| Description | From: the official of the archdeacon of Canterbury
To: Mgr William Testa, archdeacon of Aran [Spain] in the church of Comminges; Mgr William Geraldi of 'Sora', canon of Rouen
William and William are administrators of the spiritualities of Canterbury, appointed by the pope. The official has received their mandate, dated 12 Sep 1306 at London (recited). This states that King Edward I has presented Mgr Nicholas de Tingewyk', clerk, to the church of Reculver, Canterbury diocese, which is vacant. The church is in the king's gift because he holds the temporalities of the diocese of Canterbury. The official is to summon the neighbouring clergy and enquire into the circumstances of the vacancy, the state of the benefice and the suitability of the candidate.
The official summoned the clergy and they say that the church became vacant on 20 Jul by the death of Mgr Simon, the last rector. They also say that when the see of Canterbury is full, the right of collation belongs to the archbishop, but when the see is vacant the right of presentation belongs to the king. They say that when the see of Canterbury was last vacant the king conferred the church on 'Dominus' John de Langeton' who afterwards resigned it into the hands of Archbishop Robert Winchelsey. The archbishop then conferred it on 'Dominus' Thomas de Chertham and on his death conferred it on Mgr Simon. They say that the church is not involved in litigation, that there is a pension of £20 payable to the hospitals of Northgate and Harbledown at the ordination of Archbishop Lanfranc and that the church is worth 200 marks a year. The candidate is of good life and morals, he is free and legitimate, he has another benefice and he is in priest's orders.
Given at Canterbury.
Notarial sign and attestation of Richard Welythewed' called the Scot ('dictus Scot''), son of Adam of York, notary public, registrar in the registry of the hearing of contradictory letters ('in Registro audiencie litterarum contradictarum') of the Roman curia in the time of Pope Boniface VIII, who wrote the document.
Endorsed with description in 14th cent hands. |