Sunday, January 8, 2017

Medieval Axbridge and the Bishop of Bath and Wells

Medieval Axbridge and the Bishop of Bath and Wells

Niall C.E.J. O’Brien


The town and parish of Axbridge is situated about ten miles north-west of Wells. The place was formerly called Anesebriges and Axebruge.[1] The name of the place means a ‘bridge over the Axe River’. The town stands a short distance from the northern bank of the river. The Axe River starts in the Mendip Hills and flows 21 miles into the Severn Estuary. The river is navigable for 11 miles up to Lower Weare near Axebridge.[2]

There is evidence of people living in caves in the Mendip Hills and the Romans settled and mined in the area.[3] The modern parish of Axbridge lies in Winterstoke hundred but anciently was a royal estate in the Cheddar hundred. The parish is about 540 acres in area.[4]

In the days before the Norman Conquest Axbridge was a royal burgh ingeldable under Cheddar. A sitting of the county court was held there as the ‘third penny’ – 10 shillings, was paid to the King as lord of the County of Somerset.[5] One day King Edmund, brother of Athelstan, was stag hunting in the forest by Axbridge when the stay and the pursuing hounds fell over a place called ‘Cheddar Cliff’ and were all killed. King Edmund was lucky not to share the same fate as he was dashing after the hounds.[6]

In 910 Axbridge was listed among the places for Burghal Hidage as Axanbrycg.[7] In 1086, as part of the Domesday Survey, the royal burgh of Axbridge was included under the royal burgh and manor of Cheddar. Because of this inclusion the population and area of Domesday Axbridge is not stated but entered under Cheddar.[8] The manors of Cheddar and Axbridge were also included within the ancient royal forest of Mendip and as such were subject to forest law. This situation would cause fraction between Ralph de Shrewsbury, Bishop of Bath and Wells, and King Edward III.[9]

This article records the history of Axbridge and its association with various Bishops of Bath and Wells and some other people connected with the town in medieval times.

The manor of Axbridge passes to the Bishop of Bath and Wells

King John granted Hugh of Wells, then archdeacon of Wells, the two royal manors of Cheddar and Axbridge in return for an annual rent of £20 per year.[10] Hugh of Wells was the son of Edward of Wells and elder brother of Josceline, later Bishop of Bath and Glastonbury. Hugh spent the early years of his clerical career in the Diocese of Bath. In 1209 he was elected Bishop of Lincoln. He appointed new vicars and introduced new methods of administration. In 1215 he attended the Fourth Lateran Council and served a royal judge for a number of years. Hugh died in 1235 and was buried in Lincoln cathedral.[11]

Sometime after 1209 Bishop Hugh granted Axbridge to Thomas Walensis.[12] Subsequently by an undated charter Thomas de Walensis granted to Maurice de Grant the vill of Axbridge under the same terms that Thomas received it from Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln. For this charter Maurice gave Thomas 100 marks and committed to pay a half mark each year for services.[13]

On 12th July 1211 (5th year of Josceline’s pontificate) Bishop Hugh of Lincoln granted to his brother, Josceline, Bishop of Bath and Glastonbury, the advowson of Axbridge church.[14] On the same date of 12th July, Bishop Hugh of Lincoln granted that all his fees, lands etc. held by him in the Hundreds of Winterstoke and Cheddar which he gave to Josceline, Bishop of Bath and Glastonbury, be free of the hundred court.[15] Josceline was made Bishop of Bath and Glastonbury in 1206 after taking over the great abbey. In 1219 he reverted to the title of Bishop of Bath until his death in 1242.[16]

On 11th July 1211 (5th year of Josceline’s pontificate) Bishop Hugh of Lincoln granted Bishop Josceline a half knight’s fee in Rugeberg and Dreicot which was previously held by Maurice de Benington and Gaufrid Maureward, along with another half fee at Norton which Stephen de Altaville held.[17]

On 7th November 1224 (18th year of Josceline’s pontificate), Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, made a charter granting the vill of Axbridge to his brother Josceline. This charter was witnessed by Roger de Lack, Amauricus de Buggeden, William de Winchcumb, canons of Lincoln; Roger the chaplain, Adam de Clevesend, Gilbert de Tanton, Robert de Mont Sorell, canons of Wells, Stephen Chamberlain, Thomas de Hauteville, William de Stoke, Philip de Wik, Peter de Cotington, Walter de Abbodestun, John Camerar, and Roger de Waleis among others.[18]

About the same time of 1224 (18th year of Josceline’s pontificate), Maurice de Gaunt made a charter granting all his rights in Axbridge to Josceline, Bishop of Bath, for 100 marks. By an undated charter Thomas de Walensis granted the vill of Axbridge to Bishop Josceline.[19]

On 15th May 1229 a royal inspeximus was made of the grant by Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, of the advowson of Axbridge to Josceline, Bishop of Bath, along with the half knight’s fee at Norton Hawkfield and the half fee at Rowberrow and Drycot.[20]

On the death of Josceline in November 1242 Axbridge was passed to his successor, Roger of Salisbury and remained with subsequent Bishops of Bath and Wells throughout the medieval period, subject always to an annual rent to the crown. In 1247 Bishop Roger of Bath and Wells granted 8 acres at Axbridge to William de Dure.[21]

In 1280 a writ Quo Warranto was brought against the Bishop of Bath and Wells concerning certain lands in Somerset including the manors of Axbridge and Cheddar. The Bishop answered that Axbridge and Cheddar were granted by the crown to Hugh de Wells, then archdeacon of Wells, at a rent of £20 per annum. Subsequently Hugh became Bishop of Lincoln and in that position granted Cheddar to Bishop Josceline of Bath and Glastonbury. Bishop Hugh granted Axbridge to Thomas Walensis who gave it to Maurice de Gaunt and Maurice gave it to Bishop Josceline.[22]

