116 
the Bishop caused them to be inditted as for a Riot—probably 
from some scuffle whilst hindering the alteration. They now 
appealed a second time to the Arches Court, and also sent to the 
Archbishop the following petition signed by about a hundred of 
their fellow parishioners :—We the inhabitants and parishioners of 
Beckington do humbly:certify that the Communion Table of our 
Church hath and doth stand in the midst of the chancel, being the 
most convenientest place (time out of mind), and beyond the 
remembrance of any of our parishioners now living. And that 
near threescore years since the pavement of the said chancel upon 
which the Communion Table standeth was new made, and in the 
new making thereof raised about a foot above the rest of the 
ground, and then also compassed about with a fair wainscot border 
in which there is only one wainscot door to come into the said 
Table, which door is kept fast and none doth enter thereat but 
the Minister and such as he doth require, which said Communion 
Table doth at the day of the date hereof stand so conveniently 
and decently as aforesaid. And we the said parishioners, with a 
unanimous consent do humbly pray, That it may so continue 
freed from all innovation, and so do humbly take our leaves.— 
Dated this 19th Dec., 1635. 
Here it may be noticed the usual form “and your petitioners 
will ever pray for your long life, &c., &c.,” is omitted, and a much 
shorter finish substituted. 
The Archbishop, in reply, refused to admit their appeal, 
threatened them all with the High Commission Court, and to 
“Jay by the heels” their solicitors, Mr. Wm. Long and Mr. George 
Long, and finally commanded them at once to obey their Diocesan. 
Determined still to hold out they now appealed directly to the 
King, pointing out as before that all former Archbishops and 
Bishops had approved of the table being where it was. To this 
Laud, by his influence, prevented any reply. Being thus destitute 
of all relief, the churchwardens continued, as the Bishop called it, 
“in a most contemptuous manner” excommunicated for about a 
: 
| 
