¹ LJRO MS B/A/1/1, fo. 4v; Hughes, ‘Episcopate’, no. 86.

² LJRO MSS D30 M9, D30 M5, D30 My; Lincolnshire Archives Office, Lincoln, MS D & C/Bj/5/17(2). For a full discussion of income from spiritualities in the diocese see Swanson, ‘Episcopal income’, and pp. 2, 13–15, & nn. 1, 3, 4, 110; Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, i, 177–83Google Scholar. The dioceses of Exeter, Norwich and Worcester, for example, have sequestration material dating from 1500: Exeter Cathedral Library MS 3690; Norfolk and Norwich Record Office, Norwich, MSS DN/SUN/1a, DN/SUN/1b; Hereford and Worcester Record Office, Worcester, MSS 737.5 BA2487, and see Swanson, R. N., ‘Episcopal income from spiritualities in the diocese of Exeter in the early sixteenth century, JEH, 39 (1988), 520–30.Google Scholar

³ It covered an area of approximately 5,260 square miles and it was divided into five archdeaconries: Chester, Coventry, Derby, Shrewsbury and Stafford. Derby and Stafford archdeaconries largely followed the county boundaries; Chester comprised of Cheshire, Lancashire as far north as the Ribble, and part of north Wales; Shrewsbury contained the northern part of Shropshire; and Coventry part of Warwickshire: Hughes, P., The Reformation in England (London, 1950), i, 31–2Google Scholar; Robinson, D., Staffordshire Record Office cumulative hand list, part 1: Lichfield Joint Record Office: diocesan, probate and Church Commissioners' records, 2nd. edn. (Staffordshire County Council, 1978), 1.Google Scholar

⁴ By 1360, however, the diocese of Coventry and Lichfield had a sub-sequestrator working in each deanery, and the sequestrator-general was empowered to appoint and remove these officers at will: LJRO MS B/A/1/3, fo. 108; The registers or act books of the bishops of Coventry and Lichfield. Book 5, being the second register of Bishop Robert de Stretton, A.D. 1360–1385: an abstract of the contents, ed. R. A. Wilson (Wm. Salt Archaeological Society later Staffordshire Record Society, new series, 8, 1905), 93; VCH Staffs., iii, 35.Google Scholar

⁵ Haines, R. M., The administration of the diocese of Worcester in the first half of the fourteenth century (London, 1965), 114–9, 123–4Google Scholar, and for examples of commissions appointing sequestrators-general see ibid, 335–6; Storey, R. L., Diocesan administration in fifteenth century England (Borthwick papers 16, York, 1959), 8–15Google Scholar; Morris, C., ‘The commissary of the bishop in the diocese of Lincoln’, JEH, 10 (1959), 53–8.Google Scholar

⁶ VCH Staff's., iii, 36Google Scholar; Morris, , ‘Commissary of the bishop’, 55–65Google Scholar; Storey, , Diocesan administration, 15–16Google Scholar; The registers or act books of the bishops of Coventry and Lichfield. Book 4, being the register of the guardians of the spiritualities during the vacancy of the see, and the first register of Bishop Robert de Stretton, 1358–1385: an abstract of the contents, ed. R. A. Wilson (Wm. Salt Arch. Soc., new series, 10 (2), 1907), 7; Reg. Stretton. Book 5, 3–4, 93.Google Scholar

⁷ For example, to induct incumbents to benefices and to exercise the office of visitation on behalf of the bishop: Hughes, ‘Episcopate’, nos. 207, 342, 395, 473, 859, 1047, 1050.

⁸ At the same time the rural deans of the archdeaconries of Coventry, Derby, Shrewsbury and Stafford were granted the probate of wills of the deceased within their jurisdictions with goods valued below 100s., with the right to grant administrations to executors, while Robert de Donechirch, vicar of Lichfield, received a similar grant for wills up to 40s. with an additional clause enabling him to audit the accounts of executors. The rural deans of Chester archdeaconry were excluded from this grant because of the unique status of the archdeacon of Chester who had the probate of wills within his jurisdiction: Hughes, ‘Episcopate’, no. 719. For the archdeacon of Chester, see below n. 50.

⁹ VCH Staffs., iii, 35.Google Scholar

¹⁰ Swanson, , ‘Episcopal income’, i, 4–5, 9, 13–15Google Scholar; Storey, , Diocesan administration, 12Google Scholar; Accounts rendered by papal collectors in England 1317–1378, ed. Lunt, W. E., Graves, E. B. (Philadelphia, 1968), 27, 37Google Scholar; Beardwood, A., ‘The trial of Walter Langton, bishop of Lichfield, 1307–1312’, Transactions of the American Philosophical Society, 54, pt. 3 (1964), 11–13CrossRefGoogle Scholar; CCR 1307–13, 88Google Scholar; Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, i, 151, 186–97, 226–7, 257, 270–1, 328–35; no. 364.Google Scholar

¹¹ See n. 50 below; Swanson, ‘Episcopal income’, 2, 14.

¹² For Langton's visitations see Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, i, 280–93Google Scholar; Hughes, , ‘Clergy list’.Google Scholar

¹³ See n. 21 below; Hughes, ‘Episcopate’, no. 841.

¹⁴ Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, i, 179–80Google Scholar; nos. 3, 7, 8, 12, 187, 317, for example; The register of John Morton, archbishop of Canterbury 1486–1500, ed. Harper-Bill, C. (Canterbury and York Society, 75, 78, 1987, 1991), ii, no. 432Google Scholar; Swanson, , ‘Episcopal income’, 8.Google Scholar

¹⁵ The register of Robert Hallum, bishop of Salisbury 1407–17, ed. Horn, J. M. (Canterbury and York Society, 72, 1982), nos. 1150–3Google Scholar; Bowker, M., The secular clergy in the diocese of Lincoln, 1495–1520 (Cambridge, 1968), 40Google Scholar; see below M. Alexander de Vernon, n. 37; Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’Google Scholar, no. 37 (entry duplicated no. 228). Under Bishop Stretton (1360–85) non-residence fees rose to 20s. a year, see Reg. Stretton. Book 5, 65, 68–9, 71, 77–8Google Scholar; Swanson, , ‘Episcopal income’, 8–9, nn. 48, 57.Google Scholar

¹⁶ Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’Google Scholar, nos. 5, 6, 8, 13, 31, 43, 46, 54, 82, 84, 109, no, for example.

¹⁷ Hughes, ‘Episcopate’Google Scholar, nos. 81, 405, 420, 441, 750, 826, 835, 897, 963, 1055, 1056, for 16 example. The sequestrator-general's account in Langton's register for 1297–8 suggests that rural deans were appointed ad hoc custodians of sequestrated property, or as the bishop's financial agents, more often than is actually documented in the register, as were their contemporaries in the dioceses of York and Worcester: Hughes, ‘Episcopate’, nos. 80, 36, 668; Storey, Diocesan administration, 12Google Scholar; Haines, , Administration of Worcester, 66, 71, 123–4.Google Scholar

¹⁸ Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’Google Scholar, nos. 208, 298, 405, 413, 433 for ‘during pleasure’, for example; for fixed terms see nos. 9, 13, 52, 400, and for eventual institution, 44 (instituted 326), 53 (instituted 235), 208 with note of institution, 297 (instituted 300), 415 (instituted 288), for example. On one occasion the presentee to Buildwas, Salop., had his grant of custody revoked when the bishop committed this to another, even though the initial clerk was eventually instituted rector, see no. 464.

