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arrerags and losses. Whereabouthes he the said Ric. purchassed nowe of late the K' writt of Sbpena agenst certayn of the said corall vickerys, as Sir Johan. Bremegham late Warden, and Sir Roger Cornell, whiche notwithstanding, the said Richard by his owne free wyll, And also ST Patrick Blake warden, with all his conbrethern, corall vickeryes of the sam, premitting their juraments upon the holly Ewangelistes, submitted themselfs and become bounde, the one partie unto the other, in payne of one houndred poundes sterling to stande, abyde and performe the ordere, adwarde, lawde, and judgement of us, Mr. Henry Joes, mayor of the sam town, James Skeret, Richard Martyn, John Ffrenche, Thomas Lynche, Thomas Martyn, and Nicholas Blake, burgenses of this self town: Wherfor we the fornamed Judges elected by the said parties, with mature deliberacion and circumspecte consideracion of all their variaunce, have Judged, adwarded and Decred the said Richard and his heires and executores to pay, or cause to be paid, to the Warden et vikeryes for the tyme being for evere more, not onely XIII. iiiid. sterling, yerely in and for the tenement or houses next to the lytell yeat att the weste syde, according his granfather John Blaks testament, but als and as well viii.“ sterling lyckewyse yerely, for every acker of lande that he the said Richard hawe and shall hawe of the xl. ackres being without the town, as the auncient Dede made by his progenitores doth specifie; which ded hath ben allued and confermed be the court and consaill of the sam town, as the decre thereupon yeven in the favor of the said Warden and vickeryes conteyned more att large; without any further vexsacion or excepcion to the contrary, under the peayne to for expressed: and also have adwarded and decred the said Richard his heires et successores to be quite and fullye dischardged in all other suche rent that the said Warden and corall vyckeryes proclamed of hym beforce of the said auncient Dede: And from hence forthe the said Richarde and his successores to be good and comfortable aideres to the warden and wyckeryes for the tyme being; and they as well kynde and lowing oratores unto hym and his successores for evere more, without any further vexacion or truble: prowydith allways Richard Blake to retorne the forsaid writt in full discharge of the said Sir Roger and Sir John, under the peyne to for mencioned. Yeven att galwey the xi. day of Octobre, the xxxiiii" yere of the Reigne of our Soveraigne Lorde King Henry theight 1542: and our sealls and seigne manuells. Prowydeth the said Ric. and his coheires to be fully discharged concernyng Gylle Blake and Thomas Dof Blakes porcion of the rent within the town.

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For the "auncient Dede" here referred to, see ante, p. 215.

Morgadg

res

Morgadg of the juelles of ye Chyrche

"A. D. 1546.

"Be it knownn to theim that ben present and to come, that we Thomas Kyrwan and Richard Bodykyn of Galwey merchaunts, proctores of Sanct Nicholas is chyrche of Galwey aforsaid, by the will and assent of Mr. Stephen Lynche mayor, and others the good me of the said towne, hawe yeve and concesse to James Lynche fitz-Ric. of the sam towne merchaunt, the grete crose of shylver, two sconces of shylver, two candell or tapire styckes of shylver, a pyxe for the sacrament, with fouer chalices of shylver, apperteanyng to the said chyrche, to gadge or pledge for thre score poundes sterlinge; which the said James imployde and bestowed in glase, lede, woexe, candelstycks and lectorne of brase, and certayne bryck being very necessary and nydyfull for the reparacon and usadge of the said chyrche. To hawe and to holde all the said juells, chylvere or plate aforsaid, and every parcell thereof, to the said James Lynche his heires and assignes for ever; to suche tyme he or they shalbe paid in the said thre score poundes sterling: with this condicion, that at eny tyme we the said proctores, or otheres for the tyme beinge proctores, shall or doe pay or cause to be paid to the said James his heires or executores, the said thre score poundes sterling, that then this writting be woyd and of non effecte, and the said juelles, all and every parcell thereof, to retorne to the service and usadge of the said chyrche, in fermor state, this writting in every thing notwithstanding. In Wittenes whereof, we caused our meraltie seale of the said towne to be set hereto, with our seigne manuell, the xxth of Novembre the xxxviiith yere of the moste prosperus reigne of or Soveraigne Lorde, King Henry theight, 1546.-THOMAS KYRVANE, proctowre." [Loc. Sigil.]—Orig.

It is probable that the foregoing curious transfer was nothing more than a device or cover to protect the few articles which, after the previous confiscation, had remained for the public service of religion. About this time the Corporation determined to surrender the church and college, and all their ecclesiastical possessions, to the Crown; as appears by the following petition to that effect, prepared for presentation to King Henry VIII.

