobis conflare
pofiit, Uecanf rurales quoties vifitant, convocatd juventute
breve examen catecheticum inflituant: quidquid verb me-
morabile contigijfe notaverint, in Acta fuarum vifltationum
nobis Sfc. . . . exhihenda referant ; " — and fubfequently '
the fame inflitutes detail the points of inquiry to be par- !
ticularly attended to by the Ueans vifiting their parochial
clergy. See Part ii. Tit. v. c. vi. ii.
Our next examples are adduced from the Anglo-Gallic

Ejufd. P. II.
Tit. xxxrv.
0. VIII. p. 674.
ex Synodo
Mechlin.

cc. IMoniag.
Prov. P. II.
p. 252.

Deer. Synodal.
D. Maximil.
Henr.Archiep. Coloniens. Tlit.n.
cap.x. II. p. 13.
See Stat.Dice-
cef Gandav. Tit.
XVI. c. in. p. 74.
A.D. MDCL.

(') In the paftoral letter of the Belgian primate (.^.D. mdcc.) the
arcJprieStS are charged " Ut diligentiares muglfque exactas per diftrictus
fiuos iTifUtuant vifltationes juxta earundem vifitationum interrogatoria
t'ypis edita &c."

Altera Epifuda
Paftoralis Dom.
Humb. Gulielm.
Arch. Mechlin.
p.68.

198

Personal .^Functions.

[Part IV.

A Humble Pro-
pofalfor Paro
chial Reforma
tion &c. by 1. M.
p. 35.

Heylin's Life of
Laud,MDCXXXVII.

Ccefarea by
Falle & Morant.
Appendix, No.x.
p. 206.

ifles of Jerfey and Guernfey — which were anciently, we
are told by an anonymous author, two rural Ueanrfes of
the biffiopric of Conftantia, in the dukedom of Nor
mandy, and their fole vifitors in church affairs, their
refpective Ueans, each poffeffing the fame power as our
chancellors and archdeacons at prefent enjoy. Nor is
their eccleflaftic conftitution otherwife altered in modern
days, than that they are members of the diocefe of Win
chefter ; having been annexed thereto foon after the
Reformation ^ Their jurifdiction was then fettled, fees
were appointed to the Ueans, and a revenue eftabliffied ;
but the functionaries themfelves were then, and ftill
remain, accountable to their diocefan biffiop for the due
performance of their vfitatorial charge, like the corre
fponding officers in England.
The duties of thefe Ueans rural, in refpect of vifitation,
are thus expreffed in the twenty-third rule of the canons
; and conftitutions ecclefiaflical granted to the ifles, in the
reign of James the Firft : "Le IBogen accompagne de deux
ou trois miniflres vifitera une fois en deux ans chaque
paroifie en fa petfonne, et donnera ordre qu'il y ait prefche
I le jour de la vifitation, ou par foy mSme, ou par quelquun
'\.par luy appoints ; et fief era la dite vifitation pour ordonner
j que toutes chofes appartenantes a Veglife, au fervice de dieu,

Berry's Hift. of
Guernfey,
p. 241.

(') King John had it in contemplation to place the iflands under the
diocefe of Exeter ; and Henry VII. actually procured the Pope's Bull
: for placing them within the jurifdiction of Salisbury ; which he cancelled,
I and obtained another for Winchefter. But this laft, thouffh even
I 1 > ' D
: entered in the then bifhop's regifter (Langton), never took effect ; and
1 Queen Elizabeth at laft fixed them in that fee. The Bull of Pope
Alexander VI., for transferring them from Conftance to Winton, may be
feen in Falle's Appendix, N°. IX. p. 195.

Sect. IL]

ParocMal Visitation.

199

et adminiflration des facremens, foyent paurveites par les
furveillans, et le temple, dmitihe, et maifon presbyteriale
foyent entretenues et reparees : et aujfy recevra information
des dits furveillans {oufaute a iceux d faire leur devoir)
du miniflre, de toutes offences et ahus quiferont a reformer
en aucun,foit miniflre, offiders de I'eglife, ou autres de la
paroifie ; et recevra le dit Uogen pour la dite vifitation 40
fois de la rente du Threfor d chaque fois." — Equally ex
tenflve are the powers beftowed on the Uean of Guernfey
in the commiffion of Biffiop Brownlow North to IDean
Durand, — " in his ftead, authority, and name, according
to law, to vifit the churches and other ecclefiaftical
places, and the clergy and people fubject to his jurif
diction &c. &c." Indeed Dicey fays, "The Ueans of
both the iflands pretend that their office carries with it
all delegated jurifdiction, without any need of permiffion
or commiffion from the biffiop;" and if fo, they are
vifitors de jure — nay, I have been told, that they can
prefcribe againft the biffiop ?
Towards the clofe of the feventeenth century, Biffiop
Seth Ward of Sarum invefted his Ueans rural with con
fiderable vifitational powers ; as the following /orwiwfa of
inflructions indicates. They were authorifed — " 1. To
view infra Uecanatum — churches, chancels, parfonage and
vicarage-houfes, hofpitals, almshoufes, church-houfes, and
free {choo\es,femel in 6 menfibus, faltem in anno, and to
prefent decays to the Bp or chancellor."
" 2. To obferve — parfons, vicars, curats — as to conver
fation, performance of duty, conformity to laws, diligence
in reading fervice, adminiftering facraments, preaching,
catechiflng, preparing for conflrmation, marryeing &c."
— " churchwardens, as to performance of duty — fchole-

Berry's Hift. of
Guernfey,
p. 263.

Dicey 's Hift. of
Guernfey, p. 51.

Dlotitioc ©ct()i
guiKOUiSacum,
fol. 339. See
9l\<Verx'Cii)!, Salif.
bury Documents.

200

Personal iFunttions.

[Part IV.

cc. M. B. et H.
Vol. IV. p. 642.

mafters, as to teaching and catechilkig fcholars, bringing
to church on Sundays and holydays; and to acquaint
the Bp, if amifs."
"3. To examine differences, and compofe or delate to
Bp, reports of fcandalous offences contra Leges Ecclef."
" 4. To execute, or caife to be executed, mandates, orders
fent immediati ab epifcopo, mediante archidiacono''
" 5. To acquaint Bp if any conventicles, diforders &c."
"Md. hofpitals — terriars — regifters of chriftenings,
marriages, burials."
In the convocational proceedings about rural Ueans in
England {A.D. mdccx.), the fecond refolution of the
Upper Houfe fuggefts the propriety of a canon declara
tory of the vifitatorial capacity of Ueans rural: — "To
enquire into the manners of the clergy and people, to
vifiit and examine the ftate of parochial churches and
chapels, with the chancels of the fame, together with the
ornaments and utenflls thereunto belonging, as alfo the
manfers of rectors and vicars, and all eccleflaftical en
dowments &c. &c." To which refolution the Lower
Houfe deflres an amendment to the effect that rural
Ueans ffiould be flrft " duly commijfioned by the biffiop or
archdeacon, or other ordinary," fo to vifit: — ^indicating
thereby that rural Ueans have no fuch power by virtue of
their office ; and anticipating, perhaps, that the exercife
of it, as a matter of right, independent of fpecial com
miffion, would interfere with the privileges of arch
deacons. While, at the fame time, the Lower Houfe
acknowledges the obligation of rural Ueans to execute
the commiffion of vifiting parochially, whenever enjoined
fo to do by fuperior authority.
So the matter at prefent refts. No conftitution has

Sect. II.]

Parocljial Fisitation.

201

Gibfon Codex
I. £. ^.Append.
§ XV. C. XIX.
p. 1550. See
London Docu
ments in 3(())){n-

ever been drawn up to ratify any part of thefe Proceed
ings of Convocation ; — which, of courfe, leaves the ruri-
Uecanal capacities juft as they were before the royal
mandate iffued.
Two documents alone, on the topic of Uecanal vifitation,
remain unnoticed — the one domeftic — the other foreign.
The firft is a claufe of Biffiop Gibfon's publiffied Inflruc
tions to iUural Beans of the Diocefe of London: — "The
Uean rural is likewife, as occafion ffiall require, to infpect
the churches, chancells, and chapels, and the houfes
belonging to the parfons and vicars within his diftrict,
and to give information of their decays and dilapidations
to the ordinary."
With the foreign canon, we clofe our long catalogue
of authorities ; — ^and worthy of particular notice it is, as
reviving the eaftern title of protopresbgter in application
to the Uean rural. It is the ninth canon — de protopres-
bgterfs, five Uecanfs ruralfbus, of the council of Reuffen
{A.D. MDCCXX.) — " Prceter ea, quce a fancto fynodo ad : ^^°"^'|'^^ '^
officium protopresbgterf ypec^are conflitutum efl, ut fdlicet \">^-^5'^-
diUgenter referant ad ordinaries, fi quos decretorum fyno-
dalium violatores, fi quos offidi parochialis negligentiores,
fi quos popinarum frequentatores, percujfores, aut alias
ficandalofos, five presbyteros, five laicos, fub fud jurifdictione
compererint ; illud omnino addendum cenfuit debere eos
epifcopo, vel alteri vfitatori afiiflere per fuum Uecanatum, ut
ipfum deflatu ecclefiarum, et moribus minifirorum infiruere
pojfint." . "Infuper teneantur vifitare proprium Uecanatum anno
fubfequenti vifitationem generalem, non foBm, ut de iis, quce
modo diximus, ac de cceteris, quce continentur in infiruc-
tione generaU diUgenter inquirant ; verirni etiam ut decreta.

202

personal ^Functions.

[Part IV.

et reformationes ejufdem generalis vifitationis exequutioni
mandari curent. In obeundd hoc vifitatione, caveant, ne
\ quid prorsiis accipiant, aut extorqueant, prceter victualia pro
fud, alteriufque domefiici perfona, ac duobus equis; aUoquin
prceter poenas, quas fiatuit fancta fynodus titulo fexto gra-
vifiiml ah epifcopo puniantur."
\ That we have adduced evidence enough, in the many
pages devoted to the fubject, of " a fort of vifitatorian
capacity," in rural Ueans of ancient and modern days, the
reader will readily acknowledge. The capacity can be
no longer doubted. The church, in her conciliar de
crees, has acted upon it for more than a thoufand years
— nay — from the flrft inftitution of the office in the eaft
and weft, with little or no interruption, to the prefent
hour. Tedious though the enumeration of authorities
be in proof of the fact, I could not otherwife have efta
bliffied a controverted duty of the laft importance.
While endeavouring to do fo, I have cited many items
of Uecanal fervice connected with and performed during
vifitational progrefs, and thereby have added fomewhat
to the reader's knowledge of the perfonal functions of
the rural arcfipriestfiooU.
But, whatever may have been the priftine character of
that power, when thefe now humble functionaries were
linked with archbiffiops and cardinals, and their retinues
made the fubject of canonical limitation throughout
Weftern Europe, as we fee they were — ^ifit ever attained
to the dignity of an ordinary jurifdiction (which on the
continent it feems extenflvely to have done), it was only
locally and partially fo in England, and, for the moft
part, of ffiort-lived exercife. Not fo the archidiaconal
power of vifltation ; — this, like the Uecanal, originally a

Sect. IL]

Parochial 'ETisitation,

203

delegate jurifdiction emanating from the biffiop, became
by continual grants an ordinary one, and eventually
almoft (in many places, quite) extinguiffied the other \
But here it muft be obferved, that the vicar of Am
brofden, who confiders the antiquity of Ueans rural greater
than that of archdeacons, looks upon the former as
the earlieft rightful parochial vifitors under the diocefan
biffiop, and fuppofes them to have loft their privilege of
vifltation in the way following. "When archdeacons
grew up to be vicars-general of the biffiop and ordinaries
in the diocefe, then they affumed to themfelves fo much
of the vifitatorian power, that the rural Ueans could no

(') See Van Efpen Jur. Ecclef. P. i. Tit. xii. c. i. § vi. ; Boehmer
Jus Eccl. Prateftant. L. i. Tit. xxiii. de Officio Archidiaconi, Tom. i. p. 545,
feqq., and L. iii. Tit. xxxix. Tom. iii. p. 578.
IDeanS rural in no cafes, I believe, lAfit peculiars. Even bifhop's
peculiars are not vifiited by them. In the diocefe of Exeter there are
thirty-fix epifcopal peculiars, which are vifited by no OeanS rural ; and
are indeed fo far exempt from the jurifdiction of the bifhop himfelf,
that he never vifits them, even in his triennial vifitation. Parochial
churches within peculiars are generally in moft wretched condition.
Such jurifdictions fliould be abolifhed : difcipline can never be fuftained
effectually, while they exift. In the lieanrg over which the writer pre
fides, there are three of thefe ecclefiaftical anomalies. To one of which
there is, probably, no counterpart in all England ; — it is a parifh wherein
a Roman-catholic peer is both lay-rector and lay-bifhop, and appoints,
or not, as he choofes, a ftipendiary chaplain over many hundred Protef-
tant fouls. The church is ruinously dilapidated: and its doors have
been clofed againft the church-going population for nearly two years
(Sept. MDCccxxxiv.) — See Bifliop Burnet's account of the origin of thefe
blemilhes of our Eccleflaftical Conftitution, in the Hiftory afthe Refor
mation, Vol. I. Book III. p. 522 ; Vol. v. Book vi. p. 634. Oxford Edit.
MDCCCXXIX. See H. D. R. Vol. i. P. iv. S. v. c. vii. § 6. alfo Acts and Pro
ceedings of Convocation under Cardinal Pole mdlvii. " De abufihus et
capellis Sancti Joha?inis etfimilium."

Parochial Anti
quities, Vol. II.
p. 360.

Ecclefiaftical Courts' Report,
MDCCCXXXII.p. 85.

L

CardweU'sSynodalia, Vol.
II. p. 488.

204

Personal ^Functions.

[Part IV.

Charge to the
Clergy of Sur
rey, on Paro
chial Vifllations,
p. 10.

longer vfit, but in fubordination to thefe new mafters ;
and, as a mark of inferiority and fubjection, they were
allowed to go their circuit with two horfes only, when
the archdeacons might have five or feven. This depen
dency and limitation of power reftrained the rural Ueans
from the defire of being vifitors; and therefore, to eafe
themfelves of the trouble, and their clergy of the ex-
pence, they let fall this jurifdiction by confent, and left
this neceffary care of all the churches folely to the arch
deacons next under the biffiop : " whofe right and duty
it now is, according to the conftitution of the church of
England, to infpect the churches and chancels, with the
\ ecclefiaftical houfes and poffeffions, in the feveral pariffies
within their jurifdiction. To which Gibfon adds, as a
farther illuftration, that it is thefe parochial vifitations,
and not fuch vfitations as are now held by archdeacons
(which feem to be only the remains of the ancient
fynods) that our ecclefiaftical laws ordinarily mean, when
they fpeak of archidiaconal vifitation; and that it is on
account of the fame parochial vfitations, and not of thefe,
that the archdeacons claim and enjoy their procurations.
Such vifitations as are now held by archdeacons, are
more like general chapters of the clergy, anciently held
by the rural Ueans, in their refpective Ueanries; at which
the conftitution of Otho required the archdeacons to be
often prefent ; and they being fuperior to the rural Ueans,
in point of jurifdiction, grew by degrees to prefide over
them, and from thence to have the fole authority in
them ; — that authority paffing, by a kind of devolution,
from the rural Ueans to the archdeacons. See alfo Codex
I. E.A. Tom. II. p. 969. Tit. xlii. cap. viii.

Sect. IL]

parochial 'Fisitation.

20.5

When, however, their own power of parochial vfita-
tion was thus, in Kennett's phrafe, interfered with, it
appears, from an epiftle of Robert Groffetefte^, biffiop of
Lincoln, to his archdeacon, that the Ueans of tfie countrg
were ftill employed to convocate the rural clergy to
epifcopal vifitations; — " Vobis mandamus 'if itmo% archidia-
conat4s vefiri prcemoneatis, ut prompti fint ad convocandum
coram nobis prcedictos rectores, vicarios, et facerdotes locis
et temporibus quibus eis mandabimus, ne in prcedicando aut
aliis exequendis quce ad nofirum fpectant officium, invenia-
mus impedimentum." — This duty they had ffiared with
archdeacons, probably, from their firft inftitution : — for
in the feventh century the arcfiprfest or the archdeacon
are charged, by the fixteenth canon of the council of
Rouen {A.D. dcl.), to be perfonally active in the per
formance of fuch preliminary meafures, and to prepare
the clergy and people for the arrival of their diocefan
paftor in vifitation. — " Cum epifcopus fuam dioecefim drcuit,
archidiaconus vel arcfifpresbgter, eum prceire debet uno aut
duobus diebus per parochias quas vifitaturus efi, et plehe
convocatd annundare debet proprii pa dor is adventum, et

Fafciculus Re
rum in Append.
T. II. p. 340.
Angiia Sacra,
P. 11. p. 347.

SS cc. Tom.
VII. col. 406.
See Reginon. de
Difcipl. Ecclef.
Lib. II. ab init.
Burchard, Lib. i.
cap. xc. p. 1 1 .

(') In the early Articles of Enquiry at Vifitation (the earlieft, indeed, \i"^f';,^"lf^[
in the councils of Great Britain, fave thofe of Hugh de Welles, A.D. anno mcclii.

Mccxxx, to his archdeacons, CC. M. B. et H. Vol. i. p. 627), addreffed by
this learned prelate to his church-officers (feemingly, from the leading
article, of laical character), the firft is — " De vita archidiaconi et fiuce
familicB." The fecond—" lie Decants " (rural OeanS) " qualiier fe ha
heant in officiis fuis." And in the general Inquifitiones de clericis et laicis
of the year mccliii, recorded in the fame annals (p. 325), there is one
item of examination " De vitd et honeftate archidiaconorum, Oecanorum,
et clericorum qui miniftrant in ecclefiis, et de miniftris et famulis per
fonarum. et aliorum:" and another,. " ^ra liecanus et alii confpiratianem
fecerint ante adventum epifcopi." — p. 326.

'\Inquifitio in
^ Cler. Lichfield.

206

Personal ^Functions.

[Part IV.

' Ut omnes, exceptis infirmis, ad ejus fynodum die denomi-
natd imprcetermifsh occurrant. Et omnimodis ex autoritate
ss. canonum prcedpere, et minadth denunciare debet, quod
fi quis abfque gravi necefiitate defuerit, proculdubib a com
munione Chrifiiand fit pellendus. Deinde acdtis fecum
presbyteris, qui in illo loco fervitium debent exhibere epifcopo
quidquid de minoribus et levioribus caufis corrigere poteft,
emendare fatagat ; ut pontifex veniens nequaqudm in faci-
Uorihus negotiis fatigetur, aut fibi immorari ampMs necejfe
fit ibi quam expenfa fuffidat. Ait enim Dominus ad Mo fen
de hujufcemodi cooper atoribus, 'ut tecum' {inquit) 'fuften-
tent onus populi, et non tu folus graveris ;' et heatus Joannes
Baptifia adventum Domini prcecurrit prcedicando dicens :
'Poenitentiam agite,' &c. Et iterum, ' Parate viam Do
mini,' &c."
Laftly, the diocefan fynod of Antwerp under Mirseus
(^.D.MDcx.) decrees. — " 3®ecanus ruralis prcemonitus a
nobis, fuos pafiores moneat ut epifcopo vifitaturo, omnia qm
ad vifltationem fpectant, prceparent ; eifque in eam rem
mittat infiructionem a nobis prcefcriptam."

Tit.xxiv. cap.
II. p. 385.

SS. cc. Tom.
IX, col. 1165.

In the ninth century, rural arcfiprfests had the honour
of entertaining the bifliop on occafion of his vifiiting for
parochial confirmation .-—when, it will be feen, the
council of Pavia {A.D. dccclv.) catered moft liberally for
the epifcopal guefts and retinue :— " Statuimus, ne epi
fcopi, quandb pro confirmando populum, parochias circum-
eunt, arcfifpresbgteros fuos gravent, ut hujufmodi difpenfd

Skct. IL]

Parochial 'Fisitation.

207

contenti fint: Panes centum, friftringas^ quatuor, vini
fextaria quinquaginta, pullos feptem, ova quinquaginta, agnum
unum, porcellum unum, annonam ad caballos modios fex,
foenum corr? tres {foeni corbes), mei, oleum, cera, quod
fuffidt" — ^a fair allowance of entertainment, it muft be

(') Friftringas — written aKo frifkingas and frefcengias {fie Sirmondi
notcB ad capitula Karali Calvi et faccejfbrum, p. 8.) — they were young
pigs, not fucking-pigs, but of larger fize, as Sirmond and others explain
" porcellis mnjcyres, nondum tamen jufti incrementi." They are men
tioned by Hincmar, in his Capitula to his archdeacons, and by many
others. " Vadianus (et alii) fcrofam adultam exponunt," gloffes Spel
man ; " nam et noftri (inquit Vadianus) venatores porcum filveftrem
anniculum aut adultum frifchling vacant." Glojfar. p. 250, in voce
Frificinga. (*) " Corr. corhis or corbus — msnfurcB frumentarim fpecies apud Bo-
nanienfes Italos &c." See Ducange GhJ^r. Tom. ii. col. 580-81, in
vocibus corhis — corbus.
(') In his annotations on the ©ompotuS of Bolton (a folio of a thou
fand pages, beginning in Mccxc, and ending in mcccxxv.) Dr. Whitaker
has noticed (.Hiftory of Craven, p. 399— 2d Edit.) the enormous ex-
pence oi parochial vifitation as then conducted. The fum charged, as
expended on the archbifliop's reception at Bolton, would have been
fufficient, the hift»rian fays, for two hundred men and horfes. Nor vyill
that be thought extravagant, when it is underftood that in A.D. mccxvi,
an archdeacon of Richmond, on his vifitation, came to the priory of
Bridlington, with a train of ninety-feven horfes, twenty-one dogs, and
three hawks. Dugdale's Mono/?. Vol. ii. p. 65. See Hftory af Whal
ley, p. 171 ; and Hofiinan's Lexicon,in voce Procuratio. Another article,
relating to the archiepifcopal vifitation at Bolton, is extremely curious—
" In prebendd et furfure equorum et canum D'ni A'ep'i xv. qr. aven.''
Dr.MThitaker thinks this prelate hunted with a pack of hounds, in his
progrefs from parifli to parifli! See an extract from an indulgence of
Pope Alexander to the clergy of Berkfliire, before quoted under rj/Jto-
tional duties from Collier's Appendix. The writer pofleffes a curious
little compend oi vifitational duties, entitled ©ractatus He FiSltationihuS lEpi-

208

Personal ;lFunctions.

[Part IV.

acknowledged, for man and horfe — confidering that the
ecclefiaftical legiflators, then in fynod affembled, had
the relief of the arcfifpresbgteral hofts in view, when
paffing this canon of limitation.

lEpiSCopaliiuS, per R. P. Anthonium (T)o-p^mg),'^Epificopum Midenfem,
A.D. MDCxcvi. — Dublinii mdcxcvi. — which throws fome light on ¦vifi-
tational duties, as exercifed by iJeanS rural and other ecclefiaftical
officers.

Sect. IIL]

5finol)ical IButieS,

209

SECTION m.
Synodical Duties. — ®estes SguoOales.
N confequence of the report, which Ueans
rural had to make at epifcopal fynods, of
the ftate of religion, and the conduct of the
clergy and laity of their Ueanries, they were
neceficiry attendants at thefe general vifltations of each
diocefe \ appointed at ftated intervals for the whole
fome purpofe " of infpecting in order to reformation."
And thence, in the opinion of Somner, Kennett, Atterbury,
and others, they were deflgnated Tefies Synodales — from \
the information communicated by them to the fynod, as i
witneffes: — but not, Gi^?i fuggefts, to the excluflon of the :
fynodal witneffes properly fo called ; of whom Archbifliop !
Edmund's twenty-firft conftitution {A.D. mccxxxvi.) thus >
fpeaks : — " Sint in quoUbet Uecanatu duo vel tres viri, deum
habentes prce oculis, qui excejfus publicos prcelatorum, et
aliorum clericorum, ad mandatum archiepifcopi vel ejus
OfficiaUs, ipfis denuncient :"— and who had been, nine
years before, inftituted by the council of Narbonne in
thefe words : — " Difiricte mandamus, ut ab epifcopis teftes |
fynodales in fimgulis infiituantur parochiis, qui de hcerefi et
de aliis criminihus manifefiis diUgenter inquirant, pofimodUm
epifcopis quod invenerint relaturi."

Antiquities of
Canterbury,
p. 176.
Parochial Anti
quities, Vol. II.
p. 364.
Charge at Tot-
nejs, A.D.
MDCCVIII. C. I. E. A.
Vol. II. p. 972.
Tit.XLIi. c. IX.
CC. M. B. elH.
Vol. I. p. 637.

(') Herbert fays oi the country parfon, tha.t " he ohierwes vifitations,
and, being there, makes due ufe of them, as of clergy councils, for the
benefit of the diocefe."

SS. CC. Tom.
XIII. col. 1108.
can. XIV.

The Country
Parfon, c. XIX.
p. 62.

210

Personal ^Functions.

[Part IV.

Hiftory of
Churches in
England, chap.
XVI. p. 286.
Stillingfleet'sEcclef. Cafes,
Vol.1, p. 2.

Analyfis CC.
Gen. ei Part.
Tom, IV. p. 208.

See Hincmari
Oper. Tom. I.
p. 716.
Decret. P. II.
Cans. xxxv.
c. VII. A.D.
DCCCCVI.

SS. CC. Tom.
XVII. col. 54.

Thefe were the true juratores fynodi or tefies fynodales
(from whence, fays Staveley, "our Quefi-men, who are
to be aiding and affifting to the churchwardens, are called
Side-men, i. e. quqfi Synod-men ") — not fucceffors of the
rural Ueans in the office of detecting, after the latter had
begun to decline in authority, as affirmed by Kennett ;
but, on the contrary, employed long before (^' teftibus
fynodalihus arci)fpresbgterf aut Uecanf rurales fuffectifunt,"
fays Richard) in the duty of laying informations before
the biffiop in private at the epifcopal fee, or publicly at
fynod. On which latter occaflon, it was cuftomary— at
an elder date than the Narbonne and Canterbury canons
— as early, indeed, as the days of Hincmar — for the
biffiop affembled with his clergy and laity in council
"pofi congruam allocutionem," to appoint certain "matu-
riores, honeftiores, atque veradores viros," to give infor
mation upon oath^ concerning the manners of the

(') Can. XVI. "Jurabunt te&es iynodiLles, vel faltem ftdem loco jura-
inenti piabunt in hdc forma. Priino, quod per totum annum ufque ad
fynodum proximam diUgenter inquirent, fimpliciier tam^n de piano et
abfique ulld jurifdictione, quce carrectianis et reformationis tam in clero
quam in populo fint neceffaria : et quod ilia fideliter referent in concilio
provindali et fynodo epificopali proximo celebrandis, poftquam fuerint
requifiti: u fur arias, adulter os, concubinarios notorios,feu manifejtos, et
quofcunque manifefte et publice delinquentes, tam in clero quam in
popuh, quos debitd ad hcec adhibitd diligentid, perquifiverint, deferre et
denuntiare, quando fuper hoc requifiti fuerint, denuntiare non omiltent."
See Concil. Salisburgenfie, ann. mccccxx, cap. ii ; alfo the title de Tefli
bus Synadalibus in the fourth council of Milan (A.D. mdlxxvi.), cap. vi.
SS. CC. Tom. XXI. col. 296 ;— and the fame title in the council of Avignon
(^.D. mdxciv.), cap.iv. SS. CC. Tom. xxl col. 1331 ; and of Rome(J.Z).
MDCcxxv.), SS. CC. Tom. xxi. col. 1898.
Such prefentments of the ftate of the churches, clergy, and people,
within the diocefe of Sarum, by fynodal witneffes, Mr. Boucher informs

Sect. IIL]

Sjgnoliical ISuties.

21

m

ss. cc. Tom.
XVII. col. 54.

people within the diftrict of fuperviflon^.
About the title of thefe primitive yecwfar witneffes, then,
there can be no doubt. They are expreffly denominated,
by the council of Salzburg and others, tefies puhlid five\
fynodales. In Rheginon's Articles of Emquiry, they bear i^j^s'jj™;^'^'''"-
the title of Uecani: " Si in unaqudque parochia Uecanf yzn?i
per villas confiituti viri veraces et deum timentes, qui \
cceteros admoneant, ut ad ecclefiam pergant ad matutinas, \
miffam et vefperas : et nihil operis in diebus fefiis fadant.
Et fi horum quifipiam tranfgrejfus fuerit, p-esbytero an- ;
nuntient ; fimiliter et de luxurid, et omni opere pravo : " I
and the fame in an early council of Rouen {A. D. dcl.),
can. XV., the words of which have been already adduced,
in a note at the beginning of the |^orae. I
To the circumftance of the names being identical for \
the lay axA fpiritual police, and the duties, as appears]
from the cited article of inquiry, fo much alike, may be |
attributed the erroneous application of the title of tefies
fynodales to our fpiritual Ueans ; (who were not merely
"puriputique delator esf like the lay-informers, but were
clerical fupervifors with confiderable jurifdiction)— a

ss cc. Tom.
VII. col. 406.

me, occur in regular feries in the epifcopal regiftry during the fifteenth
century, and particularly in the year mccccv. In fome few inftances the
prefentments alfo contain accounts of the lands and titles belonging to
benefices. (^) At a later date, they had to give an account of the conduct of the
rural Deans themfelves— " JSi (in fynodo dioecefanfi) eligantur teftes
fynodales, five per DecanatuS, five aliunde ad arbitrium epifcopi, qui
omni exceptione majores explorent in tatd diwcefi per parcecias fimgula-
rum, atque etiam archidiaconorum et Decanorum actiones, de quibus in
proximd fynodo epifcopo renuntient." And, probably, the like reference
to Deans rural may be intended in Archbifliop Edmund's conftitution,
before quoted.^ p 2

Analyfis CC
Gen. et Part.
Richard. Tom.
IV. p. 208.

CC. Rotomag.
Provinc. P. I.
p. 215.

212

Personal iFunctlons.

[Part IV.

Statuta Synod.
Ecclef Ceno-
manenfis. In
'ihefauro Script.
Veter. Tom. vn,
col. 1401.

SS CC. Tom.
XVII. col. 142.

Van Efpen Jur.
Ecclef. Univ.
Parti. Tit. XVIII.
cm. p. 108.

miftake firft made by Lyndwood under the guidance of
an Italian canonift, Joannes Andreas^
Though we look in vain for any canon or conftitution
of the church beftowing on Ueans rural in general the
title in queftion, ftill, in point of function, they were
fynodal witneffes at the epifcopal fynod — as well as the
t lay-officers above mentioned — ^informing and attefting
¦ fuch diforders of the clergy and people, as, during their
I previous vifitations, they had obferved to be meet for
I epifcopal interference: — "Dum vifitent Uecanf offidum
I tefiium fynodalium exercentes, inquirant fumnmrik de noto
riis criminihus et fcandaUs ejufdem loci, tam clericorum
' quam laicorum : et quod per fe corrigere nonpoterunt, epifcopo
referant infra menfem, ut fecundum eorum relationem ad
I plenam inqufitionem deficendat epifcopus et corrigat, ut
viderit expedire." And, on one occafion, it feems, they
were appointed with laymen to the office in fact, and
fiared with them the title of tefies fynodales for the time
being. Such a nomination of Ueans ruraP, arcSprfests,
and Ueans of (ffil)rfstfanftg, occurs in the fortieth canon of
the council of Paris {A.D. mccccxxix).
In the diocefan fynod of Antwerp {A.D. mdlxxvi), the
rural Ueans are invefted with the capacity of appointing
tefies fynodales by Francis Sonnius. — Seeing that vice

Strype's v^BBO^j,
Vol. II. Part II.
p. 697.

(') See Card. Hoftienfis fol. cxix. ywper primo Decretalium, de Officio
SlrcJipres^Steri — "ut fimgulce plebes &c." Johnfon's Ecckfi. Laws, Ad
denda &c. J.D. MLXIV. ; Boehmer Jus Eccleficift. Prateftant. LlTj. in.
Tit. XXXIX. § LXIII. feqq. " an teftes fiynodales conferendi cum jpetlo-
DeutiS ? " § Lxv. ; and particularly Bifhop Dopping's of Meath Tractatus
de Vifitationibw Epifcopatibus, cap. xxi. pp.48, feqq.
C) Bifhop Freak, in his paper on rural DeanS or fuperintendents, fays
they are termed In the law Teftes Synodales ; but this is a miftake.

Sect. IIL]

SgnoDical ISuties.

213

Stat. Synodal.
Dime. Antverp.
de Teftibus Sy-
nodaiibus rejli
tuendis, p. 254.

had vaftly increafed, from the want of fufficient detection
and expofure, the biffiop commands his Ueans — " Ut in
fingulis parochiis eonfiituant duos viros honeftos et selofos
tefies fynodales, qui concubinarios, adulteros, clericorum in-
vafores ac percujfores, ufurarios, contractufque illicitos exer
centes, et qucecunque crimina ad nofiram correctionem fpec
tantia quotannis coram ipfis Uecanis aut aliis ad hoc nobis
deputandis exponant, ut habita inquifitione pofiit contra eos
procedi ad emendationem."
The duties of Ueans rural, abridged as they are in '
modern days, approximate very nearly to thofe of the
rural tefies of old; though, in the by-gone days of the ;
former's plenary jurifdiction, they far furpaffed the jura- \
tores fynodi in the extent of their commiffion.
But to return to diocefan fynods — whence has inci- |
dentally arifen this too long digreffion on tefies fynodales,
their origin, duties, and likenefs to Ueans rural. [
The canons of the church vary in their injunctions as I Ecciefmfti,ai
. . . ' Cafes, p. 2.
to the frequency of holding epifcopal fynods (ftill exifting, '
Biffiop Stillingfleet tells us, under the type of diocefan
vifltations^), at which Ueans rural, heretofore, made their
atteftations and prefentments
fuch a convention of the clergy under their diocefan
(the moft ancient form of fynod, though not the moft

Once a vear, at leaft, ' Thomaflin. r. et
•' N.E.D. Tom.II.

P. II. L.III.
C. LXXV.
Decret. P I.
Dift. xvm.
C. XVI.

(') At the time of the Reformation under Henry VIII. the fubmiffion Kennett's Ec-
ofthe clergy made all diocefan meetings to be executive vifitations, no ',„oUs,Varti
longer legiflative fynods: yet, when the clergy's fubmiffion was repealed ;p-201.
under Queen Mary, the diocefan power of legiflation returned ; and in
that reign, Bonner and other bifhops held fynods and framed conftitu
tions for their refpective diocefes. But now that fubmiffion has returned
upon us.

214

Personal iFunctlons.

[Part IV.

Parochial Anti
quities, Vol. II.
p. 363.

SS. CC. Tom.
XIX. col. 1292.
can. XVIII.

dignifled) was affembled. — "Annis fingulis epifcopus in
fud dioecefi fynodum fadat defuis clericis, necnon abbatibus,
et difcutiat alteros clericos et monachos."
At this council of the diftrict, the rural Ueans of Eng
land were rightful coadjutors for deliberating on the
affairs of the church : and, when duly conftituted, the
fynod conflfted of the biffiop as prefldent, the catj&eUral
Ueans in the name of their collegiate body of presbyters,
the archdeacons as deputies or proctors of their inferior
order of deacons, and the rural Ueans ^ in the name of
the parochial clergy, as the proper delegates and ftand
ing reprefentatives of that body, to confult with the
biffiop upon all matters connected with the church and
its local difcipline — •" Ut quce ex ipforum judicio reforma-
\ tione opus habere comperientur, communi confilio emendentur."

Wilkins'sX)?^er-tatio Epiflolaris,
&c. p. vii.
CC. At. B. et H.
Vol. I.
State of the
Church 8f Cler
gy of England,
pp. 23, feqq.

Stat. Synod.
Dioec. Audomar.
Tit. XXII. c. II.
p.m.

Stat. Synod.
Dioec. Ypren-
fis, 1. cap. IIL
p. 9.

I (') This procuratorial character of DeanS rural, at diocefan fynods in
England, did not go to the extent of fuperfeding the attendance of the
parochial clergy ; who, in addition to the DeanS and archdeacons, if they
had benefices within the diocefe, were obliged to perfianal attendance.
\ If, however, at any time, the incumbent clergy were prevented attending
on the bifhop by ficknefs or other caufe ; on fuch occafions, we may
: underftand, the archdeacons and rural DeanS were empowered to act for
them ; — a cuftom which obtained more particularly in the German fynods.
In the diocefe of Saint Omer, it was particularly decreed (A.D.
i MDLXXXIII. — MDCXL.) that all paftors fliould be perfianally attendant.
' They were not to be excufed on the plea of parochial duties, funerals,
; or marriages ; nor were the DeanS to admit any excufes as juftifying
I abfence, till, on conviction of their neceffity or probability, they had pre-
: fented them to the bifhop for examination. " Interim et pro fie et pro
j fui diftrictus paftaribus refpondeant, adfint necne, abfentes nominent et
fcripto tradant." And the like was decreed by the diocefan fynod of
Ypres (A.D. mdlxxvii.) ; lady abbefles alone being excufed, cuftomarily
from perfonal attendance, and allowed to depute their confeffors and
chaplains inftead.

Sect. IIL]

SanoDical JiutteS.

215

And fo on the continent, in Belgium and the adjoining
ftates, Van Efpen reports, " GeneraUter vocari capitulum
epifcopale, reverendos dominos abbates, abhatifas, prcepofitos,
arcSfpresbgteros xuxah%, priores, prioriff(xs,cceterofque omnes,
qui de jure vel confuetudine fynodo dioecefiance intereje de
bent!' See alfo Statuta Synod. Dioecefan. Yp-enf. cap. ii.
{A. D. MDLXXVII.)
The number of thefe fynods in each year varied, as
above ftated, at different periods and places — once —
twice — thrice — no general rule prevailed. Once, however,
may be faid to have been the mofi frequent ufage — "Ad
minus femel in anno, uhi non efi confuetudo bis annuatim
celehrari." But, in the ancient formulary for holding
them in England, the order is that they be convened
twice a year, and fuch Wake afferts to have been the mea
fure of them here ; though the common direction of the
canon law, with which Lyndwood agrees, was once only.
An epiftle of the archbiffiop of Rouen {circa A.D-
MccLxxx.) de Regularium Privilegiis orders every metro
politan to hold a provincial council, annually, " nonfioliim
de epfcopis, veriim etiam de capitulis cathedralium et ali
arum ecclefiarum, abbatibus exemptis et non exemptis, necnon
de Uecanfs ruralihus et aliis ecclefiafiicis viris deum timen-
tibus et peritiam habentibus Utterarum; ut communi omnium
confilio, cum dictum negotium omnes tangat, via communis et
utilis eligatur ad obviandum pericuUs, et onus profequendi
negotium ab omnibus fupportetur &c."
In Germany, the conftitution of Cardinal Campegio
{A. D. mdxxiv), before referred to, bids the celebration of
an epifcopal fynod by each diocefan biffiop, "fingulo
anno faltem cum potiorihus prcelatis Uecanis ruralfbus, vi-
rfque dignis : " — but the Formula Reformationis {A.D.

Jur. Ecclef.
Univ. P. I. Tit.
xvin.c. I. p. ID,').

Synod. Bafil.
Seff. XV.
SS. cc. Tom.
XVII. col. 288.

State of the
Church ^ Clergy
of England,
pp. 23, feqq.

CC. Rotoma-
genf. Provinc.
P.I. p.155. &
P.II. p. 53.
can. II.

Brown's Fafci
culus, Rerum,
p. 428.

216

Personal ifunctions.

[Part IV.

Form. Reform.
per Cafar. Ma-
jeft. pp. 6. & 30.
Lovanii.

SS. CC. Tom.
XIX. col. 1380.
Field of the
Church, B. v.
p. 508.

Thomaffin. K. et
N. E. D.Tom.u.
P. II. L. III. c. 75.

Decreta Anti
qua Synodi Ca-
meracenf. p. 72.

MDXLVIII.) under the head de Ordinum Ecclefiafiicomm
Offidis, recurs to the olden cuftom of twice, — enjoining
all ecclefiaftical officers, whether archdeacons, cfiorepf-
scopf, arclipresbgters, or Ueans rural, "fynodis epifcopaUhus
interefi'e, referre, et exponere illic fuce portiunculce fiatum
et una cum partibus confiulere ac decernere &c." So alfo
the council of Cologne under Adolphus {A.D. mdxlix.) :
"Bis quotannis pro veteri more." And the latter alfo
prefcribes that the Ueans and their co-attendants ffiould
have their expences paid by the perfons whom they
j reprefented, and grants a power of compulfion on non-
; payment: — "iBccanf collegiorum accedentes ad fynodum
' pro fuis collegiis in religionis officio et dignitate find confer-
'. vandis : et Uecani rurales pro fuce regiunculce parochiis
j deo utique militant. Nemo verb militat unquam fuis dif-
pendiis : Proptered fiatuimus, ut pro numero dierum, quibus
I concilium durat, conferant Uecanfs fuis collegia, et parochi
fubfidia in fumptus, quos necefi'ario facere debent, dbfqne
! omni tergiverfatione."
The fynod of Cambray^ {A.D. mdl.) legiflates for the
Uecanal retinue on the occaflon: — " Quilibet tittanu% pro
fe, et duobus facerdotibus fui Uecanatus, quinque equis, et
qudlibet die, pro quoUbet equo, fecundum difiantiam locorum,
octo grofiis turonenfibus regalibus fit contentus, veniendo ad
fynodum, et remanens ibidem, quoufque computus Uecanorum

Acta Concil.
Cameracenf. ad
finem.

CC. Rotom.
Prov. P. II.
p. 489. Synod.
Lexov'ienfis.

(') Attached to the report of the provincial council of Cambray (A.D.
MDLXV.), are the names and titles of eighteen rural DeanS — " arc5)iprcg-
bgteri feu Decani ©j^ristianitatis dicecefis Cameracenfis, tam fuis quam
curatorum fuorum Decanatuunt refpective nominibu,s :" and others, again,
appear in the mufter-roll of names, " tam de jure quam de confiietu-
dine," prefent at fynod in the diocefe of Lifieux.

Sect. IIL]

SsnoDlcal HutieS.

217

fint finiti, et per unam diem ultra : nifi de mandato Domini
&c. diutiUs remanere debeant."
In the diocefe of Ypres in Flanders, it had been cuf
tomary to hold two annual conventions of the dignifled
and inferior clergy in the cathedral church; but, in
confequence of divers inconveniences experienced by
the parochial clergy in attending a fecond time, it was
decreed, under the fanction of the fynod of mdlxxvii,
that the Ueans alone ffiould be obliged to a fecond at
tendance, at the joint expence of all the clergy, in the
biffiop's palace : — "De rebus religionis, et de fiatu eccle
fiarum, fuis et pafiorum fuorum nominihus cum epifcopo com-
municaturi : necnon declaraturi, fi quce difficultates pofi
novifiimam fynodum fuhortce fuerunt, quce commodh ufque ad
alteram fynodum differri non pofi'unt : atque etiam audituri,
quce ipfis ex officio proponi continget," &c.
A privilege of confolidating the two meetings, again,
into one, on the united authorities of the Tridentine,
Lateran, and Bafll decrees, was ceded to the difcretion
of the biffiop by the council of Rouen {A.D. mdlxxxi.),
in expectation of a proportionate increafe of care and
attention to the duties of the flngle feffion ; which were
provided for by exprefs canon : — "In ipfis archidiaconi et
Uecanf rurales de curatis tam prcefientibus, quam ahfientihus,
epifcopo debent reddere rationem, et omnia in vifitatione et
calendis audita et comperta referri, examinari, ac judicari,
et fiatuenda puhlicari." And the fame precept appears
in the canons of the council of Rheims {A.D. mdlxxxiii.)
— and of Saint Omer of the fame year : — ^the latter of
which fynods enacts, "iSecanf, quibufcum ante et pofi
fynodum de toto dioecefis fiatu et bono, agendum nobis efi,
maturiUs adfint, et uno atque altera die fynodi diem prceve-

Stat. Synod.
Dicec. Yprenf.
Tit. I. cap.v.

See alfo SS. Ro
tom. Prov P. II.
p. m.AD.
MDCXL.

SS. cc. Tom.
XXL col. 636.
cc. Rotomag.
Prov. P. I.
p.215.can.xxxi.

col. 713.

Decret. Synod.
Audomar. Tit.
XXII. cap. IV.
p. 112.

218

Personal iFunctlons.

[Part IV.

niant, et quid iis faciendum fit, a nobis pofi fynodum man-
data accipiant."
But of the frequency of holding epifcopal conventions
we have faid enough; — a few extracts explanatory of
the Uecanal duties in connexion with them, and we have
done — referring the reader, who may be deflrous of more
detailed information, to Van Efpen de Synod. Dioecefi. &c.
Part I. Tit. xvm. cap. i. p. 105. and the Directorium Sy-
nodale of the diocefe of Cologne publiffied by Arch
biffiop Maximilian, A.D. mdclxii.
In council affembled, the Ueans delivered to the pre
fiding biffiop their acta tifsitatfonfs, attefting the fame by
oath ; and otherwife informed him, orally or by letter,
of the temporal and fpiritual circumftances of their re
fpective Uecanates — ^particularly delivering to him formal
prefentments, in fcriptis, of all that was amifs in the rural
diftricts under their charge ; and availing themfelves of
the opportunity of paying the feveral taxes due on ac
count of the parochial clergy to the diocefan ; of which
I impofts, as we ffiall hereafter ffiew, they were the official
I collectors. Such was the ufual routine, " in obedience
to the oft-repeated injunction that bade them to be dili
gent in their delegate, refponfible overfeerffiip, and to
report every thing to the biffiop." But when the matter
of their prefentments was urgent, and required imme
diate epifcopal interference, they waited not for the flow
formality of the periodical fynod, but went at once with
their complaint to the biffiop in private, and received
his instructions thereon \

(') This uniformity of reference on the part of DeanS rural to the
bifhop, at his fee, or at vifitation, or fynod, is invariably obferved by
continental

Sect. IIL]

JbsnoDical HutieS.

219

Even monthly^ reference to the biffiop (under the title
of " the ordinarie ") is ordered in the Gloucefier Injunc
tions of Cardinal Pole (^.D.mdlvi.) — Touchinge the clergie,"
carl. XIV. All prefentments are commanded to be thus
often laid before him, or his chancellor, by the Uean
rural, the churchwarden fupplying them to the latter : —
" That every Ueane do fende all the prefentments, that
ffiall come to his hands, to the ordinarie, or his chaun-
celor, monthelie uppon pain of contempt : " — which pre
fentments are, by the fame Injunctions, " Touchinge the
laitie," can. xvii., ordered to be delivered by the church
wardens into " the handes of the Uean of the Ueanrfe, as
they will avoyde the daunger of perjurie, and forfeting
of theire recognizances."
But to go back to epifcopal fynods of earlier times, of
the economy of which, as well as the concern of Ueans
rural therein, the fee of Augsburg offers an ancient and
very interefting example.
In that diocefe, St. Udalric, a canonized faint of the
tenth century, was wont to felect, in conjunction with
his arc^presligters, fuch places for his fynods as were
leaft liable to civil interruption ; and there, in fecluded
conference, to make ftrict inquiry of the attendant arcj-
prfests and Ueans, into the ftate and condition of their

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol. IV. p. 146.

continental councils of the fixteenth and feventeenth centuries :— witnefs
thofe of Augsburg (A.D. mdxxxvi. and mdxlviii.) ; of Cambray (A.D. mdl.
and mdlxv.) ; of Malines (A.D. mdlxx.) ; of Melun (A.D. mdlxxix.) ;
of Rheims (A.D. mdlxxxiii.) ; of Acqui (A.D. mdlxxxv.) ; of Rouen
(A.D. mdcxxviii.) ; and innumerable others.
O The Dean rural is ordered by the Reformatio LL. Ecclef. to lay
his prefentment before the bifliop or ordinary "infra decem dies in
fcriptis."

Thomaffin. K et
N.E. D.Tom.u.
P. II. L. III.
c. i.xxiv. p. 790.

Ejufdem, de Be
neficiis, Tom. I.
p. 229.
CC. Rotomag.
Prov. P. II.
p. 125.

Cap. V. p. 95.

220

Personal ifunctions.

[Part IV.

Boehmeri Jus
Ecclefiaft. Pro
teft. Lib. ni.
Tit. XXXIX.
§ XXXVIII. Tom.
in. pp. 585-6.
ex Mabillon. in
Act. Benedict.
p. 432. n. 30.

fubject churches, the morals, and religious obfervances
of the inhabitants, &c. — " Congregatis ante fe clericis
arcSipresbgteros et Uecanos, et optimos quos inter eos ime-
nire potuit, cautd interrogavit, quatenus quotidianum dei
fervitium ab eis impleretur, et qualiter illis populus fiibactus
ex eis regeretur in fiudio prcedicandi docendique, quantdque
cauteld infantes baptizar entur, infirmi vifiitarentur et unge-
rentur, defunctorum etiam corpora quantd compajfione fepul-
turis traderentur, viduis et orphanis in univerfis necefiitatihm
fubvenirent, quantoque fiudio in hospitibus et advenis Chrift o
minifirarent, fi fubintroductas mulieres fecum habuiffent, et
inde crimen fufpicionis inderent ; fi cum canibus et accipi-
tribus venationes fiequerentur, tahernas canfd edendi vel bi-
hendi ingreder entur, fi turpes jocos in ufiu haherent,fi ehrie-
tates et commeffationes fupra modum amarent, fi rixis et
contentionihus et cemulationibus defiervirent ; fii nuptiis fecu
lar ibus inter effent ; fi aliqui eorum minifieria indecentia in
confuetudine haberent: fi per kalendas more antecejorum
fuorum ad loca fiatuta convenirent, ibique folitas orationes
explerent, fuafique ecclefias ad tempus revifierent: fii obedi
entiam eorum magifiris prcebuiffent, et in toto fuo minifierio
devoti et apti manere fiuduiff'ent. Refiponfione autem de
interrogatis facta et ratione veritatis perceptd fiantibus in
rectitudine dulcifiimce confolationis gratia gratificavit et ut
deinceps a normuld jufiitice ne devilrent, fuavi colloquio
admonuit, erroneos autem per devia incedentes fratres dignis
terruit correptionihus, et, ut pofiea confueta vitia omitterent,
prcecepit." Such were the interrogatories put to the
affembled clergy by the fainted prelate of Augsburg.
The next century affords a very copious defcription
of the formula of holding a diocefan fynod, in the year
mxxii, at Salingeftat in Germany. It has been copied

Sect. IIL]

SgnoDical Duties.

221

by Van Efpen, and tranflated by Dr. Field. But the
interrogatories of St. Udalric will fufficiently explain the
concern of Ueans rural therein ; — and to his long cata
logue of inquiries maybe added another of prefentments
of a later date ; which the bifliop of Padua has left us,
(bearing date A.D. mcclxxxiv, in fynodo apud S. Hippo-
lytum — charging the clergy, generally, to make known
to their Ueans in fcriptis, within a month, all perfons
obnoxious to the defects and crimes enumerated therein
as meet for accufation ; and the Utans, on their part, to
lay the fame before the biffiop at fynod, on pain of
grave puniffiment. — The catalogue, below given, con
tains many curious items of impeachment \

I.E.U. Parti.
Tit. xvin. c. II.
Hiftory of the
Church, B. v.
p. 508.

SS. CC. Tom.
XIV. col. 889.

(') " Accufandi funt circa infra fcripta."
" Hi funt defectus et culpcB, crimina et articuli, de quibus funt clerici
quilibet accufandi ; contra quos poterunt comprobari : abfentes a capi
tula tam plebani, quain vicarii ; item abfentes a fuis beneficiis ; item
vocati ad ordines et non venientes ; item ordinati ab aliis epfcopis ;
item cohabitantes manifefie; item concubinas in aliis domibus habentes
jmblice; item tabernarii, lufiores, et alias diffolutcB vitce. Item clerici
tabernas infiuis domibus habentes. Item plebani, qui vicarios fuos fufti-
nent cahabitare. Item clerici ufurarii, anticipatores, et antiquam
monetam pro nova niutuantes. Item alchimiftce, et qui uturdur falfa
moneta et argento. Item qui peregrinas, et ignotos redpiunt infocios.
Item qui facramenta ecclefice vendunt, et fiuper remediis decedentium,
conventionem faciunt, antequam fiepeliatur defunctus. Item qui propter
augendum cenfium confiuetum amovent idoneos ab ecclefiis et iifti-
tuunt minus dignas. Item qui decimas et proventus, five reditus eccle
jiarum fiuarum laicis conf erunt, quibus impofterum eccleficB defraudan-
tur. Item capellani caftrorum, villarumfeu civitatum, qui non veniunt
ad capitula et conventus. Item apoftatcB et de apoftafid fiufpecti. Item
qui interdicti,fufipenfi vel excommunicati celebraverunt, vel fie ingejferunt
Item qui voluntarie laicos fiibi conftituunt advocatas. ItemItem
habentes

qui in fora feculari prcefumunt advocatics officium exercere.

SS.CC.Tom.
XIV. col. 889.

222

Personal xfTunttions.

[Part IV.

DecretaAntiqua Synodi Camera-
cen/(s,MDL.p.73.

So copious are the articles of inquiry, juft introduced
into our text, from the canonized Udalric of Augsburg,
and fo full the foot-note of delatahle crimes and defects
of the biffiop of Padua at St. Hippolyte, that it is fcarce
neceffary to offer any farther illuftration of the nature
and character of the fynodal prefentments of Ueans rural,
from later councils. We will flll up the gap of inter
vening centuries with &few only of the many prefentable
facts, offences, &c. of other churches, culled from their
documentary and conciliar collections; and will add,
from the fynods of Milan, Cologne, and Reuffen, in par
ticular, the laft authentic memorials we poffefs of the
connexion of Ueans rural with epifcopal conventions; —
concluding our extracts with a few notes on the coftumfr
and behaviour of thefe officers, when in attendance at
them. Thus writes the fynod of Cambray {A.D. mdlvi.) —
"IBecanf omnium ufurariorum manifefiorum et excommu-

habentes pluralitatem, beneficiorum. Item qui corpus Chrifii et ckrifina
fuh Jideli ciftodid non refervant. Item fine miniftra celebrantes. Item
religiofi fine licentid epifcopi plebes regentes. Item plebani qui fuas
aliis locant ecclefias, et incarias ciffunnunt regendas. Item dilapidatores
fuarum ecclefiarum. Item qui fiymoniace ordines vel beneficium, fuf-
ceperunt. Item illegitimi habentes beneficia cum curd animarum. Item
qui fine invefliturd epificopi et infiitutione canonicd ecclefias redpiunt,
atque regunt. Item qui per fubdiaconum vel Decanum plebes fuas in
viatica et confeffiane procurari permitlunt. Item qui excommunicatos,
vel interdictos redpiunt ad ecclefiafticam fepulturam. Item qui fine
licentid noftra in oratoriis vel ecclefiis non canficratis, vel vialatis miffas
celebrant. Item qui in ccemeteriis rum confecratis vel vialatis permittunt
mortzios fepelire. Item qui fuhplantatores fiint et anticipatores. Item
tranfigreffores omnium prcedictarum ttatutarum."

Sect. IIL]

,$£inoDical Duties.

223

nicatorum per annum et diem, totius fui Uecanatus nomina
et caufas excommunicatorum infcheduld deferant anno quo
Ubet ad fynodum vel computum &c." — "Item referant no
mina presbyterorum omnium qui in fuis Uetanatibus illo \
anno obierunt, ut in fynodo abfolvantur &c." j
"The Uean rural or superfntenUant," fays the biffiop of i Bishop Freak's
Norwich (^.D. mdlxxx.), "ffiall make faithful, careful, vernment,by
and diligent inquiry, not only of every minifter in the J™L"fo.
Ueanrg, but alfo of every man of account ; which may Xpendi^v^sl'.
either be profitable or dangerous to the ftate, in their
feveral pariffies. And exhibit their names, according to
every feveral Ueanrg, in a fair long parchment fcroll, to
the biffiop, or his chancellor ; to remain with them,
or either of them: giving advertifement from time to
time, of their amendment, or waxing worfe and worfe.
Whereby the biffiop ffiall be able to cut off any mif chief,
as it firft fpringeth forth ; and be a moft notable inftru
ment of advertifing and preferving the eftate. Befides,
by the authority refident, and as it were overwatching
the behaviour of the neighbours round about, all fmaller,
ufual offences, as fwearing, drunkennefs, lewd, lafcivious
talk, and fuch other enormities, which are as it were
entrances into the more grievous and enormous fins,
may be reftrained and puniffied. Which now are jefting
matters, of fmall account." {See more in loco — where
Freak propofes that the Ueans ffiould fit judicially on
delinquents, as affiftants to the biffiop or chancellor in
fynod affembled.)
The council of Bourdeaux {A.D. mdlxxxiii.) impofes
on Ueans rural the fynodical duty of making known to
the diocefan all vacant benefices, the names of non-
refident clergymen, and thofe who, being poffeffed of

ss. cc. Tom.
XXI. col. 790.

224

Personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

ss. cc. Tom.
XXI. col. 1507.

Synod. Lexov.
cc. Rotomag.
Prov. P. II.
p. 505.

Conft. Part III.
cap. X.
SS. CC. Tom.
XXI. col. 462.
.<4.ZJ. MDLXXIX.

