1661, for the following entry is there made of particulars delivered to the succeeding Constables: "The bonds for 2107. being money given to the town."

It would be amusing, if it were not melancholy, to trace the decline of these charities, as recorded in the Town Records from this time, to the period when they are entirely lost sight of: but it is truly lamentable to see the good intentions of the above benevolent individuals, so soon frustrated by the negligence, or something worse, of those who ought to have been the guardians of these sacred deposits.

In 1678, there were in the hands of the constables, eighteen bonds of 67. 13s. 4d.; 1680, nine bonds for the same money; 1690, four ditto; 1700, four ditto; 1710, four ditto, 1720, one ditto; 1730, four ditto; 1736, two ditto; and here ends these charities.

TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE TOWN.

In the year 1717, the REV. JOSEPH GRAVES, who did in the year 1720, and who had been some years Rector of the parish of St. Peter and St. Mary Westout, bequeathed to Henry Pelham, Esq. John Morley Trevor, Esq., and Thomas Pelham, Esq., in trust for the benefit of the inhabitants of the town of Lewes, all his books, with the furniture of two rooms. In order that the library might at all times be kept up, and that a convenient place might be provided for it; as well as to enable his trustees to purchase more books, he further devised to the individuals before mentioned, an annuity or rent charge of 10l. per annum for the term of ten years, issuing out of property in the manor of Gaines, in the County of Essex.

The library given by this benevolent man, seems never to have been properly estimated by the inhabitants. What became of the furniture and annuity, intended to fit up a convenient place for the reception of the books, is not known. It is certain, however, that no convenient place was provided. They were scattered abroad, and many of them lost, and for a series of years the poor remainder of them was suffered to moulder away in an untenanted garret of the Free Grammar School. By the express desire of the Rev. G. Proctor, the present master of this establishment, the remaining books of this collection were put into the hands of the Constables of the Borough, who deposited them in the Record Room. At the recommendation of the jury who assembled at the Record Room in the beginning of the year 1823, (to receive the report of the constables, relative to the perambulation of the borough property, called the Godfreys), the books that remained of this library, were disposed of to a London bookseller, for the sum of 531., and the money applied to the reparation of the engines and other public purposes.

The library, when given to the inhabitants by the worthy and benevolent Rector, consisted of 148 folios, 109 4to., 146 8vo., 120 12mo. Total, 523.

SECTION III.-LANDED PROPERTY OF THE BOROUGH.

TOWN BROOKS.

By a deed poll, dated the 21st September, 1601, Francis Jefferay, of South Malling, in consideration of twenty marks, conveyed to John Rowe, of Lewes, all those three pieces of fresh marsh or brook land, commonly called the Town Brooks, containing by estimation two acres (more or less). In 1603, Mr. Rowe enfeoffed his son John, and twenty-nine other persons, with this property, in trust for the use of the borough. In the same year the brooks were let on lease to Mr. Rowe, for the term of eighteen years, at the rent of 13s. 4d. per annum.

The last fejoffment of this property was made October 1st, 1806, when the following gentlemen were appointed feoffees: Sir Henry Blackman, Knight, Henry Shelley, Henry Jackson and Jonathan Harrison, of Lewes, Esqrs., the Rev. Edward Raynes, clerk, William Crockford, surgeon, William Cooper, William Balcombe Langridge, Edward Verrall, Christopher Kell, Thomas Woollgar, Samuel Snashall, Thomas Johnston, William Franklin Hick, Henry Blackman, Charles Wille, William Fuller, William Martin, John Chapman, John Chatfield, Francis Whitfeld, George Grantham, William Lee, Arthur Lee, William Attwood, Henry Bull, William Elphick, and Trayton Paine. The brooks are now let from year to year, at the rent of about 97. which is appropriated to defray the expenses incurred by the constables of the borough at the affeering night.

HANGMAN'S ACRE.

This piece of ground lies in the Parish of St. John, and north of the Castle. The earliest mention that I have found of it, is in the MS. of Mr. Rowe, where he states that " an acre of land under the castle, was held of the lords, by copy of Court Roll, rent 12d." In the lapse of time, this plot of ground came into the possession of the borough, but by what means 1 have not been able to ascertain. About the year 1680, the Rev. John Shore, at that time rector of the parish of St. John, demanded tythes of this field, of a Mr. Tourle who then used it. The claim was objected to, and an action was commenced to enforce payment; the rector, however, lost his suit. On this spot the execution of criminals is said formerly to have taken place. The crier of the borough for many years had the use of this land; but a few years ago it was taken out of his hands, and let by the feoffees; the income arising from which, is applied to the purposes of the borough. It is held in trust by the same feoffees, as are mentioned under the preceding head.

THE GODFREYS.

