238 Rowley alias Wittenham. 



I 



a precedent to be adopted, but only as a very curious legal instrument, 

 probably unique of its kind, among Records relating to the County 

 of Wilts. 



Act of Union and Annexation 

 of the Two Churches of 

 Farley Hungerford in the Diocese of Bath and Wells 



and 



Rowley alias Wittenham in the Diocese of Sarum. 1 

 24 November, A.D. 1428. 



To all the faithful in Christ unto whom these present letters shall 

 come and whom either now or hereafter the matters herein written 

 may in any wise concerne : John by Divine permission Bishop of 

 Bath and Wells, 2 Greeting, &c. 



Be it known to all by these presents that we have lately received 

 from our Reverend Brother Robert by the grace of God Lord 

 Bishop of Sarum 3 certain Letters sealed with his seal directed unto 

 us, and presented on behalf of the Noble and Puissant Lord, The 

 Lord Walter Hungerford, Lord of Haytesbury and Homet and 

 Patron of the Parish Churches of Farley Hungerford in our 

 Diocese, and of Rowley alias Wittenham in the Diocese of Sarum : 

 whereof the tenor is as follows : — 



' ( To The Reverend Father and Lord in Christ, the Lord J ohn by 

 the grace of God Bishop of Bath and Wells, Robert by Divine 

 permission Bishop of Sarum, Health and continual increase of 

 sincere love. 



1 The Latin document, here translated, was discovered in the fine Cartulary 

 of the Hungerford family, (containing copies of more than 1300 deeds,) in the 

 possession of the late Rt. Hon. Henry Hobhouse, of Hadspen, near Bruton, Co. 

 Somerset, who many years ago kindly placed the volume at the present writer's 

 service for a considerable time. 



2 John Stafford, appointed to Bath and Wells, 12th May, 1425. Translated 

 to Canterbury, 1443. It may be mentioned here, that Archbishop Stafford is 

 believed to have been born a few miles from Farley Castle, in the parish of North 

 Bradley, at Southwick Court, which then belonged to his family. In North 

 Bradley Church (attached to the North side) is a pretty little mortuary chapel, 

 erected by the archbishop in memory of his mother Emma, buried there. 



s Robert Neville, appointed Bishop of Salisbury in A,D. 1427. 



