"iiiis. vid. Pro uno cultello dato hostiariis Scaccarii "iiiid. Uni wafrerio [wayfarer], ix d. Liberabantur "menestrallis in convivio Magistri Ricardi Goldingtone iiis. Pro supertunicis æstivalibus iiiili. xs. ivd. "Pro roba Johannis de Essex, vis. vid."

Tr.-" Also delivered to John Pereres for the common "candle in the Church [Great St. Mary's], 2-. For one "pair of knives given to Sir John de Chesterfeld, 68. "For a knife given to Sir. . . Ectone, 4s. 6d. For a

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In p. 147 all the members, the "Custos," Warden, or Master, excepted, are mentioned as Scolares;" the whole of their "vadia," or pay, being at this time (1343) 2 pence per day for each, out of which they had to find food, clothing, wages and articles of clothing for servants, and turf for fuel. In p. 159 (1343) an agreement is made with Sir John, the Parish Chaplain of St. Mary's, that his stipend shall be 51⁄2 marks yearly. In p. 166 (A.D. 1344) :—“ In xv. scutellis magnis et xii. minoribus, cum salsariis, de stagno [stanno], vis. viiid. Item in xxx. ulnis canabi, pro mappis aulæ et manutergiis aulæ, ixs. iiiid.

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In panno

empto pro vestura Petite Wille [the Cook's son, now "made his assistant], iiis. iiid. Pro uno jentaculo pro Domino Philippo de Westone, et pro uno præsenti in piscibus sibi missis, ixs. ixd. quadr. In vino "misso Confessori Domini nostri Regis, et Domino "Henrico de Iggelby, iis. viiid. obol. Pro tonsura 'panni Willelmi [Little Wille, above mentioned] fa"muli coci id." In p. 171 (1344):-" In primis, in lathis, et clavis, et virgis, xxiiiid. Item carpenta"toribus, xxd. obol., pro factura latrinæ. In columbis et motoun ixd. Item uni thachere viiid. Pro mundatione latrinæ iiiid. In correctione unius cuvæ, "iid. Item seruris pro cista panis, et pro porta, et 66 pro domo terricidiorum [the turf-house], xiiid. obol. În uno tankardo xid. In clerico per duas vices iiid. "In stramine pro aula in Festo Natalis, iiiid., et pro "factura mapparum, iiiid. Item in vasis ligneis, vide

licet, cyphis et discis, xid. In speciebus, vid., pro "Confessore Regis. In clavis iiiid., in hokis id. "In stipendio unius thacheri, viiid., pro octo diebus. "In stipendio unius carpentarii, pro iiii. diebus, iiiid. "In uno carpentario pro correctione magnæ porte “iid. obol. Item xid. in gardino, circa vineas. Item "viid. in garlek. In vino et speciebus pro Magistro

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Ricardo Retforde xd. In vino misso Magistro Si"moni de Sutbury [most probably Simon Sudbury, afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury], iis. vid. În stipendio Roberti garcionis viii d. In correctione "unius mattok, iiid. In uno cowele [? cowl for a chimney], xd. obol. In iiii. leginis [sic for 'lagenis'] vini, missis Magistro Johanni Thoresby, xxd. In "vino et piscibus pro prandio Henrici Tagemere ixd. Item in vino tempore seisinæ, in domo Johannis Thorp, iid."

