TAUNTON PRIORY. 37 



The Conventual Churcli was still unfinlshcd, though pro- 

 bably not mucli remainecl to be done. An Indulgence of 

 fifteen days was granted, dated at Wyvelescomb, on the 

 lOth of April, 1337, to all wlio should contribute towards 

 its completion."' It was in this way that such stately 

 fabrics were reared. The erection of our glorious mediae- 

 val Churches was the work not of a year or two, but 

 of whole ages of falth, hope, and charity. 



A difficulty here meets us which requires explanation. 



We find, on the Close Roll of the llth of Edward IIL, 

 an instrument, dated at London, the 20th of November, 

 1337, and setting forth that Thomas, Prior of Bustlesham, 

 and his Convent gave and confirmed to William de 

 Montacute, earl of Salisbury, their founder, the manor of 

 Hurdecote, and also ten marcs of annual rent which were 

 paid by the Prior and Convent of Taunton on behalf of 

 their manor and hundred of Dulverton, the grant of which 

 has just been mentioned.f The gift to them, however, 

 of these ten marcs does not appear in the earl's charter 

 to the Priory of Taunton, in which nothing is said about 

 any particular use to which the rent should be devoted. 

 In the first Patent Eoll of the 29th of Edward III., this 

 difficulty is removed. It is there explained that the Prior 

 and Convent of Taunton are to hold the manor and hun- 

 dred of Dulverton, subject to the payment of an annual 

 rent of ten pounds. Of this sum, as we shall see pre- 

 sently more in detail, they are to give ten marcs to the 

 Prior and Convent of Bustlesham, and five marcs to the 

 Custos of the chapel of Donyate. This Is dated at West- 

 minster, the 16th of April, 1355. 



On the 22nd of March, 1338-9, Ealph de Colmpstoke 



* MS. Harl. 6965, p. 110. 

 t Claus. 11 Edw. III. p. 2. m. 13. 



