\
UCSB LIBRARY
4>*t.
flfeunicfpal Cbuccb
OF
St. %awrence,
IReaMng.
TSalfantpiu
BALLANTYNE, HANSON AND CO., RDINBUKGl
CHANDOS STREET, LONDON
THE CHURCH.
OF THE
Municipal Cbutxb
OF
STL
IReabfng.
BY
IRev. Cbarles
Curate.
PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR,
FORBURY ROAD, READING, AND LITTLE EATON, DERBY.
1883.
TO THE
WORSHIPFUL THE MAYOR
AND THE
ALDERMEN AND BURGESSES OF READING,
THIS ACCOUNT OF THEIR
BY THEIR OBEDIENT SERVANT
Hutbor,
preface.
(I I}C archives of St. Lawrence's Church, in Reading, are
amongst the oldest and most interesting in England. They
commence in 1410, and are tolerably complete down to the
present time.
The earlier details are so graphic, that they afford not
only a wonderful insight into the history and changes of
the fabric, the exquisite nature of its furniture and decora-
tions so valuable to the ecclesiologist and art student
but also illustrate to a great extent the parochial life of the
fifteenth and following centuries.
It is quite beyond the Author's means to publish the
documents in extenso, but he has endeavoured to illustrate,
by hundreds of literal extracts, the various points of interest
connected with the Church, and the manners and customs
of the people ; so that the present work will be found to
contain all that is really interesting in the records, not only
to the antiquary, but to the general reader.
In many respects this work may be considered a typical
history of every parish church in England everywhere
the ancient centre of parochial life ; and it is on this
account chiefly that the Author has felt justified and en-
couraged in his responsible undertaking.
Vlll PREFACE.
The writer desires to express his warmest thanks to the
Vicar and Churchwardens for the loan of Church docu-
ments; to J. Challenor Smith, Esq., of the Probate Registry,
for his courtesy and assistance during his researches at
Somerset House ; to Arthur Billing, Esq., for the interest-
ing description of the mural paintings discovered by him
in the chancels in 1848 ; and to his valued friend, Llewellyn
Jewett, Esq., F.S.A., &c., the editor of the " Reliquary,"
for the pictorial illustrations of the tumbrel.
CHARLES KERRY.
Junezttt 1883.
CORRIGENDA ET ADDENDA.
5, line iS,for " have," read " has."
I 3> 2 5>/ ffr " springing," read " springings."
28, 20, under 1638, add
" A canopy was erected over the altar this year, at a
cost of 4/. i6s. 6d. It is not probable that this
survived the visit of the Earl of Essex's lambs
in 1643."
61, 7,f or " 2 9 J lbs.>" read "261 Ibs."
99, K),for " ied," read " vied."
1 57, y>,for " fUbing," read "
158, ll, for "^t&ing," read "
221, 28, for " PHANNEL," r^a^ " PHANUEL."
232, ,, 1 1, should be
l< Honey and fish with #.r he ate."
232, 39,/tfr"bleds and," read "bledsand," i.e., bloody or
bleeding.
logical Society for 1881-2, p. 45, writes : " Some relics of
an early date were found in the Flummery Ditch (on the
north side of this headland). They consist of bones of a
large ox or bison, and osseous remains of an ox domesti-
cated by the Romans. Bones also of a horse, dog, and
% fragment of a human skull, and pottery of a rude character,
and some pieces of glass form part of the collection."
(Now in the Reading Museum.) These remains prove
incontestably that the eastern extremity of the headland
was occupied by prehistoric races, ages before the Roman
B
Vlll PREFACE.
The writer desires to express his warmest thanks to the
Vicar and Churchwardens for the loan of Church docu-
ments; to J. Challenor Smith, Esq., of the Probate Registry,
for his courtesy and assistance during his researches at
Somerset House ; to Arthur Billing, Esq., for the interest-
Ibtstor?.
'HE Parish of Saint Lawrence, Reading, occupies the
angle formed by the Thames and the Kennett. The
gravel bank on which the older portion of the town is
built, here terminates abruptly in a narrow headland, pro-
tected originally on the north and east by marshy swamps
and deep water-courses, and on the south by the Kennett.
A spot so well defended would naturally commend itself
to an aboriginal people ; and here, if anywhere, we might
expect to find indications of a primitive occupation ; but
the surface of the hill has been so much disturbed in
mediaeval and modern times, that research in this direction
would not produce much satisfactory evidence. There can
be no doubt, however, that the numerous remains found in
the Kennett in the vicinity of the new bridge at the Read-
ing Gasworks in 1881, many of which consisted of pre-
historic implements formed of the bones of animals, were
swept down there from the margin of the headland by the
force of the river floods, and so must be regarded with
special interest as illustrating the very early occupation of
this elevation many ages before any portion of modern
Reading came into being. Dr. Stevens, in his account of
these discoveries in the Transactions of the Berks Archaeo-
logical Society for 1881-2, p. 45, writes : " Some relics of
an early date were found in the Flummery Ditch (on the
north side of this headland). They consist of bones of a
large ox or bison, and osseous remains of an ox domesti-
cated by the Romans. Bones also of a horse, dog, and
% fragment of a human skull, and pottery of a rude character,
and some pieces of glass form part of the collection."
(Now in the Reading Museum.) These remains prove
incontestably that the eastern extremity of the headland
was occupied by prehistoric races, ages before the Roman
B
2 EARLY HISTORY.
invasion ; that it was inhabited during the Roman-British
period, and, subsequently, in Anglo-Saxon times. A por-
tion of this high ground, now a public garden, is termed
the " Forbury ;" a name obviously derived from the A.S.
" Forburh," a vestibule : that is, a portion of ground before,
or in front of the " burg'' or " bury." A vestibule is a
court or porch through which a building or habitation is
approached. The early Saxon burgh, then, must have been
seated at the eastern extremity of the headland, because the
Forbury could never have formed a vestibule to the present
town on its western side, since there never was any approach
to it through that quarter.
The way to the Saxon bury was through the Forbury,
and hence the name. The position of the once circular
Danish intrenchment in the Forbury, now completely
effaced, is very significant as to the locality of the original
Saxon Burgh. It was formed just where such an earth-
work, under a good military leader, would have been placed
so as to command the Burgh on the promontory if intact,
or to prevent its reoccupation if destroyed. Had the Saxon
vill been on the western side of the Forbury, no invader
would have intrenched himself in a position like this, where
his chance of escape would have been cut away by any
formidable descent from the town-quarter.
About half of the fosse was remaining until the forma-
tion of the Forbury Gardens, about the year 1858. The
extremities of the arc extended from the western half of the
Abbey gateway to a point opposite the old bay-windowed
house used by the Messrs. Fuller and May. According to Mr.
Coates' Map, dated 1802, the arc was as nearly a semicircle
as possible ; the line of the front of the buildings from the
Assize Courts to the old house before mentioned, forming
the chord of the segment. This ditch or fosse was in some
parts at least six or seven feet in depth, and about four or
five yards in width. The southern half was obviously filled
in at the construction of the Abbey gateway, and other
original buildings to the west of it. When intact, the in-
trenchment was at least ninety yards in diameter.
The history of this Danish incursion is thus given by
Roger de Hoveden (temp. Hen. II.) : "Anno 871. The
Danes, marching into Wessex, came to Reading, situated
on the south side of the river Thames, in the county of
Berks. On the third day after their arrival, two of their
leaders, with a part of their army, went on a foraging
EARLY HISTORY. 3
party, the remainder, in the meantime, being employed in
throwing up an intrenchment between the Thames and the
Kennett on the right side of the town of Reading. These
(the foragers) were met by Ethelwulf, Earl of Berks, at a
place called Englefield, that is, 'The Field of the English.'
Here both parties fought with the utmost animosity, till
one of the Danish generals being killed, and their army
being either routed or destroyed, the Saxons obtained a
complete victory. Four days after this battle, King Ethel-
red and his brother Elfred having collected their forces,
marched to Reading, killing and destroying all before them
as far as the gates of the fortification (' arcis') . At length
the Danes, sallying out from all the gates (ports), attacked
the victorious army, when after a long and bloody battle
the Danes obtained the victory/'
It is probable that the mound in the Forbury, close by
this old earthwork, was originally a " tumulus," though it
may have been modified in later times : if not of pre-
historic origin, it may cover the remains of the slaughtered
Danes interred after the struggle on this spot in the year
871, when they overcame the Saxons, flushed with victory
on their return from Englefield. By this defeat, the Danes
became masters of the field, and nothing can be conceived
more natural than that they should bury their dead after their
wonted manner. They died the death of heroes, and as such
it was fitting the high mound should be raised over them.
Curiously enough, this mound is on the verge of the Saxon
cemetery, though this is not of uncommon occurrence :
thus there is a fine barrow in the old churchyard at Taplo\v,
Bucks ; and there are tumuli contiguous to the churchyards
at Morley, Derbyshire, and Puttenham, co. Surrey. The old
church was undoubtedly of no great antiquity at the time
of its removal by Henry I., for the burg then clustering
round it had been burnt by the Danes only 115 years
before, and the original Saxon sanctuary (probably a
humble structure of wood) undoubtedly perished in that
conflagration.
If Leland and Camden had only adhered to the words
of the original historian of this transaction, it would have
prevented much misconception in later times with regard
to the early topography of the town. There was no castle
in Reading, properly so called, before the time of King
Stephen, and this was destroyed about two or three years
after its erection by King Henry II. It would appear
B 2
4 SITE OF THE ORIGINAL CHURCH.
from the valuable evidence mentioned by Coates, p. 145,
to have stood on the site of the old gaol in Castle Street ;
but this evidence, so weighty, he seems inclined to set
aside.
Site of tbc Original cburcb.
In Anglo-Saxon times, parish churches and parish church-
yards were inseparable ; and this arose from the almost
natural desire of Christians to be interred, if not within,
at least as near the walls of their sanctuaries as possible.
This privilege of interment within the towns and cities of
England was procured by St. Cuthbert, Abp. of Canter-
bury, who died A.D. 758 (Weever, Fun 1 . Mon ts ., p. 8).
From this time, therefore, it may be affirmed that there
was no parish church in this country without its adjacent
cemetery, and no Christian graveyard without its church.
The original burial-ground of St. Lawrence's parish before
A.D. 1557, lay on the north side of the Abbey, as appears
from an entry of that date in the churchwardens' accounts,
and far away from the present parish church. As this
arrangement was a deviation from the universal custom,
there must have been some special cause.
The Abbey Church, to which the parisJi burial-ground
was contiguous, was never the parish church, and as the
parishioners from the remotest times had no other place
for general interment, we must look back to a period
anterior to the foundation of the Abbey for the solution of
the difficulty. It must be this :
That the old parish church of St. Lawrence, before the
foundation of the Abbey, stood within or near this ancient
parisli cemetery stood, in fact, in the heart of the old
Saxon Burgh ; for the situation of these early graveyards
was regulated entirely by the position of the church, and
not vice versa. One thing is very certain, that if the
parishioners of St. Lawrence had not possessed the right
cf interment there before the foundation of the Abbey by
Henry I., they would not so easily have obtained that right
afterwards, because the precincts of the Abbey were extra-
parochial.
The old parish church was without doubt demolished by
Henry I. in A.D. 1121, to make room for the magnificent
church of his new monastic foundation, most probably
built on its site. The old Saxon church would be used in
SITE OF THE ORIGINAL CHURCH. 5
common by the inhabitants of the Burgh, and the members
of the Convent of Leveva. In the adjoining churchyard
then, situated as it was near the centre of the Saxon Burgh,
lie the remains of the first Christian population of Read-
ing, and, it may be, of the prehistoric population too ; for
the sites of heathen temples were frequently selected for
the erection of Christian churches, and the bodies of the
faithful were deposited near the ashes of their pagan
ancestors. (The churchyard of Ribchester, co. Lancaster,
occupies the site of a Roman Temple dedicated to Minerva.)
It is not improbable that the Saxon church was dedicated
to St. Matthew, because of the fair formerly held in the
Forbury on St. Matthew's Day. Many of our old fairs
have grown out of the dedication festivals of the churches
where they are held, and are even now frequently coincident
with these commemorations.
The Saxon vill, with its humble church and convent,
have long since passed away, and the stately monastic
foundation which supplanted them is now a crumbling
ruin a perishing fragment of its former grandeur ; whilst
the parish church of St. Lawrence, the single representa-
tive of these ancient associations, and the hereditary suc-
cessor of the church of the Saxon Burg, still survives.
That she may long continue to inherit the venerable pres-
tige which time has conferred upon her, is the earnest hope
of one whose chiefest privilege is to minister within her
walls.
DOMESDAY SURVEY.
2>ome8ba\> Survey
The earliest survey of Reading is in Domesday Book,
completed A.D. 1086.
The account is divided into three distinct portions :
I. The survey of the Hundred of Reading.
2.. The survey of the Burgh or Bury ; and
3. The survey of the Church and its lands.
In the absence of direct evidence, it seems probable that
the Hundred of Reading was co-extensive with the parishes
of St. Lawrence, St. Mary, and St. Giles.
(TRANSLATION.)
" THE KING HOLDS READING IN DEMESNE. KING EDWARD
(THE CONFESSOR) HELD IT. IN READING HUNDRED. THEN,
AND NOW, IT DEFENDS ITSELF FOR FORTY-THREE HIDES. THE
ARABLE LAND IS FORTY CARUCATES. ONE IS IN DEMESNE.
FIFTY-FIVE VILLEINS, AND THIRTY BORDARS, WITH FIFTY-FIVE
PLOUGHS. THERE ARE FOUR MILLS OF EIGHTY-FIVE SHILLINGS,
AND THREE FISHERIES OF FOURTEEN SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE,
AND A HUNDRED AND FIFTY-FIVE ACRES OF MEADOW. THE
WOODS ARE SUFFICIENT FOR ONE HUNDRED PIGS. OF PASTURE,
TO THE VALUE OF SIXTEEN SKILL. AND SIX PENCE. IN THE TIME
OF KING EDWARD AND AFTERWARDS, IT WAS WORTH FORTY
POUNDS, NOW FORTY-EIGHT POUNDS."
be :i6ut\> or Burgb,
"THE KING HAS IN THE BURY (" habet in Burgo") OF
READING, TWENTY- EIGHT HOUSES (" hagas" or homesteads), PAYING
FOUR POUNDS FOUR SKILL. FOR ALL CUSTOMS. NEVERTHELESS,
HE WHO NOW HOLDS IT PAYS A HUNDRED SKILL. HENRY DE
FERRARS HAS A HOUSE THERE, AND HALF A VIRGATE (twelve
acres and a half) OF LAND, IN WHICH ARE FOUR ACRES OF
MEADOW WORTH SIX SKILL. GODRIC THE SHERIFF HELD THIS
THE CHURCH AND ITS LANDS.
LAND FOR THE PURPOSE OF HARBOURAGE ( u ad
HENRY NOW HOLDS THE SAME. REINBALD, THE SON OF
PETER THE BISHOP, HELD ONE HOUSE THERE, WHICH HE
HAS ANNEXED TO HIS MANOR OF EARLEY. IT IS NOW IN THE
HANDS OF THE KING, AND IS WORTH SIXTEEN SKILL. PER
ANNUM."
Here we have a picture of Saxon Reading. There
were only thirty homesteads within the Burgh, two of
which were clearly of the better class. It was then
a mere hamlet of wooden houses of one story, and
covered with straw and reeds. The next item is very
interesting :
" Henry de Ferrars holds a homestead and twelve and
a half acres in the Burgh, in which are four acres of meadow
of the value of six shillings. Godric the sheriff held this
land for harbourage. This expression, ' ad hospitiumj is
very remarkable, and in the absence of direct evidence, I
am much disposed to believe that it was the plot of ground
now called the ' Forbury,' which was not then so circum-
scribed on its western and southern sides as at present ;
and the hospitality or harbourage was the accommodation
it afforded for the encampment of the itinerant tradesmen
and others who frequented the festivals or fairs of those
days."
Gbe Cburcb anfc its Xante.
" HE, THE ABBOT (i.e., of Battle in Sussex), HOLDS A
CHURCH IN READING WITH EIGHT HIDES THERE APPERTAINING.
LEVEVA, THE ABBESS, HELD IT OF KING EDWARD. THEN, IT
DEFENDED ITSELF FOR EIGHT, NOW, FOR SEVEN HIDES OF LAND,
AND SEVEN CARACUTES IN THE LORDSHIP. THERE ARE NINE
LABOURERS (yillaill), AND EIGHT FARMERS (bordaril), WITH
FIVE PLOUGHS. THERE ARE TWO MILLS OF ELEVEN SKILL 8 , AND
TWO FISHERIES AND A HALF OF FIVE SKILL 8 . IN READING ARE
TWENTY- NINE RUINOUS COTTAGES, OF 2&S. 8</., AND TWELVE
ACRES OF MEADOW. WOODS FOR FIVE PIGS. THE CHURCH PRO-
DUCES THREE POUNDS. IN THE TIME OF KlNG EDWARD IT WAS
VALUED AT Q/., AFTERWARDS AT 8/., AND NOW AT 1 1/."
The church was originally held by Leveva, the abbess
of the Saxon convent which was burnt by the Danes at a
second incursion in 1006, and which does not appear to
have recovered from that disaster. In the year 1076 the
8 THE CHURCH AND ITS LANDS.
Conqueror founded the Abbey of Battle in Sussex, and
between this date and the year 1085 the endowments of
the old Reading convent, including the church and its
lands, were granted to the monks of Battle, having been in
lay hands since the visit of the Danes. ' Sciatis quod tres
abbatise in Regno Angliae peccatis suis exigentibus olim
destructae sunt Radingia scilicet atque Chelseya et Leomin-
stria quas maims laica diu possedit earumque terras et pos-
sessiones alienando distraxit" (Foundation Charter, Hen. I.
Dugdale, iv. 40.)
On the foundation of Reading Abbey, this estate was
withdrawn from the monks of Battle and given to the new
convent at Reading ; certain lands at Apeldreham, with
the farm of Boseham, the wood of Bocfalde and Betle-
sparrioc, with Yringesmed being given to Battle in ex-
change. (Vid. Cayley and Ellis' Dugdale, iii. 233 "Alia
Carta eiusdem Regis pro excambio de Rading.")
The estate near Reading, called Battle Farm, may pro-
bably serve to identify some of these old church lands,
which amounted to about 1,540 acres at the Domesday
survey.
In 1 1 20 the eastern part of the Forbury appears to have
been cleared of every obstacle by Henry I. for the founda-
tion of the Abbey ; even the old church of the Burgh was
swept away, and re-erected just outside the projected boiin-
dary of the new monastery. Parker, in his introduction to
the " Study of Gothic Architecture," p. 29, gives an inte-
resting parallel :
" The Conqueror, having taken possession of about a
quarter of the old city of Lincoln to build a castle upon,
arrd Bishop Remigius having purchased nearly another
quarter to build a cathedral and monastery, the Saxon in-
habitants were driven down the hill on which the old city
stands, and took possession of some swampy land at the
foot of the hill, which they drained and redeemed from
the fens or marshes, of which nearly all the low country
then consisted. On this new land they built several
churches."
The church of Reading Abbey appears to have been
completed in the year 1163, when it was consecrated by
St. Thomas a Becket.
THE CHURCH AND ITS LANDS.
" It foas cnolcbe iwn&retJ ^cr fc sfxtt & tfoo
grace tljat ^Etn omas toas trc^bissop tfio
next ?tr t5naftcr as it foolfc tie
ftuntiretr ?er of grace & sixtt Sc tfjre
as t^e Htng ^tm tetJ, t^e ^urc^ of
S:)at berst tfounieti toas, tijoru ^enrt tije ot^er
(Rob. of Gloucester, Hearne, 469.)
10 THE FABRIC.
Borman Cburcb
consisted of a simple nave with a tower at its western end,
and probably an apsidal sacrarium at the other, and, as the
original boundary wall of the Abbey crossed the site of the
present church from north to south, about the position of
the Blagrave Memorial, it was obviously not more than half
the length of the present structure.
The wall at the south-west corner of the nave for about
27 feet in length, and from 6 to 12 feet in height, is about
five feet in thickness, and is unquestionably a remnant of
this first sanctuary. It has no distinctive character, but as
it is capped by a Norman window in a wall of reduced
thickness, all this superstructure must be of later date than
the lower work ; and as the contiguous wall containing the
doorway of A.D. 1196 is of precisely the same thickness
as this upper masonry, I have no doubt they are coeval,
and the little Norman window was reinserted then, at its
original level. It is clearly one of a scries long since
destroyed, and is especially interesting.
The original tower was brought into its present form in
1458. During its restoration in 1882 several fragments of
Norman work were brought to light, showing that it was
either modified or reconstructed in 1458 with the materials
of the earlier tower. The fragments found in 1882, and
preserved in the ringing chamber, are
1. A scolloped capital, showing a plain chambered abacus
(c. 1120).
2. Another capital, very like those on the south doonvay
of the nave (c. 1196).
3. A piece of chevron moulding of largish proportions
(c. 1120).
4. A piece of perpendicular moulding (c. 1430).
(All these formed the reverse side of old ashler stones in
the angle turrets.)
There is another in-built fragment of Norman moulding
in the north wall of the bell-chamber, on a level with the
bell frames, forming the side of a " putlog" hole (c. 1120).
The presence of the second capital above mentioned, shows
THE FABRIC. I I
that something was done to the tower in 1196, when the
church was so much enlarged. A similar inference may be
made from the moulding of 1430.
As the stones composing the piers and arches of the
tower, as well as the voissoirs of the great west window,
are of a different material to the rest, they seem to point
rather to a modification of the Norman tower in 1458 than
to an entire reconstruction at that time ; and it is not un-
likely that the massive piers of the tower arches may con-
tain the original Norman masonry beneath the covering or
adaptations of 1458. Indeed, it is probable that the north
and south walls of the tower to a considerable height remain
as they were first constructed in 1 120. They are more than
five feet in thickness.
So rapidly did the town increase after the foundation of
the Abbey, and so great were the claims on conventual
hospitality, that it was found necessary to erect an outer
hospitium for the relief of the poor, and to enlarge the
church for the accommodation of increasing worshippers.
Both of these great works appear to have been carried out
by the good Abbot Hugh about the same time, and, as soon
as completed, the church was assigned to the new hospicium,
or, as it was called, "The Hospital of St. John the Baptist,"
in the seventh year of the pontificate of Hubert Walter,
Bishop of Salisbury, A.D. 1196.
In this year, or about this time, the Norman church was
enlarged to its present dimensions. Of the work of this
period there remains
1. The south doorway of the nave.
2. The piscina in the south wall.
3. The jamb of a window discovered above Blagrave's
monument, with shaft and capital like those of
(No. 4).
4. The three lancets in the chancel.
5. The arcade between the chancel and the chapel of St.
John the Baptist (perhaps a little later).
6. The two lancets blocked at the formation of the east
window of the north chapel.
/. (Probably) the low blocked arch in the wall of the
north aisle.
All these in their several positions show the extent of the
additions made at this time.
There is a long list of subscribers on the roll of 1440-1,
to the " work of the church" (" opus ecclesiae") ; but as the
12
THE FABRIC.
sum of S/. 13^. $d. appears to have been expended this year
on the tenements belonging to the church, and the aforesaid
subscriptions amounted only to 9/. i6j. 5|^., it was probable
that this was the purpose to which those contributions were
applied, and that nothing material was then done to the
fabric. In this account a few old terms occur which may
be interesting : We have " eves borde," " borde nale,"
" window nale," " lath nale," hertlath, suplath, crests,
" zabul," twysts, " dawbyng," and " pynnyng."
E Complete list of tbe Subscribers to tbe
"Morfc of tbe Cburcb" in 1440.
Dns Hen. Coup vicar, iij s iiij' 1
Pastr' Dalamare, iij s iij d
Jolies Kirkeby, vj s viij d
Robt 9 Morys, vj s viij' 1
Wilts Bryssele, iij s iiij d
Jolies Deyr, xx d
Witts Boteler, xij d
Witts Hunt, vj s viij d
Robt 5 Kayns, vj s viij' 1
Witts Stapper, xx d
Thorn Swayn, ij s (M.P. for
Reading, 1426, died in
1441).
Denys Coke, ij d
Joh a ne Benton, ij d
Joh' Aleward, tyler, viij d
Ricus Tumour, vj s viij d
Jolies Wyse, iij s iiij d
David 9 Gower, iij s iiij' 1
Hen. Robf, xij d
Ricus Hawkeley, xij' 1
Witts Bartheran, iiij 8
Henric 9 Boteler, iiij d
Thom a s Laurence, viij 11 (cl p ic 9
poch dee ecctie).
Jofies Plumer, tyler, xij d
Robt 9 Budd, viij"
Witts pvecote, x d
JoKes Chaundeler, xx' 1
Hen' Ffurberoe, xij d
Johes Brown, smyth, i d
Johes Barthelot, iiij d
Witts Rede, iiij d
Johes Morys, iiij d
Emmota nup relict Join's
Plumer, ij d
Jolies Kale, iiij d
Johes Netter, iiij d
Hugo p'chemyner, iiij' 1
Jolies Taylour, xij' 1
Ricus Monmouth, ij d
Witts Ludlowe, vi' 1
Jolies Benham, xij d
Witts Drover, xij d
Witts Dyer, xij' 1
Johes Mereham, vj s viij' 1
Johes Benet, iiij d
Robt 9 Brynger, viij' 1
Jolies Pasteler, viij' 1
Hen Hurtlond, iiij d
Ricus Veston, xij' 1
Thom a s Hakker, xx d
Thom n s Culvl house, xij d
Jo!ies Garden], xij d
Edward' Dyer, iij s iiij' 1
Thorn Coleshill, iiij' 1
Jolies Reynolds, ij d
Jolies Stevyns, iiij d
Johes atte Hatch, viij' 1
Thorn Hampton, iiij"
THE FABRIC. 13
Joties Canon, ij' 1 Thom a s Fferrour, ij d
Joties Barton, taillour, iiij d Joties Colyns, vi a
Joties Bothenall, iiij d Joties Buck, viij d
Witts Hyne, xij d Joties atte Hethe, viij' 1
Agn' Gowler, iiij d Ffelicia Weldere, ij d
Robt 5 Pasteler, viij d Thom a s Luff, vi d
Johes Merk, ij (l Rog) Coke, xij d
Nictius Mountford, xij cl Joties Bernard, xx d
Radus Younge, ij s Joties Hale, xii d
Ric' Ffarle, xx d Ricus Coup, vi d
Jolies Vanner, vij d Joties Heryng, viij d
Reginald Crokesley, iv d Johes Est, iiij d
Joties Athelard, vi d Witts Wever, iiij' 1
Ricus Stovyle, ij d Sm a ix ti xvj s v d ob.
Margeria Baker, xx d
In 1458 the churchwardens' roll gives the names of those
who contributed to the " Emendation of the campanile ;"
but unfortunately the roll has been so much injured by
damp, that almost the entire face of the skin has perished,
and with it of course the record. There are only twenty-
six names legible. In this year the original bell tower was
brought into its present form.
At this time the arches between the nave and north aisle,
erected in 1196 by Abbot Hugh, were probably recon-
structed. The springing of the arches from the responds
at the east and v/est ends of the arcade between the nave
and aisle give the original height of the capitals.
The greenish-tinted stone was now first introduced, and
it may enable us to detect the alterations of this period.
We find it in the tower arches, the newel at the south-east
corner, the voissoirs of the great west window, the nave
arches, the sides of the niches in the spandrels, and the
windows of the north aisle. Hence we may infer that the
lancets of 1 196, formerly in the north aisle, were now sup-
planted by the present windows. A corresponding series
were also inserted in the south wall, the easternmost window
excepted ; teste, the old engravings of the church, especially
one by " Shury and Son." Another, if it may be relied
upon, shows one window on each side of the nave doorway,
exactly like those in the north aisle ; and another, the
second from the east end of this wall, of a still later
character.
The last alteration took place about the year 1521,
14 THE FABRIC.
though something was begun as early as 1518, as appears
by the following entry in the church books :
" Item, gyven by dyiice psons toward the repacon of the
church gatherid euy Sonday after new yer s day unto
Sonday aft r Michelmas day which amounteth to the
sin of (as apperith by a boke of their names) xxi 11 ij s j d .
" It. payd to Myller the Joyno r in pte of paymet
iiij 11 vi s viij d for makyng of the pclose in the new
chapell, xxvi s viij d .
" It. payd to Harry Horthorne for tymbre workman-
shypp, and for bowrdyng of men as apperith by
his bill 8 , vif iiij d ."
A new vestry seems to have been constructed this year,
containing a separate altar.
"Anno 1520-1. It. paid for a hose cloth gyven to the
ouseer of My lord CardynalP werks to licence
Chayney the mason to cu from thens, iiij s iiij' 1
(from Hampton Court).
" It. paid to John Knyght for couyng of the rode
lofte and the imag 8 xiiij d .
'' It. paid for charg 8 in Ridyng for Chayney the
Mason, iij s iiij' 1 .
" It. paid to Harry Cobbe in pte of vj s for takyng
downe of the bracis of the beamys & for
settyng vpp of vj new corsis, iij s .
" It. paid to White the belfounder for arrerag 8 of
the glasse for the new ivyndoivs in tJie qncrc in
full payment for the same wyndows, xiij 8 iiij fi .
"Anno 1521-2. It. payd for the tymber & sawyng of
viij Corvetts for the new arches, viij 11 .
" It. payd to my laborar 8 for besynes done yn the
chyrch when the new arches were mayd,
iiij 8 xi d ."
From this we learn the exact date of the present four-
centred arches between the nave and aisle. The previous
ones of 1458 were not considered sufficiently lofty, so the
columns were now raised and the arches stilted : the inter-
vening niches were covered with crowns (perhaps in the
place of loftier canopies), and new bases adorned with
cherubs and shields attached to the whole. The devices on
these shields, proceeding from east to west, are as follow :
1. A shield bearing a gridiron for St. Lawrence.
2. Two chevrons between three roses. Probably intended
THE FABRIC. I 5
for " Wickham ;" argt. 2 chev. sa., between 3 roses
gules, seeded or, barbed vert.
3. A shield bearing a rebus, consisting of a tun impressed
with the letter " B," intended no doubt for Baynton
(B-in-Tun, or, B-on-Tun). Richard Baynton was
one of the officiating clergy in 1524, "It. to S r
Ric. Baynton for mendyng the grett organs at ij
tymes iiij V The same year his chamber was repaired
at an outlay of il, 2s. 2d.
4. A shield with a chevron between 3 tuns.
5. A shield bearing 3 chevrons between 3 bezants, or
torteaux.
There is another shield behind this in the north aisle,
with a rose in the centre. The remaining shields in the
north aisle are without devices.
The old chancel arch was coeval with the lancets at the
east end, c. 1196, and was about five feet narrower than the
present one, erected under Mr. Ferrey about 1848. At that
time Mr. Billing discovered the stairs to the rood loft in the
south pier. The steps were then removed, and the hole
was filled with rubble and grouting to form a stronger
abutment for the new chancel arch.
The old views of the church exhibit two dormer windows
in the south side of the nave roof; one near the tower, and
another over the south doorway inclining to the east. The
former of these was of no very recent date :
"Anno 1521. It. payd to Henry Horethorne for the
wyndow yn the south syde of the chyrch next
the stepyll besyds y 1 he have gyven, vij s viij' 1 .
" It. payd for half a bj of tyle pynes occupyed ou
the wyndow, ij d ob."
There were similar windows inserted in the north and
south sides of the chancel roof, and three more over the
north aisle looking northwards.
For repairs of the chancel see under Vicars: "JOHN
SMITH."
The writer has received a most interesting communication
from Mr. Arthur Billing, architect and surveyor, 185,
Tooley Street, London Bridge, relating to some discoveries
made at the restoration of the two chancels about forty years
ago. The notes were taken at that time :
" Immediately beneath the triplet windows in the east
wall of the chancel were discovered the remains of three
I 6 THE FABRIC.
' Aumbries' or ' Lockers,' in one of which was a portion of
wood and iron work remaining, evidently showing that
they were once closed by doors, and were probably used
for keeping the sacred vessels and other articles of that
description. These had been completely hidden by the
large wooden altar screen of the Georgian era. Upon the
south side of the chancel, at the eastern end, was found a
large portion of a piscina, but the bowl altogether gone.
There had also been sedilia, but these had been entirely
taken out, and the place filled up with brickwork.
" On the south side of St. John's Chapel, in the portion of
wall forming the respond to the eastern arch of the arcade
separating the chancel from the chapel, was also discovered
a piscina nearly perfect, with the exception of a part of
the bowl being broken. This, together with the piscina,
the aumbries, and the sedilia in the chancel, have all been
entirely filled up.
" P.S. Several portions of the rood screen were found
under the nave floor, near the chancel arch.
" I have a sketch and plan of the slabs with their legends
lying in the chancel and in the north chapel."
be Gower.
The stately tower of St. Lawrence's is one of the finest
specimens of ecclesiastical architecture in the county, and
is justly considered the chiefest ornament of the town.
From whatever point it may be viewed, its exquisite pro-
portions cannot fail to strike the observer. The parish-
ioners and townsmen have shown their appreciation of the
treasure, by restoring it to its pristine beauty. The struc-
ture is divided into three stages or stories, defined by ex-
terior string courses : the lowest is open to the body of the
church, the second forms the ringing chamber, and the
uppermost contains one of the most musical rings of bells
in the south of England. Octagonal buttresses occupying
the angles terminate in lofty embattled pinnacles crowned
with spirelets, which rise to an elevation of in feet, or
23 feet above the top of the battlements.
The uppermost windows are a careful reproduction of
the old ones existing in iSSi ; and, although they are some-
what incongruous in their character, it was thought better
thus to preserve the architectural history of the building,
THE TOWER. I /
than to resort to a more correct type, but of no local
authority.
The original south window was probably first destroyed
for the admission of the great bell Harry, in 1498. At its
first recasting in 1567, it was lowered, and readmitted
through this opening :
" Anno 1 567. For xlij foote of boorde for y c south window
in the steple where the bell was taken out and in,
and one hondreth & a half of nayles, 1 1 s. v]d"
It is probable that the tracery just removed, of which
the present is a copy, was of this period.
The canopied niches on either side the tower doorway
were formerly occupied by statues of St. Lawrence and St.
Vincent. These figures are now preserved in the Vicarage
garden, but are in a sadly mutilated condition. The effigy
of St. Lawrence shows the remains of a fringed purse on
the left side, but the sustaining hand and arm are broken
off. He is habited in alb, tunicle, and dalmatic, the orfrays
of which exhibit a grape and vineleaf pattern, with an
undulating stem. The statue of St. Vincent is habited in
a similar costume, but is less perfect. The original heads
of both effigies have been destroyed. The backs of the
figures are bevelled, to adapt them to the recesses they
once occupied. Mrs. Jamieson says : " St. Vincent is
usually grouped with St. Lawrence: the Spanish legend
makes them brothers, but I find no authority for this rela-
tionship in the French and Italian Martyrologies."
Mr. Coates, in his " History of Reading," writes : " On
each side of the door are two niches for images, with two
escutcheons of arms in stone now greatly defaced ; on one
were the arms of Reading Abbey, and on the other the
arms of William Aiscoth, or Ayscough (a chevron between
three asses), impaled with the arms of the See of Salisbury,
of which he was Bishop from 1438 to 1450." These arms
are given by Capt. Symonds in his " Notes" taken April 3,
1644, the arms of the Abbey being then on the south side
of the doorway. In 1806 the whole of the stonework of
the tower was coated with Roman cement, and the old
carvings reproduced in the same plastic material, the two
escutcheons above mentioned included.
Owing to objections having been made by an influential
tradesman, the arms of the See of Salisbury (the Blessed
Virgin and Child) have not been reproduced. This is much
c
I 8 KNOWLES' TRANSEPT.
to be regretted, for in every honest restoration original types
should be carefully followed.
Ancient edifices are not exponents of modern thought :
we restore them in their integrity as relics of the past ; as
monuments of a bygone age. In stamping them with our
own impress, we falsify history and the history of art, and
proclaim our own incompetence to deal with the precious
heirlooms our generous forefathers have bequeathed to their
children.
On the south -west pinnacle of the tower is the following
inscription :
" THIS TOWER
WAS NEW ROOFED
AUGUST 1864,
W. H. W. STAVELEY
J. T. MORRIS
CHURCHWARDENS."
In 1 806, as before stated, the decayed ashler work of the
tower was injudiciously repaired with Roman cement even
the face of the window tracery and of all the mouldings of
the windows and doorways had been hewn away to be re-
produced in stucco ; it was very creditably done, too, for
the period.
In 1 88 1-2 the tower and west end of the aisle were
thoroughly restored, all the pinnacles reinstated, the one
at the south-west angle rebuilt, the window tracery and
doorways renewed, and all the decayed stonework replaced,
under the care of Joseph Morris, Esq., architect, by Mr.
Higgs, builder and contractor, at a cost of about ^2,000.
IRnowles' transept
This adjunct, resembling a transept, was erected on the
south side of the church about midway between the south
door and the west end of the nave, by Sir Francis Knollys
the elder, in 1637,* " For the peculiar use of himself and
his posteritie, as well for their seates there, as for their
burial-place underneath. And to that end and purpose,
the Lord Bishop of the diocese in his own person, accord-
ing to the ecclesiastical lawes of this realme, consecrated
the same to be united and holden as a parte and member
of the said church for ever." (Coates.}
* "On the outside of the aisle was this inscription, ' Sr. F. K. 1633.' "
(Coates.)
KNOWLES TRANSEPT. 19
According to an old engraving, it had on its west
side a flat-headed window of three lights overlooking
the roof of the piazza. On the south side was a large
pointed window of three lights, with a flat-headed doorway
beneath, and a small square-headed window above. Its
southern limit was coterminous with the front of the
piazza. The following achievements, given by Mr. Coates,
formerly adorned its walls :
" i. Quarterly I st , and 4 th , a cross moline voided through-
out, between twelve cross crosslets or (Knotty s] ;
2 nd , and 3 rd , Gules, on a chevron arg 1 , three roses
proper (Cave).
"2. I st (Knollys}. 2 nd sable, on a bend, cotised, azure,
three lioncels passant guardant of the second. 3 rd ,
Gules a lion rampant or. 4 th , Azure, a fesse, betw.
three fleur-de-lis or. 5 th , Chequy, or and azure. 6 tu
Sable, a frette or.
" 3. I st Azure, a chevron gu. betw : three ravens sable. 2 nd
Gu : a talbot passant, or : A chief ermine. 3 rd Sa.
a chev : az : between three escallops or. 4 th Argent,
on a cross sa : a leopard's face, or (Bridges}, impaling
Knollys.
" 4. Or, five crescents azure, impaling (Knollys].
'' 5. (Knollys} ; with the crest, an elephant arg\
"6. I st , and 4 th , (Knollys). 2 nd , Gu : on a chev. arg 1 three
roses proper. 3 rd , party per pale ermine and gu :
three talbots heads counterchanged. Over all an
escutcheon of pretence I st , and 4 th , sa. a chev :
ermine betw. three fishes haurient, argent. 2 lld and
3 rd , az : a fesse chequy or and sable betw. three
eagles displayed of the second.
" 7. (Knollys}, bearing an escutcheon of pretence, party
per pale ermine and gu : three talbots heads,
counterchanged. On each side of the shield are
two small escutcheons I st (Knollys}, impaling
sable, a saltire engrailed or. 2 nd (Knollys}, impaling
azure on a fesse sable, three escalops or.
" 8. (Knollys), quartering the talbots, counterchanged as
before ; and bearing an escutcheon of pretence, the
same as No : 6."
The preceding were in Knollys' chapel. Mr. Coates
mentions other escutcheons, which may be inserted here :
" Over the staircase leading to the north gallery, hangs this
C 2
20 BLAG RAVE S TIAZZA.
achievement ; I st (Blagrave) ; 2 nd Gules, a lion couchant,
or on a chief arg*, three crescents of the first. (Dearie.}
2 nd Barry of six, or and az : on a fesse gu : three mullets
of the second. (Merrick^)
On the south side of the church is this achievement :
I st or, a chief indented sable, a lion passant guardant of
the same for Loggins. 2 nd , party per pale, or, and sable,
four griffins heads erased, counterchanged. 3 rd , arg 1 , a
fesse, vert, between three maunches of the same for
Staverton. 4 th , arg*, a plain cross sable, in the first quarter,
a fleur-de-lis of the second."
The remains of the Knollys' family were to have been
removed at the demolition of the structure, but it was
never done, and the outer pavement now covers the graves
of numerous members of this family.
This structure consisted of a covered walk, extending
from the south-west tower buttress or staircase to the west
wall of Knollys' transept. The south front exhibited six
arches, each of which was capped by a double ogee-shaped
gable. The west front presented a single arch (round like
the rest), with engaged flat columns, or rather pilasters, on
either side. In the gable above was a stone tablet with the
following inscription :
JOHANNES BLAGRAVIVS
GENEROSUS, MATHESIOSQUE
ENCOMIIS CELEBERRIMUS,
LIBRAS C. AD AMBULACRUM
HOC EXTRUENDUM DEBIT, QUOD
OPUS MAJOR BURGENSESQUE (PLE
BENEFICII HUJUS INTER OETERA
MEMORISE ERGO) PERFICIENDUM
CURARUNT,
FEB. I, 1619.
REPARATUM & ADORNATUM
ANNO 1680.
The easternmost compartment of this portico adjoining
the Knollys chapel, had been converted into a cell for
delinquents, and a playful story is told of a former church-
warden (not a member of the " Blue Ribbon Army") having
been compelled to spend an evening there to recruit his
BLAGRAVE S PIAZZA.
21
shattered powers before the morrow's dawn. It was thence-
forth spoken of as the " Churchwarden's Pew."
Beneath this piazza., too, and within the memory of
many, stood the " stocks," an old-fashioned instrument of
parochial discipline, seen in almost every village and town
in England fifty years ago.
In the churchwardens' accounts for 1638, mention is made
of a " Tumbrel" deposited, no doubt, under the piazza
with the stocks, and perhaps the pillory too ; for this last
instrument was in existence a few years ago, when it was
sold with some rubbish which had been deposited in the
chamber beneath the old town-hall.
The "tumbrel," or " cucking stool," was specially de-
signed for the correction of scolds, brawlers, and women
of unlawful condition. Of this instrument there were two
kinds : one consisted of a long plank balanced on an axis
carried by two wheels. To. one end of the plank was
attached a chair, in which the offender was secured ; the
other was grasped by the officials of justice (?) (too often
by those whose private piques rendered them merciless
administrators), and then bowled to the water's edge,
where, by a see -saw-like action, the poor culprit was
alternately elevated and immersed.
Mr. Burn, in his " History of Henley-on-Thames,"
observes : " Another form of cucking stool was a post set
up in the water, upon which was a transverse beam turning
on a swivel, with a chair at one end of it, and the other
end fastened with lock and chain to a short post in the
ground. To this fixed machine Gay refers in his lines on
Sparabilla, who thinks of committing suicide :
I'll speed me to the pond, where the high stool
On the long plank hangs o'er the muddy pool,
That stood the dread of every scolding quean :
Yet sure a lover should not die so mean."
22 THE ROOF.
Halliwell writes : " The tumbrel was originally used for
the punishment of offences against the assize, but was
afterwards used for scolds arid prostitutes, and continued
in vogue in some places till the middle of the last century.
The sitting in the chair with the head and feet bare, was also
used as a penance, unaccompanied with the ducking, and the
form of the stool contributed to increase the degradation."
IRoot
In 1410, the church, or a portion of it, was re-roofed with
timber from " Erley," and the oldest roll of the churchwar-
dens' accounts contains the names of 150 contributors to the
work. One of the largest subscribers was John Kent, whose
brass commemorating himself and his wife Joan, was re-
moved from the chancel floor to the south wall last year for
its better preservation. He died about. 1415. Some of the
largest contributors were John Hence, 4^. ^d. ; William
Baker, 4$-. ^d. ; John Tinte, 4$. ^d. ; Rob. Peyntour, 43. ;
John Bennett, 6s. 8d. ; Gilbert Dyer, I'jd. ; John Lathum, 4s. ;
Robert Keynes, 8s. 8d. ; John Swalolyf, 2s. ; Philip Rich, 6s. ;
John Mereham, 13^. ; Walter Baron, 4s. 4^.; Nicholas Bar-
bour, 8s. 8d. ; John Persy, 14$-. ; Will. Smyzt, 4^. ; Ric. Pale,
4s.4d.; Ric. Gos, 3-r. 4^. ; Hen. Couper, 4^. 4^. ; Rob. Rythe,
22^.; Thomas Chandler, 6s. ; John Kent, 13^.; Will. Peris,
4s. 4d. ; Will. Boteler, 13^. ; Joh. Ydefisch, 4s. ; Nich. Cop-
land, 2s. 4d. ; Ric. Casse, 8s. 8d. ; John Whyte, 8s. Sd. ;
John Bladier, 4^. ^d. ; Joh. Wodemancote, 4s. 2d. ; William
Derby, glover (Wm. Derby was M. P. for Reading, 5 Ric. II.
1382) ; Nic. Spiser, 43. ^d. ; John Cras, 4^. qd. ; Ric. Glover,
4s. ^d. ; Will. Carpenter, 4^. ^d. ; Steph. Everard, 4^. ^d. ;
Rob. Baker, 4^. ^d. ; Barthol. Clisth, 4^. ^d. ; Rob. Beche,
4J. $. ; Rob. atte Lee, 4^. ^d. ; Joh. Tylere, 2s. ; John Cras
gave for a Tyler for one day, 3^., &c. &c.
It is probable that much of the nave roof is of this date.
The roof of the north aisle was repaired with boards in
1524-5. The chancel roof was ceiled with panel work, or
else repaired, the same year, and made resplendent with
gold and colours.
The roof at the east end of the nave, from above Bla-
grave's monument to the chancel arch, at the beginning of
this century, was elliptical and of panel work, with roses and
other ornaments at each intersection of the groining. This
THE CHURCH "RECONCILED - THE FONT. 23
portion, showing the extent of the ancient rood loft, was
removed at the restoration of the nave in 1867. A dormer
window was inserted in the " selyng" of the rood loft in 1436,
by John Hale, who received 28s. ^d. for his labours.
Cburcb "IRecondlefc."
Anno 33-4 Hen. VIII. (1542-3).
" Payd to the Suffregan in money for reconsyleyng the
churche, xl s ."
This entry implies a desecration of the fabric by blood-
shedding, or some other profanation.
The culprits are clearly indicated :
" Itm. Rec. of Robt. Watlyngton to pay the Suffregan
for reconsylyng the churche, xx s .
" Itm. Rec. of Mark Awsepp towards the same, x s .
" Itm. Rec. of Robt. Letsh m towards the same, iii s . iiij'V
" Sm a xxxiij 3 . iiij d ."
Mark Awsepp, the sexton, was discharged from his office
on Lady Day the same year,and one Richard - appointed
in his place.
" It. to mark his di yeres wayges endyd at thannucia-
tion of o r ladie last iiij 8 . vj d ." " It. to the newe
sexton for a q a r waiges endyd at Mchelmas last
past xiij 8 . iiij d ."
The next accounts, beginning at Michaelmas the same
year, place Robert Watlington at the head of the interment
list :
" Rec. for the grave of Robt. Watlyngton & couyng,
vij". iiij d ." ' " Rec. for the knyll & tolying at the
monethe mynde of Robt. Watlyngton, xvj d ."
This is significant, and seems to point to a serious fray,
in which Watlington, obviously the aggressor, from the
extent of his fine, received very serious, if not mortal,
injuries.
be jfont.
The charge for the Font Taper occurs yearly in the
church accounts from their commencement to the Refor-
mation.
24 THE FONT.
1503-4. "It. payed for lettyng hyer the couyng of the
font, ob." (a halfpenny).
1508. "It. payed for "a padlok to the font, iij d ."
1510. "It. payed for ij. 03 (bushels) of colys at the
halowyng of the vante, ij d ."
1521-2. " Rec. for led of the old font sold, vijV
" It. payd for bordyng of the olde seatts where
the old font stode, & for makeyg of a seate
at the west doore, xviij d ."
" It. payd for makeyg of the cou for the ffonte,
xij d ."
1522. It. to Chenye the mason for makeyng the fronte,
xxxi 8 . viij d . 3 '
" It. payd to the plumar for makeyg the font and
mendyng of the stepull, ix s . x d ."
" Chenye" appears to have been employed at Cardinal
Wolsey's new works at Hampton Court. His services
were procured for St. Lawrence's by an effective hono-
rarium :
1520. "It. paid for a Hose cloth gyven to the ouseer of
my lord Cardynalls werks to licence Chayney
the mason to cu fro thens, iiij s . iiij cl ."
" It. paid for chargis in Ridyng for Chaney the
mason, iij s . iiij d ."
1526. " It. for new burneshyng the Crysmatorye, vj d ."
1576. "Expenses in masons worke about removing of
the font & paving, xvj s . viij d ."
1639. " It. P d to John Milkesop for a brasse cock for the
font, 4 s . o'V
(For the ancient position of the fonts, see article
"Seats," anno 1538.)
Unfortunately, the old font of 1521-2 has been submitted
to the "drag," and its venerable aspect greatly injured
during the present century ; but it is the identical font
made by Master Cheyney, and the font to which the
parents and sponsors of Archbishop Laud brought him in
his infancy for Holy Baptism. A few traces of original
colouring may still be seen on the bowl and shaft.
p. 24.
THE FONT.
ALTARS. 25
Bltare,
No less than twelve altars bearing distinct names are
mentioned in the churchwardens' accounts, but it is hardly
probable that so many existed in the church at the same
time. An imperfect inventory of 1523 gives the names of
five, but it omits the " High" altar and that of " Jesus," so
there must have been at least seven at that period.
Six altars were sold in 1549, one of which was St.
Clement's, and the Lady altar is not in the list, so that at
the Reformation there would seem to have been EIGHT,
unless the altar of the B. Virgin had been re-dedicated,
which is not at all probable ; indeed, the " Lady Mass" is
mentioned as late as 1546, so that that altar must then
have been in existence.
" M d . that in the yere of our lorde 1557 & the iij d &
iiij th yer s of the reignes of our Souaigne lord & ladye
Phillipp & Marye by the g a ce of God Kyng &
Ouene of Englond, &c., the Second Day of May
beyng Sonday, Wiifm ffynche Suffrigan vnto the
Bisshopp of Bathe & Welles hath hallowed the
church yarde of the pishe of Saynt Laurence in
Redyng. And also the same day & yere hath hal-
lowed in the seid pishe fyve awters of stone that is
to witte the High Awter of Saynt Laurence ; in the
chauncell next called St. Jolins Chauncell one awter
called Saynte Johns Alter: in the body of the churche
the myddell alter ther called Jlius Alter : in the
South syde ther one Alter called our ladye Awter
of the Nativitie: and in the north side ther one
Awter called Saynt Thomas Awter."
In the accounts ending Michaelmas, 1559, we have
"Itm. for takinge downe the awlters & laying the
stones, v s ."
' To Loryman (the clerk) for carryeng out the rub-
bysh, x d ."
26 THE HIGH ALTAR.
A description of these old altars will be interesting, as
serving to show the attachment and devotion of our fore-
fathers to the service of God, and what great sacrifices they
must have made to make the place of His Name glorious.
1, be Ibigb altar.
This is first named in the roll of 1433.
Anno 1499. " It. payd for scowryng of ]? c iiij candylstyks
at |? e hy au? xij d . (the two great standards and
the two candlesticks on the altar).
Anno 1503. "It. payed for whipcord to draw J> e klak
cloth at sakiyg of masse i d ."
(It was a custom in the old English church to draw a vail
before the altar during the consecration of the elements in
accordance with the words : " Eye hath not seen, nor ear
heard, nor have entered into the heart of man to conceive
the things which God hath prepared for them that love
Him.")
1508. "Itm. payed for a carpynt^ls lyne to draw the
black sarsenet before the sacramet at the Hy
Aulter, i d ."
15 10. " Itm. payed for a small lyne to hange the kanape
ou the Hy auter."
1513. "Payd to Robt. Hawtrell for removyng of the
front of the Hygh Au?, & setting upp of the
same in Seynt Johns Cha u ncell, &c. xiiij 8 ."
A new altar appears to have been erected in 1514.
" It. payd to a Suffrygan for Halowyng of the High
Aw?, Seynt Johns aw? & a supaltare, vi s viij d ."
" It. payd to John Knyzt for makyng crossis to the Hygh
Awtar & op] s Jvice, viij d " (probably the five crosses
at the centre and angles of the slab or mensa.)
In 1526 the story of the Transfiguration was painted on
the wall above it, at a cost of 61. 13^. 4</. (See under
" Mural Paintings.")
" It. to Robt. Pasteler for making a skaffold & enlargeyng
the High Aw? iij s iiij d ."
Anno 1528. "It. for enlargying the Aw? clothes for the
hygh Aw? w* all man*] of stuff therto belongyng
& workmanshypp as by a byll appereth, xxii s
ix d ."
THE HIGH ALTAR. 27
A beam of brass passed over the chancel, from which
lights were suspended before the sacrament.
Anno 1537. " Payd for skowryng the beam hangyng
before the sac a ment, viij d ."
There were figures of the twelve Apostles, probably in
niches in the reredos.
Anno 1518. "It. paid for wasshyng & dressyng of
the Halpas w l the xii Appostels xiij". iiij d .
(" Haut-pas" the highest level of the flooring
in the sacrarium the altar place).
Anno J 546-7. " Payd to a paynter for wrytyng of the
cloth at the High Aw? ij s . iiij d . (probably some
covering for the defaced east wall).
In 1547 many things were sold : among the rest, a coffer,
termed a " coffyn," belonging to the High Altar, purchased
by Mr. Bureton (Walter Barton's nephew).
In 1549 the High Altar was purchased for 6s. Sd. by
Mr. Bell.
There was a cupboard or almery standing at each end
for books and utensils, probably concealed by projecting
curtains.
The old stone aumbries, piscina, and place of sedilia
were discovered and filled up with rubble, &c., at the
restoration of the chancel in 1848.
At the commencement of Queen Mary's reign there was
a return to the old order and ritual :
Anno 1552-3. "Paid for making of the high Aw? &
paving in the churche, xij s ."
There are plain indications in the accounts of this
period of searching official inquiries with regard to
the disposal of the goods of the church in the previous
reign.
On the accession of Elizabeth the regime was again
changed, as may be seen above at the commencement of
this article.
Anno 1560. " Itm. for a seate of y c comvnyon table and
the boord and nayles and the workmanshipp,
" Itm. for dressynge the high alter and the wall beneth
and the bourdes where the altar stood e, ij s . viij d . t
28 THE ALTAR AND MASS OF JESUS.
1568. "Itm. to Martyn Woodnett for makinge of the
fframe for the comunion table xxii d ."
"Itm. to Edward Paynter for colloringe of ye
same, iii d ."
The following entry would seem to show that the eccle-
siastical pendulum had swung to the other extreme :
1569. " It. to the joynar for makyng the comunion table
and benches with a doore, iiij s .
This is an early instance of an arrangement which pre-
vailed in the later Puritanical era, when the altar was
dragged from its normal position and placed in the middle
of the chancel, the communicants being seated round it
during the administration of the sacrament.
The next entry shows a return to the old position
perhaps under Laudean influence.
1634. " Paied to the jynor for making the new and mend-
ing the oulde winscotte above the communion
table, i/. is. Qd"
" Paid for the communion table, 14.$-."
1638. (Inventory) :
"Item, one velvet cover for the Cion Table
with silke fringe of the gift of Mrs. Saunders,
price 8/."
" One velvet quisheon and a booke of Cofnon
Prayer gilt for the Coimi Table of the gift
of James Read Mr. Henry, 3/."
Mr. Coates, writing in 1802, says : "The altar-piece is
a plain handsome frontispiece of oak, containing in the two
centre panels, in gold letters, on a black ground, the two
tables of the Law ; and in the side panels, the Lord's Prayer
and the Apostles' Creed. In the pediment, which is circular,
is the tetragrammaton or word Jehovah, in Hebrew charac-
ters, with this text of Scripture : ' The law was given by
Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.' Below
this : ' Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace,
goodwill towards men.' "
This Georgian screen was removed in 1848. Its place is
now occupied by a reredos of stone, marble, and tile- work.
Gbe Hltar anfc flDass of 3esus.
Henry Kelsall, clothier, of Reading, who died in 1493*
states in his will that he was the " fyrst mynder, susteyner,
THE ALTAR AND MASS OF JESUS. 29
and mayntener of the devocyon of the Masse of Jtiu, kept
and songen in the parisshe chirch of Saynte Lawrence in
Reding."
Ten persons, called the " Brethren of the Mass of
Jesus," formed the guild or brotherhood at that time : these
were
Richard Cleche, Draper.
John Baxtster, Tanner.
John Langham, " Iremonger."
Stephen Dunster, Draper.
Rauff Myllin^ton, " Clothyer."
William Tru/" Yoman."
John Whylcokks, Chandler and ffisshemonger.
William Scochon, Draper.
Richard Smyth, Gent.
John Twytt. (See "Will of Kelsall.")
Anno 1 505-6. " It. payed to Maister Cleche for old det
du to Jfiu masse."
This chauntry was refounded in 1506 by a licence granted
by Hen. VII. to the inhabitants for that purpose.
It apears from the will of John Pownsar, 1522, that at that
time a certain number of sisters were associated with this
guild, and that they each contributed 6s. 8d. per annum
to the funds.
Anno 1545. " Rec. of the Wardens of the JUs masse for
a tent in th mi cat place next to the well for
iiij yeres endid at thaunuciacon A xxxvj to at
x s by the yere.
" Rec. of the same Wardens for the same tent for An
xxxi in the yere that M r Cawode was warden
and by hym rec. of John Poynt as apperithe
uppon thaccompte of the seid Cawode, vi s viij d .
"Rec. of the same Wardens for the same tent for A
xxxii paid by M r Turner to M r Justice then
byng warden as apperithe uppon his accompte
x 8 .
Sm a Ivj 8 viij d ."
" Ordinaunce 1547. M d the xviij th day of Apl the
first yere of the regne of our Souaigne lord Kyng Edward
the vj th before Wilim Bureton then Mayo r of the Borough
of Redyng, Richard Justice & Wiftm Edmunde late Mayo r s
ther, John Maynforth, Clerk, vicar of the pisshe of Saynt
laurence in Redyng aforseid John Sawnders & Edward
3 THE ALTAR AND MASS OF JESUS.
Butler Wardens of the seid pisshe churche, Nicholas Niclas,
John Bell, Rob 1 Blake, John Bukland, Thom a s Sayntmore,
Raphe Gladwyn, Gilbt. Johnson & dyuce others infiitants
of the seid pisshe assembled together for maynten a unce of
the charge of the Clerks & Mynesters of the quyer ther,
And other good orders ther to be had & contynowed, it
is ordered & enacted by the pties above named in man'
& fo r me followyng :
Jhc Masse That is to witt, the masse of Jfiu in the seid
churche to be charged & to pay the sexten his wagis yerely
iij h , to the same Sexten for tollyng to Jfic Masse, to our
lady Masse ij s viij d . For kepyng of the Clock & scowryng
the Cansticks & Desks iij 8 ij d ij prests Chambres & the
Clarks ch a mbre.
" Or lady Masse It. that our lady masse to be charged
& to pay John Barkers wage a syngyngman xl s .
" The Churche. It. the Churche wardens to be charged
w* the Clarke wage xx s : w 1 Dixson's wage a syngyngman
liij s iiij d : Darlyngtons wage xx s in money, & hous x s : and
the vndersexton xiij s iiij d .
" Ordinaunce. And ou that, it is ordered & enacted that
all women of the seid pisshe whos husbonds nowe be, or
heretofore have bene bretherne of the Masse of the Jhc
shall from hensforth sitt & have the highest seats or pewes
next unto the Mayo r s wifs seate towarde the pulpitt."
In the accounts for 2 & 3 Phil. & Mary, A.D. 1555, is a
record of the loss of Sol. sustained by the Jesus Chantry.
" One Richard Turn 9 late of Redyng, Mercer, disceassed
solde unto the bretherne of the Masse of Jlic founded in
the seid pisshe certayn lande lying in the pisshe of
Kyngsclere in the countie of South, to the yeerley value
of iiij" : ffor the whiche he received & had of the seid
bretherne the sin of Ixxx 1 ' in full] and entier payment for
the same, And desyred that the possession therof myght
be stayed for a tyme for c^tayne consideracons Albeit im-
mediately af? the money by hym so received he became
tenant vnto the seid bretherne, And paied to them to the
vse of the seid Masse, the seid rent of iiij 11 yerely duryng
his lyfe (And dyed) so that the seid bretherne then had none
other possession, whervppon one John Turn 9 son & heire
vnto the seid Richard, into the seid londe entred And the
same doth w'holde & kepe, so that as yet the seid bretherne
ar w'out ther money & also ther londe." (C/i. Wards. Accts.)
" By the return of the Commissioners appointed to
THE ALTAR AND MASS OF JESUS. $1
survey colleges and chantries, anno i Ed. VI., it appeared
that this chantry was worth by the yere in lands and tene-
ments I4/. 'js. id. : reparations communibus annis 5?. i/j. id.
and so remaineth to Richard Adeane, incumbent of 39
yeres, and mete to serve cure and having besides a share
of a free chapel in Wallingford S/. los. Goods remaining
there "jos. over and besides one chalice weighing 20 ounces."
" Belonging to this chantry was a stipendiary priest
founded by .Thomas Justice, clerk, and John Clampard, who
for the sum of 400 marks, paid to the master and wardens
of the guyld of St. Catharine's appertaining to Haber-
dashers' Hall in London, have bounden the same to pay
yerely at iiij termes out of their said hall, to maintain a
priest perpetually to sing in the said church 'jl. ; whereof
to the mayor for his cost in riding to London for the same,
6s. 8d., and so remaineth to William Webbe, clerk, of
the age of 52 yeres, decrepit, and not able to serve any
cure, nor having beside this any living, 61. i$s. ^d. Goods
remaining there H2s. ^d., chalice, none.
" Rents given to the use of the poore, and to maintain
one yerely obit in the pishe church there by one Henry
Kelsall, by his last will, anno 1493 per annum 20 shill. ;
whereof in relief of the poor los. and so for the obit los.
The number of houseling people in the said parish be a
thousand." (Coates' " Reading.")
From the original Pension Roll of Philip & Mary
(Addit. MSS. 8102, Brit. Mus.) we have the following :
" Wiftmi Webbe nup celebran in
poch Sci Laurens in Reading
p. a. C s .
Penc'
Rici, A Deane incumben nup
cant' voc " Ihs Chanty" in
poch Sci Laurenc iBm vi 11 ."
The tenements belonging to this chantry, with those
belonging to Jesus chantry in St. Giles's Church, and to
Colney's chantry in St. Mary's, were all granted to the
mayor and corporation by Queen Elizabeth in her charter.
The altar of this chantry was situated in the nave against
the north pier of the chancel arch.
Anno 1502. "It. payed for byndyng & new couyng
of the grete antyphoner, & for makyng of &
32 INCUMBENTS OF JESUS CHANTREY.
puttyng in of the ffeste of the visytaco t a nsfy-
guracon of JKu."
