Anno 1551 the 5th of EDWARD the 6th.
Imprimis, Received for a Knell of a servant to the Lady Mary her Grace, ten pence.] Cept-Hall in this Parish being then in the Crown, the Lady (af∣terwards Queen) Mary, came thither sometimes to take the air probably, during whose residence there this her servant died.
Item, Lost fourty six shillings by reason of the fall of money by Proclamati∣on.] King Henry much debased the English Coyn, to his own gain and the Lands loss (if Soveraigns may be said to get by the damage of their Subjects) yet all would not do to pay his debts. His Son Edward endeavoured to re∣duce the Coyn to its true standard, decrying bad money by his Proclamation, to the intrinsick value thereof. But, prevented by death, he effected not this difficult design (Adultery in Men, and Adulterateness. in Money, both hard∣ly reclaimed) which was afterwards compleated by the care of Queen Elizabeth.
Item, Received for two hundred seventy one ounces of Plate, sold at se∣veral times for the best advantage, sixtie seven pound fourteen shillings and nine pence.] Now was the Brotherhood in the Church dissolved, consist∣ing as formerly of three Priests, three Choristers, and two Sextons; and the rich plate belonging to them was sold for the good of the Parish. It may seem strange the Kings Commissioners deputed for that purpose, seised not on it, from whose hands Waltham found some favour (befriended by the Lord Rich their Countrey-man) the rather▪ because of their intentions to build their decaied Steeple.