[128] Memorials of Stepney, 51.  Cf. Acts of the Privy Council (ed.  Dasent), xxii, 482-3 (A tenant refusing a customary payment for church repair, presented by “the generall consent” of the parishioners of Lewesham to the commissary’s court.  He removes the cause to Star Chamber “to the extreame chardgis, trouble and hinderance” of one of the wardens, to the encouragement of like offenders, and to the “utter ruin and decaie” of the church. 1592).  The source last quoted hereinafter cited as A.P.C., xxii (etc.).

[129] Besides the order just mentioned, the Stepney vestry had three years before ordained concerning their wardens that these were “to shew how they haue p[re]sented them [old dues in their books], Otherwise the said churchwardens shalbe charged to pay those Arrearages as shall remayne so vnpaid and not p[re]sented by them.” Op. cit., 43.

[130] Art. xxi, Cardwell, Doc.  Ann., i, 326.

[131] Leicest.  Archit. (etc.) Soc., iii, 204.

[132] J.H.  Butcher, The Parish of Ashburton in the 15th and 16th Centuries (1870), 42.  See also ibid., 40 and 49.  Also H.J.F.  Swayne, Acc’ts of St. Edmund and St. Thomas, Sarum (Wilts Rec.  Soc. 1896), introd., p. xxv, and p. 317.

[133] Hale, Churchwardens’ Prec., 4-10, 5th to 8th March, 1607-8.  Cf. ibid., 16.

[134] Hale, op. cit., 109-110.

[135] Canterbury Visit., xxvii, 218.  Authorization to tax the land is not asked for in express terms, but seems to be implied.  In other cases it is clear that a warrant was given for the assessment of lands, e.g., Hale, Churchwardens’ Prec., 4 (A warden of Chelmsford, Essex, to appear in court “for a warrant for seassment of the landes.” 1584).  Sometimes the rates made were offered in court to be confirmed, Hale, ibid., 8 (A rate “offered” to the judge at Stratford at Bow. 1607). Canterbury Visit., xxv, 14 (A rate, subscribed by the boards of the parishioners, “and certified under Mr. Doctor Newman’s own hand.” 1613).

[136] Canterbury Visit., ubi supra.

[137] Hale, Churchwardens’ Prec., 90-1 (1603).

[138] Canterbury Visit., xxvii, 223 (1569).  Cf. ibid., 214.  Also ibid., xxvi, 18 (Three persons presented who will not “pay to the poor mens’ box.” 1574).

[139] Hale, Crim.  Prec., 149 (1566).  Cf. ibid., 176 ("Detected for beinge an uncharitable person & for not gevenge to the poore & impotent...” 1583). Ibid., 208 (One Crisp detected for not paying his accustomed “offering” for himself and wife to the minister at Easter. 1593).

[140] Dean of York’s Visit., 229 (1595). Ibid., 214 (Similar presentment, 1570). Ibid., 335 (Same. 1600). Ibid., 223 (Bellman’s wages).

[141] Canterbury Visit., xxvi, 22 (1598).