The Re-foundation of WALTHAM-ABBY by HENRY the Second .

ONe will easily believe , that at the death of King Harold , Waltham-Abby , Waltham Canons in a sad condition . Founded by him , was in a swoon , and the Canons therein much disheartned . However , they had one help , which was this ; that , Edward the Confessour was the confirmer of their Foundation , whose memory was not onely fresh and fair in all mens mindes ( bearing a veneration to his supposed sanctity ) but also King William the Conquerour , had the best of his bad titles by bequest of the Crown from this Confessour . So that in some sense Waltham-Abby might humbly crave kindred of King William , both deriving their best being from one and the same person . The industry of Rob. Fuller last Abbot of Waltham .

Know Reader , that what ever hereafter I alledg touching the Lands and Liberties of Waltham ( if not otherwise attested by some Author in the margin ) is by me faithfully transcribed out of Waltham Leidger-Book , now in the possession of the Right Honourable , JAMES Earl of Carlile . This Book was collected by Robert Fuller , the last Abbot of Waltham ; who , though he could not keep his Abby from dissolution , did preserve the Antiquities thereof from oblivion . The Book ( as appears by many inscriptions in the initial Text-letters ) was made by himself , having as happy an hand in fair and fast writing , as some of his Sir-name since have been defective therein .

Anno Dom. 1102 Anno Regis Hen. 1 3. Not long after the Conquest , Waltham-Abby found good Benefactors , and Queen Maud gives Waltham Monks a Mill. considerable additions to their maintenance . For , Maud , the first Queen to King Henry the first , bestowed on them the Mill at Waltham , which she had by exchange for Trinity-Church in London , which I take to be part of the Trintly-Priory , now called the Dukes-place .

Anno Dom. 1130 Anno Regis Hen. 1. 31. Adelisia , second wife to King Henry the first , being possessed of Waltham as part of her Revenue , gave all the Tythes thereof , as well of her Demesnes , Queen Adelisia the Tythes as all Tenants therein , to the Canons of Waltham : Mean time how poorly was the Priest of the place provided for ? Yea , a glutton Monastery in former ages , makes an hungrie Ministrie in our dayes . An Abby and a Parsonage unimpropriate in the same place , are as inconsistent together , as good woods and an Iron Mill. Had not Waltham Church lately met with a Noble Founder , the Minister thereof must have kept more fasting-dayes , then ever were put in the Roman Calender .

Anno Dom. 1135 Anno Regis Steph. 1 : King Stephen , though he came a wrong way to the Crown , yet did all King Steven his bounty . right to the Monastery of Waltham ( as who generally sought the good will of the Clergie to strengthen himself ) and confirmed all their Lands , profits , and priviledges unto them .

Anno Dom. 1156 Anno Regis Hen. 2 2. King Henry the second utterly dissolved the foundation of Dean and eleven King Henry dissolves the Dean and Canons at Waltham Canons at Waltham . The debauchedness of their lives is rendred in his Charter as the occasion thereof , Cum in ea Canonici Clericique minùs religiosè & aequaliter vixissent , ita quòd infamia conversationis illorum multos scandalisasset . Whether these were really , or onely reputed vitious , God knows , seeing all those must be guilty whom power is pleased to pronounce so . Sure it is , King Henry outed this Dean and Canons , and placed an Abbot and Regular Augustinians in their room , encreasing their number to twenty four . And because ( to use the Kings own words ) it was fit that Christ his Spouse should have a new dowry , he not onely confirmed to this Monastery the primitive patrimony , mentioned in the Confessors Charter , cum peciis terrae , With many pieces of land , and tenements , which their Benefactors since bestowed upon them ; but also conferred the rich Manors of Sewardstone , and Eppings on this Monastery .

The whole Charter of King Henry is too long to transcribe , but some passages Augustinians substituted in their room . therein must not be omitted . First , the King had the consent of Pope Alexander , for the suppression of these Canons ; the rather moved thereunto , quia praedictis Canonicis sufficienter provisum fuit , because the aforesaid expelled Canons had sufficient provision made for them . For , grant them never so scandalous , this was to add scandal to scandal , to thrust them out of house and home , without any means or maintenance . Secondly , this Charter presents us with the ancient liberties of Waltham-Church , that , Semper fuit Regalis Capella ex primitiva sui fundatione , nulli Archiepiscopo vel Episcopo , sed tantùm Ecclesiae Romanae & Regiae dispositioni subjecta . And , though since Reformation , the Church hath been subjected to the Arch-Bishops jurisdiction ( as succeeding to the Royal power ) and sometimes ( with grumbling and reluctancy ) to the Episcopal power , yet it never as yet owned an Arch-Deacon , or appeared at his Visitation .

