160 TJnjiullished Docnmenis relating to the 



prove of wider interest by casting a side-light on the political in- 

 trigues of the time, as well as illustrating the magnificence, especially 

 in jewellery, which characterized the nobles of the time of Henry 

 VIII. and Edward VI. 



The Abbey appears from a deed at Lacock,^ to have been sur- 

 rendered on January 21st, 1539, not on July 21st, as stated in Bowles 

 and Nichols' History of Lacock, p. 282. The earlier date is confirmed 

 by Rymer's Fcedera. The price paid was £783 13*. \{)\d., paid in 

 four instalments, i.e., £100 on 16th July, 1540; £220 on June 

 24th, 1541; a similar sum on April 9th, 1542; and the balance of 

 £243 13«. lOi^. on November 15th, 1544. Letters patent were 

 to be made out to " W. Sharyngton, Page of the King's Robes, and 

 Elyanor, his wife." He was involved in the fall of the Lord High 

 Admiral Seymour/ and brought to trial at the Guildhall, London, 

 on February 14th, 3 Edward VI. (1549), on the charge of having, 

 at Bristol, on the 10th July, 1 Edward VI. (1547), and at divers 

 times before and after, counterfeited £2000 worth of coins called 

 testons, without warrant and in defiance of prohibition. Sir William 

 Sharington appeared, in the custody of Sir John Gage, Constable, 

 and Sir John Markham, Lieutenant, of the Tower, and pleaded 

 guilty. He was condemned to death, to be taken to the Tower, and 

 thence drawn through the midst of the city to the place of execution, 

 and there hanged ; execution to take place at the King's pleasure. 

 By an Act passed in the Parliament which met 4th November, 1 

 Edward VI., and continued till 4th November, 2 and 3 Edward VI., 

 he was attainted, and forfeited all his estates. 



Probably the sentence of death was little more than formal, and 

 Sharington was given to understand that a heavy fine, and full 

 confession of his complicity in the Admiral's designs, would ensure 



' " Inquisition of the Attorney-General against Henry Sharington, concerning 

 all his possessions." 



2 Acts of Privy Council, 1547-1550, p. 239. " 1548-9. six. Januarij. This 

 day more declaration of the said conspiracy cummyng forth and appering, Sir 

 William Sheviugton, Vice Thresaurer of the Mynt at Bristoll, and M'' Fowler 

 of the Privy Chamber, for that and other matiers, were sent to the Tower." 

 Sharington was still in the Tower in January, 1549-50, as on the 20th of that 

 month we find an order for the payment of hia " dyetts," p. 371, ihid. 



