Visitations of the Archdeacon of Canterbury

( 11 ) VISITATIONS OE THE ARCHDEACON OE CANTERBUEY. BY ARTHUR HUSSEY. [THE following Extracts from tbe Volumes labelled "Comperta et Detecta/' preserved in the Cathedral Library at Canterbury, relate to the following parishes in the Deanery of Westbere, viz.: Birchington, Chislet, Heme, Minster, Monkton, and Eeculver. We hope to complete the presentments relating to the Deanery in the next Volume of Archceologia Cantiana. In the instalment now printed are included all presentments concerning the above-named parishes made in the Archidiaconal Court from the accession of Queen Elizabeth until the days of Queen Anne. Mr. Hussey has also transcribed for us the returns made by these parishes for the Visitation of Archbishop Parker in 1569. The unsettled condition of the Church during Parker's primacy has so frequently received illustration from contemporary sources that the following extracts can scarcely supply much new material for the historian, and the " Comperta " have to some extent been already drawn upon by the late Canon Jenkins for his History of the Diocese of Canterbury j but a complete transcription of these books has not hitherto been attempted,* and it is confidently hoped that the information they contain may be of value to the topographer, genealogist, and parochial historian, and may, for the side-light they throw upon many long-forgotten usages, be interesting to the majority of our Members. Mr. Hussey wishes to express his thanks to the Dean and Chapter and their Librarian for their courtesy m granting him facilities for examining these records.— EDITORS.] * A few passages only have been omitted as too gross for publication. 12 VISITATIONS OE THE B1KCH1NG-TON. 1587. We present Thomas Smith of our parish for dwelling in our parish and having a wife and not living with her according to law. (Fol. 25.) 1589. We present our chancel is at reparation, and is to be repaired by Mr. Philip Browne. (Fol. 198.) Vol. for years 1587—89. 1590. Anne Browne the elder, gentlewoman, for that she did openly, in the face of the whole congregation, the 15th day of August last past, presumptuously usurp and take upon her the office and duty of our minister, as the child of one John Hilh of our said parish was brought to be baptized, in the signing it with the sign of the cross, contrary to the laws of this realm. (Fol. 9.) 1591. Isaac Doggett and Thomas Coleman, the churchwardens, for that they have not presented divers faults committed within the parish, and especially Mr. Browne and others for not receiving the Communion, and also have not presented divers other matters. On 13 December 1591 they appeared before Stephen Lake, the official of the Archdeacon, and said : They had omitted to present Mr. Philip Browne for not receiving the Communion, and also for not presenting Mr. Atton, Curate there [1590—96], for not wearing the surplice in time of Divine Service, and for that he hath not signed children with the sign of the cross at such times as they were by him baptized; and also for that the said Mr. Attou hath not observed the Book of Common Prayer as he ought to do ; that they have presented such faults as they have known to be amiss within their parish, and have of late presented the said Mr. Atton for that he doth not every Sunday and Holy day wear the surplice. (Fol. 15.) We present Mr. Atton, the Curate, for that he doth not wear the surplice every Sunday and Holy day, but many Sundays in the year he weareth the same, and especially at such times as he administered the Communion. When on 27 July he appeared in the Court of the Archdeacon, he said he would have worn the surplice oftener than he hath done if tiie same had been a sufficient and decent surplice as is required, and saith he doth not refuse to wear the same. (Fol. 22.) On the 18th January 1591-2, when George Atton again appeared, he stated: That he doth observe the Book of Common Prayer ARCHDEACON OE CANTERBURY. 13 in the administrations of the Sacraments and celebrating Divine Service, and that he weareth the surplice and doth sign children with the sign of the cross at such times as they are christened according to the Book of Common Prayer. (Fol. 58.) Vol. 1591—93. 1600. We present Eichard Hisedale for that he withholdeth the Church goods, refusing both to enter into bond and also to make account for the same. (Fol. 158.) Vol. 1598—1600. 1602. We present unto the Court that the Church or Chapel of Woodchurch in Thanet, and a certain school-house adjoining thereunto, which school-house was erected heretofore for education and teaching of the young of our parish, as the fame goeth. That the said Church and school-house are much and almost altogether ruinated and defaced, and, as the common report and fame is in our parish, one Thomas Eowe of Birchington did pull and take down the school-house aforesaid, or part of them, or cause them so to be taken down and defaced of purpose, to convert the same to private uses and buildings, as the fame goeth in our parish. On the 27th day of July, when Eowe appeared in Court, he stated : That he pulled down part of the school-house by the procurement of Mr. Henry Crispe. The workmen that were put on the work by Mr. Crispe for the pulling down of the school-house was one Thomas Kogers, now or lately abiding with Mr. Fogg of Eastry, and others of Mr. Crispe his servants. Afterwards Eowe, being further examined, said : That about three or four years ago, Mr. Crispe being then about to build a house near unto the Church or Chapel of Woodchurch, the labourers which were used then to serve the masons, being so appointed by Eowe, gathered up some good quantity of stones which fell from the walls of the said Church, and the masons employed the same stones on the building aforesaid. And he saith that some lead of the said Church was pulled off by him and one Eobert Huyton of Quex, was carried by Eowe's carts, being hired thereunto, unto Mr. Crispe his house called Quex in Thanet, and there left, and some two or three loads of the old timber of the same Church was carried unto the new-built house of Mr. Crispe his at Woodchurch, and there left in the close on an heap by Eowe as Mr. Crispe willed him.* (Fol. 1.) Vol. 1602—1604. * The stones from this old Church may be seen at the present day in the farm buildings that are on the other side of the road, opposite thesite of Woodchurch, The parish was united to Birohington, and the old font is at Quex. 14 VISITATIONS OE THE 1606. We, the churchwardens of the said parish, do present as followeth:— James Pierce, inhabitant, for not paying his cess, amounting to the sum of 24s. 6d.; also Henry Archer, 46s. 8d.; Leonard Goodson, 2s. 4d.; Valentine Pettit, gent., an outdweller, for refusing to pay £3 6s. 9d.; John Couper of Monkton and Eobert Crosse of St. Peter's, 41s. (Fols. 124, 125.) Vol. 1606-7. 1608. James Barnard, Cleric, Curate of Birchington in Thanet [1606—13], for that he married two couples in times prohibited without licence. (Fol. 36.) Vol. 160S-9. 1613. We present Valentine Pettit, gent., of St. John's, and William Barbett of Minster, and Henry Archer of Monkton, for that they and every of them have refused (as formerly) to pay the assess made for the reparation of the Church or Chapel of Birchington and the Vill of Wood, subscribed unto by the hands of the parishioners of both Chapels and certified under Mr. Doctor Newman's own hand. (Fol. 7.) Further, we present Henry Archer of Monkton, for that he hath now since the year 1602 detained and kept in his hands twelve ewes, parcel of our Church stock, for the which he was to pay yearly six shillings for the use of them, but he hath refused not only to pay the yearly rent but to restore the said twelve ewes again to the parish. (Fol. 8.) 1614. Silas Hawker, Cleric [1613—18], for serving the cure there without licence. (Fol. 95.) Edward Harris, for refusing to pay the Clerk his wages for three whole years, due at Our Lady's day last, at sixteen pence a year. (Fol. 133.) Thomas Trice, for working harvest work the 21st and 28th day of August last past, being Sundays. On 4 October 1614 he appeared in Court and confessed: That on the same days he was both at morning and evening prayer, and that he did that work which he did on those days in the mornings. (Fol. 148.) 1615. Frances Ashdon and Widow Hoskin the elder, for not paying the Clerk of Birchington his wages. Steven Knight, the servant of William Ford, for disordering himself with drink on the 16th of April 1615. (Fol. 195.) Vol. 1613—16. ARCHDEACON OF CANTERBURY. 15 1617. That one Agnes Ellis or Hayward of that parish doth practise the art of surgery. That one Leonard Duke of Woodchurch in Birchington, for working on St. Matthias Day and the King's Day last past. (Fol. 107.) John Tomlin, Hamon Finch, and William Barbett, for covering up the procession linch* from Woodchurch Wood to the highway leading from Minster to St. John's. And we present again the same William Barbett for the procession linch leading along the same way to St. John's. (Fol. 219.) 1617. Edmund Knight, for that his waggon and his horse went on St. Matthias Day last past from Birchington to St. John's [Margate] in the Isle of Thanet. On 9 March 1617-18 Knight appeared in Court, and confessed that on St. Matthias Day last past, he being from home, his servant did go abroad with his waggon without his consent, but saith that hereafter he and his servants will observe the Holy days. (Fol. 229.) Vol. 1616—18. 1618. We have a Service-book and Bible, but no book of Homilies, our Curate preacheth weekly to us. We have such a pulpit, but an alms-chest we use none; our collectors distribute continually as the poor do need. (Fol. 30.) 1619. We present John Twyman of St. John's in Thanet, blacksmith, for abusing himself at Birchington the 20th day of June 1619, with drunkenness, fighting, and quarrelling with every one, and in shameful ribaldry against men and women, and especially against Arnold Kopp and his mother, too shameful to be spoken, using most filthy and opprobrious speeches against the Minister being in his study and against his wife in ribaldry, saying if he be presented for it, it was but a 3s. 4d. charge. (Fol. 329.) Vol. 1617—19. On the 12th day of July 1620 appeared in the Court Thomas Greenfield, Curate, for that (as it hath appeared manifestly unto the Judge of this Court) he hath made much debate and contention in the same parish of Birchington since he hath been Curate there, and made many invective and splenative sermons, abusing texts of Scripture to fit his own hands, and to gall, touch, and personate * A linch is the strip of land that marks the boundary of the fields in open countries. (Dictionary Kentish Dialect.) 16 VISITATIONS OP THE such of his parishioners as he was offended at, and hath also endeavoured to stir up strife and discontentment between Mr. Doctor Clarke, the Vicar, and the parishioners, as also to betray the right of the said Vicar in choosing of the Parish Clerk there; for whereas Doctor Clarke had chosen one Thomas Groome, a fit man for that purpose, who was also approved by the Judge of this Court, he the said Mr. Greenfield, after the said Doctor Clarke had published the same his choice, joined with some of the parishioners in the choice of another, namely, one Thomas Crompe, an ale-house keeper, and therefore unfit, of purpose to cross the said Doctor Clarke's choice and right in choosing, which by the Canons of the Church of England he hath power to do. And yet, not contented therewith, but further to accomplish his designs, by corrupt means hath endeavoured to obtain of the Judge of this Court the establishment of the said Thomas Crompe in the same clerkship. And for that also the said Mr. Greenfield, without respect to his function and calling, hath demeaned himself very basely in frequenting base company in ale-houses, and in doing base and servile work, as going bare-legged to catch fish with ripps* at his back, and making of mortar to mend his house and to serve the mason withal when he was building, and many such like offences and things. (Fol. 108.) Vol. 1619-21. 1621. We present Henry Archer for that he doth detain from the Parish Church of Birchington twelve sheep, with the rent at sixpence the year, being behind thirteen years. (Fol. 28.) 1622. Nathaniel Wyhall, for not resorting to our Parish Church; but he doth not only absent himself, but being a drummer doth draw away our youth on the Sabbath Day to unseemly pastimes, as, namely, he going drumming with them following him about the island on the Sabbath Days in the time of Divine Service. (Fol. 171.) Vol. 1621-2. 