The metioning of the consent of Pope Alexander to the suppression of Rome-land in Waltham . Waltham Dean and Canons , and substituting Augustinians in their room , mindeth me of a spacious place in this Town , at the entrance of the Abby , built about with houses , called Rome-land , as ( Peter-pence were termed Rome-scot ) at this day . It is generally believed , that the rents thereof peculiarly belonged to the Church of Rome . Thus the Pope would not be so bad a carver , as to cut all away to others , and reserve no corner to himself .

Anno Dom. 1189 Anno Regis Ric. 1 1. King Richard the first ( though generally not too loving to the Clergie ) Fitz-Aucher setled at Copt-Hall . amply confirmed his Fathers Foundation , and gave Lands to Richard Fitz-Aucher in this Parish , to hold them in Fee , and hereditarily of the Church of Waltham-Holy-Cross . This Fitz-Aucher fixed himself at Copt-Hall , a stately house in the Parish . Whether so called contractedly , quasi Cobbing-Hall , from Cobbing , Anno Dom. 1226 Anno Regis Hen. 3 10. a rivolet running not far off , or from two ancient and essential Turrets of that house , which are coped and covered with Lead : or from ( in my minde most probable ) an high and sharp Hill ( thus Copeland so called in Cumberland ) whereon the house is founded .

In or about this Kings Reign , Hugh Nevil , with the consent of Jone his Hugh Nevil a bountiful benefactor . wife , and John his son , bestowed the Manor of Thorndon on the Monastery of Waltham , of whom largely before .

King Henry the third , to spare Court-keeping , came often and lay long at Abbies ; so that Waltham ( the nearest mitred Abby to London ) had much of his company . Being a Religious Prince , great were his desires , but withall necessitous , small his deeds in endowing Churches . However , what he wanted in giving himself , he supplied in confirming the gifts of others . And finding it the cheapest way of benefaction , to give liberties then lands , he bestowed on Waltham a weekly Market and a Faire ( so called à feriando , from peoples playing there ) to last seven dayes ; which now is divided into two , but of shorter continuance , the one on the third day of May , the Invention , the other on the fourteenth of September , the Exaltation of the Cross .

We now have a Market on Tuesday , but cannot boast of much trading Waltham Market . therein . Indeed there is plenty of Flesh , but little Corn brought thither : and Bread is the staff , as of a man , so of a Market . Nor let us impute the thinness of Chapmen in Summer to Husbandmens having no leasure , as busied in tillage , Hay , or harvest : or in Winter to their having no pleasure to repair thither in so deep and dirty wayes , seeing the plain truth is , no underwood can thrive neer the droppings of so great an Oke , the vicinity of London . The golden Market in Leaden-Hall , makes leaden Markets in all the Townes thereabouts .

Anno Dom. 1245 Anno Regis Hen. 3 30. In the first year that Simon was made Abbot ( which by exactest proportion Broils betwixt the Abbot and the Townsmen about Commons . we collect to be about the thirtieth year of King Henry the third ) the * * M. S. of Edward Stacy , written ( as appears by character ) 140 years since , fol. 42. men of Waltham came into the Marsh , which the Abbot and his Covent formerly enjoyed , as several to themselves , killed four Mares , worth fourty shillings sterling at least , and drove away all the rest . The Abbot was politickly pleased , for the present not to take notice thereof . The next year some men of Waltham went to the Abbot , the Thursday before Easter , in the name of the whole Village , and demanded of him to remove his Mares and Colts out of the Marsh . This the Abbot refused to do , adding withal , that if his Bailiffs had placed his Cattle otherwhere then they ought , they might do well to have it amended , yet so , as to defer the matter till Tuesday after Easter .