Anno 1508. "It. payed to John Cokks for mending of
the gret p^ksongboke of Jhu Masse, xx (1 ."
" It. for mendyng of Jftc cope and for sovvyng on
of the aulP cloth }> nej/l frontell of Jhii au? x d .
1512-3. John Pownser, warden.
1513-18. Nicholas Hyde, warden.
1517. "It. a cope paned w* blew velwett & black, &
orfrey of grene saten-a-brydgis of the gifte of
the x brethern, enbrod jyd w* the name of Ilic."
(Invent.)
1527. " It. for a lok to the long cofer in Ike pew, vij d ."
1534. " Payd for ij clamps of Iren for the stepp afore
Ifis aw? iiijd "
1537. " Rec. for tolly ng at the ?ment for the Brethren
of Ifis masse iiij d ." (a common entry).
1541. " It. payd for glewyngan Image upon the long desk
befor Ills aw? i d .
" It. payd for paveyng afore Ifrs aw? x d .
1542. " Rec. of the wardens of Ills masse toward the
repacoiis of the churche bokes xv 8 ."
1549. "Rec d of M r . Bukland for Ific al? & Saynt
Thomas' al? iiij 8 ."
1572. "Itm. paied for workmanshypp and stufe to the
seats where the chyldren doo sytt where Ihesus
Altar was, iij s ."
See also Wills of Henry Kelsall, John Pownsar, and Walter
Barton.
The brass of Walter Barton has been recently placed on
the spot formerly occupied by the " table" or reredos of
this altar for its better preservation.
3ncumbents of Jesus Cbantre\>.
1509. July 9. Edward Colyer, M.A., was instituted, being
presented by Thomas Carpenter, mayor, and
Walter Barton, and Robert Benet, the real
patrons. He died the same year.
1510. April 20. John Richmond, instituted by the same
persons.
1517, Jan. 26. John Richmond, instituted on the resig-
nation of John Richmond, his predecessor, to
OUR LADY ALTAR OF THE NATIVITY. 33
which he was presented by William Watts,
mayor, and Thomas Everard, and John Vansby,
wardens of the church of St. Lawrence, the
patrons. He died in 1519, and was buried in
St. John's chancel, as appears from the church
accounts. (See " Inventory/' 1517.)
1521. April 17. William Wright, instituted on the death
of John Richmond, being presented by William
Gyfford, mayor of the borough ; William Knyght
and Richard Turner being churchwardens. He
died in 1527.
Richard a Deane was the last incumbent of the Jesus
Chantry. Queen Mary assigned him a yearly pension of 61.
1537. " Payd for horse hire for S r Ric. Dean, iiij d ."
1547. " Paid to S r Richard Deane for wag 8 allowed hym
by the pisshe, x s .
1549. "Paid and lent to Richard a Deane by th'assent of
the pisshe iiij 11 .
" Paid to Sir Ric. a Deane for his yer 8 wag 3 , xx s ."
Note. The great bell given by Henry Kelsall was
termed "The bell of Ihu," in honour of this chauntry, which
he first founded.
In the same way the fourth was called " Our Lady Bell,"
and was probably used for the " Angelus" as well as for the
offices performed at the Lady Altar. The Lady Bell was
usually rung at the death of children, as though the Virgin
mother had sympathy with parents in their bereavement.
The men sat facing the Jesus Altar on the north side of the
nave, and the women sat opposite the altar of the Blessed
Virgin on the south side ; a coincidence probably inten-
tional.
ur 3lab HItar of tbe 1Rativit& anb tbe
This altar was at the east end of the nave on the south
side of the chancel arch.
It was probably one of the earliest of the chauntry altars.
The writer has not hitherto been able to find any trace of
lands or tenements belonging to this chauntry, so that its
revenues must have been derived from bequests and volun-
tary offerings. It is first mentioned in the roll of 1436 :
D
34 OUR LADY ALTAR OF THE NATIVITY.
" Et de dono Juliane Roche j linth' & j Keucheff <p altare
Bte Marie."
There was also an image of the Virgin probably standing
near this altar.
1441-2. "A new bench or settle was placed before the
Image of the B. Mary at a cost of 8 d .
1506. " It. payd for mending of one of the grete candle-
stikks before o r Lady vj d ."
Her figure was probably supported by a bracket in the
wall above or near the Lady Altar, so that the two large
candlesticks which stood near the altar might be said to
stand " before our Lady."
Anno 1512-13. The wardens of the two masses were
first charged with an annual payment of 33 s . 4 d . each
towards the sexton's wages. It was paid from this time
until the Reformation.
" It. rec. of William Edmonds warden of o r lady masse
towards the wag s of the seid sexten for a yere
endid at the seid ffest, xxxiij s . iiijV
This is the first time the " Lady Mass" is mentioned in
the accounts.
1513-4. " John Barfote, warden.
1533. " Rec. of the wardens of o r lady masse towards the
repacons of the churche bokes, xv s ."
" Rec. & borowed of o r ladyes box towards the
repacons of the ij ch a uncells vj 11 ij s iiij d .
" Whereof is payd to the hands of Richard Turner
in parte of payment of vj 11 ij s . iiij d . boroed of o v
ladyes box this yere, xxij s . iiij d ."
1543. "Rec. & borowed of the wardens of o r lady
towards the makyng of the newe Canstiks for
rode light & for makyng of Clock x m a rcs."
1545-6. "M d that Robt Blake owithe for the hire of
Sercletts in full payment of xxiiij s . dewe to our
lady Masse & Assigned to be paied to the
Churche wardens, iiij s ."
"Paid Nicholas (Niclas) the warden of o r lady
Masse owing to the seid Masse, x m a rcs."
There is a most interesting relic of this altar inserted in
the north wall of the church, consisting of a panel of white
marble, formerly a part of the reredos, and bearing a repre-
OUR LADY ALTAR OF THE NATIVITY. 35
sentation in high relief of the visit of the Magi to the infant
Saviour. The Virgin mother is sitting up in her bed bearing
the Holy Child in her arms, her head reclining on a pillow
placed lozenge-wise against the tester. Her open mantle
is secured by a cord passing across the breast and forming
a triangle, the lower point ending in a tassel a little above
the waist. The aged Joseph with his staff is seated in a
chair at the foot of the couch. One of the royal visitors
{all three are crowned), in a stooping attitude is presenting
his offering to Christ ; his two companions stand in the
background, habited in the cassock of the artist's own time
a smaller female figure stands near the head of the Virgin.
Faint traces of gold and rich colouring are still visible.
Every artistic feature points to the end of Richard the
Second's reign, c. 1400, as the period of its execution. The
iconoclasts of the Reformation have destroyed all the heads
with most of the canopy work above. This very interesting
fragment was discovered in the vicinity of the pulpit, and
judiciously inserted in the wall at the last restoration.
(See end of chapter on the Jesus Altar for "Lady Bell.")
" 2H)e Ornaments tolonggng to ur latoges Stutter fot'tfjjm
t!) cfwrc!) of Sbatnte Haforence." (A.D. 1524-5.)
" ffyrste a vestemente of Russet veluet & whytt damask
payned & enbroderyd.
It. a vestement of grene damask enbrod Jyd w* ka?yn
whells. (See under St. John's Chapel, anno 1436.)
It. a vestement of whytt Brydge satten w* a crosse of
grene.
It. a vestmete of grene bawdkyn w* a crosse of Blew
enbrod J yd.
It. an awl? cloth of blew brydge 8 satten enbrod*] yd w fc the
ymage of the trynyte and ffloweres w l ij c r teyns of
blew serssenet belongyng to the same.
It. an awl? cloth of Russett veluet enbrod j yd w 4 m*o rs
w l ij c r teyns of Russet & whyt serssenet to the same.
It. an awl? cloth of bawdkyn & blake veluet enbrod*] yd
w l garters and a nother cloth to the same payned of
blew & oreng sarssnet w f owt C r teyns.
It. ij rede awl? clothes paynted w fc ij c r teyns to the
same.
It. an awl? cloth of lynnen w l ij c r teyns to the same,
w l rede crosse for lente.
D 2
36 THE ALTAR OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST.
It. ij alt? clothes on diap & a nother playn & ij other
alt? clothes w th a canvas couyng.
It. ij towels of playn clothe one of them diap.
It. a prynteyd masboke, in the second leffe ' Dhica p'ma
Aduet.'
It. a peyre of cruett 8 of pewder.
It. iij paxes.
It. a Corpas m)ked w* saynt Anteny Crosse c5teynyng a
yerde w l a casse of cloth of gold & tawnye veluet
enbrodl yd w l thes Ires 3fi & Jb (Probably the gift
ofj&jckard ^mith.}
It. a Corpas m^ked w r an ^ in whytesylke coteynyng a
yerde w 1 a casse of dornex to the same.
It. a nother Corpas milked w l this ire Jtt in blake sylke
& a casse of dornex (very ffebyll).
It. a candlestik with ij roses.
It. ij greatt standard 8 & ij small kanstyks of laten.
It. vij seyrclett 8 yn iiij basketts, in the wardens kepeyng.
It. a vestment of purple velvet.
It. a vestiment of Rede velvet and a white ....
It. a vestiment of white Damask w l a velvet crosse \v*
flowres, rede flo r s.
It. a white w tu a grene crosse.
It. a vestment of crimesyn velvet.
It. a white vestiment of fustien for lent.
It. a rownd box gilt abowt.
Itm. a ,pcessionall pchement, & j ympnl p'nted. (hymncr
printed}''
(See Will of Thomas Platts.)
be Hltar of St. 3obn tbe Baptist
This was situated at the east end of the north chancel
aisle, still called St. John's Chapel. This part of the church
was separated from the chancel proper by a screen or
parclose. It was sometimes called the " Vicar's Chancel,"
to distinguish it from the other then termed " The Church
Chancel."
The references to this chapel in the old accounts are
frequent and interesting, and from them we may form an
accurate estimate of its former condition.
Anno 1436. " Paid to Thomas Hawe for 2 Ibs. of wax,
purchased for the lights of St. Catharine in the chapel of St.
John."
THE ALTAR OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST. 3/
There may have been an altar dedicated to St.
Catherine at this time. If so, it must have been re-
moved soon afterwards, because there is no later refer-
ence to it in the accounts. This idea is strengthened
by the fact that there was a vestment i.e. a chasuble,
embroidered with Catherine wJieels, which in 1524 be-
longed to the Lady Altar.* The Lights of St.
Catherine are first mentioned in the roll of 1433.
"About the fifteenth century, some reasonable doubts
having been cast not only on the authenticity of her legend,
but on her very existence, vain attempts were made to
banish her from the calendar : her festival, after being one
of the most solemn in the Church, was by several prelates
of France and Germany suppressed altogether, and by
others left free from all religious obligations. In England,
St. Catharine was especially popular. About the year 1119,
Geoffry, a learned Norman, was invited from the University
of Paris to superintend the direction of the schools of the
Abbey of Dunstable, where he composed a play, entitled
' St. Catherine,' and caused it to be acted by his scholars.
This was, perhaps, the first spectacle of the kind ever
attempted, and the first trace of theatrical representation
that ever appeared in England." (Mrs Jameson.)
Opposite the south-west angle of the tower of St. Law-
rence's stood an old hostelry under the invocation of this
saint, known as the " Catherine Wheel." It was taken
down iu 1882, and its site is now occupied by the newly
erected premises of the Messrs. Gregory, Love, and Clarke.
This inn was probably of mediaeval origin.
1505. " It. rec. of the gyft of John Greke toward a payre
of grete candylstykkes in Seynt Johns chaun-
cell, iij s iiij d .
" John Pownser to the same candylstikks, iij s iiij d .
Richard Eve to the same, viij d ."
" John Cokks to the same, iiij d . Ric. Ffrankleyn to
the same, viij d ."
"It. payed for a payre of gret candylstykkes in
Seynt Johns chau n cell weying ~ & iii 11 (103 Ibs.)
p'c le H, vi d . sm lj s vi d ."
In 1513 the front of the High Altar was transferred to
the altar in this chapel.
* See "Altar of St. Blaise." See also " Monuments."
38 THE ALTAR OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST.
" It. payd to a laborer for iiij dayes at Removyng of
the hygh awter & Seynt Johns aw? xvj d .
1514. "It. payed to a laborer for iij dayes & di. at the besy-
nes in brekyng of the awter in Seynt Johns
chauncell, xiiij d .
" It. payed to Croll & hys sHir^nts for iij dayes work
in makyng of the awter in Seynt Johns chaun-
cell & ofi] werks ]?er iii s iiij d ."
It was consecrated the same year (vide High Altar).
1515. "It. payd for makyng of the dore in to the quere
out of Saynt Johns chaunsell, xiij d ."
In 1519, S r John Richmond was buried here. He was
one of the Incumbents of the Jesus chauntry.
1523. " It. to an Alabas? man for makeying clene the table
at Saynt John's Awl?, & other ymages, xvj d ."
In the Inventory of the Altars of 1524-5, we have :
Ornaments belonging to Sbapnte ^ofm's ^falter
fottfjin tije same <J)urc!).
" In p'mis an awl? cloth payned, of red and blew brydge
satten.
" It. an awl? cloth of Blak veluet & bawdkyn enbrod^lyd
w* gar?es & c'teyns to the same.
" It. a nother cloth payned of blew & oreng collo r
s ; ssenet.
" It. an awl? cloth of Russet veluet & \vhyte satten.
" It. a stayned cloth w* the ymage of o r ladye thervppon.
" It. ij grete standards of latten w l ij small kanstyk 8 of
latten.-"
1537-8. " Payd for makeyng a hangyng of rede bawdkyn
at Seynt Johns Aw? & the curtens before
th'appostles at the high Aw?, vj d ."
At the sale of church goods, in 1549, this altar, with a
cope chest, was purchased by Mr. Grey lor 65-. Qd.
1562. " Sale of olde Tymbcr"
"Item of Wittm Dudlesoll (C. W.) for the
borders of the roode lofte and a trymmar that
stoode uppon S. Johns Awlter, x s ."
THE ALTAR OF ST. BLAISE. 39
1 568. " Itm. for makinge the partycion betwene the chaun-
sells & mendinge y e seats in S l Johns chaun-
cell, iiij 9 ."
" Itm. for mendinge of the east wyndowe in S. Johns
Chaunsell & the wyndowe by the organs in y e
same chancell, xvj d ." (See " Organ.")
The old stalls or desks, undoubtedly the very same pro-
vided by Henry Kelsall in 1493, were removed out of this
chapel into the choir at the restoration, under Mr. Ferrey,
in 1848. (The east ends of three of these stalls only are of
fifteenth century work.)
This chapel was probably constructed for the Brethren
and Sisters of the Hospital of St. John the Baptist, founded
by Abbot Hugh, in 1196.
A good piscina, but with a broken bowl, was discovered
in the respond of the arches in the south-east corner of this
chapel, in 1848.
(See Will of Thomas Platts, 1522. Also under article
" Seats.")
Gbe Hitar of St. liaise.
There is only one reference to this altar in the church
records :
Anno 1433. " Et in panno cepili emp' ad sumin altare
& altare Sancti Blasii, ij s ."
This saint keeps his place in the English reformed
calendar. He was considered the special patron and pro-
tector of woolcombers and woolstaplers. The dedication
of an altar to him in the municipal church indicates the
existence of the woollen manufacture in the town at this
early period.
" In simple figures and devotional pictures he is repre-
sented as an old man with a white beard, attired as a bishop
with the planeta and mitre, holding in one hand a crosier,
and in the other an iron comb such as is used by wool-
combers, the instrument of his torture : this is his peculiar
attribute." (Mrs. Jamieson.)
If the altar of St. Thomas was not substituted for the
altar of St. Blaise in 1502, then the latter was probably
removed about 1520, when so much was done to the interior
of the church. Its old altar cloth with the embroidered
figure of St. Blaise was assigned to the altar of St. Thomas.
4O ST. THOMAS ALTAR.
St. abomae' altar.
This stood on the north side of the entrance to St.
John's Chancel, and in a line with the Altars of Jesus and
the B. Virgin. It is not mentioned in the church records
before 1502.
" It. payed for makyng of Seyte Tlwvfs Aivter, Seynt
Georg 8 Awter for settyng of Seynt George in to
the loft, viij 8 viij."
It seems probable that the loft here mentioned was an
extension of the rood loft over the north aisle ; the altar
and image of St. George being on the gallery, and the altar
of St. Thomas, and perhaps two others, beneatli it. This
apostle was considered the patron saint of "carpenters"
builders, and architects.
(" Thomas" " Carpenter" a parishioner, was Mayor of
Reading in 1504-6-8-9. His wife's mother was interred
in the church in 1498-9, and he in 151920. He may
have been the founder. His widow " Mres" Carpenter
was buried in the church in 1534.)
Anno 1508. " It. payed to Wiftm Stamford for mending
& setting on of a lyon upon a grete candylstyk before
Seynt Thomas Aul? iij d ."
(The lion was probably one of three couchant, on
which the base of the standard rested.)
1541. "Payd for the desk before Sayn Thomas Aw?
viij 8 xi .
In 1549 this altar was purchased by Mr. John Buckland
(mayor) with the Jesus Altar for 4*. It was replaced in the
reign of Queen Mary :
1558 "Itm. for paynting the table ou S. Thom a s awlter v s ."
Ornaments bclongrmg to Sbagnte
foitfjfn tfje same <])imf). (1524.)
In p'mis a vestemete of grene damask w* a Crose of blew
veluete.
It. a vestmete of whyte brydg 8 satten w* a crose of grene
brydg 8 satten.
It. a vestmete of crymson sylk w* grypp 8 & a small
crose of whyte.
THE SEPULCHRE ALTAR. 4!
It. a vestmete of rede silk with a small crosse.
It. a white fusstian for lent.
It. a blew awl? cloth enbrod^lyd w* the ymag of sent
Clemete & awngell 5 in the ffronte.
It. an awl? cloth of crayne collo r veluete & whyte
satten & ij c r teyns of s^lssenete of the same collo 8 .
It. an awl? cloth of blak veluete fa bawdkyn payned
enbrod^yd w* garters & ij c r teyns of blew and
orenge collo r si ssenete.
It. an awl? cloth of blak veluete & blew satten w'owt
c r teyns w l a crucifix.
It. an awl? cloth w* the ymage of Saynte blasse.
It. an awl? cloth of lynnen w l Rede Crosses for lente w*
c r teyns.
It. an aul? cloth of c^senet playn blak & oreng.
It. a corporas milked w l a fflo r of blak sylke & a case
of Rede tyssew.
It. a corporas of blak velvet w l a kercher.
It. a nother of blew bawdkyn w* a kercher.
It. a pax of copp enamelled w l a crucifix.
It. ij grete standards of latten w l ij small kanstyks
of latten.
It. a masboke prynted begynyng in the second leff
' stat memoria.'
It. ij al? cloths of diap old & a "
ZTbe Sepuicbre Hltar.
This appears to have been situated on the north side of
the choir beneath the middle arch of the arcade (see below,
" 1513"). It was appointed for the deposition of the con-
secrated elements of the Eucharist from the evening of
Good Friday until the morning of Easter Day ; during
which time it was watched by a quasi-guard, after the
manner of our Lord's sepulchre. The sacrament was then
removed with loud Alleluias and much rejoicing to its
accustomed place on the High Altar.
The church books contain many references to this
mediaeval ceremony.
Anno 1498. "In p 9 mis payed for wakyng of the sepulcr
viij d ." Similar entries occur yearly until the
Reformation.
4 2 THE SEPULCHRE ALTAR.
1507.* "It. paied to Sybel Derling for nayles for the
sepulcre & for rosyn to the rcsurrcccyou pley
ij d . ob."
1512. "It. payed to Water Barton to the new Sepulcur
iiij". xiij s .x d ." This was a very considerable sum
at that period, and it must have been an object
of unusual magnificence.
Anno 1513. "It. paydto Harry Horthorne forsettyngupp
of the frame aboute the sepulcre & for closyng
of the dore in Seynt Johns chauncell to the
quyre, vj d ." (See end of this article "Henry
Hawthorne")
(A new door was opened in 1515.)
1513-4. "It. payd to Harry Horthorne for ij pecis to
hang the sepulcre cloth on, ij d ."
1513-4. " It. payd for ale at Removyng of the sepulcre
to the carpenters iij d . ob."
1516. "It. paid for makying of the lofte for the sepulcre
light li s . ij d ."
" tf)e Ornaments fctlongpg to tfje sepulcre 0foltcr in
tfje same <|)urcl). (1524)
In p'mis a vestemete of Crymson veluet w 1 a crose of rych
tyssew.
It. a vestemete of Russet satten w* a crose of cloth of
gold.
It. a vestemete of whyt brydg 8 satten w l a Crose of
grene brydg 8 satten.
It. an awl? cloth of Crymson & tawny veluet enbrod jyd
w l fflo rs of gold : & for the nether pte of the same,
Crymson saten & cloth ofbawdekyn for the sepulcr
awter. (Inv, 1517.)
It. an awl? cloth of crymson satten & blew bawdkyn
w l ij C r teyns to the same of grene.
It. iij C r teyns of Russete & blew s ,ssenete w l an awl?
cloth of whytte & grene.
It. ij small Kanstykks of latten."
1538-9. "Paid for makeyng the beam lights ou the
sepulcre ayenst east j xxj d ."
1 544-5 " Paid for sylk poynts for the Sepulcre ij d ."
* This entry may relate to the performance of a Mystery on "Corpus
Christ!" day.
HENRY HAWTHORNE, CARPENTER. 43
In 1549 the whole seems to have been swept away.
" Rec* of Mr. Bell for the sepulcre & the
frame for tags thereto annexid xx s ."
Among the inquiries in 1554 after the goods alienated
sold and stolen in the time of Edward VI. we have
" Item for the valence about the sepulcre to know who
hath it in kepyng."
This is repeated. " It. to enquire for the valence &
ffrenge about the sepulcre."
1561. "Item receyved of Mathew Reynoldes and Water
Sawyer for the sepulcre they bought, xx s viij d ."
In 1562, "The fframe where the sepulcher Lighte dyd
stand" was taken down by Willyam Marten and his man
together with the rood loft and the way to the same.
" Sayle of olde Tymber."
" In p 9 mis of Master Butler for y c loft over the chancell
x s " evidently the loft " where the sepulcher Lighte dyd
stand." (Edward Butler's brass is now on the south wall of
the sacrarium.)
Note. "Henry Hawthorn" was a Reading carpenter, and
obviously a man of some note in his time He first occurs
in 1501 as one of the churchwardens of St. Lawrence's. In
1508 he presented a ladder of"xx rongs" to the church.
It once belonged to John Turner, a turner in the High
Street. In 1510 he prepared the wainscot for the ceiling
and the decorations of the altar by the Mayor's seat. In
1515 a gallon of ale was given to him and his men for
raising a " coffer" into the steeple. In 1516 he repaired the
seats on the north side of the church.
Anno 1518. "It. payd to Harry Horthorne for tymbre
werkmanshipp & for bowrdyng of men as
apperith by his bills, vij 11 iiij d ."
Very much must have been done to the roof or fittings
of the church at this time.
In 1519 he relaid the gutter between the two chancels.
He died in 1522 and was buried in the church.
" Kec. for the grave of Henry Horthorn vi s viij d coiiyng
the same viij d ."
His widow died in 1527, and in the same year William
Coon or Cone, Hawthorn's associate, who executed the
carving in 1518, was laid to his rest.
This Henry left a son Henry, who followed his father's
44 ST. GEORGE S ALTAR.
occupation. He first occurs as the maker of a railing for
the belfry in 1528, and in 1530 he was employed for ten
days in mending the bells at 6d. " by the day."
He is mentioned no more in the records of St. Lawrence.
In the fine collection of MSS. at Loseley House near
Guildford, belonging to Wm. More Molyneux, Esq., there
is an account of the removal of certain tents or wooden
lodgings from Oatlands to be re-erected at Chobham,
anno 38 Hen. VIII. by Henri HartJiorn. Under the
heading of " Carpenters" the time of his service is reckoned
to be 28 days 40 hours ; and again under the heading of
" Sawyers" we have
" D. to Henry Hothorne in prest on a Reconyng for his
owne wadges and other carpenters nott yett payd
for Chobba. Reconyng vj u ."
This document formerly belonged to Sir Thomas Cawar-
den, Master of the Revels at that time.
Curiously enough, either himself or another of his name
and calling crops up at Scale near Farnham, where in the
C.W. accounts for 1598 " For a boorde and mending the
pulpett one daies worke." The name does not occur in
Scale Registers before the 27th of Jan. 1593, when he
married " Joan Brombye" of that place. He settled there
and had issue, William, bap. 1594, Eliz., bap. 1596, Mary,
bap. 1599, Thomas, 1603, John, bap. 1606, Robert, bap.
1613. The children of William, John and Robert appear
in these Registers.)
St. (Beetle's Hltar
was constructed at the same time as the altar of St.
Thomas (q.v.) anno 1501-2, and apparently on the loft
above it.
(There is a remarkably early instance of this
arrangement at Compton Church, Surrey, where the
eastern half of the chancel is divided into two stories
by an original Norman gallery of stone with cross
groinings beneath. The vault is of one span, and its
western arch or face is richly decorated. The old
Norman rail of oak traversing the front of this gallery
is in wonderful preservation. The altar was visible
from the nave.)
Anno 1503-4. "It. payed for ij yerds & an cti of wyer
to Y auter in Seynt Georg 8 loft, & for dressyng
of the same au? iij d . ob."
MR. JUSTICE'S ALTAR. 45
As the loft was repaired at the same time as the altar
of St. Thomas was constructed, it may be concluded that
the gallery above St. Thomas' altar was that which is here
called St. George's loft ; indeed, there was no other to
which such a term could be applied, for besides the rood
loft and this, there were only the ringing floor in the
tower, and a loft for the sepulchre light. It was approached
by a staircase in the north wall, the upper doorway of
which is still visible near the entrance to St. John's Chancel.
Besides the altar, this loft contained a famous image of
St. George on horseback, probably triumphing over the
terrible dragon. This was coeval with the gallery and the
altar.
The church records for 15 34 present some interesting
details relating to this image.
Of f Fnrst, payd for iiij or Gaffes (calves)
\ skynes & ij horsse skynes iiij 8 vj d ."
(Evidently for the horse's coat.}
" Payd for makeyng the loft that Saynt George standeth
apon vi d " (a small dais].
" Payd for ij plonks for the same loft viij d ."
" Payd for iiij or pesses of clowt-lether ij s ij d ."
" Payd for makeyng the yron that the hors resteth
apon vj d ."
" Payd to John Paynter for his labo r xlv s ."
" Payd for roses, bells gyrdle, swerd, & dager iij s iiij d ."
" Payd for settying on the bells & roses iij d ."
" Payd for naylls necessarie therto x d ob,"
Note. The George and Dragon Hotel in this
parish, commonly called " The George," is mentioned
in the church accounts for 1523-4 :
" Rec. for the knyll of a straung 1 "! that dyed at the
George xij d ."
" Rec. for the manes grave that dyed at the George
& for couyng of the same vij 3 . iiij d ."
flfer* Justice's Bltar.
Thomas Justice was appointed vicar of St. Lawrence's,
Sept. 1 8, 1502. He resigned Dec. 20, 1518. Mr. Coates
states that he and John Clampard gave 400 marks to the
wardens of the guild of St. Catharine, Haberdashers' Hall,
London, in order that they should pay the yearly sum of
7/. to provide a priest to sing perpetually in the said church
46 THE VESTRY ALTAR.
of St. Lawrence. Mr. Coates assigns this endowment to
the Jesus Channtry. But as there were only two chauntry
priests surviving in Q. Mary's days, one of whom, Richard
a Deane is expressly named as the incumbent of the Jesus
Chauntry, and as Mr. Coates associates William Webb
with Mr. Justices foundation at the same time, the two
chantries were evidently distinct.
He was probably the son of William Justice, the elder,
of Reading, who represented the town in Parliament in
1509-10, and served the office of Mayor in 1513. In his
will, dated 18 Feb. 1520, at Somerset House (Reg. Main-
waring, fo. 6), is the following : " I bequeath to Thomas
Justice my son preest C ounces of plate most necessary to
him w* a blake gowne," &c. He bequeathed to the church
of Myre, where he was born, io/., that the priest there
might pray for his soul and the souls of his parents. He
desired that his body might be buried in St. Mary's,
Reading, before the Altar of Jesus.
Anno 1520-1. "It. vppon m. Thom a s Justice for the
grave of M rcs Smyth his moder vj s viij d cover-
ing vj d ." The sum was paid the year following.
1531. " Payd for makyng the foldyng hatche by Mr.
Justice Awter viij d ."
Anno 1552-3. "In the custodie of Thom a s Byggs a
fair Table for an aw? of the gift of M r Thom a s
Justice late vicar ther."
(See Index.)
be IDestr^ altar.
There is no clue in the church accounts to the position
of the ancient vestry. It seems to have been a wooden
chamber constructed within the church; its flat covering
forming a sort of small gallery.
1518. "It. for making of an auter in the vestrie, vj d ."
1525. " It. to the glasyer for mendyngthe wyndow in the
' halpac' ou the vestre, xvj d . J '
1562. " Itm. payd to Willyam Marten and his man for
settinge up of the borders of the lofte ouer the
vestry, xvj d ." (These were the carved borders of
the old rood loft purchased by W. Duddelsoll,
the C.W., and presented by him for this
purpose.)
ST. NICHOLAS ALTAR THE TRINITY ALTAR. 47
St. flicbolas Hltar.
1538-9. "Payd for ij tapis made for Saynt Nichus
Aw?, vj d ."
The chamber of a priest or chaplain called " Sir
Nicholas" was repaired by the churchwardens
in 1534.
1537-8. " Rec. for a surples of S r Nicholas sold, iij 8 .
Whether this was a temporary altar, erected on the
occasion of some boys' festival, or whether it was an old
one with a new name, under the auspices of " Sir Nicholas,"
it is impossible to say, for this is the only reference to it in
the church accounts.
Hltar.
rnammts falonggng to t&e trgnnte afolter foftfjfrt
tfft Same <Ei)UVCf)." (Anno 1524.)
In p'mis a vestemente of cloth of sylu, w 4 a Crosse of
cloth of gold.
It. a vestemete of Blak veluet w* a Crosse of grene cloth
of gold.
It. a vestemete of grene brydge 3 satten w* a Crosse of
cloth of gold.
It. a vestemete of grene bordalexaund'l w* a crosse of
yellow dornex.
It. a Corpras mayd of a Crysom w t a case of cloth of
golde & grene veluete.
It. a corpras coteynyng a yerd m^lkyd w l this Ire Jtt in
golde w' a case of Rych Bawdkyn.
It. a pax of Copp & enamylled w 1 the pytye of o r ladye.*
It. a payr of Cruetts of pewd j.
Itm. ij small Kanstyks of latten.
Itm. ij Awl? Clothes of lynnen playn.
Itm. A wrytten maseboke couyd w l crymson veluete in
the second lefif begynyng ' inimici rugi'et*, w l a pyn
of sylu for the Regesters."
Anno 1 549. " Rec. of M r Grey for the Trinitie Alt? of
m^ble w* the Trynyte, x 8 viij d ."
There is no reference to this altar in the church accounts
* A representation of the B. Virgin mourning over the dead body of Jesus
reclining on her knees.
48 THE SIDE ALTAR - ST. CLEMENT'S ALTAR.
under this name. As the altar was of marble, it must have
stood on the ground floor.
be Sifce Hltat,
mentioned in 1510, is probably the same as the " The altar
by the Mayors Seat," referred to in the same year.
It seems to have been situated immediately under the
rood screen, on the south side of the church, in a chapel
to west of the Lady Altar. The piscina, visible in the
bottom of one of the nave windows, probably marks its
approximate position.
1510. "Itm. payed for hewyng & pgettyng off the syde
awter, xiij d ."
1510-11. " It. payd to Cone for selyng & dressyng of the
aw? be M r Mayo r s set, ij s iij d ." (See p. 43.)
1541. "Payd for settyng the seats agaynst the syde
St. Clement's Hltat.
St. Clement was acknowledged as the patron of smiths.
On the easternmost pillar, between the nave and aisle, are
the remains of a painted shield, charged with the smith's
arms :
Ermines, two horseshoes in bend arg* on a bordureof the
last, a pair of pincers, hatchet, and sword, sable. It is very
probable that his altar was in the vicinity of this pillar, and
in the north aisle. The shield is on the north-east side of
the pillar.
1516. "It. paid for mendyng of the beame for Say nt
Clements light, viij d ."
1520. " It. payd for mendyng of the cloth before Saynt
Clement, iiij d ."
1549. " Rec. of Thomas Turner for boks & for Saynt
Clements Alt?, xvij 8 ."
Iboty Xoat
Anno 5 Ed. vj. (1551.)
" At this day it was concludid & aggreid that from hens-
forthe euy infiitant of the pisshe shall bere & pay euy
Sonday in the yere v d for euy tenement as of old tyme the
Holy Lofe was used to be paid and be received by the
LIGHTS. 49
pisshe dark wekely, the seid dark to have euy Sonday for
his paynes i d . And iiij d residewe to be paied & delyued
euy Sonday to the churchewardens to be employed for
bred & wyne for the communyon. And if any ouplus therof
shall be, of suche money so received to be to the use of the
churche ; and if any shall lacke, to be borne & paied by the
seid churchewardens : pvided allwey, that all suche psons
as ar poore & not hable to pay the whole, be to haue
Ayde of such others as shall be thoughte good, by the dis-
crecon of the Churchwardens."
1555. Rec. of money gathered for the holy lofe, ix s iiij d .
1557. Item for the hyer of the bryde pastes this yere,
vi s viij d .
1561. Bryde-past. Item Receyved of John Radlye,
vj s viij d . (last entry.)
37-8 H. viij. " Paid for Syngyng brede on Palme
Sonday, ij d ."
The churchwardens' accounts abound with references to
lights. They seem to have been of four kinds : i. Symbolic,
such as accompanied the celebration of all sacramental
rites and the obsequies of the dead ; 2. Festive, such as
were used for illuminations on the greater festivals, and
especially at Christmas and Candlemas ; 3. Honorary, or
Votive ; of such were the lights before the Sacrament, the
Rood light, and the lights of St. Catharine ;* and 4. Ordi-
nary, or Necessary.
Of this kind were the Font Taper, the Paschal
Candle, and the Altar Lights. Each altar in the church
was provided with two candlesticks for the re-table,
and not more : it was the old English use. Two of these,
* See under " Altar of St. John the Baptist."
E
5O LIGHTS.
weighing 41 oz., were of silver, and belonged to the High
Altar, having been presented by Mr. Richard Cleche. (In-
ventory.)
1508. "It. payd to Hew Goldsmyth for mendyng of the
vices in the sylu candylstykks xvj d ." They
were parcel-gilt.
" It. payd to the same Hew for gyldyng and sow-
deryng of j? e fote of on sylu canstyk iiij d ."
At the Reformation sale in 1 547, six great candlesticks
or standards were purchased by John Saunders, bellfounder,
of Reading. Two belonged to the Lady Altar, two to
St. Thomas', and two to St. John's. Two more are mentioned
in 1502 as standing in the chancel (see under Paschal
Bason} .
" It. payed for scowryng of the grete candylstikks in the
quere vj d ." (see Altars).
Torches and wax lights were always used at funerals.
The tapers were provided by the churchwardens, who
charged the friends of the deceased for the amount con-
sumed, and from the varying sums we may form some esti-
mate of the quality of the deceased, and the nature of the
obsequies e.g., 1498 " Itm. rec. for the sepulcr of Thomas
Butler vj s viij d . It. rec. for wast of Torchys at the burying
of the same Thom a s ij s j d " whereas the next entry, at the
burying of " Webb's wife" shows only 4^. for consumption
of wax.
1501. "It. rec. for wast of torchis at the berying of S r
John Hide vicar of Sonyng ij s vj d "
1502-3. " It. rec. ffor the graue of lawrence Morton gen-
tyllman x s ."
" It. rec. for wast of torchis at the same byryng xx d ."
After 1510 this demand for waste of torches seems to be
included in the charge for tolling the great bell. These
funeral torches were of large size.
1498. " Itm. payed for ij torchys weying Ixi 11 p 9 c le ti ij d .
ob. xij 8 viij d ."
1502. " It. payed to M r Smyth for ij torchis weying xlvij 11
p 9 c le ii iiij d . sm a xv s iiij d ."
1505. "It. payed for vj torchis weying ^ & xvj"
(96 Ibs.) p 9 c le ii iiij d . xxxii 3 ."
A lantern also was carried before the priest when bearing
THE PASCHAL BASON FESTAL LIGHTS. 5 I
the Eucharist to the sick in his visitations. It is frequently
mentioned.
The Paschal Taper for Easter was usually large and
costly.
The cost of the provision of this and the font taper occurs
as a yearly item.
1498. " Itm. payed for the Pascalls and the ffonte taper
to M r Smith iiij 8 ."
1498. " Itm. payed for makyng long 9 of M r Smythis molde
w* a Judas to the Pascall vj d ."
1503. " It. rec. at Estur for the pascall xl 8 ."
1505. " It. paid to Maistres Smyth for wast of the pas-
call ij s ."
" It. payed for xxviij ii wex for a stoke to the pas-
call & to the font tapyr and for to renew the rode
light p 9 c le ii v d sm a xj s viij d ."
1508. " It. payed the same day to Wa? Barton for xx 11 of
wax for a pascall p 9 c le ii v d sm a viij 8 iiij d ."
" It. payed to maistres Smyth for making of xiiij 11
wax to the same pascall vj d ."
" It. payed to the same maistres for j 11 of grene
fflowris to the for seid pascall vj d ."
THE PASCHAL BASON.
1498. " Itm. payed for the Pascall bason and the hangyng
of the same xviij 8 ."
" Itm. payed for vij pendaunts for y e same bason
and Y caryage fro London iijV
1513. "It payd for makyng clene of the basyn for the
pascall & the ij grete candstyks in the quere
ayenst Es?."
From the preceding entries it would appear that the
Paschal candle was fixed in a bason weighted by pen-
dants necessary to keep the candle upright, and suspended
probably near the High Altar. With a Judas of wax at-
tached, and a wreathing of green wax flowers, the laving of
the candle would be considerable hence the necessity for
the bason beneath.
ffCStal XtgbtS. (CHRISTMAS.)
1510. "Payed for iij 11 of talow candylls for to sett in y*
churche on Crystmas Daye iij d ob."
F: 2
52 FESTAL LIGHTS.
1524. " It. for makeyng the fframe for the aungells vppon
Cristmas day iiij d ."
1525. "It. for i lb of Sysses (small wax tapers) for the
Aungells at Crystmas ix d ."
This would appear to indicate a constructional represen-
tation of the Nativity attended by angels, perhaps in ranks
or gradations, bearing lighted tapers.
1 506. " It. payed for sysis to the holy bush (holly] at
Christmas ix d .
" Paid Macrell for an Jwly bush before the Rode ij d ."
(CANDLEMAS DAY.)
The commemoration of the Purification of the B. V.
Mary was especially a feast of lights. Barnaby Googe in
his " Popish Kingdom" thus describes the ceremonies of the
day :
?Ubcn comes tfe &an tofierein tfi.e 'Firsin
offered (Kljrist unto
5Tt)e .father djiefr, as JTClonses lato
commauntieb fiir to fco.
f)cn numbers great of papers large
both men an& toomen beare
o ffifjurcf), being Jjalotocti tfjerc toitft pomp,
anlr ttretifful toorUes to fjeare.
W)is bone, ecfje man fits CTantieH ligfjtes
tnfjere cfjtefest scmetfi ie
(Taper grctcste man be scene,
anB fortunat to bee
CTantJCll burnctfi clere an brtflljt.
%, fioontirous force antr mtgrjt
Uotft in tbese canHtlls lie, torjicl) if
at ann time tfjec Itgfit
sure belebe tfiat neptficr stormc
or tempest trare abitfe,
in tlje sfeies be fieartt
nor ang Bcbils gpiUc,
j&or fearfull sprites, that toalfe bp nig^t,
nor fiurts of frost or fiailc.
Alban Butler writes: " The candles are blessed previously
to the use of them, because the church blesses and sancti-
fies by prayer whatever is employed in the Divine service.
We are to hold the candles in our hands on this day while
the ' Gospel' is read or sung ; also, from the ' Elevation' to
the ' Communion,' " &c. (" Lives of the Saints," Feb. 2.)
ORDINARY LIGHTS. 53
Special lights were employed in the church on this fes-
tival. A kind of chandelier, called a " trendell," was con-
structed for the occasion. It seems to have consisted of a
wheel, or perhaps a series of wheels, of graduated size, at-
tached horizontally to a central pole suspended from the
roof, the lights being fixed on the outer margins.
A new one was made in 1502-3.
" It. payed to John Turner for makyng of the Trendyll ij 8 .
It. payed for corde to the same Trendyll vj d .
It. payed for tymber to make ]? e trendyll whele.
It. payed for colo's to J? e same trendyll.
It. payed to Maistres Smyth for the trendyll xiij 8 iiij d .
(evidently for lights to furnish it}.
It. payed for payntyng of the same trendyll v d .
It. payed for a bolte & a swevyll to the trendyll vj d .
It. payed for polys to John Turn*] for J? e trendyll ij d ."
1 5 39-40. " Payed for the tymber trendle for Candlemas
Day iiij d ."
The sepulchre was illuminated on Easter Day.
1538-9. " Payd for makeyng the beam lights ou the
sepulchre ayenst eas? xxi d ."
1bonoran> or IDotive
lights were those burning before the Eucharist, the Rood
and other images or pictures. (See under High Altar,
1537, Rood Loft. The light of St. Catharine is mentioned
in 1433-
1534. " Payde to Pastier for settynge the braunche apon
the Rode loft," &c., xvj d ."
1536-7. " Payd for takeyng down the braunche in the
qwere iiij d ."
" Payd to Hugh Smyth for settyng upp the same
braunche agayne & for mendyng a dore to an
aumbrey viij d ."
1547. At the " Reformation Sale" John Saunders, the
bellfounder, purchased the following articles
of latten :
" A Braunch w l vij cansticks."
" iiij litel cansticks."
54 THE PULPIT.
"vj greate cansticks."
"ij lampes."
" A beame w 1 x cansticks and spyndells."
" vj lynks."
" xx laten bolls that were of the rode light."
1633 (Inventory). " Item, one svvinginge brasse candle-
sticke w th xij braunches or socketts" (given by
Richard Johnson in 1631).
1772 (Inventory). "One Brass Hanging Candlestick
with sixteen branches or socketts," the gift of
Mr. Richard Undenvood.
" One with eleven do. the gift of Mr. Richard
Johnson."
The church is now lighted with gas.
pulpit.
1537-8. " Payd far makeyng the walls about the
pulpett ij 8 ."
1 592-3. " To John Braker for y e work ouer y e Pulpit xxij d ."
1639. " It. by a tax of the pishioners toward es the new
pulpett and church reparations, I3 U 19 s 3 d ."
" Itm. p d goodman lime for mooving the pulpit
and setting him lower 4" 3 d ."
1642. The pulpit was removed.
" It. for taking downe the old Pulpittand making
the reading place and setting upp the seats in
the chancell and for new tymber & worke
iij 11 ij 8 ij d .
" It. for a hinge & a latch to the old pulpitt xiij d .
" It. for an houre glasse & painting, and v turned
banisters xiij d ."
This pulpit was sold in 1741, when the present one was
erected :
',' Oct. 6. Of M r Slade for the old Pulpit, 4/. 4*. od."
From Hewett's " Hundred of Compton," p. 79, it would
appear that the pulpit of 1639 was sold to the church-
wardens of Aldworth, where it may still be seen, with the
reading pew of corresponding style, though of somewhat
more ornate workmanship. The three lower panels of the
prayer desk are large, and exhibit porticos of a temple in
perspective (basso-relievo). There are cherubs' heads, and
THE PULPIT, ALD WORTH.
THE ROOD LOFT. 55
wreaths of flowers depending from perforated scroll-
like designs peculiar to the Elizabethan and Jacobean
styles. The panels are divided by pilasters with caryatides.
The pulpit is similarly treated, but the lower panels instead
of porticos have a shield-like design with scrolled and per-
forated margins.
The pre- Reformation pulpit stood somewhere about the
-middle of the nave, and probably near one of the pillars not
far from the mayor's seat (see under "Jesus Altar," anno
" 1545"). The pulpit as it was in 1802 is thus described
by Mr. Coates :
" The pulpit is hexagonal, having a rich foliage of carved
work running round the bottom and the compartments on
each side. In each compartment is a piece of inlaid work :
I, the cross ; 2, the sacramental cup ; 3, the letters I. H. S.,
with a cross radiated ; 4, an open book, with the words
' Biblia Sacra ;' 5, an inlaid square with a border of scroll-
work. The sounding-board is ornamented by a piece of
inlaid work representing the Dove, from which flow rays
terminated by stars in clusters. It is supported by two
fluted pilasters of a composite order. It is said to be after
the model of St. Giles-in-the-Fields."
IRoob %oft,
This was a large gallery immediately in front of the
chancel arch, occupying the whole width of the nave, and
extending westward as far as the great beam above Bla-
grave's monument. It was approached by a stone stair-
case in the south-east corner by the Lady Altar, where
the blocked angle indicating its position still remains.
The steps were removed and the hole filled up with rubble
and grouting when the chancel arch was enlarged in 1848.
The roof of the nave above the jube was of a more ornate
character than the western portion, and this distinction
remained until very recent times. Mr. Coates writes
(1802) : "From Blagrave's monument to the chancel the
ceiling is elliptical, of panel work, with roses and other orna-
ments at each intersection/' Upon the front of this gallery
stood, or partly depended, the Rood, a carved representation
(probably life-size) of the crucifixion, with the figures of
SS. Mary and John standing by on the right and left of
the Sufferer respectively. On the principal festivals the
5 6 THE ROOD LOFT.
" Gospel" for the day was read on the north side of this
loft by the " Deacon," accompanied by acoliths with lighted
tapers.
Here also the clerks sang the " Passion" on Palm
Sundays.
The Rood Loft of St. Lawrence's seems to have been a
goodly structure, and must have greatly enhanced the
beauty and solemnity of the church. The underpart was
ceiled, or perhaps groined, with oak work, and . the altars
beneath with their lighted tapers dimly seen through the
trellis in front, must have had a striking and touching effect.
The following extracts will open many trains of thought
which it would almost be impossible to follow with the pen :
1436. " Et in fenr de la Selyng in le Roodloft sol' Jofii
Hale xxiij 8 iiij d ."
1498-9. " It. payed for vj laten bolls on the north syde
of the rode loft viij 8 ." (These were sconces for
tapers : see 1510.)
"It. rec. at Alhalow tyde for the rode lyght
x 8 iiij d ."
" It. payed for xliij 11 of Iren warke on the south
end of the rode loft to stay the lyght p'c the
ft ij d . sm a vij 8 ij d ."
" It. payd for turnyd pynnys to the seid lyght vj d ."
" It. payed for scowryng of the laten bolts in the
seid loft iiij d ."
" Itm. payed to Strawford for braggetts to fastyn
the crests in \> e same loft vj d ."
(Cressets were hollow vessels employed for holding
lights. The term " crests" in architecture is used for
any ornamental upper finishing, so the term may refer
to any ornamental border standing on the upper front
edge of the Rood Loft ; but the expression " in the
loft" seems to suggest the former interpretation.)
1488-9. " It. payed for a lyne to draw the curtens in the
same loft iij d ."
1505. " It. payed to Macrell for tendyng of the rode Iy3t
for makyng clene of the rode loft & for shottyng
of the organs for a yer endyd at Mychselmas
iiij 8 viij d ."
" It. payed to the Clerks for syngyng of the Pas-
sion in Palme Sonday in Ale i d ."
THE ROOD LOFT. 57
1506. " It. paied for a line to draw the curtens in J? e rode
loft v d "
" It. paied for mending of J? e wyer for Y clothe
before ]> e rode v d ."
" It. paid to Macrell for an holy bussh before the
rode ij d ."
" It. paid to M. Smith for making of the rode
Iy3t & Tor ij u of new wex to the same iij 8
iiij d ob."
1506. "It. paied to Thom a s Wiche smyth for makyng
of a key to the gret cofer in the rode loft, v d ."
" It. paied to the same John Gege for settying
up of the wier to draw the clo]? be fore the
rode in the rode loft iij d ."
" It. paied for the seling behynde the said rode vj 9 ."
,, " It. payed for v copies to the selyng above the
rode loft xvj 8 viij d ."
" It.. paied to Harry Blankstan payn? for gyldyng
of the Rode Mary & John in the rode loft
x 8 iiij d ."
" It. paied for setting vp the seid rode Mary &
John for removyng of th'organs & for making
y e sete for J? e pleyer of J? e same organs xx d ."
1 507. " Paied to the goodman Cone for dressyng of y e
15 lo-i i. " It. payd for clesyng the Imagerye of the rode
lofte at request of J? e pisshe ij s viij d ."
" It. payd for Renewyng of the vj taps in the
Rode on the north syde vj 11 di off wax at vij<J
a ii. A ti of sysis (small tapers] & for the maks
of the same wax v 8 ij d ob."
1513. " It. payed for a claps (clasp] to the cofer in the
rode loft iij d ."
1524. " It. for drynk in the roode loft vppon Palme
Sonday j d ."
1 534. " Payd for makeyng the rode lights ayenst Hallon-
tyde & Cristmas xviij d ." (These were the
usual times for renewing these lights.)
" It. payd for a q a rte of basterd for the passion apon
Palme Sonday iij d ."
(Bastard, a kind of sweet Spanish wine, of
which there were two sorts, white and brown.
Ritson calls it a wine of Corsica. The term in
58 THE ROOD LOFT.
more ancient times seems to have been applied
to all mixed and sweetened wines. Halliwell.)
1534. " Payd for a lyne to pull upp the rode cloth
j d ob."
" Payd to Pastier for settyng the braunche (a
cJiandelier] apon the rode loft & laying bordes
there xvj d ."
1537-8. " Payd for staneyng the long Curteyns before the
rode loft x 8 ." (Staining i.e., painting with
figures or other designs.)
In the account of the sale of church goods in 1547,
among the articles of brass or latten purchased by John
Saunders, the bellfounder, we find " xx laten bolls that
were of the rode light."
At the sale of old church timber in 1562, "the borders
of the roode lofte" were purchased by William Duddlesoll,
and presented by him to be set up again over the vestry.
So much wanton destruction was made of artistic work
in churches at this time by the Puritanical faction that an
injunction was issued by the Queen prohibiting all further
demolition of Rood screens, &c., until her further pleasure
therein was known. The following entry is illustrative :
1562. " Itm. Payde vnto Gyles Jackson the xv day of
November for bryngynge the orders made by the
queenes maiesties cofrtyssyoners as consernynge
th'alteracyons of Rood-Loftes for his ffee viijV
1562. "Itm. to Willyam Marten and his man for the
takinge downe of the roode lofte & the way to
the same, &c. ij s ."
It was decided by the Queen that the lofts should be
removed, but that the screens beneath them should remain
in every church to mark the division between the nave and
chancel.
It is probable that the destruction was complete at St.
Lawrence's, and that the upper and lower portions were
swept away before her Majesty's pleasure became known
in Reading : at any rate, a new screen was erected in 1603
by Peter Andrews and Roger Knight, the churchwardens ;
for in the accounts for that year there is a marginal note
in a later hand apparently penned in no friendly humour
" They set up the skrine betweene the church and
chancell."
ORGANS. 59
It is not likely that this screen would survive the visita-
tion of the fanatical soldiers of the Earl of Essex, who were
quartered in the church in 1644, when they did so much
mischief to the fittings and defiled the sanctuary to their
heart's content. (See under Ringing^)
The church possessed an organ in 1505 :
" It. payd for whitleder to the belys of th'organs iij d ."
In 1506, the "organs" were removed, Mr. Coates thinks
from the Rood loft, and makes his deduction from the fol-
lowing entry :
" It. paied for setting up of the seid rode Mary & John,
for removing of th'organs & for making y e sete for
Y pleyer of Y same organs xx d ."
In 1510, a new instrument was provided :
" It. payd to Backebye vppon a bargen of a peyr of
org^unce at the instaunce of the pisshe at ij tymes,
iiif."
Of this Mr. Cleche gave vj 8 viij d , and Mr. White xx 8 . It
was a large instrument, and the bellows were placed ap-
parently below the level of the floor. At Fountains' Abbey
are the remains of some underground channels near the west
end of the choir, which are believed to have been reservoirs
or wind-ducts to the organ above.
1512. "It. rec. for bryk and mor? left at the makyng of
the vowte (vault) for the belys of the organs xxj d .
" It. paied to Rob 1 Barkbe organ maker xiij 8 iiij d .
" It. paied to M. White for waynscott that he
bowght to the new organs xxxj 8 .
" It. payed to Rob* Turner for such stuf as he
delyued to the same organs xv 8 x d .
1512. "It. payed for currying of the leder to the belys
of the same organs ij s ij d .
" It. payed to Ric' Turner & John Kent for the
organ maker at one tyme xxxj 8 vj d .
" It. payed for vj waynscotts at London xiiij 8 .
" It. payed to Ric' Turnl & John Kent for the
organ maker at a noj/l tyme 1 s .
6O ORGANS.
1512. "It. payed for led to ley vpon the belis of the
organs vj s viij d .
(It seems that the old organ was retained, so now there
were two instruments.)
1512. "It. payed for a shepeskyn to mend the belis of
the old organs and for a ii of glew vij d .
" It. paied to a fre mason that shuld haue made
the arch for the belis of the new organs for iiij
dayes an di, by the day vj d ij 8 iij d .
" It. payed to Thom a s Nycols for makyng of the
same arch and for tyling of the same viij s .
" It. payed to a laborer to breke vp the wall to
make the arch for iij dayes & a di by the day
iiij d sm a xiiij d .
1513. "It. payed to Hew Smyth for iron warke in the
new organ loft x d .
" It. payd for ij lokks to the same organs, one for
the stopps and the op) for the keyes xj d .
" It. payed to Robte Barkbe organ maker for a
reward v s iiij d .
" It. payed for ryding to Wyndso r to set M r Wod
(Wood) to se the new organs, x a .
" It. payed to the same M. for his costs at his
comyng vij s x d .
" It. payed Ric. a Woods costs when he came to
se the organs vij d (1512).
" It. payed for a lok to the organ lofte dore & for
iron warke to the same loft xij d .
1513-4. " It. payd for mendyng and grownde pynnyng of
the posts vnder the organs ij d ."
1514-5. Something was obviously amiss with Barkby's
new organ ; some faulty construction, or defect in the
fulfilment of his engagement ; perhaps the suit indi-
cated by the following entry was the result of the visit
of Richard a Wood, evidently the organist of St.
George's at that time.
" It. payd for a man & a hors to London for a
wryt for Barkbye iiij 8 ij d ."
" It. payd to Willm Edmonds for makyng a ire
to barkbye, j d ."
" It. payd for expns to barkbye at the same
tyme, vj s . viij d ."
" It. payd for a pece of waynscote for mendyng
of the stoppe of the same organs ij d ."
ORGANS. 6 1
1514-5. " Sum of expenses touching Rob. Barkeby xiij".
iiij d ."
1519-20. The pipes of Barkeky's great organ were
sold to Segemond, another organ maker, who appears
to have rebuilt or transposed it.
"It. of Segemond the organ maker for the grete
organs CC d 1 xi 11 (291 Ibs.) of led ij u ."
In the meantime " Young Slithurst" played upon the old
'Organ. He was probably the son of Thomas Slithurst, who
held two gardens in Lurkmere Lane of the churchwardens,
at a yearly rent of 2s. 8d. at this time.'
1520. " It' paid to Segemond the organ maker for trans-
posing of the grete organs as apperithe by a
bill thereof made vj 11 xx d .
1521. "It. payd to Segesmond by thadvyse of the pysh
t a nsposyng & new castyg ye for fronte of the
org a ns and settyng y n y e newstope xiij 8 . iiij d ."
1522-3. Segemond appears to have been as unfortunate
with his organ as Barkeby ; at any rate there appears to
have been fresh litigation'.
" It. payd for a <pcesse mayd agaynst Segemond,
viij 8 vj d ."
1524. "It. payd to S r Ric. Baynton for mendyng the
grett at ij tymes iiij 8 ."
1524-5. Another new organ.
" It. payd for karyeng the new org a ns from the
wa? to the church, xv d .
It. to Troll for grownd pynnyng the org. ij d .
It, for tymber & bords to the same iij s . ix d .
It. for makeyng the paysses for the organs j d .
It. to Ric. Bodye for workmanshypp iij s .
It. for brede drynk for the organ maker whylls
he entewnyd the org. iiij d ."
From the inexpensive nature of these items, this must
have been a small organ for the choir.
1526-7. " It. for a foldyng bordtothe lytell orgons viij d ."
1529. " It. payd for mendyng the case of the lytell organs
in the dfuncell & the bellows of the same at
ij times ij s vj d ."
1531. "It. for mendyng the stopps of the grete organs
if."
62 ORGANS.
I 533- " R GC - f the ffreres in Oxford for the great organs
x."
From subsequent entries it would seem that the great
organ was sold to them for I2/. ios., but that the remaining
SOs. were never paid before the Reformation swept both
the Friars and their organ away altogether.
The organ built by Segismond and removed to Oxford
in 1533 was succeeded by another which succumbed to
Puritanical prejudice in 1578. There are no memoranda
relating to its erection, and only one touching its demo-
lition.
On Saturday, Feb. 13, 1562, certain articles were pro-
posed for discussion in the Lower House of Convocation,
evidently by the advanced Puritan party, the 6th of which
was, " That the use of organs be removed." There were
thirteen disputers, and out of 1 1 7 votes, organs were saved
by a majority of one only !
In 1566, Bishops Grindle and Home in their reply to
the letter of Bullinger and Gualter on the subject of fur-
ther reform, wrote, that they did not approve of that
figured music, together with the use of organs, that was
continued in cathedrals, in these words : " Cantum in
templis figuratum una cum strepitu organorum retinendum
non arfirmamus imo prout decet insectamur" (see Burnet's
" Reformation," iii. 319).
After this we shall be prepared for the following in the
old church book :
1578. " M d on St. Andrews day being Advent Sunday &
the last of November 1578, it was agreed That
the organes in St. Johns chauncell for that they
shoude not be forfeited into the hands of the
organ takers shoulde be taken downe and solde ;
and the tymber of them be applied to sett up
two seats higher for M r Maior and his brethrene
aboue the seate y l now they sitt in."
" Pd. for taking down y e orgaines xi d .
" Solde to Rocke 37" of leade which was organ
metall, viij 8 vj d .
" Itm. xxiiij 11 of Leade iij 8 ."
THE PRESENT ORGAN. 63
pre*1Reformation
1519. "Young Slithurst."
1534. "Thomas Alyn for playing at the organs for vij
wekes ix 8 ."
" Thomas Skynn^l for playing at the organs xijV
1544. "Payd to Sayntmore the clerk for playing upon
the orgayns ou & besydes the gatheryng of the
pisshe for a yere endid ut sup a xl s ."
Gbe present roan
was erected in 1741 by subscription, including the sum of
3O/. left by Dr. De la Croix, vicar of Old Windsor, for the
support of the monthly lecture, which was applied to this
purpose. It was built by Mr. John Byfield, and re-
ceived the approbation of Mr. John Stanley and other
competent judges of the time, who considered it a very
fine-toned instrument. Mr. Coates states that it cost 4OO/.,
and contains 1179 speaking pipes; but it has been much
enlarged since his time. In 1882 a very fine Viol de
Gamba was substituted for the old Cremona, and the
Trumpet-stop renewed by Mr. Aug. Gern, of London. It
appears to have been opened on the 27th of July, 1741,
when the local choir was augmented by the choristers from
St. George's Chapel, Windsor. A Mr. Tomson seems to
have presided at the organ on the occasion.
1741, July 27. To Mr. Tomson, organist, s. d.
and expenses for coach, & for the
Windsor Boys . . .8150
July 3- To Mr. Clark, organist -33
1741-2, Jan. 27. To Mr. Spencer, organist,
half a year's salary . . . 15 o o
1742, Sept. 4. Mr. Alcock, organist . .1000
Dec. 23. To Mr. Alcock . . 15 o o
Mr. Alcock was here in 1749, as appears from an original
receipt for his stipend, still preserved :
" 1749, Dec. i. Received of Mr. Cobb, Churchwarden,
of St. Lawrence's Parish, in Reading, Berks, the
sum of Ten Pounds, being part of my half
64 THE PRESENT ORGAN.
year's Salary for playing the Organ, due Sep-
tember 29, 1749,
p me, John Alcock, Organist."
He afterwards became organist of Lichfield Cathedral.
Dr. Alcock's compositions are well known.*
Mr. Spencer succeeded in 1750, and on his death, in 1782,
Mr. Remond was elected. He was followed by Mr. Naum-
berger.
The late Mr. Richard Binfield was organist from 1804 to
1839, and was succeeded by his accomplished daughter,
Miss Hannah Binfield, whose services and connection with
the church and choir will long be remembered. On Miss
Binfield's resignation, in 1880, the present talented organist,
Mr. C. H. H. Sippel, A.C.O., formerly of Cambridge, was
elected.
The great Musical Festivals, held at Worcester, Glouces-
ter, and Birmingham, during the present century, were
inaugurated at Reading, and the performances were held
for many years in St. Lawrence's Church. The " Messiah "
was performed here in 1786, and "Judas Maccabaeus" in
1787 and 1789. They were discontinued about the year 1840.
In 1819 the Musical Festival was held on the I5th, i6th,
and 1 7th of September. The following particulars are
from a reprint of the original programme in the possession
of Miss Binfield. The programme is headed, " Berkshire
Grand Musical Festival."
Then follows a list of 170 patrons, consisting of the
nobility and gentry of the town and county. To these
must be added thirty gentlemen stewards, among whom
may be enumerated Sir Claudius Hunter, Bart., Lieut.-
Col. Vansittart, T. P. W. Benyon, Esq., R. Dimsdale,
Esq., B. Simonds, Esq., Wm. Stephens, Esq., J. Wheble,
Esq., &c.
The great moving spirit appears to have been Mr. Richard
Binfield, upon whom the selection of the requisite talent
devolved.
On the first morning, September 15, was performed the
entire First Part of Haydn's " Creation," a selection
from Mozart's " Requiem," and other miscellaneous pieces,
by Handel, Haydn, Arne, Beethoven, &c.
* His "Ode to Flavia" is printed in the Gentleman 3 Magazine for Nov.
1746, p. 605.
THE PRESENT ORGAN. 65
On the second morning, the Oratorio of the " Messiah,"
with additional accompaniment, by Mozart.
On the third morning", a grand selection from Handel's
" Redemption ;" the " Dead March in Saul ;" Haydn's "Te
Deum ;" with other pieces by Guglielmi, Hasse, Pergolesi,
Kent," &c., concluding with the grand Coronation Anthem,
" Zadoc the Priest."
