One of the best essays on mortuary rolls is that of the late Canon Raine in an early Surtees Society volume, but the writer is specially indebted to a contribution of the Rev. J. Hirst to the "Archaeological Journal." The late Mr. Andre's article on vowesses, and Mr. Evelyn-White's exhaustive account of the Boy-Bishop must be mentioned, and--lest I forget--Dr. Cunningham's "History of English Commerce." The late Mr. F. T. Elworthy's paper on Hugh Rhodes directed attention to the Children of the Chapel, and Dom. H. F. Feasey led the way to the Lady Fast. Here and often the writer has supplemented his authorities out of his own knowledge and research. It may be added that, in numerous instances, indebtedness to able students (e.g., Sir George L. Gomme) has been expressed in the text, and need not be repeated. Finally, it would be ungrateful, as well as ungallant, not to acknowledge some debt to the writings of the Hon. Mrs. Brownlow, Miss Ethel Lega-Weekes, and Miss Giberne Sieveking. Ladies are now invading every domain of intellect, but the details as to University costume happened to be furnished by the severe and really intricate studies of Professor E. G. Clark. F. J. S. TIVERTON, N. DEVON, _January 22, 1911._ CONTENTS ECCLESIASTICAL CHAPTER PAGE I. LEAGUES OF PRAYER 11 II. VOWESSES 18 III. THE LADY FAST 27 IV. CHILDREN OF THE CHAPEL 32 V. THE BOY-BISHOP 39 VI. MIRACLE PLAYS 51 ACADEMIC VII. ALMS AND LOANS 61 VIII. OF THE PRIVILEGE 71 IX. THE "STUDIUM GENERALE" 91 JUDICIAL X. THE ORDER OF THE COIF 115 XI. THE JUDGMENT OF GOD 127 XII. OUTLAWRY 150 URBAN XIII. BURGHAL INDEPENDENCE 167 XIV. THE BANNER OF ST. PAUL 187 XV. GOD'S PENNY 195 XVI. THE MERCHANT AND HIS MARK 200 RURAL XVII. RUS IN URBE 204 XVIII. COUNTRY PROPER 216 DOMESTIC XIX. RETINUES 238 INDEX 249 THE CUSTOMS OF OLD ENGLAND ECCLESIASTICAL CHAPTER I