¹⁹ See nn. 62, 72, 79, 84 below; Swanson, , ‘Episcopal income’, 14.Google Scholar

²⁰ The priory of Hertford received an annual pension of £1 6s. 8d. from Solihull church (Warw.), which was granted by Ralph de Limesi when he founded the priory before 1093. His endowment included a carucate of land in Itchington (Warw.), and tithes both there and in Ulverley in Solihull: Taxatio, 242aGoogle Scholar; VCH Warwicks., iv, 218, 228Google Scholar; VCH Herts., iv, 419Google Scholar; Knowles & Hadcock, 54, 67.

²¹ M. Jordan de Caunvill, rector of Clifton Campville church, with its dependent chapels of Harlaston and Chilcote, was a local man. In 1319 he was assisted by three parochial chaplains. In both 1291 and 1319 the parish was said to lie in the deanery of Tamworth and Tutbury, in the archdeaconry of Stafford, whereas the account roll lists it under the archdeaconry of Coventry. Jordan was granted custody of Clifton Campville church on 7 Dec. 1298 and he was instituted rector on 2 Jan. 1298/9, having been presented by Sir Geoffrey de Caunvill. He received licences to study for 5 years: twice for a two year period on 4 Apr. 1301 and from Michaelmas 1311, and a one year licence on 3 Mar. 1313/4. He appointed two attorneys on 3 Mar. 1315/6 as he was going ‘beyond seas’ for two years, perhaps to complete his education. He was presumably at least in subdeacon's orders while on study leave, but he does not appear to have proceeded to higher orders. Although he was probably charged the customary fees for his institution (1/2 mark) and licences for non-residence, the 60 marks (£40) receipted here may represent the first fruits of his benefice as the parish was assessed at £16 13s. 4d. p.a. by the Taxatio: Hughes, , ‘Clergy list’, 9–10Google Scholar; Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’Google Scholar, nos. 19, 95, 15, 434, 727, 967, 841; CPR 1313–17, 437Google Scholar; Taxatio, 243aGoogle Scholar; Swanson ‘Episcopal income’, 14–15, nn. 109, 111.

²² M. Robert Tancard was rector of Withybrook (Warw.) until his death on 17 Oct. 1313. He received a licence to study for one year from 2 Mar. 1299/1300: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, nos. 406, 646.Google Scholar

²³ Priors Hardwick church with its chapels and appurtenances had been appropriated to the prior and convent of Coventry (Warw.) by Bishop Roger de Meuland in 1260. A vicarage was ordained there and the Taxatio assessed it at £3 and the church at £18 p.a. The prior and convent exercised a peculiar jurisdiction in this parish and, although the bishop retained the right of institution, apparently it fell to the official of the peculiar to induct the vicars. However, the first recorded mandate to induct, dated 1 Feb. 1313/4, was addressed to the archdeacon of Coventry or his official, as were several others in the mid-fifteenth century. The first vicar to be mentioned in Langton's register was Roger Bacoun, who died on 17 Jan. 1313/4: Dugdale, William, Antiquities of Warwickshire (Coventry, 1765), 372Google Scholar; Taxatio, 241b, 244aGoogle Scholar, Swanson, R. N., ‘The priory in the later Middle Ages’ in Coventry's first cathedral. The cathedral and priory of St. Mary, Coventry: papers from the 1993 anniversary conference, ed. G. Demidowicz (Stamford, 1994), 150–1Google Scholar; Swanson, R. N., ‘The rolls of Roger de Meuland, bishop of Coventry and Lichfield (1258–1295), Journal of the Society of Archivists, 11 (1990), 37–8CrossRefGoogle Scholar; Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, no. 651.Google Scholar

²⁴ The manor of Balsall was given to the Knights Templars by Roger Mowbray, probably during the reign of King Stephen, and it became the site of a preceptory of the order, the remains of which stand to the west of Balsall church, which was also built by the order about 1290. Following accusations brought against the Templars in 1307–8, Edward II ordered the arrest of the English members of the order in 1308 and Balsall then reverted to John Mowbray, who held it until his death in 1322. The preceptory and its possessions then passed to the Knights Hospitallers: VCH Warwicks., iv, 86, 88Google Scholar; Knowles & Hadcock, 292, 293, 300, 301. For a history of the order see Campbell, G. A., The Knights Templars (London, 1937)Google Scholar; Nicholson, H., Templars, Hospitallers and Teutonic Knights: images of the military orders 1128–1291 (Leicester, 1993).Google Scholar

²⁵ Thomas de Sutham is the first vicar of Weston under Wetherley to be recorded; he died on 26 Apr. 1316: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, no. 675.Google Scholar

²⁶ Henry le Bret, son and heir of William le Bret, was a minor when his father died in 1281. His wardship, and that of his two brothers, was sold to Gilbert, vicar of Nuneaton, by Sir John de Montait. He held the manor of Bretts Hall, Ansley, and had a wife, Margaret: VCH Warwicks., iv, 6Google Scholar; CPR 1302–7, 117.Google Scholar

²⁷ Aston church (Warw.) was appropriated to Tickford Priory (Bucks.). The church had three dependent chapels, including Yardley. It was assessed at £26 13s. 4d. and the Dean and Chapter of Lichfield additionally received an annual pension of £13 6s. 8d. from it: VCH Bucks., i, 361, n. 4, 364Google Scholar; Taxatio, 2423.Google Scholar

²⁸ The first rector of Thorpe Constantine to be recorded is William de Neuton, who was an acolyte when he was instituted on 28 Oct. 1301, having been presented by Richard Constantyn, lord of Thorpe Constantine. In 1319 the church was also served by a parochial chaplain. This church was not assessed by the Taxatio: Hughes, ‘Episcopate’, no. 291Google Scholar; Hughes, , ‘Clergy list’, 9, 17.Google Scholar

²⁹ The rector of Bushbury at this date may have been Hugh, who was ordained deacon and priest on 18 Dec. 1305 and 19 Mar. 1305/6 respectively: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, nos. 1295, 1296.Google Scholar

³⁰ Perhaps this was John de Dunston, the first vicar of Cheswardine to be recorded, who died on 7 Aug. 1316: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, no. 780.Google Scholar

³¹ Robert de Kenilleworth, chaplain, was instituted vicar of Ellastone on 6 Jan. 1298/9, having been presented by the prior and convent of Kenilworth (Warw.): Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, nos. 21, 279.Google Scholar

³² This may be the same Nicholas de Bromwich who was parochial chaplain of West Bromwich church in Jan. 1318/9, for although parochial chaplains were engaged for a year at a time, by contracts made at Michaelmas, many enjoyed continuous employment. The church was farmed in perpetuity to Sandwell Priory by the monks of Worcester for an annual payment of 6 marks. No vicarage was ordained there and so the cure of souls would have been committed to the parochial chaplain, who was assisted by three celebrants in Jan. 1318/19: Hughes, , ‘Clergy list’, 4, 6, 14.Google Scholar