"PRINCIPAL VOCAL PERFORMERS. Miss Stephens, Miss
Goodall, and Signora Corri ; Mr. Vaughan, Mr. Knyvett,
Mr. Bellamy, and Signor Ambrogetti.
"INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMERS. Violins. Mr. F.Cramer
(Leader), Mr. Marshall (Principal 2nd), Messrs. Binfield,
F. Venua, W. Griesbach, Nicks, A. Binfield, N. Binfield,
J. B. Binfield, Marshall, jun., Willcox, Greenwood, Tanner,
Berkshire, Tanner, jun., and Paine. Violas. Messrs. R.
Ashley, Richardson, Goodwin, W. B. Binfield, Shultz, and
Weippert. Violoncellos. Messrs. R. Lindley, T. Binfield,
and W. Binfield. Double Basses. Messrs. Dragonetti,
Haldon and Berry. Bassoons. Messrs. Mackintosh and
Downham. Trombones. Messrs. Mariotti and Brookman.
Flutes. Messrs. Ireland and Kates. Oboes. Messrs.
Griesbach and Sharp. Clarionets. Messrs. Stohwasser,
and Pick-worth. Horns. Messrs. Charlton, Berkshire, and
Burton. Trumpets. Messrs. Schmidt, Heron, and Laden-
sack. Serpent. Mr. Middleton. Double Drums. Mr.
Jenkinson. Organ. Miss Binfield. Harp. Miss M. Bin-
field, from London. Conductor. Sir G. Smart. The
whole under the direction of Mr. Binfield.
" The Choruses will be supported by gentlemen of St.
George's Chapel, Windsor ; His Majesty's Chapel Royal ;
St. Paul's and Oxford ; assisted by the celebrated female
choristers from Lancashire.
" Leader of the Band for the Balls, Mr. Paine, of Almack's,
so justly celebrated for arranging the quadrilles, and other
fashionable dances. Harp for the Balls, Mr. M. Weippert.
" The whole of the Band, which will be complete, will con-
sist of nearly a hundred performers.
" The Morning Performances will commence at eleven
o'clock ; the Evening Performances at half-past seven.
Tickets of admission to the Morning Performances, IQS. 6d.
The Concerts at the Town Hall, the Ball and Tea in-
cluded, IQS. 6d.
"It is requested that all carriages proceedingto the Musical
Festival at St. Lawrence's Church will fall into line in the
66 IMAGES.
Market Place, and set down at the west door in Friar Street,
with the horses' heads towards the Town Hall ; and after
setting down, proceed up Friar Street. On return, the
carriages to form a line in Friar Street, and to take up at
the west door of St. Lawrence's Church, and drive off
through the Market Place. Ladies and gentlemen walking
to the church, to enter at the south door in the Market Place.
By direction of the magistrates, carriages will not be
permitted to drive thro' the entrance to the Forbury, during
the performances."
Besides the Rood with SS. Mary and John, on the
Rood loft, there were images of the Blessed Virgin, St.
Michael, St. Clement, St. Lawrence, St. George, St. Vin-
cent, and probably of St. Leonard. There were also
smaller ones standing in the niches over the columns in the
nave and aisle. Some of these statues have already been
referred to under the account of the Altars e.g,, those of the
B. V. Mary, SS. George, Clement, and Michael.
St. flMcfoael.
1519. "It. paid for canvas for couyng of Saynt
Michell iij d .
" It. paid for cariage of the Image from Maynard
oif London iiij d ."
St. Xawence.
There were two images of the patron saint outside the
building, one of which has already been described under
the account of the Tower : the other was in a pentice at
the east end of the chancel.
1520. " Itm. paid for bourds for makyng of the pentice
ou the Image of Saynt Laurence and for
settyng vppthe same Image w'out the churche
at thest end of the quere iiij s ij d ."
1542. " Payd to Richard Joyner for mendyng of the
Image of Saynt Laurence iiij d ."
IMAGES. 67
There was an image of St. Lawrence apparently at one
end of the High Altar. (See Will of Richard Bedowe.}
There was probably an image of this saint in the niche
over the easternmost pillar of the nave arcade above the
shield with the gridiron.
St
(See Inventory of 1517 under Vestments!)
Her image appears to have been usually habited in a
" coat" of cloth of gold, perhaps a royal mantle with sleeves,
one phase of her legend representing her as of royal
extraction and of the castle of Magdalon. Sometimes she
was figured as the pattern of Penitence, with wasted figure,
long dishevelled hair, and habited in a blue or violet robe
the colour of mourning or contrition.
St (Beorge.
This image was mounted on horseback, with arms and
trappings complete.
(See under Altars, p. 45.)
St. IDincent
1524. "It. to John PaynPs wyff for'gyldyng of pte of
Saynt Vyncent Tabernacle i ij s iiij /'
We are here indirectly informed that the image of St.
Vincent stood beneath a canopy.
1518-9. " It. paid for cariage of the tab^lnacles by the
barge vj s .
"It. paid Cone for settyng upp the tab*l-
nacles ij s vj d .
" It. paid for makyng of a scafold ij d .
" It. paid for iiij clammes of iron for the tab J-
nacles viij d &c."
There is perhaps no single entry in the old church books
from which we may form so correct an estimate of the real
magnificence of the church in the olden time as the
following :
1519. " It. paid to John Pay n? in Ernest of xiiij 11 xiij 8 iiij d
for gilding of the ij Tab*] nacles in the quere, w l
all necessaries therto xx s ."
F 2
68 IMAGES.
At this period the wages of a first-class artisan was 6d.
a day of a labourer ^d. : workmen at the present time
receive ten times the amount ; reckoning therefore by this
standard, the outlay in gilding these tabernacles alone was
equal to about 136?. los. of our money.
1516. " It. payd to the Kyngs paynter for a reward for
seying the tablnacle vj s viij d ."
The images were all removed and defaced in 1547- Here
are a few particulars of the doings of the iconoclasts of that
period :
1547. " Rec. for c^ltayn trifylls that were saved (implying
much wanton destruction} at the takyng down
of Imag 8 as followith, that is to witt :
" Of Rob 4 Euard for all the Imag 8 beyng defaced
xviij d . Of a shomaker for c*l tayne tab'Hnacles
and other thyng 8 ij s viij d . ! ! ! (and they cost i$6l.
for gilding only).
" Paide to ij carpenters for takyng downe the
Imag 8 and tabernacles xij d .
" Paid to Geoffry Penne & his man for emendyng
of the walls wher Imag 8 stode xij d ."
There is a very significant entry indicative of the state of
popular feeling at this time, aroused chiefly by the selfish
conduct of the promoters of the Reformation and greatly
augmented by the spoliation and robbery of the parish
churches and the appropriation of common lands the
latter a political sop for powerful non-contents. Here it is :
" Paid for arrerages of the money for watchyng the
bekyns viij 8 ."
There is another interesting entry immediately following,
exhibiting the statecraft of the period. The church plun-
derers were quite aware in those days that unemployed
leisure to brooding minds might prove a source of danger ;
so it was enacted that every parish should provide its
" Butts," where the parishioners might become proficient in
archery for the safety of the realm, of course.
" Paid to Wiftm Watlyngton for that the pisshe was
indetted to hym for makyng the butts xxxvi 8 ."
MURAL PAINTINGS. 69
flfoural
The walls of the church were once covered with diapers
and frescoes, some of which were very magnificent.
St. Cbrtetopber.
Anno 1503-4. "It. payd to Mylys payn? for payntyng
of Seynt Xfer viij 8 iiij d .
" It. payed for new pgetyng (plastering) of J? e wal
wher S. Xfer is patyd vj d ."
The legend of St. Christopher was in high favour in the
Middle Ages,and the chief allegorical incident in the story
was usually depicted on the walls of the churches.
He is usually represented as a man of huge stature,
fording a turgid river. His staff is grasped with both
hands, and on his shoulders he bears the infant Saviour,
carrying in His hand a globe as Sovereign and Creator of
the world. More rarely it is a cross as its Redeemer.
The giant is usually depicted with upturned face, as if in
earnest conversation with the Child, but sometimes gazing
intently and anxiously on the rising waters. His staff is
frequently foliated. Occasionally it is an entire palm-tree
with leaves and branches. In the background by the water-
side is a hermit with a lantern. The fish, of course, are
nearly always visible in the stream.
The following is one of the many inscriptions which
usually accompanied the figure of the saint :
fjrtstopfjort sancti spectem qufcumciue tuetur
IIIo namque itfe nullo languors tntetur.
Mrs. Jameson, in her "Sacred and Legendary Art." p. 265,
gives the legend at length, with a copy of a fine early
woodcut of this saint exhibiting all the quaint conven-
tionalism of mediaeval art, and probably as much like
Miles Painter's production in St. Lawrence's as could be.
7O MURAL PAINTINGS.
St
1521. "It. payed to John Payn? for payntyg of Sent
leonard left by the wyffs onpaynted xx d . "
This saint is claimed by the Benedictines as a member
of their Order, and either wears the white or the black
tunic, fastened round the waist with a girdle. Sometimes
he has a crosier as abbot of the community he founded.
Occasionally he wears the dress of a deacon. He was
invoked by prisoners, or slaves, and all who pined in
captivity.
At Siena is a picture of St. Leonard kneeling and pre-
senting fetters to the Virgin and Child. At Florence he is
portrayed in the habit of a deacon, standing by the side
of St. Lawrence throned, with St. Stephen on the other.
(Mrs. Jameson.)
be transfiguration.
Anno 1526. " It. to the payn? for payntyng the t a nsfi-
guracon ou the hygh aw? vj u xiij 8 iiij d ."
The cost was defrayed by public subscription.
" Rec. of dyus psones towards the gyldyng & payntyng
of the t a nsfyguracon ou the hygh au? as by a byll
it doth apere iiij 11 xiij 3 j d .
" Rec. for $j & x 11 & di (o.oj Ibs.) of old brase sold at
j d the pownde xj 8 . iiij d . Sm a v 11 iiij s j d ."
A full description of the discovery of this painting in
1848 will be found at the end of this section.
The chancel roof was adorned with gold and colours, if
not with subjects and diapers.
1524. " It. to Troll for his labo r in seellyng & in reward
xijV
" It. layd owt for gold xxiij 3 iiij d ."
" It. to the paynter for drawyng & payntyng the
enbowyng (probably a panelled waggon vaulted
ceiling like that in the north aisle) xvj s iiij d ."
" It. for iij knotts (bosses) in the chancell vj ."
" It. for gyldyng of them ij s ."
The nave arches were originally ornamented with red
stripes, and the niches between them with red borders.
MURAL PAINTINGS. 71
There are also traces of colour on the font, and on the
eastern face of the piers of the tower arch.
In 1547 all the paintings and frescoes were defaced :
" Paid for iiij boketts for the werkmen to whytelyrne the
churche xij d ."
" Paid to Alexander Lake a mason for xxiij dayes for
hym & his s] ant in white lymyng of the churche at
ix d the day xvij 3 iij d ."
" Paid for coleryng of the churche porche & the churche
dores xix d ."
" Paid to a paynter for writyng of the cloth at the high
Awter ij s iiij d ."
In the place of the old frescoes texts of Holy Scripture
were painted on the whitewashed walls, and the objective
method, so suitable for instruction, was made to yield to
subjective policy.
In the following reign, anno 1556, we have "Paid for
defasyng of the wrytyngs vppon the walls ther, iiij d ."
These Edwardian inscriptions were buried beneath another
coat of lime, and, as far as possible, the old pictures
replaced, but only again to be smeared over with dreary
Elizabethan wash a few years afterwards.
In 1627 a little attempt was made to beautify the scene
of cheerless desolation.
" It m . payd to Jonathan the Paynter for payntinge the
church seats and for payntinge the sprigs (of the
hourglass), ffloorishing M r Blagraves monument, as
by the paynters bill appereth in pticular xv u ix 8
vij d ."
The author of this work is deeply indebted to Arthur
Billing, Esq., architect, 185, Tooley Street, London Bridge,
for the following very interesting account of the mural
paintings discovered in St. Lawrence's in 1848:
" The east wall of the chancel was almost entirely hidden
by a large wooden altar screen of Queen Anne's or George
the First's era, placed directly in front of it, the wall imme-
diately behind being, as is universally the case, carefully
coated upon the surface with successive layers of white-
wash, the careful removal of which disclosed no less than
five different series of paintings, one beneath the other.
" The first and second were each portions of the Creed
and Ten Commandments, painted in different periods in
72 MURAL PAINTINGS.
old English characters ; the third, immediately beneath
these, consisted of the chosen sentences of Holy Writ in
the quaint spelling of the period, such as follows : ' That
at the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow,' &c. These
letters were of a more decidedly rich and flowing character
than those before described, with graceful enrichments of
leaves and sprigs, each sentence being enclosed within a
border of blue.
" Beneath these were next brought to light the remains
of a magnificent fresco of the Annunciation ; on the left,
or north side, was a full-sized figure, supposed to represent
the Archangel Gabriel, the body being covered with red
feathers, the shoulders surmounted with wings of rainbowed
plumage, and the hand carrying a long wand ; the upper
facade of a Gothic building formed the background. The
figure of the Holy Virgin kneeling at a faldstool, and the
accompanying symbolic pot of white lilies, were much
more imperfect, but could still be traced without difficulty.
Doubtless there were other paintings of a similar character
upon different portions of the wall, but they had been all
destroyed.
" The surface of the wall now just described was formed
by the filling up of a large triplet window, composed of the
several splays and small columns dividing it into three
separate portions, with its characteristic arch mouldings
extending themselves on the inside the whole width of the
east wall of the chancel. The lancet lights forming the
window were placed within a few inches of the outside of
the wall. These windows belong to the period of transi-
tion from Norman to Early English, as is distinctly shown
by the character of the mouldings and square Norman
abacus forming the upper member of the caps to the
columns : the whole of the inside mouldings and columns
were formed of chalk, and_ were in a good state of pre-
servation.
" The columns were found to be covered with a bright
crimson colour : the neck mouldings to the caps and the
bases with gilding. The arch mouldings supported by
these were adorned with a beautiful triple arrangement of
gilding, crimson and blue, the larger roll moulding having
an alternate stripe of gilding and blue, the effect of which,
when first painted, must have been very striking. In addi-
tion to this, upon the several splays of the windows could
be traced a pattern, consisting of a bright crimson flowing
MURAL PAINTINGS. 73
stalk, having the ends tipped with bright yellow flowers,
harmonizing with the colours on the arch mouldings, and
continuous throughout the splays, a manner of treatment
which must greatly have contributed to the general effect.
" Upon the upper portion of these splays, immediately
beneath the arch mouldings, were painted small, figures of
angels, with their hands and wings extended, and having
each in their hands a small wand, but they were too muti-
lated to be transferred to paper. Lastly, beneath all these
layers were a number of small flowers, each consisting of
six leaves of a bright crimson colour on a white ground,
enclosed with an oblong crimson border. This pattern
was continuous throughout.
" Upon the space immediately above the triplet window
was discovered a large painting of seven figures, nearly
the size of life, the subject being the Transfiguration
on the Mount. The centre figure represented our Saviour
standing erect with the right hand uplifted, in the act of
blessing. His face was exquisitely painted upon a ground-
work of gilding, which extended beyond it, and formed the
aureole, and the whole figure was surrounded with a vesica
piscis of glory. On His right hand stood Moses, with the two
Tables of the Ten Commandments in his hands. Looking
upwards towards the left was Elias ; upon the same side
were represented, below, the upper portions of the figures
of two of the Disciples, and on the other side two more, all
looking steadfastly up and in attitudes of adoration. The
whole of the figures, and especially the faces, were exqui-
sitely painted. The picture covered the whole extent of the
surface above the triplet to each side of the chancel wall.*
"The east wall of St. John's Chapel -is also not without
interest. Previous to its restoration it exhibited nothing
but that of the usual characteristics of the Perpendicular
style, having a window of large dimensions, consisting of
three lights, the head of which was again divided into
smaller compartments. It was evident there was much
painting on the wall, but it was not possible to clear the
surface sufficiently to define what it really was, on account
of an incrustation of many ugly monuments ; but upon
removing some of the plaster, as well as the whitewash,
there appeared the remains of two small shafts of columns
* Sad to say, this picture was " hacked down" at the desire of the then Vicar,
uhile Mr. Billing was in London.
74 MURAL INSCRIPTIONS.
on either side of the window, almost flush with the wall ;
these, upon being traced out, gave the arch mouldings of
each, and a portion of the inner arches to two lancet
windows ; the upper portion of these arches had not been
disturbed, the panelled ceiling having been added when
the larger perpendicular window was inserted. The centre
portion only had been removed, so that it was easy to make
out two small lancets or a couplet arrangement similar to
the triplet in the chancel, and of not much later date,
showing that the chancel and chapel were nearly coeval.
Upon carefully removing the whitewash on the remaining
portions of the arches, traces of painting were discovered
sufficient to decide what they once were, being similar to
those in the chancel, and composed of gilding, crimson and
blue.
"Between the arches of the windows was painted a pecu-
liar animal of a deep crimson colour, having the head of an
eagle, and body and tail like a fox, with wings attached to
its shoulders. This, no doubt, had some mystical or sym-
bolical meaning.
" Upon the north side of this wall were remains of a large
painting of a very peculiar flowing pattern, jet black in
colour; the extreme bordure above, and at the sides, being
of a rather light crimson the inner bordure of a light blue
colour, and that again bordured by a pattern formed of
small spaces, nearly square, with a round portion in the
centre of each. The whole appeared to form the corner-
piece of a large bordure, from the peculiar character of
which, and its position (for it was above the Perpendicular
ceiling), it must be considered nearly coeval with the win-
dows themselves The design is peculiarly elegant,
the scrolls intertwining and flowing together in a most
graceful manner, and each terminating with the peculiar
trefoil leaf, the symbolism of which is obvious."
flfeurai Jnscriptions.
The face of the inner ashlers of the tower from basement
to summit reveal the Englishman's propensity to perpetuate
his memory by engraving his initials.
On the north wall of the ringing chamber we have
p. 75.
MURAL INSCRIPTIONS. 75
" R. W. 1596," D. W. On the west wall, T. B. 1692. The
window jambs of the bell-chamber are literally scored with
these mementoes. On the south window we find " R.
KEATE, 1784." " I. D. 1696." On the west window, in
letters of the seventeenth century, deeply engraven, appears
the name of "WILD." On the east window "I. D.
1669." "R. R. 1747." "T. H. 1646."
On the level of the old ringing-loft, before mentioned,
these initials are still more numerous ; one of them, " I. V.
I 599>" is very visible from the ground-floor. On the
western face of the north pier of the tower arch is the name
" GTalcroft," lightly but neatly engraven ; the characters
appear of the early Elizabethan period. On the same level
there is another written about the same time, " rofccbg."
Again, but in an earlier character, we find " 23rebtS tattO
pcnetrat cdu." Lower down, " THOM : POCOCK," " E. S.
1660." On the east pier of the nave arcade, " W.T. 1626,"
"E. L. 1690," "F. B. 1654."
Very many of these interesting autographs have been
much injured by the destructive " drag" of the church re-
storer. Such an instrument ought to be entirely prohibited
in the restoration of our old churches, teeming, as most of
them are, with innumerable traces of bygone generations.
By far the most interesting of all these relics is the
device, or cognizance, of the Earls of Warwick, " TJie
Ragged Staff" It appears in no less than five places on
the tower basement.
The most perfect of these is on the eastern face of the
north pier, opposite the font. In the middle of the staff is
a small shield bearing a cross.
If the cross be intended fora cross "saltire" then it must
have been carved by one of the retainers of Richard Nevill,
Earl of Warwick, the great " kingmaker," who was buried
in Bisham Abbey in 1471, and who bore " Gules, a saltire
arg r , with a label gobonne arg 1 & azure ;" but if not, then
it was probably the work of one of the retainers of Robert
Dudley, Earl of Leicester, fifth son of John Dudley, Earl
of Warwick (created in 1547). The second wife of Robert
Dudley, Earl of Leicester, was Lettice, daughter of Sir
Francis Knollys, Treasurer of the Household to Queen
Elizabeth, by whom he had a son named Robert, Earl of
Denbigh, who died young and without issue. This Robert
died at Cornbury Lodge, Oxfordshire, 1588, and was buried
at Warwick. Vide Ralph Brook's Catalogue, 1622.
76 PAINTED WINDOWS.
Warwick. Now, by my father's badge, old Nevil's crest,
The Rampant Bear chain' d to the Raged Staff,
This day I'll wear aloft my burgonet.
SHAKESPEARE, Second Part of King Henry VI.
" Arthgal, the first Earl of Warwick in the time of King
Arthur, was called by the ancient British ' The Bear,' for
having strangled such an animal in his arms ; and Mor-
vidius, another ancestor of this house, slew a giant with a
club made out of a young tree ; hence the family bore the
Bear and Ragged Staff." History of Signboards, Cam-
den Hotten. 1866.
In a fluting of the south pier of the tower arch the name
" ^Cgmson" occurs ; and, near this, the commencement of
another name or word in text-hand, " f)Ultt," all in characters
of the Tudor period.
painteb Minbows.
By one fell stroke, "the storied windows richly dight"
were swept way, and plain glass substituted in 1549, at a
cost of I5/. IQS. 6d.
We may form some estimate of the beauty of the old
glass by its superb surroundings. In many other churches
much was allowed to remain, although perhaps a few
saintly heads, or a few offending symbols, had to be sacri-
ficed to the spirit of the age ; but in St. Lawrence's not one
fragment was left. There is a note at the end of the
accounts for 1549 which has been carefully erased, but
which is still faintly legible. It shows that, at any rate,
the storied panes were not forgotten " It. to remembre
what was done w* all the old glasse of the wyndows in the
churche." There is no further clue recorded. Was it sold ?
was it broken ? or does it still grace the windows of some
continental church ? Whatever may have become of it,
there is no lover of art in Reading at the present day who
would not gladly hail its restoration, if only to contrast with
modern work.
St. Lawrence's unfortunately possesses too many examples
of the bad work of the present century. Perhaps the best
specimens of colouring characteristic of a particular period
may be seen in the lancets over the altar, but this is dis-
figured by the wretched treatment of the figures in the
medallions.
SEATS. 77
Seats.
Seat rents appear to have been a source of church revenue
from very early times.
Anno 1441-2. " Et de iiij d de dono vx'is Joftis Tanner
<p j setell." A similar sum was paid by the wives of Robert
Hover, John Strode, and Thomas Benham, but 6d. was given
by the wife of Nicholas Carter for a front sitting no doubt.
The seat rents in 1498 amounted to 6s. 6d. The women
only would appear to have been accommodated. The
seatholders at this time were the wives of Thomas Smyth,
.... Hudson, "bocher," John Carpynter, the mother of
Agnes Quedamton, the wife of Will. Hasylwood, John
Ffauxbye, Will. Watts, Will. Jonson, Bartylmew Capper,
Robard Dyer, John Darling, Will. Dayntre, baker, Mathew
and Nicholas Goldsmyth.
1515-6. "Also hit is aggreyd that all women that shall
take any seate in the seid churche to pay for
the same seate vj excepte in the mydle range
& the north range be neth the font the which
^\
shall pay but iiij d & that euy woman to take
her place euy day as they cumyth to church
excepte such as have ben mayo r s wyfs."
1520-1. " Setis." " Itm. of my lord (the abbot) for his
moder sete iiij d ."
A touching entry. Hugh Faringdon in his promotion to
the abbacy, though a man of humble extraction, did not
overlook, or forget to provide for, the comfort of his poor
aged mother. ,
In 1522 new seats were provided at a cost of 8/. 12s. 2d.
1527-8. " Rec. of M r Barton for a seate for his madens
viij d ."
" Rec. of M r Hyde for his mades seat iiijV
1529. " Rec. of Wift a m (barb* to my lord abbot}, for his
wyffes seatt vj d ."
1532. "The midle rang afore the font."
1538. " The midle range beneth the crose aley."
From these two entries, and the former of 1515-6, we
learn the position of the font at this time. It stood in the
78 SEATS.
nave in the middle range of seats, and in the path from the
south door into the north aisle.
The wives of the Brethren of the Mass of Jesus had
special privileges.
1 545. " Ordinaunce" " And ou that it is ordered &
enacted that all women of the said pisshe whose
husbands no\ve be or heretofore have been
bretherne of the Mass of IKc, shall from hens-
forth sitt & have the highest seats or pewes nexe
vnto the mayo r s wifs seate towards the pulpitt."
1554. Sep. 29. "At this day it was condescended that
thes psons heraf? named shall take order for
the seats in the churche as well for men as for
women Wiftm Edmuds, John Bell, Thom a s
Turn*!, and Thomas Sayntmore."
1572. "Itm. The gatheringe at Whytsontyde for all the
woomens seates aboue the saide south churche
dore as well of the mydle Raynge as the said
syde Range in this Whytsontyde was nothinge."
1573 "In consideracion that the colleccions or gather-
inges heretofore accostomably vsed for and
towardes the mayntenance of the Church as
well on the feast of All Saintes, The Feast of
the Byrthe of owr Lord god, as on Hocke
Monday, Hocke Tewesday, Maye Daye, and at
the feast of Penticost comonly called Whitson-
tyde togyther w th the Chauntery Landes are
lefte of, and cleane taken from the Churche to
the great Impoverishment thereof, the w ch here-
tofore dyd muche healpe the same, It is there-
fore of necessytye by and w th the assent, consent
and aggreament of the pisheners then and there
beinge p*lsente for and towardes the maynten-
aunce of the contynuall chardges of the Churche
by these p jsents for eumore Ordayned, con-
cluded vpon and fully aggreed as hereafter
followith, That is, that every woman that here-
tofore hathe byn sett by any of the Church-
wardens, or that of themselves do or have vsed
to sytt on the Sondayes or holydayes in any of
the seates beneathe the pulpett, and above the
southe syde, church doore, or in any of the
seates in the mydel Raynge of seats above the
SEATS. 79
saide churche doore Shall yerely paye iiij d a
pece for the church profytt & towardes the
contynuall chardgs therof at two Feasts in the
yere, That is to say At the feast of the Byrthe
of o r Lord god, and at the feast of pentycost by
even porcons. And that all women that be or
have byn sett by or w th out the Churchwardens
in any of the seates on the south syde Rainge
above the pulpett Shall yerely paye vj d apece
at the foresaid feasts by even porcons. The
same to be gathered by the Churchwardens or
their assignes for the tyme beinge at theire pell
&c."
1576. Queen Elizabeth attended divine service at St.
Lawrence's.
"Expenses about Ringers the Queene being in
Rheding : In bred drinke money and candells
to watche the Quenes seate w th the travise and
arras hanging in the chaunsell, vij 8 iij d .
Gbe ratcment & payment for Seats In St
Olawrence's Cburcbe & Cbancell in IReafc*
Inge agreeb anfc ratefc bp tbe p'isbioners
to be levied \>earl\> for ever beginning tbte
sere 1607,"
3n St Jobn's Cbancell.
(4/.) Mr. Romano, Mr. Bird, schoolmaster.
Mr. Dewberye, Mr. Newton, Mr. Morley, Mr. Bun, the
groom es.
Mr. Robert Grenefeld, Mr. Bailey, the groomes.
SEATS.
1. (At ^d. Parishioners.) Mr. Colthirst, John Walker,
Humfrey Ffynmore, Thomas Noye, William Green.
(The easternmost seat in the North Aisle proper.)
2. William Thorne, Ffrancis Blake, Roger Walker, John
Patison.
3. Edmond Cowper, John Mappleton, John Goodbarnes,
Rich. Pynke, Rich. Blakman, John Dewell.
SO SEATS.
SEATS.
4. Robert Dye, Arther Curtys, Robert Bent, Rich.
Springall, Richard Johnson, Will. Sone.
5. Will. Wylande, John Hamblen, Michsell Hamblen,
Willm. Willes, John Rumsey, Nicholas Styles.
6. (At $d.) Thorn. Richards, John Bagley, Ric. Dell,
Tho. Standen, Will. Walker, Rob* Griffith.
7. John Charlton, John Bonevant, Will. Porter, Will.
Home, John Burden, John West.
8. John Nashe, Ric. Case, Geo. Millisent, Danyell Pearse,
John Ellys, Tho. Thorne.
9. Dan. Clewe, Xpof Thorne, John Jenyns, Peter Burn-
ingham, Edward Bagley, Ric. Cooke, John Wylmer.
10. Thomas Locke, Ric. Cottrell, Tho. Hide, John Berrey,
Will. Crunage, Mr. Walton.
11. Saboth Ffilpe, Edw d Merifield, Ric. Bunsen, Will.
Drusill, Rob. Kenton, John Arther.
12. Nich. Lamphier, Peter Burren, Will. Saunders, Ric.
Reddatt, Hen. Randall, Ffrancis Ffrancissar, W m
Bagley, Ed. Bradway.
13. John Malthus, Tho. Humfry, John Watlington, John
White, Will. Ledburye, Ric. Bagley, John Coles.
14. Jas. Mason, Tho. Pococke, John Mapleton, jun r ,
Edward Symons.
15. John Dawson, John Mylles, Nat. Jemott.
1 6. Tho. Willys, Symon Maynard, Geo. Woolridge, John
Ryder, Will. Milthecoe, Will. Stitche, Hen. Moore,
Andrewe Mace.
17. John Howse, Edm d Bennett, Griffyn Huse, Symon
Ffoord.
1 8. Gabriell Barnes, Tho. Marshall, Abram Paise, Rich.
Walker, Edw d Banester.
19. (At 2d.} Good wife Waight, Good wife Shawe, Good-
wife Pommell.
Mr. Walton, iij.
fllMfcMe Hisle,
1. (At xijV.) Mr. Thomas Lydell, Mr. Edward Clerke,
Mr. Edward Birmingham, Mr. Rob 1 Malthus.
2. (At \i\]d.} Mr. Rob* Calton, Mr. Chamberlyn, Walter
Watlyngton, Josephe Carter,* John Bagley, sen r .
3. John Newman, Tho. Burges, Roger Knight, John
Johnson.
* Bellfounder.
SEATS. 8 1
SEATS.
4. (At vjW.) Mr. Burden, Mr. Wylmere, Mr. Addams,
Mr. Westley, Mr. Fforster, Mr. Bowden.
5. (At 4O Mrs. Bowden, M ris Mary Calton, Mrs. Griffen,
Goodwife Pynke, Mrs. Newport.
6. (At 3</.) Goodwife Mapleton, G-w. Cottrell, G-w. Ham-
blen, G-w. Richards, Mrs. Beake, G-w. Browne, G-w.
Bayley.
7. Goodwife Yether, G-w. Locke, G-w. Standen r Jane
Bagley, G-w. Stitche, G-w. Collyns.
8. Goodwife Childe, G-w. Pearce, G-w. Merrifield, G-w.
SymonSj G-w. Clere.
9. Goodwife Randall, G-w. Jenyns, G-w. West, G-w.
Burren, G-w. Sedburye, G-w. Bonevant, G-w. Ffilpe,
G-w. Home, jun r .
10. Goodwife Kenton, G-w. Cane, G-w. Thorne, jun r .
11. Goodwife Coles, G-w. Lamphies.
12. Goodwife Payne, Ffrannces Jemott, Alice Bagley,
Eliz. Hoost, G-w. Reddatt, Priscilla Plant.
13. (At 2d.) Robert Robinson, Ric. Harris, W m Dumper,
Thos. Ha3es, jun r , W m Joseph, W m Spencer.
14. Ffrancis Payne, Thomas Illesley, Thomas Watmore,
Walter Bailey, John Grippe.
15. Hugh Payte, George Ffeild, Arthur Hooker, Tobye
Merritt, Thorn. Aley, W m Mathewe, John Watts.
1 6. (At id.} Mrs. Walten, Goodwife Frankley, G-w.
Gunnys, G-w. Browne.
17. Goodwife Pococke, G-w. Ffisher, G-w. Banester.
1 8. Goodwife Willis, G-w. Joanse, G-w. Grenfeld.
19. Griffin Huse, Goodwife Hollys.
"SbeSoutb
1. S r Ffrauncis Knollis.
2. Ladye Knollis.
3. (At 4//.) M ris Clarke, Mrs. Lydall, Mrs. Birmingham,
Mrs. Malthus, Mrs. Dennison.
4. Mrs. Calton, Mrs. Malthus, M ris Honys, M ris Lane,
M ris Watlington.
5. Widdowe Styles, Goodwife Bagley, G-w. Carter, M ris
Knight, G-w. Johnson.
6. Mrs. Newman, M ris Westley, Goodwife Ffnymore,
Widdowe Thorne, G-w. Samson.
G
82 GALLERIES.
SEATS.
7. Goodwife Wye, G-w. Thorne, G-w. Walker, G-w.
Walker, G-w. Wilmer.
8. M ris Fforster, Goodwife Pattison, Widdow Mansell,
Widdowe Curtys, G-w. Clarke, G w. Grene.
9. Goodwife Hamblen, G-w. Wilmer, G-w. Bent, G-w.
Mathewe, Mrs. Dewell, G-w. Goodbarns.
10. Goodwife Sone, G-w. Rumsey, G-w. Springall, G-w.
Styles, G-w. Curtis.
11. Goodwife Greene, G-w. Porter, G-w. Newman, G-w.
Curtis, G-w. Cowper.
12. Goodwife Samson, G-w. Burden, G-w. Cooke, G-w.
Walker, G-w. Buringham, Gooddie Bayley.
1 3. Goodwife Washe, G-w. Millisent, G-w. Myllet.
14. M ris Morley, Mrs. Bailey, Goodwife Walker, G-w.
Burren, & Burmingham.
15. Goodwife Blackman, G-w. Ffrancissen.
16. (At 2^.) Goodwife Humfrey,G-w. Bailey, G-w. Ffielder,
G-w. Price, G-w. Bramley, G-w. Buckshieves.
17. Goodwife Moore, G-w. Watlington, G-w. Watlington,
G-w. Woolridge, G-w. Josephe.
1 8. Wid. Vinege, Goodwife Thornburye, Wid. Hussey,
G-w. Browne.
19.
20. Goodwife Densill.
21.
22. Goodwife Marshall.
23. Goodwife Dell, Alice Hull, Anne Yare, Margery
Walker."
1637. " Item pd W m Meerbancke for rearing the seate
higher for the Burgesses wives 9 s o d ."
In 1860-1, the church was reseated with substantial
benches of oak, designed by Jos. Morris, Esq.
Arch 1 .
The only faculty pew in the church is connected with
house now held by Edward Wells, Esq., M.D.
(Salleries.
These were removed in 1 848 and 1 867. The following
particulars are given by Mr. Coates : "In the year 1719
a faculty was granted by the Archdeacon of Berks, for
erecting a gallery at the west end of St. Lawrence's Church,
THE BELLS. 83
and on part of the north and south sides. This gallery was
built by a subscription of the inhabitants ; and by the
faculty a power was vested in the vicar and churchwardens
of placing and seating the inhabitants, paying regard to
those who contributed most liberally to the erecting of the
said gallery. In 1775 it was agreed that, 'As the original
contributors to the gallery should drop off, the pews which
they occupied should be let, and the profits arising from
them should be appropriated, one moiety to the vicar in
augmentation of the vicarage, and the other moiety in aid
of the churchwardens' levy.' "
" In 1740, Mr. Boudry, then vicar of St. Lawrence's, ob-
tained a faculty to take down a small old gallery at the
north-east end of the church, and part of the gallery at the
west end of the church, belonging to the Rev. Haviland John
Hiley and Mr. Henry Simeon, and to build a new gallery
at his own expense on the north part of the said church,
and on the west part of the north chancel, with the power
of letting the seats, and of receiving the rents and profits
thereof to his own use, and that of his successors for ever.
A seat was allotted rent free to Mrs. Elizabeth and Mrs.
Anne Eades, for themselves and their boarders, as long as
either of them should be alive and keep school in the
parish. A seat was likewise allotted to Mr. Hiley for his
life and one for his boarders, and front seat to Mr. Henry
Simeon."
"In 1768 Dr. Nicholson, then vicar, erected a gallery at
the east end of the church over the entrance into the
chancel, at the expense of 6o/. advanced by himself, and
being assisted by a benefaction of 6^1. from St. John's
College. The rents arising from the pews in this gallery
are appropriated to the vicar."
Ube Belts.
The bells are first mentioned in the roll of 1433, and are
severally distinguished by the terms " little" " middle"
and "great ;" from which, it would seem, there were then
but three.
Something was done to the belfry in 1458, when pro-
bably another bell was added: there were certainly four
G 2
04 THE BELLS.
when Henry Kelsall made his will in 1493, when he made
provision for a new tenor in these words :
" Item, I will and charge that a Tenour bell to be made
according to the iiij bellis that now hange in the
stepyll of Saynte Lawrence church of Reding afor-
seide to the some of (there is a blank left in
the will). The scripture to be made aboute the
same Bell" Henry. The Bell of IAu"
As Kelsall was the founder of the " Jesus Mass" in this
church (see his will), it is probable that this bell of his was
used chiefly for the services connected with the Jesus Altar
and the requirements of the Fraternity of Jesus. The bell
was not erected before 1498-9, when we find the record of
its consecration :
" Itm. payed for halowyng of the grete bell namyd
Harry, vj 8 viij d .
"And ovir that Sir Wiftm Symys, Rich Clech and
maistres Smyth beyng godfaders and godmoder
at the consecracyon of the same bell and beryng al
op) costs to the suffrygan."
William Hasylwood was a bellfounder at Reading from
1494 to 1 509, and he may have been the founder of " Harry."
He was a parishioner of St. Lawrence's. (His wife was,
buried in the church in 1502-3.)
Anno 1508. "It. payed to Wifhn Hasylwod for anew
haly water stok of laton, ij s viij d ."
(He seems to have married a second time.)
Anno 1510. "It. rec. of Hasylwod is weyfT for ringing
of the grett bell xij d ."
" It. rec. of Hasylwod is weyff for hir husbond
is grave & for couyng of }> same vij 8 ij d ."
He was buried in the church.
Anno 1515-6. "Ordinaco Hit is coven a ntyd & aggreyd
by the assent & consent of all the pysshe that
what pson wyll have the greate bell of the gyfte
of Harry Kelsall to be rong at the knyll or any
other ?ment or obyte, all such psons to pay for
the same bell so ryngyng at euy tyme xij d to
the churchwardens for the vse of the same
church. And to eiiy pson that wyll haue hym
THE BELLS. 8$
tylled to paye iiij d to the seid wardens. And
that the seid bell be rong or tylled for no pson
but he pay as ys aboue exp^ssed.
" P'vyded all wey that the seid bell to be rong or
tylled at all tymes for the obite or myndes of
the seid Harry Kelsall to be kepte. And also
at the obits & mynds to be kepte for M r
Thomas Justice vicar of the pissh church of
Saynt laurence w*out paying any money ther
for, but to have the seid bell rong & tylled for
the seid ij psons at all tymes free."
Henry Kelsall was made a burgess after Michaelmas
Day, 1475.
"Die venlis px post ffin Sci Mich Ardii A. r.r. E. iiij 1 '
xv. Eodem die venit Henr' Kelssale & jur' e' com-
burgens 8 gild ml cat 8 & q ad ffn q ta p r m elect' stat.
maiorat'. Et sol' di fm. Dne Abb' vt V s V3 v a . Et
f> jant'lo iij s iiij' 1 . pleg. Will. Lynacr, Rob. Prow.
(Corporation Minute Book.)
Elected to represent the town in Parliament, 1482 :
"Anno E. (iiij), xxii ; Jolies Bakestur Maior ij. Die
Marc crastio p. ffiii Sci E. R. et Confess' A s a dict s
Maior & c5burgens s Burgi pi diet 8 eliger' Henr. Kel-
ssale & Wiihn Erne comburgens' pliamenti <px
futur' V3 vj to die Novebr' A &c." (Corporation
Minute Book.)
Another member of this family occurs in the church-
wardens' accounts.
Anno 1 503-4. " It. rec. of Randall Kelsall for wast of
tcrchis at J? e yer mynd of Harry Kelsall x d ."
(A similar entry occurs the following year.)
Anno 1517. " For the grave of Rand. Kelsalls moder."
vij s ij d . (No charge for the bell.)
Anno 19-20 Hen. VIII. (1528).
" It. for the Knell of Randall Kelsall nf ' (nihil).
" It. for tollyng at h 8 moneth 8 mynde nt" (nihil).
The remission of the ringing fee in these cases, in
accordance with the resolution of the vestry and especially
the responsibility of Randall Kelsall for the mortuary
86 THE BELLS.
arrangements of Henry Kelsall, would seem to indicate
that Randall was a very near relative, if not the son, of
Henry, although he is not once named in the will of the
latter.
Some of the bells, including " Harry," appear to have
been sold in the beginning of Edward VI. 's reign, but re-
deemed by the parishioners.
Anno 1550. "Paid & allowed to the churchemen
(churchwardens) for the redemyng of bells by
them sold, xl s ."
Among the " Dett 8 owyng" in 1554 we have :
" Item vppon Rob* Tylbye & Wiftm Lyppescombe for
redemyng of the greate bell by them sold as
apperith vppon ther accompts xxxiij 8 iiij d ." (These
persons were the churchwardens in 1550.)
" Harry" survived until 1567, when he was recast for the
first time by William Knight, of the Reading Foundry.
The whole town and neighbourhood contributed towards
the good work. Fifty-five of the parishioners of St. Mary's
gave 4U. 8d. (money was then about twelve times its
present value) ; seventeen of the inhabitants of St. Giles'
subscribed 1 3^. 8d. ; " The men of the Contrye," including
the " Myller of Causham/' sent in T.'JS. 2d. ; a hundred and
thirty-four of the parishioners gave 61. 13^. ^d. ; and the
Bachelors of St. Lawrence i6s. lid. One Marty n Wood-
nett lowered the old bell, and raised and re-hung the new
one for 3u. %d.
For this recasting William Knight received 7/. 6s. 8d.
The last recorded knell rung on the original bell given
by Henry Kelsall was apparently for one of the priests of
the old regime.
" The Gret bel :
In p'mis of Thom a s Kenryck for a priests knell,
xx d ."
" Graves In p'mis of Thom a s Kenryck for y e prestes
grave, vij s iiij d ."
In 1578 the tenor, with the fourth, or "Lady Bell," as it
was called, inscribed, no doubt, with its " Ave Maria gratia
plena," was recast by Joseph Carter, one of the parishioners.
" Peace and good neighbourhood," an old bell motto, must
then have been a reality; for we again find the parishioners
of St. Maries giving "towards y e casting of y e gret bell,
THE BELLS. 8/
xxiv 8 vj d ." The following very singular contribution occurs
at this time :
" 1580. Rec. of M r Gryffen for y e penaunce of one Kent
allotted to y e gret bell by y e offyciall, vij 3 ."
At this casting Kelsall was diminished in weight, and
consequently in power.
" 1581. Rec. of Josephe Carter, belfounder, at seuerall
tymes for y e rest of ye mettall y* was left out in
casteyng y e fourth bell and gret bell, vj 11 ."
In 1593, Joseph Carter, the bellfounder, was church-
warden. The following resolution was undoubtedly his
suggestion :
" Toling by the clapp J . Whereas there was through the
slothfulness off the Sextine in times past, a kind off
toling y e Bell by y e clapper rope, y 1 was now ffor-
bidden and taken away : and that the bell should be
toled as in times past, & not in anie such Idle
sort. J. Smith, vicar."
1 594. " At this accompt also y l was agreed that our gret
Bell should be cast againe and not so much the
Tune of the bell was cared for as to have y 4 a
lowd bell and hard ffar. And the churchwarden,
Joseph Carter, consented and agreed to cast y l
before Midsummer ffollowing : And so he was
chosen againe Churchwarden the second Time.
These being p'sent Mr. Ffrancys More, Mr.
Johnson, Mr. Lydall, goodman Russell, the
churchwardens, with others. John Smithe,
vicar."
" The gret Bell waied when he was first taken downe
34 cwt. 38"."
" The same Bell hanged vp againe y s increased in mettall
to 36 cwt. 49"." ^
" And forasmuch as y l fell out that he was inforced by
misfortune of a ffall in the first casting, to cast him
twise againe. Therefore there y 8 allowed in curtesie
to the said Joseph, being or neighbour, above his
bargin of increase, xlV
" So the somme of the whole is xv li vij 8 ij d ."
Anno 1618. " Itm. p d to goodman Knight for casting of
the 4 bell, 61. ios"
88 THE BELLS.
"Itm. p d moor to him for j hundred & twenty three pound
of metell put into her, v 11 xij s the hundred, 6/. i$s."
Anno 1647-8. "It. p to Ellys Knight & ffrancis
Knight for casting the greate bell as by their
bill appeares, xxvi 11 v 3 vj d ."
" At a meeting of the parishioners of St. Lawrence, in
Reading, 2Qth May, 1662.
"Bells.
" Agreed that the five Bells in the steeple be made into
Eight tuneable Bells, and that the Churchwardens
doe take care to see it done.
" Provided that noe taxe be layd on the parishe towards
the charge of altering the said Bells & pvided that
the Churchwardens doe bring & secure the said eight
Bells in convenient tyme into the said steeple w'hout
charge to the pishe.
Present M r THOMAS TUER, vicar.
Dcor FFRANCIS HUNGERFORD.
EDWARD DALBYE, Esq.
M r EDWARD JOHNSON,
M r NICHOLAS POTINGER,
GILES POCOCKE,
M r HENRIE FFREWIN,
EDWARD KENT, I ~, , ,
DAVID WEBB, | Churchwardens.
1663. " Of the pishioners & others w ch was given towards
the casting y e bells, 62/. $s. 2.d.
" Item, p d Henry Knight for casting the 5 Bells
into eight, 447. 2s. 4^.
" Item, p d M r Frewin for tinn put into the Bells,
S/. i3j.
1663-4. " To Thomas Knight for opening the greate bell,
is. 6d." (ringing her for the first time).
The great bell was unsatisfactory, so she had to be
recast.
"To Henry Knight, for metall added to the great
bell, ;/.
1665. " It. paid Henry Knight for 5Slb. weight of mettal
to put in the two fore bells, 2/. i8s.
1666-7. "Item p d to Henry Knight for casting the
seaventh Bell and other charges, 2O/. 15^. 6d.
1703,6th Sept. " Agreed at this meeting that the great
THE BELLS. 89
Bell (being broke) shalbe new cast at the charge
of the parish, and the other bells amended.
M r ABRAHAM CULVER, \ r , , . >>
FFRANCIS BINFIELD, j Churchwardens.
i ith February, 1704. " Agreed that the 7th bell be taken
downe and new cast, and Samuel Knight to
doe it & be paid i8/. for the same by the
churchwardens. Samuel Knight to be at all
manner of charge in taking downe & hanging
up the same."
In 1748 the whole ring was recast in the key of Eb, by
Robert Catlin, and the two smallest bells added by sub-
scription. Before the recent restoration of the bells in
1 88 1-2 they were thus inscribed :
1. "RICHARD COB . CH.WARDEN . R.C. 1748."
2. "BY ADDING TWO OUR NOTES WE'LL RAISE"
& SOUND OUR GOOD SUBSCRIBERS' PRAISE"
1748.
3- "ROBERT CATLIN FECIT. 1748."
4. "PROSPERITY TO ALL OUR BENEFACTORS. R.C.
1748."
5. "IMPRIMIS VENERARE DEUM MANDATA G B (sic)
SERVA QUCERES (sic) NON ALIOS UNICUS IPSE
DEUS. R.C. 1748."
6. "THE REV. THOMAS SHUTE, D.D. VICAR 1748."
R.C. FECIT."
7. " PROSPERITY TO THIS PARISH. R.C. FECIT. 1748."
8. "Mr JOHN KIRK, Mr JOHN HARRIS CHURCHWAR-
DENS. THOMAS MEARS OF LONDON FECIT.
1803."
9. " RICHARD WESTBROOK & JAMES WALTER CHURCH-
WARDENS THOMAS MEARS OF LONDON FECIT.
I793-"
10. "JOHN RICHARDS, JOHN ROSS CHURCHWARDENS .
ROBERT CATLIN FECIT - 1748."
On the small bell, which is the representative of the old
Saunce or Sanctus Bell,
" THE REV JOHN GREEN VICAR, JACOB WALTER JOHN
NIALE CHURCHWARDENS . THOMAS MEARS OF
LONDON FECIT. 1793."
In the month of September, i88i,the author was kindly
90 THE BELLS.
permitted by the vicar and churchwardens to undertake
the restoration of the bells, then in a very deplorable con-
dition : they had not been rung for several years. The
tenor was cracked through the canons, and the crown had
been strengthened by an iron hoop round the haunch or
shoulder. The best advice having been obtained, it was
deemed prudent to recast her, and a liberal response
having been made by the townsmen and others for this
purpose, it was thought desirable to renew the sixth also
the worst bell in the ring. With these two was sent the
seventh for tuning purposes ; and this, when the stock was
removed at the foundry, was found to be in precisely the
same condition as the tenor, the fracture having been con-
cealed by its beam. These three were recast, and the
whole of the bearings, stocks, wheels, and other fittings
renewed at a cost of nearly 35O/.
The weights of the three old bells were
cwt. qrs. Ibs.
6th .... 9 o 24^
7th . . . . 10 3 14 .With their canons,
loth .... 23 o oj
The eighth, also sent to Loughborough for the same
purpose as the seventh, weighs 1 1 cwt. 2 qrs. 7 Ibs.
The three new bells weigh
cwt. qrs. Ibs.
6th . . . . 10 o o\
7th .... ii 2 o > without canons,
loth .... 24 o oj
The bells were recast on Tuesday afternoon, January 10,
1 882, at the foundry of John Taylor and Co., Loughborough.
The author hopes to be forgiven for inserting a quotation
from a letter of his to the Reading Mercury, &c., descriptive
of the scene :
" I found the three old bells of St. Lawrence in the
drying chamber or ( oven' broken into fragments, on some
of which I recognized portions of the old inscriptions. In
a short time they were wheeled near the mouth of the
furnace, into which they were eventually thrown. The last
I saw of our old tenor were some dullish-looking fragments
gradually sinking into a seething mass of liquid metal,
glowing with intense brilliancy. The opening was closed
again with bricks and clay, and in about an hour or so
everything was ready. The sight was very interesting.
THE BELLS. 9!
A narrow channel led from the furnace-mouth to the
moulds, and in this duct were placed iron floodgates or
stops, by the regulation of which the metal was diverted
into the mouths or funnels of the moulds beneath. The
precise moment for tapping was one of silent anxiety. At
this juncture, with Mr. Taylor's permission, I went near
the furnace-mouth, and offered the well-known prayer :
4 Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings with Thy most
gracious favour, and further us with Thy continual help,'
&c. At its conclusion many of the visitors uttered a fervent
' Amen.' In an instant the boiling liquid gushed forth,
and sped hurriedly down the previously heated channel to
the first ' swallow hole/ and in a few seconds the new tenor
for St. Lawrence's Church came into being in its subter-
raneous chamber. The first floodgate was then raised,
and onward the bright stream rushed into the next mould,
and so on successively until the whole were cast ; and
thus, within a very few minutes, was born a sisterhood of
eight large bells ; three for St. Lawrence's, Reading ;
three for Thurleston, Leicestershire ; and two for Baldock,
in Herts."
On Shrove Tuesday, Feb. 21, 1882, the new bells were
dedicated, and the ring formally opened at 6.30 P.M., a
special service having been held on the occasion. The
moment the Benediction was concluded, the bells struck
up a glorious peal, the flood of music from the grand old
tower filling the town and neighbourhood. The tenor was
rung by the author for its first time on Monday, Feb. 12,
1882, about three in the afternoon. Who may ring her for
the last time God only knows ; but, accidents set aside, she
will no doubt hold her deserved position as one of the best
bells in the county for centuries to come.
Hnnate.
ROYAL VISITS VICTORIES CIVIL WAR, TEMP.
CHARLES I., ETC.
Anno 1506. " It. payed for bred & ale to }> e ryngers in
}> e rogacion weke ij d ."
Anno 1508. "It. payed for ij galons of ale for the
Ringers on Dedycacio iij d ."
"It. payed to the ryng s ls on Holy Thursday of
co u stom to ryng at ^cession iij d ."
92 THE BELLS.
" It. payed to the same Wiftm (Poo sub-sexton)
for rynging on Corp 5 Xpi day at ^cession.
" It. payed for vj u & cti Wayght of smale corde
for the Sanct 5 Bell, & for to toll to Ifiu Masse,
vj d ."
1509-10. " Itm. payed for x Rynggers at the partyng of
the Kyng, & ffor drynke & to the sexton, ij s
ob d ." '
151 3-4. " It. payd for a galon of ale for the Ryngers at
the gettyng of Turvvyn, ij d ."
(This town was surrendered to the King of England
on the 23rd of August. It was all burnt, save the
palace and cathedral, on the 26th and a few following
days. Vid. Stowe's Chronicle, p. 493).
" It. payd for a galon of ale for the Ryngers at the deth
of the Kyng of Scotts, ij d ." (At Flodden.)
(" n tf>e 9 of September ISing Sames, tfje fourtf) of ttyat name, fung of
Scottcs, teas slain at 3Sramstone bpon ^iprrtf I|ill anfc Ijts armic fciscom=
fitttJ bt> tl)c carle of Surrep lieutenant to 3|enrn tfje 8 'JKing of "England."
Stowe^ 495.)
1528. " It. to the quens aumer s^luants, for that the bells
wer not rong at her comyng in to the town,
viij d ."
Anno 24-5 Hen. VIII. (1533-4). "It. for ryngyng at
the birth of the princes elizabeth iiij d ." (This
name in another hand, but coeval).
1553-4. "Paid to Ringers at the Kyng & Quenys
cumyng and goyng xx d ."
1560. "Itm. for Ryngynge the great Bell to the
Slmond, vi d ."
1568. "Itm. to the Rynggers at the Queen's coinynge in,
xvi d ."
At the foot of the accounts from Michaelmas 1575, to
Michaelmas 1576, we have :
" Expenses about Ringers, the Quene being in Rhed-
ing : In bred, drinke, money, and candells, to watche
the Quenes seate w th the travise and Arras hanging
in the Chaunsell, vj s iij d . (p. orig. 361.)
THE BELLS. 93
1576-7. " Paid for a verkin of beare at the Ringing for
the Quene xxii d ."
1585-6. " Imprimis laid out more than was gathered at the
ringing for y e Quenes rainge (reign) viii s j d ob.''
1587-8. " Paid to the Ringers aboue y* we gathered on
the Quenes daie, xijV
1591-2. " Paid for ringing at hir ma ties coming xxijV*
" Payd for making cleane of the strete at hir ma tiea
coming & for cariage xx d ."
1602. " It. paid for Ringing when the Queene was in
towne v 3 ix d ."
" Itm. paid for flowers & Rushes for the churche
when the Queene was in towne xx d ."
" Itm. paid for a cloth to hang before the pulpitt
when the Queene was here ij s yj d ."
" Itm. paid for ringing at the cominge of the lord
keep iiij d ."
1612. Goodman Greene & Ffraunces Blake Ch. wardens.
" Payd more to the petti Sextone for Ringing a
Crownation day and to (two) gallons and a
halfe a beare out of my one seller, and had
maney vill an slandrows words from this
Receaver x s ."
1613. " Payed to them that hope (helped) ring when the
quien rode by the towne ij 8 ."
" Payed Venter when the quien cam first to the
towne 3 s ."
" For bread and beare xvj d ."
" Moor to Prites two sonnes w h hop ring ij 8 /'
,, " Payed moor to Venter when shee came to the
Abbye for Ring iij 8 vj d ."
" Payed for Ring the 5 of August xiiij V
1621-2. " P d him for ringing the greate Bell at 4 & 8
halfe a yeare 2/. 6 s 8 d ."
1633. " M d that if the sexton of the pish ring aboue
an houre and a half any funerall knell, the
friends of the deceased shall pay vnto y e church
for euery quarter of an houre aboue the time
assigned 6V
94 THE BELLS.
of tbe Civil Mars.
Among the old papers now preserved in the new folio at
p. 133, is an original bill of " Venter/' the sexton, which
may fitly find a place here. It is dated
" Palme Sundaye,
" Beinge the 26 of March 1643.
" When y e King cam to Twone first, for Ros-
mery & bays 008
" "When his Ma tie came from Branfoord for Rose-
mery & bayes . . . . .008
" It. at Crismas for Rosemery & bayes . .008
" It. for carrying of the plate forth out of the
vestry & in o i o
" To the clarke for removing the church trunke
out of the vestry to the Doc rs house and
recarrying it &c (sic}
" It. for carrying of the Church formes to the
Abby when the King was there and
back againe 020
In the accounts for the year ending May 30, 1644, we
have the following : (and as all these entries are very
important, illustrating the period of the civil wars, I give
them as they occur, being evidently written in chronological
sequence) :
" To Pharrowe for making vpp the seats when
the parliam* Souldiers were here . .034
" To Daniel Browne & goody Venter for
makeing cleane the church then . .020
" It. for ffrankincense to sweeten the church .010
" To him (Edward Venter) for Ringing the
last of November when his M at8 coming
hither was expected . . . .090
" It. p d for Holly & Ivy, Rosmery & Bayes att
Christmass . . ., . .0110
" It. p d to the Ringers on the Kings Corona-
tion day 090
" It. p d for mending the Seats in the Church
w ch the souldiers had broken downe .016
" It. p d for Ewe for the church against Easter,
and for sticking of itt upp . . .018
THE BELLS. 95
" It. p d for ringing when the King came last to
Tovvne . o 10 O
" It. p<J for Ringing a peale when the Earle of
Essex came to Towne . . . .026
(Observe the difference in these two last payments.)
In the accounts ending 2ist of April, 1645
" It. p d to Val. ffallowe for mending seats in
the church w ch the souldiers broke
downe . . . . . . .032
" It. p d to Daniel Browne for making cleane
the Church twice, & for pitch & frank-
incense . . . . . . .05
" It. p d to ffrancis Thackham for halfe a load
of wood burnd in the Church by the
Souldiers . . . . . .066
" It. p d to Val Pharoah for mending Seats in
the Church 0139
In the accounts ending 2/th of April, 1646
" It. p d for i 11 of frankincense and of pitch to
pfume the church . . . . .008
" It. p d to Daniel Browne for watching in the
church when the soldiers were here, &
making it cleane when they were gone .026
" It. p d to the Ringers for Ringing "after several
Victories. . ' I O 6
" It. p d for 2 11 of pitch & 2 U of frankincense
used in the church 014
" It. p d to Da : Browne for watching & making
cleane the church when the souldiers
were last here . . . . .040
In the year beginning Whit Tuesday, 1647
" To the Ringers when the Kinge came throu
the towne . . . . . .070
" Strewing aubes (herbs) and flowers to strowe
the sitis in the Church win the ginarall
was in the towne o o 10
" To the Ringars when the Jinerall war going a
way . . . . . . .030
1699. " P d to the Ringers on S. George's Day, io s o d .
1688. The sexton's wages were augmented from 7/. to
96 THE BELLS.
2O/. per annum, " on condition that he ring the
bell at 5 of the clock (morning) and 9 (evening),
in good order, and look after the chimes and
clock as he ought to doe."
During the I5th century the bells were probably rung on
the ground-floor. At the beginning of the i6th century
there was a ringing loft on a level with the sill of the large
west window in the tower.
Anno 1502. "Itm. payed to Wiftm Cone for settyng on
of a borde vndl the loft for J> e ring'ls, &c. ix d ."
Numerous initials, with dates from 1599, may still be
seen on the piers and arches above the level of the old
gallery floor.
In the present ringing chamber, which is one of the finest
in the county, is an early record of change ringing painted
on a board. The inscription is as follows :
July y c 8 th , 1734,
The whole Peal of
Grandsire Triples
5,040 Changes was rung in
three hours & ten minutes
by them whose names are
here mentioned.
Henry Samples, Treble.
Gyles Newbury, Second.
Joseph Philip, Third.
Robert Booth, Fourth.
Thomas Shurfield, Fifth.
Henry Peaty (Bob Caller), Sixth.
John Wells, Seventh.
William Ford ) ^
Abram Biship f
"This board was restored at the cost of Mr. Alf. Thomas,
Deputy Captain, 1880."
THE CLOCK. 97
Clocfe.
The earliest reference to a clock at St. Lawrence's is in
the Roll of 1433 :
" Et in resol. Jofii Tylere p custodia orologii et illumi-
nacioe lumn, vij s ."
" Et in stipendio factoris orologii, ij s ."
Tyler occurs as clock keeper until 1441.
The next entry is very interesting, showing the elaborate
nature of the mechanism :
Anno 1498-9. "It. payed for the settyng of Jak (Jack)
with the hangyng of his bell & mendyng his
hond, iiij d ."
Jack's automatic character must have afforded much
amusement to the children of those days, and no doubt
equal gratification to their seniors. The mechanism may
have exhibited other ingenious attractions besides little
Jack with his hammer. The clock was somewhere in the
church, and visible, no doubt, to the whole congregation.
Anno 1498-9. " Itrn. payed for makyng fast of the cloke
howse w l ij pec 8 of tymb'r set in to the walls
w* a mason, viij d .
" Itm. payed to Strawford for settyng of a pece
of tymb'r at y e clok ham] w* nayles, iij d ob.
" Itm. payed for wyer to the same clok, xi d ob.
" Itm. payd for led to make the payee of the clok,
v s vj d .
" Itm. payed for castyng the payee iiijV
Anno 1510-11. "It. rec d of Wiftm Veld for a seate for
hymself vnder the clock hows iiij d ."
In 1520 this curious old clock seems to have given way
to a successor :
" It. paid to the clockmaker for a new clok in pte
of payment of v 11 , xl s ."
Anno 1521. "In p , mis paid to the clokemakar in pte pay-
met of vj 11 x s ffor the new cloke & the dyall,
iij n ."
II
98 THE CLOCK.
There is a discrepancy in these two entries : perhaps the
dial was an extra. This clock seems to have been placed
in the tower, as will appear from the following entry :
Anno 1521-2. " It. payd for glayssyng the stepoll wyndo\v
ou the dyall w l p l of old glas and p te new
vij 8 vj ."
1 522-3. " Payd to Garrett for makyg thecloke xxx" viij"."
In 1560 a new dial was erected at a cost of 46^. Sd.
Anno 1586-7. "Paid to H. Osmund for mending y e
clocke broken w l the fall of y e gret bell dapp 1
ij" vi d ."
Anno 1587, The dial was repaired, gilt, &c., at a cost
of 3/. 1 3.?. 8<
Anno 1596. "Ffor timber and bords for a new clock
howse x s j d ."
By an Indenture, dated the 1 5th November, 1673, William
Young of the city of Oxford, Locksmith, engaged with
George Hatton and Samuel Watlington, Churchwardens
of St. Lawrence's, for the sum of 2Os. in hand paid at the
ensealing of the deed, and for the further sum of 29/. " to
make, work, sett upp, and finish, &c., a ffirme, good, sub-
stantiall and Tuneable sett of Chymes (in Peale) to
two Tunes, viz. : upon the Tune of the cxlviij th Psalme, and
the Teune of the cxiij th Psalme, or any other Two Tunes
of which the Churchwardens, &c., shall best approve, the
same chymes to strike uppon all the eight bells in the
tower, &c., of equall & good notes." And he the said
William Young also covenanted to make, &c., "a ffirme
good and substantiall Quarterne clock, to strike on the
aforesaid eight bells in an orderly manner as a quarterne
clock ought to doe." The said William Young covenanted
moreover " to putt and sett the clocke now standing in the
Tower in good and sufficient order as the same ought to be.
