John Balliston, of St. Giles’s, Norwich, by will, dated 17th of October, 1584, devised three tenements in St. Giles’s next the Gates to certain persons, upon condition that they should make distribution to the poor in manner following, viz. that in the week before Christmas, the week before Michaelmas, and the week after Easter, in the church of St. Giles, the minister should request the poor people, all that should receive or have need of alms, to come to church, and request them to pray for the preservation of the Prince, &c.; that the poor should place themselves four and four together, all that should be above the age of eleven years, and that every four of them should have set before them a two-penny wheat loaf, a gallon of best beer, and four pounds of beef and broth; that the minister should have fourpence for his pains on each of the three days.
The rent of £2 a year is paid to the parish for the premises, which, with other charities, is laid out in the purchase of coals.
Halfpenny Bread Charity
Robert Grainger of Godmanchester, Huntingdonshire, by his will, dated 10th of October, 1578, gave and appointed as much bread as could be made of a coomb of wheat, to be made into halfpenny loaves, and to be distributed among the poor of Godmanchester by the churchwardens, to be charged on his mansion house in Godmanchester.
The present owner of the house pays the value of four bushels of wheat, according to the average price of wheat at Huntingdon market, on the Saturday before Good Friday, to a baker, for supplying the bread, which is distributed on Good Friday.
Cuttings of Fish
Robert Harding, of London, by will, dated 20th of November, 1568, gave to the Company of Fishmongers an annuity of £3 6s. 8d. issuing out of his lands and tenements in Pudding Lane; and Simon Harding, his son, by deed, 7th of September, 1576, confirmed the same; to hold the said annuity to the wardens and commonalty and their successors, to the intent that they should pay in the Lent season £3, that is, in New Fish Street 30s. and in Old Fish Street 30s., to the use of the poor inhabiters and artificers compelled by necessity to repair thither, to buy the cuttings of fish and the refuse of fish; the residue to remain to the wardens for their labors in this behalf.
There being no poor persons of the description mentioned in the will, the annuity has been added to the fund distributed to the half-yearly poor at Christmas.
Bequest of White Peas
John Huntingtdon, of Sawston, Cambridgeshire, England, by will, dated 4th of August, 1554, devised lands and tenements to Joice his wife, and his heirs, upon condition that his heirs should yearly forever sow two acres of land, lying together in Linton field, with white peas, one coomb to be yearly bestowed upon each acre, for the relief of the people of Sawston.