Sir Charles H. Rouse Boughton, Bart. ; James IIeywood, Esq.,
P.R.S., F.S.A.
Colonel G. G. Adams, F.S.A. Colonel George Lambert, F.S.A.
Thomas Blashill, Esq., F.Z.S. Rev.S. M. MAYHEW,M.A.,F.S.A.Scot.,
Cecil Brent, Esq., F.S.A. F.R.I. A.
Arthur Cates, Esq. JJ. S. Phene, Esq., LL.D., F.S.A.,
C. H. Compton, Esq. ' F.G.S., F.R.G.S.
William Henry Cope, Esq., F.S.A. Rev.W. Sparrow Simpson,D.D., F.S.A.
H. Syer Cuming, Esq., F.S. A.Scot. Sir Albert Woods, K.C.M.G., F.S.A.
Sir John Evans, K.C.B., D.C.L., {Garter King of Anns).
LL.D., D.Sc, F.R.S., F.S.A. Allan AVYoN,Esq., F.S. A., F.S.A. Scot.,
Sir A. Wollaston Franks, K.C.B., , F.R.G.S.
D. Litt., F.R.S., P.S.A.
Honorary Treasurer.
Thomas Blashill, Esq.
Sub-Treasurer.
Samuel Kayson, Esq.
148 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ASSOCIATION.
Honorary Secretaries.
W. DE Gray Bincii, Esq., LL.D., F.S.A.
George Patrick, Esq., A.R.I. B. A.
Council.
J. RoMiLLY Allen, Esq., F.S.A.,
A.I.C.E.
Rev. J. Gave-Browne, M.A.
A. S. Flower. Esq., M.A.
J. Park Harrison, Esq., M.A.
Richard Horsfall, Esq.
W. E. Hughes, Esq.
A. G. Langdon, Esq.
RicH.\KD DupPA Lloyd, Esq.
F.R.Hist.S.
J. T. Mould, Esq.
W. J. Nichols, Esq.
A. Oliver, Esq.
W. II. Rylands, Esq., F.S.A.
R. E. Way, Esq.
Benjamin Winstone, Esq., M.D.
Auditors.
Cecil Davis, Esq. | C. J. "Williams, Esq.
Wednesday, 20x11 May 1896.
C. H. CoMPTON, Esq., Y.P., in the Chair.
Frederick W. Hunt, Esq., 18 Dorset Square, N.W., was duly elected
a member of the Association.
Thanks were ordered by the Council to be returned to the respective
donors of the following presents to the Library :
To the Society, f or " Archreologia Cambrensis", 5th Series, No. 50,
April 1896.
,, ,, for "x\.rcha?ologia" of the Society of Antiquaries, vol. liv.
Part 2 ; " Arch geological Journal", vol. liii, No. 209 ; 2nd Ser.,
vol. iii. No. 1, March 1896.
,j ,, for " Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmoreland
Antiquarian Society", Part I, vol. xiv.
,, ,, for " The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of
Ireland", Part I, vol. vi.
,, ,, Smithsonian Institute : J. S. Billings, S. W. Mitchell, and
D. H. Bergey, on " The Composition of Expired Air and its
Effects on Animal Life". Washington, 1895.
,, ,, "Forty-Fourth Annual Annual Report of the Trustees of
the Public Library of the City of Boston". Boston, 1896.
,, ,, for "Thirteenth Annual Report of the Board of Trustees
of the Public Museum of the City of Milwaukee". Milwaukee,
1895.
,, ,, for "Annales de la Societe dArcheologie de Bruxelles",
tome dixieme, livraison ii, I'Avril 1896.
PROCEEDTNCS OF THE ASSOCIATION. 149
To the Society, for " 8ociet6 cles Anti()uaircs de l;i Morinie. Bulletin
Historique", livr. 175, 1895; and " Le Cartulaire de Saint-
Barthelemy de Bethune", St. Omer, 1895.
To the Editor, for "The Antiquary", No. 77, May 1896.
