Part 45
On _Good Friday_ the churches are all dressed up; canopies are placed over the altars, and the altars themselves are decorated with flowers and other ornaments, and illuminated with a vast number of wax candles. In the evening every body of every rank and description goes a round of visits to them. The devout kneel down and repeat a prayer to themselves in each; but the majority only go to see and be seen--to admire or to criticise the decorations of the churches and of each other--to settle which are arranged with the most taste, which are the most superb. This may be called the _feast of caps_, for there is scarcely a lady who has not a new _cap_ for the occasion.
Easter Sunday, on the contrary, is the _feast of hats_; for it is no less general for the ladies on that day to appear in new _hats_. In the time of the convents, the decoration of their churches for Passion-week was an object in which the nuns occupied themselves with the greatest eagerness. No girl dressing for her first ball ever bestowed more pains in placing her ornaments to the best advantage than they bestowed in decorating their altars. Some of the churches which we visited looked very well, and very showy: but the weather was warm; and as this was the first revival of the ceremony since the revolution, the crowd was so great that they were insupportably hot.
A number of Egyptians, who had accompanied the French army on its evacuation of Egypt, and were settled at Marseilles, were the most eager spectators, as indeed I had observed them to be on _all_ occasions of any particular religious ceremonies being performed. I never saw a more ugly or dirty-looking set of people than they were in general, women as well as men, but they seemed fond of dress and ornament. They had swarthy, dirty-looking complexions, and dark hair; but were not by any means to be considered as people of colour. Their hair, though dark, had no affinity with that of the negroes; for it was lank and greasy, not with any disposition to be woolly. Most of the women had accompanied French officers as _chères amies_: the Egyptian ladies were indeed said to have had in general a great taste for the French officers.[112]
[112] Miss Plumptre.
* * * * *
PHLEBOTOMY.
Bleeding was much in fashion in the middle ages. In the fifteenth century, it was the subject of a poem; and Robert Boutevylleyn, a founder, claimed in the abbey of Pipewell four bleedings _per annum_. Among the monks this operation was termed “minution.”
In some abbeys was a bleeding-house, called “Fleboto-maria.” There were certain festivals when this bleeding was not allowed. The monks desired often to be bled, on account of eating meat.
In the order of S. Victor, the brethren were bled five times a year; in September, before Advent, before Lent, after Easter, and at Pentecost, which bleeding lasted three days. After the third day they came to Mattins, and were in the convent; on the fourth day, they received absolution in the chapter. In another rule, one choir was bled at the same time, in silence and psalmody, sitting in order in a cell.[113]
[113] Fosbroke’s British Monachism.
* * * * *
OLD CEREMONIES, &c.
ORDER OF THE MAUNDAY, MADE AT GREENWICH ON THE 19TH OF MARCH, 1572; 14 ELIZ. From No. 6183 Add. MSS. in the British Museum.
Extracted by W. H. DEWHURST
_For the Table Book._
First.--The hall was prepared with a long table on each side, and formes set by them; on the edges of which tables, and under those formes, were lay’d carpets and cushions, for her majestie to kneel when she should wash them. There was also another table set across the upper end of the hall, somewhat above the foot pace, for the chappelan to stand at. A little beneath the midst whereof, and beneath the said foot pace, a stoole and cushion of estate was pitched for her majestie to kneel at during the service time. This done, the holy water, basons, alms, and other things, being brought into the hall, and the chappelan and poore folkes having taken the said places, the laundresse, armed with a faire towell, and taking a silver bason filled with warm water and sweet flowers, washed their feet all after one another, and wiped the same with his towell, and soe making a crosse a little above the toes kissed them. After hym within a little while followed the subalmoner, doing likewise, and after hym the almoner hymself also. Then lastly, her majestie came into the hall, and after some singing and prayers made, and the gospel of Christ’s washing of his disciples’ feet read, 39 ladyes and gentlewomen (for soe many were the poore folkes, according to the number of the yeares complete of her majestie’s age,) addressed themselves with aprons and towels to waite upon her majestie, and she kneeling down upon the cushions and carpets, under the feete of the poore women, first washed one foote of every one of them in soe many several basons of warm water and sweete flowers, brought to her severally by the said ladies and gentlewomen, then wiped, crossed, and kissed them, as the almoner and others had done before. When her majestie had thus gone through the whole number of 39, (of which 20 sat on the one side of the hall, and 19 on the other,) she resorted to the first again, and gave to each one certain yardes of broad clothe, to make a gowne, so passing to them all. Thirdly, she began at the first, and gave to each of them a pair of shoes. Fourthly, to each of them a wooden platter, wherein was half a side of salmon, as much ling, six red herrings, and cheat lofes of bread.[114] Fifthly, she began with the first again, and gave to each of them a white wooden dish with claret wine. Sixthly, she received of each waiting lady and gentlewoman their towel and apron, and gave to each poore woman one of the same; and after this the ladies and gentlewomen waited noe longer, nor served as they had done throwe out the courses before. But then the treasurer of the chamber (Mr. Hennage) came to her majestie with 39 small white purses, wherein were also 39 pence, (as they saye,) after the number of yeares to her majesties said age, and of him she received and distributed them severally. Which done, she received of him soe manye leather purses alsoe, each containing 20 sh. for the redemption of her majestie’s gown, which (as men saye) by ancient ordre she ought to give some of them at her pleasure; but she, to avoide the trouble of suite, which accustomablie was made for that preferment, had changed that rewarde into money, to be equally divided amongst them all, namely, 20 sh. a peice, and she alsoe delivered particularly to the whole companye. And so taking her ease upon the cushion of estate, and hearing the quire a little while, her majestie withdrew herself, and the company departed: for it was by that time the sun was setting.