The said sum of 29/. to be paid as soone as the said chymes
Quarterne clock, and other clock shall be truly and effec-
tually made, sett upp, finished, perfected, and amended as
aforesaid."
William Young's bond was returned to him on the I3th
April, 1680, when the clock was finally completed.
In the year 1881, the old clock which had collapsed
several years before, was removed to afford increased
accommodation in the ringing chamber. It was considered
INVENTORIES. 99
that from the proximity of the tower to the municipal
clock, it was undesirable to provide another, since it would
only entail an annual expenditure, which the state of the
church funds would hardly justify.
Jnventories.
The earliest book of church accounts contains four
inventories :
The first of 1503 is defective ; a part of the inventory of
the silver being missing, as well as the altar hangings.
The whole has been erased by the compiler of the next
inventory of 1517, except the list of "Stained Cloths,"
which is made to do duty for the latter inventory, where
the heading appears, but without the items. The author,
however, has appended them.
The second inventory of 1517 is the most minute in
detail, and for this reason is here given in extenso. It is an
invaluable repertory of mediaeval ecclesiastical furniture,
and will be most interesting to every student of ancient
art. The church must have ied with some of our smaller
cathedrals in the magnificence of her appointments.
The inventory of 1523 is less interesting: it omits the
names of many of the donors specified in the earlier ones.
These three have been most carefully collated. The
asterisk (*) prefixed indicates that the article appears in
the previous inventory of 1503, and the " o" in the subse-
quent catalogue of 1523 : the numerals refer to the notes
immediately following the inventory, in which every varia-
tion is noted.
The fourth is the inventory of the goods assigned to the
separate altars, two leaves of which only remain. It was
compiled at the same time as the third inventory, as
appears from an item in the expenditure of 1523-4 :
" It. for makeyng thynventorye of all the church goods,
& of all the Implemets belongyng to all the
awl?s iij s iiij d ."
The whole of this has been distributed under the account
of the several altars, viz. : " Oil Ladyes Awl?," " Trynyte
Awl?," " Saynte Thom a s Awl?," " Saynt John's Awl?," &
" the Sepulcre Awl?/'
H 2
100 INVENTORIES.
44 Ennbtntorge of all an& singlr gooots of tfje tfymtfy of
Uaurence in <tU&png, rcnetotfj & mate in tfje tgmt of
arfote r 5& n 'Fansbne p'curators of tfje
, the gere of our Hortj ofc a
& tfje fotf) pete of t&e ngne of fcgng ^cnrg tfje
BMate.
* " 111 p'mis a Crosse of Sylu & gilt w* mary & John
vveying Ixxix ounc 8 & a q a rt? of the gifte of Mas?
Nicfius More late vicar.
* " It. a senso r of Sylu pcell gilt w*out a pan weyng
xxx vnc s iij q a r? of the gift of
* " It. a nother Senso r of Silu pcell gilt w l an Iron pan
in hym weying xxx vnc 3 iij q a r? of the gift of
" It. a Shipp of Silu weyng ix vnc 8 di of the gifte of
" It. a noj? shipp of Silu weying v vnc 8 of the gifte of
Mays? Cletche.
" It. ij Canstick 8 of Silu weyng xl vnc s di of the gifte
of Richard Cleche.
" It. ij bokes a gospello r (Ixix vnc 3 ) & a pistello r
(Ixv vnc 8 ) the one side coued w* Silu pcell gilt w l
Imag 8 vppon the same & the other side w l boces of
silu, weyng yn all cxxxiiij vnc 8 of the gifte of M r
Richard Smyth yema of the robes w* our souayne
lord the kyng.
" It. ij basons of silu weyng xlviij vnc s & di of the
gifte of M r Smythe.
* " It. a pix of siiu" & gilt w* a Silu pyn wayng xvj
vnc 8 iij q a r? hangyng yn the Chyrch.
* " It. a monstre of silu & gilt weyng xxiiij vnc s iij
q n r? for the sac a ment of the gift of
^ O
" It. a Crismatorye of sylu pcell gilt weyng xxij q n rt
& di of the gifte
" It. a pax of silu pcell gilt weing vj one 8 of the gifte
of
" It. ij Cruetts of silu weing vj vnc 8 di of the gifte
of
"It. a bell of silu weing viij vnc 8 of the gift of (i.)
" It. a chalice of silu & gilt w l a Crucifix on the fote
ennamellid & the trynite ennamellyd on the patent
INVENTORIES. IOT
weyng xxv vnc s . (Opposite this, in the margin,
" M r Berd hath hym.")
* " It. a nother chalice of silu & gilt w* a Crucifix
graven in the fote & an hand on the patent weyng
xviij vnc 8 .
* " It. a nother chalice of silu & gilt w* a Crucifix enna-
mellyd on the fote & an hond on the patent weyng
xv one 5 iij q a r?. (" Stolen," in the margin, written
later than 1523.)
* " It. a nother chalice of silu & gilt w 1 a Crucifix
ennamellid on the fote & J? e trynite enamellyd on
the patent weyng xvij vnc s di. (2.)
" It. a nother chalice of silu pcell gilt w* a Crucifix on
the fote & a v*l nacle ($) on the patent weyng xiiij
vnc 8 q a r?.
" It. a nother chalice of silu pcell gilt w l a Crucifix on
the fote & a unacle gilt on the patent weyng xiij
vnc 8 di.
" It. a nother chalice of silu pcell gylt weyng xviij vnc s
di of the gyft of Wil^m Stamford. (4.)"
IReUques.
" It. a crosse of silu & gilt w* p tc of the Holy Crosse
therin weyng vj vnc 8 q a r?.
" It. a gredyron of silu & gilt w* a bone of Saynt
Laurence therin weyng iij q a r? of an vnc of the
gifte of Thom a s Lynde squyer.
" It. a rownde box of Cop & gilt w* diuce reliques
therin.
" It. a table closed w l reliques.
" It. iiij knoppis of Cop & gilt."
->:- o (t j n pi m j s an antipher w l ffull legend of the gifte of
S r John Andrewe su tyme vicar ther, the ij dc lefe
begynnyng (Patri ct fiiio).
* " It. a nother Antiphoner w l full legend of the gifte of
S r John Serne su tyme vicar ther the ij de lefe begyn-
nyng (sacerdos ponat}.
" It. a nother Antiphoner the ij de lefe (tuii invocatn
esi}.
IO2 INVENTORIES.
* " It. a nother Antiphoner the ij de lefe (terns cora te).
" It. a nother Antiphoner the ij de lefe (eripe te
liberante),
* " It. a portos not Sar' (Sarum) the ij de lefe (sc'pla
sunf).
* " It. a new legend the ij de lefe (lectuli ligneu.) (5.) (6.)
* " It. a queyre the ij de lefe begynnyng (pastor bone).
* " It. a legend Sco r chayned by fore the vicars stall
the ij de lefe begynnyng (vi de Sea Kai\ind).
* " It. a Martiloge the ij de lefe af? the Kalendre (dio
mart).
* " It. an ordinall the ij do lefe af? the Kalendre (pore
paschc).
* " It. a Masse boke the ij de lefe af? the Kalendre (mul-
titudine asfges).
~ x ~ " It. a nother masse boke noted (7.) ij de lefe af? }> e
Kalendre (hec sacra).
* " It. a nother masse boke the ij de lefe af?the Kalendre
(asperges).
* " It. a nother masse boke the ij de lefe af? the Kalendre
(more sanctifices).
-- " It. a litel masse boke notid the ij dc lefe af? y
Kalendre (potes expugnans).
'' " It. a nother masse boke notid the ij de lefe af? ]? e
Kalendre (fratres q'cunq^}.
* " It. a nother masse boke not Sar' noted the ij de lefe
(Dnica Prima).
" ;: ~ " It. a grayle w* ij claspes of silu the ij de lefe (de Sea
Maria).
"" " It. a nother grayle the ij de lefe (regimine chori}.
* " It. a nother grayle the ij de lefe (populus Syon).
* " It. a nother grayle the ij de lefe (Dnica prima
adventtis).
* " It a nother grayle the ij dc lefe (non solu iacuit).
" It. a nother grayle the ij de lefe (kumana tire}. (8.) (9.)
"" " It. a manuell the ij e lefe (clericos as$gat).
* " It. a nother manuell the ij de lefe (tcstatem inimici).
(10.)
* " It. a nother manuell the ij dc lefe (. . . culorum A men}.
" It. a Savvter & a Colett boke the ij de lefe (quoniam
non esf). (8.)
" It. a nother Sawter the ij de lefe (qui confidunt in eo). (8.)
" It. ij quaires in prent of the visitacon of our lady the
ij de lefe begynnyng (decacordo). (8.)
INVENTORIES. 1 03
" It. a queire of the fest of Cristm n s. (8.) '
" " It. a |>cessionall the ij de lefe (Maria eccc}. (8.)
" It. a nother <pcess' writen of the gifte of Richard Turner
the ij dc lefe (vros es). (i I.)
" It. a pcess' of the gifte of Ric' Barnys the ij dc lefe. (i I.)
" It. a pcess' the ij de lefe (Sp' Sancti).
" It. a new legend prynted the ij de leffe (qui estentib^)
of the gyft of John Barefote. (i i.)
" It. a grale pryntyd of the gyft of Thom n s Whyt (in 2*
fo. cocede quis). (i I.)
" It. a manuell of the gyft of S r John Rychmond (in 2
fo. c"cem in frote) . ( 1 1 .)
Bofces of
" In p'mis a grete boce of vellem bourded for masses of
the gifte of Wtftm Stannford.
" It. a nother boke bourded of paper w l masses &
antempins (? antipkons) .
" It. an old boke bourded w l antempins.
" It. a noy^) of vellame bordyd w fc antems & exul-
tavits. (Note 53.)
" In p'mis a Cope of panys of cloth of gold, of crymson
velvet & blew velwett of the gifte of M r Thom a s
Justice vicar. (12.)
" " It. ij Copes of tissue (13) red and grenc of the gifte of
the j)issh.
* " It. a Cope of Blew velwett w* floures imbrowdred of
the gifte of Thom a s Clarke, Hosier. (14). (C. W.
in 1443).
" " It. a Cope of crymson velwett w* orphrays imbrowdred
& angels floures imbrowdred of the gifte of M r
Thom a s Justice vicar.
" " It. a Cope of White Damaske tissue w l orfrey of crymy-
syn tissue of the gifte of Cristian Wilcox.
" It. a Cope of White Damask tissue w l orfrey of
Bawdekyn & rosis of gold of the gifte of Raphe
White of Okyngh a m.
" It. ij Copis of red velwett w l orfrey of grene ve'nvett
sett w l floures of the gifte of John Euard, fifuller..
104 INVENTORIES.
* "It. a Cope of cloth of bawdekyn (15) w l birdis &
floures of gold of the gifte of John Kent.
" It. a Cope of blake velwett w 1 qarterys of the gifte of
M r Smyth (subsequently erased).
" It. a Cope paned w* blew velwett & black & orfrey of
grene saten a brydges of tJie gift of the x brethern
embrod*lyd w* the name of Ihc. (The words in
italics erased, and the remainder in another
hand.)
" It. a Cope paned w* black velwett & plonkett saten
w* orfrey of grene saten a brydges of the gifte of
" It. a Cope of blake saten & blonket s^senet paned w (
orfrey of grene saten of brydges.
" It.ijCopis of white saten a brydg 8 the orfrey Crymson
Saten sett w* floures of the gifte of Richard Turner
& Richard Barnys.
" It. ij Copes of satten russet & crane the orfrey red
damaske & satten of the gifte of Maist r Smyth.
" It ij Copes of saten a bryges white & grene
paned w* orfrey of tawney saten of the gifte of M r
Smyth.
* " It. a Cope of Crymson Bawdekyn, the orfray of
yelow saten. (16.)
* " It. a Cope red Cloth of Bawdekyn of the gifte of
Joh a nne Barbo r .
* " It. a Cope of Black worsted w l branchis & birds
of red.
* " It. a Cope of white Silke w* this tre JW Crownyd.
* " It. a Cope of Blew cloth of Bawdekyn.
* " It. a Cope of red Silk w l signes of the Son of the
gifte of Dan RoBt Redyng Monke.
* " It. a Cope of black worsted for obitts.
tDestemets.
" In p'mis A sewte of vestements of Crymson Tissue
w* grene orfrey of tyssew of the gifte of Wiftm
Wattis.
c " It. a Sewte of blew velwett w* floures imbrowdred
of the gifte of Thom a s Clark, Hosyer.
" " It. a Sewte of white damaske the orfrey of Bawde-
kyn w l roses of gold of the gifte of Water Barton .
"
INVENTORIES. IO5
" It. a Sewte of red Cloth of bawdekyn w 1 birds &
floures of gold of the gifte of John Kent.
" It. a Sewte of Red Cloth of Bawdekyn w 1 whyt
ross s of the gifte of Joh a nne Barbo r .
It. a Sewte of Black Velwett w* garters of the gifte
of M r Smyth (in a later hand in the margin, " deliud
to Jhc aw?.") (17.)
" It. a Sewte of Black worsted w 4 braunches & birds
of red.
* " It. a Chesible suspended w* ij tunycles of ray silk
(erased).
* " It. a Chesible w l a rest & all thappell of blew silk the
orfrey red velwett w* Irnag 8 & Crownes of gold. (In
margin " Delyud to Seynt Thomas Awter.")
* " It. a Chesible w 1 all thappell of blew silk & roses of
gold the orfray of the Salutacon of our lady.
* " It. a Chesible of blew silk w* popyngeays of gold
w* the appells (" sospended" in margin.) (18.)
* " It. a Chesible of Crymson Silk w 1 grypes w* narow
Crosse of white." (In margin " Delyud to Seynt
Thomas Awter.") (19.)
* " It. a Chesible w 1 all thappell of grene & black silk
myxt w* gold braunches suspendid the orfrey red
velwett w 1 t|)C in gold of the gifte of Cristian Mere-
h a m. ("Suspendyd.")
* " It. a Chesible w 1 thappell of red silk suspend w*
Ires of gold 3J & fc> of the gifte of John Serne.
(" Suspendyd" in margin.)
* " It. a white Chesible w 1 a red Crosse & all appell for
lent.
" It. a Red Chesible w 1 narrow Crosse (20) & all
appell for good ffriday. (21.)
" It. a Chesible of grene bourd Alisaunder w fc thappell
the orfrey of Crymson silk (22) of the gifte of John
Ffrank (" to Seynt Thomas Autre.") (23.)
* "It. a Chesible of Cloth of bawdekyn the orfreyof cloth
of bawdekyn w* thappell of the gifte of John Derby
Alderman of London. (24.)
" It. a Chesible of grene Damaske the orfray red
Silk w 1 an Image of Saynt Laurence of the gifte of
Margarett Parker (25) of faryngton.
* " It. a Chesible of Whit Damaske w 1 braunches of gold
the orfrey blew velwett w 1 thappell of the gifte of
John Thorne Abbott of Redyng.
IO6 INVENTORIES.
" It. iij vestments (26) w 1 thappell 8 of whit saten a brydg 8
w* orfrey of grene saten of the gifte of M r Smyth.
(In a later hand " delyvlyd to iij low autres.")
" It. a sewte off Russett Tynsyn w l orffreys off blewe
Tynsyn.
" It. a sewte of purpyll velwett In brodryde w* Antony
Crossys & bellys.
" It. a Cotte (coat) ffor Marmawdlyn* of clothe of gold
(erased}. (These three last entries in a later hand.}
* "It. acrosseforachysybyleof oldredeveluetenbrod s lyd
& stars of Cowrs golde.
" It. an awt cloth of crymsyn veluet & whyt damaske
enbrod*lyd w l flo rs of Venes gold. (The two last
entries in a smaller and neater hand.)"
Hwtcr Clotbes*
" In p'mis an Awter Cloth of panes of cloth of gold &
velwett imbrowdred w' Arch a ngells & floures of the
gifte of
" It. ij Aw? Clothes of tissue red & grene w* a cou for the
halpase of the same & ij Curteyns of Sarsenett red &
grene of the gifte of John Pownsar (erased).
" It. ij Awter Clothes of white Damaske w* grene floures
w* ij Curteyns of white & grene sarsenett of the pissh
gifte (erased).
" It. ij Awter Clothes of velvett blew & blak of the gifte
of Mast r Smyth.
" It. an Awter Cloth of saten blew & yelow paned w* ij i
Curteyns crymson blew & yelow paned of the gifte of
M r Smy the (erased) .
" It. an Awter Cloth of black velwett & bawdekyn paned
w 1 an Image of Saynt Laurence of the gifte of M r
Smythe.
" It. an awter cloth of sarsenet orenge colo r & blew w l
curteyns of the same of the gifte of M r Smyth.
" It. an aw? cloth of grene tyssew w 1 ij C r teyns of whyt
& gren s'ssenet.
" It. an awter cloth of Damaske blew & red w 1 garters.
" It. an awter cloth of blew Sarsenet w 1 a frontell of saten
a brydg 8 blew & red. (In the margin, " Seynt John's
au?.")
* St. Mary Magdalene.
INVENTORIES. 1 07
" It. an awter cloth of black velwett & bawdekyn w* an
Image of Saynt Edua r d (28) and for the nether pte
of the same an Awter cloth of Sarsenett orenge colo r
& blew paned w 1 curteyns of the same of the gifte of
M r Smyth.
" It. an Awter Cloth of blew & Rede Saten w* an
Image of Saynt John & Curteyns of blew taffeta to
the same.
" It. ij Aw? Clothes of Crane colo r velwett & whit
Damaske panyd w* floures imbrowdred & ij Curtens
of whit & crane colo r silk of the gift of for
Saynt John Aw?.
" It. ij Aw? clothes w* thappell of the same for o r
Lady aw?.
" It. ij Aw? clothes of blewsaten a brydg 8 imbrowdred
w* floures w'an Image of Saynt Clement for o r Lady
Aw? & ij Curteyns of blew taffeta of the gifte of
John Turner. (29.)
" It. an aw? cloth of Crymson & tawney velwett
ymbrowdred w 1 ffloures of gold & for the nether
pte of the same Crymson saten & cloth of bawdekyn
for the Sepulcr Awter (margin " at Sepulcr au?).
" It. ij aw? cloths w* red cross 8 for lent w 1 C'teyns to
the same.
" In p'mis a quysshon the one side cloth of gold &
the ctyT\ syde crane colo r saten of the gifte of M r
Smyth.
(Torpas Cases.
" It. a quysshon the one side blak velwett & the other
sy d ray Silk.
" " It. a quysshon the one side plonkett saten a
brydges the other syde of Chalkyd fu.-tian.
" It. a smale quysshon the one side velwett & the
other side red saten.
" " It. a nother the one side velwett & the other side
tawney saten.
" It. ij pillows, the one side of them of cloth of gold
& silu & the other side grene Saten a brydg 8 .
" It. ij pillows of blew velwett tissew (added in
another hand " the other syde gren brydg 8 saten").
108 INVENTORIES.
" It. ij colzas casses of cloth of gold pirlyd w 1 fres ot
3K. & ^ uppon the same imbrowdred wMiij 01 " knoppis
of silu & cor<pas to the same.
" It. iij pillows of russett ray for weddyngs. (30.)
" It. iij pillows of blew silk. (31.)
*"It. a corpas case of tissew (added " d'd to sent
Thomas aw?").
" It. a nother of red silk w 1 lyons of gold. (32.)
* " It. a nother of blew silk & whit w f bests of gold.
(33-) (The words in italics erased, and appended is
" p r poll the grownd w* flo of Russet.")
" It. a nother w 1 the Salitacon of o r Lady.
* " It. a nother of red silk w 1 branches of gold w* red
birds a bout.
* " It. a nother of whit silk w l a red Crosse of Silk.
* " It. a nother of cloth of bawdekyn w 1 ij lyons. (34.)
* " It. a nother of red silk the one sid, & bourd Alis-
aunder the other side. (35.)
" It. a nother of blew cheverns of gold with the bake
syde Russet satten." (Probably the arms of the
donor ' 35 .... chevrons or/) (36.)
<>rnament0.
O it
It. a sepulcre Cloth of right Crymson Satten im-
browdered w* Imagerye w fc a frontaill of panys
conteyning in length iiij yards of the gifte of M r
Richard Smyth w* ij clothes of lawnde for the
sepulcre.
It. a canape of tissue for the Sacrament & a lawnde
w* iiij botons wrought w* gold & tassells of gold for
the pix.
It. a Canapye of Crymson velwett imbrowdred w*
gold floures & the Holy lombe in the mydle of the
pcuryng of M r Smyth & the wifes.
It. a cloth (37) of ray Silk to bere the crismatory
at Est r . (38.)
palls.
It. a pall of Black velwett w* garters of the gifte of
M r Smythe.
It. a pall of blew velwett imbrowdred w* floures of
gold of the gifte of Thomas Clarke hosier.
INVENTORIES. 1 09
" It. a pall of bourd Alisaunder. (39.) (40.)
* " It. a pall of whit Silke lyned w fc lynen cloth for
weddings. (41.)
* " It. a pall of bord Alisaunder lyned w fc red boke-
ram. (42).
" It. a Cloth of gotis to ley in the weddyng cheyre.
(43-) (44-) (45-)
Bannera.
" It. a banner for the Crosse of red Sarsenet w* Imag*
of the trynyte & of o r lady.
" It. a nother for the crosse of grene silk.
" It. v baners of silk w* the Armys of Englond. (46.)
" It. a baner of whit silk w fc a Crosse of red. (47.)
" It. a strem^ of silk.
" It. a strem'l of linen.
" It. a streni) of linen.
" It. a dext cloth of Crymson Bawdekyn (erased).
" It. ij dext Clothes of Dornex.
" It. a knop of gold w l tassells of blew sylke.
" It. a purse of crymysin cloth of gold pyrled for the
osts. (48.) (49-)
" It. ij great stand 1 " J s w* ij small kandylstyks of laten.
" It ij sensars of latten.
" It. ij cross 8 of cop & gylt w* ij staves longeyng to the
same.
" It. a crosse foot of coop and gylt.
" It. ij pax 8 of coop.
" It. a fyer pan of yron.
" It. a crysmatory of coop & gylt.
(The last eight items have been appended to the original.)
Hwter Clotbes of
" It. anAwter cloth of Diap in length v yerds & in
brede a yerd & di.
" It. an awter cloth of diap in length iiij yerds iij q a rt s
& in brede a yerd & di.
" It. an awter cloth of diap in length iiij yerds & di &
in brede a yerd and di.
" It. an old awter cloth of Diap in length iij yerds & in
brede a yerd.
HO INVENTORIES.
" It. an old awter cloth of diap in length ij yerd 8 & di
& in brede a yerd.
" It. an Awl? cloth of Canvas in length iij yerds & in
brede a yerd.
" It. an old awl? cloth playne in length iij yerds & in
brede a yerd.
" It. an old awl? cloth of diap in length iiij yerds & in
brede a yerd,
" It. ij old awl? clothes of diap in length a pece ij
yerds & di & in brede a yerd.
" It. an old awl? cloth of diap in length ij yerds & in
brede a yerd.
" It. a diap awl? cloth in length iij yerds q a r? & in
brede a yerd q a r?.
" It. an awl? cloth of fyne Holond of iij yerds in length
& a yerd in brede.
" It. a nother of the same cloth of a yerde iij q a r? long
& a yerd brode.
" It. an awl? cloth of Holond new in length v yerds &
in brede a yerd.
" It. a nother of the same cloth in length iij yerds q a r?
& in brede a yerd.
" It. an awl?r playne in length ij yerds & a q a r? & in
brede a yerd.
" It. a nother of playne in length iiij yerds & in brede
a yerd di q a r?.
" It. a nother of playne in length iiij yerds & in brede
a yerd.
" It. a nother of Holond in length iiij yerds & in brede
a yerd scante.
" It a nother of Holond in length ij yerds & di & in
brede a yerd. (50.)
" It. a Towell of fvne Diap in length xj yerds & in
brede iij q a r? mlkyd w l Jtfl.
" It. a nother of diap in length ix yerds & in brede
q a r? & di q a r? oHkyd w' 2H.
" It. a nother of Diap in length ix yerds iij q a r? & in
brede di yerd & di q a r? w'out mark.
" It. a nother of diap in length ix yerds iij q a r? & in
brede di yerd mlkyd w* p^.
INVENTORIES. Ill
" It. a nother of Diap in length iij yerds iij q a r? n/lkyd
w fc a gredyron.
" It. a nother of Diap old iiij yerds in di length & in
brede di yerd & di q a r? rnlkyd w fc $. (51.)
" It. a nother of playne in length xij yerds & in brede
di yerd mlkyd w* <K. (52.)
Sta\me& Clotbs.
(The items are not supplied by this inventory, but are
taken from that of 1503, the whole of which has been
erased except the following particulars) :
" Also ij staynyd clothis w* ryddels to ]? e same & a couyng
for the halpace on the hy awl? stayned w* red
damaske warke & an ymage of Seynt Laurence in
the mydd 8 .
" It. a cloth staynd w* |? e byrth of o r Lorde for J? c fonte
and a noyl clo]? for ]> e same of lynny w* panys
white & blew.
" It. an aul? clo]? c staynyd w fc an ymage of o r lady of
Pyte & ij angels and a noJM w* ]> c sepulcre & ij
angells for |? c hy awl? in lent.
" It. an au? clo]? c of ray silk for the ne|/l parte of the
hy awter w fc a frontell of styrrs of gold.
" It. a no]/] aw? clo}> staynyd w fc an ymage of o r lady
onely.
" It. a nof] au? clo];> c stayned w* o v lady Seynt Gregory
Pyte & Seynt Anne.
" It. a nojfl aw? cloth of ]? e salutacon & of ]? e byr]? c of o r
lorde.
" It. a co/llyjt of blak & grene w fc J$I & rosys white &
red of the gyft of Alyce Adene.
" It. an aw? cloth stayned of thassupcion of o r lady
seynt Anne & seynt Margaret."
motes to tbe preccMng 3nventor.
(i.) The original Inventory of 1523 ends here, but the
following is appended in a later hand :
" It. a stiiding cup of silu & gilt w th a cou of the
gift of Mastres hide" " xvj." (? oz.)
112 INVENTORIES.
" It. a pomandl of silu & gilt of the gifte of
Mastres White." " ix."
" It. a sensure of silu & pcell gilt of the giftc of
Mastres Barton."
" It- xviij silver aglotts gilt for the sepulcre."
^2.) " Stolen" is written opposite this in the inventory of
1523 but in a much later hand. (c. 1547.)
(3.) " Vernacle." An engraving of the head of Jesus : so
called from the " vera icon" or true portrait of
Jesus, on the napkin of St. Veronica preserved
at St. Peter's, Rome.
5 salk mafic ntpne abofoe fcebotlg to GTrfstc
to t& fjalfi betnacle bmuus anti noble.
(Morte Arthur, MS. Lincoln, f. 56.)
(4.) In the Inv. 1523 is appended
" It. a chalice of the gifte of Mastres Cambie silu
6 pcell gilt weyng xij vnc s & j q a ?."
(5.) The Inv. of 1503 has inserted here
" It. ij quayers of the Visitacon of o v lady the
ij lefe of Y one begynnyng (Elizabeth humili
celi gtia] .
{6.) The Inv. of 1523 here inserts
" It a new legend prynted in the secundo left"
(quiestentibj).
{7) Inv. of 1503 inserts here " in which ben red ]> c
epystyls."
(8.) This item inserted in the margin of the 1503 Inv.
(9.) Following this entry the Inv. of 1523 has :
" It. a new grayle in print in the seconde left"
(concede qiiis)."
(10.) The list of service books in the Inv. of 1503 ends
here.
(u.) These entries are appended in another hand to the
Inv. of 1517, so they must have been added
between this date and 1523.
(12.) The Inv. of 1523, at the head of the list of Copes,
has in a later hand " It. a cope of cloth of gold
of the gift of M r Ths Justice." He died in
1547. See Mr. Justice's Altar.
(13.) In Inv. 1523 "iij Copes."
(14.) Inv. 1503 adds "and Elizabeth his wife."
(15.) Inv. 1503 terms it "a rede cope of cloth of gold,"
INVENTORIES. I I 3
which must be regarded as the interpretation of
the term " Bawdekyn" used in 1517.
(16.) There were two of these in 1503 for the "rectores
chory" i.e., chori.
In a copy of the Salisbury Processional in York Minster
Library, in the particulars of the ceremonies at the Font on
the morning of Easter Day, the positions of the " Rectores
principales" and the " Rectores secundarii" are indicated
by crosses ' potent.' The former stand on either side of the
priest on the west side of the font : on the east of it stands
the bearer of the office book, facing west : again, to the
east, are three boys appointed to sing the Alleluias : to the
east of these again are the " Rectores secundarii," who are
again distinguished by the same crosses ' potent.' At St.
Lawrence's these functionaries appear to have been pro-
vided with special stools in the choir, their office being to
conduct the responds, anthems, graduals, and other musical
portions of the service. It would seem they bore a " Tau"
cross in processions. Anno 1510-11. " It. payd for couing
& dressyng of the ij stoles for the Rectors xix d ." They
are mentioned again in 1530. (See Will of Richard
Bedowe] .
(17.) Invent. 1523 " at E()C awter" in the margin.
(18.) Inv. of 1503 adds "the orfrey on the bak a narow
crose with warks."
(19.) Inv. of 1503 inserts in a later hand, " delyud to ou r
lady mass," but in 1523 it was attached to St.
Thomas' Altar, q.v.
(20.) Inv. 1503, inserts "of warks," and
pr.) adds," ffests of martyrs."
(22.) Inv. 1503, "w l warks."
(23.) Inv. 1503 inserts, "It. a chesyble of grene borde
Alysaunder, the orfrey crymsyn sylk w* warks
& armys on the back w l all apparell." A pen
has been drawn through the whole, but in the
margin is written " delyued to 3H)C auter."
(24.) This John Derby built an aisle or chapel on the
south side of St. Dionys' Backchurch in London,
and was buried there about 1466. (Stowe's
Survey).
Anno 1498-9. " It. payed for mending of Darbyes
Vestment iiij d ." St. Law accts.
A William Derby was M.P. for Reading anno
I
114 INVENTORIES.
5 Ric. II. (1382). In the roll of subscribers
to the new roofing of the church in 1410 he
is termed a " Glover."
(25.) "Margaret Erode" in Inv. 1503, and "Parker" in
1523, but obviously copied from this of 1517.
(26.) " It. iij Chesabylls'' in Inv. 1523.
(27.) The Inv. of 1503 is defective: there is no list of
altar cloths.
(28.) " St. Thomas" in Inv. 1523.
(29.) "At o r ladys aw?" in margin of Inv. 1523.
(30.) There were "iiij" in 1503.
(31.) The 1503 Inv. adds "and one of red sylk."
(32.) Inv. 1503, "a lyon." Inv. 1523 " lyones."
(33.) Inv. 1503 (sic}.
(34.) Inv. 1503 adds "regant."
The next item in this inventory of 1503 (an addition
in another hand) is
" Also a nother corpax cace the one syde of cloth of
gold and the other syde of blak velwett w l ires of
gold r & % of the gyft of quene Elizabeth by the
pcuryng of M r Richard Smyth yoma of the quenys
robys w* iiij or knoppis of sylver w 1 a corpas cloth
to the same."
In the " Memorials for a History of Henry VI I./' there
is frequent mention of this great benefactor to St.
Lawrence's :
Anno i Hen. VII. 1485. Easter Term. "To Richard
Smyth of the Queen's Wardrobe, for black
silk of damask and crimson satin bought for the
use of the lady the Queen, ill. 5$. 6d."
20 June, 1486. " Grant to Richard Smyth (' in con-
sideracioun of the true and feithfulle service
whiche oure welbeloved Richard Smythe
Yoman of the Robes withe oure derrist wif the
quene hath doone vnto us and during hislif
entendeth to doo') of the herbage and pannage
of the park of Wiggenok, Warwick, during the
minority of Edw d Earl of Warwick to his own
proper use without yielding or paying anything
therefore to the king. 17 June. P.s. No. 959
Pat. p. 4. m. 1 6.
INVENTORIES. I I 5
Further deliveries from the Great Wardrobe 2 Hen. VII.
" To Nicholas Pownser, Ralph Newham and their thirteen
companions yeomen of the King's Crown for
the allowances of their watches ; To Thomas
Slythurst yeoman of the King's Chamber for
the allowance of his watch ; To John Bigge,
Richard Noresse, and their twenty companions
pages of the King's Chamber for the allow-
ances of their watches ; To William Smythe,
Richard Bigge, and their six companions pages
of the King's Chamber for the allowances of
their watches ; To William Bctell, Hamlet
Clegge, Richard Smyth, and their twenty-six
companions servants of the Lady Queen
Cloth of Russet as a gift from the King for an
allowance of their watches.
(If Betell stand for Bedell, then we have no less than six
surnames (in italics) of families residing in St. Lawrence's
parish at this time.)
(35.) Inv. 1503 "ray borde alysad^l."
(36.) Inv. 1523. "It. a nother of p r poll the grownd w*
fflors of Russet," and " It. vij corpesses."
(37.) Inv. 1523. "A sewdary of Ray silk/' i.e., a sudarium
or maniple.
(38.) Inv. 1523. " It. a white canopy for lent."
(39.) Inv. 1503 "lyned w l blew bocram."
(40.) In Inv. 1523 the "borde Alys a under" is erased, and
" red sarcnett w* a yelow crosse" substituted.
(41.) This is erased in Inv. of 1523, and above it is
written " It. a litle pawll of bawdkynd w* a
rede crosse for children."
(42.) Inv. 1503 has another entry, "It. ij rydels of whyt
sylk" (rydels=curtains).
(43.) Inv. 1503 adds "Of the gyft of Joh a ne Barbour."
Its significance is obvious ; but this is quite in
accordance with the form of espousals in the
Salisbury use, in which the bride vows to be
"bonour and buxum in bed, and at bord."
(44.) Inv. 1523. "It. a cloth w* gootes to ley in the
weddyng chare."
(45.) To the list of 1523 is appended in a later hand,
" It. a pawl of blak bockram w* a white crosse."
I 2
I 1 6 INVENTORIES.
(46.) " vj banners" in Inv. 1523.
(47.) "ij" banners in 1523.
(48.) "pyrleyd for visytacons" 1523.
(49.) After this is a separate inventory (1523) as follows :
KANSTYKS OF LATTEN.
" It. ij greate standards of latten.
' It. ij small Kanstyks of latten.
' It. ij sensures of latten.
' It. ij Crosses of copp & gylte w* ij staves to the same.
' It. a Crosse ffoote of Copp & gylte.
' It. ij paxes of Copp.
' It. a Crysmatorye of Copp & gylte.
" It. a fyar pan of yron.
" It. xxvij flatte canstiks & ix peacs of branches."
(50.) In the list of 1503 is one "merkyd w l a bochers ax,"
and another "of the gyfte of Dan John Che-
veley" the total number then was " xix."
(51.) In the margin of Inv. 1503 is an entry which illus-
trates this mark : " It. a tewell of dyap of
v 3erds in length of ]? e gyft of Thom a s Phylipps
wyfe."
(52.) The Inv. 1503 has at the end of its list of " Tewells,"
" It. a no]?*] tewell of pane wark blew & white
of ij yerds & d"i."
" It. a wasshyng tewell made of cresoms (chrisoms)
of ij yerds & iij q a rt js."
(53.) Anno 1531-2. The church books were rebound and
repaired.
" The cost 8 of the Books.
" Payd for iij buk skynes ij stag skynes, &
viij shepe skynes . . . xviij* vj d
' Payd for xxi rede skynes . . . vij s
1 Payd for glew ...... xij d
' Payd for small threde & pak threde . . ij s ij*
' Payd for a dosyn of parchment skynes . ij s ij d
' Payd for xv vellam skynes x s
' Payd to the Joynn^l for bordes to the bokes xx d
' Payd to the boke bynder for byndyng of
the bokes xxiiij"
" Payd for byndyng the new grayle &
lymyng thereof ix s x d
CHURCH PLATE. I I /
"Payd for a buk skyn, a shepe skyn, &
rede skyne ..... ij 8 viij d
"Payd for naylls & glew for the Saut s in
Saynt Johns Ch n uncell . . . iiij 3 j d
Sma pagis . . v 11 x s iiij d ob.
" Payd to ffrere Peter for wryttyng & notyng
the new grayle & for the vellam
therto ..... . xlvj* viij d
"Payd for vellam for the great leager . iij u xxiij d
" Payd for fflorisshyng the same boke w*
stuff therto belongyng . . . iij 11 ix s j d .
Cbutcb Pate.
The church plate before the Reformation must have
been very magnificent (see Invent. 1517) : its total weight
was 583 oz. ; but by 1523, it amounted to 604 oz. ; besides
the additional weight (not stated) of the " standing cup"
with its cover presented by Mistress Hide, and eighteen
silver shields gilt, for the sepulchre, which must have aug-
mented it to at least 700 oz.
In the accounts for 1538 we have the following :
" Rec. for plate sold (that is to witt)
ij Kandlestiks weying xl. unc s & di.
a Pax weying six vnc s .
ij Cruetts weying vj. one 8 & cti and a bell weying
viij vnc 8 .
Sma x u xviij 9 vij d .
It. for a gilt cup w* a. cover vj 11 xiij 8 vij d .
It. for a Crismatorie iij 11 .
Sma xx 11 xj s xj d ."
This seems to have been done to discharge some old
debts e.g. :
" Payd to Ric. Dodgeson for detts owyng to hym
the last yere xl 8 viij d .
"Payd to IHS Masse for old detts vj 11 xiij 9 iiij d .
" Payd to o r Lady Masse that was borowed iijV
After this we find 32^. %d. in hand added to the next
year's receipts.
Il8 CHURCH PLATE.
There was another sale of church plate anno 36 H. VIII.
(1544), as if the Churchwardens John Bell & John Buck-
land & the parishioners had some presentiment of the
coming spoliation.
" Rec. for c^ltayn plate sold that is to witt :
A bason weying xxiiij one".
A senser weying xxx one 8 .
A pomander weying iij one 8 di.
A shippe weying ix one 3 & di.
A Crismatorie weying xxij one 8 q a .
The sylu vppon ij bok 8 weying xliiij one".
An old Crosse w* nayles & other small pec 8 weying
iij one 8 qr? at iij s xi ob. the once w ch cuinythe to
the sm of xxvi 11 xiij d iiij d ob."
Note. In November 1545 the king received from Parlia-
ment a grant of Chantries, &c., with a further power of
seizure at any time.
Another sale took place I Ed. VI. (1547), Edward Butler
& John Poyntz being churchwardens.
" Rec. of Nicholas Bull of London, Goldsmyth for c^ltain
plate to hym sold as followith (that is to witt)
ij Sensars of silu waying Ixvij one 8 iij q a r?.
A Crosse of Silu waying Ixxiij one 3 iij q a r?.
A bason of Silu waying xiij one 8 di.
A Shipp of Silu waying v one 8 iij qrt 8 which
cumyth to c. liij q a rt 8 at iiij s x d the once.
Sma xxxvj 11 viij s viij' 1 ."
" Rec. more of the same Nicholas Bull for a Monstrat
of Silu & gilt waying xxiij one* & for
A Chalice of silu & gilt waying xx one 3 which amountith
to xliij one 8 at v s iiij d the once.
Sma xi 11 ix s iiij d ."
The churchwardens this year have a balance of 3 1/. i $s. 4^.,
which was delivered to John Poyntz, the senior C.W. for
the coming year, " in the presence of the parish."
Under the head of " Expenses" the following year, we
have
"Paid & delyud to Bell by the assent of the pisshe
towards the pavyngs of the strets xiij 11 vj 8 viij d ."
The silver barely escaped the clutches of the Royal Com-
missioners. The same year we have
CHURCH PLATE. I 1 9
" Paid for makyng of Inventories for the Church goods
to the Comyssion js at ij tymes iij s iiij d ."
" Paid to M r Bell, Mayor, of that was made of a Chalice
for pavyng in the strets liij 3 iiij d ."
" Paid & delyured to M r Bell, Mayor, by M r Nicholas
vppon the ij Chalises by him sold towards the
pavyng of the Strets by the assent of the
pisshe v 11 ."
Nicholas Nicholas died 2-3 Ed. VI. (1549-50). His widow
"Thomosyn" was charged by the C.W. with a debt of
8/. I2s. 6d., which her late husband had received for silver
and not refunded. She begged to be allowed *$os., which,
she said, her late husband had paid to Sir William Webbe
and to Sir Harper (chauntry priests) in part of their wages.
There seems to have been some doubt as to this payment
of 30^. to these chaplains : it is couched in the words
"supposed to be paid" in a memorandum of 1549.
Anno 4-5 Ed. VI. " M d at this accompte it was aggreid
that if John Radley wold pay to the Churche
at the next accompte xl s he to haue a gen Jail
acquitaunce for all matiers conslnyng M r Turner
& M r Beard & all other matiers for the payment
wherof he pmysed to scale an obligation."
A Bridal Cup bequeathed to the church in 1534 escaped
the Commissioners, and remained intact until 1612.
St. Michael, 25 Hen. VIII. "At this day it is aggreid
that the Gilt Cupp of the gifte of M res Hide
alweys to remayne in the custodye of the
Mayo r , if the Mayo r dwell in the pisshe. And
if the Mayo r dwell out of the pisshe, then to
remayne & be in the Custodye of hym that was
last Mayo r in the same pisshe, to th'use declared
in the will of the seid M res Hide, whiche ordre
taken by John Reade at Skynn 1 then Mayo r ,
M r Barton M r Eiiard M r Turner M r Vansby M r
White & dyiice others of the pisshe."
In another hand follows :
"M ris Hid dissesed in y 8 yere 1534."*
* The date is wrong. She died in 1532-3, anno 24 Hen. VIII.
120 , CHURCH PLATE.
To this the following note was appended in the reign of
Elizabeth : the ' hand' corresponds exactly with the entries
made in 1564.
" The said Cuppe was given for the vse to be carried
before all brydds that were wedded in S l Lau-
rence Church, And nowe is turned to be occupied
there at all tymes when nede is to occupie more
then one comvnyon cuppe at one tyme, to vse
& occupye it y r as a comvnyon cuppe, &c."
The custom of drinking wine in the church at marriages
is enjoined in the Hereford Missal. By the Sarum Missal
it is directed that the sops immersed in this wine, as well
as the liquor itself, and the cup that contained it, should
be blessed by the priest. The form of benediction ran
thus :
" Benedic Domine panem istum et hunc potum, et hoc
vasculum sicut benedixisti quinque panes in deserto, et sex
hydrias in chanaan Galileae, ut sint sani et sobrii atque
immaculati omnes gustantes ex iis," &c.
The beverage used on this occasion was to be drunk by
the bride and bridegroom and the rest of the company."
The pieces of cake or wafers immersed in wine on this
occasion, properly called 'sops/ were probably identical
with the " Bride Pastes" mentioned on p. 49.
This wedding cup was in existence in 1607, as appears
by the Inventory of that date :
" A fayre cupp with a cover. Whosoeu is mayre in this
parishe keepeth him."
1612. " The church Cupes was made newetttfr covers to
them boatk in the year of our Lord 1612 by M r
Doctor Deneyson and William greene and
ffrancis Blacke C.W. contayning 34 ovnces or
heare thearabout."
In the Inventories of 1612 & 1613 these two cups are
poised at " xxxiij ovncis, three quarternes, and a half
x 11 viij 8 ix d .
With these were associated " Too pewter potes, a great
and a leas. A small dyshe to set on the tabell : too paynted
dishes."*
* At Mardale, Westmoreland, is an old Delft dish with the sacred mono-
gram, surrounded by rays, in the centre, formerly used as a paten.
CHURCH PLATE. 121
In the Inventory' of 1633 we find
" It. ij comunion Cuppes of silver w tu covers weyinge
33 oun3es and a haulf.
" Item, one silver flaggon weytinge ) of the . ft of
46oun 3 es. I Richard John-
" Item, one silver bread plate wey- C son j n j^^
inge 9 our^es.
Anno 1638. " Memorand. The ChallisCupp of M r Arthur
Curtis w ch cost 5/. by the addition of more
money (3/. 14^.) by Richard Curtis, was counted
& made 2 Cupps weighing 34 ounces ij dwts.
w ch cost 8/. 14*.
" Itm. one flagon silver of y c gift of M r Jo. Sanders
weighing ounces prise 261."
In the accounts for this year is an item of 2s. paid
for the carriage of the flagon, so that we may
presume that M r Saunders presented this flagon
the same year.
The Inventory of 1648 has
" Item, two silver Cupps w th covers weighing 33
ounces & a halfe (pcell gilt) (the Cups of
1612).
" Item, two other silver cupps w th covers weighing 34
ounces 2 dwts. of the gift of M r Arthur Curtis
& his sonne Richard Curtis.
" Item, one silver flaggon of the gift of John Saun-
ders Esquire weighing 72 ouncs.
" Item, one silver flaggon weigh- ~\
ing 46 ouncs. ( of M r John-
i silver bread plate weighing 9 f" son's gift."
ouncs and a halfe. J
3n\>entors of 1772, witb 1Rote$.
plate.
oz. dwt.
" One large Silver Dish, the gift of M" Barbara
Foster, weighing 62 o
This dish has a double ogee-shaped
122 CHURCH PLATE.
oz. dwt.
edge with gadroon bordering. On a raised
centre is a widow's escutcheon bearing a
tower embattled between three buglehorns
stringed ; impaling, three bars with three
lions' heads erased in chief. Underneath is
inscribed " The Gift of Mrs. Barbara Foster
to St. Laurences Church in Reading!' The
Hall mark is the " r" within the cinquefoil
shield of 1752-3.
" One large D Flagon the gift of John Saun-
ders, Esq. ..... w*' 72 7
This beautiful vessel, as we have seen,
was presented in 1638-9, and bears the Hall
mark for that year. On its front is en-
graven a shield, bearing ' Per chevron,
three elephants' heads (two and one) erased.'
The Saunders of Leicestershire, Oxford-
shire, & Warwickshire have ' Per chev. sa.
and ar. three elephants' heads erased, two
and one, counterchanged.' Underneath is
engraven " The guift of John Saunders
Esquier once an inliabitant in the pislie of
St. Lawrence in Readinge"
" One smaller Do. Do. the Gift of M r Richard
Johnson 45 1 8
This very beautiful flagon is inscribed a
little above the centre " Ex Dono Richardi
Johnson Martii 25 Ano Dni 1632." It
bears the Hall mark of 1631-2.
"One D Paten (or Bread Plate) the gift of
M r Richard Johnson . . . . w u 1 1 o
The following inscription is engraven
round the centre, " ^ Ex Dono Richardi
Johnson Martij 25 Anno Dni 1632." It
bears the Hall mark of that year.
" Two D Cups and Covers the Gift of Mess rs
Arthur & Richard Curtis . . . w*' 34 9
Both these chalices, with their covers,
bear the same Hall mark, the curved
CHURCH PLATE. 123
oz. dwt.
"\>" of 1637-8. One is inscribed "Ex
Dono m ri Arthuri Curtes," and the other
" Ex Dono m ri Richardi Curtes." They are
interesting and beautiful examples of church
plate.
" One other D Paten (or Bread Plate) Bought
in 1708 w fc - II 7
This is very like the earlier one of 1632.
An inscription encircles the centre, " Haec
Patina ex oblationibus collecta erat Anno
Dom. 1708." Round the outer lip are the
words, " Panis quern frangimus nonne par-
ticipatio corporis Domini est."
" Two D Dishes (to collect the offerings) one
bought in 1701, the other in 1735 . w l> 24 4
Under the bowl of the older one is
engraven
William G rover \ and
John Knight j Church Wardens.
1701.
The other bowl is of the same size and
pattern. Underneath, it has
"St. Lawrance, Reading
Philip Phelp I Churchwardens
John Jacob J I735-"
It bears the Hall mark for that year.
Both have the sacred monogram I.H.S
in the centre within, surrounded by the
words, " Benificentiam & Liberalitatem
oblivisci nolite," obviously added about the
beginning of the present century.
"One D Bason and Stand, the Gift of M rs
Elizabeth Thorn, 1767, for the use of
Baptism w t- 21 8
The church was broken open March 2,
1788, when this bason and stand were
stolen.
" One silver head on a staff, made use of by the
1 24 MONUMENTS.
oz. dwt.
Sexton or Beadle, when attending the
minister. Bought in the year 1767."
Weight not taken
Total weight . . . . 281 13"
The head now in use is something like an
inverted pear surmounted by a cross. The
upper portion is divided into four sections
by two bands of beadwork intersecting each
other at the cross, and terminating down-
wards in a similar band passing round the
ball at its greatest circumference. As the
Hall mark on the socket is that of 1790-1,
the old mace must have been renewed at
this time. The present mace weighs 1 1 oz.
9 dwts.
To this must be added a funnel-shaped
silver strainer, bearing the initials %H. ?.,
and the Hall mark of 1730-1.
flbonumente.
Destruction of Monumental Brasses,
There are indications in the old accounts of gross neglect,
if not of wanton destruction, of the ancient brass memorials,
by the authorities before the Reformation.
As soon as the plates became detached from their ledgers,
they were not replaced, but sold.
1524. " Rec. for broke mettell of the graves weying ix li
xviij d ."
1558. " R. for xvj 11 waight of grave brasse at j d ob ij s ."
This is not so clean a sweep as was made at St. Mary's
in this town about 1 547
" Receyvid of John Saunders for iij c wt lacking
ix 11 of metall that was taken upp of the graves,
and of olde candlestycks at vj s the hundred
xlvj s ij d ."
(St. Mary's C.W. accounts.)
_. Ortc<
p. 125
\
(* <ui
p. 125 (bottom.)
.
MONUMENTS. 12$
The earliest survey of the monuments in St. Lawrence's
was made by Capt. Symonds, an officer in the Royal Army,
3rd April, 1664. His " Church Notes" are now in the British
Museum. (Harl. MS. 965.) They are specially valuable as
indicating the original position of the memorials. His
observations will be found in the following pages in con-
nection with the monuments to which they relate. He
attributes the spoliation of some of the gravestones to
the " Roundheads" and " Rebells" who were quartered in
the church the year before his visit apparently deriving
this information from the clerk.
A notice of these despoiled memorials will be interesting.
The best of them form the pavement of the vestry at the
west end of the north aisle.
The largest stone now lying under the north wall was
sprinkled with small scrolls, and indications of eight of
them remain. There was a shield at each corner of the
slab. At the top is the matrix of what may have been a
figure of the B. Virgin and Child, though more probably
of St. Catharine, for the depression has a circular project-
ing outline towards the feet, as if indicating a wheel standing
by the side of the figure (see under Altar of St. JoJm
Baptist] . Beneath this were the principal effigies of a man
and his wife, each about three feet six inches in length.
The lower portion of the slab has been cut off, and with it
the feet of the principal figures, together with the inscrip-
tion, a few scrolls, and two shields. It was certainly one
of the finest brasses in the county. (See Illustration^)
These indications assign the memorial to about the year
1475. In Ashmole's time it was in the vicinity of St.
Thomas' altar. It may have been the memorial of Thomas
Clarke, hosier, a great benefactor to the church. He was
churchwarden in 1436, 1440-2. Amicia, his mother, died
in 1442.
He and his wife Elizabeth presented a cope of blue
velvet with a chasuble, two tunacles, and apparels, besides
a pall of the same work. The chasuble, or " Vestment,"
is described as of blue velvet, embroidered with flowers.
The pall was also embroidered with flowers of gold.
Another large slab has the matrix of a fine bracket brass
very similar to the memorial of John Bloxham and John
Whitton, at Merton College, Oxford, but without canopies.
The matrix is in excellent preservation, and has a sharp
126 MONUMENTS.
well-defined margin. A slender stem rising from a gra-
duated base resting on the inscription plate supports a
cross bracket, on which stand the effigies of a man and his
wife, with a son and two daughters between them. Above
the children, and on a level with the upper portion of the
adult figures, is a shield. A narrow horizontal inscription
label, nearly as wide as the bracket, runs across the head
of the memorial. The outlines of the figures are very
similar to those of brasses at Bramley, Hants (1452), and
Taplow, Bucks (1455). (See Illustration?)
Another stone lying near the west door of the north
aisle in the vestry has a much worn impression of a bracket
brass, almost a fac-simile of the last, but with only two
adult figures.
Another stone adjoining the last, and very much worn,
has indications of a brass consisting of the effigies of a man
and his wife standing on an inscription plate, c. 1512. The
figures are slightly turned towards each other. The man
was habited in the long civilian's cassock, with the large
sleeves of the period. The hair was straight and long,
reaching to the shoulders.
A stone lying under the vestry screen has the much worn
matrices of two shrouded figures about two feet in length.
Their winding-sheets have been gathered and tied at the
head and feet. The figures are slightly turned towards
each other, and their emaciated forms were visible through
an opening in the shroud as usual. It was placed in the
church about the year 1500.
Close by the south wall of the tower is a despoiled
memorial of a very interesting character. The brass plates
have perished long ago ; the very matrices are completely
trodden out; the glistening rivets alone remain to tell the
story. The upper portion of the stone has been occupied
by an inscription plate beneath two whole-length figures.
In the centre of the slab are three rivets, one of which
forms the apex of a triangle, the other two being in base.
This location of rivets is distinct from the rest of the plan,
and suggests a subject of special character. If the plate
indicated had been a shield, the rivets would have been
reversed ; the single rivet would have been in base near the
point of the shield, and the other two in chief. A plate in
MONUMENTS. I2/
the form of a bell would fully comply with the rivet scheme,
and identify this slab as the memorial of Henry Kelsall,
who gave " The Bell of Jesus" in 1493. Kelsall was buried
on the north side of the Altar of Jesus, and the spot was
occupied after the Reformation by children. How long
they sat there, there is no evidence to show, but probably
quite long enough to account for the very worn condition of
the stone.
The gift of the bell, too, would seem to have had a special
commemoration at the bottom of the slab, by an inscription
ribbon of brass fastened by a single line of rivets, and sup-
porting a slender cross beneath the suggested bell. It was
very customary in the Middle Ages to represent on the
tombs of benefactors the particular object presented by
them to the church : thus, the tomb of Amboise, the founder
of the great bell of Amiens Cathedral, bears the figure of
the bell: a brass at Broxbourne, Herts, 1531, represents
John Borrell in armour holding a very ornate candlestick in
his right hand, indicating his gift to the sanctuary. Founders
of churches in the same way are often represented with a
diminutive figure of a church in their hands : at North
Creak, Norfolk, it is placed on the right arm of the
effigy.
When Symonds made his "Church Notes" in 1642, a tomb
was remaining which he was informed was Kelsall's, but
tradition has long since ceased to point out his memorial,
and the unfortunate removal of the monument from its
ancient site has rendered its absolute identification less
certain. Still the evidence adduced is almost conclusive.
Symonds writes
" Another flat stone in y e north yle of the church neare
the chancel fairely inlayed w th brasse, the picture of
a man w th a priest & beades by his side & a woman :
the inscription w ch was under them was stolne by
the Rebells of London about May, 1643.
" A picture of a man and these verses are on y e west side
of this stone still :
3Jf)u gat in 23etf)elem foas tame
bs pat foe be not forlorne
gat foe mag fjatte frg'cton
prag gou at fjig fcitft passion
128 MONUMENTS.
for mangs redemption
bring or sofole to eternal saluac'on
t|)B celestiall teite
for us sap a paf) noster Sr an gibe.
For Kimsall
4 y stolne who gave the great
bell saith the
clerke.
There is another fine marble slab under the north arch
of the tower showing the matrix of a man and his wife with
an inscription at their feet, c. 1510. In 1741 this stone was
converted into a memorial for Thomas Awberry.
J6pitapb0 anfc flDonumente.
From Rev. C. Coates' " History of Reading." With Notes
by the Author.
Within the rails of the altar, on a flat stone, is this
inscription :
"S. H. S.
Beatam anhelantes resuscitationem in vitam
aeternam, obdormiscunt
Franciscus Hungerford M.D. et Elizabetha
uxor ejus, in agro Wilt utrique nati
ex qua suscepit ille septem filios
et quinque filias quorum decem supervixerunt
illi, parsque totius numeri dimidiata
quam proxime hie sepulta jacet.
Connubii inter eos vinculum, obstructum fuit
anno decollations Caroli Primi
regis optimi et martyris :
dissolutum ; primo, uxoris interitum 1696 :
annoque sequent}, mors, ilium, meridie noctis
Integra, solute dormientem, in medela artem
quasi pertimescens, inopinanter, arripuit.
Edwardus films eorum unice superstes et heres
pietatis ct amoris ergo hoc maerens posuit.
rille~| 1702 Toctogesimo currente.
Ob.-| >- anno setatis suse <
( ilia J ( sexigesimo sexto."
MONUMENTS. 129
(Arms corrected from Burke 'Sa. two bars
arg*, in chief, three plates, impaling three lions
passant guardant. Crest : Out of a ducal coronet
or, a pepper garb of the first between two sickles
erect, ppr.'
The Wiltshire branch bore the same arms as
the Hungerfords of Farleigh Castle, co. Somerset,
where numerous ancient monuments of the family
remain in the castle chapel.)
On a flat stone :
" Spe resurgendi
Hie prope depositi sunt cineres Edwardi Dalby
Ar. qui obiit 30 Martii anno Dhi 1672,
setatis 56.
Et Franciscan uxoris eius, filiae superstitis et herdis
Caroli Holloway, ar. servientis ad legem :
Haec obiit 17 Augusti anno Dm 1717,
setatis 90.
" Et Elizabetha filiae eorundem, qua obiit
8 Februarii, anno Dni 1686, setatis 23,"
Arms : Barry wavy of six, Or, and Gules, im-
paling a fess between three fleurs de lys : in a
canton dexter five ermines.
Crest : A demi griffin segreant.
(This stone is now in the churchyard and forms
a cover to the passage to the heating apparatus.
It is a fine stone and in excellent preservation.
The pedigree of Dalby, of Reading, is given by Ashmole
in his " Visitation of Berks.")
On a flat stone
"JOHANNES HUNGERFORD
de Blackland in Comitatu
Wilts, hie jacet sepultus. Obiit
xxviij die Maii, anno
CIDIOCLXXVIIJ." [1678.]
(The arms are those of the Hungerfords of
K
I3O MONUMENTS.
Heytesbury 'per pale indented gu. and vert, a
chevron or,' impaling 'party per fesse indented,
a chevron.' This memorial now lies in the S.E.
corner of St. John's Chapel.)
On a flat stone :
"John Nichols, D.D.
vicar of this parish
died June 25, 1788
aged 65 years."
(This stone now forms a portion of the upper
step into St. John's Chapel.)
On a flat stone :
" M rs Ann Harward dy'd February
the 27 th , 17 , aged 69."
(Missing in 1883.)
On a black marble gravestone on the north side of the
altar :
" M.S.
Carolus Morus
publicus auctoritate regia notarius
supremae curiae admiralitatis Angliae
pro-registrarius, honestissimus
vir charitate insignis, et amico fidus
sub hoc marmore, spe resurgendi
sepultus jacet.
Vitam hanc caducam, secundo die mensis
Octobris, anno salutis restauratae 1673
pro beatiori in ccelis mutavit."
Arms A chevron between three heathcocks.
Crest A blackamoor's head.
(Probably buried beneath the new altar pace.)
On a flat stone :
"Here lieth the Body of Richard Curtis Esq.
who departed this life August 3O th 1731
aged 56 years.
MONUMENTS. I 3 I
Also of Elizabeth his wife
who died September the 22, 1769, aged 93 years."
(This monument is missing.)
On a flat stone :
" In memory of M r William Watlington
who died Oct. 3, 1776, aged 52 years.
Also in memory of
M rs Catharine Watlington,
who died Sept. I, 1779,
aged 51 years."
(Now missing.)
On a black stone :
" In memory of M r Abraham Watlington sen r
late Alderman of this Borough, who died
Nov. 13, 1766, aged 69 years.
Also Elizabeth his wife died June 8, 1768,
aged 84."
"And Hannah, their grand-daughter, died July 10,
1768, aged eight months and ten days."
" Also of M r Abraham Watlington jun r , son of the above,
who died Dec. the loth, 1773, aged 51 years."
(Now missing.)
On a slab beneath a recess which formerly contained an
urn on the N. side of the Altar :
" Jeremiah Nicholson D.D.
rector of Kiddington, Oxon,
and vicar of this parish
died July 18, 1771, aged 47 years."
On a white marble tablet :
" Near this place
lie the remains of
the Rev. M r Philip Whitehead A.M.
vicar of Basildon
in this county
and formerly many years
curate of this parish
K 2
132 MONUMENTS.
who departed this painful life
June 2, 1767
in humble hopes of a joyful
resurrection at the last day."
(On the north wall within the vestry.)
On a mural monument :
""\KDER THY FEETE READER
SLEEP TE REMAINES OF
RICHARD FYNNMORE HIS
FATHER 8 BENIAMIN & HIS
BROTHER 8 JOSEPH WHO COM
ING FROM OXON TO TE BV
RIALL OF A FRIEND FOVND *RE
HIS OWN 6 GRAVE & SO MINGLED
DVST WITH HIS ANCESTORS
FEE* 6 TE YEARE OF CHRIST
1664 & OF HIS AGE 40.
O1\E SON t LEFT AND I.F. A
MOVRKEFVLL WIDDOW WHO
PLACED THIS TO HIS MEMORY."
(The slab, of blue slate with gilt letters, is broken
into five pieces, and now lies on the step under
the screen at the entrance into St. John's Chapel.
Wylliam Ffynmore was C.W. in 1565-6. He
gave 5 s towards the recasting of Kelsall in 1567.
Humphry Ffynmore, probably his son, was C.W.
in 1604. In his accounts for 1605 he writes :
" Rec.of my brother Willyam Ffynmore executor
to my mother Anne Ffynmore I2 d " for tolling
his mother's knell.
William Fynnmore was elected to a scholarship
at St. John's, Cambridge, from Reading Grammar
School, in 1578. He was B.A. in 1583, and after-
wards Bachelor of Law.)
On a veined marble tablet :
"Edward Hungerford, Esq.,
Lyes interred in the grave of his father D r Francis
Hungerford, near this place. Ob. 6 Feb. 1732 at 70.
MONUMENTS. 133
By whose will (which was proved in the Prerogative
Court) two hundred pounds were given to the maior,
aldermen, and burgesses of Reading, and since paid
to them by his executors, M r Thomas Blagrave, and
M r Robert Deane, in trust, that the interest thereof
should for ever be paid to the vicar of this parish
half-yearly, so long as he or his substitute shall
daily, between the hours of two and seven in the
afternoon, read in the church the Common Prayer
and Evening Service according to the Liturgy of the
Church of England."
(This slab has been inserted above the arches in
the south wall of St. John's Chapel.)
