By the Rev. W. Gilchrist Clark, M.A. 295 



lettres to have any autoritie to dispense with the saide heddia in this case, but 

 as in tymes past so I doo yet think it very necessaiy that they have not lihertie 

 so soone after their injuctions, partely because it will be some occasion to 

 think the other may as well be broke, and partelj' because their inferiors shall 

 think that they have no litell injury so to be bounden, and their bed which hath 

 professid the same religion, and shulde be in all hardenes as a lanterne and 

 example to theym, thus to be losid. Besides this, if ye had withdrawen your 

 hand a while herein, they shuld have had gret occasion to seke uppon the kinges 

 favour and yours, and so it might have lyen in your handes to gratifie theym 

 daily to their great hartys ease and your no litell commoditie. And also dyvers 

 other causes there be as ye shall knowe by the compertes in this visitation, why 

 it is not expedient as yet, that some of theym shuld have suych lihertie 

 Wherfore, notwithstonding your gentill licence given to me in this behalf, I 

 entende to release none before that I speke with your maistership, or els that 

 ye send me strayte commaundement so to doo. Praying you hartely that ye 

 well consider whome ye send to the universities of Oxford and Cambrige, where 

 other will be founde all vertue and goodness or els the fontayne of all vice and 

 myschief, and if all be well orderid there, no dowte both God and the king shall 

 be well servid in these affaires, and your maistershippes office well discharged. 

 Thus I commit you to Allmightie God. From Willton, the thirde daie of 

 Septembre. 



" Yours ever assureytt, 



"Thomas Legh." 



While tliis correspondence, however, was going on, the visitation 

 of houses had been proceeding. Legh, with his colleague, John 

 Ap Eice, had visited Mahnesbury Abbey, and had written an 

 account of their " comperts " or matters to report there. This 

 letter, unfortunately, appears to be lost, but we have another dated 

 August 20th, from Lacock, in which he continues his report, 

 dealing with Bradenstoke, Stanley, and Lacock : — ^ 



" After my due and right humble comendacions. Please it yo' M'ship to be 

 advertised of o' procedings in thies parties. We have ben at Maumesburie 

 wherof I have alredy advertised yo"^ M'ship by my other lettres. And than at 

 Bradstock where after exact and diligent inquisicion we coulde not prove any 

 cryme ageinst the Prior, but ij. or thre of the convent were found convict of 

 incontinencie. At Stanley thabbot confessed incontinence .... before 

 he was abbot and vj. or vij. of the convent have confessed incontinencie. And 

 nowe being in examinacion at Laycok as yet I can finde no excesses. And as 

 for the howse it is in good state, and well ordered. M' Docto' dothe every 

 where restraine as well the hedds as the brethern or susters from going forth 

 and no women of what state so ever they be, to come withine religiouse mens 

 houses, nor men to comme to religious womens houses, saing it is yo' pleaso'. 

 yo' pacience not offended I thinke the same over straight, for many of thies 



* Letters and Papers, ix„ 139. 

 VOL. XXVIII.— NO. LXXXV. Y 