,, ,, for " Bessarione : Publicazione periodica di Studi (Jrien-
tale Siena", No. I, Anno 1. (Two copies.)
Mrs. Collier exhibited a photograph of a monument to a Roman
soldier of the fourth century, recently found, about 4 ft. below the
surface, at Colchester, the monument being in splendid condition.
Mr. Gr. Patrick, Hon. Sec, exhibited, on behalf of Mrs. Dent, of
Sudeley Castle, a very carefully executed pen-and-ink drawing of a
piece of tapestry in one of the rooms of the Castle.
Mr. Cecil Davis read an interesting paper descriptive of the muti-
lated brass at Cirencester to John Arenyng, his wife, four sons, and
three daughters, all kneeling ; one of the sons being in academicals.
Above are three lily-sprays. Unfortunately, the various parts of the
brass have been removed from the original slab, and dispersed. The
date of the brass is the beginning of the sixteenth century. It is
curious as being almost the only instance of lilies shown upon the
brass to a civilian.
Mr. A. Oliver remarked that it resembled, in some respects, a brass
in the church of St. Olave, Hart Street, City. The paper was illus-
trated by some carefully executed rubbings.
Wednesday, 3 June 1896.
C. H. COMPTON, Esq., V.P., IX THE ClIAIR.
Rev. H. J. Duckinfield Astley, M.A., was duly elected a Member
of Council.
Thanks were ordered by the Council to be returned to the respective
donors of the following presents to the Library :
To the Society, for "Proceedings of the Cambridge Antiquarian Society",
No. XXXVII, vol. ix, Pt. 1, 1896.
To the Editor, for "The Antiquary", No. 78, New Series, June 1896.
Mrs. Collier submitted for exhibition an interesting example of
heraldic glass, formerly in the Vicarage of Ashton Keynes, Wilts, repre-
senting the arms of Anthony Dunch Hungerford, who held the manor
and rectory of Ashton Keynes under the Crown. This glass was
taken out of the old parlour-window of the Vicarage house in 1798.
150 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ASSOCIATION.
The family of Hungerford held this manor and rectory for a period of
one hundred and eighty-five years from 1452. The glass consists of
the diamond-shaped panes set in heavy lead-work, one pane represent-
ing the tlu'ee initials A. D. H., linked together by fifteenth-century
knot-work. The other pane represents thi^ee sickles interlaced, the
handles outwards, and a three-quarters moon in the centre. The colours
are gold and brown. The glass is preserved in a square frame, 9 ins.
by 8 ins.
Mr. Quick, Honorary Corresponding Member, exhibited a collection
of eight palpeolithic oval and tongue-shaped implements found in
March last at Broom, in the Valley of the Axe, in the parish of Hawk-
church, near Axminster. One is 8| ins. in length. They were found
in a gravel-pit near Chard Junction, and are particularly curious,
because no palfeolithic implements have as yet been found further west
in Britain.
The Rev. H. J. Dukinfield Astley, M.A., exhibited a silver snuff"box
presented by King George IV to his grandfather. The box is of very
elegant design, and represents a Dutch scene in the style of Teniers, in
very high relief, upon the lid. From the type of tobacco-pipe one of the
men is smoking, it was considered that the box belonged to the time
of William and Mary.
Mr. G. Patrick, Hon. Sec, read a paper by Miss Russell on some rock-
cuttings in JSTorthumberland, which she believed had not been previ-
ously illustrated ; although the locality, the flat rocks on the Dod Law,
near Wooler, is well known as one where rock-cuttings occur. The
paper was illustrated by photographs of the rubbings of the rock-
cuttings. It is hoped it will be printed hei-eafter in the Journal.