1628. John Cramp, for that he (to the profanation of the Sabbath and evil example of others, he being a sworn officer) did on Easter Day last past teen or inend hedges or an hedge. And likewise for that he on the Sunday next after Whit Sunday not only absented himself from Divine Service in his Parish Church both forenoon and afternoon, but also (which was worse) misspent * Rip is a pannier or basket, used in pairs and slung on each side of a horse, for carrying fish, salt, sand, etc. A Ripper is a pedlar who carries fish for sale in a rip or basket. (Dictionary Kentish Dialect.) ARCHDEACON OE CANTERBURY. 17 and profaned the same Sabbath Day by being with his son and daughter dancing at a garland* at the house of George Bennett in the afternoon of the Sunday aforesaid, with much other company. (Fol. 91.) 1629. Henry Carey and Henry Piatt of the parish, for denying and refusing to pay their cesses towards the reparation of the said Church, Carey being cessed at fifteen pence and Piatt at two shillings, which several sums have often been demanded of them. (Fol. 153.) Vol. 1627—30. 1636. James Piers, for breaking the fast holden on the 23rd day of November last by carrying of dung with his horse and cart through the street here, and continuing to do so after the Minister of the place wished him to forbear. (Fol. 2.) 1637. Jane the wife of Osmund Manley, for a common swearer. William Seamer, for the same notorious crime. We have but one woman doth use the office of a midwife of our parish that we know of, namely, the Widow Jurden, but by what authority she doth use the same we know not, William Culmer, for going to plough on St. Mark's Day, both forenoon and afternoon. Thomas Linch, for not frequenting the Church, but very often absenting himself from there on Sundays. Nicholas Hopkins of Monkton, for coming into our Church upon Easter Monday in the forenoon, when the parishioners were there assembled to choose officers and take the accounts of the old, and there disturbing us, threatening us and upbraiding us, and would not be entreated nor persuaded to depart thence. (Fols. 50, 51.) 1638. We present Eobert Worsley of our parish, miller, for accusing divers of the inhabitants of our parish . . . . that so he may receive there such punishment as shall be thought fit. (Fol. 242.) 1639. We present Eobert Worsley for not receiving the Communion at any time this last year since Easter 1638, nor at Easter 1639. (Fol. 253.) Vol. 1636-39. * This word " garland " for a social gathering is also used in a presentment from Preston-next-Wingham in 1608. The German kram has the same double sense—garland = wreath, and social gathering. VOL, xxv, C 18 VISITATIONS OE THE The wife of one Gilbert Turner of Westbere, for travelling with an horse-load of fruit upon Sunday the 18th day of August from Westbere to our parish, and there to sell the same. Susan Seamer, for her common and fearful swearing and cursing. We present the same Susan for her most shameful and ordinary filthy and impure speeches and obscene songs and immodest behaviour, such as we shame to relate. (Fol. 8.) Anne Hart, for her swearing and blasphem}' and filthy scolding and impure speeches. John Smith of our parish, for binding of bark upon Sunday the 11th of August this present year, 1639. (Fol. 9.) Alexander Kason of our parish, for being drinking and in excess of drink, as the fame goeth, and his own wife reported, in the house of Widow Hey ward of our parish on Sunday the 29th of November in Divine Service and sermon time. Jobn Heyward and Edward Heyward, the widow's sons, Thomas Brown, her sonin- law, Gilbert Dadds and William Dadds his son, of our parish, keeping him company, as the fame goeth, for whieh I present them and the said Widow Heyward also. (Fol. 11.) On the 30th January 1639-40 John Heyward appeared in Court and confessed : That he was in the house at the time detected, but went not to drink nor had any drink in Service time, going thither to help and comfort his mother, being then in distress by reason of the unhealing of her house by the late severe time. The same date Edward Heyward stated: That ho went not to the house to stay, nor did stay there, but only went to leave his key of his house at his mother's house as lie went to Church. Thomas Browne alleged : That living in the Widow Heyward's house, and being tired and much spent in toiling over night about some ruins occasioned by the late storm, he kept home and was not at Church, but did not offend by drinking or tippling there. Gilbert Dadds and his son William Dadds said: That as he was going to Church, and seeing the Widow Heyward's distress and extremity by reason of the storm, went in to relieve her, and so absented himself from Church at that time. William Dadds said that he came only to call away his father, and tarried not there. (Fol. 12.) I, Francis Fox, one of the sidesmen of the parish of Birchington, do present Thomas Squire, servant to George Marlow there, for his usual threshing of corn on holidays and cleaning of the same on Sundays. ARCHDEACON OE CANTERBURY. 19 When on the 10th day of February 1639-40 he appeared in Court, he alleged: That he hath at some times threshed corn on Holy days to make fodder for cattle, which otherwise would have wanted meat; and that he never did clean any corn on Sunday, as is detected. Henry Austen of our parish, for working on Innocents' Day last, in carrying in a stack of barley. On 30 January 1639-40 Austen appeared in Court, and confessed it was true, but said it was the next day after the late great storm. (Fol. 12.) Vol. 1639—66. [By the temporary abolition of Episcopacy in 1641 by the Puritan party, William Kingsley, Archdeacon of Canterbury (1619—48), was unable to hold any visitations, and he died on the 29th day of January 1647-8. It was not until the 12th day of July 1660 that George Hall was appointed Archdeacon of Canterbury, void by the death of Doctor Kingsley.] 1664. We present those whose names are hereafter mentioned for refusing to pay their several assessments, namely:— Eichard Dowse, one of the churchwardens, 20s.; Eoger Toddy, 49s. 8(1.; Eichard Dabbodge, sidesman of the aforesaid parish, 20s.; Johu Pamphlett of Minster, 38s.; John Turner, 50s.; John Welbee, £5 8s. 4d.; Thomas Hatcher, 26s. (Fols. 289, 290.) Margery wife of George Smith, for practising midwifery without licence. (Fol. 295.) 1666. We, the churchwardens of Monkton, upon the complaint of the Clerk of the said parish unto us, do certify the default of William Culmer of Acol for not paying the said Parish Clerk his accustomed dues, which is 2s. 6d. the year, from Michaelmas 1660 to Michaelmas 1665, for forty-five acres of land according to the ancient way of computation there, that is, after the rate of six shillings and eight pence for every six score acres of arable land. (Fol. 449.) William Covell and his wife, John Covell and his wife, for standing excommunicate above forty days and not coining to the Church. John Smith, Thomas Nubbs, his wife and daughter, for not coming to the Church. (Fol. 450.) Mr. John Ailing [Vicar 1662—1710], for sometimes wearing no hood, and for sometimes wearing a mauvy or purple-coloured hood, P 2 20 VISITATIONS OE THE and for saying no Divine Service on Wednesdays and Fridays. Also for baptizing Thomas Hatcher's child on St. Andrew's Day, at his the said Thomas Hatcher's house. (Fol. 451.) I, John Aylinge, Vicar of Monkton, do present these persons following for not receiving the Holy Sacrament in the year last past, 1665 : John Wood, Ambrose Evoard, Leonard Norrice, William Crompe, Anthony Twyman, Henry Cray. (Fol. 485.) Also Andrew Cowell and John Laminge for refusing to be uncovered in the time of Divine Service and sermon. (Fol. 486.) Vol. 1639—66. 1678. Eobert Taddy, farmer, of the parsonage of Birchington, for that there is some defect in the ceiling of the said chancel over the Communion Table, for want of a board there, and causeth that the walls of the said chancel are in some places somewhat become green for want of whitewashing. (Fol. 37.) 1679. The churchwardens, John Goar and John Creak, for not beautifying their Parish Church. On 9 October Mr. Ayling, the Vicar, stated in Court the Church is whitewashed, but the seats are not yet set up. (Fol. 49.) 1694. That the steeple of the Parish Church by long neglect of former officers is in ruin and much to repair, and that a view of the charge thereof hath been lately taken by one Long, a carpenter of good skill, who affirms the same is much out of repair, and in great danger to be shaken down by the winds, in case some care be not taken this summer to prevent it, and that the charge thereof will amount to £40 in his opinion. And Mr. Ayling of the said parish did affirm that Long did take a view of the steeple, and did declare the charge of repairing the same would not be less than about £40; and that the parishioners have been acquainted therewith and asked to give [consent] for the making of a church cess in order to repair the same, and that they refuse to grant one sufficient thereunto. Whereupon the Judge did monish Mr. Bridges, one of the churchwardens, that he do forthwith make a church cess sufficient to make good the said repairs, and do accordingly cause the said steeple to be well and sufficiently repaired as formerly, and certify how far the same is repaired at the Michaelmas Visitation next." (Fol. 209.) Vol. 1675—98. 1712. Eoger Taddy of St. John the Baptist in the Isle of Thanet, for non-payment of £1 4s. 9d. for five years' dues to the ARCHDEACON OF CANTERBURY. 21 Parish Clerk of Birchington. On the 3rd day of July, when Taddy appeared in Court, he denied that he ought to pay any clerk's dues in Birchington, having no house within the said parish, but confesses he uses some lands within the said parish which belong to a house or farm there, which is inhabited, and be supposes the tenant thereof pays or ought to pay the Parish Clerk his accustomed dues. (Fol. 139.) Vol. 1678—1735. CHISLET. 1560. Tbe Vicarage is in decay through the Vicar there. Eichard Bere is presented for withholding a seam [eight bushels] of barley and two shillings of money, which was given to the Church yearly to be paid, aud hath not been paid this sixteen years. Vol. 1560—84. [In 1569 Archbishop Parker held a Visitation, which was made by Eichard Eogers, Bishop of Dover, Andrew Pierson, B.D., and Thomas Lawse, who were appointed Commissioners by the Archbishop for that purpose, and the volume containing the returns made is in the Cathedral Library.] Chislet Eectory. Impropriator, the Archbishop of Canterbury. Vicar, James Peers, who is married and resides in the City of Canterbury; has only one benefice; no preacher or licensed to preach; he is not a graduate. Curate, Barnabas Turner, who is married and has no other benefice; no preacher; is not a graduate. Houses in the parish . . 62 Communicants . . . . 100 1569. That Eobert Young of St. Paul's parish was wont to pay twelve pence a year to the Church, saving for the space of these four years detaineth the same. The Minister omitteth the Litany and the Homilies, and expoundeth some part of the Scriptures. That Thomas Hardyman and James Cob come not to their own Parish Church, being two miles off, but go to the next Parish Church. Vol. 1569. 1574. Ambrose Eose, for not repairing the churchyard fence, being farmer of the Court lodge. Vol. 1574—76. 22 VISITATIONS OE THE 1577. John Consant will not pay unto us the ten shillings which your Worship did give unto the parish towards a Book of Martyrs. We have the book, but we cannot get the money. (Fol. 2.) 1582. The churchyard is at this time unfenced for lack of time. The fence of the Court lodge by a hedge is at decay. (Fol. 110.) Vol. 1577—85. 1584. John Consant, for that he withholdeth certain duties for the burial of his mother, being buried in the Church of Chislet, six shillings and eight pence. Also six shillings and eight pence towards the reparation of the Church. (Fo). 1.) John Ward, for that he doth withhold forty shillings, the which John Taylor gave by his last will and testament towards the reparation of tbe Church. On the 10th day of October 1584 Ward appeared in the Court, and said: That he is neither ex'or or administrator to the will or goods of the said John Taylor; but for the better information of their enquiry in this behalf, saith that William Taylor was ex'or of the testament of John Taylor, in his lifetime, for that the said John his father left him in durance for bond to pay the above the value of the goods of the said John. These were left unpaid by the said William Taylor for his father as ex'or to him. (Fol. 2.) 1585. The Church is annoyed by a gutter for the lack of mending. Oliver Philips, our Vicar [1584—87], is not resident, nor to our knowledge hath not given the fortieth part to the poor. The perambulation and circuit hath not been walked this two years. (Fol. 18.) 1590. We present Mr. Charles Fotherby, Vicar of Chislet [1592], that neither he nor any other by his assignment hath served our Parish Church since Candlemas past. Our Church and chancel and parsonage-house, for that they be unrepaired. The Clerk of our parish, for saying of Service and burying the dead. (Fols. 67, 68.) 