Tr. For 15 large scuttles [platters] and 12 smaller ones, with sausers, of tin, 68. 8d. Also, for 30 ells "of canvas, for boardcloths for the hall and finger"napkins for the hall, 98. 4d. For cloth bought for "the dress of Little Will, 38. 3d. For a breakfast for Sir Phillip de Westone, and for a present of fish sent him, 9s. 94d. For wine sent to the Confessor of our Lord the King, and Sir Henry de Iggelby, “28. 8d. For shearing the cloth for William, the "cook's assistant, 1d. First, for laths, and nails, and "rods, 24d. Also, to the carpenters 20 d., for making "the latrine. For pigeons and mutton, 9d. Also, to a thatcher, 8d. For cleansing the latrine, 4d. For mending a cuve [or large tub], 2d. Also, for locks "for the bread-chest, and for the gate, and for the "turf-house, 134d. For a tankard, 11d. For a clerk, "on two occasions, 3d. For straw for the hall at the "Feast of Christmas, 4d., and for making boardcloths, "4d. Also, for wooden vessels, namely, cups and "dishes, 11d. For spices for the King's Confessor, "6d. For nails, 4d., for hooks, ld. For the pay of a thatcher, for eight days, 8d. For the pay of a carpenter, for four days, 4d. To a carpenter for mend"ing the great gate, 24d. Also 11d. for the garden, "about the vineyard. Also, 7d. for garlic. For wine "and spices for Master Richard Retforde, 10d. For "wine sent to Master Simon de Sutbury, 2s. 6d. For "the pay of Robert the groom, 8d. For mending a "mattock, 4d. For a cowl [?], 10d. For 4 gallons "of wine, sent to Master John Thoresby, 20d. For "wine and fish for the dinner of Henry Tagemere, 9d.

"Also, for wine at the time of livery of seisin, at the "house of John Thorp, 2d." "In

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In p. 192 (A.D. 1346) there is a curious item :—' perditione monetæ per tres annos, xxs."-" For loss "of money in three years, 20s." In p. 193 (1346) :"In postibus pro vineis supportandis iiid. obol. In "factura herbariorum vid. În clikettis [latch-keys] "viiid. In uno paigneyere [pannier], iid." Tr."For posts for supporting the vines, 34d. For making "the garden-beds, 6d. For clickets, 8d. For a pannier [Pa bread-basket], 2d." In p. 197 (1346) is a list of "Punitiones Statutorum," fines inflicted for breaches of the Statutes. Almost all of the Fellows seem to have been punished in their turn, and, in some instances, for causing discord in the community. In p. 199 (1346) the gardener, who has been hitherto represented as "Nicholas" only, with a salary of 6 pence a year, is mentioned as "Nicholas Meleforde," with a yearly salary of 12 pence. Richard the Cook receives the comparatively large sum of 68. 8d., and that "in part payment" only. The "Lotrix,' or Laundress, has 4 shillings, and the "Barbitonsor," or Barber, the

Bredwardyn [afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury], "xis. In cultellis datis Magistro Simoni de Islep [afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury] et Domino "David de Wullore, xiis. vid. Item pro expensis Magistri et J. Pereris versus Sanctum Neotum, et usque Rameseye, die Mercurii proxima post Festum "Sancti Matthæi, xd. et obol., et pro conductione duorum equorum pro eisdem, xvid. In uno cultello "dato Canonico de Waltham iis." In p. 227 (1347):— "In stramine, videlicet, segge, vis. In uno lep [a "basket, here used for holding turf], iiiid. Item pro "vino et ostreis Sub-Vicecomiti et aliis viiid."

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Tr." Expenses incurred by the Society.-First, for parchment for the roll, 6d. Also, for paper, 1d. "For two knives given to the Wardrober and Master "Thomas Bredwardyn, 11s. For knives given to "Master Simon de Islep and Sir David de Wullore, "12s. 6d. Also, for the expenses of the Master and "J. Pereris in going to St. Neot's, and to Ramseye, on the Wednesday after the Feast of St. Matthew, 11d.; and for the hire of two horses for them, 16d. "For a knife given to a Canon of Waltham, 28. For straw, that is, sedge, 6s. For a lep, 4d. Also, for "wine and oysters given to the Under-Sheriff and "others, 8d."

The names of Simon Sudbury, Bredwardyn, and Islip, each receiving a present, given with the view, no doubt, of gaining his favour or influence at Court, will notescape the reader's notice.

The Books of Commons of King's Hall.-The Second Volume contains 300 pages, and embraces from the 30th Edward 3 (1356) to the 44th year of that reign (1370); it resembles the preceding volume in the general nature of its contents. It is, perhaps, almost superfluous to add that the ancient wire-marks, or water-marks, in these superlatively valuable books are extremely numerous, and in great variety.

These volumes were not consulted by Mr. Cooper for his "Annals of Cambridge."