The Life and Legend of St. Vedast. By Gertrude 8. Simpson and
Rev.W.S. Simpson, D.D.,F.S. A. (London, 1896.)— Lives of Saints have
always been attractive to us all. The child is interested in the outlines
of the life of an apostle, the antiquary in his researches into the lives
of less noted members of the heavenly host. St. Vedast belongs to
this later class of Saints, of whom comparatively little has been
hitherto known, except locally ; until the authors, by careful research
among the archives of Arras and the by-paths of French religious
literature, have gathered up a large amount of learning which has
enabled them, in a very great degree, to reconstruct the life and
legend of a notable Saint who played a not-unimportant part in the
history of Church and State as they existed in his day.
Miracles were not uncommon at that time ; hence many examples
are given which may serve to interest, and perhaps perplex, the psycho-
logist. The art representations of the Saint, the honour accorded to
him in English Liturgies, and the rare dedication to him of two or
three English churches, with many curious facts relating to subjects
which cluster i-ound St. Vedast, have been put on record in the work,
which, as an authentic monograph on a curious Iiistorical point, leaves
nothing to be desired. The life of the Saint is replete, as most Saints'
lives are, with the mystical, the incomprehensible, the admirable, and the
astounding. Fi'om birth to deposition his doings excite our attention
and occupy our feelings, which will be deeply moved at the contents
of this work, wherein are recorded with careful minuteness of detail
the many scenes in which Vedast of Arras took part, and the many
historical touches to which his life and fame have given brilliancy and
colour.
A Historic Table : j)ossibly Queen Mary Stuart's Altar. — Some years
ago, in, I think, about the year 1880-Sl, while in Chester Cathedral, I
chanced to meet a Roman Catholic priest. We entered into conversa-
tion, both then and on the way back to London, and drifted into anti-
quarian topics. Amongst other things, he asked me if I knew Carlisle.
152
ANTIQUAKIAN INTELLIGENCE.
On my reply in the negative, he mentioned various curious relics there
and in the neighbourhood : among others, the table of which T show
a sketch. Last year, being in Carlisle, I remembered this long-ago con-
versation, and paid a visit to the Castle to see if the table was still in
existence. My informant assured me that though he had not person-
ally examined the table, from collateral evidence he believed it to be
the altar used by Mary Queen of Scots during her incarceration in the
Castle ; i.e., between May 18, 1568, and July 13, when she was removed
to Bolton.
I was directed to seek for the following details in order to identify
this table, should I ever be in the neighbourhood : five small pieces
of square stone let into the top, and two longer marks not filled up.
The top of the table was, I was assured, in bettei^ondition than the
supports. The priest told me that, from his personal knowledge, the
five consecrated pieces of stone which had been for the period while
this table was used as an altar let into the top, were subsequently
returned to Rome, and were there existing, cross-marked, and now
carefully preserved as relics. He likewise mentioned documents at
the Vatican which bore on the return to Rome of these small sacred
objects ; and, as I understood, on their use during Mary's captivity at
Carlisle.
The two longer marks were, I assume, connected with the affixing
of the crucifix or some other object. I found the table (which I
easily identified) down in the vaults beneath the keep, covered with
pots, pans, whitewash, pails, brooms and rags. After some trouble I
got it clean.
ANTIQLARIAN INTKLIJOENCK. 153
Documentary evidence to support the story of the priest 1 liave
none ; nor, with the limited time at my disposal lately, have I been
able to make any exhaustive research. The State Papers, whetiier
Domestic or Foreign, give no hint. The lives of Mary and of John
Lesley, Bishop of Ross (for a portion of the time in her company at
Carlisle) are silent on the point. We, however, know that on Lesley's
departure Mary applied for a priest (specifically named as an " English"
priest) to perform the necessary religious otHces for her. The reply
was a refusal, coupled with the remark, "There are no priests in
England." Mary was, however, permitted to walk to the Cathedral, —
a small consolation this, especially when guarded by one hundred " hag-
butters". " Hagbutters" were men armed with arquebuses with the
stock bent down, pistol-fashion.
Tliat this table has been an altar at some time, and used for Catholic
rites, is manifest. It is possible that the five consecrated stones
belonged to Lesley, and that he took them with him on his departure ;
they behig returned to Rome, according to custom, on his death.