1593. We present Mr. Martin Fotherby, our Vicar [1592—94], having a pentise belonging unto the vicarage-house uncovered. (Fol. 132.) All is well, saving that certain eaves belonging to the vicarage are unrepaired. Presented at the last Visitation. ARCHDEACON OF CANTERBURY. 23 That Mr. Martin Fotherby their Vicar is not resident upon his benefice, neither doth distribute tbe fortieth part of his benefice amongst the poor of the same parish. (Fol. 145.) 1595. The vicarage is not repaired. That Stephen Hinksell, Parish Clerk, in the absence of Mr. John Milner, their Minister, at divers Sunday times did read Common Prayer in their Church. (Fol. 165.) I, Eobert Heming, Vicar of Chislet [1594—1600], do present that the church-house of Chislet so called, usually being a rental belonging to the same parish, is very ruinous, and hath so continued without any care taken for the reparation of the same a long time. (Fol. 167.) That Mr. Eobert Heming their Vicar is not resident, and hath not distributed the fortieth part of his benefice amongst the poor. The Vicar, when he appeared in Court, stated that he is resident at Alkham, and hath a sufficient Curate at Chislet. (Fol. 168.) 1599. We present the vicarage-house for that it hath no reparations, and is not sufficiently kept up or repaired. We present the Vicar for that he doth not bestow the fortieth part of his living for being non-resident. We present that the children are not catechized. (Fol. 168.) Anthony Stubbleforth, for that he doth withhold the duty from the Church, which is out of a piece of land, twelve shillings by the year. (Fol. 176.) 1600. We present Pleasance Collier, daughter unto William Collier of the parish of Chislet, and George Knowler of the parish of Heme, son unto Thomas Knowler, for that the said Pleasance and George have been three several times lawfully asked, and have been so asked five or six Sundays past, and not married, and whether they will marry we know not. (Fol. 229.) That John Nuttinge doth not ordinarily frequent his Parish Church of Chislet, because be dwelleth two miles from his Parish Church of Chislet, and dwelleth very near unto Eeculver Church, and doth ordinarily frequent that Church. (Fol. 231.) That our parisli is without a surplice and a Communion cloth, both the carpet and the Communion table-cloth and towels. (Fol. 241.) We present Timothy Fugester of Grove Ferry within the parish of Chislet, for that they keep open their door in the Service time. About Midsummer last past in the afteruoon of Sunday there should 24 VISITATIONS OF THE have been a garland with a minstrel playing there. I went after dinner and gave them warning of it, but yet their door was kept open and full of people. And after evening prayer there was dancing, and William Calkyn, churchwarden, did tell the good man of it, and he was iu great rage with me, and said he would present me, for because I went in the Service time to see what I might there was. (Fol. 242.) Vol. 1584—95. 1613. By virtue of the 113th Canon, I present that Eobert Baker of Grove Ferry in the said parish, keeping an ale-house a mile or more from the Church, doth usually entertain guests in his house, and selleth unto them drink and other provision, on the Sundays and Holy days in time of Divine Service and preaching of the Word of God, and mainly upon Sunday being the 4th of this instant month of July. On the 24th of July 1613 Baker appeared in Court, and alleged that he keepeth victualling at Grove Ferry, which is upon the river come from Sandwich to Canterbury, and that by reason thereof sometimes when the lighters upon necessity pass that way he is fain to entertain them upon the Sabbath Day. I pray the churchwardens may be called to shew why the Eegister of Marriages, etc., is kept only by the Clerk, and neither themselves nor the Minister can have the use of it, except the Clerk approve it, by reason whereof there is at this instant, I think, twenty or upwards of christenings, marriages, and burials remain unregistered. On the 12th day of July Eichard Norwood appeared in Court and confessed: That the Eegister Book mentioned was and is in the custody of the Clerk, but it remaineth in a chest in the Church there, and that all the names of such as have been married, christened, and buried in the parish of Chislet aforesaid are registered. Lawrence Hewett the Clerk confessed that the Eegister Book is in his keeping, for that it usually was wont so to be committed to his keeping, yet the same book remaineth in a chest in the Church. And further, that all the names of such as have been married, christened, or buried iu the said parish of Chislet are registered in the same book as he verily believeth. (Fol. 113.) 1617. We have one John Pantry who teacheth children in our parish, but he is not allowed thereunto by the Ordinary, so far as we know or can hear. (Fol. 280.) Vol. 1610—17, Part I. ARCHDEACON OF CANTERBURY. 25 Eichard Hogbean of Chislet, for being absent from Church two Sundays, the 5th and 12th of October last past, for fishing both days. On the 15th of November 1617 he appeared in Court and explained : That the reason of his absence from Church and fishing on those days was for that one William Hogbean his brother, being then very sick and much desiring and longing for eels, requested him to catch him some if it were possible. He did on both those days endeavour to catch him some, but saith he was not about the business of catching the same eels above the space of two hours on either day. (Fol. 6.) Eobert Terry, for profaning of the Sabbath Day by carrying wheat with his waggon, and also for binding barley and powting of podder* upon the Sabbath. On the 3rd day of November 1617 Terry appeared in the Court and confessed: That upon one Sabbath Day happening in harvestlast past he did carry wheat, but saith it was in the evening after sunset, and that he was both at evening and morning prayer the same day; and further confesseth that upon one other Sunday happening in harvest last he did bind barley, but it was in the evening after sunset. (Fol. 7.) ' Vol. 1610—17, Part II. 1620. Eobert Chewner, Curate of the parish, for serving the same cure without licence. (Fol. 207.) Vol. 1619—21. 1626. I, John Gee,t Vicar of Chislet [1624—28], present that John Carpenter, a straggling fellow who is lately come into our parish, for teaching of school there without licence, and for disordering himself by excessive drinking or drunkenness as the fame goeth in our parish. (Fol. 117.) Vol. 1625—27. 1639. I, William Watts, licensed schoolmaster in the parish of St. Nicholas-at-Wade in the Isle of Thanet, do certify to the Court t h a t . . . . Foster, wife of Thomas Foster of Chislet, whose house bordereth upon the skirt of the parish of St. Nicholas aforesaid, doth teach school, namely, to write and read, to the prejudice of me and my licence, in regard that all or most of her scholars are of the parish of St. Nicholas, wherefore I humbly desire she may be inhibited from teaching. (Fol. 261.) Vol. 1636—39. * Podder is beans, peas, tares, vetches, or such vegetables as have pods. Pout is a small round stack. In fields hay is put into small heaps called cooks, and larger ones pouts. {Dictionary Kentish Dialect.) t For this Vicar, see Dictionary National Biography, vol. xxi., pp. 107,108. 26 VISITATIONS OF THE HEENE. 1569. The Bible is torn and broken in divers places. That the ministrations are not read according as is appointed in the same ministrations. That Mr. Vicar [John Bridges, 1562—91] hath stopped up a window in the chancel and taken away the iron bars and hath dobed [? daubed] up the window. And that their Church goods hath been sold by Thomas Bridges and Thomas Ewell, churchwardens, and, with the consent of the parish, hath taken £15, part hath been bestowed on the Church and the rest is to be bestowed. That Mr. Vicar should be a peace-maker but is a peace-breaker. That the said Vicar did send his wife away from him, being in her travail, and is given to filthy " lykar." The said Vicar hath another benefice in Essex. That the said Vicar and Mr. Eobert Seathe are in great fault for railing and scolding to the disquiet of the parish. Vol. 1569. 1589. Our chancel is very decayed through the default of not amending the same, and so far come to ruin that we shall be driven to remove our Communion Table into the body of the Church. (Fol. 159.) Vol. 1587—89. 1590. We, the churchwardens and sidesmen of Heme, do present those whose names are hereunder written, for not paying the wages due to the Parish Clerk there, as we are informed by him:— Mr. Fineux, Esq., for eleven years, £3 ; John Sea, gent., at 4s. the year for eleven years, £2 4s. ; Jobn Allen, 5s.; Eobert Ewell, 3s.; William Ewell, 3s. 4d.; James Denne, Is. 6d. (Fol. 11.) Vol. 1590-91. 1592. Thomas Paramore of Chislet, for that he refuseth to pay nine shillings which is yearly due to be paid unto the churchwardens of the said parish of Heme, to be employed to the maintenance of the Church there, having been withholden by the said Thomas Paramore by the space of four years at the least, which hath always beeu accustomed to be paid out of a certain house and lands, which are the said Thomas Paramore's, situated and being in the borough of Beltinge within the parish of Heme. Our chancel is also greatly at decay, and is to be repaired in my Lord Grace his behalf, by those who have the parsonage, which is Mr. John Smyth. Esquire, as we can prove by ancient writings which we have. (Fol. 164.) Vol. 1591—93. ARCHDEACON OF CANTERBURY. 27 1596. William Seare, for a negligent comer to the Church. When he appeared in Court he said and alleged that by reason of many debts and sums of money, whereiu he is indebted to divers men, he hath been enforced to refrain coming to the Church lest he should be arrested. (Fol. 113.) Vol. 1594—96. 1597. John Wyneforn of our said parish, that he is a negligent comer to our Parish Church, being not able to pay the forfeiture. (Fol. 68.) 1598. Edward Sea, William Sea, and Fyneux Sea, sons of John Sea, gent., the youngest of the age of seventeen years, and neither of them to our knowledge hath received the Communion at any time. (Fol. 209.) Vol. 1596—98. 1609. Edward Sea, gent., of Heme, for that he refuseth to pay his cess made towards the relief of the poor of the same parish, the sum of 40s. On the 27th day of February 1609-10, it was stated in the Court: That Mr. Sea, father of the said Edward Sea, who lately dwelt within the same parish and in the house wherein the said Edward Sea now dwelleth, by the space of these seven, six, five, or four years now last past, and during all the same time or the more part thereof had far greater lands and possessions, lying and being in the same parish of Heme, which he converted and employed to his own use, great part whereof the said . . . . Sea, by his last will and testament and otherwise, hath given and disposed to diverse persons, was at the same time when he enjoyed the same lands and possessions taxed for the use, of the poor of the same parish at the sum of 20s. or 26s. yearly and not above, and he, the said Edward Sea, having far less lands and possessions in the same parish than his said father, is taxed aud cessed (as by the said presented presentment appeareth) at a far greater sum than his said father was. (Fol. 97.) John Knowler of Heme, for that he likewise refuseth to pay the same cess to the poor, being cessed at 8s. Also George Terry, 4s.; Henry Pickle, 2s.; John Jervis, 9s.; George Webb, 7s. 6d." (Fol. 100.) Vol. 1608-9. 1619. Eichard Court cometh always unreverently unto the Church, never moving his hat until he cometh to his seat, which is at the upper end of the Church. (Fol. 21.) 1620. That our Minister [Thomas Harwood 1617—21] doth not instruct the youth aud ignorant persons of our parish in the 28 VISITATIONS OF THE ten commandments, the articles of the Belief, and in the Lord's Prayer. That our Minister doth not administer the Holy Sacrament according to the Book of Common Prayer, in that he doth not administer it to himself first, as is required. (Fol. 130.) Vol. 1619—21. 