The important historical information given in the accounts of the Churchwardens justifies the reproduction of those selections which testify to the rapid changes in religion and education. William Russell and Thomas Cloudesley were churchwardens from 2nd June 1530 till 11th May 1532, and they “Payd for a Prick Song book xxᵈ.” The next Wardens “payd for the covering of the Pryksong book ijˢ.” Thurston Amere and William Combes 1538-40, in their “first yere” “payd for a book to registre in the names of the Buryalls Weddynges and Cristeninges ijˢ.” This entry is exceedingly interesting for many reasons. Archbishop Cranmer and Thomas Cromwell issued a set of Injunctions dated 11th October 1538; of which a contemporary copy is preserved in the Public Record Office, (uncalendared Papers of Henry VIII, 253). The second of these ordained
The Bible in English to be sett up in the churches Royal et parrochim.... Sixth, A sermon to be preached at least every quarter.... Twelfth, Register-bookes to be kept of weddings Cristenings and Burialls, and for safe keeping thereof, the Parish to finde a cheste with two locks and two Keyes to be taken out every Sunday and the Parson in the presence of the Wardens to write.... etc.
For every omission a fine of 3s. 4d. to be levied.
St. Margaret’s is one of the few churches whose Registers are preserved from this early date. This entry proves promptness in obedience, as the books themselves show carefulness in preserving. In their second year these Wardens “payd for the halfe parte of the Bybell accordingly after the King’s injuncions ixˢ ixᵈ, Item payd for a desk for the Bybell iijˢ viiiᵈ. Item payd for a Quire of Paper for a parucker booke for this 2ⁿᵈ yere ijᵈ.” Among the Foren payments are repairs to the organ, and “payd for two hympnalls for pdco, ijˢ viiiᵈ.” The “accompt of Robert Smalwood gent, and William Heynings, grome of the King’s most honourable Chamber,” wardens from 1540 to 1542; in relation to pew-letting mentions “the purchase of a book for the pewes of freemen xiᵈ.” Passing over the regular items of quires of paper for their “particular books”; of “parchment for their general book” and of help “in the writing of the same; in the Accompte of John Kenet and Thomas Massy 36ᵗʰ to 38ᵗʰ Hen. VIII,” we find amid the “foren payments of the first yere,” “Also payd for VI Bookes of the Lattony in Englyshe xviiiᵈ.”
In the account of Nicholas Ellys and Richard Dod, 12th June, 38th Henry VIII to 17th May, 2nd Edward VI, after mentioning the dirge for Henry and the expenses contributed to his funeral, recorded in the second year.
Also payd in Christemas quarter to Goodman Beyton for makynge of the stone in the body of the churche for the priest to declare the pistolls and gospells, ijˢ.
... to Thomas Stokedale for xxxv ells of clothe for the fronte of the Rode Lofte where as the X commaundements be wrytten, price of the ell viiiᵈ, xxiiiˢ iiiiᵈ.
... to hym that dyd wryght the said X commaundements and for the drynkynge, lxviˢ ixᵈ.
Also payd for the hangyng of the same clothe, vˢ ijᵈ.
Also payd for a Byble for to rede the pystell and the gospell, xˢ.
Also payd for ij wayscotte bords for the hie Alter, xijᵈ.
Also payd for the wryghtynge of the Scriptures upon the same bords, vˢ.
The Account of Richard Babbye and John Buckherde, 2nd Ed. VI to 4th Ed. VI. In the first year is entered a dated purchase,
Also payd for the half pte of the paphyrice of Erasmus the xᵗʰ August, vˢ.
After Christmas they bought and
Also payd for viii salters in Englyshe, xiijˢ iiijᵈ.
Also payd to Hansforthe for the Inventory that was deliuered to the Kyngs commyssioners, iiijˢ viiiᵈ.
In the second year
Also paid for the searching of the records in the Kynges Exchequer, ijˢ vᵈ.
Also paid to Nicholas Poole for wryttyng and prykynge of Songs for the Quyer, iijˢ iiijᵈ.
Also payd to William Curlewe for mendynge of divers pewes that were broken when Doctor Lattymer dyd preache, xviiiᵈ.
Forren payments. First payd for iiij books of the Service in the church, xviᵈ.
... to Nicolas Poole for pryking of divers songs, iijˢ iiijᵈ.
Also payd for the taking up of the foundation of the Crosse at the west door, viijᵈ.
