Cambridge University Charters.
A Petition of Anne Hamond, Relict of Anthony Hamond, of Somersham in the County of Huntington, Esquire, was read; setting forth, that whereas there is a Bill depending before this House, intitled, An Act for confirming the Charters and Liberties of the University of Cambridge, and the Colleges and Halls therein; wherein there is a certain Clause inserted, whereby :
That the Rectory of Somersham, with Colne and Pidley, should stand appropriated to the Chancellor, Masters, and Scholars of the said University, and their Successors for ever, in Trust for the better Support of the Regius Professor of Divinity in the same University; and that the respective Professors for the Time being, and their Executors and Administrators, should be thereby impowered, in the Name of the said Chancellor, Masters, and Scholars, to sue for and recover all tythes, and other Profits, arising by the said Rectory: And whereas Dr. Beamont, the present Regius Professor of Divinity, having, for several Years, pretended to hold and enjoy the said Rectory, without Institution and Induction therein, or taking the Oaths for the same, as by Law required, he having already as many Benefices, as he is by Law, qualified to hold; which hath occasioned divers Suits and Controversies between him, and the Petitioner, who hath a considerable Estate within the said Parish, and several other of the Parishioners thereof; and in which Suit the Petitioner hath obtained Sentence against him the said Dr. Beamont, in the Court of Delegates, by reason of his not being instituted and inducted, and otherwise qualified as aforesaid; therefore, forasmuch as the above-recited Clause does alter the nature of the said Rectory, and creates a Title thereto without Institution and Induction, contrary to the true Intent of the said Bill; and will be prejudicial to the Revenue of the Crown by taking away the Payment of the Tenths and First-fruits: and is an Encouragement to Pluralities, and purely designed for the Service of the said Dr. Beamont, to the great Prejudice of the Petitioner, and other the Inhabitants of the said Parish; therefore praying, That, before the said Bill be passed, the Petitioner may be heard at the Bar of this House, by her Counsel.
Ordered: That the Petitioner be heard, by her Counsel, at the Bar of this House, upon Monday Morning next, against the Bill, intitled, An Act for confirming the Charters and Liberties of the University of Cambridge, and the Colleges and Halls therein.
Ordered: That the King's Counsel be heard also, upon Monday Morning next, against the said Bill: And that, afterwards, the said Bill be read a Third time.
Ordered: That the several Charters recited in the said Bill be produced to this House upon Monday Morning next. 19 February 1692
House of Commons Journal Volume 10:1692