The annual crown rent for Axbridge, Cheddar and Congresbury

When Hugh of Wells took passion of the royal manors of Cheddar and Axbridge the annual rnet to the crown was £20 per year. Later this increased to £54 per year. In April 1331 King Edward informed Ralph, Bishop of Bath and Wells, of the £54 due from the manors of Axbridge, Cheddar and Congresbury that was payable to Edmund of Woodstock.[23]

In May 1332 King Edward III informed Bishop Ralph of Bath and Wells that the £54 rent due to the crown for the manors of Axbridge, Cheddar and Congresbury is to be paid to Edward de Bohn. The Bishop was also told to pay up the £27 in rent arrears due and give this amount to Edward de Bohn. But it seems that Bishop Ralph was slow at paying the rent and in July the sheriff of Somerset and Dorset was ordered to collect £118 in rent arrears (for the years 1330 and 1331) from the land and chattels of the Bishop. By December 1332 Bishop Ralph had paid the £54 due to Edward de Bohn and the King acquitted the Bishop of that amount at the Exchequer.[24]

By 1336 Bishop Ralph was again in rent arrears to the crown for Axbridge, Cheddar and Congresbury and received a demand to pay up the arrears and the £54 annual rent which was due. Bishop Ralph replied to Henry, Bishop of Lincoln and treasurer at the Exchequer, to negotiate the matter at the King’s court.[25]

On 10th April 1351 the King wrote to Ralph of Shrewsbury, Bishop of Bath and Wells, to pay the £54 due from the annual farm of the manors of Axbridge, Cheddar and Congresbury to John, Earl of Kent. John was the son of Edmund, late Earl of Kent, and had recently proved his age and did homage for his father’s estate.[26]

In 1428 Thomas, Earl of Salisbury was in receipt of the £54 fee farm rent from Congresbury, Cheddar and Axbridge from the Bishop of Bath and Wells, and Alice, wife of Richard Neville was his heir.[27]

Axbridge square by Martin Clark

Axbridge in the Mendip Forest and forest law

The manors of Cheddar and Axbridge were within the royal forest of Mendip and formed the ancient bounds of the forest. Mendip was one of the five great royal forests in Somerset – namely; North Pederton, Selwood, Neroche, Exmoor and Mendip. All these places were subject to forest law which was a law into itself. A royal forest such as Mendip extended beyond the woods and waste to include manor land and villages. Everyone within the forest area was subject to forest law with its own courts and officers.

The forest officers were continually extending the bounds of the forest. By 1298 the limits of the Mendip forest had extended greatly across Somerset to include such places as Chewton, Uphill, Stoke Giffard, Compton, Loxton, Worle, Winscombe, Shipham, Rowberrow, Ubley, West Harptree, Blagden and East Harptree among other places. Every King promised to reform the forest laws but each was powerless against the forest officials. in 1300 and 1301 Parliament eventually forced King Edward to accept reform and placed limits of the rights of forest officers and restrictions within the forest area. But implementation on the ground was slow and the public were unsatisfied. Disputes continued to occur between the forest officials and the public which often ended violently.[28]

In 1328 the legate Ottobon and Archbishop Meopham issued a constitution against the violation of church property. Any offenders were to be excommunicated at parish churches. On 1st August 1332 Bishop Ralph wrote to Robert de Cotes, vicar of Cheddar, to pronounce the constitution in the parish church. The timely of this pronouncement was spot on as another battle between the Bishop and the forest officials was just about to happen. On 25th August Robert de Cotes replied that he had made the pronouncement. He also said that John atte Boure, Thomas Gylemyn, John Champion and John his servant were recently under suspicion of implementing forest law against the Bishop’s interests.[29]

Under the forest law issued in 1327 every person with a wood within the forest law area could take husbote and haibote as he needed it without attachment by the forest officers as long as it happened in view of the officers. It seems that the Bishops servants had cut various oaks and other trees in Cheddar wood without any forest officers present.[30]

In October 1332 John de Leftwich was appointed bailiff for the Bishop’s manors at Axbridge, Cheddar, Banewell, Iatton, Congresbury and Blakeford.[31]

On 13th November 1332 Robert, perpetual vicar of Cheddar reported to Ralph, Bishop of Bath and Wells, that it was John Champion, John Knight and Simon le Forester who were guilty of robbing the Bishop’s manors of Axbridge and Cheddar. These men were aided by Matthew Pecche and Robert Box as it was reported.[32] The three accused were ordered to appear before the Bishop on the same day but failed to turn up.

In response, on the same day, Bishop Ralph wrote to the rectors of Shipham, Romberrow and Axbridge along with the vicars of Cheddar, Compton and Winscombe that John Champion, John Knight and Clement le Forester were excommunicated for non-appearance. The three along with Matthew Pecche and Robert Box were ordered to appear before the Bishop on 30th November 1332.[33]

Matthew Pecche was not ordinary individual but was the hereditary forester-in-fee of all of Somerset and had succeeded Sabina Pecche. The hereditary line had begun in the reign of King Richard I with William de Wrothan. These were hard men with centuries of forest law behind them yet on 24th November all five appeared before Bishop Ralph at Banwell and said they would obey the church. Their move was not without method as they caught the Bishop off guard. With no legal officer present the Bishop could not pronounce sentence and 3rd February was set as the new day of appearance. As the three main people accused had turned up the recent sentence of excommunication against them was lifted but a new one could be imposed if they failed to appear on the original date of 30th November.[34]   

As one would expect the three main suspects failed to appear on the 30th November. In December 1332 Clement le Forester, John Champion and John Knight were excommunicated for violating the Bishop’s liberties in the manors of Axbridge and Cheddar. The rector of Axbridge was to publish the letters of excommunication relating to Clement le Forester.[35]

Shortly after this, Matthew Pecche had got his boss involved, Robert de Ufford, head forester on south side of the Trent. Robert de Ufford issued a summons to everyone involved to appear before his court at Axbridge on 13th December. We are not sure if this court happened but accommodation in the area was book for the occasion.

