and transept of large dimensions, with a steeple at the west end. In the south transept are the remains of a staircase, leading probably to the Holy-rood loft (6). The chancel was rebuilt, and the church repaired in 1771. The whole stile of the present building is more modern than that which existed at the time of the taxation Ed. I. and be referred to the early part of the 15th century. Estates to the amount of sixty pounds a year are vested in trustees for the poor.

may

The rectory is valued in P. N. taxation at 37. 6s. 8d. The vicarage at 4l. Os. Od.

In the King's books (discharged) 97. 7s. 11d.

CCIII. MINSTERWORTH, anciently MORTUNE,

Is a parish distant four miles w. from Gloucester, and intersected by the turnpike road leading to Chepstow. It consists of 1850 acres, which are applied nearly in equal proportions to pasture, arable, and meadow. The soil is in general deep and fertile, well adapted to orcharding, to which particular attention is given. Extensive meadows lie on the banks of the Severn, and in general form the boundary on the east; but opposite to the church a considerable portion of land is cut off by the river, and lies on the other side (238). It is supposed that the abbey of Gloucester having lands in Elmore, procured them to be annexed to the parish of Minsterworth, where their principal property was. Tradition offers another reason, in supposing that the Severn at some distant period changed its course, and that on the formation of the new channel this part was separated from the body of the parish; but no vestiges can be found to confirm this tradition. The ancient name of Mortune, evidently signifies "the

town on the river:" Mor, British for sea, but in composi tion, 'water', only. The name of Minsterworth is of more modern date, and was given when this parish canie into the possession of the abbey of St. Peter: 'Worth,' Saxon, for town or villa, belonging to the Minster.

The copyhold estates in this parish are much decreased. The custom is, for the inheritance to descend to the eldest daughter, on failure of a male heir.

In this manor acknowledgements are paid to the lord, for the liberty of fishing in the Severn, under the name of Prid-gavel. The custom is of very ancient date; but there is a difference of opinion about the origin. Atkyns derives the term from Lampreyd and Gavel, that is, a tribute for fishing for lampreys. Rudder, from Pride, a wickered put or pouchin, a machine used for taking this kind of fish 19.

The church of St. Peter in Gloucester held Mortune at the time of the survey. Simon de Montford held it 1259. Henry de Lancaster was lord of Minsterworth and Rodley 1281; and his posterity continued in the possession of it, with only one interruption, till 1362; and 1415 it was granted to the Archbishop of York, in trust, and afterwards held by several leases under the crown, till 1610, when it was granted in fee to Salter and Williams, at an annual rent of 20l. 6s. 113d. About 1645 it became vested in Thomas Pury, and was sold by him to Mr. T. Burgess, 1704. From his heir it passed by purchase to Mr. Cook, of Highnam, and from his daughter to the late Sir Charles Barrow, by purchase, who was the heir male of the Barrows or Berrows, of Field Court, in the parish of Hardwick and Aure, co. Gloucester. Charles Evans, Esq. is now lord of the manor, and propietor of the estates, by marri age with Sir Charles's daughter and heir, by will. The

property now annexed to the manor, comprehends nearly half the parish. HAMLETS. 1. MORCOTE or BOYFIELD. The former name signifies Coed, the wood, mor, near the water. The latter, according to Rudder, is derived from Bois, Norman for wood; and field, a plain in Saxon; or Bois might only be the name of an ancient proprietor. It is a reputed manor, and was held by William, son of Norman, at the time of the survey, under the name of Morcote. It was afterwards in the possession of Richard Veel, 1343; John Boteler, 1363; John Kenn and heirs from 1405 to 1453; Thomas Elmbridge, by purchase, and his son, afterwards, to 1526; Sir John Danet, by marriage with a daughter of Thomas Elmbridge, became possessed of it, and his sou sold it to Thomas Atkyns, Esq. of Tuffleigh, from whom it passed to Thomas Hoard, Esq. who married a co-heiress of that family, and John Chamberlayne, clerk, descended from another co-heiress. Edmund John Chamberlayne, Esq. and Anne Hoarde, the heirs general of that family, sold their joint estates to Jeremiah Hawkins, Esq. and Mr Joseph Hawkins, the present proprietors (84).

