Page:Prerogatives of the Crown.djvu/86

 66 Head of the aiurcJi. [Ch. V.. vested in him in trust and confidence, that he will distribute them for the general good of the clergy (a), but which may be granted by the King to a subject (5). First fruits^ primitice or annates, are the first year's whole profits of a spiritual preferment. Tenths or decimce, are the tenth part of the annual profit of each living. These were introduced by, and originated in, papal usurpation ; and were ascertained by valuations or rates made during the reigns of Hen. 3. and Edw. 1. This usurpation was long maintained in favour of the Popes, though at times violently resisted; till at length in the reign of H. 8. it was annexed to the Crown by statute 26 H. 8. c. 3. confirmed by 1 Eliz. c. 4. -and a new valor heneficiorum was then made, by which the clergy are at present rated (c). Various equitable discharges, allowances, and exceptions were made and granted in favour of prefer- ments of a trifling value ; and Queen Ann " in a spirit of the truest equity," resigned this revenue to the poorer clergy, by applying these superfluities of the larger benefices to make up the deficiencies of the smaller. To this end she granted her royal charter, which was confirmed by the statute 2 Ann, c. 11. whereby all the revenue of first fruits and tenths is vested in trustees for ever, to form a perpetual fund for the augmentation of poor livings. This is usually called Queen Ann's bounty, which has been still farther regulated by subsequent statutes (c?).. (a) 2 Inst. €47. 2 Rep. 44. Cro. EI. (c) I B!a. Com. 2S4, 5. 512. 1 Bla. Cora. 113. (rf) Ibid. 5 Ann. o. 24. 6 Ann. c. 27. (A) Bro. Ab. Patents, pi. 33, cites 22 1 Geo.l. st. 2. c. 10. 3 Geo. 1. c. 10. Ass. 75. 1 7 Vin. Ab. 88. Prerog. M. See 2 Burn, Eccl. Law. 46 Geo. 3^ b. pi. 15. c. 133. CHAP.