[647] The advowson belonged to Bilegh Abbey. Morant says (i. p. 247) West Leigh was a parish held at the Conquest by the canons of St. Paul’s adjoining this. In 1432 the abbey and the canons agreed to unite the two parishes, the abbey taking two turns of presentation and the canons one.
[648] Among the smaller benefices (p. 24); the greater part of their income having been apportioned to the Religious Houses.
[649] Built by the family of Barringtone Barnton on their estate here.
[650] Rectory belonged to Prittlewell Priory.
[651] “Taxatio,” pp. 1, 2.
[652] “Valor,” i. pp 36, 92.
[653] Elder brother of the Archbishop, Archdeacon of Canterbury, “Valor,” i. p. 32.
[654] William Warham, nephew of Archbishop Warham, late Archdeacon of Canterbury, “Valor,” i. p. 32.
[655] In Saxon times the manor belonged to a family named Liveing; soon after the Conquest it was in the possession of a family named Beke.
[656] “Revolving in his mind God’s wonderful and great mercies to him in leading him and preferring him to such riches and eminence in Church and State, and in preserving him from danger both by sea and land, and out of gratitude to the memory of his parents and friends, at whose charge he was educated and brought to that pitch of honour, he thought he could not pay a more grateful acknowledgment than to set apart a very considerable part of his estate in this manner.”—Preface to his Statutes for his College, Hasted’s “Kent,” iii. 173.