The Book of Thomas Duffield and John Curtesse from 4th to 6th Ed. VI is written on paper, while all the others have used parchment.
They note an energetic sale of tabernacles and Popish ornaments; the introduction of a communion table and communion cups after the Protestant fashion.
Also payde to a Carpenter for a dayes workynge for to set up the Skaffolde for hym that dyd wryght the vi chapter of St. Johns Gospell in the quire, viijᵈ.
... for nailes to the same, iijᵈ.
Also payde to hym that did paynte and wryghte the vi chapter of Saynt Johns Gospel in ye quyre, xlˢ.
Also payd to hym for wrytynge of certeyne chapitres more in the quyre as appereth, xiijˢ iiijᵈ.
Also paid to him for wrytynge and trymmynge of the north yle and the sowthe yle, iiiˡⁱ ixˢ viiiiᵈ.
Also payd for the makyng of our bill to put in at the Bishopp’s visitacyon, iiijᵈ.
Also payd for a boke of the Artycles, ijᵈ.
Also payde for a supplicacyon that was put to Mr. Chanceloure of the Augmentation for his patent, ijˢ.
Nicholas Ludforde and Rychard Castell occupied the responsible position from 6th Ed. VI to 1st Mary.
Also payd to Mr. Curate and Nicholas Poole for makynge the Book of Church goods to be presented to the King’s Commissioners and for ye paynes they toke abowte it, that is to say to Mr. Curate, iiiˢ iiijᵈ and to Nicholas Poole, viˢ viiiᵈ.
Allso payde for two communion Bookes, viiˢ iiijᵈ.
Allso payde for the pullpit where the Curat and the Clark did reade the chapitres at servis tyme, xiiiˢ iiijᵈ.
Without any notice of change of sovereign, the entries go straight on to the service of the “old faith.”
Allso payd for an ymnall & a processionall, iiijˢ.
... for iij Great Antiphoners ij Grayles and a Masse Book, xlixˢ.
Also payde for an owlde Legente, a Massebook, and a processionall, and an owlde Antyphoner, xiiˢ.
Allso payd to John Bray for the new trimming of an Antiphoner, ijˢ.
Allso payde for a Supplicacion to the Queen’s Majesty for the Church goods.
Allso payde for a copie of the Instructions geven by the commissioners to Mr. Smallwood and others for the Churchgoods, viᵈ.
William Pampion and John Bray (from 1 Mary to 1 and 2 Phil. & Mary), early in their first year pay
to a painter for washing owte of the Skripture from of the hie Altar table, xiiᵈ.
Item payde to Wyer for new byndynge of a mansel and a processyonall, xiiᵈ.
The next churchwardens
Payd for making of a Serplis of the cloth that hung before the Rode loft wrytten with the Commandements, ijˢ.
Richard Hodges and Robert Davys were churchwardens from 4 and 5 Phil. and Mary to 2nd Eliz.
In their second year they
Payde for a Bybill & a paraphrase, xviˢ.
Item for a Communion Booke bounde in Parchmine, viˢ.
Item paid for a book of the names of all such persons as were buried within the Parish from Mydsommer day in Anno domini 1558 until Mydsommer day in the year 1559 delyvered to the vysytors, ijˢ.
Item for a chaine and two stapulles for the paraphrase. xᵈ.
John Skonner and John Hunter 2ⁿᵈ Eliz. to 4ᵗʰ Eliz.
First yere, Item a quire of paper, iiijᵈ.
... for a Psalter for the Quyre, xviiiᵈ.
... for Byndyng of a Communion Booke, xiiᵈ.
... for a Quyre of paper and for setting the same into the Register booke, viᵈ.
Item for a new Calendar set for the order of our servys in the church, iiijᵈ.
... For a paper with the 10 commaundements, xviᵈ.
2ⁿᵈ year Item, for making a bill to the Commissioners of concealed lands, viiiᵈ.
Item for a Communion Book, iiijˢ.
William Worley and William Stanton, 4 to 6 Eliz.
payde for 4 qr bookes of psalmes in meeter for the quyer, iiiiˢ viiiᵈ.
Item to Nicholas Poole for the pryckinge of two bookes withe Te Deum Laudamus for the quyre, xᵈ.
Item payd for 2 bookes of meeter psalmes of the gretest volume for the quyer bought by Poole, iiˢ viiiᵈ.
... for a quire of paper for the making of a certificate of strangers, iiijᵈ.