Thomas Powys was the first Warden, or Master, of King's Hall. He seems to have had considerable trouble in obtaining a settlement, or final ratification, of the terms and conditions of foundation of the house, and in securing for it the appropriation of several benefices, with a view to obtaining the great tithes thereof. The College has in its possession a parchment Roll, giving in considerable detail the accounts of the various expenses incurred by the Master in his numerous visits to London, Ely, Norwich, Lincoln, and elsewhere, in the 16th and 17th Edward 3. (1342-3), while engaged on this business. Though the Roll is of considerable length, it is pretty evident, from the stitch-marks still to be detected at the foot of it, that it is incomplete. It is also slightly damaged by damp. The following are two extracts from this Roll:-"Item, idem Thomas "solvit pro dicta Commissione per duas vices scri"benda, et pro diversis billis scriptis, ii s. vid. Item computat pro emptione cultellorum ad dandum dominis et amicis in Curia Regis, pro consilio et juvamine ipsorum habendo; videlicet, pro uno parvo "cultello empto et dato prædicto Roberto Parvynke,

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Some of its contents have been already published from other sources, but there are matters in it which might possibly throw light upon the ecclesiastical history of the period, and so render it worthy of a closer examination.

Two folio volumes of Collections, for the illustration of the Ecclesiastical History of the Diocese of Norwich. These collections, which are very carefully entered in double columns, and methodically arranged, were made by Archdeacon Thomas Tanner, afterwards Bishop of St. Asaph. Before holding the Archdeaconry of Norfolk (A.D 1721), Tanner had held the Chancellorship of Norwich, the office of Commissary for the Archdeaconry of Norfolk, and that of Commissary for the Archdeaconry of Sudbury, with the rectory of Thorpe, near Norwich; during the tenure of which offices, he no doubt devoted much of his leisure time to the formation of the collections. The volumes have been examined by Blomefield, the historian of Norfolk, who has placed his mark in them. These collections are to a great extent derived from the Norwich Domesday Book, in the Bishop's Registry, and the Institution Books; not so much having been taken from the Registers of the Dean and Chapter, except perhaps under the head of the Cathedral Church.

Tanner has also largely extracted in these volumes from Wills and Registers of Wills. Those formerly belonging to the Episcopal Consistory Court, are now deposited in the District Registry of the Court of Probate at Norwich. They commence with the accession of Bishop Henry le Spenser in 1370.

The Norwich Domesday Book.-A large folio volume, without pagination, but containing probably little less than 1,000 pages. The context is in Latin, exquisitely written throughout, in modern Gothic; the pages being abundantly ornamented with rubrics, and, occasionally, letters in blue and gold, and other paintings. The vellum is, in general, of a soft spongy texture, a not unfrequent characteristic of the vellum used for writing in this country in the fifteenth century. In substance, it is a Survey of all the parishes of the Diocese of Norwich, with the temporalities and spiritualities of the Prior and Monks, and other religious houses as well, in the several parishes; the same being in the latter part of the volume also collected together at the end of each Deanery. An Alphabetical Index, or "Nomina Villarum," is prefixed to the Survey; the whole being prefaced by a Kalendar, containing, among other things, the Days of Commemoration of deceased Bishops and Priors; and the 24th of September being noted therein as the Day of Dedication of the Cathedral Church.

From the nature of the compilation, it gives an account of all the livings in the Diocese, Procurations, Synodals, and other payments, and, in some instances, the names of the patrons, at some unstated date.

