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engaged in the compilation of a general history of Westmi
aster, and who has rendered gratuitous and indefatigable
assistance in obtaining copies of numerous documents from
the Public Record Office, for use in connection with this
sketch, these Letters Patent, not previously printed, are
here reproduced:—
Letter from the King to the Vicar of St. Martin-in-the-Fields,
decreeing that the portion of St. Margaret's parish heretofore
between the Palace Gate and Charing Cross, shall be
hereafter considered as in the parish of St. Martin.
Dated February 17, 1534-5.
By the King,
Henry the Eighth by the Grace of God of England and of
ffrance, defender of the ffaith, and Lord of Ireland of the Church
and Clergy of England, in earth Supreme Head and Lord and
only Protector.
To our well-beloved "William Skinner, Clerk, Vicar of St. Martinin-the-Fields,
and to the Guardians, Churchwardens, there
greeting.
Whereas by our letters bearing date at our Mannor of Westmr
the 12th day of November, in the 26th year of our reigne, unto
the Reverend ffather in God our right trusty and well-beloved
the Abbott of our Monastery of Westmr direct to that intent
that he should take & enter for the safeguard of our personage
and Majesty, of the personage of our most excellent and
most entirely beloved Lady our Queen, and of our most dear
daughter our Princess, and of all other our Noble subjects, family,
and traine, composition and devise wt. you the same Yicar as it
appeareth in the said or Letters, Copy whereof you shall receaive
wth these prsents, and to this effect. That the inhabitants
wthin the prcincts, bounds and limitts of St. Martin's parish
thought they were parishionrs of St. Margaret's. That they and
every one of them dwelling from the New Gate of our Mannor
of Westmr shall be from henceforth taken for parishrs of
St. Martin. And there to hear their divine Service and to
receive all their Sacraments and Sacramentalls, as well buryalls,
as other, and thereto to pay all their tythes, offerings, and
oblations as other now the parishionrs of St. Martin there doth.
Wee bee informed that yet hither unto our commandments in
the prmises is delayed and not accomplished. Wherefore wee
"Will and Command You that in our Name you declare, Show and
publish this our commandment unto all and every one now inhabitants
within these precincts, bounds, and limitts aforesaid of
what state, Condition, Quality, or degree soever they be. That
they from henceforth be Parishionrs with You and do accomplish
and fulfill This our pleasure, wthout any contrary, as they do bear