WITHAM-FRIARY, a parish (formerly an extraepiscopal
liberty), comprising Charter-house on Mendip,
in the hundred of FROME, county of SOMERSET, 5 miles
(S. S.W.) from Froine, containing, exclusively of Charterhouse
on Mendip, which is in the hundred of Winterstoke,
589 inhabitants. The living is a perpetual
curacy, in the archdeaconry of Wells, and diocese of
Bath and Wells, and in the patronage of the Duke of
Somerset.' The church, dedicated to St. Mary, which
belonged to the ancient friary, has lately received an
additipn of one hundred and thirty sittings, of which
one hundred are free, the Incorporated Society for the
enlargement of churches and chapels having granted
£100 towards defraying the expense. Here wasanciently
a nunnery and subsequently, in 1181, a monastery,
said to be the first establishment of Carthusians in
England, was founded by Henry II., in honour of the
Blessed Virgin, St. John the Baptist, and All Saints,
which at the dissolution had a revenue of £227. 1. 8.:
the ruins were taken down in 1764, arid a farm-house
now stands upon its site. Notwithstanding that this
parish was known to be of peculiar and exempt jurisdiction,
there are no records shewing that any privileges
were exercised prior to the year 1785; when an official
was appointed: the manor having come into the possession
of the Duke of Somerset, his Grace, in 1826, signified
his intention, of relinquishing his peculiar rights,
provided the Governors of Queen Anne's bounty would
contribute to the augmentation of the living; and
having charged his estate in the parish with a per:
manent stipend for the minister, the usual license to
the incumbent was issued by the Bishop of Bath and
Wells, in 1827, and no peculiar rights whatever are
now exercised.