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THE
WILTSHIRE
Archeological md Aotwal Distory
MAGAZINE,
Publishey under the Wirection of the Sactety
FORMED IN THAT COUNTY A.D, 1853. _
VOL. II.
DEVIZES :
Henry Burzt, Sart JonNn SrReEeEt.
LONDON:
G. Bex, 186, Freer Street; J. R, Smrrv, 36, Sono SQuaRE.
1855.
DEVIZES:
PRINTED BY HENRY BULL,
SAINT JOHN STREET.
CONTENTS OF VOL. II.
Qo. IV.
PAGE
Account oF THE SEconD GENERAL MEETING aT SALISBURY, Viz.—
Th BYDGE ESR ne) 2S eiaoe atep dinisonde caters totcashicibetrer se gee 7
Line Bonigellel Diticiad lie deve: acicoagies ocnighon anne MOM Epo aD ¢ 16
Articles exhibited at the temporary Museum .................--. 26
On Church Bells, with some Notices of Wiltshire Bells: By Rev.
UW. TOM TS ee, Amen ae Senter eiihy Revert ieadrttepein torte ye Gide 40- 82
On the Hungerford Chapels in Salisbury Cathedral: By Rev
BPE SA CSUN Nes et oralaic Sito a0 opel auc io okcpste «ofa ght oh tees ge eee 83- 99
Brief Notices of the Family of Giffard: By Rev. ARrHuR Fane .... 100-108
Pedigree of Giffard of Boyton, Ichull, Weston-sub-Edge, and Sherston
Pinkney : By Sir THos. PHILLIPPS, LPG: EERO pee Chien cte 2 108
On the Architecture and Mosaics of Wilton Church: By James BE.
MMSE AAI SCAT Th BSC) oa erat tafsreloe ofc ois si sjaiooed es ore si euiedcusmeteigatsy eee eaten oes 109-118
Some Notices of the Library at Stourhead: By J. B. Nicuots,
SR OES. 50 beery crohns <«'s «MRS Pee eae 119-125
Intrenchments at Aldbourne: F. A. Carrineron, Esq........... 126-129
Curious Endowment of Enford 5 Re EAVACLUGLO! "5 ois creaetelareieetelet 129-130
WIttsHirE Nores AND QUERIES:—
The Sheriff of Wilts Im +e sD BVIAOSe a. colton cir es cess 131-132
Famps'on) Beckhampton Down's: . oie 2. 6 fk oe cs bo aeleletes 132
Tisbury a Market Town............ 000s ee cence see e eee ees 132
gual ys NORE Aiea hc Ce Tes Ra ce =o 132
fo. DV.
Abridgement of the History of the Manor and Ancient Barony of
Castle Combe: (No. 1.) ay. G. Poutrert Scropr, Esq., M.P....... 133-158
On some Coal Operations at Malmesbury: By Professor J. Buckman.. 159-161
Ornitholo (No. 4.) The Beaks of irds: By Rey. A.C, Suarm.. 162-172
The Hert ord byt NGONOG ts CONCIUCED ) thon: a etecne, chavo a1 shore, ose 173-190
sagen = in Co, Wilts and Diocese of Sarum: By F, A. CarrrNG-
Rabele se cl ORY odin ecaipaceleidnistale save erranstetadls to -'s, naletttec enue 191-204
Bells Be Co, Wilts, and their Inscriptions: By Rey. W. C. Luxis.... 205-211
RESTIBCGD 1000) WALI, DEQ. oo cess sce nevcey hoe cncey ome od 212
The Churches of ' Dovixes. (No. 7. By Mr. Epwarp KITE ........ 213-256
Wittsuree Nores anp Queries: By J. eT ae, Esq. :—
REINS CAE: OP MAMI are ciai’s. cc traiciaais'« © rpie/ecs. o'o 4 iu.6 aleiatese voles « 257
BADE POTINE Baio cae oa fete OG 00 o lace vim ucsin Geer avare sores 258
rr MRGOL, Ar BEET Ne, avai saheaeiiaicce(din.e.c'e. salaale@he "acre. e sieiee as 259
Si r Tenure. Manor of Hakeneston ...........eeeeeeeeeee 260
Notico—The Botany of Wiltshire.........:seeseseeereseseeeerens 260
iv CONTENTS—VOL II.
fo. Di.
PAGE
History of the Wiltshire Manors subordinate to the wae of Castle
Combe: (No. 2.) By G. Pouterr Scrope, Esq., M. P............. 261-289
On the Ornithology ot Wilts. (No. 5.) On the Feet of Birds: By Rey.
Ae OOSREU EE. 2. ius ese aici woo se alate aie ois BE See eee 290-301
On the Churches of Devizes. (No. 2. -) By Mr. Epwarp KirE........ 302-332
Documents relating to St. Mary’s, 302. Extracts from Church-
wardens’ Accounts of ditto, 308. Thos. Hall’s Letter, 325.
Rectors of Devizes, 326. Chantry sae ee 331.
Pedigree of Garth, of Devizes and Haines Hill: By Rev. Jomn Warp 332
Bells of Co. Wilts, with their Inscriptions. (No. 2.) By Rev. W.C.
RRR ict a <5 2 1ceso'n iole) «SS ciate © ave tagetere 6c zusieia ie mcr Storie eee 333-355
Deanery of Chalke, 333. Of Wilton and Wylie, 334. Of Avebury,
338. Of Marlborough, 343. Of Potterne, 349.
The Heralds’ Visitations of Wiltshire, and Pedigrees of Wilts’ Families:
Byal.- A. (CARRINGTON, BEG. sciinonkh pc cman’ alse teh tears 356-386
Wiltshire Seals: By Rey. J. i DAGESON «0.5630. = a op0ls i dietea's a, 0s Ala Oe 387-392
Contributions to i Museum ands Dabraty ai: one eee «soe 392
Ditto by Ricarp Munnines, Esqe 2.5... oes ote 6e omnes wade 394
WILTSHIRE NOTES AND QUERIES —
Wiltshire Civil Wars: Notice of Proposed History: By J. WaAYLEn,
Pla. Voisin GAB Ek «Me + <ceau IN a Hecht * oe nacstas ya 397
picenion Pathe es pies os. s s Se FUE eee heetwice ls OU «, Ont Ree 398
MeO) pear UNA IN esrs ve: sich) y fel Sf ~orahs is Bie eae esleuen Si Bese © e.a/efaemnabehets 399
PURVES AUER eA Sens Sale srowla.acis states aos Grete PTE oe fick 399
Ellustrations.
Cxuurcu Betts: 1. Bell from ‘‘ Mercennus,” p. 40. 2. Full-wheel, 56. 3. Ele-
vation of Bell and Stock, 56. 4. Ogbourne St. Andrew’s Treble Bell, 58.
5. Ditto, Fourth Bell, 58. 6. Ditto, Tenor Bell, 58. 7. Old Half-wheel, 58.
8. Action of Clapper, 70.
ALDBOURNE INTRENCHMENTS, p. 127. Old House at Upper Upham, 128.
Arrow-head, 129.
CastLE Compe: Market Cross, p. 133. Plan of Castle Hill, 135. Roman
Sepulchral Bas-relief, 136. Dunstanville Monumental Slab, 139. Monument,
140. Seal of Lady Margaret de Clare, 141. Ditto of Lord Robert Tibetot,
and Sir R. Scrope, 143. Banner of Serope, 146. Seal of Sir William Serope,
147. Arms of Sir John Fastolf, 149. Seal of Stephen Scrope, 150. East
Window of Church, 157.
Devizes Cuvrcnes: St. John’s and St. Mary’s, 213. Ground Plan of St. John’s,
218. Arcade in ditto, 220. Window in North Chancel, ditto, 223. Ground
Plan of St. Mary’s, 236. Nave Roof, ditto, 239. Aisle Window, ditto, 240.
Wrirtsutre Seats: 1. Esturmy of Figheldean, p. 387. 2. Monkton Farley,
387. 3. Prebend of Yetminster, 387. 4. Bradenstoke, 387, 5. Thomas
Giffard, 387.
Murper oF Mr. Henry PENRUDDOCE®, p. 397.
THE
WILTSHIRE
Meehealageal amt Hatoral Aistory
MAGAZINE.
» No: IV. APRIL, 1855. Vo. II.
Contents,
, PAGE
Account OF THE SEcoND GENERAL MEETING AT SALISBURY, Viz.—
MH TEDT «Bie one g OAPI ©) CONCORD SOIR Ot aor nc Re eNetnt MetArt ea nae 7
Pee OPINED Yep s, epeerite im cise apab vedere tbodicr« nate oarel Spake eT eae 16
Articles exhibited at the Temporary Museum .................- 26
On Church Bells, with some Notices of Wiltshire Bells: By Rey.
TICE 5. Sains gy Se ws 5 Me aioe < 40- 82
On the Hungerford Chapels in Salisbury Cathedral: By Rev.
PEE NORRON +5550 states, cheno colette Meters lee a nis aac o R Nels nie ate 83- 99
Brief Notices of the Family of Giffard: By Rev. AntHuUR Fane ... 100-108
On the Architecture and Mosaics of Wilton Church: By James E.
SMe LSS EROUA GLA TRO LSU) “P01 5) cfar Fa svat iaie’«, 2 co erece 6 ile, wicss/ 0 Gabhete «5 sayeiele 109-118
Some Notices of the Library at Stourhead: By J. B. Nicuots,
Lbs Gfe LABS LC BBM 2s elec caste are > ORE nce eae eee oe 119-125
Intrenchments at Aldbourne: By F. A. Carrrneton, Esq.......... 126-129
Curious Endowment of Enford Chantry: By ditto ................ 129-130
Wittsnire Nores AND QUERIES :—
The Sheriff of Wilts Imprisoned at Devizes .................... 131-132
Lamps on- Beckhampton Down ..........2...¢s.00e0sceens dis, 132
Meni nUEae MAN CARTOW I. sitvais << vrstets asc te.os coke ohm, Saye cancers ss 132
OEE 7 br aR Oke ice CEI ee Sa, Jee . 132
ILLUSTRATIONS.
* Cuurcn Burts: 1. Bell from ‘‘Mercennus,” p. 40. 2. Full-wheel, 56. 3. Ele-
vation of Bell and Stock, 56. 4. Ogbourne St. Andrew’s Treble Bell, 58.
5. Ditto, Fourth Bell, 58. 6. Ditto, Tenor Bell, 58. 7. Old Half-wheel, 58.
8. Action of Clapper, 70.
ALDBOURNE INTRENCHMENTS, p. 127, Old House at Upper Upham, 128.
Arrow-head, 129,
DEVIZES:
Henry Buz, Sarr Jonn Srreer.
LONDON :
G. Bert, 186, leer Srrerr; J. R. Surrn, 36, Sono Sauare.
DEVIZES :
PRINTED BY HENRY BULL,
SAINT JOHN STEET.
THE
WILTSHIRE MAGAZINE.
“ WULTORUM MANIBUS GRANDE LEVATUR ONUS.’’— Ovid.
THE SECOND GENERAL MEETING
Wiltshire Archeological and Patural Wistory Society,
HELD AT SALISBURY,
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, September 13th, 14th, and 15th,
1854.
PRESIDENT OF THE MEETING,
Tue Ricur HonourasLe Sipney Herpert, M.P.
Arter the transaction of some formal business in committee, the
Society met on Wednesday, the 13th, at half-past twelve o’clock,
in the Council Chamber, the use of which had been kindly granted
by the worshipful the Mayor, J. Lambert, Esq.
The room had been fitted up asa temporary Museum, and con-
tained a large number of relics and curiosities, illustrative of the
history of the county; of which a detailed description will be given
in another page.
Before resigning his chair of office to the President of the
Meeting, G. P. Scrope, Esq., M.P., the President of the Society,
rose and said—Ladies and gentlemen: I think you must be all
aware of the object of our assembling here to day—namely, for
the purpose of holding the second annual meeting of an association
that was instituted last year at Devizes, under the title of the Wilts
Archzxological and Natural History Society. I dare say that there
are many here who have not yet enrolled themselves as members,
but still it can hardly be necessary for me to explain at any length
the objects and purposes of the Society. In a very few words,
VOL. I1.—NO. IV. B
2 Second General Meeting.
however, I may say that it has been formed for the purpose of
encouraging and promoting, to the utmost possible degree, the study
of the civil and ecclesiastical history of the antiquities of our county,
together with its numerous objects of natural history; and for
disseminating as far as possible, through all ranks of society, a
knowledge of every fact tending to illustrate these interesting
subjects. It has likewise in view the formation of some central
museum, in which objects of interest connected with these subjects
should be deposited, as a place of security, instead of being lost
and dispersed, as it not unfrequently happens, when they remain in
the hands of private individuals. We hope, also, that something
will be done towards preserving and maintaining—and in some
cases restoring—the monuments of antiquity of which this county
is so justly proud. These being the objects of the Society, it
became necessary to institute some central place in which the
museum should be established ; and Devizes being, geographically
speaking, the centre of the county, that town was nominated as
the place where it should be deposited; and it was proposed that
the meetings of the working members, the committee for example,
should from time to time, be held there. But at the same time it
was remembered that unless we could secure the sanction and
cordial co-operation of the inhabitants of South Wilts, and especially
of the metropolitan city of Salisbury, it would be impossible for
the Society to flourish, (hear hear); and we have, therefore, availed
ourselves of the earliest possible opportunity of holding a meeting
in this town. On the occasion of the inaugural meeting last year’
I had the undeserved honour of being elected President; and my
only object in now rising is to vacate my post, and to ask you to
confer it upon a gentleman much more deserving of the office, and
far more competent to discharge its duties. After my saying this,
I am sure you must be anticipating the name of the Right Hon.
Sidney Herbert. (Cheers). That gentleman is so well known that
it would be superfluous and absurd for me to speak of his merits.
As an archeologist he has ample claims upon the association, pos-
sessing as he does one of the finest galleries of antiquities in the
country. (Hear, hear). I noticed in passing through Wilton
OR a
The Right Hon. Sidney Herbert's Address. 3
yesterday that he must be a most accomplished archeologist to have
selected such an admirable style of architecture as that observable
in the splendid new church which he has erected in that town.
(Cheers). I will not attempt to notice his personal claims upon the
Society, or to allude for one moment to the high position he occupies
with respect to the south of the county, inasmuch as his character
is so well known, and in such high repute amongst all the inhab-
itants of the district. Apologising for trespassing upon you at this
length, I will now conclude by asking you to approve of the proposal
I have made,—namely that the Right Hon. Sidney Herbert, be
requested to occupy this chair as President of the meeting. (Loud
cheers).
The Rev. J. E. Jackson seconded the proposition, which was
agreed to unanimously.
The Right Hon. Smyey Herserr, M.P., having taken the chair,
addressed the assembly to the following effect:—Ladies and
gentlemen—In taking the chair of this meeting I have to thamk
my friends Mr. Poulett Scrope and Mr. Jackson, for their kindness
in introducing me to your notice; and I must also ask you to excuse
my deficiences as an antiquary, in undertaking the task of presiding
over an antiquarian meeting. But although I cannot myself claim
any learned acquaintance with the subjects which we have met to
discuss, yet I have naturally, in common with every one in this room,
a great interest in those objects of antiquity with which we are
surrounded, and in which the Southern part of the county of Wilts
is especially rich. (Hear, hear). I am extremely glad that the
Society has migrated upon this occasion from the north to the south,
thereby giving us an opportunity of showing to our northern
brethren how rich are the records of some of the darkest as well as
some of the most enlightened and stirring periods of our history
which we possess in this neighbourhood. (Applause). Now I have
heard it stated that these Societies are of but very little use; and
ridicule has often pointed at the somewhat trivial subjects upon
which a minute and microscopic attention is occasionally fixed by
archeologists; but I must recall to the minds of those who are
disposed to cavil at our proceedings, that these things, however
B 2
+ Second General Meeting.
trivial in themselves, subsequently become of the greatest importance
as furnishing materials for future history. (Cheers). It was an
observation of Dugdale’s when he was referring to the marginal
notes of the ancient editions of those great authors, Suetonius,
Livy, and Tacitus—that he was surprised to see into what musty
parchments of old Rome these historians must have dived. And I
think in our own time—when history is at last beginning to be written
—when we have not merely the skeletons, the dry bones of past events
—but when the spirit of history is evoked—that we have the most
graphic pictures placed before us, of the manners and customs of
the times gone by. I believe no one who has read any chapter of
Macauley’s celebrated book can fail to observe that, from materials
mean and meagre in themselves—from the ballads and trash and
trifles of the day—the historian has contrived to group together
such a picture as was never placed before us by any other writer,
of the manners and customs of our forefathers, at a very interesting
period of English history. (Applause). It is likewise true that
the contemplation of anything tending to divert our minds from
the present to something more distant is calculated, as Dr. Johnson
remarks, “to advance us in dignity as thinking beings.” There is
a sort of national pride to be taken in that which has gone before
us—it is like the pride which nations take in their descent (for
nations have descents and ancestors as well as individuals)—
but whether they use that pride for a good or bad purpose must
depend upon the spirit in which they feel its advantages. It was
an observation, which I have always thought a very wise one, of
Sir Thomas Overbury, who,—when speaking of persons who laid
all their claims of merit upon their ancestors—said “they very much
resembled the potato, because the best part was underground.”
(Laughter). And so it is with regard to nations. If they merely
oceupy themselves with thoughts of their past grandeur, of their
past successes, and of the eminent men they have produced, as a
means of puffing off their own vanity, and not as imposing fresh
duties and fresh calls to exertion, to maintain the name which they
have acquired from the efforts of those who preceded them, they
come under the same denomination as that valuable esculent to
The Right Hon. Sidney Herbert's Address. 5
which I have alluded—the better part of them is underground.
(Hear andalaugh). However I must say that we in South Wiltshire
should be perfectly callous to all good and wise impressions, if we
were not to set some value upon the antiquities we possess. (Hear,
hear). Without wishing to draw any invidious comparisons
between this county and other parts of England, I may say that I
know scarcely any district so rich as ours—it is a perfect epitome
of history. (Applause). Here you have the monuments of the
Druids (one of them the finest in the world); you have close by the
camp of Vespasian: and down the river the great camp of Old
Sarum; you have upon every headland which juts into the valley
the marks of earth-works thrown up in the struggle between the
various races, who one after another, took possession of, and main-
tained these strongholds for a time, and then yielded their rough
conquests to their successors. Then, again, at Clarendon you have
a noble monument of the great struggle between the church and
the secular power; and if you go three miles in a contrary direction
you will find evidences of that struggle which was conducted against
Beckett by Henry the IJ., and which was terminated with
Henry the VIII. Of that monarch I will say nothing. I believe
we are not disposed in these times to look upon him as a monarch,
but rather to dwell upon certain domestic failings which he
possessed; but I must recall to the minds of those who are disposed
to visit with indiscriminate censure one of the most energetic
sovereigns that ever ruled over this country, that up to a certain
period of his life—whether for statesmanship, for grace, for learning,
or for wit, he was one of the most admired monarchs this country
ever possessed. (Hear, hear). He had the misfortune to live too
long—he had the misfortune to display great vices; but setting
aside that portion of his life, I take this opportunity of speaking
on behalf of one who has no friends (laughter), and I must say that
King Henry the VIII has received at the hands of posterity very
hard measure indeed. (Hear, hear). Pardon me for this digression,
and permit me now to state—as my friend Mr. Scrope has spoken
of the advantage of this institution to the county generally—that
there is one advantage which ought not to be overlooked. It is,
6 Second General Meeting.
that an association of this kind teaches us to take a living and
practical interest in those monuments which are, as it were, en-
trusted to our custody. We have, indeed, some reason to complain
of the manner in which they have been mutilated in their trans-
mission to us from our forefathers, but at the present time there is
a different spirit abroad. (Hear, hear). We may see it in the
restoration of our churches, which are now restored with a feeling
of veneration, and in a learned and truly architectural spirit. They
are now restored—not mutilated. (Hear, hear). We in Salisbury —
have seen the manner in which our Cathedral has been treated, and
have, I hope, learnt a lesson to avoid a repetition of those errors in
our own time. (Applause). I see in the restoration of the Poultry
Cross here, another instance how carefully we are retracing the steps
of those architects who preceded us; and I see throughout the
whole length of the country, that the greatest care is being taken
of monuments of this kind. I believe that some years ago, a
portion of Stonehenge was consumed in the reparation of roads.
T recollect the last time the Central Archeological Society met here,
that we had a discussion upon the subject of the two large stones
which fell from their position about sixty or seventy years ago. It
was proposed that these stones should be restored to their original
position, but as in all questions of this kind, a great difference of
opinion existed. Somesaid that it would benothing short of desecration
to touch a monument of such antiquity; but, it should be re-
membered, that it was not proposed to substitute fresh stones,, but
to replace those lying on the ground in the position in the circle
which they were formerly known to occupy. These two stones
are of great importance, and there can be no doubt that, ultimately,
all the circle will fall and perish in the same manner, unless some
means are taken to obviate such a result. My object in referring
to the subject is to give expression to the feelings of those who are
interested in the matter, that it should again be taken into con-
sideration. I do not understand that any difficulty exists in an
engineering point of view, and if the stones were replaced it would
certainly be with the best effect to the structure. (Hear, hear). I
will now conclude the few observations which I have taken the
a ee
an
Society’s Report. i
liberty of making. Those who come after me will be able to do
much more than I can to teach and instruct you upon the subjects
into which we are met to enquire. I will not detain you any longer,
except to observe that before proceeding to discuss any points which
may be brought under our notice, there is some business of the Society
to be transacted; and first of all I will call upon the Rev. Mr. Lukis,
one of the Secretaries, to read the annual report of the Society.
- (The right hon. gentleman then resumed his seat amidst loud
applause).
The Rey. Mr. Luxis then read the following
REPORT.
The Committee of the Wilts Archzeological and Natural History
Society has great pleasure in laying before the members an account
of its progress during the past year, and in congratulating them on
its present position.
It is a subject of great satisfaction that we have received a steady
increase in the number of our members. At our inaugural meeting
last year they amounted to 137; at the present moment they have
by gradual additions reached the number of 281.
It is hardly to be expected, in a county more remarkable for the
interest attaching to its antiquarian remains than for the number
or wealth of its population, that such additions to our members
should be otherwise than gradual. And comparing our own pro-
gress with the efforts which had previously been made, almost in vain,
to promote the same object, we have certainly good reason to be
well satisfied with the position in which we stand.
This progress may be in a measure attributed to the circulation
of our magazine among those classes who were unacquainted with
the Society, or indifferent to its success. The cheap form in which
it is put forth, renders it accessible to many who would be unable
to purchase a larger or more expensive volume.
We trust that our members will not be unwilling to contribute
to its pages merely because they have not the leisure or the ability
to furnish lengthened papers; for almost every one may make use
8 Second General Meeting.
of it as a kind of Wiltshire Notes and Queries, as a place for
recording local customs or peculiarities, or any little discoveries
which may have come in their way.
We have not lost sight of the possibility of publishing those
interesting collections of John Aubrey, to which attention was
directed at our last meeting. This would be a valuable addition
to Wiltshire Topography. And we may venture to urge on our
most excellent Secretary Mr. Jackson, to do us the favour of car-
rying out our wishes in this respect; and to thank him for the
services he has rendered us in editing the magazine.
There will be found on the table some detailed drawings of
Wootton Rivers Church, and other antiquities in the neighbourhood
of Marlborough, the use of which has been offered to the Society,
and the publication of which it is hoped we may be able to
undertake. The same gentleman who made them is preparing
drawings of the Porch of Bishop’s Cannings, and of a tomb and
other interesting details of Winterbourne Basset Church, which he
will also place at the service of the Society. Their publication
will furnish the commencement of a Wiltshire portfolio: and the
example thus given in one neighbourhood will, we may hope, in
course of time, be followed in others. It is also much to be wished
that some drawings in our collection should be selected for pub-
lication, by way of beginning the illustration of the Churches of
Wiltshire. It would also much facilitate this object, if any of
our members who are photographists could favour us with views
of Churches and other objects of interest in their respective neigh-
bourhoods.
In speaking of our progress during the past year, we are bound
to acknowledge, with many thanks, the receipt of several valuable
presents.
We are happy in being able to add that the finances of the
Society are in a prosperous condition. The receipts up to Sep-
tember, 1854, including the amount of subscriptions towards the
purchase of Mr. Britton’s collection have amounted to £367 4s.;
and the expenditure to £311 19s. 3d.; leaving a balance of
£55 4s. 9d. In consequence of a liberal donation of £10 by the
Society’s Report. 9
Marquis of Lansdowne, and the large accession of new members,
we may venture to estimate our receipts for the ensuing year at
about £250. As the property of the Society has been thus increased,
it becomes necessary to appoint trustees in accordance with Rule
VI. of the Society, and a resolution to that effect will be laid before
the meeting.
While thus referring in terms of congratulation to our past pro-
ceedings, we cannot but deeply regret the loss which the Society
has sustained by the death of several of its members. We may be
permitted to specify Mr. Bucknall Estcourt, whose family has been
for so many generations connected with this county, and who was
ever most forward in encouraging every object of local and county
interest. But while assembled in this city, and under the shade of
its venerable Cathedral, we cannot but refer in terms of the deepest
sorrow to the great loss which both the Society and Diocese
have sustained in the death of our late venerated Diocesan. It is
not for us in this place to speak of his many virtues as a Bishop of
the Church, but we cannot but regard with affectionate remembrance
not merely the interest which he expressed in the first establish-
ment of this Society, but also the many and various ways in which
he promoted practically one of its great objects. Our Parish
Churches, considered merely as architectural ornaments of our
county, are objects of interest to all of us; and these our late
Bishop took under his especial care in instituting the Church
Building Society, and earnestly promoting its interests year by
year. To this may be added his munificent contribution to the
adornment of the Cathedral, by his restoration of a large part of
the cloisters, which were in a lamentable state of neglect and
decay; and the very anxious desire which he always expressed to
restore to its original beauty that singular specimen of the skill
and taste of our forefathers, our graceful Chapter House. He has
gone from us; but the work on which he set his heart will be ac-
complished, and every one who has contributed to that, will feel
that he is not merely helping to restore a most exquisite work of
ancient art, but also to rear a memorial to one of singular piety,
simplicity, and disinterestedness; and one moreover who endeared
c
10 Second General Meeting.
to himself, especially in this city, the hearts of all classes, whether
rich or poor. He who is gone will thus have his memorial written
in our hearts or engraven in stones, still among us; and he on
whom his mantle has fallen will doubtless carry out, both in his
patronage of our Society, and every other design of usefulness, the
intentions of his predecessor.
It is for this, as for other reasons, that we are glad at meeting
together for the first time in this city, which in itself and in its
immediate neighbourhood presents so many objects of interest :—
British, Roman, and Anglo-Saxon remains, one of the purest
specimens of Gothic architecture, several ancient domestic buildings,
collections of paintings and sculpture, and places like Boscombe and
Bemerton, recalling the memory of Richard Hooker and of George
Herbert.
We must now venture to congratulate ourselves, though in his
own presence, on the favour which has been conferred upon us by
the Right Hon. gentleman who has kindly undertaken to be the
President of the meeting. He has given ample evidence of his
munificent taste and generous love of art in the erection of that
noble Church, unrivalled in its own style in this country, which
needs only to be alluded to. But we must remember for how many
generations his distinguished ancestors were the patrons of taste
and art in this country. The descendant of ‘Sidney’s sister,
Pembroke’s mother,’ and of her son, who has been described as
“the most universally beloved and esteemed of any man of that age,”
‘“‘of excellent parts and a graceful speaker,” “and of disposition
affable, generous, and munificent,” a poet and a patron of poets,
architects, and painters; the descendant again of the noble
founder of the unequalled private collection of ancient marbles
(which we are permitted the pleasure of inspecting), and of his
next successor, the designer of Wilton, as it now stands, and whose
skill as an architect is expressly spoken of by Lord Orford, could
hardly fail, in inheriting the name, to inherit also the taste and
munificence of his ancestors.
Under his presidency we are confident that the proceedings of
this meeting will be crowned with eminent success. And this we
Second General Meeting. if
sincerely hope may be an earnest of the increased activity of a
Society which, though so recently founded, has already furnished
sufficient evidence of healthy and vigorous life.
The CHarrman then moved the adoption of the report, which
was agreed to.
The Lord Bisuor of Sarispury: Ladies and Gentlemen,—W ith-
out a moment’s notice a paper has been put into my hands, conveying
“the cordial thanks of this meeting to the secretaries, the Rev.
Mr. Jackson, and the Rev. Mr. Lukis, for their zeal and per-
severance in editing the Society’s Magazine, and for preparing
the present report.” If I had been aware that it was intended
to introduce such a motion to the meeting, and that it was to have
been placed in my hands, I should have prepared myself to express
the deep interest I take in the progress of this Society. As it is, I
fear I shall have to content myself with merely assuring you that
whatever course was pursued by my late beloved and revered pre-
decessor, I shall endeavour steadily to follow. I am aware that one
of the objects dear to his heart was to promote the well-being of
this Society, and I will endeavour, as far as it is in my power, to
give effect to his good purposes. I think that a Society of this kind
must commend itself to the sympathy and patronage of all persons,
and that on the most indisputable ground—whether we look upon
its effects as a means of education and of training the intellect, or
as a means of improving the moral well-being of our population.
I am not, indeed, one of those who are content to be daudator
temporis acti, nor do I forget the Word of God which enjoins me
to “say not what is the cause that the former days were better than
these, for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning these things;”’
but at the same time I am sure that it is one of the only ways of
avoiding the evil tendencies of the present generation by binding
up, as closely as possible, our sympathies and interests with the
great and good works and endeavours of our able and most excellent
forefathers. There can be no doubt that one of the perils in which
we stand, intellectually, in the present generation, is that we find
every thing made so ready to hand that we often-times lack the
motive for that accurate and exact investigation, that patient and
c 2
12 Second General Meeting.
unceasing diligence which so marked the labours of our ancestors.
Perhaps we are not aware what hours the archeologists of old spent
in every monastery in this country in writing those valuable books
which now contain, it may be, the records of all our past history.
We are often tempted, in these days, to think only lightly of the
labour which our forefathers devoted to such subjects; but we have
only to read the works of the great archzeologists—such for example
as Dr. Maitland—to see how the presumptuous ignorance of
these times must wither under the scorn of a great man like
him. We shall find that the former times and seasons of which
people are apt to speak so contemptuously were marked by the
greatest intellects—the most persevering labours—and the greatest
discoveries. But surely we must also look upon the operations of
societies like this in reference to their moral results. It is a most
admirable thing to bind ourselves more and more closely with the
labours of past generations, in order that we may think less of our
own endeavours, and feel more indebted to the labours of others.
Perhaps it is a striking fault of the present generation that we are
led to value ourselves too highly; and nothing will tend more, I
believe, to bring us into due order upon this point than to study
with care and exactness what was accomplished by our forefathers.
At any rate the thoughts which moved and actuated the people of
the 16th century, should be an inducement, in an age when these
things are nearly forgotten, to restore a taste for them by establishing
a Society of Antiquaries on a permanent footing. An endeavour
to accomplish this end was made by Archbishop Parker, about 1572,
when he—fearing lest history itself should perish under the careless
disregard of former generations—was led to inaugurate a society
for the express purpose of preserving the sacred records. That
endeavour was for a considerable time marked with great success—
and on looking at the list of those who were members of that society
you will find two names, one of which is well known in this city,
and the other in the northern part of the county—I mean the names
of Mr. Lambert, and Mr. Heneage. The labours of Archbishop
Parker were soon foiled, for he was suspected of having secret objects
and designs quite distinct from archeological pursuits; but never-
Second General Meeting. 13
theless you cannot fail to perceive how valuable, how precious, and
how dear were the objects in which he and others were engaged,
for during the whole of the civil wars the labours of archeologists
seemed to flourish when everything else was in abeyance. Those
great men—Anthony Wood, Selden, and a host of others, whose
names I do not now remember, but the fruits of whose labours we
are now enjoying, devoted themselves, during the turmoils of that
time to the revival of a knowledge of the labours of our ancestors.
As a Bishop of the Church I feel of course, on independent grounds,
the very deepest interest in the well being of such a society as this,
for I am one who, from my own personal convictions and individual
tastes, feel that if we are building houses to God it is of the utmost
importance for the progress of divine knowledge—for the cultivation
of good and holy tastes and aspirations—that those houses should
express the ideas which must be at the bottom of our souls, if we
would fain have our religion prosper and take hold of the hearts
and affections of man. And it is to the labours of such societies
as this that we owe the revival of a good, and pure, and holy taste
upon these subjects. As religion lays hold more deeply of the
sympathies of our fellow Christians, they will yearn more and more
earnestly to express those ideas in every work which they raise to
the honour and glory of God. But unless our tastes had been
formed—unless we had been assisted by going back to purer ages
of architectural skill, we might, perhaps, have remained in that
tasteless and impure architectural condition which existed through-
out the whole nation during the past century. We have now
emerged from that state, and I would only ask persons, in going
through the length and breadth even of this county, to see not only
in our churches, but also in our schools, how much has been done
for the revival of a pure architectural taste. These are, I believe,
real and great blessings, and it is my office to try and promote
such blessed results. I cannot but feel the very deepest interest in
the progress of this Society, and I am therefore, able to move, with
the greatest sincerity, that we should thank those to whose exertions
the present state of the association owes so much. (The right rev.
Prelate was much applauded at the conclusion of his address).
14 Second General Meeting.
The Rey. A. Fane, (Warminster) :—Mr. Chairman, Ladies and
Gentlemen.—I am sure I owe you a great many more apologies
than the Lord Bishop of the Diocese, inasmuch as the resolution
which his Lordship has been pleased to move, has also been de-
posited in my hands without the slightest previous intimation; and
at an archeological meeting I consider it to be an utter breach of
theory to place a perfectly new thing into the hands of a new mover
and a new seconder, without any prior warning whatever. But as
we are in an infantine state, I apprehend that I must make full
‘allowance for such an irregularity. In attempting to second the
resolution which has been prefaced by the admirable remarks of
the Lord Bishop, it is unnecessary for me to say that I take a deep
and cordial interest in this association, and that I believe the
principles enunciated by his Lordship to be really vital and essential
to the well being of society; for I think that there ought to exist
centres from which a knowledge of architecture, and every other subject
connected with archeology, may, as it were, be continually flowing.
In seconding this resolution I feel that if I have one single claim
for the office, it is, that if anybody is conversant with the intolerable
difficulties which beset the secretary of any undertaking, it is my-
self, for as the clergyman of a large parish one is requested to act
in the capacity of secretary to such a number of objects that it is
absolutely difficult to remember their names. With regard to the
secretaries of this association I will venture to assert that if they
were to make a clean confession before this meeting of the number
of letters they had written, and the intolerable and strange nuisances
they have had to encounter—how they have been thought intrusive
upon one man and neglectful of another for not answering a letter
by return of post acknowledging the receipt of an old bone, or
something of that kind—and how it was thought they were about
to steal the article because they did not forward an immediate reply ;
—I say if they were to make a confession on all these matters you
would at once be firmly convinced that there are no persons in this
room so much deserving of your thanks. They have not.only to
set the matter a-going, and to endure the difficulties of which I
have spoken, but they have also to collect intellects for contributions
Second General Meeting. 15
to the Society’s magazine—they have to search for knowledge in
the different mines of information; and when they have done that,
they have to collect everything into a given point, and to make
what are technically termed “selections,” without invidiousness to
any person: in short they have to do all the dirty work of the
association. I believe that none are acquainted with the onerous
duties of a secretary, except those upon whom they have devolved.
To my mind the Right Hon. Chairman himself would have been
the best person to have proposed and seconded this resolution, for I
think if there be orie man more than another who feels the odious-
ness of a secretary’s post, it must be the Right Honourable the
Secretary at War. I will now beg most humbly, but yet most
cordially, to second this resolution—‘‘That the grateful thanks of
this meeting be given to the Rev. Mr. Jackson, and the Rev. Mr.
Lukis, for their zeal and perseverance in editing the magazine of
. the Society, and also for preparing the present report.” (Applause).
The resolution on being put to the meeting, was unanimously
adopted.
Joun Brirron, Esq., F. 8. A., rose to propose on behalf of the
committee, the names of the following gentlemen as honorary
members of the Society: viz.—The Rey. Joseph Hunter, F.S.A.
J. Y. Akerman, Esq., Secretary to the Society of Antiquaries;
John Britton, Esq., F.S.A.; E. R. Brayley, Esq., F.S.A.; Albert
Way, Esq., F.S.A.; C. R. Smith, Esq., F.S.A.; George Godwin,
Esq., F.R.S.; Wm. Yarrell, Esq., F.R.Z.S.; Professor Owen, F.R.S. ;
Thomas Bell, Esq., F.R.S., &c.; and Thos. Wright, Esq., M.A.
F.S.A.; &c. ;
Mr. Brackmore seconded the resolution, which was agreed to.
The Rey. Sub-Dean Eyre said, that at the former meeting of
the Society the members omitted to elect a Committee of Trustees,
to whom the care of their property might be entrusted. He had
now to propose the election of Sir Edmund Antrobus, Bart; Sir
John Wither Awdry, Knt.; Sir F. Bathurst, Bart.; the Rev. Arthur
Fane; Capt. Gladstone; the Right Hon. Sidney Herbert; Sir H.
R. Hoare, Bart.; Walter Long, Esq.; H. Merewether, Esq.; Joseph
Neeld, Esq.; Earl Nelson; Chas. Penruddocke, Esq.; G. P. Scrope, .
16 Second General Meeting.
Esq.; and T. H. 8. Sotheron, Esq. The property of the Society
had very largely increased, and he trusted that when the gentlemen
he had named were elected, their responsibilities would be annually
augmented.
The Rev. J. Briss seconded the resolution, which was at once
adopted.
Mr. Cunntneton then proposed the re-appointment of Col.
Olivier, as Treasurer of the Society, which was agreed to.
The Rev. Mr. Luxts said, he had much pleasure in proposing
Mr. Henry Swayne, and Mr. James Nightingale, as local Secretaries.
The Rev. W. R. Cozens seconded the proposition, which was
carried.
The Rey. Mr. Luxis then read an article on “Church Bells,”
which will be found in the present Number.
The meeting then dispersed.
THE ANNUAL DINNER
of the Society took place at the Three Swans Hotel, at five o’clock,
and was attended by between 60 and 70 ladies and gentlemen.
The chair was taken by the Worshipful the Mayor of Salisbury,
who was supported on the right by the Lord Bishop of the Diocese;
G. P. Scrope, Esq., M.P.; J. H. Jacob, Esq., &e.; and on the left
by Major-General Buckley, M.P. The Mayor discharged his duties
in a most lively and agreeable manner, increasing very considerably
by the dexterity of his archzeological allusions, the excellent spirit
of social humour in which the evening was spent. After the
customary honours to her Majesty, the Royal Family, and the Army
and Navy, in giving which he observed that the barrow-digger felt
the deepest sense of gratitude to the military, for had it not been
for that class of men, many barrows would not have existed, and
. the excavator would not have had his desponding countenance so
————
The Annual Dinner. 17
often lightened up by the discovery of relics of a by-gone age.
The Cuarrmawn said he had next to propose “the health of the
Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese,” and he did not think that he
could present to them a more appropriate toast for a meeting like
that. If they were to look throughout England it would be im-
possible to find a Bishop more anxious for the sustentation of the
religious edifices that they saw around them, and when he made
that remark about the Bishop he was bound to add that throughout
the whole of his diocese he was supported in that great work by
the feeling of the Clergy. There was no country probably in the
whole world where there were so many objects of interest as they
had in England associated with their village Parish Churches, and
they all, as Englishmen, felt the greatest interest in the main-
tenance and preservation of those buildings. Archeologists, in
particular, entertained that feeling, and sympathised with the
object most deeply; and hence it would be impossible to find a
more appropriate toast on an occasion like the present than that of
the Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese, who were so zealous in the
maintenance of the edifices which were entrusted to their care.
After the remarks of the Bishop in the morning, there could be
no doubt of his zealous support of the cause of Archeology, and
that so long as he was spared in the See of Salisbury the Society
might count upon his most cordial aid.
The Lord Bisnop or Saxissury returned thanks. The Mayor
had done him no more than justice in assuring the meeting that
nothing was more deep in his heart than the maintaining, and
keeping, and repairing any ravages of time that might have been
effected on those beautiful structures, not only in this city, but
throughout the diocese. Not only would he pledge himself, but
he would do so for every one of the ministry, to pursue the objects,
under Gop, not only of maintaining those fabrics and repairing
them when needed, in doing so they hoped to enlist the sympathies
of all good archeologists; but whenever there might be a necessity for
erecting new edifices, they would endeavour to rival their forefathers
in the beauty of their structures, and thereby hand down to
posterity some memorials of the taste and piety of the present
D
18 Second General Meeting.
generation. Most of the gentlemen whom he addressed had been
archeologists almost from their birth, for they had nearly all been
educated in public schools where they had become conversant with
the memorials of genius which had been transmitted to us by the
ancients; and there was no advice that Eton men should more
closely abide by than that of Juvenal—to avoid all pedantry, such
as a mere knowledge of the materials and history of antiquity,
unaccompanied by a desire to turn that knowledge to high practical
purposes. He hoped to enlist on his side the sympathies of all his
brethren by inducing them to throw themselves heartily into that
system of progress—that well known word by which the application
of science and of the arts, to all the useful employments of life
was known—a system which was calculated to benefit our fellow-
men, and at the same time to correct any evil tendency that might
arise from the knowledge obtained in their education. His lordship
then went on to observe, that he felt indebted to the Mayor for the
reception accorded him at his enthronization, and remarked that,
as long as he lived, he should never forget the kindness of his
language on that occasion. He therefore felt sure that they would
forgive him, if he ventured to propose, without having obtained
permission, the health of the most excellent Mayor of the city of
Salisbury.
The Mayor regretted that it had not been his good fortune to
contribute more extensively on this occasion to the advancement of
the Wiltshire Archeological Society. He had hoped to have been
enabled to have directed their attention to a subject which had, to
a great extent, escaped the observation of the archeologists of
England—he meant the subject of the music of the middle ages. He
was particularly anxious to have laid before the meeting the result
of some of the researches in which he had been engaged for a
number of years, but a pressure of engagements had prevented
him doing so. Were time and health granted to him, however,
he hoped, at the next meeting of the Society, to lay before its
members a clear and distinct account of the music of the middle
ages in this country, and at the same time to show them—what
had not been shown for the last 300 years—the principles which
The Annual Dinner. 19
guided the musicians of that period in its execution. He then
proposed the health of the President of the meeting, the Right
Hon. Sidney Herbert; the health of Mr. Poulett Scrope, M.P.
That of the Secretaries, the Rev. J. E. Jackson, and the Rev.
W.C. Lukis, was then given, and acknowledged by those gentlemen.
Mr. Jackson expressed himself highly gratified by the encourage-
ment afforded to the Society in the city of Salisbury, and mentioned
that the association had that day received an accession of no fewer
than 77 names, chiefly from the south of Wilts.
The Rey. A. Fane, in a humourous and effective speech, in the
course of which he referred to the general and deserved respect in
which John Britton, Esq. was held by all archeologists, proposed
the health of “Mrs. Britton and the Ladies.”
Mr. Brrrton said, were he fifty years younger, and possessed the
knowledge and experience he had now, he might probably tell them
a story of his adventures in the world of archeology, art, and
science, that would amuse them, excite their curiosity, and tend to
promote their progress in the subject before them. Were he pos-
sessed of the quick and ready wit of the Mayor of this ancient and
interesting city, and were he possessed of the eloquence of his
friend who had proposed the toast, he might reward their attention
by comparing the state of archeology at the time when he com-
menced his labours, with its condition at the present moment. It
was then in the lowest possible grade, in the literary world, and
the books which were published, as well as the illustrations contained
in them, were but of little value. To assist him in the study of
archwology, the only books were ‘“ Camden’s Britannia,” “ Grose’s
Antiquities,’ and one or two others, which abounded in as many
fictions as you could meet with in one of the romances of the age.
As they might imagine, he was often retarded by a consideration
of the physical impossibility of the illustrations in these precious
volumes being correct, and the profound incomprehensibility of
the letterpress. In a word, there was everything calculated to
impede and harass the youthful student. By means of perse-
verance, however—more perseverance than knowledge or science—
he began to obtain a few glimpses of what was meant by lines in
D2
20 Second General Meeting.
drawing, and complex sentences in words, and these so excited his
curiosity, that he was determined to master the greatest antiquities
in the country; and a periodical publication that came out in
Paternoster Row, under the superintendance of Mr. Hogg, and
was circulated in sixpenny folio numbers, was the only running
fountain to which he could resort for refreshment. He alluded to
these things to show the difficulties that the student at that time
had to meet, as compared with his opportunities now. At the
present day, wherever he went—and he sometimes travelled as far
as Plymouth or the Land’s End,—he met with an abundance of
old and young clergymen, of young men and maidens, with their
sketch-books, and archeological vade mecums, full of information
and curiosities, which afforded him great delight. He was much
gratified to find that the young as well as the old could reap infor-
mation, amusement, and excitement, from the abbeys, the churches,
the mansions, and the monuments of the land. They had now,
not only in the metropolis, but almost all over the country, arch-
zological and natural history societies; and he was glad to find
that the latter subject was blended with the former, inasmuch as
it went to the very foundation of archeology. He was glad to
find Salisbury honoured by such a society as the one whose objects
they were now endeavouring to promote, and he was also glad to
see such assemblies as those he had witnessed on this occasion.
After passing some high eulogiums upon the Mayor and the Bishop
Mr. Britton concluded by saying—Allow me to make one more
remark, and that is to exhort you all zealously to promote the
popularity of the Wiltshire Archeological Society. I am myself
a native of the county; I was born in it in the year 1771, and
therefore you may tell pretty nearly what my age is. But although
lam an ancient Brit(t)on, I am not yet disinterred from a tumulus.
The CuarrMan then proposed the health of the local Secretary,
Mr. Swayne, who returned thanks, and expressed himself much
indebted for the assistance which he had received from Mr. James
Nightingale.
This terminated the proceedings of the dinner; and it being now
eight o’clock the company adjourned to the council chamber, where
EEE a
The Evening Meeting. 21
THE EVENING MEETING
was appointed to be held. In the unavoidable absence of the
Right Hon. Sidney Herbert, the chair was taken by G. P. Scrope,
Esq., who, in a few introductory observations, called upon the
Rey. J. E. Jackson to read a paper which he had prepared on “the
two chantries founded by the Hungerford Family in Salisbury
_ Cathedral.” This (which is printed in the present number) was
followed by a paper on “ Boyton Church,” by the Rey. A. Fane,
and another on the “‘ Family of the Giffards,” by the same gentle-
man. Of these the former is printed in No. 3 of the magazine;
the latter will appear in its place amongst the proceedings of this
meeting.
The various articles in the museum were kindly explained by
J. Y. Akerman, Esq., and the company dispersed between ten and
eleven o’clock.
SECOND DAY—THURSDAY.
The early part of this day had been set apart by the members
for excursions to Old Sarum, Stonehenge, Clarendon, Lake, &e.,
but the state of the weather was so unpromising that only a limited
number ventured forth, defying the elements in their determination
to gratify their archeological curiosity. Wilton was to be the
rendezvous for the re-assembling of the scattered visitors in the
afternoon. An enterprising party took the route to Wilton by Old
Sarum, Lake House, and Stonehenge. At Lake House, they were
highly gratified by the inspection of a museum of Wiltshire anti-
quities, founded by the late ingenious and Rev. Edward Duke;
and a most hospitable table was spread for their refreshment.
Smaller parties, notwithstanding the splashing showers, found their
way to Clarendon, Longford Castle, the Moot, Downton, &c.
About half-past two o’clock a very large number had assembled
at Wilton House, where they were cordially received by the Right
Hon. Sidney and Mrs. Herbert, and where a most sumptuous cold
22 Second General Meeting.
collation was provided. In addition to those assembled on the
previous day, were the Most Noble the Marquis of Lansdowne,
Lord Carnarvon, Lord Heytesbury, Lord Rivers, and the Hon.
Misses Pitt, the Hon. Mr. and Mrs. Daly, and others. After the
repast some of the guests amused themselves by inspecting the
treasures of art to be found in the galleries of sculpture and painting ;
while Mr. Herbert conducted others to the magnificent new Church
in the town of Wilton, which has been reared by his liberality.
After some time spent in admiring the interior of the sacred edifice
the party adjourned to the Town-hall, where a paper on the arch-
itecture of the Church (which will be found in the present volume)
was read by J. E. Nightingale, Ksq.
The members left Wilton House about six o’clock.
In the evening, in compliance with the kind invitation of the
Lord Bishop of Salisbury, the Society re-assembled at a conversazione
in the Palace, the whole suite of rooms in which were thrown open
for the occasion. Among the large party by which the Palace was
thronged, were the Right Hon. Sidney and Mrs. Herbert, with
their guests from Wilton House above mentioned; Earl Nelson; the
Countess of Morley; the Mayor and Mrs. Lambert; G. P. Scrope,
Esq., M.P.; the Hon. R. Daly; Major-General Buckley; Lady
Catherine Buckley and Miss Buckley; M. Higgins, Esq. and Mrs.
Higgins; Admiral and Mrs. Montagu; Colonel and Mrs. Luard;
A. Seymour, Esq. and Miss Seymour; Alfred Morrison, Esq.,
Fonthill; &c. &ce.
In the drawing-room, Mr. Clutton the architect who has been
selected by the committee for restoring the Chapter-House of
Salisbury Cathedral, as a tribute to the memory of the late Bishop,
having been introduced to the assembly by Mr. 8. Herbert in a few
apposite remarks, read a paper on “The Origin and Uses of Chapter-
Houses,” which was illustrated by various paintings and ground
plans. At the conclusion of its delivery,
The Marquis of Lanspowne said he had listened with much
pleasure to the address, and would venture to express, on behalf of
every one present, ladies and gentlemen—for the ladies, he was
happy to say, shared in the desire for the preservation and resto-
Second Day—Thursday. 23
ration of the different features of our beautiful cathedrals—their
thanks to Mr. Clutton for his clear and satisfactory description of a
style of architecture,-which derived a particular interest from its
connection with the peculiarities of church history in this and other
countries. There was another source of interest of a more local and
personal kind, in this subject, from its bearing upon the effort that
was being made for the restoration of the Salisbury Chapter-House.
Mr. Clutton had revealed to them the remarkable features of the
past; and it remained for themselves, by their liberality, to enable
that gentleman to procure for them a glimpse of the future, and by
their efforts to accomplish the renovation—for although time could
destroy it could also renovate—of the Chapter-House, and then they
would have the beauty and purposes of the structure, not only
illustrated by drawings and lectures, but by the restoration to them,
in palpable reality, of a fabric, which he would almost say, stood
highest among buildings of this description. He would be glad to
see the future restoration effected by the same gentleman to whom
they were that evening so much indebted for a history of the past.
Earl Netson begged to urge upon every one present the necessity
of assisting the object. They had already collected £4,400, and if
a spirited effort were made before the spring, he hoped that they
would have the whole sum of £5,000, which, he was convinced,
would be sufficient to do all the essential part of the restoration.
Mr. G. P. Scropx, M.P., desired to express the universal feeling
of gratitude entertained by the members of the Wilts Archeological
Society, for the kindness and hospitality shown to them during their
assembly in Salisbury. Their thanks were especially due to the
Lord Bishop and the Right Hon. Mr. Herbert, for their hospitality ;
and he should not omit mentioning the Mayor, who had been very
attentive to them by giving them the use of the council chamber,
and presiding at the dinner. The time for the holding of the meeting
next year had not yet been fixed upon; but he could not express a
higher hope than that the members would be as well treated as they
had been in the ancient and renowned city of Salisbury.
The company broke up about eleven o’clock.
24 Second General Meeting.
THIRD DAY—FRIDAY.
In the morning, several of the members attended the museum
in the council chamber, when G. P. Scrope, Esq., M.P. took the
chair, and told the company that they had a duty to perform before
they left Salisbury. Among the multiplicity of objects which de-
manded the attention of the committee and the officers, it was not
surprising that there were two or three omissions, which he now
wished to call their attention to, and solicit the hearty concurrence
of the meeting in filling up. He alluded to the kind and zealous
co-operation of the Mayor and principal inhabitants of Salisbury,
in welcoming them to this historical and truly archeological city ;
and for the important aid they had rendered in making up the
splendid, varied, and extraordinary collection of ancient relics,
manuscripts, drawings, and books that constituted the museum,
which nearly filled the spacious room where they were assembled—
some of these had been sent by the estimable Prelate, who had so
hospitably and cordially received them at his Palace, and who had
been so politely seconded by Mrs. Hamilton ; Mr. Sidney Herbert
and his accomplished lady likewise contributed some articles of
importance; while the Mayor and Corporation of the more ancient
city of Winchester sent several remarkable objects, which had
excited very general attention. The Dean and Chapter, the Mayor
and Corporation, and several citizens of Salisbury seemed to vie
with each other in their offerings to this Archzological shrine.
Mr. W. Cunnington, of Devizes, contributed a large cargo of
geological specimens from his comprehensive but choice Wiltshire
museum. He would now advert to another subject and person
omitted yesterday—he meant Mr. W. Cunnington, to whom this
Society was indebted for its birth and early nurture. He tempted
some of his friends to assemble, and to purchase Mr. Britton’s
Wiltshire collection, and to found the Society. To him, therefore,
every lover of topographic research was deeply indebted. The
Chairman concluded by moving the following resolution :—
“That the thanks of the Society be given to Mr. William
Society's Report. 25
Cunnington for his able exertions and labours as local secretary at
Devizes, in the formation of the Society, and its proceedings during
the past year.
The resolution was carried unanimously.
Several papers were ready for perusal, but in consequence of the
day being fine, and many members having made engagements for
excursions, one only was read by the Rev. J. E. Jackson; viz.,
“Some Notices of the Library at Stourhead, by J. B. Nichols,
Esq., F.S.A.”
Mr. Scropz, after thanking Mr. Nichols for his valuable paper,
moved the following proposition, which was carried nem con:—
“That the thanks of this Society be given to the Worshipful the
Mayor of Salisbury for his liberal permission to this Society to use
the Council Chamber, and for his other assistance in their support;
and also to the numerous exhibitors of objects of interest in the
temporary museum.”
The proceedings then terminated.
26 The Museum.
@ List of Articles Exhibtted
TEMPORARY MUSEUM AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, SALISBURY,
September 13th, 1854.
Those marked with an Asterisk have been presented to the Society.
By THE Hart Bruce:—
*A Gold Ring found in a Roman Villa at Great Bedwyn.
By THE DEAN anpD CHaPTER OF SALISBURY:—
One of the original transcripts of Magna Charta, (seal lost).
Charter of King Stephen, dated Oxford, a.p. 1136, con-
firming the liberties of the Church.
Fine Saxon and Latin MS. of ap. 969-1006, marked
“Liturgia Gregoriana,”’ containing Rules for the Calendar,
Psalter, Lord’s Prayer, &c., beautifully illuminated with initial
letters.
A magnificent folio Breviary, later than a.p. 1456, given
by Walter Long of Erlingham to some Abbey. Bequeathed
by the late Bishop Denison to the Dean and Chapter of Salis-
bury.
CasE CONTAINING ReELIcs FROM THE CATHEDRAL, Viz.:—
An Episcopal Ring of Gold set with a Sapphire, found in
removing the Tomb of Bishop Beauchamp, who died 1481,
from the middle of his Chapel in 1789.
Fragments of Pastoral Staff in wood, Chalice and Paten of
Silver-gilt, and Episcopal Ring of Gold set with an Agate,
The Museum. 27
found with aSkeleton, (supposed to be that of Bishop Longespee,
who died 1297), on removing the pavement of the Lady Chapel,
in 1789.
Two Chalices of Pewter, Episcopal Ring, and six Trays of
Fragments found in Tombs, &c.
Large Coloured Drawing showing the interior of the Chapter-
House, as intended to be restored.
Chasuble! of Green Velvet, embroidered with the Crucifixion
and figures of Saints, with this inscription:—“Orate: p: aia:
Johann: Baldwini.”
Portion of a twisted Wire with a noose, which until about
the year 1775 hung over the tomb of Charles, Lord Stourton, in
Salisbury Cathedral. (He was executed at Salisbury, March
6th, 1557, for the murder of Mr. Hartgill and his son, at
Kilmington, near Stourhead. His remains were interred under
a plain altar tomb with pierced sides, at the east end of the
Cathedral. In 1790 it was removed to its present situation
between two of the piers on the south side of the Nave).
By tHe Ricur Hon. Smyey Herserr:—
A plain Gold hoop Ring in excellent preservation, found in
the gardens near Wilton Abbey. It is set with a small sharply
pointed black diamond, and is inscribed Benedicta sit Sta Trinitas.
It has besides, a monogram consisting of a capital letter P
entwined with a smaller e. It is described as an Abbot’s ring,
but it seems more probable that it belonged to one of the later
Abbesses, or possibly to some member of the Pembroke family,
who became possessed of the Abbey after the dissolution of the
Monasteries.
1 The Chasuble (casula) is the outermost of the Eucharistic vestments used at
the celebration of Mass. It was in use as early as the sixth century. In its
primitive form it was perfectly round; but in the middle ages of an oval shape.
It is without sleeves and has an opening in the centre for the head. Being put
on it fell in two peaks, one before the other behind. ‘The oldest form of orphray
or embroidery is in the shape of a fall, in the present instance it forms a straight
line from one point to the other.
EB 2
28
The Museum.
A Case containing a lock of Queen Elizabeth’s hair, together
with the verses and memorandum annexed. They are under-
stood to have been discovered a few years since, between the
leaves of an old book in the library.
‘‘ This lock of Queen Elizabeth’s owne Hair was presented to Sir Philip
Sidney by Her Majestey’s owne faire hands, on which he made these verses
and gave them to the Queen on his bended knee. Anno Domini 15738.
Her inward worth all outward show transcends,
Envy her merit with regret commends ;
Like sparkling gems her virtues draw the light,
And in her conduct she is alwaies bright;
When she imparts her thoughts, her words have force,
And sense, and Wisdom, flow in sweet discourse.”
By Joun Swayne, Ese., Town Clerk of Wilton:—
MS. Will of John Fromond, Burgess of Wilton, proved
before the Mayor, a.p. 1348. [In this document the Churches
of St. Nicholas, St. Mary the Virgin, and St. Cecilia in Wilton
are mentioned. The Mayor’s seal is attached; it is of a slightly
oval form, in good preservation, and differs in some respects
from the Mayor’s seal now in use. Two figures are seated
under a double canopied niche; the principal figure, apparently
a female with drapery hanging from her head, places her right
hand on the head of the figure in the adjoining niche, who is
in the attitude of prayer. In the present seal of the Mayor
of Wilton these two effigies are represented as crowned, and
of different sexes, the male holding an orb and giving bene-
diction }.
MS. Freedom of Wilton to John Mundy, 4 Henry V., 1416.
[An impression of another and later seal of the Mayor of
Wilton is attached to this document ; it is slightly larger and
more oval than the preceding ; the workmanship is by no means
so good. The attitude of the figures varies slightly, but they
still differ materially in subject from the two royal effigies on
the seal now in use}.
MS. 19 Richard II. Grant from the Prior of St. John, at
Wilton, to John Budell, Chaplain of the Church of St. John,
and of the Bolebrigge Chantry, Langford.
The Museum. 29
MS. 19 Henry VII. Pass for William Johnson and Richard
Scorfield, servants of Sir John Wyndham, Kunt., dwelling in
the County of Norfolk, taken as a rebel against the King, and
put to death at Tower Hill, on Corpus Christi even. then last
Was a year.
A curiously made Puzzle Cup in china.
By Mr. Georce Sancer, Fisherton :—
A collection of Eight Bronze Celts, Two Spear Heads, Lock
and Key, and other small Bronze articles. [All found in the
neighbourhood of Salisbury, principally at Harnham Hill and
at Old Castle].
By R.
Case containing Coins found in the vicinity of Salisbury.
Twelve Encaustic Tiles of the 13th century.
Two Seals and two Rings bearing merchant’s marks.
Small Carving in Ivory.
Ditto in Alabaster.
Small Bronze Figure found at Old Sarum.
Metal Triptich of the Greek Church.
Small Leathern Black Jack.
Fragments of Stained Glass of the 16th century.
Four-handled Urn.
Herrey, Esa., Salisbury:—
Stone ware Jug of remarkable design, found at Bulbridge
House, near Wilton, date 1560.
Impression of the Seal of Trinity Hospital, Salisbury.
By Mr. Mc.Ewen, Devizes :—
Cabinet of Coins.
Fragment of Chinese Carving.
By rue Rev. Tuomas Murxs, Stockton :—
MS. Volume containing an elaborate account of the Parish
of Stockton, illustrated by a great number of Drawings of the
Church, Monuments, &c.
By Masor Grove, of Zeals:—
An interesting collection of personal objects connected with
the Royalist family of Grove. [Col. Hugh Grove and Col.
John Penruddock were beheaded at Exeter, 16th May, 1655].
30 The Museum.
Bands worn by Hugh Grove at his execution (spotted with
blood), also a portion of his Hair.
A richly carved Wooden Comb and Pincushion, given by
King Charles II. to the wife of John, son of Hugh Grove.
Cap, Stocking, and Handkerchief, left by Charles II. at
Mere when he escaped.
Blue Silk Cloak of Charles II., embroidered in silver.
A pair of Gloves, of the same period.
Copperplate Portrait of Hugh Grove, also his Speech and
last Prayer before execution. [Believed to be in his own
hand-writing ].
Two Deeds with great Seals attached of Henry VIII. and
James I.
Six MSS. with Autographs.
Household Book of the Duke of Buckingham, dated 1634.
Vellum MS., 1573.
An interesting specimen of goldsmith’s work, consisting of
a Salt, richly chased, and ornamented with astronomical de-
vices; it is formed in divisions like the stages of a tower, and
is meant to contain some other condiment besides salt. [This
curious object is of silver-gilt; it stands about fourteen inches
in height, and is probably of a date about 1600].
Proclamation at the death of King Charles II. addressed to
W. Chaffin, of Zeals, Esq., Sheriff of Wilts, Feb. 16th, 1684.
By C. Penruppocke, Ese., Compton House :—
The original Warrant for the Execution of John Penrud-
dock and others, signed “ Oliver P.,” dated at Whitehall, 3rd.
May, 1655, and addressed to John Coppleston, Esq., High-
Sheriff of Devonshire.
Case containing the Cap of French Cambric bordered with
lace, in which Colonel John Penruddock was beheaded. [At the
back a portion is severed off, indicating the blow of the axe].
Mrs. Penruddock’s last Letter to her husband before his
execution.
Portraits of Col. John Penruddock and of Arundel (Freke)
his wife.
Four Cavalier Swords, one of which was worn by the Colonel.
The Museum. 31
By Mr. Hayter, Salisbury :—
Four-handled Cup of Glazed Ware, with cover and inscrip-
tions, dated 1692.
By THe Rey. Atex. Grant, VManningford Bruce:—
Ancient Tinder Box of very complicated design.
A curious instrument for lighting a pipe, consisting of a
whistle for calling the waiter, tongs for applying a live coal,
and tobacco stopper. Found at Pewsey.
By tHE Rev. G. L. Benson, Salisbury :—
Fragments of Etruscan Pottery.
A Bronze Celt, and a Corsican Gourd.
By tHe Rev. A. Mc.Ewen, Dumfries :—
* Impression of the Chapter Seal of Melrose Abbey.
By H. J. F. Swayne, Esa., Stratford :—
Silver-gilt Locket containing Portrait, date 1617.
Cavalier’s Badge, Silver-gilt.
An interesting collection of Coins, consisting of Silver
Pennies, struck at Wilton, Sarum, Winchester, Wallingford,
&e., temp. Will. I.; also a Penny, struck at Wilton, temp.
Henry II.; Gold Noble, Edw. III.; Newark Siege Piece,
Charles I.
By Mr. E. W. Broprm, Salisbury :—
Three Cases containing various Antiquities, chiefly of Metal,
found during the recent draining excavations at Salisbury.
These objects consist of an extensive collection of keys, of various
dates, ranging from the 12th to the 17th centuries. Also some
latch keys, similar to those in use at the present day, but which
are probably as early as the 15th century. Several examples of
missile weapons were particularly interesting: a triangular
headed dart, probably intended to be projected from a balista;
barbed darts of a form in use as late as the end of the 15th
century; the heads of the English cross-bow bolt, the arrow,
and the bird-bolt; the latter being of a curved form resembling
the tail of a fish. Knives in use in the middle ages, the handles
of some of them being tastefully ornamented. Also knives used
in handicrafts, probably by leather cutters and cordwainers;
382 The Museum.
and shears of a diminutive size, not unlike those sometimes
’ discovered in Anglo-Saxon graves: spoons bearing the makers’
stamps, the hilts and blades of swords and daggers, the trap-
pings of horses, a fragment of chain mail, the wheel-locks of
carbines and muskets, probably memorials of the struggle
between the Parliament troops and the royalists, when Ludlow
was driven out of Salisbury by the army of Sir Marmaduke
Langdale; and, lastly, several rings and badges of copper
enamelled with armorial devices, some of these probably as
early as the 14th century. [Great praise is due to Mr. Brodie
for the pains he has taken in arranging and preserving these
local reliques. He has lately most liberally offered to present
them to the city as a nucleus for a local museum, in case an
institution of that kind should be formed].
A Winged Mercury, in Bronze, found at Old Sarum.
A Coin of “Offa,” in excellent preservation, found at Win-
terslow, Wilts.
Ancient Watch and Chinese Silver Box.
Stone Ware Jug.
By Mr. W. Stevens, Salisbury :—
Five Fragments of Stained Heraldic Glass, from the old
Guildhall and other ancient buildings in Salisbury.
A curious white enamelled Earthenware Drinking Cup,
about 74 inches high, bearing several scriptural subjects and
coats of arms, with the initials L.W.
By Messrs. Brown, Canal, Salisbury :—
A large collection of Topographical and other Books re-
lating to Wiltshire.
By Mr. J. E. Nigurincare, Wilton:—
Byzantine Carving in Ivory, representing our Saviour in
glory.
Specimens of Tiles, called “Azulejo,” from the prevalent
blue colour; from the Alhambra.
Piece of Terra Cotta of classic design from Tangiers.
Bulla of Pope Urban V., found near Wilton.
Four Illuminations from Service Books.
The Museum. 33
Iron Locker, 15th century.
Four Plates of Limoges Enamel.
Watch, with case of elaborate Metal work; from Padua,
date 1520.
German Triptych, 17th century.
Fibula and Nail, forming the head of Medusa, remains of
Roman occupation; from the island of Elephantina, in Upper
Egypt. ;
Two portions of a Glass vase-shaped Lamp, richly coloured
and gilt, with an Arabic inscription; from the Mosque of
Sultan Hassan, at Cairo, date about 1360. [These curious
lamps are said to be of Syrian manufacture; Mr. Curzon
thinks it more probable “that these beautiful specimens of
ancient glass were made in the island of Murano, in the lagunes
of Venice, as the manufactories of the Venetians supplied the
Mahomedans with many luxuries in the middle ages’’].
A series of impressions of Wilton Seals, consisting of the
Common seal of the Borough of Wilton; personal seal of the
Mayor; the hospital of St. Giles; the guild of weavers; and
a personal seal of the 12th century, belonging to Joane,
daughter of Joannes Westone, found near the abbey of Wilton.
[The seal of the priory of St. John now in use is not the
original, it is circular and bears the Agnus Dei. The original
seal of the abbey of Wilton is engraved in the 8th vol. of the
Archzologia, to which is added a learned essay on the subject
by the late F. Douce. This remarkable seal, of which two
imperfect impressions are known to exist, belongs to a period
not much later than the reign of King Edgar, and is probably
the oldest monastic seal in existence |.
By Miss Wickens, Salisbury:—
Volume containing a large number of drawings of antiquities
in Salisbury and the neighbourhood.
Copy of an ancient Fresco Painting in St. Thomas’ Church,
Salisbury, representing the last judgment.
Model of the Old Bell Tower of Salisbury Cathedral. [This
formerly stood on the north side of the cathedral, and was
z
34 The Museum.
taken down when other extensive alterations were made at
the end of the last century ].
Wooden-barrel Cup, formerly in the possession of Sir Isaac
Newton.
By Mr. W. Osmonp, Jun., Salisbury :—
Two Water-colour Drawings of the Poultry Cross, Salisbury.
A large and interesting collection of Sulphur Casts of Seals,
chiefly relating to Co. Wilts.
By tue Rey. A. Fang, Warminster :—
Seven Roman Coins, found in an earthen vessel at Long-
bridge Deverill.
Gold Ring, found at Sherrington.
By Mr. J. Bennett, Salisbury; & Rev. W. C. Bennert, Corsham :—
Stone-ware Jug, elaborately mounted in Silver-gilt, of the
time of Queen Elizabeth.
Large folio Family Bible, richly bound, with massive silver
mounting, and illuminated, containing the Pedigree of the
Bennetts and about 140 illustrations, date 1679.
Mortuary Ring.
Ancient Silver ditto.
One Gold and one Silver Coin.
By tHE Lorp ArunDELL, of Wardour, (through John Lambert,
Esq., Mayor of Salisbury) :— ;
A Wooden Peg Tankard, traditionally said to have belonged
to an Abbot of Glastonbury. It is richly carved, with figures of
the Twelve Apostles under an arcade of round-headed arches,
and has a representation of the Crucifixion on the lid. [A
very early date has been assigned to this cup, but there seems
no reason for supposing it to be much, if any, older than 1600].
« Annales Archzeologiques”: by Didrow, 5 vols.
By tHe CHurcHWwARDENS oF St. Tuomas, Sarwm:—
Ancient Antependium of green Velvet, ornamented with
orfrais and embroideries, representing the Annunciation.
By Watrer Hopexrson, Esa. :—
Detailed Drawings of Wootton Rivers Church, and other
Antiquities in the neighbourhood of Marlborough.
ee ete
The Museum. 35
By F. C. Luxts, Ese, F.S.A., Guernsey:—
A series of 24 Stone Celts, and other Celtic Antiquities,
with a large and valuable collection of Drawings illustrative
of Celtic remains.
*A Cast of a Guernsey Stone Celt, and some Hand Bricks.
By F. C. Luxis, Ese., M.D., F.S.A.:—
A copy of his ‘“ Observations on Celtic Megaliths, &c.”
By Joun Brown Wuirte, Esa. :—
* Nine Roman Coins, found in the parish of Little Bedwyn.
By roe Rev. Sus-Dran Eyre, Salisbury:—
Engraving of Salisbury Cathedral, (N.E. view).
By THe Rev. W. C. Lukis, Great Bedwyn:—
Models of Bells and Mould for casting them.
Drawings (full size) of the Ist, 4th, and Tenor Bells at
Ogbourne St. Andrew.
A large and interesting collection of Antiquities was kindly con-
tributed
By roe Drrecrors or THE WINCHESTER MusEuM:—
Amongst other objects of local interest was the Original
Winchester Bushel, presented to the city by King Henry VII.
in 1487.
A series of Standard Gallons, Quarts, and Yard Measures,
of the period of Henry VII. and Queen Elizabeth; these are
formed of a mixed yellow metal.
The Bronze Horn of the Warder of Winchester Castle.
Three Taper Stands, of the 15th century, found on the site
of an ancient chapel on St. Giles’ Hill.
A collection of Roman Urns, found at Winchester.
Fragments of Pottery, from Egypt, Pompeii, and Constan-
tinople.
British Bead of Glass, found in a peat moor at King’s
Sombourn.
A series of Leaden Papal Bulle.
A curiously carved Cup, in Ivory, of early date; found
amongst the ruins of Basing House.
Anglo-Saxon Fibula, enamelled, from the ruins of HydeAbbey.
F 2
36 The Museum.
A Pair of Roundels; these articles were used as fruit
trenchers about the period of Elizabeth; they are curiously
painted, and inscribed with quaint devices.
Celt, found in a barrow near Maupas, Normandy.
Ancient Bone Pins, discovered in Winchester.
By Eart Netson, Trafalgar :—
Two ancient Silver Salvers and Cup.
By Joun Brirrton, Esea., F.S.A.:—
Large Portfolio of Coloured Drawings: by J. H. Le Keux.
By Joun B. Nicnotns, Ese., F.S.A., London :—
Portfolio of Drawings, Prints, &c., relating to the County
of Wilts.
By Mr. Bippiecomse, Salisbury :—
Ancient View of the City of Salisbury from the N.E., (Oil
Painting).
Drawing of the Cathedral, taken from N.E., showing the
Hungerford Chapel, &c.
Engraving of the Interior, from the West end, 1754.
By tHe Rev. J. P. Bartierr, Exbury, Hants:—
A collection of 28 pieces of Roman Pottery, lately discovered
in the Western parts of the New Forest. [Innumerable
fragments, and a great many entire vessels were found scattered
over a tract of some extent; they are all more or less im-
perfect, and seem evidently to have formed the refuse of a
potter’s kiln. Some of these vases have been figured, and a
description given, in a late vol. of the Archeologia].
By Mr. Humpnrey Brackmore, Salisbury :—
Ancient Key.
A Box in Brass, curiously chased.
By Miss Maynez, Teffont:—
A Coin of Aurelius, and a Half-Noble of Edward IIL.,
found at Teffont.
By Mr. Pranerey, Heytesbury:—
Ring, found at Monkton Deverell.
Ditto, found at the Manor House of Corsley, once the seat
of the Raleigh family.
The Museum. 37
By Mrs. Hussy, Salisbury:—
Large four-sheet Print of Salisbury Cathedral, from the
South-West: by Thacker.
By Mr. W. Downrine, Fisherton:—
A collection of Flints, of the Chalk formation, with Crystals
and Calcedony.
By Mr. Brown, Aldbourne :—
Small Bell, of German manufacture, date 1560; found in
the foundation of an old wall at Aldbourne, 1854.
By Mrs. Cotston, Roundway Park:—
Five Gold Filagree Beads.
Two Gold Pins, with Garnets set in the heads, attached by
chains to a central ornament, also mounted in pagel and having
a cross engraved on it.
Five Precious Stones of various shapes, mounted in gold;
some supposed to be carbuncle.
Piece of Jet, of a triangular form, set in gold.
Remains of an Incense Pail, consisting of fragments of wood,
19 triangular ornaments, and 2 hoops of brass. [The above
articles were discovered a few years since, with a skeleton, on
opening a tumulus on Roundway down. A description and
coloured engraving of them will be found in No. I. of “Re-
mains of Pagan Saxondom”: by J. Y. Akerman, Esq. |
Portions of Two Urns, (Roman and ancient British) found
near the same spot.
Two Crania, from the same locality; one of these exhibits
several sword cuts, and is conjectured to have been that of a
soldier who fell in the battle fought on Roundway down,
A.D. 1643.
By Mr. Cunnineton, Devizes :—
A collection of Fossil Sponges, from the Chalk Flints of
Wiltshire, 47 specimens.
Humerus of large Saurian, (probably Pliosaurus) 27 inches
in length, from the Kimmeridge Clay, near Devizes.
Coracoid of Saurian, 4 large Teeth, and 8 Vertebra, one
7 inches in diameter, from the same.
38 The Museum.
Left Ramus of the Lower Jaw of Ichthyosaurus Campylodon,
2 feet 11 inches in length, from the Upper Green Sand of
Warminster.
A very perfect specimen of Ammonites Rostratus, found in
the Upper Green Sand of Devizes.
A selection of Fossil Univalve Shells, from the Upper Green
Sand of Wiltshire, 35 specimens; also Fossil Bivalve Shells,
from the same stratum, 168 specimens.
By Mr. Farkner, Devizes:—
Minute Shells and Seeds, from the centre of Silbury Hill.
Globular Flints, hollow and solid.
Sponges from the interior of hollow flints.
Dust from ditto, washed and unwashed.
Humerus of large Saurian, from the Kimmeridge Clay, near
Devizes.
By Mr. E. Kite, Devizes :—
Model (in plaster) of the Font in Preshute Church.
Ancient Deed, alienation of property at Chiseldon, Wilts,
from William Malyn, gent., to Thomas King, with impression
in white wax of Great Seal of James I.
By Mr. W. D. Wi1xEs:—
Stroup, Anvil, and Hammer Bones of the internal Ear,
from an Anglo-Saxon Skull.
By Mr. R. Wayten, Salisbury :—
Drawing of the Market-place, Devizes, as it appeared about
the year 1800.
Another Drawing, of the Town-hall, showing several old
houses in St. John’s Street, now removed.
Tartar Sword.
Drawing of a Head and Coats of Arms, in an old house at
Stratford.
By Mr. Cuapman, Salisbury :—
Ancient Box of carved Oak.
By Mr. Howrrr, Wilton:—
Ware Vessel, probably a rude funeral lamp or cresset, found
in the churchyard of the new church at Wilton.
The Museum. 39
Rude Lump of Baked Clay, with a hole in the centre,
possibly used to support large candles ranged on the floor of
a church around a corpse in funeral obsequies, found at ditto.
By Mr. Foor, Salishury:—
Ancient Wooden Dish, found in St. Anne’s Street.
By Mr. Baker, Warminster:—
Large quantity of Upper Green Sand and other Fossils,
from the neighbourhood of Warminster.
By Dr. Tuurnam, F.S.A., Devizes:—
Stone Axes, Arrow Heads, and small Whetstone, from
Ireland.
Bronze Spear Head, from a tumulus at West Everley.
40 On Church Bells.
On Church Bells,
WITH SOME NOTICES OF WILTSHIRE BELLS.
By Tue Rev. W. C. Lots.
I po not propose to enter into the antiquity and history of bells
in general. This has been done already by several most able
writers of our day, I refer particularly to the Reverends Alfred
Gatty, and H. T. Ellacombe. My object is to speak of church bells
exclusively, as we find them, making some passing allusions to
some of the uses to which they were applied in former times, as
well as to those to which they are applied now.
Accordingly into the origin of church bells, whether they were
adopted into the christian church from heathen temples, or whether
they are the legitimate offspring of the church herself, I will not
now enquire.
And in the pursuit of this very interesting and fruitful subject
I propose to consider the following divisions :—
1. Belfries; their condition, and the causes of their frequent
dilapidation.
. Bell-founders and foundries.
. The composition of bell-metal.
. Method of casting and tuning bells.
. Bell hanging.
. Expenses of bells in early and present times.
. Ancient bells.
. Epigraphs or legends.
Oonr DD Oo FP & NW
. Bell ringing.
10. Spoliation of bells, temp. Reformation and subsequently.
11. Comparative scale of tenor bells.
I have adopted this order, because in investigating the subject of.
campanology, the belfry first presents itself to your eyes. You
¢ena-—= -----~----------—----~-- Canons
- Haunch
po nnesenstan nena ennnnenne Waist
[See Mercennus de Harmonicis, lib. iv.}
N.B. The Sound-bow is the line of the thickest part, where the clapper must strike.
By the Rev. W. C. Lukas. 41
ascend it, and the bells themselves then come under your con-
sideration. But you will know very little about them, unless you
have first become acquainted with their founders, and the several
changes which were introduced by them in the form of the bells.
1. Belfries. Some persons apply this term to signify the whole
tower; others limit its application to the part in which the bells are
suspended; and others again to the room or space in which .the
ringers stand, which is either on the floor of the church, or in one
of the stages of the tower. This is a matter of very little con-
sequence; and I do not intend to speak of this part of the church
further than just to remark by the way, that as it was clearly erected
for the purpose of carrying bells, it is a matter for our grave con-
sideration how it comes to pass that so many of our village churches
should have their towers in so dilapidated a condition. I have seen
several in the course of my Wiltshire rambles which are in so
dangerous a state that the bells are forbidden to be rung. There
can be no doubt that this arises from two causes. In the first place,
bells for which the towers were originally constructed were not
subject to the same revolutions and tossings as now. They were
swung to and fro, it is true, as I shall explain presently, but very
gently compared with the present wild summersets of change
ringing, an art of comparatively recent date. Consequently in
constructing the towers, the architects of those days had not to take
into their calculation the great vibration of the walls produced by
the violent motion of the bells. In 1810 the spire of St. Nicholas’s
church, Liverpool, fell, as the people were assembling for service, and
killed twenty-three persons. This catastrophe was partly caused
by the vibration of the bells. Any one who has stood in the belfry
of the lofty and beautiful tower of Magdalen College, Oxford, when
a peal is ringing on its ten sweet-toned bells, knows the way in
which a tower is made to sway. To a person of weak nerves it is
perfectly alarming, and it is easy to understand how this kind of
vibration must loosen the masonry and eventually endanger the
building. '
The following is an extract from the ancient churchwarden’s °
accounts of St. Thomas’s, Salisbury. “At a vestry held 6 April,
G
42 On Church Bells.
1640. Item, by reason of the danger w% the tower is in by
ringing of the bells, since they were high hung, and in other re-
spects, it is agreed that the bells shall bee hung lower at the same
pitch they formerly were hung att, and the churchwardens are
desired to do itt accordingly.”
In the second place, and this I take to be the principal cause of
the evil, churchwardens have been sadly negligent. With a little
grease and new ropes allowed now and then, they have imagined
that their duty to the bells and to the parish has been faithfully
done, whereas mischief of a three-fold nature has been growing and
increasing,—mischief to the building, to the bells, and to the
parishioners;—the one ending in its dilapidation and ruin; the
second, in their utter destruction; and the third, to the prejudice
of their pockets. In a tower in this county, I found three out of
six bells broken, as I firmly believe, from this cause, and several
peals of bells rendered nearly useless in consequence of the shaky
state of the towers. As an instance of the way in which some, I
may say many, churchwardens speak and act, I will mention, that
I was warned by a parish clerk to be very careful where I stept in
the bell-loft, for, said he, “the tower be main crazy.” On asking
the churchwarden for the key of the church, and mentioning the
clerk’s humane warning, he said “Sir, I have known the tower these
forty years, and he never was no better than he isnow. He’s quite
safe. I’ll tell’ee what, sir; one day the bishop come, and he said,
muster churchwarden, you’ve a very pretty church, and he’s in
very good order. Another day, another gentleman come, I think
they call’un a rural dean, and he said, muster churchwarden, you’ve
a pretty church, and he’s sadly out of repair.” When I returned
the key I did not see the churchwarden, or I should have told him
that in my humble opinion both the rural dean and the parish clerk
were right; for I had seen very many churches and many belfries,
but few in a worse condition.
And to illustrate the way in which these good easy parish officers
will sometimes suffer the house of God to fall into decay, while I
fear they expend what they rob Him of upon their own bodily
comforts, I will tell you, that in ascending a Wiltshire tower with
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 43
careful step, I sank through the rotten floor of one of its stages,
and was preserved from a broken limb, if not an untimely end, by
the joists which happened to be less decayed.
Bells require very constant attention to keep them in proper
ringing order. When you consider their enormous weight, the
different parts of their gear, the iron and the wood of which it is
composed bolted and screwed together; the frame work on which
they hang, and in revolving which they violently shake and vibrate;
and then reflect that the iron and the wood are both exposed to
continual changes of atmosphere; and that, under one condition
of atmosphere, when one of those materials expands, the other
contracts, and that then the bells cannot oscillate so easily, you
will form some idea of the care and attention they require to keep
them in ringing order. Well, suppose screws to get loose, and to
remain so during many successive generations of churchwardens,
the iron straps to become corroded, thin, weak, and then to snap;
the gudgeons to wear away unequally by the friction, and thereby
to throw the bells out of the horizontal, you can imagine what the
consequences must be. The bells revolve heavily, the frame work
shakes and creaks, and the ringers, who have no voice in the vestry,
and no power over parish moneys, do what they can to remedy
some of the evil, and the very thing they do only increases the
mischief. They put wedges between the frame work and the walls
of the tower to stop the creaking; but the result of this is to set
the walls shaking, and finally to destroy them. Or, if this does
not immediately happen, the clappers of the bells get out of order,
and striking the sound-bow suddenly in a fresh place, cause them
to crack instantly.
While upon the subject of Wiltshire bell-lofts, I cannot refrain
from expressing another regret. I have been frequently much
pained by observing the shameful state of filth and neglect of many
of them. Generally speaking the dark winding stone staircases
(when they have any) leading to them, are dirty, worn, and difli-
cult to tread, and you have to cork-screw your way up with very
careful step, and when you have secured your footing, and are
beginning to congratulate yourself on having passed every obstacle,
G2
44 On Church Bells.
you suddenly come upon a huge heap of sticks, straw, feathers,
bits of cloth, and other rubbish, the patient and laborious work
of indefatigable jackdaws. When the towers have no stone stair-
case, the bells have to be reached by a succession of crazy ladders,
planted on equally crazy floors.
How very shameful that any part of God’s house should be so
neglected! Why should towers be so desecrated? Are they not
as much a portion of the church as any other part? Why should
they be left to the sole occupation of unclean birds, and profane
and irreverent ringers? Why, the very jackdaws, starlings, and
owls used to stare at me, and linger among the bells before they
took flight, wondering perhaps what kind of evil bird I was, and
with what possible object I had intruded unbidden into the territory
to which generations of parishioners had given them a prescriptive
right.
We may, I think, attribute this state of things to two causes,
first, to a want of interest in the art of bell-ringing; and secondly,
to the difficulty which is experienced by the clergy in managing
the generally most unruly set of men in a parish—the ringers.
If gentlemen in a parish really loved bell-ringing for itself, they
would not long endure the abominations that so frequently exist.
However, there has been a salutary reform effected of late years
among another branch of church musicians, and we may hope to
witness a reform in this respect also before long.
2. We come now to the second division of the subject—Bell-
founders and foundries.
When you examine a church bell, you will generally observe
that, besides a legend or some quaint epigraph upon them, there
are also the initials or the name of the founder, and sometimes the
town is added where the foundry was situated. The number of
bell-founders, whose bells exist in Wiltshire, amounts to between
twenty and thirty. This appears a large number, but you must
recollect that they range over a period of three hundred years at
least. I have a list of upwards of sixty founders, which I have
collected chiefly from inscriptions on bells, but they are not found
in Wiltshire only. I do not say that these twenty or thirty
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 45
founders had their foundries in this county, but you will neverthe-
less be gratified to hear that Wiltshire has produced some of the
most eminent men of this craft: I allude to Wallis, Danton, and
the Purdues of Salisbury, in the 16th and 17th centuries; to the
Corrs and Wellses of Aldbourne, in the 17th, 18th, and 19th cen-
turies; and in the 18th century to Richard Phelps, of Whitechapel,
London, a native of Avebury, who cast the great clock bell of
St. Paul’s cathedral, weighing nearly four tons. It will be, I
believe, a new thing to the people of Salisbury to hear that a very
large bell-foundry existed here for a considerable period. I have
ascertained that it continued to supply Wiltshire and other counties
with bells for a period ranging from 1581 to 1731, and yet it is a
very remarkable circumstance that no tradition of its existence has
been perpetuated in the city. I have searched, in vain, through
published histories of Salisbury, and have been equally unsuccessful
in my enquiries here among those gentlemen who have made its
antiquities and history their study. Not one vestige remains of
the foundry, nor a single record of its site has yet come under my
notice. I have, however, been informed that the street called
Culver Street, was also called Bell-founder’s Street;! and it is just
possible that it stood there.
That the foundry must have been large and its business extensive,
is evident from the very large proportion of bells in Wiltshire
that came from it; and also from the fact that the heaviest bells in
the county were cast there. It could not have been an insignificant
foundry that produced such bells as the tenor of St. Edmund’s
church in this city, and the tenor of Great Bedwyn. The earliest
founder in Wilts with whom I am acquainted, was J. Wallis, of
Salisbury, and his first bells are to be found at Little Bedwyn, Bishop-
stone, Figheldean, Netheravon, Chute, St. Martin’s Salisbury, &c.
1JIn the Report of the Commissioners of Charities we find: ‘Salisbury—
Thomas Bee’s charity; By Deed Poll, dated 29 Novy. 1624, Bartholomew Tooke
and Wm. Marshall, in pursuance of the Will of Thomas Bee, conveyed one
Messuage or Tenement, three Gardens, and two Orchards with the appurts. in
Culver Street al* Bell-founder’s Street in New Sarum, upon the Trusts of his
Will, &e.’
46 On Church Bells.
There appears to have been an extraordinary demand for his
bells; and he seems to have been a man of few words, but
of great deeds. A man is known by his works, and a man’s
character and tone of mind may be known in some measure by his
words. If we estimate him by his works he was a great man; and
if we take his laconic epigraphs as an index of his heart, his was
a trustful, ‘thankful, religious character. ‘In the Lord do I trust”;
“Give thanks to God”; “God be our guide”; “Give alms”; “In
God is all my hope and trust”; “Praise God”; “ Hope well”’;
“Serve God”; these are some of his short expressive epigraphs.
Associates and assistants are greatly influenced by a master mind.
Men’s thoughts and characters are moulded on the pattern conti-
nually presented to them. Danton, who appears to have been
originally associated with Wallis, but in what capacity does not
appear, in carrying on the foundry, after the retirement or death
of Wallis, seems to have imbibed his joyful thankful spirit. ‘“O
be joyful in the Lord”; “Praise God”; “Tove God”; “QO praise
the Lord”’; &c.
The bells which came from the hands of the Purdues may be
classed among the finest and most beautiful that were founded at
Salisbury. Your city once possessed a magnificent peal, surpassed
by few in the kingdom. Not to mention the unpardonable de-
struction of the belfry, an irreparable loss to the county and the
lover of Christian art, you have lost one of the finest peals that
ever existed in England; and the fine-toned cathedral clock bell,
which formed the sixth of that monster peal of eight, hourly, by
day and by night, tolls the knell of the departed members of that
once united and harmonious family. This peal must have equalled
that of St. Saviour’s, Southwark, the tenor of which weighs 52 ewt.
The cathedral bell, cast in 1661; the tenor of St. Edmund’s church,
which is a larger bell, cast in 1656; the fifth of Great Bedwyn,
which for liveliness and clearness of tone is not to be surpassed by
any, cast in the same year, were all the handiwork of William
Purdue.
With the deaths of the Purdues end the really great works of
this foundry. They had successors, but the giants of the art were
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 47
no more, and with Clement and William Tosier closes the history
of the Salisbury foundry, about the year 1731. Their bells are to
be found in the immediate neighbourhood, at Nunton, Homington,
Winterborne Dauntsey, Shrewton, Orcheston St. Mary, &c., but they
are all of small dimensions. Clement Tosier, however, made one or
two great efforts, for I have just discovered that in the year 1680?
1 Copy of a Document in the Muniment Room, Salisbury Cathedral. ‘Articles
of Agreement had made and concluded by and betweene the Reverend Deane
and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Sarum, and Clement Tosier, of the
Citty of New Sarum, in the County of Wilts, Bell-founder, and Elizabeth
Fflowry, of the said Citty of New Sarum, Widdow.
“Tt is Articled and agreed by and betweene the partyes abovesaid as followeth,
viz. :—
1. That the said Clement Tosier and Elizabeth Fflowry shall, at their owne
proper cost and charges, new cast the seaventh and eighth Bells belonging to the
said Cathedral Church, and fit and tune them to their places; And shall finde
and provide such a quantity of mettle as shall be necessary for that purpose;
Which mettle (to be made) shall bee composed of eight parts of the best Copper
and two parts of the choysest Tinn; All which the said Clement Tosier and
Elizabeth Fflowry doe promise to performe within the space of eight weekes
after the date of these psents.
2. That the said Clement Tosier and Elizabeth Fflowry shall warrant and
make good the said Bells being soe cast as aforesaid, for the space of one yeare
and a day next after they are hung up in theire places, And if it shall happen
either of the said Bells shall prove defective wthin the space of one yeare and
a day aforesaid, that then the said Clement Tosier and Elizabeth Fflowry shall
make good and recast the sd. Bells at his owne cost and charges untill they
shall continue sound and pfect. for the space of one whole yeare and a day next
after their hanging up.
3. That in consideration of the sd. worke to be performed the said Deane and
Chapter doe covenant and agree to pay the said Clement Tosier and Elizabeth
Fflowry after the rate of Twenty Shillings by the Hundred for the soe casting
and perfecting the said Bells, and to allow and pay them after the rate of flive
pounds, three shillings, and six pence for every hundred weight that the sayd
Bells shall weigh more than they did before the said Tosier cast them,
4, That the said Deane and Chapter shall pay for the aforesaid mettle soe
soone as the said Clement Tosier and Elizabeth Fflowry shall bring it in place,
and for their labour and charge w° they shall be at in casting the said Bells
soe soone as the said Bells are finished and hung up.”
Tn witnesse whereof the partyes aforemencioned to these p'sents interchangeably
have sett their hands, the 16th day of August, 1680.
Signed in the prsence. of The marke of Clement x Tosier,
Tho, Naish, Geo. Frome, Jun. The marke of Elizabeth 3 Fflowry.
48 On Church Bells.
he, in conjunction with Elizabeth Fflowry’ (or Flory), widow
of R. Fflowry, cast the seventh and eighth bells of the great Salis-
bury peal; and that he also cast the fine tenor at Downton.
The Corrs of Aldbourne were founders of church bells as early
as 1696, and although this foundry must have supplied a vast
number of bells in their days as well as in the days of their suc-
cessors, the Wellses, I cannot discover that any very great work
issued from their hands, compared with that of their brethren of
the craft at Salisbury. The seventh and eighth bells at Calne,
seven out of the fine peal of eight at St. Thomas’s, Salisbury, are
some of the largest works of the Wellses.? Their epigraphs are of
a totally different character from those of the Salisbury founders,
and appear to be rather the composition of the clergy or of the
donors, e.g. at Aldbourne we find on the treble bell,
“The gift of Joseph Pizzie and Wm. Gwynn.
Music and ringing we like so well,
And for that reason we gave this bell.”
‘“‘Me resonare jubent pietas mors atque voluptas.”
‘On earth bells do ring,
In heaven angels sing—Halleluiah.”
‘«My cheerful note aloft shall raise
To sound my Benefactor’s praise.”
‘‘The heart resolves, the hand obeys
To sound our mighty Maker’s praise.”
1 It is just possible that this was Elizabeth Orchard, who married Richard
Fflorrey, the younger, at Great Bedwyn, on June 11th, 1660. Richard Fflorrey
was buried at Great Bedwyn, Sept. 14th, 1679, and Elizabeth Fflorrey was
buried at the same place, Oct. 16th, 1680. These dates will agree with the
Salisbury document.
2 Extract from ‘‘The Marlborough Journal” newspaper, of ‘‘ Saturday,
June 6th, 1772; vol. 2. No. 63.” Among the advertisements is:—
“At the BELL-FOUNDERY at Aldbourne, Wilts, CHURCH-BELLS are cast
in a most elegant and as musical a manner as in any Part of the Kingdom, the
Founder having made the Theory of Sounds as well as the Nature of Metal his
Chief Study; also hangs the same finding all materials in the most complete
and concise manner; And also Hand-Bells prepared and strictly in Tune in any
key. Horse-Bells, Clock and Room Bells, the neatest of their several kinds.
Likewise Mill Brasses cast and sold at the lowest Prices.
All orders will be punctually observed by Ros. Wetts, Founder.
= He gives Ready Money and the best Prices for Bell Metal.
ny
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 49
There was a bell-foundry also at Devizes, belonging to James
Burrough, in the 18th century, but little business appears to have
been done by it. The fourth bell at Collingbourne Ducis, and the
fourth at Calne, with the first and second at St. John’s, Devizes,
came from this foundry.
And here, I think, ends the list of Wiltshire founders and
foundries.
A great many Gloucester bells are to be met with in Wiltshire,
and they abound also in the western counties. That foundry is of
great antiquity, and it was there that the art was brought to great
perfection. In the time of King Edward IL., circa 1310, it is known
that bells were founded there by John of Gloucester. From his
days to the present time, 7.e. for more than five hundred years, the
foundry has been in active operation, and especially so from the
close of the 17th century, when we are introduced to the well-
known name of Rudhall. The family of the Rudhalls must have
been of that class of Englishmen who were once more common
than now, called good “church and state people.” Nearly all their
bells bear such epigraphs as the following: ‘Prosperity to the
Church and Queen”; “May the Church of England ever flourish”;
“God prosper the Church of England”; “Free from rebellion God
save the King”; “Peace and good neighbourhood”; ‘God send
peace.” Some of their bells are of considerable size, but the largest
I have met with are the tenor of Westbury, in this county, which
is 58 inches diameter, and is the largest bell in Wiltshire, weighing
about 35 ewt.; and the tenor at Bath abbey, which is 593 inches
diameter, weighs about 2 tons, and bears this inscription :
‘All you of Bath that hear me sound,
Thank Lady Hopton’s hundred pound.”
It would take up too much space, and too much of your time, if
I were to say a few words only upon all the founders of Wiltshire
bells and their foundries. I will merely add that Henry Knight,
Ellis and Samuel Knight, of Reading, were bell-founders of some
eminence in the 17th century; and that four of the Great Bedwyn
peal, and the fifth of Collingbourne Kingston, besides several to
be met with in Oxford, are their work.
50 On Church Bells.
I also give here a chronological list of bell-founders, to which
many others might be added:—
GLOUCESTER.
John of Gloucester . . . . . .~ cirea 1810
William Henshawe! ..... «© 1480
Abraham Rudhall,Sen2 . . . . 1684
Abraham Rudhall, Jun. ... . 1718
Abel Rudhall eee TT eR pice
Thomas Rudhall re ta BRN 1780
satis }Rudhall . . . . . . 17851828
John
SALISBURY.
John Wallis .o- 6s oss »., ,Aeol—loas
Jour Danton." . ss ss te. LOD
William Purdue
Roger Purdue COheraiw Vaped ier
WhomaatPardue: &) fio) atk Ns 1663
Nicholas Bolter
Jonathan Bolter Fg pedal rainy 3° pases
John Lett AE Aga RG em 5) RE IST
R. Flowry at ie dame te Mapu 1675
Glsment Tosier : 0%. 4... . koou-——ata
Wuhan Vosier. .? 2.8. 3 ee 17238
ALDBOURNE, WILTS.
William Corr
ae he “calcrersiereeastresc) deg>s EROS SII
John Corr AU Sac Bit Ph Tak 1750
Robert Wells 9 Hietd te wpe ely be4S ee
James Wells : . . . « » w» . 1818—-1825
DEVIZES, WILTS.
James Burrough . . . . . . = 1788—1754
1 There is a Brass to the memory of W. Henshawe and his two wives in
St. Michael’s church, Gloucester. The figures of the wives alone remain, and
the following legend:—‘‘Pray for the Soull of Willm. Henshawe Belfounder
and late Maire of this Towne and Alys and Agnes his wyfes the whiche Willm.
decessed the. . . day of. . . in the yer of our Lord God a thousand ccccc. . .
and the seid Alys decessed the Seconde day of ffebruary the yere of ot Lord
MX: ye. x1x. for whose soules of yor charite say a pater nost® and a Ave.”
He died January, 1736, aged 78.
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis.
, READING.
Henry Knight
Ellis Knight
Samuel Knight
LEICESTER.
Robert Newcombe
Mr. Eayres SPRAIN
ONES re ae
WOODSTOCK.
Richard Keene
James Keene
LONDON.
John Hodson...
Christopher Hodson . .
Richard Phelps (Whitechapel)
Thomas Lester
Lester and Pack
Pack and Chapman ‘
Robert Patrick GWwiitanlesgelly
Mr. Janeway (Chelsea)
Messrs. Mears (and at Crees)
~ Messrs. Warner and Sons
Mr. Bowen
Barrett and Oaoraen
CHIPPING NORTON.
Henry Bagley
Matthew Bagley
Henry Bagley
DONCASTER.
William Cuerdon
BAWTRY, NEAR DONCASTER.
Daniel Heddersley
WOOTTON, NEAR BEDFORD.
1719—1743
Mr. Russell
HERTFORD.
John Bryant
1587—1623
1623
1693
1598—1612
1700
1626—1681
1653
1750—1800
1854
1854
1854
1854
1664—1679
1679
1722
ob. 1678
1720
1790
H
2
51
On Church Beils.
BARROW, LINCOLNSHIRE.
John Harrison 1749
WATH, YORKSHIRE.
Mr. Hilton 1791
ST. NEOT’S, HUNTINGDONSHIRE.
Mr. Arnold
BICESTER, OXON.
Edward Hemins 1729—1737
GUERNSEY.
Nicholas Blondell 1759
CHEPSTOW.
William Evans 1732
DOWNHAM, NORFOLK.
T. Osborn . 1794—1802
KETTERING.
Thomas Eyre 1755
OXFORD.
Mr. Watts .
Mr. Taylor 1835—1854
EDINBURGH CASTLE.
Robert Borthwick 1528
LOUGHBOROUGH.
Mr. Taylor 1854
BRISTOL.
Mr. Cary 1854
BRIDGEWATER.
T. Kingston 1826
CAMBRIDGE.
one MiP HETRIOM 1521
Richard Corrington . 1606
WORCESTER.
John Martin 1675—1700
SUFFOLK AND NORFOLK.
Anthony Bond 1620
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 53
LICHFIELD.
Henry Mitchell . . ..... 1313
HUNTS.
Miamsas Dorris” (hud bdo eo 7 1634
CARLISLE.
George Lees fraps. tear reas
Piivd Wrights. i Sek, 1600
DUBLIN.
mramanvlodaces <6 fe. 1854
Santos Sheridan’ i. Pee 8s 1854
T. Murphy
COLLUMPTON.
Thomas Bilbie (and at Chewstoke) . 1740—1764
.... Pannell = J aie
EXETER.
Charles Pannell and Co. . .. . 1854
CHEWSTOKE, SOMERSETSHIRE.
Thomas Bilbie (and at Collumpton). 1740—1764
DURHAM.
Thomas: Bartlett?) yseolay syed os 16380
In the 15th century there were celebrated bell-founders in Bristol ;
and foundries once existed at East Dereham, Norfolk, Chesterfield,
and Nottingham.
(FOUNDERS WHOSE LOCALITIES ARE UNKNOWN).
Miohael Darbie: 26:66) Ge. vers 1654
ge Reem sows ere: dave 1579
Richard de Wambis eres
OE | an ee a 1574
RAIGDIVUP LEOVOP (6 0th de ic 1592
1 In Sir Cuthbert Sharpe’s Extracts from Parish Registers, 1841, p. 54, there
is the following extract from the Burial Register of St. Mary-le-Bow, Durham:
“Thomas Bertlett (a bell-founder), This man did cast the Abbey bells the
Summer before he dyed: buried Feb. 3, 1632.” ;
2 He cast the bells of St. Margaret’s, Westminster, but not to the satisfaction
of the vestry, who record in their accounts that they were ‘very falsely and
deceytfully made by Valentyne Trevor.”