1621. We present Mary the wife of Edmund Keet of Heme for the unreverent usage of herself in the Church on two several Sundays, since the 12th of May last past, first towards Anne Howsom the servant of Alexander Ewell, whom she abused in thrusting of her down in the Church in the time of Divine Service. Secondly she abused Sibil Martin the servant of Francis Violett in taking of her trush from her that she sat upon, and when she would have reached another, she struck her, and not contented with that she pushed her and thrust her down all along in the Church in the time of Divine Service, to the great disquieting of the minds of many of the people there assembled to hear the word of God. On the 21st day of July she appeared in Court and confessed : That on the Sunday mentioned the abovenamed Anne Howsom sitting at the pew door of hers, in such sort that she could not conveniently go into her pew, and the said Howsom first refusing to give her way to go into the said pew, she did violently thrust the said Howsom from the place in the Church without her seat to get unto her pew. And further she confesseth that ou another Sabbath Day the above-mentioned Sibil Martin, sitting upon the legs of a little child of hers, in the Church of Heme aforesaid, iu such wise that the child cried out, and she fearing some hurt to be done to the said child, did suddenly thrust her tbe said Martin off, or pulled her from the said child in the Church, for which her said fault she is heartily sorry. (Fol. 27.) Lillian Hanninge being under the custody of Thomas Hicks, executor of John Hanninge her father, for that the said Thomas Hicks doth not cause her to frequent the Church. (Fol. 62.) Vol. 1621-22. 1626. We present Eobert Broome for not receiving the Holy Communion at Easter last or since. We also present the same Eobert Broome for shutting or misstopping up our usual way on going the perambulation of our parish, whereby we could not pass through as anciently we have done. (Fol. 97.) ARCHDEACON OF CANTERBURY. 29 1627. Eobert Broome, gent., late of our parish, for refusing to pay his cess towards the reparation of our Church, being the sum of twenty-one pence. (Fol. 141.) Vol. 1625—27. 1637. We have no Curate, but Mr. Ellis who teacheth school doth sometimes preach and read service; whether he be licensed hereunto or no, we refer it to the Court. (Fol. 50.) 1638. That the Communion Table in their Parish Church is not yet removed nor railed off according to their order. (Fol. 171.) George Knowler and Edward Sole, the churchwardens, for not removing and railing off their Communion Table according to their instructions. (Fol. 208.) 1665. We present these for not coming to our Parish Church: Christopher Abbot, William Huggett. Mr. Edward Ewell, for sitting when he received the Sacrament. On the 13th of December, when Ewell appeared in Court, he alleged: That if he did not kneel so orderly as he should or would have done, the reason was because he was much crowded between two of the parishioners of his parish who were communicants with him at the-same time, and therefore had not sufficient liberty of body, the pew in which he was being likewise very straight, and that he did not in the least intend (or willingly commit) any irreverence to that Blessed Sacrament. (Fol. 432.) We present Mr. Webb [Vicar 1637—89] for administering the Sacrament to one Mr. Ewell sitting; and for being a common gamester at cards; as also for refusing to baptize a dying child, pretending he was in company, and by the delay the child died. On the 28th of November the Vicar appeared in Court and confessed: That Thomas Barnard in the presentment mentioned did (as is detected) repair unto his house, desiring him to go to the said Barnard's house to christen his child, being then a fortnight old or thereabout, pretending the same to be very weak and in some danger of death. But the said Barnard coming to him at an unreasonable time in the evening, it being then very tempestuous and rainy weather, he told him he could not conscientiously go along with him at that time, but promised him that he would not fail to be with him by next morning to perform the said office; and accordingly he went, it being two miles distant from his vicaragehouse, where he constantly did and doth reside. But in the interim it happened that the said child (as he is informed) departed this life, 30 VISITATIONS OF THE 2. That he did administer the Communion to tbe said Ewell, but "in verbo sacerdotis" he affirmeth that he believeth the said Mr. Ewell was then kneeling, as other the communicants were, and protesteth if he had not thought him so to be, he would have passed bim by. 3. He expressly denieth that he is a common gamester, or that there is any such fame in the parish of Heme, or that he doth at any time go to an ale-house, but for his necessity or conveniency. (Fol. 437.) Vol. 1639—66. 1672. On the 30th of March 1672, before William Lovelace, appeared personally John Mussared, one of the churchwardens of the parish of Heme in the Diocese of Canterbury, and did exhibit a certificate subscribed with the hands of the Minister and churchwardens and several others of the parishioners of Heme aforesaid, importing and declaring that they the said parishioners of Heme having the weight of six hundred and twenty-eight pounds of bell metal to spare and reserved in the casting of their great bell about sixteen years since, which they imagine and esteem may yield four pounds and five shillings the hundredweight upon the sale thereof; and that they have already five good bells in the steeple of their Church of Heme aforesaid, which always hath been the accustomed number; and that the leads of their said Church have been and are so much out of repair, that they have already disbursed the sum of almost thirty pounds this year, and before the same can be sufficiently repaired it will cost forty pounds more. Wherefore the said parishioners, being generally poor, do humbly crave leave that they may be authorized to make sale of the said bell metal towards the necessary reparation of the snid Church and the leads thereof. Whereupon the Judge did authorize them to make sale of the said bell metal to the best profit they can, to be employed to the repairs of the Church and no other use whatsoever, and to give up an account thereof when they be thereunto required, by the authority of this Court. (Fol. 64.) Vol. 1670—75. 1679. Thomas Engeham, for teaching school without licence. (Fol. 43.) Vol. 1675—78 * * Some of the volumes contain presentments of later date than the period indicated by the labels thereon. ARCHDEACON OF CANTERBURY. 31 MINSTEE. 1560. They present that their Vicar is not resident, and that they do want a Curate. The chancel is now ruinous. Vol. 1560—84. 1565. The chancel be out of repairs in the glass of the windows, and not paved where the altar stood. 1566. The chancel is not sufficiently repaired, and the walls of the churchyard are not sufficiently kept. Vol. 1566-7. 1569. That the vault of the chancel is like to decay and fall. That there is a cope remaining in the hands of Eobert Spracklinge of St. Lawrence, executor to John Sayer. That the Vicarage barn was down seven years past, and is not set up again. The Vicar [John Butler 1561—70] is not resident, but they have a Curate; he is a Prebendary of Christ Church, letteth his benefice to farm, and keepeth no hospitality. That Peter Peele hath lived these two years from his wife. That John Paramore detaineth certain money in his hands which was gathered of the communicants, namely, a penny apiece for the space of these four years. Vol. 1569. Archbishop Parker's Visitation, 1569.—Eectory. Impropriator, Christ Church, Canterbury. Vicar, John Butler, B.L. Lives in ChristChurch, Canterbury; has also the Eectory of Kingston in the Deanery of Bridge. Not a preacher or licensed to preach. Curate, Eobert Cawdrye, who is married and has no benefice; no preacher, and not a graduate. Houses in the parish . . 58 Communicants . . . . 207 1574. We present now as we have done before that Luke Spracklinge withholdeth rents due from the parish, as is contained iu our former presentment at the last visitation. (Fol. 52.) Vol. 1574—76. 1577. Luke Spracklinge of St. John's in Thanet hath not healed or covered one grave within the Church of Minster aforesaid, which of his own charges should be done; for we ought to have to our 32 VISITATIONS OF THE Church six shillings and eight pence, and then having the same money we ourselves ought to cover the same grave which hath been uncovered these eight years last past. (Fol. 8.) 1580. The Book of Common Prayer is not sufficient for our Minister to read in ; the case for the safe keeping of the Eegister is not sufficient; the box for the poor not sufficient. The Church is in decay and the churchyard not fenced. (Fol. 74.) 1581. We do suppose that one Bartholomew Saunders of our parish, being heretofore churchwarden, doth keep back from us a certain sum of money given by will to the use of the Church and poor maids' marriages, and other uses of our Church ; and we know not how we may come by the same, unless your Worship's aid be ministered unto us in that behalf. (Fol. 75.) One Edward Saunders doth withhold a parcel of land whereon a house did stand in times past, to the use of the Parish Church time out of mind. (Fol. 76.) Our Church and churchyard is not sufficiently repaired. There is one John Bussher, our Clerk, that teacheth some to write, some to read, and some to sing, but whether he be licensed thereunto we know not. (Fol. 101.) Vol. 1577—85. 1583. Our chancel is gone to decay, and that the Dean and Chapter of Christ Church ought to amend the same, because patrons of the parsonage and vicarage. (Fol. 112.) Vol. 1579, etc. 1584. Our Church is not altogether as it should be found, by reason that we cannot have such supply of money as yet as we need about the same, but as soon as it may be it shall be finished. The perambulation hath been neglected and stand upon matter of controversy between the parish of St. Lawrence and us, for our circuit hath been heretofore in question, and is like to continue for that we cannot arrange our circuit. (Fol. 4.) 1585. The chancel lacketh a little reparation in glass and stone. (Fol. 24.) 1591. That our chancel is not paved, nor decent for the communicants. (Fol. 84.) 1594. Our chancel be unpaved and tbe glass windows broken, to tbe great offence of the communicants. (Fol. 152.) Vol. 1584—95, Part I. ARCHDEACON OF CANTERBURY. 33 1598. We, the churchwardens of Minster, do present Eichard Barkett for refusing to pay his cess to the reparation of our Church and bells. (Fol. 127.) 1600. Matthew Parker of our parish, for that upon two Sundays about Mid-Lent past, did go with his cart and horses to fetch laths and boards, to the evil example of others, and to the offence of well-disposed people. (Fol. 219.) Vol. 1584—95, Part II. 1604. Sir Adam Spracklinge, for not paying his duties to our Church for two cesses, the one cess at twenty pence the score, 18s. 6d., the other cess twelve pence the score, l i s . Total, 29s. 6d. (Fol. 111.) 1606. Our Church and churchyard are not since the great wind repaired, wherefore we crave a time for the same, and also to obtain a table of degrees of marriages forbidden. (Fol. 162.) Vol. 1601—1606. Henry Blackland of Minster, for that he doth refuse to pay the Clerk of Monkton bis wages due unto him, seven pence. (Fol. 53.) Vol. 1606-7. 1608. Our Church is repaired, the windows well glazed, but our chancel the Dean and Chapter of Christ Church hath not repaired, but our vicarage house is well repaired. (Fol. 103.) 1609. Our Church and chancel is at reparation, but for our Church we agreed with a workman for the doing of it, and he doth go in hand with it the fifteenth day of May. (Fol. 164.) Alexander Norwood, churchwarden in the year 1608, for that he hath not given his accounts unto the parishioners at Easter last. (Fol. 165.) William Merrian, for that he doth not come to Church upon the Sabbath Days to hear the Divine Service. (Fol. 167.) 1610. That at the marriage of Eichard Oakes and Margaret Hogben, solemnized since Easter last publicly in the Church of Minster in Thanet, one Eichard Lorkett of that parish, singleinaii, in contempt and disregard of the said marriage and parties, did set up or lay at or near the stile of the churchyard where the said parties were to pass from the Church, an horn stuffed with mud, such as of purpose he got in play, to the offence of many welldisposed persons and the disregard of the said married couple. (Fol. 207.) Vol. 1601—1606. VOL. XXV. D 34 VISITATIONS OF THE 1611. We do present James Tamsett because he doth not repair the east and north-east part of the churchyard fence, which is adjoining unto his land which he hath in occupation, and heading against the King's highway, which fence hath been maintained by the owners and tenants that have there been dwelling from time to time, as occasion did serve, for the space of forty years perfectly remembered, and now for want of heirs this land being fallen to a kinsman dwelling in Sussex, doth bring us to make trial how that hath been maintained. Our trial is this :— 1. William Eenall owning this house, the wall being then at decay, was amended by the said William Eenall.— (Signed) William Eenall, his mark. 2. After him John Adaye dwelling in the abovesaid house, the wall being part of it down, he hired John Welles to amend it, and paid him for the work.— (Signed) John Welles, his mark. 3. Then Ealph Crap bought the abovesaid house, and he during his life did amend it; then the widow being after married to Jeremy Willbore did always tell him the wall must be maintained by their charge only, and so the said Jeremy Willbore did amend that until the heir died.