ST. JOHN S CHANCEL.
On a monument of white and Sienna marble :
" To the memory of
Lieut. Col. M rs Mary Case
Cha. Marsh died Sep. 9, 1/73,
Died June I, 1748 aged 61.
aged 38. Samuel Case Esq.
M rS Alice Marsh died March 10 1778,
died Nov. 9, 1781, aged 66.
aged 70.
Arms : Quarterly Arg* & gu : in the first quarter
a horse's head.
Crest A horse's head issuing out of a mural
crown.
(The uppermost monument in the S.E. corner.)
On a white marble tablet :
" Sacred to the memory of
The rev. John Spicer M.A.
rector of Tidmarsh and Sulham,
prebendary of Salisbury,
and for many years master of the
free grammar school
in this his native town.
134 MONUMENTS.
His genius, learning, friendship,
charity and genuine patriotism
render his death which happened on Nov. 27,
in the /2nd year of his age,
a public and private loss."
(Now on the north wall in the vestry.)
On a brass plate in a gravestone, on which is the figure
of a man in a own :
r tins Jfl'ble stone Itet& Skater barton gent
fcesesfo ge
XF tag of &prgll in tfje pere of out lortr otr J^F'mbuf on
all ODrgsten joules 3j&u f^aue Jtflercg
Celeste qutia : btta quf tJtixerat tsta : bermfc? ecce states : ta
re<j'esdt Ijumo.
This monument is perhaps the most interesting memorial
in the county. Two years ago it lay on its ledger in front
of the altar, having been removed here from St. John's
chancel in 1848. From the number of small perforations
in the lines of the engraving, the author supposed it to be
a ( palimpsest' or ' rescript,' and having obtained per-
mission to remove it, his surmisings were verified. On
the reverse the plates exhibit portions of the effigy of Sir
John Popham, Kt., with the whole of his monumental
inscription.
The plates have been recently enclosed or bordered in,
frames of brass, mounted on strong hinges, and attached to
slabs of red freestone, which have been inserted in the north
pier of the chancel arch.
The cost of this work was chiefly borne by the members
of the Popham family of Littlecote, near Hungerford, whose
kind co-operation and assistance in this restoration the
author desires thankfully to acknowledge.
From the will of Walter Barton, printed in this volume,
much may be learnt of his family and status (see Index).
The following notices are from the church accounts :
1518. " It. of the gifte of M r Barton toward the making
of the vestr' xl s ."
p . 134,
p. 134.
MONUMENTS. 135
1518' " It. paid for xxq rfc of lime viij d a qr to M r Barton
xiij s iiij d ."
1519. "It. of M r Barton toward the repacon of the
quere vj s viij d ."
1523. Inventory "It. a sensure of silu and pcell gilt
of the gift of Mastres Barton."
(She died in 1545.)
1542-3. " Payd for lynyng for the ij tynacles that M r
Barton dyd give ij s ."
In 1578 a Mr. Barton and Mr. Walter Bureton
or Buryngton, both "living in the contrye," probably
at Streatley, gave xij d each towards the recasting of
" Kelsall." '
Walter Barton's landed property at Streatley was in-
herited by the Buriton family. Mr. Haines in his list of
monumental brasses (ii. 16 1861) gives the following as
remaining in Streatley Church at that time :
" i. Griffin, son of Thorn. & Eliz. Clarke, 1583.
2. Margt. wife of Wm. Buryngton, gent, 1570 effigy
covered by a pew in chancel.
3. Thomas Clarke, gent, 1600, and wife Elix. a dau.
& coh. of GriffitJi Barton Esq. (named in Walter
B.'s will}, 1598, with 4 chil, Griffeth, Agnes, Eliz.
& Margt., in the chancel.
4. Thomas Buriton Esq. (son & heir of Wm. 3rd son
of Thomas Buriton, of Hereford, Esq.) 1603, &
wife Joan (Wier) by whom he had 6 sons (then
dec.) and 1 1 daus, partly covered by a pew."
The church has been restored since 1861, and some of
these are now missing.
Sir John Popham was buried (according to John Stowe's
" Survey of London," p. 478 b edit. 1633) in the cloisters of
the Charterhouse, London, where was a monument to
his memory. How comes it, then, at St. Lawrence's ?
The Charterhouse was dissolved in 1536-7, when the
monuments, &c., were sold, Sir John Popham's brass among
the rest. It must have been purchased by an engraver,
who in the following year received an order for a memorial
for Walter Barton.
The artist fortunately took as much of Popham's brass
as suited his purpose, selecting the inscription-plate for
Walter Barton's epitaph.
MONUMENTS.
Barton's effigy is formed of two pieces of Sir John's brass,
one containing part of the feet of the knight reposing on a
lion, and the other, the arms of Popham impaling Zouch.
" This impalement of Popham (viz : arg 1 , on a chief
gules, two stags' heads cabossed or) with Zouch
(viz : gules, a chevron arg* between 10 bezants, 6 in
chief and 4 in base), is described by Bysshe and
Ashmole in their Berks Visitation of 1666 as being
painted with others in the upper windows of the hall
at Aldermaston House, which belonged to the
Forster family."
(Edw d Bellasis, Esq., ' Bluemantle,')
College of Arms, London.
The old ledger on which Barton's brass was laid, was
undoubtedly the very slab which covered the body of Sir
John Popham. In adapting it for a second memorial, the
old matrices were chiselled out and the stone rubbed down,
but the bottoms of most of the rivet-holes containing the
leaded rivets remain, indicating the bearings of the original.
The principal figure stood beneath a canopy. The knight
was habited in a tabard of arms, and the fragment taken
from the left-hand side of the figure exhibits the fourth
and part of the third quarterings with the hilt of the con-
tiguous sword. The tail of the lion passed under the foot
of the knight and terminated in a graceful curve by the
side of the sword. The sollerets, exhibiting seven laminae,
are finely pointed.
The slab is of Purbeck marble.
Sir John Popham's epitaph, on the reverse of Walter
Barton's, is as follows :
" fit iaret |ujjcs D0pfeant fiitos qR& a m ims to IttWji in
Ijformanltta fr Mis
to CjartoM to w at to gdbpgtmi & Jpbi in
pi abut niij
Me Pns' Drills glnua gut pita &C& \xajf
aft
Besides this accidental association of the name of Popham
with St. Lawrence's, there is an entry in the old accounts
which points to a closer connection :
MONUMENTS. 137
Anno 1498. " Itm. payed for mendyng of Poppams
Vestment ij d ." '
The " vestment" or chasuble seems to indicate some mass
of requiem performed here for some member of the family,
and, as it required mending in 1498, it was presumably of
considerable age at that time : indeed it may have been
given by this very Sir John or his executors for his com-
memoration.
There is a picture of Sir John Popham on horseback in
the vestry, presented by Rev. Sir W. H. Cope, Bart., of
Bramshill, a copy of an illumination in a MS. in the British
Museum. Here the knight is represented in a tabard of
arms, with horse trappings similarly emblazoned. His
sollerets appear precisely as on the brass, but the arms have
the addition of a bezant between the bucks' heads. Might
this have been added while Treasurer to the King's House-
hold ?
The Pophams have been seated in the south of England
from a very remote period.
GILBERT POPHAM, of Popham, in Hampshire, living in
the time of King John, espoused Joan, dau. and heiress of
Robert Clarke (a feoffee in trust for the manor of Popham,
as appears by charter of the Empress Maud), and had a
son and successor,
ROBERT POPHAM of Popham who had two sons
I. John ; 2. Hugh.
JOHN, who succeeded his father at Popham, was great-
grandfather of
SIR JOHN POPHAM, who died 16 Ric. II., leaving by
Sybil his wife, dau. and heiress of Sir Lawrence St. Martin,
two sons, John (Sir) and Henry.
This SIR JOHN POPHAM was constable and governor
of Southampton, and of Touraine and Bayonne in France
in the time of Henry V., and according to his epitaph,
" lord of Turney in Normandy." He was made Treasurer
of the Household in the succeeding reign.
John Stowe, in his account of St. Sepulchre's in the
Bayly, writes " One of the Popham e s (undoubtedly this
Sir John) was a great builder there : viz. of one faire Chap-
pell on the south side of the Quire as appeareth by his
Armes and other Monuments in the glasse windowes
thereof, and also the faire Porch of the same church towards
the south : his Image faire graven in stone was fixed over
138 MONUMENTS.
the said porch, but defaced and beaten downe : his titles
were these by offices : Chancellour of Normandy, Captaine
of Vernoyle, Perche, Susan, and Bayon, and Treasurer of
the King's Household. He dyed rich, leaving great treasure
of strange coynes, and was buried in the Charter house
Church by West Smithfield. The first Nobilitating of
these Pophames was by Matilda the Empresse, daughter to
Henry the first, and by Henry her son : one Popham a
gentleman of very faire lands in Southamptonshire dyed
without issue male, about Henry the sixth, and leaving foure
daughters, they were married to Fostar, Barentine, Wod-
ham, and Hamden. Popham Deane (distant three miles
from Clarendon) was sometime the chief Lordship or
Mannour house of those Popham e s."
HENRY POPHAM, brother of this Sir John Popham, died
17 Hen. VI., leaving by Joan, his wife, a son,
SIR STEPHEN POPHAM, who married Margaret, daughter
and heiress of Nicholas Read, of Somersetshire, and had
four daughters, his coheirs (spoken of by Stowe), viz :
(i.) Margery, married Thomas Hampden, Esq.
(2.) Eleanor, married to John Barentine, Esq.
(3.) Elizabeth, married to John Wadham, Esq.
(4.) Alice, married to Humphrey Forster, Esq., which
accounts for the arms of the Pophams at Alder-
maston House, the seat of the Forsters.
The Pophams of Littlecote are descended from Sir
Hugh, second son of Robert, the son of Gilbert, at the head
of this pedigree.
According to Capt. Symonds, this monument in 1644
was contiguous to that of John, Rector of Erley, and John
Cerne, Vicar of St. Lawrence.
On a brass plate in a gravestone, where was the figure
of a man, is this inscription :
Igeti) tfje iMtog of 3J^$2 3|^J2<^, late
of ifteafctng, mercer, fo&o ijabing Ubetf 50 years left tfjt's
eartfjlg tabernacle.
e foas a lobcr of tije <ospell, anfc a goott fcenefactour to
tfie cfnirrf) antf poore of this parisD. but 24 Jttartfi,
anno Bom. 1614.
MONUMENTS. 139
of 3fo|w Jn's son, toijo, Itbt'ng fibc gcarcs, fceceaseli tfce
2* &ag of 3wu> &.B. 1614.
blossoms young be tieatft's means untimely fall from tree,
GOTJ eacfy man's nature's course ttotf) cbcrmore ttetree.
(The whole of this monument has disappeared since 1802.
Vide " Views of Reading Abbey.")
On a marble gravestone :
" ANTON ius MASONUS DE MARGARETA
conjuge sua charissima
quse obiit Martii 6
1630.
Here, and in Heaven, rest my blessed wife
Who was the crowne and comfort of my lyfe,
In grace by grace to glory let me follow
My spouse, Thy saint O Thou whose name I hallow."
Arms A lion rampant, impaling paly of six ; over
all a bend dexter.
(Missing.)
On various flat stones are the following inscriptions :
" Here lieth the body of Mary Deane, widow of John
Deane Esq., late of Mattingley, in com. Southton.
Obiit 5 Mar. anno Dom 1706, aetatis suae 81."
" Here lie the bodies of John and Richard Wilder late
of this parish 1/27."
" Here lieth the body of Richard Wilder, coach harness
maker, Citizen of London, and Freeman, late of the
parish of St. James, in the liberty of Westminster,
who departed this life the I7th day of December,
1735, aged 47 years. Also John Wilder and De-
borah, his father and mother.
" Also to the memory of William Wilder, who died
Dec. n, 1731."
" Here lyeth the body of Robert Blake, gent, twice
mayor of this borough, who departed this life March
26, 1727, aged 95.
<: Here also lie the bodies of Ann and Mary, daughters
I4O MONUMENTS.
of the said Robert and Mary his wife, who departed
this life Sept. 21, 1732, aged 24.
" Here also lieth the body of Mary, the wife of the
aforesaid Mr. Robert Blake, who departed this life
the 25th day of June A.D. 1734, aged 65 years."
IN THE VESTRY.
On a black gravestone :
" Anne Watts
aged 9 years
died the 24th day
of October 1723.
Also
Elizabeth Watts
wife of
John Watts, who died
Sept. 25, 1732, in the 6oth
year of her age.
Also
Eliz. Collis her daughter
ob. Oct 15, 1738
aet. 41.
Also
the body of the abovesaid
John Watts
late of this
parish esq, who departed
this life May 2, 1750,
aged 78 years."
THE CHANCEL.
" In Ashmole's time there was ' a fair grey marble tomb'
raised in the chancel, whereon in brass plates were the
figures of a man in a gown, and his wife, in the habit of the
time, with the following inscription :
tfje botyies of <2B&foartJ Sutler late of Bea&gng gent,
aniJ of gttice iris
n
LJ
p. 140.
- E CriMlltfi .-.'i Rsiinj
MONUMENTS. 141'
fogfe, fofjtri) (JBtJfoaro foas fgbe tgmes Jtflaior of tfjis
antf &ge& tf)e btf trage
of ^julge 1584. anU tfjc sagefc &Iice ttgetf tije xbiif of
1583. beging either of
tfjtm att tfjere sagetJ licat^es t^rescorc $f tfoelbc gercs
anti tabgng Igbtti 42
gtres margtti together, an& Ubgng i^gntr t^ern tftret onlgc
, antt (JBIg?abtt^ margetr, an& Sabgtng issue
as folloiotti) :
&lfo, matrttU to OTflltam 23uttett, tsq.
Under this name was the figure of a woman standing
holding up her hands in a praying posture, and under
her, three sons and four daughters in the like postures.
JWarg 23utUr, marrirtr to mill. 3pofoc!l Boctour of
Bibtnttg.
The figure of a woman in the like posture, with two sons
and one daughter.
<U?abtfr 23utltr, married to
The figure of a woman and two daughters in the same
posture of devotion.
On a rim of brass, fixed in the ledge of the stone, were
these verses ;
<f)fgst to me as Igfe on cart!)
&nfc teat!) to me is gain ;
because I trust tfjrougl) Jim alone
Sbalbation to obtaine,
^o brittle is tfje state of man
Sco soon it footf) &ecag
50 all tfje glorg of t^e foorlfc
Jilttst pass anlf fatJe afoag.
This monument has been laid flat, and the stone is almost
142 MONUMENTS.
covered by pews, so that only two lines of the inscription
are now legible." (Coate's " Reading.")
Capt. Symonds' account of this monument (1644) sup-
plies a few interesting items :
" A faire Altar Tombe betweene the 2 middle pillars
of the chancel. This single escocheon (on a bend
between 6 covered cups, a mullet for diff. Butler)
is 3 times of each side, and at each eudof the Tombe.
" Upon y e surface of y e Tombe w eh is grey marble is
the 2 pictures of a man & woman : under them this
inscription, and betweene them the afore mencoed
coate."
He then gives the arms of Bottell impaling Butler (i.)
Gu. a chev. betw. 3 combs argt. for Bottell ; (2.)
a cross botonnee ; (3.) a cinquefoil w* a lion passant
in chief; (4.) blank.
The next shield is Powell impaling Butler Per pale,
3 lions rampant counterchanged for Powell.
The third shield is Staverton (arg 1 a chev. sa. betw.
3 maunches vert.) impaling Butler as before.
The " mensa " of this once " high" tomb, now stripped
of its brasses, lies apparently over the grave of Edward
Butler. In 1848, the three remaining plates were removed
to a stone lying near the south stalls in the choir. In
1882 they were removed for their better preservation to the
south wall of the chancel within the sacrarium, the inscrip-
tion plate having been carefully restored by the author.
3 May, 1614. "Att this accompte my Doct r offred in
the behaulf of M r Samuell Powell to paye x s
a yere to this churche duringe his lief by pmise
for the supporting of M r Butler's toombe. But
for some causes it was referred to be considered
of vntill another tyme by consent of the
pishioners p'nte, and soe the money was re-
fused."
Low Sunday, 16 April, 1615. "As touching M r Butler's
toombe he shall pay xx s p ann for eu, or ells the
toombe shall not be repayred, but at the next
occasion to be pulled downe."
1618. "For Edward Butler's Tomb :
At this accompt it was geven to the parishioners
to vnderstand that diuers of them have byn
MONUMENTS. 143
earnest w th M r Samuell Powell to geve some
yearly portion towardes the support of his
grandfather's Toombe w che was erected in the
Churche Chauncell to the hurt of the parishe
(there beinge noe allowance to maynteyne it).
And that the said Samuell Powell for and to-
wards the mayntenaunce of his grandfathers
toombe will from thencefourth yerely to the
churchwardens of this parishe give xx 8 for ever.
And that he will take order as by his counsell
he shoulde be advised to bynd some of his land
in Readinge to and for the true payment thereof
for ever.
p Wittm Wylmer."
In 1697 the churchwardens returned that the sum of
7/. IO.T. 4<f. was due to them for the standing of M r Butler's
Tomb.
In 1719 the arrearage amounted to I3/. 17 's. ^d.
The following notices of the Butler family are from the
church accounts :
1498. "It. rec. for the Sepulcr of Thomas Butler vj s viij d .
" It. rec. for wast of Torchys at the burying of
the same Thomas ij 3 j d ."
1524. " Xpofer Butteler C.W. "
1531. Great Bell. " Rec. for the Knyll of Xfer Butler
xij d Grave and covering vij 8 iiij d ."
1539. " Rec. for the grave of John Butteler & for couing
thereof vij 8 iiij d ."
1544. " Rec. for the grave of M res Butler vij 3 iiij d ."
1546-7. " Edward Butler C.W." In 1556, he contributed
three perches of the wall round the new church-
yard at a cost of 2\s. ; and in 1562 he purchased
the " lofte ouer the chancell" (? the sepulchre
loft) for i or.
Joan Butler was buried the same year.
1567. Edward Butler gave los. towards the recasting of
Kelsall. This was the largest contribution.
1582-3 " In p r imis R. for m rs Butler her knill ij 8 yj."
1583-4. "R.form" Staverton her knill ij 3 vj d "'
Itm. m r Edward Butler his knill ii s vi d ."
On different flat stones are the following inscrip-
tions :
144 MONUMENTS.
"John Eade, born April y c 30, 1715,
died April y e n, 1716.
tariv 17
" Thomas Addams, M.D.
departed this life 26 April, 1785.
He was a most tender husband
an affectionate father, and a
sincere friend.
Rebecca Addams, wife of Dr. Addams,
departed this life 28 Dec. 1778.
Rebecca Addams sister to Dr Addams
departed this life 8 April 1769.
Arms Quarterly Argent and Vairy : over all a bend
dexter with a crescent for difference."
On a black marble gravestone:
" Here lieth the body of Thomas
Constable, who departed this
life March the 2nd, 1719, aged64.
Here also lieth the body of Catherine
Constable his wife who departed
this life, the i6th of September 1720,
aged 63."
On a black stone :
" Here lieth interred the body
of M r Peter Burningham of London
merchant, who departed
this life the first day of June
anno Domini 1689,
aged 41 years."
(The foot of this memorial is covered by the new
altar steps.)
On a black stone :
" Here lieth the body of W John Knight
linen-draper, late of Reading, who departed
this life the 25 th of July, 1714,
aged 58 years. And by him his father and
mother and five sisters lie."
/Iftno /O4-4
p. 145.
MONUMENTS. 145
On a flat stone :
" To the memory of M rs Anne Moulton
who died June 2, 1750."
" Here lieth the body of M rs Elizabeth Dudley
the daughter of William Dudley Esq. of
Aldersgate Street London. She died Sep-
tember the 27 th anno Domini 1652."
On a gravestone (now near the stalls on the north side
of the chancel C.K.) is the figure of a priest in his vest-
ments, on a brass plate, and at his feet these lines :
st
$t strut poiw : p0nitor oinnis (por.
fuisquis ms pi ionsieris sta perkp pta
Sum pfo ms tea q'ij ts p me p'0r 0ra.
fjit jatet Ms |ol]cs ^itab qut 0biit f troor
btt toii ima ini lilliu
(In the inventory of 1517 is the following entry : " In
p r mis an antipher w* full legend of the gifte of
S r John Andrevve su tyme vicar ther the ij tle lefe
begynnyng [patri et filio]." In the previous in-
ventory of 1503, after the words "w* full legend,"
occurs " To lye before the vicare." See List of
Vicars?)
Capt. Symonds states that this monument adjoined the
slab of William Goldore and John Sampford in 1644. He
also gives a sketch of the shield, which has long been miss-
ing viz., ' a cross saltire,' drawn as though there had
been a cliicf ^on the shield. Burke, in his "Armory," gives
the arms of Andrewes (of London), " Ar. a saltire az., on
a chief gu. three mullets or."
The inscription only remains. There is apparently an
excellent copy of the effigy in " Views of Reading Abbey,"
vol. i. p. 44, edit. 1805.
On the side of the chancel, over the priests' door, is a
marble monument, on which, under an arch surmounted
L
146 MONUMENTS.
by a pediment, which is supported by four pillars of the
Corinthian order, is a female figure kneeling at a desk with
this inscription :
IN A VAULT
(FOR WHICH A FACULTY WAS PROCURED)
TEN FEET FROM THE SOUTH WALL AND TWENTY-FIVE
FEET FROM THE EAST WALL OF THIS CHANCEL,
LIES INTERRED
ANNE HAYDON,
WIFE OF GIDEON HAYDON ESQ.
A GENEROUS RELATION,
A SINCERE FRIEND,
AND A GOOD CHRISTIAN.
SHE GAVE IN HER LIFE TIME I2O/.
TO THE VICAR OF THIS PARISH ;
THREE FIFTHS OF THE INTEREST AS A YEARLY RENT
FOR THE VAULT ;
AND TWO FIFTHS TO BE LAID OUT YEARLY (IF NEED BE)
IN REPAIRING THE VAULT AND THIS MONUMENT
FOR EVER.
OB. ISTH OCT. 1747, JET. 6 1.
Arms Argt. three bars gemelles azure ; on a chief or,
a fesse dancette gules : impaling, argt. on a bend
azure, three dolphins embowed, or.
(The vault containing the remains of Mrs. Anne Haydon
is marked by a large slab of black marble, bearing the fol-
lowing inscription :
" Under this stone
lie two sisters
MARY WATERMAN
Relict of WILLIAM WATERMAN Esq.
Ob. 6 Mar. 1736, Mt. 61.
And also
ANNE HAYDON
Wife of GIDEON HAYDON Esq.
Ob. 15 Oct. 1747. JEt. 6 1." '
Above this inscription are two shields of arms
those of Haydon, above mentioned, and of Waterman,
viz. :
" Paly of six, arg 1 and gules, three crescents counter-
changed ; impaling arg' on a bend azure, three dol-
phins embowed, or.")
MONUMENTS. 147
On a white marble tablet :
" Thomas Shute, D.D.
Vicar of this parish, died Aug. 19, 1763,
aged 56 years."
(During his time, in 1748, the old ring was recast, and
the number increased from eight to ten. His name was
inscribed on the sixth, recently recast (see Bells]. His
monument is now on the north wall within the vestry.)
In the south wall of the chancel is a monument, on
which are the figures of a man and woman kneeling at a
desk ; behind the man are three sons ; and behind the
woman, six daughters. Beneath are these verses :
QUAM FUERAT VITA CHARUS, QUAM MORTE LYDALLUS
NARRET PASTOR, PLEBS, PAUPER, ET ISTA DOMUS.
ISTA DOMUS TESTIS PIETATIS, PAUPER AMORIS,
PLEBS OPERUM, FIDEI PASTOR, IN HISQUE DEUS.
HANC LECTOR BENE QUI NOVIT FOBOLEMQUE, VIRUMQUE
S^PE HOS, AUT SIMILES, EDIDIT ORE SONOS
O TER F^ELICEM MATREMQUE PATREMQUE PROPAGO,
GUI TALI EX TALI CONJUGE TALIS ERAT.
At the foot of the monument is this epitaph :
EST HOC CANDIDE INSPECTOR THOMAS LYDALL
GENEROSI, MAJORATUM APUD REDINGENSES TER
PERFUNCTI (QUI DOMUS HUJUS SACR^E CONCION-
ATORIS PAUPERUMQUE AUXIT REDITUS) ET MAR-
GERLE UXORIS ET LIBERORUM PIE CONSECRATUM
MEMORISE MONUMENTUM.
(In 1644 this monument was over the chancel door.
The shields on the arches above the two principal
figures would seem to have been misplaced at the
removal of the monument ; for the arms of Lydall,
" Azure, a saltire or : on a fesse of the last three
torteaux," are over the wife, and a shield presum-
ably hers viz., " Arg*, three crosses pomee fitchee,
and a chief sable," appears over the head of Lydall.
Jane, daughter of M r Thomas Lydall, was married to
M r William Kendrick, whose monument is in the
chancel of St. Mary's in this town.
Thomas Lydall by will, dated Mar. 6, 1606, bequeathed
L 2
148 MONUMENTS.
the sum of 2os. yearly to the church, whereof los.
for the repairs of the church, seats, and bells, and
los. to be paid to the vicar.
He died in 1608.)
In the same wall is another monument where is the
figure of a woman kneeling at a desk : at the top is a hand
holding a wreath of laurel, and under the figure is the
following inscription :
MARTHA, UXOR CAROLI HAMLEY
CORNUB. HIC JACET SEPULTA. FlLIA ERAT THOM^E
SEAKES DE HENLEY SUPER THAMES IN COMIT.
OXONLE, QUI OBIIT DECIMO SEXTO DIE MENSIS
JANUARII AN. DNI 1636. Hoc MONUMENTUM
STRUXIT EJUS MARITUS CAROLUS AD CONSER-
VENDAM EIUS MEMORIAM, QUJE LIBEROS NULLOS
POST SE RELIQUIT PR^ESERTIM VERO IN TESTI-
MONIUM SUMM^) DILECTIONIS.
On a tablet of white marble :
" In this chancel are deposited
the remains of Joseph Radcliffe
of the Inner Temple, Barrister at Law
who departed this life, the 2/ th day of
July 1760, aged 64 years.
And of Mary his wife
a descendant of the family of
Sir Thomas Button of Cotterel in
the county of Glamorgan,
eminent for her true piety,
who died the first day of December
1758, aged 65 years."
(On the north wall in the vestry.)
On a white marble monument placed in a recess in the
south wall is this inscription :
" Sacred to the Memory
of William Douglas, batchelor
an honest man, and an eminent conveyancer :
remarkable for his
zeal for his king, love for his country,
MONUMENTS. 149
duty to parents, generosity to relations,
sincerity to friends, integrity to clients,
benevolence to the distressed, love to all men.
So great his patience, So generous his soul,
y* he bore the acute pains that to educate and maintain
of y e gout for forty y rs all his relations
with thankfulness. was his chief pleasure.
So good his judgment, So chearful his temper,
that he never made that his conversation
in all his practice was coveted by all.
any one material error, Now, blest of God,
nor lost one sum enjoy thou the reward
entrusted to his care. of true Christian charity.
D.Jan. 30, 1732 A. 70. W. Boudry, Nephew, P.
(This memorial to this most exemplary person is now
in the tower.)
On a white marble tablet :
" In memory of
Mrs. Mary Love
who died
Sept. 27, 1777."
(She bequeathed the sum of 3O0/. in money to the
corporation of Reading, with which was purchased
377/. js. 2d. " New Four per Cents." which in 1786
realized i$l. is. lod. per annum ; on condition that
after the repairs of her monument, the annual
surplus should be distributed in bread and money
among such poor who did not receive relief from
the parish.)
Near the pulpit is a monument which has the figure of
a man to the middle under an arch, holding one hand on a
globe, the other on a quadrant. He is habited in a short
cloak and ruff, surrounded with books on each side of him.
On one side is a female figure holding a cube in her hand
as offering it to him ; and under her feet is the word
'CUBUS.' On the other side is another female figure,
offering in the same manner ; and under her ' TETRA-
HEDRON.' On the top of the monument are two reclining
figures inscribed ' OCTAHEDRON,' ' DODICADRON/ and
between them is a figure, now defaced, resembling a
Minerva inscribed ' ISOSEDRON :' these are the names of
the five regular solids in geometry.
150 MONUMENTS.
Beneath the whole is this inscription in an oval :
"JOHANNES BLAGRAVUS
TOTUS MATHEMATICUS
CUM MATRE SEPULTUS.
HERE LIES THE CORPES, WHICH LIVING HAD A SPIRIT,
WHEREIN MUCH WORTHY KNOWLEDGE DID INHERIT ;
BY WHICH WITH ZEALE OVR GOD HE DID ADORE ;
LEFT FOR MAIDSERVANTS, AND TO FEED THE POORE.
HIS VERTUOUS MOTHER CAME OF WORTHIE RACE,
A HVNGERFORD, AND BURIED NEARE THIS PLACE.
WHEN GOD SENT DEATH THEIR LIVES AWAY TO CALL,
THEY LIVED BELOV'D, AND DIED BEWAIL'D OF ALL.
DECEASED THE QTH OF AUGUST
ANNO D'NI. 1611."
The ancestor of this family was Ralph Blagrave, a lawyer,
of Uttoxeter in Staffordshire, whose second son, Robert,
settled in London and married Anne Fyke, the daughter of
a gentleman in Surrey, by whom he had John Blagrave, of
Bulmarsh, who married Anne, daughter of Sir Anthony
Hungerford, of Downe Amney, in the county of Gloucester.
This John had four sons : Anthony, who married Jane
Borlase ; John, the mathematician, the subject of this
memorial ; Edward, and Alexander, the chess-player, a
yeoman of the guard.
The mathematician is supposed to have been born in
Reading, but in what year is not known. In 1585 he pub-
lished "The Mathematical Jewel Margarita Mathematica
per Johannem Blagravum Readingensem, conditum, editum
et sculptum" a folio " Imprinted at London by Walter
Venge, dwelling in Fleet Lane, over against the Maiden-
head." He likewise published " Baculum Familiare Catho-
licon sive Generale A Booke of a Staffe newly invented
by the Author, called the Familiar Staffe ; as well for that
it may be made familiarlie to walk with, as for that it per-
formeth the geometrical mensurations. Newlie compiled
and at this time published for the speciall helpe of shooting
in great ordinance, and may as well be employed for
measuring of land. By John Blagrave of Reading, gent.
1590, 4to." Dedicated to Sir Francis Knolles. The last
work he published was " The Art of Dialling, in two parts."
London 1609. 4to.
It is not known whom he married. The lady was pro-
MONUMENTS. I 5 I
bably a widow, as her daughter is called in his will " My
wife's daughter Jane." He died at his own house at
Southcot, August 9, 161 1, and was buried at St. Lawrence's
Church, near his mother.
By his will he bequeathed to Joseph Blagrave and his
heirs for ever, a messuage or mansion house in Swallow-
field, with all his lands in Swallowfield, Eversley, and
Reading, in trust, to pay on Good Friday in every
year to the Mayor and Corporation of Reading the sum
of io/., to be bestowed as follows: " Twenty nobles
of the io/. to some one poor maiden servant that hath
served, dwelled, and continued in any one service in any
of the three parishes in Reading, in good name and fame,
the full term of five years at the least, for her help and
performance in marriage, but every fifth year the maid to
be chosen from Southcot. Also los. to the parson of St.
Lawrence for his sermon on Good Friday, and that after
sermon, there be 2Os. given to the poorest householders in
the said parish of St. Lawrence who shall accompany that
maid to whose lot the 20 nobles fell to her dwelling house.
Also 3-y. 4/ to the ringers : Also 2Os. parcel of the lot. to
60 poor people of St. Mary's parish, and 6s. to 24 poor of
St. Giles'. Lastly, the clerk of St. Lawrence's, and the
youngest churchwarden, to have 3^. ^d. apiece to join with
the minister, by direction of the mayor in the distribution
of the io/."
By a codicil annexed, the testator declares his intention
that the mayor and corporation should reserve 2OO/. arising
out of several rent-charges before given them, during
several leases, to be employed in purchasing and pulling
down the middle row of houses between the " Pump" and
the " Cage," in order to enlarge the market-place. Then
at the end of another seven years the corporation was to
receive another hundred pounds of the rents and profits of
the lands mentioned in the will, to " buyld a very faire
walk under the south side of St. Lawrence's Church in
Reading, ten foot broad at the least, and in length from
the churcJi porch to the west end of the belfry."
In the year 1613 the 2OO/. were applied in removing the
tenements in the market-place; and in 1620 the church
walk was built, which cost 28/. 19^. more than the i8o/.
which he had left for that purpose. (Coates' " Reading.")
One of the houses removed from the market-place in
accordance with Mr. Blagrave's bequest belonged to the
152 MONUMENTS.
church, and at a. meeting convened on the 2nd August,
1612, it was decided that the mayor and corporation should
erect another house in the parish for the church, " with brick
chimney and lofts as habitable, and of the same value to
the church as the one to be taken down."
On a white marble monument :
" To the Memory of
Charles Fanshawe, Esq.
Rear Admiral,
who died February 16,
1757,
Aged 57 years."
(Now in the tower.)
On a white marble tablet :
" Near this place
are deposited the remains of
ROBERT WALSHAM, Esq., who died Nov. the n th , 1791,
Aged 72.
Also of
ANNA WALSHAM, who died Sept. the i6 th , 1792,
Aged 74.
To the memory
of their truly honoured and beloved Parents
this grateful Tribute
was placed here by their children,
Anno 1797."
On a white stone near the belfry :
" In memory of
William Spencer
late organist of this parish
who died April 3 d 1782,
Aged 58 years."
(In the tower.)
On a white marble tablet against the north wall :
MONUMENTS. 1 53
"Hie
ubi excessit e vivis,
requiescere voluit
quod mortale fuit
GULIELMUS KEATE
de Wellia
in agro Somerset, M.D.
Probitate
lit annis venerabilis ;
Ob. Sept. 10. A.S. 1790.
JEtst. 8 1."
IN THE SOUTH AISLE,
On different flat stones, are the following inscriptions :
" Here lieth the body of Elizabeth, the wife of Captain
George Purdon, daughter of the Rev d D r Samuel
Bishop and Penelope his wife, who departed this
life the II th day of Sept. 1708, aged 29 years ; as
also three of her children ; viz. Penelope, Samuel,
and Alicia Purdon : as also the above mentioned
Penelope Bishop, widow. Ob. 9 th Jan. 1716, aetat.
7L" '
"Near this stone, in a vault 8ft. by 4, situated n feet
from the south wall, lyeth the body of M r8 Jane
Whiting, who departed this life April io th , 1745.
Here also lies M rs Mary Love, who had a faculty
for this vault ; and died Sept. 27, 1777."
(Now in the tower.)
Here lie the bodies of two maiden sisters ; M rs
Elizabeth Reeves, aged 58, who died in S fc Mary's
Parish, Oct. 23. 1743 ; M rs Margaret Reeves aged
55, who died at Caversham the .... day of
January following/'
" Here lieth the body of M r Benjamin Pocock Surgeon
and Apothecary of this parish, who departed this
life July 11, 1755, aged 33 years.
This modest stone, what few vain marbles can,
May truly say, ' Here lies an honest man.' "
154 MONUMENTS.
" Here lies the body of M" Elizabeth Milbourne the
daughter of Captain Milbourne and Elizabeth
his wife, who died Jan. 10, aged 12 weeks and 14
days."
On a black marble gravestone :
" To the memory of
M r John Wilcock Druggist,
who exchanged this life for a better
April 24, 1776
aged 62.
Also of M rs Mary Wilcock
wife of the abovementioned
who departed this life
March 8, 1777,
in full assurance
of a blessed immortality
aged 61.
Likewise to the memory of
Mary Marshall,
niece of the above M rs Mary Wilcock
who died May 7, 1787
aged 27."
" Here lieth the body of Richard Piggot, son of
Richard and Hannah, \vho departed this life May
30, 1703," &c. (defaced).
"To 1 the memory of M rs Sarah Elkins, relict of M r
Robert Elkins of London, who after a well spent
life here, exchanged it in hopes of a better on the
22 d of June 1774 in the 8 5 th year of her age."
(Now in the S.W. angle of the tower.)
" In memory of M r French, Chymist of this parish,
who died June 5 th , 1770, aged 30.
" Also George Peter French, son of the above, who
died January 8 th 1783 aged 13 years."
" Here lieth the body of Joseph Irving who departed
this life Jan. 13 th 1773 aged .... years."
MONUMENTS. 1 55
"John Rowland died Jan. 4 th 1784, aged 74 years."
" In memory of M r Thomas Garrard who died February
7th, 1773, aged 50 years."
"Also of his son George Garrard, who died the II th of
Dec. in the 17 th year of his age."
(Now in the tower, almost obliterated.)
" In memory of M r Peter Hansell, who died March
13 th , 1772, aged 65 years."
" Sacred to the memory of M r Simmoneau Pine, of
Bath, whose virtues, and spirit to exert them,
gained him the love of all who knew him. He
died at Reading 23 rd of August 1772, aged 49."
BETWEEN THE AISLES.
" In memory of Thomas Sentence who died April 9 th
1781, aged 12 years."
IN THE NORTH AISLE
are several flat stones with the following inscriptions :
" Here lieth the body of Thomas Awberry. He died
May 2o th 1741, aged 69 years.
" Near this place lieth Elizabeth his wife and 6 of
their children."
(This stone now lies under the north arch of
the tower). Coates writes (1802) : "This epitaph
now appears on a large flat stone on which were
figures of a man and woman : and near it is
another stone on which were the figures of a man
and woman, with several small inscriptions, and
in each corner an escutcheon of arms." This
latter the author believes to have been the me-
morial of Thomas Clarke, Hosier, c. 1475.)
156 MONUMENTS.
" Thomas Flory died April 25, 1736, aged 3 years and
2 months.
" Thomas and William Flory, twins ; William died
June the 5 th , and Thomas died the 7 th , 1741.
" Thomas Flory died Nov. 13, 1746.
" In memory of Deborah Flory, daughter of Thomas
and Elizabeth Florey, who died March 22, 1763,
aged 20 years. Also Elizabeth Flory wife of
Thomas Flory, who died March 20, 1780, in the
76 th year of her age. Likewise the said Thomas
Flory, who died Dec. 7 th 1780, in the 78* year of
his age."
" In memory of M r William Halifax, late of this Parish,
Surgeon, who died May 9 th 1756, aged 35.
" Also of M r Thomas Halifax who died March 3, 1789,
aged 62 years.
" Likewise of Margaret Halifax, daughter of Thomas
Halifax, who died October 13, 1789, aged 25
years."
" Here lie the remains of Mary Pitman, wife of Edward
Pitman of London who departed this life March
24 th 1773, aged 46 years." Amos iv. 12.
" In memory of John Aris, gent. Died Jan. 19* 1790,
aged 8 1 years."
" Also of M rs Mary Johnston. Died June 5, 1791, aged
63 years."
" M rs Anne Jacob died May the 2 nd 1797, aged 77
years."
" In memory of M r James Quarrington, who was Mayor
of this Corporation. He died A.D. 1714. Also
Anne his wife, died A.D. 1758. Likewise in
memory of M r Thomas Rootes, he died A.D. 1754.
Susannah the wife of the above Thomas Rootes
died the 5 th day of June, 1763, aged 63 years."
MONUMENTS. 157
" Here lie the remains of Elizabeth the wife of
J. Hooper, Surgeon, of this Parish, who died
Jan. 20, 1761, aged 31."
"Robertus Robinson, ob. 29 Mar. 1776. JEt 41.
John Cole. John Godfrey."
Kitty White died March 9 th 1765, aged 10 months.
Harriet White died Jan. 24 th 1773, aged 19
months."
"John Hocker died Jan 25, 1737, aged 4 years and a
half. Thomas Hocker died Oct. 3 rd 1737, aged
8 weeks."
(In the tower.)
"John Colly died May .... 1743 aged two years
and three months/'
" Here lieth the body of M rs Anne Pedley widow. She
departed this life the 2 nd Dec. 1788, aged 53 years."
(In the tower on N. side of doorway.)
" Here lieth the body of Mary Godfrey daughter of
.... Blagrave of Bulmarsh Esq. by Elizabeth
his wife, and relict of M r John Godfrey, citizen of
London. Also her son and daughter, John and
Elizabeth. She died June 13, 1738, aged 55
years : her son, Jan. 3, 1738, aged 22 years : and
her daughter in March 1736, aged 18 years."
THE FOLLOWING INSCRIPTIONS WERE REMAINING AT
THE TIME OF ASHMOLE'S VISITATION :
On a marble gravestone :
"tot* JP ammatow lojmmus gate to <rl*, tt
30|}nms toe, torii jstowti faratu to
, *t 0mnmra Mwnt Muwrtaiu,"
(This brass is lost.)
158 MONUMENTS.
Inventory of 1517 " It. a nother Antiphoner w fc full
legend of the gifte of S r John Serne su tyme
vicar ther, the ij de lefe begynnyng [sacerdos
ponat.]"
" It. a chesible w* thapp'ell of red silk suspend w l
ires (letters) of gold $ & & of the gifte of
John Serne."
(See Vicars.)
On a marble gravestone in the chancel :
jit jarct goljanties $ient wmita unjmsis fre
; : it gutana: u^'0r MUS. uantnt animabas
" It. a cope of cloth of bawdekyn w l birdis & floures
of gold of the gift of John Kent."
" It. a sewte of red cloth of bawdekyn w* birds &
floures of gold, of the gift of John Kent."
(Inventory, 1517.)
In 1410 he gave 13.?. towards the re-roofing of the
church. He died about the year 1415.
Mr. F. J. Baigent in his article on " Sheriffs' Seals," in
the " Herald and Genealogist/' states that " This John
Kent occurs as plaintiff in an action in the borough court
of the City of Winchester held 20 Jan, 1405-6." " Johannes
Kent de Redyng, Mercer, quaerens."
He supposes him to have been the grandfather of the boy
commemorated by a small brass in the chancel of Head-
borne Worthy Church, near Winchester, thus inscribed
facet gjofjannts 2tent quondam
jBLobt (Eollegu toe SStgnc^tstre r films gbtmonfs
latent fcc l&c&pnge cu jus anfme propfcfetur Ueus."
He was admitted as a scholar on the 23 Aug. 1432, and
died Aug. 31, 1435.
Simon Kent was mayor of Reading in 1430. In 145 1 he
sued John Kyrkeby " maryner " of Southampton for a debt
of 8/. This can hardly be the John Kyrkby who was
mayor of Reading in 1427, 1429, 1432 and 1434, and whose
name occurs among the subscribers to the church in 1440.
MONUMENTS. 159
Nicholas Kent was C.W. in 1501; his wife, Joan, died
1503-
John Kent's father (? Nicholas) died 1508, and his wife
1509. He was C.W. in 1515.
Symonds thus describes this monument
" A flat stone on the north side of the chancel : the two
demy pictures of a man & woman : old text."
This brass has been recently taken from the floor and
attached to the south wall of the chancel for its better
preservation. The almost defaced portions of the engraving
have been restored under the author's supervision.
On a brass plate fixed in a gravestone :
" f^ert liet!) frorfefc tfje fcoty) of 3ic!)aift (Eoofce, 23urpss
of UUa&inej ; anfc tfje fcotu'es of Julian !)fs forife, antr
(SBfctoartr !)ts son ; ifje sato Ifttcfjarfc famg burfcU
3Januarg 28, 1587."
(Lost.)
On a brass plate fixed in a gravestone :
44 fm lietl] paster fiestas glow s0mets, v nelTasfet 0f
grts, snif late 0itar 0f tty pris^ t$m\ 0f St
Qt toliitl] toasA % last bag 0f
iit tire gtaw of 0r Sorb
(Lost. See Zw/ of Vicar si)
On a brass plate fixed in a gravestone under the figure
of an ecclesiastic in his habit :
for tfje soul of ^tr 3ftfcf)ar& plcofe, Blaster in
girts, late fellofo of ^eio OToIIcge, in xfbrtr, fo^c
trectastti tfje fourth bag of april tfie gear of our
HortJ 1504."
(William Wylock was one of the subscribers to the
restoration of the tower in 1458.
160 MONUMENTS.
1504-5. "It. rec. of John Wylcox at the burying of
M. Richard his son for the grete bell xij d ."
" It. for wast of torchis the same tyme ij s .
"It. rec. of John Wylcox at the month mynde of
M. Ric' his son for the grete bell xij ( V >
1507-8. "It. rec. for John Wylcox grave & for leying
of the stone on ]> same grave vij 8 vj d ."
This John was a " chaundler and ffishemonger/' and a
member of the "Mass of Jesus." See Will of Kelsall.
1507-8. " It. payed for the leying of the nibble stone on
the grave of John Wylcox & for removing of a
nof] m] ble stone & for the leying of ]? e stone
on Sir John Styrys xx d ."
1510-11. "It. rec. for the g a ve of Harry Wylcox &c.
vijMjV.
His wife died the same year.
1517. Inventory. " It. a cope of white Damask tissue w*
orfrey of crymysyn tissue of the gifte of Christian
Wilcox."
1515-6. "It. rec. for the grave of Christian Wilcox
vj s viij d ."
" It. rec. for the grete bell for the same xij d ."
" It. rec. for the couing of the same grave vj d ."
(This brass is unfortunately lost.)
On another plate, under the figure of an ecclesiastic :
jactt Bomtnus SSJillidmus (SrolUorc ponfcam
btcarius ^anctt Uauunlu to Hctigng : tt IDominus
5>of)annes ^ampforir, quondam btcartus ^ancti
(Sgftiu: <jut qufoem SSlilItclmus oJwt penulttmus
tote mcnsfs iBatf anno Brit
Capt. Symonds, in 1644, thus describes this memorial :
"A small stone neare the south dore of the chancel w th
2 pictures, ut supra?
(This brass is also lost.)
On a plate fixed in a gravestone lying near the south
entrance into the chancel was this inscription :
MONUMENTS. l6l
<n ^fjomas ^justice Quondam pi remat istutf
^emplum, sufc gelfto conch'tur toe tumulo.
Bum bixt't, CDijustt cultor futt optimus flfe,
&acrt mgstcru berus amator erat.
(Eufus nunc ammo concecfas (JDlmste ilMcmptor
Jttollittr m gremto posse laterc tuo.
p^ic fcie 3J anuar " 12, gto 1535
Jjt'em claustt extremum."
(Lost. See Altars and Wills.}
" On a large flat stone in y e church neaxt the chancel, in
the middle yle, the picture of a man between 2 women."
(Symonds, 1644.) Of the position of this same monument,
Ashmole writes, " In the upper end of the body of the
chttrch near the entrance into the north side of the chancell,
on a brass plate fixed in a gravestone was the following
inscription :
(It must have lain close to the north pier of the chancel
arch. C. K.)
"fit irat Millms funt pmhm Uaior iilU
*t glitia tt |sahlla mom* ms
illiits obiit bj Me m dobris
tos,
(This inscription was remaining in 1860, when the
author took a rubbing of it. It has since been abstracted.
The above inscription has been carefully copied from the
fac-simile then taken : it is contained in three lines : the
asterisks mark their termination. The old ledger of grey
marble, showing the matrices of a man between his two
wives with an inscription beneath their feet, now lies under
the eastern arch of the tower. In the centre of the upper
part of the slab is a quadrangular matrix measuring about
six inches by five. There are indications of a corresponding
one near the bottom of the stone.
William Hunt was one of the principal subscribers to the
M
1 62 MONUMENTS.
work done to the church in 1440-1. His gift is entered 1
thus :
" Et de vj s viij d r. de dono Wtfii Hunt."
He was Mayor of Reading in 1436, 1437, an d 1446.
On the south side of Edward Butler's monument on a
brass plate fixed in a marble gravestone :
"f^ere Igetf) Sbpbbel Sbtabtrton fogfe of
Sbtaberton, (tat, fofto ItbriJ Sere on tartf) in fjonest
Igfe, anij in goofc fame, anti mate a most gootrlg anfc
fattMul cntr, fcofjo Irtparttli tin's Igfe tfje 14^ of
1583."
(Lost.)
On a brass plate in a gravestone in the body of the
church :
(Lost.)
Of this memorial Symonds writes :
" Upon a large flat stone inlayed w th brasse the 2 small
pictures worne & taken away, this inscription though almost
worne away. . . . This is in the middle yle of the church."
"There are divers more flat stones adjoyning, but y e
brasses are stoolne away when y e Roundheads possessed the
Towne 1643."
flfeofcern
Erected since the publication of Mr. Coates'
" History of Reading."
On the east wall of St. John's Chapel, within a quasi-
Gothic frame of freestone :
MONUMENTS. 163
" Sophia, the only child of James Tompson Esq of
Peterborough wife for 52 years of Thomas Ring
Esq M.D., Born Nov. 3 1768. Married Nov. 26,
1787, died May 17 1848 in her 8o th year."
Near this, but on the north wall, is a large memorial to
Thomas Ring,M.D., stating that he was born at Basingstoke,
Feb. 3rd, 1761, and that he exercised his profession for 50
years. He was one of the founders and principal supporters
of St. Mary's Chapel, and essentially contributed to the
establishment of the Reading Dispensary and the Royal
Berks Hospital. He died 27th June, 1840.
A little to the west of this, on a white marble slab
within a Gothic frame of freestone :
" To the Memory of
the Rev d John Ball, B.D.
Vicar of this parish
presented to the living by
St. John's College, Oxford.
Died Dec. 17, 1865, aged 66.
This tablet is erected by
parishioners and other friends in
grateful recognition of the value
of his faithful testimony as a
minister of Christ, while Vicar of
this parish for more than 30 years."
Heb. ii. 10.
On a brass plate beneath the former :
" To the Glory of God and
in loving memory of
the Reverend Peter French, M.A.
for 47 years Vicar of the Parish of
the Holy Trinity, Burton on Trent,
who died at Reading, Feb. 14, 1878,
aged 78.
In this church of St. Lawrence he was
married, and here received his last Communion
upon the occasion of the Mission.
Feb. 12, 1878."
Psalm Ixxiii. 23.
M 2
1 64 MONUMENTS.
On the respond of the arcade within St. John's Chapel
in the S.E. corner:
" Sacred
to the memory of
William Wise, D.D.
for twenty one years
the resident Vicar of this Parish,
and
fifteen years minister of Hurst,
where his mortal remains are deposited.
He died 14 October 1833,
aged 64 years."
" Sacred to the memory of Katherine, wife of Henry
Deane, Esq., who died 21 Nov. 1836, aged 60
years. Also Henry Deane, Esq., who died 13
Dec. 1855, aged 75 years."
The vault is 5 ft. on the north side of the com-
munion rails.
On a brass plate on the south wall of the chancel :
" In memoriam
*
John Moss
for 40 years a member of this choir,
died March 25, 1880,
aged 73 years.
' Lord, I have loved the habitation of Thy house.' "
On a brass plate, formerly fastened to the floor of the
south stalls in the choir, and designed to mark the resting-
place of some whose monuments lay beneath :
REV. W. T. M. WEBSTER
MIRIAM WEBSTER
MARY HUGHES
ELIZABETH ELLY
Attached to the staircase of the tower within the nave is
a monument of Caen stone, with a fine effigy, life-size,
habited in academical costume, and standing beneath a
canopy. Beneath is the following inscription :
MONUMENTS. 165
" M.S.
Ricardi Valpy, S.T.P.
qui
Scholas Readingensi
annos L amplius prefuit, &c.
In Christo decessit
Londini
V. Kal. Apr. M.DCCC. XXXVI
^tatis LXXXI.
et in coemeterio suburbano
juxta viam Harroviensem
sepultus est."
MURAL MONUMENTS IN THE NORTH AISLE.
In a vault on the north side of this church in which
Elizabeth, relict of the late Joshua Loring, Esq.,
is buried, lie also the remains of Eliza Loring,
their only daughter, who died the 24th of
January, 1860, aged 88."
On a brass plate beneath a window-sill :
" In memory of Richard Prichard Smith M.D. Fellow
of the Royal College of Physicians, who for many
years practised in this town, and died Oct. 7, 1867,
aged 72 years. Of his wife. Eliza, daughter of Peter
Breton, Esq. who died Nov. 19, 1833, aged 45 years.
And of their children Arthur who died March 17,
1844, aged 17 years, and Frederick, Emily, and
Eliza, who died in infancy. Also of Katherine,
second wife of the above R. Prichard Smith, and
daughter of Sir Nathaniel Dukinfield, Bart, who
died June 27, 1872, aged 83 years."
In the tower, on the floor at the entrance, and nearly
obliterated :
" Sacred to the memory of
Joseph Palmer
who departed this life
the 15 th of May 1802,
aged 75 years.
1 66 MONUMENTS.
M rs Elizabeth Palmer
wife of the above,
who departed this life
October 17, 1809,
aged 60 years."
Arms A lion rampant with three estoils in chief :
impaling ( ?) with a bar in chief. (Not
mentioned in Burke's " Armory.")
On the south wall of the tower :
IN A VAULT NEAR THIS PLACE
ARE DEPOSITED THE REMAINS OF
JOHN BLANDY ESQR.
WHO DIED MAY 28TH, 1821
AGED 6 1 YEARS.
ALSO OF
MARY HIS WIFE
WHO DIED APRIL 4TH 1802,
AGED 42 YEARS.
SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF
ANNE ELIZABETH
WIFE OF MR WILLIAM BLANDY
WHO DIED JUNE 9, 1830
AGED 33 YEARS.
ALSO OF
MARY
WIFE OF THE REVD. F. J. BLANDY
WHO DIED JULY 25 1837
AGED 41 YEARS.
SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF
RICHARD BINFIELD
ORGANIST OF THIS CHURCH
DURING THIRTY FIVE YEARS
WHO DIED 28TH DECEMBER 1839,
AGED 73 YEARS.
THE ZEAL AND TALENT WITH WHICH HE DISCHARGED THE
DUTIES OF ORGANIST, THE AFFECTIONATE CARE WITH
WHICH HE TRAINED UP A NUMEROUS FAMILY IN THOSE
MONUMENTS. l6/
PATHS OF INDUSTRY AND RELIGION IN WHICH HE HIM-
SELF DELIGHTED TO WALK, HIS PIETY TOWARDS GOD,
HIS BENEVOLENCE TOWARDS HIS FELLOW-CREATURES, AND
THE RECTITUDE WHICH MARKED HIS CONDUCT IN ALL
THE SOCIAL RELATIONS OF LIFE, PROMPTED HIS NUMEROUS
FRIENDS SPONTANEOUSLY TO ERECT THIS TABLET IN TESTI-
MONY OF THEIR GREAT RESPECT AND ESTEEM FOR HIS
MEMORY. HIS REMAINS ARE DEPOSITED ON THE SOUTH
SIDE OF THE ADJOINING CHURCHYARD.
On an oval plate of white marble :
"THOMAS WEST Alderman, died 23 rd of April 1803.
aged 55 years."
" MRS. ELIZABETH HAGGARD died I st May 1822 aged
6 1 years/'
" MRS. ANNE BLANDY, relict of JOHN BLANDY Esq.
and formerly widow of the above named Thomas
West died 4 th of January 1835 aged 76" years."
" Mary Francis, wife of Capt. M. Andrews only
daughter of T. S. Salmon M.D. died at Hastings
March 7 th 1824. Capt. M. Andrews, of His
Majesty's 44 Reg fc died at Llandaur in the East
Indies 21 July 1830."
" Martin Annesley Esq. Senior Magistrate of this
Borough died 29 June 1822 in his 82 nd year."
"Thomas Stokes Salmon M.D. died April 3O th 1827."
"Lancelot Austwick Esq. died 22 Feb. 1829 in his
78 th year."
" Henrietta Venua died Nov r 3 rd 1824 aged 43 years."
(The stone which covered her grave is now in the
vestry.)
1 68 WILLS.
Wills.
ttbe Mill of 1benr? IReteall. 1493.
(Somerset House. Reg. "Vox." fo. 5.)
3n tbc flame of (Bob. Hmen. The xij d aye of
the Moneth of Novembr in the yere of cure lorde JJ)U
M.cccc.lxxxxiij, I Henry Kelsall of Redyng of the Dioc. of
Sar' Clothyer, hole and sounde the mynde, not being syke
the body, and in my last days not knowing seke, make my
p'sent testament trypartited in this maner : ffyrst I bequeth
my soule to Almighty God and to our Lady saynt Mary
and to all the saints of heven, and my body to be buryed
in the parisshe chirch of Saint Laurence of Reding afore-
said on the North parte of the Avvter of If)U ther. Item, I
bequith to the Cathedrale chirch of Sar' xij d . Item, I
bequeth to the high Awter of Saint Laurence chirch aforsaid
for forgoten Tythis, and evyll tythed xiiij 8 iij d . Item, I
bequeth to the operacions of the saide chirch xx s . Item, I
bequethe to the operacions of the chirch of sainte Marys
in Redyng aforsaid xx s . Item, I bequeth to the operacions
of saynt Gylys chirch there xx e . Item, I bequeth to the
ffriers Minours there, xx s . Item, I give to Thomas Kelsall
my brother all that same my landis and tentis Rentis
Reversions and s juices with all thaier appurten a unces sette
and lying w fc in the Burgh of Reding forsaid. And also
all that same my two tentis with thaier app r ten a nes sette and
lying in the Town of Southampton which tentis w fc thaier
appten a ncs late were of Thomas Payne of the saide Town
of Southampton, and after, of Roger Kelsall, Brother of me
the said Henry, and now been myn the saide Henry : and
in oon of the same ij tentis now dwellyth oon John
Bawdewyn, and in that other tent now dwellyth in oon
Thomas Crassewell. Also all that same my lands and
tentis Rents rev'sions and s*l vices medows pastures and
lesures w l thaier app'tenaunces sette and lying in the He of
Wyght in the Countie of Southampton in the parisshe of
Whyppyngham there. And also all that same my grove
or wood lying in the Countie of Southampton w l his
apptten a nces in the parisshe of Bramley in the saide countie
WILLS. 169
called Stertwood there. To be had and to be holde all the
foresaide Lands and tehtis &c to the saide Thomas
Kelsall and to the heyres males of his body lawfully be-
gotten," &c. (Then he appoints that if Thomas die without
issue the real estate should go to the next heir male of the
kindred of the said Thomas, but should this utterly fail,
then he wills that the said lands and tenements) "holy
shall remayne to the x personys as underwritten and
named maynteners and susteyners of thaier devocion of
the Masse of IJiu kept and songen in the parrishe chirch of
Saynte Laurence in Reading aforesaide : that is to say
now in the firste Richarde Cleche, draper, John Baxtster,
tanner, John Langham, iremonger, Stephen Dunster,
draper, Rauff Myllington, clothyer, William Tru yoman,.
John Wylcokks, chaundler, and ffisshemonger, and William
Scochon, draper, with Richard Smyth gent, and John
Twytt oon of the deuocyoners and maynteners atte first
of the saide Masse of Ifiu. And I myself the said Henry
beying fyrst Mynder Susteyner and Mayntener of my
devocyon of the Masse of Ihu as all these forsaide persons
wele knowen and vnderstonden. To be had and be hold
all the forsaid lands &c. to the x persons forsaid mayn-
teners and susteynors of the Masse of Iliu and to theyre
successors, but if any of these now premises and tents be
allowed to become ruinous then" (he bequeaths them) " to-
the churchwardens of our Lady Chappell of Knottysford
in the Countie of Chesshire and to their successors on con-
dition (under payne of forfeture) that they shall keep a
yerely Obite or anniversary in the parisshe chirche of
Sainte Laurence aforsaide for the Sowle of me the said
Henry Kelsale, And for the soules of the which I the said
Henry am bounde to pray for, and for the sowles of all
cristen, to the value of xx s by the yere as by imperpetuyte.
And also by the oversight of the Curatt of the parisshe
chirch of Sainte Laurence forsaid, whosoever they be, for
the tyme being and that the said curat shall take and have
yerely for Dirige and Masses (this truly to be executed and
done) xx d for his labour.
Item, I will and charge that myn Executours shall see
that I may have a daylye p^lste to sing for me the
said Henry Kelsall in the parish chirche of Saint
Laurence aforsaid by the space of vij yere than next and
immediatly following after my decease, the said p jste to
have for the saide vij yere xl u good and lawful money of
I?O . WILLS.
Englond, which xl u shall rest in the hands of the saide
x personnys Maynteners and susteners of the Masse of
Iftu aforseid. Item, I will and charge that myn execu-
tours shall ordeyne a stone to be layd upon me the saide
Henry and my wife Agnes in the churche of Saint
Laurence aforseid to the some ofvi 11 xiij 8 iiij d and upon the
saide stone by the ousight of the said x personnys maynte-
ners of the mass of lfiu aforsaide A Reson of them to be made
upon the same stone such as God will indue them
to shewe and sett on. Item, I bequeth to the honoracion and
sustentacon of the Masse of lliu of my pper devocon, two
iny best Saltsalers of sylver and gilt, the oon coued,
and that other not coued, also two my best standing
cuppes gilt and coued both. Also my two best
Nutts that I have coued and gilted : xij sponys
of sylver w fc Wodewoses* vpon the knoppes and
gilted ; In this intent that the saide plate afore reherced
shall not be shewed ne lent out of the Rome of the
persons maynteners &c. of the Masse of Itiu, safe
only alwey the saide plate to be had in honoracon
.and worshipping of the saide susteyners &c. of the masse
of Iftu, and to euy of them if nede shall require kepyng
there place. Item, I will and charge that if it be so that
any of the plate forsaide, any parte or all, any lone of the
same to be layd owte of the Rome of the said x persons
maynteners &c., and so proved, that than I will that the
heires male whomsoever they be of the said Thomas
Kelsall holy shall claime again, and recover ageyn to thaier
singuler Avayles by this my last will &c. Item, I bequeth
to the Operacons of the Chauncell of Saint John of the
parisshe chirch of Sainte Laurence forsaid as to make dexts
there, and to the selyng of the same chauncell xx 11 . Item,
I bequeth to the chappell of Knottisford aforesaid xl u (to
provide a priest to sing his obit for seven years) which x 11
shall reste in the hands of the forsaid x personnys,
maynteners of the Masse of lliu, and by them to be
deluyered. Item, I bequeth to the mending of the way
betwene Reding and the Thele xl s , and for mendyng of
the way betwene Reding and Pangbo r ne xl s , and
betwene Reding and Shipping Myll xl s , and
.betwene Reding and Burghfield Brigge xl s , and
betwene Reding and Canruende xl s . Item, I bequethe for
* Wodewoses i.e, t wild men, or monsters.
Stall End. tfelealle iff- anno
p. 170.
WILLS. 171
the amending of the wey called the Ort lane next
to Redinge xl 8 . Item, I bequeth to xl maydens euy of
them vj 8 viij d . Item, I bequeth to euy godchild of
myne beying on lyve ij s . Item, I bequethe to Thomas
Grenewey my suant xl 8 . Item, I bequeth to
Henry Woodhatch my godson x 11 . Item, I bequethe to
the forsaide Thomas Kelsall my brother a payer of
Bryganders covered with velvett, a standerd and a salett.
