20 PAPERSj ETC. 



hundred and seventy six days, at tlie rate of four pence a 

 day for eacli.* 



On the 5th of March, 1316, the 9th of Edward II., the 

 Prior of Taunton was certified, pursuant to writ tlien tested 

 at Clipston, as Lord of the Townships of Willand, Prior 

 Merston, and Monksbeare, in the county of Devon. He 

 was also certified in like manner, and at the same time, as 

 one of the Lords of the ToAvnship of Dulverton.f 



We now arrive at the formal proof of the identity of 

 William GyfFarde and the founder of the Priory. This, as 

 I have already stated, is contained in an Inquisition taken 

 before the King's Eschaetor on the 6th of January, in the 

 tenth year of K. Edward IL, or A.D. 1317. The original, 

 although one of the very few records belonging to this 

 House which have hitherto been committed to the press, 

 is given but in abstract, and with the Omission of details 

 always interesting to a local enquirer. A translation here 

 foUows for those of my readers to whom, in its native 

 dress, it might not be familiär : — 



"An Inquisition taken before the Eschaetor of our 

 Lord the King, at Taunton, on the 6th day of January, 

 in the tenth year of the reign of K. Edward ; whether, to 

 wit, the Priory of Taunton is of the foundation of the 

 progenitors of our lord the king, some time kings of Eng- 

 land, or of the progenitor of the king himself, or of others, 

 or of another, and of what men, and of what man, and 

 about what lands and tenements, and from what time : by 

 the oath of John Horcherd, Philip de Bampton, John 

 Aungcr, John de Loveton, GeofFrey de Netherecote, 

 William Punchardoun, William de Webbewelle, John 



* MS. Harl., 6964, pp. 28, 29. 

 t Pari. Writs, vol. ii, div. 3, p, 387. 



