50 KINGSBRIDGE 



The family of the Gyes were people of consequence 

 in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. 



In connection with the bequest of John Gye, Hawkins 

 says : — " As the inhabitants of Kingsbridge have, from 

 time immemorial, made use of a liquor called white ale, 

 known only in their own neighbourhood, and give the 

 name of leer to what is elsewhere denominated ale, it 

 is natural to conclude that old Gye meant the beverage 

 peculiar to his native place, and which is of such ancient 

 date as to have established, by long usage, a tithe thereon 

 in the adjoining parish of Dodbrooke, payable to the rector. 

 This malt liquor has much the albugineous appearance of 

 egg-wine, and is always lutulent. A principal ingredient 

 made use of in the brewing, called grout, is a secret 

 composition, known only to a few people, who make and 

 sell it to the ale-house holders." 



Among the benefactors of the town and neighbourhood, 

 we find the name of Sir John Acland, who was knighted 

 15th March, 1603, by King James I. Prince says, in his 

 "Worthies of Devon": — "He settled on the Mayor and 

 Chamber of the City of Exeter, in trust, for ever, the 

 rectory and sheaf of Churchstow and Kingsbridge, * * * 

 for them to dispose of the profits thereof, as he had 

 appointed. The greatest part whereof is to be distributed 

 in bread, weekly, to the poor of divers parishes in Exeter 

 and Devon (which are enumerated). * * * If, after all 

 this, any overplus should remain, it is ordered to be divided 

 (except what is settled upon the minister that serves the 

 cures) " amongst towns and parishes also mentioned by 

 name, Kingsbridge and Dodbrooke being included in the list. 

 Prince goes on to say : — " Next, let us consider his piety 

 towards the church; and herein he was also considerable. 



