Sometimes the cost of a journey to London was defrayed by the parish in order to enable a sufferer to be touched for the king’s evil. The Ecclesfield accounts contain the following entry relating to this custom:—
"1641. Given to John Parkin wife towards her
travell to London to get cure of his Majestie
for the disease called the Evill, which her s. d.
Sonen Thorn is visited withall 6 8"
The clergymen were required to keep a register of all who were so touched, in order that they might not again go to the king and receive the bounty which accompanied the touch. Hence we read in the register of Hambleden, Bucks:—
"1685. May 17, Mary Wallington had a certificate to goe before the King
for a disease called the King's Evil."
The treating of bishops and clergy is often noticed in the accounts. Sometimes a sugar-loaf was presented, as at St. James’, Bristol:—
"1629. Paid for a sugar loaf for the Lord Bishop 15's 10'd"
Sometimes items relate to their refreshment:—
"1593. Pd for a galland of beer given to the
Beishopp of Hereford iiii'd"
"1617. Pd for a quart of wine and sugar bestowed
upon two preachers x'd"
The status of students at the Universities was not so high in former days as at present, and poor scholars used to beg their way to Oxford and Cambridge, and receive the assistance of the charitable. Hence we read in the Leverton accounts:—
"1562. Gave to a pore scholar at Oxford. 2s. 0d."