³³ William Hereward may be the unbeneficed chaplain who was later ordained subdeacon, deacon and priest on 20 Dec. 1315, 5 June 1316 and 28 May 1317 respectively, having been presented by John de Swynnerton: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, nos. 1313, 1315, 1318.Google Scholar

³⁴ This may be the same Robert de Preston, acolyte, who was instituted rector of Fitz (Salop.) on 23 May 1315, having been presented by the abbot and convent of Haughmond (Salop.). He was accorded the title ‘Master’ when he was ordained both subdeacon on 20 Dec. 1315 and priest on 17 June 1318; his ordination to the diaconale has not been traced. He received two one-year dispensations for non-residence, holy orders, and to study on 3 Mar. 1315/6 and 25 Nov. 1316: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, nos. 979, 1313. 1320, 985. 988.Google Scholar

³⁵ Thomas de Charnes was instituted to moiety of Condover church on 31 Jan. 1299/1300. On 28 Feb. 1298/9 Langton commissioned his official to hold an inquiry concerning Thomas' presentation to the benefice by the abbot and convent of Shrewsbury. We then learn that the bishop knew of nothing to prevent his admission except that John de Shelton had been presented to the same moiety by a papal provision. The official was to ascertain the merits of this provision; if he established that John's opposition lacked force or truth, he was ordered to admit and induct Thomas, saving to the bishop the later institution. Afterwards, a letter ordered Thomas, ‘who acts as rector of a moiety of Condover’, to be at York on 21 June 1299 to discuss with the bishop business about himself and his position. To end the dispute over the moiety, an annual pension of 40s., or at least 20s., to be conferred by the abbot of Shrewsbury, was ordered to be provided to John de Shelton. Thomas was in subdeacon's orders when he was presented to the moiety, and he proceeded to the diaconate and priesthood without delay, on 4 June and 17 Dec. 1300 respectively. On 17 Dec. 1300 also he received the first of two one-year licences to study, the second of which was granted some years later, on 3 Feb. 1309/10. The 100s, receipted here may have been paid by Thomas for the satisfactory outcome of the disputed presentation, although it may have included some element for his first licence to study. Condover church was wealthy; the whole church was assessed at £23 6s. 8d. a year. Presumably Thomas would have been able to pay the charge from his half of the benefice without too much difficulty: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, nos. 69, 77, 327, 416, 1285, 1286Google Scholar; Taxatio, 247b.Google Scholar

³⁶ In 1155 Wroxeter church was divided into five portions, but by 1291 these had been reduced to three, the first of which was then assessed at 20 marks, the second at 10 marks, and the third at 5 marks p.a. The Taxatio additionally names two of the church's portionaries separately under a heading indicating that they were not beneficed elsewhere; Roger de Warro' and Roger Bernoc' then held the third and second portions respectively. Nicholas de Trokuesford (or de Troughford) had succeeded Roger de Warro' in the third portion before 29 June 1301, when he in turn was replaced by M. Walter de Clune, while Bellingar de Qwillino (or Berenger de Quiliano) held either the first or second portion by 17 Dec. 1295, and on 18 Apr. 1301 custody of it was granted to Roland de Vinquiria (or de Viquiria), who was then instituted on 31 May 1301; Robert de Warr' thus occupied the remaining first or second portion of the benefice: VCH Salop., ii, 63, 66Google Scholar; Taxatio, 247b, 245bGoogle Scholar; Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, nos. 444, 348, 414, 437, 335; see below nn. 75, 76.Google Scholar

³⁷ M. Alexander de Verdon was rector of Biddulph (Staffs.); his inclusion in a Shrewsbury section of the account roll therefore appears to be erroneous. He had been granted custody of the sequestrated church on 31 Dec. 1299 until the next ordination service, which may have been the date he was ordained subdeacon on 4 June 1300, the first ordination service for which records have survived from Langton's episcopate. He was instituted rector of Biddulph on 2 July 1300, having been presented by Henry de Verdoun. The 1/2 mark receipted here may represent the fee for his first one-year licence to study. This was granted on 1 Feb. 1300/1, and he received a second licence from Christmas 1307. He later presented Roger Dobyn of Darlaston (Staffs.) to be ordained subdeacon and deacon on 23 Dec. 1318 and 22 Dec. 1319 respectively: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, nos. 400, 1285, 285, 421, 498, 1321, 1324.Google Scholar

³⁸ The first rector of Smethcott recorded in Langton's register is Roger de Smethecote, who was granted a licence to study for two years on 1 Jan. 1312/13. He was ordained deacon and priest on 21 Dec. 1314 and 17 May 1315 respectively: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, nos. 580, 1311, 1312.Google Scholar

³⁹ The vicar of Milwich may have been Richard de Nonynton, who resigned on 26 Oct. 1315: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, no. 769.Google Scholar

⁴⁰ The rector of Norbury was previously listed as William, see p. 116 above.

⁴¹ Tutbury church, assessed at £7 13s. 4d. p.a., was appropriated to the prior and convent of Tutbury (Staffs.). The clergy list of Jan. 1318/19 records that John atte Cok was then the perpetual vicar, but he does not occur in Langton's register; he then had the assistance of nine unbeneficed chaplains: Taxatio, 2433Google Scholar; Hughes, , ‘Clergy list’, 7, 19.Google Scholar

⁴² Richard de Camera was rector of Leigh (Staffs.), having been instituted on 9 Jan. 1298/9 at the presentation of Philip de Draicote. He was assisted by at least one chaplain named Silvester, who is also listed on the account roll above. The manor of Leigh and its possessions had been granted to Burton upon Trent Abbey in the 12th century and Leigh church was mentioned in a confirmation of the abbey's possessions by Bishop Richard Peche of Coventry (1161–82). The abbey received 5 marks annually from the rector, but the payments were often in arrears and the abbot and convent had then to resort to law to receive their dues: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, no. 277Google Scholar; Collections for a history of Staffordshire (Staffordshire Record Society, 1937), p. 41Google Scholar; nos. 408, 411, 420; VCH Staffs., iii, 202–3.Google Scholar

⁴³ The college of St Peter, Wolverhampton, was re-founded as a royal free chapel in 1203. The parochial duties fell to the sacrist. Following a dispute about their respective jurisdictions, the dean of Wolverhampton and Bishop Alexander Stavensby (1224–38) agreed in 1224 that the bishop should receive the dean's canonical obedience, while the dean should retain his customary power of conferring the prebends of his church, of institution, and of correction, except in cases of lapse after canonical monition, when the bishop should correct. The bishop was to receive 2s. annually for Peter's Pence and the oblations from the Pentecostal Procession were to be reserved for him, and matrimonial cases, cases of sacrilege, cases of appeal, and other difficult cases were to be referred to him. He was to be honourably received on his first arrival at the church after his consecration and could celebrate, preach, confirm, enjoin penances, give the oil and chrism, and, at the request of the dean and canons, canonically admit ordinands from their church, provided that he and his church were indemnified; he also undertook to protect the church in its rights and possessions. Nevertheless, the peculiar jurisdiction of the royal free chapels may have caused difficulties for Langton; this is suggested by the clause that clerks from royal free chapels in the diocese were not to be ordained without his special licence which has been included in statements preceding some ordination lists: Knowles & Hadcock, 419, 444, VCH Staffs., iii, 326Google Scholar; Denton, J. H., English royal free chapels 1100–1300: a constitutional study (Manchester, 1970), 41–4Google Scholar; Styles, D., ‘The early history of the king's chapels in Staffordshire’, Transactions of the Birmingham Archaeological Society, 60 (1936), 85–6Google Scholar; The great register of Lichfield Cathedral known as Magnum Registrimi Album, ed. H. E. Savage (Wm. Salt Arch. Soc., 1924), no. 587Google Scholar; Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, i, 68–9, 128–9Google Scholar; nos. 1313, 1320, 1321, 1323, 1324; Hughes, , ‘Clergy list’, 6.Google Scholar

⁴⁴ Portionary of Wroxeter, see n. 36.

