Page:The History of the Church & Manor of Wigan part 2.djvu/239

418 Thus your grace has all that I know concerning the true value of the parsonage of Wigan. You are pleased to ask me further, at how many years' purchase the perpetual inheritance of a rectory is usually sold in these parts, which I cannot resolve, for I never knew any purchased, save only this of Wigan, which I myself bought of Sr Richard Fleetwood since I was bishop of Chester for £1,000, but after the money was told out, whilst I was drawing up my assurance, Dean Murray stepped in, and paid £10 more, as I heard, and got it from me, and albeit he never was my chaplain, yet I think he prayed daily for me, that God would take me to heaven whilst he lived. The length of my letter makes me ashamed, & bids me crave your grace's pardon & make an end." To which letter the archbishop gives the following answer:

"S. in Xp&#771;o. My very good Lo: I heartily thanke you for yor last Lr&#771;es of March ye first concerning the true value of the Rectory of Wigan. The occasion of my writing to you about itt was: The Earle of Anandell, Dean Murrey's brother, offered the sale of itt to the King; and his Matie was willing enough to buy itt and annexe itt to the B'pricke, wch had beene a very happie thing to be done. But my Lds demand was 4 yeares Purchase after £1000 a yeare value, wch is every way too deare. For it seems he valued itt almost double to that wch you acknowledge. The Earle's use calles for p'sent money; and the King's present occasions can part wth none, noe not after the rate that you sett. Truly if the Benefice lay anything neere these p'ts I would borrow ye money but I would finde some way to bringe itt unto the churche's hands: for as itt is I know well what would become of itt. Your Lp hath a sonne, and you may, if you thinke itt fitting, have refusall of this great Benefice, provide excellently for your Sonne, keepe ye inheritance to yorselfe, or putt it to ye church, as you see cause. But certainly it will not come att that value, wch I see by ye end of yor Lr&#771;es you might once have had itt; nor scarce at foure yeares purchase according to that value wch you putt upon itt. Howsoever I pray let me have yor present answer; for that will be expected from you. I receaved former Lr&#771;es from you of febr: 23 concerning the p'sonage