sums, for synodals and procurations; it hath a good rectoryhouse, and convenient out-houses, with 12 acres of glebe adjoining to it, all which abut south on Diss Moor.
In the dean and chapter's book called Norwich Domesday it is said, that the rector then had a mansion-house much in decay, with another house which was formerly the vicar's. It may seem odd that here was ever a vicar, but we are to remember, that often in those times vicars signified no more than curates, and were removeable at the rector's pleasure; indeed, when churches were appropriated to monasteries, and the religious were forced to set out a portion of the glebe and tithes for the maintenance of a vicar, such a one is called a perpetual vicar, made presentative and institutive; but there are no footsteps of any institution to the vicarage of Diss; not but that the rector might, with the consent of the bishop and patron, have at any time created a vicarage, and made his own share a sinecure, as was done at East Dearham, Terrington, &c. and this, since the Council of Lateran; nay, in the diocese of St. Asaph there are such separations of tithes made, and vicarages erected, as low as King Henry the Eighth's time.
Customs of the Rectory
In the time of King James I. there was a long suit about the customs of this rectory, and at length it was ended, and an exemplification under seal passed Nov. 21, 1610, in which it was thus acknowledged on all sides:
That the rector is to receive in kind the tenth sheaf of all corn bound up:
And of all corn not bound up, the tenth heap, ready heaped.
Of pease, he is to take the tenth stetch.
For the fall of every calf, lamb, or pig, under seven, he is to receive one halfpenny; but if there be seven, he is to take the seventh, and to pay to the owner three halfpence, because there lacks three of ten; if there be eight, one penny; if nine, one halfpenny; if ten, nothing.
For the fall of every foal, the rector to receive one penny.
Every seventh goslin, allowing one farthing for each goslin wanting of ten, and taking one farthing for each goslin under seven.
The tithe eggs are due in kind.
Tithe wool, every tenth pound.
Every tenth bate or sheaf of hemp
