Communar's Accounts: 1414-8

Calendar of the Manuscripts of the Dean and Chapter of Wells: Volume 2. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1914.

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Historical Manuscripts Commission, 'Communar's Accounts: 1414-8', in Calendar of the Manuscripts of the Dean and Chapter of Wells: Volume 2(London, 1914), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/wells-mss/vol2/pp48-56 [accessed 25 April 2025].

Historical Manuscripts Commission, 'Communar's Accounts: 1414-8', in Calendar of the Manuscripts of the Dean and Chapter of Wells: Volume 2(London, 1914), British History Online, accessed April 25, 2025, https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/wells-mss/vol2/pp48-56.

Historical Manuscripts Commission. "Communar's Accounts: 1414-8". Calendar of the Manuscripts of the Dean and Chapter of Wells: Volume 2. (London, 1914), British History Online. Web. 25 April 2025. https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/wells-mss/vol2/pp48-56.

In this section

1414–1415.: Accounts of Robert Burgh, the Communar, from Michaelmas, 1414, to Michaelmas, 1415.

Arrears.—Paid to 17 canons resident 381l. 13s. 2¼d.

Receipts.

Farms of Lydeard, Cheddar, Congaresbury, Stokegommer, Modeford, the Barn and Whitchurch and of St. Cuthbert's, as in 1407.
23l. 6s. 8d. from Chewton church, infra.
Other pensions of churches, the same as in 1407.
The farmer of South Barow, because the house is in ruins, only 3l. 13s. 4d.
Large house, formerly Mogg's, and shops adjoining 3l. 12s. 0d.
Rent of house at the corner of the street to Mountrey and street to Byestwall 4d.
Wood sold at Canons' Barn 11s. 6d.
Robert Coterell, reeve of North Cory 54l. 7s. 11½d.
Thomas Notyer, reeve of Est Cory 47l. 7s. 0d.
John Wilmot, reeve of West Hatch 25l. 0s. 0d.
Lawrence Clarke, reeve of Knapp 15l. 0s. 0d.
Walter Atyerde, reeve of Byknaller 9l. 17s. 0d.
John Gerveyse, reeve of Winscomb 80l. 17s. 7d.
Robert Bullysdon, bailiff of North Cory 16l. 10s. 0d.
Robert Warine, reeve of Burnham 9l. 6s. 8d.
Fees of the seal:
vacancy of Henstridge vicarage 5s. 0d.
chapel of Spekelyng 2s. 4d.
vacancy of the rectory of Burnet 10½d.
confirming lands at Merkham 1l. 0s. 0d.
vacancy of the rectory of St. John at Zelthoft 3s. 4d.
perquisites of the chapter of Wynsham and Cumbe, spent in journey and horse hire
Total receipts 167l. 0s. 11d.

Expenses.

Commons of the bishop and other canons 175l. 16s. 8d.
In procession 5l. 5s. 4d.
Commons of the vicars 56l. 15s. 10d.
Fetching holy oil from Sherborne 2s. 5d.

Foreign expenses.