54 On Church Bells.
Robert Motte i 2" 2, OR os, 1578
retard: Bowler, 664-5. veaocacké ss 1603
Joneph Hatch. ois Sepceatows 1605
Bartholomew Atton etary. ' 1624
Robert Atton TINT opiate 17/3 1610
Francis hoster.) s’ «ss 1659
moos Wheel oS ATs ee” oe Ceeenenee
Milles Graye (Se, Ere 1625
Thoma Wobbes: . «. sk gies 4S oe 1641
Henry Pleisant: 1 heyicddsed sw. os 1702
Eber, TI pi coo 5.) Fgh ocsh ede hauly'e 1704
Wm. -Cockey nw he ze, 5, re
Robert Catlin to wee ee 1740
Thomas Hedderley . . . .. . 1762
William Dobson 1811
Henry III., sec. 12, is an entry of 10501b. of copper and 500lb. of
tin, and the metal of an old bell, to be melted up with it to make
three new bells for the church of the castle of Dover. In the
Circle of Mechanical Arts, published by Mr. Martin, a civil engineer,
in 18138 (p. 854), it is stated that in bell metal there is about one-
fifth of tin. And in the Penny Cyclopzedia, tit. Bronze, it is stated
that Dr. Thompson found English bell metal to consist of
Oonper, +... clase ae ote tee lt UL
A ie eee sae ee age ee ll
Zinc . POS = POE Aan Sr 5.6
EL a 5. tek wi as 6 os Chat a
100.
Bell metal, therefore, consists principally of copper and tin, in
certain proportions, but each bell-founder has his secret mode of
amalgamating his metals. I believe that the best bell metal is
compounded of four parts of copper to one of tin. It is quite an
error to suppose that silver enters largely into the composition of
some bells. When the bells of my own church were taken down
the other day for the purpose of re-stocking them, it was observed
that the canons had become white in parts where there had been
» By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 55
some friction, and I could not convince the workmen that it was
tin and not silver which they saw. They knew better; and only
wished they could have the bells to extract the precious metal
which they contained. It has been stated by those who know much
more about this matter than I do, that “silver, if introduced in
any large quantity, would injure the sound, being in its nature
more like lead, as compared with copper, and therefore incapable
of producing the hard, brittle, dense, and vibratory amalgam
called bell metal.’’
It is very certain that ancient bells have a better and more mellow
tone than the generality of modern ones. The tenor bell of Ogbourne
St. Andrew, which was cast in the 15th century, and weighs about
15 ewt., cannot be surpassed for richness and dignity of tone.
This superiority is owing no doubt to several causes;—first, to a
larger weight of metal than is commonly given now to a bell of
the same note; secondly, to a better admixture of the metals; and
thirdly, probably to the method then adopted of fusing the metals,
viz., by a wood fire, which not being so hot as that of coal, does
not reduce the inferior parts to a state of fusion, but they are thrown
away as scoria or dross.” In bell casting, the art is to know when
to put in the tin, and to ¢ap or pour the boiling metal into the
mould.
4. Method of casting and of tuning bells. The art of bell-founding
and tuning was brought to great perfection by Abraham Rudhall,
of Gloucester, whose foundry has passed into the hands of the
Messrs. Mears. When the size and proportions of the bell to be
cast have been determined, four things have to be prepared—first,
the crook; second, the inner mould or core; third, the outer mould
or cope; and fourth, the crown.
The crook is a kind of compass formed of wood, and is used for
making the moulds. One leg of this instrument is curved to the
shape of the inner side of the intended bell, and the other takes
the shape of the outer side; and they are made to revolve round a
1 See the excellent little work ‘The Bell, &c.”: by A. Gatty, p. 30.
2 See the Ecclesiologist, vol. xiv. pp. 63, 297.
56 On Church Bells. »
pivot fixed to a beam above, gnd the lower end driven firmly into
the ground. The inner mould or core is built up of brickwork
round this pivot, having a hollow space in the centre for a fire;
and the face of the brickwork is then covered with a composition
of clay and other materials, and moulded by one of the legs of the
crook into the shape of the inside of the bell. It is then baked
by means of a fire in the hollow, and when hard is greased and
coated with another composition which is made to take the exact
shape of the outside of the bell, by a few revolutions of the other
leg of the crook. This is also hardened by the fire, and upon it
are placed the inscriptions and ornaments in relief.! Over this,
when it has been washed with a composition of grease and tan, the
outer mould or cope is formed; and finally, the crown or head of
the bell, for the formation of the canons, is then fitted to the top
of it. The whole having been burnt, the cope is removed, and the
inner composition between it and the core, representing the bell, is
destroyed; so that when the cope is again put over the core, there
is a space between the two of the shape and thickness of the bell,
and into this space the metal is allowed to run.
When a bell is to be cast, the core is placed in a pit close to the
furnace, the cope and crown are carefully fixed over the core, and
the whole is rammed round tightly with dry sand, leaving nothing
exposed but the holes in the cap or crown, one for an air hole, and
the other for the fused metal to run into. As soon as the metal is
cool, the bell is dug out, and, if one of a peal, carried into the
finishing department for the purpose of being tuned. Formerly
this was done by chipping the inside of the bell, or by cutting away
the edge of the lip. But Mr. Rudhall, of Gloucester, invented a
simple machine for accomplishing this object. It is nothing more
than a vertical lathe, driven by steam power. The bell to be tuned
is fixed very firmly in an inverted position, and a powerful cutter,
working on a pivot placed within it diminishes its thickness, if too
1 Mistakes in spelling frequently occur in bell epigraphs, owing to careless-
ness (sometimes to ignorance) in making the impressions of the letters on the
moulds. Letters, in some instances, are inverted, and in others put in their
wrong places.
WHEEL.
. Upright Spokes. 6. Fillet.—Sve Elevation of Bell and Stock.
. Transom, or Long Rail. 7. Head-stock.
. Arms, or Spokes. 8. Ground-truck.
. Shrouding. 9. Stay.
. Sole of Wheel.—Sce Elevation of Bell 10, Catch.
and Stock. 11. Timbers of Cage.
of ON
“11aa AHL NO NMOd PNIMOOT ‘YOOLS-CVAH AO NVTd *MOOLS GNV TTAd JO NOILVAATS
“LOY }9HO} $O}B[ qd
oso} YIOd 0} Aajor asoy, “aA'N
“AUIS “6
9S “2
‘save d-surpdnog *¢
‘sdvajg “¢
“suoaspuy °%
‘sessvlg ‘T
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 57
sharp, or, by cutting away the edge of the lip, reduces its diameter,
if too flat. It must have been a very difficult operation for Mr.
Lawson Huddlestone, by the process of chipping, to modulate the
sound of every bell in a peal till they answered exactly the intervals
of the monochord, and more particularly in those cases where the
bells had been cast at different periods, by different founders, and
with different metal. But it appears that this gentleman, who had
a passion for bells, used to pass days and weeks in belfries in this
laborious work; and thus tuned the peals of Colerne, Shaftesbury,
Knoyle, and St. Cuthbert’s, Wells.
5. Bell hanging. When a bell is ready, the next operation is
to hang it in the church tower; and here, in England, one or two
great changes have been introduced in the mode of doing this.
It is perhaps one of the most difficult of all the operations con-
nected with bell fixing, and requires the greatest care and skill of
the person employed. I must here begin by saying that a great
deal of the mischief to which I have alluded in speaking of belfries,
arises from the unscientific manner in which bells are too often hung
now. It is too frequently the practice for parishioners or church-
wardens, when the bells require repair, to send for the village
carpenter, who knows about as much of bell hanging as he does of
geology, in the comfortable but vain notion of saving parish money.
Bell hanging is an art of itself, quite distinct from that of bell
founding, and, like it, has secrets of the trade. It is of the utmost
consequence that the stock, or piece of wood to which the crown
of the bell is fixed, should bear a due proportion to the size of the
bell, and the length of the staple from which the clapper hangs.
If this is not attended to, the clapper will not strike the bell
properly. This is determined on sound principles of dynamics.
But what can a village carpenter, who never fixed church bells
before, know of that science? And what must be the result of his
unskilful efforts ?
Before the introduction of change ringing it was not of so much
1 The key note of a bell depends in a great measure on its diameter at the
mouth, and on the thickness of the sound-bow. It depends also of course on
the quality of the metal.
58 On Church Bells.
consequence how the stock was made, because bells were then only
chimed. But as soon as they begun to be swung rapidly to and
fro on their gudgeons, and rung in time, it became necessary to
reduce the proportions of the various parts of their gear to fixed
rules and principles, which can only be known by those whose
business it is to make them their study. Among others who can
be recommended for their intelligence and skill in this department,
may be mentioned Mr. H. Boswell, of Pembroke Street, Oxford;
and Mr. James Ansell, of London.
A change also took place in the form of the bells, in order that
they might be rung more easily. The early bells, with which we
are acquainted, have their crowns not so well adapted for the pur-
pose of modern ringing as more recent ones; but there can be no
question as to their superior elegance of form. Bells of the 17th
and subsequent centuries have their crowns, particularly of heavy
bells, flattened, and the canons brought closer together, in order to
fit the stock better, and increase the leverage, but at the expense
of their beauty.
A great variety of crowns may be observed, each founder having
a design peculiar to himself. Some are of a pleasing form, and
others are the reverse. There is a striking contrast between the
first and fourth bell at Ogbourne St. Andrew; and again between
each of these and the beautiful medieval tenor of the same church.
One important part of bell-gear remains to be noticed, viz., the
wheel. This is, in fact, the powerful lever, by means of which the
bell is moved; and it has undergone some changes. It is not
probable that the full wheel was employed much before the year
1677. Before that period bells were moved by means of a short
piece of wood fixed at right angles to the stock, or by a half-wheel,
which was in use in 1527, and is still to be met with in Dorsetshire,
at Dunchideock, Devon, and in Guernsey. The half-wheel was all
that was required for chiming, but it could not answer the purposes
of change ringing, in which it is necessary that the bell should be set,
i.e., turned up, and rested against the slider or catch, each way.)
1 For an explanation of this operation see ‘The Builder.”
TREBLE BELL, OCBOURNE S™ ANDREW, WILTS,
Scale lz inch.
W.C.Lukis det «
4™ BELL, OGBOURNE ST ANDREW.
Scale 1#é trch
————
WiC. Lukis aed?
ee
TENOR BELL, OCBOURNE ST ANDREW,
Scate 1é inch.
Black Letter inscription, “Trinitatem adoremus, 15% Century,
WC. Lukis aelt*
OLD HALF-WHEEL.
Beautifully moulded, at Dunchideock, Devon.
Date, 15th century.
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 59
Several changes also have taken place in the mode of attaching the
clapper, which I will only allude to now. There are models upon
the table, explanatory of three of these modes, one being the
ancient, and another the modern method.!
6. Expenses of bells, &c. There are many entries to be found
in parish account books which throw considerable light upon the
history of bells and bell-founders; and among other things, the
value of bell metal, old and new, with the cost of casting bells,
per ewt., is accurately given. In 1457 bell metal was charged
£5 Os. 8d.; and the price of casting was 20s. ld. From the
churchwardens’ accounts of St. Margaret’s, Westminster, we find
that in the year 1592, bell metal was worth £2 16s. the cwt.
From that of Steeple Ashton, in this county, we learn, that in 1616,
it was worth £5 12s. In the year 1630, the accounts of St. Thomas’s
church, in this city, tell us that it maintained the same value, and
that the cost of casting was 14s. the ewt. In 1663, we find from
the same accounts that the value had risen to £6 6s.; and that old
bell metal fetched £4 5s. In 1680, the Dean and Chapter of
Salisbury agreed to pay Clement Tosier after the rate of 20s. per
ewt. for casting two bells, and to allow and pay him after the rate
of £5 3s. 6d. per cwt. of extra metal. In 1716, the vestry of
St. Thomas’s church agreed with Mr. Abraham Rudhall, of Glou-
cester, that he should have £7 for casting the second bell, and 1s.
per lb. for any additional metal. In 1769, the parish of St. Mary,
Marlborough, agreed to give Mr. Robert Wells, of Aldbourne,
£6 10s. per ewt. for a new third bell, and were to receive £4 13s.
per cwt. for the old metal. And now the price varies from £6 10s.
to £6 15s.; but if frames, carriage, hanging, journey, &c., are
included, the cost is about £7 per cwt.; and old metal realizes
about £4 4s.
7. Ancient bells. In the Archdeaconry of Wilts there are one
hundred and seven churches, of which I have examined the bells
of sixty-two, with an aggregate of two hundred and ninety-three
1 An excellent article upon the subject, by the Rey. H. T. Ellacombe, has
recently appeared in Willis’s Current Notes.
12
60 On Church Bells.
bells, and of this number only ten are clearly of a date prior to 1500,
thirteen are of the 16th century, and one hundred and twenty-six
belong to the 17th century. Out of five hundred and nineteen
bells in this county, twenty-nine belong to a period prior to 1500,
twenty-three to the 16th, two hundred and fifteen to the 17th, one
hundred and seventy-two to the 18th, and fifty-nine to the 19th
century; and twenty-one have no date or inscription. And this
rarity of bells of the 15th century is not confined to Wiltshire
only; although the proportion of bells of that date in other counties
may be greater. E.g.; in the Framland Hundred, county of
Leicester, which contains thirty-eight churches, and one hundred
and twenty-seven bells, there are as many as twenty-three of a
pre-Reformation period.' The cause of this rarity throughout Eng-
land I will explain presently.
In the earliest bells, only the name of the Saint is given, inti
any further inscription; and we find simply, “Sancta Anna’ at
Cholderton, ‘‘Sancte George” at Pewsey, and “Gabriel” at Mad-
dington. I think there can be no doubt that the second bell at
Winterbourne Gunner and the fourth bell at Pewsey were cast by
the same hand.
There is a bell (the second) at Potterne, which appears to be very
ancient, the letters upon it being of early character and forming
no words that I could decypher. Of alphabet bells (i.e. where,
instead of a legend, they bear some of the letters of the alphabet),
which are said to be of considerable antiquity, I know only one in
Wiltshire; and curiously enough it derives a still greater interest
from being in Bemerton church, and called by Isaac Walton “Mr.
Herbert’s Saint’s bell.”
The following is a list of Wiltshire bells of pre-Reformation date :
Sixth and eighth at Aldbourne.
Pitt ohh ty: Ogbourne St. Andrew.
MOGOHE Jie'cieen.s Cherhill.
Fifth nine aces Collingbourne Ducis.
Fourth ss, aes oe Pewsey.
1 Keclesiologist, Vol. IV.
Second
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 61
ee eee ewe
eee eevee
at Durnford Magna.
Poulshot.
Calne (Saint’s bell).
Hilmarton.
Compton Basset.
Potterne.
Allington.
Newton Toney.
Salisbury Cathedral (Bishop’s bell).
Odstock.
Winterbourne Earls.
Winterbourne Gunner.
Broadchalk.
Rushall.
Charlton.
Maddington.
Orcheston St. Mary.
Orcheston St. George.
Grittleton.
Cholderton.
Downton.
Stockton.
Dinton.
Bemerton.
It is very seldom that bells of the 15th century have dates upon
them; and I have not met with one in Wiltshire; but bells of the
16th century are very frequently dated, e.g.
First
First and third
First and second Winterbourne Basset . . 158]
First and fourth Little Bedwyn’ . . . . 1581
Fifth
at Aldbourne ; . °1516
Wappenham, N i tanits 2) “VOUS
Bruton, Somerset. 1528
Lapley, near Brewood, Stat.
fordshire . . .! 529
Penton Mewsey, Haniel «ul OB6
Thornham, Norfolk oy fae ETLOO
Saint John’s, Winchester . 1574
Mrpneineay se ike i) OE
St. Martin’s, Salisbury . . 1582
62 On Church Bells.
Birt) .2i i aoe atiGhwte+( -i6).0 ol Apne thee
Bigetog sais bie Bishopstone . . wish hae
Second. (26.44 Winterbourne Testi »@ 1588
Glasgow (Great bell, broken
PEUE TOD) 5 ese x 1583
TRird. sc .cceu, OMCENERIEVOT, «5 << -. Drive, Leper
Secondi.s....... Combe Bisset : eeOR) Vibe
One sages. t 3 St. Alkmond’s, Derby wt) Shae
Second ...... Bishopstone . . ae i:
Second |). .asi.s Maddington . . 1587
First and Second St. N ‘holes’, Great Kistoe
Backs~ .... os 1587
USF Se eee St. Mary’ s Watlington,0 Oder 1587
1 a eR Netheravon . . . 1588
SERAPH 7.5. cere Combe Bisset eee) AOTC eee
enor... .: <7 Cathedral, Oxford . . . 1889
necond SY Nky: ot Manningford Bruce. . . 10592
Fourthyyioni & Wantetslows o> .. «ea lege
Ones an tome Gayton, Northants . . . 1594
RenOr see eA Burton Agnes, Yorks, now
soldl 4 Logan
Bourthia cc. Fotheringay, Nednantie . 1595
ORG Soo ste siese« Llimpley Stoke ... . 1596
irs Pre es Cathedral, Gloucester . . 1598
hard .'0 5c. 2 Wappenham, Northants . 16599
I may mention here that bells were frequently the gifts of private
individuals,—clergy and others—in former days, as they are now;
and the record of the donation is generally inscribed upon them.
Bell-founders also generously presented them. At Watlington,
Oxon, on the first bell is “Jerem. Ewstes gave this bell in 1587.”
And this gift seems to have been thought worthy of a second record.
For on his brass in the same church is: “Here lyeth buried the
body of Jerem. Ewstes, eldest sonne of Robert Ewstes, late of this
Town of Watlyngton, who gave the trebble bell that hangs in this
steppill. He deceased the fyrst day of May.” We find a similar
record on a brass in Wyke church, Hants: “Here lieth Willm.
Complyn and Agnes his Wife, y® wiche Willm. decessid y* xxj day
of May in y® yere of oure Lord m*ccccLxxxxviij. Also this be
By the Rev. W. C. Lnkis. 63
y° dedis y* y® said Willm. hath down to this Church of Wyke y*
is to say frest dedycacion of y* Church xl» and to make newe bellis
to y°sam Church x" also gave to y* hallowyng of y® grettest bell
yj* viij*”’ On the tenor of Heyford, Northants, is:
‘‘Thomas Morgan Esquier gave me
To the Church of Heford frank and free 1601.”
On a disused bell in Tonge church, Salop, is: “Henricus Vernon
miles hane campanam fieri fecit 1518 ad laudem Dei Omnipotentis
Beate Marie et Bartholomei Sancti. Quam per duellionum rabiem
fractam sumptibus parochie refudit Abr. Rudhall Gloucest. anno
1720.” At Dewsbury, Yorks, one bell is known by the name of
“Black Tom of Sothill,” and it is said that it was given as an
expiatory gift fora murder. At St. Mary’s, Marlborough, on the
treble bell, is: “Wallington Clark gave mee, J. Bliset R. Ednee
c. w.—R. C. 1654.” At Hornby, Yorks, the third bell was given
by Lord Conyers, temp. Henry. VII., but being broken was recast
by William Lord D’Arcy and Conyers, in 1656. William Freman,
Esq., of Magdalen College, Oxford, presented two bells to the
college, in 1740, besides defraying the expenses of recasting the
fifth bell, in 1748. In 1743, the Right Hon. Thomas Lord Vis-
count Weymouth gave the treble bell to Horningsham church. On
the fifth at Wolstanton, Staffordshire, “Richard Ashburie of this
town Blacksmith gave me in 1623.” In 1803, two bells were
added to the peal of six in St. Ebbe’s, Oxford, the gift of Mr.
Baker, Plumber; and Mr. Scarsbrook, Collar-maker. On the second
bell at Aldbourne, is: “The gift of Robert Wells Bellfounder 1787.”
A bell is a not inappropriate memorial to a departed relation or
friend; and in Broadhinton church, we find on the treble: ‘“ Glory
to God x In memory of Uliana Margaret Tufnell C. & G. Mears
fecerunt 1849.”
8. Epigraphs or legends. When speaking of bell-founders I
mentioned some of their characteristic epigraphs. There are some
other curious ones which I shall here introduce. On the fourth
bell at Aldbourne we read :—
‘‘Humphry Symsin gaye xx pound to buy this bell,
And the Parish gave xx more to make this ring go well.”
64 On Church Bells.
On a bell at Binstead is :—
“Doctor Nicholas gave five pound
To help cast this peal tuneable and sound.”
At Chilton Foliott, on the tenor is :—
‘‘Into the Church the living I call,
And to the grave I summon all;
Attend the instruction which I give,
That so you may for ever live.”
At Devizes, St. Mary, on the treble is :—
“‘T am the first, altho’ but small
I will be heard above you all.”
On the second is :—
“‘T am the second in this ring,
Therefore next to thee I will sing.”
Which at Broadchalk is thus varied :—
‘‘T in this place am second bell,
Tl surely do my part as well.”
On the third bell at Calne is :—
“Robert Forman collected the money for casting this bell
Of well-disposed persons as I do you tell.”
On a bell at Alderton is :—
‘‘[T'm given here to make a peal
And sound the praise of Mary Neale.”
On the fifth bell at Amesbury is :—
‘Be strong in faith, praise God well,
Frances Countess Hertford’s bell.”
And on the tenor :—
‘« Altho’ it be unto my loss
I hope you will consider my cost.”
At Stowe, Northants; and at St. Mary the Virgin, Oxford, we
find :—
‘Be it known to all that doth me see
That Newcombe of Leicester made me.”
A fire-bell (cast in 1652) in the church of Sherborne has :—
‘Lord! quench this furious flame;
Arise, run, help, put out the same.”
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 65
At St. Michael’s, Coventry, on the fourth bell is:—
“TJ ring at Six to let men know
When to and from their work to go.”
On the seventh bell is:—
“‘T ring to sermon with a lusty bome,
That all may come and none may stay at home.”
On the eighth bell is:—
‘‘T am and have been called the common bell,
To ring, when fire breaks out to tell.”
At St. Peter’s-le-Bailey, Oxford, four bells were sold towards
finishing the tower, and in 1792 a large bell was put up, with this
inscription :—
‘‘With seven more I hope soon to be,
For ages joined in harmony.”
But this very reasonable wish has not yet been realized; whereas
at St. Lawrence, Reading, when two bells were added to form a
peal of ten, on the second we find:—
“By adding two our notes we'll raise,
And sound the good Subscriber’s praise.”
Besides curious epigraphs, church bells often bear the names of
clergy, churchwardens, city authorities, historical personages, &c.,
and by these inscriptions points of pedigree may in some cases be
established; but it must be remarked that these interesting facts
are only derivable from bells of a post-Reformation period. The
epigraphs prior to that date are all of a religious character, and
are generally in the bad Latin verse of that period; e.g. on the
sixth at Aldbourne, and on the eighth in the cathedral, Oxford, we
find :—
“Stella Maria maris succurre piissima nobis.”
A common epigraph of the same period is:—
“Sum rosa pulsata mundi Maria vocata,”
as at Frowlesworth, Leicestershire, on the second bell; on the sixth
in Gloucester cathedral; and on the treble at Thorp, near Milton,
K
66 On Church Bells.
Northants; which is varied to “ Katerina vocata” on the third (old
peal) St. Giles’s, Oxford, and on the seventh of Magdalen college
in the same city; whilst on the tenor of Dinton, Wilts, the last
word is omitted. Another rather common inscription is:—
“Ave Maria gratia plena Dominus tecum”;
which appears in full on the seventh bell at King Sutton, Northants,
and on the fifth at Collingbourne Ducis; and in a variety of abbre-
viated forms in other places. Sometimes it is found as “Ave
Maria gratia plena,” as at St. Nicholas, Great Kimble, Bucks, and
on the third bell at Grittleton; at other times we find only “Ave
Maria gratia,” as at Winterbourne Earls; then “Ave gratia plena
Dominus Decum,” as at Newton Toney; then “Ave gratia plena,”
as at Great Durnford, Allington, and Stockton; then “Ave gratia,”
as at Orcheston St. George, and Winchester college chapel; and
finally “Gratia” only, as at Charlton.
A not uncommon epigraph is:—
‘‘Rst michi collatum I H C istud nomen amatum”’;
as at Clyst St. George, Devon; on the two bells at Teignmouth;
on the fourth at Sidmouth; and on the second at the Vale church,
Guernsey.
Other epigraphs of the same period are such as these:—
‘Tn multis annis resonet campana Johannis.”’
‘“‘Trinitate sacra fiat hee campana beata.”
‘Serva campanam sancta Maria sanam.”’
‘*Protege pura via quos conyoco Virgo Maria.”
‘Andree campana fugiant pulsante prophana.”
‘‘ Johannes Christi care dignare pro nobis orare.”’
‘‘Sancte Laurenti ora pro nobis.”
But to return to epigraphs of a later period, and of a totally
different nature.
On the tenor of St. Thomas’s, Salisbury, is “Wm. Naish Esq
Mayor.” On the tenor of St. Edmund’s in the same city, which
was cast in 1656, we find the name of “William Stone Maior’’;
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 67
while on the fifth is “John Strickland Minester 1656.”! On two
of the bells at Broadchalk there appears a name with which Wilt-
shire Archzologists are very familiar. The epigraphs on both are
alike, viz., “George Penruddock Knight John Aubrey Esquier
c.w. 1660. W. @ P.” The history of these two bells is given by
Aubrey himself in his ‘ Natural History of Wiltshire,’ (Britton’s
Edit. p. 102) although he there speaks of but one bell. “At Broad-
chalke is one of the tuneablest ring of bells in Wiltshire, which
hang advantageously; the river running near the churchyard,
which meliorates the sound. Here were but four bells till anno
1616 was added a fifth; and in anno 1659 Sir George Penruddock
and I made ourselves churchwardens, or else the fair church had
fallen, from the niggardliness of the churchwardens of mean
condition, and then we added the sixth bell.” One of these two
bells I regret to add is broken in many pieces, and appears to have
been so for a long period. The church has been put into a tidy
state of late years, but why should three out of the peal of six be
suffered to continue broken, and “the tuneablest ring of bells in
Wiltshire” be rendered silent? Not, I should hope, “from the
niggardliness of the churchwardens,” nor from any dislike to the
music of bells. For John Aubrey’s sake (if for no other reason),
the three broken bells should be recast; and whenever that good
work may be contemplated by the parish, I would suggest that
the inscription on the Aubrey bell should be perpetuated on the
new one. The tenor at Aldbourne bears this epigraph: ‘“Intonat
de celis yox campane Michaelis. Deus propicius esto aiabus Ricardi
Goddard quondam de Upham Elizabeth et Elizabeth uxorum ejus
ac aiabus oim liberorum et parentum suorum qui hane campanam
fieri fecerunt anno dni mcccccxyj.””
I have been told that the present family, who are descended from
1 “This Mr, Strickland was a zealous Puritan, who was elected to the Assembly
of Divines, and was one of the most regular attendants. On the appearance of
the Act of Uniformity in 1662, he relinquished the rectory of St. Edmund’s
from purely conscientious motives, and died suddenly after preaching and ad-
ministering the Sacrament, probably to a dissenting congregation, in Oct. 1670.”
Hatcher's History of Salisbury.
K 2
68 On Church Bellis.
Richard Goddard, were not aware until recently that he had given
this bell, and that he had been twice married.
There is a remarkable bell in the church of St. Mary the Virgin,
Oxford, viz., the fourth, which bears this inscription :—
“‘Be it knowne to all that doth me see
That Newcombe of Leicester made me. 1612.”
Then below this, and in two bands encircling the sides of the bell,
is a tune in the same relief as the letters of the legend. At the
commencement of the music in the upper line is a half-figure of a
man in the dress of the period with this inscription on a surrounding
label: “x Keepe tyme in anye case”; and at the beginning of the
lower line of music is a similar figure with “Then let us singe
it againe.”
9. Bell ringing. Peal ringing is peculiar to England; it is not
known abroad. It was formerly considered, not only a healthy
but a gentlemanly recreation. Sir Matthew Hale, and Anthony
Wood who says that “he often plucked at them (Merton bells)
with his fellow colleagues for recreation,’ may be numbered among
the amateurs of this art. Anthony Wood! learnt to ring on a peal
of six bells, which had then been newly put up at Cassington.
In our day, bell ringers have been ranked among the disre-
putable characters of almost every parish; but if we are to give
credit to Paul Neutzner, a traveller in this country between 1550
and 1560, they had become notorious even at that period. “The
people of England,” he says, “are vastly fond of great noises that
fill the ear, such as firing of cannon, beating of drums, and the
1 “He and his mother and two brothers Robert and Christopher, gave £5 to
Merton College in 1656, towards casting their five bells into eight. ‘These five
were ancient bells and were put in the Tower when it was built in 1421. The
Tenor was supposed to be the best bell in England, and every one, Anthony
Wood says, ‘was against the altering it, and were for a treble being put to make
six, and old Sergeant Charles Holloway, who was a covetous man, offered money
to save it, but by the knavery of Thom. Jones the Subwarden, (the Warden
being absent) and Michael Darby the Bellfounder, they were made eight. John
Wilson, Doc. Mus., had a fee from the College to take order about their tuning.
All the eight bells began to ring May 14, 1657, but they did not at all please
the critical hearer. They were recast in 1680 by Christopher Hodgson,’” (See
Life, in Athene., Oxon. Vol. I., p. 27).
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 69
ringing of bells; so that it is common for a number of them that
have got a glass in their heads to get up into the belfry and ring
the bells for hours together for the sake of exercise.’ A very
curious Latin book, published about the year 1600, contains a
lawyer’s decision whether the number of bells might be increased
in a church, and whether their ringing could be stopped. It speaks
of idle boys being very fond of running to the towers to do the
work. (Ellacombe). When bell ringing was more appreciated than,
unfortunately, it is now, there were societies of ringers in Cam-
bridge, Oxford, London,—such as the college youths (from their
practising at St. Michael’s, on College Hill, London) founded in
1637,—Birmingham, and in other places. There are some societies
of ringers now in various parts of England, and there is, among
others in London, a society of college youths, but it is said not to
be descended from the ancient society above mentioned, which
became extinct in 1788. There is, I believe, an excellent society
of Norwich scholars. I do not know where to find a society of
ringers in Wiltshire. There are sets of men who ring for what
they can get, which they consume in drink; but there is very little
love for the science or its music. There is no “plucking at the
bells” for recreation and exercise. Church ringers with us have
degenerated into mercenary performers. In more than one parish
where there are beautiful bells, I was told that the village youths
took no interest whatever in bell ringing, and had no desire to
enter upon change ringing. The whole number of changes that
can be rung on any given number of bells is called ‘a peal’; and
various series of changes or permutations have been invented,
which are known by the names of their composers. One such
series, called Grandsire Triples, was invented by M. Benjamin
Anable, who died in 1755; and was subsequently improved by
Mr. Holt. Another composer was Mr. Patrick, a maker of baro-
meters, in the beginning of the last century. But one of the
earliest composers was Mr. Fabian Stedman, of Cambridge, who,
about the year 1657, invented a complex method of ringing, which
has ever since been called “Stedman’s principle.” It is not my
intention to enter here into the intricacies of change ringing, nor
70 On Church Bells.
to explain the mysterious terms in use to express the method of
effecting changes. “The Art of Change ringing, by Benjamin
Thackrah,” and the ‘‘ Elements of Campanologia, by Henry Hub-
bard,” which to the uninitiated look like books of logarithmic tables,
will be found very useful by those who desire to know more of this
delightful subject. It may be sufficient to describe to you the
manner in which a bell moves, and its clapper acts during a peal.
Suppose the bell to be raised, with its mouth upwards, and its
clapper resting against the side of the bell at a; and that the bell
is then set in motion in the direction Ac DE. The clapper accom-
panies the bell until it is sent by the impetus away from it, and it
only strikes the opposite side when it arrives at the point F; and
reversing the revolution, it strikes at 8. The velocity of the clapper
must depend of course upon the strength of the pull which sets
the bell in motion, and consequently in peal ringing, the time in
striking is regulated by the good ear of the ringer, who should have
perfect command over his bell. If he do not pull evenly, the
intervals will be uneven, and the music bad; and an even pull can
only be attained by frequent steady practice.
I need hardly state that bell ringing requires extreme care to
prevent accidents. Any one who has handled the ropes knows this,
and accidents have frequently occurred. In June, 1778, a man of
the name of Lilley was drawn up by the rope at Doncaster, and
killed by the fall. In 1812, a boy sitting near a ringer was caught
by the rope, and so seriously injured that he died, and was buried
in the same grave with a brother who was drowned. On the grave
stone there is this quaint couplet :—
‘These 2 youths, were by, misfortun serounded,
One died of his wounds, and the other was Drownded.”
It is a very curious circumstance, and yet, I believe, purely
accidental, that the key notes of the several peals in Oxford, form
nearly all the notes of the chromatic scale. .g.,
Christchurch ...... D (vocal D).
pt) Mary's “goes D (concert pitch).
Merton .. PFU op voan eae E flat (rather flat).
New College........ E flat.
\
ACTION OF CLAPPER ILLUSTRATED.
WiC Lukis add?
1 hea LARS
“vt ep
EO at CpeTaana
Sgt antes ARS
Prest Padget
vee wee, agen air
: y FP fog.
,
a? ae #5 Bea) aor ‘ea?
’
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 71
Mardalen :dy. ties «i. E natural.
REAEIAE Yi dha.s dh de Aids F.
St. Mary Magdalen .. F.
mt. Michael’s........ F sharp (rather flatter than St.Giles’).
Bi. Gles'S. 2. a0... 2b, Sharp.
clio Ts pai G (rather flat).
St. Aldate’s ........ A flat.
St. Peter’s in the East A natural.
Molywell 2002 con 3. B flat.
Oxford possesses three fine peals of ten bells, viz., at Christchurch,
New College, and Magdalen; and in the last century, and up to
1827, had a corps of gallant youths who took intense delight in the
science of ringing. I have the record of a series of musical exploits,
ranging over a space of one hundred and twenty years, with the
name of every man who took part in each performance, and the
time in which it was accomplished. Such deeds deserve to be im-
mortalized. There are few arduous works in the present day to be
compared with that of ten stout-hearted men undertaking to ring
six thousand or seven thousand, or even ten thousand changes
' without a mistake. On May 20th, 1734, six thousand eight hun-
dred and seventy-six changes were rung at New College in four
and-a-quarter hours. On April 19th, 1742, at Magdalen, ten
thousand changes were started for, but after rmging seven thousand
in fine style, the bob-caller by mistake brought the bells round ina
little more than four hours. On Easter Monday, March 27th, 1815,
at New College, ten thousand and eight Grandsire Caters were
rung in six hours and forty-two minutes. Highworth, in Wiltshire,
produced some good ringers at that time, and in 1787, Dec. 29th,
they rung the whole peal of five thousand and forty changes,
Grandsire Triples, (Holt’s method) in three hours and fourteen
minutes, which was the very first time they ever attempted to ring
this peal. It is recorded that forty thousand three hundred and
twenty changes were performed at Leeds, by thirteen men, in
twenty-seven hours; one man ringing eleven, and another nine
hours; and eight Birmingham youths rang fourteen thousand two
hundred and twenty-four changes, in eight hours and forty-five
minutes. Records of remarkable performances are no doubt
72 On Church Bells.
preserved in many Wiltshire belfries; but why should there be no
memorials there of recent exploits ?
Rules for ringers have always been considered necessary, and
sometimes ancient ones in rhyme are preserved in belfries; ¢.g., in
the church of North Parret, Somersetshire, are the following
curious lines :—
“‘ He that in ringing takes delight,
And to this place draws near,
These articles set in his sight,
Must keep, if he rings here.
The first he must observe with care;
Who comes within the door,
Must, if he chance to curse or swear,
Pay Sixpence to the poor.
And whosoe’er a noise does make,
Or idle story tells,
Must Sixpence to the ringers take,
For mending of the bells.
Young men that come to see and try,
And do not ringing use,
Must Sixpence give the company,
And that shall them excuse.
He that his hat on’s head does keep,
Within this sacred place,
Must pay his Sixpence ere he sleep,
Or turn out with disgrace.
If any one with spurs to’s heels,
Rings here at any time,
He must for breaking articles,
Pay Sixpence for his crime.
Tf any overthrow a bell
As that by chance he may;
Because he minds not ringing well,
He must his Sixpence pay.
Or if a noble-minded man
Comes here to ring a bell,
A tester! is the sexton’s fee
Who keeps the church so well.
Whoever breaks an Article,
Or duty does neglect,
Must never meddle with a bell,
The rope will him correct.” 2
1 Tester, teston, testoon—equals twelve pence of time of Henry VIII.
2 Collinson’s History of Somersetshire, Vol. ii., p. 336.
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 73
By the way, I may mention some curious qualifications for a
Royal Chaplaincy. Mr. Aubrey, in his ‘Natural History of Wilts,
tells us that “ Mr. Ferraby, the minister of Bishop’s Cannings, was
an ingenious man and an excellent musician, and made severall of
his parishioners good musicians both for vocall and instrumentall
music. They sung the Psalms in consort to the organ which Mr.
Ferraby procured to be erected. When King James I. was in
these parts, he lay at Sir Edw. Baynton’s at Bromham. Mr. Ferraby
then entertained his Majesty at the Bush in Cotefield, with bucoliques
of his own making and composing, of four parts, which were sung
by his parishioners, who wore frocks and whippes like carters.
Whilst his Majesty was thus diverted the eight bells (of which he
was the cause) did ring, and the organ was played on for state;
and after this musicall entertainment, he entertained his Majesty
with a foot-ball match of his own parishioners. This Parish in
those dayes would have challenged all England for musique, foot-
ball, and ringing. For this entertainment his Majesty made him
one of his Chaplains in ordinary.”
It is calculated that seven hundred and twenty changes can be
rung on twelve bells in one hour, and that it would require, at this
rate, seventy-five years, ten months, and ten days, to ring all pos-
sible changes (viz. 479,001,600) on the same number of bells. I
desire to add one or two remarks by way of caution and advice to
ringers in parishes where there exists a good ring of bells, properly
clappered, which are often rung. You cannot bestow too much
care upon them. Very frequently examine the condition of the
stocks, iron-work, gudgeons, frame, wheels, and clappers. Do so
every month, if not every week, and particularly in those cases
where there has been any new work done to them. New gear
requires much more constant watching than old. A month’s neglect
may cost the parish many pounds. And as regards chiming for
service, which is sometimes practised in the country on Sundays,
unless you have a proper apparatus for it, let me beg of you to
discontinue tying the clappers. Incalculable mischief is done to
them by this method of chiming. You know that a clapper is
suspended from the staple in such a manner as to move backwards
L
74 On Church Bells.
and forwards, and strike the bell each way, in the same place. If
you tie the clapper, and pull it directly towards the striking place,
all well and good; but if you pull it sideways from the ground-
truck, you strain it and injure it greatly. Yet this is the common
mode of chiming in the country, and parishioners wonder why the
bells are so soon out of order, and ringers cannot account for the
clappers not striking as they used todo. Ifyou must have chiming,
the only way to have it without injury to the clappers, is to have
a small block fixed in the floor in the direct line of their motion,
with a second rope to be used for this purpose only.
10. Spoliation of church bells. We come now to a sad period
in the history of church bells, viz., their spoliation. I mentioned
above the rarity of ancient bells in this country. This is to be
accounted for by the spoliation of churches in the 16th and 17th
centuries. Weever tells us that in St. Paul’s churchyard “there
was a bell-house with four bells, the greatest in London; they were
called ‘ Jesus bells,’ and belonged to Jesus Chapel: the same had a
great spire of timber covered with lead, with the image of St. Paul
on the top, which was pulled down by Sir Miles Partridge, Knt.
He won it at a cast of dice from King Henry VIII., and then caused
the bells to be broken as they hung, and the rest pulled down.”
Sir Miles was hanged on Tower Hill.
In the little Sanctuary at Westminster, “King Edward III.
erected a clochier and placed therein three bells for the use of St.
Stephen’s Chapel. About the biggest of them were these words:
‘King Edward made me thirtie thousand weight and three,
Take mee down and wey mee and more yu shall fynd me.’
But these bells being to be taken down in the reign of King
Henry VIII. one writes underneath with a coale:
‘But Henry the eight
Will bait me of my weight.’ ”’
Bells were removed from churches to be cast into cannon, and it is
said that they “were exported in such quantities that their farther
exportation was prohibited in 1547, lest metal for the same use
should be wanting at home.” The Duke of Somerset “ pretended
that one bell was sufficient for summoning the people to prayers,
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 75
and the country was thus in danger of losing its best music—a
music hallowed by all circumstances—which accorded equally with
social exultation and with solitary pensivenesss.”’}
Some counties, Devon and Cornwall especially, suffered more
than others. ‘When the rebellion in these counties was allayed,”
says Strype,” “it was remembered how the bells in the churches
served by ringing to summon and call in the disaffected unto their
arms. Therefore in Sept., 1549, an order was sent down from the
Council to Lord Russell to execute a work that proved no doubt
highly disgustful unto the people :—viz. to take away all the bells
in Devonshire and Cornwall, leaving only one in each steeple, the
least of the ring, which was to call the people to church.”
But a cloven foot appeared in this order. It was to be not so
much a measure to prevent the like insurrection for the future, as
to bring the King out of debt; for to effect this, amongst other
things, this course was devised in 1552:—
1. To gather and coin the church plate.
2. To sell chantry, college, and other lands.
3. To sell the bell metal.
“Two gentlemen of those parts, Champion and Chichester, assistant
perhaps against the rebels, took this opportunity to get themselves
rewarded, by begging not the bells, but the clappers only, which
was granted them, with the iron-work and furniture thereunto
belonging: and no question they made good benefit thereof.’’*
We read in Weever that “in the time of Elizabeth, bells were
removed by private individuals out of covetousness, and a procla-
mation was issued forbidding any bells or lead to be taken away.”
But it appears that in the reign of Edward VI., the robbery had
commenced, for in 1552, one Thomas Hall, of Devizes, complained
that the churchwardens of the parish of St. Mary, had two great
bells in their private possession which they would not give up.
Eyery one knows the curses that were pronounced on sacrilege
at the consecration of churches and abbeys. On one of the ancient
1 Southey’s Hist. of Churches. 2 Eccles. Mem., vol. ii. 3 Thid.
L 2
76 On Church Bells.
bells of Malmsbury Abbey, which have long since disappeared, was
the following epigraph:
‘‘Elysiam celi nunquam conscendit ad aulam
Qui furat hane nolam Aldelmi sede beati.”
Anglicé,
‘Tn heaven’s blest mansion he ne’er sets his feet
Who steals this bell from Aidelm’s sacred seat.”
11. But I must hasten to a conclusion, and now come to the last
division of the subject, viz., a comparison of the respective sizes
and weights of tenor bells, of Wiltshire and other peals; from
twenty-six inches to sixty inches diameter.
N.B. The figure after the locality denotes the number of bells
in the peal.
Weight. Diameter
Cwt. in inches.
ce 4 26 Wootton Rivers, 5.
274 Stratford Sub-Castle, 2.
29 Ebbesborne Wake, 3.
293 Charlton, 3.
293 Winterbourne Dantsey, 3.
304 Week, Hants, 3.
c. 5 3803 Allington, 3; Orcheston St. George, 2.
3l St. Ebbe’s, Oxford, 8.
314+ Ham, 4
c. 6 313 Easton Royal, 3.
33 Nunton, 3; Toney Stratford, 3; Winterbourne
Earls, 3; Idmiston, 4; Chute, 2.
c. 7 333 Tilshead, 3; Orcheston St. Mary, 3.
832 Tidcombe, 3; Odstock, 3.
34} Rushall, 3.
343 Bishopstone, 3; Newton Toney, 4; Ludgershall, 5;
Laugharne, Carmarthen, 6.
35 St. Thomas’, Oxford, 6.
ce. 8 303 Preshute, 5
386 Chilton Foliott, 5; Devizes, St. James, 4; Stock-
ton, 4; Winterslow, 4.
ec. 9 36} Maddington, 3.
363 Poulshot, 3; St. Lawrence, Winchester, 5.
37 ~—sCéBritford, 5.
374 St. Peter’s in the East, Oxford, 6.
Weight.
Cwt.
c. 9
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 77
Shipton, Hants, 3.
Collingbourne Ducis, 5; North Tidworth, 5;
Combe Bisset, 4; Alvediston, 3; Marden, 5;
Shrewton, 5; St. Mary Magdalen, Oxford, 5;
Burbage, 5.
Yatesbury, 4; Liddington, 5.
Milton Lilborne, 6; Chirton, 5; Holywell, Ox-
ford, 5.
Pangbourne, Berks, 6; College, Winchester, 5.
West Lavington, 6; Wivelsford, 5; All Saints,
Oxford, 5.
Pewsey, 6; St. Martin’s, Guernsey, 3; Kemerton,
Gloucester, 6.
Durrington, 5.
Shalbourne, Berks, 5; the Vale Church, Guern-
sey, 3.
Figheldean, 3; St. Aldate’s, Oxford, 5.
Holy Cross, Winchester, 2.
St. Magnus, Orkney, 3.
Laycock, 6.
St. Michael’s, Oxford, 6.
Upavon, 5.
Marlborough, St. Peter, 8; St. Giles, Oxford, 6;
Swindon, 6.
Chiseldon, 5; Durnford Magna, 5; St. Martin’s,
Sarum, 6.
Ogbourne St. Andrew, 5; Hungerford, Berks, 6.
Marlborough, St. Mary, 6; Broadchalk, 6; Holy-
rood, Southampton, 8; St. John, Winchester, 5.
Market Lavington, 6; St. Pierre du Bois, Guern-
sey, 3; St. Sauveur, Guernsey, 3.
St. Martin’s, Oxford, 8.
St. Peter’s, Carmarthen, 6.
Ramsbury, 6; Netheravon, 5; Wanborough, 5.
Bitton, Gloucester, 6.
Potterne, 6.
Bishop’s Cannings, 8.
Chepstow, Monmouthshire, 8.
78 On Church Bells.
in inches.
e. 17 471 Magdalen College, Oxford, 10; St. Pierre Port,
Guernsey, 8. 7
c. 18 474 Avebury, 5; Aldbourne, 8.
48 Devizes, St. Mary, 6; Urchfont, 8.
481 Cathedral, Bristol, 4.
ce. 19 484 Ogbourne St. George, 5.
482 Steeple Ashton, 6; Amesbury, 6.
49 New College, Oxford, 10.
Weight. Diameter
Cwt in i
c. 20 494
50 Downton, 5.
c. 21 504
502 Olveston, Gloucester, 6; Thornbury, 8.
51 ~~ Devizes, St. John, 8.
514 St. Lawrence, Reading, Berks, 10.
c. 23 513
52
c. 25 523
522 Great Bedwyn, 6.
53
534 St. Mary the Virgin, Oxford, 6.
531 St. Edmund’s, Sarum, 6; St. Mary, Reading, 8.
532 St. Thomas’, Sarum, 8.
54 Merton College, Oxford, 8.
564 Gathedtak Wanphesteese.
ie)
[w)
ve)
or
jor)
ol
c. 33 58 Westbury, Wilts.
c. 38 594 Bath Abbey, 10.
Compared with foreign bells, English ones are of no very great
size; but from the custom of round and change ringing amongst
us, we have come to think more of our own. There is a magnificent
clock bell over the Mairie, at Rennes in Brittany, 86} inches in
diameter and 6 inches thick at the sound-bow (a larger bell by
1 inch than Great Tom of Oxford), which nobody takes notice
of, although its fine deep tones are heard every hour; whereas we
make a sort of peep-show of Great Tom. The epigraph upon it is
“Jay ete fondue a Rennes Capitale de la Province daus l’enclos de
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 79
Vabbaye de St. Melaine au mois de 9. bre 1731 sous le regne de
Louis XV. Roy de France et de Navarre. Toussaint Francois
Rallier Maire Coronel des Milices Bourgeois. (Round the rim),
A. Brocard et M. Piosson Fondeurs Lorrains mont faitte avec les
douze appieu (sic). G. P. Les Chauchards pere fondeurs Lorrains
mont faite.” At St. Brieuc there are two very great bells, which I
had no time to examine. The Brocards were eminent bell-founders
in the 18th century, and I was informed in August last, by the
Curé of the town of Baud in Brittany, that the foundry retains
its celebrity to the present day. I happened to reach Baud at the
very moment when a new bell, weighing about 13 ewt., arrived for
one of its churches. It was quite a model of good casting, and
the epigraph stated it to have been cast at Napoleonville (Pontivy),
and sold by “Alphonse Danjou Marchand fondeur.” The eight
bells of the church of St. Pierre Port, Guernsey, composed how-
ever of very indifferent metal, and cast in 1736, and the three bells
of St. Martin’s church, in the same island, cast in the same year,
were the handiwork of the Brocards.
I have to apologize for the great length of this paper; but if I
have succeeded in drawing your attention to the too often neglected
state of belfries, and in inducing some to take up the subject of
bell ringing for its own sake as well as a means of reforming village
ringers, I shall be well contented to submit to your unfavourable
judgment upon my efforts to ring a series of changes on your own
bells, and my very indifferent performance.
I have feebly attempted to draw your notice to this subject with
the same feelings of pleasure and exultation with which the vener-
able shepherd of Marlborough Downs is said to have addressed
Queen Anne, when, on a progress to Bath, she was met at Shep-
herd’s Shore, in these words :
“‘Staund here greate Queen amongst your loving people,
And listen to the bells of Bishop’s Cannings Steple.”
W. C. Luxis.
N.B. The epigraphs or inscriptions will appear in our next number of the
Magazine.
80 On Church Bells.
WORKS ON BELLS.
The following list of Works on Bells, which may be found useful
by those who desire to study the subject, has been kindly supplied
by the Rey. H. T. Ellacombe.
Anon. Recueil curieux et édifiant sur les cloches de l’Eglise, avec les Céré-
monies de leur Bénédiction. Cologne, 1757.
Barravp (Abb.) Notice sur les cloches, 8vo. Caen, 1844.
Bormert (G. L.) Programma de Feudo Campanario, Gottingew, 1755.
Buonmatret (Ben.) Declamazione delle Campane, dopo le sue Cicalate delle
tre Sirocchie. Pisa, 1635.
Campant (Gio. Ant.) Opera. The frontispiece a large bell. Roma, 1495.
CANCELLIERI (F.) Descrizione della nuova Campana Magiore della Basilica
Vaticana. Roma, 1786.
CANCELLIERI (F.) Descrizione delle due nuove Campane di Campidoglio
beneditte del Pio VII. Roma, 1806, 4to.
Cave (G. G.) An Turrium et Campanarum Usus in Repub. Christ. Deo dis-
pliceat? Leipsiz, 1709, 4to.
ConraD (Dietericus), De Campanis. Germanice.
Eecers (Nic.) Dissertatio de Campanarum Materia et forma.
Eacers (Nic.) Dissertatio de Origine et Nomine Campanarum. Tene, 1684.
EscHENWECKER. De eo quod justum est circa Campanas.
Frsc (Laberanus du). Des cloches, 12mo. Paris, 1607-19.
Gorzi. Diatriba de Baptismo Campanarum. Lubec, 1612.
Grimaup (Gilb.) Liturgie Sacrée, avec un Traité des cloches. Lyons, 1666, 4to.,
Pavia, 1678, 12mo.
HinscHEN (Gio.) Dissertatio de Campanis Templorum, Leipsie, 1690.
Homsere (Gas.) De Superstitiosis Campanarum pulsibus, ad eliciendas preces,
quibus placentur fulmina, excogitatis, 4to. Frankfortie, 1577.
LazzaRrinI (Alex.) De vario Tintinnabulorum Usu apud veteres Hebreos et
Ethnicos. 2 vols. 8vo Rome, 1822.
Lupovicr (G.F.) De eo quod justum est circa Campanas. Hale, 1708 et 1739.
Maem (Hier.) De Tintinnabulis, cum notis F. Swertii et Jungermanni, 12mo.
Amstelodame et Hanovie, 1608, 1664, 1689. ‘A learned work.”—Parr.
Martene. De Ritibus Ecclesiz.
Mepetm (Geo.) An Campanarum Sonitus Fulmina, Tonitrua, et Fulgura
impedire possit, 4to., 1703.
Mitzter (B.A.) De Campanis.
Nerturen (Mar.) Campanula Penitentiw, 4to. Dresden, 1644.
Pactaupi. Dissertazione su due Campane di Capua. Neapoli, 1750.
PacicHetii (Ab. J. B.) De Tintinnabulo Nolano Lucubratio Autumnalis.
Neapoli, 1693. Dr. Parr calls this ‘‘a great curiosity.”
Pacer. De Campanis dissertatio.
Rocca (Ang.) De Campanis Commentarius, 4to. Rome, 1612.
REIMANNI (Geo. Chris.) De Campanis earumque Origine, vario Usu, Abusu, et
Juribus, 4to. Isenaci, 1769.
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 81
Savonti (G. M.) Notificazione per la solenne Benedizione della nuova Campana
da Collocarsi nella Metropolitana di S. Lorenzo. Geneva, 1750.
SELIGMANN (Got. Fr.) De Campana Urinatoria. Leipsiew, 1677. 4to.
Srockrier (Ar.) Dissertatio de Campanarum Usu, 4to. Altdorfii, 1665, 1666.
Srortus (G. M.) De Campanis Templorum, 4to, Leipsie, 1692:
Swertivs (Fran.)
Turers (G. B.) Des Cloches, 12mo. Paris, 1602, 1619.
Turers (J. B.) Traité des Cloches. Paris, 1721.
Wattert (Ar.) De Campanis et precipuis earum Usibus, 8vo. Holmie, 1694.
Wuturerrt (Car.) Ragguaglio delle Campane di Viliglia, 4to. Roma, 1601.
Zecu (F.8.) De Campanis et Instrumentis Musicis.
Without enumerating any Encyclopedias, in most of which may
be found very able and interesting articles upon the subject, the
best treatises for all practical purposes will be found in the following:
Prrorecunts, del Vannuccio Biringuccio, nobile Senese 1540, 1550, 1559, 1678.
There is a French translation of it by Jasper Vincent 1556, 1572, 1627.
The tenth chapter is about bells, which Magius refers to in his work.
DucanGE in Glossario, in vocibus Ais, Campana, Codon, Cloca, Crotalum, Glogga,
Lebes, Nola, Petasus, Signum, Squilla, Tintinnabulum.
Mersenni (F. M.) Harmonicorum Libri XII. Paris, 1629, 1643. (Liber
quartus de Campanis), This and Biringuccio contain all the mystery of
bell casting, &e.
PurreNDOoRFF. De Campanarum usu in obitu Parochiani publice significando,
in ejus observationibus. Jur. Univers., p. iv., No. 104.
The works of English authors, seem to be chiefly confined to the
Art of Ringing, as the following list will show:
TINTINNALOGIA, or the Art of Ringing improved, by T. W(hite), 18mo., 1668.
This is the book alluded to by Dr. Burney, in his History of Music, Vol.
iv., p. 413.
CaMPANOLOGIA, or the Art of Ringing improved, 18mo. 1677. This was by
Fabian Stedman.
CAMPANOLOGIA, improved by I. D, and C. M., London Scholars, 18mo. 1702.
Ditto, second edition, 12mo. 1705.
Ditto, third ditto, oo Racal
Ditto, fourth ditto, yl ORE
Ditto, fifth ditto, by J. Monk, 18mo. 1766.
Tue Scoot or Recreation, or Gentleman’s Tutor in various exercises, one
of which is Ringing. 1684.
Cravis CampaNnoLoata, by Jones, Reeves, and Blackmore, 12mo, 1788. Re-
printed in 1796 and 1800?
Tue Krvcer’s True Gourper, by 8. Beaufoy, 12mo. 1804.
Tue Campanoxoata, or Universal Instructor in the Art of Ringing, by Wm.
Shipway, 12mo. 1816,
Exements or Campanoxoata, by H. Hubbard, 12mo, 1845, 1854.
M
82 On Church Bells.
Tue Bett: its origin, history, and uses, by Rev. A. Gatty, 12mo. 1847.
Ditto, enlarged. 1848.
Brunt’s Use AND ABUSE OF CHURCH BELLS, 8vo. 1846.
ELLacomBe’s PracTicAL REMARKS ON BELFRIES AND RINGERS, 8yo. 1850.
=a Paper oN Betts, with Illustrations, in the Report of Bristol
Architectural Society. 1850.
Croome’s Frew Worps on Betis anpD BELL Rinere, 8vo. 1851.
Wootr’s ADDRESS ON THE ScIENCE oF Campanotocy. ‘Tract. 1851.
Prary Hryts to Bert Ruovcers. No. 47, of Parochial Tracts. 1852.
Tue Art or CHANGE Riverine, by B. Thackrah, 12mo. 1882.
QuaRTERLY Review: Art. Church Bells, Sept., 1854.
To these may be added, as single poetical productions,
Tue Lecenp or THE LiwertcK Bett Founprr, published in the Dublin
University Magazine. Sept., 1847.
Tue Bett, by Schiller.
There is a curious collection of MSS. on the subject, by the late
Mr. Osborn, among the Additional MSS., Nos. 19, 368, and 19, 373.
Hungerford Chapels in Salisbury Cathedral. 83
On the Bungerford Chapels in Salishury
Cathedral.
By the Rev. J. E. Jackson.
Ir is proposed in this paper to give some account of two Chantry
Chapels, founded by the Hungerford family in Salisbury Cathedral.
One of these, the earliest, still remains; but the second has been
long since entirely removed. Therefore in referring to the first,
you will have your own acquaintance with the Cathedral to assist
you. The description of the second you will be so good as to take
upon trust.
A few words, by way of preface, upon Chantries in general.
A Chantry was an endowment or perpetual stipend settled upon
one or more priests to say daily mass for the souls of a deceased
Founder and his friends. The name is also applied to a particular
altar, or more frequently to a little chapel, annexed to a Church.
The main use and intent of them was for prayers for souls departed,
on a supposition of Purgatory, and of being released therefrom by
masses satisfactory. The anniversary day of the Founder’s death
was called his Obit.
Fuller, the Church Historian (a Prebendary of Sarum), has some
quaint remarks upon Chantries, and their suppression at the end
of the reign of Henry VIII. He says that
“A Chantry was what we call in grammar an adjective, unable
to stand of itself, and was therefore united for better support to
some Parochial, Collegiate, or Cathedral Church.
“Henry VIII. made three meals, or if you will, one meal of
three courses, on Abbey lands: besides what Cardinal Wolsey, the
King’s taster herein, had eaten beforehand, when assuming smaller
M 2
84 Hungerford Chapels in Salisbury Cathedral.
Monasteries to endow his Colleges.’ Henry’s three courses were—
1. The smaller Monasteries under £200 a year, seized a.p. 1535.
2. The greater Monasteries, a.p. 1538. 3. Colleges, Chantries, and
Free Chapels, which were granted to him by Parliament, a.p. 1545.
“The first of these (the smaller houses) were most in number: the
second, richest in revenue: the third, Chantries, &c., in one respect
better than both the former, viz., that the former being spent and
consumed, these alone were left to supply his appetite.
“The stipends of the Chantry priests varied in proportion to the
piety and property of the Founder, from 40 marks for 2000 masses,
to fourpence for one mass. They were not allowed to receive more
than seven marks per annum, or three marks with their board.
“ Founders of Chantries generally preferred priests not beneficed,
as best at leisure constantly to attend the same. But their dead
founders did not so engross the devotion of those priests but that,
by general and special obits for other men, procession-pence and
other perquisites, they much bettered their maintenance.
“Some deductions were made by the will of the Founders, to
uses merely charitable and no whit superstitious, out of the surplus
of the Chantry lands, as to the relief of poor people, and main-.
taining of scholars at the Universities. But this did not save them
from confiscation: for as the stork in the fable that was found
amongst the cranes destroying the husbandman’s corn, in vain
pleaded his own piety to his parents, and was killed, for company-
sake, with those birds amongst whom he was caught: so it is more
than suspicious that these pious uses were utterly extinguished at
the suppression of Abbeys; to teach men’s charities hereafter to
beware of too familiar a converse with superstition. Vast was the
wealth accruing to the Crown by the dissolution of Chantries.
“Many a little,” saith the proverb, “make a mickle.” The founda-
tions, though small in revenue, yet being many in number, amounted
up to a great bank. There was not a Cathedral or Collegiate
Church in England, but some Chantries were founded therein, as
in many parochial Churches. These may easily be recognized in
country Churches, as often projecting from the old building, from
which they differ in style, being neater and newer.
EE — eee ee Oe
Se
By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 85
“ How much the yearly revenue of all these Chantries and other
Chapels amounted to the King knew as little as we do; indeed,
some of his officers did, but would not know, as wilfully concealing
their knowledge herein. Yea, some of these Chantries may be
said in a double sense to have been suppressed, as being not only
put down, but also concealed, never coming into the Exchequer,
being silently pocketed by private (but potent) persons. True it
is the courtiers were more rapacious to catch, and voracious to
swallow these Chantries than Abbey lands; for, at the first, many
were scrupulous in mind, or modest in manners, doubting the ac-
ceptance of Abbey lands, though offered unto them, till profit and
custom, two very able confessors, had, by degrees, satisfied their
consciences, and absolved them from any fault therein. Now, all
scruple removed, Chantry land went down without any regret.
Yea, such as mannerly expected till the King carved for them out
of Abbey lands, scrambled for themselves out of Chantry revenues,
as knowing this was the last dish of the last course, and, after
Chantries, as after cheese, nothing to be expected. The Act of
Parliament, for dissolving Chantries was passed in the first year
Edward VI.”
So far Fuller.'
Most of these Chapels were parted off from the Church by open
sereens of wood or stone. Some were mere spaces within the
Church enclosed within rails, and enclosing monumental tombs,
with effigies of the founders and other sculptured decorations, with
an altar at the east end, raised on a step, and having a piscina and
an ambry or closet on the south side. Henry VII.’s Chapel in
Westminster Abbey is the grandest specimen existing of a Chantry
Chapel, for such it may be regarded, having been built expressly
to contain his sepulchral tomb, with an altar, and endowed for
priests to offer up prayers. Directions for this are given in his
will. Noblemen and lords of manors often founded and endowed
Chantries at the end of the aisles of Parish Churches, and appro-
priated them for the reception of family tombs, heraldic insignia,
* 1 Church History. B. vi., See. v. ii.
86 Hungerford Chapels in Salisbury Cathedral.
and a portion of their armour. Some of these Chapels in our
Cathedrals are amongst the most splendid works of art, belonging
to their respective times, as may be seen at Winchester, Gloucester,
Windsor, and elsewhere. In old St. Paul’s Cathedral, London,
there were no less than forty-seven Chantries.
In Salisbury Cathedral there appear to have been, at the Refor-
mation, several of these endowed Chantries or Chantry Chapels—
viz., those of John Waltham, Bishop of Sarum, who died 13895;
Edmund Audley, Bishop, who died 1524; Richard Beauchamp,
Bishop, 1482; Giles Bridport, Bishop, 1262; Gilbert Keymer, or
Kymer, Dean, 1463; Henry Blundesdon, 1335; Roger Cloun, about
1390; Andrew Hulse; Walter, Lord Hungerford, 1449; and
Robert, Lord Hungerford, his son, 1459.
Before proceeding to describe the two Hungerford Chapels I
must first say a few words about that celebrated Wiltshire family,
of which there is almost as little left amongst us as there is of one
of their Chapels; especially (as most suitable on this occasion)
about their connexion with the City of Salisbury.
They appeared in this county for the first time as an acknowleged
family of importance about 1300. I find a priest of Sarum of the
name a little earlier. They probably derived their family name
from the town of Hungerford, in which neighbourhood their earliest
property appears to have been situated. The first of any eminence
was a Sir Robert, who died in 13852. He was representative for
the county in Parliament, and a Justice in Eyre. He was owner
of property in ‘‘ Novel-street, in New Sarum.” He had a brother,
Walter, Bailiff of Salisbury, 1333.
Sir Thomas, son of Walter, who died in the reign of Richard IL.,
was steward to John of Gaunt, and sometime, but for a very short
time, Speaker of the Commons in Parliament. He purchased the
estates at Heytesbury and Farley Castle. He is described first as
a “citizen and merchant of New Sarum” in 1357, though in what
sort of wares he dealt I cannot say—probably in wheat and wool—
for in the possession of broad acres on and under the Wiltshire
downs, where those commodities are apt to grow, the Hungerfords
were certainly no wise deficient. It is a common ‘saying, not yet,
By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 87
I believe, quite extinct, that they could ride on their own land
all the way from Farley Castle to Salisbury, a good thirty miles.
That this saying is literally correct I cannot exactly admit, because
in that line of country they certainly would have encountered in
their ride some large properties with which they never had any-
thing to do, as, for example, the territory of the Lady Abbesses of
Wilton. Still, in one sense, the saying is so far true, that during
the period of their existence in the county, (about three hundred
years), there really are very few parishes between those two points
with which they had not, at some period or other, some connexion ;
and it is also the case, that in their best days, they actually were
owners of a very considerable portion of that tract of country.
Indeed the same may be said of many other parts of Wiltshire.
The number of places with which their name is associated, either
by ownership to a greater or less extent, or by some memorial or
other, is very extraordinary, and almost sufficient to fill a map of
of itself.
In the city of Salisbury they do not appear to have remained
long or to have possessed much, and, with the exception of the
“ Novel-street’’ tenements already mentioned, I have not met with
much notice of them here. Their coat of arms on the ceiling of
an aisle in St. Thomas’s Church implies a benefaction to that part
of the building. The shield of some younger member of the
family is (or lately was) on a window in the Cathedral library.
Sir Thomas, just spoken of above, was in a.p. 1370, Special Attorney
for the See of Sarum when its property was held for a little while
by the Crown.
The great man of the family was son of Sir Thomas the Speaker,
viz., Walter, Lord Hungerford and Heytesbury, Lord High Treasurer
of England in the reign of Henry VI. He had been a supporter
of Henry IV. upon his seizure of the throne, and under that pa-
tronage passed through many public situations, civil and military,
and made a vast addition to the property of his family. He served
at Agincourt under Henry V., and got a good share of prize-money:
amongst other things a grant of the Barony of Homet, in Nor-
mandy, which he held under the Crown, by the somewhat singular
88 Hungerford Chapels in Salisbury Cathedral.
service of rendering every year at the Castle of Rouen, one lance
with a fox’s brush hanging to it. ‘ Which pleasant tenure,” says
Camden, “TI have thought not amiss to insert here amongst more
serious matters.”’ The history of it is, that this was one of the
badges of the house of Lancaster; an emblem in which certain his-
torical critics have recognized some allusion to the wiliness of King
Henry IV.’s character, who is said to have acted now and then
upon the advice of a much more ancient public man, Lysander, the
Spartan General—* When the lion’s skin is too short, piece it out
with the fox’s tail’’—or as the adage has been versified by Prior;
‘<The Lion’s skin too short, you know
(As Plutarch’s morals finely show)
Was lengthened by the Fox’s tail,
And Art supplies where strength may fail.”
Lord Hungerford married a wealthy heiress, and became owner
of great property of the Peverells of Devonshire. He was also a
Knight of the Garter, Constable of Windsor Castle, Captain of
Cherbourg in France, Lord Steward of the Household, and one of
the Executors of King Henry V.’s will. He rebuilt churches in
Wiltshire and Somerset, contributed liberally to various religious
houses, and founded Chantries, as at Chippenham, Farley Castle, and
Salisbury Cathedral, where, by directions left in his last will, he
was buried in a Chantry Chapel built by himself, which then stood
under the second arch of the nave on the north side, but now
stands in the choir near the bishop’s throne: known as
THE IRON CHAPEL.
By a deed, dated Ist June, a.p. 1429, twenty years before his
death, it appears that Lord Hungerford had license from Simon
Sydenham, Dean, and the Chapter of Salisbury, to enclose, at his
own expense, “between the First Arch (i.e. of the nave) “to the
Arch where the Altar of Early Mass is celebrated, all that space
lying between the two columns, in length 203 feet, and in breadth
8 feet and one inch. Of which enclosure the outside of the stone
and grating is not to exceed the aforesaid admeasurement.” And
to erect there an Altar in honour of the B. V. Mary, as well as to
make a place for his own burial.
By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 89
The Chaplains were to dress like the Vicars, and to say mass
every day before seven o’clock in the morning, and again at nine
in the evening. A regular service was also appointed for each
day in the week. An Obit every 3rd December, in honour of the
Founder’s Father. A house was assigned them-in the Close.
Lord Hungerford gave to the Dean and Chapter an acre of land,
and the Advowson of St. Sampson’s at Cricklade, with the Re-
version of a Manor called Abyndon’s Court, at that place, out of
which they were to pay the Chaplain’s stipends, and other charges,
and 40s. a year for the repair of the spire of the Cathedral, the
safety of which was at one time considered doubtful.
There is still upon the floor of the Cathedral, under the arch in
the Nave, where the Iron Chapel originally stood, a low broad
monumentof Purbeck marble, on which are the brassless effigies of the
Founder and his first wife, Katharine Peverell; with many sockets
of their favourite device, the sickle, and of other arms, all now
destroyed. Their remains were removed with the Chapel, (as
appears from an inscription on a brass plate sunk into the floor on
the original site) by Jacob, Earl Radnor, in 1779; with permission
of the authorities.
The Ironwork of the Chapel is nowin fact the only original portion
left, for at the time of the removal the stone basement was renewed :
and the old armorial embellishments (or what remained of them),
relating to family connexions before and about the period of the
Founder, were obliterated.
The peculiarity of the material, and the general appearance of
this Chapel have obtained for it the popular name of “The Cage.”
Its dimensions correspond exactly with those described in the deed
of a.p. 1429, mentioned above. Each side is constructed of fifty-
eight, and each end of fifteen, upright bars of iron an inch and
a half square. The whole is strengthened by two horizontal rails,
and was formerly painted in blue, gold, and green. The ironwork
rises upon a stone basement (a modern restoration) divided into
three panels or compartments. In each of these, on the north
side, is a coat of arms within Garters: viz., 1. In the centre panel,
N
90 Hungerford Chapels in Salisbury Cathedral.
the arms of Lord Hungerford, the Founder, quartering Heytesbury
and Hussey: with knots of sickles in the spandrils. 2. in the
panel nearer east, Hungerford impaling Peverell (the first wife) :
and 3. in the panel nearer west, Hungerford impaling Berkeley
(the second wife). In the spandrils of 2 and 3, single sickles.
The Iron Chapel is in very good preservation, owing to the
interference of the late Lord Radnor, who considered himself
sufficiently descended from the Hungerfords to be at much pains
and expense to restore it. Ina private journal of the year 1784,
written by a Wiltshire gentleman, it is said that his Lordship was
two years in settling the heraldic ornaments now painted upon it.
On the ceiling in its original state were painted Latin sentences,
and angels bearing scrolls inscribed with texts of scripture. The
present design explains by thirty-two shields elegantly disposed
on twisted cords, the line of descent of both Jacob Lord Radnor
and his Countess from the Founder. An engraving of this is
given, with several other large illustrations of both these Chapels,
in Gough’s “Sepulchral Monuments,” vol. u., plate lvi. On the
ornament above the cornice outside are thirty-six shields, denoting
the alliances made by the Hungerford family. The shields
within the choir represent matches made by the Hungerfords with
females of other families. Those without the choir, matches made
by other families with females of the Hungerford family. These
embellishments were arranged and executed by Joseph Edmondson,
Mowbray Herald, and they form a very beautiful and valuable
illustration of the genealogy of the Hungerfords. But the shields
are not placed in chronological order, and they also refer, for the
most part, to the family history from the Founder downwards ;
those which were originally painted having been almost entirely
omitted in the restoration.
There is another brassless effigy near the second arch of the
Nave, which is believed to be either that of the Founder’s eldest
son, Walter, who was taken prisoner in the French wars, and died
at Provence, but who, Leland says, was buried at Salisbury; or the
Founder’s grandson, Lord Molines.
By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 91
THE HUNGERFORD CHAPEL (FORMERLY OUTSIDE THE CATHEDRAL),
NOW DESTROYED.
The other Chapel belonging to this Family, was outside the
Cathedral, and was founded by the order, and in memory of Robert,
second Baron Hungerford, son of the High Treasurer. This noble-
man also served in the French wars, and was taken prisoner at the
battle of Pataye, when the English under Talbot and Sir John
Fastolf were panic struck by the superstition belonging to the name
of Joan of Arc. (This was in 1429, and, by an odd coincidence,
on the 18th of June). He lived, however, to return home, and to
marry one of the wealthiest heiresses of the day, Margaret Lady
Botreaux, by whom he obtained a vast quantity of manors in
Cornwall, Somerset, and elsewhere. He died in 1459.
His son (also Robert) married another great heiress, Eleanor
Lady Molines, and was called, jure uxoris, Lord Molines. He took a
very active part on the Lancastrian side in the wars of the Roses,
and was beheaded at Hexham, in Northumberland, in 1463. Lord
Molines’ only son, Sir Thomas Hungerford, Knight, was tried at
Salisbury for High Treason, on a charge of attempting to restore
Henry VI. to the throne, for which he was condemned and beheaded
at Bemerton gallows in 1469. The estates were forfeited, but by
the arrangement and prudence of Lady Hungerford and Botreaux,
who survived the temporary wreck of the family, all was afterwards
restored.
There are several documents preserved, which contain a rather
curious account of this lady’s efforts to preserve the fortune of her
house. In one of them, which she calls ‘‘a writing annexed” to her
will, dated 1476, she details all the expense she had incurred and
the various personal hardships and losses she had undergone.
Amongst these, she mentions the circumstance of her having been
herself in arrest during the late troublous times. Her son and
grandson having laid down their heads on the block, in their efforts
to deprive Edward IV. of the throne, it is not improbable that she
became an object of suspicion as an abettor, and that at any rate
n 2
92 Hungerford Chapels in Salisbury Cathedral.
it was thought right to place her under observation. Lady Mar-
garet does not state the period of her life at which this happened;
but it was most likely after her grandson’s execution. She was
placed in custody of the Sheriff of Wilts: all her lands, goods,
and chattels taken into the king’s hands, and she herself reduced
to live upon the charity of her friends. It cost her £400 to acquit
herself of this difficulty. Another and a much heavier one also
befel her, but owing to what cause she does not specify. She was,
by the king’s commandment, placed by the Chancellor in Amesbury
Abbey, as a safe place of durance for an elderly lady, to whom the
gallant king would wish to be as gentle and courteous as “ political
circumstances” would admit. Here, however, a disaster of a novel
sort awaited the poor dame. A fire broke out in her apartments
and destroyed all her moveable goods—beds of cloth of gold, beds
of arras of silk, hangings of arras for halls and chambers, plate,
money, and other “ stuff.”” There were no insurance companies in
those days; or, if there were, Lady Margaret’s arras and cloth of
gold were not insured: and her losses by this “fortune,” as she
calls it, or rather mis-fortune, “of fyre,’’ stood her in the round
sum of “£1000, and more.” Nor did the “fortune” end here.
Her lodgings, newly covered with lead, were burnt and pulled
down; and, behold, a bill from the Amesbury plumber and glazier
to the amount of £200.
At another time (prior probably to her son’s execution), she
had been commanded by the king to take charge of an important
heiress, the young Duchess of Norfolk.
Edward, flattered with the expectation of uniting his eldest
daughter to the Dauphin of France, amused himself with making
contracts for the rest of his children. He entered’ into a treaty
with Scotland for the marriage of Cecily, his second daughter,
with the son and heir of James; negotiated with Bretagne for the
hand of Anne, (afterwards the Queen of Charles VIII.,) for the
Prince of Wales, and caused the nuptials or the betrothment to be
celebrated between the young Duke of York and the Lady Anne,
heiress of the Duke of Norfolk. The parties were both very young,
and neither ever reached maturity.
EE
By the Rev. J. EL. Jackson. 93
Lady Margaret being aged and the Duchess a mere child, the
charge was one that filled her with “grete drede and hevynesse,”
and she purchased exemption from it by paying £200 for permission
to remain at Sion Monastery.
There is no doubt that this poor lady was thoroughly aweary of
the troubles and losses sustained by her house; and that she sought
every opportunity and spared no expense to conciliate King Ed-
ward IV. To please him, or, as she expresses it, to ‘eschew his
high displeasure,” she allowed to one Sir Thomas Burgh for his life
700 marks per annum out of her property, and for the life of his
wife 100 more; also to Lord Dynham, £100 a year.
During the latter part of her life she lived at Heytesbury,
Farley Castle having been for the time granted by the Crown to
the Duke of Gloucester.
CHAPEL.
The Chapel which Lady Hungerford and Botreaux caused to be
built, in memory of her husband, and as a burial place for both of
them, was not finished before her death in 1477; as by her will
she leaves sufficient funds for the completion of the work. She
had endowed it with the manor of Imber and other lands, and had
given a very large collection of ornaments and furniture to the
value of £250, of which a curious inventory is preserved. These
consisted of altar-cloths of white damask, white velvet, red velvet,
blue damask, crimson sarcenet, purple, blue, and black sarcenet,
black damask, red and green baudekin, all embroidered with texts,
coats of arms, letters of green and gold, images, and devices. Also
mass-books, antiphoners, ordinals secundum usum Sarum, and
many other rich and curious presents.
The Chapel adjoined the north side of the Lady Chapel of the
Cathedral, and the eastern end of it was, in workmen’s language,
flush with the east end of the Lady Chapel. It had one large east
window of five lights, and on the north side three, each of three
lights, all of perpendicular architecture, and therefore of style
quite different from the body of the Cathedral. The outside was
adorned with shields and devices relating to the family. In some
94 Hungerford Chapels in Salisbury Cathedral.
of the old views of the Cathedral, as Collins’s and Hollar’s, it is
introduced. There is a large view of the interior in Gough’s
“‘Sepulchral Monuments,” and a small one, reduced from Gough’s,
in Hall’s “ Picturesque Memorials of Salisbury.” This Chapel was so
strictly adjective to the substantive Cathedral that the north wall
of the present Lady Chapel was in fact common to the two buildings.
In this wall there was a door for communication with the Cathe-
dral; and, near the door, a large opening in form of an arch,
under which lay the monument of Lord Hungerford covered by
an ornamental canopy; so that any person standing in the Lady
Chapel, at the monument, could see into the Hungerford Chapel.
In the Chapel, between the monument and the door-way, was
painted against the wall, a large picture commonly known by the
name of “Death and the Galant,’ of which an engraving (by
Langley) was first published by Lyons, of Salisbury, 1748: and
there is a very good fac-simile of it in Mr. Duke’s book called
“The Halle of John Halle.” The picture represents Death in a
shroud, holding a colloquy with a young dandy dressed in the high
fashion of the reign of Henry IV.—a short doublet, cord and bow
round his waist, cap and feather, shoes with long pointed toes, a
dagger or anelace, hosen or tight pantaloons, a display of rings on
the left hand, and in the right a cane or stick: on his breast a
cross, or Christopher. Mr. Duke, in the illustration of the dress
of John Halle, has enlarged at great length upon all these articles
of costume.
The conversation between the figure of Death and this young
Beau was carried on in verse over a coffin on the ground between
them; and it is of course intended to convey a caution against
allowing the vanities of life to lead us to forget the end of it.
Some of the words are obsolete; but with slight alteration the
general tenor of the lines is this. The Beau says—
‘‘ Alas, Death, alas! a blissful thing you were
If you would spare us in our lustiness,
And come to wretches that be of heavy cheer
When they thee ask to lighten their distress.
But out, alas! thine own self-willedness
Harshly refuses them that weep and wail
To close their eyes that after thee do call.”
By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 95
To which Death replies—
‘‘Graceless Gallant! in all thy ease and pride
Remember this: that thou shalt one day die ;
Death shall from thy body thy soul divide—
Thou mayest him escape not, certainly.
To the dead bodies [here] cast down thine eye;
Behold them well: consider too, and see,
For such as they are, such shalt thou too be.”
In the year 1644, this Chapel was visited by a Capt. Symonds,
an officer in the Royalist army, who was an Archeologist as well
as a soldier; and used to amuse himself after his day’s march, by
going into the Churches of the town where he happened to be
quartered, and noting down memoranda of monuments, heraldry, &c.
The little pocket book in which he did this, happens to be preserved
in the British Museum, and in it he entered, roughly indeed, but
still with the roughness of a practised hand, all the arms that were
at that time to be seen in this Chapel, with copies of the inscriptions.
In the middle of the Chapel at the time of his visit there was an
altar tomb, with the coats of Hungerford on it; the inscription and
and brass shield had been stolen. This was the tomb of Lady
Margaret the Founder’s widow. It had eight shields in quarterfoil,
and the slab was a good imitation of a pall, with a cross upon it. Over
the door was the picture of a man in Parliament robes (Gough
says a doctor’s gown), without any name; under him, this writing:
“Ye that purport in this Chapel to pray, call to mind the soule of
the Noble Knight Robert Lord Hungerford, who lived righteously ;
and was friend to the blessed Lady Mother and Christ Jesu, and
to this noble Church; which ordered this Chapel to be founded per-
petually, on whose soul Jesu have mercy.” Another inscription
recorded that “the Chapel was consecrated in honour of our Lord
Jesus Christ, and the Blessed Virgin Mary, by the Bishop of Sarum.”
This from the date (about 1480), would be Bishop Richard Beau-
champ, whose arms were painted at the east end. There was also
on the west wall a painting of St. Christopher, carrying our Saviour
as a child on his shoulder: and one of the Annunciation, “both,”
says Capt. Symonds, “very well done”; also a second, of Death
and a Gallant, somewhat like the one above described.
96 Hungerford Chapels in Salisbury Cathedral.
When this Chapel was originally built, in order to make the
interior uniform, one of the buttresses against the outside of the
north wall of the Lady Chapel was removed. This operation, and
the opening of a large space in that wall to admit Lord Hunger-
ford’s monument, was reported by Mr. Price to be dangerous to the
Lady Chapel. However, things remained as they were for thirty-
six years after Mr. Price’s report. By the year 1789 the Hungerford
Chapel, which in its original state must have been very beautiful,
had fallen into neglect and dilapidation. The Cathedral authorities
repaired it from time to time, but it had survived the family whose
name it bore. The wreck of the eldest line of the Hungerford
family took place in Charles II.’s reign, and the very name had
almost become extinct in England by the year 1750, or thereabouts.
No one seemed to take further interest in maintaining it, and it had
actually been turned by one of the vergers to the base uses of a
cellar or lumber room. In 1789, when great alterations were made
in the Cathedral, and the Lady Chapel was thrown open to the
choir, in order to make that improvement complete, sentence of
entire demolition was passed both upon the Hungerford Chapel,
on the north side, and on a corresponding one, which, from the
engravings of it, seems to have been exquisitely beautiful, the
Beauchamp Chapel on the south side. Mr. Wyatt urged as an
argument for removing them, the want of uniformity between these
Chapels and the rest of the Cathedral, and the danger which
threatened the walls of the Church, by the removal of buttresses
and columns. The two Chapels were accordingly taken bodily
away, and the monuments, or what little remained of them, ordered
to be removed into the Cathedral.
Some portions of the ornamented sculpture of the Chapel have
been, I believe, introduced into the stone work at the east end of
the Lady Chapel. The monument of Lady Hungerford, which
stood in the centre, seems to have disappeared altogether; Death
and the Gallant, and the Doctor in his Parliament Robes, were of
course scraped off the wall: and the only sepulchral memorial
now to be seen of the perpetual foundation of poor Lady Hunger-
ford and Botreaux, is part of the monument of her husband.
By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 97
This monument (as already mentioned) originally stood under
a stone canopy, richly ornamented, within an arch that had been
made in the Lady Chapel north wall. On the ceiling of the canopy
were the arms of Hungerford, Peverell, and Botreaux, with the
device of three sickles intertwined, and the letters I. H. S., and
two latin lines over it. The whole monument appears to have been
for some time hidden from view, by high wooden seats in the
Lady Chapel, and came to light upon removing them. Of the
stone canopy itself nothing is now preserved, except such portions
as may have been worked up in the stone wainscoting round the
Lady Chapel. The altar-tomb itself is made of Sussex marble, on
which lies the full length effigy of Lord Hungerford, in alabaster.
It has been engraved in Stothard’s work on Monumental Effigies.
The figure has been roughly handled and the colour is nearly all
gone. The armour is of peculiar pattern, approaching the splendid
style which was carried to perfection in the reign of Richard III.
The elbow and shoulder pieces very large, the girdle jewelled.
Captain Symonds’s description of the figure is that “it was of a
fashion different from more ancient—like a lobster.” It is described
in Meyrick’s book, on ‘Armoury,’ in rather more scientific terms.
The deeds relating to the foundation of this outside Chapel, its
endowment, and the regulations for the services, are all preserved
in a collection of documents of this family, to which I have had
access. Amongst the statutes to be observed by the chaplains were
these; that they were not to frequent taverns at unseasonable hours;
not to keep hawks nor hounds; nor to be addicted to gambling,
ecard playing, or ball playing; nor to be of insufferably quarrelsome
temper! They had a house within the Close, known by the name
of “The House of Lord Hungerford’s Chantry Priests.” In the
time of Henry VIII. the Chapel was found to possess 260z. of
plate. Each of the Chaplains had £8 a-year paid by the Dean
and Chapter.
The Lady Hungerford who built the Chapel was a donor to the
Cathedral Plate Chest of four pair of censers, with leopard’s heads,
“windows, pinnacles, and chains.” She was also the Foundress of
the Almshouse at Heytesbury.
98 Hungerford Chapels in Salisbury Cathedral.
This, then, is a summary of what I have been able to collect
relating to this Chapel. The removal of it, as indeed, many other
alterations then also made in the Cathedral, gave rise at the time
to a very lively controversy, conducted in the journals and peri-
odicals of the day by Mr. Carter, the architect, and others. Into
this dispute it is now needless to enter. The Chapel is gone; and
though it were on some account to be wished that it had not gone,
but rather that it could have been maintained in decency, as a relic
of a distinguished and now extinct Wiltshire family, still it is of
no use to cry over spilled milk, and therefore instead of indulging
in fruitless lamentation, I content myself with this endeavour
to gather up the scattered notices of its appearance and history,
for the benefit of the Wilts Archeological Society.
The following appear to have been the interments of the
Hungerford Family at Salisbury, so far as is known :—
A.D.
1—1449. Walter Lord Hungerford and Heytesbury. Lord High
Treasurer of England.
2—(1429?) Katherine Peverell, his first wife.
3—1459. Robert, second Lord Hungerford and Botreaux.
When the (outside) Chapel was taken away in 1789, the body of this noble-
man was discovered about eighteen inches above the level of the floor, in a
wooden coffin much decayed. It measured five feet five inches from head to
heel, and had been wrapped in a cloth, a very small part of which was to be
seen with the cords with which it was tied. The head was reclined to the left
shoulder, the hands laid across the middle of the body, and the legs straight.
The coffin was very dry, and had not the least smell, and the skeleton very
entire, except the right foot, and some of the flesh remained under the upper
ribs. The Bishop and Dean were present (Aug. 24), and ordered it to be placed
in a box with care, that it might be removed with all possible decency, as soon
as a proper place was found, and to be kept in the meantime near the stone
figure. (Gough’s Sep. Mon.)
4—1477. Margaret Lady Hungerford and Botreaux, his widow.
In opening the grave of this lady, under her tomb in the middle of the (out-
side) Chapel, there was discovered a casing of stone filled in with black mould
in which part of her skull and a rib were seen. (Gough.)
5—1463. Robert, third Lord Hungerford and Molines (?)
He was beheaded at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, after the battle of Hexham. It
is said by Dugdale that his body was conveyed to Salisbury for burial, and
Gough assigns to him one of the brassless effigies on the floor. But this may
have referred to the next member of the family.
By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 99
A.D.
6—(Before 1429?) Walter Hungerford, Knt., eldest son of the
Lord High Treasurer.
Buried, according to Leland, in the North aisle.
7—1468-9. Thomas Hungerford, Knt., of Rowdon, near Chip-
penham ; eldest son of Lord Molines.
Beheaded at Salisbury.
At a later period, some of a younger branch :—
8—1684-5. Sir Giles Hungerford, of Coulston, near West Laving-
ton.
Buried in North aisle.
9—1711. Margaret his second wife, daughter of Sir Thomas
Hampson.
10—1611. Patience, daughter of Henry Hungerford, Gent.
There were also a few burials of the family at St. Martin’s
Church.
The curious inventory of plate and furniture provided by Lady
Hungerford for her chapel (alluded to above, p. 93), is printed in
Dugdale’s Baronage, vol. ii., p. 207.
The following names of Cantarists of the Iron Chapel have
been met with :—
A.D.
1429—Peter Fadir
Bini Short Presented by the Founder.
1432—W nm. Otley, p.m. Fadir 3 Ditto.
1534—Richard Golde.
Thomas Dawkins.
Cantarists of the outside chapel :—
1472—John Coscombe
Thomas Pery Presented by the Foundress.
1535—John Trew 4 by the Dean and Chapter.
1537—John Aprice, p.m. Trew ,, by the Bishop.
1554—Thomas Boxe.
Laurence Mann.
Capt. Symonds’s description of the Arms, as painted on both
chapels in 1644, is in a small volume, Harl. MS. 939.
m2
100 Family of Giffard of Boyton.
BRIEF NOTICE OF
Che Family of Gifford of Boyton.
By the Rev. ArrHur Fane.
In the preliminary address, which admirably introduced our
Archeological Society into this county, one head of useful inquiry
and interesting information which the President specially alluded
to was the biography of individuals and the history of the events
in which they were engaged, or took an active part; and Mr. Scrope
took occasion to show how many parishes there were in this county
in which Archeology of things might be enlivened by Archeology
of persons, and that from stones and tombs, we might turn to the
history of those who first founded or embellished our parish churches,
and who now slumber the sleep of death, as to those bodies which
once were valiant in war or wise in council. Having made a
humble endeavour at the request of the committee to illustrate the
Archeology of a church by no means devoid of interest or origi-
nality, I shall endeavour to draw together some information which
may illustrate the history of a family once remarkable in the annals
of ancient chivalry, and which has left traces of its wealth and
power in this county, which seem to endure long after all genea-
logical traces of the family have passed away and become extinct.
T allude to the family of Giffard, which once held ample possessions
in land and money, which was graced with earldoms and baronies,
which no less in ecclesiastical than in civil dignitaries was eminent,
but which has left behind the shadow only of a name in the title
affixed to their former possessions—as Ashton Giffard, Fonthill
Giffard, Broughton Giffard, and the like.
Edward of Salisbury, by the Domesday Record, seems to have
been the owner of vast estates in this county. One parish included
By the Rev. Arthur Fane. 101
in the property of the Earldom of Salisbury was Boyton, and we
find at a very early period after the Conquest that this estate was
subinfeuded to the Giffards, who were already tenants, in capite,
of the adjoining parish of Sherrington. Elias Giffard, circa 1149,
seems to have obtained a more complete possession of the parish,
for we find that he granted for the soul’s health of Bertha his wife,
and his ancestors in general, to the Monastery of St. Peter, Glou-
cester, the Church of St. Mary at Boyton, the Church of St. George
at Orcheston, together with the tythes of the said parishes. This
grant, which was made whilst Hamelin was Abbot of Gloucester,
was confirmed by Walter Giffard, Earl of Buckingham, son of the
above Elias; and the grant was amplified, as conveying the tythes
of all things that good christians ought to pay. Helias Giffard,
son of Walter, appears to have endeavoured to recover his ancestor’s
gifts as far as concerns Boyton; for we find Abbot Thomas Carbonel,
the successor of Hamelin, yielding possession of Boyton to Elias
Giffard for peace sake.
In the reign of Henry III., we find the Giffard family in great
eminence and repute.
Hugh Giffard was appointed Gandtabla of the Tower of London,
and in the warrant of appointment, 1235, he is described as “one
of our household.” The sons of this Hugh Giffard, by Sybilla de
Cormeilles, were specially remarkable in this reign. One brother,
Walter, was elevated to the See of Bath, 1264; and subsequently
was advanced to the Archiepiscopal Throne of York, which he held
until his death in 1279. Another brother, Godfrey, was advanced
to the dignity of Bishop of Worcester, which See he held for no
less than 33 years. His will alludes so fully to the chapel and
altar furniture at Boyton, that we cannot doubt that this prelate’s
piety and munificence led to the more elaborate architecture, as
well as the separate endowment of the Mortuary Chapel in the
Church of Boyton, wherein reclines the martial form of another
brother, Sir Alexander Giffard, who fought the battles of the Cross
on the parched plains of Egypt, whilst his more peaceful brethren,
in their glorious cathedrals, and in their distant dioceses, were
carrying on the war of faith against the powers of darkness.
102 Fumily of Giffard of Boyton.
To this warrior we shall presently return, as his history is emi-
nently striking, and will give us a full excuse to depart from the
more prosaic depths of Archeology. f
It would seem that Hugh Giffard, the father of the two Bishops
and the brave Crusader, had an elder son, who must have died
leaving a son, a minor, who afterwards became John Lord Giffard
of Brimsfield, whose history is remarkable. He seems to have car-
ried off, a willing prize, from her castle at Canford, in 1271,
Matilda, the widow of the third Longéspée. John Giffard, for this
feudal rape of Helen, was summoned before the King, and met the
charge of marrying the wealthy widow by the rejoinder that she
was a willing spoil, and by paying the King 300 marks; the charge
was dropped on condition she made no further complaint. It would
appear that the family of Giffard divided into two branches—that
of Boyton and Brimsfield were re-united in the person of the son of
this John Giffard, for we find that the whole estates of both branches
were centred in John Giffard, surnamed Le Rych, who, joining in
the rebellion of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, was taken prisoner at
the battle of Boroughbridge, and was executed at Gloucester, his
vast estates being all forfeited to the Crown, with the exception of
a life interest in the Manor of Boyton, which was reserved to his
mother, the Lady Margaret, at whose death the whole estates
passed to the Crown.
In the memoir of Boyton Church we have mentioned that there
exists a peculiarly beautiful Mortuary Chapel of the transition
period between Early English and Decorated. This Chapel we can
hardly doubt from its peculiar style, as well as from collateral evi-
dence, was founded by Bishop Godfrey, for the resting place of his
brother, Sir Alexander the Crusader, and for the good of the souls
of his ancestors. The Crusader’s tomb was probably placed in its
present situation by the Bishop; the architectural decoration of the
tomb would seem to mark the execution as rather earlier than some
parts of the Chapel, as the tomb had been made and placed perhaps
in the Church, before the side Chapel was finished possibly, in a
wall niche, or even against the south wall. This view is confirmed
by the singular fact that the tracery on the inner side of the tomb
By the Rev. Arthur Fane. 103
towards the Church, is of earlier date than the side now exposed to
the Mortuary Chapel. But the person indicated by the effigy on
the tomb cannot be doubtful. The form is that of a Crusader, in
the chain armour and flat helmet of the reign of Henry III. The
triangular shield, the long sword, fitted for double-handed use, the
rude spurs, the crossed legs, all show the soldier of the Cross,
exactly clad as the knightly warriors of that particular reign were
clad, whilst the armorial bearings on the shield mark him as
once being a younger scion of the noble house of Giffard.
Who he was and what he was, whose silent form in stone covers
the ashes that are below, two contemporaneous histories declare.
It is the effigy of Sir Alexander Giffard, who went to that Crusade
which was headed by St. Louis of France, and which numbered
amongst its most valiant champions and illustrious names, William
Longéspée, the second of that name, the grandson of King Henry II.
and Fair Rosamond, the nephew of Richard Coeur de Lion, the
cousin of King Henry III.
According to the strict laws of feudal tenancy, Sir Alexander
Giffard left his native home at Boyton, and followed his Liege
Lord, the gallant Longéspée, to the war. The result of that Cru-
sade was much like all the rest. The fiery valour of the Christian
Chivalry at first carried all before it, then jealousies and divisions
ensued. The final catastrophe to the English knights and their
contingent, is fully described by Matthew Paris, and in a Minstrel’s
Poem, which exists to this day, in the Cottonian Collection of
manuscripts, Julius A. vy. fol. 76-6. This very curious rhythmical
history has been translated in the Excerpta Historica, 1831. It
can hardly be exceeded in quaint particularity and touching fide-
lity, whilst the narrative gives a most brilliant picture of the calm
courage, and yet chivalrous heroism of the English Knight of that
day. No Napiers or Wellingtons can exceed the valourous Knight
who, in the scorching plains of Egypt, in the year 1249, showed
precisely the same martial vigour and determination which, under
happier auspices, and with the appliances of modern skill in war,
crumbled the walls of Acre, or overthrew the legions of France.
In the early part of February, 1250, St. Louis of France, invited
104 Family of Giffard of Boyton.
by the treacherous Soldan of Egypt, determined to march upon
Cairo... The town of Mansoura was in the way of the march of the
Crusaders, and, without waiting for the main body of the army to
come up, the fiery Compte d’Artois determined to attack the town.
In vain did Longéspée, and the Master of the Temple, and the
other Chiefs dissuade the rash d’Artois from his mad undertaking.
Accusing the other Generals of cowardice, he insisted upon an im-
mediate advance—the town seemed deserted, they had but to occupy
rather than to attack. So far Matt. Paris. The lay of the minstrel
then takes up the tale :—
‘‘With pity and grief let the tale now be told
Of Longspée the hardy, the warrior bold,
Who at Babylon shed his life’s blood so free,
As along with King Louis he led his armye.
At a castle of Egypt, Mansoura by name,
Which in Paynim renown shall be well known to fame,
For there was King Louis and there was his train
Bound fast in the Infidel’s soul-goading chain.”
The accounts of both Matthew Paris and the Minstrel agree in
what follows:—Stung by the reproaches of d’Artois, the gallant
Longéspée exclaimed, “Now proceed when you please, I will be
before you as eager as you will, I will still be the foremost!” The
Christian Knights rush forward—the gates of Mansoura are open—
nothing hinders, they dash through the gates ; but no sooner were
they thoroughly enclosed than the fearful stratagem of the Infidel
Host comes to view—the enemy rise up on every side—the city is
swarming with the Light Infantry of the Saracens. Arrows fly on
every side—ponderous stones are rolled down from the battlements;
the Chroniclers declare that even poisoned arrows were amongst
the deadly artillery let loose upon them—the gates are closed—
they are hemmed into this fearful charnel house—the river prevents
escape on the only open side of the fortress—d’ Artois seems to have
been early seized with a panic—he charges the opposing enemy—
cuts his way through the ranks and, plunging into the river, is
drowned.
The English band of heroes remain—Sir Alexander Giffard is
mentioned with Sir Robert de Vere, and other Knights as standing
By the Rev. Arthur Fane. 105
by Longéspée—the Saracens again and again try to cut them
down—Sir Robert de Vere is mentioned as setting his back to a
wall and slaying 17 Saracens “before his soul went rejoicing to
God”—Longéspée fights on—Giffard is described as the trusty
knight who was ever distinguished for his activity in arms—the
good knights kept firmly together, each as close to the rest as he
well could be. Around these five knights now gathered a great
host of the infidels well provided with horses and arms, and the
knights when they saw them were much dismayed— Quant veint
les chivalers mulct sunt esmaez.”’ Sir Alexander Giffard then says
to his Lord, “‘Sir, for the love of God, what is your counsel regard-
ing this host of Saracens which now comes against us? shall we
remain here, or fly for fear of them?” ‘The Earl then answered
with a steadfast heart, “Here ought each of us to show his prowess;
let us ride on to encounter these dogs; for the love of Jesus Christ
we will die here—for the love of Jesus Christ came we here to
win by prowess our inheritance, the Bliss of Heaven.” In the
midst of the din and confusion and horror of this fearful butchery,
the valiant Longéspée addressed his faithful follower, Sir Alexander
Giffard, and thus lays his commands as Lege Lord upon him :—
“Tf you can escape, you, who have the care of my goods, and are
my knight, distribute my goods among my people in this manner :
—First, give to the poor brethren of holy houses to sing for my
soul, that it may forthwith be received into bliss; and to the poor
English who have fought in the army, to the poor sick who are in
greatest need, to the lepers and orphans, that they may all pray for
my soul; give for my soul my gold and my silver; my stores and
my arms give to my good followers, and bestow all my other goods
so wisely, that with me you may attain to bliss with God.”
There is something wonderfully striking and magnificent in this
parley, as it were, in the midst of the din of war—the noble war-
rior’s thought of home—his deep piety—his valorous resolve there
to die—and, on the other hand, Giffard’s feudal dependence on his
lord, that madg him as it were extempore executor to Longéspée,
and, caused him to obey even when the high spirit and calm resolve
of the Crusader would have made him wish to die with his Lord,
Pp
106 Family of Giffard of Boyton.
amidst the Paynim victims their sharp swords were sending, as
they in their wild piety deemed, an acceptable offering to God.
Giffard instantly obeyed his lord’s command, and dashing with
his unwounded war-horse against the host of Saracens, he passed
through, as Paris asserts, graviter vulneratus—he swam the river,
reached the coast, and returning to England, probably died at
Boyton in early manhood. The effigy represents a warrior in full
vigour of age and form—his sword grasped by the right hand, and
the point resting in the mouth of an heraldic beast, which has
given rise to a strange local tradition, to which we may hereafter
allude.
It is remarkable also, that the effigy at Boyton exactly resembles
in form, attitude, armour, and general appearance the effigy of the
gallant Longéspée the second,! which rests between two columns of
that magnificent Cathedral which his father’s pious munificence so
much enriched, and wherein his noble father’s bones already re-
posed.
Time and space will not allow more than a glance at the closing
scene of the fatal assault of Mansoura. After Giffard’s escape, the
gallant band of English Knights stood firmly together, disdaining
to fly, and resolved to sell their lives dearly. The brave De Vere
—Sir Richard Guise—were slain. Still Longéspée fought on. The
Saracen Emir offered him his life—his answer was fresh sweeps of
his deadly sword. At last, a Saracen cut off his left foot; he still
fought on, propped up by the Templar, Richard of Ascalon—his
horse was killed, his right hand was maimed—grasping his sword
for a last effort in his left hand, he inflicted a deadly wound on the
face of a Saracen leader, who, in falling, crippled his remaining
hand. The gallant hero then fell forward, and the Saracens rush-
ing on, literally hewed the body to pieces. The metrical chronicler
concludes this touching narrative with the solemn words, which
surely are not ill-placed—‘ Jesus hath their souls in Paradise.”
I trust my brother members will excuse the digression from the
immediate family of Giffard; the exceeding gallantry of the leader,
1 See Britton’s Salisb. Cath. Mon., Pl. 3, F. 4.
By the Rev. Arthur Fane. 107
who was wholly a Wiltshireman—the fidelity of the Giffard who
proved: himself true liegeman to his Lord—the fervent piety of
the little band of heroes—all these strong points seem to invite the
more peculiar notice I have taken of the Alexander Giffard, of
whose effigy and tomb I am happy to present to our Association a
very striking drawing by a most ingenious Archeologist as well as
excellent draftsman, the Rev. G. Stallard.
