530 



under Eadward. Under Eadward it was worth £20, but was then 

 returned worth £17 only, a depreciation, the consequence probably 

 of the ravages of the Normans.* It remained so held until the 

 time of Bishop Eobert, who died in 1166, and by whom, according 

 to a document in Bishop Drokensford's Registers, already quoted, 

 it was given with Mudsley and Mark, and lands in Biddesham, 

 to endow the new Deanery of Wells, founded about 1150.t 



The earliest mention of the name in the Eecords is in 1227 

 (12 Henry III.), when the Bishop of Bath appoints as his agent 

 or attorney. Will de WeUes, to deal with Eustace de Hamgden 

 and Adam de Wedmor his " native tenants," but for what purpose 

 this appointment was made is not mentioned. J These may have 

 been tenants at Wells, as if they were tenants at Wedmore, the 

 manor must have been then owned by the Bishop. The next 

 mention is in 1255 (39 Henry TIL), and now the manor has 

 clearly passed to the Dean. On the 18th May in that year, at 

 Clareodon, the King granted to Giles de Bridport, Dean of 

 Wells, the right to have one market at Wedmore on the Tuesday 

 in every week, and one fair every year, on the vigil, the day, and 

 the morrow of the Blessed Mary Magdalene, except that such 

 market or fair should interfere with neighbouring markets or 

 fairs. § The property thus settled and improved for the deanery, 

 there arose a dispute in 1327 (1 Edward III.) between the Dean, 

 John de Godeleigh, and Adam de Sodbury, Abbot of Glaston, on 

 a question of trespass by the latter from his manor of Mere on 

 the Dean's manor of Mudsley. The boundaries being eventually 

 settled, it was agreed that certain stone crosses should mark their 

 respective limits, and that the Dean should enjoy Mudsley and 

 the Abbot, Mere. Perhaps it was for some such cause that Dean 



• Bennett J. E., vol. xxv. Som. Arch. Proceedings. 



t Harl. MSS., No. 6,964, p. 6. Dugdale Monasticon, vol. ii., p. 293. 



t Close Rolls, No. 3, 7d. 



§. Charter Rolls, Membrane, 4, 