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In a

note written in the volume, in a hand of perhaps nearly three centuries since, it is said to be a work of King Stephen's time; and some more recent authorities have made it to have been written as far back as the year 1300. There is, however, internal evidence that it was written at least as late as the beginning of the fifteenth century; having been commenced possibly under the auspices of Bishop Henry le Spenser, surnamed "The Warlike," who died in 1406. The Kalendar, from the glossy nature of its parchment, and its general appearance, seems to be of rather earlier date than the rest of the work; its own date, however, must be later than June 1381, as in it there is this entry under the 17th of that month: -"Anno Domini "M° CCCLXXVI., Dominus Robertus de Salle, miles, decapitatus est apud Capellam Sanctæ Mariæ Magdalenæ," in reference to the murder of Sir Robert de Salle, by the Norwich insurgents, headed by John Littestere, of that place. This event, however, happened in 1381, simultaneously with Wat Tyler's insurrection; the scribe having evidently mistaken the figures given to him for insertion. Among dates alluded to in the body of the work, is the Great Pestilence, which, under the head of the Church of St. Matthew in Norwich, is mentioned as having occurred in 1341, whereas its date was 1348-50. The recent acquisition of the Church of St. Michæl, in Corneforth (in Norwich), by the Austin Friars, is also alluded to, which took place in 1368; and the translation of the body of Sir John de Norwich, Knight, to the Castle of Metingham; the date of which, according to the Cartulary of Metingham (folios 233-4), was the 15th of Richard 2 (A.D. 1392). The grant of the manor of Tofts, in Norfolk, by Henry 4 to Sir Thomas de Erpingham is also mentioned; which took place in the sixth year of

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that reign, A.D. 1305. Somewhat singularly, the scribe has twice called this sovereign "King Henry the Third; " an error which certainly gives colour to the suggestion, made by at least one authority, that the volume belongs to the latter part of the 15th century (when these events would be comparatively forgotten), and is a copy, by ignorant or careless scribes, of an earlier work. The death of Bishop Bateman (A.D. 1354) is also mentioned in the Kalendar; and Bishops Rawlee (translated to Winchester in 1242) and Suffield (died A.D. 1257) are named for Commemoration.

In this Kalendar, the tradition connecting the Day of the Translation of St. Swithun with probably rainy weather is ignored, and no notice is taken of the 15th of July as the day of the Translation of St. Swithun, or as at all connected with the weather. In lieu of it, we have the following weather lore in that month, but in connexion with other Saints:July 2. “Si pluat in Festo Processi et Martiniani, "Ymber grandis erit, et suffocatio grani."

July 4. Translatio Sancti Martini.

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"Sancti Martini Translatio si pluviam det, Quadraginta dies continuare solet." It deserves remark, however, that though the 2nd of July is the Day of Saints Processus and Martinianus, it is also connected with St. Swithun, as being the Day of his Deposition. It may also be observed, that the above notion prevailed in France in the 12th century, in reference to the festival of the two Saints on the 2nd of July; and that in the North of Scotland, in the present century, the same opinion was held with respect to St. Martin's Day, the 4th of July (Medi: Evi Kalendar., Vol. I., p. 322). As to the compiler of this elaborate work, nothing whatever seems now to be known. On a fly-leaf, at the end of the Kalendar, are written, in large characters, now almost obliterated, as to colour, by the frequent application of gall, the following words which, as they are the only words on the page, would seem to be intended to apply to the compiler:"Frater Ricardus de Merentone (?) obit officio Sa"cristariæ Ecclesiæ Cathedralis Sanctæ Trinitatis

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In a Manuscript preserved in the University Library at Cambridge, No. 3,923 (Catal., Vol. V., p. 578), being a "Catalogue of the Bishops of Norwich," down to Bishop Hall (died A.D. 1656), by Thomas Searle, "Not. Pub. pauperem, 1659," a curious reference is made to this "Doome-Booke," though coupled with a mistake as to the status of its probable compiler, as being a Friar," and a most corrupt rendering of his name; most of the letters of which, from their size, stand out in sufficient relief from the surface of the vellum, to admit of their being easily deciphered. It is there mentioned as-" a most elaborate Latin manuscript of a learned Friar, entituling himself 'Frater Willelmus de Mannington.' The unparalleled "booke aforesaid, when some of the lower ranke of "the heathenish Edomites (of whom Edm. Rust of "St. Bennett's Abby in Norff. was chiefe ringleader) "seized upon the Register Books of this poore Church, was as miraculously saved out of their Turkish pawes, as Joash was by Jehosheba, II. Kings, 11.”