Sometime after Robert de Ufford had informed King Edward III and on 30th January 1333 a royal writ against Bishop Ralph was issued. This writ seems to have quietened all concerned and nobody else was excommunicated. Yet Bishop Ralph was determined to free himself from forest law and on 1st September 1337 received a royal charter freeing the manor of Cheddar from forest law. But there was still trouble on the ground between the Bishop’s men, the locals and the forest officers. On 3rd October 1337 a special commission was appointed to go to Cheddar and explain that the area was subject to disafforestation and no longer part of forest law.[36]

Among the special commission were Thomas de Berkeley, Richard Lovel and Walter de Rodeneye. On 10th November the Bishop’s accountant spent money at Cheddar for the arrival of the jutices and on 19th November hay was purchased for eleven horses of Thomas de Berkeley that were stabled at Woky manor. Shortly after this, a great banquet was held at Wells at which 268 people attended at a cost of £5 10s 7½d. Two of the special guests were Thomas de Berkeley and Walter de Rodeneye.[37]

On 14th February 1338 Matthew Pecche issued a release to Bishop Ralph and his successors from ‘all right in the forest, custody of the forest and forestership within the manor of Cheddar in the county of Somerset, lately within the meters of the forest, but now disafforested. A deed to this effect was later enrolled on 17th February on which day Matthew Pecche had a drink with Bishop Ralph in London and next day Matthew Pecche went into the chancery to acknowledge the agreement. Not long after Matthew Pecche sold the office of forester-in-fee and after various owners it was acquired by the Mortimer family in 1359 and in the fifteenth century passed to the crown through the Duke of York.[38]

Yet for the Bishop of Bath and Wells and Axbridge the limits of the Mendip forest continued to be disputed locally. The forest officers in particular seemed to want to retain the fullest extent of the forest. It was not until 14th April 1345 that a royal order enforcing the disafforestation was issued. By that time the application of forest law in the west of England was on the way out although officers continued to be appointed to the Mendip forest down to the seventeenth century.[39]

Early in 1339 John de Acton, chivaler, along with Roger Paddock, Richard la Fletcher, John, son of Henry le Forester of Cheddar, Adam Jones, palfraiman of Acton, John Loueday, Robert Box, Walter Foul, Richard Paddock, John Barry, John de Henton, Richard le Hunt, Richard de Elkynton, and certain others took and carried away goods and chattels to the value of 200 marks. These goods were taken from the Bishop’s manors of Axbridge, Cheddar, Westbury, Wells and Stokegiffard. In the process the Bishop’s men were assaulted and wounded. On 14th February 1339 a writ was sent to Hugh de Courteney, Earl of Devon, Thomas de Berkeley, William Shareshulle, Richard Louie and John de la Ryvere to inquire into the matter.[40]



Other estates at Axbridge

Medieval records name other people with property in and around Axbridge besides the Bishop of Bath and Wells. In Michaelmas 1236 Walter de Chamberlain acknowledged that a messuage in Axbridge belonged by ancestral right to Muriela, wife of Walter de Cheddar. For this Walter de Cheddar and Muriela conceded the messuage to Walter de Chamberlain to hold of them for 12d of annual rent paid at Michaelmas and a once off payment of a half mark.[41]

In January 1243 William le Jovene quitclaimed to Henry, son of David, half of a burgage plot at Axbridge. For this Henry gave William 2½ marks.[42]

In three weeks from Easter 1285 Philip de Wike acknowledged that he held property and rents in various places including Axbridge from John de Wike. For this acknowledgement John de Wike gave Philip de Wike property elsewhere in Somerset to hold for life and after death to revert to John.[43]

In and about the feast of Trinity in 1302 William de Axbridge and Cristiana his wife gave their property in trust to Simon de Bradwell, parson of Bageworth church, to hold it for their lives and pass it on to the heirs of William. The property included messuages and land around Axbridge, Alurenton and Southbrent. In the following year William and Cristina de Axbridge purchased property for life from Valentine de Wellington at Farlegh Munford.[44]

In 1303-4 William de Contevill sold a messuage and land in Compton and Axbridge to Nicholas and Joan de Langelond for twenty pounds sterling.[45]

At Trinity term in 1330 Hugh, son of Nicholas Langelond, and Margaret his wife entrusted their property to John de Cogan, parson of Huntespill church and Thomas Jolyfe of Wynton. The trustees then returned the property to Hugh and Margaret, which included unspecified property at Axbridge, to hold for life and afterwards to the right heirs of Hugh Langelond.[46]

In 1353 John, son of Hugh de Langelond, knight, and Isabella his wife, gave their property in trust to Thomas de Fourneaux, parson of Baghebourgh church and John Horn, vicar of Wynescombe, for their lives and to pass it on to named heirs. Property at Axbridge was included in the enfeoffment.[47]
In Michaelmas 1345 William de Coker and Elizabeth his wife entrusted their property to John de Coker and John de Bogan, chaplain. Part of the property included an eight part of a knight’s fee at Axbridge.[48]

In 1362 John Stoke and Isoda his wife gave the manor of Obelagh along with property in Axbridge, Cheddar and Compton Episcopi to Nicholas Huscarle and he returned the property to them and their heirs. Shortly after John Stoke and Isoda sold the manor and property to William Cheddar of Bristol with the right to hold for their remaining lives.[49]

In 1382-3 and by a further deed in 1383-4 Robert Cheddar of Bristol and Joan his wife purchased the manor of Avele juxta Dunster and property in various places including at Axbridge from William Draper and Roger Seward of Cheddar for two hundred pounds. Among the Axbridge property was a messuage held for life by Elena atte Ree of the inheritance of William Draper. In 1388-9 Sir Thomas Broke and Joan his wife sold the manor of Avele juxta Dunster and the Axbridge property along with property elsewhere to Ralph Perseval and Henry Bokerel.[50]

