List of Incumbents of St Peter's, Seal (with St Mary's, Kemsing until 1874)

( 258 ) LIST OE INCUMBENTS OE ST. PETER'S, SEAL. (HELD WITH ST. MAET'S, KEMSING-, VXJXX, 1874.) BT BEV. T. SHIPDEM EKAMPTON, M.A., E.S.A. AMONG the archives of Eochester Cathedral is a MS. volume entitled Textus Boffensis, compiled by Bishop Ernulf probably about the year 1120. Among its contents is a List of Churches in the diocese, with the dues they paid to the Mother Church on receiving the sacred chrism. In the course of the List appears the entry—" Cimisinga ix. den.," indicating that Kemsing paid the sum of nine pence. The word " Sela " has been added in the margin in smaller characters, and perhaps by a much later hand, but it would be impossible to say exactly when the addition was made. From the omission of the name from the text, as well as from the fact that no mention of it is made in the next chapter, which treats " de Capellis," it may be inferred that there was not a capella at Seal at the time when the Textus Boffensis was compiled. On 3 August 1233, Eleanor, daughter of King John, and widow of the second Earl of Pembroke, obtained from her royal brother, Henry IIL, the grant of a weekly market on Wednesday, and of an annual fair on the vigil, day, and morrow of St. Edith, Virgin, to be held "apud manerium suum de Sele." (Charter Eoll, 17 Henry III., m. 2.) On 1 January 1284-5, Otho Grandison, who was then owner of the manor, obtained a similar grant from Edward I., of a weekly market on Monday, and of an annual fair on the vigil, the day, the morrow of the Apostles, Peter and Paul, and one day after, "apud manerium suum de la Sele juxta Kemesing." (Charter Eoll, 13 Edward I., no. 127.) If it be borne in mind that fairs were originally instituted for the convenience of parishioners who assembled to keep the Dedication Festival of their church, and that they were accordingly held on the day of the Patron Saint, the conclusion may seem justified that there was a capella at Seal in A.D. 1285, though not in A.D. 1233,— St. Edith being the Patron Saint of a neighbouring capella in Kemsing churchyard. Whether this was founded by the Countess Eleanor during her first widowhood, or in the course of her eventful life as consort of Simon de Montfort, it may not be possible to determine, but the earliest existing architectural details of the fabric seem to point to her as the founder rather than to Otho Grandison, who did not come into possession of the manor until late in the year 1283. (Close Eoll, 11 Edward I., m. 3 d.) INCUMBENTS OE KEMSING WITH SEAL. 259 Indeed, when we think of her first widowhood of more than six years passed in a religious community, and of her subsequent intercourse with such men as Grosstete, Bishop of Lincoln, who acted as tutor to her sons, and Adam de Marisco, who was frequently a guest of the de Montforts, and among whose letters, still extant in MS., is one which reflects their anxiety to secure a suitable parish priest for Kemsing on a vacancy having occurred, the probability seems by no means remote that in the daughter of King John and Queen Isabella of Angouleme, the church of Seal found its " nursing mother." If, however, some date previous to 1265—when the Countess went into exile—is thought too early, we must look to Otho Grandison, and to the year 1284. It is true that Eoger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk, held the manor between 1279 and 1283, but nothing has been met with tending to shew that he was the builder. The Grandison arms were formerly in one of the windows of the church, and, it is said, are still in safe keeping in the neighbourhood. INCUMBENTS. PATEONS. EIOHAED DE KEMESINGE, in 1265. (Add. MS. 8877, Brit. Mus.) * JACOBUS SINOBAIDI, in 1294. (Pat. 22 Edw. I., m. 5 d.) 2 1 EIOHAED. He was evidently the trusted friend and adviser of the Countess Eleanor at the time when political troubles were thickening round her husband Simon de Montfort, which were only terminated by his death at Evesham, 4 August 1265. The interesting Household Boll of the Countess, recording the daily expenditure of her establishment from 19 February to 29 August 1265, makes frequent mention of Eichard, " persona de Kemesinge." We find him staying with her for two or three days together at Odiham, at Porchester, and then at Dover Castle, which was her last place of residence previous to quitting the country for the Dominican Convent of Montargis in Picardy, whither she retired within a few weeks of receiving the fatal tidings of Evesham, and where she ended the days of her second widowhood nine years later. Under the date of Thursday, 4 June, mention is made of fodder for forty-five horses at Porchester, of which number four belonged to the parson of " Kemesinge." It would appear that he afterwards made his peace with the victorious party, as an entry on the Patent Eolls under 1 November 1265, records that Eichard, " persona ecclesie de Kemesing," obtained the King's "protection," which was to continue for a year. (Pat. 50 Henry III, m. 46.) 2 JACOBUS SINOBAIDI. His name appears in a list of rectors who obtained the King's "protection" in 1294, in return for granting half the value of their benefices to enable him to s 2 260 INCUMBENTS OE KEMSING WITH SEAL. INCUMBENTS. PATEONS. JOHN DE DITTONE, in 1316-7. (Eegist. Eoff., p. 113.) 