Directorium Sy-
nodale M. Henr.
Arch. Colon. 4.

pro fctcaniS ru-
caliduS.

benefices, are not ordained priefts, within their refpec
tive jurifdictions : and the like canons paffed the council
of Narbonne, cap. xxviii. {A.D. mdcix.)
The fynod of Lifieux enacts {de Uecanfs) " Ut per cedu-
las fuas in fingulis fynodis fideliter — nobis referant, aut
vicariis nofiris, qui fint curati non refidentes, ubi morentur,
et de caufd fuce non refidendce, ac de eorumdem curatorum
vicariis, fi et quandb fuerint a nobis approbati &c."
The fifth council of Milan, under Cardinal Charles
Borromeo, records the ordinary duties of rural Ueans
(there termed "ijfcarff foranef "), and thofe which more
particularly fell to their lot at the epifcopal fee, on
occafion of a congrefs of the biffiop and his clergy —
" Cum fynodaUs dies propd adefi, fjfcarff ioxanti pridi^ illius
diei adfint fummo mane in cedibus epifcopalibus ; eoque ipfi
die qufimprimum epifcopo nomina, et cognomina tradant,
eaque ordine defcripta, facerdotum, et clericorum fingulorumf.
qui ad fynodum conveniunt, ac rursus abfentium caufis
figillatlm item defcriptis, quamobrem fynodo non adfint.
Idque prceter officium legitimce excufiationis, quam, qui ab-
fimt, epfcopo afferre et probare debent."
In the following century to Borromeo, Maximilian
Henry, archbiffiop of Cologne {A.D. mdclxii.), com
manded his Ueans rural to perform the like duties four
days antecedent to the affembling of the diocefan fynod ;
at which each rural Uean is ordered to deliver in a
formal document to this effect : — " Ego N.N. pafior in
N. Uecanus ©Srfstfanftatfs N. fub archidiaconatu N. con-
fiitutce, habeo fuh meo decanatu parochias numero N. N.
inter quas aliquce funt filiales, videlicet N. dependens cl ma-
trice N. item N. dependens a matrice N. capellas N. paro
chia m. ficut ex antiquis documentis conftat, fiolvere confuevit

Sect. IIL] SanoDical Duties. 225

ad taxationem . ... ad decimationem  et ad cathe-
draticum ......."
Laftly, the council of Reuffen {A.D. mdccxx.) fummons
annually a diocefan fynod upon the ufual footing, — " in ^Manc Suppie-
77 *¦ •/• r 1 ri- » /. XT, X'T^^rit. ad SS.CC.
qua, collatis epijcoparum cum fuo clero confiliis, lays the i Tom.vi. coi. 350.
fynod, "fiatuantur ea, quce pro communiori totius dioecefis \
bo-no fiatuenda videbuntur, et caveatur, ne, quce ben^ fiatuta i
funt, temerentur;" — and then it proceeds to the duties, '
more efpecially, of protopresbgters or rural Ueans in con- '
nexion with this convention : — "Ad fynodorum diocefana- j
rumfructum uberiiis ajfequendum protopresligterf,/ttJe Uecanf, '
quibus id potifiime incumbit, ac etiam parochi in fud, vel i
vicind parochia dfpidant, an ii, qui curam animarum gerunt,
refideant, et follidti fidelium fialuti invigUent : an in facra
mentis fancte minifirandis, in rudium, ac puerorum ad doc
trinam Chrfiianam infiitutione, cceterifque officiis cures
parochialis diUgenter fe prcefient ; an eccleficefanctce tectce fint,
obferventur, ac ornamentis, et facrd fiuppellectili congrui in- j
fiructce ; an ea, quce in fynodo provindali decreta funt, j
obferventur, tam quoad internum, quam quoad externum ,
ecclefiarum fiatum. Inquirant, an populus colat dies fefios,
et frequens conveniat ad divina offida; an jejunia obfervet \
fiatutis temporibus; an aliqui fint facrilegi, blajphemi, ex
communicati, fchifmatid, ac demagid, et fuperjiitione fufpecti,
eaque omnia ad ordinarium fcripto deferant ante fynodum
dioecefanam, ut iis opportune malis medeatur." See Van 1
Efpen Jur. Ecclefiiafi. Univ. Part i. Tit. xvm. pp. 106-7. ;
— 'on the Milanefe and other diocefan fynods.

226

Personal ifnnctions.

[Part IV,

Corfi. Synod.
Epifcop. Attre-
bat. A.D.
MCCCCLV.Thomaffin. F. et
N.E.D.Tcm.n.P. n. L. III. cap.
i.xxv. p. 791.

Ant. Statuta
Si/nod. Ecclef.
Mduenf Thef.
Anecd. T. IV.
c. 474.

SS. Rotomag.
Prov. P. ir.
p. 436-37.

Provinc. L. ill.
Tit. I. p. 118.

gl.inw.decenth.

gl. in V. hahitu
clericali.

Director. Syno
dal. Archiep.
Colon. A.D.
MDCLXIL

On the above and all other occafions of clerical
gathering, it behoved the arcfiprfests or Ueans ruraP to
wear their proper canonical veftments, as the albe, and
fiole or fcarf—"Wttani (Eiyxi^tianit&tis fanctam fiynodum
intrent alhis et fiolis," fays the council of Arras {A.D.
MccccLV.) — and the parochi (according to the Cologne^
canons of A.D. mcclxxx.) were to wear their fuperpelli-
dum or furplice alone ; — which garb the fuperior func
tionaries were to fee duly obferved by their inferiors.
Indeed, it was, in general terms, enacted by thefyrrndd
fiatutes of the fee of Autun, that the arc^prfests ffiould
be attentive to the habiliments of their fubject priefthood
— that they were fuitable to the occafion — " Caveant
arc^fprestigterf ut eorum fiubditi veniant ad fynodum in
habitu competenti." The Liber Synodalis of the biffiopric
of Seez {A.D. mdxxiv.) impofes the fame garb on all,
without diftinction of grade — " Ut eorum quilibet rejpectiv^
haheant et deferant unum caputium honefium cum corneta,

(' ) The drefs of rural Deans at their own chapter-meetings is elfewhere
noticed. It was alfo the fubject of ecclefiaftical regulation on ordinary
occafions — " Omnes Decant rucaleS decenter incedant in habitu clericaM,
et cappis claufis utantur : " — where Lyndwood tells us decenter may
refer " ad formam, longitudinem, brevitatem, ftrictitudinem, vel ampU-
tudinem veftium," As to colour, red and green were forbidden, alfo
ftripes and parti-colours. But we have not information enough in the
glofs upon habitu clericali, to attire our functionaries €k tui' iroSm es
Ttjv KscpaXrjv ; — and therefore we leave them with a hope that they neither
drefled too fmart nor too mean — "nee nimis fulgidis, nee nimis fordidis
veftibus.'' On cappcB claufie fee before ; alfo Macri Hierolexicon, p. 121.
in V. cappa; p. 583. in Y.Jtola; p. 601. in v. Juperpelliceum.
C) i^vtak^^ictanl in loca Jynadi compareant ft:alis rubris latioribiis"
— fays the Synodal Directory of the archbifliop of Cologne, A.D. mdclxii.

Sect. III.]

Sgnoliical Duties.

227

tunicam talarem ac longamf &c. — under a penalty of
forty Turonefe ffiillings for difobedience. The fynod
of Tournay {A.D. mdlxxiv.) adds : " Ut jejuni et rafi
fynodum intrent, ufque ad finem permanfiuri, atque audituri
quidquid in eo fiahilietur et confiituetur^." And the fynod
of Lifieux prohibits " Ne tunc per ecclefiam vagentur aut
ambulent, nee in ed confabulenturf &c.
Both priefts and arcliprfests were to conduct themfelves
with becoming circumfpection to and from the conven
tion, that is, going and returning by the road : {fee CC.
Rotomag. Provinc. P. ii. p. 78; Prcecepta IBecanfS, &c.);
and while in attendance at the epifcopal fee within the
province of Rouen, they were to be lodged and boarded
at the palace of the archbiffiop and the houfes of the
prebendaries ; or in the abfence of fuch accommoda
tion, (which had been long difcontinued in the year
MDCXXVIII.), it is enacted, " Que chacun Uogen/era election
d'une maifon reguUere, pour s'y loger avec les cures de fion
Uogenne, ety prendre fia refection." But, in a later fynod
of the year mdcxci, it is deemed enough, " Qu'ils {les

Decreta Synod.
J'ornac. P.59.1V.

SS. Rotom.Prov.
P. II. p. 488.
Synod. Lexo-
vienf.SS.CC Tom.
XIX. col. 238—
298.H. D. R. Vol. II.
Appendix.Part I. S VIII.
1.0. of Rouen.

CC. Rotomag.
Prov. P.II.
p. 124. Statut. X.

(') By a condliar order of the fee of Arras (A.D. mcccclv.), entitled
" De contumacia non venientium ad fiynodum vel minus debite receden-
tium ab eadem "— DeanS rural are enjoined to bring with them to the
convention the fynodal conftitutions of the diocefe ; and, before leaving
the affembly, to exhibit them to the bifliop or his reprefentative, on pain
of excommunication, and forfeiture of forty fliillings to be applied to
pious ufes.
By the precepts addreffed to the DeanS of the province of Rouen
{A.D. MccxLV.), they are bade to correct their fynodal inftructions
according to the decrees of the provincial council, and to fee that the
copies held by the presbyters are corrected.
q2

Ejufd. p. 153.

Conft. Synodal.
Epifcop. Attre-
hat. A.D.
MCCCCLV.

CC. Rotomag.
Provinc. P.II.
p. 78.

228

Personal ifunctions.

[Part IV.

See Gibron on
Vifltation, 59,
60,61.

curez) avertiront le Uogen rural des logemens qu'ils auront
choifis dans la ville pendant le fynode, afin qu'il puifie
les trouver aisement, en cas que nous ayons hefioin d'eux,"
\ fays the archbiffiop, "pour re.gler les affaires de leurs
e.glfes."
i The ancient^ fynodical honour of Ueans rural in Eng
land is ffiared, in modern days, between the church
wardens on the one fide, and the reprefentatives of the
parochial clergy, termed proctors, on the other; — the
former being the grand inqueft upon every vifitation,
'¦' the tefies fynodales of their refpective pariffies, bound on
oath to prefent all offenders or violators of the laws of
the church ;— the latter (nominally) reprefenting the
j diftrict clergy in convocation, as heretofore the rural
Ueans reprefented them in provincial and epifcopal fy-
ParochiaiAnti-\ uods. "While tlic catl)eUral Ueans and archdeacons ftill
keep their ancient right of fitting in convocation," re
marks Kennett, " the rural Ueans alone have been forced
to give place to an arbitrary election of two only for
every diocefe, inftead of one by ftanding place for every
Ueanerg." In France, however, on the authority of Richard's

quities. Vol. II.
p. 364.

Directions to
ChurcJiwardens,
9th Edit. p. 178.
See Freak's
Paper in the
Appendix, Nor
wich Documents,
from strype.

(') Till the rebellion (A.D. mdcxli.), we are told by Dean Prideaux,
" diocefan fynods were kept up in the diocefe of Norwich, and all the
clergy of the diocefe conftantly met at them every year — that is, the
clergy of Suffolk at Ipfwich, and the clergy of Norfolk at Norwich. In
which fynods the DeanS rural, having prefented whatfoever they had
found defective, either in the manners and duties of the clergy, or in the
reparation of the church, chancel, or minifter's houfe, in every parifli,
within their refpective DeanrieS, care was thereon taken of rectifying
whatfoever was amifs herein."

Sect. III.] SgnoDical ISutieS. 229

Analyfis of the Councils, rural arcfipriests were honoured Analyfis cc.
not long fince (during the eighteenth century), in t}a.e\eTvers.Dai-
archiepifcopal fynod of Paris, with a dignified ftation on ""'^'"
the left of the archbiffiop, where they were affociated \
with the catliEUral arcfipriests. And in the diocefan ¦
fynods of Salzburg, annually held throughout the pro- ccft.et Decret.
vince, they alfo appeared in neceffary connexion with i aI^! c. lxiv.
biffiops, or their reprefentative commiffaries, conftituting "''^ ' ^'
local church-conventions. Nor were they overlooked, :
according to Van Efpen, about the fame time, in the J«r.Ecci.Univ.P. I. T. XVIII.
epifcopal fynods of Belgium. ic.m. p.ios.
In fome few of our Engliffi diocefes, wherein the office
of Uean rural has been revived, and is fuftained with I
praifeworthy alacrity and zeal — the diocefans co-operat
ing with their rural delegates in rendering the difcharge ^
of the Uecanal duties as efficient as poffible to church- !
difcipline — a faint imitation of the epifcopal fyijod of i
elder times has been introduced with the beft fuccefs.
The prelates of the fees alluded to, annually, or oftener
if occafion require it, invite the Ueans of the different j
Ueanries to a friendly conference at their refpective |
palaces ; and, while there entertaining them as welcome •
guefts at their hofpitable boards, difcufs with them the
general condition of the ecclefiaftical cantonments of
their diocefes — receiving from the hands of the Ueans
their acta vifitationis (or articles of vifitational inquiry
duly filled up), prefientments, &c., and advifing with them
thereon — " Ut quce ex ipfiormn judicio reformatione opus ss cc. Tom.
habere comperientur, communi confilio emendentur." Such
is the ufage, I am happy to fay, of the diocefe of Sarum,
commenced and zealoufly fupported by the venerable
and learned Biffiop Burgefs; and the like, I believe.

230

Personal ifunctions.

[Part IV.

obtains in the diocefe of Winchefter — examples of pri
mitive practice well worthy of univerfal imitation \

(') The Reformatio LL. Ecclef. would have reftored the ancient epi
fcopal fynods in each diocefe : — See the fection " De ecclefid, et mini/Iris
ejus, illorumque offidis." " Cap. xix. De fiynodo cujuslibet epifcopi in
fud dioecefi." This and the four following chapters contain many ufeful
and practicable fuggeftions, in cafe of their revival, at any time, by the
church of England. The time of the annual convention was to have
been notified by the bifliop to the rural clergy by the inftrumentality of
the rural Deans — "per Decanos rMn'_^or/os "— elfewhere called " arc^i-
presligteri rusticani," and " Decant rurales." See cap. v.

S. IV. C. I.] Superbision of tlje ffiaits.— Offences.

231

SECTION IV.
Supervision op the Laity.

CHAPTER I.
Prefatory Arrangement. — Supervisal of Laical Offences.
N the numerous, I fear, wearifome extracts,
which have been adduced in corroboration of
the controverted vifitational duties of Ueans
rural, and thofe undifputed ones, which, both
in Great Britain and on the Continent, they performed
at epifcopal conventions, many items of their perfonal \
functions have been incidentally, but briefly, touched j
upon. The object there in view was not to anticipate, or
fuperfede, a formal claffiflcation of individual duties in
fubfequent pages, but merely to illustrate the vifitatorial
and fi/nodical capacities of the officer, — not to particu
larize and explain every item of perfonal fiervice, but fuch
only as were neceffarily performed at vifitation and fynod.
A large number have reference neither to the one nor to
the other occafion ; and thefe remain entirely unnoticed.
The canons and obfervations, therefore, now and
hereafter to follow, propofe to fpeak of the latter, that is,
of the whole range of perfonal duties in detail (faving
vifitational and fynodical attendance, &c.) — whether per
taining to the maintenance of church-difcipline in the

232

Personal iFunctlons.

[Part IV.

Parochial Anti
quities, Vol. II.
p. 355.

perfons of the laity or the clergy, or to the general fup
port of external decency and order in the ecclefiaftical
concerns of the country.
The fubjects alluded to will, collectively, occupy the
remaining fections of the present divifion — Part iv. ; and
will be diftributed in the following order: — In the firft
fection we ffiall place the obligation impofed on our rural
censors of fupervifing the parochial laity — of inquiring
into, and fuppreffing, all laical profanenefs and immora
lity — and of performing certain purgational, exorcifiical,
catechfiical, funereal, and tefiamentary duties towards
lay-members of the church. To the fecond head (though,
in point of number and importance, paramount) we ffiall
affign the fervices of Ueans rural towards the parochial
clergy; whose manners and miniftrations they were
more efpecially bound " to infpect and cenfure." Laftly,
we ffiall confider, under as many feparate fections and
chapters as the great variety of the fubject-matter may
require, the refidue of the perfonal functions of UeanS
rural — •thofe, namely, of a mixed minifterial character,
bearing both on the clergy and their flocks — which were
performed by Ueans rural, as public functionaries, under
the authority of the hierarchy, for the general fupport of
church-difcipline and good order, in the rural diftricts
of each diocefe.
To begin, then, with the parochial laity — whom the
canonifts in general eonflgn to the fupervifing care of
Ueans rural — ''IBecanf rurales," fays Van Efpen, "laicorum
C.II. p. .30'. ' 'fuorum difirictuum mores diUgenter obfervent." — Not only,
Molan. de Ca- obfcrvcs Molauus, iu Ms gloffarial remarks on the fynodal
c.vra.pp.i58'-9., conftitution "ut fimgulce plebes, &c.", does the law exact,
" Ut arcftipresigteri vifitent pafiores et parochiales ecclefias,

Jur. Ecclef.

S. IV. C. I.]

^uperbtsion of t]&e Slaitg.

233

fed etiam ut quales oves pafiores haheant, cognofcant et ad
epifcopum referant." Over all the inhabitants^ of every
village, within their jurifdictions, writes Dr. Kennett,
Ueans rural exercifed a general infpection and fuperinten
dence ; and, if any Chriftians lived in any open and
fcandalous fln, the Ueans were bound to reprove their
offence, and admoniffi them to repent, as they would
anfwer it to God and the church. This power was
entrufted to them in their perfonal capacity, independent
altogether of their chapters ; and very important it was
in preferving the peace, and afferting the difcipline of
the church^.
The church, by her canons, interfered, at an early date,
in fupport of arcSfpresbgteral government over the laity
— the imperitum vulgus of the oft-cited decretal of Pope
Gregory — enacting in the forty-fourth canon of the

Parochial Anti
quities, Vol. 11.
p. 354.

Dr. Field, of
the Church,
Booke V. p. 507.

(0 The commiflion of the pertoDeutffi and exarcjbt of the Eaft extended
to the laity as well as clergy. They equally fupervlfed the fpiritual and
moral condition of all; and by correption, admonition, and encourage
ment, as need was, helped forward the falvation of all. See Balfamon's,
Zonaras's, and Ariftenus's gloffes on the fifty-feventh canon of the coun
cil of Laodicea, in Bifliop Beveridge's Pandects, Vol. i. pp. 479-80 ; and
Priaulx's Brief Account af tlie Office of iSean mural.
C) The following anecdote from Pegge's Biography of Bifliop Great-
head fliews the fact of their interference even with the civil authorities,
where the latter violated the difcipline of the church, its rights, and pri
vileges. — " Roger de Lexinton, itinerant juftice, and his affociates, held
plea°s of blood on a Sunday at Lincoln (A.D. mccxlvi.), and H. the
rural Dean— Decanus ©j&ristianttatls— told them ' it was a thing that
ought not to be done : ' upon which they gave him opprobrious language, |
fliut up the door of his houfe, and feized on his effects, with fome lands 1
which he held in truft for his nieces, and fome goods of his relations,
for the king's ufe. The bifliop of the diocefe, when he heard it, wrote
to Lexinton, obferving to him, how ftrange it was, that men of their
refpectable

H.D.R. Vol. II.
Appendix.

Pegge's Life of
Bishop Groffe-
tefte, p. 88.

234

Personal iFunctlons.

[Part IV.

ss. cc. Tom.
VI. col. 646.

Thomaffin. V. et
N.E.D. Tom. 1.
P.II. I J. I. c.v
p. 225.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol. I. p. 547.

council of Auxerre (^^.D. dcclviii.) "Si quis ex ficeculor
ribus infiitutionem aut commonitionem arcfiipresligtcri/Mj
contumacia fadente, audire difiulerit, tamdiii, a liminibus
fianctce ecclefiice haheatur extraneus, quamdiu, tam fialuhrem
infiitutionem adimplere non fiuduerit. Infuper et mulctam
quam gloriofiifiimus dominus Rex prcecepto fuo infiituit,fafii-
neat." And, yet farther to enforce the jurifdiction of
arcfiprfests rural, ffie invefted them with a coercive au
thority over the perfons of lay-offenders — " Videat e.xt^\-
presbgter," fays a capitulary of the year dcccv, "utdili-
gentifiimd examinatione confiringantur ; fed tali moderatione
fiat difirictio, ne vitam perdant."
On the abolition of the cfiorepfscopf of the diocefe of
Meath, and the tranfmutation of the poorer epifcopal
fees into the heads of rural arcjbfpresbgterates, it was
ordered by Cardinal Paparo {A.D. mclii.), and repeated

refpectable characters fhould punifli a man for informing them of what
was juft and right ; and it certainly was but juft and right, that pleas of
blood ought not to be held on a Sunday ; fince the canons directed that
the day fliould be kept holy, and forbad that markets fliould be held, or
pleas profecuted, or any perfon be adjudged either to death or punllh-
ment, upon it. The Dean, he faid, ought therefore to have been com
mended by them, and rewarded, for cautioning them againft finning,
rather than puniflied ; and would have been culpable himfelf, if he had
not apprized them of their fault. His lordflilp, in the conclufion, be-
feeches and Intreats them to have regard to the Sabbath of the Lord, if
they were deflrous of being true and obedient fons of Chrift the leglflator,
and his fpoufe the church ; and, if the matters reported to him were
true, that they would redrefs them ; remembering, that, fuppofing the
Dean had given them offence, it was not their bufinefs to punifli him,
fince, according t5 the law of God and the canons, the perfonal faults
of clergymen are not to be animadverted on or puniflied by fecular
judges ; nor would the church ever fuffer ecclefiaftical liberty to be fo
inj ured and infulted."

S. IV. C. I.] Supervision of tfie Saitg.— Offences.

235

by Biffiop Rochfort {A.D. mccxvi.) — "Ut arcfifpresbgterf
de futuro infiituendi non foliim perpetuam et perfonalem
refidentiam faciant, veriim etiam cleri et populi infra limites
fuorum Uecanatuum fiolUcitudinem gerant." A few years
later, in the diocefe of Clermont, the arcbpresbgters were
charged to inquire in their perfonal vifltations "fummarie
de omnibus notoriis ; etfi quid efi quod ficandalum generet
ibidem in ^o^v\o, five clero &c."
To aid Ueans rural in obtaining information of offences
committed by the laity within their precincts, the clergy
themfelves are commanded by the fynod of Saintes {A. D.
MccLxxx.) to lay all grave faults before the Uean of their
diftrict ; that he, again, may certify the archdeacon, or
biffiop, of the fame — "Peccata notoria de quibus ficandalum
in populo generatur,fignificent facerdotes Uecano, et Uecanus
archidiacono, vel epifcopo: nfi forte per eos fint fopita : —
timentes ne poenam incurrant, fi per alios ficandalum defie-
,fatur ;" — ^if the biffiop became acquainted with offences
from any other than the appointed legitimate fource,
the negligent parties were to be fubjected to canonical
puniffiment. On no account were the Ueans, in their infpectional
and correctional capacity, to accept any pecuniary com-
pofltion for crimes amenable to their jurifdiction ; either
for the concealment and fuppreffion of them, or for
inflicting lefs feverity of puniffiment on the criminals
than their tranfgreffions merited,— and this on penalty
of grave puniffiment and removal from office. Such was
the decree of Walter de Cantilupe, biffiop of Worcefter
{A.D. MccxL.) : — '"Nee Uecanf pecuniam redpiant pro cri
minihus celandis, et omnino fiupprimendis, vd remiffiUs pu-
niendis. Quod fii tittmi fecerint, ab officiis amoti, graves

ss cc. Tom.
XIV. col. 319.

SS. cc. Tom.
XIV. col. 714.
can. XV.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol.1, p. 671.

236

Personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

Brown's Fafci
culus Rerum,
p. 428.

J. De Athon,
Lyndwood, Bar
bofa, aliique.

Gibron's Codex
I.E.A. Tk.:s.hn.
cap.vi. can.cix.
p. 964.

puniantur."- Nor were their apparitors, if guilty, al
lowed to go unpuniffied: — "Apparitores etiam Uecano
rum, fi crimina celaverint, per offidalem epificopi graviter
puniantur." Again, in the Ratisbon conftitution of Cardinal Cam
pegio for the reformation of ecclefiaftical abufies {A.D.
MDXXIV.), the Ueans are charged not to connive at crimes
that ought to be denounced, not to wink at violations
of the ordinances of the cardinal, "oh pecuniam ultrd
oblatam, aut alterius rei gratia, fied potius ad poenas dejure
vel confuetudine debitas contra delinquentes, pro delicti
quaUtate et officii fiui debite procedant, &c."
But what were the offences againft religion and mora
lity, on the part of the laity, which conciliar law placed
under the furveillance of our rural ecclesfastfcs, and
commanded them thus honeftly and refolutely to de
nounce ? — ^All tranfgreffions without exception were
fubject, according to the canonifts, to their cognitional
jurifidiction, though not to their correctional cenfure: —
fee ©apitular Jpunctfons, Part v. § ii. chap. iv.
To the queftion — JVhat offences were fo fubject? no
better reply can be made, than that they were the fame,
for the moft part, as the crimes and perfons to he parti
cularly prefiented by the ceditui or oeconomi of modern days,
at epifcopal and archidiaconal vifltation-courts. Thefe,
according to the Canons and Confiitutions of the church
of England {A. D. mdciii.), are, adultery, whoredom, inceft,
drunkennefis, fwearing, ribaldry, ufury, and other uncleannefs
and wickednefis of Ufe ; — which are enumerated as vices
which churchwardens, quefimen, or fynod-men (vulgarly
called fidefimen), are faithfully to prefent to their ordi
naries. And in the preceding canons of A. D. mdlx.xi,

S. IV. C. I.] Superbislon of t\)e aaitg.— ©ffenceS.

237

we have adulteros, fornicarios, mcedos, ebriofos, juratores, Liber Canonum
7 /¦ • n „ . , n '' . o Oe .Edituis, 29.
lenones, ujurarios, &c. pointed out as perions ripe ior spanow's coi-
,111,/. i lection.
the church s cenlure. >
Of fuch offences and offenders, and many more than }
are named in either of the quoted tables, Ueans rural |
heretofore took cognifance, as the extracts already ad- i
duced under the heads of vifitational and fynodical duties,
and the after-cited canons of foreign and domeftic coun
cils abundantly demonftrate. Like the churchwardens,
too, the Ueans were concerned in fupporting the outward
fanctity and reft of the Lord's-day ; and — yet farther — ¦
in granting difpenfations from the ftrict letter of the
law, when circumftances rendered it neceffary to depart
from its rigid obfervance — a power never entrufted to
the lay-guardians of the church.
The Canons and Confiitutions, by which our church
is now regulated, were framed from elder codes, in the
year mdciii.; at which time the rurf-Uecanal office (for all
ufeful purpofes of fpiritual government) was virtually
non-exiftent in England. So that the lay-wardens of
the church — the fucceffors of the older tefies fiynodales — |
and the parochial clergy, were the only local helpmates
of the hierarchy in fuftaining the good manners and
religious obfervances of the people — the only remaining
props of expiring difcipline. To thefe wardens, there
fore, and their fpiritual head, the incumbent paftor of
each village, was conflgned by the biffiop and arch
deacon, under the fanction of the canons referred to^.

(') But with this difference— the wardens and paftor could only pre-
fient to the bifhop or archdeacon. They had no power of correcting by
themfelves ; whereas the DeanS vpere capacitated to correct, under certain
limitations.

238

Personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

Parochial Anti
quities, Vol. II.
p. 369.
Atterbury's Charge to the
Clergy of Tot-
nefs, MDCCVIII.

the charge, once principally exercifed by Ueans rural, of
" obferving the behaviour of the pariffiioners concerning
fuch faults as belong to the eccleflaftical jurifdiction."
The canons of King James I. took no meafures for
the reftoration of the then antiquated office of rural
Uean. It is not mentioned nor alluded to, in his code.
The previous permiffion (for it did not amount to a
command) of the Elizabethan canon to appoint to the
office had been difregarded in almoft all the diocefes of
the kingdom. And the earlier and more copious canon
of the Reformatio Legum Ecclefiafiicarum on the fubject
had never been other than a dead letter, from its firft
enactment. But our felections have to do with other times, and
other countries — with the furveillance of laical tranfgref
fions, at a period when fuch "corruptelce morum" received
little or no ffiare of the churchwardens' attention ; and
in countries where, perhaps, no like officers exifted, or,
if exiftent, were inefficient— where Ueans rural, therefore,
were functionaries of neceffary and grave importance.
To fuch laical faults, then, as are particularized in
the fynods of the day, and made fubject to Uecanal cen
fure or delation, we proceed — premiflng, that^ of the
more grave and incorrigible offences the Ueans were
bearers of information, by prefentment, to the diocefan

(') This ftatement, perhaps, may need qualification. The ufages of
different diocefes varied fo much in refpect of ruri-Decanal power, that it
is difficult to fpecify exactly its limits. In fome diocefes it was far more
extenfive than in others. In fome the DeanS had no judicial faculty, but
reported every thing to the bifliop :— in others, their local authority was
prefcriptive and independent, and extended to all laical faults.

S. IV. C. I.

Superbision of t]&e ttaitg.— ©ffenceS.

239

fynod; — of the lighter immoralities they took cogni
fance, and attempted correction, in their own Ueanries :
— " Corruptelas morum in populo reformare fiudeant f fays
the biffiop of Meath {A.D. mccxvi.), " etfi quas abfiergere
nequeant, ad fynodum dioecefanam referant, ut de iis emen
dandis cum confilio cleri deliberari pofiit." Can. iv.
If, in the exercife of their perfonal jurifdiction, they
had not fufficient influence over laical tranfgrefiions and
tranfgreffors, to effect the amendment required, they
had a farther refource in the power vefted in them, of
calling together their capitular affociates, the rural clergy
of the diftrict, and conftituting local courts of GDfiris-
tfanftg ; wherein they could inflict, by judicial procefs,
within certain limits, condign puniffiment on obftinate
offenders. If all their efforts iaMed, perfonal and capti-
tular, then they had recourfe to the ordinary and his
conflftory. But more of this anon.

cc. M. B. et H.
Vol.1, p. 547.

Dr. Field o/Wjb
Church, Booke
V. p.508.

The felections below made, in illuftration of the fpe-
cific vices and impieties of the laity, fubjected to the
fupervifal of Ueans rural, are not the whole that might
have been brought together under this head. I have
not thought it neceffary to repeat what have been elfe
where noticed, fave in a few inftances. Nor have I
attempted to clafiify the breaches made by the laity in
the difcipline of the church — the offences againft reli
gion and morals, which the Ueans were to fupervife and
heal. The canons, inhibitions, and injunctions, perti
nent thereto, are quoted in the hulk, (various and imme-

240

Personal iFunctions.

[Part IV

cc. Rotomag.
Provinc. P. I.
p. 37.

Conft. Synod.
Epifc. Attrebat.
4to.

Ejufdem, De
viti et honeftate
Clericorum,
A.D.MCCCCi,v.

Brown's Fafci
culus Rerum,
Vol.11, p. 382.

I thodical as the fequence of their enactments may be),
and are arranged, for the moft part, according to their
dates alone — ^no other plan feeming equally feafible.
They relate, however, we may fay, in general, to the
lives and converfation of the laity.
By a decree of the provincial council of Normandy
{circiter A.D. dcccc), it is enacted, " Ut incefiuofi, necnon
et adulteri, qui feparantur a presbyteris, ipfis locis et major
et Uecanus illorum habeant providentiam, ne iterUm, in-
fiigante diaholo, conjungi pofiint."
By the canon " de Sacramento Matrimonii," of the
fynodal confiitutions of the fee of Arras {A.D. mccclxxv.),
the Ueans are ordered to tranfmit the names of all adul
terers to the biffiop's court, within a month " a die noti-
tie." And in the fame diocefe {A.D. mcccclv.), the fol
lowing conftitution appears againft laical laxities:—
.... "lBnani% et eorum loca tenentibus fub poena excom-
municationis prcecipimus et mandamus, qudd moneant etiam
laicos parochianos publice in ecclefid auctoritate noftra,
quod nullus etiam laicus teneat in domo fud boullam^feu
ludum taxillorum ; nee redpiat in domo fud ribaldos nee
meretrices, cum ex talibus plura fcandala fcepi necnon piacida
'folent evenire. AUoquin trimd monitione fie public^ facta,
dictos laicos talem domum tenentes, et prcemiffas viles per
fonas frequenter recipientes, diebus dominids et fefiivis ex
communicatos denuncient."
During the preceding century, Biffiop Groffetefte of
Lincoln complains, in a letter to his archdeacon, of

(') Boula — aleatorium, tabularum ludus, ut opinor. Carpentier in
Append. Tom. i. col. 613. Taxilli — lufbrice tejferce. Gall. Dez. Car.
pentier in Append. Tom. ii. col. 966.

S. IV. C. I.] Superbision of tj&e Haiti).— ©fences.

241

See Spelman
Gloff. Arch, in
y.Scotala, p.506.

Stat. Synod.
Dicec. Yprenf.
Tit. vn. c. XII.

the laity celebrating drinking-bouts, termed fcotales —
"Faciunt, ut audivimus, laid fcotales ;" — which ought not to
be, and could not be, the good prelate adds, if the Ueans
rural and bedels were duly watchful to prevent fuch
immoralities. Wherefore, he charges the archdeacon,
by the inftrumentality of the fore-mentioned affiftants,
to put an end to all fuch alefhots, forbidden fports, " et
cohabitationem Chriftianorum cum Judceis quantum pofiibile
ejl, impedire."
The ftatutes of the diocefan fynod of Ypres {A.D.
mdlxxvii.) are copioufly furniffied with inftructions for
Uecanal fuperviflon of the people at large : — " Non tantum
presbyteris et clerids Uecanos prcefid intelligimus, fed et
univerfo populo, S^c'' — " De excefiihus publicis, et quorum-
cunque incolarum fuorum Uecanatuum fcandalofd vitd ; de
blafi[>hemiis in Deum et fanctos ; de fufpidone hcerefis,
necnon de pugnis in loco facro commifiis, et aliis quibuf-
cunque fcandalofis f actis ; utpote de publicis adulteriis et
fortilegiis, Uecani fe per tefies ad hoc evocan'dos, aut alias
fufficienth informari curent : atque informatione habita, ut
corrigantur, nos ultenits informent. Sint etiam follidti,
ut illorum, qui ex illegitimo concubitu nafcuntur, parentes
innoteficant : ne ignoranter pofimodiim per aliquos in gradu
prohihito matrimonium contrahatur; et etiam ne hujufmodi
delicta impunita maneant, et impunitas ipfis continuandi in
peccato occafionem p'cebeat : mulieres tamen fornicarias pofi
partum, facta de his inquifitione, et expleto tempore, ad puri-
ficationem abfique alia contradictione admittant, feu per fuos
pafiores admitti curent."
The projected Reformatio LL. Ecclef of Great Bri- Reformatio le-
tain, of the reign of Henry VIII. and Edward VI., c.v.p.95.
impofes on the arcfifpresligter rustfcanus extenfive perfonal

242

Personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

Ley's Doubts,
&c. p. 50.

See Appendix
to H D. R.
Vol. n. Diocefe
of Chefter, Pa
tents, &c.

duties among the laity of his diftrict, in fupport of reli
gion and morals : — " De idolatris et hceretids, de fimo-
niacis, de lenonibus et meretricibus, de adulteris et fornica-
toribus, de iis qui duas uxores fimul habent, atque maritos
duos, de magis et venefids, de calumniatoribus et hlafiphemis,
de fodomitids et ehriofis, de ultimarum voluntatum corrwp-
telis et perjuriis, de injunctionum aut nofirarum aut epi
fcopi violatoribus, inquirat. Et vocandi ad fe, examinandi
' horum fcelerum fufpectos authoritatem habeat. Omnem ac-
cufationis ortum, five per famam publicam, five deferentivm
tefiimonio prohatum, vel fufpectum, epifcopo aut ejus lod ordi
nario infra decem dies in fcriptis prodet. Qui autem venire
ad eum recufaverit, per apparitorem vocatus, tanquam con-
tumax cenfebitur," &c. &c.
In the diocefe of Chefter, fays the doubtful paftor of
; Great Budworth before quoted, " The Ueanes for many
; yeares paft have had a great part of epifcopali jurifdic
tion ffiared among them ; and this by patent for lives or
yeares from the biffiops, allowing fometimes larger,
fometimes leffe authority unto them : fome have had
power to cenfure all offenders, and offences of the laity;
the crimes of inceft and adultery alone excepted. And
fome have beene limited to the correction of fome few
faultes fpecified in their patents — crimina et excefius quo-
rumcunque laicorum, criminihus adulterii et incefius tantum-
modd exceptis."

Synod. Mechlin.
Tit. xv[i. cap.v.
p. 451.

To check the loofe habits of young perfons, male and
female, in frequenting taverns and houfes of evil fame,
on Sundays and holy days, the Belgian fynods of the

S. IV. C. I.] Superbision of tje aaitg.- ©ffenccs.

243

feventeenth century paffed many inhibitory canons,
ftrongly and pointedly reprobating fuch grofs immora
lities, and inciting the rural arcftprfests to increafed vigi
lance and activity, in order to put an end to them.
Little benefit, however, having been derived, as it
appears, from mere canonical prohibition and condem
nation, though backed by a paftoral letter of the arch
biffiop of Malines, and enforced by a royal edict ; nay
rather, licentious revelries of all kinds, with their con
comitants of drunkennefs and proftitution, having in
creafed, the metropolitan, at length, addreffed circulars
to all his rural Ueans, and through them to the parochial
clergy of the province, to this effect : — " . . . . Ut dictos
publicos inobedientes habeant tanquam peccatores publicos, \
et ad facramenta non admittant, afiifientiamque fuam iis
denegent turn in fiponfialibus, tum in matrimoniis, donee
publicum ficandalum repardrint :" and particularly ad- \
dreffmg himfelf to the arcfipresbgtcrs rural, he defires, in |
the conclufion of his epiftle, " Ut IR.U. in fuis vifita- i
tionibus drca excejfus ifios et vefperarum ac catechifmi i
omifiiones diligenth inquirant:" and then, referring to \
his paftoral letter to the clergy — "contra conventicula 'Monumemum
juvenum et puellanim" — he earneftly enjoins the prieft- N0.xxiLp.452.
hood to certify him, "per reverendos dominos Uecanos '
rurales," of any improvement that may fubfequently
enfue in the difcipline of the diocefe within their
knowledge.

With the affiftance of the parochial incumbents, the
Ueans of Belgium were bound to fee that the duties of
the Lords-day were ftrictly attended to by the laity.

r2

Van Efpen Jur.
Ecclef. Univ.
P. n. Tit. XVII.
c. in. p. 447. &
c. VI. p. 454.

244

Personal iFunctions.

[Part IV,

Van Efpen Jur.
Ecclef. Univ.
P. II. Tit. XVII.
cap. VI. p. 454.

Sparrow's Col
lection of Ar
ticles, pp. 8.68.

Virgil. Georgic.
1.268.

and that no tradefmen, artificers, or labourers in agri
culture^, followed their worldly callings on that day, or
on feftivals, without urgent need ; — 'for which a difpen-
fation was to be granted by the Uean of GCfirfstfanftn, of
the diftrict, or, in his abfence, by the parochial minifter.
To this purport the fynod of Cambray declares : " Lid-
tum non effe molitorihus, braxatoribus, lanionibus, et pifto-
ribus fua opifida diebus fefiis exercere, nifi ob notabilem
necefiitatem determinatam per offidalem et magifiratum loci,
de confilio Uecanf CC^rfstfanftatf s, aut in ejus abfentid, paftoris,
loci." But, fubfequently, the civil magiftrate ufurped the
privilege of the ecclefiaftic, of granting difpenfations to
husbandmen ; and abufes enfued. Wherefore, in a con
vention of the rural Ueans of the archdiocefe of Malines
(^.D. MccLxiii.), held under the archbiffiop, it was de
creed: "Ad evitandum ahufum quo in aliquibus locis bal-
livi et officiarii laici pro certo pretio permittunt inconfvMo
ordinario, arcfifpresbgtero, vel ejus deputato, quod diebus
fefiivis et prohibitis rufiici arare pofiint et carrucare, artfii=
presbgterf agent ifiic loci cum prcedictis hallivis, curabunt-
que fignificari dictis rufiids, eos per fimilem licentiam non

(') By the Injunctions of King Edward VI. {A.D. mdxlvIi.), repealed
by Queen Elizabeth {A.D. mdlix.), it is enacted : " All parfons, vicars,
and curates fliall teach and declare unto their parifliioners, that they
may with a fafe and quiet confcience, in the time of harveft, labour upon
the holy and feftival dayes, and fave that thing which God hath fent.
And if for any fcrupulofity, or grudge of confcience, men fliould fuper-
ftitioufly abftain from working upon thofe dayes, that then they fliould
grievoufly offend and difpleafe God." — For this licence, however, I can
quote no authority fave that of the heathen poet !
" Quippe etiam feftis qucedam exercere diebus
"Fas etjurafinunt &c." 

S. IV. C. I.] Superbision of tje aattg.- Offences.

245

evafuros correctionem judicis ecclefiiafiici ; etfii id ipfium non
fuffidat, aut tales ballivi non defifiant, tranfcribent ordinario,
aut vicariatui, aut offidali, ut defuper provideatur ; interim
non impeditur rufiiicus, qui ah arcfifprestigtero, vel pafiore,
difpenfationem obtinuerit, ifium hallivum vel offidarium dictce
difpenfiationis certiorem reddere."
The occafion on which the Ueans were ufually called
on to grant thefe difpenfations in country diftricts, was
harveft-time — for collecting the fruits of the earth —
when either an invading army was likely to deftroy
them, or an unfavourable ftate of weather neceffitated
difpatch : — then the Ueans might difpenfe with the ftrict
letter of the law — " Ne occafione momenti pereat commo-
ditas coelefii provifione conceffa." Of the pure neceffity
of the cafe, the civil magiftrate, it feems, was the fole
judge, according to the interpretation of Zypaeus {de
Feriis, N°. iv.) ; but of the obligation of the precept of
the decalogue or church, the arcjbpresiigter rural alone, or
the incumbent paftor, in the abfence of his fuperior.

ZypieiJur.
Feriis,

Notit. _ 'c. de
No. IV.

A few more laical breaches of church-difcipline re
main, to which the attention of our rural censors was
folicited. Of this number was ufury — a vice ftill pre
fentable by churchwardens in England, and of old
feverely animadverted on by their fuperiors, the Ueans
of ©firfstfanftg. Even where the temporal power takes
notice of ufurious tranfactions, we are told, there is
always a refervation to the fpiritual jurifdiction of its
right to puniffi the fame by " the correction of the fouls "
of ufurers. Accordingly, we find, the fynodal confiitu
tions of the fee of Arras {A.D. mcccclv.), in a canon

246

Personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

Conftitutiones
Synodales Epi
fcopatus Attre-
balenfis, A.D.
MCCCCIV.

Conft Synod.
Salisb. t.l CIV.
p. 287.

" de ufiuris et ufurariis contractibus," ftrictly forbidding
all ufurarious trafficking, and commanding the Ucang
rural of the diocefe to give publicity to the interdict
of the church againft fuch as are guilty of it, with their
wives and families ; becaufe " ufurarum vorago devorat
et exhaurit damnahiliter facultates." — And in the diocefe
I of Salzburg {A.D. mdlxix.), the Ueans are ordered to
inhibit Chriftian burial to all perfons who had been
guilty, during life, of ufitrious exaction.

Conft. Synod.
Epifc. Attrebat.
A.D. MCCCCLV.

Synod. Bajoc.
can. LXXXVII.

Decreta Synod.
Dicec. Antverp.
p. 228.

The abufe of Apofiolical Letters by the rural laity was
another grave offence cognifable by the Ueans of tfie
countrg. By a decree of the church of Arras " de abufo-
ribus," the Ueans are charged to declare excommuni
cate, once at leaft in every fifteen days, all " abufores
Utterarum apofiolicarum quarumcunque, feu legatorum feu
fiubdelegatorum &c." — By another, " de portitoribus lite
rarum" — all persons mal-treating the bearers of fuch
letters are fubjected to Uecanal monition ; and, on their
not making amends for injuries committed, to peremp
tory excommunication. So great was the guilt of nud-
treating papal bulles, that the offence was excommuni
cation ipfio facto; from which the Pope alone could
abfolve, as we learn from the metrical catalogue of
excommunicable crimes of the fynod of Bayeux : — "Si
maU de bulla papce tractaveris ulld  Pontificem
quceras."

By a decree of the diocefan fynod of Antwerp {A.d.
MDCX.), under Mirseus, every female practitioner of the

S. IV. C. I.] Superbision of tje ffiaits.- ®ffences.

247

obftetrical art is charged to appear before the Uean of
®|)rf stfanftg, " ut ab eo examinetur an fciat fubfiantialia
facramenti hapti/mi, et fadat profefiionem fidei integram,
promittatque fe denuntiaturam pafiori parochice eos qui
ultra tertium diem baptifmum infantium differunt, et eos,
qui ah hceretids infantes haptizari curant, aut permittunt."
And by a fynodal fiatute of the diocefe of Ypres {A.D.
MDcxxix.), all midwives who had not taken the canonical
oath, appointed for perfons of their order or faculty,
are to be diligently fought for by the local Ueans, and
prefented at the biffiop's court.

statuta Dioec.
Yprenf. c. xvii.

248

Personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

Parochial Anti
quities, Vol. II.
p. 355.
Antiquities of
Canterbury,
P. I. p. 176.

Lyndwood,Prov. L. V.
T. XIV. p. 313.

Provincial, loco
citato.

Hiftorical and
Political Dif
courfe, &c.
chap. XXXVII.
p. 56.

CHAPTER II.

Purgational Duties.

F any laymen ftood accufed of incontinence,
or other grievous crime, in any fpiritual
court, the Ueans, " for their wifdom and fide
lity," and " for the eafe and benefit of the
fubject," were entrufted to take their purgation^, ("a
thing warranted," in Somner's words, " if not required
by the provincial conftitution Item licet Sec, ' De purga-
tione canonicd');" — that is, explains Kennett, «to let
the fufpected perfons clear themfelves, either by their
own oath, or the oaths of credible compurgators^" (who
fwore that they believe'd what the accufed fwore was
true,) and " fo to vindicate their innocence, and ftop the
profecution :" — which purgation, doubtless, in laical as

(') The learned author oi Parochial Antiquities introduces this branch
of tiecanal duty at the place we here allot to it, after the fupervifion of
the conduct of the laity. But we might, perhaps, in our more fyftematic
arrangement of official functions, have transferred it to the chapter on
ecclefiaflical cenfures, under the head of capitular tUtieS.
O Nathaniel Bacon, fpeaking of the practice of compurgation amongft
the Saxons in their judicatory, after having noticed Torture and Ordeak,
adds: — "Where fame was yet more flight, and fpringing rather from
want of charity and mifapprehenfion, than promifing circumftances, men
were wont to be contented with a voier dire, or the oath of the party
fufpected, and the concurrent teftimony of other men : the firft attefting
his own innocency, the other contefting their confciences of the truth of
the former teftimony ; and therefore were, and ftill are, called compur gators.

S. IV. C. II.] Superbision of t]&e aaitg.— Purgation.

249

well as clerical cafes (in which latter it was fo ordered^
by canon), took place in the Ueanrg where the offender
lived. The way in which Uecanal inftrumentality was concerned
in England, in effecting the conviction and amendment
of the guilty, from the mild admonition of familiarity to
the judicial impeachment before the church, is both
curioufly and inftructively fet forth in the canons of the
council which Hubert Walter, archbiffiop of Canterbury, \ cc.m.b.cih.
held at York in his Legatine capacity {A.D. mcxcv.) : — | " • '¦ ?•
the eighteenth ordinance of which enacts, that, when a
perfon lay under the fufpicion of any crime upon common
fame, or ftrong prefumption of guilt, he ffiould be fami
liarly admoniffied by the Uean rural (^'per Uecanum loci")
three feveral times to reform himfelf; and, no amend
ment enfuing, that he ffiould then be reproved by him,
in the prefence of two or three witneffes of his lofs of
character — evidence of the fame. After which, the canon
proceeds : " Si nee fiic videatur corrigi, dicatur ecclefice, fd
licet arguatur in capitulo, ut convictus vel confefiiis, canonice
puniatur; inficianti, fit convind non poterit, canonica pur-

gatcrrs. Their number was more or lefs, and of greater or lefs value,
according as the offence of the party fufpected was of greater or lefs
concernment. This manner of trial was of ancient ufe, and both it
and that of ardeale under the directory of the chrgy ; yet this was the
ancienter by three hundred years, and firft brought into this nation by
the council at Berghamfted, under Bertwald archbifliop of Canterbury.
And it was performed fometimes more folemnly by folemn receiving of the
Eucharift, efpecially if the perfon fufpected was of the facred function."
(') " Statuimus quod de ccetero d^amati de criminihus fieu excejfibus,
et de eis fie pur gar e volentes, de uno tjecanatu in alium, fieu ad loca rura-
lia, ubi non inveniuntur victualia venalia et vitcB neceffaria, nullatenus
pratrahantur."

Lyndwood Pro-
vincial. L. V.
T. XIV. p. 313.

250

Personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

gatio indicetur." This wholefome procefs of correction
is made applicable to the clergy^ in particular by Mr.

Hiftory of
Manchefter, Vol. II. B. n.
c. XII. § ni.
p. 466.

Gibfon's Codex
I. E. A. T. XLII.
c. VII. p. 965.

Whitaker, in his reference to the York council: but
Gibfon, Kennett, and others, allow it a general applica
tion ; and therefore I here introduce it, as bearing on
the laity as well as the clergy.
In prefentments on common fame the accufed generally
infifted on his innocence ; fo that admonition failing in
fuch cafes, the purgatory procefs followed as a matter of
courfe. And here the archbiffiop above quoted orders,
that the compurgators exceed not the number of twelve ;
within which limit they were to be more or lefs, at the

Harris's Ware's
Works, Vol.1.
p. 149.

Ejufd. p.2M.

(') Even bifliops underwent this procefs of purgatianviith compurgor
tors in the higher ecclefiaftical courts ; of which Ware relates a curious
example in the Life of Edward Dantfey, bifliop of Meath (mccccxiii. —
mccccxxix). a malicious and unfounded profecution having been
commenced againft the bifliop for ftealing a cup {value 13s. and id.)
out of the church of Taveragh in the diocefe of Meath, and the indict
ment removed into Parliament, he there declared his innocence, and
demanded his ecclefiaftical privileges. " Upon this he was turned over
to his metropolitan, for his purgation ; and appeared before Archbifliop
Swain judicially, and fwore, that he did not commit the felony laid
to his charge ; and a fufficient number of compurgators fwore the
fame ; whereupon he was cleared, and the archbiihop returned a certifi
cate of his proceedings to the Parliament." The crime was fubfequently
confeffed to the maligned bifliop by an accomplice in its perpetration ; —
forgivenefs and abfolution followed ; and the bifliop was foon after pro^
moted to the place of Lord Deputy. — Again, in the cafe of Donald,
blthop of Derry, againft whom Archbiihop Swain {A.D. mccccxxvi.) had
proved incontinence and other crimes, and impofed penance. The epi
fcopal offender was made publicly to appear, and give fatisfaction that
he had lived chafte during the time of his penance, and to purge himfelf
according to a prefcribed form. But thefe anecdotes of purgation are
here impertinent, being clerical, and not laical.

S. IV. C. IL] 5uperbisiott of tijs Jlaitg.— Purgation.

251

difcretion of the judge, according to the quality and
circumftances of the accufed, and the nature of the
accufation. Farther, — that the purgation he admitted
by the Uean on the very flrft folemn day, on which the
party defamed is ready for the ceremony ; and that no
money be extorted by the fear of vexation to be occa-
floned by delay. The Wefiminfier canons of the fame
prelate fpeak to the like effect, admitting no procrafti
nation of purgation " de die in diem, occafione pecunice
captandce;" but rather urging inftant difpatch; — to which
a later council adds — " on penalty of the Uean's fufpen-
flon from office.
If the party prefented went through the appointed
trial to the fatisfaction of the Uean, he was difmiffed as
innocent, with an admonition to avoid in future whatever
had been the foundation of the fame, whereby he had
given offence and fcandal to his neighbours. But if he
failed in his purgation, that is, if he either would not
make oath of his perfonal innocence, or could not flnd
the prefcribed number of compurgators, to fwear their
belief of his purity, he was ipfio facto confidered guilty,
and accordingly had penance enjoined by the Uean, pro
portionable to his degree of guilt.
Purgations of this kind, and the failures oi purgation,
appear on our eccleflaftical records of vifltation, Biffiop
Gibfon tells us, without number. And it is probable,
that, while the Uecanal authority was in full vigour in
the kingdom, it had much to do, in rural diftricts, with
this branch of church-difcipline. Indeed, Mr. Somner
alleges, that, in the diocefe of Canterbury, the rural
Ueans ''had many times purgations committed by the
commlffary to their difpatch in their feveral Ueanrfes, for

Parochial Anti
quities, Vol.u.
p. 355.

CC. M.B. et H.
Vol. I, p. 507.

L.vndwoodProv. L. V.
T.XIV. p. 314.

Codex I.E../.
Tit. xi.ii. c. vir.
p. 905.

Antiquities of
Canterbury,
Part I. p. 176.

252

Personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

Codex I.E.A.
Tit. XLU. c. VII.
p.965. &Tit.
XLVI. c. I.
p. 1042.

the eafe and benefit of the fubject," (as I have already
ftated) — "and their wifdom and fidelity was intrufted
for taking them."
Upon the difcipline itfelf, as of old practifed, the
I biffiop of London has the following fenfible remark :—
" This difcipline was certainly fair and reafonable ; inaf-
! much as that perfon muft be owned to be ripe for the
cenfures of the church, who, in a whole pariffi, cannot
find fo fmall a number, to declare their belief of his inno
cence ; nor, which is yet worfe, to declare (after he has
taken an oath in the moft folemn manner) that they
believe that what he has fworn is true."

S. IV. C. IIL] Jbujierbision of tje aaitg.— 'Siorcijing Sr ©atecl)i|ing.

253

CHAPTER in.
Exorcistical and Catechistical Duties.
HAT Ueans rural were ever conjurers, in the
common acceptation of the term, muft not
be inferred from the title of this chapter ;
though Minffiew would have an exorcifi to
be a conjurer, and exordfim to be conjuration. Ecclefi
aftical exorcifis they appear to have been in the diocefes
of Ypres and Cologne. The office of exordfim was not
at firft confined to a particular order : it was exercifed
by biffiops and presbyters for the three firft centuries ;
nor was it till the middle of the fourth, that a peculiar
order of ecclefiaftics was fet apart for it. iieans rural
did not exercife the office, as themfelves of the minor
order of the Romiffi church, fo denominated, but as
fpecially capacitated to perform exordfim by epifcopal or
fynodal licence.
The fynod of Ypres {A.D. mdcxxix.) revokes all pre
vious licences of exordfing, whether granted by the then
biffiop or his predeceffors, and enacts — Can. iv. " Ne
tamen indigentes hoc exorcifmorum remedio, per hanc
rtqftram revocationem carearit neceffaria auxilio ; concedi
mus per prcefientes facultatem exorcizandi omnibus Uecanis,
infiuis refpectlvP, difirictihus, et etiam illis pafioribus quo
rum nomina dictis Uecanfs tradidimus, publicanda in prox
imd cujufque congregatione."
The fynod of Cologne {A.D. mdclxii.) invefts Ueans

See Beveregii
Synodic.Tom.Ti.
p. 191. Annott.
in Conc.Anlioch.
can. X,

Statuta Synodi
DicecefancB Yprenjis,
Be ©ccfiniS 8fc.
can. III. IV.

DecretaSyvodal,
Arch.Colon.p.26.

254

Personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

See Beveregii
Syuodic.Tom.n.
p. 191.

Statuta Synodi
Dicecefanm Y-prenfis,
De JccaniS SjC.
can. VI.

Conftitutions &
Canons Ecclef.
A.D. MDCIII.
Codex I. E.A.
Vol. i.Tit.xvni.
c. VII. p. 366.

rural with the fame fpecial faculty — " Huralffcus nofiris
Uecanfs, ut in omnibus diftrictus fui lods exorcifmos ad
hibere queant prcefentium . tenore facultatem concedimus.
Pafiores verb et vice-pafiores hdc facultate carentes, indi
gentes exorcizandos ad Uecanos, vel alios fpedali exorci
zandi potefiate munitos mittant."

In the primitive church there exifted a peculiar officer
called a catechifi, whofe bufinefs it was to inftruct the
catechumens in the rudiments of religion. At firft, in
deed, the biffiop performed this duty, as well as the'
previous one of exorcifm, in his own perfon ; but fubfe
quently he configned it to approved deputies — to pres
byters, deacons, or others of inferior rank. Upon the
Ueans rural of Ypres catechetical examinations occaflonally
devolved by delegation of the diocefan, not as an ordi
nary, but as an extraordinary duty: — Can. vi. ''Betanf
in fuis vifitationihus convocatd juventute, breve examen
catechifticum infiituant ; ut hdc ratione pafiorum dUi
gentia, et puerorum profectus melius ipfis innoteficat, et
populus hanc infiructionem magni cefiimet, quam fiuperiorihm
ita cordi effe perfpiciet."
The union of exorcifi and catechfi in the fame indivi
dual gave him authority, as well to exorcize energumens^,
as to infiruct catechumens.

(') By the feventy-fecond canon {A.D. mdciu.) minifters of the church
of England are forbidden " to exorcize, but by authority : '' — " Neither
fliall any minifter," fays the canon, " without fuch licence, prefume to
attempt, upon any pretence whatfoever, either of poffeffion or obfeffion,
by fafting and prayer, to eaft out any devil or devils, under pain of the
imputation of impofture or cofenage, and depofition from the miniftry."

S.IV. C. IV.] Superbision of t^e Saitg — iFunerals & Testaments.