... for a book of the Queens Matⁱᵉˢ injunctions, viᵈ.
... a quier of paper for a book for clerk’s wages, iiijᵈ.
... for 4 qʳ songe bookes for the service of God in the same churche, vˢ.
... for 4 qʳ bookes of service for the cessing of warres, xviᵈ.
... for 4 qʳ books of prayer to God for the cessing of the plague, viiiᵈ.
... To a booke bynder for newe byndynge and mendinge of sondrie places of the Bible iijˢ.
For a quier of papier for the clerke to make weekely certificates unto the Court of all Burials and cristenings, iiijᵈ.
... to Christopher Robinson for a copy of Edmond Wilgres Will signed under the hand of Mr. Argall, iiiˢ iiijᵈ.
William Spencer and John Fisher, 1564 to 1566.
payd for two quyer of paper, viiiᵈ.
... one pynte of ynke, viiiᵈ.
... for two paddelocks for the Register cheaste, xviᵈ.
Item, payd for a quyre of paper for the Register Book, iiiiᵈ.
Item, payd for 2 psalme books for the Quyer, iiiiˢ.
It. payd to Mr. Archdeacon’s man for writing a book of Articles, xijᵈ.
For two psalme bookes for the quyer, iiijˢ.
For a quire of paper for certificates, iiijᵈ.
For writing a book for the Collectors, xᵈ.
For two Books of Prayers, ijᵈ.
Richard Gybbes and Roger Boseley, 1566 to 1568, 2nd year.
Item paid for a Book of Queen’s Injuncions, iiijᵈ.
... for a Book of Homilies, iiiiˢ.
... for twoo books of prayers set out by the Byshoppe of Canterbury to be redd Sondaies Wedensdaies & fridaies, viᵈ.
... for a Certyficate made of all the strangers within the parische, viᵈ.
... for one book of Homelyes and another book called a protestation, xiiᵈ.
John Jennens and Richard Garradd, 1568-1570.
Item payde for byndyng and new covering of the Bybell, viˢ viiiᵈ.
... for the writing of a book to the Queen’s maiesties Commissioners for armer, xijᵈ.
... for writing of a booke to Mr. Latimer of articles, xijᵈ.
George Bryghte and Nicholas Corne, 1570-1572.
Item payd for a new booke of the Queen’s Majesties injuncions, iiijᵈ.
... for a plott of the church drawn out in parchment, xxᵈ.
... payd to the Registre for entering our booke of presentments when we delivered up the same, iiijᵈ.
Thomas Clerke and Andrew Holborne, 1572-1574.
Item for a new Regyster book for to wryte in the names of every buryall crystening and marryge that is in the Parisshe, vˢ.
... for 3 new books of common prayers set owt by the Bishop, viᵈ.
... for writyng a copy of the Artycles, iiijᵈ.
John Wheler and Edward Taylor, 1574-1576.
Item payd for a coppy of the Artycles gyven by the vysytors to the sworn men to inquyr of, ijˢ.
Item payd for a new Byble of the largest volume, xxviiiˢ.
The accompt of Davy Rogeres and John Ryall, 1576-1577, during which year John Ryall died, and the following year the account is of John Fyssher and Davy Rogers, 1577-1578.
1st year Item payd for tow iron chauynes for the tow paraphrases of Erasmus.
Item paid for making writinge & drawing out of the lease of St. Anns Chappell to laye wood in for the poore, vˢ viiiᵈ.
These continue in office for a second term.
The Accompt of John Fisher and Davy Rogers, 1578-1580, has no literary expenses worth noting.
The Accompte of Thomas Wharton and John Lovadge, 1580-1582, 2nd yere.
Item payd for a Book of Abridgments of Statutes to remain in the church, ixˢ.
John Bradshawe and William Conham, 1582-1584, the usual paper, ink, parchments, and nothing else.
Richard Ferris and George Lee, 1584-1586, the same.
Morris Pickeringe and John Prieste, 1586-1588.
Item payde for a Communyone Booke, vijˢ.
Item payde for an Hower glasse, iiijᵈ.
Item payde for three Psalter bookes, vˢ.
Item payde for a lace for a register for the communion booke, viᵈ.
Item payd to Robert Jones for wrytynge of certayne duties ordered by the consentes of the parish and for wrytynge the names of the pore people of Mr. Cornellis his almes howses, xiiᵈ.
Item payd for three bokes of prayers for the Queenes Matie, viᵈ.