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nature, and belonging mostly to the reigns of Edward 3, Henry 4, and Henry 6. At page 15 the original commencement of the Register begins. It opens with a History of the foundation of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Norwich, and the erection there of the Episcopal See; the institution there of a house of monks of St. Benedict; and an account of the Royal Charters, the various Papal confirmations of grants and privileges, and the endowments of Benefactors. This History comes down to about A.D. 1300; shortly after which date the bulk of the volume, no doubt, was written. Pages 51 to 57 are occupied with Royal Charters, from the time of William 2 down to the latter part of the reign of Edward 1. Pages 68 to 90 contain Bulls of various Popes. From page 91 to page 167 the context is made up of conveyances by private persons, chirographs of various kinds, agreements, and judgments given in suits. From page 167 to 173 there are entries of the time of Edward 3 and Richard 2. Pages 174 to 223 are occupied with title-deeds, in general without date, and from thence to page 248 the entries seem to be prior to the close of the reign of Edward 1. From this point to the end of the volume, the entries in general belong to the reigns of Edward 3 and Richard 2, but at the close there are entries so late as 1444, and the 20th of Henry 7 (A.D. 1505). At page 251, there are given, in Latin and French, Expositiones "vocabulorum in Magna Charta Libertatum;" not however identical with the "Expositions " mentioned in the sequel, as given by Alexander de Swerford in the Red Book of the Exchequer.

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Register (2), known as "the Almoner's Register;" a folio volume, in rough calf, containing above 200 leaves of parchment. It opens with 13 leaves not numbered, containing miscellaneous entries and a Table of Contents, or list of parishes in which the Almoner had lands and tenements. These are followed by (originally) 71 folios, the last folio being so numbered; folios 30, 31, and 32, are now missing. Charters form the sole contents down to folio 71. This part of the volume probably belongs to the reign of Edward 2. 50 folios then follow, in a different and later hand, being a transcript of the History of the foundation of the Church, Royal Charters, and Papal Bulls, contained in Register 1. These 50 folios are followed by 5 folios not numbered, containing a copy of a Charter granted in the time of Philip and Mary. Then follow 65 folios of similar writing to the previous 50, being a continuation of the conveyances, chirographs, and title-deeds, contained in Register 1. These are followed by 10 folios of a Table of Contents, in the same handwriting as the first 71 folios; the title being "Carta de terris, tenementis, in villa Norwici,

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spectantibus ad Elemosinarium," and the numeration being here resumed, as folio 72, shewing that in the rebinding of the volume, the original pagination was in all probability disarranged. 16 folios follow these ten, with an altogether different style of numeration, which again are succeeded by six folios without numeration. In the earlier part of the volume the deeds in general are not dated; shewing that they belong to a period mostly prior to the close of the 13th century; those which have dates are mostly of the reign of Edward 1. The later portion of the volume belongs probably to the close of the reign of Edward 3, or to that of Richard 2. This volume contains the Expositions" by A. de Swerford, Archdeacon of Shrewsbury, before alluded to.

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Register (3). A small folio volume of 248 leaves, in the original boards apparently, re-covered in the 17th century, and fastened with a clasp. The writing, with the exception of the Index, is of the close of the 15th, or beginning of the 16th, century. There are two sets of paginations, the later one stopping short at page 217. Besides the fly-leaf, there are six blank leaves before folio 1 (as numerated), from which to folio 217 the pagination is correct. Eight leaves are then wanting, 24 more leaves completing the book. Folio 1 opens with "De Libertatibus et Franchesiis Ecclesiæ Cathe"dralis Sanctæ Trinitatis, Norwici," and the subject is continued down to folio 42; the whole context being a review of the rights of the Prior and Convent against the City of Norwich, as based upon Royal Charters, Exemplifications of Inquisitions, records of Coroner's Inquests, and the like, the object being the support of their rights to their peculiar jurisdiction. From folio 42b to 45a the space is occupied with a list of the Bailiffs, Mayors, and Sheriffs, of Norwich, from 1399 to 1451. It is then wholly devoted throughout to charters and deeds granted to the Church of Norwich, from the time of William 2 to the 3rd of Henry 7 (A.D. 1488). Between folios 198 and 215 there are three Charters of

Henry & inserted; folios 216, 217, are left in blank, and folios 218-225 are now wanting.

