¦ ,.*y" 'r. ¦ . ,1- ^ !• ,' m^:€:-;V "'¦¦¦'¦ -¦l.-i*^.|i'r ^ft»-'' ¦¦¦¦.-' '¦,¦¦',¦'. H"-j •""¦¦¦'"¦¦ '"'¦¦¦' ' 'jA .Sir J f„i.*i .• v^*. -->^Hi^ -.1. ^= 'V- .¦¦ • '.i ,1 "'^ * 1 ^ ^' ''4 ¦ - ¦ <•.- ¦ ' ar ' *¦ f' ^^ " V' . f- C ^ --f.*" - trf --1 ^ *- j^ • -.t r J 1 » . ''¦ ' 1 ^-* "T? r ii ' " ^ 'I'vrbVl - 1 • * 'ij, 1 • 0 >;^,.- ' , - , ¦ i'l^ 'V:-^i: * ; '-^ " j=^ *¦• <¦ ,- »¦ 1^** u 1-^1*, ¦ ¦¦¦'-?•; _ * , » '• ^"^_ ^i^^'. - ,..A' M " . ¦ w.; " '¦ . ~ ¦'.li.^J :f .::¦':/ * "' . ^^^ '¦^¦'¦•¦•V^ • ;.'% •4' '33* •7^"? ¦¦' " ¦smt¥^''-- . ' " ".. " -"'. i >^*\^ "'¦' - • .¦;. '' '. -ir.' •¦?*¦' - -I - "W'V '^ -J "i liti-fc!.^ ';..i-V, .v.-r '¦•¦...!. Yale Center for British Art and British Studies 'c^/>^-t?^>-^^^t-^C?L^ lUttstrati&t ^ap^rs ON THE HISTORY AND AfflQUITIES OF THE CITY OF COVENTRY; COMPRISING THE CHURCHES OP ST. MICHAEL, HOLY TRINITY, ST. NICHOLAS, AND ST. JOHN; THE GREY FRIARS' MONASTERY ; ST. JOHN'S HOSPITAL AND FREE GRAMMAR SCHOOL ; JESUS HALL, BABLAKE HALL, AND ST. MARY'S HALL. jltom ©rigiital, anti mostly unpufiUsl)El( IBocummts. BT THOMAS SHARP, ESQ., Atttlim' of "A Dissertation on the Coventry Mysteries'' "An Epitome of the County of Warwick," " Concise History of Coventry," A'o. CAEEFULLT EB-PEES'TED FEOM AN OEIQ-INAL COPT. TOitI Corrections, ^Tjiiittons, anti a firief plentotr of tfje author, BT WILLIAM GEORGE FRETTON. PRINTED FOE THE SUBSCRIBERS. 1871. BIRMINGHAM : PRINTED BT HALL AND ENGLISH, HIGH STREET. b.r ' '', ''">, rf'. i-i^_ ^/ V ¦m ^C L'f 0}. _') ''16 '5'. '} CONTENTS. Editor's Preface . Address to Subscribers List of Subscribers LIFE OF MR. SHARP ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH— Foundation, Endowment, and General History Act for Payment of Tithes List of Vicars History of the Fabric Chapels — Our Lady's, or Drapers' Mercers' St. Thomas's, or Cappers' Dyers' or Mourners' St. Andrew's, or Smiths' Girdlers'Lekborne Chantries— Merynton's . Shepey's, or St. Laurence's Haye's, or All Saints' . Preston's Crosse's, or St. Katherine's Pyseford's Taylors' and Shearmen's Tate's Copston'sSt. Matthew's Altars — High Altar . Our Lady's . Jesus Trinity St. John's St. Ann's St. Katherine's St. Thomas's St. Andrew's St. Laurence's All Saints' . Obits, or Anniversaries Lights .... Vestments Communion Plate, &c. Rood Loft Chancel, Quire, and Altar Page. Page. V ST. MICHAEL'S CHUBCH, Continued- vi Vestries 50 vii Consistory Court 50 IX Nave . . . 51 Porches . 51 Pulpit . 52 ral History 1 Reading Desk .... 53 59 Lectern . . . . . 53 Font 54 15 Organ . . ... 54 Stained Glass .... 57 . 24 Candlesticks, Standards, &c. . 61 . 28 Steeple .... . . 61 . 29 Bells, Clock, and Chimes 65 31 Churchyard . .... 68 . 32 Miscellaneous 69 . 33 . 34 HOLY TRINITY CHURCH— Foundation, Endowment, and General History 71 List of Vicars .... 75 35 35 Chapels— 36 Our Lady's . 81 37 Jesus . 82 37 Marler's . ... 83 . 38 St, Thomas's 83 39 Butchers' 84 . 39 Dyers' 84 39 St. Andrew's ... 84 40 Mercers' ... 85 Barkers' or Tanners' Aisle 85 . 40 Chantries— . 41 Cellet's, or Corpus Christi 85 . 41 Percye's ... . . 87 . 42 Chantry of the Holy Cross 88 42 Lodyngton's 89 42 Allesley's 89 . 42 Marler's 90 42 Altars- . 42 Hi gh Altar . 90 . 42 Trinity 91 . 42 Jesus 91 . 43 All Saints' . 91 44 Holy Cross . . ... 91 , 45 St. Mary's, or Our Lady's . 91 . 46 St. Thomas the Martyr's 91 47 Obits and Anniversaries 91 . 47 Jesus Hall . . . . . 94 IV CONTENTS. Page. HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, Continued- Vestments .94 Communion Plate , . 95 Rood Loft ... . 96 Chancel, Choir, and Altar . . 96 Vestries 98 Consistory Court ... .99 Nave . . ... 99 Lantern and Transepts . ... 100 Porches 101 Pulpit .... .101 Lectern and Reading Desk . . . 102 Font .102 Organ 103 Stained Glass ... ... 107 Candlesticks, Standards, &c 109 Steeple ¦ . . . .109 Bells, Clock, and Chimes .... 113 Churchyard, &c. . . . 116 Jesus Hall . . 117 Reformation . . . . . 120 Miscellaneous . . 121 ST. NICHOLAS'S CHUBCH . . . .127 BABLAKE CHURCH OR CHAPEL— Foundation, Endowment, and General History 130 Wardens ... .... 141 Rectors . . . . 141 Chapels— Our Lady's . . , 142 St. John's . . , .142 Altars— High Altar . . 143 St. Mary's . . .143 Trinity . . . .143 St. Katherine's 143 Obits, or Anniversaries . . 144 Vestments, Ornaments, Plate, &c. . . 145 Chancel and Choir . , . 147 Sepulchre . . . 147 Vestry . . . . 149 BABLAKE CHURCH, Continued- Books .... ... FontOrgan .... Bell Tower, Clock, and Chimes ST. JOHN BAPTIST'S, OR BABLAKE HALL ST. JOHN'S HOSPITAL AND FREE SCHOOL Free School . John Hales . Library Masters Eminent Scholars GREY FRIARS . Eminent or Remarkable Characters belonging to the Grey Friars Christ Church ST. MARY'S HALL General Description Crypt Kitchen . Lobby and Staircase Great Hall Windows Inscriptions Paintings Tapestry . Cushions, &c. . Oriel Mayoress's Parlour Minstrel Gallery Small Council Chamber Old Council Chamber Tower Armoury and Arms Account of Receiving Henry VI, & his Queen, Receiving Prince Edwarde Receiving Prince Arthur Appendix — Translation of Documents 1455 Page. 149 150 150151 153155 160 166172176 192196 204208 210216216 216217217 217 218 219220 222 223223224224224 226 226228 231 233 237 PLANS. ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH HOLY TBINITY CHURCH , ST. JOHN'S CHURCH . FREE GRAMMAR SCHOOL ST. MARY'S HALL Page. 1 71 130160 210 EDITOR'S PREFACE. Of the original (and only) edition of this very scarce book, about t-welve copies were printed for private distribution among the author's friends, upwards of fifty years since, and it is now so rare that its existence is unknown to many persons interested ia Local History. In its preparation, the author consulted the ancient charters and muniments of the city, the church books, with many authentic documents belonging to the Corporation and Gilds, together with others in private hands. In its original form each paper was separately paged, and formed a complete section independent of either of the others. It has been considered advisable in this edition to adopt a consecutive paging throughout for the convenience of indexing, and for the connection of the series. The type of the original edition was entirely composed by the late Mr. "William Reader, about the years 1816-17, then printer and half proprietor of the Coventry Mercury, and the whole was worked off by him after business hours. Every care has been taken to ensure a perfect copy of the origiaal, and in making such corrections of the text as have been rendered necessary by the changes that have taken place since Mr. Sharp's description was printed, the integrity of the author's design has been preserved, and, wherever possible, the additions have been given in Mr. Sharp's own language, from his later works. As it has been impracticable to compare the items extracted by Mr. Sharp with the original manuscript, all quotations have remained untouched, and their responsibility rests entirely upon the correctness of the former transcription, except in cases where a manifest error has occurred. In making these corrections, reference has been made to the interleaved copies of the author and printer, in both of which are numerous marginal notes and additions ; all the more important of which have been incorporated in this edition : these, together with additional matter from other sources, will be found marked in brackets, and their authority given in foot notes. A desirable alteration has been effected in the arrangement of some of the papers, so as to secure uniformity in the general plan. The article on St. Mary's Hall has been entirely recon structed, and many additions made thereto, as will be seen from the fact that in the original copy five pages only are occupied in the account of that buUding, while in this edition it has been extended to seventeen pages. The principal additions consist of about 50 pages of letter-press ; a portrait of the Author, from a private plate, etched by Mrs. Dawson Turner, from a drawing by J. S. Cotman, Esq., in 1823 ; and five full page plans of the principal edifices treated upon in the work, viz. : — St. Michael's Chitech, Holt Teinitt Chueoh, St. Johh's Chuech, Eeee Geammae School, and St. Maet's Hall. These plans, having been drawn to a uniform scale, beside showing the details of each, exhibit exactly the relative sizes of the buildings ; and as none have hitherto been printed, it is believed they vnll add considerably to the interest of the volume. Translations of the more im portant Latin extracts are also appended. The Editor begs to tender his respectful acknowledgments to Mrs. P. Wyley of the Charter House, Coventry, one of the surviving daughters of Mr. Sharp, for supplying information required in compiling the biographical sketch ; he is also indebted to T. D. Edwards, Esq., son-in-law of Mr. Sharp, for several additional particulars. He desires to offer his thanks to J. Staunton, Esq., of Longbridge House, War-ndck, for his kindness in allowing access to the collection of Mr. Sharp in his possession, and for permitting him to make numerous extracts from the interleaved copy of the author. Likewise, to Mr. WilUam Reader, of London, son of the late Mr. WUliam Reader, of Coventry, for the loan of his father's copy of this work, as also for his own very acceptable notes ; and to Mr. John Astley, of Coventry, for occasional reference to his local collection. W. G. P. ADDRESS TO SUBSCRIBERS. When the proposal for a new edition of this work was issued, in July, 1869, it was only in contemplation to publish a verbatim reprint, with a few necessary corrections, and it was not anticipated that a list of subscribers would have been obtained more than sufficient to meet the outlay required for this purpose. In consequence, however, of the liberal response that has been made to the circular, we, the promoters of this reprint, are enabled to give several additional features thereto, trusting they will considerably enhance the value of the work, and amply compensate for the unavoidable delay in producing it. These new features comprise, besides additional matter, a portrait of Mr. Sharp, from a private plate kindly lent by Mrs. P. Wyley ; five full-page plans, drawn speciaUy for this work by Mr. T. W. Whitley ; and translations of the most important Latin paragraphs in the volume, supplied by the Rev. J. .1. Soden, M.A., of the Pree Grammar School, Coventry ; to all of whom we tender our most respectful acknowledgments. Thanks are also due to the printers, for the great care exercised in fulfilUng their part of this undertaking. Regretting that a work of such a thoroughly exhaustive and comprehensive character on the subjects upon which it treats should be practically inaccessible, we have ventured upon its republication, by subscription, and hope, that in thus offering an opportunity of securing a copy of this extremely valuable record of Local History, drawn from sources to which there is now no access, compUed by one who was most ultimately acquainted vdth the antiquities of his native city, we are producing a graceful memorial to the merits of Mr. Sharp as an Antiquary and Historian, whieh has been too long delayed. WM. GEO. PRETTON, EDWIN MANDER, JOHN LTNES. C'ovENTEr, Apeil, 1871. SUBSCRIBERS, THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE EARL OF CLARENDON. ¦ THE LORD BISHOP OF WORCESTER. • H. W. EATON, ESQ., M.P., HYDE PARK, LONDON. A. STAVELEY HILL, ESQ., D.C.L., Q.C, M.P., LONDON. •W. BROMLEY-DAVENPORT, ESQ., M.P., BAGINTON HALL. • THOMAS BERRY, ESQ., MAYOR OF COVENTRY. Aldridge, Mr. J. L., Coventry Anstey, Mr. Thomas, Coventry. Astley, Mr. John, Coventry. Baker, Mr. John, Coventry. Baynes, Rev. R. H., M.A., Vicar of St. MiohaePs, Coventry. Barton, Mr. G. S., Coventry. Begbie, Mrs., Stenton Lodge, Tunbridge Wells. Birmingham Free Libraries Bloxham, M. H., Esq,, F.S.A., Rugby. Bourne, C. W., Esq., Blackheath, Kent. Bourne, Mrs., Kenilworth. Bracebridge, C. H., Esq., J.P,, Atherstone Hall. Bree, Rev. W., M.A., Rector of Allesley. Browett, Thomas, Esq., Solicitor, Coventry. Brown, John, Esq., M.D., Coventry. Bushill, Mr. Thomas, Coventry (2 copies). Caldicott, Major R., W.E.V., Goundou, Coventry. Cash, Mr. Joseph, Coventry. Chappell, Mr. William, Jun., Coventry. Chater, Mr. William, Coventry. Clarke, Mr. Thomas, Coventry. Cohen, Mr. Philip, Coventry. CoUins, Mr. D. E., Coventry. Cooper, Mr. Jonathan, Coventry. Cooper, Mr. W. D., London, Cormouls, Mr. P., Kenilworth. Coventry Institute. Crofts, Mr. T. W., Coventry. • Dalton, Mr. R. A., Coventry. DarUngton, J., Esq., J.P., Meriden Hall. Dewes, Thomas, Esq., Solicitor, Coventry. Doggett, Mr. Edward G., Bristol. • Drake, The Rev. Canon, M.A., Rector of Sedgebrook, Lincoln. ¦ Dresser, Mr. Luke, Coventry. Edmonds, Mr. Charles, Birmingham. Edwardes, T. D., Esq., London. English, Mr. Charles, Birmingham. Evans, Bev. C, M.A., Grammar School, Birmingham. Evans, William, Esq., Solicitor, Birmingham. Eyton, J. W. K., Esq., P.S.A., London (2 copies). - Flint, Mr. Charles, Coventry. - Franklin, Mr. William, Radford. Franklin, Mr. F. W., Radford. Freeman, Mr. Charles, Coventry. Fretton, Mr. W. G., Coventry (3 copies). Fretton, Mr. J. H., Coventry. ¦ Gooch, Rev. P., D.C.L., Rector of Baginton, • Grover, Rev. J., M.A., Free Grammar School, Coventry. Green, Mr. Thomas H., Coventry. Gulson, John, Esq., J.P., Coventry. HalliweU, J. 0., Esq., F.R.S., Kensington. Hands, Mr. Richard, Coventry. Hart, Mr. James, Coventry. • Hewat, Mr. John A., Walsgrave. Hewitt, Mr. John, Coventry. Heginbottom, Mr. Henry, Coventry. Hinds, Mr. James, Coventry. Hine, Mr. John, Coventry. Hmit, W. 0., Esq., Stratford-on-Avon. Hunter, Rev, Thomas, London. Jackson, Mr. C. B., London. Joel, Mr. Levin, Coventry. Jones, J. C, Esq., F.S.A., Loxley, Warwick. • Kirby, T. H., Esq., Solicitor, Coventry. via SUBSCEIBEES. Kirshaw, J. W., Esq., F.G.S., Warwick. Knutton, Mr. F. C, Hadley, Salop. Lloyd, Mr. George, Coventry. Lynes, Edward, Esq., M.D., Coventry. Lynes, Mr. John, Birmingham (3 copies). Mander, Mr. Henry, Wall Hill House, Allesley. Mander, Rev. J., Lecturer, St. Philip's, Birmingham. Mander, Mr. Edwin, Coventry (3 copies). Marriott, James, Esq., J. P., Coventry. Martin, Rev. W., M.A., Vicar of St. Mark's, Coventry. Masters, Mr. Henry, Coventry. Matterson, Mr. Henry, Coventry. Maycock, Mr. James, Coventry. Mercer, Mr. T. J., Coventry. Minster, R, H., Esq., Solicitor, Coventry. MuUoney, Mr. S. W., Coventry. Newman, Mr. J., London (4 copies), Odell, Joseph, Esq., J.P., Coventry. • Odell, William, Esq., J.P., Coventry. ¦ Perkins, Mr. John Weston, Coventry. Petre, E., Esq., J.P., Whitley Abbey. • Phillips, Mr. G. S., Coventry. . ¦ Price, Mr. Henry, Coventry. Reader, Mr. William, London. Rollason, Miss, Leamington. Rotherham, Mr. John, Coventry. Rotherham, Mr. John, .Jun., Coventry, Rotherham, Mr. Alexander, Coventry. Seymour, Arthur, Esq., Solicitor, Coventry. Sharp, Mrs. J., Bayswater, London. Simms, Mr. D., Coventry. • Slingsby, Mr. William, Coventry. Smallfield, Mr. J. S,, London. Smith, Mr. Samuel, Coventry. - Smyth, Mr, Ralph, Coventry. Soden, Rev. J. J., M.A., Free Grammar School, Coventry. - Stevens, Mr. Thomas, Coventry. Stone and Co., Messrs., Coventry. Sutton, Mr. John, Coventry. Taylor, Mr. Jeremiah, Coventry. ¦ Thickens, Rev. William, M.A., Vicar of Keresley and Coundon. Timmins, Samuel, Esq., F.R.S.L., Birmingham. Turton, Mr. George, Coventry. ¦ Vale, Samuel, Esq., J.P., Coventry. • Ward, Mr. John, Coventry. Warwickshire Natural History and Arohsologioal Society. Waters, Dr. Edmond, Coventry. White, Mr. Ebenezer, Coventry. Whitley, Mr, T. W., Coventry. 'Whittem, James Sibley, Esq,, Wyken. • Wigston, Mr. Thomas, Coventry. • Willerton, Mr. Thomas, Coventry. Williamson, Mr. William, Coventry. . Wilson, Rev. A. W., M.A., Vicar of Holy Trinity, Coventry. ¦ Wyley, Mrs. F., Charter House, Coventry, • Wyley, Mr. John, Coventry. Young, Rev. J. R., M.A., Rector of Whitnash. Jlmotr of C|)0mas Sjjarp. The subject of this memoir was the only son of Mr. Thomas Sharp, residing m a house in Smithford Street, Coventry, distinguished by the famous efiigy of " Peeping Tom." In this house he was born on the 7th of November, 1770. He received his education at the Pree Grammar School. Por some four years he resided vrith his uncle, Mr. Henry Sharp, by whom it was intended he should study for the Church. His father dying in 1784, at the age of forty, he returned home to assist in managing the business, which he subsequently conducted on his own account. At an early age he displayed a taste for the study of the antiquities of his native city, and one of his first contributions in this department of hterature was a lengthy reply to an article on St. Mary's Hall, by the late Mr. Gough, contributed by that celebrated antiquary to the pages of the "Gentleman's Magazine." Mr. Sharp's communication appeared in the same periodical in 1793, under the signature " S," an initial he frequently adopted in his subsequent contributions. An article on St. Michael's Church, pubUshed in the same volume, and signed " PhUarchaismos," was also written by him. Among his most intimate friends and feUow- workers at this period were Mr. George Howlette, watch manufacturer, and Mr. John Nickson,* manufacturer, both of this city. In 1792 Mr. Howlette was elected Mayor, and thus access was obtained to the numerous books and documents preserved in the city treasury at St. Mary's HaU. This opportunity was eagerly taken advantage of by such ardent students of local history as Mr. Sharp and his two friends, and they at once proceeded to carefuUy examine their long-neglected contents. Mr. Sharp's classical knowledge rendered him most competent to investigate the Latin records, from which he made numerous extracts ; he afterwards arranged them under their several heads, together with other portions selected from the records in EngUsh, the examination of which department had been under taken by Mr. Nickson. Many of these writings had been hitherto unexplored, and the information thus obtained formed the basis on which Mr. Sharp compiled his valuable works on the " Ancient Mysteries," and other local works, and to these records frequent reference will be found in the foUowing pages. These coUections were intended as a groundwork for the compUation of an elaborate history of the City of Coventry. In the same year proposals for a work of this kind were issued by Mr. J. W. Piercy, and it was supposed that the materials coUected by Mr. Sharp would have been available for this purpose. The project, however, did not meet with sufilcient pubUc support, and was ultimately abandoned. A few years later Mr. Sharp took steps for the pubUcation of a work of this kind, and in 1808 had actuaUy entrusted his MS. into the hands of some individual for arrangement preparatory to printing. It appears from a letter written to him by Mr. Douce, in 1809, that not being satisfied with the manner in which the preparatory work was proceeding, Mr. Sharp had relinquished the idea, much to the regret of himself and his antiquarian friends. * Mr. Nickson was a member of tlie Society of Friends, and died at Leamington in 1830, aged 70. X MEMOIE OF THOMAS SHARP. In 1793 Mr. Sharp contributed to Mr. Nichols' "History of Leicestershire" a drawing and description of a crucifix of copper gUt, 22 1 inches high, an engraving and account of which wiU be found in the fourth volume of that work. During the excitement caused by the Prench Revolution in 1797, and when it was considered by the government necessary for the defence of the country to accept the services of Volunteer Associations, Mr. Sharp enrolled himself as a member of the 1st troop of Warwickshire Volunteer Cavalry, in which he continued to serve until the corps was disembodied. He did not confine himself to antiquarian pursuits, but constantly laboured in promoting the welfare of the public institutions of his native city. He was elected a member of the Drapers' Company in 1802, was chosen master of the Company in 1809, and was a trustee of the Charity School founded by Mrs. Katherine Bayley, from 1807 to 1831. In 1794, and again in 1809, he was elected accountant churchwarden for St. Michael's Church, and from 1810 to 1819, continued to hold ofiice as one of the Wardens. During this period he was most indefatigable in his attention to the repau's of that edifice, and in the investigation of its history. He also rendered essential service by his advice and assistance during the repairs and alterations carried on at Trinity Church and St. Mary's HaU. Por many years prior to 1836 Mr. Sharp acted as Treasurer to a fund subscribed by gentlemen in Coventry for a special purpose, but which at that period was not required. As only two of the original subscribers were then Uving, Mr. Sharp signified his wish to appropriate this fund (amounting to upwards of £700) towards the estabhshment of an Infirmary in Coventry, and for that purpose placed it in the hands of a number of gentlemen who were earnestly engaged in the endeavour to found a Hospital. He had thus the pleasure of handing over the carefuUy-husbanded fund, vdth which the premises at the top of Little Park Street were purchased, in 1837, and of seeing the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital estabhshed on a firm basis, with a fair prospect of its proving a great blessing to Coventry and the surrounding district. About the latter part of the last century Mr. Sharp, together with Mr. Nickson and Mr. Howlette, in order to iUustrate their copies of Dr. Thomas's edition of " Dugdale's Antiquities of Warwickshire," engaged Mr. Henry Jeayes, a drawing master then Uving iu Coventry, to visit every parish to take sketches of the seats of the nobUity, manor houses, churches, and aU the civil and ecclesiastical antiquities then existing in the county. The original work was afterward divided into five hundreds, forming as many separate volumes, for which Mr. Wm. Reader printed fac-simUe title pages, and presented to those gentlemen. Much credit is due to them for their self-imposed labour and expense, as many of the most remarkable of these edifices are now much altered in ap pearance or have entirely disappeared. One of these copies contained upwards of 670 additional illustrations, viz : — 108 engravings, 40 original drawings of brasses, 223 of churches, and 300 of various antiquities. In 1820 Mr. Sharp and Mr. Reader visited, or caused to be examined, nearly aU the churches in Warwickshire, for the purpose of procuring rubbings of ancient monumental brasses ; from these impressions, reduced drawings were made and inserted in the work above mentioned. The originals were afterwards disposed of to W. Staunton, Esq., of Longbridge, Warwick. In 1800 Mr. Sharp communicated to the "Gentleman's Magazine" an account of a British torques, and some ancient British couis, and was a frequent contributor to the pages of that valuable periodical. He also wrote an account of an ancient gold ring or amulet, weighing loz. ISdwts. Bgrs. troy, found in Coventry park in the autumn of 1802, upon which was engraved the crucifixion, and MEMOIE OF THOMAS SHAEP. XI several singular devices and inscriptions. This paper was read before the society of Antiquaries in London, on May 23, 1816, and was pubUshed in the 18th vol. of the "ArchsBologia." An engraving of this ring, with a simUar account, wUl be found in the "Gentleman's Magazine" for June, 1803.* The plan of Coventry, pubUshed to accompany the Beauties of England and Wales, was drawn by Mr. Sharp, and there is little doubt that he suppUed information relating to Coventry, to the compUer of the Warwickshire section of that work. The map bears date May 1st, 1807, and was engraved by Roper. He married on the 26th of Dec, 1804, Miss Charlotte Turland, of Barnwell, in Cambridgeshire, and, having retired from his retaU trade, removed to premises in Little Park Street (now No. 91), where he resided many years, carrying on a wholesale business. Much of his leisure was spent in the arrangement of the stores which he had accumulated, portions of which, relating to the principal ancient pubUc buildings in Coventry, were printed gratuitously by Mr. Reader, for distribution among Mr. Sharp's friends. The present volume is a reprint of these papers. In 1825 he pubUshed his most important work, entitled, " A Dissertation on the Pageants, or Dramatic Mysteries, anciently performed at Coventry by the Trading Companies of that City ; chiefly with reference to the vehicle, characters, and dresses of the actors. CompUed in a great degree from sources hitherto unexplored ; to which are added the Pageant of the Shearmen and Taylors' Company, and other municipal entertainments of a pubhc nature."t This is a work of great antiquarian value and interest, and of itself would be sufficient to estabUsh Mr. Sharp's reputation as an antiquary. The particulars were mainly extracted from the muniments in the Corporation Treasury and from the ancient account books belonging to the various city companies. It was printed and pubUshed by Merridew and Son, of Coventry (230 pp.). The illustrations were drawn and engraved by Mr. David Jee, an artist residing in Coventry. The work was most favourably reviewed by several ofthe leading periodicals ofthe day. J The "Retrospective Review" thus speaks of it: — "The work is a most laborious and valuable addition towards a complete history ofthe early drama and the stage; and Mr. Sharp was eminently qualified to undertake and execute the arduous task, for which he is entitled to the gratitude of the literary world." Sir Walter Scott, in a letter to Mr. Sharp in 1826, thus expresses his opinion of the work. " I have received great pleasure from your beautiful and masterly edition of the Coventry Mysteries. I have not been more struck for this long time with an antiquarian publication ; for both the carefulness and extent of research, as weU as the interesting selection of iUustrations, raise it to the very highest class among books of that description." The Pageant of the Shearmen and Taylors had been before printed in a less perfect form, by Mr. Reader, in 1817 (28 pp.), the impression beiag Umited to about 12 copies. To this edition was appended the account of the visit of Henry VI. and his Queen to Coventry in 1455, the Receiving of Prince Edward, 1474, and Prince Arthur, 1498, with many curious verses written on those occasions ; and two specimens of civic poetry from the City Leet Book, 1494, occupy 14 pages more. Hone, in his "Ancient Mysteries," refers to it, as being the transcription of a "Coventry gentleman of curious research in ancient lore, who printed it for the purpose of bringing it more * This ring is now in title possession of his Son-in-law, T. Dyer Edwardes, Esq. t The impression was limited to 250 on royal, 75 on imperial 4to, and three on extra large paper. t Mr. HalliweU, in his introduction to " Ludus CoventriaD," describes it as containing a most curions and valuable collection of information relative to the plays once performed in Coventiy. XU MEMOIE OF THOMAS SHARP. immediately to the knowledge of his .antiquarian friends." The latter portion, although mostly reprinted in the "Mysteries," has been inserted in this volume, as furnishing interesting Ulustra- tions of the manner in. which the citizens of Coventry celebrated the visits of Royalty in the olden time, and also as shovring the care with which, fortunately, aU events of pubUc importance were recorded in the City Leet Book. On the completion of the "Mysteries," Mr. Sharp proposed publishing an edition, in 2 vols. 8vo, of " The Ludus Coventriie," or sacred plays, formerly represented at Coventry on the festival of Corpus Christi, from the MSS. in the Cottonian Library in the British Museum, vdth notes and iUustrations ; but there not being a sufficient number of subscribers to justify him in proceeding with the work, it was abandoned. It has since been pubUshed by the Shakespeare Society (1841), in 1 vol. 8vo., under the able editorial care of J. 0. HalliweU, Esq. Mr. Sharp's interest in our local sacred drama did not however cease, for we find him editing a pageant called the " Presentation in the Temple," as performed by the Weavers' Company, Coventry, copied from the original, unexpectedly discovered in 1832, and printed for the Abbotsford Club in 1836, to whom it was presented by John Black Gracie, Esq. He was also editor of the " Ancient Mysteries and Moral ities " from the Digby MS. in the Bodleian Library, Oxford, printed for the members of the same Society in 1835, at the expense of the Club. The interesting volume entitled "KenUworthlUustrated;" or the History of the Castle, Priory, and Church of KenUworth, with a description of its present state, pubUshed in 1 vol., 4to, by Merridew and Son, Coventry, in 1821, was the joint compUation of Mr. Sharp and his friend Mr. WUUam Hamper, of Birmingham. He contributed to Dr. Harwood's "History of Lichfield," Captain Smith's "Ancient Dresses," Mr. Hone's pubUcations ; and to numerous other works he suppUed important information. Mr. Sharp's knowledge of engraved portraits and their arrangement was so extensive and exact that he was enabled to iUustrate a copy of " Grainger's Biographical History of England" vdth such skUl and success, that he afterwards disposed of it for upwards of £1000. He had for many years been a coUector of ancient coins, and his cabinet contained a great number of both Roman and English, the most important of these was a half-florin of Edward III., which is beUeved to be unique ; it is the rarest of the EngUsh gold series, and is now in the British Museum. An account of this coin, with an engraving (from a drawing suppUed by Mr. Sharp) , vdll be found in the " Gentleman's Magazine " for October, 1800, p. 945. He also collected a series of thfrty-three Coventry tokens, which he subsequently had engraved ; and in conjunction with Mr. John Nickson and Mr. E. W. Percy, of Leamington, had twenty-four medals struck at Birmingham, on which were represented the more important of the ancient and modern buildings in Coventry. A few impressions were taken in sUver and copper, and the dies immediately afterwards destroyed. Mr. Sharp compUed " A Catalogue of Provincial Copper Coins, Tokens, Tickets, and Medalets, issued in Great Britain, Ireland, and the Colonies, during the 18th and 19th centuries, arranged according to Counties, &c., with particulars of their fabrication, names of the artists, and miscel laneous remarks illustrative of the rarity of particular specimens : described from the originals in the collection of Sir George Chetwynd, Bart., of Grendon HaU, co. Warwick."* Of this work * This catalogue is one of the most comprehensive of the kind in the language. Dm-ing its compilation Mr. Sharp resided for some months at Grendon. MEMOIR OF THOMAS SHAEP. SlU sixty copies were handsomely printed in 4to for private use, by Messrs. Nichols and Son, in 1834. In 1835 Mr. Sharp was occupied at Grendon HaU in forming coUections for a Memoir of Sfr George Chetwynd's grandfather, Walter Chetwynd, Esq., of Broeton HaU, Stafi"ordshire, who was Under Secretary of State for the Home Department under the celebrated Lord Chesterfield, in 1745. His familiar acquaintance with ancient manuscripts rendered him weU-qualified for the task he undertook in 1832 ; the arrangement of the large and valuable coUection of muniments belonging to the Corporation of the City of Coventry ; and for the serdce so ably rendered he was presented by the CouncU with a piece of plate, suitably inscribed, as an acknowledgment of their satisfaction. He also arranged the numerous deeds and other MSS. belonging to the Church of the Holy Trinity, Coventry, and compUed a suitable index. Mr. Sharp took an active interest in the formation of the Warvdckshire Natural History and Archaeological Society in 1836, of which he was one of the vice-presidents, and, in conjunction with his friend, Mr. Staunton, acted as Honorary Curator of the archaeological section. He continued his connection with that institution untU his death. In 1835 he wrote "An Epitome of the County of Warvdek," containing a brief historical and descriptive account of the towns, viUages, and parishes, with their hamlets. It is a most useful and convenient handbook, and was pubUshed in demy 8vo, 200 pp., by Mr. John Merridew. His last work was the "History and Antiquities of the City of Coventry," and was announced to be completed in eight parts, each containing a copper-plate engraving, with sixteen pages of letter-press. It is also entitled "A Concise History of Coventry, Ancient and Modern," and was printed in two sizes, both of which exceeded their originaUy intended Umit ; the large paper copy reached 180 pp., and the smaller 172 : the matter in the smaUer edition is also more condensed. Por some reason, however, neither of them were completed. It was pubUshed by Mr. Henry Merridew, of Coventry, shortly after the author's death, and this wUl probably account for its incompleteness. In the prospeclnis reference is made to a " first edition of this work, pubUshed some years since." This was the " Guide to Coventry," pubUshed by Merridew and Son in 1824, a presentation copy of which bears Mr. Sharp's own acknowledgment of authorship. Mr. Sharp was for many years an intimate friend and correspondent of the late Mr. WUliam Hamper, of Birmingham, whose letters he carefully preserved, and, a short time before his last Ulness, presented a large collection of them to Mr. Staunton.* With many other learned contem porary antiquaries he maintained a frequent correspondence. Among these may be mentioned Sir i^ancis Palgrave, Sir Walter Scott, Mr. Dawson Turner, Mr. Prancis Douce, Mr. J. H. Markland, Mr. Pitcairn, and Mr. Salt. He was intimate with Mr. John Carter, and Mr. John Britton, the celebrated architectural antiquaries. On declining business, about the year 1834, he removed from Coventry, where he had resided for over sixty years, to Leamington, when his Warwickshire collections were, by purchase, added to those of WiUiam Staunton, Esq., of Longbridge House, near Warwick. * They bear date from 1806 to 1831, the last of them, dated April 30, is unfinished, and is probably the last letter Mr. Hamper wrote, as he died on the 2nd of May. Mr. Sharp was one of Mr. Hamper's executors. XIV MEMOIE OF THOMAS SHARP. The foUovdng is a list of the more important of them : — Manusoeipt Collections foe Histoet of Coventry. Vol. I. 1. — Companies and Trades. 2.— Royal Visits. 3. — Military and Political History. 4. — Recorders. Vol. II. 5, — Commons and Lammas. 6. — List of Mayors, with minor Annals. 7. — Manor and Park of Cheylesmore, and Fee Farm. 8.— White Friars. 9. — City Walls and Gates. 10. — Trinity or Shew Fair, Procession, and Peeping Tom. 11. — Gaol Hall and Gaol, Bridewell, Various Modes of Punishment, Mayor's Parlour, Crosses, Hospitals, City Insignia, Mis cellanea, and Payments to Public Performers. Vol. III. 12.— The Cross. 13. — Chapels : — St. Margaret's, St. Christo pher's, St. Mary Magdalene's, and St. James's. 14.— The Plague. 15, — Parliaments and Councils. 16. — Population. 17. — Coinage. 18. — Carthusians, juxta Coventry. 19.— The Gilds. 20. — Biographical Memoranda, and account of persons elected to Parliaments and Councils. 21. — Sundries : — Antiquity, Derivation and Topography, Legends, Topography of Priory, Miscellanea. 22.— Charities. Books and Manusceipts eelating to Coventet. " Dugdale's Coventry," inlaid and illustrated with 104 drawings and 126 engravings — foUo. " Sharp's Antiquities," with MS. additions, drawings, and plates. Only twelve privately printed — demy quarto."' " History of St. Mary's, Coventry," from the " New Monasticon," with MS. additions equal to the text, drawings, and plates. Manusceipts in Folio. Laws of St. Mary's Gild, Cartulary of St. Mary's. Burton's Collections. Accounts of Trinity Gild. (2 vols.) Accounts of Smiths' Gild. (2 vols.) Accounts of Diers' GUd. (2 vols.) List (alphabetical) of the contents of the boxes in Coventry Treasury. Volume containing proceedings at the Parliament held in Coventry, Hen. VI. c. 38, relating to Richard, Duke of York; Queen of France's Letters; Tam worth Charter ; Manner of Keeping Parliament. Inventory of Goods, Merchandise, Jewels, Plate, &c., of Richard Marler, Alderman, of Coventry, made June 17, 1577. It is impossible to over-estimate the serdces Mr. Sharp has rendered in reference to our local history; no man has done so much in this respect for Coventry since the day of Sfr WUUam Dugdale; and if we were to extract from the existing accounts of this city aU relating to its antiquities that had been contributed directly or indirectly by Mr. Sharp, the remaining portion would be very meagre indeed. To him we are mainly indebted for iiUing in the detaU of our ancient history, of which (as regards Coventry) Dugdale laid the foundation : and could Mr. Sharp's design have been fuUy carried out, the History and Antiquities of Coventry, such as his master mind had conceived, would have been second to no other local record in comprehensiveness and general interest. Mx. Sharp was very methodical in his arrangement of matter, a good classical scholar, and a remarkably neat and expeditious penman : he was an able draughtsman, and had an accurate and extensive knowledge of books, coins, manuscripts and engravings. He was by no means an inferior poet. In person he was tall and thin, and of gentlemanly demeanour. In the true spirit of an enlightened enquirer his stores were ever open to his friends. * The present work is a reprint of the above. MEMOIE OP THOMAS SHAEP. XV His last Ulness was very lingering, attended with great debUity, and he died at Leamington on the 12th of August, 1841, most deservedly esteemed and regretted. His remains were interred in the new burial ground attached to St. Michael's Church, Coventry, just within the mclosure, and his monument bears the foUowing inscription, written by Mr. George Eld, his friend and feUow labourer — undeeiteath best the eemains op THOMAS SHARP, IK GEATEPrii EECOED FOE THE MEMOET OP WHOM THIS TOMB IS BEECTED BT HIS PAMILT. HE WAS DISTWGIIISHED FOE HIS I/ITEEAET ATTAINMENTS, AND PAETIC0LABLT FOE THE ZEAX AND ABILITY WITH WHICH HE DEVOTED HIMSELF TO ELUCIDATE THE ANTIQUITIES OP THIS ( HIS NATIVE ) CITY. BELOVED BY HIS PEIENDS, AND EESPECTBD BY HIS FELLOW CITIZENS, HE DEPAETED THIS LIFE IN HIS 7lst YEAE, 12th AUGUST, 1841. In 1869 a stained glass window (a description of which wUl be found on page 60) was placed in the Mercers' Chapel, in St. Michael's Church, by his famUy. At the foot is the foUowing inscription : — " To the glory of God and in Memory of Thomas Sharp, who entered into rest 12th August, 1841, aged 71 years." The lower right hand panel is fiUed with the arms of Mr. Sharp.* On a shield azure, within a border or, charged with eight roundlets, a pheon argent. Crest, an eagle's head erased, ducaUy gorged or, holding in the mouth a pheon argent. Motto, "TTAE NEC METVAM." In the same grave with Mi. Sharp are interred his sister Martha, who died Pebruary Sth, 1798, aged 25 years ; and several members of the Bosworth famUy (of Broomfields), to whom he was related. He had a family of nine chUdren, two of whom died in their infancy. His widow and seven of his chUdren surdved him, four of whom are stiU Uving. Mr. John Nickson Sharp, his second son, who displayed a simUar taste for the pursuitsv of his father, entered the service of the E. I. Company, in the Royal Engineers, where he attained the rank of Major. He died at Lahore, in India, about the year 1857. On his death the remainder of his father's valuable hbrary and coUection was dispersed. * The colours in the windows are wrongly tinctured. The above description is taken from an impression of Mr. Sharp's own seal. S^ MICHAEL'S CHURCH. COVENTRY. St JUitija^rs Cjjurtli, CotottE* Although it is e'pident, that Coventry^ from its population and consequence, required and doubtless had, one, if not two parish churches, at the time of the Norman survey^ yet none occur in Domesday ; and the first notice we have of this Church, is Ranulph Earl of Chester's grant of it to Laurence, Prior, and the Convent of St. Mary, in the time of King Stephen. The Charter* recites^ that many persons, as well clergy as laity, affirmed and by their testimony certified, the same to be the right of this Monastery, and accordingly he grants thereto, the Chapel of St. Michael, situated in his fee, at Coventry, and all other Chapels, within the Town or without, being in his fee, and in their parish, together with tithes and all other benefits. The Chapels are 14 in number, viz. Ansty, Shilton, Wyken, Binley, Whitley, Pinley, Stoke, Stiviohall, Eccleshall (or Exhall) FoleshiU, Keresley, Whabberley, Sponnet, and BisselUe, evidently bespeaking St. Michael's to have been a primitive Saxon parish, with these its numerous dependencies, and thus proving the antiquity and importance thereof. From the circumstance of Swift de Coventre, Nigell, Morne de Eccleshall, Viell de PolkeshuU, and Syward de Eolkeshull, being amongst the witnesses to this Charter, it appears to have been executed at Coventry. Hugh OyveUoo, son of Eanulph, confirmed this gra'nt ; and Ranulph Blundeville, his successor, gave the tithe of his lands and rents in Coventry, " command all his oflGicers, upon pain of a grievous curse, to make due payment of them." About this period, some question arose as to the right of the Bishop in the advowson ; for Geoffery de Muschampf Bishop of Coventry, at the desire of the afore-named Ranulph, grants the Chapel of St. Michael to Ralph de Maynwaring in frank almoigne, and institutes him therein. Shortly after, the Bishop's claims assumed a more decisive character, and the Prior, in 1 241 §, by an ordinance of Hugh Bishop of Coventry, wholly renounces the Chapel of St. Michael with its appurtenances. Another ordinance || is in consequence made, in which the previous disputes with the Prior and Convent are recognized ; and the Bishop ordains, that the Prior and Convent shall receive annually from the Vicars of St. Michael, 30 marks, 20 of which are to be paid to Ralph de Maynwaring above-named, so long as he lives in orders ; and in case of his dying or relinquishing the religious profession, the same 20 marks are then to be applied to the use of the Church of St. Mary. A like sum of 30 marks is to be annually paid to the Church of Lichfield, by the Vicar; and finally, the Bishop and his successors, are to appoint the Vicars of St. Michael, who are to be responsible for the payment of the 60 marks to the Churches of Coventry and Lichfield. * Register of St. Mary's, fo. 76. f St. Mary Magdalen's Chapel at Spon End, Coventry. This was also a Hospital for Lepers, founded by Hugh Kevelioo (or Cyvelioo), reign of Henry 2. t Liber Albus (at Lichfield) fo. 183. § || Idem, fo. 98. I ST. MICHAEL S CHUECH, COVENTEY. The preceding ordinance is without date, but from the circumstances of Adam, Arch deacon of Coventry, being one ofthe witnesses, who succeeded Alexander de Hales in 1242, and the Bishop's decease happening on the 7th December, 1241, we ascertain very nearly the time of its execution. The See remained vacant until 1245, owing to the death of one can didate before consecration, and the King (Henry 3) objecting to the next person nominated; but, in 1245, Roger de Weseham was consecrated at Lyons, without the King's knowledge, and soon afterwards some remarkable proceedings occurred respecting this Vicarage. It appears from the documents given at foot,* that during the vacancy in the bishoprick, the Vicarage of St. Michael also became vacant, and that, in violation of the King's prerogative in such cases, the Archdeacons of Coventry and Salop put Henry de Crok into possession of the said cure, appropriating, in conformity with the above recited ordinance, 30 marks yearly out of the profits of the church, to the Canons of Lichfield, and 30 marks to the Monks of * Rex. Vic. "War. salutem. — Cum ratione nostri regiminis, Ecclesiarnm & Libertatum ipsarum dati sumus a divina Clementia ex debito defensores, injurias, & violentias a quibuscunque personis occasione quacnnque illatas eisdem habemus cum industria propulsare, & justitia rationabilifcer vindicare. Hinc est, quod cum alias tibi prteciperimus, ut vim laicam inventam in Ecclesia Sancti Michaelis de Coventria, in ipsius prEejudicium & dilecti Clerici nostri R. de Leyc' quern ad prsdictam Ecclesiam Sancti Michaelis prsesentavimus, k, quern in possessionem ejusdem a Domino Papa delegati Judices induxerunt, ne Ecclesia ilia formam Castri assumeret, amoveres, tanquam in perniciem libertatis Ecclesiastics introdnctam, ut vim laicam inventam non valens alitor amovere, nisi speoialiter per ingressum, qui tibi clausis EcclesiEe ostiis non patebat, pro ingressu fractionem ostii quam fecisti, cujus forsan occasione fractionis & ingressus praster intentionem nostram & tuam, aliqui laesi fuerunt, ut nostro pareres mandate, rato, coram Coventr' & Lichfield Episoopo habuimus &, habemus plurimum & acceptam, tanquam nostro nomine regaliter expeditam. Quia vero occasione hujusmodi fractionis & ingressus, dicto R. Rectori Ecclesiae prsedictEe, nihil de jure ab aliquo potest vel poterit imputari, quia dictum factum, non suum sed nostrum fuisse penitus protestamur; &. quia dictus Episoopus tam dictum R. & sues, quam omnes illos qui tecum fuerunt tunc temporis, nominatim de facto excommntionis sententia innodavit; videntes ipsam in prfejudicium regise dignitatis, verum potius Eoolesiasticas libertatis latam fuisse ; Tibi praacipimus, quod monitis & precibus inducas Episcopum diligenter, ut dictam sententiam quantocius studeat revocare. Quod si noluerit facere, sciat ipse, et hoc sibi dicas, quod ad ipsius Baroniam manum nostram, quam cito nos super hoc certificaveris, extendemus; ratione nam que Baronise Juramento de conservandis terrenis honoribus dignitatis regise est astrictus. Quia magis ofEendere vel vituperare (Nos) non possit quam per suas excommunicationes subtrahendo Subditos fideles nostros, a nostrorum prsceptorum executione, cum alias nostra Jurisdictio non valeat explicari, nisi sint qui nostris mandatis pareant, ut tenentur; super transgressione vero Juramenti, altissimum ultorem poterit expectaxe. Taliter hoc prseceptum nostrum adimplens, quod regise dignitati pro defectu tui nihil debeat deperire propter quod reputemus merito nos ofEensos. Teste meipso, apud Woodstock, 26 die Augusti, Anno Regni nostri 30. ( Clans. 30 S. 'S M. 5 dors.) The Writ to the Bishop of Lincoln proceeds in the same words and tenor, to " studeat revocare," after which it continues : — Hoc autem vobis signiflcamns — ut illins facti inteUecta plenius verltate, si forsitau dictus Episcopus vobis denunciaverit, dictum R. Clerioum nostrum Excommunicationis sententia innodatum, ei propter hoc uUam molestiam inf erratis, nee publicari illam sententiam facialis, prtesertim cum minus juste sit lata, & non de jure, licet de facto contra defensionem libertatis Boolesiasticse, quod ex praemissis apparet, &o., in prejudicium Regis dignitatis. — Teste, ut supra. Rex Prioribus de Thurgarton & de Derb. & Archid. Stafiiord. salutem. — Monstravit nobis Radulphus de Leycestr. Rector Ecclesiaa Sancti Michslis de Coventr', quo cum decedente H. de PateshuU, quondam Coventr' & Lichf. Episcopo, dicta Ecclesia Sancti Michaelis, tam de jure quam de facto vacaret, sicut per Inquisitionem quam inde fieri fecimus nobis constitit, & constat manifeste, licet magistri Adam' de Hoo, quondam Archid' Coventr' Th. de Wymundeham, & Petrus de Radenour, Archid. Salop, post mortem ipsius Episcopi de Ecclesia ipsa sic dixerint ordinand' videlict, quod triginta marcs de eadem Ecclesia cederent in usus communes Canonicorum Lichfield, & alia triginta marcse, in usus Monaohorum Coventr', & residuum ejusdem Ecclesife in usus vicarii qui pro tempore deserviret eidem. Nos fraudem illam dignitati Regife lactam usque ad tempus oportunum dissimulare volentes, & invenientes per inquisitionem prsdictam Ecclesiam illam esse vacantem, prsfatum R. Clericum nostrum ad dictam Ecclesiam vacantem ratione Episcopatus Coventr' & Lichfield, vacantis c& in manu nostra existentis, duximus prssen- tandum. Qui quidem R. vacario per dictos Magistros ad deserviend. ilii Ecclesiae assignato possessioni ejusdem tunc incumbente, ad Judices delegates literas Apostolicas impetravit, per quos possessionem dictaj Ecclesife finaliter est adeptus. Et quia coUationes tam Ecclesiarnm Parocliialium quam Prsbendarum spectantes ad Episcopu' ipso superstite, ad nos spectant sede vacante & manifeste derogerentur dignitati nostrs, si Ecclesia prsedicta, quam post mortem prsedicti Episcopi vacantem invenimus, a prsfato Clerico nostro, cui earn ratione regis dignitatis contulimus, evinceretur, vobis prohibemua, ne in causa ilia de cstero procedatis. — Teste ut supra. (Clans. 30 S. 3.M. 5, dorso.) ST. MICHAEL S CHUECH, COVENTEY. 3 Coventry. The King connived at this proceeding until a fit season, and then presented Ralph de Leycester, his clerk, declaring the former appointment to be null and void. Whereupon, the Vicar cited R. de Leycester before the Pope's Delegates, and likewise kept forcible possession of the church with armed men against him. The King, informed thereof by Ralph de Leycester, issued a writ to the Sheriff of Warwickshire to remove the force ; who, repairing to the church with the King's Clerk, and finding resistance, broke open the church doors, and in the scuf&e some were wounded, contrary to the King's and the Sheriff's intentions. The King avowed this act to the Sheriff as his own, being done by virtue of his writ and for his honour and service, yet the new Bishop excommunicated both Ralph de Leycester and all those who assisted the Sheriff; whereupon the King issued his writ to the Sheriff of Warwickshire, dated Woodstock, 26th August, 30th year (1246), directing him to repair to the Bishop, and admonish him forthwith to recall his excommunication, under pain of his Barony being seized into the King's hands in case of refusal ; he being obliged by his oath in respect of his Barony to maintain the King's honour and dignity, whom he could not more offend or dishonour than by excommunicating his subjects and officers for obeying his commands, which none would thenceforth execute if they should not be protected against such unjust excommunication. He likewise directed a writ to the Bishop of Lincoln, commanding him not to molest Ralph de Leycester by reason of this excommunication, nor yet to publish it against him. Similar writs were issued to the Pope's Delegates not to proceed in this cause to the dispossession of his Clerk, and to the Dean and Chapter of Lichfield and the Vicar, not to prosecute the cause, all of which bear the date above mentioned. The King's firmness was successful, and Ralph de Leycester remained unmolested in the Vicarage until 1249, when, either by his death or removal, the Vicarage became vacant and Richard de Sallow was appointed by the Prior. The Prior and Convent, however, were so desirous to recover the patronage of this Church, that in 1248 (32 Henry 3) a fine was levied* at Reading, whereby in consideration of the Prior giving up to the Bishop and Cathedral of Lichfield, the perpetual advowsons of Ryton and Bobenhall (whereof they have ever since been prebends), it was agreed that the Ghapel of St. Michael with aU its Chapels, should revert to the Prior and Convent, and that they should have the advowson of the same for ever. In the foUowing month, viz. at Warwick, 3. kal. Julii, 1248, William de Kilkenny, Archdeacon of Coventry, Richard de Gloucester, Treasurer of Lichfield, William de Monte Pessua, Subprior of Coventry, and Richard Dean, of Poywicke, appointed to make a final accord and arrangement betwixt the Bishop and Prior, ordained and decreed amongst other things, that upon the decease of any of the Priests then incumbents of the Chapels belonging to St. Michael's, the Prior and Convent should provide secular Priests and other fitting Ministers, and allow them proper and competent support. Also that 24 marks per ann. should be assigned to the Vicarage of St. Michael, out of the fruits of the said Church, by the Bishop's official and the Archdeacon, with two discreet men, chosen on the Prior's part and sworn. I.'o the Archdeacon of Coventry, for Procurations, 4 marks per ann. ; and because the Cathedral of Lichfield had used to receive 30t marks per ann. from this Church, they ordained that the same sum should for the future be paid out of the Rectory of Southam, the patronage of which belonged to the said Prior and Convent, and that all future Rectors, at their Institution, should swear faithfully to perform this payment. In case the present Vicar of St. Michael's, Ralph de Leycester, should die, or vacate his living before the decease of the existing Rector of Southam, the Prior and Convent are to be accountable for the 30 marks, until the Rectory of Southam * Liber Albus, fo. 178. f ^i^., from 1241, being only 7 years, and not " of ancient time," as stated by Dugdale. 4 ST. MICHAEL S CHUECH, COVENTET. becomes vacant. On the llthf August, 1249, the Prior having presented Richard de Sallow to this Vicarage, the parties appointed in the preceding instrument taxed it at 24 marks per ann., and assigned to him the oblations, obventions, and small tithes of St. Michael's only, reserving to the Prior all tithes, &c., of the Chapels in this parish, and the great tithes and other emoluments in St. Michael's. Moreover, they assigned out of the said Vicarage a pension of 100s. to the Prior and Convent, payable quarterly, "pro decimis p'hbz que inter oblacoes solebant diebz d'nicis offerri." In the same year, Roger de Montealto and Cecily his wife, remise and quit claim to the Prior and Convent all their right in the advowson of St. Michael's, with the Chapels belonging thereto ; and after this it seems reasonable to conclude that no question could arise (with the Bishops) respecting this advowson; yet in 1260 Roger Meylard,§ or Molend, appropriates St. Michael's Ghiwch, with its Chapels and appurtenances, ecclesiastical and secular, temporal and spiritual, to the Prior and Convent of Coventry. The instrument is dated Sallowe, 5to. non Martii, Ao. 1260; and though the cause of this appropriation does not appear, it is the last interference of the Bishops in this advowson. In the taxation of Pope Nicholas, 1291, St. Michael's, with its Chapels, was valued at 50 marks, or £33. 6s. 8d., and the Vicarage at 7 marks'Tf and a half, or £5. The Prior's pension was taxed at £3. ; and in another Taxation, 32 Hen. 6|| 1454, the Prior is charged for St. Michael's, according to the same valuation, and the Vicarage at £5, as before. In the Inquisitiones Nonarum, 14 and 15th Edward 3 (1350-51), St. Michael's, with its chapels, was taxed at 50 marks, viz., for the ninth sheaf, fleece, and lamb, 40 marks ; and for the glebe, with tithe of hay, and other fruits, besides the aforesaid ninths, 10 marks. Anno 1522, tho King (Henry 8) caused a general "proscription" to be made throughout England for musters amongst the laity, and ordered the clergy to return the value of their benefices, and amount of their substance; this was done upon oath, before the Recorder in Coventry, and the original document is preserved in the Corporation Archives, from whence the following account of clergy belonging to St. Michael's Church is extracted : — The lorde George Grey is Vicar of the p'issh 1 „™„ _). Church of seint mighell, in Coventr', which '> . „ is worth yeirlie to hym - ) The Priests of the p'issh of seint michell. ''Sir Richard Shurley hath yeirlie in Stipend viij li. He is worth in goods xx ma'cs. Sir Thom's Grene haith yeirlie in Stipend vj li xiij s iiij d. He is worth in goods xviij li. t Liber Albus, fo. 274. In this Charter St. Michael's is first styled a Church. § Extract from Rot. Molend. in Dugdale's Collections, Ashmolean Museum — the original Roll is lost. t Misprinted in Dugdale 8i Marks. || Nero, DX. Cotton MS. "¦ The appellation of " Sir," by which the country clergy were formerly distinguished, owes its origin to the language of our Universities, which confers tlie designation of " Dominus " on those who have taken their first, or B.A. degree. The word domimis was naturally translated " Sir," and thus the term became applied to the inferior order of clergy, and did not imply any claim to the order of Knighthood. Dr. Percy says the title was applied to readers of the Service only, who were not as yet admitted to preach. It was not entirely disused until the end of the reign of Charles 2. ST. Michael's chuech, Coventry. Stipend. Goods. Sir Roger Couohe 5 6 8 16?. Sir Rich'd Edmoudes 6 0 0 40s. Sir John Wells 5 18 4 51. Sir Thom' Morres 5 6 8 7 7 0 Sir Robt. Abbats 5 6 8 5 Marks Sir Willm. Baillie 6 0 0 8 Marhs Sir Willm. Danyell 5 6 8 il. Sir John Wigston 6 0 0 %l. Sir Richd, Colt 5 13 4 40s. Sir Henry Ins 5 6 8 il. Sir Roger Walker 5 13 4 31. Sir Willm. Torre 6 0 0 iOs. Sir Willm. Smyth 5 6 8 30s. Sir Willm. Granger 5 6 8 30s, Sir Willm. Walker 5 6 8 40s. Sir John Pare 5 6 8 36s. Chauntrie p'sts their. Sir Rauf Shore haith a Chauntre, which is worth by yeire vij. marcs. Sir Thom's Holes viij m'rcs. Sir Henry Dakin vij m'rcs. Sir Rich. Cokks j Sir Thomas Byrde > amount torn off. Sir Richd. Tedde J From the preceding statement it is evident that the Church of St. Michael had at this time a vicar, 18 parochial chaplains, and 6 chantry priests connected with it; and in 1533, upon a taxation* of the clergy in this diocese in the second part of a subsidy, the numbers and •payments were as follow : — D'ns Georglus Grey nup' vie' ib'm iij li. D'ns Ric' Schyngulton curat' xvj s. and 18 others at 6s. 2\d. each In 1534, 26th Henry 8, the Vicarage is stated by Dugdale, from a MS. of Sir Simon Archer's to have been rated at £65. 10s. 6d. per ann., out of which there being annually paid £2. 15s. 4d. to the Archdeacon of Coventry, for procurations and synodals : to the Prior of Coventry an yearly pension of 100s., and to the Dean and Chapter of Lichfield 33s. 4d., there remained £56. Os. lOd., being the clear yearly value. f The emoluments of this Vicarage, after the dissolution of the monasteries, appear to have been materially lessened, insomuch that upon the accession of Queen Mary, and for a subsequent period of four years and a half, the church remained without a Vicar, in consequence whereof an Act was passed for the payment of both the Vicars in Coventry, which being somewhat curious, not generally known at length, and forming the basis of the present Vicarial Rates in Coventry, is given verbatim as follows : — Anno Quarto et Quinto PMllippi ^J' Marice. AN ACT FOR THE PAYMENT OP TYTHS, IN THE CITY OF COVENTRY, 1558. Cum Privilegio Regie Magestatis. Forasmuch as in the City of Coventry there hath been (before the time of ye seism, & ye declining from the Catholick Faith and true religion of Christ) two notable Benefices or Vicaridges, the one called the Vicaridge of St. Michael, the other the Vicaridge of the Trinity, the right and title of the Patronage whereof is now most lawfully desoendid and vested in ye Queen's Majesty, ye tyths, profitts, and casualtyes of w'ch Benefices, before ye sd scisme, * Harl. MSS. 594, fo. 116. f See the Valor Ecolesiastious of Henry 8, 1584. 6 ST. Michael's chuech, coventey. were sufficient and able to find two grave and learned Incumbents & Vicars, altho ye sd tyths, profitts, and casualtyes, stood and depended only upon ye devotion of ye citizens & inhabitants of the said City, & now since ye sd disorders and scismaticall time, in ye religion of Christ, ye goodwills & devotion of ye people is so much decayed, that the said Benefices be not able conveniently to find any Incumbent of any honest estimation and learning, in so much yt ye greatest Parish in ye sd City, called St. Michael's, in Coventry, hath, & yet doth remain these four years and a half without any Incumbent or Vicar, by reason the profitts & emoluments of ye same are so small, yt no learned or apt Priest will be content to accept or receive the same, & so is very like stiU to remain, if remedy be not ordained. And because there is no ordinary way by the law or statutes of ye Realme, at any time heretofore made or provided, to enforce the minds and devotions of the sd inhabitants to pay any other kind of tyths and dutyes to any of the sd Vicars, than they themselves shall think meet, by reason whereof it is very like yt ye Patronages before remembred shall remain & be of no value or estimation ; and yt also ye Catholick and devout people inhabiting in ye sd City shall want & not have the Sacraments of ye Church to them ministred, according as it is meet for Xtian people to have. For reformation whereof, be it enacted by ye authority of this present Parliament, yt ye citizens and inhabitants of ye sd City of Coventry, and suburbs of the same for ye time being, shall yearly, without fraud or covin, for ever, pay their tyths to every of ye Vicars of ye sd two Parishes before rehearsed, & their successors for the time being, after the rate, order, and proportion hereafter foUowing (yt is to say), of every tenn shillings rent by year, of all and every house and houses, shops, warehouses, sellars, and stables, & of every of them within the City and Liberties of ye same, twelve pence ; and every 20s. rent by year, of all and every such house and houses, shops, warehouses, cellars, and stables, & every of them w'thin ye said City and Liberties, two shillings ; & so above the rent of 20s. a year, assending from ten shillings to ten shillings, according to the rate and portion aforesaid. Item, yt when any lease is, or shall be made of any dwelling house or houses, shops, warehouses, cellars, or stables, or of any of them, by fraud or covin reseiving less rent than hath been accustomed to be, or is now paid ; or yt any such lease is, or shall be made without any rent reserved upon the same, by reason of any fine or income paid before hand, or by any other fraud or covin, then yt in every such case, ye tenant or farmer, tenants or farmers thereof, shall pay for his or their tyths of the same after the rate aforesaid, according to the quantity of such rent or rents, as ye same house or houses, shops, warehouses, sellars, or stables, or any of them, were last lett for, without fraud or covin, before ye makeing of such lease. Item, yt every owner or owners, whether inherit'r or inherit'rs of any dwelling house or houses, shops, warehouses, sellars, or stables, or any of them, within the said City and Liberties, inhabiting or occupying the same himself or themselves, shall pay after such rate of tyths as is abovesald, after the quantity of such yearly rent as the same was last lett for, or aifter the quantity of such yearly rent as ye houses shall be rated at, by such persons as ye Lord Chancellor shall appoint by Comission for the same. Item, if any person or persons have taken, or hereafter shall take, any mease or mansion place by lease, and the taker or takers thereof, his or their executors or assignees, doth or shall inhabitt in part thereof, & have or hath within eight years last past before this Order, or hereafter shall or will lett out the residue of the same, that then in such case the principal farmer or farmers, or first taker or takers thereof, his or their executors or assignes, sliall pay his or their tythes, after the rate aforesaid, according to his or their quantity therein, & that his or their executors or assignes shall pay his or their tyths after the rate above said, according to the quantity of his or their rent by the year. And that if any person or persons have, or shall take divers mansion houses, shops, warehouses, cellars, or stables, in one lease, and letteth or shall lett out one or more of the said houses, and keepeth or shall keep one or more in his own hands, & inhabitteth in the same, that then ye said taker or takers, and his or their executors or assignes, shall pay his or their tyths after the rate above said, according to the quantity of the yearly rent of such mansion house or houses, reserved in his or their hands, and that his assignee or assignes, of the residue of tlie said mansion house or houses, shall pay his or their tyths, according to the quantity of their yearly rents. Item, if such farmer or farmers, or his or their assignes, of any mansion house or houses, shops, cellars, or stables, hath at any time within eight years last past, or shall hereafter lett over all the said mansion house or houses, contained in his or their lease, to one person or to diverse persons, that then the inhabitants, lessees, or occupiers of them, and every of them shall pay their tyths, after the rate of such rents as the said inhabitants, lessees, or occupiers, and their assignee or assignees, be or shall be charged withal, without fraud or covin. Item, if any dwelling house within eight years last past was, or hereafter shall be, converted into a warehouse, store house, kilne house, or malt house, or such like ; or if a warehouse, store house, kilne house, or malt house, or such lite, within the said eight years was, or hereafter shall be, converted into a dwelling house, that then the occupier or occupiers thereof shall pay tyths for the same, after the rate above declared of the rents of mansion houses. Item, that where any person shall demise any dye house, brew house, kilne house, or malt house, with implements convenient and necessary for dying, brewing, or makeing and keeping malt, reserving a rent upon the same, as well in respect of such implements as iu respect of such dye house, brewhouse, kilne house, or malt house, that then the tenant shall pay his tyths after such sort as is abovesald, the third penny abated. ST. Michael's church, Coventry. 7 Item, that when any mansion house with the shop, stable, warehouse, timber yard, tenter yard, or garden, or orchard, belonging to the same, or as parcell of the same, is or shall be occupyed together, that if the same be here after sever'd or divided, or at any time within eight years last past, were sever'd or divided, that then the farmer or farmers, occupier or occupiers, shall pay such tyths as is abovesald, for such shop, stable, warehouse, timber yard, tenter yard, or garden aforesaid, so severed or divided, after the rate of their several rents thereupon reserved. Item, that the said citizens and inhabitants shall pay their tyths yearly (that is to say), at ye feasts of Easter, the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, the feast of St. Michael the Archangel, and the Nativity of our Lord God, by even portions. Item, that every householder paying lOs. rent or above, shall for himself or herself, be discharged of their four offering days; but his wife, children, servant, or other of their family, takeing their rites of the church at Easter shall pay 2d, for their four offering days yearly. Provided always, and it is enacted by authority aforesaid, that if any house or houses which hath been, or here after shall be, lett for ten shillings rent by year or more, be or hath been, at any time within eight years past, or hereafter shall be, divided aud leased into small parcell or members, yielding less yearly rent than tenn shillings by year, that then the owner or owners, if he or they shall dwell in any part of such house, or else the principal lessee or lesses, if the owner or owners do not dwell in some part of the same, shall from henceforth pay for his and their tyths, after such rate of rent as the same house was accustomed to be lett for before such division or dividing in two partyes or members; and the under farmer or farmers, lessee and lessees, to be discharged all tyths for such small parcells, parts, or members, rented at less yearly rent than 10s. by year, without fraud or covin, paying 2d. a year yearly for their four offering days. Provided always, and be it enacted by authority aforesaid, that for such gardens as pertaine not to any mansion house, aud which any person or persons holdeth, or shall hold in his or their hands for pleasure or to his own use, that then the persons so holding the same, shall not by virtue of this act pay any tyths for the same ; but if any person or persons, which holdeth or shall hold any such garden, containing half an acre or more, doth or shall make any yearly profitt of the same by way of sale, that then he or they shall pay tyths for the same, after such rate of his rent as is herein first above specityed. Provided also, that if any such gardens now being of the quantity of half an acre or more, be hereafter by fraud or covin, divided into any less quantity or quantityes, then to pay tythes according to the rate aforesaid. And it is further enacted by authority aforesaid, that if any variance, controversy, or strife, do or shall hereafter rise in the said City for none-payment of any tyths, or if any variance or doubt arise upon the true knowledge or division of any rent or tyths, in the liberties of the said City, or of any extent or assessment thereof, so that by any colour or means any house or houses, or other things before mentioned within the said City, shall escape without rateing or assessment, or otherwise be discharged, or if any doubt arise upon any other thing contained within this bill or act, that then upon complaint made by the party grieved to the Mayor of the City of Coventry, for the time being, the said Mayor by the advice of the Councell of the said City, shall call the said parties before him, and make a final end of the same, with costs to be awarded at the discretion of the said Mayor and his assistants, according to the intent and purpose of this present act; and if the said Mayor make not an end thereof, within one month next after complaint to him made, or if any of the said parties find themselves grieved, that then the Lord Chancellor of England for the time being, upon complaint to him made, calling to him the two Chief Justices of England for the time being, shall make finall order in the same cause or causes, as to him and them shall seem meet, and shall award such costs as to him and them shall be thought convenient. Provided always, that if any person or persons take any tenement for a less rent than it was accustomed to be taken for, by reason of any great mine, decay, burning, or such like occasions or misfortunes, that then such person or persons, his executors or assigns, shall pay tyths only after the rate of the rent reserved, in his or their lease, and none otherwise, as long as the same lease shall endure. This Act continued unrepealed until 19 Geo. 3, 1778 (as stated in the preamble to the new Act), though not enforced because it would now become an intolerable burthen on the Inhabitants of the Parish of St. Michael, and a subject of endless expense and litigation. The Vicar and Parishioners having at this time come to an agreement to raise by a rate certain sums of money to be paid the said Vicar and his successors, in lieu of the payments and all rights and claims under the Act of Philip and Mary, application was made to Parliament, and an Act obtained " for establishing certain payments to be made to the Vicar of the Parish of 8t. Michael, in lieu of tithes, and for repealing so much of an Act of the 4th and 5th of Philip and Mar]/ as relates to the payment of tithes in the said Parish." By the provisions of this Act, a rate of Is. in the pound is granted to the Vicars of St. Michael, O ST. MICHAEL S CHURCH, COVENTRY. upon all houses, gardens, or buildings, of the yearly value of £10. and upwards, and of 6d. in the pound, when under that sum, and of not less value than £6. beneath which amount they are not rateable, neither are public buildings. Prom several ancient terriers it appears that the Vicars of St. Michael are entitled to All tithe of flax within the Parish, and All the small tithes of Keresley, Shortly, Pinley and Whitley. There is no Vicarage House belonging to St. Michael's; but in 1772, a communication was made to the Vestry, that a person* desirous of remaining unknown, was disposed to give £1 00 to the Church Trustees, the interest thereof to be annually received by the Vicar, until a perpetual Vicarage House should be annexed to the Church, and afterwards appropriated towards the repairs of the same, which money was received under the proposed conditions, and the interest is annually paid to the Vicar. Of the Rectory, only one notice of consequence has occurred, being an entry in the Prior's Register, fo. 130, to this effect : — ¦ The Prior of Coventry and his Successors, Rectors of the Church of St. Michael, had wont to have of right lOs. for tithes of the Herbage of the said Park (of Cheyles more) and 3s. 4d. for the tithes of the mill there, and the tithes of the wood, as it should happen, and the tithe of deer, as most plainly appeared in the accounts of divers of the officers and farmers there. The Corporation of Coventry are the present rectors, having by deed, bearing date Jan. 30, 1565, pm'chased the rectory of Queen Elizabeth for £186. 