the Monks of Coventre, and Canons of Lichfield, during this life: and for the health of his soul, to∣gether with the souls of the said Iulian, K. Edward & the rest, as aforesaid, after their departures out of this world; the souls of Iohn de Clinton his father, Ida his mother, Iohn his brother, and their children living & dead: and moreover, for the souls of all the Kings of England, Lords Hastings, Bishops of Cov. and Lich. Priors, Deans, Monks, and Canons of the places before recited, his Parents, Benefactors, and of all the faithfull deceased.
Appointing, that there should be therein, an ele∣ctive Prior, with a Covent of xii. Canons, besides, there living religiously, and regularly, according to the Rule of S• Augustin; wearing both in Sum∣mer and Winter for their upper garment a black Cope and Hood, with a Surplis under the said Cope. and such other garments as all other Regular Ca∣nons then used. And that upon the death of the Prior, the Covent should within five or six days proceed to the election of another, without seeking for any License of him, his heirs or successors. Like∣wise that none should be admitted as a Canon in this Monastery, but a Free-born man, and so repu∣ted, as also of good conversation, competently lear∣ned for the state of such a Canon•• having a fit voice to sing, being xviii. years old at least, and fit to re∣ceive the Order of Priesthood, when he should come of meet age; and at the end of the first year after such his entrance, that should read, or cause to be read openly in his presence, all and singular the things contained in the said Charter of Foundation, promising his faithfull observance of them.
And further declared, that whereas he had en∣dowed the said Monastery, with Lands and Rents to the value of CC li. per an. lying within the pre∣cincts of Maxstoke, and Long-Ichinton before spe∣cified, when there should happen to be x. marks yearly increase of that revenue, either by himself or any other Benefactor, or through the industry of the said Prior and Covent, within one month after, another Canon might be added to their num∣ber; and so still more Canons, as their reve∣nues should proportionably augment. And like∣wise, that no yearly Pension should be granted to any one by the Prior, except for the certain ad∣vantage of the House, whereof the Bishop of the Dioces to be Judge: As also that the Accounts of all the Officers belonging to the Monasterie, should be yearly exhibited to the Prior and Covent, or three persons by them nominated, and openly read before the whole Covent; to the end that every one might thereby know the true state of the House, and by Indenture to be then deposited in their Trea∣surie.
And hereunto did he adde, that after his depar∣ture out of this life, his Anniversarie should be yearly celebrated by the said Prior and Covent, with Placebo and Dirige; as also solemn Mass in the Quire, and the whole Office of the Dead, for the health of his soul, with the souls above specified, and all the faithfull deceased. And that upon the same day there should be a Dole to an C. poor peo∣ple, viz. of Maxstoke and other places, to each a Loaf weighing L s. and every day at dinner time, over and above the accustomed Bread allowed to the poor, one white Conventuall Loaf, and a mess of meat out of the Kitchin, together with a flagon of Beer, assigned to one of the poorest people in Maxstoke, or from some other place, according to the discretion of the Prior or his Almoner, for the health of the said Founder's soul, and the souls of the persons above named, and all the faithfull de∣ceased. And that the Mass of the blessed Virgin, the Chapter-Mass, and the Mass of the day, should be daily celebrated at the houres, and in the places accustomed in other Monasteries; so that in all those Masses, except on the greatest Festivalls, mention should be made of him, and of Iulian his wife; as also of the said King Edward, and the persons before recited, during their lives in this world; and afterwards in such sort as is usually done for the dead. And moreover, that every Prior before his installation should cause all the particu∣lars contained in the said Charter of Foundation to be openly read, promising his faithfull obser∣vance of them to his utmost power.
And after Mattens of the blessed Virgin fini∣shed in the Quire, and the Mass of the same, and at the end of every houre, the P••iest celebra∣ting the Mass, and the performer of the Office, with the same voice that he concludeth it; to use the Angelique salutation of our Lady, and recom∣mendation of her Mother, in this manner; Ave Maria gratia plona, Dominus tecum; benedicta tu inter mulieres, & benedicta fructus ventris tui, Jesus, Amen. Et benedicta sit venerabilis mater tua Anna, ex qua tua caro Virginea & immacu∣lata processit; whereunto the Quire shall answer, Amen.
And lastly, obliging his heirs and successors, under the penaltie of God's curse, with the curses of the blessed Virgin, S. M••chaell th'arch An∣gell, and All Saints, that they should not make any advantages to themselves out of the possessions belonging to this Monasterie, appointed, that if the Prior did transgress in any thing pertaining to his dutie, every Canon of the House should be obliged to make complaint to the Bishop thereof, and the Bishop to see satisfaction made: and if any Ca∣non should faile in his particular dutie, and there∣of be convicted before the Prior, or other compe∣tent Judge, that for the space of five years ••e might not be capable to bear any Office in the Monasterie, except the Prior, by the advice of the better part of the Covent, should think fit to abate three years thereof, or any part of that time.
And for the firmer observance of all these his Ordinances, and the more lasting memory of this his establishment, he caused this his Charter to be indented and exemplified in three parts; the one to remain with the said Prior and Covent for ••ver; the other with the Dean and Chapter of Lichfield; and the third with himself, his heirs and successors; unto every of which he affixed his Seal; procuring likewise a ratification thereof from Roger de Northburgh then Bishop of Coven∣tre and Lichfield as also by the Dean & Chapter of Lichfield; His bear••ng date here at Maxstoke xo ... An. MCCCxxxvi. and theirs in April, and May following. Unto all which, the K. added his Confir∣mation dated 40 Martii in the xii th year of his reign.
Neither was it long after this, but that the said Earl made a farther augmentation to what he had so given, as hath been said: For within one year next following, he bestowed on them the advou∣son of the moitye of the Church of Halughton in Leicestershire. In 14 E. 3. the advouson of the Church of Tanworth, which was immediatly there∣upon appropriated to them by Wulstan Bp. of Worcester, with reservation of a Vicaridge to the