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BRAMLEY. Letters patent of King James I, dated at Westminster, 1 April, 21 of his reign, granting for 10s. to Henry Musgrave and Margaret Askwith, widow, a licence of alienation of certain messuages and lands lying in Bramley, to James Sale, sen., James Sale, jun., Agnes Lister, widow, and John Lister her son.

PONTEFRACT. Letters patent of King Charles I, dated at Canbury 21 July, 4 of his reign, creating sir John Savill, kt., baron Savill of Pomfret in the county of York. Illuminated borders.

Hungerford Inspeximus of an inquisition, dated 15 Dec. 16 Hen. VIII, of all the lands and revenues of St. F. by command of Cardinal Wolsey. ⟨6 February 1640.⟩

Enstone [Oxon.]. Transcript of MS. D. D. Ch. Ch. M. 84. ⟨Early 17 C.⟩

Carlton.. Seventeenth century transcript of letters of William, abp. of York , endowing the chapel of Carleton which is assessed at 12 marks a year, with a vicarage house, small tithes, and one mark a year. Given at Cawode. ⟨30 June⟩1311.

Court Leet and Court Baron held at Wendling Tuesday 15 Oct., 1696, by John Marchant (Steward); 4 Oct. 1698 by John Buxton ; 31 Oct. 1700 by same (m. 2); 2 Nov. 1702 by same (m. 2d.); 8 Nov. 1703 by same (m. 3 and 4).

3 Feb. ⟨1619.⟩ Proceedings in an Exchequer case between William Cartwright , Richard Chaplin , Richard Robinson , on behalf of the parish of Norton, complainants, and William Warde, clerk, defendant. Defendant had procured a decree from the Barons that he should receive all tithes and offerings in the parish of N⟨orton⟩ until the parishioners recovered them by due process of law (which they were at the time attempting). They refused to pay and he prosecuted them for contempt. The parishioners alleged an elaborate ‘modus decimandi’, except for Ch. Ch. and their tenants who compounded with the owners of the tithe. Judgment for William Warde , who is to restore all that he had received beyond the ‘modus’, but may first subtract his costs. There is a note that this will be found ‘in libro ordinac’ sive decret’ de termino S. Hillarii a° 17 James f. 174 Scacc’ remanent’ et ibidem in custodia rememoratoris Regis existent’.

An abstract of a case in Chancery, by which Ch. Ch. claimed against William Napper, gent., the manor of Church Cowley, leased by Oseney to Henry Royse for 68 years at £12 rent (14 April 29 Hen. VIII). 1612–13.

A copy of a decree in Chancery [ff. 1 and 2 have been torn away and two or three lines are missing at the bottom of every folio] granting to Ch. Ch. a further ten acres of common land in Shotover Forest. Charles II, wishing to enclose part of the forest had compensated the inhabitants and landholders of Cowley and elsewhere, who had common rights in the forest. In 1661 the then lord Treasurer authorized Sir John Clerke to treat with the Commoners. Consequently the land bounded on the South by [blank], on the North by Sir Eimoth Tirrell ’s coppice, on the East by Horsepath coppice, and on the West by Magdalen College Woods, was let out to the Commoners. This was carried out in Trinity Term 17 Chas. II, when 30 acres was allotted to Ch. Ch., as was plainly shown by the Auditor’s certificate. But a decree in Chancery of 2 November, 18 Chas. II gave Ch. Ch. legal title to only 20 acres, through a clerical error, thus making necessary the present decree.

Memorandum of the tenants and their lands in Maids Morton. 1638.

‘A true coppi of the lands which did of late belong to the farme of Thomas Turpin .’ [With Henry Turpin ’s mark.] (In Maids Morton.) March 1. 1638.

A plan of Sandford [St. Martin] wood dated 15 June 1636.

Thomas Reyt of Great Wooloard is bound to Ch. Ch. in £18, to stand to a pair of indentures of the same date. (Signed) Jos: Pumell , Tho: Hibie , Tho: Reyte . [Another signature has been cut out.] 29 June ⟨1604.⟩

Letters patent (Latin) of John Perrott of Drayton (Oxon.), gentleman, granting to Ch. Ch. (i) an acre of meadow in S. Aldate’s (Berks.) between the Thames on the West and Frideswide Mead on the East, (ii) a second piece similarly situated. 11 Nov. ⟨1600.⟩ Sealed and delivered in the presence of us, (signed) William Denye , Richard Benott , Henry Ravenscrofte , Richard Rye[r] (?). Signed by John Perrot .