Anno Dom. 1246 Anno Regis Hen. 3 31. On that Tuesday , Richard , Brother to the King , Duke of Cornwall , came The sturdiness of the Townsmen . to Waltham , at what time both the men and women of the Town repaired to the gate of the Abbey , to receive the Abbots final answer . He told them that he could not speak with them for the present , as providing himself for a long journey into Lincoln-shire , there to visit the Justices itinerant ; but by his Prior and other Canons , he desired them to be patient till his return , when he would mend what was to be mended . Not satisfied therewith , and neither respecting the spiritual holiness of the Abbot , nor Temporal greatness of the Duke , railed at and reviled him . Then into the pasture they go , and , in driving out the Abbots Mares and Colts , drowned three worth twenty shillings , spoiled ten moe , to the value of ten marks , and beat their keepers who resisted them , even to the shedding of bloud .

But , after the Abbot returned from Lincoln-shire , the Townsmen , fearing The most guiltie first accuse . they should be trounced for their riot , desired a Love-day , submitted themselves unto him , and profered to pay him damage . But next day , when the performance of these promises were expected , away went the Waltham-men , with their wives and children , to the King to London , inraging him as much as in them lay , against the Abbot , accusing him that he would disinherit them of their right , Anno Dom. 1246 Anno Regis Hen. 3 31. bring up new customes , take away their Pastures , and ( to use their own words ) eat them up to the bones ; and that he had wounded and abused some of them , who stood defending their own rights . Which false report was believed of many , to the great disgrace of the Covent of Waltham .

The Abbot would not put up so great a wrong , but , having Episcopal The Abbot comes off conqueror . power in himself , proceeded to the Excommunication of the Rebellious Walthamites . But the Townsmen went another way to work , namely , to defend their right by the Common Laws of the Realm . Whereupon Stephen Fitz-Bennet , Simon of the Wood , William Theyden , and Ralph of the Bridge , in the name of all the rest , implead the Abbot for appropriating their Commons to himself . But in fine ( after many cross pleadings here too long to relate ) the Abbot so acquitted himself , that he made both his own right and the Townsmens riot to appear : who at last at the Kings-Bench were glad to confess that they had done evil , and were amerced twenty Marks to the Abbot , which he not onely remitted unto them , but also on their submission assoiled them from the Excommunication .

Anno Dom. 1248 Anno Regis Hen. 3 33. The brawls betwixt the Abbot and Townsmen of Waltham were no sooner The sute betwixt the Abbot of Waltham and the Lord of Chesthunt . ended , but far fiercer began betwixt the said Abbot and the Lord of Chesthunt , on the like occasion . This Chesthunt is a large Parish in Hertford-shire , confining on the West of Waltham , so called saith * * In his short Survey of Hertford-shire . Norden , quasi Castanetum , of Chestnut-trees , though now , I believe , one hardly appears in the whole Lordship . In this sute ,

Plaintiff . Peter , Duke of Savoy , the Kings dear Uncle , ( first founder , I take it , of the Savoy in London ) on whom the King conferred many Lordships , and Chesthunt amongst the rest . Judges . Ralph Fitz-Nicolas , John of Lexington , Paulin Peyner Seneschal , Henry of Bath , Jeremy of Caxton , Henry de Bretton . Defendant . Simon , the Abbot , and the Covent of Waltham . Solicitor . Adam de Alverton .

The Case .

The Plaintiff endeavoured to prove , that the stream of Ley , ( called the Kings-Stream ) dividing Hertford-shire from Essex , ran thorow the Town of Waltham , all the land West thereof belonging to the Manor of Chesthunt . This was denied by the Defendant , maintaining that Small-Ley-stream , running welnigh half a mile West of Waltham , parted the Counties , all the interjacent meadows pertained to Waltham .

Perusing the names of these the Kings Justices at Westminster , who would A like not the same . not suspect , but that this Henry of Bath was Bishop of that See ? considering how many Clergy-men in that age , were imployed in places of Judicature . But the suspicion is causless , finding none of that name in the Episcopal Catalogue . Others in like manner may apprehend , that Bretton , here mentioned , was that Learned Lawyer ( afterwards Bishop of Hereford ) who wrote the * * See Godwin in his Bishops of Hereford . Book De Juribus Anglicanis , and who flourished in the latter end of the Reign of this King Henry the third . But his name being John , not Henry , discovereth him a different person .

Not long after , this sute was finally determined , and Peter Duke of Savoy remised and quit-claimed from him and his Heirs , to the said Abbot and his Successors , the right and claim he had to ask in the same Meadows and Marshes of the said Abbot . This is called in the Instrument sinalis concordia , though it proved neither final , nor a concord . For , soon after this pallia●cure broke out again , and the matter was in variance and undetermined betwixt Robert , the last Abbot , and the Lord of Chesthunt , when the Abby was dissolved .

