A History of Berkshire. Part 9: Ecclesiastical History UND Part 10: Religious Houses. (2 B�DE).

Sehr gute Exemplare; unaufgeschnitten. - Aus dem Nachlass von Michael Richter. Mit eh. Besitzvermerk. - It was mainly owing to the efforts of Bishop Herbert le Poor (1194- 1217), supported by his brother, Richard le Poor, who was first dean of Salisbury and afterwards succeeded to the bishopric, that progress was made in the development of the diocesan chapter. The prebend of Oke-burne in the church of Salisbury, as constituted by Bishop le Poor in 1208, consisted of the churches of the two Ogbourne villages in Wiltshire, and of the churches of Wantage and Hungerford, with the chapel of Sandburn, in Berkshire. The prebend was to be held by the abbots of Bee. The abbot was to be exempt from residence, but was bound to provide a vicar in priest's orders to minister in the cathedral. The confirming charter of the dean and chapter of Salisbury of the same date expressly states that honourable provision was to be made for the sustenance of the vicars who were to administer in the four parish churches.2 This Berkshire prebend was assigned to the alien abbot of Bee in return for that abbey having made over various estates to the cathedral body. The whole organization of the cathedral chapter was accomplished by Bishop Richard le Poor (1217-29), prior to the removal of the cathedral church and residence from Old to New Sarum. On 28 April, 1220, the foundations of the new church were laid with much solemnity. A statute had been passed when Richard le Poor was dean ordering the regular visitation by the dean and chapter of the prebendal estates. Accordingly, William de Wenda, who succeeded to the dignity of dean of Salisbury in the year of the new foundation, at once proceeded to make a visitation.8 He began his tour at Sonning on the vigil of St. Michael, 1220. The church of St. Andrew was well stocked with plate and vestments of all descriptions, including a new set provided by the executors of Dean Adam in the place of those in which he had been buried. Vitalis was the name of the perpetual vicar ; he produced a charter of Dean Jordan's circa 1185, by which he had been granted the chantry of Sonning, and the chapel of Rus-combe with their appurtenances, for 40J. to be paid quarterly. It was explained that the cantaria of Sonning included altar dues, mortuaries, and the tithes of flax, wool, and cheese. The vicar also exhibited the confirmation charters of this vicarage granted by the chapter of Salisbury and by Bishops Jocelin and Hubert. Two of the chapels of Sonning were Erleigh (or Arley, modern, Earley) St. Bartholomew and Erleigh St. Nicholas ; the chaplain of the former did homage to the dean, but the latter was without a minister. There was also a third chapel at Sindlesham, concerning which Vitalis produced a charter of Dean Jordan as to its rights and obligations. Robert de Sonning was allowed to have this chapel for the use of himself, his wife, his household and guests, but the rustics (rustici) or outdoor servants were not to hear mass save in the parish church � (S. 5; Bd. 1)