255

CHAPTER IV.
Funereal and Testamentary Duties.
NDER this head I place the few functions
Ueans rural were charged with, in refpect
of lay-burials and lay-tefiaments. Watchful
 over the people of their Ueanrfes, during life,
our ecclefiaftics were not abfolved from their charge
even by the death of the parties over whom they exer
cifed their care.
If the heirs or friends of any deceafied layman objected
to folemnize his obfequies with the ufual formalities of
fiepulture, the fifty-fifth confiitution of the fynod of Salz
burg {A.D. MDLXIX.), impofes on Ueans rural the enforce
ment of the neceffary rites — " crucem, clericos, et lumi-
naria;" and capacitates them to call in the aid of the
fecular power, when needed, to fupport and give effect
to the fpiritual. Chriftian burial, however, was to be
altogether inhibited by the Ueans to laymen guilty of
ufurious exaction ; unlefs they had, before death, made
ample reftitution and fatisfaction for wrongs committed
— an object to be attempted, fays the fifty-feventh con
ftitution, by all poffible means.
The wages of undertakers and bell-ringers at funerals
— the time of tolling — and the provifion to be made for
burying the deftitute poor — were all matters of rurf-
Uecanal settlement :—" Statuant Uecanf et capitula ruralfa,
quantum infiuis difirictihus, mercedis caufd, iis, qui dant
operas infunere, et qui campanas pulfiant, pro modo laboris

Conft. Synod.
Salisburg I.I.
c. IV. p. 262.

cc. Germania,
Tom. VIL p. 577.

256

Personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

Thefaur. Script.
Vet. Martene,
Tom. VII.
col. 1336.

Conft. Synodal.
Epifc. Attrebat.
A.D. MCCCCLV.

Decret. Synod.
Dioec. Antverp,
p. 302.

Codex I. E. A.
Vol. n. p.l550.
§ XV. XIX.

dandum fit : quibus etiam et quamdiu in exequiis pulfiare
debeant, certa regula prceficribatur, ac etiam modus, quo
pauperes et miferabiles perfonce, quibus defunctis aut nihil
fiuperefi, aut ita parum, ut fud impenfid humari non pofiint,
d parocho Jumptihus ecclefiiarum sepeliantur, et exequiis
debitis non fraudentur."

By the fynodal fiatutes of Cambray {A.D. mccclxxi.) de
tefiamentis, every curate is to notify, within a month, the
deceafe of any layman within his pariffi to the Uean of
©Scfstfanftg ; — ^who is allowed three more, from the time
of the fame being certificated by the curate, to com
municate it to the biffiop or his official, — and this on
penalty of heavy pecuniary fines.
By the fynodal confiitutions of Arras {A.D. mcccclv.)
under the fame head {de tefiamentis), it is impofed on
all curates and their reprefentatives, " ut tefiamenta quce
fcient non effe infra annum executioni demandata; vel de
quibus non efi ratio reddita, Uecanfs denuntient infra men
fem a tempore notitice ejufdem Uecanf." The fame precept
paffed the fynod of Harlem {A.D. mdlxiv.), in relation to
tejiaments bequeathing legacies " in pios ufiis," under a
penalty of twenty-five ycwtoto; and another, to nearly the
fame purport, paffed the fynod of Antwerp {A.D. mdcx.)
refpecting "pia legata;" that they ffiould be imme
diately notified to the arclipresliBters rural of the diftrict.
Laftly, in the diocefe of London, about a century and a
half ago, it was particularly charged on the Ueans rural
" to make a return into the regiftry of the conflftory
court of all wills unproved, and efpecially fuch wherein
any legacy is reported to be left to charitable ufes."

S. V. C. I.] Superbision of tje ©lergs — Summars Fiefe.

SECTION V.
Supervision of the Clergy.

CHAPTER I.
Summary View op the Duties and Ministrations of iSeanS 3&ural
TOWARDS THE ClERGY.

257

Of the Church,
B.v. p. 507.

|HE principal and more efpecial duty of arcfi-
presbgters rural was to watch over the in
terefts of religion and morality in reference
to the clergy. " Not only were they to take
care of the rude and ignorant multitude " (in the words
of Dr. Field's verflon of the canon-law), " but alfo, with
continuall circumfpection, obferve and look unto the
life and converfation of the presbyters dwelling in the '
leffer titles, and ffiew unto the biffiop with what dili
gence each of them performeth the work of God." j
" In order to this," writes the biffiop of Peterborough, , Kennett's Paro-
..« nip X •\ ' • !•' chial Antiqui-
m his lummarv fketch oi ruri-Uecanal duties m relation i «es, voi. n.
' p 355.
to the priefthood of England, " the Ueans were to folicit !
the clergy to a due execution of their office, and a juft
regard to their function ; to admoniffi them of all fcan-
dals and offences ; to warn them againft all cohabiting
with wives and concubines ; to forbid them an appear
ance at any indecent fports and plays; to prefs upon
them the obfervation of canonical hours ; to remind
VOL. I. S !

258

Personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

Jur. Ecclef.
Univ. P. I. Tit.
VI. cap. 11.
pp.29, 30.

Ex Synod. Mech
lin. De Sccnn.
g()i'iStiiin. c. II.

them of being ftrict in their clerical habit and ton
fure, &c. And, upon their default or offence in any
fuch matter, to certify the biffiop, by whom they were
appointed to watch, and to inform with diligence and
flngular courage-^."
Thefe duties of arcfiprestiBters rural, fo copioufly quoted
in the fequel from conciliar collections, (though not
exactly in the order here laid down by Biffiop Kennett),
feem, fays Van Efpen in his Codex of Church Law, to
flow neceffarily from their pafioral care of the country
clergy — of the lives and converfation — the fpiritual mini
ftrations, &c. of all perfons in holy orders, within their
refpective Uecanates. Wherefore, on the authority of
many Belgian fynods, he, not inappropriately, denomi
nates them "pafiores pafiorum;" — and, upon this view
of their arci)f=pastoral character, and its high importance
to the interefts of religion in the rural community at
large, fuggefts the neceffity of caution in appointing
proper perfons to the office : — " Notandum," fays he,
" quam follidti merito fint epifcopi, ut doctiores, zelofiores,
in curd animarum exerdtatiores, ac pietate morumque in-
tegritate eminentiores ad hoc officium eligantur; utpoti,
qui non laicis tanti/,m,fied et ipfis laicorum directoribus, et
conductoribus, vitd, confilio et exemplo, prodefie et prceire
debent."

Paroch. Antiq. ( ' ) " But at laft," the bifliop fubjoins, " all this fupervifing care feemed
35°7i 358.^ ' '° devolve entirely upon the archdeacons, who, on this account, were
Decret. Gloff. in j dignified with the title of the vicars, the curators, the privy-caunfellors,
SacLff! Glo« ^^^ ^^^ '^^^ °^ ^^^ bifhop ; who by this time had got a diftinction, that
in V. Archidia- though the arc|)presbster or tiean was major ordine, yet the archdeacon
'°™^' . was major dignitate."

S. V. C. L] Superbisiott of ti&e ©lergg.— ^ummarg Fiefo.

259

Not only was it given in charge to the Uean' to watch ^fj^'y^^^r
over, fcrutinife, and, if neceffary, cenfure, the conduct p-27.
of parochial priefts ; but he was to inftruct them in their
duty, and to aid them with his countenance and advice,
whenever circumftances of difficulty needed his affif
tance, or prudential reafons dictated to the presbyter the
propriety of applying to the arcfiprestiBter for the fanction
of his authority; — the co-operation of both, for the
advancement of fpiritual interefts in the rural diftricts |
of their joint miniftration, being the earneft deflre of j
the church, and the object of much of her fynodal j
legiflation. i
Thus the fynods of Belgium, efteeming the vigilant jj^/^Saff
obfervance of country pafiors and their flocks by Ueans \^^%^['^-^^''^^
rural, and the general fupport of eccleflaftical difcipline !p-3o-
in rural parts, to be the proper buflnefs of thefe officers,
legiflate to that effect ; enforcing particularly all care
and attention to the morals and miniftrations of the
infpected. "Becanf rurales" fays a fynod of Cambray,
"parochorum adeoque omnium, etiam facerdotum et cleri
corum, quin et laicorum fuorum difirictuum mores diligenth-
obfiervent, potifiimiim autem ut pafiores in prcedicatione verbi

L

(') " Una verbo, arcj)ipresbsteri ita fuarum jurium curam agant, ut
tamen nunquam excidat, quod cum fint parochorum et facerdotum fui
diflrictds pajiores, ante omnia follidti fint de eorum fialute et profectu
fipirituali, etfingularem habeant infpectianem et curam de ipforum vitd
et moribus, ac diligentid zehcpie circa functiones paflorales ; fieque re-
Jpectu pafiorum gerant non ui dominantes in clero, fied tanquam patres
et forma gregis facti ex animo. Paftaribus zelafis, et in officio paftorah
obeundo intrepidis et ferventibus confilio, auxilio, et folatia, contra ab-
murmuratores et refractarios fud authoritate ajfiftant et opitulentur."
s3

Van Efpen Jur.
Ecclef. Univ.
Part I. Tit. VI.
cap.v. p. 32.
Ex Synod. Diae-
cpf. Antverp.
(A.D. t/IDCX.)
p. 330.

260 Personal iFunctions. [Part IV.

Decret. Synod.
Dioec. Antverp,
A.D. MDCX.
p. 330.

Tit. VII cap. II.
^.Z).MDI XXVII.
p. 27.

Dei,facramentorumque adminifiratione, ac in cceteris omnibus
fuo muneri fatisfaciant." (Tit. xix. c. xii. Part, ii.)
The fynod of Antwerp {A.D. mdcx.) expreffes, in clear
terms, the fame obligation : — " arcSfpresbgterf feu Uecani
rurales, cum fimt pcirochorum aut fiacerdotum fiui difirictus
j pafiores, fiolliciti fimt de eorum fialute et profectu fipirituali,
. et fingularem habeant infipectionem et curam de ipfiorum
; doctrind, vitd. et moribus. Et vicifslm mandamus parochis
'¦¦ et fiacerdotibus, ut Uecanos uti fiuperiores fiuos agnofcant,
j revereantur et ament."
's^'n^rAudo- That of Saint Omer yet more abundantly declares the
ZZ\ri':9„, ' arcfif'pastoral duties incumbent on Ueans rural — " 39eca-
^"'^^s d • """'^^*^ ?/^ ^'^ y*** Uecanatus partibus five parochiis curare,
TiTv?!' iFr^f i '^^ facerdotes et clerici omnes, et fingularith ut pafiores
vitam agant fud vocatione dignam, ac talem ut nemo de ipfis
queri pofiit, nihilque in ipfis, nifi grave, modefium, imitatione-
que dignum confipici ; deinde in hoc advigilare, ut pafiores in
pyrcedicatione verbi Dei, fiacramentorum adminifiratione, et
omniru) infunctione paftoralis officii fui recte, diligenth, et
quemadmodiim oportet, verfentur : adhcec ipfos quandb opus
fuerit vfitare, monere, corripere, confolari, confilio ipfis fiifh-
venire : denique veri pajloris officium erga illos, fianos et
cegrotos, vivos et mortuos exercere."
dc°RofomT'''^' " iBetanos, quos efi'e procul ah omni exactione volumus et
^™o/"' cupimus, admonemus," fays the fynod of Lifleux, "utper
totam dioecefim peccatis publicis et ficandalis fiapienter occur
rant. Etprcedpu^ curatorum, fiacerdotum, et clericorum, ne
eorum per laicos vituperetur minifierium, quorum effe debent
fpecimen et exemplar." {De i^ecanfs.)
lynfrNamJr.' Tile fynod of Namur {A.D. mdcxxxix.) fubjoins to the
other fpecifled duties — that the Ueans exhort the rural
presbyters and clergy at large, within their influence,

S. V. C. I.] Superbision of tjbe ©lergg.— Summarg Tffkia,

201

Tit.xx.c.xxxv.

Stat. Synodal.
D. M. H. Arch.

p. 147.

" Ut quotidie aliquid temporis orationi et lectioni fipirituali
tribuant:" — and farther, bids them furniffi themfelves
with accurate notitia; of the ftate of their fubject pariffies
and priefihoodr^to be fupplied to them by good and
faithful paftors — " a quibus excejfus vidnarum ecclefiarum
addifcant." Laftly, the fynod of Cologne {A.D. mdclxii.) enacts,
" Becani rurales de pafiorum, et vice-pafi orum fui difitrictus ^"'ri'fr'^i"'
fialute, ac profectu fipirituali follidti, diUgenter eorum vita,
morum, et doctrince curam gerant; ideoque prceter vifita-
tiones ordinarias, data occafione, fcepiiis etiam per annum
parochias fui diftrictus infipiciant, et preecipue indagent, an
pafiores, feu vice-pafiores apud oves fiuas refideant, pi^,
laudateque vivant, fiuo, ut decet, fungantur munere, prce
fertim dominids, et fefiis diebus, facrum canant, concionen-
tur, catechefi juventutem imhuant, et ecclefiafiica facramenta,
qudcunque diei ac noctis hord requirantur, pii, prompteque
adminifirent." Such is an outline of the duties of arcijipreshgteral
fuperviforffiip over the manners and minifirations of the
clergy, to be hereafter filled up in detail : — but the con
nexion between the priefi and arc^prfest of the country
terminated not with thofe duties alone ; there were others
of a purely fpiritual and facerdotal character, by which
the parties were more intimately united ; and which I
ffiall first endeavour to elucidate.

262

Personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

Stat. Synod.
Dioec. Yprenf.
capp. in. IV. VI.
pp: 284, feqq.
Stat. Dicecef.
Gandavenf.
Tit. XVI. c. IX.

Decret. Dicecef.
Synod. Antverp.
Tit. XVI. c. IV.

CHAPTER IL
Archipresbyteral or Archipastoral Ministrations op HeanS JRural
towards the Clergy.

S it was the arcjbpresbgter's^ office to vifit, ad
moniffi, correct, confole, and counfel the
clergy, and to exercife the character of a
true ffiepherd of the priefily fiock, in health
and in flcknefs, in life and in death; — fo it followed,
that whatever pafioral duties of a purely fpiritual nature
the parochial minifter performed to his fubject flock,
the arcliprfest or arcjpastor executed towards the fkep-
herds themfelves; by whom, in return, the church de
creed, he ffiould be equally acknowledged, refpected,
and beloved.
Thus, as it was incumbent on the paftors to admi
nifter the facraments to their flocks in flcknefs, the fynod
of Antwerp {A.D- mdcx.) inculcates the fame attention,
on the part of the Ueans, to the fpiritual wants of the
flck and moribund clergy — " Uhi intelligent arcfifpresbsterf
aliquem ifiui difirictus pafioribus aut facerdotibus periculofi

(¦) The terms arcjtpreshgteral and tiecanal being ufed fynonymoufly
throughout the work, the former might be thought not to defignate with
fufficient clearnefs the duties which are the fubject of the prefent chapter.
By the epithet arcj&ipreSbgteral, as here employed, the author means to
denote thofe functions which teattS rural exercifed as fuperior or arch-
priefts towards the inferior priefthood — purely paftoral and facerdotal
miniftrations. Perhaps arcj^ipaStoral is a better term.

S. V. C. IL] Superbisiou of ©lergg.— ^rtj&ipres^gteral JWinistrations, 263

laborare, fiatlm ad eum excurrant, moneantque ut fialuti fiuce '•
confiulat, eique, fi opus efi, facramenta adminifirent &c."
— "Deinde adhortentur," adds a fvnod of Cologne {A.D. Decret. synodai.
' ¦' '^ ^ . D M.H. Arch.
MDCLXII.), " Ut tefiamentum legitime condat,fi id non fecerit ' coion. Tit. v.
priiis, atque ad felicem falutaremque ex hac vitd egreffiim, \
piis ad B^vu fufpiriis, ac orationibus fie componat." \
Again : — " Ciim pafiorum fit fuhditis Puis e vitd decen- Decret. Diosref.
. n /• , r . Y - • /I '> '^!/"°''- Antrerp.
dentibus jufia peiyolvere, etiam arcBtprESUgteris ^ms eJt, :T.:s.vi.c.v.apud
fays Van Efpen, " omnibus ecclefiafiicis, tam fcecularihus,
quam regularibus, extra monafterium degentihus, in fuo
difirictu morientihus, facramenta adminifirare, et offidum ¦,
funebre facere." And aeain, writes Gafpar Nemius to ¦ ordhmiio„es
J •' o.' n n I. Dioec. Antverp.
the Ueans of CDjbristfanftg of the diocele ot Antwerp; — ; Tit. xvi 7.
J. ' See Synod.
" IDecanf SCfirfstfanftatfs admini ftrabunt acramenta Jacer- \ Dioec. Namur.
dotibus externis aut in facris confiitutis non beneflciatis, et ; mdcxxxvih.
eorum exequias celehrahunt." i
Thefe holy miniftrations were not alone annexed to j
the arcfifpresbgteral inftitution in the diocefes of Belgium |
and its vicinity: they obtained alfo in the South of;
Europe. Viflting in flcknefs the parochi of their re
fpective diftricts was impofed on the pleians, or arcfipres- ;
bpters rural, of the Milanefe province, by Archbiffiop 1 Th^n'^ff^n- ^- "t
'^ ' '- N.E. D. Tom. i.
Borromeo. The canon feems to apply generally to all p.i l.h.c.vi.
the fpiritual fuperintendents of the country, who had Act. Eccief Me-
-*¦ ¦•-  .. diol. pp. di —

eccleflaftical jurifdiction under the biffiop— (" ^letanus
vel arcfifpresbster, vel preeposftus, in cujus pleiianfa?, aut arcfif-
presbateratus, prjeposfturaw ^wiftMs cegrotus habitat^;") —

337, 338.

(') The arcjipresi&gter (it may be remarked) was an older inftitution
than the prapoSituS, and differently appointed— being a life-functionary;
whereas the prsposituS was only durante benepladto. The latter office
originated with Borromeo ; and, I believe, fupplanted, by its greater
ufefulnefs

264

Personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

See Part iv.
chap. VI. § 7.

though the character of thefe officers, and their extent
of jurifdiction, refpectively, fomewhat differed \

ufefiilnefs in the diocefe, the former. While exifting, however, the Mila
nefe arcj&prieStS performed the above duty of vifitation of the fick parochi;
and, probably, afterwards, the fame devolved on the prsepositi ruris or
foraneous blears, who approached more nearly to the type of rural leans.
But of thefe ecclefiaftics we have elfewhere fpoken.
(') To this chapter might have been annexed the penitentiary duties
of Deans rural, as confeffors of the parochial clergy ; but I have thought
it better to defer them till we come to fpeak of the teanS' connexion
with facraments and fiacramentals generally. Under the church of
Rome, confeffion and penance formed an important branch of the office
in rural diftricts. HeanS were confeffors and penitentiaries, both for
the clergy and laity, at a very early period.

S. V. C. IIL] Superbision of tj)e ©lergg.— 19eat|&s, iFunerals, &c.

265

CHAPTER IIL
Duties of IBeanS l&ural in reference to Clerical Deaths,
Funerals, Testaments, &c.

O report to the diocefan biffiop the names of IstatutaSyno-
. /.I dalia Ecclejice
ail clereymen who died withm any of the MeUenfu.
, , . , . Thefaur. Anecd.
rural Ueanrtes, was a duty anciently imposed Tom.iv.coi.9o4.
on their prefidents : — " Prcecipimus omnibus j
Uecanis," fays the church of Melun, " qudd de ccetero in
quirant, et in fcriptum redigant nomina omnium presbyte
rorum, qui in tittaviatihw Jiiis d-fcefierunt; eaque deferant ad
fynodum redtanda, ut oremus pro eis, et finguli presbyteri
faciant fervitium fipeciale. Hoc enim debent libenter facere,
quid cum decefferint fimiliter fiet pro ds." (Can. lxxviii.)
Nearly the fame words occur in the fifty-feventh j
canon of the Conftitutions of Odo, biffiop of Paris {A.D. \ sscc.Tom.
"J 7 r V xni. col. 736.
MCXCVII.) ; and in the Inflructions to the Ueans rural of the cc. Rotomag.
diocefe of Rouen {A.D. mccxlv.); — where the procefs of pp.79. si.
notification was this : — the rector of the nearest adjoining |
pariffi, as foon as he heard of the death of a clergyman, ;
made it known to the Uean, and the Uean to the arch
biffiop, or his reprefentative, by letter — fpecifying the
day of the decease, and whether the party died tefiate
or intefiate; in order, adds a fynod pf Lifieux, that a
succeffor to the vacant cure be felected to perform the
duties of the church. The Synodal Confiitutions of the
fee of Arras {A.D. mccclxiv.) do not materially differ

cc. Rotom.
\Prov. P.II.
p. 515.

266

Personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

cc. Synodal.
Epifc. Attrebat.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol. IV. p. 146.

Codex I. E. A.
Vol. II. p. 1550.
§ XV. XIX.

Stat. Synodi
Dicecef. Yprenf.
Tit. VII. cap. IX.
Decret. Synodi
Dicec. Antverp.
p. 331.

from thofe above quoted of the churches of Melun and
Paris. — It is decreed by them, " Quod finguli Uecanf in
fynodo legant nomina curatorum in fuo Uecanatu defunc
torum, et quod dicant ' De Profundis ' cum oratione fidelium
pro hujufimodi defunctis."
By Cardinal Pole it is enacted, in his Gloucefier In
junctions {A.D. MDLVI.) — " Touchinge the clergie," can. xiv.
" That every Ueane ffiall from time to time within the
fpace of ten dales fignifle unto his ordinarie the death
of every parfon and vicar within his Ueanerfe, and like-
wife within flfteen dales the lacke of any curate within
his faid Ueanerfe."
In the " Infiructions for the Beans <Kural " of the dio
cefe of London, publiffied by Gibfon in his Appendix,
N". II. " The rural Uean is to make a return to the
Right Rev. Father in God, the Lord Biffiop of London,
or his Chancellor, into the regiftry of the conflftory
court, of all the clergy who dye within his Ueanrg &c."
But, with the deaths of the clergy our rural officers
had concernment, not merely as minifterial agents to
notify fuch events to their fuperiors, but as under ftrict
command to celebrate the rites of burial over all de
parted paftors of their Uecanates. — "Mortuo aliquo pafiore,
Uecanorum officium efi exequias celebrare &c." fays the
fynod of Ypres; — and, again, that of Antwerp {A.D.
MDCX.), " Mortuis pafioribus jufia perfolvent arcjfpresbsterf
rurales. In fome diocefes of England, heretofore, in order that
due refpect might be paid to the departed by his brethren
of the fame Ueanrg, the Uean rural was ordered to an
nounce the death of any clergyman, parfon, vicar, or
officiating prieft to all the mother churches of his jurif-

S. V. C. IIL] Jbuperbision of t]be ©lergg.— IBeatJis, iFunerals, ^c

267

diction. Such was the enactment of W. de Bleys, biffiop
of Worcefter (A £>. Mccxix.), thus minutely enforced : —
" Quandb perfona, vel vicarius, vel facerdos minifirans
mortuus fuerit, fiatlm ut mors ejus denundata efi Uecano
loci, idem Uecanus mortem ipfam denundabit omnibus matri-
dhus ecclefiis de Uecanatu fuo, in quarum qudlibet, morte
denundata ejufdem, pulfiabuntur campance pro eodem de-
functo &c." And, on the meeting of the firft fubfequent
rural chapter of the Ueanrg, the Uean, as prefident thereof,
was to inquire if the faid fervice had been properly and
exactly performed ; and if not, was to urge its imme
diate and plenary celebration. — 'Then, again, the arch
deacon being made acquainted with the deceafe of the
faid minifter, was to announce it formally to all the
Ueans of the other Ueanrfes of his archdeaconry ; in each
of which, the fame church and cfiapter-folemnities were
to be holden in honour of the departed. But when the
Uean himfelf " began the travel of eternity," it was in
cumbent on the archdeacon, or his official, forthwith to
notify the incident throughout the archidiaconate, and to
command the performance of the fame religious fervices,
with the addition, fays the canon, " qudd in Uecanatu in
quo fuerat Uecanus, fervitium pro defunctis in qudlibet
ecclefid ejufdem Uecanatus iterabitur pro animd ejus."
The fynod of Ypres, at a much later date {A.D.
MDCXXX.), briefly, but pathetically, enforces the like
duties — extending the religious fervices to the whole
diocefe, in cafe of a Uean rural's deceafie: — "Pofiulat\
fraterna charitas, ut quos in vitd habuimus laborum focios,
iifdem pofi mortem Chrifiiance pietatis impendamus officium.
Quari mortuo aliquo pafiore, cceteri ejufdem difirictiis, per
Uecanum moniti, prima commoditate miffam pro refriqerio

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol.1, p. 570.

Stat. Synod.
Diac. Yprenf.
cap. XV. p. 333.

268

Personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

Decret. Synod.
Arch. Colon.
Part II. p. 150.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol.1, p. 571.

SS. CC. Tom.
XIX. col. 324.

Stat. Synodi
Dioec. Yprenf,
Tit. VII. cap. IX.

Van Efpen
/. E. U. P. II.
T. XXXII. c.viii.
p. 632.

ipfius animce celehrahunt: et fimiliter pro Uecano non folum
pafiores fui difirictvts, fied omnes hujus epifcopatus Uecani
idipfum prcefiare non omittent." And nearly the fame
words, thirty years afterwards, with the like touching
preface, paffed the fynod of Cologne, under Maximihan
Henry. Laftly, it devolved on the Ueans to extend their care
and fldelity to the goods and chattels of defunct clergy
men ; and to fee that no diftribution of the property left
at their deceafe took place, till it was certified to the
biffiop, or his official, that the parties had died tefiate—
" et interim faciet Uecanus omnia fua fideliter conjervari."
The fame truft is committed to them by the fynod of
Tournay {A.D. mcccclxxxi) : — " Mobilia presbyterorum
fiatlm pofi eorum obitum fuh fecuro etfiricto arrefio inven-
tariari, ac inventariata teneri quoadufque ei confiiterit, an
presbyteri defuncti tefiamentum condiderint vel non; fi
autem intefiati decefferint, bona prcedicta per dominos Ueca
nos ad majorem utilitatem vendantur, et alitir fuper. hoc
Uecanf difponant, qudd ipfi inde gentibus et offidariis nofiris
computum et rationem loco et tempore debitis reddere pof
fint ; fi verb tefiati fuerint, tefiamento probato, bona execu-
toribus tradi."
In the diocefe of Autun it is enjoined by the fynodal
fiatutes of that church on all arcfipresbyters, to lay before
the biffiop the wills and inventories of curates deceafied
within their arcfifpresbgterates, on pain of excommunica
tion, and a fine to the biffiop of ten pounds.
In that of Ypres, great refponfibility is impofed upon
them, in refpect of the confervation of the church's
property, on the deceafie of an incumbent : — " Becanorum
officium efi," fays the fynod of Ypres {A.D. mdlxxvii.),

S. V. C. IIL] Superbision of tje ©lergg.— IBeatSs, iFunerals, ^c.

269

" omnia et fingula munimenta portionis pafioralis, et quce
aliquo modo officium pafiorale concernunt, conficribere, et fiub
inventario {ne difirahantur ab hceredihus) confiervare, fiuc-
ceffbri, dum infiitutus fuerit, fub attefiatione de receptis,\
tradenda :" and to the like purport fpeaks the fynod of Decret. symdi
, , , \ Dicec. Antverp.
Antwerp {A.D. mdcx). ; p. 331.
By the London "Inftructions to IBtam ISural," above i codexi.E.A.
ni -1 ¦ inn! Vol. II. p. 1550.
quoted, "the Uean is to make a return into the comiltoryi 5,xv. xix.
court of all who interfere with the goods of deceafied
clergymen without probate of the will of the deceafied, or
without adminiftration of his goods granted by the ordi
nary of the diocefe."
But while bringing forward thefe extracts in illuftra
tion of arcfifpresliBteral duties to the dying and dead —
more in place, perhaps, in later pages of our nAPEproN —
we are fufpending the far more ufeful functions which
Ueans rural were charged with, to the living clergy of
their prefidencies : — thefe, hitherto only flightly alluded
to, we muft now refume in detail ; beginning with the
canons pertinent to the apparel of minifters, and their
converfation with regard to life and manners.

270

Personal iFunctions,

[Part IV.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol. I. p. 213.
can. IV.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol. I. p. 589.

SS CC. Tom.
xra. col. 787.

CHAPTER IV.
Supervision of Clerical Apparel;
O fee that the clergy were ftrictly canonical
in their habit and torfure was a leading ar
ticle of the arcjbpresbgter's duty in every
Ueanrn — one of the earlieft, probably, with
which he was invefted in our ifland : — for, from Ode's
canons it would appear, that there was a particular garb
for the priefthood of England, in common life, as early
as the year dccccxliii ; though it afterwards fell into
difufe. To fupport the church canons upon this point of
perfional attire'^, the Ueans rural were to fet the good
example of walking decently apparelled in canonical
coftume with clofe copes — "Omnes Uecanf rurales et
presbyteri decenth incedant in habitu clericali, et cappis
claufis utantur;" — being, moreover, in their own per
fons, "honefie tonfi et coronati" — in deference to the
ordinance which they were to enforce in others. Such
was the twenty-eighth canon of the provincial council of

(') In the fourth conftitution of the papal legate Cardinal Gallo
{A.D. Mxxviii.), red and green veftments are inhibited to lieanS, artft-
prieStS, and archdeacons : — " 19ecaniS quoque, arcj^ipreSiigteriS, et archi
diaconibus, ne vefles rubri coloris, vel virides habere preejumant : et
fipecialiter archidiaconibus et prcepofitis qui habent curam animarum, ne
cappas foratas habeant inanicatas."

I S. V. C. IV.] Superbisiott of tjbe ©lergg.— Apparel.

271

Oxford under Stephen Langton {A.D. mccxxii.), with
this penal confequence — that all violators of the law
were liable to the correction of their fuperiors. But a
prior provincial council at York under Hubert Walter
{A.D. MCXCV.), having enjoined both crown and tonfiure j
on the clergy generally, adds, that, if any unbeneficed] cc.M.B.etH.
priefts contemptuoufly refufed the diftinction, (for the i "'¦''¦ ° '
beneficed were brought to fubmit by deprivation^,) they
were to be clipped, againft their wills, by the archdea
con or Ueans. {Can. ix.) " Clerici . . . qui beneficia non
habent, per archidiaconum, vel Uecanos tondeantur inviti."
Departure from the true canonical vefiure, crown, and
tonfure, in the Uean's own cafe, (unlefs he made imme
diate fatisfaction on admonition) was ipfio facto fufpenfion
from office and emolument, by the fifth Legatine Con
fiitution of the Cardinal Deacon Othobon (^.D. mcclxviii.);
who feems to have taken great pains, by various and
peremptory injunctions about drefs, to check its licen-
tioufnefs ; though all his efforts were of little avail.
The clerical beau continued, defpite canonical inhi
bition. In the days of Archbiffiop Peckham {A.D. mcclxxxi.)
complaint was ftill made of the unclerical coftume of
perfons in holy orders ; and, it was faid, that the ineffi-
cacy of paft legiflation was occafioned by this — " Quod
minores prcelati" (doubtlefs rural Ueans, and perhaps

(') In the fulleft Articles of Inquiry at Vifitation which I have ever
feen, viz. thofe of Bifhop Seth Ward (contained in his JWSS. 'Notitiffi of
the diocefe of Sarum) under the head of Minifters, is a query. Whether
they have " haire long ;" — but the good prelate does not impofe on his
Jeans rural the duty of clipping the KapijKO/uocDiTej.

Ejufdem,Vol. II. p. 5.

3!otitiac @ct()i
dpifcout ©atuin,
fol. 80.

272

Personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

cc. M. B. et H.
VoLi. p.571.

SS. CC. Tom.
XIII. col. 1255.

archdeacons) "hujufmodi clericos monfiruofios monere non
audent;" — wherefore the council enacts (the object of
the church being defeated by the puflllanimity of her
officers), that the penalties inflicted by the law of
Othobon ffiall take effect without previous monition;
and that fpecial inquifltion ffiall be made in every
Ueanrg after offenders of whatfoever grade and confe
quence, and procefs commenced againft them " in forma

canonicd ^."

If a clericus, duly /haven and Jhorn, were ^ made pri-
foner by the civil power, the Uean rural was to intercede
for his abfolute and immediate liberation ; or, at leaft
for his furrender to the cuftody of the church : — " Si
clericus habens coronam vel tonfiuram competentem, captus
fuerit, five fuerit notus five ignotus, et liberatus, moneantur
captores, et detentores per Uecanutn loci, ut eum liberh fine
difficultate recedere dimittant ; nifi forth fufpectus fuerit in
manifefio delicto; et tunc exigat eum Uecanus loci, ut ei
cufiodiendus dimittatur auctoritate domini epifcopi: quod
fi negatum fuerit, admonitione prcemiffd, eodem die nomi-
natlm excommunicentur, &c. &c." Ex Confiit. W. de Bleys,
Wigorn. Epifc. {A.D. mccxix.)— But when thus liberated
by virtue of his clerical privileges, and the power en
trufted to the Uean by the biffiop for that purpofe, if the

(') See Turner's Hift. of England, Vol. v. 4to. p. 30, note ^8 ; Gib
fon's Cod£x I.E.A. Vol. I. Titvn. on the Converfation and Apparel of
Minifters ; and Archdeacon Bayley's excellent Charge to the Clergy of
Stow {A.D. MDCccxxvii.), p. 44, note {g), p. 9.
C) The council of Rouen {A.D. mccxxxi.) can. xvin. commands the
civil power forthwith to declare the capture and imprifonment of clerks
to the " Decanus loci  fine morce difipendio."

S. V. C. TV.] Superbision of tje ©lergg.— Apparel.

273

faid clericus were found to be infufficiently " tonforatus
vel coronatus," he was to fuffer condign puniffiment at
the hands of the biffiop "pro incompetenti tonfioratione
vel coronatione." See the Confiitutions and Canons Eccle
fiafiical, {A. D. MDCIII. can. lxxiv. Decency in Apparel en
joined to Minifiers.

274

Personal iFunctions,

[Part IV,

CHAPTER V.
Supervision of Clerical Conversation, as to Life and Manners.
T has been briefly noticed at the commence
ment of our remarks on the infpectionary
duties of Ueans rural in relation of the prieft
hood {fiect. V. c. I.), that they were to forbid
the appearance of the clergy at any indecent fiports and
plays.
Upon this point, the Confiitutions of Walter de Can
tilupe, biffiop of Worcefter {A.D. mccxl.), have an ex
prefs canon ¦ — 'One among many declaratory of thofe
duties and obfervances which concerned propriety of
conduct in the clerical order, and were ceded to the
more efpecial fcrutiny and correption of the archdeacons
and Ueans of the diocefe. The canon alluded to bears
the title — " Ne clerici interfint ludis inhoneftis;" — and
prohibits in detail, " Ne clerici interfint ludis inhoneftis,
vel chords, vel ludant^ ad aleas, vel taxillos; nee fiuftineant
ludos^ fieri de rege et regind, nee arietes levari^, nee palce-

CC. M. B. et H.
Vol. I. p. 673.

Gloffar. Tom.IV.
col. 154.

Sparrow's Col
lection, p. 342.

( ' ) " Ludere ad aleas vel taxillos "^Angl. to play at dice. See
Strutt's Sports and Paftimes, B. iv. c. ii. p. 230.
(^) " Ludos fieri de rege et regind" — Angl. to play at cards, as
Ducange thinks, who cites the words of the canon, with this remark —
" Videtur innui ludus quem, vulgo Chartarum dicimus, fiquidem ed mtate
notus fuerit." See Strutt's Sports and Paftimes, B. iv. c. ii. pp. 240,
feqq., and the Canons and Conftitutions of mdciii. can. lxxv. where the
clergy are forbidden to fpend their time " in aled, cliartis pictis, tejferis,
aliifie ludis illicitis, &c."
(') "Arietes levari." — In Kennett's opinion, " arietum levatio " was the

S. V. C. v.] Superbision of tlje ©lerga-— Slfe anD JMannerS.

275

firas publicas fieri, nee gildas inhonefias; et preecipue mer-
catorum et peregrinorum, quas omnino fieri prohibemus, per
quce multa novimus pericula proveniffe."
Again — in the diocefe of Lincoln, about the fame
time, we flnd the illuftrious prelate who then preflded
over that fee, Robert Groffetefte, urging upon the fame
functionaries, by letter, continual vigilancy, in order to
put a ftop to thefe and fuch-like laxities: — " Fadunt
etiam, ut audivimus, clerici ludos quos vocant miracula''-;
et alios ludos quos vocant inductionem Maii^, fefium

Brown's Fafci
culus Rerum, in
Append.^ip.3S2. 413.

the fame as running at the quintan or quintal ; for which _/ee his Gloffary
at the end of the Paroch. Antiq. Vol. ii. ; alfo Ducange i?i vv. Tom. i.
col. 389. with a iketch of this fportive exercife; aad fie Strutt's Sports
and Paftimes, B. iil pp. 89, feqq. PI. ix. x. xi. xii.
This cuftomary Englilh fport, practifed ufually at weddings, was either
fo ludicrous or fo dangerous, that it was often forbidden by ecclefiaftical
authority : — as in the diocefe of Lincoln {A.D. mccxxxii.) ; of Worcefter,
in the text; of Durham (^.D. mcclv.) ; befides a conftitution of that
great preferver of difcipline, Bifhop Groffetefte — fo called, as the face
tious Fuller tells us, " from the greatnefs of his head, having large ftowage
to receive, and ftore of brains to fill it." " Roberti titulus, nomine
Grande Caput."
(') "Miracula" — miracle-plays, or miracles, as they were commonly
called — fpectacles reprefenting the lives of faints and the moft eminent
fcriptural ftories — " Miracula vulgariter appellamus," fays Matthew
Paris : and we learn from Chaucer, that, in his time, plays of miracles
were the common refort of idle goffips in Lent. See Wharton's Hft. of
Englifii Poetry, Vol. ii. pp. 69, feqq. Svo. Edit. - Clerks were not only
often concerned in them, but they were acted in churches and church
yards, down to the time of the Reformation, and were revived by Mary I.
as an appendage of the papiftic worfliip. See alfo Strutt's Sports and
Paftimes, B. iii. c. ii. pp. 116, feqq. Mr. Wharton affigns the probable rife ,
of them to a very early period. See Hift. of Englifh Poetry, Vol. in. j
§xxxiv. pp.193, feqq.
{^) "Inductionem Maii" — May-day games — Carpentier in voce]
T 2 Malum, :

Kennett's GloJ-
firy.

Church Hiflory
h. III. p. 65.
Richard de
Bardney.

f^it. Abbat. ad
Calc. Hift. p. 56.

Pegge's Groffe
tefte, Tp.l 18.
note (c).
Wharton's H. of
E. P. Vol. IV.
p.l50.

Gloffar. 'T.vm.
col. 1126.

276

Personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

Kennett's Paro
chial Antiqui-
<jes,Vol.i.p.336.

Brady's Hiftory,
p. 597.

Autumni^; et laici ficotales'^; quod nuUo modo vos latere pt^it
fi vefira prudentia fuper his diligenth inquireret."
With fuch keennefs of fcrutiny was the inquifltion of
the lives and manners of the nobility and commonalty,
as well as clergy — all ranks and grades, from the higheft
to the loweft — carried on by the archdeacons and Ueans
rural of this moft excellent and energetic difciplinarian,
at the inftigation of the two orders of predicant friars of
his diocefe, that it was deemed a flt fubject of complaint
to the king, as an infupportable grievance and impofltion

£p!/t. p. 331.

Eccl.Laws,V.n.MCCXXXVI.

cc. M. B. et H.
Vol.1, p. 636.
Gloff. Archisol.
p. 506. in voce.

Beveregii Sy
nodic. Tom. I.
p. 418.

Malum, " ufus erigendi arborem, primo die micnfis Maii in compitis, vel
ad cedes puellarum, &c." It was cuftomary for the prieft and people to
go to fome wood on May-day morning, and return, in a fort of triumph,
with a May-pole, boughs, flowers, garlands, and fuch-like tokens of the
Spring. See Maii Inductio in Cowel's Law Dictionary.
(') " Feftum Autumni" — anfwering, probably, to the modern harveft-
home feftival. Bifliop Groffetefte enjoined his chapter of Lincoln not
to permit, on New-year's day, the " feftum ftultorum," the feaft of fools,
to be played, as it was a vain and filthy thing.
Q) " Scotales" — Johnfon fays thefe " feem to have been public com-
potations, at the charge of fome, for the benefit of others." Archbiihop
Edmund {A.D. mccxxxvi.), in his conftitutions, forbids the clergy to
publifli ycoiaZes. And, if any prieft or clerk were guilty of fuch publi
cation {" bannuTn fcotallorum") or were prefent at fcotales, he was to
be canonically puniflied. Can. yi. Spelman gloffes " Scotala,fcotalla,
fcotallum, ficotal, et fcotales — Juxta quofdam eft compotatio emungendiB
pecunice gratia, vicinis advenifque a quoUbet exhibita. Quafi dictvrn
a scot, i. pecunia, et ale, i. cervifia : quod inverfo vocabulo alii an ale-
Sj&ot nuncupant." See Blount's Ancient Tenures by Beckwith, p. 509.
It is ever defirable to point out any evidences of connexion between the
Anglican and Afiatic or elder Greek church : — thefe very compotations
are forbidden in the fifty-fifth canon of the council of Laodicea — on oi
Set tepariKovs i] KAfjpiKovs etc crvfi^oX^i (rvfitroa^ta itriTeAe'iv, aW ovoe
AaiKoi/f. See Balfamon in loco.

S. V. C. v.] Superbiston of tje ©lergg.— life anD iWannerS. 277

upon the liberty of flnners ; and the king, by the Pegse's Life ,f
advice of his council, interpofed and ftopped the inquifi- p. us.
torial proceedings. But how much the religion and
good difcipline of the diocefe was afferted by the vigi- \
lance and activity of this exemplary biffiop, aided by his
fpiritual deputies, the archdeacons and Ueans of his ex- , see wharums
tenflve jurifdiction, appears from the declaration which i Tom.n. p. 347.
he himfelf made before the Pope and cardinals of Rome, \ Purodmi Ana-
on the occafion of his anfwer to the appeal of the p^sls!'
knights Templars.
The council of Saint Omer {A.D. mdlxxxiii. — 'Mdcxl.) sjat.synod.
^ ' uicec. Audomar.
prohibits paftors and their Ueans to join clubs and co«- ;''"vii. c.xi.
fraternities in banquetings — fuch being interdicted to all !
eccleflaftics ; and that of Avranches forbids the clergy
generally the purfuit of field-fports, hunting, the ufe of
fire-arms and other offenfive weapons, on pain of fufpen-
flon ipfio facto ; and commands the rural Ueans of the
diocefe to have a watchful eye to fuch offences and i
offenders, and to inform the biffiop of them (can. vii. !
A.D. mdcxciii). j

ss. Rotomag.
Prov. P.II.
p. 345.
Synodi Abriii-
cenfes.

Not only were the Ueans to fee that the clergy, en- '
titled to the diftinction of crown and tonfure, canonically ;
obferved them; — not only to enforce them on the;
refractory and difobedient with their own hands ; — but,
in cafe of any members of the priefthood being, in any
flagrant inftances, guilty of behaviour prefcribed by the |
church.— juggling, fiage-playing, buffoonery— inch as wasi
difgraceful to the facerdotal diftinction of crown and
tonfure— the Ueans and higher officers were again and
again ordered to deprive them of it.

278

personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

Thef. Anecdot.
Marten. Tom.IV.
col. 727.

SS.CC.Tom.XI. col. 788.
CC. Rotomag.
Prov. P.I. p.l35.

SS. CC. Tom.
XIII. col.1253.
Manft Suppl.
ad SS. CC. Tom,
II. col.1057.

Thef. Anecdot.
Marten. Tom.
IV. col. 858.

It had been early enacted, for inftance, that no " cle
rici " ffiould be "joculatores, Goliardi,fieu bufones," 
" et fi per annum illam artem diffamatoriam exercuerint,
omni primlegio ecclefiafiica fint nudati &c." Accordingly
the Confiitutions of the council of Sens {A.D. dccccxv.)
decree, " Quod clerici ribaldi" {Juglers, Spelman.^/. w v.)
"maximh qui vulgo dicuntur defamilid Golice  per
Uecanos ©firisttanitatis tonderi prcedpiantur, vel etiam radi,
ita quod eis non remaneat tonfura clericalis : ita tamen
quod fine periculo etficandalo ifiafiant." The fame canon
is repeated, totidem verbis, in the council of Rouen {A.D.
MCCXXXI.) can.ym.; of Chateau Gontier {A.D. mccxxxi.)
can. XXI.; and again at Sens ( J.D. mccxxxix.) — See Spel
man. Glofi] pp. 264. 487-88. and Ducang. Oloff. Tom. iii.
col. 502. Tom. vi. col. 794.
Mountebanks, it feems, were commonly employed at
the feftivities attendant on marriages, and fuch-like merry
meetings, in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries;
and the clergy too often proftituted their facred pro-
feffion to a participation of fuch abfurd fooleries : con
nected with which there is a curious canon in the
infiructions for regulating the Uecanal office of the diocefe
of Liege {A.D. mcclxxxvii.) — not prohibitory of thefe
revelries altogether, but of the cuftom of fending the
jugglers to be paid for their exhibitions before the Uean's
friends and relatives, out of the pockets of the inferior
clergy of the Ueanries — Can.xwiu. "Becant pro nuptiis
confianguineorum fiuorum non mittant presbyteris fiuis fiubdiUs
joculatores remunerandos, nee presbyteri fuis fuhditis vel
fiociis, nee clerici clericis, &c."

S. V. C. v.] -Superbision of tj&e ©lergg.— Elfe anij JWannerS.

279

The council of Treves {A.D. mccxxvii.), in a canon
devoted to Ueans rural, enjoins, " Quod Uecani accufent vel
deferant nobis vel offidali nofiro omnes facerdotes vel clericos
lufiores et tabernarios, fiornicatores manifiefios, et celebratores
clandefiinorum matrimoniorum, et ufiurarios, et negotiatores :"
and orders the clergy to make the like prefentments of
peccant Ueans. Nearly the fame general ordinance " to
all and flngular arcSpresbgters " was impofed by the
fynodal fiatutes of the church of Autun, for ftrenuous and
diligent execution, towards the clofe of the fame cen
tury — " Quod cum omni fiolertid et curd adhibitd diUgenter
inquirant, etfiuhtiUter invefiigent ab arcl)tpresbBteratit)US_^«s,
fifint aliqui fiacerdotes aut clerici lufiores, tabernarii, negotia
tores, fiecum fufpectas mulieres tenentes, et preecipue incon-
tinentis vitce. Quos autem tales invenerint, eorum nomina
nobis aut offidali nofiro, quam citius potuerint, mittere
non pofiponant" See alfo a canon of the fynod of Con
ftance {A.D. MCCCCLXXXI.), " Contra presbyteros mercatores,"
in the latter part of the Rouen Collection of Councils,
p. 571.
The " Injunctiones a^Becanos" of the winter fynod of
Rouen (J.D. mdvi.) imprefs on thefe officers, " Ut fre-
quentiiis quam fieri poterit vifitent fiuos curatos ; et quos
invenerint maU viventes, informationes fiuper hoc faciant,
et afiignent eis diem coram offidali." Alfo, "Ne frequen-
tent tabernas, fed exemplum bene vivendi tam in hahitu,
quam moribus et converfiatione fiuis fiubditis ofiendant :"
— alfo, "Ne pecunias accipiant directe vel indirecte dfuis
curatis; vel ab eis munera exigant ut eos finifire vivere per
mittant." Laftly, the fynod of Bois-le-duc {A.D. mdcxii.) charges
the Ueans of GC^ristianitg and others, "Ut publicos concu-

Vet. Scriptor.
Coll. Martene &
Durand, Tom.
VII. col. 113.

Thefaur. Anecd.
T.IV. col. 47S.
I SS. CC. Tom.
, xtx. col. 30 1.
\ can. xciv.

CC. Rotomag.
Prov. P. II.
p.l07.

Stat. Synod.
Hufcod. T. vir.
cap. IU. p. 37.

280

personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

hinarios, ufurarios, fimoniacos, aliofique notorie criminofos
presbyteros ab altaris minifierio arceant," upon pain of
\ grave puniffiment.

ss. cc. Tom.vi.
col. 539.

But of all clerical tranfgrefiions, there was none to
which the watchfulnefs of rural Ueans was more fedu-
loufly directed than incontinency; — none, againft which
the councils of the church iffued more frequent cen
fures ; — none, where negligence and connivance, on the
part of Ueans and archdeacons, were more feverely
reprobated and puniffied. And, of courfe, in fpiritual
watchmen, expected and commanded to be keenly alive
to the carnal faults of the inferior clergy, perfonal chaftity
was effentially required.
Accordingly, as early as the year dlxvii, we find the
fecond council of Tours decreeing, in its nineteenth
canon, an effectual mode of enfuring the continence of
tiican arcfiprtests, and of attefting the fame to the church:
— "arcSipresfagtert bicani, et diaconi, et fubdiaconi, non qui
dem omnes, fied plures in hdc fiufipicione tenentur a populo,
quod cum conjugibus fuis maneant. Pro qud re hoc placuit
obfervare, ut quotieficunque arcfitpresliBter, fieu in vico man-
ferit,feu ad villam fiuam ambulaverit, unus lector canonicorum
fuorum, aut certus aliquis de numero clericorum cum illo
ambulet, et in celld ubi ille facet, lectum habeat pro tefii
monio. Septem autem inter fiuhdiaconos et lectores, vel
laicos habeat concefibs, qui vidfsim fieptimanas cum illo
facere omnino procurent: et qui d'fiulerit, fufiigetur."
— If the arcftprtests neglected the correction of the
clergy {"juniores fuos ") in this crime of conjugal inter-

S. V. C. V. 5)uperbisiott of tjbe ©lergg.— life anO JWannerS.

281

courfe^, continues the fame canon, " ah epifcopo fiuo in dvitate
retrudantur in cellam, ibique menfie integro panem cum aqua
nmnducent, et poenitentiam agant pro fibi credito clero, quid
nulli clericorum, juxta fiententlam canonum, cum conjugefud
manere permittitur."
Again, the council of Auxerre {A.D. dlxxviii.) enacts,
in its twentieth canon — "Si presbyter {quod nefas efi
dicere) aut diaconus, aut fiuhdiaconus, pofi acceptam bene
dictionem, infantes procreaverit, aut adulterium commifierit,
et arc^tpresligter hoc epifcopo aut archidiacono non intima-
verit, integro anno non communicet ; illi verb, qui hoc com-
mifirint, deponantur."
Laftly, the council of Rouen {A.D. mlxxii.) can, xv.
under the fame head, "De clericis uxoratis," and "Quales
effe debeant Uecant," enjoins " Ut tales Uecani eligantur, qui
fciant fubditos redarguere et emendare, quorum vita non fit
infamis,fied merito prceferatur fuhditis ;" — implying therein
that exemplary abfiinence was expected in the perfons
of the Ueans themfelves.
To enforce clerical celibacy^ in England, Archbiffiop

ss. CC.Tom.\I.
col. 644.

Ejufd T.XII.
col. 212.
Cone. Rotomag.
Prov. P.I. p. 56.

(') lu the firft three centuries, we hear of no injunction to celibacy;
nor, indeed, till the pontificate of Gregory the Great (near the clofe of
the fixth century), was this law univerfally received.
O Among the many proofs of the eaftern origin of the Britifli church,
it is here pertinent to remark, that the early clergy of thefe ifles — all
the Anglican, and many of the elder Anglo-Saxon clergy — copied thofe
of the Greek church, in retaining their wives. In the latter, even bifliops
were permitted to keep their unves till the council 6f TruUo {A.D. dcxcii.),
according to Balfamon ; and here in England, till the reign of Edgar,
and the primacy of Dunftan, Mr. Johnfon fays, " It is certain, that
even thofe of the clergy who lived in monafteries had their wives caha- Johnfon's Pre.
biting with them. And the chronicle of Winton informs us, how, after fvoL ii. p. cxiii.
a long ftruggle, they were at laft ejected by the miraculous voice of a I ^^P-,j; ""'''¦
crucifix.

282

personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

Williins's LL.
Angl. Saxon.
Eccl. & Civ^il.
p. 306.

Works by He
ber, Vol. XIV.
p. 138.

Burnet's Hift. of
theReformation. Vol.1, p. 42.
VoMi. p.187.

Anfelm, who regarded the marriage of the clergy as the
moft intolerable of all abufes, held a council at London
{A.D. MCVII.), expreffly directed adverfius incontinentes cle
ricos. Earlier attempts had been made by this prelate
{A.D. mcii.), and by Lanfranc^ his predeceffor {A.D.
MLXxvi.), by the penitential canons {A.D. dcccclxiii.), by
Elfric {A.D. dccccl vii.), (the fin being equalized with
murder, in its puniffiment, by the penitential canons) to
impofe fingle Ufe on the Engliffi clergy. But, on the
authority of Henry of Huntingdon, it had not been
prohibited to them generally to marry till the tenth
century. Afterwards' — '^when, by the attempts, and
preffures, and tyranny, and arts of a hundred and thirty
years' continuance, the clergy were driven from their
chafie marriages," in the words of Jeremy Taylor,—
during the protracted ftruggle that thereupon enfued
between men's natural rights and the arbitrary injunc
tions of the papacy and its emiffaries, the interference of

Burnet's Hift. of
theReformation.Vol.u. P.II.
B.i. pp. 187-88.

crucifix, which yet was heard by none but the king and the archbifliop."
(Spelman. Concil. Vol. i. p. 492.)— Again, " When they, the clergy, were
put out from their feats," in Bifliop Burnet's words, " becaufe they would
not quit their wives, they were not deprived of facred orders." . ..." In
j the Weftern church, married clergymen are noticed in many Spanifli
I and Gallican fynods ; wherein bifliops' and priefts' u)ives are called
epificapcB and presbyteree." The reader, who may wifh to fee the fub
ject of clerical celibacy dlfcuffed in a mafterly way, is referred to Suicer
Thefi Ecclefi in v. ra/.io?, coll. 725, feqq. ad 734. He will alfo find much
valuable hiftorical matter collected by the Rev. E. Pagitt, in his Chriftia
nagraphie, Part III. 4. Marriage af Priefts, pp. 56, feqq.
(') Lanfranc did not impofe celibate on the clergy in the villages,
but only on thofe that lived in towns, and on prebendaries. But Anfelm
carried it farther, and fimply impofed it on all the clergy : yet himfelf
laments, that fodomy was become then very common, and even public.

S. V. C. v.] Supcriiision of tjbe Q^kt^y^.—mu anD IManners.

283

Ueans rural on the fide of inhibition was again and again
called for. Nor, indeed, when the Pope had apparently
eftabliffied his anti-matrimonial decree, and got the clergy
partially to yield unwilling fubmiffion to it (which they
did, as a mere law of the church, founded on no law
of the Gofpel), could the papal veto be fubfequently
upheld without the continued vigilancy of our rural
officers, — themfelves advocates by compulfion of the
canons of celibacy, and invefted by the church with
power to inflict puniffiment for every violation of it in
the perfons of their fubject clergy.
Accordingly, the tomes of the councils at large con
tain fome few mandates, and thofe of our own iflands
more particularly abound with inftructions to Ueans,
archdeacons, and other ordinaries, not only on this head
of prefcribed conjugal union, but alfo on the vices con
fequent upon compulfatory celibacy. For " the church
was overrun with a deluge of incontinence, fornication,
adultery, and yet worfe." Since " thofe," in Fuller's
emphatic language, "who endeavour to make the way
to heaven narrower than God hath made it, by prohi
biting what he permits, do in event make the way to
hell wider, occafloning the committing of fuch flns, which
God hath forbidden."
But to return to Archbiffiop Anfelm. — From a letter
of Pope Pafchal II. to the metropolitan, it is clear that^

( ' ) In the diocefe of Sarum, in the commencement of the thirteenth
century, married priefts occur, fathers and fons, holding benefices in
fucceffion, without any notice of papal difpenfation being granted to
them, to capacitate them fo to do. See ^etus MegtStrum Sancti ©smuntji
penes Epifc. Sarum. The paffage is more particularly referred to here
after, under the head of " Illegitimates."

Wilkins's LL.
AS. fupra.

284

^^ctsonal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

CC.M.Bet.H.
Vol. I. p. 378.
Thomaffin. V. et
N. E. D. T. n.
P. II. L. I.
C. LXXXIV.
p. 251. VI. feqq.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol.1, p. 410.

Ejufd. p. 502.

