The outward circumference of the Church is 323 yards, and that of the Church-yard 327. In the King's books, the living of Ludlow is valued at £19 12s. 6d. And this estimate being under £20 it is consequently at the disposal of the Lord Chancellor. It is a Rectory, and its present value is said to be £200 per There is a Reader and Lecturer, whose salaries are paid partly by the Corporation and partly by the Parish. It is in the Bishoprick of Hereford, and Ludlow is the capital of this division of the Diocese. annum. The Visitations, or Ecclesiastical Courts, are held twice a year, generally in May and October, for proving wills, granting letters of administration, &c. The Proctors reside at Hereford. Four Apparitors officiate, who reside at Ludlow. Only part of the pews in the Church are the hereditary property of the parishioners, these are transferable, either during a residence in the parish, or for one or more lives. Those denominated freehold are saleable at any time, a proper entry being made in the parish book. The sale of vacant, or forfeited pews, amount to a general average of £60 yearly. Near the Church-yard is THE THE ALMSHOUSE. It is a neat and handsome structure, containing thirty-three very comfortable apartments. It was founded by Mr. John Hosyer, a Merchant, in the year 1486, but being much damaged during so long a period of time, was rebuilt in the year 1758, at the expense of the Corporation. It is This Almshouse, originally erected and endowed by Mr. Hosyer, seems to have been, by him devised, to the ancient fraternity of the Palmers, with property for its support. described in the Particular of the Guild Estate, as "an Almshouse to the Guild appertaining, with 33 chambers therein, inhabited by poor people, according to the foundation and ordinance of Mr. John Hosyer, to every of which poor people, is weekly allowed 4d. according to the same ordinance;" but nothing further is discoverable respecting its origin or its founder. The present substantial erection cost £1211 18s. 21d. and is kept in very good repair, at the average charge of £10 a year. A new iron railing has lately been put up in front, which cost £70. Over the door, and under the arms of the town, is the following inscription. Domum hanc Eleemosynarium Pauperum receptionem; ab ipsis usque The weekly allowance of fourpence to each of the inmates was deemed liberal at the period of its commencement; but the gradual alteration in the value of property and the necessaries of life, has induced the Corporation to make a voluntary advancement on the sum allowed, which is now two shillings and sixpence weekly to each. Adjoining this building is THE COLLEGE. The old Mansion House of the fraternity of the the Palmers, now divided into several tenements and let out on a lease. The extensive possessions formerly belonging to this association, forms not only the ground-work and permanent support of the most important charities established in Ludlow, but from this original also, first arose the surplus property of the Corporation. The arduous struggle between Priestly and Kingly domination, ending at last in the subversion of the former by that unconscientious monarch Henry VIII, the property of the church, and even of private religious associations, were left entirely exposed to his rapacity. Under these circumstances of apprehended danger, the Palmer's Guild agreed to surrender their property to the King, on a promised condition, that the property so surrendered should be returned to the town of Ludlow, to support its old religious and charitable establishments, sanctioned by the crown though this purpose was not effected during Henry's reign, yet in the beginning of that of his successor, the society was dissolved, and the property given up. Upon which the king is said to have been induced, "by the supplications of the Bailiffs, Burgesses, and Commonalty," to return the surrendered property, with an injunction that it should in part be applied to support the old religious and charitable establishments. Hence in 1552, "King Edward PREACHER AND ASSISTANT. 147 Edward VI. granted to the Bailiffs, Burgesses, and Commonalty of Ludlow, the College House, belonging originally to the Palmer's Guild of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with all the lands, messuages, &c. belonging to the said Guild.” Part of the issues and profits of the said premises to be appropriated to the purpose of supporting the Grammar School of Ludlow, to be kept by one Master and one Usher: and also out of the profits of the said premises, to be supported, thirty-three poor indigent persons of Ludlow, giving to each of them four-pence a week, and one chamber for each to live in. It was ordered also that one discreet, able and fit person, learned in holy writ, a man famous for innocence and integrity of life, should be, and be called, the Preacher; and also another able and fit person be, and be called, Assistant to the Rector of Ludlow. The salaries of both to be paid out of the issues of the said premises. The Bailiffs, Burgesses, &c. of Ludlow, at their own proper cost to support the abovenamed charitable and pious institutions, and also pay to the king eight pounds thirteen shillings and four-pence yearly. PREACHER AND ASSISTANT. The Preacher is now called the Lecturer, appointed by the Corporation, and receives yearly, £26 13s. 4d. with a house which is let for K £20 |