Item, I bequethe to C pore men to euy of them a gown of
blak fryse p'ce of euy gown ij s ; they to be deluyered by
the discrecon of myn executours, and the saide x
personnes maynteners of the Masse of Ifiu. Item, I
bequethe to the chirch of Hendley vj s viij d . Item, I
bequethe to the chirch of Wokyngham vj s viij d . Item, I
bequethe to the church of Stratfieldsay vj s viij. Item,
I bequeth to the chirch of Stratfeld Mortemer vj 8 viij d
.... to the church of Burghfelde vj s viij d .... to
the church of Tylehurste vj s viij d .... of Selhampstede
Abbott vj s viij d .... of Tydmershe vj s viij d .... to
the parisshe church of Pangbourne vj s viij d .... of
Purley vj s viij d .... of Whitechurch vj s viij d ....
of Maplederh a m vj s viij d .... of Causham vj s viij 3
.... of Shyplake vj s viij d .... of Retherfelde
Pypparde vj 8 viij d .... of Lawrence Waltham vj s viij d
.... of Hurste vj s viij a .... of Swallowfelde vj 8 viij d
.... of Sonnyng vj s viij d .... of Shenyngfelde vj s
viij d .... of Wargrave vj s viij d .... of Sulham vj 8
viij d .... of Knottesford xx s .... of Rawsthorne
vj s viij d .... of Moberley vj 8 viij d .... of Overpever
vj s viij d .... of Netherpever vij viij d .... of Newe
Chapell in the Strete vj s viij d .... of Lymme vj 8 viij d .
Item, I bequeth to Margarett Bosden my sister xl 8 .
Item, I bequeth to Mawde Bosden her daughter xl s . Item,
I bequeth to Margarett Bosden sister of the saide Mawde
xl s . Item, I bequeth to euy soon of my brother Thomas
Kelsall xl 8 . Item, I bequeth to euy daughter of the
said Thomas xl 8 to Jonett Swynton my sister xl 8 to
Roger Swynton her son xl s to John Saunder my servant
xl 8 to Johne Broke my servant xl 8 . Item, I bequeth to
the mariage of Elizabeth Crantmore xl s . Item, I will and
charge that Charlys Kelsall son of my brother Roger
Kelsall shall haue xx 11 of lawful money of England, which
xx 11 was of the bequest of the said Roger his ffather, which
money also shall reste in the handes of the x persons
172 WILLS.
maynteners &c of the Masse of Iftu, into the tyme the said
Charles be of the age of xxiiij yere (unless they think he
would well dispose it). Item, I will and charge that Eliza-
beth Kelsall daughter of my saide brother Roger Kelsall
and sister of the said Charles shall have xx 11 which was of
the bequest of the said Roger her ffader until she be of age
to be married (the survivor of them to have the other's
share and in case of the death of both, then the wardens of
the Jesus Mass were to apply the4O/. for the benefit of their
souls).
" Item, I will and geve to Thomas Kelsall soon of my
saide Brother Roger Kelsall, a place callid the Tower, stand-
ing over the Sowth Gate in Hampton aforesaide, w* a
Skelyng without the wall there, and a long celar by the
Town wall agenst Goddes howse gate which Tower,
skelyng, and celar, late had the said Roger Kelsall my
brother of the dymyssions and grauntes of the Mayer of
Southampton and his brethren by lese of Indenture. Item,
I bequeth to the Mynchen* of Rumsey, whiche was the
daughter of the saide Roger vj marc. Item, I bequeth to
the Almeshowses in Redyng which wer of the foundacon of
John of the Larder, to euery of the same howses a couerlette,
price of euy of them ij s viij d . Item, to euery of the same
howses a pair of Shetis, price of every paier xvj d . Item, I
bequeth to euery of my Cosynnes sonnys and doughters
lawfully bigotton, betwene Thomas Madok of Knottesford
aforesaide, and Elizabeth my sister nowe being alive, to
euery of them xl s . I will and charge that a Tenour bell
to be made according to the iiij bellis that now hange in
the stepyll of Saynte Lawrence church of Reding aforseide
to the some of ( ). The scripture to be made aboute the
same bell ' Henry. The bell of Ifiu.' Item, I bequeth to the
sustentation of the forsaide Masse of Ifiu as aforsaid xl h .
Item, I bequeth to the making of the Gyldhall in Reding
when the said hall shall be new bilded xl s . It. I bequeth
to the daughter of William Swynton xl 8 . Item, I bequeth
to Margery Pastlewe vj 8 viij d . Item, I bequeth to Joan
Asshendon vj 3 viij d to Henry Sadelervj 8 viij d to the wif
of John Leche, Hatmaker, vj s viij d . The residue of all my
goodes I will that Thomas Kelsall my brother, and Rauff
Whyte of Wokynham whome I make joyntly myn executors,
that they may as God will give them grac to dispose of the
* Mynchen i.e., a nun. A. S. Minicen.
WILLS. 1/3
said residue to the pleasure of Almighty God, helth unto
my sowle, and my frendis sowles, and discharging of theire
conscience. These witnesses being present, Maister Rauff
Hethcote, Richard Cleche, RaufF Myllyngton, and William
True, with other at Reding the day and yere abousaide."
Proved at Lambeth some time during the months of
January and February 1493-4, which are the dates
of the previous and following probates.
Will of 3obn pcwmsar,
(Probate Registry. Reg. " Ayloofe," fo. i.)
3n tbe IRame of (Bob, Hmen* The XXVHJ Day
of June anno Dni MCCCCCxvij.
I John Pownsar of Reading in the Dioc. of Sar. Draper,
.... do make .... this my last wille &c. I bequeth
my soule &c. . . . and my body to be buried in the church
of saint Laurence in Redyng aforsaid before the awter of
Jlius there where convenient place may be had. Item, I
bequeth to the Church of Sarum iiij d . Item, I bequeath to
the sustentation and mayntening of the Masse of Jfius in
the said church of saint Laurence x 11 , to be paid in maner
and form folowing yf Isabell my wife lyve sole vnmaried
and contynue Suster paying yerely vnto the said masse
vj s viij d , then I will the said x 11 be paide vnto the Wardeyns
of the said masse to the vse of the said Chauntery and
masse immediatly after the decesse of the said Isabell my
wife, and if it fortune the said Isabell to mary or to leve of
the payment of the said vj s viij d yerely, then I wil that the
said x 11 be paide vnto the said wardeyns unto the vse of the
said Chauntry within ij yeres next and immediatly after,
but if it shall fortune her to mary or to leve of the yerely
payment of vj s viij d , Then I will that a prest being honest
and of goode conversation synge and say masse for my soule
in the said church of Saint Laurence by the space of one
hole yere next and immediatly after my decesse, and he to
have for his salary x marc. Item, I will that an obite be
kept yerely in the said church of Saint Laurence the space
of x yeres next and immediatly after my decesse, for my
soule and my frendes soules, expending thereon yerely
vj s viij d . Item, I bequeth to the sustentacon and mayn-
ten a unce of the masse of our Lady in the said church of
174 WILLS.
Saint Laurence, vj s viij d .... to every godchild alyve
xij d .... to William Hayton and Richard Stamp my ser-
vaunts, to every of them vj 8 viij d and a hosecloth. Item, I
bequeth to Isabell Barfote, Isabell Rose, and to Alice
Sparowe my servants, to every of them vj s viij d . I bequeth
to Isabell my wife all that my tenement with thappurte-
n a unce sett and lying in the High Strete of Redynge
bitwene the two bridgs there, betwene the tenement of John
Norris Squyer vpon the south parte, and the tent of the
Abbot and convent of the Monastery of Reding aforsaid
vpon the north parte, to have and to hold the same .... for
ever. I bequeth vnto the said Isabel my wife all that
tent sett and lyinge in Reding aforsaid in such place there
called Chese Rowe, that is to wit betwene the tent of John
Norris Squyer upon the Est parte, and the tent of the Abbot
and Convent of the mon. of Redyng aforsaid vpon the West
parte &c. After the decesse of the said Isabell my wife, I will
that the said tent remayne vnto John Barfote the elder and
to Richard his sonne and to the heires of the same Richard
lawfully begotten, and for lack of such yssue to John Bar-
fote the elder and of his heires, &c. and for lack of such
issue, I will that the said tent &c. by the Mayor of the
Borough of Reding and by the x brethren of the Masse of
Jftus of the church of saint Laurence aforsaid be solde (and
the proceeds disposed of according to their discretion) " for
the welthe of my soule, my wifes soule, and all Xpn soules."
(The rest of his goods and debts he leaves to Isabel his
wife, whom he appoints his executrix, and John Barfoot the
elder, the overseer of his will.)
Witnesses Thomas Justice, Vicar of Saint Laurence
aforsaid, Thomas Carpenterand William Edmunds.
Proved at Lambeth the 9th December, 1517.
Mill of ftbomas iplatts.
(Somerset House. Reg. "Blamyr,"fo. n.)
(Orig. in Latin, dated 24 August, 1522.)
Bitten. I Thomas Platts of Read-
ing in the Dioc. of Salisbury of sound mind &c. do make
my last will &c. in this manner. First I give my soul to
Almighty God and to the Blessed V. Mary His mother,
WILLS. 175
and to all saints, and my body to be buried in the church
of Saint Lawrence in Reading " in edicula Sancti Johanis
Baptiste." I give to the mother church of Salisbury 4 d .
It. I bequeath to the High Altar of the said church of St.
Lawrence for tithes and oblations forgotten, and to pray for
my soul 3 s 4 d . It. I bequ e ath to the light of the Holy Cross
" in alto" 2O d . I bequeath to the light of the Blessed
Mary the Virgin in the said church 2O d . I bequeath to
Agnes my daughter 5/. I bequeath to Joan my daughter
5/. The rest of my goods not disposed of, I give to pay
my debts and to Margaret my wife that she dispose for
the health of my soul as she shall think most pleasing to
God and most beneficial to my soul ; and I constitute
Margaret my wife my executrix.
" Et pro magna consideracioe quam habui in Waltero
Barton de Reading predict, constituo in supvisorem mei
hujus testamenti ea intencione q d ipe intendat et effectualit'
laboret circa reputacioem debitorum meorum &c. Hiis
testib5 dns Edwarduo Bowes curato de Braynford, Roberto
Sadler, Witto Wryght, Raynold de Reding pred. et aliis."
Proved at Lambeth 10 Nov. 1522.
Gbe Mill of IRicbarfc Befcowe,
Ffcar.
(Somerset House. Reg. " Hogen/' fo. 22.)
3lt 2>Cl nomine. Hmcn. The xv day of November,
in the xxvj yere of King Henry the eight the yere of our
lorde god a thowsande v c and xxxiij, I maister Richard
Bedowe vicar of Saincte Lauraunce in Reading of the
diocesse of Sar. in hole mynde and good Remembraunce,
lawde be to God, make my testament conteyning in hym
my last wille in maner and fourme as folowith. Ffirst, I
commende my soule to Almighty God, and to the holy
company of hevin, and my body to be buried in the chauncell
of sainct Laurence church in Reading beforesaid before the
ymage of Sainte Laurence at the aulter's end. Item, I
bequeth to the cathedrall churche in Sar. iij 8 iiij d to the
cathedral churche of Lincolne iij 8 iiij d to the cathedrall
churche of sainct David iij s iiij d to the reparacons of sainct
I ?6 WILLS.
Laurence church aforesaid xl s . Item, I bequeth to the
maynctenance of Jesu Masse in Sainte Lauraunce church
aforesaid vj s viij d . Item, I bequethe to the mainctenaunce of
our lady masse in the "same church vj s viij d .... to the
parrishe church of Lukenor xl s . Item, I bequethe to the
parrishe church of New Radnor a chalice price iij u ....
to Glawster churche a chalice price iiij mrc .... to Lan-
dewy abarargh a vestment of grene satten of burges ....
to the parish church of Borroth a vestment of grene satteyn
of burges. Item, I will that my executour finde and pro-
vide to my mother during her life all thinges necessary for
hir. Item, I will that my mother shal have during hir life
all the revenues profits and use of all my father's landes
&c. (He mentions his uncle Sir John ap Rice). Item, I
bequeth to the freers mynours in Reading aforsaid xl 8 .
Item, I bequethe to Richard Andro xl s and my gowne that
I were euy day w*oute the furre, and to his wife my shorte
gowne. Item, I bequethe to an honest preest iiij marks
sterling to singe two yeres at Sainte Martyns in Oxford for
the soules of John Powes and his wife and their benefac-
tours. Item, I bequethe to my brother at Godstow to be
praied for iij u to the poor people of Lewknor shortly after
his burial xl s . To the churches of Adwell, Weston, Asten,
Croway iij s iiij d each .... to my cowsen Lewes ap Rice
xx s .... to my cowsen David ap Iten xx s . Item, I be-
quethe all my bokes to All Sowlen College in Oxforde, &c.
Item, I bequethe to Sir John Maynforte for his labour and
for my monthes Dirige, x s . Item, I bequethe to an honest
preest to singe and pray for my soule one yere in Sainte
Laurence vj u xiij s iiij d . And I will the same preest to say
Placebo and Dirige and comendacon thrise every weke
during the said yere, w* Masse of Requiem on the morrowe,
and that to be doon suche dayes in the weke as myn exe-
cutour shall appointe, and the saide preest to synge longer
for me, if my goodes after my bequestes paid will further
extende. Item, I make and ordeyne maister Thomas ap
Howell my sool executour &c. Item, I make my lorde
Hugh Abbott of Reading and Dr. Gwent, Deane of the
Arches, my supvisors &c. and I geve to eche of them for
their labour a Riall of gold. Item, I bequethe to my aunte
that is blinde x 8 . Item, I bequethe to Saint Laurance
church in Reading aforsaid two of my new joyned stools
for their Rectours. In witness whereof I have sette myn
scale in the presence of these witnesses vnderwriten the
WILLS.
day and yere above written, Petir Shefforde, Davy
Williams, and John Mainforthe curat.
Proved at Lambeth 21 Jan. 1534.
Cbe Mill of William Watts.
(Probate Registry, " Hogen," fo. 28.)
3n tbe IRame of (Bob. Hmen. The first day of
July in the yere of our Lord God M. fyve hundred and xxxv.
I William Watts of the parishe of Sainte Laurence of
Readyng .... hole in mynd and of good remembrance,
laude be to God, make my testament in maner and fourme
folowing : ftirst, I coinende my soule to almighty God my
maker and Redemer, to our Blissid Lady saint Mary, and to
all the holy company of hevyn, and my body to be buried in
the parishe church of Saint Lawrance aforsaid before the
quere dore. Item, I will that there shall be bestowed at my
buriall amongst preests clerks and pour people, fyve pounds,
and in lyke maner at my monethes mynde fyve pounds.
Item, I will so shortly as can be after my deceas all my
debts to be paid .... and that to be doon w'out delaye,
which debts be written in my counting boke. Item, I be-
queth to the high awlter of Saint Lawrance in Reading
aforsaid for tythis & offerings forgotten vj s viij d . Item, I
will that an honest preest shall singe and say masse and
other divine services for my soule and all Xpn soules the
space of oon yere in Saint Lawrence aforesaid, and the
preest to have for his labour vj u xiij 8 iiij d . Item, I will that
Margaret my wife shall have all my three tenements w fc
the appurtenaunces that lyeth between the Vawte and the
George gate, and a parcell of arable grounde lying in
Whitle called the Clayepittes for terme of her lyf and after
her decesse to Henry Watts my cousin keeping an obite in
Saint Laurences churche for xx yeres next and imme-
diately following the decease of Margaret my wyf, to the
value of vj s viij d yerely. (To his wife Margaret he be-
queaths 2O/. with all his goods in his house in New Street,
except a gilt piece given to Thomas Knight as well 20
marks to bring up David his brother. To Richard Knight
5 marks. To William Knight 5 marks.) " Item, I bequeth
to the Reparacos of thornaments that belongith to the
brotherhode of Jesus Masse founded in Saint Laurence
N
I 78 WILLS.
churche aforseid five mrcs." (He bequeathed 40" to the Lady
Mass for the same purpose, to the reparations of the church
20 s , to St Mary's in Reading 6 s 8 d , to St Gyles 6 s 8 d ,
to the church of the ffriars Minours 6 s 8 d , to Wokyngham
church 2O S .) " To Rafe my sonne every yere 2O S ." (He
appointed a yearly obit to be kept for his soul in St. Law-
rence's so long as Margaret his wife should live, enjoining
her to bestow thereat yearly the sum of 4O S among priests,
clerks, and poor people. He constituted Richard Turner
and Henry Watts his executors.
Witnesses Water Barton, gent, John Vansbye, Robert
Watlyngton " and other moo."
Proved at Lambeth 13 Nov. 1535.
Mill of ftbomas Justice,
(Probate Registry, "Hogen," fo. 31.)
2>Ci IftOminC, Hmett. The xnij day of Decem-
ber the yereof our LordeGod athousand five hundred xxxv.
I Thomas Justice, Clerke of Readinge &c do make &c.
Ffurst, I commende my soule to Almightie god and to the
holly company of hevyn, and my body to be buried in the
pishe church of sainte Laurence in Readinge aforesaid
.... I bequethe to the pische church of sainte Maries in
Readinge aforesaid xx s .... to the pishe church of sainte
Gylys in Readinge aforesaid xx s Item, I bequethe to
Alice the wife of Thomas Sayntmonde a salte of siluer w fc
the couer pcell gilte and vj spones of siluer and a paier of
shetes .... I bequethe to every of hir children beinge
now alive and unmaried a siluer spone and fourtie shillings
in moneye and a pair of shets, and if any of them dye, than
their parte to be divided to the survivours brethren and
susters. Item, I will my two tenements lyinge in London
Strete to Richard my brother, kepinge therfor yerely in the
parish Church of saint Laurence an yerely obite for the
soules of his frendes and myne. The residue of all my
goodes aboue not bequethede after my detts paide, I give
and bequethe to Richard Justice my brother, and to Thomas
Sayntmounde, whom I ordeyne and constitute myne exe-
cutours to dispose the said residew to my poure kynnes
ffolks, and other poure people of sainte Laurence parryshe
aforesaide, and I give to eiche of them xx s for their laboure.
WILLS. 179
In witness wherof I have subscribed this with myne owne
hande the day and yere above written.
Proved the 27 of January,
1535-
Will of Walter Barton,
(Somerset House. Reg. "Dyngely," fo. 17.)
3n tbe IRame of (Sob, Hmen. i water Barton of
Radyng in the Dioc' of Sar' being in helth of bodye and in
good and parfite memorye ; thanks be to our Lord God, The
xxvij day of Octobre the yere of our Lord God a thousand
fyve hundreth thirty and sevyn, And in the xxix lh yere of
the reigne of King Henry the eight, make my testament
and last will in maner and fourme as folowith ffirst I
bequeth my soule to Almighty God, and to the suffrage of
his blissed mother our lady saint Mary, and to the suffrages
of all the holy company of hevyn, And my Body to be
buryed there where it shall please god to dispose for me
after the discrecion of myn executours. Item, I bequethe
to the Cathedrall churche of Sar' vj s viij d . Item, I be-
quethe to Sir John Maynfforthe vicar of Saint Laurence,
my Curat, in recompense of my tithes necligently forgotten
yf any be, and to pray for me xx s . Item, I bequeth to Sir
Thomas Lathum parson of Englefield to pray for me x s .
Item, I bequeth to maister William Symondes vicar of
Busselden to pray for me x s . Item I bequeth to Sir Wil-
liam Atkynson parson of Uffeton to pray for me x 3 . Item,
I bequeth to the Vicar of Shepelake to pray for me x s .
Item I will that there bs deliuered w*in six days after my
deceas to fourscore pore householders being charged with
Childeren w l in the towne of Radyng after the discrecion of
myn executours to every ofthemiij 3 iiij d . Item I will that
there be said and doon for my soule at my burying, and
as soon as may be doon conveniently, so it be doon at my
burying and at my monethes mynde and before, a thou-
sande masses. Item, I will ther be delte for me at my
burying and before my monethes mynde to poure people
dwellyng in the towne of Radyng to pray for me twenty
pounds after the discrecions of my executours. Item, I
bequeth towarde the mayntenaunce of the Masse of Jim
in the parisshe of Saint Laurence of Radyng vj u xiij 3 iiij d .
N 2
180 WILLS.
Item, I bequeth toward the mayntenance of the Masse of
our lady w l in the said church, thre pounds vj s viij d . Item,
I will that all such detts and sumes of money as be ex-
pressed hereafter in this quayre be truely contented and
paid as spedely as may be conveniently. Item, I will that
if there shall be hereafter any other detts or restitucons
claymed by any parsone, as I remembre me noon to be,
yet if it may appere to myn executours by any likelyhod
or coniectur that it shuld be, I will it shall be paide ....
Item, I give and bequeth to Alys my wife all my stuffe of
householde and all my plate except suche as I shall here-
after declare by this my will. Item, I bequeth to Griffith
Barton my nevewe oon salt of siluer, parcell gilt w l a couer
that is daily occupied on my borde, twelve spones of oon
sorte having knapps gilt w l this t r X in euery ende, and thre
litle cupps of siluer w l a couer that John Hart made to me
when he dwelled at Redyng. Item, I bequeth to William
Buryton my nevewe all my weryng gere. Item, I bequeth
to Alice my wife all the wares in my shop with the dettes
of the whole stock belonging to the same. Item where
William Buryton my nevewe for suche money as he hath
in the said stock and for his labour hath had before this
diverse yeres the fourth parte of the geyn of the said stock
and wares towarde his lyving, I will that after my decesse
yf he wyll and do contynue his occupying w l my said wife
and behave himself toward hir kyndely, that as long as
they can so agree together, that he shall have the third
parte of the geyn and profitte that shall yerely rise vpon
the occupying of the said stock that is to sey, all the profits
that shall growe and ryse vpon the said occupying to be
yerely rekened, and the thirde parte of the said encrase
and geyne to be deliuered to the said William And if they
cannot so agree, then I will there shall be deliuered to him
in Wares detts and redy money the thirde parte of all the
said stock and so to depte the other two partes to be at the
discrecion and will of my said wife to dispoase at hir
libertie, and if they doe contynue togither in so occupying
till my wife decesse, then I will the said William shal haue
the halfe parte of the said stock as well in wares, money
and detts : in euery thing the other halfe therof to be at
the libertie of my said wife to be disposed at hir pleasure.
Item, I bequeth to my said wife all such interest and leeses
as I have in the psonage of Shiplake in the ferme of Burwey
and in the porcon of the tithes of Synsh a m, soo always
WILLS. I 8 I
that as long as my nevewe William Buryton and she doo
contynue togither their occupying, I will he shall haue the
half of the profits of the same w* my said wife and the
hoole after hir deceas. And if they do not so contynue
agree and occupye togither, then I will the said William
Buriton shall have noo parte of the profits thereof but my
wife to have the hool profits during her lyfe And after
hir deceas, my nevewe Henry Barton to have the said
Leeses during the termes of the same.
Item, I bequeth to Thomas Buryton my nevewe
vj 11 xiij 8 iiij d . Item, I bequeth to euery of his Childern
being in lyfe vj s viij d . Item, I bequeth to John Buryton my
nevewe iij h vj s viij d , and to euery of his Childern being in
lyfe vj s viij d . Item, I bequeth to my nevewe John Blount
fourty shillings, and to eily of his childeren being in lyfe
vj s viij d . Item, I bequeth to Thomas Blount my nevewe
xl 3 , and to euery of his childern being in lyfe vj s viij d . Item,
I bequeth to Richard Blount my nevewe xl 8 , and to euery
of his childern being in lyfe vj s viij d . Item, I bequeth to
William Buryton my nevewe my leese that I have in the
psonage of Ash a mpsted to help to find his childern and to
bring them up. Item, I bequeth to my nevewe Griffith
Barton all my interest and Leese that I have in the Lord-
ship of Southstoke and the psonage of the same with the
indenture therof to his own propr use. Item, I bequeth to
the same Griffith Barton, to Thomas, Water, and Xpofer,
the sons of William Buryton, all such interest and Leese as
I have in the Lordship of Mykelton, and the parsonage of
the same, to take the profits therof when it shall com,
equally to be divided bitwene them foure, And he that doth
longest lyve to haue and enioy the hoole leese w* all the
profits of the same, and the indenture therof, and that Leese
not to be solde nor any part therof but to remayne as aboue
expressed w l out any alienacon of any parte therof till the
hole shall come to oon of the hands of the said foure
persons. And for suretie therof, I will the said indenture
shall remayn in the sauff custodye of the Maior and Bur-
genses of Redyng by indenture to be kept, and for the
custody therof assone as the terme of the said indenture
shall begin to take effect, I will the said Maior and Bur-
genses shall have yerely out of the same vj s viij d till the
said indenture shalbe deliuered as is afore written. Item, I
bequeth to William Buryton and to Thomas, Water, and
Xpofer, his three sonnes, all such interest as I have in the
l82 WILLS.
psonage of Cholsey, the profit therof to be equally devided
among them (the maior and burgesses to keep the indenture
as before) Ffor the custodie wherof, I will shall be yerely
deliuered to the maior and burgesses to thuse of their hall,
two quarters of good and sote (siveef) whete to be paid
yerely out of the said parsonage and deliuered at Radynge
w l in their said hall as long as the maior and burgenses
shall have the custodye of the said indenture. Item, where
I haue caused my recoverers of my manor of Ildesley to
make a leese w* me to William Buryton my nevewe of the
fferme of Hodcote for terme of certeyn yeres as appereth
by the said indenture, upon the whiche fferme I have nowe
a stocke of shepe to the nombre of thre hundreth thre score
and aboue, The which Leessees made of trust to myn owne
vse, I will and bequeth the same leese and the hole stock
thervppon to be disposed as herafter doth folowe : Ffirst I
will that my said nevewe shal haue the said fferme and the
hole stock vpon the same, and he to take the profits of the
same to thentent that w l the same profits he shall con-
tynually maynten the same stock as good as it is nowe,
and the rest of the profits to take to his owne vse toward
the keping of his childern till Alice his doughter shall come
to the age of mariage. And yf she be ruled in hir mariage
by hir said father then I wille she shal haue the said Leese
and the hole stock to hir said manage. And if it fortune
the said Alice to dye before she shalbe maried, or yf she
marye contrarie to hir fathers mynde, then I bequethe the
said leese and the hole stock to Thomas, Water, and
Xpofer, sonnes of the said William, the profits therof over
and beside the maynten a unce of the said stock as is afore
v/ritten to be equally divided amonge them, (but if these die
without issue) then I give and bequeth the same leese and
stock to my Cosyn Gruffith Barton." (He then constitutes
his wife Alice his executrix and William Buryton and
Robert Watlyngton his executors.) "And I bequeth to
the same Robert to helpe my wife in hir cawsis iij h vj s viij d ."
He gives the residue to his wife to be disposed for the
benefit of their souls according to her discretion. Witnessed
by Gruffith Barton, John Trumflet, and John Maynforth
vicar there.
Memorand. I bought my landes in Streteley in Jan :
2O Hen : viij, and sens my entre I dyd paye noo quyte rent
to my lord of Derbye, the whiche claymeth yerely out of it
xxxj s vj d . Item, I doo thinke in conscience I do owe to
WILLS. 183
paye yerely for such londes as I doo holde of hym in all
xvj 8 vj d . Item, certeyn londes there callid ' Goldhurds' is
holden of him by the yerely rent of viij s and a pound pep,
and of that londes William Ffrewen of Streteley hath all
the chief londes that he bought of William Watts of
Readyng, and yet I doo knowe I have parte of that londe,
but a great dele the lesse and worste parte, yet I can be
content to bere parte of the Rent ; And yf I bere yerely
iiij 8 I thinke it be w fc the largest. And yf I pay therfor
iiij s , then my hole rent to my lord of Derbye for all my
londes shalbe yerely xx s vj d . So I do owe them for oon yere
at Mich, anno xxi Hen. viij xx s vj d . and so to Mich, anno
xxvij. The hole sm a soo owyng vij 11 iij 8 vj d .
Memorand. I ought to have coihon in all my lords
Demaynes as apperith by my evidens of the graunte of
John Mohon one of my lords Auncestours and I am kept
from it. Item, my lord cawsid certen of my ten a unts and
seruants to be indyted of Ryott and of forcible entre for
pecible entre into two acres of myn owne grownde in the
Suth felde, and therupon ther was an accon taken agayn
them at the comen lawe and an Issue joyned, and my lord
will sue noo further, the fynes of the said judyments and
the costes in the suyte in the lawe in defence of my lords
wrong doon to me in that and in other accons tryed agayns
my lords ten a nts in repleyves and other, cost me aboue tenne
pounds : som recompence I wold I had, and yet, notwith-
standing the trouble and wrong that I haue had, if I may
haue and enjoy my comen and to haue my londes owt of
Waryans according to my right, I wolde my lord were
payde of his Rents being behynde, and so after con-
tynually. Item, John Clerk of Hagburn claymeth owt of
my londes in Sheprege xx d by the yere, yf he can shewe
me out of what londe it is dewe to be paid or any other
thinge to charge me by, I will he be paid. I am behynde
at Mich, anno xxvj I think vj yeres.
Detts to be paid by myn executours : ffirst I did receyve
of Leonard Rede Esquier more than my dutie by tenne
pounds towards that I lent him vpon a bill of his hande
obligatory tenne irirks and yet I owe him fyve mrks : I dyd
delyuer that fyve m a rks to my maister Englefelde to paye
him, and the other bill to be cancelled and he must dis-
charge me therof. I will it be paid of myn own conscience,
for I am in dowte whether he be paide. Item, ther is
owyng yet to Pangburn church to buy a Cope, of the
1 84 WILLS.
legacy of maister Leynham, xiij 8 iiij d . I haue ben in hande
w* the parishens to bye a cope and they do not. I will it
be doon and paid according to maister Leynhams will. I
will that money to be paid.
Probatum fuit &c. 16 die mensis
Maii AD. 1538. apud London &c.
IRobert Watlington, Clotbmafcer, made his win
6th Jan. 1541.
" Item, I bequeth to the high aulter in Saint Laurence
Church for tithes &c. forgotten, xx d . Item, to the Masse of
Jesus in the Church of Saint Laurence, xiij 8 iiij d . Item, to
the Masse of our Lady, x s . He bequeathed to his three
' childer' Nicholas, Alice, and Joan, 261. 13^. 4^. apiece. To
every servant in his house at his departing, 6s. 8<^. each. To
poor people at Warfield, 20.5-. He gave his real property to
Nicholas and his heirs. " It. I bequeath to Nicholas my
sonne my great goblet and my great Andyrons." The
residue of his goods he left to Elizabeth his wife.
Proved Jan. 3Oth, 1542.
Reg. "Spert," fo. 15.
3obn ftrumflet, fIDercer, gave to his sister Alice
Trumflet 5/. : to his sister Catharine Sowthy 5/. : to the
four daughters of his wife Alice, viz., Bridget, Elizabeth,
and Margaret, io/. each. To his son Richard 2OO/. to be
taken by 4O/. a year out of the debt of Richard Watlington.
To the same Richard he devised all his lands, &c. in Bin-
field, Reading, Arborfeld, &c., his wife Alice to enjoy the
rents during his son's minority.
He gave his best gown to his uncle William, his long
gown lined with chamlet to Thomas Southy, and his gown
of Kentish Russet to his cousin Robert Sheford, his
doublet of Damask to Will Watlyngton, his satin doublet
to John Gateley, and his chamlet jacket to Richard Mathew.
To Robert Style 61. He appointed Mr. Thomas Vachell
the elder the overseer of his will.
Proved 25 Sept. 1549.
Reg. " Hogen," fo. 38.
THE OBITUARY.
185
bituar^
A list of the names of those persons whose bequests, inter-
ments, and obsequies are recorded in the Church accounts
from the year 1410, down to the commencement of the
burial registers in 1605.
The persons whose names are marked with an asterisk
were buried within the church.
Anno 1410. Robert Beche bequeathed vj s viij d to the
Church.
1433-4. Ric. Glover bequeathed x s .
John Barton (butcher) bequeathed vj a viij d
to the Church.
Ric. Benton bequeathed iiij d to the Church.
Tho. Glover bequeathed j 8 viij d to the
Church.
Will. Lousse bequeathed j s viij d to the
Church.
John Markham jun r bequeathed vj s viij d
to the Church.
John Chapman bequeathed j*.
Thomas Cowper bequeathed vj d to the
Church.
1440-1. Thomas Hawe bequeathed iij 3 iiij d .
John Kayns bequeathed vj s viij d .
Ric. Hawkeley bequeathed iij 3 iiij d .
1441-2. Thomas Swayn bequeathed vj s viij d .
Amicia, mother of Tho. Clerke bequeathed
1498-9. Thomas Butler*. Webby 's wyfe. Henbury's
wife of Caversham. Alysaunder Prentyse*
wyfe. Thomas Payne. Boldys moder.
Richard Ades. Thomas Carpenter's wifes
moder*. Plecyes wife. Alysaunder Prentice*.
Hudson's wife. John Fuller's wife. Robard
Cavyes wife*.
1501-2. Sir John Hyde, vicar of Sonning*. William
Tru (or Trew)'s wife*. Isabel wife of
Rob. Sadler.
I 86 THE OBITUARY.
1 502-3. Harry son of Robard Prow. Lawrence Morton
gentyllman*. Roger Johnson's wife*. John
Crewse*. Thomas Platts* (see below). Sir
John Pymber (priest)*. John Long Master
of the Grammar school*. My lord Wod's
bequest 6 s 8 d . Thomas Rede*. Elizabeth,
wife of Harry Prow. William Hill.
(Elizab. his widow married M r Mayho).
Sir Will Symmys* (interred w* much
ceremony.) Will. Dodson*. William Watts.
Will. Harebotell. Will Hasyl wood's wife*.
" It rec d of Margaret Platts for a stone to cou
her husbonds grave xix ."
1503-4. William Dodson (Isabel his relict). Joan wife of
Nicholas Kent. Thomas Myryman's wife.
Tho. Turner's wife. Florence Rede* (Alice
Sharp paid the burial fees). Nicholas Kents
wife Joan*. William Hill (leaving Joan his
widow.)
" It rec. of Randall Kelsall for wast of Torchis
at ]? e yer mynd of Harry Kelsall x d ." (H.
Kelsall died in 1493.) John Higson's wife
left 8 d towards a Pax.
1504-5. Richard Wylcox* (son of John. See monts.)
Agnes wife of Lawrence Hill. Margaret
Nash's husband. Alice a Dene*. Agnes
wife of John Sharpe*. Thomas Bunting
fees p d by Symond Lamb. John Darling*
(father of John Darling C.W.). Anne Dar-
ling* "my moder" (i.e. of Jno. Darling
C.W.). Agnes, wife of William Watts.
Robert Prows wife*. John Love gave 6 s 8 d
to the church by will. White his executor.
1505-6. Helen Langham* fees paid by John Gryffyn.
William Hall* fees paid by his widow
Margery.
1 506-7. The husband* of Sybell Darling. Dancaster*
fees by his widow. John Arnold.
1507-8. Master Symeon. A kinsman of Sir Thorn:
Walssh. John Wylcox*. Will : Hether
fees by M r Cleche. The father of John
Kent. Thomas Hart*. Sir John Styry*-
fees paid by John Pouncer. Robert Prow*
fees by W m Lendall.
THE OBITUARY. iS/
1508-9. JohnGryke. John Vyncentt*. Will: Nettar*.
William Myllis*. John Kent's wife*.
Robert Burlei's wife. M r Rokys*. Colyar.
Cave*. Robert Dodson's wife*. Agnes
Darling*. Roger Graney*. Thomas Hart.
1509-10. Mestres Bereman. Nettar's wife. Edwards
of the Kinge's Stabull. ' Haselwood's
weyff. M r May*. Robert Dodson's kynnes
woman*. Harry Wylcock's wife*. Hasel-
wood* (the bellfounder).
1510-11. Nycholas Ward slv^t w* the Kyng*. Raufe
Mylyngton* " It. rec. for the great bell at
his berying, and duryng the monethe, and
at the moneth mynde, v s iiij d . William
Cobbe*. John Semper's wife. Rec d of the
greate Bell at Hasylwod's mynd xij d . Raw-
lyn's wife*. The wife* of John Turner,
baker. Harry Wylcox*. Ireland's wife*.
Sharpe's wife*.
1511-12. John Pastier*. John Semper. John Turner*
(his son Richard Turner paid the fees.)
1512-13. Andrew's wife*.
1 5 1 3-14. Alysaunder Wyld.
1514-15. Cony's wife. John Roke*. Roger Bryce*.
Will : Faryngton*. Will Leycet?*.
1515-16. Richard Turner's wife* Will. Lendall* (Will.
Knight paid for his year's mind in 1525-6.)
Philip Rysby's wife*. Isabell Hart*. M r
Watt's wife*. M r White*. Christian
Wilcox*. John Roke* (buried under the
seats). Richard Aman's wife*. Roger
Brice (bur d under the seate). Rich d Wryght,
baker, bequeaths 3 s 4 d to the church.
1516-17. Nicholas Kent. William Stamford* (a bene-
factor.)
1517-18. Ralph White of Okyngham. Richard Turner's
wife. Xpofer Spakeman's wife*. John
Pownsar* (see Wills}. Will. Layward*.
Whit (the bellfounder's) wife*.
1518-19. John Partriche*. John Molyners* (fletcher).
Robert Dodson's wife* (a dyer). Will.
Kenes wife*. John Lambs wife*. John
Lamb*. John Eton*. Will. Trewe* jun r .
Richard Goody ere's child* buried w* Dod-
I 88 THE OBITUARY.
son's wife. Randall Kelsall's moder* (no
fees charged for use of the bell see Bells
under 1515.)
1 5 19-20. Rob. Blake's wife*.
The great bell was usually rung for a knell,
and tolled for the month's mind, and
' terment,' or year's mind. The following
is the only exception :
1520-1. It. for Ryngyng at the t'ment of my lord
Abbott xij d (Thomas Worcester). Thomas
Barber*. Wrights wife. Sir John Riche-
mond* buried in St. John's chancel.
John Kent's wife. M r Carpenter*. Joan
Darling*.
1521-2. Roger Johnson's wife*. William Trewe*.
William Kene. John Gylman. William
Traunder the King's Slvant.
1522-3. John Buckworth's wife*. M res Smyth*. Henry
Horthorn* (see an account of his family
under Sepulchre Altar}. William Lasse-
ham*. Nicholas Kene*. Thomas Watts*.
1522-3. The vycar of Hakfeld. M res Dabscowrt Davye
Joons*. Thomas Tallyer*. John Whyt-
tygh a m. M res Vincent*. John Wynyet.
John Voyer's wyff*. Harry Carpen?*.
1523-4. Mr. Richard Cleche's wife.* " A straung' that
dyed at the george"*. John Johnson's wife.
Rich. Yeves wife. Mr. Everard's wife (died
some time before). John a Merkbye's
wife.
1524-5. John Paynter*. Isabell Lessham.* Will
Sadler*. Rec. for the grave of Mays?
Cletch* by his bequest x s , and for Knell
and Month's mind ij s iiij d . Mestres Dawson.
1525-6. John Goodgame*. Will. Fayrchild*. Rob. Dod-
son* (dyer). Robt. Dwight*. Margaret
Goodyere*.
"Gyven to the church by the same M'garett
a pott p'ce ij s v* 1 ."
Symson's wife.
1526-7. Margaret Weston*. Henry Currers wife*.
Rob. Lykley.* Will. Whytt.
1527-8. John Andrew's wife*. Thomas Everard*. Ni-
cholas Hyde*. Sir Will. Wryght*. Randall
THE OBITUARY. 189
Kelsall*. (no charge for his knell &c.)
Henry Horethorn's wife*. Will Coon*
(He appears to have executed all the more
delicate wood carving in the church c.
1520.). Ric. Wyers wife. John Andrew's
wife. John Cottelar.
1528-9. Thomas Symson*. Symon Lamb's wife*. Sir
Thomas*, (a priest.)
1529-30. Robert Medwyn's wife*. Ric. Chester*. John
Andrew's wife*. Nich Eves wife*.
1530-1. John Russel*. Lawrence Malt*. Ric. Foxley*.
Thomas Overthrow's bequest 4 d .
1531-2. M r Ffoster*. Xpofer Butler*.
1532-3. Agnes Vansby*. Agnes Coone* (see 1527).
M rs Margaret Hide*. Philip Riseby*.
Robert Philip.
1533-4. Ric. Eve*. Alice Paynter* widow. Sir Robert
Heth*. Als Watlyngton*.
1534-5 Simon Lambb*. Richard Barnes* bequeathed
vj s viij d . M r Richard Bedow, vicar*, be-
queathed 40". Nicholas Eve*. John An-
drewes wife. M r Will Watts*, bequeathed
xx 3 . (See Wills.}
1535-6. William Knight, bequeathed 6 s 8 d . Anne
Hodson*.
1536-7. Thomas Panter*. Roger Johnson's wife*. An-
teny Brygham. Als Smith*. Will. Smyth*.
John Masthalls wife. M r Whitton. Will
Smyth's wife*. Robert Watlyngton's wife*.
Sir Thomas Englefold, knight. Barnard
Gorffyn*. Margarett, servant to Ric. Dodge-
son*.
1 5 37-8. Walter Barton* Knyll xij d v
(" Rec. for the grave of Wa? Barton & Couyng
the same w l a stone vij s viij d .")
William Coke & his wife. Welsshe's wife.
Justynyan's wife. Will. Paslow's wife. Rec.
for tollyng at the t'l ment for the Brethern
of 1[)S masse. (First entry of the kind.)
1 5 38-9. John Barfotts wife*. Ka?yn Carpen?*. Wil-
liam Buryton's wife.* Andrew Wright's
wife*. John Buk. John Vansby's wife.
Will Lyppescombe's wife.
1 5 39-4O- Christian White*. Robert Ellys*. John
1 90 THE OBITUARY.
Butteler*. Hugh Frankleyn's wife. Wil-
liam Turner*.
1541-2. Mistress Margarett Watts*. John Byrds wife*.
John Andrew*. John Rede afe Skynner*.
Dodgesons mayd,* (see 1536). Thomas
Myrthe*. M r Marble*. Chas. Miller*. John
Appowell*. M re * Everard*. Elizab. Kemp-
sail*. Nic. Nicholas children*. Ric. Bexe.
Margaret Watts. John Bede.
1542-3. Sir Wilh'3 a m,* chapleyn to Sir Willi3 a m Peny-
son, Knyght. Mrs. White*. Mrs. Thor-
nell. Stephen Cawodd. David Willi3 a m's
wife.
1543-4. Robert Watlyngton*. Roger Johnson*. Thomas
Knyght*. M r Edward the King's servant*.
Will. Edmund's wife. " Rec. for tyllyng
at the t ) ment of Mr. Justice iiij d ." Will
Barber's wife. John Shawe. M rcs Cambye.
John Kent*. John Vansbye*. James
Hoberd's wife. Gilbert Johnson's wife*.
Nicholas Niclas' child*.
1544-5. James Wild*. Mrs. Butler*. John Cutlers wife.
M r Potter. Gatlei's wife.
1545-6. Joan Knight*. ("Rec. for the grave of M rcs
Barton and for couyng of the same vij s
iiij d .") Robt. Roys.
1546-7. John Barfote*. Xpofer Fuller's wife*. Ric. Dod-
son's wife*. Thomas Mason's wife*. M r
Turner.
1547-8. Gilbert Johnson*. Peter Laurence. Robt. Ellys'
wife. M res Watlynton*. M res Nicholas.
Richard Novys. (" Rec. for the knyll of
M r Justice xij d *." " Of the grave of M r
Justice vij 8 iiij d ."
1 548-9. Hugh Goodwyn*. " One that dyed at Perkyns."
John Trumflet*. Rob. Hodson. Margaret
Slythurst*. Rob. Stanshawe. Nicholas
Niclas*. Rob 4 Bell.
1 549-50. Mother Barker. Mother Chamberlayn. Rec. for
the knyll of the Vicar. Alice Trumflett*.
Edward Phillippes' wife*.
1550-1. M r Bearde. Thom a s Malthows. Hugh Beke.
Rob 1 Blake. W Buckland*. Sawnder's
wife*. John Wheler*.
THE OBITUARY.
1551-2. Thomas Perkyns*. M rcs Myrth*. Joh a nne
(Joan) Aldeworthe*. Raphe Gladwyn*.
I 55 2 ~3- William Bureton*. Anthony Chapman*. Will.
Davy & his wife*. Will. Avis wife' 55 '.
1 553-4- Radley's wife*.
1554-5. Richard Mathewe*. Edmund Raynefford*.
Peersie the corior*. Yerpes wife*. John
Fforman*.
1 55 5-6- John Poyntj*. Will. Parslowe*. Richard Court-
ney*. Peter Reade. Edward Butler's childe.
Walter Beryngton's childe (Buryton).
Thomas Hunt's wife. William Watlington.
1556-7. John Reade*. Richard Dodson*. Thomas Sent-
man*. James Edmonde*. Will. Edmonde*.
A boy Thomas Edmonde. M rs Turner*. M r9
Bell*. Goodwyfe Wyar*. Goodw. Johnson*.
Isabell Moore*. Will.Avyys*. Harry W T at-
lyngton*. John Myllar. Agnes Myllar.
1 5 57-8. Goodw. Huggens*. Will. Baynton. Ric. Smythe*.
Goodwife Watlyngton*. Goodman Chaun-
trell*. Robart Myllwarde*. Goodw. Benwell.
Goodman Harpyn*. Syr Willyam Webbe.
The Curryar*. M r3 Bourne. Mayster Bourne.
Goodw. Ffawsby*. Goodm. Constable*.
Peter Barber's wife. Mother franklyn.
Tayler the smith's mother & father.
Goodm. Nightingale's mayde. M r Perkyns.
1558-9. M rs Beake. Goodm. Allesaunder. Goodm. Saun-
ders*. Geo. Wray. Goodw. Sentman*. John
Bowlde. Leonard Brewar. Ric. Whitbourne.
Goodm. Tayler's wife. Goodm. Alexander's
wife. Harry Touse. John Pyckton. John
Cater.
1 559-60. John Coopar. G-w. Constable. Mystres Clyfford.
G-w. Mathewe. John Andrew's wife. Will.
Martyn. Maister Bygg. John Gateley's wife.
Edmond Locke. Goodm. fynmore's child.
G-w. Cater. G-w. Burgeys. Allesaunder.
Will. Haslett's child. John Braysey. Francis
Beake. Eliz. Rewby. Annys Church. Ric.
Fostbury. John Radley's maid.
1560-1. John Huggens. Jone Coopar. Goodm. Wellsh.
Goodm. Hookar. Jeffery Coopar's wife &
child.*
192 THE OBITUARY.
1561-2. John Alloway. Richard Knyght. Will. Wilde.
Jone Myles. Jone Butler. Agnys Hydar.
Thorn. Ffawkesby. Widow Cooper*. Goodw.
Shaw.*
1562-3. Father Moore. Nicholas Watlyngton. John
Webb's wife*. The olde Tanner. Jone ffyne.
M r Will. Watlyngton*. Agnes Gybbens.
1564-5. M rs Tylby*. Anys Burges. Alice Shawe. John
Phillypp. Ric. Wellshe. Annys Clement.
Mother Ryther.
1565-6. "M r Blacgrove's wyffes knyll xx d ." Maister
Vachell's daughter. Maister Pollington's
wife*. Ric. Lock's wife*. Thomas Benwell.
John Downar*. Maister Butler's son*.
Thomas Crome. G-w.Dennys.Edw d Phillypp.
Tho. Ffraye. G-m. Tanner. G-w. Phillypp.
1 566-7. " Of Thomas Kenryck for a priest* knell xx d :
grave 7 8 4 d ." Roger Greete. Gregory's wife.
Ellis Burgey's daughter. John Cooper's son.
John Gryffyn's wife.
1567-8. G-m. Bush. Rich. Constable*. Tho. Lightfoote.
Mother Kenryck. G-w. Levered. Salter's
wife.
1568-9. Henry Biggs wife*. " Mystres Okham (of the
Abbye)". Martha Hubbard. M rs Rudge*.
Ales Rudge. M r John Rudge*. Rich.
Turner's servant. Jone Jenkyns. James
Hubbard.
1569-70. M r Turnar*. Rob. Grantam. G-m. Wells*.
G-w. Battye. Gryffen's wife. Well's dau.
Thomas Segar.
1570-1. Mary Buckland*. Goodman Robynson the
"fullar"*. DavyePlayne. G-w. Ffaythfull.
G-w. Arlatt*. Ales Wake. Widow Harry-
son's child. Joynar's wife. Stonyford's son.
1571-2. Avery Berry's wife's sister. " The Cardmaker."
Will. Uuddlesoll's chylde. William Budde*.
Thomas Philpe.
1572-3. Edw d Vynge. Thom a s Humfery. Gryffen Mor-
gayne. Christopher Porter. Hen. Bryges.
Hen. Lendall. Tho. Thorne. Olde Mother
Staples. Johanne Harrys. Hen. Cove. Alice
Browne. Ric. Burges. Marg. Ryder. Johanne
Banester. Steph. Goldinge. Peter Home.
THE OBITUARY. 1 93
Hen. Brygges. Old Father Home. Joan
Browne. Agnes Browne. Adam Denys.
Nich. Turner.
1573-4. Goodman Jefferie*. GoodwifeBudde. Mr. Blake.
Goodwife Locke. G-w. Welche. G-w. Prior.
John Roberts. G-w. Johnson. Agnes Grea.
Goodman Woodward. G-m. Jimmatt. Wood-
ward's wiffe. Wiim Slater. Burgesses
man. Will. Sawyer. G-m. Welles. Robin-
son's childe. M rs Webbes child. G-m.
Web.
I574-5- Will. Walker. Alice Wells. Roger Clyfforde.
Anthony Beake. Jonas Ffringe. Rychard
Rolte. Marg* Wyer. Mary Downer. Ric.
Bourneham. Walter Morris. John Jenens.
Johanne Gamon. Ralfe Deaton. Alex-
aunder Kinge. Agnes Downer. Ric.
Drewe. Avicia Byrcham.
1575-6. M r Bowyer. M r Ockham. Mother Horsley.
Esdras Cooper's childe. Mother Redwood.
G-w. Rutter. W m NightingalFs man. Ro-
binson. Goodman Thornes child. Goodwife
Bonyvant.
1576-7. Roger Nightingall*. M rs Hoskins. G-w.
Deddlesall*. M r Doleman's man*. John
Shrive's wife*. John Robinson*. John
Gateley*. the Joyner that died at
Dennetts. Pyther's wife. M r Aldworth.
Edw d Locke.
1577-8. John Ryder. Goodwife Child's mother. Gardener's
wife. Ric. Turner's daughter. Wodenson's
wife. John Williams wife's dau. Will.
Knight's dau. Wittm Simonds the Turcke
his knell viij d . Will. Rogers. Trapman's
maid. An apprentice of London. One
Hosier's wife of London. Averie Derrie's
dau. Will. Dedollsall. John Dedullsall.
From Mich. 1578 to Mich. 1579. Hen Bigge's wife*.
Christoph. Staper's brother. " Itm. for the
knill of Wm. Lawds mother ij 8 v a ." Hunte.
Widow Wolfe's husband.
1579-80. M r Edmonds*. Ric. Welling. John Shrieve.
John Arlette. Geo. Lams*. Will. Walwin's
child. John Griffen.
O
194 THE OBITUARY.
1580-1. M rs Lendall*. Mrs. Turner*. Blackall the
clothier. Will. Genynge. John Bumper's
child. Jones. Doddese's wyfe.
1581-2. Goodwife Dell. Tho, Walker's wife. Goodman
Dawson. Elizab. Knyght. John Browne.
Hen. Taylor. Jone Wilcox. Will. Walwyn.
G-w. Berde. John Walles. Anne Browne.
Jane Patie. John Lendall. Mr. Hopkin's
child. Marg 1 Wilkenson. Alice Evans.
G-w. Horslye.
1 582-3. John Huggins*. M rs Butler*. Leonarde An-
drew. Ylkenson. Mother Mooraway. G-w.
Nycholson. Joseph Carter's child. Blake's
wife. Olde Woddell. Higg's wife.
1583-4. Ant. Grauntham*. M rS Staverton*. G-w.Stryke.
Olde ffather Hayes. Rychard Aldworthe.
"M r Edward Butler his knill ij s vj d ."
Old Agnes Reed. Hen. Bigg's child. Ales
Rydge. " My mother in law Bateman"-
(Ffrancys Sykes and John Moore, C.W.).
Tho. Clawbutt's child. Rob. Monday's
child. M r Harries' child. Coomes the card-
maker's son. " One of the gromes of o r
queene's stable." Blackall his child. Hen.
Biggs his child. Bawlterstone's child.
1584-5. John Webb. Thomas Knight's wife. Thomas
Beale. M r Lydall's child. Nich. Higgs.
M r Hopkin's child. John Browne.
Thomas Grea. Strik's child. Walter Wat-
lington's child.
1585-6. William Lendall*. Knight*. Green's wife*.
Soffe's wife*. G-w. Stokes. G-w. Morrys.
Greene's wife. Strowde's wife. G-w. Bar-
nard. G-w. Gofife. Goswell. G-m. Thorne.
Gaston's wife. Edw d M u ndaie. M r Ffi-
ppenie.
1586-7. Mother Gome's Grave*. Elizabeth Remish*.
Gilbert Aldworth. Thomas Bagley.
Richard Arlott. Andrew Strike. Nicholas
Saunders. John Stratton. Richard Lock.
Goslen. Wimper'swife. Edward Brambley.
Robert Jonson. Richard Burges. ffather
Randole. Aid. Redwood. Curtise wife.
Oliver Hanley's son. Beenam's wife.
THE OBITUARY. 195
Ffoster's wife. Cater's wife. ffather
Pyther. Ellys Tomson. Widow Whyte.
Old Bennett. Bumper's wife. Mason's
child. Cotterell's child.
1587-8. John Moon's wife*. Avery Berry*. Rowland
Combe. Goodwife More. M r Kenrick.
Mapleton's wife. Margaret fford. Beatrice
Gilkins. Bigg's child. James Winch's
man. John Child's child. Hugh Prior's
wife. Haile's child.
1588-9. John Maine*. M rS Child* M rs Daver's man*.
Wiifm Crisselton*. Matthew Reynolds. M r
Townsend*. Collen's wife. Walter Hawke's
wife. M r Callys. Mother Pastier. Weaver's
wife. Mother Cooper. M rs Turner's child.
Richard Weaver. Denshire. Agnes Sturton.
Mathew Renolds. Simon Dee's child.
Michael Hamblen's child. John Brambley's
child. John Russell's child. Mother Patie's
child. John Combe's child. Edw d Nichol-
son's child. Thick's dau. Lane's child.
M r Whitton's dau. M r Whitton's child.
Glover's wife.
1589-90. Widow Heynse. Goodwife Ryder. M rS Radley.
James Baker's wife. M r Burson. Widow
Crisselton. John Dumper. Agnes Seaman.
Richard Jonson. More's child. Robert
Childe. Miles' dau. John Newman's child.
William Nightingall's child. Leonard Leve-
rett. Edward Lambole's child. Morgan's
son. Nicholas' grand-daughter. Braker's
daughter. Walter Watlington's maid. John
Walsh's maid.
1590-1. Ffather Robinson*. M rs Powell* (dau. of Ed.
Butler). Eliz. Johnson. William Inglish.
James Sexe's wife. Goodw. Russel. Mother
Browne. M r Whitehead of the Q. stable.
Jane Nightingall. Jone Goodwin. Mother
Swan. Robert Browne* William Young.
Yeoman's wife. Walter Watlington's child.
John Eelye. Richard Brodde. John Walker's
child. John Butcher in the fifriers. Mother
ffoxe. John Sone's child. Jefferee Jenyns.
1591-2. Edmund Cooper's wife*. Lawrence Barn's wife.
O 2
I9 6 THE OBITUARY.
John Gallant's wife. Christopher Barnard.
Robert Bowyer. M r Robert Knoles his
daughter. Goodw. Henden. William Grene's
child. Matthewe's child. Alice Knight.
1 59 2 ~3' Rouland Gome's wife*. Thomas Turner*. Good-
man Moore. M rs Dorothie Hopkins. Good-
man Pythers. Goodman Cloiton. John Sone.
Fforest's wife. M r Witton. M r Brighton.
Thomas Turner. Will m (M r Daver's man).
Goodwife Venter. Mother Venter. John
Servgood. Thomas Tutler. Eadde. John
Russell's child. John Newson's child. Hen.
Ffreeman's child. Thome's child.
1593-4. "Received for Wittm Lawd's grave vij s iiij d ."*
This William Lawd was the father of the
illustrious Archbishop. He was a native
of Wokingham. Mr. Bruce, in his history
of the Archbishop's Benefactions to Read-
ing, states that the father resided in a
house on the north side of Broad Street in
Reading. Its site is now called 'Lawd
Place.' He carried on the trade of a
clothier, and filled all the offices in the
town save the mayoralty. His wife " Lucy"
was the daughter of John Webbe of
Wokingham, and sister of Sir William
Webbe, Lord Mayor of London in 1591.
She was first married to John Robinson, a
clothier in Reading, by whom she had a
son William, afterwards a Doctor in Divi-
nity, Prebend of Westminster and Arch-
deacon of Nottingham, and five daughters,
one of whom was the mother of Dr. Cots-
ford, and the other of Dr. Layfield, both
eminent clergymen. The Abp. was the
only issue of his mother by the second
marriage. He was born in Reading 7 Oct.
1593-
See under 1570-1 of this Obituary for " Good-
man Robynson the fullar" (Mrs. Laud's first
husband), 1 578-9 forthe Archbishop'sgrand-
mother (probably buried at Wokingham),
and 1 60 1, for the burial of the Archbishop's
mother. The monuments belonging to this
THE OBITUARY. 197
family in St. Lawrence's would most cer-
tainly be destroyed by the " Roundheads
& Rebells" when quartered in the church in
1643. There is no memorial in this town to
the Archbishop or his family, although this
prelate was one of its greatest benefactors.
Widow King*. Goodwife Ffreuen. Good-w.
Staples. Davye Vaghan. M rs Hopkins.
M r Ffilmer. Willm Simmes. Good-w.
Welles. M r Richard Aldworth, maior. Jone
Knight. Elizab. Millsopp. John Curteis'
sonne. Willm Wigmore. Ellen Walker.
John Cater. Thomas Ayres. Margarite
Martin. Bradley's childe. Fforest's childe.
Anne Wintersall.
1594-5. Richard Rider*. William Thome's wife. John
Ffoote. William Walwin. Agnes Walton.
Thomasin Garden. William Linger. George
Bradford. Camelle's child. Thomas Willis'
childe. Thomas Cutler.
1595-6. Nicholas Mansfielde*. Henry Bigg*. Thomas
Page*. Old M r Child*. Anne Warner.
Richard Morrall. Thomas Lewes. Andrew
Taylor. Anne Newton. Anne Watlyngton.
John Watlyngton. John Andrew. Henry
More. Elizabeth Ayierd. Thomas Page.
Marie Jones. Alice Rivers. Thomasin
Sinwell. Robt. Malton's son. Gabr. Barne's
child. Jone Cavie. Collys Browne. George
Andrew. M r Charlton's child. Collin's wife.
Jone Yeomans. Margerie Benson. Alex-
ander Read. Bartlemew Walker. John
Pound. Richard Watlington. Mary Stevens.
Richard Watlington. Robert Hicks. Ed-
ward Skinner. ^ In ye Abbey Thomas
More's child." Widow Lightfoot.
1596-7. Beniamin Turner*. William Jhonson*. Johane
Gatelie*. Edmund Percke*. Richard Cook's
wife*. M rs Jhonson*. M r Beeke*. William
Clemment. Roger Watlington. Elizabeth
Smithe. Nicholas Child's wife. Robert
Mondie the butcher. Robert Johnson's
wife. Christian Neele. Alice Maie. Beniamin
Turner. Christopher Porter. Roger Webb's
198 THE OBITUARY.
child. Redigunt Clarke. John Weston.
Johann Carr. Anne Weston. Alice Wick-
moore. Agnes Willis. Marie Barrett. Chris-
tian Tayler. Elizabeth Clifford. Roger
Ffraunces. Richard Fforster. A servant of
Edw. Birmingham's. Roger Bayley. John
Staples' wife. Johanne Aylard. Alice
Walker. Patteson's child. William Walker.
John Staples glover. Old Simmes. John
Carre.
1599. M r Stamp*. Bryde'swife*. PauleSadon. Katherine
Carter. Miller. Thomas Shepherd. Kathe-
rine Smithe. Eliz. Byde. Rich. Byde's wife.
Anne West. William Walwin. Katherine
Seyman. William Ffindye. Alice Sutton,
widow. Mary Beallucke (? Bralluck). Garrett
Smyth. Rob* Moore. Thomas Moore. Wil-
liam Thorpe. Thomas Prentall. Katherine
Stone. Eliz.Ebson. George Millesant. Ellis
Marten. Sibill Hass. Nicholas Stone.
1600. Barnard Harrison*. M r Ellis Burges. M r William
Lendall. M r Symson. M r Barnard's wife.
Roger Walker's sonne. Andrew Applebee.
Thomas Nightingall. John Walker's child.
John Benge's child. William Marshall.
Maryan Blinson. Agnes Watts. Robert
Dee's child. Joan Welsh. John Braker.
1601. George Burgess*. Will Dell*. Mother Andrews.
M r Richard Johnson.*
" R d for the graue of Wyddowe Lawd & for
breking the ground vij 8 viij d ."* (See under
1 593-4-)
RogerDawson. Robert Maulthus child. John
Pinnsye's child. Agnes Barnes. Margaret
Barfoote. William Walker's child. Ffrancis
Blake's child. John Bent. Robert Smyth.
John Walker's child.
1602. Henry Mayne*. M r Alexander*. M rs Moore*.
John Brock's wife*. Rich d Watlyngton.
Thomas Hussey. M r Alexander. Arthur
Curtice wife. M r Richard Watlington. M rs
Moore (see 1595-6). Robert Maulthus wife.
Widow Bailey. Richard Wells. John Brock's
wife. Robert Bailey. William Marshall.
THE OBITUARY. 1 99
Ellyn Barrett. Bailey's wyddowe. Richard
Ffowler. William Staples' childe. Dannes
wife. Ellen Hawle. John Gylle. Elizab.
Hill. John Graye. William Greene's child.
1603. M rs Carter's sister. Ric. Dell's child. John Sy-
mons' child. Edw d Thorbe's child. John
Haryson. Danyell Clear's child. M rs Fill-
mer. Goodman Collis. Elizabeth ....
Joane Glasse. John Maynerd. Joan Wat-
lington. Denes Vnderwood.
1 8 Feb. M r Myller's chyld.*
Father Thomas Wye. John Hutchens. An-
thony Bryant. John Gunter. George
Rowdes. Lawrence Wayght. JohnGibens.
John Bishop. Ayles Noble.
"Rec d of Sir Francis Knowles x s ." (for a
burial).
M rs An Kendrick. Thomas Levence. John
West. John Dawson. Leonard Myller.