Dr. Brady's Hj/i.
of England,
p. 537. A.
Henry III.

the clergy, in contempt of papal penalties, continued to
marry — "In Anglorum regno, peni major et melior cleri
corum pars" are declared not only to be married, but,
what is a much more extenflve affertion, to be actually
the fons of priefi s. — And the fame was the cafe in France
— where, as well as in England, extenfive powers of dif
penfation were granted to the Pope's reprefentatives, to
make exceptions in favour of the clergy fo circumftanced:
while, at the fame time, the laws of celibacy were to be
more vigoroufly enforced for the future. Anfelm took
up the matter in good earneft, and under his primacy
the Ueans rural, as fupervifors of clerical chafiity, are
bade, in the council already referred to (the flrft in which
they appear in fuch a capacity in England, for celibacy
was not enforced in rural diftricts before), to fwear, " Quod
pecuniam non accipient pro tolerandd tranfigrefiione fiatuti
ut clerici cafit^ vivant;" and non-compliance with the
oath is made puniffiable, with the lofs of their Uecanates.
Again, under the title of " minifiri, quibus cum archidia
conis hoc incumbit" (unlefs the reader would rather
underftand church-reeves than Ueans rural), they are
commanded by the feventh canon of Archbiffiop Cor-
boyl's Weftminfter council (j.D.Mcxxvii.), "omni fiudio
et fiollicitudine ah ecclefid dei hanc perniciem (foil.) contu-
hernia mulierum illicitarum omnino eradicare." Sufpenfion
is threatened by the York canons of Hubert Walter
{A.D. MCXCV.), if the Ueans, by connivance, notify not to
their prelates the carnal excefi'es of the clergy ; while the
divine benediction is invoked on thofe who from zeal
declare them. Can. xvii.
Like vigilance is inculcated by the confiitutions of
Sarum {A.D. Mccxvii.), according to Dr. Brady — (but I

S. V. C. v.] Superbisiott of tje ©lergg.— Hife anti JWanners.

285

do not find any fuch fact in any Sarum document of
this date) ; of Durham {A.D. mccxx.) ; of Edmund arch
biffiop of Canterbury {A.D. mccxxxvi). Indeed, in all
the canons (each pregnant with more fevere reftrictions
than its forerunner) which paffed the church at this
period to promote the darling object of the papacy, the
celibacy'^ of the clergy, rural Ueans and archdeacons were
the conftituted local watchmen of clerical continency.
Nor, indeed, enlightened as was Biffiop Groffetefte of
Lincoln, and inclined on other points to conteft the
tyrannical interference of the papal court, did he on this
particular fubject ffiew more illumination than his con
temporaries ; — it being the reigning opinion of the day,
that even the conjugal duty was not eonflftent with per
fect facerdotal purity.
Having enforced the ftanding order of celibacy in his
diocefe, Groffetefte had to contend with the abufes and
immoralities confequent upon it: and accordingly, in
one of his many letters to his archdeacons, preferved by
Mr. Brown in his valuable Faficiculus, we flnd him ani
madverting on thefe officers for allowing the clergy to
have intercourfe with focarice"^: — "Habent facerdotes

(') Fuller tells us the clergy of the diocefe of Norwich were particu
larly adverfe to the project of priefts' divorces, and in the fame degree,
we may fuppofe, troublefome to the Decanal fupervifors of morals.
" Indeed Norfolk men are charactred injure municipali verfati/fimi," {a,ys
the witty hiftorian, "and are not eafily ejected out of that whereof
they have had long prefcription, and prefent poffeffion: no wonder
therefore if they ftickled for their wives, and would not let go a moytie
of themfelves."
C) " Focarise ita dictce fiunt, ut placet Somnero in gloff. a curandis
fads ; hic autem, ut videtur, ad aliufmadi ignes extinguendos alebantur afiacer-

Fafciculus Re
rum in Append.
p.382.Epift.l07.

Church Hiftmy,
c. XII. B. III.
p. 23.

Brown, not.
¦marg. in loco
citato.

286

Personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

cc. Rotomag.
Prow. P.li.p.571.
Synodi Con-
ftantienfes.

plurimi fuas focarias, quod etfi nos et nofiros lateat cum
inquifitionem fuper hujufmodi fieri fadmus, his per quos
fiunt inquifitiones, perjuria non timentibus, non Uebct tamen
vos fie latere qui prcefient ialit^r fuper eos tam per vos quam
per Uecanos et hedellos vefiros continue vigilare tenemini."
In the diocefe of Conftance {A.D. mcccclxxxi.) fen
tence of excommunication ipfio facto paffed the fynod
" contra presbyteros notorie concubinarios et tenentes penes
fe focarias ;" and a ftrong injunction was laid on the
Ueans of tlie countrg to denounce all fuch to the con
ftituted eccleflaftic authorities, on pain of excommuni
cation. But the continental Ueans do not appear to

Codex I. E. A.
Vol. I. T. XXII.
cap. XIV. p. 438.
¦note.

De Incertitudine
et Vanitate
Scientiarum, C. LXIV.

a facerdotibus iftius cevi — {et cujus quidam non, ubi tam nefarie prohi
bitum eis fuit fianctum matrimonium ? ") — See Ducange and Spelman
in voce — and Bifliop Gibfon's Codex {Lawful Marriage of Priefts in
our Reformed Church) — " Not to mention," fays he, " the abominations
detected by the commiffioners for vifiting of religious houfes temp.
Hen. 8., I will produce one more impartial evidence, viz. the acts of
the metropolitical vifitation of Archbiihop Wareham ; in which we find,
that in the two diocefes of Bangor and St. David's, above eighty priefts
were actually prefented for incontinence." But what is this to the boaft
of a certain prelate recorded by Henricus Cornelius Agrippa — " De qiio
legimus gloriatum in canvivio, habere fe undecim millia facerdotum
cancubinariorum, qui in fingulos annos illi aurum pendent ? " — The
reafon why the ruling powers encouraged concubinage, rather than
marriage, was this, he tells us — " Quia ex concubinis proventus illis eft
ampliar." The incontinent clergy might fairly afcribe fome part of their vicious
habits to their ruling fuperiors, if in the decretals of Gratian (whichi
though nearly all furreptitious, are upheld in credit by the papacy) it be
actually laid down, as is reported, on an alleged authority of a council
at Toledo, " Qui non habet uxorem, loco illius concubinam debet ha
bere." D. 34. Ed. Paris, mdxix. My edition, however, I muft confefs,
reads, " Ut unius — mulieris, aut uxoris, aut concubinaeTi^ conjuncOone
contentus."

S. V. C. v.] Superblsion of tfte ©lergg.— Slife anl) iWannerS.

287

have had their attention very frequently or forcibly
directed to the fupport of celibate-canons. Either the
clergy abroad were lefs uxorious than our infular eccle- j
flaftics, or, being more in awe of papal edicts and ana-'
themas, more effectually fubdued their natural defires, ;
in compliance with his holinefs's will and pleafure. Cer- \
tain it is, they gave very little trouble to the local orUt= '
naries (as far at leaft as we can judge from the almoft j
entire abfence of canons directed to the point in the
councils of Europe) on the fcore of incontinency. But
in England the cafe was altogether different. The
cuftoms of the Greek church (originally introduced here
by St. Paul or other apoftolical miffionary), in refpect of
clerical marriage, were never fo completely eradicated
as to admit, generally and without refiftance, the oppo
fite, unfcriptural ufages of the Latin church : and thence
the neceffity of the frequent repetition of canons en
forcing celibacy, and the oft-recited admonitions to Ueans
rural to apply them with the utmoft rigour. See Suicer
in voce Tdpog, and Beveridge ad can.y. Apofiol. in Pandect, i
Canon. Vol. ii. p. 18, on the lawfulnefis of marriage in the |
Greek clergy. |
The earlieft penalties inflicted on the clergy of Eng- j
land for incontinency may be feen in the Penitential]
Canons (fuppofed to have been compiled by Dunftan)!
publiffied by Wilkins, under the title of Canones editi, cc.M.B.etH
fub Edgaro rege — {A.D. dcccclx.) — cann. xxx. — xxxi. i
The puniffiments, fubfequently, varied at the whim and
caprice of the Pope and his partifans ; but whatever
they were, the Ueans rural (as foon as thofe officers were
inftituted) were generally concerned in their due en
forcement.

Vol.1, p. 233.

288

Personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.]

cc. M. B. et H.
Vol. I. p. 673.

Vol. II. p. 300.

Matt. Paris, Lib.
vn. p. 219.

Sufpenfion and excommunication were frequent puniffi
ments of the guilty clergy. But, let their delinquencies
be as heinous as they might, it was enacted by W. de
Cantilupe, in his Worcefter Confiitutions {A.D. mccxl.),
and by the Synodal Statutes of Woodloke of Winchefter
{A.D. Mcccviii.), that the churches were not to be
fufpended by the Ueans, or fuperior ordinaries, from
the celebration of divine fervice, while the delinquents
themfelves could be made amenable, for profeffional
tranfgreffions, in their proper goods and perfons, by
diftraining and fequeftratlon, by fufpenfion and excom
munication. Indeed, thefe enactments were of general
interpretation, applicable to clerical mifdemeanours of
whatever kind, and not to incontinency alone. But if
the Ueans allowed any of their fubject brethren, fo fuf
pended, or who had been a fecond time guilty of in,conr
tinence, after penance once accepted, again to officiate—
refuming their holy calling without prohibition — then
the officers themfelves were to be fufpended, ipfio facto,
by the Winton council. And laftly, if they commuted
the quality and degree of penance enjoined, or varied it
for the fake of extorting money from the guilty, more
readily, by fuch iniquity, they were to reftore twice the
fum out of their own pockets, and to fuffer other grave
puniffiment. But enough of clerical celibacy and its confequences— -
of the canons and conftitutions for its fupport, and the
penalties for its infraction. ^ The conduct of Cardinal

(') "Cum igitur in concilio fcveriffime de uxaribus facerdotum trac-
tdffet,fummum ficelus effe a meretricis latere " (" fo he called a prielfs
wife," fays Ephraim Pagitt, Chriftianagraphie, P. iv. p. 59 ) " corpus ChrifU

S. V. C. v.] Superbision of tje ©lergg.— aife anD JWanners. 289

John de Crema, the legatine advocate under Pope Matth. Paria,
TT • TT i? Xl_ ¦ 1 1 ,. f. ^Hft.Angl.
Honorius 11. oi the wickednels ol marriage in the prieft- -^.^i.mcxxv.
hood (for he came to England " with his bignefs and
bravery," fays Fuller, "to blufter the clergie out o{ \cimrch Hi/iory
their wives"), we are told, "not a little advantaged the p.m.™'
reputation of married priefts;" inafmuch as it proved,
by a flagrant example in his own perfon, the unfltnefs ;
of fuch celibate-canons to the condition of humanity.
And "God being long provoked by the impureft fer- j. Taylor's Aaje
n 7 . IT .,.^1 .o . . n \of Covfcieuce,
Vices 01 concubinage, awakened Chriftian princes^ and j^fo/Tcs, v.xiv.
priefts, into liberty, and holinefs, and reformation." ^'

Chrifti faciendum furgere, cum eadem die corpus Chrifti canfeciffet,
cum meretrice paft vefperam interceptus eft." " The great honour j
wherewith he was everywhere received," fubjoins the " parfon of the i
church of Saint Edmond the King, in Lombard-ftreot," " was turned into
great Ihame, and he ftole home, through the judgment of God, con- [
founded and afliamed." !
C) King Henry I. having been petitioned by the bifliops in council \ Scriptores poft
to fupport the canon of celibacy in ecclefiaftics, inftead of endeavouring L 2™'/'.
to enforce with rigour a law fo much at variance with the natural feel- PJiftory ofEng-
ings of mankind, converted it into a fifcal advantage, and, " taking upon |p"269. r'^
himfelf what may be called the popely privilege of felling indulgences," Southey's Vin-
granted to the clergy of the realm the fociety of their wives upon the p 308.
payment of a certain compofition and yearly tax — " accepit enim rex
pecuniam infinitam de presbyteris, et redemit eos," fays Henry of |
Huntingdon ; — the teanS rural, probably, continuing their wonted fur- j
veillance during the fale of thefe royal licences, fo as to prevent any I
ecclefiaftic availing himfelf of the indulgence unlefs he duly purchafed
it of the king's treafury by the payment of the eftabliflied wife-compofi- :
tion. Upon fome terms or other, it is certain, the priefts were at this Chriftiano-
time in a ftate of marriage, and "fo continued," Mr. Pagitt affirms, ',f_%''^'
" in the time of Archbifliop Theobald, of Thomas Becket, Richard |
Baldwin, Stephen Langton, Richard, Edmond, Boniface, Peccham, and
others, during well neare 200 yeares after Anfelm's death." j
VOL. I. u

290

J^ersonal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

Dr. Field 0/ Me
Church, B. V.
p. 507.

Ibidem.

Bingham's Ec
clef. Antiq.
B. XIII. c. X.

titles,'

CHAPTER VI.
Supervision of the Spiritual Ministrations of the Clergy.

N " the continuall circumfpection of art Jpres=
igters rural," in the dean of Gloucefter's
language, " in looking to the life and conver
fation of the presbyters, dwelling in the lefler
we have faid fufficient. — Our next extracts have

to do with them as infpectors of the fpiritual minifirations
of their fubject clergy : the obfervance of the canonical
hours of public worffiip — compliance with the rubric of
the day, in preaching and prayer — in the performance of
the fpecial fervices and ordinances of the church — in
procefiional rogation, and fuch-like rural ceremonies. By
attention to all which particulars of facerdotal duty,
the local prelates were enabled "to ffiew unto their
diocefan with what diligence each of the presbyters
performed the work of God" — a principal object of
their delegate overfeerffiip.
The rural Ueans were to imprefs upon the parochial
clergy the obfervance oi canonical hours^ ; — which, befides

(') See Cone. Clovefhov. can. xv. (.<4.D. dccxlvii.) ; CC. M. B. et H.
Vol. I. p. 97 ; Excerpt. D. Ecgbert. xxviii. {A.D. mccl.) p. 103 ; Cann.
Aelfrici, c. xix. {A.D. dcccclxx.) p.252; Macri flierofeo;. in «. p. 312;
Van Efpen's Differtatio Cananico- hiftorica de Horis Canonicis ; Bing
ham's E. A. loco citato ; and particularly Palmer's Antiquities of the
Englifh Ritual, Vol. i. pp. 202, feqq., a work which fliould be in the
hands of every clergyman.

S. V. C. VI.] ^uperbision of tj&e ©lergg. —Spiritual ^Ministrations.

291

Hiftory of Man
chefter, Vol. II.
p. 417.

the morning and evening prayer, (otherwife called matins
and vefipers), were the firfi, the third, the fixth, and
ninth hours, with the completorium or bed-time : or, as the
times are divided by Mr. Whitaker according to modern
acceptation, the horce canonicce were three and fix in
the morning, nine, twelve, and three, the evening, and mid
night ^.
Amongft the irregular practices of the clergy of his J Brown's Appen-
day, the non-obfervance of thefe canonical hours, in their ! p- 382.
church fervices, is noticed by Biffiop Groffetefte, in aldamR.Gvoffe-
letter to the archdeacon of Lincoln {Epifi. 107 — before j din. '
referred to) as deferving correction by his Uecanal and ''
apparitorial minifters — " Plurimi facerdotes," he writes, |
" DEUM non timentes, nee homines reverentes, horas cano- !
nicas aut non dicunt, aut corrupte dicunt, et id quod dicunt,
fine omni devotione aut devotionis figno, immo magis cum
evidenti qfienfione animi indevoti dicunt ; nee horam obfer-
vant in dicendo, quce commodiorjit parochianis ad audien-
dum divina, fed quce eorum plus confonat libidinofice defi
dia" &c. — which things, the good prelate adds, ought
not to efcape the watchfulnefs of the archdeacon, ever
prefentially infpecting the manners of the clergy and
laity by means of his Ueans rural and apparitors — " proelia

(') The church of England, at the revifion of our offices in the reign
of Edward the Sixth, only prefcribed public worfliip in the morning and
the evening; and in making this regulation flie was perfectly juflified :
for though it is the duty of Chriftians to pray continually, yet the precife
times and feafons of prayer, termed canonical hours, do not reft on any
divine command ; nor have they ever been pronounced binding on all
churches by any general council : neither has there been any uniformity
in the practice of the Chriftian church in this refpect.
u 2

Palmer's Ori-
ginesLilurgicie, Vol. I. p. 204.

292

personal ^Functions.

[Part IV.

Brown's Fafci
culus Rerum,.
p. 427.

domini fortiter prceliantes, et inordinata prcedicta et fimilia
ad ordinem reducentes^, &c."
The fame inattention to the appointed hours of divine
I worfliip Cardinal Campegio accumulates on the catalogue
i of eccleflaftical abufes, which he purpofed to reform in his
' Ratisbon Confiitution {A.D. mdxxiv.), — arming ordinaries
with power to puniffi fuch violations of difcipline, accord-
I ing to the degree of guilt, either by diverting the received
\ proflts of the beneflce from the delinquent's own ufe to
that of the church or poor ; or, in cafe of his obftinate
perfeverance in the fame fault, of altogether depriving
him of it. And this they were to effect by the inftru
mentality of their archdeacons and Ueans rural. — " Cum
beneficia propter ofiUcia juxta patrum fanctiones dari con-
\fueverunt, fierique vix pofiit, ut in tantd prcebendatorum
i catervd non reperiatur, qui ofiicii oblitus horas negligat
canonicas : hinc fiatuentes volumus et ordinamus, ut loco-
I rum ordinarii per archidiaconos et Ueianos de hujufmodi
facerdotibus negligentibus, fiefie diUgenter edoceant, et fecun-
i dum uniufcujufique negligentiam atque defidiam fructus
perceptos, vel in utilitatem ecclefice, vel in ufum paupenm
ivertant. Quodfi pofi legitimas monitiones et fimul primam
\ correctionem, in eandem negligentiam, quce difiblutce prorfus
mentis indicium efi, quis relahatur, tum beneficio etiam

!B!S. JRcgiStr.
Sancti D6mutt-
ti fol. 40. penes
Epifc. Sarisbur.

(') If the chanters of the cathedral church of Sarum were too often
abfent from thefe horce cananincB, or, in other words, from divine worfhip^
the Conftitutions of Bifliop Ofmund enacted, that they fliould feek pardon
of the dean and chapter, proftrating themfelves before them : — and if
they did not amend under correption, they were to be degraded, and to
fubmit to penance " in choro ultimi puerorum feamdum quantitatem
delicti."

S. V. C.VI.] ^uperbision of t^e ©lergg.— Spiritual iHinlstrations.

ecclefiafiico privetur : collatorique vel patrono de alio idoneo
providendi aut prcefientandi fit potefias."
Laftly, the fynod of Antwerp {A.D. mdlxxvi.), under stat. synod.
the head de divino cultu, has feveral injunctions refpecting p. 235.
the obfervance oi horce canonicce, — commanding the Ueans
rural " Ut diUgenter inquirant contra negligentes, eofque ad
epifcopum deferant, maximh quos deprehendent celebrare
non lectis horis:" and at a later period (yi.D. mdcx.),
fummarily decreeing — " Beneficium fimplex ohtinens, habi- Decret. Symd.
tum clericalem gefiet, horas canonicas legat, oneribus mifi- Tirxviu.c".xxi.
fiarum, et aliis fi quce incumbunt, fiatisfaciat ; eorumque om- ^
nium legitimum tefiimonium .... Uecano ruralt exhiheat
 aUoquin fructus non fadat fuos."

To the non-obfervance of horce canonicce we may fub
join, from the fore-cited letter of " Seynt Roberd " of ;
Lincoln, and other authorities of recenter times, a few
uncanonical practices — deviations, it may be, from the
various rubrics of the day — ^in refpect oi preaching and
confefiion, pointed out to the correction of Ueans rural : —
"Sunt quidam rectores et vicarii et facerdotes, qui nonfioliim ' Brown's Fafd-
,././,.,. 7. ^ . ~ 7. . cuius Rerumin
audire fafiidiunt prcedicatores fratrum utriujque or dims. Append. 1^.332.
fied, ficut pofiunt, ne audiat eos populus prcedicantes, aut eis
confiteatur, maUtiosh prcepediunt: admittunt etiam, ut dicitur,
prcedicatores qucefiuarios ad prcedicandum, qui fioliim talia
prcedicent qualia nummum melius extrahunt," &c. Whereas, Pegge's Life of
the biffiop adds, he allows no quefiuary preachers'^, but
only the parochial minifters to open and explain the

(') "Si aliquis de queftuariis philaterias fuas aftenderit populo, ad
facilius extarquendam pecuniam, capiatur, et cum fiuis philateriis addu-
catur ad offidalem, &c." {Prcecepta Wecmi^ facta, A.D. mccxlv.)

Groffetefte.

cc. Rotomag.
Provinc. P. H.
p. 79.

294

ilersonal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

Decreta Concilii
Provincial. Ca
meracenfis, Tit.
II. cap. VI. p. 8.

Tit. XIX. u. xii.
p. 78.
Stillingfleet's Eccleftafiical Cafes, Vol. I.
pp. 16, feqq.

I fervice in few words : — and therefore he urges his arch
deacon ("jper Uecanos et hedellos") to purify the temple of
I God of all fuch pollution, to induce the people to pay
! devout attention to the licenfied preachers'^ of the orders
j of Friars, and to confefs to them with all humility, to
admit no quefiuaries to their pulpits, and laftly to pre
vent, as much as poffible, all intercourfe between
I Chriftians and Jews.
Such paftors as either cannot, or will not, preach, or,
by their preaching, do more harm than good, within the
diocefe of Cambray, are prefentable by Ueans rural ; who
i are fpecially charged to fee that the clergy of the pro
vince fulfll their duties of preaching, adminifiering the
facraments, &c. &c. "Becani ®6rtsttanttatts," fays the
provincial council (^.O. mdlxxxvi.) "referant epifcopis
aut eorum vicariis, fi quos deprehenderint pafiores, vel ob
imperitiam, vel ob negligentiam a prcedicatione verbi dei
abfiinentes, et longe magis, fi quos noverint, qui fiuis prce-
dicationihus magis defiruant quam cedificent." — —

Objections of
Frires, c. XIX.
SBtS. Lewis's
Effay on Suf-
fMsan SBiShopS,
pp. 7, 8.

(') Compare with this Lincoln canon, the forty-ninth of our CC. Ec
clef. of MDCIII. " Minifters, not allowed preachers, may not expound."
The preaching friars of Grofletefte's days were a fort of licenfed preachers,
who had no cure of fouls, but were ftill accounted a kind of paftors—
authorifed "jure communi," or rather "privilegia fpedali," to teach
the people, not only in the churches but "in plateis publicis''— to the
entire fuperfeding of the parifli priefls; who are defcribed in a provin
cial conftitution of the reign of Edward I. as being " fo ignorant and
ftupid that they rather made the people worfe than better." Bifliop
Groffetefte is faid to have been a great friend of the predicant brethren
of the extenfive diocefe of Lincoln.
Thefe friars, it feems, were fometimes ordained as cj^orepiscopi or
suffragans. " Freres," fays a writer about A.D. mccclx, " ben made
bifliops, to go and preche and convert heathen men, and leave this
ghoftly office and be Suffragans in England."

S. V. C. VI.] 5uperbisiott of tie ©lergg.— Spiritual JWinistrations. 295

fimum autem obfervent Uecani ut pafiores in prcedicatione
verbi dei, fiacramentorumque adminifiratione, ac in cceteris
omnibus fuo muneri fatisf aciant."
The Synodal Infiructions of the province of Rouen
contain a few ufeful precepts for the decent and regular
adminiftration of the fpecial fervices of the church, ad
dreffed to Ueans rural — ex. gr. thofe delivered to the
Ueans in fcriptis, after the winter fynod of the year mccxlv.
— "Prcedpiant Uecani presbyteris, ut ante fiatutum tempus Prcecepta tiko.-
T 1 r-yi • \ -.J J ••_. 1'8 Facta &c. ex
ah ecclefia, maxime pecunice mterventu non recipiant mu- cc. Rotomag.
lieres ad purificationem \ nifi de licentid ofiidaUs aut archi- p. 78. ' '
diaconi." Again — " Ut mulieres defponfatce non redpiantur ad
miffam eo die quo fuerint defponfiatce : fed fecundd, vel
tertid die." ]
Again — " Quod presbyteri diUgenter fingulis diebus Do
minids denuntient in fiuis ecclefiis, fiecundum quod de novo j
efi fiatutum in fynodo, quod per fidem datam per verba de I
futuro ; nullatends audeant contrahere volentes fe carna- :
lith commifcere, donh hanna fuerint completa, ne appareat \
aliquis contradictor," &c. &c. j
Again — " De facramento matrimonii" — the fynod of ' ^«««'« •^5"""'^
-'¦•'&"'¦''* J •< Tornacenjis, ill.
Tournay {A.D. mdlxxiv.) decrees, that, if both contract- pis.
ing parties be of the fame Ueanrg, they may be joined
together in wedlocJc without a Uecanal licence, — on a
proper declaration of the publication of banns by the

(') The mothers of illegitimate children having been improperly
admitted to purification in the church, in the diocefe of Bois-le-Duc, it
is forbidden to all priefts, by the fynod of mdcxii, "Sub poind fufpen
fionis, quam eo ipfio incurrant, mulieres, quce ex illicito concubitu pepe-
rerunt, ad purificationem admittere, nifi facultate ab arc]&ipres6st«fO
loci ad hoc literatorie obtenta."

Stat. Synodi
Bufcoducens, T.IV. C.II. p. 21.

296

Personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol. IV. p. 146.

Decreta Synod.
Antverp. A.D. MDCXLII.

SS. cc. Tom.
XIX. col. 1394.

refpective parochi, the one to the other; — but if the
parties be of different Ueanries, the letter of the Uean is
required before the marriage ceremony can be performed
by either parochus : — "Si vero diverforum Uecanatuum /we-
rint contrahentes f fays the third canon on the facrament
of matrimony, " non nifi receptis priiis fiui Uecani Uteris ad
affidationem procedat parochus."
An irregularity in the facrament of the mcfs — (the
adminiftration of two mafies in one day) — is pointed at
in the diocefe of Gloucefter as meet for prefentment to
the biffiop by Ueans rural. — Touchinge the clergie, can,
XIV., it is enacted by Cardinal Pole, or rather by his
fob-delegate, the biffiop of Gloucefter, in his Injunctions
to the diocefe {A.D. mdlvi.); "That every Ueane ffiaU
fignifle unto his ordinarie onfe every quarter, at the leaft,
the names of fuche priefts as for lucre ufeth to fay two
maffes in one dale, contrarie to the canons in that cafe
provided." And the like irregularity is forbidden by
Gafpar Nemius to be any longer licenfed in the diocefe
of Antwerp (J. I>. MDCXLII.) — the Ueans rural being the
publiffiers of the authoritative revocation of all licences,
already granted to any of the parochial clergy, that
might feem to countenance iyxch facramental abufies.

In the diocefe of Cologne, we learn from the twenty-
fifth canon of the fecond council {A.D. mdxlix.) — "Be
procefiionihus ruralibus {in quibus fiacra fiofiia cum imagini-
hus fianctorum circumfiertur") — that it was committed to
Ueans rural to exhort the clergy "per fuas regiunculas" to'
conduct thefe much abufed country procefiions according

S. V. C. VI.] .Superbisiott ot tje ©lergg.— Spiritual JWinistrations. 297

StatutaSynodal.
per Nicol. Epi
fcop. Harlem.
A.D. MOLXIV.

to the canon of the church: — "Nee vagi et incompofiti
per agros difcurrant, et prcefiertlm Rogationum tempore,
quandb deum pro mifiericordid et frugum confervatione
imploramus ; tranfigredientes pafiores aut ipfi in fynodis
fuis corrigant aut vifitatoribus nofiris indicent " — fays the i
cited ordinance : — which is again followed by others, :
enforcing on the clergy obedience to their Ueans in thefe '
and all lawful matters ; — commanding the epifcopal vi
fitors not to allow difobedience to go unpuniffied ; — and
yet farther threatening all fecular magiftrates with
excommunication, who ffiould dare to obftruct the fpiri
tual police in the execution of their duty. See alfo
Decreta Synodalia Dom. Maximil. Hen. Arch. Colonienfis,
Tit. VI. De procefiionihus &c.
The " Nova Prcecepta " of the archbiffiop of Rouen cc. Rotomag.
/ ,„ \ 1 ,1 1 , ,, r-r .V I PrOK. P.II.p. 85.
{A.D. MCCLXXVIII.) charge the presbyters, " Ut quotiens \
dubium erit quandb aliqua jejunia vel procefiiones infii-
tutce fieri debent, ficut in die Sancti Jilarci, recurrant
ad Uecanum loct, et fine ejus confilio ea facere non prce
fumant." The council of Noyon {A.D. mcccxliv.) commands the j conftitutiones
local orUtnartcs to put an end to hiftrionic fports and
idolatrous proceffions ; — " Joculatores five hifiriones de
novo candelas cer eas tanquam resfacras deferunt, et nitun-
tur procefiionaliter portare, populum ad ydolatriam indu-
cendo &c. Quod nos de ccetero fieri prohibemus." — The
archbiffiop of Malines bids the Ueans rural inquire at
vifitation — "An non irrepferint in ecclefias aliqua fuper- Decreta synodi
n. . ,. . . . /?• .7 . Camerac. fol. 3.
ftitioa et vana, m cceremoniis, procefiionihus, peregrina- c.\i.a.d.
.. . . T . /. . MDLXVII.
tionibus, imagmum et reliquiarum ac fanctorum veneratione,
quibus mentes Chrifiiance a fincero Dei cultu fensim dimo- j
veri pofiint." \

Synodales Epi
fcopatus Attre-
batenfis. Adden.
(MCCCCLV.)

298

Personal dFunctions.

[Part IV.

Bingbam's Ec
clefiaft. Antiq.
B.xiii.c.l.§,12.

Gibfon's Codex
I. B. A. Tom. II.
Append. § IV.
p. 1447. n.
Monitio, &c.

Hiftory of Nol-
iinghamfhire,
p.311.

Hart's Medulla
Conciliarum,
p.36.

To the folemn fervice of Rogation^, procefiions were
early added by the Weftern church; and, as circumftances
required, were occaflonally celebrated in the open field.
It does not appear that at flrft there was any harm or
fuperftition practifed in thefe procefiions, — no pomp of
relicks — no expoflng of the eucharift to adoration; — in
fuch folemnities the people only carried the crofs before
them, as they did in fome of their night-proceffions for
pfalmody, as the badge of their profeffion. Afterwards,
many abufes were heaped upon the flmplicity of|iro-
cefiional rogation, — feaftings with banners, hand-beUs,
lights, ftaying at croffes, &c. followed in the train of
parochial perambulation; which, in the days of papal
England, was annexed to the duties of the Rogation-
week, and is ftill retained by the Injunctions of Queen
Elizabeth {A. D. mdlix).
But I do not flnd that any fuch revelries as thofe of

( ' ) It was cuftomary heretofore for the inhabitants of pariflies fubject
to a cathedral or other mother church to go in proceffion to the fame at
Pentecoft, in token of fubjection, with croffes, banners, oblations, &c.
To this ancient ufage of repairing to the matrix ecclefia of the tieanr|i
of Pageham at Whitfuntide, the archiepifcopal monition in the ^ppenOii,
addreffed to the Dean, rectors, vicars, capellanes, and inhabitants at large
of the Deanrg of Pageham in Suffex, relates. See Chichefter Documents.
Dr. Thoroton notices, that it was a cuftom fanctioned by Pope Alexan
der III. for the clergy and laity of the county of Nottingham to come,
at the feaft of Pentecoft, to the church of Southwell, with folemn pro-
ceffion : — that a fynod was there held ; and that the chrifima brought by
the Deans of tje countrg from the church of York, was thence diftributed
through the other churches.
In the Inquifitions of the archdeacon of Lincoln A.D. mccxxii. it is
inquired " 30. An alicubi leventur arietes, vel fiant ficottali, vel decer-
tetur in prceeundo cum vexillo matricis ecclefice ? "

S. V. C.VI.] Superbision of tj&e ©lergg.— Spiritual iWinlstrattons. 299

the diocefe of Cologne above cited, though they occurred
in an aggravated form in the Rogation-days of Arch- 'caiMKlfn.
biffiop Cuthbert, as early as J.Z). dccxlvii, and probably: ^"'-'p-^^-
continued, more or lefs, in our infular rural procefiions
of a later date, are recorded as meet for Uecanal or i
archidiaconal correction in the councils of Great Britain.
The abufes ¦* noticed by Biffiop Gibfon were the ufual
ceremonies and abfurdities of the day. See Van Efpen
De Circumgefiatione et Expofitione Eucharifiice, I. E. U.
Part. II. Tit. iv. cap. v.

(') "Thefe perambulations (though of great ufe, in order to preferve
the bounds of pariflies) were, in the times of popery," fays Gibfon,
" accompanied with two great abufes ; viz. with feaftings, and with
fuperftition ; being performed, in the nature^ of proceffions, with ban
ners, hand-bells, lights, ftaying at croffes, &c. And therefore, when pro
ceffions were forbidden, the ufeful and innocent part of perambulations
was retained." See Sparrow's Collection, p. 68.

Gibfon's Codex
I. E A. Tit. IX.
cap. XIII. Vol. I.
p. 213.

300

personal ^Functions.

[Part IV.

CHAPTER VIL
The Authority of HeanS Mural in supporting Church-Discipline,
AND supervising THE EXTERNALS OF ReLIGION GENERALLY.

HE converfation and minifiration of the clergy
flniffied, proceed we next to illuftrate with a
few felections from fynodal inftitutes, at home
^ and abroad, the authority and jurifdiction of
our local orUinartes in fupporting the externals of religion
generally ; — viz. in enforcing the refidence of the paro
chial clergy on thdr cures, — in the regifiration of bene-
flces and beneficiaries, of curates and curacies, — in the
rejection of unlicenfied minifters, the fions of clergymen and
illegitimates (unlefs fpecially protected by papal difpen
fation) from all ofijice and benefice, — in the guardianjhip of
the church's temporalities during vacancy and fiequefiration,
— in the fiufientation of the _^6nc of the church, the manfe,
and all other ecclefiafiical buildings, — in the due keeping
of church-yards, and the reconciliation of the fame when
defecrated and prophaned, — in the bleffing and baptizing
of bells, — in the care oi furniture and ornaments dedicated
to divine worfhip, — 'in the difiribution of chrifm and oil,
and the general fuperintendence of all matters and
tilings connected with fiacraments and fiacramentals, and
particularly with confefiion and penance.

S. V. C. VII. § L] 5uperbision of tje &ht^y:.—J^ei,itstmt.

301

§1-
RESIDENCE OF THE PAROCHIAL CLERGY ON THEIR CURES.
Himfelf perfonally refident within his arcSipresbgterale,
Uecanate, or plebanate, (for he could not be promoted to
the fpiritual headffiip of the diftrict, unlefs he had an
ecclefiaftical benefice of fome kind within it,) the arcfi-
priest, Uean, or pleban, was bound to fee that every
incumbent refided on his benefice within the jurifdiction,
and neglected not the fabric of his church, the duties of
reading, preaching, and miniftering therein, and the
general care of the fouls committed to his paftoral charge.
All delinquents he was to prefent to the diocefan. The
Precepts delivered {A.D. mccxlv.) to the Ueans of the
diocefe of Rouen by the archbiffiop, enact — Ut finguli
Uecant dent nobis in fcriptis nomina eorum qui non refident
in ecclefiis, tam facerdotum quam aliorum: item nomina
ecclefiarum eorum qui non refident in ecclefiis fiuis &c."
The Synodal Statutes of the biffiop of Liege {A.D.
MCCLXXXVII.) can. xxi. bid the Ueans — " Quod ipfi diU
genter inquirant nomina et numerum ecclefiarum in quibus
invefiiti perfionaliter non defierviunt, et nobis fieu ofiUdali
nofiro remittant." The council of Cologne {A.D. mccc),
addreffing the fame officers, fays — " Vobis Uecanis ®5rts-
ttanitatum committimus et mandamus quatenus nomina
illorum qui in vefiris Uccanatibus hujufimodi ecclefias occu
pant, et nomina pafiorum non refidentium perfionaliter, in
ficriptis nobis intra menfem pofi prcefentem diem tradatis, ut
hujufimodi negligentiam et defectum de prcelatorum nofirorum
confilio reformemus ; et id ipfum in qudlibetfynodo volumus
obfervari," on pain of excommunication : — "the fitteft and

Cmfl. Wigorn.
CC M. B. et H.
Vol.1 p. 571.
A Humble Pro-
pofal &c. chap.
xin. p. 73.

CC. Rotomag.
Prot).P.ii.p.79.

Thef. Anecdot.
Tom.IV. c.859.

SS. CC. Tom.
XIV. col. 1280.

302

personal jFunctions.

[Part IV.

A Humble Pro-
pofal &c. chap.
XIII. p. 73.

Stat. Synod.
Dicec Audomar,
Tit. XVI. cap. III.
p. 70.

Tit. XVII. c. III.
p. 77.

StatutaSynodal.
Dioec. Antverp.
p. 233.

I fureft means," obferves the author of Parochial Reforma
tion, in his annotation upon this canon, " to oblige men
to their duty, and to out a drone from profaning his
profeffion." "In hoc advigilent Uecant," writes the fynod of Saint
Omer {A.D. mdlxxxiii. — mdcxl.), " ut pafiores in prcedi
catione verbi n^i, fiacramentorum adminifiratione et in omni
functione pafioralis officii fui, rectk. diligenthque verfiem
tur;" — duties which paftors cannot by any means per
form, unlefs refidentiary : — wherefore the fynod decrees,
that no paftor be abfent from his parochial charge beyond
five days, " n^ifi de licentid fui Uecanf in ficriptis obtenta."
And the fynod of Antwerp (^.Z). mdlxxvi.) enacts, that
no miniftering paftor, regiftered as fuch, be ahfient from
his cure for eight fucceffive days, " ahfque Uecant fiui
ruralis confienfiu." See alfo Decreta Synodi Dioecefi. Antverp.
{A. D. mdcx.) p. 336. and Synod. Statuta Dioecefi. Yprenf
{A.D. MDCXXIX.) Tit. I. p. 283.
i Yet farther to enforce clerical refidence, the feventy-
'¦ ninth canon of the Andent Statutes of the church of
; Autun, and the ninth of the Synodal Statutes of Bayeux
; {A.D. mccc), empower rural arc^presfigters to feize the
benefices of non-refident incumbents, and to hold the
profits thereof during the biffiop's pleafure ; — non-com
pliance on the part of the officers being fubfequently
threatened with excommunication. By the former coun
cil, again, it is decreed, that if the churches of the
different arcSipresigterates within the diocefe of Autun
be not duly repaired, the arcjbprtests ffiall fequefter the
emoluments thereof; and for their trouble in fo doing,
the fynods of Saint Omer {A.D. mdlxxxiii. and mdcxl.),
grant them a fair remuneration — "jufiam mercedem'.'

Thef. Anecdot.
Tom.IV. col.476.
& col. 494.
Cone. Rotomag.
Prov. P. II.
p. 238.

col. 495.

Decret. Synod.
Dicec. Audomar.
Tit. XX. c. V.

S. V. C. VII. § 1.] Superblsion of tj&e &hx^^.—^ti,ineiMe.

303

cc. Rtitomag.
Prov. P. II.
p. 107.

But by the "Injunctiones ad iiecanos " of the diocefe of
Rouen {A. D. mdvi.), it is very properly forbidden them
to fequefter without juft reafon — "Nefine caufid arrefient
fructus beneficiorum fuh prcetextu reparationum minime fac-
tarum, aut altera qudvis occafione: quod tamen facere eis
injungitur habita caufd legitimd."
In cafes of non-relidence by licence of the biffiop, the Decret. Dicecefis
^ '' .... . - Gandavenf.
facellani of the fee of Ghent were to exhibit to the rural Tit. xvi. ex. xi.
arcSprtests their licences; and, at the lame time, an;
atteftation, with each licence, of the maffes having been I
canonically performed, and the charges upon the bene- |
fices duly paid. The officiating curates, likewife, are
annually to lay before thefe officers their letters of ap
pointment, in order to their being tranfmitted to the
biffiop for renewal.
The refidence of Ueans rural in their Ueanries is not
barely prefcribed by the council of Rheims {A. D. mdlxiv.),
but their active duties, as vigilant infpectors of the dif
trict clergy, in enforcing holinefs of life, affiduity in their
calling, attention to the repairs, and decent furniture of
their churches, &c., are circumftantially detailed : — " Quo
meliUs omnia quce ad archiepifcopatus nofiri curam pertinent,
refidre pofiint, et omnium clericorum negligentia; et peccatis
occurrere Uecant rurales in fud afiidui maneant ac vigilent
fpeculd, &G. (Statut. XVIII.)— And again : "Archidiaconi et
Uecant rurales fcepe moneant clericos et potifiimiim curatos, \
pid vivere et orationibus infiare, hortarique gregem fuum ad
poenitentiam et vitam emendandam, ac reparandas parochiales
ecclefias, quas peccatis cleri et populi ita merentihus deus ,
permifit pollui et devafiari: fed in reparatione follicitudo d
curatis ipfis prcefientibus adhiheatur, ut nihil inordinatum aut
prcepofiere et tumultuarie accommodatum, nihil prophanum.

ss. cc. Tom.
XX. col. 1298.

L

304

Personal ^Functions.

[Part IV.

ss cc. Tom.
XXI. col. 592.
Van Efpen
/. E U. P. I.
Tit. VI. cap. II.
pp. 29, 30.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol IV. p. 146.

Parochial Anti
quities, Vol. II.
p. 361.

nihilque inhonefium appareat, dim domum dei deceat fanc-
titudo." Laftly, the council of Malines {A.D. mdlxx.), — "Be
iBecanis ®1bristtanttatum"&c. cap.ii. writes on the fame
I point: — "Cum eadern, fit ratio de pafioribus et arcfiipres-
'\i^tm%,fieu Uecanis ruraltlius, qui et ipfe pafiores pafiorum
funt, et eorum officium in obfervatione morum, tam pafiorum,
quam laicorum fui difirictiis confifiat; fiatuit hcec fynodus,
ut ficuti pafiores in fuis parochialihus, ita omnes arcjlipres-
figterf, feu ©ftrtstianitatum Uecant in fuorum Uecanatuum
Umitihus ad perfonalem refidentiam compellantur."
And, in our own country. Cardinal Pole, in his Glmjh
cefier Injunctions {A.D. mdlvi.), "Touchinge the Clergie"
can. XIV. enacts, '^ That every Ueane ffiall fignifle unto his
ordinarie, onfe every quarter, at the leaft, the names of
all fuche parfons, or vicars, as are non-refidente upon
their benefices " &c. '

§2.
REGISTRATION OF THE CLERGY, &C.
Biffiop Kennett quotes the council of London {A.D.
mcccxlii. — meaning the Confiitutiones Provinciates of
Archbiffiop Stratford {CC.M.B. et H. Vol. ii. p. 696.)—
the Extravagants of the fame prelate of Johnfon's Eccl.
I Laws &c. MCCCXLII. — as authority for the ftatement of
i his Parochial Antiquities, Vol. ii. p. 361, that " sKural
[ Ueans were to keep a regifier of all priefts and other
clerks, who officiated within their jurifdiction ; and were
to take one penny, and no more, for inferting each

S. V. C. VII. § 2.] SuperblBiott of tje ©lerga-— 3*«SiStratiott.

305

See Bingham,
0. E. B. V. c. V.
8.10. Matricula.

name m the faid regifier. The canon m queftion, : cc.m. 5. e*//.
1 1 , • V. r 1 ? Vol.II. p.*!
however, does not mention Ueans rural as being em
ployed in inferting the names of the mafs-priefts or other
officiating minifters (fuch, that is, in Johnfon's glofs, as
neither had infiitution nor licence to ferve the cure from
the biffiops) in the matricula ; and therefore, if the canon
"Ne infiituti in beneficiis, vel ad fiacros ordines promoti
indebit^ pro fuis Uteris prcegraventurf extend to rural
Ueans, as it probably may, they are included under the
general title of ordinaries, and as fuch are bade to re
gifier the names of the particular priefts alluded to, at
their firft admiffion to celebrate divine offices, for the
fum of one penny, and no more, on pain of fufpenfion.
Whether underftood, or not, in the above conftitution
rural Ueans were, undoubtedly, commiffioned by Arch
biffiop Peckham to far more extenfive regifirarial duties
in the firft canon of his Reading council (J.i). mcclxxix.),
" De infiitutionibus et defiitutionibus," addreffed to his
fuffragans: — "That we may have notice of benefices
becoming vacant," fays the archbiffiop in Mr. Johnfon's
verflon of the canon, "we enjoin and command you,
my deareft brethren, in virtue of obedience, that by
yourfelves, your officials, archdeacons, or Ueans', ye
caufe to be written down the names and numbers of
churches, and rectors, with their names and flrnames ;
fo that a true account may be had of the perfons, and
the time of their collations, by what title they hold them,
whether by inftitution or commendam, of what age the

Ejii/d. p. 33.
Johnfon's
Eccl. Laws,
MCCLXXIX.

(') See the Inftructions to the DeattS rural of the diocefe of Lichtield
and Coventry (J.D. mcclvi. — MccLvii.),/ede vacani£,— Annates Momtjt.
Burton, p. 370.— (Editor.)

306

l^ersonal iFfttCtionS.

[Part IV.

Paroch. Antiq.
Vol. II. p. 361.

Decret. Synod.
Dioec.Audomar.Tit. XX. c. II.
p. 96. cm. p. 97.

rectors, who are incumbents thereof, in what order;
whether beneflced in more than one church; whether
difpenfed with for plurality ; who are their patrons, and
what their names ; of what value every church is, ac
cording to the Norwich Taxation: — and let the biffiop
of every diocefe tranfmit infiruments clearly ftating all
thefe particulars to us in the city of London on the
octaves of Saint Hilary, &c. &c," The object of which
inqueft, according to Biffiop Kennett, was to prevent
litigious fuits for the title of beneflces ; and it was per
formed, he fays, by Ueans rural, in the character of offi
cials of the biffiop.
On the continent, at a much later date, the like duty
of regifiration of beneflces and beneficiaries was impofed
on our eccleflaftical officers by the Decreta of the fynods
of Saint Omer {A. D. mdlxxxiii, — mdcxl.) — " Habeant
Uecant regifirum omnium benefidorum fiui difirictus cum
curd et fine curd qfcriptis nominihus poffefibrum et ubi
habitent: cum fpecificatione bonorum, reddituum, fiyharum,
pratorum, terrarum, et limitum ac terminorum, et onerum
annexorum quotannis exhibendum. Ejus verb regifiri co
piam authenticam ad nos mittant in epificopatus archivis
refervandam." The beneflciaries were obliged to render
accurate and minute accounts of their beneflces, coun-
terflgned by the local magiftrates, to the Ueans ; and the
latter again to the biffiop. To which purport all perfons,
who were inducted into church-livings, took an oath at
the time of their induction : and, if they did not fulfil
their pledge within a year, they were liable to be cited
before the biffiop's court, and puniffied for perjury ; the
proflts of the beneflce being, at the fame time, put
under fequeftratlon.

S. V. C. VII. § 2.] SuperbiSion of tje ©lerga.— Megistration.

307

Laftly — The Ueans rural of the diocefe of Rouen are ss Rotomag.
charged in the Synodal Mandates of the year mdcxl vii, ' p. 143. can. n.
" Ut finguli omnium capellarum fiuorum Uecanatuum titulos,
quaUtatem, fiatum, valorem, et onera, una cum titularium
et patronorum nominihus, in tahulis accurate deficrihant,
earumque exempla intra proximam fynodum apud acta Can-
cellarice ArchiepificopaUs perf erant, aut tranfmittant f &c.

§3.

prohibition OF UNLICENSED MINISTERS.

The Uean's duties, let me add, ceafed not with enforcing
the refidence of the duly-inftituted clergy, and regifiering ¦,
them and other officiating minifters in the public matri- ^
cula of the Ueanrg : he was alfo to fupport the prohibitions j
of the church againft unlicenfied and vagrant minifters, j
and not to allow them to celebrate within the limits of |
his authority.
" Ne aliquis Uecanus presbyteros extra dioecefim Leo- Th^aur.Amcd^
dienfiem ab alienis quihuficunque epifcopis ordinatos permit
tant infiuis Uecanattbus celebrare, nifi per literas nofiras eis \
ofienderint ipfos fiuper hoc licentiates, et tunc eos licentice
conceffce terminos excedere non permittant." (Can. xxii.)
Again — " Sacellanus nullus admittatur," writes the fynod
of Saint Omer (A.D. mdlxxxiii. — mdcxl.), "nifi a nobis
prohatus et admiffus. Is etiam literds admifiionis a nobis
factce Uecano difirictus illius exhiheat, qui eas vidi fefe, et
examind fie fcripto tefiabitur : nee nifi ejufmodi ^ttmi fcripto
vfi), et profefiione fidei emifd, prcefumant pad ores eum
redpere." x2

Decret. Synodi
Dioec. Audomar.
Tit. XVIII. c. IIL
p. 86.

308

33erSonal ^Functions.

[Part IV.

Decret. Synodal.
Arch. Colon.
Tit. V. c. V.
{A.D.MKCLKII.)

Statut. Synodi
Bn/genfis, p. 18.
A.D. MDLXXI.

Ch.ap. XIII. p. 73.

SS CC. Tom.
XIV. col. 1280.

See alfo Decret.
Synod. Colon.
'i'it. V. cap. VI.
{A.D.MDChXU.)

Again — " Summo fiudio advigilent Uecanf rurales ne quis
facerdos Sfc. in beneficium aliquod par ochiale, fieu curatum
vel exercitium curce animarum .... fiefe intrudat, abfque
prcevio examine, et legitimd approbatione:" — and if anv
fuch unexamined and unapproved prieft dared to in
trude himfelf by force, he was to be made over to the
j fecular power.
If the clergy allowed any of the religious, within the
diocefe of Bruges, to preach, or hear confefiion, without
flrft exhibiting their letters of licence before the local
Ueans of ©firistianttg, they incurred a flne oixnlibrcehr
every fuch offence.
" All vain and wandering priefts," writes the namelefs
author of yl Humble Propofal for Parochial Reformation hy
Rural Deans and Chapters, " whofe flns made them inca
pable of ftaying long in any place, through their great
expences and little deferts," {"utpote apofiatce, difcur-
fores, et vagi de aliis provindis," &c.) " were to be taken
and examined by the Uean, if they came within his
Ueanrg, both concerning their orders, and the reafon of
their vagrancy, that they might be returned to the
places of their charge, or depofed according to the
canons." Such interference took place on the authority of the
council of Cologne {A.D. mccc); which farther adds, that
thefe clerical wanderers might be admitted to the per
formance of minifterial functions, on the Uean's being
fatisfled of the authenticity of their letters of orders,
and their general fltnefs— " tiinc demiim admittantur tales,
dim in his inventi fuerint idonei &c." (Can. in.)— -But if
they were found, on examination, to be without tefii
j monials, from their own biffiop, of being canonically

S. V. C. VII. § 3.] Superbision of ©lergg.— SSnlicenSeD iWinisterS.

309

cc. Rotomag.
Prov. P. II.

SS. cc. Tom.
XIX. col. 1302.

ordained and lawfully difmiffed^ from their paft cures,
they were inadmiffible to any church, or duty of the
priefthood. Whoever ventured to employ any fuch
perfon, merely " dicentem fie presbyterumf as a curate or
chaplain, incurred the penalty of excommunication;
unlefs he again difcharged him within fix days after
notice duly ferved upon him by the Uean. The fynod
of Conftance (^.D. mcccclxxxi.), in a canon expreffiy |pp-57o, 57 1.
^ ^' _ r J \ Synod. Conftant.
directed " contra presbyteros fe facientes promoveri abfque j
litteris dimi fibrils," goes yet farther, and fanctions, by
its authority, the actual imprifonment of fuch daring
offenders againft church-difcipline.
At a later date, the council of Augsburg {A.D. mdxlviii.)
authorifes Ueans rural to cite before them all fuch
fufpected characters at their rural chapters, to demand
the formal exhibition in court of their letters of orders,
and their title to the eccleflaftical beneflce to which
they laid claim ; and then to report thereon to the
diocefan. The collected Statutes of the diocefe of Avranches
{A.D. mdl.), charge the Ueans — " Ut presbyteros peregrines
ad celebrandum nullateniis admitti finant, nifi pofi lapfum
octo dierum doceant de fuis litteris : mirms verb ad confef-
fiones audiendas recipiant. Ufium confefiionalium nfi ab
offidariis nofiris probatorum minime admittant, et utentes
denuncient. Si quemfdverint injufio titulo alicujus heneficii
fructibus gaudere, confefiim revelent, &g." To the like

(') See a form oi " Literis DimiJ/oricB conceffk clerica cupientife ab
und dioecefi in aliam transferre," in Gibfon's Appendix, Cad. I. E. A.
Tom.II. § III. p. 1443. xiv.

SS. Rotomag.
Prov. P.II.
p. 290.
Synodi Ahrin-
cenfes.

310

personal functions.

[Part IV.

Decreta Antiq.
Synod. Camerac.
pp. 110,111.

p. 130.

purpofe fpeaks the fynod of Cambray of the fame year,
in the canon, "De non habentibus curam animarum^."

Van Efpen
I.E.U. P.II.
T.x. cm.
p. 362.

Martene, Thef.
Tom. IV. c. 858.

SS. Rotomag.
Prov. P.II.

§4.
PROHIBITION OF ILLEGITIMATES UNPROTECTED BY PAPAL DISPENSATION.
It being contrary to the canon law that the fons of
i clergymen, or illegitimates, ffiould fucceed to eccleflaftical
I beneflces without the fpecial permiffion of the fee of
, Rome, or to whom the Pope granted the power of dif-
; penflng with " irregularitas ex defectu natalitium," as it
: was denominated by the canonifts — we find the following
1 precept to Ueans rural of the diocefe of Liege in the Syn
odal Statutes of that fee {A.D. mcclxxxvii.) — "Prcecipimus
Uecanis ruralibus, quod infiuis Uecanatibus inquirant utriim
aliqui filii facerdotum vel illegitimi nati obtinent aliqua

(') The following mandates appear in the Rouen Provincial Synods;
and are here admitted, as bearing upon this part of Oecanal duties : —
I II. " Mandata mi/fionum pro temporibus adventus et quadragefimcB
[disjunctim dabuntur ; et arcjipresbsteriyew iJecani rurales necnon rec-
' tores ecclefiarum parochialium prohibentur admittere quemlibet condo-
; natorem temporibus quadragefimcB, nifi ad hunc effectum fiecum fercd
j mandatum particulare, quo conflet rationem villicatianis fuce pro ad-
ventu fiedi archiepificopali reddidiffe." (Mandata Arch. Rotomag. &c.
MDCXXXVIII.) IV. " 9lrcj&ipresbgtcrt fieu Decani rurales providebunt ne quis concio-
natar quadragefimcB temporibus recipiatur, qui nan promiferit fefe ibi
dem per actavas facrofancti facramenti, et ciffumptianis beatiffimce
Marice Virginis, in honorem voti regii et canfecrationis regni, verbum
DEI prcedicaturum. Laid autem votis nqftris per opera caritatis obfe-
cundare nan recufent."

S. V. C. VII. §4.] Superbision of t{(e ©lergg — Illegitimates.

311

beneficia ecclefiafiica fine dfpenfiatione fiedis apofiolicce: quos
fi invenerint, nuncient patronis beneficiorum, quod ipfa bene
ficia conferant perfonis idoneis, et nomina talium fuperiori
fiuo fiub poena excommunicationis remittant." Can. xii.
This law applied to "illegitime nati," both laical and
clerical: and, the learned Thomaffin thinks, no diffe
rence was made in reference to the latter, whether born
in or out of wedlock, as long as they were " in fiacerdotio
geniti." Extra, de filiis presby t. g.xiy. Loop-holes, how
ever, there were, by which to efcape this irregularity ^
" ex defectu natalitium:" — fee a form of difpenfation "pro
illegitimi nato, ut pofiit obtinere dignitatem aut beneficium,"
in Gibfon's Appendix, Tom. ii. p. 1340. § in. Art. iv.
In a canon of inftructions to archdeacons and Ueans
rural of the fore-mentioned diocefe of Liege, the attention

( ' ) This natal or natalitious defect does not appear to have been an
infurmountable bar to promotion in our own fee, though the inftances
of fuch irregularity were numerous. There was no limit to the papal
power of difpenfation in adjufting thefe difqualifications and putting
matters to rights ; — as the foUovping anecdote proves, refpecting the elec
tion of Richard Bingham to the vacant fee of Sarum. Forty-one canons
and prebendaries were prefent at the preliminary meeting, by themfelves
or proctors ; being authorifed to proceed to the election of one of their
body to fill the vacant epifcopal throne. But of this number, there were
fome, fays the regifter, " qui non poterant eligi, eo quod non effent de
legitima matrimanio, utpote OecanuS efiifdem ecclefia, et quidam alii.
Aliqui tamen eorum dicebant fe effe munitos fuper hoc per indulgentiam
apoflalicam, veluti mag. W. de Merton, archidiaconus Berkfir. mag. de
Chabbehxmi, fiubdecanus Sarum, quorum uterque protulit indulgentiam
apoflalicam, cum tali tamen adjectione : ' Ita tamen quod fi ad epifco-
patum vocatus fueris, ilium fine licentia noQ,x^ fipeciali nullo modo re-
cipias.'  Alii vero cortfitebantur defectum natalium fuorum, nul
lam peniths habentes fiuper hoc indulgentiam." Thefe indulgences, it is
noticed, were all of the pontificate of Gregory IX.

2Sct«§ i)!cs)i§=
ti'uni Soncti
DSimint)!. penes
Epifcop. Saram.

312

Personal dFunctionS.

[Part IV.

Stillingfleet's
Ecclef. Cafes,
Vol. I. p. 358.
Johnfon's An
cient Sf Prefent
Church of Eng
land, P. I. c. IX.
p. 76. ex. p. 107.

of thefe officers is particularly directed to a fecond irre
gularity, which incapacitated a clergyman for holding a
beneflce ; namely^ where he was the fon of the imme
diately preceding incumbent: — "Nullus filius facerdotis
obtineat beneficium," fays the canon referred to, "in quo
pater fiuus immediati defiervivit." Such a clerk was iMegi-^
timatized by the canon law of Weftern Europe ; but not
in England. Though the rule was entered in our pro
vincial conftitutions — (fee CC. M. B. et H. Vol. i. p. 474.
A.D. MCLXXIII.), ftill it is generally held, the biffiop of
[Worcefter fays, that it was never received here; and
j therefore we find no inftructions to Ueans rural on the
! fubject, in the councils of Great Britain and Ireland'.
Bafiardy, however, without difpenfation, was always a
juft objection to a prefented clerk. See Thomaffin V. et
N. E. D. Tom. ii. P. ii. L. i. c. lxxxiv. p. 251. vi. feqq.

aSctuS iScgiS-
tcum ©nncti
DSmunDt, i
fol. 105. t
Presbyteri et \
Diaconi uxorali. I

(') There were two reafons for the law " Ne filius fiuccedat patri:"
one was, to difcourage the marriage of priefts (fee Confi. Dom. Othon.
innotuit) ; the other, that benefices fliould not become hereditary. (See
Conft. Peckham. A. B. Prov. L. i. Tit. vin.) " They are certainly mif
taken," fays Mr. Johnfon, "who fuppofe that all the children of clergy
men, in times of popery, were illegitimate, and would have this to be
the reafon of the canon. A prieft might have children before he entered
into any orders ; that is, while he was oftiary, acolyth, or exorcift." See
Mr. Whitaker's Hiflory of Manchefier, Vol. ii. B. ii. c. xii. § ii. p. 460.
In the Inquifitia de terra de PFokingham, per Adam de Ivelceftre,
(A.D. Mccxv. — Mccxxv.), Decanum Sarum, there are feveral examples
of priefts and deacons, fathers and fons, being married and holding
benefices fucceffively within the diocefe of Salisbury.

