< Previous | Contents | Next >
THE PARSONS OR RECTORS.
It will be noticed that the earlier rectors were called, and called themselves, parsons, a dignified title derived from the Latin ecclesiastical term persona. He was so called “because he represents the Church, and in the eye of the law sustains the person thereof.” No very eminent name occurs in the long list of forty-five incumbents. The names of the earliest parsons, with one exception, are unknown; but from 1272 the list appears to be complete. This list is longer than any previously published, but may be lengthened by further research. There is no indication that the parish priest of this place fell a victim to the Black Death which ravaged the land in 1348-9. It will be seen that many of these clergy were relatives of the lords of the manor. There are two Barrys, a Pendock, and four Neales. These names are obviously so; and we must add John Major, Job Falkner, and possibly others who were related to the patrons by marriage. The Revd. A. A. Welby was a godson of his patron. Among the other names we find representatives of county families like the Martells, Cliftons, and Meltons.
No less than three rectors of St. Peter’s, Tollerton, had been rectors of St. Peter’s, Nottingham; one, Samuel Martin, being killed by a fall from his horse soon after his appointment.
Some names are rescued from obscurity by the records of courts, in which we read of strange doings in “the good old days”; and not a few are seen to have known dire distress.
A complete list of the rectors will be found in the Appendices; but fuller notices are given here of some of the more notable parsons, of Tollerton.
Ralph de Barre.
The first member of the ruling house to be made parson of Tollerton was Ralph de Barre. He was nominated by John Barrie on September 1st, 1272. The last rector had died four days previously, on August 27th. This remarkable haste in appointing a new incumbent is accounted for by a rival claim to the patronage. A second nomination to the benefice was made on September 6th by Robert, son of Hugo de Thorlaxton, whose nominee was John de Surry, chaplain to the Queen, presumably Eleanor of Provence, the wife of Henry III.
The Archbishop of York, Giffard, appointed a Commission to advise him, and an Inquisition was made on September 24th, 1272, to enquire into the right of patronage. They decided in favour of John Barrie on the ground that the Prior of Lenton had re-conveyed the advowson to him, and that consequently he had full and sole right of presentation.
The custody of the sequestration of the church was committed to John Barrie of Tollerton on November 20th of that year.
Ralph was already rector of Keyworth, having been appointed to that living by the same patron two years earlier.
The Commission reported to the Archbishop in favourable terms concerning the presentee.
If we may judge from his licences for non-residence for the purpose of study, Ralph had few intellectual qualifications for his work. On November 8th, 1281, Archbishop Wickwane granted this parson of “Thorlatune” a licence for one year’s absence, and on August 27th, 1282, a further period of one year, “for study.” Nine years later these studies were incomplete, and Archbishop Romeyn granted a further licence on September 26th, 1291, to “Master Ralph Barry, rector, to be absent 3 years for study, making provision for a substitute during that time.” These “studies” may have been a cover for other pursuits. In 1293 Ralph gives place, by death or otherwise,1 to Peter Barry, a kinsman who, curiously enough also required leave of absence “for study.”
Hugh Martell.
The name Hugh Martell appears twice in the list of Clergy, first as that of rector from 1396 or earlier, to 1402, and again for the period 1425 to 1442. We may safely identify the holder of these different terms of office.
Hugh belonged to an important family, located in this corner of the county2 The Martells are said to be a branch of the de Malquincis, who held lands at Flawford. Their own lands were at Chilwell and Lenton.
Thoroton considers that the de Rodington family became Martells. He says, “Ruddington manor came to Richard called Martell, for he lived there in the time of Edward I,” i.e., 1272— 1307. Long before this time the Martells were settled in the neighbourhood, for Richard Martell was Bailiff of the Honour of Peverel in 1237.
Hugh the parson of Tollerton was probably grandson of Hugh Martell of Chilwell, who claimed view of Frankpledge of all his tenants at Ruddington in 1330. Before his appointment to this parish Hugh had been rector of St. Peter’s Church, Nottingham, to which charge he was instituted in 1392. The date of his institution to Tollerton is not quite certain: it was before 1396, and possibly several years earlier. The lawsuit in which he was engaged in 1396 gives ground for thinking that he had held the benefice for some considerable time, and had had experience in farming his glebe. This lawsuit is thus summarised in the Rolls: —
‘Hugo Martell parson of the church of Torlaston through his attorney opposes himself against William de Normanton of Normanton near Plumptre on the plea that he renders to him 30 sheep of the value of 60 shillings which he unjustly detains . . . And William does not come.” It is ordered that he is to be here at Hilary.
