ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 



to the bishop, he himself committed the custody of the church to a priest 

 that there might be no neglect of the cure of souls. 1 



In 1284, on the presentation of the prior and convent of Lanthony, he 

 instituted Geoffrey of Ludlow to the rectory of St. Mary de Crypt, 

 Gloucester ; but although a priest he had insufficient learning, and the bishop 

 committed the custody of the parish to John de Butterley. 8 In 1269 John 

 Everard, a poor clerk, petitioned the bishop to grant him the vicarage of 

 Berkeley then vacant, according to a mandate from Alexander IV to the 

 abbot and convent of St. Augustine, Bristol, to collate him to their next vacant 

 benefice.* Giffard, however, told the dean of Dursley not to admit John 

 Everard, because he was only in minor orders,* and on account of the neglect 

 of the cure of souls he gave the custody of Berkeley to Simon de Otindon, a 

 priest, without prejudice to the patrons.' The religious houses presented 

 clerks in minor orders' as often as lay patrons did, and in 1290 the bishop 

 instituted Walter Froucester, a deacon, to the vicarage of Berkeley ; 7 and two 

 years later, in virtue of a papal dispensation because he was a vicar, he went 

 away to study theology for five years. 8 However, although the greater part 

 of the revenues was alienated,' there is evidence of vigorous church life in 

 Berkeley, for in 1278 the parishioners undertook to find five marks a year for 

 the maintenance of a priest in their chantry of the Virgin. 10 The rebuilding 

 of much of the church took place in the reign of Edward I." In parishes 

 where the rector could no longer fulfil his duties, owing to old age or illness, 

 the bishop committed the custody of the church to a neighbouring incumbent 

 that he might make due provision for the maintenance of the services. In 

 1288 the custody of Coates was given to the rector of Ampney St. Mary, 12 and 

 in 1291 that of Wotton to a canon of Westbury. 13 In 1276 Richard of 

 Studley, rector of both Twyning and Bledington, was indebted to many 

 creditors whom he could not pay, and submitted his case to the bishop. 1 * He 

 seems also to have served the Lady chapel of Winchcombe, and he had a lodging 

 in the monastery. The bishop decided that as ' his mature age merited a rest 

 from labour,' the abbot of Winchcombe should receive his rents, maintain 

 him in food, wine, raiment, shoes, and bedclothes, and let him have his lodging 

 in the monastery. The abbot should also provide a clerk to say the hours 

 with the rector, and a groom and a boy to wait on him. He was to satisfy 

 the rector's creditors, cause the churches to be properly served, and bear all 

 charges. 



In accordance with Bishop Cantilupe's constitution vicars were bound to 

 reside, and it was decided at the council of Hartlebury in 1300 that if they 

 absented themselves for a year they were legally deprived." A curious case 

 occurred at Sherborne in 1284. The vicar stated that he could not reside for 

 fear of death and dread of his enemies, and GifFard decided that he should 

 have his maintenance from the abbot of Winchcombe, who should provide a 

 fit priest to undertake the cure of souls. 1 ' 



1 H'orc. Efii. Reg. Giffard, 442. In 1 294 he committed to John de Wintcrhourncstokc the administration 

 of the fruits and goods of the church of Cromhall and of Roger de Kingston, clerk, aged ten, presented but noc 

 instituted because he was a minor. 



'Ibid. 248. 'Ibid. 27. Mbid. 34. "Ibid. 33. Mbid. 434, &c. 'Ibid. 338. 



' Ibid. 420. ' PofeNicb. Tax. (Rec. Com.), 22O3. " Wore. Efts. Reg. Giffard (Wore. Hist. Soc.), 99. 

 11 Cook, Handbook to Berkeley, 26. " Won. Ep'ts. Reg. Giffard (Wore. Hist. Soc.), 319. 



"Ibid. 3; I ;cf. 336, 428. "Ibid. 86. "Ibid. 517. "Ibid. 242. 



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