S. V. C. VII. § 5.] ^uperbision of tje ©lergg.- Sequestration, &C.

313

§5.
GUARDIANSHIP OF THE TEMPORALITIES OF THE CHDRCH DURING
VACANCY AND SEQUESTRATION.
As the legitimate guardians of the church's tempora
lities in country diftricts, it has been incidentally ffiewn,
in a former part of thefe notes, that Ueans rural (there
called artSpresbgters) were canonically commiffioned, as
early as the ninth century, to the confervation of the
property of the vacant tituli of their arcfitpresbgterates.
True indeed it is, that, in the canon referred to, their
honefty in the office of collecting ecclefiaftical fruits is
more than queftionable ; — they are charged with the
appropriation of the produce and revenue of other
churches to their own ufe; — an iniquitous breach of
truft condemned by the Pavian council {A.D. dccclv.) —
" Tollenda efi prava omnino confuetudo, quce in nonnulUs
lods oriri ccepit: quid nonnulli arcjbtpresbgteri, vel aliorum
titulorum cufiodes, fruges, vel aliarum ecclefiarum reditus,
ad proprias domos abducunt &c." — inflnuating, with too
much feeming truth, that fuch abduction looked more
like robbery, than protection of church property.
But whatever lack of honeft ftewardffiip our Pavian
officers may have ffiewn in the cafes reprobated by the
cited council, it was ufual, there and elfewhere, upon the
vacancy of any church, for the Ueans to have the cufiody
of it ; that is, fays Mr. Somner in fpecial relation to our
infular church-ufages, " to collect the fruits, and get the
cure fupplied, in the name and ftead of the archdeacon,
during the church's widowhood: and to that end the
Uean had the church-door key delivered to him ; which,
upon his induction of the new incumbent, to put him

See Part ill.
§1. p.ll4.

ThomaffiD. V. et
N.E.D. Tom.I.
P. I. L.II. c.v.
p. 226.

Antiquities of
Canterbury,
Parti. p. 176.

314

personal dFtinctionS.

[Part IV.

Parochial Anti
quities, Vol. II.
p. 361.
P'ideaux on
Churchwardens,
pp. 173, feqq.
9th edit.
cc.M.B.etH.
Vol. I. p. 675.

Vol. n. pp. 158.

cc. Rotomag.
Prov.P.II.^.5G5.
Synod. Con-
ftantienfes.

in poffeffion of the church, he ufed to deliver again to
him, according to the manner of giving corporal pof
feffion, in thofe elder times obferved."
Not only did they gather the fruits of the vacant
beneflce in truft for the future incumbent, but they alfo
took care that the glebe lands were feafonably tilled, and
fown to the beft advantage ; — (duties now performed by
churchwardens) — looking for recompence to him in
whofe behalf they acted as trufiees and guardians of the
benefice, viz. the future incumbent : — " Terrce ecclefia
rum vacantium incultce non jaceant, fed per Uecanum loct
excolantur, ab eo, qui fructus receperit, fumptibus refiun-
dendis, vel pro parte fructuum tradantur aliis excolendce,
IBecani, qui circa hoc negligentes extiterint, puniantur." —
To which Worcefter conftitution " De terris defunctorum
incultis " {A.D. mccxl.) — the flfty-flrft of the fynod of
Exeter {A.D. mcclxxxvii.) adds, — If the Uean and fu
ture incumbent cannot agree on the point of remune
ration, any difpute thereupon ffiall be fettled by the
ordinary. In the province of Rouen, it was cuftomary for the
Uean of the diftrict to accompany the farmer of the
vacant beneflce, and conjointly with him infpect its
condition at the commencement of the term of his lay-
tenancy ; fo that the farmer might be obliged to give it
up in the fame condition at the expiration of his term : —
" Cum vacahit aliqua ecclefia f the fynod of Conftance
{A.D. McccLxxv.) enacts, " accedant ad locum Uecani cum
firmario, et videant in quo fiatu ecclefiam fiufidpiet firma-
rius, ut ita ceque bono fiatu in fine termini fiui eam dimit-
tere teneatur : "—a very judicious law in cafe of litigated
right of prefentation, or where a beneflce is neceffarily,

S. V. C. VII. § 5.] Superbisiott of t]&e ©lergg.— Sequestration, iict.

315

from any caufe whatever, long vacant, and liable to
deterioration from laical mifmanagement.
In fome diocefes, heretofore, it was ufual for the
entire profits of vacant benefices to accrue to the biffiops.
In others, the diocefans had certain referved rights,
which were managed and accounted for by the local
ordinaries, the Ueans rural, as cufiodes of the church's
temporalities during vacancy.
In the diocefe of Melun {A.D. mcci.) it was decided by
Innocent III. in perfon (during a long-pending conteft
on the appointment of Ueans rural — whether vefted de
jure in the biffiop alone, or in the biffiop and archdeacon
— and decided by the Pope in favour of the biffiop,) that
"per Uecanos rurales fuccurfus debeat ecclefiarum vacantium
procurari;"' — the biffiop receiving two parts of the crops,
oblations, &c. as his fuccurfius (fecours) or deportus, and
the archdeacon one part, during vacancy.
In the extenfive diocefe of Poictiers, the archdeacons
and arc^prtests were allowed by the fynod of A.D.
MCCLXXX, their portions, entitled quarentence, out of the
produce of vacant beneflces — that is, the fortieth part of
the income of each; — the whole of the refidue being
paid to the biffiop, as his deportus'^. If they detained
more than their lawful ffiare, even though the fee were
vacant, they were to refund it within a month: — and
the fame protection of epifcopal rights extended to the

(') "Si contigerit deportus nofiros fieu rectores vel curatos, ecclefias
adjirmam laicis tradere; nullo modo permittant Decani dictos laicos fie
intromittere de iis qum pertinent altari, autfiare juxta illud pro obla-
tionibus recipiendis, fied omnia fipiritualia, qucBCumque fimt, per presby
teros idoneos, a nobis approbatos, difponentur honefie."

Ex Chart. Eccl.
Meldenf. inApp.
ad Theodor.
Parnji.p. 721.
See Carpentier
Append, ad
T)acang. Gloffar,

Thomaffin. F.et
N.E.D.Tom.ui.
P. m. L. II.
c.xxxvii. p.395.
IV. See Dneang.
Gloff. T. II.
col. 772. in v.
deportus.

CC. Rotomag.
Prov. P.II.
p. 565.
Synod. Confian-
tienfes, A.D.
MCCCLXXV.

316

i^ersonal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

Gloffar. Tom. ii.
col. 742.

Thef. Anecdot.
Tom. IV. c. 860.

Conft. Synodal
Epifcopatus
Attrebalenfis,A.D. MCCCCLV.

goods of inteftate beneflciaries : — " Monemus archidia^
conos et arcSfpresigteros, ut quidquid de proventibus eccle
fiarum et aliorum beneficiorum vacantium, curam habentium
animarum annexam, ultra quarentenas fuas, fede vacante
perceperint, et alios qui de prcedictis aliquid hahuerint:
necnon omnes illos, qui de bonis facerdotum et clericorum
beneficiatorum intefiatorum aliquid hahuerint, fiede vacante,
nobis vel mandato nofiro refiituant infra menfem."
In their capacity of church-guardians, it was committed
to the Ueans by the Liege ftatutes {A.D. mcclxxxvii.), to
make inquifltion " de ecclefiis defalcatis " — that is, ac
cording to Ducange, of churches, the revenues of which
had been feized on plea of debt. The Ueans were to
profecute their inquiries, and report to the biffiop, " Quod
ecclefice funt defalcatce, et per quos et in quibus : et nos
omnes defalcationes ecclefiarum minus legitime factas revo-
camus, et prcecipimus fuh poend excommunicationis omnibus
qui bona ecclefiarum habent per defalcationem miniis legi
time factam, quod ea ecclefiis a quibus funt defalcata refii
tuant &c. &c."
The perfons and goods of clergymen being exempt
from feizure "per laicalem jufiitiam," within the diocefe
of Arras, the UeaUjS were authorifed, by a conftitution of
that fee {A. D. mcccclv.), to interfere for their immediate
liberation and reftitution, on pain of excommunication.
Nay more — if the freedom of an arrefted clerk, whether
for debt or other civil offence, was not immediately
ceded to the Uean rural on application, the council of
Compeigne enacted {A.D. mcci.), that divine fervice
ffiould be fufpended in the pariffi of his capture, or
prefent detention, and continue fo fufpended, until fuch
time as he was reftored to full liberty, at the place where

S. V. C. VII. 1 5.] Superbision of tJie ©lergg.— ^cpestration, «rc.

317

he was flrft illegally arrefted. Again — by the council of
De Senlis {A.D. mcccxvii.) it was decreed, that if any
temporal lords, or their fervants, violated the church's
property by fpoliation, or unjuft occupation, their man-
flons ffiould be excluded from the church's protection?
and the occupiers deprived of all fpiritual miniftrations,
till full atonement was made : — to which things, the
Ueans, as defenders of eccleflaftical privileges and pro
perty, within their jurifdictions, were bound to attend by
the general refponflbility attached to their office and
ftation. In England, the beneflces of the clergy being liable to
fiequefiration, on other occafions than vacancy, one of
the moft frequent caufes of this procedure being en
forced againft a beneficiary was, and is, infolvency.
It was not uncommon, of old, for the mandate iffued
from the epifcopal court, upon the king's writ to fatisfy
the debts of an incumbent, to be conflgned for execu
tion to the Uean rural; — there being, till the middle of
the fourteenth century, no lay-guardians, or church
wardens, eftabliffied among us, to fulfll that duty. —
Thus, White Kennett relates, that the rector of Am
brofden {A.D. mcccxvii.) being indebted to Peter Cofln,
merchant, in the sum of fifty-feven pounds, and, upon
profecution at law, being found to have no temporals
to fatisfy the faid debt, a precept was directed to the
bifliop of Lincoln to fiequefier his beneflce on default
of payment. The biffiop directed his orders to the
official of the archdeacon of Oxford, and the official
to the rural Uean of Burcefter, to execute the faid
precept. Indeed, it appears, that the whole of the minifterial

Parochial Anti
quities, Vol.1.
p. 537. Ex SK§.
Bibl. Bodl.
Digby, 154.

318

t^ersonal jFunctions.

[Part IV.

Stat. Synodi
Dicecef. Yprenf.
Tit. VII. cap. IX.

Statuti Synodi
Tornacenjis,pp. 56, 57.

arjs. stbbcnba,
Paroch. Antiq.
Vol. II. p. 351.

department of fiequefiration^ — whether, during the vaca
tion of a beneflce, for the fupply of the cure, the ma
nagement of the proflts, and fuftentation of the church
buildings, — or, during incumbency, for enforcing necef
fary repairs, (in case of non-compliance, on the part of
the beneflciary, after due admonition to amend defects)
— or, pendente lite, in inftances of difputed title, — ^or for
neglect of ferving the cure after inftitution and induction,
— or for debts, or any other cause, — was conflgned of
old to Ueans rural in England. Nor does it appear that
the Belgian ecclefiaftics of the fame name and title were
lefs concerned with the fiequefiration of beneflces at a
later period.
The fynod of Ypres {A.D. mdlxxvii.), touching upon
fome of the fpecifled reafons of fequeftratlon, decrees : —
"Si defunctorum cedificia non inveniantur in debitd repa
ratione confervata, aut defuncti decefferint multo cere alieno
gravati, curare debent Uecant, ut mobilia relicta fiatlm
fequefirentur ; inhihendo per edictum publicum i fuggefiu,
et, fi necefie fuerit, cum afiifientid hrachii fcecularis, ne qui
dehitores quidquam folvant hceredihus defunctorum abfque
caufce cognitione et nofiro confienfiu ; ut hdc vid tum cedificia
refiaurentur, tiim etiam creditoribus defunctorum abfque
difficultate pofiit fatisfieri."
Again — "Si beneficia pofiidentes fuorum beneficiorum
onera perfolvere neglexerint," fays the fynod of Tournay
{A.D. mdlxxiv.), "fructus omnes beneficiorum hujufmodi
per Uecanum arrefientur, donee de prcedictarum onerum
perfiolutione confiiterit."

(') "ISecanuS in fiio de cetera Itecamtu fit fine qudvis injiifid feviti
fequeftrator, Sfc." Ex registr. W. Wickwane Ebor.

S. V. C. VII. § 5.] Superbision of tje ©lergg.— Sequestration, &C.

319

"Bona etiam ecclefiarum, fieu beneficiorum per mortem
vel refignationem aut alias vacantium, fied et litigiofirum,
ac aliorum quorum pofieffores refidentiam non faciunt,
exceptis privilegiatis, qui de privilegio tempore debito fidem
habere tenentur, imo eorum quce rectores ob excommunica
tionis fententiam, vel commifium delictum adminifirare non
pofiunt, omniumque presbyterorum illegitimorum et aliorum ah
intefiato decedentium,fimili arrefio fuhjidmus, Uecanis nofiris
fierio injungentes, quatenits nomine nofiro hujufmodi beneficiis,
de fructibus eorundem, in divinis laudabiliter defervire
fadant, nee priiis manum ab arrefio levent, quam ficiverint
S^c. . . . quempiam idem beneficium pacifice pofiidere, Sfc."
And, that the Ueans might be remunerated for the
labours " quos ecclefice, pafioribus, et domibus eorum
mortuariis drca prcemiffa impendunt," it is farther enacted
by the fynod of Ypres {A.D. mdlxxvii,), that they ffiall
receive, according to ancient ufage, " a domo mortuarid
cujufque pafioris optimum inter relicta mobilia pignus " — •
a cuftom both just and reasonable in the estimation of
the fynod, and therefore renewed and confirmed, both
by it and by the fubfequent one of mdcix. — "Becant
enim," fays the latter, " et viventibus et morientihus omni
bus pafioribus ex cequo invigilant."
To enable Ueans rural readily, and without molefta-
tion, to fulfil the office of fiequefirators of church pro
perty, for whatfoever caufe alienated pro tempore, and
to convert it to the objects of the fiequefiration, the
following wary canon paffed the church of Offory in
Ireland ^^.D. mcccxx. (can. ix.) — " DifirictiUs inhihendo
prohibemus, ne aliquis rector, vicarius, procurator eorum,
nee firmarius ecclefiarum decimas fieu fructus ecclefiafiicos
extra folum ecclefice in laicum feodum colligere, deponere.

Stal.Yprenf.cap. ^.fuprct.

Tit. xvni. c. X.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol.n. p. 503.

3ao

ilersonal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

Ccefarea by
Falle & Morant,
Appendix ,^o.%.
pp. 207, 208.

fifiolum habent ecclefiafiieum, nee collect, in groffo vendere,
quominiis loct orUinarit poffint fructus fiuffidentes invenire
fiequefirandos, fi necefie fuerit, pro fufientatione defervien-
tium in iifidem in obfiequiis divinis, et omnibus eis incumien-
tibus indi levand. transferre prcefumat quovifmado, fiub poena
excommunicationis majoris &c."
With the regulation of fiequefirations, and other mat
ters connected with vacant benefices, in the iflands of
Jerfey and Guernfey, rural Ueans have ftill much con
cernment. The twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth canons
of the Confiitutions Ecclefiafiical thus speak: — "En cas
de vacance d'aucun benefice, fioit par mort ou autrement, le
Uogen donnera ordre prefentement que les fruits diceluy
benefice fioint sequefires, et que du provenu d iceux la cure
foitfupplee ; et aufify que la veuve ou heritiers du deffunjct
resolvent felon la proportion du temps de fon fiervice, fuivant
a I'ufiage de l'ifie,fiauf ce quiferoit neceffaire a deduire pour
les delapidations, s'il y en a ; et donnera terme convenable
a la veuve du deffunct defie pourvoir de domicile ; et bail-
lera ce qui f era de refidu au prachain incumhant, auquel le
sequefirataire en rendra compte." (25th) — " Snr la mefime
occafion de vacance d'aucun benefice, fi dans fix mois le
gouverneur ne prefente aucun au reverend pere en Dieu
Vevefque de Wincheftre, ou en cas de vacance de cefiege,
au trh-reverend pere en Dim Tarchevefique de Canterbury,
pour efire admis et infiitue. audit benefice, alors le Uogen
certifiera du temps de la vacance aux dits feigneurs evefque
ou archevefique, felon qu'il efcherra, a ce qu'ils ordonnent
pour la collation du benefice : et lors qu' aucun leurfera pre
fente, le Uogen donnera attefiation du comport et fiuffifance
de la partie, pour efire approve par iceux, devant que
d' efire admis actueUement par le Uogen en poffeffion du dit

S. V. C. VII. § 5.] Superblsion of t^e ©lergg.— Sepestration Src,

321

benefice." In the commiffion of the Uean of Guernfey |
the fame powers are conveyed. See " the Commifiion of \
the 19ean," in Berry's Guernsey, p. 263 ; and Winchester I
Documents, ^ppenUix. j
But with fiequefirations, here in England, rural arcfi- '
priests have no longer any thing to do. " The canon i
lawyers," fays Biffiop White Kennett, "foon deprived
the countrg Uf ans of this as well as all other parts of
jurifdiction. For the chancellors of the biffiop, or the ^ParocMai Ami
,, nip 11 equities. Vol. II.
archdeacons, laid claim to the cuftody ,ot vacant churches, jp. 362.
and, by forms of fiequefiration, affigned them over to the
oeconomi, or lay-guardians of the church." And yet it
were much to be wiffied, for the good of the church, that,
on all fuch occafions, the rural Uean of the diftrict, aided
by a neighbouring incumljent, were reftored to his an
cient capacity of infpecting and managing, as a truftee,
the profits of afequefiered benefice, and of fupplying or
providing for the cure ; and thereby " the damage as
well as uneafinefs too often occafioned to the clergy by
the neglect, unfaithfulnefs, or obftinacy of churchwar
dens" (in Gibfon's words), were remedied.
Whether it is competent to the biffiops to effect this
most defirable transfer of duties, without the authority
of Parliament or Convocation, I am unable to pro
nounce ; but the Convocation of mdccx. would have fo
reftored him. It was propofed as meet for confidera
tion, " whether rural Ueans ffiould not be firft nominated
in fiequefirations, and in all other commiffions to be
iffued from the biffiop or eccleflaftical court relating to
any perfons or matters within their refpective diftricts."
the fuggeftion, unfortunately, was never brought to bear
on the office : the whole meafure turned out abortive.

Codex I. E. A.
Tom. I. Tit.
xxxn. cap. ii.
p. 749.

VOL. I.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol. IV. p. 641.

322

personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

Bifliop Marfli's
Vijitation
Charge, July
Mncccxxiii.p.l9.

De Vifitationi
hus, cap. VII.
p. 127.

§6.
CARE OP ECCLESIASTICAL EDIFICES  CHURCH  MANSE  CHURCH-YARD
 CHURCH-UTENSILS, GOODS, AND ORNAMENTS  SACRAWENTS AND
SACRAMENTALS.
One of the moft ufeful branches of office belonging to
the Uean of CDfirtsttanttg — though not of equal antiquity
with fome already ftated in relation to perfons  is that
pertaining to the care and examination of the material
fabric of the church and ecclefiafiical buildings generally,
in order to their being properly fupported by the par
ties liable to their fuftentation ; — of which much has
been already faid in Part iv. S. ii. and S. v.
The perfional vifitation of thefe ftructures attaches
primarily to the epifcopal office i. But, as a minute
infpection of them and their contents is not only labo
rious, but almoft impracticable to the diocefan of an
extenflve diocefe in perfon, it is more ufual, and generally
more advifable, to delegate the duty to others— to arch
deacons and rural Ueans. To the former however, ft
muft be allowed, the buflnefs of parochial vifitation in
detail is often nearly as difficult as to the biffiop:
whence it has come to pafs, that, by devolution, in fome
diocefes (in many, archdeacons do vifit parochially), it
has fallen to the Ueans ; who are fo diftributed through

(') Confidering how greatly the difcipline of the church is defeated by
exemptions from epifcopal vifitation and jurifdiction generally; and
what irregularities are committed in places protected by them (of which
a glaring example is afforded, I regret to fay, in my own Deanrg, and
noticed in Part iv. S. ii. p. 203. note ') ; it would be well for the church,
the law projected by the Reformatio Legum Ecclefiafiicarum were to
be ratified and put in execution. The title is, "Privilegia locorum
exemptorum moderanda; " and the fuggefted remedy is this :— " Quoniam libertates

S. V. C. VII. § 6.] Superbision of ©lergg.— ^Ecclesiastical lEOifices, ^c.

323

the archdeaconries, as to be able to perform the duty,
vicarioufly for their fuperiors, with the beft poffible
effect, and the leaft poffible trouble \

libertates et immunitates ecclefiafticas * licentiofam, vide'mus ficepenumero
afferre peccandi fiecuritatem ; volumus, ut epifcopis liceat in omnia col
legia, focietates, et ccetus, qucB quidem in earum, dioecefibus canfiiterint,
quantumcunque privilegiis prcemuniantur, injpectare, pcenafque peccatis
illorum ciffignare, non fioliim comniunibus vifitationum, fed omnibus \
aliis temporibus, cum ¦magnitudo criminum pqfiulabit, et eandem archi- j
epifcopus in fud provincia potefiatem habebit." \
Bifliop Seth Ward contemplated a bill to unite and fubject peculiar j
and exempt jurifdictions to the diocefe wherein they exifted. See 0i^.
of Ward copied for Abp. Sharp by Mr. Nafh, nephew of Dr. Woodward, |
iiean of Sarum, penes the Bithop of Salisbury.
With regard to the particular cafe alluded to within the ijeanrg of
Chalke, I am happy to fay, fince the note above referred to was written,
that a curate has been appointed by the Roman-Catholic patron and
ordinary of the place, at the earneft folicitation of the rural Dean, and the
parifh church has been re-opened (deo gratias !) for divine fervice,
Jan. MDCCcxxxv. It has been fince much enlarged and beautified by
private fubfcription and grants of Church-Building Societies, Sept.
mdcccxliii. (') The Reformatio Legum Ecclef. continues the vifitational capacity '. De Ecclefia et
of archdeacons, and makes arcppreSbgterS rural accountable to them in j &c. cap. vi.
refpect of dilapidations &c. "Archidiaconus annis fingulis bh, aut ad\
minimum fiemel archidiaconatum Juum perluflrabit. ^rc]&ipresbgteroS, i
et

* To shew that our ecclefiaflical-law reformers did not overrate the evils of
exemption, I fubjoin an extract from Bishop Seth Ward's Notitla of the diocefe
of Sarum, touching the place above alluded to—" Locus eft famofus propter
matrimonia clandeftina ^c. in eontumeliam ecclefice, et familiarum ruinam!" and
I add in corroboration, that the oldeft parish regifter belonging to this unfor
tunate place (from mdcliv. to mdolviii.— and from mdclxxxvi. to mdccxliv.) was
offered for fale in an adjoining market-town in mdoccxix, and is now in the poffeffion
(fortunately) of Sir R. C. Hoare of Stourhead. "IU as this regifter has been
kept," fays the hiftorian, " it is much fuperior to the other (commencing mdcoh.},
than which nothing can be more difgraceful to the curates of this parish.
y2

aiotltiac Sctfji
®l.ii6Copt ©a-
tuin. 5Bi8.

Hoare's Hift. of
Will/hire,
Dunworth, p. 64.

324

i^erSonal jFunctions.

[Part IV.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol. I. p. 547.

Onghton's For-
mular. Vol. ii.
See appcnBi;',

Many and exprefs are the canons entrufting thefe
delegate powers to Ueans rural. Some have been already
incidentally cited under vifitational duties; and others
! will be found in the ^ppenUix of Documents. A few are
here fubjoined. The Meath Confiitutions of Simon
Rochfort {A.D. mccxvi.) enact, "iv. . . . Ut artj&tpresliB-
teri quotannis, et fcepiiis, fi opus fuerit, perfonaliter vifi
tent fiatum et conditionem omnium ecclefiarum infra fuos
Ueeanatus ; etfi qud ecclefia reparatione indigeat, hortentur
gregem dominicum ad earum reparationem &c 
videant etiam an domus pafiorum et capeUanorum fint fartce
tectce &c."
" Cum fit confonum jurif fays Oliver Sutton, biffiop of
Lincoln {A.D. mccxcii.), in a monition addreffed to the
Uean rural of Hoyland in that diocefe, " ut parochiani
locorum, ad reparationem feu confiructionem ecclefiarum,
nolentes contribuere, fud fponte, ad id per cenfuram eccle
fiafticam, ratione prcevid, compellantur ; vobis firmith in-
jungendo mandamus, quatenus parochianos ecclefice de Malton
ad ref ectionem fieu coifiructionem campanilis ecclefice ejufidem,
faciatis contribuere, prout decet: contradicentes et rehelles
cenfurd hujufimodi canonice compellentes."
The fynod of Conftance in Normandy {A.D. mccclxxv.)
admoniffies all beneficia,ries to have their houfes and
dwellings repaired, on pain of fequeftratlon — and the
Ueans to vifit and report to the fynod: — " Omnes eccle-

et inferiores reliquos miniftr as armies non folum Jiiorum admonebit offi
dorum, fed rationem etiam ab eis repetet, et de templorum ac csdificiorum
minis, et de thefiauri pauperum diftributione, et de bonorum ecclefice vel
accejfione vel deceffione. Quod autem five in his relms,five in illis quce
ad arcj^ipresfegtert explorationem referuntur peccatum erit, per cenfuras
ecclefin/iicas corrigetur."

S.V. evil. §6.] Superbision of ©lergg.— Ecclesiastical iEDifices, &c.

325

ss. Rotomag.
Prov. P. II.
p. 565.
Syrwdi Conftant.
A.D.ucccLXXv.

Fafciculus Re
rum, p. 425.

Van Efpen
I. E. U. P. II.
Tit. XXXIV.
cap. VIII. p. 674.

fiafiicce perfonce beneficia obtinentes, domos et habitationes
fiuorum benefidorum fiecundum eorum facultates faciant re-
parari, fub poend fiequefirationis fiuorum beneficiorum. Et
quod Uecani quilibet in fiuo Uecanatu dictas domos vifitent, et
nobis referant infra fynodum."
Our cardinal-biffiop of Sarum (Campegio) fpecially
directs the attention of Ueans rural to the fame points of
reftoring and fuftaining church-houfes, fubject to the fame
penalties, on the part of the beneficiaries, for non-com
pliance. The injunction appears in his " Confiitutio ad
removendos abufus," {A. D. mdxxiv.) Nor are the fynods
of Malines, about the fame date, backward in inculcating
the like infpectionary duties, with even ftronger threats
on paft and future neglect. j
The fynod of Cambray {A.D.ubl.) charges the Ueans Iff^f^^^^ji
to fee to the due reparation and fuftentation of all ^"^^"g^'^i^^
church edifices: and enacts, that, if it ffiould happen, \staMaSynod
that "Propter negligentiam Uecanorum GC^nstiant'tatis, g'wi mdlxxi,
eas tenentur vifitare, domos curatorum et capellanorum j
pejorari, Uecani, ob quorum defectum hoc accidet, et eorum
beneficia teneantur dictas domos relevare, vel reparari fa
cere, fuis propriis fiumptihus et expenfis."
" IM domus pafitoraUs efi," fays the fynod of Saint
Omer {A.D. mdlxxxiii.), " non liceat pafiori fine exprefio
confienfiu nofiro, aliam inhahitare: eam autem domum debite
ah ipfio reparari etfiartam tectam confiervari prcecipimus, nifi
reparationes illius ab aliis fieri debere certo confiet. Atque
in hoc advigilabunt fiedulb Uecani aliique vifitatores, ne, quod
contigiffe alicubi deprehendimus, paulatim per incuriam
'pafiorum domus Ulce deterior entur, immo corruant, cum
-.^ i. rr- • T ¦ a- T 1 fte Van Efpen
magno interdum fiuccefiorum prcejudicio. Si quos negtigen- i.e.u.p.u.
tes deprehenderint, nobis denuntiabunt, ut nos ipfi eorum c.'viii. p. 674.

-pp.

Decreta Synodi
Dicec. Audomar.
Tit. xvii.
cap. XVIII.
p. 82. (A.D.
MDLXXXIII.
MDCXL.)

326

personal jFunctlons.

[Part IV.

Decreta Synodi
Tornacenjis,
p.56.

SS. CC. Tom.
XXI. col. 462.

Decreta et Sta
tuta Synod.
Mechlin, p. 169.

Stat. Synod.
Dicec. i'prenf.
Tit.xx.cxxvin.

CC. Rotomag.
Prov. P. IL
p. 1.30.

fumptibus eam reparationem fieri curemus, et pro prceteritd
negligentia puniamus."
The fynod of Tournay {A.D. mdlxxiv.), "De Uecanis
CDjbristtanttatis et eorum officio," cap.xii. orders, "Si domos,
aliaque ad ecclefias fpectantia cedificia, rectores collabi per-
mferint, per Uecanos de bonis arrefiatis hujufmodi cedificia
reparentur, alioquln ob commifidm negligentiam propriis
eorum expenfis id ipfum fiat :" and further inftructs^ the
Ueans of ©firisttanttB in the proper method of raifing
funds for reftoring the churches of their Ueanries, in cafe
the fame have actually become dilapidated — the tithe-
holder being bound to rebuild the choir at his own
coft, and the pariffiioners at large (by a collection capi-
tatlm) the nave. Cap. xiii.
The council of Milan (J.I>. mdlxxix.) capacitates fora
neous bicars, or Ueans, to inquire — -" Qui fingularum eccle
fiarum, prcefiertlm parochialium fiatus, an fi quce infiaura-
tionem defiderant; an debito cultu fraudantur, &c."
The fynod of Malines {A.D. mdcvii.) authorifes the
Ueans to order immediate repairs, at their annual vifita
tions; and bids them denounce difobedient beneficiaries
to the diocefan, or his vicar-general.
The fynod of Ypres {A.D. mdcix.) enacts, "Pafiores de
rejmrandis et refidendis fiuis domibus pafioralihus maxime
fint fiolliciti: referantque ad nos Uecani infiuis vifitationibus,
qui ed in re negligentes aut inobedientes fuerint."

(') In cafe of new chapels being erected in their tieanrieS, the artj)-
presbgterS rural were under an obligation, in the diocefe of Rouen
(A.D. MDCXXXVIII.), to exhibit the contracts of endowment and founda
tion, in order that copies might be depofited in the office of the arch
bifliop's fecretary, and the originals preferved among the archives of the
diocefe.

S. V. C. VII. § 6.] Superbision of ©lergg.- lEcclesiastical lEDifices, kt. 337

That of Bois-le-duc {A.D. mdcxii.) bids the arcfipricsts j stat. synod.
of the diocefe inquire, at their vifitations, " Utriim eccle- \ fof-^v.'^.tt'^'
fiee reparatione egeant, et coemeteria bene occlufa fint."
Religion being deeply interefted in the prefiervation '
and decent condition of ecclefiafiical edifices — fuch effential
aids to its outward manifeftation in the world — fuch
allectives to divine worffiip, and fo indifpenfable to paro
chial incumbency — no wonder, the mofi recent inftruc
tions to Ueans rural in England and Ireland, as well as See stpijcntir of
the mofi ancient, invariably include all church-buildings bccnEccmncntt
as objects of annual, or occafional, vifltation and exami
nation — equally thofe confecrated to the fervice of God,
and thofe dedicated to the inhabitancy of his minifter. .
Nor are the cemeteries of the dead overlooked, either in I
our infular documents, or in thofe of continental churches.
The Ueans are to take care that the churchyards are
well and fufficiently maintained with walls, pales, or ;
hedges, and that they are kept in a decent and befltting ,
manner, neither defecrated by cattle, nor violated by j
other profane intruflon. The fame ftrict injunctions !
apply, in a higher degree, to churches. |
By the fynod of Arras {A.D. mcccclv.) the Ueans are conji. synodal.
bade to allow no tavern-keepinq nor wine-fellinq in church- Attrebatenfis,A.D. MCCCCLV.
houfes, on pain of excommunication, and a fine of ten
pounds : — " Ne in domibus ecclefiarum tahernas vel vinum
venale teneant ; fiub poend excommunicationis, et decem
librarum Pari/ien/ium :" and by an inhibition of Biffiop, oughton's For-
J J •> XT' mular. Vol.u.
Dalberby of Lincoln ( J.X>. mcccix. — mcccxiv.), they are; p. 293.
charged to forbid all judicial proceedings, fair-holding, \
marketing, &c. within the churches of that diocefe. ^
Specially, alfo, does Oliver Sutton enjoin the Uean of
Hoyland, by name, {A.D. mccxcii.) to forbid the laity

328

personal Jfunctions.

[Part IV.

collecting their rents in fuch holy places. See Lincoln
Documents, glppenUtx, N°. v. and vi. — ¦ — But to return to
churchyards. The Ueans rural of the latter extenfive diocefe had

Onghton's For-
mular. Vol. il.

P. 291.

StrpmMr. Lin
coln Documents,
No. I.

P. 292.
Stcpcnbix, Lin
coln Documents,
No. rv.

SS. Rotomag.
Prov. P. II.
p. 516.
Synod. Lexov.

their attention particularly directed to the profanation,
of churchyards in the latter end of the thirteenth and
beginning of the fourteenth centuries, by the fame
biffiops — Sutton and Dalberby. Several mandates to
that effect, from Onghton's Formulary, are tranfcribed
into my ^ppenUt.r of Infiruments. Of which, one is
addreffed to the fore-named Uean of Hoyland {A.U.
mccxci.), ftating, that many abufes, requiring immediate
reformation, had come to Biffiop Oliver's ears during his
laft vifitation of that Ueanrg : among which, in particular,
the violation of parochial cemeteries by the rectors', vicars',
or other cattle, is noticed — " Coemeteria ecclefiarum paro
chialium, per pecora rectorum &c. turpiter maculari; five
per defectum claufiurce, five per quorundam negligentiam,
&c. &c." And the mandate, in conclufion, bids the Uean
inffict condign canonical puniffiment for all fuch trefr
paffes and infringements of the immunity of facred places.
— A fecond mandate, addreffed to the Uean of ©Sristianitp
of Lincoln {A.D.mccxcyw.), complains of the like profa
nation, " tilm per pecora, dim per ejecta et effufa a domi
bus circumhabitantium ; " and bids that officer, " quid per
muratianem, quid per aliam claufuram decentem," to pro
vide a fuitable and immediate remedy. — See more in the
^ppcnUtx. Upon the fame fubject, the fynods of the province of
Rouen legiflate in plain and pofltive terms ; and fo alfo
thofe of Belgium. But it is unneceffary to multiply
quotations. Let it fuffice, that to other objects of Uecanal

S. V. C. VII. § 6.] Sbuperblsion of t])t ©lergg.— ©JjurcJgartiS, irt.

339

fuperviflon, the fynods referred to, almoft everywhere,
add the cemeteries of the faithful — "that the walls of
churchyards be of a proper height, or, at leaft, that the
quickfet hedges {hayes de vive plante) be of fufficient
ftrength and altitude to prevent the intruflon of cattle
within the confecrated limits." See alfo Synod. Bufco-
duc. Tit. XXII. c. VI. A.D. mdcxii.
The modern Infiructions to Ueans rural ffiould always
include the fencing and due keeping of churchyards.
There is too much caufe for directing attention to their
condition. In many diocefes, the writer regrets to
obferve, the cemeteries of the dead do not receive the
refpectful protection they are entitled to from the living.
In country villages they are too often carelefsly or wil
fully profaned by the incumbent's or by alien cattle.
The paltry confideration of the furface-pafturage feems
to extinguiffi thofe higher and better feelings, which the
laft refting-place of the rural peafantry — •the KotprjTrjpiov,
wherein "the rude forefathers of the hamlet fleep,"
ffiould excite : — feelings which ffiould lead to a decent
confervation at leaft, if not adornment, of the field of
burial. In Denmark, I have been told, a trifling fum is
paid annually to the Curator of the burial-ground, to fee
that the graves of thofe "gone before" be not forgotten.
The incumbent, let his rights be what they may over
the fward, ffiould not exact them by profanation of the
foil. The churchwardens ffiould not wink at fuch unbe
coming unholy practices by mercenary tenants. The
rural Uean, who authoritatively viflts "in order to reform
what is amifs," ffiould not forget, that "a cemetery"
is "holy ground," ''a place of religion," "a fleld of God
fown with the feeds of the refurrection," and confe-

Jeremy Taylor's
Holy Dying,
§vm. Works hy
Heber, Vol. IV.
p. 567.

330

personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

Seeker's Fifth
Charge, p. 182.

Stat. Synod.
Dicec. Audom.
p. 72.

Decreta Dicecef.
Gandavenf.
Tit. xvi. c. X.
p. 77.
CC.7J.i'.p.456.
Statuta Synod.
Dioec. Yprenf.
Tit. vn. c. VI.
Stat. Synod.
Dicec. Brugenf.
{A.D MDLXXI.)
p. 27.

quently that it ought not to be defecrated to the profane
ufes of ordinary pafture-land. On the contrary, he
ffiould point out to the clergy, or others, whom it may
concern, in the ftrong language of Archbiffiop Seeker,
" the duty of keeping the churchyards neat and decent,
not turning in cattle to deflle them and trample down
the graveftones, and make confecrated ground fuch as
they would not fuffer courts before their own doors to
be ; but taking the proflts of the herbage in fuch manner,
as may rather add beauty to the place." See Archdeacon
Goddard's Charge, mdcccxxvi. pp. 32, feqq.
The fynod of Saint Omer {A.D. mdlxxxiii.) makes it
a part of the office of the Ueans of ©j^risttanitB to blefis
new hells^ — "novas campanas henedicere:" — "qud infiunc-
tione," the canon fubjoins, " caveant patrinos aut matrinas
qui nomina campanis imponant invitare, aut permittere, fied
id tantum faciant quod in manuali prceficrihitur."
The duty of confiecrating new bells is alfo impofed on
rural arcfiprtests in the diocefe of Ghent {A.D. mdcl.), and
of Seez {A.D. mdclxxxv). In that of Ypres {A.D.
mdlxxvii.) they have the fame fervice to perform in
regard to bells; and, in addition, they have to reconcile
churchyards, which had been, by epifcopal declaration.

. (') This exceedingly abfurd ceremony is faid by Brand to have been
firft practifed by Pope John XIII. {A.D. dcccclxviii.). The Roman Pon-
tificale prefents us with the ritual for it. It had not ceafed, it feems, to
excite attention in the French Court at the clofe of the laft century. It
is faid in a .lournal of the day (Sept. 22, mdcclxxxii.) : " The lovers of
ecclefiaftical folemnities are running in crowds to the church of St. Sul-
pitius, to fee the ceremony of chriflening the new bells of that parifli.
The godfathers and godmothers of the firft are the King and Queen,
who have fent their proxies ; of the fecond, Monfieur and Madame in
perfon ; &c. &c."

S. V. C. VII. § 6.] Siiferbision of tje ©lergg.- 0|)urc|)-5atenslls, &c.

331

Thomaffin. V. et
N.E.D. Tom.I.
p. 228.

defiecrated and profaned: — " 5Becanorum offidum efi, novas
campanas henedicere, coemeteria pofi declarationem d nobis
factam, quod profanata funt reconciliare, &c." — and to
fufpend unconfiecrated altars and cemeteries \
By the council of Augsburg ( J. D. mdxlviii.) the Ueans
of tftc countrg are charged to take care that no images be
erected for the adoration of the faithful, unlefs flrft
approved of by the biffiop or his vicar-general ; and they
are to fearch out all heretical hooks, or fuch as are juftly
fiufipected of favouring herefy, and to prefent them to the
biffiop. By the fynod of Ypres {A.D. mdcxxix.) neither images, • ^f^f-^''°^„r
feats, epitaphs, nor infcriptions are to be erected within ^p-xiv.
any of the rural Ueanries of that diocefe, without the
fpecial approval of the Uean of ©trtstianitg. Nor are any
reprefentations of new and unwonted objects to be
depicted for future erection, in any church, without their
prototypes having been firft exhibited to the Uean of
©brtstianitg ; — whofe criterion of approbation and ad
miffion (according to the fynod of Antwerp, A.D. mdcx.)
is to be derived from the canons of Molanus de fiacris
imaginibus. And, farther, it is decreed by the fame
fynod, that all irreparably mutilated and decayed images

(') We have occafionally noticed, in earlier pages of our ©ollectanea,
points of refemblance in the cjiorepigcopal and Decanal functions. Others
may be here pointed out ; in which the bifliops in partibus infidelium,
as they obtained in England before the Reformation, refembled the
Deans rural of the oppofite continent. The prelates in queftion bleffed
altars, chalices, veftments, &c. They baptized, bleffed, and confecrated
bells. The'y fufpended prof ane ani uncot fec)-ated places, a.nd reconciled
polluted churches and churchyards. They granted indulgences for a
few days, &c. &c. All which offices were exercifed by DeanS rural.

Decret. Synod.
Dicec. Antverp.
p. 325.

Strype's Life of
Cranmer, p. 62.
Pegge's Letter
toDucarel, p. 24.

332

ilersonal jFunctions.

[Part IV.

Decret. Synod.
Dioec. Antwerp.
p. 326.

See PrtBcepta
SSCCiiniS, in the
Slppcnbi^, P. I.
S. I. 5 3.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol. I. p. 547.

cc.M.B.etH.
Tom. II. p.] 79.

are to be removed from the people's gaze, by the arcfi-
priests of tfie countrg. See alfo CC. Rotomag. Provinc.
P.n. p. 456.
The internal decency of the edifice in which the public
offices of religion are performed, in point of repairs,
cleanlinefs, and all accommodations of hooks, vefiels, vefi-
ments, and other things required for divine worffiip, was
a part of the Uean rural's truft in France as far back as
the days of Hincmar, and ftill remains fo there and in
Great Britain, by conflgnment of the diocefan; who
cannot, as we have already faid, perform thefe minute
inveftigations, either perfonally, or by his archdeacon,
fo conveniently and effectually as by his local official
reprefentative, the Uean rural.
The Meath canons of de Rochfort {A.D. mccxvi.)
command the then newly-inftituted arcfipriests to return
a faithful account to the epifcopal fynod, " De fiatu et
conditione librorum, vaforum, vefiimentorum, et aliorum
ornamentorum et fupellectiUum in ecclefiis infra fuos Ueca
natus, ut de iis refidendis, quoties expedit, fiatuatur^."
The council of Cologne {A.D. mcccx.) invefts Ueans and
plebans with a power of examining the neceffary hooks
and furniture of their fubject churches — of ordering fuch
articles as are wanting, to be fupplied within a month.

(') The idt\oyi'mg fynodal confiitution of Sodor and Man (A.D. 1291)
fliould be generally adopted in archidiaconal and Decanal vifitations of
churches. — " Habeat etiam archidiaconus omnia amamenta ecclefiarum
in ficriptis redacta, et utenfilia earum, vefles et libros, et fimgulis annis fuo
canfipectui ea facial prcEjentari, ut videat, qucs adjecta fuerint per dili-
gentiam parochianorum, vel quce medio tempore per negligentiam vel
malitiam vicariarum deperdita, vel per incuriam eorum aliquo modo
diminuta ; quid per clericos, quid per laicos."

S. V. C. VII. § 6.] Superbision of tiie ©lergg.— ©JurcJ-SltensilS, kt.

333

after admonition given — and of proceeding, even to
excommunication, againft refractory and difobedient
church-reeves and pariffiioners : — Can. xvii. Becani
it^m et pleianf examinent libros et ornamenta neceffaria ad \
divina cultum in ecclefiis fibi fubjectis : et ubi necefie fuerit, \
per confervatores dictce ecclefice, et parochianos, intra menfem
pofi admonitionem eorundem, fiuppleri faciant ; in rehelles,
excommunicationis fententiam promulgando."
The fynod of Cambray {A.D. mdlxvii.) charges the
arcfipriests rural, "Ut qudm diligentifiime advigilent, ne
quid in ecclefiis defit, quod ad divinum officium pro fiud
dignitate per-agendum requiritur" And farther bids them
to inform the biffiop of any fuperftitious vanities that
may have crept into the forms and ceremonies of divine
worffiip, whereby the minds of Chriftians may poffibly
be feduced from the pure fervice of -God.
The council of Milan {A.D. mdlxxix.) capacitates the
foraneous btcars, or Ueans of the archbiffiop, to inquire,
"An debito cultu fraudantur ecclefice; an facris vefiibus,
ornamentis, fwpellectileque ecclefiafiica, ad cultum necefiarid,
infiructce funt; an denique ulld ex parte incultce'' {See
^arocfiial Fisitation, Partiv. S. n.)
Articles of church-furniture being committed to the
cuft,ody of the Ueans of tfie countrg by the Harlem fta
tutes (.4. Z). mdlxiv.), the officers are charged, as guar
dians thereof, to fee that the fame are not pawned to
common ufurers, under any plea of neceffity : and they
are forbidden fo to difpofe of church-goods themfelves,.
except upon mature examination and conviction of the
propriety of the meafure, on pain of excommunication.
In the diocefe of Antwerp, again, if any materials,
once confecrated to holy purpofes in church ediflces.

ss. cc. Tom.
XIV. col. 1424.
See alfo hftruc-
tio Secnnoi;.
Ecclefice Mel-
denfis,^lv\itniilC,
P.I. S. I. §2.

Decreta Synod.
Camerac. fol. 3.

SS CC. Tom.
XXI. col. 462.

Statut. Synodal.
per Nicol. Epifc,
Harlem, A.D.
MDLXIV.

Decreta Synodi
Dioec. Antverp.
p. 379.

334

Personal dFunctiottS.

[Part IV.

cc. Rotomag.
Provinc. P.II.
p. 290.
Synodi Abrin-
cenfes.

Decreta Synod.
Prov. Aquenfis,
p. 123.

Stat. Synod.
Bufcod. Tit.Ti-<r.
cap. IV. p. 85.

Decret. Synod.
Arch. Colon.
{A. /I.MDCLXII.)
p. 58. and 109.

cc. Rotomag.
Provinc. P.II.
p. 253.

were afterwards defecrated by being applied to alien
and improper ufes, in profane dwellings, they were to
I be redeemed, at the joint appreciation of the Uean rural,
j the paftor, and heads of the pariffi.
j By the thirty-ninth ftatute of the fynod of Avranches
I {A.D. mdl.) — on the duty of Ueans rural — it is enacted —
"Cum templum aliquod fui Uecanatus primum ingredientur
Uecani, altaria perlufirent; quce nifi rect^ ornata fuerint et
compofita, aut fiordidis onerata quifiquiliis confipiciantur, quce
peragendis facris magis obfunt qudm profint: continue refe
rant nofiro promotori."
By the provincial fynod of Acqui {A.D. mdlxxxv.), the
foraneous btcars or Ueans of Alexander Canigian are in
ftructed to inquire — "An ea, quce in mififce fiacrifido adhi-
bentur, uti calicos, corporaUa, purificatoria, mappceve alta
ris pura mundave, ac decentia fint. An haptifierium, et
facrorum oleorum vafa, tutb ac decenth qfferventur. An
libros haheant baptizatorum, chrifmatorum, conjugatorum, et
mortuorum, et hos fieparatos, et decentes," &c.
By the fynod of Bois-le-duc {A.D. mdcxii.) the arcfi-
priests rural are bade not omit the particular examination
of fiacramentals and church-ornaments of all kinds.
In the diocefe of Cologne, the parochial paftors are
charged to ffiew their baptifimal and matrimonial regifiers
to the Ueans rural, at the times of their viflting ; and the
latter are diligently to examine the fame.
In the diocefe of Bayeux (.4. D. mdclxii.) the Ueans
are made confiervators of thefe important inftruments : —
it is ordered — "Que dans chaque paroifie il foil tenu
regifire des baptemes, mariages, et inhumations, fuivant
Tordonnance: et lors qu'un cure viendra a deceder. Us fe
faifiront defdits regiftres, et autres titres et ecritures concer-

S. V. C. VII. § 6.] Superbisiott of tje ©lergg.— facraments, kc.

335

nans la cure, et les droits du cure."  "Pour les
mettre" (adds a fynod of Lifieux) "enfiuite aux mains du
nouveau cure, qui en prendra poffefiion."
The fynod ofMalines (v4.D. mdlxx.) extends their care
to all original documents, muniments, &c., relating to
beneflces ; which they are to fee duly depoflted in places
of fafe cuftody.
But touching, more particularly, the connexion of
Ueans rural with facraments and fiacramentals ; with which
they were early concerned in the churches of Nor
mandy ; — the third canon of the council of Rouen {A.D.
MLXXII.) gives them the diftribution of chrifim (a mixture
of oil and balfam for baptifm &c.) and oil (for extreme
unction) : — " Chrfmatis et old difiributio a Uecanis fiummd
diligentid et honefiate fiat : ita ut interim dum difiribue-
rint, alhis fint induti : et talibus vaficulis difiribuatur, ut
nihil ind^ aliqud negligentid pereat." And the fame is
continued to them by a fubfequent fynod of Liege {A.D.
MCCLXXXVII.) can. xvii.
With the like fiacramental trufi the Ueans rural were,
heretofore, concerned in Great Britain, while chrifim and
oil continued to be fupplied from the mother to the
daughter churches — probably till the time of the Refor
mation. The rule was invariable, I believe, in the
country, for the villages of each Ueanrg to be fupplied from
the towns or metrocomice, or, at leaft, the minor places
from the major ; and the latter, again, from the epifcopal
city. Many notices of this ufage occur in the ancient
regifter of Saint Ofmund of Sarum, before and after the
removal of the fee from Old to New Sarum. The Ueans,
in all likelihood, as foon as they were inftituted in this
diocefe, received chrifim and oil at the diocefan church or

cc. Rotomag.
Provinc. P. II.
p. 515.
Decret.etSlatut. Synod. Mechlin.
p. 71.

SS. cc. Tom.
XII. col. 220.
Cone. Rotomag.
Prov. P.I. p.55.

Stat. Synod.
Leodienf. SS CC. Tom.
XIV. col. 137.

SS(tu3 McaiSti'.
©mictiDSmun-
bi, penes Epifc.
Sarum,

336

^^ersonal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

Thornton's Hift.
of Nottingham,
p. 311.

Cottc. Rotomag.
Prov. P.n.
p. 565.
Synod. Conftant.

cathedral of Sarum, and re-diftributed them in the
matrices ecclefice of their refpective Uecanates ; though, at
the early date alluded to, they are not mentioned as
exercifing that truft amongft ourfelves. In the county
of Nottingham, it is well known, the Ueans of tfie countrg
received chrifim and oil for the ufe of the clergy of their
Ueanrtes at the mother church of Southwell; to which
place the fiacramental articles were previoufly brought
from the minfter at York.
By the council of Saumur {A.D. mccliii.), the Ueans
ffiared with the archdeacons and arcfipriests the entire
care of fiacramental implements. The fame having been
much neglected in certain parts of the archdiocefe of
Tours, the fecond and third canons of this fynod commit
to the recited functionaries and Ueans rural (" ad quorum
officium dignofcitur pertinere") — "Ut procurent fanctua-
rium,fontes, oleum, et fianctum chrifima, clavihus adhibitis
cufiodiri, et per loca populofa, et maximi dvitates, venera-
hiliter deferri." They were to fee that every thing con^
nected with the altar was kept with becoming propriety,
the eucharifi itfelf, and the KaKvp.pa.Tiov or corporate, on
which it was depoflted ; — 'that the latter was of pure white
linen, and waffied only by a deacon or prieft attired in
his furplice ; all the ablutions, or at leaft the firft, being
poured into the pifcina ; — and laftly, that the coverings,
the facerdotal vefis, and all other things confecrated to
the altar, were cleanfed, apart from the contamination of
unhallowed clothes, by fome pure and pious virgin, or
matron of unimpeachable character.
The decent keeping of the fiacramental articles was
juftly deemed by the fynod of Conftance {A.D. mccclxxv.)
of grave importance. It was enjoined on the Ueans rural

S. V. C. VII. §. 6.] ,S«perbision of tje ©lergg.— Sacraments, &c.

337

Crnic. Rotom.
Prov. P I.
p. 203. & P. II.
pp. 253, 405.

ManTi Suppl. ad
SS. cc. Tom. V.

to enforce it at their fealenUffi : — " In fealenUis prcedpiant
omnibus presbyteris et curatis quod corporaUa, et omnia
alia ad mifiam pertinentia, fuper altare munde teneant et
honefie." See Decreta Synodi Provindalis Aquenfis {A.D.
MDLXXXV.), de 17icartis jporaneis, p. 123. ; alfo the council
of Rouen {A.D. mdlxxxi.), de Sacramento M'ifiie ; — of
Bayeux {A.D. mdclxii.), can. xiv. ; and of Evreux {A.D.
MDcxLiv.), chap. XII. can. xii.
The plebant are ordered by the council of Ravenna
{A.D. MDLXVIII.), and of Amalphi {A. D. mdxcvii.), to re
ceive the "fiacra olea" from the biffiop of the mother j cou.807. 'I'S'e
or cathedral church, and to diftribute them to the fubject !
churches of their plebanates ; and the like diftribution I
is charged upon the arcfipresbgters rural of the diocefe of |
Antwerp by Mireeus {A.D. mdcx). Before which latter | Decret. Syvod.
date, the church of Malines entrufted to her Ueans rural • p.Tss. " ""'''
the partition of chrifm and other facramentals " in templo ] ss cc. Tom.
•/ -¦' -*¦ I XXI col 595
aut loco faltem decenti et honefio;' — in fulfilling which | ' ' '
duty, they were to take care that the diftribution was j
made " in mundis ac difiinctis capfiulis," the bearers '¦ Decr.jtstat.
being ecclefiaftics : and if any expence was neceffarily '• mccm. p. 45.
incurred by the Ueans, it was to be repaid to them, at ,
the difcretion of the biffiop, at his next vifitation or ;
convention. i
"Non modo arcfiipresbgteri.^rt^wfo annis," fays a fta
tute of the provincial fynod of Malines {A.D. mdcvii.),
"ab ordinario fiuo, vel, fiede vacante, a vicar io-generali,
facrum chrifima et fiacra olea tempefiiv^ petant, et per facer-
dotem, diaconum, vel falthm fubdiaconum, in mundis et
honefiis vaficulis {fdlicet fianneis aut argenteis, nullo modo
verb cupreis, teliaceis, aut vitreis) ad locum refiidentice fuce
ferri curent: fed pafiores etiam finquli quotannis ab arcfit-
vnii. I.  I 

Van Efpen,
Partn. Tit. iii.
De Sacramento
Confirmationis
et de Chrifmate,
cap. ir. p. 268.
Decret. et Stat.
Synod. Mechlin.
Tit. II. cap. VI.
Statuta Dimcef.

Tit. II. cap. V.
A.D. MDCL.

338

Personal ^Functions.

[Part IV.

Decret. Synod.
D. M. H. Arch.
Colon. P. n.
Tit.I.c. v.p. 55.

Charge to the
Clergy qf the
Archdeaconry
of Totnefs,
MDOCVIH.

presbgtero fiio, vel ex ed ecclefid und^ confueverunt, per fe
aut alium facerdotem, non autem illo inferior em, in fimili-
hus vaficulis fiacrum chrifima, fanctaque olea ferre non omit
tant; Ufque receptis, veteribus non utantur : fed quidquid
ex illis fuperfuerit, fi liquidum, lampadi quce lucet ante
venerabile facramentum infundatur; fin autem bomhyci,
vel gofiipio immixtum fuerit, fuper pificinam comhuratur."
For inattention to this branch of their perfonal duty
the Ueans rural of the diocefe of Cologne were feverely
rebuked by Archbiffiop Henry, in the fynod of mdclxii : —
" Intelligimus quofidam Uecanos rurales," fays he, domi
fuce hcerentes per pedellos fuos homines laicos, imo etiam
{quod maximi ahfurdum efi) per fuhmififas foeminas, hcec
fancta vel petere, vel ad fie per multa itinerum fipatia curare
deferri. Ut huic ahufui et facrilegii periculo occurramus,
omnibus ac fingulis Uecanis ruralibus et. aliis, quibus id
incumbit, fiever^ prcecipimus, ut ipfimet, vel eorundem ca-
merarii, vel alii idonei fiuhfiituti fiacerdotes . . . tempefiiv^
compareant . . . et excipiant, &c." See alfo capp. feqq.
It was, heretofore, the buflnefs of Ueans rural in
England, Dr. Atterbury tells us, " to inftruct the
younger clergy in the way of adminifiering and ordering
facraments and facramentals, according to the canons and
cuftoms of the church." It probably was fo ;— but, in
the courfe of my refearches, I have met with no authority
for the archdeacon's ftatement — none, that is, enjoining
on Ueans rural by name the duty in queftion ; though it
was performed in the rural cfiapters of their Ueanries,
But the archdeacons were the inftructors on thofe occa-
flons, according to Otho's canon; by which it was
ordered that thofe fuperior officers ffiould be frequently
in attendance at the rural cfiapters, for the purpofe. The

S. V. C. VII. § 6.] Superbision of tj&e ©lergg.— Sacraments, ^c

339

words are: "Frequenter intereffe taJ^itulis'^ per fingulos
Uecanatus, in quibus diligenth infiruant inter alia facer
dotes, ut bend vivant, ut fciant et fane intelligant verba
canonis et baptifmatis, quce funt de fiuhfiantid facramenti."
Before the intruflon of archdeacons into the capitular
chair, Ueans rural probably officiated in the capacity of
teachers of fiacramental duties; and at a later date,
when the archdeacons and their officials were abfent,
the Ueans may have acted as their fubftitutes.
The church of Rome, with her appurtenances of
fuperftition, for a long while, greatly multiplied the
catalogue of our fiacramental duties, and added to our
official refponflbility ; but the Reformation has releafed
us from many fervices as unfcriptural as they were un-
profltable. The Ample articles of furniture with which
the altars of the church of England are now-a-days
decorated for the facrament of the eucharift, and her
fonts for that of baptifm^ have happily reduced the
fiacramental department of our office to one of plain and
eafy execution. Of the mifcalled facrament of penance,
and the duties of Ueans rural as confeffors or penitentiaries,
we ffiall prefently fpeak.
But there is one holy rite — erroneoufly termed a
facrament by the church of Rome — confirmation — with
which the UeanS rural of England have been brought into
remote connexion by an ecclefiaftical conftitution of the
date of the Reftoration ; which charges them to attend
to the preparation of catechumens by the appointed mini
fters, in ojder to their being fubmitted to the biffiop for

(') " HuralibuS— £?«« hodie. tenentur," glofles John de Atho, "per
officiales archidiaconorum, et quandoque per DecanoS rurales."
z2

Conft. Dom.
Othonis, Edit.
Oxon. p. 52.

