Page:Surrey Archaeological Collections Volume 7.djvu/278

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.
170
HORLEY CHURCH.

made by the Lord Legate between the Prior and Convent of Merton and Richard, priest of Herteleia, by which it was agreed that Bichard should have as parishioners of his church of Herteleia all the men of Horley settled there at the date of this composition, all benefits from the church as well in relation to the living as the dead, and all lands which the settlers used to till and at length had been converted into domain, and also one-third of the tithes of land which the farmers might happen to cultivate. Moreover, he should have the whole tithes of the villenage, &c., existing at the time when the land was reduced into domain of the Canons. He was also to retain all former oblations of the said men, both of living and dead. In the other domain of Pecha the Canons retained the tithes of the settlers. This composition was made to avoid further intrigue and quibble on the part of the said Richard, in which if he further moved, he should be held to the law. Richard thereupon took an oath of fidelity to the convent to maintain this conven- tion entire. 1 There is no date to this document, but it was executed evidently in the twelfth century.

A composition was subsequently (apparently) made be- tween Robert, 2 prior, and the convent, and Master Alex- ander, parson of the church of Herteleia, by which the canons agreed that all their men in the parish of Herteleia should pay their full tithes in future to the church of that parish for all things they held in that parish. This was affirmed with the assent and authority of Godfrey, Bishop of Winchester, in the fifth year of King Richard, on the feast of Our Lord's Nativity (25th Dec., 1193). 3 In 1291, at Pope Nicholas 5 taxation, the living was taxed at 14Z. 13s. 4d., the tithe being II. 9s. 4d. 4 1 Cartulary of Merton Priory, No. 113, fo. xcv. Cotton MSS., Cleopatra, C. ix. (British Museum). 2 The name Robert is probably entered in error for Richard, as might easily arise from the common practice of writing only the initial of a Christian name. Richard succeeded Robert, and held the office at this date. 3 Cartulary of Merton Priory, No. 114, fo. xcv. v. 4 Record Office ed., p. 208. At this date the Prior of Merton held land in the parish, taxed at five shillings ; and the Prior of Canterbury,