The quit-claim for MM. 56. Dec. ⟨1600.⟩

Lease by Ch. Ch. to Thomas Burneham, of Oxford, gent., of a tenement and garden in St. Aldate’s, [as in MM. 55.]. For 40 years from the Annunciation last past. Rent: 13/4, and at or in the Audit of the dean and chapter, a couple of good fat capons, or 5/-. 10 June ⟨1670.⟩ Endorsed ‘Examinatus per nos’ (signed) Rich: Gardiner . Edw: Pococke . Jasper: Mayne . Rich: Allestree . Geor: Croyden Thes:

The case truly stated betwixt the dean and chapter of Christs Church in Oxford, and William Adkins butcher, concerning Frideswides Medow near Oxford. The Dean and Chapter of Christs Church in Oxford were seised in fee, in right of their Church, of a certain Medow called Frideswides Medow, lying near unto Oxford, and the said Medow lying near unto Oxford was, during the time that Oxford was a Garrison for the late King, very much turfed and digged, and had several Bulworks made upon it, and the Rivers of Charwell and Thames were by His Majesties souldiers turned in upon it, and lay all over it during the late wars, the better to keep the enemy from the Garrison; by reason of which digging, turfing and floating, and the long lying of the waters upon it, the same was almost altogether spoiled, and did bear nothing but Flags and Sedge, and did become marshy ground, so that after the wars the same was very little worth. Whereupon Dr. Reynolds (now Lord Bishop of Norwich ) the Dean, and the then Chapter of the said Church, conceiving that they were not enabled by any Charter of Grant to hold the said Medow in their own hands, and to their own uses, but that according to their trust they were obliged to let the same at an improved rent in Com for the benefit of the whole Society, which consists of a 100 Students and divers other Scholars, and being desirous that the said Medow should be improved and made good again for the benefit of themselves and their successors, did by their Indenture under their Common Seal, bearing date the 20 day of Feb. in the year of our Lord 1649. demise the same unto the said Will. Adkins for 21 years thence next ensuing, at and under an improved rent in Money and Corn, according to the Statute of the 18 Eliz. and also finding by old rent rolls and records, that the old rent of the said Medow was £10. 6s. per an. or thereabouts, they did improve the same in Money and Com, which now usually amounts Communibus annis to £35 per an. which hath been since paid and employed for the benefit of the whole Society, according to the intent of the founder, and the said Will. Adkins did also then pay to the said Dean and Chapter for a fine for the said Lease the summe of £560. That afterwards the said Will Adkins was at very great charges for several years together, in throwing down the Bulworks which were upon it, in dreining, scouring and trenching the Rivers and Ditches, in laying soil and Compost upon the same, and in planting many trees thereupon, and in other good husbandry, which cost the said Will. Adkins at least £800 in so much that he did thereby improve the said Medow to be worth yearly as much more as it was worth when the said Will. Adkins did first enter upon it. That after this the said Will Adkins did renew the Lease from the Dean and Chapter again, who by their Indenture under their Common Seal, bearing date the 10 day of March 1654. did demise unto the said Will. Adkins for 21 years thence next ensuing, at and under the said former improved rent in Money and Com, for which said new Lease Adkins did pay unto them the summe of £300. for a Fine whereby it appears that the said Adkins did disburse in Fines and the said other Charges for improving the said Premisses, the sume of £1600 at the least. That the said Medow after all his said Charges upon it, not being worth above £100 per annum, the Profits thereof hitherto have not near satisfied unto him the yearly Interest of his money, and the Colledge yearly Rents and Taxes, that he hath paid for the same. And yet notwithstanding, after the Restitution of his Majesty, Dr. Fell being made Dean of Christ Church, he and the present Chapter being desirous to have the said Medow to their own uses again, and pretending that the said Adkin’s Lease was void in Law, in regard that the said Medow had not formerly been demised, did without allowing any satisfaction to the said Adkins about two years since Commence an action of Ejectment in the name of one Thomas Hudson Gentleman, as their Lessee for the term of five years, to recover the possession of the same from Adkins, and the said Cause coming to tryal at the same Assizes for the County of Oxford, in the year 1661 the said Defendant Adkins did then make proof of all the matters of fact, and the Jury were then ready to have given a Verdict for Adkins, but Dr. Fell the Dean, and Dr. Dolben the Treasurer of the said Colledge, being both present in the Court, perceiving the same, did move the Judge that the matters in difference betwixt the said parties should be referred to the determination and award of an Arbitrator of their own choosing, and thereupon it was ordered at the said Assizes, that a Verdict by consent should be found for the Plaintiffs, and that all the differences betwixt the parties should be referred to the said Arbitrator, and that the Postea should remain in the hands of the Clerk of the Assizes, untill Mr. Justice Windham should give order to the contrary, as by that order may appear. Upon which reference the said arbitrator did take much pains to settle the differences betwixt them, but could not; and did therefore at last (to prevent the ruin of the said Adkins and his family) on his own award in writing, bearing date on the 28. day of October, 1661. betwixt the said parties, award that the said Dean and Chapter should pay to the said Adkins, towards the satisfaction of all his Monies and Costs, the summe of £600 at our Lady-day then next following; and that in case the said Monies should be then paid, that then the said Adkins should surrender up his possession and Lease to them; but in case that the Monies should not be then paid, that then the said Adkins or his Assignes should hold and enjoy the said Medow for the term of 7 years only then next ensuing, and that at the end of the term of 7 years deliver up his Lease and possession to the said Dean and Chapter, as by the Award may appear. And although the said Arbitrator did not award unto Adkins one half of the Monies due to him, or that in case the said Monies should not be paid to him, did award to him but one half of the term, he having 14. years to come in his term at the time of the said Award; yet the said Dean and Chapter did refuse to stand to the Award made by the said Arbitrator of their own choosing; and yet notwithstanding all the said premisses, the said Dean and Chapter did in the last Mich, term commence a new action of Ejectment in the name of the said Thomas Hudson their former Lessee, against the said Adkins for the recovering the possession of the said Medow from him, and the Cause did come to tryal this last Assizes at Oxford, and a Jury did appear, which were returned by the Prothonotary the last term by order of the Court of Common-pleas. And the Defendant Adkins having made full proof of all the Monies disbursed by him for the benefit of the Inheritance of the said Colledge, and all the said before mentioned matters of fact, the Jury after a long and full evidence given on both sides, did find their Verdict for the Defendant Adkins. And yet notwithstanding it is endeavoured that a Proviso be added unto the Act for confirming of Colledge Leases, that the said Act shall not extend to confirm any Leases made of any Lands which were not let or dimised for eleven years or more before the year of our Lord 1640, which Proviso, if it should passe, would destroy the said Lease of Adkins, and many more Leases, which this Dean Fell, and the present Chapter of Christs Church have confirmed of Lands never let before in Lease, till Bishop Reynolds let them at that time when Adkins took his Lease of him. And likewise at All-souls Colledge in Oxon they have renewed severall Leases of Lands that were never put in Lease, till much about the time that Adkins took his Lease of Bishop Reynolds, and at New Colledge in Oxford they have renewed with many Tenants with in this year and a half, and confirmed their Leases of Lands that were never put in Lease before about twelve years ago by those that were then Governours in that place. And yet Adkins doubts not but to prove and make it appear that the said Medow hath been in ancient times demised at an old Rent, and the said Lease is good by the Laws of this Land, if it be not avoided by the said Provise. And it is manifestly known that Dr. Fell who lays claim to half this Medow for himself, as he is now Dean of Christs Church, was never formerly invested in any part of it, nor those five Canons likewise who seek to take the other from Adkins, and the improved Rent from the Students, which likewise were not formerly invested in these Lands. And the other two old Canons are those that were there when Bishop Reynolds let the Lease to Adkins, and took their Fines, and remain established Canons there still. The premisses considered, it is humbly submitted to judgment what these Leases can he worth to those Tenants who have paid great Fines, and have renewed their Leases within these two years, with these Governours, if they he called away, and other Governours put in their places. And therefore the said Adkins humbly prays and hopes that the said Proviso shall not passe, but that his Lease may be confirmed as well as other Colledge Leases, and that the Law may determine the Title of the same betwixt him and the said Dean and Chapter.