—{Signed) By me, Jeremy Willbore. (Fol. 40.) 1613. That the Church-gate of the parish of Minster lieth open to the street, and that the churchwarden Eoger Wells, having knowledge that the carpenter hath made the said Church-gate, doth neglect or refuse to fetch the same; also that part of the said Church being made a school-house, the door of the same is likewise broken so as anyone may go into the same school-house, the wall being not very high, and rob the Church. The said Wells hath bad notice thereof, but doth not mend it. (Fol. 87.) Our Church wanteth tileing by reason of the great windy winter, for which we crave a day. (Fol. 89.) We present Mary Spencer of our parish, widow, for a common railer and scold amongst her neighbours, and especially for railing against one Thomas Jones of our said parish, as the common fame goeth in our parish. (Fol. 108.) 1614. That the Church of Minster is very much at reparations, for both the same wanteth tileing and the windows thereof much glazing. (Fol. 136.) We have one Mr. Mills our schoolmaster, who is not licensed. (Fol. 161.) ARCHDEACON OF CANTERBURY. 35 1615. Our Curate Mr. Sparke doth not read prayers on Wednesdays and Fridays, nor on the eves of Sundays and Holy days. (Fol. 220.) 1616. We have no Book of Homilies, because our Vicar [Eichard Clarke, D.D., 1597—1634] or Curate preacheth to us every Sunday. (Fol. 235.) 1617. The churchwardens of Minster do present Thomas Nethersole of St. Lawrence for that he doth refuse to pay his cess for thirty-two acres of marsh land, lying in Minster, at twopence the acre, toward the reparation of the Church of Minster. Also Eichard Nethersole of St. Lawrence refuses to pay his cess for sixty-six acres of marsh land at Minster, at twopence the acre. (Fol. 276.) The chancel of the Parish Church is in great decay, both in the vault and glass windows. (Fol. 277.) Vol. 1610—17. 1618. Henry Burrows of the parish, for selling meat and setting open his shop windows on Sunday the 21st of June. (Fol. 71.) Vol. 1617—19. 1640. Henry Paramore and William Watson, for maintaining bushes on our procession linch, that we cannot walk the circuit of our parish. (Fol. 37.) Vol. 1639—81. On the 5th day of November 1686 Thomas Griffin, Clerk, licensed Curate of the Parish Church of Minster in Thanet, appeared in the Archdeacon's Court, and alleged: That by the consent and approbation of the Eev. Doctor Castillion, Vicar of the said parish of Minster [1662—88], he doth intend to have school within the said parish, and that at present he hath not, nor can he procure, any convenient place within the said parish so to do ; and that there is a convenient place in the north aisle of the said Church where he may teach school, without any prejudice to the seats or pews, or other indecency to the said Church, there being a void place in the said aisle, and prayed he might have leave there to teach school. Whereupon tbe Judge did order and decree that the said Mr. Griffin have leave and liberty to teach school in the said north aisle of the Church until such time as a more convenient place be found out, the said Mr. Griffin being first licensed to teach school as the law doth direct. (Fol. 153.) Vol. 1575—98. n 2 36 VISITATIONS OF THE MONKTON. 1569. That the churchyard walls upon the north side lacketh reparations. That the Curate there weareth apparel like a layman. That there is neither Parson or Vicar resident, and that they do not relieve the poor there. That the Curate doth not call upon fathers and mothers and masters of youths to bring them up in the fear of God. That Mr. Darell, Vicar there [1561—76], hath three benefices, that is to say, Monkton in Thanet, Chilham, and Upper Hardres, and that he keepeth no hospitality, and that they are all let to farm, and he doth not keep ordinary sermons. That Eichard Crispe, gent., his wife, and family, doth not come to their Parish Church, being principal persons, for that his house is so far distant from the said Church, and were licensed by Mr. Collins when he was Commissary. That Eobert Wollett, now of the parish of Eastry, hath withheld one cop of wheat and another of barley from the Parish Clerk, then due to him. That William Edwards and Elisabeth his wife, dwelling with one Browne of the parish, doth not resort to the Church on Sabbath Days. That the Vicarage barn is fallen flat to the ground, saving the two sides, fit for the fire- That one George Towyht, executor to one William Eeynolds the elder of the parish of Heme, deceased, hath given by his last will and testament to the reparation of the Church of Heme £5 ; and to every of ten poor maidens' marriage 6s. 8d.; and hath given by his will for the space of twenty years to the poor at Michaelmas time; and to three of his kinsmen's children 10s. a year, which is unpaid. Also he gave to his godchildren and his wife's godchildren £5. Also there was one Thomas Farmer, deceased, in the said parish of Heme, did give by his last will fo Heme, Eeculver, and Hoath £5. Eichard Cobb, William Button, and George Merett, overseers.* Yol. 1569. 1587. The glass windows in the chancel are broken, and is to be repaired by the Parson. (Fol. 9.) Vol. 1587—89. * This last paragraph evidently refers to the parish of Heme, but the executor living in Monkton he was presented from there. ARCHDEACON OF CANTERBURY. 37 1594. The perambulations of our parish have not been gone these five years; in whom the default is we know not. (Fol. 2.) Vol. 1594—96. 1606. Henry Blackland of Minster, for that he doth refuse to pay the Clerk of Monkton his wages due unto him. Edward Harnett of Monkton, for that he doth refuse to pay the Clerk his wages. (Fol. 53.) Vol. 1606-7. 1616. Our churchyard wall is at this present a little broken, but we will speedily repair the same. (Fol. 16.) 1617. Our Curate [Henry Mountstephen] doth teach school in our parish without licence for to teach, and there is also one the wife of Henry Mountstephen who doth teach school there, likewise without licence. (Fol. 148.) We present Francis Tresse for laying of his plough harness in our Church, and likewise for laying of his fold-bonds and his hat and a dirty pair of lig-dewes* in the chest where the ornaments do usually lie. On the 15th day of July he appeared in Court, and confessed: That once he laid his plough harness on a wet day in the belfry, and denied the others. (Fol. 148.) Vol. 1617-18. 1619. We use no such chest, but our collectors distribute what they gather after the cesses to our poor continually as they need. (Fol. 48.) Vol. 1617—19. 1620. The chancel is indecent, wanting seats. To which is attached : The report of them that be ancient in the parish of Monkton, whose names are hereunder written, concerning the seats that are defective in the chancel. They do very well remember the said seats at the north side were comely as the other side now are, and afterwards by some sinister neglect were loose and embessled away, they know not how, and that afterwards in the room thereof, one John Tutton, being then a dweller in the said parish, did of his own charge bring or send one form instead of the said seat, which form there remaineth and the place very unfitting and unhandsome.—( Signed) Thomas Clune (his mark), Nicholas Prior (his mark). (Fol. 13.) We, Henry Blaxland and Henry Best, churchwardens of the parish of Monkton in the Isle of Thanet and Diocese of Canterbury, do present Eichard Coleman of the parish of Birchington and Diocese Long leather leggings. 3 8 VISITATIONS OF THE aforesaid, for not paying unto Lewis Eogers (being lawfully chosen Clerk of Monkton by the consent of the Minister and parishioners thereof) the wages which is lawfully due unto him, the said Lewis, by the space of one year and a half last past, ended at the Annunciation of our Blessed Lady Mary the Virgin last 1620, which amounteth to the sum of two shillings. On the 3rd of May 1620, when Coleman appeared in the Court, he alleged: That he hath neither house nor family in the said parish of Monkton, nor frequenteth the Parish Church of Monkton, but confesseth he occupieth certain lands in the parish, for which he is not bound to pay any wages to the said Parish Clerk; but if he can prove any such wages due to him he is ready to pay them. (Fol. 77.) Likewise we present William Norwood for not paying to the said Lewis Eogers for one year and a half last past, ended as aforesaid, his Clerk's wages, which amounteth to the sum of seven shillings. Also Thomas Trice the sum of two shillings and twopence. (Fol. 78.) Vol. 1619—21. 1621. John Tutton and Valentine Cantis, out-dwellers, do refuse to pay the Clerk his wages. John Tutton hath a house and one hundred and twelve acres of upland in the parish of Monkton, and hath not paid no Clerk's wages this four years last past, being cessed at six shillings and eightpence the score of acres. Valentine Cantis for three years, for thirty-four acres of land, being two shillings a year. He paid me the year afore, being the first year of four, namely two shillings. (Fol. 97.) The churchwardens before us have presented Mr. Thomas Paramore of Canterbury for not repairing our chancel seats, which still remain useless and broken, for which we are fain to present him now again. (Fol. 21.) John Man, Clerk, Curate of the Parish Church, for serving the same cure without licence. (Fol. 47.) Our chancel windows be not well glazed, but many broken and gone to decay, and Henry Archer [of St. Nicholas-at-Wade], the farmer of the parsonage of the parish, ought to repair them. (Fol. 57.) 1622. We do present John Tutton of the parish of St. Nicholasat- Wade, yeoman, for that he doth not pay the Church cess for and towards the necessaries belonging to the said Church of Monkton, confirmed by the parishioners of the said parish, after the rate of ARCHDEACON OF CANTERBUEY. 39 two shillings a score of marsh land, he having in his custody and occupation twenty-nine acres, amounting to the sum of two shillings and elevenpence; and one hundred and twelve acres of arable after the rate of one shilling and sixpence the score, amounting to eight shillings and fourpence, which he denieth payment thereof, being demanded by Edward Fuller, one of the churchwardens. (Fol. 108.) Vol. 1621-2. 1628. We do answer that we have nothing in our said parish worthy of presentment, excepting that our bells and churchyard walls are out of reparation, which we intend (God willing) speedily to repair. (Fol. 63.) Vol. 1627—30. 1637. We want a decent cloth or carpet for the Communion Table, and also our key hath been lost of the chest that keepeth the ornaments of -the Church; and we want the Book of Canons and Constitutions, all which shall be provided very shortly. Some part of our churchyard wall wants reparations, which we purpose shortly to provide for and amend; as also there is a small cottage, built of ancient time, within the churchyard, to the use of the poor, wherein we submit to the Court. Objections:— 1. That their answers to the first fifteen articles concerning the parishioners is not full and plain, but imperfect, obscure, and too general, where they say that their Minister (not naming him their Vicar or Curate) hath taken a good sum of money (not expressing how much) to hold his peace about some abuses (not specifying what abuses) in the parish. 2. That their answer to the twenty-fourth article of that section, that is, "We answer that William Clumi and James Wood, sidesmen, have heard that one Margaret Hoskin of the parish should say scandalously that she had deserved as much as Mr. Symson," is so obscure, and their meaning so ambiguous, that whether it be a presentment, or what is presented by it, without their explanation, cannot be gathered from it. 3. That notwithstanding the Visitors' instructions to them (amongst others) given for the removing and placing the Communion Table at the head of the chaucel, with a rail before it, they have not as yet so removed, placed, or railed off the same, nor begun to do it; notwithstanding also there hath been a second intimation and signification of the Visitors' pleasure in this behalf sent and delivered unto them. (Fol. 73.) 