3s. 4d., together with the Rectory of Trinity. It may be here mentioned, that in 1563t the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield certified there were 503 Households belonging to this Parish Church, and that in 15 70 J, in consequence of a petition to the Court of Exchequer from the Vicar of St. Michael, setting forth that " his charge of households and people was double that of the Vicar of Trinity," and the living 1 1 but £47. 3s. 2d., whereas the living of Trinity amounted to £30, it was decreed that £6 per annum should hereafter be paid the Vicar of St. Michael, and deducted from the £14. 6s. 8d., which, by a previous decree (in 1562), was ordered to be paid annually by the Mayor out of the £50 Feefarm rent of this City. [Extracts from Common Council Book relating to the tithes : — 1561, 3 Nov.— City Tithes let for 8 years at £12. 18s. 4d. per annum. 1603, 11 May — Divers persons refuse to pay according to their assessments. Ordered, that any inhabitants refusing be called before the Alderman of their Ward and his Deputy, and if they then refuse, the Alderman then to commit them to prison until payment is made. 1603, 17 Dec. — Tithes of St. Michael and Trinity Rectories leased for 21 years to Henry Breres, at £60 per annum. 1636, 18 July — Agreement with Panting to allow £100 for 8 years and house rent ; he demising his Tithes, except Keresley and Whitley, and reserving all his fees for weddings, &c., and offerings paid half-yearly. Curate preaching the Wednesday's sermon to be a confirmable man, approved by Mr. P. 1647, 10 Nov. — Assessment of Trinity, £60, St. Michael's, £64, ordered to be raised to £100 for the Vicar of Trinity and £124 for the Vicar of St. Michael.] ' * Dr. Burgh of Coventry. f Harl. MSS. 594, fo. 116. By way of comparison, the following numbers are given from the same certificate. Birmingham, 200— Coleshill, 110— Sutton Coldfield, 1 1 4— Solihull, 160— Sow, 39— FoleshiU, 40— Wykin, 24. X Burton's Book, 264. || St. Michael's Vicarage is rated in the King's Books at £26. 15s. 6d. Patron the Lord Chancellor. The value as given in Liber Ecclesiasticus in 1835 is £472 a year. The living is in the gift of the Crown. ST. MICHAEL S CHURCH, COVENTRY. 9 LIST OF VICARS. Of these, the flrst whose name has been discovered, is RALPH DB MAYNWARING, who was instituted by Geoffrey de Muschamp, Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, at the desire of Ranulph Blundeville, Earl of Chester, probably towards the latter end of the Bishop's life, as he died in 1208, and Maynwaring was certainly Vicar in 1242*, in which year he licenses a Chapel at Pinley, near Coventr}^, on the application of Geoffery de Langley, saving his vicarial rights : — his successorf was RALPH DE LEYCESTER, who occurs as Vicar in 1246, having been presented thereto by the King, Henry III. ; but, in 1249, the Prior and Convent of St. Mary's presented RICHARD DE SALLOW; from which time until 1537 the patronage of this Vicarage continued without interruption in the said Priors and Convent. GUY DB TYLLBBROKE, was probably the next Vicar, occurring as such in a deed of gift by him of certain land, &c., about the year 1290, to support a light before the High Altar in St. Michael's, to which Thomas Pavi, who was Prior of St. Mary's from 1279 to 1293, is a witness. His successor was WILLIAM DB BILLBSLEY, appointed 6 non. Martii, 1296. In ]313| he gave two messuages to St. Mary's, and was succeeded 11 Kal. Sep. 1322, by JOHN DE SCHULTON, Rector of Stretton-under-Fosse, who resigned; and on 7 id. Junii, 1323, JOHN DB KENT was instituted, who exchanged; and on 16 Kal. Martii, 1331, was succeeded by JOHN DEVBREY, Rector of Bradham, in the Diocese of Norwich, who occurs as Vicar in 1350 : but in 1356 I meet with WILLIAM ANTONY; and likewise, in 1360, with THOMAS BERTUYLE or BBRTBVYLE ; whose successor unquestionably was WILLIAM DB PECK, appointed 15 Kal. Sep. 1361, but who continued Vicar only untn 14 Kal. Dec. 1362 ; when he was succeeded by ROBERT DE WENTBRIGG or WBNTEBRUGGE; after whom I find, in 1369, a member of the Trinity Gild here, JOHN DE TOFTES; and again, in 1383, THOMAS WODEHALB ; whose successor I meet with in 1386, being JOHN BERNARD; and it appears from the Register Skirlaw, that in 1388, he exchanged with JOHN DE LODBLAW, Rector of Whitchurch; and on 7 October, 1395, was succeeded by THOMAS DB STANLEY, who resigned; and on 6th February, 1402, THOMAS DB TUTTEBURY was appointed, and held the Living scarcely a month, for in consequence of his death, * Langley Cartulary, Harl. MSS. 7. f "Maynwaryn, and after him Leycester, were p'sons of the Rectorye of St. Myohaell's." MS. in Treasury, temp. Eliz. t Cartulary of St. Mary's, fo. 115 b. 10 ST. Michael's church, Coventry. JOHN WAKERING succeeded on 9th March, in same year, but exchanged on 29th July, 1409, with WILLIAM GLYM, of Ludyngton, in the Diocese of Salisbury; and he was also by exchange, succeeded 10th January, 1418, by ROBERT THRESK, of St. Nicholas, Newcastle-upon-Tyne ; after whom was appointed, on 19th November, 1419, RICHARD LBYOT, Doctor of Laws ; whose successor appears to have been JOHN COMBER, who, in 1425, was admitted a member of the Trinity Gild, and resigning this Vicarage, December 10, 1431, JOHN HEYWORTH was appointed ; to whom succeeded, on 22nd January, 1436, WILLIAM GLYM, Vicar of St. Michael's, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne (and probably the same person who held this Vicarage from 1409 to 1418) ; he was followed by THOMAS WORSREP alias CHESTERFIELD, appointed June 19, 1441 ; and his successor it seems was LAWRENCE BOTHE, as upon his resignation, on 31st August, 1457, JOHN TWISSB, LL.B., was presented, upon whose death succeeded, on the 23rd October, in same year, THOMAS EDMONDS, doctor of physio (or as his name is written in the Smiths' Company's and Trinity Gild's Accounts, Edmunds) ; after whom I flnd WILLIAM KNYGHTON, Vicar of St. Michael's, in 1473 admitted a member of the Smiths' Company, and probably about the time of his appointment to the Vicarage ; — he must have been followed by JOHN GILBERT, who in an order of Leet, Anno 1500, is recorded to have given 40s. to the Common Box, and is there called " Sr. John Gilbert, late Viker of both p'ish Ghirches, in Coventr.' " His successor in this Vicarage, by exchange, was JAMES PRESTON, S. T. P. Rector of Houghton, in the diocese of Winchester, appointed 20th Sept. 1488 (in which year he was admitted a brother of the Corpus Christi Gild), and succeeded on his death, April 26, 1507, by JOHN VESEY, LL.D. on the presentation of Willm. Shragger, by grant of the Prior and Convent upon this vacancy, arising from an exchange. John Vesey, alias Harman, the munificent patron of Sutton Coldfleld, was presented to this living, out of the usual and accustomed manner. In 1510, he was admitted a brother of Corpus Christi Gild, by the name of " Mr. Feysse, doctor of lawes, and Vicar of St. Michael ; " and his name is continued in their books, until 1518, from which circumstance, it seems reasonable to con clude, he remained Vicar of St. Michael, until he was preferred by Henry 8, to the Bishopric of Exeter, being consecrated Dec. 6, 1519. He was, says Godwin, well learned, wise, and in great favour with the King, who sent him sundry times in Ambassages to Foreign Princes. Of all the Bishops in the land, he was accounted the best courtier, and although well reported of for his learning, better liked for his court-like behaviour. Amongst his numerous preferments, may be reckoned Chaplain to the King, Dean of Windsor and Exeter, Prebendary of Sarum, Chancellor of Coventry and Lichfield, Arch deacon of Chester, and Lord President of the Marches of Wales. He built Stonebridge, near Meriden, Curdworth and Water Orton Bridges, procured the incorporation of Sutton Coldfleld, his native Town, and founded the Free School there. He resigned his Bishopric in 1551, and retired to his favourite residence. Moor Hall, near Sutton Coldfield, where he ST. Michael's church, Coventry. 11 died at the advanced age of 103, in 1555, and was buried in the Church of Sutton Coldfleld, which he had enlarged by building two side aisles. His monument on the North side of the Chancel, has a cumbent whole length figure of the Bishop in his pontificals, but represents a middle-aged person. He had also the government of the Princess Mary.* The next Vicar, incompletely printed by Dugdale, from the Register Blythe, " D. Georg " was LORD GEORGE GREY, appointed May 6, 1520, upon his predecessor, Vesey, being made Bishop of Exeter. The list of Mayors with annals, which Dugdale so frequently cites, as belonging to Hales, ofthe White Friars, has the following account. Anno 1520 — " My Lord George marques Dorsett was staylled Vicar of St. Mychells." This designation of him, however, is incorrect, as he was the youngest son of Thomas, Marquis of Dorset, who died 20th Sept., 17 Henry 7, 1501, and consequently brother to the second Thomas Marquis of Dorset, then living. In 1528, he was made a brother of Corpus Christi Gild, and probably did not live much longer, or resigned this Vicarage, as RICHARD MANCHESTER occurs as Vicar, 1532, a member of Corpus Christi Gild, and RICHARD NBTHBRMILL was Vicar, on 31st Jan., 1534, as appears by an extract from First-fruits Office ; upon whose death succeeded ARTHUR DUDLEY, one of the King's Chaplains, appointed 6th Feb. 1537, by the King, upon grant from Geo. Earl of Huntingdon, and Francis, his son and heir, to whom the right of presentation was given by the Prior and Convent. JOHN RAMRIDGB, the succeeding Vicar, was presented by the Prior and Convent, on 7th Feb. 1538, being the last Vicar appointed by them. Our City annals record, that in 1544, by his procurement, one Thomas Saunders was falsely accused to the King's Council of Heresy, for the which he lay in the King's Bench three quarters of a year. The same annals relate that, in 1547, Dr. Ramridge, and Henry Hybert his parish priest, recanted their popish errors in St. Michael's Church; and in the following year, that Edward Cox, a temporal man, was admitted by the King's Council to be Vicar and preacher of the same Church. It is not improbable that there is a little confusion of dates here. Cox, most likely, was appointed by the Council, whilst Ramridge was under examination and probably suspended ; but after his recantation, he would doubtless be restored to the Vicarage, and it appears that he held it until 1552, in which year, upon the 17th March, HUGH SYMON, or SYMONDS, succeeded upon his resignation. He was appointed Vicar by Edward 6. This Symonds was a Protestant of Worcester, and having in a sermon, soon after the accession of Queen Mary, expressed something against her proceedings, he was, in August, 1553, sent for to the Council, and, in the course of that same year, deprived by Commissaries from Sampson, Bishop of the Diocese, on account of his being married. By the Act of Parliament, 4th and 5th of Philip and Mary (vide p. 6 ante) it appears that no successor was then, Jan. 1557-8, appointed, the church being four and a half years without a Vicar — the reason assigned being the smallness of the emoluments of this living ; but it rather seems to shew a paucity of Catholic Priests qualified for such a considerable cure. * Fuller says of him, that he almost destroyed the Bishopric of Exeter, not only shaving the hairs (with long leases) but cutting away the limbs with sales outright, insomuch that Bishop Hall, his successor in tliat see, com- plaineth iu print, that the following bishops were barons but bare ones indeed. * * He robbed his own cathedral to pay a parish church, Sutton in this county, where he was born, whereon he bestowed many benefactions, and built 51 houses. To enrich this, his native town, he brought out of Devonshire many clothiers, with desire and hope to fix the manufacture of clothing there, but in vain. 12 ST. Michael's chuech, Coventry. On the death of Mary something was done; as the City Annals record, in 1558, that " good Ministers were this year sent to Coventry."* According to the Bishop's Register, WILLIAM IRELAND, was appointed Vicar, Sept. 22, 1577; whose successor on 26th March, 1583, was WILLIAM HINTON, S. T. P. In the following year, upon the resignation of Dr. James, he was made Archdeacon of Coventry, and in 1596, Precentor of St. David's. He was Vicar of this Church 40 years, making Coventry his constant place of residence, and endeavouring to promote the temporal and eternal interests of his parishioners. The objec tions of a part of his congregation to receive the Sacrament kneeling, caused him much trouble, the particulars of which will be found in the next chapter. He annually clothed as many poor children as his son and heir was years old.f In 1623, becoming infirm, he resigned the Vicarage, but continued Archdeacon of Coventry until his death, which happened in 1631. He was buried in St. Michael's Church, probably in the Chancel, though there is no gravestone or memorial remaining, but a note in Dr. Thomas's Edition of Dugdale says he was buried near his wife; who was, I apprehend, Maria Hinton, whose portraiture, on a brass plate, is fixed upon the north wall of the Chancel; she died in 1594. He was interred in the night, " being (say our MS. Annals) the first great person that was buried in the night in this City." SAMUEL BUGGS, D. D., upon the resignation of Archdeacon Hinton, was appointed to this Vicarage, Nov. 4, 1623. He was probably Curate, or assistant to the Archdeacon, previous to his resignation, as he dedicated a Sermon preached at Paul's Cross, July 8, 1621, entitled David's Strait, to the Mayor, J Aldermen, &c. of Coventry, and styles himself " Bachelor of Divinitie, sometime Fellow of Sidney -Sussex College, in Cambridge, and now Minister of the Word of God in Coventrie. London, 1622, printed." In the same year he printed the Speech of Dr. Philemon Holland, delivered unto King James, at his late being at Coventry. " Together with a Sermon preached in the audience, and published at the request of the worthie companie of the practisers of the military garden, of the said well-governed Citie of Coventry." Both works are in 4to, printed by John Dawson, London, 1622. On the 20th June, 1626, he was also made Vicar of Trinity, and dying in 1633 was buried in the South aisle of St. Michael's Church, where is a flat tomb stone, having his arms, and the following inscription—"' Here lieth ye body of Mr. Samuel Buggs, D.D., and Vicar of both Parishes, who died in 1633 1|." His successor in St. Michael's was WILLIAM PANTING, appointed 22nd May, 1633; and one of our Puritan City Annalists, recording the death of Dr. Buggs, adds, " in whose room came two worthy teachers, blessed be God." It seems, however, that the new Vicar's puritanism was not sufficiently strong for the temper of the times, or else that our Annalist was mistaken in his * It appears, however, from an entry in the journals of the House of Commons, 1561, that Hugh Symonds was reinstated, as he and his successors were exonerated of £144 arrearages of tithes of this Vicarage ; and again in Burton's MS. he is recorded as Vicar iu l.j(J9. t Li 1598, it is recorded in the Council Book that the city agreed to give Dr. H. 20Z. per annum in augmentation of his livin.g, or to make up his Vicarage WOl. at his choice. In 1610, assistance was allowed him, 51. being paid Mr. Drax for Wednesday's lecture. In 1616, Mr. Buggs ordered 101. as lecturer. X The Corporation presented 31. 6s. Hd. to him for this dedication. II In tlie year previous to his death the city withdrew the allowance for the lecture, and the Vicar refused to lecture as usual in either church on Wednesdays and Fridays. Disputes also appear to have arisen touching the right of the churchyard. ST. Michael's chuech, coventey. 13 opinion of Mr. Panting, for on March 22, 1642,* he was dispossessed of the living, which was sequestrated by the Parliamentarians, who invited OBADIAH GREW, D.D., in 1642, at that time Master of the Free School at Atherstone, to become Minister of this Parish, and certainly he did their choice much credit. This "painful divine," and worthy parish priest, was born at Atherstone, in 1607, admitted, in 1624, a Student of Baliol College, Oxford, and ordained at the age of 28 years, by the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield. In 1632, he was elected Master of the Free Grammar School, in his native town; and having, in the beginning of the civil wars, joined the Parliament party, and taken the covenant, he was invited by the Corporationf and some principal citizens, to become Minister of this large parish, in which situation he was greatly and justly admired for his conscientious discharge of the ministerial duties. The soundness of his doctrine (says Wood, as those of his persuasion have told me), the sanctity and prudence of his conversation, the vigilancy and tenderness of his care, were of that constant tenor, that he seemed to do all which the best writers upon the pastoral office tell us should be done. As he sided with the Presbyterians against the hierarchy, so he joined with that party also, against the design of destroying the King. In this, as in other things, he acted both with integrity and courage, of which, amongst others, we have the following instances : — In 1648, when Cromwell, then Lieut. -General, was at Coventry, upon his march towards London, Mr. Grew took this opportunity to represent to him the wickedness of the design then visibly on foot, for taking off the King, and the sad consequences thereof, should it be carried into effect, earnestly pressing him to use his endeavours to prevent it, and obtained his promise for it. Afterwards, when the design became more apparent, he wrote a letter to him, reminding him of his promise, and had it conveyed (by a person who was afterwards Mayor and Alderman of Coventry) to a messenger then in waiting, at Whitehall, who delivered it into Cromwell's own hands. At another time, upon occasion of the rising in Cheshire, he was required to read in the Church, on the sabbath day, the proclamation against Sir. G. Booth, and threatened by Lambert's soldiers, then in Coventry, with the loss of his place if he refused, yet he would not do it. He was a man of great generosity, a proof of which he gave when his predecessor, Mr. Panting, having from necessity sold his library, some part whereof being purchased by Dr. Grew, and afterwards desired again, with an offer of the purchase money, he returned the books but refused the money, knowing Mr. Panting had more need of it than himself. In 1651 he passed his various degrees in divinity, and in the ensuing Act completed that of Doctor, when he preached the Goncio ad clerum, with applause. In 1654 he was appointed one of the Assistants to the Commissioners of War wickshire, for the ejection of such as were then called scandalous, ignorant, and insufficient Ministers and Schoolmasters. He continued at St. Michael's (not without considerable dif ficulty in obtaining his " allowance," some particulars whereof are given elsewhere), esteemed and beloved by his parishioners, until his Majesty's restoration ; after which, in pursuance of the Act of Uniformity, in 1661, he resigned his Benefice, though Bishop Hacket was very urgent with him to conformj and allowed him to preach a month beyond "¦ " Spent by the appoyntment of the Parish, to gaine the Sequestration, by Rob. Kinge, in 2 jorneys to London, il. 12s. lOd." Ch. Accounts, 1643. In 1638 a suit with Mr. Panting cost 301. 14s. lOd. Three years afterwards Mr. Aspinall was allowed 251. as lecturer. t Purefoy, at that time Recorder of Coventry, and a very active and zealous supporter of the Parliament, most probably recommended him, his own family residence being in the neighbourhood of Atherstone. X Vide the Bishop's Letter, p. 23. 14 ST. Michael's chuech, Coventry. the prescribed time. He then delivered his farewell Sermon, and afterwards restricted his labours to a few private hearers, his prudence making him avoid numbers as much as pos sible. In 1665, when the plague alarmed the City, he began to keep open meetings, but was forced by the Oxford Act to remove. In 1672 he returned to Coventry, and being licensed, held public meetings* until 1682, when that liberty being recalled, and the doctor continuing to preach, he was informed against, and underwent an imprisonment of 6 months in Coventry Jail, being then aged and blind. Upon his release he again left the City, but attached to his flock ; and his eye-sight being gone he kept an amanuensis, and dictated a Sermon to him every week, which being read afterwards to several short-hand writers, it was again transcribed and read at twenty different meetings of small numbers to avoid the penalties of the law. This practice he continued until the Revolution, when he once more returned to the City, and preached as long as his voice could be heard, which was within a month of his decease, happening on the 22nd October, 1689, aged 82, and he was buried in the Chancel of St. Michael's Church. He was a man of uniform piety ; familiar in conversation ; courteous to the mean; acquainted with and esteemed by the great; very studious, even when blind and in prison. He married Mr. Wm. Sampson's widow (who was the mother of Dr. Henry Sampson), and by her had one son. Dr. Nehemiah Grew, an eminent physician, and the first and most eminent vegetable anatomist and physiologist of this country, who died in 1711. He published " A Sinner's Justification by Christ, or the Lord Jesus Christ our Right eousness," delivered in several Sermons on Jer. 23-6, 8vo., 1670; and "Meditations upon our Saviour's Parable of the Prodigal Son," being Sermons on Luke 15, 1674, 4to. ; both written and published at the request and for the common benefit of his quondam parishioners. His successor was SAMUEL FEAKB, M.A., appointed to this Vicarage, Nov. 12, 1662, chiefly by the care and selection of Bishop Hacket. He was allowed £5 towards the charge of removing his family to Coventry, and £8 annually, till 1666, for house rent. Upon his death succeeded GEORGE DOWNING, M.A., Archdeacon of Coventry, and Chancellor of Lichfield, being collated Archdeacon March 10, 1672, and presented to the Vicarage of St. Michael, on the 25th of the same month. He was installed Chancellor of the Cathedral Church of Lichfield on the 18th of May, 1676, and dying in 1684, was interred in the Chancel of his parish Church, at Coventry. His successor was ISAAC FOX, M.A., who, in 1687, had an annuity of £20 granted by the Corporation of Coventry, in addition to his Vicarage, which was confirmed by an instrument on condition of his residence. It remained unpaid till 1691, when an order was made for payment so soon as any money was in hand.-f He died April 1, 1722, being interred in the Chancel of this Church. He published "A Sermon preached at the Funeral of Mary Lady Bridgeman." London, 1702, 4to. His successor was THOMAS EDWARDS, M.A., who died 27th September, 1756, aged 85; and was succeeded by JAMBS PARKER, M.A. ; upon whose death, in 1768, BENJAMIN TOMS, Clerk, was appointed Vicar, J and dying March 1 5, 1 793, aged 63, was buried in St. Michael's Church, at the West end. "' In St. Nicholas' Hall, commonly called Leather Hall, in West Orchard, where seats aud galleries were put up. — History of Warwickshire, 8vo, published by Aston, Coventry, 1817, p. 302. f C. C. B. X It was during his incumbency that the Act referred to in p. 7 was p.issed, repealing portion of the Act of 1558, given on p. 5. The law costs of Messrs. Payne and Chambers, and Mr. Inge, amounted to ('>5ll. lis. 8d. of which the Vicar agreed to pay 295^. 16s. 3d., aud the remaining 355^. 18s. 5d. was promised by the parishioners. Reader's notes. ST. Michael's church, Coventry. 15 ROBERT SIMSON, LL.B., succeeded, being instituted in 1793. [He was the eldest son of the late Dr. Simson, of Bishop Street in this City, was in early life in the military service, and was present at the Siege of Gibraltar in 1779. He was an eye-witness of the wreck of the Royal George in 1 782. For the first 40 years of his incumbency of St. Michael's he rarely had assistance in the performance of his clerical duties, and was a constant resident among his parishioners. In 1843, a portrait was subscribed for by the parishioners, and painted by Mr. David Jee, an artist of the city. It is placed in the Vestry as a mark of respect, and in commemoration of his connection with the parish for half a century. He died on the 16th of May, 1846, aged 84, and in the 54th year of his incumbency. JOHN BROWNRIGGE COLLISSON, B.A., received the living from the Crown in June, 1846. His occupation of the Vicarage is chiefly remarkable for the litigation which ensued in consequence of the demands of the Vicar in reference to a rate he proposed to levy on the parishioners for the increase of his stipend, and for the provision of additional Curates. After extending over several years, judgment was deHvered by Lord C. J. Campbell against the Vicar on the 28th May, 1850. The subject of re-pewing the church had occupied the attention of the Vicar and Wardens since 1844, and it was during the incumbency of Mr. Collisson that this desirable change was effected. In 1851, the church was lighted with gas, and on the 7th of December in that year, was opened for evening service. In August, 1858, Mr. Collisson* preached his fareweU sermon to the congregation of St. Michael's, having exchanged hvings with SIDNEY HENRY WIDDRINGTON, M.A., Rector of Walcott, Bath. In early life he held a commission in H. M. Service, but afterwards entered the ministry. He held the living for over five years, during which period he manifested an unwearied interest in the welfare of his parishioners and the city, and exerted himself constantly in ameliorating the distress that existed during the last few years of his incumbency. The restoration of the church was continued, and on the 7th of January, 1864, he exchanged livings with ASHBY BLAIR HASLEWOOD, B.A., Incumbent of St. Mark's Church, St. John's Wood, London. A lawsuit arising out of an alleged misrepresentation of the value of the living, judgment was obtained in favour of Mr. Haslewood, in the Court of Queen's Bench, in May, 1865. In January following, he exchanged the Hving with ROBERT HALL BAYNES, M.A., Incumbent of Holy Trinity Church, Maidstone, the present Vicar.] HAVING given an account of the Foundation and Endowment of the Church, with a List of the Vicars, our next enquiry shall be directed to the fabric itself, endeavouring to throw some Hght on the progress of its erection, and connecting therewith the Church History of St. Michael's. Proceeding chronologically, the first notice that has occurred, is Anno 1392. The Master of the Trinity Gildt covenants with John Pountfreit, priest, and others, to apply the rents and profits of a tenement in Dead Lane, in aid of the works of this Church. 1401. AHoe Wyschard bequeaths "ad fabrice d'ce eccl'ie, ijs," to St. Mary's Altar. » He died at Nice on the 6th of June, 1863. t Original in Treasury Box, 76, the words are " in auxilium operis d'ce eccl'ie s'ci Mich'is," &o. 16 ST. Michael's church, Coventry. 1444. An Order of Leet respecting bawds and common women, levies a fine of 10s. " ad opus eccl'ie." 1480. A serious dispute arose between Thomas Deram, Prior of St. Mary's, and the City, and a long and minute Bill* of complaint, was presented at the Leet by him ; amongst other injuries he complains, that his " plumhouse by the wellyarde yate," was lent by his predecessors "to the byldyng of Michell Churche," and the Churchwardens wrongfully keep possession. "Also ye Churchewardens of Michell Churche, have lopped the trees growyng in the Churchyard, and ther maken byldyngs, which thei owe nott to doo, ffor such thyngs longen to ye p'son & not ye p'ishon's, by ye co'ien lawe, Sc now late have made newef byldyng upon ye seid Churchyard, afore the Drapery dore, wt'out eny compossission made wt the seid prior and Convent, p'sons of the same." To these particular complaints, the Mayor and his Brethren made answer as foUows : " That ye seid plumhouse was nev'r in the possession nor in p'pte to ye said prior, nor eny of his p'decessors, nor lant to the byldyng of the seide Chirche, but ye Churche wardens of ye seid Churche now late div'se yeres, have suffered the seid prior to have a dore out of the seid plumhouse, to cast his led there, at their suffraunce, for which occupacon the same Churchewardens owen to have a recompense, & the seid dore to be stopped up. Nev'rtheles, yf ye seid prior can p've that the seid plumhouse owe to be his, thei will not be ayens the right. " As to the xiiij article, the seid Meir & his Brethern sayii, that as for lopping of eny trees, ther ben ther but few to loppe, & full fewe have ben lopped in effecte ; and yf eny such trees wer lopped, yei have ben lopped by the Vicar and his deputeez, & not be p'isshon's ; and as for the forseid newe bildyng a yennes the Drapery dorre, ye forseid Meir & his Brethern seyn, that ye grounde whereuppon the seid bildyng ys sett, ys no p't of Chirchyarde, although nowe of late tyme sythen ye last byldyng of seint Miohell Churche, the p'isshon's kepe their p'cession weye in the strete, adjoynyng to the seid byldyng ; but ye grounde wheruppon ye seid byldyng is, afore the last byldyng of ye seid Chiirche, was p't of the high weye, of old tyme occupied wt sialics, the ffrount therof & the litell grounde wt'iu the stalles sett out be the Churchewardens, be suffraunce of ye Meir & Co'enaltie, which be poynt of Chart'r &; tyme out of mynde have had p'fit of p'pstures, aud in p've yr'of the p'cession meye on ye South syde of ye seid Churche of seint Miohell, afore the last byldyng of the seid Churche was wher tho South bayc of the seid Cliirche ys nowe ; and more ov'r the forseid Prior agreed to the seid newe byldyng, and yrto assented full gently." To this the Prior rejoined, that the Convent would make proof of their title and possession of plumhouse when required ; and denies that the grounde in dispute was " waste grounde," but parcell of the Church yard, " and wher' thei sey, that the seyd Prior lycensed so to bygge J, and soo therto was agreed. Therto seith the same Prior that he gaff no such Hcens, nor nev'r made such a grement as in theire answer is supposed." This long extract from the Leet Book, besides its intrinsic curiosity, will, in connexion with the two articles immediately preceding it, furnish the only positive information we possess concerning the re-construction of the body of this Church, which Dugdale conceived " from the fashion of the building was built about the 12th of Henry 6, 1433, or the greatest part thereof in that form we now behold it." The "new work" then begun upon this Church, and the mention of which strengthened his conjecture as to the period when this great undertaking was actually effected, will hereafter be shewn to have been the com pletion of the steeple from the battlements to the top of the spire ; but the important work of re-edifying and enlarging the body of the Church, may reasonably be comprised betwixt the years 1400 and 1450 — perhaps but little before 1420 ; and this will very well accord with the principal architectural character of that part of the structure. * Leet Book, fo. 2;i7, et seq. t This " newe byldyng " was, apparently, certain small Tenements, on the south side of the Church and adjoining thereto, which were pulled down in 1674. X Build. ST. Michael's church, Coventry. 17 The Choir and Chancel, together with the Drapers', or Lady's Chapel, are of an earlier period; and it is evident that the erection of St. Mary's Hall, subsequent to the first body of the Church, interfered with the enlargement of its width at this time, as appears from the northward inclination of the new work, from the direction of the Choir and the Drapers' and St. Laurence's Chapels. 1| We have now to record a Royal Procession, and visit to this Church, in 1451, thus minutely described in the City Leet Book*. The King (Henry 6) came to Coventry, on the 21st of September, and remained in the Priory there, until Michaelmas eve, when he " sende the clerke of his closet to the Churche of seint michell, to make redy ther his closette, seyeng, that the kyng, on mich'as day, wolde go on p'cession, & also her there hygh masse. The meyre & his counsell remembreng hem in this mater, specially avysed hem to prey the Bysshoppe of Wynchesterf to sey high masse afore the kyng. The Bysshoppe so to do, agreede withe all his herte, and agayne the kynges comeng to sent miohell churche. The meyre & his peres cladde in skarlet gownes, withe ther clokes, and all oder in ther skarlet gownes, wenton unto the kynges chaumbur durre, ther abydeng the kynges comeng. The meyre then & his peres doeng to the kyng due obey- saunse, when he come fro his chambur, Toke his mase & here hit afore the kyng, all his seyde breduru goeng afore the meyre, till he come to sent michells, & brought the kyng to his closette. Then the seyde Bysshoppe in his pontificals arayede, withe all the prestes & Clerkes of the seyde Churche & of Bablake, withe Copes apareld, wenton in p'cession abowte the Churcheyarde. The kyng devowtely, withe many odur lordes folowed the seyde p'cession baieheded, cladde in a gowne of gold tussuf, furred withe a furre of marturn SabuU, the meyre bereng the mase afore the kyng, as he dudde afore, tille he com ageyne to his closette. At the whyche masse, when the kyng had offerd, & his lordes also, he sende the lorde Bemond, his Chamburlen, to the meyre, seyeng to hym hit is the kynges wille that ye & your bredurn com & offer, and so they dudde. And when masse was don, the meyre and his peres broughton the kyng to his Chaumbur, in lykewyse as they fet hym, save only that the meyre withe his mase, went afore the kyng, till he came withe in his Chambur, his seide Bredurn abydeng at the chambur durre, till the meyre cam ageyne. And at Evesong tyme, the same day, the kyng be ij for his body & ij yomen of the crowne, sende the seyde Gowne & furre, that he were when he went in p'cession, & gaf hit frely to god, and to sent miohell — Insomyche, that non of the' that brought the gown wolde take no rewarde in no wyse." This remarkable event is alluded to in the ancient Tapestry of St. Mary's Hall, in one compartment of which the King is represented at his devotions, clad in a Oown of Gold Tissue, and amongst his attendants is the Bishop of Winchester (then Cardinal), Lord Beaumont, &c. In 1488 John Lusterley, of Coventry, gives by will " vj cowpull sparres " to this Church, when, probably, one of the Chapels was building ; part of them being evidently of subsequent construction to the body of the Church. Some considerable work appears also to have been going on in 1500, in which year Thomas Parker, " Maist'r Massone, off the warke off Sent Michellis," and Margaret his wife, were admitted into the Smiths' Company. 1517. Willm. Pisford, amongst his numerous bequests to Religious Houses and establishments, gives 40s. to the repairs of this Church. At the Reformation, in common with other rehgious edffices, it suffered certain di lapidations, under the pretext of removing or destroying papistical objects. Sir John Harruigton§, in his Brief View of the Church of England, 1608, says, II This inclination is by some writers considered to have been intentional and symbolical of the falling aside of the Saviour's head when he died. =" Leet Book, fo. 156, 156 b. t Afterwards Cardinal Beaufort. X Tissue, or cloth of gold. § Nugse Antiquse. 18 ST. Michael's church, Coventry. " The Pavement of Coventry Church is almost all Tombstones, and some very ancient ; but there came azealous fellow, with a counterfeit commission, that for avoyding of superstition hath not left a penny-worth, nor one penny- bredth of brasse upon the Tombs, of all the inscriptions, which had been many and costly." From hence, until 1611, nothing remarkable occurs in the general history of this Church, but the following Letter* came then from King James on the subject of Imeeling at the Sacrament, which it appears was at that time received by many persons in Coventry! standing or sitthig. " To o'r trusty and well beloved the Maior, Aldermen, and Sherives, and other our Officers and loving Subjects of our Cytie of Coventry. And to Dr. Hinton, Archdeacon of Coventry and Vicar of the Parish Church of St. Michaell, in our said Cytie. " JAMES R. — Trusty and well beloved, we greet y'u well. We have been informed of a thing continued among y'u in that our Cytie of Coventry, whereof we intend a p'nte relormacon, according to that w'ch is by Law estab lished in this our Church of England and Commaunded, and as we take yt, in all places els of this our Kingdom observed, as we our Self in our person doe carefully perform yt ; although we doubt not but that y'u and the whole world are assured that we detest both idolatry and supersticon as much as any whosoever. The said Disorder noted wth y'u is, that y'u refuse to receive the blessed Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ kneeling, but receive yt, for the most parte, standing or sitting. We have hereof given espeoiall Charge to our Servant the Bishop of that Diocesse to see this abuse reformed. Yet of our Princ'ly favour towards y'u, and for that we find in our said Servant your Bishop, a desire to effect this by good means and gentle persuasions rather than by legall proceedings against any, we have thought good first to signifie our pleasure aud to admonish yw of our dislike thereof, presuming that the same shall so worke wth yw that there shall not need any other means to draw yw to that wch Duty and Piety do bind yw to. We therefore liereby signifie unto yw that we hould yt an unsufferable disorder in a well settled Church and State that any perticuler Society or Cytie professedly and publicly (especially in religious accon), should doe the contrary of that wch the Ordinances of that Church and State doe Commaund ; and that we are resolved by noe means to give so much as the least way to any pretence of prescription or indulgence heretofore afforded to patronize such an enormity, but doe require of yw, both by your Example and by all such authority as any way is Committed unto yw, and otherwise, that yw endevour to bring all our Subjects of that Cytie to the performance of that wch in this Case both yw and they are by our Ecclesiastical Lawes Commaunded, as yw tender our good opinion of your Government in your places, or respect or displeasure for the contrary. And we doe also hereby Charge yw. Doctor Hinton, the Vicar of the Parish Church of St. Michael, witin that our Cytie of Coventry, and Archdeacon there, that yw, both in your own person observe the Canons of o'r Church in that Case established for the receiving of the said holy Communion kneeling, and likewise that yw doe see the same to be performed by others, that both in private, by conference, and in publique by exhortacon in preaching, yw endeavour to draw all of y'r Cure and jurisdiccon to perform this duty wch Law justly enjoyneth and we, uppon so good a ground, require of them. Hereof we require yw not to faile. as yw tender o'r displeasure for the not doing thereof. Given under o'r Signet, at o'r Pallace of Westminster, the fourth day of February, in the eighth yere of our Raigne of Great Brittain, Fraunce, and Ireland." Upon occasion of granting a new Charter to the City, in 1621, the King remembering this act of Nonconformity, refused to pass it until he was certified that the Orders of the Church were complied with. Whereupon the following Certificate from the Bishop was procured, addressed to Sir Sidney Montague : — " Salutem in Christo Jesu. " Sir, — Whereas you desire to be certified of the number of such persons as are refractory in the City of Coventry and refuse to kneel at the Blessed Communion, I cannot now directly certify, but I am persuaded there are not above seven of any note who do not conform themselves, whom also I have had in conference ; but how they stand I cannot tell, but shall hereafter enquire further into them. This is all I can answer at the present. Thus commending you to the protection of the Almighty, I rest, " Your loving Frd., " Tho. Coven, et Lichff." When the above was shewn to the King, he said he required a more full Certificate : and the following was procured with all expedition : — "¦ Leet Book, fo. 425 b. f Annals 1611. Great trouble iu Coventry about the receiving of the Communion, then were seats made for the people (in the Chancel) ; before this time they took it standing, but now they are commanded to take it kneeling, to the grief of many. ST. Michael's church, Coventry. 19 " My very good Lord, — Whereas I am advertised from Mr. Hopkins, one of our Aldermen, that your Lordship would have me certify unto you the conformity here in Coventry in kneeling at the Holy Communion, I do assure your Lordship that generally all do conform, and it is rare at a Communion, of peradventure a thousand persons or more, to find one or two that offer to use any othet gesture ; and, for the Magistrates, there is not one, but all do use the reverend gesture of kneeling ; neither do I know of half seven of any note but they do the like. Indeed there were some few with your Lordship, but there are only three of any note but are now conformable ; the names I cannot presently write, but at your Lordship's coming here I shall be able to certify, as your Lordship also hath a note of them. And thus I think it my duty to relate, and so humbly take my leave. " Coventry, this 20th of June, Your Lordship's to command, 1621. " William Hinton. " To the Rt. Reverend Father in God, my very good Lord the Ld. Bishop of Coventry & Lichfield, at his House in Lambeth." " To my Honble. Friend Sr. Sidney Montague, Knt., one of the Masters of Requests on his Majesty. " Sir, — I am importuned to give you a more exact Certificate concerning the Nonco'mity iu the City of Coventry, which, because I could not perform upon my own knowledge, I now do it from my information from mine Archdeacon, which you may read above-written, and which I commend to your wisdom to use as you shall think fit, only I can say this Advertisement is the Testimony of a credible person, being a Doctor and learned Divine. And thus commending you to the protection of the Almighty, I rest, " Lambeth, June 21st, 1621. Your loving Frd. " Tho. Coven, et Lichff." A disposition to resist the estabhshed and customary forms of the Church still manifested itself in Coventry, and our MS. Annals notice, that in 1631, the Bishop left orders with the Ministers and Churchwardens, that all men should sit uncovered in the time of divine service ; and as a proof of the puritanical temper of the City at this period, one of our annaHsts writes in 1635 — " Also the Communion Tables were altered, w'ch cost a great deal of money ; and that which is worst of all three stepps made to go to the Comm'n. Table, altar fashion — god grant it continueth not long." During the unhappy period of the Civil Wars, these principles experienced an extraordinary degree of excitement, and Coventry became remarkable for its zealous support of the Parliamentary measures, both in Church and State ; accordingly, in 1643*, the foUowing item appears in the Church Accounts : " pd for beere in the Vestrey, when ye Covenat was taken at seueral tymes — 5s. Id." " pd for ingrossing Covenat — 6s. 8d." In 1646t, an order was made by the Committee for plundered Ministers, which states that the parish of St. Michael consists of near 4000 Communicants, beside the constant resort of Strangers thereto, and 6L has been heretofore settled on the Church for a weekly lecture J there. The sum of £44 is ordered to be paid in increase of the said Lecture, out of the Rectory of Brailes, in the County of Warwick, sequestered from WilHam Bishopp recusant. Signed Miles Corbett. In 1648§, the City Council ordered, on the motion of Mr. Obadiah Grew, Minister of St. Michael's, that £75 should be paid him out of the funds of that House, besides what he has already received this year; and that £120 per annum, with £8 for house rent, be * Original penes T. S. t In 1628, The Bp. of Coventry & Lichfield signifies his approbation of Mr. Chiardner's " preaching the Lecture according to the desire of the City, so it be with the consent of the Vicar ;" and from the Annals it appears, that in 1629, a Lecture on Friday, " began again & was continued." X In the same year's Accounts is the following item, " Spent by the appoyntment of the Parish to gaine the Sequestration, by Rob. Kinge, in 2 Jorneys to London, il. 12s. \0d, § Common Council Book, fo. 78. 20 ST. Michael's church, Coventry, aUowed him for supplying the Vicar's place, untU some further course be taken by the Parliament, or otherwise ; the City in the mean time receiving the Vicar's dues. In con sequence of their exertions, an Act was passed in 1650, by the Parliament, "For the more frequent preaching of the Gospel, and better Maintenance of the Ministers, in the City of Coventry;" by which an assessment, not exceeding Is. 6d. in the pound, or in the whole 400L is directed to be made, out of which the Minister of St. Michael's, is to receive £120 per annum — the Minister of Trinity, £100— and the Assistant Minister or Lecturer, £100. In the City Treasurer's accounts, for 1651, is the following item : — " pd for the new Act of Parl't for the maintenaunce of the Ministers of Coventry, the printing of it, and charges in going about it, 21^. 12s. Gd." It seems there was a backwardness in paying the Ministers under this Act, for Purefoy, the Recorder, in January, 1652-3, writes to the Corporation, in behalf of " their worthye Ministers," who he hears are much neglected in the payment of that small portion which is allotted them. " I will be bolde to say (he writes), that never a Cittye in England, is less charged in their payments to theire ministers, nor any that I know hath more eminent and deservinge men. My humble request to yw therefore, is, that yw would be pleased to be exemplarie yr selves in payinge what the Act of Parliament layes on yw, in particular, that soe others may be quickened by yr examples ; and likewise boeth in word and actions, incourage and stirre up others to doe theire dutye therein, and what shall fall short in yr assessments, that yw will, as formerly, make good out of the Councell house. Truly, yw have formerly binne worthylie famous for yr especial care of yr ministers, I beseeche yw let there not be a decleution in these times, the men having not binne att any time more deservinge then now, and I believe none of yx predecessors where more affectionate to soe good a worke then yr selves ; and, therefore, I truste yw will not fayle to give a good issue to this business." Notwithstanding this interference by the Recorder, Grew, and Bryan, the Ministers of the two Parishes, found it necessary to address the following Letter : — Mr. Maior Sj' Gent. — Wee have long refrained from expressing o'r deep sense of yo'r Strang neglect of us ; but fearing that longer silence may be o'r sinn, we must deal faithfully. You consider not ye greatness of ye sinn, nor the very great danger of thus witliholding yo'r ministers' maintenaunce. For besides yor breach of covenant wth us, and promise to us (and how great this sin is you may se, Ps. 15). It is a robbing of God. Mal. 8, 8, 9. If you think to qualify ye case, because this was the ministry of ye old Test, you can'ot be ignorant, that the Lord hath taken the same care for his ministers in the New. 2 Cor. 9. If you make yor being in straits an excuse, we say this is the way to increase them, and to intangle you more. Pro. 20, 25 It is a snare to ye man. And if the hire of Labourers in yor harvest, being with held, Cryes, and the Cry enter into ye eares of ye Lord of Sabaoth, James 5, 4, you may judge what a noise the cry of ye hire of Labourers in ye Lord's harvest being kept back makes. Truly Mr. Maior & Gent, we may say as sometimes St. Paul did to ye Gal. we are affirayd we have laboured amongst you in value. For did or ministery effectually worke upon yor hearts, they could not be so straightned toward or persons. We beseech you judge not or pen rash in these hints ; for wee are serious : and we beseech ye Lord to perswade yor hearts to more serious thoughts of ye case, wch though it be ours, yet not so much ors as ye Lord's. He yt despiseth you, despiseth me : we hope you will not put us to further complaints ; but lessen or burdens, by enlargeiug your due care for those who take care of yor soules ; and are in the Lord, " S'rs, yor humble Servants for yor eternall good, " JOHN BRYAN, " May 25th, 53. " OBADIAH GREW." The duty of providing for their Ministers was evidently a source of much difficulty and trouble to the City rulers, as well as a very important political consideration to them ; and a Letter from Robert Beake, written from London, cluring his Mayoralty, upon the subject of fixing on his successor, conveys this sentiment in very strong terms : after mentioning that " providing for the Ministers," is one of the objections made by the person then applied to, he adds — " in truth, lett me tell yow from my experience, I founde nothing lay soe close unto me, as yt, & I dare prophecy. ST. Michael's church, Coventry. 21 that unless an effectual expedient be founde out, to give life to that busines, yo'r very goverm't will tumble, for I dare confidently tell yow my thoughts, yt they ai-e the sinews of it, & therefore, as ever yow would preserve the repute of the place, lett them be in yo'r thoughts." In order to preserve uninterrupted the religious history of this Church, during the early part of the seventeenth Century, two remarkable accidents which occurred during divine service, have been passed over in their strict chronological order ; the first was in 1623, and is thus related in our City Annals : — " The 9th of July, being Wednesday, there happened such a thunder clap as is seldom heard ; a little before it lightened exceedingly, and immediately the thunder-bolt was seen to descend upon the Church by those without ; one Mx. Marson (a stranger) was preaching, his text was ' Be sober and watch, for the end of all things is at hand :' and the thunder-bolt fell, just as he was opening that part of his text, ' for the end of all things is at hand,' which did strike such amasement and astonishment into the Congregation, that they verily thought the world had been at an end, or else that they were surprised by their enemies ; for upon the faU of the thunder-bolt, there was a crack iu one of the large pillars of the Church, and several great stones were bruised and removed in the steeple about the upper battlements, that it was wonderful to behold. The strong wall in the Church, on the left hand as you go into the Belfrey, close unto the dial of the clock, ou the south side, was also bruised, and at the same time was seen by the whole congregation, fire like small burning coals fall into the belfrey, to their great astonishment, but providentially no person was injured. In the afternoon, the Mayor caused a sermon to be preached to move to repentance, and a very numerous company met to pray and return thanks." The other accident occurred also on a Wednesday, being Aug. 18, 1634, on which day (say our City Annals), the people being assembled at St. Michael's Church, to hear divine service, a great stone feU from the highest part of the Church battlements, through the roof below, into the Sheriff's seat, making as much noise as though the roof itself was falling, and broke into pieces ; one of which struck Gilbert Walden, on the shoulder, near his ear, and stunned him so much, that he was carried home, but recovering himself, he came again to Church, and caused public thanksgiving to be made to Almighty God, for his deliverance from that sudden danger. No other person was hurt. Resuming a chronological arrangement again, the next article selected is an fextract from the Church Accounts for 1659, by wliich it appears that the Church was then used (or rather abused) for the electing of Members for the City ; " pd. for clensing the church & seats after the choyoe of Parliam't. men — 10s." We now come to the time when, upon the Restoration of Charles II. legitimate Ministers were appointed, according to the constitution of the Church of England, and its regular dis cipline was again introduced. On the 22nd June, 1662, Bishop Hacket administered the Sacrament in this Church, on which occasion £8. 15s. Od. was collected for the poor. The City Annals say, he was gallantly met by the Citizens and preached at St. Michael's Church on the Sunday. Of his benevolent sentiments, zealous and truly pastoral conduct, in promo ting the religious welfare of his Churches in Coventry, the following Letter bears ample testimony; it is dated on the 15th of November, subsequent to his visit to the City, and addressed to Christopher Owen, Esq., then Mayor. " Oood Sir, — I profess my self beholding to you, that you have given mee occasion to write unto you, that I may contract a friendship with you, as I did with your deserving predecessor'*. And I am not a little comforted, that since your former painfull divines would leave their places (wch no persuasion of mine could prevent), you have, by my travail and diligence, a couple substituted in their cures, who are wel approved to yourself and to your brethren for the present, and are likely to maintain that good opinion wth loiall, vertuous and reasonable people, for the time to come. And because I have had the cheife interest to bring them in, I will be vigilant over their diligence and * Church Accounts, sub anno. 22 ST. Michael's church, Coventry. good behaviour, that God may have glory from them and the Cittie comfort for hereafter. You do a very kind and Christian office to have a care for the maintenance wch may support them in encouragement and a fair condition. If a competent supply of oile bee not provided, the light will goe out in ye lamps of the temple. Goe on I pray you still in that providence and justice, and God will bless you for it. I have drawn up the enclosed paper, to bee sent to Mr. Aislet by your conveyance that the King's allowance may not be substracted from those two divines, that verie well deserve it. Sr present my service, my praiers, my love, my best intentions of benevolence, to the noble cittie of Coventry, to the chiefe govemour, yourself, and to all your brethren, not forgetting the good Ladies and all vertuous females, that love God aud ye King, in this comprehension. And so much as a mean Bishop is able to do and perform to the good of your publique, or anie private person, co'mand it from Your faithfull and humble servant, " Lichfield, Novem. 15, 1662. JOH. LICH. & COVEN." His successor Bp. Wood, gave 40s. to the poor on his first coming to Coventry, in 1671, and afterwards presented a large SUver Plate or Dish to the Church. The next remarkable event is the Visit of King James II. to this Church, on 2nd of Septr. 1687, when he touched upwards of 300 persons for the EvU, on which occasion " there was so great a throng,* that the very gaUeries cracM again." In the Church Accounts for the same year, are the following items : " pd for levyling the West Church door and spreding Sand when ye King was here— Is. dd. " pd for cleanseing the Church when the King had been here — 10s." In the night of June 23, 1786, the Church was broken into, and a Box stolen out of the Vestry, containing the whole of the Communion Plate, together with the crimson velvet hangings and cushions, belonging to the pulpit and reading desk, with their rich gold fringes and tassels. [The internal arrangement of this Church was, until lately, singularly objectionable ; aHke inconsistent wdth the architecture of the building, and inadequate to the wants of the parish, and was the result of a series of alterations and additions rather than a comprehensive design. Pews of all shapes and sizes, with a number of galleries, disfigured the whole area, while the accommodation for the poor was both insufficient and destitute of comfort. f Mr. Richard Burgh, by wrill bearing date the 28th September, 1803, and proved in 1813, shortly after his decease,! ^^^^ o^^ thousand pounds, to be applied to the purpose of repewing the Church, on condition that no portion was to be expended in the repairs of the existing pews, but that until the Vestry could agree upon a uniform plan, and obtain the necessary funds for carrying out an entire reformation in the interior fittings "becoming the dignity" of the » Wanley's Diary, Harl. MSS., 7017. f It appears from the Church Books that the appropriation of seats prevailed at St, Michael's from a very early date. The entries of money payments being made for such exclusive accommodation extend from 1564 downwards. In 1598 it appears the income of the Church was augmented by rents for sittings paid by the Corporation and Companies ; and in 1612 (the seats being then apparently all appropriated) sittings on the benches were assigned, as will be seen by the following entries : — Rd. of George Smith Serieunt for a rowme upon the benche under the Sherriff's seate for lyfe ijs. Rd. of Arthure Browne for his life upon tlie benche before the Maior's wife ijs. Also in 1615 Red. of Richard Butler for his sonne Richard's place on a benche in the alley that leads to the Egle si]d. From an entry made of the resolutions passed on the 26th February, 1615, the practice of letting seats for life was to be thenceforth discontinued, and a " yearly rent, to be quarterly payed " substituted, and that no lettings were to be made of any seat or room in the Church, by the Wardens alone, but by consent of the Vestry. This entry is signed by the then Mayor, W. Snell, and the Vicar, W. Hfnton, aud others. X He died on the 29th December, 1812, aged 69, and was buried in the Chancel of St. Michael's Church. ST. Michael's church, Coventry. 23 building, the bequest should be aUowed to accumulate for that purpose. Strict injunctions are also made in this instrument that the intended alterations shall be made with the consent of the majority of the Vestry, and that the contributions of the parishioners shall be added to his bequest. In accordance with the donor's wiU, the legacy was placed out at interest, and in 1820 the parishioners determined to carry into effect his intentions on an extensive scale. A grant was promised from the Society for Enlarging Parish Churches, on condition of a certain number of free seats being secured for the poor. Plans were advertised for by competition, the approved designs being by Mr. Stedman Thomas Whitwell, of London, a native of this City. His proposed alterations were bold and novel, though not in character with the proper arrangement of a Church. They comprised chiefly, the sweeping away of everything from the interior, except the organ, the replacing of this one arch further westward, the erection of a state gallery across the entrance to the Chancel (thus restoring the ancient Roodloft, and hiding partially the incongruous altar piece), removing the pulpit to a central position between the state gallery and the organ, and so disposing the pews, that each individual should sit with his face to the minister ; taking care that the character of the architecture should be strictly followed in the fittings throughout. Kneelings were provided for 2,700 persons, the works were contracted for, and on the point of being carried out, when unex pected circumstances intervened to suspend the execution of the design, which, happily, was ultimately abandoned. In 1844 the matter was re-opened, and at a meeting of the Vestry it was resolved to remove all the pews and galleries, and to substitute open seats of oak, a large proportion of which should be free and unappropriated. A Committee was appointed, by whom the services of Messrs. Scott and Moffatt was secured; and in March, 1849, the work of renova tion commenced, the details of which will be referred to under their several headings. The expense ofthe alterations was £3,710. 10s. 5d., towards which, grants were made from the Society for promoting church accommodation in the Archdeaconry of Coventry of £300, and the Incorporated Society for promoting the enlargement, building, and repairing of churches of £100, in addition to the legacy of Mr. Burgh and its accumulations, and a liberal sub scription Hst from the citizens. On the completion of the re-pewing, the cleaning of the walls was begun, and in course of a few years the whole surface was thoroughly cleared from the coatings of whitewash which for centuries had been accumulating. The injured and decayed stonework was restored, the floor new laid, the tracery in the windows replaced, and the glazing newly done all round the church, except the clerestory of the nave. By the alterations the accommodation was increased from 1357 to 2474, being a gain of 1,117 sittings; this number has since been still further augmented. In 1854, the work of external restoration was begun, and the walls of the church have been entirely recased, excepting the tower and spire, the chancel and the clerestory; the pinnacles have been replaced, the churchyard walk enclosed by an iron railing, and the waU raised, aU the cross footways being stopped — this latter alteration was effected in 1851, the churchyard being at the same time planted with trees.] 24 ST. Michael's church, Coventry. CHAPELS. OUR LADY'S, or the DRAPERS' CHAPEL, also caUed Gapella supra montem, or " the Ghapel on the Hill," both in importance and antiquity claims a precedency of notice. It is situated on the North side of the Chancel, and was erected about 1300, as appears from the following account of two documents, formerly preserved in the Archives of the Drapers' Company (but no longer to be found), and thus described in a Catalogue of their Charters and Writings, some time before the year 1700. " No. 288, 700 Indulgencies for 720 days, for building the Chappie & CharneU house of St. Michaell, Coventry, dated at Rome, the 8 year of Pope Boniface (Anno 1300)." " No. 227. Indulgencies for 40 days, for all persons coming to confess theire sins before the altar of the blessed Mary, of the Church of St. Michael, the Archangell, in Coventry, upon the Nativity, Conception, Annunciacon, & Assumpcon of the Glorious Virgin Mary, for 8 days after each Feast, dated St. John in Lateran, the 1 7 of the Calends of April, in the yeare of our Ld. 1300, in the 8 yeare of Pope Boniface." By a deed* s. d., but certainly as early as Edw. I. or IL, John the Son of Willm. the Painter (Pictoris), and Wymark his Wife, for the health of their souls, and the souls of their ancestors and successors, give to God, and the light of the Blessed Virgin, in St. Michael's Church, one pound of wax, to be received annually at Michaelmas for ever, out of certain land in Coventry. In 1350, an Order was made by the Master and Fraternity of St. Mary's Gildf, that all their priests should say Matins, Vespers, and other services in St. Michael's Church, " en le Schapel de n're dame." Edward Prince of Wales, by Letters patentj, under his privy Seal, dated London, 1st Deer. 47 Edw. 3, 1373 (not 45th as in Dugdale), grants Licence to John de Burgh, priest, Wm. Lyberd, John de Pountfreit, and two others, to give two messuages to a priest and his successors for ever, to celebrate divine service every day at the Altar of our Lady, in St. Michael's Church, for the souls of Henry Dilcock and Margery his Wife, Robert de Whatton and Maud his Wife, and others. And Licence also to Henry de Congeston and John de Pountfreit, to give a messuage for the same purpose. Richard 2, in his 16th year, directs a Writ of ad guod dampnum\\, dated Nottingham, 5tli July (1392), to Thomas Ralegh, his Escheator, in the County of Warwick, to enquire into certain Tenements, intended to be given " in auxilium sustentacionis cujusdem CapeUam "divina ad altare beate marie virginis, in Ecclesia sancti Michaelis, de Coventre, in honore "ejusdem virginis, & pro animabus omnium fldelium defunctorum, singulis diebus celebratur "in perpetuum." Inquisition was made upon Oath, on the 9th of July, by certain persons, who declared that no injury would ensue, and accordingly the King grants his licence, dated Nottingham, 3rd Aug.§ 16th year, 1392, to John de Pountfreit, under which, by deed, dated 12tli Sept. following, he confirms to John Onley, Master, and certain Members of the Trinity Gild, two messuages, and the reversion of three others for the purposes above stated. * Original penes T. S. f Vide Laws of this Gild. X Original penes T. S. Ad quod dampnum 44 Edw. III. || Original penes Drapers' Company, No. 70. § Original penes Drapers' Company, No. 147. ST. Michael's church, Coventry. 25 On the 26th of the same month, an Indenture* of agreement is executed, to which are parties the said John Onley, John Pountfreit, Richd. Clerke, Richd. Dodenhale, and 4 others, and John Percyf, Wm. Wolf, Rowland Damet, and others, which recites the Grant of John Pountfreit, and likewise that the aforesaid Richd. Clerke, Richd. Dodenhale and others, by deed dated 6th Sepr. gave two messuages and 24s. Rent, and also that the said Percy, Wolf, Damet, and others, by deed bearing date Sepr. 20, gave two messuages, with the reversion of two more, for the finding of certain priests, and other pious and devout works as in the King's Licence more fully appears. The aforenamed Master, and the members ofthe Trinity Gild, according to the intent and meaning of the said Licence, and for other benefits and good reasons, ordain and unanimously appoint as follows, viz., that they will elect and provide for ever, an honest priest, devoutly to celebrate daily at the proper hour, the Mass of the Holy Virgin Mary, with Notes, at the Altar of the aforesaid Virgin, in St. Michael's Church, and also to sing, or chant solemnly and devoutly, every day, after the hour of Vespers, before the said Altar, the Antiphone caUed salve regina, wdth such usages and ¦ customs, or other Antiphones of the Virgin, as the time will best allow, and the Chanters see expedient, with the Psalm de profundis, for the souls of the Founders immediately afterwards, without notes. The said Master and Fraternity shall also find, for ever, competent and honest priests as many as have before time attended there, to sing both with the Organf and without, and both at Mass time and Antiphony, sufficiently to minister with the said priest, devoutly and solemnly as their offices are required. They shall also provide, for ever, all the necessaries and orna ments about the said Mass and Antiphony, viz., books, chalices for the altar, vestments, wax, and other lights, and every other thing before-time accustomed. Also, they shall annually appoint two men from their Fraternity, or others, being parishioners of St. Michael's, to be Wardens ofthe said Altar of the Virgin, who shall be overseers, governors, and aiders of the fulfilment of all these premises, and receive the rents || and profits of all the tenements aforesaid, rendering an annual account to the said Master and Fraternity. In 1401, Alice Wyschard bequeaths 2s. to St. Mary's Altar. 