1396 De Banco Roll, 19 Rd. II., Mich.
Two years later, in the same court, Hugh is defendant. John Hykelyng and Agnes his wife plead against Robert Barry of Torlaston, Hugh (Martell) parson of the church of Torlaton, William Bassage, Robert Saxindale, Henry Godewyn of the same; Robert Aleyn of Bradmere; John Jay of Cottesgrave; John Treweman, John Fraunkeleyn and William Tailour of Boughton concerning a plea why by force and arms they broke into their close at Dalby on the Wolde and carried off their goods to the value of £20.
What the issue was, and how the parson came to be involved in the raid, is not told.
1398, De Banco Roll, 21 Rd. II, Mich.
We lose sight of Hugh for seven years, until 1409, when Hugh Martell, chaplain, was instituted to the Rectory of St. Michael’s Sutton Bonington; which charge he resigned in 1421. It may have been in that year, though possibly not until 1425, that he returned to Tollerton as rector. As before-time, he found pleasure and profit in farming his glebe. His second tenure of the rectory, like the first, is marked by a lawsuit, in which he is again defendant. The case reveals that the parson was not unmindful of the pleasures of the table.
“John Ewer of Nottingham by Richard Dalbury his attorney complains of Master Hugh Martell, parson of the church of Torlaton on a plea of debt of 19s. 8d. Who is attached by a horse: which Master Hugh made several defaults. And whereupon the same John by his attorney aforesaid, says that Hugh, from Thursday next after the feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Mary the Virgin, in the third year of the reign of the present King (i.e., Thursday, March 29th, 1425) until the same feast in the seventh year of the King, here at Nottingham, bought from John divers spices, to wit,
1429, N.B. Records II, 166.
3 quarters (of a pound) of draget3 powder, price 12d.
One pound of pepper, price 2s. 8d.
One pound of ginger, price 2s. 4d.
Half a pound of draget, price 8d.
One pound of pepper, price 2s.
1 ounce of saffron, price 14d.
Half a pound of draget, price 9d.
A Salted Salmon, price 2s. 4d.
1 pound of raisin-currants, price 6d.
A quarter (of a pound) of cloves and maces, price 12d.
Half a pound of frankincense, price 8d. which money should have been paid to John at Nottingham at the feast of Easter, in the 7th year of the aforesaid King; and, although Hugh has been many times requested, he has not yet paid the 19s. 8d. to John, but has hitherto refused to pay him, and does still refuse: whereby he says that he is injured and has damage to the value of 20s.; and therefore he brings suit. And Hugh comes in his own proper person, and defends the force and injury . . . and says that the aforesaid declaration is uncertain and insufficient, inasmuch as it is not declared . . . on what days the spices were bought from the plaintiff: therefore he prays judgment . . . And John says that he ought not to be precluded from his action by anything before alleged. John Ewer does not prosecute.
Hugh was still parson of Tollerton at his death in 1442. His will reveals the bookman as well as the farmer. It runs thus: —
“In the name of God, Amen. In the year of our Lord one thousand four hundred and forty two. I Hugh Martell, Rector of the church of the parish of Torlaston being of sound mind make my will in this manner.
In the first place I commit my soul to Almighty God and the Blessed Mary, my body to be buried in the Quire of the Church aforesaid.
I give to the fabric of the aforesaid xl s. and a great breviary.
Item. I give and bequeath to the Friars minor of Nottingham my mill horse with harness.
Item. I give and bequeath to the Carmelite friars of the same town vi s. viii d.
Item. I give and bequeath to the praying friars of Darby vi s. viii d.
Item. I desire that on the day of my burial xxvi s. viii d. be distributed.
Item. I give to William Dall my kinsman xxs. and one cloak.
Item, to John my servant xiii s. iiii d. and one cloak.
Item. I give to John the younger vi s. viii d.
Item, to John Darby vi s. viii d.
Item. I give to Robert Blighborough of Trowell all my plate whatsoever for the restoration of the ruinous church of Trowell.4
Item. I give to John my chaplain one superior cloak.
