Rivington

The transcription follows with some modernisation, however place names are Verbatim (as is). Following is an extract of the relevant section of the foundation charter referring to the Church,

” And forasmuch as the aforesaid Parish of Bolton is a very large and great parish, and not only the said village or hamlet of Rovington alias Rivington, but also divers other villages and hamlets of Anlezargh, Hemshaw, and Foulds being within the same parish, and part of the same, are six miles distant and more from the parish of Bolton aforesaid, as we are informed by creditable men. And forasmuch also –as the inhabitants of the said villages or hamlets of Rovington Anlezargh, Hemshaw, and Foulds being in number with their children and servants, 500 at the least (as in the manner we are informed), have built and set up long ago, at their own great cost and charges, a chapel in Rovington alias Rivington, to celebrate the Sacraments and Sacramental in the said chapel, for their commodity and ease, that they should not be compelled in the winter, or other unseasonable times, to carry their dead and children to be buried and baptised in the Parish Church of Bolton ; or at other times to wander far to solemnize marriage, or to receive the Lord's Supper. Ye shall no further.

That we, for the Glory of God and increase of His Honour, extending the affection of our liberality to the commodity and quietness of the inhabitants and dwellers of the village or hamlet of Rovington alias Rivington, Anlezargh, Hemshaw, and Foulds aforesaid, of our further special favour, and sure knowledge, and meer motion, will, and by these presents for us, our heirs and successors, grant to the aforesaid, now Governors of the possessions, revenues, and goods of the said Free Grammar School of Queen Elizabeth, in Rovington or Rivington, in the County of Lancaster, and to their successors: That from this time henceforth, and from time to time, there be and shall be for ever, within the chapel afore- said, sacraments, and sacramental celebrated, and other divine service used, and also baptism of children, solemnization of marriages, burial of the dead within the aforesaid chapel in every construction and purpose as they be done, used, and executed within the aforesaid Parish Church of Bolton, or ought to be done hereafter by any lawful minister, and that hereafter the people that now be, and shall at any time hereafter be dwellers and remainders within the villages and ham-lets of Rovinton alias Rivington, Anlezargh, Hemshaw, and Foulds aforesaid, at their proper cost and charges, shall find, and cause to be found, from time to time for ever, one discreet, learned, and meet Chaplain or Minister to serve within the said Chapel, as also to administer the Sacraments and Sacramental there unto the said inhabitants and dwellers for the time being, and for to do and execute all and singular other things there that belong, and are known to belong, to the office of parson of the Parish Church of Bolton, or of any other parish churches of this our realm of England, as fully, perfectly, and in such like manner and form as any other Parson, Curate, or Minister, having charge of souls within any other Parish Church, ought to do. And that it may be well, and shall be lawful to the said Chaplain or Minister to bury within the Chapel or Chapel yard aforesaid the bodies of all them that die within the village and hamlets of Rovinton alias Rivington, Anlezargh, Hempshaw, and Foulds, or any of them, and that the aforesaid Chaplain or Ministers for the time being shall take charge of souls there, and do divine service there, and also minister Sacraments and Sacramental, and shall take in hand and bear the other burdens that belong to the Curate of the said Chapelry in all thing's, as by law and custom of the Church of England ought to be done. And, furthermore, we will that all and every of the inhabitants dwelling and abiding within the said villages and hamlets of Rovinton or Rivington, Anlezargh, Hemshaw, and Foulds, and within everyone of them may and shall come freely without let from time to time for ever, as well every festival day or other days and times, whatsoever be appointed for prayers, and other divine service within the aforesaid chapel to be had done ; and also at all other times in which divine service, prayers, celebration of the Lord's Supper, or other divine service, shall be had, done, or ministered in the chapel aforesaid, and there to have divine service ; also to pray and receive the Holy Communion, and to do all other things in such like manner and form to all intents and purposes as they .shall do, or ought to have done, within the aforesaid Parish Church of Bolton, or to any other church or chapel to hear divine service, or to receive the Sacraments or Sacramental, or to bury the dead, or to solemnise marriage, hut only to the chapel aforesaid. And, furthermore, we will and by these presents grant for us, our heirs, and successors to the aforesaid governors and their successors, that the inhabitants of the aforesaid villages and hamlets of Rovinton alias Rivington, Anlezargh, Hemshaw,and Foulds for the time being, may have, hold, use, and enjoy within the aforesaid Church of Rovinton or Rivington, and churchyard to the same adjoining, the aforesaid liberties, from time to time quietly, in manner and form aforesaid, without giving, paying, or doing anything for the same, to us, our heirs or successors, by any manner of ways. And, furthermore, of our further gracious favour, we will, and grant by these presents for us, our heirs and. successors, that neither the present grant, nor anything contained shall in any wise extend to discharge the inhabitants and dwellers of the aforesaid, or hamlets of Rovington, Anlezargh, Hemshaw, and Foulds, or any of them. or any manner of their tithes or dilations. But that they shall pay and give all their tithes and offerings whatever yearly, and from time to time. to the Parson of the said Parsonage, and Vicar of the Perpetual Vicarage of Bolton from time to time, being after the same manner and fashion as they have hereto been accustomably paid, and given, and ought or should be given or paid. if this our grant had not been made, anything to the contrary thereof, notwithstanding ; and furthermore, we will that the inhabitants of the aforesaid villages and hamlets of Rovinton or Rivington, Anlezargh, Hempshaw, and Foulds, or one or more of them shall not be compelled to further burdens by the Parson of the Parsonage, or Vicar of the said perpetual Vicarage of Bolton for the time being or of the parish of Bolton aforesaid, but only for the payment of their tithes and offerings in manner and form aforesaid, provided always that neither the present grant nor anything therein contained, shall in anywise extend to burthen us, our heirs, and successors with maintaining and finding or any Chaplain or Minister within the aforesaid chapel. We will also, and by these presents so grant to the aforesaid Governors of the school aforesaid, that they may and shall have their own Letters Patent under the Great Seal of England in due manner to be made and sealed, without any line or fee, much or little, to be paid, given, or done therefore to us in our Hanaper, or otherwise, for our use by any means. Because no express mention is made in these presents of the yearly value, or of the certainty of the revenues or any of them, or of the gifts or grants by us, or any of our progenitors or predecessors to the said now governors of the afore-said school, before this time and ordinances, act, provision, proclamation, restraint to the contrary heretofore, had, made, set forth, ordained, or provided, or any other thing, cause, or matter whatever in anywise notwithstanding. In witness whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent. Witness ourself. at Westminster, the thirteenth day of May, on eight, [ in the eighth] year of our Reign, Annoque Domini 1566. By the Queen herself.