3 EIOHAED DE THEUKESBUET, inst. 5 Will, de Grandisono. Feb. 1326-7. (Eegist. Hamo de Hethe, f. 74 5.) * BICHAED DUEAUNT. GTLBEET DE KELESHTLL, exch. with Peter de Grandisono. the last, 28 Feb. 1338-9. (Ibid., f. 174 a.) 6 THOMAS DE HOPE, inst. 27 Mar. 1341, Peter de Grandisono. on death of the last. (Ibid., f. 194 b.) 6 prosecute his war with France. In connection with this impost laid on the clergy by the King, the following note in the Annals of England -will be read with interest:—"As the clergy did not meet his demands so readily as he expected, he sent one of his knights—John Havering—to their assembly in the refectory at Westminster, September 21, who in a loud and menacing voice delivered this very intelligible message : ' Holy fathers, this is the demand of the King,—one half of all the annual revenues of your churches. If anyone objects to this let him stand forth that he may be taken note of, as unworthy of the King's peace.' Well may Matthew of Westminster add, ' When they heard this, all the prelates were disturbed in mind, and immediately they granted the King's demand.'" 3 JOHN DE DITTONE. He was a Canon of St. Paul's in the years 1310 and 1326. On tbe death of Gilbert de Segrave, Bishop of London, in December 1316, he was sent with another member of the Chapter to notify the event to the King. In 1321 his name occurs as Eector of Abberton, in Essex. He also held the rectory of HoUingbourne, in Kent. Thomas de Wouldham, Bishop of Eochester, appointed him one of the executors of his will, dated Sunday, 27 February 1316-7, and in recognition of his services in that capacity left him a bequest of 40s. 4 EICHAED DE THEUKESBUET. This Eector was presented by William Grandison, brother of Otho previously mentioned, who had died without children. With the commencement ofthe Episcopal Eegisters at Eochester in 1319, begins a fairlyconnected chain of Patrons. 6 GILBEET DE KELESHILL. Previously Eector of Merstham. On 18 September 1339 he obtained the royal licence to accept from Eobert ffremelyn of Kemesyng a rod of land lying adjacent to the rectory house, and to annex it thereto for the purpose of enlargement. (Pat. 13 Edward III., pt. 2, m. 21.) 6 THOMAS DE HOPE. He came from the Hereford diocese. His INCUMBENTS OF KEMSING WITH SEAL. 261 INCUMBENTS. PATEONS. WILLIAM DB PENEBEUGGE, inst. 8 Peter de Grandisono. Feb. 1347-8, on death of the last. (Ibid., f. 236 I.) JOHN DE SHIPPEDHAM, exch. with the last, 14 Mar. 1353-4. (Eegist. John de Sheppey, f. 261 a.) 1 EIOHAED MOWTS, in 1370. (Larking MSS., Maidstone Mus.) 8 EIOHAED MEANT, in 1370. (Eegist. Trilleck, f. 345 a.) 9 THOMAS PEED', pres. 30 Aug. 1370. Tho. " G-ramsom." (Ibid.) EIOHAED HANEKETON, alias LAUNSTON. 10 name is mentioned in a dispute about tithes with Eichard Waston of Seal, 17 December 1347. He must have died a few days after, as probate of his will was granted on Tuesday, 8 January 1347-8. (Eeg. Hamo de Hethe, f. 272 a.) His monumental brass representing in half-effigy a Priest in Eucharistic vestments, in admirable state of preservation, is in Kemsing Church within the altar rails. 7 JOHN DE SHIPPEDHAM. Previously Eector of Kingestone, in the diocese of Hereford. 8 EICHAED MOWTS. This Eector, on 25 July 1370, leased the church of Kemsing, with the parsonage, tithes, oblations, etc., for two years to John Digges, clerk, and Eobert de la Beche, clerk, for £30 per annum. The lessees were bound to provide at their own expense two parish Chaplains who were to serve " convenablement la eglise susditz & la chapele de la Seele, duraunt le terme susdit." Eobert atte Beche, probably the same person, was Eector of the adjoining parish of Ightham in 1368. 6 EIOHAED MEANT. According to an entry in Bishop Trilleck's Eegister, under 30 August 1370, this cleric, who asserted that he was Eector, made an appeal to the Chancellor's Court against the presentation to the living by the Patron, Sir Tho. Gramsom (Grandison), of Tho. Perd, a Presbyter of the Exeter diocese. The entry has been made by an illiterate scribe, and possibly Meany is an error for " Mowys." Perhaps also the terms of the lease mentioned above were not altogether agreeable to the Patron. 10 EICHAED HANEKETON. Weever, in his Funeral Monuments, 1631, speaking of Seal, says :—" In this church, upon a marble stone inlaid with brass, I found the portraiture of a Bishop ; and these words only remaining : Credo quod Redemptor mens vivit. And these figures, 1389. Under which—as I gather by the date of the year of grace—Thomas Brenton, Bishop of Eochester, lieth interred, &c." In this conclusion, which 262 INCUMBENTS OF KEMSING WITH SEAL. INCUMBENTS. PATEONS. THOMAS EIDLTNGTON, inst. 15 Oct. Adam de Motterum, for 1396, on death of the last. (Eegist. this turn. W. Bottlesham, f. 90 a.) "• appears to have been formed simply from coincidence of date, Weever was undoubtedly mistaken, for it is inconceivable that with Eochester Cathedral so near, Bishop Brinton's last wishes indicating the exact spot for his burial there, next the tomb of his immediate predecessor, Tho. Trilleck, should have been wholly disregarded. (Beg. Courtenay, f. 231 a.) As a matter of fact three other Bishops died in the same year, of whom two, Adam Houghton of St. David's, and Laurence Child of St. Asaph, left directions that they should be buried in their respective cathedrals. The will of the third, Thomas Eushook, who was Confessor to King Eichard II., and was successively Bishop of Llandaff, Chichester, and Triburna, or Kilmore, in Ireland, has not been found ; but the following account of him is given in Cotton's Fasti Ecclesice Hibernicce, iii., 155, under the Diocese of Kilmore:—"1389, Thomas of Eushok, D.D., an English Dominican friar, became Bishop of Llandaff, and subsequently of Chichester. Eor political reasons he was banished to Ireland, where in this year the Pope appointed him Bishop of Triburna. He held this see for a very short time, dying (it is said, of grief) in England. He was buried at Seaie, in Kent (Cole)." On referring to Cole's MSS., vol. xxviii., p. 17, in the British Museum, it will be noticed that that writer, after stating that " he died 1389, and [was] buried at Seale in Kent," goes on to say—"If I maybe allowed to conjecture the Place of his Burial, I should judge it at Seale near Eochester in Kent." After all, therefore, only conjecture can be