CHAPTER V.

THE PLAGUE REACHES ENGLAND.

Jersey and Guernsey are attacked — First Rumours of the epidemic in England — It is brought to Melcombe Regis in Dorsetshire — Discussion as to the date — Difficulty in dealing with figures in Middle Ages — Value of episcopal registers in giving institutions of beneficed clergy — Evidence of Patent Rolls — Institutions in Dorsetshire — Letter of the Bishop of Bath and Wells — Difficulty of obtaining clergy — Institutions in Somerset — Effect of the disease in the religious houses — Bristol — Evidence of the mortality in Devon and Cornwall — Institutions in the diocese of Exeter — Spread of mortality — Religious houses of the diocese 71-91