W. L(AMBERT.)
TAKEN BY W. H. DEWHURST FROM THE SAME MSS.
EXTRACTS _from the churchwarden’s accompts of the parish_ of St. Helen, in Abingdon, Berkshire, _from the first year of the reign of Philip and Mary, to the thirty-fourth of Q. Elizabeth_, now in the possession of the Rev. Mr. GEORGE BENSON.
With some Observations on them, by the late professor J. WARD.
+------------------------------------------------------+------+------+ | _Ann._ MDLV. or 1 & 2 _of Phil. and Mary_. | _s._ | _d._ | | | | | |Payde for makeinge the _roode_, and peynting the same | 5 | 4 | | for makeinge the herse lights, and paschall tapers | 11 | 1 | | for makeinge the roode lyghtes | 10 | 6 | | for a legend | 5 | 0 | | for a hollie water pott | 6 | 0 | | | | | | _Ann._ MDLVI. or 2 & 3 _of P. and M._ | | | | | | | |Payde for a boke of the _articles_ | 0 | 2 | | for a _shippe of frankencense_ | 0 | 20 | | for new wax, and makeinge the herse lights | 5 | 8 | | for the font taper, and the paskall taper | 6 | 7 | |Receyved for the holye loof lyghts | 33 | 4 | | for the rode lyghtes at Christmas | 23 | 2ob. | | at the buryall and _monethes mynd_ of George Chynche| 0 | 22 | | for 12 tapers, at the _yeres mynd_ of Maister John | | | | Hide | 0 | 21 | | at the buriall and _monethes mynd_ of the good wiff | | | | Braunche | 12 | 4 | | | | | | _Ann._ MDLVII. or 3 & 4 _of P. and M._ | | | | | | | |Receyved of the parishe of the rode lyghts at | | | |Christmas | 21 | 9 | | of the clarke for the holye loft | 36 | 8 | | at the buryall of Rich. Ballerd for 4 tapers | 0 | 6 | | | | | | * * * * * | | | | | | | |Payde for peynting the _roode_ of Marie and John, the | | | |patron of the churche | 6 | 8 | | to fasten the tabernacle where the patron of the | | | | church now standeth | 0 | 8 | | for the roode Marie and John, with the patron of the| | | | churche | 18 | 0 | | for makeing the _herse lyghts_ | 3 | 8 | | for the roode Marie and John, and the patron of the | | | | churche | 7 | 0 | | to the sextin, for watching the sepulter two nyghts | 0 | 8 | | to the suffrigan for hallowing the churche yard, and| | | | other implements of the church | 30 | 0 | | for the waste of the pascall and for holye yoyle | 5 | 10 | | | | | | _Ann._ MDLVIII. MDLIX. or 4 & 5 _of P. | | | | & M. and_ 1 & 2 _of Eliz._ | | | | | | | |Receyved for _roode lyghts_ at Xmas, 1558. | 18 | 6 | | for roode lyghts at Xmas, 1559 | 18 | 3ob. | | at Ester, for the pascall lyghte, 1558 | 34 | 0 | | for waxe to _thense_ the church on Ester daye | 0 | 20 | | at Ester, for the pascall lyghte, 1559 | 35 | 0 | | for the holie loff, 1558 | 34 | 0 | | for the holie loff, 1559 | 34 | 8 | | | | | | * * * * * | | | | | | | |Payde to the bellman for meate, drinke, and cooles, | | | |watching the sepulture | 0 | 19 | | for the _communion boke_ | 5 | 0 | | for _takeing down the altere_ | 0 | 20 | | for 4 song bokes and a sawter | 6 | 8 | | | | | | _Ann._ MDLX. or 3 _of Eliz._ | | | | | | | |Payde for tymber and makeing the communion table | 6 | 0 | | for a carpet for do | 2 | 8 | | for mending and paving