99 - Apr. 1635–May 1637 To the dean and chapter of Salisbury

Summary

After my hearty Commendations etc.

There was a Command delivered by me from his Majestye to you the Deane and Chapter of Sarum, as well as to other Deanes and Chapters within the Province of Canterbury, Requiring you, so soone as by expiration of the Leases, or any Compositio[n] you might make to take downe all such howses, as are built upon Consecrated ground, or with any annoyance to that Church. And not to Lett out to Lay-men any Howses belonging to the Prebends Residentiaryes. And farther that Noe Prebend, which holdes a Howse there presume to Lett his howse to any out of his owne hands. By which meanes it may come in tyme, to be alienated wholly from its proper use.

Upon this Command you have made a humble Petition to mee, that I would move his Majestye for a Release of this Injunction in part namely that it may be lawfull for you to Renew the Leases of some few faire howses within your Precinct that is such as have bee[n] Lett to Lay-men of quality, tyme out of mynde; And now some of them made to big for any Prebend-Residentiaryes use, and much more to large for any other Prebend, and are howses where His Majestie, and his Royall Consort the Queene are lodg’d in tyme of Progresse, and are not built (as you say) upon Consecrated ground, nor to any other inconvenience of the Church.

I have upon these considerations suggested in your Petition, mov’d his Majestie accordingly. And He's gratiously pleasd, that I shall Dispense with you for so much of the Injunction as you in your Petition desire relaxation for, And hereby I doe dispense with you accordingly. Alwayes provided that noe Howse belonging to a Prebend Residentiary be ever Lett, but kept continually in the hands of the Residentiaryes for the tyme being, and their Successors. And that you do Demolish so soone as may bee all other Howses that are upon Consecrated ground, or with annoyance to the fabrick of the Cathedrall, if any such bee. And farther I doe hereby Require you, to Register a Copie of your Petition sent unto mee and this my Dispensation after it.