340

personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

cc.M.B.etH.Vol. IV. p. 563.
can. V.

3!otitiac ©ct()t
gpifc. ©Qcuin,
fol. 339. mti.

Parochial Anti
quities, Vol. II.
p. 357.

confirmation: — "Moreover," in the words of King Charles
the Second's Declaration concerning Ecclefiafiical Affairs
{A.D. uuchx.), "the rural Uean and his affiftants are, in
their refpective diviflons, to fee that the children and
younger fort be carefully inftructed, by the refpective
minifters of every pariffi, in the grounds of the Chriftian
religion, and be able to give a good account of their
faith and knowledge, and alfo of their Chriftian conver
fation conformable thereunto, before they be confirmed
by the biffiop, or admitted to the facrament of the Lord's
Supper." In compliance with which claufe, Biffiop Ward of
Sarum {A.D. mdclxx.) inftructed his Ueans rural to ob
ferve whether the parochial clergy were "diligent in
catechizing the children, and preparing them for confir
mation." {Officium iSecanor. Utir. &c. in the ^ppenUtx.)
But many centuries before this date, Ueans rural were
interefted in the other popiffi facrament referred to, the
fourth of the Romiffi catalogue, viz. penance. " For the
more immediate influence on their clergy, they were
appointed to be their confeffors and penitentiaries, becaufe
they were prefumed to have the character of men of
fufficient literature, and good report and favour with
their brethren ; and were therefore ordained to hear the
confefiions of rectors, vicars, and all other priefts and
minifters within the limits of their own Ueanrg, and to
enjoin them the facrament of penance.

S. V. C. VII. § 7.] Superbision of tjbe ©lergg.— ^enitentiarg IButies.

341

§7.
penitentiary duties of Ueans 3£lural.
Proceed we then, next, to the duties of Ueans rural in
connexion with the folemn fervice of confefiion and
penance; — premiflng that "all public criminals who had
been guilty of notorious crimes were obliged, in the
primitive ^ days of Chriftianity, to a public £^op.o\6yt]cns,
or repentance in the church, and were declared unworthy
of communion with Chrift and his flock, till, by confefiion,
repentance, and the fruits worthy of it, they were ad
judged capable of God's pardon." "In purfuance of
which, the biffiop, and whom he deputed, miniftered to
thefe public fatisfactions and amends." Of the number
of penitentiary delegates, fo conftituted, were Ueans rural;
not merely for the clergy, but for the laity alfo, in a
fubordinate degree. As poenitentiarii ^ of the former, in
their refpective Ueanries, they received the confefiions of
rectors, vicars, capellanes, and all other priefts, and
enjoined them " the facrament of penance :" — but when
flrft entrufted with this important duty by the biffiop,
the only penitentiary of "infant Chriftendom," it is
impoffible to unravel : — " priorihus quinque fexve ficecuUs

(') For an account of the four grades of penitents of the primitive
church, the reader is referred to the very learned notes of the bifliop of
Saint Afaph, in Can. Cane. Nicccn. Primi, can. xi. in v. ev oKpoco/jievois.
Synodic. Tom. ii. p. 71. We have here only to do with penance, as a
part of church difcipline to which arcfiprteStS were minifterial. See
Gibfon's C. I. E. A. Tit. xlvi. cap. ii.
f^) Poenitentiarius — parochus ficil. vel alius fiacerdos, cui jure cana
nico incumbit plebis fitbi commiffm, aut alicujus fingularis perfionce, con-
feffiones audire, et pro ratione delicti, juxta difciplinam ecclefiafticam,
pxnas dare. Vulgo, a Confeffor.

See Suicer. T. E.
in voce.

I J. Taylor of Ec
cleflaftical Pe-
\nance, § IV. 41.

Somner's Antiq.
of Canterbury,
Part I. p.l76.

Somner's Gloff.
ad Script, x.

342

^^ersonal jFunctions.

[Part IV.

Thomaff. Vet.
et Nov. Ecclef.
Difciplin. v. I.
p. 234.
Primitive Chrif
tianity, Part III.
ch. V.p. 381.

Atterbury's Archidiaconal

penes epifcopum folum erat pcenitentice publicce admini-
firatio : penes presbyterum verb delegatum nonnifi epifcopo
abfente, aut cegrotante."
About the time of the Decian perfecution {A.D. ccl.).
Dr. Cave thinks, the fubordinate public penitentiary was
firft appointed — "fome holy, grave, and prudent pres
byter" — as "a kind of cenfior morum, to inquire into the
lives of Chriftians, to take an account of their failures,
and to direct and difpofe them to repentance." But the
arcbpresbgter appears not in connexion with this vocation
till fnW.five hundred years after this date. However, we
may fay, in general terms, that rural arcfipriests at an
early date (according to the Decretum^ of Gratian, A.D.
DVI., but in Thomaffin's opinion nearly three centuries
later) whether themfelves confeffors or not before that
time, were then, at leaft, minifterial to the biffiop in
preparing lay-penitents (in relation to the laity they
appear in a penitentiary capacity before they do in rela
tion to the clergy) for undergoing^ the folemn fervice of

J. Taylor of Ec
clefiaftical Pe
nance, § IV. 41.

(') The text of the canon law, compiled by the monk of Bologna
(^A.D. MCL.), is here erroneous. Nothing of the kind is to be difcovered
in any of the canons of the council of Agatha, now extant. The mif
take, however, is of long ftanding, Gratian having tranfcribed it from
the bifliop of Wormes's Magnum Decretorum, feu Canonum Volumen
{A.D. M.), — and Burchard, again, from the collection of Rheginon, abbot
of Prumia {A.D. dccccvi.), who, as I have elfewhere noted, antedated
the canon in queftion nearly three hundred years. It probably belongs
to the age of Charlemagne. See Thomaffin F. et N. E. D. de B. Part ii.
L. I. c. V. Tom. I. p. 225.
C) " Though, by the nature of the thing," fays Jeremy Taylor, " they
only could be neceffarily and effentially obliged, who had done public
and notorious offences ; yet fome, obferving the advantages of that way
of repentance, the prayers of the church, the tears of the biihop, the
companion

S. V. C. VII. § 7.] auperbision of tj&e ©lergg — ilenitentiarg iiuties.

343

penance on the flrft day of the quadrageflmal faft— that
godly difcipline of the primitive church, to which
reference is made at the beginning of our commination
fervice. At the church door ftood the " poenitentes fiacco induti,
nudis pedibus, vultihus in terram demifiis, reos fie efie ipfio
habitu, et vultu protefiantes," and were received by the
priefts and arcfipriests; who diligently examined their
paft courfe of life, and impofed the eftabliffied degrees of
penance proportionate to their guilt. After which the
Ueans or arcfipriests, ("Uecani ^.e, atcfitpresbgtert parocfit-
arum,") and their coadjutors, introduced them into the
prefence of the biffiop, in the church, for the latter to
perform his part of the penitential procefs. The feafon
of Lent having paft., on Eafter-day the penitents were
again prefented by their Ueans and presbyters, in com
pliance with the conclufion of the fame canon, to receive
the holy facrament of the Lord's Supper at the altar.
For " in the primitive records of the church, there was
no form of abfolution judicial, nothing but giving the
penitents the holy communion, admitting them to the
peace of the church, to the fociety and privileges of the
faithful;" — "which was done by the biffiop, (the higheft
order of the church being the prime agent in difpenflng
its higheft power, the pardon of a penitent flnner), or,
in his abfence, by the prieft or confefior, who took the
fupplicants from the ftation of the penitents, and placed
them amongft the faithful communicants; — either by

Decret. Pars i.
Diftinct.
Ii. i.xiv. p. 7 1 .
Ex Agathenfl
Concilio, An.liOQ.
Y). Burchard.
Epifc. Wormac.
L. XIX. c. XXVI.
p. 205.

eompaffion of the faithful, the joy of abfolution and reconciliation, did
come in voluntarily, and to do that by choice which the notorious cri
minals were to do of neceffity."

J. Taylor of Ec
clefiaftical Pe
nance, § IV. 50.

Cuve's Primitive
Chrifiianiiy,
Part III. ch.v.
p. 379.

J. Taylor of Ec
clefiaftical Pe
nance, § TV. 55.

344

Personal ^Functions.

[Part IV.

SS CC. Tom.
IX. col. 1066.

HincmariOjoera,
Tom. I. p. 730.

declaring that their penances were performed, or not to
be exacted ^"
The fynod of Pavia {A.D. dcccl.) introduces rural
arcfipriests to us, in its flxth canon, in the character of
penitentiaries appointed to excite public criminals to
public penance, while private flns were to be atoned in
private confefiion to inferior priefts, approved of by the
biffiops and arcfipresbgters : — . . . . " Oportet ut plebium
arcfiipresbgtert per fingulos unumquemqae patremfamilias
conveniant, quateniis tam ipfi, qudm omnes in eorum domi
bus commorantes, qui publice crimina perpetrarunt, public^
poeniteant ; qui verb occulte deUquerunt, illis conflteantur,
quos ep fcopi et plebium arcfiipresbgtert idoneos ad fiecretiora
vulnera mentium medicos elegerint ; qui, fi forfitdn in aliquo
dubitaverint, epfcoporum fiuorum non difiimulent implorare
fiententiam &c."
A farther notice of Ueans rural, as fupervifors of eccle
flaftical penance, appears in the councils of the diocefe of
Rheims under Archbiffiop Hincmar : — " Et fiemper de
kalendis in kalendas menfium, quandb presbyteri de Uecantis
fimiil conveniunt, conlationem de poenitentibus fuis habeant,
qualith unufquifque fuam poenitentiam faciat, et nobis per
comminifirum nofirum renuncietur, ut in actione poeni-
tentiee penfidre valeamus, quandb quifique poenitens recon-
ciliari debeat. Et fi forte quis ad poenitentiam venire
noluerit infra quindedm dies pofi perpetrationem peccati,
et exhortationem presbyteri in cujus parochid actum fuerit.

(') See Burnet on the Thirty-7iine Articles, p. 373, Art. ^xv.— Pe
nance ; and Preface to the Hiftory af the Reformation, Vol. ii. pp. xvi.
xvii. ; Soames's Bampton Lectures, pp. 266, feqq. ; and Proofs and II-
luftrations, pp. 287, feqq. ; and Tomline's Chriftian Theology, Vol. ii.
pp. 425-6.

S. V. C. VII. § 7.] Superbiston of tfie ©lergg.- i^enitentiarg Iiuties.

345

et fedulitatem Uecant ac compresbyterorum fiuorum, atque
infiantiam comminifirorum nofirorum, decernatur qualith
qui peccatum perpetravit, et ad poenitentiam redire con-
temnit, a coetu ecclefice, donh ad poenitentiam redeat,
fegregetur &c." Which ^ fentence of excommunication
the Uean generally denounced, as the moft dignifled pres
byter of his diftrict, a judge delegate, and the organ of
the church's cenfure on contumacious offenders againft
her difcipline.
In addition to fupervifing the due performance of thefe
public duties of lay-penance, that uleans rural were actual
receivers of private confefiion, and impofers of condign
penance for the clergy more particularly, is the averment
of Somner, Van Efpen, Kennett, Whitaker, and others ;
and the vicar of Ambrofden and the Hiftorian of Man
chefter refer to Archbiffiop Peckham's eighth conftitution
{A.D. MCCLXXXI.), " De uno confeffore in quoUbet Uecanatu
faciendo f as their authority for the fact. But, however
probable it may be, that the arcfipresbgter of the Ueanrg"
is alluded to as the long-eftablished confefior, it is not
expreffly declared. The canon notices it to be an
inftitution of antiquity, " Ut in quoUbet Uecanatu unus fit
rector aut vicarius, literaturd fufficienth illufiratus, gratia
famdque laudabili infignitus, ad confefiionem rectorum,
vicariorum, aliorumque facerdotum ac minifirorum ecclefice
audiendam, injungendafique poenitentias, &c." — complains

(') Bifliop Kennett fuggefts to the bifliop of Lincoln, on the occafion
of reftoring CeanS rural in the diocefe of Lincoln, that there are many
parts of difcipline that may be committed to them without any pretended
invaflon upon the archdeacons or others ; and particularly calls his lord
fhlp's attention "to letting the fentences of excommunication and abfo
lution be denounced more efpecially by rural DeanS, &c."

See Whitaker's
Hift. of Man
chefter, Vol. II.
B.li.§Ili.p.386.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol II. p. 54.

cms. 5(66cnt)a,
Paroch. Antiq.
Vol. II. p. 358.

346

personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol.1, p. 65 1.

Vol. I. p. 609.

that the rule had been allowed, by the negligence of the
clergy, to fall into defuetude, and re-enacts it in its prif
tine vigour and inviolability; — ^referring, as Lyndwood
fuppofes, to the flfth conftitution of Cardinal Otho, and
the nineteenth of Stephen Langton {A.D. mccxxii.) But
Uecanal confeffors are rather fuperfeded by the Legatine
canon of the former, under the fanction of the tenth
canon of the Lateran council of mccxvi. — ^(by which
biffiops are bound to have affiftants in preaching, hearing
confefiions, and enjoining penances) :— for the cardinal
orders, " Utper quoslibet Uecanatus prudentes viri et fideles
confiituantur per epifcopum confeffores ; quibus perfonce et
minores clerici valeant confiteri, qui Uecanis erubefcunt
confiteri, forfitdn et verentur. In ecclefiis verb cathe
dralibus confefiores infiitui prcecipimus generales." 
making no allufion whatever to the inftitution of Ueans
themselves as penitentiary minifters for the clergy, though
the canon feems to acknowledge their pre-exiftence in
that capacity. Nor does any occur in the earlier tran
fcript of the Lateran, viz. the fixteenth canon of the
provincial Scotch council {A.D. mccxxv.), " De confeffo-
ribus conftituendis," alfo referred to by the fame cele
brated antiquaries, as authorities. The words of both
point to a fecond clafs of confeffors, befide the Uecanal,
for the inferior clergy, when either affiamed or afraid to
apply to the Ueans rural in that capacity, — the latter
remaining, at the fame time, the proper, canonical reci
pients of clerical confefiion in general, the " confeffores
nati " of the priefthood of each Ueanrg, upon fome earlier
appointment, not incorporated, as far as I can difcover,
in any antecedent capitulary or fynod; but occurring,^
for the firft time, in the tomes of the councils {A.D.

S. V. C. VII. § 7.] Superbisiott of tje ©lergg.— ^enitentiarg ISuties.

347

MCCLXXXIV.), in the Synodus apud S. Hippolytum — " Sta
tuimus, ut finguli plebani, rectores, vicarii, et capellani
nofirce dioecefis de gravioribus fuis peccatis confiteantur
fiuo Uecano : Uecant nobis, ac etiam archidiacono, fieu iis,
quos eis dederimus confeffores."
The nineteenth Oxford conftitution of Stephen Lang
ton {A.D. MCCXXII.), above cited as being a reference of
Peckham on the authority of Lyndwood, ordains cer
tain difcreet confeffors to be felected by the biffiop and
archdeacon to receive^ the confefiions of rural Ueans them
felves, when fearful of having recourfe to their prelates
for that purpofe. And thefe functionaries, in all proba
bility, were of the fame character and inftitution as the
"presbyteri idonei literaturce competentis, et prohatce om
nibus opinionis" of the canon de Poenitentid of the fame
archbiffiop, publiffied on the fame occafion at Oxford, —
as the "duo presbyteri, moribus et ficientid prcediti" of
the earlier Dublin fynod {A.D. mccxvii.) — and the Chi
chefter conftitutions {A.D. mcclxxxix.) — ^as the " duo ad
minus confeffores" &c. of the Durham council {A.D.mccxx.)
— the "prudentes viri et fideles" of Otho, and the Scotch
council, — and the "rector aut vicarius, literaturd fiufiici-
enth illuftratus" &c. of the Lambeth fynod ; but diftinct

(') That is, fays Lyndwood in his glofs— (L.v. Tit. xvi. gl.e, p. 327),
thofe rural teans " qui funt beneficiati vel alias in fiacerdotio confiituti,
vel ratione jurifdictionis quum forte exercent, immediate fubfiunt epifcopo
in faro animcs. Alith- autem fi talis tjecanus fit parochianus alicujus
curati inferiaris epifcopo, fibi debet confiteri."
So fays the Pcenitentiale Joannis De Deo, " de confeffiane arcjipres-
igteronim, cap. xi." " artSipresbgtert rurales, qui Decani a ciuibufidam
vacantur, et quandoque plebant, et quandoque abbates, licet impraprie,
 debent epifcopo cartfiteri, et alteri de licentid epificopi."

SS. cc. Tom.
XIV. col. 786.

Vide Synod.
Exon. cap. V. de
Posmtentid.A.D.MCCLXXXVII. cc.M.B.etH.
Vol. II. p. 133.

Vol. I. p. 595.

Ejufd. p. 548.
Vol.n. p. 170.
Vol.1, p. 577.

Excerpta ex
Pcenit.] .DeDeo^
in Append, ad
Theodor. Poenit.-
Tom.II.

348

personal ^Functions.

[Part IV.

LyndwoodProvinc. p. 341.
gl. V. rectorum.

Ejufdem gl. v.
communes pceni-
tentiarios.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol. I. p. 547.

altogether from rural Ueans or arcfipriests: — 'though,
I believe, one gloffator. Cardinal Hoftienfis, applies the
latter canon of Peckham to arcfipriests of tfie cttg and
countrg in the character of penitentiaries of the priefthood
by delegation of the biffiop.
The "poenitentiarii communes" of Peckham's conftitu
tion were fo called " quid deputati fiunt communith tam
pro laicis qudm pro clericis:" whereas the others were
" P.fpeciales quoad perfonas clericorum, quorum potefias
extendi non debet ad laicos, nifi hoc in eorum potefiate in
fpecie vel in genere contineatur."
The Meath canons of A.D. mccxvi., fo full in general
on the duties of arcfipr^bgters rural, as the appointed
immediate fucceffors of the cfiorepiscopi of Ireland, are
filent on the fubject of their penitentiary functions ; fave
that they order them to take care that the canonical
penances of the church be duly performed in their dif
tricts, and that they themfelves be prefent at them as
witneffes: — "vi. Curent infuper poenitentias canonicas a
nobis vel officialibus nofiris impofitas delinquentibus debiti,
et ed, qud decet fiolennitate, peragi, et perimpleri in ecclefiis
infra fiuos limites, quibus ipfi cum presbyteris parochialihus
interfint, tanquam, tefies, ut qud humilitate et devotione
poenitentice laborihus defuncti funt, tefiificare pofiint." —
being fupervifors of impofed penitential performances
exactly upon the fame footing as the Rhemiffi Ueans of
Archbiffiop Hincmar before quoted.
However, that Ueans rural were the confeffors of the
Gallican clergy of their refpective Ueanries in the year
MCCLXXXIV, is expreffly affirmed in a canon of the fynod
of Saint Hippolyte, already quoted from the volumes of
the councils : — and the fynods of Arras {A.D. mcccclv.).

S.V. C. VII. § 7.] 5uperbision of tj&e ©lergg — Penitentiarg iButieS.

349

and of Saint Omer {A.D. mdlxxxiii.), continue them, as
the proprii facerdotes of their fubject priefts, in the capa
city of receiving confefiion. All perfons are bound, by
the latter fynod, " confiteri proprio fiacerdoti." 
"Proprium autem facerdotem ilium intelUgi declaramus,
cujus curce quifique proprie fiubjectus efi. Sic parochus
proprius facerdos efi parochianorum fiuorum &c  Sic
arcfiipresbgterum^ Uecanum GCfiristtanttatis cujufque loci
p-oprium facerdotem effe et agnofci volumus pafiorum fiui
Uecanatus. Sic arcfiipresbgterum cibftatensem proprium
facerdotem, ut pafiorum fui Uecanatus, ita et cceterorum
artfitpresbgterorum^i;e Uecanorum ©firistfanttatts," &c.
The fynod of Arras prefcribes {De facramento confef-
fionis), " Quod curati parochiales, presbyteri, capellani in
eorum parochiis moram facientes, et in eifdem capellas ha
bentes, confiteantur fuis Uecanis et non aliis, nfi de nofird
proceff^erit, vel dictorum Uecanorum licentid fpedali ;" . . . .
"Uecani nobis aut in nofitrd abfentid nofiro vicario generaU."
Granting that rural Ueans were primitively invefted
with the capacity of hearing clerical confefiion, of inflict
ing penance, and giving or witholding abfolution, and
enjoyed a priority of inftitution in thefe duties, how
came it to pafs that they were virtually fuperfeded, latter-
ward, on almoft all occaflons, by other priefts of inferior
rank and ftation ? Whence happened it that the pres
byter fuperfeded the arcfipresbgter? — The negligence,
it may be, of the clergy, and contempt of the Ueans in
fupporting the laudable practice of confeffion, the biffiop
of Peterborough fuggefts, operated to the introduction
of fecondary penitentiaries. But the principal reafon of
the decay of Uecanal confeffors is to be fought in the
union of penitentiary and judge in the fame functionary.

Van Efpen
7. E. U. P. II.
Tit. VI. cap.v.
p. 317.

Conft. Synod.
Epifc. Attrebat.
A.D. MCCCCLV.

350

Personal ^Functions.

[Part IV.

Conft. Dom.
Othonis, p. 15.

Ufferii de Chrif-
tian.Ecclef.Suc-ceff. et Statu,
cap. IX. pp. 332,
feqq. ex M. Pa
ris, pp.419.611,
612. 693, 694.
and Field of the
Church, B. V.
c.55. p.696.

The Ueans, having by delegation from the biffiop a
judicial power over the inferior clergy, might poffibly
betray the private confefiions of the latter in fuch caufes
as might afterwards come before them in their ordinary
courts of GCfirtsttanttg ; and thus, through a religious
exercife for the relief of confcience, the confefiing clergy
might be inftrumental to their own judicial crimination.
This explains why the rectors, vicars, capellanes, and
others, were ffiy of approaching our predeceffors in the
exercife of their confefforial functions; and upon this
contrariety ofoffice, John de Athon, ever at war with the
Uean and his privileges, grounds their unfltnefs for peni
tentiary duties. Gloffing upon " erubefcunt " in Otho's
conftitution, he fuggefts, that, as the fame perfon could
not with decency act in a double capacity, in a peniten
tial and judicial court, the Uean ought not to be appointed
a confeffor at all, — "non debet talis confefior infiitui."
And yet he immediately weakens the force of this
alleged reafon, by fubjoining, in his glofs upon " veren
tur f that there is no caufe for alarm on the part of the
confeffing clergy, " dim in foro poenitentiali confefiionem
audit facerdos vice Dei, nee prodere potefi peccatorem
impune." Difclofure of the feerets of confefiion was for
bidden under fevere penalties by the church of Rome.
But befldes thefe coadjutors of the Ueans in this depart
ment of their office, — (and being canonically appointed
by the biffiops in council to the confefforial duties, no
one could gainfay their right of interference,) — others,
who were mere interlopers and ufurpers of the power,
appeared in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries : — thefe
were the monks, the fratres prcedicatores and minores —
who, in England, during the reign of King John and

S. V. C. VII. § 7.] Superbision of tj&e ©lergg.— ^enitentiarg IButies.

351

Henry III., wrefted out of the hands of Ueans rural, and
penitentiary priefts as well, the entire authority and
privilege of hearing confefiion, and adjufting penance;
whence, in the words of Matthew Paris, the dignity and
condition of the ordinary clergy " non mediocrith viluit."
To fuch a pitch of arrogance had thefe men arrived,
when Peckham fucceeded to the archiepifcopal chair of
Canterbury, in the reign of Edward I., that they alleged
a grant of fome general privileges in their favour from
the apoftolical fee, whereby they pretended themfelves
to be conftituted confeffors, totally independent of the
biffiops of the country ; and, under a falfe plea of fo
reign inveftiture, meddled with the fpiritual function of
binding and looflng, (at no period allowed to be exer
cifed de jure by mere monks out of their own convents)
to the lamentable fubverfion of the difcipline of the
church. For this unauthorifed ufurpation they were
feverely reproved by Peckham, in his flxth Lambeth
conftitution, and again by Archbiffiop Reynolds in the
reign of Edward 11.^
In the fynod held at Chichefter {A.D. mcclxxxix.), it
was ordered that no one ffiould be fent before the
poenitentiarii on account of any crime which he had
neither confeffed nor been convicted of; — all enormous
fins, at the fame time, being referved to the biffiop's
tribunal, or that of his deputy fpecially appointed. And
when difpatched to the penitentiary, the penitent was to

(') See Matth. Paris, lads citatis; Fuller's Hiflory af Abbeys, Book vi.
p. 275 ; Van Efpen Jur. Ecclef. Univ. P. ii. T. vi. ; de Sacramento Pwni-
tentice, c.v. de ordinario poenitentice minflro, pp.315, feqq.; and Sharon
Turner's Hi/lory of England, Part iv. c. iii. pp. 402, feqq. note, p. 413.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol. II. p. 54.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol. II. p. 170.

352

personal ^Functions.

[Part IV.

cc. Rotomag.
Provinc. P.II.
p. 456.

P.514.

Decreta An
tiqua Synodi
Cameracenfis,
p. 314.

Barthol. Fumi
Summa; vel
A urea Armilla;
p. 38. Aid.
MDI IV.

be the bearer of letters to him from the Uean or arch
deacon, gratuitoufly beftowed at the fuit of the flnner ;
who was alfo to bring back from the confeffor a reply,
ftating the nature of the penance, and for what crime, in
particular, it was enjoined. Can. xii.
The councils of the church enumerate the different
grades of fins, and violations of difcipline, and the con
feffors to whom the claffified transgreffors might cano
nically apply for abfolution^. Thus, for example, in the
council of Rheims (J.D. mccccviii.), we have a lift of
" cafius poenitentiariis per Uecanatus commifii " — "cafius pres
byterorum parochialium" — •" cafius nobis et poenitentiariis
nofiris refiervati, &c." — which, if the reader be curious
about fuch abfurdities, he may refer to in Manfl's
Supplement to Colet's edition of the Councils, Tom. vi.
col. 566, feqq. and fparslm in the collection.
Some biffiops granted to their Ueans rural the privilege
of ahfolving in cafes referved to the epifcopal chair, as the
biffiop of Seez {A.D. mdclxxxv.) — " Nous donnions a nos
Uogens ruraux," fays Biffiop Savary, "le pouvoir d'dbfioudre
des cas d nous refiervez:" and the like power of abfolution
was conferred on Ueans rural in the diocefe of Lifleux.
Whenever the Ueans gave letters of abfolution, they
were ordered by the fynod of Cambray {A.D. mdl.), to
ftate the nature of the fentence from which they abfolved

C) glrcj&ipresigter cibitatensis Ucet omnes de epifcopatu poffit ahfol-
vere, nan tamen a refervatis fine fpedali licentid epifcopi, fecundum Jo.
an. in. c. fii epifcopus, de poe. et sc. 1. vi. non autem Jic arcJipresSster
ruralis potefi abfolvere omnes de epifcopatu, quia fiolum prceefi pleii ;
et quantum ad majora nihil debet facere fine relatione ad epifcopum,
in. d. c. fi. Poteft tamen omnes pertinentes ad ecclefias, exiflentes fub
fuo plebanatu abfolvere, quod patet per. d. c. fi.

S. V. C. VII. § 7.] <g)Uperbis(on of tje ©lergg.— i|enltentiarg IButies.

353

Conft. et Decret.
Synod. Salif-
burg. p. 245.

and at whofe inftance it had been inflicted : — otherwife
the presbyters were not to execute the literce ahfiolutorice
of the Ueans. The fum of money received by the latter,
on thefe occaflons, was alfo to be mentioned in the
letters of abfolution.
No longer perfonally concerned as public confefiors,
Ueans rural, in the province of the archbiffiop of Salz
burg, are commanded by the forty-fifth conftitution of
the fynod of mdlxix., cap. yi., to prefent all perfons, who
had been obftinately difobedient to this important branch
of the church's difcipline, to their diocefan biffiop —
" Ita tamen quod antequam denuncientur, priiis per pafiores
fuos de fadendd Chrifiiand confefiione patern^ admonean-
tur : Qui, fi proterve in impietate fud perrexerint, tunc
demiim ad fuperiores deferantur, ut coram ipforum inobe-
dientium fuperiorihus pro obedientice debited prcefiatione
fioUidtari, vel ex officio pafiorali, cananico modo contra
tales procedat, valeat." I
The fynod of Ypres {A.D. mdcxxix.), interpreting the ig?j/|l™S
earlier ftatutes of that fee on the duties of Ueans rural, jcap.xx.
decrees "JSecanosCDfiristtanitattS^q/Te excipere confefiiones \
fubditorum fui difirictiis, ad fie ex caufid recurrentium, etiam
tempore pafchaU : " — and the fynod of the year following, cap. v. p. 329.
remarking on the incommodioufnefs and indecency of,
having the confefiional in an angle of the church, clofe
to the altar (whereby communicants at the latter were
often obftructed, and penitents themfelves impeded in
the ceremony of confeffion), impofes on the Ueans at
vifitation the duty of feeing that the fedes confefiionalis
be removed to a more honourable, decent, and confpi-
cuous fituation.

L

354

personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

SECTION VI.

Gibfon's Codex
I. E. A. Tit.
xr.viii. c. II.
p. 1099.

Dift. XXXVII.
c XII. p. 51.

Spelman, CC.
Vol. I. p. 595.

Supervision op Schools.
HE authority of biffiops over fchools and
fchoolmafiers appears clearly, Biffiop Gibfon
fays, from the original inftitution of fiemi-
naries of education, and from the ancient as
well as modern laws of the church concerning them.
The canon law is plain and exprefs upon the point. On
the continent of Europe, from the time of Pope Eugene's
Reficript {A.D. ccccxxvi.), fichools are diftinctly fpoken of
" in univerfis epifcopiis,fuhjectifque plebibus, &c." as under
the direction of the fpiritual power; and in our own
country, as far back as the time of the Anglo-Saxons,
they are as pointedly noticed "per villas et vicos &c."
as fubject to epifcopal regiment.
Thefe decrees and orders of councils, however, on
the abftract right of biffiops to interfere in fcholafiie
matters, admitted ; it muft be, at the fame time, acknow
ledged, that the higheft functionaries of the church
could not perfonally fuperintend and regulate every
place of public education within their fpiritual jurifdic
tions, and efpecially in remote rural diftricts. How
then was this difficulty got over ? How did the biffiops
perform thofe vifltatorial duties over fchools and fichool-
mqfiers, for which they were equally refponflble, in fuch

Sect. VI.]

5iuperbision of Schools.

355

places?  In Belgium, and apparently elfewhere, by
delegation. They not only delegated the continual
governance, but alfo the actual erection of fieminaries of
infiruction to their rural deputies.
It is a canon of the fynod of IMalines, " Ut curent
epifcopi, ut quamprimum in oppidis et pagis fuarum dioe-
cefium parochiales fcholce, fi collapfice fint, refiituantur ; fi
confiervatce, colantur et augeantur &c." — indicating that
the church was deflrous of advancing the machinery of
parochial education by the influence of the hierarchy.
But under the circumftances of the diocefan being unable
perfonally to comply with the fynodal decree, the actual
fuperintendence of the fieminaries of the country there
devolved on his rural deputy, the arcfipresbgter or Uean of
©firisttanitg. Whence a fecond fynod of Malines, after
regretting the want of edifices for carrying forward
parochial education upon an extenfive fcale, fuggefts that
they be immediately erected, wherever required, and
that the Ueans rural enter into negociation with the local
magiftracy for erecting them, and raifing the neceffary
ftipends for the mafters : — " Agant arcfiipresbgteri," fays
the canon, " cum magifiratibus et prcefectis locorum, ut ece
mox erigantur,fimidque rationem ineant, ipfis ludimagifiris
de annuls fiipendiis providendi."
The Belgian arcfipriests, generally, examined the
mafters and miftreffes of the fchools as to the foundnefs
of their religious creed, before they admitted them to
their refpective charges; and the profeffion of the
parties, then delivered and attefted, was kept in the
hands of the examiners; in compliance with the com
mand of Philip IL, as expreffed in a particular edict to
the fynod of Cambray. But, on another occafion, a civil
aa2

Synod. Mechlin.
P.I. cap. II.
apud Van Efpen
I.E.U.P.U.
T.xi.c.v.p.381.

Synod. Mechlin.
P. II. Tit. XX.
cap. I.

Stat. Synodi
Bufcoduc. Tit.
XIX. cap. V. p. 98.
de Scholis.

356

personal ^Functions.

[Part IV.

Statut. Synod.
Dioec. Antverp.
p. 246.

Decret. Synod.
Diacef. Antverp.
Tit. XIX. cap. II.
p. 355.

Stat. Synodi
Yprenf. cap. II.
de Scholis 8(C.
p. 341.

Synod. Mechlin.
P.II. Tit. XX.
CIV. Synod. Camerac.
P.II. Tit. II. C.II.

Conft. et Decret.
Synod. Salif-
burg. p. 301.

officer was added to the arcfipriest for the performance
of this duty, and the licence of both required.
The fynod of Antwerp {A.D. mdlxxvi.), under Son
nius, decrees, "Nullum recipi in ludimagifirum fine ex
prefio confienfiu Ueeani ruralis, qui fiuper illo admittendo
matur^ cum parocho deliberabit " — (de Scholis Parochia
lihus). That, again, under Mirseus {A.D. mdcx.), enacts
— " Ludimagifier confiituatur a pafiore, magifiratu et
primariis parochice incolis {qui curahunt de neceffaria
fiipendio ei provided) cum confenfu Uecani ruralis, in cujus
manibus faciet profefiionem fidd, jurahitque fe non docturum
aut permlffurum ah hypodidafcalo vel dfdpulis inficholdfiud
haberi libros hcereticos, aut de hcerefi fiufipectos, aut qudcunque
ratione in honefiatem peccantes, alidfve prohibitos, &c." And
that of Ypres under Georgius {A.D. mdcxxx.) makes
profeffion of faith before the Uean rural, and regiftration
of admiffion by the fame functionary, indifpenfable to a
legal inftitution.
The vifitation of parochial fchools has been elfewhere
noticed as entrufted to Ueans rural : — the fynods of
Malines {AD. mdcvii.) and Cambray enforce it every
fix months — " Scholce ficholqfticis capitulorum fubjectce, ab
iifdem ficholafiids, cceterce omnes ah arcfiiprtrsbgteris, vel aliis
ah ordinario deputatis, fingulis fialtem fiemefiribus fierio
vifitentur." The fynod of Salzburg {A.D. mdlxix.) places the re
gulation of ficholafiic ftudies in the fieminaries of the
country entirely under the vifitatorial fuperintendence of
Ueans rural — (Conft. lix. cap. vi. de authorihus juventuti
prcelegendis). The fcope and aim of this branch of the Uecanal office
was, in the words of Van Efpen, — " Utfidatur anjuventus

Sect. VI.]

Superblsion of Schools.

357

Van Efpen de
Scholis Puero
rum, I. E. U.
P. II. T. XI.
c.v. p. 382.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol. IV. p. 641.

rite infiituatur, quis fit puerorum in Utterarid ficientid et
ficriptionis peritid profectus ; an mag fir i magifirceve infiru-
endce, erudiendceque juventuti fedulb fie impendant; modum
convenientem, prudentiamque in regendd juventute teneant;
quos libros pueris prcelegant, aut legendos tradant, aut legere
permittant; an mdli prcelegantur, qui turpe aut ohfcoenum
quid contineant, aut bonis moribus, vel fidei catholicce ad-
verfium; curent que ut libri legantur, qui pueris pietatem et
morum honefiatem infiillent."
My refearches have detected no inftance, in the
Councils of Great Britain, of Ueans rural being delegated
to vifit, or otherwife interfere with, fchools and fchool
mafiers, fave in the abortive fuggeftions refpecting the
eftabliffiment of thefe officers in the reign of Queen
Anne ; — where it is recommended by the Upper Houfie
of Convocation, that rural Ueans ffiould be authorifed
"particularly to inquire into the condition of fchools,
hofpitals, parochial libraries, and the feveral gifts and
legacies bequeathed to pious and charitable ufes."
The following canon, " De vifitatione fcholce," of the
Reformatio Legum Ecclefiafiicarum, does not feem to ap
pertain to our rural functionaries: — "Bis unoquoque anno ' ^l^ifff'"^^
lo'ci orUinarius puerorum progrefifus in fiudiis explorahit, r.ll.e.v.\w.
atque tunc ingenia quce videbuntur ad literas nimhs inepta,
excludet, libros parilm idoneos doceri non finet,fed utiliores
prceficribet; prceceptorem verb ignavice aut nimice cefidtionis
fufpectum coram Uecano, vel, eo abfente, btce=Uecano, et duobus
prcehendariis arguet. Quodfi bis frufird fecerit, tertio de-
linquentem loco movebit." The whole chapter, I believe,
has reference to fchools in cathedral cities only— not to
rural parocfiial scfiools. The latter, however, have been,
in modern days, fubjected, by many Engliffi and Irifli

358

Personal ^Functions.

[Part IV.

Paroch. Antiq.
Vol. n. p. 358.

SiCtitiac Sctl^i
gpiSc. ©acuin,
SJfS. fol. 339.

Falle's Jerfey,
p. 166.

diocefans, to the vfitation and furveillance of Ueans rural :
fee Documents in the ^ppenUtx.
Dr. White Kennett, in his judicious letter to the
biffiop of Lincoln {dated Ambrofden, Nov. 7, mdcxcix.),
ftrongly urges him, in the propofed renovation of the
ruri-Uecanal office within the diocefe of Lincoln, "to
licenfe no curate or ficholemafier'^ within his diocefe
without a certificate from the rural Uean, of the perfon,
the place, the falary, the duties, &c." And, in the
diocefe of Salisbury, about the year mdclxx., Biffiop
Seth Ward bids the rural Ueans (whom he had recently
appointed throughout the counties of Wilts and Berks,
— vide ®ffictum 39ecanorum Huraltum in the ^ppenUix,
^arxym Documents) — "to obferve y^hethex fchoolmafiers
performed their duty of teaching and catechizing ^/c^-
lars, and bringing them to church on Sundays and
holydays." See the duties of rural cfiapters in connexion
with parochial education in the province of Rouen —
Part V. Sect. ii. Chap. xi.

(') In the canons and confiitutions of Jerfey, enacted by James I., it
is commanded — c.Tii,.ofSchool-mcifters — that there fliall be a fchool-mafter
in every parilh, chofen by the minifter, churchwardens, and principal
perfons thereof, and afterwards prefented to the Uean to be licenfed
thereunto &c."

Sect. VII.]

Superbision of l^ospitals Jrc.

359

SECTION VII.
Supervision of Hospitals and Charitable Foundations.
CCORDING to the ancient rule of the canon
law, " de xenodochiis, et aliis fimilihus locis,
per follidtudinem epifcoporum, in quorum dioe
cefi exifiunt, ad eafdem utilitates, quibus con
fiituti funt, ordinentur" — it would appear that hqfi)itals
were under the infpection of the biffiop dejure communi.
Could he delegate the vifltation of them to his country
reprefentative — the Uean rural ? There is evidence that
he could, and did, both in Great Britain and on the
continent — as far, at leaft, as the epifcopal right of inter
ference went; which was fubject to fome limitation.
But to the full extent of his own power the biffiop could
commiffion his Uean rural, as his vicarious vifltor.
In England, on the authority of Lord Coke, a diftinc
tion obtains between fpiritual and lay hofpitals; in the
former of which, the biffiop viflts ; in the latter, the
patron. And in Belgium, according to Van Efpen,
there are hofpitals and other charitable endowments flmi-
larlyfltuated; the adminiftration and regiment of which
are exclufively laical, and the foundations themfelves j
laical. From thefe the Uean rural— IJecanus foraneus vd \
GCfirtSttanttatis — is, hy name, excluded. He is allowed no i
concern with their eleemofynary economy ; — the biffiop
himfelf being put aflde, except where malverfation and

Extra, L. III.
T. xxxvi. c. III.

Gibfon's Codex
I. E. A. Tit.
XI.VIII. C. III.
p. 1106.

Van Efpen
I.E.U.P.U.
T. XXXVII. c. II.
p. 704.

360

personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol. IV. p. 71.

AnteJl p. 56.
can. XI.. de Fun-
dat. Hofpita-
lium, >kc.
Decreta Cone.
Prov. Camerac.
Tit. XIX. c. XIII.
p. 78.

See alfo Decreta
et Stat. Synod.
Mechlin, p. 155.
A.D. MDCVII.

Decreta Synodi
Tornacevfts,
p. 29. XVIII.

negligence are apparent on the part of the laical govern-
jnent ; — on which occaflons he is allowed, by the fynod
of Liege, to interfere. May we not, then, infer from
this ftatement, that to fpiritual hofipitals the Uean rural
was admitted in the capacity of a delegate vifltor ? See
Bookman's Hifiory of Inventions, Vol. iv. p. 475.
But we are not left to mere inferences. The evidence
is exprefs and pofltive to the point of Ueans rural being
fupervifors of hofpitals and other life foundations. The
provincial Scotch council, held at Edinburgh {A.D.
mdli.), expreffly orders, in its ninth canon, De vifitatione
hojpitalmm, " Ut Uecani in fuis vifitationihus de fiatu om
nium hofpitalium referant, et debito tempore officialibus, feu
commiffariis generalihus ad effectum, ut ipfi defectus hujuf
modi corrigant, et opportuna remedia defuph profpiciant!'
And the earlier council of the year mdxlix, probably,
includes Ueans rural in the like duties under the generic
title of orUinarii.
Amongft the vifltatorial duties of Ueans rural of the
diocefe of Cambray, we find in the provincial council
{A.D. mdlxxxvi.), under the nineteenth title, the fol
lowing canon : — " iBecani ecclefias parochiales et capellas
ac hq/pitalia, aliaque pia loca eorundem difirictuum quo
tannis ut minimum fiemel vifitent, et de eorum fiatu, ac
qudmrectd divinum officium in ds peragatur ; utrumne miffis,
et aliis piis fundationibus et oneribus fatisfiat, et de cceteris
hiic pertinentibus accurate inquirant." — c. xiv. "Exceffus
' verb et defectus {fi quos repererint) quibus ipfi mederi ne
queant, epifcopis locorumve ordinariis, feu eorum vicariis,
\ quamprimiim fignificent." The fame charge is given by
I the biffiop of Tournay {A.D. mdlxxiv.) to the Ucans rural
I of that diocefe — to fee that divine worffiip be duly

Sect. VIL]

Superbiston of l^ospitals Src.

361

fupported " in xenodochiis, hofpitalibus, aliifque piis lods,"
and that the revenues be adminiftered according to the
pious and charitable intention of the founders, and to
the praife and glory of God.
In the diocefe of Ghent, the arcfipresbgters rural have
the like office to perform. The ftatutes of the year
MDCL. enact — Cap. xx. Tit. xx. "^rcfitprcsbgtert 
non tantiim fabricarum et menfarum pauperum, fed etiam
hofpitalium, domorum orphanorum, et quorumcunque piorum
locorum computus femph audiant, uhi dejure et confuetudine
id hacteniis fecerunt; et examinatis prcecedentibus compu-
tibus videant num eorum conclufiones debite purgatce, feu
reUqua eorum plen^ foluta fint, utque omnia debits admini-
firentur, atque ut computus femper in bond et convenienti
forma defcribantur et audiantur, diUgenter advigilent."
"Solent arcfiipresbgtert," fays Van Efpen, "loco epificopi
intervenire computihus non tantkm fahricce, aut menfce
S. Spiritus in parochiis fui difirictiis, fed etiam hofpitalium,
hegginagiorum, et monafieriorum ordinario fubjectorum."
See Stat. Synod. Dioecefi Yprenfi. Tit. xx. cap. xxiv. {A.D.
mdcix.), p. 274. and Decreta et Statuta Synodi Mechlin.
{A.D. MDCVII.), Tit. XXII. cap. x.
In the Infiructions or Articles of Enquiry for Ueans
rural of modern days, charitable foundations are generally
omitted. But there are exceptions. Biffiop Seth Ward's
" Officium Becanorum iSuraliuni ad quod juramento afirin
gendi funt," annexes hofpitals to the items of inquiry
within the diocefe of Sarum; as if the good prelate
thought fuch eftabliffiments fit objects of Uecanal vifita
tion. Hofpitals and charitable foundations are alfo noticed
in the Convocational Proceedings under Queen Anne re
lative to Ueans rural {fee the la^fectioti); and charitable

Decreta et Or
dinata Dicecefis
Gandavenfis,
p. 98.

Jur. EcclefUniv.
Parti. Tit.vi.
cap.v. p. 31.

SKotitiac ect()i
dpiSco))! ©a-
rum, fol. 339.

362

personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

H.Zi.jB. Vol.n.
aippcntii;^, Win
chefter Docu
ments.

Worcefter Documents.

Gloncefter and
Briftol Docu
ments.
Chefter Docu
ments.
Ely Documents.

endowments are noted in the commiffion of the Uean
rural of the diocefe of Winchefter by Biffiop Sumner ;
in the articles of inquiry for the Uean rural of the diocefe
of Worcefter by Biffiop Pepys ; and, together with na
tional and other fchools, and parochial libraries, in the
commiffion of the fame functtonarg in the diocefe of
Gloucefter and Briftol by Biffiop Monk, of Chefter by
Biffiop Bird Sumner, and of Ely by Biffiop Allen.

S. VIII. C. I.] ©ruination, 3Enstitution, anU 3Jnt)uction.— ©rtlnation.

363

SECTION VIII.
Ordination, Institution, and Induction.

CHAPTER I.
Ordination.
HE connexion of Ueans rural with the branches
of perfonal fervice which ftand at the head
of the prefent fection, has long fince ceafed
 in Great Britain ; — I mean the ferious and
folemn duties, with which they were entrufted, as local
orUtnartes of the biffiop, of examining into and teftifying
the fitnefs of candidates for holy orders within their
feveral jurifdictions — of prefienting fuch as were approved
at the altar, for the epifcopal act of ordination — and,
fubfequently, either perfonally infiituting them, as in
fome few places of the continent it feems to have been
their privilege, ex confuetudine, to do ; Dr, which was
more ufual, of introdudng them to the biffiop for that
purpofe— and, laftly, putting them into the corporal pof
feffion of their benefices.
" That none might enter the church by ordination,"
fays the author of A Humble Propofal for Parochial Re
formation, "but fuch whofe habitual inclinations led to
a religious life, the church placed much confidence in
the office of the rural Uean;— who was to publiffi the
name of any one that was to be ordained of his Ueanrg,

A Humble Pro-
pojal &c. by
I. M. c. XIII.
p. 71.

364

personal ^Functions,

[Part IV.

De Reformat.
Self. VII. c. XIII.

Difcourfe of
Patronage,
chap.vu. p. 41.

in the pariffi where he was born, or had moft lived and
converfed, and that for three Sundays before his ordi
nation, to learn the efteem^ people had^ of him, which
the Uean was to certify the biffiop of."
Many, however, and curious as are the items of
Uecanal duty, which this namelefs "Presbyter of the Church
of England," (as he calls himfelf on his title-page) has
thrown together in his Humble Propofal to refiore Rural
Deans and Chapters according to the ancient way of the
Church, he is not always to be relied on for his facts and
references. In proof of which, he has here allotted to
the Uean what the church impofed upon the parochus;
who was no Uean at all, according to modern accepta
tion, but a mere parochial incumbent. Again, he fays,
the council of Trent could find no furer way for profe-
cuting inquiries into the characters of candidates for holy
orders, than by the inftrumentality of rural Ueans; but

(') Zach. Cawdrey (rector of Barthoraly in Chefliire, J.D. mdclxxv.),
in his Difcourfe af Patronage, fuggefts that " every patron may by law
be obliged, within one month after the vacancy of a benefice, to nomi
nate three probationers for the living, to the rural t)ean, and the other
minifters of that tieanrg, wherein the vacant living is ; and that thofe
clergymen of the Ijcanrg be obliged, diligently and faithfully to inquire
into the abilities and due qualifications of the perfons nominated ; and if
no juft exception can be made and proved againft them, that then the
i clergy of the tJeanrg fliould, within one month more, commend them to
the parifhioners, that they alfo may inquire into the merites of the candi
dates : and, after one month more referved to the people for fuch inquiry,
that they fliould reprefent back to the patron, by their humble petition
and teftimonials, two of the perfons named to them, declaring their rea-
dinefs to fit down under the miniftry of either of them ; leaving it to the
patron to prefent to the bifliop of the diocefle which .of thofe two he
pleafeth."

S. VIII. C. I.] ©ruination, Institution, ant) InDuction.— ©ruination.

365

the latter are not mentioned in the Sefiion referred to,
otherwife than as ordinarii, under which title they may
be included of courfe ; but it feems fcarce allowable to
fingle them out as diftinctly referred to.
Whether there alluded to or not, however, they cer
tainly had much to do with the preliminaries of ordina
tion, in their arcfiiprcsbgteral character, at a very early
date ; and fo had their prototypes, the billan bisfiops of
the fourth century, of whom fo much has been faid in
Part II. S. I. The attention paid to the qualifications of
perfons about to be ordained to the priefthood, in the
letter of Saint Bafil, addreffed to the cfiorepiscopi of his
large diocefe (who had departed from the exact difcipline
of their fathers in this refpect), the reader will fee in
my notes to Dr. Priaulx's '2rract ; and in the verfion of
the original Greek in that excellent periodical, the Britifh
Magazine, N°. xxvi. (February mdcccxxxiv.), p. 158. At
that time, it feems, the billan bisfiops performed the
duties of examination into the characters of candidates
for orders — receiving the teftimonies of the neighbouring
clergy — vpecr^inepai Koi StuKovot ol avvoiKovvTes avTo7s — to
the point of their general fitnefs. And, it is probable,
when the btllan arcfipresbgters fucceeded the cfiorepiscopi
in their other minifterial duties, they were alfo capa
citated by the diocefan to fulfil the fame fcrutiny of
morals and acquirements of candidates.
On the authority of the council of Nantes {A.D.
Dcccxc.) can. xi.^ it was the office of the arcfipriests to
accompany the candidates in queftion to the epifcopal
city, in order to prefent them to the biffiop for ordination:
— " Quandd epifcopus ordinationes facere difponit, omnes qui
ad facrum minifierium accedere volunt, ferid quartd ante

Bafil. Opera.
Tom. ni. Epift.
CLXxxi. p. 1 93.

Salisbury Documents. See N, Alexan-
dri de Chorepi-
ftiopisDiffertatio, p. 180.
Differt. Eccl.
Triaf.

SS. cc. Tom.
XI. col. 660.

366

personal ^Functions.

[Part IV.

Decret. 1. Pars.
Diftinct. XXIV.
p. 34.
Burchard. L. II.
CI. p. 35.

Thomaffin. K et
N.E. D.Tom. I.
P.I. L.II. c.VI.
p. 227. II.

Synod. Conftant.
cc. Rotomag.
Prov. P. II.
p. 565.

cc. Rotomag.
Provinc. P. II.
p. 128. can. VII.

ipfam ordinationem evocandi funt ad civitatem, und cum
arcfiipresbgterts, qui eos reprefentare debent. Et tiinc epi
fcopus ^latere fuo eligere debet fiacerdotes et alios prudentes
viros gnaros divince legis, et exerdtatos in ecclefiafiicis fianc-
tionihus, qui ordinandorum vitam, genus, patriam, cetatem,
infiitutionem, locum ubi educati fiunt, fi fint hen^ literati, fi
infiructi in lege Domini, diUgenter invefiigent; ante omnia,
fi fidem catholicam firmiter teneant, et verbis fimpUcilms
afiferere queant. Ipfi autem, quibus hoc committitur, cavere
debent, ne autfavoris gratia, aut cujufcunque muneris cupi-
ditate illecti, a vero devient, ut indignum, et minus idoneum
ad fiacros gradus fiufcipiendos, epifcopi manibus applicent.
Quod fi fecerint, et ille, qui indignd accefiit, ah altari remo-
vebitur ; et illi qui donum Sancti Spiritus vendere eonati
funt, coram Deo jam condemnati ecclefiafiica dignitate eare-
hunt. IgitHrper tres continuos dies diUgenter examinentur; et
fie Sahhato, qui probati inventi funt, epifcopo reprefententur"
The reafon why Ueans rural were appointed to this
honourable truft, Thomaffin juftly alleges to be, their
intimate acquaintance with the parties concerned: —
" Quod arcfitpresbgter regiunculce fuce laicos clericqfque
fingulos de proximo noficat, morefique eorum habeat explo-
ratiores, compertiora quoque fiudia Utterarum." Where
fore^ the province of Rouen continues them in this
important charge : — " Inqucefias de ordinandis clericis

( ' ) {A.D. mdcxxxi.) " Ut ordinum candidati cui examen cantus peri-
tiores accedant," the Rouen councils alfo decree, " prtecipitur fingulis
Uecanis, ut intra terminos fui Uecanatus unam feu duas iifdem candi-
datis fcholas affignent : in quibus ab aliquo perito fiacerdote in cantu
plana et officiis ecclefiafiicis rite obeundis, infiituantur : aliaqum fciant
fe ab examine rejiciendos."
{AD.

S. VIII. C. I.] ©ruination, Institution, anU InUuction.— ©rUinatlon.

367

fadant diligenth Uccant, " fays the fynod of Conftance
{A.D. MCCCLXXV.), "non per eos quos adducunt ordinandi,
fed per eos quos crediderint melius fire veritatem, tam
de valore patrimoniorum, qudm de vitd et converfiatione
ipforum. Non concordent tefies, fed fingularum tefiium
depofitiones fcribant.
In the collection of Statutes of the diocefe of Avranches
{A.D. MDL.), the thirty-ninth inftitute relates to the duties
of Ueans rural ; — of which, one bears on the preliminaries
of ordination — the life, converfation, quality, age, and
general fitnefs of candidates for orders, and the value of
the patrimony, or title, they will be feverally poffeffed
of as ordained clerks. The Ueans are charged — "Pro
ordinandis clericis inqucefias et informationes per fide
dignas tefies fadant de ordinandorum vitd, converfiatione,
qualitate, cetate, et hahiUtate, necnon patrimonii aut tituli
valore, tefiiumque depofitiones fidelith ficribant, et ad nas
aut offidarios nofiros afferant, aut per fidelem nuncium
.tranfmittant. Similiter cum ad eos mandatum ad hanna
pro vacante beneficio mittitur, quis fit pativnus, qualfque
fit prcefentatus, inquirant : et quicquid invenerint^, verifiime
refcribant." And, again, in the fortieth ftatute, there is
a canon "pro recipiendis ordinibus," in which the Ueans
are much concerned  " Ne in ipfio fiatlm limine

(A.D. MDCXL.) " Ut Uecanorum fludio per opportuniora civitatis et
dicecefis loca fickolcB cantus et cceremoniarum ecclefiafiicarum infiitu
antur, ad quas clerici certis diebus e vicinid difcendi causd conveniant."
C) So the bifhop af Peterborough recommends the bifliop of Lincoln
(in his fuggeftions for a new regulation of the economy of the ruri-
Uecanal office within the diocefe of Lincoln) " to inJUtute no clerk
without a certificate from the Uean, of the vacancie, the true patron, the
reputation of the prefentee, &c."

CC. Rotomag.
Prou.P.ii.p.289. Synodi Abrin-
cenfes.

P. 291.

CC. Rotomag.
Prou.P.ii.p.lSl.
can. V.

gjtS. stbbcnba,
Paroch. Antiq.
Vol. II. p. 359.

368

personal jFunctions.

[Part IV.

Ada et Decreta
SyrwdiCamerac.
MDIi. p. 39.
Canones et De
creta Concil.
Prov. Camerac.
p. 15. cap.iv.

Decreta Concil.
Prov. Camerac.
Tit. X. CI. p. 35.