Many accessions ( besides those common prolongers of all sutes , namely the heat of mens anger , and the bellows of instruments , gaining by Law ) did concur to lengthen this cause .

1. The considerableness and concernment of the thing controverted , being a large and rich portion of ground . 2. The difficulty of the cause , about the chanels of that River , which , Proteus-like , in several Ages hath appeared in sundry formes , disguised by derivations on different occasions . 3. The greatness of the Clients ; Chesthunt Lordship being alwayes in the hand of some potent person , and the Corporation of Waltham Covent able to wage Law with him .

Hence hath this sute been as long-liv'd as any in England , ( not excepting that in * * Cambden in Glocester-shire . Glocester-shire , betwixt the posterity of Vice-Count Lisle , and the Lord Barkley ; ) seeing very lately ( if not at this day ) there were some sutes about our bounds ; Waltham Meadows being very rich in grass and hay , but too fruitful in contentions .

For mine own part , that wound which I cannot heal , I will not widen : and , seeing I may say with the Poet ,

Non nostrum inter vos tantas componere lites . No power of mine so far extends , As for to make both parties friends .

I will not turn , of an unpartial Historian , an engaged person , who as a neighbour wish well to Chesthunt , as a Parishioner better to Waltham ; as a Christian , best to both . And therefore so much for matter of fact , in our Records and Leiger-books , leaving all matters of right for others to decide .

Mean time , whilest the Abbot and Monks of Waltham , were vexed with the men of Chesthunt , they found more favour ( if publick fame belies them not ) from some loving women in that Parish , I mean the Holy Sisters in Chesthunt-Nunnery , whose House ( when ever Founded ) I finde some ten years since thus confirmed by Royal Authority .

Henricus Rex Anglie , Dominus Hybernie , Dux Normanie , Aquitanie , Chesthunt Nunnery Founded . & Comes Andegavie &c. Shestrehunt Moniales totam terram Dom. teneant cum pertinentiis suisque Canonicis de Cathele &c. quos amoveri fecimus . Datum apud West . xj . Aug. Anno Regni nostri xxiiij .

But this subject begins to swell beyond the bounds intended unto it , lest therefore what we intended but a Tract should swell to a Tome , we will here descend to matters of later date .

Onely be it premised , that some years before the Dissolution , Robert the Copt-Hall past to King Hen. 8. last Abbot of Waltham , passed over the fair seat of Copt-Hall , unto King Henry the eighth . Thus as the Castor , when pursued by the Hunter , to make his escape is reported to bite off his own stones , ( as the main treasure sought after ) and so saves his life by losing a limb : So this Abbot politickly parted with that stately Mansion , in hope thereby to preserve the rest of his revenues . However all would not do , ( so impossible it is to save , what is design'd to ruine ) and few years after , the Abby , with the large Lands thereof , were seized on by the King , and for some Moneths , He alone stood possessed thereof .

The Extraction , Charter , Death and Issue of Sir Anthony Dennie , on whom King Henry the Eighth bestowed WALTHAM-ABBY .

AT the Dissolution , King Henry bestowed the Site of this Abby , with A Lease of Waltham-Abby given to Sir Anthony Denny . many large and rich Lands belonging thereunto , on Sr Anthony Dennie , for the terme of Thirty one years . Let us a little enquire into his extraction and discent .

I finde the name very Ancient at a a Speed , or rather Sr Rob. Cotton in Huntingdon-shire . Chesterton in Huntington-shire , where John Denny the great sould●er in France . the Heir-general was long since married , to the worshipful and Ancient Family of the Bevils . It seems , a branch of the Male-line afterwards fixed in Hertford-shire ; Whereof John Denny , Esquire , valiantly served Henry the fifth in France , where he was slain , and buried with Thomas , his second Son , in St Dionys his Chappel ; their interment in so noble a place speaking their worthy performances . In the Reign of Queen Mary , a Frier shewed their Tombes to Sr Matthew Carew , together with their Coates and differences . Henry , eldest son of this John Denny , begat William Denny of Chesthunt in Hertford-shire , which William was High Sheriff of the County in the year 1480. leaving Edmond Denny to inherit his estate .

Edmond Denny was one of the Barons of the Exchequer , in credit and favour Edm. Denny Baron of the Exchequer . with King Edward the Fourth , and Henry the Seventh . He Married Mary , the Daughter and Heir of Robert Troutbeck Esquire , on whom he begat Thomas Denny , from whom the Dennies in Norfolk are descended .

