Page:The histories of Launceston and Dunheved, in the county of Cornwall.djvu/353

 THE VICARAGE HOUSE. 317 Best and Hollande shortly afterwards alienated to John Hender of Botreauxcastell, and Richard Gedye of South- pethervvin, who, on the 31st March, 1603, conveyed the same to John Glanvile of Launceston, merchant (except out of the grant to Glanvile, all advowsons, donations, free dispositions, and parochial rights of the vicar, chaplain, and other ecclesiastical benefits which belonged to the rectory and premises) : To hold to Glanvile his heirs and assigns for ever; to be held of the Queen as of her manor of " East Greenewitch," by fealty only, in free and common soccage, and not in capite, nor by military service. The mansion-house mentioned in the preceding grant of 1 8th May, 1582, is situate in Castle Street, and has within living memory been known as the Vicarage House. It is now the property of Miss Pearse, and is, we believe, occupied by her coachman. We cease to follow the history of the tithes of St. Mary Magdalene. By showing how they became part of the royal possessions, we have illustrated the mighty effect which the dissolution of the monasteries and priories of England had upon the wealth and patronage of the Crown. Our previous pages abound with evidence that, until the Reformation in the time of Henry VIII., the Mayor and Commonalty of Dunheved maintained the priests and all the inferior officers of their chapel. Nor did the Reforma- tion produce any change in these particulars, except that the Corporation thenceforth appointed, as well as paid their ministers. The Prior and his brethren may previously have assisted in the appointment. Our records establish the fact that from the reign of Henry VIII., down to the time when the mayor, aldermen, and burgesses sold the advowson, as we shall presently relate, they alone provided for all the ministrations of the church. They also granted faculties for seats, adorned their own special pew, and entirely controlled the affairs of the church.