In 1540, there were 653 monasteries suppressed. In 1546, 90 colleges, 110 hospitals, and 2,347 chantries, with all their properties, were handed over to the King by 1 Edward VI. c. xiv., the preamble of which runs thus: “To convert to good and godly uses the chantries, or in erecting grammar schools to the education of youth in virtue and godliness, and in further augmenting of universities and _better provision for the poor and needy_.” This provision for the use of the chantry estates lamentably failed. Neither the universities nor the poor were benefited. Like the monastic estates, the hungry and avaricious courtiers who surrounded the young king, had received the property for their own personal use. The capital value of all the property handed over to Henry VIII., Edward VI. and Elizabeth would equal £200,000,000 at the present time. The 27 Henry VIII. c. xx. (1536) provides that “all tithes should be paid according to the ecclesiastical laws and ordinances of the Church of England, and after the laudable usages of the parish or place where the party dwelt.” The 32 Henry VIII., c. vii. s. 5 (1541): “No tithes are to be paid for lands discharged from paying tithes, or are not chargeable in the payment of tithes.” CHAPTER XVII. _TITHES IN THE CITY AND LIBERTIES OF LONDON._ In the early history of the Christian Church, the citizens of London made oblations or offerings at every mass on Sundays and holidays, and such oblations were applied to the relief of the poor, the repairs of the church and the support of the clergy. From these purely voluntary oblations grew up a custom in the City of London, that every person paying 20_s._ a year rental should give to God and the Church, ½_d._ for every Sunday or Apostle’s day, the vigil of which was a fast. If he paid only 10_s._ a year rental, he was to give ¼_d._ This amounted in the former case to 2_s._ 6_d._ in the pound, and 1_s._ 3_d._ in the latter, per annum. These were customary payments, and were applied for the same three purposes—poor, fabric and clergy. As these customary payments were found to decrease, it was deemed necessary to promulgate an order to permanently fix the customary payments. Bishop Roger took up the subject immediately after his consecration as Bishop of London. The following are the facts of the case:—