BOOK VI. latter became one of the assembly of divines; and being a zealous writer in behalf of the puritans, was made president of Corpus Christi college, Oxford.

Bishop's hall.

A chantry in honour of the blessed Virgin and the body of Christ was founded at Kingston, before the altar of St. James, in the reign of Henry VI. by William Skern, who endowed it with a house for the chaplain, and ten marks annual rent.*

"In

Robert Bardesey, in the reign of Edward IV. founded a fraternity or guild in the church of Kingston, in honour of the Holy Trinity. It consisted of two wardens or guardians, and a certain number of brethren and sisters. There are no presentations, or other records, relating to this chantry and guild, in the registry at Winchester. Leland, in his description of Kingston, says, the new towne by the Tamise side there is a house yet caulled the Bisshop's Haulle, but now it is turnid into a commun dwelling house of a tounisch man. It was sumtyme the Bisshop of Winchester's house, and as far as I can conject sum bisshop wery of it did neglect this house and becam to build at Assher nere the Tamise side two or three miles above Kingeston."+ This house has been long since pulled down; the site of it is still called Bishop's hall. As the bishops of Winchester, before Waynfleet's time, held frequent ordinations in the parish church at Kingston,‡ it is not improbable that they might have a temporary residence here, to which they could resort upon such occasions, instead of an inn.

This town sent members to parliament in the fourth, fifth, and sixth years of Edw. II. and the fifty-seventh of Edw. III. It ceased to be a borough, in consequence

Pat. 87 Hen. VI. pt. 2. m. 19.

+ Leland's Itinerary, vol. vi. p. 18.

Regist. Winton. Woodlock; Stratford; Edindon; 'and Beaufort.

of a petition from the corporation (recorded in the town- CHAP. II. clerk's office); the prayer of which was, that they might

be relieved from 'the burden of sending members to parliament.*

The town enjoys many valuable privileges and immu- Charters. nities, by royal charter. King John granted to the men of Kingston, the manor of the town in fee-farm, paying to the crown the annual rent of £50. He likewise granted them an exemption from the sheriff's or bailiff's jurisdiction. This charter was confirmed by Henry III. who granted them a return of writs; power to choose a coroner; an annual fair for eight days, to begin on the morrow of All Souls; and many other important franchises. Edward III. confirmed the charter of King Henry. Richard II. also confirmed the charters of his predecessors; and gave them a shop and eight acres of land, towards paying their fee-farm rent. Henry IV. and Henry V. did the same; the latter remitted a considerable part of the fee-farm rent. Edward IV. gave them a charter of incorporation, by the name of the bailiffs and freemen of Kingston; and confirmed the right of holding a weekly court on Saturdays, which their ancestors had exercised. Henry VII., Henry VIII,, and Edward VI. confirmed all the former charters. Queen Mary granted them a fair on St. Mary Magdalen's, and the ensuing day; and a fish wear in the Thames, in consideration of the charges they had been at in repairing the bridge. Queen Elizabeth, after confirming all the charters of her predecessors, granted the freemen an exemption from paying toll, and being summoned on juries. She also founded a grammar-school. James I. granted a market upon Saturdays, with a toll; and empowered the bailiffs and corporation to make by

Willis's Notitia Parliament. vol. iii. 90.

P.

BOOK VI. laws, and to keep a common gaol. Charles I. granted

Market and fairs.

them a jurisdiction of actions and pleas, within the town and liberty of Kingston, and the hundreds of Elmbridge, Copthorn, and Effingham; empowered them to hold a court of record and session, and to erect a prison within the liberties. He granted also, that no market should be held within seven miles of the town; and in consideration of their resigning their right of holding a court leet, and view of frankpledge within the hamlets of Richmond, Kew, Petersham, and Ham, he granted a leet in the rest of the hundred, and a return of writs in the hundreds of Copthorn and Effingham. Charles II. granted them a weekly market on Wednesdays. James II. gave them a new charter of incorporation, by the name of the mayor, aldermen, and burgesses of Kingston; with power to hold a court of record, and a court leet. They acted under this charter during his reign only, having ever since been guided by their ancient charters, which were confirmed by Charles II. The corporation consists of about fifty members.

The market at this place is held on Saturdays only; that on Wednesdays, which was procured at a considerable expense, has declined. There are three annual fairs, which are held on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in Whitsun-week; the 2d, 3d, and 4th of August; and the 13th of November.

Town hall. The Town hall, which stands in the market place, and is detached from all other buildings, was erected in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, as appears by her arms

! This grant was obtained in consequence of a weekly market hav.

ing been granted at Younslow, upon Saturdays, in the preceding reign, which the town of Kingston had been at very considerable expense to suppress.-Lysons.