Item. I give to John Martell xiii s. iv d.
Item, to Ralph my kinsman all my books and my best cloak with a hood.
The assured residue of all my goods I give and bequeath to the aforesaid Ralph and Sir William Wright whom I constitute and appoint my executors. As supervisors of this my will I appoint Lady Marian Babyngton my sister and Sir John Whitelay Rector of the church of Plumtree. And I give to Sir Wright for his pains xl s. . . .
In 1458 Wm. Babington, who married Margaret daughter of Sir Peter Martell of Chilwell, founded a rich charity in Flawford and mentions a Hugh Martell as one to be prayed for on this foundation.
ROBERT MELTON, Rector 1450-1485.
The name Melton, otherwise Meleton, occurs with some frequency in the records of Nottingham and its neighbourhood. In mediaeval times the association of town and shire were close; the townsman often having his country property, and the countryman his town house.
The Meltons of Nottingham were litsters or dyers, settled in the neighbourhood of the Lister Gate of to-day; and the Meltons of the County were small landowners. This family gave freely of its sons to the Church, and one attained eminence. First of these comes William de Melton who held the Prebend of Oxton, in Southwell, with the Vicarage of Cropwell Bishop in 1304-5, with other offices, and was made Archbishop of York in 1317. He held this high position until his death in 1340, leaving a name for lavish gifts to complete the great Minster at York. The last rector of Willoughby on the Wolds was a Richard de Melton, who held that benefice from 1329 to 1354.
Robert Melton, whom we may presume to be of the same family as the Archbishop, became parson of Tollerton in 1450. He was in the midst of relatives; for there were at this time kinsmen at Normanton by Plumtree,5 Wilford, and Gotham, some of whom are mentioned at his death.
Time has dealt unkindly with Robert, the parson of this place, in that he is only mentioned as a debtor, in spite of his long service of 35 years. He fell short of money, and borrowed £10 from his neighbour William FitzWilliam, lord of Plumtree. Failing to repay this at the stipulated time, a writ was issued. He foolishly did not put in an appearance, and was committed for Contempt of Court, and outlawed in 1465. On May 14th of the same year he was pardoned, and returned to his parish for a further twenty years. He died intestate, administration being granted to Wm. Meleton of Plumtree, Thomas Meleton of Wilford and Robert Butterwick of Nottingham.6
JOHN GRENE, S.T.P.
John Grene, whose surname is also given as Greyne, Grein and Green, was the second rector bearing that name; the earlier one, Thomas Grene, holding office a century earlier.
John Grene was appointed by John Barry,7 and instituted 2nd April, 1543. His incumbency was full of incident, and he must have found his position very difficult to maintain. Appointed before the Reformation had fully come, this rector began his ministry with the old service books and ritual. When Edward VI came to the throne changes came quickly, and in 1549 the first English Prayer Book was issued, and made of general obligation. John Grene, like most of his neighbours, acquiesced in the new order of things, but, apparently not without protest, for in the Calendar of Patent Rolls of this king’s reign (Cal. Pat. Rolls, Edw. VI, vol. 2, p. 207) we read “Oct. 28th, 1548, Pardon to John Grene, late of Lincoln, clerk, bachelor of theology, rector of Torlaston, Notts., late of Oxford University.” The rector, having accepted the first Prayer book, accepted also the revision of the Prayer Book in a more Protestant direction in 1552.
With the accession of Mary in 1553 the new order was swept away, and once more the Latin offices came into use. The rector complied, and said his offices as aforetime. Five years later Mary gave place to Elizabeth, and the Prayer Book, with some alterations, came again into use. John Grene set his sails to the new wind, and sailed along placidly to the end of his course in 1568. He died and was buried at Tollerton, as the register shews:—“Sir8 John Grene p’son of Torlaston was buryed the xxviiith of february.”
Among the minor incidents of his life which have been brought to light, is the attestation of a labourer’s will in 1549 by “Maistre Greyne parsone of Torlaston. Peter Wilson, the testator, bequeathed to the parson the sum of xiid.
