Page:The History of the Church & Manor of Wigan part 2.djvu/25

204 Laud, the future archbishop, was another of the royal chaplains who accompanied the King on his visit to Scotland; and it was doubtless at this period that that lasting friendship was commenced between the two chaplains which only terminated with Laud's cruel execution. This close intimacy with Laud probably had a considerable influence in forming the future life and character of bishop Bridgeman, who was a few years the junior in years, though senior in his appointment as King's chaplain.

Upon his return home from Scotland Dr. Bridgeman set himself to work to recover his rents and manorial rights, which had for some time been withheld from the parsons of Wigan.

Prescriptions for tithes were claimed by some of the larger owners of land, and some of the smaller tithe payers broke the custom of tithing by setting up their sheaves irregularly instead of putting them in hattocks; sundry encroachments had been made upon the glebe by tenants who pretended ownership of their land or houses; and notably the tenants of the lord's mills, who refused to acknowledge the parson's rights as lord of the manor, and claimed to hold the mills as their own property, subject only to certain small annual rents or payments; moreover, the mayor and corporation had entered upon the profits of the markets and fairs, and taken possession of the manorial courts. Dr. Bridgeman quietly and gently, but firmly and perseveringly, prosecuted his rights and eventually acquired possession of much that had been for some time past withholden from the parson.