St. Martin', in - the•Fieids.: the Accounts of the Chwechwardens, 1525 - 1603. .Transcribed
and edited by John V. Kitto. (Simpkinl Marshall, and Co. £2 2s.)—We , offer sincere congratulation to the pariah of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields on, the appearance of this valuable and interesting book. It is well worth the expenditure made upon, it, and its publication sets an example which may be advantageously followed elsewhere. The volume begins with an account of money received for lights at burials and " yeres' abides" (i.e., anniversaries). These amount to between £2 and 41g; other items for " pytts" (i.e., graves within the church' being mixed up with them). Further on in the volume we _come to a change. In the first year of King Edward the church- wardens' account for 18s. 8d. received for " one hundreth poundes of olde metal," and 20s. for 60 lb. of wax. (How does this agree i with the contention that the ritual of the English Church re- mained temp. King Edward what it had been temp. King Henry ?) Shortly afterwards the churchwardens receive £10 155. 4d. for barioru; silver articles and " Images of Alyblaster." " A pyre of Silver," weighing 20 on, is sold at 5s. 6d. per oz. Then we have 5s. paid for "a Paraphrase" ("Erasmus on the Gospels "), Richard Bevenoppe receives 20e. for making a " commu'yon cuppe," weighing 32 oz., at 8d. per oz. Following this we find a great sale of vestments, the first item being "two holde Blew vellet coppes wt stares." These were sold for 30s. The whole of the articles, which fill a page, fetched £18 3s. 8d., "a great pillage." Two yards of green cloth to cover the " communyon tabyll " cost
19s., and two " surplesses " 4s. 3d. Next year the tide turns. A " Messe book," a " Crosse," a " Baskett of holy brede," and other things are bought for £1 14s. Similar entries occur during the reign of Mary. And there are gifts, one from the Queen herself, of hangings, &c., for the altar; but the old splendours were gone for ever. It will be seen from these few specimens of its contents what an interesting volume this is.
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