The history of the last scions of the Giffard family was clouded
with the dark storms of the turbulent age in which they lived.
The John Lord Giffard of Brimsfield, who carried off in 1271
Matilda Longéspée, widow of the son of the Hero of Mansoura,
appears to have had a son, Sir John Giffard of Brimsfield, whose
widow, Margaret, resided at Boyton until her death. The eldest
son of this marriage was John Giffard, surnamed le Rych, from his
vast estates.
This last of a most illustrious house joined in the rebellion of
Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, and being taken prisoner with Lan-
caster at the battle of Boroughbridge, he was conveyed to Gloucester
and was there beheaded. His vast estates were forfeited to the
crown—a life-interest, however, being retained by his widowed
mother, the Lady Margaret, upon whose death this family became
extinct, at least in direct and positive genealogy.
1 scarcely doubt that the last male Giffard was interred in
the Church of Boyton, in the North Chapel. A very large slab of
Purbeck marble was placed in the centre of this Chapel, which was
evidently built for mortuary purposes: a very magnificent brass
had once adorned the stone, and described no doubt who slept
below. I had occasion to move this stone from its being
wholly concealed by pews, and also from a sinking of the
floor. Beneath the marble slab was a stone grave (not coffin), and
in this lay a skeleton with the skull placed on the left side of the
skeleton, as if on the interment this position had been originally
established. The remains had apparently never been moved. The
skeleton lay in perfect order, except the strange position of the
1 See Vol. 1, p. 237.
108 Family of Giffard of Boyton.
head. Now, seeing that the widowed Margaret Giffard retained the
Manor and Church of Boyton—that all Giffard’s other estates were
confiscated—seeing that this Chapel was built in the middle period
of decorated architecture—i.e., tempore Edward II.—seeing the
magnificent slab—the signs of a fine brass—and no other family
having been of distinction sufficient to justify such marks of pre-
eminence except the Giffards—can I doubt that the headless
skeleton was the form of John Giffard le Rych? whose body had
probably been conveyed from Gloucester after execution, and
interred in the church where his gallant ancestor Sir Alexander
already slept, and where his widowed and bereaved mother the
Lady Margaret slept at last. A curious memorial of John Giffard
is in my possession, and is now in the Museum—it is the Baron’s
golden signet ring, which was found at Sherrington, where the
castle of the Giffards once stood, and was found under a hearth-
stone with several coins of the reign of Edward the Second.
I must conclude. I trust my brother Archzologists will accept
this my hastily compiled memoir. Your Secretary will tell you
how unwillingly I undertook a task that others would so much
better have performed. I will hope another year there will be no
possible crevice of our Archeology to be filled by the overtasked
and very humble Vicar of a large parish.
Architecture and Mosaics of Wilton Church. 109
ON THE
Geebitectre and Roszoies of Wilton Church.
By James E. NicgHTINGALE, Esq.
In an ordinary way there would be little to connect a body of
Archeologists with a newly-erected church, but in the present
instance we have the type of a style of architecture seldom seen in
the North of Europe, and scarcely at all in England, except in that
modified form known as the Norman style, and which preceded the
introduction of the pointed arch.
Accustomed as we are to the different phases of Gothic archi-
tecture—the offspring of the North—comparatively little is known
of the Byzantine and Romanesque styles which are found in
Southern Europe. Now as we have in Wilton Church a well-
developed example of the latter style, differing so materially from
our Northern Gothic—although both came originally from the same
source—I think it will be no loss of time if we take advantage of
this building in the way of illustration of early Christian archi-
tecture, especially as it contains, besides ancient stained glass, some
of the old Italian mosaics, specimens of which it would be difficult,
if not impossible, to find elsewhere in this country.
During the first three centuries of the Christian «ra, churches
ean scarcely be said to have existed. The ordinary places of
worship of the early Christians were confined to catacombs and
other secret places. During this same period the architecture of
the heathen Romans had gradually deteriorated ; and this followed
so regular a course that when the Emperor Constantine, in the
year 323, embraced the Christian faith, Roman architecture was at
its worst.
An entirely new order of sacred architecture now arose. The
Christian ceremonies required large spaces for the assemblage of the
110 Architecture and Mosaics of Wilton Church.
congregation at certain periods. The heathen temple was simply
the shrine of the image of the deity; the mass of worshippers
assembled in front of the temples where sacrifices were offered upon
the altars in the open air.
But there was in use at Rome at that time another species of
building whose design seemed better calculated for the exigencies
of Christian worship, besides avoiding the form of the pagan
temple. This was the Hall of Justice—the Basilica. If the
buildings themselves were not actually used for Christian worship,
their forms and general arrangement were so well adapted to the
purpose that they were imitated with little change.
These buildings were oblong, and divided by a double range of
columns into a central avenue and two lateral aisles. At the ex-
tremity was a transverse aisle or transept, containing the semi-
circular recess, called the tribune or apsis, with a ceiling rounded
off like the head of a niche.
This part was raised a few steps above the rest of the interior ;
in front stood an altar, and behind it sat the judge with his coun-
cillors.
If we divest Wilton Church of the campanile or bell-tower, we
have, so to speak, an ancient basilica adapted to the purpose of
Christian worship. The form of the central avenue allowed it to
be easily converted into the nave or ship of St. Peter, the great
characteristic of a Christian church; one of the lateral aisles, as in
the courts of justice, was set apart for the males, the other for the
females.
The raised apsis or tribune, which was peculiarly the seat of
justice, became the presbytery or receptacle of the superior clergy.
In its centre stood the throne of the Bishop, who might thence,
like a true Episcopus, look down upon the congregation. Between
the tribune and the body of the nave was the choir, surrounded by
its cancelli or inclosures; on either side of the choir arose the am-
bones, the pulpits, from whence the Epistle and Gospel were respec-
tively read. The elaborate pulpit in Wilton Church may fairly
represent one of these. In later times, when altars, no longer
insulated, did not permit the bishops and clergy to be seen behind
By James E. Nightingale, Esq. Pit
them, the presbytery was removed from the apsis at its back to the
choir in front. All the examples and fragments of these early
ritual arrangements, which still exist in the venerable church of
San Clemente at Rome and elsewhere, are of richly worked marble,
very generally adorned with mosaics, partly of glass and partly of
precious marbles. The basilica, thus modified and adapted to
Christian worship, contained the germ of the Ecclesiastical archi-
tecture of all Christendom.
Another style of Christian architecture, however, arose almost
simultaneously with the adoption of the Basilica at Rome. The
Emperor Constantine having transferred the seat of empire to By-
zantium, there immediately sprung into existence a new form,
which to this day is prevalent in the East.
The Eastern Christians seemed to have taken the models of their
churches from the great domed halls of the public baths. Instead
of the long nave and transverse presbytery of the Roman basilica,
four naves or pillared avenues of equal length and breadth were
disposed at right angles to each other, so as to form the figure of a
cross; a dome or cupola was raised in the centre, resting on four
pier masses; and in the more sumptuous Byzantine churches,
smaller cupolas were reared at the extremities of the four limbs of
the cross.
Another peculiarity consisted in the squareness of their build-
ings; they did not delight in vistas; the exteriors were imposing
only from the numerous domes which formed the roofs, and the
multitude of curves and semi-circular arches in every direction.
The capitals and columns of earlier buildings were used oftentimes
with incongruous effect; and, where new capitals had to be re-
stored, no attempt was made to copy the classic examples. They
became little more than square blocks, tapered down to the shaft,
and decorated with foliage in low relief, or with a sort of basket-
work, peculiar to the style.
The Mosque of Santa Sophia, at Constantinople, as rebuilt by
Justinian, in the 6th century, may be considered the model of By-
zantine architecture. The church of San Vitale, at Ravenna,
also built by that Emperor, is interesting, as marking the first
112 Architecture and Mosaics of Wilton Church.
appearance of the Byzantine cupola in Italy; to which may be added
St. Mark’s, at Venice, which was mostly built by Greek architects,
during the 11th and 12th centuries.
This style, under various names and modifications, has flourished
to the present day wherever the Oriental church or Mohamed-
anism exist. The Arabs adopted it from the first. The
Kremlin of Moscow, the Alhambra of Granada, the Saracenic
remains in Sicily, and the tombs of the Memlook kings near
Cairo, all claim the same unmistakeable origin. These two
new Christian styles, then, which had risen at Rome and Constan-
tinople, were each destined to a long and uncontested supremacy,
respectively in the East and West, and, in their combination, to
become the parents of the architecture of Lombardy, and ultimately
of the Pointed or Gothic.
The influence of the Lombards in Italy, and the iconoclastic
rupture of the 8th century (by which a multitude of Greek artists
were scattered over the continent), gave a new impulse to Western
Europe. Italy became politically independent of the Byzantine
Empire, and the Church of Rome thenceforward independent of
that of Constantinople. A more advanced style of architecture,
with a complete and connected system of forms, soon prevailed
wherever the Latin Church spread its influence, and the associated
body of freemasons powerfully contributed to its diffusion over
Europe. It has been called Lombardic, or perhaps, more conye-
niently Romanesque, connecting the Basilica of the Western Em-
pire with the buildings destined for the same purpose in the East ;
it forms a connecting link between the Classic and Gothic styles of
architecture.
It retained the cupola as well as the the cruciform plan of the
Byzantine style, not, however, in the form of a Greek cross of four
equal limbs, but by an elongation of the nave opposite the sanc-
tuary, now distinctively called the Latin Cross. The apsis or
tribune is retained, but generally pierced with windows, narrow in
proportion to their height, as at Wilton. The columns of the nave
round and plain; at a later date, no longer isolated, but clustered
so as to form compound piers. The smaller and more ornamental
By James E. Nightingale, Esq. 113
are frequently polygonic, or fluted, or twisted together spirally or
in zig-zags, as in the beautiful example of the cloister at Wilton,
connecting the campanile with the main building. Another cha-
racteristic of the Romanesque is the use of the arched window, sub-
divided by a small central column into two smaller arched openings,
as in the clerestory at Wilton. The capitals in general become com-
positions of scrolls and foliage, or combinations of animals and
human beings, sometimes simply imitated from nature, in other in-
stances monstrous and grotesque. A series of these elaborate capitals
is found decorating the columns of the nave in Wilton Church.
The narthex or portico of entrance becomes a highly decorated
canopied porch supported by slender pillars resting on sculptured
monsters ; of which we have a fine example at Wilton, as well as
of the usual Katherine-wheel window above, inclosed in a richly-
circled rosette. The oldest Latin churches subsequent to the
basilica generally represent in their front the figure of our Saviour,
or the Virgin, or patron Saint, in a niche or projecting canopy ; at
Wilton this is seen in the form of an angel giving benediction.
The four figures emblematic of the Evangelists, usually disposed
round this figure, are found in the frontispiece of Wilton church
surrounding the wheel window below. I need scarcely add that
the round arch is exclusively employed in pure Romanesque archi-
tecture.
The campanile or bell-tower is an important adjunct to the
Lombard churches, and forms a fine feature in the church at
Wilton.
This Romanesque style was never entirely superseded in Italy till
the revival of Classical architecture, and, generally speaking, so
many schools and styles had a concurrent existence, that the data
by which we judge of a building in England lose much of their
certainty when here applied.
On this side of the Alps the Romanesque is seen in most per-
fection at Cologne and along the banks of the Rhine; it gradually
spread over the North of Europe, undergoing serious modifications
or curtailments; it reached England about the time of the Con-
quest, when it became what we usually term the Norman style.
Q
114 Architecture and Mosaics of Wilton Church.
We have fine examples in the cathedral and church of St. Cross at
Winchester, Romsey Abbey, and at Christchurch Priory, as well as
in St. John’s and St. Mary’s at Devizes. |
The commencement of the 13th century brought with it a violent
and remarkable change in the Ecclesiastical architecture of Northern
Europe; the heavy ponderous forms and details of the Northern
Romanesque suddenly sprung up into the light and elegant lancet,
the pointed arch succeeded the round, and then took place a com-
plete deviation from, and contrast to, the whole spirit of Christian
architecture. The most remarkable point of distinction was the
substitution of the vertical for the horizontal principle.
Instead of heavy massive members, square-edged projections, and
the pilasters, cornices, and entablatures of the Roman style, we
have elongated pillars variously clustered and combined, prolonged.
by corresponding mouldings along the arches, and running con-
tinuously into the vaulting; also the use of strongly projecting
buttresses, which shoot upwards and terminate in pinnacles, with a
constant tendency to the predominance and prolongation of vertical
lines.
The question of the causes of the transition from one of these
styles to the other has been much canvassed. The origin of the
pointed arch has generally been put forward as the most important
branch of the inquiry; this, however, by no means embraces the
whole question, for it is possible for a building to be decidedly
Gothic in character, while it has scarcely a single detail which can
be pronounced purely Gothic. The church of St. Eustache in Paris
is an illustration of this. Besides, the pointed arch existed several
centuries before Gothic architecture was known. I saw not long
since in Egypt a fully developed series of poimted arches in a
curious building at Old Cairo, called the Nilometer, probably of the
ninth century; and again, the mosque of Tailoom at Cairo has
completely formed pointed arches in abundance; this was built
A.D. 879.
The predominance of the vertical line, then, is the great dis-
tinguishing feature of Gothic architecture; it would be impossible
to have a more apt or beautiful illustration of this principle than
By James E. Nightingale, Esq. 115
in the glorious exterior of the cathedral under whose shadow we
are now assembled.!
Gothic architecture seems to have required, as a condition of its
existence and vitality, the principle of perpetual change. It will
not be necessary to follow the different beautiful phases of this
style which succeeded each other so rapidly, till, after the brief but
brilliant period of the cinque-cento, it ceased altogether in the 16th
century.
Gothic architecture never took root in Italy. Several varieties
and distinct schools may be found, and capable of certain rules
and arrangements, as Professor Willis has shown; but they never
seem to have succeeded wholly in throwing off the influence of clas-
sical examples. The great cathedral at Milan, magnificent as it is,
will scarcely bear the test of the principles of genuine Gothic;
whilst the really fine Gothic church at Assisi—that storehouse of
Christian art—is known to have been built by a German, Jacopo
Tedesco.
As the architecture of the early Christian churches was an adapt-
ation of a style previously existing in ancient Rome, so too was
the origin of their peculiar decoration—namely Mosaic. The tes-
sellated pavement was popular throughout Rome and its colonies ;
many fine examples have been found and still exist in this country :
at Thruxton and at Cirencester, both on the borders of this county,
magnificent specimens have been brought to light.
From the time of Constantine down to the 14th century this art
seems to have been practised almost entirely by the Greeks. A
distinguishing feature in the churches of the Byzantine school is
the profusion and splendid display they present of mosaic work :
1 The ground-plan of the Cathedral at Salisbury, like several of the large
churches in England, is that of a Greek Cross with double transverse arms.
This is more decidedly Oriental and Byzantine than the ordinary Greek Cross of
four equal limbs; it is found at Athens and in Mount Athos in buildings of a
very remote period. Nothing analogous exists in France. M. Didron cites
this fact as another proof of the existence of a certain Byzantine influence to be
found in monuments in England. See ‘‘Manual d’Iconographie Chrétienne,”
pp. 371, 382; and ‘Christian Iconography,” p. 380. (Bohn’s Ed.) Similar Byzan-
tine traditions have been traced in monuments of an earlier period in Ireland.
Q2
116 Architecture and Mosaics of Wilton Church.
the most gorgeous is the glass tessellation usually applied to walls
and vaults; the groundwork is almost invariably of gold; figures,
architectural forms, and conventional foliage are formed of irregular
pieces of glass of all tones of colour. There are many churches
in Rome, and in other parts of Italy, where these mosaies still
exist in great perfection ; but it-is in Sicily where they are seen in
still greater splendour, in the Capella Palatina at Palermo; and at
Monreale every part of the interior is coated with this magnificent
decoration.
The parts, however, usually covered with this sumptuous incrust-
ation consist of the semi-dome of the apse and the adjacent walls
of the sanctuary within the triumphal arch. In the middle ages,
when every part of a church had a symbolic meaning, this was
figurative of the transition through death from the Church militant
on earth to the Church triumphant in Heaven. Here, then, was
usually represented our Saviour in Glory, a colossal seated figure,
giving the benediction, and surrounded by his Prophets, Apostles,
and Saints.
At the commencement of the 14th century the rapid improve-
ment of painting under Giotto, and the superior resources of fresco,
superseded what may be called the high art of the mosaicist.
It is true we have none of this elaborate kind of mosaic at
Wilton, but there are some good specimens of the same material
as applied to the decoration of ambones, columns, &c., and usually
called Opus Grecanicum. It will be found in and about the
chancel in the form of twisted marble pillars, ornamented
with a spiral branch of mosaic, also some panels of the usual
geometrical pattern; some smaller pillars are also used in the
pulpit. It is formed of small cubes of variously-coloured and
gilded “Smalto,” inserted to the depth of about half-an-inch into
grooves cut in white marble; these simple forms are arranged in
such geometrical combination as to compose the most elaborate
patterns. The modern additions will easily be distinguished from
the old work; they are interesting, however, as showing some-
thing like a revival of the art.
Nothing can exceed the beauty of this kind of decoration as seen
By James E. Nightingale, Esq. 117
in the rich profusion of some of the Italian churches, the most
charming of all perhaps being the pillars of the cloister of St. John
Lateran at Rome.
The Wilton mosaics, however, have a considerable interest from
their date and history being known. They originally formed part
of a shrine set up in 1256, in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore
at Rome. In the course of some alterations made there during the
last century, they were purchased and sent to this country by
Sir W. Hamilton, and remained at Strawberry Hill till Walpole’s
collection was dispersed a few years since.
There exist also in Westminster Abbey some mutilated remains
of a similar date and character, in the shrine of Edward the Con-
fessor, finished in 1270, and in the tomb of Henry III., who died
in 1272. Walpole supposes that these latter works in Westminster
Abbey, and possibly the mosaics now at Wilton, were made by
Pietro Cavallini, the well-known mosaicist and painter, and pupil
of Giotto; this, however, could not have been the case, as Cavallini
was not born till 1259. The very interesting but dilapidated relics
still in Westminster Abbey, were in all probability made by Italian
artists.
There is still another kind of mosaic of great antiquity—the
Opus Alexandrinum, ordinarily used for the pavement of churches,
and composed solely of the three materials—porphyry, serpentine,
and white or slightly coloured marble; these are embedded in
grooves cut in marble slabs, allowing a white line to develope the
geometrical base of the pattern.
A small but perfect example will be found in Wilton Church of
the Opus Alexandrinum ; it has been laid down in the pavement of
the entrance porch, and was brought from Italy.
A larger piece of this kind of mosaic, but of modern Italian
manufacture, will be found in the pavement at the foot of the steps
of the chancel, between the pulpit and the reading desk.
The use of mosaic is unquestionably one of the most beautiful as
well as the most enduring modes of church decoration. The variety
of composition is endless, from the simple square and circle to the
most intricate labyrinth of interlaced work; they display almost
118 Architecture and Mosaics of Wilton Church.
every variety and combination of colour, from the most retiring drab
or grey to the gorgeous splendour of gold and purple.
Some very interesting Glass of several different periods will be
found in Wilton Church. The windows of the central apse are
mostly fitted with glass of the 13th century; in the smaller apses
are some curious pieces of the decorated and later periods; several
whole-length figures are remarkable for their good drawing and
brilliancy of colour. In the side aisle window nearest the cam-
panile, are arranged two portions of earlier windows of good cinque-
cento work.
I must now offer an apology for this imperfect treatment of a
subject which I dare say many of the members are more fully
acquainted with than myself, and add one word in honour of the
founder, who has so nobly dedicated the gifts he has received,
Ad majorem Dei gloriam.
Some Notices of the Library at Stourhead. 119
Some Patices of the Library ot Stourbead.
By J. B. Nicnons, F.S.A.
It is with great diffidence, but with feelings of high gratification,
that I venture to address a few observations to the notice of this
respectable company, composed chiefly of the Wiltshire Arche-
ological and Natural History Society.
I came here at the invitation of my old friend Mr. Britton; and
I am sure it must be gratifying to the members of this Society, as
well as to himself, that his topographical collections for Wiltshire
should remain entire, and be deposited in one of the principal
towns of his native county.
Had it pleased Providence to have spared the life of my late
patron and friend, Sir Richard Colt Hoare, I can hardly conceive
the delight he would have felt in the establishment of this Associa-
tion. But he lived notin vain. For more than 30 years he devoted
the best energies of his active and generous mind to the elucidation
of the Ancient and Modern History of Wiltshire.
Not content with his own personal exertions, he gathered around
him a body of able and judicious assistants. And herein he acted
wisely and with forethought, for how many of our best topographers
have left their histories incomplete, from the life of one man being
found insufficient for such laborious undertakings. Witness, the
History of Staffordshire, by the Rey. Stebbing Shaw; the History
of Durham, by Mr. Surtees; and the History of Northamptonshire,
by Mr. George Baker. And it may be noticed that Sir Richard
Hoare himself died, leaving his History of Modern Wiltshire to be
completed by his coadjutors. Wisely, however, had he prepared for
such an interruption to his labours by the munificent directions he
had left in his will, which were ably seconded by his brother and
executor, Mr. Merrick Hoare.
120 Some Notices of the Library at Stourhead.
Of the zealous coadjutors to Sir Richard Hoare’s History of
Wilts, the greater part are now no more. Among them may be
noticed James Everard Baron Arundell, Mr. William Cunnington,
the Rev. John Offer, Charles Bowles, Esq., the Rev. William Lisle
Bowles, Mr. Richard Harris, Henry Wansey, Esq., John Caley, Esq.,
Robert Benson, Esq., and Henry Hatcher, Esq.
A few of Sir Richard Hoare’s assistants are still living; and the
manuscript collections of Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bart.; of George
Matcham, Esq., L.L.D.; of the Rev. Joseph Hunter, F.S.A.; of
J. Britton, Esq. ; of William Henry Black, Esq. ; and J. G. Nichols,
Esq., F.S.A., will, I trust, still be added to the illustration of other
objects in the county.
It is gratifying also to refer to what has already been published
relative to Wiltshire since Sir Richard Hoare’s death. The follow-
ing may be noticed :—The History of Grittleton, by the Rev. J. E.
Jackson; the History of the Manor and Ancient Barony of Castle
Combe, by George Poulett Scrope, Esq., M.P.; the Memoir of
John Aubrey, F.R.S., and an edition of Aubrey’s Natural History
of Wiltshire, by John Britton, Esq.; an Account of the Manor
House at South Wraxhall, by Mr. Walker; the History of Marl-
borough, by Mr. Waylen, &c.
The meeting of the Archeological Institute in this city in 1849
was delighted by an Essay on the Results of Archeological Investi-
gation in Wiltshire, by George Matcham, Esq., L.L.D., and with
the interesting Topographical Gleanings of Stourhead, from 1825
to 1833, by the Rev. Joseph Hunter, in which he has so ably
sketched the character of Sir Richard Hoare and his literary
associates.
And the proceedings of the first meeting of this Society at Devizes
are doubtless fresh in the recollection of the members, when Mr.
Poulett Scrope favoured the meeting with so eloquent an Inaugural
Address in which he took an able review of the antiquities of Wilt-
shire, and of what had been done for their elucidation.
The magnificent collection of Manuscripts, Books, and Drawings
collected by Sir Richard Hoare for the illustration of the History of
Wilts, and now tranquilly reposing in the Library of Stourhead,
By J. B. Nichols, F.8.A. 121
were brought under my notice many years ago whilst forming a
catalogue of them, at the request of his executors, Merrick Hoare
and Henry Charles Hoare, Esqrs. I therefore venture to congra-
tulate this Society on the accumulation of such a valuable treasure
existing in the county, which has been made an heir-loom in the
family by the will of Sir Richard Hoare, and no doubt will, by the
liberality of the present Sir Hugh Hoare and the possessors for the
time being, become accessible in future to all who know how to
value the privilege.
I hope I shall not be thought tedious if I glance at a few objects
of interest, more particularly relative to Wiltshire, in the Library
of Stourhead.
The MS. collections from which Sir Richard Hoare and his
coadjutors compiled the Antient History of Wilts, and his more
voluminous History of Modern Wiltshire. The objects sought to
be accomplished were thus concisely stated by Sir Richard Hoare,
in his preface to the “ Hundred of Mere” :—
“To rescue from total oblivion the relics of Antient Britain; to illustrate the
remaining vestiges of its conquerors, the Romans; to investigate the monastic
and ecclesiastical history of our county ; to trace the genealogy of distinguished
families, and the descent of property; to record the monumental inscriptions,
and the biography of celebrated characters ; and above all, to endeavour by this
example to excite the zeal of my fellow countrymen in the same desirable cause,
is the sole purport of this my humble undertaking.”
It is gratifying to know that this example has been followed by
several eminent individuals, some of whom I have the pleasure of
seeing in this room.
The History of Modern Wiltshire may be considered as one of the
scarcest, as well as most valuable books of its kind. A very small
impression of the work was printed; and many single volumes
having been presented by Sir R. C. Hoare to friends resident in the
particular Hundred described, perfect sets are comparatively few
in number. It consists of eleven parts, forming six volumes.
Vol. I. Contains the Hundreds of Mere and Heytesbury, by Sir
Richard Colt Hoare.
Vol. I. The Hundreds of Branch and Dole, by the Rev. John
Offer and Sir R. C. Hoare. The Hundreds of Everley, Am-
bresbury, and Underditch, by Sir R. C. Hoare.
122 Some Notices of the Library at Stourhead.
Vol. Il. The Hundred of Westbury, by Mr. Richard Harris
and Sir R. C. Hoare. The Hundred of Warminster, by
Henry Wansey, Esq. and Sir R. C. Hoare. The Hundred of
Downton, by George Matcham, Esq., L.L.D. The Hundred
of South Damerham, by William Henry Black, Esq. and
Sir R. C. Hoare. The Hundred of Cawden, by Sir R. C.
Hoare.
Vol. IV. The Hundred of Dunworth and Vale of Noddre, by
James Everard Baron Arundell and Sir R. C: Hoare. The
Hundred of Chalk, by Charles Bowles, Esq., of Shaftesbury.
Vol. V. The Hundred of Alderbury, by Sir R. C. Hoare and
John Gough Nichols, Esq., F.S.A. The Hundred of Frust-
field, by George Matcham, Esq., L.L.D. and Sir R. C. Hoare.
General Index to the preceding five volumes.
Vol. VI. The City of Salisbury, by Henry Hatcher, Esq., assisted
by the Collections of Sir R. C. Hoare and Robert Benson, Esq.,
Recorder of Salisbury.
Among the drawings at Stourhead relating to Wiltshire, may be
noticed :—
A magnificent collection of drawings of churches, monuments,
fonts, and antient mansions in Wilts, drawn under the direction of
Sir Richard Hoare, at an unlimited expense, by Mr. John Buckler,
F.S.A., which were thus noticed by Sir Richard Hoare, in his own
catalogue :—
‘‘The love of topography has induced me to collect as many books as could be
procured relating to the General History of Britain; but my attention has been
paid in a higher degree to that of the Province in which I reside, on which
account I employed Mr. John Buckler, an artist every way competent to perform
the task, in making drawings of every church, every curious font, brass or
tomb, and every remarkable mansion, which laborious undertaking he has now
happily completed, and much to my satisfaction, in ten folio volumes.”
Architectural Views of Malmesbury Abbey, in 47 drawings; and
of Lacock Abbey, in 14 drawings, both by Mr. John Carter, F.S.A.
They are also thus noticed by Sir R. C. Hoare :—
‘The fine abbey at Malmesbury, most powerfully excited both my admi-
ration and attention from the very moment I first viewed it. I therefore
prevailed upon Mr, John Carter to devote a summer to the minute investigation
By J. B. Nichols, F.S.A. 123
of this fine relic. He completed his work to my satisfaction, and availed himself
of the same opportunity in making plans and views of the celebrated Nunnery
of Lacock. These Malmesbury and Lacock drawings cost £189 3s. 6d. Thus
have I endeavoured by rescuing from oblivion the many curious specimens of
antient architecture with which this county abounds, not only to hand down
their merits to posterity, but to make myself acquainted with buildings and
antiquities of which I was before in a good measure ignorant.”
A series of eight exterior and interior views of Salisbury Cathe-
dral, by J. M. W. Turner, R.A., thus noticed by Sir R. C. Hoare :—
“They are executed in a style of excellence, which referring to Mr. Turner’s
first love of study in architecture and water-colours, will not disgrace him as a
Royal Academician and a very distinguished painter in oils.”
It may be considered superfluous to remark how valuable these
drawings have become since the death of this wonderfully gifted
artist.
An interleaved copy of Sir Richard Hoare’s Hungerfordiana,
mounted on folio paper, and illustrated by numerous drawings by
Mr. John Buckler, F.S.A., portraits, &e.
A splendid volume of drawings of monuments at Salisbury,
Wilton, and Farley Castle, by Mr. Charles Trotter.
An interesting collection of 33 beautiful drawings by that
eminent artist in water-colours, Mr. Francis Nicholson, of the
Rural Scenery at Stourhead.
A magnificent volume of 52 drawings of vases, celts, and other
antiquities found in Wiltshire, mostly engraved in “ Antient
Wiltshire.”
The Museum of British Antiquities at Stourhead cannot be
visited without the greatest interest. Sir Richard thus speaks of
it :-—
“Tn our endeavours to trace the manners and customs of antient nations, we
can only judge by those relics still remaining ; and fortunately, there have been
sufficient of these left in my own county to illustrate in a great measure the
history of our Antient Britons.
“Twenty years of my younger days were pleasantly employed in the inves-
tigation of the early inhabitants of our island; and I hope most satisfactorily ;
for they have led me from the places of their first settlements to the sites of
their final interments ; the former having been ascertained by the remains dug
up by our spades; the latter by the tumuli and their contents.
‘« These relics have been arranged, and carefully preserved in glass cases, for
the inspection of those persons whose curiosity may induce them to investigate
the history of other times,”
R 2
124 Some Notices of the Library at Stourhead.
Next to his adopted county of Wilts, no part of the United King-
dom interested Sir Richard Hoare so much as Wales. His Library
is particularly rich in Drawings, Manuscripts, and Books, illus-
trative of its history ; among which the following may be noticed :—
Three folio volumes of Drawings in South Wales, by Mr. John
Carter, F.S.A.
A collection of Ecclesiastical, Monumental, and Cathedral Anti-
quities in North Wales, by Mr. John Buckler, F.S.A.
Twenty-one fine drawings of St. Donat’s, St. Albans, &e., in
Glamorganshire, by Mr. John Buckler and Mr. J. C. Buckler.
Four volumes of Drawings in Wales, by Sir R. C. Hoare.
Eleven volumes of Tours in Wales, by Sir R. C. Hoare.
Of the first two collections Sir R. Hoare thus speaks :—
“The History, Antiquities, and Scenery of North and South Wales, having
for a long while become so familiar to me, and so frequently handled by my own
pencil, I was desirous of adding those subjects to my collection that were not
within the reach of my own abilities. On which account I commissioned in
1801, Mr. John Carter, a most able artist in the line of architecture and monu-
mental antiquities, to undertake a journey through South Wales, and to draw
every subject that might appear interesting to him. This he happily completed
and presented me with his valuable collection in three volumes folio,
‘“‘ Actuated by the same feeling towards North Wales, I engaged Mr. John
Buckler to pursue the same plan, which he also completed in one folio volume
much to my satisfaction.
“Thus I have been enabled to rescue many valuable records of British Anti-
quities, some of which have already suffered since our visitation, and others
threaten a speedy decay.”
The Library at Stourhead is also rich in foreign books. But his
collection of Books on the History and Topography of Italy had
already become public property before the death of Sir Richard
Hoare, having been presented by him to the British Museum in
1825. Of this collection he printed a catalogue in 1812.
During his long residence on the Continent, Sir R. C. Hoare
employed his pencil very assiduously, and has left about 1,100
drawings by himself and friends, bound in 18 volumes folio. Also
a beautiful volume of Drawings in Saxony, Italy, France, Elba, and
Sicily, by Mr. John Smith, from Sir R. C. Hoare’s Sketches.
In the Library are ten original Drawings, by Canaletti, of Scenes
at Venice.
By J. B. Nichols, F.S.A. 125
In the Cabinet Room are many beautiful paintings of landscapes,
among which are—
The Lake of Avernus, with the story of Aineas and the Sybil,
by Joseph M. W. Turner, R.A.
The Lake of Nemi, by Wilson.
Diana and her Nymphs, by Zucharelli.
Two small Views at Venice, by Canaletti.
But I must abstain from noticing the numerous valuable paint-
ings at Stourhead, and conclude by referring to the Drawings in
Water-colours, ia which their late possessor took so decided an
interest.
Sir Richard Hoare observes :—
“Designs in Water-Colours have made, within these few years past, a most
astonishing progress, and in many instances, may be said to have attained the
acme of perfection; for I question if the series of Architectural Drawings of
Salisbury, executed by J. M. W. Turner, Esq., R.A., will ever be surpassed.
‘This rapid improvement in Water-Colour Drawing has taken place within
my own memory ; for, during my younger days, Paul Sandby was the monarch
of the plain, and esteemed the best artist in this line. The most marked im-
provement in colouring was recognized in the drawings of Mr. John Smith, now
living, and to whom, as an instructor, I owe the little I know of Drawing, but
the advancement from drawing to painting in Water-Colours did not take place
till after the introduction into England of the Drawings of Louis du Cros, a
Swiss artist, who settled at Rome; his works proved the force as well as conse-
quence that could be given to the unsubstantial body of Water-Colours, and to
him I attribute the first knowledge and power of Water-Colours. Thence have
sprung a numerous succession of artists in this line, a Turner, a Glover, a
Nicholson, Reinagle, De Wint, Nash, eum multis aliis.”
I have purposely confined myself to a few of the articles at
Stourhead, but the collection is so valuable relative to every part of
the United Kingdon and Ireland, that I must content myself with
referring to the catalogue formed by me in 1840, of which the exe-
cutors of the late Sir Richard Hoare did me the honour to print a
small private impression for the use of the family and their friends,
and of which a few copies were presented to public libraries. A
copy is in Mr. Britton’s collection now at Devizes and belonging to
the Wilts Archzological Society, and another in the Library of the
Salisbury Literary Institution, now the property of the Institution.
126 Intrenchments at Aldbourne.
Sutrenchments at Wdbourne,
By F. A. Carrryetoy, Esq.
Sir R. C. Hoare or any other antiquary.
They are in size pion Hn less than the
in the neighbourhood.
The camp called Liddington Castle which is seven and a half
acres in extent is about four miles North West of Aldbourne
Church, and the camp called Barbury Castle which is twelve and
a half acres in extent is about seven miles West of Aldbourne
Church.
The four small intrenchments at Aldbourne I shall distinguish by
the names of—
1. Woops-END INTRENCHMENT.
2. Griese INTRENCHMENT.
3. CHasE Woops INTRENCHMENT.
4, LewisHam Castle INTRENCHMENT.
The first three are I believe not known in the place by any
names; the fourth is called Lewisham Castle in the Tithe apportion-
ment of Aldbourne, and is shown in the Tithe-map of that Parish
and numbered 210. The relative position of these intrenchments
is shown by the annexed sketch.
1. Woops-END INTRENCHMENT.
This is situated about a quarter of a mile East of Woods-end
between that and Dudmore Lodge, and can be easily found as it is
within 10 yards of the gateway leading through the quickset hedge
which separates the field in which it is from the road which leads
ok PIsngunysIIaT ~ H
6 Spoor asvyg ~)
of “OqIp ~ &
8807) YIO9L
ANYOOGATV {|
IUD T YIOZG
POM ¢ TW
By F. A. Carrington, Esq. . 127
from Woods-end to Aldbourne. It is circular, and has a fosse, five
yards wide, all round it; and the ground within the fosse is 40
yards in diameter. To the South West there is a steep descent, a
narrow valley, and then a steep ascent to the intrenchment next
described.
2. GLEBE INTRENCHMENT.
This is much larger than the one just described, and from
repeated ploughings is not so distinctly marked. In both indeed
the fosse though traceable is of very inconsiderable depth. It is
about a quarter of a mile South West of that at Woods-end; and
from their being on the brows of opposite steep ascents they are
visible from each other. It has a fosse (indistinct now) of five
yards wide, and is circular, the space within the fosse being not
quite 120 yards in diameter. Both this and the Woods-end in-
trenchment are on what is now arable land, a part of the Vicar’s
allotment under the Aldbourne Enclosure Act of 1805; but in the
reign of King Charles II. all this land was in a wood called Prior’s
Wood which adjoined Aldbourne Chase, as appeared by a map of
that date which belonged to the late Rev. J. Seagram, who was for
many years Vicar of Aldbourne.
3. CHasE Woops INTRENCHMENT.
These woods which adjoined Aldbourne Chase were grubbed up
within the last few years when this intrenchment was first observed.
From having been in a wood it is in much better preservation than
either No. 1 or No. 2. The size is the same as the Woods-end in-
trenchment; but the fosse is five feet deep, measuring the depth
from the top of a vallum about two feet high which is on the ouwt-
side of the fosse. It is on perfectly level ground, but it is easily
found by entering the Chase Woods by the gateway which is
nearest to and about 150 yards from the direction-post on the
Ogbourne St. George down, called the Round-hill down. It is
within sight and about 100 yards from the gateway right-a-head.
4. Lewisuam Castte INTRENCHMENT.
This is on the brow of a hill in a field at the back of Stock-lane
128 Intrenchments at Aldbourne.
farm buildings. It is stated in the Tithe Apportionment to contain
Qa. 2r. 24p. It is circular and has a fosse six or seven feet deep,
and five yards wide. It commands a view of the church and a
small part of the town of Aldbourne; but it would hardly have
been constructed for besieging the town as it is a mile and a half
from it, a distance too great for the artillery of the reign of King
Charles I., and, moreover, there was I believe no fighting anywhere
near Aldbourne, except the attack on the rear of General Fairfax’s
army by Prince Rupert’s cavalry, on the 18th of September, 1643,
and this occurred near the end of Hungerford-street, in the town
of Aldbourne, where many human skeletons have been found.
With respect to all these intrenchments it is worthy of conside-
ration, whether they were constructed for deer hunting and not for
any warlike purpose.
I was informed by the late Rev. J. Seagram that Aldbourne
Chase was a favourite hunting ground of John of Gaunt, who
lived at the very curious old mansion at Upper Upham (now the
residence of Mr. Frampton), and also occupied a house which stood
on the site of the Court-house, situate near Aldbourne Church-
yard (now the residence of the Rey. G. P. Cleather), because there is
no well at Upper Upham, and no water except rain water. Mr.
Seagram also said that the Chase consisted of about 5,000 acres,
Curious Endowment of a Chantry at Enford. 129
and that there was a warren of nearly 1,000 acres more. And I
was told by the late Mr. Church of Hillwood, who died in the year
1852, at a very advanced age, that he recollected Aldbourne Chase
before the enclosure in 1805, when a great part of it was covered
with brambles, gorse, and thorn bushes, which grew up as high as
a man’s shoulders; so that persons with waggons, on horseback
and on foot, could only go along the drives that were cut through
this Wiltshire specimen of a jungle.
Near the Lewisham Castle intrenchment some arrow-heads have
been found which are now in the possession of the Rey. E. Meyrick,
Vicar of Chisledon.
F. A. Carrincton.
Carine Cotomment af a Chantry at Entard,
Wilts.
Tuts chantry is remarkable from the singularity of its endow-
ment. Chantries were generally endowed with lands, houses, fixed
rents charged on lands or pensions; though some of the priests of
the chantries were what were called “stipendaries,”’ which seems
to import that the person who was bound to provide the chantry
priest was not bound to pay him any fixed sum, but had to pay
him whatever was agreed on between them.! The endowment of
1 In the Parliamentary Survey of Livings in 1650 (a MS. in Lambeth Palace),
vol. xvi. there is the following entry as to the living of Ebbesborne, Wilts :—
“The Minister there is a Stipendiarie and to be pyided and paid his wages by
the lessee (of the great Tithes) as appeareth by his Covenant.”
Ss
130 Curious Endowment of a Chantry at Enford.
the chantry at Enford differed from all these, and yet from the
value of the endowment and the amount of the plate belonging to
this chantry it was quite as good as most of the chantries in this
diocese, which were generally worth about £6 or £7 a-year.
In the ‘‘ Certificate of Colleges and Chantries for Wilts, No. 58,” which is
‘The Report of the Surveye off all Collegs, Chauntries, flree Chappells, Frater-
nytees, Brotherhoddis, Stypendaryees, Obbitts, Lyghts, Lampes, and Anni-
usaryes,”’ taken by John Thynne and Willm. Wroughton, Knyghtes; Charles
Bulkeley, John Barwicke, and Thomas Chafynne, Esquyers ; Willm. Thornhyll
and Lawrence Hyde, Gentylmen ;” acting under the King’s Commission, bearing
date the 14th day of February, 2 Edward VI.! there is the following entry :—
‘« 26 Westeleys Chuntre John Westeley, decessid, gave one thousand shepe to
at Enforde Richard { fyndea preste to synge at Endforde for ever. Of whiche
Morres of the age of ( m!- shepe dyed pciiij**- xij wherupon one pson Burde
lij yeres Incumbent. } gave plxxviij shepe toward the increase of the sayd
stocke whiche be nowe Dccciiij**-yj pised at xvj4- the pes, and so letten to diuse
(divers) men for the yerely rent of viji- xiiijs- vj4-
‘“‘The plate belongynge unto the sayd Chuntre—xxx onz. j quarters.
“The goodis and ornamentis belongynge unto the sayd Chuntre pised at—
xxijd.
‘And the sayd Incumbent is a vereye honeste poore man and hathe none
other lyvinge but only this Chuntre and a man ryght able to Ssue (serve) a
cure, and hath alwayes occupyed hymselfe in teachynge of children there.”
The rent of the flock seems to be strange in amount as it does
not come to any even sum per score.
There is no notice of this chantry in Sir R. C. Hoare’s account
of the Parish of Enford. [See History of the Hundred of Elstub
and Everley, page 19—23]. A John Westley was Vicar of Enford
from a.p. 1472 to 1494.
F. A. CARRINGTON.
1 This certificate is in the Public Record Office, in the Carlton Ride, London.
Wilts Notes and Queries. 131
Wiltshire Mates and Queries.
Tue Suerir or Wits Imprisoned at Drvizes.—This outrage
was actually committed in 1741, by the partizans of Sir Edmund
Thomas and Edward Bayntun Rolt, Esq., at a contested election
for the borough of Chippenham; the object being to neutralize the
hostile influence of Anthony Guy, Esq., not, of course, in his capa-
city of High Sheriff of the County, but as being the principal man
in Chippenham and the oldest of the twelve burgesses who claimed
the management of the affairs of that town. The offence however
was equally great, and it is surprising that no reprisals were made
by the injured party.
Mr. Guy having declared himself favourable to two other candi-
dates, Alexander Hume and John Frederick, Esquires, it was
resolved to get him out of the way, under pretence of an attach-
ment for his Under-sheriff’s omitting to make return of a writ
against one Thomas Brown, for the small sum of £27 (an omission
owing to the Under-sheriff’s illness): and Richard Smith, a coroner
of the county, actually proceeded to take Mr. Guy into custody,
though that gentleman offered him £10,000 bail for his appear-
ance. At the instigation of John Norris, Adam Tuck, and William
Johnson the then bailiff or mayor, the coroner kept Mr. Guy all
night in one of the Chippenham inns under a guard of armed men,
and the next morning conveyed him with the same convoy to the
town of Devizes, where he remained in custody till the election was
over; after which they had the courtesy to carry him back to his
own house and set him at liberty.
It is hardly necessary to add, that a petition from the un-
successful candidates appealed against a return effected by such
means; but though the Sheriff’s party were finally defeated by a
small majority in the House; it does not appear that any attempt
132 Wilts Notes and Queries.
was made by their adversaries to disprove the above facts. They
simply constitute an additional illustration of the numerous irregu-
larities, which, at the period in question, characterised the manage-
ment of the boroughs and society generally in the provinces,
arising out of the balance of the Hanoverian and Jacobite factions.
Mr. Guy was probably grandfather to the late eminent solicitor of
Chippenham. J. WAYLEN.
Lames on BeckHampron Down.—In 1748, the people of Marl-
borough obtained a clause to one of their road-bills, empowering
them to erect lamps between their town and Shepherds’ Shore.
Surely their public spirit must have been on the decline since
that memorable offer. J. W.
Tissury A Marker Town.—In a document relating to the
adjustment of the rectorial tythes, and dated 19th December, 1649,
“the parish of Tisbury,” it is said, “containeth a great market
town.”
applied to what we now designate as a village, as Ludlow—for
instance, calls Sutton Mandeville a town; but the term “a great
market town” is so emphatic as to crave the courteous elucidations
The expression “town,” it is well-known, was often
of some person or persons whose observations on the spot may pos-
sibly have detected the vestiges of former opulence. J We
Loncrviry.—It is requested that cases above a hundred years
(not included in Kaston’s list) which may occur to the memory of
our readers, will be sent to J. Waylen, of Etchilhampton, Devizes,
to complete a list for Wiltshire, to appear in an early number.
: J. W.
I. Burz, Printer, St. John Street, Devizes.
WILTSHIRE
Archeologeal and Batwral AWistory
MAGAZINE.
Bo. V. AUGUST, 1855. Vou. II.
Contents.
PAGE
Abridgement of the History of the Manor and Ancient Barony of
Castle Combe: By G. Povterr Scrorx, Esq., M.P. (No. 1.)...... 133-158
On some Coal Operations at Malmesbury: By Professor J. Buckman.. 159-161
Ornithology. (No. 4.) The Beaks of Birds: By Rev. A. C. Smiru. .. 162-172
The Hertford Correspondence. (Concluded). ............ 050000 173-190
Ancient Ales in Co. Wilts and Diocese of Sarum: By F. A. Carrrne-
OU, Ls BIE, SATs Oe eens Aecde Oey ce eaeeey: <tr Seek ome teiay 191-204
Bells of Co. Wilts, and their Descriptions: By Rev. W. C. Luxis. .. 205-211
MURRDIRUAECS DY i MO WATN Ey HSCs 110-5 \ctsls civics -fisie ale! sieve nacesls \0)/srolois 212
The Churches of Devizes. (No. 1.) By Mr. Epwarp Kire......... 213-256
Wutsatre Nores and QueErtes: By J. Way EN, Esq. :—
SEPRMLUEELC OL LAM Vit heparan lees vcore oj Zichn sey lo inte Mae iebotue Ae elf» 257
PSEA OTISO ey foes a. erator sth ie, 0cc,5 Seah araiore. s, a4 aPuaieie eel slacn shale 258
PREV ECHL ADAM ISLE MUON Sst sielle -«iohcieicle re vie sis clsreraielaieret vetlel oietevaie\ sre 259
Singular Tenure. Manor of Hakeneston. ...................+5+ 260
ere——Mus botany of Wiltshire | 60.2 oe- ted noe ee we sees 260
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Castte Compe: Market Cross, p. 133. Plan of Castle-hill, 135. Roman
Sepulchral Bas-relief, 136. Dunstanville Monumental Slab, 139. Monument,
140. Seal of Lady Margaret de Clare, 141. Ditto of Lord Robert Tibetot,
and Sir R. Scrope, 143. Banner of Scrope 146. Seal of Sir William Scrope,
147, Arms of Sir John Fastolf, 149. Seal of Stephen Scrope, 150. East
Window of Church, 157.
Devizes Cuvurcues: St. John’s and St. Mary’s, 213. Ground Plan of St. John’s,
218. Arcade in ditto, 220. Window in North Chancel, ditto, 223. Ground
Plan of St. Mary’s, 236. Nave Roof, ditto, 239. Aisle Window, ditto, 240.
DEVIZES:
Henry Bown, Sarnt Jon STREET.
LONDON:
G, Bert, 186, Freer Srrerr; J. R. Surrn, 36, Sono Squarr.
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WILTSHIRE MAGAZINE,
‘““MULTORUM MANIBUS GRANDE LEVATUR ONUS.’’—Ovid.
MARKET-CROSS.
ABRIDGEMENT OF THE HISTORY OF
Che Manor and Ancient Barony of Castle Combe.
By G, Povterr Scrorr, Esq., M.P.
(Printed for Private Circulation, 4to., 1852.)
In that period of our history which immediately succeeded the
Norman conquest it is well known that each'of the greater feudal
VOL. I1.—NO. V. r
134 Abridgement of the History of the
lords or barons as they were styled, possessed a CastLtE—that is to
say, a stronghold to which he and his dependents could retire for
their defence in case of civil war, or from which they might, if so
minded, as not unfrequently happened, wage a predatory warfare
against their neighbours. Such a castle was called the Caput
Baronie, or head lordship of the barony, which comprehended
several subordinate lordships, manors, or feudal estates, held either
directly by the baron himself, or under him through what was
called knight’s service, by subfeudatories ; proprietors—that is, of
knightly rank. These were bound to do suit and service to the
baron for their estates; to attend him in war with a certain auxi-
liary force; and in peace to pay in lieu of such actual service an
annual fine called a “knight’s fee.” The baron had also the ward-
ship in minority, and marriage of these subordinate tenants, as well
as other privileges. Castle Combe was the head lordship of a
barony of this kind, to which were held subject (ut de Baronid) as
many at least as twenty-six other Wiltshire manors. And it is
this circumstance chiefly, as well as its inheritance by a succession
of persons of some historical note, and the preservation of a very
complete series of documents relating to it, which induced the
present owner and Lord of the Manor to believe that the annals of
what at present is a comparatively unknown and insignificant rural
demesne might prove not uninteresting to the student of general
history. The volume printed by Mr. Poulett Scrope for private
distribution, met indeed with a more favourable reception than had
been anticipated by its author, who now greatly regrets that the
impression having been limited to 150 copies, he has been prevented
from putting it into the hands of many who have expressed them-
selves desirous to obtain it. A favourable review of it which
appeared in the Quarterly probably led to the demand exceeding
what had been calculated upon. Under these circumstances, it
has been thought that an abridgement of the work might not be
unacceptable to the readers of our Macazrne.
The population of the Village of Castle Combe (for though once
a market-town of some little importance, it is but a village now) is
600. It is situated in the extreme north-east angle of the county
Manor and Ancient Barony of Castle Combe. 135
adjoining to Gloucestershire, and chiefly built in the bottom of one
of those narrow, crack-like vallies which drain the western ridge
of the Cotswold. A rapid stream runs through it, which joins the
Avon just below Box, a mile above Bath. Formerly two or
three clothing-mills were worked in the parish by help of this
brook, but they have now disappeared, or been replaced by corn-
mills; and the clothing trade, once its staple business and the
source of great prosperity to its inhabitants, has, at last after a
lengthened and painful process of decay, wholly ceased. The place
is at present chiefly noted only for its romantic natural scenery,
the steep sides of the winding valley being clothed with a pleasing
intermixture of grass and wood; the hill on which stood the castle,
now reduced to mere mounds of rubbish, forming a conspicuous
object, and with the very handsome church-tower and picturesque
manor-house, composing an agreeable scene, to which the old
market-cross adds another interesting feature.
The indications of Pre-Norman inhabitancy are here, as usual,
scanty, though sufficiently conclusive. The earthworks of the castle,
surrounding a space of near nine acres with strong ditches and
mounds, on the summit of a hill to the north-west of the village,
seem to prove that a British camp existed on this spot before the
erection of the Norman fortress in the twelfth century.
PLAN se THE CASTLE-HILL,
The great Roman road called the Foss-way, leading from Bath
to Cirencester and Lincoln, skirts the north-western limit of the
T2
136 Abridgement of the History of the
manor, and many proofs of Roman occupation, such as coins,
figuline fragments, &c. are occasionally turned up by the plough
or spade on the hill-tops. One among other relics, a small imperfect
sepulchral bas-relief carved in the
rough stone of the country, is
given in the adjoining wood-cut.
It represents a hunter spearing a
stag, of which animals probably
the surrounding woods afforded
in those days an abundant stock.
Within a short distance of the
Foss-road, where it borders on
the Manor of Combe, but within
the adjoining parish of Nettleton,
stands a remarkable oblong bar-
/ row, with a cromlech or trilithic
ROMAN SEPULCHRAL BAs-RELIEF, kistvaen on the top, composed of
three large stones, two upright; the third, which no doubt once
rested upon—now leans against them. The barrow was partly
opened by Sir R. Colt Hoare; and the present proprietor, Mr.
Poulett Scrope, has recently made further researches in it, which
brought to light several interments, but without any of the weapons,
ornaments, or instruments usually found in places of sepulture.
In the Domesday Survey of Wiltshire, two vills are mentioned
by the names of “Cumbe” and “Come,” respectively; one of
which must refer to Combe Biset, in the south of the county, the
other to Castle Combe. And it is a singular circumstance that
several letters patent obtained in the reigns of Henry VL.,
Edward IV., and Henry VIII. by the Lords of Castle Combe, for
the purpose of securing certain privileges to the tenants of this
manor, as having been a royal demesne at the time of the conquest
(which deeds are still extant), uniformly recite as applying to this
manor the survey of Domesday which from indubitable evidence
must have related not to it, but to Combe Biset. This mistake is
perhaps to be explained by the little interest which the officers of
Exchequer who searched “the Book of Domesday” for the survey,
Manor and Ancient Barony of Castle Combe. 137
had in distinguishing between the two “Combes;” or rather
perhaps to their wish to favour the promoters of the search (who
no doubt paid the appropriate fees) by finding the record of ancient
demesne which was required. The proofs of the identity of the
“Come” of Domesday which was not “‘ Royal Demesne,” with the
Manor of Castle “Combe,” consist partly in the accordance of the
physical features of the latter with the description there given, but
chiefly in the fact of its having at that time formed one of the
twenty-seven manors then possessed by Hunfridus de Insula, or
Humphrey de l’Isle, and which for the greater part of two cen-
turies afterwards were held together, as composing the Barony of
Castle Combe, by his direct heirs.
Several early documents show that a certain Adeliza de Insula,
without doubt the daughter and heiress of Hunfridus, conveyed
this string of manors by marriage to her husband Reginald de
Dunstanville, in the reign of Henry I., and by him or by his son of
the same name it is probable that the Castle of Combe was built
about the same time, that lordship in consequence becoming, as
usual, the “Caput” or chief seat of the barony. The subordinate
manors were Broughton (B. Giffard), Stert, Wyly, two Winter-
bornes (Winterborne Basset, and Ashton Giffard), Colerne and
Polton, all held (with Combe) directly of the king in Capite ;
Compton (C. Basset), Burbeche, Cumberwell, Rushall, Wroughton,
Salthorp, Clive (Cliff Pipard), Somerford (S. Mautravers), Smithcot
(in Dauntsey Parish), Blunsdon (St. Andrew’s), Groundwell (near
Blunsdon), Chadington (near Wootton Basset), Henton (Broad
Hinton), Biddestone, Hartham, Sherston (S. Pinkney), and Milford
(near Salisbury), held of the chief lord by various subinfeudatories
on condition of knight service. Some obscurity, however, envelops
the descent of this barony in the first century after the Conquest.
It certainly belonged in chief to Reginald, Earl of Cornwall, one of
the natural sons of King Henry I. and half-brother to the gallant
Robert, Earl of Gloucester, by whose side he fought throughout
the struggle against the usurper Stephen in support of the claim to
the throne of their sister, the Empress Matilda. But as this Earl
Reginald is mentioned under the name of “De Dunstanville,”
138 Abridgement of the History of the
by Ordericus Vitalis, a contemporary writer, that was probably the
name of his mother, who may have been the above-mentioned
Adeliza herself, the widow of Reginald de Dunstanville. The
second baron of this name Reginald (or Robert), had an elder son,
Walter, who married Ursula, daughter and coheiress of Earl
Reginald, his cousin probably on the mother’s side, and received
from the latter by way of dower, among other estates, release of a
head-rent of £10 a-year, due to him from the Manor of Combe,
and also one-half of the Manor of Colerne. To this Walter
Camden ascribes the erection of the castle, but on what authority
is not known. It was more probably built by an earlier gene-
ration, and before the accession of Stephen. Walter de Dunstanyille
died in 1194, leaving an infant heir of the same name, whose ward-
ship was granted in the second year of King John, for a fine of
500 marks to his cousins Thomas, Alan, and Gilbert Basset, sons
of Lord Basset of Hedendon, by Adeliza, sister to the first Walter.
The second baron of that name attended King John in his expe-
dition into Poictou, and received from him the charter of a market
and fair to his Manor of Heytesbury, which had been granted to
his grandfather Robert, by King Henry I]. He married Matilda,
daughter and coheiress of William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke,
and widow of William Warren, Earl of Warren and Surrey, by
whom she had a son, Walter, third and last baron of that name,
who had livery of his lands on the death of his father, in 1240.
He figured among the rebel barons who defeated and took prisoner
King Henry III. at the battle of Lewes; after which he was
appointed by his brethren in arms governor of the Castle of Sarum.
This nobleman had for his first wife, Isabel, daughter and heiress
of Thomas de Clare, brother of Gilbert, Earl of Gloucester. Dying
in 1270, he left only a daughter and heiress, Petronilla, then 22
years of age and wedded to Sir Robert de Montfort, by whom
she had a son, William de Montfort, heir of course to her
estates. She, however, on the death of Sir Robert, remarried
to Sir John Delamare of Bradwell, who by “the courtesy of
England” enjoyed his wife’s estates for the term of his life.
And as this was a long one, too long at least for the patience of
Manor and Ancient Barony of Castle Combe. 139
the heir, William de Montfort sold his reversionary right to them
in the year 1309, to Bartholomew, Lord Badlesmere, for £1,000
sterling, by a deed executed before Henry Le Scrope, one of the
_ king’s justices. And thus the Barony
of Castle Combe passed out of the line
of the De Dunstanvilles, who had held
it from the time of Henry I. or for
about a century and a half.
During that entire period the Lords
De Dunstanville appear to have re-
sided for the most part in the Castle
of Combe. One of them, the first
Walter, was, however, buried in the
Church of the Priory of Wombridge,
near Ideshale or Shiffnall, in War-
wickshire, which manor he obtained
as part of his wife’s dower. A sculp-
tured slab dug up in the ruins of
Monkton Farleigh, and still preserved
in Mr. Wade Brown’s tower, attests
the burial there of another, the arms
of De Dunstanville being on the shield
of the cross-legged knight represented
in relief; and the third was in all
probability buried in the Church at
Castle Combe, in the altar-tomb bearing
a stone-sculptured figure, likewise cross-
DUNSTANVILLE MONUMENTAL SLAB.
legged and in chain armour, which is
still to be seen there. On this shield, however, the arms are at
present undecypherable.
Sir John de la Mare survived but a few years the sale of the barony,
which on his death in 1313, became the property of Lord de Badles-
mere, who in the year 1316, exercised the right of presentation to
the Rectory of Castle Combe, and certified as Lord of Combe,
Colerne, Stert, Herdecote, and the Town and Hundred of Heytes-
bury, and joint Lord of Polton and Bluntesdon St. Andrew, in the
140 Abridgement of the History of the
MONUMENT.
county of Wilts. This nobleman, the son of Guncelin de Badles-
mere, a notorious rebel against King Henry III., but afterwards
Justice of Chester, and a faithful follower of Edward I. attained
through the favour of Edward II. of Carnarvon to such great
honour and wealth as to have been styled by his contemporaries
“the rich Lord Badlesmere of Leedes,” the castle of that name in
Kent having been granted to him by the King in fee. In 1821,
however, being jealous of the new royal favourites the Despensers,
he joined the league of the barons, headed by the Earl of Lancaster,
in their endeavours to restrain the extravagances of the king.
Thereupon the Queen Isabella, under pretence of a pilgrimage to
Canterbury, seems to have attempted a surprise on the Castle of
Leedes, but was refused admittance by the Lady Margaret de Clare,
wife of Lord Badlesmere. Incensed at this, and probably only
wishing for some such excuse, the king laid siege to the castle,
which though gallantly defended by its Lady Castellan, was
Manor and Ancient Barony of Castle Combe. 141
speedily taken, and twelve knights found therein hanged on the
spot. Badlesmere himself was taken prisoner at the subsequent
battle of Boroughbridge, so fatal to the flower of English chivalry,
and executed at Canterbury. His estates being confiscated were
immediately granted to the elder Despenser, who thus in the year
1322, became owner of the Barony of Castle Combe with its depen-
dencies. The desertion of the queen, however, disgusted with the
excessive favour shown to the Despensers, soon turned the tables
upon them, and the deposition of their wretched master in 1826
was followed by the reversal of the attainder of the families of
those barons who had suffered at Boroughbridge. The Lady
Margaret, widow of Badlesmere, was consequently reinstated in
the possession of his estates pending the minority of her children.
This gallant and noble lady, who thus for a
time held the Barony of Castle Combe, was
one of the coheiresses of the great earldoms
of Clare and Gloucester, and as such inhe-
rited the capital Manor of Thaxsted in Essex, //ey
which had belonged to the Clares at the time | fg
of the Conquest. On her death in 1833,
Castle Combe which had been assigned to her
by way of jointure, reverted to Giles Lord
Badlesmere, only son and heir of herself and
her husband Bartholemew. He, however, ...5 ony rece iserauks
died in the year 1338, married but childless, DE CLARE—1328,
upon which event his large possessions were divided between his
four sisters and coheiresses. These comprised no less than eighty-
five manors and seventy-six knights’ fees in England, and large
estates in Ireland inherited through his mother from the marriage
of Strongbow to Eva, daughter of Mac Morough, King of Leinster.
His four sisters had been all married at a very early age by their
father, no doubt with the view of strengthening himself by alliance
with the most powerful persons of the time; the eldest, Margery,
to Lord Roos of Hamlake; the second, Maud, to Vere, Earl of
Oxford; the third, Elizabeth, to Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March ;
the fourth, Margaret, to John Lord de Tibetot. One of the
U
142 Abridgement of the History of the
originals of the Deed of Assignment by which the great inheritance
of Giles Lord Badlesmere was partitioned among these coheiresses
(of which a counterpart exists in the British Museum under the
name of the Mortimer Ledger), is still preserved at Castle Combe,
which barony fell to the share of the last mentioned lady, and was
inherited with other estates by her eldest son, Robert Lord Tibetot,
or Tiptoft, on the death of his father, in 1868. The dependencies
of the barony were separated on the partition of the Badlesmere
estates. But they still were held by their several owners as
“parcel of that barony,” and most of them continued to pay annual
compositions for suit and service due at the knight’s court of the
manor down to the seventeenth century, at which time the sums
compounded for—viz., 2s. for each knight’s fee, having been fixed at
an early date, were become too insignificant to be worth collection,
or at least disputing, in case their payment was neglected. The
claim of wardship, and of “ premier seisin” or livery, was of greater
value, but, on the other hand, not so easily submitted to, or en-
forced when resisted. The latest claim on record among the
Castle Combe documents is of the date of 1620, made for the ward-
ship and marriage of an infant of six years old, son and heir of
Edmund James of Broadfield, in the parish of Hullavington, a
manor held, as was averred, of the Barony of Castle Combe as a
knight’s fee. This, however, was disputed by Sir Walter Pye,
attorney of the Court of Wards and Liveries, who claimed the
same for the Crown. A few years later, all these vicious feudal
powers, whether of the Crown or other superiorities, were wholly
extinguished by Act of Parliament. While on this subject we
may remark that the several successive lists of the subordinate
tenants of the Barony and Manor of Castle Combe, owing and
mostly paying composition for suit and service, as recorded in the
Rolls of the Knight’s Court still preserved at Castle Combe, afford
valuable aid towards ascertaining the successive owners of the
twenty or thirty manors in Wiltshire which were held on these con-
ditions. Several such lists of different dates from the twelfth to
the seventeenth century are printed in the volume before us of
which an abstract will be given in a subsequent article.
Manor and Ancient Barony of Castle Combe. 143
On the death of Sir Robert de Tibetot, who as well as his father
John, had been repeatedly summoned to parliament as a ‘baron, and
who died in Gascony (46
Edward ITI., 1372), the In-
quisitions attest that he left
no son, and that his three
daughters, Margaret, Mili- (f2/¢
cent, and Elizabeth, then eS
respectively of the ages of
I
i
\
Gj 2,
i °
= °) i
Sie) 4
x|} af
x ~g
awe); y:
=F > Med
six, four, and two years,
were his heirs. The extent
of the landed property of
SEAL OF LORDIROBERT which he died possessed, SAE OF SIRR. ScROPE,
TIBETOT—1366. or é FIRST BARON OF BOL-
consisting of manors in the ToN—1371.
counties of York, Gloucester, Notts, Suffolk, Kent, Bedford,
Bucks, Middlesex, Essex, Rutland, Lincoln, Leicester, and Wilts,
was very great, a full half of these being inherited from his
mother the Lady Margaret Badlesmere. In the next year but
one (48 Edward III.), the wardship of these infant coheiresses was
granted by the king for the sum of 1,000 marks to Sir Richard
Scrope, Lord of Bolton, then Lord Treasurer, and from that year,
1375, the Courts of the Manor of Castle Combe, as appears from
the Rolls still extant and well-preserved, were held in his name.
This nobleman, according to the custom of the age, lost no time in
securing the large estates above-mentioned in his own family, by
betrothing the three infant heiresses to his own three sons;
Margaret to his second son, Roger (afterwards Lord Scrope of
Bolton) ; Milicent to his third son, Stephen, who took for his share
amongst other estates, the Lordship of Castle Combe; and Hliza-
beth to his fourth son, Nicholas, who, however, seems to have died
before the marriage could be completed, and Elizabeth was conse-
quently betrothed in marriage by Lord Scrope to Philip le
Despenser. The tripartite indenture by which the “ final division
and purparty”’ of the Tibetot estates was made between the three
heiresses and their husbands, of the date 1385, is still preserved at
Castle Combe. It is in Norman French, and of great length,
U2
144 Abridgement of the History of the
containing many interesting particulars relating to the several
manors and estates so conveyed. Another deed of the date of 1390,
settles the Manor of Castle Combe and other estates in Yorkshire,
Gloucestershire, and Middlesex, the portion of the Lady Milicent,
upon her and her husband, Sir Stephen Scrope, Knight, for life,
with remainder to their heirs, &e.
Castle Combe, during its possession by the Lords Badlesmere,
Tiptoft, and Scrope, throughout the fourteenth century, was ne-
glected as a residence, the first of these occupying his proud Castle
of Leedes, the second his capital Manor of Langar, in Nottingham-
shire, and the third the stately castle which he built for himself at
Bolton in Yorkshire. The Castle’of Combe thus was allowed to fall
into decay, and indeed seems at no time to have been suited for the
residence of a wealthy household. As the country became more
peaceable, it was no longer needed as a place of defence or pro-
tection against hostile attack, and was probably used only as the
baronial court of the lord, and the prison of his offending tenants,
and the residence perhaps of his bailiff, or prepositus, who exercised
in his name “Jura Regalia,” the right of “pit and gallows,” and
of the trial and punishment of offences against person and pro-
perty. A field at the back of the Castle-hill still goes by the
name of “the Gallows Ground,” which was probably the place of
execution, or at all events of the exhibition of this apparatus of
punishment in terror of evil-doers; and the “pit,” or lower dun-
geon of the castle is still to be seen there, the only portion of the
ruin now remaining, its contents having been cleared out recently.
The family of Scrope who thus became possessed of the Barony
and Lordship of Castle Combe towards the close of the thirteenth
century, and in whose line it still remains, having been transmitted
by direct male descent from Sir Stephen Scrope to the present
owner, was an ancient and honourable race whose history has been
amply illustrated in the splendid work of Sir Harris Nicolas on
“The Scrope and Grosvenor Controversy,” a contest for the right
to bear a particular shield of arms—viz., a bend azure, on a field or,
which occurred in the reign of Richard II. and was decided in
favour of the Scropes and against the Grosvenors. ‘‘ Though some
Manor and Ancient Barony of Castle Combe. 145
of the titles anciently possessed by this family” says Sir Harris,
“are dormant and the rest extinct, few persons were more dis-
tinguished in the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth centuries,
and Shakespeare has given immortality to no less than three indi-
viduals of the name. The House of Scrope was ennobled in two
branches—Scrope of Bolton, and Scrope of Masham and Upsal, and.
its members shared the glory of all the great victories of the middle
ages. An unbroken male descent from the Conquest, if not from the
time of Edward the Confessor, and the emphatic declaration of the
Earl of Arundel, corroborated by the statement of many others made
in 1386, that the then representative of this family was descended of
noble and generous blood of gentry and ancient ancestry, who had
always preserved their name and estate in dignity and honour,
sufficiently attest their antiquity and importance, whilst the mere
enumeration of the dignities which they attained between the
reigns of Edward II. and Charles I. proves the high rank they
enjoyed. In the period of 300 years, during more than a century
of which the barony of one branch was in abeyance, the House of
Scrope produced two earls and twenty barons, one chancellor, four
treasurers, and two chief justices of England, one archbishop and
two bishops, five knights of the garter, and numerous bannerets—
the highest military order in the days of chivalry.”
Nor was the acquisition of the Tibetot estates in 13887 the first
introduction of the family of Scrope to the County of Wilts. A
charter-grant of King Athelstan, in the year 939, of a farm in
Wiltshire mentions as one of the boundary marks “Scrope’s Pyt,”
from which it would appear that some of the name resided there
127 years before the Norman Conquest. The locality here intended
was probably the same as the “Terra de Scrop” in the manor of
Purton, mentioned in the Hundred Rolls of Edward I.
Sir Richard Scrope, Lord of Bolton, the Chancellor of Richard IL.,
whose refusal to affix the Seal of State to that monarch’s profuse
grants to his favourites, or to deliver it to any other person than
the king himself, is a well known historical incident highly hon-
ourable to his integrity and firmness, was the plaintiff in the
celebrated trial before the Court of Chivalry, presided over by the
146 Abridgement of the History of the
Duke of Gloucester, in 1885-90, for the right to
beara particular escutcheon, which has been already
adverted to. The depositions taken in this suit
from companions at arms of the two parties, Lords
Scrope and Grosvenor, and their ancestors, as
printed in the work of Sir Harris Nicolas, are full of
interest, reciting as they do in graphic language,
out of the mouths of the heroic warriors themselves,
the incidents of the campaigns of Crecy and Agin-
court, Poictiers, Najara, Halidon Hill, and other
glorious fields. Among the witnesses examined on the part of Lord
BANNER OF SCROPE.
Scrope, and whose testimony is recorded from their own lips, are the
illustrious John of Gaunt, his son Henry Plantagenet, afterwards
King Henry IV., Sir Walter Blunt, Sir Thomas Erpingham, who
commanded the archers of England at the battle of Agincourt, Sir
John Sully, “then 105 years of age, and armed 80 years,” Sir John
Thirlwall, “who speaks to what he heard his father relate, who
died at the age of 145!” the Earl of Northumberland, his son Sir
Henry Percy, and Geoffrey Chaucer, Esquire, at that time knight
of the shire for Kent, together with dozens of nobles, knights, and
squires of lesser note. Backed by such testimony it is not surprising
that the claim of Scrope prevailed, after a protracted litigation,
however, of five years, and that, the disputed coat (azure a bend or)
was adjudged to his family, by whom it is still borne; while the
House of Grosvenor was prohibited to wear it, but consoled by the
substitution of another, azure a garb (wheatsheaf) or, which the
Marquis of Westminster still bears. Strange instance this of the
weight attached in the age of Chivalry to heraldic blazonries !
The favour of King Richard II. to the Scropes was amply repaid
by the devotion of the entire family to his cause and person, even
in its worst extremity. Sir William Scrope, K. G., eldest son of
the Chancellor, who had been created Earl of Wiltshire in 1397,
and entrusted with the government of Marlborough Castle, was
one of the first sufferers on the landing of the Duke of Hereford
(Henry IV.), being beheaded at Bristol in 13899. He was Sovereign
of the Isle of Man, and in that capacity signed his assent in 1394
Manor and Ancient Barony of Castle Combe. 147
to the truce with France, as “one of the allies” of the King of
England. It is he of whom Shake-
speare, in his play of “Richard II.”
makes the Lord Roos say—
“The Earl of Wiltshire has the realm to farm,”
And again, in the first part of “ Henry
_IV.,” he is mentioned in company with
another noble scion of the same family,
“That same noble Prelate, well-beloved,
The Archbishop of York,—who bears hard
His brother’s death at Bristol, the Lord
Serope.”’
He likewise (the Archbishop) met the
same fate, being executed in 1408 for
his attempt to restore the deposed line gpaz, or srr w. scrorr, K.c.,
—a bold and what in those days was EARL OF WILTS—1395.
considered a sacrilegious act on the part of the new Sovereign, and
perhaps prefiguring the independence of ecclesiastical domination,
which his dynasty was destined in after years to vindicate for the
state. It is reported that on the indignant remonstrance of the
Pope against this outrage committed on a son of the church, he
was silenced by King Henry’s sending him the armour in which
the Archbishop had been taken at the head of his forces, asking
“Gf that was his son’s coat?” Indeed the members of this family
were individually as brave in the field of battle as distinguished in
the church and the law courts, and wore the surcoat and the
gown or cassock alternately, and with equal honour.
The Earl of Wiltshire left no children, so that on the decease of
his illustrious father in 1403, his second son, Roger, succeeded to
the Barony of Bolton, and the large family estates in Yorkshire
and elsewhere, which his descendants for several generations con-
tinued to enjoy until this branch became extinct in 1630, in the
person of Emmanuel, eleventh Baron Scrope of Bolton, created
Earl of Sunderland by Charles I. This nobleman divided his vast
estates between his three illegitimate daughters, which thus became
the chief foundation of the fortunes still enjoyed by the three noble
148 Abridgement of the History of the
families of Paulet, Marquess of Winchester, and Duke of Bolton;
Savage, Earl of Rivers; and Grubham Howe, Earl Howe of
Langar; which these ladies respectively intermarried.
The third son of the Chancellor Scrope, Sir Stephen, was, as we
have seen, the Lord of Castle Combe, in right of his wife, Milicent
Tiptoft. He also was faithful to the last to King Richard, and
accompanied him in his disastrous and fatal retreat to Conway and
Flint Castles, and his fidelity is immortalized in those pathetic
scenes in which Shakespeare has embalmed the memory of the un-
happy prince. He was for many years Governor of Ireland, as
deputy of Thomas of Lancaster, the king’s son, by whom he was
entirely trusted. And there he died in 1408, leaving an only son,
Stephen, a minor.
His widow, the Lady Milicent, had, however, a life estate in
the Lordship of Castle Combe, and the bulk of the property of her
husband, which came to him as her inheritance. She was re-married
very shortly afterwards to the celebrated Sir John Fastolf, then
serving as an esquire in the Irish army, under Lord John of Lan-
caster, and lived herself to a considerable age; while her second
husband claimed and retained possession of her estates, under plea
of the custom of England, to a still more advanced period. It thus
happened that the unlucky Stephen Scrope was kept for more than
fifty years after his father’s death out of the enjoyment of his inhe-
ritance, and during this long minority was reduced to great straights;
as appears from an amusing correspondence, or controversy rather,
printed in this volume from documents extant at Castle Combe,
between himself and his father-in-law, Sir John—who, we need
hardly say, is generally considered the prototype of Shakespeare’s
fat knight, Sir John Falstaff. Indeed the behaviour of the real
knight to his son-in-law, if we are to believe the relation of the
latter, is very much what we might expect from the dramatic Sir
John. One of the schedules of grievances which Stephen Scrope
pitifully recounts, commences thus—‘“In the first yere that my
fader Fastolf was maried to my moder he so/de me’’ (in wardship and
marriage this of course means) “for 500 marks, without any titill
or right; through which sale my person in this world was dis-
Manor and Ancient Barony of Castle Combe. 149
figured for ever, I having took sykeness’” (through ill-treatment it
would appear) “a xiii. or xiv. yere’s swyng, whereby I am dis-
figured in person, and shall be whilst I live.”
“Ttem, he bought me agene: so he bought me and sold me, as a
beste, agenst all right and lawe.”
“Ttem, he kept from me by deceit thirty yeres together and
more xl.li. worthe of lyveloode, in a towne called Wighton of the
Wolde, in Yorkshire.”
“Ttem, he kept from me, agens all lawe and right two manors—
that is to say, Oxendon and Hamthwayte, &c.”
“Ttem, plate and stuffe of mine, the which is specified in mine
owne fadris testament to me; bequeathed, which my seide father
Fastolf had ever to his use, &c.”’
“JTtem, further strop and waste of mine inheritance, which is v.
hundred marks worth by the yere, the which has been in the hands
of my seid father (-in-law) 53 yeres.”’
ARMS OF SIR JOHN FASTOLF, AT CAISTOR CASTLE,
The unlucky Stephen seems to have obtained no redress from
his griping father-in-law while alive, nor from the executors of
the latter after his decease in 1459; when at length he entered
into the long-delayed possession of his maternal estates, being
above the age of sixty himself.
x
150 Abridgement of the History of the
During this interval of more than half a century (the first half
of the fifteenth), the estate of Castle Combe had been administered
for Fastolf by the resident bailiff, and a seneschal or steward, super-
intended by occasional visits of the auditor or supervisor, which
character for the most part was enacted by the gossiping antiquary
and annalist, William Worcester, who was Fastolf’s secretary
through the greater part of a long life. Many manuscripts are
preserved at Castle Combe in the handwriting of this worthy,
especially three or four chartularies, or volumes containing copies
of deeds relating to the Scrope estates. The Fastolf letters, pub-
lished by Fenn, have already made the public acquainted with
this quaint character, as well as with several of his fellows in the
household of Sir John Fastolf at Caistor Castle, in Norfolk ;
amongst the rest his confessor and executor, Sir Thomas Howes,
who was parson of Castle Combe by presentation of his patron.
Stephen Scrope in 1458, married the daughter of Sir Richard
Bingham, one of the judges of the Court of
Common Pleas, by whom he had one son,
John, upon whom he had (by a deed executed
on the occasion of his second marriage)
entailed the Manor of Castle Combe; and a
few years later—yiz., in 1466, he sold to
the Earl of Warwick the wardship and
marriage of this only son, then about six
years of age, making over to the Earl at
the same time the Manor of Oxendon, in
Gloucestershire, until John Scrope should
attain his majority, when it was to be
settled upon him and his wife, and their
SEAL OF STEPHEN scrope heirs. In consideration of this agreement
ESQUIRE—1443,
Stephen Scrope was to receive from the
Earl immediate payment of £200, and a reserved rent of £10
yearly from the manor. The Earl of Warwick was at the time
lord paramount of the manor, as held of the Manor of Gloucester.
This agreement, however, was subsequently voided, and in lieu of
it, a marriage was arranged on terms similar, with Isabel, daughter
Manor and Ancient Barony of Castle Combe. 151
of John Newburgh, of East Lulworth, Esquire, which marriage
was solemnized in due time; and Stephen Scrope dying in 1472,
his son John, on his coming of age in 1482, had livery of his
estates. These, however, had been reduced, through the diffi-
culties occasioned by the long minority of his father to little
besides the manors of Castle Combe and Oxendon. The more valu-
able manors of Wighton, Bentley, and Hamthwayte, in Yorkshire,
which Stephen Scrope inherited from his mother had been alienated
by him, as a consideration probably for loans obtained at that
period of distress, to his cousin, Richard Scrope, younger son of
Henry Lord Scrope of Bolton, and were thenceforward dissevered
from the estates of the Wiltshire branch.
John Scrope resided at Castle Combe, and served the office of
Sheriff of Wiltshire in the seventh year of Henry VIII. His mar-
riage with Isabel Newburgh does not appear to have been a happy
one, as perhaps might have been anticipated from its premature
arrangement when he was but seven years old. By will Sir John
Newborough his father-in-law bequeathed to her £20 a-year, for her
life, so long as she lived separate from her husband, but, it con-
tinues, “if John Scrope take his wyff my daughter and governe
her, and keep her lyke a gentylwoman, then he shall have xl.li. to
their welfare and household, and they to live yn love and charyte.”’
It does not appear whether this well-intended device was suc-
cessful. But the lady did not long survive her father; and Sir
John Scrope married secondly, Margaret, daughter of Sir John
Wrottesley of Wrottesley, Staffordshire, by whom he had a nume-
rous family. He was made a Knight of the Bath at the marriage of
Prince Arthur, 17th Henry VII. and served the office of Sheriff of
Wilts in the 7th Henry VIII. He seems to have resided at
Castle Combe nearly to the time of his death in 1517, His latter
days were unhappily embittered by quarrels with the rector of the
parish, Sir Ingelram Bedyll (whom he had himself presented to the
church in 1508) and his curate, a Sir Thomas Kelly. Such differ-
ences between squire and parson have been not unfrequent at all
times. But some of the matters mentioned in the complaints of
Sir John to the bishop of the diocese against his clerical tormentors,
x 2
152 Abridgement of the History of the
a copy of which is preserved at Castle Combe, are characteristic
of the times. After sundry accusations of keeping back monies
entrusted to him on Sir John’s account, and taking exorbitant
tythes from him and his tenants, he charges Sir Thomas, whom
he had out of kindness, he says, boarded in his own house,
with “offering felony” to his, Sir John’s, daughter, and also to
his wife’s gentlewoman, and on their resistance “ out of poor malice
uttering (i.e. publishing) their confession;” ‘wherefore, ever
since,” says Sir John very reasonably, “I and my tenants have
little mind to be confessed of him.’ On another occasion he says,
this precious curate “drew a knife, on a certain William Powell,
within the Parish Church of Castle Combe, and at another,
“robbed the poor Monastery of Kyngton, and carried away the
prioress of the same; with many other wrongs and misde-
meanours,” which he says this priest ventured to perpetrate relying
on the protection of the lord bishop, over whom he boasted that he
possessed unlimited influence, owing to his having taken upon
himself the blame of some carnal offence of his Grace, who there-
upon punished him with a few days imprisonment, and “three
stripes with a fox taylle!” And in these and other misdeeds he
was supported, complains Sir John, by his rector, Sir Ingelram,
who was the bishop’s chaplain. The vexation thus caused seems
to have driven Sir John from his home during the last years of his
life. He certainly died in London and was buried in the Chapel
of St. Catharine’s, near the Tower, to which charitable foundation,
he as well as his father, had been a liberal benefactor. Margaret,
the widow of Sir John Scrope, survived her husband several years,
and resided at Castle Combe, occupied in the education of her
young family; which consisted of two sons and three daughters.
In the year after her husband’s death a temporary assignment of
dower was made to her; and seven years later—viz., in 1525, on
her eldest son, Richard, attaining his majority, he entered into an
agreement to pay to her “yearly during her life in the name of
her dower £31 6s. 8d. quarterly, at Castle Combe, and 40 couple
of conies, two kines lease, and going for one horse within the park
of Castle Combe aforesaid, one buck and doe in season to be taken
Manor and Ancient Barony of Castle Combe. 153
within the said park, yearly during her life, &c.” Apartments
were also assigned to her separate use in the manor-house.
Richard Scrope, Esquire, in 1525, obtained livery of the estates
of Castle Combe, Oxendon in Gloucestershire, and others. He
served the office of Sheriff of Wilts in 1546-7, and twice paid the
fine for his discharge from being made a knight of the Bath—one
_ of the base inventions for obtaining money to which the sovereigns
of that time had frequent recourse. Richard Scrope was thrice
married: first, to a daughter of Robert Amydas, goldsmith of
London, by whom he had one daughter, Elizabeth, who married
Martin Bowes, son of Sir Martin Bowes alderman of London;
secondly, in 1532, to Mary, daughter of William Ludlow of Hill
Deverell, Wilts, by whom he had three sons, two of whom died
young, and five daughters, who all married in the neighbourhood.
Upon his death in 1572, his only son, George, at that time twenty-
six years of age, obtained special livery of his estates, dated 3rd of
June, 1573, on payment of £63 to the use of the Queen (Eliza-
beth). He married Susannah, daughter of John Eyre, of Wood-
hampton, Wilts, by whom he had two sons and two daughters.
His eldest son, John, appears from the Court Rolls to have entered
into possession of the manors of Castle Combe and Oxendon a few
years before his father’s death—namely, in 1601, in pursuance of
articles of agreement whereby his father released the same to him, on
conditions; among others, of the payment of certain annuities to his
father, and sisters, and also finding the former “ meete, drinke, and
logynge, and one man for his necessarye attendance, and keepynge
a brace of geldings to his use.” ‘Also to pay all charges and ser-
vices due on the estates,” amongst which is enumerated those “ of a
light-horseman and of coat armoure.”
John Scrope, who on the death of his father, in 1604, was
twenty-eight years of age, married Jane, daughter of Henry
Brune, Esquire, of Athelhampton, Dorset, by whom he had a
numerous family of daughters, but only one son, John, who died
about six weeks before his father, in the year 1645, so fatal to
other loyalist families. John Scrope the younger, bore a captain’s
commission in Lord Pembroke’s regiment of militia, and as his
death occurred but seven days after the battle of Islip-bridge, in
154 Abridgement of the History of the
which that regiment was engaged, it seems probable that it was occa-
sioned by wounds received in that fight. His old father survived
but a few weeks. And John Aubrey, at that time a boy living in
the immediate neighbourhood, records in his loose memoranda,
other contemporary losses sustained by the estate—namely, the
destruction of its timber, “In 1645,” he says, “there were felled
on the hills in the park of Castle Combe many a gallant oak!”
These were perhaps cut down for the payment of fines imposed by
the Commonwealth Parliament. Their loss is felt still, for though
the sides of the hills are well wooded, the summit levels which
were included in the old Deer Park are wanting in the old timber
which usually characterises an estate held for many generations by
an ancient family.
John Scrope, the younger, was twice married: first, to Mary,
daughter of John Hungerford, Esquire, of Cadnam, who died in
giving birth to her first child, a daughter, in 1626. His second
wife was Helena, eldest daughter and coheiress of Sir Theobald
Gorges of Ashley, by Anne, daughter and heiress of Sir Henry
Poole of Ashley and Sapperton. Sir Theobald, however, bequeathed
his chief estate of Ashley, to his nephew, Richard Lord Gorges,
and it does not appear that his daughter Helena inherited more
than a chancery-suit for some dues of the Manor of Cirencester,
and the small estate of Clapcote, in the parish of Grittleton. This
lady bore her husband two sons, John and Gorges, the eldest of
whom was but two years old on the death of his father in 1645.
Shortly after which the widow remarried Thomas Jefferys, Esquire,
of Earl’s Croome, aud subsequently William Forster of Sheldon,
Esquire, in whose name, jointly with his wife Helena’s, the Courts
of Castle Combe were held during the long minority of the infant
heir. In 1664, this John Scrope (third of the name in succession)
sued out his livery and entered into possession of the estates of
Castle Combe and Oxendon. He had previously married Anna,
fourth daughter of his neighbour Charles Gore, Esquire, of Alder-
ton, sister to Thomas Gore of the same place, well-known as an
antiquary and writer on heraldry, of whom frequent mention is
made by his friend and brother antiquary John Aubrey. By this
marriage Mr. Scrope had a family of four sons and as many
Manor and Ancient Barony of Castle Combe. 155
daughters; most of whom, however, died young, and all unmarried,
except Charles, the second son, who indeed predeceased his father,
but left a son, Gorges, by his wife Agnes, daughter of Robert
Codrington, Esquire, which Gorges on the death of his grandfather
John, 1714, inherited the Manor of Castle Combe. Gorges Scrope
married in 1734, Mary, daughter of Emanuel Hobbs of Bath, and
dying ten years later, without issue, bequeathed the estate for life,
to his widow, who held it till her death in 1774, when it reverted
by force of the entail created in the will of her husband, to the
eldest surviving male heir of his grandfather, the Rev. John
Scrope, D.D., then Rector of Castle Combe, and Vicar of Kington
St. Michael’s, a scholar and author of some works on divinity.
This gentleman, dying in 1777 unmarried, was succeeded in both
the living and the estate by his brother, the Rev. Richard
Scrope, D.D., who was likewise favourably known for his literary
attainments, having been entrusted by the University of Oxford,
in which he held a fellowship of Magdalen and served the office of
Proctor, with the task of editing the Clarendon State Papers in
the Bodleian Library—a delicate business requiring firmness and
freedom from party bias no less than judgment and discrimination.
Dr. Scrope married in 1767, Anne, daughter of Edmund Lambert,
Esquire, of Boyton, by whom he had two sons, John, who died
young, and William, the late owner of Castle Combe (1851); and
one daughter, Harriett, married to Walsh Porter, Esquire, by
whom she had a family of several children.
William Scrope, who succeeded to the estate of Castle Combe on
the death of his father in 1787, inherited likewise a year or two
later considerable estates in Lincolnshire, which had been entailed
on him by the last male descendant of a distant collateral branch
of the line of the Scropes of Bolton. This gentleman, who died in
1851, was well known in the world as an accomplished artist and
sportsman, and as the writer of two popular volumes on deer-
stalking and salmon-fishing. In earlier days, before the close of
the last century, he was also known upon the turf, and kept for
some years a pack of harriers at Castle Combe, hunting the county
north of that place in conjunction with Mr. Parry Hodges of
Easton Grey. Mr. Serope married in 1794, Emma, daughter and
156 Abridgement of the History of the
heiress of Colonel Charles Long of Grittleton, only brother of Sir
James Long, Bart. of Draycote, by whom he had an only daughter,
Emma-Phipps, married in 1821, to George Poulett Thomson,
Esquire (who thereupon took the name and arms of Scrope in lieu
of Thomson by royal license) the present proprietor of Castle
Combe. It may be mentioned that Mr. Poulett Scrope was already
of Wiltshire blood, through his mother, who was daughter of
Dr. Jacob of the Close, Salisbury, father to the present John
Henry Jacob, Esquire, of that place. Moreover, by his grand-
mother, coheiress of the Pouletts of Gotehurst, co. Somerset, he
claims direct descent from Sir Amias Poulett, of Hinton St. George,
in that county, a privy councillor of Queen Elizabeth, and the
proprietor of large estates in Wiltshire ; as also from Poulett Duke
of Bolton, Lord of Edington and Erlestoke, in this county. It is
perhaps, worthy of remark, that this Bolton family, having (as
already mentioned) derived their principal estates from the Scropes
of Bolton, bore the name of Scrope in conjunction with that of
Poulett for several generations. And it may be noted as a further
coincidence that the first Earl of Wiltshire was a Scrope, Sir
William (created a.p. 13897), the last a Poulett, the present
Marquis of Winchester (created a.p. 1550).
Having thus traced the descent of the manor and estate of Castle
Combe down to its present owner, it may be remarked upon as a
rare instance of the long-continued possession of an estate by a
single family, the successive owners haying inherited it by direct
descent in the male line from the year 1372 to the present day
(a period of nearly five centuries) through only eleven genera-
tions, being an average of nearly 44 years to each.
The Church of Castle Combe was dedicated to St. Andrew. It
is situated near the centre of the lower town, between the old
market-place and the manor-house, and its handsome tower crowned
by four pinnacles and an elegant spire over the staircase turret,
appears to great advantage from every side, backed by the wooded
hills among which the village lies embosomed. The tower was
built in the first half of the fifteenth century, as appears from con-
temporary records, chiefly at the cost of the then wealthy clothiers
of the place, but partly from funds bequeathed by Sir John Fastolf
Manor and Ancient Barony of Castle Combe. 157
for such works in parishes of which he was the patron. It opens
internally towards the nave by a very lofty arch, exibiting a stone-
vaulted roof of handsome carved fan-tracery. The body of the
Church was in such a precarious state a few years back as to neces-
sitate its rebuilding in 1851. This was, however, done (chiefly at
the expense of Mr. Poulett Serope) in such a manner as to preserve
the chief features of the old building, the design and details of which
were exceedingly good, while considerable decoration has been added
in the walls, roof, pavement, open sittings, and stained-glass win-
dows. The result is a very satisfactory example of Church resto-
ration. The Chancel east window, a portion of probably the very
earliest church built upon
the spot, has been pre-
served with care. It was
found blocked up and en-
tirely concealed by masonry
on the inside, a vestry having
been built against it in
the fifteenth century on the
outside. It consists of a
deeply recessed pointed arch,
pierced with four narrow
lancet-lights, with a quatre-
foil opening above them,
and belongs evidently to a
“period previous to the use of
<< tracery, probably the twelfth
century. It is believed to
be almost of unique design,
since the lancet-lights of that age are usually grouped in twos,
threes, fives, or sevens, and no other example of four lights
is known to the writer. The effect, however, of this arrange-
ment is so good that it appears strange it should not have
been oftener employed. The arch which separates the nave
from the chancel is richly carved, containing three figures on
each side, in canopied niches. This likewise is a well-preserved
Y
EAST WINDOW OF CHURCH,
158 Abridgement of the History of the
remnant of the old building in the decorated style of the fourteenth
century.
Adjoining the Church, and in the centre of the village, at the
convergence of its three streets, stands the ancient Market-cross.)
It consists of a square stone pedestal raised on two steps, and
placed on an elevated stone platform having piers of the same
material at the angles, supporting a wooden-framed roof, pierced
by a stone shaft rising from the central pedestal, and capped by
an ornamental finial. The sides of the pedestal are elegantly
carved in sunk pannels, containing quatrefoil tracery with roses
and shields at the intersections. An old market-house (now pulled
down) formerly stood near the cross, resting on stout timber posts
and open below. The upper story served the purpose of a town-
hall, or church-house, and was used for the meetings and feasts of
the principal inhabitants, from which church-ale was in early times
occasionally distributed to the poor.
The Manor-house, an ancient gabled building, retains something
of its early character, varied however, by recent additions and
alterations. It does not appear to have been at any time of much
size or pretension.
An old Rectory-house in a most dilapidated condition, and which
had probably received no repairs since the Reformation, was pulled
down a few years since, and a new building erected on a better
site, for the purpose, by the Lord of the Manor.
The Court Rolls of the Manor of Castle Combe are preserved in
a very perfect state, from a very early period, and as they afford
some curious examples of ancient customs, and of the self-govern-
ment of a small rural community through several centuries, it is
proposed to make them the subject of another paper in a future
number of this Magazine. Extracts will also then be given from
the Rolls of the Knights’ Court (Curia Militum) of the Barony.
These will serve to throw some light upon the early history of
those numerous other Wiltshire manors which were held under it
by knight-service.
1 See the Vignette at head of this article.
Coal Mining Operations at Malmesbury. 159
ON SOME
Caul Mining Operations ot Malmesbury.
By Professor J. Buckman, F.L.S., F.G.S., &c.
The little Town of Malmesbury is well-known to the antiquary
for the remains of its once glorious abbey, its interesting market-
cross, and, if I recollect rightly, a cozy hostel, formed out of the
ruins of an old conventual building, besides other mediaeval re-
liques of great interest. Its inhabitants are a primitive race who
derive great satisfaction from a charter, and still better, from a large
piece of rich land bequeathed to them by King Athelstan. Now,
whether the king with his bequest gave the assurance that, by dig-
ging deep, those into whose hands the said land might fall would
realize great treasure, or whether some person in digging a well
suddenly came upon a black coaly-looking substance in the stratum
of clay, does not appear; but we incline to the latter opinion.
However this may be, certain it is, that about a century ago,
operations for coal-mining were commenced on Malmesbury Com-
mon; the timber of the estate was felled to pay the expenses of a
shaft that was sunk and, as report said, coal found. Indeed this
latter assertion had been verified over and over again, as young
natural philosophers (and they were very young in it) had from
time to time collected lumps of carbonaceous matter, black as coal,
and which on being brought to the unerring test of experiment—
the trial by fire—burnt like like coal; in short, were the true
“black diamond.”
Still with this evidence the mining had been abandoned after
the sinking of a shaft—and of some money. ‘This latter article,
by the way, was supposed to have been raised again by the wary
Y2
160 Coal Mining Operations at Malnesbury.
ones whom rumour asserted to have been bought over not to pro-
" secute the work any farther by the coal-masters of another district,
in order to prevent the competition which this new mine from its
contemplated riches must inevitably produce. Now as this opinion
still prevailed, it was not long since deemed advisable to re-
investigate the matter, but this time it was determined that such
investigation should be intrusted to a geologist, and as such I was
requested to undertake the inquiry.
Having therefore gone to this most interesting district to pro-
secute my mission, I was soon in communication with some intel-
ligent gentlemen who represented the estate, when the evidence
connected with the opening of the shaft was laid before me. About
two pounds weight of the previously-mentioned black substance
brought from the shaft, was submitted for inspection. This black
matter of course proved to be lignite or carbonized wood, thin de-
posits of which will be found in most thick clay deposits, and very
frequent in this which is the Oxford clay. Such appearances,
however, have frequently led to fruitless mining experiments, the
usual argument for which is, “here is a good burning coal got a
few feet from the surface; it is true it is but a thin seam, but how
much thicker will it become the deeper we descend.”
In addition to this evidence a bill of sale of some land in the
district, on which was a statement that the mining rights were to
be reserved, was put into my hands; but it came out that the
property in question was crown-land in which such reservation is
always made.
Evidence of this character was perfectly valueless, and as it re-
solved itself entirely into a geological investigation, I shall now
describe the geological facts of the case.
On going to the site of the old shaft, I soon found that it had
been commenced in the Oxford clay formation, and from examining
the exposed debris of the shaft, I became convinced that the open-
ing of nearly one hundred yards in depth as stated by my guide,
had not pierced through the Oxford clay bed.
Here, then, the question of obtaining coal on this spot was at
once set at rest, inasmuch as we should have many thick form-
By Professor J. Buckman, FL.S., F.G.S. 161
ations to penetrate before arriving at the usual position of coal-
bearing beds. There would be in descending order, as follows :—
1st.
2nd.
3rd.
4th.
5th.
6th.
7th.
8th.
Th
ce")
The Oxford clay with its basement of Kelloway rock.
Cornbrash.
Forest marble.
The Great Oolite beds.
The Fullers’ earth.
The Inferior Oolite beds.
The Lias formation.
New Red Sandstone group.
aggregate thickness of which would not fall far short of
3,000 yards. Here, then, it became evident that it would be rash
in the extreme to recommend any operations in search of coal, as
even if it were proved to exist below the formations cited it would
be far beyond a mining depth, and besides we are quite without
evidence of its quantity or value. In this case it will be seen that
although geological evidence was not sought until after much
money had been expended in what is called a practical way, yet
that a first inquiry by the geologist would have settled the matter;
and that, without the slightest recourse to mining operations and
their concomitant heavy expenses.
162 On the Ornithology of Wiits.
On the Ornithology of Wilts.
No. 4—ON THE BEAKS OF BIRDS.
THERE is nothing in the whole structure of a bird which appears
to me to be so perfect, so suitable for the end for which it was
formed, so interesting and worthy of close examination, as “ the
beak ;” I have cursorily alluded to it in a former paper; I propose
now to let it form the subject of the present, that we may devote
some time to a thorough examination of this very useful organ.
Every bird is furnished with a beak, composed of two parts, the
upper and lower mandible, formed of horny substances ensheathing
the jaws; it is analogous to the lips and teeth of quadrupeds; it is
(as I before stated) seldom employed in mastication ; and its chief
employment is in taking the food on which the bird subsists ; but
as the nature of that food varies so much, according to the habits
of the different species, so does this organ vary extremely in form
as well as in size, and so presents one of the most distinguishing
features for ascertaining the proper position in classification which
the bird is entitled to hold: indeed if we examine the beak alone,
this is quite sufficient to indicate at a glance the order and tribe at
least, if not the family and even genus, to which the specimen
belongs. But now, however varied in form, in size, in consistency,
and in capabilities they may be; however diverse in appearance,
however perfect or imperfect, proportionate or disproportionate,
graceful or ugly, they may seem; if we examine with attention the
uses for which they were respectively formed, and to which they
are daily applied, we shall see that they all unite in partaking of
this one common attribute, that they are all (each in its separate
capacity) the very best instruments that could be devised for accom-
By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 1638
plishing their several ends, and that nothing can be conceived
more appropriate for attaining their peculiar objects. Differ
indeed they do in appearance from one another, various indeed are
their powers, but varied too is the work for which they were
formed. Should we provide ourselves with the same instrument if
we went forth to procure game, as to reap corn? Should we arm
ourselves in the same manner if we wanted to catch fish and to
gather fruits? The absurdity of such a thing is apparent: and
just so it is with the beaks of birds; they are the tools or instru-
ments provided for them by the All-wise and Bountiful Creator,
the very best tools for their respective wants, and which have
often guided the mechanic to the precise form of the implement
best suited to his purpose.
We shall do well first to examine the beak as peculiar to the
several orders and tribes.
Now the Birds of Prey live entirely on animal food; when they
have pounced on their victim on the ground, or struck down some
hapless bird on the wing (with the foot though, be it remembered,
and not at all with the beak, as it is so often erroneously supposed)
the beak is wanted for tearing apart and seizing piecemeal the
prey. To this end what can be more adapted than the strong,
short, hooked beak, which is one of the characteristics of this whole
order ; it is of nearly equal breadth and height at the base, mode-
rately compressed, or flattened sideways, towards the end; and is
furnished with a remarkable tooth-like projection in the upper
mandible, the tip being curved downwards, three-cornered and
very sharp. With this powerful instrument the vulture can unrip
the carcase of the fallen and putrid animal; the eagle and falcon
can tear in pieces the hare or fawn; the osprey, the fish; the hawk,
the small birds; the owl, the mouse; and nothing can be conceived
more applicable for such work.
The Perching Birds come next, and their habits being more
peaceful and quiet, and their food being of a different nature, we
shall find here no need of the powerful hook which we have seen
to be so useful to the Raptorial order. And yet as the perchers
include an immense number of families whose habits are exceed-
164 On the Ornithology of Wiits.
ingly various, and whose food is very diverse, it is clear that the
beak which would be most suitable for one would be wholly in-
appropriate to the other; on that account we shall find the beaks
of this order varying from one another very much.
I have already observed in a former paper, that the first tribe
takes its name “ Dentirostres,” from the tooth or notch near the
extremity of the mandibles; now the members of this tribe live
almost entirely, or at any rate chiefly on insects, worms, and such-
like food; we may see them hawking in the air, searching in the
grass, looking keenly under leaves and seizing them the instant
they appear: for this purpose no strong beak is necessary, but as
the living prey which they seize struggles violently to escape,
what can be more suited for a firm hold than the soft beak fur-
nished with a tooth such as I have described above, and which
belongs to this tribe? Moreover, the accurate Selby has observed
that “the bill too is generally lengthened, so as to defend the face
from the struggles of their prey, which is always taken by the aid
of this member, or where it is short and broad, the base is furnished
with stiff, projecting bristles, or having feathers that answer the
same purpose of defence” (Selby, vol. i. 138). With this notched
beak the shrikes find no difficulty in seizing their prey; the fly-
catchers can hold the insects they have caught; the thrushes can
retain the worm which they have drawn out of the turf; the war-
blers, the titmice, the wagtails, and the pipits can take their insect
food. without chance of its escape.
