[1585/12/14]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
†The king's majesty, considering the great and shameful dilapidation of the rents of the benefices of this realm, without respect of the posterity, to the great hurt of the crown and commonwealth of his realm, therefore, for some stay of the said disorder until the inconveniences past may be better tried and the full remedy provided, by the advice of the three estates convened in this present parliament, statutes and ordains that all persons to be provided hereafter to the bishoprics, abbacies, priories or whatsoever inferior benefices, being at his highness's presentation, shall, before the expedition and registration of their signatures, find surety to the clerk, keeper of the register, that they shall leave the said benefice at their decease and demission unhurt or diminished in the quantity of the yearly rent thereof, as they find it at their entry thereto; and that their signatures and provisions in any way be expedited or pass the seals until the said surety be found and the same testified by the same clerk. And in case any of the said persons provided to the said benefices shall happen to do otherwise and, by any feus, tacks, pensions or changing of victual for money or any other disposition, shall make their benefice in worse estate than the same was at their entry thereto, all setting and disposition shall be of no value, force nor effect.