Item for two papers of the kyngs armes to set on the kyngs herse iii_d._"
The progress of the Reformation during the reign of Edward VI
is distinctly marked in these records, by the mode in which the
churchwardens were compelled to set their house in order. A man named
John Davyes was employed to "hewe downe the seates of the images in
the church and to whytelyme it," for which he received 15d.; "an ares
cov'yng (arras covering) wh. was used at the sepulter" was sold to Mr.
Bland for 6s. 8d.; the lamp and censer, weighing 20 lb., for 4s.; "two
standerdes of brasse, two cansticks, and a tynacle of brasse for holly
(holy) water, weying 3 lb.," 14s.; "a coppe crosst," (the priest's
cope, with a cross on it) 2s.; a platter, 18d.; "a holy water pott of
led, and certein organne pypes of led, weying half C. and 12 lb.," 2s.
10d.; for "13 lb. of pewter of organne pypes and shelles for tapers,
at 2d. a lb.," 2s. 2d.; two small bells were sold for 9d.; the top of
the pulpit went for 2s., and the foot for 2d.; the organs, the "fayle
and old clothes to cover the saynts," the tables that stood on each of
the altars, the "trymmer" of the high altar, the altars themselves,
and all the other appointments, disappeared like useless lumber. Two
inventories of the church goods were written out for the commissioners,
and the churchwardens and their friends made merry on the occasion at
the tavern. Instead of the gorgeous altars, two "frames," or trestles
(or "oyster boards," as the Bishop of Exeter would term them), were
provided for the Lord's Supper; and in lieu of carved saints and mural
emblazonments, a man was engaged to "write the Scriptures and paint
the church at 2d. the yard," on those parts of it, at least, where the
whitewasher's brush had not taken the precedence. In the fifth year
of King Edward, the old churchwardens handed over to the new ones the
church goods, of which the following is an inventory:
"A chalice, two pattens, the cover of a pyx, foot of a silver
cross, a crucifix that was on the cover of the pyx, a little
silver bowl, the little bowl of the pyx that the crucifix stood
on, six pieces of silver and gylte, and a little image of St.
Michael of silver gylt, a little bell without a clapp., two
brasen canstycks, two painted clothes, a pawle of silk, two
sirplices for children, two aubs (albs), a table cloth, five
towels, the parson's sirplice and the clarks sirplice, a course
pawle, and bere cloth."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account