offered, but the latter seems much more reasonable than the former. In the absence of contemporary information it is difficult to account for the selection of Seal as the burial-place of the broken-hearted Bishop, unless he was staying there when overtaken by his last illness, but it is a curious coincidence that his remains should have been laid to rest within sight of the spot which formed the threshold of his Episcopal life, for it was at Otford that he made his Profession of Obedience, 10 April 1383. In the year 1395 Sir William de Bryene, Lord of the manor of Kemsing and Seal, was buried in this church. His superb brass, in the most perfect state of preservation, is within the altar rails. The old 4th bell, which bears in Lombardic characters the inscription Sit Nomen Domini benediclum, is believed to have been cast by William Burford, of London, 1371—92. (Stahlschmidt's Church Bells of Kent) THOMAS EIDLTNGTON. In 1397 the advowson of the church of Kemsing was granted by Guido Mone to the Prior and Convent of St. Saviour's, Bermondsey, and in the same year INCUMBENTS OE KEMSING WITH SEAL. 263 INCUMBENTS. PATEONS. ADAM USK, LL.D., inst. 17 Nov. 1399. The Archbishop, jure de- (Eegist. Arundel, i., f. 263 a.) 12 voluto. EODELANDUS KEEBEOKE, inst. 27 Oct. Abbot and Convent of St. 1402. (Eegist. J. Bottlesham, f. Saviour's, Bermondsey. 180 b.) is JOHN JOEDAN, exch. with the last, 14 Dec. 1417. (Eegist. Chichelev, i., f. 92 b.) i* WILLIAM MATHEW. THOMAS STOWE, exch. with the last, 14 Nov. 1422. (Eegist. Langdon, f. 19 b.) 16 STEPHEN POECHET, inst. 6 Nov. 1426. Abbot and Convent of St. (Ibid., f. 76 b.) i6 Saviour's, Bermondsey. WILLIAM ALDEBAEOUGH. THOMAS WELL', inst. 7 Oct. 1433, on Abbot and Convent of St. death of the last. (Ibid., f. 97 b.) Saviour's, Bermondsey. EICHAED LITELMAN, inBt. 4 June, Abbot and Convent of St. 1437, on resig. of tbe last. (Eegist. Saviour'B, Bermondsey. Wells, f. 121 a.) they obtained licence to appropriate it, a pension of 6s. 8d. per annum being reserved to the Bishop of Eochester and his successors. (Pat. 21 Eichard IL, pt. 2, m. 8.) i2 ADAM USE. He was the last Sector of Kemsing and Seal. About two months before being collated to this living by the Archbishop, he had been instituted to the rectory of West Haningfield, in the London diocese. He also held at different times considerable preferment elsewhere, and " twice he narrowly escaped a bishopric, but his enemies were strong enough to keep Mm out of both Hereford and St. David's." He is well known as the writer of one of the early Chronicles, 1377—1404, in the course of which, under the year 1399, occurs the interesting entry:—" Hiis diebus, dictus dominus meus Cantuariensis contulit mihi bonam ecclesiam de Kemsynge, cum capella sua de Seol, inCancla." (Add. MS. 10,104, Brit. Mus.) In the year 1399, the Priory of Bermondsey was erected into an Abbacy, and henceforth the Abbot and Convent presented succeeding Vicars until the time of the dissolution. 13 EODELANDUS KEEBEOKE. On 12 October 1402, an endowment was made for a perpetual Vicar (Eeg. J. Bottlesham, f. 177 a.), and a few days later Mr. Kerbroke was instituted the first Vicar of " Kemesyng cum capella de Sele." u JOHN JOEDAN. Previously Chaplain of the Chantry of Tenham. 15 THOMAS STOWE. He was before Eector of "fframyngham " in the diocese of Norwich. He is also mentioned as being Vicar in the year 1426. 16 STEPHEN POEOHET. He appears to have also held the vicarage 264 INCUMBENTS OF KEMSING WITH SEAL. INCUMBENTS. PATEONS. JOHN GOESICH, inst. 23 Oct. 1438, on resig. of the last. (Ibid., f. 138 a.) " HENET ESTHAW, inst. 28 July 1445, on resig. of the last. (Eegist. Lowe, f. 203 a.) is JOHN WILLASTON, inst. 2 Oct. 1456, Abbot and Convent of St. on resig. of the last. (Ibid., f. Saviour's, Bermondsey. 228 b.) EICHAED CUTLEE, inst. 25 Apr. 1458, Abbot and Convent of St. on resig. of the last. (Ibid., f. Saviour's, Bermondsey. 229 b.) WILLIAM ENGLISSH, inst. 3 Dec. 1460. (Ibid., f. 234 b.) 19 EICHAED CUTLEE, inst. 29 Jan. 1463-4, Abbot and Convent of St. on death of the last. (Ibid., f. Saviour's, Bermondsey. 239 a.) w of Hailing. Mentioned as being Vicar also in the year 1431. i 7 JOHN G-OESICH. He was Vicar of the neighbouring parish of Wrotham from 1428 to 1435, and then Eector of Norton, near Faversham, for three years. On his resignation of Kemsing, Eoger Blendon was presented, 16 July 1445, but for some reason not stated he was not instituted. 18 HENET ESTHAW. He was at one time perpetual Vicar of East Peckham, which he exchanged, 10 September 1436, for the rectory of Offham. He was Domestic Chaplain to William Wells, Bishop of Eochester, and was one of the witnesses to his will, 7 February 1443-4. On 21 October 1448 he was constituted Dean of Mailing. Sir James ffynes, Lord of Saye and Sele, by his will dated 12 April 1449, and proved 22 June 1450, left to the works of the churches of " Kemsynge " and " Selee," where most needed, the sum of twenty marks. He bequeathed similar sums to the churches of " Sevenoke " and "Merworth." (Eeg. Stafford, f. 190 b.) John Partrich by his will, 30 January 1454-5, left to William Phylpot and his wife Joan certain lands, of which one piece called " Pecottsole" was charged with the maintenance of a light valued at 3s. 4d. per annum, to burn coram summo patibulo ecclesie de Sele. 19 WILLIAM ENGLISSH. Probate of his will was granted 9 January 1463-4. Sir John, " Chaplain of the church of Sele," by his will, 20 July 1463, gave directions for his body to be buried in the graveyard of Sele, and left to the high altar 6d., and to the repair of the church 12d. 20 EIOHAED CUTLEE. William Phvlpotte by his will, 14 August 1466, after giving directions for his body to be buried "in the graveyard of the parish church of the Apostles Peter and Paul of Sele," left to the high altar there 12d., and to cover the church with " schynggylle," the sum of 6s. 8d. Eichard INCUMBENTS OF KEMSING WITH SEAL. 265 INCUMBENTS. PATEONS. EOBEET SNOWE, in 1477-8. (Will.)2 i WILLIAM YANSON, in 1492. (Will.)22 WILLIAM LINCOLN, M.A., inst. 27 Eob. Eeede, gent., for this Aug. 1508, on death of the last. turn. (Eegist. Fisher, f. 50 b.) NICHOLAS METECALP, inst. 31 Oct. Abbot and Convent of St. 1509, on death of the last. (Ibid., Saviour's, Bermondsey. f. 52 b.) 23 Genkyn, 7 July 1468, bequeathed to the high altar 12d., to the light of St. Peter a taper value 4d., and to the light of St. John Baptist a taper of the same value. 