the place where the aultere | | | | stoode | 2 | 8 | | for too dossin of _morres belles_ | 1 | 0 | | for fower new saulter bockes | 8 | 0 | | for gathering the herse lyghtes | 4 | 0 | | | | | | _Ann._ MDLXI. or 4 _of Eliz._ | | | | | | | |Payde for 4 pownde of candilles upon Cristmas daye in | | | |the morning for the _masse_ | 0 | 12 | | for a table of the commandementes and cealender, or | | | | rewle to find out the lessons and spallmes, and for | | | | the frame | 2 | 0 | | to the somner for bringing the order for the roode | | | | lofte | 0 | 8 | | to the carpenter _for takeing down the roode lofte_,| | | | and stopping the holes in the wall, where the | | | | joisces stoode | 15 | 8 | | to the peynter for wrigting the scripture, where | | | | roode lofte stoode and overthwarte the same isle | 3 | 4 | | to the clarkes for maynteyning and repeyring the | | | | song bokes in the quyre | 4 | 0 | | | | | | _Ann._ MDLXII. or 5 _of Eliz._ | | | | | | | |Payde for a _bybill_ for the church | 10 | 0 | | | | | | _Ann._ MDLXIII. or 6 _of Eliz._ | | | | | | | |Payde for a boke of Wendsdayes fasting, which contayns| | | |omellies | 0 | 6 | | | | | | _Ann._ MDLXIV. or _7 of Eliz._ | | | | | | | |Payde for a communion boke | 4 | 0 | | for reparations of the cross in the market place | 5 | 2 | | | | | | _Ann._ MDLXV. or 8 _of Eliz._ | | | | | | | |Payde for too _bokes of common prayer agaynste | | | |invading of the Turke_ | 0 | 6 | | for a repetition of the _communion boke_ | 4 | 0 | | | | | | _Ann._ MDLXVI. or 9 _of Eliz._ | | | | | | | |Payde for setting up _Robin Hoode’s bowere_ | 0 | 18 | | | | | | _Ann._ MDLXXIII. or 16 _of Eliz._ | | | | | | | |Payde for a quire of paper to make four bokes of | | | |_Geneva salmes_ | 0 | 4 | | for 2 bockes of common prayer new sett forth | 0 | 4 | | | | | | _Ann._ MDLXXIV. or 17 _of Eliz._ | | | | | | | |Payde for candilles for the church at Cristmas | 0 | 15 | | | | | | _Ann._ MDLXXVI. MDLXXVII. or 19 & 20 _of Eliz._ | | | | | | | |Payde for a new byble | 40 | 0 | | for a booke of common prayer | 7 | 0 | | for wrytyng the commandements in the quyre, and | | | | peynting the same. | 19 | 0 | | | | | | _Ann._ MDLXXVIII. or 21 _of Eliz._ | | | | | | | |Payde for a _booke of the articles_ | 0 | 10 | | | | | | _Ann._ MDXCI. or 34 _of Eliz._ | | | | | | | |Payde for an _houre glasse for the pulpitt_. | 0 | 4 | +------------------------------------------------------+------+------+
OBSERVATIONS, &C. ON THE PRECEDING CHARGES.
The churchwarden’s accounts of a particular parish[115] may in themselves be thought, justly, as a matter of no great consequence, and not worthy of much regard. But these seem to deserve some consideration, as they relate to a very remarkable period in our history, and prove by facts the great alterations that were made in religious affairs under the reigns of queen Mary and queen Elizabeth, together with the time and manner of putting them into execution; and may therefore serve both to confirm and illustrate several things related by our ecclesiastical historians.