Register (4). A small quarto volume, paged up to page 345 in a modern hand. There are some errors however in the pagination, and there are 176 leaves written upon in all. The writing is of the 15th and 16th centuries, and a space is left at the head of each document for the rubricated title, which however has not been inserted. Pages 1 to 7 contain a History of the Church of Norwich down to the time of Henry 3, the same as the "Fundationis Historia, ad calcem Registri de Binham, penes Authorem," in the fourth volume of Dugdale's Monasticon, pages 13, 14, ending ex satis autenticis." The volume seems to be devoted in general to charters and grants executed by the successive Bishops of Norwich in favour of the Prior and Monks. At the close of the volume are entered (p. 329), "Placita coram Domino Rege apud Westmonasterium," belonging to the reign of Henry 7. This and the preceding volume are described from notes lent me by Mr. L'Estrange.

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Register (5). A small quarto volume, containing 157 leaves in all, exclusive of the fly-leaf, it being incorrectly paged at folio 32, that leaf being numbered 36, when in reality nothing seems to be missing. It appears to have been formerly known as the 'Celerer's Boke,' and the first 54 leaves seem to be nearly all in the writing of the time of Ralph de Elingham, who is mentioned at the beginning and elsewhere (folios 114-119) as having been Cellarer of the Priory in 1282, 10 Edward 1. The volume is full of matter, the writing being both close and minute; though difficult to decipher, as well from the number of contractions, as from the fact that it is much faded through age, and the rubrics are smeared and transferred to the opposite page. There is, loose in the volume, an Index to its contents, of six pages, and made probably in the 16th century. Many of the later entries, after the time of Elingham, seem to belong to the reigns of Edward 2 and Edward 3. Register (6). A small quarto volume, bound in rough calf, and containing 86 leaves of parchment. It is known as the "Registrum Camerarii," the Chamberlain's Register, and its contents mostly belong to the reign of Edward 1.

Register (7). A small quarto volume, bound in rough calf, and containing 94 leaves of parchment. It contains the Charter of Foundation, and various other Charters, Bulls, deeds, and wills; of a miscellaneous nature apparently, but all of them tending to amplify the property or the privileges of the house. The entries are probably of the reign of Edward 1, and his two immediate successors.

Register (8). A quarto volume, bound in rough calf, and containing 55 leaves of paper. Its contents are various deeds and other documents, the oldest of them probably transcribed in the earlier part of the 14th century.

Register (9). A quarto volume, in rough calf, with vellum leaves, not paged. It has for its title "Pro"ficuum Maneriorum Prioris et Conventus," and was compiled probably in the reigns of Edward 2 and Edward 3. There is a letter in this volume, in Latin, (No. 123), dated at York, 25th November 1318, from Bishop John Salmon to the Prior of Norwich, stating what had taken place in the Parliament then sitting at that place the following is a translation of it.—

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· Mary

are to

bellar a

"Brother John, by diviue permission, Bishop of "Norwich, to his dearly beloved in Christ the Prior of Norwich, greeting in the Lord. As regards the 300 pounds collected by you of the tenth, we do ask you, " &c., &c. Of news as to Parliament there is but little. The King has again appointed the Bishop of "Winchester [John de Sandale] his Treasurer, and has "made Sir Bartholomew de Badlesmere his Steward, "and Sir Hugh le Despenser, the son, his Chamber"lain; and other inferior officers have been lately "created in Parliament, about whom there is no necessity for me to write to you. Two scutages have been granted, one of which will be levied this year, and "the other the next, each of them being set at two "marks. It has been ordained that the King is to go to Scotland on the Octave of Trinity Sunday next. "An aid has been asked, as well from the laity as the clergy, for the King's journey into Scotland; but it has not been granted by either as yet, at the date of "these presents. Last of all, we signify unto you-for "which we are the more sorry-that it will be necessary for us to assist the King, as it is at present our belief, until the beginning of Lent at the least, not "without grievous expenses, and labours almost in"tolerable. And therefore we do the more earnestly

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"ask to be aided by the prayers of yourself and your brethren. Farewell. Written at York, on Saturday "the Feast of St. Katherine the Virgin."