2i EOBEET SNOWE. He is first mentioned in the wills of John Blakchorle and Thomas Marche, dated Sunday, 15 February 1477-8. Both appointed him " overseer " of their wills, the former bequeathing him 20d. for his labours in connection therewith. Thomas Marche left 12d. for the light before the image of St. Mary, and similar sums to the high altar, and the " fabric " of the church. Iu addition to these he left the following legacy :—" Also I wull yat ye Clerk of Sele have iiij d. for his labor to me cumyng in my sikenes." Will of John Snosmer, 3 January 1486-7 :—" Also I bequeth to tbe Church of Sele a torehe. Also to the ligth of Seynt John Baptiste in Sele ij quarters of Barley for the sustentacion and kepyng of a Taper of wax to bren before the sayde Saynte Also I bequeth to the byyng of a bell to the parisch of Sele iij s. iiij d." Testator also left a contingent remainder of £8 to the church. On 9 October 1480 Mr. Snowe was constituted Dean of " Mallyng." 22 WILLIAM YANSON. Will of "John Tebold the elder of the parisshe of Sele," 9 September 1501:—" My bodie to be buried in the church of the blessed Apostellis Petre & Paule of Sele aforesaide Also I bequeth to the high Aulter of the same church for my tithes forgoten & necligently witholden x s Also I bequethe for a Cope to the Church of Sele vj li. xiij s. iiij d." (P.C.C, 5 Blamyr.) 23 NICHOLAS METECALP. He was a native of Yorkshire, and was educated at Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. 1494, S.T.B. 1504, and S.T.P. 1507. He was Domestic Chaplain to John Fisher, Bishop of Eochester, and was constituted Archdeacon of Eochester about the year 1515. On 13 July 1517 he was instituted to the rectory of Woodham Ferrers in Essex, and in the following year was elected Master of St. John's Coll., Cambridge. During his incumbency, William Olyver of " Godden in the parisshe of Seele," 14 April 1516, left among his last wishes the following:—" My body to be buryed in the Ohirche of Seele afor the High Bode there It'm I bequeth to the byeing of ij candilstikkes of latyn to stand afore the Hygh Awter in the Chaunceyll xxvj s. viii d" (P.C.C, 17 Holder.) 266 INCUMBENTS OF KEMSING WITH SEAL. INCUMBENTS. PATEONS. EICHAED SHAEPE, inst. 27 Oct. 1517, Abbot and Convent of St. on resig. of the last. (Ibid., f. Saviour's, Bermondsey. 75 b.) M THOMAS THEBOLD, inst. 24 Feb. 1524-5, Abbot and Convent of St. on resig. of the last. (Ibid., f. Saviour's, Bermondsey. 125 a.) 25 EICHAED SHAEPE. Alice Olyver, widow, left in her will, 29 January 1520-1, the following bequests :—" It'm I bequeth to the Sacrament for forgoton tithes xx d. Also I. bequeith to the Trendle ligth and other necessaries to the Churche behoof on' cowe prece xij s. Also I bequeth to the ffundac'on and makyng of the Steple of Sele xl s Also I bequeth to the amendyng of the foule ways betweene Mustre Oke and Smellet grene x s It'm I bequeith to the makyng of the Steple x s. whiche is in the handes of ffurrars wyf of Otford It'm I bequeth to on' torehe vj s. viij d." The " Trendle " light, referred to above, was a length of small wax taper formed into a round or coil for greater convenience, and was often used in connection with shrines. THOMAS THEBOLD. He was probably a native of Seal, and is described as " scolaris." He is also mentioned as Vicar under 20 October 1536. After leaving the neighbourhood he appears to have gone into the diocese of Sarum, as he speaks of his prebend of Dornford. By his will, 21 June 1550, he left the following bequests •.—" Item I bequeathe to the Vicar of Scale aforesaide for my tithes necligentlye forgotten and withholden . . . . vj s. Item 1 will and bequeathe to the highe wayes of Seale and Kemsyng sixe poundes, to be delyvered win two yeres after my deceas, unto th' order of the Vicar there or his deputie, and of sixe honest and substanciall men of either p'ishe, wherof foure poundes to the high wayes of Seale and fourtie shillinges to the high wayes of Kemsyng. . . . . Item I give to the poore householders and p'ishoners of Seale and Kemsyng foure poundes to be distributed by myne Exeoutours w4 th' advyse of the Vicar there or his deputie and of foure honest men of either p'ishe Item to the poor p'ishoners of my prebend called Dornford in Wylshere three poundes Item I give to the Almes house of Seale to maynteyn some agyd bodye there by the space of tenne yeres after my deceas every Soundaye iiij d. during the said terme to be paide monthely or wekely Item I give to Doctor ffryer tenne poundes and all my stuf that I left with hym with all my Laten bookes there saving a greate Byble in Laten whiche I will my cosyn Sulyard shall have." (P.C.C, 19 Coode.) During his incumbency Will. Olyver of " ffalke in the parishe of Seele," left by his will, 2 January 1526-7, the following bequests:—"To the reparacions of the church of Seele aforsaid vj s. viij d Item I will there be bestowed at INCUMBENTS OF KEMSING WITH SEAL. 267 INCUMBENTS. PATEONS. JOHN SENNOCKE, in 1542. (Lay Subsidies, Kent, No. JfJ.) 26 JOHN DENMAN, LL.D., in 1545, and in 1548. (Wills.) 