Page:The History of the Church & Manor of Wigan part 2.djvu/209

their reliefe; And though not many yeares past they have had some former collections in this kind, yet, havinge lately suffered sundry calamities, by the continuall incursions of their enemies, they are now in very lowe and dangerous estate, and w^th the same feares attendinge. These are therefore heartily to pray yo^r Lo^p that you will take care, by some of yo^r officers, that the briefes that are therew^th sent you by his Ma^tie's comaund be diligently dispersed into the sev'all parishes w^thin yo^r dioces; and that the collection w^ch shalbe made thereupon be duly, carefully, and w^th all convenient speed, returned to me together w^th all the briefes and money gathered, according to the tenor of his Ma^tie's sayd lr̃es pattents, that I may make accompte thereof, and pay in the money accordingly; thus not doubtinge of yo^r best assistance & furtherance in a worke of so pious & full of charity, desiring to receive answere of yo^r receipt hereof, I comitt you to God and rest

yo^r Lo^ps very lovinge freind & brother

R. Ebor.'^[1]

From Winchester House 5^to Junii, 1635."

This collection for the exiled ministers of the Palatinate from the diocese of Chester was made in 1636, and amounted in all to £168 13s. 8d. This was the third collection that had been asked for them. The first, for which the King's letters were issued in 1627, amounted to £144 13s. 4d.; and the second, for which letters were issued in 1631, amounted to £52 10s. 6d.^[2]

The collection in 1635-6 must have fallen heavily upon the clergy, for besides the contribution they had promised towards the repairs of St. Paul's cathedral for the three years 1634, 1635, and 1636, they were called upon to pay ship money in the years 1635-6, 1636-7, and 1637-8, to which the share of the clergy of the county of Chester alone was assessed at £200; that of the whole county being £3,500.

1. Original letter inter Family Evidences. The impression of the arms on the seal is very clear, being the cross keys and crown of York; impaling a shield of four quarterings, viz., i. Paly of six, on a fesse a crescent; 2. 3 lions rampant couped; 3. a lion rampant within a border engrailed; 4. a cross engrailed between 4 roundles.
2. Family Evidences.