The property called the Godfreys, situated in Chiltington, in the Parish of Westmeston, is thus described in the deed of purchase: "One croft called Broomyfield, containing by estimation five acres, bounding to the lands now or late of Thomas Darrington, called the Westwood, late parcel of the Beachwood Common, on the east; to Wanyngore Park on the south; to lands now or late of Mark Week, called Pretty's Croft on the north; and to the copyhold now or late of Earle on the west. One Close called the Knowle, containing by estimation four acres, adjoining to Pretty's Croft aforesaid, on the east; to the copyhold now or late of Richard Spooner, on the north to Thomas Spooner's meadow, called the Dooles, on the west; and to Earle's copyhold on the south. One parcel called the Two Acres, adjoining to the Holowish on the north, and to the copyhold land of Earle to the east. One other parcel called the Six Acres, bounding to Wanyngore Park on the south; to the copyhold lands of Earle, called Sanddore, on the west; and to the copyhold of the said Earle, called the Four Acres, on the east. The New Mead, containing by estimation two acres, boundeth

to Earle's copyhold, called Sanddore, on the east. One meadow called the Five Acres and the Long Mead, boundeth to Earle's copyhold land, called Sanddore, on the east; and to the copyhold land of the said Earle, called Kidden's Mead, on the south; and to a wapple way leading from Wootton to Wanyngore, on the west. One other Meadow called the Berringales, containing by estimation three acres, and boundeth to a certain lane of the manor of Wootten on the west; and to a mead of Richard Spooner's, on the north. One field containing five acres, and boundeth to the Wapple Way aforesaid, on the west; to Richard Spooner's meadow on the south; and to Earle's copyhold lands, called the Crooked Croft, on the north. One other field containing five acres, and boundeth to the copyhold lands of Richard Spooner, on the south east; to Thomas Spooner's copyhold land, to Mr. Middleton's Croft, late Faulkner's, on the east; and to Godfrey's land on the west. The Green, containing by estimation two acres, boundeth to the Crooked Croft on the south and west, and to the copyhold lands of Thomas Spooner on the east, and to a certain piece of land, called the Molestones, on the north. All which said closes or parcels of land, do contain in the whole by estimation forty acres,

(either more or less), and are lying and being in Chiltington, in the parish of Westmeston, in the said County of Sussex. Together with a moiety of a lane, called Godfrey's-lane, and to a moiety of all other lands, ways, easements, commons, common of pasture, woods, underwoods, profits and commodities whatsoever, with their and every of their appurtenances, to the said land and premises, or any part thereof belonging or appertaining, or reputed to belong thereunto."

In the year 1701, Henry White, of Fletching, in the County of Sussex, and Mary, his wife, by their indenture mortgaged the moiety of the above-mentioned lands, to Richard Barnard, of Lewes, gent., for the payment of 100l. and interest at five per cent, per annum.

In 1703, the mortgage on this property, was made over to James Tourle and John Fenner, Constables of Lewes, on their payment of the said principal of 100l. and the interest thereof, 117. 78. to Richard Barnard. At the same time, in consideration of a further sum of 581. 13s. paid to the said Henry White, by the aforesaid constables, in trust for the Borough of Lewes, the said Henry White did grant, bargain, and sell to Henry Pelham, Esq., Richard Shelley, Esq., and thirteen other gentlemen, acting as trustees to the borough, the moiety or half part of the lands before described, and called the Godfreys.

A new feoffment was made in 1729, by Thomas Barnard and Thomas Fissenden, of Lewes, the only surviving trustees of the original feoffment.

In the year 1771, William Mitchel, Esq. and Henry Manning, Gent., by lease and release conveyed the above-named lands to the certain new feoffees in trust that they should "yearly dispose of the moiety of the rents, issues, and profits of the premises in such manner as they or the greater number of them, together with the constables of the borough of Lewes for the time being, should by writing under their hands appoint." William Green, Esq. was the last survivor of these trustees, and on the 10th of September, 1813, the following gentlemen were appointed feoffees of this estate: -Sir Henry Blackman, Knight, the Rev. Robert Raynes, clerk, Jonathan Harrison, John Hoper, and William Franklin Hick, Esqrs. Thomas Johnson, Thomas Woollgar, Samuel Snashall, the younger, and George Molineux, gents. Samuel Woodgate Durrant, merchant, William Lee, printer, William Figg, land-surveyor, William Marten, John Blaker, drapers, William Attwood, ironmonger.

The land thus possessed by the borough is freehold; but in the 6th of James (1609), nearly one hundred years before the purchase was made Richard Parsons, who was then the owner of it, had leased out the estate to John Earle for the term of 1000 years, at the yearly rent of 157. The lease was to commence from "the feast of the annunciation of the blessed Virgin Mary, which should first and next happen after the decease of the said Richard Parsons.

Richard Parsons seems to have died in 1614, or the beginning of 1615, for his will was proved in the Arches Court, 6th February, 1615. From this year, therefore, the term of the lease must be reckoned. In other words, in the year 2615 the thousand years lease will expire, and the moiety of the Godfreys will be the unincumbered freehold of the borough.