27 my burying in masses synging and in almes to poor people xls Item I geve to William Olyver my son thre score wether shepe, price of every shepe xij d." (P.C.C, 16 Porch.) Thomas Hadlow by his will, 4 August 1527, left the following bequest:—" Also I bequeith a li. of wex to be thereof a taper perpetually everi yere to be made and to bren in the Eode Lofte before the Boode. And the sayde taper everi yere to be new made ageynst the eve of the Natyvite of our Lorde. And the same taper to be kepte at the costis & charges of them which schall inheritt and oeeupie a pece of lande of iij acres called barneffelde. And for lak that and yf it fortune that the saide taper be not everi yere new made that then I will the Churche Wardens of Seale schall stress and strayn for the saide som of money for the saide tapir." Another Seal parishioner, Maryon Olyver, inserted in her will, 2 July 1532, the following clause:—" I bequeith to ye mayntenyng °f y° tygM hrynnyng of ij lattyn canstikes or stondors before y° hight aulter in Seale Churche xij d. by yere the space of iiij yeres immediatly after my deceasse." While " Jhon Porter " among his last wishes, 22 May 1533, expressed himself thus:—" I will a taper of wex of ye weight of ij poundes be made & sett up byfore our Lady in ye Chauncell or our Lady in the seide churche of Seale and ther to burne & to be lyght at tymes convenyent so long as it shall endure." Among the witnesses to the last two wills was " Syr Wylliam Damport cur." (Curate). In Thebold's time the Valor Ecclesiasticus was drawn up, which states that the vicarage of Kemsynge with the chapel of Seale was valued at £26 6s. 8d., from which was to be deducted £6 13s. 4d., the stipend of the " Capellanus " who served Seal. 26 JOHN SENNOCKE. He is mentioned among other Kentish contributors to the Loan made to King Henry VIIL, in the year 1542:—"Joh'n Sennocke Vicar of Seele, vii." The next entry is :—" John Tibolt of Seele gent, vj li. xiij s. iiij d." (See Archceologia Cantiana, XL, 402.) 27 JOHN DENMAN. He is mentioned as a witness in the will of " Johan Blatcher of Seale, wedowe," 26 December 1545. On leaving the neighbourhood he seems to have gone to London, having probably effected an exchange with Thomas Hicklyng, Vicar of St. Bartholomew the Less. He was also a Prebendary of Eochester. In his will, 1 February 1555-6, he makes the following bequests, among many others :—" My boddye to be buried in the churche of Selye, and there to be 268 INCUMBENTS OF KEMSING WITH SEAL. INCUMBENTS. PATEONS. THOMAS . HICKLTNG, inst. 26 Nov. 1550. (Lib. Comp.) (?) Exch. with the last. (Newcourt's Bepert., i., 298.) 28 THOMAS TATLLOUE, inst. 18 Nov. 1554, The Queen. on depriv. of the last. (Eegist. Episc., f. 57 b.) 29 THOMAS DALE, inst. 22 Dec. 1558, on The Queen. death of last Incumbent. (Eegist. D. and C Cant., f. 55 b.) 30 bestowed amonge prestes and poore people xx s. at the daie of my buriall . . . . and x s. to bye somme necessarie ornamente to the maintenance of Godde's service." He also made provision for memorial services in Eochester Cathedral, concluding with the wish :—" I hartely desire master Deane to take the labors and paines to singe the Masse of Bequiem, and to declare to the people by a littill brefe exortacion that praier and almes dedes proffettethe tbe sowles of them that be departed, and he to have for his paines xs." (P.C.C, 40 More.) 28 THOMAS HICKLTNG. He was one of the clergy who were deprived of their benefices on the accession of Queen Mary. The date of his deprivation was 26 April 1554. 29 THOMAS TATLLOUE. Also mentioned as Vicar in a will dated 18 August 1557. In the year 1555 Queen Mary granted the rectory of Kemsing and Seal, valued at £9 13s. 4d. per annum, to Cardinal Pole, but on his death it reverted to the Crown. Queen Elizabeth granted it to Sir Peter Manwood, and she granted the advowson of the vicarage with the manor to Henry Carey, Lord Hunsdon. John Pelset by his will, 27 February 1558-9, bequeathed an annuity of 6s. 8d., issuing from a certain tenement and lands in Leigh parish, and also another annuity of the same value, issuing out of certain property in Seal, to the Minister and Churchwardens of the latter, for the use of the poor. In addition to this parish and that of Leigh, those of Penshurst, Chiddingstone, Cowden, and Town Malling benefited by the will of John Pelset, who is spoken of as " servant & bailey to the Eight Honorable the Lord Sydney." 30 THOMAS DALE. He was Eector of Holland Magna in Essex from 1539 to 1541. He is also mentioned as Vicar in the will, dated 29 November 1559, and proved 22 April 1560, of Thomas Mogier of Seal, who remembered his parish church and his poorer neighbours in the following bequests : " It'm I give & bequeyth to be bestowed at my buriall iijs. iiijd. amongst the pore people of Seale afforesaid. It. I bequeyth to the amending of the Glasse windowes of the Church of Seale afforesaid iij s. iiij d." The transcript of this will and INCUMBENTS OF KEMSING WITH SEAL. 269 INCUMBENTS. GILBEET GENNTNS, or JENTNS, inst. 31 Oct. 1561. (Eegist. Gheast, f. 94a.)3i EICHAED BUCKLET, M.A., inst. 6 Jan. 1602-3, on resig. of the last. (Eegist. Young, f. 191 b.) EOBEET BAKEE, M.A., inst. 20 Apr. 1608, on death of the last. (Ibid., f. 203 5.)32 JOHN BAKEE, in 1644. (Hasted's Kent, i., 334.") "MASTEE" MAETEN, in 1649-50. (Pari. Surv., xix., 92.) 33 of all those previously mentioned without a reference will be found in the Eegisters of Eochester Wills at Somerset House. 81 GILBEET GENNTNS. On 5 December 1570 he was instituted to the rectory of Sevenoaks, which he held for upwards of twenty years. lie was also Vicar of St. Dunstan's in the West, and Eector of Little Parndon, Essex. His connection with Kemsing and Seal, like that of two of his successors, extended over a period of more than forty years. 32 EOBEET BAKEE. He is also mentioned as Vicar in the Bishop's Visitation Book under date of 27 September 1620. During his incumbency the old 5th bell was cast by Stephen Swan, in 1609, Will. Cox and John Eaven being the Churchwardens. 