In 1388-9 James Stapleton, burgess and goldsmith of Bristol, and Edith his wife, gave two messuages, an acre of meadow and an acre of willow bed at Axbridge to William Changeton and Richard Parker of Malmesbury to hold in trust. On the deaths of James and Edith the property was to pass to John, son of Henry Turfray, and Isabella his wife. Shortly after this deed James Stapleton and Edith gave the messuage in Axbridge to John Turfray and Isabella in return for twenty marks and an annual rose at Midsummer.[51]

In 1391-2 James Fitz James and Alianore his wife gave property in trust to John Bassett and William Modeford, chaplains, including unspecified property in Axbridge.[52]

In 1413-4 Robert Chesilden and Joan his wife granted the manor of Wyke to John Boundenham and Agnes his wife along with a messuage in Wells and a rent of a pound of pepper at Axbridge. For this John Boundenham was to pay 100 marks and £10 per year for the life of Joan Chesilden.[53]

In 1414-5 Thomas Staple and Joan his wife gave property in Somerset and Cornwall to Richard Haukeford including unspecified property at Axbridge. Unfortunately the deed of transfer is much damaged and torn and so it is difficult to know if this was a transfer into trustees or a sale of the property.[54]

At Michaelmas in 1425 William Chount and Joan his wife sold the manor of Wyke juxta Yatton and other property including some at Axbridge to John Dawekyn for 200 marks.[55] In 1425-6 Thomas Grede of Thornerton, Devon and Agnes his wife acknowledged a deed whereby certain property of Agnes would remain to her until the decease of the life tenants when the property would pass to William Vyell. The property included a messuage, two tofts, ten acres of land and five acres of meadow at Axbridge and Cleve which Henry Vyell and Alice his wife held for the life of Agnes. There was also a messuage, two tofts, ten acres of land and five acres of meadow at Axbridge and Cleve which Margery, wife of Nicholas Stanshaw held for life.[56]

In 1429 William Dodesham senior gave a quarter part of the manor of Hutton and two messuages in Axbridge and Compton Bishop to William Dodesham junior and Joan his wife. This was likely to be a marriage gift of some kind. Later, in 1441-2, John Austell and Margaret his wife sold property for 1,000 marks to John Tretheke which included unspecified property at Axbridge.[57]

On 10th April 1437 Joan, wife of Sir Thomas Brook, died. By his first husband Robert Cheddar she left two sons, Richard and Thomas Cheddar. Richard Cheddar died on 8th June 1437 and his brother Thomas Cheddar inherited 15 messuages, 40 acres of land and 40s of rent at Axbridge and Cocklake (worth 100s).[58] When Thomas Cheddar of Bristol died on 3rd June 1443 he left 15 messuages, 40 acres of pasture and 40s of rent (annual value 100s) at Axbridge and Cocklake besides other property in Somerset and other counties to his two daughters. The Axbridge property was held of the Bishop of Bath and Wells.[59]

In 1461-2 Joan, wife of John, Viscount Lisle, purchased three messuages, 6 acres of land, 10 acres of meadow and 10 acres of pasture at Cheddar and Axbridge from John grace and Joan his wife for forty pounds sterling. It would seem that Glastonbury abbey had a claim on this property as John and Joan pledged to warrant for Joan de Lisle against Abbot John of Glastonbury.[60]

Chapter meetings

In the thirteenth century Axbridge church was often used by the chapter of Wells cathedral as a meeting place – the manor of Axbridge then belonged to the Bishop of Bath and Wells as we saw above. In 1243 the full chapter attended a meeting at Axbridge, with the Archdeacon of Wells in the chair, to hear an appeal on whether the church of Congresbury was vacant or not. The result was later published in the cathedral of the feast of SS Peter and Paul (29th June). Later in July 1243 the chapter again met at Axbridge to discuss Congresbury church. The sub-dean said the church was appropriated to the communa and so was no vacant and that Peter Saracenus should not be instituted. The King’s officials claimed the royal right of presentation and backed Peter Scaracenus. Congresbury was once a royal manor. After two days of discussion no settlement was reached and an appeal to Rome was made.[61]

In 1250 a chapter meeting was held at Axbridge to make an appeal to the Archbishop of Canterbury about the status of Congresbury church after Bishop William de Button appointed his nephew William de Button to the church.[62]

Bishop’s court

On 3rd November 1335 the Bishop of Bath and Wells held a judicially sitting in Axbridge Church. There he heard the case against Valentine de Gernevyle, a vicar of the Cathedral church at Wells. Valentine was found guilty of incontinence and was suspended for half a year.[63]

Axbridge church of St. John the Baptist

Rector of Axbridge

The episcopal registers of the various Bishops of Bath and Wells record a number of people who served as rector of Axbridge. In November 1329 Sir John de Sutton, priest, was collated as rector of Axbridge church with the archdeacon of Wells mandated to induct him. In March 1329 John de Sutton was collated to Yeovilton church.[64]

In April 1330 Robert de Mora was rector of Axbridge. In that year he received letters to be raised from a subdeacon to that of deacon. In June Robert de la More received letters to be ordained a priest.[65] Yet a later document says that the parish church of Axbridge was vacant from September 1329 until September 1330. The first fruits due to the Pope from Axbridge was then worth 40s 40d.[66]

In January 1334 a licence was given to Robert, rector of Axbridge, to study at any university for two years.[67] We are not sure what subjects Robert studied at university but mathematics was possibly not one of them. In September 1335 Robert, rector of Axbridge, acknowledged that he owed 6 marks to Bishop Ralph.[68]

In 1348 a person called Sir Adam was rector of Axbridge.[69] In September 1350 Bishop Ralph wrote to the rectors of Axbridge and Hocton along with the vicars of Banewell, Compton, Congresbury, Jacton, Cheddar and Wynescomb to admonish all labourers living in their parishes and instruct them to observer their labour agreements and stop causing unrest.[70]