Synod.Sagienfes.

offendatur, providendum de litterd tefiimoniali ordinandi,
tam fiuper titulo fufficienti, qudm fuper vitd et converfiatione
ejus qui facris initiari defiderat. Ea cura Uecanis incumbit
fingulis in fuo Uecanatu, ut fdlicet quandb ad eos ficrihitur
fuper inf ormatiane fadendd de promovendis ad ordines, dili-
gentiam vehementem adhibeant fiuper converfiatione honefid
promovendorum, tituli veritate, omni frauds femotd : indi-
centes eis periculum fufpenfionis in cafu fraudis, cetate, et
literaturd. ltd tamen quod de duadedm tefiibus requifitis
ex more antiquo, fix eligantur per Uecanum, et fex per pro-
movendum. Et fuper his provideant fiub poend emendce," &c.
The fynod of Cambray {A.D. mdl.), makes the " tefii
monium legitimum Uecant^CDfiristtanitattS " indifpenfable to
admiffion into^ or advancement in, holy orders. And
the provincial council of the fame fee {A.D. mdlxv.)
enacts, that no perfons be admitted to the order of fub-
deacon, "n^ifi Uecant ruralis, vel offidalis, vel utriufque
tefiimonio per literas exprefio comprohentur " &c. : — to
which a fubfequent council adds, that the " tefiimonia
vitce et probitatis morum quce adferri debent a fingulis
ordinandis, omnino fignata fint a UecantS rurajibus, ac
ddnceps ab eifdem Uecanis claufa et ohfignata mittantur,
fub poena rejectianis earundem, et non admifiionis ipforum
ordinandorum. Si quis autem fine illis litteris venerit, is
nan admittatur, immb ne quidem examinetur." See De-
ereta Synodi Tornacenfis {A.D. mdlxxiv.), p. 22. "de Sacra
mento Ordinis." Statuts et Ordonnances faites A.D. une.
par Frangois Pericard, Eveque d' Avranches — p. 304. can.
LVII. ; and thofe of the biffiop of Seez {A.D. mdcliii.),
can. XXI. p. 442. impoflng on Ueans rural the veriflcation
of the baptifmal regifter of age in each cafe, the legiti
macy of birth, amount of patrimony by inheritance or

S. VIII. C. I] ©ruination, Institution, anU JEnUuction.— ©rUination.

369

otherwife, the publication of the name of the candidate,
or, at leaft, a certiflcation of the fame having been
publiffied, «&c. &c.
In cafe of advancement "ad majores ar dines f the
archdeacon is charged in the provincial fynod of Utrecht
{A.D. MDCCLxiii.), to fend the names of the candidates to
all the arcfipresbgters of the diocefe, and the arcfipresbgters,
again, to their diftrict paftors, that prayers may be
offered up for them in all the churches.
Dr. Kennett propofes to the biffiop of Lincoln, " to
call in fome of the graveft and neareft rural Ueans to
examine and affift at ordinations ; and to require candi
dates for holy orders, if they have lately reflded within
the diocefe, to bring a certificate from the rural Uean, and
his neighbouring brethren." And the Convocational Pro
ceedings under Queen Anne fuggest, " that in all teftimo
nials required by the biffiop or other ordinary, relating
to the abilities and manners of candidates for holy orders,
curates, fchoolmafters, or others within their diftricts,
a more particular regard ffiall be paid to the teftimony
of rural Ueans V

(') See Bifhop Burnet's remarks, cited by Bifhop Burgefs, Appendix
to Vifltation Charge 1832, p. 44. "The beft clergyman" of Bifliop
.Burnet's fuggefted fcheme might be the Uean rural.— Who more proper?

Acta et Decreta
Secundce Synodi
Provintice Ul-
irajectenfis,p. 208. c.l.

!m6. 3(bbcnb<l,
Paroch. Antiq.
Vol. n. p. 358.

cc. M. B. et H.
Vol. IV. p. 64 1 .

370

i^ersonal JFunctlons.

[Part IV.

CHAPTER II.
Institution and Induction.

SS. cc. Tom.
XIII. col. 1262. ;
can. III.
Thomaffin. F. et i
N.E. D.Tom.i. i
p. 227.

m

^

WT

m

m

HE charge of prefenting ordained clerks to
the biffiop, or his vicar-general, for infiitution
to vacant beneflces, the Uean ffiared wiffi the
archdeacon in the diocefe of Tours, by a
provincial council of Chateau Gontier {A.D. mccxxxi.) —
the lay and clerical patrons being commanded to employ
one or other of thefe officers for that purpofe.
In fome diocefes, ftrange as it may appear, arch-
' deacons and arcfipriests enjoyed de confuetudine^ the
right of infiitution itfelf. In that of Liege, the former
Thefaur. Anec. inftitutod to the larger churches (" in ecclefiis et earum
Mart.etDurand. ' , ,^ .
' appendidis' ), the latter to chapels {"in capellis"), ac
cording to the Synodal Statutes of the year mcclxxxvii. ;
— but, in both inftances, they were liable to fufpenfion
by their fuperior, the biffiop, if they deviated from the

Tom. IV. c. 856.

Van Efpen
I.E.U. P.II.
Tit. XXVI. c. I.
p. 547.

Rights of the
Clergy, p. 64.

(') Upon which plea of cuftom. Innocent III. fupported the arch
deacon of Richmond " in jure infiituendi ; eo quod archidiaconus hie
probdffet, fie et prcedeceffores fiuos in cantinud pojfeffkme infUtuendi
fuijfe; quamvis dejure communi archidiacona fiala inflitutio carporalis
campetat." The archdeacon had that power, obferves Mr. Nelfon, origi
nally from the bifhop, becaufe the jurifdiction of the whole diocefe was
in him before there was an archdeacon ; but, the grant which he had
being loft, and it being cuftomary for him to inftitute, by virtue (as it
muft be fuppofed) of fuch original grant, he may therefore preficribe to
do it. Such was, probably, the origin of the arcjprestgter rural'S jurif
diction in inftituting clerks, wherever it obtained.

S. VIII. C. II.] ©ruination, Unstltution, «c InUuction.— Institution, &c.

371

canon of infiitution, and collated any clerk to a beneflce
who had not attained the age of twenty-flve years. —
Again, in the Summa Silvefirina it is afked, at fol. xxxix.
De arcfitpresbgtero — " Utmm arcfitpresbgter ruralis habeat
autaritatem infiituendi feu canfirmandi prcefientatas a pa
tronis in ecclefiis quce funt fuh fuo plcbanatu?" — ^and
anfwered, " Qubd de communi jure non potefi : — fedis ex
confuetudine prceficriptd, ficut accidit in archiepifcopatu
Florentino: qud uterque archiepifcopus et arcfiipresbgter
ruralis yew plebanus potefi confirmare prcefentatum fibi : et
ad quem primo recurrit ille expedit."
Infiitution, however, was, generally, the act of the
biffiop ; and the fubfequent one of induction alone that of
the Uean, or arcfipresbgter rural, who received the man
date of the ordinary, and gave the new clerk corporal
poffefiion under it, accepting no fee for the duty per
formed — " 30ecan{ pro miffionilms clericorum in poffefitonem
ecclefiarum, in quibus fuerint per epifcopum infiituti, nihil
omnino redpere, vel extarquere prcefiumant." {Confi. W. de
Cantilupo Wigorn. Epific. A.D. mccxl.)
"In plerifique dioecefibus f fays Van Efpen, "jus efi
arcfiipresbgterts intraducendi pafiores aliifque heneficiatas
in poffefiionem ; recipiendi ah iis fidd profefiionem aliaque
folita juramenta. Quinimb in quibufdam locis obtinuit, ut
nullce literce curce animarum defierviturce, vel vicepafioratus
cuiquam fuffragentur, nifi prcevid arcfitpresbgtero ifiius
diftrictus exhiheantur, et ah eodem fubfignentur."
But, in the Belgian churches, corporal infiitution or
induction was not the rural Uean's de jure communi, nor
even the archdeacon's, but the biffiop's alone; who
ufually committed it to the Uean of the diftrict, as the
latter's refldenee in the country enabled him more
2b 2

SummiB Silvef
irina, Parti.
fol. XXXIX.

\ cc.M.B.etH.
; Vol. I. p. 671.

! Jur. Eccl. Univ.
\ Part I. Tit. VI.
icap. V. p. 31.
exDecret. Synod.
Gandaven. Tit.
XVI. cap. IX.

Ejufd. Tit. XII.
cap. I. p. 57. &
Part II. T.xxvi.
C.II. p. 550.

372

personal ^Functions.

[Part IV.

Stat. Synod.
Dicec. Yprenf.
Tit. vn. c. VI.

Cap. VIII.

Van Efpen
Jur. Eccl. Univ.
P. II. Tit. XXVI.
C.II. PP.55U-51.

conveniently to perform the ceremony, adminifter the
oath\ &c. "Uecanorum officium efi," fays the fynod of
Ypres {A.D. mdlxxvii.) . . . . " novith provifos de paro
chiali ecclefid, aut alio beneficio ecclefiqftico {vifis litteris
collationis non vitiatis, non cancellatis, neque aliqud parte
fui fufpectis) in veram, realem, et corporalem beneficiorum
collatorum pofiefiionem per pulfum campance, traditionem
clavium, miffalis, calicis, aut ornamentorum, et ofculum
altaris, atque fuh aliis folemnitatibus, pro confuetudine- debitis
et requifitis, inducere, et confiituere, mediante fiummarid
renovatione juramenti &c." And farther ; — -becaufe falfe
letters of induction were fometimes fubftituted, it was
decreed by the fame fynod, that no presbyters fliould

( ' ) The oath talcen by the perfon inducted was to this effect : — " Ego
^.jura et pramitto obedientiam, reverentiam et hcmorem fiimmo pon-
tifici Romano, ac R. domino epificopo N. eorundemqiie fuccefforibus-
Item juro et promitta ecclefiice mecB parochiali de 'N.fldeliter defervire
fiecundum aneris illi annexi exigentiam, et in eo perfionaliter refidere.
Bona pqftoratus vel ecclefice mece non alienabo ; et indebite alienata,
quantum in me erit, fideliter recuperare fludebo. Specificationem om
nium fructuum pqftoratus mei, cum debitd defignatione hypothecarum,
limitum et terminorum, intra annum afeflo nativitatis et Joannis Bap-
tiflcB jjroxime venturo, arcIjpreStlStero tradam ; fructus anni, in quo me
mori aut meam ecclefiam dimittere continget, fiubjicio et obliga ad lau
dabilem defiervituram ufque adftflum N. Sti Joannis Baptifice, mortem
vel dimififionem meam proxime fiubfiecuturum. Sic me Deus, &c." This
oath was renewed by the fynod of Malines (A.D. mdcix.), and ordered
to be taken before the rural Uean and two other witneffes ; and, togetheif
with the profeffion of the inducted's faith (according to the form of Pope
Pius IV.), was to be entered in the regiftry of the Ueanrg, with date, wit
neffes, &c. Nearly the like oath was taken, before the Uean, on inducting
the fame, or any other perfon, into a benefice without cure of fouls—
mutatis tnutandis — See alfo CC. Rotomag. Prov. P. ii. p. 446. Synodi
Sagienfies, and Decreta et Ordinata Dioecefis Gandavenfis, A.D. mdcl.
pp. 121, feqq., for the forms of thefe juraments as taken by paftors,
capellanes,

S.VIII. C.II.] ©ruination, Institution, & InUuttion.— Institution, Src.

373

interfere in any cafe of induction (even though the letters
ffiould be addreffed generally' to all presbyters) without
the fanction and confent of the Uean. |
But to return to our infular ufages, for examples of j
the employment of our btllan officers in giving corporal '.^^^^^^^.^ p^^^_
poffefiion of beneflces: — On SaintLucy's day {aD.mccxx.), h'^f/'"f
Richard, rural Uean of Wodefdon, inducted the prior and \{exci,artui.
' ' ^ , IS.FndeJw.'peaes
canons of Saint Frideswide, Oxford, into the appropriated iDecan. et Capu.
' ' n \yEd.Xti. Oxou.
tithes of Oakle, and certifled it by fpecial inftrument, laK§p.i35.)
concluding thus — " Ego et plures alii viri fide digni de j
capitulo de Wittefdon in hujus rei tefi'.monium huic fcripto ;
sigilla nofira appofuimus." — And again, on the eighth of
April (^.D. mcccxxvii.), by mandate from Henry bifliop
of Lincoln, the rural sub=Uean of Wodefdon, who was
vicar of Wynchendon, inducted the aforefaid prior and

capellanes, &c. " And why," aflis Van Efpen, " was this fpecification
of eccleflaftical property to be exhibited to the arcj&preSbgter, as the
bifhop's vicar? — why — but that he might, in place of the bifhop, fee to.
its due confervation, and that no part of it was loft or deteriorated,
while in the keeping of the beneficiary ! " In compliance with this
oath, all facellanes, paftors, and beneficed perfons, were commanded by
the fynod of Ghent (A.D. mdcl.) to deliver, after induction, an exact
inventory of all their goods, and rights accruing out of their refpective
benefices, to the arcjipriests or UeanS of ©i&ristianitg ; and alfo a full
fl;atement of all taxes paid by each benefice, that the fame might be kept
in the archives of the diocefe.— Moreover, by the ftatutes of the fame
fynod, authority was given to the aic!)prieStS to demand the original
documents, or authentic copies, of all ecclefiaftical endowments, to be
exhibited to them by the patrons of the benefices within their arcjbipres-
bgterateS. (See alfo Stat. Dicec. Synod. Yprenfi T. xx.) And by the fynod
of Antwerp (^.D.mdcx.) they were authorifed, at the time of vifitmg
the parochial clergy, to examine the titles of collation, infiitution, and
poffeffion of benefices, under which each incumbent held ; and the clergy
were charged to exhibit the inftruments, on demand.

Van Eipen
Jur. Eccl. Univ.
Part II. Tit.
XXXVI. C.I.
p. 689.

Decreta Dioec.
Gandavenjis,
Tit. XVI. C.VIII.
Tit. XX. c. III.

Decreta Diiec.
Gandaoenfis,
Tit. XX. CIV.
p. 90.

374

Personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

canons, in the perfon of John de Abingdon, into the fame
church, with the annexed chapels of Brill, Borftall, and
Adihgrave. For this official act, as I have faid, no fee was allowed
to the inductor. The Uean rural of the diocefe of Wor-
j cefter is expreffly forbidden to demand or accept any by
! the canon above quoted. And in a reficript to the arch-
i biffiop of Canterbury {De Simonid, cap. xxxvi.) Pope
I Innocent III. urges on the primate, " Ut pravam confue-
\ tudinem de fud provindd fiudeat abolere, per quam pro
invefiiturd, archidiaconi mancham argenti, minores verb
Uecant vaccam albam fibi dare pofiulant, vel certam folvi
pecunice quantitatem " — a cuftom equally condemned by
Epifh. Honorii | Houorius II. to the biffiop and clergy of Liege — amongft
et Cler. Lead, in whom he roprobates " deteflahilem confuetudinem exiqendi
nucher.. Spicileg. \ . . ,
Tom.xii.p.i58.'i|)er archidiaconos et Uecanos determinatam pecuniam de in-
[ vefiituris ecclefiarum et altarium."
But, in utter difregard of papal refcripts of inhibition,
the archidiaconal and other agents of induction, in the
next century, feem to have continued fadly extortionate
in the performance of the duty — delaying the act itfelf
and its certiflcation for a moft unreafonable time, under
; the hope of increafing their unlawful proflts. In confe-
j quence of which abufe, Archbiffiop Stratford interpofed
with an Extravagant {A.D. mcccxlii.), ftrongly condem
natory of the practice, and bidding archdeacons and
other eccleflaftical minifters, in obedience to mandates
of induction from the biffiop, to perform the ceremony
without delay, and to be fatisfled with moderate charges —
3s. 4:d. for the archdeacon, and 2s. for his official — to be
paid in money or other commodities, at the option of
the inducted clerk. (Can. iii. De Inductionibus &c.)

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol. II. p. 697.

S. VIII. C. II.] ©ruination, institution, & InUuction.— Institution, $(C, 375

It ffiould feem, fays the learned Mr. Johnfon in a note ] Ecclefiaftical
upon this provincial conftitution, the practice which now 3. Zte {i).
prevails for the archdeacon to give a mandate for the
Hfiituted clerk to be inducted by one that was not official,
had its beginning in Lyndwood's time. For he propofes
the queftion, whether the archdeacon in this cafe ffiall
have any thing, and anfwers peremptorily in the negative ;
but that the inductor ffiall have what is fufficient for one
of his degree : — " Inducens habebit ab inducto expenfias Provindaiis
necefiarias fuo fiatui competentes fub moderatione quce con- p.' ho. '
ceditur ipfi archidiacono, vel ejus offidali, &c."
The Uean rural was often thus vicarioufiy appointed to ,
the office of induction by the archdeacon (" cujus offidum
efif gloffes the biffiop of Saint David's, " admiffbs ad gz. in voce
, -. , r. n. .7 ¦ 7 1 J! ¦• /• Archidiaconus.
henefiaa ecclefiiafmca inducere m corporalem beneficii poj
fe fiionem "), after the canon lawyers had deprived the Pap.'^^^iai Ann-
J .^ " .1 • 1 quilies. Vol. ii.
former of his priority of jurifdiction in the matter, and p- 362.
letters of induction had begun to be addreffed to the
archdeacon, primarily, inftead of the Uean \
Dr. Kennett fuggefts to the biffiop of Lincoln " to 5>t§. atbcnba,
have the mandates for induction into parochial churches, voi. n. p. 358."
allwaie directed, as of old, to the rural Uean." — "To
licenfe no curate or fcholemafter without a certiflcate |
from the rural Uean, of the perfon, the place, the falary, !
the duties &c."^ — " To inftitute no clerk without a like
account from the Uean, of the vacancie, the true patron,
the reputation of the prefentee, &c."
Laftly, in the Proceedings in Convocation refpecting '^c.^^.^^ff.

(') ^.D.MCCCC. The bifhop of Norwich wrote to the Uean of his own 1 Blomefield's
manors to induct Tho. Brademere de Hogham, prieft, according to p.459'*' ^'''¦''
cufiom, the archdeacon never inducting any one in the bifliop's manors.

376

personal ^Functions.

[Part IV

rural Ueans {A.D. mdccx.), it is propofed by the Upper
Houfe as worthy of conflderation, " how far it may be
practicable, that mandates of induction be directed to the
rural Uean to be executed by him, or any other neigh
bouring minifter."
Moft refpectfully, but earneftly, would I folicit the
attention of the right reverend the biffiops to the fug
geftions thrown out by Dr. Kennett in reply to the
biffiop of Lincoln, and by the Convocation in obedience
to the mandate of Queen Anne, refpecting the reftora
tion of Ueans rural to the antiquated duties, which are the
fubject of the prefent and preceding chapters, and which
cannot be too foon, 'nor too generally revived, in my
opinion, under fuch high fanction, in furtherance of that
important department of church-difcipline to which they
appertain — the ordination, infiitution and induction of
clerks. The fuggeftions are the more valuable, becaufe
they are perfectly practicable, and need only to be tried.
in order to be approved \

( ' ) In many diocefes it is ufual for the bifhops to depute their rural
UeanS to act, from time to time, as COmmisSarieS, to receive the decla
ration and fubfcription of curates previous to their being licenfed. And
the Uecanal commiffion, in fome inftances, authorifes the Uean to examine
the licences of all ftipendiary and affiftant curates within his Ueanrg.

Sect. IX.]

©itatiott anU ®ertlfication.

377

SECTION IX.
Citatory and Certificatory Duties.
S minifterial officers of fuperior prelates —
" Minifiri tam epifcoporum, qudm archidia
conorum" — Ueans rural were concerned in
the citation of delinquents into^ the fpiritual
courts, and making certificatory returns — " iSecani ruralis
officium efi, in caufis ecclefiafiicis citationes et tranfimiffas
exequi; — cujus figillum in talibus eft authenticumf fays
the biffiop of Saint David's. " They were to receive
warrants from the biffiop or his iubftitute," writes the
dean of Gloucefter, "and by vertue thereof to cite all
fuch to make their appearance before the chiefe paftour
or biffiop, as were upon any occaflon to be convented
before him : and this their citation of fuch parties to be
convented, under the feale of their office they were to
certifie the biffiop of."
Their interference in thefe proceedings, Mr. Somner
conflnes " to caufes of moment, and when the clergy of
their refpective Ueanrtes were the fubjects of citation; on
(') Perfons cited before courtS-@JbrtStlan, whether by UeanS rural or
other officers, were exempt from arreft. All violators of this privilege of
the church were to be admonifhed by the UeanS to grant to the aggrieved
immediate liberation, and recompence for injury fuftained. Non-com
pliance on the part of offenders was fubject to preremptory and uncondi
tional excommunication. Vide Can. " Qualiier venientes ad curiam de
bent plena libertate gaudere."

jLynd. Provinc.
!Edit.Oa:o)!.p.91. gi. inv. tccnno?.

iP. 81. gl. in V.
Sccmii ruralis.

Dr. Field of
the Church,
B. V. p. 507.

Antiquities of
Canterbury,
Parti, p.176.

Corifl . Synodal.
Epifcopatus

A.D. MCCCCLV.

378

personal JFunctlons.

[Part IV.

Conft. Othon.
can. XXVI.
cc.M.B.etH.
Vol.1, p. 655.

Confi. Othon.
p. 63. Ed.O.TOn.

Confi. Othon.
Tit. XXV. p. 123,
Edit, 0x071.

which occaflons, at leaft, the warrant was often directed,
committed, and entrufted to the execution of the Ueans :
and they, as a part of their office, ei1;her executed the
fame themfelves, or elfe caufed it to be executed by
their apparitors, fervants, beadles, or meffengers" — "per
fe, aut certos fuos nuncios et fideles." But there feems
no reafon for the antiquary's reftriction of Uecanal inter-
pofltion to fuch cafes alone. Indeed, thefe officers were
general minifters of citation in confequence of the mal
practices of others difqualifying them for the truft.
Letters of fummons, it appears from the twenty-fixth
conftitution of Otho, had been previoufly executed, " at
the inftigation of the promoters of them, in a way irioft
crafty and nefarious;" — "A multis accepimus," fays the
deacon cardinal, " quod citatorias literas impetrantes, eas
ad locum, in quo morari dicitur, qui citatur, per tres defii-
nant garciones, quas fuper altare loci ejufdem ecclefice, vel
ibidem in loco alio duo ponunt, et tertius fiatlm rapit. Ex
quo fit ut duobus pofimodUm tefiificantihus, qubd ilium
citaverint, juxta morem et corfuetudinem regionis, excom-
municatur vel fufipenditur, ut contumax, qui contumadee
prorsiis utpote citationis nefcius vel expers erat." — To
guard againft fuch abufes in future, the minifterial part
of the citatory procefs was changed by the legate, and the
mandates ordered to be always ferved by an officer of the
fpiritual court (on the perfon, if he could be found, or,
otherwife, by publication in the church), or, at leafi,
directed to the rural Uean of the Ueanrji, for faithful exe
cution by himfelf or deputies. Thirty years afterwards
{A.D. mcclxviii.), the fame conftitution was conflrmed
by Cardinal Othobon; — with the addition, that, unlefs
a return were made by the rural Uean, or other definite

Sect. IX.]

©itation anU ©ertification.

379

perfon (" arbitrio demandantis," glofs.) of the due execu
tion of the summons, no puniffiment ffiould be inflicted
for difobedience of the injunction.
Scarce, however, had the Ueans been appointed to the
office of receiving and tranfmitting letters of citation and \
certificate, than fome of them began to abufe their truft ; \
as appears from Archbiffiop Peckham's twelfth conftitu
tion of Lambeth, De certification^hus faciendis : — " Quidam cc. m. b. et h.
ruralium Uecanorum in citationihns faciendis, contra com- ""¦p-^-
munem juris ordinem de lucif eriand verfutid merito diffa-
mantur, qui viz. certificationem fubdolam vendunt pro
pecunid filiis falfitatis, nulld citatione ad notitiam citati
ante certiflcationem hujufmodi, vel pofi eam aliquatenus \
veniente, undd frequenter evenit, ut innocens damnetur." \
For the prevention of which detailed knavery, it is : johnfon-s ec-
ordered, that no return or certificatory be granted^,
under the feal of a Uean rural, to any applicant whatever,
till it has been publickly read "intra mi fiarum folenniaf
on Sunday or other feftival, in the church where the
cited party dwells if'fovet larem "), or for the moft part
reforts : — -{f Ut per hoc confiare pofiit" fays Lyndwood,
" qubd Uecanus apponens figillum non efi in dolo velfraude,
figillando forsan fictum vel falfum certiflcatorium.") —
Moreover, that the cited have fufficient time allowed him
to make his appearance at the place and day appointed :

clef. Laws,
MCCLXXXI.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol. II. p. 57.
Provincial. L.II.
Tit.i. p.81.

(') In Oughton's Orda Judiciorum, Tit. xxvi. " Quid fit certificato- Vol. l p. 51.
rium authenticum," it is noted . . . . " Quod in omni certificatorio au- j
thentico" according to the practice of the Court of Arches, " archidia- i
conus, offidalis, commiffarius, vel UecanuS ruraliS (qui dicto certificatorio j
figillum officii fill appofuit) teflificari debet, fe figillum hujufimodi appo-\
fuiffe, ad fpecialem, feu perfonalem requifitionem mandatarii ; alias \
non valet hujufinodi certificatorium, nee dicitur authenticum."

380

^^ersonal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

Pi'ovineial. L. n.
T. I. p. 85.
gl. in V. bccani
rutalc§.

gt. in V. omm
anno.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol. II. p. 699.

Provincial. L. II.
T. I. de Judiciis,
p. 91.

¦ — or, if the cafe will not admit of fuch delay, then that
the certificatory be given in the church, or other public
place, before witneffes, after citation previoufly made be
fore witneffes alfo ; the time and place being noticed in
the return; — and that no certificatory be granted, upon
any plea whatever, before citation. To the ftrict obfer
vance of all which regulations the Ueans were to be fworn
annually at the epifcopal fynod — " Quid per eos potiils
qudm per alios, qui habent figilla authentica, multce fiebant
fraudesf fays Lyndwood : — and again, in explication of
the annual repetition of the oath (fufficiently explained,
one would think, in the limited duration of the Uean's
tenancy of office, and the yearly recurrence of the dio
cefan fynod), he fubjoins, with his wonted feverity and
illiberality of inflnuation  "Alias pofiqudm jurati
efient, non oporteret hujufmodi juramentum requiri, nifi
fiubefiet caufia fiufipicionis."
If primary citations in caufes of correction (" citationes
primaries, i. e. primd vice emanantes, Lynd. pro correctioni-
hus delinquentium") iffued by biffiops and archdeacons,
or their officials, were tranfmitted through any rector,
vicar, or other parochial minift.er than^ the rural Uean,

Strype's Annals
of the Reforma
tion, Vol. II.
P.II. pp. 697-98.

(') "Whereas, law hath plainly forbidden," fays Bifliop Freak of
Norwich (J.D. mdlxxx.), "that procefs out of the court fliould be
awarded to be ferved by the adverfe party, or any of his affignment,
whereof we fee by daily experience the inconveniency ; for that the
adverfary, keeping the procefs by him, will await fuch time and bufinefs
of the party, that he cannot appear, and often fuch flender returns are
made as bear no credit : it were greatly to the furtherance of juftice and
indifferent dealing, all procefs fliould be directed to the UeanS rural or
SuperintenUcntS in their feveral Ueanries, by their officers to be executed,
and returned authentically, according to law. Whereby the fubject fliall
have no caufe of grief; and juftice better may be executed."

Sect. IX.]

©itation anU ©ertificatlon.

381

official, apparitor, or fervant, it was deemed uncanonical;
— the delinquents fo cited were abfolved from obedience ;
and the citations, with the cenfures and proceffes confe
quent upon them, were "ipfio jure" null and void.
Examples of the employment of Ueans rural, as fium-
moners to fuperior courts=®5ristian, abound in our ancient
hiftories of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. In
the Chronica W. Thorn, A.D. mccc, the reader will flnd
an ordination of rural Ueanries by Thomas Fyndon, abbot
of St. Auguftine ; and, the following year, a procefs car
ried on againft Peter de Mildeftede, vicar of Faverffiam,
in which the rural Uean of Lenham, the laft on the lift of
the abbot's fore-appointed Uecanates, is employed by his
commlffary to cite the delinquent vicar (previoufly de
clared contumacious, and fufpended ab ingrefiu ecclefice)
" coram domino abbate vel ejus commiffario in ecclefid Sancti
Auguftini Cant. S;c." Then follows the certificatorium
of the Uean, which, as a curiofity, I tranfcribe, ftating
the due execution of the mandate of citation : —
" Venerandce difcretionis viro, commiffario venerabilis
Patris Dd Gratid Abbatis Sancti Auguftini Cant, fiuus
humilis et devotus Uecanus Ue HenSam obedientiam, reve
rentiam, et honorem. Mandatum vefirum fufcepi in hcec
verba ^c. Auctoritate cujus mandati prcefatum vicarium
qubd compareat coram vobis dictis die et loco peremptorie
citavi, didtur tamen vulgariter qubd efi abfiens et vagabun-
dus. Et fie mandatum vefirum fecundum fui formam et
effectum reverenter quatenus potui fum executus." The
rebellious vicar ftill keeping aloof, in contempt of the
court=®6rtsttan, Uean rural, commlffary, and abbot, he ^is
declared fufpended and excommunicate, in his own
church of Faverffiam, and throughout the Ueanrg of

Scriptores x.
col. 1976.

Col. 1981, 1982,
1983.

382

personal iFutwtions.

[Part IV.

Papal Ufurpa
tions, Tome III.
p. 987.

Hafted's Hifl. of
Kent, Vol. II.
p. 804.

Lenham ; and the commlffary, at laft, denounces him
an incorrigible excommunicate, deprived of all pre
ferment. Prynne's Ufurpations afford a fecond hiftorical anec
dote of dtation by Ueans rural. Being concerned in the
applicatory part of all admonitions, fummonfes, returns,
and cenfures of the church, and the whole of its difci
pline, in country diftricts, being practically vefted in
them and their apparitors, we may readily conceive that
they were fometimes expofed to infult and injury from
the unruly violators of the church's peace. Accordingly,
we read in Prynne, " Qubd quidam malefactores et pads
nofirce perturbatores  Richardum C!hriftian Uecanum
Roberti Archiepifcopi Cantuar. de Ofpringe per ipfum
archiepifcopum ufque Sellinges miffum, ad quofdam cita
tiones et alia, quce ei ratione officii fui fpiritualis incumbe-
hantfadenda, apud prcedictam villam de Sellinges cepe
runt, et ipfum verfus pofieriora equi illius retroverfum et
caudam ejufdem equi in manu fud loco frceni tenentem
equitare inhuman^ compulerunt; ipfum etiam fie equitan-
tem per medium ejufdem villce de Sellinges cantibus et
chords illudendo duxerunt, et pofiea caudam illam, et
auriculas ac labia ejufdem equi ahfdderunt, et ipfum Ueca=
num in lutum fordidum projecerunt, ipfiumque quo miniis
officium fiuper fibi per prcefat. archiep. commifiis et injunc-
tis exercere potuit impediverunt &c." For which affault,
thus circumftantially fet forth, "the king directed his
writ to the ffieriff, to make inquiry by inquifltion of a
jury concerning it."

Sect. X.]

IDecanal Apparitors.

383

SECTION X.

ISecanal Apparitors.

O aid the Ueans in the execution of certain
branches of their office, the church allowed
them the ufe of bedels or apparitors — "iBecant
rurales," fays Lyndwood, " in quibufdam par
tibus habent jurifdictionem, et apparitores yew hedellos fibi
intendentes." In reference to the biffiop, the Ueans them
felves ftood in the capacity of fiummoners^ — "Quantum eft
ad epifcopum, intelUgi poteft qubd ipfi Uecant funt ejus
apparitores:" and in the fame relation to the Ueans,
ftood their own perfonal officers, who were employed to
cite the clergy to chapters, vfitations, and convocations,
(for the mandates for the choice of convocation-clerks
paffed through the hands of Ueans rural), and to execute

(') "D'n's archiepifc. cffi,ciario fuo falutem. — Amaveatur apparitor
(uipote fuhditis nofiris anerafus occafione queftus extorquendi) et cam-
pleatur ejus officium per Uecanum ficut extitit hactenus obfervatum.
Idem etiam UecanuS in fua de ceterotiecmatu fid fine qudvis injufid fievitia
fiequeflrator, et fiuperfiuitas minifirorum indebita undique deleatur ne im-
properia deinceps fiub inchoatis tediis abbrevient dies noflros Sec."
In the capacity of epifcopal /ummoraers, UeanS rural were purpofed to
have been commiffioned by our eccleliaftical-law reformers. They were
to have made known the time of the epifcopal fynod to the rural clergy,
in order to enfure their attendance at it— (a duty enrolled in our earlier
pages under fiynodical duties)— " Singula quoque anno fynodus ab epi
fcopo indicetur, curetque diem candictam omnibus pafioribus qui funt in
agro per UccanoS rurifparfas indicari &c."

Provinciate Jj.Y.
T. xvu. gl. in V.
bccanocum,p. 352.

L.III. T.xxii.
gl. in V. dun
taxat, p. 226.

Atterbury's Ar-
chidiac. Charge,
MDCCVIII. Somner's Antiq.
of Canterbury,
Parti. p.l76.

^iciRcaiStcWill.
Wickwane Ebor.
Not. £018. aibb.
Kennett's Pa
roch. Antiq.
Vol. II. p. 351.

Reformatio
LL. Ecclef.
cap. XX. p. 104.

384

personal ^Functions.

[Part IV

CC. M. B. et
Vol.1, p. 671
A.D. MCCXL.

H.

CC.M.B.et
Vol.1, p. 754,

H.

fummorfes and judicial writs from the court=®6risttan, on
behalf and in place of their mafters. They were alfo
fupervifors of manners, and bound to notify to their
employers any immoralities, or breaches of church-difci-
I pline, which occurred in their prefence, or reached them
by information : and, as the principals were puniffiable
by removal from office, if they accepted any pecuniary
bribe for concealing, or too lightly pimiffiing, the crimes
of offenders, fo alfo were the under officers fubject to
the fevere correction of the biffiop's official for the like
connivance and corruption. See Confi.W. de Cantilupo,
Wigorn. Epifc. Can. " Qubd officiales vel Uecani ^c."
By Archbiffiop Boniface's Lambeth conftitution {A.D.
MccLXi.) De apparitorihus five bedelUs — certain regulations
were eftabliffied to remedy the "gravamina et exceffus"
refulting • from the abufe of apparitors  " Cii'm
pro faciendis executionihus, aut pro aliis necefiitatihus ad
hofpitia rectorum, vicariorum, feu capeUanorum, vel aliorum
facerdotum vel clericorum aut religioforum eos declinare
contigerit, nihil omnino ratione procurationis vel alterius
fervitii exigant ah eifdem, fed cum gratiarum actione reci
pientes ea, quce eis ab hofpitihus apponentur, illis contenti
ex fiant: neque per nundos aut fnhhedellos, fed per feipfios
executiones faciant prceceptorum, &c." Moreover, they
were not of themfelves to pafs fentences of excom
munication, interdict, or fufpenfion; nor to denounce
judgments paffed by others, without the fpecial letters
of their principals. Such fentences, otherwife delivered
by them, were not obligatory in law, and might be dif
regarded with impunity. And laftly, inafmuch as it
was the earneft deflre of the church to exonerate the
clergy from illegal charges, if apparitors, in violation and

Sect. X.]

iiecanal Apparitors.

385

contempt of her reftrictive conftitutions, were ftill bur-
denfome and expenflve in their vifltings, they were to be
puniffied with feverity, and compelled to make double
reftitution to the aggrieved party.
Thefe rules, I have no doubt, extended to all appari
tors. The Dublin fynod {A.D. mccxvii.), had paffed the
fame, or nearly fo, long before ; expreffly reftricting
archidiaconal and Uecanal bedels by name— ^"bedelli yew
apparitores, archidiaconis nofiris vel Uecanis intendentes,
&c." And, under pain of excommunication, the fame
officers were inhibited to ride in the diocefe of Norwich
— "Inhibemus fuh poena excommunicationis, ne bedelli
archidiaconorum feu Uecanorum habeant equitaturas, fed
pedites incedant, nefint onerofi provindce" — {A.D. mcclvii.)
— though in the diocefe of Winchefter (in the larger
Ueanries at leaft) they were allowed the aid of horfes for
the more expeditious delivery of their mandates : — " Sit
in quoUbet Uecanatu unicus duntaxat apparitor yzwe equo,
exceptis diffufioribus Uccanatibus, in quibus permittimus
apparitores eorum equites efie, cum non pofiiint pedites,
cum celeritate debitd, omnia quce eis nos, vel offidalis nofier,
aut archidiaconus, vel officiales eorum injunxerimus expe
dire, &c." {A.D. MCCCVIII.)
Biffiop Bleys of Worcefter {A.D. mccxix.) ordered
that every apparitor attached to a Uean ffiould be, at leaft,
of the order of acolyth — " Nullus Uecanus habeat appari
torem nifi fuerit ille clericus, ad minus ordinatus in aco-
litum." Notwithftanding the particularity of the cited limita
tions, and the feverity of the penalties on difobedience,
it feems, the apparitors contrived to evade them : —
whence the neceffity of the fubfequent Extravagant of

VOL. I.

cc. M. B. et H.
Vol.1, p. 551.

Ejufd. p. 735.

Ejufd. Vol. II.
p. 299.

Ejufd. Vol. I.
p.571.

Johnfon's Eccl.
LL. in anno.

386

personal jFunctions.

[Part IV.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol.n. p. 700.
Provincial.lj.lil. T.XXII. gliav.
non equitem.

Brown's Fafci
culus Rerum,
p. 366.

Archbiffiop Stratford {A.D. mcccxlii.), reftricting the
number to one foot-bedel in each Ueanrg {"tam fub archi-
^.diacono qudm Uecano," fays Lyndwood), without any
! horfeman ; the latter being granted to the biffiop alone.
This walking apparitor is allowed, by the provincial
conftitution of the archbiffiop, to remain only one night
and day at the fame rectory or vicarage, in each quarter
of the year, unlefs fpecially invited to ftay longer. He
is forbidden to levy contributions of money, wool, lambs,
or other perquifites, and is thankfully to receive what
ever is freely prefented to him. Any excefs in retinue
of apparitors is, ipfio facto, fufpenfion of the Uean from
office, until he again reduce them to the canonical limit.
And, on the apparitor's fide, any deviation from the
ftrict letter of the law, either in being himfelf of the
number fo augmented, or in the mode of adminiftering
the perfonal duties of his office, is immediate depofition,
ipfio facto, and perpetual incapacity to refume the appa
ritorial functions ^.

(') Great as were the faults and numerous the tranfgreffions of the
officers of the rural Ueans of England, they are quite eclipfed by thofe of
I foreign official underlings. The character of the officials of arcJprieStS
! is thus given in the " Gravamina centum GermaniccB Natianis : " —
j " LV. ArcJipreSigterorum quoque officiales, ut plurimum funt indocti,
I inhabiles, infuper etficurrilibus moribus, nihil penfi habentes, nihil aventes
I quam pecuniam. Et quam notorie in publicis degant peccatis ac faci-
naribus, quotidiana difcitur ufiu, per quad laid, quos ob admiffa, debito
modo corripere, ac in pietate Chrifiiand eruditiores et meliores reddere
debebant, nedttm ad meliorem frugem non perducurdur, fed offendiculis
onerantur potius. Ad hcec per leves ac viles has cfficialium perfonas,
in quorum confcientiis, nulla Chriftiance pietatis viget ratio, fed tanti/m
fceleratus habendi amor, laici mifere ad vivum ufque in bonis fuis fpoli-
antur, ac deprcsdantur," &c. "The

Sect. X.] Uecanal Slpparitors. 387

Subject to thefe regulations, the Uean rural continued
to employ this fervant ^ till the period of the Reforma
tion; when the latter entirely difappeared, and the
former preferved little more than a nominal exiftence— '
" the cipher of a function." The Canons of mdlxxi. ; sparroWs coi-
, ¦ ] lection, -pf. 21,
continue the Uean rural, but fay nothing of his apparitor. , and 48.
Nor, in the Conftitutions Ecclefiafiical of mdxcvii., or thofe ;
of mdciii., does the latter any more appear ; — unlefs, eibfon-s codex
perchance, he be included among the fummoners of xuu. cap.vii.
" inferior ordinaries " there mentioned. But the abortive
Reformatio Legum Ecclefiafiicarum of Henry VIII. and i
Edward VI., when reftoring arcftpresbnters, or Ueans rural, '/'«3ti;cr)ipw§6t)t.
. ' O -^r e 5 7 five XiKan. mm.
to their full powers and ufefulnefs, would alfo have |<!ap.v.p.95.
granted to each the fervices of an apparitor. And fuch, 'ySiv'^'ssf'
in the next century, was the intention of Biffiop Bedell ]
of Kilmore ; — indeed, he expreffly orders his reftored |
Ueans rural to employ the fervices of their apparitors (one
in each of the three Ueanrtes of the diocefe) for diftri- '
buting epifcopal mandates to their compresbyters. ;
In the iflands of Jerfey and Guernfey, the Confiitutions \

" The Civilians have fo low an opinion of a beadle or an apparitor, i Ayliffe's Purer
that they call him animal tantum rationale ; by which it may be in- ' ^°"' ^' '
ferred, that he is of a meaner capacity than a fheriflf's officer : and there- j
fore, fince he is fuch an incamprehenfible, it is fit the court fhould not be |
troubled with many of them, &c."
C) "Whereas the lewdnefs of ap^jaritors, fcouring of the countries ;
following their matter's trade and exercife ; fome have been detected of
forty marks bribery in half a quarter of a year, in half a Ueanrg ; the
Uean rural or superintenUent fhall caufe fome honeft, religious, quick
perfon, to whom he fhall upon his credit commit thofe things he fhall
be put in truft with. Who, attending every confiftory day upon the
court, may certify and return all proceffes; and advertife of all abufes
needing reformation.'' cc 2

Freak's Paper.
Strype's Annals
of the Reforma-
*20M, Vol.11. P.II.
pp. 699—700.
(^.D.MDLXXX.)

388

personal JFutiction^.

[Part IV.

Ccefarea hy
Falle 8; Morant,
Append. No. x.
p. 216.

Manfi Supplem.
ad SS.CC.Tom.
VI. col. 352.

and Canons Ecclefiafiical grant to the Uean one apparitor,
who, in aidance of the procefs of dtation, may fwear to
the duties thereof the clerks of pariffies : — " xlvii. Pour
executer les citations et femonces, le Uopen affermentera les
coufieurs des paroiffes, et un appariteur, lefiquels donneront
fidele record de leurs exploits, en donnant copie des citations
et mandats originels a ceux qui le requerront, et an abfience
de la partie aux domefiiques; et les caufes de la comparence
fieront exprimees dedans lesdites citations et mandats." —
" xLviii. Si la partie ne fie trouve point, fioit en fe cachant,
ou autre collufion, la citation fer a affichee d I'huis du temple
paroiffial d'icelle, en cas qu'il viayt aucun domicile, et ce en,
jour de dimanche."
Of foreign councils, one only prolongs the exiftence
of the Uean's officer to the year mdccxx. — and there,
probably, he is no apparitor, but a mere domeftic fervant ;
for whofe fupport, as well as that of his mafter and
two horfes, the Concilium Ruthenorum authorifes ffie
Uean to demand of the clergy fufficiency of maintenance,
during the time of their neceffary attendance on paro
chial vifltation.

Sect. XI.]

flutj&entlc S«nl.

389

SECTION XI.
Authentic Seal.
VERY important inftrument in the hands
of the Uean rural, for the purpofes already
referred to, and others to be now mentioned,
was his feal of office; — conftituting here in
England, in the opinion of Biffiop Kennett, his invefti
ture. By its formal receipt from the diocefan, or his
deputy, the Uean was duly commiffioned to the imme
diate performance of his numerous functions, both per
fonal and capitular; none of which in ficriptis were legal,
unlefs they had the fanction and imprefs of the figillum
auctenticum. The privilege of uflng a feal was confirmed to Ueans
rural in England (for it previoufty exifted) by the twenty-
eighth Confiitution of Cardinal Otho, " De figillis aucten-
ticis, et de cufiodid eorum" (^.Z). mccxxxvi.), upon^ the
plea of the total want of public notaries in the ifland at
that time. The character and infcriptlon of the Uecanal
feal were peculiar. Inafmuch as the office was only of

(') ''Apud Anglos, referente Matthaso Parifio in Henrico tertio, quo
niam Tabellionum ufus in regno Anglice nan Imbetur, propter quod
magis ad figilla authentica credi efl neceffe ; ut eorum copia facilius
habeatur, fiatutum efl, ut figillum habeant non foliim archiepifcopi et
epifcopi, fed etiam eorum officiales, item abbates, pnores, Uecani, archi
diaconi, et eorum officiales, Uccani ruraleS, necnon ecclefiarum cathedra
lium capitula, &c."

SWS. abbonbd,
Paroch. Antiq.
Kennett's Letter
to Bijhop of
Lincoln.

Codex L E. A.
Tit. XLIV. cap. V.

CC. M. B. et H.
Vol. I. p. 655.

Mabillon De Re
Diplomaiica,L. II. c. xiii. IV.
Vol.1, p. 129.

390

Personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

J. de Antbon.
gl. in V. tant&m,
p. 69.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol.n. p. 417.

Hijiory of Man
chefier, Vol. II.
pp. 391, 398.

a temporary nature, the Ueans were not allowed to have
their own names infcribed on their fieal, but only that of
their office ; at the expiration of which, they were to
re fign the feal at once, "without trouble or annoyance,"
into the hands of the perfon by whom they had been
appointed : — '' Illi qui temporale officium fufidpiunt, putd
Uecant rurales, et officiales, figillum fuum, quod tantum
nomen officii {quafi diceret, fine nomine proprio, gloff.)
habeat infculptum, finito officio, ei, a quo haheant officium,
contindo etfine molefiia refignent." The fame is enacted
in the flfth conftitution of Richard de Kellow, biffiop of
Durham {A.D. mcccxii.), with this additional particularity,
that the titles of the different offices of the enumerated
functionaries ffiould be engraven on the circumferences
of the feals : — " Qubd tam officiales nofiri qudm officiales
archidiaconorum nofirorum, et eorum commifiarii generales,
aut Uecant rurales, nofirarum civitatis et dioecefis Dunelm,
flgilla habeant auctentica, in quorum circumferentiis ipfo
rum offidalium, commifiariorum, Uecanorum offida expreffius
defignentur, fuis fuccefforibus in officio relinquenda; quibus
flgillis, quce fua contingunt officia, fiemph utantur: alioquln
poena gravifiimd puniantur."
The fuperior eccleflaftics, having a perpetuity of en
joyment in their feveral dignities, were permitted to
unite their perfonal or proper names with their titular
diftinctions in the legends of their feals, — an honour
denied to the Ueans of tje countrg — unlefs, from cuftom,
thefe alfo chanced to enjoy the like permanency of rank
and title ; — as was the cafe with the Uean of Manchefter,
and fome others; who, with perpetuity of office, had
the privilege of preflxing their perfonal names to their
official honour. The ufual fubfcription of the Uean of

Sect. XI.]

Slutjentic 5eal.

391

Vol. I. p. 655.

Manchefter was I. Decan. Ue Jttanucestro. Eo. Decan. Ue
i«tanc6ester : and fuch, Mr. Whitaker tells us, was the
infcriptlon of his yea/. But the temporary Uean's /^ne^i
bore no proper name, running in a general form, adapt- !
able to every poffeffor, as "Sbt's^Htim Uecant Uecanatus Uei
©sprens," "figillum Uccani aSerencestrie," "^tgillum Ue
canatus Ue Doner," "S>tstllum officii Uecant Ue 23."; of!
which we have examples, feverally, in Hafted's Kent, \
Kennett's Parochial Antiquities, Lewis on Seals, and i
Thome's Chronica.
All, however, of what duration foever their tenure of gc.M.B.etn.
office, were commanded to be careful of the cuftody of
their refpective yea/s; and either to keep them faithfully
under their perfonal charge and jurifdiction, or to dele
gate them to fafe and fworn guardians ; — neither them
felves affixing them, nor by their appointed reprefenta
tives, to any document whereby prejudice might poffibly
accrue to another perfon, without due circumfpection
and inquiry; — 'never refuflng them to rightful andnecef-
fitous applicants ; but peremptorily and unconditionally
denying them to falfaries and forgers. Laftly, the legate
Otho enjoined, that the proper date of the day, month,
year^and place, ffiould be inferted at the beginning, or
clofe, of every fuch authentically fealed document.
Thus guarded by canonical enactment againft the
male-adminiftration of Ids feal, either perfonally or vica
rioufly, the rural Uean ratifled with it his Certificatoria
already fpoken of {letters of refponfie certifying the receipt
and delivery of mandates of citation) — his Procuratoria
(infiruments hy which proctors were delegated reprefenta
tives in caufes ecclefiafiical, or courts-^firistian) — Inquifi
tiones dejure patronatus, and ©apitular Adjudications gene-

J. de Athon. gt
in V. ex quo
pojjit, p. 69.

See Onghton's
Ordo Judicio
rum, Vol. I. Tit.
XXVI. p. 51. &
Tit. XLVIII.
p. 81.

392

personal ^Functions.

[Part IV.

Conji. D. Othon.
Quie literee &c.
gl. in V. minori
bus clericis,
p. 66.

rally — Tefiamentary papers, and Letters of adminifiration,
Valores beneficiorum, Taxations, Tefiimonials for orders.
Inductions of clerks, Marriage-hanns, and all other acts
and documents, which, formally and in writing, were
heretofore occafionally tranfmitted through the Uecanal
office; or to the execution of which, whether of a
public or of a private nature, the Uean was an official
party, attefting authoritatively with his fignet their
genuinenefs and authenticity.
The caufe of all this wary legiflation, canon upon
canon, was this : — Before the arrival of Cardinal Otho
in England, as legate a latere from Gregory IX., the ufe
of authentic feals had been groffly mifapplied, in reference
to fome of the purpofes for which they had been infti
tuted, not only by the " minores clerici " (" quales funt
officiales et Uecani rurales," J. de A.), but alfo by fuperior
prelates; (in one or other of which claffes, our Ueans
are affuredly to be included, as having figilla authentica;
— though Johnfon objects to the interpretation of the
gloffographer) — and thence the need of an amended
code to check abufes wont to arife "per infolertiam."
But to a few of the purpofes (whether ufes or abufes)
to which the ruri-Uecanal fignet was applied ; — and firft,
of Certificatoria : —
On the twenty-flxth conftitution De citationibus fad-
endis, what has already been faid under the head of cita^
tory procefies and certificates renders farther extracts on
thofe branches of duty unneceffary. But the other
canon referred to, viz. the twenty-feventh, demands the
introduction of a few words bearing on our rural figils.
It is headed — " Quce literce falfce dicuntur, et poena eorum
qui eis uti prcefumunt:" — and after a brief preface, the

Sect. XL]

^utjentlc Seal.

393

cardinal writes . . . . " Confiduntur, ut audivimus, literce,
ac fignantur non tantiim a minoribus clerids, veriim etiam
a prcelatis, in quibus manifefii cavetur aliquem contraxiffe,
contractui vel negotio affuifie, vel extitifie aliquem ad judi
cium evocatum, vel fibi citatorias literas prcefientatas, qui
tamen nunquam prcefens fuerat, vel inventus, immb forfdn
in alia provincia vel dioecefi tilnc degebat, &c." — conclu
ding with a plain ftatement, that all fuch perfons are
guilty of forgery, and liable to its penalty of fufpenfion
from office and beneflce.
With regard to Procuratoria — rural Ueans attefted with
feal and fignature letters procuratory : — 'wherein, again,
they feem to have incurred blame, either as the dupes of
fraudulent and deflgning men, and poffibly unwittingly
offenders, or elfe as privy to their nefarious practices,
and ffiaring in their guilt and gain ;. — which is more than
inflnuated by the " data mercede iniquitatis," noticed as
the condition of the Ueans' compliance, by Archbiffiop
Peckham, in his Lambeth conftitution, De falfis procura-
toriis non fignandis {A.D. mcclxxxi.) — where the crime
alleged againft them is that of attaching their yeafe to
fictitious documents, at the price of a bribe.
But it does not appear that they had any thing to do
with the abufes in thefe matters of earlier date ; when
Otho, in his twenty-fifth conftitution, De officio procura-
torum, complained of the appointment of proctors without
letters at all, or with letters not ratified by any authentic
fieal. Indeed, they could not have been then culpable ;
for it was only in confequence of their fignets coming
more into ufe, on the paffing of that legatine canon, that
male-adminiftration in attefting proxies, on their part,
enfued.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol. I. p. 565.

CC. M. B. elH.
Vol. II. p. 57.

394

Personal JFunctions.

[Part IV.

Johnfon's Eccl.
Laws, can. XIII.
MCCLXXXI.

cc.M.B.etH.
Vol. n. p. 57.

Johnfon's Eccl.
Laws, can.xin.
MCCLXXXI.

In Peckham's days^ however, the procuratorial abufes
are more or lefs connected with them; as the circum
ftances, fo prominently brought forward by the arch
biffiop in the cited canon, plainly ffiew. " Some crafty
villain longing after the beneflce of an abfent incumbent,
feigns his citation before an ecclefiaftic judge, and the
appointment of himfelf as his proctor. Then procuring
the abfentee to be cited, in order to defend his caufe in
court, he ffiews the forged proxy to fome Uean, and fays,
' Quia figillum meum paucis efi cognitum, peto ut flgillum
auctoritatis veftree meo procuratorio apponatis' ; and by
the wages of unrighteoufnefs he obtains his requeft. By
virtue of this falfe proxy, fo obtained, he engages in fuit
with another, who feigns himfelf his adverfary, and
carries on the fraud, till at laft he gets poffeffion by
fentence of court; while the true owner, whofe eftate
is fubverted, knows nothing of the matter."
To put an end to "fuch deteftable frauds," the canon
forbids the Uean " to affix his feal to any procuratorial
inftrument, unlefs it be publicly affied in open court, (or
out of court, when he that conftitutes the proctor, and
is known to be in truth the principal party, perfonally
requefts it) that fo all fraud may be excluded." The
penalty for tranfgreffion on the Uean's part is three years'
fufpenflon from office and benefice.
It were eafy to^ adduce examples of the employment
of the ruri-Uecanal yea? for the other purpofes enumerated
at p. 391, both capitular and perfional; but it is unne
ceffary. Let the following brief remarks fuffice : in
addition to which, a few incidental notices of the appli
cation of the fignet to public and private ufes will appear
in the fequel.

Sect. XI.]

autl&entic 5eal.

395

As valuators under the Norwich Taxation (J.D.mccliv.)
the Ueans rural of England are charged in the ILtteree
lExecutortEe of the papal collector to make juft efiimations
in writing of all ecclefiaftical beneflces within their re
fpective Ueanries, a,nd to fieal the fame with their official
fignets. From the acknowledged authenticity and notoriety of
the ttetanal fignet, donations of lands, and fuch like gifts
to eccleflaftic and charitable purpofes, and deeds of
conveyance of a private nature, (when a private fial
was either wholly unknown, or not well known, or the
party's quality or condition mean and obfcure) were
cuftomarily ratifled by the Uean rural's /ea/.
The Rev. J. Wallis of Bodmin records that a deed of
17 Edward III. {A.D. mcccxliii.) has recently been difco
vered by him, in which is the following claufe : — " Et
quod figilla noftra ^w^ iwco^mto figillum Uecani de Eaft-
wenelffiire prefientibus apponi procur avimus." The fieal
itfelf, I regret to fay, has been detached from the deed,
and loft.
In copying the will of Sir Geoffrey Lutterell {AD.
mcccxlv.) Mr. Regiftrar Swan of Lincoln informs me he
found a direction to the following effect, that, "as my
feal may not be fufficiently known, I have caufed the
feal of office of the Dean of Bettiflowe to be. affixed ; "
and Mr. Swan adds, it muft have been the rurt-Uecanal
seal. Again — " If the parties thought it for more fecurity,
and a better conflrmation of what they did," fays Mr.
Lewis, " they would fometimes ufe both their own feal
and fome other feal that was better known ; which, in
this cafe too, was commonly the feal of fome public

See 3tppml)i;f,
Lincoln Docu
ments, No.vm.

Britifh Maga
zine', May 1843,
p. 350.

Lewis On the
Antiquity and
Vfe of Seals in
England, p. 27.

396

Pmonal jFunctiong.

IPart IV.

Ducang. Gloff.
Tom. III. P. II.
col. 261. in voce.
SigillumPenfile :
ex Th. Blount
in Nomolex,

Conji. Bom.
Othonis de Si-
gillis &c. gl. in
voce, el fine
moleftid, p. 69.

office, as of a rural Ueanerg, officiality, &c., with an attefta
tion of the officer that it was his yeaZ of office.
It was not unufual, moreover, for the figil of a Uecanate
to be applied authoritatively and alone, as a voucher of
the truth of any important matter of fact, fuch as the
lofs of a private fieal. The publication of John de Grefley
of Drakelow, in the county of Derby, of the lofs of his
fignet, is fo fupported: — " Notum fit omnibus Chrifiianis,
qubd ego J. de G. non hahui potefiatem figilli md per unum
annum integrum ultimo prceteritum, jam notifico, in bond
memorid et fiand mente, qubd fcripta flgillo meo contradico
et denego in omnibus a tempore prcedicta ufique in diem
refiaurationis flgilli prcedicti. In cujus rei tefiimonium
figillum Uecanatus de Repingdon appofui."
But, whatever the powers of the Uecanaiyea?, however
ufed or abufed in application, at the end of one ffiort
year, (unlefs the holder of the figil enjoyed perpetuity
of office) all were to be furrendered, with the authentic
inftrument itfelf, to the charge of a new Uean, or of the
nominee of the biffiop, or archdeacon, appointed to
receive the fame. Such was the command of the Car
dinal Legate, from whofe Confiitutions we have already
fo largely quoted; but whether an innovation upon
antiquity, or not, does not appear. By the Ueans them
felves it was probably deemed fo, inafmuch as they per-
fevered, fpite of Otho and his canonical inhibitions, in
retaining their yeafe and ftations ; and for their obftinate
attachment to office are roughly handled by John de
Athon, with his wonted bitternefs of comment. "Hoc
tamen " (fays he, in reference to the annual reflgnation of
feals) "male obfiervant quidam officiales et Uecant rurales, qui
impinguati et craffati extorfionibus, immb et de fianguinibus

Sect. XI.]

autj&entic Seal.