There is, I believe, a similar custom still obtaining in the Catholic
Church, under special circumstances. As I have said, I have of the
identity of this table no documentary evidence whatever, but I deemed
it of sufficient importance to bring to notice, even though in a frag-
mentary way. My sketch shows the general appearance of the relic.
The top is certainly more finished than the supports, though of the
same original construction. It gives the impression of having been
squared and polished.
In the absence of proof I do not, of course, claim authenticity for
this altar ; still, the undoubted age of the " bit of furniture" (to put it
on the lowest footing) renders it worthy of a better fate than that of
a lumber-shelf, C. R, B. B.
The Vanishing Signs of London. By J. H. MacMichael, — A singu-
larly neglected field of research, so far as London is concerned, is that
which is open to inquiry in the old system of distinguishing the houses
and shops by sign and signboard, as it was in force prior to the date
of their general abolition in 1762. The history, origin, and associa-
tions of these relics are so bound up in the story of the City's com-
mercial development, and in the part it has played in national
progress, are so interwoven with the heraldic achievements of the
monarchy, the nobility, and of the ecclesiastical hierarchy, and its
vicissitudes, with its inventions, customs, social changes, and innova-
tions, that it is astonishing to reflect that no writer has devoted his
attention exclusively to this picturesque feature of old London,
1896 11
154 ANTIQUARIAN INTELLIGENCE.
Tlie need of a book like The Vanishing Signs was suggested at a
meeting of the British Archaeological Association, upon the origin
merely of cei'tain signs, when it became evident that no work is extant
which claims to describe at all adequately the picture-gallery open to
us in the history of the London sign and signboard as they survive
among us to the present day.
TJie Vanishing Signs of London will form a handsome volume of text,
of some 280 pages in extent, suitably bound. The manuscript is ready
for press, and printing the descriptive text can be begun as soon as one
hundred subscribers at 12s. ^d. net signify to Mr. J. H. MacMichael,
Horley, Surrey, or to Mr. David Nutt, 270-71, Strand, their willing-
ness to support the undertaking. The author has brought together
figured exaniples of nearly every sign described. This collection will
be reproduced if sufficient support is obtained. The price of illustrated
copies will be =£1 10s. net.
A Brief Histor/f, laith nuni'iroxs Illustrations, of the Church and
Parish of Gosberton, Lincolnshire. By AValter Jexkinson Kaye,
F.S.A.Scot., of Gosberton Hall, Spalding, will be published shortly, in
8vo. Price to subscribers, 2s. net ; post free, 2s. 3d. — A vast amount
of information has been collected with reference to this parish, which
contains one of the finest village churches in Lincolnshire. The Parish
Registers, ancient parish accounts, and Manor Court Rolls, many
documents in the British Museum and Public Record Office, London,
have been consulted with advantage to the work. Recent discoveries
during the retlooring of the church have revealed extensive Norman
foundations.
The book will contain chapters on Gosberton in its connection with
the Draining of the Fens ; on the Baptists, Wesleyans, and Free
Methodists; on the Volunteers ; on the Educational Institutions of
the Parish ; the Charities ; and Extracts from early Gosberton Wills.
In mediaeval times Gosberton was a place of considerable import-
ance, and was the residence of members of such ancient families as
those of De Rye, Cust, Calverley, Calthrop, Death, Dods, Bolle,
Ansell, and De La Warre ; while the great William of Wykeham,
Lord High Chancellor of England and Bishop of Winchester, was once
Rector here; as was also Richard Fleming, afterwards Bishop of
Lincoln, and founder of Lincoln College, Oxon. Numerous references
to neighbouring parishes will be found in the book.
The History of Alton, Co. Southampton. By William Curtis,
M R.O.S., L.S.A., will shortly be issued by Messrs. Warren and Son,
ANTIQUARIAN INTP:LLIGENCE. 155
of Wincliester. This illustrated volume will contain a grant of land
at Alton to the Monastery of St. Peter and St. Paul by King Egbert,
an account of the Canterbury Pilgrims passing through Alton, of the
famous fight in Alton Church during the Civil War, and many other
items of local interest. The work will be published at Gs. ; to sub-
scribers the price will be f^s.