33 "MASTEE" MAETEN. About this period Kemsing and Seal were made distinct parishes, " Master " Bartton being mentioned as Incumbent of the former. In the year 1649-50 the Parliament ordered a Survey to be taken of all ecclesiastical benefices. The Commissioners drew up the following report of Seal:—" Wee answer That the Parishe of Seale is devided into Three Parsonages and one Viccaredge whereof one Parsonage and the Viccaredge belonges to the Parishe Church of Seale and is worth thirtie ffive poundes per annum and one little howse worth twentie shillings per annum. That the Cure is supplied with an able Minister and that Master Goodwyn is the Patron thereof and Master Marten the present Incumbent who receives this sixe and thirtie poundes per annum for his sallerye. Wee finde one other Parsonage beinge Impropriate belonginge to one Mr, Bunce in the occupac'on of William Kipps and is worth twentie pounds per annum. And the third Parsonage wee finde alsoe to be impropriate and' belonging to Mistris Mary Nicolson in the occupac'on of Mr. George Nicholson her ffather and is worth thirtie pounds per annum. Wee finde the Church conveniently scituated without any union. That there is noe Chappeli. And that this Church is sufficient for this Parishe." . PATEONS. Eoger Dodd and Nich. Felton, for this turn. Lord Hunsdon. 270 INCUMBENTS OF KEMSING WITH SEAL. INCUMBENTS. PATEONS. JOHN STEVENS, or STEPHENS, M.A., adm. 14 Sept. 1654. (Lamb. Lib. MS. 997, lib. ii., p. 190.)3* THOMAS STEVENS, B.A., inst. 20 May Eichard, Earl of Dorset. 1668, on resig. of the last. (Eegist. Spir. Eoff., F. f. 119 b.) JOHN TATTEESALL, M.A., inst. 12 Feb. Eichard, Earl of Dorset. 1668-9, on death of the last. (Ibid.) M 84 JOHN STEVENS. The earliest Eegister Book of Seal commences with the incumbency of this Vicar. Upon the first page occurs the following note :—" Memorandum that vpon a Certificate of diuerse of the Parish of Seale in Kent John Stevens Minister of the sayd Parish was elected Parish Begister of the sayd parish by the greater part of the Parishioners then present on the twenty seaventh day of May in the yeere of o' Lord one thousand six hundred fifty & five, & sworne for the performance of the sd office before me, Ed. Ashe, October the fourth 1655." By Act of Parliament in August 1653, new officials called " Parish Eegisters " were created, whose duty it was to keep the Eegister Books, and make entries of publication of Banns, of Births, Burials, and Marriages, etc. They were chosen by the householders of a parish, and entered upon their duties after being sworn before a Justice of the Peace. The parishioners of Seal had the good taste to elect their own Incumbent, a proceeding which was rather the exception than the rule. After the memorandum mentioned above comes the entry.-—" 1653, John Steuens Vicar. Books belonging to the Parish of Seale: 1, Jewell's Apology for the Church of England; 2, The first volumne of the Paraphrase of Erasmus vpon the new Testament; 3, Homilyes for the Church of England." At a time when popular opinion was so decidedly anti-ecclesiastical, it is interesting to note that the good people of Seal had access to such sound literature in their parish Library. Bishop Jewel's Apology first appeared in the year 1562. It was published with the formal approval of Queen Elizabeth and the consent of the Bishops, and was ordered to be placed in all the churches of England and Wales for the instruction of the people. The Paraphrase of Erasmus was printed in two folio volumes by Edw. Whytchurch in the year 1548-9, and was also appointed to be placed in all churches. The First Book of Homilies, which was published in 1547, had the following title :—" Certayne Sermons or Homilies, appoynted by the Kynges Maiestie to be declared, and redde by all Persones, Vicars, or Curates, euery Sundaye in their Churches, where they have Cure." The old 1st and 2nd bells were cast by John Hodson in the year 1660. 86 JOHN TATTEESALL. It appears by an entry in the Eegister INCUMBENTS OF KEMSING WITH SEAL. 271 INCUMBENTS. PATEONS. MAXIMILIAN BUCK, B.A., inst. 29 Apr. Eichard, Earl of Dorset. 1674, on cess, of the last. (Soc. Antiq. MS. 170, p. 372.)30 EOBEET PAEEAN, S.T.B., inst. 30 July Lionel, Duke of Dorset. 1720, on death of the last. (Eochest. Act Book, 1713-1824, f. 45.) 37 Book, under 27 November 1667, that he was Curate to his predecessor Mr. Stevens, whose incumbency of a few months was terminated by death. 36 MAXIMILIAN BUCK. An entry in the Eegister Book states that he was inducted lb May 1674. His first care seems to have been to provide suitable Communion plate, both the older chalice and its paten cover being inscribed with his name, and the date 1674. On 9 August 1681 he married in Kemsing Church Eebecca Hallywell, who survived him seven years. In the Eegister Book, under Whitsunday 1709, occurs the entry:—" Memorandum That a New Bible in ffolio was given vnto & for the sole vse of Seale Church at the proper cost & charges only of Mrs. Eebecca Buck wife of Mr. Max. Buck, Vicar of Seal, D.D.DQ.D. Dominica Trinitatis." And a little further on, under the year 1718, occurs a second note:— " Memorandum: July 25, Mr. Max. Buck, Vicar, gave a Purple Velvett Pulpit Cloath & Cussion, for the sole vse of Seale church, & a purple fringe & Tossells." The entry of his burial occurs under 21 April 1720. A mural tablet to his memory, which is now against the west wall of the south aisle, states that he was chaplain to the Duke of Dorset, to his father, and his grandfather. A useful memorial of Mrs. Buck's beneficence still remains in the form of a handsome brass chandelier with branches for fourteen candles, which depends from the centre of the nave roof, and bears the inscription : " The Gift of Ms Eebecca Buck, 1725." The entry of her burial occurs under 17 June 1727. During Mr. Buck's incumbency John Porter, a native of Seal and citizen of London, devised an annuity of £12, arising from certain lands in Seal, to the Guardians of Sevenoaks School, on condition that £10 should be paid to tbe Usher "for the educating of the youth of Kempsing & Seale in the knowledge of Learning & Godliness," and the remaining sum of 40s. was to be given to " the two most antient persons dwelling in the parish of Seale." 