338 



I 



with free warren, free chase, &c., paying a quit rent for Mudsley 

 of 9s. 6d. per annum." The Earl on the 20th May, little more 

 than a month afterwards, sold it privately, with the advowson of 

 Cheddar, to Thomas Lodge, of London, citizen and grocer.t By 

 patent, 6th January, 1555, Thomas Lodge received a license to 

 alienate it to Humfrey Coles, of Barton, J and this being done, 

 Coles, with William Clyfton,brought their action asplaintiffs against 

 Thomas Lodge, citizen and alderman of London, as defendant, 

 to prove their title, the decision as usual being in their favour.§ 



Four proclamations of these purchases were required by law, 

 ViSually made in the market or most pubUc place. But here it is 

 remarkable that sixteen such proclamations were made, viz , on 

 the 5th and 7th Feb., the 10th, 12th, 15th and 18th May, and so 

 continuing the sixteenth was made on the 28th November. 



Humfrey Coles died in 1571, but by Inquisition taken at 

 Taunton, 1st April, Mudsley was not a part of his property. || 

 The sale or transfer to Wm. Clyfton is not found, but on his 

 death in 1564, Mudsley is scheduled to him. Hr; begins his will 

 with the then usual little morality : " Forasmuche as all men ar 

 mortall accordinge to gode providens and the hower of death is 

 uncertaine yt is meet that all men sholde provide in tyme of 

 healthe, yt in the tyme of sicknes theye shoulde not be trobled 

 with worldlie affaires." He then declares himself sole seized in 

 fee simple of and in the manors of Muddesley, Barrington and 

 Cheddon Fitzpaine and other properties, and leaves £800 to the 

 Merchant Taylors to be lent to sixteen needy young men free of 

 interest for five years. By Inquisition, taken on his death, he 

 was so found seized of the manor of Mudsley, with the free water 

 course and gania cignorum, swan stews, in and on the water of 

 Mere called Glastonbury, and John Clyfton was declared his 



• Patent, 7 Edw. VI., part viii., Roll 858. Membrane 23, 

 t Close Rolls, 7 Edw. VI., part ii.. Roll 487. Membrane 7. 

 X Patent 2 and 3, Phil, and Mary, Roll 900. Membrane 11. 

 § Pedes Finium, 2 and 3, Phil, and Mary. Hillary. Somerset. 

 Inquisition Post Mortem Chancery, 13 Eliz., part ii., mem. 42. 