The second tribe of this order also derives its name ‘“ Conirostres”
(conical-beaked), from the formation of the beak of all those fami-
lies which compose it. Instead of the tooth which characterized
the last tribe, here we have no tooth, but a short, straight, conical
beak, about as broad as high at the base, compressed towards the
end, and acute. Birds of this division live chiefly on grain and
seeds of different kinds; the nature of which food is generally hard,
and requires a strong bill to take it; the soft beak of the former
tribe could never endure the work that has to be done by these
powerful little fellows; sometimes they break down the hardest
seeds, sometimes they even crack the stones of different kinds of
By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 165
fruits, in order to procure the kernels inside: for such work, and
for pulling seeds from husks, and grain from pods, can we conceive
anything more appropriate than the conical form of these strong yet
short pointed beaks? With these the larks and buntings can
thrive in the stubble; the finches can gain a supply of the seeds of
a thousand plants; the starlings and the whole family of crows
can support themselves with grain, when other food cannot be
found for these insatiable and omnivorous birds.
We come now to the third order of perchers, the “Scansores”
(climbers). These do not derive their title from the form of their
beak, but we shall find it not the less remarkable, or peculiarly
adapted to their habits. The nature of these birds is to climb
about trees, buildings, and other places, grasping firmly with their
peculiar feet, supporting themselves with their bristly tails, thrust-
ing their beaks under and into the bark, into the fissures and rotten
wood of decayed timber, and such places, in search of their insect
food. Now to this end, what can be more adapted than the form
of their beak, long, conical, angular, and wedge-shaped at the
point; and in addition to this some families are furnished with
very long tongues, capable of great extension, armed with a horny
point, and copiously supplied with a tenacious mucus, wherewith
they transfix and convey to their mouths such insects and larvz as
they have discovered. Sometimes in their ascent they tap the
trees with their beaks to induce the insects to come out, and to test
the soundness or hollowness of the wood; their instinct always
telling them where their food is likely to be found. At other
times we may hear them from a considerable distance hammering
and digging at the tough bark, or see them scattering the chips on
all sides by their repeated strokes, as they are busy in dislodging
their concealed prey ; others again may be seen peering and prying
into every cavity, probing every fissure with their sharp, curved
bill, leaving no crevice or fissure untried. For all these pur-
poses with how admirable an instrument are they provided! how
exactly suited to their wants! with this the woodpeckers can
remove the bark till they can reach their victims, the nuthatches
can split open the nuts which they have previously fixed in
Z
166 On the Ornithology of Wiits.
some crevice; the little creeper can pick out his insect prey from
the bark.
The fourth and last tribe of perchers again derives its name
“ Fissirostres” (wide billed) from the formation of the beak. The
members of this division like the last are almost wholly insecti-
vorous; but unlike them, they feed more or less on the wing;
many of this tribe are remarkable for their wonderful power of
flight, soaring high in the air, skimming over the water, and
darting here and there the livelong day with the most rapid evolu-
tions imaginable. As they feed so much on the wing, we find
them provided with a very short beak, much depressed, as if flat-
tened downwards, and of a triangular form; the tip sharp and
furnished with a slender notch; but their width of gape is very
great, enabling them more readily to seize their prey, as they shoot
through the air, and the edges of the upper mandible are armed
with a row of bristles of immense assistance to them when feeding
on the wing, by increasing the means of capture with the mouth.
The swallows, the nightjars, and the bee-eaters, are examples of
this peculiarity, and of the absence of much beak, where so little is
required.
We have now reached the third order, “ Rasores,” which live upon
grain and various kinds of seeds and berries. This forms their
principal food, though occasionally they will devour insects and
sometimes buds and green leaves; and therefore we shall be pre-
pared to see, though not so strongly exemplified, the short, strong
bill adapted to the hard nature of their customary diet; the upper
mandible is often considerably arched, the edges overhanging and
the tip blunt. Birds of this order, however, do not always possess
a bill capable of very great exertion: in some cases, as in the
pigeons, it is rather slender and weak; in all the other families it
is stronger; but yet perhaps taken alone it seems scarcely so well
adapted as the preceding ones to the grain-eating habits of the
bird; but if we push our inquiries farther, we shall find these
ground birds furnished with a peculiar repository for their food,
whither it is conveyed whole by the beak; this repository is called
the crop, it is globular, and is nothing more than an enlargement
By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 167
of the “esophagus,” or gullet, lying when distended equally on
both sides of the neck. As then the ground birds are furnished with
this peculiar crop, to which the food is conveyed, it is clear that
the beak belonging to this division, is amply sufficient for the
purpose to which it is applied, and greater strength and solidity
would be superfluous.
The next order, “Grallatores,” the waders, commencing the
water birds, procures its food chiefly from the water, and this food
is partly animal, but also in a great measure vegetable; the cus-
tomary haunts of the members of this order are marshes and
swamps, the banks of rivers and lakes, or the seashore; they are
usually provided with long legs, enabling them to wade into the
mud and water in search of food; they are at the same time
furnished with long necks, by which they are able to reach
such food as they have found. Suited to this habit is their
bill, whose general characteristic is long and slender, but as
the different families of this order obtain their food by various
means, so their beaks differ to a certain degree; some are
straight and sharp-pointed, acting as a spear to transfix their
prey, as in the family of herons; some are curiously arched,
rounded throughout the whole length, as in the curlews; others are
rounded at the point, and provided with most sensitive nerves,
enabling them to discover and seize their prey, when thrust
into the soft mud, as in the snipes—all have the same admi-
rable facility and adaptation for searching and procuring food
in wet and swampy spots, which is the especial habitat of the
whole order of waders.
We come now to the last order, “ Natatores,” the swimmers,
whose name bespeaks them as denizens of the ocean and lake.
Remarkable for their facilities of swimming and diving, and for
their powers of submergence often for a considerable time, many
families of this order procure their food entirely in the water: for
this purpose the beaks of some are armed with sharp hooks or
teeth, as in the mergansers; some are straight, sharp, and com-
pressed, as in the divers, auks, and gulls; others again which
rarely dive, and in diet are graminivorous as well as granivorous,
z2
168 On the Ornithology of Wilts.
are furnished with very broad and much depressed mandibles ; all
are peculiarly formed for holding securely their food, which is
frequently of a slimy and slippery nature.
We have now run rapidly through the several orders and tribes,
paying attention to the general formation of the beak in each, and
have seen how strong a resemblance usually pervades all the fami-
lies contained in them: we cannot fail to have observed at the
same time how admirable in every case was the construction for
attaining the desired end. There are still some particular species,
which exhibit so remarkable a peculiarity in this organ that I am
unwilling to pass them by.
One of the most curious is the Crossbill, a bird familiar to most
persons, as it occasionally though not periodically visits us in con-
siderable numbers ; its name at once points out what some persons
(and those naturalists of eminence, including the zealous but often
inaccurate Buffon) have been pleased to call its natural defect, but
which is now pretty generally considered a most admirable pro-
vision of nature: these birds inhabit extensive forests of pines and
firs, the seeds of which form their chief food, but to arrive at these
a peculiar instrument is necessary. To this end the mandibles
(which in young birds in the nest are of the ordinary form) become
elongated and cross one another at the tip to a considerable degree :
in some specimens the upper mandible is curved to the right, the
lower to the left; in others this order is reversed; in either case,
by means of these beaks, and by the lateral motion of the mandibles
(which is peculiar to the crossbills alone of all birds), they are
enabled by insinuating the points between the scales of the pine
cones, and by the powerful lever they possess in their singular bill,
to wrench open the scales without difficulty, and so obtain the fruit.
With this strange instrument they are no less adept at splitting
apples and pears for the sake of the enclosed pips. It may readily
be conceived that to work so strong a bill, the muscles attached
to it must also be of proportionate power and size, and these are
the cause of the large, heavy, and somewhat awkward appearance
which the head presents.
Another bird remarkable for its peculiar beak is the Avocet; this
By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 169
is a water bird, one of the waders and belonging to the family of
snipes; its haunts are the sea-shore, and its food consists of worms
and aquatic insects which it procures from the soft mud and sand,
for which it often wades to a considerable depth; for obtaining
these it is furnished with a beak most appropriate though very
singular in form; it is very long, very slender, thin, considerably
curved upwards, and especially towards the tip, very flexible and
pointed, and looks exactly like a thin piece of whalebone; and its
mode of feeding is by scooping the soft oozy mud with the flat and
upturned beak: from this singular construction the avocet which
was once common on our shores, received the provincial names of
“ Scooper !” and “ Cobler’s Awl Duck !” though now alas! it is very
seldom met with at all. Bewick says that the places where it has
been feeding may be recognized by the semicircular marks left in
the mud or sand by their bills in scooping out the food.
The Turnstone is another singular bird, of the same order as the
last, but very different in habits; instead of the soft muddy sands
frequented by the Scolopacide, these birds delight in the rocky and
gravelly shores of the ocean; here they procure their food consist-
ing of marine insects, molluscee and crustace, by turning over the
stones with their beak, to get at the food lurking beneath them ;
from which practice they derive their name: perhaps it would be
impossible to conceive an instrument more beautifully adapted for
this purpose, being strong, very hard, quite straight, and drawn to
a fine point, and forming altogether a very powerful lever.
Again, the Spoonbill as its name implies, presents a remark-
able formation of beak; this is also a wader, and a member of the
family of herons; its haunts are chiefly pools of water on the sea-
shore, and its food consists of small fishes, aquatic insects, sand
hoppers, &e. To obtain these, and when caught, to hold them fast,
the adult spoonbill is armed with a beak, very long, broad, and
thick at the base; thin and very much flattened towards the extre-
mity, where it is rounded and shaped like a spoon or spatula.
As a farther means of enabling it to hold its slippery prey, the
inside of this weapon is studded with small, hard tubercles, and is
rough like a file. Bewick adds that the beak flaps together not
170 On the Ornithology of Wiits.
unlike two pieces of leather. It is curious that in the young birds
(which do not come to maturity and assume the adult plumage till
the third year) the beak is soft and flexible, not so large as, and
without the roughness so conspicuous in, the adults.
Another and very remarkable peculiarity in the same organ is
presented by the Shoveller, or as it is provincially styled, the
“ Broad-bill.” This duck feeds chiefly in shallow water, or marshes,
lakes, rivers, and muddy shores; its food consists of grasses, and
decayed vegetable matter as well as worms and insects, to detect
and separate which from the mud and the water in which they are
contained, the beak is singularly adapted; in shape this instrument
is long, broad, depressed, the tip rounded like a spoon, and termi-
nated by a small hooked nail; internally the mandibles are
furnished with rows of thin, comb-like bristles; these seem to be
very susceptible of feeling, and enable the bird to select the nutri-
tious and reject the useless food, whilst this beautiful instrument,
forming with the tongue a perfect sieve or strainer, retains only
what is fit for sustenance. It was commonly supposed by natu-
ralists that the beak of the young of this species when first hatched
was dilated like that of the adult bird, and was therefore as broad
as the body, and quite out of proportion to the size of the duck-
ling: farther investigation has, however, proved this to be erro-
neous; and as the young of the crossbill and the spoonbill described
above, so the young of the shoveller when first hatched, presents
no peculiarity in the beak.
There are several other birds presenting very singular beaks, and
each exactly suited to the habits of its owner, but to describe which
at length would extend this paper too much. That of the wood-
cock and snipe, to which I have slightly alluded above deserves
close attention, as being most delicate and beautiful; it is extremely
long, the point of it dimpled, soft, spongy, and cellular; and
exhibits great sensibility ; it is repeatedly thrust up to the base in
the soft mud by the sides of springs or in water-meadows, and so
susceptible is it of the finest feeling that this sensitive organ can
detect the prey of which it is in search the instant it comes in
contact with it, though it is necessarily out of sight.
By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 171
The “ Hawfinch” on the other hand, which lives upon the seeds.
of the hornbeam and the kernels of haws and stone-fruits, is armed
with a massive and horny beak, capable of cracking the strongest
shells, and of inflicting a severe bite, as I once experienced, by
offering my boot to a specimen which I had wounded; and it was
astonishing with what pertinacity the powerful little fellow held
on, and again and again returned to the charge.
The handsome but rarely seen Hoopoe stalks about in moist
places, with his head erect and his long, curved beak, searching for
worms and insects—just as Ovid described him so many centuries
ago:—
‘* Prominet immodicum pro longa cuspide rostrum.”
The Puffin with his singular and gaudy-coloured, but powerful
and sharp-edged bill, burrows out deep holes in which it breeds.
The Oyster-catcher with his straight, long, wedge-shaped bill, is
enabled to wrench open the oysters, muscles, and shell-fish, which
form his food; to detach them from the rocks to which they adhere,
and to scoop them out of their shells.
The Cormorant with his long straight powerfully hooked bill can
kill its finny prey by the squeeze it is enabled to give.
The Petre/s with their compact and hooked bills can break the
skin of the floating whale, and gorge themselves with blubber to
repletion.
Such are some of the many forms of beak displayed by the
British birds. From this we can judge (as Yarrell remarks) what
“singular modifications of this organ nature sometimes exhibits, as
if fo show the many diversities. of form which can be rendered
applicable to one purpose.” Man, with all his boasted mechanical
skill, would fail to contrive implements so perfectly adapted to the
end for which they were devised; some fitted to tear in pieces the
yet warm and quivering bodies of the recently killed prey; others
to rip up and consume the putrid carcase, some fitted for devouring
insects and worms, some for breaking up hard seeds and grain;
these massive hard and tough, formed for strong and laborious
work; these slender, light, and pliant, suited to the gentle uses to
which they are applied: some adapted for securing and holding a
172 On the Ornithology of Wilts.
slippery prey, others supplied with organs for discovering that prey
when out of sight. There are many other instances of this varied
form and varied appliance, but we need no more to prove their
diversity, their excellence, their perfection.
Before I conclude this paper, I will just call attention to the ex-
traordinary superstition entertained in this country, and especially
in Scotland, not many years since in regard to long beaks. One
cannot very clearly see the connection between a long beak and a
goblin, nor is it easy to say whence such an idea could have arisen;
yet such was the common belief, and without attempting to give
any reason, every body knew well enough that a long beak por-
tended no good. Sir Walter Scott alludes to this; and Yarrell
tells us that the Highlander will pray to be preserved from “witches,
warlocks (or wizzards), and aw lang-nebbed things”; but this super-
stition is not peculiar to Great Britain, for to this day, many of
the birds exposed for sale in the markets at St. Petersburg and
elsewhere are first deprived of their beaks, and thus some of the
rarest specimens are irremediably mutilated.
These and many other equally absurd fictions relating to birds
it is the part of the ornithologist to overthrow; to do which we
have but to bid men look into the page of nature, and the more we
read it, the more truly shall we learn to appreciate the wonderful
works of God.
ALFRED CHARLES SMITH.
Yatesbury Rectory, April, 1855.
The Hertford Correspondence. 173
Che Wertturd Correspondence.
(Concluded from Vol. I., page 232.)
Amone the following documents will be found two lists, both
possessing some interest for the Wiltshire genealogist, the first
being a schedule drawn up by four gentlemen resident in the
county, of the amounts which they considered their neighbours
were capable of lending to the king; the second being a list of
the sums actually advanced. An examination of this latter list
suggests sundry remarks. Some of the most opulent names in the
county do not appear in it. We look in vain for the contribution
of a Baskerville, or an Arundel; for Cottington, Gorges, Grove,
Sadler, Seymour, Webb, Audley, Estcourt, Englefield, Stump,
Herbert, Chafyn, Penruddock, Ley, Weld, Stourton, Thynne,
Norborne, or Smythe, with many others. But the simple mention
of these names suggests a partial solution. Though not all Roman
Catholics, yet they include the most powerful of that class in the
county, and King James was perhaps afraid of irritating them.
The Romanist profession was, for the time, in the eyes of the nation,
a declining and unpopular cause, and while the king so far yielded
to the general prejudice as to enforce with rigour the laws against
“recusants,” he probably felt that, beyond this outward demon-
stration, it was unnecessary, perhaps unsafe to go. It may also be
remarked that in this list we are not to look for the names of dis-
tinguished burgesses or citizens, for such communities were charged
separately ; and as the gentry of those days (such as Seymour of
Marlborough, Smyth of Bedwin, and several of Salisbury) did not
disdain to live in towns, this circumstance may explain the absence
of some names of eminence who would otherwise have figured as
dwellers in country-seats. The principal feature distinguishing
2A
174 The Hertford Correspondence.
these levies from ordinary taxes seems to have been that, bearing
the name of “Loans,” they could not be enforced by distress.
Mr. Matcham in his interesting account of the Eyre family (Hist.
of Frustfield Hund.) recites the form of an application of this
nature, made in 1625, to Giles Eyre of Brickworth, Esq., for the
sum of £10; and from the absence of any endorsement by way of
receipt, Mr. Matcham thinks it probable that payment was actually
refused by that resolute Anti-Stuart; though such a mode of defy-
ing the tax-gatherer, even when that functionary approached in
the attitude of a borrower, must at all times have been fraught
with peril. That it was so in Mr. Eyre’s case, his subsequent
history abundantly showed.
Returning to the subject of the present letters; they seem to
contain evidence that Lord Hertford’s principal confidence was
placed in Sir William Eyre. This distinguished individual who
represented an older branch of the family than the Eyres of South
Wilts, lived at Great Chalfield, near Bradford, where his mansion,
though in a mutilated condition, may still be seen and admired.
He was Sheriff of Wilts, in 1591, and Knight of the Shire in 1597.
He was father of Robert Eyre, a Commissioner for King Charles,
and grandfather of Colonel William Eyre, an officer serving the
Parliament.
LETTER XII.
The Earl of Hertford to Sir James Mervin concerning Sir Thomas
Thynne’s refusal to be Colonel.
I received this day fortnight by my cousin Sir Thomas Gorges, a strange
message which he told me was from you, in the behalf of your son-in-law, Sir
Thomas Thynne—namely, that he neither intended nor would perform the
service as colonel now at the musters, which (at your desire first, and for his
better countenance, and better enabling to serve his Majesty hereafter) I laid
upon him, I marvel that your years and gravity could not divert him from so
peremptory and undutiful a resolution, which, before myself, Sir Thomas Gorges,
yourself, and Sir William Eyres, deputy lieutenants, with other justices of the
peace, he feared not to ayer, with many idle words used at the same time:
The Hertford Correspondence. 175
which I was the better pleased to bear with, because I hoped that he would
long before this have come, and, before me and the rest of you, have confessed
his fault. But since he hath not so done, let him understand that for the
King’s service I bid him not fail to send his lieutenant with his company to the
musters, which shortly do begin as you know. And albeit he be sheriff, which
was one of his pretended excuses, besides his poverty which he alleged, let him
not fail to send, unless he mean to provoke me to lay open his said wilful peremp-
tory refusal. I would be sorry so to do, knowing he is not able to answer so
high a contempt. I discharged Alexander Stanter [of Mere ?] last year from
being a captain, whom I understand you have now sent unto, without my
privity. I have sent my letter to Mr. John Hartgill [of Warminster ?] to take
the place. And thus with my loving commendations to yourself, I leave you
PS hates ies From my house at Easton, 18 Sep., 1608. Your loving friend,
HERTFORD.
Sent from Easton,
Sunday, the 18th.
LETTER XIII.
Lord Hertford to the Deputy Lieutenants concerning the Planting of
Mulberry Trees and increase of Silkworms.
I have received his Majesty’s letters of privy signet, the true copy whereof I
haye herewith sent, whereby it seemeth that his Majesty hath, for the benefit of
the commonwealth, an earnest desire to establish a course for the breeding and
maintaining of silkworms, which is expressed to be by setting and planting of
mulberry trees. I need not use any exhortation or persuasion unto you to be
careful for the putting in execution of these his Majesty’s directions, but do
only refer you to the contents of the said letter of privy signet, not doubting but
you will be ready and diligent, as well to advise others, as to give such example
touching the service as is wished in the said letter. From Hertford House, in
Cannon Row, in Westminster, this 20 November, 1608. Your loving friend,
HERTFORD.
LETTER XIV.
The Deputy Lieutenants to Lord Hertford desiring the Muster to
be delayed.
. May it please your lordship: your lordship’s letter of the 28th of May,
touching the martial business, came to the hands of Sir Thomas Gorges, being
at Bath and not well, on the 9th of June last. And since then we assembled at
Pe op)
176 The Hertford Correspondence.
Amesbury, on the 26th of June, and having well-considered amongst most of
us, according to our best discretion, touching the fitness of the time for the
most ease of the country (the which we presume your lordship most of all
desires:) and we find in many respects—as first, the horse will be at soil, being
part of the service; the corn harvest is thought to be ready before hay harvest
will be ended; the King’s Majesty is certain to come hither; the assizes and
sessions will be about that time ; and many other causes which we think worthy
your acceptance for reference, which we could declare unto your lordship but
for being too tedious; that the fittest time for performance of this business is,
in our opinions, to be between Bartholomewtide and Michaelmas. And under-
standing that your lordship will be at Amesbury very shortly, we purpose to
attend your lordship for your further pleasure about this service. In the mean-
time we humbly desire your lordship to accept of this our allegiance and excuse.
And so we humbly take our leave. Amesbury, this 26th of June, 1609. Your
lordship’s ever to be commanded,
THOMAS GORGES.
WALTER LONG.
Brought to Eltham, by Sir Thomas WILLIAM EYRE.
Gorges’ lackey, Harry Cramp.
LETTER XV.
John Hungerford of Cadenham to the Earl of Hertford, desiring to
be released of the Colonelship charged upon him.
Right honourable and my very good lord :—Haying taken knowledge by your
lordship’s letter, of your intention to promote me to the office of a colonel within
this county, in the place and stead of Sir Henry Baynton, Knight, I hope it
shall not be unpleasant unto your lordship to understand from me such unfit-
nesses as I can allege for myself:—as first, that the office of a colonel was never
placed upon any man, during my remembrance, under the degree of a Knight,
which I am not, nor, in mine own opinion, worthy to be:—secondly, that the
greatest, men of livings within the county have always possessed the colonelships,
a limb of which men I can scarce reckon myself, for living :—and thirdly, my
different course of life and bringing up, haying never given or bent myself to
any study or knowledge in military matters:—and lastly, some accidental
infirmity and unfitness of body, being lame of a leg broken and shivered not
many years since with a horse, which upon change of weather troubleth me
much and maketh me very unfit for travail. I could further allege a great
charge of nine children lying upon me; and my small living, which doth and
will require my best and utmost means in employing my time and my ability
both, in providing for them, and force me to avoid as much as I can all extra-
The Hertford Correspondence. 177
ordinary expense and charge. All which being well weighed and considered
by your lordship, I hope you will be pleased, (upon my humble desire) to bethink
yourself upon some other man to bestow the same place upon. I would have
waited upon your lordship myself to have informed you thus much, but my wife
hath newly been delivered of a child, and been very ill since; so that I dare
not depart from her too soon. In respect whereof I hope your lordship will
interpret the better of my writing. And so leaving myself and my excuses to
your honourable consideration, I humbly take my leave. Cadenham, this 4th
of September, 1610. Your honour’s in all observance,
JOHN HUNGERFORD.
Received at Amesbury, by Charles Gorslett, servant to
Mr. Hungerford. His lordship’s answer was by word
of mouth to his said servant, ‘‘That he was not to
fail to attend this service presently, because the king
was to be served. But if he could hereafter find a
more sufficient man than himself to supply his place,
his lordship might then perhaps be moyed to harken
to his desire.”
[Then follows an order issued during the same month by the
Earl of Hertford, directing the deputy-lieutenants to inspect the
various regiments throughout the county and see them trained by
their colonels and muster-masters, taking them in the following
rotation. The regiment of Sir Edward Penruddocke, to be viewed
at Sarum, on the 10th, 11th, and 12th of September. That of
Sir Thomas Thynne, at Warminster, on the 13th, 14th, and 15th.
That of John Hungerford, at Chippenham, on the 17th, 18th, and
19th. That of Sir John St. John, at Marlborough, on the three
following days. The light horse under Henry Mervin, Esq., at
Sarum, on the 11th. The light horse under the charge of Sir
George Ivie, at Chippenham, on the 18th and 19th. Sir Thomas
Snell’s Demi-lances, at Marlborough, on the 21st and 22nd].
LETTER XVI.
Lord Hertford to the Deputy Lieutenants, for viewing the defaults.
After my very hearty commendations:—Whereas you received my letters for
the mustering and training all the forces within the County of Wilts both horse
-and foot, in which service I understand and perceive that you have used much
diligence and endeavoured the best courses for perfecting thereof (it always
hitherto being uncertain); only there was forgotten to be precepted, for that
178 The Hertford Correspondence.
time, the troop of horse lately under the conduct of Sir Walter Vaughan, Knight;
and the store of powder and shot which ought to be in divers places of this
county laid up for a necessary provision, unviewed. Notwithstanding this your
great care (for the which I give you many thanks) and although it was much
better than in former times, yet many were absent both of horse and foot: and
of those that did appear, the greater part have not paid the muster-master his
small entertainment, a rate being allowed by yourselves with the accordance of
the most part of the justices within the county. Therefore, both for the refor-
mation of these neglects and for the advancement and future furtherance of this
martial service, and also to avoid the suspect [suspicion] of the vulgar of any
remissness of those that neglected their appearance, which they are apt to
conceive, I pray and require you to precept [warn] those horses which were now
omitted, that they may appear at some convenient time as you may think most
fit; and also those absent and deficient be at the same time called, you not
forgetting to take especial care of those which are to be newly raised to arms,
to make the regiment of Sir Edward Penruddocke complete 600, a copy of whose
names I have here enclosed sent you, as they were presented unto me, that they
be sufficiently provided; so as you make certificate of this your proceeding unto
me before Christmas next, that in the term following I may make, according to
my former use in these cases, acknowledgement to the lords of his majesty’s
most honourable council. For any contempt or slackness in these services I
hope you will order and see due punishment inflicted upon them, according to
their natures and deserts, or return their names unto me, that the lords of the
council may be informed thereof. And so referring the premises to your own
care and consideration, craving your diligence and willing performance therein,
I bid you very heartily farewell. Amesbury, this 2nd day of October, 1610.
Your very loving friend.
HERTFORD.
Postscript.—I pray you to be careful of the premises, and the rather because
I am now going to attend upon the service of the parliament.
LETTER XVII.
Sir William Eyre and Sir Henry Baynton to his Lordship, in answer.
Right Honourable:—Our duties remembered :—According to your lordship’s
letters of the 14th February last! we have sent our precepts for the warning of all
the absents and deficients in the regiment of John Hungerford, Esq., to appear
before us at Chippenham, the 14th of this month; and the absents and deficients
1 Although, in the original packet, the letter here numbered XVII. follows letter XVI. and seems
in answer to it, yet the dates of the two indicate a large interval of time. Perhaps letter XVI. was
not sent till February.
The Hertford Correspondence. 179
in the regiment of Sir John St. John to appear before us at Marlborough, on the
18th of the same month. But we are in some doubt that the constables cannot
take notice of every particular man’s absence, nor of the insufficiencies of their
arms without some note of them out of the muster-books, which, in our opinions,
to have been sent with the precepts would have furthered this service much more
than the books will do, at the days that we have appointed to view them;
especially for the muster-master’s entertainment, which, on our part, hath not
been forgotten. And concerning the negligence and carelessness mentioned in
your lordship’s said letter, we are very willing to excuse ourselves and as unwil-
ling to accuse any, but must leave the same to your honourable consideration
when your lordship shall understand the true cause thereof. Of the Lances under
the charge of Sir Thomas Snell, many were absent, and some of the horse under
the charge of Sir George Ivie;. and if it shall please your lordship to have those
viewed also, before the next muster, then we humbly desire that your lordship
will be pleased that we may appoint one day in the Easter week for the horse.
And so resting ready to our uttermost to perform what it shall please your
lordship to command, we humbly take our leave. From Chippenham, this 4th
of March, 1611. Your honour’s at commandment;
WILLIAM EYRE.
HENRY BAYNTON,.
LETTER XVIII.
Sir Giles Wroughton and Sir Walter Vaughan to the Eari of
Hertford, concerning the Defaults of the preceding Year.
Right Honourable and our very good lord:—We have, according to your
lordship’s letter, caused the light horse under Mr. Henry Mervin’s conduct to
be precepted ; as also the new improved arms; the absents and deficients of the
Earl of Pembroke’s division and the view thereof, to be taken at Sarum the
20th of this instant March. We did also endeavour the like for Sir James
Mervin’s division, but Sir James’s clerk being absent at the last muster, and
the notes of the absents and deficients remaining with the muster-master, we
could not by reason thereof proceed in that service. We received your lord-
ship’s letter by Sir Henry Baynton’s man, by whom we have given Sir William
Eyre and Sir Henry Baynton to understand what we intended for the expediting
this service in the division of the Earl of Pembroke and Sir John Mervin,
hoping they would have regard to see the service effected in the other divisions.
Thus commending your lordship to the ............ We rest ever, your lord-
ship’s to be commanded. From Sarum, the 4th of March, 1611.
GILES WROUGHTON.
WALTER VAUGHAN.
180 The Hertford Correspondence.
LETTER XIX.
The Deputy Lieutenants to the Earl of Hertford offering divers
Reasons for deferring the Muster.
Right Honourable :—Our duty remembered. Having received your lordship’s
letters of the 18th of April, with directions enclosed, for a general muster to be
taken before the next term, of all the trained bands both horse and foot within
the county of Wilts, we came this day to the Devizes to meet the rest of the deputy-
lieutenants to agree upon some speedy course for the putting in execution of the
service, where we find by reason of the sickness of Sir James Mervin and Sir
William Eyre, who are not able to travel in the service, and the absence of Sir
Giles Wroughton, being at London ; also we understand that Sir John St. John
lieth out of the county ; Mr. Hungerford being not settled in his regiment;
two of the captains also being absent, and Mr. Duckett, another captain of that
regiment having lately broken his leg; we cannot perform by the time prefixed
the service in such good and convenient sort as might answer your lordship’s
honourable care and respect for the advancement of his Majesty’s service, the
discharge of our duties, and the earnest desire we have for the better accom-
plishment thereof. Therefore we have presumed to offer these accidents to your
honourable consideration; and if it stand with your lordship’s pleasure and
good liking, we desire that your lordship will be pleased at this time for these
causes to put over the musters until after harvest ; at which time there may be
general warning and notice given; that thenceforward they expect to form the
service yearly at Whitsuntide. And remaining ready with our best and utter-
most endeavours to perform what your lordship shall be pleased to command us,
we humbly take our leave. From the Devizes, this 29th of April, 1611. Your
lordship’s at command.
HENRY BAYNTON.
WALTER VAUGHAN.
Received at Letley, on Wednesday, lst May,
by the hands of Sir Walter Vaughan, him-
self. His lordship yielded to their suit.
LETTER XX.
Lord Hertford to the Deputy Lieutenants and Justices of Peace
of the County, sitting at Malborough, desiring them to consider
of a course for settling the Muster-master’s Entertainment or
Salary.
After my hearty commendations :—These are to remember you that about
four years since, I recommended to your consideration, by my letters, the neces-
sary employment of this bearer, Nicholas Stanter, for muster-master, desiring
The Hertford Correspondence. 181
you then to settle a reasonable entertainment fit for such an officer. Where-
upon it was agreed by as many of the deputies and justices as were then present
at the sessions, being held at Malborough, that at every yearly muster or view,
there shall be collected of every armour [person wearing armour] within the
trained bands, four-pence; which course hath been essayed to be effected, but
much of it was then not only neglected and not at all paid, but it is also found
to be, by reason of such slow collection, a stop and hindrance to the execution
and advancement of the said service. Therefore I earnestly entreat you that
some such course may be presently considered of as may make the said bearer
more assured of his means henceforth. For which you shall not only bind him
but make me very thankful to you for the same............ From Amesbury,
this Monday, the last of September, 1611. Your very loving friend ;
HERTFORD.
LETTER XXI.
Divers of the Justices of Peace of Wilts to the Earl of Hertford,
in answer to the above.
May it please your good lordship :—We are very inclinable [with a view] to
satisfy your lordship’s desire mentioned in your lordship’s letter, for the pay-
ment of £40 yearly unto the muster-master according to an order conceived in
that behalf. But forasmuch as your lordship desireth a certainty for the pay-
ment thereof, we must entreat your lordship that we may have time to treat
with the country on that behalf, with whom we have no doubt but that we
shall so far prevail by our persuasions as that they will willingly condescend
thereunto. Wherein we will use our best endeavours with all convenient speed.
And so with remembrance of our humble duties, we take our leave. From our
sessions at Marlborough, the 2nd of October, 1611. Your lordship’s humbly to
be commanded :
HENRY BAYNTON. THOMAS HYNTON.
THOMAS SNELL. THOMAS BASKERVILLE.
GEORGE IVIE. JOHN LAMBE.
HENRY MARTYN. THOMAS SADLER.
EDWARD LONG. ALEXANDER TUTT.
HENRY POOLE. JOHN AYLIFFE.
ANTHONY HUNGERFORD.
Received at Amesbury, Friday, 4 Oct.
by Hercules Staunton, muster-master
of the county aforesaid.
182 The Hertford Correspondence.
LETTER XXII.
Lord Hertford to Sir William Eyre, about the Service of Loan.
Goop Kyieut :—I perceive by your letters received this day, the 9th of this
November, 1611, I cannot have conference with you before my going towards
London two days hence touching the service of loan, wherein I desire to have
the greatest care and diligence that may be used, for his Majesty’s contentment
and the expectation of my lords of his Highness’s most honourable Privy
Council; wherein, by reason of my said absence, your continual readiness in
other services, besides the experience of the country, maketh me much rely on
you. And therefore I have sent by your servant all the directions that concern
the same, desiring you forthwith to appoint such times and places for expediting
this most necessary service, for the meeting of you my deputy-lieutenants. The
letter I last sent you was commanded to have been with you on Friday morning
very early, but it happened otherwise, through the negligence of him that I put
in trust to deliver you my said letter; for instead of receiving it yesterday by
six o’clock in the morning, I perceive you received it not till twelve o'clock
after. Thus, with my hearty commendations, &c. From Tottenham! this 9th
of November, 1611. Your very loving friend,
HERTFORD.
LETTER XXIII.
The Deputy Lieutenants in answer to the above.
Right Honourable, our very good Lord :—According to your lordship’s letters
sent unto us, dated the 9th of this November, we have done our best endeavours
for the accomplishing what is required in the letters from the King’s most
excellent Majesty to your lordship, concerning the collecting of the names of all
such persons within this county that are thought most fit to lend money upon
privy seals; and with as much speed as the unseasonableness of the weather’
and high waters in these parts would permit us to meet together; and have
herewith sent unto your lordship a book containing the names and dwelling-
places of every particular person and the several sums that they may be thought
able to lend, with as much indifferency [impartiality] as we can. And as con-
cerning the late Lord Chief Justice’s division, we have proceeded so far as we
could only by the note of the names sent unto us, but could not receive any
instructions from any of the commissioners of the subsidy of that division, they
being now all at London. So that if your lordship shall think fit to confer with
1 The fact of his lordship dating from Tottenham proves that the present mansion of the Marquis
of Ailesbury is at least the third, and not as is commonly supposed the second, structure on that
spot.
The Hertford Correspondence. 183
Sir Giles Wroughton, or any other of the commissioners of that division, to be
more particularly informed by them, we think it may well further the service.
And so with remembrance of our duties to your good lordship, we humbly take
our leaves. From Marlborough, the 28th of November, 1611. Your lordship’s
eyer ready to be commanded :
WILLIAM EYRE. WALTER VAUGHAN,
HENRY BAYNTON. EDWARD PENRUDDOCKE.
Sent with certificate, to Cannon Row,
by Robert Brabant, a foot-post.
ult. Novy.
“A note of the names of such persons as are thought fit to lend money to the
King’s Majesty by way of privy seals; together with their dwelling-places
and their several sums.”’
THE EARL OF PEMBROKE’S DIVISION.
£
Sir William Bamfield, of Foulston [Falston?] Kt........ 20
Barbara Bockland, of Slandlynch, Widow.............. 20
John Butler, of Figheldean................0.0cce ees 10
Sir William Button, of Alton, Kt..................... 20
Richard Bruning, of Chisenbury, Gent............ ... 20
George Cooper, of Amesbury, Esquire................ 20
Wealian Davis; of Avon's ee 10
Giles Eyre, of Church-tything, Gent.................. 10
Thomas Eyre, of Sarum, Gent.............. 0.2.0.0 cee 20
David Feltham, of Fovant............cccceececcees: 10
' Edward Fowler, of Enford, Gent..................4. 10
Katharine Gawen, of Alredston, Widow................ 20
Thomas Gawen, of Hurdcot, Esquire................ 20
Thomas Goddard, of Bramshaw, Esquire.............. 20
Richard Goldston, of Alderbury, Gent................ 10
Sir Richard Grobham, of Wishford, Kt................ 100
Sir John Horton, of Elston, Kt...................... 30
Tobias Horton, of Iford, Esquire.................... 20
Hugh Horswell, of Stratford, Esquire................ 10
Edward Hooper, of Broughton.........0........000. 20
Thomas Hunt, of Long-street, Gent.................. 10
Henry Lamborne, of Buckhurst, Esquire.............. 20
The Lady Constance Lucy, of Overton................ 30
Gabriel Luttofte, of Sarum, Gent.................... 10
William Maton, of North Tidworth.................. 10
184
The Hertford Correspondence.
Sir Richard-Mompesson, of West Harnham, Kt........
Thomas Petre, of Enford, Esquire..............-...--
John Penny, of Stoke-Verdon, Gent.. ..........--.-5
Edward Powton, of Kingston Deverill, Gent............
Edward Rhodes, of Sarum, Gent....................
Martha South, of Sarum, Widow...............-----
William Sharp, of Wilton, Gent.................-.
Richard Sherville, of Winterbourn Dauntsey, Gent......
John Shuter, of Winterbourn Gunner, Esquire........
Adam Snow, of Winterbourn Stoke, Gent............-.
George Tattersoll, of Stapleford, Gent........... +...
John Topp, of Stockton, Esquire.............-..-++5
Joan Tuck, of Sarum, Widow.........--+.-0.0++-0---
Sir John Webb, of Odstock, Kt...........e-2.- sees
Francis Windebank, of Broad Hinton, Esquire........
Sir George Wriothesley, of Britford, Kt..............
THE EARL OF HERTFORD’S DIVISION.
Thomas Bakerville, of Stanton, Esquire..........-.--
John Bartlett, of Chirton'..4e. eee: ok «isis eiete eters ee
William Corderoy, of Chute, Esquire...............-
Honora Harding, of Pewsey, Widow... #.....-...-+++-
William Harrold, of Bupton..............eee+--00--
Thomas Hinton, of Chilcott, Esquire.............+----
Ferdinando Hughes, of Bromham................-+-
Sir Anthony Hungerford, of Stock, Kt..............--
Edward Hungerford, of Charnham-street, Gent........
Richard Hunton, of Wilcot, Gent..............--..5.
Sir William Jordan, of Wilcot, Bart..................
William Lavington, of Wilsford..................--
Christopher Merewether, of Worton...........-....--
William Northren [Northie?] of Rowde..............
Edward Nicholas, of Alleannings, Gent..............
William Noyes, of Urchfont, Gent...............++-5-
Christopher Poulden, of Imber, Gent..........-.....--
Oliver St. John, of Pewsey, Gent...........+.-------
Simon Sloper, of Newton, Gent.............+++eeee5.
William Sloper, of Highway....,........0+.+eee sees
Vincent Smythe, of Charnham-streete, Gent..........
Richard Sotwell, of Chute, Gent...............+-05.
John Weston, of Bishop’s Cannings....... .....--+..
at
The Hertford Correspondence.
THE DIVISION LATE SIR JAMES MERVIN’S.
£
Sir Anthony Ashley, of South Damerham, Kt.......... 40
William Blake;'of Warminster: . 0.0/5. cease once 20
Joli Compbony of Donheadao)po;osieieie rotate ahese apalaieielare'sia 20
RalpheDarvell, of Dimton® cu <itsssee spies) ais slope) « siersiels 10
Sir George Farewell, of Berwick St. Leonard, Kt........ 30
idiweerd slrTokory (Of, VIS DUTY, see ops th oars +. i2.5 uate o¥s hens 10
William Guyse, of Hatchbury, Esquire.............. 30
Thomas Hooper, of South Damerham, Gent............ 20
John Hunt, of South Damerham........ 6.0.0. 0.0. 0%. 20
Mbconiard Jesse; OL WIMLON, cet bes Nou ochre dialed e ba. carsys pons 20
George Ludlow, of Monkton Deverill, Gent............ 20
Gish Mayhew, Ot DinGon sc. co ateparalep ess she de sip ele sae 20
Thomas Moore, of Hatchbury, Esquire................ 30
Francis Perkins, of Bath Hampton, Esquire............ 40
William Poulton, of South Damerham................ 10
Foun empleo Halon bur ves scr foes eyetclas 20
Sir Thomas Thynne, of Deverill Longbridge, Kt........ 100
Richard) wubomas., Of SeGebill ive areas «ape ae cies oe 20
SIR WILLIAM EYRE’S DIVISION.
Donn Bayley. of Winkticldey. 3 ye inigctojart sivas stetabe pete oe 20
Margaret Bennett, of Westbury, Widow.............. 20
Richard Blake, of Trowbridge.......... disco og MOM gen 10
Bobert Dark, of Trowbridge .3.i...dn086 anion artes « 20
Dames Davies, -or Trowbridge): |.tei..<ciratortie:e\cididysiats anti de 20
Bachards Dack,. (Of SWAnSlO yt oie: .jcfa) aie fen Panag staiay cin aie ldwseie 20
Pa remianle Osan Ol bettas strate co stiteotic sees clan et iareceme Sa 20
Thomas Earnley, of Westbury, Gent.................. 15
Menlarirede FL OTTO;# Ole DLACLONG 1 tela) sia: a5 she choi aie lovs.s >) dete 10
Richard Hulbert, of Westbury...................... 10
Bonrespyion, Of WiestbUyye 6 2... aie «a sietejsstielcsinlet cnerle 10
Boveri Morton, (Of WOStbOLy.. «cer « fcisars sieelsie «a ejehel ca 10
William King, of Monkton Farley................0.000. 20
William Pawlett, of Cottells, Esquire.................. 25
Wicholas Phipp, af) Weostbury ...... sic. . cacdecddoesen 10
Edward Rogers, of Trowll........ 0.6065. cctecseveuss 10
Anthony Self, of Westbury..............cccceesecees 10
Thomas Shepherd, of Seend.................ceeeeceeues 10
William Sommer, of Seend........ 0.0.0... 0000. .ccceee 10
186 The Hertford Correspondence.
£
William Stokes, Sen., of Seend..............+ se eeeeeee 10
Anne Wallis, of Trowbridge, Widow...............++- 20
SIR HENRY POOLE’S DIVISION.
Hugh Barrett, of Titherton, Gent............++++ essere 16
Robert Baynard, of Lackham, Esquire................ 15
John Blagdeane, of Kingswood............+seeeeeeeees 20
Richard Cullimore, of Great Sherstone................-. 10
Thomas Cullimore, of Slaughterford...............++055 10
John Danvers, of Corsham, Gent...............0-000e- 25
John Duckett, of Corsham, Esquire............-.2+--++ 30
Richard Estcourt, of Newtown, Esquire...............- 20
Robert Forman, of Calne..............c0ceceesseeeeese 20
John Goddard, of Berwick Bassett............00ee eee eee 10
Edward Gore, of Surrendell, Esquire................-. 15
George Hungerford, of Blacklands, Esquire............ 15
Sir Francis Manners, of Rowden,! Kt.............--+++ 40
Richard Moody, of Garsden, Esquire................++ 40
John Norborne, of Studley, Gent...................5+- 20
Sir Henry Poole, of Kemble, Kt................--+06 20
John Scrope, of Castle Combe, Esquire................-- 20
Sir Thomas Snell, of Kyngton, Kt...................005 20
Hugh Speke, of Haselbury, Esquire...............++++- 30
John Stratton, of Seagry, Gent...............-eeeeeees ‘20
Thomas Thynne, of Bidston, Esquire.................. 20
John Warnford, of Hankerton, Esquire...............- 20
Benedict Webb, of Kingswood.................s00000 10
William Yew [Hughes] of Somerford Magna............ 10
THE LATE LORD CHIEF JUSTICE’S DIVISION.
Henry Barnard, of Cricklade....................--++++ 10
Mistress Jenever Baskerville, of Wanborough, Widow.. 15
William Daniell, of St. Margaretts.................... 10
Fienty Ssher, Gf: With, Gere en icici sees snap oiny 10
John Fisher, of Liddington, Gent.................0e000 10
John Goddard, of Ogbourn, Esquire..................+- 15
Thomas Harding, of Hampton Turville,............... 10
Mistress Martha Hinton, of Eastcott, Widow............ 10
John ‘Kemble; ‘of Midhill} Gent, to. gece cence sna uae
1 Only as tenant for life; having married the widow of Sir Edward Hungerford.
The Hertford Correspondence. 187
£
Charles Pleydell, of Mughill, Gent.................... 20
Tobias Pleydell, of Mughill-mill, Gent................5. 15
William Sadler, of Salthropp...............0.e-e ceeees 10
Richard Smith, of Kennet, Gent................ ce eeee 15
Richard Spencer, of Wedhampton..................005- 15
Nicholas Vyolet, of Swindon, Gent................ 00000 20
Edmund Webb, of Radbourne, Gent.................... 15
Daniel White, of Ramsbury, Gent..................008. 20
Richard Young, of Ogbourn St. George................ 10
Signed by :—Sir William Eyre, Sir Henry Baynton,
Sir Walter Vaughan, and Sir Edward Penruddocke.
“The names of all such persons in the county aforesaid as lent to the King’s
Majesty the several sums hereafter specified (a third part being deducted in
the second year of his Highness’ reign), and now charged at—”
‘ £5 d
FATIBPOYES UROMBA!s 204 cise: smeh ak siete te nia hele eas 1613 4
PTH gl MATS BSUATS i. Sh niiisiotsia'v'g era} eed fageet 20 0 0
Bayly.aW iliam, Haquire. oi. .\:054\vacalelsaiie ols 1613 4
pavnton, Sir Henry, Kt. 0... <0 + s.eviacesls ashes 33 6 8
Bennett, Thomas, of Westbury...... ........... 1613 4
BLOT, CSESLON & 0... 5-cs's/ee priate ea cea cae eiee 1613 4
mromninar,” Lady MARUNB 2 iiss. ts kde te + ceeel. 20 0 O
Ohsdwalbd wards acy toon se bit abe te ett 13.6.8
Momiboapelidwardl sy 9.4. fed.doc he ues e aise sl ee 13 6 8
ondary, av IAM: abe. Lestat iia -ataabranurs tens 1613 4
Comimall: John, Gentes 3 ...< a. cieéiss 0 fhe atlas ¢ 2613 4
Cos Widow, of Swindon 25.2... cess .dkten och, 1613 4
anntaey, (pir Johny, Bart). .)..50c.-40 o<esredererd. 33 6 8
Srrmeonit Francis, KG... 5... 05 o0 000s op dine tv 2613 4
i 1613 4
PME HON Re MENT, (Sch Sea eid dca det Ses 1613 4
Ry A PONT ib piaeis oo 5 bien bn os 160 de ewes 1613 4
CE 20 0 0
Baloanet Wate, Gent. 5.00 severe srieeeveaes 13 6 8
WO GUN 54 'hi wo 908i fin se sens vie sent 1613 4
APOATIN SS LUMA CLOG occ s'vese'vnieel te tincae cede 1613 4
Goddard, Richard, Esquire,,.............00s000+ 33 6 8
Grubb, Thomas ,,....... MILI ea doh 33 6 8
188 The Hertford Correspondence.
Siig, tid:
Haddock, Thomas, Esquire................ 00004. 26138 4
Hall, John;iof :Bradfordisasie cee ticle 13 6 8
Hungerford, John, Esquire..................00. 20 0 0
Hutchens, Thomas,/Gent: sae. snes ets So oote ene 6613 4
Jones, Williams (Gantcl eee el Bs, eoriks 1613 4
Jones, William, of Mildenhall, Gent............ 16138 4
Tamibe: ad olin,» Esquire: esas sattemer i!) eh.) 1613 4
Long, Edward, of Monkton, Esquire.............. 33 6 8
Bone, Hemry,, Gentoyiydooein i.) ae 1613 4
Tove ve Mhomas sion eehien cctteccie, ct «baka «ose 1613 4
Eats, se Mee baci: soe aa tee Abies «yd «ne 20 0 0
Lowe, Richard, Esquire........................ 1613 4
Ihudlow, (Sin kidmands WK, 2/95. os, ee ee 6613 4
Martin WRorerjGentae-b iris 8 Jisce .ccees scien 1613 4
Maundrell} Robert; "Gent 2 oe. 16138 4
Mervin, “Siregames Kt jon. oa ao ee ee 33 6 8
Parkers J Olean, et ee eee Mie oe eee 1613 4
Pawleth, Sir, William, Bart. ..¢....2.......+.2..+ 2613 4
(PrlemGrubpriclsyr: apm ten ey sane ene ote! creme 66 13 4
Pleydel Charles! >. Hee i te ee 1613 4
Pophexn; Sir -Heranois, it: soruepos.ct Wa 2613 4
Read, Edward, Esquire.......................- 2613 4
South yp Uhomas-sAvmipoers sen hc oe ee ote 2613 4
Ptephioris, WNignOlis cme Rete Soe ciote eos sen 2613 4
Stockman) John uGentasaancmaeetan see ene a: 2613 4
Strange, Michael, Esquire...................0.. 1613 4
opp, "oper; "Gent? >: vars hieri ore eek FI 1613 4
Vaughan, Sir Walter, Baronet.................. 66 13 4
Winer, sit sHenry,) Ke: : 255: e4beasiee eee cee 6613 4
Waldron, Hdward,, Gent): 5:45. 7 se Ee 2613 4
Wihitaker, Jieterey::...genianes os) Lae ce 1613 4
Wenbrarys) Bdiward sis ie tyes ad's dint obs 16°13
[The modern equivalents of the above sums would be at least six
times nominally greater; though, owing to the rate at which
money values have increased varying so much on different articles,
all such general calculations must of necessity be hypothetical.
—N.B. The name of Hutchens as among the five most wealthy
suggests the query—was this the Amesbury family ; and what was
their fate ?]
The Hertford Correspondence. 189
Many other letters of the Earl of Hertford are extant, but for
the present it may suffice to take one more view of him towards
the close of his career. For this we are indebted to the auto-
biography of Sir Simonds D’Ewes, who saw the venerable earl in
the procession which attended James I. when he went to open the
parliament that met on the 30th of January, 1621 (the parliament
which impeached Lord Chancellor Bacon). “Amongst the nobi-
lity,” writes D’Ewes; “I especially viewed the Lord Seymour,
Earl of Hertford, now some eighty-three years old, and even
decrepit with age!” This was within three months of Hertford’s
death. Mr. G. L. Craik, from whom the above notice is derived,
then recites the following letter (still in the Duke of Sutherland’s
possession) written by the Earl about two years previously. It is
a sort of news-letter addressed to a friend in Scotland, and is inte-
resting in many respects, especially as showing how his sentiments
in respect of the Spanish match were the same as those uttered in
the House of Commons by his grandson, Sir Francis Seymour, the
member for Marlborough. This document “which fills a folio page
and a half, is finished off with seven elaborate flourishes of penman-
ship (one of them attached to the very careful and distinct signa-
ture), which spread over the remaining half-page, but cannot be
imitated here. It is addressed on the back—‘To my very loving
friend Sir Robert Gordon, Knight, these be delivered.’ Sir Robert
Gordon’s father-in-law, who is mentioned in the letter, was Dean
of Salisbury.”—Romance of the Peerage, 3. xii.
The Earl of Hertford to Sir Robert Gordon (son-in-law to the
Dean of Salisbury.)
Srr:—I have at several times received two letters from you, the one of the
21st November, 1618, and the other bearing no date, by which it seemeth you
have sent others which are not as yet come to my hands. These which I have
received are so full of courtesy and kind offers of your love and affection that I
cannot return too many thanks for the same, with assurance of my love again
to you and yours upon all occasions. The news of mine and my wife’s health,
you so’much desire to hear, I thank God stand well. As for other occurrents,
some are comfortable and good, and others not altogether so pleasing, by reason
of the loss of our late noble queen, Anne [wife of James I.] which hath spread
2c
190 The Hertford Correspondence.
itself into a general grief among us all. The king no longer than since the last
term, took upon him his own proper place of a most prudent judge in the Star-
chamber to hear a cause between Sir Thomas Lake and my cousin, the Countess
of Exeter; where, by the great wisdom of his Majesty, not unlike (without
flattery I speak it) to the sentence of Solomon in judging between the two
women in strife for the child, the truth appeared of a foul impious slander laid
upon the said Lady of Exeter by Sir Thomas Lake, his wife, and daughter
Rosse, all three now punished by a large fine and perpetual imprisonment in
the Tower without his Majesty’s especial grace in remitting. We are, by the
King’s warrant, rigging up our ships and mustering our men in all parts of
England, upon the commom bruit of a great Armado preparing in Spain for
some invasion; and although no great grounds can be gathered for the building
of an opinion of their coming hither, yet so little is that nation beloved or
trusted, that every man is ready to arm himself for the better assurance of his
Majesty’s realms. The match of Prince Charles with the daughter of Spain is
little spoken of, and (I think as well by you in Scotland as by us in England),
as little desired. For my own part I hope to see him blessedly married into
some Protestant house of Germany, to the glory of God, to the joy of his royal
father and to the comfort of us all. These passages, which suddenly came to
my memory, I have made you a partaker of; yet I doubt not but that my
worthy friend your good father-in-law doth in a much larger manner impart
the state of our English affairs unto you, having ever found him well-furnished
of intelligence both foreign and domestic. You shall herewith find [receive]
four books, the virtuous fruits of his Majesty’s own study, for yourself, your
lady, and friends to peruse. Thus, with mine own and my wife’s hearty com-
mendations and like wishes to yourself and your lady, 1 commit you to the
Almighty. From Letley, this last of March, 1619, preparing myself and my
wife shortly to attend the funeral of her Majesty, which is appointed to be the
29th of this next month of April, 1619. Your very loving friend,
HERTFORD.
Ancient Ales in the County of Wiits. 1911
Ancient Ales in the County of Wilts, and in the
Dinrese of Sarum.
By F. A. Carrineton, Esq.
Iy ancient times it seems that our ancestors whenever they wanted
to raise a sum of money for any good purpose parochial or personal,
brewed a quantity of ale, and provided certain viands which they
sold, and from the proceeds of the sale and from the donations thus
induced the money was raised. Of these ales I know of only one
remaining in the County of Wilts—the Clerk’s ale at Chiseldon ;
there was also another the memory of which still lingers in a gene-
ration now fast passing away—the Herds’ ale at Ogbourne
St. George.
I have, however, found traces (not quite all of them in the
county of Wilts, or diocese of Sarum) of the following ales—
viz. :—
. The Whitsun ale.
. The Church ale.
. The Scot ale.
. The Clerks’ ale.
The Herds’ ale.
. The Bidale, or Helpale.
. The Give ale.
. The Bride ale.
. The Lamb ale.
. The Leet ale.
. The Midsummer ale.
. The ale for some special purpose.
OCWONAAeAR WD HE
=
wore SO
1. Toe Wuirtsun ALE.
In the “ Introduction to the Survey and Natural History of the
2c2
192 By F. A. Carrington, Esq.
North Division of the County of Wilts, by John Aubrey, Esq.” !
is the following curious account of Whitsun ales :—
‘There were no rates for the poor in my grandfather’s days, but for Kington
St. Michael (no small parish), the church ale of Whitsuntide did the
business. In every parish is (or was) a church-house to which belonged spits,
crocks, &e.—utensils for dressing provisions. Here the housekeepers met and
were merry and gave their charity. The young people were there too, and had
dancing, bowling, shooting at butts, &c., the ancients sitting gravely by and
looking on. All things were civil and without scandal.* The church ale is
doubtless derived from the Agape or love-feasts mentioned in the New Testa-
ment.”
This introduction is dated “‘ Eston Pierse, April 28, 1670.”
Mr. Douce in a description of sculptures on the outside of
St. John’s Church, at Cirencester, contained in Carter’s Ancient
Sculpture,” says :—
‘¢ With respect to Whitsun ales, no account of the manner of their celebration
in more ancient times has been handed down to us, At present} the Whitsun
ales are conducted in the following manner. Two persons are chosen previously
to the meeting to be lord and lady of the ale, who dress as suitably as they can
to the characters they assume. A large empty barn or some such building is
provided for the lord’s hall and fitted up with seats to accomodate the company.
Here they assemble to dance and regale in the best manner their circumstances
and their place will afford, and each young fellow treats his girl with a ribband
or fayour. The lord and lady honour the hall with their presence, attended
by the steward, sword-bearer, purse-bearer, and mace-bearer, with their several
badges or ensigns of office. They have likewise a train-bearer, or page, and a fool
or jester, drest in a party-coloured jacket, whose ribaldry and gesticulation eon-
tribute not a little to the entertainment of some part of the company. The
lord’s music consisting of a pipe and tabor is employed to conduct the dance.
Some people think this custom is a commemoration of the ancient Drink-lean,
a day of festivity formerly observed by the tenants and vassals of the lord of
the fee, within his manor, the memory of which on account of the jollity of
these meetings the people have preserved ever since. The glossaries inform us
that this Drink-lean was a contribution of tenants towards a potation, or ale
provided to entertain the lord or his steward. {
1 At p. 32 of ‘‘ Miscellanies on several curious subjects,” 8vo., Lond., printed
by E. Curll, 1714—a book in the library of the British Museum.
2 Vol, ii., p. 10.
* At Cummor, Berks, there is a very old house not far from the church which belongs to the
parish, and is still called ‘* the church-house.”
+ 1788,
+ This would seem to be more like the Leet ale. .
Mr. Douce’s account of the Whitsun ale is taken verbatim from an artiele in the Antiquarian
Repository, vol. ii, p. 388; but it is there added that ‘‘the mace is made of silk finely plaited with
<>
ee) a
Ancient Ales in the County of Wiits. 193
2. THe Cuurcu ALE.
Mr. Warton in his History of English Poetry,’ says :—
‘Church ale was a feast established for the repair of the church, or in honour
of the church saint, &e. In Dodsworth’s MSS. there is an old indenture made
before the Reformation which not only shows the design of the church ale, but
explains this particular use and application of the word ale.”
“Tn St- Edward Plumpton booke,
Marked with B.
“Church Ale.
‘‘ Dodsw. ec. xlviii. f. 97.
“‘Memd. yt this is the agreement betwixt the inhabitants of the townes and
parish of Eluaston, Thurlaston, and Ambaston, of the one pt., and the inhabitants
ot the towne of Okebroke within the parish of the said Eluaston, on the other
parte by John Abbott of the Dale.* Rado Samichevrell, Esquier, John Brads-
thon and Herre Tythell, Gentylmen, witnesseth yt ye s’d inhabitants as well
of the said parish of Elwaston as of the said towne of Okebrooke, beeinge of the
said parish byn accorded and agreed in mannt and forme as followeth. That is
to say yt y¢s’d inhabitants of the said towne of Okebrooke shall brew fowre
ales, and eu’y ale of one quarter malt, and at theire owne costs and charges
betwixt this and the feast of St. John Baptist next cominge. And yt eu’y inha-
bitant of the s’d towne of Okebrooke shall be at the s’d ales, and eu’y husband
and his wife shall pay 2d., and eu’y cottyer 1d. and all the inhabitants of
Eluaston, Thurlaston, and Ambaston, shall come to the said ales, and that euery
husband and his wife, and cottyer shall pay as is afore-rehearsed, and that the
said inhabitants of Eluaston, Thurlaston, and Ambaston, shall have and r’teine
all the p’fits and vantages comeinge of the said ales to the use and behoofe of
the said Church of Eluaston, and yt the said inhabitants of the said towns of
Eluaston, Thurlaston, and Ambaston, shall brew viij. ales betwixt this and the
s'd feast of St. John Baptist. At the wch ales and eu’y each one of them the
said inhabitants of the towne of Okebrooke, shall come to and pay eu’y husband
and his wife, and eu’y cottyer, as it is above-rehearsed, And if hee bee away
at one ale to pay at ye toder ale for both, or els to send his money. And the
inhabitants of the said said towne of Okebrooke shall carry all manner of timber
beinge in the Dale wood, new felled, yt ye said prshers of the said townes of
Eluaston, Thurlaston, and Ambaston, shall occupy to the vse and p’fit of the
said church.
‘* Written in the ffeast of St. Andrewe. +
ribbons at the top and filled with spices and perfume for such of the company to smell to as desire
it.” This ale is there stated to be still kept up in the Cotswold hills in the adjoining county of
Gloucester,
1 Vol. iii. p. 119, n (f) of the Ed. of 1840,
* This was probably John Stanton, the last Abbot of the Abbey of Dale, in Derbyshire.
+ For this accurate copy of this agreement in the Bodleian Lib. I am indebted to the kindness of
the Rev. Dr. Bandinel. It has no date except as above, but the name of an abbot shows that it was
written before the Reformation,—F. A. C.
194 By F. A. Carrington, Esq.
Mr. Warton then adds that—
‘“‘The nature of the merriment of the church ale was often licentious may
be seen in the language of the Witches’ Song in Ben Johnson’s Masque of
Queens, at Whitehall, in 1609, where one of the witches boasts to have killed
and stole the fat of an infant which derived its pedigree from the drunken piper
of a church ale.”
Sir Richard Worsley, in his History of the Isle of Wight,! in
speaking of the parish of Whitewell, tells us—
‘There is a lease in the parish-chest, dated 1574, of a house called the
church-house, held by the inhabitants of Whitwell, parishioners of Gatcombe,
of the Lord of the Manor, and demised by them to John Brode, in which is the
following proviso—‘ Provided always that if the Quarter shall need at any time
to make a Quarter ale or church ale, for the maintenance of the chapel that
it shall be lawful for them to have the use of the said house with all the rooms
both above and beneath during their ale.”
“The Maner of Church Ales in England,” is given by Stubs in
his “Anatomie of Abuses,”? as follows :—
‘In certaine townes where drunken Bacchus beares swaie against Christmas
and Easter, Whitsondaie or some other tyme, the churchwardens of every parishe
with the consent of the whole parishe provide halfe a score or twenty quarters
of maulte, wherof some they buy of the church stocke,* and some is given them
of the parishioners themselves, every one conferring somewhat according to his
abilitie, whiche maulte being made into very strong ale or beere, is sette to sale
either in the church or some other place assigned to that purpose. Then when
this is set abroche, well is he that can gette the soonest to it and spend the most
at it. In this kinde of practice they continue six weekes, or a quarter of a yeare,
yea halfe a yeare together.” ‘‘ That money they say is to repaire their churches
and chappels with—to buy bookes for the service—cuppes for the celebration of
the Sacrament—surplesses for Sir John, + and such other necessaries. And they
maintaine other extraordinarie charges in their parish besides.”
Richard Carew, of Antonie, Esq., in his “Survey of Cornwall,”
printed in 1602, gives* the following account of this ale :—
‘‘ Church Ale.—For the church ale, two young men of the parish are yerely
chosen by their last pregoers to be wardens, who deuiding the task make collec-
tions among the parishioners of whatsoeuer prouision it pleaseth them voluntarily
1 p, 210.
2 8yo. Ed. of 1585, p. 95.
3 Folio 68. A copy of this work is in Lincoln’s Inn Library.
® The Church Stock was money left to the churchwardens for the repair of the church or other
ecclesiastical purposes in the parish. The Poors’ Stock was money left to the churchwardens for the
benefit of the poor, which was usually placed at interest, and the interest given in bread, or otherwise
bestowed on the poor.—F. A. C.
+ The clergyman, see vol. I., p. 329.
a.
ee
Ancient Ales in the County of Wiits. 195
to bestow. This they imploy in brewing, baking, and other achates * against
Whitsuntide, upon which holydayes the neighbours meet at the church-house,
and there meetly feed on their owne victuals, contributing some petty portion to
the stock which by many smalls groweth to a meetly greatness, for there is en-
tertayned a kinde of emulation betweene these wardens, who by his graciousnes
in gathering and good husbandry in expending can best aduance the churches
profit. Besides the neighbour parishes at those times louingly visit one another
and this way frankely spend their money together. The afternoones are con-
sumed in such exercises as olde and yonge folke (hauing leysure) doe accusto-
mally weare out the time withall.
‘‘ When the feast is ended the wardens yeeld in their account to the parish-
ioners and such money as exceedeth the disbursments is layd up in store to
defray any extraordinary charges arising in the parish, or imposed on them for
the good of the countrey, or the Princes seruice, neither of which commonly
gripe so much but that somewhat stil remayneth to couer the purses bottome.”’
Mr. Doran, in his History of Reading,! gives the following item
from the churchwardens’ book of the parish of St. Lawrence, in
this town :—
1449, Paid for making the church clean against the
day of drinking in the saidchurch. . . .. . iijd”
On the Western Summer Circuit of 1633 [9 Char. I.], an order
was made by the Judges of Assize, Lord Chief Justice Richardson
and Baron Denham, at the Somersetshire assizes, for ‘suppressing
revels, Church ales, Clerk ales, and all other public ales.”? Arch-
bishop Laud complained of this order to the Privy Council, who
summoned the Lord Chief Justice before them, and commanded
him to revoke the order.
On the next circuit Lord Chief Justice Richardson revoked the
order accordingly, but ‘the justices of the peace (of the county of
Somerset) being troubled at the revocation of these orders, drew up
a petition to the king, showing the great inconveniences which
would befall the county if these mectings and assemblies of Church
ales, Bid ales, and Clerk ales condemned by their laws, should now
be set up again, which petition was subscribed by John Lord
Paulet, Sir William Portman, Sir John Stowell, Sir Ralph Hopton,
Sir Francis Popham, Sir Edward Rodney, Sir Francis Doddington,
1 p, 45
p. 45.
2 Rushworth’s Historical Collections, vol. i., part m1. p. 191.
* Provisions.
196 By F. A. Carrington, Esq.
Sir Jo. Horner, Edward Paulet, William Basset, George Speke,
John Windham, Thomas Lutterell, William Walrone, and divers
others,’”’! but before it was presented, King Charles I. on the 18th
of October, 1633, published a declaration in which he republished
what is commonly known as King James I.’s Book of Sports, in
which it is declared that the “‘ King’s pleasure is that after the end
of Divine Service, his good people be not disturbed, letted, or
discouraged from any lawful recreation—such as dauncing, either
men or women; archery for men, leaping, vaulting, or any such
harmless recreation, nor from having of May games, Whitsun ales,
and Morice dances, and the setting up of Maypoles, and other
sports therewith used, so as the same be had in due and convenient
time, without impediment or neglect of Divine Service, and that
women shall have leave to carry rushes to the church for the de-
coring of it according to their old custom; but withall his Majesty
doth here account still as prohibited all unlawful games to be used
upon Sundays only, as bear and bull-baitings, interludes, and at all
times in the meanner sort of people by law prohibited bowling.”
Mr. Rushworth, the secretary of the Lord General Fairfax, who
gives a very full account of these proceedings in his Historical
Collections, says—* that this declaration ‘“ proved a snare to many
ministers very conformable to the Church of England because they
refused to read the same publicly in the church as was required, for
upon this many were suspended and others silenced from preach-
ing.”
3. THe Scor ALE.
We are told by the Rev. 8. Denne, F.A.S., in a very interesting
paper on ales,’ that Scot ales were maintained by a joint contribution
of the resorters to them. In the diocese of Sarum, they were by
Bishop Poore forbidden to be published in the church by the laity,
and either in or out of the church by the clergy.
1 Rushworth’s Historical Collections, vol. i., part 11., p. 191.
2 Vol., part ., p. 191, where also will be found copies of the judge’s order, the
king’s declaration, and a letter from Archbishop Laud to William Pierce, Bishop
of Bath and Wells, on this subject.
3 Archeeol, vol. xii., p. 10.
By F. A. Carrington, Esq. 197
Anno 1223. Constitut. Ricardi Poore, Epi Sarum.* ‘‘ Prohibemus quoque
ne denunciationes Scotallorum fiant in ecclesia per laicos nec in ecclesiis nee
extra ecclesias per sacerdotes vel per clericos.”
TRANSLATION :—
Anno 1223. Constitutions of Richard Poore, Bishop of Sarum. We order
also that no announcements of Scot ales be made by laymen in the church, and
neither in the churches nor out of the churches by priests or by clergymen.
In the same diocese, a meeting of more than ten persons of the
same parish or vicinage was a Scot ale that was prohibited by
Bishop Bridport.
Anno 1266. Constit: Aegid: de Bridport Epi Sarum.+ ‘‘ De prohtbitione
Scotallarum.—Prohibitionem Scotallarum et aliarum communium potationum
pro salute animarum et corporum introductam synodali approbatione prose-
quentes rectoribus vicariis et aliis presbyteris parochialibus precipimus sub
obedientie debito firmiter injungendo quod parochianos suos crebra exhortatione
diligenter inducant ne prohibitionis hujus temerarii violatores existant.”
“Communes autem potationes declaramus quoties virorum multitudo que
numerum denarium excesserunt ejusdem parochie in qua cervisia venalis exti-
terit vel etiam vicinarum in tabernis hujus modi vel infra septa ejusdem domi-
cilii potandi gratia commorantur. Viatores vero peregrinos et in nundinis et
mercatis convenientes quamvis in tabernis convenerint sub prohibitione ista nolu-
mus comprehendi.”
TRANSLATION :—
A.D. 1266. Constitutions of Giles de Bridport, Bishop of Surum.
‘‘Of the prohibition of Scot ales.”
‘“‘We being desirous, for the good of men’s souls and bodies, to put down
Scot ales and other public drinkings, do, with the consent of our Synod, enjoin
all rectors, vicars, and other parish priests, in virtue of the obedience which
they owe to us, to urge upon their parishioners by frequent exhortations, not to
be rash violators of this prohibition.
“By public drinkings we mean, wherever a multitude of men exceeding the
number of ten in the same parish in which the ale shall be sold, or in neighbour-
ing parishes, or within the bounds of the same domicile shall be assembled for
the purpose of drinking. But travellers, strangers, and persons attending fairs,
or markets, although they meet in taverns, we are unwilling to include in this
prohibition.”
Scot ales were generally kept in houses of public resort.
, 4. Tue Crerk’s ALE.
I was told in the year 1838, by the late Mr. Thomas Neale, of
* Wilkins’s Concil Magn. Britan. Vol. i., p. 600. From a MS. in Corp. Ch. Coll., Oxon.
+ Id. p. 719, from a MS, in Corp. Chr. Coll., Oxon.
2D
198 Ancient Ales in the County of Wilts.
the adjoining parish of Chiseldon, had an ale; which was effected
by the clerk providing a good plain dinner and plenty of strong
beer, at his house, for the principal parishioners to partake of ;
this was called the Clerk’s ale, for which each guest made the clerk
a present. Mr. Calley, of Burderop Park, who was member of
Parliament for Cricklade, Mr. John Brown, of Chiseldon House,
his brother, Mr. Rudhall Brown, who was one of the provincial
secretaries of the Wilts Topographical Society, the Rev. Thomas
Bullock, Vicar of Chiseldon, and other principal inhabitants used
to attend the clerk’s ales, and give their sovereigns and half-
sovereigns in return for his good cheer; and I have been since
informed that the Clerk’s ale at Chiseldon is still kept up, and that
it came off as usual on Easter Tuesday, 1854.
The Rev. 8. Denne says,! “The clerk’s ale was in the Easter
holidays and was the method taken to enable clerks of parishes to
collect more readily their dues,” or as it is expressed in Aubrey’s
MS. Introduction to the Survey of Wilts, as cited by Mr. Warton
in his History of English Poetry,® “It was for the clerk’s private
benefit and the solace of the neighbourhood.”
5. Tue Herp’s Ate.
Of this ale I am aware of two Wiltshire instances—the Herd’s
ale at Newnton, and the Herd’s ale at Ogbourne St. George.
THE HERD’S ALE AT NEWNTON.
Mr. Aubrey, in his MS. collections, for Wilts (part 1.), Tit.
Newnton, gives the following account of this ale :—
“ The Custome here Trinity Sunday :—
‘‘ King Athelstan having obtained a victory over the Danes by the assistance
of the inhabitants of this place, riding to recreate himself, found a woman bait-
ing her cowe upon the way called the Fosse (which runs through this parish
and is a famous Roman way that goes from Cornwall to Scotland). The woman
sate on a stool, with the cow fastened by a rope to the legge of the stoole; the
manner of it occasioned the king to aske why she did so; she answered the
king that they had no common belonging to the town; the queen being then in
“1 Archoologia, vol. xii., p. 10.
“2 Vol, iii, p. 119, n. (f.) of the Ed. of 1840. This MS. was printed in
1714, with some letters written to Mr. Aubrey, under the title ‘‘ Miscellanies on
several curious subjects.” It is in the Lib. of the Brit. Mus.
———————S aeineettetneen ————— ee lO
By F. A. Carrington, Esq. 199
his company, by their consents it was granted that the town should have so
much ground in common next adjoining to this way as the woman would ride
round upon a bare ridged horse. She undertakes it, and for the ascertaining
of the ground the king appointed Sir Walter, a knight that wayted on him, to
follow the woman or goe with her, which being done, and made known to the
monks at Malmesbury (they to show their liberality upon the extent of the
king’s charity), gave a piece of ground, parcell of their inheritance and adjoyn-
ing to the churchyard, to build a house upon for the Hayward to live in, to look
after the beasts that fed upon this common; and for to perpetuate the memory
of it appointed the following prayers to be said upon every Trinity Sunday in
that house with the ceremonie ensuing. And because a monk of that time,
out of his devotion, gave a bell to be rung here at this house before es
began, his name was inserted in the petitions for that gift.
“(THE CEREMONIE.
‘‘The parishioners being come to the door of the Haywards’ house, the door
was struck thrice in honour of the Holy Trinity, then they entered; the bell was
rung, after which silence being imposed, they read their prayers aforesaid.
Then was a ghirland of flowers, made upon a hoop, brought forth by a mayd of
the town upon her neck, and a young man (a bachelor) of another parish first
saluted her three times,* in honour of the Trinity, in respect of God the Father.
Then she putts the ghirland upon his neck and kisses him three times, in honour
of the Trinity, particularly God the Sonne; then he puts the ghirland on her
neck again and kisses her three times, in respect of the Holy Trinity and parti-
eularly the Holy Ghost. Then he takes the ghirland from her neck and by the
custome must give her a penny at least, which as fancy leads is now exceeded,
as 2s. 6d., or &e.
‘The method of giving this ghirland is from house to house annually till it
comes round.
‘In this evening every commoner sends his supper up to this house which is
called Ealehowse (ale-house), and having before layed in there equally a stock
of mault which was brewed in the house, they supp together and what was left
was given to the poore.—N. of the Ealahus see Somner’s Glossary at the end of
the English Historians, printed at London, 1652.
‘¢¢7HE FORME OF PRAYER.
‘<< Peace, good men, peace, this is the house of charitie, and house of peace,
Christ Jesus be with us this day and evermore. Amen,
*“* You shall pray for the good prosperitie of our Soveraigne Lord King
Henry VIII. and the royal issue (of later dayes King Charles II., Queen Katha-
rine, Duke of York, and the rest of the royal progenie), with all the nobilitie of
this land, that Almighty God would give them such grace, wisdome, and dis-
cretion, that they may doe all things to the glory of God, the king’s honour,
and the good of the kingdome.’
«‘N.B. This form was made by Mr. Richard Estcourt in favour of the present
government.
“«« You shall pray to God that moved the heart of King Athelstan + and Dame
* The kiss of peace [orig]. note). F
+ Athelstan was king from A.p. 925 to a.p. 940. 2pv2
200 Ancient Ales in the County of Wilts.
Mawd his good queen to give this ground to our forefathers, and to us, and for
all them that shall come after us, in fee for ever.
‘«¢ You shall pray to God for the sowle of Sir Walter, the good black knight,
that moved his heart to our forefathers and us this ground both to tread and
tite, and to them that shall come after us, in fee for ever.
**¢ You shall pray to God for the sowle of Abbot Loringe,* that moved his
heart to give this ground both to build this house + upon, to our forefathers and
to us, and to them that shall come after us, in fee for ever.
*«¢ You shall pray to God for the sowle of Don Alured, } the black monke,
that moved his heart to give the bell § to this house.
««¢For the sowles of these benefactors whom the Lord hath moved their
heartes to bestowe these benefitts upon us, let us now and ever pray.’ Pater
noster, &e.
‘‘In the late warres this house was burnt downe by the soldiers, and the
custome of supping is yet (1670) discontinued, together with brewing that
quantity of drinke. The rest of the ceremonies are yet continued in the
Toft, || and on the old door of the house which yet remains, which they then carry
thither, and a small quantity of drinke of six or eight gallons is yet dranke
after the ghirland is given.
“Mem. About 1660, one was killed striving to take away the ghirland.
‘The towne anciently belonged to the Abbey of Malmesbury, and was given
tothem by . . . .- V. Leiger Book.
‘The church here was anciently a chapel of ease to Malmesbury from whence
it is distant above two miles.”
In the prayer at Newnton there is a very extraordinary mixture
of dates. King Athelstan reigned from the year 925 to the year
940. Abbot Loring was Abbot of Malmesbury from the year 1205
to the year 1223, and King Henry VIII. began to reign in the
year 1509, but our clerical readers will readily recognize with
regard to time the Bidding prayer of that reign which is cited by
the Rey. Edward Burton, in his preface to the Three Primers of
King Henry VIII.1 and which was composed about the year 1534.
THE HERD’S ALE AT OGBOURNE ST. GEORGE.
The Herd’s ale at Ogbourne St. George was described to me two
years ago by Mrs. Charlotte Mills of that place, who is between
1P. lxvii.
* Walter Loringe was Abbot of Malmesbury, from 1205 to 1223 (Dug. Mon., vol. ii., p. 255].
+ The Haywards house, called the Eale house [orgl. note}.
¢ This probably means Dominus Alured : see vol. i. 332.
? This bell is now at Mr. Richard Escourt’s house.—Vide what inscripn. it hath [orignl. note].
|| Toft, a place where a Messuage hath stood, Cowell’s Interp. Tit. Toft, citing West’s Symboleo-
graphy, part 11., Tit. Fines, sect, 26.
‘
By Fi: A. Carrington, Esq. 201
eighty and ninety years old. As she never heard of the Herd’s ale
at Newnton, I will give her statement in her own words :—
‘‘ Before the enclosure here, in 1795, all the people who kept cows at Ogbourne
St. George, used to send them to Roundhill-bottom, which is a place a little
further from the village than the two [twin] barrows on Swinghill. Hum-
phreys, a cripple, used to keep the cows, and he had a herds’ ale every year.
He used to have a barrel of beer and victuals, and people used to drink and
give him what they chose. I don’t know on what day it was, but I know it
was when flowers were about, because they made a garland which was put on
some one’s head, and they danced round it, and they went to gentlemens’
houses who used to give them beer. This was when I was about ten years old,
and long before the enclosure. There was a large cow common then.”
It is worthy of remark, that the garland was a part of the
ceremony at the Herd’s ales both at Newnton and Ogbourne
St. George, and therefore could have had no reference either to
King Athelstan’s grant or to any liberality of the Abbots of
Malmesbury.
6. THe Binarz, or HELPALE.
Mr. Brande, in his Popular Antiquities,’ says :—
‘‘There was an ancient custom called Bidale, or Bidder ale, from the Saxon
word ‘biddan,’ to pray or supplicate when any man decayed in his estate was
set up again by the liberal benevolence and contributions of friends, at a feast,
to which those friends were bid or invited. It was most used in the West of
England, and in some counties called a Helpale.”
7. Tue Give ALE.
We are told by the Rey. 8. Denne, in his paper before cited, that
Give ales were the legacies of individuals and from that circum-
stance entirely gratuitous, though some of them might be in addi-
tion to a common Give ale before established in the parish.
Scot ales as already stated were generally kept in houses of
public resort, but the ale at Give ales was first dispensed, if not in
the church (which, however, sometimes happened) yet in the
churchyard.
Give ales on obsequies as well as on the anniversaries of the
dedication of churches, were in other respects merrymakes, at
which there was a free, perhaps a licentious indulgence in the games
and sports of the times, though playing with the ball, singing
1Vol. ii. p. 15, (n.)
202 Ancient Ales in the County of Wiits.
of ballads, dissolute dances, and ludicrous spectacles in churches
and churchyards, subjected the frequency of them to pecuniary
penalties and ecclesiastical censures, excommunication not ex-
cepted.
Bishop Poore’s Constitutions before cited,’ contain the following
passage: —
‘« Ad hue prohibemus ne choree vel turpes et inhonesti ludi qui ad lasciviam
invitant fiant coemeteriis.”’
TRANSLATION :—
Also we prohibit that no dances, or disgraceful or improper sports, which
invite to sin shall take place in churchyards,
Mr. Warton, in his History of English Poetry,’ says that
“ Among Bishop Tanner’s manuscript additions to Cowell’s Law
Glossary in the Bodleian Library is the following note from his
own collections :—
“‘a.p. 1468, Prior Cant. et commissarii visitationem fecerunt (diocesi Cant.
vacante per mortem archiepiscopi) et ibi publicatum erat quod potationes factoe
in ecclesiis vulgariter dictoe yevealys [Give ales] vel Bredealys [Bride ales]
non essent ulterius in usu sub pena excommunicationis majoris.”
TRANSLATION :-—
A.D. 1468. The Prior of Canterbury and the commissaries made a visitation
(the See of Canterbury being vacant by the death of the archbishop) and it was
there promulgated that potations made in the churches vulgarly called yeve
alys [Give ales], or Bredealys [Bride ales], should not be further in use under
the penalty of the greater excommunication.
8. Tue Brive ALE.
Mr. Brande, in his Popular Antiquities,’ says that—
‘‘ Bride ale, Bride bush, Bride stake, are nearly synonymous terms, and all
derived from the circumstance of the bride’s selling ale on the wedding-day,
for which she received by way of contribution whatever handsome price the
friends assembled on the occasion chose to pay her for it. A bush at the end of a
stake or pile was the ancient badge of a country ale-house. Around this stake
the guests were wont to dance as about a May-pole. The Bride ale appears to
have been called in some places a Bidding, from the circumstance of the bride
and bridegroom bidding or inviting the guests. In Cumberland it had the
appellation of a Bride’s wain.”
1 Id p. 600,
2 Vol. iii., p. 119, n. (f.)
3 Vol. fi., p. 70.
By F. A. Carrington, Esq. 208
Mr. Warton, in the note in his History of English Poetry before
cited, says that “Mr. Astle has a curious record, about 1575,
which proves the Bride ale synonymous with the “‘ Weddyng ale.”
As to Bride ales not being in churches see above Tit. Give ale.
The Court Rolls of Hales Owen Borough, in Co. Salop, contain
the following entry under the date of 15 Eliz. [1573.}}
“‘Ttem, a payne is made that no person or persons that shall brewe any
weddyn ale to sell, shall not brewe above twelve strike * of mault at the most,
and that the said persons so married shall not keep nor have above eight messe +
of persons at his dinner, within the Burrowe, and before his brydall daye he
shall keep no unlawful games in hys house on pain of twenty shillings.”
9. Tue Lams ALE.
Mr. Warton, in the note before cited, says :—
‘*Lamb ale is still used at the village of Kirklington, in Oxfordshire, for an
annual feast or celebration at lamb shearing.”
10. Tue Leer Ate.
The Rev. 8. Denne,? says :—
“To a Leet ale it is likely all the resiants in a manerial district were contri-
butors.”
11. Tue Mipsummer ALE.
An ale under this name is mentioned by Mr. Douce,? and also
by Mr. Brande,‘ but I have not met with any account of it or any
explanation beyond that which the name imports.
1 Cited in the Antiq. Rep., vol. i., p. 69.
2 Arch, vol. xii., p. 10.
3 Carter’s Anc. Sculp. vol. ii., p. 9.
4 Pop. Ant. vol. i., p. 227-229.
* A strike means a bushel.
+ At the present time, at Lincoln’s Inn Hall, a messis a dinner for four persons, who dine together ;
the persons dining in that hall being divided into messes, each mess having the same viands repeated,
so that if two hundred members of the Inn dine and the viand be a turbot, they would dine
in fifty messes, and there would be fifty turbots on the table. This I have often seen, and
the practice there is exactly the same as to all other viands with the exception of venison;
and with respect to that, although the rule as to messes is in some degree observed, a haunch of
venison is served to every three messes. Thus atthe dinner at Lincoln’s Inn Hall, on the 12th of J une,
1846, when Prince Albert became a Bencher of that Society, his Royal Highness and suite, and the
members of the Society, to the number of 504, dined in the hall, and there were forty-two haunches of
venison on the table—the largest supply of venison that I ever saw on the table at the same time.
I mention these circumstances as they may explain obscure items in ancient houschold,accounts,—
F.A.C.
204 Ancient Ales in the County of Wiits.
12. Axxes ror Sprecrat Purposss.
Of these an instance is given in the Saturday Magazine, for
Dec. 8, 1832. (Vol. I, No. 28, p. 221).
“In the church of Thorpe le Soken, in the county of Essex, is an ancient
wooden screen, formerly situated towards the east end of the north aisle, but
now removed to the west end of the south aisle, in the centre of the upper part
of which on a scroll borne by angels is the following inscription :—
Ghis cost is the Barhelers, mate by Ales:
Shesu be ther mew.
‘Which is thus explained :—This cost (the expense of this screen) is defrayed
by the single men of the parish, by collections made for that purpose: Jesus be
their mede (reward).”
With respect to some of the species of ales before-mentioned, I
have not yet met with any instance in the county of Wilts, or in
in the diocese of Sarum, but I here notice them in the hope that
our clerical members may find entries respecting them in old
churchwardens’ accounts, and communicate those entries to the
Society, and it may be that some of the information contained in
such entries, otherwise obscure, may be explained by some of the
facts here stated.
F, A. Carrineton.
208
[CONTINUATION OF PAPER ON CHURCH BELLS. |
Bella af the County of Wilts,
WITH THEIR INSCRIPTIONS.
By the Rey. W. C. Luxts,
N.B.—The parishes, whose bell-inscriptions are here given, are arranged in their several Deaneries ;
and the quaint spelling is retained. ‘The figure 1. signifies the Treble bell in every case.
Archdeaconry of Salisbury :—
Salisbury Cathedral, 2 bells.
Bishop’s bell.— 5] IESVS: NAZARENVS: REX: IVDEORVM:
Clock Bell.— & William & Purdue @ fusa anno regis Caroli 24. XITTo-
Aoq. Dni 1661, impensis ecclesiz.
&RT:* HH:
Subdeanery of Salisbury :—
St. Thomas’s,+ Salisbury, 8.
1. Thos. Ogden, William Bailey, Churchwardens. Rt. Wells, Aldbourne
fecit, 1771.
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, & 7, ditto.
8. Wm. Naish, Esq., Mayor, Nathl. Sturidg, Thos. Hales, Churchwardens.
A SR. 1716.
* Probably one of the family of Tosier (see list of bell-founders, at page 50).
+ The bells of this church appear to have been recast more than once, as appears from the very
interesting and carefully preserved churchwardens’ accounts—e. g., ‘‘At a vestry held Novr. 10,
1630. It is agreed with John Danton, bell-founder, that he is to cast the bell called the 4th bell, and
he is to have xiiijs. a hundred for casting of him and xs. over and above; but if the said Danton
add anythinge to the bell he is to have xijd. a pownd for it; but if he leave any of the mettle of the
bell he is to allow their place but xd. a pownd.”
At the same vestry, ‘‘It is also ordered that all the inhabitants of this parish are to be rated to
the casting of the said bell, onely all that are under viijd. in the Easter boxes are to pay nothing.”
Again, at a vestry held May 11, 1663, ‘‘ Mr. Robt. Jones, gave his accounts for the bells.
“The waight of the old bells, 89 hundred 12 po.
“The waight of the new bells, 76 hundred, 29 qrs., 44p. Left of the mettle, 13 hundred 39 qrs.
19} p. Sold the above 13 hundred 389 qrs. 19} p. to Purdy (Willm. Purdue), at 4li. vs. a hundred,
which comes to lix li. iv s. ix d.
“Memorand: that Purdy demands for casting iron-work, tynne, and tyme, &c. which comes to
Ix li. x#.xd. Soe that if this accompt prove to be allowed of, there will be due to Purdy the bell-
founder, xx li. js. jd.”
25
206 Bells of the County of Wiits.
St. Edmund's Salisbury, 6.
1. Richard Grafton, a frend to the worke, August W. & P.* N & B.+
1656.
2. Mr. Wilkins, Churchwarden. Rt. Wells, Aldbourne, fecit 1774,
3. John Percevall, Churchwarden. August, 1656. W. & P., N. & B.
4, C. & G. Mears, Founders, London, 1846,
5. John Strickland, Minester, August, 1656. &W. &@P. BBN. BS
B. @ A. T.
6. W.&P. N. &B. cast mee. William Stone, maior, August, 1656.
St. Martin’s, Salisbury, 6.
ue
2. Thomas Mears, Founder, London, 1842.
3.
4, | William Smith, Walter Pope, Churchwardens, 1675. &R. F.{ &
5. Be mec and loly to heare thé Word of God. 1582. I. W.§
6. Call a soleme assemblie, gather the people. I. W. 1628. I. D.|j
(between the Canons.) Gifyk. 6g en B,
Stratford Sub- Castle, 2.
1. Prayse God. I. W. 1604.
2. J. Blake & W. Randall, Churchwardens. R. Well, Aldbourne, fecit
anno 1767.
Deanery of Amesbury :—
Allington, 3.
1, C. & G. Mears, Londini fecerunt 1849.
ee ee ee eee
In the accounts for the year 1664-5, there is :—
‘*Pd. Purdue forthe bells ... ... ... ... viijli. 0 0
Pd. for a discharge from Purdue... ... 0 0 xd”
Again, ‘‘ July 14, 1716, At a meeting of the gentlemen of the vestry of the parish of St. Thomas,
It is agreed that Mr. Abraham Rudhall, of Glosester, be sent to about casting the great bell, which is
now ordered to be new cast: and that he be desired to forthwith come hither to enter into articles
for his performance of the same. Signed, Wm. Naish, mayor, &c., &c.”
“July 25, 1716. Ata meeting of the gentlemen of the parish in vestry, At this meeting the articles
of agreement made the 15th inst., with Mr. Abraham Rudhall, of Gloucester, for casting the great
bell of this parish, is confirmed; and also at this meeting it is agreed that the second bell of the
eight be new cast, and that Mr. Abraham Rudhall, be allowed seven pounds for casting fhe same,
(exclusive of carriage of the old bell to Gloucester and the new one from thence), and also to allow
him one shilling per pound for what the new bell shall weigh more than the old one (if anything), or
receive one shilling per pound for so much as the new bell shall want of the weight of the old one.
““ Wim. Naish, Mayor.”
“Novr. 12, 1716. At a meeting of the gentlemen of the vestry, &c. It is ordered that a rate of
twenty-four weeks upon land is granted for defraying the expenses for new casting two bells and
other expenses. Signed, Wm. Naish.” li. 8. d.
“1717. Pd. in expences with the bell-founder at several meetings ... ... ij. | viijs 0
Pd. to Mr. Osgood, for fetching the bells... 2. 0. cee tee ce vij. ij. 0
Pa. the bell-founder, for casting the bells ... ... 0... 0... ... xxiv. iiij. 0
Pd. for watching the bells,; 2.4524 pest ivcs cad etn oka eee jute
* William Purdue. + Nicholas Bolter. + Richard Flory.
John Wallis. || John Danton.
~~
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 207
2. Serve God. I. W. 1619.
3, && AVE GRACIA PLN.
Amesbury, 6.
1. Come at God’s call. I. W. 1619.
2. (No inscription.)
3. I. Corr. 1728.
4. Chrisr. Ingram and John Waters, Ch.-wardens. James Wells, Aldbourn,
Wilts, fecit 1801.
5. Be stronge in faythe prayes God well,
Francis Countess Hertford’s bell, I. W. 1619.
6. Richard Hays, Thomas Francis, Churchwardens.
All thoo it be onto my lost
I hoop you will consider my cost. C. T.* 1713.
Cholderton, 1.
oR SANCTA ANA.
Great Durnford, 5.
1. EH: WM: TW: IF: 1657. @W.@P BN. OBS
2. George Davis, WM: TW: EH. 16577 BW. BP. BN. BB. 8
3. William Munde, Thomas Waters, Churchwardens, 1656.
4, o AVE GRACIA PLENA.
5. Honor the king. I. W. 1614.
Durrington, 5.
1. Goy in God. I. W. 1617.
2. Glorifi the Lord. I. W. 1617,
3. Anno Domini 1654. I. & L.+
4. Hope well. I. W. 1602.
5. Anno Domini 1600. I. & L.
Figheldean, 3.
1, Prais ey the Lord. 1581. I. W.
2. Prise God. @ Robert Rofe, Thomas Pollein @ Churchwardens &
William Spencer & R. L. & William Tosier @ cast mein 1721. Sarum,
3. In God is my hope. 1581. I. W.
Idmiston, 4.
1. je Anno Domini 1661. I. & L.
2. %& Anno Domini 1654. I. & L.
3. 1636. (Date twice given but no other inscription—figures very rude.)
4. John Wristbridge & John Barnes, Churchwardens. @ William Tosier
cast me, February the 8, in 1731,
* Clement Tosier. + John Lett.
2E2
208 Bells of the County of Wiits.
Porton, 2 small bells, the first broken, without inscriptions.
Laverstock, 1.
James Wells, Aldbourn, Wilts, 1817.
Indgershall, 5.
1, James Wells, Aldbourn, Wilts, fecit 1818. Jacob Crook & Daniel
Dobbs, Churchwardens.
2, Mr. E. Daniell & Mr, R, Hutchins, Churchwardens, J, Burrough, in
Devizes Founder, 1749.
3. O prayse the Lord. I. D. 1631.
4. je Anno Domini 1638.
5. Edward Reinton & Ambrose Downam, Churchwardens. Clement
Tosear cast mee 1686.
Newton Toney, 4.
1. Robt. Wells, Aldbourn, Wilts, fecit.
2. )C. & G. Mears, Founders, London, 1851.
3. Laus Deo.
4, J AVE GRACIA PLENA DOMINVS TECVM.
North Tidworth, 5.
1. William Parsons & John Edwardes, Churchwardens. & Clemant Tosier
cast mee in 1700 &
2. O be joyful in God. I. W. 1619.
3. O praies the Lord. I. W. 1619.
4, Sing praies to God. I. W. 1619.
5. Thomas Northeast & Robert Dowling, Churchwardens. James Wells,
Aldbourn, Wilts, fecit 1809.
Winterbourne Dantsey, 3
1, John Andrewes, William Rowden, Churchwardens. §& Willm. Tosear
cast me in 1723.
2. God be our guyd. I. W. 1583.
3. 1652. (Inscription illegible.)
°
Winterbourne Cherborough, 2.
1. Love the Lord. I. W. 1602.
2. Medieval bell.
Winterbourne Earls, 3.
1. Remember me O God. I. W. 1623.
2. Reioyse in God. 1635. I. D.
3. % AVE MARIA GRACIA.
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 209
Winterslow, 4.
1. Messrs. Mears, Founders, 1841.
2. Love the Lord. I. W. 1601.
3. O praies the Lord. I. W. 1628.
4, Serve the Lord. I. W. 1593.
Norice.—The inscriptions on the bells of the following churches
in the Deanery of Amesbury have not been obtained. Mr. Lukis
will feel obliged for them, in order to make'the list of Wiltshire
bells as complete as possible.
Boscombe, Plaitford,
Bulford, Landford,
Bramshaw, Milston,
West Dean, Whiteparish,
East Grimstead, Wilsford.
West Grimstead,
Gentlemen undertaking to supply the information are requested
to attend to the following particulars :—
1. The quaint spelling of the inscription to be retained.
2. All letters on the bells to be noticed. They are sometimes on
the sides, or on the crown, of the bell, and more commonly precede
or follow the date.
3. The diameter of the mouth, and the thickness of the lip of
the heaviest bell.
Deanery of Chalke :—
Bishopstone, 3.
1, In God my hope. 1583. I. W.
2. God be our guyd. I. W. 1587.
3. Edward Hayerd, Edward King, C. W. D. 1652. I. & L.*
Britford or Burford, 5.
1, 2. 3. 4. 5, Robt. Wells, Aldbourne, fecit 1765.
Broadchalk, 5.
1, I am the first and though but small,
It will be harde above you all.
Thomas Reade, Thomas Lawes. C. T.t+ 1704,
* John Lett, Bell-founder, Salisbury.
+ Clement Tosier, ditto.
210 Bells of the County of Wilts.
2. I in this pleace am second bell,
Ile shurly doe my parte as well.
John Randel, John Smithe,C. W. 1659. & W. BP. & *
3. George Penruddock, Knight. John Aubery, Esquier. ©. W. 1660.
SW. 4P.& E.C+
4, George Penruddock, Knight. John Aubery, Esquier. C.W. & W.
&P. & 1660.
5. (No inscription.) }
6. yt ANDREE CAMPANA FUGIANT PULSANTE PROPHANA.
Ne,
Alvediston, 3.
1. James Wells, Aldbourn, Wilts, fecit 1811.
2.1. D.. 1640;
3. Prayse God. 1630. I. D.
Combe Bissett, 4.
1. John Barber & John Harwood, Churchwardens. 1758. Lester & Pack
of London, fecit. &
2. Geve God the Glory. I. W. 1586.
3. Geve God the Glory. I. W. 1589.
4, O give thanks to God. I. W. 1617.
Dinton, 6.
1. Though I am the least
I will bee heard as wel as the reast.
SS Rianges Fauster FF . I . SS _ 1666.
2. William Coles, Thomas Coles, C. H. Robert White P. T: I. A: 1660.
W.4P.&
3. Nicholas Daniell. W. E: R. W:§ A. H: D. K: W.C:|| T.0.9
1660. W. &P. &
4, I with my fellowes doo agree,
Then harken to our harmonie.
John King, John Gees, Churchwardens. F. F.** 1666,
5. William Coles, Thomas Coles, C. W. John Kinge, 1661. & W. &
PS
6. 3 SVM ROSA PVLSATA MVNDI MARIA.
Ebbesborne Wake, 3.
1.1. D. 1683.
2. Thomas Kigman, William Jay,C. W. 166. & W. &P.&
3. Sing to the Lord. I. D. 16387.
* + + Broken. 3 Robert White. || William Coles.
Thomas Coles. * * Francis Foster.
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 211
Fifield Bavent, 1. (No inscription.)
Homington, 1.
James Minty, John Hares, Churchwardens. Clement Toesyer cast mee in
1683. David Hamfries. *
East Knowle, 6.
. Wm. Cockey, Bell-founder, 1726.
. God preserve the Church. Wm. Cockey, Bell-founder, 1726.
. Robert and James Wells, Aldbourne, fecit 1794.
. Anty Burbige & Mr- Nichs- Williams, Ch. W4s. 1748. W. & C.
. Thomas Mears, Founder, London. W. Wigmore, W. B. Compton,
Churchwardens.
6. H. ©. & W.S. Ch. Was. 1726. W. &C.
Odstock, 3.
1. Love God. 1636. I. D.
2. O praies the Lord. I. D. R.T. 1624.
3. § IN: HO: NO: RE: MA: RI: A.
Toney Stratford, 3.
1. Richard Miles, Thomas Hill, C. W. I. &L. 1672.
2. Serve God. I. W. 1612.
3. John Prist, Edward Boddenham, Churchwardens. Clement Tosear cast
mee in the yeare of 1696.
are OO De
Churches of this Deanery whose bell inscriptions are desired to
complete the list :—
Ansty, Charlton,
Baverstock, Fonthill Bishop,
Berwick St. John, Fonthill Gifford,
Berwick St. Leonard, Fovant,
Bower Chalk, Hendon,
Burcombe, West Knoyle,
Chicklade, Semley,
Chilmark, Sutton Mandeville,
West Harnham, Swallowelift,
Compton Chamberlaine, Teftont Ewyas,
Damerham, Tisbury,
Donhead St. Andrew, Tollard Royal.
Donhead St. Mary,
* Broken.
(To be continued, )
212 The Bustara.
THE BUSTARD (Vot. L., p. 54).
Many years ago, I should say in or about the year 1785 or 6, I often heard
conversations amongst the farmers who visited my relations at L——, about the
scarcity of bustards on the Downs, which they attributed to the heath, &c.,
being broken up and converted to tillage, and to the corn being weeded in the
spring, whereby the birds were disturbed and prevented making their nests.
About that time I was riding in company with my uncle, from his residence to
Devizes, and after passing a place called Chitterne Barn, he drew my attention
to some large birds nearly a half mile off, standing on a hill on the Down about
the same distance from Tilshead Lodge (then called Tilshead Buildings), he
told me they were bustards, and he proposed that we should get as near them as
we could in order to ascertain the fact whether they ran so fast as had been
reported because they could not easily take wing. We accordingly proceeded
by the valleys in the Down, concealing ourselves as much as possible by leaning
over the necks of our horses until we got within about 200 yards of them, when
we suddenly ascended the hill on which they were standing and riding pretty
fast got within 100 yards of them, but to our disappointment they made but a
few springs and were on the wing, flew away and we saw no more of them.
At another time within a year afterwards, I was again accompanying him
and a relation of ours in a one-horse-chaise to Devizes, and whilst we were
within the banks of the road, about a quarter of a mile from Chitterne Barn,
two bustards flew over our heads within gun shot, and I could distinctly see the _
colour of their plumage.
About the year 1792, a traveller passing over the Downs between Devizes and
Salisbury, came upon a bustard which started up and tumbled about as if
wounded and unable to rise, he rode after it a little way, but the bird gained
upon him and he returned to the road; in so doing, he found a young bustard
in a wheel-track, which he caught and took to Salisbury, and gave it to
Mrs. Steedman of the Red Lion Inn there. This bird I frequently saw and handled.
It was very tame, and within three months after it was there it could eat off
the table in the bar. Mrs. Steedman told me she was offered, but refused, ten
guineas for the bird. The party wishing to get it for Lord Temple, then living
near Winchester, who it was said had another bustard. Mrs. Steedman soon
afterwards lost the bird, by a pointer getting into her parlour and killing it.
In 1802, a female bustard was shot by a shepherd, in the neighbourhood of
Durrington. He gave it to Mr. Moore of Durrington, who had a painting made
of it by Mr. Dudman, an artist staying at the place, The painting is in the
possession of his son, George Pearce Moore, Esq.
