[7]. One remarkable circumstance—mentioned by Pole—concerning Henry Courtenay, created Earl in 1525, may be noted. “This Henry,” says Pole, “was soe intimate unto King Henry the 8th, that having no issue he intended to have made hym his successor unto the crown; but afterwards he fell into high displeasure of the King, so, as being questioned with divers others for ayding of Cardinale Poole, and intencion for the raising of forces on the Pope’s behalf, he was arraigned, convicted, and executed for treason.”
[8]. There is a quaint letter extant of this hospitable prior, which Dr. Oliver gives. It is—
“To his rev’ende broders in Criste, Maister Dene and Maister Chaunter, of Excester, or on’ of theym, this to be delyvd. in goodely haste. Right rev’end broders in Criste, in my most lovynge maner y recomaunde me unto yow p’ynge yow right hartely to be good maisters to a prieste called I. David Neyton, a lovyer of myn’ which trustyth by your favors to be on’ of your vicaryyes in Synte Peters Churche if he be a person’ necessary to occupye a such rome yn your’ sayde churche y p’y yow that he may the rader for my desyre be accepte to the same rome, and he and y shall p’y for the longe contynuance of your bothe prosperyteis, which God p’sve to his pleasur’ and your hartes desyres—Amen. Writyn in haste penultimo die Aprilis by your olde louyer and bedman’.
“David, Prior of Plympton’.”
[9]. This also applies to the Cornish churches.
[10]. Over the Guildhall are the arms, carved in stone, of Sir Thomas Trevor, Knight, and Sir George Treby, Knight. Members of the Treby family were often connected with the corporation of the borough. In 1755 the parishioners at a vestry then held passed a resolution concerning the ringing of the church bells, “George Treby, Esq., and the other gentlemen belonging to the corporation,” being respectfully included in the said resolution.
“Agreed on Easter Monday, March the 31st day, 1755, by us whose names are hereunto subscribed, being the Parishioners then present at the Vestry then held. That only five persons shall, and are by the authority of the said Vestry allowed to ring the Bells of this Parish for the future, and that they shall ring only on such public days as the Parishioners shall from time to time agree to and approve of, and that the said five persons that shall undertake to Ring shall be obliged likewise to chime the Bells on every Sunday in the forenoon and the afternoon, at the proper season for Divine Service, and that they shall be obliged to give their due and regular attendance, both in the fore and afternoon of every Sunday upon the Service of the church, and that they be at Liberty to ring for George Treby, Esq., and the other Gentlemen belonging to the Corporation, as often as the said Gentlemen shall signify it to be their pleasure to have the Bells rung, and that the said Ringers are never to ring after Eight of the clock in the Evening, or before Seven in the morning.”
“The Ringers are never to ring after Eight.” Thus are old customs and traditions handed down from age to age.
“The Curfew tolls the knell of parting day.”
[11]. Entered in the Death Register of the parish as Ann Duchane.