⁴⁵ This section contains names from Coventry, Shrewsbury, Stafford, and Derby archdeaconries.

⁴⁶ The vicar of Willoughby may have been Nicholas called Benet, who died on 5 Mar. 1311/12. The vicarage was in the patronage of the hospital of St John the Baptist, without the east gate of Oxford: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, no. 644Google Scholar; Knowles & Hadcock, 329, 383–4; VCH Oxford, ii, 158–9.Google Scholar

⁴⁷ William de Wesenham died as portionary of Condover before 28 Feb. 1298/9 and Thomas de Charnes was eventually instituted to the vacant benefice: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, nos. 327, 69; see n. 35.Google Scholar

⁴⁸ William, rector of Harley, died before 24 Mar. 1300/1, when Richard de Kynredeleye was instituted: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, no. 334.Google Scholar

⁴⁹ The rector of Ashover died before 31 Mar. 1301 when custody of the sequestrated fruits of the church were granted to Roger Deyncurt, rector of North Wingfield (Derb.), during pleasure. On 26 Apr. 1301 Roger was granted Ashover church in commendam for half a year: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’Google Scholar, nos. 433, 442; see n. 62.

⁵⁰ M. Robert de Redeswell, archdeacon of Chester from at least 3 May 1289 until his death before 17 Jan. 1314/15, paid the bishop an annual pension of £20 in accordance with an agreement which lasted for their respective lives only. This agreement was presumably similar to that made on 26 Mar. 1315 between Langten and M. Richard de Havering, Redeswell's successor. Then, in order to avoid ‘the toils of litigation’, both parties agreed that, for their lives only, the archdeacon should have the primary hearing of causes, the probate of wills, and that he should receive there all synodals, Peter's Pence, and the perquisities of his chapter throughout his archdeaconry, while the bishop was to receive £20 yearly from the archdeacon, and retain all rights of sequestration and ‘other matters’ which pertained to him by custom. The need for such an agreement stemmed from the Palatine status the county of Chester enjoyed, which made it difficult for bishops of Coventry and Lichfield to cite Cheshire offenders to the consistory court in Lichfield, or elsewhere, without royal support. To overcome this, successive bishops granted the archdeacon exclusive primary jurisdiction, enabling all Cheshire offenders to be tried within the county. Here, as elsewhere in the diocese, the bishop devolved custody of some of the sequestrated benefices to the archdeacon, before granting temporary custody of them to clerks of his choosing; as this account and fragments of later account rolls show, the bishop received revenue from them. As to the ‘other matters’ which pertained to the bishop by custom, these included the right of institution and visitation, and the granting of absolution and the enjoining of penances in cases reserved to him in the archdeaconry, for which he appointed two penitentiaries in Jan. 1310/11: Heath, P., ‘The medieval archdeaconry and Tudor bishopric of Chester’, JEH, 20 (1969), 244–9Google Scholar; Lichfield Cathedral Library MS Magnum Registrimi Album (register of the dean and chapter) fos. 202v–263r; Savage, Magnum Registrum Album, no. 587; Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, i, 91, 96, 98–100, 287–8Google Scholar; nos/441, 826, 835, 897, 809, 901, 853; IJRO MSS D30 M9, D30, M5, D30 M7.

⁵¹ For Peter's Pence see Lunt, W. E., Financial relations of the papacy with England to 1327 (Cambridge, Mass., 1939), 3–84Google Scholar; and for a discussion of the amounts collected in Coventry and Lichfield diocese see Swanson, , ‘Episcopal income’, 3–4.Google Scholar

⁵² No synodals are listed for the archdeaconry of Derby at Michaelmas Term, suggesting that there may have been an agreement between the bishop and the archdeacon for the archdeacon to retain these payments. An archdeacon's account of 1533 suggests that he then received a proportion of the synodals paid within his archdeaconry: LJRO MS B/A/17/1, fos. 19–23; Swanson, , ‘Episcopal income’, 3–4.Google Scholar

⁵³ The archdeaconry of Stafford was vacant between about 22 May and 6 June 1301. The archdeacon of Stafford, M. Rayner de Vichio, a papal chaplain in priest's orders, was granted papal licence to make a will on 22 May 1301. He died shortly afterwards, and on 6 June 1301 John de Brunforte was provided to the vacancy by Boniface VIII. John also succeeded Rayner as prebendary of Gaia Minor. John was granted papal dispensation to hold the archdeaconry and prebend as he was twelve years old and had received only his first tonsure; he was ordered to proceed to higher orders at the proper age. John was the son of Octavian de Brunforte, a member of Boniface VIII's household, and nephew of Reginald de Brunforte, knight. In Apr. 1309 a prebend in the diocese of Fermo was reserved for him, to be held in addition to his archdeaconry and prebend in Coventry and Lichfield diocese. He resigned his archdeaconry on 19 Jan. 1321/2, and exchanged his prebend of Gaia Minor for that of Pipa Parva on 9 Feb. 1324/5: GPL, i, 514, 561, 596Google Scholar; ibid, ii, 76;Jenkins, , ‘Lichfield cathedral’Google Scholar, apps. E, F; Fasti, x, 18–19, 42Google Scholar; Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, i, 119–20.Google Scholar

⁵⁴ At the time of Langton's episcopate there were 30 prebendal churches in the diocese, eleven of which were acquired in the 13th century and remained subject to ordinary jurisdiction (Bolton le Moors, Bubbenhall, Dasset, Darnford, Flixton, Pipa Parva, Ryton, Sandiacre, Tarvin, Wellington, Wolvey). The other nineteen prebends (listed in Fasti, x), including the five listed in this section of the roll (Colwich, Eccleshall, [Whittington and] Berkswich, Brewood, and Longdon) were all in the peculiar jurisdiction of the prebendary, and the chapter of Lichfield heard matrimonial causes and other causes coming before it on appeal, although the dean was allowed to visit the prebendal parishes every three years: Jenkins, , ‘Lichfield cathedral’, 160–2, 164, app. CGoogle Scholar; Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, i, 130–1.Google Scholar

⁵⁵ Colwich was a Saxon prebend, its vicarage and its chapel of Fradwell in the gift and jurisdiction of the prebendary. The Taxatio assessed it at £26 13s. 4d. p.a. It is unclear who held the prebend at this date. Bogo de Clare had been presented to it by John de Colwich when Peter de Comite was provided by the pope. On 24 Nov. 1289 the pope ordered Bogo's removal but as Peter was engaged in litigation about the prebend of Whittington and Berkswich and, being unable to obtain possession of it, he may have re-occupied Colwich: Jenkins, , ‘Lichfield cathedral’Google Scholar, app. C; Taxatio, 244aGoogle Scholar; Fasti, x, 24Google Scholar; CPL, i, 509–10Google Scholar. Was Bogo the rector of Frodesley listed on the account roll above?, see p. 122.