1491, Thomas Bradmedowe, of Coventry, draper, by will, desires to be interred in the Chapel of our Lady. 1493, John Wylgryse, of Coventry, gentleman, directs his Obit§ to be kept " in Capella beate Virginis, ac omnium sanctorum, infra ecclesia Sancti Michaelis;" and bequeaths 3s. 4d. to the Altar. This is the only instance that has occurred of the Chapel being so caUed. In the Accounts of the Corpus Christi Gild, 1495, is the following entry : " Also he [the Master] ys charged wt money that he Receyvid of the wardens of owr lady Chapell, of seynt my'ell Churche, the wyche was geffyn for to lycens the p'st of this gyld, to syng owr lady masse for a yere, xxs." [In 1517 William Pisford bequeathed to the Drapers' Craft, towards their Priests' wages, 6s. %d., and to every other craft that had either priest or pageant, to the augmentation of the service of God or to the worshipping or upholding of the laudable custom of the city, 8s. id. a-piece.] * Idem, in Corporation Treasury Box, 96. t The Original Licence, of Rich. II. for both these grants, dated 5th Augt. is in the Corp. Treasury, No. 17, and includes other large donations to the Trinity Gild. X 1550 Mr. Nethermyll owed the Drapers' Company for " a pare of orgaynes iijK." II 7th Henry i, 1405, John Hornby and Robt. Esturton " Custodea Capelle altaris beate marie, in ecclesia s'ci Michaelis, sub Roberto Shipley, magistro Gilde s'oe Trinitatis," let a tenement for 40 years, at 40s. rent. § He gave to the Drapers' Company the Star Inn, in Earl Street, the rent of which was to pay for this Obit to be celebrated on August 12, yearly, at an expense of 12s. id. — Trinity Church Accounts. 26 ST. Michael's church, coventey. In 1518, John Haddon, draper, of Coventry, by wiU, desires to be "buried in oure Lady Chapell, wt'in saint mighell Churche, by Kateryn my wife;" he also provided for the support of a priest, by the Drapers' Company, " to singe in the Chapell of o'r ladye, in the Churche of saint Mighell," receiving an annual stipend of £6 ; and amongst other bequests, he gives " to the Drapers' Chapell, for som ornament therto, yU." being the first time that appellation has been noticed, and shews, that from the Drapers having been accustomed to support a priest there, it began now to be indifferently caUed Our Lady's, and the Drapers' Chapel. A previous instance of the interment of a wealthy Draper has been given in 1491, and many subsequent* ones occur ; indeed the circumstance of several important documents, relating to the building and endowing of this Chapel, already noticed as existing in the archives of that Company, proves how intimately they were connected with it, notwith standing the Trinity Gild were the patrons and chief supporters thereof, as will further appear by the ensuing extracts from the accounts of that Fraternity, and the last of their ordinances, which is as foUows : — " Et insuper ordinatum est, quod hostite Capellai beate 3Iarie de Monte, in cimiterio S. Michaelis, fient apertse quolibet die festo, ab hora Matutina, usq. ad finem altfe MissK, in Ecclesia S. Michaelis. Et in diebus ferialibus, a tempore Matutinarum, usq. ad finem Missas B. Marias, in Ecclesia predicta. Et quando aliquis presbyter ibidem celebrarit, fiat campana pulsata qualibet die ad quamcunq. celebrationem Missarum cujuseunq. Presbyteri cum accederit. Et quod ad horas Vesperarum, hostile sint apert^ durante hora Vesperaium in Ecclesia parochiali." From these two som'ces we also learn the additional fact of this Chapel being knovm. by the name of Capella heatce Maria de Mmite, or the Ghapel on the Hill.f " 36 Henry 6 (1458) p' caiidel exspend' in Capell' Montis. " 37th, p' vino p'sbit' ad selebrand' missam, apud Capelle Montis, p' totum ann' " 39th, p' emenda'coe fenestrar' capelle mont' iiijs. jd. " 6 Edw. 4. 1466, p' emendac'oe fenestr' capell' sup' mo'te. " It' Joh'i Barbo' p' a torche to the chapell on the hyll, weynge vij lb. & di' p's ijs. vjd. " Sth, It' p' fact' ped' oinius calice, ad cap'lla sup' mo'te, p'derat' iij unc' & di' vijs. iijd. " 12th, It' sol' p' a candelstyk of tree wt flowirs set on hit, to stond on the Awt' at the chapell of the hiU, to bere a candell in ye wynt' tyme, iiij(Z. " 13th, R' Thome BradmedoweJ, p' sepultura sui s'vient' in capella in Cimiterio sc'i mich', xx(Z. "19 Hen. 8, 1527, Expences in carrying 5 load of timber, squaring it 1 day, and bread and ale for " The Chapell on the hill," 5s. 2d. "24th, It' res' of Sr Roger Walker, for a g'ave in the Chappell on the hill, iijs. iiij(^. " 30th, It' for a lock & a key, at the Chapell dore on the hill, & for mendyug the holie water stok|| there, xijd." The Chapel door mentioned in the Statutes of the Trinity Gild, and in the extract from their Accounts last given, most probably refers to a door within the Church, in that partition, or separation of it from the building at large, which was common to most or all the Chapels. It is barely possible that an outer door is intended, in which case it can only refer to the Charnel House door, beneath the Chapel, there being stairs leading from thence up into it, though long since disused. — Should this be the case (though there is but little reason to think so), it may serve to account for the Charnel House being unoccupied as a receptacle " Julian Nethermyll, a wealthy draper, and one of the mayors of Coventry, was buried there in 1589 and a very handsome monument was erected over the place of his interment. This altar tomb, which is of alabaster and richly sculptured, though much mutilated, has been removed during the recent restorations to the west end of the church. — Ed. the church. — Ed. i { Bradmedowe himself was also buried there, see 1491 ante. || Stoup. t So called probably from its elevated situation as compared with the western extremity and the surrounding neighbourhood. ST. Michael's chuech, Coventry. 27 for Bones, in 1587, when it was let by the Parish for 3s. 4d. a year : how soon afterwards possession was resumed, and the building applied to its original purpose, does not appear, but in 1640, a charge occurs in the Church Accounts of 5s. "pd for cleansinge the Charnel house, & layeing the bones and scuUes in order," and it was so used until the late restorations. Perhaps the parish might not obtain possession of the Charnel house untU the dissolution of the Gilds and Chantries, in which case, an easy solution is afforded to the fact of their not sooner occupying it. The earliest Book of Accounts, belonging to the Drapers' Company, commences in 1534, in which the payment of their priest's salary is called " an auncient custum," and an entry occurs the same year of " expenc', skowryng and swepyng the chapell, viijt^." ; also sundry charges for tapers, lights, altar cloths, and the priest's salary, which was £6. In the same year, certain Rules were agreed upon, gathered out of " auncient bookes ;" and amongst others, " Agreed that ev'y mastur shall pay toward ye makyng clone of oure lady chapell, in saynt mycheU's churche, & strawyng ye setus wt Rusches in somer, and pease strawe in wyntur, every one yerely i^d." ; and afterwards an order was made, that the Freemen of the Company, should sit in the Chapel every Sabbath day, and their apprentices before them. " 1553 Russys & pestrawe for the chapellys, ijs. (Drapers' Accounts.)" From a valuation of the possessions of the Chantries in Coventry, 2 Edw. VL, preserved in the Corporation Treasury, it appears that the Society of Drapers possessed certain lands and tenements of the yearly value of £6. 19s., given by John Symonds, to support a Priest in St. Michael's Church, and perform an annual Obit for him, paying to the Priest £6. 13s. 4d. and for his Obit 5s. 8d. In the Rental of the Manor of Cheylsmore, 4th or 5th of EHzth. is the foUowing item : " Our Lady Chauntry in St. Michael's Ch. in the tenor of the Drapers, for 3 Houses in Little pk St. 18d., and a hen or 3d. or a corn of pepper, 21d." Drapers' Accounts. " 1535, Itm payd for myndyng of the wyne bottells (at the Chapel) ijd. 1539, " Itm receved for a Chales weyng xxij unc' and a q'rtne and ij Cruetts sylvr weying viij unc' vii. iiijs. vd. ob. 1549, " payd for whyt lymyng the Awter, iiij(^. payd for carryng awei the bords of the Autr vjd. payd for carryeng awei the cofer viijd. 1554, Detts owyng to the occupashuu Mr. Nethermyll, ffor a payre of orgaynes, iijZi. Payd for beryng the orgyns frome master Nethermylls iiijd. Mr. Nethermyll, ffor a challys weyng xvj oz. and hauffe iijli. vjs. viijd. Mr. Ryley, for a Corpustus, an albe, & a vestement, xxs. iiij(^. 1556, payd for ij taperys for the sepulkur, & the wax for the awter all the yere, xiijs, 1576, payd for paynting our chappell, xiiijs. 1581, payd for mendyng oure Chapell wyndow, vs. iiijJ." The Company of Drapers, in 1687, expended £7. 15s. 7d. " for lininge & worke in ye Drap's chappie," they also paid a yearly Rent of 2s. for it in 1586 (being then first charged) ; but in 1599, it was advanced to 10s. and so continued to 1697, when the Rent totally ceased. The Consistory Court was formerly held in this Chapel, and it appears to have been fitted up for that purpose in 1634. — Vide particulars under that head. [In 1830 the roof was taken off and repaired, new timbers being substituted where the old were decayed, and the carved ornaments carefully restored ; the ancient oak stalls, or misereres, with their singular and grotesque carvings, and richly-panelled fronts and ends repaired and re-arranged, the finials, where gone, being replaced ; and three oak screens of open perpendicular tracery collected from the fragments of carved oak remaining in different 28 ST. Michael's church, Coventry. parts of the church, were erected on the south side and west end of the chapel. The work was performed by a Mr. Lines, a skilful carver in wood, under the superintendence of Mr. Wm. Reader, at that time accountant Churchwarden. During the general restoration, the south screens were removed, and alterations aud additions made in the arrangement of the stalls and sittings ; the floor also being raised. The chapel is now used for the week-day services. At the south west corner is a turret stair leading to doorways now blocked up, formerly giving access to the two rood lofts extending across the western extremities of this chapel and the choir, as also to the roof. At the foot of this turret is a strait stair leading to the crypt below. When this portion of the church was restored, the bones which occupied this crypt were removed and buried, and indications of an altar were discovered : the piscinae and aumbry still remain. The coffins and their contents in the larger vault adjoining were also removed and buried, and the rubbish which had accumulated there cleared away, thus laying open an extensive crypt, separated by octagonal pillars into two aisles, and groined with stone. The probability is that these crypts were originally used as Mortuary Chapels, the service being performed in the smaUer eastern crypt, which had access to the Lady Chapel above, while the bodies of the dead were temporarily placed in the western chamber.] Of the MERCERS' CHAPEL no documents have been discovered elucidatory either of its erection or early history under that designation. The only mention of the Mercers' Chapel (by that name) before the Reformation, is a minute in an ancient Account Book, preserved in the Corporation Treasury, of an annual payment of 2s. by the City Wardens for light in it. The present Account Book of the Company of Mercers commences in 1579 (aU older ones being lost or destroyed), and in that year occurs a charge of "xijti. pd to the churche wardens of St. Michaeles, ffor o'r chappell;" the rent was advanced to 6s. 8d. in 1598, and this payment was continued until 1712, when it entirely ceased. Various charges for repairing the Chapel and for painting, window mending, Hning and making seats, &c., appear in these accounts, the last is in 1685. " pd for repayryng the Chappell in the Church, 71. 2s. 6d." A few others are selected. '¦ 1591, pd. for peastrawe for the Seates in the chappell, vjd. 1593, pd for mendinge the Carved worke in o'r Chapell, vjd. " 1684, a Stone layed at the Chappell dore Sd." [In the Church Books are the foUowdng entries : " 1563, Reseved of Henry Hethe for the Mersares xij(Z." " 1599, The Mercers pd the Churchwardens 6s. 8d. for this chapel."] The situation of the Mercers' Chapel will, on reference to the plan of this Church, be found to be at the east end of the south aisle ; and the door above-named was the entrance to the Chapel from the Church, where the pews terminate in the south aisle ; the separation is still retained, the Chapel continuing unoccupied. The door in the Church waU opposite the Drapers' Hall, was made in 1750, about which time the communication from this Chapel into the Vestry was also opened, precisely in the place where the altar formerly ST. Michael's church, coventey. 29 stood. In the Church Accounts, from 1645, amongst many other items of a similar nature, occurs the following : — " pd Betson, for taking downe a Crucifix on the Topp of ye mercers Chappell, Is." This I conjecture to have been a stone Cross on the centre of the battlements, over the east end of the Chapel ; as it is improbable that the oak roof, although ornamented with various carved heads and other devices, ever contained a Crucifix in the number, and from the present state of the Chapel no other suitable situations appear. In Schnebbelie's Anti quaries' Museum (4to. 1791), is an engraving of the head of a dying man, carved in oak, of great merit, which is stated to have been taken from the roof of this Chapel in 1778, "when a new roof was constructed." It should rather have been said when the roof was repaired, as other carvings yet remain. There is a further error in describing the Mercers' Chapel to be " in that part of the Church which was founded [built I suppose is meant) in the reign of King Stephen," — it adjoins the Chancel, which probably has some remains of that period ; but this Chapel is a subsequent erection to either the Chancel or Drapers' Chapel, and the east window was an obvious imitation of that in the latter. [On the south side of the east window are the remains of a niche, formerly occupied by a fuU length statue of the patron saint either of the Church or this Chapel ; below is a large recess, and among the rubbish removed therefrom during the restorations, was found the bracket which formerly supported the image, richly carved, still bearing traces of its original colouring; this has been replaced. The canopy is gone. Close to this recess is the only altar tomb remaining in Coventry bearing recumbent effigies : this is to the memory of Ralph SwiUington (Recorder of the city in 1515), and his two wives. Within the same enclosure are two other tombs, the western one, known as " Wade's " tomb,* very richly sculptured, but much mutUated, and bearing no inscription. A similar turret stair to the one in the Lady Chapel gave access to the rood screen which formerly separated the Mercers' Chapel from the south aisle : the doorway, still traceable, indicates the height of the old screen. The one now standing has been recently constructed, the tracery, which is very rich, having been like that in the north side, formed from fragments of carving removed from other parts of the church. On its eastern side are a few more misereres.] St. THOMAS'S, or CAPPERS' CHAPEL, is on the South side of the Church, adjoining the centre porch, from the east side of which was formerly a communicationt into the Chapel, without entering the Church. It was founded according to the MS. Annals of the City, in 146 7, J by the Fellowship of Woollen Card-makers, and the architectural character of this Chapel very well corresponds with the time assigned for its Foundation. In 1518, John Haddon, Draper, bequeaths "to the awter of Saint Thomas vjs. viij(£." * John Wayd, mercer, lived in Coventry in 1557 ; this may be his tomb. f Traces of which still remain. } It must not be concealed, however, that in the Accounts of the Trinity Gild, 36 Hen. 6, 1458, is a charge for " candel," both for Capell' mentis, and s'ci 'Thome, in eoc'lia s'ci Mich'. 30 ST. Michael's church, Coventry. In 1531, By an Act of Leet,* which states that the Card-makers for many years and of long continuance, have had the governance, repairing, and maintaining of St. Thomas's Chapel, and of the ornaments, jewels, and lights of the same ; it is ordained, in consequence of the Card-makers being a declining Company, and the Cappers numerous and wealthy, that the latter should be associated with them, in the governance, repairing, and maintaining of this Chapel, and sit together therein, to hear divine service; every householder, or shopkeeper of the said Companies hereafter paying annually 12d. towards the support of the same, and on the Translation of St. Thomas yearly, offering Id. at high mass there. This measure was shortly followed by an entire conveyance of the Chapel to the Company of Cappers. By Indenturet dated Sth Jan., Hen. 8, 1536, the Masters of the Card-makers and Sadlers' Company convey to the Mayor, Bailiffs, and Com'y. "ther Chappell, wt'in the p'ishe Churche of seynt MicheU, named seynt Thomas Chappell, & the Cardemakers and Sadlers Chappell, wt all & sing'ler ther ajDp'tencus, ornaments, vestyments, juells, & imple ments, to the same exp'ssed in a Cedule annexed," reserving to the said Fellowship, convenient sitting for 4 persons of their Craft, " under the nether Wyndowe, on the south side of the said Chappell, betwene the Imag's of the Trinitie & saint Sebastiane," for which they were to pay 16d.' yearly. " Here after ensue the p'ticulers & certentie of the ornaments, juells, goodes, & implements, app'teynyng to the Chappell mencioned in thyndentures hereunto annexed :— " Furste, a masse Booke & a Chalese. It' a vestement of Rede Velvett, wt sterres of Golde. It' an albe, wt an ammyse, a stole, & a phanc'n:|: of the same. It' a Corp'as, & a case of grene borde Alysander,|l wt a Grose of silver & ov' gilt, compased wt perle & p'cious stones, and sett in silver & gilt & enameled. It' a vestment of Rede Damaske, wt albe, ammyse, stole, and phan'con of the same, wt a Corp'as, & a Case of Rede Velvett, wt iij lyons cowchant. It' a vestement of blake silke, wt white Columbynes, wt albe, amyse, stole, & phauc'n of the same, & case of Eede silke. It' a vestement of White fustiane, steyned§ for lenton, wt albe, amyse, stole, & phanc'n of the same. It' ij auter clothes of the passion, for lenton, and a frontell^ of the auter. It' ij auter Clothes, counterfeit Cloyth of golde, wt compase in a Sheilde It' oon Auter Cloith of blewe silke, steyned wt lyberds hedes of gold rased. It' a frontlett of blake damaske, wt R. and J. & sterres of golde. It' iiij pelowes** of yalow silke, wt lyons of Eede. It' a pelowe of p'rple velvett. It' ij lynyne auter Clothes. It' a towell. It' an Auter cloithe steyned, wt an Image of seynt Thomas. It' a pax wt a Crucifix of marie & John. It' a table of the Mounte of Sjmay.tf It' iiij Candelsticks of Mastelen to sett uppon the Auter for tap's, and ij for Talough Candells. It' a small pax, wt a crosse of Iverey. It' a pax of Jh'us, of marie, of petre. It' ij pagiont Clothes of the passion. It' a frontlett of blewe velvett. It' a vestement of blewe wolsted, wt R. &; J. of gold. It' ij great standerds of candlesticks of latten. It' a peire of Auter Clothes of Crissommes.Jf It' Cloithe of tho liff of seynt Thomas. It' v pencells of blewe, wt Cuppes of golde. It' a vestement of blewe satten, of the gift of Sir Roger Douche, wt albe & amyse of the same. It' a Rede vestem't of satten, of the gift of Sr. John EUigge, wt albe, amyse, & stole, of the same. It' a Corp'as of blake velvett, of the gift of my ladle Marler. It' ij auter clothes of diap'. It' a pece of Cloith of golde in a box. It, a frontelett of silke and golde, wt pecocks." By another Indenture, §§ dated the 28th of the same month, the Mayor, Bailiffs, and Commonalty, convey and surrender the Chapel, Vestments, &c.j to the Cappers' Company (with the reservation sittings to the Sadlers before mentioned), and from that period various entries occur in their Book of Accounts, a selection from which here follows : 1539. The Cost for the Aowter It'm pd for the Aowter, xs. It'm pd for ij candelstekys, ijs. It'm pd for Say, Red, & Gren, viijs. viij<^. It'm pd for makeing of the oortens in the chapell, sviijd. It'm pd for corten hokys, ijd. It'm pd for coUoryng of the cortens, ijs. ijd. It'm pd foi' howkyng the chappell clothes ijd. It'm Ress, of the Crafts box, towards the by'ng of the aowter, xxs. "¦ Leet Book fo. 357. f Original in Treasury. { phanc'n — phannon, or fannon — a Corporas, vide Ducange. II borde Alysander : probably silk embroidered ; French, Borde. § steyned— painted. ^ frontell — to hang under the tapers. ** pelowes — pillows, or cushions for the altar, to rest the mass book upon. tf The Mounte of Synay — The Decalogue, or perhaps a representation of Moses receiving the tables. XX Crissommes — The Chrisom was a white cloth, put on infants at the time of their Baptism, and worn seven days; it was usually supplied by the Priest, and returned at the expiration of the seven days. §§ Original in Treasury. ST. Michael's church, Coventry. 31 Also, we have broughte in ij cheld's aowbes, the weche we geve to the crafte. 1543. pd to ye craft's chapplen, for hys wages, xxxs. 1544. payd to Sir Pastys our pryst, for his hoUyerys wagys, xls. 1546. pd for holoweng ye challes, :s.vjd. 1548. Resette of the chappell Kepars. — Reseved for iorn yt belonged to ye chappell, xvjd. Reserved for ij battelments ov'r ye alter, ij,s. — R'c for ye sakring bell, xijd. R'c for a pese of sylvr yt was at ye masse bok, xviijd. — R'c for a masse bok, vji^. p'd at the Crane, when they craft dyd see ye vestments, iijs. xd. pd at ye sellyng of ij standers of brasse, viijd. 1549. spent at ye crane, at they delyv'yng up of ye ornaments of ye chappell, vjd. 1552. The Ressete for Chappell stuiie. — R'c of John Stone, for a table of the altar, ijs. R'c of the goodman lyttley, for vij pylloes, iijs. viijd. R'c of the same lyttley, for iiij candelstykys for tapers, iiijs. xj<^. 1556. payde for paintynge off xvj yards* in the chappell at iiijti. the yarde, ixs. iiijtZ. [1563. Reseved of Henry Hethe forthe Kappars (Chapel chamber) ijs. — Church accounts.'] In 1628,t a controversy having arisen betwixt the Parish of St. Michael and the Cappers' Company concerning this Chapel, it was agreed that the Parish should pay £15 to the Cappers, on their surrendering the Chapel (with their pageant house), reserving to the Company six convenient seats, for which they were to pay 4d. each. Accordingly, on 24th March, 1629, the Company received £15, and executed a deed J of surrender, when the Chapel became and has since remained the entire property of the Parish. In 1726, the Company of Cappers expended in repairs of the Chapel, and building the pews, £11. 7s. Id.; at which time it was agreed by the Parish, in consequence of the old staircase leading into their Chapel chamber being broken down, that a passage from the South GaUery should be made at the charge of the Company, in consideration of their giving up the ground on which the stairs stood. This Chamber is over the porch, adjoining St. Thomas's Chapel, and retains (somewhat incorrectly) the name of Cappers' Chapel to the present time : it continues to be used for the Meetings of that Company according to its original destination. [On the 5th October, 1829, a circular stone staircase was discovered leading from the floor of the church to this chamber, the dirt and rubbish has been removed, and the former means of access being closed on the removal of the galleries, it is now used for its original purpose. A window has also been made in the north wall of the chamber, filled with stone tracery, and clear glass, through which may be seen the window of stained glass on the south side, bearing the arms of the Company and other emblems. This room was formerly a parvise, or priest's chamber: the lintel of the fireplace is formed of the incised lid of a stone coffin ; the walls bear some inscriptions referring to periodical repairs by the Company of Cappers and felt makers, and the room is furnished with ancient and substantial fittings.] The DYERS', or as it was subsequently caUed, the MOURNERS' CHAPEL, is on the south side of the Church, betwixt the first and second porches. The place where the Altar stood, at the east end, is very obvious, and the piscina yet remains. It appears also from the corbels, and a second tier of windows, that in its original state there was a chamber over the Chapel, probably for the use of the Priest. Underneath is a stone crypt, formerly used as a place of interment for the famiHes of Strode and Inge. * Probably certain texts of Scripture, portions of which still remain, though almost illegible, supposed to have been extracts from Christ's sermon on the mount. t St. Michael's Church Account Book. X Original in parish chest. 32 ST. Michael's church, Coventry. In the Accounts of the Dyers' Company, are various entries illustrative of their establishment in this Church, some of which are subjoined : " 1463, It' payd to our prest for all the hoU yer, for his seler', at iiij tymes of the yer, vl. vjs. viijd. " 1476, It' paid for a chalis of xxij unc' & ij quarterons le unc' price of vs. viijd. s'ma. vjl. vijs. vd. — It' paid for a vestement, iiij marcus. " 1501, Sir John Hylag, the Dyers Priest, was made a brother of the Company, and he promised " at the owr of hys deth" to give 40s. in money to them, and " a boke caulyd a pres'seynar""," with other things. " 1527, It' paid for a loke & a key to hit, to ley in the challis, in the vestre y't the prest synggs wt all, iijd." In 1607 the following entry is found in the Church Accounts : " Pd to a mason for settinge up the small pyller in the diers netherX chappell, xiijs. iiiji^." This extract proves the existence of the chamber over the Chapel, in 1607, but how much longer the separation continued has not been ascertained. From the immediate vicinity of this Chapel to the most accustomed door of entrance to the Church, it was so highly convenient for the attendants upon a funeral to wait in, if too early for the service, at a period when the custom prevailed of bringing all corpses into the Church, before proceeding to the grave, that by degrees it obtained the name of the Mourners' Ghapel, as appears by the following extracts from the Church Accounts : " 1639, pd for mendinge the Mourners Chappell dore, &d. " 1659, the Chapel called the Mourners Chapel, on the south side of St. Michael's Church, let to Mrs. Strode, wife of William Strode, Esq., deceased, for a burial place for her family, paying a fine of 20 marks and 5s. annual rent." J [The following also occur : — 1568 for pavynge the Momare's Chapel iiije?. In 1599 the Dyers paid the Churchwardens 4s. for their two seats.] The SMITHS', or ST. ANDREW'S CHAPEL, as its name imports, was supported (perhaps founded) by the ancient Company of Smiths, whose weU preserved Books of Accounts supply numerous articles illustrative of this religious establishment. The first items that occur in these Accounts are in 1449. " It'm a tabyll afor ye p'st, viijd. payed to Syr John Radfford, our p'st, for his salary, vjli. vjs. viijd. In 1469 the Company supplied their priest with a Copy of the service for the Jesus Mass (which was begun in this City in 1464), as appears by the following entry : — " If peid for wrytyng of the messe of the v wounds of onr lord, viijd. " liii, Exp'n for goyng to Combe, to halowe the Vestment in wyn ic cakes, xviijd. " 1480, It'm, payd to seynt andrewe auter, for the jaket of cloth of gold, vjs. viijd." 1518, John Haddon, draper, bequeaths as foUows, by Will: — ¦ " Item, to the Smythes awter, in wax, to be spent at masse tymes, vjs. viijd. * pres'seynar — processional, a book containing such parts of the Service of the Romish Church as were used in Ecclesiastical processions. f Lower. IX This payment having been discontinued the crypt was relet to W. Inge, Esq., in 1747, ou payment of 10 guineas, and an annual rent of one penny. The last interred here was Mrs. Inge in 1S23 : the east end of the vault was permanently closed during the late alterations, and the western portion set apart for the gas apparatus. The wooden rails which formerly separated it from the church were at the same time removed.] ST. Michael's chuech, Coventry. 33 1535, Thomas Forman, of Coventry, by Will,* dated 12th Jan. desires to be buried in St. Michael's Church-yard, before the Smiths' Altar; he gives also to the said Altar, 20d. and orders that 26s. 8d. be quarterly paid for four years, for the stipend of a Priest, to sing at the Smiths' Altar, where he likewise directs his Obit to be kept. " 1548, payd for takyng down of our imagys afore myghalmas, and settyng them up a gayne, iiije?. Payd to the church wardens for owr tabarnacuU over ye awter, ijs. " 1553, payd for makyng of new festments, vs. " 1558, Item for iij awter close weshyng iiij(i. " Item for iij tapers at Chrystumas, and a candle ageynst xij day, xijd. " 1560, It'm for a peynttyd clothe for ye Smythys aut'r, xd." In the absence of positive information as to the precise situation of this Chapel, it would appear from the directions for Forman's interment (see above), and some other minor circumstances, that it was betwixt the North Porch and the western extremity of the side aisle there ; and that the Altar stood betwixt the windows, in an ornamented recess, divided by tracery into two compartments, in each of which a whole length figure, painted upon the wall, was discovered in 181 7. The figures were in blue drapery, being long gowns ; and over each of then- heads a nimbus was discernible, but the painting was too much injured, previous to its discovery, to allow of an attempt at appropriating them : the back ground was red. To the conjecture that this was the Smiths' Chapel, the only difficulty that presents itself is the fact of this part of the Church being of subsequent construction to the period when the Accounts of that Company commence, being probably erected about 1500, 15 of Henry 7, when some considerable work was going on at the Church ; and therefore, unless we suppose that before this time the Smiths', or St. Andrew's Altar, was in another part of the Church, or united with one of the Chantries, this appropriation cannot be correct. Between the easternmost window and the North Porch is a staircase, leading to the roof over this Chapel, and which formerly communicated with a stone pulpit, that projected into the Church yard ; in Beighton's drawing of the Church, engraved for Dr. Thomas's edition of Dugdale, the pulpit is shewn, but has been since destroyed, though the door in the wall and some other indications are still visible. The GIRDLERS' CHAPEL, is entered from the North Porch, turning eastward, and was connected (as appears by its name) with the Company of Girdlers ; but as that ancient Society has been many years extinct, and none of their books or documents have been preserved, our account of this Chapel must be limited to some scanty notices in the Church books, and of these the earhest is in " 1563, It'm, reseved of henry hethe, for the gordelares, iijs." This was an annual rent paid for the Chapel, and in 1585 is thus expressed : — " R' of the Gyrdelers for theyre chamber, iijs. " 1599, R' of the Gerdlers, for theire Chapell & chamber, vs. " 1600, pd for lathes & nayles to siele under the Girdelers chamber, ixd. " 1626t, The Company of the Girdlers for their Chappell, Library, and Chamber, pay p' aun'm, vs.J " 1639, pd for payntyng the piUers in girdlers chapell, inter alia. " 1661, for clensing ye Girdlers Chappell, 8s. *' Copy in Treasury. f From a Fragment in the Parish Chest. { The Girdlers' last payment for their seat in this church was in 1669, the company having been reduced in 1667 to 6 or 7 persons, parted the money among the remaining members, and dissolved the gild. 34 ST. Michael's church, Coventry. 1725, At a Vestry Meeting, " a Faculty was ordered to be obtained, for pulling down ye old seats, near the Font, on the west part of the Church ; & likewise for pulling down the Girdlers' Chapel, by the north Porch; the materials to be used in building a Gallery on the north side of ye Church." From the preceding extracts it appears, that there was a room or chamber over the Chapel, in which probably the meetings of the Company were occasionally held (in like manner as the Cappers, in their Chapel Chamber). The preceding extract, 1626, mentions a Library, as weU as Chamber, which, most Hkely, was a division of the Chamber, in which the Books of Accounts and other documents belonging to the Company were kept, and perhaps they also had some printed books for the use of the members, such circumstances being by no means unusual, and the Book of Martyrs generally occurs in the number. The Chapel and Chamber were separated from the body of the Church, on the south side, by a partition filling up the two arches, the lower part of which formed the backs of the seats underneath the north gallery.* The Altar stood under the east window, on an elevated floor (the latter stUl existed in 1820), and a, piscina on the south side of it still remains at the east end of the chapel. The east window consisted originally of five lights, but was fiUed up with stone work betwixt the mullions and tracery ; and if not in this state before the Reformation, was so done shortly afterwards, as is evident from a compartment in its right hand division, having had, in large and ancient black letters, the following portion of a part of the 2nd Chapter of PhiHppians (discovered in 1817) : *' SEr&ant became l^kz unto men, anU toas founlie in ijgs apparel as a man. ^t J)umiileti Ijgm selfe, anU became obetitent unto tije teatf), e&en t|je Ireatlj of tije Crosse, tfjerefore ffioU also Ijatf) exalteU Ijtm, ani gifaen Ijtm a name, Mjid) is a&o&e al names, t§at at tlje name of Sesus e&erg knte sljouHr tiotoe, of tlj^nges in Ijeben ant tfignges in earti)." In the opposite division the preceding part of this passage, commencing at the 4th verse, had been written, but was too much injured to be recoverable. Amongst the bequests of John Hadden, in 1518, is 6s. 8d. to "Lekborne Chapell," to be spent at Mass times, in wax. This Chapel was in St. Michael's Church, but no further notice of it has been discovered. As an instance has occurred in Trinityt Church, of a Chantry being called by the name of the existing Chantry Priest, it is possible that a like circumstance may have happened here. *' Removed during the recent restorations. f Vide Percye's Chantry, where, in the time of John de Belton, it is called Belton's Chantry. ST. Michael's church, Coventry. 35 CHANTRIES. HAVING now completed our survey and account of the various Chapels in this Church, as far as they can from existing documents be ascertained, we next come to a consideration of the Chantries ; and of these the most ancient is — MERYNTON'S CHANTRY, founded in the 1 7 of Edw. 2 (1323), by Hugh de Merynton,* for two priests to sing Mass daily, for the health of his soul, Agnes his wife, and for the souls of his ancestors, and all the faithful deceased ; being endowed with £8 yearly rent. [In 1534 Thomas HoUeys was keeper of Merynton's Chantry; and the Friars Carmelites (White Friars) paid to the priest annually 20s.— Valor Ecclesiasticus.] In the 26 of Henry 8 (1534), the yearly value amounted only to 100s., but upon the Survey taken in the 37 of Henry 8 (1545), the revenue was certified to be £8. lis. 8d., and payments 22s. 4d., leaving a clear yearly income of £7. 9s. 4d. It is observable that, in this latter Survey, the Chantry is said to be founded " for one Presto." In the 2nd of Edward 6 (1548), upon coming into the possession of the Corporation, the revenue is valued at £6. 3s. 4d. No documents remain, whereby any particular situation in the Church, where this Chantry priest officiated, can be ascertained. SHEPEY'S, or ST. LAURENCE'S CHAJSfTRY,t was founded in the 4 of Edward 3 (1330), by Laurence Shepey, of Coventry, who endowed it with one messuage and two shops, for the maintenance of a Priest to sing Mass daily, at the Altar J of St. Laurence, for his soul, the souls of his Father and Mother, Maud his Wife, Adam StanydeU", and Alice his Wife, with aU the faithful departed. [In the Original RoUs it is recorded that Jordan de Shepeye grants a fine to the King of six marks for licence to give a house in Coventry to assign to a priest to celebrate mass for his soul, and aU the faithful deceased daily, in St. Laurence's Chapel.] In the 6 of Richard 2 (1382), John Shepey, Dean of Lincoln, added hereto one more messuage for the maintenance of two priests, to sing Mass at the said Altar, for the founder (his grandfather), Jordan Shepey || his father, also for the good estate of the said Dean whilst he lived, and for his soul after death, with all the faithful deceased. The Anniversary of William Whitohurch§ in the 2nd of Henry 6 (1423), is directed to be kept in the Chapel of St. Laurence the Martyr, in St. Michael's Church. — Vide Obits. •* Hugh de Merynton paid a fine of 20 marks to the King, for licence to found this Chantry. — Rot. Origin. f In the Patent RoUs it is called " Cantaria s'ci Laurentii." X In the Abrev. Rot. Originalium, Rot. 39 — it is capella s'ci Laurentii, instead of altari. II He was second Mayor of Coventry, A'o. 1346. § Mayor in 1400, and his portrait, in stained glass, is in St. Mary's Hall. 36 ST. Michael's church, Coventry. In 1518, John Haddon, draper, bequeaths "to the awter of saint Lawrence, in wax, to be spent at masse tymes, vjs. viijcL" 1566, " Charges'* of St. Larrans chapell. lime, quarries, and labour, lis. Id. 1612, "pdfor making! ^ place in St. Laurance Chappell, to hange the [Drapers] Companies bucketts in, xiiijt?." In the Survey, 37 of Henry 8, 1545 (wherein this Chantry is said to be founded by Jordan Shepey), the revenue is stated to be £4 and reprisals 20s. 5d. — clear income 59s. 7d. — which, ia the same Survey, is declared to have been given by "the late prior of Coventre, unto one John Aston, nowe Curate of the p'rsshe of Sowe, in Augmentacon of hys lyvynge, for that the mynewte Tythes of the seyd p'rrshe ys worth but YJli. by yere to the Curate." It is valued at £4 in the Corporation Valor, 2 of Edward 6, at which time 78s. 2d. was paid out of it to the Vicar of Sow, by order of the King's Commissioners. In the RoU of PensionsJ, 1555, is a payment of 100s. to Rich. Smythe, formerly Incumbent of " Sheldon's Chauntrie, in Coventrie," which I conceive to be an error for Shepey's, being the nearest resembUng name amongst the actual Chantries in Coventry. By a reference to the plan of St. Michael's Church it will be seen that Eastward of the North transept (formed in part by the Girdlers' Chapel) is a side aisle, parallel with the Choir and Chancel, containing five large windows, the three Easternmost of which comprise the Drapers', or our Lady's Chapel, built about 1300. The other two windows bear a general resemblance to those in the Drapers' Chapel, but a slight inspection either of the exterior or interior of this part of the aisle will shew it to have been subsequently erected, though at no distant period. I conjecture, therefore, that here was Shepey's, or St. Lawrence's Chantry, which being founded 30 years after the Drapers' Chapel, perfectly accords with the minute variations in its architectural character, from that portion of the aisle, and the extract above given from the Drapers' Accounts, in 1612, shews that the fire-buckets belonging to this Company were hung in St. Laurence's Ghapiel, which, from the probabiHty of their selecting a situation as near to their own Chapel as possible, so materially strengthens this conjecture as to leave little doubt of its correctness. HAYE'S, or ALL SAINTS' CHANTRY, was founded in the 12 of Richard 2 (1388), by Henry del Hay, of Coventry, Girdler, and endowed with three messuages for the maintenance of one priest, to sing Mass daily at the Altar of All Saints,\\ for the good estate of Richard 2, Ann his Queen, and the said Henry, during their lives, and afterwards for the health of their souls. In the Survey, 37 of Henry 8 (1545), this Chantry is incorrectly said to be founded by Richard Hays ; the revenue is certified to be 21s. 7d., after deducting 9d. for reprisals, and was given " to one Henry Roundall, now Vyker of Foulsell, by the late Prior of Coventrye, whyche Chauntrye ys annexed to the seyd Vycaryge of Foulcell, in Augmen tacon of hys lyvyng there : and the seyd Vycaryge is worthe by yere but Ixxviijs." The Corporation Valor, 2 of Edward 6, is only 6s. 8d. per annum; 13s. lOd. being paid out of it, by order of the King's Commissioners, to the Vicar of FoleshiU. In the absence of any positive evidence where this Chantry was situated it might be conjectured, from the circumstance of the founder being a Girdler, that the priest officiated * Church Accounts. f Drapers' Accounts. J British Museum, 1816. II Cantaria Omnium S'ooram. — Patent RoUs. ST. Michael's church, coventey. 37 in the Girdlers' Chapel, which might be the case, notwdthstanding the Girdlers supported a Priest of their own (as probably was the fact) : to this it may be objected that the Girdlers' Chapel is obviously of more recent erection than the foundation of Haye's Chantry ; but it is equally evident that many Chantries must have been removed at the grand rebuilding and enlargement of the body of the Church, and probably this was in the number. PRESTON'S CHANTRY was founded by John Preston, Merchant, of Coventry, in the 13 of Henry 4*, 1412, for two priests to sing Mass daily, at the Altars of the Holy Trinity and the Blessed Virgin, within this Church, for the good estate of the said John Preston, during his Hfe, and for his soul after death, and the souls of his Parents and Benefactors, and all the faithful departed. To support this he gave six messuages and one shop, with a chamber over it, in Coventry, all which in the 26 of Henry 8, 1534,t were valued at £5. 9s. Od. per annum, beyond reprisals, but in the Survey, 37 of Henry 8 (at which time it appears there was but one priest), the clear yearly value was only £4. 6s. lid., and the presentation is therein stated to be " in the gyfte of the late pr'orye of Coventre." The Corporation Valor, 2 of Edward 6, is £3. 16s. 4d. In 1555, WUUam Mathew, formerly Chantry Priest here, received a pension of £4. 4s. lid. per annum. The Altar of the Virgin was in the Chapel dedicated to her, but the situation of the Trinity Altar has not been ascertained. CROSSE'S, or ST. KATHERINE'S CHANTRY, was also founded 13 HenryJ 4, 1412, by John Scarburgh, PhUip Baron, Laurence Cooke, and Thomas Henryes, who gave five messuages and £4. 6s. 6d. annual rent in Coventry, to the Mayor and Commonalty, and their successors for ever, to find a certain priest who should sing mass daily, at the Altar of St. Katherine, in St. Michael's Church, for the good estate of King Henry, during his life, and for his soul after his decease, as also for the soul of John Crosse,\\ late Merchant of Coventry, and the souls of all the faithful departed. The Trinity Gild celebrated the festival of St. Katherine, in this Chantry or Chapel, as appears by the following extract from the accounts of that fraternity : — " 36 Hen. 6 (1457) Exp' fee in festo s'ce Kat'ine. — Inp'mis in una pietanc' f'ca p'sbit'is de babl', vjs. viijd. " It'm in j cerge cere exspend' in ardend' ante Imagine s'ce Kat'ine in eccli'a s'ci Mich'is infra CapeUam d'ce Kat'ine, pond' vjli. iiij(?. It'm in oblac'one admissam, viijd. — Sma. vijs. viijd." Wm. Pisford, of Coventry, by will, dated May 2, 1517, directs his body to be buried in the Chapel of St. Katherine, in the Church of St. Michael,§ before the Image of St. John the EvangeHst, and beside his three wives. If He bequeaths also to the mending and renewing of such vestments as be belonging to one** Altar of St. Katherine, in St. Michael's Church, 20s. * Ad quod dampnum, 18 Hen. 4, 20. t Robert Abbott, Clerk, was then keeper of the Chantry. — Val. LJccl. X Ad quod dampnum, 18 Hen. 4, 28. || He was Mayor in 1894, and gave the Font to this Church. § 6s. Sd. to be paid for his burial. *i Annis, Joan, and Eleanor. '*'* From the peculiarity of this expression, and the fact of there certainly being an Altar dedicated to St. John, in the Church, and an Image of him in this Chapel, I am led to think St. John's Altar was here also. 38 ST. Michael's chuech, Coventry. In 1578, John Haddon, draper, gives "to the auter of Saint Kateryn, in wax, to be spent at masse tymes, vjs. viijcZ." In the Corporation Treasury is also the mutilated copy of a will, dated 10th of November, 36 of Hen. 8, 1544, only one year previous to the Survey, by which the Testator (whose name is lost) directs his Obit to be kept annually in " St. Kat'yns Chapell, in saynt MiohaeU's Churche," with eight Priests, two Clerks, and two Children of the said Church. This Chantry does not appear in the Survey, 37 of Hen. 8, 1545, and Dugdale after giving the account of its foundation as above, concludes, " But when this Chantry was dissolved or altered I find not." The Obit of the founder, John Cross, was kept by the Mayor, BaiUfis, and Commonalty, as appears under the head " Obits," and was continued until the supression of these Anniversaries by Edw. 6. From an undated memorandum in the Corporation Treasury, it seems this Obit was kept on the 13th February, and the Wardens paid 6s. 8d. annually towards it, which sum was "given to the priest in said Chantry," from which circumstance, it appears reasonable to conclude that the establishment continued until nearly the time of the dissolution ; for notwithstanding the Chantry Priest was certainly discontinued before the survey 37 of Henry 8, yet that the establishment of St. Katherine's Chapel remained until that time seems very evident from the preceding extracts and remarks. It is worthy of observation that the Obits kept by the Mercers' Company were solemnized in St. Katherine's Ghapel (vide Wood and Braytoft, in Obit list) ; and the Obits performed by the Company of Drapers were, as might be expected, kept in their own, or our Lady's Ghapel, from which I infer that the Mercers' Chapel was originally Crosse's Chantry, or St .Katherine's Ghapel, which coming by gradations, now impossible to define, under the care and patronage of that Company, lost its original appellation in the same manner as the term our Lady's Chapel gave way to that of the Drapers', which, even before the Reformation was called indifferently by either title ; and this will account for the Chantry not appearing in the Survey 37 of Hen. 8. Had the ancient documents of the Mercers' Company been preserved this would have been satisfactorily explained. PYSEFORD'S CHANTRY was founded only a few* years previous to the dissolution of these religious estabhshments by WilHam Pyseford, who endowed it with lands to the value of £26. 9s. Od. per annum, out of which was paid £20. Is. 4d. as under, and there remained £6. 7s. 8d. & a. d. Stipend to the Priest . . 6 0 Of Wine and wax used in the Church 0 10 To six poor persons in the Alms House, 74d. every week . 9 15 0 Two Obits . 1 10 0 William Wygston, Steward . .... 068 Humf. Walker, BaUiff . 10 0 This is the account in the survey, 37 of Hen. 8, wherein it is also stated, that " The seyd Chauntrye was ffounded by one Wyllm. Pyseforde, to thentent to ffynde on preste to syng Messe dayly w'tin the Churche aforseyde, and to fynde vj pore men and there wyves. And the seyd preste to have yerely * His will bears date 1515, but the precise time of his founding this Chantry does not appear. f In 1534 John Wygston was keeper (priest) of this Chantry, and he was paid his stipend of £6 bv the Master of Trinity Gild. •' ST. Michael's chuech, Coventry. 39 for hysstypend, vjli. aud ev'y the seyde vj pore men and there wyves suche as have bene honeste householders and now faulen in to decaye and pov'te, w'tin the same cyte ev'y weke vijd. ob'. ev'ry cople to pray for the soules of the seyde Wyll'm aud hys parens for ev'r." In the Corporation Valor, 2 Edw. 6, the income of Pisford's Chantry is stated to be £13. 6s. 8d., out of which £9. 15s. Od. was, by order of Sir Walter Mildmay and Robert Kelway, Esq., his Majesty's Commissioners, given to six poor men and their wives, 7|d. weekly to each "for the king's alms." As the founder of this Chantry was buried in St. Katherine's Ghapel (as were also his three wives), it is very probable his Chantry Priest officiated there. TAYLORS' and SHEARMEN'S CHANTRY.— "Of this Chantry's Foundation" (saith Dugdale) "I flnd nothing, but in the Survey of the 26 of Hen. 8, it was certified to be of the clear yearly value of £2. 16s. 6d. ob. per ann., over and above all reprises." The subsequent survey, 37 Hen. 8, is sUent with respect to this Chantry, and no other notice of it has occurred ; perhaps it may be in some degree confounded with the estabhshment of St. George's Ghapel, in Gosford street, at that time supported by the Company of Shearmen and Taylors. Certain it is, this Company had seats in St. Michael's Church, and their arms, in stained glass, are in one of the south clerestory windows, nearly over the spot formerly occupied by their sittings ; but this is not a necessary consequence of the Chantry, and without better evidence there must remain some degree of doubt as to its existence in this Church. [WiUiam Pyseford left 6s. 8^. to this craft towards their priests' wages. In 1584 John Scott was keeper of the Taylors' and Shearmen's Chantry. At this period they had a water mill and houses in Coventry. — Val. Eecl. In 1599 the Taylors paid the Churchwardens 4s. for 4 seats. — Ch. Accounts. By a record preserved in the Tower of London it appears that certain liberties were granted in the 19th year of the reign of Hen. 6 to the Taylors and Fullers.] TATE'S CHANTRY.— The first notice of this Chantry that I have met with occurs in the survey, 37 of Henry 8, which, under the above head, merely states that there was a certain annual pension of £5. 6d. 8d. paid by the Dyers' Company, in London, at four quarterly payments, to a Chantry Priest singing Mass daily in the Church of Saint Michael. In 1555 Thomas Elysson, the last Chantry Priest, received an annual pension of 100s. With respect to the time of its foundation, we are without any decisive information, but as no notice of the Chantry is found in the previous survey, 26 of Hen. 8, it seems reasonable to fix it betwixt those periods ; and the short duration of this establishment will account for the Httle information we possess respecting it. COPSTON'S CHANTRY.— This Chantry was originally attached to the Priory, and its early history was connected therewith, but at the dissolution it was transferred to Saint Michael's Church, and in the Survey, 37 of Hen. 8, is certified to be of the yearly value of £11. 7s. 2^d. The erroneous returns made by the Commissioners of this Sm-vey, with respect to the Pounding of the various Chantries, and other particulars connected with the establishments, have been before adverted to : in the present instance, without the slightest reference to its removal from the Priory Church a few years before, this 40 ST. Michael's church, Coventry. Chantry is stated to have been " founded by Wyll'm Copston, for the fyndyng one preste to synge Messe w'tin the seyd P'ishhe Church of Saynt Mychell." In the Corporation Valor, 2nd of Edw. 6, the revenue of this Chantry is stated to be £4. 13s. 8d. ST. MATTHEW'S CHANTRY.— Of this Chantry the only notice I have met with is an entry of the following receipt in the City Chamberlain's Accounts for 1547 : — It' for the murag of St. Mathewe's Chauntree, xviijd. There is no evidence of its being in this Church, or any date whereby to appropriate it, and the only motive for introducing the item here is a desire to preserve it for future iUustration. — (See Preston's Chantry, page 37.) ALTARS. Thomas Bradmedow, of Coventry, Draper, by WiU*, dated 1491, directs that 11 torches, price 2s. 4d., be given on every Good Friday, to St. Michael's Church, viz : one to every Altar. This determines the number of Altars at that time : and in the following attempt to par ticularize them, much historical and Ulustrative matter wrUl be introduced, tending to elucidate this portion of our ecclesiastical antiquities. HIGH ALTAR.— In 1401, AHce Wyschard, bequeaths, " sum'o altari sc'i Mich' ij.s." 1430. In the City Leet Bookf is the following article : " Hit is to have in mynde, yt hit is ordenyd that the Crafte of the wire drawers, shall kepe the Canape ov' the hye Aut'r in Saynt Mich' in Coven' as hit apparrith by indent'r made, the w'ch tenor folowithe iu thies wordes : " This indent'r witnessithe, that the furst day of September, the yer of the raign of kyng henr' the sixte, aft'r the conquest the ixth, John Sheldon (and 4 others), wardeins of the wire drawers, of the Citie of Coven' w't John Stafford (8 others), w't oy'r whurthy men of the same Crafte, in the name of all the p'sones of the Crafte, havyng hur devoc'on to AUmyghty God, & to the blessid Sac'ament, the w'ch is all C'isten mennys boleve, cousideryng a devout thyng callyd the new Canape, ov'r the awt'r in the church of saynt Michael's, of the said Cite, in the w'ch the blessid Sac'ament is wurthely at this tyme kepte, the wh'ch kepyng must have cost & rep'acon cam before Thom' Paynell, then maio'r of the said Cite (14 others named), & oy'r moo in saynt mary halle, p'aying & desiryng of devoc'on yt thei have to ye said sac'ament, & wm-ship to ye said Citie to have the kepyng and the gov'nance of the forsaid Canape, & all thyngs longyng y'rto. The w'ch the said Maior, and oy'r wurthy men, grauntyth them hur petic'on. And this indent'r is regestered in a boke, callyd the meyr's Regest'r, in saynt mary hall beforesaid, for p'petuall remembraunce y'rof to be had in tyme comyng." * Penes Drapers' Company. f fo. 56 b. ST. Michael's church, Coventry. 41 " 1493, John Wylgryse, Gent'n bequeaths to the High Altar, 3s. id." " 1495, A charge occurs in the Chamberlains' Accounts, of 32. given to ye newe wark of the high Aut'r of seynt Michael's." " 1517, Wm. Pisford bequeaths to the high Altar, for his forgotten Tithes GI. 13s. id." " 1518, John Haddon bequeaths "to the high awter of saint Michael's Chirch for tithes and offeryngs forgotten, xls." [Fox relates that in 1556 one Thomas Moore, of Leicester, being asked what he saw at the Altar in St. Michael's Church, Coventry, answered, "I see fine deaths with golden tasseUs, and other gay gere hanging about the Pix,* but what is in I cannot see."] OUR LADY'S ALTAR. — This was of course in the Chapel of that name, or Drapers' Chapel, under which head notices of it will be found. JESUS ALTAR. — By the following memorandum extracted from the Ancient Leetf Book, of this City, it appears that the Mass caUed Jesus Mass, was first used in Coventry, in 1464. " Md'quod in tempore Johannis Pynchebeke, major, tuncfuit missa do J 'lie incepta, per labore' predict! Joh'is Pynchebeke, anno Edwardi quarti quinto." [The MS. annals of the City record that in 1491 the Mass of Jesus in St. Michael's Church was in that year suspended.] In the Smiths' Company's Accounts, for 1469, is this entry : — " It' peid for wrytyng of the messe of the v wounds bf our lord viijd." In 1491 Thomas Bradmedowe bequeaths " to the mayntenaunce of the Messe of Jh'u weekly songen in the said Chirche, xs." 1492, " Sir RafEe, prest of Jh'u masse," admitted a Brother of the Smiths' Company. 1493, " John Wylgryse bequeaths 20d. to Jesus Altar." 1517, " An order of LeetJ was made, that every Oificer belonging to the Mayor, shall be ready to bring him to Jesus Mass, on the Friday, and after to wait upon him in the Market, tiU he go home to dinner on pain of 2d." 1518, John Haddon bequeaths to " Jh'us awter," for wax, 6s. 8d. We learn from the above particulars, that the Mass of Jesus commenced in Coventry anno 1464, during the Mayoralty of John Pynchbek, who was the cause of its being intro duced here ; that it was celebrated weekly, on Fridays : and that it was customary for the subsequent Mayors to attend this Mass, previous to their going into the Market : from which latter circumstance, connected with the fact of the Mass being begun in Coventry, through the means of one of the Mayors, it seems probable that he was also in some degree con sidered as its Founder, though no documents have been discovered to prove this. A priest was specially appointed thereto in 1492, as appears from the Smiths' extract, and so early as 1469 the same Company obtained a copy of the Mass service, but it must not hence be hastUy inferred that the Smiths' Company had any particular connection wdth the establish ment, since we know that their own regular Priest said Mass in the Smiths' or St. Andrew's Chapel, and we have the foUowing item in the Church Accounts, for 1563, relative to the situation of Jesus Altar, " Rec' for iiij Sets before Jh's awter, vs." which does not correspond with the presumed station of the Smiths' Chapel, that being too distant from the pulpit to have seats before it. * The casket in which the host was preserved. f ^°- 200. { fo. 324. 42 ST. Michael's church, Coventry. TRINITY ALTAR. — The two Chantry Priests, founded by Preston, were to sing Mass at the Altars of the Holy Trinity and the Virgin. ST. JOHN'S ALTAR.— In 1517, Wm. Pisford bequeaths £6. 13s. 4d. to this Altar, and in the account of Crosse's or St. Katherine's Chantry, I have suggested that it was probably in that Chapel. ST. ANNE'S ALTAR.— 1518, John Haddon bequeaths "to the awter of saint anne," 6s. 8d., for wax. ST. KATHERINE'S ALTAR, in the Chapel of that name ; further particulars of which will be found under the head, Crosse's Chantry. ST. THOMAS'S ALTAR, in the Cappers' or St. Thomas's Chapel. ST. ANDREW'S ALTAR, in the Smiths' Chapel. ST. LAURENCE'S ALTAR, in Shepey's Chantry. ALL SAINTS' ALTAR, in Haye's Chantry. The preceding list includes every Altar known to have existed in this Church ; and it is observable that it exactly completes the number specified in Bradmedowe's Will, anno 1491, before-mentioned. As an appendage to this article, a summary account is given below of the number of Priests belonging to St. Michael's Church at difierent periods, presenting an accurate view of this portion of the establishment at certain times previous to the Reformation. The Obit of WiUiam Whitchurch, 2nd of Henry 6, 1423, is ordered to be celebrated with 20 Priests belonging to St. Michael's Church. Richard Woode's, with 9 Priests. Richard Braytofte's, with 10 ditto. John Haddon' s, with 12 ditto. And Thos. Bradmedowe's, with 12 ditto. The general History of this Church contains, pp. 4 and 5, particulars of its officiating Ministers, consisting, in 1522, of a Vicar and 18 Priests, beside 6 Chantry Priests; and in 1533, a Vicar, Curate, and 13 Priests, exclusive of those belonging to the Chantries. An order of Leet* was made in 1491, respecting the Companies' Priests, in the following words : — Also, that all Crafts and mysteries w'tin this Cite, yt fynde P'sts to syng & pray for them, that they gyfe straitly in charge to their seid P'sts, to kepe the quer dayly, as well uppon the week dales as uppon the holydaes in encreasyng of dyvyn s'vice dayly to be songen in the P'ish Chirches of ye Cite." ' ¦^fo. 269, b. ST. Michael's church, Coventry. ' 43 OBITS, OR ANNIVERSARIES. The Trinity GUd annuaUy celebrated a general Obit in this Church, on the feast of the Annunciation, the charges whereof amounted to 6s.* The ensuing lists of Obits, kept in St. Michael's Church, is extracted from the Certificate of aU the Lands and Rents, given to the Maintenance of Obits, or Lights, within the County of Warwick, 1st of Edward 6, with occasional additions and illustrations : — Obits kept by the Mayor, BaiHffs, and Commonalty of Coventry. John Crosse (Mayor 1394). On the Sunday after St. Blase, Costs 13s. Id. Richard Ley (Mayor 1489). On the 2nd of March, Costs 12s. Id. WiUiam Forde. On Friday before Cleansing Week, Costs 26s. %d. — Amongst other charges is 2d., " for openyng the Altar." John Garton. On 31st of March, 26s. Sd. given to poor people, Costs 42s. 5d. f On 29th April, " in bread, ale, & wyne, iijs. iiij(^. ; to priests and clerks, iijs. viijd. ; to the Maior, to see the same donne, xxd. ; to ye M'r of the Trynytie Guilde there, xij(?. ; to ye M'r of Corpus X'pi Guilde there, xiid. ; to ye M'r of Saint John's, xijd. ; to the swearde bearer, viijd. ; for ryngyng, viijd. ; to the bellmanf, iiijrf. ; to the poore people, vjs. viijd. ; for the paulis of bothe the guildis, viijd. ; for wax, vj^. ; for settyng the herse and oHrynge, iijd. — Som'e, xxjs. vd." Simon Birches. On 20th May, Costs lis. id. Richard Sharpe (Mayor 1432). On 1 Sth of June, Costs 31s. Id. John Smythe. On 1st of August, Costs 6s. 3d. William Whitchurche (Mayor 1400). On Saturday before the Assumption, " bestowing yearely thereat in breade Sc wyne, vs. vjd. ; in chese, viijd. ; to priests and clerks, iiijs. ijd. ; to the Maior, to see this doone, iijs. iiijfi. ; for ryngynge, viijd. ; for the paule, and to the bellman, viijd. ; for waxe, vjd.; to the poore people, vjs. viijd. ; for settyng the herse and ofEeringe, iijd. — Som'e, xxijs. vd." By the original tripartite Indenture§, dated the 20th of January, 2nd of Henry 6, 1423, it appears that WilHam Babyngton, Chief Justice of the King's Bench, and William Botoner, of Withybrook, Feoffees of Agnes, the late wdfe of Whitchurch, conveyed a Messuage, in Earl Street, to the Mayor, BaUiifs, and Commonalty of Coventry, on condition that the City Chamberlains should for ever cause this Obit to be kept in the Chapel of St. Laurence the Martyr, with 20 Priests, belonging to St. Michael's Church (and other particular directions), at the charges of 20s. The Mayor, BaiHfis, and Commonalty, covenant to pay 40s. annually to the Trinity GUd, in case the Chamberlains neglect to keep the Anniversary, as appointed; and in this event, the Master of the Gild (who is a party to the deed) covenants to perform it, and that every Master of the said GUd shaU annually be sworn to keep the Anniversary in manner and form prescribed. Edmund Brogreve (Mayor 1448). On the Vigil of St. Thomas the Apostle, Costs 25s. lid. Richard Stoke (Mayor 1858). On the Eve of Thomas k Becket, Costs 14s. 9(?. Henry Butler, Recorder from 1454 to 1488. On New Year's Eve, Costs 19s. lid. Obits kept by divers Companies. Richard Wood and Margery his Wife. By the Mercers, in St. Katherine's Chapel, on the Friday before the Purification, Costs 16s. 2d. * Accounts of Trinity Gild. f Name wanting in the original. J For giving notice of the Obit. § Original penes T.S. 44 ST. Michael's church, Coventry, Richard Braytofte, (Mayor 1443 and 4.) By the same Company, and in the same Chapel, on the Feast of St. Anne, Costs 22s. ?,d. John Haddon (Mayor 1499.) By the Drapers' Company, in our Lady's Ghapel, inter alia, " for a drinckynge aft'r the Obit, for the fellowshipp of the Drapers, Priests, Sc Clarks, xs." Costs 34s. 0\d. Thomas Bradmedowe (Mayor 1462.) By the same Company, and in the Chapel of Our Lady, Costs 18s. id. John Symonds. By the same Company, Costs 22s. id. Isabel Povie. By the Cardmakers, in St. Thomas's Chapel, Costs 6s. 6d. Richard Norris. By the same Company, and in the same Chapel, Costs 8s. id. Thomas Forman By the Smiths' Company, Costs is. Roger WaUeys. By the same Company. Costs 6s. 2d. Richard Plumpton. By the Churchwardens of St. Michael, Costs 10s. id. John Colame, or Colman. By the same, Costs 10s. William Cooke, of Coventry. By the same. Costs 6s. Id. — He was a merchant of the Staple of Calais, and, in 1522, gave certain property for the celebration of an Obit, or anniversary Mass, on the day of his burial. William Pisford, also by Will, dated May 2, 1517, directs an Obit to be annually per formed for him, on the day of his decease, with 10 Priests, 2 Clerks, 2 Choristers, &c., &c., amounting to 20s. 6d., as follows : — [To ten Priests id. a piece, to two Clerks id., to two Choristers 2d., for lights Gd., for setting forth of the hearse 2d., for the pall 2d., for ringing 8d., to the Bellman id., for bread and ale 20d., spice 20d., in wine 20(?., to the Mayor 20d , to the Steward Gd., to the Sword-bearer id., to the Poor People 6s. 8d ] In 1520, 12th of Henry 8, Letys, Widow of John Saunders, enfeoSs* certain persons in Penny Field, of the yearly value of 46s. 8d., for the use of Corpus Christi Gild, on con dition of their keeping an Obit on the 2nd of August, yearly, in St. Michael's Church, for the souls of John Saunders, and Letys, Agnes, and Alice, his wives, as is commonly used for men of worship in this City. And in the Corporation Valor, 2nd of Edward 6, I flnd a charge of 16s. 2d. for the Obit of Richard Ward, payable out of three Messuages in Coventry, not included in the Certiflcate from which the preceding extracts are made. LIGHTS. Guy de Tyllebrooke,t Vicar of this Church, between the years 1279 and 1293, gives to God and the Church of St. Michael, for the sustaining one Lamp, before the High Altar there, all his lands and buildings, on the South side of St. Michael's Church, in frank almoigne ; so that WiUiam OoUe, of Coventry, and his heirs, hold the same for supporting the said light and its appendages, day and night for ever, with good oil and a clear lamp ; reserving to the Prior 6s. per annum, and to his own heirs Id. at Easter annually. The Churchwardens are empowered to distrain for non-performance, and for each day and night the light is not well supplied, a fine of 2d. is to be paid by the possessors of his lands and tenements, towards the building of the said Church, and a like sum to the Archdeacon of Coventry. And all persons who shall convert this gift to any other use, directly or indirectly, shall, ipso facto, incur the malediction of Almighty God, the Blessed Virgin, St. Michael, and All Saints. The witnesses are Thomas, (Pavi), Prior of Coventry; Reginald, Subprior; Robert de Billesley, Sacrist; Sir Nicholas de Segrave, Sir Geofirey de Longueville, and many others. '* Original in Treasury. f Original penes T. S. ST. Michael's chuech, Coventry. ' 45 By another Deed,* executed at the same time, and having the same Witnesses, WiUiam CoUe acknowledges receiving the aforesaid land and buildings of Guy de Tyllebrooke, on the terms recited in preceding deed, and swears on the EvangeHsts faithfully to perform aU the Covenants, on pain of the greater excommunication. By a third deed, bearing date on the day of Pentecost,t 1350, Henry le Pleur and his Wife, after reciting the original grant, undertake to WiUiam Luff", Master of St. Mary's Gild, and Sir Richard Baddesley, priest and brother of the same Gild, the keeping of the said Lamp (for the health of their souls, and the souls of their parents), binding themselves and their heirs, for due performance of the premises, with a covenant of distress, for neglect and fines as before, together with a like malediction. The nature of this last deed will be better understood when it is known that, subsequently to the original grant, St. Mary's Hall (which belonged to the Gild of that name), had been erected upon the land and site of the buildings charged by Guy de Tyllebroke with sup porting the aforesaid Lamp, and Henry le Fleur and his Wife hereby exonerate the Brethren of the Gild from this charge. VESTMENTS. VESTMENTS. — Under this head, the first extract for our purpose, is from the City Leet Book, J which records as follows : — 1426. " Memorand' yat ye iij day of Januar', the forseid Mair (Giles Allesley,) did come|| afore him c'tein p'sones in sainte maiie halle, yei beyng ye chirche Reves of saint Migel's, of Coventre, and asked of yayme ye dettes yt were owyng of ye tyme of kyng henri ye iiij, to go to ye use of ye vestiments of ye forseid chirche. And so yei giving good wiUe, g'aunted, as a RoUe wole make menc'on, ye whiohe is in ye maires bagge, of ye which ye asketh alowance of his charge." In the account of Trinity Church, under the above head, will be seen a somewhat similar extract, dated on the 6th of February following ; and at the close of the two articles, the amount is given " S'ma xxxvZi. vs. jd." They are so obscurely worded as to leave it a matter of some doubt whether or not this was money borrowed from the City purse, or of other persons, for the purchase of Vestments, in the time of Henry 4, and which the Mayor and Council now discharged the Churchwardens from claiming allowance for the amount; yet such appears to be the most plausible construction of these entries. The next article, in point of chronology, is the gift of a gown of " gold tissue, furred with a furre of marturn sabuU," by King Henry the 6th, to this Church ; the particulars of which, as also of his attending high mass here on Michaelmas day, 1451, have already been given. Anno 1517, WilHam Pisford wills, that there be bought four Copes of a suit,§ and to be given to the Church of St. Michael, in Coventry, to the value of £40 or £50. * Original penes T. S. f Original in Treasury Box, 85, No. 128. X Fo. 43. II calle seems to be required here, and is the word used in the entry immediately ensuing, respecting Trinity parish. § Vestments for Bishops and Priests. 46 ST. Michael's church, Coventry. In 1518, John Haddon, bequeaths " a sewte of Vestments of blak velvet, of the price of yU. sterling." 