40 VISITATIONS OF THE 1639. I present the following for not sending their servants to be catechized, according to the article given in charge:— William Watson, for not sending John Holloway and John Sea, his servants. Thomas Giles, for not sending James Griggs and William Griggs. Thomas Giles on the 26th of July appeared in Court, and said: That he sometimes sends these his servants to be catechized, and desires they should duly resort to instruction, and will do his utmost endeavour that they shall* (Fol. 284.) John Adgoe, for not sending his children. On the 26th of July he explained in Court: That he hath never a child to send but one not above seven years of age, nor hath had any other this quarter of a year. John Hadley, for not sending his children. All these have had often warning, and yet reform not. (Fol. 285.) We have a sufficient Parish Clerk, who served the office these twenty years, and is denied of his wages which usually hath been paid him by Thomas Goodridge of Achole for eleven acres of arable land which he useth in Monkton parish, and is behind for one year at Michaelmas last. And likewise, Valentine Archer of Achole denieth to pay him Clerk's wages for sixty acres of upland which ever paid sixpence the score, and is behind for one whole year ending at Michaelmas last. (Fol. 304.) Vol. 1636—39. 1640. By complaint of our Parish Clerk, we do present one Isaac Jones of the parish of Birchington for not paying duties for the burying of Thomas the son of the said Isaac Jones. (Fol. 49.) We present Thomas Cowell of the parish of Minster for not paying our cess, made for the necessary use of the Parish Church of Monkton, for fourteen acres of marsh land at a penny the acre, lying in the parish of Monkton aforesaid, which said cess beareth date the 18th day of May 1640. (Fol. 65.) 1662. We present Caesar Sutton of Monkton for practising surgery without licence. He was then duly licensed 3 July 1662. (Fol. 178.) Vol. 1639—62. 1663. Henry Paramore and Mr Nokes, for not duly and orderly frequenting our Parish Church to hear Divine Service. (Fol. 16.) Vol. 1663. * In accordance with the second Rubric at the end of the Church Cateohism. ARCHDDACON OF CANTERBURY. 41 1676. Thomas Eogers and William Culmer, churchwardens of Monkton, for not repairing their Church. On the 5th day of October they appeared in Court and exhibited in their'hand a written statement made by Mr. John Ayling, Vicar of the said Church [1660—1710], suggesting, that by reason that some tiling which is wanting on [over] the Minister's pew or reading-desk in the said Church, the rain in stormy weather falls upon the Church books; and that by reason of the want of repair of the chancel, in the windows and other parts thereof, they are unseemly by pigeons and other birds which harbour over the said pews; wherefore he prayed that a survey mayeth be taken of the said Church and a report made, whether a ceiling on [over] these is necessary, offering to pay the charge of such a survey if in case it be judged that a ceiling on [over] the said pews is unnecessary when the chancel is or shall be sufficiently repaired, in the windows and other parts thereof. In the presence of the churchwardens aud several others of the parishioners of Monkton, the roof of the chancel was examined, and the roof having been newly tiled and in very good repair, so that a ceiling on [over] the said pew will be needless when the chancel windows shall be repaired ; and that over the said pew or readingdesk nevertheless they consented that a survey might be taken, and a report made whether a ceiling would be necessary or not, and they named for a surveyor thereof Mr. Moses Napleton, and the said Mr. Ayling named Mr. Simon Lowth, Clerk. Whereupon the Judge did decree a commission to the said Mr. Napleton and Mr. Lowth, adding to them Mr. John Penny, Clerk, and to any two of them to survey the said Church and make their report the next Court day. (Fol. 18.) On the 28th day of October 1678 one of the churchwardens, William Wellard, appeared in Court and stated: That the Parish Church of Monkton is seated in a very cold place, and that the door leading into the same doth open in the north side of the said Church, whereby the cold winds did drive into the same to the annoyance of divers of the parishioners. And to prevent the inconvenience thereof they or some of them have unadvisedly and without due order first obtained caused a portall or screen to be placed in the said Church against the said door, and that the said portall is placed without damage or inconvenience to any persons, seats, or pews. (Fol. 43.) Vol. 1675—98. 42 VISITATIONS OF THE RECULVER. 1569. That the Vicar sometimes useth to minister the Communion in common bread. That certain of the parishioners have absented themselves from the Church. That John Wade, late churchwarden there, hath in bis hands certain stock belonging to the Church which he hath not made account of. Vol. 1569. 1588. We present Mr. William Baldock, our Vicar [1584—94], for that our vicarage-house is not repaired; albeit it hath often been presented, yet there is no reformation had in that behalf. (Fol. 115.) Our Vicar pulled down a part of our churchyard wall, and hath set an uncomely gate in the place, wherethrough he bringeth his kine to fotber them, and his swine likewise, which do root up the graves and make an unseemly work ; and forasmuch as some of his predecessors hath done the like; and we so also [complain] that he doth it for no other purpose but only for the passage of his cattle and swine, which make an undecent churchyard. Our Vicar, for breaking up of two small locks which were hanged upon our Church gate, which serveth not for him, nor hath been used of any of his predecessors, but serveth only for the use of the Church ; and with carrying of his wood and other things hath broken the wall joining to the gate. (Fol. 116.) Vol. 1587—89. 1589. Mr. Estday of Eusbourne in the parish of Westbere, for denying to pay towards the reparation of our Church, for his occupying in the borough of Hoath, being four shillings and eightpence. (Fol. 42.) John Underdowne of the parish of Birchington in the Isle of Thanet, for not paying for his occupying within our said parish of Eeculver, as before said, having thirty-five acres at fourpence the acre, eleven shillings and eightpence. (Fol. 43.) 1591. We present our chancel is greatly at reparation, but hath heretofore been repaired by Mr. L. Grave. (Fol. 161.) We present John Bright, that he carryeth home the cloth of the Communion Table, and lay oth it upon his bed, as it hath once been found. Also we present him upon a common fame of a talecarrier and a liar. (Fol. 162.) Vol. 1590-91. ARCHDEACON OF CANTERBURY. 43 v. 1592. That the Church and steeple and chancel of Eeculver have been and yet are unrepaired, and not presented by him since he hath been churchwarden there, which is about a year. He, Finch Smythe, hath been churchwarden of Eeculver two years, during which time he never presented the said defect, whereby never any order hath been taken. (Fol. 90.) We present that the body of our Church is far fallen in decay, and the chief fault thereof be Finch Smythe and George Bradshaw, who were both lately the churchwardens, and now departed, the one out of the parish and the other gone out of his office through the expiring of time, withholding the Church money in their hands, tbe same being sundry times demanded; and further there is one Henry Bishop went out of the office of churchwardenship now these two years past, having received great sums of mouey of the parish to be employed upon the Church, and hath not yet yielded up his account. And also I cannot excuse many in the parish from being backward to yield to any cess whereby to levy any money for the repairing thereof. On the last day of October 1592 appeared in Court George Bradshaw, who said he hath not exhibited his account in writing, and saith he hath paid unto the churchwarden there such sums of money as remained in his hands. (Fols. 162, 163.) 1593. Lawrence Parkman of St. Nicholas-at-Wade, for that he refuses to pay twenty-three shillings, which he was cessed at by the parishioners of Reculver, toward the reparation of the Church of Eeculver. Henry Browne of Heme, for that he refuses to pay the money taxed and levied for the reparation of the Church of Eeculver, being twenty-two shillings and sixpence. When he appeared before the Commissary, he said that he ought to pay towards the reparation of the Church but twelve shillings, and he hath divers times offered that sum to the churchwardens there and they refuse to accept thereof. Sir [i.e., Eev.] William Baldock, our Vicar, for that he being unlicensed to preach himself as we hear, doth not provide a preacher for the sermons appointed by Her Majesty's Injunctions. (Fol. 220.) Edward Starkey, for withholding the money taxed for the reparation of our Church, being three shillings and fourpence. Edward Brackenbury withholds his cess, three shillings and sixpence. (Fol. 221.) Vol. 1591—93. 44 VISITATIONS OF THE 1595. We present that heretofore our chancel hath been presented for that it is in some decay, wherefore we now present the same. And further they say that it is to be repaired by Sir Henry Palmer and Mr. John Smith, Esqr. (Fol. 27.) Our vicarage house is in some decay, and our churchyard wall is broken down and is to be repaired. (Fol. 28.) 1596. Our churchyard fence wanteth reparation. Mr. John Smith, Esquire, for that our chancel is in great decay, and is to be repaired by the said Mr. Smith. (Fol. 123.) Edward Bound of Monkton, for that he keepeth away the Church goods from the parish, being six shillings and eightpence. (Fol. 124.) 1596 Cob that is lawfully elected to be sidesman of Eeculver, wherefore we required him to take his oath as sidesman, who refused. When he appeared in Court he alleged : That he is Constable of tbe Half Hundred of Bleangate, and by means thereof is very much employed about, and is likely to be more employed hereafter during the time of his Constableship, so as he cannot attend to do his duty of a sidesman as is required. To which effect he bringeth a message from the Worshipful Mr. Peter Manwood that he might be excused from the said office of sidesman. (Fol. 140.) [Copy of a letter from Archbishop John Whitgift:—] " Salutem in Christ Jesus. Whereas I am informed that Mr. Caveliero Maycote* hath heretofore bond in hand with you for leave to make a vault in the chancel of the Parish Church of Eeculver, and you for the better effecting of his desire in that behalf have wished first to acquaint me with the matter and to get my good will thereto. These are therefore to signify unto you that for the cause by him alledged to me, I can be very well contented that he make a vault in the said chancel, to such end and purpose as he now seemeth to be resolved upon, that is to say, that the dead corpse of his parents, wife, and children, etc., may therein be laid and placed. And so I commend you to God. From Croydon the 7 May 1595.—Your loving friend, Jo. Cantuar." (Fol. 157.) Vol. 1594—96. 1599. We present these persons whose names are hereunder written, for that they refuse to pay unto a cess, made by divers of * He lived at Brooke, where a curious red-brick gateway still remains. Against the south wall of the chancel was a monument to his memory and his wife and children. ARCHDEACON OF CANTERBURY. 45 our parish for the reparation of our said Church : Eichard Scrutton, 23s.; Thomas Clare, 7s. (fol. 23) ; Henry Cobb, 3s. lOd.; Nicholas Goldie, 9s.; George Hallett, 10s. (Fol. 39.) Vol. 1584—95. 1604. The seats of our Church are ruinous and out of order, but specially the seat for reading Divine Service. The church house is uncovered, and the stone work thereof as also of the church walls are gone to decay. William Cobb and Eobert Terry have defaced an ancient monument of King Ethelbert, for which we, the ministers and parishioners, do desire that they may recover penalty at your Worship's discretion, and be required .at their own costs to repair the same as before. (Fol. 59.) Vol. 1604-5. 1606. Our Church is very sufficiently repaired, save that the floors are somewhat decayed, and the lofts of our steeples rotten and dangerous for a man to come into upon any occasion; the chancel unpaved and shamefully unglazed to the intolerable annoyance of our whole Church. (Fol. 24.) On the 9th day of September 1606, before James Bissell, Cleric (on behalf of George Newman, LL.D. and Commissary-General), personally appeared in the Court Barnabas Knell, Cleric, perpetual Vicar of the Parish Church of Eeculver, and alleged that on tbe 1st day of August last past, about ten of the clock in the evening of the same day, as he was riding in the King's highway in the parish of Seasalter on the day aforesaid from Faversham Fair towards his house, one Thomas Smith, Clerk, sometime Curate of St. Nicholas-at-Wade in the Isle of Thanet, met him there in the said King's highway and pulled him from his horse, whereupon he, the said Barnabas Knell, ran in great haste to a house near to that place and there called for help, but could have none. And the said Thomas pursued him to the door of the house aforesaid, whereupon he, the said Barnabas, in his own defence was constrained to draw his dagger at him, not knowing all this while who it was, because it was then very dark, and then and there he, the said Barnabas, did take the point of his dagger in his hand and in his own defence did strike the same Thomas Smith with the handle of his said dagger, not knowing who he was until he had so strooken him. (Fol, 57.) We present that Thomas Holman, butcher, doth sell and kill his wares ordiuarily upon the Sundays, and doth live apart from his wife. (Fol. 59.) 