⁵⁶ Eccleshall was a Saxon prebend, its vicarage also in the gift and jurisdiction of the prebendary. The Taxatio assessed it at £66 13s. 4d. p.a. M. Elias de Napton held the prebend from an unkown date until his death at Eccleshall on 12 July 1311. He was prominent in the diocesan administration, being archdeacon of Derby from at least July 1281 until his death, and on 30 Mar. 1302 he was appointed one of three administrators of the diocese when the see was placed under sequestration by the pope. He was a pluralist, holding also the rectory of Warmington (Warw.) and prebends in Derby and Chester: Jenkins, ‘Lichfield cathedral’, apps. C, F; Taxatio, 243bGoogle Scholar; Fasti, x, 16, 34Google Scholar; Bodleian Library MS Ashmole 794, fo. 71v, Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, i, 108–9, 188–9Google Scholar; nos. 635, 866.

⁵⁷ The full title of this prebend was Whittington and Berkswich; Berkswich was a Saxon prebend and Domesday manor of the bishop, while Whittington was an appropriated parish, its curacy in the jurisdiction of the prebendary. The Taxatio assessed it at £20 p.a. The prebendary was another leading diocesan administrator, M. Thomas de Abberbur', having been collated by Langton on 17 Dec. 1298. Although Peter de Comite claimed the prebend for himself in Jan. 1299/1300 by virtue of a papal provision, Thomas remained in possession until he was collated precentor of Lichfield on 1 Sept. 1303: Jenkins, , ‘Lichfield cathedral’Google Scholar, apps. C, F; Taxatio, 243bGoogle Scholar; Fasti, x, 7, 66Google Scholar; BRUO, i, 2Google Scholar; Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, i, 139–50, 186–9Google Scholar; nos. 18, 384, 392, 397.

⁵⁸ The prebend of Brewood was granted to the dean of Lichfield cathedral in 1176, and it was augmented by the parish church of Adbaston in 1192. The Taxatio assessed the prebend at £26 13s. 4d. p.a. M.John de Derby was elected dean in Apr./May 1280 and his appointment was confirmed by Bishop Meuland later that year. He died on 12 Oct. 1319: Jenkins, ‘Lichfield cathedral’, app. C; Taxatio, 243bGoogle Scholar; Fasti, x, 7.Google Scholar

⁵⁹ Longdon was a Saxon prebend, its vicarage in the gift and jurisdiction of the prebendary. The Taxatio assessed it at £20 p.a. Luke de Fieschi was provided to the prebend on 11 Oct. 1297 and he held it until his death on 31 Jan. 1336: Jenkins, , ‘Lichfield cathedral’Google Scholar, app. C; Taxatio, 243bGoogle Scholar; Fasti, x, 45Google Scholar; CPL, i, 572.Google Scholar

⁶⁰ The Taxatio assessed Longford church at £14 13s. 4d. p.a. with a pension of £2 10s. paid to the prior of Kenilworth; no vicarage is listed. The church had been granted to Kenilworth Priory before 1161, and Bishop Stavensby confirmed the grant; but in 1283 the advowson was said to have pertained to Oliver de Langeford, deceased, tenant in chief. Longford vicarage was presumably sequestrated after the death of the last vicar; the account roll notes above that 20s. was received from his executors. The vicarage must have been vacant for at least six months prior to 18 Apr. 1301 when Bishop Langten collated William de Retford, a priest, to it, in order for the presentation to have devolved to him through lapse of time, by authority of the Third Lateran Council of 1179. When the next institution took place in June 1304 the patron of the vicarage was M. John de Cressi, then rector of Longford: Taxatio, 247aGoogle Scholar; BL Harl. MS 3650, fo. 70; VCH Warwich., ii, 86Google Scholar; CPR 1281–92, 59Google Scholar; Cal. Fine Rolls 1272–1307, 181Google Scholar; Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’Google Scholar, nos. 389, 257; ‘Decretalium Gregorii Pape IX compilarlo’ in Corpus Juris Canonici, ed. Friedberg, E. (Graz, 1955), iii, 8, 2Google Scholar; Councils and Synods with other documents relating to the English Church, ed. Powicke, F. M., Cheney, C. R. (Oxford, 1964), II, i, 566.Google Scholar

⁶¹ This moiety of Staveley church became vacant on 22 Dec. 1300 and Thomas de Ouerle was instituted rector on 9 Feb. 1300/1, having been presented by Edward I, custodian of the land and heir of Nicholas Musard, the last rector of the moiety. The church was in Scarsdale deanery of the archdeaconry of Derby; it has been listed as ‘Stanely’ by the Taxatio, which assessed it and its chapel at £10 p.a.: Hughes, ‘Episcopate’, nos. 468, 243Google Scholar; CPR 1292–1301, 560; Taxatio, 246b.Google Scholar

⁶² The rector of Ashover died before 31 Mar. 1301 when custody of the church's sequestrated fruits was granted to Roger Deyncurt, rector of North Wingfield (Derb.), during pleasure; he had been presented to Ashover church by Margery de Rerisby and Simon de Rerisby. As Roger de Eyncourt he was granted Ashover church in commendam for half a year on 26 Apr. 1301. He had vacated North Wingfield by 12 Nov. 1301 and he probably became rector of Ashover at about that time, although no record of this has survived; an incumbent with the same name has been independently recorded in 1303, and again in 1337. Roger was a member of the secondary branch of the Deyncourt family established on land in Derbyshire before 1135. North Wingfield and Tupton were soke of their manor of Pilsley, and North Wingfield church provided a living for the younger sons. John Deyncourt (4th baron) held one fee in Ashover. Roger's reason for changing churches is unclear, but it was not for financial gain; the Taxatio assessed Ashover church at £23 6s. 8d. and North Wingfield at £20 p.a.: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’Google Scholar, nos. 433, 442, 249; Jeayes, I. H., Descriptive catalogue of Derbyshire charters in public and private libraries and muniment rooms (London, 1906), nos. 115, 123Google Scholar; Foulds, T., The Thurgarton Cartulary (Stamford, 1994)Google Scholar, table 2 (p. cxvii), pp. xxx, xlv, lxxvi, xcviii, cviii–cix, cxiii–cxiv; Taxatio, 246a.Google Scholar

⁶³ Chesterfield vicarage became vacant on 18 Dec. 1300 either by the death or resignation of Thomas de Welton, priest, who had been instituted vicar on 19 Apr. 1298. His successor was Walter de Suthleyrton, who was instituted to the benefice on 3 Feb. 1300/1. Although no patron was recorded on this occasion, Chesterfield church was appropriated to the dean of Lincoln. The church was wealthy; with its chapel it was assessed at £73 6s. 8d. p.a. and the vicarage at £6 13s. 4d.: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, i, 129–30Google Scholar; nos. 222, 242, 268, 465, 1083; Taxatio, 246a.Google Scholar