In April 1450 Bishop Bekynton collated Master John Moreton, S.T.P., to Axbridge church which was vacant on the resignation of Sir Thomas Parle.[71] John Moreton was a student at Winchester College in Oxford in 1418 and in 1419 became a New College scholar. in 1426 John Moreton got a M.A. with a Bachelor in Theology by 1443 and a Doctorate in Theology by 1446. In 1446 he rented rooms at Durham College. John Moreton’s first parish was rector of Saham Toney in Norfolk. On 5th February 1443 he came to Somerset as vicar of North Curry and was a canon at Wells cathedral by 1446 and prebendary of Combe xv (later prebendary of Whitechurch). On 27th September 1450 he became rector of Charlton Musgrove and held it until his death. By July 1464 John Moreton was decease.[72]
In 1459 Sir Richard Wiche, chaplain, was collated as rector of Axbridge church which was vacant on the resignation of Master John Moreton. Later John Moreton got a pension of £10 per annum out of the fruits of Axbridge with the consent of Richard Wiche.[73]

On 13th April 1489 Bishop Robert Stillington collated Thomas, Bishop of Tones, as the new rector of Axbridge.[74] On 18th October 1494 an exchange of benefices was made between Thomas, Bishop of Tenos and Master Thomas Raynys, M.A., priest and canon of Wells cathedral and prebendary of Cudworth. Thomas Raynys would become the new rector of Axbridge while Bishop Thomas would get the prebendary.[75] Thomas Raynys was educated at Winchester College, Oxford in 1446. His first benefice was in 1474 as vicar of Basingstoke. By 1494 he was a canon at Wells and prebendary of Cudworth. By September 1499 Thomas Raynys was deceased and left a number of manuscript volumes of sermons.[76] 

On 2nd September 1499 Bishop Oliver King collated Master John Lugwardyn, bachelor in degrees, to Axbridge church. Master John Lugwardyn was also a canon at Wells cathedral. In January 1500 he got a papal bull from Pope Alexander VI for the union of Axbridge, worth less than 20 marks sterling and 60 ducats of gold, with the prebend of Timberscombe during his tenure.[77]

This union, if it was made effective didn’t last long as by 1502 Master John Lugwardyn was dead. On 30th March 1502 the Bishop collated Master John Beckham, bachelor in canon law, as the new rector of Axbridge.[78]

In March 1503/4 John Beckham, bachelor in degrees, was rector of Axbridge when he received a papal bull from Pope Julius II for a dispensation to hold a plurality of benefices.[79]

In 1513 John Beckham resigned the rectory of Axbridge and received a pension of 5 marks by the vicar general in the absence of the Bishop. But John Beckham didn’t stay a retired cleric for long as on 21st November 1513 he was made vicar of Cheddar on the presentation of the dean of Wells, the vicarage being vacant by the death of Master Thomas Goldweg. Meanwhile on 19th November 1513 Sir John Noseyt, a member of the Bishop’s household, was appointed the new rector of Axbridge.[80] 

Church of St. John the Baptist at Axbridge

The parish church at Axbridge is dedicated to St. John the Baptist. Parts of the church date back to the 13th century but most of the present structure is 15th-century. It looks an impressive structure built of Mendip limestone with its lofty tower and intricate exterior.[81]

Sometime after 5th December 1328 nine rectors and vicars met at Axbridge church to discuss the value of Berghes vicarage where the archdeacon, Robert de Wamberg, had just presented John de Hampton Meysi. Previously on 24th June 1328 Adam, Abbot of Glastonbury, had exchanged ne acre of glebe and the advowson of Berges with Robert de Wamberg for certain tenements at Middeton Abbots near Yevelchester. The inquisition found that the tithes of wool, cheese, milk, lambs, calves, foals, apples, eggs, fisheries, geese, houses, hay, and mills with the oblations of the altar was worth 15 marks per year while the tithe of sheaves was worth 25 marks.[82]

In February 1329 Bishop Ralph of Bath and Wells told the Papal Nuncio of a number of vacant benefices in the Diocese including the parish church of Axbridge which was taxed at 6½ marks. The true value was said to be £10 per year.[83]

In September 1349 or 1350 Thomas Picoit of the Diocese of St. David’s was ordained in the parish church of Axbridge by Ralph, Bishop of Bath and Wells. But John Spyse questioned that this ever happened and a search of the register was requested. Unfortunately we are not told the result of those enquires. The itinerary of Bishop Ralph doesn’t show him at Axbridge in those times.[84]   

In 1413 Edward Curteys, burgess of Wells, gave 10s to the fabric fund of Axbridge church.[85] For more on Edward Curteys see = http://celtic2realms-medievalnews.blogspot.ie/2013/09/edward-curtis-burgess-of-wells-in_10.html

In 1450 Sir Richard Jonys was parochial chaplain at Axbridge while Sir William Frenssh was stipendiary chaplain. In 1463 Sir Nicholas Harper and Sir Denis Omer were chaplains at Axbridge.[86] In 1468 Sir W. Pytman and Sir John Besewick were chaplains at Axbridge.[87]

In 1496 John Payne of Hutton made his will in which he donated one burgage with an adjacent barn to Axbridge church to pay for prays for his soul.[88]

On 23rd February 1496/7 an inquisition was held in the parish church of Axbridge concerning the right of patronage of Uphill church. It was found that Dame Joan, viscountess Lisle, relict of Edward, Viscount Lisle and also of John Talbot, one of the heirs of Thomas Cheddar, had the right of presentation.[89]

On 20th April 1515, in Axbridge church, Sir William Newton, chaplain, was instituted to Hygham church on the presentation of Glastonbury abbey.[90]

Many years later, in 1582, the parish church of Axbridge had its own theatre and the school master of the grammar school at Wells brought the children there to take part in a play against the statues of the cathedral chapter. The schoolmaster admitted his crime and was to pay 24 poor people 1d each.[91] 

