By the Rev. J, K. Floyer, M.A., F.S.A. 



107 



acceptance of the Deanery made Downton ipso facto vacant, tried 

 to assert his right of patronage and presented one of his own clergy, 

 Robert de Maydenstane. William Bnrnell, on this, began a law- 

 suit with Maydenstane, and finding that by his acceptance of the 

 Deanery he had violated the constitutions of Gregory X., he 

 resigned the latter in 1295, and in 1303 obtained a letter from 

 Pope Boniface VIII. to be again collated to Downton ; Robert de 

 Maydenstane in consequence retiring to his rectories of "Mulchil- 

 inere " and " Adnrbiri," the latter in the Diocese of Lincoln. It 

 is not to be assumed that among these non-resident " parsons " the 

 cure of souls was necessarily neglected. The papal indulgences some- 

 times stipulated that it ohould not be so, and, in providing a benefice 

 for a given person, often mentioned whether it was to be with, or 

 without, cure of souls. The " parson," or " rector," 1 probably held 

 much the same position as a lay rector now, that is to say, one who 

 receives a portion of the tithe, but is not necessarily responsible 

 for the cure of souls. 



Harewedon is the first presentation mentioned in the episcopal 

 register of Winchester, 2 and he is entered as the successor of 

 Burnell, from which it would appear that Maydenstane 's law-suit 

 was unsuccessful. Harewedon held also the Rectory of Thyngden, 

 was one of the King's justices, and an attorney, in which capacity 

 he obtained, at various times, legal acknowledgments of debts. 

 William de Honingham, who is next mentioned, as " parson," 

 may have been vicar under Harewedon, for the latter is mentioned 

 again as " parson " of Downton in 1317. 



Robert de Sandale may also have been vicar under Charlton, 

 for both presentations are recorded in the same year. 



Thomas de Choiieton, or Charlton, D.C.L.,held, besides the rectory 

 of Downton, Canonries and Prebends of York, Salisbury, Lichfield, 

 and London. In 1320 he obtained from Pope John XXII. the 

 reservation of the next vacant benefice in the Salisbury diocese. In 

 October, 1327, he was consecrated Bishop of Hereford, being then 



1 The word "parson" is used in the English records, "rector" in the papal 

 letters. 



2 The writer is indebted to the Rev. F. T. Madge, Minor Canon, for the search. 