To the Papal nuncio, his 18th year 7s. 0d.
To Thomas Barton, chapter official at Cory, for half a year 10s. 0d.
To master of St. John of Bridgewater, collector of the subsidy of 2d. in £, taxer of benefices and temporals 3l. 0s. 0d.
To the abbat of Clyve, one tenth to king at the Purification 35l. 18s. 7½d.
To Ralph Canon, the like 1l. 9s. 4d.
To the same, for Whitchurch, subsidy and expenses of proctor of clergy in convocation 3s. 6½d.
To the prior of Dunster, for tenth 10s. 0d.
To Thomas Frome, for the house of the master of the schools, taken from his house 6s. 8d.
To the escheator, for Bishop Ergum's exequies 1l. 1s. 0d.
To Peter Lovepit, annuelar, for Bishop Ergum's chantry 4l. 10s. 0d.
To the sheriff and under-sheriff 2l. 13s. 4d.
To Adam, keeper of the writs 6s. 8d.
To the clerk of green wax 3s. 4d., and his servant 7s. 5d. 10s. 9d.
Breakfast for the sheriff and officials 7s. 1½d.
To Nicholas Motylbyry and Nicholas Barwe, the same day 5s. 4d.
Conferring with John Rodenale about the farm of Chewton 4s. 4d.
To William Radeford, chaplain, to continue his place there 10l. 0s. 0d.
To the steward and Nicholas Barwe, for a court there 3s. 3½d.
To the chaplain of Eston Major, in part payment for Easter term 1s. 8d.
To the carpenter for 10 days' work, pulling down the timber of the chamber at Torgate and for rafters, windows &c. at 5½d. a day 4s. 7d.
To the tiler, 14 days, for the hall of the same chamber, at 5½d. a day 6s. 5d.
Laths, nails, sand, lime, Welsh-board 10s. 1½d.
Conferring with the prior of Shene at Witham, about Chewton 5s. 10d.
Expenses of John Hody, about the same 3l. 6s. 8d.
Expenses at London in arranging the chapter's loan of 100l. to king, and getting security 7l. 4s. 4d.
To the clerk for writing the indenture for the farm of Chewton 6d.
Fee to John Rowlond for the king's charter of pardon to the chapter 1l. 2s. 4d.
Holding a court at Pucklechurch, and collecting moneys 12s. 4d.
Total expenses 407l. 7s. 11d.
To William Bryt, the chapter's proctor before the subconservator and in consistory 1l. 0s. 0d.
Owing by the communar, after expenses of audit 152l. 17s. 7d.
by the reeve of Cory 140l. 3s. 4d.
by the reeve of Est Cory 35l. 16s. 5¼d.
by the reeve of Knapp 4l. 18s. 6d.
by the reeve of West Hatch 6l. 19s. 0¼d.
by the reeve of Burnham 26l. 4s. 7d.
by the reeve of Wynscomb 8l. 9s. 4¾d.
by the bailiff of North Cory 4s. 4d.
by the parsonage of Chewton 23l. 6s. 8d.
by William Radeford, chaplain 10l. 0s. 0d.
by the archdeacon of Taunton, for the vacancy of Craucombe church 10l. 0s. 0d.
by the bailiff of Pucklechurch, fines and perquisites of court 1l. 8s. 2d.
by the same, for rents of David Cook 6s. 8d.
To 14 canons, each 30l. 1s. 0½d.; total 420l. 14s. 8¼d.
Canons: R. Brewton, T. Madynley, J. Orum, J. Roland, J. Knyght, W. Langebrok, Roger Harewell, W. Calf, T. Frome, Richard Harewell, Ralph Canon, Richard Penifader, W. Excestre, Roger Wodehull.
Paid to Mr. R. Bruton que respectantur super H. Beaufort Epm. Winton pro obligacione. 100l. 0s. 0d.
Bydesham. Richard Russell, the reeve, arrears 6l. 13s. 4d.
The same, newly issuing 15l. 10s. 0d.

Expenses.

