EMBEZZLED CHURCH GOODS OF
ESSEX.
BY EDWARD PERCIVAL DICKIN,
M.D.
{Part 10}
{Transcribed for the internet
from the Transactions of the Essex Archaeological Society (now the Essex
Society for Archaeology and History), ‘New Series’ Volume 13 Part 3 (1913).}
THE church goods of Essex have
received considerable attention in the Society's Transactions. The late Mr. H.
W. King's transcripts of inventories of confiscated church goods were printed
in vols. iv. and v. (o.s.) and in vols. i., ii., and iii. (n.s.). Mr. R. C.
Fowler and Mr. W. C. Waller printed some further inventories in vols. x. and
xi. respectively. These all referred to goods taken into the king's hands in
1552, and in some cases the goods previously sold are also named.
The following transcript (the
Essex part only of S.P.D. Edw. VI., vol. v., no. 59) refers to the goods which
the churchwardens and parishioners had sold by 1548.
{THE DEANERY OF LEXDEN AND
TENDRING continued}
ST. NYCHOLAS IN COLCHESTER.
William blotte, George harryson doo presente That there bee sold of the
churches certayne olde Candlestyckes and clothes to the Somme of iijli. whiche
ys bestowede in trymmyng of theyre churche.
{ST. NICHOLAS,
COLCHESTER. William Blotte, George
Harrison do present that there be sold of the church certain old Candlesticks
and cloths to the sum of £3 which is bestowed in trimming of their church.}
ABERTON. Thomas Lyvinge, John
Thymble, Churchewardens doo presente That Sir dauid Bennett parsonne and Thomas
Lyving parryshenour there hathe solde of the churcheplate one chalyce of sylver
wayeng xj. uncis at iijs. viijd, the unce, Summa xis. iiijd., which money they
say ys bestowed upon the reparacions of the same churche.
{ABBERTON. Thomas Living, John
Thimble, Churchwardens do present that Sir David Bennett parson and Thomas
Living parishioner there have sold off the church plate one chalice of silver
weighing 11 ounces at 3s.8d the ounce. Sum 11s.4d. which money they say is
bestowed upon the reparation of the same church.}
MYCHE OKELEY. The
Churchwardens there Doo presente that they haue sold certayne cloothes of the
churches which one tyme covered the ymagis for xs. which ys distributed and
gyven amongest poore people.
{GREAT OAKLEY. The Churchwardens there do present that they
have sold certain cloths of the church which one time covered the images for
10s which is distributed and given amongst poor people.}
ST. PETERS IN COLCHESTER.
Robert Maynerd, John Robertis, Churchwardens doo presente That they haue sold
of the churche plate there, a pyxe of sylver parcell gylte wayeng xxxvijti.
vunces at iiijs. viijd. the vunce, Summa viijli xvs., whereof they say they
haue bestowed in repayringe of the said churche vijli. xvs. And xxs. remayneth
in theyre bandes.
{ST PETER’S, COLCHESTER. Robert Maynard, John Roberts, Churchwardens
do present that they have sold off the church plate there, a pyx of silver
partly gilded weighing 37 ounces at 4s.8d. the ounce. Sum £8.15s. whereof they
say they have bestowed in repairing of the said church £7.15s. and 20s remains
in their hands.}
DOVERCOURTE. Robert Sale,
Christopher Alen, John Alen, parryshenours there doo say that they hath latelye
sold of the church plate, a crosse, a senser, a chalyce, and a paxe all of
Sylver and gylte for the somme of xxijli. vs. And haue speente the same in
suying to the Kingis maiestie and his counsell concernynge the benefyre there.
{DOVERCOURT. Robert Sale,
Christopher Allen, John Allen, parishioners there do say that they have lately
sold off the church plate, a cross, a senser, a chalice, and a pax all of
silver and gilded for the sum of £22.5s. And have spent the same in suying(?)
to the King’s majesty and his counsell concerning the benefice there.}
TENDERING. John Busshe,
Rychard Dyxe, Churchewardens doo say That they haue solde of yron and
candlestyckes of leadd belonginge to the same churche the Somme of viijs vijd.,
and haue bestowed the same in makynge of a pulpytt in repayringe the same
churche and making of an hutche.
{TENDRING. John Busshe, Richard Dyxe, Churchwardens do
say that they have sold off iron and candlesticks of lead belonging to the same
church the sum of 8s.7d. and have bestowed the same in making of a pulpit in
repairing the same church and making of a chest.}
LALEFORDE. The Churchewardens
there doo say That they haue solde of the churches ij. Candlestyckes of latten
two handbells and other olde yron to the Somme of xviiijs., whiche money was
partelie bestowed vpon the churche and partelie to the poore mens boxe there.
{LAWFORD. The Churchwardens
there do say that they have sold of the church 2 candlesticks of brass two
handbells and other old iron to the sum of 19s. which money was partly bestowed
upon the church and partly to the poor mens box there.}
BRYGHTELINGSEY. Thomas
Spysall, John hubbarte, Churchwardens doo sey That they by the aduyse of the
parryshe there haue solde of the plate and ornamentis there three parcells
folowinge videlicet A crosse of Sylver and gylte xxvijli. vjs. viijd., a
chalyce, a Senser, two paxes and a pyxe xxjli. vs. iiijd., and two Coopes, a vestemente,
and two Tynnacles vjli xiiijs iiijd., whiche money was hollie spente and layed
owte in repeyringe the steple with the two yles of the saide churche, in a
mendinge two bridgis there leadinge over the salte water, and in defending a
suyte concernynge a Chauntre presented to be founded in the same churche.
{BRIGHTLINGSEA. Thomas
Spysall, John Hubbate, Churchwardens do say that by the advice of the parish
there have sold off the plate and ornaments there three parcels following viz:
A cross of silber and gilded £27.6s.8d., a chalice, a senser, two paxes and a
pyx £21.5s.4d. and two copes, a vestment, and two Tabernacles(?) £6.14s.4d.
which money was wholly spent and laid out in repairing the steeple with two
aisles of the said church, in amending two bridges there leading over the salt
water, and in defending a suit concerning a Chantry presented to be founded in
the same church.}
WYXE. Nycholas Steward, John
Bateman, Churchwardens Doo presente that they haue sold certayne latten
belonginge to the same churche to the Somme of vjs. viijd. whiche money they
haue still remayninge in thyre handes.
{WIX. Nicholas Steward, John Bateman, Churchwardens
do present that they have sold certain brass belonging to the same church to
the sum of 6s.8d. which money they have still remaining in their hands.}
EMBEZZLED CHURCH GOODS OF
ESSEX. 169
ARDELEY. John ffynche,
Churchwarden there doo presente and saye That he with the assent of xij. of the
parryshe there hath sold of the churchplate, a Crosse, a senser, two chalyces,
a pyxe, a paxe, a shyppe, and a spone, all of sylver for the somme of xxxviijli.
iiijs. ijd., whereof they haue layed owte and bestowed aboute the reparacions
of the churche xxli. iiijs. iid. And remayneth in theyre handes xviijli. And
they say that oone of the said chalyces was sould abowte whitsontide last past.
{ARDLEIGH. John Finch,
Churchwarden there do present and say that he with the assent of 12 of the
parish there have sold off the church plate, a Cross, a senser, two chalices, a
pyx, a paxe, a shyppe(?), and a spoon, all of silver for the sum of £38.4s.2d.
whereof they have laid out and bestowed about the reparations of the same
church £20.4s.2d. And remaining in their hands £18. And they say that one of
the said chalices was sold about Whitsuntide last past.}