Anthony Denny , second Son to Baron Denny , was Knighted by King Henry Anthony Denny his high commendations . the Eighth , made Gentleman of his Bed-chamber , Privy-Councellour , and one of his Executors . I cannot say he was bred any great Scholar , but finde him a Mecaenas , and grand favourer of Learned men . For , when the School of b b Ascham , Commend . Epist. fol. 210. Idem . fol. 208. Sedbury in the North , belonging to St Johns in Cambridg , was run to ruine , the Lands thereof being sold and embezeled , Sr Anthony procured the reparation of the Schoole , and restitution of their means , firmly setling them to prevent future alienation . Hear what character ᶜ Mr Ascham gives of him ; Religio , Doctrina , Respublica , omnes curas tuas sic occupant , ut extra has tres res nullum tempus consumas ; Religion , Learning , Common-wealth , so employ all thy cares , that besides these three things you spend no other time . Let then the enemies ( if any ) of his memory abate of this character to what proportion they please ( pretending it but the Orators Rhetorical Hyperbole ) the very remainder thereof , which their malice must leave , will be sufficient to speak Sr Anthony a worthy and meriting Gentleman .

I finde an excellent Epitaph made on him by one the Learned'st of Noblemen , His Epitaph made by the Lord Howard . and Noblest of Learned men in his age , viz. Henry Howard , Earl of Surrey , and eldest son to the Duke of Norfolk , worthy the Reader his perusal .

Vpon the Death of Sir Anthony a a Weavers Funeral Monuments , p. 852. Denny . Death , and the King , did , as it were , contend , Which of them two bare Denny greatest love : The King , to shew his love 'gan far extend , Did him advance his betters far above . Neer place , much wealth , great honour eke him gave , To make it known what power Princes have . But when Death came with his triumphant gift , From worldly cark he quit his wearied ghost Free from the corps , and straight to Heaven it lift . Now deem that can , who did for Denny most . The King gave wealth , but fading and unsure : Death brought him bliss that ever shall endure .

Know Reader , that this Lord made this Epitaph by a Poetical Prolepsis ; otherwise , at the reading thereof who would not conceive , that the Author surviv'd the subject of his Poem ? Whereas indeed this Lord died ( beheaded 1546. ) in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth , whom Sr Anthony out-lived , being one of the Executors of his Will. Nor was it the worst piece of service he performed to his Master , when ( all other Courtiers declining the employment ) he truly acquainted him with his dying-condition , to dispose of his soul for another world .

Sr Anthony died about the second of Edward the sixth , Dame Joan his His issue by Dame Joan his wife . Wife , surviving him . Daughter she was to Sr Philip Champernoon of Modbury in Devon-shire : a Lady of great beauty and parts , a favourer of the Reformed Religion when the times were most dangerous . She sent eight shillings by her man , in a Violet coat , to Anne b b Fox , Acts & Monuments , fol. 1239. Aschough when imprisoned in the Counter ; a small sum , yet a great gift , so hazardous it was to help any in her condition . This Lady Joan bought the Reversion in Fee of Waltham , from King Edward the Sixth , paying three thousand and hundred pounds for the same , purchasing therewith large priviledges in Waltham-Forest , as by the Letters Patents doth appear . She bare two Sons to Sr Anthony , Henry Denny , Esquire , of whom hereafter : the second Sr Edward , who , by Gods blessing , Queen Elizabeths bounty , and his own valour , atchieved a fair estate in the County of Kerry in Ireland , which at this day is ( if any thing in that woful war-wasted Countrey can be ) enjoyed by his great Grandchild , Arthur Denny Esq ; of Tralleigh .

The condition of Waltham Church from the Dissolution of the Abby , untill the Death of King HENRY the Eighth .

HAving the perusal of the Church-Wardens accounts , wherein their Ancient expences and receits are exactly taken , fairly written , and carefully kept , I shall select thence some memorable Items , to acquaint us with the general devotion of those dayes .

Know then , there were six Ordinary Obits which the Church-wardens did annually discharge , viz.

For Thomas Smith , and Joan his wife , on the sixteenth of January . Thomas Friend , Joan and Joan his wives , on the sixteenth of February . Robert Peest and Joan his wife , on the tenth of April . Thomas Towers and Katharine his wife , the six and twentieth of April . John Breges and Agnes his wife , the one and thirtieth of May. Thomas Turner and Christian his wife , the twentieth day of December .

