The Stonor letters and papers, 1290-1483; ed. for the Royal historical society, from the origial documents in the Public record office, by Charles Lethbridge Kingsford.

279. THE VICAR OF ERMINGTON AND OTHERS TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR 16 DEC. [? 1480]

The date cannot be earlier than 1478. If, as is possible, the vacancy in the Chantry is the same as the one referred to in No. 281, it will be 1480. The vicar of Ermington is in that case John Edgcombe, see No. 286. For the sequel see No. 291. The chantry was possibly in the Chapel of St. Mary in the churchyard, the presentation to which belonged to the Stonors, see vol. i, p. xiv. From A.C., xlvi, 155.

Ryght worshypfull maister, We recommaunde us unto your gode maistershyppe: plese hyt yow to understond that your Chaunterie of Ermyngton ys voyde by þe dethe of syr John Kelowe, whych voydens as we understond belongyth to your presentacion: yf hit wyll please yow: your tytle of ryght, as your mastershyppe sayde þat ye wo d geve hyt at the nexte avoydens, nowe hyt ys yn season: we understond that youre right ys as gode to present þe forsayde Chaunterie, as ye have the advouson of the parsonage there. Also we pray yow hartely, that your maistershyppe wyll present an honest pryst, whych hath dwellyd amongys us by the space of ij or iij yere, well dysposyd and of gode conversacion: whych pryst shalbe att your commaundment at al seasons there: whych ys callyd Syr Ric. Knyght, now abydyng amaungys us. And the rather thys be don, all the better for your tytle. Butt we fere lest John Hyll and his feffes wyll present before yow. Notwithstondyng we be dys|posyd to put us yn dever to resyst soche an oon as thay wyll present, whatsumever he be, as ferr as owre power may extende, tyll we under|stond

how your maistershyppe wylbe dysposyd by þe grace of God, whom have yow yn his blessyd kepyng. I-wrete att Ermyngton þe xvj day of Decembre.

By your Chapelyn þe Vyc. of Ermyngton,

William Fortescu,

William Strechlegh, the older,

William Strechlegh, þe younger.

Adam Byrde,

John Trych,

John Huchyn,

Walter Frende, with all oþer your servantes and loveers.

Thys letter be delivered to William Stonore, knyght, yn hast.