The lease, as is before-mentioned, was granted to John Earle in 1609, but to take effect only after the death of Richard Parsons. In 1706 Richard Earle, a descendant of the before-mentioned John, sold the said property to Richard Barnard for 100l. to hold it for the residue of the said term of 1000 years, provided the 100l. was not re-paid on the 1st of June, 1707.

In 1716 Richard Barnard conveyed the property to Thomas Lucas, to be held during the remainder of the term of 1000 years.

In 1732 John Roper, administrator of the goods, &c. of John Round, deceased, sold the beforementioned property to Thomas Stonestreet, for the residue of the said term of 1000 years, for the sum of 2551.

It is now held by Sir George Shiffner, Bart.

CHAPTER XVIII.

Biography.

JOHN PECKHAM, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY.

JOHN PECKHAM was born in the county of Sussex, of indigent parents, in the beginning of the fourth century. The place of his nativity is unknown, but by some writers he has been considered a native of Lewes. He is said to have received the rudiments of his learning in this town, under the patronage of the monks of St. Pancras, by whom he was supported, and at whose charge he was sent to Oxford, where he became a Franciscan, or Friar Minor. Thence he went to Paris, for the purpose of prosecuting his studies in divinity and philosophy, and afterwards to Lyons, where he perfected himself in the canon law. On his return to his native country, so eminent had he become for his learning and genius, that he read publicly at Oxford, with the high approbation of the university, and afterwards was chosen head of the Franciscans in England. Some time after he was again called into France, and afterwards to Rome, where his fame had extended, and was made Palatine Reader and Auditor of the Pope's palace. When Archbishop Winchelsey became Cardinal, Peckham was nominated by the pope to succeed him in the archiepiscopal chair of Canterbury, in the year 12791. He entered Canterbury with the utmost pomp and magnificence, the king, prelates, and nobility honouring him with their presence. The expense of the ceremony of enthronization cost 2000 marks. He had likewise expended in the court of Rome, on his acquiring the prelacy, 4000 marks. The dignity to which he had arisen from a humble station in life, his talents and learning enabled him to support. To the deserving of his clergy he was mild and indulgent, but to those whom vice had infected, or indolence corrupted, he was unsparing in his censures and unrelenting in his hostility. He was, indeed, indefatigable in his exertions to root out what he considered abuses 'Dart's Canterbury Cathedral, p. 138. Chron. Eccl. Cant. MS. 'Fuller's Worthies, 8vo. p. 810.

in the church; and on those who held pluralities, or were non-resident, he exercised much severity. "He neither feared the laiety, nor flattered the clergy, (says Fuller), and was a great punisher of pluralities." The bigotry of the times sanctioned him in his persecution of the Jews; but the wise policy of Edward prevented the demolition of their synagogues within the diocese of London, which the edict of the archbishop had commanded. He founded Wingham College, in Kent, for canons, and expended about 3000 marks in repairing his episcopal seats and manors. He had a mansion in his native county, at Slindon, another at Malling, and a third at Terrible-down in the parish of Framfield, the ruins of which are still remaining. He died at Mortlake on the sixth of the Ides of December, 1272, and was buried in Canterbury Cathedral.

Of the works of Archbishop Peckham, one entitled Perspectiva Communis was published at Venice in 1504, Colon. 1592, Norim. 1542, and Paris 1556, 4to. De Summa Trinitate, et Fide Catholica, Lond. 1510. Collectanea Bibliorum, libri quinque, Colon. 1510, 1591, Paris 1514. There is a treatise of his in MS. preserved in the Cotton Library1.

THOMAS TWYNE, M.D.

A man of considerable literary talent, was born in the City of Canterbury, in the year 1543. He was admitted scholar of Christ Church College, Oxford, 1550, and probationer 1554, being then bachelor of arts. He applied himself to the study of medicine, and retired to Cambridge. Some time after he settled at Lewes, where his patron, Thomas, Lord Buckhurst, resided, and became justly famed for the extent of his acquirements, and successful practice as a physician. In the year 1593, he was admitted bachelor of physic of the University of Oxford, and afterwards obtained at Cambridge the diploma of M.D. He published several Almanacks and Prognostications, in the time of Queen Elizabeth. Also, The Garland of Godly Flowers collected out of the Garden of the Holy Scriptures,' &c., London 1589, 12mo. A short, and pithie discourse concerning the engendering tokens and effects of all earthquakes in generall, particularly applyed to that 6th April, 1580.' London 1580, 4to. In 1572 he published, 'The Suruey of the Worlde, or situation of the earth, comprising briefly the general appearance thereof, with the names both new and olde, of the principall counties, &c. first written in Greek by Dionese Alexandrine, and now Englished,' &c. He translated from the Latin into English, 1st, 'The Breuiary of Britayne, containing a learned discourse of the variable estate and alteration thereof, &c. London 1573, 8vo. written by Humphrey Lhuyd.' This translation was ushered

! Vespasian, D. 13. 9. Dart's Canterbury Cathedral, 1726, p. 138.