The deanery of Axbridge

The deanery of Axbridge included the parishes and churches of Barrows, Axbridge, Blakedon, Eastbrent, Lymsham, Bagworth, Were, Lokkyn, Custoke, Huphill, Hutton, Loxston, Bledon, Weston, Congresbury, Shepham, Brene, Woky, Southbrent, Cheddar, Flexby, Stanley, Compton Episcopi, Blakeford, Burnham, Banwell, Barrows, Wynscombe and Winchester.[92]

Burgesses of Axbridge

Axbridge was an ancient royal burgh. In the time of the Saxon Kings some thirty burgesses of Axbridge were giving hunting and fishing rights in an area near the Black rock by the estuary of the Axe and outside the royal Mendip forest.[93]

In the time of King John letters of exemplification were given to the dean and canons of Wells and the prior of Wells along with the burgesses of Wells, Axbridge, Welington and Cheddar to be exempt from tolls, pickage, pavage and keige throughout the King’s dominions.[94]

On 4 id November 1348 the will of William Dreycote, burgess of Axbridge, was prove before the official of the archdeacon of Wells in the parish church of Axbridge. William Dreycote donated money to the church and asked to be buried in the cemetery of St. John the Baptist at Axbridge.[95]
In 1413 Edward Curteys of Wells gave Thomas Nony of Axbridge 6s 8d in his will.[96]

Other people of Axbridge

On 3rd June 1443 Thomas Cheddar of Bristol died. He asked to be buried in the parish church at Cheddar before the image of St. Andrew the Apostle in the chancel. Thomas Cheddar left a vast estate to his two daughters including property in and around Axbridge. One of the daughters, Isabella, married Sir John Newton of Court de Wyck in Yatton. When Sir John died in 1487 he left property at Axbridge to his son Nicholas Newton.[97]

The poor of Axbridge

In 1417 Richard Bruton, canon of Wells made his will and gave 6d to each poor person in Axbridge who was confined to bed and due to sickness could not go out in the town. Similar poor people in Wells, Bruton, Glastonbury, Shepton, Corscombe, Lydeyard, Asshull, Milton, Bruham and Evercryche also got 6d. Richard Bruton also gave a separate donation of 6s 8d to the poor of Axbridge and similar amounts to the poor in other towns.[98]

Axbridge in later times

In the fourteenth century Axbridge grew as a centre for the wool trade and cloth manufacture. It even had its own mint, with coins showing the town's symbol: the Lamb and Flag. The trade was made possible as the River Axe was navigable to Lower Weare near Axbridge.[99]
By the seventeenth century the wool trade had declined and the absence of later economic development preserved many old buildings by accident over design. Today Axbridge is a designated conservation area with many heritage buildings from its medieval past as well as later buildings.