The charge of an Obit was two shillings and two pence ; and , if any be curious to have the particulars thereof , it was thus expended . To the Parish-Priest four pence ; to our Ladies-Priest three pence ; to the Charnel-Priest three pence ; to the two Clerks four pence ; to the Children ( these I conceive Choris●ers ) three pence ; to the Sexton two pence ; to the Bell-man two pence ; for two Tapers two pence ; for Oblation two pence . Oh the reasonable rates at Waltham ! two shillings two pence for an Obit , the price whereof in Saint Pauls in London was fourty shillings . For ( forsooth ) the higher the Church , the holier the service , the dearer the price , though he had given too much that had given but thanks for such vanities .

To defray the expences of these Obits , the parties prayed for , or their Executors , left Lands , Houses or Stock , to the Church-Wardens . Thomas Smith bequeathed a Tenement in the Corn-Market , and others gave Lands in Vpshire , called Pater-noster-Hills ; others ground elswhere , besides a stock of eighteen Cows , which the Wardens let out yearly to farm for eighteen shillings , making up their yearly accounts at the Feast of Michael the Arch-Angel , out of which we have excerpted the following remarkable particulars .

Anno 1542. the 34th of HENRY the 8th .

Imprimjs . For watching the Sepulchre , a groat . ] This constantly returnes in every yearly account , though what meant thereby , I know not . I could suspect some Ceremony on Easter-eve , ( in imitation of the Souldiers watching Christs grave ) but am loath to charge that Age with more superstition then it was clearly guilty of .

Item , Paid to the Ringers at the coming of the Kings Grace , six pence . ] Yet Waltham Bells told no tales every time King Henry came hither , having a small house in Rome-land to which he is said oft privately to retire , for his pleasure .

Item , Paid unto two men of Law for their counsel about the Church-leases , six shillings eight pence .

Item , Paid the Attorney for his Fee , twenty pence .

Item , Paid for Ringing at the Prince his coming , a penny .

Anno 1543. the 35th of HENRY the 8th .

Imprimis , Received of the Executors of Sr Robert Fuller , given by the said Sr Robert to the Church , ten pounds .

How is this man degraded from the Right Honourable the Lord Abbot of Waltham ( the last in that place ) to become a poor Sr Robert , the title of the meanest Priest in that age . Yet such his charity in his poverty , that , besides this legacy , he bequeathed to the Church a Chalice a a The Church-wardens account , Anno 1556. silver and gilt , which they afterwards sold for seven pounds .

Anno 1544. the 36. of HENRY the 8th .

Imprimis , Received of Adam Tanner the overplus of the money which was gathered for the purchase of the Bells , two pound four shillings and eleven pence . ] It seems the Kings Officers sold , and the Parish then purchased the five Bells being great and tunable ( who , as they gave bountifully , so I presume they bought reasonably ) and the surplusage of the money was delivered .

Item , Received of Richard Tanner for eight Stoles , three shillings . ] A Stole was a vestment which the Priest used . Surely these were much worn , and very rags of Popery , as sold for four pence half penny a piece . It seems the Church-wardens were not so charitable to give away , nor so superstitious to burn , but so thrifty as to make profit by sale of these decayed vestments .

Item , Paid for mending the hand-bell , two pence . ] This was not fixed as the rest in any place of Church or Steeple , but ( being a Diminutive of the Saints-bell ) was carried in the Sextons hands at the circumgestation of the Sacrament , the visitation of the sick , and such like occasions .

Item , Paid to Philip Wright , Carpenter , for making a frame in the Bell-frey , eighteen shillings four pence . ] The Bels being bought by the Parishioners , were taken down out of the decayed Steeple , and we shall afterwards see what became thereof . Mean time a timber-frame was made ( which the aged of the last generation easily remembred ) in the South-East end of the Church-yard , where now two Yew-trees stand , and a shift made for some years to hang the Bells thereon .

Anno 1546. the 38. of HENRY the 8th .

Item , For clasps to hold up the Banners in the body of the Church , eight pence . ] By these , I understand , not Pennons with Arms hanging over the Graves of interred Gentlemen , but rather some superstitious Sireamers , usually carried about in Procession .

Item , Paid to John Boston for mending the Organs , twentie pence .