“1556. Itm̄ for waxe ix_d._ Itm̄ for a gyrdle iij_d._ Itm̄ for waxe and for makynge of y^e xv_d._ paschall and fontetapers First payed for a rod (rood) xij_s._ Itm̄ payed for the paschall and ij_s._ viij_d._” fontetapers “1558. First payed for the pascall and xxij_d._ fontetapers Itm̄ payed for frankeincense i_d._” Such notices well prove how quick and strong was the reaction from Protestantism to Catholicism when favoured by the State. Again, to still further show the variety of entries, let me make some extracts from the Fordingbridge Churchwardens’ Books:— “1636. I^tm for a fox-head 0 1^s 0 I^tm for one badgers head 0 1 0 I^tm for one fox-head 0 1 0” Among miscellaneous notices, as giving the average wages of the day, and the prices of various articles, let me add also the following from the same accounts:— “1609. I^tm laide out for a pint of muskadine vii^d” “1616. I^t for viij dayes’ worke for three men xxiij^s I^t for a new beel-Rope iij^s iiij^d I^t for a daye’s worke for three men iij^s iij^d I^t for a booke of artykeels iij^s I^t for mates (mats) about the xiij^d Communyon tabelle I^t payde the Person for keeping the iij^s iiij^d” Stocke These accounts, too, like all others, are full of items for the repairs of the bells and bell-ropes, confirming what may be found in the narratives of old French and Italian travellers concerning our English passion for bell-ringing. The following looks very much like cause and effect:— “1636. Itm̄ to the Ringers one y^e Kinges daye ij^s vj^d Itm̄ for one belroape i^s iv^d” The “King’s day” was that on which the King ascended the throne. Again, to show the mixed and varied contents of the Churchwardens’ Books, we will once more go back to those of Ellingham. Under the date of 1556 we find:— “Itm̄ for a baudericke of the great bell xij^d Itm̄ for a lanterne viij^d Itm̄ for nailes and sope iij^d” Under the head of “Layinges out in the secunde yere,” meaning 1557, we meet:— “Itm̄ for a pot of claye iij^d Itm̄ payed for ij bokes x^s Itm̄ payed for smoke sylver ij^s xi^d” And, again, under the “Layinges out in the thyrdde yere,” we find:—