Page:History of the Fylde of Lancashire (IA historyoffyldeof00portiala).pdf/67



CHAPTER III.

JAMES THE FIRST TO QUEEN VICTORIA.

On the accession of James I., in 1603, the crowns of England and Scotland became legally united, although it was not until a considerable time afterwards that they could be regarded as practically so. This monarch was the first to assume the title of King of Great Britain.

A custom prevailed in former days of relieving the secular portion of the community by imposing exclusive taxes on the clergy, and hence it is seen, that in 1608 a rate was levied upon the latter by the Right Reverend George Lloyd, D.D., the eighth bishop of Chester. The following is a copy of the impost so far as the Hundred of Amounderness was concerned:—

"Archid. Decanatus         } A Rayte imposed by me George Bushoppe of Cestrie in Com. Lancastrie  } Chest^r upon the Clergie within the Countye of Chesshyre and Lancashyre within the Dyoces of Chest,^r By vertue of Ires from the lordes grace of Yorke grounded upon + from the lordes and others of his ma^{tes} most honorable privye counsell for the fyndinge of horses, armes, and other furniture, the th of October 1608.

Amounderness Decanatus Archid. Richm.

Mr. Porter, vicar of Lancast^r                     a corslet furnished. Mr. Paler, vicar of Preston                     }  a musket furnished Mr. Norcrosse, vicar of Ribchest^r              } Mr. Whyt, vicar of Poulton &                    }  a musket furnished. Mr. Greenacres, vicar of Kirkham                } Mr. Aynsworth, vicar of Garstange               }  a musket furnished. Mr. Woolfenden, vicar of St. Michael's upon Wyre } Mr. Calver, vicar of Cockerham                  }  a caliver furnished. Mr. Parker, vicar of Chippin. }

George Cestriensis."

Here it may be mentioned that, although about 636, Honorus, archbishop of Canterbury, attempted to divide the kingdom into parishes, it was not until many years later, in the reign of Henry