From http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/withers.html
At the beginning of the 17th century an important event occurred in the history of the parish. In 1605 the Wright family of Kelvedon Hall converted to Catholicism which meant the patronage of the benefice passed into the hands of a patron who not living in the parish. Within the parish Anthony Luther of Great Myles's, a staunch protestant, took over Wright's role in the vestry affairs.
The first rector to be presented by an outside patron was John Lancaster. Two years later in 1607 Stephen Withers (Wythers) was presented. Withers later found himself involved in the turmoil of the English Civil War when the upheaval challenged to all accepted things - 'a world gone mad'. |