J. 8.
Le
a
Che Churches of Devizes.
By Mr. Epwarp Kire,
. GeneRAL Notice.
. Tue Cuurcn or Sr. Jonn Baptist.
CHAnrries In St. Joun’s Cuurcn.
CuurcH oF Sr. ioe IRGIN.
Cuantrigs IN Sr. Mary’s Cuurcu.
. Coventry FAmtIty.
Apsrracr oF DrEps RELATING TO Sr. Mary’s.
CHURCHWARDENS’ Accounts, wirH NorEs.
. Haww’s Lerrer asour Cuurcw Pare.
. Recrors or Devizes.
Pus Com =
= > = &
—
—)
GENERAL NotIcE.
The town of Devizes contains two parish churches,! dedicated
respectively in honour of St. John the Baptist, and the Blessed
Virgin Mary. These are united, and form one Rectory in the
Diocese of Sarum, and patronage of the Lord Chancellor.
Before describing them, it may be desirable to say a few words
respecting the early history of the town itself.
Of this, little or nothing is with certainty known previously to
the commencement of the twelfth century, when the Episcopal See
which had been removed from Wilton to Old Sarum, by Bishop
Herman (c. a.p. 1076) was filled by Roger Poore, or as he is called
in Latin buinaeings:?’ Roger Pauper.
—- $1 — a2 Fe. z
1 That of addin or Devizes Green, adlioaihd to St. James, is a Chapel
of Ease under the parochial jurisdiction of Bishop’s Cannings.
2F
214 The Churches of Devizes.
This prelate, whose parentage seems to have been obscure, first
occurs to notice as the priest of a small church near Caen, in Nor-
mandy, into which Prince Henry (brother to William Rufus, and
afterwards King Henry I.) happening to enter, whilst on a military
expedition, was so much pleased at the celerity with which Mass
was performed, that his soldiers persuaded him to allow the rapid
officiator to attend the camp as a proper chaplain for the army.
Being endowed with great natural talents, Roger so far ingratiated
himself with his patron that he was intrusted with the sole manage-
ment of his household, and upon Henry’s ascending the throne
(A.D. 1100), was immediately appointed chancellor, loaded with
lands, churches, prebends, and abbeys, nominated in 1102 to the
vacant See of Sarum, and finally raised to the high office of Justi-
ciary of England.
He appears to have been the best architect of his day, and is
distinguished by some of our chroniclers as “the great builder of
Churches and Castles.” In addition to the Castle of Sarum which
he repaired and strengthened, he also erected others at Devizes
and Sherborne, and commenced one at Malmesbury.
His principal work, however, would seem to have been the
Castle of Devizes, which is described as “one of the most sump-
tuous and stately edifices in England.”
From the contiguity and probable connection of the Church
#
1 An account of the life of this prelate will be found in Dodsworth’s History
of Salisbury Cathedral, p. 20. It will here be sufficient to remark that as his
early life was an example of singular prosperity, so was the remainder marked
by a series of reverses. Stripped of his castles, and of the treasures which he had
during a series of years accumulated in them, by the succeeding monareh (King
Stephen, of whose claim to the crown Roger had been a powerful opponent), he
at last sunk under his disappointment, and dying 4.p. 1139, was interred in his
Cathedral of Old Sarum; but his body was removed to that of New Sarum, shortly
after its erection, A.D. 1226.
Underneath an arch, on the north side of the nave, are two ancient monu-
mental slabs, each bearing the eftigy of a bishop. These have been ascribed to
this prelate, and his successor Joceline, whose body was at the same time trans-
ferred to the Cathedral of New Sarum.
By Mr. Edward Kite. 215
of St. John with this fortress, as well as from the similarity of
their architectural style, the original parts of the church are
conjectured! to have been also the work of Bishop Poore ;? and it is
not unlikely that in its original state, it may have been intended
as a free chapel for the use of the garrison in the castle.
Erected thus probably by one Justiciary of England,’ St. John’s
Church in the succeeding century afforded sanctuary to a second
in the person of Hubert de Burgh, Earl of Kent, who having been
for some time confined in the castle, escaped from it with the assist-
ance of his knights, who conveyed him for safety to the church,
and deposited him, loaded with irons, on the steps of the High
Altar. As soon as the event was made known to the governor, a
force was dispatched in pursuit of him, and he was dragged from
his place of refuge and conveyed back to the castle. This breach
of the privilege of sanctuary was warmly resented by the clergy,
who, on the refusal of the governor to acknowledge the authority
of the Church by restoring the earl, carried their cause before the
king, and, compelling him to yield to their request, Hubert was a
second time transferred to his place of refuge, strict orders being
given to the Sheriff of Wilts to guard the church and cemetery with
a body of armed men, by day and night, in order to prevent the
possibility of his escape from it by any means. The step thus
taken, however, proved ineffectual. His friends in the meanwhile
mustered a troop of horse, and on the following day suddenly made
1 See Britton’s ‘ Architectural Antiquities of Great Britain.”
2 William of Malmesbury, Bishop Roger’s biographer, informs us that the
structures erected by this prelate were ‘so skilfully built as to resemble an
entire rock.” This description seems certainly applicable to the original walls
of St. John’s Church. Constructed of small squared stones, well jointed, and
laid in even courses, they appear, after a lapse of seven centuries, as firm and
upright as at the period of their erection.
’ It was an ancient custom of the kings of England to administer justice in
person. In process of time, however, this office was confided to,a deputy, who,
under the Norman sovereigns bore the title of Justiciary of England. The
justiciaries continued till the erection of the courts of King’s Bench and Common
Pleas. The last who held the office was Philip de Basset, in 1261. Dodsworth’s
Salisbury Cathedral, p. 22. Note.
282
216 The Churches of Devizes.
their appearance in the churchyard, and having overcome the sheriff’s
party bore him away in triumph into Wales.
This happened a.p. 1233, from which time no historical event of
importance is recorded in connection with St. John’s church until
the period of the Civil Wars, when it appears to have undergone
its full share of calamity. An entry in the Chamberlain’s Books,
1642, “for making a place for a magazine for the powder and for
carrying of it up into the church,” seems to show that a portion
(at least) of it was, at that time, sacrilegiously converted into a
powder magazine. The lead was also (we are told) torn from the
roofs of the churches, in order to be molten into bullets, on the
occasion of the storming of the town in 1645, by Sir William
Waller.
In the “ Commons Journals” is the following :—
©1646. 28 May. Ordered—That all such materials as are now remaining
in the Castle of The Devizes, and which were part of, or belonging to St. John’s
Church in the Town of The Devizes, or to the Parsonage House belonging to the
said Church, shall be forthwith restored to the Churchwardens there, for the
re-edifying of the said Church and Parsonage House.”
At what period the Church of St. John was made Parochial, or
that of St. Mary annexed to it, does not appear; the latter, however,
is mentioned for the first time in an institution to the Rectory,
A.D. 1398.
The original parts of the present Church of St. Mary, although
much inferior in point of workmanship to those of St. John, appear
to be of nearly the same date, and from some of the Norman
foundations which still remain, it would seem that the fabric was
originally of much the same size as at present. Whether, or not, a
church existed on this site prior to the twelfth century is unknown.
It is not improbable that this may have been, at an early period,
the Parish Church; whilst the other, as conjectured above, may
have been reserved for the special use of the garrison.
At the commencement of the fourteenth century the town con-
sisted of two portions, known as the Old and New Port. This
distinction will be frequently alluded to in the following memoir.
They appear to have corresponded nearly with the present parishes—
the Old Port, with that of St. Mary; the New, with that of St.John.
By Mr. Edward Fite. 217
The latter parish includes the Old Park, which formerly belonged
to the Castle.
When we consider the antiquity of these Churches it seems
remarkable that so little should be met with relating to their early
history. Leland, who visited Devizes in the reign of Henry VIIL.,
gives (in his Itinerary) a particular description of the Castle, but
omits to make the slightest mention of either of the Churches.!
His example has been followed by Camden and others; even by our
Wiltshire Antiquary, John Aubrey.
Dr. Stukeley in his “ Itinerarium Curiosum,” published in 1724,
thus briefly describes them :—
“Here are two Churches; the quire of St. Mary’s, of a very old model, the
steeple, quire, and both wings of St. John’s, the same, to which parcels have
since been tackt all round, and new wide windows put in with pointed arches,
instead of the antient narrow semicircular ones,”
In the present century their history has been more minutely
investigated by Mr. Britton, who in a description of them, published
in his “Topographical and Historical Description of the County,”
and “Architectural Antiquities of Great Britain,” has fortunately
preserved a record of one or two features, since destroyed. In
addition to this, the latter work, vol. 2, contains several fine engrav-
ings of the Church of St. John—viz., exterior and interior views,
together with some of its details. These, and a later volume by
Mr. James Waylen, entitled “ Chronicles of The Devizes,” contain
the greater part of the information hitherto published respecting
the Churches of Devizes.
Since the appearance of Mr. Waylen’s book, in 1839, both
Churches have undergone considerable alterations, in the course
of which several interesting points have been disclosed.
It is the object, therefore, of the following paper to bring together
from these, and some other sources, whatever information has been
already met with, in order to present a more complete account
of these ancient edifices; and it is at the same time hoped that,
attention having been called, through the medium of this pub-
lication, to the easiest in their pee! access Sena be gained
1 See “ Wilts BE cist Vol. I., p. 181.
218 The Churches of Devizes.
to any hitherto neglected documents, which may tend to their
further illustration.
The property belonging to the Churches was reported (cirea 1833)
by the Charity Commissioners, as follows :—
St. John’s [held in trust for the reparations of the Church, and
the maintenance of the poor] consisted of sixteen Leases, of Houses
and portions of ground built on; of which the annual value, of
buildings if in hand, was calculated at £278; this was let on long
terms, at quit-rents amounting to £8 12s. 7d., including about four
acres of garden ground at Marlborough.
St. Mary’s consisted of forty-two Dwelling Houses, and two other
buildings, all let for long terms, in thirty-one Leases, at quit-rents
amounting to £26 10s. 6d. Computed value of Houses £750 per
annum. Also—
Ae CR EBs
Tsabel’sh Mead utc. okisoet sees 11 0 O
Sprtali@rottie gcc ee ee cies 11 0 O
LI IUDSH Sie Gch bel Hoagie ree > a oes 8 2 0
Inner and Outer Raymead........ 6 3 3
36 5 3
producing an annual rent of £186: total £212 10s. 6d. The value
of fines, and timber cut, being added, makes the average rental
about £307 per annum.
Tre Cuurcu or Sr. Joun Baptist.
This has been justly pronounced to be “one of the most interesting
Parochial Churches in Great Britain, to the Architectural Anti-
quary.”!
Its Ground Plan (which is shown in the annexed drawing)
consists of Chancel, A., with Chapels, B. C., on its North and South
sides; Central Tower, D.; North and South Transepts, E. F.;
Nave, G.; North and South Nave Aisles, H. I.; and North and
South Porches, K. L.
From the different styles of architecture which these several
1 Britton’s ‘Architectural Antiquities,” ii., 3.
————
~~
GROUND PLAN
OF
S! JOHN'S CHURCH,
DEVIZES.
ry 10 4°
Scate of Feet.
Edw Kite del?
By Mr. Edward Kite. 219
portions display, it is evident that they are the work of no less
than four distinct periods.
The Church, in its original state, was cruciform, and consisted
simply of Chancel, Transepts, and Nave, projecting from the four
sides of a central Tower.
The whole of these older portions still remain, and constitute the
greater part of the present structure. Although they have, from
time to time, undergone considerable alterations, still enough is
left untouched to show what the building must have been in its
original state.
The Tower, which is the most important feature, is, with the
exception of the parapet and pinnacles, almost unchanged externally.
As there were no Aisles until three centuries after its erection, the
Turret at the N.W. angle containing the staircase (now engaged
within the mass of the church) must have arisen from the ground
at the junction of the Nave and Transept walls. The Chancel and
Transepts also retain many of their original features in windows,
pilaster-buttresses, corbel-table, and mouldings. Among the latter
may be noticed the Chevron, or Zigzag, the Saw Tooth or Hatched,
the Embattled, the Nail Head, the Double Billet, the Beaded, the
Cable, the Scolloped, the Indented, &c. The Nave suffered con-
siderably by the addition of the Aisles, and therefore retains few
of its original ornaments.
The style of architecture to which the older portions of the
building belong is the Late Romanesque, or Norman, and, with the
exception of Malmesbury Abbey, they are the finest example of it
in the county. Their date from the concurrence of the pointed
and the semicircular arch, may be fixed at about the middle of the
twelfth century.
The Aisles were added about the middle of the fifteenth century,
and together with the Chapels on the North and South sides of the
Chancel, which are of two subsequent dates, exhibit specimens of
the Third Pointed, or Perpendicular style of architecture, which
was in use for nearly two centuries previous to the Reformation.
The extreme length of the building from East to West is one
hundred and fourteen feet, and its greatest width sixty-eight feet.
220 The Churches of Devizes.
THE TOWER.
The peculiarity of the tower consists in its being, not square, but
of an oblong form, measuring twenty-three-and-a-half feet from
north to south, by fourteen feet from east to west, and seventy-three
feet in height. It rests on four arches. ‘Two of these, the east
and west, owing to the greater width of those sides, are semicircular.
The arches on the north and south are pointed, but of the same
height and age as the former. Each of the four arches springs,
on either side, from a cluster of three shafts, and is worked into
three rolls corresponding with them; two of these forming a re-
ceding or sub-arch. The capitals of the shafts are of the cushion
form, and the abacus square and heavy, with the lower edge cham-
fered off, and ornamented with rows of the “ triangular indented”
moulding.
On the face of each of the arches is a variety of the “chevron”
moulding, and on that of the western arch there was (until removed
c. 1820) a curious ornament introduced in the hollow between the
present “chevron” and “beaded” mouldings. It is thus described
by Mr. Britton!:—
‘Qn the great arch connecting the tower with the nave is an ornament which
I have never seen elsewhere, that is, a series of about forty-eight basso-relievo-
figures, representing a peculiar sort of bottle running round the arch; and in
the centre is a key stone with an angel’s head and thistles sculptured on it.”
Above these arches, at the height of a few feet, is the remaining
portion of an intersecting
arcade, which formerly ran
round the whole of the four
inner walls, but is now un-
fortunately much mutilated
on two of its sides. On the
north, south, and west walls .
each arch in this arcade con-
tained, in the centre, one
additional shaft only, from
1 Architectural Antiquities, il., 5.
By Mr. Edward Kite. 221
which sprung two other arches; whilst on the east wall the semi-
circular arches are of greater span, and consequently higher, each
containing two additional shafts; the subordinate arches, therefore,
formed by this double intersection are more acutely pointed, and
the arcade itself, a portion of which is represented in the annexed
engraving, much richer in appearance. The whole of the arches
are ornamented with the “chevron” moulding, and the shafts from
which they spring are of a circular form, with the capitals variously
ornamented. The bases of the shafts are hidden by the floor of the
present “ringing loft.”
The exterior of the Tower, above the ridge of the Nave, Chancel,
and Transept roofs, is divided by “cable” and “billet” mouldings
into two stages. At three of the angles is a kind of three-quarter
column ; and at the top is an embattled parapet with massive and
rudely executed pinnacles, set crosswise, whilst at the fourth angle
is the turret, which is also embattled, and was formerly surmounted
by a small spire. The walls of the upper stage exhibit an arcade
of sixteen semicircular arches, six of which—viz., one on the north
and south sides, and two on the east and west (an irregularity
which arises from the shape of the tower) inclose the belfry win-
dows. Each of these windows consists of two narrow semicircular-
headed apertures, formed by the introduction of a midwall shaft,
evidently a modification of the “baluster” shaft and window of the
preceding or Saxon style.
In the lower stage, and immediately underneath these windows,
are six others, ornamented externally and internally, with jamb-
shafts and a semicircular archway enriched with Norman mouldings.
These are now filled with masonry of Perpendicular date, but were,
probably, in their original state, glazed in order to admit light to
the intersecting arcade below them, which was then visible from
the interior of the church.
! This floor was constructed, at a comparatively recent date, for the purpose of
forming a separate apartment for the ringers. It is, however, an innovation
much to be condemned, completely destroying as it does the effect intended by
the original architect to be produced by leaving the greater portion of the tower
open to the body of the church.
ete
222 The Churches of Devizes.
Betts.—These are eight in number. The inscriptions upon them
are as follows :—
land 2. ‘The gift of Wm. Willy, Esq., Mr. Tris. Godwin, and Mr, Wm.
Adlam, Ch,-Wardens. Is. Burrough, Founder, 1747.”
3. ‘* Vivat Rex et Floreat Grex, Ano Domini 1677. R.P, W.C. T.C,”
4, “J. W., 1610. Hope well.”
5. ©1610. J. W. Feare the Lorde.”
6
. “Mr. James Sutton, M. Jer. Williams, Ric. Smith, Churchwardens,
1697,”
7. ‘John Jordan and Mathew Figgins, Churchwardens, 1677, R.P.
W.C.a0.C.”
Tenor. ‘‘Richard Hillier, Mayor, Gut., Charles Danvers, sqr., Recorder,
Anno 1677. R.P. W.C.”
‘“‘Henry Johnson, Rector; John Jordan, and Mathew Figgins,
Churchwardens.”
Previously to the year 1747, the peal consisted only of six bells,
The two which now form the first and second were added (as appears
from the inscriptions upon them) in that year. They were presented
by William Willy, Esq., of London, at that time one of the repre-
sentatives of the Borough in Parliament, and cast at the foundry
of James Burrough in Devizes.'
The fourth and fifth were cast by John Wallis of Sarum, in 1610.
On the sixth, cast in 1697, the initials of the founder do not
appear; it was, however, probably cast at Aldbourne.
The third, seventh, and tenor were cast in 1677, and came from
the foundry of Roger Purdue in Salisbury.
THE CHANCEL
is twenty-eight feet in length, and twenty in width. The walls
which remain on the north and east sides are of Norman date, and
exhibit, externally, specimens of the original pilasters and corbel-
table. The latter consists of a narrow fringe of plain masonry
with a chamfer, worked with the “saw-tooth or hatched” moulding
on the lower edge, and supported by a row of grotesque heads.
The former are of little projection, and on the north wall, under
the eaves, die at a level into the latter, dividing the wall, as it
1 This foundry appears to haye been situated on the south side of St. John’s
churchyard.
ee a
a
By Mr. Edward Kite. 223
were, into gigantic panels. At the gable end of the building they
terminate with a set-off. The small window in the north wall’
(see engraving) retains both its
moulded archway ornamented with
the “chevron,” and jamb-shafts,
but is not, externally, of the
original depth, having been at
some time considerably lowered,
as will be seen by a comparison
of it with those (now blocked up)
at the ends of the transepts. In
the east wall there was previously
to the year 1844 (when this
portion of the fabric, as well as
the chapels attached to it, under-
went a complete restoration) a
window of three lights in the
Perpendicular style. This had 9 “7°™ ™ XOWTH Wate om sonN’s.
been substituted for the original one, in order to correspond with
the greater portion of the other windows in the building. At the
period above-mentioned it was removed; the pilasters, which had
been cut away in order to admit of its insertion, restored, and the
present window, copied from that in the north wall, introduced: it
is however defective, owing to the variation from the original depth
above described.
The roof is of the original pitch, and covered with stone tile.
This portion of the building is divided internally into two com-
partments by a plain semicircular arch springing on either side
from two shafts with richly carved capitals.? The roof is composed
1 In the wall beneath this window is a doorway with a small square aperture
on its eastern side. Both are now blocked up. The former seems to have con-
nected the chancel with a small apartment once attached to the exterior, perhaps
oceupied by the Sacristan; the latter may have been used for the purpose of
watching from this apartment the lights kept burning at certain times within
the church.
2 These are engraved in Britton’s “Architectural Antiquities.”
Ge
224 The Churches of Devizes.
of stone groining, formed by bold ribs springing from single shafts
in the angles of these compartments, and intersecting each other
in the centre, nearly at right angles. The walls were originally
ornamented by an intersecting arcade, similar to that on the north
wall of the tower, but the opening of arches through them (in
order to connect the chancel with the chapels, which were after-
wards added on its north and south sides) and the insertion of the
Perpendicular window in the east wall, destroyed the greater
portion of it, A sufficient quantity, however, remained on the
north wall to serve as a copy in restoring the rest which was, as
far as the existence of the chapels would permit, carefully done at
the period (1844) above-mentioned. Before that time, the lower part
of the east wall, in accordance with the taste of the eighteenth
century, was “adorned” with wooden panelling in the Grecian
style, the space above was filled with a large oil painting of the
Resurrection, and the window behind it blocked up with brickwork.
The stained glass in the present east window, executed by Mr.
Willement, was presented by the Rev. W. Maskell, then of Broad-
leaze. On three medallions are represented:—1. A cross, in the limbs
of which are the initials I. N.R.I. 2. The “Agnus Dei.” 3. The
head of St. John Baptist! in a “charger” with a sword above it.
The Parclose or screen, of carved oak, (in the arches dividing
the chancel from the chapels on either side) as well as the stalls
connected with it, were presented by T. H. S. Sotheron, Esq. In
the cornice of the screen on the north side are six shields, bearing
the following arms :—
WILLy. Ermine, on two bars vert three martlets or: two and one.
Surron. Argent, a canton sable.
Estcourt. Ermine, on a chief indented gules, three estoiles or.
ApprineTon. Per pale ermine and ermines on a chevron between three fleurs-
de-lis, five lozenges, all counterchanged.
And the initials ©, YJ, 8, 8, in monogram. Between them, on
a label, is the following inscription :—
“Xe Un the pions Memory of Cleanony, wife of Sames Sutton, sy. of Pom Park, 1844.”
1 This was an exact copy of a seal appended to one of the church leases about
the date of Richard II., and evidently the ancient seal of the church,
By Mr. Edward Kite. 225
In the cornice of the screen on the south side are the following
arms :—
Bucknatt. Argent, a chevron sable between three buck’s heads cabossed
proper.
Sorneron. Gules, on a bend between six crosses argent, three eagles dis-
played sable.
Estcourt and Surron. As above.
with the initials in monogram as on the opposite side, and the
following inscription :—
“Ke Un the pinns Memory of Cleauone, wife of Chomas Grimston Barknall Estronrt, Esq.,
mf Gstrourt ant Bow Park. 1844.”
The altar rails are of carved oak, and the steps and table of
polished Purbeck marble, the latter consisting of a single slab, sup-
ported by four massive uprights carved with ornaments of Norman
character.
THE NAVE
is sixty-one feet in length and twenty-three-and-a-half in width.
It is divided from the aisles, on either side, by a series of five
pointed arches, springing from four piers, with clustered shafts,
and two responds. The ceiling, which is of plaster, forms the
segment of a circle; it is divided into thirty-two compartments of a
square form, by means of moulded ribs,’ which are ornamented with
a boss at each intersection, and terminate with bracket heads on the
wall line. The west wall itself is of Norman date, and retains the
pilaster buttresses at the angles, but the windows? in it are modern
insertions. In the centre of this wall was no doubt the original
entrance, but all traces of it have disappeared. A doorway, how-
ever, was retained until a comparatively recent date. Its place is
now occupied by a window. The roof is rather higher than that
of the chancel, and is covered with stone tile.
The piers and arches, more especially those on the north side,
together with the wall of the aisle, have been, from some cause,
forced very considerably out of the perpendicular. This is said to
1 A great part of the mouldings are hidden by the plaster ceiling; they were
originally painted in bright colours,
2 Under the ivy are small portions of Norman mouldings, belonging to the
ancient windows.
226 The Churches of Devizes.
have been caused, many years since, by the removal of the tie-beams
in the nave, the places of which are now supplied by strong bars
of iron.
THE TRANSEPTS
are each seventeen feet by fourteen feet. The north and south
elevations exhibit two of the original windows, which have been
blocked up in order to insert one of Perpendicular date between
them, and in the gable above is a small unglazed aperture, also of
the older date. The string-course on which these older windows
rested is ornamented with the “double billet” moulding. The
jamb-shafts and arches are also visible; the latter afford specimens
of the “beaded” and “embattled” mouldings.
The Perpendicular window between them is of three lights with
a transom in the tracery. The roofs are both of good pitch and
are covered with stone tile.
Internally the roofs are flat, ceiled and whitewashed. In the
west wall of the north transept are to be seen the traces of a doorway
(now blocked up) communicating with the turret on the exterior ;
this was the entrance from the interior of the church to the rood-
loft. It may also have served as a private entrance for a Chantry
Priest to an altar probably in this part of the church. On the wall
directly opposite are indications of either a bracket for a taper or
a benatura.
In the east wall of each transept on the side of the arch con-
necting it with the chapel is a hagioscope.'
THE AISLES.
North.
This is of precisely the same length as the nave, and twelve feet
in width. It is lighted by four windows in the north wall, each of
three lights, with tracery of a very plain character. Between these
windows, and at the north west angle of the wall, are plain buttresses,
each with two sets-off. The parapet is plain, and the roof a lean-to,
1 This was an aperture to enable the congregation to obtain a view of the
elevation of the host.
By Mr. Edward Kite. 227
covered with lead. Several gurgoyles project from the wall at the
base of the former.
Internally the roof consists of rude rafters and purlins without
mouldings or ornament, the former resting on corbel-heads, amongst
which may be noticed those of a king, queen, and bishop, (the latter
with his right hand upraised, as in the act of giving the benediction)
a knight with bascinet and shield, &c.
The arch at the east end of this aisle opening into the transept
is of considerable thickness; the staircase connecting the turret at
the north-west angle of the tower with the doorway in the exterior
wall, being carried over it in order to prevent the lower portion of
the turret from completely blocking up the end of the aisle, which
it would have done had it been allowed to have remained in its
original state.
South.
This aisle corresponds in every respect, excepting the latter, with
that just described.! They appear to have been both added to the
building shortly before 1450.
CHAPEL.
North-East.
This is of a square form, measuring internally about fourteen
feet from east to west, and nearly the same from north to south.
It is lighted by two windows, each of four lights, one on the north
the other on the east side; the latter, however, is only half the
depth of the former, and without tracery. At the angle of the
building and the junction of it with the transept wall are three
buttresses, which terminate with crocketed pinnacles, the latter
being set diamond-wise on each set-off. The parapet was formerly
embattled on each side, and the roof flat, and covered with lead,
but is now gabled and covered with stone tile.
Internally this chapel is connected with the chancel and transept,
by means of two arches opened in the walls; these are without
1 In the arch connecting it with the transept is a transom beam; this was
inserted, possibly, with a view of strengthening the south-west angle of the
tower.
228 The Churches of Devizes.
shafts or capitals. The face of that opening into the transept is
ornamented with panelling and pateree; among the latter, on the
point of the arch, will be found apparently two rudders, and in the
hollow moulding on the north side of the east window! was disclosed,
some years since, a scroll with the following inscription painted, in
black letter, on it :—
“@rate.p. bono. statu. rficardt. lamb.”
[Pray for the good estate of Richard Lamb}.
The lettering appeared to have been continued in the corresponding
moulding on the opposite side of the window, but its purport could
not be deciphered.
Whether the person thus commemorated was the founder of the
chapel, or merely a benefactor to an altar which no doubt from the
arrangement of the window stood immediately below it, is not
known. The rudders above alluded to may have some reference to
this subject, but the writer has hitherto been unable in any way to
connect this device with the name of Lamb.”
The roof of this chapel demands particular attention from its
extreme simplicity and beauty. It is nearly flat, and consists of
two large moulded beams, intersecting each other in the centre, and
forming four square compartments, each of which is divided, in a
similar manner, by the same number of smaller beams, forming in
all sixteen squares. Hach of these is again subdivided into nine
others, making in the whole no less than one hundred and forty-
four square panels, each filled with pierced woodwork. The wall-
pieces spring from brackets, some of which are carved.
In the centre of this chapel stands the font, the whole of which
with the exception of the bowl, is modern. It is hexagonal, raised
on steps, which form a cross; is lined with lead, and has a drain.
1 In the space beneath this window are recorded (in illuminated letters on a
rich blue ground) the charitable bequests made at various times to the church
and parish, This was substituted, some years since, for the unsightly boards
which previously disfigured the walls of the church.
2 For some account of the rudder found in Wiltshire churches and monuments
see Wilts Magazine, I. p. 183.
By Mr. Edward Kite. 229
CHAPEL.
South-East.
This is fifteen feet from north to south, and twenty-eight from
east to west. It is much more highly ornamented than the one
just described. At the east end is a window of five lights, and on
the south side two others, of five and four lights; underneath the
one nearest east is a canopied doorway, ornamented with crockets
and a finial. Between the windows, and at the angle of the walls,
are buttresses corresponding in form with those of the other chapel,
but more highly decorated. The parapet is embattled, the lower
portion ornamented with a row of Tudor flowers, and the upper
with square panels, enclosing quatrefoils. In the centre of the
east wall, above the roof, is a canopied niche, now unoccupied, which
no doubt contained the image of the saint to whom the chapel was
dedicated. At the points of the window-arches, and at the drip-
stone terminations, are carved demi-angels, one of which bears a
shield charged with a crucifix, others a chalice and wafer, &c. The
roof is flat and covered with lead.
It is connected with the chancel and transept by three arches!
in the walls. The roof, which is of oak, corresponds nearly with
that of the chapel on the opposite side of the chancel;? the wall-
pieces spring from carved figures of demi-angels, similar to those
on the outside walls, above described. Between the windows and
arches are four canopied niches, and on the south side, between the
doorway and the east wall, is a stone seat which may have formed
the sedilia.
A modern screen, of carved oak, divides the chapel in the centre,
and the eastern portion is now used as a vestry.
From the similarity of this chapel to one on the south side of
the chancel of Bromham church, founded by Richard Beauchamp,
1 Between the two on the north side is a hagioscope.
2 These roofs were, previously to the year 1844, totally obscured by plaster
and whitewash.
2H
230 The Churches of Devizes.
Lord St. Amand,! temp. Henry VII.; and the occurrence of the
shackle-bolt? amongst its architectural ornaments, its foundation
may be ascribed with tolerable certainty to the same individual.
This statement seems further confirmed by the fact of several
members of the Beauchamp family having held, at various times,
the Castle and Manor of Devizes.
NORTH PORCH.
This is eleven feet in length, by eleven in width; both the
doorways are without shafts or capitals, and are ornamented with
mouldings. The roof is gabled and covered with tile. Over the
outer doorway is a small trefoil-headed niche, and above it an
unglazed window divided by a single monial into two lights. On
either side of the doorway is a low massive buttress. The roof of
the interior corresponds with that of the nave, and on either side
is a stone seat.
SOUTH PORCH.
This is modern, and unworthy of a description.
Cuurcn Terriers (Canon 87).—Two of these (taken in 1704
and 1783) and possibly others, are preserved in the Registry at
Salisbury.
Cuurcu Pratr.—The plate belonging to this parish, in 1783,
is described in the terrier above alluded to as follows:—
ozs. dwts.
Flagon, the gift of Sir Edw. Ernly........ weight 63
Cap). hers. ets Hel MG Pd pee Foes 4: ie!
Ditto, the gift of Elizabeth Imber.......... as 9 0
Salver, marked Jno,SawerSen.andJno.Powell ,, 10 7
an alle ag lan eh i a eit A), Lae a 8 138
1 Richard Beauchamp, of Bromham, was the son and heir of William Beau-
champ, Lord St. Amand. He inherited the family estates at Bromham, Market-
Lavington, Whaddon, Steeple-Ashton, &e., on the death of his father in 1475.
These he held until 1508, when, dying without issue, the Manor of Bromham
devolved to his cousin, John Baynton, Esq., son of Sir Robert Baynton of
Falston, near Bishopstone, from whom descended the well known Wiltshire
family of that name.
2 A device used by the Beauchamps. It is to be found in the chapel at Brom-
ham, and is also figured in Gough’s Sepulchral Monuments from the tomb of
Bishop Beauchamp (1481) in Salisbury Cathedral.
By Mr. Edward Kite. 231
The whole of this, with the exception of the flagon, was a few
years since re-cast.
The flagon was repaired in 1804, and appears to have received,
at that time, a considerable addition of metal (possibly the rim on
which it now stands) as its present weight is seventy-and-a-half
ounces. On it beneath the crest and arms of Ernle, impaling Erle,
is the following inscription :—
‘« Ex dono S'- Edward Ernly, Barnt-1
to ye Church of St. John ye Baptist
in the Devizes 1704.”
Underneath—
Robert Townsend, Rector.
Jeremiah Williams
Richard: Guitth, ’ } Churchwardens.
Repaired 1804.
Cuurcu Cuest.—Neither this, nor its contents, are of much
value. It contains little of interest with the exception of an
Overseer’s book, commencing in 1613; and a Churchwardens’ in
1762.
Royart Arms.—These are at the east end of the nave, over the
western arch of the tower; their date is temp. James II.
Two other coats of arms, painted in frames, are fastened to the
wall above the north and south arches underneath the tower. One
of these contains the arms of the town, the other those of the three
guilds—viz., the mercers, drapers, and leather-sellers, with sup-
porters, and the motto “Justitia veritate et unitate.” They were
probably placed in their present position in the early part of the
seventeenth century.
Ancient Parntines.—Some traces of paintings were discovered,
many years since, in the nave of this church, but no record of them
seems to have been preserved.
1 Sir Edward Ernie, of Etchelhampton, was descended from Edward Ernle, Esq., of Etchelhampton,
son of Michael Ernle of Bourton, (lineally descended from Richard de Ernle, of Ernle, living temp.
Henry 111.) Sheriff of Wilts 22 Elizabeth, by his second wife, Susan, eldest daughter of Sir Walter
Hungerford of Farley. He was one of the representatives in parliament for the Borough of Devizes
in 1695, and died in 1728-9, leaving, by his wife, Frances, only daughter and heir of General the
Right Hon. Thomas Erle of Charborough, two daughters, Frances and Elizabeth, the latter married
to Henry Drax, Exq., of Ellerton Abbey, Yorkshire.
2u 2
232 The Churches of Devizes.
Reaisters.—These commence in October, 1559; but the whole
series are not the originals, some of them, prior to the year 1605,
being copies made at that date by the then rector, John Davis.
MonvuMEnNTAL Brassrs.—There are two in the south-east chapel;
on one of them are engraved figures, each about twenty inches in
length, representing John Kent, Esq. (who died in 1630) and his
wife;! the former in a robe, the latter in the female costume of
the period. The figures are slightly turned towards each other.
Above them on a shield are the arms of Kent —a lion passant —;
a chief ermine. Crest, a lion’s head erased erm: collared, lined,
and ringed. Beneath is the following inscription :—
“‘ Hic, svb eodem tristi Marmoris spectacvlo sepvltvm jacet corpvs Johanis Kent
Senioris Doctissimi viri, Generosi, nvper defvncti, evivs absentiam satis deplorent,
qvemq cassym lymine non immerito lygeant Oppidani; Dvm vixerit, illi tam
fervens in Deym existebat Pietas vt inde placida ipsivs conscientiz, tranqvil-
litate acqvisita terra ipso se frvitvrvm esse czlo diceretvr, Tanta in singvlos a
svmmis ad imos amicitia vt inter adhve ignotos in hoc oppidvym admiranda
beneficia, immortalitatis eterna erexisse tropheea videantvr. Vivet in eternum
ivstorum memoria. Obijt A°- etatis 72 primo die Octobris Ae Dni, 1630.
Vita probum, pietas Sanctum, finisq beatum
Te censent, vite fama perennis erit.
Nec tantum pictatis honos neq finis Olimpo
Fulgeat hic laudis non moritura dies
Solo deo mihi sola salus.”’
John Kent was in 1628 town-clerk and mayor of Devizes, he
also represented the Borough in several parliaments during the
reigns of Elizabeth and JamesI. In the register of his burial, he
is described as “Justice of the Borough.”
The other brass has been executed (since the modern “ revival’’)
by the Messrs. Waller, and commemorates Mary, wife of the Rev.
William Maskell, of Broadleaze, who died in 1847. It consists of
a cross fleury, raised on five steps, with the Sacred monogram on
a medallion at the intersection; at the four corners of the slab,
which is of Purbeck marble, are the Evangelistic symbols, and
1 This brass, although a very late example, is somewhat interesting, as clearly
showing the temporary revival of church art, which took place just before the
Great Rebellion.
By Mr. Edward Kite. 233
on a narrow strip of latten round the margin is engraved a portion
of St. John, xi. c. 25-6 v.
“Ee 3 am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord, he that belivuth in Aer,
thang he were dead yet shall be line; ant whosmener liveth ant helieueth in Pe, shall
neart bir, Sinen.”
Monvuments.—The walls of the church exhibit a considerable
number of memorials, some of which afford fair specimens of
modern sculpture. The names of some of the principal individuals
and families commemorated are as follows :—
Rozert Byrne, D.D., sometime Rector of Devizes, died Feb. 8, 1658. [This
is an incised inscription in the wall of the north-east chapel].
James Dyer, Rector, died Aug. 15, 1690. [Flat stone with Latin inscription,
in the north-east chapel].
Epwarp Inyzs, Rector, died Nov. 17, 1788; Elizabeth, his wife, May 29, 1809.
[Small marble tablet in the north transept].
ELIZABETH, wife of John Shergold, Rector, and John, their son, bothdied in 1726.
CuAres Innes, of London, second son of the Rev. Edward Innes, died in
1824. Ann, his first wife, daughter of Thomas and Ann Neate of Devizes,
died 1796.
JouNn DrewE, Esq., died 1660. aged 26.
Rr. Hon. Gzorer Hxearucore, Lord Mayor of London, and thrice representa-
tive of this Borough in Parliament, died 1768, aged 68. [This monument
exhibits a figure, in white marble, of Britannia weeping over a medallion
bust of the deceased which she supports with one hand, whilst in the other
is held, on a rod, the cap of liberty].
Arms. Ermine, three pomeis each charged with a cross or, HEATHCOTE ;
impaling, Argent, a fess engrailed sable, in chief three fleurs-de-lis of
the last, Eyes.
Manta, widow of the above Rt. Hon. George Heathcote, and daughter of
John Eyles, Esq. of Southbroom. Died 1792, aged 85.
Arms, HxraricotEe impaling Eyrns, as above, on a Lozenge.
Jostsnm Eyres Hxeatucore, Ese., only son of George Heathcote, Esq., of
London, by Maria, (Eyles) his wife, died 1811, aged 63.
Arms. Quarterly 1 and 4. Hearucorr. 2 and 3. Eyres.
Crest of Heathcote. In a mural crown azure a pomeis as in the arms,
between two wings displayed ermine.
Joun Eyres, Esq. of Southbroom (son of Sir John Eyles), died 1752, aged 75.
Mary, his wife (daughter of John Eyles, of Chalford, Co, Gloucester), died
1744, aged 62, And three of their children, Francis, Joseph, and Elizabeth.
Joseph Turner, died 1761, aged 50, Eleanor, his widow, daughter of
John Eyles, died 1762, aged 45.
Thomas, brother of the above John Eyles, died 1735, aged 56. Maria,
daughter of George Heathcote, died 1747, aged 2.
Arms. Ey.exs, as above.
234 The Churches of Devizes.
EpwakpD, fourth son of John Eyles,Esq., died 1792, aged 79. He married Mary,
widow of the Hon. Governor Gumley, and daughter of Sir John Wittewrong,
Bart.
KATHARINE, wife of George Flower, and daughter of John Eyles of Chalford.
Joun, their infant son, died 1725.
GrorcE WILLy, Esa., of New Park, died 1770, aged 75. William Willy,
Esq., of, London, one of the representatives of this Borough, died 1763,
aged 61,
Arms. WILLY, as before, p. 224.
Prince Surron, Justice of the Borough, died 1779, aged 78. Mary (Willy)
his wife, and four of their children, Willy, Mary, Sarah, and Anne.
Arms. Surron, impaling WILLy, as before.
James Sutton, Hse., of New Park, died 1801, aged 68. He married Eleanor,
second daughter of Anthony Addington, Esq., M.D. of Reading.
Arms. Surron impaling ApprINGToN.
JAMES, son and heir of James Sutton, Esq., died 1784. Also three other
children, George, William, and Mary. [This monument exhibits a female
figure, in white marble, leaning on a broken column—the symbol of Forti-
tude].
JoHN MEREWETHER, M.B., died 1724, aged 69. Jane, his wife, 1725, aged 69.
Francis, their youngest son, 1716, aged 22. Anna Merewether, died 1690.
Arms. Or, three martlets sable on a chief azure, a sun in splendor
proper, MEREWETHER; impaling, Or, a saltier engrailed between twelve
billets sable, ALDWoRTH.
The same arms of Aldworth are also carried on an escutcheon of pretence
over the coat of Merewether.!
ELEANOR, wife of Winch Holdsworth, D.D. of Chalfont, Co. Bucks, and
daughter of John Merewether, M.B., died 1758, aged 62.
Tomas THURMAN, died 1777, aged 86, and two wives, Susannah, and Anne.
John Thurman, his son, died 1764, aged 43.
Arms. Argent on a pale azure between two lions rampant gules, a tilting
spear of the first,
Wi111AM Satmon, Es@., of Southbroom, died 1826, aged 78. [Monument of
white marble, sculptured by Baily].
Mary, wife of Joseph Needham, died 1732, aged 19. Penelope, his second
wife, died 1736, aged 22. Joseph Needham, died 1778, aged 75.
Samuel Taylor, five times Mayor of the Borough, and Captain of the
Devizes Volunteers, died 1818, aged 82. Sally his wife, two of their sons,
Thomas and Samuel, (both of whom died in foreign service) and two daugh-
ters, Penelope and Elizabeth. Also Sally, a third daughter, wife of Joseph
Goodwin.
1 According to the present rule of blazon, this would indicate two matches with Aldworth, one an
heiress, the other not; but at the date of this monument (1724) such an arrangement of the female
coat was usual, where a man had married but once, that wife being an heiress, and having issue.
A similar case may be seen in Steeple Ashton Church, on the Hatchment of Robert Smith, who
married Mary, heiress of Thomas Bennet, Esq. of Steeple Ashton.
By Mr. Edward Kite. 235
Arms. Argent, a bend engrailed between two stag’s heads cabossed
sable, NrEDHAM; impaling, Sable, an unicorn passant or, on a chief of
the last three gilly-flowers stalked and leaved vert, FLowEr.
James Sutton, died 1778, aged 63. Anne, his widow.
[Marble monument in the north aisle].
The remaining monuments, which are without arms, bear the
following names :—
Bruges, Dick, Headly, Hughes, Long, Payne, Powell, Pierce, Trollope, and Wilde.
Among the more ancient memorials in the churchyard are the
names of
Adlam, Bell, Butcher, Brittan, Carrington, Clare, Clark, Coward, Cox, Eades,
Figgins, Flay, Forman, Gent, Green, Gillard, Hill, Hulbert, Jordan, Lawrence,
Leach, Mattock, Mayo, Milns, Mortimer, Napper, Noyes, Oram, Paradice, Phil-
lips, Pierce, Randell, Ring, Simpkins, Slade, Sloper, Waylen, Williams, White,
Whatley.
CHANTRIES IN St. JouHn’s CuurcH.
In the report of a commission, dated 4th Feb., 37 Henry VIII.
(1546), directed to John (Capon), Lord Bishop of Sarum; Thomas
Seymour, Knight; Robert Chydley, Esq.; Thomas Leygh, and
William Greene, Gentlemen; mention is made of one chantry only
being at that time maintained within this church. It is described
as founded by Richard Cardmaker, and for its maintenance was
endowed with four houses, (one a common inn, called the Hart)
situate in the New Port, and producing together an annual rent
of £6 3s. 4d.
At what period this was founded is not mentioned; the name
of Richard Cardmaker occurs, however, as witness to a deed,
11 Richard II. (1388).
In the report of another survey, dated 14th Feb., 2 Edward VI.
(1548), taken by John Thynne, and William Wroughton, Knights;
Charles Bulkley, John Barwicke, and Thomas Chafynne, Esqrs.;
and William Thornhill, and Lawrence Hyde, Gentlemen, is the
following notice of a second chantry founded in the same church
by a John Cardmaker.
€ Chauntre founded by John Cardmaker wth in the pishe Churche of sainte
John in the Devizes. Thomas Hancocke of the age of xxxv yeres Incumbent, &c.
The said John Cardmaker gave certen landes and tents wth in the Burrowe
of the Devises unto the Mayre and brethren of the same Burrowe and to their
236 The Churches of Devizes.
suecessours for ever to the Intent that the said Mayre and brethren should
fynde one honest preeste to singe at the Aulter of saint Leonard wt in the said
Churche for the soule of the said John Cardmaker for ever and the same to have
for his salarye or stipend yerelye—vj¥- iijs- iiij4-
HA. the said Incumbent is a right honest man well learned and right able
to serve a Cure. Albeit a verye pore man and hath non other lyvinge but this
salarye also he hath occupied him selfe in and about the preachinge of goddis
worde ever sith he had the same Chauntree.
Thomas Hancock, however, notwithstanding his “honesty, learn-
ing,” and “ability to serve a Cure,’ met with the same fate as
chantry priests in general. He was shortly afterwards ejected,
and the property which had formed the endowment of the chantry
was, itis presumed, confiscated to the crown. In the corporation
books are entries for a sum, corresponding nearly with the above
stipend, paid annually to the king, called “rent for Cardmaker’s
Chauntry.” These items continue as late as the eighteenth century.
Tur CuurRcH oF THE BLEssED VircGIn Mary.
This Church (as will be seen by the accompanying plan) consists
of a Chancel, A.; Nave, B.; North and South Aisles, C. D.;
Western Tower, E.; and South Porch, F.
Of these, the Chancel is the most ancient. The style of its
architecture like that of St. John’s (with which, though inferior in
workmanship, it nearly corresponds) is Norman. The South Porch
is somewhat later in date, and is of the Transition style from
Norman to Early English. The Nave, Aisles, and Tower, afford
a good example of the Perpendicular style. The name of the
founder as well as the date of his death, is fortunately preserved
by an inscription on the roof, which is valuable as giving also the
age of these parts of the building.
The extreme length of the church is one hundred and thirty-two
feet; the greatest width sixty-five feet.
THE CHANCEL
is thirty-three feet from east to west, and twenty-one from north
to south. The walls are about four-and-a-half feet in thickness,
and faced both inside and out with small squared stones, the
OF
ST MARY'S CHURCH,
DEVIZES.
fo
Scale of Feet.
GROUND PLAN
By Mr. Edward Kite. 237
intervening space being filled with chalk rubble. It was originally
lighted by five small semicircular-headed windows, resting exter-
nally on a plain string-course which ran round the walls between
the pilasters. The latter are of considerable breadth, and, owing
to the thickness of the walls, of little projection. The corbel-table
remains on the north and south walls in a perfect state. In the
sixteenth century (or perhaps later) the small windows above de-
scribed, appear to have been replaced by the present Perpendicular
ones of three lights. The insertion of these had, no doubt, the
effect of weakening the walls; that on the south side being, from.
the pressure of the stone vaulting, thrust out of the perpendicular.
A semicireular-headed doorway may be traced in the north wall,
but another of much later date, on the south side, is now in use.
The roof is of a good pitch, and is covered with stone tile.
This part of the church inside resembles that of St. John, the
central arch, however, which divides the vaulting, is worked into
two rolls corresponding with the shafts, on either side, from which
it springs. The arcade also differs in two respects—viz., the shafts
being clustered, or triple, instead of single, and an additional
chevron moulding, set with the points jutting out from the wall,
being introduced in the arches. These variations seem to show
that this church was erected at rather a later date than St. John’s.
The arcade on the east wall was carefully restored, and the present
window, in the Norman style, inserted above it, in the year 1852.
The chancel-arch is of the Perpendicular style, without shafts
or capitals, and being cut through the Norman wall, is of consider-
- able thickness; the western face is chamfered and ornamented with
panelling.
THE NAVE
is sixty-eight feet in length, and twenty-three-and-a-half in width.
It is divided from the aisles on either side by a series of five pointed
arches springing from four octagonal piers, and two responds. The
clerestory above is lighted by the same number of windows, each
of three cinquefoil-headed lights, the monials of which continue
to the arch of the window in perpendicular lines, and above the
21
238 The Churches of Devizes. St. Mary’s.
central light enclose a quatrefoil. Between these windows, on
the outside, are buttresses of slight projection, terminating above
the parapet (which is embattled) with crocketed pinnacles. In the
centre of the east wall, above the ridge of the chancel roof, is a
canopied niche, containing a bold and well executed statue of the
Blessed Virgin Mary bearing in her arms the Infant Saviour. On
the plinth are two shields sculptured with the initials “W.S.”
evidently those of the rebuilder of this part. At the north-east
angle is the rood turret, of an hexagonal form, embattled at the
top, and rising to the height of two or three feet above the nave
roof. The entrance to it from the chnrch is by a small doorway
in the wall at the east end of the north aisle, and from it to the
roodloft by another door above the chancel-arch, on the north side
(this, however, is now blocked up). There are also doors opening
on the roofs of the nave and aisles, as well as into the space under-
neath the roof of the chancel. The upper part of this turret may
have perhaps contained the Sancte bell, as, on account of the niche
and statue above described, there was no room for it in the usual
place, on the point of the eastern gable.
On either side of the chancel-arch, towards the nave, is a canopied
niche, and below the bracket underneath it, which formerly sup-
ported a statue, is a hagioscope.
The roof is of oak, divided by tie-beams into five compartments,
or bays, one of which, towards the west, is represented in the
annexed engraving. The wall-pieces spring from boldly carved
corbel-heads, representing a king, queen, and bishop,' each four
times repeated. The tie-beams, and cornice (of which a section is
given, Fig. a) are ornamented with mouldings and patera, and the
space above the former filled with pierced tracery. In each com-
partment, between the ridge and cornice, a single purlin, B, is
introduced, and in the two at the extremities an additional rafter,
at the termination of which a demi-angel, bearing a shield, projects
from the cornice on either side. The space between the rafters
1 No doubt the reigning Sovereign (Henry V. or VI.) and his queen, and the
bishop of the diocese (Chandler, or Neville).
By Myr. Edward Kite. 239
COMPARTMENT OF NAVE ROOF. ST. MARY'S.
was, no doubt, originally filled with boarding as shown in the
engraving, but is now plastered over and whitewashed. The wood-
work appears to have been painted in bright colours. In the
second compartment from the east, the following inscription painted
in black letter, is still distinctly to be read: it commences on the
cornice of the north wall, continues across the tie-beam, and ter-
minates on the opposite side :—
“@rate - pro - aia - GUillé - smpth - qui - ista - eccliam - flert - fectt -
qui - obfit - primo - Die - mensis . ituniéi - anno - Unt - milla ceeeyyybt.”
[Pray for the soul of William Smyth! who caused this church to be built:
and who died on the first day of the month of June, Anno Domini 1436].
THE AISLES.
North.
This is of nearly the same length as the nave, and eleven feet in
1 It is to be regretted that little has been preserved relating either to this individual or the
family to which he belonged. The name of Roger le Smyth occurs in a deed of 1347. This may
possibly have been an ancestor, and Robert Smyth, who was Mayor of Devizes in 1420, a brother of
William Smyth. William’s son, Thomas, was a chantry priest, and together with his father, be-
queathed the annual rent arising from two houses in Devizes, towards the maintenance of an obit,
three Sepulchre tapers, and the Font taper, in this church. Ata later date (1474) John Smyth was
instituted to the Rectory of Devizes, and in 1546 another individual of the same name occupied two
tenements and gardens belonging to a chantry founded by William Coventre in the church of St. Mary.
In the Registers of both parishes, which commence about the middle of the sixteenth century the
name of Smyth is of such frequent occurrence that there is considerable difficulty in tracing the
family of this particular individual.
212
240 The Churches of Devizes. St. Mary’s.
width.’ It is lighted by a series of seven windows, one of which
is shown in the annexed en-
graying, each containing three
cinquefoil-headed lights. Of
these, five are in the north wall,
the others at the east and west
ends. Between them, and at
the angles of the walls, are
plain buttresses of two sets-off.
The parapet is embattled, and
the roof, which is a lean-to, is
covered with lead.
The roof, inside, is divided
by moulded beams into twenty
i)
compartments, with a boldly
carved boss at each intersection.
On the eastern respond, at the
cc aa : )
bP Aone re is right hand of the rood door,
AISLE WINDOW. ST. MARY’S,
is a fragment of carving, pro-
bably the remains either of a small piscina, or a projecting bracket
for the support of a taper.
South.
This is twelve-and-a-half feet wide, and is of the same length as
the north aisle; but, on account of the porch, has two windows
less in number. That at the west end differs from the rest, a
transom being introduced in the tracery, corresponding with those
at the north and south ends of the transepts of St. John’s church.
In other respects this aisle very nearly resembles the other. The
roofs of the two aisles form different angles against the body of the
church, that of the north aisle being more acute; a basement
moulding to the south aisle, none to the north.
1 The east wall is of great thickness, and apparently of Norman date. The
north wall is also built on the original foundations, which, together with the
pilasters, may still be clearly traced above the ground, along the whole wall,
which is consequently no less than three feet in thickness,
By Mr. Edward Kite. 241
THE TOWER
is fourteen feet square inside, and ninety-one feet in height. It is
divided into three stages, and ascended by means of a turret, which
is partly engaged in the south wall and rises above the roof. At
the angles are bold buttresses, terminating with crocketed pinnacles,
above an embattled parapet; there is also a crocketed pinnacle at
each set off. In the west wall of the lower stage is a doorway, with
a large perpendicular window consisting of two tiers, each of four
lights, immediately above the door. In the wall, on each side of
this window, is a canopied niche.
On the north, south, and west sides of the middle stage, are
narrow windows, divided in the centre by a monial, and filled with
pierced masonry.
In the upper stage are windows nearly corresponding with the
above, in couplets, excepting on the south side, where, on account
of the turret, there is space for one only.
The tower opens to the nave by means of an arch forty feet in
height, and nine feet eight inches in span, the jambs of which are
ornamented with a shaft, and several orders of mouldings. The
groining, which is of stone, springs from a bracket-head in each
angle. In the centre is a circular space, floored with wood, con-
structed in order to admit of the raising or lowering of a bell.
Bertts.—There are six. The first, second, fifth, and tenor were
east in 1663, at the foundry of William and Roger Purdue in
Salisbury. The fourth cast in 1696, and the third in 1701, are
from the foundry of William and Robert Corr at Aldbourne. The
inscriptions upon them are as follows:—
1, “I am the first although but small I will be heard above you all.”
“‘ Kataren Strong, Jane Drew, 1663. W.P. R.P. D.P. S.W. C.I.P. M.D.”
2. ‘1663, T.P. Henry Johnson’s Rector of this Towne.”
“‘T am the second in this Ring tharefore next to the will sing, R.M.”
3. ©C.W. W.C., 1701. Richard Bundy and John Hill.”
4. “On Earth Bells do Ring; in Heaven Angels Sing, Haluluiah. Rob. Cor.”
*‘Oliuer Edwards, Jacob Larrance, C.W. Wil. Cor., 1696,”
. ‘ Gieve unto Ceasar the things that are Ceasarand unto God the things. ..”
** John Drew and Phillip Strong, Church Wardens, 1663, W.P. R.P.”
ao
.
242 The Churches of Devizes. St. Mary’s.
Tenor. ‘‘ Feare God and Honour the King, Anno Domini 1663.”
‘‘Come when I call to sarve God all to sing Halliviah.”’
“‘John Drew and Phillip Strong, Churchwardens. W.P. R.P. I.M.”1
THE PORCH,
which is on the south side, measures ten feet by six-and-a-half feet
inside. The outer doorway is a good specimen of the Transition
style, from Norman to Early English; of probably ec. a.p. 1200.
The arch is nearly equilateral, and ornamented with the chevron
moulding in various forms: the capitals from which it springs are
Karly English, and the shafts end about a foot below them. Above
the doorway is a small window of two lights. The parapet is em-
battled. On the west side, at the junction of the aisle wall, is a
square turret approached from the interior, and leading to the roof,
which is covered with lead. Within the porch is a stone seat, on
either side, and above the inner doorway is a niche for a figure.
The porch underwent repair in 1612, when the upper part of it
seems to have been rebuilt. The agreement made between the
churchwardens and mason on this occasion is still preserved. It is
as follows :—
Articles of agreement had and made betweene John Erwood and Robert Hope,
Churchwardens of the p’ish of St. Maries in the Devises in the Countie of Wilts,
and Henrie Sweate of ffrome in the Countie of Som’sett, ffree mason,? the
xxvijtt of October, Anno Domini 1612, as followeth:—
1 The following entries relative to the bells are taken from the churchwardens’ accounts :—
£ s. d.
“©1606. Itm. pd. Mr. Wallis for the casting our bells .................0...000e0 21 0 «0
(A subscription amounting to £11 15s. 1d. was also made in
this year for the same purpose).
1616. Itm. to the bellfounder for the casting of the bell ..................... 510 0
1640. Itm. pd. for takeing down the fowerth bell and for hanging of
RAE PIP ey eee s es casts setecesceve basbectaritcanstvcsectadeserenges’ ta tsc.'c Martens 08 0
Itm. pd. for articles and bond thereuppon for the bellfounders
casting of ‘the: fowerth, bell 23, cicvecssse:diceswes ovarceonantuvcvcepyesuasuce 020
Itm. given the bellfounder for earnest money uppon the bargayne
SOT LOA IANS OO AEM, aces dead ba caw bdgse semana tuwss nite occ ket jas abivuneea 0. 20
Itm. pd. for Tynne putt into the bell 3 110
1664. It. pd. the bellfounder for adding near 3 cwt. of metal to the
third and fourth bell and for waste of metal ...............ccceceeeveee 1817 0
1bOe. PO. FOr Tew CABIN THE DED coo. sscccecceasvecccsavsccncesastacuvecnencctoen 18 10 0
1701. Paid Mr. Corr in full for casting the bell ...................ccceeeecereees 1469 5
2 For some account of the Freemasons of the Middle Ages, and their connection with the rise,
progress, and decline of Pointed Architecture, the reader is referred to ‘‘Dallaway’s Historical
Account of Master and Freemasons,” and ‘‘ Hope’s Historical Essay on Architectnre.” A notice of
them will also be found in the Rev. F. A. Paley’s ‘‘ Manual of Gothic Architecture”— Van Voorst,
1846—Chap. vi. And ‘‘A Hand Book for the Medizval Courts of the Crystal Palace.’”—Bradbury and
Evans, 1854, p. 12.
By Mr. Edward Kite. 243
Inpri: It is agreed on the p’te and behalfe of the aforesaid Henrie Sweate that
whereas the sayd Henry Sweate hath pformed a certaine peece of worke about
the amendinge and repayringe of the Church Porch of St. Maries aforesayd
that if there fall out to be any decay in his worke already pformed or in the
upper parte of ye stone wale of ye same porch by reason of ye stone woorke
onely before ye third day of May next followinge the day of ye date of these
p’sent that then the sayd Henry Sweate is to repaire his woorke already donne
and to pull downe y® stone wall vnto the battlement thereof and to sett itt
upp att his owne cost and charge wt in one moneth after.
(A Bond is also appended to this document, and conditions requiring the
churchwardens to ‘‘bringe vnto and finde all suche mannor of stuffe as the
said Henrie Sweate shall have occasion to use aboute the said porche att theire
owne coste and charge”).
Signed sealed and delivered in the p’sence of:
Robert Drewe.
John Drewe.
In 1638 an entry occurs in the churchwardens’ accounts for ‘“‘tymber and
sawing to builde the roofe of the Porch.”
GurcoyiEs.—The series of sculptured figures which project from
the parapets of the aisles and clerestory of this church are worthy
of notice. The following are a few of the most remarkable:—
Porcn, §.E. angle. Bust of a female attired in the square head dress (com-
monly worn at the end of the fourteenth and commencement of the fifteenth
centuries), which a demon at her side apparently exposes to ridicule.
S.W. angle. A mutilated double figure, the remaining portion of which
represents a cowled Monk.
Nortn Arsiz. A female head attired in the lunar head dress (worne. 1420-30).
On the left side is represented, apparently, a demon in the form of a toad.
Cierestory, 8. side. Two Bears? rampant, collared—perhaps the supporters
of a coat of arms. A tilting helm. A heart crowned, &e.
N. side. Two figures beneath a tree; one a dragon, the other somewhat
mutilated and difficult to recognize. (This may perhaps be symbolical of
the temptation), A man’s head in the act of blowing a horn.
The remainder consists chiefly of winged monsters, as lions, dragons,
&e., which are of very frequent occurrence, especially in churches
of Perpendicular date, and have been supposed to represent evil
spirits, demons, &c., chased forth from the holy walls by the power
of the church.
Cuurce Trrriers.—Two of these (taken in 1704 and 17838) and
possibly others, are preserved in the Registry at Salisbury.
244 The Churches of Devizes. St. Mary’s.
Cuurcu Pxiatr.—This is described in the terrier of 1783, as
follows :—
Sttver Cup. Inseription.—‘‘ Mr. Henry Johnson, Minister. This Cupp and
Plate belongeth to St. Mary’s Church in the Devizes, Bought by Philip Strong
and Ambrose Zeley, June, 1654,”
Satver. Inscription.—‘‘ Robert Townsend, Rector of St. Mary’s, Devizes.
John Hill, Richd. Paradice, Church Wardens. Anno 1716,”
Fracon. Inscription.—as on salver; date 1718.
Weight of the whole 86 ozs. 12 dwts.
It has since this date been re-cast.
CuurcH Cuest.—The chest itself appears to be of no great
antiquity, but it contains many early accounts of receipt and ex-
penditure by the churchwardens and overseers of this parish. The
accounts of the churchwardens begin in 1499; and, although im-
perfect, are interesting, as they give some idea of the ornaments,
furniture, and vestments of the church prior to the Reformation,
of their destruction at that period, of their temporary restoration
in the reign of Queen Mary (the accounts of which reign are pre-
served entire), of the second and more effectual removal by sale of
the whole contents of the church, at the visit of the commissioner,
1561 (4 Elizabeth), as well as of the wretched appearance which
the interior, bare, rifled, and dilapidated, must have presented
during the Great Rebellion.
Some extracts, bearing particularly on these points, are appended ;
the rest refer chiefly to repairs, &c., of the property belonging to
the church.
The overseers accounts commence in 1613.
A second chest, belonging to the feoffees of the church lands,
contains many ancient deeds, some of which are of the fourteenth
century.
Royat Arms.—These occupy a portion of the wall above the
chancel arch; date 1797.
Ancient Parntines.—The walls of this church, like those of most
others during the middle ages, were covered on the inside with an
entire series of paintings in fresco, many remains of which have
been disclosed at various times on removing the whitewash accu-
mulated over them.
By Mr. Edward Kite. 245
The earliest example of this kind of decoration was a fragment
found on the face of a squared stone taken during some alterations
in 1852 from the east wall of the chancel (into which it had
evidently been built when the large window in the Perpendicular
style was inserted; probably in the sixteenth century). It con-
sisted simply of a flowered pattern, painted red, on a light ground;
and was probably a specimen of the original decoration of the
church.
Another variety of painting, of much later date, was also found
on the same wall underneath the whitewash: consisting of a red
ground covered with veins of black colour, in imitation of marble.
The removal of the whitewash from the walls of the nave in
July, 1854, brought to light the remains of a series of figures, in
bold black outline; the positions of which were as follows :—
In the space immediately above the third pier from the east, on
the north wall, was represented the Assumption of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, who appeared in a flowing robe, her entire body
surrounded by the glory or aureola, and ascending through the air
attended by angels.
This was immediately opposite the doorway of the south porch,
so as to meet the eye on entering the church.!
On the same wall, and in the corresponding space above the next
pier, towards the east, was represented the legend of St. Christopher.”
A great portion of the figure of the saint was removed with the
whitewash. He was, according to the usual custom, represented
1 In the ‘Calendar of the Anglican Church” (Parker, 1851) is an engraving
of this subject, from sculpture, in Sandford Church, Oxfordshire, treated in a
precisely similar manner.
2 The legend of St. Christopher will be found at length in the “ Legenda
Aurea” or “Golden Legend,” written in the thirteenth century, by James de
Voragine, a celebrated Dominican friar, and afterwards Archbishop of Genoa,
It is, like many of the acts and representations of saints, in a great part alle-
gorical, and from its obvious meaning was the most popular of all subjects in
mediwval decorations. There was perhaps scarcely a church without a repre-
sentation of this saint, either on the walls or in stained glass. At Bath, Eton,
&e, there are inns still called ‘‘the Christopher,” lingering vestiges of the great
popularity of this legend in former times.
2K
246 The Churches of Devizes. St. Mary’s.
as fording a river, bearing on his shoulder the Infant Saviour, and
steadying his steps with a huge staff. On his head (which was
turned as in the attitude of addressing the Holy Child) was a cover-
ing of ermine resembling a turban. The Saviour was represented
in a dress of orange colour, the folds shaded with red and black,
with long flowing hair, and a mild placid countenance; the head
was encircled by a nimbus of a circular form, the right hand
upraised, and in the left an orb surmounted by a cross.
Near the above, on the wall between the first and second windows
of the clerestory, was a third painting, the subject of which was
not easy to be recognized. It had evidently been the background
to a figure that was removed with the whitewash, and consisted of
a turreted castle, drawn in outline; and above the battlements two
crowned heads, apparently of a king and queen, gazing upon some
scene that had occupied the foreground.
On the south wall of the nave above the arcade were some faint
traces of inscriptions, in black letter, on scrolls, but unfortunately
so little was visible that none of the words could be distinguished.
On the north and south walls, immediately under the cornice of the
roof, was an ornament somewhat resembling a series of Tudor
flowers inverted. Traces of colour were also found on some of the
corbel-heads supporting the roof, on the mouldings of the pier-
arches, and on the shafts, &c. of the canopies on either side of the
chancel arch. On the wall above the latter (the place usually
selected for the representation of the Great Doom) sufficient rem-
nants of colour were left to show that a large painting had once
been there also.
Under these paintings (which were probably of Queen Mary’s
time) were found traces of older frescoes of superior execution, and
richer colouring. These may have been of about a.p. 1436, soon
after the nave was rebuilt; and destroyed at the Reformation.
For the “whitewashings” under which old church frescoes have
disappeared, we are indebted partly to the destructive spirit of the
enemies of ornament, and partly to a conservative spirit in its
friends, who in many instances concealed them in order to prevent
their destruction.
By Mr. Edward Kite. 247
An old writer! gives the following sensible reason for their intro-
duction into churches in days it should be remembered, when few
persons could either write or read :—
‘Pictures and ornaments in churches are the lessons and the scriptures of the
laity. Whence Gregory: ‘It is one thing to adore a picture, and another by
means of a picture historically to learn what should be adored. For what
writing supplieth to him which can read, that doth a picture supply to him
which is unlearned, and can only look. Because they who are uninstructed
thus see what they ought to follow; and things are read, though letters be
SRL Cais 2/5) lpi iaei alice E sl eatatad 84) ay psn is 8 tthe ote %
Generally the effigies of the Holy Fathers are pourtrayed on the walls of the
church, or on the back panels of the altar, or on vestments, or in other various
places, so that we may meditate perpetually, not indiscreetly or uselessly on
REPRO Chis octane fi) ihn Ria Kak eh iPad 60 eye)
Again, sometimes Paradise is painted in churches, that it may attract the
beholders to a following after its rewards: sometimes Hell, that it may terrify
them by the fear of punishment. Sometimes flowers are pourtrayed, and trees,
to represent the fruits of good works springing from the roots of virtues.”
Reeisters.—These commence ten years later than those of St.
John’s parish. The date of the earliest entry is Nov. 6th, 1569.
Monvumentat Brasses.—All that now remain are two small
oblong plates of brass (at present unfixed), bearing inscriptions to
some members of the family of Horton, who died in the seventeenth
century.
Several slabs, however, from which the brasses have long disap-
peared, are still to be seen in the pavement of the church. One of
them seems to have contained the small figure of a priest, with a
label issuing from the mouth; another, two figures male and female
(the former like that of a merchant) with an inscription beneath
them; and below, four children. The date probably c. 1530-40.
It resembles two brasses remaining in the churches of Charlton
(near Pewsey), and Bradford (Co. Wilts), the former to William
Chaucey and wife, 1524; the latter to Thomas Horton and wife,
e. 1540. ,
Monvuments.—These are few in number, and of very modern
date; with the exception of one in memory of the Rev. Henry
1 Durandus, Bishop of Mende, A.p. 1286, in his ‘‘Rationale Divin. Offic.,”
book i., chap. 3.
2K 2
248 The Churches of Devizes. St. Mary’s.
Johnson, Rector of Devizes, who died in 1681. It consists of a
slab of black marble, with the following inscription :—
M. S.
Post tantos Labores
Totidemg Sermones
Hic demum Quiete Silet
Dignissimé Reverendus
Henricus Johnson A.M.
Hujus Ecclesiee Rector,
Pulpitiq dominator,
Concionator strenuus frequensq
Prepotens ac desiderabilis,
Dictis factisq primeyns,
Veré et omnimodé Theologus;
Sacris Paginis,
Literis Insuetis,
Versatissimus:
Rara tamen modestia
Preestabat.
Vir Sobrietate Vite gravis
Suavitate morum placidus
Nulliq molestus
Quem in Sylvis virorum
Solitudini vacantem
Dolorosa (Heu) tandem fistula
Sibi foeliciter
Graviterq aliis
In Sanctorum turbam
Fideliumg Salutem
Erogavit.
Oct. 31,
1681,
The others commemorate—
Joun Ganra, Esa. (son of Colonel Thomas Garth of Harold, Co. Bedford, by
Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Colleton, Esq.), for some time Recorder of
Devizes, and afterwards one of the representatives of the Borough in Par-
liament. He died 1764, aged 63.
Arms. Or, two lions passant in pale between three cross crosslets fitchée
sable, GARTH; impaling, Or, two lions passant in pale gules, Brompton.
Crest of Garth. A goat passant argent, collared or.
Mrs. Repecca GARTH, widow of John Garth, Esq., and daughter and co-
heiress of John Brompton, Esq., died in 1785.
Arms. On a lozenge GarrH as above, with a crescent for difference,
impaling Brompron.
Frances, daughter of John Garth, Esq., died 1768.
ABEL Fiuxes, died 1815, aged 65. James, his son, 1796, aged 8.
By Mr. Edward Kite. 249
Mayor GENERAL Witt14M Hutt, C.B., Colonel of the first Bombay Grenadiers,
third son of Samuel and Elizabeth Hull of Devizes, died 1840, aged 62.
[Monument erected by his widow, Mildred, fifth daughter of the Ven.
Archdeacon Corbett of Longnor, Co. Salop].
Arms. Sable, a chevron ermine, between three talbot’s heads erased or,
Hv; impaling, Or, two ravens in pale proper within a bordure gules
bezantée, CoRBETT.
Crest. A talbot’s head erased argent between two laurel branches proper,
united at the top.
-Motto. ‘‘ Faithful and trusty,” pendant from the Shield the Cross of
a C.B.
On a slab of marble in the pavement of the church :—
‘* Heere lyeth ye Body of Simon Aston, Cittizen and Grocer of London ye Sonne
of Walter Aston of Longdon in ye County of Stafft¢ Gent, wch Simon had by
Elizabeth Daughter of John Wheler Esq. 5 children: who departed this life
y® 4 of August 1638 being aged forty yeares.”
Arms. A fess and in chief three lozenges, on the fess a crescent charged with
a crescent for difference, AsToON,
Crest. A bull’s head couped—charged with a crescent for difference.
The remainder of the flat stones within the church bear the
following names :—
Bowman, Filkes, Forman, Fuller, Gurnell, Hardyman, Hope, Hulbert, Lowe,
Macfarlane, Norris, Overton, Paradice, Phillips, Poore, Townsend, Wilcocks,
Wilkinson.
In the churchyard, near the south door of the chancel, is an
erection of stone which looks at first sight like an altar-tomb, its
sides being ornamented with panels, some trefoil-headed, others
containing a quatrefoil which encloses a shield charged with a cross.
This has been hitherto described as a tomb, but from being close to
a door, and from its resemblance to many others of the same kind,
as in the churchyards of Potterne, Bishops Cannings, Poulshot,
Edyngton, &c., it is suggested that it may have been used for some
purpose in connection with the church itself, perhaps for the dis-
tribution of alms, or doles.
Among the more ancient memorials in the churchyard are the
names of
Burgess, Eden, Ferris, Gamble, Halcomb, Harman, Hill, Holloway, Hull, Lewis,
Lockey, Mills, Newton, Norris, Noyes, Oak, Paradice, Phillips, Rutt, Seager,
Street.
On the north side of the chancel is a flat stone to the Rev. Henry
Jaques, Rector of Leigh-Delamere, who died in 1786.
250 The Churches of Devises. St. Mary’s.
The interior of the church has, within the last few months,
undergone considerable alteration. The galleries have been re-
moved, open benches substituted for pues, (by which means the
architecture is seen to much greater advantage) an organ erected
in the space under the tower, and a vestry added on the north side
of the chancel.
Cuantriges in Str. Mary’s Cuurcn.
In the report of a commission,' dated 4th Feb., 837 Henry VIII.
(1546) three chantries are mentioned.
The first was founded by John Coventre. Its endowment con-
sisted of eleven tenements and gardens, situated chiefly in the
New Port, an orchard, and three-and-a-half acres of arable land,
“lying in Wekefeld,” producing together, at that date, an annual
rental of £6 17s. 2d. from which deducting a rent of 7s. paid
annually to the Queen as lady of the manor of Devizes, leaves
£6 10s. 2d. as the clear value of the chantry.
The second, founded also by the said John Coventre, was endowed
with no less than thirty-two houses and tenements, and thirty-
one-and-a-half acres of land, besides several other parcels, the
measurements of which are not given. Many of the houses are
described as being in the Old and New Port, and the land in the
West Field, Wekefeld, Little Surbathe, and the Parke lands. This
property produced an annual rental of £16 12s. 6d. from which
deducting a rent to the Queen, as above, of £1 3s. 8d., also a like
rent of 5s. 11d. paid at the Castle Ward for the Park lands, and a
third of 11s. to the Bishop of Sarum, amounting in the whole to
£2 0s. 7d., leaves £14 11s. 11d. as the clear annual value of the
chantry.”
The third and last chantry was founded by William Coventre.
Its endowment consisted of sixteen houses and cottages with gardens,
besides barns, &c.. This property like the above was situated both in
1 Before referred to at page 235.
2 From the amount it would appear that this chantry was an endowment for
two priests.
By Mr. Edward Kite. 251
the Old and New Port, and produced an annual rent of £8 7s. 10d.,
with the following deductions :—
£ s. d.
An annual rent to the Queen of ................ 0 8 8
A charity to the almshouse for four poor women, as
follows :—
JRE ATT: We 7 RST A RE a are se 013 4
For four cartloads of wood ...................- 09 4
Hor six quarters of coals: 002.020.220.062. c ee. 0 3 4
For the sustentation of four beds, together with
the necessary furniture of the same ......... 0 6 8
Dail cred:
leaving £6 6s, 6d. for the annual value.
No documents relating to any of these foundations are known to
be in existence, except a few grants of some of the houses and lands
belonging to them, made by the trustees to various parties. The
earliest of these is in 1475 (138 Edward IV.), when the feoffees—
Roger Tocotes, Knt.; Nicholas Hall, Esq. ; John Huet, Chaplain; Thomas Noreys;
William Hendelove; John Raynold, Sen.; and John Dekyn, of Devizes, grant
to Thomas Bayly six tenements in the Old Port, and four acres of arable land,
described as ‘lands and tenements which we, the aforesaid feoffees, lately hold
of the gift of John Coventre, jun., now deceased.”
Another deed, dated 1552, (6 Edward VI.) is worthy of notice;
it is—
An indenture between Richard Batt, ‘‘Meyer of Devizes,” and John Ffelpes or
Symes, in which the former, ‘with the consent of his Brethren, and John Baker
and Edward Haynes, stewards or procters of and over the lands and tenements
perteyning or belonging unto the service of Our Lady, some tyme the gyft of
John Coventre, in the south side of the Church of Seynt Mary in the Devizes,”
grants to the latter ‘‘one tenement of the landes belonging to the service forseyed
in the Old Port, &c.”
The first of these deeds is valuable as giving the date of John
Coventre’s death; the second as clearly showing that one, or both,
of his chantries were founded at an altar dedicated to the Virgin
Mary in the south side of the church of St. Mary; this (as there
are no traces of an exterior chapel) probably refers to the east end
of the south aisle, which, as was often the case, may have been
screened off from the rest of the church for this purpose.
The names of Robert, Henry, and John Wornbridge occur in
1542, as stewards of the lands and tenements of the Mayor and
252 The Churches of Devizes. St. Mary’s.
his Brethren of the Devizes, belonging to the other chantry founded
in this chureh by William Coventre.
In 1554 (2 Phil. and Mary) the king and queen granted the
lands and messuages belonging to the Coventre chantries to William
and Roger Allen to hold in fee.
A list of the property belonging to these chantries, with the
names of the tenants in occupation, and the annual rent of each,
is preserved in the survey of 1546 before alluded to.
Oxirs, Licurs, &c.—The following lands and tenements have
been given to the church at various times for these purposes :—
c. 1388. Richard Gobett of Devizes, purchased from Thomas Snappe of
Rowde, certain lands in the latter parish, known as Isabel’s Mead and Croft,1
described as being in extent twenty acres, more or less. These he subsequently
enfeofted to John Paynter of Devizes, to the intent that ‘‘a perpetual memory
and Obit should be celebrated annually in the parish church of St. Mary, on the
Friday next after the Epiphany for the Souls of himself, Agnes his wife, William
Estmonde, John Coventre, and Joan his wife; and the predecessors, heirs, and
kinsfolk of them.” A dole was also to be distributed at the said Obit to priests,
clerks, and poor people.
c. 1436-60. William Smyth and Thomas Smyth, his son, gave two tenements
(one of which was situate in Southbroom) with their appurtenances ‘‘ for the
maintenance of three Sepulchre Tapers and the Font Taper, and also that an
Obit should be celebrated annually in the above church to pray for the Souls of.
the Father and Mother of the said Thomas, as also for the Soul of himself.”
1467. John Vylde? of Devizes, gave to Thomas Davy and Robert Helyar,
procurators of the altar of St. Katherine the Virgin in the above church, a tene-
ment and garden in the Old Port, ‘‘ for the maintenance of a light at the said
Altar, and to help a Priest to say Mass for the Souls of Edward Danyel and
Joan his wife, the Soul of John Vylde his father, and for the Souls of all the
faithful departed.”
The following tenants were in occupation of this property in
1574 (16 Elizabeth).
Isabel’s Breach and Croft.—George Raynoldes, annual rent 21s,
Tenements of William and Thomas Smyth.—Thomas Hull, Clothman, and
John Knapp, annual rent 10s.
Tenement and Garden of John Vylde.—Richard Come, annual rent 4s,
At this period an inquisition certified to the crown the uses for
which the property was held, when it is presumed that these being
1 This property, after a lapse of four hundred years, is still held of the church. It is at the present
day better known as ‘‘ Waite’s Mead,” which name it received from haying been rented about 1600-20
by one Robert Waite. It is a pasture ground in the parish of Rowde.
2 Written in a document of 1446 ‘‘ John Ffielde.”
By Mr. Edward Kite. 258
deemed superstitious, it was confiscated to the crown and re-granted
for fresh uses, as in an indenture, dated 3rd May, 24 Elizabeth,
(1582) it is recited that John Hubert of London, gentleman, and
Andrew Palmer procured from the queen a grant of the tenements
occupied by Knapp and Come, and Isabel’s Breach and Croft.
Since this they have been enfeoffed to various parties in trust for
the use of the poor, and the reparations of the parish church.
The dole in memory of Richard Gobett, amounting to about twenty
shillings, was however distributed annually to the poor on All Saints’
Day until about the middle of the last century, but since that time
it has been wholly discontinued.
Other bequests for similar purposes, although not mentioned in
the inquisition above alluded to, appear to have been made to this
church ; e. g.—
An annual dole of about 8s. 4d., bequeathed by Sir Thomas Newman! and
Robert Paynter, distributed on Good Friday.
Thomas Cardmaker’s Light } :
499,
iid ktinieetaie eee
The Lamp before the High Altar 9» _ 18625,
CoventTRY F'AMILy.
The family of Coventre, or Covyntre, appears to have been one
of importance in Devizes during the fourteenth and fifteenth
centuries. As they were more or less connected with, and some
of them were benefactors to, its churches, the following notices
collected from a few documents of that period relating to them are
added :—
Witriam Coventre. Mayor of Devizes, 11 Richard II. (1388);
one of the procurators of the goods, &e. in the church of St. Mary,
12 Henry IV. (1411), living 1415-16.
Joun Covenrre, (son of William Coventre, Sen.) One of the
procurators of the church of St. Mary, and mayor of Devizes,
22 Richard II. (1398). John Coventre, Sen., (probably the
same) was mayor in 1415.
Both he and his wife, Joan, were annually commemorated in
1 Sir Thomas Newman appears to have been a chantry priest. His name occurs in 1404.
Vist
254 The Churches of Devizes. St. Mary’s.
an obit, celebrated in the above church, on the Friday after the
Epiphany, of the foundation of Richard Gobett of Devizes, see
page 252.
Nicnoias Coventre, Chaplain, was 1 Henry IV. (1399) presented
by the king to the government of the hospital of St. John the
Baptist, Devizes.
JoHN CovENTRE, Jun. One of the procurators of the church of
St. Mary, 2 Henry V. (1415), and mayor of Devizes 1436. He
founded and endowed a chantry or chantries in the south side of
the church of St. Mary, (see above p. 251) and died before 1475,
leaving two sons, Thomas and John.
THomas Covyntrre. This name occurs in 1420. He founded an
almshouse in Devizes (probably that on the north side of St.
John’s church now known as the new almshouse,! which name
it has doubtless borne for no less than four centuries). His Will,
of which the following is a copy, is preserved in the Prerogative
Will Office, London.
“In Bie nomine Amen. XV. die mensis Iunii 1451. Ego Thomas
Covyntre de Devyses corpore. . . . . . testamentum meum in hune
modum. Imprimis lego. . . . . . et beate Marie corpusque meum
ad sepeliendum in ceemeterio Sti Johis Bapt: de Devyses. Item lego sce
eceles. Sar, xijt- It. lego dee eccle Sti Johis Bapt: vjs- viija- It. lego bte
Marie de eadem villa xij4- Itemlego . . . . . . Ft. do et lego
Alicie uxori mee unum tenementum inter ten: oak Sti Johi pred. exparte
1 This building having become dilapidated, was a few years since taken down
and rebuilt. On some of the stones from the foundation were discovered
mouldings of the Norman style, corresponding with those remaining in the
original parts of the adjacent church of St. John, thus clearly showing that the
almshouse was erected, or partly so, with the stone from the Norman walls of the
nave of the church, which were removed at the time when its aisles were added.
The aisles of the church are of the Perpendicular style, and appear, from their
plain character, to have been erected about the middle of the fifteenth century,
which, being in the lifetime of this Thomas Covyntre, tends to confirm the
supposition that the ‘‘domus elemosynar” alluded to by him in his Will, made
A.D. 1451, was none other than the building above mentioned, and now known
as the new almshouse.
It is also, from these cireumstances, very probable that Thomas Covyntre was
a considerable contributor to, if not (like his friend and contemporary William
Smyth, by whom the greater part of the sister chureh of St. Mary had been
shortly before rebuilt, and whose son he appoints as one of his executors) the
very person at whose cost the aisles were added to the church.
By Mr. Edward Kite. 250
australi et ten: Joh: Devyses exparte boriali . . symp on altert lego
p’de Alicie omnes alias terras et tenem. mea cum canieeais ubicunque exis-
tentibus prefat Alicie ad terminum vite sue de capital dom. feod .
et de jure consueta sub hac forma et conditione q. dicta Alicia tenement in
quadam domo elemosynar. quam ego Thomas tempore vite mee competente
pauperibus in eisdem suppetandis sustinend durante vita dee Alicies .
. suis et expensis. Et volo quod post decessum dee Alicie omnia pda
terr.et tenement. . . . integre remaneant maiori et comitat
Burgi de Devyses pde men cial et forma pdea. Et volo q4- quilibet Maior
recipiat pro suo labore et tempore xxs- Et totum quod superest de reddit
pdict ten. volo q’- remaneat ad sustentationem reficiend. pauperum existen-
tium in pdea domo elemosynar. secundum dispositionem maioris et comitat
de Devyses pde. Residuum vero bonorum et catallorum meorum do et lego
Alicie uxori mea ut ea disponat pro salute anime mee et ut videbit melius
expediat. Et det Aliciam ordino executricem et dominum Thomam Smyth
caplm supervisor :”
Wr41414M Coventre,! Jun., is mentioned in 1416-20-36. He was
doubtless the founder of the third chantry in St. Mary’s church,
out of the annual produce of which the sum of £1 12s. 8d. was
given in alms, &ec., to four poor women occupying the almshouse
founded by his brother Thomas mentioned above.
Henry Coventre was presented in 1439 to the chapel of Atteward
Parva, (Atworth?) void by the death of William Smyth.” Patron,
Thomas Beauchamp, Esq. See “Wilts Institutions.”
At a much later date the parish registers of SS. John and Mary
contain the names of two individuals, possibly descended from the
same family—viz., Mary Coventry, m. in 1690 to Henry Parker ;
and Joseph Coventry, m. in 1708 to Mary Patry.
A charity called “Coventry’s Dole” was, no doubt, bequeathed
by a member of this family.
Nothing is known as to the period at which the bequest was
made, or of the property from which the sum annually expended
was derived.
1 The following rebus was used id William And: ntre on his Seal, in allusion
to his name: co™ by, a contraction for the letter m, and in the centre a Tree.
2 It is to be regretted that there is at present nothing to identify this William
Smyth as the individual mentioned at page 239, the date of whose death (1436)
and the Institution of Coventre in 1439 is worthy of notice. It is also evident
that the William Smyth who rebuilt St. Mary’s church was in some way con-
nected with the Devizes family of Coventre, which may account in a measure
for the interest of these two individuals with the patron of the chapel at Atworth.
2u2
256 The Churches of Devizes. St. Mary’s.
There is, however, a tradition! still preserved in connection with
it, which is as follows:—
A boy or man of the name of Coventry, passing through Devizes in a state of
great destitution, received from a baker of the town a small loaf of bread in
alms; having subsequently reached London, and having there, by some means,
acquired a considerable fortune, he directed a small loaf of bread to be given
annually, on a particular day, to every man, woman, or child who should be
found in the town, whether inhabitants or strangers.
The charity appears to have been dispensed by the mayor and
burgesses of the Borough, to whom the property, from which its
annual income was derived, was no doubt bequeathed.
From the corporation books? it appears that £4 17s. 10d. was
the sum expended on behalf of the charity in 1620, and £9 1s. in
1663. At a general assembly, held December 22nd, 1663-4, it was
resolved that it should for the future be reduced to the certain sum
of £4 yearly, and that all persons charged with taxes should not
receive any part of the same. In 1668, however, the sum again
rose to £7 16s., and in 1669 to £9 Is. 6d.
No entries appear from 1670 to 1687. In 1688 is the following:
“Item, paid for the dole bread, £6 9s.” In 1691 thesum paid was £8 7s.
The corporation cash accounts are missing from 1691 to 1725.
In 1726 the sum paid was £14 9s. 5d. No other entry occurs till
1730. From 1726 to 1786 the entries are extremely irregular,
both with respect to years and sums.
In 1786, as far as can be ascertained, a penny loaf was given to
every townsman, and a two-penny loaf to every traveller. After
this year the “ Dole Bread” (then probably the only one remaining,
with the exception of the almshouse, of all the charities bequeathed
at various times to the town and churches of Devizes by this family)
ceased to be distributed, and the endowment itself has long been
considered as lost.
(To be concluded in our next).
1 As traditions, although often sadly distorted, are seldom without some found-
ation, it is not improbable that the one in question (as it is the only one relating
to the family which has been preserved) may have some reference (especially if
the charity was bequeathed by either of its early members) to their origin, as
well as the manner in which some of their wealth was acquired; but how far
this is to be relied on the writer cannot, in the absence of anything which would
tend to confirm this suggestion, undertake to say.
2 See the report of the charity commissioners.
287
Wiltshire Yates ant Queries,
Henry, Earn or Dansy.—In Vol. I., No. 3, Mr. Jackson made
us acquainted with the first public act, on the theatre of life, of
Henry Danvers, afterwards Earl of Danby. The object of the
following “Note” is to supply a glimpse of the closing career of
the same nobleman. This was in 1642, shortly before his decease;
and just as the Civil War was about to break out. He was then
living at Cornbury House in Oxfordshire, where he appears to have
made himself unpopular.!_ At this period he appears to have been
greatly annoyed by a French gentleman, Sir William St. Ravie,
who, in his capacity of Ranger of the neighbouring forest of
Wichwood, became an unpleasant rival in the infliction of feudal
grievances on the country. Lord Danby had red deer as well as
the king, but the exercise of an obsolete royal prerogative, which
had recently been put in force, brought matters to a crisis, and
induced the earl to prosecute a cause against St. Ravie, before the
peers. This was no other than king Charles’s extension of Wich-
wood forest so far beyond its accustomed limits as to embrace more
than thirty additional towns. [By towns we must understand
villages or townships]. The country people, thus suddenly brought
under the sway of forest-law, of course felt it to be a great grievance.
1 Amongst the Star-Chamber Reports is the following case :—
“Tie ATTORNEY GENERAL v. Ewer, Esaurre, Easter, 7 Charles (4.p. 1631).
The Defendent at several times, and at several places, and to several persons,
did in scorn, disgrace, and contempt of the Earl of Danby use these words—
viz., ‘my Lord of Danby . . . . . . heisa base cheating Lord, and a
Cozening Lord, and a Base Fellow eT . . Jam a better man than
he; he hath cozened the country people in taking away their Common; so as he
hath the daily curses of thousands.’ And for this he was committed to the Fleet
during his Majesty’s pleasure, bound to his Good Behaviour during life, fined
£1000, to pay £1000 damage, and at the Bar of this Court and the Assizes at
Oxon to acknowledge his offence and ask the Earl forgiveness.” —Rushworth’s
Coll,, vol. 3, app. 36.
258 Wilts Notes and Queries.
They found themselves forbidden to chase the deer out of their own
cornfields, so that “they reaped not what they had sown”; and
were moreover deprived of their dogs and guns. St. Ravie, who,
as was generally conceived, had himself been the chief agent in
procuring the patent of enlargement, finding himself in consequence
in very bad odour with all the farmers around, was in the habit of
giving out that the real author of the evil was the Earl of Danby,
whose game was far more numerous than the king’s. Poimting to
Cornbury House, the earl’s residence, he would say—‘“ that the
nobleman who lived in yonder white house was the man that would
undo them all ;—that the said earl was no good man; and did not
love the king nor the country, [neighbourhood]: and that if war
should break out, he, St. Ravie, would be too hard for his lordship,
for through all that country-side he should have three to one
against him”; with other like passages. For these slanders the
Earl of Danby petitioned to lay his action. Sir William St. Ravie
sent in a written answer, generally denying the charges, but when
the cause came on for trial, he made no further appearance; and
the House of Peers thereupon adjudged him to pay £100 to the
King, £500 to the Earl of Danby, to make submission to their
house, and to lie in the Fleet during their pleasure: and declared
the earl fully vindicated and cleared of all aspersions and misre-
presentations.—Lord’s Journals.
{Note.—It was in the year, 1853, that the Act for disafforesting Wichwood
passed the legislature; and by an advertisement in Zhe Times, December
20th, 1854, occupiers and borderers were directed to send in their various claims].
J. WAYLEN.
CuaLFIELD Housr.—Robert Eyre of West (or Little) Chalfield,
in a petition, dated 1648, states that he had greatly suffered by the
proximity of his house to the garrison which held Great Chalfield,
especially when the latter was besieged, ‘his own house being next
unto it,” (that is, nearest, the real distance asunder being half a
mile). Before I met with this passage, the fact that Chalfield
House had been converted into a military post had entirely escaped
me. I would therefore beg to invite an affirmation of the circum-
stance from Mr. Matcham, whose connection with the Eyre family
Wilts Notes and Queries. 259
renders him so well qualified to illustrate their history. Ata recent
visit to the old house, Mrs. Spackman assured me that the parish
register in her keeping made no reference to any such an event.
Possibly the registers of Melksham, Broughton Gifford, or Holt,
under date 1642 to 1645, may contain items of contribution for
supporting the said garrison. The mutilated condition of the house,
and three large apertures resembling casemates in the ruined gable
wall standing near the church, certainly point to something more
than the quiet decay of time. As an architectural study Chalfield
has been copiously illustrated by Walker; and as a picturesque
memorial it has been sketched by Mr. Matcham; but no sufficient
explanation has yet been given of the apertures in question. A
better knowledge of the family history would probably decide their
character. One thing is certain: they are no parts of the original
design; they are very irregular in form, piercing and mutilating
two arcades.
In the “ Lords’ Journals” the following minutes relating to this
subject have been met with :—
A letter, written by the committee sitting at Chalfield House, to
Sir William Waller at Salisbury, 1645, announcing that Rupert
and Maurice were at Marshfield. Also a statement by Sir Richard
Gurney, the loyal Lord Mayor of London, that he had lost at least
£2000 by injury done to Chalfield House, in Wilts, and cutting
down the woods there; showing that the estate had already passed
from the Eyre family. The fact of Great Chalfield having been
a garrison, therefore, seems decided; the only point requiring
elucidation being the affair of the siege. ds W.
County Gaon av Fisnerton.—In the year 1780, the gentry of
Wilts, anxious to increase the efficiency of this establishment by
annexing to it the adjoining residence of Mr. Thorpe (the then
gaol governor, who was about to quit the office), there being at
that time no residence for a governor within the limits of the prison,
made application to Parliament for powers to raise a sum sufficient
to purchase the said house of Mr. Thorpe, at £1750 more or less.
And to bring about this very simple affair, a committee of members
is formed, the testimony of surveyors heard, and a bill framed.
260 Wilts Notes and Queries.
Is it not rather surprising that the county could not manage its
own domestic matters without this parade? Mr. Hatcher makes
no reference to the affair, Fisherton lying beyond the limits of
Salisbury. It is perhaps worth adding, that even before the annex-
ation of Mr. Thorp’s premises, the prison was reported by the
Parliamentary Committee as “one of the most commodious in
England.” J. W.
Srvcutar Tenvre.—It is well known that estates were often
held of the crown by a small annual gift such as a hawk, or a pair
of spurs, or some other personal service. But the following contract,
as between private individuals, certainly bears an unusual appear-
ance :—
15 and 16 Edward II., 1322. George of Brigmerston (clerk)
petitions the King, that whereas he had leased his manor of
Hakeneston! in Wilts, to Sir Philip de la Beeche for the term of
-his life, on the condition that Sir Philip should, every year, deliver
to him a robe fit for an esquire and of the value of 120 shillings, and
also find for him and a boy and a horse, sustenance in all manner
of necessary meat and drink:—But now the said manor is seized
into the king’s hands by the forfeiture of the said Sir Philip, he
being one of the king’s enemies. Wherefore the said George prays
relief. Response: Whereas Sir Philip is at present in prison, let
the petitioner await the gaol delivery.—Petitiones in Parliamento.
JW
1 Now called Hackleston, or Haxton, in the parish of Fittleton, near Amesbury.
THE BOTANY OF WILTSHIRE.
It is intended to commence the publication of the Flowering Plants and Ferns
in the next number of the Magazine. Communications relative to any Station or
Stations for Plants, that have been observed in the County, may be addressed to
T. Bruces Frower, Ese., Rivers Street, Bath; or to Mr. Cunnineron,
Devizes. The loan of authentic specimens will give additional value to such
communications ; but, where that is impracticable, accurate descriptions to the
localities will be scarcely less serviceable,
Seize Butt, Printer, St. John Street, Devizes.
THE
? WILTSHIRE
- Beeeal ogral an Batural AWistory
MAGAZINE.
wo. -VI. DECEMBER, 1855. Vor. II.
Contents,
PAGE
History of the Wiltshire Manors subordinate to the Manor of Castle
Combe: (No. 2.) By G. Pourert Scrorz, Esq., M. P............. 261-289
On the Ornithology of Wilts. (No. 5.) On the Feet of Birds: By Rey.
RR DRE styeet aes eee credence ee meee Bene cele s wi Woe SUS 290-301
On the Churches of Devizes. (No. 2. :) By Mr. Epwarp Kire........ 302-332
Documents relating to St. Mary’s, 302. Extracts from Church-
wardens’ Accounts of ditto, 308. Thos. Hall’s Letter, 325.
Rectors of Devizes, 326. Chantry Chaplains, 331.
Pedigree of Garth, of Devizes and Haines Hill: By Rev. Jonn Warp 332
Bells of Co. Wilts, with their Inscriptions. (No. 2.) By Rev. W.C.
Sa She RRS RR a ee Er ior Pectin 333-355
Deanery of Chalke, 333. Of Wilton and Wylie, 334. Of Avebury,
338. Of Marlborough, 343. Of Potterne, 349.
The Heralds’ Visitations of Wiltshire, and Pedigrees of Wilts’ Families:
By F. A. CampineTon, Esq. ..........2..ceeeeeeeeee eee eee ees 356-386
Wiltshire Seals: By Meer E JAGAN... cpu okies ds odew » «fog 387-392
Contributions to the Museum and Library............2.0eeeeeeeeee 392
Ditto by Rrcwarp MULLINes, aie ERNE OC CR CO OATT ET xo RE COSY 394
' Wirtserre Notes AND QUERIE
moa Civil Wars: Notice ‘of f Proposed History: By J. WaYLEN,
MEE TeaPol orn ace’) ofaioisiausinis elchatole, c.0)/es os) sPeletcMMManac «(vin s, «a5, 397
Clare LETS io tic OED RIGS HORI BOCGEEBIO’ tit oc GUSEIOpIr 398
SMT efoto, aici cs) ore/aligpct cvs ay cael oll itovs 01% 14 eheieyove ciess’s os e's" e si. 399
re PREM E ete tent Nernst! cca since tikae «1a cist oustanieia) tere s>, leks. 9/6 «Ais 399
Pedigree of Giffard of Boyton, Ichull, Weston-sub-Edge, and Sherston
Pinkney : By Sir Txos, PuILriprs, TB ABD: o's scu ae rere eee oo 36 401
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Wrirsuree Seats: 1. Esturmy of Figheldean, p. 387. 2. Monkton Farley,
387. 3. Rina of Yetminster, 387. 4. eadonaieie, 387, 5. Thomas
Giffard, 387.
MuRDER ey Mr. Henry PENRUDDOCKE, p. 397.
DEVIZES:
Henry Burr, Sart Joun SrReer.
LONDON:
G. Bett, 186, Frerr Srreet; J. R. Swrrn, 36, Sono Square.
THE
WILTSHIRE MAGAZINE.
‘“MULTORUM MANIBUS GRANDE LEVATUR ONUS.”—Ovid.
Mistory of the Wiltshire Manors subordinate to
the Barony of Castle Combe.
By G. Pouterr Scropr, Esq., M.P.
In the Domesday Survey a certain Hunrrinus bE Insu.a, or
Humphrey de I’Isle, is represented as holding of the king in Capite
or honour, a Seignory consisting of twenty-seven vills or manors in
Wiltshire. He was, no doubt, one of the Norman followers of the
Conqueror, probably the Liele of the Battle Abbey Roll, and re-
warded for his aid in subduing the Saxon, by this portion of the
booty. Of these twenty-seven manors, Hunfridus himself held of the
king, in Capite or in his own hand, ten—viz., Brocronz, STERTE,
Wu, WILRENoNE, CoLERNE, WINTREBURNE, Potton, Harpicore,
FistesBeriz, and Come; while the remaining seventeen were held of
him, as their feudal lord, by various mesne lords or sub-tenants.
These were ConronE, BurBETC, CUMBREWELLE, RUSTESELLE, WER-
TUNE, SALTEHARPE, CLive, Sum’REFORD, SMITEcoTE, BLUNTESDON,
GRENDEWELLE, ScHETONE, HAnToNE, BEDESTONE, HrorrHam, SoreE-
stone, and Metrrorp. The entire seignory descended, by marriage
_ of Adeliza, heiress of De Insula, to the Dunstanvilles, powerful
_ barons for several generations throughout the twelfth and thirteenth
centuries; one of whom, in or about the reign of Henry I., having
built a Castle at Come, or Combe, this became, as was the custom
of the time,' ““Caput Honoris, sive Baronix,” the head seat of the
1 Madox Baronia Anglia.
VOL, I1.—NO. Vi. 2M
262 History of the Wiltshire Manors
barony, and the De Dunstanvilles were thence styled Barons of
Combe Castel or Castle Combe.
In the year 1313 (as has been shown in a previous paper) Bar-
tholomew Lord Badlesmere—known as ‘‘the rich Lord Badlesmere
of Leedes,”’ his Chief Castle in Kent—became possessed of the barony
by purchase from the last heir of the De Dunstanvilles, William
de Montfort; and on the partition of his great estates among his
four daughters and coheiresses, A.D. 1340, the several manors and
knight’s fees composing the Barony of Combe were distributed in
separate portions among some of the greatest families of the time
—those of De Vere, Arundel, Roos, Mortimer, Bohun, and Tibetot.?
The disjointed fragments were still, however, held as “parcels of
the Barony of Combe.” And even to a late date in the sixteenth
century, homage and service, wardship and marriage, with the
other incidents of feudal superiorities, continued to be claimed and
rendered for them, by pecuniary compositions paid by the mesne
Lords at the Knight’s Court (Curia Militum) of the Lords of Castle
Combe. The Rolls of these Courts are still preserved, giving the
names of the persons from whom this service was due, and thus
afford evidence of the successive owners of these several manors,
which is not, in many cases, otherwise obtainable. It is with the view
therefore of offering some data towards the history of these manors,
that I proceed to give what I have been able to gather relating to
them from these documents, and others in my possession, adding
also the testimony afforded by the list of knight’s fees belonging to
the great barons of the time of Henry III. (1250-1272), known as
the Liber Feodorum, or Testa de Nevill.
The twenty-seven vills or manors named in the great Norman
survey as composing the seignory of De Insula are perhaps not in
every instance to be identified with complete certainty. There
may be a question as to two or three, from the imperfect spelling
of the original record. But the subsequent evidence of the Castle
Combe Court Rolls scarcely leaves any of them doubtful. It will
be seen that they were scattered over the entire county. But
1 The original deed of partition is preserved at Castle Combe.
Subordinate to the Barony of Castle Combe. 263
the bulk of them formed a group nearly contiguous, in its north-
eastern division, extending from Mildenhall, near Marlborough,
through Blunsdon, Wroughton, Broad Hinton, Clive, the Bassetts,
Somerford, Sherston Pinkney, Combe, and Biddeston.