Mrs. Sarah Drayton has a good estate in this hamlet, which is vested in her for the benefit of her children, and came by the will of her uncle, William Box, Esq. late alderman of Gloucester.

2. HAMPTON is situate in the centre of the parish, adjoining to the Ham, or great meadow, now inclosed 20. Roger de Boyfield, who probably took his name from his place of residence in the hamlet of Boyfield, was seized of one messuage and one yard-land, in Hampton, parcel of the manor of Minsterworth.

3. DUNNY, or DUNI, is not mentioned in Domesday, but understood to be the half hide of land held by Goi

zenboded, with half the fishery in Westberie hundred. Roger de Staunton gave a yard-land, called Duni, in Minsterworth, to Gloucester abbey, in the 12th century. Roger Earl of Hereford gave half the fishery to the same church, which Hen. II. confirmed. granted by Edward III. and these wards granted with the manor, 7 James.

The other half was fisheries were after

Other estates belong to Mr. D. Ellis, son of the late Mr. Ellis, of this parish.

Mr. Oakey had a good property here, which on his death devolved, together with the lease of the impropriation, to his daughter, now the wife of Mr. Syms.

Atkyns makes Minsterworth the chief place of residence of John Guellem, eminent for his book of Heraldry. Fourteen freeholders voted in 1776.

Population, 300-300-354. Houses inhabited, 72. The benefice is vicarial, in the Forest deanery. The impropriation was given to the priory of St. Oswald, 1399. It afterwards belonged to the monastery of Boileau, co. Hants, and at the dissolution the rectory and advowson were granted to the see of Bristol, 1543. It is now in lease to the representatives of John Oakey, deceased.The King's auditor pays 10l. annually to the vicar, and the impropriator four loads of hay.

The church, dedicated to St. Peter, consists of a nave and aisle of equal length, and a chancel to each. The south chancel is separated by an arch, pointed, and ornamented with zig-zag mouldings. This is probably a part of the ancient building, in the 13th century, when it was a chapel to Westbury. The tower is low, and unembatteled; it is said, that a steeple which stood upon it was destroyed by lightning, and the bells melted, 1702.

In P. N. tax. the church of Westbury, with the chapel of Newnham and Minstreworth.

In the King's books (discharged), 10l. 13s. 4d.

CCIV. TIBBERTON, TYBRETON, anciently TEBRISTON,

Is a parish of middling size, distant about six miles N. w. from Gloucester, and was anciently in the hundred of Botloe. The soil is of a deep loamy clay, and produces plentiful crops of every kind of grass, corn, cyder, and perry. The whole is upwards of 1337 acres, 700 of which are under tillage. The landholders of this parish enjoy an unlimited right of common in Dean Forest and Huntley common.

William the son of Baderon held Tebriston, in Botelau hundred, containing five hides, and a wood three miles long and one broad. Henry Earl of Lancaster was lord of this manor 1329: he was afterwards duke; and left two daughters 1362. Blanch, the younger, succeeded, upon the death of the elder, to the estates, having been married to John of Gaunt 1359; who, with her, levied a fine of Tibberton, Rodley (209), and Minsterworth, to the use of themselves in taille 1366. He died 1399, and his son Henry came to the crown the same year, by the resignation of Rich. II. by which means this manor came to the crown. Henry IV. by act of Parliament, severed the Dutchy of Lancaster from the crown, and entailed it on his heirs; and Henry V. in 1414, by act, annexed all the great estates that descended to him from Mary his mother, daughter and co-heiress of Humphry de Bohun Earl of Hereford, to the Dutchy of Lancaster. The House of York, however, with the crown became possessed of Tib