87 EOBEET PAEEAN. Fellow of Trin. Coll., Camb., B.A. 1701, M.A. 1705, S.T.B. 1712, and S.T.P. 1728, by virtue of the King's mandate. It seems probable that Dr. Parran was not always resident, as an entry in the Eegister under date of 24th and 27th September 1729, states that two children were baptized "by Dr. Parran, Vic.," as though such an occurrence were unusual. On 13 March 1731-2, Francis Wood272 INCUMBENTS OF KEMSING WITH SEAL. INCUMBENTS. PATEONS. THOMAS CUETEIS, M.A., inst. 18 June Lionel, Duke of Dorset. 1739, on death of the last. (Ibid., f. 118.) 38 GEEGOET SHAEPE, LL.B., inst. 13 Lionel, Duke of Dorset. Apr. 1744, on resig. of the last. (Ibid., f. 138.)39 CAESWELL WINDEE, M.A., inst. 2 Oct. Lionel, Duke of Dorset. 1761, on cess, of the last. (Ibid., f. 197.) 40 gate, B.A., was licensed to the curacy on an annual stipend of £30. During Dr. Parran's time Frances Bickerstaffe, daughter of Sir Charles Bickerstaffe, Bart., by her will dated 19 May 1731, devised to certain Trustees three messuages in London, on condition that they should out of the profits pay £20 per annum for the education, maintenance, and clothing of eight poor girls at Seal. The second Eegister Book was commenced in 1735, and bears on its cover the names,—" Bobert Parran, Vicar, Eichard Hill, Henry Somers, Churchwardens." 88 THOMAS CUETEIS. Of Jesus Coll., Camb., B.A. 1727, M.A. 1731. Deacon 24 May 1730. Priest 17 June 1739. He held the living rather more than four years, resigning it 29 November 1743, soon after which his patron the Duke of Dorset presented him to the vicarage of Eottingdean in Sussex. He succeeded his father in the sinecure rectory of Sevenoaks, being instituted 30 April 1747 ; and on 20 December 1750 he was instituted to the vicarage of the same on the decease of Hugh Owen. On 8 May 1755 he was installed Canon in the Eleventh Prebend at Canterbury, on the presentation of King George II. In the following year he was presented to the rectory of St. Dionis Back Church, a Peculiar of the Archbishop of Canterbury. He died 28 May 1775, at Sevenoaks, and was buried there. 89 GEEGOET SHAEPE. Of Trin. Coll., Camb., LL.B. 1738, LL.D. 1747. A few days before obtaining this living he was instituted to the vicarage of Birling, on presentation by Lord Abergavenny, which he retained until 10 June 1757. On 1 February 1757, he was collated to the Prebend of Yetminster Secunda at Salisbury; and four years later he was instituted to the vicarage of Purton in the same diocese, on presentation by the Earl of Shaftesbury, both which he held until his death. He was Master of the Temple; and discharged the duties of Director of the Society of Antiquaries. He was the author of several very learned works. He died 8 January 1771, at the age of fifty-eight. During his incumbency the old 3rd bell was cast by Messrs. Lester and Pack of London, in 1758. *° CAESWELL WINDEB. Of Trin. Coll., Ox., B.A. 1727, M.A. 1730. INCUMBENTS OF KEMSING WITH SEAL. 273 INCUMBENTS. PATEONS. WILLIAM HUMPHET, inst. 31 Dec. 1770, John Frederick, Duke of on death of the last. (Ibid., f. Dorset. 216.) il GEEVAS WHITEHEAD, M.A., inst. 15 The Duchess Dowager of Aug. 1816, on death of the last. Dorset. (Ibid., f. 321.) 42 Deacon 7 January 1732-3, and Priest 23 September 1733, on which day he was licensed to the curacy of Kemsing and Seal, with an annual stipend of £35. Mr. Winder's connection with the parish extended over nearly thirty-seven years, during twenty-eight of which he discharged the duties of curate. On 24 June 1742 he was instituted to the rectory of Halstead, on presentation by King George II. He, however, continued to hold the curacy of Kemsing and Seal, obtaining the services of a curate for Halstead. He died 30 July 1770. 41 WILLIAM HUMPHET. Of Magd. Hall, Ox., B.A. 1771, M.A. 1773. He also held the vicarage of Birling, to which he was instituted 6 February 1782, on Lord Abergavenny's presentation. His incumbency of Kemsing and Seal was within a few months of equalling in duration that of Max. Buck, nearly forty-six years. The entry of his burial appears under 19 July 1816. A marble tablet affixed to the south wall of the south aisle records his decease, as well as that of his wife who survived him more than eighteen years. During his tenure of office William Baker left by his will in 1777, an annual rentcharge of 26s. for the use of the poor; and Elenor Mortimer who died in 1803, left £5 annually to keep a vault and certain monuments in repair, with the proviso that the surplus should be distributed among the poor. 42 GEEVAS WHITEHEAD. Fellow of Jesus Coll., Camb., B.A. 1785, M.A. 1788, and B.D. He held for twenty-four years the Mastership of Sevenoaks Grammar School, in which he was succeeded by the Eev. J. T. Wilgress, 26 May 1813. Mr. Whitehead was also Vicar of All Saints, Cambridge. Owing to the unfitness of the Glebe house at Kemsing Mr. Whitehead obtained the Bishop's licence to reside at Seal. During his incumbency Seal Church underwent a restoration, as appeared by an inscription on the gallery which formerly occupied the west end of the nave:—"This Church was repaired at the charge of the parish, and was new-pewed and ornamented by voluntary contributions, A.D. 1828. Bev(1 G. Whitehead, Vicar, Thomas Thompson and William Cronk, Churchwardens." A mural tablet at the west end of the south aisle records the death of Mr. Whitehead on 23 July 1838, and makes mention of his distinguished classical attainments. VOL. xx. T 274 TWO INCUMBENTS OF KEMSING WITH SEAL INCUMBENTS. PATEONS. JOHN N. HAEWAED, M.A., inst. 22 Mary, Countess Dowager Sept. 1838, on death of the last. of Plymouth. (Eochest. Eegist. 