I propose to take these manors in the order in which they appear
in the Conqueror’s Survey, and begin therefore with the ten which
were held in hand by Hunfridus de Insula himself.
1. Brocrone, now Broughton Giffard.—In the 8rd of John (1201)
Broctone was taxed as late the land of Walter de Dunstanville
(Rot. lane. 3rd John). In the Liber Feodorum (1250-70), Walter
de Dunstanville is said to hold two knight’s fees and two hides of
the king in Brocton. In what manner or when Broughton was
transferred to the Giffards does not appear, but as Elias Giffard of
Brimsfield held the Manor of Ayston (Ashton Giffard), another of
the subordinate knight’s fees of the Barony of Castle Combe, under
Walter de Dunstanville, in the time of Henry III., (he died 33
Henry III.) it is probable that Broughton likewise was enfeoffed
to him or to his son John, about the same period, by one of the
Walters de Dunstanville, their companion in arms. Broughton
manor was held in dower for her life (together with Eleston,
Orcheston, and Ashton, all subordinate to the Barony of Castle
Combe) by Margaret Giffard, widow of John Giffard, the elder,
who was slain at Boroughbridge. On her death it reverted (with
them) to the heirs of her husband, by his first marriage with
Matilda Longespee, namely, James Lord Audeley, and John le
Strange—the intermediate forfeiture of this reversion, which had
been bestowed on Sir John Mautravers, being rescinded by King
Edward III. in the first year of his reign (a.p. 1827-8).!
On the partition of the great Badlesmere estates in 1340, the
superiority of these knight’s fees in Broughton was assigned to
John de Vere, Earl of Oxford, in right of his wife, Maud de Badles-
mere, and these were held at that time “under the Barony of Castle
Combe,” by the above-named James Audeley and John le Strange,
1 For the Pedigree of Giffard see ‘‘Hoare’s Heytesbury,” p. 225; and the
Rey. Mr. Fane’s paper in No. 4 of this Magazine, p. 101
2M 2
264 History of the Wiltshire Manors
as appears from the Partition Roll, in which they are valued at
13/. 6s. 8d. yearly.
The subsequent Rolls of the Knight’s Court of Castle Combe,
show that in 1865 Broughton was still held by Sir John Strange
and Sir James Audeley, “together with John Spigurnall.”’ In 1386,
it was in custody of the king during the minority of the heir. In
1389, Nicholas Audeley and John le Strange were summoned as
tenants under the barony. In 1396, the Lady Audeley, widow of
Nicholas. In 1417, both knight’s fees are said to be held by Lord
Roos of Hamlake (as intermediate superior), and Lord Talbot and
John Hulse, probably as feoffees. In 1523, the tenants of James
Audeley, and in 1547 the names of James Audeley, (probably re-
tained there as representing their respective heirs, the Tuchets, Lords
Audeley, and Talbots, Earls of Shrewsbury), and John le Strange
are still on the Roll, as owing suit and service for Broughton.
2. Srerre.—The Liber Feodorum makes mention of Sterte as a
knight’s fee, held of the king by Walter de Dunstanville, and
belonging to his Barony of Combe (et pertinet ad Buroniam suam
de Combe). The service for Sterte due to the king was forty days
at the Castle of Devizes in time of war, and twenty shillings in
time of peace.
Sir John De la Mare and Petronilla, his wife, heiress of the De
Dunstanvilles, obtained grant of free warren for the Manor of Sterte,
11 Edward I. It appears from the Patent Rolls (8 Edward IIL.,
1331) that Bartholomew Lord Badlesmere, who had purchased the
Barony of Combe, exchanged the fee of the Manor of Sterte, and
those of Heytesbury and Colerne, with King Edward II. for the
Castle and Manor of Chilham and others in Kent, where his
baronial residence, Leedes Castle, was situated.!. And these estates
were bestowed by the young King Edward IIL., shortly after his
accession, on his chancellor and treasurer, Henry de Burghersh,
Bishop of Lincoln, who was also cousin and guardian of the minor,
Giles Lord Badlesmere, the heir of Bartholomew.
The bishop, in the year 1835, paid a fine of one hundred shillings
1 Rot. Pat., 3 Edward III. Renewed 7 Edward III.
Subordinate to the Barony of Castle Combe. 265
for license to release these three Manors of Sterte, Heytesbury,
and Colerne, to Robert de Stanford and Richard de Broke.1. And
from this period Sterte, of course, disappears from the Rolls of the
Courts of Castle Combe.
3. Wui1.—The present Parish of Wily, on the river of that
name above Wilton, comprised anciently as many at least as three
manors. One of them was no doubt, as Sir R. Hoare believed, the
Wilgi of Domesday, which at the period of that survey was held
by the Abbey Church of Wilton, and has descended, with other of
her ecclesiastical domains, to the Earls of Pembroke. The two
other manors of the name of Wili, formed a part of the fee of
Hunfridus de Insula, and were possessed, as part of the Barony of
Castle Combe, by Earl Reginald de Dunstanville, temp. Henry I.,
as appears from an early copy of two grants, preserved at Castle
Combe, conceding in fee-farm to John de Wili, and Agatha,
his wife, the town of Wili (Totam villam Wili) for a rent of
eight pounds of silver yearly, and five marks of silver in hand,
and also a hide of land in Wili, which Aylward, father of John,
held of Earl Reginald, with a messuage upon it, for service of the
fifth part of a knight’s fee.? Another deed witnesses that on the
decease of John de Wili, his son, Thomas de Wili, received a further
grant and confirmation of the same manor and lands from Walter
de Dunstanville, then Baron of Castle Combe, for the sum of
“twelve silver marks and one palfrey, by way of relief.”* By a
fourth charter, Walter de Dunstanville, son of the first Walter,
quitclaimed the same estate to Nicholas de Wili, for payment of
a
1 Abbrey. Rot. orig. 8 Edward III.
2 The witnesses to these early deeds are worth recording—viz., Hugh de
Dunstanville (probably brother of the Earl, who is believed to have been a son
of Adeliza de Insula, widow of Reginald de Dunstanville, by King Henry I.),
William de Cargit, Joel Malus Nepos, William Despenser, Pagan Capellanus,
Simon Pincerna, Gervase of Wilton, Roger Clericus de Wilton, William Cocus
Comitis, William St. Clare, Radulphus his son, and many others.
3 The witnesses to this somewhat later deed are Engeram de Pratellis, Alanus
Bassett, Feramus de Tracy, Robertus de Sertana, Willielmus filius Comitis,
Ricardus de Wili, Gervasius de Wilton, Willielmus Clericus, Robert de Lanicot,
Alanus filius Ricardi.
266 History of the Wiltshire Manors
forty pence in a purse, “in gersumiam.”! These charters are also
recited in a grant of Inspeximus of Henry IIL., in the Castle Combe
chartulary, dated at Westminster, the 27th day of May, in the
54th year of that king (4.p. 1270), who at the same time confirmed
these estates “to John de Wili, heir of the above-named John,
Thomas, and Nicholas,” at the instance of Walter de Merton, (ad
instanciam dilecti et familiaris nostri Walteri de Merton).
In the Liber Feodorum (1250-72) we find that Philip de Depeford
held of the Barony of Combe the fifth part of a knight’s fee,
mentioned in the above charters, and here described as in “ Batham
Wili,” by which it is identified with one of the manors of Bath-
hampton on Wily. Philip held it under Nicholas de Wili, and he
of Alfred de Lincoln, (who is then heard of for the first time) and
he of Walter de Dunstanville, as Lord Paramount. Gilbert de
Muleford held likewise of Walter de Dunstanville half a knight’s
fee in the town of Wili, no doubt the other estate mentioned in the
grants of Earl Reginald.
In the Nomina Villarum (1306) Bathampton is stated to be
owned by Matilda de Wily, and Margaret de Wodefold.
The fifth of a knight’s fee in Bathampton on Wily was assigned,
on the partition of 1840, to the Earl of Oxford. It was then in
the hands of Nicholas Lambert, and valued at 5/. yearly.
In 1366, it was held by John Bocland; in 13874, by Hugh Cheyne
and his wife, (probably the heiress of Bocland); in 1394-1404, by
Thomas Blount, after marriage with the widow of Hugh Cheyne.
John Depeford held ‘the half knight’s fee in fee-farm,” in the year
1365; John Bathampton in 1374; and John Knottingley in 1892.
This last entry describes it as “formerly belonging to Nicholas
Wily.” These two manors were, no doubt, those now known as
Great and Little Bathampton, the one consisting of seven hundred
and twenty acres, the other about five hundred.
In 1454, both estates had become the property of John Mont-
pesson, Esquire; the smaller or fifth part of a knight’s fee “on
1 The witnesses to this deed are Dominus Walterus, Son of Walter de Dun-
stanville, John his brother, Herbert de la Leye, Ranulphus de Mere, Willielmus
Struge, Walter Luddoe, and others.
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Subordinate to the Barony of Castle Combe. 267
which his capital manor house stands,” and the other, described in
an extent of that date as “the whole town of Wily, otherwise
called Batyngton Wily, held in fee-farm at a rent of 8/. per annum,”
being the same quit-rent which had been fixed in the reign of
Henry I., by Earl Reginald, then the superior Lord.
The daughter and heiress of John Knottingley married Thomas
Bonham, who paid this quit-rent at the Court Baron of Castle
Combe, between the years 1415-20. In this last year munture,’
(the fine payable on decease of a tenant) was claimed on his death,
and Robert Montpesson, husband of his grand-daughter and sole
heir, was admitted as tenant, and performed his homage as such.
In 1484, Robert Montpesson having died, the manor was ‘‘seized
as munture” for the lands and tenements in Bathampton Wily,
“whose custody was in the hands of the lord (at that time Sir John
Fastolf, K.G.), by reason of the minority of John Mounpesson, son
and heir of the wife of Robert, heiress of Thomas Bonham.” And
the manor after its seizure was leased by Fastolf to one John Gautes,
It seems, however, that Gautes got into arrear to the amount of 36/.,
and Thomas Piers or Perys, the priest of Steeple Langford (the
adjoining parish) was employed by Fastolf to collect the rents of
the tenants of the manor for him during the seizure. There is a
curious letter preserved at Castle Combe from this person to his
employer, Fastolf, written from Langeford, and attesting his
diligence in the collection of these rents. Still the result was not
favourable, for William of Worcester, the auditor of Sir John’s
estates, records in one of his MS. volumes preserved at Castle
Combe, a memorandum on the subject to this effect.
“Ttem, that hit is more expedient to take vmi.\i- of rent of Assise, whiche
has been paid withoute tyme of mynde to my Lord for his manor of Bathampton
Wyly, than for to take the rent of certeyn tenants in the said Lordship of Wily,
with the profits and farm of the millne, which mounteth unto the sum vir,
merkes only, so that hit is a yerely hurt unto my Lord of m11.°r- marks.”
By another entry of Worcester’s it appears that a preceding
bailiff of the Manor of Wily, named Tudworth, had likewise got
into arrear to the amount of no less than 52/. 8s. 8d., and in
1 Mortuary fee, or Heriot. I do not find this term in Ducange.
268 History of the Wiltshire Manors
auditing his accounts two items were struck out—viz., a gowne-cloth
of the value of ten shillings, and a “liveree” for the above Thomas
Piers, reeve (bailiff) of the manor, (and rector of Steeple Langford !)
“because they profited not the said Fastolf in their offices.”
In 1476, John Monpesson, Esquire, did homage at the Knight’s
Court of Castle Combe for “the estate late of Roger Mulford,”
and also for “all the town of Wily, and two hydes of land by fee-
farm,” and paid 8/. yearly.
An imperfect pedigree of the ancient family of Montpesson is
given by Sir R. Hoare,! whose account of the different estates in
South Wilts possessed by them is not very clear. The notices here
afforded may assist those who will undertake the task of further
inquiry on the subject. I find no mention made subsequent to the
date last given (1476) of the payment of the yearly quit-rent to
the superior Lord of Castle Combe. Probably it was bought out.
4, Wirrenone.—This word, as it appears in the Domesday
Survey, is a puzzle. I suppose it to be a clerical error for Winter-
bourne, which would be probably written in the original record with
the usual contractions, “ W7’trebo’ne,” and thus might be easily
mistaken by the transcriber for “Wilrenone.” In this case we
must presume it to be intended for one of several villages lying
along the course of the river Wily and its tributaries, to which,
from their liability to sudden floods, this name of Winterbourne
was frequently applied, and which certainly formed a part of the
baronial fee of Castle Combe.
Elias Giffard is mentioned in the Liber Feodorum as holding a
knight’s fee in Ayston of John Mautravers, and he of Walter de
Dunstanville. At a later date (1340) the Court Rolls of Castle
Combe show that Margaret Giffard, widow of John Giffard of
Brimsfield, held two knight’s fees, by inheritance from John Mau-
travers, in Ayston and Eleston, of the Barony of Castle Combe.’
In 1355, the Manors of Ayston and Eleston alias Crouchton,* were
1 Heytesbury, p. 219.
2 For the pedigree of Mautravers see Hoare’s Heytesbury, p. 181.
3 Crouchton is probably misspelt for ‘‘Orcheston,” in which parish the Manor
of Elston is situated, adjoining Ashton.
Subordinate to the Barony of Castle Combe. 269
held of the Barony of Combe by John Mautravers. In 1866,
Ashton, called repeatedly in the Rolls of the Court “Ashton Dun-
stanville,”’ was held by John Croucheton; in 1396, by Nicholas
Temyse; in 1404, by Nicholas Gervase. Between 1417 and 1434,
two fees in “ Ashton and Croucheston” were held by Robert Salmon.
From 1523 to 1547, John “‘Crockington” paid suit and service as
tenant of the Manor of Ashton Dunstanville. In some of the Rolls .
of the sixteenth century, however, e. g. of 1525 and 1547, Eleston
and Ayston are both mentioned as held by the Earl of Arundel,
and mortuary, “‘muntura,” and relief were paid in the former of
these years by Earl Thomas on his admission to these manors.
From this it would seem that there were two Manors of Ashton
held under Castle Combe, Ashton Giffard and Ashton Dunstanville,
which last was perhaps Orcheston, the adjoining manor to Eleston,
and included in the same parish.
5. Corzrne.—In the 23rd of Henry II. (1176) an Aid being
assessed on the towns of Wiltshire, ‘“Colerne’’ contributed as one
of those belonging with “Combe” to the Earl of Cornwall, Reginald
Fitzroy alias De Dunstanville.! And on the marriage of Ursula,
daughter of this earl, with Walter de Dunstanville, his nephew as
I believe, he conveyed to him one half of the lordship of Colerne,
by a charter recited in the chartulary of Castle Combe, where the
seal to this document is described as bearing “the Earl of Corn-
wall mounted on a horse and armed, with a shield on his breast
emblazoned with the arms of Cornwall.” Walter de Dunstanville
had livery of his Manors of Colerne, Combe, and Wily in the 2nd
year of Richard I. (1190), on which occasion he paid one hundred
marks, the sum afterwards fixed in the great charter as the proper
relief of a barony. His grandson, the 3rd Walter de Dunstanville,
obtained from King Henry III. the grant of a market on Thursdays
for his Manor of Colerne.2 Walter had two brothers, John and
Robert. The son of the first, Robert by name, married Grace de
Bohun, sister to the Earl of Northampton, on which occasion her
uncle settled a yearly rent of 50/. upon this lady, in name of dower,
from his Manors of Colerne and Heytesbury.’
1 Madox’s Exchequer. 2 Castle Combe Chartulary, p. 14, 8 Idem, p. 40.
2N
270 History of the Wiltshire Manors
The reversion of the Manor of Colerne was, as has been said,
sold in 1300, together with those of Heytesbury, Stert, Hurdicot,
and the other fees of the Honor of Castle Combe, to Bartholomew
Lord Badlesmere, by William de Montfort, son and heir of Petro-
nilla de Dunstanville, but was still held for life by the second
husband of Petronilla, Sir John De la Mare of Bradwell, by the
customary law styled “the Courtesy of England.” During the
minority of Giles Lord Badlesmere, son and heir to Bartholomew,
it passed by exchange with and subsequent grant from the King
(Edward III.) to Henry de Burghersh, Bishop of Lincoln, then
Lord Treasurer, together with Stert, and Heytesbury, as has been
already mentioned, and was thus with them dissevered finally from
the Barony of Castle Combe.
6. WinrrEBURNE.—This, no doubt, represents the Manor of
Winterbourne Basset, which certainly belonged very early in the
twelfth century to Reginald de Dunstanville, since its church was,
in the reign of Henry I., granted by him to the Monks of Lewes."
And the manor first came to the Bassets by grant from Walter de
Dunstanville, temp. Richard I., to his nephew Alan Basset. This
grant was confirmed by King Richard, a.p. 1197, in a charter,
dated Chinon. A postscript states that the first grant being lost
while King Richard was a prisoner in Germany, it was renewed
from “ Rupes Aurce Vallis,”? 22nd August, 9 Richard 1. It appears
from the Hundred Rolls (1 Edward I.) that in 1274 Earl Marshall
held this Manor of “Winterborne Basset in right of his wife.”
It is stated in the Rolls of the Court of Castle Combe to have
been held by Simon Basset in 1344, under the Barony of Combe,
and repeatedly distrained upon about the year 1335 by the bailiff
of the court, for non-payment of the usual fines. Queen Isabella
is named as tenant in 1355. In 1367, William Byde held it, pro-
bably as feoffee; in 1889, Simon Best; in 1404, John Lypiate owed
suit and service for it to the Knight’s Court of Castle Combe; in
1454, the widow of Robert Best then the wife of John Wallop.
1 Dugdale Monast., Lewes. 2 Probably Goldcliffe in Monmouthshire.
3 Feedera. p. 67.
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Subordinate to the Barony of Castle Combe. 271
In 1429, John Best held the fee of ‘“Winterborne, late John
Lypiate’s.” In 1442, “precept was issued to distrain upon John
Ernle and Joan his wife, John Combe and his wife, as heirs of
John Best, for their relief, due for their Manor of Winterborn,
held of the Barony of Combe.” In 1523, the tenants of John
Wallop were similarly distrained; and in 1547, Hugh Spencer. In
1573, Stevens “the Grange” of Winterborne. And in alist of “those
who hold lands of the Honner and Manner of Castle Combe, and
ought to appear to do sute for them at the Court thereof,” of the
date of 1600, is mentioned—“The heire or heires of Steephen
Chafyn for lands in Winterburne.” This is the last notice I find
of the place.
7. Potrone.—This manor comprises the Great and Little Polton
farms in the parish of Mildenhall, near Marlborough. In the
reign of Henry I. “the Manor of Polton (probably Great Polton)
was granted to the Abbey of St. Mary of Tewksbury, by ApELIzA
DE Insut, for the good of the soul of Reginald de Dunstanville,
her husband.”! In the Liber Feodorum “William de Kardeyill is
stated to hold a knight’s fee of Walter de Dunstanville, in Milden-
halle.” In the 3rd year of John, Adam de Kardunvill held it of
the same.? This was probably Little Polton farm. In the Nomina
Villarum Polton is mentioned as divided between Bartholomew
Lord Badlesmere and the Abbot of Tewksbury. At the partition
of the estates of Lord Badlesmere in 1340, one knight’s fee in
Polton, held by John de Polton, was valued at 6/. yearly; and half
a fee, held by Thomas de Polton, at 10/. the year. Both were
assigned to the Lord de Roos of Hamlake, as part of the inheritance
of his wife, Margery de Badlesmere.
Polton was held subordinate to the Honor of Castle Combe in
1365, by Alfred Botteraux; in 1404, by Thomas Polton; in 1424,
by Thomas Polton, Bishop of Worcester. In 14386, on the death of
George Polton, the bailiff was enjoined to seize for ‘“munture,”
due to the superior Lord. In 1454, it was held by Isabella, widow
of George Polton. In 1525, by John Bushe, and William Bushe
1 Dugdale Monast. 2 Rot. obl. 3 John.
2N2
272 History of the Wiltshire Manors
on decease of the former was admitted. In 1547, Sir Henry Long,
Knight, and John Monpesson, heir. In 1573, William Franklene.
In 1600, “the heire of Mr. Brown of Powlton,” stands on the Roll
as tenant under the barony. The Abbots of Tewksbury continued
to hold their estate in Polton, and to acknowledge service for it at
Castle Combe up to the period of the dissolution of the abbeys.
8. Harpicore.—Hurdcott in the Vale of Noddre. A knight’s
fee and a half was held, when the Liber Feodorum was drawn up,
by Walter de Dunstanville of the king, in Hurdecote, “ belonging
to his Barony of Combe.”’ And for this manor, among many others,
the Lord Badlesmere obtained a grant of free warren in 1310.
On the partition of his estates, 1340, among his four daughters,
coheiresses of his son Giles, who died without issue, Hurdcott was
held, one part by Richard Chesdene, as the eighth of a knight’s fee,
valued at 6/. 13s. 4d.; and another, being one-fourth of a fee, by
the Prior of St. John of Wilton, worth 6/7. 8s. 4d. In 1523-1537,
these two portions of the manor (probably of West Hurdcott) were
still severally held by the Abbess or Prior of Wilton, and Richard
Chesdene. Another moiety of this manor (East Hurdcott) had
been assigned in the partition of the Badlesmere property to De
Vere, Earl of Oxford, in right of his wife, who sold it for forty
marks to Henry de Haversham, by whom it was conveyed to John
Gowayn or Gawen, whose descendants possessed it for many gene-
rations.!
9. FisTESBERIE.—I believe this to be a clerical error, and intended
for Heytesberie. The Feoda represents Walter de Dunstanville as
possessing a knight’s fee in “‘Heytredburie.” It is true that this
may appear the subject of the grant to his father, Robert de Dun-
stanville, by Henry II., 1155.2. But as that is mentioned in the
Pipe Rolls as the lordship of the Hundred of Heytesbury, it is
not unreasonable to suppose that the Manor, or one at least of
the Manors of Heytesbury—for there were three, East Court,
West Court, and South Court—belonged previously to Robert de
1 See Lord Arundel’s Hundred of Dunworth, and Vale of Noddre, p. 99.
2 Rot. Pip. 2 Henry II. Heytesbury, p. 84.
Subordinate to the Barony of Castle Combe. 273
Dunstanville, by inheritance with the rest of the Honor of Combe,
from De Insula. This would account for the fact which Sir Richard
Hoare found so difficult to explain, that in the 9th Edward IIL., on
a plea brought to issue between the Attorney of the King and Sir
John De la Mare and Petronilla his wife, for this manor, the jury
found that “‘the ancestors of the said Petronilla had enjoyed the
said manor without interruption from the Conquest, and have
therefore a greater right than the king.” This finding could hardly
have been given had the manor been originally derived by the De
Dunstanvilles from the grant of Henry II., but is perfectly con-
sistent with its inheritance as part of the Barony of De Insula.
The Manor of Heytesbury West Court, which comprises the ancient
borough, is one of those already mentioned as exchanged by Lord
Badlesmere with King Edward III. for the Castle of Chilham and
other estates in Kent; and then granted by that monarch to Henry
de Burghersh, his Treasurer, Bishop of Lincoln, which exchange
dissevered it from the Honor of Castle Combe. Another portion
of the manor, East Heytesbury, remained to the son of Lord
Badlesmere, Giles, on whose death, without issue, it was assigned
by the partition so often referred to, to Lord de Roos and Margery,
his wife, by whom it was first granted on lease and afterwards sold
to Thomas de Hungerford. This knight purchased also West
Heytesbury of Elizabeth, widow of Edward le Despenser, and
grand-daughter and heir of Bartholomew Lord Burghersh, brother
_ and heir of Henry, Bishop of Lincoln, the first grantee. Heytes-
bury, South Court, another division of the original manor, was
released by Robert de Montfort and Petronilla de Dunstanville, his
wife, in 56 Henry III., to Philip Strug and his heirs, by whom it
was likewise conveyed to the Hungerford family, in whom ulti-
mately the entire fee of Heytesbury became vested.!
10. Come.—From the time of the erection of the Castle of
Combe (probably in the reign of Henry I.) this became the head
lordship and capital seat of the honor or barony, and as such con-
_ tinued not only during its possession by the De Dunstanvilles, but
1 See Sir K. Hoare’s Heytesbury, p. 73.
274 History of the Wiltshire Manors
subsequently to the sale of the entire fee to Lord Badlesmere by
William de Montfort, their last heir. Madox asserts that in no
instance within his knowledge was “Seisin of an Honor obtained
by purchase or contract made with a subject.”’ And hence perhaps
it is that after this sale in 1300, we see no further mention of any
titular Baron of Castle Combe. But the rents and services due to
the superior lord, or the compositions fixed in lieu of them, were
certainly in this instance exacted from the various mesne lords, who
held their manors under him by knight service, down to a much
later period, in several cases, as has been shown already, to the
beginning of the seventeenth century. The holding of the Knight’s
Court of the barony was, however, at length gradually disused.
The fees or fines payable in lieu of suit and service having been
fixed at an early period, were so small (2s. for each fee) as not to
pay for the cost and trouble of recovering them, and before long
these and many other useless or vicious feudal superiorities and
privileges were abolished, through the stringent process of the
great Rebellion.
As the history of the descent of the Manor and Lordship of
Castle Combe has been fully given already, nothing more need be
said upon it in this place.
I now come to the manors which were held at the time of the
great survey by various mesne lords under Humphrey de l’Isle, the
possessor of the entire baronial fee. These were—
11. Conronr, [Compton Basset.—It was held temp. Domesday
by Pagen. In the Feoda (1230-72) Reginald de Mohun is said to
hold one knight’s fee in Cum’ton of Walter de Dunstanville, Fulk
Basset another, and Philip de Cumb’well a third, of the same lord
paramount. These three fees are distinguished throughout the
period over which the Castle Combe Court Rolls extend; and, no
doubt, correspond with three separate manors in the parish of
Compton. The last of the three still goes by the name of Compton
Cumberwell.
In the Partition Roll of 1340, mention is made of two knight’s
fees in “Comb’vill and Compton,” as held together, by Reginald
Darell, of the value of 11/. 13s. 4d. The third knight’s fee, that
Subordinate to the Barony of Castle Combe. 275
of Compton Basset, was then held by “Philippa, Queen of England,
of the inheritance of Hugh le Despenser.” Philip Basset, who
owned this fee, had died in 1271. His sole daughter and heir,
Aliva, married Hugh le Despenser, who died 1265. Their son,
Hugh le Despenser, the elder, created Earl of Winchester, was
beheaded in 1326, and his estates confiscated by Queen Isabella.
They appear to have continued in the hands of King Edward III.,
and probably were constituted an appanage of his queen. I find
her name still upon the Castle Combe Rolls as mesne tenant of
Compton Manor up to 13855. And writs of distringas were fre-
quently issued against her sub-tenants during this period for default
of suit and service at the Knight’s Court. Sir Guy de Brian held
this fee in 1365; Sir Reginald de Mohun in 1877; and Roger
Mohun in 1476. In 1454, the widow of Robert Best, Esquire, wife
of John Wallop, held one of these knight’s fees in Compton Basset,
together with that in Winterborne Basset. In 1528, the tenants
of John Wallop; 1547, Hugh Spenser. The two Manors of Compton
and Compton Cumberwell were, according to the evidence of the
rolls, owned by Roger Berlegh in 1370; by Thomas Beeseley in
1382 (his father, Roger, having enfeoffed Thomas Husee, John
Towprest, and Thomas Chembre in the same); by Thomas Earl in
1392; by John Baset, Chaplain, 1396-1404; Sir Gilbert Talbot,
1419, by inheritance from John Lord Strange; in 1429, John
Blount of Belton, acknowledged suit and service for it at the Court
of Castle Combe, and also up to 1441; in 1475, Simon Blount up
to 1476, when he died, leaving a daughter and sole heir, one year
old, who became a royal ward; in 1528-31, Sir John Hussye owned
it; in 1547, John Hussy is enrolled as doing service for two fees,
Hugh de Spenser for one. On the partition of the Badlesmere
estates, the knight’s fees in Compton had been assigned to the Earl
_ of Northampton, and Elizabeth de Badlesmere, his wife. But in
this, as in all the other cases, suit and service were still considered
to be due to the original head lordship, and were not merely claimed
as such, but the claim was acknowledged by frequent appearances
and payments; arrears, however, were not unusual. When they
became excessive, distringas issued; and I have met with no instance
in which these writs were disputed in other courts.
276 History of the Wiltshire Manors
12. Burserc, Burbage—Held of Hunfridus by Blacheman.
The Fvoda speaks of one knight’s fee in Burbeche, as held by Walter
de Dunstanville “of the Honor of Wallingford.’ From this state-
ment, and also because I find no mention of Burbage in the Court
Rolls of Castle Combe, I infer that the superiority of this manor
was transferred at an early period from the Barony of Combe to
that of Wallingford, to the chief seat of which it lies more con-
venient. Such an exchange was very likely to occur during the
civil wars, in the reign of Stephen, when Brian Fitz Count, Lord
of Wallingford, and the De Dunstanvilles, Barons of Castle Combe,
were holding their several castles, garrisoned with all the muster
of their retainers, in the same cause—namely, for the rights of the
Empress Maud to the throne of England. It is possible that a
near relationship existed between Brien, who is sometimes called
Brientius de Insula and “ Filius Comitis,” and the heirs of Humphrey
de l’Isle, from which the transfer in question may have in part
arisen.
13. CumBreweLt.—Held temp. Domesday by Pagen. This is
the small Manor of Cumberwell to the north of Bradford. It was
held as a knight’s fee, by Philip de Comb’well, of Walter de Dun-
stanville, (Lib. Feod.) A portion of it was probably granted by one
of the De Dunstanvilles to the adjoining priory of Monkton Farley,
as the prior of that house frequently appears on the Court Rolls as
owing suit and service for it; and that these barons were benefactors
of this priory would appear from the handsome monumental slab
recently dug up there, bearing the effigy of a knight in chain
armour upon it in low relief, his shield having the Dunstanville coat
of arms.! But as one of the knight’s fees in Compton belonged,
in the thirteenth century, to the same Philip of Comberwell (thence
obtaining its additional name), there may be some confusion in the
entries of the Court Rolls between these two distinct manors, which
for some time descended together. I suspect Cumberwell to have
been one of the fees owned by Reginald Darell, circa 1340, and by
Roger Berlegh in 1370, as I find Cumberwell, near Bradford,
1 See engraving, p. 139.
‘
Subordinate to the Barony of Castle Combe. 277
eo nomine entered as the fee of Nicholas and Reginald, sons of Roger
de Warley, (suspiciously like Berlegh) in 1350. In 1404, it be-
longed to John Wache. In 1417, the same John Wache is enrolled
as owing suit and service for one-fifth of a knight’s fee in Cumber-
well, and Philip Videlew for another, called Gyrs, held of the
Barony of Castle Combe. Thomas Atforde was admitted to a
tenement there, formerly John Asheley’s, in 1396-1404. The
Blounts seem to have possessed it 1429-41. Afterwards it was
owned and occupied by the Bayntun family.
14. Rusresetite.—Held at the time of the great survey by Gunter.
This is another instance of misspelling. There can be no doubt
that Lushill, near Swindon, is the manor intended. Rushall has
another and better representative in Domesday, a large manor then
in the king’s hand, and held temp. Henry III. by Geoffry de
Alneto. Lustehulle was then held as two parts of a knight’s fee
by Nicholas, the son of Ada, of Walter de Dunstanville, as of his
Barony of Combe, (Lib. Feod.) In the Partition Roll of 1340 it
is said to be held by John de Lusteshull, and valued at 27. In
1377, the rolls state it to have been seized into custody of the lord,
during the minority of John de Lusteshull. Nicholas Castle Combe
de Lushill held it in 1404. He was the descendant and represen-
tative of John Dunstanvill alias Castle Combe, third son of Walter
the second baron of that name, whose son Robert, as we have seen
already, married Grace de Bohun, and was the progenitor of the
_ Dunstanvills alias Castle Combes of Cricklade, from whom descended
_ Sir Thomas Wriothesley, Garter, and the Earls of Southampton,
temp. Henry VIII.—Edward VI., through the marriage of John
Writhe, or Wriothesley, Garter, 1470, to Barbara, daughter and
heiress of John Castle Combe of Cricklade. Agnes de Castel Combe,
widow of Nicholas, held this fee in 1414. On her death, in 1442,
her heir, John Temys, paid one hundred shillings at the Knight’s
Court of Castle Combe for his relief. He held it still in 1454.1
1 Was this John Temys the John Castle Combe whose heiress John Writhe
married? And did he, Garter, and his son Sir Thomas Wriothesley inherit
Lushill? The Herald’s College may solve this question.
20
278 History of the Wiltshire Manors
In 1525, it had passed to J. Parker, on the decease of John Clerke.
In 1573, Walter of Lushill owed service for the same.
15. Werrunr, Wroughton.—Held by Robertus, temp. Domesday,
under Humphrey de Insula.
A narrative entered in the chartulary of Castle Combe at a very
early date, records that Reginald de Dunstanville with his wife,
Atheliza, and Reginald their son and heir, quitclaimed to the
monks of Tewksbury a knight’s fee in “ Warston,” and after her
husband’s death confirmed this grant in the Chapter before the
monks and “her knights.” This last expression shows that the
lady in question must have held the barony in her own right,
being no doubt Adeliza de Insula, heiress of Humphrey.
In the Liber Feodorum mention is made of one knight’s fee, held
of Walter de Dunstanville, in “ Wer’weston,” (Over Wroughton),
by the Abbot of Tewksbury. The Abbot of Stanley also held four
parts of a knight’s fee, in “‘Costowe,” (in the parish of Wroughton),
of Walter de Dunstanville. This latter estate was bestowed on the
Abbey of St. Mary, of Stanley, near Chippenham, by the third Walter
de Dunstanville, by a charter of which an early copy is in the
Castle Combe chartulary.!
The Partition Roll values these two fees—the first at 102, the
latter at 6/. 13s. 4d. The chartulary of Castle Combe has an
indenture, in Norman French, whereby John, Abbot of Tewksbury, °
in the year 1342, acknowledged and attorned his homage and fealty
which he owed for the town of Werston, to Sir John Tibetot, and
Margaret, his wife, one of the heirs of Giles Lord Badlesmere.
The two Abbots owed and paid yearly service to the Court of Castle
Combe for these fees, up to the dissolution. The Manor of Over
Wroughton is, in the year 1537, entered in the rolls as still held
by the Abbot of Tewksbury, but another entry charges it to “the
tenants of Philip de Combwell, now Prior of St. Swithin, at Win-
chester,” from the year 1523 to 1547. The Abbot of Stanley held
1 The witnesses to this grant are ‘‘John and Robert Dunstanville, my brothers;
A. De la Mare; Henry de Hertham; Henry Croke; Walter de Kembryngton;
Herbert de Groundwell, my Steward; Nicholas Wass; William de Legh; and
others.
.
;
.
.
}
x
4
5
m Subordinate to the Barony of Castle Combe. 279
Cotstowe up to this last date. James d’Audeley and John Strange
appear subsequently as tenants of one of the Wroughton manors.
16. SarreHarPr.—Held temp. Domesday by Robertus of Hun-
fridus. This Manor of Salthrop in Wroughton Parish was held
when the Fvoda were compiled as one knight’s fee by Geoffry Bluet
of Walter de Dunstanville. He also held another knight’s fee in
“Elyndon” in the same parish of the same: (Elyndon is an alias
employed for Wroughton in the Institutions of the Diocese of
Sarum). In the Hundred Rolls of 1 Edward I. the Abbot of
Stanley is also said to hold a moiety of this knight’s fee of Petronilla
de Dunstanville, and Robert Bluet the other, (1274). John Bluet
held it in 13819, (Nomina Villarum}). William Everard held Sal-
throp of the Barony of Combe in 1338, and it was valued at
6/. 13s. 4d.; his son William in 1344; Sir Edmund Everard in
1365. In 1382, Robert Loundres was admitted to relief; and on
his death, in 1392, his widow, Elizabeth. In 1404, Sir John Lovel
held a fee in Saltharp “formerly of Giles Pipard.” In 1414,
munture was claimed of this fee on account of the death of John,
Lord Lovel; and William, Lord Lovel, was admitted, and held it
to 1454; it was still Lord Lovel’s in 1531. In 1573, John Sadeler
was entered as tenant of this fee; and in 1600, Robert Sadler, Gent.
Another manor in the parish of Wroughton, called Eleomb, was
held by Radulphus Lovel, of Walter de Dunstanville, temp.
Henry III. (Lib. Feod.) In 1476, the tenants of late Radulphus
Lovell are sued for service due from this fee of Elecomb. Johanna
Lovel was Lord of Elecombe in 1316 (Nom. Vill.) These were
probably the Lovels of Upton, in the south of the county, one of
whom, John, living 22 Henry III., married a daughter of Alan
Basset, and assumed the coat of Basset.!
17. Curve.—Likewise held by Robertus of Hunfridus.—Cliffe
Pipard. Temp. Henry ITI. Radulphus Lovell held a knight’s fee,
in Clive, of Walter de Dunstanville, (Lib. Feod.) The heirs of
Agnes de Cobham are entered in the Castle Combe Court Rolls for
_ 1454, as holding a knight’s fee in Pippardesclyve of the lordship of
1 Hoare Heyt., 192,
202
280 History of the Wiltshire Manors
Combe. In 1523-47, the Lord Cobham appears in the rolls as
tenant of this fee. As the superiority of Cleve Ancey appears from
the Mortimer Leiger (Hari. Coll.) to have formed part of the
inheritance of Elizabeth M. Countess of March, sister and coheiress
of Giles de Badlesmere, it is probable that both Cliffes, C. Ancey
and C. Pipard, were included in the original fee of Clive, subor-
dinate to the Barony of Combe.
18. Sum’REForD.—Likewise held by Robertus of Humphrey de
V'Isle, temp. Domesday.—Somerford Mautravers. John Mautravers,
held a knight’s fee and one-tenth, of Walter de Dunstanville, in
Sum’reford, (Lib. Feod.) On the partition this fee was assigned
to the Earl and Countess of Northampton. It was then held (1340)
by John Mautravers, and valued at 6/7. In 13844, Maurice de .
Berkeley had been enfeoffed for life, of this manor, by John Lord
Mautravers, in exchange for Eleston. In 13882, Reginald Lord
Cobham held it. On his death, William Lord Arundel, as heir of
Mautravers, in 1404. In 1414, 3/. was paid at the Court of knight’s
fees as the relief of John, Earl of Arundel, for his fee in Broad
Somerford, held of the Honor of Castle Combe. In 1422, at a
similar Court his death is recorded, and a claim of munture made.
It is further stated that the wardship and marriage of his son, a
minor, was in the king’s hand, owing to his holding other estates
of the king directly. His suit and service was consequently respited.
In 1455, on the death of Lady Arundel and Mautravers, her son,
William Earl of Arundel, then of full age, was admitted on pay-
ment of a relief of 5/. This example, with many others, proves
that the compositions for knight’s service, wardship, and relief,
were still considered due from the mesne lords to the owner
of the capital seat of the ancient barony, and still exacted even
from the most powerful parties, notwithstanding its sale, and the
subsequent partition of the estates comprised in it among different
heirs.
In 1525, on the death of the Earl of Arundel, Earl Thomas, his
son, is admitted tenant; in 1573, I find John Yeowe in possession;
in 1588, his death is recorded in the rolls; and in 1600, the heir
or heirs of John Ewe are on the list as defaulters.
_
>
Subordinate to the Barony of Castle Combe. 281
19. Smrrecore.—Held by Elbertus temp. Domesday. This is the
Manor of Smithcot in Dauntesey Parish, adjoining Broad Somerford.
Roger de Dauntesey held a knight’s fee in Smithcot of Walter de
Dunstanville, (Lib. Feod.) In 1840, the roll gives Richard Daun-
tesey as the mesne lord, and it is valued at 107. Sir John Dauntesey
held it up to 1392, when his heir of the same name did homage
for his relief. In 1413, on the death of this Sir John Dauntesey,
his son and heir, Walter, being of full age, paid 5/. as relief due
for this fee. In 1420, on death of Walter, his sister and heiress,
wife of Sir John Stradlyng, was sued for the relief due thereon,
which was not paid. But at a Court held in 1429, Sir John
Stradlyng and his wife paid for release of suit and service, and all
arrears, 10/. 2s.; and from the account of John Heynes, bailiff of
the knight’s court for the year 1428, it appears that a distress had
actually been put in and levied on the Manor of Smithcot for the
recovery of this sum. In 1440, John Dewall, the second husband
of Lady Stradlyng, held this fee. In 1454, Lady Stradlyng is
styled in the rolls late the wife of John de Wale, Esquire. Early
in the sixteenth century Smithcote had become the property of the
Danvers family, by marriage of Anne, sole heiress of the Stradlyngs,
to Sir John Danvers, Knight; who, by Aubrey’s account, “hastily
clapped up a match with her before she heard the newes” of the
murder of her brother and all his family at Dauntesey manor-
house:! he died in 1514. In 1547, Thomas Danvers is on the rolls
as tenant of the fee. In 1573, John Danvers. In 1600, Sir John
Danvers, Knight, and Henry Earl of Danbye; he was the second
son of Sir John Danvers and of Lady Elizabeth Neville, daughter
and co-heiress of Neville Lord Latimer. He was created Baron of
Dauntesey by James I.; and by Charles I., Earl of Danby, and
Knight of the Garter. His elder brother, Charles, having been
executed for treason, as accomplice of the Earl of Essex, Lord
Danby succeeded to the family estate of Dauntesey. Some further
memorials of the Danverses, and a description of their monuments
in Dauntsey church, will be found in Aubrey’s collections. The
1 Aubrey’s Collections, I., p. 47.
282 History of the Wiltshire Manors
painted glass of the windows was very fine and in good condition
in his time. A gravestone is still there to John Dewale and his
wife Joan, the widow of Sir Maurice Russell, Knight.
20. Buiunrespon.—Held by Robertus temp. Domesday. This is
Andrews’ Blunsdon, or Blunsdon St. Andrew. John Wasce held
aknight’s fee in Bluntesdon of Walter de Dunstanville in the third
year of King John, 1201, (Rot. Obi.) Hawys de Bluntesdon held
half a knight’s fee of Walter de Dunstanville in Ofur Bluntesdon,
and Ada Bluett held half a fee of Walter de Dunstanville in the
same vill, (Lib. Feod.) In the year 1299, “Johannes dictus Aze”
(probably same name as both the Hawys and John Wasce above
mentioned) presented to the church of Blunsdon St. Andrew.
The Badlesmere Partition Roll of 1340 records John As (a
near approach to an awkward appellation) as mesne tenant of
two knights’ fees in Blunsdon, worth 18/. 8s. 4d. yearly. They
were assigned to the portion of John, Lord Tibetot, and Margaret
Badlesmere his wife. In 1874, Bluntesdon fees, “formerly of
John Aas,” were held by John Lustehill; in 1392, by Ivo Fitz
Wareyn; in 1404, by John Fitz Wareyn. About the year 1411,
Robert Andrews paid yearly 13s. 4d. for release of suit and service at
the Knight’s Court of Combe for these two feesin Blunsdon, “formerly
Fitz Wareyn’s.” In 1442, his widow paid the same. In 1443,
“Magister Johannes Stafford Archi. Episcopus Cantuarie” is first
noted as tenant of these fees. In 1454, the roll states that “James
Audley, Esquire, holds the Manor of Bluntesdon called Andrews’
Blunsdon, with two carucates of land of the Barony of Combe,
John Stafford, late Archbishop of Canterbury, having previously
held the same for a rent of 18s. 4d., to be paid at twice in the year.”’”
1 As on this stone the arms of Dauntesey are placed over her head, and that
in the Wiltshire Institutions, a.pD. 1439, John Dewale and Joan Dauntesey
present jointly to Bremhilham, it would seem that the Lady Stradlyng, heiress
of the Daunteseys, had married Sir Maurice Berkeley first; secondly, Sir John
Danvers; thirdly, John Dewale.
2 This John Stafford, made Bishop of Wells 1425, and translated to Canter-
bury 1443, was Keeper of the Privy Seal 1421, Lord Treasurer 1422, and
Lord Chancellor from 1432 to 1450; he was also Apostolic Legate. His father
;
Subordinate to the Barony of Castle Combe. 283
From 1462 to 1516, the Castle Combe Rolls record John Ferers as
mesne lord of Blunsdon. In 1523, ‘“‘the tenants late of Ferers”
are sued. In 1525, it had passed to Giles Briggs, and on his death,
in that year, to Sir John Briggs, who held it in 1547, with two
carucates of land in fee-farm at a quit-rent.
21. GrENDEWELLE.—Held temp. Domesday by Hugoand Giraldus.
This is the Manor and Farm of Groundwell, near Blunsdon. Temp.
Henry III., James de Groundwell held half a knight’s fee of
Walter de Dunstanville in Groundwell, and Richard de Dantesey
held half a fee of the same, (Lib. Feod.) In 1340, the Partition
Roll mentions it as held by Walter Groundwell, and worth 2/7. 6s. 8d.
yearly. This fee was assigned to the Earl and Countess of North-
ampton. The manor was in the hands of Richard Gosye in 1867,
of Thomas Whyteman, 1392-1404. In 14387, on the death of John
Groundwell, munture was claimed. In 1442, one hundred shillings
were demanded as relief for admission of “Thomas Wyke, son and
heir of John Groundwell,’ and fifty shillings were paid. In 1475,
this Thomas Wyke still held it. In 1528, it had passed to John
Giffard, Esquire, and William Kembyll. In 1547, to James
Kembill. In 1573, William Kembyll was sued “for the lands late
Wyke’s.”
22. Scurronr.—Held temp. Domesday by Robertus. I believe this
to be the Manor-farm of Chadington, adjoining Salthrop. Temp.
Henry III., William de Burdenhill held half a knight’s fee of
was Sir Humphrey Stafford, of Hooke, in Dorsetshire. His mother, it is said,
was the daughter and heiress of Sir John Mautravers of Hooke. The Arch-
bishop erected what must have been a very handsome chantry chapel, still
existing, but much dilapidated, on the north side of the nave of North Bradley
church, as a monument to his mother ‘‘Emma.” Aubrey mentions the Stafford
and Hungerford coats as visible upon the tomb in his time. The inscription
still remains.
I have not ascertained how the Archbishop became possessed of the Manor
of Blunsdon upon the decease of the widow of Robert Andrews in 1442. But
as in the Nomina Villarum (1316), the Manor of Blunsdon is said to belong
in chief to Lord Badlesmere and John Mautravers, jointly, it is probable
that he derived his interest through his mother, as heiress of a branch of the
_ latter family.
284 TTistory of the Wiltshire Manors
Walter de Dunstanville in Chetyndon; and Nicholas, son of Ada,
held two parts of a fee of the same in “Cidrington.” I presume
this to mean Quidhampton, (pronounced Quidington) another ad-
joining estate. The Partition Roll gives Quidhampton among the
knights’ fees of Giles Lord Badlesmere in 1340. It was held by
Robert Russell at a rent of 67. yearly, and was assigned to Lord de
Roos. The Prior of Bradenstoke held a tenement in Chadington
of the Barony of Combe at the same time, worth 6/. 13s. 4d., and
continued on the rolls as owing service for it up to the dissolution.
The estate of Quidhampton stands in the names of Oliver Russel
in 1365, Robert Russell succeeded his father of the same name in
1392, Thomas Russel held it in 1404; on his death, in 1417, the
wardship and marriage of his son, a minor, was claimed on account
of the paramount lord, and the bailiff of the barony ordered to
seize the fee into the lord’s hand. In 1424, and several subsequent
years, it was held by Richard Dicton, probably as feoffee; since, in
1454, it had reverted to the Russell family; John Russel, Esquire,
doing service for it in that year. In 1476, “the tenants late of
William Burdenhill,” are named on the rolls as owing service for
Chetington, which is a singular revival of a name, not found in
connection with the estate since the time of Henry III., probably
it was only used to identify the estate, the clerk of the court not
knowing the actual holder, for in 1473 John Russell, the last owner,
had died, and precept was issued to the bailiff of the knight’s fees
“to distrain John Colingbourne, who claims to be heir to John
Russell, Lord of Quidhampton, &c.”” In 1475, John Colingborne,
in 1481, William Colingborne, were the mesne tenants. In 1547,
the Lady Elizabeth Reede; in 1600, the heir or heirs of John
Spenser.
23. Hanronr.—Held temp. Domesday by Ranulphus. This is
another manor in the same contiguous group, namely, Broad Hinton.
The heirs of Reginald Wace held one knight’s fee and a half in
Henton of Walter de Dunstanville, (Lib. Fvod.) In the Nomina
Villarum (1316), Roger Waz, probably his father, appears as Lord
of Henton. In 1340, Fidena Was is said to hold Brode Hinton
under the barony, valued at 6/, 13s. 4d. In 1850, John Fitz Payne
fa OP ee ae ~y
Subordinate to the Barony of Castle Combe. 285
held it; in 1382, William Wroughton; and from 1394 to 1404,
Isabella Wroughton. In 1407, one hundred shillings was paid at
the Knights’ Court as the relief of Isabella Wersten. In 1420, on
the death of “Isabella Blaket, late the wife of William Wroughton,”
leaving her son William, a minor, his wardship and marriage was
claimed, and the lands ordered to be seized into the lord’s hands.
In 1424, this fee, described as ‘“ Waas’s,” was held by John
Wroughton. In 1442, by Thomas Ramsey, and Elizabeth his wife;
in 1454, by John Wroughton, Esquire. In 1600, John Glanvill,
Esquire, serjeant at law, is stated to hold the lands in Broad Hinton,
sometime the lands of Sir Giles Wroughton. In Aubrey’s collec-
tions is a description of several monuments in Broad Hinton church
of the Wroughton family: one of John Wroughton, Esquire, who
died 1429, leaving his efigy; another of “Sir William Wroughton,
Knight, who builded the house of Broadhenton, a.p. 1540, and
died 1559, leaving four sons and three daughters, by dame Elinor,
his wife, daughter of Edward Lewknor, Esquire’: and the tombs of
“Sir John Glanville, Knight, serjeant at lawe,”’ and of Francis
Glanville, his son, who died at the siege of Bridgewater, 1645, et.
twenty-eight in the service of CharlesI., as lieutenant-colonel. ‘The
latter,” says Aubrey, “has a ¢edious Latin inscription.” I presume
these monuments are still in existence. (?)
24. Beprstonr.—Held by Turchitil temp. Domesday under Hun-
fridus. Biddeston St. Peter’s. Henry of Budeston held the fourth of
a knight’s fee in Budeston of Walter de Dunstanville, (Lib. Feod.)
Nicholas de Buddeston held it in 1240, and on the Partition Roll it
is valued at 5/. In 1350, it appears on the rolls as held by William
de Budeston; in 1390-1404, by Nicholas Samborn. In 1424, this
fee, “lately Samborn’s,” was held by Robert Russell; in 1442-1454,
by Elizabeth Russell, relict of Robert Russell. In 1474, William
Bagot; 1476, John Bagot; 1520, Elizabeth Bagot; 1547, Elizabeth
Russell (?); 1573, Mr. Monpesson. Subsequently, John Glanvile,
Esquire; and in 1600, William Mountjoye, Esquire, owed service
for the Manor of Bidstone.
25. Heorruam.—Held temp. Domesday by Hugo under Hunfri-
dus. This must be Hartham in the parish of Biddestone St. Nicholas.
2P
286 History of the Wiltshire Manors
It does not occur among the fees of Walter de Dunstanville in the
Liber Feodorum. Neither is there any mention of it in the Court
Rolls of Castle Combe. I am inclined to think it was granted by
one of the earlier De Dunstanvilles to the Priory of Monkton
Farleigh, which held it up to the dissolution. As already stated
Cumberwell had been bestowed on the same monastery by them.
26. SorEstonE.—Held by Robertus temp. Domesday. Sherston
Pinkney. Radulphus de Pinkeney held a knight’s fee in Parva
Scorston, of Walter de Dunstanville, (Lib. Feod.) Thomas Giffard
held it in 1340, and it was valued at 62. 18s. 4d. In 1865, John
Giffard; in 1896-1404, Isabella, his widow, who was probably
heiress of Pinkeney. John Giffard, Esquire, held it 1454; and in
1531, it still stood on the rolls in the same name. In 1547, John
Wylkokes owed service for it; and in 1573, the same.
27. MrLerorp.—Held temp. Domesday by Gozelinus. Milford,
adjoining Salisbury. Gilbert de Muleford held the twentieth part
of a knight’s fee in Muleford of Walter de Dunstanville, (Lib. Feod.)
In 1340, Thomas de Buton held it at the value of 12. In 1350,
John Talbot; and from 13894 to 1404 John Ashley are in the rolls
as tenants of Milford. In 1414, Robert Ashley; in 1436, his
death occurring, the tenants of the estate were distrained for
munture. In 1443, Lord Lovel held it; in 1454, Thomas Tame;
in 15387, Thomas Tame and John Talbot.
I have now come to the end of the list of manors, which are
mentioned in Domesday, as composing the seignory of Hunfridus
de Insula. He held likewise two messuages, occupied by burgesses,
in the borough of Malmesbury. And these tenements remained
attached to the Manor of Castle Combe down to the fifteenth
century, soon after which all clue to them is lost.
Two Wiltshire manors not contained in the Domesday list appear
regularly in the Court Rolls from the thirteenth century; these are
WHELPELEY, near Downton; and SHawe, near Melksham. The
first of these, Whelpeley, on the authority of the Liber Feodorum,
was held in the reign of Henry III. as three parts of a knight’s
fee of Walter de Dunstanville, by Gilbert de Engleys, together
Pest
Subordinate to the Barony of Castle Combe. 287
with the advowson of the chapel of St. Leonard’s. On the partition
of the Badlesmere estates it was held by John d’Engles, valued
at 5/., and assigned to the Earl and Countess of Oxford as lords
paramount. In 1350, John Bocland and John Engleys held it
together; Robert Gilbert in 1366. In 1869, “Philip Dauntesey
proffered his homage and fealty for it,” which was respited until
the return of the lord (Robert Lord Tiptoft, then owning the
Barony of Castle Combe) to England. Philip Dauntesey had
acquired it by marriage with Margaret Engleys, who survived him,
and held it in her own right in 1404. In 1442, Thomas, son and
heir of Thomas Ringwood, Esquire, paid seventy-five shillings for
relief of his feein Whelpeley. In 1454, he still held it. In 1476,
his son Thomas; and in 1547, Thomas Ringwood’s name still
appears as tenant under the barony of this estate.
Mr. Matcham in his Hundred of Frustfield, (in which Whelpeley
lies) satisfactorily, as I think, accounts for the subinfeudation of
Whelpeley to the Barony of Combe in this manner. Brickworth
is parcel of the Manor of Whelpeley, and formerly synonymous
with it. In old deeds it is occasionally spelt “Brecore,’ and in
Wyndham’s Domesday it is supposed to be intended by Brecheorde.
But it has been shown by good evidence that the description of
this vill in Domesday applies to Brinkworth in North Wilts. It
is presumable, therefore, that the “Brenchwrde” of Domesday,
applied by Wyndham to Brinkworth, really was intended for Brick-
worth, that is, for Whelpeley. But the “ Brenchwrde” of Domesday
was held by Hunrripvs, not of the king but of Milo Crispin, under
the king; it would therefore be inherited with his other Wiltshire
estates by the De Dunstanvilles. And we may account very
reasonably for the superiority of Milo Crispin being lost, by
supposing it to have been exchanged with him by one of the Dun-
stanvilles for that of Burbeche, dissevered in the thirteenth century
from the Castle of Combe and attached to that of Wallingford,
which belonged to Milo Crispin, as husband of Maud de Walling-
ford. This conjecture appears so well supported on all sides that it
is difficult not to believe it to be warranted.
288 History of the Wiltshire Manors
The remaining manor, of which I find frequent mention in the
rolls as held of the Barony of Combe, is Shawe, near Melksham.
In 1274, Petronilla de Dunstanville held the fourth part of a
knight’s fee in “Sase” of the king, belonging to the Barony of
Combe, and Richard Hywey held it of her.1_ In 1340, on the par-
tition of the barony, it was held by William at More, as half of a
knight’s fee, valued at 6/. 13s. 4d., and assigned to the Earl and
Countess of Northampton. It is mentioned in the rolls as held by
Simon Basset in 1865; by Matilda Basset, his widow, daughter and
heir of at More, in 1367. On her death, in 1389, a heriot and
relief of fifty shillings was paid, and Cecilia Berkeley her daughter,
then of full age, was admitted as next heir. She died in 1393;
and in 1404, it was held by Willielma (probably her daughter)
“formerly wife of John Rich.” In 1472, William Carent, in right
of his wife, Margaret, widow of John Beynton; in 1481, John
Cheyny, “by gift of the king,” probably during the minority of
the heir. In 1525, Sir Edward Beynton, as heir to John Beynton;
in 1547, John Beynton; in 1573-1600, John Gerysh, or Gerrish,
held the Manor of Shawe as mesne tenant under Castle Combe.
Moreover frequent mention is made in the rolls of an obligation
of the Dean and Canons of the Cathedral of Salisbury “to find a
fit chaplain to celebrate masses in the chapel of Shawe, near Melk-
sham, for the souls of the ancestors of the Lords of the Barony of
Castle Combe,” and reference made to the evidence of the Knights’
Court Rolls of the 29th year of Edward III., and others following.
What benefaction had been bestowed on the mother church of
Sarum by the early possessors of the barony to earn this perpetual
service at the chapel of Shawe does not appear. The Dean and
Chapter hold still the Rectory of the Parish of Melksham in which
Shawe is situated.
In the Court Roll of the year 1519, Sir Henry Long, and in
that of 1547, Elizabeth Russell are mentioned as owing suit and
service at the Lord’s Court of Castle Combe, for the Manor of Tud-
rington (Tytherton) Kellaways. But this is the only mention I
find of such a claim on that estate.
1 Hundred Rolls, 1 Edw, I.
Subordinate to the Barony of Castle Combe. 289
At the late date of 1620, on the decease of Edward James, Esquire,
of Broadfield, in the parish of Hullavington, leaving an only son
and heir, Richmond James, an infant of six years of age, the widow,
Margaret James, and her agent, George Bullock of Alderton, con-
tracted with John Scrope, Esquire, for the wardship and marriage
of the minor, on the ground that the Manor of Broadfield and
certain lands in Hullavington were held of the lordship of Castle
Combe, and agreed to pay Mr. Scrope the sum of 90/. in consider-
ation thereof. Walter Long, of South Wraxall, was joined with
Bullock in the bond. On this, in 1622, Sir Walter Pye, Attorney
of the Court of Wards and Liveries, filed an information against
John Scrope, disputing his right to dispose of the minor, and
claiming it for the king. In answer to this information it was
stated, on the part of Mr. Scrope, that on the death of Edward
Chatterton, Esquire, in the first year of Edward VI., an office
found that he was seised of the Manor of Broadfield, held of
Richard Scrope, Esquire, as of the Manor of Castle Combe; and
also another office on the death of Symon James, in the fourteenth
year of Henry VIII., found that the same was held of John Scrope,
as a knight’s fee of the Barony of Combe. I have, however, found
no other trace of this dependency.!
[In a future paper I propose to give an account of the internal
or municipal government of the Manor of Castle Combe through
its Courts Baron and the Leet, the Rolls of which are in good
preservation from an early date. |
1 Addendum.—In p. 270 it is mentioned that the Church of Winterborne was
granted temp. Henry I. to the Monks of Lewes in Sussex, by Reginald de
Dunstanville. The lands granted with it probably comprised the estate of
Winterborne Monkton adjoining to Winterborne Basset.
290
On the Ornithalagy of Wilts.
No. 5.—ON THE FEET OF BIRDS.
In my last paper on the Ornithology of Wilts, following up
the general subject of the structure of birds, I entered at some
length into the variety of formation in their beaks, showing how
exactly suited they were, each to its appointed use, and what
admirable marks they presented for correct classification: but no
less adapted to their requirements, no less various, and therefore
no less characteristic of the family to which they belong than the
beaks, are their feet: these are so perfectly framed for the various
uses to which their respective possessors must apply them, and
differ so very widely in construction one from another, that a glance
at the foot will at once point out to the observer what the habits
and what the general nature of the bird must be.
All birds resemble one another in this particular up to a certain
point—viz., in that all are bipeds, and the legs which support their
feet are invariably composed of three parts: these are, the thigh,
which is very high up, very short, and quite out of sight; the
leg or “tibia,” which inexperienced observers are apt erroneously
to call the thigh; and the instep or “tarsus,” which is as often
falsely called the leg. It is this last part (the “ tarsus”) which
alone is much seen, the remaining parts being usually concealed
by the body and the feathers of the bird. Beyond this point of
general structure, in which the legs of all birds participate, and in
which they also resemble the human leg (though the extreme
length of the instep, and the shortness and concealment of the
thigh have caused very general errors on the subject), they differ
from one another in many ways; thus, some are extremely long,
others are exceedingly short; some are quite bare of feathers, others
On the Ornithology of Wiits. 291
are entirely clothed with them; some are plated as it were with
scales, others are smooth; some are thick and strong, others are
light and delicate; but all harmonize exactly with the feet with
which they terminate, and these present still greater points of
variety than the legs. The foot of a bird, unlike that of a quadruped,
is never composed of more than four toes; this is the most general
number, and of these the first is usually directed backwards, though
in some cases the fourth is also associated with it: there are other
families, which have but three toes, and in that case all of them are
directed forwards, the first or hind toe being the one deficient: again
there are birds, which have but two toes, but as none of these last
occur in this country, we need not stop to consider their peculiarity ;
and again, the toe may be united by a membrane, and that either
entirely, or in part; or they may be wholly unconnected; but they
are always terminated with claws, which present the varieties of
long and short, straight and curved, sharp and blunt; but these,
together with many other points of difference, and the reasons of
them, and the suitability of the exact form of foot with which every
bird is provided, we shall more clearly see, as we go on to consider
the orders and families in rotation.
The “Birds of Prey” present a great general similarity in the
formation of the foot; it is always strong and muscular, furnished
with four powerful toes, and armed with claws more or less hooked,
and often of very formidable size, strength, and sharpness. In the
family of vultures, the talons are not so much displayed, as the
habits.of these ignoble birds require no weapon for striking a blow
to obtain their food, and no powers of grasping for bearing it away
in their feet to their young: content with the putrid carcase of
some fallen animal these unclean birds stuff themselves with carrion,
and carrying it to their nests in their craw, there disgorge the
unsavoury mess. But the falcons have by their own prowess to
secure their living prey, and so in addition to very powerful limbs,
and great muscular strength, are provided with sharp and generally
much curved claws, enabling them to strike down and hold securely
the victims they have seized. Like the carnivorous quadrupeds,
these rapacious birds can pounce so fiercely and with such exceeding
292 On the Ornithology of Wiits.
violence with their formidable talons, as generally at one blow to
disable their prey. It is invariably the claw of the hind toe, by
which this severe stroke is effected, and for this purpose the beak is
never used at all, though many people have erroneous impressions
to the contrary. Rushing down with the velocity of lightning,
and with closed pinions, the falcon makes its deadly swoop from
above on the selected prey, and striking with the hind toe, in
darting past, inflicts the deadly wound, in a most masterly mannery
seldom missing its aim, or failing in the stroke; sometimes, too,
the back of the unfortunate victim is seen to be deeply scored
throughout its whole length, while not unfrequently the skull is
completely riven, and the brains dashed out by the amazing impetus
of the blow: but should the aim be by some mischance incorrect,
then rising again and sailing round in circles, and so getting higher
and higher at every turn, the falcon again prepares for a charge;
while the unhappy bird whose life is so endangered seems instinct-
ively to know wherein its best chance of escape lay, and perceiving
that an attack can only be made from above, soars as high as its
strength enables it; seldom, however, does the manceuvre succeed,
and the second swoop of the aggressor rarely fails to send the quarry
headlong and lifeless to the ground. For inflicting such a wound,
no more perfect instrument can be conceived than the falcon’s foot,
so strong, hard, and muscular; with claws so sharp, powerful, and
curved: with these weapons they can not only provide themselves
food, but with the same instruments can grasp and carry it off to
their eyries, though it be of considerable weight; the nature of the
prey too so obtained and borne away varies not a little, according
to the genera comprising this extensive family; fish, flesh, and
fowl are all attacked by these rapacious birds: the eagles can master
a full-sized hare or a lamb; the osprey will plunge into the river,
and emerge again with a quivering salmon firmly clutched in its
talons; the true falcons, the hawks, the buzzards, and the harriers,
content themselves with the smaller birds and quadrupeds, and some
species vary their diet with reptiles; but they all seize and bear
off their prey with their feet. The third and last family of the
“«Raptores”—viz., the owls, hunting in the dusk of evening, and the
mee e+
omy
By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 293
grey twilight of morning, adopt a different course from their diurnal
brethren of prey; stealing on noiseless wing, round the enclosures
and over the meadows, they drop suddenly and without warning
of their approach on the mouse or other victim, which they bear
away in their feet: their legs and toes are usually covered with
downy feathers up to the claws, assisting them in their silent
movements, and strong enough to carry off any victim which they
Tay seize. In all these carnivorous birds, can anything more
perfect be conceived than the feet with which they are provided,
more fitted to their respective requirements, more thoroughly
adapted to their wants ?
The second order of birds, the “Perchers,” brings before us quite
a different form of foot, but one no less applicable to the habits of
the species which compose it; nay, by many the form of foot herein
displayed is considered the most perfect, and perhaps if any degrees
of excellence can exist, where all are exactly fitted to their respective
uses, the mechanism of the foot of the “Insessores” may strike us
with the greatest admiration. The tarsus of all these birds is
usually bare of feathers, and the general character of the leg and
foot is slight and slender; the number of toes is invariably four,
the hind toe being always present: in some species the claws are
very long, but in general they as well as the toes are short and
thus best formed for perching. Now when we look at these light
and delicate legs and feet, “the shin reduced,” as Buffon well
describes it, “till it is nothing more than a bony needle,” and then
observe the size and weight of the body they have to support, is it
not astonishing with what ease and steadiness a bird can perch
upon a bough, and balance and uphold itself in that position, even
in a high wind? is it not marvellous how with the head reposing
under the wing, and one leg drawn up under the body, it is entirely
supported on the other; and resting on so slight a fulcrum falls
asleep, without the least danger of losing its balance? It is the
admirable formation of these delicate members that enables the
feathered race to rest with ease in a position in which other animals
could not support themselves for a minute; and of which formation
the true perchers afford so excellent an example. The natural
2a
294 On the Ornithology of Wiits.
position of a bird’s toes is not, as with men’s fingers, stretched
out and open, but the very reverse; it requires an effort in the
bird to spread open its toes, just as it does in a man to close his
fingers: hence, when it rises on the wing and flies through the
air, the foot is doubled up under the body, and the toes immediately
contract, and only unbend again when about to seize the bough of
a tree: hence again, when it perches on a spray, the toes previously
opened for the purpose, grasp it by their natural flexion, and
firmly clasp the support on which they have alighted. This is a
very excellent adaptation of peculiar structure to the required end,
but in addition to this there is a most admirable piece of internal
mechanism, which I cannot better describe than in the words of
Bishop Stanley :—‘‘Connected with the thigh bones and leg, a set
of muscles run down to the very extremity of the toes, so contrived
and placed, that when, by pressure downwards, the limb bends,
these fine muscles are pulled in, and therefore contract the toes,
thus making them grasp more firmly whatever the bird is resting
upon; just as if a set of fine strings ran over pulleys to certain
hooks, and were acted upon at the other end by a weight or pressure,
and thereby made to draw in the hooks.” Such, then, is the won-
derful power given to perching birds, whereby they can hold
themselves securely even in sleep on so slender a support; this
faculty is shared in by the whole order; but as the families and
genera which compose this extensive division are so numerous, and
obtain their food in such a variety of ways, it is clear that there
must be considerable varieties in the development of their feet; the
tribes which dwell among the boughs of trees, now hanging with
their heads downwards, now hurrying along the under side of the
branch, will require a foot somewhat differently formed from
those which run on the ground, and perch on the topmost spray;
still in so vast a number, it will be impossible in the present paper
even to touch upon the points in which they vary; but as through-
out the entire order there is so considerable a similarity of structure
in this particular, it will not be necessary for the due exposition
of my subject, to enter into further details upon it: we have said
enough to show how worthy is the construction of their feet to
give a name to the whole order, as ‘“Insessores,”’ or Perchers.
es od
By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 295
In the “Rasores” or Ground birds we shall see a formation of
foot widely differing from both the above orders: these are a harm-
less and quiet race, never preying upon other creatures, but eating
berries and grain, and such food as they can find upon the ground;
and they are subject to frequent attacks from carnivorous birds as
well as quadrupeds; their flesh, too, being very palatable, man is
not the least of their destroyers; but with so many enemies, from
which to escape, their flight is laboured and heavy, and they are
unable to protract it to any great distance; providence, however,
which leaves no creature without some means of defence, has pro-
vided for the ground birds a suitable remedy in their remarkable
powers of running; for this end such feet as those which I have
shown to belong to the above-named divisions would be little
adapted; in lieu of which they have frequently but three toes, the
hind one being altogether omitted, or if present, it is always very
small and considerably elevated; all the toes are very short, and
excellently adapted for running, not only for swiftness (though
that is often very great) but also for long continuance, and pro-
tracted exertion; moreover, they are provided with limbs of great
muscular development, as well as with short and blunt claws: thus
the members of this order when alarmed, run from the supposed
danger at their utmost speed, and endeavour to conceal themselves
under the thickest cover at hand; and it is only when hard pressed,
and other means of escape fail, that they rise on the wing with
considerable exertion, and fly heavily away.
We come now to the two orders of Water birds, and in each of
these we shall see the feet and legs adapted precisely to the habits
of their possessors. The “Grallatores” or Waders, first claim our
notice: they seem to be a connecting link between the true land
and water birds, partaking somewhat of the nature of each;
generally incapable of swimming, and therefore unable to go into
deep water, they are formed for passing a great portion of their
time on land; but yet as all their food must be procured from the
water, or from wet and marshy spots, they haunt the vicinity of
lakes or streams, or the seashore; and, as a combination of both
elements, delight in fens and swamps, where they can wade about,
2a2
296 On the Ornithology of Witts.
or stand motionless, fishing for prey. For such an amphibious
nature, and such dabbling habits, how well fitted are their legs and
feet; the tarsus of extreme length; the tibia frequently bare of
feathers to a considerable distance above the tarsal joint; the toes
always divided, but very long, and usually slender, and of which
the third and fourth are frequently united by a membrane; all
present admirable facilities to these birds for indulging their wading
and fishing propensities; for as the great length of leg suffers them
to walk in water of some depth, without wetting their plumage ;
so the wide spreading form of their foot enables them to stand and
run on soft and doubtful ground, without sinking in; thus like the
stilts and flat boards on which the fenmen of Lincolnshire have
for ages been accustomed to traverse their swamps, so the long legs
and spreading feet of the waders are the instruments with which
nature has provided them for the same purpose.
Widely different from the last described, but no less perfect, and
no less adapted to their peculiar requirements are the feet of the
‘“‘Natatores” or swimmers; these dwell in and on the water; at one
time on the surface, floating over the waves, at another far below,
diving for food or for safety; many species belonging to this order
are quite incapable of walking on land, and are no less unprovided
with wings of any avail in enabling them to fly; their only means
then of moving about are by swimming and diving, which they do to
perfection. All the divers and auks present a grotesque and clumsy
appearance on shore: even the ducks cut but a sorry figure as they
waddle over the grass; but place them in their own element, let
them once reach the water, and their awkwardness becomes elegance,
their clumsiness is transformed into the greatest activity. To enable
them to move about on the water with such ease and such celerity,
they are supplied with legs and feet very much resembling the
paddles used in Indian canoes; their thighs are placed very far
back, in some instances almost at their tails; their legs are very
flat and extremely thin, like the blade of an oar; their feet are broad
and large and completely webbed, the toes connected together with
membranes up to the nails; with these they strike the water with
considerable force, and thus their bodies are impelled forwards with
ee °
apes aad
By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 297
speed, and as the boatman, in rowing, feathers his oar after each
successive stroke, and in order to offer as small a surface as possible
to the resistance of the air and water, presents the thin knife-like
edge of the blade, while he draws it back for the next stroke; but
while pulling it through the water, presents the broad blade as a
means of obtaining a good purchase for his pull; just so is it with
the feet and leys of the swimming birds; at every stroke, the broad
flat leg, and the expanded webbed foot give a hearty thrust; but
in withdrawing them again, preparatory to repeating the thrust,
the thin edge of the leg is presented to the water, and the toes are
drawn together, and closely folded up, presenting as little resistance
as possible, till they are spread out again for the next stroke.
With these admirable provisions for moving at will on the waves
all the swimmers are supplied, but as some families are more expert
in the water, and less able to leave it for the shore or the air than
others, there are considerable variations in the exact formations of
their feet; thus, some have only three toes; others have four, but
frequently three only are webbed, the fourth remaining free, and
articulated high up on the tarsus; others again, have a pendant
lobe or membrane, depending from the hind toe, while some have all
four toes completely webbed together; according to these different
formations, so their powers of swimming and diving are increased
or lessened; but all enjoy those faculties to a considerable extent.
Such then are the general characters of the feet, as applicable to
the five orders: though those of certain individual species will in
some cases be found to vary from this description, it will on the
whole be found to be typical of the division to which it refers.
Thus we sce the birds of prey armed with feet and claws, which form
the most powerful weapons for striking down and carrying off their
victims. The perchers provided with so exquisite a piece of
mechanism, as to enable them to seize, balance, and support them-
selves on a branch with ease. The ground birds furnished with
limbs so strong, muscles so powerful, and feet so adapted for the
purpose as to make them seck safety in running when beset by
foes. The waders though unable to swim, raised high out of the
water in which they seek their food, by the length of their legs,
298 On the Ornithology of Wilts.
and enabled by their spreading toes to run lightly over water-plants
and the softest mud without danger of sinking in. The swimmers
supplied with feet and legs, serving them for oars and rudders,
whereby to impel forwards their bodies on the waves, or to seek
their food far below the surface of the water. These are all instru-
ments so exactly and so perfectly adapted to their respective uses,
that we can conceive nothing more applicable; and they are plain
and easy marks to us for ascertaining the general habits and class-
ified position of any bird we observe. Our examination of the
subject might well stop here, but before concluding this paper, I
would call attention to a few remarkable instances of structure in
regard to the feet, as displayed by some particular species.
The “ Osprey’’ alone of all the family Falconidee lives entirely
upon fish, and the nature of its prey being therefore different from
that of its congeners, it requires and is furnished with feet pecu-
liarly fitted for seizing and holding securely the slippery denizens
of the deep: in the first place, in lieu of the long feathers which
commonly clothe the thighs of the falcon race, short ones are
substituted, which leave more freedom for action in the water;
then the outer toe is reversible, and can at pleasure be turned
backwards, so that, as Yarrell tells us, it is the custom of the bird
to “seize the prey across the body, placing the inner and outer
toes at right angles, with the middle and hind toes; and digging
in the claws, to hold the fish most firmly by four opposite points.”
Moreover, the soles of its feet are remarkably rough, and covered
with protuberances; while the talons are very much curved, sharp
and strong, that of the outer toe being the largest, which is contrary
to the usual custom; and all these peculiarities tend to the holding
with greater security the slimy victims on which it lives.
The “ Nightjar,” which feeds at twilight, presents another very
peculiar formation of foot; this is small and weak in proportion to
the size of the bird, but is remarkable for the claw of the middle
toe, which is particularly long and serrated or pectinated on its
inner edge, and resembles a comb with seven or eight teeth. Now
the food of the nightjar consists of moths, but especially of fern-
chaffers, beetles, and such late flying insects, the legs of which are
By the Rev. A. C. Smith. | 299
often terminated with hooked claws; to detach which from the
wide gaping mouth, and from the bristles with which the upper
mandible of the beak is fringed, this comb-like claw is probably
appended to the foot; I say probably, for much difference of opinion
has existed with reference to.its use. Gilbert White and others
after him thought they could perceive the bird put out its short leg
while on the wing, and deliver something into its mouth, and thus
accounted for its use, that it enabled the bird to hold more securely
in its foot the insect it had caught; but for such a purpose it
certainly seems but very ill calculated.
The “ Swift” furnishes another instance of remarkable structure
of foot. As it passes the livelong day in unceasing and rapid flight,
it requires no great development of leg and foot; thus the tarsus
is exceedingly short and thick, so short as to render the bird in-
capable of rising from a flat surface, and therefore it never alights
on the ground; for rest and for incubation it retires to the eaves of
steeples and towers, to the perpendicular walls of which, and to the
face of cliffs, its foot is well adapted to cling; thus it consists of
four toes, all of which are directed forwards, and are armed with
very hooked claws, and quite divided, and which give it the appear-
ance of belonging to a quadruped rather than a bird.
The ‘“ Woodpeckers’ are also furnished with feet most suitable
to their climbing habits; each foot is provided with four toes,
arranged in pairs, two directed forwards and two backwards; these
afford an immense support, and as they are very strong and termi-
nate with hooked claws, it may be conceived what useful instruments
they must be to birds whose lives are passed in climbing about the
trunks and branches of trees; indeed very similar in form are they
to the iron crampions which the Swiss chamois hunter affixes to
the soles of his feet, when about to scale the precipices of the Alps,
and climb among the dangerous chasms of the glacier.
Again, the ‘‘ Avocet’ is provided with feet of singular construction ;
this bird is a wader in every sense, deriving its food from the softest
mud at the estuaries of rivers; to support it on which no ordinary
feet would suffice; we see the toes therefore united for a considerable
part of their length by a concave membrane, not wholly webbed,
300 On the Ornithology of Wilts.
for the bird is incapable of swimming to any distance; but semi-
palmated and connected far more than those of any other species
in the order; the tarsus, too, is long and slender; the tibia naked
for two thirds of its entire length; so that it can wade into water
of considerable depth, in search of food.
No less singular in the appearance of its legs and feet is the
« Black-winged Stilt,” or “Long-legged Plover”; either name at once
points to the remarkable and apparently disproportionate length of
its legs, on which its body seems raised up above the water, as if
on stilts; it is almost needless to add that this bird too obtains its
food by wading in muddy creeks and shallows on the shore.
The “Coots” and “Phalaropes” which compose the small family
lobe-footed, claim our attention last; I have before alluded to them
as the connecting link between the true waders and swimmers, and
their feet certainly present a peculiarity, partaking of the form,
which is characteristic of both those orders; thus though the toes
are not wholly united by a connecting membrane, yet they are
furnished laterally with it to such a degree, as almost to answer
the same purpose; this membrane so extended forms what are
technically called “rounded lobes,’”’ hence their family name; and
with such curious feet these birds seem as active on land as they
are in the water, running, walking, even climbing trees, wading,
swimming, and diving with the greatest ease.
Thus the feet of birds, though with a certain general similarity
of structure, differ one from another in a variety of ways. As their
habits and manner of life vary exceedingly, and as they are consti-
tuted to occupy no less than three elements, earth, air, and water,
we see every individual furnished with such means of locomotion
as best suit its own particular sphere. Had the lordly eagle,
pouncing on its quarry, but the foot of a partridge wherewith to
inflict his wound, starvation must be his lot; or had the pheasant
to run from danger with the feet of the diver, slight indeed would
be its chance of escape. The heron, if supported on the legs of a
hawk, would certainly be drowned in fishing for food. The rook
would roost but insecurely on the bough of the elm, if it clasped
its support only with the feet of the plover. But now, supplied
with such instruments as their respective pursuits require, all are
ae
By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 301
enabled with ease to obey their own peculiar instincts, and fill the
place allotted to them in nature.
I have now brought to a conclusion my preliminary remarks on
the general structure and classification of birds, and perhaps I ought
to apologize to the readers of our Macazinx for the length to which
these papers have run; it was necessary to the explanation of a
somewhat wide subject that the points above treated of should be
clearly understood; but I trust that they have not been uninterest-
ing, and that while they will render more intelligible the description
of the different species which occur in our county, (upon which I
shall now enter) they may have induced some, who have hitherto
thought little of these matters, to admire the perfection of the works
of the Creator, and the wondrous means by which His ends are
reached. JI cannot better close this part of my subject, than in the
words of the poet, who was so accurate and so admiring an observer
of the various works of God.
‘‘ Let no presuming impious railer tax
Creative Wisdom, as if aught was form’d
In vain, or not for admirable ends.
Shall little haughty ignorance pronounce
His works unwise, of which the smallest part
Exceeds the narrow vision of her mind ?
As if upon a full proportioned dome
Of swelling columns heav’d, the pride of art!
A critic-fly, whose feeble ray scarce spreads
An inch around, with blind presumption bold,
Should dare to tax the structure of the whole.
And lives the man, whose universal eye
Has swept at once th’ unbounded scheme of things;
Mark’d their dependance so, and firm accord,
As with unfaultering accent to conclude
That this availeth nought? Has any seen
The mighty chain of beings, lessening down
From Infinite Perfection to the brink
Of dreary nothing, desolate abyss !
From which astonished thought, recoiling, turns ?
Till then alone let zealous praise ascend
And hymns of holy wonder, to that Power
Whose wisdom shines as lovely on our minds
As on our smiling eyes his servant sun.”
ALFRED CHares Suirn.
Yatesbury Rectory, August, 1855.
2h
302
Che Churcher af Devizes.
(Continued from page 256.)
ABSTRACT OF LATIN AND EneuisH Drerps! RELATING CHIEFLY TO
THE CHURCH AND PARISH OF THE BiEssep VircIn Mary.
1. (1802). Grant of a Messuage with a curtilage from Galfridus
Agge to Walter, son of Thomas le Glover of Devizes for homage
and service: paying yearly a pound of cummin on the Feast
of St. Michael. Wit., Henry le Hert, John le Ronge, Edmund
le Glover, John Fulchere, Thomas Nichole, John Gile and
others. Dat. at la Rewe on the Feast of the Annunciation, 30
Edw. I. (Seal of green wax. “S. Gatrripr Acer”).
2. Grant of aCroft at Renstrete near Southbroom [apud la Renstrete
juxta Suthbrom] from Matilda, daughter and heir of Walter le
Glover of Devizes, to Thomas Wichlok and Sibille his wife, for
the sum of 40 shillings and one Messuage in the New Port.
Wit., John de Sandone, John Bri. .n, John Bouclerk, Edmund
le Glover, John Fulcher, William Rope, Richard Agge and
others.
3. Grant of a House in the Brittox [in la Britasche] from William
Potage to John le Chousmange and Matilda his wife. Wit.,
John Cray, Mayor; John Bouclerk, Walter Bochard, William
Cody, William Burch and others.
4, Grant of a Messuage with a curtilage from Richard Agge, to
Walter, son of Thomas le Tanner for homage and service:
paying yearly, the sum of 12d. by equal portions, at the Feasts
of St. Michael, the Nativity of our Lord, Easter, and St. John
1 A portion of these Deeds (copies of which have been kindly furnished to the
writer) are in the custody of the Trustees of the Church and Charity Property;
the remainder have been presented to the W.A. & N.H. Society.
By Mr. Edward Kite. 303
the Baptist. Wit., Richard, Bailiff of Cannings; Galfridus
Hamelin, Bailiff of (Carr?) Robert de Ringelburne, William
Nichol of Nustede, Roger Agge, Roger Gile, Philip de Ringel-
burne, and many others. (Circular Seal of green wax—“S.
Ricarpi AGGE’”’).
5. (1306) P Grant of a Tenement in the Old Port from John le
Corveser, Burgess of Devizes, to John of Devizes, for the sum
of 100 shillings. Witnesses, William Codiho, Mayor; William
Estmonde, John Crey, Walter Bochard, Nicholas Payn, John
Bouclerk, Peter de Wynclefford, and others. Dat., Devizes,
Feast of St. Michael, 34 Edw. (I.?) (Small seal of white wax
“Vesica” form with Virgin and Child under Canopy. Legend
“ Marer DEI MISERERE MEY’).
6. (1327). Covenant between John of Devizes, and Edward of
Pottern, on the one part, and Thomas Recke, Chaplain, on
the other part, whereby the former [John of Devizes} grants
to the latter, a Burgage in the Old Port for the term of 100
years, on payment of 20 marks. Wit., Gilbert de Berewyk,
Constable, [ of the Castle] John Cosham, Mayor; John Monserel,
Henry le Hert, Walter Bochard,! Hugh Estmund and John
Bouclerk. Dat., Devizes, 1 Edw. III.
7. (1328). Grant of a Tenement in the Old Port, from Thomas
Relke, Chaplain, to Henry le Hert. Wit., Gilbert de Berwik,
Constable; John de Cosham, Mayor; John Mountsorel, Walter
Bochard, John Aitwynche, Hugh le Tanner, Hugh Estmund,
and others. Dat., Devizes, Feast of St. Gregory, 2 Edw. ITI.
8. (1347). Grant of a Curtilage in the Old Port from Agnes,
Relict of Peter Wyllyng, to John Agge of Devizes, and Alice
his wife. Wit., Radulphus Roed, Mayor ; Henry de Stannton,
John of Malmesbury, John Cosham, Roger le Smyth, William
le Spycer, Thomas Dandele and others. Dat., Devizes, on the
morrow after the Purification of the Blessed Mary, 20 Edw.
Ii.
5 1 Walter Bochard and Hugh Estmund represented the Borough of Devizes
in a Parliament held at Westminster in 1323.
on
mm
304 The Churches of Devizes.
9. (1382). Grant of 4 acres of arable and 4 acres of meadow Land
with a Grove adjoining, from John Gylbert of Devizes to the
Procurators of the Church of St. Mary, in the same town.
Wit., William Spyce, Mayor; John Welford, John Delegh,
John Reyne, Walter Hound, and others. Dat., Devizes,
5 Rich. II.
10. (1888). Grant of a certain Meadow called “Isabel’s Mead”
with a Croft adjoining called “Isabel’s Breach,” from Thomas
Snappe of Rowde to Richard Gobett,! of Devizes. Wit.,
William Coveyntre, Mayor; William Spyce, Richard Card-
maker, Henry Foxhanger, Thomas Fowle, and others. Dat.,
Devizes, 11 Rich. II.
11. (1398). Grant of a Messuage, with a curtilage in St. Mary’s
Parish from John Coventre (son of William Coventre, sen.,)
and John Hulket, Procurators and keepers of the Goods of the
Parish Church of the Blessed Mary of Devizes, to Henry
Olcombe [deo Thresche(r) ] Agnes his wife, and Richard their
Son. To hold for the term of their lives, paying to the above
Procurators the sum of 2s. yearly. Wit., John Coventre,
Mayor; Richard Catyler, John Philippes, Constable of Devizes;
John Hulket, John Sadeler, Bailiff of Devizes; John Byl, John
(Ffintor?) and others. Dat., Devizes, Monday after the feast
of St. Michael, 22 Rich. II. (endorsed “old Indenture of the
lands next to the Bishop’s’”) seal of red wax with initial “.”
One of the Boundaries is described as a Tenement of Richard Corp, of
the tenure of the Lord Bishop of Sarum. [de tenura dni Epi. Sar. ]
12. (1411). Grant of a Stall in the New Port, “in the Market
Place, where the Fish? is sold” from Thomas Bocher, Chandler,
of Devizes, to William Coventre, sen., and John Gylbard,
“ Procurators of the Church of the Blessed Mary in the same
1 For a description of the purpose to which Richard Gobett applied the Pro-
perty thus purchased see a former Paper p. 252.
2 The Town seems to have been somewhat noted for its Fish Market even as
late as the 17th century. Aubrey, in his ‘Collections for Wilts” has the
following :—‘‘ Devises—On Thursday a very plentiful market of every thing:
but the best for fish in the county. They bring fish from Poole hither, which
is sent from hence to Oxford,
By Mr. Edward Kite. 305
town.” Wit., Symon Skynnere, Mayor; John Coventre, John
Paynt, William Hendelove, William Parchmen, and many
others. Dat., Devizes, 12 Hen. IV.
13. (1414). Indenture between John Coventre, jun. and William
Breniysgrove, ‘Procurators of the Church of the Blessed
Mary the Virgin,” and William Atteforde, and Isabella his
wife, granting to the latter a Stall situate in the Market Place,
in the New Port, for the term of their lives, paying to the said
Procurators the sum of 20d. yearly. Wit., John Coventre,
sen., Mayor; William Coventre, sen., John Peynt, John
Gylbard, William Parchmen and others. Dat., Devizes,
Feast of St. Edmund, 2 Hen. V. (Seal of red wax, with
initials ‘“ w.o.’’)
14. (1416.) Release and Grant of five Cottages and a Curtilage
in the Old Port, of the gift and feoffeement of John Basier,
from Walter Dene, Perpetual Vicar of the Cathedral Church
of Sarum, to John Coventre and William Brengresgrove
“Procurators of the Church of the Blessed Mary of Devizes.”
Wit., John Coventre, Mayor; William Coventre, sen., William
Coventre, jun., Simon Skynnere, Richard Lyttlecote, Roger
Barbour, Robert Smyth, and others. Dat., Devizes, the
Sabbath next after the Feast of the Annunciation, 3 Hen.
M
15. (1420). Indenture between William Coventre of Devizes and
Roger and Helene Birbur of the same town, granting to the
latter “ schopam, solarium, and selarium,” in “ la Brutax,’’
in the New Port, (the latter under a tenement in the occupation
of Walter Tayler) for the term of their lives, paying yearly
the sum of 13s. 4d. Wit., Robert Smyth, Mayor; John
Coventre, Thomas Coventre, Richard Letyleote, Walter Mede,
and many others. Dat., Devizes, on the Monday after the
Feast of St. Gregory, 7 Hen. V.
16. (1436). In a document of this date (partly illegible) the follow-
; ing names occur :—John Covyntre, Mayor of Devizes; Edward
Danyel, William Salt, Thomas Reginal, Robert Bulkington,
Henry Bowye(r), William Smyth, William Covyntre.
306 The Churches of Deviszes..
17. (1446). Grant of a Burgage with a curtilage and garden in
the Old Port, from Edward Danyel of Devizes to John Ffielde
of the same town. Wit., John Spycer, Mayor of Devizes, on
the morrow after the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel,
24 Hen. VI.
18. (1457). Enfeoffeement of a Tenement with its appurtenances,
in Southbrome near Devizes, of the gift of Thomas Smyth,}
from John Reynolds, sen., and William Botteley, to Thomas
Reynolds and William Nayshe of Devizes. Wit., Henry Pole,
Mayor; John Helyar, Thomas Spycer, Thomas Hawkyn, and
many others. Dat., Devizes, April 1, 37 Hen. VI.
19. (1461). Indented Deed relating to “ Isabel’s Mead and Breach”
by which Thomas Browyn, Chaplain, enfeoffees the same to
John Reynolds, sen., John Dekyn, William Hendelove, William
Cotley, John Reynolds, jun., William Ceto, William Eyle,
Richard Alyn, John Fyld, Stephen Mercer, John Chandeler,
and William Bakere, reciting that it is always to be held in
future, as it has been heretofore, to celebrate an Obit for the
Souls of Richard Gobett and others, and to distribute a Dole
to the Poor. Dat., January 16, 39 Hen. VI.
20. (1467). Release of a Burgage, curtilage, and garden in the
Old Port, from John Vyld to Thomas Davy and Robert
Helyar, Procurators of the Altar of St. Katharine, in the
Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Devizes, “to help a
Priest to say Mass for the Souls of Edward Danyel and Joan
his wife, John Vyld, his parents, and all the faithful departed.”
Wit., William Botley, William Hendelove, John Dekyn,
John Reynolds, William Nash, William Herretyke, William
Eyle, and others. Dat., Devizes, on the morrow of the Feast
of St. Nicholas, 6 Edw. IV. :
21. (1475). Indented Charter of Roger Tocotes, Knt.,? Nicholas
Halle, Esq., Sir John Huet, Chaplain; Thomas Noreys, William
1 See a former Paper, p. 252.
2 Sir Roger Tocotes, Knt., was Sheriff of Wilts, 4 and 11 Edw. IV., and 1
Henry VII. At the latter date he appears to have held the manors and lord-
ships of Marlborough, Devizes, and Rowde, together with the Constableship of
Devizes Castle. See Waylen’s ‘‘ History of Marlborough,” p. 60.
>
“
22.
23.
24.
25.
By Mr. Edward Kite. 307
Hendelove, John Raynold, sen., and John Dekyn, feoffees of
the lands and tenements of John Coventre, jun., granting to
Thomas Bayly, Joan his wife, and their heirs, six tenements
in the Old Port, and four acres of arable land in the Park
Lands. Wit., Nicholas Mere, Mayor ; John Sterlyng, William
Letcumbe, and many others. Dat., Devizes, Feast of St.
Jerome, 13 Edw. IV.
(1493). Deed of Attorney, Nicholas Mere and John Sterlyng
appoint Walter Sessylle to put John Burley,! Gent., William
Raynolde, Richard Cuffe, John Dekyn, Robert Helyar, William
Botteley, William Eyle, Henry Raynolde, Richard Bayly,
Radulphus Helyar, and Nicholas Mere, jun., in possession of
“Tsabel’s Mead and Breach.” Dat., Devizes, August 18, 8
Hen. VII.
(1517). Grant of a Burgage with a certain parcel of waste
land annexed, and a cottage in the New Port, from the Mayor
and Burgesses of Devizes to Henry Shepard and Agnes his
wife, for the term of 50 years from the Feast of St. Michael,
8 Hen. VIII., paying yearly the sum of 33s. 4d. Wit.,
William Russell, Mayor; John Cley, John Raynold, and others.
Dat., Devizes, Sep. 24, 8 Hen. VIII.
One of the boundaries is described as the Chapel of St. Thomas, [capel-
lam sti Thome].
(1567). Indenture (English) between Thomas Bayly and
Richard Joanes, Churchwardens of St. Mary, Devizes, and
John Adlyngeton of the same town, granting to the latter a
Tenement and a “littill garden plote therunto adjoynynge”
in the Old Port, for the term of fourscore years, paying yearly
the sum of ds. * Wit., John Burd, Mayor; John Blanford,
Thomas Hull, Edward Heyns, and others. Dated, 12 Feb., 9
Eliz. (Seal in red wax of Church of St. Mary in a Vesiea,
legend “Sic. Comune Ecrsrz Beare Marie Dvyi(sar).’’
(1588). Indenture (English) between William Brunker [of
Stoke,] John Drew [of Southbrome, | and others, Feoffees of
1 John Burley held 1 Hen. VII. [1485] the portership of Devizes Castle and
the office of keeper of the Park. See ‘History of Marlborough,” p. 60. A
Pedigree of Burley will be found in the Wilts Visitation of 1623,
308 The Churches of Devizes.
St. Mary’s Church Lands, and John Fuller of Devizes, fisher-
man, granting to the latter a Tenement and garden in the Old
Port, for a term of 60 years, paying annually the sum of 6s. 8d.
Wit., Thomas Colls, Thomas Fidfall, Thomas Lewod, Thomas
Hull, Robert Wait, Thomas Bayly, William Brouncker, John
Drewe, John Cannon, John Blanford, Richard Adlyngton,
and Thomas Upgrover. Dated, April 17, 30 Eliz.
26. (1589). Indenture (English) between the above Feoffees and
John Havard of Devizes, Mason, granting to the latter a
Tenement and garden in the Old Port, for a like term of
threescore years, paying yearly the sum of 4s. Dated 12
March, 31 Eliz., and witnessed as above.
27. (1591). Indenture (English) between the above Feoffees and
John Batte of Devizes, Clothman, granting to the latter a
Tenement and garden as above. Dated, 1 March, 33 Eliz.
28. (1617). Release (English) of certain Lands, Tenements, and
Hereditaments in Devizes and Marlborough, “aunciently re-
puted to belonge to and for the mayntenaunce and reparacons
of the Parishe Churche of St. John the Baptist,! in the Devizes,
and to and for the reliefe of the poore people of the same Parish ;’’
from Walter Stephens, alias Morgan of Devizes, Cardmaker,
the last surviving Feoffee, to the Mayor and Burgesses of the
same Town. Dated, Feb. 20, 15 Jas. 1.
Exrracrs FROM CHURCHWARDEN’s Accounts.—St. Mary’s.
A.D. 1499, 15 Hew. VII.
Item pd. to John Andrewes for tyning? the lights
for avyear’and a, "WalE. (ols cwtin's » wetla cas iiijs-
It. for two white cloths bought of William Botley
to lay atop the High Altar .............. vs.
pd. for Thomas Cardmaker’s light ........ iiijd.
1 This is the only ancient Deed known to be in existence relating to St. John’s
Church Lands. It clearly shows that they were formerly under the management
of special Feoffees.
2 « Tyning” or ‘‘ tining”’—lighting—a word still used in Somersetshire.
By Mr. Edward Kite. 309
ie for the Paschal! taper... s.secrasscce ss oe xxjd.
for ij pounds waxe to the light in....Lady
CO OPCS AEs LES STIS SR MVE AR xxjd.
This seems to refer to a light burnt before the image of the Virgin Mary,
which no doubt occupied the now vacant niche over the inner doorway of the
Porch. Sums of money, or land, were often bequeathed to Churches for the
maintenance of such lights.
1500? 16 Hen. VII.
Itm. for mending the Organs............00000: viij4-
to ilij men for keeping of the Sepulchre
MPN sek aoeaccagtonters wales sesme dice VOPEL TO: > xilijd-
forthe making of the Sepulchreand taking down ijd.
The Easter or Holy Sepulchre, to which these items refer, was an erection,
either of wood or stone, set up for the performance of certain ceremonies
commemorative of the entombment and resurrection of our Lord. Its position
was usually on the north side of the chancel, but in some instances it appears
to have been on the south; this arrangement however is confined chiefly to the
counties of Kent, Sussex, and Hampshire.
The Elements consecrated on Maunday Thursday, were after Mass removed
from the Tabernacle over the High Altar, carried in solemn procession to the
Sepulchre, and deposited in it.1 Here they remained until High Mass on Easter
Day, when they were re-conveyed to the Altar with the same ceremony.
During the intervening nights tapers of wax were kept burning in the church,
and persons employed for the purpose of watching the Sepulchre, a practice
founded upon an ancient tradition that the second coming.of Christ would be on
Easter Eve.
The Easter Sepulchre was in some instances a permanent structure of stone
ornamented with elaborate carving as in the Churches of Heckington and Navenby,
Lincolnshire; Hawton, Nottinghamshire; and Northwold, Norfolk. These are
some of the finest examples remaining in England. Several sleeping soldiers
(intended for the Roman Guard) are sculptured in the lower compartments,
whilst the upper contain representations of the Resurrection.
Much more frequently, however, it was, as in the present instance, a temporary
erection of wood, put up and taken down as occasion served, either beneath a
recess formed by an arch of about three feet in height, constructed purposely
for its reception in the wall of the church, as at Great Cheverel, and Chitterne
St. Mary, Wilts; or on a High Tomb which in some cases served the double
purpose of a memorial to its erector, and the Easter Sepulchre. ‘This latter
ement was common in the Perpendicular and Tudor styles.
«7 will that there be made a playne tombe of marble of a competent height, to
the intent that yt may ber the Blessed Body of our Lord, and the Sepultur at
the time of Estre, to stand upon the same, with myne arms, and a convenient
seriptur to be sett about the same tombe.” Will of Thos. Windsor, Esq., of
Stanwell, Middlesex, 1479. See ‘‘ Fosbroke’s Ency. of Antiq.,” Vol. Il. p. 7038.
1 In addition to the Host, a crucifix appears to have been sometimes deposited in the Sepulchre.
2 8
310 The Churches of Devizes.
Examples of this kind occur at Exton, Rutland; Clevedon, Somerset; Woodleigh
and Southpool, Deyon; and Hamsey, Sussex.
The custom of making and watching the Sepulchre, was discontinued at the
Reformation, but revived again during the reign of Queen Mary.
It. pd. for making of the tabullment of the High
Altar and making up of the canopy on Cor-
PRIS ONT DAY se ice wanes <3. seeded ae yjt
The “tabula” or ‘‘retablement” was a picture painted on panel, and placed
above the altar, after the manner of a modern altar piece.
It. for ij pounds waxe to the Paschal taper, and to
the Font Taper...... a Kesbngspria'iesspsie oss a xxj@-
The Paschal, or Sepulchre taper, as its name implies, was a large squared taper
of wax used to give light during the watching in the Church at Easter.
A small annual sum, arising from the rent of two tenements, was bequeathed
to the church, in the 15th century, for the maintenance of the Sepulchre taper,
and the Font Taper. (See page 252).
It. for a board to the Sepulchre ........ patents ij ¢
1525, 17 Hew, VIII.
Itm. paid for mending of the Parish Priest his
Sanplicn caller ys 1. ajnrn inte, Sore ohgaaiais. <epsiregin ij¢-
pd. for mending of a Key for the Parish Priest’s
ETE TR aS RARER BURRS pete Renee Seta ij?
pd. for mending of the green Gene and of the
Ped Capers Pom. 2 I ROSS: SOY PO iijd-
The Cope [cappa] was originally a mere protection from the weather; a cloak
with areal hood behind. Gradually, however, it came into use at Vespers, for
assistant Priests at Mass, at Consecrations, &c. Still its ancient use was not
forgotten. Hence the distinction of Cappa choralis, and Cappa processionalis,
the former being of course much richer than the other.
The ornament of a Cope was thrown into the hood, and the ee or border
down the sides; the latter is often most beautifully ood. Sometimes it has
small effigies of Saints. It was fastened at the neck with a morse or clasp, often
exquisitely engraved. ‘‘ Handbook of English Ecclesiology,” Masters, 1847, p. 235.
At Durham ‘‘The Prior had an exceedingly rich cope of cloth of gold, which
was so massy that he could not go upright with it, unless his gentlemen, who at
other times bore up his train, supported it on every side whenever he had it on.”
‘Antiquities of Durham Abbey.”
There were in Salisbury Cathedral 28 Hen. VIII. [1536], no less than forty-
three Copes of cloth of gold, satin, and velvet, in various colours, and ornamented
with embroidery, gold, silver, and pearls. ‘‘Dodsworth’s Salisbury Cathedral.”
Appendix No. 1. The large chest of a semicircular form in which they were
kept, is still preserved there, but its contents have long since perished.
3
|
By Mr. Edward Kite. 311°
The use of the Cope is still ordered by the Anglican Church.
In allusion to the colours of Church Vestments and Hangings, it may be
mentioned that green was commonly used throughout the year; red or scarlet,
chiefly on the festivals of Apostles, Evangelists, and Martyrs; white, on
those of Confessors, and Virgins, who were not Martyrs; and black, or violet,
on days of abstinence. See ‘‘Durandus,” III. 18.