1558, "This day,"" the Churchewardens of the P'ishe Churche of seynt Michell, brought into the councell house, a suyt of vestyme'ts of blewe velvet, a Canopee of clothe of gold and a baner clothe of blak velvet whiche thei before had receyved out of the councel house ; and also another Coopp of blewe p'ple velvet, Sc two Auter Clothes of white damaske." COMMUNION PLATE, &c. No Inventory, or account of the Church plate before the Reformation, has been dis covered, and the earliest item is in 1564. " pd for a new Com'union Cupe mayd off a Challis." 1684, Simon Norton,t Mayor. " At a Council House, held 12 March, 1683 — 4. Forasmuch as there hath been anciently in ye Treasury of this Citie, a cloth of gold, charged to the Maiors of this Citie, in the Indenture of the citie's plate, by the name of a Paul, wch hath been divers times used in hanging about the pulpit at extraordinarie times, partly iu respect, it is conceived, that the same hath been an ancient ornament of the church, & for that it appereth the citie hath not any use for the same — this house being informed that it will make a fit and convenient cloth to cover the communion table, in the parish Church of St. Michael, in the sd citie. It is therefore agreed, and this house doth freely aud absolutely bestow Sc give that cloth of gold, unto the said Parish Church for the purpose aforesaid. And it is ordered, that in the Indenture of the citie's plate, the same shall be put out, Sc that neither the Maior that now is, or which hereafter shall be, shall in any wise be chargeable with yt clothe." In an Inventory of the Church goods, dated the 11th of April, 1659, is as follows : — " Item One large Silver and gilt Bole. One Silver Sc gilt Bole, wt a Cover & some Gilt uppon it. 4 boules of silver with Covers, of Mr. Walden's Guift. 2 Reere boules the Churchwardens' Guift. 1 large Silver flagon, the guift of Mr. Henry Smyth, and others. 1 Carpet being Cloth of tishue " (the Gift of the Corporation above described). " 1678, The Lady Bridgeman gave a Carpett of redd Silke Damaske, with a Silke and Sylver Fringe." N.B. This was formerly used occasionally to cover the pulpit. " 1683, Sept. 2. The Lord Bishop of this dioses gave this Church a Large Silver Plate." " 1684, pd for a new Bole, and changeinge the plate, £20." The robbery of the Church, in 1786, has already been noticed; and from thence until 1804 the parish continued without any Church plate, but at that time, the late Mrs. Yardleys presented the Parish with a new and handsome set, consisting of a flagon, two cups with stands and covers, and two dishes, all of silver gilt, and weighing 140 ounces. * Council House Book, p. 19. f Council House Book, p. 623. ST. Michael's chuech, Coventry. 47 ROOD LOFT. The situation of this is easily discovered by the traces of a door in the large pillar, on the North side of the Choir, within which are stairs communicating with the high roof of the Church, and formerly serving also, as an ascent to the Rood Loft or Gallery, which ex tended across the entrance into the choir, at the elevation marked out by the door before- mentioned. [It also gave access to the Rood Loft, which extended across the west end of the Lady Chapel. A similar winding stair exists in the south pillar, by means of which access is gained to the roof of the Mercers' Chapel and South Aisle : and which also formerly communicated with the Rood Lofts of both the Choir and Mercers' Chapel.] On this was placed the Rood or Cross, with the flgure of our Saviour upon it, and Images of the Virgin and St. John, with probably several other Saints : lights were kept continually burning beside them, which were generally supported by pious individuals, or pubHc bodies : — to this, in St. Michael's Church, the Company of Drapers were contributors, as is seen in the ensuing extracts : — In the Book of Orders of that Company, compUed in 1534, /rom old and ancient Boohs, is the foUowing : — Allso hyt ys a greed, yt ew'y mastr shaU paye for ew'y prentys, toward the lyghte in ye Rode loft, and ew'y Juineman, iiij(Z. and (if) he have no prentys, to pay for hymsellfe, iiij(?. Amongst the receipts of this Company, in 1534 : — " It'm, rec'd for ye Rode lyght money, xvs. Payments. — " It'm, payd for the Rode lyght to Enderbe, xiijs. iiij(?. 1545, It'm, payd for tendyng the lyght in ye Rod loft, xvjd." CHANCEL, QUIRE, AND ALTAR. [The chancel (measuring from east to west, and inclusive of the apse) is 93 ft. 3 in. in length, 32 ft. 8 in. in breadth, and 49 ft. 5 in. in height.* It is separated from the adjoining chapels by three arches, the central one on each side being wider than the others, the south-east arch near the vestry door having a peculiar twist, owing probably to a settling of the foundation. The apse is five-sided, and the clerestory has six windows on each side fiUed with perpendicular tracery, and having a series of quarterfoiled panels along the bases of each, the mullions being continued down to the arches. The roof is of very slight pitch, of panelled oak, with carved bosses at the intersections of the timber framing. There is no chancel arch, and no indication of provision having been made for one.] * As given by the late Mr. W. Reader. 48 ST. Michael's church, Coventry. " 1618, pd for making Sc gilding Stars (for the Chancel roof).'"* " 1689, pd for Frames, for Lord's prayer, the beleite, Sc Comaundements, il. pd for workinge them, GI. 10s. pd for 81 bookes of gold, 31. 5s. id. pd for oyle, for couUers for them, 11. 8s. id. pd for iron crampes for Stone battlem'ts, and irons to hange the 3 tables, 11. 5s. id. pd for chipping the pillers & masonry aboute ye battlem'ts, dl. 13s. pd John Atkinson, for writinge 10 Co'p'tementes, 21. 17s. 8d. pd Thomas Hopes, for writinge 16 do. 51. 18s." " 1640, pd for layeing the small piUers in the East wyndowe, in oyled CoUours, and for quarryes within the rayles of the Communion table, il. 10s. payd for skaleing the small pillers in ye east windowe, 26s. 8d." " 1645, pd Hopes, for puttinge out 4 Incense Cupps on the heads of the 2 Comp'tments, in the Chancell, and for putting out the 4 Golden I'res, in the name of Jesus, Is." To this striking instance of fanaticism might be added the sale of the Brass Eagle, taking down the Font, and removing a Cross from the top of the Mercers' Chapel, all in the same year. We are now come to the period when the late Altar-piece was put up, and the Chancel underwent an alteration, wherein it is matter of much regret that the good taste of the directors and contributors was not equal to their liberality. As the fitting up of a modern Church, it would have been deservedly called a handsome, costly, and appropriate Altar- piece, but here it was almost everything it should not be. Utterly discordant with the venerable and majestic structure which contained it, it could only excite disgust instead of pleasure ; and the inteUigent visitor to this noble Church must have lamented that a more appropriate and consistent finish was not given to the beautifully arranged east end, the form of which (so unusual in Parish Churches) affords an opportunity of displaying the abilities and correct taste of a competent Architect to great advantage. But to return from this digression, it appears that in 1 743, Mr. Joseph Vernon, having bequeathed £42 to the Church, in case a new Altar-piece should be put up within two years after his decease, a subscription was entered into in furtherance of the plan; and in 1747, Mr. Hiorne, of Warwick, engaged to take down the old Altar-piece, and make two wings, in stucco work, according to his design given in, for £43. 18s.t Some alterations were in the ensuing year made in the plan, and both the Chancel and Altar floors raised : it was also determined to have mahogany rails before the Altar, at the charge of 20 guineas. [The old Communion Table and Rails were removed in 1 748 by Thomas Wormlayton to the west end of the Church; the table is now placed in St. Andrew's Chapel, and is used for the distribution of the weekly doles of bread. The rails (the carving of which is particularly grotesque) were a few years since temporarily removed to the Chapel of St. Mary, Red Lane. The Altar-piece, which was of Italian style, covered the lower half of the east windows of the Apse. The Centre-piece was a painting representative of the Descent from the Cross.] The following extracts are from the Church Accounts : " 1747, pd. Mr Hiorne, of Warwick, for taking down and raising the Altar piece, 231. 18s. Gd." " 1748, pd. Mr. Wright, for the stocco for the wings of the altar, G51. pd. for the frames for the curtains of ditto, 21. lis." * This ornamentation includes only the apse and one bay of the chancel. f In 1744 the Drapers' Company gave ten guineas towards thia altar-piece. ST. Michael's church, Coventry. 49 pd. for painting the curtains, 181. 18s. Cloth for do. 21. 9s. lOd. pd. for the rails of the altar, and erecting the first new stalls, 531. pd. for the remaining part of the stalls and Communion table frame, 501. IDs. pd. for the marble steps and raising ground at the altar, i9l. Is. Gd. pd. for the iron gates, 71. 7s. Ipd. Mr. Downes, for painting and gilding. 111. 17s. 3d. pd. Mr. Hiorne, for the marble slab, 10/. 10s." As no item of charge appears for the Painting (over the Communion Table), and orna- m.ented Marble compartment, in which it is placed, I conclude the expense was defrayed out of Mr. Vernon's Legacy, and the Parish Subscription. 1750, The parish agreed to borrow 2001. at 3^ pr. cent, for 3 years, to discharge the debts for ornamenting the East end of the Church. [In course of the restorations the whole of the incongruous altar piece, with the monu ments and wainscoting were cleared away, and the windows restored to their former depth. Traces of the original reredos were discovered, but in too mutilated a condition to be restored, and were altogether removed. In 1860 a new reredos was erected from designs by Mr. James Murray, an architect of this city. The central portion consists of flve cusped and foliated arches, very highly enriched, having crocketed pediments over the arches, with pinnacles between, and a pierced parapet connecting the whole series. Within each of these recesses is a group in fuU relief representative of one of the great sacrifices ; Abel, Noah, Melchisedek, Abraham, and our Lord's last supper with his disciples. The arcading is continued in plainer style beneath the other four windows, the arches being supported by piers of Devonshire marble. Within the head of each arch is a medallion of one of the apostles or prophets, all of which are turned eastwards. Between each of the windows is an elaborate niche containing a figure of an evangehst, the outside niches having angels bearing scrolls inscribed with suitable texts. The material used is Bath and Caen stone. In 1866 a still further improvement was accomplished. The chancel and apse were paved with encaustic tiles, two series of marble steps being constructed within the apse, the upper series forming a platform on which is placed the altar, at the back of which is a stone rotable bearing the candlesticks. This raising the altar has obstructed the view of the reredos, which is much to be regretted, and might have been avoided by placing the table forwarder. The table itself is modern, not at all in character with its surroundings. It is covered with a rich crimson velvet cloth embroidered with gold and coloured silk. Sittings for the clergy officiating, with suitable desks and kneelings, with a new brass altar rail from the Skidmore's Art Company's works, complete the fittings. There is no sedilia or piscina.] In the church accounts I find the Quire, or Choir, distinguished by three several appellations, viz., the new, the little, and the great ; and from a comparison of the various items given below with the church itself, it is evident that the great quire is the portion com prising the two eastern bays of the present chancel; and the new or little quire (for both mean the same thing) the remaining bay terminating at the rood pillars. " 1563, Rec. for seats abowt the new quier, iiijs. " 1589, pd. for makynge ij seats in ye lyttel Quear, iijs. " 1612, pd. to Arthure Browne, for wrytynge aboute the greate*' quere, xj.s. " 1621, pd. for painting both the Galleries in the Quire, GI. 18s. id. pd. for enlarging the little Gallery, on South side the Quire, 31. 10s. pd. for building a new Gallery on the north side the Quire, 121. 19s. lOd. * Painting the Commandments, Creed, and Lord's Prayer probably. 50 ST. Michael's chuech, Coventry. [It appears from an entry in the City Council book, November 20th, 1600, that the Wardens of the City were, from that time, to pay to the Wardens of St. Michael's Church for the seats of the Mayor, his wife, and the Sheriffs, three seats, 40s., annually. In 1636 a question seems to have been raised as to the City's right to the seats in the Chancel, for on November 20th an order was made that the best legal opinion should be had upon it. 1685, September 10. Ordered that this Corporacion give twentie markes towards wainscoateing the ChanceU in Si^Iichaell's Church, and other necessary repaires about the said Chancell, C.C.B.] VESTRIES. The original and most ancient Sacristry, or Vestry, is on the North side of the Chancel, and consists of a series of 3 Chambers, the last being behind the Altar, as may be seen in the ground plan of the Church. The Room on the South side, now used as a Vestry, is of much more recent erection, and evidently an^xcrescence, forming no part of the original plan of the beautiful Bast end of this Church. [It has been suggested eventually to restore and continue the Ancient Sacristry entirely round the Apse, as originaUy intended, and thus supersede the present Vestry, which is in shape Hke a ship's cabin, and contains a few ancient stalls and chests, with the necessary recesses for the robes of the clergy and choir. One of the chests, containing the Church books, is of large size and is richly carved. Within this Vestry the Probate Court was formerly held.] A few items, connected with the subject of the Vestry now in use, are given below : " 1604, pd. for stufle to perfume Sc ayre the vestrie, iiij(^." " 1678, pd. for Imbatteling the Vestry, 1^. 0.s. 8^." " 1697, pd. to 4 men that helped at the Fire'*, in the Vestry, and for beer, 6s." " 1698, rec. for old burnt silver, wch belonged to ye parish, 16s. 3d." " 1750, ordered that a new door into the Vestry, out of the Mercers' Chapel be made, with stone steps, convenient and handsome." CONSISTORY COURT. This was formerly held in, the Chapel of our Lady, or Drapers' Chapel; and the following entries in the Church Accounts refer to the fitting of it up, and preparing for a meeting in it, in 1634. " Paiements for the Consistorie : — 400 paving quarries, at 2s. Gd. per hundred, 10s. 3 rodds of Iron, to hold up the head of the Wainscott, 4s. 3 Burthen of Rushes, strewing and flowers. Is. Gd. For Wainscott for the Consistory and a Table, 9^. lis. pd for washing and brushing the Chapell, 2s. Sd." * The Register was destroyed by this Fire, aud other articles of value burnt. It is also recorded in the City Annals, that in 1569, "the Register Books of St. Michael's Parish were destroyed by some who were so eacrer to burn Popish Books, that they burned the Registers, because they had some marks of Popery in them." ti' ST. Michael's church, covenI^ry. 51 t THE NAVE. [This important part of St. Michael's Church is remarkable for its extremely light and graceful appearance ; its long range of tall and slender columns and arches of vast span are truly grand, and strike the spectator with surprise, whilst the noble range of Cler^ory windows above pour in a flood of light which only wants the mellowing aid of stained glass throughout to produce the most beautiful effect. The roof is of low pitch, of oak, panelled, with carved bosses at the intersections, the tie-beams and other principal timbers being moulded, and the whole of the exterior covered with lead. The Nave is separated from the aisles by six arches on each side, resting on lofty piers, each bay of the Clerestory having two windows flUed with perpendicular tracery, which is continued down from the transome to the top of the arches in panels, simUar to those in the Chancel. An extra window is added to the northern Clerestory west of the aisles, and one over the west door. The union between the nave and chancel has never been completed, as may be seen by observing the unflnished state of the great piers : many ofthe muj^ons too have imperfect bases. On the western faces of the rood piers are canopied niches, flUed in March, 1861, with statues of SS. Peter and Paul. By reference to the western wall it will be seen that the former nave was of considerably less altitude than the present one, the Hne of the old roof being distinctly traceable ; portion of the tower lights being also seen below the present roof. The width of the original nave is also shown by the portion of its northern wall still attached to the tower. The length of the Nave is 157 ft. by 52 ft. 8 in. : the entire length of the church internally is 240 ft., its breadth at the west end 119 ft. 3 in. The sittings are all of oak, with carved panelled ends. The free seats occupy the centre aisle, and are plain open benches fitted with backs, book boards, and kneelings. The pave ment of the nave and aisles consists chiefly of inscribed stones, but few of which occupy their original positions. The remainder of the flooring is of red and blue tiles, but a few fragments of the old encaustic pavement may stiU be seen in St. Andrew's Chapel.] PORCHES. [There are four principal entrances to this Church, three of which have external Porches. The south Porch, opposite St. Mary's HaU, is the most ancient, and though now in a line with the south wall of the adjacent Chapels, formerly projected beyond the south aisle. The addition of the Dyers' and St. Thomas's Chapels has destroyed the external appearance of this feature. The outer door has a trefoil-headed arch, the roof groined with stone. The western Porch is deep, and projects on the north side of the tower ; roof elaborately groined, and the external face restored. The north Porch is shallower than the others ; a flight of steps communicate with the Churchyard. The roof is of stone, groined; and appears to have formed a balcony within the Church. The doors of these three entrances are apparently original, and are of massive perpendicular work. There was formerly a doorway at the west end of the south aisle; this was superseded many years since by the south-west door opposite St. Mary's Hall. A small priest's door opposite St. Mary's Street, gives access to the Mercer's Chapel.] ST. MICHAEL S CHURCH, COVENTEY. THE PULPIT. The old Pulpit is peculiarly elegant and appropriate in its design and ornaments, and appears to be about the date 1409.* It formerly stood near the flrst pUlar westward from the north Rood pier, and by an entry in the Church accounts for 1602 it appears that a canopy (somewhat resembUng the one removed at the restoration) was then suspended over it, though afterwards substituted by an unsightly oak sounding-board, utterly discordant with the design of the Pulpit. " 1602, pd for payntyng and varnyshynge the pulpytt, and the tester and pinacle over it." " 1644, pd for settinge upp the Canopie of the pulpitt heigher, and cuttinge the rodd shorter, &c., 2s. Gd." " 1635, pd for payntyng the pulpitt after the Canopie was raised, Is. Gd." " 1639, pd for taking down & setting up the Coronet, 5s. Mending the Coronet of the pulpit, 4s. Gd. — A Quire of Royal paper for it. Is. 8d. pd for couUers & paynting the pulpitt." The usual appendage of an hour-glass was not wanting to this Pulpit, as wiU be seen in the ensuing items : — [" 1586, Payed for an howre glasse, iiij(?." — Church Accounts.] " 1602, pd for ij greate houre glasses, ijs. vjd. pd for the pyllar whereon the houre glass standeth and for Iron work to the same, ijs. viijd." " 1687, pd for a pillar of Iron for the houre glass, & for payntinge it redd, 2s. Gd." " 1640, pd for altering the staffe of the Hower glasse, and for gilding it and the glasse, 15s." " 1693, pd for guildiug of the Irons w'ch beare ye houre glass, 9s." [At the general restoration of the Church this pulpit was removed to the western side of the south rood pier, cleared from its paint, its carvings restored, and an appropriate stair and handraU fltted thereto. The Pulpit is of oak, hexagonal in form, each face having two compartments formed by ogee arches in the head, richly ornamented with cusps, foliations, crockets, and flnials : it is supported on a pillar with moulded base. In 1869 a new memorial Pulpit was erected in its place ; it is hexagonal in form, constructed chiefly of brass, with brass columns at tho angles, having richly foliated capitals, connected by an elaborate cor nice, in which is an open tracery bearing polished agate, cornelian, and onyx stones. The panels are of open brass work, having sacred monograms and emblems in their centres. Beneath these panels is a belt of rich interlaced foliage, resting on a massive moulding, which unites the bases of the columns. The pedestal is chiefly of wrought-iron, most artistically but conventionally treated : the whole of the ironwork being gilt and coloured. The steps are of oak, with brass handrail, and wrought-iron supports, detached from the Pulpit. It was executed by the Skidmore's Art Manufactures Company. A band of brass bears the following inscription in church-text characters : — " To the glory of God, and in loving memory of Ernest Edward, their only son, this pulpit was erected in this Church by Robert Arnold and Sarah Dalton, Easter Day, 1869."] '* Gentleman's Magazine, Sep., 1 852. ST. Michael's church, Coventry. 53 READING DESK. [The old Reading Desk occupied a position west of the pulpit, on the north side of the nave; it was of oak, square in form, and decorated with carving of late and inferior character, and was large enough to accommodate two officiating clergy at the same time. At the re-seating of the Church it was removed, and a massive Prayer Desk substituted, consisting of a solid oak book board, supported on chamfered and bracketed ends, connected by perforated panelwork ; this was placed on the southern side of the north pier. In October, 1869, it was superseded by one of metal, similar in design to the Pulpit, and executed by the same company. The book board is of oak, and has beaten metal ornaments round the hollows of the moulding. The centre piece of the design is the emblematical figure of the Lamb.] LECTERN. The city MS. annals record that in 1358 William Botoner gave the brass eagle to St. Michael's Church ; it stood in the little quire, just at the entrance into the chancel, and in the centre of the aisle. " 1564 It'm pd for skoreinge the egoU, vjd." — Church Accounts. [" 1564 paid for the stoUe before the egell & neylles, iijd." — Church Accounts.] " 1 602 pd for settinge up an other desk upon the back of the egle, viijd." [" 1626 two long seats striking through the little quier as farr as the eagle. — Fragment in vestry.] The charge for scouring or cleaning the eagle occurs regularly until 1645, when it was condemned by the ruling powers and sold.* " 1645 Rec'd of Chamberlaine Smyth for ye eagle and foote, sold by order of a vestry, for 5d. the lb. — SI. 3s. id. — It must, therefore, have weighed 392 lbs. [An oak lectern with double sides, turning on a plain octagonal pillar with moulded base, was placed in the choir at the restoration. In 1867 a new brass lectern was substituted : its base is hexagonal in form, bearing on its faces enamelled medallions of the four evangelists and the emblem of the cross — on this rises a shaft supporting a ball, on which rests an eagle with out-stretched wings bearing the book rest. Connected with the base and shaft by open tracery are three standards having richly ornamented capitals, two of these are fitted with holders for wax lights. This is also the work of the Skidmore's Art Manufactures Company. Round the base is the foUowing inscription : — " To the glory of God and for the use of St. Michael's Church, Coventry, this lectern has been placed in this church from a legacy by the late John Royle, SoUcitor of this city, MDCCCLXVII."] * The money to be used in repairing the leads and battlements. 54 ST. Michael's church, Coventry, FONT. The earliest notice respecting the Font is an article in the City MS. Annals, recording that John Crosse, who was Mayor in 1394, "built the Font, in St. Michael's Church." In 1602 is a charge " for payntinge the fonte and the pinacle over it ;" and another in 1618, for painting the font and mending the Cover, but it is doubtful whether this was the Font given by Crosse. From certain items in the Church Accounts given below it is evident, however, that the Font then in use did not accord with the puritanism of the time (being probably ornamented with carved figures of Saints, or some more objectionable representa tions), a new one was in consequence had, and the old Font removed. " 1645, pd for levellinge Sc paveinge, where ye old font stood, 2s. pd for makinge the new font, 11. pd for makinge the top or bole of the new font, 13s. pd the pewterer for making the bason, 9s. pd Hopes, for couUeringe & guildinge the font, 11. 12s." In an Inventory of the Church Goods, in 1659, the following articles belonging to the old Font are found : — " 1659, Item, the Cover of the old Font. It'm 2 wyre Chaynes belongeing to the old Font. Some marble Stones belongeing to the old font" (and in a subsequent hand is added) " set up in the font againe." And the MS. Annals mention that, in 1662, "the Font was set up in St. Michael's Church again." This new setting up of the Font, I apprehend, was only a partial alteration of the Reformed one of 1645, above mentioned. It is octangular, with rude, sHght, and incorrect, trefoil-headed compartments. [A new oval font of white veined marble, with a flat mahogany cover, and raised on a series of steps, was presented by Lord Eardley (who represented Coventry between 1790 and 1796), the old one being placed in the Dyers' Chapel, and subsequently painted stone colour ! At the restoration the fonts changed places, the more ancient one, the basin of which is of Purbeck marble, being cleaned from its coating of paint and placed on a free stone basement in front of the organ. It has latterly been again removed to the west end of the north aisle, it being in contemplation to form the Dyers' Chapel into a Baptistery, in which will be placed a new font, more suitable to this noble Church. The marble font has been placed in the Mission Chapel, Whitefriars' Lane.] ORGAN. Very Httle of early date is recorded. In 1505 "John Gylbard, organ player of seynt mych'," was admitted a member of the Corpus Christi Gild. In 1554 and 1556 items appear of payments on account of a pair of orgaynes belonging to the Drapers' Chapel (see page 27); from thence until 1730 we are without an item, unless a charge in the Church Accounts for 1676, of 16s. for gilding a pipe, refers to the Organ. ST. Michael's church, Coventry. 55 In 1 730 an Order of Vestry was made, that a Faculty should be obtained for erecting the Gallery on which the present Organ stands ; and on the 22nd of August, 1 733, Dr. Thomas Deane was chosen Organist, wdth a salary of £40 per annum ; himself engaging to play twice every Sunday, and provide an able Organist to officiate every Wednesday and on holy days. These entries serve to show when the Organ was built, but it is something remarkable that no other traces of its erection exist in the Parish Books, with the single exception of the foUowing entry : — " 1743, pd Mr. Rd. Bosworth the Balance for the Organ, 59Z. Os. Gd." The builder of this Organ was Mr. Thomas Swarbrick,* a German, of Warwick, who certainly performed his engagement to the parish in a most creditable manner ; few churches or even cathedrals being possessed of so complete and fine-toned an instrument. The celebrated Handel performed once or twice upon this Organ, and gave his decided testimony in favour of its excellence ; peculiarly commending the Double Diapason, Vox Humana, and Bassoon Stops. The SweU is much admired for its compass, sweetness, and admirable efiect, and there was formerly also a Swell in the Choir Organ, a circumstance of very unusual occurrence. It is highly probable that the Organ was purchased by subscription,t but the want of precise information upon so recent an event shows the importance and value of contempo raneous notices, however trifling and superfluous they may appear at the time. The minute entries in the pubHc accounts of our ancestors, and their practice of recording passing events of no apparent moment at the period, cast a Hght upon their manners, customs, and acts, without which our knowledge on those points would indeed be very imperfect. In 1 763 some repairs and alterations were made, pursuant to an Order of Vestry, 3rd of May, which directs that the Organ should be put into repair, by Edward Davies, for £84, the keys new hung, the Swell raised higher, and enlarged, to take G a flfth below its former compass ; the triple part of the Vox Humana to be added, and the new Sesquialtra made complete by three additional ranks of pipes. [In this alteration three remarkable stops in the echo or SweU Organ were removed, the Harp, Lute, and Dulcimer, in consequence of the difficulty of keeping the strings in tune. J] An entire and thorough reparation again took place in 1818, when a Dulciana stop was added, and an octave of pedals, a communication between the three sets of keys by means of couplers was also introduced, making this noble instrument as perfect and complete as possible for that period. * He also constructed the Organ in Trinity Church, St. Mary's, Warwick, Stratford-on-Avon, St. Saviour's, Southwark, Solihull, the Grand Organ at Amsterdam, and one for Lichfield Cathedral, which latter was removed on the alteration of the Choir there, and a very inferior instrument substituted in its stead. t There is a tradition that Edward Hopkins, Esq., gave a considerable sum towards its erection. [In the Drapers' Accounts, 1737, is an item showing that ten guineas were given to St. Michael's Organ by order of the Company.] [X Another account gives the date of their removal as 1747.J 56 ST. Michael's chuech, Coventry. [The repairs and additions were made by Mr. William Young of this city, under the direction of Mr. M. Payne, then organist. Prom an account supplied by the latter the following particulars are extracted, as shewing the extent of the organ at that period. In the Upper Choir organ, swell, and echo, were 9 stops, and the number of pipes 390. In the list of stops are the following, removed during subsequent alterations. Vox Humana Treble, Octave Flute and Cornet. Its compass was then from D in alt. to fiddle G. The great Organ comprised 955 pipes, acted upon by 15 stops. The Clarion Bass was then called the Sacbut. The Trombone has disappeared. The Lower Manual or Choir Organ and Swell contained 325 pipes with 9 stops. Among the stops were at that time the Flageolet and German Flute, since substituted by others. The compass of the Choir Organ was from D in alt. to middle D. The compass of the whole Organ ranged from D in alt. to double G, long octaves. It had two double Diapasons reaching down to GGG, and the total number of pipes was 1,670. The largest pipe measured 16 feet high by 11 inches in diameter, and the smallest f inch high and j inch in diameter. At this period Mr. Payne says there was only one other instance besides this of an organ possessing three whole sets of keys, that of St. Katherine's, near the Tower of London. In 1835-6 it was entirely rebuilt (with the exception of the Diapasons and some of the reed stops) by Bishop of London, and is now one of the best and most complete instruments in this country. The keyboard was brought forward 6 feet from the front of the instrument, the organ removed 9 feet backwards, and the compass extended to F in alt., a GG sharp being also added. The swell organ or upper manual, having a compass of from G gamut to F in alt. comprised the following stops : Clara Bella (open wood), Open Diapason, Principal, Hautboy, Trumpet, Cremona (to E below middle). Vox Humana Bass, Double Diapason Bass with connecting Bass to Choir Organ. The great Organ or Middle Manual comprised — Open Diapason (metal through, east front). Open Diapason (metal through, west front). Stopped Diapason, Double Diapason (wood through), Clara Bella, Principal, Twelfth, Fifteenth, Sesquialtera (4 ranks). Mixture (2 ranks). Tierce, Trumpet, Clarion, Solo Trumpet (to flddle G). The Lower Manual or Choir Organ contained Open Diapason (metal to E below gamut). Open Diapason (wood through). Stopped Diapason, Principal, Flute, Dulciana (to gamut), Cremona, Bassoon. An octave and a half of pedals were made to act on the great and Choir Organs, an octave of pedal pipes from CCC to CC added, the largest of which is on the same scale as those of St. Paul's Cathedral, London, being 22 inches diameter. Five composition pedals, acting on the stops of the great Organ, and three coupler stops to connect the several Manuals with each other, or all together. The whole was revoiced, and for sweetness and mellowness of tone cannot be surpassed. The cost of its renovation was as foUows : — Mr. Bishop — Repairs and Additions New Wind Chest, &c. ... ' Re-gilding Organ Pipes Mr. Lines — Removing the Organ and enlarging the Gallery Mr. Connor — Staining and Varnishing Organ and Gallery Mr. Worton — Curtains for the Organ and Ironwork Messrs. Cooper and Summers — for Brass Ornaments, &c.... Total expense of altering Organ and Gallery 758 3 g . £439 0 0 . 50 0 0 . 45 0 0 £584 0 0 206 2 I 4 5 0 8 5 2 5 11 3 ST. Michael's chuech, Coventry. 57 The Organ was re-opened on the 6th of April, 1836, by Mr. B. Simms, then Organist, and the expenses attending the ceremony- and the performances on the day of opening, and on the following Sunday, amounted to £1 70. 9s. lid., raising the total amount to £928. 13s. 5d.; to meet which, subscriptions to the amount of £496. 7s. 8d. were coUected. The receipts on the opening day were £263. 13s., and on the Sunday foUowing, £109. Is. lOd., making a total of £869. 2s. 6d.; leaving a deficiency of £59. lOs. lid. In 1838, another grand performance was held, which cleared ofi' all the remaining debt, and left a surplus of about £30, which remained in the hands of the Committee to meet future repairs. As the Organ then stood, it extended, together with its adjacent gaUeries, across the nave, between the fourth and fifth pillars from the rood piers, and was supported on eight Corinthian pillars, the whole reaching a height of about 50 feet ; the style of the architectural supporters and the case of this noble instrument had been selected with the bad taste that prevaUed in the early part of the 18th century, not a single feature coinciding with the character of its magnificent receptacle. Access to the Organ and GaUeries was obtained by a large staircase on each side. Behind the Organ was an open space sufficiently large to have formed a moderately sized Church, unoccupied by anything save the font. Wh.en the interior was restored the gallery was removed, the Organ being placed on a platform at the west end ofthe Church; a small gaUery for the singers extending in front. Subsequent improvements have been at several periods made to this fine instrument, under the direction of its talented organist, comprising additions to the pedals, new wire work, &c. On the last occasion, in 1868, the pitch was raised a semitone, the whole Organ re-voiced, and a new stop, the " Flute Harmonique," introduced. A new case is still requisite to make the Organ appear in keeping with the building. A brief account of the Organists wUl conclude this section. Doctor Dean was a very able musician, and was Organist from 1733 to 1749; he was succeeded on the 7th of August, 1750, by Mr. Capel Bond, an able performer and composer; he was Organist of both Churches. On his death, in 1790,* Mr. Woodrouffe succeeded him at St. Michael's. On his death, in 1818, Mr. Matthew Payne was appointed. As a performer, he was emi nently celebrated, he held the office for ten years, and died on the 29th January, 1828, aged 53. The OecUian Glee Society erected a stone over his remains in the new burial ground of St. Michael's Church, which also commemorates his brother William, a skilful player and singer. Mr. Edward Simms, the present Organist, was elected in February of the same year.] STAINED GLASS. Under the head of Ancient Stained Glass, the coUections are very scanty ; and the work of reformation proceeded here with so much zeal, that not a particle of the original glazing remains in the whole series of windows upon the ground floor. Whether it feU a sacriflce to our City Reformists, or was destroyed by "the feUow with a counterfeit commission,"! *' He was buried at Binley. f ^i^e p. 18, ante. 58 ST. Michael's chuech, coventey. who stript off all the brasses from the tomb-stones, is now a vain enquiry. What escaped in the clerestory windows has, from accidents and neglect, or to fill those in the Chancel, been so greatly reduced as to be of little importance or interest. Of the arms mentioned by Dugdale, the following remain in one of the north clerestory windows, viz., Treanton and Stafford, being Nos. 4 and 5, in Hollar's plate ; besides which, and unnoticed by Dugdale, are Treanton impaUng Stafford; the like with Bedford, No. 10; also Treanton impaling argent, a cross gules, and in a fourth shield, Bedford quartering Treanton. In another of these windows is a fleur-de-Hs or, on a field azure, surrounded with the garter and motto ; and likewise Treanton impaling azure, a beU or, with the letter 3 upon it — concerning which Humphrey Wanley, in his Diary, preserved in the British Museum,* writes under the year 1693 as follows, "There is now an A upon a bell, in one of the North windows of St. Michael's Church, in the middle aisle, shewing that one Abel was the donor of that window; for there is set in the old black letter, • qui hana fenestram fieri fecit ;" the inscription is gone, but amongst the fragments coUected in the Chancel windows is a repetition of the device. The arms of Risdon, No. 7, in Hollar's plate, with a second shield, having the arrows or instead of argent, remain in one of the south clerestory windows ; and the arms of the Shear men and Taylors' Company, unnoticed by Dugdale, are in another : — there is, also, a kneeling figure of a man, bareheaded, clad in a red gown, and in the attitude of prayer before a table, with a rich covering, on which lies an open book ; a scroll wdth deo gracias, proceeds from his mouth, and over his head is groc' de london, the name of the person being unfortunately wanting. Notwithstanding two of the apse windows are altogether filled with ancient stained glass, there are not many perfect figures remaining ; by far the greater portion being mere fragments, put together for general effect. Here are retained, apparently in their original form, and in tolerable preservation, a series of angels, or rather perhaps, cherubim whole- length figures, entirely covered, except the hands, feet, and faces, with feathers ; having four wings, and standing upon wheels.f Bach hand holds the end of a scroll, which forms a semicircle over their heads, and has an inscription in black letter, some of which are subjoined. " Gloria tibi trinitas. Gl'ia laudis resonet i' ore om'i s'ctor'. equalis una deltas. " & nu'c & imp'petuu'. filio sc'o sim'l p'aclito i' s'cla p'heut. Laus & p'beius gl'ia d'o et eri." One of these figures supports a shield, bearing the five wounds of Christ; and there are three others with the weU-known description of the Trinity, "Pater est Deus," &c. arranged in the form of a shield. Amongst the fragments, it has already been remarked is the device of A upon a bell, for the name Abel ; and there are several parts having con siderable merit, particularly the Apocalyptic Lamb, with the Resurrection, and Judas kissing our Saviour. In one of Randle Holmes's volumes, J in the British Museum, containing Notes taken in Warwickshire, by Augustine Vincent, in 1592, is the following notice : — " Orate p' a'iabus Ric'i lichfeild a [c] — oldis ux' qui istam fenestram in his merchant's gowne, & his wife wt[out] any arms." It is not perfectly clear from the MS. whether these figures were in one of the windows of St. Mary's HaU, or this Church : Lichfield was Mayor of Coventry * Harl. MSS. No. 7017. f Vide Ezekiel, Chap. 10. J Harl. MSS., No. 2129, fo. 133 b. ST. Michael's church, Coventry. 59 in 1395, and contemporary with Whitchurch, and the other Mayors, whose portraits are in the east windows of that Hall, but inasmuch as these are represented without their wives, and no inscription records that they or any other of the personages there represented, gave the windows in which their portraits appear, I am inclined to place the above in St. Michael's Church. We have no account of such figures in St. Mary's Hall, where if they ever did exist, it must have been in one of the West windows, and long since destroyed. 1 709 Pd for mending the Chancel windows with painted glass, 6s. 1747 Pd for 3 glass wheels in the windows above the altar-piece, 3s. 1748 Pd for repairing the painted glass at the altar, 9Z. 15s. Gd. 1751 a legacy of 101. by Mrs. Shakespeare, directed to be laid out in the purchase of painted glass for repairing and making uniform the windows over and near the altar. — Church Accounts. [During the last few years a complete change has taken place in the appearance of the windows, the whole of the glass in the lower portion of the church having been renewed, and some in the upper. The only windows remaining as they were 20 years ago being those of the Clerestory above the Nave — a notable feature in this change being, that most of the new stained glass windows are memorials. A brass plate near the Vestry tells us the history of the apse windows. " The three easternmost windows of this apse have been filled with stained glass to the glory of Almighty God in memory of Adelaide, Queen Dowager, widow of his late Majesty King WilHam IV. The centre window was the gift of the Right Honourable B. BlHce, M.P., as a memorial of his long connection with the city of Coventry as one of its representatives in Parliament." They were placed here in 1853. The subjects of these windows are taken from scenes in the Hfe of our Saviour. The two other windows of the apse are constructed of fragments as before alluded to, put together with very little regard to symmetry. The east window of the Lady Chapel is in memory of Col. Hood, who commanded the Grenadier Guards at the battle of the Alma, and fell in the trenches before Sebastopol, October 18, 1854, aged 45. It was erected in 1857 by the inhabitants of the city and neighbourhood.* The next window is the gift of H. W. Baton, Esq., M.P., and was erected in 1869. The subjects are from the Hfe of King Solomon. The central north window bears this record : " In remembrance of the great and good Albert Emmanuel Prince Consort, who entered into immortality December 1861." The tracery is filled with heraldic emblems ; the subjects illustrated in the lights are taken from the Hfe of Moses. Subscriptions for defray ing the expense were opened by a' coUection at the special service held in this church on the day of the Prince's funeral, and it was erected the year following. The remaining window of this chapel, westward, was placed here in April, 1868, and is in memory of WilHam, 2nd Earl of Craven, and eighth Baron Craven, who died on the 25th of August, 1866, aged 57. The iUustrations are from incidents in the life of David. The east window of the Mercer's Chapel was erected by the inhabitants of the city and neighbourhood in memory of another Crimean warrior, Major-Gen. Adams, of Anstey Hall, who died at Scutari on the 19th of December, 1854, aged 49, from wounds received at the battle of Inkermann. He commanded the 18th Royal Irish during the war in China, and the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Division at the battle of the Alma and siege of Sebastopol. The lights are filled with figures of our Lord and his twelve apostles, and St. Michael, the patron saint of the church. The next window westward is in memory of Mr. WUliam Lowe, who '* The subject is the Ascension. This window has been beautifully engraved by Mr. 0. Jewitt, in the Building News of Sept. 10, 1858. 60 ST. Michael's church, coventey. died March 6, 1868. There are four groups Ulustrative of the Nativity, Descent from the Cross, Resurrection, and Ascension; at the base of each group is an emblematical panel. The second window on the same side is in memory of Thomas Sharp, Esq., F.S.A., author of this work, who died on the 12th of August, 1841. The subject of the window is a selection of four groups from the parables of the Faithful Servant, the Good Samaritan, the Pharisee and Publican, and the Pearl of Great Price. The last panel on the right bears the arms of Mr. Sharp. The remaining window is the gift of the Misses Lea, and was placed in its present position in 1869; the subjects chosen being four illustrations of the parable of the Ten Virgins. Passing the screen into the south aisle, the first window is one dedicated by the Church wardens and Vestrymen to the memory of Henry Lea, Esq., who bequeathed £1000 to this church for ever. The four lights bear the single figures of SS. Stephen, Mark, Luke, and Paul ; beneath which are small groups in panels. The second wdndow, the inscription informs us, was erected in 1862 by the late Thomas Soden, Esq., Mayor, and his six children, to perpetuate the memory of Elizabeth, a beloved wife and mother, who died in 1861. The subjects illustrated are the four acts of mercy — Feeding the Hungry, Clothing the Naked, Relieving the Weary, and Visiting the Sick. The space unoccupied by the groups in each panel is filled with enriched quarries instead of tabernacle work, leaving the figures clear and distinct. In St. Thomas's Chapel, the east window was erected in 1861 by the Vicar and Church wardens, in memory of Archdeacon Spooner, who died in 1857; the subjects in the upper row of lights are from the book of Exodus, those in the lower from the New Testament. The more eastern of the two south windows in this chapel is only partiaUy stained, the centre Hght being filled by a canopied group representative of the three Marys at the Sepulchre, to the memory of John Royle, Esq., who died November 9, 1866 ; erected by his widow, Mrs. M. A. Royle. The south window of the room of the Cappers' Company over the south porch is of stained glass, and bears the arms of the Company and City in its two compartments. Over the west door is a stained window of geometrical pattern, and over the north porch the small window was filled in 1860 with stained glass by Mr. Henry Masters, in memory of his wife, the subjects being taken from the Te Deum. The east window of the Girdlers' Chapel is not a memorial window, the expense having been partly met by a balance from the Queen Dowager's memorial windows, and the remainder by subscription, and a liberal donation by Mr. John Ward, then Churchwarden. The subjects are taken from the Resurrection. It was erected in 1860. In St. Laurence's Chapel are two stained windows, the eastern one to the memory of the late Charles Dresser, Esq., Mayor in 1857, through whose instrumentality, while Church warden, the evening service was established. He died on the 30th of April, 1862, aged 45. The subjects are selected from the book of Genesis. It was placed here in 1863. The next window was erected at the same period, to the memory of William Wilmot, Esq., Mayor in 1858, who died January 8th, 1860, aged 51. The subjects are also taken from Genesis, beginning with the Creation ; the Scriptural narrative being continued on Mr. Dresser's window. The Clerestory Windows in the Chancel, six on each side, have been recently filled vsdth stained glass, in geometrical patterns. These are not memorials, the expense having been borne by the Vestry.] ST. Michael's chuech, coventey. 61 CANDLESTICKS, STANDARDS, &c. In Wanley's Diary* before -mentioned, is a particular account of Mr. George Bohun, of New House, near Coventry, presenting, in 1692, the iron- work and ornaments of the brass chandeliers or " candlesticks," in this Church. " The Ironwork weighed 2 cwt. 8 qrs. 22 lbs. and the flowers 13 lbs. The Candlesticks (says Wanley), are about 8 feet from the ground, measure about 2 yards, and the Ironwork, 14 y'ds more, being iu all from the floor to the roof of the Church, about 18 yards." [Having become quite worn out, and rendered useless by the introduction of gas, they were sold for old metal.] [In 1851, the Church was first lighted by gas, the corona standards, &c., being designed and executed by Mr. F. Skidmore. The treatment adopted was at that time novel, and the effect strikingly impressive. Bach standard consists of a twisted column of brass from which springs three curved branches ornamented with ivy leaves of beaten brass ; a centre piece rises above the branches, and is similarly decorated. Bach of these four portions bears three jets ; every standard therefore has twelve burners. The standards near the altar are larger and more ornamental, the two at the organ smaller. Attached to the pillars in the side Chapels are also branches of similar design. The corona suspended in the centre of the Chancel is of elaborate character ; it bears two tiers of six branches each, making 36 burners in aU. The total number of burners in the Church is 410. The appearance of this Church when Ht up for evening service is singularly beautiful.] Having now completed the survey of the Church, our next objects of consideration are the Steeple and its appendages, and the Churchyard. STEEPLE. The Tower of this exquisite specimen of the architectural skill and religious spirit of our ancestors was finished in 1394, and the Bells hung in 1429; three years afterwards the upper work commenced, recorded by the City Annals in the following words : " 1432, Then began the new worke on St. Michael's Steeple, from the Battlements to the top of the Spire." From the same Annals we learn, that the building of the Tower began in 1373, and was 21 years in completing, having annually, during that period, £100 expended upon it by two Brothers, named William and Adam Botoner,t principal Inhabitants of Coventry, and each of whom served the office of Mayor twice, viz., Wm. in 1364 and 1366, and Adam in 1374 and 1385. There is a tradition recorded in some copies of the City Annals, that a brass plate was found in the Church, with the following inscription, in old English characters, * Harl. MSS. No. 7017. f He was Uncle to the celebrated William de Woroestre, aUas Botoner, whose Itinerary waa printed in 1778, by Nassmith, from the MS. in C, 0. CoU., Cambridge. 62 ST. Michael's chuech, coventey. but I do not think it entitled to any credit, and only mention it here to express that opinion : — William and Adam built the tower, Ann and Mary built the spire, WiUiam and Adam built the church, Ann and Mary buUt the quire. It may reasonably be conjectured, that this delicate structure, carried to an elevation of fuU 100 yards, would, from its exposed situation, require frequent attention and repairs; and the Church Accounts furnish abundant testimony of the care bestowed upon the City's chief ornament. The earliest Book commences in 1563, and an entry occurs in 1573, for repairing the Battlements and Steeple. In 1580, considerable work was done, as the following extract shows : " Charges aboute the Steple. payed to George Arter for poyntynge ye steple, vijl. ijs. viijd. payed for iij quarter Sc halfe of lyme, xiijs. iiijrf. payed for egges, viijs. iiij(Z. payd for glovers pecis, woode, Sc tallowe, aboute the lyme, vs. vj^. payd for a load of sand, vijd. ob. payd for iiij stryke of mawlte and gryndyng, vijs. viijd. ob. payd for vj gaUons of worte more, ijs. payd for gatherynge of slates & oyster shelles, iij^. q'r. payd to Cooksou for the cradle & 3 other puUesses, vs. viijd." Sundry other charges for ropes, pulleys, poles, &c. " payd for mendynge the wethercooke, ijs. vj<^. payed for payntynge the same, vjs. viijd." The preceding extract exhibits a striking instance of the care and zeal which directed the pointing of this Steeple : the mortar was composed of the best lime (for which an extra price was given), and instead of water, tempered with sweet wort, whites of eggs, and size. Whether the oyster shells were calcined, or inserted into the joints of the stonework where open, may be a matter of doubt, but the slates were certainly used for the latter purpose, of which many proofs remain. In 1589, the Steeple was again repaired, and various charges appear for ropes, getting up of ladders, materials for pointing as above ; and also — " pd for gyldynge the wethercooke, xxijs. pd for vj pounds of waxe, vs. pd for ij pounde of Rossen, iiijrf." Another reparation and pointing of the Steeple took place in 1606 : — "pd John Brookes, for poyntynge the steeple, xl. pd for the spyndle that bearethe the weathercocke, & for crooked crampes for the steeple, 12 score Sc 4 pounde, iijZi. pd for takyng downe the weathercocke & settinge it up againe, Sc for puttyng in the Iron crampes, iiijZ. pd for guyldynge the weathercocke, xxiijs. iiijrf. pd for ij greate stones for the steeple & carriage, xs. pd for a barre of yron to laye the stones upon, 331b. vijs. iijd. pd for ij crampes of yron for same stones, 71b. xxjd. pd iij workemen for layinge them up, iijs." With sundry charges for scaffolding, soldering, &c. ST. Michael's church, Coventry. 63 I apprehend that the " two greate stones " form the present top of the Spire ; and the Iron cramps, in the foregoing and succeeding extract, remain to the present time. Our City Annals mention, that St. Michael's Spire was, in 1622, "clenched with Iron bars round the top ; " and accordingly, the Church Accounts of that year furnish particulars. The setting up of ladders cost £4. 6s. Od., two chairs were had, and £.3 10s. Od. was expended in fixing iron cramps about the Steeple. The pointing mortar was composed of lime, eggs, wort, smiths' scales, and sand; the weathercock was new gUt, and the spindle refixed. Thomas Sargesson and Hugh LusseU received £26. 13s. 8d. "for the worke." [The particulars of two accidents occurring in connection with the spire in 1623 and 1634 will be seen by reference to page 21.] In July, 1655,* the Steeple had a breach by a thunder clap, which brought down 2 bays of the high roof of the Church, and cost £200 repairing. [July 16. In the City Accounts an item is charged of 2s. given to two men who were sent up into the Steeple to see what harm was done. On the 8th of December, in the same year, £3 was paid by the Council towards the repair of the Steeple, torn and broken by the thunder and lightning, which cost the parish above £100. In 1674, some ignorant person employed in re-hanging the bells, cut through the stone groined roof constructed in one of the upper stories of the tower, which had been placed there with a view of strengthening and bracing that part together : the remains of the vaulting may stUl be seen in the bell chamber.] " 1676t, this year part of St. Michael's Steeple taken down and repaired." " 1694, 9th Aug. the Steeple was considerably damaged by lightning, in consequence whereof, Henry and Geo. Cotton were appointed to repair it, each to receive 5s. per day, and undertaking "to doe the said worke well, and to make honest tolerable dayes worke for the s'd wages." Charges extracted from the Church Account for that year. " Mending the Steeple and a Pinnacle, 19Z. — Iron Cramps for the Steeple, 11. 19s. — Ironwork abotit the same time, 11. 8s. 7d. — Gilding the Weathercock, 11." [1706, Battlements repaired.] " 1727, 1 May, the Spire being lately damaged by lightning, ordered that it be immediately repaired." About the year 1730, the Parishioners thinking, perhaps, that the Dragon had been long enough at the feet of their Patron Saint, and ought to have an ascendancy in his turn, agreed at a Vestry Meeting, held May 25, 1730, " that Laurence Wright should make a figure of a Dragon of copper, 1 J yards in length, and to gild the same, finishing it in a substantial and workmanlike manner, and to receive for the same 7 guineas and the old weathercock." But the dragon was not long sufi'ered to retain this elevation, for the Parishioners soon discovered that serious damage to the Spire was to be apprehended, from the too great weight and bulk of the gilded monster, and, therefore, wisely ordered the same Laurence Wright, on the 19th of January, 1 732, " to make a weathercock and globe of copper, not exceeding 201bs. weight," which was accordingly done, and the dragon sold in 1734, for £4. 4s. Od. A wag, * MS. Annals. f Mem. 64 ST. Michael's chuech, coventey. at this time, who also thought the fabric in danger from the heavy peal of bells, observed that the good people of St. Michael's were sacrificing their Church to Bell amd the dragon. " 1743, pd towards taking down the weathercock, 11, 10s.— 3 Strikes of Malt for mortar forthe Steeple, 10s. Gd." " 1750*, a large stone struck out of the Spire on the east side by lightning." " 1770, the Spire was repaired, and the weathercock re-gilt, when an order was made that a Conductor be put up in the Steeple, and to terminate in the Well of the White Horse Pump 1 " The apprehension of injury to this beautiful Tower and Spire became so general, after the new and enlarged peal of ten bells was hung in 1774, that a Committee, consisting of the neighbouring noblemen, gentlemen, and principal inhabitants of the parish, was appointed on the 19th of June, 1793, to examine into the state of the tower, and conduct the necessary repairs. On the 17th of July foUowing, the late Mr. Wyatt, and Mr. Potter, of Lichfield, attended the Committee, and gave their decided opinion that the bells had been a considerable injury to the tower, and would continue so whilst in their present situation. They also stated, that a frame might be constructed from the ground to carry the bells ; and that after the tower had been properly secured, and the bells so placed, the ringing would be of no injury to the building. The bells were immediately taken down, and the reparations of the tower commenced — the decayed and fractured stones being taken out and replaced by new ones, and strong bands of iron let into the stone at different intervals, and completely surrounding the exterior of the tower, were screwed to bars of equal dimensions within side — thus rendering the fabric, in the opinion of the architect, as strong as when first buUt. A frame-work designed by Mr. Potter (and which has been universally admired for its design and execution) was, in October following, ordered by the Committee, and completed at the expense of £507. The reparation of the tower being completed, and the frame-work finished, the bells were hung upon it in December, 1794, and have since remained there, being as much as thirty feet lower than their original situation. The total charge for this work was £2,649. 4s. 9^d., of which £1,861. 10s. 5d. was obtained by subscription, and the remainder discharged by money raised by the parish on annuities. In the year 1818, that same spirit of anxious regard for the safety and security of this beautiful Spire, which has been abundantly evinced in the foregoing extracts, led to a further examination of it by Mr. Potter, who recommended an immediate repair of the pinnacles of the tower, and the taking down and rebuUding of about eight yards of the summit of the Spire, being very much out of perpendicular. In conformity with this advice, two of the pinnacles were repaired and cramped, at an expense of upwards of £100, the Spne carefully pointed with cement, and more than eight yards of it rebuUt, under the care of an ingenious architect (Mr. Hay) . The Weathercock was also re-gilt and fitted upon a new spindle, so contrived as to contain a supply of oil, &c., for many years, it having been found that the old spindle had no such provision, and in consequence, the Weathercock not readily turning, occasioned a very considerable stress upon the top of the Spire, to the manifest injury of the fabric. The charge of this reparation and rebuilding of the Spire, amounting to between £300 and * MS. Annals. ST. Michael's church, Coventry. 65 £400, was defrayed by subscription, an appeal being made to the principal inhabitants of the city, in order that the parish might be relieved from an additional rate. The old conductor having been removed during these repairs, a new one was put up in 1 830, the work being done by Mr. Worton of Earl Street. [It is the opinion of Mr. Scott that the tower was originaUy open to the church by means of the fine lantern arch behind the organ, and that the whole of the interior to the groined arch before mentioned was visible from the floor. This is evident from the fact that the surface of the waUs in the interior of the tower is highly enriched with mouldings and panel work. Owing to the opinion formed on the report of Mr. Scott in 1851, the ringing of the bells was discontinued for about two years, but resumed on the report of Mr. Wyatt that no danger was to be anticipated from their being rung as usual. In 1861, in consequence of several stones having fallen from the spire, fears were excited as to its security, and Mr. Frith was employed to examine and repair it; the means he employed were novel, and attracted much curiosity. Instead of erecting scaffolding, as had been done on former occasions, he ascended the interior of the spire as far as the highest opening, and succeeded by an arrangement of pulleys in reaching the summit. The Weathercock and BaU were removed, the stonework thoroughly repaired, and the conductor refixed. The Vane and Ball having been regilded were then replaced. The BaU is a foot in diameter, and weighs 5 lbs. ; the Weathercock is 4 ft. 4 in. high, by 4 ft. 3 in. from beak to taU, and weighs about 33 lbs. : both are of copper. On the occasion of the marriage of the Prince of Wales the electric light was shown from the summit, the apparatus being fixed by Mr. Frith.] BELLS, CLOCK, AND CHIMES. The City MS. Annals mention under the year 1429, that the BeUs were then hung up in St. Michael's Steeple; and as the tower was only finished in 1395, perhaps this was the first regular peal put up in it. The following Order of Leet was made in 1467* : — Also y't ye Clerks of both Chirches ryng both daybell & curfewe in due tyme, & y't ye clok be duly kept up ye peyn of ijd. at ev'y default. In 1488, say the MS. Annals, " This year was great peace throughout the realm, and for joy the Churchwardens of St. Michael's, and other well-disposed people, brought to St. Michael's a great BeU, and called it Jesus Bell, this motto was written about it : — ' Jesus Nazarenus Rex Judeorum, in me miserecordia.' " In 1496, the ensuing Order of Leet,t for regulating the prices of ringing death peals was made : — Hit is ordeyned at y'is p'sent lete, that all man' p'sones that hereaftur woll have the belles to ryng aft'r ye decesse of eny their trends, they shall pay for a pell ryngyng w't all ye belles ijs., xxd. y'r of to ye Chircheward, & iiij(i. to ye clerks.— And yf he woll have but iiij beUes, xvjd., xijd. to ye chirch & iiij<^. to ye clerks. And as for iij beUes, ev'r p'sone y't woll have theym, to paye but iiij<^. to ye clerks. * Leet Book, 202 b. f Leet Book, 279 b. 66 ST. Michael's chuech, coventey. 1607, the 3rd and 4th Bell* of St. Michael's Steeple were cracked and cast again; the 4th Bell was cast three times before it was in tune. — 1674, March 18, The Vestry agreed with Henry Bagley, sen., Sc H. B. jun., of Chacomb, in Co. Northampton, that they shall have 55Z. for casting the 6 BeUs into 8 tuneable ones, of as deep a tone and sound as they now are, to be recast by 24 June next. It appears from our City Annals that the new peal was considerably lighter than the old one. [The old six BeUs were taken down May 26th, 1675, broken to pieces, and cast into eight on the 29th May, 1675. The weight of the old six was as foUows : — Cwt. qrs. Ihs. 1st BeU ... 10 3 9 2nd , 11 1 0 3rd „ 13 2 6 Cwt. qrs. lbs. 4th BeU 17 3 14 Sth „ 23 1 2 6th „ 30 I 5 Ctot qrs. Ihs. 6 I 11 Sth BeU 6 2 26 6th „ 8 0 9 7th „ 9 3 21 8th „ Cwt. qrs. as. 12 1 7 14 0 14 17 2 12 25 0 12 In aU 5 tons 7 cwt. 8 lbs., being 6 cwt. 3 qr. 81bs. heavier than the newer peal of eight. 1675, April 28. Ordered that the treble beU of Bablake, now cracked, shaU be deUvered to Bagley, the bell- founder, to be new cast and made tuneable to the bells in St. Michael's Steeple, and placed there to make those beUs more weighty. C.C.B. The weight of these beUs is given below. 1st BeU 2nd „ 3rd „ 4th „ Total, 5 tons 0 cwt. 1 qr.] The mottoest upon the BeUs in St. Michael's Steeple, copied by H. W[anley], January 17, 1690—1. 1. Cantate Domino oauticum novum. 1675, H. B. 2. Henry Bagley made mee, 1675. 3. T. E. F. Georg Dowmng, A. D. V. S. M. 1675. 4. I ring at six to let men know, when too and from theair worke to go, 1675. 5. Richard Coling, John Remington, Thomas Redhead, Humphrey Thacker, John Lilley, Ralph Phillips, Churchwardens, 1675. 6. Henry Bagley made mee, 167S. 7. I ring to Sermon, with a lusty Bome, that all may come and none may stay at Home, 1675. 8. I am and have been caU'd the Comon BeU, to ring when fier breaks out, to tell, 1675. In 1774, a new peal of 10 BeUs was contracted for, with Pack and Chapman, of London, according to the ensuing proposals made by them : — To recast the 8 present Bells into a peal of 8 musical ones, both in tone and tune, to weigh 5 tons a little more or less, at 28s. per cwt. recasting ... ...£140 0 0 8 new Clappers, weight 2 cwt. at 9(i. per lb. ... ... ... ... ... 8 8 0 Two new Trebles to make a complete peal of 10, to weigh 12 cwt. a little more or less, at 6^. per cwt. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 72 0 0 1' wo new Clappers, 501b. at 9ringing the tiies and Timber into Trinitie Church, xvj 2. vs. vijd, " Denton was Registrar of the Diocese. 122 HOLY TRINITY CHUECH, COVENTEY. 1646, pd for clensing the Church after ye dispute, 6s. pd for filling up three seates w'ch the salt-peter men diged (inter alia). 1647, pd Hopes for defacing the K. armes, 3s. Gd. 1651, to the painters,* for making the Armes of the Com'on wealth, to set up in the Church, 52. Ss. sundries more, 7s. Gd. 1658, pd for oharcole, the Sth of february, being a sacrament day. Is. 1660, pd Hope for the King's Arms, 62. 1661, pd for writing the charitable gifts, & 2 tables for it, and figuring all the seat doors, 42. 1662, to 2 men to keepe off the croude of people from the Bishop at the Confirmao'on, Gii. 1676, Jan. 22, Alderman King had a lease of 500 years granted, at a pepper corn rent, to lay a pipe of lead through a Lammas close next the Pudding Pit, Barrs Hill,and a several close adjoining, belonging to the Church. 1682, pd 2 Rusha men, which were Redeemed slaves from Algeere, 2s. Gd. pd for moveing the broken Tombe & paveing the place, Ss. 2d. Rec'd of Henry Gotten, for Alablaster y't came from the broken Tombe, 7s. 1705, pd for drawing the Queen's armes, 82. 1713, pd for links & pitch to Uluminate the steeple when the peace was proclaimed, 8s. id. The ancient writings and documents preserved in the Vestry of this Church, referred to and used in the preceding pages, are numerous and not unimportant ; but there are others which do not come under the classification that has been adopted, and yet are sufficiently interesting to deserve preservation here as authentic and curious illustrations of the ancient discipline and conduct of the English Church, both before and shortly after the Reformation. The first, in point of time, is a very minute account of the duties of the office of Deacon, in Trinity Church, dated 1462, and entitled as follows : M'd y't thes be ye cos'tic'ons off ye offesse off ye dekyn, off ye t'nite churche, made in ye yere oflE our lorde, a mcccclx and ij yer. In p'mis, the dekyn schall every day, hopyn ye churche durrs at vj off ye clok, and delyver to ye pryste, y't syngythe ye t'nite masse, a boke, and a chales, and a vestment ; and wan masse ys don, to se ye sayd boke, & chales, Sc vestment be leyd up in ye vestre. It' ye sayd dekyn, schall ryng all in to matens, w't hys fiielo, at ev'y com'emo- rac'on and ix lessons. It'm ye sayd dekyn, schall beyr itorthe ye boks for matens, be longyng to ye sowthe syde off ye quere ; and wan mateus ys don, to beyr them in to ye vestre a gayne. It' ye sayd dekyn schaU ryng, w't ys fiellow, to hye masse, and syng in ye quere at ye masse ; and wan masse ys don, to se y't ye chales and ye boks be lokkyd sure in ye vestre. I'tm ye sayd dekyn schal be at ye churche a gayn be iij off cloke, to help to ryng aU in to evynsong, yff yt be a com'emorao'on, or a fEeste off ix lessons, or dowbuU ffeste. It' ye sayd dekyn, schall syng evyn song, ou ye sowthe syde, in ye quer, and yfE yt be wolyday, or dowbuU fEeste, ye sayd dekyn shall be rectur in ye quer, fEor ye sowthe syde off ye quer. It'm wan evynsong ys don, ye sayd dekyn schall make sure ye vestre, and se y't all ye boks be in. It'm he schall lokk ye churche durrs, at a co'venyant owr. It'm ye sayd dekyn schall ryng day bell, w't won bell, every day. It' he schall fynde a dekyn to rede ye gospell, at hye masse, every sonday and woly day, It'm he shaU se ye fiiorthe off ye quere, and ye fiorthe off ye body off ye churche, be swepyd every tyme wan yt hathe node. It'm ye sayd deken schall se y't ye leds ovyr ye quer, and ovyr ye body off ye churche, be made clene, every tyme wan they have node ; and yff yt be a snowe to voyd ye guttars, leste they [be] stoppyd. It' ye seyd dekyn schall set a fform, at ye p'ory dur, on palm sonday, ffor ye stac'ons ; wen y't ys don, he schall cawse yt to be set a ffor ye rode, for ye p'ste to syng ave rex. It'm ye sayd dekyn schall bryng a woly wat'r stroke w't wat'r, for hys p'te, every sonday, for ye p'ste to make woly wat'r. Also ye sayd dekyn schall hyng a towell a bowte ye ffant, at estur, and at wytsontyde. It'm he schal se yt ther be iij copys browght down to ye ffant, ffor prysts to syng rex sanctoru'. It' ye sayd dekyn schall every sonday, beyr woly watur of hys chyld'n, to every howse in hys warde, and he to have ys dewty off every man, aft'r hys degre, quartarly. Also ye sayd dekyn schall se ye woly cake, every sonday, be kyte a quordyng for every man's degre, and he schall beyr ye woly bred to serve ye pepyll, in ye northe syde off ye churche, and he to go to them on ye xijth day ffor hys offyrryng, to ye rapa'cone off hys syrples. It'm ye sayd dekyn and hys felow, schall every p'ncypall ffeste, wayte on ye churche wardens, at ye thyrd peel off ye fyrste evysong, to a ray ye hye awter w't clothys nessessary ffor yt. Also ye sayd dekyn, shall worden a barrell on schere thursday, Sc on est'r evyn, & on wyttson evyn, ffor hys p't, a gayn ye byttar bryng wat'r ffor ye awtars, Sc ye ffante. It'm ye sayd dekyn, schall at every snowe, be w't hys ffelowe, and voyd ye fiorthe off ye stepyll, and caste owte ye snowe, for rotyng ye tymb'r. Also he schall se in hys quarter, y't ye clapurs off ye bells hyng in ordun, and to se ye bawdryks be sur, and yffe they be nott, to schewe to ye churche wardens, y't they may be mended in sesen, and to "' Ordered by Vestry on 20th June. HOLY TEINITY CHURCH, COVENTRY. 