Item payd for a Book of Injuncions, iiijᵈ.
Item payd to Mr. Price for two bookes of prayers for the Queenes Mayesties daye, viᵈ.
Item paid for a backe and cheste for a writting table.
Item payd to the joyner for makeing a Table wherein are sett the names of all such that payde in every ward towards the statute of Westminster, and for wrytyng of the same table, ijˢ viijᵈ.
Thomas Cooper and Richard Ireland, 1588-1589-90.
1st year Item payd for the wrytynge of a copye of Mr. Warnham’s Will, viᵈ.
Item payd for two prayer books, when the Spanisshe Fleete was upon the narrow Seas, iijᵈ.
Item payd for mendinge the Table of the Tenn Commaundements that hangeth over the Communion Table, ijˢ.
Item payd for makinge of the Indentures between Baron Southerton and the Churchwardens, xijᵈ.
William Towe and Cuthbert Lyne, 1590-1591.
Item payd to Thomas Collins for drawing certen articles of agreements for the benefit of the Churche & after for ingrossing them into the Register Booke, iiijˢ.
The Accompt of Marmaduke Servaunt and Thomas Cole, 1592-1594. This being plague time there was little literature.
William Goddard and George Waites, 1594-1596.
Item geven to Mr. Fletcher a precher who preched the 4 of August being Sonday in the afternoon by consent of such of the vestry as were present at that sermon, vˢ.
2ⁿᵈ yere Item geven to Jhon Crewonne alias Foke a pore scoller borne in this parish after a sermon by him made in this church by consent of such of the vestry as were present at that sermon, xxˢ.
Roger Darly and Samuel Haselwood, 1596-1598.
Item for a prayer-book, jᵈ.
2ⁿᵈ yere. Item for a Communion Booke & a Psalter book, bothe embossed, viiiˢ iiijᵈ.
Item for a praier book, ijᵈ.
Henry Weatherfield and William Man, 1598-1600.
It. gyven to Mr. Ailworthe for preaching on Easter day, xˢ.
Item payd for a service book, iijˢ.
Robert Gouldinge and William Stanlake 1602-1604.
There was plague again. Only at the end there is an entry,
Item payed 24ᵗʰ March, for four books, xxiᵈ.
the very date of Elizabeth’s death and James’s accession.
William Carter and John Butcher, 1604-1606, head their title-page with the motto “Tempora mutantur et nos mutantur in illis.” After 5th November 1605 they paid
Item for three prayer bookes, xiiᵈ.
Item to Thomas Collins Scrivener for drawing and ingrossyng an abstract to be delivered for the justices, xˢ.
Item for the search of three wills, iijˢ.
Item for an Almanack, jᵈ.
They seem to have had their almanacks regularly after this.
John Fabyan and Thomas Tickeridge, 1606-1608, were not literary.
Thomas Bond and Christopher Bennet, 1608-1610, paid
Item for an Almanack & paper, iiiᵈ.
To Mr. Burte the preacher for three sermons, xxˢ.
For four bookes of Common Prayer, xixˢ.
Thomas Walker and John Mulys, 1610-1612.
6th week. Item paid for a Spunge Ink & paper, xiᵈ ob.
5th August 1611. Item payd for a paper booke of two quyers redie bownde for the Sexton to register the names of all them that are to be buried under everie pewe, and for other paper to be spent about other businesses and for boathier furthe & backe, iiˢ xᵈ.
Payd for twoe hundred leaves of parchment & for the ruling and binding of the same at iijᵈ the leafe to Registre the Christenings buryings & weddynges therein, lˢ.
Item for three prayer bookes for the Churche, xiiᵈ.
Item paid unto the preacher for a sermon made the Vᵗʰ of August, viˢ viiiᵈ.
This would probably relate to the Gowry conspiracy, keenly remembered by James.
Item for a sermon made the xviiᵗʰ of August, viˢ viiiᵈ.
Item paid to the preacher for a sermon made more, viˢ viiiᵈ.
Item payd to John Roade for wrytynge the names of all such persons as were presented for not receiving of the holy Communion at Eeaster last past 1611, iiijᵈ.
The chapter naturally closes here, completing the changes through the four reigns, with the new edition of the Bible, published 1610-11; since then comparative permanence of creed and custom has prevailed. Each point seems trifling in itself, but helps to piece together the fragments of the past into one connected whole.
“Athenæum,” 12th June 1897.