By Mr. Richard Jefferies. 



183 



de Hagheman was the first incumbent presented by the Prior of 

 Southwyke. Edward III. received from Parliament a subsidy of 

 the 9th and the 15th to support him in his wars. The Inquisition 

 preserves the following record of the Church at Swindon : — " In- 

 quisition taken at Marleburg (Marlborough) , before Robert Selyman, 

 &c. On the oaths of Robert Styne, John de Wyght, John Putman, 

 and John the Milward, who say : That the ninth part of corn, wool, 

 and lambs in the said parish, deducting expenses, and the portions 

 paid to the Prior of South wyke and Prior of Walyngford, is worth 

 this year £X. And they say the value of the said corn, wool, and 

 lambs does not amount to the full valuation of the church : because 

 the rector in the same holds two virgates of land (arable) with 

 meadows, and pastures of the endowment of the church, which are 

 worth by the year 16s. Sd. Then the rent and services of his 

 tenants are worth by the year 6s. Sd. Then the tithe of hay is 

 worth per annum 54s. 4>d. Then the tithe of mills, milk produce, 

 flax and hemp, and other small tithes, are worth by the year 23s. 3d. 

 Then mortuary fees and offerings in the same parish are worth £4, 

 which are included within the valuation of the said church. Then 

 they say that there are no merchants or others in the said parish 

 who are liable to the tax of the 15th; and that there is no other 

 benefice liable to be taxed for the ninth. In the time of Edward III., 

 as now, it appears that the hay crop was important here, the tithe 

 on hay producing most. It is curious to note that there were no 

 merchants in Swindon. At the Dissolution of Monasteries, 1545, 

 the Commission of Enquiry into Ecclesiastical Property, state that: — 

 " Swindon. — John Unthanke, vicar there, declares on oath that his 

 vicarage in land, tithes of corn wool and lambs, and in small tithes, 

 and all other profits and emoluments as by Bill of Paicels exhibited, 

 and in the hands of the Commissioners, of the annual value of 

 £15. 19s. hd. Deductions paid therout to the Archdeacon of Wilts 

 for procurations, and synodals every year, 12s. 3d. : net £15. 7s. 2d t 

 Whereof the tenth is 30s. 8|^. To Sarum, from the Church of 

 Swyndon, per annum 6s. 8d." The Swindon monks had a granary, 

 which was afterwards granted to the cure for a residence. It was so 

 many yards from Holyrood church, agreeing with the distance of 