Ambros Wheyatt. Nathanyell Jemvit.
1604. Goodwyff Kyng's husband, & her man John
Swayne. Robert Harmes. Margaret Rum-
sey. Alse Justice. Nycholas Stoane. Annis
Burden*. Joane West. Harry Moore's boy.
John Martyn. Wydow Burgis*. Alse
Hulbard. Joane Aley. John Rumsey.
Ffrancis Wilmat. Gregory Hissby. M rs
Adams. Robert Haryson.*
" Rec d of my brother Willyam Ffynmore, ex-
ecutor to my mother Anne Ffynmore I2 d ."
Goodman Baker. Goodman Bramley. John
Irysh. AnneSpringall. Georg Porchmouth's
child. M res Harrys. Richard Traphels.
Annys Elezander. William Conoway's
child. John Bramley. Eleyzander Withers.
Ekary (equerry) Collett.
2OO CHURCHYARD.
<Eburcb\>arb.
" M. that in the monthe of August in the yere of our
Lord M.D.lvj and in the iij a & iiij th yere of the regnes
of our souaigne Lord & Lady Philipp & Marie by the
g a ce of god kyng & Ouene of Englond Spayne
ffraunce of bothe Ciciles, Jerim & Irelond, Defenders of
the faithe, Archduke of Austrie, Duke of Burgundie,
Millayne & Brabant, Counties of Haspurge fflanders &
Tiroll : John Bell then beyng Mayo r of the Borough of
Redyng, Hit was then granted by the Quenys ma te vnto
thenKitants of the pisshe of Seynt Laurence w l in the seid
Borough of Redyng a Certayne grounde Lying next vnto
the pisshe Churche ther, ffor to erecte & make therof a
Churche yarde for the seid Churche & pisshe, as by the
walls & enclosur 8 thereof then & ther made it doth &
may appere, whiche seid grounde for the seid Churche
yarde so granted was & is in recompence to the seid
infiitants & pisshe of & for another Church yarde of late
belongyng vnto the seid pisshe, lying next vnto the late
Churche of the late Mon a ther, and from the seid militants
taken. The charg 3 of makyng of the seid newe Churche
yarde was borne & paied by thenKitants of the seid
pisshe in man*] & fo r me as heraf? followith, that is to witt
for euy perche of the seid wall contenying xviij fotes, vij 8 .
John Bell, mayo r iij pches, xxj s .
Wittm Edmunds j pee & di x 8 vj d .
Edward Butler, iij pches, xxj s .
Thom a s Turner, iij pches, xxj s .
Thom a s Byggs, ij pches, xiiij 8 .
Water Beryngton, j pche & di, x s vj d .
Richard Watlyngton, j pche & di, x s . vj d .
Thomas Sayntmore, j pche, vij 8 .
Rob* Tylbye, j pche, vij 3 .
Richard Dodson, j pche, vij 8 .
John Radley, j pche, vij 8 .
Xpofer Beryngton, j pche, vij 8 .
Richard Johnson the yong . , ij pches, xiiij 8 .
Henry Osbo r ne, j pche, vij 8 .
John Sawnders, j pche, vij 8 .
John Coup, j pche, vij 8 .
Wiftm Lyppescombe, j pche, vij s ."
CHURCHYARD. 2OI
The new churchyard was hallowed on the second day
of May, "beying Sonday in the yere of our Lord, 1557,"
by " William Ffynche Suffrigan vnto the Bisshopp of Bathe
& Welles."
The following entries relate to the old churchyard on the
north side of the Abbey Church :
1501-2. "It. payed for mendyng of the churchyerd
wall x d ."
1504-5. " It. payed to Macrell for pavyng of the aleys
of the churchyerd & for beryng away of
1 507-8 the same pavyng ij s ."
" It. payed to Wittm. Poo subsexton for sellyng
of the nettyls in the church yerd wher the
vycar hath gevyn the =pfy3t therof for
kepyng of the same iiij d ."
(Observe the vicar's rights in his parochial
freehold at this time).
1547-8. "Paid for repacons done vppon the wall of the
church yard, v s ."
The following record of an encroachment is preserved in
the 3 rd Register :
"In April 1699.
Memorandum that M r Burgis, draper, then
raiFd in a little part of the Churchyard by con-
nivence of the then vicar, for to adde a decency
to his Dwelling House, the Landlord of which is
S r Walter Clargis. He is to suffer any parishioner
(that desires it) to be buryed there, And any
Vicar that hereafter is instituted and inducted
into the Church, may chuse whether he wil suffer
those Rails to be kept up or not.
As witnesseth
Phannel Bacon, Vicar."
Another encroachment was made in the same locality by
the builders of the new Town Hall in 1881, when several
bodies were disturbed. The churchyard was considerably
enlarged on its eastern side in 1791 by the enclosure of
a portion of the Forbury. The last interment therein oc-
curred on the 5th of June, 1879.
202 CHURCH REGISTERS.
%fet of the Cbuvcb "(Registers,
1. Baptisms and Births, from 13 April, 1605, to May 5,
1654.
Weddings, from Apr. 10, 1605, to May 3, 1654.
Burials, from 12 Apr. 1605, to May 17, 1654.
(There are no records of burials from 1644
to 1654.)
Of vellum, measuring 15^- in. by 6 in., in
good condition.
2. Births, from May 21, 1654, to Oct. 2, 1683.
Baptisms, from May 23, 1654, to Sep. 22, 1688.
Publications of Intended Marriages, from June 4,
1654, to Feb. 14, 1668.
Marriages, from June 20, 1654, to 16 May, 1686.
Burials, from May 24, 1654, to June 2, 1687.
Of vellum 154 in. by 6 in. good condition.
3. Baptisms, from April 4, 1686, to 26 Sep. 1724.
Marriages, from Mar. 27, 1686, to 10 Oct. 1724.
Burials, from 25 Mar. 1686, to Sep. 27, 1724.
In this vol. is a list of "Briefs" from 1686 to
I 735- Of paper, and in good preservation,
i8j in. long and 8 in. wide.
4. Baptisms, from 4 Oct. 1724, to Mar. 25, 1772.
Marriages, from 4 Oct. 1724, to Mar. 25, 1754.
Burials, from 5 Oct. 1724, to Mar. 25, 1772.
2Oj in. by 8 in. well written vellum sides,
leather back wants a little repairing.
5. Marriages, from Apr. 25, 1754, to June 18, 1762.
Includes the Regist. of Banns to 1771.
15 in. by 9 in. paper good preservation
rough calf binding.
6. Marriages, from June 23, 1652, to Mar. 22, 1772.
1 5 in. by 9 in. paper rough calf binding.
7. Baptisms, from Mar. 25, 1772, to Dec. 31, 1812.
CHURCH REGISTERS. 2O$
Burials, from Mar. 25, 1772, to Dec. 29, 1812.
15 in. by 10 in. good preservation, but wants
rebinding.
8. Marriages, from 29 Mar. 1772, to 16 Feb. 1779.
14! in. by 9 in. fair preservation rough calf
binding.
9. Marriages, from 22 Apr. 1779, to 29 Dec. 1812.
15 in. by 10 in. rough calf wants rebacking.
10. Baptisms, from 4 Jan. 1813, to Sep. 21, 1834.
1 5 in. by i o in. forel cover,
u. Marriages, from 11 Jan. 1813, to 9 Feb. 1834.
1 5 in. by 10 in. good paper forel binding.
12. Burials, from i Jan. 1813, to Dec. 20, 1840.
15 in. by i o in. very good paper forel bind-
ing loose.
13. Baptisms, from 22 Sep. 1834, to 24 Feb. 1859.
Good paper forel binding loose.
14. Marriages, from n Jan. 1813, to 9 Feb. 1834.
Sound paper good condition forel binding.
15. Burials, from i Jan. 1813, to Dec. 20, 1840.
Good paper fair condition forel.
1 6. Baptisms, from Feb. 26, 1859 to present time.
Good condition.
17. Marriages, from Feb. 9, 1834, to June, 1837.
Good condition.
1 8. Burials, from Dec. 22, 1840, to June 5, 1879. (The
last interment,)
14 in. by 10 in. Good.
19. Marriages, from July 24, 1837, to Apr. 21, 1847.
20. Marriages, from Apr. 25, 1847, to Aug. 16, 1856.
21. Marriages, from Aug. 19, 1856, to May II, 1869.
22. Marriages, from May 17, 1869, to present time.
2O4 CHURCH REGISTERS.
Collections on "Briefs" in tbe parieb Cburcb
of St. OLawrence out of tbe 3rt> IRegister.
1686. Oct. For distressed inhabitants of Whitechapel
and Stepney, 3 os. %\d.
1695. Dec. 22. For inhabitants of Grantchester, Cam-
bridge. Loss by fire 1250^. Coll. gs. od.
1695. Mar. 15. Fire at Gillingham, Dorset. Loss 3900^.
Collected I2s. 6d.
1695. Mar. 20. Inhabitants of York. Loss i8ooo,.
Coll. 3 2s. od.
1695. Mar. 20. Netherhaven and Fiddleton, Wilts. Loss
4590^. Coll.
1696. Mar. 29. For John Avery, of Twyford, Hants.
Loss by fire 400^".
1696. July 19. Some inhabitants of Streatham.
1699. May 15. For French Refugees, first to leave the
Duke of Savoy's country, 23 qs. gd.
1703. Apr. 4. For Robt. Bales, Maltster, a loser by fire
at Dunnington, Yorks., W.R., 1135^". Coll.
8s. ?>d. (" Dinington").
1703. July 4. For church of St. Germains, in Salop,
York, gs. ^\d. Estimated repairs, 4000^.
1703. July 25. For repairs of Lutterworth Church,
Leicester, 1528^. wanted. Coll. 9^. od.
1703. Sept. 9. For loss by fire in Fordingbridge, Hants,
to amount of 5059^ 19^. od. Coll. 1 7s. 6d.
1703. Oct. 24. Fire in Spitalfields, London. Loss 1200^.
Coll. gs. od.
1703. Nov. 17. Fire atTuxford, Notts. Loss 2666 3^. 4^.
Coll. i 6s. jd.
1703. Jan. 27. Repairs of Shrewsbury church, Salop.
Damage estimated, 4462^ i8s. 6d. Coll.
20 shill.
1703-4. Feb. 6. Fire in Wapping. Loss, 13,040^". Coll.
13,?. id.
1703-4. Mar. 12. Fire in St. Giles-in-the-Fields, London.
Loss, 1543^". Coll. 8s. od.
1704. Apr. 27. Relief of Refugees of the Principality of
Orange. Coll. 12 17 f s. 8d.
1704. Sep. 6. " Collected there in the parish from House
CHURCH REGISTERS. 205
to House for the Relief of Seamen's widdows
and orphans upon the account of the dreadful
storm vpon November the 26th, 1703,
S $s. 2d."
1704. Oct. 22. For Will. Brampton, of Stockton, in
Stanton Lacy, Salop. Loss by fire, 1536^".
Coll. I4s. Sd.
1704. Nov. 30. For Repair of Monks Kerby Church,
Warwick, damaged by the wind, to 1497^".
Coll. 1 us. 4d.
1704. Dec. Fire in Great Massingham, Norfolk. Damage
1486^". Coll. 1 1 s. od.
South Molton fire, Devon. Loss 2234^.
Coll. los. od.
Stoney Stratford fire, Bucks. Loss, 1669^".
Coll. 14^.
1705. Sep. 24. Rebuilding of All Saints' Church, Ox-
ford. Coll. 3 os.
1705. Nov. 4. Fire at Rolleston, Stafford. Loss 1134^".
Coll. 9-r. od.
1705. Dec. 16. Fire at Kirton, Lincolns. Coll. 105-. od.
1705. Feb. 17. Fire, Bankside, St. Saviour's, South wark.
Loss 1131^". Coll. 7s.
1705. Mar. 10. Fire in Bradmore, Notts. Loss 2400^.
Coll. IQS. jd.
1706. Mar. 31. Fire at Chatteris, Isle of Ely. Coll.
7-r. od.
1706. June. Fire at Inniskillen, Ireland. Loss 8i66;.
Coll. 2 i6s. nd.
July 29. Repair of Beverley Church, Yorks.
Coll. i os. id. Damage 3500^".
,, Sept. 15. For M r Will Smith of Anchorwicke,
Wyradisbury, Bucks for a loss by fire. Coll.
i6s. id.
Oct. 20. Fire in Morgan's Lane, Southwark.
Damage 2706^". Coll. los. ^\d.
Nov. 24. Fire at Great Torrington, Devon.
Damage 1600^. Coll. 9^. ^d.
Dec. 15. Repairs of Basford Church, Notts. Coll.
9.?. 6d.
1706-7. Mar. 9. Repairs of Darlington Church,
Durham. Damage 1704^. Coll. 13^. od.
June 8. Fire in North Marston, Bucks. Loss
346o. Coll. js. lod.
2O6 CHURCH REGISTERS.
1706-7. June 22. Repairs of Broseley Church, Salop.
Damage 1390^". Coll. 8s. od.
1707. July 13. Fire in Towcester, Northampton. Loss
1057^". Coll. IDS. od.
July 27. Fire in Shireland, Middx. Loss 3505^".
Coll. IDS. 6d.
August 31. Fire at Spilsby, Lincolns. Loss
5984^". Coll. us. 6d.
Sep. 21. Fire in Little Port, Isle of Ely. Loss
393i;. Coll. I2s. 6d.
Nov. 23. Fire at Heavytree, Devon. Loss 991^.
Coll. 6s. id.
Dec. 7. Repairs of Dursley Church, Gloucester.
Loss 1995^. Coll. 9^. id.
Dec. 21. Repairs of Orford Church, Suffolk. Loss
1450^". Coll. los. 6d.
1707-8. Jan. ii. Fire in Woodhurst, Huntingdon. Loss
583^. Coll. 9-y. id.
Mar. 14. For building a Protestant church at
Oberbarmen, Duchy of Berg. Coll. i 6s. 6d.
Mar. 1 8. Fire at Soulham, Warwick. Loss 4454^.
Coll. 14$-. od.
1708. Apr. 25. Fire in Charles Street, Westminster.
Loss 3891. Coll. I4s. od.
May 1 6. Fire in Bewdley, Worcesters. Loss
1384^" 4s. od. Coll. los. <)d.
May 30. Fire at Alcumbury-cum-Weston, Hun-
tingdon. Loss 33i8; los. Coll. 13^-. 6d.
June 30. Fire at Lisburne, Ireland. Loss 31770^".
Coll. 3 9s. od.
July 1 1. Fire at Shadwell, Micldx. Loss 6137 17^.
Coll. i6s. 6d.
August. Fire at Wincanton, Somerset. Loss
2 93<- Coll. 1 1 s. od.
August 22. Fire at Great Yarmouth. Loss 1228^".
Coll. 14^. 4d.
1708. Nov. 3. Fire in Strand, London. Loss 17880^".
Coll. 2 i6s. 8d.
Nov. 15. Fire in Edinburgh, Scotland. Loss 7962^".
Coll. i i$s. $d.
1708-9. Jan. 1 6. Repairs of Brenchley Church, Kent.
Damage iooo.. Coll. us. 6d.
June 23. Fire in Holt Market, Norfolk. Loss
11258^". Coll. 2 js. ^d.
CHURCH REGISTERS. 2O/
1708-9. July 3. Repairs of Llanviling Church, Montgo-
mery. Loss 1325^. Coll. los.
July 24. Rebuilding Hurlow Church,- Essex,
burnt down. Loss 2035^". Coll. 17^. %d.
Aug. 14. Repairs of St. Mary Redcliff, Bris-
tow. Loss 44io / . Coll. 12s. 2d.
Aug. 21. Several fires in Market Rayson, Lin-
coln and county adjacent. Loss 122 8,. Coll.
i is. gd.
Nov. 4. For the relief of the poor Palatins.
Coll. 12 i2s. 2d.
Dec. 3. Fire in " Stoak/' Suffolk. Loss 2463^.
Coll. icxy.
1709-10. Jan. 8. For building a Protestant church at
Mitlau, in Courland, 15^.
1710. Apr. 30. Fire at Rotherhithe Wall, Surrey. Loss
640^. Coll. i os.
May 7. Fires at Northfleet and Durant, Kent.
Loss 1613^". Coll. i$s. id.
July 2. Repair of church at Ashton-super-Merly,
co. Chester. Damage 2710^". Coll. 12s.
July 23. Rebuilding of Chalfont St. Peters Church,
Bucks. Damage 1521^. Coll. i6s. gd.
Aug. 13. Rebuilding of Stockton Church, Durham.
Damage 2580^. Coll. 165-. ^d.
Nov. 26. us. for a fire in Twyford, Berks and
Wilts. Damage 1261 ,.
Dec. 10. ?s. for afire at Ensham, Oxon. Damage
1474^ iu. 6d.
Dec. 24. 9^. id. for a fire in Pavingham, Beds.
Damage 700^.
1711. Jan. 7. i os. for rebuilding of Cockermouth Church.
Charge 1331^.
Mar. 1 8. I2s.?d. for Repairs of Rotherhithe Church,
Surrey. Charge 4361^.
Apr. 15. los. for Repairs of Cardigan Church.
Charge 2240^.
21 May. us. S$d. for St. Mary's, Colchester.
Charge 6153^".
j, 27 May. 8s. ^d. for Wishar Church, Warwicks.
Charge i2iO;.
10 June. los. 6^d. for St. Helen's Church, alias
Edington, Isle of Wight. Charge 1203^".
24 June. 6.y. for a fire in Edinburgh. Loss 3527^".
208 CHURCH REGISTERS.
1711. 24 Nov. js. %d. for fire at Tadmore and Market
Rayson, Yorks. Loss 1169^".
9 Dec. gs. 8d. for Rebuilding of Long Melford
Church, Suffolk.
1711-12. 24 Jan. 2 14^. 2d. for Rebuilding Woolwich
Church, Kent. Charge 5069^".
1712. May n. gs. ^\d. for Charles Empson of Booth,
in Howden, Yorks. Loss by fire 2000^.
i June. 6s. yd. fora fire in Thames Street, London.
LOSS I !!!;.
15 June. 1712^ Ss. lod. for a fire at Little Brick-
hill, Bucks. Loss I2jo,.
6 July. i iSs. 2d. for Rebuilding the Church
of Whitechurch, Salop. Damaged to
5497^-
1712. Aug. IO. For Ric. Salter, Coleman Street, London.
Loss by fire iJ2o I2.r. od.
Aug. 24. For rebuilding West Tilbury Church, Essex.
Damage 1117^" 8^. $d.
1712-3. Jan. ii. For Adderley Church, Salop. Damage
8oo; 13-r. od.
Feb. 15. For St Clement's, Hastings. Damage
i$$o 6s. 6d.
Mar. ii. For Battle Bridge, Southwark. Loss by
fire 12254^" 2 8s. 6d.
Mar. 15. For Pensford Church, Somerset. Damage
2742^ 9^. 6d.
1713. Mar. 29. For Coleorton Church and parsonage.
Leicesters. Damage 2412^ us. od.
June 10. For Burton-upon-Trent Church (repairing).
Damage 3100^" 1 los. 6d.
July 19. For fire at Witheridge, Devon, and at Chil-
ton, Berks. Loss n6. los. od.
Aug. 9. Rebuilding of Woodham Ferrys Church,
Essex. Cost 1425^ 1 os.
Aug. 3. A double loss by fire by Will. Adams of
Heathill in Sherif Hales, Stafford 2 os. $d.
Loss i o8;.
Sep. 13. For rebuilding the Steeple of Warmingham,
Cheshire. Cost 885 los. 6d.
Dec. 13. Repairing Southwell Collegiate Church,
Notts. Cost 38oo ;i los. 6d.
1713-4. Feb. 21. Fire in St. Mary Church, parish
Devon. Loss 1392^" 9^. od.
CHURCH REGISTERS. 2O9
1713-4. Mar. 7. Fire at Rudgley, Stafford and at
Wrexham, Denbigh. Losses 1691 . Coll.
los. ^d.
1714. Mar. 21. Rebuilding Quatford Church, Salop.
Cost IT,66 los. 2d.
April 4. Repairs of St. Margaret at Cliffe Church,
Kent. Cost 1384^ 13^. id.
1714. Apr. 18. Repairing St. John Baptist Church, South-
over, near Lewes. Cost 1510^" I2s. 8d.
May 2. Repairs of Shipwash Church and Relief
of Silvanus Carter, a sufferer by fire. Loss &c.
1155^". Coll. gs. 6d.
June 20. For Leighton Church, Salop. Cost
1516^" js. od.
July 4. Rebuilding of Burslem Church, Staffords.
Cost i6iS us. 6d.
Aug. 2. For fire in Blandford Forum. Loss
7880^" 1 us. 4d.
Aug. 15. For two fires in Dorchester, Dorset.
Loss 2537; 14$-. 2d.
Oct. 20. Fire at Bottisham, Cambridges. Loss
3659^ i 6s. 4d.
Nov. 21. Rebuilding Torksey Church, Lincoln.
Cost 1182^ 13.$-. od.
Dec. 5. Rebuilding Ruthin Church, Denbigh. Cost
3128^" 135. od.
Dec. 19. Repairing New Shoreham Church, Sussex.
Cost 2203^" us. 6d.
1714-5. Feb. 5. Loss by fire of Will. Bowyer, of White-
friars (5146^) 2 is. 6d.
Feb. 20. Fires at Preston Bagot and St. Nicholas
Warwicks. (1162^") I2s. od.
Mar. 13. Rebuilding of All Saints, Derby. Cost
5252^" los. od.
1715. May 22. Rebuilding St. Peter's Church, Chester.
Cost 1590^" 8s. od.
June 22. Towards the great loss of cows in Mid-
dlesex, Surrey, and Essex. Loss 24.539^"
2 i6s. od.
1715. July 17. For Kentford Church, Suffolk, & of 2
sufferers by fire there (1057^") 12s. $d.
Aug. 14. Sufferers by fire at Dryneton, Staffords.
& Shinbridge, Gloucesters. Losses 1378^"
1 3-$-. od.
P
2IO CHURCH REGISTERS.
1715. Aug. 28. Rebuilding St. Giles', Newcastle-under-
Line, 12s. od.
Sep. ii. Rebuilding St. Marie's, Lichfield (4966^)
145-. od.
Nov. 20. Fire at Liverpool (3005^") 12^. 6d.
Dec. 4. Rebuilding of Blymhill Church, Stafford.
(1485^") us. od.
1715-6. Jan. 8. Fires at Walker Hith, Lincolns. and
Wrexham (1425^") los. 2d.
Mar. 4. For two sufferers by fire, one at Mitcham,
Surrey other at Lythwood in Condover,
Salop (1442^) us. od.
Mar. 1 8. Rebuilding a church at Sunderland,
2 os. od.
1716. Apr. 29. Loss of John Aron by fire at Little Dray-
ton, in Idsall ais Shiffnall, Salop (1070^)
los. od.
June 3. Fire at Upton in Westham, Essex. In the
same Brief for a fire at Tempsford, Bedfords.
(1940^) 15.?. od.
Aug. 10. Fire in Thames Street, London (7639^")
2 7s. od.
Oct. 3. Fire at Spalding (20,560^") 2 os. id.
Nov. 1 8. Double fire at Ottery St. Mary, Devon
(4466^) Ss. id.
Dec. 16. Rebuilding churches of Chelmarsh &
Ryton, Salop (2i26) 12s. id.
1716-7. Jan. 28. Reformed Episcopal Churches in Great
Poland and Polish Prussia 5 6s. 6d.
, 3 Mar. 3, Fire at Ridgmont, Bedfords. Ss. $d.
1717. Apr. 29. Fire at Houndsditch, London (5383^")
2 os. od.
June 1 6. Benenden Church & steeple, Kent. Loss
by fire (1552^") 14^. od.
J u ^y 7' Oldbury Church, Gloucesters. Charge
1163^" 12s. 6d.
Aug. 4. Fires at Healthwaite Hill, Yorks. & in
Whittington, Staffords. (1287^") i6s. 2d.
Sep. I. Fire at Harsto .... Derbys. (1426^
13-r. 6d.
Nov. 30. Fire at Frampton, Dorset (1560^)
I2.y. od.
Nov. 17. Fire at Ellingham, Norfolk, & at Wisbeach,
Isle of Ely (i6ii;) los. od.
CHURCH REGISTERS. 2 I I
1717. Dec. 8. Fire at Putley in Morton Valence, Glouces-
ter, and another at Townjay, Salop, 13^. od.
1717-8. Jan. 5. Repairing Arnold Church, Notts. Charge
290^ los. od.
Feb. 9. Fires at Newland in Hurst, Berks. & Chip-
ping Wycombe, Bucks. (iO2O,) $s. id.
1718. May 25. Rebuilding St. Mary 's, Newington, Surrey.
Charge 1296^" I2s. 6d.
June 15. Repairing churches of Ashbourne &
Mapleton, Derbys. Charge 3016^" 13^. od.
July 6. For Grind on Church, Staffords. Charge
1350^" IQS. 6d.
July 20. Fire at Cherrington, Warwicks. Loss
1476^" us. 6d.
Aug. 24. Enlarging Penrith Church, Cumberland
I4s. id.
Sep. 28. Fire at Wilcott & Eusden, Salop. Loss
171 7; iu. 6d.
Oct. 26. Arely Church and Steeple los. od.
Dec. 7. Rebuilding SheriffHales Church, Staffords.
los. od.
1718-9. Jan. 4. Fire in Little St. Andrew's, Cambridge
IO.T. 6d.
Jan. 25. Rebuilding Dolgelly Church, Merioneth.
Charge 1449^ 12s. od.
1719. May 10. Fire at Headington, Oxon, los. Loss
1983^.
July 12. Fire in Old Radnor. Fire at Habberley,
in Kidderminster (1289^) 14$-. od.
Aug. 9. Fire at Old Weston, Huntingdons.
I2s. 6d.
Aug. 30. Fires at Cheltenham & Lechlade, Glou-
cesters., & at Thornton, Hough, Bickley &
Barnston, Cheshire (1307^) I2s. 6d.
Oct. n. Repairs of church & steeple of Biggies-
wade, Bedfords. Charge 1437^ I2.r. od.
Oct. 25. For church and steeple of Deeping, St.
James, Lincoln. Charge 1102^ us.
Nov. 29. Fire at Thrapston, Northampton. Loss
3748^" I2s. od.
i j 19-20. Jan. 3. Fire in Bedford Row, St. Andrew's,
Holborn. Loss 4178^" los.od.
Jan. 17. Repairs of Hartlepool Church, Durham
I2S. Od.
P 2
212 CHURCH REGISTERS.
1719-20. Feb. 7. Rebuilding Hinstock Church, Salop
1 1 s. od.
Mar. 13. Repairing St. John Baptist's Church,
Chester. Charge 3269^ 15^. od.
1720. July 10. Repairsof Great Grimsby Church 14^.0^.
July 3 1 - Rebuilding Oxstead Church & Steeple,
Surrey 12s. 6d.
Aug. 25. Relief of Sufferers by Thunder & Hail in
Staffords. 3 8s. ^d.
Sept. ii. Sufferers by fire in Paris St. Exon. Loss
1067 14$. id.
Sept. 25. Rebuilding Kingswood Church, Wilts.
Charge 1000^ 14^. yd.
1720. Nov. 13. Rebuilding Burton Church, Cheshire,
(1548^) 13 s. 6d.
Nov. 27. Rebuilding St. Olave's Church, York
(1039^) ios. od.
Dec. 1 8. Fire in Igmanthorpe, Yorks., and at
Norton under Cannock, Staffords. (1133^)
i is. 6d.
1720-1. Jan. 24. Fire at Meon Stoke, Hants (5173^)
3 os. %d.
Feb. 19. Shrawardine Church & Parsonage, Salop
(1609^) los. od.
Mar. 19. Fire at Swaresey, Cambridges.' ios.6d.
1721. June ii. Rebuilding Fitt's Church, Salop (1509^")
July 3O. Repairing Tewkesbury Church, Glou-
cester (3929^") i 13.?. $d.
Aug. 13. Fire at Burcott & Wheatley, Oxon
(1847^) gs. 6^d.
Sep. 10. Fires at Lowth, Lincoln, and Newport,
Salop (1347^") ios. 2\d.
Sep. 24. Fires at Kemberton, Salop, & Dissenth,
Radnor 12s. 6%d.
Nov. 6. Kingston-upon-Hull, Yorks. (5840^")
2 7s. 2d.
Nov. 26. Repairing Usk Church, Monmouths. Ss.oJ.
Dec. 17. Fire at Amberley, Sussex ios. ^d.
1721-2. Jan. 8. For Jenkin Vingoe, a sufferer by fire at
St. Ives 1 1 s. od.
Feb. 1 8. A fire at Welshpool ios. 6%d.
Mar. ii. Fire at Damerham, South Wilts (1365^)
14-5-. gd.
CHURCH REGISTERS. 213
1722. May 6. Fires in Addington, Randwick ScAlderton,
in Surrey & Gloucester (1497^) gs. ^d.
1722. May 27. Fires in Gratwood, Bilston & Newent in
Stafford & Gloucester (1184^) los. 6d.
July 8. Rebuilding of Upper Darwen Chapel, Lan-
cashire (1032^") us. id.
July 22. A fire at St. John Wapping & Wapping,
Stepney, Middx. 8.y. od.
Sep. 2. Repairing and rebuilding Bakewell Church
& Steeple, Derby 13^.
Sep. 1 8. For Sufferers by an Inundation in County
Palatin of Lancaster (10,227^") 4 os. od.
Oct. 21. Fire at All Hallows, London Wall (iooo)
us. od.
Nov. 1 8. Fire at Abbots Bromley, Staffords.
(2437^) i os. 4d.
Dec. 16. Fire at Caldecott, Herts. (1062^") us. id.
1722-3. Feb. ii. For "a great Loss of the Inhabi-
tants in Brithelmston (Brighton) in the
County of Sussex by the Breaking in of y e
Sea/' 2 13-$-. lid.
1723. May 6. For repairing the Church of St. Mary in
Nottingham 2 os. 2d.
June 13. Rebuilding Ruddington Church, Notts.
July 21. For Repairs of Bangor Church 15^.
Aug. 15. Repairing Hexham Church, Northum-
berland 1 IQS. od.
Sept. 15. Fire at Hearsease, Radnor I2s. 8^d.
Nov. 4. For " large repairs" of St. Albans, Herts
2 is. od.
Dec. 22. Rebuilding of Lyons als Holt Church,
Denbigh (1939^) us. od.
Dec. 29. Fire at Shennington, Gloucester us. 2d.
1723-4. Jan. 8. Fire at Weatherby, Yorks. (7533^)
i iSs. %d.
Mar. i. Repairs of Epperston Church, Notts.
(1311^) los. 6d.
Mar. 22. The Rebuilding of Ilkeston Church,
Derby s. (1352^") us. od.
1724. April 19. Fire at Falmouth, Cornwall I2s. od.
May 3. Repairing Newport Church, Salop 11^.6^.
May 31. Repairing Holt Market Church, Norfolk
(I229;) - IIS. Od.
214 CHURCH REGISTERS.
1724. June 21. Fire at Cherry Hinton, Cambridge
(1045^"} 9*. od.
July 26. Repairs of Frodsham Church, Cheshire
(i io8,) 7s. od.
Aug. 30. Inundation at Halifax (3395-) 14^. 8d.
Sep. 13. Fire at Staverton, Northamptons.
(2009^") IQS. 4%d.
Oct. 4. Fires at Alrewas, Staffords. & Southburgh,
Norfolk 9^. 6d.
Oct 25. Fires at Michael Church, Radnor, and
Grimston, Leicesters. (1047^) 8s. 8d.
Nov. 29. Fires at Camps Hall, Cambridge, and
Downton, Wilts (1067^) 7s. od,
1724-5. Jan. 3. Fire at Cricklade, Wilts (1624^)
8s. od.
Feb. 7. Rebuilding Neath Church, Glamorgan
Ss. id.
Mar. 21. Fire at Knighton, Hereford & Laint-
werdine, Radnor (1093^) &r. \o\d.
1725. Apr. 4. Repairing and Rebuilding Wirksworth
Church, Derbys. 12s. 2d.
May 23. Fire at East Morden, Dorset us. od.
June 6. Rebuilding Bowley Church, Salop 9^. od.
July 4. Rebuilding of Langton Church, Lincoln
I2S. 2d.
Aug. ii. Fire at Market Lavington, Wilts
2 7s. 2d.
Sep. 5. Fire at Crediton, Devon, & Kirk Deighton,
Yorks. 9-r. 6d.
Nov. 7. RebuildingBampton Church,Westmoreland
(1355^) I4J-- 6aT.
Nov. 28. Rebuilding Darlastone Church, Staffords.
1 1 s. od.
1725-6. Jan. 16. Rebuilding Waresley Church, Hun-
tingdon (2(X>3;) I3-T. 6d.
Feb. 6. Rebuilding Ormskirk Church, Lancashire
los. 6d.
Mar. 23. Fire at Great Torrington, Devon
2 17 s.
1726. June 12. For Folkestone Fishery 15^. 6d.
July 8. Fire in Buckingham (19,141^) 4 8s.
Sep. 4. Rebuilding Albrighton Church, Salop 14?.
Sep. 25. Fires at Alderford, Norfolk, & Great Or-
wood, Bucks. (1070^") 14$-. 6d.
CHURCH REGISTERS. 215
1726. Nov. 8. Rebuilding St. Nicholas, Worcester
l I2S. 2d.
Nov. 27. Rebuilding Tibshelf Church, Derby
1 1 s. jd.
Dec. 1 8. Rebuilding West Houghton Chapel,
Lancashire (1455^) 8s. 6d.
1726-7. Jan. 29. Rebuilding Backford church, Cheshire
1729. Aug 24. Fire at Rickingal & Bolshal, Suffolk
13*
Sep. 28. Repairs of Tamworth Church, Stafford
14^. $d.
Nov. 6. Fire at Stilton, Huntingdons. 1 13^. od.
Dec. 21. Repairs of Pershore Church, Worcester
I2S. $d.
1729-30. Jan. 13. Repairs of St. John Baptist, Glou-
cester 1 1 s.
Feb. 22. Fire at Milbourne, Cambridge 135-. 6d.
Mar. 15. Fires in Middlesex and Cheshire, viz.,
Hornsey and Wheelock us. 2d.
1730. Apr. 5. Rebuilding Worthenbury Church, Flints.
I2s. od.
May 6. Sufferers by Fire at Copenhagen
1 Ss. id.
May 24. Rebuilding Belston Chapel, Staffords.
I2S. 2d.
July 26. Fire at Hinckley, Leicesters. 14^. Sd.
,, Aug. 23. Sufferers by fire in Bearley, Warwicks.
13^. lod.
Sep. 24. Repairs of St. Michael's Church, South-
ampton 2 2s. 2d.
1730. June 21. Inundation by sea at Wroot, Lincolns.
(2686^) 14^-. $d.
Oct. 25. Rebuilding Colnbrook Chapel, Bucks
us. lid.
Dec. 6. Fire in Yarburgh, Lincoln i$s. od.
I73O-1. J an - IO - Fi re m Kidderminster ?s. Sd.
Feb.i4. For Denbigh Chapel,Denbighs. los. ii^d.
May 9. Repairs of Llandulas Church, Denbigh
15*.
May 30. For the Church at Chapel-in-le-Frith,
Derbys. 14^. od.
Aug. 4. For Cathedral of Llandaff ,2 ^s. od.
Sep. 5. For Teabury Church, Gloucesters. 13^. 8d.
2l6 CHURCH REGISTERS.
1730-1. Oct. 3. For Misley or Mistley Church, Essex
los. ii\d.
For Wyesdale Chapel, Lancashire 13^. lod.
1731-2. Feb. 6. Sufferers by fire in Shirminster, Newton
Castle, Dorset los. gd.
Mar. 5. Sufferers by fire at Wootton-under-Edge,
Gloucesters. us. o^d.
1732. Apr. 1 6. Fire at Calcott, Gloucesters. 8.r. g^d.
Apr. 23. Repairs, &c. of All Saints Church,
Hastings n.y. $^d.
Sep. 3. Repairs of Draycott Church, Stafford
1 1 s. id.
Oct. 15. Bishop's Norton Church, Lincolns. 12s. -$d.
Oct. 29. Abbey Langr Cost (? Lanercost) church
Nov. 28. Sufferers by fire at Ramsay, Huntingdon
^3 9 s - ll d-
Jan. 7. Fire at Manton, Rutland 9^. id.
Jan. 21. Fire at North Stoneham, Hants 9.?. 4^.
Feb. 1 8. Repairs of Well Church, Lincolns.
los. lid.
1732. Oct. 22. For sufferers by fire at Blandford
2 los. gd.
Mar. 5. Repairs of Aberbrothock Harbour
1 7.?. Afd.
Mar. 8. Fire at Austerfield, York 8s. $^d.
Apr. 8. Repairs of Dudley Church, Worcester
I is. Tfed.
1733. Loss by fire at (one Brief) Wood Plumpton, Lan-
caster 'js. $d.
Whitefield, Somerset 8s. g^d.
Waddington, Wilts gs. I id.
Barton-upon-Humber, Lincolns. 8s. I id.
Erchfont, Wilts i6s. 2d.
Aylesbury, Bucks i$s. ^\d.
1733. Upon the Brief for Rufford Chapel, Lancaster
Conington Church, Cambridge 9^. id.
Seremby Church, Lincoln 8s. g\d.
Mitchel Dean Church, Gloucester 9^. 8d.
Monmouth Church, Wales 9^. id.
1734. Collected upon a Brief for Ealing Church, Middx.,
May 26 13-r. od.
Monford Church, Salop, June 23 8^. $d.
LIST OF VICARS. 2 I 7
1734. Gressingham Chapel, Lancaster, July 28 i$s. $d.
Redmarley Church, Worcester, (__'- o. Tll//
Edengale Church, Stafford, / Aug.25 BJ.I i J*
Christleton Church, Chester, Sep. 2 us. od.
All Saints' Church, Worcester, Dec. 8 9^. 2di
1734. Guilden Morden, Cambridge, Oct. 27 gs. $d.
Onniley, Staffords., Nov. 10 IDS. ^.d.
Barnwell, Cambridge, Jan. 23 2 i?s. 8d.
Epvvorth, Lincolns., Feb. 23 js. 2d.
1735. June 8. Fire at Cottenham, Cambridge Ss. \Q\d.
,, Apr. For Machyleth Church, Montgomery 1 2s. od.
May ii. North Meels Church, Lancashire los. 8d.
%ist of Wears.
(Extracted by Rev. C. Coates from the Episcopal Registers
of Salisbury, with additions and corrections.)
PATRON. The Abbat and Convent.
Register of Simon de Gandavo.
1299. 6 to Id. Mar. HUGO DE DREYTON.
1307. 5 to Kal. Jan. WlLLIELMUS DE DEPEFORD.
Register Mortival.
1324. JOHN DE WYNCHEDON.
1325. 13. Cal. April. JOHANNES DE LONGA SUTTON.
Register Wyvill.
1332. 3 Id. Maii. WILLIELMUS DE BERTON.
1342. 3 Id. Oct. WILLIELMUS DE APPLEFORD.
1344. Jan. 30. ADAM ATT AUMERIE.
1349. 10 Kal. Jun. WALTER DE HAREWELL.
Sep. 22. JOHANNES DE NORTHLECH, by resigna-
tion of Harewell.
Register Waltham,
1 360. i Aug. HENRY LAMBYN, by the death of William,
the last vicar.
2l8 LIST OF VICARS.
1389. 9 Mar. JOHANNES SCHIPPELAKE, by the death
of Lambyn.
1397. WALTER BARTHOLOMEW.
1399. June 17. JOHANNES SERNE.
Register Chandler.
1418. Dec. ii. THOMAS BLOXAM.
Jan. 5. LAURENCE HOREWODE, by the resigna-
tion of Bloxam.
1419. Feb. 5. DAVID MICHELL, vicar of Tilehurst, of
which the Abbat and Convent were also patrons,
by the resignation of Horewode.
1420. Sep. 6. JOHN ANDREWS, by the resignation of
Michell. (See Monuments?)
Register Nevylle.
1428. Mar. 16. JOHN MASON.
1434. Mar. 19. HENRY COUPER, by the death of
Mason (gave a donation to the church in
1440-1).
1434-5. F GD - !9- WlLLl AM GOLDORE, Rector of Lasham
in Hampshire, by exchange with Couper ....
ob. 1468. (See Monuments!)
1468. Oct. 14. NICHOLAS MORE, M.A., by the death
of Goldore. Ob. 31 Jan. 1477. (See Monu-
ments!)
1477. Jan. 3. THOMAS HILL, B.LL., by the death of
More.
Register Audeley,
1502. Sep. 1 8. THOMAS JUSTICE, by the death of Hill.
(See Monuments!)
1518. Dec. 20. RICHARD BEDOO, M.A., by the resigna-
tion of Justice.
(The will of Richard Bedoo or Bedoe is pre-
served at Somerset House Reg. " Hogen,"
fo. 22. C.K.)
Register Campegio.
1534. Jan. 22. JOHN MAYNSFORTH, by the death of
Bedoo, reserving a pension of >\2 to Thomas
Justice. (Maynsforth died anno 3-4 Edward VI.
1550. C.K.)
LIST OF VICARS. 2IQ
PATRON. The Crown.
1553. Sep. 12. THOMAS GRENEWAY, canon of Christ
Church.
Between the presentation of Greneway and
Radley there is a void: in 1560 is this
entry "To the preacher M r Underwood V s .
To Richard Cam, our curate, for a fortnight
xiij 8 iiij d ." In an account of the vicarage
given by Joel Stephens, Esq. of the Commons
in 1744, to Mr. Boudry then vicar, it is stated
from a record in the First Fruits Office, that in
Q. Elizabeth's reign, the vicarage was in arrears
to the Crown for the first-fruits and tenths for 1 3
years past.
Register Jewell.
1565. Nov. 29. JOHN RADLEY, by the death of the last
incumbent.
Register Gcast.
1574. April 23. JOHN SMITH, M.A., by the resignation
of Radley. He was previously master of the
Grammar School, being appointed thereto 1569.
Anno 1589-90. "Joh a n Smithe vica. St.
Lauretii." " The Queere or Chansell was lastye
repaired at the Costes of the Quenes Ma tie , our
vicar M r Smith folowing the longe suite therof,
and obteyned of the lord Treasurer through
the reddye helpe and counsell of M r Martin hir
Ma tleS Supvisor : And the L : Treasurer allotted
xxix 11 x 8 to be received of the Q. auditours
towards the Reparations thereof, being comitted
vnto M r Ellys Burgesse, then Maior, and the
sayd Vicar, to be bestowed theron: w c was
done according 1593."
1597. "M r CHANDLER, vicar" occurs in the C.W.
accounts of this year ; and the signature
" Joh'an Smithe," in those of the year preceding.
1602. " M r ABRAM CREY, vicar."
1603. Jan. 7. JOHN DENN!SON,by the death of Abraham
Crey. In Hearne's "Antiquities of Glastonbury,"
p. 275, he gives this extract from the register of
220 LIST OF VICARS.
Thatcham, in Berks "1603, Abraham Gray,
preacher dwelling in Reading, came to
Thatcham, and died there and was buried
the II th of September, 1603." (There is a
manifest discrepancy between "Crey" and
" Gray," but the name is spelt " Crey" in the
C. W. accounts of St. Lawrence's.)
Register Abbott.
1618. THEOPHILUS TAYLOR, M.A., by cession of the
last incumbent.
Register Davenant.
PATRON. TJie President and Felloivs of St. JoJin's College
in Oxford.
1640. Aug. 5. THOMAS LLOYD, LL.D., by the death of
Taylor.
Register Duppa.
1643. Sep. 30. THOMAS TUER, M.A. He was admitted
of St. Jonn's College, August 2, 1624. From
1645 to 1660 Bishop Duppa's register is
defective.
1645. DR. PORDAGE, son of Samuel Pordage, a citizen
of London. He afterwards became Rector of
Bradfield, Berks, from which he was ejected in
1654. He was reinstated after the Restoration,
and lived there several years. There is an
interesting account of him in Mr. Coates'
" Reading," p. 205.
In the second volume of Churchwardens'
Accts. p. 250, is the following :
"12 July, 1646.
The day & yeare aboue written,
M r George Wooldridge, Maior
M r Peter Burningham
M r Richard Holloway
M r John Webb
Were chosen Ruling Elders of the pochiall &
Congregationall Eldershipp of St. Lawrence in
Reading, according to the directions of the
L ds & Cofnons assembled in Parliamet &c."
(57 parishioners present, including D r Pordage.)
LIST OF VICARS. 221
1647. THOMAS GILBERT, M.A. The son of William
Gilbert, of Priss, in Shropshire : admitted
Student of Edmund Hall in 1629. M.A. in
1638. Became an "Independent." Resigned
1650. Afterwards rector of Edgemond, Salop,
from which he was ejected in 1660. Died
July 15, 1694, & was buried in the church of
St. Aldate, Oxford.
1651. SYMON FORD, D.D. Resigned 1659. Son of
Rich. Ford, of East Ogwell, Devon. By the
Worths, his mother's family, he was descended
from the Founder of Wadham College, Oxford.
Joined the Puritan party 1641. He married
M rs Anne Thackham, of St. Mary's, Reading.
He was accounted an able scholar, an elegant
Latin poet, and a preacher of great eminence.
Register Henchman.
1671. Dec. 4. JOHN BRASIER, of St. John's College,
B.D., by the death of Ttier, according to the
Bishop's register. It appears by Archbishop
Laud's Book that Tuer was restored in 1660.
He was buried, according to the parish register,
Oct. i, 1671.
Register Ward.
1678. Jan. 6. SARGENT HUGHES, of St. Mary Hall,
M.A., by the death of Brasier.
Register Burnet.
1688. June ii. PHANNEL BACON, by the death of
Hughes. He was admitted of St. John's College
in 1669; M.A. Mar. 23, 1677; B.D.July, 1684.
Buried in St. Lawrence's Jan. 16, 1731-2, aged
80 years.
Register Hoadley.
1732. March 29. EDWARD OWEN, by the death of
Bacon. He was M.A. Mar. 9, 1720; B.D.
Apr. 23, 1725 ; D.D. Mar. 29, 1729. After-
wards Vicar of Great Stoughton, Huntingdon-
shire.
1733. Oct. 16. WILLIAM BOUDRY, by the resignation of
222 PRIESTS AND CHAPLAINS.
Owen. Born Dec. n, 1700. Elected Scholar
of St. John's from Merchant Tailors' School
1719; M.A. Apr. 10, 1727; B.D. May 17,
1732. Afterwards Rector of Checkendon, Oxon.
1747. Mar. 3. THOMES SHUTE, by the resignation of
Boudry. D.D. Dec. I, 1742. Died August 19,
1762. Buried in St. Lawrence's. His tablet was
erected near one of the south windows of the
chancel. The eight bells were recast under his
auspices in 1748, and two trebles added to the
original octave.
1763. Nov. 25. JEREMIAH NICHOLSON, by the death
of Shute. M.A. 1749; B.D. 1755 ; D.D. 1759.
Died July 18, 1771.
There is a small tablet to his memory on the
north side of the altar, under a recess in the
east respond in the chancel.
1772. Jan. 1 6. JOHN NICHOLLS, by the death of
Nicholson. M.A. 1749 ; B.D. 1755 ; D.D. 1760.
Died June 25, 1788. His broken memorial
now lies on the step ascending into St. John's
chapel.
1788. Dec. 2. JOHN GREEN, B.D.
1812. WILLIAM WISE, D.D. Died Oct. 14, 1883, aged
64 years.
1833. JOHN BALL, B.D. Died Dec. 17, 1865. Presented
by St. John's College, Oxford.
PATRON. The Lord Bishop of Oxford.
1865. LEWIN GEORGE MAINE, M.A., Vicar of Sowerby,
Yorks., 1874.
1874. JOHN MELVILLE GUILDING, by exchange with
the Rev. Lewin Geo. Maine.
priests anb Cbaplains, not Wears, wbose
names are recorfceb in tbe Cbureb*
warfcens' Heeounts.
1498. " It. rec. of SIR WrfiM SYMMYS pish plst of his
gyfte to the church, iij 8 iiij d ."
He was one of the sponsors with Richard
PRIESTS AND CHAPLAINS. 223
Clech and Mistress Smyth at the consecration
of the great Bell " Harry" the same year.
1501-2. "It. rec. of wast of torchis at the berying of
S r JOHN HIDE vicar of Sonyng ij 8 vj d ."
1502-3. "It. rec. at the burying of SIR JOHN PYMBER
ij 8 iiij d ."
1503-4. " It. payed to SIR THOMAS pisshe preste of
Seynt Maryes for his labo r in ryding to New-
bery for Thomas Euard the clerke."
1507-8. " It. rec. of John Puncer for the grete bel at the
buryng of SIR JOHN STYRY xij d ."
"For removyng of a noj? m^ble stone & for
the leyng of |? e same on Sir John Styrys g*ve
(part of) xx d ." (Orig. p. 37.)
" It. rec. of John Pownser ffor the grete bell
at Sir John is meynd xij d ."
1510-11. " It. rec. of S r JOHN TENDALL in money found
in the church ij d ."
1512-3. "It. payd for caryage of S r THOMAS grete
antiphoner to & fro the church at all dyvyne
ss'vice to Wiftm Longe for the yer viij d ."
1517 (Inventory). " It. a Cope of red silke w l signes
of the Son (sun), of the gifte of DAN ROB 1
REYDNG, Monke."
1517. " It. a chesible of whit Damaske, w* braunches of
gold : the orfrey blew velwett w* thappell of the
gifte of JOHN THORNE, abbott of Redyng."
(Inventory).
1519-20. "It. Ryngyng the knyll for S r JOHN RlCHE-
MOND, xij d ."
1523. "It. to S r JOHN SMYTH for a q a r? wages endyd
at Crystmas xxxiij 8 iij d ."
1524. " It. payd to SVRic. BAYNTON for mendyng the
grett organs at ij tymes iiij 8 ."
1524-5. " Repacons of S 1 ' Bayntons Chamber."
" It. payd for q a r?s eveslath & lyme, vj s iiij d
ob."
" It. for vij c (700) laths and ix c lath naylls,
iij a viij d ."
" It. for bord naylls, laths naylls, q a rt? & bords
iij 8 ix d ."
" It to the carpen? ij dayes, xij d ."
"It. to Troll & his man for workmanshypp
vij 8 vj d ."
224 PRIESTS AND CHAPLAINS.
1527. "It. for the grave of SYR WILLIAM WRYGHT,
vj 8 vij d ."
1531-2. "Payd for ryngyng of S r GEORGE FFOSTER's
knyll vj d ."
1533-4. "Rec. for the grave of SIR ROB { HETH
vj s viij d ."
1535-6. " Costs don apon S r NIC' Chamber."
" For fFewtryng the drow3ght there xvj d ."
"A key for the shopp dore ij d ."
" Bryks to pave the hall xvij d ."
"Payd for bordyng the walls there & for
naylls therto viij d ."
" Payd for iij busshells of stone lyme vj d ."
"Payd to the Carpen? for workmanshypp &
for tymfc ij 8 vj d ."
1537-8. "Rec. for a Surples of S r Nicfius sold iijV
" Payd for horse hire for SIR RlC. DEAN, iiij d ."
1547. " Paid to S r Richard Deane for wagis allowed
hym by the pisshe x s ."
1 549-50. " Paid to S r Ric. A-Deane for his yer 8 wag 8
xx 8 ."
1540-1. "Payd to FFATHER REYNOLDS for di yeres
wayges ended then viij 8 viij V
1541-2. "Rec. for grave of S r WiLLiz a M, chapleyn to
Sir Williz a m Penyson, Knyght, vj 8 viij d ."
1 547. " Paid to S r HARPER for wag s allowed hym by
the pishe, x s ."
1548. Paid to S r Harper for his yer s wag 8 xx s ."
1549-50. Paid to S r Harper for his yer 3 wag 8 xx 8 ."
1548. " Paid to S r WliiM WEBBE for his yer 8 wag 8 xx 8 .
1 549-50. " Paid to S r Wiilm Webbe for makyng &
prykkyng of Songs iij s iiij d .
1556. " Paid to Sir Willm Webbe for the prests noble,
vj 8 viij d ."
1558. " Syr Willyam Webbes knyll xx d ."
1552. "Paied to SIR FARYNGTON for his wag s xiij s
iiij d ."
1558-9. "It. to SYR JOHN OF CAU S ] SHAM for xiij week s
servyce vj s ." A French priest served for one
day this year.
1559. "To SIR THOMAS SEARLE xij 8 vj d ."
" To M r THACKHAM for ij wekes servyce, v 8 ."
(succeeded Julius Palmer as master of the
Grammar school. Vide Coates, p. 331).
PRIESTS AND CHAPLAINS. 22$
1567. " ' The gret bel ' In p r mis of Thomas Kenryck
for A PRIESTS knell xx d ."
" Of Thomas Kenryck for y e prestes grave
vij s
1563. " Itm. that I (Will Duddelsoll) and Master Tylby
dyd gather toward the fyndynge of the
mynister M r CROFT for v weekes xvij 3 iij d ."
1564. "SYR JOHN RADLYE held a stable in Gutter
Lane."
226 SPORTS, PASTIMES, MYSTERIES, ETC.
, Hysterics,
Cburcb Hie.
The ancient records of St. Lawrence abound with
references to the sports and pastimes of our ancestors.
The various games and exhibitions appear to have been
under the special patronage of the Churchwardens as
the chief parochial officers in those days, and were resorted
to by them as a means of obtaining money for the dis-
charge of their annual liabilities. The commonest of these
sports was the Morris Dance, which seems to have accom-
panied all other diversions. It was frequently joined to
processions and pageants, and especially figured in the
festivities and gambols of May Day. The following ex-
tracts supply many graphic details of a performance which
requires but little mental effort to reanimate :
1513. "It. payed for a hope (hoop) for the joyaunt and
for ale to the Moreys dawnc^ls on the dedi-
cacon day iij d .
" It payed to the Mynstrells for iiij days xxij d ."
1529. "It. for bells for the Morece dauncers iij s vj d .
("These bells were 1 attached to the elbows
and points of the dress and specially to
garters for the legs & ankles. . . . They were
of unequal sizes and differently denominated,
as the fore-bell, the second bell, the treble,
the tenor, &c., and mention is also made of
double bells." Strutt, 224.)
" It. for iij hatts for the Morece dauncers vj d .
" It. for ffyve ells of Canves for a cote for made
Maryon at iij d ob. the ell, xvij d ob.
" It. for iij yerds of bockerham for the morece
dauncers xij d .
1530. "It. fora grosse of bells for the morece dauncers
iij 8 .
1541-2. "Payd for lyverys & payntyng the mores cotes
SPORTS, PASTIMES, MYSTERIES, ETC. 22/
1553. Debts "It. uppon John Saundcrs, th'appells of
the mores dauncers. He saith he delyued
them to M r Buklond."
This relates to an inquiry made in Q. Mary's
time regarding the alienation of church goods.
From the mention of Maid Marian it will at once appear
that the Robin Hood play accompanied the Morris dance.
The principal characters were Robin Hood, Little John,
Will Stukeley, Maid Marian, Friar Tuck and Much the
Miller's son, who seems to have played the Fool. This
performance was especially associated with the festivities
of May Day.
1498-9. "It. rec. of the gaderyng of Robyn Hod xix s ."
1501-2. "It. rec. of the May play callyd Roby Hod on
the fay re day vj s .
" It. payed to mynstrells at the chosyng of Robyn
Hodvj d ."
"It. payd to Willm Stayner for ij c (200)
lyuays viij d .
(The liveries were badges, ribbons, or other
tokens worn by the performers.)
" It. payed for cc lyveryes & c pynnys ayenst
maydaye vj d .
1501-2. "It. payed to Wittm Stayn 1 ! for makyng vp of
the maydens ban) cloth, viij d .
1503-4. "It. rec. of the gaderyng of Robin Hod x
busshells malt p^c v s . (for the brewing of the
church ale).
" It. rec. of the gadervng of the same Robyn
Hod i b3 of whete pic, xij d .
" It. rec. of the gaderyng of the seid Robyn
Hod in money, xlix 8 .
" It. payed to an harp on the church hoi)'- day,
iiij d .
" It. payed for bred & ale to Robyn Hod & hys
c5pany the 5 day, iiij d .
" It. payed for a cote to Robyn Hod, v s iiij d .
" It. payed to a Taberer on Philips Day &
Jacob (May Day) for his wagis mete & drynk
& bed, viij d .
" It. for mete & drynk to Robyn Hod and his
copany xvj d .
Q 2
223 SPORTS, PASTIMES, MYSTERIES, ETC.
I 53-4- "It- payed for felly ng & bryngyng home of
the bow set in ]> e m] cat place for settyng vp-
of the same mete & drynk, viij d .
1505. "It. payed for the Bachelors dyn] & sop on the
Mayday xviij' 1 .
" It. payed to Mais? Clech for Robin Hods cote
& his hosyn vj 8 vij d payed for lyueryes, xj d .
" It. rec. of the maydens gaderyng at Whitson-
tyde at J? e tre (tree) at Y church dore, clerly
ij 8 xj d .
(Was this a May bower ?)
" It. payed to Crystyan Bryll by the bonds of
Wittm Stamford for wyne to Robyn Hod of
Handley & his copany, vj s .
" It. payed to the Taberer, vj s .
1506. "It. payed to Thomas Taberer on the dedicacon
day for his wagis mete and drynke, x d .
"It. payed for a supper to Robyn Hod & his
company when he cam from ffynchamsted r
xviij d .
1507-8. "It. rec. of the gaderyng of Robin Hod pley
xvij 3 x .
" Payed to Mors son the harper, iiij d .
1510. "It. receyvyd on Seynt Phylypp & Jacob day
(May Day) for ij stondyngs at |? c church porch,
vj d .
(This was the old south porch mentioned on
page 151. The standings were for the spectators
of the May Games.)
1529. "It. to the carpyn? for ij dayes to make a laddar
of the May poole & for hys mete & drynk,
1557. " Itm. y e gatheringe of y c yonge folkes &
maydens on Maydaye & at Whytsontyde
nichil (i.e., nothing).
" Itm. for the yeough tree, iiij d .
" Itm. for fetchinge the summar pole, ij d .
l( Itm. for a breakfast to the yonge men, xvj d .
" Itm. for a quarter of veale & a q a r? of lambe,
iij s iij d .
Note. There is an almost exhaustive article
on this game in Hone's" Every-Day Book," vol. i.
CORPUS CHRISTI. 229
Corpus Cbtistu
The festival of Corpus Christi was instituted in honour
of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, and was com-
memorated on the Thursday next after Trinity Sunday.
The ceremonies observed cannot be better described than
by Googe, a hostile writer of the Reformation era :
W)tn ttotf) ensue tlje solemne feast
of orpus CCfjrtstt Bap,
2251)0 tfjcn can sljctoe tficir toicfcctr use
anti fontr anfc fooltsfi, plat).
W)t fyallotoeti brcafo tottf) toorsljtp great
in stlbcr pix tf;co bcare
cljurcfje or in tfie citie
passing Ijcre antr ifjeare.
armes t^at Scares tf)e same^ttno of
tfjc toealtljtest men tto ^oltte:
oticr !)im a canopcp
of silfee antt dot!) of gol&e.
Cfjristc's passion fjcre UcriOctt is
tnttl) sunttrte masfees antf plapcs.
EB, fioitl; Ijcr manUens all
tiot^ passe amiti tljc fcoascs.
baltant George toitl; spearc tfjou fetllest
rije trcanfull uragon {jere,
5IIje fcebtPsftousc is lirainne about
tofitrcin ttyerc Uotf) apperc
^ toontfrous sort of fcamnctt spirttes
tottf) foulc anti fearful! loofee,
Great CCfmstopfKr tiot!) toatic anu passe
toitfi CCiirist amttt tfje fcroofee.
Sebastian full of featljerctt sl)afics
tijc titnt of trart Uotfi feck.
itatljrcn tottf) !)ir stnorUe
in fjanti, putt etucl toljcrle.
I)allt3 antt tf)C singing Cake
toitl) Barbara is leK,
sunBric otljcr paacants planBc
in inorsljip of tfjis brrtf
Qlfa eommon toans tottl) botoes arc stratotic
an1> cucry sircetc besitre,
"anti to t^e toallcs anti tointtotocs all
are bougtjcs anti braunchcs ttUc.
Qlfyt monfecs in ebcrn place So roamr,
t'bc nonncs abroati arc sent,
20 CORPUS CHRISTI.
riestcs anti schoolmen lotott "fco rorc,
some use the instrument.
t straungcr passing tl;rougl) tfje strecte
tippon ftis fences tiotf) fall,
carnestlp tippon this brctic
as on fits Goti, Uotf) calle. ...
?l number grtte of armcu men
here all this tofjile So stantt,
(To look that no irtsorfcer fie
nor any filching fiantt.
jpor all tfic cfiurcb gooses out arc brought
Softie!) certatnln tooultr be
3 bootie gooti, if cbert) man
tnigf)t fjabe Ijis liberttc.
HONE, i. 743.
The Religious Plays, termed " Mysteries," or dramatic
representations of Scripture Histories, were celebrated on
this festival. York, Coventry, and Chester were especially
famous for these performances, which were enacted in
sections by the various trade guilds of those places. The
Coventry Mysteries abound in stories from the Apocryphal
Gospels engrafted on the New Testament narrative. The
Chester plays adhere in their plot more closely to the
Scripture story.
Henry VII. was entertained one Sunday when at dinner
at Winchester Castle by the play of " Christ's Descent into
Hell," performed by the choir boys of Hyde Abbey and St.
Swithun's Priory there.
Dugdale, in his " History of Warwickshire," published in
1656, writes, that "the Coventry pageants were acted with
mighty state and reverence by the Grey Friars, who had
theatres for the several scenes, very large and high placed
upon wheels, and drawn to all the eminent parts of the city
for the better advantage of spectators." The play contained
the principal stories in the Old and New Testaments, com-
posed in old English rhythm. The original may be seen in
the British Museum (Cotton, Vest. D. viij.), entitled " Ludus
Corporis Christi," or " Ludus Coventrise."
The Chester Mysteries were performed by the trading
companies of the city.
" Every company had its pagiante or parte consisting of
a high scaffolde with two rowmes, a higher and a lower,
upon four wheeles. In the lower they apparelled them-
CORPUS CHRISTI. 231
selves, in the higher rovvme they played, being all open on
the tope, that all behoulders might heare and see them.
The places where they played them was in euery streete.
They beganne first at the Abay gates, and when the
pagiante was played, it was wheeled to the High Crosse
before the, mayor, and so to euery streete; and so euery
streete had a pagiante playing before them till all the
pagiantes for the daye appointed were played, and when
one pagiant was neer ended, worde was brought from streete
to streete, that soe the might come in place therof exceding
orderlye, and all the streetes had their pagiant afore them
all at one tyme playing togeather, to se which playes was
greate resorte, and also scafolds, and stages mMe in the
streetes in those places where they determined to playe
their pagiants." (Extract given by Hone, i. 757.)