123 shewe to them ye bell ropps iu lyk manner. Also he schall se ye paUm' be brennyd ffor ye askys, yt schalbe dawlte on aske wensday. Also he schall p'vyd ffor palme on palmsonday, for hys p'te. Also he schall wache ye sepulcur, on Astur evyn, tyll ye resurrec'ion be don, then he and hys ffelow, schall take downe ye lenttyn clothys a bowte ye Awter, and a ffor ye rode. Also he schall order, on schere thursday, a byrche besom for ye pryst, y't waschythe ye Awters. Also iij dyssiplyn rodds for hys p'te. And he schall help to sarve the parechshens, of bred Sc alle, and other thengs, at mylbornes derege, & meynleys, & other dereg's y't byn made of the churche cost. And hys ffelowe schall gresse ye bellys, and ffynde greyse ther to, wan they have nede. And they schall have ye p'fetts off ye bells, wan they ryng for any quors or obett. Also ye sayd dekyn and hys ffelow, schall ryng ye bells at ye cum'yng off ye kyng, and ye queue, and ye p'nce, yff they fiawte, ye dekyn and hys felow to beyr ye losse. It' ye sayd dekyn schall tende ye lampe, and to ffeche oyle and ryschys, weyr ye churchwardens wyll asyne ym. It'm ye sayd dekyn schall kevyr ye pylpyt w't a pall, wan any doct'r prechys. Also ye dekyn schall fynde a dekyn to beyr ye crysmatory to ye ffante, wan they go a pressessc'on in est'r weke. It'm he schall hyng fforthe ye vykar's banar, on ye churche woly day, and to take yt down a gayn ye viijth day. It'm ye sayd dekyn schall go w't ye p'ste, wan he gothe to veset ye sek, in hys ward, or else won in hys stede. It' also ye seyd dekyn and hys ffelow, schall every sonday and hye day, ff olde up ye Albus & Vestmentts, y't be ocupyed y't day. It'm ye sayd dekyn and hys ffelow, schall helpe ye churche wardens to cover ye Awter & ye rode, in lent, w't lentyn clothys, and to hyng ye vayle, in ye quere, and ye churche wardens schall gyffe them money to drynke. It'm ye sayd dekyn schall ryng ye grete bell to complyn, every sett'r day, in lentt. Also ye dekyn ffeche every quors to churche, in hys syrples, y't dessessythe, in hys ward, & he to have ffor hys labur. It'm ye sayd dekyn schall, every sett'r day Sc woly evyn, be at churche, w't hys felyschep, and ryng noon, as ye ffest requerythe. It'm he shall knoll to hy masse, sacryng every sonday and woly day, he won quarter, & hys ffelow a nod'r, and every p'ssessc'on day, to ImoU ye pressessc'on lyke wyse. It'm at every pressessc'on, to bryng fforthe pressess'conars, a quordyng ffor hys syde off ye quere, and to se they be born in to ye vestre, wan ye press'c'on, ys don. It'm he schall se ye durr, at ye hye awter ende, be lokkyd ther, as ye sacramente standythe, and ye manewels be browght in, at every wedyng, in hys warde, wan ye weddyng ys don. Also he schall have off every p'denar y't cum'yth, ijd, and ye sayd dekyn, schaU lende to hym a syrples, to go w't ye preste, in to ye pylpyt. Also ye sayd dekyn, schaU go, on AU halowe day, at evyn, a mong ye pepyll, in ye northesyd off ye churche, and gedyr money off them, for ye ryngars, y't ryng ffor all crystyn soils. It' he schall ffynde won to ryng a pressessc'on every sonday. and hys felow lykewysse. [ Cetera desunt.] The constitutions of the office of Second Deacon are also here given from the same authority : M'd y't these be ye co'stituc'ens be longyng to ye offesse off ye sec'nde dekyn, off ye trinitie churche. Inp'mis, the dekyn shalbe at churche every weke day, alfe owr a ffor vij a cloke, and ryng ye sec'nde bell, a peele to matens, yff yt be a ffest of ix lessons, or a com'emorao'on, yff yt be fowU'* ffest, he schall ryng ij bells at ye sec'nde peU. It' ye sayd dekyn schalbe at churche and helpe to ryng all in to matens, and masse, and evynsong, w't hys ffelow ; yff yt be a ffery, he schall ryng won bell ym selfe a sartayn space, as ye ordynall spesyffythe. It' he schaU berr fforthe off ye vestre, all sych boks necessary ffor ye northe syde off ye quer, for mattens, & masse, and evynsong ; and he shall syng in ye quer daly serves, on ye same northe syd ; and yff yt be sonday or woly day, he schalbe rectur, and be gyn all ye salmys, for y't syd off ye quer ; and wan sarves ys don, he schall beyr all syclie boks as ys ocupud on y't syde, and ley theme in ther place wych ys ordenyd ffor them in ye vestre. It' he schall do hys dewty at evyn song in lyke maner. It' ye seyd dekyn, schall syng Curffew every nyght, at viij off ye cloke, and wan yt is don, he schall serche ye churche all abowte, lest ther be any p'son lyeng in any sete or corner, and yen lokk ye churche dur sure. It' ye sayd dekyn schall swepe ye fiiorthe, off ye sowthe side hyell, off ye churche, every tyme wan yt athe nede, and also make clene ye leds off ye same hyell, wan yt ys nede ; and at every snowe, to voyde ye guttars off ye same hyell, lest ye pypys be stoppyd. It' he shall be subdekyn every sondaye and woly day, at pressession and masse, & rede ye pystiU. It' he schaU every woly day, help hys felow to folde up all sych albys Sc westments, y't are ocupyed y't day, and at every pressessio', bryng fforthe pressessc'onars a cordyng for hys syd off ye quer, and wane ye pressesc'ou ys don, to ley them in ther place a gayn in ye vestre. It' ye sayd dekyn schall have all ye weddyngs, y't ye women be in hys ward ; Sc he schall keep ye offierryngs at ye masse of ye sayd weddyngs, and wan masse ys don, he schaU bryng up ye boke y't ye p'ste wedds them w't, & also ye ij tapirs off ye vykars, wyche be ocupyed at ye masse. It' ye sayd dekyne schall greyse ye bells, and ffynde gresse ther to, he won quarta'r and hys ffellow ye todur ; and aUso, he schal se iu hys quartar, y't bawdryks off ye balls be sur, & ye clapers off ye beUs hung in ordur, yff they be nott, he schall schewe ye churche wardens, y't ye bawdryks may be mendyd in seson. It' he schall see ye bell ropps in lyke manner ; also he schall knyllf ye pressesc'ou every p'sessc'on day, and also every sonday & woly day, knyll to hye masse, sacryng in hys quarter. It' he schalse ye woly bred be drawlte every sonday, on ye sowthe syde off ye churche, every man in hys degre, and he to go among them on twylffe day, at evyn song, to have hys reward towards ye rep'acone of hys syrples ; also he schall be w't hys ffelow, & se y't ye palmes be brennyd ffor askys, a gayn * full. t knell, ring, 124 HOLY TEINITY CHUECH, COVENTEY. askewennysday, also he schall p'vyd ffor palme a gayn palme sonday, sufByscyant for his warde. It' ye said dekyn schall go w't ye preste, wan he gothe to ye sacrament, to any sek body in his ward. It'm he shall feche ever quorsyc'esi* in hys warde to churche, in hys syrples, and he to have ffor hys labur. It' ye sayd dekyn schall, on est'r evyn, go to ye churche wardens, and cawse theme to p'vyd ffor coUys y't ye halowd Ayr schalbe off, and ye sayd deykn, schall se ye coUys be leyd on ye sowthe syde off ye ffont, & he to se they be co'venyautly kyndyld a gayn ye prest cu' to halow ye ffyr. Also he schall p'vyd for a vessell, and hys ffellow a nodur, ffor ye byttar, wan he schaU bryng watur ffor ye ffonte. It' he schall wache ye sepulcur, on gode flryday, att nyght ; also he schaU se y't ye dur at ye hye Awter ende, wer ye sacrament stondyth and ye manewells lythe, be every day lokkyd. Also he schall every sonday Sc woly day, ryng ye sec'nde peell to matens, at syohe howr as ys wont to be. Also he schall helpe hys ffeUow to make clene ye fiorthe off stepyll, wan yt athe nede, & also to caste owte ye snowe off ye stepyll, wan ther ys any. It'm he schall orden on scherthe thursday, at ye wasohyng of ye awtar, a byrche besom, and hys ffelowe a nodur, & iij dysplyng roddes. It'm ye sayd deykn schall se ther be wyn to powr on ye crossys off ye awters, and also a woly wat'r stoke, ffor to beyr ye wat'r y't schall wasche ye awters, & hys ffelow a nod'r. Also ye sayd deykn schall go on all hallow day, at evyn, among ye pepyll, in ye sowthe syde off ye churche, and gedyr off them money, ffor ye ryngars, y't ryng ffor all crysten soils. It'm ye sayd dekyn schall hyng ye wyrys ovyr ye hy awter, at crystymas, w't yve aud candyls off ye vyker's coste. Also ye sayd dekyn schall, on ye dedycac'on day in ye mornyng, bryng fforthe in to ye quer, syche skonsys ffor to set in candyls, ffor ye quer, as be ordenyd ther ffor ye wyntur tym, and he schall, wan ye seson ys don, (se) y't they be leyd in ther place a gayn, y't ys in ye neydur Almery, be hynde ye hye Awter. Item he schall delyver to ye churchyng off wemen, a tapur, and bred for woly brede, It'm he schall ryng ffor quorsyces & obetts, and have alfe ye p'ffet off ye bells, and ye todur dekyn ye wodur alffe. Also he schaU ryng a gayn ye cum'yng off ye byschop, and off ye kynge, ye queue, and ye prynce. Also he schall every prynsypaU ffest, at ye fferste evynsong, sens ye pepill, in ye sowthe syde of ye churche. Also he schall ffynd alffe ye ryngars, to ryng a pressesc'ou, every sonday, and woly day. Also he schall every sonday, bryng hys woly wat'r stok w't wat'r, ffor to be made woly water, and hys felow lyke wyse. Also he schall ryng to complyn, every f eryall day, in lentt, w't ye ffyrste bell. Also he schall every day, make redy ye hye Awter, ffor ye p'ste to syng hye masse, and he schall ffeche fforthe ye masse boke & ye chales, and se ye p'ste have bred & wyne. And he schall cawse a chylde to a tende to ye p'ste at masse ; and wan masse ys done, he schall beyr up ye boke & ye chales, in to ther place agayn. Also he schalle helpe to sarve at ev'y drenkyng, aftur ev'y derege done, at ye coste of ye churche. Illustrative of the state of England at this eventful period, and forming a proper introduction to the next document in point of date, viz., the Injunctions given to the Clergy, the ensuing Royal Letter, addressed to the Mayor, Aldermen, &c., of Coventry, about 1538, will be read with interest. Trustie & welbeloved we grrete yowe well : and wher as we chiefiie & p'ncipallie regardyng & tenderyng the quiet rest, p'speritie, Sc trauqyUitie of o'r nobles & comens, & ther cons'vac'ion no les then o'r own, directed latelie o'r I'res unto you & other Justias of o'r pease, thorough out this o'r realme, concernyng o'r admony'con & gentiU warnyng, to have suche especiall regard to the dutie of yo'r oiBces, accordyng to the trust we have reposed in you, that not oneUe for the importnacy it is bothe to us & o'r co'en welth, ye shuld for o'r high dignitie of the sup'macie of o'r churche, wherw't it haith pleased god almyghtie, by his most certayn & undoubted worde, to endowe & adome o'r Auctoritie & Corou' emp'iall of this o'r realme, to be sett furthe & exp'ssed in aU o'r subgietts herts and mynds, and to forsee that the maynteynors of the Bishopp of Rome usurped and feyned auctoritie, w't all his papisticall sup'sticions Sc abuses wher'wt he hath iu tymes past abused the multitude of o'r Subgietts, of whose yoke, tirran', Sc skomefull illusion, we have by god's p'veyance delive'd this o'r realme & other his satellites, which secretlie did uphold his fu'c'on, should be by you diligentlie s'ched, enquired, & tried out, and se brought to o'r Justic', to recieve condign punyshm't, according to ther dymerites : but also, that tale tellers in the contreyes, & spredders of rumors, & false inventors of newes, to put o'r people in fear, & to sturr theme to seduc'on, shuld be by you app'hended, & taken Sc punysshed to the terrible ensample of other. Also that vacabons & valyaunt beggers shulde be advoyded & have worthy correcc'on. And for the same purpose, to keep Watches, & to se com'en Justice w't indifferencie, and w'tout eny corrup'con to be obs'rved Sc mynystred unto aU o'r subgietts, like as by the p'port and contents of o'r said Lr'es ye may more pleynlie p'cieve. We have therupon, beyng credeblie enformed that sondry of you Sc causyug the evill doers to be punisshed accordyng to ther demerits, have for a tyme so well doon yo'r duties, & endeyvored yo'r selfs in fulfiUyng o'r said admonyc'ons, that o'r lovyng subgeitts have not been disquyetted of longe season, untill now of late, that som ungraciouse cov'red & maliciouse p'sones, have taken boldenes to attempt, w't sundre devilishe p'swasions to move & seduce o'r true subgeits, uayng false lyes & moost untrue rumo'rs ; And amongs thame we understand, sundry p'sones, vicarres, & curratts, of this o'r realme, to be cheif, the which do bryng o'r people to HOLY TEINITY CHURCH, COVENTRY. 125 darkenes of ther owne p'verse mynde, not oneUe to blynde o'r comons, do reade so confusedlie, lieroyng ^ hachyng the worde of god, & such o'r lujunc'ons as we have latelie sett furth, that almost no man understands the true meanyng of the said lujunc'ons, butt also secretlie have subornated certayne spreyders of rumo'rs & false tales in corn's which do iuterp'tat & wrest o'r true meanyng & intenc'ones of o'r seid lujunc'ons to meny untrue sences ; for wheras we have ordeyned by o'r seid Injunnc'ons, for thavoydyng of sundry stryves, p'cesses, & contenc'ons, rysyng upon age, upon lynyaU disoent, upon title of inheritaunce, upon legyttimac'on or bast'die, or for knowlege, whether eny p'son is o'r subgiet borne or no. Also for sundry other causes, that the names of aU chyldren cristend fromehe'ssfurth, w't ther birthe, ther fathers & mothers name ; & likewise all maryges & buryells, w't the tyme & dait therof, shuld be regest'ed from tyme to tyme in a boke, in ev'y p'ishe churche, suerlie & safely to be kept. They have bruted & blowen abroad most falcelie and untrulie, that we do entend to mak som newe rep'acon at aU cristenyngs, weddyngs, & buryells, the which in no wise we ev' ment nor thought upon, alledgyng for to fortifle & colo'r ther false manyfest lyes, that therin we go about to take awey the Ub'ties of o'r realme, for the conf'macon wherof, they fayn that Bisshopp Becket, of Caunterbury, which thei heretofore caUed St. Thomas, dyed for, wher in deid, ther was nev' such thyng doon, ner me't in that ner sithense, for the seid Beckett, nev' swarved ner continewed w't o'r p'genytor Kyng Henry the second, but onelie to lett that those of the clergie shuld not be puniss'ed for ther offenc's, ner justified by the v?T'ts & lawes of this realme, but onelie at the bisshops pleasure, & after the decrees of Rome. And the cause why he died, was upon a wilfuU rescue & affrey, by hym maid & begon at Canterbury, which was nev'theles, afterward alledged to be for such Ub'ties of the Church which he contended for duryng his life with the Archebisshopp of York. (Cetera desunt.) The ensuing fragment,* entitled " Injunctions geven to the Clargy," is without date, but belongs to the latter part of the reign of Henry 8, viz., 1546 or 1547, being evidently composed after his 37th year, because the Free School is therein named (though, if the estabhshment was actually commenced so soon, it must have been in its first and temporary state, in the church of the White Friars), and that its date is previous to the 1st of Edward 6, is deducible from the circumstance of the priests of Bablake being named, and consequently before the possessions of the Gilds and Chantries were seized upon. This interesting document exhibits a proof of the lamentable state of ignorance into which many of the clergy were sunk at this period ; and is important as showing the first steps taken to reheve the parochial poor, a measure then become necessary from the Dissolution of the Monasteries, and the consequent stoppage of that great source of then- support. DSTJUNCTIONS GEVEN TO THE CLARGY. It'm, to thintent, the Priests in, and about the said Citie, beyng nowe but menely or scant lerned, maye herafter the better come to the knowledge of god & his worde. That all & syngler priests dwellyng, abidynge, or resiant w'tin the citie of Coventre, except the Vicars of the Churches of the Trynyte Sc seynt Michael's, onelesse they have liefuU & reasonable excuse, be p'sent at all, & shaU dailye, on the workyng dales, reseve syngler & open lessons of dyvynyte, to be redde in the co'en schole in Coventre, caUed Kyng henry the eight's free schole, or els where, to be redde in the seid citie, by the Vicars of the seid Churches, or any of them ; or by any other, that hathe, or shalhave, auctorite to reade the same, in the seid Citie ; so that the same lessons be redde out of the tyme used co'enly for syngyug of dyvyne servyce, in the seid churches. And to th'entent, the same maye be the better observed & not neglected, the co'en dyvyne servyce used dailye to be songe in the seid citie, shalbe don & songe in all the seid churches at the same & Uke houres, and at noon other tyme ; and that betwene eight & nyne of the clock, before none, no maner of dyvyne servyce on the workyng dayes, shalbe don in the seid Citie, but that parte shalbe don before & parte after, to thentent, iu the meane season they maye be at the seid lessons, or at ther studie. Provyded alweye, that thre of the seid priests, that is to seye, one of the bablake, another of the p'ishe of the Trynyte, & the third of seynt Michael's shalbe contynually, on the seid werkyng dales, in the seid schole, at such tymes as the scholars use to be in the same, and there shall teache the yong children that leme ther Alphabetes, or others, in such man'r & fourme as shalbe p'scribed unto them, from tyme to tyme, by the scholemasters, or scholemaster of the same. * In Trinity Vestry. 126 HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, COVENTEY. Concerning Alms, or Relief to the Poor (from the same Fragment). -that is to seye, uppon such as for age, impotencye, or sicknes, cannot get ther lyvyng w't ther handes ; or such as by reason of multitude of children, cannot w't ther honest labour get somoche as will fynde themselfs & ther chUdren, an honest poore livyng, and in nowise uppon such as be wilfuUy poore, that is, that wiU not labour fo ther lyvyng, or be drunkerds, whoremongers, dysers, carders, contempners of goddes worde, or such like lewde p'sones. And that the seid Almesse shalbe wekely, ev'y Sondaie, distributed to the seid poore people, by the kepers of the keyes of the seid hutche, and that the Vicar or curat of the same p'ishe, shaU kepe a boke therof, to whom & how moche is geven ev'y dale. It'm, that the churchewardens of ev'y p'isshe, Sc ij honest men of ev'y p'isshe, by course ev'y sondaie, or holydaie, shall, at the tyme of dyvyne s'rvyce, go rounde about ther p'isshe churche, two Sc two, that is one churche- warden, th'other no Churchwarden, w't a boxe in ther hande. (cetera desunt.) The following directions, addressed " To the Curate and Churchwardens of the Trynytie p'ishe, in Coventr' " are without date, but from internal evidence, and the name of the Registrar, are assignable to the period of Queen Mary ; and from the circumstance of their being addressed to the Curate instead of the Vicar, there is great reason to fix upon 1553, for the time, as in that year the Living was vacant, on the deprivation of WUliam Benet, for being married. To the curate and Churchewardens, of the Trynytie p'ishe, in Coventr'. ffurst, to comaunde that p'cessyons be hadde ij tymes a weeke, and ev'ye house withein the p'ishe, one to be present. It'm, in ev'ye church iiij sermons to be maid by the p'sone or viocar, or by theyre p'curement ev'ye yeare. It'm, ev'ye Soundaie and holydaie, the articles of the faiethe, the terme com'aundements, the vij deedeUe Synnes, the vij workes of m'cie, to be rehersed openlie by the curate, at masse tyme. It'm, that the chyldeme of ev'ye p'ishe cu' before the curate, to be examyned of theyre beleve, to knowe if theye be weU taught of theyre parents ; this to be done the Soundaies, at a convenyent tyme, to be apoynted by the curate. It'm, that no benefice be lett to f arme, nor no p'te thereof, without a specyaU lycens graunted by the ordynarie. It'm, that all suche as have pluralities, do bringe them in to the ordinarie and the Regyster. It'm, chardge to be gyven to the curate and churchwardens, that in the tyme of dyvyne s'vice, no dawnsinge, singinge, playinge, nor pastaunce be kept. It'm, a booke to be hadde in ev'ye churche, & ev'ye soundaie to writte the names of aU that be chrystened, married, and buryed, ev'ye weeke. It'm, aU dispensac'ons for dyett, or marryadge, to be exhibited to the bisshoppe or his chaunceUor, wthin a monethe. It'm that all Churchwardens, from tyme to tyme, do resorte to the Bysshope or his chaunceUor within Six weekes after theye be chosen, to take theyre othe. It'm, if there be any ma' or woma' that have anye pues or seates in the quere, theye shaU remove out of the quere, witldn ffourtie dales next ensuynge. By me, Ric'm Denton, Reg'rm. St i&tt|j0las's €ijuxt% Ccfentrg. The early history of this quondam structure is involved in considerable obscurity ; and it is only once aUuded to by Dugdale, in the foUowing words : — " certain is it, that a great part thereof (viz. the City of Coventry), and probably the most ancient, stood on the Bank, without Bishop-gate, North- Westward of the City ; for no less do the Foundations of much Building there discovered, and a place yet called St. Nicholas's Church-yard, testify." A confirmatory grant,* by Thomas, Prior of the Holy Sepulchre, in England, of certain lands to MUo de Coventry, circa Henry 2, contains inter aha, as foUows : — " Ooncedimus etia' iUis mansuras iUas juxta Gim't'iu/m Sc'i Nicholai, in quib'z manserunt Gladewin' presbit, et Joh'es rufius." Wm. de Coventre,t called de Burmyneham, and Bela his wife, grant to John the clerk, caUed le Bel, their adopted child (alumpno nostro) divers lands and tenements in Coventry (inter aha) certain land " versus ecclesiam Sancti Nicholai," the deed is s. d., but from Sir Gefirey de Langley being a party named therein, may be guessed about A.D. 1250. These are the earliest notices of St. Nicholas's Church hitherto discovered, and we are Hkely to remain uninformed, both as to the period of its foundation, and in what manner the celebration of divine service was provided for, until the 42nd of Edward 3, 1368, at which time Hcence| was granted to John Damaste, Thomas Randolf, William Wolf, Nicholas de Houton, Thomas de Sutton, Richard Damaste, Edward de Wedonne, John BallesshaU, WiUiam de Balsalle, and John de Castele, to assign 100s. annual rents, with the appurtenances in Coventry, unto two Priests, who shaU celebrate mass daily in the Church of St. Nicholas, "juxta Coventre," in honour of our Lord Jesus Christ, and St. Nicholas, and for the good estate of the said King Edward and Queen PhiHppa, as also for the said John Damaste and others. There are, however, strong reasons to conjecture that the Corpus Christi Gild, founded the 22nd of Edward 3, 1348, did immediately connect themselves with St. Nicholas's Church, and support the one Priest there, stipulated in their foundation Charter. It wUl be presently shown that afterwards they not only repaired the fabric, and appeared to have had the entire control and management of the Church, but so intimately were they connected with it, as to alter the style and title of their fraternity, which in 1488 (as appears from the Book of Accounts from that year to the dissolution of this Gild, preserved in the Corporation Archives) was called the GUd of Corpus Christi and St. Nicholas ; and such also is their designation upon the Seal of the GUd used during the reign of Henry 8, and untU the suppression. Other incidental notices of St. Nicholas's Church occur previous to the commencement of the Corpus Christi Gild Accounts, viz., in 1390, six seHons of land are in the Cartulary of St. Mary's described to be " in campo ex opposita eccl'ie sc'i Nich'i, inter t'ra Joh'is Preston * penes T, S. f Cart. fo. 49, b. J original penes T. S. 128 ST. Nicholas's church, Coventry. & venell, subtus Cimit'iu sc'i Nich'i •" and 1419, an order of Leet, that no one shall dig sand under St. Nicholas's Churchyard, on pain of 6s. 8d. In 1456 it is described amongst the Chapelries pertaining to Trinity Church, in a composition between the Prior and Convent of St. Mary's and the Vicar of that Church respecting tythes, by the term Capella S'ce Crucis Sc'i Nicholai Coventr', but this is the only instance I have met with. The first article in the Accounts above referred to connected with this Church occurs at the foot of an Inventory of Jewels and plate belonging to the Gild, Ao. 1493, and is as follows : "Md. that ther ys ij Chalys that long to Seynt Nycholas Chyrche, and they be in the kepyng of Thomas Owr, that help'th the prests to syng." In 1501 we find payd for the Repa'c'on of seynt Nycholas Church, iij 2. xiijs. ijd. 1503, payd to John Smythe, mason, for the makyng of a new butrase on the west ynd of seynt Nycholas Church, & ov'r the North ComeU, he fyndyng all the stuff & warkemanshyp, iiij2. The dedication of this Church was also celebrated by the GUd, as appears from the foUowing item. 1539, spent in bred & ale at the dedicac'on at seynt Nicholas Church, xijd. And in the same year occurs a payment of 12d. to Priests and Clerks there on Corpus Christi Day. 1541, It' in exp' of drynking at seynt Nicholas Churche, xijd. 1542, It' pd to p'sts for a dirige & a mase at Seynt Nicholas Churche, on seynt Abdon Sc Senes daye, XMJd, — At seynt Nicholas Churche tuysday in Crosse week. It' birche ijd., Russhes ijd,, a pynt mamsey & a looff for hyme that p'eached ijd., ob. Here terminate the extracts from the Corpus Christi GUd Accounts, but in 1545 is a charge in the Chamberlain's Accounts* of costs maid on the Causey, at seynt Nicholas Churche, ixs. xd. and in the subsequent year it appears from a valuation of the Vicarage of the Holy Trinity, in Coventry,t that the Church was then in a state of dilapidation, although it was not until 1547 that the Act of Parhament was passed for granting the Gild and Chantry possessions to the CrowTi. The Harleian MS. 6195, containing extracts from the Council Books of Edward 6, has at page 6 et seq., a curious and interesting account of the proceedings of his Privy Council, 6th of May, 1548, in consequence of the determined opposition made to this measure in the preceding November, by the Burgesses of Coventry in particular, than whom none " were stiflfer, nor more busily went about to impugne the said article ;" and " declaring that where that City was of much fame and Antiquity, sometimes very wealthy, though now of late years brought into decay and poverty, and had not to the furniture of the whole multitude of the Commons there, being to the number of 11 or 12 thousand houseling people, but two Churches wherein God's service is done :" proceeding, they say " the Church of Corpus Christi (meaning St. Nicholas) was speciaUy maintained of the Revenues of such GUd Lands, given heretofore by divers persons to that and other beneficial uses." These spirited measures, however, faUed of preserving the Church, although the City was allowed to purchase the Gild and Chantry possessions at a low rate. * penes Corporation, t '' Valet in p'ficua Cemeterii eccl'ie sc'i Nicho'i Coven' (modo in decasu et Ruina existent) p' ann. vs." ST. Nicholas's chuech, coventey. 129 In Stowe's CoUections, Harl. MSS. No. 539, he says of the Corpus Christi Gild, inter aHa, "they had a fair Church called St. Nicholas's Church, and 14 or 15 Chaplains*." We have no clear or certain account of further progress in destroying the Church, and indeed not many notices of it occur subsequent to this period. In 1558, WiUiam Bennettf, Vicar of Trinity, leases the Vicarage for seven years, and amongst other possessions described, is " oone Cloose or pasture, caUide Sayncte Nycholas Churche yarde," without any mention of the Church, but that some portion of it existed in 1560, appears from the Accounts of tho Churchwardens of Trinity, for that year, in which is the foUowing entry : — " payd for beryng ye pulpit to saynt nycolas churche, iiij. xvjd. It' p' j corda p' le wyndyng up de la peyce'* orUagii apud bablake, viijd. 1461, It', sol' WiU'o Melody p'uno Goieonf p' le chyme ap'd Babl', jd. 1463, It', sol' p' ij bawdrykes p' ij campanis apud bablake, xvjd. It' sol' p' behropes usq' ad bablake, xxjd. It' p' j belrope p' le Trynite beUe apud bablake pond' xlb. xijd. ob. 1464, It', for a corde to the peyse off the clocke at bablake, weyng xxxii p's le U' jd. ob' s'ma ujs. ixd. 1466, It', WiU'mo lokyer p' emendac'oe oricudiif ap'd bablake, uijs. iiij<2. It' p' a playte to the sayle of the clokke, ijd. It' p' a roppe weyng xiuj2&. to the chyme at bablake, xxjd. 1467, It', p' a gogyn & ij stapelys for the bellys at bablake, xd. 1468, It', sol' p' grese ad ca'panas de bablake, jd. ob. 1518, It', makyng a frame for the Clok at bablak (inter alia). It', p'd for iij barels for ye clok at bablak xxd. It', for makyng & underbUdyng the clokhouse, iijs. vjd. It', for worchyng ye stone to set under ye post of ye clockhouse, iuj<2. It', to a rough mason for settyng ye stone under the post & pavyng about it, iiij(2. It', for setyng up ye frame of the seid clock Sc mendyng the clokhous by iij dayes Sc di' iijs. vjd. worchyng on it, ijs. It', for sylyng of the clokhous, ij sylyng bords & mendyng it by ij dayes, xviijd. It', for makyng a hand for the dyaU of ye clok (inter alia). It', for vij 2 J. wire for the chyme ther at vd. ye lb., ijs. xjd. It', for a locur & Iron warke to ye same, xvjd. It', to Thomas Wylkyns clokmaker for makyng a newe clok at bablak in gret, iiij2i. vjs. viijd. It', for peyntyng ye clokhouse in gret, xj.s. viijd. * Weight. f Gojeon, gudgeon. { The striking part, or clock hammer. 152 BABLAKE CHUECH, COVENTEY. 1519, It', pd for the mendyng of the whele at the bell for the Rodemasse, xijd. It', pd for a horsse hyde to make Bawdrikks for bablake, ijs. iiij(Z. In 1459 four Vanes were put upon the Bell Tower, the particulars whereof follow. It', sol', p' j peine ad faciend' inde duas Fanes p' camponile apud Bablake, pond' viij 25. & di'. xvije^. It', sol' ij pec' de laton p' al' duabz fanes eid'm camponile, xixd. It'm sol' p' laton wyre eid', jd. ob. It'm, sol' p' facc'one ejusd'm, xd. It'm, p' peyntyng eor'd'm fanys, iijd. ob. It', sol' p' iiij Spyndels ferri eisd'm Fanys, pond' xlv li vijs. vjd. The following items appear to belong to the Tower of the Chapel, which had evidently a pinnacle with a vane at each corner in its original state : it is not quite so clear whether the cross mentioned in the third item surmounted the new Vane or was distinct from the Vanes, and in that case raised higher in the centre of the Tower; the charge seems to warrant the latter conjecture, being apparently too great for a cross over the Vane. 1525, It', p'd for a.fayne & prickes of iron for the penacles, vs. vjd. It', p'd for peyntyng the same fayne, ijs. It', p'd to a peynter & a laborer for oyellyng, rosellyng, & other workema'ship of the crosse, iijs. vijd. It', p'd to mathew the Carver for makyng foure fynyalls, ijs. iiij(2. Amongst other payments of the Trinity Gild, in 1.466, the 6th of Edward 4, is the following : — Sth July. It', p' ij p'ms ca'pa'is p' le chyrche mynday de Bablake, vd. I have inserted this article under the head Bells, not being able to explain what custom it aUudes to ; no notice of Church-Monday as a festival or ancient custom has occurred to me in the various writers consulted for information on this subject. [1584, Ordered by Common Council that Hy. Banke keep the clock in repair and receive a salary.] In 1633, the clock at Bablake was mended, one Richard Barratt appointed to keep it, and to ring at 5 o'clock in the morning, and 7 in the evening.* [There are five BeUs, bearing the foUowing inscriptions : — 1. Henrycus Bagley, M.C. Fecit 1676. 2. Pack and Chapman, London, 1778. Richard Eaton, Churchwarden. 3. Henric Dodenhale, Fecit M.C.B.LC.R.L 4. (Inscription illegible, supposed to have been founded in 15th century.) 6. I ring at Six to let men know When to and from their work to go. The 4th bell was formerly rung at fom* o'clock every morning ; the custom was dis continued about the year 1834. It was known as the "Dyers' BeU."] ¦* MS. Annals. BABLAKE HALL, COVENTEY. 153 St 30ljn Bapttsf s, nx MbMt lalL The liberal endowment of Bablake Chapel having, with Walsheman's grant in 1357, fuUy enabled its Pounders and Patrons, the Gild of St. John Baptist, to support six Priests there, with a prospect of adding to the number, it became necessary for the Gild to provide a permanent and fitting residence for their Priests ; and as Edward, Prince of Wales, in 1359,* granted to this Fraternity a piece of ground, 60 feet in length and 40 in breadth, contiguous to the land on which their Chapel at Bablake was built, and in enlargement of that ground, there can be Httle doubt but this newly acquired space was appropriated for the Priests' dwelHngs. Certain it is, that in the 38th of Edward 3, 1364t, mention is made in the transactions of this Gild that " John Damas, Chapeleyn, vyent a la sale de seynt John, Babelake ;" and in the Ordinances made and amended upon the union of the GUds, 16th of Richard 2, 1392, the meeting "en la fest de seynt luke," is ordered to be held " a la sale de seint joh'is," and another meeting by alternate years in St. Mary's Hall and in this Hall. In the Deed of FeoffmentJ of the possessions of these united Gilds, made 20th September, 17th Richard 2, 1393, it is thus mentioned: a Messuage, called " Babbelakehall," with a garden adjoining, situated between a tenement of John Burton and HiU-street, and extending from Bablake Chapel to the garden of Richard Marebrok. Another messuage belonging to them is described as situated between a tenement of the before-named John Burton and the HaU of St. John Baptist, at Babbelake, and extending from Spon-street, " usque latrinam de Babbelake." In the Accounts of the Trinity Gild, sub anno 1458, are the foUowing particulars of a coUation given to the Mayor and his suite in their way to Maxstoke : — Expe' fact' apud Babl', xvij die Jun', in Jantaculo, Majori & fribz suis, de p'bioribz' Civitatis, in itin'e usq' Maxtoke, ad spousal' d'nor' juni'um fllior' ducz' Buck'. Inp'mis in pane, ijd. It'm, in s'vis' iijd. It', in j loyne & di de moton, vd. ob. It' in vj puU' GalUnis, vjd. Sm'a, xvjd. ob. I have not been able to ascertain which of the sons of the Duke of Buckingham was now married. Edmund, George, and WiUiam, his three youngest (the two latter twins), are passed over with such brevity by our Genealogists, not being ennobled, that their names only are recorded. There are many entries in the Accounts of the Trinity Gild for labour done at the HaU, or articles purchased for it, a selection from which is given below; being items either illustrative of the building itself, or affording some insight into the management and economy of the estabhshment there. 1457, Sol' p' le takyng off Sc p' le settyng on agayn hostii Cologuintorii^ apud bablake, jd. It', p, patellis enea' de Joh'i Yale, emptis usq' babl', * Vide account of Bablake Chapel. f ^'¦^^ ^^- t Original in Treasury. § The Parlour. V 154 BABLAKE HALL, COVENTEY. 1458, It'm, sol' p' vij C de Tynhedednayle, p'pter hostia aular', iiijs. viijd. It'm, sol' Joh'i Harp', tyler, p' remoc'one Tegular' de Cam'is p'sbitor' de babl', remoc'one Tegular' uni's lat'is magne Aule ibm, & de la porche inf aulam Ji- eccl'iam, Sc p' retegnlac'one de novo ear'd'm domor', xijs. 1460, It'm p' vj V/aynscotes, ad faciend' unu' Muru, & le Syler apud le cupbourd aule p'dce, vjs. vjd. It'm, Rob'to Glasyer, p' emendaco'e Armar' in fenest', apud le Cupbourd in aula apud Bablake, & p' emendac'o'e aliar' fenestr' aule p'dce, ijs. jd. It' p' facc'one unius paris de hynges ad magnam portam., apud bablake, & p' le settyng ou eord', xijd. It' p' emendac'oe unius lok de le shutte durre, apud aulam in bablake, vd. It' Rob'to Glasier, p' glasyng unius fenestre in aula apud bablake, cent' xviij ped', p'c ped', viijd. & p' emendac'oe al' fenestrar' fract', xijs. 1461, It' p' j carect' lapid', ad fixend' unu' plumbu' voc' a Brewyng Iced, apud Bablake, xvjd. It' p' j lok p' longa cam'a, apud Bablake, '\iijd. It'm Rob'to Smyth cu' soe' p' mundac'one co'is latrine* p'sbitor' apud Bablake, vjs. In the same year is an item sufficiently connected with the history and description of the building which is the subject of our present enquiry to deserve insertion here, especially as it shows that there was a communication from Bablake Hall to HiU-street Gate, It'm, Thome Joyno', p' facc'one unius hostii turri, sup' port' de Hilstrete, iiij(Z. 1462, It' sol' p' j cok ad le cundit, infra coguina, apud bablak, xvjd. 1467, It' p' a C gret nayle tyn'yd the beds, to a weket at bablake, ijs. iiij(2. 1469, It' for cla'pyng a grett mcolef at bablake kechyn, ijd. 1471, It' sol' Thome Corell, for a rakke to bablake, weyng xvij li. ijs. jd. ob. It', for a bro'dartj to bablake, weying xxij li. ijs. ixd. 1472, It', sol' p' uno clave ad le max chamb'r apud bablake, ijd. 1474, It'm p' dimid' C de payvi'ent tyle, xviiij5, It'm, p' pavyng in aula de bablake, viijd. At the suppression of the Gilds and Chantries in 1547, this Hall, with its appurtenances, being part of the possessions of the Trinity Gild, came into the King's hands, and was in the following year granted to the Corporation; soon after which, viz., in 1571, the City Annals record that in that year the Dirge Hall at Bablake, the Wardens' chambers, the Priests' chambers on the west side, and the School House*^ were all laid out together, repaired, and some part new built, to make a House of Correction, commonly caUed Bridewell ; " but because of the plage it was staled and did not goe forward." [The present School and School House occupies part of the site of the above described buildings.] *' See an earlier mention of this in the preceding extract from the Gild Feoffment, anno 1393, f Without having discovered the etymology of this word, it is clearly ascertained to mean a large tub or cowl. X Brondart ; brandart or brandiron. % There was a Grammar School here, supported by the Gild, the Master whereof received 62. 13s. id. per annum, aud in 1522, Maist'r BeduU, skolmayst'r of bablake, was a member of Corpus Christi Gild, ST. John's hospital, coventey. 155 St 30f)n's l0SpttaI anir fxtt S>tfiool, €oimtxu* ST. JOHN'S HOSPITAL (using the words of Dugdale) " was founded by Laurence, Prior of Coventry, and his Convent, about the beginning of Henry Second's time, at the request of Edmund*, then Archdeacon of Coventry, ad susceptionem pauperum Sf infirmorum, as the words of the Grant import." This, how^ever, was only a grant of the land, which was within the Prior's fee, and having obtained it in frank almoigne, the Archdeacon procured a Confirmation thereof, from Richard, Archbishop of Canterbury, and was at the charge of the buildingsf. In 1221, 5th of Henry 3, Pope Honorius the 3rd, by his Bull, dated at Lateran, 15 Cal. Junu, and addressed to the Governor and Brethren of St. John's Hospital, grants a special protection as to their persons and possessions, particularly naming their land at Smercote (in Bedworth parish), with the assarts, houses, and other things, belonging thereto, " which (says Dugdale) 'tis Hke was given them at the Foundation of their House." Roger de Montalt and CecUy his wife, in their Grant of the Manor of Coventry to the Convent of St. Mary, 33rd of Henry 3, 1249, reserved a cart-load of wood, to be weekly deHvered by the Foresters of the Prior and Convent, unto the Brethren of this Hospital, out of the woods belonging to Coventry. After this they obtained Letters of Protection, for seven years, from Henry 3, bearing date 24th July, in his 45th year, 1261 (he being then at Coventry) ; which protection was also extended to such Messengers as they should employ and send out to ask, coUect, and receive alms, for their support : and he entreats aU persons to whom the said Brethren, or their messengers, shall apply for alms, to give HberaUy, as they would expect to be rewarded from God, or receive his thanks. In this instrument they are, for the first time, designated the Master, Brethren, and Sisters, of St. John's Hospital. They also had BuUs of Immunities from aU secular exactions, granted by Popes Urban 4 and 5, and by other Benefactors, the foUowing gifts : In 1st of Edw. 3, 1327, 4 messuages, 2^ acres of wood, and 20s. rent, lying in Coventry and Bedworth, by Bernard de Arley. In 1328, 2nd of Edward 3, 20 acres of land, 1 rood of meadow, and 30s. rent in Stoneley, Harnale, and Coventry, given by Nich. Crumpe, of Coventry. In 15th of Edward 3, 1341, 3 messuages, 6 acres of land, and ^ an acre of meadow, lying in Coventry, by Rich. Southam, Priest ; and in the same year, 5 more messuages in Coventry, given by Henry Page, of WeUsborough. In 21st of Edward 3, 1347, 4 messuages and lis. rent in Coventry, by John de FUungley, Priest. In 1383, 6th of Richard 2, 1 messuage in Coventry, by John de Melton, and two other persons; and in 9th of Richard 2, 4 messuages, 5 shops, and 12d. rent in Coventry, "¦ He was Archdeacon from 1160 to 1176. t As appears from an Instrument of Arbitration, in 1425, noticed more fully hereafter. 156 ST. John's hospital, coventey. by Hugh de Geydon, Vicar of Merton, and Wm. Suwett, Rector of Southam, who gave Hkewise in 1387, 16th of Richard 2, 4 messuages, 40 acres of land, and 20s. rent in Coventry, with 2 acres of wood in Bedworth; and also 5 messuages, 12 cottages, and 8 shops in Coventry. Besides all this, they had an allowance in bread, beer, and two messes of meat, every day, as much as was sufficient for two monks, given by the Prior and Convent of St. Mary's, at the foundation of the Hospital, and for which £14. 13s. 2d. per annum was aUowed in the charges of that Monastery. Some disputes having arisen between the Prior and Convent of St. Mary's, and the Master and Fraternity of St. John's, two arbitrators were appointed to determine their differences, and on 29th* March, 1425, they met in the Chapter House of the Cathedral, together with the Prior and major part of the Convent, and the Master and major part of the Brethren and Sisters of the Hospital, when they ordained and declared, that the Prior and Convent are and were the Founders and Patrons there, and that Edmund the Arch deacon, for his many benefits and buUding of the said Hospital, should be especially prayed for amongst the Benefactors, next after the Prior and Convent ; they likewise ordained, that forasmuch as from the time of Friar Lawrence, a daily dehvery sufficient for two Monks, was given them by the Prior and Convent without diminution or interruption. Earl Leofric and Godiva should be especially named and included in their prayers and suffrages. They also decreed, that the Masters of the said Hospital, at the time of their appointment, shall make an oath of fidehty and obedience to the Prior and Convent, and faithful execution of the duties of their office ; carefully preserving and endeavouring to augment the revenues of the Hospital, and seeing that they are properly administered according to the intentions of the Founders. The form of the oath is given at considerable length. It is further decreed, that the Prior and Convent shall, if they think proper, visit the Hospital every year, to the number of eight persons ; but that they shall not remove any member of the Community, without sufficient cause and proof. The goods, possessions, rents, rights, &c., of the said Hospital, are to be at the disposition of the Master for the time being, who is not to alienate or lessen the same, without Hcence from the Prior. Every Brother or Sister entering into the Frater nity, shaU make a profession in writing to the Prior, that they will be of good conversation, chaste, and obedient in all lawful and canonical commands ; the form prescribed is in latin ; and it is ordered, that if any Brother or Sister hereafter professed, has Httle knowledge of latin, they shall make it in the vulgar tongue. Also they ordained, that no one should be appointed Master except a man of approved life, honest conversation, and in Priest's orders. According to former custom, the supertunic of the Brethren is to be black or brown, made full and wide, tucked close, with a black cross thereon, and moderately long (sine bissis) . The mantle also is to bear a black cross, and without this dress no one may converse out of doors with the citizens and people of Coventry, The under-vest to be a scapulary of light colour with a black cross. The Sisters to wear a white veil, with a supertunic as before-mentioned, and mantle or close hood, which they shall constantly use when they go out. Also the Brethren, Master, and Sisters, shall have Cowls or Hoods, and linen vests, as of ancient times accustomed, unless they abstain from linen for devotional motives. The Master for the time being shall, at least, once in the week, hold a meeting, in which the said Brethren and Sisters shall be canonically punished for lesser offences, but greater •* Monasticon, Vol. II. p. 428, et seq. ST. John's hospital, coventey. 157 crimes shaU be left to the correction of the Prior. Divine service shall be performed secun dum usum Sarum ; and if the lay members are altogether illiterate, they shall say, instead of matins, 30 pater nosters, 30 ave marias, and 1 Apostles' Greed, and so for other services ; but the Brethren and Sisters sufficiently learned, shall say the Hours of the Virgin with the Psalter. The Master is on no account to be absent without leave of the Prior, and to have precedence within the Hospital in the Choir, processions and other honours, unless the Prior is present : and in aU rehgious processions in the City, the Master and Brethren, if they attend, shall appear in their habits. Also, in the solemnity of the Lord's Supper, the anni versary of the Founders, and the exequies of the Prior and Monks of the said Priory, the Master, Brethren, and Sisters shaU attend at the Cathedral Chm'ch, according to ancient custom. The Common Seal to be kept under three keys in the said Hospital, whereof the Master to have one, and the Brethren and Sisters the second and third. The ancient* Seal to be utterly destroyed, and all muniments, since the death of Henry Aston, late Master, viz. from A.D. 1361, sealed with the old Seal, to be disregarded. The Charters concerning the rights of the Hospital, to be kept with the Seal, and each party to have transcripts of the common writings, as well of the Prior and Convent as of the Hospital, now in the Treasury of the Cathedral Church. With regard to the pasture of Combewelle (about which there had been some altercation), as now divided by Brother William Halughton and Sir John Bonetable, they ordain, that the Master shaU pay the predial tithes to the Prior and Convent, they reUnquishing their tithes of wood and underwood to the Hospital, and granting in addition a cart load of wood weekly. They hkewise ordain, that the Master, Brethren, and Sisters, shaU have free sepulture in the said Hospital, but that the bodies to be buried should be borne to the Mother Church, and that aU "apparel of wax and tapers," provided by reason of the funerals, shaU be solely rendered to the Cathedral Church ; and in acknowledgment for the said right of sepulture, the Hospital shaU offer annuaUy, one pound of wax, or its weight of tapers to the Cathedral Church. Also, that aU BuUs, Letters, and Instruments, of the said Hospital, now in the possession of the Prior and Convent, shall be fully exhibited, that justice may be rendered to both parties ; and if any of the writings have been lost or concealed, the oaths of the Prior, Sub-Prior, and Brothers Nicholas Caldecot and WUHam Halughton, denying any know ledge of them, shaU sufficiently excuse the Convent. Also, that the said Hospital shaU relinquish aU claim or right to certain parcels of land within Priors Orchard, by reason of the Charters of Nicholas Glover, John the son of Nicholas, John Proude, John Gauter, WilHam Cook, or any others, and to the tenements of WiU. Scott, the lands of Richard Carpenter, and whatever else the Prior and Convent may possess within Coventry and without. And if it shall happen, that the Prior and Convent shall hereafter acquire any * An impression of the ancient and original Seal of this Hospital, upon green wax, appended to a Deed, circa Hen. 3, represents St. John standing, his left hand elevated, and a chalice in his right hand, with a nimbus round the head ; of the inscription only the letters SIGILL remain. The new Seal (which, as well as the former one, is oval) has a whole length figure of St. John, within an orna mented Gothic niche, and holding the apocalyptic lamb in his left hand, with this inscription — s. ijospitalis set 3d|)'s Jje co&mtre* 158 ST. JOHN S HOSPITAL, COVENTEY. tenements or lands, which shall be held of the Hospital, they shaU pay the accustomed annual rent. They further ordain, that the Master of the Hospital shall pay annually, to the Prior and Convent, and chiefly for the offices of Chamberlain, Treasurer, and Cel larer, the sum of 21s. 4d. for the lands and tenements which they hold of the said Prior and Convent, in Coventry, Harnale, Eccleshall, Stoke, and Keresley (and shall give up a croft called le Frerhey, with a piece of land belonging thereto in Keresley field), together with the rent due annually, to the office of Pitancier, viz., for divers tenements in Coventry, 28s. 8d. and the Chapel of St. Mary, ofthe Cathedral Church, 4s. with clause of distress; and if the said Hospital shaU in future acquire any lands or tenements, held of the Prior and Convent, they shaU render the accustomary rents to them. And further, that the pools made in the ditches below the Prior's Orchard (as appears by the tripartite), between the stone wall and the head of Swaneswelpole and the Derngate, shall remain as they now are ; but that at the cleansing of them, the dirt shall be thrown upon the Prior's land, and not upon the land of the Hospital, because of the destruction of the herbage. Also, that the Bull of Pope Alexander 3rd, to prevent further disputes, is disannulled, together with all other documents repugnant to this Ordinance, and especially the submission of brother Alexander, late Master of the Hospital, and the confirmation of Robert, Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield thereupon, as far as the premises are concerned, but in other respects to remain in force. And with regard to the stopping of the water of Swanswelpole, the division of the meadow of Gombewell and other boundaries, the same to be left to the arbitration of brothers WUliam Halughton and Sir John Bonetable; and as a compensation for the flowing of the waters of Swaneswelpole over the land of the Hospital, the Prior and Con vent relinquish aU tithes of hay in their meadows in Coventry and Harnale. In 1439, the foUowi&g order of Leet was made : Volunt quod Mag'r S'ci Joh'is Bapt', ffratres, & Sorores infra no'ia't, h'eant & teneant Campu' Sc Pastura' Swauneswelpole, infra in Sep'al', cu' via pedestr' Sc nulla alia via p'ut h'uer' a temp'e antiquo. John Lusterley, Merchant of Coventry, by will, 1448, bequeaths inter alia, thus ; It'm, lego paup'ibz domus hospital' s'ci Joh'is Bapt'e, de Cove'tr' vjs. viijd. ita q' distribuat' inf paupe's in eis continge'tibz : In 1474, Laurence Saunders complains to the Prince, that the Mayor and Recorder suffered the Master of St. John's to turn sheep upon the commons, " unstynted," whereas the commoners are not aUowed to exceed their rate. And in 1518, John Haddon, draper, bequeaths — to the mayneten'nce of the pour folks beddes in saint John's, Ixxx yards of white freese. Upon the return, in 1522, of the value of the Benefices of the Clergy in Coventry, that for St. John's Hospital, was as follows : — The M'r of the hospitall of seint John Baptist in Coventr', hath lends to the yeaiiie value of xl2. whereof XX marc' Ueth within the Citie. It'm, the value of the goods of the howse amounteth to the som' of xl2. of the which lands Sc substauns he fyndeth hymself iij priests, iij clerks, & fyve Systers, Sc maynteneth xxx beddes for pore people, wheirof iiij pore men continue dailie in the howse Sc sumtyme moo. Sir John Came, xls. Sir Rich' Folget'm, xxxs. Sir Will'm Cooke, xxvjs, ST. JOHN'S HOSPITAL, COVENTEY. 159 The revenue of this Hospital, upon the Survey, 26th of Henry 8, 1534, was certified to be £99. 13s. 6d. from whence it is evident, that they possessed other lands* and rents besides those before specified. The deductions, including 33s. 4d. to the Chamberlains for murage, 26s. in bread and beer, given to poor people at the Hospital Gate, according to the foundation, 60s. for the renewal of 20 beds, for the use of the poor and weak people and strangers, and £16 the stipend of three Priests serving there, amounted to £32. 10s. 4d. per annum, leaving the clear yearly value, £67. 3s. 2d. Another valuation is preserved in an old book, in the Corporation Treasury Chest. Quarto die Junii, anno xxx vij R' H' viij, p' Joh'e Hales, The cleare yerely value of the Scite & demeanes of the late hospitall of St. John Baptist, w'thin the Cittie of Coventre, together w'th aU the possessions there unto belonging, ys lxxxxix2. xiijs. vjd. whereof deducted for the tenthe of the demene lands of the said late hospitall, & of the lands in Smercote Sc Radford p'cell of the same, amounting to xl2. iiijs. viijd. by the yere iUj2. vjd. Sc so remaynethe cleare lxxxxv2. xiijs. w'ch is given by the King's ma'tie unto the saide John Hales Sc to his heires for ev', iu considerac'on of w'ch guyft, the saide John Hales hathe aJredy paid unto his highnes owne hands the some of cccc2. starling. M'd, the said John Hales must be bound to ffynd one ffree scole, w'th in the said Cittie of Coventre.f The preceding Valuation appears to be the one on which this Hospital and its posses sions were granted upqn the dissolution of these establishments, 37th Henry 8, to John Hales, by the King's Letters Patent, bearing date 23rd July in the same year, viz., 1545, and connected therewith is the founding of a Free Grartvmar School in Coventry, which shall be treated of after we have bestowed some consideration on the Church, Hospital, and the estabhshment generaUy. In the Cartulary of St. Mary's, fo. 21a, a tenement is described in 1385, to be " inter pontes, exopposito infi/rmar' hospital' Sc'i Johi's." The Licence for founding St. Katherine's Gild, in Coventry, bearing date Nov. 12, 1343, stipulates for the providing three priests to sing Mass daily, for the souls of King Edward 3 and his Queen, for Queen Isabel his mother, and others, in the Ghapel of St. Katherine, in the Church of the Hospital of St. John Baptist. This was probably the portion of the north transept now used as a library ; there was also a south transept, but it has been long since taken down, and very probably at the time the school was removed here. This Church, I am incHned to think, was erected upon the site of the Nunnery destroyed by Canute and Edric, in 1016, as mentioned by John Rous, being situated on the northern side of the city, where the first settlement undoubtedly was, and certainly upon the founda tion of a previous structure, as was proved by the discovery of the bases and parts of several piUars or columns, in 1794, when the old front of the Church was taken down for the purpose of widenmg the street ; they were found within the area of the Church, in digging for the foundation of the present west front, and one of them is preserved in the garden belonging to the Head Master of the Free School, the character of which being a rude imitation of the Roman column, and perfectly agreeing with the period aUuded to, very strongly corroborates the opinion that St. Osburg's Nunnery stood here. In the Cartulary of St. Mary^s, fo. 25a, is a singular entry, which I am somewhat incHned to think has a reference to this circum stance, though the truth is partly obscured. The memorandum (for so it is caUed), after * In 7th Edward 1 they held 10 acres of land, and 2 acres of meadow, in Heath, in the parish of HiU Wootton. t Stowe in his Collections, Harl. MS. 539, p. 87, says " the Hospital of St. John, 5 priests and 5 sisters, 1602. per ann." 160 EEEE SCHOOL, COVENTEY. stating that their Church was founded in 1043, in the time of Abbot Leofwyn, and giving the names of six of the first Priors, proceeds thus : Sorores hospital' s'ci Joh' Covetr' dicu't, q'd dictu' hospitale fundat' erat ante eccriam nu'c Cath' Covetr', p' Leofifricu' Comite', fundatore' eccl'ie Cath' be' Marie de Covetr', q'd co'trariu' est. P' hospital' s'ci Joh' Coventr' ut patet sup'a. Now, with the evidence of the actual foundation and building of this Hospital, which both parties possessed, it is incredible to suppose that a question could arise respecting the priority of its foundation to that of the Cathedral, especially when we consider that in their daily prayers, the members of the Hospital acknowledged the Prior and Convent to be their Patrons and Founders; it seems, however, reasonable enough to conclude that some traditionary information existed amongst the brethren of their Church, being constructed upon the site and foundation of one which was in existence before the Cathedral ; and this affords a natural and easy solution to the supposed claim of priority, UI understood, or incorrectly expressed by some zealous monk tenacious of the honour of his own estabhshment. FREE SCHOOL. It has been already observed that John Hales obtained a Grant of St. John's Hospital, and its possessions, in the 37th of Henry 8, 1545, and a memorandum at foot of the Valua tion of the 4th June in that year, given in a preceding page, expressly states that " the said John Hales must be bound to fiynd one ffree scole with in the said Cittie of Coventre ;" and Dugdale, who drew much of his information from a descendant of this John Hales, says that he " designing the Foundation of a Free School here, and that the King should have the Honour thereof (for which Respect he had no little Favour in his Purchases, as I have credibly heard), obtained Licence for the amortising of Lands thereto, of CC Marks per ann. value, converting the Buildings to that use. Howbeit, till the 15th of Eliz. reign, (which was the year wherein he dyed) this School, so by him begun to be founded, was not certainly endowed." The foUowing history of this foundation is taken from a MS. formerly in the possession of James Hales, gent. ; and although there is a misrepresentation as to the purchase of the White Friars Church by the Corporation, and the cause of removing the seats from thence to the Church of St. John's Hospital, does not agree with the Petition to Queen EHzabeth's Privy Council, by that body, as wUl hereafter appear, yet it is an interesting document, and no doubt generally correct as to facts; but it by no means invalidates the charges against John Hales, of having obtained a very lucrative grant, upon condition of founding a Free School, which he very imperfectly performed during his life, and did not endow until his death, and after various complaints made by the city of his breach of covenant with Henry 8 as to the terms on which the grant of Church lands was made to him. 4 " This School was founded by John Hales, of London, Esq., Clerk of the Hanaper, in the reign of K. H. VIIL, a gentleman of very considerable abihties and learning. Upon the dissolution of the abbeys and monasteries, he attended the King's Commissioners to this city, where he was wonderfully taken with the pleasant situation of the house lately belonging PEEE SCHOOL^ COVENTEY. 161 to the White Friars. After his return to London, he desired his intimate acquaintance. Lord CromweU and Sir Anthony Dennis, to move the King that he might have leave to purchase some of his Majesty's lands lying in and about Coventry. The King was easily prevailed upon to hearken to any motions of this kind ; but understanding there was no Free-School in the said City, he told Sir Anthony that he should be well pleased to meet with a purchaser who would, give something towards the foundation of a school, whereby others might be encouraged to promote so good a work. Sir Anthony answered that his Majesty knew John Hales to be a very good scholar, and a lover of learning and learned men ; and, therefore, could not meet with a purchaser more fit for that purpose. Hereupon, the King sent for Mr. Hales, and asked him, whether, in case of a purchase, he would be wUling to do something towards the erection of a Free School in Coventry. Mr. Hales answered that he should be very well pleased to do so ; and that, since the motion was made by his Majesty, the School which he would found should be called K. H. VIII. School. The King after pressing him to engage to settle four marks a year for a beginning, Mr. Hales replied that that was too Httle ; and, in case he was suffered to purchase, he woiUd settle about thrice four marks a year : but withal desired that the purchase might be free, without any mention or notice in the patent of any thing to be given for the endow ment of a School. The King consented to his request ; and sold him, by letters patent, divers houses, lands, and quit-rents*, parcels of the late dissolved Priory and other religious houses in and near this City ; at the same time granting his Royal License, dated at Ports mouth, to found and establish a perpetual Pree Grammar School in the said City, with full power to him, or any other person, to give and devise lands for the maintenance thereof. Not long after this, Mr. Hales came to settle at the White Friars (to which he gave the name of Hales Place), and in the Choir of the Church thereunto belonging, maintained a School at his own expense, allowing to Mr. Sherwyn, the Chief Master, £30 a year ; to the Usher, £10 a year; and to .Mr. Johnson, of Oxford, Music Master, 20 nobles a year and his board. But the School did not long continue here ; for Tallans and Kervyn (commonly called the Great Kervyn), two of the Magistrates of this City, finding a defectf in the patent, and that Mr. Hales had not actually purchased the Church, either through envy of the work, or some other sinister motive, procured a Grant of it from the Crown, and obliged Mr. Hales to remove the seats, which he had provided for the scholars, to the Church of St. John's Hospital, which is the present School. In the time of Edward 6, complaints were made to the Lord Chancellor, during Mr. Hales's absence in Germany, by the said Tallans and Kervyn and others, setting forth that Henry 8 had granted and given to the said Mr. Hales certain houses and lands, which he unjustly detained to his own use, though the same were designed by the King for the foundation of a School. And when Queen Elizabeth, in the year 1572, came to this City, Mr. Throgmorton, then Recorder, in his speech to her Majesty, among other things, represented " That her most noble Father founded in this City, for the maintenance of learning, a Free School, or rather a CoUege, and for continuance thereof passed or let go from him certain lands of great price, which the City enjoyed not, but were' unjustly deprived of for the redress whereof, the Mayor and Commonalty most humbly besought her Highness to give gracious hearing." ¦* Dated 23rd July, 37th of Henry 8. t This defect was in Sadler's patent, which being discovered, the City petitioned Queen Mary, and obtained License, in the 4th and Sth of her reign (1557-8), to make it a parish church. [The Corporation purchased the Church before the Grant of the White Friars to Sir Ralph Sadler, consequently this statement is untrue,] W 162 I"EEE SCHOOL, COVENTRY. The Queen, extremely incensed at this charge, immediately gave orders that Sir WUHam Cecil, one of her principal Secretaries of State, should make enquiry into the matter. But neither of these attempts succeeded : for Sir William, as well as the Lord ChanceUor, upon examination of Mr. Hales's patent, found no mention of any houses or lands thereby given or reserved for the foundation and maintenance of a School. This unkind treatment of Mr. Hales, from a City which he was endeavouring to oblige, made him lay aside a noble design which he had formed of erecting and estabHshing a CoUege in this City, like those at Westminster and Eton. However, he continued, as long as he Hved, the maintenance of the School by annual stipends, as we observed before. In the Corporation Treasury is the original draft, or copy of a Petition, to the Lords of Queen Elizabeth's Council, and materiaUy connected with the present subject. It is vrithout date, the latter part being unfortunately imperfect; but as Hales died in the 15th of Ehza beth, it must have been used prior to that period. The principal heads and substance of the Petition here foUow : — " To the Lords of the Queen's Majesty's most Honourable Council ; the humble Petition of the Mayor, BaUiffs, and Commonalty, of the City of Coventry, — Sheweth, that the said City hath of late sustained much damage by three sundry occasions and means, praying redress, &c. First, that there was lately in the said City, an Hospital of St. John Baptist, of an ancient Corporation, with a fair Church, a strong building covered with lead, and divers necessary houses and buUdings parcel of the same, in part whereof were commonly received and lodged nightly, a great number of the poor of the said City, and of divers others poor travellers by the way, having great need of relief. And for that purpose there was in the said Hospital thirty, or at the least twenty-four beds, with necessaries thereto. And in the same Hospital was founded and estabhshed a Priest, caUed the Master of the said Hospital, with three Priests under him, daily singing and saying divine service, and five women, all incorporated by the name of Master, Brethren, and Sisters, which women had the charge of all provisions and requisites to the said poor, both as to lodging and otherwise. " The said Hospital was endowed with lands, &c., in and near Coventry, of £140 yearly value, which was employed for the godly purposes aforesaid continually, until 37th of Henry 8, 1545, about which time the said Hospital was clearly dissolved and defaced by one John Hales, by colour of a gift or grant of the possessions of the same Hospital, made to him by Henry 8, and the poor " utterly expulsed," and the bedsteads, bedding, and aU other provi sions for the poor, broke up and taken away by the said John Hales. For the purchase of all the possessions of which Hospital, being of £140 yearly value, " a7id then surveyed,, by his corrupt means," whereof being deducted for tenths £4. 5s. 2d. there remains clear £135. 14s. lOd. ; the said Hales paid only £400, as may appear, in consideration of his promise and grant made then to King Henry 8, for a further recompense immediately after defacing the said Hospital, that he should erect and establish a perpetual School, with two Masters and one Usher, within the said City, for the good education of the youth of the same. The School to be named " The scoole of King Henrie the Eight." For erecting and establishing of which he obtained licence of mortmain for 200 marks of land per annum to the Corporation of the said City ; yet the said Hales hath not yet assigned any part of the said possessions, or any other land, towards the said foundation. And shortly after this gift or grant he converted into ready money, to his own use, by the lead of the said Church, PEEE SCHOOL, COVENTEY. 