MYNCIIIN BUCKLAND PEIORY. 35 



from the vicarage of North Peclerton.* These, it is said 

 bj Dr. Archer, are still paid to the Crown. 



It would appear, although \ve know very llttle either of 

 the process or the results, that several valuations of the 

 property were made during the last half of the fifteenth 

 Century, especially in 1460 and 1493. We shall presently 

 have before us, however, a most valuable and complete 

 document of a similar kind, and of so near a period to that 

 of the retiu'ns alluded to as to make their absence a matter 

 of less importance.f 



For some fevv years nothing seems to have transpired of 

 which a record is preserved for us ; but I have found some 

 documents -which belong to the commencement of the 

 following Century, which give us an excellent insight into 

 the condition of the House at that period. 



I may premise, however, to keep to the chronological 

 Order as far as possible, that, at a Chapter holden at 

 Melchboi'ne on the 9th of November, 1500, there was 

 granted to Alexander Verney, Chaplain, a Chamber suit- 

 able to bis rank in the manor of Bodmescomb in the county 

 of Devon, with fuel for the said Chamber from the underwood 

 of that manor, eight marcs Sterling a year by way of slipend, 

 and for food and raiment, during bis life, to be received 

 through the hands of the Preceptor of Buckland, or of the 

 farmer in charge. The said Alexander obliged himself to 

 celebrate Divine Service in the Chapel of Bodmescomb as 

 long as bis strength lasted so to do. If, from old age or 

 infirmity, he became unable to oflficiate, bis Chamber and 

 allowances were still to be continued to him. If, however, 

 whilst able to celebrate, he failed in bis duty, and without 



* MS. Harl.GOGß, p. 61. 



t Compul. 38 Hen. VI. Off. Aug. 13092. Corapnt, 8 Ilen. VII. OIT. Aug. 1232. 



Add. MS. 21, 32i, pp. 12b, 2Sb. 