46 VISITATIONS OF THE Our Overseers for the poor have no stock, make no cess, nor distribute anything unto the poor of our parish, insomuch that divers impotent persons and old widows are like to perish with many fatherless children. The Overseers are Eobert Terry and Bartholomew Taylor. (Fol. 59.) One of our bells have heretofore been sold away. Our Communion Table is covered over with pigeon dung. We have not the Commandments of God written in any part of our Parish Church. (Fol. 60.) 1607. Michael Gore of Eeculver did with a staff strike me, Barnabas Knell, Vicar of the parish, knowing me to be Minister there, in the year 1605 in the month of October. (Fol. 129.) I, Barnabas Knell. Clerk, Vicar of Eeculver, present Edward Wigmore, churchwarden of Eeculver aforesaid, for that there hath been sixteen feet of new glass and thirty quarries of glass bestowed by Thomas Browne of Canterbury, glazier, in the windows of the east end of the Church of Eeculver by my assignment, being very needful to be done, the said Church being very much annoyed with fowls coming in at the ruins thereof, which glass so bestowed amounteth to ten shillings, and the said Edward Wigmore refuseth to pay the same money for the repairing thereof. (Fol. 1.36.) On the 7th day of March 1606-7 the Archdeacon's Court gave permission: That Barnabas Knell, Vicar of Eeculver, may be tolerated to be absent from his cure at Eeculver one Sunday in every month yearly hereafter during the time he shall be Vicar there ; he, the said Barnabas, for and during the time that he shall be so tolerated, by himself or his sufficient deputy, will serve the cure of the Chapel of Hoth, as the law shall require, one Sunday in every month during the time that he shall be so tolerated. (Fol. 215.) Vol. 1606-7. 1608. We present William Strowde and Henry Strowde of our parish of Eeculver, for that they have disordered themselves with drink sometimes as we have heard. On the 18th day of February 1608-9 they appeared in Court and confessed: That they hath indeed but not of late time offended in immoderate drinking; but saith they will by God's grace be more careful hereafter. (Fol. 35.) 1609. George Hawlett and Mark Luckett, churchwardens of Eeculver, for that they refuse to re-edify the Clerk's house, whereby the same is instantly in danger to be lost from the Church with the land belonging to it. (Fol. 81.) ARCHDEACON OF CANTERBURY. 47 Adam Annis of Heme, for that he, being the meanlese [main lessee] of the rectory of Eeculver, doth refuse to repair the chancel of the Church, being ready to fall down and noisome by the same these seven years, through wind, rain, and the excrements of birds issuing in at the windows, more loathsome than any pigeon-house; whereas the mean lease of the said parsonage for forty years and more hath from time to time repaired the same, according to custom, for the parish was never wont to repair the same. On the 24th day of July 1609 he appeared in Court and alleged: That he is not now farmer of the parsonage of Eeculver, and further saith that the farmers and rectors there have not for time past the memory of man enjoyed the chancel there, but by a composition of great antiquity have been exempted and freed from the said reparations. (Fol. 81.) Thomas Tinsley of the parish of Northgate in Canterbury, for that by the space of seven days within the compass of seven weeks, being upon occasion of rearing of a frame at Eeculver, he hath most shamefully abused himself by excessive drinking aud quarrelling, whereby bloodshed hath been committed and further mischief like to ensue. [Attached to this is the following:—]" Mr. Somner.—I commend me unto you. I am not willing to enforce the uttermost against Tylslye [sic], but only desire his reformation, the rather by good admonition, whieh I pray you let him have and so be discharged, so soon with as much ease as may be, thus I commit you to God.— Tour loving friend, Bar. Knell." (Fol. 116.) Vol. 1608-9. 1613. We present Andrew Bromely of Eeculver and Dorothy his wife for that they do not send Margaret Simons to be instructed in the principles of religion, nay scarce suffer her to come to the Church to hear Divine Service once in a quarter of a year. Also John Bromley, son of the said Andrew, for he, the said John, being personally called by me to come with other youth to be instructed in the Catechism, wilfully refused so to do. (Fol. 25.) 1614. Our Communion Table is very sufficient, but we have no carpet nor linen cloth there. Also we want such a Book of Common Prayer, a Bible, and Book of Homilies. Our Church and chancel and vicarage are well kept, save that the floors of the Church, the buttress of the Church and chancel, and the walls of the churchyard are somewhat at default. We have a chalice, but neither surplice, pulpit cloth, or cushion. 48 VISITATIONS OF THE On the last day of February 1614-15 Eichard Hunt, one of the churchwardens, appeared and alleged : That he hath provided a surplice, pulpit cloth, a cushion thereto, a carpet, a holland cloth for the Communion Table, a Bible, and a Book of Common Prayer; but there is yet to be provided one chest with three locks and keys, a parchment register book, a cloth for the child-wives seat, and a cushion, a Book of Homilies, and Bishop Jewel's works " Contra Harding," which he humbly desiretb may be provided and procured by John Harrison the other churchwarden, who as yet hath taken no part in his year's service, but utterly neglecteth his office. (Fol. 166.) Vol. 1613—16. 1616. All [have received the Communion] save such as have lyen in childbed, or sick, or otherwise infirm, except Valentine Mockett and Jabez Hopkinson. Jabez Hopkinson liveth from his wife. (Fol. 16.) 1617. We, the churchwardens of the parish of Eeculver, do present Joel Solly and Edward Emptage, churchwardens of St. Nicholas-at-Wade, for not paying a legacy to our Church of Eeculver, being the sum of three shillings and fourpence. On the 10th day of May, Emptage appeared in Court and alleged: That there hath been of ancient time a pension usually paid yearly from and by the parishioners of St. Nicholas, of three shillings and fourpence a year to the mother Church of Eeculver, which this year according to order the said Emptage, by himself or some other, hath tendered to the churchwardens of Eeculver and they, or one of them, have refused to receive the same. (Fol. 106.) The leads of our Church and steeple, the tiles of our porch, and the fence of our churchyard are somewhat at default, but we are about to amend it. (Fol. 197.) Vol. 1616—18. 1618. Sir Oaveleria Mayeott of Dover, for withholding a legacy of £10 a year, with certain wheat and malt, bequeathed by his father, George Mayeott, gent., to the poor of our parish. (Fol. 59.) Eichard Bowerman, for that he doth (above many others that are often absent, whose reformation I wish by example of one principal offender, than their molestation by the expense of money) very often absent himself from our Parish Church, whereof I have especially taken notice on the 18th day of this month, after public admonition the day before. (Fol. 235.) Eichard Bowerman, for that on Whitsunday he, having received the Communion the forenoon, went to the ale-house in the afterARCHDEACON OF CANTERBURY. 49 noon and there continued drinking excessively from the time that he had dinner till evening prayer was half ended, and then came into the Church and most loathsomely vomited up in his pew the abundance of his stomach, which flowed in the middle aisle, to the disturbance of Divine Service and the great offence of the congregation, himself being churchwarden. (Fol. 244.) 1619. The pavement of our Church is somewhat at default. (Fol. 350.) Vol. 1617—19. James Peircey doth teach without allowance for ought we know, and is sometimes of sober conversation. On the 3rd day of November 1619 he appeared in Court and confessed: That his wife, by the Minister's consent, teacheth two or three children their hornbooks, but he teacheth none himself. (Fol. 11.) The fence of our churchyard is greatly at default, but we are about to mend it. Ou the 20th of November the Vicar (Barnabas Knell) certified: That the fence of our churchyard and the floors of our Church, with all other things that were signified to be defective, are now sufficiently mended. (Fol. 22.) 1622. James Perry, for that he is so often distempered with excessive drinking that he is reputed a common drunkard. (Fol. 172.) Vol. 1619—21. 1626. I, John Wynack, churchwarden of Eeculver, do certify that Sir James Hales and his lady, of our parish, are very negligent comers to Church to Divine Service and sermons, neither have they received the Holy Communion in their Parish Church at any time this last year past. On the 15th day of March 1625-6 William Somner, junior, Notary Public, appeared and stated in Court: That he (Hales) is a sworn officer in the King's Majesty Privy Chamber, by reason whereof he is enforced at certain times in the year to be resident for a while in the City of London to give his attendance on his said office in his course, and lodgeth at such times for the most part in the Blackfriars, London, which causeth his often absence from his Parish Church of Eeculver. But saith that whilst he so abideth at London, he duly frequenteth (together with his lady, if she happen to be there with him) the Parish Church of Blackfriars to Divine Service and sermons. And as touching the neglect of Idm and his VOi. xxv, E 50 VISITATIONS OF THE lady in not receiving the Communion in their Parish Church of Eeculver (above detected), he saith and (in verbo milite) affirmeth that he, together with his said lady, received the same in the Church of Eeculver on Easter Day last past. And for such times as they are at home from London, ordinarily frequent their Parish Church without the least scruple or dislike of the discipline of the Church of England. And saith further that Easter week now present coming, his course will happen to be at London attending on his office as usual, at what time he seriously promiseth (together with his said lady) to receive the Sacred Eucharist at the hands of the ordinary Minister of the parish of Blackfriars aforesaid, and thereof will send true certificate unto this Court. (Fol. 66.) Further I certify that Mrs. [Elisabeth] Gray, servant to the Lady Hales, as likewise a negligent comer to Church, neither hath she received the Communion in tbe Parish Church at any time this last year past. Further, that Sir Thomas Norton, Knight, hath of late lain and sojourned with his son-in-law Sir James Hales, Knight, in our parish at times a twelvemonth last past at Easter, but neither cometh to Eeculver Church to Divine Service, nor hath received the Communion there since he hath used to lie in the parish. On the 4th day of August 1626 Peter Wynne, a Notary, appeared in Court and said: That he promiseth reformation and will hereafter duly frequent his Church, and the next Sunday will, God willing, repair to Eeculver Church, where he now abideth, to Divine Service, and will thereof certify to the Court within this fortnight; and promiseth further to be a partaker of the Holy Communion, either in Eeculver Church or elsewhere, where he shall then make his abode between this and Michaelmas next, and accordingly thereof certify the next Court after the said Feast. (Fol. 67.) Peter Denham, for that he hath lately teened and fenced up a common footway leading to Eeculver Church (or at least by his command and appointment the same hath been done), insomuch that the parishioners cannot come conveniently to Church without climbing over the hedge, and that when any corpse come that way to Church to be buried, the people are constrained to stay till the hedge be broken up, to the great trouble of tbe bearers. Also, the said Peter is presented for a very negligent comer to his Parish Church to hear Divine Service and sermons; namely, he was not at Church the last Sunday being St. Gregory, neither in ARCHDEACON OF CANTERBURY. 51 the forenoon nor afternoon, notwithstanding his being at home or at the least in the parish all the same day. On the 30th of March Peter Denham appeared in Court and confessed: That when he was absent from his own Church, he was either at Heme or Chislet Church. The Court ordered: That he make a convenient stile fit for a Church way and the conveying of dead corpses over, and that he frequent the Parish Church, and of all these things do certify the next Court after Easter next. (Fol. 79.) Vol. 1625—27. 1637. Peter Pollin of Wiekhambreux, as farmer of the parsonage of Eeculver, for that he repaireth not the lead, walls, and pavement of our Church, as formerly hath been repaired by the farmer of our parsonage. (Fol. 105.) 