For a "tachen" of iron, 3 feet long, for a gradual on the dean's side 6d.
To the escheator, last payment for the obit of T. Byngham 1l. 6s. 8d.
Henceforth the sacristan to have 20d. for oil. Re-hanging 5 bells and Little Harewell 7l. 8s. 6d.
Sawing wood and making 3 ladders 12s. 10d.
Regylborde and 5 pieces of weynyscote for oak wheels &c. 9s. 9d.
4 clappers and iron work, weighing 130lbs. 4l. 8s. 4d.
Carrying clappers to Sherborne and back 11s. 0d.
6 baldrics 12s. 8d.
Mending scherbynd, paletts, bolts and nails and exchange of old iron 7s. 6d.
Mending ladders in old bell-tower 2s. 10d.
Oaken flail for bells 1s. 9d.
Meat and drink during the bell-hanging 5s. 10d.
In fusione pro bras', 167lbs. 1l. 7s. 10d.
Melting 26lbs. of brass and 23lbs. of tin 9s. 1d.
627lbs. of iron for gudgeons, bolts, scherbynds, tappings, nails 5l. 4s. 2d.
Elm and ash and making wheel to lift bells 7s. 5d.
Mending and binding 2 antiphoners on the dean's side and 2 graduals 3s. 8½d.
Thread, needles and oil for cristinator and small nails 7½d.
To the escheator for the obit of Mr. Robert Rugg, 4th year 1l. 6s. 8d.
The steward going to Canterbury to treat with the executors of Archbishop Arundell for divers vestments 1l. 5s. 0d.
Mending a lock for the common seal and mending Judas-bell 4d.
To John of Glawcestre, in part payment for the small organ 6s. 8d.
4 oaken cases [capsulœ] and wood for 4 books of Canon Law given by Richard Drayton 11s. 0d.
Nails and hinges for the same, 3s. 10d.; 2 sheep-skins [?; motilini] for binding the same, 2s. 5½d. 6s. 3½d.
2 staves and 2 chains for a portifory and a psalter in the choir, 3 feet long, given by the same 3s. 9d.
Melting 3 gunnys [? flagons], 42lbs. 7s. 0d.
14lbs. of brass for the same 2s. 4d.
Lectern to hold the book of Canon Law on the north side of choir 2s. 5d.
Iron and nails to hold the same book 2s. 0d.
Iron to bind the said gunnœ 1s. 4½d.
Tin vessel for St. John's altar in exchange for old 10d.
Mending the basin called Jurnel in the midst of the choir, and for auricalcum 2s. 0d.
2 cords for the basin called Jurnel 4d.
Making a bier for the Lord's body, and thread and nails 10d.
To the sacrist for keeping the chimes [?; chymbur'] 3s. 4d.
Berlych. Going to Lympsham and Berwes to appoint farmers of the rectory of Berwes 11d.
Washerwoman, for mending and washing vestments 6½d.

1416–1417.: Accounts of Robert Burgh, the Communar, from Michaelmas, 1416, to Michaelmas, 1417.

Arrears.—Paid to 15 canons resident 356l. 10s. 7¾d.

Receipts.

For the whole mansion at Torrgate 1l. 3s. 4d.
For freestone sold at the Barn and Torgate 14s. 0d.
Fine of John Ewan and Ralph Hwnte pro transgressione capitali 10s. 0d.
John Gardener, reeve of North Cory 96l. 0s. 0d.
John Attewode, reeve of Est Cory 76l. 0s. 0d.
Nicholas Wilmote, reeve of West Hatch 21l. 17s. 2½d.
Laurence Clerk, reeve of Knapp 18l. 13s. 4d.
John Bensham, reeve of Wynscombe 84l. 4s. 0d.
Robert Qwarin, reeve of Burnham 43l. 2s. 4d.
Walter Attyerd, reeve of Bykenalre 10l. 6s. 8d.
John Westerby of Bristol, for sealing a letter for a neif 2l. 0s. 0d.
Perquisites of the chapter of Wynesham and Combe 5s. 0d.

Necessary expenses.

Rogations during the year, on St. Mark's day nil, being Sunday 5s. 0d.
Fetching oil from Sherborne 1s. 6d.
Carrying the rent of St. Dunstan 8d.
The chaplain celebrating for the soul of Stephen Hull 4l. 0s. 0d.

Foreign expenses.