"Ad excellentissimum principem Henricum Octavum, Regem ac Dominum nostrum. "Serenissimam Regie Majestatis Excellenciam, ejus celcitudini, veri, ligei, fideles subditi et oratores assidui, maior, conburgenses et communitas ville sue Galvie, clavis Conacie, infra regnum suum Hibernie, qui inter rebelles silvestres ac montanos hibernicos existunt, eandem villam versus eosdem, propriis sumptibus cum quotidianis vigiliis, nomine sue excellentie, manutenentes et diligenter defendentes, omni humilitate et honore quibus decet, supplicant et implorant, quatenus collegium ecclesie sancti

Nicholai,

Nicholai, parochiis ejusdem ville sue Galvie Diocesis Enachdunensis.... .... videlicet, Guardiani et octo vicariorum collegialium, more Anglorum debite et honeste eruditorum, in una aula ac mensa comorancium, cum quotidiano cantus servicio, quondam per Reverendissimum in Christo patrem Dominum Donatum tunc Archiepiscopum Tuamensem, prelibate ecclesie ratione perpetue unionis, ordinarium, auctoritate ordinaria, primitus supplicacione et precibus dicte communitatis, fundatum et institutum, atque de quarta sua Episcopali in quibusdam aliis beneficiis ac unionibus donatum, communia, ut tunc moris fuerat, per Episcopum Romanum vel ejus auctoritate confirmatum. Nunc denuo, regia auctoritate, graciose fundaretur, et institueretur, aut in pristinum statum confirmaretur, cum gardino et duodecim vicariis, utque in posterum, re et nomine, Collegium Regis nominaretur, reputaretur et acciperetur, imperpetuum, per eosdem majorem, ballivi et comburgenses, qui pro tempore fuerint, ejusdem ville, auctoritate Regia, regendum, gubernandum et defendendum, cum privilegio exemptionis a Diocessani ac ordinaria alia quacumque jurisdictione, regia et ipsorum majoris et comburgensium, qui pro tempore fuerint, ejusdem ville auctoritate et jurisdictione duntaxat exceptis; per quos vero majorem et burgenses sicut hactenus, nomine Regis, ex predictis vicariis, unus guardianus, de anno in annum, sit elegendus, et vicarii ad presentacionem eorum majoris, ballivorum et comburgensium, per guardianum et convicarios, more hactenus usitato, elegendi, per ipsos vero majorem, ballivos et conburgenses, corrigendi, puniendi ac inde penitus ejiciendi, et removendi juxta sua merita et demerita sint, imperpetuum. Pro augmentacione vero divini cultus, ac ampliori sustentacione dictorum Guardiani et duodecim vicariorum collegialium, ac aliorum inibi serviencium, ex habundantissima Regie Majestatis gratia, Rectoriam ejusdem ecclesie collegiate, jure quo nescitur, hactenus et nunc per monacos ac abbatem monasterii collis victorie, ordinis Cisterciencium Tuamensis diocesis predicte, sub colore unionis occupatam, propter quam infinite contenciones et discordie inter rebelles, diversis temporibus, emerserunt; in grave dampnum, depredacionem et depaupertacionem communitatis predicte ville Galvie, predicto collegio donari et uniri prememorati major, ballivi et communitas ferventer supplicant, postulant et requirant; unacum perpetua unione et confirmatione omnium et singulorum beneficiorum, jurium et pertinencium, que, jure ordinario vel alio quocunque modo, ad dictum collegium, devenerunt, pertinebant aut pertinere vel concernere debebant, principaliter et precipue vicaria et quarta episcopalis ejusdem ecclesie Sancti Nicholai, cum desertuosis rectoriis et vicariis de Rahuyn, Maycollyn, et Foran more ac Rosquam; necnon et aliis exiguiis vicariis de Clayer, Kylcomyn, Meary predicte diocesis, eciam vicaria de Skryn, que omnia et singula queque, quite possessa, tam desertuosa, infructuosa et exigua sunt, et minime sufficiunt ad debitam sustentacionem eorum guardiani et vicariorum,

suorumque

suorumque servitorum, adeoque propter inopiam, communem mensam quibusdam temporibus anni eos deserere oportet. Ea propter, non solum debitam confirmacionem, corroboracionem ac perpetuam unionem omnium et singulorum terrarum, tenementorum, messuagiorum, rerum, reddituum, sensuum, et revercionum, ex concessionibus, suffragiis, elemosinis aut legatis que eidem collegio, pro sua sustentacione aut augmentacione divini cultus in eodem, hactenus concessa, aut in posterum concedenda vel assignanda sunt per quoscunque. Verum eciam ut loca sive monasteria in franchisiis dicte ville Galvie extra muros, in quibus fratres mendicantes consueverunt residere, jus sepulture, decimas neque privilegia aliqua mendicantibus concessa habeant, nec ullatenus habere valeant, nec servientes in eisdem premissis de cetero gaudere presumant, immo eadem monasteria cum pertinenciis, pro capellis eidem collegio, et pro augmentacione ibi serviencium assignari, prefati major et communitas supplicant ac plurimum desiderant, ex uberiori autem gratia, de mera et largissima Regis excellencie liberalitate, in perpetuam elemosinam officium sue serenitatis, quod vulgariter dicitur fees, aut reversionem ejusdem, cum suis fructibus et pertinenciis, in eadem villa Galvie, completo saltim termino seu firma honesto viro Roberto Cowly, nuper magistro Rotulorum Regis Cancellarie hujus regni Hibernie, inde debita et assignata, pro augmentacione numeri, ac divini cultus, et sustentacione ampliori ejusdem Collegii, assignari et graciose concedi, omni diligentia qua possint sue celcitudinis, ac legei fidelissimi oratores Regiam majestatem cum fiducia, prelibati Major, ballivi, burgenses et comunitas solicitant, supplicant et implorant, adeoque servientes in dicto collegio, de die in diem, pro bono statu ac prosperitate Regie serenitatis predecessorum et successorum ejus, imperpetuum, preces animose fundere valeant, eciam et cogerentur, ut quoque aures sue Majestatis potius premissis inclinarentur."—Orig.