It must have been with a heavy heart that “maistre Greyne” along with his churchwardens and two leading parishioners made the Inventory of Church Goods for the Royal Commissioners. From this document, which we give in full, we learn what the vestments were which this parish priest wore, and the vessels and ornaments in use in the church. It is worthy of notice that all these church goods are described in the terms “which belong to the parishioners.” No doubt for the most part the parishioners had provided these ornaments and vestments for their parish church.
Inventory of Church Goods at Tollerton, 15529
“Thys Invitory made the iiii day of September in the yere of our lorde god 1552 And the syxte yere of the Reyn of our suffarand lord kynge Edwarde the Syxt by the grace of god kynge of England ffraunce and Ireland Defender of the ffayth and of the Churche of England and Ireland the Supreme hed immediatly next unto god. In the which we doo present thes thynges which belong to the parishioners of Torlaston to repare and mayntayne of their proper costes and charges.
| ffyrst a chalis of parsell gylt with A patende | |
| a coope changeable sylke | |
| a vestment to the same | |
| a vestment of black satten | |
| a vestment of whyet bustion | |
| iii awbis with amyses | |
| a crosse of brass | |
| 4 cruets of pewter | |
| One hand bell | |
| a crysmatory of brasse | |
| a pyxe of latyn | |
| iii belles | |
| ii Candelstykes of bras | |
| John Grein parsone | |
| Wm Lovit | |
| Lawraunce Hutchingsun, Churchwardens. | |
| Mychaell Cowper | |
| Nicholas lesone | |
| Husbandmen of ye said towne.” | |
On the back “Rutland, G. Pierpoynt, Ion. hercy, Anthony Nevyll.”
Indenture of Church Goods, 1553.
After anxious waiting, fearing what was in store for them, the parish received from the Commissioners the chalice, paten, three church bells, and no more.
“(Inden)ture maide the xxvi daye of Maye in the Seventhe yere of the reigne of or . . . . (mutilated) Edwarde the sixt (1553) betweene . . . . . honorable henrie erle of rutland, John Biron, garvays Clifton, John Heron, George Per(kyns), and Antonie Nevill knightes, commissioners of oure said soveraigne lorde the kynge within (the county) of Nottingham of that one partie, And John Grene parson of the parishe Churche of torlaston within the same countie of Nottm. Robert Els and Mychael Cowper churchwardens of the same churche of that oder partie witnessethe that the saide erle and other the saed commissioners haithe as well delyvered the same parson and churchwardens and to their severall successors one chalice with a patent of silver parcell gilte for thadministration of the hollye communion in the same church as also iii belles of one accorde henginge in the steple of the same churche to be savelie kept unspoiled, unembeseled and unsolde untill the kinges majesties pleasure be therein further known. In witnes whereof the said parties to these present indentures interchangeablye have put to their sealles the daye and yere aforesaid.
John Grene.
Exchequer K.R. Church Goods, Notts, p.f. 7, No. 99a(2).
The impressions of two seals follow this signature.
JOHN PARE, M.A., Rector 1604-35.
John Pare, the first of the 17th century rectors, belonged to a Nottingham family of some importance which is mentioned from time to time in the Borough Records from 1467 onwards. When, for instance, “Mestres Pare and Maister Askew” were married in 1572, the Borough Council “pad for wyne and seugar that was geven at the maryadge” the sum of vis. viiid. The Pares lived in the marshes, which were for the most part in St. Peter’s parish; a district which was The Park of those days, insalubrious as it may be to-day. It was not to be wondered at, that when the parish of St. Peter’s fell vacant in 1593, Queen Elizabeth, who appointed for this turn, should be moved to appoint John Pare as rector.
After being a prophet in his own country for eleven years, he went to Tollerton. This benefice was vacant by the death of George Harvie, whose burial is recorded on April 7th, 1604. With remarkable haste John Pare was instituted on the 10th of that month. It looks as if he had been awaiting “deadmen’s shoes.” It is possible that he had been assisting the old rector in his declining days, and the promise of the benefice had been made to him.
It was a bold venture on the part of the new rector to accept this charge, for all the buildings were in a state of disrepair. With commendable zeal he carried through the work of repair, as we have recorded. His buildings have all been replaced, but in the first old parchment register which he provided, we have his continual memorial.