163 the bells*, the houses wdthin the precincts or site of the said Hospital, and of the woods belonging to the same, the sum of £1,000, beside other great sums of money from the sale of divers tenements, lands, and buildings, being parcel of the said possessions. " The second occasion is, that, whereas about the same time, the Petitioners purchased a fair Church, called White Friars Church, within the walls of the City, the same John Hales required of them Hberty to use the said Church, (wherein he pretended to establish the said School), which request being granted, he appointed a Schoolmaster there, who tiU lately exercised that office, but in no ways as it ought to have been, and now there is neither Schoolmaster or School, to the great damage of the City. The Petitioners, considering the forbearing of the said Church, and the benefit and profit they might have had by defacing it, have often demanded of the same Hales how, and after what manner, the said School should be erected and estabhshed, to continue perpetually according to their expectation and honest intentions ; unto which he has answered, that they should have nothing to do with that matter, nor be made privy to any thing concerning the establishment thereof; for which reasons the Petitioners despair of its success, unless the Queen interfere. The third occasion is, that in the said City be only two parish Churches, whereof one caUed St. Michael's, is one of the most notable and greatest Parishes within all this realm, considering the mul titude of people in the same." Cetera desunt. It is not very clear what was the object of the incomplete third division of this Petition : if it went on to propose, that the WTiite Friars Church should be made parochial, or used in aid of the other two Parish Churches, this Petition must have been drawn up early in the Reign of Elizabeth, and before 1566, for another Petition, from the Corporation to the Queen, was presented prior to that year, wherein they state that the city is " sufficientlie furnished w't convenient churches for the inhabitauntes thereof, and that the erectinge of moe churches, shoulde be by devidinge and deminishinge of the livings of the curates thereof, the rather an hinderaunce then furderaunce of goddes service w'tin the said citie." Indeed, the real object of the Petitioners seems to be the Pree School, which having failed in aU their endeavours to get established and founded according to Hales's agreement, they now tried to bring about by an appeal to the Queen's Ministers ; and it is most evident, that although Hales at length sufficiently endowed the School, yet there was a tardiness and procrastination in the affair, by no means honourable or creditable to him. Nothing further was done towards founding the School, untU the 17th of December, 15th EUzabeth, 1572, when Hales, by his vriU, gave to Thomas Docwra, Esq., and Bartholo mew Hales, Gentleman, certain Houses, Lands, MUls, and Quit-rents, specified in a Rental annexed, and bearing the same date, amounting to the yearly value of £43 and upwards, all which particulars the said Docwra and Hales, in pursuance of the trust reposed in them, con veyed to the Mayor, BaiHffs, and Commonalty of Coventry, and their successors for ever, at the same time executing a deed tripartite, declaring the uses of the estate so conveyed, an abstract of which foUows : — Whereas, Thomas Docwra and Bartholomew Hales by their Indenture Tripartite, bearing equal date with this deed, have according to the trust reposed in them by John Hales, bar gained and sold to the Mayor, &c., aU the Site of the House and Church of the late Hospital ''' On the decease of Isabel, wife of Maurice, Lord Berkley, in Coventry, Sth of Henry 8, there were, inter alia, rung " at St. Jon's, xxxiij peles." Smythe's MS. Account of the Berkley Family. 164 PEEE SCHOOL, COVENTEY. of St. John Baptist, with all Houses, Lands, &c., as by the said Indenture and the Schedule thereunto annexed appeared, which premises were given by the said John Hales to the said Thomas Docwra and Bartholomew Hales upon Trust, that they should convey the same to' the said Mayor, &c., for the maintenance of one perpetual Free-School within the City of Coventry (which School was begun by the said John Hales in his life-time), and to no other use, intent, or purpose. It is hereby covenanted betwixt the parties, that the said Mayor, &c., shall and may receive and take the Rents, Issues, and Profits of the said Houses, Lands, &c., upon the uses and purposes hereafter expressed, and to no other whatsoever : that is to say — to a discreet and learned School-Master from time to time, to be provided and appointed by the Mayor, &c., to teach Grammar in the said School, 201. per ann., by two equal payments at Michaelmas and Lady Lady-Day, besides the Mansion House of the late Master of the said Hospital, with the Close adjoining, and the Appurtenances. — To a learned Usher to be in like manner appointed, 101. per ann., at the said two Feasts by equal portions, over and above one House within the Site of the said Hospital, which the said Usher shall have without rent. — To a Man skilful in Musick to be provided, who shall at three times every week teach so many Scholars as are willing to learn, 52s. per ann., at the said two Feasts by equal portions, and to a Bailiff to be provided to gather up Rents, and to see the Houses kept in repair, 26s. 8d. per ann. — The Residue of the Rents, to be employed in repairing such of the said Houses as from time to time shall have need of Repairing. — And the Overplus after all necessary and needful repairs, to be given yearly by the said Mayor, &c., for the augmentation ofthe maintenance ofthe said School-Master and Usher, and not otherwise. — And the said Mayor B. and C. &c., do covenant that they will permit Neale Steel and his Wife to hold their Tenements and Gardens during their Lives at the old Rent. — Provided always that if the said Mayor, &c., do at any time for the space of six months together cease in the bestowing the Rents to and upon the uses before expressed, then it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Thomas Docwra and Bartholomew Hales, and their Heirs, or the Heirs of either of them, to enter upon all the said Premises, and thereof to stand and be seized, and the same to hold and enjoy to them and their Heirs as in their former Estate, and from the same to amove and expel the said Mayor, &c., and their Succes sors for ever. For the better securing the purposes of this Gift, an Act of Parliament was obtained in the 23rd of Elizabeth (1580), entitled— An Acte for perfecting of Assurances of certain Lands towards the Maintenance of a Free Gramer Schole within the City of Coventry. Moste humbly beseachen your moste Excellent Majestie, your faithful Subjects the Mayor B. and C. of your Majesties Cyttie of Coventry, that whereas one John Hales, late of your said Cyttie, Esq., was seised in his demesne as of fee of and in certaine lands, tenements, and hereditaments, with their appurtenances, within the said Cyttie, which lands, tenements, aud hereditaments, he purchased and had of the late Kinge of famous Memory, K. H. VIII. your Majesties Father, and in his lyfe-tyme founded a perpetuate Free Gramer Schole within the said Cyttie, with an intention to geve and assuer some convenyent parcel of the said landes, tenements, and hereditaments, and the profyts of them to the said Schole, and for the better perfectinge thereof, did sue for and obtaine of your Majesties said Noble Father K. H. VIII. Letters Patent under the Great Scale of Englande, bearinge date at Portesmouth, the 23rd day of July, in the 37th Yeare of the Raigne of the said late Kinge ; whereby the said Kinge for him, his Heires and Successors, did geve and graunt unto the said John Hales, lycense, power, and aucthoritic, to founde, erect, make, and establish the said perpetuate Free- Schole, to be called by the name of the Schole of K. H. VIII. of Coventry, with lycense to the said J. Hales, and to every other Person whatsoever, to geve, graunte, and devise landes, tenements, and hereditaments, to and for the maintenance of the said Schole to the value of 200 marks by, the year, altho' the same were holden of the said Kinge in chief or otherwise, or of any other Person to the said Mayor B. and C, and to their Successors ; the Statutes of Mortmayne, or any other Statute, provision or restrainte to the contrary notwithstanding, as by the said Letters Patents, more at large, yt doth and may appeare ; which Schole the said John Hales, not only in his lyfe-tyme, at his costs and charges, did founde and maintaine with PEEE SCHOOL, COVENTEY. 165 Schole-Maysters and Teachers convenient, but also meaning to have geven to Thomas Docwra and Bartholomew Hales, Esqrs. and their Heirs, the messuages, lands, and tenements hereafter mentioned, and to the Intents hereafter specifyed, the 17th day of December, in the 16th Yeare of your Majesties Raigne, did make one Dede, aud cause the same to be enrolled in your High Court of Chauncery, the 18th daye of the same Moneth, wherein is mentioned that the said John Hales did geve, graunt, and confirm to the said Thomas Docwra and Bartholomew Hales, all the Scyte of the howse and church of the late Hospital of St. John the Baptist in the said Cyttie, and all his howses, buyldings, lands, and tenements, with their appurtenances within the said Presinct of the said Hospital in the said Cyttie, and also all his liowses, buyldings, and gardens, with their appurtenances within the said Cyttie, which lately did appertain or belonge to the said Hospital, and all his messuages, howses, buyldings, and gardens within the said Cyttie, which lately were parcel of the possessions of the late Monastery or Cathedral Church of Coventry, and also aU his messuages, howses, and buyldings, landes, and tenements, with appurtenances, which late were parcel of the possessions of the late Monastery of Kyllingworth, in the County of Warwick, and also all those his Mylnes, with the appurtenances in the said Cyttie and Suburbs of the same, called the White-Friars-Mylne, BastiU-Mill, and Hill-Mill, with their appurtenances ; except to the said John Hales, his Heirs and Assignes, all the Scyte of the Monastery or Cathedral Church called the Priory, with all howses, buildings, and closes scytuate and beinge within the said Scyte of the said Priory ; excepted also one, his water-mylne being within the said Scyte of the said Priory ; except also one piece of londe or close called the Hop-yard, lyenge and being nere the said Bastill- Mylne within the Suburbs of the same Cyttie ; except also one howse or tenement being in Welle-strete in the said Cyttie, wherein John Syde, Dyer, lately dwelled : to have and to hold the said Hospital and other premisses with their appurtenances to the said Thomas Docwra and Bartholomew Hales their Heires and Assignes for ever : which dede was made to the said Thomas Docwra and Bartholomew Hales in and upone special trust and confidence, that they the said Thomas and Bartholomew should and would, geve, graunt, and assigne and assuer the said Hospital and premisses, with their appurtenances, to the use and maintenaunce of the said Schole, and to make a good and sufficient estate in the lawe of all the premises above-mentioned, to be given to the said Mayor B. and C. and their Successors for findinge of the said. Schole and other Necessaries there to be done thereabout. And whereas the said Thomas and Bartholomew thinkinge that by the said dede enrolled the lands and tenements in the said dede men tioned had passed unto them the said Thomas and Bartholomew, as indeed the same did not because that lyvery and seison, nor attornement were made to them in the lyfe of the said John Hales the elder, for that he died very shortly after, and yet they meaninge to perform the said good intent, and trust iu them reposed, by their Indenture Tripartite did graunt and confirme to the said Mayor B. and C. and their Successors all the premisses with their appurtenances so mentioned in the said dede to be geven and graunted to the said Thomas and Bartholomew and their Heires, to have and to hold the same to the Mayor B. and C. and their Successors for ever to and for the purposes and intents aforesaid, as by the said Indentures more at large yt doth and may appeare. And sythence the said landes have bene and yet be used and employed to such intents and godly purposes as the same were meant and intended ; but forasmuch as by reason of the said invaliditie of the said dede, the said Schole, and the godly purpose of the said John Hales may be hereafter called in question and utterly overthroweu, contrary to the good intent and meaning of the said John Hales the Elder, which good intent and meaning John Hales the Younger, and Charles Hales, Gentleman, Nephewes to the aforesaid John Hales, are desierous to have fully accomplished, and would by their dedes have confirmed and established the same, if without prejudice and daunger to their other inheritances they might so do. — Yt may please your most excellent Majestye that yt be enacted, and be it enacted by your Majestie, the Lordes Spiritual and Temporal, and the Commons in this present Parliament assembled, aud by the aucthoritie of the same, the said messuages, landes, tenements, and hereditaments, with their appurtenances mentioned to be geven or graunted, and not as aforesaid especially excepted in the said dede made by the said John Hales the Elder, to the said Thomas Docwra and Bartholomew Hales, or that be herein especially mentioned to be comprized in the same dede, and to be geven or graunted thereby to the said Thomas and Bartholomew as is aforesaid, shall be adjudged, taken, and intended to be sufficiently assured aud p.assed, and that the same dede shall be of a good force and validite from the time of the makinge of the same dede to all intents and purposes, and as yf the same had been duely executed by lyverye and attonements had or made in due forme and order of lawe, and that the said messuages, landes, and tenements with thappurtenances so before mentioned to be geven or graunted, shall be and remayne for ever in and to the said Mayor B. and C. and their Successors, to be by them employed for the performance of the good and godly intent of the said John Hales, and for all such intents and purposes as are declared by the said several dedes of the said John Hales, Thomas Docwra, and Bartholomew Hales, and according to the tenor of the said several dedes made by the said John, Thomas, and Bartholomew, as if the same had been fully and lawf uUye conveyed and assured to them and their Successors, by and from the said Thomas Docwra and Bartholomew Hales, saving to all and every Person or Persons, Bodies Politick and Corporate, their Heires, Successors, Executors and Administrators, other than the said John Hales the Younger, Charles Hales and their Heires, and the Heires of the said John Hales the Elder, and such Person and Persons as shaU or may claim the same or any parte of the Premisses mentioned to be graunted by the said dede, from, by, or under the said John Hales the Younger, Charles Hales, and the Heires of the said John Hales the Elder all such Right, Tytle, and Interest as they or any of them have or ought to have in the Premisses oir any parte thereof, as if this Acte had never bene had or made, any thing in this Acte to the contrary notwithstanding. The School being thus permanently established, a tablet was placed in its front, beneath the large west window, bearing the foUowing inscription : — 166 PEEE SCHOOL, COVENTEY. " Schola Regis Henrici Octavi, a Johhnne Hales, Armigero, fundata, in qua bonis Uteris imbuantur pueri, usque ad consummationem seeculi, in Christi gloriam, Sc Ecclesise Eedificationem." At the time when the old front of the School was taken down, as before-mentioned, the tablet was removed and broken, and has not since been restored. JOHN HALES, the Founder of this Free School^ was a man of such considerable talent and eminence as to require some notice of him here. He was a younger son of Thomas Hales, of Hales' Place, in Halden, in the County of Kent, and was for some time at the University of Oxford : being much addicted to learning and possessed of an exceUent memory, he became well skilled in the learned languages, and also in the municipal laws and antiquities. He was Clerk of the Hanaper* Office, in the Court of Chancery, both to Henry 8 and Edward 6, a situation of some value ; and in 1545 attended the King's Commissioners to Coventry upon the dissolution of the Monasteries, when, being much pleased with the situation of the White Friars there, he desired Lord Cromwell and Sir Anthony Dennis, upon his return to London, to move the King for permission to purchase some Church lands in and about Coventry, which led to the grant of the White Friars and his undertaking to establish a Free School, as has been before stated. Not long afterwards- he came to reside there, and called it Hales' Place. In 1548 he was appointed one of six Commissioners to enquire into abuses from the enclosing of land for pasture and decay of tillage in the County of Warwick and six adjoining Counties; and amongst the original documents, printed at the end of Strype's Memorials, vol. 2, is his charge to the Assembly of Commissioners, an article of considerable length. He writes to the Protector on this subject, dated Coventry, 25th August; and the Earl of Warwick being displeased with him, though he acted very honestly in this Commission and favourably to the Commoners, Hales writes largely to the Earl, answering the causes of his displeasure ; and in another letter to him from Fladbury, strongly insists on the mischiefs of enclosures and decay of tiUage. In the same year he brought three Bills into Parhament, one for re-edifying decayed houses and for the maintenance of tiUage and husbandry ; another for regrating victuals and other things ; and the third, that every man keeping sheep or beasts in several pasture, should for every 100 that he had beyond 120, keep two kine, and from every two kine rear one calf. In the good consequences to result from this last bill he was very sanguine, but the "rich inclosers got the better of his bUl." The Commission of Enquiry concerning enclosures was occasioned by great tumults of excesses, chiefly committed by the lower orders in destroying fences, &c., and which prevaUed to a considerable extent in Warwick shire and some adjoining Counties ; after its termination Hales prayed the King that a general pardon might be issued as well for the poor as the rich, which was done, but the rich immediately began enclosing again, and taking away the poor men's commons. *' The business of this officer is to receive all moneys due to the King for the Seals of Charters, Patents, Commissions, &c,, and the fees of enrolling. In Term Time he is to attend the Lord Chancellor daily, and at all times of Sealing, receiving all Charters, &c., after they are sealed (put up in leather bags, sealed with the Chancellor's private seal), which are to be delivered to the Controuler of the Hanaper. PEEE SCHOOL, COVENTEY. 167 When Queen Mary came to the Crown, being a zealous Protestant, he fled from England, and, setthng at Frankfort, was actively employed in keeping the exiles there in peace.* Upon the accession of EUzabeth he returned to England, and obtained some notice by an oration to the Queen on commencing her reign in 1558, beginning "Albeit there be innwmerable gifts, Sfc," which was not spoken, but delivered to her by a nobleman. Strype, in his Annals,t mentions that about the beginning of December, 1558, a device for the Reformation of ReHgion, drawn up by some notable hand, was offered to Secretary Cecyl, and appears to have been foUowed. He suspects the writer " to have been either John Hales, a man of a poUtic and working head, and a zealous Protestant, and Clerk of the Hanaper to this Queen (Ehzabeth), as he was to Edward 6, or Sir Thomas Smith." Camden summed up this paper in his History of Elizabeth, and Burnet has printed it in his History of the Reformation, vol. 2, Collect, p. 327; but Strype has again printed it more correctly from a MS. in the Cotton Library. Not long afterwards, viz., in 1560,f he secretly printed a Httle work in favour of the House of Suffolk's Succession to the Crown, should Queen Ehzabeth die without issue; which getting to Court, and the Queen being highly offended at it, the author was speedUy discovered and committed to the Fleet, from whence he was removed to the Tower. Sir Nich. Bacon was suspected of being concerned in the book, and, but for Cecil, would have lost his situation of Lord Keeper. There is, however, very good reason to suppose that CecU was privy to the pubheation, though with his usual address he managed to direct the Queen's attention to Hales, and Bacon, whUst free from suspicion himself, he was the better able to procure their pardon, which he succeeded in doing. Cecil, to the Queen, called this a foolish attempt of Hales, in writing so precisely against the Queen of Scots' title ; but Lesley, Bishop of Ross, and a warm supporter of that unfortunate Princess, wrote an answer to Hales's Book, for which, says Wood, " he got the good wiU of many, though, of others, not." The chief remainder of Hales's life was probably spent in quiet retirement at Coventry, Httle further being preserved respecting him ; but that he left a favourable impression upon the Continent of his talents and acquirements, appears from the circumstance of Alexander Citolinus, a learned ItaHan, who was in 1565, sent over to England by the celebrated Sturmius, bringing letters of recommendation from him to Sir Anthony Cook, Cecyl, Mr. John Hales, and the Queen. He was usually known by the name of Club-footed Hales, having in his younger days received a hurt from his dagger, which, as he was running, feU from its sheath, and he set his foot upon its point. Leland, in his Itinerary, mentioning St. John's Hospital, writes thus : " Hales with the clubbe Foot, hath gotten an Interest in this CoUedge [Hospital] , and none (but the DeveU) can get hym out." He is said, by Wood, to have written for the use of his Free School — Introductibnes ad Grammaticam. English and Latin. . High way to Nobilitie. London 4to. Precepts for the Preservation of good Health. Translated by Plutarch. London, 1-543, 8vo. * Vide " A brief discourse ofthe troubles at Franhford, in Germany, 1575. ito'' t Vol. 1, p. 51, X Strype says 1564. 168 PEEE SCHOOL, COVENTEY. Strype designates him as a learned man, a courtier, and remarkable for his good zeal towards the protestant religion. He died 5 Gal. Jan. 1572, and was buried in the Chancel of St. Peter's the Poor, in Broad Street, London, where, on a brass plate against the north wall, was the foUowing inscription : — Dominus Johannes Hales, a pueritia Uteris deditus, excellenti ingenio, dociUtate, memoria, studio, Sc industria singulari ; adjuncta linguarum, disciplinarum juris, antiquitatis, rerum divinarum atque humanarum magna & multiplici doctrina instructissimus. Evasit inuocentia, integritate, gravitate, constantia, fide, pietate, religione : gravissimte etiam segrotationis, & rerum dilBcilium diuturna perpessione ; & in patientia ornatissimus fuit. Vitas honestissime, sanctissimeque, actse diem supremum quinto Cal. Januar, 1572, clausit anima excorporis. ReUquise hoc loco sit^ sunt. Expecto resurrectionem mortuorum & vitam eeternam. As he died without issue, his estates* went to John, son of his brother Christopher, who was also an exile in Frankfort, during the reign of Queen Mary. In the Free School is a portrait of the Founder, John Hales, given in 1704, by Ann, widow of Sir John Hales,t through an opening in the back ground of which, is seen a view of the east end of the Free School. Beneath this picture, whilst in the possession of John Hales, Esq., in 1650, were the following verses, copied by Dugdale, and preserved amongst the MS. collections of Sir Simon Archer. Debite dura tuum mors demit Halesie Corpus At tua post obitum fama perennis erit Non moritur virtus, pietas non iuterit unquam Te celebrem probitas ingeniumq' facit Omnia librasti qu£e sunt noscenda peritis Musas, historias, jura sacrosq' libros. Perdidit eximium si nosceret Anglia summo Consilio insignem judicioq' virum Has ingrata licet virtutes, Paria, sprevit Clarescent tandem, prKmia digna ferent. Respecting the word Paria, in the last line but one, Dugdale observes, " this, I conceive, is to be referred to prcemia, othervrise it be a proper name, and then I am ignorant what it should signifie ; in the Picture it is written w'th a great P, but I thinke it should be Patria." The School being now permanently established, became an object of public attention^ and about 1601, the formation of a Library commenced, an account of which will be given subsequently, under a distinct head. In September, 1617, when King James came to the City, he slept at the White Friars, and " one the next morning (say our Ajinals) the king's maiestie came riding from the white friers, with the maior and his Brethren in Scarlett gownes, the maior bearing the sword before the king, who ridd bare-headed before him with all his Brethren, and so rid along the streets to the_^ree schoole." The following Orders for the regulation of the School were, in 1628, made by the Corporation, who are Visitors and Trustees : — Orders for The Free Grammar Scliool in the City of Coventry. Mr. Ricliard Clarlte, Mayor. 1st. This Schoole is a Free Grammar Schoole, for the teaching of Grammar and Musick unto the Children of all the Free Inhabitants within this Citie, and The Inner Liberties thereof, and to none other, whose Children, after theire admission, shall be taught gratis. All other Fforyners coming thither to be taught, shaU compound with the Maister and the Usher for theire teaching, 2nd. Whosoever cometh thither to be taught, either th'one or th'other, shall paie for his admission 12(2. ; whereof too parts to the Head Maister, and the third part shall be to the Usher. *' The rents at this time produced £43. lis. 2d, f ^i^ John Hales was created a Baronet in 1660. PEEE SCHOOL, COVENTEY. 169 3rd. From the Feast of All Saints untill Easter, the Children shaU repaire to Schoole before Seamen of the clock in the Morning, and from thenceforth untiU AU Saints againe, soone after Six in the Morning, there to remain to be taught 'till Eleaven of the clock in the Forenooue. After dynner they are to returne by One of the clock, and there remaine for to be taught 'tUl Five of the clock at night. 4th. In case anie SchoUer admitted, be absent a moneth togeathur (unlesse it be upon just cause, to be allowed by Mr, Maior and the Aldermen of this Citie) he shaU paie 12(2. more for his admittance againe, before he shall be there taught. Sth. Forasmuch as it is an usual course in all suche Schools, to have breaking up from Schoole against Christmasse, Shroftide, Easter, and Whitsontide, It is Ordered, That they shal be at libertie from Schoole to breake up the Wensday before Christmas day, and to returne againe to Schoole the Munday after Twelft-day; at Shroftide, only Two days, viz.. Shrove Munday and Shrove Tuesday — At Easter, to breake up the Wensday before Easter day, to returne to Schoole on the Munday before Low Sunday, — and at AVhitsontide, likewise they are to breake up the Wensday before Whitsunday, and to returne again ou the Munday next after Trinity Sunday. 6th. The Maister shall not easily graunt them leave to play, unlesse it be be upon the Thursday or Saturday, and then oiUy iu the aftemoone, and not otherwise, except it be upon request of some Worshipful person or grave Learned man. 7th. The SchoUers of this Schoole are not at their pleasures to have libertie to go into the Library. 8th. It is ordered that the Head Schoole Maister, and the Usher, shaU enter into covenants unto the Corporation of this Citie, for making goode the Books remayning in the Library specified in a Catalogue to them delivered, and for making a true and just accompt thereof at all times upon demand. 9th. None to be taken out of the Usher's School into the High Schoole, before he be sufficiently enabled thereto. 10th. It is ordered that there shall be Prayer daily used in this Schoole, both at Morning and Evening, the Maister or Usher being there present. Ilth. The Head Maister,- nor Usher, shall not set their Houses over to any person to dwell in, but shall inhabite therein themselves, unlesse it be with the Ucence of Mr. Maior and his Bretheren. 12th. It is also ordered that the Singing Schoole shall be taught in the place for that purpose appointed, on Thursdayes and Saturdayes, and halfe Holy dayes in the Afternoone from One of the clock 'till Three, Ffreemens sonnes are to be taught gratis, only the Singing man to have to himself 12d. for the Admission money into his Schoole as hath been usuall, who shall, at fit tymes, make triall amongst the SchoUers which of them have tuneable voices and musicaU inclinations. 13th. It is further ordered, that from henceforth there shaU not be any other or more Potations in any one yeare for the saide SchoUers than one yearely, and that in the time of Lent, which is according to the ancient order there. Aud that neither the Head School-maister, or the Usher, or either of them, shall cause any SchoUer there to bring or pay above . . (deest), in any one yeare for Fier, And that no FeweU shall be burned in that Schoole, save oiUy charcole. 14th. It is also ordered, that there shaU not be at any time hereafter any other thing exacted or required of any of the free SchoUers there, either for Candles, Drinkings, Gratuities, or otherwise, than are in theise orders expressly mencioned. Saving that the SchoUers are to pay Quartridge to the Sweeper of that Schoole for ringing of BeU, for making of fiers there, and for roddes, as hath been accustomed, 15th. That there be Dictionaries chained in the Schoole, for the generall use of the SchoUars there, and shaU be kept safely by the Head Schoole-maister, and Usher. 16th. The Head Schoole-maister, and the Usher, shaU record the names of theire SchoUers (from time to time) admitted, and the time of theire admission into either Schoole, with the forme into which they are placed (being after such time they have had due triall of them, and knowne what place they are fit for) ; whereby it maie appeare how long any SchoUer is there, and whether there be proficiency according to the time of theire continuance, which at the Maior's Visitadon yearely may be tried. 17th. The best SchoUers of the highest Forme in the Low Schoole, shall be taken up into the Higher Schoole, leaving the worser or weaker behinde, as is and hath been the custom of aU Schools in their removing of Formes ; the said removall to be from time to time by the allowance of Mr. Maior and his Bretheren, with such Learned men as shaU accompany them at the Visitadon of the Schoole, and not otherwise. 18th. The Head Schoole-maister, and Usher, shall teach and instruct all the SchoUers impartially (yet preferring the Sons of Citizens) in the best method they can devise with good diligence, making choice of the most approved Authors for necessarie Literature and good Manners, so also in the grounds of Religion, aud especially in the catechising of them, and choosing such Catechisms as shall be fitte, 19th. Also the Head Schoole-Maister, and Usher, shall appoint Monitors from time to time, which shall take notice of the conduct and behaviour of the SchoUers, as well in the Schoole in the absence of the Head Schoole- 170 PEEE SCHOOL, COVENTEY. maister, and Usher, or either of them, as alsoe in the Streets and such like places, but especiaUy in the Churches,* that the licenciousness of youth maie be restrayned, and greater faults punished. 20th. The Head Schoole-maister, and Usher, shall use fit correction, not beating with the hand or fist about the head, or pulling children by the haire, eares, or such like, but with the rodd only. 21st. Neither the Head Schoole-maister, or Usher, shall be absent from the Schoole above the space of Two whoU dayes togeather, unlesse it be with the aUowance of Mr. Maior and his Bretheren. 22nd. Lastly, if there happen any commoditie, proffit, advantage, or preferment to the SchoUets of the said Schoole, Freemen's Sonnes there shall be from time to time first pleasured and preferred, if they be capable of such preferment, in the discretion or judgment of Mr. Maior and his Bretheren.f In 1679, an order of Common Council was made, that the charges of repairing the Free School, occasioned by the Scholars "pyning" out the Master, shall be deducted from Mr. Frankland's (the Master's) pay. Several items occur respecting the Clock, which was put in order, and the hands repaired in 1669; a new Clock was ordered in 1687, which, according to Wanley's Diary, was put up in 1690, when the dial was new gilded and painted. In 1707 J, some reflections having been cast upon the Corporation, and it being insinu ated that they were considerably indebted to the School Estate, a Committee was appointed to inspect the Accounts, who reported that it appears, upon search and examination of them, and other writings and papers, that from 1627 to 1705, the City had over-paid £530. 4s. 9^d. Whereupon, it was ordered, that a copy of the report should be entered in the School account book, and the original deposited in the Treasury, " to vindicate (if need be) this House and their Predecessors from injurious aspersions." A very important event, in the history of this School, occurred in 1 734, when Bablake Church was made Parochial, and the Rectory and Lectureship settled by Act of Parliament upon the Master and Usher of the Free School, some account of which affair, and of other preceding circumstances intimately connected with it, will be found in the following detail : In 1729, Mr. Jackson, then Master, being dissatisfied with the conduct of the Corporation, as Trustees of the School Estate, instituted a Suit in the Court of Exchequer, the object of which was to discover certain Alienations of the property and other abuses, as well as to obtain an account of the Rents and Profits thereof, in order to recover his share of the overplus ; a distringas issued, and on the 24th of November an answer to the complaint received the City Seal. In January, 1733, an attempt was made to adjust these differences, and Mr. Hunt and Mr. S. Eburne were appointed by the Corporation to meet Mr. Jackson, with full powers to determine them ; but it seems they did not succeed, for on the 23rd of May following, the answer to Mr. Jackson's amended information was sealed at the Council House. About this time the Bishop communicated to the Corporation his earnest desire that Bablake Church might be made Parochial, and on the 18th of August it was unani mously agreed at a Council House that they were ready, under the advice of their Counsel, to concur with the Bishop, and other well-disposed persons, in carrying so good a work into effect, so that their property was not injured thereby. Subsequently to this, some propo sitions for an accommodation were made by Mr. Jackson, and on the 12th of December a Committee was appointed by the Corporation to meet him, and prepare these proposals for discussion and confirmation of the next Council House. Accordingly, on the 18th of December, an Order of Council was made in the following words :|| — *¦ An Order of Vestry was made in 1707, for constructing a lower gallery in the north aisle of Trinity Church, for sitting, in which every boy belonging to the Free School shall pay Is. yearly. t Original in Treasury. J Common Council Book, p. 160. || Page 243 — 4. PEEE SCHOOL, COVENTEY. 171 Whereas, there is a Suit depending in his Majesties Court of Exchequer, commenced by Mr. Jackson, School Master of the Free School, in this City, against this Corporation, Trustees of the said School Estate, for a discovery of the State and Condition of the said Estate, and for an account of the Rents aud Profits, and for his share of the overplus thereof ; and whereas, upon inspection and inquiry made into the premises, it appears to this House, that their predecessors did formerly alien and grant away some part of the said Estate absolutely and in feefarm, and other part thereof upon long leases, in prejudice of the said Trust. And whereas certain proposals have been lately made and approved of between the said parties, for the determining the said Suit and all matters in difilerence between them. Now, in pursuance of the said proposals, and to the end that full compensation may be made for the said Grants and Alienations, and the overplus settled and determined, and that the said Estate may for the future be more effectually secured, established, and settled, to the benefit and advantage of the said School, and to the uses and intent of the Founder thereof. It is ordered and agreed at this House, that the Relator shall have the sum of 802, paid to him, for his share of the arrears and overplus, with a further gratuity or present from Mr. Mayor, of 10 Guineas towards his expenses, which sum shall be paid on or before the 23rd January next, and that irom Michaelmas last the Salaries of the Master and Usher shall be augmented to 802. and 402. per annum, or as near to and in proportion to those sums as the Revenue of the said Estate will allow (after necessary Repairs, aud the Bailiff's and Singing Master's Salaries paid) if the clear Rents and Profits, upon inspection of the Bailiff's Accounts by the Master and Jjsher, shall be found sufficient to do the same, and that the said Master's and Usher's Salaries shall be further augmented in the same proportion as the Rents and Profits of the said Estate shall increase. It is also ordered that such part of the said Estate aa is not actually leased, be forthwith viewed and let upon lease for 21 years, at the best Rent that can be got for the same, without fine, upon public notice to be given for that purpose, aud the same method to be observed and continued for the future. It is Ukewise ordered, that strict search and enquiry be made if any part of the said Estate is held or concealed under pretended Grants or Alienations, and if any such can be found, that the same shall be recovered and restored to the Trust again, out of the profits of the said School Estate, with the consent of the Master and Usher. It is further ordered, that in lieu, recompense, and satisfaction, of all Grants and Alienations, or any other misapplications, or abuses of the said Estate, hereto committed by the predecessors of the said Mayor, Bailiffs, and Commonalty, an Act of Parliament be procured for making the old Church at Bablake, in this City, a Parish Church, and for settling and establishing the same, with the Revenues and Profits to the uses of the School Master and Usher, for the time being, in the above-mentioned proportion. And that a Bill or Draft, of an Act of Parliament for that purpose, be forthwith prepared by Mr. Jackson and Mr. Birch, and likewise that they forthwith draw up Petitions to both Houses of Parliament for the passing of the same, which shall be sealed with the Common Seal of this City, ou or before the 1st day of next term, and delivered to the said Relator, who is hereby desired to solicit the same, provided that the charge and trouble thereof be bome by the said Mr. Jackson, or by his solicitation and procurement. Lastly, it is ordered, that the Bill or Information in this cause shall, by consent of all parties, be dismissed without costs on either sides ; the things before ordered and agreed to be done, being done and perfected ; or in case any other of the defendants shall insist upon and obtain costs, such costs shall be borne and paid by the said Mayor, Bailiffs, and Commonalty, and the said Relator be idemnified therefrom. In pursuance of this Order an Act of Parliament was obtained, in the following year, for making Bablake a Parish Church, and appointing a Parish thereto, wherein such parts of the above Order of CouncU as relate to the subject are confirmed, and from the 23rd of June, 1734, a Rector and Lecturer are attached to the newly-constituted Parish Church. Mr. Jackson is appointed first Rector, and it is enacted that the Mayor, Bailiffs, and Com monalty, and their successors, shaU be Patrons of the Church and owners of the Advowson, and that the person at any time hereafter appointed Master of the Free School (who must be in holy orders), shall be Rector of the said Church, and upon being so nominated receive, under the City Common Seal, a presentation to the Rectory, which he shall hold whilst he continues Master of the School, and no longer. Both Rector and Lecturer are to reside in the Houses provided for them at the School, and the Income of the Church, including Seat Rents, applied to their use, the Rector receiving two-thirds and the Lecturer the remainder. [In the year 1 794 considerable alterations were made to the School* which were not completed until 1802 ; during the time they were in progress the Masters taught the Scholars in tlieir own houses. From this period the School rapidly declined in public estimation until 1833, when at the visit of the Commissioners there was only one Scholar, and he was not the son of a Freeman. The Rev. Samuel Paris, the Second Master (between whom and the * Seepage 159, 172 PEEE SCHOOL, COVENTEY. Head Master, Mr. Brooks, a misunderstanding had arisen), stated that he had had ten on an average, but there was no register kept, so no means existed of testing the actual number in attendance for years past. Differences with the Corporation also arose about money affairs ; and the institution presented altogether a most unsatisfactory condition. On the termination of tho Commissioners' enquiry Mr. Paris drew up some rules by his own authority; a spasmodic effort was made to increase the number of Scholars, and about 70 boys were drafted into the School from the various public schools of the city, only one or two of whom had any knowledge of Latin before they came. Mr. Brooks dying in October, 1833, the Corporation advertised for a new Head Master, and on the 11th of Pebruary in the foUowing year the Rev. Thomas Sheepshanks, M.A., was unanimously elected : Mr. Paris retaining the Second Mastership, receiving salary as such, though without performing any of the duty; he resigned in 1838. The Trusteeship of this School was transferred by the Municipal Act in 1 835 from the Corporation to the Church Charity Trustees, by whom it is stiU managed. In June, 1854, one of the Charity Commissioners attended at St. Mary's HaU, Coventry, to investigate the affairs of the School, and a lengthy enquiry took place, occupying several days. In 1857 it was found desirable to carry out an alteration in the arrangement made in 1734. The scheme provided that the Rev. T. Sheepshanks should retire from the Mastership, retaining the Rectory of St. John's, and receiving a pension of £420 a year from the School revenues for the remainder of his life. This arrangement was afterwards sanctioned by Act of Parhament in 1864. New regulations were at the same time adopted by the Trustees for the government of the School, and conditions laid down for the appointment of Masters ; and after due adver tisement the Rev. F. Temple, M.A., Head Master of Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Worcester, was elected on the 29th of July, 1857, as Head Master, and the Rev. J. J. Soden, M.A., Second Master. In 1867 Mr. Temple was succeeded by the Rev. W. Grover, Second Master of the Worcester Grammar School. In compliance with the recently-passed Education BUl a scheme has been submitted by the Trustees to the Endowed Schools Commissioners for the future management of the School, embracing many proposed changes and extensions. The scheme is stUl under con sideration. Additional alterations were made in the external appearance of the School in 1852; the front recased, a stone chimney built on the south side, and the interior put in repair. It is in contemplation eventuaUy to build a new School, with Masters' residences, in a more suitable locality.] LIBRARY. The room in which the Books forming the Pree School Library were originally deposited, stood on the south side of the School, and communicated with it by a large and ponderous staircase, both of which were taken away upon the widening of the street (as already men tioned), and the Books, after remaining some time at St. Mary's Hall, were placed in a room PEEE SCHOOL, COVENTEY. 173 at the School, forming part of the north transept of the original Church, and which I have before conjectured might have been the Chapel of St. Katherine. Our Annals record, that in 1602, "at the earnest request of John Tovey, School-master, the Library at the Free School was begun ; and that at the suit of the said Tovey and Jeremiah Arnold to many gentlemen, it was soon furnished with many good books." One MS. says, " the liberarye at the ffree schoole beganne to be builded and made." In the Drapers' Accounts, for 1 602, is the foUowing entry : — P'd to Mr. CoUines, fior booukes too the Liberary, vj2i. xiijs. iiij(2. When the Princess Elizabeth came from Lord Harrington's, at Coombe Abbey, to visit the City, in 1604, "she came from St. Mary Hall, ridding to the crosse, and so to the Liberarye, and gave some money to it." At this time, Tovey, who for a short time was Master of the School, and, as has been above stated, was the first promoter of the formation of a Library, was engaged by Lord Harrington as a preceptor to his Son, and he preached a Sermon before the Princess, in St. Michael's Church, previous to her visiting the Library. Dr. Holland, in the dedication of his translation of Amm. MarceUinus, 1609, compH- menting the Mayor and Aldermen on their encouragement of learning and learned men, says, " erecting also of late, and maintaining of a faire Librarie, not exampled (without offence to others be it spoken) in many Cities of the Realm." In 1638, the Corporation paid for binding various books, amongst others "Monck of Bury's translation, Plutarch's Lives, in English," for 4 dozen of chains, 20s., and for chaining 5 dozen and 7 books, at Is. 6d. per dozen, in all £3. 2s. 4d. Various smaUer payments occur in preceding years. The ensuing Order of CouncU* was made in July, 1655 : — Whereas Sir John Skeffington, Knight and Baronett, the 12th of January, 1619, did borrow out of the library of this citie, a Book in Italian, Dante, with Sansobinus commentary, in folio, and promis'd, under his hand, to restore it by the 10th of March foUowing ; yet, notwithstanding he hath been often spoken to and required to restore that Book to the library, refuseth to do so. — It is order'd, that he shall be sued iu chancery to make him restore the same. Our next extract is of a more pleasing nature, recording the grateful remembrance by an eminent character of his education at the Free School : — 2lBt June, 1676t. This day Mr. Frankland sent to this house Eleaven Books, given to the Library by Dr. Ralph Bathurstt, Vice ChanceUor of Oxon, the teno'r of whose I'tre is as foUoweth : — To his worthy friend Samuel Frankland, Rector of the free school, in Coventry. Worthy Sir, I herewith send a parcel of Books (being eleaven in number) to be placed in your publique Library at the Free School, as a smaU testimony of the kind remembrance I retain for that place where I received some part of my education. The Demosthenes I did not send, being found somewhat defective ; but the RavaneUi Biblioth, sacra (not formerly mencioned) is a Book in very good esteeme, and I hope may be of singular use for the Ministers and those that study the scriptures. The rest are promiscuous, and must plead the poet's reason, non alitor fiat Bibliotheca : such as they are yo'r acceptance is desired, and with the tender of my due respects, and service to yo'r worthy corporation, I rest Yo'r very faithfuU servant, RALPH BATHURST. '' Com. CouncU Book, p. 101. f idem. p. 244. J " I have heard Dr. Ralph Bathurst say, that when he was a boy, my Lord [Lucius Carey, second Lord Falkland] lived at Coventry (where he had then a house), and that he would sit up very late at night in his study, and many times came to the Library at the Schoole there."— Aubrey's Lives of Eminent Men, 8vo. 1813. Vol. II. p. 347. 174 PEEE SCHOOL, COVENTEY. Here foUoweth the Cities I're to Dr. Bathurst, in answer of the receipt of the Books :— To the reverend and right worsh'fuU our worthy trend Ralph Bathurst, Dr. in Divinitie, Vice chancellor of ye Universitie of Oxon, present these : — Reverend Sc right wor'fuU Sir, Mr. ffrankland presented to us, the Maior and aldermen, this dale in councell, your bountifuU gift to our Library (eleaven Books in number), with yo'rs to him, wherein your singular affection to this Corporation appears. Your honor'ble name is recorded in the catalogue amongst the benefactors to this place, and the Books plac'd in the publique Library accordingly. S'r, we accompt it an happiness, that it hath pleased God that such eminent persons as y'r self is, to have had an education in this cite, Theise are to acknowledge yo'r great kindness Sc favor herein to this citie, assuring you that wee shall gladly embrace that opportunitie wherein wee may shew ourselves to be to yo'r worthy self as, indeed we are, S'r— Your verie thankfuU and humble servants, Coventry, 21st June. 1676. JOSEPH CHAMBERS, MAIOR, and 8 others. The ensuing extracts from the MS. Catalogue have been selected as the most interesting. Ricardus Randell, gen's, literattissimus hujus Civitatis Coronator, Primus dator huic Bibliothecse, ex amore I'ris sun' aliis exemplu' tempestive p'buit. Cu' hint oglyphica sive de sacris Egiptior' aliara'q Gentiu' lite et Coelii Augustini Curionis libros duos Hierogliphicoru'. bonis I'ris sun' aliis exemplu' tempestive p'buit. Cu' hinc operi primam n'r'am feUciter accom'odavit, dono dedit — Hyeroglyphica sive de sacris Egiptior' aliara'q Gentiu' Uteris Com'entaria Joh'is Pierii valeriani. Bolganii BeUenensis After this record of the first contributor to the Library the Catalogue of Benefactors proceeds alphabeticaUy. Thomas Alforde, gen. dono dedit — Chauceri''' Opera manuscript'. Jeremias Arnolde, utriusq' Academise in artibus Magister et hujus Ludiliterarii nunc p'fectus, d. d. — Perkinsi opera Angl. S. Annesleyf , L. L. D, modo hujus Scholse alumnus modo Cler. Clevensis Con. Cane. L. M. Q. d. d. — Chrysostomi Opera Gr^ci et aliis. Dr. AUestree, 12 books. Thomas Armstead, A. M. MAis Christi Oxon, et quondam huujs Schote Alumnus, d. d. — St. Ignati Martyris Epist. Richardo Butler, tunc Maior, quando hsec BibUotheca incepta fuit, d. d. — Hemingii opera, trib'z volum. Dominus Henricus, Baron de Berkley^, Thomas Berkley, Miles Balnei, d. d. — Livii opera, cum Sigonu Commentariis, 29 vol. Elizabeth d'na Berkley, uxor Thomse, 39 vol. Dn's Rad. Bathurst, Vice-cancellarius Oxon, 8 June, 1676, 11 books. Henricus Breers, pacis Justiciarius hujus Civitat. bis Major, d. d. — Lyrse operu', 4 tomos. Robertus Briscoe, clericus, Pastor de PoleshuU, d, d. — Biblia sacra, MS. Mr. John Bryan & Mr. Sam. Bryan, 2 of the sonnes of Dr. John Bryan, in memory of their father, sometime pastor of the holy Trinitie, in the Citie of Coventry, d. d, — Alexander Hales, 2 vol. Johannes Cotta, Med. doct. & quondam hujus scholse alumnus, d. d. — Polyanth. Martyriology, given by Mr. Samuel Clark, Author. VenerabiUs Societas Lanarioru', Anglice Drapers, dono dederunt — Lutheri et Melancthonis opera omnia, 12 vol. These books cost £6. 13s. 4d. (vide anno 1602, page 173 ante). Christoph. Estwicke, generosus, hujus quondam Schole alumnus, d. d. — Opera Regis Jacobi — Peter Charron de Sapientia. Basil Feilding, Esq., of Barnacle, quondam alumnus hujus scholse, d. d. — 2 books. Samuel Gibson, Cant, in Artib'z magister, et Sacras Theologise in hac Civitate Publicus professor, d. d. — Polanu' in Daniele. Thomas Gresley, arm. hujus schote alumnus, do. dedit — Erasmi opera, vol. 6, et aliis. Johannis Gery, L. L. D. Sc Archidiaconis Buckingamiensis, Hujus Scholas quondam alumnus, d, d. — Castelli Lexicon, * This is an erroneous description, it is Occleve's poems and not Chaucer's t 1650, pd for carriage of 10 Books, given by Dr, Annesley to the Library, 10s. — City Ace. X These donations by Lord Berkley, his son, and wife, will be accounted for when it is recollected that one of the family possessions and occasional residence was Callowden, near Coventry, and that George Lord Berkley, son of Sir Thomas, was in 1613, a scholar at the Free School. PEEE SCHOOL, COVENTEY. 175 GuUel. Hinton, S. T. D. Cant, et Reverendi S'ci Michael' pastor, d. d, — Regia bibla, 8 volum. Samuel Hinton, filius suavissimus Gul. Hinton, d. d. — 3 works. Philemon HoUande, medicinse Doctor Cant, quondam Scholas hujus moderator, d. d, — Euclidis Harmon', ms. Henricus HoUande, civis Lond. filius doctoris hoUand, d. d. — Parnassu' Nicolai Nomasseii — Herbologia, ang. vol. 1, et aliis. WiU'us Holland, fiUus D'r's HoUand, d. d. — Piers Plowman's visions. Joh'es Hales, nepos et heres Joh'is Hales, Scheie fundatoris, d.d. — Bibliandri opera, ms. 8 vol, Johannes Dn's Harrington, d. d, — 23 volumes of the Fathers — Stephanis Thesaurus, 4 vol. Sir Baptist Hickes, Knt. citzen of London, gave Bellarmlue's Works, 3 vol. folio. 1704, Anna Domina Hales, relicta D'ni Johan'is Hales, Baronetti, d. d. — Fundatoris Effigiem. Mr. Jos. Kimberley, S'tse 'Trinitatis in hac Civitate Vicarius Dignissimus, d. d. — 2 works. Johannes King, Eq. Aur. Baro, de Kingston, d. d. — Annales Usserii, Michael Lapworth, medecinse professor, dono ded.*-Quartuor Evangelia, Saxonice & Angl. Franciscus Leigh, de Newnam Regis, Eques. Bathon. d. d. — Budseum & Mathiolum. Henricus Leigh, armig. opera clariss. patris sui Edwardi Leighi, armig. d. d. — 11 in number. Michael Rutter, de Quinton, in agro Gloucest. arm. d. d. — Funeral Sermon [by Giles Oldisworth] upon Mrs. Dorothy Rutter, his wife. She was the daughter of Sir John Hales, aud a most amiable and pious lady. , Mrs. Ann Scrope gave (about 1700) the History of the Holy Bible, painted by herself. Gul, Skeffington, armig. d'ns de Fisherwicke — 3 vol. folio. Clemens Throckmorton, mUes, d.d. — Ludovic Vives opera, 2 vol. — LivU Historiam, Angl. Joh'es Tovey, Ox. in artibus magister, verbi del fidelis p'eradicator, et hujus Scholse quondam Magister, dono dedit — Thesaurum lingue, Lat. — Celii secundi Curionis, 3 vol. Dn's Nathaniel Wanley, A.M. Vicarius Trinit. Coventrias, d. d. — Musica Ecclesiastica, ms. membrana scripta, in 4to. Johannes Wright, uuus e sexagiuta clericus Cancellar, et hujus Scholse quondam alumnus, d. d. — Chronicon Saxonicum, editum per Edmundi Gibson, 1692. Humfredus Wanley. d. d. — Speculum vitse Christi, ms. — Aristotelis Ethica Cat. ms, — Joharmis de [Janduno] Qu^^stiones super Ubris. — Aristot. de anima, ms. — Heptateuch. Lib. Job et Evangel. Nicodemi, Anglo-saxonice. — Biblia sacra vetusta, Ang. — Manuscriptum metricum Hibernice. — Lambardi Perambulationem Cantii. — Orationis Dominicffi Centum Versiouis, — Repertorium Recordatorum. — Megisseri Specimen Orationis Dominicse, 40 Unguis. — With a considerable number of other books in the Welch, Spanish, Italian, French, Russian, Belgic, and Irish languages. — Concordat' inter Priorem, & Conventum S'se Marise & Magistrum Hospitii sen Xenodochii s'ci Johannis. — Calendaria Ugnea vetusta duo. In the "Catalogus Librorum Manuscriptum AngUee, 1697," folio, is the foUowing List of Manuscripts in the Free School Library, compiled by Humphrey Wanley, whose remarks are subjoined to the respective articles, 17 in number. 1. BibUa S. The Vulgar Latin, which besides the Old and New Testament and Apocrypha, contains the ExpUcation of the proper Names mentioned in it. It is wrote very fair, and excellently well painted and gilded, aU in Velom, and above 400 years old, as I guess by the hand. A small folio. 2. This wants the Title-page and Author's name, which is not mentioned in it. It is divided into three parts. which are thus called : — 1. Musica Ecclesiastica. 2. Admonitiones ad interna trahentes. 3. De interna consolatione. It is wrote in Parchment, about the time of King Edw. IV. as I guess by the hand. 8vo. 3. Annotations on Genesis, Exod. Levit. Numb. Deut. Josua, 1 Sam. Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zach., Malachy, and the Epistle to the Hebrews. They are 8 MSS. Lat. in 4to, vTritten on paper, by Theodorick Vannius, from the mouth of Theodorus Bibliander, about the years 1546, 7, 8, and 9. This Theodorick was (as they say) a Carmelite Frier here, and dyed (as it is written in one of the Books by a later hand) A. D. 1550. In two of these Books are two little Tracts thus entituled : — Contra scandala ex bello nuper in Germania ab EvangeUco Foedere infeUciter gesto aborta "Apologia Recitata in csetu Ecclesiastico coram Pastoribus Ecclesise, 12 Sept. 1547. — Brevis lustitutio Pastorum. Quomodo in his Temporibus periculosis consolentur & regant suse curse commissas Ecclesias. 11. Elucidationes in S. Pauli Epistolas ad Romanes, ad Corinth. Sc ad Galatas, coUectas e diversis Auctoribus. The writer's name is wanting ; it was written (as I suppose) about the beginning of King Henry the Eighth's Reign, upon paper. A small FoUo. 12. John Lydgate's Poems."' This is written, painted, and gilded very weU, and (as I suppose) whilst Lydgate was aUve or presently after. It contains not aU his Poems, but only these that follow : — De Regimiue Prindpum. — " This is the MS. given by Mr. Alforde, and erroneously described in the School Catalogue as Chaucer's Works ; and it is very remarkable that Wanley should have faUen into an error in appropriating a MS. of the contents of which he has given so particular an account. The eight first articles are undoubtedly by Occleve, whose whole-length Portrait is drawn at the commencement of the poem " De Regimine Prindpum ;" and the only pieces by Lydgate are the Siege of Jerusalem and the Siege of Thebes. 176 FKEE SCHOOL, COVENTEY. De Incendio Amoris ; sive Planetus Thomse Occleve.— Dialogus inter eundem Thomam & quendam Amicum suum. — Fabula qusedam de quadam bona & nobili Imperatrice Romana. (They are all in English, though the foregoing Titles are written in Latin). — The moralizing of the' foresaid Tale (Partly prose). — A process to learn to dye. — The Prologue of the 9th Lesson on AUhallowen-day (Part in Prose).' — Prologue to the Tale of Jonathas, and the moralizing of it. — The Dance of Machabre. — A Preiour to our Ladye, made by Geffrie Chaucer, after the order of a. b. c. — Three Ballads or Songs. — Sir John Mandevile's Travels (Much different from the printed Books). — The Siege of Jerusalem by Vespasian. — The Siege of Thebes. 13. Euclid's Swaycoyrj apfioviK-^ iu Greek, written very fair, and gilded neatly upon paper, 8vo. 14, At the beginning and the end of an old Treatise, Be virtutibus Herbarwm, are bound up with it some leaves, containing the Art of making the Gilded and painted Letters which we see in old MSS. written by Robert Freelowe of London, 1525. With many receipts of Perfumes, Medicines, &c., in several Languages, by another hand. 15. Quffistiones Joannis de Janduno super Tres libros Aristotelis de Anima. — Georgii Trapezuntii librorum Aristotelis de Anima translatio. It is written partly on Paper, and partly on fine Parchment, by Thomas Clare, Monk of St. Edmunds-Bury, A.D. 1441. Large Folio. 16. The Mirroure of the blissid lyfe of Jesus Criste ; written in Latin by Bonaventure, and translated (as it is thought), by Richard Hampool, an English Hermit. This MS. contains, besides the foresaid Mirrour, A short treatice of the hieste and moste worthy Sacrament of Christes blissede Body, and the mervellous thereof, &c. — The Boke of the crafte of dyeinge.— A Treatise of ghostly bataile. — A lytil shorte tretyce that tellethe howe there were 6 mastir's assembled togidir, and iche asked othir what thynge thei myghte beste speke of that myghte beste please God and were moste profytabile to the people. Aud alle thei were accordid to speke of tribulacione. Written upon good Parchment, very fair, not long (as I suppose) after the year 1410. 17. Aristotle's Ethics, Translated into Latin, by Leonardus Aretiuus, written upon Parchment above 200 years ago, as I guess by the hand. — It wants some leaves. The Library Keepers, who receive a salary of 13s. 4d. per annum, were, at the first estabhshment of the School, and for some considerable time afterwards, appointed by the Common Council from amongst the senior Scholars. MASTERS. Upon the commencement of the School, and during the life of Hales, it appears that Mr. SHERWYN was Master, and received £30 a year; he was employed by Hales, during the short time that the School was kept in the Choir of the White Friars Church, and most likely removed with it to St. John's Hospital ; but no records of the School are preserved during that period, and the only Hst of Masters remaining, is an erroneous and imperfect one, at the end of the School Catalogue, the first six names in which are written by the same person. JOHN TOVET, A.M., is the next Master that can be ascertained, but the time of his appointment does not appear; yet, as he resigned the Mastership about 1602, and is described as an aged man, in 1614, it is not improbable that he was the successor of Sherwyn. There is some reason to conjecture that he was a native of Leicestershire, but the first authentic circumstance with which we are at present acquainted is, an entry in the City Accounts of 40s. being given him June 20, 1599, for his charges in going to Oxford, to take his degree of Master of Arts*, at which time he was unquestionably Master of the Free School. Of his pains and industry in forming a Library for the use of the School, mention has already been made, and it is observable, that the record in the Catalogue of his own donation, describes ¦* Wood does not mention him. PEEE SCHOOL, COVENTEY. 177 Him as quondam sedulus Magister, whereas his successor Arnold, is called nunc praefectus, so that the founding of the Library appears to be one of his last acts, as Master of that School. The Princess Elizabeth, daughter of James I., being, in 1603, placed under the care of John, Lord Harrington, of Exton, he appointed Tovey his Chaplain, who, resigning his situa tion at the Free School, moved to Combe Abbey, and assisted Lord Harrington, in the tuition of the Princess; attending her to Coventry in 1604,* when he preached a sermon before her and her attendants in St. Michael's Church. His care for the newly-established Library caused him to prevaU on the Princess to visit it, and she gave money towards the purchasing of Books. Lord Harrington's amiable and highly-promising son being " well grounded in religion and learning at home, his noble father sent him to travel abroad in France and Italy, that by experience he might ripen that knowledge which he had before gained; and for a guide and tutor for him in his travels, he chose one Master Tovey,t a grave and learned rehgious man ; and formerly head Master of the Free School, at Coventry." The narrative, which was written very soon after the young Lord Harrington's death, proceeds to state, that the sound reHgion and Protestant zeal of this Nobleman and his Tutor being noticed by the Jesuits, they administered " a slow- working poison " to them, of which Mr. Tovey being aged, and consequently less able to encounter its effects, died presently after his return to England, and was shortly followed by his excellent Master, who deceased Pebruary 27, 1613-14, aged 22 years. Mr. Tovey had a son named Nathaniel, born in Coventry, who, at an early period in life, was taken under the patronage of Lucy, Countess of Bedford, the only daughter of Lord Harrington, and entered at Christ's College, Cambridge ; took his degree of B.D., and was presented by Charles I. to the Rectory of Lutterworth, but for his steady adherence to that ill-fated monarch, was ejected about 1647. In 1654, through the friendship of John, Duke of Rutland, he was presented to the Vicarage of Aylston, near Leicester, but died in September, 1658, of a violent fever, and is interred in the Chancel there, underneath a flat stone, bearing the following imperfect inscription : — Hie jacet quicquid mortale erat Ven'lis Nathanaelis Tovey et Elisab. ux. ejus. Hie'' Coventrise natus, pater Celebris ibid, scholse moderatore doctiss. et magnif . D. D. Joan. Harington, Baron de Exton, hie et iu partib's transma- rinis institutore? Hlum adhuc tenerum patre orbum suscepit, et quasi sinu fovit, lUust' heroina Lucia Com'tissa Bedfordise, cujus aliquandiu assecla erat ; ast ilia, non sinens indolem quam in eo egregiam perspexerat, otio aulico corrumpi tantum uber ad acad alumnus dn brevi CoUegii Christi, et in eo S. T. B. post qu ¦ Rector ecclesise de Lutterworth wellens calamitoso orto heu bello o rectoria summotus est, nihilominus non multis post ad Rectoriam hujus Ecclesise a Comite Rutland adscitus ' est, biermio hie exacto, grassante febre plurib' tunc lethali, e vivis sublatus est. There is some reason to believe that, after Milton underwent a personal castigation at Cambridge, he was placed under Mr. Nath. Tovey. — Aubrey's note says, " one Mr. Tovell, who died parson of Lutterworth." Mr. Tovey's successor at the Free School, was JEREMIAH ARNOLD, A.M., who, although he is described in the Catalogue " utriusque Academise in artibus Magister," is not noticed by Wood. In the list of Masters, at the end of the Catalogue, he is thus entered : — ¦ "^Mr. Arnolde, cum instauraretur Bibliotheca, anno d. 1602," which appears to be the actual time of his appointment. '* The Mercers' Company, who were in the habit of giving gratuities to preachers, in 1604, " p'd Mr. Tovye, xls." and amongst the City charges for 1606, is "paid to Mr. Tovie, Is." f NugK Antiquse, Vol. III. p. 158. 178 PEEE SCHOOL, COVENTEY. On the 7th March, 1611, Mr. JAMES CRANFORD was, at a CouncU House,* elected Master, to succeed Mr. Arnold, at the ensuing Lady-day, on condition that he should give Bond, to make good at his departure, the Books in the Library, according to a Catalogue then to be delivered to him, and be liable to removal at 6 months' notice; entering also into Covenant not to sell or dispose of the appointment without consent. In the City Treasurer's Accounts for 1612, is a payment of £40 to Mr. Arnold, for resigning up the Free School, and certain implements in the house; and in 1614, Mr. Cranford was admitted and sworn a Freeman of the City. No particulars of Mr. Cranford have transpired; but he had a Son named James, born in Coventry, and probably educated at the Free School, who entered at Bahol College, in 1617, and after taking his degrees in Arts, became Rector of Brockold, in Northamptonshire, and subsequently (upon the ejection of a Loyalist), of St. Christopher le Stocks, in London. He was, says Wood, a zealous Presbyterian, a painful preacher, an exact linguist, well acquainted with the Fathers, not unknown to Schoolmen, and familiar with the modern Divines. He was, in the beginning of the Civil wars, appointed by the Presbyterians a Licenser of the Press in London, and died AprU 27, 1657. A younger son, named Nathaniel, received from 1630 to 1636, during his stay at Oxford, an exhibition of 20s. per annum, given by the Corporation; and Cranford's widow demanded, on the 3rd June, 1629, thirteen pounds for reparations at the School house, which was refused to be paid, but in consideration of her poverty, £10 was given her by the City. Mr. Cranford's successor was the celebrated DR. PHILEMON HOLLAND, chosen January 23, 1627-8, as appears from the following order of Council House : — " 23d January, 1627-8."' — It is this dale agreed, that Mr. Doctor Holland, shalbe head Schoole-maister of the free Grammar Schoole, of this Citie, so long as Mr. Maior and his bretheren of this house please. And further, that he shall observe the orders appoynted for the Schoole on the head Schoole-maisters p't to be performed ; and also, that he shall not assigne over his place, or appoynt any other to teach that Schoole, or to supply that place for him or under him therein, at any tyme hereafter, without the Ucence and generall consent of Mr. Maior & the aldermen." To this appointment the Doctor's signature is subjoined, and it is a fine specimen of writing at the age of 77. From a variety of concurrent testimonies, it appears that he was employed at the Free School about 20 years ; though, as will presently be shown. Head Master only 14 months, and from the tenor of the above appointment it seems evident that the Corporation elected him rather from motives of consideration for his past services as Usher, and out of respect to his character and talents, than with a full conviction that he was able to perform properly the duties of that ofiice. No record of his election to be Usher appears, it not being customary to notice such appointments in the proceedings of the City Council, J but proofs will hereafter be given, '* Com. Council Book, p. 354. f Common Council Book, p, 556. X The only mention of Ushers that occur in the Council House Books, are the removal of Mr. William Marshall, on 31st March, 1652, aud appointment of Mr. John Wilmot, B.A., in his place ; and the subsequent election of Mr. John Bachelor, A.M., on 11th August following, in consequence of Marshall obtaining some Church preferment. On 10th March, 1653, 20 nobles per annum were added to Mr, Bachelor's salary during pleasure, making in the whole, £26. 13s. id. In addition to these names, the foUowing account of another Usher, from Aubrey's Lives of Eminent Men, may not be unacceptable to the reader : — " Mr. Samuel Foster was borne at Coventry (as I take it) ; he was sometime usher of the schoole there. Was professor of . — ¦ at Gresham CoUed.L'^c, London, yeares, where in his lodgeing, on the wall, in his chamber, is, of his own hand draweing, the best diall I doe verily beleeve in the whole world. Inter, &c., it shows you what a clock 'tis at Jerusalem, Gran-Cairo, Sec. It is drawen very artificially. He dyed July, 1652, buryed at St. Peter's the Poor, in Broad-street, London. A neighbour of Mr. Paschall's neer Bridge-water, in Somerset, hath all his MSS. w'ch I have seen." — 'Vol, II. 353, PEEE SCHOOL, COVENTEY. 