Register (10). A thin quarto volume, bound in rough calf, and containing about 56 leaves of parchment. The entries are a miscellaneous collection of deeds, from probably the time of Edward 1 to Edward 3.

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Register (11). A small quarto volume, in old boards, covered with the ancient parchment, and containing 118 folios, formerly known as the "Sacrist's Register.' Its contents are of a miscellaneous nature, and, in some instances, of considerable interest; the entries ranging from the time of Edward 1, down to Henry 8. In folios 2-7 there is a Kalendar, with marginal notes of the obits of the Bishops and Priors; followed (folios 8, 9), by an entry as to the priests ministering in the Chapel of "Saint John at the Gates of the Church." A number of charters and deeds then follow, down to folio 41. Folios 42-44 contain (tr.) "The Book of the wax tapers given by the Sacrists at the Feast of the Purification of "St. Mary [Candlemas]," folio 45 (tr.) "Of the al"lowance to the servants of the Church, as well from "the cellar as the kitchen"; the list of all the officials and servants in the Priory, with their allowance of wax candles, so many and of such a size to each, on Candlemas Day, is extremely curious. The latter part of the volume is wholly occupied with deeds and documents, some of them of a comparatively recent date.

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Register (12). A thin quarto of 47 leaves of parchment, containing miscellaneous deeds and charters, of apparently the time of Edward 3.

A small folio volume, of 53 leaves of parchment, exclusive of fly-leaves, containing a portion of the "Historia Anglicana' " of Bartholomew de Cotton, a monk of Norwich, who is supposed to have died about A.D. 1298. The history has been edited (A.D. 1859), for the Rolls Commission, by the Rev. H. R. Luard, Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, and a full description of this volume has been given in his Preface to that work, p. xxi. This manuscript of Bartholomew de Cotton has, I believe, been usually reckoned as forming one of the Registers.

The Ledger Books of the Dean and Chapter, are a series of business books, containing mostly leases and other similar transactions, with letters relative thereto. There are also Letters in them from the Privy Council, relative to the liberties of the Cathedral, and the finding of soldiers for the muster. Vol. i. of these books commences at the year 1538, vol. ii. 1559, vol. iii. 1565; succeeded by others of more recent date.

The Computi, or Rolls of Accounts, belonging to the Dean and Chapter, are very numerous, and commence in the latter half of the 13th century; though from the comparative paucity of those of some of the officials, it seems probable that in the lapse of ages many of them have perished. The officials, more or less of whose Computi have survived, are as follow: -the Master of the Cellar, or Cellarer, Chamberlain, Sacrist, Almoner, Præcentor, Infirmarer, Pittancer and Commoner, Refectorer, Hostrer, and Gardener ; to which may be added, those of the Hospital of St. Paul, and the Priors of St. Leonard's, Lynn, Great Yarmouth, and Alderby. The Sacrist Rolls, as I gather from some notes lent me by Mr. L'Estrange, are very numerous, beginning with Henry de Lakenham, in the year 1275, and coming down to 1535, when Walker Crowmere was Sacrist. The Gardener's Rolls still surviving are probably from 20 to 30 in number, if not more. The following are some translated extracts from two of them; the first being,-" The account of Brother Bar"tholomew de Bretenham, holding the office of "Gardener, from the Feast of St. Michael to the same "Feast, in the 8th year of the reign of King Henry, "after the Conquest the Fifth [A.D. 1419-20.] "Among the Receipts are "For pot-herbs, lekys [leeks], beets

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[poretis], and plants, 15s. 8d. For bundles of astel' [?] "and carrots [draucis], 16s. For onions sold, 418. 2d. "For beans and bean straw, 52s. 6d. For lease of the meadows, with the alleys [aleyis,-perhaps for bowling]. For the hermit's house, at the Bishop's gates, 20d. For the garden within the gates, 18d." Among the items of Expenditure:-" For mustard seed, "10s. For milk and butter for the Convent, 48. 4d. "For garlic bought, and onion-seed, 9s. For hoeing, "planting, and gathering, 268. 8d. For implements, and "the repair of implements, 22d. Also, for one branlet

