TAUNTON PRIOKY, 25 



ventual Church In a style of sumptuous magnificence. Fifty 

 yeai's had elapsed from tliat period, and the fabric was still 

 unfinished ; not so much perhaps from failure of the appeal 

 then issued as from the expensive and onerous nature of 

 the work itself. An attempt, however, was now made to 

 bring it to a conclusion, and funds were collected by the in- 

 strumentality of an Indulgence. John de Stratford, Bishop 

 of Winchester, wlio appears to have been not only the 

 ecclesiastical patron but the firm and munificent friend of 

 the Priory, issued a letter " to our beloved sons, cur Arch- 

 deacons of Winchester and Surrey and their oflScials, and 

 deans, rectors also and vicars and parlsh chaplains both 

 exempt and non-exempt within our diocese, health, grace, 

 and benediction." He reminds them of the value to the 

 souls of Christian people of alms expended in the erection 

 of sacred edifices, and then introduces to them the object 

 of the present appeal, the completion of the Conventual 

 Church of Taunton lately commenced, which was now 

 unhappily delayed through lack of funds. He enjoins and 

 commands them, when the messengers er procurators made 

 their appearance, to receive them with all kindness, to stir up 

 their people to a work of so great piety and charity, and to 

 do their best, both in their own persons and in those of 

 their flocks, to make the mission of the collectors effectual. 

 And, in order to incite them to this duty, he concludes by 

 granting to all those who with contrition and confession 

 shall give aid to the good work an Indulgence of forty 

 days. " In testiraony whereof we have ordered our seal to 

 be affixed to these our letters patent, to last for two years 

 from the present date. Dated at Rympton, the 30th of 

 September, in the year of our Lord one thousand three 

 hundrcd and twenty seven." * 



* E Reg. Dom. Joh. de Stratford, ^Viutün. Ep., fol. 29. 