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[1] Rev. R.W. Eyton, Domesday Studies: an analysis and digest of the Somerset Survey (according to the Exon Codex) and of the Somerset gheld inquest of A.D. 1084 (Reeves & Turner, London, 1880), Vol. II, p. 10
[2] Anon, ‘Somersetshire’, in The National Encyclopaedia (Mackenzie, London, 1870), Vol. XI, p. 923
[4] Rev. R.W. Eyton, Domesday Studies: an analysis and digest of the Somerset Survey (according to the Exon Codex) and of the Somerset gheld inquest of A.D. 1084, Vol. 1, pp. 133, 206
[5] Rev. R.W. Eyton, Domesday Studies: an analysis and digest of the Somerset Survey (according to the Exon Codex) and of the Somerset gheld inquest of A.D. 1084, Vol. 1, p. 91
[6] J.W. Gough (ed.), Mendip mining laws and forest bounds (Somerset Record Society, Vol. XLV, 1931), p. 166
[7] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axbridge accessed on 4th January 2017
[8] Rev. R.W. Eyton, Domesday Studies: an analysis and digest of the Somerset Survey (according to the Exon Codex) and of the Somerset gheld inquest of A.D. 1084, Vol. 1, p. 51; Ibid, vol. II, pp. 1, 2
[9] Prebendary T.F. Palmer (ed.), Collectanea 1: a collection of documents from various sources (Somerset Record Society, Vol. XXXIX,  1924), p. 74
[10] Prebendary T.F. Palmer (ed.), Collectanea 1: a collection of documents from various sources, p. 76
[12] J.A. Bennett (ed.), Report on the Manuscripts of Wells Cathedral (Historical Manuscripts Commission, 1885), p. 69
[13] J.A. Bennett (ed.), Report on the Manuscripts of Wells Cathedral, p. 207
[14] J.A. Bennett (ed.), Report on the Manuscripts of Wells Cathedral, p. 205
[15] J.A. Bennett (ed.), Report on the Manuscripts of Wells Cathedral, p. 206
[16] Prebendary T.F. Palmer (ed.), Collectanea 1: a collection of documents from various sources, p. 71;   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jocelin_of_Wells accessed on 8 January 2017
[17] J.A. Bennett (ed.), Report on the Manuscripts of Wells Cathedral, pp. 205, 206
[18] J.A. Bennett (ed.), Report on the Manuscripts of Wells Cathedral, p. 205
[19] J.A. Bennett (ed.), Report on the Manuscripts of Wells Cathedral, pp. 205, 211
[20] B.R. Kemp & D.M.M. Shorrocks (eds.), Medieval deeds of Bath and District (Somerset Record Society, Vol. 73, 1974), no. 298/5
[21] J.A. Bennett (ed.), Report on the Manuscripts of Wells Cathedral, p. 39
[22] J.A. Bennett (ed.), Report on the Manuscripts of Wells Cathedral, p. 69
[23] Thomas Scott Holmes (ed.), The register of Ralph of Shrewsbury, Bishop of Bath and Wells, 1329-1363 (Somerset Record Society, Vol. IX, 1896), p. 54
[24] Thomas Scott Holmes (ed.), The register of Ralph of Shrewsbury, Bishop of Bath and Wells, 1329-1363, pp. 202, 204, 205, 211, 216
[25] Thomas Scott Holmes (ed.), The register of Ralph of Shrewsbury, Bishop of Bath and Wells, 1329-1363, p. 278
[26] Thomas Scott Holmes (ed.), The register of Ralph of Shrewsbury, Bishop of Bath and Wells, 1329-1363 (Somerset Record Society, Vol. X, 1896), p. 664
[27] Claire Noble (ed.), Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem Volume XXIII, 6 to 10 Henry VI, 1427-1432 (Boydell Press & National Archives, 2004), No. 281
[28] Prebendary T.F. Palmer (ed.), Collectanea 1: a collection of documents from various sources, p. 75
[29] Prebendary T.F. Palmer (ed.), Collectanea 1: a collection of documents from various sources, p. 76
[30] Prebendary T.F. Palmer (ed.), Collectanea 1: a collection of documents from various sources, p. 77
[31] Thomas Scott Holmes (ed.), The register of Ralph of Shrewsbury, Bishop of Bath and Wells, 1329-1363, p. 111
[32] Thomas Scott Holmes (ed.), The register of Ralph of Shrewsbury, Bishop of Bath and Wells, 1329-1363, p. 117
[33] Prebendary T.F. Palmer (ed.), Collectanea 1: a collection of documents from various sources, p. 76
[34] Prebendary T.F. Palmer (ed.), Collectanea 1: a collection of documents from various sources, p. 77, 80
[35] Thomas Scott Holmes (ed.), The register of Ralph of Shrewsbury, Bishop of Bath and Wells, 1329-1363 (Somerset Record Society, Vol. IX, 1896), p. 125
[36] Prebendary T.F. Palmer (ed.), Collectanea 1: a collection of documents from various sources, p. 78
[37] Prebendary T.F. Palmer (ed.), Collectanea 1: a collection of documents from various sources, pp. 80, 103
[38] Prebendary T.F. Palmer (ed.), Collectanea 1: a collection of documents from various sources, pp. 80, 81, 138
[39] J.W. Gough (ed.), Mendip mining laws and forest bounds, p. 174
[40] Thomas Scott Holmes (ed.), The register of Ralph of Shrewsbury, Bishop of Bath and Wells, 1329-1363, p. 380
[41] Emanuel Green (ed.), Pedes Finium commonly called Feet of Fines for the County of Somerset 1196 to 1307 (Somerset Record Society, Vol. 6, 1892), p. 97
[42] Emanuel Green (ed.), Pedes Finium commonly called Feet of Fines for Somerset 1196 to 1307, p. 120
[43] Emanuel Green (ed.), Pedes Finium commonly called Feet of Fines for Somerset 1196 to 1307, p. 263
[44] Emanuel Green (ed.), Pedes Finium commonly called Feet of Fines for Somerset 1196 to 1307, pp. 320, 322
[45] Emanuel Green (ed.), Pedes Finium commonly called Feet of Fines for Somerset 1196 to 1307, p. 327
[46] Emanuel Green (ed.), Pedes Finium commonly called Feet of Fines for the County of Somerset 1307 to 1346 (Somerset Record Society, Vol. 12, 1898), p. 155
[47] Emanuel Green (ed.), Pedes Finium commonly called Feet of Fines for the County of Somerset 1347 to 1399 (Somerset Record Society, Vol. 17, 1902), p. 24
[48] Emanuel Green (ed.), Pedes Finium commonly called Feet of Fines for Somerset 1307 to 1346, p. 236
[49] Emanuel Green (ed.), Pedes Finium commonly called Feet of Fines for Somerset 1347 to 1399, pp. 50, 51
[50] Emanuel Green (ed.), Pedes Finium commonly called Feet of Fines for Somerset 1347 to 1399, pp. 118, 204
[51] Emanuel Green (ed.), Pedes Finium commonly called Feet of Fines for Somerset 1347 to 1399, pp. 138, 139
[52] Emanuel Green (ed.), Pedes Finium commonly called Feet of Fines for Somerset 1347 to 1399, p. 148