⁶⁴ Etwall vicarage presumably was sequestrated when it too became vacant and Br. Robert de Sutton, canon of Welbeck (Notts.), was instituted vicar on 5 Aug. 1301, having been presented by the abbot and convent of Welbeck. by the authority of a privilege they had to present one of their canons. St Helen's church, Etwall, had been granted to the abbey as part of its original foundation (1154–60) by Thomas of Cuckney. When the abbey's appropriation of the church was confirmed by Bishop Geoffrey Muschamp of Coventry (1198–1208) it was stated that on the death or resignation of the first vicar the abbot and convent were to receive two-thirds of the tithes, with the remainder forming the endowment of the vicarage. The Taxatio does not mention the vicarage, but it assessed Etwall church at £16 p.a., and it records additionally that the church was charged with a pension of £1 16s. to Tutbury priory, which may have been granted because the church had formerly been appendant to the manor of Etwall which was held of the honour of Tutbury: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, no. 248Google Scholar; Thompson, A. Hamilton, The Premonstratensian abbey of Welbeck (London, 1938), 13, 49–50Google Scholar; Thompson, A. Hamilton, The English clergy and their organization in the later Middle Ages (Oxford, 1947), 120Google Scholar; BL Harl. MS 3640, fos. 38, 124v; Taxatio, 247a.Google Scholar

⁶⁵ The reason for the sequestration of Sutton Scarsdale church is unclear. If it was vacant, no institutions to it have been recorded before 23 Sept. 1304, when the patron was Thomas, earl of Lancaster, then custodian of the heir of Richard de Grey, a minor. The church was valued at £4 13s. 4d. p.a.; Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, no. 259Google Scholar; Taxatio, 246b.Google Scholar

⁶⁶ Sutton on the Hill vicarage may have been vacant; the first record of an institution to it is that of Adam de Novo Castro subtus Lymam, a priest, on 1 Dec. 1301. He had been presented by the prior and convent of Trentham (Staffs.), to whom the church had been granted by Ralph de Boscherville during the episcopate of Bishop Peche (1161–82). The church was appropriated to the priory and a vicarage ordained after the compilation of the Taxatio, which valued the church at £10 13s. 4d. p.a.: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, no. 250Google Scholar; Collections for a history of Staffordshire (Win. Salt Arch. Soc., 11, 1890), 315–6Google Scholar; VCH Staffs., iii, 257, 258Google Scholar; Taxatio, 247a.Google Scholar

⁶⁷ Why Normanton church was sequestrated is again unclear. The first record of an institution is dated 13 Nov. 1307, when the patron was Lady Denise le Wyne. It was valued at £6 13s. 4d. p.a.: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, no. 501Google Scholar; Taxatio, 246a.Google Scholar

⁶⁸ The church of Castleton in the Peak may have been vacant. William Notekyn, priest, was instituted to the newly ordained vicarage there on 6 Apr. 1302, having been presented by the abbot and convent of Vale Royal (Ches.), to whom the church had been appropriated. Langton's vicar-general, M. Thomas de Abberbur', had ordered an inquiry to be made of the portions and revenues of the church, which had been assessed at £12 p.a. With the bishop's authority, he then summoned the abbot and convent and the priest they had presented to the benefice to hear his ordination of the vicarage. Half the manse which had been the rector's and in which the barn was situated was to pertain to the religious and their successors, with the benefits and profits of the moiety. In addition, the religious were to have the tithes of corn and hay, of the mine, of the foals from the king's stud (pullanorum de haracio domini regis), and of the king's water mill, and also the mortuary animals. The other half of the rector's manse was to pertain to the vicar of Castleton and his successors, together with the church's demesne land and demesne park, the tithes of lambs, wool, milk and other small tithes, and the revenues, oblations and income of the church, except the tithes and revenues assigned to the religious. There were many poor wastes and woods in the area and the burden of hospitality was expensive, but the vicar was to bear the cost of archidiaconal synodalia, and maintain the books, vestments, and ornaments of the church, and all ordinary charges, saving only the charge of building a new chancel, which, if this was necessary, was to pertain to the religious, while two parts of the extraordinary charges were to pertain to the religious, and a third part to the vicar: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’Google Scholar, no. 476; Taxatio, 246b.Google Scholar

⁶⁹ Tibshelf church was assessed at £8 p.a., the amount sequestrated. Presumably it too had been vacant prior to William de Weston being instituted rector on 9 July 1301, having been presented by the prioress and convent of Brewood (Salop.). The nuns of Brewood subsequently received the king's licence for the appropriation in mortmain of Tibshelf church on 1 Nov. 1315, and they paid a fine of £10; the church was then appropriated to them on 14 Jan. 1318/19, and Langten ordained a vicarage there on 9 July 1319, when some interesting details emerged. The vicar was to have all the fruits and revenues of the church, except the tithe of sheaves. He was also to have half the land of the church, equally divided from both the better and inferior, together with the headlands containing the meadow or pasture lying at the head of the selion, half the hay of the church from the headlands assigned to him and from the tithe of the parishioners, and also a small church-yard (aream) opposite the church containing half an acre of land for a manse [to be built there]. The nuns were to pay 408. to the vicar and his successors from the fruits of the church in equal parts at Michaelmas and at Easter and they were to maintain the extraordinary charges of the church, while the vicar was to pay the procurations and other ordinary charges pertaining to the bishop or the archdeacon: Taxatio, 246bGoogle Scholar; Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’Google Scholar, nos. 247, 1170, 1171; CPR 1313–17, 364Google Scholar; Savage, Magnum Registrum Album, no. 326; Knowles & Hadcock, 278, 279.

⁷⁰ John de Berevill, priest, was instituted rector of Church Lawford on 11 June 1300, and Thomas le Bretoun replaced him on 24 Dec. 1300, both having been presented by Thomas Boyn, proctor-general in England of the abbot and convent of St Mary, Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives, Normandy. The church was presumably sequestrated when it fell vacant between the dates of their institutions, as Thomas le Bretoun appears to have remained in office for the rest of Langton's episcopate. He received a one-year licence to study on 22 Apr. 1301, and he was ordained priest on 23 Dec. 1301. Church Lawford church was assessed by the Taxatio at £6 13s. 4d. p.a.: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’Google Scholar, nos. 107, 112, 440, 1287; Taxatio, 241b.Google Scholar

⁷¹ Grendon church was sequestrated when it fell vacant sometime after 17 Dec. 1300 when M. William de Swepston, then rector, was ordained priest. Although the record of his institution has not survived, William had been presented to Grendon church before 6 Jan. 1298/9, when it was noted that an appeal had been made to Archbishop Winchelsey against a sentence imposed by the Dean of the Arches depriving Matthew de Spaldinge of the benefice; the archbishop obviously ruled in William's favour. William was thus probably the unnamed rector of Grendon ordained subdeacon at the ordination service held on 4 June 1300; the record of his ordination to the diaconale has not been found. William had been Langton's sequestratorgeneral from Nov. 1297 to Nov. 1298, and it is probable that he continued in that office until at least 5 Nov. 1299. Grendon church remained vacant until 23 Mar. 1300/1 when William de Edrichesleye was instituted rector, having been presented by Ralph de Grendon. Edrichesleye too was ordained priest at the following ordination service held on 23 Dec. 1301. Grendon church was assessed at £10 13s. 4d. p.a., besides a pension of 6s. 8d. due to the rector of Overton: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’Google Scholar, nos. 81, 86, 114, 1285, 1286, 1287; Reg. Winchelsey, i, 297–8Google Scholar; Taxatio, 242a.Google Scholar