1824-67, f. 71.) *3 THOMAS 0. BLACKALL, B.A., inst. 4 Earl Amherst. Aug. 1846, on resig. of the last. (Eegist. Howley, f. 790.) ** CHAELES EDWAED FEW, M.A., inst. Hon. Mortimer Sackville to New Vicarage of Seal 2 Oct. West. 1874. (Eegist. Tait, ii., 598.) « « JOHN N. HAEWAED. Of Wore. Coll., Ox., B.A. 1818, M.A. 1820. After an incumbency of rather less than eight years, Mr. Harward tendered his resignation, which was accepted 23 June 1846. He was Domestic Chaplain to the Bishop of Eochester. By an Order in Council, dated 8 August 1845, it was decreed that from 1 January 1846 the deanery of Malling should be transferred, with others, to tbe diocese of Canterbury, whereupon Kemsing and Seal ceased to be in the " THOMAS 0. BLACKALL. Student of Ch. Ch., Ox., B.A. 1844, M.A. 1848. He was ordained Priest 7 June 1846, and licensed to the assistant curacy of Kemsing with Seal. In the year 1855 extensive alterations were effected in the church, when the west gallery was removed and the north aisle erected. An inscription on the inner wall, over the south porch door, records that,—" This Church was completely restored and the North Aisle erected by voluntary contributions A0 D1 1855. Thomas Offspring Blackall, Vicar, Marquess Camden, W. Cronk, junior, Churchwardens." At Whitsuntide 1863 a service of Communion Plate, consisting of chalice, paten, and flagon, was presented to the church by Capt. Francis Bandolph, E.E., an old parishioner. A New District of St. Lawrence, Seal, was constituted by an Order in Council, dated 4 November 1867, and the Eev. B. P. Thompson, M.A., was appointed Incumbent, on the nomination of Horace Wilkinson, Esq. St. Lawrence Church was consecrated in the month of June 1868. On 20 August 1869 the churchyard of Seal was enlarged by an additional piece of ground being consecrated for burials. On 6 August 1874 Seal was separated from Kemsing by an Order in Council, and a new Vicarage, of St. Peter's, Seal, was constituted. With the exception of a brief interval during the Commonwealth period, the two parishes of Kemsing and Seal had been united, and served by the same rector or vicar from very early times. 45 CHAELES EDWAED FEW. Of Ch. Ch., Ox., B.A. 1864, MA. 1868. In the year following his institution Mr. Few added greatly to the picturesque appearance of Seal churchyard by erecting a handsome and useful lich gate at the entrance on the south side; and in the year 1878 the ancient vestry underwent by his exertions considerable alteration, which has rendered it much more convenient both for choir and parish purposes. AND ONE VICAB OF ST. PETER'S, SEAL. 275 On 23 October 1877, the District Chapelry of St. Margaret, Under Eiver, was constituted a new vicarage by an Order in Council, and the Eev. Geo Morley, M.A., was instituted Vicar 5 February 1878, on presentation by the Et. Hon. Baron Sackville of Knole, the patron. In the year 1879 the north aisle of the nave of Seal Church was extended eastward to form a chamber for an organ, built the previous year by Messrs. Forster and Andrews of Hull. A brass label bears the following inscription in black-letter characters:—" To the Glory of God, and in memory of a beloved Wife, and devoted Mother, who loved to worship there, this Organ was given to the Parish Church of St. Peter, Seal, Kent, March 213t, 1878." In the year 1886 the old 5th bell was recast, the original inscription being judiciously preserved, and the following words added:—" Eecast by John Warner & Sons, London, 1886. C E. Few, Vicar, F. A. Forbes, G. T. Brown, Ch. Wardens." At the same time a new bell was given which bears the inscription:—"This bell was presented to the Church of St. Peter, Seal, by Charles Henry Mills, on the occasion of the marriage of his son Charles William Mills with the Honorable Alice Harbord, April 1886." During Mr. Few's incumbency numerous other offerings have been made to the church, among which may be briefly mentioned two elegant sanctuary candle standards, both which bear the inscription:—" In memory of John Charles, Marquis Camden, born June 30th 1840, died May 4th 1872. Given by his Brothers and Sisters." Also a handsome decorated oak screen, placed between the north aisle and the organ chamber, which bears the inscription:—" To the Glory of God, and in Memory of a beloved Father, this screen was given A.D. 1890 by Francis Augustine Forbes, Churchwarden." In addition to parochial bequests already mentioned the Benefaction Tables in the south aisle record that:—" The Lord of the Manor of Knole agrees- to give annually 500 fagots to the Poor of the Parish of Seal." Also that:—"The Possessor of Wildernesse Park agrees to give annually 100 fagots to the Poor of the Parish of Seal." Also on a metal tablet against the west wall of the same aisle is the following memorandum of "The Eandolph Annuity,"—"Frances Eandolph, of Godden Green, In memory of her deceased husband, Captain Francis Eandolph, E.E., has appropriated the sum of £323. 14. 10 in Consolidated 3 per cent. Annuities, the interest of which is to be paid by the Vicar of Seal, to a widow nominated by him. The widow must have resided at least 5 years in the Ecclesiastical Parish of Seal, without having received Parish relief, and must not be under 50 years of age. Full particulars are entered in the Parish Vestry Book. June 1878." During the tenure of office of the present Incumbent and his immediate predecessor, many memorial windows in stained-glass have been inserted, which have contributed to render this church singularly rich in colour and artistic design. T 2