Kings Langley

in 1746

In the Hundred of Dacorum, about two Miles South of Hempfted, near the Weftcrn Banks of the River Gade, lies King's. Langley, fo called, becaufe it was anciently a Seat of the Kings, where Edmund of Langley, Son of King Edward Ill. was born.

When that unhappy Prince King Richard II. had been deprived firft of his Kingdom, and then of his Life, at Pomfret Caftle, he was buried in this Church, belonging to thefe Friars; but not long after, King Henry V removed his Body from hence to Weftminfter, and honourably entomb'd him in a Monument of Brafs, by Queen Anne his Wife.

. The Palace, Park, and Manor thereunto belonging, was, by King James I. given to his eldeft Son, Prince Henry, and after his Deceafe, to Prince Charles, his only Son, who being arrived at the Throne, in the Year 1625, did, in the following Year, grant it, and to Farm-let, to Sir Charles Morifon, for 99 Years, from whom it has fince paffed thro' divers Hands, to Henry Smith, Gent. the prefent Poffeffor.

The Rectory is appropriated to the Bifhoprick of Ely, and the Patronage of the Vicarage is in the Bifhops of that See for the time being; of whom, the Right Rev. Dr. Benjamim Lanry, in Confideration of the Meannefs of the Revenue, granted to the Vicar, and his Succeffors, an augmentation of 31. 10 s. per Ann. for their better Support and Livelihood.

In the Chancel of this Church are feveral Monuments and Infcriptions.

The Charities of this Parifh are thefe: The Lady Cowper. gave 10l. per Annum. William Knight 3l. Mr. Smith 5l, and the Lady Morifon 40 s, per Annum, to the Poor for ever.

The Agreeable Historian, 1746