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A History of the County of Somerset: Volume 2. Originally published by Victoria County History, London, 1911.
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COLLEGES
37. THE COLLEGE OF NORTH CADBURY
In 1423 royal licence was granted for Elizabeth, Lady de Botreaux and Sir William de Botreaux to convert the parish church of North Cadbury into a college of seven chaplains and four clerks, one of the chaplains being in charge as rector of the college of St. Michael. The chaplains were allowed to acquire property to the value of 100 marks, including the advowson of the church, and land whereon to build a manse. (fn. 1)
In 1454 Bishop Beckington instituted an inquiry into the constitution of this collegiate church and admitted a new rector. (fn. 2)
How far Lady Elizabeth's intentions were carried out is not clear, but in 1548 the benefice of North Cadbury was 'commonly callyd a college and hathe ben tyme out of mynde,' while one witness said that 'yt is written in the churche bookes the Obitus Willmi. Botrax fundatoris hujus collegii.' (fn. 3)