⁷² St Nicholas' church, Birdingbury, was under sequestration when Ingram de Yerdele, chaplain, was presented to it by Sir John Paynel. Ingram was granted custody of the church on 23 Aug. 1301, during pleasure. As he was instituted rector shortly afterwards on 31 Aug. 1301 the bishop seized the autumn fruits in accordance with the grant made to him by Boniface VIII. The church was valued at £4 p.a.: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’Google Scholar, nos. 451, 116, 841; Taxatio, 244a.Google Scholar

⁷³ Birmingham church fell vacant on 4 Dec. 1300, and it remained so until 14 Feb. 1300/1 when Thomas de Hinkelegh, acolyte, was instituted rector, having been presented by Lady Isabella, widow of Sir William de Bermingham. This church was valued at £5 p.a.: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, nos. 466, 113Google Scholar; Taxatio, 242a.Google Scholar

⁷⁴ The reason for the sequestration of Wolstanton church is unclear, but it too may have been vacant. The Taxatio assessed the church at £26 135. 4d. p.a., and it was said to be worth 20 marks in 1317, so the very large sum of £86 13s. 4d. entered on the account roll presumably included its autumn fruits. No institutions to the church have been recorded in Langton's register, but M. John le Brabazon was rector on 1 June 1303 when he was ordained priest by letters dimissory at a service taken by Archbishop Winchelsey at Elmstead by Colchester, having first received papal dispensation for illegitimacy of birth. John received three licences for absence to study; initially for a three year period on 29 Dec. 1308, followed by two one-year terms on 4 Oct. 1313 and 29 Oct. 1319. He had vacated the church by Apr. 1332: Reg. Winchelsey, ii, 964Google Scholar; BRUO, ii, 1117Google Scholar; CPL, ii, 119, 139, 158, 161, 169, 337Google Scholar; Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’Google Scholar, nos. 692, 744, 1265.

⁷⁵ No record of Nicholas de Trokuesford's institution to St Chad's church, Shrewsbury, nor any other reference that he held a prebend in this secular college has been found, but (as de Troughford) he held the third part of Wroxeter church (Salop.) before 29 June 1301. Then, M. Walter de Clune was presented to the portion and its sequestrated fruits were granted to him during pleasure: thus either ‘portion’ is a scribal error for ‘prebend’, or more probably, St Chad's church has been mistakenly recorded instead of Wroxeter. St Chad's had a dean and ten prebendaries and was valued at £19, while the third part of Wroxeter church was then assessed at 5 marks p.a.: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’Google Scholar, nos. 444, 348; VCH Salop., ii, 63, 66, 115Google Scholar; Knowles & Hadcock, 418, 438; Taxatio, 247b.Google Scholar

⁷⁶ Bellingar de Qwillino (or Berenger de Quiliano) held one of the two remaining portions of Wroxeter church which had been assessed at a higher valuation by the Taxatio; the first portion was then valued at 20 marks and the second at 10 marks p.a. Bellingar was portionary of Wroxeter by 17 Dec. 1295 when he was ordained priest by letters dimissory at a service held at Huntingdon. On 18 Oct. 1300 Langton granted him licence to travel to the Roman Curia until 2 Apr. 1301. Presumably he resigned his benefice, which then was placed under the bishop's sequestration, and on 18 Apr. 1301 Roland de Vinquiria (or de Viquiria) was granted custody of it; he was instituted to the portion on 31 May 1301. Bellingar, however, was still rector of Clipston (Northants.), having been instituted to that church on 26 July 1297, and he remained rector there at least until Nov. 1317. Bellingar was closely associated with Boniface son of Thomas Marquis de Saluzzo (or de Saluciis), who became archdeacon of Buckingham, in Lincoln diocese, on 10 Mar. 1299/1300, after his provision by Boniface VIII; Bellingar was his proctor and attorney on a number of occasions. Bellingar himself received protection while engaged on the king's business in June 1315 and July 1316: Taxatio, 247bGoogle Scholar; Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, nos. 335, 437, 414Google Scholar; Reg. Sutton, ii, 141Google Scholar; vii, 74; viii, 220 (bis); CPR 1301–7, 66, 366; CPR 1307–13, 278; CPR 1313–17, 295. 519Google Scholar; CPR 1317–21, 49.Google Scholar

⁷⁷ Harley church was vacant for an unknown period until Richard de Kynredeleye was instituted rector on 24 Mar. 1300/1, having been presented by Sir Richard de Harle. The church was assessed at £3 6s. 8d. p.a.: Hughes, ‘Episcopate’, no. 334; Taxatio, 244b.Google Scholar

⁷⁸ The sequestration of the vacant church of Longford similarly ended when John de Foresta was instituted rector on 29 Jan. 1300/1, having been presented by Sir Adam de Brimpton. John was then an acolyte, and he was ordained subdeacon by letters dimissory at a service conducted by Archbishop Winchelsey at Chedworth (Worcs.) on 27 May 1301. He received the priesthood at a service taken by John Halton, bishop of Carlisle, at Derby on 23 Dec. 1301; the record of his ordination to the diaconale, however, has not been found. Longford church was assessed at £2 p.a.: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, nos. 333, 1287Google Scholar; Reg. Winchelsey, ii, 945Google Scholar; Taxatio, 245a.Google Scholar

⁷⁹ On 18 July 1301 Langton granted custody of his sequestration on Sheinton church to the archdeacon of Shrewsbury, during pleasure, on condition that he would support the under-age presentee, John de Sheynton, in the schools. When John was eventually instituted to the church on 22 Sept. 1303 the patron was Hugh de Sheynton. John was in subdeacon's orders at that time, and he was ordained priest on 17 Dec. 1306; the record of his ordination to the diaconate, too, has not been found. Sheinton church is not listed by the Taxatio: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, nos. 447, 338, 1297.Google Scholar

⁸⁰ The prebend which M. John de Caleys held in the diocese has not been identified. He was presented to Edmondthorpe church (Leics.) by Edmund, earl of Lancaster. He was ordained subdeacon and instituted on 25 Feb. 1289/90, but he had resigned this living by 23 Aug. 1292. John was appointed notary public by William Gainsborough, bishop of Worcester, on 22 Apr. 1303, by authority of a faculty granted to him by Boniface VIII on 24 Nov. 1302. He was collated to the church of St Martin, Eastleach (Glos.), on 3 Mar. 1303/4, and instituted to it on 15 July 1304. John was active as Bishop Gainsborough's notary and clerk, and he was appointed his proctor for the consecration of John Langton as bishop of Chichester at Canterbury on 19 Sept. 1305. He later became registrar and chancellor of John Ketton, bishop of Ely, 1310–16, and he was rector of Hartest, Suffolk, from Feb. 1314 until at least 1340: Reg. Sutton, viii, 43, 51, 60Google Scholar: The register of Bishop William G/a/insborough, 1303 to 1307, ed. Bund, J. W. Willis (Worcestershire Historical Society, 1907), 3, 14, 24, 79, 82–4, 95, 114, 118, 131, 133, 136, 142, 179, 199, 209, 210, 231, 235Google Scholar; Haines, , Administration of Worcester, 134, 152Google Scholar; CPR 1301–7, 533Google Scholar; Emden, A. B., A biographical register of the University of Cambridge to A.D. 1500 (Cambridge, 1963), 117.Google Scholar

