WIVES OF ECCLESIASTICS

Instances of married priests are by no means of uncommon occurrence in ancient charters, at least down to the end of Edward III.; were it necessary, I could furnish your correspondent with several examples from charters in my possession. The following passage from Sir Roger Twysden's *Defence of the Church* will, I think, supply a satisfactory answer to your correspondent. It occurs chap. ix. p. 204-5. of Professor Corrie's edition:— "For permitting of matrimony to the clergy, it is undoubted all here had the liberty of marrying before Lanfranc, in a council held at Worcester (Winchester—note)…