The following extracts from the parish register seem to indicate that he married after entering upon this new sphere of labour, and that there were many “olive branches round about his table.”
| 1609— | 'John Pare and Allice . . . married’ |
| " | ‘John Pare the son of John Pare pson bap. the 4th day of March (old style)—i.e., 1610. |
| 1611— | ‘George Pare was baptized the two and twentieth of Septr.’ |
| 1612— | ‘William Pare was baptized the 14th of Feb. |
| 1613— | Then follows an extraneous entry with an expression of tenderness unusual in registers—“George Pare my dear father was buried at Nottm. ye 22 of Novr. 1613.”—A George Pare is twice mentioned in the Borough Records of this period. |
| 1614— | ‘Robert Pare was baptized the 10th Aprill’ |
| 1616— | ‘Thomas Pare was baptized the 28th April’ |
| 1618— | ‘Saray Pare was baptized 5th July’ |
| 1622— | ‘Walter Pare was baptized 30th Marc ’ |
| 1625— | ‘Rebecca Pare was baptized 12th June’ |
| " | " " buried 9th Decr. ’ |
| 1626— | ‘Joan Pare was baptized 17th April’ Three years later the mother of this large family died. |
| 1629— | ‘Mrs. Alice Pare ye wife of Mr. John Pare was buried ye 19th of Aprill ’ |
It is clear whether the next entry refers to John Pare senr. or junr.; but, on comparing that which follows, it seems likely to have been the burial of the son’s wife—and the double bereavement suggests an epidemic.
| 1632— | ‘Mrs. Prudence Pare wife of Mr. John Pare was buried the 20th September’ |
| " | 'Mr. John Pare was buried the 28th of Septr.’—just eight days after his wife. |
| Three years later the rector married again. | |
| 1635— | ‘John Pare and Joane Ward10 were married the twelft of May.’ |
This was a brief union, for in the following year the rector died. “Mr. John Pare Mr. of Art parson of the parish of Tollerton was buryed the 8 days of March in the year of our Lord 1635” (old style), 1636 (new style).
GERVASE PENDOCK, 1636-1648.
Gervase Pendock is the only Pendock on the roll of rectors. He was one of the most unfortunate of men; for he was born, lived, and died in poverty. Gervase was the second son of that very impecunious person, John Pendock. His baptism is recorded in the parish register, “1602, Gervase Pendocke son of John Pendocke, gent. May 9th.” The prospect of providing for one son by a family living, induced the parents to find, by some means or other, the funds for Gervase’s University education.
When at length he was ordained, he had eleven years to wait before the Tollerton living fell vacant by the death of Mr. Pare.
It appears from his after troubles that he had held a charge in London. On August 15th, 1636, he was instituted to the rectory of Tollerton, on his father’s nomination.
Gervase Pendock was fortunate in entering upon the benefice at this time, for his predecessor had put all the parsonage buildings into good order. In spite of this, we find him in the hands of a money lender in the year following his institution. He temporized with the lender; but in 1640 William Sowter put in a plea at Westminster against Gervase, described as “late of London,” for £20 which he had borrowed on April 7th, 1637, and £10 for damages suffered. Mr. Walter Edge, an attorney of Nottingham, appeared for the rector, but could urge nothing in bar; and judgment was given against him for £20, and 21s. damages.
Coram Roll, Mich., 15 Chas. I, m 176.
In 1641 Gervase Pendock obtained the support of his male parishioners to the famous Protestation. His signature is attached to the roll of those who took the oath.
New troubles befel the rector in the days of the Commonwealth. He, so far as we know, alone of the Pendocks, was on the side of the king. He had given the oath of allegiance, and stood to it to the end. The bitterness of family feeling may be judged by the severities which Gervase was allowed to suffer. It is difficult to think that the Pendock influence was so weak that they could not help their own flesh and blood, and we are left to conclude that they failed to do so. Gervase Pendock was ejected from his benefice, a compassionate allowance being made for his wife and children. The Parliamentary Commissioners reported in 1650 that “Gervasse Pendocke, clerke, from whom” (the tithes of the parsonage) “is sequestered is allowed the glebe lands as a fifth part for his wife and children.” It would appear from this that during the time of his dispossession the rector farmed for the benefit of his family.
His after history is unknown. Unlike so many others, he was not restored to his benefice at the Restoration; but whether this was through a family alienation or an early death, cannot be said.
PENDOCK NEALE.
