[Leach. Early Yorkshire Schools, p. 232.]
[From the original, in possession of the Governors.]
A LEASE by the Prior of Duresme to Sir James Carr, preiste, for the grounde whereon the schoolhouse and schoolehouse yarde air now sett, Dated 12 Nov., 1507.
"This Indentur made the xii day of Novembr the yere of our lorde MDvii betwixt the Right Reverende ffader in Gode, Thomas, prior of Duresme, and convent of the same, on the one partie, and Jamys Karr, preste, on the other partie.
"Witnessyth that the forsaide prior and convent of one hole mynde and consent hath graunted, dimised and to ferme lettyn, and by these presentes graunttes and to ferme lattes, to the forsaid Jamys Karr his heires, executors and assignes, half one acre of lande with the appertenance, laitle in the haldyng of Richarde lemyng lyeng neir the church garth of Gyllyswyke in Crawen within the countie of york, abowndyng and beyng betwix the lande laitlye in the haldyng of Robert Burton upon the est syde, and the parsons lande afforsaide on the sowth syde, contenyng space and lenth of the saide Kyrkegarth, that is to say, frome the cloise laitlye in the haldyng of Richard Talyour and so lynyally to the lathe appertenyng unto the tenement of the parsonage nexst jonyng, unto the steple of the said church, And the tother hede shoryng and abbuttyng upon one cloise called thakwhait contenyng xv yerdes upon the north side.
"Also it is agreyd that the said Jamys shall encloise the said half acre and therupon beyld and uphold at hys awne propyr charges and costes, in which beildyng he shall kepe or cause to be kept one gramer Scole, with fre curse and recurse with all maner of caryage necessarye to the same, without any interrupcion of the tenante afforsaid or any that shall succede. And in lyke maner the said tenante and they that shall succede to have fre curse and recurse to ther tenement with all maner of caryage necessarie without any maner of interrupcion of the said Jamys or they that shall succede.
"To have holde and occupye to the said Jamys his heires and assignes, beyng Scole masters of the said gramer scole, the said half acre of lande with the appurtenance frome the fest of the Invencion of the holy Croce next ensuyng unto the ende and terme of lxxix yeres then next followyng fully to be completyd and expired yevyng yerlye therfor unto the said prior and convent and ther successors or ther assignes at the fest of Saynct laurence martyr xijd. of good and lawfull monye of England as parcell of the rente of the said tenement wherto the said halff acre afforsaid pertenyth and belongyth. The first pament begynyng in the fest of Saynct laurence afforsaid next ensuyng, and if it happyn or fortune the said ferme of xijd. to be behynd unpayd after the fest that it awght to be payd at by the space of xxti days and no sufficient distres founde in the said grounde for the ferme so beyng behynd unpayd, That then it shalbe lawfull to the said Prior and convent and ther successors to reentre in the said halff acre of land with the appurtenaunce and it to rejoce unto such tyme they be fully content and payd of the said ferme and arrerage if ther be any.
"Provided allway that when soever the said Jamys Karr shall change his naturall lyfe, that then it shalbe lawfull, as ofte tymes as it shalbe nedfull, to the vicar of ye churche afforsaid for the tyme beyng and kyrkmasters of the same, heires executors and assignes to the said Jamys jontle, to electe one person beyng within holye orders, to be scole master of the gramer scole afforsaid, whiche so electe, and abled by the Prior of Duresme, shall have occupye and rejoce the said halff acre of land and the hows therapon beildyd with the appurtenaunce, in lyk wyse as the said Jamys occupyed and usyd in hys tyme. Overthis and above, it is covnandyt and agreyd that when so ever it shall pleas the Scolemaster of the said scole for the tym beyng to renewe this leis and dimision at any tyme within the yeres above specyfied That then the said Prior and convent shall seall under ther common seall to the said scolemaster a newe Indentur maid in maner and forme afforsaid, no thyng except nor meneshyd, bot as largely as in this said Indentur is specyfied. The said scolemaster paying therfor as oft tymes it shalbe renewed vjs. viijd. for the said Seall.
In witness wheroff ather partie to other to thes Indentures enterchangeably hath put to ther sealls yevyn the yere and day above said."