English Illuminated Manuscripts. By Sir Edward Mauni>e
Thompson, K.C.B., D.C.L., etc.. Principal Librarian of the British
Museum. With twenty-one Plates in Chromo-Lithography, or Collo-
type, by W. Griggs, Chromo-Lithographer to H.M. the Queen. (Lon-
don : Kegan Paul, Trench, Triibner, and Co. 1896.) — The publishers
have a few copies for disposal, the remainder of a limited edition, of
the three articles on English Illuminated Manuscripts, contributed by
Sir Edward Maunde Thompson to their inagazine, Bihliographicn .
It was thouglit that, for the convenience of students who might wish
to have these articles in a collected form, and of lovers of English ait
whose interest does not extend to other departments of bibliography,
such a reprint would be desirable. Extra copies of the plates were,
therefore, struck oft' ; but as there are no means of printing additional
copies except by a repetition of the outlay, no further edition be issued.
At more than one period during the seven centuries which these
articles cover, the English school of illumination competed on equal
terms with the best in Europe ; yet no previous attempt has been
made to sketch the history of this school, from its beginning under
Celtic influences to its premature decline during the Wars of the
Roses ; nor has the artistic importance of any but the very earliest
period been illustrated by adequate reproductions.
The price at issue will be 18«. net, rising subsequently.
Tewkesbury Abbey is the noblest parish church in England. Larger
than many cathedrals, second to none for its histoi'ic associations,
enriched with architectural features of matchless interest, with its
massive Norman nave and tower, and graceful Decorated choir and
ambulatory, this famous Abbey is one of the few survivals of the great
destruction which followed the dissolution of the monasteries in the
sixteenth century. The inhabitants of Tewkesbury (then, as now, a
.small country town of 5,000 people) saved their church, which, with
its monastic buildings, was actually scheduled for destruction, by a
large money payment to the Royal Exchequer. For three centuries
great efforts have repeatedly been made by them to preserve it from
decay. Seventeen years ago the restoration of the interior was com-
156 ANTIQUARIAN INTELLIGENCE.
pleted at a cost of more than £11,000, the work having been carried
out under the supervision of the late Sir Gilbert Scott, and his son,
Mr. J. O. Scott, Architect. This restoration was accomplished by the
efforts of the Vicars, Canon Davies and Archdeacon Robeson, sup-
ported by laymen, and valuable gifts have since been added. But the
exterior was scarcely touched, for want of funds, and the time has
now arrived when extensive external repairs to roofs and walls are
absolutely necessary. For the maintenance of this magnificent and
once wealthy Abbey there remains an endowment of not <£20 fer
annum. The benefice is of a net value of less than £200 per annum.
The weekly offerings and casual fees are not sufficient to provide for
the ordinary church expenses. Feeling, therefore, the importance of
preserving their church, the Abbey Restoration Committee have
resolved to appeal to Churchmen at large to aid in completing the
restoration of the building, and providing effectually for its future
substantial maintenance and care. For this a sum of £10,000 is
needed, to be employed : — 1 (£7,000), in repairing and in renewing
the roofs of nave and transepts— that of the north transept, over the
great organ, being now in a deplorable condition — and in arresting
decay in the stonework ; the remainder to be invested as a permanent
fabric fund, by means of which the building may be constantly
attended to. 2 (£3,000), to maintain the services of the church. The
Committee are confident that this national monument will not be
allowed to remain in its precarious position.
Donations, to be spread over three years if desired, and which may
be devoted to either of the objects stated, should be sent to the Hon.
Treasurers : the Archdeacon of Gloucester, College Green, Gloucester,
or Alfred Baker, Esq., The Old Bank, Tewkesbury.
