magnificent structure. In all probability it was a diminutive chapel
constructed of timber which had been cut in the adjacent forest; some of
its wall spaces, perhaps, were only of timber framed wattle and dab; and
at most any building material of a more durable nature entering into its
construction would be but a plinth of stone masonry, and dwarfed at that.

A chapel-of-ease, be it explained, was often established where the parish
was a wide one, for the "ease" of those parishioners who dwelt at a
distance from the mother church, and found it difficult to attend divine
service so far away from their homes. Such chapels were intended for
prayer and preaching only; burials and administrations of the sacraments
being always strictly reserved to the mother church.

While a chapel-of-ease was provided for the general good of the whole
community, a chantry chapel was intended for the special glory and
exclusive benefit of some local landed family. And here is the first
record we have of the Willenhall Chantry; it is extracted from the Patent
Rolls of Edward III., under date 14th February, 1328:--

"Licence for the alienation in mortmain by Richard Gerveyse, of
Wolvernehampton, of a messuage, land, and a moiety of a mill in
Willenhale, co. Stafford, to a Chaplain to celebrate Divine service daily
in the Chapel of Willenhale for the souls of the said Richard and
Felicia, his wife, the fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, children and
ancestors, and others." A fine of 40s. was paid to the King (at
Stafford) for this licence to devote landed estate to the said purposes
of church endowment.

A chantry (or chauntry, a name derived from cantaria), was a chapel,
little church, or some particular altar in a church, endowed with lands
and other revenues, for the maintenance of a priest, or priests, daily to
chant a mass and offer prayers for the souls of the donors, and such
others as the founders of the chantry may have named. In this particular
instance, as we have seen, the eternal welfare of the Gerveyses is sought
to be assured, and the chantry here was doubtless at the altar of the new
chapel-of-ease--we cannot expect there were two separate ecclesiastical
buildings in so small a place as Willenhall.

The method of procedure in setting up these foundations was first to
obtain a patent from the Crown for the founding and endowing of them; and
then to obtain the Bishop's licence for the regular daily performance of
Divin