August, 1407,* of Bartholomew Colman, who had been rector of Berton Torf, Norfolk. Wakering became Master of the Rolls in 1404; and in July, 1408, Archdeacon of Canterbury; made a canon of Wells in 1409, he was, from 1410 to 1412, conjoined with Sir Thomas Beaufort in the office of Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, and in 1416 became Bishop of Norwich. There he built the Chapter House (now destroyed), and began the Cloisters. He was buried. in 1426 in Norwich Cathedral. On the 25th of November, 1411, Colman quitted the benefice, by exchange with Henry Merston,† rector of Dodington, Cambs. ; but Merston exchanged this living for a Canonry in St. Paul's Cathedral, in 1418, so that on the 7th of July in that year John Breche succeeded him here.‡ The ex-canon of St. Paul's, John Breche, retained this rectory for a longer time than his predecessors. In 1430 he was still the incumbent ;§ but in July, 1433, John Bosham was rector. To him succeeded Henry Burton, bachelor of law, who in course of time was content to accept a pension, of twenty-five marks per annum, out of the benefice, and thus to make way (by resignation) for Doctor Robert Dobbys, who was admitted to the Rectory on the 7th of August, 1455. After holding this rectory for twenty years Dr. Dobbes died and was succeeded by Thomas Wilkinson, M.A., who was instituted on the 22nd of April, 1475.** Not contented with one benefice, Wilkinson obtained the rectory of Harrow-onthe-Hill, to which he was admitted on the 5th of February, 1478-9.†† He seems to have resided much at Orpington, but in addition to his two rectories he obtained a Prebendal stall at Ripon. After having held this benefice for thirty-six years he was buried here in 1511, and his monumental brass still remains in the chancel. Wilkinson died on the 13th of December, 1511, and upon the very next day William Warham, Archdeacon of Canterbury (151435), was admitted to the benefice, by his brother the archbishop.‡‡ This church is dedicated to All Saints, yet in the record of the admission of a vicar (John Gower) on August the 30th, 1518, the patron is described as Archdeacon William Warham, rector of the church of the parish of Holy Trinity, Orpington.§§ At the time of the Reformation, some transfer of patronage was temporarily made by the Rector. We find that a layman, George Bysmor, * Arundel's Register, 315. ** Ibidem, 1136. Warham's Register, 344a † Arundel's Register, ii. 62. Ibidem, 184". Bourgchier's Register, 61a. ff Ibidem, 120a. §§ Ibidem, 365°. gent., presented Richard Dryland to the vicarage on the 13th of October, 1541.* Maurice Clensche, rector of Orpington, was "deprived" of the living in 1566, and was succeeded, on the 27th of December, by Henry Dethicke, Bachelor of Divinity. Upon his resignation, John Matehed was instituted on the 24th of May, 1570. John Bancroft,† nephew of the Archbishop, was made rector in 1608; he became Head of University College (1609), and Bishop of Oxford; he died in February, 1640. Henry Robinson succeeded him, and died in 1660. Robert Say, provost of Oriel, petitioned Charles II for this preferment, on the 22nd of June, 1660; his petition was supported by Dr. Gilbert Sheldon, and granted. Dr. Robert Uvedale was rector in 1696. Henry Hall, a rector who died in October, 1763, was likewise incumbent of East Peckham, and of Harbledown, and Treasurer of Wells Cathedral. Dr. Charles Plumptre, archdeacon of Ely, and rector of St. Mary Woolnoth, succeeded him, and died in September, 1779. Dr. William Backhouse held the benefice for a short time, but resigned it in 1781; and was succeeded by William Clarke. Among the Vicars of Orpington have been : Admitted. 1284 William de Orpynton (Peckham's Register, 55a.) Robert (vide Will of rector Nicholas, A.D. 1370). 1393 John Adcock (M. D. B. and Courtenay's Reg., 216). 1407 June 12 Edmund Barbour, rector of Little Badow. William Maundeby, x.,1 1411 Sept. 26 John Creye, x., Arundel's Reg. i. 315a. (Arundel's Reg., ii. 62a.) (Arundel, vicar of Willesden ( 1415 Aug. 17 John Lichlade, x., 1415 Oct. 13 1416 March 28 alias Sprynge. } (Chichele's Reg., 65".) Thomas Wolaston, x. (Chichele's Reg., 66). *Cranmer's Register, 385'. † Bancroft's arms appear twice in a small window of the Rectory (Priory); impaled first with those of the University, and secondly with those of University College. The register of burials contains the following curious entry :1631 Mr. Edmund Bancroft dieng September 28 at one of the clock in the morning was buried Sept. 29 at 9 at night. The marks against names of vicars are x, meaning "exchanged;" r., resigned; ob., died holding the vicarage. 1424 Feb. 14 Thomas Gedys, x., vicar of North Shoebury Chichele's Reg., 147b. 1426 Dec. 28 Ralph Smyth, ob., vicar of Rainham (Chichele's Reg., 165b). 1428 Feb. 13 1428 Dec. 12 1430 Oct. 8 1433 July 2 1461 June 11 1465 Aug. 26 1492 Sept. 14 1492 Nov. 12 1518 Aug. 30 1522 Sept. 3 1525 April 3 1541 Oct. 13 John Somery, r. (Chichele's Reg., 171). }(Bourgchier's Reg., 81"). Robert Taylour, ob. } (Morton D. B and C. Thomas Penyngton, r. Reg. 153). 1560 April 3 George Barr (Parker's Register, i., 342b). Hasted gives the following additional names of vicars:- Christopher Monkton, ob. July 1, 1651 (buried at Hayes). Benjamin Blackstone, ob. Jan., 1671 (buried at Chichester). Thomas Watts, 1687, resigned 1732. James Whitehouse, ob. 1755. Francis Fawkes, resigned 1774. John Till, resigned 1777. Henry Pratt, ob. 22 Oct., 1802. From the Parish Registers we add these names : Stephen Langston, 1806. W Townley, 1816 to 1844. G. F. Dawson, 1848. W. Falcon, Dec., 1851, to April, 1866. W. Gardner, 1867 to 1877. E. F. Dyke, 1877. VOL. XIII. W. A. SCOTT ROBERTSON. C C CHISLEHURST, AND ITS CHURCH. As we approach Chislehurst Church, from the west, we see upon the Common a sunken circular pit, one hundred and twenty feet in diameter, and four and a half feet deep. This, within the memory of men still living, was used as an arena for bouts of cudgelling and single-stick, in connection with an annual Fair. Its original purpose, however, is said to have been that of a cock-pit, and it is one of the very few perfect examples still existing. The central portion of the pit is slightly raised, so that an inner circle is formed, about ninety-six feet in diameter, around which runs a broad circular margin or walk, about twelve feet wide, upon a slightly lower level. Great is the contrast between the wildness of the Common, and the well-kept parish churchyard of Chislehurst. Seldom, if ever, can we find a better example of the beauty with which "God's acre" can be invested, by watchful care guided by good taste. The pretty Church, dedicated to St. Nicholas, was enlarged by the addition of a south aisle, in 1849, when its chancel was rebuilt, during the incumbency of the Rev. F. H. Murray, to whose courtesy I am indebted for much information, most cordially given. The north aisle, however, which has the tower at its west end, is ancient, as likewise are such internal fittings as the Font, the Chancel screen, the benitura in the south porch, and other minute features of the sacred edifice. At present, it consists of a nave, of five bays, with north and south aisles, a chancel having on its north side a vestry, a south porch, and a north-west tower surmounted by a low |