EEE BEER WELLE UWE 
ON THE CHARTERS OF CLEEVE ABBEY. 71 
resulted, as was intended, in the murder of many of the 
ecelesiasties, and in the suppression of the greater Mon- 
asteries, which alone remained to enrich the spoiler, This 
was “the good, true, faithful, and” no doubt most “ ac- 
ceptable service,” for which Cleeve Abbey—the “ Flowery 
Valley” of peace—was the payment. 
The lands are enumerated as situate 
“. . in parochia seu hamelettio de Vet’i Clyff, London, 
Bylbroke, Wassheford, Hungreford, Golsingeote, Roode- 
water, Leygh, & Bynham’, in d’eo Com’ n’ro Som’s.” 
There is in this also a distinet and emphatic reservation 
of the Rectory :— 
“ Except’ tamen semper ac nob’ hered’ & successorib’ 
n’ris omnino reservat’ tota R’toria de Olde Clyve.” 
These documents stand in mournful contrast to those 
which have previously been submitted. Sacrilege and 
tyranny have done their work. And silence and ruin have 
taken up their abode, where hitherto and for long resided 
the beauty of holiness and the voice of melody. 
From this time the place has no history save that of a 
private estate. The narrative of the fortunes of its sub- 
sequent host of owners may possess a melancholy interest, 
and suggest very fearful subjects of thought. But the 
peculiar fascination and charm is gone; and my task, 
already, perhaps, too protracted, necessarily hastens to its 
completion. 
It is indeed time, I feel, to draw to a conclusion. Yet 
have we pursued our way, not wearisomely, I trust, or 
without some little interest, over many a roll of time- 
hallowed parchment, and along many a line of strange and 
sometimes faded characters, and of obsolete phraseology, 
now presented in familiar type, distinetly punctuated, in- 
vested in the customary garb of our mother-tongue, and 