Md. That the xxv day of November, the xvijth year of the
reign of King Henry viijth, William Annetts of Edyngton is
become in debt of xxijs- viijd. due to the lamp before the High
Altar, and the said William Annetts promises to pay the said
xxijs- viijd- under this manner—that is to say—At the An-
nunciation of our Lady Day next coming vjs- viijd.—at Saint
Michael the Archangel ixs. iiijd.—and at the Annunciation
then next ensuing vjs- viijd. these being witnesses, Edward.
Hayne, &c.
This debt was, in all probability, a rent due from some property bequeathed
to the Church for the maintenance of the Lamp in question. The report of a
Commission (before referred to at p. 252), dated, 16th Eliz., [1574] furnishes
the following item which may have reference to the same property, although no
mention is made of the purpose for which it was bequeathed :—‘‘5 Item. We
presente twelve Acres of Earable Land and sixe acres of severall Land by esti-
mation, more or less, belonging to one Tenement in Hedyngton now in the use
and occupation of Thomas Meyse, sometime parcel of the House of Farlye, and
renteth by the year xijs-”
1529. 21 Hen. VIII.
Itm. pd. for buckram [bocaram] for the canopie
over the Sacrament.......... aha vj.
pd. for mendyng of the Organ LOssharnt al
ieee wl tebe + 820 heen ja.
for a book of the Visitation of Our Ladye... . viijd.
This was perhaps a Processional to be used on the day of the Visitation of the
Virgin Mary.
It. pd. for taking down of the Church house. ... iijd.
The Church House was the place at which parish meetings were held and
Church Ales provided for the purpose of raising funds for the repairs of the
Church, maintenance of the poor, &e. See ‘‘ Wilts Magazine,” Vol. ii., p. 191.
1533. 25 Hew. VIII.
Bem, paid fd-tiie Olarie gs i 5 ois seis ties u0's sadgtle & xijd.
pd. for the Organs....... SORE) ee xilijs-
282
- 312 The Churches of Devizes.
The name ‘‘Organ” appears to have originally signified any instrument of
musie, but at an early period was confined to the sense which it now bears.
The first organs were, however, very different from those now in use, and very
much smaller. In old parish accounts we find frequent mention of a pair of
organs ; and wherever such are found there are also frequent charges for repatr-
ing the bellows. The large modern instruments were not put up in their present
conspicuous situation, in the place of the ancient roodloft, until after the Refor-
mation. On the continent they were also introduced in the course of the 17th
and 18th centuries; but are usually placed at the west end of the church. In
this country previously to the Reformation, the organ was frequently placed on
the north side of the choir, or in the north transept.
‘Oxford Glossary of Architecture.”
The remains of a pair of ancient organs are, or were until lately, preserved in
the church of Wingfield, Suffolk ; the largest pipe is about 5 feet long, of wood.
The foregoing items are intended to illustrate, in some measure,
the appearance of the Church, together with its furniture, vest-
ments, &e., prior to the Reformation ; the following, which occur
during the reign of Edward the Sixth, will be found of a totally
different character :—
1550. 4 Epw. VI.
It. pd. for their labor at the plucking down of the
Alters, and for meat and drink, . Sas xilijd.
pd. for their labor at the taking aly of the
side Altar........ EE FO Ce Pe Se Ie xijd.
1552. 6 Edw. VI.
Itm. pd. for our charges at Marlbro’ when the
Inventorie was called. ..... and the custodie
of the goods committed to John Blanford
and James Travers for v of us and horse
hire, and. ..... of Robert K....s horse.... vjs- ijd.
It. pd. for other charges when the commissarie
was here.......: ders ot Stale aeae cnet oe's-tive {ijSe "| yee
It. pd. for the new Books of Ciesace Bese: iiijs- viijd.
On the accession of Queen Mary the entries again resume an
ante-reformation character, and indicate a temporary revival of
the ancient furniture, ornaments, and vestments of the church
during that reign.
1563. 1 Mary.
It. pd. to Bertlett for setting up the great [High]
Altar ...... a5 -te A Sass ae Ce eae LAPSE viijd.
By Mr. Edward Kite. 313
pd. to James Benett the Mason for his work
SRMGEEL: WENO) PEMA I, Scans a ind tdigada> Ghinialé ase. »,<%,6 yjd-
pd. when Mr. Harding the Commissarie was
Pe PEEVE fiestas. Suc o Sea airs Lidell) 9s age
pd. for making the Clerk’s surples.......... vjd-
pd. to the Ryngers at the proclamation of
ermal a a h E wees Vis iid.
pd. for the making of the best surples...... ij:
for an ell of Holland.......... INSERT ij
The Surplice was a linen robe frequently plaited, with very large sleeves;
and similar to the modern dress of the same name, but not open in front. Rev.
F. A. Paley’s ‘‘ Manual of Gothic Architecture,” p. 275,
pd. for washynge of the churche geare...... iijd.
1554. 2 Mary.
Itm. pd. for holye oyle.. aim ciara tha yan cach at iiijd.
It. to Wm. Jefferies fav ij saicgtte of a pound and
a half and more. “he Pert a xviijd.
for the new beg ci of ee same figs kb against
Easter, and for wagys........ Pe lie erate xjd.
It. there is old to be sonata for the hate at
the suppressing of Chauntries for the charges
of v of the Parish, and their horse meat for
WR AMMER Ev aero as los oes = nepal s «on as ay «RYE: ey
The Chantries founded in this Church have been already mentioned at page
250. They were, as is well known, granted to the King by Parliament, 36
Hen. VIII, [1545], and an act was passed for finally dissolving them, 1 Edw.
VI., [1547]. Commissioners were accordingly appointed to enquire into the
amount of their revenues, and it was most probably at an enquiry of this kind,
held in some neighbouring place, that these five individuals of St. Mary’s Parish
attended to give their evidence, and incurred the rather serious charge of 18s.
4d. here recorded.
It. there is to be accounted for of old ix days
work for George Tylar and his man at vijd.
the day, for putting and making up of the
BIRT GOED oan ns o's nas op 50 sean cs neue a eee ee
1555, 3 Many,
Itm. pd. for defacing the Scriptures on the walls.. ijs —_iiijd.
314 The Churches of Devizes.
pd. for making of the altar and for defacing
the x commandments, and putting........
in the Roodloft. . He vjs
pd. for making Mae. re Face (J shen ].. vs. ij.
1556, 4 Mary.
Itm. pd. to Syr Gylham prieste................ iiijs- inj.
This Sir William was, no doubt, the Parish Priest.
pd. for a holye water pot................ ijs iiijd.
The Holy water pot was a basin carried in processions.
‘‘There was borne before the cross every principal day, a holy water font of
silver, very finely engraved, and parcel gilt.” ‘Ancient Rites of Durham.”
It. pd. master Heynes towards his charge to
London to answer to the privy seale heii
The name of Heynes, or Haynes, variously spelt, is of frequent occurrence in
Devizes at about this date. The names of Agnes, William, and Richard Haynes,
occur in 1404, Edward Heyns 37 Hen. VIII., [1546] was in possession of a
tenement and garden in the Old Port, belonging to a Chantry founded in St.
Mary’s Church by John Coventre. This he held for the term of 80 years,
commencing 22 Edw. IV., [1483], at an annual rent of 13s.4d. The same name
occurs 6 Edw. 6., [1552] as one of the stewards, or proctors, of and over the
lands and tenements which formed the endowment of the above Chantry.
In the 6th of Elizth., [1563] Edward Heynes procures from the Mayor &c.,
a lease of ‘‘Tolsey House, or shop, under the gildhall,” also a tenement abutting
on a tenement of John Ernely, Esq. The same name also occurs as one of the
Representatives of the Borough in 1554-58, and 63, and Mayore. 1570. A
George Heynes was also Mayor at about the same date.
The individual alluded to in this entry was evidently an attorney, and from
a subsequent item it may perhaps be inferred that the parishioners were at this
time engaged in a law suit respecting some of the Church property.
1557. 5 Mary.
Itm. pyd for makyn of ij alters ................ ij -viijd-
payed for stones for the same allters........ is vij4-
for a drynkyne at the church reknyng...... iiijs- viijd-
payed for a drynkyne when we dyd peruse
the church Wrytynge at Mr. Haynes...... yjt-
Itm. for tymber to make the pyctors that standeth
by the Rode named Mary and John ...... ij
“The ‘‘Rood,” or ‘‘Rode,” was an image of Christ upon the Cross, made
generally of wood, and placed in a loft made for that purpose just over the
passage out of the church into the chancel......... This Rood was not compleat
without the images of the Virgin Mary and Saint John, one of them standing
'
sd sti!
By Mr. Edward Kite. 315
on the one side, and the other on the other side of the image of Christ; in
allusion to the passage in St. John’s Gospel, x1xe. 26v.” ‘‘Staveley’s Hist.” p. 199.
In 1548, [2 Edw. VI.], these images were ordered to be taken down through-
out England; in 1553, [1 Mary], they were set up again, and in 1560, [8 Eliz.],
they were again removed and sold.
In the Visitation Articles of Cardinal Pole, 1557, [5 Mary], he demands :—
“X. Item. Whether they have a Rood in their church of a decent stature
with Mary and John, and an image of the patron of the same Church ?”
Itm. for oyle for the bells and the lampe........ ja.
payed fora hell rope... casas sey sa nairy Yee WAG
for mendyng of a crewet. .......00. 0000005 jt.
for mendyng of ij Albes......... hontai id.
The Albe [alba] was a linen garment, with tight sleeves, reaching to the
heels. It was fastened round the waist with a girdle, and always ornamented
with apparells at the wrists and feet. It has many significations, but is gene-
rally taken as a symbol of purity. It is a vestment of great antiquity, and the
origin of the surplice and rochet. ‘Rey. F. A. Paley’s Manual of Gothic
Architecture,” p. 273.
for wyer about the clock... ese ja.
208 PADMIITISCONS,(., « lubes SisveraSh edd «seeds dn ja.
Sar mprid yng ela surples ii 2) m6 eye Je8) 44 25.» ja.
HOF The SCRLON A WALYS: Gr. ess Gee oe apd aire te xxd.
Itm. to Syr Gyllum for his Wadgys........... vs. viijd.
for waxe for the pascall and the fonnte taper. _iiijs.
for the Sextone watching at the Sepulchre. . . iid.
Itm. for mendyng of the best cope and the grene
SILL Oe Hea: sy ao tre Resende.» Vid yjd.
for nayles for the frame of the ata eae ijd.
for a staple to hold the crosse in the chansalt@ : ijd.
for a rope for the sannce bell.............. xijd.
The Sancte, Saints, or Sannce Bell was used to give notice of the commence-
ment of the more solemn parts of the Mass; especially the Tersanctus, and the
Elevation of the Host. It was usually placed on the gable at the east end of
the nave, under a small turret built expressly for it; sometimes, however, it
occurs ina different situation. These turrets, or cots, are commonly found, as
at Seend, Kington St. Michael, &c., but it is rare to find the bell itself in its
original position. An instance, however, occurs at Keevil! where it is still to
be seen under a turret on the eastern gable of the nave.
In the parish accounts of Steeple Ashton, Wilts, is the following :—‘ 1609,
Item. In asiy? Tower five a oper Bells and a little sance Bel.”
1 The form of this bell is somewhat prin it is 15 inches in diameter, and without inscription,
316 The Churches of Devizes.
The entries which follow will be found to have reference to a
second and more effectual removal, by sale, of the whole contents
of the Church in the early part of the reign of Queen Elizabeth.
1561. 4 ELizaBETH.
Itm. for taking down of the Roodloft............ VJs
The Roodloft was a gallery erected at the east end of the nave, over the
Chancel Arch, for the reception of the Great Rood, and the images of SS. Mary
and John before described. Here the Epistle and Gospel were read by the Sub-
deacon, and Deacon, the procession being conducted with no small pomp. In
it lights were kept burning, especially at Festivals, when the whole loft blazed
with light, and was decorated with green boughs and flowers.
Roodlofts were almost universally demolished when an order was published
in 1548 for the destruction of Roods; the one in question, however, seems to
have escaped until 1561 (the date of this entry). On clearing an accumulation
of whitewash and ochre from the walls in 1854, traces of the Rood-beam were
discovered ; the floor of it appears to have been almost on a level with the point
of the Chancel Arch.
Among the few examples of Roodlofts still remaining in this county may be
mentioned Mere, Hullavington, Edyngton, Berwick Basset, and Compton Basset;
the latter is of stone. A portion of one is also preserved at Avebury, being
affixed to the wall above the Chancel Arch.
Itm. laid out at the Commissioners coming down.. vjs- vjd-
for whiteliming and mending the church and
CHAD cakcaiss a Sieh nw bs, see aE IS age Se ahs xs. ijd.
1562. 5 ELIZABETH.
It. recd. for xxxx pound of the organ pypes and
the copper at vjd. the pound............. XXS.
for xxv pound of the candlesticks and the...
Rann a icles get i tare, on: Bika kat yore Viijs-
recd. of the bellows of the organist......... ijs-
pd. for the Clark’s surplice....... ae ROT viijd.
1563. 6 ELIZABETH.
Itm. pd. at Sarum when the Lord Bishop did seale
the Indentures for the Priest’s wages...... vjs-
pd. for the charges to Sarum to confer with
my Lord Bishop about the Priest’s wages... viijs- iiijd.
Tima. paid, fo the, Caracas «joa is: p50 0i82'o,0 + ayn, neocnys xvijs:
These entries apparently record a difference which had arisen between the
Rector and his Parish Priest, touching the salary, or stipend of the latter, and
which was referred to the Bishop for the purpose of adjustment.
By Mr. Edward Kite. 317
1564. 7 ELIZABETH.
Itm. paid for the second tome! of the Homilies .. iijs: ii1j4
paid to Sir Thomas Carwarden at Xmas at
Bis COME. 5 «Ne Gaie a As De en's es XXxj*- liijd.
It. paid to Sir Walter Hewes............200- XXXxij* iijd-
paid to Carwarden for his service at the death
of Sir Philip before Mr. Hewes came...... xs
Tt. paid of Sir Philip’s wages............. wee Vj ij
paid. to Carwarden .......cse0. eerie xxvs- iiijd.
Sir Thomas Carwarden, Sir Walter Hewes, and Sir Philip, were evidently
clergy.
1568. 11 ExizaABETH.
It. pd. for iij hundred nayles for the loft ...... xviijd.
pd. for great nayles for the stops of the loft
WAEDAGWA), 4psteasa « as sialeisig a's iiijé.
for taking a the eck ae ‘of the a ae iiijd.
1569. 12 ELIZABETH.
Itm. paid to Mr. Powell for Smoke Farthing .... xjd.
‘“‘Smoke Farthing,”’ sometimes called ‘‘ Smoke money,” ‘“‘ Whitsun Farthings,”
or ‘‘Pentecostals,” a composition in money for offerings in Whitsun week, by
every man who occupied a house with a chimney, to the Cathedral of the
Diocese in which he lived. ‘‘Smoke Pennies” are still levied by that name,
upon the inhabitants of the New Forest, but are understood by them to be an
acknowledgement for certain rights—as cutting fuel, &c. See ‘Notes and
Queries,” Vol. 2., Index. :
pd. for a board and the dressing of the same
for the degrees of Marriage. ............. ij4.
The three following items will show the unimportant cost in the
16th century, of a lease for the Short Street,—a property which
belonged to the Church :—
Itm. pd. for a skin of Parchment for making the
writing for the Short Street. . ple vj:
for the charge for wax for the era of the
lease at Short Street. ..
v yj@-
capri: Peg rege WE ARG xxd,
It. reed. of John Griffin, Cardmaker , id xij@.
1 Y Tome teaditlatlon of the tain tomus—a volume,
318 The Churches of Devizes.
for the studs off the Coats ................ xiijs iiijd-
It. received of Robert Jackson for the ekidilsieg
(embroidery?) about our Ladies coats...... ijs: —iiijd-
1576. 19 ELizaBETu.
Itm. payed for the booke of Articles. . : xilijd-
to the painters [poullars] for oft? the | x
commandments on the church wall........ XvS.
The Commandments are ordered by the Canon to be placed at the east end of
the church, which is no doubt intended to signify the east end of the nave; in
this position ancient examples generally occur, either above the chancel-arch, or
on the rood-beam. In some instances (as in the present) they appear to have
been painted on the church wall; in others, they were printed on paper and
simply suspended in a frame—according to the orders of Archbishop Grindall.
The following memorandum, written at this date, will show the
amount of Chief Rent, &c., charged on the Church property :—
We do alwaiespaye yerelie to the Chamberlaines
the cheaf Rent for the said St. Mary Church
Land, viz.,—in the Towne .............. vViljs ja.
And to the Maior for the Shambles ........ vj.
And the Chefe Rent thereof tothe Chamberlaines ij
And also we doe pay to the Steward of the
Castle for the land that we do holde without
GRC EO WHRE or wus ia piai's 6 v's bs patie) she few ass SA SOM
1594. 37 ELIZABETH.
Itm. pd. to Sir Thomas [Carwarden ?] our Minister
for making the Register Book............ xd.
1599, 42 ELizaBEerH.
It. pd. fora Silver Plate for the Communion Table,
being thereunto compelled, to Argold Smyth
of Sarum the sum of .......... XVilj-
the plate weighing xviij ounces, and ee fe
making vs-
for fetching the same for myself and my horse _ iijs-
1600. 43 ELIZaBETH.
Item pd. for white leather for the baldrick...... yjd.
for the sexton’s wages a quarter.......... ijS: viijd.
By Mr. Edward Kite. 319
Item pd. for white leather for the badrick ...... ijs-
for tanned leather for do. and make of the
PAM y led rhs x sinanidurk apt spelas cagnnpidlP
1602, 45 ELizsseru,
It. paid for books appointed to be bought by my
Lord of Canterbury’s appointment........ Vjs-
1606. 4 James I.
It. to Sir Thomas for writing our Register...... xijd.
In a note of “Suche moneyes as be payable out of the Churche
Stock yearely” about 1615 there follows :—
Imprimis. for Castle Rent payable yearely to Mr.
7 eeepc pert pant en or ie riage xvs. ij
Item Cheefe Rent payable yearely to the Chamber-
laynes..... eR RN SAL MR ORS bE aR Oe ixs. jd.
Item for Isabell’s Breache and Meade payable
yearly at Michaelmas. . agai nx walelers AUIS: Werner
Item for an acquittance for a ce 7a vja.
Item for the dole called Gobbett’s ob payable ot
the feast of All Saints. . Hee XX.
Item for Painters’ and Newman’s ast given on ‘bait
Pring) 22". xs.
Item for a Rent payable at Mahia to Onsindigrs s
en Dosiercery! Hise Bling pee Meer tice neta iijd.
Item for Penticost money. .............00000. . je
1616. 14 James I.
Itm. to Saml. Clark for a new Bible of the new
aera | Gin tues Be stra tenn ijli. yjs-
1618. 16 James I.
It. for bread and beer for the ap iy in per-
ambulation....... . xijs xd.
to vij Ringers af fi King’ 8 | Waiosty 8 passing
Cnr te EOWR, wii. cxivacisls oe vielg welds vijs-
1619. 17 James I.
5 Paid to John Bennett, Cutler, for a branch to
: carry the hour-glass in the church........ ijs vjd.
e 272
320 The Churches of Devizes.
The ‘‘ Hour-glass” appears to have been generally introduced, as in the present
instance, in Puritanic times. From the good work, however, found in some
of the stands which remain, it seems that they were occasionally employed (for
whatever purpose) before the Reformation. Their usual position was on the
left hand of the preacher, close to the pulpit. A curious and perfect specimen
still remains in Compton Basset Church. ‘The stand is of iron, and is affixed to
a rod of the same metal, which projects horizontally from the wall near the
pulpit. [This rod is about eighteen inches in length, and evidently corresponds
with the ‘‘ branch” here alluded to]. The stand is made to revolve, and is kept
in an upright position by means of a spring attached to the lower side of the
rod. In it is the hour-glass itself protected from injury by a frame of wood.
Their use was to regulate the extempore discourses of the 17th century, which
might otherwise have been endless. Though a Puritanic innovation it appears
to have long-kept its place: Gay, in one of his pastorals, writes
“We said that Heaven would take her soul, no doubt,
And spoke the how-glass in her praise quite out.”
And it is represented by the side of the pulpit, in one of Hogarth’s paintings.
It. recd. of those that do sit in the seats that are
new built and new planked.............. ili. viijs.
(These new seats had been shortly before erected at a cost of
£27).
1624, 22 James I.
Itm. pd. for Ringing the xxxj July when the King
came thro’ the Town.......... slstaie at? ang Se
to Ambrose Zealy for mending of th Ringhagl
loft and many seats in the Church........ V®
for a horse hire to see the pinacles of the
POLL. cs sesavavenrn fo OY sees eo Haren ne viijd.
for working the pinacles in part of payment. . ijli. ijs.
The following Inventory taken in 1634, [10 Charles I.], will
serve to show the value of the contents of the church at that date :—
‘An Inventory of the Ornaments, Goods, and Implements in the Parish
Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Devizes, at the feast of Easter, 1634, deli-
vered by the old Churchwardens John Erwood and Henry Maye into the hands
of the succeeding ones, John Batt and James Ffilkes.
Viz :—
One Comunion Table wth Three Carpetts for the same, A silver Comunion Cup
of Silver wth a silver plate to the same, A new Pulpit Cushion and Two other
Velvet Cushions, A Linnen table Cloth for the Comunion Table, a new fringed
linnen Napkin, a Surplis, and a bagge to carry the plate. Sixe Churchbookes,
viz :—One Church Bible, the Paraphrase of Erasmus on the New Testam', Two
Comunion prayerbookes, a parchment Registt and a paper booke for the entring
eS a
By Mr. Edward Kite. 321
of the Church Wardens Accompts, one pewter fflagon serving for the Comunion,
ffyve Church Chests, One Boxe wth Two lockes and keyes to the same, One
Chureh Coffer wth Two lockes to the same, One Bench fforme for the Comunion
Table, One brasse Poolly, Two long ladders, Eight comon fformes, Sixe Matts
or Butts, One Standing Deske, Two Bieres, ffoure old Seate doores, one Rouler,
one Tumbrell, one Brasse Candlesticke, one houre glasse, ffoure bookes of
Thanksgiving, An old Seate wth a Bench in him, One peece of an old Seate, A
long Rayle and a Post, A Broad Stone by the Ffont, Tenne peeces of old Bell
ropes, One peece of Planke and Two peeces of Tymber lying in the Tower, An
old Locke and a new key for a chest.”
1635. 11 CHartzs I.
It. given to the Ringers for ringing at Mr. Griffin
Nicholas his funeral. ................... ijs-
Griffin Nicholas of Roundway, gent., was buried in St, James’s Church. By
his Will dated Oct. 18, 1634, he bequeathed the sum of £50, the interest to be
distributed in clothing to the Poor of the Parishes of SS. John and Mary.
Itm. we have sent to London for to buy the
Boukes pf Martyrs iss 1. lewd itled disk od ijl. xs.
The words ‘“ we have sent to London for to buy” have been carefully erased,
and “ payd for’’ substituted in the original,
1636. 12 Cartes I.
Itm. paid for the Chaynes wherewth the Bookes
of Martyrs are tyed .......... ee Ce js viijd.
pd. to Ambrose Zealy for making the Deskes
for the Bookes of Martyrs and for certayne
other work about the Church ............ iiijs.
pd. to John Hannam for binding of the booke
called the Paraphrase of Erasmus ........ vjs-
pd. for a Chayne and Staple to tye the booke
of the Paraphrase of Erasmus............ viijd.
“Foxe’s Book of Martyrs,” in three volumes, and the ‘“ Paraphrase of
Erasmus on the Gospels,” were provided by the Parish authorities, and laid on
Desks, in the Church, for the convenience of those parishioners who were
inclined to adjourn thither and consult them. Each yolume was fastened to
the desk by means of a strong iron chain and staple, in order to prevent the
possibility of its being taken away.
The ‘ Books of Martyrs” were, in some instances, presented to Churches by
private individuals. A copy which remained, some years since, on a table in
the neighbouring Church of Heddington was inscribed ‘1628. Book of
Martyrs, given by John and Joan Hutchins.” See “ Britton’s Wiltshire” p. 435,
322 The Churches of Devizes.
The following extract from the Injunctions of King Edward VI. 1547, will be
found to contain the authority for the latter work—The Paraphrase of
Erasmus :—
Also—“ That they shall provide within three months next after this Visitation,
one Book of the whole Bible, of the largest volume in English. And within
one twelve months next after the said Visitation, the Paraphrase of Erasmus
also in English upon the Gospels, and the same set up in some convenient place
within the said Church that they have Cure of, whereas their Parishioners may
most commodiously resort unto the same, and read the same.” ‘‘Sparrow’s
Collection” 4to. 1684. p. 4.
1637. 13 CHartes I.
Itm. recd. of Walter Eedes for iron bars wch came
from the west window ........ eit. gales ixs. ixd.
It. recd. more for iron bars of the Fvaidig how ec
of Stert ...... oat Leas Bit vjs) ixd.
It. pd. for charges for setting up ene! sihatia ae
the Tower on the south side of the church... = vj\_—- ij
pd. for viij hundred of brick to amend the
west window at ijs- 11j4. the hundred...... xviijs- viijd.
It. pd. Ambrose Zealy for the tymber and work-
men about making the rails for the Commu-
Nion. Table £15. wStesecrmci ays sigatwndioh asl: « xc
The Visitation articles of this date require that the Communion Table should
be ‘‘enclosed and ranged about with a rail of joiners’ and turners’ work, close
enough to keep out dogs from going in.”1
Before the Reformation, when the Rood-screen was in existence, altar-rails
were not needed; a long linen cloth (as is the case at present abroad) was
simply held up before the communicants.
1638. 14 CHartes I.
Itm. payd to Hugh Cooke for tymber and sawing
to build the Roofe of the Porch .......... xiiijs: iiijd.
payd Richard West for mending of two pin-
nacles on the north side of the Church .... x*
payd Edward Mallard for making of cramps
forthe pinhaelar 2907 YP U eT a eae: ijd.
1 That the canine race had become excessively numerous, and were in the constant habit of in-
truding themselves into the church, on oceasions of public worship, is evident from the fact of an
official, known as a “ Dog-whipper,” having been appointed in many parishes, during the 16th and
17th centuries, for the purpose of excluding them. See ‘* Wilts. Magazine.” Vol. i., p. 89.
with
So ee
pe ee ee ee
By Mr. Edward Kite. 323
1639. 15 CHartzs I.
The following items record the cost of a new frame for the
Bells :-—
Itm. payd William Bush in Earnest for making
peel tenga eget FO. eo ] FU RN js
layd out towards payment for the bell frame viijli.js. vid.
payd for drawing the articles betweene Wil-
liam Bush and the Churchwardens........ js vjt.
1644, 20 CHartezs I.
Itm. payd to the Widow Coles for helping in the
church for making the church clean after
the soldiers were gone ........ aie a |
This entry refers to an occupation of the Town by soldiers, during the Civil
Wars ; but the party to which they belonged can only be determined by a
more precise date as to the month. Possibly it was a Parliamentary force
under Colonel Massey, who was here in May, 1644. Lord Hopton was also
here in July, 1643—from which time, till Sir Charles Lloyd came, in December,
1644, the town was open to both parties.
1645, 21 CHartes I.
Itm. payd for Ringers when the Prince came in.. vijs. ij.
This was the Prince of Wales who passed through the town on his way from
Oxford to Bristol. He was escorted by Sir James Long (the Sheriff’) with his
regiment of Wiltshire gentry ; who on their return were defeated and captured,
near Devizes, by Cromwell and Waller.
Itm. we payd for Ringing at the Governor’s ap-
OUT Gon aio ote A ohn as ca ans Rtn at dak js
This was Sir Charles Lloyd by whom, together with Lord Hopton, the town
and castle (the latter of which had been previously demolished by Massey on
the side of the Parliament) were re-fortified on behalf of the King. The
Churches, as well as private individuals, were alike plundered of their property
on this occasion, in order to furnish the necessary materials for the purpose.
Itm. pd. to Flower when the Army was here for
making clean the church................4. js yja-
Soon after the date of this entry order was again restored during Fairfax’s
residence in the town. In the following year (1646) the castle was dismantled,
and an order issued, by the Commons,! to restore to the Church, and to pri-
vate individuals, goods taken by Sir Charles Lloyd.
1 This order has been already printed at p. 216,
324 The Churches of Devizes.
1678. 29 CHartus II.
An Inventory of the Ornaments, Goods, and Implements, in
the Parish Church of St. Mary, taken in 1678.
‘‘One silver Challice, one silver plate, Two table boards, one pewter flagon,
one pulpit Cloath, one pulpit Cushion, Two Cushions for the Mayor, Two Carpetts,
Nyneteene formes, Two Trunkes, the Booke of Martyres in three vollums, the
Parraphrase of Erasmus, one great Church Bible, Three common prayer bookes,
one old psalme booke, two Joyned stooles, one Timbrell in the Tower, one Biere,
Two Bookes of Accompt, two long ladders, three pieces of Timber lying in the
Tower, and one hearse Cloath.”
1685. 1 James II. & ati
Itm. pd. the painter 25s. for mending and painting
the frame in the chancel, and 5s. for repairing
the old 10 Commandments on the upper Roof 110 0
The ‘‘ upper roof” means, probably, the wall above the Chancel-arch. The
Commandments would scarcely have been painted either on the stone vaulting
of the Chancel, or on the timber roof of the Nave.
1686. 2 James II,
Pd. Richard Powell for mending the chim-
ney at the Church House ................- 3.0
1690. 22 Witiram & Mary.
Pd. for binding the Martyr Bookes......... bk, 0.0
for ringing and expenses when Mr. Town-
son took possession of the Church ........ 10 0
1697. 9 Wit1am & Mary.
Paid for lime and workmanship for cutting the
wo doors in“the Dower. 8 47S oes 16 0
These doors were opened in the south wall of the tower for the purpose of
gaining access to a new gallery, which had just been erected, by means of ihe
staircase turret
Paid for beer when the new gallery was made 12 6
1701. 13 Witrram & Mary,
Paid for straw for thatching, and elming, the
Church House next to the Widow Edwards. 1 1 4
1703. 2 ANNE.
Pd. to Ambrose Zealy, jun., in part towards
the Communion Table Rails and Balisters.. 5 0 0
By Mr. Edward Kite. 325
1704. 3 ANNE.
Pd. for a Terrier of the Church Lands and
sending it to Salisbury.............+.eeee- 3 0
1706. 5 ANNE.
Pd. Ambrose Zealy for the new Gallery...... 25 0 0
Daniel Cutting for ceiling the new Gallery,
45 yards at 10d. the yard................ 1.176
No entries of interest occur after this date.
Tuomas Hatt’s Lerrer.
The following letter, written by Thomas Hall of Devizes, to the
Bishop of Salisbury, apparently temp. Phil. & Mary, will give some
idea of the value of the Plate and Ornaments in St. Mary’s Church
at the Reformation.
‘“Yn most humbell wyse I comend me unto your good lordshepe whose pros-
perus estate God preserve, most humblye besechyng your honore to stand good
lord unto these my neighbors the brynggers hereof, for that they ar myche mys-
used by serten mene of these paryche wyche have byne the churche wardens,
that ys to say, John Smythe, Edward Heaynes, James Travys, John Adlyngton,
_ John Blanford,! and Edward Heleare, these forsayd parsons havynge the cus-
todye and berynge of the paryche church stocke, plate, Jewelse, and other
ornaments, have sowld and other wyse consumed frome the church and paryche
by (unlawful?) meanes, wythe yn tene yeares or thereabowt, all these parsels
folowyng, that ys, one fayr gret crosse wythe Mary and John, by estemasyon
wel worthe thyrte pownds; one peare of candlestyke, by estemasyon worthe
fyfteene pownds; fyve chalyse, worthe twente pownd; two sensers, worthe
twente pownd; one gret pyxe, worthe fyve pownd; to cruats, worthe fortey
shelyngs ; one (oylvate ?) worthe four pownd; one shep wythe a spoone, worthe
fyve pownd; to paxe, worthe fyve pownd; two gret belse owt of the towr, worthe
rent of the sayd church wyche ys by the yeare viij!i; all wyche goods and money
ys not at thys present tyme yn the church stocke above v'i but dothe remayne
yn there hands abovesayd, and thus hath lead the paryche forthe wythe fayr
words promesyng to paye yt at serten days but nothyng ys browght forth, and
nowe of late they have ecrafftelye used syche days of metyng or reconynge when
they ar sure that the welthest and cheffest of the paryche be from home, as they
dyde nowe upon Monday, beyng twelfe market at Salysbury, and dyde knowe
all the chefe of the cheffest of the paryche to be there, made a reconynge among
1 The custody of the Church goods was committed to John Blanford and James Travers in 1552,
(6 Edw. VI.], See Churchwarden’s Accounts, The writer of this letter, Thomas Hall, was one of
the Representatives of the Borough during the whole of the reign of Phil. & Mary, and Edward
Haynes in 1554, [2 of the same reign]. The name of John Smyth occurs in 1546, and John Adlyngton
in 1567.
2 oO
326 The Churches of Devizes.
themselves and so hathe shortened the dett as they thowght mett for there pur-
pose: these thyngs consydered, I humblye beseche your honore to have regard
unto these paresones, for that they be most credabell mene, and these men as
barythe more charges yn the towne to the quene and other nesesarye charges,
one of them, more then all the Companye, before wryten thys mater ys beffore
Master chanselar yn yowr Cowrt, wherefore I humblye desyr you to move Master
chanselar yn yt: the cawse whye I wryte so ernestlye ys that the paryche hath
a good openyon yn me thynkyng that by your good lordshep’s faver towards me
that I may do them some pleshur there yn: thus, beyng over myche bowld
wythe your good lordshep, I comyt you and all yours to the evyerlastyng God.
Amen. From the Devyse thys present Mondaye, beying the xvth of January,
by the hand of your poore humbell Sarvant,
THOMAS HALL.
Endorsed, ‘‘unto the Ryght honorabell and mye Spechyall
good lord of Salysbury delyver thys,” and ina different
hand “* The Church Plate of the Devizes.”
Recrors oF Devizes.
The following Notices of the Rectors of Devizes have been
carefully collected from various sources.
A; a.
1310. October 22. John de Aune, clerk, was presented by the
Lady Margaret [the Queen Dowager, daughter of Philip
K. of France, and 2nd wife of Edward I.] to the Church
of Devises.
1312. August 8. Master Thomas de Yeongeflete was presented
by the same Queen on the resignation of John de Aune.
Among the Tower Records are several notices of this Rector. In 1316 [8
Edw. II.] he petitions the King concerning the Tithe of Hay in the Meadow of
the Park of Devizes, which he and his predecessors have been accustomed to
recelve—and which Meadow is now turned into Pasture, and sold to divers
men of the adjacent country for feeding their Beasts—and which Tithe is
newly subtracted—whereupon he prays a remedy. On receipt of this, the
King issues a Commission (dated March 5,) to John de Foxle, John Bleuit, and
William de Harden, or two of them, to make an enquiry as to whether the late
King [Edward I.], at the time when the Park was in his hands, was accus-
tomed to give Tithes of the Hay, &c. And let the Inquisition be made in the
presence of the Parson, if, being warned, he will to be present—and the Inqui-
sition be returned before the King.
The Inquisition was accordingly made at Devizes on Thursday the morrow
of St. Barnabas the Apostle, before John de Foxle, John Bleuit, and William
de Harden, on the oath of John Grey, John Bowclark, Henry le Hert, Walter
Bochard, John Goscelyn, William Burel, William Codyshe, John Kylle,
Richard le Foghel, John le Pret, Richard Walesale, Richard Sage, Roger le
Foghel, Walter Atte Wyk, William Flore, John Atte Wyk, Nicholas le Luyght,
By Mr. Edward Kite. 327
and John le Reveson, who stated that the late King used to give Tithe of the
Hay of the Meadows, and also the Kings of England from time whereof memory
is not—also that the late King in the tenth year of his reign caused the said
Meadows to be turned into Pasture, by Ralph de Sandwich then Constable of
the Castle of Devizes for the sustentation of the Wild Beasts and Cattle of the
Lord the King, and from that time hitherto no Tithe thereof hath been given
or delivered—also that the Tithe formerly issuing from the Meadows was
worth yearly 22 shillings.
In the Registry at Salisbury is preserved a document relating also to this
Rector. It is entitled ‘‘ Ordinacio dni p. Rectore & Priore de Devyses,” and
was drawn up by Roger de Mortival, Bishop of Salisbury in 1325, for the ad-
justment of a dispute which appears to have arisen between the Rector of the
Church of Devizes, and William le Trapp, Prior of the Hospital of St. John, as
to the Tithes, oblations at Masses, &e. It is dated at Potterne, on the Kalends
of February, and witnessed by R. de Worth, W. de Lolenham, J. de Longhir,
and Wm. de Ayscheton.
1349. 29 May. Stephen West, Deacon; presented by Philippa,
Queen of Edward III.
1361. 3 Sept. John le Botiler, Priest; presented by the same
Queen, on the death of West.
Certain Lands near the New Park [Novus Parcus.] belonging to John
Botiller, Parson of the Church of Devizes, are mentioned in a Deed of 1388.
1391. 22 May. William Stoke, Clerk; presented by Anne,
Queen of Richard IT., on the death of Botiler.
1392. 17 May. Master Thomas Kynewyk, chaplain; by the
same Queen.
1398. 25 Nov. Master John Wyther, chaplain; instituted by
the Bishop of Sarum to the “Church of St. John in
Devises, with the Church of St. Mary in the same town,
to the same Church of St. John annexed,” on the presen-
tation of the King [ Richard IT. ]
1400. 16 Oct. Master Andrew Swyneford, chaplain; presented
by the King [Henry IV.] on the resignation of Wyther.
1402. 30 July. Swyneford exchanged with Master Henry
Netherhayene, Vicar of Bedmynster.
1412. 7 March. Thomas de Tibbay, clerk; presented by Joan,
Queen of Henry IV.
1414. 26 March. Robert de Tibbay, clerk ; presented by the
same Queen on the resignation of Thomas de Tibbay.
1420. ........ John Almote; presented by Humphrey,
Duke of Gloucester.
2u2
328 The Churches of Devizes.
1426. ........ Almote exchanged with William Goldsmyth,
Rector of Esthenreth, in the Diocese of Sarum.
1429. 28 Dec. Goldsmyth exchanged with Gilbert Crede,
Rector of Smerdon, in the Diocese of Canterbury.
1433. 11 April. Master John Wygtym, chaplain; presented
by Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, on the death of
Crede.
1468. 17 April. Henry Boost, M.A.; presented by Elizabeth,
Queen of Edward IV. on the death of Wygtym.
1474. 16 July. John Smyth; presented by the same Queen on
the resignation of Boost.
1475. 8 July. John, Bishop of Rochester; instituted by the
Bishop of Sarum to the “ Parish Church of Devise,” on
the presentation of the above Queen.
{John Alcock was Bishop of Rochester from 1472 to 1476, and John Russel
from 1476 to 1480. ]
1479. 10 Nov. John, Bishop of Tyne,! is admitted, in com-
mendam, in the person of John Giles his Proctor, to the
“ Parish Church of St. John the Baptist of Devyses,” at
the request of the above Queen, on the resignation of
John, Bishop of Rochester.
1480. 28 Jan. Henry Boost, B.D., Provost of the Royal
College of Eton;? presented by the above Queen on the
death of John, Bishop of Tyne.
1502. 1 May. Edmund Chollerton; on the resignation of
Boost.
An annual pension of ten pounds was agreed upon, to be paid to the resigning
Rector, for the term of his life, out of the fruits of the Church.
1526. 31 August. John Crapford, Priest; B.D.; presented by
Catherine [of Arragon] Queen of Henry VIII. on the
death of Chollerton.
1 “Johannes Tinensis Episcopus’—probably one of the suffragan bishops.
These were introduced into England about the year 1325, and were commis-
sioned by such bishops as were infirm, or otherwise engaged, to assist them in
their episcopal offices. ‘‘Gent. Mag.,” 1785, p. 372-3.
2 Fuller, in his ‘‘ Church History,” Vol. i., p. 510, relates that he gave 100
marks, and £20 per annum to the College, and died 7 Feb., 1503.
=o
By Mr. Edward Kite. 329
1533. 14 June. William Dawson,! Priest; presented by Queen
Catherine, on the resignation of Crapford.
At the petition of the resigning Rector an annual pension of 26s. 8d. was
assigned by the Vicar-General to be paid him, at the Baptismal Font in the
' Cathedral Church of St. Paul, London, on the feast of St. Mark the Evangelist,
for the term of his life.
1547. Oliver Boswicke ; presented by Queen Mary on the death
of Dawson.
1566. John Beare; presented by Queen Elizabeth on the resig-
nation of Boswicke.
1570. Patric Blare; presented by the same Queen, on the depri-
vation of Beare.
[Nicholas Stranguidge appears to have been the following
Rector. |
1602. John Davis; presented by the same Queen, on the resig-
nation of Stranguidge.
He was buried in St. John’s Church, July 22, 1644.
1644. 9 Nov. John Prestwick, M.A. is instituted by the Bishop
of Sarum to the “Vicarage of St. Mary the Virgin.”
1648. 3July. John Shepherd, clerk, was instituted to the
“Rectory of St. John, with the Chapel of the Blessed
Virgin Mary thereunto annexed,” void by the death of
the last incumbent.
The signature of ‘‘ John Sheppard,” styling himself ‘‘ Minister” occurs, how-
ever, in 1647, and the following letter written by some of the inhabitants of
Devizes, to a Member of the House of Commons, will serve to show that he was
(although not instituted) acting in that capacity as early as 1646. It is taken
from ‘‘ Edwards’ Gangrena,” part 3, p. 30.
‘Right Worshipful.—May it please you to be certified by us of certain pas-
sages this day at the Church in the time of divine service, that is:—our minister
Master Shepherd being in the pulpit, was commanded by one Captain Pretty,
who is under the command of Colonel Ireton, and who, with his soldiers, are,
to our great burden, quartered with us, to besilentand to come forth of the pulpit;
saying, in threatening terms, that he was unfit to preach, and that he was
yesterday (being Saturday) drunken; which evidently can be proved to the
contrary, the gentleman being to our knowledge a very temperate and religious
divine. This Captain was assisted by one Master Ives, and Master Lambe, who
are, as they say, preachers, and divers soldiers armed, in a most irreverent
manner, to the abominable disturbance of the whole congregation, and, as we
1In the ‘‘ Wiltshire Institutions’—John Skott,—the Proctor, in whose
person Dawson was inducted,
330 The Churches of Devizes.
conceive, to the great abuse and disgrace of the honourable Parliament. By
means whereof our preacher fearing, as was too much cause, what dangerous
effects such indecent and impious demeanours might produce, was enforced to
depart and dares not to come in sight; so that we were destitute of preaching
this day. Whereof we thought good, being thereto, as we believe, bound in
duty and good conscience, to acquaint your worship withall, hoping by your
industrious means, these, our most intolerable grievances, may be taken into
religious consideration, and we thereof eased; which we earnestly beg of you
our approved good friend and countryman may be effected.
These aforesaid abuses can be (if occasion) witnessed by the whole congrega-
tion. From the Devizes, this present Sunday, 6th of September, 1646.”
1652. 29 Apmil. Henry Johnson,! A.M.; presented on the death
of John Shepherd.
In Trinity Term, i4 Chas. II., [1674], an action of Debt was commenced in
the Court of King’s Bench by this Rector, [through John Horton his Attorney],
against William Powell, an owner and occupier of 30 acres of Land and 29 acres of
Meadow, in the Old Park, to recover the sum of £180, being the treble value of
the Tithes subtracted according to the Statute. On Trial, however, by a Special
Jury at the Assizes in Wilts, a Verdict appears to have been returned in
favour of the Defendant.
He died in 1681, and was buried in the Church of St. Mary, where a Monu-
ment of black marble was erected to his memory. This remained affixed to the
wall of the Chancel until 1854, when, notwithstanding its inscription ‘‘ Post
tantos labores, §c.”’ it was, during some alterations, removed from thence, and
substituted for a paving stone in the floor of the nave. As the inscription
threatens, at no distant period, to be wholly obliterated, it has been carefully
copied, and will be found printed at length in a former Paper, p. 248.
1655. In “ Dring’s Catalogue of the Lords, Knights, and Gen-
tlemen that have compounded for their estates” published
at this date, occurs the name of “ Robert Bing, D.D., of
Allcannings, sometime Rector of Devizes.”
The date of his death 1658, is recorded by a rude inscription on one of the
walls of St. John’s Church, where he was buried.
1681. 24 Nov. James Dyer, clerk ; presented by the king
[Charles II.], on the death of Johnson.
1Jn an inquisition taken 1655—it is reported that there is one Vicarage
with cure of Souls—number of families in both Parishes, 485—Vicarage worth
£9 10s. 4d. per annum; the rest dependeth on good will of Inhabitants. Mr.
Henry Johnson, Incumbent, a diligent preacher once a Lordsday at each Church,
invested 29 April, 1652. Two augmentations were granted in 1646 of £50 per
annum to each Church—£30 of which presently fell away, and was never paid,
—£70 per annum paid for some time, but soon after £30 (sic) more fell away,
but £50 (sic) was still paid till about 18 months back by Richd. Phelps of New
Sarum, but now detained for what reason we know not.
)
}
ee
we Ae ie, reg
+ SE oat Su ge
otek po Seibert rk =
By Mr. Edward Kite. 331
He died August 15, 1690, and was buried in the Church of St. John, where
a flat stone with an inscription [in Latin] to his memory is still to be seen.
1690. Robert Townsend, A.M. was the next Rector, although
| his institution does not occur.
He was buried in St. Mary’s Church, October 4, 1721.
1721. 14 Oct. John Shergold, clerk, M.A.; presented by the
King, [George I.], on the death of Townsend.
1738. 8 Nov. William Wells, clerk, M.A.; presented by the
King, [George II.], on the resignation of Shergold.
1774. 3 March. Edward Innes, clerk, M.A.; presented by the
King, [ George III.], on the death of Wells.
He was also Rector of Stockton co. Wilts, and Prebendary of Netherayvon.
He died Noy. 17, 1788, and was buried in St. John’s Church, where is a small
marble Tablet to his memory.
1789. 8 January. James Lediard; presented by the same King
on the death of Edward Innes.
He died in 1833 and was buried in St. John’s Church, without any memorial.
1833. 5 May. Edward James Phipps, M.A.; presented by the
Lord Chancellor, on the death of James Lediard.
In 1853 he was presented, by the same Patron, to the Rectory of Stansfield,
co. Suffolk.
1853. 19 August. Peter Almeric Leheup Wood, M.A.; pre-
sented by the Lord Chancellor, on the resignation of
Edward James Phipps.
Cuantry CHApPLaAINs, &c.
1327. Thomas Recke.
1404. Master John, Chaplain of the Parish Church of St. Mary.
Thomas Newman.
Richard Zely.
Thomas Michell.
Richard Friend, afterwards Prior of the Hospital of St.
John the Baptist, Devizes. He died c. 1468.
1451. Thomas Smyth.
1461. Thomas Browyn.
; 1468. Roger Stephenes.
: Thomas Saunders.
332 The Churches of Devizes.
1479. John Huet.
1526. Philip Tyler.
John Typper.
1548. Thomas Hancock, incumbent of John Cardmaker’s
Chantry, in St. John’s Church.
ADDENDA.
GartH Famity, p. 248.—The Garths were of Co. Pal. Durham, and settled
chiefly at Headlam and Gainford. The annexed Pedigree, showing the con-
nexion of one branch of the family with Devizes, has been kindly furnished by
the Rev. J. Ward, Rector of Wath, Yorkshire,
Azmus.—William Garth of Headlam was in the List of ‘‘ Disclaimers” at the
Heralds’ Visitation of Durham in 1615; but his grandson of the same name and
place, had the arms at the head of the Pedigree allowed in 1666. Itis probable
that they had been used by the family at least two centuries before the latter
period, for the Garths who were settled at Morden in Surrey in the year 1500,
but whose exact connexion with the family at Headlam is not ascertained, have
always borne the same arms. Thedy Crest is an Indian Goat argent, attired,
eared, collared, and lined, or.
Haynes, or Haines Hill, the seat of the present representative of the Garth
family, is in the parish of Hurst, Berks, in which is the liberty of Broad Hinton,
a curiously insulated part of Wiltshire. It was, according to Lysons, the seat
of Sir Thomas Windebank, Clerk of the Signet, and the birth place of his son,
Sir Francis, Secretary of State to Charles the First. At a later date it was the
property of the Colleton family, from whom it appears to have descended to
Charles Garth, Esq., who took the surname of Colleton, and was uncle to the
present owner.
CoventRY Famity, p. 253.—The following additional notices, relating appa-
rently to this family, have been kindly furnished by Mr. James Waylen :—
“‘ John Coventry of Wilts receives [8 Hen. VI.] letters patent for the repay-
ment to him, and others associated with him, of a loan of £10 which they had
advanced to the late King, Henry V.”—Parliamentary Rolls.
“3 Hen. V. John Coventry receives value for old coin sent, by him and
others, to be re-minted at the Tower, to the amount of £585 18s. 4d.” —Tbid.
[Supposed to be the same person, because associated with other apparently
Wiltshire names, such as John Alleyn, Alleyn Forman, Thomas Burbage, &e.]
Gosetr’s Dore.—This bequest, together with a similar one of Sir Thomas
Newman and Robert Paynter, has been already noticed at p. 252-3. The fol-
lowing items, selected from the Churchwardens’ accounts, will serve to show
the manner in which they were formerly complied with :—
1499. “Tteinpds for Gobbatb ole i... 06} n:0) 0) jo0 0/2 adie Geer xvijs- iiijd-
pd. for ye. dole of Sir Thos. Newman & Robt Painter yjs- iiija-
1550. pd. for bread for Gobett’s dole and carrying...... xxs- ij
1573. pd. for xx dozenvof bread... .... as axe -cnpane XS.
Entries similar to these occur annually during the 15th, 16th, 17th, and part
of the 18th centuries.
tore =
a Petpet
ee Se
weiner nn
y
ey
ee hk SL See es eee
Tourt Roll at Gainford.
Manr. at Denton, 2nd Dec., 1584.
m.), . . Spencer.
m. George Wickliffe, 28th Aug., 1583.
West Auckland, Co. Dur. Esq.,
o, of Hunwick, Esq., bur. 28th
ee ee
Joun, of Headlam-pinford, Witt14M, m. Margaret Hall, 1638.
bp. 27th Jan., 1593, || of her Janz, m. William Bankes, 1607.
bur. 30th Sep. 1664.
Their descendantg_____
Headlam for c:
te at Joun Garr, bapt. 28th Dec., 1634,
632. bur. at Gainford, 27th Nov., 1702.
Siz Samurn Garra, Kn) _pyzapern, dau. of ANNE GARTH, m.
B.A., 1679; M.A., 1684, | Thomas Colleton, Robert Cowling,
brated author of “ The i of Barbadoes, Esq. of Richmond, Co.
ordinary to Geo. I. Kni Ebor., 1703.
ob. 18th Jan. 1718—
Middlesex.
_—
James GARTH, Joon Ga
living 1720, Bond Str¢
ob, coel, 17th Ap
1740—1
Dec., 176
Canes Gantu, of een ah m, 16th hae ae GartH
and of Queen Sq, Holborny Rey, John Gantn died died in London
Esq., Recorder of Devizesstor of All- cl. after 6th _Mar., 1768,
and M.P. for that Borough, ; he died 1529. aged 24, bur. at
_1765—80. Com. of Excis@ye in 1814. Devizes.
1780; ob. at Walthamstow,
9th Mar., 1754.
James GARTH,
of Mitcham,Co, Hill) the Coronation of George IV., died un-
Surrey. 177% Baker Street, Portman Square, London,
Coll} 830.
oo i ——_—_—
PEDIGREE OF GARTH.-
——_¢q____
Ganru of Co. Pal. Durham, bore Or, two lions passant in pale bet
eee antelope, ereuibtacilan aa cies jae three cross crosslets fitchée, sable.
over the back, or.
Tuomas Garro, and Rosert Garry, were Freeholders at Headlam, in 1507, 23, Henry VIL, as appears by the first extant Court Roll at G
ol at Gainford,
+ + . Ganrue,of Headlam—Enizapetue. . . made her
will 3rd Nov., 1562, as widow.
nf a
Manoanert, bur. 10th April, 1587; Ricnarp Gants, of Headlam, bur.—Aengs, dau. of Mr. Richard Buck, of
4 = A 5 Antnony, bur, ;
m. Cuthbert Burrel, of Gainford. 15th April, 1587. Sadberge, bur. at Gainford, 1586. aeaae, at 3 : pages Deo., LO84,
Karnantne, m. George Wickliffe, 28th Aug, 1585,
WILLIAM Ganrn, of Headlam, m. at Gainford,—Marcanet, 2nd dau. of Robert Eden,
16th June, 1588, bur. 13th Feb., 1627. by Jane, dau. and coh.
May, 1626.
of West Auckland, Co, Dur. Esq,
of John Hutton, of Hunwick, Esq. bur. 28th
le |
Jous, of Headlam =Exizapera, dau. ANTHONY, Roger Gantu, of Bolam, bap. 12th Oct., 1606, Ann, daughter of . . . Ovington, m. at Gainford, WILLIAM, m. Margaret Hall, 1038,
bp. 27th Jan., 1593, | of William Bate, Ricwanpb. 11th November, 1628, had administration of her Janz, m, William Bankes, 1607,
bur, 30th Sep. 1664. | of Easby. CHakcEs. husband's effects 20th August, 1636.
Their descendants continued at
Headlam for several generations. : |
Wit11aM GartH, bap. at Heighington, 18th Oct.,—Manry, dau. of . . . Dd Ricuanpd Ganru, bapt. at Joun Gant, bapt. 28th Deo, LUN,
1629, bur. at Gainford, 26th Feb. 1703—4, bur. at Gainford, 29th Dec., 1665. Gainford, 18th Nov., 1632. bur, at Gainford, 27th Nov., 1702,
Sin Samugs Ganra, Knt., of Peter House, Camb.,—Marraa, dau. of Sir Henry Witri1am Garru,—Many, dau. of Tuomas Ganru, of Harold, Co.—Euizanern, dau, of Anni Gawen, m,
B.A, 1679; M.A, 1684; M.D., 1691. The cele- | Beaufoy, of Eimscote, Co. of Bolam, bur.at} ... ... Bedford, bapt. at Gainford, 20th | Thomas Colleton, Robert Cowling,
brated author of “ The Dispensary.” Physician in | War., by Charlotte Lane, Gainford, 5th Dec. Sept., 1664, A Colonel in the | of Barbadoes, Esq. of Richmond, Co,
ordinary to Geo. I. Knighted 10th October, 1714; | dau, of George Viscount 1730. Army 1703. Will proved 1730. Bbor, 1708.
ob. LSth Jan. 1718—19, bur. at Harrow, Co. | Lanesborough, bur. at Har- Bowes Gantu,
Middlesex, row, in May 1717. only son.
ZN
|
Jawes Gantn, Jonn Gantn, of Devizes, Co. Wilts, and of New=Repucca, dau. and coh. EizaBeTH GARTH, m. Samugt Ganrn, M.P.,
living 1720, Bond Street, London. Chosen Recorder of Devizes | of John Brompton, of Ist. . . . Eiyelyn, for Devizes, from 1757
ob, ceel, With April, 17382, and M.P. for that Borough | Whitton. Co. Sussex, 2nd... . Boone. to 1761.
1740—1 to 1757; again 1761 to 1764, Ob. 26th | Esq, died 9th Feb.,
Dec., 1764, wt 63, bur. at Devizes. | 1785, bur. at Devizes.
en eS Oe
- 1 | , ou
Cnances Gana, of Devizes,—Fanny, dau. of John alee Garra, a General alee Gantu, of 82, Grosvenor Place, Co. Middle- Resecea Ganri, m. re pee Hr seer es
aud of Queen Sq, Holborn, | Cooper, of Cumber- in the Army, appointed sex, and of Piddletown, Co. Dorset, a General in the Feb., 1771, the Rey. Jo - a TIS 6th Mar., 1768,
Esq., Recorder of Devizes, | well, near Bradford, Major-General of Ist Foot Army; Lieut.-Colonel of 2nd Dragoon Guards, Fullerton, Rector of tA E20 aged 24, bur. at
Tags LD. for that Borough, | Co. Wilts, m. 24th Guards, 20th Oct. 1782; 8th Oct., 1790; Colonel of 1st Royal Dragoons; —_cannings, 1770; he die ( Tavisen,
7H5—80,
iW Com. of Excise | Noy., 1764, 0b.1792. Colonel of 17th Foot, and Equerry to George IIL; ob. 18th Nov. 1820, aged in 1800, and she in 1614.
1780; ob. at Walthamstow, Lieut.-Goy. of Placentia; 85. See “ Gentleman's Magazine" for Jan. 1530,
th Mar,, 1784. ob. 1819. p. 85.
pa eee
| | | | H King's Herb
: : E ‘ r ee Gantu walked as maid to the f
James Ganra, Cuartes Garru, of Haines Tuomas Garru, of Haines Hill,—Cuanzorre, eldest dan. of Lieut. SELINA. hes at the Coronation of George 1V., died un-
Simtham,Co, Hill, Co, Wilts, b. 17th Aug, Co. Wilts, Captain R.N. 1808, ob. | Gen, Frederick Maitland 9th son Exizanetu. wont 0 OO) Ob poeenan, Square, London,
Surrey: 1778, took the surname of i 3 Lauder- Hannterr.
; at Leamington, 10th Noy. 141. | of Charles, 6th Earl of Lauder 1830.
Colleton after Garth, 18th See “ Gentleman's Magazine,” | dale, mar. 18th April, 1820. ob. young. 7th Jan.,
April, 1805, Vol. 17 N.S., p. 99.
Tuomas CotteTon Ganra, of
Haines Hill.
333
[CONTINUATION OF PAPER ON CHURCH BELLS. |
Bella of the County of Wilts,
WITH THEIR INSCRIPTIONS.
By the Rev. W. C. Luxts.
Deanery of Chalke (Continued) :—
{Parishes omitted in the List given in No. 5, pp. 209-211.
Berwick St. Leonard, 2.
1. No inscription.
2. Wm. Cockey, Bellfounder, 1725.
~— Chicklade, 1.
‘ One small bell out of reach.
Chilmark, 4.
i 1. Se AVE GRA : AI. (Sic for GRACIA.)
2, Je AVE GRACIA PLENA.
8. Anno Doni 1613. R&P: IF: IG: W.
4, Ring out the bells in God rejoyce. I. W. 1616.
Fonthill Bishop, 2.
1st broken. [There being no ladder at hand I could not see them. }
Hindon, 6.
. 1. Peace and good neighbourhood. A & R. 1754.
2. When you us ring
we sweetly sing. ABR. 1754.
3. Prosperity to this Town. A &R. 1754.
4, Abel Rudhall cast us all. 1754.
5. Thomas Feild, Genta. Bailiff. A @R. 1754.
6. Five bells cast into six with additional metal at the expense of
- William Beckford and Bisse Richard, Esq. A&R. 1754.
Pes
334 Bells of the County of Wiits.
Deanery of Wilton.
Downton, 5.
1, Samuel Knight of Reading made me, 1693.
2. § O SANCTE ITHOANNES. R.
3. Praise ye the Lord. I. W. 1604.
4, Sound out the Bells, in God rejoice. IW. 1604.
5. Jonathan Coles, John Bampton, Gent., Churchwardens for this yere.
WT. & WS. Clement Tosier cast me in the 12 yer of Queen Annes
Rain.
Nunton, 3.
1. No inscription.
2. Clemant Tosiear cast mee in the yeare 1701. Francklyn Newham,
Georg Welsteed, Churchwardens.
3. pI Be meck and loly to heare the word of God. 1641. W & P.
AS PS Wi:
Fugglestone, 3.
1. No inscription.
2. Praise God. 1628. ID.
3. Love God. 1628. ID.
Bemerton, 1.
KMABCDEFG.
Deanery of Wylie.
Bishopstrow, 1. (Out of reach.)
Brixton Deverill, 1.
> AVE GRACIA.
Chittern All Saints, 3.
1. Wm. Cockey, Bellfounder, 1739.
2. Mr. Chrs. Slade & Jos. Hayward. W &C. 1739."
3. yf AVE GRACIA PLENA.+
Chittern St. Mary, 3.
1. § IHON : BAR: BVR: ME: MADE.
2. Mr. Wm. Tinker & Mr. Jno. Compton, Ch. Wardens. Jas. Burrough,
Bellfounder, fecit 1754.
* Broken. + Broken.
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 335
3. Mr. Wm. Tinker & Mr. Jno. Compton, Ch. Wardens. Jas. Burrough,
Bellfounder in Devizes, fecit 1754.
Longbridge Deverill, 5.
1. Richard Rickwood & Andrew Pearce, Churchwardens. James Wells,
Aldbourne, Wilts, fecit 1814.
2. fe Anno Domini 1614. R.P.: ET.
3. Daniel Hinton & Stephen Sturgis, Ch.-wardens, 1763. & *
4. William Dunford, John Laurence. E: BC : W.I & L: 1675.
5. Peace and prosperity to this Parish, Wm. Cockey, 1739.+
Monckton Deverill, 2.
1. No inscription.
2. Benjamen Betch, John Batt. R & P. 1703.
Heytesbury, 6.
1. Wm. Cockey, Bellfounder, 1739.
2. Richard Markes, Edward Brice, C. W : IL : 1668.
3. Mr. Wm. Childs and Mr. Richd Young, Ch. wardens. Jas. Burrough
in Devizes, Bellfounder, fecit 1753.
4, Wf] Anno Domini, 1616. R & P.
5. Thomas Mears, Founder, London, 1843.
6. ge INTONAT E CELIS VOX CAMPANE MICHAELIS.}
Knook, 1. (Out of reach).
Fill Deverill, 1. (No inscription.)
Horningsham, 6.
1. The gift of the Rt. Honble. Thomas, Lord Viscount Weymouth, 1743.
2. Mr. Edmd. Moody & Mr. Job Guy, Chwds. 1743. W & C.
3. Wm. Cockey, Bellfounder, 1743.
4, C. & G. Mears, founders, London, 1848.
5. Wm. Cockey cast mee, 1743, God preserve the Church.
6. Wm. Cockey, Bellfounder, 1743. Mr. Edmd. Moody & Mr. Job Guy,
C wds.
Esa
© Cast in Bristol 1763. The bell-founder’s Dill...........c:.ccccscccssssecseesessseeerececseseraseese 1213 6
Carrying ye old bell to Bristol, and bringing the new bell back 2 2 0
+ 1739. Spent when at Froome to see ye new Dell ........cccscecseeeeeeeees 010
pd. Mr. Wm. Cockey as will appear by his bill .................. 21 4 2
Ch. Wardens’ Accounts,
+ This fine bell bears two Coats of Arms—one of the family of Knollys, the other from imperfect
casting is difficult to decypher—perhaps it is that of Fowells.
2x2
336 Bells of the County of Wiits.
Kingston Deverill, 6.
1. 3. Wm. Cockey, Bellfounder. 1731.
2. God preserve the Church, 1731. W & C. ’
4, Mr. Robert Hurle, Mr. Robert Ryall, C. W. 1731. W & C.
5. Peace & good neighbourhood to this Parish. 1731. W & C-
6. The Reverend Mr. Benjamin Coker, A.M. Rector. Mr. Robert Hurle &
Mr. Robert Ryall, Ch. W. 1731. W & C.
Maddington, 3.
1, §{« GABRIEL.
2. Llive in hope. IW. 16587.
3. Henry Miles, Gilbert Hopkins, Churchwardens. 1699. W. C.
Maiden Bradley, 5.
1. Give Almes. 1614. IW.
JAD. 1656. 1B. LL:
3.1619. R & P. (Prince of Wales coat of arms C.P on shield).
4. AD. 1619. RSP.
5. Fear God, love thy nabor. 1613. IW.
Norton Bavant, 4.
1. George Knight, Walter Cheambers, 1656. W & P &N & B.*
2. § SANCTE : TOME: ORA : PRO : NOBIS.
3. Thomas Woodward, George Knight. 1711. E & L.
4. George Knight, Walter Cheambers. W & P & N & B. 1656.
Orcheston St. George, 2.
1. Praise the Lord. IW. 1615,
2. He AVE : GRACIA.
Orcheston St. Mary, 3.
1. He SANCTA LVCE.
2. % MARIA.
3. William Bartlett, Churchwarden. C. T. cast me, 1715.
Pertwood, 1.
(Small, with no inscription).
Rowleston, 1.
(Small bell out of reach),
Shrewton, 5.
1. Robard Gennings, Nathaniel Coster, Churchwardens. Clement Tosier
cast me, 1717.
* Broken.
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 307
2. Save me O Lord. IW. 1619.
3. Call uppon God. IW. 1619.
4. Prosperity to this Parishh A @ R. 1757.
5. Ring the belle. IW. 1619.
Stockton, 4.
1, 2. Anno Domini. 1660. I @ L.
3. M. Marten Tannir, Cristover Ellmes, CW. I & L. 1685.*
4. je AVE GRACIA PLEN.
Sutton Veney, 6.
1,2,.W ae’. 1696.
3. Noah Wilkins & John Best, Co. W. W. & C. 1741.
4. Mr. R. Baily, Rect. IEF LONG REXTENG. C. W. 1695.
5. Saml. & Stephn. Long, Churchwardens. Robert & Jas. Wells, Ald-
bourne, fecit 1793.
6. Mr. Stephen Long & Mr. John Rendall, Ch. Was. Wm. Cockey cast
me, 1723.
Tilshead, 3.
1, 2. T. Bilbie, fecit 1764.
3. Mr. Samuel Atwood & Mr. William Alsop Laws, Churchwardens. T.
Bilbie. 1764.
Upton Lovell, 3.+
1, *§% Halalugeva Anno Domini. 1619. R @ P.
2. John Crowch, Rector, John Dyer & Charles Gamblin, Ch. Wardens,
1780. William Bilbie of Chewstoke, Somerset, fecit.
3. Lester & Pack of London, fecit 1759.
Warminster, 6.
1. Messrs. Armstrong & Townsend, Ch. Wardens. James Wells, Ald-
bourne, fecit 1805.
2. Mr. Wm. Wilton & Mr. Thomas Ludlow, Ch- Wardens, 1739. W & C.
3. oe EGIDIVS : GRATIS : MELOS : DO : SVAVITATIS.
4. Mr. Henry Ferris, Churchwarden, 1765, TT. Rudhall, Founder.
5, 3 MISSI : DE : CELIS : HABIO : NOMEN : GABRIELIS,
* 1684. For taking down the bell and loading it..................cc: cece vjd.
For casting the bell weighing 6 ewt. 541bs. at £1 2s, 6d. the Cwt. vijli. vs.
Pd, to John Lett in full (abated for 14 lb, of metal 14s.) ............ vjli. xjs.
Ch. Wardens’ Accounts (now lost).
+ Fourth bell sold to defray expenses of repairs.
338 Bells of the County of Wiits.
6. I to the Church the living call,
And to the grave do summon all,
Cast at Gloster by Abel Rudhall, 1737.
Chapel of St. Lawrence, Warminster, 1, & 2 chimes.
b= Anno Domini. 1657. I & L.
Chimes. T. Rudhall, founder, 1764.
Westbury, 6.
1. John Wates, John Blatch, C.W. 1671.
2. George Turner, Esq. & Mr. Philip Withers, Churchwardens. W &C.
1738.
3. Anno Dom. 1650. R & P.
4, Thomas Mears of London, Founder. 1836.
5. Drawe neare to God. Anno Dom: 1616. Royal Arms on side.
6. Mr. George Turner. Mr. Samuel Gibbs, Churchwardens, 1714. Abr.
Rudhall, Bellfounder. Hee fit sanctorum campana laude bonorum.
The Inscriptions on the bells of the following churches are
required to complete the list of this deanery. :
Berwick St. James, Mere.
Boyton. Sherrington.
Bratton. Stapleford.
Codford St. Mary. Stourton.
Codford St. Peter. Upton Scudamore.
Corsley. Winterbourne Stoke.
Fisherton Delamere. Wishford, Great.
Langford, Great. Wyly.
Langford, Little.
Archdeaconry of Wilts.
Deanery of Avebury.
Echilhampton, 2. (Out of reach.)
Avebury, 5.
1&2. Anno Domini, 1619.
8. John Burchell, John Trusler, Churchwardens. William Purdue cast
mee 1650.
4. Anno Domini, 1620.
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 339
, 5. John Rose, James Pope, Churchwardens. Richard Phelps,* London.
Nat: Par: Hujus fecit 1719. The Reverend Mr. John Mayo, Vicar.
Winterbourne Monkton, 3.
. 1, Seke the Lord. IW. 1617. LH: S. P.
2. Anno Domini, 1641. I @ L.
3. Thomas Purnell and Ambrose Spenser, Churchwardens, 1663.
Berwick Basset, 3.
1, This bell was cast in the year 1694. R.G.
2. Hope well. I. W. 1605.
3. John Blakeman and William Etall, Churchwardens. W.R:R.T. 1663,
Blackland, 1.
. 2 1. 1671.
Bremhill, 6.
1, 1685.
2. Wm. Butler & Jas. Bewley, Ch- wardens. Jas Wells, Aldbourne,
Wilts, fecit 1826.
3. 1687.
4, Joseph Thrush & Robert Horton, Churchwardens. R. Wells, Aldbourn,
fecit 1770.
5. May the Church of England ever flourish, A & R. 1786.
6. I to the Church the living call,
And to the grave do summonall. A. & R. 1736.
Highway, 2.
Small bells without inscriptions.
Bromham, 6.
1. 3. John Scott, Churchwarden, 1658. &W.&P. &
2. God bless Queen Anne. Willm. & Rob.: Cor. 1706.
4, Benjamin Pearce & Mr, John Simkins, Churchwardens. 1761. T.B.F.
5. Fardinando Hughes. John Scott. T.S. Anno Domini 1658, & W.
ap.a
6. Richard Tucker & Mr. John Gaby, Churchwardens. Jas. Burrough,
Founder, 1748.
_ I sound to bid the sick repent,
In hope of life when breath is spent. Memento Mori.
* Richard Phelps, a native of Avebury, cast the great bell of St. Paul’s Cathedral. He it was
who melted down the 3 bells of King’s Coll: Cambr: the heaviest of which weighed 57 ewt.
Tradition says that they were taken from a Church in France by Henry V., after the battle of
Agincourt; also that they had been presented to the College by Pope Calix III.
340 Bells of the County of Wiits.
Calne, 8.
1. The gift of Henry Chivers, Esq. 1707.
2. J. Rudhall, fect. C. Alsup, Churchwarden, 1796.
3. Robart Forman collected the monye for castinge this bell,
Of well disposed people as I doe you tell.
Stephen Bayly and Thos. Rogers, C. W. 1658.
4. Mr. Wm. Oriel & Mr. Robert Baily, Ch. wardens. James Burrough,
in Devizes, Founder, 1751.
5. Peace & good neighbourhood. Abra. Rudhall, Bellfounder, 1707.
6. Recast at the charge of the Rev. John Guthrie, A.M., Vicar 1848.
John Nelson Ladd & John Spackman, Churchwardens.*
I call the living, mourn the dead,
I tell when days and years are fled ;
For grief and joy, for prayer and praise,
To heaven my tuneful voice I raise. I. G.
J. & T. Mears, Founders, London.
7. Ralph Heale & Ralph Heath, Churchwardens. Robert Wells, Ald-
bourn, Wilts, fecit 1786.
8. The heart resolves, the hand obeys,
To sound our mighty maker’s praise. +
The Rey. Thos. Greenwood, Vicar. Chrisr. Allsup & Thos. Vincent,
Churchwardens. Robert Wells, Aldbourn, fecit 1783.
Priest's Bell.—‘‘O0 : SANCTE : ANDREA.”
Cherhill, 3.
1. 5 Anno Domini 1619.
2. je SANCTA MARIA ORA PRO NOBIS.
3. § Anno Domini 1641, I. & L.
Calstone, 1.
Give God the glory. 1603.
Cannings Bishops, 8.
1, Prayse God. I. W. 1602.
2. Hope Well. I. W. 1607.
* On former bell :—‘‘ William Jeffereys & Edward Raynolds, Churchwardens, 1707. A a nt A
+ Chalked on the bell :—
“God made Wells and Wells made me
In Seventeen hundred and eighty three.”
+ There is a tradition that once a good ring of bells existed here, and that the Cannings’ people
came and stole them. No frame work exists in the Tower for many bells.
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 341
. Feare God. I. W. 1602.
. Thomas Mears, Founder, London, 1840.
. George Ferebe, Vicar. I.W. 1602.
. Thomas Sloper, Church W. I.W. 1602.
. Thomas Mears, Founder, London, 1840.
Gaudemus gaudentibus
TD or wo
Dolemus dolentibus.
8. § Feare God; honour the Kinge. Thomas Ferebe, 1626.
Priest's bell. ‘‘ James Burrough, Devizes fecit, 1738. ar } Church-
wardens.”
Cliffe Pypard, 6.
i. This bell was paid for by a Subscription in the year 1825. The
Reverend Edward Goddard, Rector. James Wells, Aldbourn, fecit.
2. Hy. Hitchcock & Jacob Smith, Churchwardens. Jas. Wells, Ald-
bourne, fecit 1823.
3. Harry Hitcheock & Jacob Smith, Churchwardens. James Wells, Ald-
bourn, Wilts, fecit 1825.
4, John Hopkins & Roger Spackman, Churchwardens. A & R. 1735.
5. Anno Domini 1623. R & P.
6. Prayse the Lord. I.W. 1604.
Small Bell on Tower roof.
“*R. Wells, Aldbourn, fecit, 1789.”
Compton Basset, 5.
1, 2, 3. Anno Domini. 1621.
4. ™ SIT: NOMEN : DOMINI: BENEDICTVM.
On side, 2 shields, each bearing ‘‘ Chevron between 3 Cross Crosslets fitchee.”’*
5. Prayse the Lord. I.W. 1603.
Heddington, 5.
1. Feare God. I.W. 1618.
2. Prosperity to the Church of England. A&R. 1741.
3. Peace and good neighbourhood. A @R. 1741.
4. Love God. I.W. 1605.
5. I to the Church the living call,
And to the grave dosummon all. 1741.
Hilmarton, 5.
1. I am the first although but small,
Yet will be heard above you all. .
* This shield occurs on the 7th and 8th Bells of Oxford Cathedral.
2Y¥
342 Bells of the County of Wiits.
William Purdue. T.P. Edward Hopkins ....a...m.* C.W. 1662.
2. Anno Domini 1631.
3. 9K IN: THE: NAME: OF : THE: HOLY : TRINITY.
LAVRNS: BEL: CAL: ME.+
4. John Hopkins & Robt. Seager, Churchwardens. A&R. 1735.
5. Abel Rudhall, April, 1738, cast all.
Broad Hinton, 6.
1. Glory to God. »Y% In memory of Uliana Margaret Tufnell. A. Th. C.
Mears, fecerunt 1849.
2. 3. A. Th. C. Mears, Londini, fecerunt 1849. Thomas Rodbourn,
Thomas Gale, Churchwardens.t{
4, Mister Richard Midwinter, Mister Robert Alcocke, William Purdew,
1664.
5. William Glanville, Esquire, and Mistress Frances his wife, William
Purdew and Roger Purdew cast mee, 1664.
6. Come when I call,
To sarve God all. William Purdew. R.P. 1664. Mister Thomas
Alcocke, Minister, and Sarah his wife.
East Kennet, 1.
Mrs. Ann Tucker,§ 1704. W.& R. Cor.
Overton. 3.
1. of SANCTA : MARGA||: ORA. hi.
2. Thomas Hall, George Browne, Churchwardens. 1683. & RP6g
3. Prayse God. I.W. 1606.
Fryfield, 2.
1. ye SANCTE: GORGI: ORA: PRO: NOBIS. tl.
2. He Anno Domini, 1629. RD: ND.
Rowde, 5.
1. Wm. & Rob. Cor. 1706.
2. y Anno Domini. 1639.
3. Nathaniel Bolter made mee, 1654. RE: HR.**
* Worn and illegible letters.
+ Said to have been given by Cardinal Wolsey.
+ The former 2d bell had “‘R. Wells, fecit, 1772.”
and3d_ ,, *‘Jon. Hughes and Thomas Ody, Churchwardens. A a R. 1737.
¢ Tucker or Tooker.
|| For MARGARETA.
{| The Dymore family lived in the Parish formerly.
** On side of bell is a large shield bearing coat of Sir Edwd. Hungerford, who died in 1648.
This bell was probably the gift of his widow, Margaret, Lady Hungerford, who died 1672.
By the Rev. W. ©. Lukis. 343
4. sf Anno Domini. 1639.
5. I to the Church the living call,
And to the grave do summon all. AMR. 1754.
Winterbourne Basset, 3.
IW. io6t. -
2. 0,20: R.W. 1581.*
3. Feare the Lorde. I.W. 1609.
Woodborough, 1.+
T. & G. Mears, Londini, fecerunt 1849.
Wootton Basset, 5.
1.3.4. Anno Domini, 1633.
2. John Hollister, William Pinnocke, Churchwardens. 1662. W. &P.
5. Com when I call.
To serve Godall. 1633. I. H: 1.8.
Yatesbury, 4.
1. Ano Dni. 1636. W. F.
2. (No inscription.)
3. Ano. dni. 1636.
4, I, Washbourne, T. Ranger, R. Walter, Churchwardens. R. Wells,
Aldbourne, fecit 1773.
Inscriptions required to complete the list from :—
All Cannings. Newington North.
Alton Barnes. Alton Priors.
Bechingstoke. Stanton Bernard.
Foxham. Tockenham.
Lyneham.
Deanery of Marlborough.
Aldbourne, 8.
1. The gift of Jos. Pizzie & Wm. Gwynn.
Music & ringing we like so well,
And for that reason we gave this bell.
Robt. Wells of Aldbourn, fecit 1787.
* Broken.
+ Formerly 2 bells—one was re-cast in 1849: the other was lost at the Aldbourne foundry.
Band
+ 1773. Feb. 23, Pd. for caring the ould Bell & bringing Back the new & expenses 110 0
TARE 5 Tae Ce aes WR TOE BR: NOW BOLL Yaa sasporinsvasanasksKiaiseriesvaccvarexecerevsiet 84. 8 0
Ch. Wardens’ Accounts.”
Or we
344 Bells of the County of Wilts.
2. The gift of Robt. Wells, Bellfounder, 1787.
3 Ex generosorum donis a Gulielmo Jackson Vicario collectis et arte
Gulielmi et Roberti Corr hie sono. 1709.
4, Humphry Symsin gave xx pound to bi this bell.
And ye Parish gave xx more to make this ring gooe well.
Hook A617. “TC "GA.
5, Richard Scory and Edward Frances. C. W.
» William Jackson, Vicar. W.R. Cor. 1703.
6. fe STELLA : MARIA : MARIS : SVCCVRRE : PIISSIMA : NOBIS.
On a shield, a bell between the letters V or T B.*
7. Anno Domini. 1636.
8. ge INTONAT : DE : CELIS : VOX : CAMPANE : MICHAELIS.
DEVS : PROPICIVS : ESTO : AIABVS : RICARDI : GODARD :
QVONDAM : DE: VPHAM : ELIZABETH : ET : ELIZABETH :
VXORVM : EIVS: AC: AIABVS: OIM : LIBERORVM : ET: PA-
RENTUM : SVORVM: QVI : HANC : CAMPANAM : FIERI : FE-
CERVNT : ANNO : DNI : MCCCCCXVI.
Bedwyn Magna, 6
1, 2. 3. Henry Knight of Reading made mee, 1671.
4, William Burd, Robert Wells, C. W. 1671. H. K.
5. Edward Brunsden, John Shadwell, Churchwardens, 1656. W &P &
NSB.
6. In the Lord doo I trust. I. W: D. 1628. .
Priest’s Bell.—‘‘ John Corr. B. F. 1741.”
Bedwyn Parva, 4
1. Geve thanks to God. 1581. I.W.
2. John Hages, Gabriell Plaugsteed, C. W. 1663. & W. ap.
3. God be our geyd. 1605. C. W.
4, Be meeke and loly to heare the worde of God, 1581,
Burbage, 5
1. Hope well. I.W. 1607.
. Love God. I.W. 1607.
. FeareGod. I.W. 1607.
. Prayse God. I.W. 1607.
. Hope well. 1606. I.W.+
a
an Pf & PD
* Probably a Barbur, one of whom cast the Ist bell at Chittern St. Mary.
+ Re-cast by Messrs. Warner in 1854.
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 345
Chilton Foliot, 5.
1, 2. T. Mears, founder, London, 1844.
Wm. Spearing,
James Hopkins, C. W.
3. R. Wells, Aldbourne, fecit 1771.
4, John Woodey, Thomas Chunne, C.W. 1663. W &P.
5. Henry Bagley made mee. 1742. Roger Spanswick, Thomas Kimber,
Churchwardens.
Into the Church the living I call,
: And to the grave I summon all;
: Attend the instruction which I give,
; That so you may for ever live.
___ Chiseldon, 5.
f 1. William Combe, William Collatt. 1652. Churchwardens.
2. Hope well. 1610. I. W.
3. Be mereyfull. 1617.
4, No inscription.
5. Thomas Crooke, Robert Harding, Churchwardens, 1667. W & P.
Chute, 2.
1. God be praysed. 1582. I.W.
2. Nicholas Martin, Vicar. Cast by me Clement Tosier, Belft- 1681.
William Norborn, Esq., John Hall, Churchwardens.
Collingbourne Ducis, 5.
1. Robert Wells, Aldbourn, 1786. Edward Andrews, William Blatch,
Churchwardens.
2. Hope well. I,W. 1608.
3. O be joyfull in the Lord. I. D. 1631.
4. James Burrough in Devizes, Bellfounder, fecit 1752.
5. & AVE: MARIA: GRATIA : PLENA : DNVS: TECVM.,
Collingbourne Kingston, 5.
1. Give Almes. I.W. 1614.
2. 3. Feare God. I.W. 1614.
4, Prayes the Lord. I.W. 1614.
5. Samuell Knight meade mee, 1695.*
~ Robert White, Marmaduke Andrews, C. W.
Unto the Church I do you call,
Death to the grave will summon all.
* Broken.
346 Bells of the County of Wiits.
Easton Royal, 3.
1. Robert Wells, Alborn, fecit 1764.
2. Praise God. 1633. I.W.
8. Hope well. I,W. 1607.
Froxfield, 2.
1. No inscription.
2, = L672.
Ham, 4.
1. William Hunt, Michel Benet, C.W. W-.R. Cor. 1712.
2. 3. 4. John Hunt, William Hore, C. W. 1663. & W AP.
Huish, 1.
LL. 1663.
Manningford Bruce, 2.
1, No inscription.
2. Ano- Do. 1592, I.W.
Marlborough St. Peter, 8.+
1, 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. T. Mears of London, fecit 1831.
8. T. Mears of London, fecit 1831. Recast 1831.{ Thos. Vaisey Stiles,
John Westall, Churchwardens.
Priest's Bell.—Saml. Turton & Ch. Hunt, Ch. wardens. AMR. 1741.
Marlborough St. Mary, 6.§ ,
1, Wallington Clark gave mee. J. Bliset, R. Ednee,C.W. R.C, 1654.
2. 4. Robert Carpender, Robert Pears. W.P: T.P : 1653.
* Henry Knight of Reading.
+ 1612, Itm. received by vertue of a taxacon made towards ye new casting
of the great bell, and repayring the Church Walls.................. viijli, iijs. yvjd.
It. pd. for oarriadge Of ye Dell _............ccs-ceostuosensayeenns Ps XXS.
It. pd. Mr. Wallys for casting ye bell. :...............:ssssccoscsssccnerone ijl. xs. viijd.
1698. Oliver Low (Corr?) the Bellfounder’s Dill.............::c:csceeseeeeeeee sees £39,”
Ch. Wardens’ Accounts.
+ Six bells converted into eight.
3 In the Churchwardens’ Account Book is the following entry :—
“A Coppy of an estimate delivd the 17th July, 1769, By Mr. Robt. Wells of Aldbourn, Wilts.
First—to cast a new third Bell in place of that Broke, at £6 10s.
Second—to give for the old third Bell, £4 13s.
Third—to make all new Stocks, new Wheels, with all new Irons & Brasses; & hang the 6 Bells
properly into the frames, inclusive of the old materials, at £24
Fourthly—If new Clappers are wanted, to be at 8d. per 1b. ; new Baldricks with Screws, 15s. Total
£24 lis.
At this adjournment the 18th Day of July, 1769, It is agreed by the Parishoners then present, that
the above Gentleman doe undertake the above job, on the above-mentioned terms.
Jos. Gillmore,
John Coleman,
Stephen Gillmore,
Nathl. Merriman,
&c., &e, .
i
i
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 347
3. Thomas Brown & Joanathan May, Churchwardens, R. Wells, of Ald-
bourne, fecit 1769.
5. LS. & W.S. : R. Cor. 1724.
6. Thomas Hunt, Thomas Harding, Churchwardens, 1669. W&P&R
apaa
Mildenhall, 5.
1. 3. 4. James Wells, Aldbourn, Wilts, fecit 1801.
2. The Rey. Car : Francis, Rector, gave £10 towards these bells, J.
Wells, fecit 1801.
5. Nos. v renov: de Iv que ol: an: do: 1596, Tinn: inter sacra eccles:
de Mildenhall incole sump: su: P.V. an: do : 1801 Ed : Vaisey et Gul :
Young sacro cust: J : Wells, fecit.
Milton Lisleborne, 6.
1. My chearfull note aloft shall raise,
To sound my benefactor’s praise.
R. Wells.
2. 3. 4. 5. Robt. Wells, Aldbourn, fecit 1789.
6. Robert Wells, Aldborn, fecit 1789.
James Warwick, Churchwarden.
Ogbourne St. Andrew, 5.
1, William Hawkins, & William Browne, 1661. & W A&P
2. 4. Anno Domini. 1630. ‘
3. Will: Rob: Cor: 1719, John Pears, Roger Osmond, C. W.
5. Hs TRINITATEM ADOREMYS.
Ogbourne St. George, 5.
1, To bee the leadinge bell,
To prayse and ringe well.
I was given by Master Thomas Baude.* R.T. July fifteenthe, 1625.
2. God be our guyd. R.B. 1603.
3. Geve thanks to God. R.B. 1603.
4, William Goddard, William Dixhon, Churchwardens, 1652. William
Purdue and Thomas Purdue, 1652.
Oct. 26, 1769. Sold to Richard Cook of Aldbourne, the old Chime Barrel that laid in the Belferey,
at one Shilling and Sixpence.
Memorand.
Oct. 25. Mr. Rt. Wells, Dr., for the old third Bell, weight 7ewt, 3qrs. 13lb. at £4 13s.
Received of Mr. Robt. Wells a new Bell, weight 8ewt. lqr. 2lbs. at £6 10s.
* Thomas Bonde, Esq., of Ogbourne St, George, was High Sheriff of Wilts in 1650. Probably he
was the donor of this Bell.
348 Bells of the County of Wilts.
5. William Goddard, William Dixon, Churehwardens, 1652. William
Purdue and Thomas Purdue cast mee, 1652.
Pewsey, 6.
1. Robert Wells, Aldbourn, fecit 1792.
Tho: Glass & Wm. Sumersett, Ch. Wardens. A @R. 1735.
Prosperity to this place. A&R. 1709. Tho: Neate, Gent.
. & SANC: TE: GE: OR: GE. evr.
. § Anno Domini. 1620. R&P.
. Mr. Robert Pye, Mr. William Munday, Churchwardens, 1709.
Abra: Rudhall of Gloucester, Bellfounder.
God send peace.
» 2
ao on
Priest's Bell,—James Burrough in Devizes, Bellfounder, fecit 1754.
Preshute, 5.
1. 2. 3. R& W. Corr. 1710.
4. Robert Vaisey & Willm. Somersett, Churchwardens. James Wells,
Aldbourne, fecit 1809.
5. Me resonare jubent pietas mors atque voluptas.
Will : Mortimer, C.W. R & W. Corr cast us all in 1710.
Ramsbury, 6.
1, 2.A.R B.. 1708.
3. Peace & good neighbourhood. A. R &. 1708.
. Abra: Rudhall of Gloucester, Bellfounder, 1708.
. Mr. Hawes, Vicar. A.R &. 1708.
. Prosperity to the Church & Queen.
Matthew Giles, Thomas Bew, Edward Appleford, Churchwardens. A.
R. & 1708.
Tidcombe, 3.
1. Hope well. I.W. 1608.
2. O God heare us. I.W. 1622.
3. Praise God. 1636. I.D.
Wootton Rivers, 5.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Robert Wells, Aldbourn, fecit 1793.
Everley, 6.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. James Wells, Aldbourne, Wilts, fecit. 1814.
an
Inscriptions required to make this list complete from :—
Baydon, Manningford Abbas,
Buttermere, Wilcot.
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 349
Deanery of Potterne :—
Bradford, 8.
1. Fear God; honour the King. A B&R. 1754.
2. Love the brotherhood. A MR. 1754.
3. Thomas Yerbury & John Goldisbury, Churchwardens. 80 (sic for 1680).
4, Thomas Yerbury & John Goldisbury, Churchwardens, 1680. R & P
aa
5. Honour the King. I.W. 1614.
6. Prosperity to the Town of Bradford. Ab: Rudhall, Founder, 1754.
7. Love thy neighbour as thyself. I.W.*
8. Recast by Thos. Mears, Nov. a.p. 1842.
The Rey. Henry Harvey, Canon of Bristol, & Chaplain to H.R.H. the
Duke of Cambridge, Vicar. Charles Timbrell, Esq., Churchwarden.
Sacred to God on high, and in this Temple rais’d,
May holy sounds from me be heard, and He be prais’d.
Westwood, 4.
1. John Wallis, Gent., Richard Huntly, Gent., C.W. I.L. 1677.
4 2. Illegible. (black letter).
3. Ditto. (ditto).
4, lq (SANCTE THOME)? ORA PRO NOBIS.
Holt, 5.
1. William Earle, William Bissie, benefactors, 1665. I.E: L.C. & W.C.
aParap.
2. Thomas Sartam Curate, Roger Goor, Churchwardens of Holt. Cast by
me Clement Tosier, Belfounder, in Sarum, 1682.
3. James Baily, C.W. 1716. WC.
4, § SANCTE MICHAEL %& ORA PRO NOBIS.
5. Tho: Carrington, C.W. 1699. L&C.
Charlton, 3.
1, ye GRACIA.
2. 3. F. Giffard & H. Fowle, C. Wardens. Robert Wells, of Aldbourn, fecit
1766.
Chirton, 5.
1. 2. 3. 4. No inscription.
5. Nathan Cooper, Vicar. Michael Manning & Robert Amor, Church-
wardens,
On Earth bells do ring,
In Heaven Angels sing. Halaluiah. 1709.
* Date 1614 is chalked on the bell.
350 Bells of the County of Wiits.
Isaac Warriner, Esq., promoted ye casting ys peal, 1709. R. W. Cor.
Walter Ernle, Esq., High Sheriff.
Great Cheverell, 5.
1. Prosperity to this Parish, A &R. 1716.
2, Abr: Rudhall, Bellfounder, 1727.
3. Prosperity to all our benefactors.
4, % SANCTE : OSMVNDE: ORA : PRO: NOBIS.
5. James Townsend, Jun., Esq.; & Hen: Somner, Gt benefactors, 1727.
Little Cheverell, 2.
1. No inscription.
2. ye IESVS : NAZARENVS : REX : IVDEORVM : MISERERE :
NOBIS.
Coulston, 1.
Out of reach.
Devizes, St. John, 8.
1. 2. The gift of Wm. Willy, Esq. Mr. Tris: Godwin and Mr.Wm, Adlam,
Ch. Wardens. James Burrough, Founder, 1747,
3. Vivat Rex et floreat grex.
Anno Domini. 1677. R & P: W.C:T.C.
4, Hope Well. I.W. 1610.
5. Feare the Lorde. I.W. 1610.
6. Mr, James Sutton. M. Jer: Williams, Ric: Smith, Churchwardens,
1697.
7. John Jordan and Mathew Figgins, Churchwardens, 1677. R.P: W.C:
WC:
8. Richard Hillier, Mayor, Gnt.; Charles Danvers, Sqr., Recorder, Anno
1677. B.P: W.C.
Henry Johnson, Rector, John Jordan and Mathew Figgins, Churchwar-
dens.
Devizes, St. Mary, 6,*
1. I am the first although but small,
I will be heard above you all.
Kataren Stronge, Jane Drew, 1663. W.P&R.P&ID:P.S: W.C:
TPs M.D:
* The history of these bells is curious. In 1552 one Thomas Hall complained that the Devizes
Churchwardens had two great bells in their private possession, which they would not give up, (see
Thomas Hall’s letter, page 325.) Whether these rapacious gentlemen were compelled to disgorge
does not appear, for some, if not all, of the bells, were recast by J. Wallis of Sarum, in 1606; and again
one of them was recast in 1616. In 1640 the 4th bell was recast; and again in 1663, all, excepting the
*
.
.
.
;
:
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 351
2. Henry Johnson, Rector of this Towne, 1663. T.P.
I am the second in this ring,
Tharefore next to the I wile sing. R.M.
3. Richard Bundy & John Hill, C.W. W.C. 1701.
4. On Earth bells do ring,
In Heaven Angels sing. Halaluiah.
Rob. Cor. (Founder’s coat, chevron between 3 bells.) Oliver Edwards,
Jacob Larrance, (the same coat repeated), C.W. Wil. Cor., 1696.
5. Gieve unto Ceasar the things that are Ceasar ; and unto God the things.
John Drew and Phillip Strong, Churchwardens, 1663. W&P&R
apa.
6. Feare God and honour the King.
Anno Domini. 1663.
Come when I call,
To sarve God all, to sing Halliuiah.
John Drew and Phillip Strong, Churchwardens. W.P & R. P &1.M.
Devizes, St. James, 4.
1. Robert Krothe and Thomas Adlem, Churchwardens, 1663.
2. Peace and good neighbourhood. A.R. 1742.
3. Searve God. I.W. 1612.
4, Prayese the Lord. I.W. 1612,
Edington, 6.
1, sf Anno Domini 1640, I @ L.
2. $4 Anno Domini. IML. 1654.
3. Richard Price, Churchwarden, 1781. Willm. Bilbie, Chewstoke, Somer-
setshire, Founder.
4. James Wells, Aldbourn, Wilts, fecit 1802. Jas. Newman & E.M. Ellis,
Churchwardens.
5. te Anno Domini 1647. 0.4: W.P:C.W. 1a L.
6. I to the Church the living call,
And to the grave do summonall. AMR. 1723.
Priest’s bell, 1671.
Erchfont, 8.
1. No Inscription.
2. Robert Dorchester, Edward Line, Churchwardens, 1664.
4th, were recast by Willm. & Roger Purdue of Sarum. In 1696 the 4th was recast by Wm. & Robt.
Corr of Aldbourne, and finally the 3rd was recast (for the third time in 95 years,) by Wm. Corr in
1701. (see page 242.)
222
352 Bells of the County of Wiits.
3. Wm. Pierce & Robert Giddings, Churchwardens. A. R 1743.
4. 7. William Springe, William Barnes, Churchwardens, 1658. W&P&
5. Prosperity to the Church of England. A.R. 1727.
6. C, & R. Mears, Founders, London, 1848.
8. Geve thankes to God. I.W. 1610.
Stert, 1.
Out of reach.
Hilperton, 4.
1. John Selfe, Richard Slade, C.W. 1664. N &B.
2. Richard Slade, Churchwarden, 1664. N & B.
3. Nathaniel Boulter made mee, 1663.
4. Recast, April, 1853. Rev. E. F. Boyle, M.A., Rector. James Bayen,
Benjamin Spender, Churchwardens.
Keevil, 6.
1. Thomas Mears, Founder, London, 1842.
William Beach, Esq., Roger Bartlett, Samuel Ferris, Churchwardens.
2. Hope well. IW. 1609.
3. Feare the Lorde. I.W 1609.
4. James Wells, Aldbourn, Wilts, fecit 1810. James Watts & Andrew
Burbidge, Churchwardens.
5. S. Atwood & T. Bell. J. Marierand & J. Taylor, Ch- wardens, 1761.
T. Bilbie.
6. Samuel Atwood & Thomas Bell. John Marierand & John Taylor,Ch.
wardens, 1761. TT. Bilbie cast me.
Sanctns bell. No inscription.
Lavington East, 6.
1. William Sainsbery, 1656. W.P:N.B: LS.
2. 5. The xxx of Julye, 1611. IW.
3. Peace and good neighbourhood. 1726.
4, & Cleament Tozer cast me in 1680. A.N. Frances Herewethe. I.T:
I.C. John Tucker, Roger Laesse, Edward Filkes, Churchwardens of Market
Layington.
6. Hen: Jackson, Richd. Townsend. Wm. Sloper, Churchwardens, 1715.
Abr : Rudhall of Gloucester, Bellfounder, cast me.
Lavington West, 6.
1, 2. 3. 4. 5. James Wells, Aldbourn, fecit.
6. John Sainsbury, Benjn. Hayward, Churchwardens. John Williams,
Minister. James Wells, Aldbourn, fecit 1810.
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 353
Marden, 5.
1. Benjamin Hayward & Isaac Hamlen, Churchwardens. Robt. Wells,
fecit 1788.
2. 5. Mr. Richard Hayward & Mr. Webb, Ch. wardens. James Burrough in
Devizes, Founder, 1751.
3. Anno Domini 1627. I. & L. (Royal arms on side).
4, Mr. John Hayward & Mr. Saml. Webb, Ch. wardens. Wm. Cockey
east mee 1740.
Melksham, 6.
1. A. R. cast us all 1703. Henry Long.
2. Prosperity to this place. A. R. 1703.
3. God save Queen Anne. Peace and good neighbourhood. A. R. 1703.
4. George Moor, John Bull, Churchwardens. T.R. 1768.
5. Josh. Smith, Vicar. Thomas Bruges, Esq., James Bull, Gent., Church-
wardens. James Wells, Aldbourn, fecit 1808.
6. Bohun Fox, Vicar. Isaac Selfe, Esq., Jacob Selfe, Gent., Church-
wardens. A.R. 1703. Jeremiah Audry, Clothier, Thomas Flower, Gent.,
Ch. Wardens 1702.
Seend, 5.
1. 2. 3. § Anno Domini 1636. W.
4, Robert & James Wells, Aldbourn, fecit 1793. Danl. Jones & Jno.
Little, Churchwardens.
5. Cam when I call,
To serve God all. W.S: 1.8. 1636.
Netheravon, 5.
1. Hope Well. IW. 1609.
2, Samuell Knight, 1695.
3. O man be mecke and lyve in rest. I.W. 1586.
4. Jonathan I yp L Bolter made mee 1656. W.S:1.8:K.W:LH: LC:
D.*
5. In God is all my hope and trust. I.W. 1588.
Patney, 2.
;
No inscriptions.
Potterne, 6.
1. The gift of the Rey. George Edmonstone, Vicar, 1820, Rt. Watts &
Jos. Glass, Ch. wardens. James Wells, fecit.
2. Very ancient, with an illegible inscription.
* The whole inscription is nearly illegible, and there are other letters which could not be decyphered.
354 Bells of the County of Wiits.
3. of Anno Domini 1624.
4, Mr. John Gaisford and John Moore, C.W., 1713. W &C.
5. R. Wells of Aldbourne, fecit 1771.
6. § Drawe neare to God. Anno Domini 1624. I.M.: R.B.
Poulshot, 3.
1. SANC 5 IOHANNES : XPC.
2. Serve God. 1606. I.W.
3. Prayse God. 1606. I.W.
Rushall, 3.
1. Se AVE: MARIA: MA.
2. Wm. Cockey, Bellfounder, 1740.
3. Hope Well. I.W. 1606.
Steeple Ashton, 6.*
1. Richard Long, Esq., C2. warden, 1744. George Ball, Treble ringer. T.
Bilbie.
2. William Tipper, William Silverthorne, C.W. I@L. M. T.B. (on
side.)
3. George White, John Tooker 1607. I.W. I. (crowned rose) R.+
4, R. Wells of Aldbourn, fecit 1772. G. Ball, C-warden.
5. Richard Long, Esq., Churchwarden, 1744. T. Bilbie, fecit.
6. Richard Long, Esq., & Mr. Henry Brown, Churchwardens, 1742. T.
Bilbie.
Priest's bell. James Wells, Aldbourn, Wilts, fecit 1809. Samuel Hey,
M.A., Vicar.
Upawon, 5.
1, 4. "fe Anno Domini 1658. I & L.
2. God . help: ips: F.S: ips: G. I. N: ips.
* 1606. This yeare also the first & third Bels were cast by Mr. Wallis of Salis-
Pitrmie, swine tek SON ENO BANC oe ea tare cus vos, omenddanepiasobaunepscsayaunseseda viijli,
1607. This yeare the first and third bels were new founded by Mr. Wallies of
Salisburie ; soe likewise was the great bell for the performance whereof
GB LAGE, ger cua ce dacerenoneesatendtemnyaNcrssssPaneeascucasavedsadysoneserasaeanusunscawaadey seer
1609. Itm. in the Tower five greater Bells & alittle Sance Bell....................
1616. It. pd. to Mr. Walles for casting the great Bell....... w. Vjli. xiijs. iiijd.
It. pd. to Mr. Walles for fortie nine pounds of mettl ses, Ais OLE
it. Tor CAeryine te Bello BAVC oo. ce auc eenencau saan sdsnencavsevcsangavenscosaes jl.
1666. Sixth Bell setup. ‘‘ Which Bell Henry Longe hath undertaken with
the consent of ye sayd Vestree, to sett upp tuneable & valewable, in its
pportion to the other Belles then beinge.
Ch. Wardens’ Accounts.
+ Royal Initials.
By the Rev. W. C. Lukis. 355
3. Francis Giffard & Thomas Alexander, C»- wardens. James Wells,
Aldbourne, Wilts, fecit 1811.
5. Andrew Biffen, Thomas Newman, Churchwardens. Cornell John Wyn-
dum, Sqr., Lord of this maner. William Tosier cast mee, in the year of our
Lord 1723.
Wilsford, 5.
1. Abr. Rudhall of Gloucester, Bellfounder, 1718.
2. Will: Longeraft & Ed: Alexander, Ch. wardens. A&R. 1718.
8. Thomas Twining, M.A., Vicar. A&R. 1718.
4, Cary & Carolina Stewkeley, Ladies of the manour. A&R. 1718.
5. Sabbata pango,
Funera plangos A&R, 1718.
Worton, 1.
Out of reach.