Drake, in his " History of York" (vol. ii. edit. 1785), gives
out of the city registers many curious particulars of the
city pageants held there in the reign of Henry V.
In 1415 the Armourers represented Adam and Eve an
angel with a spade and distaff assigning them labour.
The Fishmongers, Mariners, &c., set forth Noah in the
Ark, with his wife and three sons, with divers animals.
The Bookbinders Abraham sacrificing his son Isaac
with a ram, a bush, and an angel.
Vestment makers and skinners The Triumphal Entry
Jesus on an ass with its foal. The twelve Apostles follow-
ing six rich and six poor men with eight boys bearing
branches of palm-trees, crying, "Blessed is He," &c.,
Zacchseus ascending a sycamore-tree.
The following is an extract, slightly modernized, from the
representation of Christ's appearance to His disciples in
the upper room after His resurrection and the incredulity
of St. Thomas. (Corpus Christi Play, York. 1415.)
Peter. Welcome, Thomas ! where hast thou been ?
For wit thou well withouten ween
Jesus our Lord then have we seen
On ground here gone.
Thomas. What say ye ? Man ! alas for teyne (sorrow],
I trow ye mang (wander mentally).
John. Thomas, truly that is not to layne (conceal},
Jesus our Lord is risen again.
Thomas. Do-way ! your tales are but a train
of fools unwise.
233 CORPUS CHRISTI.
For he that was so fully slain
how should he rise ?
James. Thomas, really he is our Life,
That tholed the Jews, his flesh rise ;
He let us feel his wounds five
That Lord, very.
Thomas. That trow (believe) I not, so mote I thrive
What ye so say.
Peter. Thomas, we saw his wounds wet,
How he was nailed through hands and feet
Honey and fish with no he ate,
That body free.
Thomas. I lay my life it was some spirit
Ye wened was he.
John. Nay, Thomas, then he is misgone.
For why ? he bade us everyone
To grip him grathly, blood and bone,
And flesh to feel.
Such things, Thomas, have spirits none,
That knowst thou well.
Thomas. Now, fellows, let be your fare (proceedings]
Till that I see that body bare,
And syne my fingers put in there
Within his hide,
And feel the wound the spear shear (cut or tore)
Right in his side.
Ere I shall trow no tales between.
James. Thomas, that wound then have we seen.
Thomas. Yea, ye wot never what ye mean,
Your wits ye want,
Think no sin thus me to teyn (vex)
And fill with traunts (tricks).
Jesus. Peace, and rest be unto you !
And, Thomas, tente to me take you
Put forth thy fingers to me now :
My hands you see
How I was nailed for man's prow
Upon a tree.
Behold my wounds are all bleds and
Here in my side put in thy hand
And feel this wound and understand
That it is I.
And be no more so mistroward (unbelieving),
But trow truly.
CORPUS CHRISTI. 233
Thomas. My Lord ! My God ! full well is me !
Ah, Blood of price ! blest might thou be !
Mankind in earth, behold and see
This blessed blood !
Mercy, Lord, now ask I thee
With main and mood.
Jesus. Thomas, for thou hast seen this sight
That I am risen, as I thee hight (called] :
Therefore trow that every like wight (person]
Blest be they ever,
That trows wholly in my rising right
And saw it never.
My " brethren," " friends," now forth in fere
(company)
Over all in every country sere (many).
My rising both far and near
Preached shall be,
And my blessing I give you here
And this menye (company).
With this introduction the following extracts from the
Churchwardens' book will be more intelligible :
1498. " It. rec. of the gaderyng of a stage play xvij 8 .
1507. " It. rec. of the Sonday afore Bartylmastyde for
the pley in the forbery xxiij 8 viij d . (S. Bar-
thol. 24 August, about half-way through the
Trinity Season.)
" It. paied for a lode of Aldren polls xij d .
" It. paied a car? for carying off pypys & hogs-
hedds in to the forbury ij d .
" It. paied to the Laborers in the forbury for set-
ting vp off the polls for the schaphold ix d .
" It. paied to the Bere-man for ber for |? e pley yn
Y forbury x d .
" It. paied to Roberd Lynacre for havyng awey
off all man j of things owjt off the Forbury.
" It. paied for brede ale & bere y 1 longyd to y e
pleye in the forbury ij s vj d .
" It. paied for j ell q a rt of crescloth for Adam
for to make j peyr of hosyn & j ell for a
dowblett x d .
" It. paied for course canvass to make xiij capps
w th the makyng & w th the hers (ears) therto
longyng, ij s iiij d .
234 THE KING PLAY.
1 507. " It. paied for ij ells di of crescloth for to make
Eve a cote x d .
(The crescloth was a fine linen material
the garments of our first parents were pro-
bably made very close-fitting, and stained
flesh-colour.)
" It. paied for ij qweyer of pap for the pagentts v d .
" It. paied for dyed flex ii_p v d (for wigs for the
performers.)
" It. paied for the makyng of a dublett of lethur
& j peyr off hosyn off lethur agaynst Corp 9
Xpi day viij d .
"It. paied to Henry Peyn? for hys labo r ]? e
Korp 9 Xpi day xx d ."
1509. "It. payed for thetymber & naylis and the werke-
manschip of the fframe ffor the canopye and
ffor whyte lyre ffor the same canopye x a .
"Itm. payed for xij thredyn poyntys for to
ffasten the same canopy to the fframe j d .
" It. payed for iij new stavys and for the payntyng
of the hole (whole) iiij stavys ffor to bere the
seyd canopy xij d .
1512. "It. payed to Rob 1 Slan for wasting of the Taylours
torchis on Corpus X 1 day iij d .
1539. " Rec. of the Shomakers for wex to ther lights v 8 .''
Here we find as usual the trade guilds taking
their part in these performances. (See Altars
of St. Blaise, St. Thomas, and St. Clement]
This was a representation of the visit of the Eastern
sages (supposed to be Kings) to the infant Saviour. It
was clearly an " out-of-door" performance, usually termina-
ting in a " church ale" and a supper. The names of these
monarchs are said to have been Caspar, Melchior, and Bel-
thasar; but other traditions name them differently. Cressy
(quoted by Hone) tells us that the Empress Helena, who
died about the year 328, brought their bodies from the
East to Constantinople, from whence they were transferred
to Milan, and afterwards, in A.D. 1164, on the capture of
Milan by the Emperor Frederick, presented by him to the
Abp. of Cologne, who put them in the principal church of
THE KING PLAY. 235
that city, where (says Cressy) they are celebrated with
great veneration."
W. Traheron, in his translation of Pedro Mexia's
" History of the Roman Emperors," writes:
" The reliques and bodies of saints which were in the
citie (of Milan) and held in great account here (Fred.
Barbarossa, Emperor) divided amongst the Bishops and
prelates which were there with him ; of which the three
Kings, which came out of the East to adore Christ in
Bethlehem, were given to the Archbishop and Cathedrall
Church of Colen, where (it is said) they are at this day."
(1560).
James Philip, in his " Supplementum Chronicarum" (fol.
227, edit. 1486), writes : " But a certain Rudolph, then
Abp. of Cologne, being present with the Emperor, and
assisting at this overthrow, seized the bodies of the three
Magi which Eustorgius, Bp. of Milan, had a long time pre-
viously translated from Constantinople, and carried them
with great joy to his own city, as is related by Vincentius."
There is a very ingenious note in Man's " History of
Reading," in which he derives " Kings of Colen" from
" Coley," a district of Reading ! ! ! In Hone's " Every-Day
Book" (i. 46) there is an account from Du Cange of the
Feast of the Star, or Office of the Three Kings, anciently
performed by the clergy within the church on the Feast of
the Epiphany.
1498-9. " Itm. payed for horse mete to the horssys for
the Kyngs of Colen on May Day, vj d .
" Jtm. payed to mynstrells the same day, xij d .
1502-3. " It. rec. of the Kyng play, xj s .
1507-8. " It. payed for carying of a bough for the King
play at Whitsontyde, iiij d .
"It. payed to the taberer at Whyssontyde for
his labo r , iiij 8 viij d .
1514-5. " It.payd for a Kyltherkyn of bere ayestWytson-
tyde, xvj d .
" It. payd for a dosen of good ale & iij galons of
peny ale to Richard Turner, xx d .
" It. payd for cariage of the tre at Witsontyde,
vj d .
1516-7. " It. of the yong men for the gatheryng at the
Kyng play, xxiij 8 .
" It. of the tree of the Kyng play late stondyng
in the m ,catt place, xij d .
236 THE KING PLAY.
15 19. " It. paid to Thomas Taberer for the Kyng pley
at Whitsontide, x s .
" It. for his mete & drynk at Thom a s Barbors.
1539. "Paydfor watchyng the sepulcr & for Colen,
x d .
1540-1. " Rec. of the Kyng game this yere, iij 11 viij 3 .
1557. "Itm. the saide churchwardens gatheringe at
y e Kyngale in the Whytsontyde at the church
ale suppars, xlviij 8 ."
The following may perhaps illustrate the method in
which this King Play was performed with reference to type
and prophecy. One of the ancient painted windows of
Canterbury Cathedral is divided into seven stages, each
containing three pictures. The first illustrates the visit of
the Magi.
1. Balaam riding on an ass. (Type?)
Over his figure in the glass is inscribed the
word ' BALAAM'. The surrounding inscription is
"ORIETVR STELLA EX IACOB ET CONSVRGET
VIRGO DE ISRAEL." Here are type and prophecy
combined.
2. Three wise men riding. (Antitype?)
They seem to be in doubt of the way. Over
them is the Star indicated in Balaam's prophecy.
3. The prophet Isaiah standing near a gate leading into
the city.
By his head is the word ' YSA 1 . The inscription
is 'AMBVLABVNT GENTES IN LVMINE TVO ET
REGES IN SPLENDORE ORTU VENIABANT.'
The subject is continued in the next three pictures.
The first has Pharaoh, refusing to be convinced
of the Divine Commission of Moses, in spite of
the column of fire leading Israel.
The second has the antitype Herod refusing
to be convinced by the star which led the Magi.
The third has the conversion of the Heathen,
and following Christ the light.
STELLA MAGOS DVXIT ET AB EOS HERODE
REDVXIT. Under this
SIC SATHANAM GENTES FVGIVNT TE CHRISTE
SEQVENTES.
THE PASSION PLAY. 237
"Ca^mes
Fuller, in his "Church History" (vi.i. 14.) writes " Wick-
liffe constantly inveigheth against Friars under the name
' CAIM/ which he thus explains :
C = 'Carmelites,
A = 'A' ugustinians,
I = ' I ' acobins or Dominicans,
M = 'M'inorites or Franciscans."
This pageant probably derives its name from these four
orders of Friars, who were the principal performers. If not,
the Play of Kayme can only have been another name for
that of ' Robin Hood/ whose grandfather, Ralph Fitz Ooth,
was Earl of Kyme.
1512. " It. rec. in money at the play of Kayme, x s vj d .
1515. "It. payd for nayles to Caymes pageaunt in the
rriHcat place, iij d ."
These nails seem to imply the use of a
scaffold.
passion
This name sufficiently indicates its character. It was
a representation of the trial, sufferings, and crucifixion of
our Blessed Lord, performed apparently for the most part
on the Rood Loft in the church.
1 505. " It. payed to the clerks for syngyng of the passion
on Palme Sonday in ale j d ."
1507. "It. paied to Sybel Darling for nayles for the
Sepulcre & for rosyn to the resurrecyon pley ij d
ob." (The resin was undoubtedly for the burst
of light or illumination at the moment of the
Resurrection.)
1508. "It. payed to Wiftm Poo vnder sexton for carying
& recarying of bords to the church for the
pagfunt of the Passion on Est s l monday & for
swepyng of the church at the same tyme viij d ."
It is quite clear from this entry that the Resur-
rection Play must have followed that of the
Passion Play.
238 THE PASSION PLAY.
1 509. " Itm. payed fifor the caryage off the Burdys ffor the
pageant on Estyr monday j d .
" Itm. payed for iij baner pollis v s iiij d .
1512. "Itm. for a q a rte of Malmesey to the clerks on
Palme Sonday iiij d .
1524. "It. for drynk in the rood loft vppon Palme
Sonday.
1 5 34. " Payd for a q a rte of basterd for the Passion apon
Palme Sonday iij d .
1533-4, " Payd to M r Laborne for reformyng the Resur-
recon Play viij d iiij d .
1535. " Payd to S r Laborne for a boke of the resurrecon
play for a q"re of paper & for byndyng
therof ix s x d .
1540-1. "Payd for a quarte of Malmesey for the clerks
vppon Palme Sonday iiij d .
" Payd to Loreman for playing the pphet on Palme
Sonday. ij d ."
(One great feature in these old Scripture
plays was the arrangement of type and prophecy
followed immediately by their antitype or
fulfilment. Loreman performed the Old Tes-
tament shadows as a prophetic intimation of
the next scene taken from the New Testament.
This is the plan still pursued in the Passion
Play of Ober Ammergau. (See tinder King Play.)
1541. "Payd for bred, ale & beare apon Palme Sonday
for syngyng the passion iiij d .
1549. (2 Ed. VI.) "Paid for a q a rte of wyne on Palme
Sonday at Redyng the Passion iiij d ." (This can
only allude to the recitation of the Gospel set
forth in the ist Prayer Book of Ed. VI.
which for Palm Sunday included the whole of
the xxvi. chap, of St. Matthew, and the xxvii.
chapter to the 57th verse.)
"Ibocfc Gibe" ant) "Ibocfc fl&oncs."
" Hock." A.S. Heah = high. High tide or festival, the
time of Easter.
On the Monday and Tuesday in Easter week was com-
memorated the massacre of the Danes on St. Brice's Day,
1 002. Collections were then made by the churchwardens
CHURCH ALE. 239
in most parishes in England. Hock Monday was specially
set apart for the men, and Hock Tuesday (the principal
day) for the women. On both days the men and women
alternately with great merriment intercepted the public
roads with ropes impounding passengers in their folds, and
only releasing them on the payment of a fine. The ladies
always appear to have been more successful than the men
on these occasions.
It was also the custom in some parts of England for the
men to lift or hoist the women, either in their arms or in a
chair, between 9 and 12 on Monday morning, and on the
following day at the same time for the women to hoist the
men a rude method of illustrating the Easter commemo-
ration.
1498-9. " It. rec. of Hok money gaderyd of women xx 8 .
" It. rec. of Hok money gaderyd of men iiij 3 ."
In 1501 the women gathered 17" 6 d and the men 5 s 4 d .
In 1546-7 the women raised 3 I s 3 d and the men 8 s 4*.
29 H. VIII. " Rec. at the ffirst play in East? weke
xxiij 3 ij d .
" Rec. at the second play xj s ij d ."
Cburcb Hie*
" For the church ale two young men of the parishe are
yerely chosen by their last foregoers to be Wardens, who,
devidingthe taske, make collection amongthe parishioners of
whatsoever provision it pleaseth them voluntarily to bestow.
This they employ in brewing, baking, & other acts against
Whitsuntide : vpon which holydayes the neighbours meet at
the Church House, and there merily feed on their own
victuals, contributing some petty portion to the stock which
by many smalls, groweth to a meetly greatness : for there
is entertayned a kinde of emulation between these war-
dens, who by his graciousnes in gathering, and good
husbandry in expending, can best advance the church's
profit.
" Besides, the neighbour parishes at those times lovingly
visit one another, and this way frankly spend their money
together. The afternoones are consumed in such exercises
as olde and yong folke (hauying leysure) doe accustomably
weare out the time withal.
" When the feaste is ended, the Wardens yeeld in their
240 CHURCH ALE.
account to the parishioners, and such money as exceedeth
the disbursements is layd up in store to defray any extra-
ordinary charges arising in the parish or imposed on them
for the good of the country, or the Prince's service, neither
of which commonly gripe so much, but that somewhat still
remaineth to couer the purses bottom." (Carew's " Survey
of Cornwall," 1602; repr. 1723.)
1506. "It. payed to the same Macrell for makyng clene
of the Church agaynst the day of drynking in
the seid Church iiij d .
" It. payed for flessh spyce and bakyng of pasteys
agaynst the said drynkyng ij s ix d ob.
" It. payed for ale at the same drynking xviij d .
" It. payed for mete & drynke to the Taberer ix d ."
General Jnbey.
(The asterisk (*) indicates a recurrence on the same page.)
H
ABBEY, Charles I. at, 94
,, Foundation of, 8
,, GATEWAY, 2
Queen at the, 93
the, 192
Adam and Eve, 233, 234
Addams, 142
Adene, or "Dene," q. v., n
Ades, 185
Adwell, 176
AGLOTTS, or Aylotts of silver, 112
Alcock, organist, 63
Aldworth, old pulpit at, 54
family, 191, 193, 194, 197
ALE, for the clerks on Palm Sunday,
56
for the ringers, 92, 93
Church ale, 239
Ale ward, 12
Alexander, 198, 191
Allesaunder, 191
ALL HALLOW TIDE, 56, 57
Alloway, 192
ALMSHOUSES of John a Larder, 172
ALTAR CLOTHS, list of, 106
ALTARS, 25-48
Alvyngton, 136
Aman, 187
AMIENS, great bell at, 127
Andrew, 101, 195, 176, 188, 189,
190, 191, 194
Andrews, 58, 167, 187, 218
ANGELUS, the, 33
Anne, St., in
Annesley, 167
ANTHONY CROSSES, 106
Apledreham, 8
APOSTLES, figures of the twelve, 27
Appleford, 217
Appowell, 190
ARBORFIELD, 184
ARCHES, nave, 13, 70
new, 14
Aris, 156
Arlatt, 192
ARMORIAL BEARINGS in nave, 14
on tower, 17
, , in Knolly's
transept, 19
Arnold, 186
Ashendon, 172
ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY, 1 1 1
ASTEN Church, 176
Athelard, 13
Atkinson, 179
AUMBRYES, l6, 27
Aumerie, 217
Austwick, 167
Avis, 191*
Awberry, 128, 155
AYLETTS, 112
Ayscough, Bishop of Salisbury, 17
B
Backbye, or Barkbye, organ-builder,
59, 60, 6 1
Bacon, 200, 221
Bagley, 80
Baigant, 158
Baker, 22
Bakestur, 85
Ball, 163, 222
BANCO R, Brief for, 213
Banister, 192
BANNERS, 109
BAPTIST, ST. JOHN, altar of, 36
,, chapel, 36, 175
stalls in, 39, 170
Hospital, ii, 39
(see " St. John's Chapel")
Barber, 1 88, 191, 190
Barbour, 22, 105, 115
Barentyne, 138
Barfote, 34, 103, 174,* 189, 190
Barker, 30, 190
R
242
GENERAL INDEX.
Barnes, 103, 104
Baron, 22
Bartheran, 12
Barton, Walter, Gent., 27, 32, 42,
51,77,104, 119, 178, 189
his will, 174-184
monument, 32, 134
Mrs. Barton, 112, 135, 190
Griffith, 135
John, 13, 185
Bartholomew, 218 j
BASILDON, 131, 179, 181
BASTARD, wine, 57
BATTLE ABBEY, 7, 8
,, farm, 8
Battye, 192
BAWDEKIN, cloth of, what, 112, 113
Baxter, 29
Baynton, 6r, 191, 223
BAYONNE, 137, 138
BEACONS, watching, 68
Beake, 191, 193,
BEAM of brass, 27
Beche, 22, 185
Becker, St. Thomas, 8, 9
Bede, 190
BEDFORDS., Collections on Briefs for
Biggleswade, 211
Pavingham, 207
,, Ridgmont, 210
,, Tempsford, 210
Bedoo, or Bedoe, 175, 189, 218
Beeke, 197
Beke, 190
Bell family, 27, 30, 42, 78, llS, 119,
190,* 191,* 200
BELFRY, the, 1 3, 43
BELL, Lady, 33
,, "Harry," 17, 33, 84, 172, 223
BELLFOUNDERS, 14, 50, 58
BELLS, a fine for not ringing, 92
the, 83-96
tolling, 30
Benham, 77
Bennet, 22, 32
Bent on, 185
Benwell, 191, 192
Benyon, 64
Berd, or Beard, 101, 119, 190
Bereman, 187
BERKSHIRE, Collections on Briefs for
Chilton, 208
,, Hurst, 2ii
,, Twyford, 207
Berton, 217
Beryngton, or Buriton, 191, 200*
Bexe, 190
Bigge, 115, 192, 193, 197
Billing, 15, 71
Binfield, 64,* 89, 166
Berks, 184
Bird, 79
Birmingham. 80, 198 (see Burning-
ham)
BISHAM Abbey, 75
Bishop, 153
Bladier, 22
Blagrave, 10, 20,* 55, 71, 133, 149,
15,* 157, 192
BLAISE, ST., ALTAR OF, 39, 41
Blake, 30, 79, 93, 120, 139, 188, 190,
193
Blankston, 57
Blandy monuments, 166-7
Bloxham, 218
Bocfalde, 8
Body, 6 1
BOOKS, repaired, 31
,, Church, list of, 101-3
,, rebound, 116
Bold, 185
Borrell, 127
Bosden, 171
Boseham, 8
Boteler, or Butler, 12, 22
Boudry, 83, 221
Bowes, 175
Bowlde, 191
Bowme, 191
Bowyer, 193
Box for offerings, 34
Braker, 54
B RAM LEY, Hants, 1 68, 126
Brasey, 191
Brasier, 221
BRASSES, 124. (See Epitaphs and
Monuments)
,, stolen by Roundheads, 162
BRAUNCHE, the, 50
BKEAD for Holy Com., 49
,, singing. 49
BRENTFORD, Charles I. at, 94, 175
Brewar, 191
BRIDAL CUP, 119, 120
BRIDE PASTES, 49, 120
BRIEFS, Collections on, in St. Law-
rence's, 204-217
(See under names 'of Counties.)
Erode, 114
Broke, 171
Brown, 94, 192, 193
BROXBOURNE, Herts, 127
Bryce, or Brice, 187
Bryges, 192
Brygham, 189
Brynger, 12
GENERAL INDEX.
243
Bryssele, 12
Buck, 13, 189
Buckland, 30, 32, 40, 118, 190, 192,
227
BUCKS, Briefs for
Aylesbury, 216
Buckingham, 214
Colnbrook, 215
Chalfont St. Peter's, 207
Little Brickhill, 208
North Marston, 205
Or wood, 214
Stoney Stratford, 205
Wycombe, 210
Wyradisbury, 205
Buckworth, 188
Budd, 12, 192
Bull, 118
Bullinger, 62
Bun, 79
Bunting, 186
Burden, 199
Bureton, 27, 29, 135, 180, 181, 189,
I 9 I
Burges, or Burgeys, 80, 191, 192,*
198,* 199, 219
BURGHFIELD Church, 171
Burlei, or Burley, 187
Burningham, 144
BURTON-ON-TRENT, 163
Burwey, 180
BURY, THE, 6
Bush, 192
Butler, 30, 43,* 50, 118, 140-143, 162,
185, 189, 190, 191, 192, 194, 200
Buttell, 142
Button, 148
BUTTS, the parish, 68
Byfield, organ-builder, 63
Byggs ( Bigge), 46, 191, 200
Byrd, or Bird, q.v., 190
Byrcham, 193
<r
Calcroft, 75
Calton, 80
Cam, 219
CAMBRIDGES., Briefs for
Barnwell, 217
Bottisham, 209
Conington, 2 16
Campshall, 214
Cherry Hinton, 214
Grantchester, 204
Guilden Morden, 217
CAMBRIDGES., Briefs for (continued)
,, Little St. Andrews, 211
,, Milbourn, 215
,, Swaresey, 212
CAMPANILE, 13
CANDLEMAS DAY, 52
CANDLESTICKS, 26, 34, 37, 42
CANOPY over high altar, 26, 108
CANTERBURY, a window at, 236
Capper, 77
Garden, 197
CARDIGAN, Wales, 207
Cardmaker, the, 192
Carpenter, 22, 32, 4o, 77, 174, 185,
188,* 189
Carter, bellfounder,77, 80, 86, 87/193
., Silvanus, a brief for, 209
Casse, 122
CASTLE, Reading, 3
Cater, 191
CATHARINE, ST., 125
play of, 37
guild of, 3r, 45
lights of, 36, 53
,, WHEEL hotel, 37
Cave, 187
CAVERSHAM, 86, 171, 224
Cawarden, 44
Cawood, 22, 190
CAYME'S PAGEANT, 237
CENTRES for arches, 14
Cerne, vicar, 138, 157
Chamberlayn, 80, 190
CHANCEL arch, 15
,, roof, 22, 70
,, monuments in, 140
Chandler, vicar, 219
CHAPLAINS, list of, 222
Chapman, 185, 191
CHARDFORD, 136
Charlton, 197
CHARTER HOUSE, London, 135, 138
Chaundler, 12, 22
Chauntrell, 191
CHAUNTRY LANDS, 30, 31, 78, 118
CHECKENDON, Oxon, 222
CHEESE Row, 174
CHELSEY Abbey, 8
Cheney, a mason from Hampton
Court, 14, 24
CHESHIRE, Briefs for
Ashton-super-Merly, 207
Backford, 215
Barnston, 21 1
Bickley, 211
Burton, 212
Chester, 209, 212
Christleton, 217
R 2
244
GENERAL INDEX.
CHESHIRE, Briefs for (continued)
Frodsham, 214
Hough, 211
Thornton, 211
Warmington, 208
Wheelock, 215
Chester, 189
Cheveley, Dan John, a monk, 116
Child, 195, 197
CHILDREN'S KNELLS, 33
CHIMES, 98
CHOBHAM, 44
CHOLSEY, parsonage, 182
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, 51, 57
CHRISMATORY, 24, 108, 109, 118
CHRISTOPHER, ST., painting of, 69
Church, 191
of St. Lawrence, its original
site, 4
,, yard, original, 4,^200
,, wardens' " Pew,'' 21
,, notes, Symonds', 127
CIVIL WAR, 94
Clampard, 31, 45
Clargis, Sir W., 200
Clarke, Thomas, hosier, 103, 104, 108,
125, 155. ^5
family, 125, 137, 185
CLAYPITS, the, 177
Cleche, Richard, draper, 29, 50, 59,
84, 100, 173, 186, 188*
Clement, 192
CLEMENT, ST., 41, 107
,, altar of, 48
Clerk, parish, 49
Clerke, 80, 135, 183
Clist, 22
CLOCK, the, 30, 34, 97
Clyfford, 191, 193
Cobbe, 14; or Cobb, 63, 89, 187
COINS, Sir John Popham's, 138
Coke, 13, 189
Cokks, 37
Collett, an equerry, 199
Collis, 140
Colly, 157
COLNEY'S CHAUNTRYUI St. Mary's,
3*
Colthurst, 79
Colyer, 32, 187
Come, 194, 195, 196
COMPTON, Surrey, 44
Berks, 54
Cone, or Coon, a carver, 43, 48, 57,
67, 96, 189*
Constable, 144, 191,* 192
Cony, 187
Cook, 159
Cooper, 22, 191,* 192*
Cope, Sir W. H., Bart., 137
COPENHAGEN, Brief for, 215
COPES, list of, 103
Copland, 22
CORNWALL, Brief for
Falmouth, 213
CORPORAS cases, 107 :
CORPUS CHRISTI DAY, 92, 229, 230
Extract from a York Play, 231-233,
'34
CORVETTS, 19
Cottelar, 189
Cotterell, 148
Couper, 12, 13, 22, 2OO, 218
Courtney, 191
Cove, 192
Cowper, 185
Cows, great loss of, Brief for, 209
Crantmore, 171
Cras, 22
Crassewell, 1 68
CRESSETS, 56
Crewse, 186
Crey, vicar, 219
Crisselton, 195
Croft, 225
Croix, de la, 63
Croll, 38
Crome, 192
CROSS, "Tau," used in processions,
H3
HOLY, light before, 175
CROW AY Church, 176
CUCKING STOOL, 21. (See Illustra-
tion)
Culver, 89
Culverhouse, 12
CUMBERLAND, Briefs for
,, Cockermouth, 207
,, Penrith, 211
Currer, 188
CURRIER, the, 191
CURTAIN for rood, 57, 58
Curtis, Arthur, 80, 121, 122, 198;
R., 121, 122, I3O
CUSHIONS, 107
Cutley, 190
Dabscourt, 188
Dalbye, 88, 129
Dancaster, 1 86
Dane, 139
GENERAL INDEX.
245
DANISH INVASION, and the en-
trenchment, 2, 3
Darling, 42, 77, 186, 187, 388
Darlyngton, 30
DAVID'S, ST., 175
Davy, 191
Dayne, 185
Dayntre, 77
Deane, 20, 133, 136, 164
Ric. a-, 31, 33, 224
Alice, in, 1 86
Deddlesall, or Duddlesale, 193*
DEDICATION of the original church,
5 ; festival of, 91
Delamere, 12
Dell, 198
DENBIGHS., Briefs for
Denbigh, 215
Holt, 213
Llandulas, 215
Ruthin, 209
Wrexham, 209, 2IO
Denison, or Dennison, 81, 120, 219
Dennys, 192
Depeford, 217
Derby, Wm., M.P., 22
,, Alderman of London, 105, 113
Earl of, 182
DERBYS., Briefs for
All Saints, Derby, 209
Ashbourn, 211
Bakewell, 213
Chapel-in-le-Frith, 215
Harsto . . . . , 210
Ilkeston, 213
Mapleton, 211
Tibshelf, 215
Wirksworth, 214
DEVONS., Briefs for
Crediton, 214
Gt. Torrington, 205, 214
Heavitree, 206
Ottery St. Mary, 210
South Molton, 205
St. Mary's, 208
,, \Vitheridge, 208
Dewbury, 79
Deyer, 12
DISPENSARY, Reading, 113
Dixon, a singer, 30
Dodgson, 117, 189, 190
Dodson, 186,* 187,* 188, 191, 200
DOMESDAY, account of, Reading, 6
DORSETS., Briefs for
Bland ford, 209, 216
Dorchester, 209
East Morden, 214 (
Frampton, 210
DORSETS., Briefs for (continued)
Gillingham, 204
Newton Castle, 216
Douglas, 148
Downar, 192
Dray ton, vicar, 217
DRINK for ringers, 92
on a Coronation Day, in 1612,
93
Drover, 12
Duddlesoll, 38, 46, 58, 192, 193 (see
Deddlesal)
Dudley, R., Earl of Leicester, 75
John, Earl of Warwick, 75
William and Elizabeth, 145
Dukinfield, 165
Dunsdale, 64
Dunster, 29
DURHAM Co., Briefs for
Darlington, 205
Hartlepool, 21 1
Stockton, 207
Sunderland, 210
Dwyght
188
Dyer, 12, 22, 77
Eades, 83, 144
EARLY HISTORY of the parish, i
,, Manor, 7
EDGMOND, Salop, 221
EDINBURGH, Brief for, 206, 207
Edmonds, 34, 60, 68, 174, 193, 200
Edmund, 22, 90, 191
EDWARD, ST., 107
Edwards of the Royal Stable, 187,
190
ELDERS, RULING, election of, 220
Elizabeth, Queen of Henry VII., 114
,, Queen, her birth, 92
,, at St. Lawrence's Church,
79, 92, 93
Elkins, 150
Elly, 164
Ellys, 189, 190
ELY, ISLE OF, Briefs for
Chatteiis, 205
,, Littleport, 206
,, Wisbeach, 2IO
ENGLAND, arms of, 109
ENGLEFIELD, 3, 179
,, Mr., 183
Englefold, 189
EPITAPHS in the church, 128
246
GENERAL INDEX.
ERLEY, a rector of, 138, 157
Erne, 185
ESPOUSALS, form of, 115
Essex, Earl of, 59, 95
Briefs for
Hurlow, 207
Mistley, 216
Upton in Westham, 210
West Tilbury, 208
Woodham Ferrys, 208
Eton, J., 187
Eve, 37, 189*
Everard, 22, 68, 103, 119, 188,* 190
FABRIC, the, 10-22 i
Fallow, 95
Fanshaw, 152
Faringdon, Hugh, Abbot of Reading,
77, 176
,, his mother, 77
,, his barber, 77
Farington, 187, 224
FARLEIGH Castle, Somerset, 129
Fawsby, 191
Fayrchild, 188
Ferrars, 7
Ferrey, 39
FESTAL LIGHTS, 51
Ffaithful, 192
Ffaukesby, 192
Ffauxby, 77
Ffinch, Suffragan Bishop, 25, 201
Fforman, 191
Ffrewin, 88, 183
Ffynmore, 71, 132, 191, 199*
Ffynne, 192
FLINTSHIRE, Brief for
Worthenbury, 215
FLODDEN, Battle of, 92
Flory, 156
FOLKESTONE Fishery, Brief for, 214
FONT, 23, 71
taper, 23, 51
cover, 24
hanging for, III
ceremony at, 113
FORBURY, the, 2, 233
Ford, 221
Fostbury, 191
Foster, 121, 122, 138, 189, 224
FOUNTAINS' ABBEY, 59
Foxley, 189
Frank, 105
FRANKINCENSE, 94, 95
Frankleyn, 37, 190, 191
FRIARS, Oxford, 62
Reading, 168, 176
Friar Peter, 117
Orders of, 237
" Minours," 177
French, 154, 163
refugees, 204
Fuller, 85, 190
Fuller and May, 2
FUNERAL LIGHTS, 50
GALLERIES in church, 82
Gardener, 12
Garrard, 155
Garrett, clockmaker, 98
GASWORKS, Reading, i
Gateley, 184, 191, 193, 197
Gatley, 190
Gege, 157
GEORGE'S ALTAR, ST., 40, 44
loft, 44
,, image, 45, 67
hotel, 45, 188
gateway, 177
GILES' CHURCH, ST., 31, 145, 160,
1 68, 178
,, inhabitants of, 86
Gilbert, 221
Glad win, 30, 191
GLAMORGAN, Briefs for
,, Llandaff, 215
,, Neath, 214
Glawster Church, 1 76
GLOUCESTERS., Briefs for
Alderton, 213
Bilston, 213
Calcott, 216
,, Cheltenham, 211
Dursley, 206
Gloucester, 215
Lechlade, 211
Morton Valence, 210
Mitchel Deane, 216
Newent, 213
Oldbury, 210
Randwick, 213
Shinbridge, 209
Shennington, 213
Teabury, 215
Tewkesbury, 212
Wootton-under- Edge,
216
GENERAL INDEX.
Glover, 22, 185*
GOAT'S-HAIR CLOTH for wedding
chair, 115
Godfrey, 157
Godric the Sheriff, 7
Godstow, 176
Goldhurds, 183
Golding, 192 ,
Goldore, 145, 160, 218
Goldsmith, 50, 77
GOOD FRIDAY vestment, 105
Goodgame, 188
Goodwyn, 190
Goodyere, 187, 1 88
Gorffyn, 189
Gos, 22
Gower, 12
GRAMMAR SCHOOL, 133, 165, 186
Graney, 187
Grantam, 192
Grauntham, 194
Green, 89, 222
Greete, 192
Gregory, in, 192
Greke, 37, 187
Grenefeld, 79
Greneway, 171, 219
Grey, 38, 47
Grindle, Bishop, 62
GROOMS, the royal, 79
Grover, 123
Gryffen, 87
Gryffyn, 186, 192*
Gualter, 62
GUILDHALL, 172
Guild ing, 221
GUILDS, procession of, 234
Gwent, Dr., 176
Gybbers, 192
Gyfford, 33 >
Gylman, 188
1b
HABERDASHERS' HALL, 31
HACKFIELD, 188
HAGBURN, 183
Haggard, 167
Hakker, 12
Hale, 13, 22, 56
Halifax, 156
Hall, 1 86
HALPAS, the, 14
Hamden, 138
Hamley, 148
HAMPTON COURT, 14
Hansell, 155
HANTS, Briefs for
Fordingbridge, 204
Meonstoke, 212
Southampton, 215
Stoneham, 216
Twyford, 204
Ha'rebotell, 186
Harewell, 217
Harper, Sir, 119, 224
Harpyn, 191
Harris, 89
Harrys, 192
Harryson, 192, 198, 199
Hart, 180, 166, 187*
Harward, 130
Haslett, 191
Hasylwod, 77, 186, 187,* 84
Hatche, 12
Hatton, 98
Hawe, 36, 185
Hawkeley, 185
Hawkley, 12
Haydon, 146
Henbury, 185
Hence, 22
HENLEY-ON-THAMES, 21, 171
Henry, 28
the great bell, 84
VII, 114
HEREFORD, Brief for, 214
Hering, 13
HERTFORDS., Briefs for
St. Albans, 213
Caldecot, 213
Heth, 189, 224
Hethcote, 173
Hethe, 13
Hether, 186
Hewett, 54
HEYTESBURY, 130
Hide, J., Vicar of Sonning, 185
Mrs. Margaret, 189
HIGH ALTAR, 26-8
,, STREET, Reading, 174
HIGHWAYS (see Roads)
Higson, 1 86
Hiley, 83
Hill, 186,* 218
Hoberd, 190
HOCK MONDAY and TUESDAY, 78,
238
Hocker, 157
Hodcote, 182
Hodson, 189, 193
Holloway, 129
HOLY CROSS, 101
LOAF, 48
248
GENERAL INDEX.
HOLLYBUSH, 52
HONORARY LIGHTS, 53
HOOD, ROBIN, play of, 227, 228
of Finchamstead, 228
of Handley, 228
Hooper, 157
Hopkins, 196, 197
Horewood, 218
Home, 192
,, Bishop, 62
Horthome, 14, 15, 42, 43,* 1 88, 189
Hosier, 193
Hoskins, 193
HOSPITAL, Reading, 163
St. J. Baptist's, 1 1
HOUR GLASS, 54
Hubbard, 192*
Hudson, 77, 1 85
Huggens, 191,* 194
Hugh, Abbot of Reading, 1 1
Hughes, 164
Sargent, 221
Humfery, 192
HUNDRED of COMPTON, 54
of READING, 6
Hungerford, 88, 128, 129-132
Hunt, 12, 161, 191
Hunter, Sir Claudius, 77
HUNTINGDONS., Briefs for
Alcumbury, 206
Old Weston, 211
Ramsay, 216
Stilton, 215
Waresley, 214
Woodhurst, 206
HURST, 164, 171
Hydar, 192
Hyde, 32, 77, in, 117, 119, 185, 188,
189, 223
Hyne, 13
ILDESLEY, 182
IMAGE of B. V. Mary, 34
IMAGES, 66
INTERMENTS, intramural, 4
INVENTORIES of Church goods, 99
of plate in 1772, 121
made for Royal com-
missioners, 119
IRELAND, Briefs for
,, Inniskillen, 205
,, Lisburae, 206
187
Jackson, 58
Jacob, 123, 156
Jefferie, 193
Jenkyns, 192
JESUS ALTAR and Mass, 28-33, 4^>
78,84,105,117,173,
179, 184
chauntrey lands, 30
incumbents of, 32, 169
a sister of, 173, 176
ornaments, 177
brethren of, 189
Johnson
30, 53, 54, 77, 80,* 81,
138, 186, 188, 189, 190,* 191, 193,
194, 195, !97, 198, 200
Johnston, 156
JOHN'S CHAPEL, ST., 16,42, 117, 170
altar, 38, 106, 107
paintings in, 73
sittings, 79
monuments in, 1 33
Jonathan 71
Joons, 188
Joyner, 66, 192
JUDAS, for the Paschal, 51
Justice, 29,* 31, 45, 46,* 85, 103, 112,
161, 174, 178,* 190,* 218
Justynyan, 189
Ik
Kaynes, or Keynes, 12, 22, 185
Keate, 75, 153
Kelsall, Henry, 28, 29, 31, 33, 84, 85
his monument, 126-128, 1 86
will, 168-173
Randall, 85, 186, 188, 189
Kempsall (? Kelsall), 190 (compare
Kimsall, p. 128)
Kendrick, 147, 199
Kene, 187, 188
KENNETT RIVER, i
Kenryck, 86, 192,* 195, 225
Kent, 22, 59, 88, 104, 105, 158, 186,
187, 188, 190
Brief s for
Benenden, 210
Brenchley, 206
Colchester, 207
Durant, 207
St. Margaret's at Cliff, 209
Northfleet, 207
Woolwich, 208 4
GENERAL INDEX.
249
KlDDINGTON, Oxon, 131
KING PLAY, the, 234
Kirk, 89
Kirkby, 12, i<;8
Knight, 14, 26, 33, 58, 80, 86, 88,*
89, 123, 177, 187, 189, 190,* 192,
193, 194
KNOLLYS AISLE, 18
,, arms, 19
family, 75,* Si, 144, 196,
199
KNOTTYSFORD, Cheshire, 169, 171,
172
OL
Laborne, Sir, 238
LADY ALTAR and MASS, 30, 33-6,
107, 117, 178, 180, 184, 196, 198
Lady Bell, 86
Lake, 71
Lamb, 186, 187, 189
Lambyn, 217
Lams, 193
LANCASHIRE, Briefs for
Gressingham, 217
Inundation in, 213
Liverpool, 210
North Meels, 217
Ormskirk, 214
Rufford, 216
Upper Darwin, 213
West Houghton, 215
Wyesdale, 216
Wood Plumpton, 216
CHORISTERS, 65
LANDS of the Church, 7
Langham, 29, 186
LANTERN, Priest's, 50
Larder, John a, his almhouses, 1 72
Lasseham, 188*
Lathum, 22, 179
Latten, articles of, 109, 116
Laud, or Lawd, Archbishop, 24, 193
LAUD PLACE, 196
Laward, 187
LAWRENCE, ST., 66, 101, 105, in
the clerk, 12
,, Peter, 190
WALTHAM, 171
Leche, 172
Lee, 22
Leicester, Earl of, 75
, LEICESTERS., Briefs for
Coleorton, 208
LEICESTERS., Briefs for (continued]
Grimston, 214
)> Hinkley, 215
,, Lutterworth, 204
Lendall, 186, 187, 192, 194, 198
LEOMINSTER ABBEY, 8
LEONARD, ST. , a painting of, 60
Letsham, 23
Levered, 192
Leveva, Abbess, 5, 7
Leyceter, 187
Leynham, 184
LICHFIELD Cathedral, 64
Lightfoot, 192
LIGHTS, 42, 43, 49, 51, 53
Lime, 54
LINCOLN, 8
LINCOLNSHIRE, Briefs for
Barton-on-Humber,
216
Bishop's Norton, 216
Deeping, 211
Epworth, 217
Great Grimsby, 212
Kirton, 205
Langton, 214
Lowth, 212
Market Rayson, 207
Seremby, 216
Spalding, 210
Spilsby, 206
Torksey, 209
Walker Hithe, 210
Well Church, 216
Wroot, 215
Yarburgh, 215
LINEN
church, 109
Lippescombe, 86, 187, 200
LlTTLECOTE, Wilts., 134, 138
Lloyd, 220
Lock, 191, 192, 193
Loggins, 20
LONDON, Briefs for
All Hallows, 213
Coleman Street, 208
St. Giles'-in-the-Fields,204
Holborn, 211
,, Hounsditch, 210
Southwark, 205,* 208
,, Spitalfields, 204
,, Stepney, 213
Thames Street, 208, 2IO.
Wapping, 204, 213
Whitechapel, 204
,, Whitefriars, 209
,, Westminster, 206
STREET, 178
Long, 1 86
250
GENERAL INDEX.
LONG BUTTON, 217
Loring, 165
Loryman, 25
LOSELEY MSS., 44
Lousse, 185
Love, 149, 153, 189
Luff, 13
LURKMERE LANE, 61
Lydell, 80, 87, 147, 194
Lykley, 188
Lymme, 171
Lynde, 101
fID
Mackrel, 56, 57
Madok, 172
MAGDALENE. ST. MARY, 67, 106
MAGI, carving of, 35 (Illustration)
Maine, 195, 198, 222
MALMSEY, in church, 238
Malt, 189
Malthus, 80, 190, 198
Mansnelde, 197
MAPLEDURHAM, 171
Marble, 190
MARGARET, ST., in
Markham, 185
MARRIAGE CUSTOM, 120
Marsh, 133
Marshall, 154
Marten, 43, 46, 58
Martin, St., 139
Martyn, 191
MARY'S, ST., Reading, 86, 124, 168,
178
Mason, 139, 190, 218
MASSES for "Walter Barton, 179
Masthall, 189
Mathew, 184, 191
MATTHEW, ST., 5
MATTINGLEY, Hants, 139
May, 187
MAY DAY PASTIMES, 226
Mayho, 186
Maynard, 66
Maynforth, 29, 176, 177, 179, 182,
218
MAYOR'S SEAT, 48
Mayors' wives, 30
Mears, 89
Medwyn, 189
Mereham, 12, 22, 105
MERIONETH, Brief for
,, Dolgelly, 211
Merkbye, 1 88
Merrick, arms, 20
MICHAEL, ST., 66
Michell, 218
MIDDLESEX, Briefs for
,, Baling, 216
,, Hornsey, 215
,, Shireland, 206
,, Shad well, 106
Milksop, 24
Miller, 190, 191
MITLAU, 207
MONMOUTH, Briefs, 216
Usk, 212
MONTGOMERY, Briefs for
Llanviling, 207
Machyleth, 217
Welshpool
MONUMENTS, 16, 124
Morris, 18
MORRIS DANCE, 226
Morrys, 194
MORSTRANCE, a, 2l8
Morys, 12
MURAL PAINTINGS, 69
,, inscriptions, 74
MUSICAL FESTIVALS, 64
Mykelton, 181
Myles, 192
Myllington, 29, 173, 187
My 11 ward, 191
Myllys, 187
MYNCHEN, the, of Romsey, 1 72
MYRE, 46
Myrthe, 190, 191
Myryman, 186
MYSTERIES, 226
Nash, 1 86
NATIVITY, Holy, 52, 1 1 1
NETHER FEVER, 171
Nettar, 187
Nevill, 75
NEWCHAPEL in the Street, 171
Newman, 80
NEW STREET (Friar Street), 177
Newton, 79
Niale, 89
NICHES by the Tower doorway, 17
Niclas, 30, 34
Nicholas, 47, 119,* 190
NICHOLAS' ALTAR, ST., 47
Nichols, 60, 130, 222
GENERAL INDEX.
251
Nicholson, 83, 131, 222
Nightingale, 191
Nightingall, 193, 195, 198
Noresse, 115
NORFOLK, Briefs for
Alderibrd, 214
Ellingham, 210
Great Massingham, 205
Great Yarmouth, 206
Holt Market, 206, 213
NORMAN CHURCH, 10
NORMANDY, 138
Norris, 174
NORTHAMPTON'S., Briffs for
,, Staverton, 214
,, Thrapston, 211
,, Towcester, 206
Northleach, 217
NORTHUMBERLAND, Briefs for
,, Hexham, 213
,, Lanercost, 216
NOTTINGHAMS., Brief s for
Arnold, 211
Basford, 205
Bradmore, 205
Epperston, 213
Nottingham St.
Mary's, 213
Ruddington, 213
Southwell, 208
Tuxford, 204
NUMISMATIST, an early, 138
OXIORDS.,
Briefs for
,,
Burcott, 212
)i
Ensham, 207
>
Headington, 211
II
Wheatley, 212
IP
OATLANDS, 44
OBERBARMEN, in Berg, a Brief for,
206
OBITUARY, the, 185
Ockham, 192, 193
ODE to Flavia, 64, note
OGWELL, East Devon, 221
OKYNGHAM, 103, 187
OLD WINDSOR, 63
ORGANISTS, 63
ORGANS, 39, 59
Osborne, 200
Osmund, 98
OVER FEVER, 171
Overthrow, 189
Owen, 221
OXFORDS., friars in, 62
,, St. Martin's, 176
All Souls' College, 176
PAGES of the King's Chamber, 115
PAINTINGS, mural, 69
,, ,, disco very of, 71, 74
PALATINES, 207
Pale, 22
PALLS, 108
Palmer, 65, 224
PANGBOURNE, 171, 183
Panter, 189 (see Paynter)
PARCLOSE, a, 14
PARIS, 212
PARISH CLERK, 12, 25
PARISHIONERS, lists of, 12, 22, 79,
185-199, 200
Parker, 105, 113
Partriche, 187
PASCHAL BASON, 5 1
taper, 51
PASSION, singing of, 56, 57
play, 237
Paslow, 189
Pasteler, 13, 26, 53, 58, 187, 191
Pastlew, 172
Paynter, 22, 188, 189
Paynter, 28, 45, 67, 69
,, the King's, 68
PAX, a, 1 86
Pedley, 157
PENANCE, 87
Penne, 68
Penyson, Sir Wm., Kt., 190
Perche, 138
Peris, 22
Perke, 197
Perkyns, 190, 191
Persy, 22, 191
PEW, a faculty, 82
Phelp, 123
Philip, 189, 190, 192*
Philp, 192
Phylipps, 116
PIAZZA, Blagrave's, 20
Piggott, 154
PILLORY, the, 21
Pine, 155
PISCINAS, 16, 27, 39, 48
252
GENERAL INDEX.
Pitman, 156
PITY, our Lady of, I n
Pix, suspended, 100
PLATE, church, 117
sold, 117, 118
Platts, 36, 39, 174, 1 86*
Playne, 192
riumer, 12
Pocock, 75, 88, 153
Pollyngton, 192
Poo, 92, 201
Popham, 134-138
Sir John's brass, 134-8
Deane, 138
Pordage, 220
Porter, 192
Potter, 190
Pottinger, 88
Powes, 176
Powell, 141, 142, 143, 195
Pownser, 29, 32, 37, 106, 115, i73i
174, 1 86, 187, 223
Poynts, 29
Poyntz, 1 1 8, 191
PREHISTORIC REMAINS, i
Prentyse, 185
PRICKSONG, books of, 103
PRIESTS, list of, 222
PRISS, in Salop, 221
PROCESSIONS, 91, 92
PROSTITUTES and scolds, 21
Prow, 1 86*
PULPIT, 54, 55
Purdon, 153
Purley, 171
PUTTENHAM, Surrey, 3
Pyckton, 191
Pymber, 186, 223
Quarrington, 156
Quedhampton, 77
QUEEN'S SERVANTS, 115
QUYSSHONS (cushions), 107
1R
RadclifT, 148, 200
Radlye, or Radley, 49, 1 19, 121, * 219,
225
RADNOR, NEW, 176
RADNOR, Co. of, Briefs for
,, Dissenth, 212
,, Hearsease, 213
,, Laintwerdine, 214
,, Michaelchurch, 214
RAGGED STAFF, 75, 76 (see Illus-
tration)
Rawlins, 187
Rawsthorne, 171
Rayneford, 191
READING MUSEUM, i
Castle, 3
,, Gaol, 4
Read, 28, i38*(j^Reade and Rede)
Reade, alias Skynner, 119, 191
REBELS OF LONDON, 127
RECONCILIATION of the Church, 23
RECTORES CHORI, 113
Rede, 183, 1 86,* 190
Reding, Dan Robert, a monk, 104,
223
Redwood, 194
Reeves, 153
REGISTERS, church, list of, 202-3
RELICS, list of, 101
Remigius, 8
Remond, 64
Rewby, 191
Reynolds, 43, 224
RIBCHESTER, Lancashire, 5
Rice, 176
Rich, 22
Richardson, 89
Richmond, 32, 33, 38, 103, 188, 223
Ring, 163
RINGERS in 1734, 96
RINGING ANNALS, 91
and TOLLING, 188
ROADS, bequests for, 170
Robinson, 157, 193, 194, *95
Robynson the fuller, 192, 196
Roch, 34, 62
ROGATION WEEK, 91
Roke, 187
Rokeby, 75
Rokys, 187
Romano, 79
ROMSEY, the minchin of, 1 72
ROOD, the, 52, 55
ROOD LOFT, 55-59
,, destruction of, 58
ROOD SCREEN, 16, 58
ROOFS, 15, 22
Rootes, 156
Ross, 89
ROTHERFIELD PEPPARD, 171
Rowland, 155
ROYAL VISITS, 92-5
GENERAL INDEX.
253
Roys, 190
Rudge, 192
Russell, 87, 189
Ryder, 192, 197
Rysbye, 187, 189
Rythe, 22
Ryther, 192
&
SACERING, or Sacring, 26
Sadeler, 172, 175, 185, 188
SALES of church goods, 27, 53
Salmon, 167
Salter, 192
Sampford, Vicar of St. Giles', 145
160
SANCTUS BELL, 92
Saunders, 28, 29, 50, 53, 58, 121,
122, 124, 171, 190, 191, 194, 200,
227
Sawyer, 43, 193
Sayntmond, 178 (? Sentman), 191
Sayntmore, 30, 78, 200
Schyppelake, 218
Scochon, 29
SCOTS, King of, 92
Seakes, 148
SEALE, Surrey, 44
SEAMEN, widows of, Brief for, after
the storm of 1703, 205
Searle, 224
SEATS, 77-79
,, broken, 94
SEDILIA, 16, 27
Segar, 192
Segesmund, organ-builder, 6l
Semper, 187
Sentence, 155
SEPULCHRE ALTAR, 41
,, ,, ornaments of, 42
the, 53, 107, 112
SEPULCHRE'S, ST., 137
Serne, 101, 218
SERVICE BOOKS, 31, 32, 101
SEWDARY, or maniple, 115
SEXTON, the, 23
Sharpe, 186
Shaw, 190, 192*
Shefford, 177
Sheford, 184
SHEPEREGE, 183
SHIELDS in the nave, 14
SHINFIELD, 171
SHIPLAKE, 171, 179, 180
SHROPSHIRE, Briefs for
Albrington, 214
Adderley, 208
Bowley, 214
Broseley, 206
Chelmarsh, 210
Condover, 210
Ensden, 21 1
Fitts Church, 212
St. Germains, 204
Hinstock, 212
Idsall, 210
Kemberton, 212
Leighton, 209
Monford, 216
Newport, 212, 213
Quatford, 209
Ryton, 210
Shrewsbury, 204
Stanton Lacy, 205
Stockton, 205
Shipwash, 209
Shrawardine, 212
Townjay, 211
Wilcott, 211
Whitechurch, 208
SHROUDED FIGURES, 126
Shute, 89, 147, 222
SIDE ALTAR, 48
Silver, 100
Simeon, 83
Simonds, 64
SINGERS, 30, 65
SINGING BREAD, 49
Sippell, 63, 64
SITTING in church, 33
Skinner, 190
Slade, 54
Slithurst, 61,* 115, 190
Smith, 15, 4 6, 53, 60, 77, 87, 115.
165, 219, 223
Smyth, Ric., Gent., 29, 30, 50, 51, 53,
57, 100, 104, 105, 106, 107, 114 .
Smyzt, 22
SOMERSETSHIRE, Briefs for
Bristol, 207
,, Pensford, 208
Whitefield, 216
,, \Vincanton, 206
SONNING, 50, 171, 185
SOUTHAMPTON, 168, 172*
Southey, 184
SOUTHSTOKE, l8l
Spakeman, 187
Spencer, 63, 64
Spicer, 22, 133
SPORTS AND PASTIMES, 226.
STABLE, the King's, 187
254
GENERAL INDEX.
STAFFORDS., Briefs for
,, Abbotts Bromley, 213
Alrewas, 214
Belston, 215
Blymhill, 210
Burslem, 209
Burton-on-Trent, 208
Darlestone, 214
Draycott, 216
Dryneton, 209
Edengale, 217
Gratwood, 213
Grind on, 211
Hailstorm in, 212
Lichfield, 210
Newcastle, 210
Norton-under-Cannock,
212
Ounilly, 217
Rolleston, 205
Rugeley, 208
Sheriff Hales, 208, 21 1
Tarn worth, 215
Whittington, 210
Stamford, 40, 101, 187
Stamp, 198
STANDARD LIGHTS, 50]
Stanley, 63
Stanshaw, 190
Staples, 192
Stapper, 12
Staveley, 18
Staverton, 20, 141, 142, I43> l62 T 94
STAYNED CLOTHS, in
Stephens, 64
Stevens, Dr., I
STOCKS, the, 21
Stonor, 162
Stonyford, 192
STOOLS for rectores chori, 113
STOWE'S SURVEY, 135
STRATFIELD MORTIMER, i"Ji
STRATFIELDSAY, 171
Strawford, 56, 97
STREATLEY, 135, 182
STREETS, paved, 119
Strode, 77
Style, 184
Styry, 186, 223
SUFFOLK, Briefs for
Bolshall, 215
Kentford, 209
Long Melford, 208
Orford, 206
Rickingal, 215
Stoak, 207.
SULHAM, 133, 171
SULHAMPSTEDE ABBOTS, 171
SURREY, Briefs for
,, Addington, 213
,, Mitcham, 210
Newington, 21 1
,, Oxstead, 212
Rotherhithe, 207*
SUSANNE, 138
SUSSEX, Briefs for
,, Amberley, 212
,, Brighton, 213
,, Hastings, 208, 216
,, New Shoreham, 209
,, Southover, 209
Sutton, 198
SWALLOWFIELD. 1 71
Swalolyf, 22
Swayn, 12, 185
Swinton, 171, 172
Sykes, 194
SYMBOLIC LIGHTS, 49
Symeon, 186
Symmys, 84, 186*, 222
Symond's " Church Notes," 17, 125,
138
Symonds, 179, 193
Symson, 76, 188, 189
Synsham, 180
TABERNACLES, 67 ,
Tanner, 77
,, the old, 192
TAPLOW, Bucks, 3, 126
Taylor, 188, 191, 220
,, bellfounder, 90
Tendall, Sir John, 223
TENOR BELL, 172
Thackham, 95, 224
THATCHAM, 220
THOMAS', ST., ALTAR, 32, 39, 40,.
105, 108
Thomas, Sir, 189, 223
Thompson, 163
Thorne, 123, 192
John, Abbot of Reading, 105,
223
Thornell, 190
TlDMARSH, 133, 171
TlLEHURST, 171
Tinte, 22
TOLLING the bells, 30
Tomson, 63
TORCHES at funerals, 50
TOURAINE, 137
To WELLS, no
GENERAL INDEX.
255
TOWER, the, u, 16, 18
TOWN HALL, its encroachment on the
churchyard, 301
Towse, 191
TRANSFIGURATION, picture of, 26, 70
Traunder, 188
TRENDELL, a, 53
TRINITY ALTAR, 47
Troll, 6 1
Tru, Trew, 29, 173, 185, 187, iSS
Trumflet, 182, 184, 190*
TRYMMER, a, 38
Tuer, 88, 220
TUMBREL, the, 21 (see Illustration)
TUMULUS in the Forbury, 3
TURK, a, 193
TURNAY in Normandy, 136
Turner, or Turner, 29, 30, 33, 34, 48,
53, 59, 78, 103, 107, 119, 186, 187,*
190,* 191, 192,* 194, 196, 197, 200
TURWYN, 92
Twyt, 29
Tylbye, 86, 192, 200
Tylere, 22
ID
Vachell, 184, 192
VAIL before the Altar, 26
Valpy, Dr., 164, 165
Vansby, 33, 119, 178, 189,* 190, 191
Vansittart, 64
VAULT for organ bellows, 59, 177
Venter, 94
Venua, 167
VERNACLE, 101, 102
VERNOYLE, 137
VESTMENTS, or chasubles, 104
VESTRY, 14, 40
,, altar, 46, III
VICARAGE, 133
VICAR'S CHANCEL, 36
Vicar's knell, 190
VICARS, list of, 217-222
Vincent, 187, 188
VINCENT, ST., 187, 188
Vingoe, 212
VOTIVE LIGHTS, 53
Vowyer, 188
Vynge, 192
w
WAGES of sexton, 34
Wake, 192
WALLINGFORD, 31
Walssh, 1 86
Walsham, 152
Walter, 89
,, BishopofSalisbury.il
Ward, 187
WARFIELD, 184
WARGRAVE, 171
Warwick, Earls of, 75, 114
WARWICKS., Briefs for
Bearley, 215
Cherrington, 211 '
Monks Kerby, 205
Preston Bagot, 209
St. Nicholas, 209
Soulham, 206
Wishar, 207
Waterman, 146
Watlington, 23, 68, 80, 98, 131, 178,
182, 184, 189,* 190,* 191,* 192,*
!94 197,* 198,* 200
Watts, or Wattys, 33, 77, 104, 140,
177, 183, 186, 187, 188
Webb, 31, 50,88, 119, 185, 191, 192,
224
Webster, 164
WEDDINGS, chair, 109
,, custom at, I2O
pall for, 109
Wells, 82, 192
West, 167
Westbrook, 89
WESTMORELAND, Brief for
,, Bampton, 214
Weston, 176, 1 88
Wheble, 64
Wheler, 190
Whitbourne, 191
White, bellfounder, 14, 187
family, 22, 59, 103,* 112,
119, 157, 172, 187,* 188, 189, 190
WHITECHURCH, 171
Whitehead, 131, 195
Whiting, 153
WHITLEY, 177
Whitton, 189
Whyttyngham, 1 88
Wiche, 57
Wier, 135
WIGGENOK, Warwicks., 114
WIGHT, ISLE OF, Brief for
,, ,, St. Helen's, 207
Wilcock, 154 (see Wylcock)
256
GENERAL INDEX.
Wilcox, 194 (see Wylcox)
Wild, 75
Wilder, 139
Williams, 177, 190
Willizm, S r ., 224
WILLS, 168
WILTSHIRE, Briefs for
Cricklade, 214
Damerham, 212
Downton, 214
Erchfoot, 216
Fiddleton, 204
Kingswood, 212
Market Lavihgton, 214
Netherhaven, 204
Waddington, 216
WINCHESTER, 158
WINDING SHEETS, 125
WINDSOR, Berks
Wise, 164, 222
Wod, or Wood, " My Lord," 186
Wodeman Court, 22
Wodenet, 28, 86
Wodham, 138
WODEWOSES, what, 170
WOKYNGHAM, 171, 178, 196
Wolsey, Cardinal, 14
Wood, 60
Woodhatch, 171
WOOLCOMBERS and staplers, 39
Worcester, Thos., Abbot of Reading,
1 88
WORCESTERS., Briefs for
Bewdley, 206
Dudley, 216
Pershore, 215
Redmarley, 217
Worcester, All Saints,
217
,, Worcester, St. Nich.,
215
WORTHY, Hants, 158
Wray, 191
Wright, 33, 175. *%7, 188,* 224
Wyar, 189, 191
Wye, 179
Wylcock, 159, 160, 187
Wylcox, 29, 103, 186, 187, 194
Wyld, 187
Wylmer, 143
Wynchedon, 217
Wynyet, 188
1?
Ydefisch, 22
YEOMEN of the King's crown, 115
,, chamber, 115
Yerpe, 191
YEW in church at Easter, 94
YORK, Extract from a Mystery Play
performed there, 231
YORKSHIRE, Briefs for
Austerfield, 216
Beverley, 205
Dunnington, 204
Halifax, 214
Healthwaite, 210
Howden, 208
Igmanthorpe, 212
Kingston-on-Hull, 212
Kirk Deighton, 214
Market Rayson, 208
Tadmore, 208
\Yeatherley, 213
York, St. Olave's, 212
Young, 13, 98
YRINGSMED, 8
Zouch, arms of, 136
THE END.
PRINTED BY BALLANTYNE, HANSON AND CO.
LONDON AND EDINBURGH