The precentor of Glaston, from Wynescombe church 13s. 4d.
The abbat of Cirencester, collector of the king's tenth and half tenth 53l. 17s. 10½d.
Ralph Canon, for the half tenth for the farm of Whitchurch 14s. 8d.
The prior of Dunster, for half tenth 5s. 0d.
4 gallons of wine, sent to Walter Hungerford 2s. 8d.
3 gallons of wine sent to the canons and others in the church porch when Walter Hungerford was admitted confrater 2s. 0d.
Mr. Th. Harewell, advocate, and John Kene, the chapter proctor in consistory, and to the clerk for writings 1s. 10d.
Mr. John Hody, sent to the lord of Dunster 15s. 10d.
The prior of Worcester, for the indemnity of Pucklechurch church 3s. 4d.
Expenses of Richard Brewton and John Rowland at Okampton 2l. 2s. 11½d.
Ralph Canon, for his expenses of convocation in London 10d.
At the installation of Mr. John Sturtwayte 8d.
The master of the commonalty of Wells, for paving the King's way before two shops and carrying stone from Canons' barn 7s. 1d.
Getting letters at Exeter against William Radeford 11s. 3d.
Lead, tiles, laths &c. for the shop at Jacobswell 9s. 11d.
Richard Bruton's expenses in London on chapter business 1l. 10s. 1d.
Holding a court at Pucklechurch, treating with Gilbert Denys at Sixton and Olvyston and with Abbatiston parish 1l. 1s. 5½d.
At Bristol, getting the pension from the master of St. Mark's 2s. 8d.
Sir Gilbert Denys 2l., and his bailiff 3s. 4d., and his entertainment for horses and men at Simon Bayly's 11s. 8d. 2l. 15s. 0d.
Two horses at Wells and holding a court at Chewton 1s. 4d.
Two horses at Wells and holding a court at Pucklechurch 1s. 11d.
Paving with freestone at the door of communar's cawete 8d.
Geoffrey the cursor, at London and Shene, treating with the prior about the first payment of the farm of Chewton 3s. 4d.
The archdeacon of Wells for procuration of the farm of Modeford 7s. 7½d.
Breakfast for the king's collector 3s. 4d.
Expenses of Mr. J. Orum's interview with jurors at T 11s. 0d.
Total expenses 429l. 19s. 4d.
Owing by the communar 233l. 2s. 0½d.
by the reeve of Cory 58l. 12s. 10¼d.
by the reeve of Est Cory 41l. 1s. 0½d.
by the reeve of Knappe 6l. 18s. 6d.
by the reeve of West Hatch 2l. 17s. 9¼d.
by the reeve of Burnham 5l. 6s. 3d.
by the reeve of Winscombe 11l. 5s. 10¾d.
by the reeve of Bykenalre 13s. 4d.
by the parsonage of Chewton, one year's pension 23l. 6s. 8d.
by the bailiff of the hundred of North Cory 2s. 8½d.
by the bailiff of Pucklechurch, rent and perquisites of court 1l. 7s. 5d.
by the archdeacon of Taunton, for the vacancy of Chedzey Church 5l. 0s. 0d.
To 16 canons resident, each 24l. 7s. 1½d.
Names of the canons: Richard Brwton, Thomas Madingley, John Orum, John Roland, John Knight, Reynold Bryta, John Hody, William Langbrook, Roger Harewell, William Calf, Thomas Frome, Richard Harewell, Ralph Canon, William Excestre, Richard Penifader, Roger Wodehulle.
Bydesham. Arrears 4l. 7s. 5½d.
Receipts 13l. 16s. 8d.

Expenses.

Mending 2 thuribles and for 2¼oz. of silver 4s. 6d.
Augmenting and mending 2 antiphoners, 2 chains and 2 graduals in the choir 2s. 6d.
Mending and binding 1 antiphoner before the precentor and succentor, and for 1 small book of the Litany, and for cords above the high altar 2s. 6d.
Mr. Robert Rugg's obit, 6th year 1l. 6s. 8d.
Cords for 2 basins before the high altar, and for girdles 4d.
Making a cope of white cloth of damask, with golden stars on the orphreys &c. 4l. 5s. 0d.
Paid to John of Gloucestre, the maker of the organ 13s. 4d.
To Walter Bagele, vicar, for keeping and playing the organ 10s. 0d.
For 4 `coniclis' with card for the tabellar 1l. 5s. 0d.

1417–1418.: Accounts of Robert Burgh, the Communar, from Michaelmas, 1417, to Michaelmas, 1418.

Arrears.—Paid to 15 canons resident 389l. 0s. 6¼d.

Receipts (usual entries).

Of the farmer of South Barow 3l. 6s. 8d.
Of Sir Gilbert Denys, for the farm of Pucklechurch 40l. 0s. 0d.
[Among pensions.] From the church of Crych 6s. 8d.
[Among rents.] Of John Withy's houses 3s. 4d.
Of the vicar of Chewton and Geoffrey Wynde, for costs of the king's court 5s. 0d.

