CH/13/5

CH/13/5

File

Contracts Register, 1673-1675

Lease Book

1673 - 1675

1 volume

A searchable calender of this volume has been created by Andrew Thomson and is available from the Cathedral Archives. The following overview is also by Andrew Thomson: Dates on the cover and dates of leases bear some but by no means full relationship with each other. The dates on the cover are 1661, 1673-74, and 1675; but the range runs in fact from 1641 to 1678; and of the 24 leases, the split is even, with half in the 1660s and the other half in the 1670s. There is, moreover, some duplication of leases: two thirds – 16 out of the 24 leases – appear in earlier lease books and only nine in fact are new leases. I have marked them on my transcription. It is Interesting to read (8, 930) an occasional requirement for regular fertilisation (muck spreading) and amusing to observe the evasion of the dean and chapter about the amounts they were receiving in fines. It is also interesting to note specific locations – the font, for example, or the west door of the cathedral – for payment of rent. Even more surprising are the threats – distraining and impounding – for rent defaulting when applied to Bridget Earles, wife of the bishop, and to Sir Edward Nicholas Principal Secretary of State to Charles I and II (12, 938 and 24, 995). Both – the locations and the sanctions – may have been there to add a touch of solemnity to the proceedings but, as they were so routinely applied, they probably lost ‘impact’ or ‘effect’. I ought perhaps to explain my highlighting of the phrase ’to be compleate and ended’ when itemising the term of the lease. This is because it flies in the face of frequent early renewals (for another fine, of course) and is another case of airy, ponderous, statements and common practice colliding. Just as important are political 'intrusions'. One is augmentation of clergy stipends, not just for their welfare but also to ensure their loyalty to the government. There were royal letters and parliamentary statutes about this and I note that one Act of Parliament on the subject was in 1677 and the lease, mentioning ‘pursuance of his majesty’s direction’, followed in 1678 (21, 951). Another is uniformity (1662). This was a ‘fixation’ at the Restoration after the plethora of ‘sects’ (Ranters Seeker, Quakers) during the 1650s and at least one lease requires the lessee to appoint a vicar or curate ‘conformable to the doctrine and discipline of the Church of England’ (13, 940). One more fascinating feature, to me, at least, is the apparent conflict of interests when appointing attorneys (enforcers). Once or twice (e.g. 16, 944) the lessor appoints someone who appears to be a relation of the lessee.

English

Material: parchment, paper Binding: parchment