THE JOURNAL
Biitislj !aicI)atolotj;ical <3ssotiattcin.
SEPTEMBER 1896.
NOTES ON
THE PAPxISH REGISTERS OF NEWBURY.
BY WALTER MONEY, ESQ., F.S.A.
(^Read 19 Feb. 1896.)
N England, until the reign of Heniy VllI,
parish registers were unknown, when the
duty of keeping them was imposed on
the parochial clergy by a royal injunc-
tion, which was published hy Thomas
Cromwell, Lord Privy Seal, in his capa-
city of Vicar-General, on 29th Septem-
ber 1538.
Of the Registers commenced in compliance with this
new institution are to be reckoned those of Newbury,
which, with the exception of a few entries which have
been excised,^ are complete up to the present time, and
are in excellent preservation.
In the reign of Edward VI another attempt was made
1 Many years since a piece of the Register of I-aptisnis for U')14-l.')
was cut out by some miscreant, probably in connection witli certain
law proceedings ; but in 1894 the present writer succeeded in replacing
one side of the page from transcripts obtained at the Diocesjui Regis-
try at Salisbury.
189U 12
158 NOTES ON THE PARISH REGISTERS
to secure the proper keeping of a Register by associating
the parishioners generally in its guardianship, the King's
injunctions in 1547 being directed to the " parson, vicar,
or curate, and parishioners" This was confirmed by Act
of Parliament in the first year of Elizabeth, the only
alteration then made being in the disposal of the fine of
36*. id., which was attached to neglect of the duty of
registration. This had been allotted by Cromwell's in-
junctions to the repairs of the church; that of Edward VI,^
however, transferred it to the poor-box, and the Act of
Queen Elizabeth divided it between the two.
In the year 1555, Cardinal Pole, having the royal
licence, held a synod at which canons were drawn up for
reforming the state of the Church, when, among other
things, it was directed that the names of the godfathers
and godmothers were to be added in the Register of
Baptisms, — a custom which was duly observed at New-
bury, and continued for a very considerable period.
In 1562 an attempt was made to consolidate the sys-
tem of registration by the establishment of diocesan
registries under parliamentary authority, but the ener-
getic opposition of the clergy caused the scheme to be
abandoned. Nor did a proposal of Lord Burghley's in
1590, for a general ofiice to embrace the whole kingdom,
fare much better ; and at the earnest entreaty of Arch-
bishop Whitgift this was also withdrawn.
The clergy, having had their attention thus called to
the subject, did for themselves in 1597 what they would
not allow Parliament to do for them ; and by a canon
which passed both Houses of the Convocation of Canter-
bury, copies of the Parochial Registers were ordered to
be sent to the Diocesan Registry within one month after
Easter in each year, to be preserved in the episcopal
archives.
By the 70th canon of 1603, made by the bishops and
clergy in Convocation, it is ordered that every parish
should provide itself with a parchment book, in which
the entries from the old paper books were to be fairly
and legibly transcribed, each page being signed by the
ministers and churchwardens of that year in which the
copy was made : a circumstance which gave rise to the
OF NEWBURY. 159
ludicrous notion respecting the longevity of the clergy
of the seventeenth century which at one time found
strenuous defenders amongst antiquarian writers.
In some few parishes, including Newbury, the original
paper books are still in existence; and it does not appear
that the transcript on vellum was made as ordered in
the canon, although it is evident the pages between 1538
and 1603 have been copied from the original memoranda
made by the officiating clergy.
During the Civil War Parish Kegisters Avere for the
first time regulated by Act of Parliament. On 6th Decem-
ber 1644, the subject was especially referred by the House
of Commons to the Committee who had in charge the
Directory for the Public Worship of God, presided over
by Dr. Twisse, Rector of Newbury and Prolocutor of the
Westminster Assembly of Divines, which was by a
solemn ordinance substituted for the Book of Common
Prayer. The Directory ordained that " a fair register
book of velim" should be provided in every parish, and
that the names of all children baptized, and the time