Necessary expenses.

Commons of the bishop and canons 125l. 5s. 2d.
In processions 4l. 2s. 4d.
Commons of the vicars 51l. 7s. 2d.
Fetching oil at Montacute 2s. 7½d.

Foreign expenses.

Papal nuncio 7s. 0d.
To the boys for clothing [pro vestura] 3l. 0s. 0d.
John Gaskyn, the chapter attorney; his fee 1l. 6s. 8d.
[Marginal note:] Cave de feodo attornati.
Getting writs against certain persons 2l. 1s. 8d.
The prior of Bath for one tenth 35l. 18s. 7½d.
The tenth for Whitchurch and Dunster 1l. 19s. 4d.
Pucklechurch pension, to the sacrist of Glaston (due from the vicar, but he is too poor), minus 2 tenths 2l. 0s. 0d.
Installing Mr. Humfrey Rodenal, Mr. John Codeford, Mr. Thomas Stevens, archdeacon of Taunton, and Mr. John Reynolds 3s. 4d.
William Clerk for writing 2 indentures about Cory Bridge 8d.
Sheriff's expenses, and gift to him and his servants 2l. 0s. 7d.
Roofing the hall, gatechamber, latrines &c. at Torgate 13s. 9d.
For a Papal bull confirming the privileges of the liberty 1l. 6s. 8d.
Writing divers muniments in the Treasury 5d.
Writ against the vicar of Chewton, and 2 other judicial writs 3s. 4d.
The vicar of Pucklechurch, for building the chancel of Abbatyston 13s. 4d.
Carrying stones from Canons' barn, labourers and masons, paving the king's way before certain shops 12s. 0d.
Expenses at Pucklechurch, with horse hire, about tithes in Pucklechurch, Abbatiston and Westleigh, and arranging with Gilbert Denys 1l. 8s. 1d.
Writ of outlawry against Hugh Bayly of Radstock 1s. 0d.
The farmer of South Barow, for repair of chancel there 3s. 5d.
Mr. Henry Abyndon for his labour in the General Council [Constance] 2l. 0s. 0d.
Nicholas Taunton, for writing and registering muniments 3s. 4d.
Owing by the communar 255l. 16s. 9½d.
by the reeves and bailiffs 154l. 3s. 1½d.
To 11 canons resident, each 37l. 5s. 5d.
Names of the canons: Thomas Frome, John Orum, John Roland, John Knygth, Reynold Brytha, Roger Harewell, William Calf, Richard Harewell, Ralph Canon, William Excestre, Richard Penifader.

Expenses.

Bydesham. Mending 2 large thuribles, and silver for them 4s. 1d.
Mending the antiphoner hanging at the Treasury door 2s. 6d.
Binding the antiphoner on the precentor's side 6d.
A pair of hinges for a small chest for the muniments 4d.
One dozen of parchment for copying muniments in the Treasury 2s. 0d.
2½ yards of silk of divers colours to make a sudarium for the Lord's body on the feast of Corpus Christi 4s. 2d.
1 pipe of gold for the same, 2s. 2d.; sewing it for the bier, 3s. 4d. 5s. 6d.
Mending the choristers' gradual, binding the collectarium and legenda sanctorum 6s. 8d.
Dyeing St. Saviour's robe for the Easter play, and 2 beards for palmers 1s. 4d.
John the organist of Gloucester, for the great organ, in exchange for the organ in St. Mary's chapel 1l. 13s. 4d.
3lbs. of wax and verdigris for 2 tables for the weekly titles of canons and vicars 2s. 0d.
Payment to the sacrist for keeping the chimes 3s. 4d.
Walter Vageler, for keeping and playing the organ 10s. 0d.
Berlych. Mending 3 albs and amices, and washing, and for 2 towels 1s. 3d.
For 12 little horns for the lantern in the nave, and a lock &c. for the great chest for bread of the poor 1s. 4d.
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