179 that he was, in the whole, engaged 20 years at the School ; and a cotemporary writer* states that George, Lord Berkeley, was, at the age of 12 years, in 1613, "a schoUer under Doctor PhUemon HoUand " there. The incompetency of the old man to the situation of Head master was soon apparent, as the following extract testifies : — " 26t November, 1628, At this dale. Doctor HoUand came to this House, and desired to leave the place of head Schoole-maister of the ffree Grammar Schoole, of this Citie, and wished that in convenient tyme, this house would provide another." On the 18th Feb., 1628-9,t there was "p'd to Mr. Philemon Holland, doctor, w'ch he formerly aUowed for standerts left in the schoole house, by Mr. Cranford, Is." and at the ensuing Lady-day, Mr. Phineas White succeeded him at the School. Dr. -Philemon Holland was a descendant of the ancient and respectable famUy of Holland, II of Denton, in the County of Lancaster, his grandfather, Edward Holland, of Glassthorpe, in Derbyshire, being one of the sons of Brian HoUand, a Norfolk gentleman, in which County a branch of the Denton HoUands long resided. His father was John HoUand, a pious divine, who, in Queen Mary's reign, was obliged to leave the kingdom on account of his religion ; but returning after the Queen's death, became Pastor of Dunmow, in Essex, where he died in 1578. PhUemon HoUand was born at Chelmsford, in that County, in or about the year 1551, and after being instructed at the Grammar School of that place, was sent to Trinity CoUege, Cambridge, where he was pupil to Dr. Hampton, and subsequently to Dr. (afterwards Archbishop) Whitgift. He was admitted Fellow of his CoUege, but left the University after having taken the degree of M.A., in which degree he was incorporated at Oxford, in 1587. About this time it seems likely that he began to study medicine, and certainly settled at Coventry, where he practised with considerable reputation, and at the age of 40, viz., in 1595, took his degree of Doctor of Physic in the University of Cambridge. In the year 1600, he published a translation of Livy, which he dedicated to Queen Elizabeth, caUing it "the first fruits of a few years study;" in 1601, Pliny's Natural History, dedicated to Sir Robert Cecil; and in 1603, Plutarch's Morals, dedicated to King James. His translation of Suetonius,§ printed in 1606, and dedicated to "The Ladie Harington," contains the earhest distinct mention of his professional practice in Coventry : he therein states, that the late Pestilence in Coventry, having altogether restrained him from free practice of his profession abroad, yet being impatient of his idleness at home, he could not think of a better method of spending the vacation, than in an argument ha'ving a reference to his " old GrammaticaU Muses," and according in some sort with his " latter Studies in Physick." '* Smythe's MS. Account of the Berkeley Family, p. 970. The Letter was addressed to Smythe, when the writer was only 12 years and 1 month old, and is as follows : — " Accepi a te domine Smythe, chronicon Johannis Speed! cum ohartis chorographicis, in duobus tomis ; opus sane, ut videtur egregium, dignum lectu, jucundumq. aspectu ; et quod majus est, perlegi epistolam ad me tuam, plenam judicii et gravis consilii ; quse ut indicia veri amoris tui, magni sestimo ; chronicon quidem diligenter legam, et apud me servabo, cartisque oculos meos pasoam, consilium vero tuum, deo volente sequar ; pro utrisque gratias tibi ago, daboq. operam posthac, et te redamare, et tibi pro viribus gratiam referre: vale. Coventria, 9 Novembr. 1613. Tui amantissimus, Georglus Berkeley." ¦f Com. Council Book, p. 561, X Treasurer's Accounts. || Gregson's Portfolio, Part IL, 215. § This was the fourth work translated by him, and the foUowing couplet was made upon if: — Philemon vyith translations doth so fill us. He wiU not let Suetonius be Tranquillus. 180 FEEE SCHOOL, COVENTEY. In 1609, he published a translation of Ammianus MarceUinus, and dedicated it to — " The Right WorshipfuU the Maior, and his Brethren, the Aldermen, &;c., of the Citie of Coventrie.'* First (he says), for your wise and moderat government of the place, wherein I have so many yeares conversed, hath afforded unto me both quiet repose and meanes also to follow my studies. Secondly, the affectionate love that yee have alwaies borne to good literature, testified by courteous entertainment of learned men ; by competent salaries aUowed from time to time to such professors, as have peaceably and with discreet carriage bestowed their talents among you ; by exhibition given to poore schoUers in the Universitie, by erecting also of late, and maintaining of a faire Librarie, not exampled (without offence to others be it spoken) in many Cities of the Realm. Lastly, the experience I have already of your kind acceptance of my former Labours, though not exhibited to you at the first hand," &c. On 22nd Nov., 1609, a Tenement in Bishop-street, was granted him on lease for 21 years. At this time he was busily engaged in printing his translation of Camden's Britannia,t which in the following year was published. Concerning this translation, Mr. Gough remarks (British Topography) that Holland was thought to have consulted Camden himself, wherefore great regard was paid to his additions and explanations, but he charges him with unwarrantable liberties in the second edition, printed in 1637. The following exact copy of an original letter from HoUand to Camden, preserved in the British Museum, Julius CV. 28, proves not only that he consulted the author, but that Camden actuaUy perused the manuscript before printing. — 1609, 25 Aug. — My very good ffriende Mr. Camden. It appereth now that my Translation of yo'r Britannia is under the presse, that yow have taken paines in perusing the written sheets ; & that they mean to use yow still in that kind. I must confesse now, that I mistook in the 2 page, the latter verse of the twain, as touching the true sense, ffor finding it without any Comma, Sc knowing ther were many British Hands more, I made comparison between OUT Britanny and all other British Isles, so that yow have done me a pleasure iu altering my latter verse. The printer should have done weU to have printed your verse true, which I suppose went in this number : "And seek through Hands all, none may w'th British Isles compare." Let me, I pray yow, be further beholden unto yow in the Copie now sent up ; and namely in some ffew places here under noted, wherein I am not satisfied. Page 181, lin, 46. Canonici. — Whether a secular priest or Regular? Because to Canonicus elsewhere, is added Regularis, as pag. 349. I have in Colleges termed the' Secular, Sc in Monasteries, Regular. As yow meet w'th such places besides, I pray, correct the' to yo'r own sense. 239, lin. 2, Dominus Augustitius. S'r Austin or Lord Augustin, & so in Dominus Herbertus, in another place. 280, lin. 42. ffor Lekhamsted — I have vfritte' in my Latin Copie, over head Thornton ; by whose hand I know not, but it hath made me to doubt therof. And in truth that Latin Copie which I followed in perusing my Translation, differeth ffrom that which I went by in my Translation ; but especially in that Passage, of the Earles of Richmond, which did put me to a new labour. 293, lin. 45. Lnigubri Barbaroru' Chvortis. I doubt that I misse the true sense. 335, 12. Infra Banna' Leucam. What I should call it properly I wote not, yet in Leuca Brionii, yow interp'te Leuca in the Margin [The Lowy]. But what is Banna? 363, 3. Vrbs est «ora exigua. I suspect [non] because it foUoweth nee sua frequentia celebranda. 419, 20. »**»**» Spiceginam Bromon, baud Bromium. I stick here, because of the Comma & Copulative in the greek, but not in the Latin, May it please yow to supply that place w'th yo'r English, 222 — In the Epitaphicall Inscription of Henry Fitz- Alan, I do not well conceive the Author's meaning in thes' words, Sui generis ab Alani filio cognominatus, nor in Morinus, whether is meant Poutheau or Picardie generally taken? nor yet in Domus Regies Prcefectus, whether it be not the same that afterward was SenescaUus ; whatever elsewhere shall occurre let me entreat yow to rectify. Bold I am, Sc over-bold ; But yo'r Cando'r & love approved, promiseth me thus much & more too. And so recommending yo'r selfe, yo'r good studies & endevors to God's blessing, I take my leave for this time. Coventry, 25 August, 1609 Your loving & affectionate ffriend. Ph. Hollasd. ¦* 1609, 26th May, p'd to Mr. doctor hoUand, for a boke that he dedicated to Mr. Maior Sc his bretherne of the Roman Histories, iiijli. — City Treasurer's Accounts. X " paid to Mr. doctor hoUnnd, the xxx of may, 1610, for a boke called Camden's Britanya, vl." — City Treasurer's Accounts. PEEE SCHOOL, COVENTEY. 181 There are some verses by Tho. Merial, M.A., in praise of the translator, prefixed to the second edition of this work, printed in 1 637, by which it appears that Holland undertook the translation at the suit of Lady Elizabeth Berkeley.* They contain, according to the prevailing custom of the time, a quibble upon his name and an anagram. On 30th September, 1612, he was admitted and sworn a freeman of the City; and upon the occasion of King James I. visiting Coventry on September 2nd, 1617, was selected to address his Majesty, which he did in a long and elaborate oration, for which, say our Annals, " he was much praised ; he was in a suite of black sattenf." In 1621 a lease for 61 years was granted hitn of the house and garden in Bishop Street, adjoining his own, paying 6s. rent. On 23rd January, 1627 — 8, he was, as already stated, appointed Master bf the Free School, a situation which he held only fourteen months, being probably induced to resign it on account of his advanced age (77 years), which rendered him incapable of attending properly and conscientiously to the duties of that office. It is evident, indeed, that the place was given him out of respect for his talents, character, and long residence in the City, as a comfortable retreat in his decHning years, and with a hope that he might be able to execute the duties of it in such a manner as to warrant the appointment ; but this kind intention was frustrated, and the remaining memorials of his life furnish a melancholy instance of poverty and distress attending the closing years of a respectable, learned, and actively useful man. On the 24th October, 1632, the following Order of Council| was made: — "Forasmuch, as Dr. Holland, by reason of his age, is now grown weake and decaied in his estate, and being a man of good deserts, in respect of the abilities wherewith God hath indowed him, this House taking him into consideracon, are pleased & agreed, that there shall be three pounds, six shillings, and eight pence given him for the present, and that he shall have 31. 6s. 8d.\\ yearely given him from henceforth, on the 24th Oct. for three yeres, if he shall so long hve." In 1632, Dr. Holland being then 80 years of age, his translation of Xenophon's Oyrupaedia was published. His portrait is prefixed, and the work has a dedication by his son Henry to King Charles, wherein he describes his father as " now an old man, full of yeares, and Hving still in your Mediterranean City of Coventry (named in former times Camera Principis)." Several commendatory Poems are prefixed, and his son adds the foUowing account of his father's signet ring, together with the celebrated distich on Holland's pen, which, though so often quoted, is rarely or ever given correctly. " The Translatour once caused in a faire Signet of a Gold Ring, to bee engraven in the midst of the colit, the heart of a man all naked or plaine, insteed of an Embleme, about which there went round this Symbolum, or double Anagram of both his Names, to v/H—^iXrj/JLCOV okdvSoi or Philemon Holandus, NacptXri/jM BoXwv, (ptX&v ariaa BoXov, implying thus much in Latin, Animus [pmsens] fraudum expers. (A ready heart without deceit) Verum Amicorum signum. Both which members of the sentence joyned together make up this one Hexameter, with the addition of e?6, That signifieth (.est), NoacpiKri/Ma BoXav (plXaiv avfjb aBoXov (est). " A ready Heart and minde thus voide of fraud. Is that true signe Vertue doth most applaud." * Wife of Sir Thomas Berkeley, of Caludon. t The cost whereof was Ul. Is. lid.— City Accounts. ^ X Common CouncU Book, p. 610. II 1632, 24 October, paid to doctor hoUand, 1633, 30 October, idem 1634, 29 October, idem 1635, idem 1636, last half year's aUowance £ s. d. 3 6 8 3 6 8 3 6 8 3 6 8 1 13 4 Treasurer's Accounts, 182 PEEE SCHOOL, COVENTEY, " Henry Holland, in honour of his deerest father Dr. Philemon Holland, upon the interpretation of his double Anagram, and his indefatigable labours. " The Hart most ready, honest, and upright, Devoyd of fraud unto each living wight : ECCHO. The Head diseas'd for ease of Englishmen, The Hand benumm'd with holding of its pen, The Pen unworne, though wome beyond a pen Does still hold out to glad their Countrimen, They rest in motion, and restlesse Rest is that. Yet may they rest, though death doth frowne thereat. And when those Mortalls may be turn'd to dust, Th' immortall part must needs b' among the Just." Psal. 112, vers. 6. In memoria csterna erit Justus. Upon the Translatour's Pen, wherewith only hee translated aud wrote all Plutarch's Moralls, conteining above a Reame of Paper, he wrote this Dystick : — This Booke I wrote with one poore Pen, made of a grey Goose quiU, A Pen I found it, us'd before, a Pen I leave it still. ¦Which Pen afterwards was begged by an auncient Gentlewoman (mother of a Noble Countesse yet living :) who garnished it in silver, aud kept it as a Monument. 1635, 15th July*, Agreed that Dr. Holland "shall presently leave possession" of a large tenement much in decay, near the Swines cross, which he has enjoyed above 40 years, without lease, at 25s. per annum, it being School land. This tenement is described as being " at the School, between the Gatehouse and the high buUding, three Httle tenements lying together." Not long before this last occurrence, his necessities led him to solicit charity from the University of which he was once a member ; where he had been Fellow of a College, and took his degree of M.D. The following licence from the Vice-chanceUor was issued upon the occasion : — " Dr. PhUemon HoUandf, 11th April, 1635. " In consideration of the learning and worthy parts of Dr. Philemon HoUand, and in consideration of his want of means to relieve him, now in his old age, I have given leave that he shall receive such charitable benevolence as the Master and Fellows in every CoUege shaU be pleased to bestow upon him. H[enry] S[myth], Procanc." Henry Smyth, who was also Master of Magdalen College, in a memorandum preserved with the above Licence, thus mentions the venerable and distressed old man : — " Dr. Holland is 84 years old. Pupil to Dr. Whitgift, FeUow of a College, Master of the King's Free School in Coventry for 20 years ; and commenced Doctor 40 years since. He translated diverse books, and for 60 years kept good hospitality, Sit tota Coventria testis, and by age being disabled to travel abroad and practise, and confined to his chamber, he is impoverished, and indebted, having had a great charge of children. He wrote the Lepanto battle finely. — Mem. to get it of his son. H, S." The life and troubles of the poor old man were now fast drawing to a close, his death happening on the 9th of February, 1636, in his 85th year, and he was interred in Trinity Church, where is a quibbling Latin Epitaph to his memory, composed by himself. He was a peaceable, quiet, and good man in aU the relations of private life, and by his habits of temperance and regularity, attained to his great age, not only with the full possession of his intellects, but his sight was so good that he never had occasion to wear spectacles. He '* Common Council Book, p. 640. t Cole's CoUectanea for Athense Cantabrigiensis. — Brit. Museum, PEEE SCHOOL, COVENTEY, 183 married in 1579, Ann, the daughter of WilHam Bot,* ahas Peyton, of Perry Hall, in the County of Stafford, by whom he had 7 sons and 3 daughters : she died in 1627, at the age of 72 ; and the Doctor must have had a second Wife, as this entry occurs in the City Treasurer's Accounts, " 1639, 21 dec. given to mrs. Holland, -widow, in respect of her povertie, xxs." Of his sons, William,t a Surgeon, died in Coventry, in 1632, aged 40, whose name appears in the Hst of Benefactors to the Free School Library. Henry, the eldest son, is said by Wood, to have "travelled with John Lord Harrington into the Palatinate, in 1613," when that nobleman accompanied his former charge the Princess Elizabeth, upon her marriage with Frederick then Count Palatine. He was afterwards a Bookseller in London, and pubUshed in 1618, "a Book of Kings, being a true and lively effigies of aU our English Kings from the Conquest," &c., &c. ; and also in 1620, the Heroologia Anglicana, being probably assisted by his father in the lives, though the verses beneath each Portrait signed A. B. were written by Buchehus, whose copy of that work, containing corrections and additions throughout in a neat hand, apparently vrith reference to a new edition, was sold at the late Mr. Edwards's sale for 15Z. He likewise collected and printed in quarto, Monumenta Sepulchralia Ecclesia, S. Pauli, Lond. Amongst the King's Pamphlets in the British Museum, Single Folio Sheets, Vol. 5, is a Petition to the public for relief, circulated by Henry Holland in 1647, he being then in his old age. He speaks of himself as a citizen of London, and for a long time an inhabitant of St. Mary-le-Bone ; says, that his Wife and self, in 1625, were the medium for distributing money for many worthy and charitable persons during the plague; that he was a Commissioner of Bankrupts, under four or five Lord Keepers ; a hater of Popery and Superstition, and his opposition to Prelatical Innovation he owns, occasioned him to be called before the Star Chamber, in consequence whereof he was imprisoned and impoverished. When 60 years of age, in 1643, "he adventured his life and went out one, and was the eldest man " of the Earl of Denbigh's life-guard. In 1647, the Doctor's daughter Ann had her right recognized in a lease granted for 61 years to him. In 1639, Nov. 26, a person named PhUemon Holland, was instituted Vicar of Wolvey, in the County of Warwick, most probably a Grandson of the Doctor, but no further particulars have occurred. The following is beHeved to be a correct list of Dr. PhUemon HoUand's works, all in folio, with the dates of the various editions : — Livy's Roman Historic, printed in 1600, 1659, 1686. Pliny's NaturaU Historic, 1601, 1634. Plutarch's Morals. 1603, 1657. Suetonius, 1606. Ammianus MarceUinus, 1609. Camden's Britannia, 1610, 1637. Paralipomeua, a Supplement to Thomasius' Diet., 1615, Cambridge. Xenophon's Cyrupssdia, 1632, 1654, 1682. Regimen Sanitatis Salemi, or Schoole of Salerues, 1649, 4to. Corrected and enlarged by P. H. Published after his death by Henry Holland, his son, and dedicated to Sir Simon D'ewes. He also rendered into Latin, the Geographical History of Speed's Theatre ; and after his death, a translation into Latin, of a French Pharmacopoeia, by Brice Bauderon, was printed in 1639, at the instigation of his son Henry, who dedicated the work to the CoUege '•' There was a respectable Family of this name iu Coventry, perhaps introduced by the above connection ; one of them Septimus Bott, Apothecary, was Mayor in 1686. t 1630, p'd Mr. WUl. HoUand, for paines in curing poore folks, iiijZ. — City Accounts, 184 PEEK SCHOOL, of Physicians. Some verses by T. H., gent., on the translator's death, are prefixed, together with his Epitaph, as in Trinity Church, Coventry. A folio MS. copy of the preceding work, containing 229 closely written pages in my possession, is thus entitled : Paraphrasis in Pharmacopoeam, iu duobus Ubris divisa, per M. Bricium Bauderouum, Medicinse Doctorem, E lingua Gallica in Latinam recenter translata, per M. Philemouem HoUandum, Coventriensem, medicinse Doctorem. Et transcripta per Thomam Pidgeonum, Pharmacopoeum Coventriensem, Anno Domini nostri, 1635. Long as is the present article, mention must be made of his celebrated and beautiful MS. of Euclid's Harmonics*, still preserved in the Free School Library, which though written when he was considerably advanced in years, is a very remarkably neat specimen of Greek caligraphy ; and when the celebrated Baskerville was preparing his Greek fount, Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Parrott, of Birmingham (who married a sister of Dr. Edwards, at that time Master of the Free School) borrowed this MS. from the Library, and BaskervUle partly formed his characters from it. His translations are certainly devoid of elegance, but are accounted faithful and accurate. Pope, amongst the " solid Learning" in the Library of his Hero of the Dunciad, has placed the labours of Dr. Holland. " But high above, more soUd Learning shone. The Classicks of an Age that heard of none ; There Caxton slept, with Wynken at his side, One clasp'd in wood, and one in strong cow-hide ; There, sav'd by spice, like mummies, many a year. Dry Bodies of Divinity appear : De Lyra there a dreadful front extends, And here, the groaning shelves Philemon bends." In the Annotations to this " witty but cruel Satire," pubhshed with the 8vo edition of 1787, is the following remark : Philemon Holland, Doctor in Physic. He translated so many books, that a man would think he had done nothing else ; insomuch that he might be called Translator-general of his age. The Books alone of his turning into English, are suflicient to make a Country Gentleman a complete Library. — Winstanley. Mr. PHINEAS WHITE, of Whitchurch, was the succeeding Master, to whom, on 3rd February, 1629, a Letter was sent to the Council House,t entreating him to come over and confer about the place; and on the 13th of the same month, he was fully appointed to commence Master at Lady-day, with a salary of £40 per annum. On the 3rd of March foUowing, it was agreed that he should have the Schoolmaster's house and the close in addition to his stipend. Sept. 2, 1629,f Mr. White stated to the Council House, that in consequence of his extraordinary number of scholars, many of whom " upon one form, were far behind others in learning," it would be requisite, in order to make them " fit and able to go on with the rest ;" that great pains should be taken, or else he must put them back, which might displease their parents, and would discourage the scholars : to remedy which, he proposed (in the presence of the Usher, who desires the same) to take an Assistant at his own charge, to be retained during the pleasure of the House, which was agreed to. " 1651, 26th Nov., II Mr. White having about a month ago, desired a successor might be •* " He wrote a good hand, but a rare Greeke character; witnesse the MS. of Euclid's Harmoniques, in the library belonging to the schoole." — Aubrey's Lives of Eminent Men, Vol, II. 396. t Common Council Book, p. 563, &c. X Mem, p. 568. || New C. H. Book, p. 101. PEEE SCHOOL, COVENTEY. 185 appointed at Christmas, alleging his age and indisposition, when earnestly pressed to con tinue : this day, Mr. SAMUEL FRANKLAND, a Schoolmaster in Lichfield, being weU recommended, was appointed Master, to commence at Christmas." A gratuity of £6. 13s. 4d. was given him by the City, in 1660; and the following item occurs in the City Accounts for 1662 — " given Mr. ffrankland, head School maister, about the Comedy, IL" In 1671, 19th April,* Mr. Frankland petitioned and shewed to the House, what great pressure there was upon the Head Schoolmaster and Usher, by reason of the great number of Scholars now in the School, and that without an Assistant, they were not able to teach so many in an advantageous manner, and with reputation to the School. Mr. Orton being recommended by Archdeacon Ryland, and Mr. Brokesby, Schoolmaster of Birmingham, as a fitting and able Assistant agreed that he should be taken during pleasure, and at a salary of £10. Nothing further occurs respecting Mr. Frankland, until the 7th of January, 1685,t when an order was made shewing, that the preceding arrangement had not produced the desired effect, and that his conduct was very unsatisfactory to the visitors, forming a strong contrast with that of his conscientious and exemplary predecessor. The order is to the following effect : — This House taking into consideration the former fiourishing condition of the Free School, and now sad dechning state, almost brought to nothing ; arising as they conceive, from the " idleness and unfitness" of Mr. Frankland, who since he has been assisted by Mr. Orton, scarce ever comes into the School until 10 o'clock; considering also the great dis turbances made by the scholars shutting out their Masters| of late years ; order that Mr. Frankland and Mr. Orton be not continued Master and Assistant after Lady-day. This order as far as applies to Mr. Frankland, however was not enforced, for he continued to hold the situation until his death, which happened July 22, 1691. He was a native of Tamworth, and entered at Catherine HaU, Cambridge, where he took his degree of A.M., and at the time of his being appointed to the Mastership ofthe Free School in 1651, was "a School master in Lichfield," but not of the Grammar School there. He held the place of Master of the Coventry Free School, upwards of 40 years, and amongst other charitable bequests, gave to the Master and Fellows of Catherine Haliy £600, for the following purposes, viz., £20 per annum towards the maintenance of one Fellow to the said Hall, to be sent out of the Free School, § in Coventry (to which was subsequently added by Matthew Scrivener, 20 Marks per annum.) He likewise purchased a Chamber in the said Hall, for the use of a Fellow, at the cost of £60. The FeUowship was to be called the Frankland Fellowship, and the Nonvination and Election thereunto, was to be and remain to the Masters and Fellows, yet stiU so as they may have a careful regard to the recommendation of the Mayor and Aldermen of this City. He also gave £10 a year for ever, to a Scholar to be brought up in Tamworth School, and £10 to the Vicar of Trinity for a sermon to be preached yearly on 5th November. Humphrey Wanley, in his Diary,^ gives the following account of Mr. Frankland's death and funeral : — * New C. H. Book, p. 204. f Idem, p. 302. { Vide p. 170 ante. || Cambridge. § It is surprising that Mr. F., who was educated in Catherine Hall, did not know that the Statutes of that HaU do not permit an Under Graduate to be a Fellow. f British Museum. Harl. MS. 7017. 186 PEEE SCHOOL, COVENTEY. July 22, Between two and three o'clock in the morning died Mr. Frankland, the Schoolmaster of this citty, and was buried July 23, at night. Mr. Kimberley preacht his funeral sermon, and took his text. Gen. 15. 15. And tlwu shalt go to thy Father in peace, thou slialt be buried in a good old age. Mr. Kimberley had orders to preach given after 2 o'clock in the afternoon, so that he had but four hours to compose it in. That night before he died, he gave one of his scoUars a great deal of good advice, such as he thought might be fit for his age (for he was at man's estate), and at last said to him Cibum capias alienigjnanibus ; intimating as I suppose, that although he was departing, yet he should have a successor who would teach him. And to another young gentleman, who came to see him as soon as the other was gone ; he said (after some good counsel given him), Oportet Episcopum mori proedican- tem; meaning, I believe, that it was fit a Schoolmaster should die teaching. He always in his private prayers, used to beg of God Almighty, if it was his blessed will, that he might have (to use his own words) a quiet and easy passage to eternity, and his petitions were fulfilled, for he fell asleep, and hoped he would be better. He said he was pretty well, they asked him how he did again, pretty well, and afterwards fell asleep (having before some things given him by the physicians appointment), and in his sleep breathed shorter and shorter, then one of the watchers called in two or three Of the neighbours, and he quickly expired in that sleep, before they were weU come to him, He was above 73 years old. He was buried in Trinity Church, and an inscription over his grave records his prin cipal benefactions, concluding with the foUowing character : — " He was industrious, and very useful in his place, charitable to the poore, upright and religious in his conversation." On the 12th August* foUowmg his death, viz., 1691, SAMUEL CARTE, A.M., was, by an order of Council, appointed his successor, during the pleasure of the House. Mr. Carte was the son of Thomas Carte, Clothier, of Coventry, where he was born, October 21st, 1652, and instructed in grammar learning in the Free School there ; appointed Library Keeper, 11th November, 1668, and became a member of Magdalen CoUege, Oxford, in 1669, being matriculated at the same time into the University, where he took the degrees of arts, that of A.B., 1672 — A.M., 1675. He received Deacon's orders from the Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, at Eccleshall, September 21, 1673; Priest's orders from the Bishop of London, at St. James's, June 10, 1677; was coUated by the Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry to the prebend of Tachbrook, in the Cathedral Church of Lichfield, into which he was installed September 30, 1682 ;t presented by Sir John Bridgeman, of Castle Bromwich, to the Vicarage of Clifton-upon-Dunsmore, to which he was instituted March 26, 1684, and inducted March 28, where he lived until 1691; when, for the better education of his children, he became Master of the Free School at Coventry ; he was coUated by the Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry to the Vicarage of Dunchurch, July 2, 1697, and inducted July 30; afterwards presented by the Lord Chancellor, to the Rectory of Eastwell, in the County of Leicester, being instituted January 7, and inducted January 21, 1698-9 ; and in the beginning of 1700, on which occasion he resigned the Mastership of the Free School, at Coventry, he was presented by the Lord ChanceUor to the Vicarage of St. Martin's, in Leicester ; which, depending on voluntary contributions, he held it without institution until 1712, when a person surreptitiously obtained from the Chancellor a presentation to it; but being deterred by the affections of the parishioners from proceeding, Mr. Carte was again presented to it, instituted November 21, and inducted November 28, 1712. This latter living Dr. Kippis (in the Biographia Britannica) erroneously supposes that he resigned on the accession of George I., as he is thought to have assisted the celebrated Jeremiah Colher in preaching to a Nonjuring congregation in Broad-street, London. It was not, however, the Vicar of St. Martin's, but his son, Mr. Thomas Carte, the Historian, who was the occasional assistant to Mr. Collier. The titles of his sermons are, 1. "A Dissuasive from Murmuring, London, 1694," 4to; 2. "The Cure of Self-conceit, London, 1705," 4to; His "Tabula Chronologica '* Common Council Book, p. 406. — 21 Jan., 1692, Ordered that S marks be allowed Mrs. Frankland, for lead pump, and standards, left at the School house. [f He is described in Harwood's History of Lichfield as being " a good antiquary."] PEEE SCHOOL, COVENTEY. 187 ,Archiapiscopatuum et Episcopatuum, &c." was reprinted in Lord Somers's Tracts, first coUection, Vol. IV. p. 344, being originally published in foHo without date. Some account of Leicester by him, in answer to queries by Browne Willis, is printed in the Bibliotheca Topographica Britannica, and his assistance to the same person is gratefully acknowledged in the preface to the second volume of "Mitred Abbies." He died April 16, 1740, in his 87th year, and was interred in the Chancel of St. Martin's, Leicester, underneath a flat stone, bearing the foUowing inscription : — The remains of Samuel Cahtb, M.A,, many years Vicar of this Parish. He was a person of great learning, exemplary life and conversation, strict piety, sound judgement, orthodox principles, and a zealous and able defender of the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. He died April 16th, 1740, in the 87th year of his age, in fuU assurance of a joyful resurrection. Mr, Carte's successor was GEORGE GREENWAY, A.M., at that time the Usher, or "younger Schoolmaster." He was chosen on the 11th of June,* 1700, on condition of his entering into the same obhgations as Mr. Cranford did ; and the order further states, that, for the future, every Usher shall do the same. Mr. Greenway was educated at the Pree School, in Coventry, and in 1689, appointed Library Keeper. In 1692, 5th of May, being then at CoUege, a gratuity of £3 was given him by order of the Common Council ; and on the 9th of July, 1693, one of Lane's Scholarships, value £6. 13s. 4d., was voted him by the same authority. In 1692, the following entry appears in the Accounts of the Mercers' Company — " Gave Geo. Greenway by the Company, towards his settlement at ye University, 11. 10s." On the 21st of December, 1695, having completed his studies at Oxford, he was elected Usher of the Free School, and at some subsequent period took his degree of A.M. He wrote the Latin inscriptions for the north and west sides of the cross, erected in 1712, at the ancient Bennones or High Cross, by Basil, Earl of Denbigh ; and being appointed to the Rectory of Kympton, in the County of Southampton, resigned his situation at Coventry, but presented his Portrait to the Free School, where it is still preserved. On the 2nd of July,t 1717, the Rev. RICHARD MARSDBN was chosen in his stead, executing a bond to the Corporation in £500, that he would conform to the customary regu lations, and give up the appointment at their pleasure ; but he held the place only a few months, for, upon his resignation, EDWARD JACKSON, at that time B.A. of Clare Hall, Cambridge, was, on the 11th of April,J 1718, unanimously elected in his room. Mr. Jackson was 36 years Vicar of FoleshiU, near Coventry, during which time he rebuUt the Vicarage House, and a Charity School adjoining the Church. He was also, in effect, a very important benefactor to the Free School, over which he presided; having, with much labour and at great cost, succeeded in providing a remedy for certain abuses in the mode of letting the School estate, by obtaining an order for letting without fines and by pubhc notice, and also, that the BaUiff's accounts should be examined by the Master and Usher, Nor was this aU, for having proved that " some part of the estate had been formerly aUenated and granted away absolutely and in fee farm, and other parts upon long leases, in prejudice of the Trust," he procured " in lieu, recompence, and satisfaction of aU Grants, and Alien ations, or any other misapplications or abuses of the said Estate heretofore committed," that Bablake, or St, John's Church, should (with consent of the Corporation, to whom the structure belonged), be made a Parish Church, and in 1734, an Act of Parliament for that * Com. Council Book, p. 71. — At the same time, Mr. Simeon Lucas was appointed Usher. t Com. Council Book, p. 244. X Mem, p. 248. 188 PEEE SCHOOL, COVENTEY, purpose was obtained, wherein it is provided that the Head Master of the Pree School shall, so long as he holds that situation, be Rector of the same, and the Usher have the appoint ment of Lecturer, thus making, as the Act expresses, "these places become worth the acceptance of persons of learning and merit." Mr. Jackson was specificaUy appointed the first Rector by this Act, and in the following year (1735), he preached at Hinckley the funeral sermon of the Rev. John Carte,* LL.B., Vicar, to a crowded congregation, Mr. Jackson was also Rector of Southam and Prebend of Lichfield. He published anonymously, in 1733, " An account of the many and great Loans, Benefactions, and Charities, belonging to the City of Coventry : London," 8vo.,t in which he was assisted by the Rev. Sam. Carte| (son ofthe former Master of the Pree School of that name) ; and our MS. Annals state that, by the connivance of Caleb Copson, Mayor, in 1 724-5, " some persons were privately admitted to have the inspection of Writings, Books, &c., in St. Mary's HaU Treasury, and there coUected the materials for this work." He died in 1758, and was interred in the Chancel of FoleshiU Church, where is the foUo'wing inscription to his memory : — M.S. Edw AUDI Jackson, S. T. Ps. Ecclesiae hujusce pr xxxvi annos vicarii ; Qui, cum Morum Gravitate & Sanctitate, Tum concionale Eloquentia & Dignitate, Parochiae fideliter et Religioni inserviit. Mdei Vicariatus et Scholam proximam erexit. Templum Sti. Joan, apud Gov. jam oUm vetustate Dilapsum ac fere solo .iEquatum, Pulcherrime restituit et ornavit, Atq, ex private parochiale reddidit. Scholse Gov. Praepositus fidelem ac doctum Perplures annos, Alumnorum curam habuit In Civili Munere obeundo tuend» Pacis Jjlquus, Prudens, gravis Judex. Eccl. etiam Litchf . Prseb. erat et Southamia3 Rector. Obiit 4 Cal. Mali, anno 1758, ^. vero 66. Uxorem habuit AUciam Bosville, femin. lectissimam Multisque nominibus dilectissimam. Hia fato prsematuro, .SStatis 42, 5 Non. Mali, 1 732, Virum prsecessit. Mr. Jackson's successor was THOMAS EDWARDS, A.M., also of Clare Hall, Cambridge, to which situation he was appointed May 2, 1758, and at the same time presented to the Rectory of St. John's. "Dr. Thomas Edwards, || son ofthe Rev. Thos. Edwards, M.A., Vicar of St. Michael's, Coventry, was born in that City, Aug. 10, 1729. His grammatical education he received partly under the tuition of Dr. Jackson, Master of the Free Grammar School in Coventry, but principally under the care of his own father ; and such was his eagerness for the acqui sition of knowledge, that he seldom engaged in the diversions common to boys. In 1747, at the age of 1 8, he was matriculated at Cambridge, and entered of Clare Hall, where he took the degree of B.A. 1750, and M.A. 1754; and was a Fellow of his CoUege. In the younger \_* Son of the before-named Rev. Samuel Carte, then Vicar of St. Martin's, Leicester.] [f A new edition of which was published by J. Turner, of Coventry, in 1802.] X MS. Note by Dr. Richardson, communicated by Bev. Wm. Cole. Literary Anecdotes. II See Niohol's Literary Anecdotes, vol. ix., pp. 512-13. PEEE SCHOOL, COVENTEY, 189 part of life he was a self-taught musician, and became no mean performer on the spinnet and the bass-viol ; but finding that this amusement encroached too much upon his studies, he entirely relinquished it. Sept. 22, 1751, he was ordained Deacon, and Sept. 23, 1753, Priest ; both which orders he received from the hands of Dr. Frederick Cornwallis, then Bp. of Lichfield and Coventry. In 1755, when not 26 years of age, he gave a striking proof of the dihgence with which he appHed himself to the study of the learned languages, and the acquisition of sacred hterature, by "A new English Translation of the Psalms from the original Hebrew, reduced to Metre by the late Bp. Hare; with Notes, critical and explanatory, IUustrations of many Passages drawn from the Classicks, and a Prehminary Dissertation, in which the Truth and Certainty of that learned Prelate's happy Discovery is stated and proved at large," 8vo. It was Mr. Edwards's design to make Dr. Hare's system of Hebrew Metre better known, and to prove that by a judicious application of it, great light might be thrown upon the poetical parts of the Hebrew Scriptures. His next publication was a single Sermon, preached at St. Michael's, in Coventry, Feb. 6, 1756. May 2, 1758, he was nominated by the Corporation of Coventry, Master of the Free Grammar School, and presented to the Rectory of St. John the Baptist. This was foUowed by his marriage, Nov. 27, 1758, to Anne, daughter of Stonyer Parrott, Esq., of Hawkesbury, in FoleshiU, County of Warwick, by whom he had one son. Dr. Edwards, of Cambridge. Early in 1759, he published " The Doctrine of irresistible Grace proved to have no Foundation in the Writings of the New Testament ; " leveUed at the opinions of the Calvinists on that subject. His next pubheation was, " Prolegomena in Libros Veteris Testamenti Poeticos ; sive Dis- sertatio, in qua Viri eruditissimi Francisci Harii, nuper Episcopi Cicestriensis, de antiqua Hebrseorum Poesi Hypothesin Ratione et Verltate niti, fuse ostenditur, atque ad objecta qusedam respondetur. Subjicitur Metricse Lowthianse Confutatio, cum Indicibus necessariis, 1762," 8vo. This attack upon Dr. Lowth's "Metricse Harianse brevis Confutatio," which had been annexed to the first edition of his admirable " Praelectiones de Sacra Poesi Hebraeo- rum," did not pass unnoticed. In the second edition of his " Prselectiones," Dr. Lowth added a note, strenuously maintaining his own opinion. In reply was pubhshed " Bpistola ad Doctissimum Robertum Lowthium, S. T. P. In qua nonuUa, quse ad nuper^ suse de Sacra Hebrseorum Poesi Prselectionum Editionis calcem habet, expenduntur, 1765." In this he indulged himself in some severity of language, which the subject did not require, and which ought not to have been used towards such an antagonist as Dr. Lowth ; who replied in — " A larger Confutation of Bishop Hare's System of Hebrew Metre ; in a Letter to the Rev. Dr. Edwards, in Answer to his Latin Epistle, 1766," 8vo. Here the controversy ended; and the general opinion of the Learned World gave the preference to Dr. Lowth's arguments. In 1766, Mr. Edwards was admitted to the degree of D.D. ; not long after which he published " Two Dissertations : the first on the Absurdity and Injustice of Rehgious Bigotry and Persecution ; their utter Contrariety to the Temper and Conduct of Christ and his Apostles ; and their mischievous and fatal Consequences ; the second, on the principal Qualifications and Canons necessary for the right and accurate Interpretation of the New Testament, 1767," 8vo. These Dissertations reflect just credit on Dr. Edwards's reputation. His next publication was, " Duse Dissertationes ; in quarum priore probatur, variantes Lectiones et Menda, quse in Sacram Scripturam irrepserunt, non labefactare ejus Auctori- tatem in rebus qn^ ad Fidem et Mores pertinent : in posteriore vero, Prsedestinationem Paulinam ad GentUium vocationem totam spectare, 1768," 8vo. ; both, particularly the first, written with great abihty. In 1 770, he was presented to the valuable Vicarage of Nuneaton, County of Warwick. In 1773, he pubhshed "The indispensable Duty of contending for the Faith which was once deHvered to the Saints," a Sermon preached before the University of Cambridge, on the 29th of June, 1766, being Commencement Sunday. He resigned in 190 PEEE SCHOOL, COVENTEY. 1799 the Mastership of the Free Grammar School of Coventry, and the Rectory of St, John's, and retired to Nuneaton. His last publication, " Selecta qusedam Theocriti Idyllia. Recen- suit, variorum Notas adjecit, suasque Animadversiones, partim Latine, partim Anglice, scriptas immiscuit, Thomas Edwards, S. T. P. 1779," 8vo., reflects honour on the accuracy and extent of his classical Hterature. Though the original text of what is selected from Theocritus, consists only of about 350 lines, the notes are extended through upwards of 250 pages, besides more than 20 pages consisting of addenda, corrigenda, coUationes, &c. There are two appendiculse at the end of the volume : one containing the Editor's reasons for not prefixing the accentual marks to his o'wn and Mr. Warton's notes ; and the other affording hints of a new method which he had discovered of scanning Greek and Latin hexameters, the usual mode of doing it being, as he thought, erroneous. A fuUer explanation of his system was intended to be given by him in a work which he had in contemplation, designed to be intituled " Miscellanea Critica," but which was not carried into execution. He had also made coUections for an edition of Quintus Curtius. In May, 1784, Dr. Edwards lost his wife, a lady of distinguished good sense, and of the most engaging manners ; and he, who had passed his life in his study, and was totally unacquainted with domestic concerns, and indeed with worldly affairs of every kind, never enjoyed himself after this event. What aggravated his distress was, that previously to Mrs. Edwards's death, he had been afflicted with a stroke of the palsy, from which, however, he so far recovered as to be capable of discharging part of his parochial duties. But within a few months after her decease, he had a second stroke, for which he was advised to go to Bath, but received no benefit from his journey. He died at Nuneaton, June 30, 1785, in the 56th year of his age; and was interred July 7, in the churchyard of FoleshiU, in the same grave with his wife. A mural monument (in the Chancel) to their memories, has the foUovring inscription : Memoriaa viri Reverendi Thorns Edwards, S. T. P. et Annse ejus uxoris, quorum alter obiit Junii 30, 1785, Mta,t. 55. Altera Mali 22, 1784, Mtat. 61. Hoc marmor sacrum esse voluit Eorum FUius. " In his temper. Dr. Edwards was sometimes subject to starts of anger ; but otherwise he was remarkably mild, benevolent, and humane. His generosity was great and extensive ; and his dealings with others were conducted on principles of the most rigid honesty and integrity. Such were his assiduity and abUity in the instruction of youth, and so conscien tious his discharge of his parochial duties, that no praise can exceed his merits. He was fond of retirement, and went seldom from his place of abode ; on which account, though he occasionally corresponded vrith many of the Literati, he was not in the habit of much intimacy with any. The person with whom he had most conversed was the late excellent and learned Bishop of Carlisle, Dr. Edmund Law. Their sentiments were congenial, and their pursuits similar, being principaUy devoted to the prosecution and promotion of Sacred Literature." On the 19th of April, 1779*, Dr. Edwards's resignation, dated 17th instant, being laid before the CouncU House, WILLIAM BROOKS, M.A., of St. John's CoUege, Oxford, was unanimously appointed Master of the Free School, and presented to the Rectory of St. John's. [He was a son of the Rev. Samuel Brooks, Vicar of FoleshiU, and was a Fellow of his College at the time of his appointment: This Fellowship he retained until his presentation to the Rectory of East Farndon, Northamptonshire (a living in the gift of his CoUege), in 1797. He never resided there, being allowed the privilege of non-residence on account of his holding the Mastership of the Grammar School here. He is represented as having been a "¦ Common Council Book, p. 471, PEEE SCHOOL, COVENTEY. 191 man of quiet and retired habits, a good classical scholar, and was intimately acquainted with the celebrated Dr. Parr, of Hatton. An unfortunate misunderstanding existed, for years, between Mr. Brooks and the Second Master, Mr. Paris, which tended much to the prejudice of the School, and accelerated the decline in the number of the scholars. He held the situa tion of Head Master for 54 years ; he was never married, and accumulated a large property, which he bequeathed for the most part to his sister, who sur'vived him for several years : at her death the property (excepting a few legacies and annuities) was left by her to her cousin. Miss Brooks, of Wolvershill Hall, Bulkington, who afterwards married the Rev. W. Thickens, M.A., of Keresley. Mr. Brooks died on the 13th of October, 1833, in his •82nd year, and was buried at ExhaU. He was succeeded by THOMAS SHEEPSHANKS, M.A., Head Master of St. Peter's School,* Pimlico, in union with King's College, London, who was unanimously elected on the 11th of February, 1834. On the resignation of Mr. Paris, in 1838, the Rev. D. Butler, M.A., was appointed Second Master; he was elected in 1841, Master of Helston Grammar School, CornwaU, and, on his resignation was succeeded, the same year, by the Rev. W. Drake, M.A.,t of Leicester, Important changes were adopted in 1852 in the organization of the School, the foUowing being the principal. The separation of the classical and commercial departments, the Head Master being held responsible for the Classical School, and the Usher for the Commercial ; annual examination of each section, alteration of school fees, adoption of the college cap, rearrangement of hohdays, and introduction of new text books. These alterations did not, however, receive the entire approval of the Head Master. In 1857 the Rev. W. Drake was appointed to the Vicarage of Holy Trinity, vacant by the death of the Rev. J. HoweUs, and the suggestions made by the Commissioners in 1831, as to the desirability of separating the clerical from the scholastic duties, were again considered, and the scheme before alluded to was finaUy determined upon, and the Rev. T. Sheepshanks concurring with the arrangement retired from the Head Mastership, retaining the Rectory of St. John's Church. HENRY TEMPLE, M.A., the first Master under the new regulations, was elected on the 29th July, 1857. He had been Head Master of Queen EHzabeth's Grammar School, Worcester, for five years, during which period he had materiaUy raised the standard of that institution. On the same day the Rev. J. J. Soden, M.A., of Emmanuel CoUege, Cambridge, was elected Second Master, which situation he stiU retains. He is a son of the late Thomas Soden, Esq., J.P., of this City, and was formerly a Scholar on this Foundation. In 1867 the Rev. H, Temple was presented to the Vicarage of St. John the Evangehst, Leeds, a living in the gift of Trustees, and worth about £700 per annum. He was selected from a list of 144 candidates. On his resignation he was succeeded by JOHN GROVER, M.A,, Second Master of Queen EHzabeth's Grammar School, Worcester, who was elected on the 19th of May, 1867. He is the present Head Master.] *' Now in Baton Square. f [. t Now Rector of Sedgebrook, Lincoln ; Hon. Canon of Worcester, and Chaplain in Ordinary to the Queen. 192 free school, coventey. The pollowing Peesons op Eminence weee educated at this Feee School : — SAMUEL ANNESLEY, D.C.L., [was born at Kenilworth in 1620. After receiving his early training at Coventry he entered Queen's College, Oxford. He was successively minister at Clifie, iu Kent, and St. Giles', Cripplegate ; from the latter he was ejected in 1662, he then became pastor of a congregation in Little St. Helen's, where he continued to preach till his death in 1696, at the age of 77 years. His daughter was mother of the celebrated John Wesley.] THOMAS ARMSTEAD, A.M., of Christ's CoUege, Oxford. RICHARD ALLESTRY, who at the age of 15, in 1636, became a Commoner of Christ Church, and afterwards Student ; bore arms for Charles I., in 1642, and being ejected by the Parliamentary Visitors, was appointed Chaplain to Lord Newport. After the Battle of Worcester, he joined the King at Roanne, and for some time conveyed his dispatches to his friends in England. In 1659, he was arrested at Dover, returning from the King, and committed prisoner to Lambeth House, where he remained until the Restoration. In 1660, he was made Canon of Christ Church, and soon afterwards D.D. and Chaplain in Ordinary to the King. In 1665, he was appointed Provost of Eton PoUege, in which honourable situation he died, January 28, 1680, having erected a new Grammar School there, at the expense of 1,500Z. GEORGE 13th LORD BERKLEY, [was born in 1601, attended the Free Grammar School during the mastership of Dr. Holland, from thence he was sent to Oxford. The Estate of Caludon which had come into the possession of this family from that of Mowbray, by marriage, was sold by this Nobleman to Thomas Morgan, Esq., of Weston-under-Wetherley, from thence it passed to the Clifiord Family.] DEAN RALPH BATHURST, who commencing life in those unhappy times, when a learned ministry was held in the utmost contempt, changed the course of his studies and appUed himself to Physio, in which he took a Doctor's degree, and rose to such eminence, that during the Protectorate he was appointed Physician to the State. Upon the Restoration he quitted this profession, became President of Trinity College, and having entered into holy orders was made Chaplain to the King, and afterwards Dean of Wells, His learning and talents were various ; he was the orator and the poet, the philosopher and the divine : and possessing an inexhaustible fund of wit, was the facetious companion at 80 years of age. His benefaction to the School Library has been mentioned. [SAMUEL CLARK, A.B., was the son of Hugh Clark, M.A., Vicar of Wolston, he was born there in 1599, and received the earlier part of his education at the Free School, Coventry, from thence he removed to Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he took his degree of B.A. After having ministered in Cheshire and other places for several years he was invited by the Mayor, Aldermen, and others in Coventry, to preach there : he did so, and was ultimately appointed by the Corporation Lecturer at St. John's Church. By some expressions in his sermons he gave offence to Dr. Buggs the Vicar of St. Michael's and Trinity Churches, and was compelled by his infiuence to give up his Lectureship. He then retired to Wolston, assisting his father. Lord Brook appointed him his Chaplain, and in 1 633 presented him t9 the living of Alcester, which he held about 9 years, during which period he effected a great improvement in the character of the inhabitants. In 1648 he was chosen minister of St. Bennet Fink Church, in London, from which he was ejected by the Act of Uniformity, passed in 1662. The year previous he was one of the Commissioners at the Savoy Conference, appointed to revise the Book of Common Prayer. He was for some years a Governor of Sion College, during two of which he fiUed the ofiice of President. On his retirement into private life he was diligently occupied in compiling several valuable works, one of them being his Martyrology. He died in 1682, aged 83 years.] SAMUEL CARTE, A.M., GEORGE GREENWAY, A.M., and THOMAS EDWARDS, D.D., Masters of the Free Grammar School, received their education here, JAMES CRANFORD, son of one of the Masters of the Free School, has already been noticed under the account of his father. JOHN COTTA, M.D., a benefactor to the Library. Dr. HENRY CLARK, is mentioned by Ant. Wood, in his own brief MS. CoUections respecting this School, amongst the " Scholars bred up there." JOHN DAVENPORT, son of John Davenport, of Coventry, was, in 1613, sent to Merton CoUege, as a Battler, where he remained only two years, the Warden, Sir Henry Saville, dismissing him because he would not become a Commoner. He then went to Magdalen Hall, which he quitted without a degree, and became a noted preacher among the Puritans. In 1633, he left his pastoral charge in London, because he scrupled at certain ceremonies, and went to Amsterdam, where he endeavoured to be a Minister in the English Congregation, but being opposed by Mr. John Paget, a chief Minister there, because he would not agree with them respecting baptism, he published a defence of his conduct, and a controversy ensued. He returned to England with many other Non-conformists, in the beginning of the rebellion, and had a cure bestowed upon him ; but still dissatisfied, he was induced to go to New England, by the solicitations of the celebrated John Cotton, and became Pastor of Newhaven, where he was much esteemed by those of his persuasion, and continued with them nearly until the time of his death, which happened at Boston, March 13, 1669. PEEE school, coventey, 193 CHRISTOPHER DAVENPORT, brother of the above-named John, was, at the age of 15, sent with him to Merton College, and when compelled to leave it, went to Douay, atthe instigation of a Romish priest, who sometimes frequented the University. About this time several English Franciscans were endeavouring to form themselves into a provincial body, and Mr. Davenport being resolved to become one of that order, entered into his noviceship at Ipres, October 7, 1617, which being completed, he returned to Douay, in 1618, and joined the small convent of English Franciscans there. He was afterwards sent to Salamanca, where in a few years he not only arrived at a consummate knowledge in school divinity, but by a constant application to the Scriptures, and the ancient fathers, he obtained the character of being one of the ablest divines of his time. Returning to Douay, he was made First Professor of Divinity iu the new community, and after being distinguished by several honourable employments in his Order, he was sent a Missionary into England, where he went by the name of Franciscus a Sancta Clara. Here he became Chaplain to Henrietta Maria, and sometimes appearing at Court, the comeliness of his person, agreeableness of his conversation, and the reputation of his learning, brought him acquainted with many of the NobiUty ; and indeed, he became highly honoured, not only by those of his profession, but many scholars, both Protestants and Catholics. The King had a particular respect for him, understanding that he was a divine of a reconciling temper, and more disposed to make up breaches than widen them. Archbishop Laud also admitted him sometimes into his conversation upon the same account, for which both the King and Archbishop were severely censured on the breaking out of the civil war ; and one of the articles of impeachment against Laud charged him with this intimacy ; to which the Archbishop gave a satisfactory explanation and reply. Davenport, about this time, found it necessary to conceal himself, some times in London, sometimes in Flanders, and occasionally at Oxford, where he was entertained with great civility at the public Library, by Mr. Barlow, the Librarian. After the Restoration of Charles 2, he was made one of Queen Catherine's Chaplains, and resided in Somerset House, where he died. May 31, 1680, and was buried in the church belonging to the Savoy. During this last residence in England, he was several times chosen Provincial of his Order, being accounted the great and chief piUar thereof. Wood, who personally knew him, thus sums up his account of him : — " He was excellently weU vers'd in school-divinity, in the fathers and councils, in philosophers, and in ecclesi astical and profane histories. He was a person of very free discourse, but Cressy was reserved ; of a vivacious and quick countenance ; the other clouded and melanchoUck ; of a quick apprehension, but the other not, or at least would not : aU which accompUshments made his company acceptable to great and worthy persons." His works were coUected aud reprinted at his own charge, in 2 vols, folio, 1665, at Douay. SIR WILLIAM DUGDALE, [born in 1605, at Shustoke Rectory, was a scholar at Coventry Free School from 1615 to 1620, during the mastership of Mr. Cranford. On the death of his father he purchased Blythe Hall. He became acquainted iu 1630 with Sir Simon Archer, by the advice of whom, and other antiquarian friends, he was induced to compile his celebrated History of Warwickshire. A few years later he was introduced to Sir Henry Spelman, Sir Christopher Hatton, aud Lord Arundel, and through the influence of the latter was created a Pursuivant at Arms. In 1639 he was made Rouge-Croix Pursuivant. In 1644 he became Chester Herald, subsequently Norroy King of Arms, and finally Garter Principal King of Arms in 1677, when he was Knighted. His great works are the Monasticon Anglicanum ; Antiquities of Warwickshire, first published iu 1656 ; History of St. Paul's Cathedral ; History of Imbanking and Drayning of divers Fens and Marshes ; Origines Juridiciales ; and the Baronage of England. He died at Blythe HaU in 1686, and was buried in Shustoke Church.] CHRISTOPHER ESTWICKE, Esq., a benefactor to the Library. BASIL FIELDING, Esq., of Barnacle, also a benefactor ; as were the two following persons : — THOMAS GRESLEY, Esq. JOHN GERY, LL.D., and Archdeacon of Buckingham. THOMAS HOLYOAKE, a native of Stony Thorp, near Southam, and the well-known author of a Latin and EngUsh Dictionary, pubUshed in 1677, in folio, was educated under Mr. Phineas White, at this School, and in 1632, at the age of 16, became a Student in Queen's College, took his degrees in Arts, and when the King came to Oxford and garrisoned it, he was made Captain of a Foot Company, consisting principaUy of Scholars. For his services in this office, the King conferred the degree of D.D, upon him, and after the surrender of the garrison, obtaining a License from the University to practice physic, he settled in his own country, exercising that faculty with good success, untU 1660, when, upon the Restoration, he was presented by Thomas, Lord Leigh, to the Rectory of 'Whitnash, County of Warwick, aud soon afterwards was a Prebendary of Wolverhampton. In 1674, Robert, Lord Brook, conferred upon him the valuable Donative of Breamour, in Hampshire, where he died, June 10, 1675, and was buried in St. Mary's Church, Warwick. His Dictionary, which was edited by his son Charles, of the Inner Temple, was formed upon the Dictionarium Etymologicum of his father, Francis Holyoake, who was Rector of Southam. WILLIAM JOYNER, aUas LYDE, son of WiUiam Joyner, Gent, of Horspath, near Oxford, was a short time at the Free-school at Thame, in that County, but chiefly educated at Coventry, from whence, in 1636, he went to Magdalen CoUege, of which he became FeUow and A.M., but foreseeing the utter ruin of the Church of England by the Presbyterians, at the time of their rebellion (says Wood), he changed his religion for that of Rome, renouncing his FeUowship in 1644, and accompanying the Earl of Glamorgan into Ireland, he continued in his service there, until the decUne of the royal cause iu that country. Afterwards he accompanied the Earl in his travels through AA 194 PEEE school, coventey, France and Germany, much improving himself, and at length became domestic steward to Walter Montague, lord Abbot of St. Martin's, near Pontoise, with whom he continued several years, much esteemed for his learning, reUgion, and fidelity. Returning to his native country, he spent some years in London, in a very retired and studious con dition : but upon the breaking out of the Popish Plot, in 1678, he was driven to Horspath, where he was subsequently arrested by the Vice-Chancellor, as a priest or Jesuit, though speedily released on being found to be only a layman. After this he retired, for security and quiet, to an obscure viUage near Thame, where he lived in a most private and devout condition, until 1687, when James II. restored his Fellowship of Magdalen College to him ; but this he en joyed only one year, and upon his expulsion returned to his former retirement, where his apparel, which was formerly gay (says Wood) was then very rustical, little better than that of a day-labourer ; and his diet and lodging were very suitable to it. In a letter to Wood, dated April 12, 1692, he writes, that his residence is a poor thatched house, where the roof is of the same stuff in the chamber where he lodged ; and which wsis never guilty of paying chimney tax. However he hoped, that all this would not make a person neglected and despisable, who had formerly slept in the royal palaces of France, under a roof fretted and embc^ssed with gold ; whereas this (at Ickford) was doubly and trebly interweaved only with venerable cobwebs, &c. He wrote, " 'The Roman Empress," a comedy, London, 1670, 4to. "Some observations on the life of Cardinal Pole," &c.. London, 8vo. 1686 ; besides various EngUsh and Latin Poems, dispersed in different books. JOHN SMITH, a native of Warwickshire, and in 1577, at the age of 14, elected Scholar in St. John's College, in a Coventry place, must have been one of the earliest scholars at the Free School. He was afterwards made Fellow, and for his piety and learning became greatly esteemed in the University. When B.D. he was chosen Lecturer in St. Paul's Cathedral, London, in the place of the celebrated Dr. Lane Andrews, which situation he filled with great credit to himself, and was highly applauded by his hearers. In 1592, he was appointed Vicar of Clavering, in Essex, where being fixed, says Wood, " he shined as a star in its proper sphere, and was much reverenced for his religion, learning, humility, and holiness of life." He published several Sermons and reUgious works, being a skilful linguist, an excellent text-man, and well read in the ancient writers of the Church, He died in November, 1616, and was buried in his parish church at Clavering. [THOMAS SHEWELL, M.A., was the son of a clothier of Coventry, and was born in that city. He was educated at the Free School, under Mr. Cranford, and graduated at Cambridge. He was presented to the Vicarage of Lenham, Kent, from thence, being ejected by the Act of Uniformity, he removed to his native city, where he succeeded Dr, Grew in his pastorate of the Nonconforming congregation assembling in St. Nicholas' or Leather HaU, in which he continued until his death in 1693.] JOHN TROUGHTON, son of Nath. Troughton, of Coventry, clothier, wsis educated under Mr. Frankland, and in 1655, went Scholar to St. John's CoUege, where he was afterwards FeUow and B.A., but being ejected upon the Restoration, to make room for a Fellow who was expelled by the Visitors, iu 1648, he retired to Bicester, where he lived a moderate Nonconformist, reading academical lectures to young men, and sometimes preaching in private, whereby he got a comfortable subsistence. Upon the Declaration for Religious Toleration, in 1671, he, with three others, was appointed to preach in Oxford, and was most applauded by the Scholars, who from curiosity attended their meetings. Indeed, notwithstanding he lost his sight at the age of four years, occasioned by the small pox, he was a good school divine and metaphysician, and gained much commendation for his disputations in the University. His moderation was very conspicuous and commendable, and together with his learning, caused him to be respected by many of the Clergy, with some of whom he maintained an amicable correspondence until his death, which happened at Oxford, Aug. 20, 1681, when he was 44 years old. He was buried at Bicester, in the Church, his funeral sermon being preached by a blind person, Abraham James, then Master of the Free School, at Woodstock. Several religious and controversial works were written and published by this learned and pious man. [HENRY BUTTERWORTH, F.S.A., of London, a native of this city, born February 28th, 1786, was the grandson of the Rev. John Lutterworth, Baptist minister here. He received the early part of his education at the Free Grammar School, and was afterwards placed under Dr. Johnson, of Bristol, and was subsequently engaged by his uncle Mr. Joseph Butterworth, law bookseller, of Fleet Street (M.P. for this city). He married in 1813 and had a numerous family. In 1818 he entered into business as a law bookseller, in Fleet Street, London, and afterwards became a member of the Council of that city. In 1841 he held a. Commission as Captain of the Royal London Militia, He interested himself much in the welfare of the Church, and was an active promoter of Church building. He died on the 2ud of November, 1861, aged 75. His son, Mr. J. W. Butterworth, presented the portrait (by Holbein) of John Hales (the Founder of the Coventry Free School), to the Trustees. This painting is preserved in the Trustees' board room at Bond's Hospital. The Rev. S. S. PARIS, LL.B., son of the Rev. S. Paris, Second Master. He assisted his father for some time in the school, .ind was acting as assistant atthe time of the Commissioner's visit in 1833. He obtained Lane's Exhibition and retained it for several years, contrary to the rules of the foundation. Is Incumbent of Chaseley, Worcestershire. Me. WILLIAM MARSH, son of Dr. Marsh, of this city, was educated here, and appointed to Lane's Exhi bition in 1816. He held it till he obtained a Fellowship at St. John's College, Oxford, on Sir Thomas White's foundation ; this he still holds, but never took orders. PEEE SCHOOL, COVENTEY. 195 The Rev. JOHN CARTER, D.D., sou of John Carter, Esq,, for many years Town Clerk of this city. He was appointed an Exhibitioner under Lane's Charity in 1826, and afterwards a Fellow of St. John's College, Oxford, on Sir Thomas White's foundation. He is now Rector of Frenchhay, near Bristol. The Rev. GEORGE CARTER, M.A., son of John Carter, Esq., Town Clerk, was appointed a Lane's Exhi bitioner in 1833. He is now Rector of Compton Beauchamp, Berks, and domestic Chaplain to Earl Craven. The Rev. CHARLES EVANS, M.A., son of John Southam Evans, Esq., of Coventry, afterwards educated at King Edward's School, Birmingham. Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, Craven University Scholar, senior Chancellor's Medallist, and now Head Master of King Edward's School, Birmingham, to which he was appointed in 1862. The Rev. DANIEL MOORE, M.A., son of Mr. George Moore, of this city, was appointed Incumbent of Camden Church, Camberwell, Surrey, in 1844, and Lecturer at St. Margaret's, Lothbury, London. He is an eminent preacher, and had his early education at this school. The Rev. ALFRED DEWES, sou of Richard Dewes, Esq., solicitor, of this city, obtained Lane's Exhibition in 1842. Was appointed Incumbent of Christ Church, Pendlebury, Eccles, Lancashire, in 1860, by the Bishop of Manchester. The Rev. CHARLES W. SODEN, son of Thomas Soden, Esq., late Mayor of this city, was appointed an Exhibitioner in 1846. He was formerly Second Master of the Grammar School, Market Bosworth, Leicestershire, and is now Vicar of Kirkwhelpington, Northumberland. The Rev. FRANCIS J. ELD, M.A., son of George Eld, Esq., of FoleshiU MUls, was educated here, and was appointed Lane's Exhibitioner in 1848. He is now Head Master of Queen EUzabeth's Grammar School, Worcester. The Rev. JAMES HENRY ELD., B.D., FeUow of St. John's College, Oxford, and Incumbent of Fyfield, Berks, was educated at this school. The Rev. ROBERT ARROWSMITH, M.A., son of the late Dr. Arrowsmith, of this city, was appointed an Exhibitioner in 1839. He was promoted to the Vicarage of Stoke with Walsgrave-on-Sowe, near this city, by the Lord ChanceUor in 1856. The Rev. JOHN SHEEPSHANKS, son of the late Head Master, was educated here, and appointed an Exhi bitioner under Lane's Charity, in 1850. This gentleman is now a coadjutor of the Bishop of Columbia, in his missionary labours in those parts. The Bishop, at a recent meeting held in this city for raising funds for supporting the missionary cause there, in speaking of this young clergyman, said : " A man would be seen travelling in a remote district, in coarse clothing, in corduroy trousers, having charge of his own horse, having to turn him at large at night, not knowing where to find him in the morning. That was a pioneer of the Gospel, and he had now pictured to them the Rev. John Sheepshanks. Each day when he pitched his tent, and after he had got his meals, they would see him go forth with a Bible and Prayer Book under his arm, to a group of miners camped somewhere near. They have got a fire, and there he addresses them upon the subjects of the soul, God, aud eternity." As an instance of the various labours of the missionary, the Bishop gave an instance of the benefits conferred by Mr. Sheepshanks in vaccinating a great number of Indians who suffered much from small-pox, and he said he attributed to this kind of life on the part of the clergy the favourable results which had been obtained. The Rev. WALTER CLARKE, son of the late Mr, Thomas Clarke, silkman, of this city, was a scholar and exhibitioner in 1852. He is now Head Master of Derby Grammar School.] (Bxtu fxiwcs, Co&Mtg. The Fraternity of Friars Minors, or Grey Friars, being unendowed with lands, and wholly supported by the charitable contributions of devout persons, it cannot be expected that very abundant materials should exist for an account of that estabhshment in Coventry. In 1234, 19th of Henry 3, Ralph Fitz-Nicholas, Sheriff of Warwickshire, makes mention in his account of Shingles allowed by the King for covering their Oratory, which were deHvered out of Kenilworth Woods, and this happening only eleven years after the first coming of the Grey Friars into England ascertains the period of their settling here. No Charter of Foundation, or grant of the place on which the Convent stood is, of course, in existence, but its immediate vicinity to Cheylsmore, naturaUy points out Ranulph Blundeville, Earl of Chester, as the person who gave the ground whereon this religious house was buUt, being part of his manor there, which opinion is confirmed by an inquisition, 8th of Edward 1,* before H. Nottingham and others, and in the grant of Roger de Montalt and CecUy his wife, 34th of Henry 3, 1250, of their manor of Coventry to the monks, there is a special reserve, not only of the manor and park of Cheylsmore, but " Habitac'oe fratru' Minor' juxta eund'm parcu' scita et inclusa ac eisd'm fratribz assign'." In the annexed list of Pounders and Benefactors to the Grey Friars, copied from the Harleian MS. in the British Museum, No. 6033, p. 55, Earl Ranulph is accordingly caUed the first Founder. Coventree. Komina Fundator' fr'm Minor'. Primus, Ranulphus Comes Hlustris' Cestrie, d'ns de Cheylesmour, cum d'na Clementiaf Consorte sua, qui dn's Radulphus obiit, 1232. Secundus, Hugo de Albanyo Comes Arrundelliss. Tertius, d'ns Rogerus de Monte Alto, qui jacet in choro coram magno Altaxi in medio, cum d'na Cecilias Consorte sua, filia d'ci Co'itis Ranulphi, qui jacet in medietatu' a sinistris ejus. Johe' de Monte Alto filius ejus. Rob'tus de Montealto Alius junior germanus p'd'ci Johis' D'no Rogerus de Monte Alto, filius senior p'd'ci d'ni Rob'ti, cum d'na Johanna Consorte sua, filia d'ni Rogeri de Clifford. It'm, d'na Isabella, censors d'ni Rob'ti de Monte Alto junioris filia d'ni Rogeri de Clifford. It'm, d'no Thomas Hastang, miles strenissimus, d'na EUsabeth uxor' sua, jacent ex p'te boreali. From the preceding extract it appears that the Montalts, who inherited part of Earl Ranulph's possessions in Coventry, also patronised the Grey Friars, Roger de Montalt and his wife Cecily (daughter and co-heiress of Ranulph, Earl of Chester) being interred in the Church of this Convent. WiUiam de Albini, Earl of Arundel, married Mabel, second daughter of Earl Ranulph, and dying without issue, his brother Hugh succeeded to the possessions in Coventry obtained by this marriage, which accounts for his connection with the Grey Friars as a Benefactor. ¦* Inq. in Scaccar, A.D. 1279. t Having divorced his first wife Constance, Anno 1200, he married Clemence, daughter of Will. Figiers. GEEY PEIAES, COVENTEY. 197 Upon the descent of the manor of Cheylsmore to Queen Isabel it seems that she took this rehgious house under her protection, having written the foUowing letter in their behalf, addressed — A noz che' & b'n amez le mair, baiUffs, & communes de coventre. Depar la Princess, Ch's & b'n amez. Noz ch's en dieux, les freres Meno'rs de Coventry, q' sont de la fundacion n're t'rshon'e fil' le Roi nous ont fait entendie coment lour custumes des p'cessions & sepultures lour sont detenuz ment resonablem't a se qUs diont a g'ant amerissem't de le divine service Uleoq's. Par qoi no's bons p'ons chem't q' p' consideracion de nos vous vuiUez estre eidantz a nos ditz ch's en dieux qils puissent enjoier lour d'tes custumes come ils ont fait av'ant ces heures et tant vuiUez faire p' n're dit p'ere touch' ceste mat'e qils neiont enchesone de plus p'sutr p'dens nos p' celle cause. Ch's & b'n amez mess's vous eit en sa garde. Escr' a n're Manior de Russhey, le secounde jo'r de marcz. " It seems (says Dugdale) that these Friers had afterwards also many good Benefactors ; for so fair a Church as that hath been, by view of the Steeple, yet standing, could not be built without very great cost. But that the same structure was made in Edward the 3rd's time, I am induced to believe, partly from the form of its fabrick, and partly because I find that Mdward, Prince of Wales, by his Charter, bearing date 14th December, 32nd Edward the 3rd. [1358] gave leave to these Friers (of whom, as the same Grant expresses, he was Patron) for to take so much Stone out of his Quarry, in the Park of Cheylesmore, as they should have occasion to use about their buildings and walls. And likewise, Uberty to have a Postern, from their Mansion, into his Park, to carry out any of their Convent that should be diseased, so that they were not to go further than the said Quarry ; the key of which door to be alwaies kept by the Warden of the same Friers, or his substitute ; and no other to pass that way, but such as were sick." The humility, poverty, and apparent sanctity of the Grey Friars operated so strongly in their favour that they not only received numerous benefactions from the wealthy, but at the approach of death many persons caused themselves to be habited in a cowl, or the entire dress of their order (vainly conceiving it would avail them at that awful hour) ; and vast numbers, from the same motives, directed their bodies to be interred within their Churches, not a few of whom were buried in the habit of this order. An early instance of this propensity is found in the will of Sir Richard Mandeville,* dated 1298, which contains the following passages : [lego] cor men' ad sepeliend' in Oratorio Fr'um Minor', Coven', p'ut deoentius executoribz meis placidit cu' viginti Marc'. Residuu' autem om'iu' honor' meor' lego (inter alia) fribz minoribz, Coventr', s'cd'm dispo'couem Executor' meor' p' anima mea distribuend' inf eos, p'ut eis videbit conveniencius s'cd'm d'c'm pensata q'alitate paup'tatis & q'antitate. Amongst the names of Founders given in the preceding page, from a MS. in the British Museum, occurs that of Sir Thomas Hastang ; and Dugdale states his behef " that some of the Hastings were good Benefactors to the building of the Church, several of them being buried in a Chapel of the same, called Hasting's Chapel, and some in the very habite of Friers Minors, so great an esteem had they of this order." His authority for this was a MS. in the Collection of Sir Simon D'Ewes, which is here given from the History of Warwickshire : — En la ChapeUe de lez Freres-Menours de Coventre, appelle Hastinges-Chapelle, est une fenestre en la Northe part cue vne scucheon des Armes de Hastinges, la second partie d'or & de cinople, ove vne Lyon de gules rampant. La tierce d'azure ove troys garbs de Cumyn d'or enceinter de gules en milieu d'icelle. En vne fenestre en le Est est lez Armes de Hastinges, de Cantelow, & de Valence. En I'autre fenestre en le Est et lez Armes de Hastings Sc d'azure a. 6. Uonceux d'argent, & de la Spensere. Item en vne autre fenestre, en base, est lez Armes de Hastinges & de Huntingfeld, cestasavoir d'or ove vne fesse de gules & trois torteaux d'argent. En le second est Hastings, Sc argent deux barrs de geules ove vne label de Valence. En le tierce est lez Armes de Hastings. En le quart est de gules ove vne Egle d'argent, du quel son biU est d'or. *' Reg. GUfEord Ep. Wigorn, fo. CCCC xlv b. 198 GEEY PEIAES, COVENTEY. Et la sont enterres deux chivaliers, cestasavoir Monsr. Henry de Hastings, & Johan la file de Monsr. Guiliam de Cantelow, & soer a S. Thomas de Hereford I'evesque. Et proschein lui gist la dit Johan, ove lez Armes de Hastings Sc Cantelow. L'autre chivalier est one I'Armes de Hastings enseint evesque les Armes de Valence, son nome estoit Johan de Hastings. Et proschein lui gist dame Isabel de Valence ovesque lez Armes de Hastings. Et joust la dit Isabel, gist dame Johan de Huntingfeld, file a Monsr. John de Hastings Sc Isabel de Valence en vne gowne powdre dez Armes de Hastings, & d'or fesse de gules ; Sc en son mantel par dessus celle, est d'argent a deux fesses de gules, Sc sur sez manches dez Armes de Valence. Et est vne pillew desoubs son test, sur quel sont lez Armes de Hastings Sc Huntingfeld, quatrefoitz ; cestasavoir d'or a vne manche de gules, & d'or a vne fesse de gules & 3 torteux d'argent. En le table estoit escrit, Dominus Henricus de Hastings cum Domina Johanna consorte sua, filia Domini Willielmi de Cantilupe, Sc soror sancti Thomse Herefordensis ; & dominus .Johannes de Hastings filius eoruudem, cum domina Isabella consorte sua, filia domini Willielmi de Valence Comitis Pembrochiffi & Wexford, sepultus in habitu fratrum Minorum. Johannes obiit 9, Martii, 1312. et Isabella 3. Oct. 1305. Ad cujus dextram jacet domina Johanna de Huntingfeld filia prsedictorum Johannis et Isabellse. Robertus de Shotesbroke, armiger, strenuissimus, et ejusdem domini Henrici quondam vexiUator, et postea Seneschallus. Et ibi jacent Johannes, Edmundus, et Henricus filii domini Willielmi de Hastings, fiUi D. Johannis de Hastings, et Joh. Huntingfeld, filius Will, de Huntingfeld et D. Johannae oonsortis su». [The following translation of the above MS. is given by Stevens from the Monasticon : — In the chapel of the Friars Minors of Coventry, called " Hastings Chapel " is a window in the north part, on which is a scutcheon of the arms of Hastings ; the second part, or and sinople, charged with a lion rampant, gules, the third azure, three garbs of cummin, or, bound about the middle, gules. On a window in the east are the arms of Hastings, of Cantelow, and of Valence. On another window iu the east are the arms of Hastings, and azure six Uoncels argent and De la Spencer. Item on another window in base are the arms of Hastings and of Huntingfeld, viz : or, a f ess gules between three torteaux argent. In the second is Hastings, and argent, two bars, gules, with a label of Valence. In the third are the arms of Hastings, and the fourth is, gules, an eagle argent, and beaked or. And there are buried two knights, viz : Sir Henry de Hastings, and Joanna, the daughter of Sir WilUam de Cantelow and sister to Thomas of Hereford, the Bishop ; and near him lies the said Joanna, with the arms of Hastings and Cantelow ; the other knight is where the arms of Hastings are with those of Valence, his name was John de Hastings, aud near him lies Dame Isabel of Valence, with the arms of Hastings, and by the said Isabel Ues Dame Joanna Huntingfeld, daughter to Sir John de Hastings and Isabel of Valence, in a gown powdered with the arms of Hastings, and or, a fess, gules ; and on her mantle over the same is argent, two fesses gules, and on her sleeves the arms of Valence. And there is a pillow under her head on which are the arms of Hastings and Huntingfeld, four times, viz : or, a manche gules, and or, a fess gules, and three torteaux argent. On the table was writ — Sir Henry de Hastings, with the Lady Joanna, his wife, the daughter of Sir WUliam de Cantelow and sister of St. Thomas of Hereford ; and Sir John de Hastings their son, with the Lady Isabella his wife, daughter of Lord William de Valence, Earl of Pembroke and Wexford, buried in the habit of the Friars Minors ; John died the 9th of March, 1312, and IsabeUa the 3rd of October 1305, on whose right Ues the Lady Joanna de Huntingfeld, daughter to the aforesaid John and Isabella. Robert de Shotesbroke, a most valiant esquire, once standard bearer to the said Sir Henry, and afterwards his steward. And there lie John, Edmund, and Henry, sons to Sir WUliam de Hastings, the son of Sir John de Hastings ; and John Huntingfeld, the son of William de Huntingfeld, and the Lady Joanna, his wife.] The Harleian MS. 6033, British Museum, from which the names of the Founders of this Convent have already been given, proceeds as follows : — JVomina* alior' amicor' sepultor' in Clwro in infimo gradue presbiterarig. Will'mus RiveU. — D'na AUcia Rivel mater ejus d'ni. — D'na Johanna de Chaunceus. — D'na Margareta de Braundeston, d'na de Lapworth. — Emma, d'na de Wappenbury. — Guido de la greene. — Cor d'ni Thome de Bray. — Cor d'ni Bicardi de Amundevillf. — Robertus de Stone, et Matild' uxor ejus. — D'ns Johe's de Odyngsels, miles, quond' d'ns de Longichunt'. — D'ns Nicolaus Hastang, rector de Estlemingt' eccl'ie. — D'na AUonara West.— D'na Beatrix de Bishoppdon. — D'na Margareta de HardeshuU, — Agnes, filia D'ni de Bradesto,' * Page 55 b. f -^^S^ MundeviU, GEEY PEIAES, COVENTEY. 199 In Capella d'nor de Hasting. C. Pembrok sepel'. — D'ns Henricus Hastings, cum d'na Joh'na, consorte sua, fiUa.— D'na Will'mi de Cantelupe_, Et ep'i Hereford, S. Th. soror.' — D'ns Johes de Hastings, filius eor' cum dna' IsabeUa, consorte sua, fUia d'ni Will'mi de Valencio, co'it's Pembrok et Wexford. — D'na Johanna de Huntingfeild, filia p'd'ci Johis et Isabella. — Rob'tus de Shottesbroke, Armiger, strenissimus et ejusd'm d'ni Henrici [Hastings], quondam vexiUator, et postea seneschallus. — D'na Lora de Latimer, filia d'ni Henrici supradc'i. — Edmundus de Segrave, Alius d'ni Johis de Segrave. Nomina alior' ([ui jacent infra d'ca Eccl'iam: — Thomas, filius WUl'mi Boteler, de Werinton, baronis. — Joh'a, filia d'ni Will'mi Bagott, milit'. — D'ns Nicholaus Pecche, miles. — D'ns Robertus de Verton, senior, et miles, cum d'na Margareta, uxor sua. — IsabeUa Olteley. — Joh'es de Clifton, et Lucia uxor ejus. — Alicia de Draycote. — Galfridus de Whitteleye. — D'ns Joh'es de Solneye, miles. — D'na Maryona de Burmyngham. — D'na Alicia de WeUes. — Henricus de Vernoye, fundator duor' locor' fr'um in hib'nia. — Johanna de Sackevile, quondam domicUla d'ne de Segrave. — Will'mus de Aubeneye, quondam d'ns de HasthuU. — Rob'tus de Sheppey, et matild' uxor ejus. — Radu's Hunte. — Henricus Dodenhale. — Adam Botenere, maior. — Agnes Michel, mater Ada' [Botener]. — Joh'is Maxstocke, et Alicia, uxor ejus. — Alicia, uxor Ranulphi Damet. — Will'mus Home. — Joh'es Pomfrett Ball', et Agnes uxor. — Thomas Parker. — Johanna Bowde. — PhiUippus Corley, et Isabella, uxor ejus. — Adam Makehayte. — Symon de Shepeye, et Margareta uxor. — Robertus Spencer, et Isabella uxor. — Joh'es Spencer, filius Rob'ti. — Joh'es Multon. — Nicolaus Oxborowe. — Joh'es Marchall, et Margareta uxor. — Rob'tus Koke, et Juliana uxor, et Joh'es, filius eor' Isold Belvile. — Joh'es de Toneworth, mortuus apud Bergavenny. — Hugo de Malton. — Joh'es de "Toltham. — Henricus de Doncaster. — Ric'us le Latymer. — Alionaro de Stoneleye. — Isabella Leycester. — Robertus Rydewale. — Ric. Lateur. — Rogerus Box. — Agues Sampson. — Thomas le Wardir. — Agnes le Spicer. — D'ns Joh'es de Langford, mUes et Gonstabularius de Kenelworth. — Rob'tus Dowbrugg, et Alicia uxor. — Henricus Verney, et AUcia uxor. — Joh'es Verdun, miles. — Joh'es Botener. — Rogerus Bray, et Emma uxor. — Thomas Bray, filius Rogeri, cum fiUis et filiabz. — Will'mus Weduisbury, et Alicia uxor. — Thomas de Clendon.— Isabella Glym.— Joh'es Exton. — Adam Botener, et Alicia. — Joh'es Manby, et Margar'. — GaUrid' de Langley, Matildis censors ejus. — D'na Margareta de Pinkenye. — Will'mus de Beuler. — Walterus de Langley. — Isabella de Hull. — Ric' Shypton, cum Marger' censors. — Sara, uxor Rob'ti de Stokes. — Henricus de BaUard, et Agnes. — Richardus de Weston, et Alicia. — Joh'es de Cleibroke. — Joh'es de Mynoth. — Alexander de Filonglyes, et Ric' dubber, et Beatrix. — Joh'es Hunt. — Agnet' Maxstock. — Eliena Corby. — Henricus Yginton, sacre the'. — Joh'es Wyohard,"' et AUcia. — Joh'es Knyte. — Juliana, quonda' d'na de HasthuU. — Robt' Fa'chaw, cum Felice, uxor qui dedit fontem de dodmanswell. — Rogerus de Monte alto. Junior. — Symon ColushuU. — Alicias de Wyldshire. — Juliana de AUeslye. — Juliana de Wylenhale. — Symon de Tolham. — Henricus de Paylenton, et Alicia uxor. — Amicia uxor Symonis Chyld, — Will'mus Lutemon. — Thomas Celer, et Petrus, filius. — Will'mus Path'. — Joh'es de Eton. — Walterus Tyrell, et Walterus filius. — Ricus de Rockingham. — Rogerus Camerarius. — D'ni Thome Blunt. — Ranulphus Palmer, Benefactor magnus, cum uxor. — Joh'es Warde, primus Maior Coventrise. [1369, Katherine, the Countess of Thomas Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, by will dated August 4, 1369, bequeathed to the Friars Minors of Coventry, £20.] A more complete iUustration of the favourable opinion generally entertained of this order need not be produced than is afforded by the forgoing ample list of persons buried within their Church, many of whom were of considerable rank in society ; and it is evident, that however much these Mendicant Friars were obnoxious to the wealthy and weU-endowed regular Monks, they stood high in public estimation. 1420, In Stevens's Continuation to the Monasticon, vol. 2, p. 93, is a Letter of filiation to Thomas Compton and wife, "^^ given in our Provincial Chapter, held at Coventry, 15th August, 1420." 1448, John Lusterley, bequeaths 10s. to the Grey Friars, 1449, By an entry in the Accounts of the Smith's Company, for this and subsequent years, it appears they gave the Grey Friars annually, " Sawtfysch & Stokefysh," the cost whereof for 1449 was 9d. '*¦ AUce Wyschard, by Will, dated 1401, bequeaths 6s.8d, to the Friers Minors, in Coventry, and directs her body to be buried there. 200 GEEY PEIAES, COVENTEY. 1487, The MS. Annals of the City, under the present year, mention an occurrence at Coventry, which although it does not agree with our Historians, and is certainly wrong as it respects M. Swart, yet has a circumstantiality in the recital which renders it very surprising how such an erroneous account could have originated, if altogether false. It is as foUows : — " One Martaine Swart, tooke the Orgen makers sonne (at the Battle of Newark, 16th June, 1487), who was reported to be the Ducke of Clarence sone, & brought him to Coventry. And on wensday after St. Petter's daye, one Thomas Harrington, was beheaded on the Conditte by the buUe, and was buried at the gray ffriers ; he called him selfe the duck of Clarence sonne." Another MS. says, "he was proved afterwards to be an Organ maker's son of Oxford." 1493, John Wylgrise, of Coventry, by wiU, gives 6s. 8d. to the Grey Friars, for a dirge and mass. Thomas Bradmedow, draper, bequeaths 40s. to the reparation of their Church. 1495, Sir Henry Mumford* and Sir Robert Mallerie were beheaded under Binley GaUows for Treason ; their heads put upon Bablake and Grey Friars gates, and their bodies buried at the Grey Friars. [1509. Sir Edward Raleigh, Knight, gave 10s. to the Friars Minors at Coventry, and a like sum to the White Friars.] 1517, William Pisford bequeaths 20s. to them. 1518, John Haddon,t draper, by wiU, dated 23rd March, gives as follows : — " Item, I bequeth to the gray freres, in Coventre, for ij TrentaU', xxs. Also, I wiU the said Feliship of Drapers, geve yerely to the gray freres, in Coventre, on saint Giles day, vs., and the said gray freres to kepe a masse ou the said day of saint Giles, aud the dirige on the evyn, for me and my wyfe, and aU my frends soules ; and the kepers of the drap's for the yere beinge, to be at the said masse, and they to see a frere say daily masse for me and my wyfe, in saint Anne's Chapell for ever, in the said freres, as they be bounde for the Repa'cion made by me in the said freres Church, as it appereth by a pair of Indentures made betwene me and the wardeyn and Covent of the said freres." By an entry in the Accounts of the Trinity Gild for the same year, it appears they gave 20s. annually to the Warden of the Grey Friars for Wine and Wax. [1519. Seven persons condemned for heresy by the Bishop of Chester in Coventry : they were removed to Maxtoke Castle, when their families were taken into the Grey Friars' Monastery by Friar Stafford the Warden, who examined the chUdren, The parents were burnt in the Little Park, and the children turned out of the monastery, the church having seized their property.] "1520, This year,J was the Rode\\ sett at the Grey ffi-yers, and the new Chappell made first in the Churchyard." 1521, In the Accounts ofthe Corpus Christi GUd for this year, is an item — "to the grey frerrs ; " and in 1531, it is called — " in alms to the grey freres : " no sum is mentioned, both items being included in a general entry, but it is evident they gave money annuaUy to this Society, '* City MS. Annals. f Copy penes, T. S. X City MS. Annals. || Vide Pisford's WiU. GEEY PEIAES, COVENTEY. 201 1522, Richard Verney, of Compton Verney, Esq., bequeaths 20s. to them. Henry Pisford's wUl bears date the same year, wherein he directs that as soon as may be after his decease, there be said for him five Trentals, in the worship of the five wounds of our blessed Lord, and they to be said in five days, and the Priest that says Mass to remember the first day the wounds of the right hand, the second day the wounds of his left hand, the third day the wounds of his most precious and blessed heart, the fourth and the fifth days the wounds of his two feet, and to have him in remembrance, and to pray to the blessed Lord of Heaven for the blood that he shed out of those five wounds, to have mercy on him, and to take him to his grace. And in the worship of the said five wounds, he willed that his Executor should cause to be made five lights, and set them before the Picture of our Lord in the (jrrey Friars Church. He Hkewise ordered 100 marks to enlarge the Rood Chapel there, that people might have more room to see the devotion therein. In pursuance of this Will, Indentures* were made, 17th June, 24th Henry 8, 1532, between WUliam Wygston, of Leicester, and Thomas Whyttel, of Shepey, his Executors, and other persons. Inhabitants of Coventry, of the one part, and Master William Wall, doctor of divinity, master of the Grey Friars, in Coventry, John Stafford, Warden, and the Convent of the same, of the other part; which recites, that William Pisford, the elder, and Henry, his son, merchants of Coventry, had, in their lifetime, given and bestowed the sum of 400 Marks and upwards, upon the building of a Ghapel in the Churchyard of the said Friars, which now is called the Rood Chapel, and many other charitable deeds had done to the said Convent, in consideration of all which, the said Friars, vrith one consent, assembled in their Chapter house, grant to the said William, Thomas, and others, that an honest Priest of their Convent, shaU daily say Mass within the said Chapel, or else in the Church of the Grey Friars (if there is any impediment to the saying Mass in the Chapel), for the souls of WUHam Pisford, the elder, William and Henry, his sons, Agnes, Jone, and Elinor, his Wives, &c. ; and when he goes to the first Lavatory after the gospel, to say de profundis with the Collect inclina, for the souls aforesaid. The Chaunter of the said Friars to weekly appoint in a table the name of him who shaU keep the said Mass, and a BeU to be rung to stir the people to come to it. Further, they undertake to keep an Obit yearly, about the 15th of May, and bhey grant, as much as in them is, that the said William Pisford and others, shaU be partakers in all their Masses, Prayers, Fasting, Penance, Preaching, and aU other good deeds they shall henceforth do. This grant to be openly read twice a year, viz., on the Vigil of AllhaUows, and on the day of search, when all the Friars are bound to be afore the Chapter Provincial. The Executors gave £10 for ornaments to the Church, at the executing of the Indentures. We are now fast approaching to the period when this Friary was suppressed ; previous to the account of which, it may be remarked, that the City Annals notice three Chapters of the Grey Friars, held in Coventry, viz., in 1472, 1489, and again in 1505, which last Chapter was held on the Sunday of St. Bartholomew's day, when they went in procession about the City, and were, says the MS. royally received at the White Friars ; from whence they went to the Priory, and there had a Sermon from Friar Doctor James Standysh.f Another Chapter, held in 1420, has already been noticed under that year. *¦ Extracted from the Original Indenture in the Treasury, Box 67, No. 10. f In 1490, he was admitted a Member of Corpus Christi Gild. BB 202 GEEY PEIAES, COVENTEY. " Before the suppression of the Monasteries," Dugdale has justly remarked, " this City was very famous for the Pageants that were played therein, upon Corpus Christi day j which occasioning very great confiuence of people thither, from far and near, was of no small benefit thereto ; which Pageants being acted with mighty state and reverence by the Friars of this House, had Theatres for the several Scenes, very large and high, placed upon wheels, and drawn to all the eminent parts ofthe City, for the better advantage of Spectators ; and contained the story of the Old and New Testament, composed into old English Rithme, as appeareth by an ancient MS., intitled Ludus* Corporis Christi, or Ludus Ooventrim. " I have been told by some old people, who in their younger years were eye-witnesses of these Pageants so acted, that the yearly confluence of people to see that show was extra ordinary great, and yielded no small advantage to this City." [1483. Richard 3rd saw the plays at Corpus Christi, 1492. Henry 7th and his Queen saw the plays at Whitsuntide. 1519. New plays performed at Corpus Christi tide,] Upon the Survey of Religious Houses, taken in the 26th Henry 8, 1534, it appeared that the Grey Friars here, had neither Lands, Tenements, nor other possessions, spiritual or temporal, but were wholly supported by Charity. It is well observed by Dugdale, that as nothing was to be got by their ruin, the storm of the foUowing year passed over them, but on the dissolution of all the great Houses, 30th Henry 8, 1538, they were compeUed to subscribe the following Instrument, under their common Seal, whereby they surrendered this House into the King's hands : — For as moche, as wee the Warden and Freers of the House of Saynt Frances, in Coventre, commonly callyd the Grey Freers, in Coventre, in the County of Warwick, doo profoundly consider, that the perfection of Christian livinge dothe nott consist in dume Ceremonies, werynge of a grey coot, disgeasinge our selfe aftur straunge fassions, dokynge, noddynge, and beckyng, in gurdyng our selves wythe a gurdle fuUe of knotts, and other like Papisticall Ceremonies, wherein we hade ben mooste principaUy practised ond mislyd in tymes paste : but the very tru waye to plese God, and to live a tru Christian mon, wytheout all ypocrisie, and fayned diseimulation is sinceerly declared unto us by our M'r Christe, his Evangelists and Aposteles ; being myndyd hereaftur to foUowe the same, conform- ynge our self unto the vrill and plesure of our Supreme hedde under Gode in erthe, the Kynges Majestie ; and not to folowe henseforth the superstitius traditions of ony forinseoall potentate or peere ; wythe mutuall assent and consent, doo submit our selves unto the mercy of owre seide Soverayng Lord. And wythe like mutuaU assent and consent, do surrendre and yelde up into the hondes of the same, all our seide House of Saynt Frances, iu the Cite of Coventre, commonly callyd the Grey Freers, in Coventre ; wythe alle the lends, tenements, gardens, medows, waters, pondiards, fedings, pastm-es, comens. Rents, reversions ; and aUe other our interest, ryghtes, or titles, appertaining unto the same. Mooste humbly beseechinge his mooste noble Grace to dispose of us, and of the same, as beste shall stond wythe his mooste gracious pleasure. And further frely to graunte unto every on of us, his license, under wretyng and Seealle, to chaunge our habitts into secular fashion ; and to receve suche maner of livinges as other secular Priests commonly be preferred unto. And we aU faithfuUy shall pray unto Almighty God, long to preserve his mooste noble Grace, wythe increse of moche felicite and honor. And in witnes of aUe and singuler the premisses, wee the seide Warden and Covent of the Grey-Freeres, in Coventre, to thes presences have putte our Covent Seealle, the fivithe day of October, iu the thertythe yere of the raynge of our mooste Soveraynge Lord King Henry the eyghte, 1538. Per me Johannem Stafford, Gardian Per me Thomam Mailer Per me Thomam Sanderson Per me Johannem AbeU Per me Johannem Woode Per me Rogerum Lilly Per me Thomam Aukock Per me Matheum Walker Per me Robartum Walker Per me Thomam Bangsit Per me Willielmum Gosnelle. * Cotton MSS. British Mus. Vespasian D VIIL [This CoUection of Mysteries was printed in 8vo for the Shakespeare Society, in 1841, under the Editorial care of J. 0. HalliweU, Esq., F.R.S,, &c.] GREY PEIAES, COVENTEY. 203 The site or House of the Grey Friars, says Dugdale, was (inter alia) granted in 34th Henry 8 (1542), to the Mayor, BaUiffs, and Commonalty of Coventry, and their successors for ever ; but that it was not an entire grant of the whole fabric, is evident from the following instrument :* This Indenture, maid the second day of Ap'le, in the xxxiiij th yiere of the reign of o'r sov'eign lorde kyng henrie the eight, Betwene Mr. John Saunders, now Meire of the Citie of Coventr', Mr. Cuthbert Joynor, & Mr. Jn'o Jelt, Aldermen of the said Citie, of the on p'tie, and WiU'm Neel of StichaU, of the other p'tie, Witnesseth, that the said Will' Neele, for the some of vjM. xiijs. iiij(Z. st'lyng to hyme truly pd by the said Meire & Aldermen, at thenseallyng hereof, whereof the same Will. Neel knowl'egeth hymself truelie satisfied, aud the said Meir & Aldermen thereof clerelie discharged by these p'mises, haith bargeyned & sold unto the same Meire & Aldermen, all tile tymber, 4" stone, S; other stuff, of all man'r of Iwuses S; edy fices of, in, & upon, the lait grey ffreers, in the said Citie of Coventr', Sc of, in, Sc upon, the Churche ^ Steple ther, with all his title and inte'sse iu the same, except Sc res'ved unto the said Will. Neele, the Stone ^ other stuff, of, in, and upon, the revestre ^ ChapV house ther. And also xxii loids of other Stone, ther appoynted & sold to Mr. Henrie Over, and except also, all other edific's ^ buyldyngs ther, which were not sold by the kyng's g'es Surveyor ther, unto the said WUl. Neele. In Wittness, &c. The work of destruction continued to proceed here, and a considerable quantity of the stone was used for the waUs, and other public works of the City, as is shewn in the extracts from the Chamberlains' Accounts, which foUow : — In the Chamberlains' Accounts for 1539 are the following entries which I find a difificulty in explaining, the Rood Chapel being then finished and no account has been discovered of other work going on at the time. It' for cariag of Stone from the grey freers, vjd. It' for caring of iij lode of stone fro' the gre friers, xijd. It' for caryng vj lode of stone fro' the freers, xijd. It' to ij laborers for takyng done the stone fro lodyng hyt fro' the gre friers, xd. 1543, It', pd for cariag of xxv loid stone from the grey freers, vjs. iijd. 1 547, It', pd for caring of xij loid stone from ye freers, ijs. — It', for caraig of x loid from ye freers to ye cawsey , xxd. — It', for xiiij loid from ye same, ijs. iiij(?. 1562, It', for gettyng stone in the grey freers. [1607. Steeple repaired by one John Brookes.] In 1623, are the foUowing items, in the accounts of SwiUington's Trustees . — Pd to Wm. Woodhard, Mason, for work done in Grey Friars Churchyard, in digging of stone, vijs. — Getting stone in the same xs. vjd. In the same Accounts for 1644 first occurs a payment of £8, due at Michaelmas, to Humphrey Burton, Town Clerk, "in respect of the Grey Friers Churchyard, which he bought of Thomas Downes ; " and this entry continues for several years. By Indenture, bearing date April 1, 1661, the Mayor, BaiHffs, and Commonalty, con veyed to Alderman Thomas Basnet, aU that piece or parcel of ground caUed the Grey Friars Churchyard, and a bam standing thereon, with aU out-houses and edifices, reserving to the said Mayor, &c., the Steeple of stone, and Conduit, caUed Grey Friars Conduit, with free Hberty to repair and amend the same, and the Town wall; paying the yearly reserved fee-farm rent of five pounds. The Churchyard, containing about three acres of ground, after various transfers,t was, in 1 784, purchased by the late Mr. Peter Seager, at whose death '* Original iu Treasury, Box 62. t [In October, 1668, John Basnett, son and heir of Alderman Basnett, sold it to Nathaniel Baanett, clerk, who in 1698 sold it to John Hutt, by whom it was sold in 1699 to Samuel Critchlow, draper, who disposed of it in 1718 to William KeeUng, clothier. He left it by will in 1746, to his daughter, Mary KeeUng, who in 1747 married John Joyce, presser. She survived her husband, and in 1772 sold it to Samuel Reader, wool-stapler, by whom it was sold in 1784 to Peter Seager, sen., gardener. — Coventry Mercury, April, 1825,] 204 GEEY PEIAES, COVENTEY. it became the property of his son, and subsequently, viz., in the year 1815, several aUotments of it adjoining Grey Friars lane and Cheylesmore Road, were sold for the purpose of building upon. [In 1820 a new street, called Union street, was laid out directly across it, connecting Cow lane with the bottom of Hertford street.] The beautiful and simply elegant Spire of this Church, which was spared at the general demolition of the Convent, and so properly reserved to the City in the grant of the Church yard above recited, stUl continues (thanks to the good taste and public spirit which preserved it) an ornament to the City, and a choice example of the architectural skiU of our forefathers. That this elegant relic has been a favourite object with the inhabitants of Coventry, and has received the attention it so well deserved, appears in the extracts from the City Annals, given below. 1676. This year Grey Friars Steeple* was repaired, and a gilt globe set on the top of it. The Corporation, on the 5th of April, 1676, "Agreed that so soone as Gray friers steeple is repaired, and the spire thereof compleated, this House wiU allow twentie pounds towards the charges thereof."t The Drapers' Company also gave £2. towards the charges. 1699. On the 7th of Pebruary was a dreadful tempest of wind, which blew down the top of Grey Friars Steeple, and the globe that stood thereon. 1739. Mr. Edward Owen, Attorney, of Coventry, at his own expense repaired the spire of Grey Friars Church. Upwards of eight yards were rebuilt. 1763. Dec. 17, the top of Grey Friars Steeple was blown down by a very high wind. 1771. July 16, the workmen began to repair Grey Friars Steeple, and to rebuUd the top which had been blown down in 1 763 ; a gilt baU and vane was set on it. Eminent oe Rbmaekable Chaeactees belonging to the Geey Fel4.es, Under the latter designation may be placed Friar John Bredon, of this Convent, who made a very conspicuous figure in Coventry. He appears to have been a man of strong ' feelings, active, zealous, and occasionaUy turbulent in his proceedings, at length causing his removal from the City, by an order of privy seal. In 1424, a considerable tumult happened in Coventry, occasioned by the preaching of one John Grace, in which Friar Bredon being greatly concerned, the entire account of it, as recorded in the Leet Book,J is given below. At the feest of saynt andrew the apostuU, ye yer of o'r liege lorde our Kyng Henry the vjte, aft'r the conquest, the iijd, com John Grace, ye w'ch at that tyme was callyd John Grace heremyte, and sithen men said he was a '* The top of the Spire was blown down in 1551, and much other damage done iu the City. t Com. Coun, Book, p. 243. X Idem, fo. 24. GEEY PEIAES, COVENTEY. 205 moonke, aft'r y't a frere, and sithen a recluse, com in to this Cite, and prechid v dales to gethur, in the lytuU p'ke, seyng y't he was lycenciate, & licens had to p'che, of the bischops minyst's of this diocese. And he had p'chid at lichfeld ther in the Close, among the Canons, iij dayes to gethur — and aft'r he p'chid at Brymmyngham, and aft'r at WaUsall, and aft'r y't at CollyshuU, and so com down hithur, the w'ch John Grace was, at that tyme a famous man amongs the peopuU, y'ras he had p'chid, seyng that he was a g'cyous man in sayng and a hooly lyver, and many m'velous made and shewed, for the w'ch sayng, many men trowen that it had byn so as hit was said apon hym afore tyme, and that causyd the people the more tenderer to her his p'chyng ; but nev' the later apon the said saynt andrew day, when the said John Grace had p'chid, hit was said he was nott licenciate, nor noo lycens had to p'che, notwt' standyng he hym selffe said in ev'y s'mon y't he made, y't he was licenciate and lycens had to p'che ; and at the same day, at aft'r none, when Evensong was doon, Ric' Croseby, p'our of saynt mary church, in Coventr', was in p'pose to have gone into ye pulpit, in the t'nyte churche, as the comen voise was, then to have denouncyd acursyd aU tho' y't herd the s'mon of the said John Grace ; and soo what thurgh ye gov'nance of the p'our, and the sayng of oone M'r John Bredon, frere of the Gray frers, in Coventr', castyng ov'thwart words amongs the people, grett seyng was a mong the people y't the p'our and frer Bredon, wo'ld have c'sed aU tho' y't herden the said John Grace p'che : ffor the w'ch sayngs, ye p'our nor ye said frere Bredon wo'ld nott goo oute of the church unto ye tyme y't the maior com to hem, notwt'standyng they myght have goone well inowghe whethur thei wold, & y't wott allmyghty god ; and apon this matt'r above namyd, grett noise rose in the Contre, y't the comens of Coventre wer' rysen, and wold have dlstroyd the p'our aud the said frer, wher god wott hit was not so, nor non suche thyng wrought nor p'posid ; the w'ch noise com to the counsell of the said o'r leige lorde, for the w'ch the counsell at y't tyme beying in london, let'en make a Pre to ye maior & bayleffes and comens of this Cite, of the w'ch the tenor folowth in thes words : — The Letter is not wholly inserted in the Leet Book, but so much only as follows : — " Trusty and welbelovyd we grett you well ; and for as moche y't now late hit hate byn reportyd unto us Sc sum of o'r councell, y't a c'ten p'son, sumtyme a monke, aftr — " The preceding account of this affair, it must be recollected, is the statement made by the Corporation, and doubtless, is a partial one, under all the circumstances of the case. The King's Letter was foUowed by an appointment of the Earl of Warwick, and a special Commission of Justices to enquire into it ; and in the Lent following they assembled at Coventry, for that purpose. After much trouble and great charges for counsel, and other expenses, amounting to upwards of £80, the matter was put at rest. In the MS. Annals we have the following account of tbis transaction : — 1424. This year the Hermit preached in the little park, and had a great audience. 1425. The Earl of Warwick came to Coventry, to seize on the Franchises, and inquisition was made of John Grace, and the Mayor arrested him and brought him to the Gaol of the City. The next notice of Bredon is indicative of his busy spirit. 1438. This year'* Frier Breeden got the old stryke again. In 1446, the same meddling and factious disposition induced him to preach in both the Parish Churches here, during Advent, against the custom of the Cathedral Church in retaining the Tapers used at funerals ; exciting open resistance to this custom, not only by his preaching, but by Bills which he caused to be set upon the Church doors, promising to deUver the people from the thraldom of Pharaoh (as he designated the Prior), and declaring that no City in England was so bound as Coventry, nor so covetous a place as the Priory there. The consequence of these proceedings was a complaint to Parhament, by the Prior ; whereupon Bredon was made publicly to recant these opinions, in the Parish Churches, at Coventry, and then removed from the City never to return. =* MS. Annals. 206 GEEY PEIAES, COVENTEY. The particulars are given below in correct copies of the original documents*. By ye King. Trusty and welbeloved, ffor asmyche as ye knowe wel, we were late enfourmed, that ye shulde have now late openly preched and aflermed c'tain opinions, in our Citee of Coventr', sownyng ayenst both god's lawe and our's : — By the p'ching of ye which opinions, ye ded yat yat in you was to have stured and moeved ye people of our said Citee otherwise yan wel. Wherof might have grewe inconvenients, which we willing to avoide, wol and charge you streitely, yat anon aft'r ye sight of yees aU excusac'ons ceesing, ye departe oute of our said Citee of Coventr', and goo to ye minist'r provincial of your Order, or to his Vicar, and be ruled and demened as we write unto him in yia behalf ; — and we wol yat ye leve not yis on ye feith and ligeance yat ye owe unto us, and as ye wol eschue our grevous indignac'on. Yeven, &c. at Wesm', ye xiiij day of march, ye xxi iij yer, &c. To ffrer John Bredon, ffrer minor, of the Covent of Coventre. By ye King, Trusty and welbeloved, ffor as much as we wer late enformed, yat ffrer John Bredon, ffrer minonr, in ye Convent of our Cite of Coventr', shuld have now late openly p'ched and affermed c'tain opinions in our said Citee, sownyng ayenst both god's lawe and ours ; By ye p'ching and affirmac'on of ye which opinions, he deed yat yat in him was to have soed and moeved ye people of our said Cite other wise yen wel, and a yenst ye laudable custumes herebefore had and used, in our Cathedral Chirch, ye which in yat yat in us is we wol and owe to mainteine and susteine, for as much as we beth yeir sov'ain lord and patron, and for as much as we wold have alle our subgittes to lyve in rest and pees, aft'r god's lawe and our's, and no ying to be shewed or p'ched unto yeim, but yat yat might sowne to good, and be to reste and wele of our people, — and also for as much, as ye said ffrer John, hath openly p'ched, as it is above said, we wol yerfor and charge you straitely, yat anoon aft' ye sight of yees, aU oy'r yings left and excusac'ons ceesing, ye remoeve ye said ffrer John from ye said Convent of our said Cite of Coventr', unto som' oy'r Conve't of your Ord'r, xl' or 1' mile yens or more ; and yat ye charge him from hens forward not to come at our said Cite, ne to p'che of ye said opinions in any place : and we wol yat in no wise ye leve yis, as ye wol eschue our grevouse indignac'on. Yeven, &c, ut sup'a. To iirer Thomas Radnor, minist'r p'vincial of ye ffrer menores, in yis our Reaume of England, or to his Vicair, havyng power in his absence. By the King. Trusty and welbeloved, ffor as much, as we wer late enfourmed yat flirer John Bredon, ffrer menour, in ye Convent of our Cite of Coventre, shuld have now late p'ched and affermed c'taine opinions in our said Cite sowny'g ayenst both god's lawe and our's, whereof we beth evel co'tente yif it be so : of ye which opinions, ye said ffrer hath p'missed and is sworen to make revocac'on and renunciac'on aft' ye tenure of a cedule, endented tripartite, ye on remaynyng toward us, in ye office of our p'vie seal, the other toward ye said Priour and Convent, of ye same place, and ye thrid towards ye said ffrer, of ye which we send you a copie closed withinne yese, by our welbeloved s'vant Ric' George, sergeant of Armes, it is oonteigned more at large : and for asmoch, as it is gretely nedeful and spedefuU for ye good of all holy Chirche, us, and our people, revocac'on of all unlawful opinions beshewed yer and unto such p'sones, as yey have be p'ched unto herebefore ; the said ffrer, hath y'fore, incom'andement of us, by y'advys of ye lords sperituel and temp'ell, in yis oure p'sent p'lement, to go to our said Cite, and yere openly to sey in ye Pulpit, in ye Parish Chirches of 'our sid Citee, on' day festival, or ij, ye next festival dayes, yat he shal come to our said Citee, before all ye people yen being in ye same, aft' ye tyme of ye offring, accustumed y'r so yat yey may here hit at ye tyme of ye hegh masse, iu ye same Chirch, all yat yat is conteigned in ye same cedule, and neiy'r more neiy'r lasse ; and yif yat he do it not, or refuse it to do, or wold sey oy'r more or lasse, on eny ying yat might tourne to ye comoc'ou of our people, yat yen ye mayre com'itte him yerfor to p'son, ye'r to a byde unto ye tyme yat we yeve you other com'aundement, and yat ye our said Mair c'tifie us in alle goodly haste, what yat ye do hereinne, and wol yat in no wise ye leve yis. Yeven, &c. ut sup'a. To ye mair, BaiUifs, and worthymen, of our Cite of Coventre. Frere John Bredon, Frere Minor of the Convent of Coventry, his recantation of his preching and speaking against the custome of the Cathedrall Church of Coventry, which used to have the aparail of wax of every person deceased, whose corps was first to be brought into that Churchf . Hit is not unknowen, that where the priour and covent of the chirche cathedral of our Lady seynt Marye of this Citee of Coventre, p'sons and p'prietaries of the parissh chirches of the same, and theire predecessours have had, posseded, and used to have as in right of the said cliirche of tyme that no mynde man is the coutrarye, that what p'son dye within this said Citee, suburbes, and hamelettes of the same, hath been first broughte to the said cathedral chirch, with apparille of wex there to abide, tylle the masse and other observance to cristen peopel p'teynyng be complete, aud had the corps thereof then to be beryed outher at the same cathedral chirche, or eUes at oon of the * Cotton MS. Cleopatra, E, III., fo. 90. t This introduction and the concluding paragraph, commencing " Explicit," are not in the Cotton MS., but are found in the Bodleian Transcript. GEEY PEIAES, COVENTEY. 207 parissh chirches or chirch yerde, where the p'sone of the deed corps was conv'saunt, or there where in his lif he chase his sepulture, and the seyde appariUe of wex remaynyng with the seide cathedral chirche to the use of the same : which title and possession is good als welle by the lawe sp'uall, as by the lawe temporall. " I, Frere John Bredon, frere minour of the covente of the same cite, in the tyme of the holy advent of oure lorde last passed, in the parissh chirches of this same citee, ayens the said custom and title, as oure sov'ain lorde the Kyng and the lordes sp'uall and temporall been acerted, oponly preched and affermed, that aUe man'er offerynges owen to be yeven alonely to theyme that mynistren the Sacramentes to the p'isshens. Also that neither the pope, ne alle the worlde, may compelle eny mau to offerr eny thing yn the seid cathedral chirche. Also that neither the pope, ne alle the worlde may make but that a fre man in his laste wiUe, may dispose the lightes p'erteynyug to his corps where so ever he wUle. And so that I inducyng the p'isshens of the said parissh chirches, to execute my purpose, bad that they shulde boldely bere the lightes of the corpses fro that tyme forward, to here parissh chirche, or whither they elles woulde, notwithstondyug eny contrarie use, p'mittyng my selfe to defende theyme that so did. Seiyng that in Englond was not so bonde a Citee as this Citee of Coventre is, in kepyng and observying the said custom, and promittyng my selfe to make this same Citee free, so that the said priom' and coventte shuld not prevaile to have the said custom, which sayng might cause the people to turne theire hertys fro the said prior and covent, and fro observyng the said lawfull custom. And also that I said, that in Englond was not so covettous a place as was the priorye of Coventre. Also that I impugnyng the said custom by a nother unlawfnU mean, said and affermed, that eny custom howe long so ev' hit be, thowe hit be of a C yeres, if hit be yn p'judice of coe' wele, it is unlawful! and that the said custom is iu p'judice of coe' good, be cause hit is p'judicial to the parissh chirches of Holy Trinite and Seynt MicheU, of Coventre, and therefore that hit is unlawfuU. Also that I seid, that alonely they that mynistren the Sacramentes and mynistren aboute the corpses, as Vicars and parissh prestes shuld have the Obvencions and profites of the corpses, and not the monke of the Priorye, which may not mynistre the Sacramentes. Also, that I, in my billes that I made to be set upon the chirche dores, in this said Citee, promysed to delyv' the people of this same Citee, fro' the thraldom of Pharao, the which sownyth ayenst the said cathedral chirche, and the lawfuU Custom of the same. In alle these premisses, by the lordes sp'uall and temporall, by the co'maundement of oure said sov'ain lorde the Kyng, duely examyned is founden matier upon the which migth sue grete incon veniences ayens the lawes of god, of the chirche, aud of oure said sov'ain lorde, and also p'judiciall to the said Priour and Covent ; Wherfore I, the same Frere, if I meynteyn or justifie the said unlawfuU Opynions or any of theyme, or who so ev' soo doo, been worthy to be sore punysshed and chastised by the lawe of the chirche. And, therfore, as ferre as I have suche matiers or opynions affermed, preched, or thaught, I, the same frere, revoke and renounce theyme, and yche of theyme, prayng and exhortyng you that yee gif neither f aithe ne credence to theyme, ne execute theyme in eny wise. Wherfore, I nowe wele avysed and meeved thereto in conscience exhorte and pray you to kepe and observe the said laudable custom iu puttyng away and eschewyug hurt and offence of conscience, and also avoydyng punyssment due. And to alle theyme that done contrarie to the same custom, for als muche as hit is a custume com'endable, and so owyng to be kept and observed, to encrese of mede by pleasure made to almighty god, who graunte you aud me to lif in this world, aftir juste lawes and lawfull customs vertuosly, soo that wee may deserve to rejoyse* hevenly recompense ev'lastyngly. Amen. Explicit revocatio J. Bredon, fratris Minorum, in judicia contra priorem & conventum Conveutrise, & contra plures alios ecclesiasticos, anno Domini MiU'mo CCCC'mo xlvj'to. In the same year, viz., April 30, 1446t, the Mayor assembled the City CouncU, To commune & to trete for the p'fet Sc wele of the Cite, and in speciall for declaracion of a centens, yeven for the Priour Sc Convent of the CathedraU churche of our lady of Coventre, ayeynest John Bredon ffrere mynor, of Coventre, in the Court of my lordes of Caunturbury, &;c. who after due deliberation, appointed 7 persons to be procutores for all the co'ialtie of the Cite of Coventre, ayeynest the P'our & Convent aforseyd ; and on the Wednes day next folowing, a procrery for the Meire Sc the co'ialtie aforeseyde, in the mater aforenamed, was sealed at seynt marihalle, under the comen Scale & the meire's Seale. This seems to have been a dispute, in which the rights of the Commonalty were con cerned, but the particulars whereof do not appear ; it is an additional proof however of Bredon's restless temper. WILLIAM NORTON, a Franciscan, or Grey Friar of this Convent, is described by Pitts, f as a person of superior manners, and learned both in Philosophy and Theology. He flourished about the year 1403, and wrote Repertorium Lirce, librum unum, a copy of which is amongst the MSS. in Lincoln CoUege, Oxford. * Enjoy, Ih: f Leet Book, fo. 129, b. f p. 557. 208 GEEY PELiES, COVENTEY. Cfjrist Cfiurcij, [The idea of adding a church to the Grey Friars' Steeple originated with the late Mr. W. Bunney, who, in 1819, offered to contribute £500 towards its erection ; circulars were distributed inviting contributions in aid of the project, but from some cause the scheme was abandoned. Mr. Bunney, however, by will left a sum of 200 guineas, in aid of any future undertaking. In 1825 the proposition was revived atthe recommendation of the then Bishop ofthe Diocese, Dr. Ryder, and a public meeting having been called it was determined to carry out the design. A sum of £2,300 having been raised, including the bequest of Mr. Bunney : £50 from the Bishop, 150 guineas from the Corporation, the Drapers' Company, 100 guineas, the Marquis of Hertford, £100, E. EUice, Esq., M.P., £100, W. Digby, Esq., £50, Messrs. Vere and Co., London, £50, Messrs. Doxat and Co., £50, T. Morris, Esq., £50, Messrs. Adams, Son, and Bell, £50, Mr. Townsend, £50, George Lant, Esq., £100, Messrs. Bunney and Sons, £50, T. Bache, Esq., £30, Messrs. Beck and Prime, 30 guineas, &c. The Corporation presented the tower and spire, and the site, H.M, Commissioners purchased the surrounding land, and contracted with Mr. J. Walthew, of Birmingham, to erect the Church according to plans and specifications prepared by Messrs. Rickman and Hutchinson, Architects, paying the remaining portion of the estimated expense of the building. The first stone of the Church was laid on the 15th of March, 1830, by the Rev. R. Simpson, Vicar of St. Michael's, and the building was consecrated by the Bishop of the Diocese on the 3rd of August, 1832. The style of the architecture (decorated) is similar to that ofthe steeple to which it is annexed, the length within the waUs being 124 ft., the breadth, 55 ft. It is constructed with galleries on the north, south, and west sides, the sittings in which are all free. The Church is calculated to contain 1450 sittings, 920 of which are free, and 530 appropriated. The chancel is formed by the space beneath the tower, the reading desk standing on the north side and the pulpit on the south. The communion chairs were the gift of Mr. and Mrs. Akroyd; the Rev. T. H. Tragett gave the candlesticks ; and Mrs. Tragett worked and presented the altar cloth. The nave and aisles are chiefly occupied by the very objectionable pews which prevailed at the period when the church was built. A vestry adjoins the chancel on the north side. In the tower is one bell. The font is at the west end, and in the western gallery is an organ, by Banfield, erected in 1846 at an expense of £345, which superseded a smaU one presented by Captain Bunney. The instrument has two Manuals and 2^ octaves of Pedals. The Great Organ contains Open, Stopt, and Double Diapasons, Principal, Fifteenth, Twelfth, Sesquialtera, Trumpet, Clarion, and Cremona; the Swell Organ comprises Stopt and Open Diapasons, Principal, Hautboy, Horn, Harmonica, and the lower octaves being continued vrith Stopt and Double Diapasons as a Choir Organ from F below middle to GG ; the Pedal Organ compass is from CCC to E. There are six Composition Pedals and three Couplers. Mr. A. Trickett is the present Organist. '&•" During the excavations in 1829 the workmen employed dug up from the site numerous fragments of the ancient buildings : three corbels finely carved, many encaustic tUes, one bearing the arms of the Earl of Cornwall, another those of Earl Beauchamp, of Warwick, portion of a pillar of the old nave, and a piscina, on the north side of the tower, in a good state of preservation were discovered. Many human bones, sepulchral stones, and traces of the old foundations were laid bare ; and from measurements taken by Mr. W. Reader GEEY PEIAES, COVENTEY, 209 it appears that the ancient limits of the old Grey Friars' Church must have been very considerable. The choir extended eastwards from the present steeple 36 yards, having a breadth of 10 yards. The rood chapel or lantern beneath the tower was 4| yards in width by 3 yards in length. The north transept measured 11 yards by 7 J, the south 9^ by 7^. St. Nicholas' Chapel was lif yards in length by 8 in breadth. The nave measured about 30 yards by 10, the north and south aisles 30 yards by 5 yards each, so that the entire length of the church, within the waUs was therefore about 240 feet, the breadth, across the transepts, 75 feet, across nave and aisles, 60 feet. The whole of the roofs were formerly covered with lead. In 1831 the tower was cased with new stone, aiid the spire fresh pointed. The steeple measures as foUows : — ft. in, From the ground to the top of tower ... ... 96 0 Height of spire only ... ... ... ... ... 107 6 Spindle of Weather vane ... ... ... ... 79 Total 201 3 The baU is of copper, 2 feet in diameter. In 1858 the entrance was improved by the removal of some stabling and the erection of iron gates and pahsades. The church underwent a thorough repair in 1863, and the ball and vane were taken down by Mr. Frith and replaced by him after being re-gilt ; the spire being at the same time examined and pointed. The living is a perpetual curacy in the patronage of the Vicar of St. Michael's, the income is variable, being mainly dependent on the receipts for the pews appropriated. The net value as given in the Diocesan Calendar for this year, 1870, is £179. The foUowing is a list of the Incumbents : — 1832, T. HEATHCOTE TRAGETT, M.A, 1837, HIPPESLET MACLEAN, M.A. 1844, CHARLES BELLAIRS, M.A. 1845, H. T. HARRIS, B.A., the present Incumbent.] CC St Plata's lall, C0&Mr£. The site of this buUding was granted, between the years 1279 and 1293, by Guy de TyUebroke, Vicar of St. Michael's, to Wm. Cole, of Coventry, and his heirs, charged with the supporting a Lamp before the High Altar in that Church. The Licence for founding St. Mary's Gild was given by Edward IIL, in his 14th year, 1340, and in the Ordinances or Rules* ofthe Gild, specific mention is made of this HaU, viz., that an annual meeting of the Master, Brothers, and Sisters, should be held on the day of our Lady's Assumption, " en la sale n're dame," which Rule being written 21st September, 16th of Edward 3, 1342, fixes the period of its erection, or commencement, between the years 1340 and 1342. It is not to be understood from this assertion, that the whole of St. Mary's Hall, as it now stands, was then built ; on the contrary, it will be shown hereafter, that the present Great Hall was subsequently constructed, and after the union of the GUds. The Kitchen bears marks of being part of the original structure, and, indeed, has been assigned to that period by the late eminently skilful architectural Antiquary, Mr. John Carter. The key stone in the groined roof of the porch, representing the Virgin crowned by the Deity, may be also referred to the original building ; and it is remarkable, that though the constant designation of the united Gilds was the Trinity Gild (unless in cases where legal circum- stantiahty required the full titles), yet this Hall has uniformly maintained its original appellation. In 1350t, Henry le Pleur and his Wife, grant to Wm. Luffe, Master of St. Mary's GUd, and Nich. de Baddesley, Priest, Brother of the said Gild, the perpetual keeping of the afore named Lamp in St. Michael's Church, with all expenses appertaining thereto, charging their Heirs, Executors, and all their Goods and Tenements for ever, to the due execution thereof. And accordingly, in the annual chargesj of this Gild, about the end of Edward the 3rd's reign, St. Mary's Hall is thus mentioned : — " For St. Mary HaU, 20s. which Agnes de la Muyr pays for the said Hall, one Lamp with the Oil, &c., burning day and night before the High Altar, in St. Michael's Church, of which payment the Fraternity are discharged by Henry le Fleur." In 1364, 8th Aug.,|| 38th of Edw. IIL, Henry de Dodenhale, of Coventry, Merchant, conveys to Nich. MicheU, Henry Clerk, Richd. de Stoke, and three others, "totu' illud messuagiu' cu' p'tinen' in Coventre, quod vocat' seynte Marie Hall, jacens ex opp'ito eccl'ie s'ci Mich'is in latitudine & in longitudine sc'd'm metas & divisas ibim factas," with lands, tenements, &c. &c., very numerous, the property of St. Mary's Gild, and which had been invested in him as a Trustee. ¦* Penes, T. S. f Original in Treasury. X GUd MS. penes, T. S. || Original in Treasury. MINSTREL GRLLERXJ tOBBY, y CORPORATE SECOHD FLOOR PLAN , FIRST FLOOR PL««. SAINT MARYS HALL COVENTRY. ST. MAEy's HALL, COVENTEY. 211 It appears that the Mayors were accustomed to hold their meetings here, as early as 1387,* in which year it is recorded that " the Commons rose and threw loaves of bread at the Mayor's head, in St. Mary's Hall, because the bakers kept not the assize, neither did the Mayor punish them according to his office." Another Deed of Feoffmentf of the possessions of the GUd of the Holy Trinity, St. Mary, and St. John Baptist, dated 20th Sept., 17th of Rich, 2, 1393, contains the following description of St, Mary's HaU : — " unu' messuagium quod vocat' Seynte maryhall, unde tres pedes terre iu latitudine, a vico vocato Baillylone, inf murum dicti' messuagii ex p'te occidentali Sc quand'm vacuam placeam Prioris & Covent' ejusd' ville usq' angulum australem turris Tyredioti raessuagii Sc ties &hoTpe in ant'iori p'te ac quedam camera supra Portam ejusd'm Messuagii edificate sunt p'cella situat' ex opposite eccl'ie S'ci mich'is ejusdem ville, ex p'te australi inf dictam vacuam placeam et ten' Ead'i Coupe' ex p'te oriental! & extendit se a d'co BaiUy-lone, usq' quandam vacuam placeam terre, quam WUl's Lynne, Glover, modo tenet ex p'te australi."t The City Annals, under the year 1 394, John Crosse, Mayor, mention that, " he, with John Onley, and Robert Shipley, || and others, did erect St. Mary's Hall. 1414, this year, according to the City Annals, St. Mary's HaU was finished. Dugdale supposes "by the form of its fabrick and other Testimonies, § that it was built about the beginning of Henry the 6th's time." The difference in point of time, between the date given in the City Annals and Dugdale's conjecture, is too unimportant ro require very minute investigation, otherwise many reasons might be adduced in favour of the accuracy of the former date ; and it may suffice to observe, that all the Personages whose Portraits were put in the Windows of the Hall, excepting John Duke of Norfolk, Isabel Countess of Warwick, and Henry 6, were Hving in 1414, or within a few years, and subsequent to the assigned date of commencing the new Hall, viz. 1394. It is observable, that the Portrait of William Beauchamp, who died in 1411, represents a man in years, whereas, Richard Earl of Warwick, appears by the engraving, given in Dugdale, to be a younger person, and without a beard ; and as the name of Isabel his Countess is found in the list of Members in this Gild, and not her Husband (who was much of his time abroad), it seems probable, that when she became a Sister of the Gild, her Portrait and that of her Husband, were in compliment to such a celebrated and neighbouring Baron, put in one of the Windows, which it by no means seems necessary to conceive were all filled with stained glass, at the finishing ofthe building in 1414. Upon the same principle, we may account for the introduction of the Duke of Norfolk's portrait, who did not receive the title until 1427; and with respect to Henry 6, it would have been strange indeed if the Gild had not introduced his portrait in the great window, though another was removed, as most Hkely was the case. Of the respect paid to this Sovereign by the Gild (whose kindness and attachment to the City well deserved such a return), we shall find a further proof presently, in the account of the celebrated Tapestry under the North window. '* MS, Annals. f Original in Treasury. IX " One messuage which is called St. Mary's HaU, from whence three feet in breadth from the street called Bailey Lane, between the waU of the said messuage on the west side, and a certain vacant place belonging to the Prior and Convent of the said city, even to the southern corner of the tower of the said messuage, and three shops in the anterior part, and a certain chamber buUt above the gate of the said messuage are parcel, situate opposite to St. Michael's Church iu the said city, on the south side, between the said vacant place and the tenement of Ralph Couper on the east side, and extends itself from the said Bailey Lane to a certain vacant place of laud which William Lynne, glover, now holds, on the southern part."] II His portrait is in one of the Windows. § Insignia in fenestris. 212 ST, MAEY'S HALL, COVENTEY. In 1446, St. Mary's Hall was robbed on AUhaUow's day*, and in the following year, John Hirdis and Wm. Lingham, were hanged for it. An original document preserved in the Treasury Box, 27, gives a very particular account of this Robbery, and the proceedings against one of the Robbers, of which the foUowing is an abstract : — Thomas Walton, of Westminster, Yeoman, alias was tried before John Lusterley, Mayor of Coventry, and his companions. Justices of the Peace within the said town, on a charge, that he, with other persons unknown, did, on 24th April,t 1446, 24th Henry 6, break into St. Mary's Hall, by night, and stole from thence One standing Cup of Silver and gilt, two bowls of silver and two covers of silver gilt, two silver dishes caUed " spice disshes," one small table (tabulam) of silver gUt, two " knoppes," one silver trumpet, one silver Cup and cover caUed "a boUe cuppe," two silver Cups, four silver spoons gilt, one Cup of silver called " a stondynge cuppe," six sUver Bowls and covers, one Cup caUed "a gild Cuppe," "a stondyng cuppe" of silver, one silver goblet, one silver " Salt-seler," with cover, and twenty-four silver spoons, value two hundred Marks, the property of the Trinity Gild. He was also charged with a minor robbery in Coventry, of 13s. Id. in money, on the 27th of October following. To these charges he pleaded not guilty, but a verdict of guilty was found by the Jury, and he was accordingly sentenced to be hung ; upon which he claimed benefit of Clergy, saying he was of the Clergy. — In consequence of this he was delivered over to the Ordinaries of the Diocese, and the Bishop issued his Writ to the Archdeacon of Coventry, and the Priests of the two Parish Churches here, dated 11th October, 1447, commanding them on each Sunday and Festival at the time of Mass, whilst the greatest number of persons are assembled in the said Churches, and in the Market of the said City, and other frequented places where expedient, to make public proclamation, that if any one was able or willing to accuse the aforesaid Thomas concerning these charges, or to object to his purgation, he should appear before the said Bishop, or his Vicar general in spiritual concerns, in the prebendal Church of Eccleshall, on Tuesday, 28th Nov. following, and then and there bring forward his charges and objections. The result of this claim does not appear, but it may be inferred from the power of the Clergy at this period, and the fact of two differently named persons being mentioned in the City Annals, as suffering for this Robbery, that Walton escaped punishment. 1457. The Trinity GUdJ expended— "in escambio de pewtur- vessell, ad aulam be' marie', xxxvs. iiij(?. ob." And in the same year's accounts is the following entry : — If m, sol' p' 1 lb, fill ferr' ad ligand' una' fenestram, inf'a coquinam, ad aulam be' marie, iijd. [1462, 23 Oct., If p' brasyng unius key ad le weket aula be' marie, jd. 21 Dec, If p' vj barres ferri p' fenestris iu aula be' marie, pond' viijH., xijd. 28 — If p' emendac'oe unius panelle de vit in aula be' marie, iiijs. jd. 1464, 12 Jan., If p' a jemew to a almery ad aul' s'ce marie, ijd. — Gild Accounts. * MS. Annals. The Corporation had an annual Feast on that day. [f An evident mistake has arisen here, AllhaUows' or All Saints' day falls on the 1st of November.] X Gild Accounts. ST. MAEy's HALL, COVENTEY. 213 1469, 9 Aug. If Joh'i tynker p'emeudac'oe magne pateue in aula s. m., ijd. If at the taverne undyr seynt maryhall a grate p's, ijs. iiij^. If sol' for a cleket locke at the tav'ne under seynt mary haU, viijff.] 1470, If p. xxv lb. yron war', to holde up the batellyng at seynt mary hall, p's iijs. jd. ob. (The battlements were again repaired in 1684.) 1472, If m, paied to Thom's Philipps, for ij dales warkemanshypp, in reperyng the lede, to serche the heme ov'r the hye dees, in seint Marie haU, and to make fast the tablettes aboute the Toure, at the seid haU, xvjd. [1473, If paied for a plate lok yt shetteth ovr the barr of Seynt Marie HaU yate, ijs. vjd. If paied for mendyng of the paved florthes in seint Marie Hall and in ye p'lor, iijd. If for xxti new tyles to the same yt lacked, ijd. — Gild Accounts. 1474, If p' mattys p' aula le marie, ijs. viijd. If p'r pavyng in le court apud aiUam be' Marie, xxd.] 1561. In the accounts of the Drapers' Company for this year, is the ensuing item; and amongst the Rules of that Company, is an order for the Members to attend the Master to Church, and to St. Mary's HaU, on Holydays, although it will be recoUected the Drapers had a HaU of their own. If, p'd to the plym'r, for workmanshyppe, Sc vj lb. of sooder, at Sent Mary haU, ov'r o'r chambre, iujs. iuj(?. The Drapers continued to occupy this Chamber, probably as a place of greater security ; and in 1618, expended — For makyng of the presse and boxes therein, and for making the Checker, in the Companies Chamber, and place of meeting, iijli. The Company of Mercers in 1589, first held their Meetings and Assemblies at this Hall, in the room adjoining the entrance porch, stUl called the Mercers' Chapel ; respecting which, various entries occur in the Accounts of that Company, some of which are here given. 1589. pd ffor Carrige of harness to the haule, xd. pd fEor buckles to the harness & threed to hange it up, iuj