We are indebted to resident Sheelagh Fowler whose photocopy of the original document establishing the old Flaxby School provides a fascinating insight into one piece of our village history. The words are reproduced below as they were written in 1669. The original spellings have been retained.
Order of the Executors Decree Further Statutes for Use and
Free School, Flasby (correct spelling at the time) of the County of Yorkshire
Under the Great Seal
6 August 20 Charles IInd 1669 AD
With us there in the glory of God on that side which in
Parliament, pronounce your arrangement to the people. They are to provide and
set in order for your King to give authorisation for the executors to claim
tenancy.
With those in command and made with assurances from Robert
Hitch – theology professor – Dean of York, Charles Fairfax, Walter Hawkesworth
– Archdeacon – Christ’s representative. This the Charter of the people of the County
Court to understand the power of your commissioners, below is the Great Seal of
England.
That the aforesaid Commissioners powers with the said legal
act in the cause of charity in the reign of the sister or your imperial
Elizabeth Queen of England now deceased. Declaring brotherly love – which has
been customary for at least forty years – before the inquisition and in fact
after examination witnessing debts deliberated on the aforesaid regulations which
written here in reformed and improved manner, being decreed by the Chancellor in the
following form.
It must be seen that you declare publically that Richard
Gibson and William Lofthouse in less than 10 days to the official notification
and indictment that the aforesaid are to pay or have paid, or excuses recorded,
giving to the person directed. After
this the named authority will have received rents, the resulting profits for
the free school of Flasby in the County of Yorkshire. The sum of thirty
shillings of lawful English money in accordance with the inquisition. Keeping
inventory for the receipt of rents and profits on whichever land and holdings
by bequest.
A certain Richad Hodgshon of Ilkley in the County of
Yorkshire, the aforesaid now deceased challenges the privilege of Richard
Gibson and William Lofthouse and a certain Alex Squire, now deceased, of the
existence of the existing trust for the distribution of gifts and benefits to
the free school aforementioned. And also a certain sum of four pounds seven
shillings and six pence existing annual rent in total, to be paid at the next
festival of Whit after the date of the aforementioned decree for receiving and
maintaining your aforesaid charity.
And further that certain lands and holdings situated as
prearranged are profered (as spelt) and returned officially from the aforesaid
Richard Hodgshon to be given to the benefit the free school and blessed for
ever. The remaining valid land to be used by the charity is next to the Manor
of Knareborough in the county aforementioned and the sum of rent from the
aforesaid Richard Hodgshon was made for the rest of his life.
And further your aforesaid Robert Holdsworth Executor and Administrator
he or so other of you lower down pay (?) six shillings as agreed during the 10
days next to the official notification and judicial decree to the complainant
the same John Rowe School Master for the Hospital in Sherburn in the County of
Yorkshire. He should award the sum of three pounds and five shillings of legal
English money before the inquisition and that the same inventory mentioned
before receipts is kept at the Hospital of Sherburn – in kind – sums and any
other expenses against support of the impoverished and destitute.
And further the afore mentioned Robert Hewes executor and
administrator, you or any lower down pay within ten days off the official
judicial notification of the decree six shillings as agreed to the complainant
the same Henry Wright School Master of the free school grammatical of Sherburn
ten pounds seven pence and to pledge to the inquisitors that the inventory (?)
with the same sum of five pounds two shillings – in Holy Week – to take care of
the chancel or as decreed by Robert Hawes, to increase the salary of the afore
said Henry Wright or for the four poor scolars (as spelt). A school and hospital of the College of St
John of Cambridge as in the past. Your aforesaid Richard Gibson and William
Lofthouse but extreme age and want for strength, being a long distance from the
charitable land and tenants. Observing and desiring change to relinquish the
certain charity with minimal neglect. On the other hand the afore said Richard
Gibson and William Lofthouse and the Commissioners predict the decree failing
and if it should be that the Kings and Baron Richard Mauleverer of Allerton at
that time in the County of Yorkshire suggesting Christopher Duffield, William
Lowfon, the afore said yoemen (as spelt), choose to spend more time in season
and altogether to make a less hard life for Richard Gibson and William
Lofthouse and furthermore to live in the future on a half share farm dwelling
close etc .. promising the afore said their good wishes and to make in hand
withholding rents and appurtenances and to dispose of the same according to
restricted direction given to the afore said in as much to cut benefits in manner
and form, but all intentions and propositions in what ever manner your afore
said Richard Gibbons and William Lofthouse (?) 30 shillings befor the inquisition
to say which they prefer. For leasing out four pound seven shillings and six
pence annual rent to be paid on the festival of Whit, or if preferred, to
decree and other lease arrangement in two separate (correct) sums as the afore
said Richard Hodshon had previously.
And further we make a humble bequest to Her Grace the Royal
Mother, Maria, Lady of the Manor, Queen
Dowager such is her esteem, if only urge for the afore said Richard Gibson and
William Lofthouse if succeeded plead to grant seisure (as spelt) with
permission and agreed Richard Mauleverer, Christopher Duffield, William Lowson,
Thomas Cowndall and Richard Lowson and Ttheir hers himself and others to have
and to hold themselves and heirs for charity in the aforesaid Manor of Knarebsorough
And further that a certain Richard Gibson and William
Lofthouse executor and administrator he or someone lower down, within 10 days
of the official notification to pay twenty shillings as agreed to John Thompson
acting prosecutor for the aforesaid to assign the sum of thirty shillings of
legal money for to make answerable to the commissioners for them to ask and to
make hereafter the necessary payment to cover expenses for development.
And hereafter that h e certain aforesaid Richard Holdesworth
having above trust to all the afore mentioned, shall pay for the prosecutors
cause six shillings of legal English money to provide benefit immediately. That
the aforesaid Robert Hewes executor and administrator and is also someone above
trust to all the afore mentioned is forever to agree to pay or have payed (as
spelt) for the prosecutors cause the sum of thirty shillings of legal English
money to provide benefit and it is ordained and decreed that the above
mentioned in the presence of the noble chancellor – or at the bar of the court
– that the aforesaid will be mindful to settle on the production of clear
documents.
Thou therefore the afore mentioned Richard Gibson, William
Lofthouse, Robert Holdesworth and Robert Hewes and also all and each one person
for various persons, whatever, whether those that are, of those that are to be,
are to have possession of the same. That they shall oversee forever. That all
and each one ordained and decreed of the specified four shall shall (as written)
satisfy and please. That each and every one of them shall perform effectively
according to the wording of the document, truly as intended and decreed aforesiad
(as spelt) on pain of 100 pounds to
enter oneself to judgement.
0 comments
If you leave your comment here, other villagers will be able to read it and may add comments of their own.
In this way, we might be alerted to a common issue that needs attention.