| Description | From: Hamo de Hethe, bishop of Rochester
To: the prior and chapter of Canterbury Cathedral Priory
The priory's petition shows that its income is diminishing from various causes as specified, including the flooding of its lands near the sea and the effect of the plague upon its livestock; even its fertile lands by the sea, from which it used to receive more than 200 marks, now yield nothing. It receives large numbers of visitors and incurs heavy expenses in maintaining its rights and liberties. For these reasons, it cannot provide its accustomed hospitality or perform other works of charity, and opportunities for the honour of its church are diminished.
The bishop is satisfied that the priory's difficulties are genuine and allows it to appropriate the church of Westerham, with the chapel of Edenbridge annexed to it, of which it is already patron. The priory may enter the church of Westerham when Mgr Richard de Haute, the present rector, leaves or dies. Richard shall pay the priory an annual pension of 7d, payable as specified, as long as he remains rector. Reserving canonical obedience to the bishop and rights of visitation for himself and the archdeacon of Rochester. The bishop ordains a vicarage with a portion of 10 marks and tithes as specified, the ordination to take effect when Richard leaves or dies. The priory is to build a church-yard ('area') and a vicarage and maintain the vicarage buildings. The vicar shall be responsible for certain financial burdens as specified and the priory shall meet the others, estimated at 40 marks. The bishop, with the consent of his chapter, also reserves to himself an annual pension of 10s, payable as specified, in compensation for the income he would normally receive when the rectory is vacant.
Given at Halling [Kent].
Endorsed with description in mid 14th and 18th cent hands. |