1639. Alexander Potkin, son of John Potkin of Eeculver, for that he doth not (nor hath for many years past) come to the Church before evening prayer to be instructed in the principles of religion at our exercise of catechizing. Thomas Yonge, apprentice or servant to the said John Potkin, for that he doth not, nor hath for four or five years of his abode in the said parish, come to the said exercise of catechizing. Also for that the said Thomas doth very seldom, or not much more than five times in the said five years, resort to our Church to hear Divine Service. Also for that the said Thomas, being supposed to be above the age of sixteen, hath not received the Holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supper at Easter last, or before or since. We present the said John Potkin for that he doth not cause the said Alexander and Thomas to come to the said exercise of catechizing. On the 26th of September John Potkin appeared in Court and said : That his son is very young, and his servant is not fit to come into an assembly by reason of a scald bead, whereby he is very noisome, especially at certain times of the moon, for the helping him whereof he hath been at great cost, as also it hath cost him much to help his said son of the disease whereof he was infected by his servant. This hath been an impediment to their coming to catechizing hitherto, but he will be careful hereafter to have them catechized, his son as often as he can with any convenience, and his servant when he is fit to come amongst company without offence by reason of his disease. (Fol. 394.) Vol. 1636—39. V 2 52 VISITATIONS OF THE 1640. Henry Crispe, gent., of Birchington in Thanet, for refusing to pay his cess made for the reparation of our Church of Eeculver, being fourteen pence for his land lying in St. Nicholas in Thanet, in his own occupation, which lands of St. Nicholas parish or chapel is ordered by the now Lord Archbishop to pay to our Church of Eeculver. An order made for settling the dispute between the Vicar of Eeculver and the men of Hoth about the finding of a Chaplain or Curate at Hoth :— On Friday the 22nd day of May in the year 1640, before the Eight Worshipful Sir Nathaniel Brent, Knight, Doctor of Law and Commissary-General of the city and diocese of Canterbury, at his lodging in the house of Mr. George Somner, situate in the parish of St. Margaret in the city aforesaid, in the presence of Mr. William Somner, Notary Public, Deputy Eegistrar. Which day and place appeared personally as well Mr. Barnabas Knell, Clerk, Vicar of Eeculver, with the Chapel of Hoth annexed, and William Joy and John Christian, churchwardens of the said Chapel, William Friend, sidesman, John Austen, Eobert Fairman, Thomas Eider, Edmund Sanders, Thomas Hamon, all inhabitants there; between which said Vicar of the one part, and the said churchwardens, sidesman, and inhabitants of the other (after much debate of the business concerning the finding of a Chaplain or Curate to officiate aud serve the cure of Hoth, and to reside there, referred by the now Lord Archbishop of Canterbury his Curate to the evidence of his said Commissary), at length for the peace and quiet of both parties, in the presence of and with the approbation of the said Commissary, it was and is in friendly manner agreed as followeth : That for and in consideration of £18 per year, to be quarterly paid unto the said Mr. Knell or his assigns by the said Thomas Hamon, William Joy, Thomas Eider, and John Austen (who did expressly undertake for the due payment hereof), or the survivors of them, from and after the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, now next coming, during his incumbency in the said vicarage, in lieu of all tithes and other profits of Hoth chapelry, he the said Mr. Knell shall utterly forego all and singular the tithes, oblations, obventions, profits of the Church and glebe lands, rights, duties, and advantages whatsoever (except his pension at Ford, and the benefit of several sermons) from time to time, from and after the said Feast, to him the said Mr. Knell, for, out of, or from the said chapelry anyway due or to be due ; and the same tithes, rights, ARCHDEACON OF CANTERBURY. 53 and premises, shall grant, assign, put and place over unto the said inhabitants of Hoth, by them the said Thomas Hamon, William Joy, Thomas Eider, and John Austen, or the survivors of them, in the name and to the use of themselves and all the rest, without the let or disturbance of the said Mr. Knell or his assigns, to be levied, recovered, collected, received, and taken, with power and liberty to use the said Mr. Knell's name in any suit or suits for the recovery thereof if need require; they or the survivors of them securing him of all charges or other damages that may happen unto him freely. And that for and iu consideration thereof the said inhabitants shall from time to time and at all times, from and after the said Feast of St. Michael, not only discharge and excuse (so far as in them lieth) tlie said Mr. Knell of the burdens, trouble, and charge, either of officiating the cure of Hoth himself (except in the preaching of four quarterly sermons, and administering the Holy Communion there at the four usual quarters of the year, when he cometh hither to receive his quarterlies), but also with the overplus of his profits of the said chapelry remaining after the payment of the said £18 the year unto the said Mr. Kuell, and with a legacy of £4 the year given (as is alleged for that end by Mr. Francis Barton, late of the Precincts of Christ Church, Canterbury, deceased), shall provide, procure, find, and maintain a sufficient Curate or Chaplain (to be approved by the Ordinary) from time to time continually after the Feast of St. Michael aforesaid, to reside and abide at Hoth, and to serve, officiate, and discharge the cure there in all manner of offices and duties belonging thereunto. Provided always, that at such time and times as the said Mr. Knell, by the occasions aforesaid officiating at Hoth, shall be absent from Eeculver, the Curate or Chaplain at Hoth for the time being shall supply his absence and officiate for him at Eeculver. Provided further, that upon default of payment of the £18 the year quarterly (as is aforesaid), or within fourteen days next after every quarter day, it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Mr. Knell against the aforesaid Thomas Hamon, William Joy, Thomas Eider, and John Austen, or the survivors of them, to take and bring his action at the common law, and them or the survivor of them by due course of law to compel and constrain to the payment thereof. To which agreement it was and is unanimously on all parts condescended, and the same by all consent to stand and take place for their several lives only, without prejudice to either of their successors. On the 10th day of June 1641 Barnabas Knell appeared in 54 VISITATIONS OF THE Court and stated: That the premised order, made in the business between the men of Hoth and him, is not on their part observed and performed; but though he be most willing for his part to submit thereunto, and to do what may be thereby required of him, they expressly refuse either to pay him his tithes in kind, or that composition or consideration in money for the same which by the said order be ought to have of them. On the 16th of November 1641 Thomas Eider appeared and alleged: That this business, by these bills of complaint in that behalf made and exhibited, is at this present depending in and before the Honourable Commons House of Parliament, who have taken the same into their consideration, but have not as yet decided it, nor declared what they think fit to do therein.* (Fols. 35-39.) 1640. Thomas Paramore of St. Nicholas-at-Wade, for nonpayment of his cess made for the reparation of our Church and churchyard, he being therein assessed at £3 19s. 3d., according to the rate of sixpence by the acre, for all his lands in Eeculver, Hoath, Hearne, and St. Nicholas aforesaid, or any of them. Likewise John Bridges of St. Nicholas-at-Wade, for non-payment of £119s. 6d. for a cess made in manner aforesaid. (Fol. 69.) Also William Watts of the same, for non-payment of 16s. 6d. (Fol. 70.) We, the churchwardens of Eeculver, do present the parties following for non-payment of their several cesses for the reparation of the Church and churchyard of Eeculver, they being therein cessed at the rate of sixpence the acre for all their lands lying in the chapelry of Heme and parish of Eeculver, according to the sums herein specified :— & s. d. Jobn Knowler . . . . 1 2 0 Francis Stephens . . . . 0 9 0 Eobert Ewell 0 10 0 Andrew Brise . . . . 0 5 0 William Downe . . . . 0 4 0 „ more for woodland 0 1 0 Widow Corke . . . 1 11 6 Eichard Hewett . . . 0 15 0 Thomas Seath . . . .13.6 John Ewell 1 12 0 (Fol. 72.) * See Proceedings in Kent, 1640 (Camden Sooiety), pp. 133-40. ARCHDEACON OF CANTERBURY. 55 John Keete, for that himself, his fellow churchwarden, and sidesmen of the said parish, for making a defective answer to the articles given them in charge, as namely to the 45th, those negligent in coming to Church, the names of the offenders presentable by that article being left out. On the 21st day of January 1640-1 appeared in the Court John Keete, who alleged and for his part acknowledges of but one parishioner in this point, and that was in the form, and since, he having by the Minister been admonished thereof, hath amended his fault; and that having conferred with his fellow officers he can hear of no other parishioner preseutable in this case. (Fol. 86.) 1641. Bartholomew Tickner of Heme, for the like nonpayment of a cess made towards the reparation of our Church as aforesaid, after the rate of sixpence the acre, he being cessed for nine acres, 4s. Gd. (Fol. 91.) Eobert Hamon of Wickham, for non-payment of his cess, he being cessed at 4s. 7d., according to the rate of one penny the acre, for all his lands in St. Nicholas-at-Wade. (Fol. 92.) 1663. We present Eobert Knowler of the parish of Heme, annexed to Eeculver, for refusing to pay his assessment made towards the reparation of the said Church of Eeculver, being assessed at the sum of 10s. (Fol. 264.) Also Thomas Belsey, 6s. Od.; Henry Sea, 7s. Od.; John Wallis, 5s. Od.; Eobert Bailey, 12s. Od. (Fols. 265, 266.) Vol. 1639—66. 1683. Theophilus Becke, Cleric, Vicar of the parish, for not repairing his vicarage house, and several other matters mentioned in the presentment. When on the 15th of November he appeared in Court he confessed: That there is some small matter of thatching and other repairs wanting about his barn and stable, and some glazing about the windows of his house, lately broken by a dog getting through, and that he will have them all amended. Whereupon the Judge did monish him to repair and amend his house, barn, and stable, in such parts as it is out of repair, and that he do certify accordingly the next Court after Easter next. And as to his carrying the pulpit cloth out of the Church, and converting it to his own use, he saith that it was very old and not fit to be used, and that tbe parishioners, having bought a new one, he conceived tbe old one did belong to him, and did make use of it, not being a fitting thing to longer use 5 6 VISITATIONS OF ARCHDEACON OF CANTERBURY. in the Church. And as to his drinking several times to excess within these twelve months last, it appearing to the Judge partly from tbe confession of the said Mr. Becke, and otherwise from tbe churchwardens, that the said Mr. Becke did drink to excess upon a certain Thursday last past, and that he was lately at an ale-house in Heme, and there in drinking struck one Allen. The Judge did canonically mom'sh him that for the future he do behave himself more soberly as becometh his order, under the censure of the law, to which the said Mr. Becke submitted himself. (Fol. 108.) Vol. 1675—98. John Hill and William Allen, the churchwardens, for that the bell-wheels belonging to the Parish Church of Eeculver are much out of repair, that the gudgeons of the bells are very much worn, that the churchyard fence is out of repair, as is mentioned in the said presentment, and also there is wanting a linen Communion tablecloth and napkin, a flagon and plate whereon to lay the Communion bread, and likewise a chest with three locks according to the Canon. When on the 15th of November 1683 the churchwardens appeared in Court, the Judge monished them: That they do provide a linen Communion tablecloth and napkin, a- flagon and plate at or before Christmas next, and do certify thereof the next Court day after, and also that they do repair the churchyard fence, the bellwheels and gudgeons, and likewise that they provide a chest with three locks as the Canon doth require before Easter next, and they do certify thereof the next Court day after. (Fol. 108.) Vol. 1675—98. I