1. We find mention made in these extracts of the _rood_ and _rood loft_. By the former of which was meant either a crucifix, or the image of some saint erected in popish churches. And here that name is given to the images of saint Mary and saint John, and to saint Helen, the patroness of the church. These images were set in shrines, or tabernacles, and the place where they stood was called the rood loft, which was commonly over or near the passage out of the body of the church into the chancel. In 1548, the first of king Edward VI., all images and their shrines were ordered to be taken down, as bishop Burnett informs us. But they were restored again on the accession of queen Mary, as we find here, by the first article.
2. The _ship for frankincense_, mentioned in the year 1556, was a small vessel in the form of a ship or boat, in which the Roman catholics burn frankincense to perfume their churches and images.
3. The _boke of articles_, purchased in 1556, seems to be that which was printed and sent over the kingdom by order of queen Mary, at the end of the year 1554, containing instructions to the bishops for visiting the clergy.
4. We find frequent mention made of lights and other expenses at a _funeral_, the _months mind_, the _years_ and _two years mind_, and the _obit_ of deceased persons, which were masses performed at those seasons for the rest of their souls; the word _mind_, meaning the same as _memorial_ or _remembrance_. And so it is used in a sermon yet extant of bishop Fisher, entitled _A mornynge remembrance had at the monteth minde of the most noble prynces Margarete, countesse of Richmonde and Darbye_, &c. As to the term _obits_, services of that kind seem to have been annually performed. The office of the mass for each of these solemnities may be seen in the _Roman Missal_, under the title of _Missal pro defunctis_. And it appears by the different sums here charged, that the expenses were suited to persons of all ranks, that none might be deprived of the benefit which was supposed to accrue from them.
5. It was customary in popish countries on Good Friday to erect a small building, to represent the sepulchre of our Saviour. In this they put the host, and set a person to watch both that night and the next. On the following morning very early, the host being taken out, Christ is risen. This was done here in 1557 and two following years, the last of which was in the reign of queen Elizabeth. Du Fresne has given us a particular account of this ceremony as performed at Rouen in France, where three persons in female habits used to go to the sepulchre, in which two others were placed to represent angels, who told them Christ was risen. (_Latin Glossary_, under the words _Sepulchro officinum_.) The building mentioned must have been very slight, since the whole expense amounted to no more than seventeen shillings and sixpence.
6. In the article of _wax to thense the church_, under the year 1558, the word _thense_ is, I presume, a mistake for cense, as they might use wax with the frankincense in censing or perfuming the church.
7. In 1559 the _altar_ was taken down, and in 1560 the communion table was put in its place, by order of queen Elizabeth.
8. Masses for the dead continued to this time, but here, instead of a _moneths mynde_, the expression is _a months monument_. But as that office was performed at the altar, and this being taken down that year, the other could not be performed. And yet we have the word _mass_ applied to the service performed on Christmas-day the year following.
9. The _morrice bells_, mentioned under the year 1560 as purchased by the parish, were used in their morrice dances, a diversion then practised at their festivals; in which the populace might be indulged from a political view, to keep them in good humour.
10. In 1561 the _rood loft_ was taken down, and in order to obliterate its remembrance, (as had been done before in the reign of king Edward VI.,) some passages out of the Bible were painted in the place where it stood, which could give but little offence, since the images had been removed the preceding year by the queen’s injunction, on the representation of the bishops.
11. In 1562 a _Bible_ is said to have been bought for the church, which cost ten shillings. This, I suppose, was the _Geneva_ Bible, in 4to., both on account of its low price, and because that edition, having the division of verses, was best suited for public use. It was an English translation, which had been revised and corrected by the English exiles at Geneva, in queen Mary’s reign, and printed there in 1560, with a dedication to queen Elizabeth. In the year 1576 we find another _Bible_ was bought, which was called the _New_ Bible, and is said to have cost forty shillings; which must have been the large folio, usually called archbishop _Parker’s_ Bible, printed at London, in 1568, by Richard Jugge, the queen’s printer. They had _prayer-books_, _psalters_, and _song-books_, for the churches in the beginning of this reign, as the whole Bible was not easily to be procured.
12. In 1565 there is a charge of sixpence for _two common prayer-books against invading the Turke_. It was then thought the common cause of the Christian states in Europe to oppose the progress of the Turkish arms by all methods, both civil and religious. And this year the Turks made a descent upon the Isle of Malta, where they besieged the town and castle of St. Michael four months, when, on the approach of the Christian fleet, they broke up the siege, and suffered considerable loss in their flight. (Thuanus; lib. 38.) And as the war was afterwards carried on between them and the emperor Maximillian in Hungary, the like prayer-books were annually purchased for the parish till the year 1569 inclusive.[116]