The last rector of the Barry lineage was Pendock Neale, namesake, cousin, and brother-in-law of the patron. He was the second son of Thomas Neale, rector of Tollerton 1770-1782, and Susanna daughter of Philip Falkner of Lincoln. The rectory fell vacant in 1782 by the death of his father, and again, by the tragic death of the next rector in 1783; but Pendock Neale was at that time too young for ordination. By an arrangement, no longer lawful, a stop-gap rector was appointed, on condition that he would vacate the benefice so soon as Pendock Neale was ordained priest. On these terms David Holt held the benefices of Tollerton, and Egmonton. Pendock Neale was ordained priest on July 7th, 1793, at Bishopthorpe, and on the same day he was instituted to this double charge.
On October 13th, 1794, he married at St. Mary’s, Nottingham, Sarah, daughter of John Wright, banker of that town, a lady much his senior, who brought with her a dowry of £5,000.
Tollerton proved to be no bed of roses, and during almost the whole period of his tenure of the rectory there was friction and trouble with his too near relatives at the Hall. In duty bound, the rector protested against and resisted the squire’s encroachments on the church yard, the severing of the church yard by the ambulatory, and the stopping up of the chancel door. Under these conditions everything was made a cause of offence, and the parson could do nothing right. The introduction of a hymn book,11 which included hymns by Watts, Toplady and others was a crowning offence. For the last three years of his ministry he was left with the most meagre of congregations, for the squire sent his household to Plumtree Church, and some tenants, not daring to do otherwise, went thither also. At the same time the children of the parish were forbidden by the autocrat of the Hall to attend Sunday School. Deprived of opportunities of usefulness by this boycott, the rector acted as curate of Barton in Fabis, journeying there Sunday by Sunday until his death.
Pendock Neale was a prophet honoured by all but his kindred. In 1806 he was the selected preacher at St. Mary’s Church, Nottingham, in behalf of the General Hospital. An old parishioner described him as “one of the finest readers that ever was heard, and a capital man in the pulpit” though “very high and Calvinistic in his views.” His voice must have been remarkable, for it is said that his sister, the squire’s wife, used to listen at an open window of the Hall during the boycott, in the hope of hearing something of her brother’s sermons.
His end came through a sympathetic act. He went to visit a nephew who had contracted a fever, and himself fell a victim and died. The last sermon he preached to his little flock revealed the man. He preached from Proverbs xxx 7, 8., on the duty of contentment, a virtue which must have been excessively difficult to attain in his own circumstances. A relative has recorded that “he was as handsome a man as perhaps one could see in the whole course of a life.”
Testimony was borne at the trial, to his high character, by his. old friend and neighbour, Archdeacon Browne of Cotgrave, in striking words: “His countenance was such that he had been described as 'the beauty of holiness.’ ”
He was buried at Tollerton. The entry in the register is: — “Pendock Neale, Rector of Tollerton, buried October 4th, 1816, aged 47.” A brass tablet on the south wall of the chancel is inscribed: —
IN MEMORY
OF THE
Revd. Pendock Neale, A.B.
Twenty Three years Rector of this Parish and
Vicar of Egmonton.
Died 29th Septr., 1816. Aged 47.
---------------------
The Memory of the Just is Blessed.
--------------------
Also of Sarah his Widow, daughter of John Wright, Esqr.
who
Died 22nd Novr., 1829. Aged 72.
1. A Ralph Barri was Chancellor of Lincoln and Prebendary of North Kelsey 1300-1316, and may be the same person as the Tollerton Ralph Barri.
2. Hornius, the reputed ancestor of the Martells, gave tithes of Flawford to Lenton Priory. Temp. Hen. I, 1100-1135.
3. “No doubt a species of confectionery.”—Ed. “N.B. Records.”
4. Trowell was near the Chilwell estate of the Martells.
5. John Melton, of Normanton, was sued in 1433 by a spicer of Nottingham for debt. This name appears in the Plumtree
registers in the 16th and 17th centuries,
6. An attorney of Nottingham and Town Clerk. Nottm. Bor. Rec.
7. Godfrey says, “by the guardians of John Barry.”
8. The customary courtesy title,
9. 1522. Exch. K.R. Church Goods, Notts, p.f. 7, No. 71, Antiquary xxviii, 268.
10. The Wards were a Tollerton family.
11. Edited by a Mr. Robinson, of Leicester.