397

pauperum hujufmodi offida nimium zelantes, ea contra volun-
tates et prcecepta fiuorum fuperiorum occupare contendunt,
intendentes vere derivationem &c."
And yet, how were the faid mercenary Ueans to get
thus fat under the fulleft enjoyment of their figils, fo
pertlnacioufly retained, as is gloffed, from felfiffi motives?
They affixed them, be it remembered, in England, at all
times, without fee or reward. The canon writes " De
fadliprcebeatur:" and the gloffographer explains, "Abf
que morofid retardatione, et abfque gravi examinatione, vel
exactione pecunice pro flgillatione feu infinuatione, quce
gratis dejure communi fieri debet." So that they could
demand no fee. Whereas the archdeacons and their
officials, to whom the rights and powers of the Uecanal
feal afterwards devolved, with almoft all its pertinent
jurifdiction, (the Uecanal, as it were, merging in the
archidiaconal fignet) pretended that " moderata exactio
pro hujufmodi modernis temporibus non prohihetur ^."
The conftitution of the office, as far as the employ
ment of the yea/ is concerned, admitted not of diffioneft
exaction on the part of Ueans rural ; nor does it appear
that in England thefe officers merited in general the
character beftowed on them by Otho's commentator.
On the continent, however, we cannot exonerate them

( ' ) And certainly, if vi^e may believe Giraldus de Barri, touching' archi
diaconal rapacity in thofe days (for, at prefent, archdeacons are the worft-
remunerated functionaries of our whole ecclefiaftical regime), the public
were not likely to have their burdens lightened by the devolution : —
" Adeo enim," fays he, " lioc officium prce, cceteris in ecclefid rapacitati
datum eft, ut archidiaconi nomen tanquam. archidiaboli cum horrare
quodam, a'wribus infionet audientium. Sicut enim ille raptor animarum,
fie ¦ifle raptor pecuniarum."

Conft. Dom.
Othonis de Si-
gillis &c. gl. in v.
defacili, p. 69.

Girald. Cam
brenf. Gemm.
Ecclef. Dift. II.
cap. XXXIII.
apud Wh. Ken
nett in Paroch.
Antiq. Vol. II.

398

i^ersonal ^Functions.

[Part IV.

^S.CC. T.XIV.
col. 715. can. n.

Stat. Synod.
Eccl. Camerac.
Thef. Script. Vet.
Tom.vii. c.l 340.

Stat. Synod.
Epifc. Attrebat.
A.D. MCCCCLV.

from the guilt of rapacity. The councils of Poictiers
{A.D. MCCLXXX.), and Saumur {A.D. mccxciv.) charge
them with a love of filthy lucre, and greater regard to
their own advantages than to the interefts of their
fubject churches. The allegations of the firft fynod
againft them ftate the improper ufe of the Uecanal yea?
from motives of felf-intereft : and thofe of the latter are
yet more criminatory ; charging them with inflicting
pecuniary, inftead of canonical puniffiments, for the
graveft flns, "pro adulterio, fornicatione, inceftu, et aliis
excefiihus, in quibus difpenfare non poffunt, a clericis et
Idids poenam pecuniariam contra canonum prohihitionem
exigunt et extorquent ;" — and farther, with fending
their fcouts about the country to affix their feals to
unexamined documents; — fuch, that is, as had never
come under the cognifance of the principals.
That the Uean's private neceffities might not render
him thus extortionate and unjuft, the biffiop of Cambray
granted him a moderate reward for the labours of the
fignet; but it was not to be exceeded: — "Inhibemus
Uecanfs nofiris ®5rtsttanitatts ne pro figilloywi Uecanatus
quihufque Uteris apponendo, ultra fex denarios Turonenfes
fortis monetce redpiant." Prom the fame prelate the
Uean alfo received three Turonefe ffiillings for publiffiing
banns, and granting letters tefiimonial under his yea? —
{Titulo de Matrimonio.) Within the diocefe of Arras alfo
a fmall payment was allowed by the fynod of mcccclv.
— "Becant GCfiristfanitatis pro fuis figillis quibufcunque
Uteris apponendis ultra tres denarios non recipiant, nifi
pro fiuis Uteris teftimonialibus et matrimonialihus faciendis,
quo cafu, pro eifdem Uteris poffunt redpere duos folidos, et
non ultra."

Skct. XL]

autj6entic 5eal.

399

The notices of the Uean rural'syea? in foreign councils
are not very numerous. The use -of public notaries for
authenticating documents fuperfeded the neceffity of
authentic feals on the continent : as the want of fuch offi
cers in England, according to Matthew Paris, occasioned
the introduction of official fignets, to supply their place.
The Prcecepta Antiqua Dioecefis Rotomagenfis {A.D.
mccxiv. mccxxxv. mccxlv. mcclxxv.) — a Canon of the
fynod of Poictiers (the fame I have before referred to)
and a Synodal Confiitution of the biffiopric of Coutances
{A.D. MCCCLXXV.), an extract from Father Rouviere's
Reomaus, and another from the records of the Lutheran
Church in Ruffia, alone appear in my note book. The
Rouen diocefan decree (.^.D. mccxiv.) prohibits Ueans
rural to exact any thing " ratione figilli  projufiitid
fimplici fadendd, vel pro exhihenda, vel accelerandd &c."
A fecond of the fame fee (^.D. mccxxxv.) enacts, "Ciim
aliquid mandahitur Uecanis, fi alias commodd certificare
curiam non poterunt, apponant figilla ywa Uteris curice, in
fignum quad mandatum curice executioni demandarunt."
A third {A.D. mccxlv.) charges the Ueans to enjoin the
presbyters, "Ne de ccetero figilla ^w« tradant fuis clerids
deferenda, et qubd nihil flgillant donic diligenth viderint
quod mandatur; nee prius flgillent donee mandatum quod
eis injungitur, diUgenter fuerit executum."  " Item prce-
cipitur fuh gravifiimd poena, ne aUquis figillet aliquem fe
excommunicdffie de mandato curice, donee public^ priiis eum
excommunicaverit, vel nifi poft figillationem incontinenti eum
pmhlicaverit excommunicatum." A fourth (./4.Z). mcclxxv.)
extends both thefe canons to the ufe of the iiean%' feals
by themfelves perfonally.
The Poictier's canon {A.D. mcclxxx.) is a curious one :

cc. liotomag.
Prow. P.I. p. 124.

SS. cc. Tom.
XIII. col. 1350.

CC. Rotomag.
Prov. P. II.
p. 78.

Ejufd. p. 83.

400

personal ^Functions.

[Part IV.

ss. cc. Tom.
XIV. col. 718.

Synod. Conftant.
CC. Rotomag.
Prov. P. II.
p. 565.

p. 641.

it is entitled, De fervientibus Judceis et ufurariis; and
forbids Ueans rural to affix their feals to Jewiffi con
tracts: — "Difirictius inhibemus, ne Uecant rurales, arcjbi-
presbstert, et alii fubditi noftri, fiuper contractibus Judceorum,
obligationilms, fieu conventionihus, ad commodum eorum initis,
literas figillare, vel eas ficrihere, vel auctoritatem impetiri
prcefumant." Prom which it may be inferred, that they
were allowed to authenticate private contracts and con
ventions entered into by Chriftians, and to affix their
feals ofoffice to them in Prance, as they were in England.
Examples of the latter have been already adduced from
Mr. Lewis's very rare tract On the Antiquity and Ufe of
Seals in England.
The fynod of Coutances {A.D. mccclxxv.) merely or
ders, " Qubd qucelibet parochialis ecclefia figillum habeat
pro exequendis Uteris judicum, &c. et figilliferis Confian-
tienfi et Valonenfi infra tres menfies afferant ipfa figilla; et
cum hoc Uecanf xrxxalesfua figilla."
Purther evidence of ruri=Uecanal fignets in Prance are
met with in Pather Rouviere's Reomaus before quoted :
" De Sigillis Roberti Lingonenfls Epifcopi, et Thirrici
ilecani Reomaenfis — A.D. mccxl." — " Thirricus Reoma
enfis Uecanus, aliique ante et pofi ipfum non foliim hujus, fed
aliarum etiam ecclefiarum Uecani rurales flgillo ufi fiunt, ut
reprefientat hoc Tabularium Reomaenfe, cui imago inefi
presbyteri facerdotali vefiitu ad altare, cui crehro facer calix
efi impofitas, celebrantis. Limhus Uecanf et ecclefice ipfius
nomen prcefert. Sed illud habet Uetanus Reomaenfls pecu-
liare, qubd in fecreto lilium Prancicum gefiet, quod regice
fundationis, ut opinor, argumentum fuit." Prom the men
tion here made of thefecretum or contrafigillum, we may
infer that fome Ueans rural, at leaft, had privy-feals.

Sect. XI.]

autj&entic 5eal.

401

The Probsts of the Lutheran Church in Ruffia are
accuftomed to fieal their letters of church-buflnefs with
the fieal of their church : and the letters and packages,
fo fealed, are forwarded poftage-free.

It now only remains for me to direct the reader's
attention to fuch particular authentic figils of Ueans rural
as have been defcribed by antiquaries ; and to exhibit
accurate delineations of fuch fpecimens as my refearches
have brought to light.
In the Archceologia, Vol. v. — xxxvi. p. 346, there is a
paper by Dr. Pegge, entitled, " The quefiion dfcuffed con
cerning the appearance of the matrices of fo many conven
tual feals ;" — in which he notices, incidentally, the fieals
of rural Ueanries, officialities &c., ftating them to have
been "ambulatory things, paffing from one perfon to
another, and therefore not numerous." But, at page 353,
he fays, "Several rural Ueans' yeafe are extant;" and,
doubtlefs, then they were, or fo faithful an antiquary had
not fo reported. But what has fince become of them,
we know not: the ftores of the Britiffi Mufeum, the
Antiquarian Society, and the Bodleian, have been in vain
fearched for a fingle matrix, or even an impreffion. —
Pew are defcribed by authors, and yet fewer engraven.
"The feals ofoffice of ecclefiaftical perfons or offices,
as of bifhops, rural Ueans, chancellors, officials, &c.," fays
Mr. Lewis, " were ufually oblong or oval ; but their privy
feals were round." Whether this diftinction held good
with regard to ttetmal fignets, or whether rural arcfipres-
fcgters commonly ufed contre or privy feals, is, I think.

VOL. I.

See H.D.R.
Vol. II. Append.
Ruffian Docu
ments.

ArchcBologia,
Vol. V. p. 347.

of the Antiquity
and Ufe of Seals
inEnglandfTp.ld.

402

personal ^IFunctions.

[Part IV.

Antiquities of
Canterbury,
Parti, p. 17 7.

fomewhat doubtful. The only feals of thefe officers
known to me are oval ; — which I proceed to notice.
" The fieal of the Uean of ©firfstfanftg of the city of
Canterbury," Mr. Somner obferves, "being authentical,
he had a hand in many exemplifications ; in fome join
ing with other ; in other, alone by himfelf. Of which
I have feen, of each fort, not a few. Wherein, efpecially
in thofe of the elder fort, he writes and ftyles himfelf,
3®ecanus ^ftristianitatis ®ant." The imprefs of this fignet
I have never feen ; but others of rural Ueanrtes of the
diocefe of Canterbury are fubjoined; — two of them bear
ing a very favourite emblem of ecclefiaftical feals ; viz.
the Virgin Mother and the Infant Jefus — the church of
the place, which gives its name to the Ueanrg, being,
in all fuch cafes, dedicated to St. Mary.
On the yea? of the rural Ueanrg of Sutton Valance, the
Virgin Mary is reprefented on a richly-canopied throne,
with a crown upon her head, and a glory encircling it ;
in her right hand, the Infant with a fimilar glory ; and in

her left, a fceptre. — ^The infcriptlon, ^igillu Uecano Ueca
natus Ue Sbutten Falans. An impreffion of this fieal was

Sect. XI.]

^utfientic Seal.

403

kindly forwarded to me by the dean of Norwich, from
the collection of his friend Dr. Sutton.
In Mr. Lewis's plate of Seals, prefixed to his work
On the Antiquity and life of Seals in England, we have
(fig. 3.) an engraving of the yia? of the Ueanrg of Dover.

The imprefs is the reprefentation of the Virgin Mary, to
whom the church of Dover is dedicated, crowned, with
the Infant Saviour in her arms. . . . The legend or in
fcriptlon — giigill. Uecanatg Ue IBouer.
Not muchunlike is the fieal belonging to the Ueanrg
of Ofpringe in Kent, which has on it the Virgin Mary

Introduriion,
p. 5.

Hiftory of Kent,
Vol. IL p. 805.
.Jacob's Hifiory
of Faverfham.,
p. 1 6. pi. 2. f. 3.
and p. 51, note.
Archoiologia,Vol. v.— XXXVI.
p. 347.

404

i^ersonal ^Functions.

[Part IV.

Parochial Anti'
quities, Vol.n.
p. 336.

crowned, with a fceptre in her left hand ; and the Infant,
with a glory round his head, in her right ; and round the
margin, ^i^iWn Uecanf Uecanatus Ue ©spreng. The matrix
of this fieal, Mr. Jacob informs us, was found at Wye in
the county of Kent ; and, Dr. Pegge fays, was in the
poffeffion of the Rev. Edward Taylor of Bifrons {A.D.
MDccLxxviii). It is probably. Dr. Sutton thinks, at the
prefent time, in the archives of St. John's College,
Cambridge — a point which I have had no opportunity of
afcertaining, but which others, with greater facilities of
reference, may follow up.
" The Uean of Burcefter," fays the antiquarian hifto
rian of that place and Ambrofden &c., " had a fieal of
his office, which was found among the ruins of the
adjoining fort of Allchefter, of which a double impref-
flon in wax is to be found before and after the manu
fcript Hifiory of Allchefier, of which ^ the flgure is a
pelican ftanding on a font, or othei- pedeftal, opening
her breaft with her bill, and feeding a brood of young
ones with her own blood; as tradition goes of that
indulgent bird : the form of the feal (agreeable with
the moft ancient) is oblong oval ; and round the mar
gin, nigh the extremity of the circumference, is this

C) This imprefs the Editor believes to have been not unufual on
eccleflaftic fieals. He has one of the officiality of Dorfet, from the late
Craven Ord's Collection, bearing the like imprefs, with Sigtllum Offi
cialitatis IBorSetie as its legend. It is an effigy which is frequently
found on fonts and other church furniture. On the top of a magnificent
oak canopy to a font in North Walfham Church, Norfolk, there is a
beautiful pelican: and the brafs reading-deik defcribed in Britton's
Norwich Cathedral as an eagle, is undoubtedly, Mr. J. A. Repton fays,
a pelican.

Sect. XL]

^utj&cntic Seal.

405

infcriptlon, ^. Becanf 33erencestrfe. Under the imprefs
the author of the faid manufcript has put this note : ' The
infcriptlon of this feal is, figillum iHecanf SEerencestrie,
ffiewing it to be the feal of the Uean of Burceft.er ; but
whether rural or catlieUral I know not ; only it was found
at Allchefter within mentioned.' Burcefter moft cer
tainly had never any catJbeUral dignity, but is ftill the
head of a rural Ueanerg."
This feal I cannot difcover, after affiduous fearch, to
have been ever publiffied ; though it would appear, from |
a letter of White Kennett's, dated Edmund Hall, July 7, j
MDcxciv., and addreffed to the Rev. Mr. Blackwell, rector
of Brampton in Northamptonffiire, to have been his in
tention to have had it engraven. Por he writes : " The
flgure of the church of Burcefter, and the feal of that
Ueanerg, muft be infcribed to you, becaufe of your late
relation to that place, though I am very tender of putting
you to any expence in thefe hard times." — The qualms
here alluded to, I fear, deterred the parochial antiquary
from eventually calling on his friend for the needful out
lay. The church appears without the feal. And I have
in vain endeavoured to recover either the matrix, or
the imprefiion attached to the jJWiS. hiftory referred to.
They are not to be met with in London or Oxford.
Poffibly, Dr. Bandinel informs me, the iHs. hiftory, with
the double impreffion of theyea?, may be at Peterborough ;
as Kennett, in mdccxii. (then Uean of Peterborough), gave
to that cathedral a large collection of iWss., in which it
may have been included. I have attempted in vain to
afcertain the fact.
All the rural Ueanries of the diocefe of Norfolk, Mr.
Blomefleld tells us, had peculiar feals appropriated to

Parochial Anti
quities, Vol. II.
p.55.

Hift. of Norfolk,
Vol.1, p. ^ 7 3.
Vol. II. p. 52.

406

^Personal iFunttions.

[Part IV.

Hift. of Norfolk,
Vol. n. p. 227.

See Vol. VII.
p. 363. & TMle 8.

Vol. HI. pi. p. 1.
fig. 156. See
Vol. IV. p. 572.

them. Several of them he had feen ; but had never met
with that of the large and important Ueanrg of Rockland-
Toft, nor with that of Thetford.
It is much to be regretted, that, of the many he had
feen, he has defcribed only two, viz. thofe of Pincham
and Norwich, and has engraved only the latter. " I have
now by me," fays the hiftorian, " the probate of the will
of Thomas Wefthowe of Boketon, at Downham in Nor
folk, dated the fixteenth of Dec. mccccxiii., proved by
Hugh Birdham, Uean of Pincham ; to which is affixed an
oblong fieal of red wax ; the imprefs, a bird, probably
a finch, on a tree, and a ftar in chief; and this legend,
Sifstnuw Uecanatus Ue jpgncfiam, expreffing both his own,
and his Ueanerg's name, in that device." Mr. Blomefield
has given a lift of the Ueans of Pincham from the year
MccL., to the year mdxviii., but no impreffion of their
fiigil. In the third volume of the fame work, on a plate
facing p. 1. fig. 163. is an engraving of the fieal of the
rural U,ean of the city of Norwich, with this infcriptlon,
s'. oaoANi .NORWiai . AD . QAVSAS.^ Tffis Ucaurg, which was

(') This fial, Mr. J. A. Repton thinks, is of early date ;-
of leaves being fomewhat fimilar to the late Normans.

-the ornament

r

Sect. XI.]

atitj&entic Seal.

407

inftituted A.D. mccxvi.,^ (earlier. Dr. Sutton thinks, than
any other in Norfolk) was perpetually united, A.D.
mcccxxix., to the contiguous Ueanrg of Taverham. The
laft collation to it appears to have been A.D. mdxix. A
lift of the Ueans is given by Blomefleld, from the year
MCCXVI. to the year mdxix.
The Ueanrg of Hingham in Norfolk, like the other
rural Ueanries alluded to, had its peculiar yea/!; which, by
the kindnefs of Dr. Sutton, (at the folicitation of the
Hon. and very Rev. the Dean of Norwich,) I am enabled
to lay before my readers. Its imprefs is curious — pro
bably intended to reprefent Saint Andrew's crofs — the
faint to whom the church of Hengham was dedicated ?

The legend, SbfgHu . Ueconatus : Ue . ?^eng6nm . Mr. j
Blomefield gives a lift of the Ueans of Hingham or
Hensham, as it is called in the Taxation of Pope '¦ TaxaUo Eccief
'^ „ , , ,, P.Nicliolai,p.85.
Nicholas, from the year mcccvii. to the year mcccclxvii.
The laft rurf-Uecanal feal of the diocefe of Norwich
I have to defcribe, is that of the Ueanrg of Breccles ; the

(') Thouo-h inftituted at this date perhaps. Dr. Sutton difcovers from
the diocefan records that the Oeanrg of Norwich was not collated to till
A.D. MCCCXXIX.

408

i^ersonal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

TaxaUo Ecclef.]
P.Nicholai.p.S'S.!

collations to which commence in the year mcccxx.,- and
clofe in the year mcccclxvi. Blomefield has not noticed
this feal, or the preceding. Its appearance here is owing

¦'X

to the friendly exertions of Dr. Pellew, in illuftration of
my refearches.
The effigy upon the feal is the head of Saint John the
Baptift ; to whom, in all likelihood, the church of Breccles
is dedicated. The infcriptlon is, ^fgfllum Uecanat Ue
23recclgs. In the Taxatio Ecclefiafiica of Pope Nicholas,
the Ueanrg bears the title of Becanatus Ue 23reclis.
Of the ancient ruri-Uecanal yea/s of the archdeaconries
of Chefter and Richmond I have not been able to re
cover a fingle impreffion. But Mr. Ormerod has given
us, in his Hifiory of Chefhire, an engraving of the feal
of the general rural Uean of the archdeaconry of Chefter,
at prefent in ufe ; which, he fays, appears to be copied
from that ufed by the rural Uean of Macclesfield, pre
vious to the confolidation of the rural Ueanrfes of the
diocefe. — This feal, in the abfence of earlier and more
interefting fpecimens of the feparate rural Ueanries, I
have configned to the hands of the engraver. But the

Sect. XI.]

^utjentic Seal.

409

imprefs is feemingly nothing more than a stiff and ugly
reprefentation of Eaftham Church (as I am told — not

Macclesfield — as would be inferred from Ormerod)
within an oval, or rather ovoid, flowered border, bearing
the date of mdcclvii.
To what diocefe the annexed feal of the rural Ueanrg
of Newcaftle is to be appropriated — whether to that of
Durham or that of Lichfleld and Coventry, I am at a
lofs to determine. The Taxatio Ecclefiafiica of Pope
Nicholas notices a Ueanrg of Newcaftle, under the title of
iBecanatus Nobi GDastrf, in the archdeaconry of Stafford,
and a fecond under the fame title in the archdeaconry
of Northumberland. The feal is from the valuable col
lection of Mr. Doubleday of Little Ruffel Street, London ;
who hazards no opinion as to which of the Uecanates
of Newcaftle it appertains to — whether to that which
derives its name from Newcaftle-upon-Tyne, or New-
caftle-under-Line. The legend reads, % Becanatus Nofjf
®astr. The effigy is fuppofed to be that of an eccleflaftic,
under a canopied throne, holding a crofler in his right
hand, and in his left hand the head of Saint John the

Taxatio Ecclef,
P. Nicholai,
pp.242, 316.

410

personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

Hoffman. Lexi
con. Univ. Vol. I.
pp. 759, 760.

Baptift. At the bafe is reprefented the head of the
Baptift, in a falver.

An interefting yea? of a foreign rural Ueanrg (from the
collection of Dr. Sutton of Norwich) follows. It exhi
bits the Agnus Dei — the lamb, crofs, and banner — the
appropriate emblem of the triumph of Chriftianity over

Paganifm.— Prom the infcriptlon, gbfgfUu Becanatus Ue
©astrolfUf, it would appear to be the fieal of the rural
Ueanrg of Chateau du Loire {Cafirum ad Lcedum, Cafirum
Lidi, or Cafirum Lidium), in the province of Le Mans
in Prance. I know nothing of its hiftory.
I wiffi it were in my power to add to this beautiful
fpecimen a few more examples of foreign type ; but

Sect. XI.]

authentic Seal.

411

none have fallen in my way, with any claim, or rather
pretence, to admiffion here\
In bringing to a clofe thefe few notices of ruri-Uecanal
fieals, and of the powers entrufted to them as legal
inftruments of ratification, it is worthy of obfervation,
that Archbiffiop Stratford, in his Statuta et Ordinationes
pro regimine airice de Arcubus {A.D. mcccxlii.), while he
difallows the authority of the fieal, to the extent of
interfering with the privileges of the Court of Arches, for

(') A feal, of no great antiquity, of an arcj^prieSt of Leodium, is
figured in The Gentleman's Magazine for October mdcccix. Vol. lxxix.
Part II. p. 913. PL 2. The correfpondent of Mr. Nichols ftates it to be of
brafs or mixed metal, with evident marks of the hammer having been ufed
in making the impreffions. It came into his hands in mdcolxviii. ; having
been, fome time before, found at Golfpie, in the county of Sutherland.
The imprefs exhibits a mitred ecclefiaftic in canonical attire, the
Virgin and Child, and an intervening crozier. The form is oval. The

epigraph, sigii.lum*ahchvpresbiteri*leodiensis. The letters quite
modern. Although pointed out to me by an eminent antiquary as the
fieal of a Uean rural, I cannot fubfcribe to the opinion, without firft
learning the general type of fuch fieals, their legends &c., on the conti
nent. It has no refemblance to the fieal of the Gallican Deanrg juft

CC. M. B. et H.
Vol.11, p. 694.

The Rev. Thos.
Rackett, F.R.A
and L.SS.

412

personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

judicial matters, that is, matters not legally belonging to
the rural Uean's jurifdiction, (to ratify which the fieal,
perhaps, had been fometimes improperly applied) — ftill,
in all fuch cafes, as were under Otho's contemplation at
the time of paffing his ftatute, the archbiffiop admits the
validity, of the rural fieal, and orders it to be refpected
in his court : — " In certificatoriis dtationum, executionum,
et aliorum mandatorum, a fuperiorihus fuis ordinariis vel
delegatis commifforum, eifdem Uteris ipforum Uecanorum
figillo officii Uecanatus hujufmodi covfignatis, juxta mentem
fiatuti prcedicti fidem, volumus adhiberi."
In the Reformatio Legum Ecclefiafiicarum, the authentic
feals of all church functionaries, then propofed to be
received as fuch in England, are enumerated, and the
cuftody of them regulated. But, whether thofe of Ueans
rural are included, I muft leave to the reader to deter
mine, after perufing the final claufe de Regulis Juris : —
" Autentica figilla declaramus nofira, archiepifcoporum,
epifcoporum, Uecanorum, ecclefiarum cathedral, et earundem
ecclefiarum, capitulorum, archidiaconorum, et eorum offida
lium. Quce penes ipfios aut ipfiorum legitimes deputatos, et

Reformatio Le
gum, p. 303. de
Regulis Juris.

now defcribed — that of Chateau-du-Loire ; — none whatever to our infu
lar fieals of rural ijeans, who never bear the title of arcl)prieSt on their
fignets. Confequently, there is no reafonable foundation for the fuppo-
fition that the fieal belonged to the rural Dean of Leeds in Yorkfliire.
Far more probable the notion, that would appropriate it to the arcj)-
presbgter of Liege, the urtian Dean of the cathedral city of the province
of the fame name in the Netherlands. Or, poffibly, it may be the feal
of one of the Roman-Catholic arcJprieStS who ruled the papifts of
England before they had a titular epifcopal hierarchy. That the reader
may be enabled to form his own judgment upon it, I have caufed an
accurate copy to be taken from the valuable repertory of Mr. Nichols.

Sect. XL]

authentic Seat.

413 I

nullo modo apud fuos Regifirarios, fieu Actorum ficribas
cufiodin volumus." The decifion, I fear, muft be againft
ns; — that though the ecclefiaftical-law reformers in
tended to have made us moft efficient fpiritual watch
men in our refpective diftricts of fupervifion, as the
extracts adduced in earlier pages abundantly demon
ftrate, they never contemplated the reftoration of our
feal of office, and the branches of jurifdiction formerly
connected with it\
It has been elfewhere ftated {fee Part iii. Sect. u.
p. 131.) that rural Ueans were for a long while appointed

De 9ti'cr)i))K8ti.
five EcconiS
9!iiuolibuS, c. V.
p. 95.

(') To the period of this church-law reformation belongs the curious
fial of the rural Deanrg of Sunning in Berklhire, a peculiar of the catlie-
Dral or urban Dean of Salisbury, defcribed by Sir W. Blackftone in the third

volume of the arcjbaeologla, p. 4 14. The infcriptlon is, sigillv : regiae :
maiestatis : ad : cavsas : ecclesiasticas— pro : decanatv : de : sonnvng.
The learned judge fuppofes it to be of the reign of Edward VI. It

a);3. abbcnba,
Parochial Anti
quities, Vol. II.
p. 357.

414

^Personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

Coift. Dom.
Othon. p. 68.
Edit. Oxon.

See Oughton's
Ordo Judicio
rum, Tit. XXVI.
XLVIII. Vol.1.
pp. 51,81.

by the diocefan without any formal commiffion in fcriptis,
but were invefted in the office by the delivery of the
common /ea/ (fuch as we have been defcribing) ; — which,
at the death of each Uean, was returned to the biffiop,
or committed into cuftody by his order, to be given to
a fucceffor, at the biffiop's nomination.
To this Ample method of inveftiture, recommended
as it is by its antiquity, I can fee no reafonable objec
tion, if the biffiops ffiould think fit to revive it. But, as
other methods of inftitution or admiffion are equally
good and valid, it might not be worth while to reftore
the rurf-Uecanaiyea? for that purpofe alone. Beans rural
however, whether inftituted by fuch an inftrument or
not, are undoubtedly entitled to the ufe of a feal after
inveftiture. The Conftitution of Cardinal Otho enacts,
" Ut figillum haheant non foliim archiepifcopi, et epifcopi,
fed etiam eorum officiales. Item abbates, priores, et tittmi,
archidiaconi, et eorum officiales, et Uecani rurales &c." It
I even ftates what characters are to be engraven on the
Ifieal of the Uean rural as a temporary functionary, and
\ faffiions the inftrument to his hand. Nor is this all ; — ¦
Oughton fays, that the practice of the Court of Arches
would refpect the fignet, if it were prefented, in modern

It cannot be confidered a rural tisan'^ fieal, properly fo called, that is,
in the fenfe of thofe we have been fpeaking of But it is not impro
bable, that the peculiar jurifdiction of the Dean of Sarum may have been
originally vefted in the rural Dean of Sunning, as an independent func
tionary ; who, like certain of his compeers, enjoyed fundry prefcriptive
rights, and exercifed fundry official powers, independent of the diocefan
(witnefs the DeanS of Manchefter and many others), till the rural Dean-
Sj&ip, with its appendent jurifdiction, merged in the urban or catjieDral
Deans^ip of the parent fee.

Sect. XI.]

authentic Seal.

415

days, as an authentic inftrument, for the ratification of
fuch documents as were originally intended by^ the
Legatine Confiitution to be authenticated by it.
Would there, then, under thefe circumftances, be any
impropriety in reftoring to the Uean rural the actual ufe
of his official ^^i?.'* Nay — to go a ftep farther — would
not benefit be likely to accrue from fuch a meafure ? —
By fome, perhaps, the fieal might be looked upon as a
mere bauble — neither convertible to good nor ill — a
ufelefs implement of office. But, with deference, I would
fay, while it could do no harm, in the keeping of a
truftworthy officer, (for to his legitimate powers it could
add nothing,) it would, at leaft, give an air of authority
to fuch epifcopal or archidiaconal mandates as might be
circulated by the Uean's inftrumentality ; — it would ftamp
an official character on his correfpondence with fuperior
functionaries, would authenticate his Acta Vifitationis,
or articles of parochial inquiry, and other returns to
the biffiop or archdeacon; and perhaps folicit from
churchwardens more attention to written precepts and
inftructions, which the Uean might have occafion to iffue
in fupport of order and difcipline.
As to the type and legend of fuch a fieal, the effigy
ffiould have relation to the matrix ecclefia of the Ueanrg
— the church whence the ecclefiaftical divifion derives
its name — a reprefentation of the fabric of which, or
of its tutelary faint, ffiould supply the imprefs. The
infcriptlon ffiould be ftrictly official, not perfonal — in com
pliance with the legatine canon, which orders that the

(') SBeanS are now feldom applied to for t\i&.r fieals; and therefore the
Confiitution feems to be grown obfolete, though ftill in force.

Conft. Dom.
Othon. p. 69.
gl. in voce ftgil-
tumfuum.

Ayliffe's Parer-
gon, I. C. A.
p. 483.

416

Personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

See Bowles's
Hundred of
Chalke, pp. 308,
309.

figil of the Uean rural " tantum nomen officii habeat infculp
tum ;' a claufe farther explained by John de Athon, who
fays, that though, in relation to Ueans rural and officials ffie
figil be fpoken of as " figillum fuum f it is only " tempora-
liter ds commifium ; non enim habent dominium illius."
Such a yea? I have devised for^ the rural Ueanrg with
which I am connected. The device is from an ancient
feal of the founder of the chantry or chapel of All Saints
in the hamlet of Knighton, in the pariffi of Broad Chalke.

(') The Deanrg of Chalke in Wiltfliire. It appears from the ciwZ divi
fion of the county of Wilts, according to Tefta de Neville, that the abbefs
of Wilton, in the time of Henry III. or beginning of Edward I., held, of
the king, five knights' fees ; but that Chalke (or Chelche, as the word is
written in Domesday-book) was the Caput Baronice. In the ecclefiaftical
divifion, the church of Broad Chalke may be fairly called the mater eccle
fiarum of the Deanrg ; and certain it is, that its fuperiority amongft the
neighbouring parilhes of Ebbesbourne, Burgh or Bower Chalke, and
Fifield, was admitted by them ; inafmuch as parts of the boundary fence
of the churchyard of the larger parifli are ftill kept in repair by the fmaller.
The church is the handfomeft edifice in the vale, as well as the largeft.
The other ruri-Decanal fials of the diocefe of Salisbury (where alone,
I believe, fuch inftruments are in ufe in modern days) have the imprefs
of the See of Sarum, viz. the Virgin and Child, with their ufual infcrip
tlon of .Sbtgillum Decani Decanatiis De SSSilton, or whatever may be the
name of the Deanrg.

Sect. XII.]

©ollecting ®aies.

417

SECTION XII.
Taxes collected by IBcans IJlural.

HE taxes impofed upon the clergy, under Kennett's Pa™
J- ¦¦¦ ~ ,. chial Antiq.

the name of papal and royal fubfidies firfi-
fruits, and tenths^, together with fynodals or
cathedratica^, paid by the parochial clergy
in token of fubjection to the epifcopal chair, were here-

Vol.ii.p. 363.

(') In the times of popery, the kings of England, on feveral occafions,
obtained leave of the Popes to receive the tenth part of fpiritual promo
tions, tor a certain term of years ; efpecially, in order to maintain and
fupport the wars of the Holy Land.
(f) "In honour of the cathedral church, and in token of fubjection to
it, as the bilhop's fee, every parochial minifter within the diocefe pays
to the bifliop an annual penfion, called anciently cathedrdicum. This
acknowledgment is fuppofed to have taken rife from the eftablifliment
of diftinct pariflies, with certain revenues, and thereby the feparating of
thofe diftricts from the immediate relation they had borne to the ca
thedral church. By the council of Bracara, this penfion is called Honor
CatliedrcB Epifcopalis, and reftrained (if it was not limited before) to two
fliillings each church — ('Placuit ut nullus epifcoporum per fiuam dioe-
cefiem ambulans, prceter honorem cathedrce fiucB, id eft, duos fiolidos, aliud
aliquid per ecclefias tollat:') — which canon became afterwards part of
the canon-law of the church, with this glofs upon the words duos fiolidos
(ad plus: minus enim aliquando datur), and hath been received in
England, as in other churches, under the name offiynodaticum, becaufe
generally paid at the bifliop's fynod at Eafter." See alfo Father Paul,
af Beneficiary Matters, chap. x. p. 32. and notes there ; Hayes's Tranfi
latian ;—ani the bifliop of Meath's (A.D. mdcxcvi.) Tractatus de Vifita
tionihus Epifcopalibus, c. xxx. pp. 74, feqq.

VOL. I.

E E

Gibfon's Codex
I. E. A. Tit.
xxxv. cap. II.
p.828, 7io<e.
Gibfon's Codex
LE.A.Til.yui.cap. I. Vol. I.
p. 171, and fee
Tit.XLIi. cap. IX.
Vol.n. p. 976.

418

personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

Scriptor. x.
col-. 2160.

Wilkins's Leges
Angl. Sax.
p. 335.
cc. .M. B. et H.
Vol.1, p. 491.
Cnnc. Rotomag.
Prov. P. I. p. 93.
Ex Rog. Hove
den. in anno.
Vide Scriptores
poji Bedam,
p.'641.

Eccle ftajt. Laws,
MCLXXXVIII. 3.
note (m).

Parochial Anti-
quitif^s, Vol. I.
p. 179.
Ex Wharton's
AnglSacr.P.II.
p. 378.

Jur. Ecclef.
Univ. P. II.
Tit. xxxv. cm.
p. 683.

tofore levied by rural Ueans. Thofe of a public nature
they certified the collection of to their fuperiors, under ^
the feal of their office ; — 'of which an example occurs
in the Chronica W. Thorn. (" Certificatorium ex parte
Uccani") of the reign of Richard II. {A.D. mccclxxxiv.)
Two centuries before this date, our rural functionaries
were actively employed in collecting the "Dedmce Sa-
ladince, in fiuhventionem terrce lerofiolymitance" — 'when
Henry II. determined to undertake a crufade to the
Holy Land in conjunction with the king of France and
earl of Flanders {A.D. mclxxxviii). On which occafion
the tribute was ordered to be levied " in fingulis paro
chiis, prcefiente presbytero parochice, et arcjbipresbgtero, et
aliis;" — excommunication having been previoufly pro
nounced by the archbiffiops, biffiops, and arcfipriests or
Ueans, againft all who paid not the faid tenths in the
prefence of the faid collectors.
This was the^ firft inftance, Mr. Johnfon fays, of
paying tenths. But it was not the firft, apparently, of
Uecanal collectorfiiip of impofis ; for in the fame reign,
fixteen years before, while the king was detained in
Normandy by the rebellion of his fons, Jeffery, his
illegitimate fon by Rofamund, lay-biffiop elect of Lin
coln, having raifed an immenfe fum of money through
his diocefe, and fubfequently determined, upon honoura^

C) . ..." In cujus rei 8;c. figillum officii Decani de B. prcefientibus efi
appenfum (Sfc.''
O "Htc notandum," fays Van Efpen, " antiquiarem non reperiri
decimcB hujus, id efi, quce a clero regi fialvitur, et Gallico idiomate vaca
tur deciraes, infiitutionem. Unde et hanc effe primam decimam clero
impafitam, quce vacatur decima Saladini, communiter notant autores de
lidcfipecie decimcB tractantes."

Sect. XII.]

©ollectlng ©ares.

419

ble and prudential motives, to refund it as an unne
ceffary or illegal exaction, caufed it again to be diftri
buted, by the rural Ueans, among the perfons from whom
it had been unjuftly extorted; — the fame officers, in
all probability, having been the agents of the original
levy. The latter date, or about A.D. mclxx., affords the
earlieft notice of Ueans in the capacity of public tax-
collectors, civil or ecclefiaftical, in the councils of Great
Britain and Ireland. But in the fynodal collections of
France they appear many centuries earlier. In the
Capitula of Charles the Bald, edited by Sirmond {Pari-
fiis, MDCXXIII.), we find the following canon, paffed at the
fynod of Touloufe {A.D. dcccxliii.), cap. iii. " Ut pref-
hyteri qui props civitatem quinque miliaria commanent,
per famulos fuos prcedictam difpenfam reddi in dvitate cui
jufierit civitatis epificopus, faciant. Qui autem longius ab
urbe commanent, fiatuant epifcopi loca convenientia per
tiHnx[.in%, ficut confiituti funt arcfiipresbgteri, quo fimiliter et
eadem propinquitate cceteri presbyteri per famulos fuos
dehitam difpenfam arcfiipresligteris aut epifcoporum mini-
firis convehant, &c."
But to .return home again : — In the thirteenth cen
tury, the Saladinides again appear, and Ueans rural as
official gatherers of them in England. When Pope
Innocent IV. {A.D. mccliii.) granted three years' tenths
to Henry III. of all the fpiritualities of our ifland, and
deputed Walter de Suthfield, biffiop of Norwich, to take
the valuation, the impofi was levied (J.D. mccliv.), in
each Ueanrg, by the rural Uean, affifted by three rectors
or vicars, members of his cfiapter ; who, upon oath, cer
tified the juftnefs of the eftimate of every church-

Karoli Calvi et
SucceJJorum Capitula. v,
cm. p. 40.

Paroch. Antiq.
Vol. I. pp. 440.
445, 446, 447.

Angl. Sacr. P. I.
p. 411. de Epi
fcop. Norwicenf.
XLVIII. Annal. Burton.
fub anno, p. 334.

420

personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

See gai^itulat
Sutic6

Vol. II. p. 180.

revenue within their knowledge, and returned the fame,
in fcriptis, to the biffiop^
The fame rural functionaries were valuators under
the fubfequent taxation of Pope Nicholas IV., and col-
1 lected the decimal impofis on^ the eftimation of eccle-
' fiaftical benefices, commenced in the year mcclxxxviii.
cc. M. B. et H. I and completed in mccxcii. by John de Pontoys, or Pon-
tiferra, biffiop of Winchefter, and Oliver Sutton, biffiop
of Lincoln, the principal executors under the Pope's
Bull for granting fix years' tenths to Edward I., towards
defraying the expence of an expedition to the Holy
Land. The taxation of the years mccliii.—mccliv. is fome
times called Pope Innocent's Valor, fometimes the Vetus
Valor, and fometimes the Norwich Taxation: that of
MCCLXXXVIII. has been fometimes defcribed under the
name of Verus Valor. IBeans rural do not appear to
have been generally concerned in the ecclefiafiical valua-

Taxatio Ecclef.
Avglits &e.
Introduction by
Caley.

Pegge's Grojfe-
lefie,^.Ml. Ap
pendix, No.vm.

(') " The value of benefices," fays Dr. Pegge, " would be often
I altering, from various caufes ; which made it neceffary for valors to be
I renewed from time to time : but we are not to fuppofe that a new one
I was always made when a new fubfidy was granted either to the king or
pope ; for, on many occafions, the collectors, no doubt, proceeded by
! the last valor, as the authentic ftandard ; though, in other cafes, we find
' the former taxations fuperfeded and rejected, and a new one expreflly
' directed to be made. This, however, may be concluded ; that all_^6-
\fidies granted by the clergy after the year mccxxix. (or after the year
' mccxlv., if a new ftandard was then made), and before the year mccliv.,
were regulated by the eftimate of the year mccxx. ; and all after mccliv.
went upon the valuation then made, till mccxci.''
C) This valualion regulated royal and papal taxes till the twenty-
fixth of Henry VIII. See Blomefield's Norfolk, Vol. i. p. 19. note 9.
2d Edit.

Sect. XIL]

©ollecting ®axes.

421

tion of Henry VIII.^, though the names of perfons holding
the office are recorded at the head of each Ueanrg, in
which the office obtained at that time. Still, as^ the royal
commiffion authorifed " the comyffioners " to " fende
for fuche and fo many of the buffioppys and archidea-
cons fcribes and minifters within the lymyttys of ther
comiffion as they ffiould think moofte convenyent for
knowlaige to be hadd of the nombre and namys of all
Uenrges rurall within the lymytt of ther comiffion and in
whoys dioces or jurifdiccon the faid Uenrics ben" — it is
probable that the rural Ueans were turned to ufeful
account by " the comyffioners : " and in one particular
inftance, (that of the Uean of Hecham in the diocefe of
Norwich,) it appears that " the comyffioners " did avail

(') This Valor is the Report of an Ecclefiaftical furvey, made in pur
fuance of an Act of Parliament 26 Henr. VIII. ; and returned into his
Majefty's Court of Firfi FruiU and Tenths, for afcertaining the yearly
values of all the pofleflions, manors, lands, tenements, and hereditaments,
appertaining to any monaftery, priory, church, parfonage, vicarage, fi-ee-
chapel, &c. within this realm, Wales, Calais, Berwick, and the Marches.
C) Extracted from the Infiructions as they appear in the Valor Eccle
jiafiicus, Henr. VIII. " Item to Sercje and knowe the nombre and
namys of evy archidiaconry and DenrtS rurall within the lymytts of ther
coiiiiflion afwell in placis exempt as not exempt and in whos dyoces or
jurifdiccon they lien and the hole and entire yerly value of evy of them
as well in spualities as in temporalltes if any be and the nombre namys
and ctentie of the temporalities yf any be and where they lien and their
diftinct and fevall yerly values and the names nombre and nature of the
spualities and ther fevall yerly values coibs annis and what annuell and
ppetuall rents penfions and fees for receyvours bailyffys auditors and
ftewards only and none other officers ben yerly accuftomed to be refolute
and paid oute of any of the faid archidiaconries or DenrieS rurall and the
namys of the pfons to whome fuche rentts penfions and fees ben yerly
paid."

Falor Ecclef.
Hen. VIII.
Royal Inflruc
tions for taking
the Survey.

Vol. VI. I. From
the Augmenta
tion Office. See
Slppcnbi^, Nor
wich Documents.

aSalor gcclcS.
Henric. VHI.
Inftrujitions.

422

personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

a^jptnbir. Nor
wich Documents.

Gloff. Arch.
in voce p. 490.

Dr.Brady'sif/^. of England,
pp. 108-9. and
note&tthere. CC.M.B.et H.
Vol. I. pp. 155,
245, 302.

themfelves of the knowledge and influence of " John
Rufte, Uean of the Ueanrie of Hecham," to obtain the
required information — See 39ecanatus de Hecham. Com.
Norf ; where the precept to the faid Uean from the faid
commiffioners is given. But fuch employments of Ueans
rural are foreign to the fection of their office we are at
prefent engaged upon ; which is the coUecting ecclefi
aflical taxes, not the appreciation of ecclefiafitical bene
fices. The latter branch of Uecanal duty will come to be
dlfcuffed under capitular functions, and therefore we ffiall
fay no more about it here.
Whether it was a general cuftom for Ueans rural to
colled'^ the Rome foot or Rome-penny {" cen/us annuus

cc. M. B. et H.
Vol.1, p. 221.

(') The Hearth-penny, as it was called, was firft impofed by Ina,
king of Weffex (A.D. dccxxi.), as alms to an Englifli fchool at Rome.
It was continued by Offa, king of Mercia, (A.D. dcclxxvii.), and by
Ethelwolf : — was eftabliflied by the laws of Canute (cap. 9.) ; of Edgar
(cap. 54.); of Edward the Confeflbr (cap. 10.); William the Conqueror
(cap. 18.); Henry I. (cap. 11.); and perpetuated, with a temporary fuf
penfion only during the reign of Edward III., till Henry VIII., who
abrogated it (a7in. 25. c. 25). It was revived ann. 1 & 2 Philip and
Mary, and finally put an end to ann. 1 Elizab. (cap. 1.)
The Collectors in the middle of the tenth century, as appears from the
LL. presbyterorum Nor thumb reii/ium, were two trufty thegns and a
presbyter in each wapentake of the kingdom of Northumbria — " D^uo
fideles thani et unus presbyter in quoUbet wapentachio nominentur, ut
eum calligant, ac deinde tradant proutt audeant jurare."
One half only of the annual penfion was appropriated to the purpofe
of Ina's bequeft ; the other went to the perfonal ufe of the Pope ; — and
inftead of a voluntary donation, the Rome-ficat became a ftanding tax.
See Uflerii de Chriftian. Ecclefi. fiuccejf. et fiatu, cap. vi. p. 220 ; Ful
ler's Church Hlfi. Cent. xvi. B.v. p. 197 ; Nath. Bacon's Hifi. 8f Polit.
Dificaurfe, Part i. p. 20 ; and particularly Muratori Antiq. Med. Mm,
Tom. V. col. 827. a. The

Sect. XII.]

©ollecting ®aieS.

423

unius denarii e qudlibet familid, Romce perfolutus ad fefium
S. Petri," Spelman) in aU Ueanries, does not appear : but,
as the biffiops were responfible for the payment to the
papal chair, it is probable they delegated the actual
collecting of the tribute {" a fmall fumme in the fingle
drops, but^ fwelling great in the general chanel,") to the
moft truftworthy perfonages in the rural church-police
- — archdeacons and arcfipriests. At all events, it is cer
tain, the latter were the collectors of the diocefe of Can
terbury. The hiftorian of the antiquities of that fee
informs us, in the brief interlude devoted to Ueans rural.
The reader is aware, that Hearth-penny is thought to be the origin of
Hearth-filver, alfo called Smoke-fiilver ; for which ^ee Spelman in voce G.A.
— Blount fuggefts, that fimoke-fitlver a.nd fmake-penny are ftill paid to the
minifters of certain pariflies, and conceived to be given in lieu of tithe- i
wood, fpent for fuel in the parifliioners' houfes. See Blount's Law !
Diet. tit. Smoke-filver, and Ancient Tenures by Beckwith. 4to. edit. p. 317.
Smake-filver was paid to the flieriff of Kent as a condition of tenure of
a houfe and appurtenances at Greenwich— 6d. annually.''
(') A JMS. belonging to the cathedral of Chichefter fixes the rates
at which the feveral diocefes farmed Peter-pence to the Pope's collector,
as follows :

Fuller's Church
Hift. Cent.viu.
B.II. p. 98.

Somner's Anti-
quities of Can
terbury, Part I.
p. 176.

Cantuar. LondonRoffens.Norwic. Ellens. .
Lincoln.
Ciceftr. .
Hereford

£ 7
10 5
21 5
42

s.
18 10 10 00 0 0 0

d. 0 0 0 00 0 0 0

Sarum  17
Winton  17
Exon  9
Wigorn  10
Bath  12
Covent  10
Eborac  H

s.

d.

0

0

6

8

0

0

5

0

0

0

0

0

10

0

See Encyclopcedia Metrapalitana, article Peter-pence. It appears, from
Ducange, that Eome-fcot was paid to the Pope in France, Poland, and
Bohemia; but by what officers it was collected, is not ftated. See
Ducange, in v. Denarius S. Petn.

424

i^ersonal ^Functions.

[Part IV.

aSetuS Sancti
GSinunbi Sit.
gi8tcum,fol.61.
XXXI. Tran
fcript. fol. 166.

No. XXXI. p. 59.
Part II. Cantua-
ria Sacra.

in the chapter on the ecclefiafiical government of the city,
that they were the gatherers of the hearth-pence in their
refpective Uecanates within that diocefe. And Mr. Battely,
in his Appendix to Mr. Somner's Supplement, has pub
liffied the original ^ injunction of the archdeacon under
which they acted.
It is probable, too, Mr. Blomefield fays, that the
Ueans rural of the diocefe of Norwich collected the Rome-
ficot impoft for the Pope. But in the diocefe of Sarum,
it appears, from a document preferved in the mifcella-
neous collection of records entitled ^flegistruni S»ancti
©smunUt, in the poffeffion of the biffiop of Salisbury,
that, in the days of Hubert Walter {A.D. mclxxxviii. —
Mcxciii.), the archdeacons and their ofiicials were col
lectors of this tax. The church of Fichelden (now
Figheldean), and another called Alwardbirie (now Alder-
bury), are exempted from archidiaconal jurifdiction, fave
in this one particular — " nifi tantiim de denario Sancti
Petri;" in refpect of which, it is expreffly ordered " ut
refipondeant archidiacono." But it was not uncommon for
Ueans rural to act as officials to archdeacons ; in which
capacity they may have been employed here as Rome-ficot
collectors under the archdeacons.

( ' ) " Authoritate apaftolicd fingulis archidiaconis et eorum crfficialibus
cammiffd et demandata, nos officfialis monemus vos rectores, vicarios,
et capellanes ecclefiarum iftius tlecanatfts q^ui denarios Beati Petri exi-
gere, colligere, et levare tenemini, primo, fccundo et tertio, peretnptorie
in hiis fcriptis, quod quilibet vefirum quateniis denarios hujufimodi pro
fiuis locis teneatur fiolvere Cecano veftra, citra praximum capitulum in-
tegre perfblvatis, alioquln ecclefiias non folventium denarios hujufmodi
per tiecanum loci ipfd authoritate apqftolicd ecclefiafiica fiuppani cano
nice volumus interdicta." (" Injunctiones faciendae et legendee in capitu=
lis generalibus bis in anno in archidiaconatu Cantuarienfi celebrandis.")

Sect. XII.

©ollecting ©axes.

425

A Bull of Pope John XXII., addreffed (amongft fupe
rior prelates) to Ueans, arcfipriests, and plebans, for the
fupport of apoftolical Nuncios in England and France
{A.D. Mcccxxvi.), empowers thofe fpiritual rulers, through
the medium and with the fanction of the prior of Saint
Mary Southwerke, "ad colligend. de bonis et beneficiis
quibufcunque ecclefiafiicis tam in Cantuar. provincia, quam
Eboracen. pro fingulis mards fingulos quadrantes &c." —
and bids them depofit s^fiims fo collected, without dimi
nution, in the hands of the archbiffiop of Canterbury,
in truft for the purpofes fpecified, viz. certain arduous
and important matters of embaffage to King Charles
of France, and King Edward and Queen Ifabella of
England^ The laft tribute I have to mention, as being gathered
by Ueans rural, is the fynodal or cathedraticum — " quod
epificopus per dioecefim ambulans, in honorem cathedrce fiuce
ab ecclefiis colligebat." It was not, however, under the
former title, paid to the biffiop alone, though to him
alone due of common right. The archdeacon fometimes
claimed it upon the plea of compofition and prefcription.
In the Confiitutions of Giles de Bridport, biffiop of
Sarum {A.D. mcclvi.), we read — " Capellani, perfonce vel
vicarii ecclefiarum debent fynodalia ; fdlicet intra quin
dedm dies quilibet capellanus fiolet dare archidiacono xii.
denar. ad natale Domini." When the Ueans of tfie countrg
were fubjected to archidiaconal as well as epifcopal rule,
and were minifterial to both alike, they probably re
ceived the fiynodals of both.

cc. M. B. et II.
Vol.n. p. 535.

Spelman. Gloff.
Archied, ip. 130.

CC. M. B. et H.
Vol.1, p. 7 14.

(') See a notice of iJeanS rural as receivers of money collected under
the Brief for the redemption of captives from the Turks, Auguft 10,
MDCLXX. — 'EppcnDir, Sarum Documents.

426

personal ^Functions.

[Part IV.

Kennett's 9)18.
Addit. ex Reg.
Parker, p. 193.

Hifi. of Norfolk,
V. IV. p. 63.

Blomefield'sNorfolk, V. IV.
p. 63.

Of their being collectors of thefe tributary payments
in the name and behalf of their diocefan, the proof is
clear, from a document ftill extant, under the form of a
commiffion from the primate, during the vacancy of the
fee of Chichefter, authorifing the rural Uean of Haftings
to collect them : — f Commiffio facta per Matth. Cant.
Ar e'pum vacante fede Cicefitr. dilecto fibi in Xto Thomce
Swayne cTico rectori eccl. de Farleigh Uecano ruralt Ueca
natus de Hafiinges ad finodalia per Uccanatunt^wm qffig-
nata colligend. intra fefium S. I/ucce Evang. {dat. 18. Sept.
MDLXVIII.) — ^Again, among the duties of the Uecanal office
of the diocefe of Chefter, it is noticed, in a patent of our
^ppenUix (N°. v. Chefter Patents), as incumbent on the
patentee — " Procurationes ratione vifitationis et finodalia
ratione finodorum nofirorum, de tempore in tempus debit.
nomine nofiro petend. et exigend. Recufantes verb procura
tiones hujufinodi fiolvere per legitima juris remedia compel-
lerid. et coercend." See alfo in the ^ppenUix (Diocefe of
Lincoln), " Commifiio ad audiendum Ratiocinia de reditihus
archidiaconatus vacantis," N°. vii.
The Uean^ of the Ueanrg of the city of Norwich,
Mr. Blomefield informs us, deputed his sub-Uean to col-

(') A.D. MCCLxxxvi. The Dean of the lieanrg of the city of Norwich
was committed to cuftody, on one occafion, by the itinerant juftices, for
exacting hallidays toll by his Su5:l)ean, in too high a manner ; but on
his proving that he took of every great boat that came up to the city on
a holiday Id. only, and of each fmall one a halfpenny ; of every cart
Id., and of every horse or man laden, an halfpenny ; and of all bakers,
butchers, and fiftimongers, that fold their commodities on a holyday. Id.
each ; and that his predeceflbrs always had immemorially taken it ; he
was difcharged. — Something of the fame kind is related, in T. Martin's
JWS. history, respecting the dues exacted by the rural Uean of Thetford.
Dr. Sutton's JWs. Setter.

Sect. XII.

©ollectlng ©ares.

427

lect the fiynodals, procurations, &c. for him; he being
anfwerable to the archdeacon for 16s. fiynodals every
Easter, and as much every Michaelmas ; which he was
to receive for him of the clergy of his Ueanrg, eftimated
at 20s. The Uean of Taverham paid to the archdeacon
20s. at Eafter and Michaelmas ; the fiynodals, due at
each feafon, from each church, being Gd. It feems,
alfo, from the account of the other rural Ueanries of Nor
folk, that it was the office of the Ueans to collect thefe
and other dues from the churches of their refpective
Ueanries. That Ueans rural did not always act honeftly in their
vocation of fiynodal collectors, may be inferred from the
twenty-firft canon of the provincial council of Dublin
{A.D. McccxLviii.) — " Statuimus qubd illi, qui Uecanos ru
rales eligunt, pro hujufmodi Uecants ruralibus, 7? in officio
maleverfiati fuerint, feu de perqufitis et fynodalihus lod
dicecefiano minimk fatisf ecerint, pro illis refpondeant etfatifi-
faciant competenter, et fi per minifirum fuerit initiatus,
qubd ipfe refpondeat pro affumpto."
The council of Augsburg {A.D. mdcx.) under Biffiop
Henry a Knoringen bids Ueans rural to be faithful in col
lecting cathedratica, firfi-fruits, and fubfidies of charity
— " Ad cathedraticum, primaries fructus, fubfidia chari-
tativa, et id genus alia quod attinet, Uecanus cum came-
rario fe in illis more antiquo colligendis, fideles prcefient,
addita etiam, fi opus fuerit, ne ecclefia veteri fuo jure
privetur, arrefiatione." And nearly the fame words
appear in an earlier council of Conftance {A.D. mdlxvii.)
under Cardinal Sitic. See ^ppenUix, Continental Docu
ments, diocefes of Augsburg and Conftance,
Another epifcopal tribute, denominated Pentecofials,

Vol. VII. p. 211.
Vol. X. p. 398.

CC. M. B. et H
Vol. II. p. 750.

CC. Germanies,
Vol. IX. p. 65.

428

personal iFunctions.

[Part IV.

Gibfon's Codex
I.E.A.Tit.xi,u.
cap. IX. p. 976.

or Whitfun-farthings (fo called from the ufual time of
payment), was, probably, alfo collected by the Ueans rural
though no example thereof has occurred to my notice.
They were, at firft, oblations, but grew, by degrees, into
fixed and certain payments, from every pariffi and every
houfe in it. In fome cathedrals, Ueans and prebendaries
are entitled to receive thefe offerings; and in others,
again, they are paid to the archdeacons. See Ayliffe's
Parergon I. C.A. p. 434.

end of vol. r.

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