THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF OLD PLYMOUTH. 349 
the Trinity and St. Mary Magdalen, which is so like a Franciscan 
deed that we shall not, I think, be far wrong in assuming that it 
originated with some brethren then in the town. I must, however, 
say that I think there is some little doubt as to whether the entry 
really refers to Plymouth or Plympton. 
We find nothing positive until 1384, when the king (Richard 
II.) granted to certain persons leave to alienate six acres of land in 
Plymouth to the friars, in the following terms : * " 1384. 6 Eich. II. 
The King, greeting. < Know ye that of our special grace we have 
granted and given license for us and our heirs as much as in us is to 
William Cole, Thomas Fisher, Geoffrey Couche, and Humphrey 
Passour, t that they may be able to give and assign six acres of land 
with the appurtenances in Plymouth which are held of us in chief 
to the Brethren of the order of Brothers Minor in the town aforesaid 
to be had for a certain church with a belfry and all other houses 
buildings and closes whatsoever for divine obsequies there to be 
exercised, and for the necessary habitation of the same brethren 
anew to be made and constructed. To have and to hold to the same 
Brethren and their successors to make and construct a church belfry 
houses edifices and enclosures aforesaid as it is above mentioned, 
to pray there for the happy state of us whilst we live and for our 
soul when we shall depart from this world and for the souls of our 
progenitors and all the faithful deceased for ever ; And to the same 
brethren that they the said land with the appurtenances from the 
aforesaid William Thomas Geoffry and Humphrey may receive and 
take to the aforesaid Brethren and their successors about to dwell 
in the town aforesaid to be made and constructed for a church 
belfry houses buildings and closes aforesaid, and to pray for the 
estate and souls aforesaid for ever as is before mentioned by tenor 
of these presents, we in like manner do give special licence ; the 
statutes for lands and tenements not to be put in mortmain not- 
withstanding ; being unwilling that the aforesaid William Thomas 
Geoffrey and Humphrey or their heirs or the aforesaid Brethren or 
their successors by the reason of the statutes aforesaid or other the 
premises by us or our heirs our justices estreators sheriffs or other 
our bailiffs or ministers whatsoever should be impeded molested or 
in anywise injured. Saving always to us and our heirs the services 
due and accustomed from the land aforesaid. Witness the King at 
Westminster the 18th June 1384.' " 
* Oliver Mon., p. 151. f The then mayor of Plymouth. 