S—_,- ~—_— —_—s
Bell inscriptions from the following Parishes are required to
make the list of this Deanery complete :—
Winsley, Fittleton,
Limpley Stoke, Imber,
Atworth, Earlstoke,
South Wraxall, Monkton Farley,
North Bradley, Semington,
Broughton Gifford, Trowbridge,
Chalfield, Whaddon,
Enford, Winkfield.
(To be continued.)
356
Che Aeralds’ Vinitotions of Wiltshire,
AND THE
Prhigners of Wiltshire Families.
By F. A. Carrineton, Esq.
In the following paper I purpose to give lists of the names and
residences of all those Wiltshire families which are to be found
in the Heraldic Visitations of this county from 1533 to 1677, and
references to all such Pedigrees of Wiltshire families as are extant
as well unpublished as published, so far as I am cognizant of them;
and to show with what care and solemnity all the Visitations, ex-
cept the last, were made, and how much importance was attached
to them. I shall treat of
I. The Heralds.
II. Heraldic Visitations and the procedure thereon.
III. The Visitation Books relating to Wiltshire :-—
1. General List of Wilts Visitation Books.
2. The Visitation of 1533.
3. The Visitation of 1565, and the additions to it.
4. The Visitation of 1623.
5. The Withie MS., comprising the Visitations of 1565
and 16238 conjoined.
6. The Visitation of 1677.
IV. Miscellaneous Wiltshire Pedigrees.
I. Tue Herarps.
There is no doubt that the Heralds existed in very ancient
times, but it is stated by M. Planché, in his “ Pursuivant of Arms’!
that the word Heraldus as applied to an officer of Arms, has not
yet been discovered in an earlier document than the “Imperial
Constitutions of Frederick Barbarossa” a. p. 1132, it being also
1 p. 16.
—
———— ©
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The Heralds’ Visitations of Wiltshire. 357
stated in the “Penny Cyclopedia,”’! a very accurate work, (Tit.
Herald) that the earliest mention of a Herald in England is in a
Pell-roll of 12 Edw. III., and I am further informed by the Rev.
Mark Noble, in his “History of the College of Arms®” that “Dukes,
Marquises, and Earls were allowed an Herald and Pursuivant;
Viscounts and Barons, and others not ennobled, even Knights
Bannerets might retain one of the latter,” but that the practice
gradually ceased, there being none so late as the reign of Queen
Elizabeth ; and he also informs us that noblemen’s funerals were
attended by their own Herald in a Tabard of his arms reversed.
The Lord Mayor seems also to have had a Herald who, till very
recently, rode in the city procession on Lord Mayors’ Day, as well
as the “men in armour,” who probably were persons who had to
do military service for the Knight’s fees held of the Crown by the
Corporation of London.
The present Heralds in England consist of Garter King-of-Arms,
(the head of the College) ; Clarenceux King-of-Arms, whose juris-
diction is South of the Trent ; Norroy King-of-Arms, whose juris-
diction is north of the Trent ; six Heralds, and four Pursuivants.
The Heralds were incorporated by King Richard the Third in
the first year of his reign, by a charter dated the 2nd of March,
1483, by which he also granted them a house called Cold Arbor in
the Parish of All Hallows the Less, in the city of London. They
were re-incorporated in 1554, by King Philip and Queen Mary,
who also granted them Derby House, which was destroyed by the
great fire of London, but stood on the site of the present Herald’s
College. At the time of the fire the books and MSS. were pre-
served, and are now in the present College.
This most valuable collection is described by Sir Charles Young,
Garter King-of-Arms, the present head of the College,* who states
that they have the Visitations from that of Thomas Benolt Claren-
ceux, taken under a Commission dated 20 Henry VIII., to that of
Sir Henry St. George Clarenceux, taken under a Commission
1 The articles on Heraldry in this work were written by Mr. Planché.
2p. 46.
3 Record Rep, of 1837, app. (c. 8.), p. 106.
3A
358 The Heralds’ Visitations of Wiltshire.
32 Charles II. ; Compilations deduced from Visitations; Registers
of Pedigrees; and Arms of Peers and Baronets; and nearly 1200
MS. vols. containing “ Copies of Visitations, collections of Pedigrees
and Arms, transcripts and abstracts of Charters, Deeds, Inquisitions,
and other records applicable to Genealogical, Antiquarian, and
Topographical researches, comprehending the labours of Camden,
Glover, Vincent, (whose collection alone present upwards of 200
vols.) Philipot, Walker, Dugdale, Le Neve, Dale, Brooke, and
Townsend, with those of some other distinguished and able mem-
bers of the College.”
II. Or Herarpic VistTatTIons, AND THE PROCEDURE THEREON.
The Rev. Mark Noble in his work before cited! says that ‘Some
suppose Heralds held Visitations as early as the reign of Henry IV.
In the Harleian collection is a MS. intituled “ Visitatio facta
per Marischallum de Norroy, ult. ann. R. Henrici. 4ti, 1412.”
[ Visitation made by the Marshal of Norroy in the last year of King
Henry IV. 1412.] Perhaps this was not done by virtue of a
Royal Commission, but the power which Norroy enjoyed he dele-
gated to his marshal, who might have occasion to go into the North
relative to the Scotch wars, then so frequent. In after times, when
the power of the Heralds was more limited, and the Monarchs more
careful of their authority, the provincial Kings-at-Arms sued for
and obtained such Commissions to sanction their visitations, per-
haps to enforce them. They originated, it is probable, from some
skilful and industrious Herald taking minutes of what he could
obtain respecting Arms and Genealogies, whilst attending Royal
progresses on some public Commission in different counties in his
Province. The earliest Commission known is that given to Benolt,
(Clarenceux King-of-Arms), in 1528-9, empowering him to visit the
counties of Gloucester, Worcester, Oxford, Wilts, Berks, and
Stafford. The latest is dated May 13, 1686, but under it some
Pedigrees are registered so late as 1700, 17038, and 1704.”
A good account of the mode in which the Heralds’ Visitations
were made is given in “A Collection of Tracts relating to the
1 Appendix (Kx), p. 20,
J
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By F. A. Carrington, Esq. 359
office of Arms,” at the end of the last edition of “Gwillim’s
Heraldry” [1722]. This is, however, not written by Gwillim who
was a Herald in the reign of James I., and died in the year 1621;
indeed it is stated by the Rev. Mark Noble! that the real author
of the celebrated work “The Display of Heraldry by John Gwil-
lim,” was the Rey. John Barcham, Chaplain to Archbishop Ban-
croft, and Dean of Bocking.
In this work,? styled by Sir Walter Scott “the Bible of
Heraldry,” it is stated that—
‘‘ Visitations which are performed by the Provincial Kings-of-Arms, &c., are
in the nature of the circuits of our Judges. For as these take the Kingdom
round for the Administration of Justice, at such and such particular times, so
do those ; and there inquire into all matters concerning Nobility and Gentility,
such as Arms, Crests, Pedigrees, Titles, or Designations, &c., taking still as
they go cognizance of all, and degrading interlopers and upstarts. The time
allotted for these Visitations was once in about 30 years, because then it is sup-
posed every one might readily bring proof without too much trouble either to
the King-of-Arms or himself, it being a time within memory; whereas much
longer time would exceed memory, and might endanger other evidences being
lost.” ‘‘But though these Provincial Kings have power specially in their
patents not only to grant Arms, &c., but to enjoy all the Power, Prerogative,
Fees, and Privileges of their predecessors, whereby they should seem authorized
to make Visitations to demolish unwarrantable Monuments at their pleasure, yet
have they always a special Commission for visiting their Province.”
The Commission for a Heraldic Visitation, granted to William
Camden, Esq., Clarenceux King-of-Arms, by King James the First,
was given in evidence before the House of Lords in the Tracy
Peerage case,’ in the year 1839.
This commission is as follows :—
ere: Sil + sa t James, by the grace of God, &e.
“To oure trustie and welbeloved servaunte William Camden, esquier, surnamed
Clarencieulx kinge of armes of the east, west, and southe partes of oure realme
of Englande from the ryver of Trente southwardes, and to all other oure
lovynge subjects greetinge. Forasmuche as God of his greate clemencye and
goodnes hathe subjected to oure empyre and governance the nobillitie, people,
and comons of this realme of Englande: Wee, myndynge of oure royall and
1 “ History of Heralds” Coll. 216. 2 p. 49.
3 The evidence in the ‘‘ Tracy Peerage’ case will be found in the ‘ Minutes
of Evidence’’ of that case printed by order of the House of Lords, a work in
Lincolns’ Inn Library. The points of law decided in it are contained in Messrs.
Clark & Finelly’s ‘‘ Reports,” Vol. x, p. 154,
SAB
360 The Heralds’ Visitations of Wiltshire.
absolute power to us comytted to visitte, survey, and viewe throughout all oure
realme of Englande and other domynyons, as well for a due order to be kepte
and observed in all things touchinge the office and dueties appteyninge to armes,
as also for reformacon of dyvers and sundrie abuses and disorders daylye arys-
ynge and groweinge for wante of ordynarie vysytacons, surveys, and viewes in
tymes conyeniente accordinge to the aunciente forme and laudable custome of
the lawes of armes: And that the nobillitie of thys realme maye be preserved
in everie degree as apperteyneth as well in honor as in worshippe: And that
every person and persons, bodies politique, corporate, and others maye be the
better knowne in hys and theire estate, degree, and mysterye without confusion
or disorder: Have therefore constituted, deputed, ordayned, and appoynted for
us and in oure name, oure saide welbeloved s’vante, William Camden, esquire,
alias Clarencieulx, kinge of armes in the saide easte, west, and southe partes of
oure realme of Englande from the saide river of Trente southwarde, to visitte
all the saide province, and the partes and members thereof apperteynynge to the
offyce and charge of the saide Clarencieulx kinge of armes, from tyme to tyme,
as often and when as he shall thinke moste necessarye and conveniente for the
same: And not onelye to enter into all churches, castles, howses, and other
places at hys discrecion, to peruse and take knowledge, survey, and viewe of
all manner of armes, cognisances, crests, and other devises of armes of all and
singuler oure subjects, as well bodies pollitique as others within the saide pro-
vince, of what dignitie or degree, estate or mysterie soever they be lawfully
aucthorised to have, use, or beare any suche armes, cognizances, erests, and
other like devises with the notes of theire discentes, pedegries, and marriages.
And the same to enter of recorde in a regyster booke of armes accordynge to
suche order as ys prescrybed and sett forthe in the office charge and oathe taken
by oure saide servante at his creacon and coronacon, but also to correcte, con-
trolle, and reforme all manner of armes, crestes, cognysaunces, and devices,
anlawfull or unlawfully usurped, borne, taken by any manner, person, or per-
sons within the same province contarye to the due order of the lawe of armes.
And the same to reverse, pull downe, or otherwise deface at his discrecion,
as well in cote armes, helms, standerds, pennons, and hatchmentes of tentes and
pavilions, as alsoe in plate, jewells, paper, parchmente, wyndowes, gravestones,
and monumentes, or elleswhere wheresoever they be sett or placed, whether
they be in shielde, scutcheon, lozenge, square, roundell, or otherwise howso-
ever contrary to the antiquitie and aunciente lawes, customes, rules, priviledge,
and orders of armes: And further, wee by theise presentes doe give and
grante to the saide Clarencieulx full power and aucthoritie to reprove, controle,
and make infamous by Proclamacon, to be made at the assizes or generall sessions
within the same hys province to be had and kepte, or at suche other place or
places as he or they shall thinke moste meete and conveniente, all, and all man-
ner of person or persons that unlawfullye and withoute juste aucthoritie,
vocacon, or due callinge, do, or have donne, or shall usurpe to take uppon
hym or them anye manner of tytle of honor, or dignitie, as esquier, gentleman,
or other: And likewyse to reforme and comptrolle all suche as at any funeralles
or intermentes shall use or weare anye mourninge apparell as gownes, hoodes,
tippetts, or suche like contrarie to the order lymited and preserybed in the tyme
of the moste noble prince Kinge Henrie, of famous memorie the seayenth oure
grandfather, otherwise or in anye other sorte then to theire estates and degrees
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By F. A. Carrington, Esq. 361
dothe or shall appertayne: And furthermore by theise presents wee prohibitte
and forbidde that no paynter, glasier, gouldsmythe, graver, or any other arty-
fycer, whatsoever he or they be, within the saide province of the said Claren-
cieulx, shall take uppon them to painte, grave, glase, devise, or sett forthe by
anye wayes or meanes any manner of armes, crestes, cognyzaunces, pedegrees, or
other devises appertaynynge to the offyce of armes, otherwise or in anye other
forme or manner then they maye lawfullie doe, and shalbe allowed by the saide
Clarencieulx hys deputie or deputies, accordinge to the auncyente lawes and
statutes of armes. And wee forbidde and straightlie comaunde all oure
sheriffes, comyssyoners, archdeacons, officialle seryyenors, clerks, wryters, or
other whatsoever they be, to calle, name, or write in anye assyse, sessyons courte,
or other open place or places, or ells to use in any writinge the addicion of esquire
or gentleman, unlesse they be able to stande unto and justyfye the same by the
lawe of armes of oure realme, or ells be ascertened thereof by advertysemente in
wrytinge from the saide Clarencieulx kinge-of-armes, or his deputye or depu-
ties, attorney or attorneys: And further, we straightlie charge and comaunde
that noe other person or persons shall intromytte or meddle with anye thinge or
thinges touchinge and concerninge the office of armes within the saide province,
without speciall lycence and aucthoritie of the saide Clarencieulx in writinge,
under the seale of the said office, firste had and obteyned from the saide Clareu-
cieulx: All the which said power, prehemynence, jurisdiccon, aucthoritie
above specified for us, oure heires and successors, wee doe geve and graunte by
theise presentes, to the saide Willm. Camden alias Clarencieulx, dueringe his
naturall lief, in as large and ample manner and forme in eyerye thinge and
thinge as anye his predecessors or anye other bearinge the name or tytle of
Clarencieulx have or had, did or mighte doe by force of anye letters patentes
graunted by anye of oure p’decessors, or as of righte he or they oughte or
mighte have used to doe and exercysed by force of his saide office, with all
manner of proffitte, advantages, and emolumentes thereunto belonginge.
Wherefore wee will and straightlie charge and comaunde all, and singuler oure
justices, sheriffes, mayors, bailiffs, and all other oure officers, mynysters, and
constables, and all and everie oure lovinge subjecte that in the execucion of the
premysses they effectuallye imploye theire best ayde, assistaunce, furtheraunce,
and counsaile to oure saide servante, hys deputie or deputies so often and when
as he or anye of them shall require the same, in all that they convenientlie
maye, as theye tender oure fayoure and will answeare the contrarie at theire
perrill. And further, by theise presentes, we doe aucthorise oure saide servante
to nomynate and appoynte under the seale of his saide office, soe manye deputies
or attorneys as shalbe thoughte to hym expediente for the better execucon of all
and singuler the premysses. And yf there fortune to falle oute in this visitacon
anye manner of scruple, doubte, questyon, or anye mysdemeanor, of anye person
persons whatsoever, that cannot be convenientlye decided or ended by oure saide
servante, or by suche deputie or deputyes or attorneys as he under the seale of
hys saide offyce shall name and appoynte: Then oure mynde and pleasure ys
that oure saide servante, hys deputye, deputies, or attorneis named as ys afore-
said shall comaunde suche person or persons whome the saide question, scruple,
or misdemeanor shall concerne, under a certayne payne and at a certen daie, to
appeare before the earle marshall of Englande for the tyme, before whome the
saide scruple, question, or misdemeanor, shalbe hearde and ordered accordinge
362 The Heralds’ Visitations of Wiltshire.
to the lawes and custome of armes in that case provided and of auncyente tyme
used, anye statute, lawe, P’clamacon, custome, or usage to the contrarie in any
wise notwithstandynge. In wytnes whereof, &c. | Wytnes oure selfe at Har-
feilde, the fyfte daye of Auguste.
Per breve de privato sigillo, &e.
A similar Commission to William Dugdale, Esq., Norroy King-
of-Arms, dated July 7th, 14 Char. II. [1662], is given by the
Editor of “Gwillim’s Heraldry’’ [ed. of 1772] from a MS. of Mr.
Elias Ashmole, and he proceeds :—
“This Commission being acquired, the King-of-Arms or his Marshal ¢. e.
deputy, sets out upon his survey, accompanied with such other officers of the
College as he shall suppose necessary, together with a Painter to make draughts
of such Monuments, Arms, &c., as he shall have occasion to take notice of,
sending his circular warrants to the Bailiffs of the several Hundreds or Wards of
the county he intends to visit.” ‘The form of which Warrant,! together with
a Recommendation from the Bishop and Chancellor of the Diocese? I have
thought meet to insert.
“©* To Robert Mastby, Bailiff of the Ward of Chester.
‘< «These are to require you, and in the King’s Majesty’s name to charge and
command you forthwith upon sight hereof to warn those Knights, Esquires, and
Gentlemen whose names are underwritten, and all the rest within your ward,
as well those that assume the Titles as others, personally to appear before me
Richard St. George, Norroy Kinge-of-Armes, on Thursday, being the 24th day
of August next, at Widow Hudspithes in Clapitt-street, within the city of
Duresme, (when I intend to sit for the Registering of the Knights, Esquires, and
Gentlemen within your ward) and that they bring with them such Arms and
Crests as they now use and bear, with their Pedigrees and Descents, and such of
their evidences and ancient writings as if need require may justify the same ;
that I, knowing how they use and challenge those Titles, and bear their Arms,
may make entrance of the same accordingly. But if I shall not hear from them
upon this notice by you given them, these contempts will enforce me to proceed
as my Commission appointeth in such cases, not only to adjourn those that be
gentlemen to answer the same before the Lords and Commissioners for the office
of Earl Marshal of England on a day prefixed, but also to disclaim and make
infamous by Proclamation, all such as shall refuse to make proof of their Gentry
having usurped the Title thereof without just authority and just calling.
Of all these things charge them not to fail as they will avoid the further Peril
and Trouble that may ensue. Dated at Duresme, this 14th day of August,
1615.’8
‘«¢My honourable good friends and neighbours,—
‘¢« This a service which concerns your Honours and Arms, and the good of
your Posterity, and for the continuance and recording of your Gentry and
1 From the Visitation of Durham taken in 1615, fol. 1. 2 Id., fol. 2..
3 The Rey. Mark Noble (before cited) at p. 19 gives a similar summons for the gentry to appear at
the Swan Inn at Cirencester, on the 16th of August, 1682, containing an offer to go to the Houses of
those who could not conveniently attend the Visitation.
———_
<< one Ot Set a ee a
By F. A. Carrington, Esq. 363
Pedigrees, a thing usual and accustomed heretofore, fit to be preserved from
decay which is incident to things of this nature. We, therefore, wish you to
attend according to the effect of this Warrant, and there you see his Majesty’s
Letter’s Patents, authorizing this his survey.
‘ Wiiiram Doresme,!
‘Ricwarp Hurton,?
Chancellor of Durham and Serjeant-at-Law.
‘RicHARD St. GrorcEe Norroy
-King-at-Arms.’ ”
The Rev. Mark Noble’ gives a copy of the following letter from
Robert, Earl of Ailesbury, (Deputy Earl Marshal to Henry How-
ard, Duke of Norfolk,) to Henry, Marquis of Worcester.
‘Circular letter from the Earl Marshal :—
“My Lorn,
‘‘ Whereas the King’s most excellent Majestie, minding and intending
that the Nobility and Gentry of this his Realme should be preserved in every
degree, as well in hononr as worship, and that all persons and bodies politique
may be the better known in their estate, degree, and ministry, without confu-
sion, or disorder, hath authorized Thomas May, Esq., Chester Herald, and
Gregory King, Rouge Dragon, officers of Armes, as Marshal and Deputies to
Clarenceux King-of-Arms, not onely to visitt the county of Gloucester and to
register the arms, pedigrees, marriages, and issue of the nobility and gentry
therein, but also to reprove, controule, and make infamous by proclamation all
such as unlawfully and without just authority doe usurp or take upon them any
name or title of honour or dignity, as Esquire or Gentleman, or other, as by his
Majestie’s letters patent more plainly doth appear.
“These are to pray your Lordship to recommend the same to such of the
gentry for the county as are your deputie-lieutenants, for their assistance and
furtherance herein, as a matter of great interest and concerne to the publick,
but more especially to them and their posterity, and thus not doubting of your
lordship’s readiness to promote so good and honourable a work,
‘‘T remain,
“Your Lordship’s most affectionate Servant,
“Whitehall, 29 Jan., 1652. ‘ Artespury’ D, E. M.
**To the Right Noble, my very good Lord,
Henry, Marquess of Worcester, Lord-
Lieutenant of the County of Gloucester.”
The Rey. Mark Noble* gives a summons issued to a gentleman
to appear before a Deputy to a King-of-Arms, in the following
form :—
1 William James, Bishop of Durham from 1608 to 1617.
2 Sir Richard Hutton, Knt., a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas from 1617 to 1638,
3 « History of Coll. of Arms App.” p, 18, 4Id., p. 20.
364 The Heralds’ Visitations of Wiltshire.
«« Wokingham Parish, Co. Berks.
“‘To Mr. Henry Staverton.
‘«Srr,—You are personally to appear before Elias Ashmole, Esq., Windsor
Herald of Arms, on Saturday, being the 11th of March next, by eight of the
clock in the morning, at the signe of the Beare at Redding, there to enter your
descent and armes, and to bring with you such arms and crest as you bear,
whereof you are not to fail as you will answer the same before the Lords Com-
missioners for the office of Earl Marshal of England.1
The editor of Gwillim’s “ Heraldry” continues :—*
“ And shouldit so happen that any receivers of such summons or notice by the
Bailiff (regardless of the King’s special Patent or Commission under the Broad
Seal of England), should show such contempt as to refuse their attendance, then
is the King-of-Arms to summon such refusers to attend personally the Earl
Marshal in his proper court, at a particular time, then and there to answer for
the said contempt. The form of this summons you may see in the copy of a
real one.
“¢¢To John Lister, Bailiff of Easington Ward,
‘« Forasmuch as you whose names are under written have shown yourselves
obstinate and contemptuous against the King’s Commission and authority, in
refusing to make your appearance before me at Durham, where I lately sat for
the registering of such gentlemen as are resident within your Ward, according
to such warning as was given you by the Bailiff thereof: I must therefore
proceed as my Commission enjoineth me in such cases of contempt, these are,
therefore, in his Majesty’s name, strictly to charge and command you and every
of you that you make your personal appearance before the Lords Commissioners
for the office of Earl Marshal of England, on the first day of November next,
then to answer and show just cause of this your disobedience and contempt ;
thereof fail you not as you will avoid the forfeiture of £50 a-piece to his
Majesty, and the further peril and trouble that by any of your contempt may
ensue.
‘“‘RricHARD St. GEORGE,
“<< Tated at Duresme, ‘¢“ Norroy King-of-Arms.
“¢¢This 22nd of August, 1615.’”
The paper in Gwillim continues :—
‘The King-of Arms, upon a Visitation, is allowed to take with him out of
the office such Books and prior Visitations as concern or relate to the Counties
he intends to visit, which always lie open before him when he sits to do business,
and as every gentleman may enter as many of his posterity as he can prove, or
may join him to a Pedigree in some prior visitation; so also doth every man
sign his descent with his own hand, which serves as a firm testimony to his
descendants.”
1 This must have been in 1664, as Mr. Elias Ashmole then visited Berkshire for Sir Edward Byshe.
2p, 52,
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By F. A. Carrington, Esq. 365
“‘ But for such usurpers of dignities as have vaunted in the Ensigns and Titles
of gentility, &c., without any ground or reason for their so doing, these are
obliged under their own hands to disclaim all title, pretence, &c., for ever,
unless called unto by the King, the original Fountain of all Honours and Digni-
ties; and for their presumption in publickly using such Titles and Ensigns
before they have a right, they are degraded by the publick Cryer in the Market-
place nearest to them.
‘‘The form of their Disclaim runs thus :—
‘«¢ Cheshire : 3 Sept., 1663.
‘«¢ We whose names are hereunder written being duly summoned by William
Dugdale, Esq., Norroy King-of-Arms, in his Visitations of the County Palatine
of Chester, as well for the approving and justifying our bearing of Arms, as the
taking upon us the Names and Titles of Esquires or Gentlemen; not being able
to show any good Right to either of those Titles, nor knowing at present of any
Arms belonging to us, do hereby disclaim all such Attributes and Arms, and do
promise henceforth to forbear to make use of either, until such time as we can
by lawful authority do the same.
“¢¢ Ropert Morrey,
‘¢¢ JonATHAN CROSSE, )
“¢ James Knorr, of Chester.’ ”
“¢ RICHARD HEATH. )
The entries of a “ Disclaimer,” “ Disgrading,” and a “ Respite,”
in the Visitation Books of the Heralds’ College are in the following
forms :—
‘Disclaimers :—
‘The hunderthe of ——. of in the countie of Wiltes hath made
his aparance before me, Clarencieulx Kinge-of-Armes, and hath dysclaymed the
name of a gentilman.”!
‘¢__. of —— hath made his apparance before me, Clarencieulx Kinge-of-
Armes, and ys disgraded.”2
‘Memorandum, that I have respited and untill Mighelmas tearme
to make theire Declaracon, or els to be Dysgraded of the saide name.”
The Heralds appear to have carried matters with a very high
hand during the reigns of the Tudors and the Stuarts, but after
the Revolution their authority was successfully questioned, and in
a series of decisions in the reigns of King William the Third and
Queen Anne, it was established that the great powers claimed by
the Heralds could only be exercised under the joint authority of
the Lord High Constable of England and Earl Marshal ; the former
of these offices, with the exception of temporary appointments at
1 Visitation of Wiltshire, 1565, ‘‘ Harleian MS.,” No. 1111. 2 Ibid. 5 Ibid.
3B
366 The Heralds’ Visitations of Wiltshire.
Coronations, having been vacant since the attainder of Henry,
Duke of Buckingham, in the reign of King Henry VIII.!
A very eminent judge, Mr. Justice Blackstone, in the third Vol.
of his “‘Commentaries,” in treating of the Court of the Lord Con-
stable and Earl Marshal, and of the Heralds, says :—
‘‘ Their original Visitation Books, compiled when progresses were solemnly
and regularly made into every part of the Kingdom, to inquire into the state of
families, and to register such marriages and descents as were verified to them
upon oath, are allowed to be good evidence of pedigrees, and it is much to be
wished that this practice of visitation at certain periods were revived, for the
failure of inquisitions post-mortem by the abolition of Military Tenures, com~
bined with the negligence of the Heralds in omitting their usual progresses, has
rendered the proof of a modern descent, for the recovery of an estate, or succes-
sion to a title of honor, more difficult than that of an ancient;” and, after remark-
ing on the additional facilities afforded with respect to the proof of Peers’
descents under an order of the House of Lords, made on the 11th of May,
1767,3 this eminent judge concludes with a statement that ‘‘the general incon-
venience affecting more private successions still continues without a remedy.”
III. Tue Vistration Books RELATING TO WILTSHIRE.
1. General List of Wiltshire Visitation Books.
A. D.
1533. 25 Hen. VIII. Thomas Benolte, Clarencieux. The
original is in the Heralds’ College, London. A copy is
in the Library of Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bart.
1565. 8 Eliz. William Harvey, Clarencieux. Original in
Heralds’ College. A copy in the Bodleian Library, by
Jekyll. A modern copy, by Hensley, in Sir Thomas
Phillipps’s Library, MS. No. 54. Also MSS. No. 172,
7428, 10487, 10646, 11182-3-4-[ part ]-6-7. An ancient
copy with Arms tricked, in the Library of Joseph Neeld,
Esq., M.P., at Grittleton.
1 On this subject the reader is referred to the following decisions in the court :
Parker’s case, 1 ‘‘ Siderfin’s Reports,” 352; Russell’s case (1692), 4 ‘‘ Modern
Reports,” 128; s. c. nom. Russell v. Oldish, 1 ‘‘Shower’s Reports,” 353, (the
pleadings probably of this case being in ‘‘ Lilly’s Entries,” p, 316); Oldis v.
Domwville, Cases in Parliament 58; Chambers v. Jennings, ‘‘ Farresley Reports,”
125, and 2 ‘‘Salkald’s Reports,” 553.
2 Chap. 7, p. 105.
3 This order was rescinded by the House of Lords on the 18th of June, 1802.
By F. A. Carrington, Esq. 367
Five Copies of this Visitation are also in the Library of the
British Museum, in the following Harleian manuscripts, viz.:—
No. 888, with additions by Ralph Brook, York.
No. 1111, with additions by John Saunders.
No. 1181, with additions by Henry Parker.
No. 1565, with additions by Richard Munday, William
Latton, and Robert Dale.
No. 5184, (a very ill-written manuscript).
No. 5781, another ill-written MS. in the same collection, also
appears to be founded on this Visitation.
No. 1057, Alphabet of the Arms of Wiltshire gentry, in
blazon, from this Visitation.
A. D.
1569. A Visitation by Robert Treswell, Blue Mantle: No. 79
in Queen’s College, Oxford. (? Is this a distinct
Visitation, or only a copy of that of 1565) ?
1623. 21 James I. William Camden, Clarencieux, by his
deputies, Henry St. George, Richmond Herald, and
Sampson Lennard, Bluemantle Pursuivant. This vol-
ume, in which the several Pedigrees are attested by the
original signatures of the principal members of each
family, is now in the British Museum, “ Harleian MS.”
No. 1165. It presents an interesting collection of the
Autographs of Wiltshire gentlemen of the reign of
Charles I. One only, being from some cause unable
to write, signs with a mark, thus: (p. 75) “The marke
of A John Weston.”
A copy is in Sir Thomas Phillipps’s Library, Nos. 10487
and 11842. It has also been privately printed by that
gentleman, without the Plates of Arms, but with the
Arms described in words.
A eopy is also in the Heralds’ College: and another with
additions, in the British Museum, “ Harleian MS.,” No.
2230. Also in “ Harleian MS.,’”’ No. 1054, p. 2, is
“ Arms (hastily tricked) of the Wiltshire Gentlemen,
taken from the Visitation of 1623.”
3 B2
368 The Heralds’ Visitations of Wiltshire.
A. D.
1677. 29 Charles II. Sir Edward Bysshe, Clarencieux. Ori-
ginal in the Heralds’ College. A copy in the Library
of All Souls College, Oxford. “Jekyll MS., 45.”
Another in Sir Thomas Phillipps’s Library, MS. No.
106389.
2. Tue Visrration or 15383.
This was made when Heraldic Visitations were in their infancy.
The pedigrees, with the arms very neatly tricked,! of this Visitation,
are contained in a thin folio volume, written on hand paper, which
comprises the pedigrees and arms of families in the counties of :—
Berks, Oxford,
Cornwall, Somerset,
Devon, Stafford,
Dorset, Surrey,
Gloucester, Wilts,
Kent, Worcester,
Northampton, and in Wales.
This Visitation contains the Pedigrees and Arms of the following
Wiltshire families only :— fig
Chocke, Lanham,
Seymour, Pye,
Bonam, Barnard,
Boncher, Stylleman,
Lylsely, Borley.?
3. THE VisITATION oF 1565.
This Visitation contains the Pedigrees and Arms of the Wilt-
shire Families undermentioned :—
Alleyn of Calne, Baynard of Lackham,
Ashman of Calne, Beckett of Littleton,
Bacon of White parish, Bellingham of Orton,
Barret of Tytherton, Bennett of Norton Bayant,
Barret of White parish, Bennett of Pitt house,
Barwick of Wilcot, Bewshin of Cottles,
Bayley of Stowford, Blake of Pennells,
1 Arms are said to be ‘‘ tricked” when they are drawn in pen and ink, and
the initial letter of each colour inserted, to denote the colour.—Arms are said to
be ‘‘ blazoned” when they are described in words.
2 For this information respecting the Visitation of 1533, I am indebted to Sir Thomas Phillipps,
Bart.
By F. A. Carrington, Esq.
Bower of Donhead St. Andrews,
Bretton of Monkton Farley,
Brounker of Melksham,
Bruning of Segre,
Bulkley of White parish,
Burley of Whistley,
Bush of Stoford,
Butler of Langley,
Calley of Highway,
Carrant of Winterborne,
Chaffin of Seales Clevedon,
Cheyney of Uphaven,
Cordray of Chute,
Daniell of St. Margarets,
Darrell of Littlecot,
Dauntesey of Lavington,
Doddington of Woodland,
Erington of Heele,
Ernely of Whetham,
Eyre of Wedhampton,
Ferrys of Ashton Keynes,
Flower of Pottern,
Gawen of Northington,
Gethin of Fisherton,
Gifford of Rodenhurst,
Girdler of Clack,
Goddard of Cleeve,
Green of Standlinch,
Grove of Donhead,
Hall of Bradford,
Hooper of New Sarum,
Horsey of Martin,
Horton of Iford,
Hungerford of Cadenham,
Hunton of East Knoyle,
Jenkins of Vasterne,
Keleway of White parish,
Lawrence of Downton,
Long of Ashley,
Long of Kelways,
Long of Wraxall,
Ludlow of Hill Deverill,
Mayow of Dinton,
Mewes of Bishopston,
Michell of Calne,
Michell of Calston,
Mompesson of Corton,
Mompesson of Salisbury,
Nicholas of Roundway,
Page of Westhatch,
Penruddock of Compton Chamber-
lain,
Parker of Lushill,
Perey of Chalfield,
Perry of Warminster,
Pleydell of Cricklade,
Pople of New Sarum,
Prater of Latton,
Provender of Allington,
Quinten of Bubton,
Redish of Maiden Bradley,
Roche of Bromham,
Rogers of Bradford,
Rouse,
Rowsell of Vasterne,
Ryley of Sarum,
Shelley of All Cannings,
Sherington of Medburne,
Skilling of Dracott,
Sneith of Lushill,
Snell of Kington St. Micheel’s,
Sotwell of Chute,
South of Swallow Cliffe,
Stanter of Horningsham,
Stephens of Burderop,
Stillman of Steeple Ashton,
Stourton of Horningsham,
Temmes of Rood Ashton,
Thatcham of Idmiston,
Thornhill of Charlton,
Tropnell of Sopworth,
Tutt of Oxenwood,
Uffenham of Downton,
Walrond of Aldbourne,
Walton of Kemble,
Warder of Platford,
Warre of Tytherton,
Weare alias Browne of Marl-
borough,
Willoughby of Knoyle,
Wintersell of Radborne,
Wroughton of Broadhinton,
Yate of Buckland and Upham,
Yerworth of Collingbourne,
Zouche (Lord) of Pitton.
369
370 The Heralds’ Visitations of Wiltshire.
This Visitation also contains the Arms of the undermentioned
Towns :—!
Salisbury, And the Merchant Adventurers,
Marlborough, ancient and modern, Clothiers, Weavers, Drapers, and
Calne, Tailors of Devizes.
Devizes,
The ancient Arms of Marlborough were a Castle triple-towered ; the modern
Arms being the same as are given in Mr. Waylen’s ‘‘ History of Marlborough,”
the ancient Arms being now the Crest.
The Arms of Salisbury are exactly the same as they are printed every week
in the Salisbury and Winchester Journal, but in this Visitation there is the
following memorandum :—2
“ These Armes with the Supporters, are aunciently belonging to the Mayor
and his Brethren, as alsoe to the Communaltie of the Citty of New Sarum,
weh J have registered and recorded att the time of my Visitation of Wiltshire;
which time was Thomas Jacobe, Mayor; Robert Griffith, Richard Bryan, and
William Webb, Justices of ye Peace: And alsoe George Snellgar, Robert Eyre,
John Webb, Thomas Cature, & John Eyre, have beene Mars of that Citty, and
Robert Tucke, Towne Clarke, Anno Dni 1565.
“« Per Hervie Clar.”
From this memorandum of Hervie Clarenceux, it would seem that it is an
error to have the arms of the Mayor, his brethren, and the ‘‘communaltie of the
citty of New Sarum,” on the outside of the Shire Hall at Devizes, as well as in
several places in it. I know that the answer to this will be, that these are the
arms of the County of Wilts, to which I can only answer that I have never in
any of these Heraldic Visitations, or elsewhere, met with any but very recent
information, as to any arms belonging to the County of Wilts; and Mr. Hervie
tells us that in 1565, these were the arms which anciently belonged to the Cor-
poration of New Sarum, and as such were then registered and recorded by him.
Sir Bernard Burke, now Ulster King-of-Arms, in his ‘‘ General Armoury”
gives the following account of these arms :—
‘« Salisbury, City of, or New Sarum, Az, four Bars or. Supporters, on
either side an Eagle displayed with two heads or, ducally gorged, beaked, and
legged az.; as entered in the Visitation of Wilts, 1565, and depicted on an
ancient painting still in the possession of the Corporation.”
It is worthy of remark, that among the coats of arms there given by Sir Bernard
Burke, amounting to more than fifty thousand, he does not give the arms of
any County.
Disclaimers.
At the Visitation of 1565 there were the following disclaimers :—
The hunderthe of Selkleigh.*
Thomas Browne of Winterbourne | John Suter of Aveburye,
Bassett,+ Rychard Francklyn of Ouverton,
1 Harleian MS. No. 1111, No. 1181, 1441, and No. 1565.
2 Harleian MS., No. 1181.
3 Harleian MS. No. 1111., p. 16.
4 The pedigree and arms of this family will be found in the Visitation of 1623.
i ee ee
> Ss’ ~
By F. A. Carrington, Esq. 371
Thomas Brinde of Wanboroughe, Anthonye Brynde of Wanbroughe,
John Truslowe of Aveburye, John Wyllicott of Bramber.
The hunderthe of Kyngesbridge.
John Andrews of Collingborne, Edmond Mylles of Radborne Cheyney,
Anthonye Stychall of Swindon, Symonde Hunte of Chisenboroughe,
Walter Parker, als suete Lysell, (@.e.| Thomas Huchins of Winterborne,
Sneith of Lushill,) Thomas Stephens of Baydon.
The hondrethe of Estubbe and Everley.
Thomas Maten of Entforde, Edward Faley, als Faten.
Edward Gylbert of Everley,
The hundreth of Potterne and Canyngs.
Edward Perrye of Potterne, Willm. Sloper of Bisshopp Cannings,
William Flower of Lavington, Willm. Rooke of Potterne.
John Lake of Bysshoppes Cannyngs,
Richarde Woodroffe of Bysshoppes
Cannynges,
The hondrithe of Swanboroughe.
William Lavington of Cherington, William Long of Potterne,
William Noyse of Manningforde | Thomas Long of the boroughe of
Bruse, Cawne,
William Pynckney of Rushall, Thomas Page of Cawston,
Robert Noyse of Archefounde, Thomas Mylles of Barwyk Bassett,
John Hammes of Archefounde, Henry Chever of Comberford,
John Bartlett of Aleannyngs, Thomas Cordraye of Chute,
Geffrey Godman of Alcannyngs, Willm. Sotewell of Chute.
Geffrey Pravender,}
The hunderth of Chippenham.
John Webbe of Slautinforde, Willm. Norborne of Bremmynge,
Henry Bull? of Chippenham, (Bremhill)
John Vinarde of Chippenham, John Scott of Chippenham,
Phellipp Smythe of Chippenham, Henrye Goldney als Farnell,
Edwarde Gerrarde.
Warminster.
Walter Rowland of Littel Sutton, Edmonde Wykes of Dunyckemare.
William Cockes of Dunyckemare, |
Haytesburye.
Xtofer Henton of Corton in pchia Boyton.
Est Knoyle.
William Hunton of Est Knoyle, Thomas Beecher of Knoyle,
Andrewe Blackman of Knoyle, Stephen Whitaker of Westburye,
1 This entry has been struck out.
2 From a flourish to the second ‘‘1” this may be Buller.
372 The Heralds’ Visitations of Wiltshire.
Xtofer Standshawe of Westburye, | William Byrte of Westburye.
Robert Cogswell of Westburye,
Bradforde.
Robert Maye of Broughton.
Haytesburye.
Thomas Ashlock of Haytesburye, William White,
Robert Stephens of Upton Lovell, Anthonye Martin,
Robert White, Thomas Baylye.
Chippenham.
John Jones of Cevell, (Keevil)
John Williams als Clarke,
John Beche of Warminster.
John Gale of Langley Burrell,
John Wastefelde of Langley Burrell,
John Bennett,
Disgraded.
At the Visitation of 1565 the following were disgraded :—!
Clement Bathe of Bysshoppes-sora W horlesdown.
(strow) in the honderythe of War- | William White of Steple Ashton,
minster. John White of Steple Ashton,
John William of North Bradley.
Respited.
The following were respited till the ensuing Michaelmas Term :—
William Alleyne, Thomas Aubrey of Chadenwicke, in
William Alleyne, the pyshe of Mere,
Thomas Goddard, William Bennett of Westbury,
Willm. Goddard, Thomas Bower of Dunhed Andrewe.
This MS. also contains the two following Memoranda.
‘‘Memorandum, that Mr. Rycharde Scroope hath sent one to appeare for hym
in his absence, for that he ys sicke.”
‘‘Memorandum, that Robert Vicar & Portereve of the towne and boroughe of
Westburye, have made theire apparance and deelaracon that they have no
Towne Seale.”
The Pedigrees and Arms of the undermentioned families, are
contained in the additions to the Heralds’ Visitation of 1565; by
John Saunders,? by Henry Parker,* and by Richard Munday, Wil-
liam Latton, and Robert Dale.’
Aubrey of Chadenwick, Aylward,
Auncell, Bainton, 5
1 « Harleian MS.” No, 1111., p. 16. 2 Thid. No, 1111.
3 Ibid. No. 1181. 4 Thid. No. 1565.
5 Where the name isin italic the arms only are given.
By F. A. Carrington, Esq. 373
Bartlett,
Baynton of Sarum,
Beauchamp of Bromham,
Bedford of Newbury,
Bedford of Sarum,
Benett of Pythouse,
Blake of Pinnells,
Boleyne,
Booth,
Bower of Lavington,
Bower of Sarum,
Bowle of Sarum,
Braybreoke,
Brokas,
Bromwich,
Brothers of Knoell,
Browne of Wilton,
Browne of Donhead,
Bullen, Earl of Wiltshire,
Burton of Wilton,
Button of Alton,
Carpenter of Tinhead’s Court,
Chaffin of Bulford,
Chaffin of Sarum,
Chivers of Quemberforde,
Clavell,
Clifford of Boscombe,
Colborne,
Collier,
Compton,
Constantine,
Cooke of Sarum,
Cottle of Cricklade,
Daccomb,
Darrell of Littlecott,
Dauntesey of Lavington,
Dighton of Lee,
Duckett of Caulston,
Dudley,
Erneley,
Ewens,
Eyre of Chalfield,
Fitchett of Barford St. Martin,
Frampton,
Gilbert,
Gresham,
Grobham of Wishford,
Hitchcock,
Ivy of Keinton (West Kington),
Lapp,
Lavington, Hulcot,
Layton,
Leigh of Crosley,
Lisley,
Long of Trowbridge,
Ludlow,
Mahew,
Martyn,
May of Broughton Gifford,
Mayow of Chilmark,
Mayow of Fonthill,
Mildmay,
Moody of Garsden,
Mortimer of Stockley,
Mussell of Steeple Langford,
Nicholas of Calne,
Nicholas of Coate,
Nicholas of Stert,
Nicholas,
Page,
Pagenham,
Peverell,
Pile,
Poole,
Poore of Dorington,
Prynne of Allington,
Redich,
Richmond of Rodbourne,
Rives,
Rouse,
Sadler of Everley,
Seras,
Servington of Langford,
South of Swakeley,
Stump of Malmesbury,
Stephens of Chisledon,
Stephens,
Strangewags,
Thynne,
Tiptoft,
Tomer of Tomer,
Tope,
Tucker,
Turberville,
Vanne,
Vuedall,
374 The Heralds’ Visitations of Wiltshire.
Walwyn or Malwyn of Echilhampton,
Webb of Rodbourne,
Whithart of Milton,
Wiltshire,
Wiltshire, vide Bullen,
Wiltshire, vide Stafford,
Yorke of Ramsbury,
Young.
4, Tue Visiration oF 1623.
This Visitation contains the Pedigrees and Arms of the Wiltshire
families undermentioned :—
Ashley of Nash hill,
Ayliff of Brinkworth,
Bailiff of Tytherton,
Bartlett of All Cannings,
Bartlett of Chirton,
. Bayley of Wingfield,
Baynard of Lackham,
Baynton of Bromham,
Blacker of Salisbury,
Blake of Pinnells,
Botreux,
Bower of Donhead St. Andrew,
Brind of Wanborough,
Bromwich,
Brounker of Melksham,
Browne of Wilton,
Burnell,
Calley of Highway,
Carpenter of Tinhead’s Court,
Chaffin of Sarum,
Chaffin of Seales Clevedon,
Chivers of Quemberford,
Clifford of Boscombe,
Cordray of Chute,
Cottle of Cricklade,
Cuss of Fifield,
Daniell of St. Margaret’s,
Davy of Harnham,
Dauntesy of Lavington,
Day of Wilford,
Diggs of Marlborough,
Drew of South Broome,
Duckett of Caulston,
Duke of Lake,
Earth of Mildenhall,
English of Kingswood,
Erington of Heale,
Ernley of Whetham,
Eyre of Bromham,
Eyre of Sarum,
Eyre of Wedhampton,
Fauxton of Downton,
Fawkenor of Layerstock,
Fisher of Liddington Wick,
Franklyn of Woodberry,
Goddard of Ashington,
Goddard of Berwick,
Goddard of Clatford,
Goddard of Hartham,
Goddard of Ogbourne,
Goddard of Stanton Hussey,
Goddard of Upham,
Goldstone of Alderbury,
Gore of Aldrington,
Gough of Allcannings,
Gould of Alvedeston,
Grub of Pottern,
Gunter of Milton,
Hall of Bradford,
Harding of Pewsey,
Harold of Cherrill,
Hawker of Hatchbury,
Hitchcock of Preshute,
Hooper of Sarum,
Horne,
Horton of Tford,
Hungerford of Cadenham,
Hunton of East Knoyle,
Hutoft of Sarum,
Hyde of Marlborough,
Ireton of Britford,
Jones of Kevell,
Jones of Woodlands,
Jordan of Chitterne,
Kayleway,
Kent of Devizes,
Lambe of Coulston,
Lambert of Boyton,
‘By F. A. Carrington, Esq. 375
Lapp of Durnford,
Lavington of Hulcott,
Light of Easton Piercy,
Long of Ashley,
Long of Ashton,
Long of Wraxall,
Lowe of Calne,
Malyn of Marlinborow,
Mogradge of Salisbury,
Markes of Steeple Ashton,
Marvin of Pertwood,
Maskelyn of Purton,
Maton of North Tidworth,
Mayow of Dinton,
Mompesson of Salisbury,
Montague,
Moore of Berwick St. John,
Moore of Heytesbury
Mortimer of Stockley,
Mussell of Steeple Langford,
Nicholas of All Cannings,
Nicholas of Winterborne,
Norborne of Bremhill,
Norden of Rowde,
Organ of Burderop,
Palmer of Wilcott,
Penruddock of Compton Chamber-
lain,
Peverell,
Pickhaver of Salisbury,
Pike of Martin,
Pile of Bubton,
Pinckney of Rushall,
Pleydell of Cricklade,
Poore of Dorington,
Provender of Allington,
Prynne of Allington,
Raleigh of Downton,
Reade of Cossam,
Reade of Wilton,
Sadleir of Salthorpe,
Sadler of Sarum,
St. Barbe of Whiteparish,
St. John of Lydiard,
St. Loe of Knighton,
Savage of Knowle,
Scrope of Castle-Combe,
Skutt of Warminster,
Smith of Baydon,
Smith of Cossam,
Sneith of Lushill,
Snell of Kington St. Michel’s,
Sotwell of Chute,
Souch of East Grinstead,
South of Swallowcliffe,
Spatchhurst of Humington,
Staples of Boreham,
Stephens of Burderop,
Stevens of Devizes,
Still of Christian Malford,
Stokes of Tytherton,
Stratton of Seagry,
Thistlethwayte of Winterslow,
Thynne of Longleat,
Ticheborne of Sarum,
Tiptoft,
Tooker of East Grinstead,
Tooker of Maddington,
Topp of Combe Bissett,
Topp of Stockton,
Truslow of Avebury,
Tutt of Idmister,
Valence,
Vaughan of Falstone,
Vaux of Marston,
Vynour of Stayverton- Wick,
Walker of New Sarum,
Wallis of Trowbridge,
Walrond of Aldebourne,
Warneford of Sevenhampton,
Webb of Manningforde,
Weston of Cannings,
White of Charlton,
White of Langley,
Wignall of Sarum,
Willoughby of Knowle,
Willoughby of Littleton,
Worth of Buckington,
Yerbury of Trowbridge,
Yorke of Eleombe,
Young of Harnham,
Zouche (Lord) of Pitton,
In this Visitation are the Arms of the Borough of Wilton.
3c2
376 The Heralds’ Visitations of Wiltshire.
Disclaimers.
In the Visitation of 1623 there is the following account of the
Disclaimers."
«A note of such as have usurpt the Names and Titles of Gentle-
men, without Authoritie, and now Disclaimed at Salsburie in the
Countrey of Wiltsheire, in Sept. ao 1623.”
John Heitor of Langford,
James Linch of Whitparish,
Samuell Linch of the same,
Richard Saunders of Hampwork,
Thomas Lambert of Bishopston,
Barnabie Coles of Duncton,
William Oborne
Thomas Newman of Charleton,
Edmund Shore of Haydon Capell,
Wolston Forster of Meere,
Robert Bishopp of the same,
James Eldridge of Linte,
Richard Smith of West Kennett,
Spencer of Beckington,
Thomas Andrews of Collingborne,
Giles Franklyn of Wroughton,
John Sadler of Querton,
Richard Maundrill of Compton Bas-
sett,
Henry White of Langley Burrell,
Thomas Hays of Sherston,
George Bullock of Alderton,
Fardinando Parry of Eston Gray,
Johnson of Bowden,
Isaak Geringe of Sherston,
John Taylor of the Priorie, (Kington)
Thomas Trumplin of Christen-Mel-
ford,
Thomas Shuringe of Nettleton,
Walter White of Grittleton,
Francis White of Langley,”
John Erberie of Atford,
Robertt Flower of Littleton,
Robert Summer of Passion’s Mill,
Henrey Grenehill of Steple Ashton,
Richard Franklyn of Woodborough,
Richard Hulbert of Ember,
William Bayley of Merden,
John Girle of Longstrate,
William Turner of Highway,
Edward Cooke of Cammings,
William Keate of Heldrop,
William Peirse of Stichcombe,
Samuell White of Polshott,
John Franklyn of Marlborow,
Sadler of East Euerly,
Thomas Jay of Fittleton,
John Pike of Estrop,
Robert Waters of Highworth,
Thomas Roch of the same,
John Turner of Norton Bayent,
William Seamond of Skedmers Upton,
Edmond Medlecott of Warminster,
John Norborne of Studley,
Thomas Hancocke of Fifeilde.
5. Toe Wirnre MS.
The Pedigrees and Arms of the undermentioned families are
contained in a very fine MS. volume by John Withie*® which has
the Visitation of 1623 engrafted on that of 1565, with some ad-
ditions.
1 « Harleian MS.,” No. 1165, p. 106.
2 This name is struck out in the MS.
3 “Harleian MS.,” No, 1443.
By F. A. Carrington, Esq.
Alleyn of Calne,
Ashley of Nash hill,
Ashman of Calne,
Aubrey of Chaddenwick,
‘ Auncell,
Ayliff of Brinkworth,
Bacon of White parish,
Bailiff of Tytherton,
Barrett of Tytherton,
Bartlett of Allcannings,
Bartlett of Cherton,
Barwick of Wilcott,
Bayley of Echilhampton,
Bayley of Stowford,
Bayley of Wingfield,
Baynard of Lackham,
Baynton of Bromham,
Beauchamp of Bromham,
Beckett of Littleton,
Bedford of Newbury,
Bellingham of Orton St. George,
Bennett of Norton Bayant,
Bennett of Pitt house,
Bewshin of Cottles,
Blacker of Salisbury,
Blake of Pinnells,
Bower of Donhead St. Andrews,
Brind of Wanborough,
Bromwich,
Brothers of Knoell,
Brounker of Melksham,
Browne of Wilton,
Browning of Segre,
Bulkley of White parish,
Burley of Whistley,
Burnell,
Bush of Stowford,
Butler of Langley,
Button of Alton,
Byllett,
Calley of Highway,
Carpenter of Tynhead’s Court,
Carrant of Winterborne,
Chaffin of Sarum,
Chaffin of Seales Clevedon,
Cheyney of Uphayen,
Chivers of Quemberford,
Clifford of Boscombe,
Cordray of Chute,
Cottle of Cricklade,
Cuss of Fifield,
Daniell of St. Margaret’s,
Darrell of Littlecot,
Davenport of Lavington,
Davy of Harnham,
Dauntesey of Lavington,
Day of Wilford,
Diggs of Marlborough,
Doddington of Woodland,
Drew of South Broome,
Duckett of Coulston,
Duke of Lake,
Earth of Mildenhall,
English of Kingswood,
Erington of Heele,
Erneley of Whetham,
Evelyn,
Eyre of Bromham,
Eyre of Wedhampton,
Fabian,
Fauxton of Downton,
Fawconer of Lawstock,
Ferrys of Ashton Keynes,
Fisher of Liddington Wick,
Flower of Potterne,
Franklyn of Woodberry,
Gawen of Northington,
Gethin of Fisherton,
Gifford of Rodenhurst,
Gilbert,
Girdler of Clack,
Goddard of Ashington,
Goddard of Berwick,
Goddard of Clatford,
Goddard of Cliffe,
Goddard of Hartham,
Goddard of Ogbourne,
Goddard of Stanton Hussey,
Goddard of Upham,
Goldstone of Alderbury,
Gore of Aldrington,
Gorges of Langford,
Gough of Allcannings,
Gould of Awlston,
Grant of Alton,
Green of Standlinch,
3t7
378
Grobham of Wishford,
Grove of Donhead,
Grubb of Pottern,
Gunter of Milton,
Hall of Bradford,
Harding of Pewsey,
Harold of Cherill,
Hawker of Heytesbury,
Hewes of Bromham,
Hitchcock of Preshute,
Hooper of New Sarum,
Horne,
Horsey of Martin,
Horton of Iford,
Hungerford of Cadenham,
Hunton of East Knoyle,
Hutoft of Sarum,
Hyde of Marlborough,
Irton of Britford,
Jacob of Norton,
Jenkins of Vasterne,
Jones of Kevell,
Jones of Woodlands,
Jordan of Chitterne,
Keleway of Whiteparish,
Kennell,
Kent of Devizes,
Knevett of Charlton,
Lambe of Coulston,
Lambert of Boyton,
Lambert of Maiden Bradley,
Lapp of Durnford,
Lavington of Hulcott,
Lavington of Wilford,
Lawrence of Downton,
Light of Easton Pearcey,
Long of Ashton,
Long of Wraxall,
Lovell of Bulford,
Lowe of Calne,
Ludlow of Hill Deverill,
Malin of Maulenborow,
Malwyn of Echelhampton,
Margradge of Salisbury,
Markes of Steeple Ashton,
Marvyn of Pertwood,
Maskelyn of Purton,
Maton of North Tidworth,
The Heralds’
Visitations of Wiltshire. —
May of Brougton Gifford,
Mayow of Chilmark,
Mayow of Dinton,
Mayow of Fonthill,
Mewes of Bishopston,
Michell of Calne,
Michell of Calstone,
Molyns, Lord
Mompesson of Corton,
Mompesson of Salisbury,
Moody of Garsden,
Moore of Berwick,
Moore of Heytesbury,
Mortimer of Stockley,
Mussell of Steeple Langford,
Nawborow,
Nicholas of Coate,
Nicholas of Roundway,
Nicholas of Stert,
Nicholas of Winterbourne,
Norborne of Bremhill,
Norden of Rowde,
Organ of Burderop,
Page of Westhatch,
Palmer of Wilcott,
Parker of Lushill,
Penruddock of Compton Cham-~
berlain,
Perry of Warminster,
Peverell,
Pickhaver of Salisbury,
Pike of Martin,
Pile of Bubton,
Pinckney of Rushall,
Pitt or Benett of Pythouse,
Playdell of Cricklade,
Poole,
Poore of Dorrington,
Pople of New Sarum,
Prater of Latton,
Provender of Allington,
Prynne of Allington,
Quinten of Bubton,
Raleigh of Downton,
Reade of Cossam,
Reade of Wilton,
Redish of Maiden Bradley,
Richmond of Rodbourne,
:
By F. A. Carrington, Esq. 379
Rogers of Bradford,
Rolfe of Enford,
Rowswell of Vasterne,
Ryley of Sarum,
Sadleir of Salthorpe,
Sadler of Sarum,
St. Barbe of White Parish,
St. John of Lydiard,
St. Loe of Knighton,
Savage of Knowle,
Serope of Castlecombe,
Scrope, Lord
Seymour,
Shelley of All Cannings,
Sharington of Medburne,
Skilling of Dracott,
Skutt of Warminster,
Smith of Aberton,
Smith of Bayden,
Smith of Cossam,
Sneith of Lushill,
Snell of Foxham,
Snell of Kington,
Snell of Loxwell,
Sotwell of Chute,
Souch of East Grinstead,
South of Swallow Cliffe,
Spatchurst of Humington,
Stump of Malmesbury,
Stanter of Horningsham,
Staples of Boreham,
Stephens of Burderop,
Still of Christian Malford,
Stillman of Steeple Ashton,
Stokes of Tytherton,
Stratton of Seagry,
Stourton of Horningham,
Temmes of Rood Ashton,
Thatcham of Idmiston,
Thistlethwayte of Winterslow,
Thornhill of Charlton,
Thynne of Longleat,
Tichborne of Sarum,
Tiptoft,
Tomer of Tomer,
Tooker of East Grinstead,
Tooker of Maddington,
Topp of Combe Bisset,
Topp of Stockton,
Truslow of Avebury,
Tutt of Idmiston,
Uffenham of Downton,
Vaughan of Falstone,
Vaux of Marston,
Vynour of Stafferton,
Walker of New Sarum,
Wallis of Trowbridge,
Walrond of Aldbourne,
Walton of Kemble,
Warder of Platford,
Warneford of Sevenhampton,
Warre of Tytherton,
Weare alias Browne of Marlbro’,
Webb of Manningford,
Webb of Rodbourne,
Weston of Cannings,
White of Charlton,
Whithart of Milton,
Wignall of Sarum,
Willoughby of Knowle,
Willoughby of Littleton,
Wintersell of Rodbourne,
Worth of Buckington,
Wroughton of Broadhinton,
Yate of Upham,
Yerbury of Trowbridge,
Yorke of Eleombe,
Young of Harnham,
Zouche (Lord) of Pitton.
In this MS. p. 210, is a list of “the names of those that were
disclaymed at Salisbury, September, a° 1623.” This is evidently
the same list as is before given—except that the name of Francis
White does not oceur in it, and that the name of “ Willm.
380 The Heralds’ Visitation of Wiltshire.
Westfeild of Fouant’’ occurs within those of Mr. Newman and
Mr. Shore, and that
Mr. Heitor is here Heytor, Mr. Erberie is here Elberie,
Mr. Oborne is here Osborne, Mr. Summer is here of Passion Mills,
Mr. Eldridge is here Eldring, Mr. Girle is here of Long-streete,
Mr. Smith is here of West Kneuct, Mr. Cooke is here of Cannings,
Mr. Maundrill is here Maundrell, Mr. Peirse is here Pearse,
Mr. Geringe is here Gereing of Mr. Jay is here Jaye,
Stourton, Mr. Roch is here Rache,
Mr. Trumplin is here Framplyn, Mr. Medlecott is here Medlicott,
6. Tue Visrration or 1677.
This Visitation was very carelessly taken by Sir Edward Byshe,
who between the years 1662 and 1668, visited the counties of
Surrey, Sussex, Kent, Norfolk, and Suffolk, where it appears from
a MS. of Sir Edward Walker, Garter King-of-Arms, dated May
27, 1678,! that he gave great dissatisfaction to that dignitary, who
complains that in those five counties he entered with the title of
Esquires 146 persons, “ to whom it doth not belonge, for any thing
yt. appeares,” and that it doos not appear that the persons who
disclaimed a right to Arms and the title of Esquire, were “ Dis-
claimed by Proclamation, which ought to have been done.”
This Visitation contains the Pedigrees and Arms of the under-
mentioned Wiltshire families :—
Abbott of Winterborne, Hearst of Marlborough,
Ashley of Sarum, Marshal of Milford,
Batt of Sarum, Mervyn of Sarum,
Boles of Burcomb, Norborne of Chute,
Bowle of Idmiston, Priaulx of Sarum,
Coles of Warminster, Rede of Sutton Mandeville,
Chafin of Sarum, Rede of Idmiston,
Dove of Sarum, Rede of Stratford,
Duke of Lake, Smedmore of Sarum,
Elliott of Winterburn, Swanton of Sarum,
Frome of Sarum, Swayne of Sarum,
Garrard of Sarum, Turberville of Sarum,
Hancock of Combe, Turner of Harnham,
Harris of Sarum, Wyndham of Sarum,
Hearst of Sarum,
1 «* Tansd. MS.” No. 255, p. 58.
By F. A. Carrington, Esq. 381
TV. MiscenLangous WILTsHIRE PEDIGREES.
There are many Pedigrees of Wiltshire families in the Muni-
ment rooms of the Nobility and Gentry of this County; in some
instances probably but little known, even to their owners.
I have mentioned some of them, including several very fine ones;
and hope that other members of the Society will refer to more, as
they will be of the greatest utility to our future County Historian.
The arms of Wiltshire gentry were collected by Thos. Gore, Esq.,
of Alderton, author of “Catalogus Scriptorum de Re Heraldica.”
The original MS. was, (in 1822), probably in the possession of
George Montagu, Esq., of Lackham, Wilts. A Copy very beauti-
fully coloured is now in the library of Sir Thos. Phillipps, (1854)
No. 9734.
Genealogical collections for Wiltshire are in the library of Sir
Thos. Phillipps, Bart., at Middle Hill, including nearly the whole
of the monumental inscriptions in the county. There are also cop-
ies of Visitations, and other genealogical documents, in the library
at Wardour Castle, the seat of Lord Arundell.
At Tottenham Park is a splendid Pedigree of the Seymours, in-
eluding Sturmy, Delamere, &c., which came into the Marquis of
Ailesbury’s hands through the heir of Beauchamp of Hache. It is
beautifully finished with portraits, fac similes of deeds, seals, arms,
&e.; and is 23 feet 6 inches long. Also a MS. Pedigree of the
Marquis of Ailesbury’s descent from Bruce of Scotland.
An ancient Pedigree of his family on Vellum [by R. Cooke,
Clarencieux, | is in the possession of Thos. Grove, Esq., of Ferne ;
and genealogical collections of the family of Long of Wiltshire, in
that of Walter Long of Preshaw, Hants, Esq.
Emblazoned Pedigrees on vellum of Scrope of Castle Combe, and
of Rev. W. L. Bowles, late of Bremhill, are in the possession of
their respective families: and at Longford Castle, are genealogical
collections of the family of Hungerford.
The Pedigree of the Morse family at Badbury, one of whom was
fined for not taking the order of Knighthood in the reign of
Charles the first, is now in the possession of Mr. Morse Crowdy of
Chisledon.
3D
382 The Heralds’ Visitations of Wiltshire.
The Pedigree of the family of Goddard was privately printed by
Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bart., in the year 1826.
The Pedigree and Arms of White and Houlton of Grittleton, and
of Greene of Fosscote and Brook-house, constructed from original
documents by the Rev. J. E. Jackson, are printed in his “ History
of the Parish of Grittleton ;” and in his “Guide to Farleigh Hun-
gerford,” there is a corrected pedigree of the elder branch of the
Hungerford family. In this Magazine, vol. 1, pp. 271, 275, he has
also published a table of descent of the Halls of Bradford, as mater-
nal ancestors to the Dukes of Kingston. The same gentleman has
also prepared, in manuscript yet unpublished, large genealogical
collections of the Hungerfords, and of Thomas Gore of Alderton.
He has also some account of the family of Thomas Hobbes, the
Philosopher, of Malmsbury, which does not appear to be hitherto
known.
In Mr. Thomas Larkins Walker’s “ History of the Manor House
at South Wraxhall,” are elaborate Pedigrees of the Longs of South
Wraxhall and Draycote, showing the Paternal and Maternal de-
scents of Walter Long of Rood Ashton, Esq., M.P. These were
arranged from the MS. collections of G. F. Beltz, Esq., and Charles
Edward Long, Esq., nephew of Lord Farnborough. The latter gen-
tleman has also privately printed the Pedigree of Long of Seming-
ton, Whaddon, and Trowbridge.
The Pedigree of John Aubrey the antiquary, is given in Mr.
Britton’s memoir of him published by the Wilts Topographical
Society in 1845.
The history of Castle Combe, privately printed by our President,
Mr. Poulett Scrope, contains the Pedigrees and Arms of Dunstan-
ville, (p. 19); Mortimer, Earl of March, (p. 69) ; Scrope of Castle
Combe, (pp. 86 and 351); Scrope of Cockerington, (p. 354); and
Poulett Scrope, (p. 358).
Aubrey, in his Collections for North Wilts gives Pedigrees of
Power of Stanton St. Quintin, (part I, p. 59); Long of Wraxhall,
(I, 66); Snell of Kington St. Michel, (I, 113); Anstie of Brom-
ham, (II., 6); and Rogers of Bradford, (II., 46).
By F. A. Carrington, Esq. 383
The Pedigrees and Arms of the undermentioned Wiltshire fami-
lies are contained in the MSS. in the Library of the British
Museum, and are referred to by Mr. Sims in his valuable Index to
the Pedigrees in that Library: Title “ Wiltshire” :—
Bailiff of Tytherton, Lyttlecotes,}
Benneger, Montague, Earl of Salisbury,
Borley, Mountacute,
Bridmer, Oliffe,
Byllett, Power,
Chadwell, Rundway,
Drewry, Russell of Langford
Evelyn, Sarmington,
Fabian, Scudamore,
Gorges of Langford, Snelgraye,
Harrington, Stafford, Earl of Wiltshire,
Hersey, Standon,
Ivy, Stradling,
Kemble, Stratton,
Kirton, Talbott,
Knevett of Charlton, White,
Lawrence, Wood.
Long of Dracott,
In Sir R. C. Hoare’s History of Modern Wilts are numerous
Pedigrees of Wiltshire Families: viz,
Vol. I. Hunprep or Merz.—Esturmy, Hoare, Mervyn, St.
Maur, Seymour, Stourton.
Hunprep or Heyrespury.—A’Court, Ash, Audley,
Badlesmere, Botevile, Burghersh, Churchill, Coker,
Delamere, Deverel, Gawen, Giffard of Brimsfield,
Giffard of Boyton, Gore, Hungerford, Lambert,
Lovel, Ludlow, Mautravers, Michell, Moels, Molines,
Mompesson, Moore, Peverell, Stanter, Thynne,
Topp, Wadman.
Vol. II. Hunprep or Brancu anp Dotze.—Aucher, Burdet &
Stafford, Camville, De Cadurcis, Freville, Grobham
& Howe, Herbert Earl of Pembroke, Ingham, Le
Moigne, Tooker, Waleran.
Hunpreps of Evertey.—Astley, Beach.
1 Where the name is printed in italic the arms only are given in the MS,
3° D-Bals
384 The Heralds’ Visitations of Wiltshire.
Hunprep oF Amprespury.—Clifford, Eyre, Hoese
or Hussey, Kent, Malet, Wodhull & Hinxman,
Young.
Hunprep or Unperpitcu.—Duke, Errington, Framp-
ton & Bowles, Hyde.
Vol. III. Hunprep or Wesrsury—Ash, Chedyok, Cheyne,
Gaisford, Gibbs & Ludlow, Phipps, St. Maur,
Payeley, Willoughby.
Hunprep or WarminstER.—Bavent, Benett, Ewyas,
Gifford & Buckler, Temple.
Hunprepd or Downron.—Baynton, Beauchamp, Boke-
land, Duncombe, Le Dune, Nelson & Bockland,
Ralegh, Shuckburgh, Tibetot & Lovell, Truslowe,
Uffenham, Vaughan, White, Wroth.
Hunprep or Sours Damernam.—Horssey.
Hunprepd or CawpEen.—Biset, Bouverie Earl of Rad-
nor, Gerberd, Gorges, Plessy, Romesey, St. Omer,
Servington or Cervington, Toeni or Tony, Warre,
Webb.
Vol. IV. Hunprep or Dunwortn.—Arundell of Wardour,
Beckford, Cottington, Davies, Dunstanville, Ferne,
Gawen, Grobham & Howe, Grove, Hungerford,
Hussey, Hyde & Parker, Kneller, Ley, Mayne,
Mervyn, Penruddocke, Powell, Pytt alias Bennett
& Benett, Tregoz, Worsley, Wyndham.
HunpreD or CuHark.—Bowles & Davies, Bull &
Polhill, Chaldecot, Croke & Phillipps, Dalton,
Frampton, Gawen, Gold, Hyde & Parker, Lisle,
Martell & Fitzherbert, Payne, Scudamore & Bavent,
Tourney, Uvedale & Okeden, Webb, West Lord
Delawarr, Wyndham & Wadham.
Vol. V. Hvunprep or ALpEerBury.—Ashley, Bathurst of Cla-
rendon, Bowle, Le Despencer, Elliott, Evelyn,
Fitz-Piers, Fox-Strangways, Goldston, Gomeldon,
Nicholasof Winterbourn Earls, Strangways, Zouche.
By F. A. Carrington, Esq. 385
Hunprep or Frustrietp.—Bacon, Barrett, Berenger,
Le Boteler, Brereton, Bristowe, Bulkeley, Comp-
ton, Davenant, English, Eyre of Beverley, Eyre of
the Close of Salisbury, Eyre of Newhouse, Eyre of
Eyre Court, Eyre of Brickworth, Eyre of Warrens,
Heyraz, Hitchcock, Keilway or Keleway, Lawrence
of Cowesfield, Lye, Ringwood, St. Barbe, Spelman,
John Tichbourne, Tregagle, Tropenell, Warder,
Warren, Waryne, Wyche.
Vol. VI. Hisrory or Sauispury, sy Henry Harcusr, Ese.—
The first and second Houses of the Earls of Salis-
bury.
Before leaving this subject, I ought to mention that there is in
the Library of the British Museum, a Copy of the subsidy roll of
29 Eliz.' for the County of Wilts, containing 582 names and resi-
dences of the gentry of Wilts, the nobility being in a separate
list in the same MS. There is also in one of the copies of the
Wilts Visitation book of 1565, a subsidy roll without date.?
Nore.—That there was a Heralds’ Visitation in 1412 (as mentioned above
p. 358) is much questioned by Mr. Stacey Grimaldi in his ‘‘Origines Genealogies”
(p. 252). The MS. supposed to contain it (which I have examined), is a volume
of detached Pedigrees bound together, several of them having dates in the
reign of Queen Elizabeth, and the only evidence of such a Visitation would be
equal evidence of Heralds’ Visitations in 1334 and at several other periods.
The volume in question is the ‘‘Harleian MS.” No. 1196, art. 80, which is
between folios 75 and 76 in the Pedigree of the family of Alsopp of Alsopp in
the Dale, in the county of Derby, at the sides of which are the two following
notes. The one is—
“Visitatio facta p. me Bewe James, principalem regem Armor: in an®° dni
1334, ano regni Regis Ed. III.”
[Visitation made by me Bewe James, principal King-of-Arms, A.D. 1334,
and in the year of King Edward III.]; no year being mentioned.
The other is—
“‘ Visitatio facta p. Marischallum de Norray, ultimo anno Henrici IV., 1412.”
[Visitation made by the Marshal of Norroy, in the last year of Henry IV.
1412,
And at the bottom of the page in the same handwriting as the Pedigree and
the other notes is as follows :—
“‘Vidend. probat. et recordat. p. me Ricdm Lee als Clarencix principalem
Regem Armor in an° Regni Regine nune Elizab. xxxix. annoq. 1596.”
a a ee
1 “ Harleian MS,” No. 336, art. 22. 2“ Harleian MS,” No, 1111.
386 The Heralds’ Visitation of Wiltshire.
(Seen, approved, and recorded by me Richard Lee, alias Clarenceux, Prin-
cipal King-of-Arms, in the 39th year of the reign of the now Queen Elizabeth,
and in the year 1596].
It is however, also worthy of remark that in the Pedigree of the family of Robin-
son of Dunington in the Isle of Ely, on the back of the same page of the MS.,
various descents have written against them the following side notes, as if to
verify them by Visitations of these different dates :—
‘The Visitation made in ye 13 yeare of K. Ed. II. 1316.”
‘The Visitation made by Bew James, principall King of Heraultes, 2 Ed.
III, 1327.”
‘‘ The Visitation made by Bew James, principall King of Heraults, ye last of
K. Ed. III. 1376.”
‘‘ The Visitation made in ano I. H. 6. 1422.”
‘‘ The Visitation of Tho’ Holtby, principall King-of-Armes, 4 Ed. 4. 1464.”
‘‘ The Visitation made by Tho Wresley, principall K. of Armes, 8 H. 7. 1492.”
‘‘The Visitation made by Warcopp, principal K. of Armes, 4 H. 8, 1514.”
From this it would seem that Mr. Lee must have seen the Visitations of Bewe
James, of Holtby, of Wresley, and of Warcopp, as he refers to them not only
by the names but by the dates also, and yet it is strange that if such Visitations
ever existed, no copies or extracts should be found.
I ought also to have mentioned with respect to all the Pedigrees in the Heral-
dic Visitations in the Library of the British Museum, that the pages of the
different MSS. in which they are to be found can be readily ascertained by refer-
ence to Mr. Sims’s most useful ‘‘ Index to the Heraldic Collections” there.
F. Aw,
=
Lae Mia
bagi
WILTSHIRE SEALS.
Wilts Archeot.Mag 1856.
A = y
VE
Henry de Esturmy. 32 Edw Il. Prior of Monkton Farley.
Prebend of Yetminster & Grimston,
tn Sarum Cathedral.
Found at Bradenstoke Abbey
I8S3.
Bey
Edw *Wite det?
387
Wiltshire Seals.
By the Rey. J. E. Jackson.
The annexed Plate exhibits Five Seals relating to the County,
which have never been published before.
No. 1. An exquisite Seal of Henry Esturmy, “Lord of Fighel-
dean,” (in the Hundred of Ambresbury), attached to a re-
ceipt for money, dated Michelmas, 1358, (82 Edw. III.)
In the centre the shield of Esturmy ; Argent, 3 demi-lions
rampant gules: within roundels at the sides, the shield of
Hussey, Barry of six gules and ermine. In a roundel at
the top, a bugle horn.
The early history of Figheldean, as given by Sir R. C. Hoare,!
is confined to the single fact of its having belonged (together with
lands at Ablington, Durrington, Standen Hussey, and North Tid-
worth, &c.) to a family of Hussey, from John to 7 Rich. II.
(1383).?
The document therefore to which this Seal is appended supplies
the next link in its manorial history; showing that the Husseys
were succeeded by the family of Esturmy. From other sources it
appears that Henry, second son of Henry Esturmy of Wolf-Hall,
married Margaret, daughter and co-heiress of Hubert Hussey; her
sister Isabella being the wife of John de Torney.’
1 Hundred of Ambresbury, p. 34.
2 Aubrey speaks of two fair freestone monuments of Knights eross-legged,
with shields, and at the foot of each a lion, as then (1674) in the South Aisle of
Figheldean Church, near the Belfry. Whose they were he could not learn: and
they were ‘‘tumbled one on the top of the other.” They are now (1855) placed
in the Chancel in a standing position: but there is no device by which they can
be identified. They are probably effigies of Hussey, the charges on whose
shield were of a kind easily effaced.
3 Inq. p. Mort., 10 Edw. III. and History of Mere, 117.
388 Wiltshire Seals.
The Esturmys were chief Rangers of Savernake Forest, to which
office the bugle horn at the top of the Seal probably alludes; but
that some of them had a propensity for ranging in their neighbours’
forests as well as in their own, appears from a curious story, alleg-
ed to be preserved in Bishop Mortival’s Register at Sarum,’ relating
to Henry Esturmy the elder above-mentioned. In 9 Edw. II. (1315-
16) with a party of sporting retainers from Milton, Burbage, &c.,
nine in number, he broke into the Bishop of Salisbury’s Park, then
at Ramsbury, and ventured to make a foray amongst the Episcopal
deer. Having thereby incurred the sentence of greater excommu-
nication, they submitted ; had to make restitution and do penance.
The restitution was to replace twelve head of deer, and pay twelve
barrels of wine. The penance (which itis difficult to believe could
have been literally enforced) was, that they should go round the
Market-place of Marlborough on two different market days
stripped to their shirts and nether garments: the Vicar of Marl-
borough, or some other clerk, to whip them according to custom in
such cases: and that afterwards, in solemn procession at Salisbury,
they should present a wax taper each at the tomb of Simon of
Ghent the late Bishop of Sarum: on which condition the sentence
was taken off.
The privileges of Forester of Savernake, as claimed by this
Henry Esturmy the elder, are detailed in a curious document
printed in Mr. Waylen’s “History of Marlborough,” p. 70.
Henry Esturmy, junior (to whom the seal belonged), was
Knight of the Shire for Wilts 36, 37, and 42, Edw. III.
By the marriage of Maud Esturmy, heiress of the eldest branch
of the family at Wolf-Hall, that property passed to the Seymours,
about the reign of Henry IV.
The Charter Horn still preserved at Tottenham, and sometimes
called Esturmy’s horn, is described in the “‘ Archzologia” (Vol. IM.
p- 28), by Dean Milles; who says there is no evidence on record
relating to Savernake that shows how the horn came to the present
owners. A green worsted belt is attached to it, with silver bosses,
on which are the arms of a Scotch family, Fitz Duncan—Argent,
4 “ Cassan’s Lives of the Bishops of Salisbury.” p, 89.
D
‘
q
d
By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 389
within a double tressure flory and counterflory gules, three lozen-
ges of the second. If the belt originally belonged to the horn, it
could not have been Esturmy’s, their paternal coat being as repre-
sented in the Seal. It is now more commonly called the Bruce
Horn.
Into what family Figheldean passed from the second house of
Esturmy, does not at present appear.
No. 2. A silver Seal found in 1841 on the site of the Monastery
of St. Mary Magdalene, at Monkton Farley, Wilts., during
an excavation made there by the late Wade Browne, Esq.
of that place. It is very well cut, and bears the legend
CAPUT MARIE MAGDALENE. The Editors of the
“New Monasticon” say that no Seal of this Priory had
been yet discovered. The present one is not likely to have
been that of the Priory, but more probably the private Seal
of some Prior.
No. 3. The following account of this Seal has been kindly sent by
its present possessor, Albert Way, Esq. :—
“Tt is an impression from the ancient Seal of the Official of the Prebend of
Yetminster and Grimston, in the Cathedral of Salisbury, which may be regarded
with interest as an example of 14th century workmanship, and is scarcely less
curious on account of the singular circumstances under which it was found.
“Tt may be scarcely requisite to recall to the Society the history of Yetminster,
a place which gives a name to a hundred in the County of Dorset, and of which
and the details of its manorial history, and curious local customs, a full account
has been given by Hutchins in his ‘‘ History of Dorset,” vol iv, p. 264. It
will suffice to advert briefly to the leading facts, that at the time of the Domes-
day Survey, Eteminster was held by the Bishop of Sarum: that amongst the
various gifts of Bishop Osmund when he built the New Church at Sarum, at the
close of the Eleventh century, the town of Eteminster, knights’ fees, &c., were
comprised. ‘The principal manor seems to have belonged to the Bishop and
Chapter of Salisbury, and having been granted by James I. with the hundred of
Yetminster to Sir John Digby, this manor is actually in the possession of Lord
Digby. There are in this parish three manors, which give name to three Pre-
bends in the Cathedral of Salisbury, namely :—1. Yetminster and Grimston ;
2. Yetminster prima or Upbury ; 3. Yetminster secunda or Inferior, or Nether-
bury.
“With the first of these Prebends the Seal which I have the pleasure to com-
municate to the Wiltshire Archaeologists, is connected. The church of Yetmins-
ter, it must be observed, is within the peculiars of the Dean of Sarum; but the
jurisdiction of the Dean, as we are informed by Hutchins, is of a limited nature,
Every third year it is solely within his jurisdiction, when he visits, grants
OF
390 Wiltshire Seals.
letters of administration, &c. At other times it is subject to the Prebendary of
Yetminster and Grimston, whose jurisdiction is almost as extensive as the
Dean’s. He visits, grants administrations, and has a regular Court at Salis-
bury, in which Wills are proved.1
‘‘T have only to add the singular circumstances under which, I have been in-
formed, that this ancient Seal was found. About ten years since an iron-
monger at Bridgewater, who occasionally purchased old metal, purchased a
quantity brought to him as having been collected in the neighbourhood of
Glastonbury and the adjacent villages. Amongst the metal was a lump
of clay, possibly put there to increase the weight if overlooked; it was,
however, noticed and thrown aside. After the vendor, however, had left the
shop, it happened that this rejected lump of clay was struck with a hammer,
and the brass matrix of the Seal proved to be enclosed within it. No further
account could be obtained, in regard to the precise place where it may have
been found, or whether its concealment in the clay was merely recent, and the
lump added to the old metal with some such intention of deceiving the pur-
chaser, as has been conjectured. It seems possible that the finder may have
remarked some small appearance of the existence of metal in the piece of clay,
without perceiving that it was an object of any interest or elaborate workman-
ship. He would, accordingly, not have taken the tronble to clear the clay from
the matrix, more especially as the addition to the weight would be to a trifling
degree in his favor.”
Mr. Way adds :—
‘‘T am in possession of the brass matrix of a Shrieval Seal, having been that
of one of the Giffard family, who was Sheriff of Hampshire in the reign of
Henry VI. It was found in splitting up an aged oak tree near Crondale, in
that county, and fell out of the decayed old trunk of the tree in the course of
that operation. This preservation and discovery of a seal is sufficiently singu-
lar, but I think the particulars which I have mentioned regarding the Yet-
minster Seal are scarcely less remarkable, and may serve to remind the arche-
ologist that a vigilant watch must be maintained, even under circumstances ap-
parently least favourable to his enquiries.”
Grimston is a hamlet in the Parish of Stratton in the Hundred
of St. George, county Dorset. It anciently belonged to the Church
of Sarum, forming a Prebend in conjunction with Yateminster.
On the Seal is the figure of St. Andrew in crucifixion, the Saint to
whom Yateminster Church is dedicated; and round the margin
the words, *® S’ OFFIC PREBEDE DE GRIMSTA ET
YEATEMENSTRE.
1 The Prebend of Yetminster being now shorn of all substantial provision, the proceeds of the stall
being taken care of by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, the Prebendary enjoys the honorary title
only, with the privilege of paying very heavy fees for taking possession of it. The jurisdiction used
to be nearly as Hutchins has stated it: or rather it was this : that the Dean had Episcopal jurisdic-
tion, and the Prebendary the Archidiaconal. This arrangement has, however, been altered: the
jurisdiction of the Dean and Prebendary having been, as in the case of all Peculiars, transferred to
the Bishop and Archdeacon of Dorset, so far as the Clergy and Chnrehwardens are concerned : but
the Court of the Prebendary remains, for the present, as to Wills, &e. [Ep.]
ae ea eS a
f By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 391
No. 4. <A brass Seal found in 1853 in a garden on the site, and
behind the present fragment of Bradenstoke Abbey, near
Chippenham. It is not the Seal of the House, but most
likely belonged to some member of it. The meaning of the
device requires explanation. It represents a monk stooping
or kneeling over a sheep which lies at the foot of a shrub,
and the words appear to be, “ WILLE BE STILLE AND
OFTE MITE YOU HAVE YEY (thy?) WILLE.”
This Seal is now in the possession of H. Nelson Goddard,
Esq. of Cliff Pypard.
No. 5.—A beautiful Seal bearing the name and arms of Thomas
Giffard (probably of Boyton, temp. Henry VI). Three
lions passant in pale. The matrix is in the possession of
Mr. John Ellen of Devizes, but whence he obtained it is not
remembered. Mr. Albert Way considers the Seal to belong
to the earlier quarter of the 15th century ; certainly not
prior to a. p. 1400; and very suitable to a person who lived
in the reign of Henry VI.
A word in conclusion upon Wiltshire Seals in general. Seals,
like coins, besides being very often most interesting as works of
art, afford so much information on points of provincial or local
history, that no apology is needed for venturing to suggest to the
guardians of strong closets and venerable trunks, that it is, per-
haps, within their power to furnish out of those sacred repositories,
specimens of rare and beautiful workmanship in this kind, to
which admission would be gladly given in the pages of this Maga-
zine. The writer is informed by Mr. Way, that Mr. Ready, a
gentleman well known for his skill in moulding from impressions,
has lately been permitted to work amongst the records of Win-
chester college, and has succeeded in recovering nearly 500 capital
Seals, amongst which is an impression of the Esturmy Seal above
described. Such an example deserves first to be mentioned and
then to be imitated: for the same fate that befell the poetical
treasures of Juvenal’s friend Codrus is only too surely at all times
awaiting records and memorials of other kinds, when so carefully
3 E 2
392 Contributions to the Museum and Library.
put out of sight that the owners at last do not really, know what
they have got :—
‘* Vetus Groecos servabat cista libellos,
Et divina opici rodebant carmina mures.”!
“He possest,
A few Greek books, shrined in an ancient chest:
Where barbarous mice through many an inlet crept
And fed on heavenly numbers, while he slept !”
Our forefathers were much more inventive and tasteful than
ourselves in the article of Seals. And though it may be now in
some respect too late to attempt the revival of elegance in these
instruments, seeing that stamped envelopes and the application of
the tongue have well nigh driven wax and sigil wholly out of the
field, still it is never too late to know to what extent any branch of
the fine arts has been carried in England. It is exactly when
things are passing out of present use, that they fall within the
province of Archeology, and on that ground our Publication is
consistent with itself in requesting a favourable attention to this
subject. J. E. J.
Contributions to the Museum ond Library.
The Committee feel great pleasure in acknowledging the receipt
of the following articles, which have lately been presented to the
Society :—
By J. Yoncr Akerman, Ese., F.S.A.—Description of the Anglo-
Saxon Antiquities found at Harnham, near Salisbury. Original
document—A Fine between Robert de Hakeney, Rector of Alding-
ton, and Reginald Atte Hulle, concerning tenements at Ramsbury,
ce. 1312. Catalogue of the Kerrich Collection of Roman Coins.
By Joun Brirron, Esqa.—Short Memoirs of Brayley, Bartlett,
and Wilson.
By Dr. Tuurnam, F.S.A., Wilts Co. Asylum.—Description of a
Chambered Tumulus near Uley, co, Gloucester, from the “ Archzeo-
logical Journal.”
1 ** Juv. Sat,” iii. v. 206.
Contributions to the Museum and Library. 393
By James Wayten, Ese., Etchelhampton.— History of Marl-
borough,” (1854), 8vo., by the Donor.
By T. Brucrs Frower, Esa., Bath.—“ Flora Thanetnesis,” 1 vol.,
by the Donor.
By Mr. Gitsert J. Frencu, Bolton, Lancashire.—“ Notes on the
Nimbus,” (1854), a pamphlet privately printed by the Donor.
By Rev. E. Meyrick, Chis/edon.—Portion of a Fossil Fish, in
flint, from Aldbourne.
By Mrs. Fowtz, Market Lavington.—Two Pamphlets—“ A Dis-
course on the Emigration of British Birds,” and a ‘Treatise on
Grafting and Inoculation,” published in 1780, by Mr. John Legge
of Market Lavington.
By Coarp Squarey, Esa., Salisbury —A Quern from Liskeard,
Cornwall.
By R. Cowarp, Ese., Roundway.—Ancient British Urn, Flint
Arrow Head, Bronze Dagger, Chlorite Slate Brooch, Bronze Pin,
and Cranium of a Skeleton, from a Barrow on Roundway Hill,
opened April 18th, 1855.
By Mr. Cunnineron, Devizes—Antler of Deer, from another
Barrow on Roundway Hill, opened on the same day.
By Mr. E. Cunnineton, Devizes.—Nests of two species of Vespa.
By Mr. Farxyer, Devizes—Drawing of an ancient Urn found
at Heddington, Wilts, 1855.
By Mr. H. Buackmorg, Salisbury.—British Urn, from a Barrow
near Salisbury.
By Mr. Crarx, Heddington—Leaden Coffin (supposed to be
Roman), found at Heddington, 1855.
By Mr. Jonn Gopwiy, Ozxford.—Figured tile and portion of
glass, from Malmesbury Abbey. A Holt Spa Token, 1688.
By Miss Hucues, Brock-street, Bath—Seventy curious ancient
documents, chiefly relating to the property and family of Westley
of Whitcliffe (commonly called Whitley), in Brixton Deverell.
Some are without date: the rest of different reigns from Edward I.
to Charles II. (Of these deeds some notes and extracts will be
given in a future number.)
The following original Documents, Manuscripts, and Drawings,
394
Contributions to the Museum and Library.
have been presented to the Society by Ricoarp Mutuines, Esq., of
Stratton near Cirencester.
A.D.
c. 1228.
1301.
1317.
1446.
1457.
1476.
1481.
1566.
1582.
1586.
1588.
1602.
1613.
1614.
1639.
Agreement between the Abbot of Stanley and the Rector
of Lydiard Ewyas (now Tregoz), about the payment of
6s. 8d. a year in lieu of Tythe out of Midge hall. 2 deeds
(Latin.)
Perambulation of the Forests in Wilts, viz. Clarendon,
Westwode, Milchet, Gravelee, Bradene, Savernake, Chute,
Chippenham, Melksham, and Selewood. (Latin.)
Aug. 11. Release of rights in Quedhampton to John God-
wyne of Marlborough, by William de Hyweye. (With
seal.)
Conveyance to Thomas Clerk, of premises at Steeple
Lavington, by John Wyne. (With seal.)
Feoffment by John Latton, of premises at Cliff Pypard,
to Sir Edmund Hungerford, Kt., Henry Longe, and others.
4 Noy. Quitclaim of premises at Cleve Pypard, to Isabella
Latton, widow, and John Horne, by Sir Edmund Hunger-
ford, Kt., Henry Longe, snd others.
A Lease of the Vicarage of Chute, by John Warfyld,
Vicar.
Deed by the Dean and Chapter of Sarum, relating to the
Vicarage of Wotton Basset; reciting an ancient composi-
tion between the Abbot and Convent of Stanley, and the
Vicar, dated 1467. (Latin.)
The Will of Christian Sainsburie, widow, of Esterton, in
Market Lavington.
The Will of Robert Saynsburie of ditto.
The Will of Joan Wadlande of East Lavington, widow.
Perambulation of part of the Manor of Wotton Basset.
24 Sept. Customs of the Manor of Kemble, on a parch-
ment roll.
Sir Francis Englefield’s composition with Mr. Pinner,
Vicar of Wotton Basset.
Subsidies granted to King Charles I. in the Hundreds
of Selkley, Ramsbury, Kinwardstone.
Contributions to the Musewm and Labrary. 395
1658. Case of Mr. Stubbs of Wroughton, before the Commis-
sioners “for ejecting scandalous Ministers.”
1661. Translation of the Grant from the Crown to Henry Hide,
Lord Cornbury and others, of the Manors in Wilts and
elsewhere, which’ belonged to Sir John Danvers, “the
Regicide.”
1665. Wnm. Levett’s Accounts of the King’s Tax, in Wilts.
1679. (30 Charles II.) Copy of the Royal Charter to Wotton
Basset.
1688. The accounts of Mr. Robert Lawrence, Treasurer of the
northern part of co. Wilts, for maimed soldiers and
mariners.
1697. 24 Noy. Articles of agreement for the Sale of the
Manor of Kington St. Michel, by John Stokes, Esq., to
the Trustees of John Lawford, Esq. of Stapleton near
Bristol.
1698. Two letters from Wm. Hearst, Sarum, relating to the
Monthly Tax of £1966, 17s. 9d. laid on the county of Wilts.
“ Mr. Sheriff’s present to the Grand Jury, was a sheepe, a
lambe, and a calfe, and a ribe of beefe, (he would have had
a chine, but it could not be got) a dowzen and a halfe of
Claret, and 6 qnartes of Canarie.”
1698. Terrier of the Vicarage lands of Wotton Basset, alias
Wootton Vetus.
1699. Grant to Mrs. Jane Weldon of a space for a pew in
Mere Church.
1727. Copy of the Poll book of Wotton Basset at the Election
of Sir Robert Long, Bart., and Nicholas Robinson, Esq.
1736. Presentments at the Court of the Manor of Wotton
Basset, held for Lord Cornbury, Lord of the Manor.
1741. Copy of the Poll Book of Wotton Basset at the Election
of Robert Neale and John Harvey Thursby, Esqrs.
THE HUNGERFORD FAMILY.
1565-1682. Six Deeds relating to the Rectory of Horsley, co.
Gloucester, granted by the Crown to Sir Walter Hunger-
ford, temp. Eliz.
396 Contributions to the Museum and Library.
1716-1724. Two Deeds relating to a House at Cricklade, con-
veyed by Walter Hungerford, Esq. of Studley, to Edward
Peddellingam.
Seven Pedigrees of different branches of the Hungerfords.
“ List of Hungerfords, High Sheriffs for Wilts,’ “List of
Hungerford Members of Parliament,” “ List of Sheriffs of
Gloucestershire.” Various Memoranda of the Hungerford
family.
NORTH WILTS CHURCHES.
MS. Description of 15 Churches in North Wilts, viz., Ashton
Keynes, Somerford Keynes, Poole Keynes, Shorncote, Oaksey,
Eisey, Leigh Chapel, Lydiard Millicent, Minety, Castle Eaton,
Purton, Blunsdon St. Andrew, Latton, Cricklade St. Mary,
and Cricklade St. Sampson.
DRAWINGS, &ce.
Asuton Keryyes.—Piscina and Ambry. Norman Chancel and
Font. Base of Cross.
Castie Eaton.—Norman Doorway. Bell Turret. Font.
CuirrerNne. Ground-plan of Church.
CrickLADE Str. Sampson’s.—Monument in Widhill Aisle. Effigy
on stone in Churchyard. Font. Dragon and body against
tower. Various heraldic devices. Cross in Churchyard.
Down Amprey.—Gatehouse.
LeicH CuHaPreL.—Piscina.
Lypiarp Minricent.—Font.
Mriyery.—Oak Screen. Font.
Oaxsry.—Piscina. Locker and Monumental recess.
Purton.—Plan of Ringsbury Camp.
SomerrorD Kerynrs.—Font. Saxon Door-way. Copy of In-
scription to Robert Straung, Esq.
Suorncotr.—Bell Turret. Church.
Copy of a head on stained glass in Farley Huageroes Church :
commonly called Sir Thos. Hungerford.
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397
Wiltshire Mates ant Queries.
WILTSHIRE DURING THE Crvi, Wars: Proposep History.—
J. Waylen proposes to re-publish a Political, Military, and Domestic
History of this county, during the contests of the 17th century;
to be illustrated with Engravings designed by himself. In
furtherance of such a work, the loan of, or privilege of access
to, original documents, such as warrants, inquisitions, parish entries,
and private letters, connected with that period, will be esteemed a
favour, and will be duly acknowledged. To be published by sub-
scription, in the form of a thick imperial octavo ; price not to exceed
a guinea.
[N.B. The work will contain an account of the estates of all
the royalists in the county. |
The accompanying woodcut represents the killing of Captain
Henry Penruddocke, which was perpetrated at West Lavington,
in the house (still standing) of Mr. Beckett, by a party of Ludlow’s
troopers, in December, 1644. A contemporary newspaper describes
the circumstances as follows :—
“Finding young Mr. Penruddocke, (second son of Sir John
Penruddocke, late sheriff of the county), in one of the rooms where
he was fallen asleep in a chair, after two nights of hard service,
they pulled him by the hair, knocked him down, and broke two
pistols over his head, without so much as tendering him quarter.
The gentlewoman of the house and her two daughters then fell
upon their knees before the soldiers, begging for the life of their
guest, declaring that he was a gentleman, and whose son he was;
upon which one of the troopers, who was a collier, swore that he
should die for his father’s sake, and putting a pistol to his belly
shot him dead.” ANE
[He was brother to Col. John Penruddocke, who was beheaded
by Cromwell at Exeter, May, 1655. Kd. |
“? 3 F
398 Wilts Notes and Queries.
CLARENDON Parx.—One of the rewards to George Monk, Duke
of Albemarle, for bringing about the Restoration of Charles IL.,
was the royal grant of Clarendon Park. The grant is recited in
full in “Sir R. C. Hoare’s South Wilts,” and dated 1665. The Duke
bequeathed it to his son and heir Christopher, who in 1688
bequeathed it to his cousin John Granville, Earl of Bath; from
whose heirs it was purchased in 1713, by Benjamin Bathurst, Esq.,
in whose descendants the property remains:—AIl proving that the
first Duke of Albemarle never sold Clarendon park.
Nevertheless, Pepys in his Diary in February 1663-4, the year
previous, relates a conversation with Allsop the King’s brewer, who
told him that whereas Charles the first had mortgaged Clarendon
park for £20,000, and Charles the second had now given it to
George Monk, Duke of Albemarle, and Albemarle had subse-
quently sold it to Chancellor Hyde, Lord Clarendon, “whose title
of earldom” he adds, “is fetched from thence;’’—therefore the
King did this day send his order to the privy seal for the payment
to Lord Clarendon of £20,000, to enable him to clear off the
mortgage aforesaid.
And several months after, viz., in July 1664, Pepys represents
Clarendon as in a tempest of rage against the Navy-board, (and
against Pepys as one of them), for sending into Wiltshire, one
Dean, whom Clarendon calls “a fanatic rogue,” to mark a quantity
of timber at Clarendon, preparatory to its being felled for the royal
navy. He narrates in full a long conversation with the Chancellor
while walking in St. James’ Park, and endeavours to represent him
as a cunning grasping man; one who, while seeking Pepys’ services
in the affair, was extremely anxious that the King should not suspect
his own anxiety to keep the timber:—Which last passage affords
decisive evidence that Lord Clarendon was in possession after the
mortgage was paid off. And that the estate had not come primarily
to him in the form of a gift, is proved in his “ Vindication,” where
it is asserted that he acquired none of the crown lands, “but what
he purchased for as much as any body would pay for them.”
The question that arises is:—Where should Pepys, writing at a
period when he supposes Chancellor Hyde in undoubted possession,
‘ite ©
Wilts Notes and Queries. 399
have derived his impression that Albemarle had ever held it pre-
viously? Or putting the opposite case, and supposing that
Albemarle had nothing to do with it till the date of his grant, how
could a Diary written in 1664, come to contain the notice of an
event, long subsequent? Or lastly; did Albemarle sell Clarendon
park to Chancellor Hyde, and yet recover it by royal bounty?
J
Urrer Urnam.—To the statement (p. 128 above) that John of
Gaunt lived in the ancient house at Upper Upham, it ought to be
added that it is very doubtful whether any part of the present house
existed in the time of John of Gaunt. If it did, the house was
evidently modernized to a great extent by the Goddard family, in
the reign of Queen Elizabeth, or rather earlier.
On the front of the house in raised letters there are the initials
eG: Ay: G::
and below there is engraved in gilt letters surrounded by a border line
R G
1599
E G
I was informed by Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bart., that the initials
T. G. and A. G., are those of Thomas Goddard, of Upham, who
bought the Swindon property in 1562; and of Anne, sister of Sir
George Giffard, his wife: the initials R. G. and E. G. being those
of Richard Goddard, (the son of Thomas), and Elizabeth, daughter
of Thomas Waldron, of Aldbourne, his wife: the will of this
Richard Goddard being dated in 1614. F. A. Carrineton.
Tue “ Worp Arz.”—In the paper on “ Ancient Ales,””! the Word
Ale at Midgehall, a moated house about midway between Wootton
Basset and Lydiard Tregoze, is not mentioned. It is noticed by
Aubrey in his Collections for North Wilts,” in the following terms.
“MIpGE-HALL.”
‘‘Mem.—The custome of Worde Ale.”
“This was the Grange of the Abbey of Stanley, the Demesnes thereto belonging
with some other smaller tenements of the same tenure, are in value above a
lp. 191. 2 Part 2., p. 89.
38 ¥F2
400 Wilts Notes and Queries.
thousand pounds per annum, and pay but eight shillings in lieu of their tithes.
For Pope Innocent, the first of that name, decreed in the Lateran Councell, that
no Cistertian (he being of that order himself), should pay any Tithes. The
tenants in memorie of this Decree doe yearly every one in his order about the
Feaste of All Saints, keep a Feaste for their fellow tenants, which they call a
Word Ale. It was celebrated heretofore with great solemnitie, many prayers
being made for the Abbot of Stanley and the Monks of the Cistertian order, now
forgotten, all that they yet retaine is, viz.—
‘You are to pray for the Abbot of Stanley and all the Monks of the Cistertian
Order, by whom we are all Tithe free, Tithe free; by whom we are all Tithe
free, Tithe free, &e,’
These words are sung by the Chorus, while one drinkes a Gar-ouse,* holding
a white wand in his hand, and so all round. When the feast is ended, he that
then kept it, delivers his Wand to him that by course is to keep it the yeare follow-
ing.”
I understand that this meeting is still kept up, but that those
who attend it assemble with locked doors, and perform the ceremonies
of the “ Word Ale”’ in secret.
The Ale is a private Court, and the members are said to be sworn
to secrecy; as by the payment of eight shillings a year, payable to
the Rector of Lydiard Tregoz, and by keeping up certain cere-
~ monies, the whole of the Midghall Tything, including about two
thousand acres, is free from the payment of Tythe. This mysterious
feast is held on the first Sunday after New Michaelmas.
I am unable to suggest any derivation of “Word Ale,” beyond
that which is obvious to every one, and I am equally unable to
suggest any reason why the “Word Ale” of Midgehall is no longer
celebrated with a chorus, as Aubrey states it to have been when he
wrote, in the reign of King Charles the second.
I could easily imagine that it would not have been quite safe to
have praised Abbots and Monks just at the time of the Reformation,
or to have had Choruses and Garouses in the time of the Puritans,
but as both were no doubt restored with the Merry Monarch, it is
rather difficult to account for the introduction of secrecy since
that period. F,. A,
*Dr. Johnson in his Dictionary, defines a ‘‘ Carouse”’ to be “‘a hearty dose of liquor,” and he cites
for this the following passage from Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew, Act 1., Scene 2. ‘* Please
you we may contrive this afternoon, and quaff Carouses to our mistress’ health.”
END OF VOL. II.
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