Exemplification of the sentence against William Adkyns , in the cause of the meadow. Thomas Hudson gentleman brought an action of Ejection against W. A. for 120 acres of meadow which had been leased to him (on Sept. 30, 15 Chas. II) by Ch. Ch. for 8 years. Concerning 42 of those acres he won his case, receiving 2d. damages and 40/- costs. It was considered that he had not been ejected from the other 78 acres. 23 Jan ⟨1665.⟩

Seventeenth-century transcripts of (i) a lease by Ch. Ch. to William Kirkman and Alece his wife of two closes lying outside Oseney gate in the parish of S. Nicholas, called the Horse Close (now held by the said William) [except all wood underwood and growing trees]. For 20 years. Rent: 40/-. 2 Aug. ⟨1547.⟩ (ii) A grant (Latin) appointing for life David ap Robert, yeoman, their bailiff, collector of rents, and ruler of all their possessions temporal and spiritual in Staffordshire, Worcestershire and Montgomeryshire, after the death of William Coxe , now possessed of the office. Salary: £16/16/8. [Here the transcript ends: it is followed by fragments of business memoranda, in the same hand.]

Seventeenth-century transcript of a lease by Robert Kinge, bishop of Oxford , to George Owen Esq, Doctor of Philosophy, of his half of the two water-mills commonly called the Castle Mills. 20 April of ⟨1548.⟩ For 80 years. Rent: £11/13/4.

Lease by Ch. Ch. to Anthony Blincow, D.C.L., of their tithes of hay and all other tithes coming from the meadows and grounds late of Ruley Abbey and late in the tenure of Miles Leigh, B.C.L., and now held by the said A.B. For 21 years. Rent: 6/8. 15 Dec. ⟨1600.⟩

Lease to Robert Linke of the sixth tenement of Roger Cumner . [In Oseney Cart. ii. 544, Rewly Lane, 4th tenement.] 22 March 1603.

Lease of the same to Thomas Collins . [In Oseney Cart. ii. 544.] 14 July 1631.

View of Frankpledge held for Ch. Ch. at Oseney. 11 Oct. 1604.

Presentments of a Court held at Ruly, belonging to the manor of Oseney. (Chiefly for encroaching upon the river and not undertaking repairs) (with signatures.) 30 Nov. 1664.