King Henry VIII. died before the foregoing petition could be presented. It was afterwards re-directed, and presented to his successor, Edward VI., who thereupon granted the charter, under which the warden and vicars hold to this day.

It is stated in this petition, that the monks of the abbey de Colle Victorie, Knockmoy (for which see Archdall's Monasticon, p. 266), possessed the rectory of the collegiate church, "jure quo nescitur." But the origin of the right has since been ascertained, and will be found in the following passage in our author's Ogygia. "Inter excerpta R. P. Francisci Brown Capucini è vetustis Patriæ indefatigabili curâ undequaque quæsitis membranis è scripto quodam poenè vetustate exeso reperio Comitem de Muntir-moroghow cum consensu Caroli Regis Connactiæ dedisse E. D. Abbati, & Conventui de Knockmuy Lismacuan Pagum in Clonferg. . . . . . . (f) Testibus præsentibus Carolo Rege Connactiæ, E. D. filio ejus, C. Archiepiscopo Tuamensi, H. Episcopo Anaghdunensi, L. Elfinensi, D. Comite Magluirg, F. O. Flanegagn, D. Maccoiraghty,

.......

Maccoiraghty, & T. Cormacain cantore.-(f.) Clanfergaile regiuncula 24 Pagorum, in qua nunc Galvia.”—Ogyg. p. 30.

66

· Dispensacio pro Nicholao Blake et Sescilia uxore ejus.
"A. D. 1556.

"Universis sancte matris ecclesie filiis ad quos presentes pervenerint: Cristophorus, miseracione divina et Apostolice sedis gratia, Tuamensis archiepiscopus, Saluten in Domino sempiternam: Cum dilecti nobis in Christo Nicholaus Johannis Blak et Sescilia Lynche, layci dicte nostre diocesis, non obstante quod in pari quarto equali totidem dispari consanguinitatis gradibus attingunt, matrimonium in facie ecclesie, tempore preteriti scismatis contraxerunt, illudque carnaliter consumarunt, et prolem inde procreaverunt, unde nobis humiliter supplicarunt ut impossita eis penitencia salutari pro incestu jam comisso, et in eodem contracto matrimonio amplius legittime remanere valerent, prolem susceptam et suscipiendam legittimam decernendo: auctoritate sedis Apostolice cum eis benigne dispensare dignaremur: Cum enim summus pontifex Paulus quartus Reginaldo, miseracione divina, sancte Marie in Cosmedin sancte Romane ecclesie prespitero cardinali, ac in regnis Anglie et Hibernie de latere legato, concessit ut cum talibus in eisdem regnis dispensare valeret: necnon etiam potestatem subdelegandi aliis prelatis in suis diocesibus eidem cardinali comisit. Cum enim nos eandem potestatem ab eodem cardinali in nostris diocesibus accepimus, cum prefatis Nicholao et Sescilia eadem auctoritate qua fungimur in hac parte dispensamus, et dispensatum esse declaramus per presentes, ut illis expressis impedimentis non obstantibus legittime amplius remanere valeant impossita eis penitentia salutari pro modo culpe, prolem susceptam et suscipiendam legittimam decernendo. Datum sub nostri sigilli testimonio, die Martii secundo, anno 1556.

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"Confirmacion by Richard Blake, of his Auncestors Gifts to the Colledge.

"A. D. 1558.

Mem. that whereas the warden and corall viccaries of Galway apiered before and in presence of the maior and councill of Galway, and alledgeth how that on Richard Blake of the sam bourgees, dothe ussurpp and detainethe from them, certain yerly rents due unto them, upon certain lands and tenements legated to them be the sept of Blakes, to say, William, Cille, Henry, Walter fitz-John yong, and Henry fitzThomas duf Blak, without assent, which rents the said Ric. holdeth wronguffully all theasse xv. yers paste, and therupon broght present, note onely thold donacconn and IRISH ARCH. SOC. 15. 2 H deade

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