TAUNTON l'KIüRY. 67 



franc-pledge, advowsons of churches, chapels and chantries, 

 marshes, waters, fisheries, vivaries, warrens, aud all otlier 

 inheritances whatsöever, to William Yorke, Prior of Taun- 

 ton, and bis Convent for ever. And furtlier, of bis more 

 abundant grace, tbe king gives tbe advowson, altbough 

 held of bimself in capite, of tbe Parisb Cburcb of Wyn- 

 calnton, bitberto enjoyed by tbe Prior and Convent of 

 ötaverdale, to tbe Prior and Convent of Taunton, witbout 

 fiue or fee great or small. Tbe Patent is dated, witness 

 tbe king bimself, at Westminster, tbe 9tb of April, 1533.* 



At tbis point we may conveniently stay our progress, and 

 endeavom- to realize tbe more striking features of tbat plea- 

 sant picture of cloister life and medifeval usage wbicb tbe 

 varied details before us, cuUed from all sources and direc- 

 tions, may easily present to our intellectual vision. First in 

 tbe foreground Stands a noble establisbment, tbe bome of all 

 tbe religion, learning, and civilization of tbe age, tbe fount 

 and centre of tbat gracious influence wbicb alone rescued 

 England for many generations from moral degradation and 

 mental barbarism. Here was located a sacred Community 

 tbat gave, so far as sucb was possible, a tonu of refinement 

 to tbe ncigbbourbood wbicb its presence ennobled, tbe 

 patrons and supporters of everytbing tbat could dignify, 

 elevate, and adorn mankind. In tbis and similar places, 

 green Islands of devotiou in tbe midst of tbe world's desert, 

 calm bouses of escape from unruly violence and tbe strife 

 of tongues, quiet abodcs of tbougbtful meditation and 

 saintly counsel, religion fouud a bome specially suited to 

 her boly mlnd. Sacred literature but for tbem vvould bave 

 left tbe World, and art but for tbem would bave bad no 



* Pat. 24 Hen. VIII., p. 2, m. (31)5. 