[an iron tripod], 18d. Spent when the Prior was "present, and at St. Leonard's, 68. 6d. For leather

gloves, 28. 6d. To labourers in the garden, at "various times, 48. 4d. For catching moles, 4d. "For paying servants, with their gowns, 55s." The

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second account is thirty-two years later :--“ The "account of Brother Robert Brethenham, holding the "office of Gardener, from the Feast of St. Michael to the same Feast, in the 30th year of the reign of King Henry, after the Conquest the Sixth." Among the items of Expenditure,-" To the Cellarer for knives, "28. To the same, when herbs failed, 3s. 4d. For "mustard-seed, 12s. 4d. For milk at Advent and

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Septuagesima, and peas for pottage, 5s. 6d. For "butter and beans, 164d. For cherries bought for the "Convent- For the pay of the gardener, 68. 8d. "For garlic bought, 7d. For apples bought for preserving [fecturys], Cd. For making wythes, the day's task being 4d. For paper and parchment, and "writing the account, 8d. For the writing of the "indenture as to hire of the garden, 6d. Allowed the gardener, for boots and other expenses, 12d." To these items an account is added for repairs.-"Paid to Ralph Barsom and Richard Cawstone, carpenters, for "mending the gates, 8 days, 48. For nails and yren "werk, [iron work], 84d. For two cartloads of clay "for the same work, 10d. For locks and keys, 22d. "For mending a door of the cheryerd [cherry yard], 4d. Paid to Geoffrey Mayys and Richard Bennys, for making a new wall of clay, in full, 68. 8d. "Paid to John Schortwode, redere [thatcher with reeds], and his man, they finding their own board, "for one day and a half, 15d. Paid for laths and le lathnayle, 5d. For eleven fathoms of reeds, 15 d. "For osiers and bindings, 3d." These documents are of the greater value, as the notices that we possess in reference to English horticulture in the Middle Ages are comparatively few.

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The Chapter Books are eight in number, commencing A.D. 1566, and being continued at the present day. They bear reference entirely to the internal regulation and managemeut of the Cathedral Church, and to what may be called the private business of the Dean and Chapter. The earliest volumes seem to be of interest, as throwing light upon the ecclesiastical usages of the times.

My best thanks are due to the Very Reverend the Dean of Norwich, Dr. Goulburn, for the courtesy with which he personally gave me access to these records, and provided me with such facilities as were in his power for the examination of them. I have also in this instance to thank the Reverend H. Symonds, the Præcentor, for very kindly aiding me in such examination, and that too, at a moment when his time was otherwise fully occupied by literary researches in which he is engaged.

HENRY THOMAS RILEY.

MANUSCRIPTS BELONGING TO THE COLLEGE OF ST. MARY, OSCOTT, NEAR BIRMINGHAM.

The collection of MSS. at the Catholic College at Oscott was examined by me in the month of November 1869. Among a large mass of material, consisting chiefly of notes of lectures, sermons, &c., occur the following articles :

1. A very fine Psalter on vellum, in folio, of the 13th century, written apparently in England by one named William, who has appended some lines at the end of the 150th Psalm, beginning thus:

The Latin text is accompanied by a metrical translation into French written at the same time. Prefixed is a Calendar, in which occur the names of many English saints, and appended to the Psalms are the Confiteor, the Office for the Dead, &c. At the beginning of the volume are 11 leaves filled with illuminations of considerable merit. On one side occur full-length figures, and on the reverse each page is filled with two roundels. Various smaller illuminations occur throughout the volume executed with great delicacy. This very beautiful volume was presented to the College by the late Charles Standish, Esq.

2. "Missale Norwicensis Ecclesiæ." A large folio upon vellum of the 15th century, written for the use of the Church of Norwich. Prefixed is a Calendar, in which occurs the notice of the dedication of that Cathedral on the 8th of the calends of September.

3. Two leaves of an early Service book written for the Church of York in the 15th century, consisting of a portion of the Canon of the Mass.