[53] Emanuel Green (ed.), Pedes Finium commonly called Feet of Fines for the County of Somerset Henry IV to Henry VI (Somerset Record Society, Vol. 22, 1906), p. 45
[54] Emanuel Green (ed.), Pedes Finium commonly called Feet of Fines for Somerset Henry IV to Henry VI, p. 176
[55] Emanuel Green (ed.), Pedes Finium commonly called Feet of Fines for Somerset Henry IV to Henry VI, p. 64
[56] Emanuel Green (ed.), Pedes Finium commonly called Feet of Fines for Somerset Henry IV to Henry VI, p. 65
[57] Emanuel Green (ed.), Pedes Finium commonly called Feet of Fines for Somerset Henry IV to Henry VI, pp. 190, 196
[58] M.L. Holford, S.A. Mileson, Claire Noble & Kate Parkin (eds.), Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem Volume XXIV, 11 to 15 Henry VI, 1432-1437 (Boydell Press & National Archives, 2010), Nos. 709, 710, 713
[59] M.L. Holford (ed.), Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem Volume XXVI, 21 to 25 Henry VI, 1442-1447 (Boydell Press & National Archives, 2009), No. 119
[60] Emanuel Green (ed.), Pedes Finium commonly called Feet of Fines for Somerset Henry IV to Henry VI, p. 124
[61] J.A. Bennett (ed.), Report on the Manuscripts of Wells Cathedral, pp. 37, 199
[62] J.A. Bennett (ed.), Report on the Manuscripts of Wells Cathedral, p. 64
[63] J.A. Bennett (ed.), Report on the Manuscripts of Wells Cathedral, p. 139
[64] Thomas S. Holmes (ed.), The register of Ralph of Shrewsbury, Bishop of Bath & Wells, 1329-1363, pp. 13, 32
[65] Thomas S. Holmes (ed.), The register of Ralph of Shrewsbury, Bishop of Bath & Wells, 1329-1363, pp. 45, 49
[66] Thomas S. Holmes (ed.), The register of Ralph of Shrewsbury, Bishop of Bath & Wells, 1329-1363, pp. 60, 62
[67] Thomas Scott Holmes (ed.), The register of Ralph of Shrewsbury, Bishop of Bath & Wells, 1329-1363, p. 160
[68] Thomas Scott Holmes (ed.), The register of Ralph of Shrewsbury, Bishop of Bath & Wells, 1329-1363, p. 249
[69] Thomas Scott Holmes (ed.), The register of Ralph of Shrewsbury, Bishop of Bath & Wells, 1329-1363, p. 773
[70] Thomas Scott Holmes (ed.), The register of Ralph of Shrewsbury, Bishop of Bath & Wells, 1329-1363, p. 640
[71] Sir H.C. Maxwell-Lyte & M.C.B. Dawes (eds.), The register of Thomas Bekynton Bishop of Bath and Wells 1443-1465, part 1 (Somerset Record Society, Vol. XLIX, 1934), p. 146
[72] A.B. Emden, A biographical register of the University of Oxford to A.D. 1500 (Oxford University Press, 1989), vol. II, F to O, p. 1317
[73] Sir H.C. Maxwell-Lyte & M.C.B. Dawes (eds.), The register of Thomas Bekynton Bishop of Bath & Wells 1443-1465, part 1, p. 327
[74] Sir Henry Maxwell-Lyte (ed.), The Registers of Robert Stillington Bishop of Bath and Wells 1466-1491 and Richard Fox Bishop of Bath and Wells 1492-1494 (Somerset Record Society, Vol. LII, 1937), no. 940
[75] Sir Henry Maxwell-Lyte (ed.), The Registers of Robert Stillington Bishop of Bath and Wells 1466-1491 and Richard Fox Bishop of Bath and Wells 1492-1494, no. 1157
[76] A.B. Emden, A biographical register of the University of Oxford to A.D. 1500, vol. III, P to Z, p. 1553
[77] Sir Henry Maxwell-Lyte (ed.), The Registers of Oliver King Bishop of Bath and Wells 1496-1503 and Hadrian de Castello Bishop of Bath and Wells 1503-1518 (Somerset Record Society, Vol. LIV, 1939), nos. 225, 265
[78] Sir Henry Maxwell-Lyte (ed.), The Registers of Oliver King Bishop of Bath and Wells 1496-1503 and Hadrian de Castello Bishop of Bath and Wells 1503-1518, no. 403
[79] Sir Henry Maxwell-Lyte (ed.), The Registers of Oliver King Bishop of Bath and Wells 1496-1503 and Hadrian de Castello Bishop of Bath and Wells 1503-1518, no. 604
[80] Sir Henry Maxwell-Lyte (ed.), The Registers of Oliver King Bishop of Bath and Wells 1496-1503 and Hadrian de Castello Bishop of Bath and Wells 1503-1518, nos. 1030, 1031, 1032
[82] J.A. Bennett (ed.), Report on the Manuscripts of Wells Cathedral, p. 208
[83] Thomas Scott Holmes (ed.), The register of Ralph of Shrewsbury, Bishop of Bath & Wells, 1329-1363, p. 40
[84] Thomas Scott Holmes (ed.), The register of Ralph of Shrewsbury, Bishop of Bath & Wells, 1329-1363, p. xxxv; Thomas Scott Holmes (ed.), The register of Ralph of Shrewsbury, Bishop of Bath & Wells, 1329-1363, p. 616
[85] Rev. F.W. Weaver (ed.), Somerset Medieval Wills, 1383-1500 (Somerset Record Society, Vol. 16, 1901), p. 65
[86] Sir H.C. Maxwell-Lyte & M.C.B. Dawes (eds.), The register of Thomas Bekynton Bishop of Bath and Wells 1443-1465, part 1, pp. 137, 396
[87] Sir Henry Maxwell-Lyte (ed.), The Registers of Robert Stillington Bishop of Bath and Wells 1466-1491 and Richard Fox Bishop of Bath and Wells 1492-1494 (Somerset Record Society, Vol. LII, 1937), no. 118
[88] Rev. F.W. Weaver (ed.), Somerset Medieval Wills, 1383-1500, p. 335
[89] Sir Henry Maxwell-Lyte (ed.), The Registers of Oliver King Bishop of Bath and Wells 1496-1503 and Hadrian de Castello Bishop of Bath and Wells 1503-1518, no. 40
[90] Sir Henry Maxwell-Lyte (ed.), The Registers of Oliver King Bishop of Bath and Wells 1496-1503 and Hadrian de Castello Bishop of Bath and Wells 1503-1518, no. 1079
[91] J.A. Bennett (ed.), Report on the Manuscripts of Wells Cathedral, p. 243
[92] Sir H.C. Maxwell-Lyte & M.C.B. Dawes (eds.), The register of Thomas Bekynton Bishop of Bath and Wells 1443-1465, part 1, p. 30
[93] J.W. Gough (ed.), Mendip mining laws and forest bounds, pp. 166, 167
[94] Dorothy O. Shilton and Richard Holworthy (eds.), Wells City Charters (Somerset Record Society, Vol. XLVI, 1932), p. 6
[95] Thomas S. Holmes (ed.), The register of Ralph of Shrewsbury, Bishop of Bath & Wells, 1329-1363, pp. 773, 774, 775
[96] Rev. F.W. Weaver (ed.), Somerset Medieval Wills, 1383-1500, p. 65
[97] Rev. F.W. Weaver (ed.), Somerset Medieval Wills, pp. 151, 152, 272 
[98] Rev. F.W. Weaver (ed.), Somerset Medieval Wills, p. 89 
[99] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axbridge accessed on 4th January 2017

1 comment:

  1. lovely reading keep up the good work looking forward to read more of your blog

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