⁸¹ Robert de Askeby was instituted rector of Thornton le Moors on 7 Dec. 1301 following a bitter dispute over the patronage of the church which had lasted almost six years: as the account roll shows, the church had been placed under the bishop's sequestration for at least some of that time, from which he received the considerable sum of £22 4s. 2 1/2d., more than double its assessment by the Taxatio of £10 13s. 4d. p.a. Robert had been presented to the church by Edward I on 3 Jan. 1295/6, by reason of his custody of the lands and heir of Ranulph le Ruter, deceased, tenant in chief. However, the king's right to present had been contested by William de Venables, Katherine his wife, and Peter, the late Ranulph's son and heir. John Droxford (keeper of the Wardrobe) had consulted the justices of King's Bench, the barons of the Exchequer and John Langton, the chancellor, and both Droxford and John Langton then wrote to Bishop Langton's vicar-general, M. Thomas de Abberbur', advising him to admit Robert de Askeby without any obstruction in order to avoid being in contempt of the king, and his son Edward, earl of Chester, who favoured Robert de Askeby, and to prevent loss to the bishop. Nevertheless, Robert was still unable to enter the church and assume his duties after his institution, and on 26 Jan. 1301/2 the king wrote to the earl of Chester ordering him to remove the ‘lay force and resistance of rebels’ from the church which was preventing the vicar-general from exercising his spiritual office there, and to protect Robert in his possession of the benefice: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, no. 177Google Scholar; Taxatio, 248aGoogle Scholar; CPR 1292–1301, 181Google Scholar; CCR 1296–1302, 579.Google Scholar

⁸² Tattenhall church fell vacant on 24 Jan. 1300/1 and remained so until 12 Feb. 1300/1, when M. Richard de Birchek was instituted, having been presented by the abbot and convent of St Werburgh, Chester. He then also received letters dimissory for all holy orders and, a day later, a licence to study for one year, although when a copy of this licence was later added to the record of his institution it was said to be for a three year period. Tattenhall church was valued at £6 13s. 4d. p.a.: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, nos. 467, 175, 430Google Scholar; Taxatio, 248b.Google Scholar

⁸³ M. Jordan de Macclesfeld was instituted rector of the vacant church of Mottram in Longdendale on 17 Dec. 1300, following his presentation by Thomas de Burgo. Although no licences allowing Jordan to be absent from his church have been recorded, he did receive a seven year licence to study; he was at Oxford in Feb. 1307/8, and he was granted papal dispensation on 10 May 1308 to study canon and civil law for a further three years. When another incumbent was instituted to Mottram church on 4 Feb. 1315/16 and it was noted that Jordan had freely resigned his benefice following the bishop's visitation of the archdeaconry of Chester earlier that year when legal proceedings (processus) were begun to deprive him of his office; unfortunately, no explanation is given as to why this course of action was taken. Mottram church was assessed at £10 p.a.: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, nos. 174, 901Google Scholar; BRUO, ii, 1200Google Scholar; CPL, ii, 39Google Scholar; Taxatio, 2480.Google Scholar

⁸⁴ On 25 Apr. 1301 Langton ordered the archdeacon of Chester to deliver custody of his sequestration on Bangor church to Walter Reginaldi, priest, to whom he had granted it during pleasure. The bishop wished Walter to support the under-age presentee, William son of Sir John de Sancto Johanne, in study from the revenues of the church. Walter was instructed to ensure the church was adequately served. No subsequent institutions to the church have been recorded. Bangor church too was assessed at £10 a year: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, no. 441Google Scholar; Taxatio, 248b.Google Scholar

⁸⁵ The reason for the sequestration of Acton vicarage and its autumn fruits of £13 6s. 8d. listed below, is unclear. Thomas de Prestecote, deacon, was instituted vicar on 6 Oct. 1300. He was ordained priest on 17 Dec. following. There is no indication that he had died or resigned his benefice, suggesting the sequestration was employed as a means of canonical coercion on the appropriators, Combermere Abbey (Ches.). In 1301 custody of Acton may have been granted to Henry le Waleys, rector of Standish (Lanes.). He was bound to pay £20 to the bishop for the fruits of the church in 1302, and he had been bound to the bishop for 20 marks (£13 6s. 8d.) to be paid at Michaelmas 1301, the exact sum receipted for the autumn fruits here. Acton church was assessed at £48 and its vicarage at £5 p.a.: Hughes: ‘Episcopate’, nos. 171, 1286; VCH Cheshire, iii, 151Google Scholar; Taxatio, 248b.Google Scholar

⁸⁶ M.John de Havering was instituted rector of Warmingham on 29 June 1300, having been presented by the Edward I, by reason of the minority of the heirs of Warin de Mainwaryn, deceased, tenant in chief. The next institution to the church was recorded in Jan. 1306/7. John may have been the nephew of M. Richard de Havering, who became archdeacon of Chester in 1315. Warmington church was valued at £6 13s. 4d. p.a.: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’Google Scholar, nos. 170, 213; CPR 1292–1301, 518Google Scholar; BRUO, iii, 2181Google Scholar; Taxatio, 248b.Google Scholar

⁸⁷ Standish church was assessed at £13 6s. 8d. p.a. Its sequestration ended on 25 May 1301 when Henry le Waleys, priest, was instituted rector, having been presented by William de Standissh. Henry may have been granted custody of Acton church (Ches.) in 1301: Taxatio, 249aGoogle Scholar; Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’Google Scholar, nos. 176, 371, 373; see n. 85.

⁸⁸ On 9 Feb. 1300/1 the rector of Prestwich, M. Matthew de Sholure, was granted a licence to serve Roger de Pilkinton until Whitsun following (21 May). He had vacated the church by 4 May 1301 when M. William de Marklan was granted it in commendam for half a year, and on 23 Oct. 1302 he was granted custody of the benefice, during pleasure, having been presented on both occasions by Adam de Prestwych. The church was valued at £18 13s. 4d. p.a.: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’, nos. 428, 443, 461Google Scholar; BRUO, iii, 2195Google Scholar; Taxatio, 249a.Google Scholar

⁸⁹ On 10 July 1301 custody of the bishop's sequestration on Tilston church was granted to John de Sancto Petro, during pleasure, having been presented by Urian de Sancto Petro. However, another clerk, Henry de Bleccheleye, was instituted rector on 26 Jan. 1301/2, following his presentation by the same patron. Tilston was valued at £6 13s. 4d. p.a.: Hughes, , ‘Episcopate’Google Scholar, nos. 450, 179; Taxatio, 248b.Google Scholar