LIFE OF LORD SCUDAMORE. 
69 
Book of Pensions and Annuities, for several years successively, that sometimes 48s. and sometimes 
50s. sterling was paid to John Phelyps , under the style of Wages for serving the cure of Done ” (p. 27.) 
Thus by Lord Scudamore’s munificence “a most scandalously poor , precarious stipendiary Cure, 
became one of the best Livings in the Deanery of Webley; but inferiour to few in the Diocese of 
Hereford ” (p. 45.) 1 
Under the power granted by the License Lord Scudamore gave up also all his impropriated 
tithes in the parishes of Boulstone, Little Birch, Bosbury, and Bredwardine. He also repaired the 
Church of Holme Lacy, built the vicarage house, and completely restored the tithes to the parish. 
“He would not hold a Foot of that Land, nor retain that to himself, which should not pay Tythes to the 
Minister” (p. 125.) When only 18 years old he had commissioned Laud to purchase a service of 
Communion plate for Holme Lacy Church ; and for some reason or other eight years afterwards, he 
had again to supply the plate. This time he purchased a very handsome and costly service, and 
provided an iron chest with three locks to it, for its safe preservation. 2 
The parish of Hempstead, near Gloucester, had lost all its church income. “ There had been 
no Minister for many years nor any maintenance for one.” Its property had been entirely appro¬ 
priated to the Priory of Llanthony, near Gloucester, and when this monastery was suppressed it lapsed 
to the Crown and was sold. Lord Scudamore purchased the church lands and advowson, and 
endowed it with “ all Tythes, Oblations, and Obventions whatever.” He built a very ample and 
handsome house, as a vicarage, and the second rector, Mr. Gregory, afterwards made Archdeacon, 
caused these lines to be written in gold letters on the front of it: 
“Who’ere doth dwell within this door 
Thank God for Viscount Scudamore.” 
This estate of Llanthony was settled on his wife with reversion to their son, and Lord Scudamore 
could not therefore restore them to the church “ as he most heartily desired to do,” but “ he charged 
himself with the Arrears of all these Tythes from the very first time of their coming into his 
Possession ” (Gibson, p. 126.) and used the money for charitable purposes. 
On June 9th, 1635, Lord Scudamore was appointed by the King, Ambassador to the Court 
of Louis XI 11 ., at Paris. His acquaintance with modern languages, and his repute as a man of letters, 
1 Dore was a Cistercian Abbey, richly endowed ; and at the suppression of the Monasteries, its site and demesne lands 
were granted by Henry VIII., to John Scudamore, Esq., of Holme Lacy, who afterwards purchased the great tithes; and thus 
they descended to Lord Scudamore. The Chapter house, cloisters, and other buildings, with a considerable part of the 
church itself were pulled down soon after its suppression, and the materials sold. I he present church, as restored by Lord 
Scudamore, has a spacious nave, chancel, north and south aisles and porch; with a well proportioned and massive tower. 
“ He re-edified this place at his own proper cost and charges, and hath caused it to be furnished with a chancell and seates ; a 
bellfry and bells ; a churchyard ; and all things also requisite to a parish church.” (Scudamore MSS., British Museum.) 
A story was current at one time that the stone slab of the altar was conveyed by Mr. Scudamore to Holme Lacy, and 
used there in the dairy; from whence it was afterwards restored to its proper place and use. 
2 A curious fate befel this service. At the time of the Civil War it was buried secretly in the park to the knowledge 
of the two church wardens only ; one of them proved treacherous, stole the plate and fled to France, “ where having con¬ 
sum’d his execrable theft he died in extreme misery and want.” (Gibson, p. 128.) Lord Scudamore left the sum of ^45 in his 
will to supply it a third time. 
