Though not successful, Sir Walter de Strickland's opposition had done some good, but for exactly 200 years longer did the monastery by the walls of the city of York hold sway over the church of Grasmere. In what degree its influence was felt in the mountain parish cannot be told, or what it gave in return for the pension it abstracted. It may have assisted in the rebuilding of the edifice, lending aid by monastic skill in architecture. Probably it supervised the worship in the church, and improved the ritual, passing on to the village priest the tradition of its own richly furnished sanctuary. Signs were not wanting at the Reformation that the district had been ecclesiastically well served.
It has been seen that the parson of the parish was a pluralist and a non-resident as early as 1254; and so were those of his successors of whom we have evidence. The glimpses obtained through scant record disclose the tithe-taking rector of the valley as a figure distinguished by education, if not by family, and known to the lofty in station. He is termed "Master," and bears the suffix "clerk"; while "Sir" is reserved for the curate, his deputy, who has not graduated at either university.[86] He was skilled in law more than in theology. He may have served an apprenticeship in the great office of the Chancery; sometimes men of his position are termed "king's clerk."[87] He was not an idle man, and was often employed in secular business by the lord of the Fee. It may have been in the collection of the lady's dues—for the heiress Christiana de Lindesay, had married Ingelram de Gynes, of Coucy in France, in 1283—that the parson of Grasmere suffered an assault (1290) at Leghton Gynes (later Leighton Conyers). It is certain that when Robert de Gynes, one of the sons of Christiana, and possessed of some of her lands about Casterton and Levens, went "beyond the seas" in 1334, he empowered Oliver de Welle, parson of Grasmere, to act with Thomas de Bethum as his attorney. Oliver de Welle had a footing in our valleys besides his parsonage, for he is stated to have held, under the lord William de Coucy, deceased, "a certain place called Little Langedon in Stirkland Ketle," which was then (1352) in the custody of the executor of his will, John de Crofte.[88]
Edmund de Ursewyk, "king's clerk," whom the king nominated to Grasmere in 1349—the young lord William de Coucy being dead—doubtless came of a Furness family, and may have been related to Adam de Ursewyk who held land for his life in the barony, by grant of the elder William,[89] as well as the office of chief forester of the park at Troutbeck.[90]
"Magister George Plompton" was another learned cleric of good family, being the son of Sir William Plumpton of Plumpton, knight. He was a bachelor-at-law, and was ordained sub-deacon in 1417. It was in 1438-9 that he was nominated to the rectory of Grasmere, by the Chapter of St. Mary's, and some years after he acquired that of Bingham in Nottinghamshire. This he resigned (and doubtless Grasmere also) in two or three years' time, owing to age and infirmities. He retired to Bolton Abbey, and in 1459 obtained leave from the Archbishop of York to have service celebrated for himself and his servants within the walls of the monastery—a permit which gives a picture of affluent peace and piety in a few words.[91]
Master Hugh Ashton, parson, acted as Receiver-general for the lands of the Countess of Richmond (the Lindesay Fee) in 1505-6.[92] On his resignation in 1511, Henry VIII. exercised his right as inheritor of the Fee, and nominated John Frost to the rectory; the abbot and convent presenting in due form. This happened again in 1525, when William Holgill was appointed.[93]
Of other rectors of the post-Reformation period we know little or nothing. Richard, "clericus," was taxed in 1332 on goods worth £4, a sum higher by £1 than any land-holding parishioner in the three townships.[94]
LIST OF RECTORS AND CURATES
| 1254 | Henry de Galdington. Calendar of Papal Registers, vol. 2, p. 294. |
| 1290-91 | William de Kendale. De Banco Rolls, Rev. 86 in 79d. Adam de Ottelay, "capellanus." Levens Rental of Ed. 2 or early Ed. 3. |
| 1332 | Richard "clericus." Lay Subsidy Roll. West., 195/1A. |
| 1334 | |
| June 24 | Oliver de Welle. Close Rolls and Patent Rolls. 8 Ed. 3. |
| 1349 | Edmund de Ursewyk. Patent Rolls. |
| 1362 | Hugo de Middleton. Torre's Archdeaconry of Richmondshire. |
| Dec. 3 | |
| 1401 | |
| Jan. 13 | Walter Hoton "parson." Patent Rolls, Henry IV. |
| —— | Reginald Pulham. Torre; no date given. |
| 1443 | |
| May 24 | Peter Yrford. Torre. |
| 1459 | |
| Feb. 10 | George Plompton. Torre. Calendar Patent Rolls. |
| 1486 | James Chamer "capellano." |
| 1505-6 | Hugh Ashton, "clerk," Min. Acc., Henry VII., 877. Resigns Grasmere Rectory in 1512. Rydal Hall MSS. |
| 1511 | John Frost, on resignation of Hugh Ashton. Rydal |
| Oct. 18 | Hall MSS. |
| 1525 | William Holgill or Hawgill. Rydal Hall MSS. Chester |
| Mar. 14 | Diocesan Registry. |
| 1548 | Gabriel Croft, instituted on death of Holgill. Chester |
| Jan. 11 | Registry. Called Rector at Visitation of Bishop of Chester, 1554, when the following names accompany his. |
| Dns William Jackson. His will was proved Jan. 21, 1569, which calls him "late curat of Gresmer." | |
| Dns John Hunter. | |
| Dns Hugo Walton. Hugh Watson "preist" bur. March 8, 1577. Grasmere Church Register. | |
| 1563 | "Sirre Thomas Benson, curate" witnesses will of John Benson Esq. of Baisbrowne. |
| 1569 | ? Master John Benson, rector. |
| ? | Lancelot Levens. Chester Diocesan Registry. |
| 1575[95] | John Wilson, instituted on death of Lan. Levens. |
| July 18 | Chester Diocesan Registry. Bur. May, 13, 1627. Grasmere Church Register. |
| 1627 | Robertus Hogge. Removed following year. Rydal Hall |
| July 16 | MSS. |
| 1628 | Henry Wilson, B.A., instituted, according to Chester |
| May 24 | Diocesan Registry, on death of John Wilson, by presentation of Agneta Fleming. Ejected 1644. Died 1647. |
CLERGY DOING DUTY DURING THE COMMONWEALTH