Chancery Depositions (PRO C24/280 piece 41 Edw de Vere v Roger Harlakenden)

18.4.42Eliz1 (Friday 18 April 1600)

document 17600465

first that when he this deponent came to be parson of Lavenham aforesaid which was about some twenty one years ago he heard the ancient men of the said parish say and report by the relation of their ancestors that some of the religious house of the priory of Colne in the county of Essex did either themselves or by some others of their appointment preach five sermons every year at Lavenham aforesaid viz in advent two and in the other three quarters of the year three other sermons in lieu of which pains they had 5nobles per annum viz for every sermon 1noble and for security of payment of the said sum of money had two parts of all the tithes arising and growing out of a field called Leverden Field now divided into many parcels which in the whole as this deponent doth conjecture do contain between 140a and 160a and this deponent doth think that the said two parts of all the said tithes issuing out of the lands aforesaid are of the yearly value of 5marks or 11nobles at the most communibus annis which said portion of tithes with all rights duties and profits whatsoever thereunto appertaining the now right honourable the earl of Oxford did demise some years before this deponent was parson of Lavenham aforesaid unto one mr Bacon then of Lavenham gentleman for the term of twenty one years for the fine of 10li as this deponent hath heard and for the yearly rent of 5nobles and saith that the foresaid lease and demise coming to Thos Bacon the son of mr Bacon aforesaid by gift from his father by his last will and testament he the said Thos Bacon the son about the first year that this deponent was parson of Lavenham aforesaid did sell his interest in the same lease to this deponent because it was uncertain to this deponent and to the said Thos Bacon and could not certainly be learnt by either of them what lands were or ought to be charged with the said portion of tithes otherwise than as aforesaid and further he cannot depose to that interrogatory