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riorfolk ^rcl)acologD
MISCELLANEOUS TRACTS
mELATTPG TO TSI
ANTIQQTIES OF THE COOH OF VuRFOLK,
rmifXED ST 7BK
NORFOLK AXD NORWICH
ARCH^OLOGICAL SOCIETY.
Da:.!. «t is:.=,c=f-'r« tj'*:. yi^:*. «m »-^.
Vol. UI.
CHAILLES MUSKETT, OLD HAYMARKET.
18o2.
SEP 2 1906
fITAC
V.3
NORFOLK AND NORWICH
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.
Vatran. THE LORD BISHOP OF NORWICH.
SIR JOHN P. BOILEAF, BART., P.R.S.
Ffci'^itsilitnts. The Riout Uonoukablb the Earl of Robbbbst.
TbI RiOHT HoNOtTBABLB THE LoRD SoNDEa.
The Riobt Honodoablb the Loni> WALsmaBAti.
The R:oht HoHOdaiBLB aud Revebend the Loud Batnino.
The Riout HoirotiBABLB the Lqbd Culborne.
TBE HoNOUBiBLE AND VeBY ReTERE.VD TBE DeAN OP NORWICH.
Sm William J. H. B. Ffolzbs, Bart.
LlBUTBNANI-OntERAL SlE RoBBBT JoHN HaBVET, C.B.
The Venbrarlb the Archdeacon of Nok^ich.
Hitdbon Guenet, Esa., F.R.S., V.P.S.A.
Daniel Odrnet, Esa.. F.S.A.
Dawbon Tubneb, Esq., F.R.S., F.A.S.
JKititamtT.
Cam. BlaIWTOS, R.N., TJutrpt Hall.
^t Committee.
Thomas Briohtwell, Esq., F.R.S Norwich,
Hby. Jambs Bulwer Hunworth, Holt.
Edward Copeman, Esq., M.D Norwich,
Rbt. F. Cubitt FriUon,
Hby. G. H. Daskwood Stow Bardolph
W. C. EwiNO, Esq Norwich,
W. M. Fbllowbs, Esq Ormetby,
Robert Fitch, Esq., F.G.8 Norwich,
Rev. John Gunk Iniead,
R. Blaeb Humfret, Esq Wrozham,
GoDDARD Johnson, Esq Norwich.
Ret. C. R. Manning FraminghamEarl.
C. Mabsham, Esq Htvingham,
E. H. St. Quintin, Esq Thorpe Ilamlet,
Rev. J. J. Smith Loddon,
Richard Ward, Esq S(dhoute Hall.
John Woddebspoon, Esq Norwich,
Rev. E. T. Tatbs Ayltham.
1$on. Stcretars. Henrt Harrod, Esq., Norwich,
Xocal Secretaries.
Thomas Barton, Esq Threxton,
L. S. Bidwell, Esq T^etford,
G. A. Carthew, Esq East Dereham,
Jambs Copeman, Esq Loddon,
Rev. J. P. Evans Swaffham,
Rev. a. M. Hopper StartUm,
Rev. E. J. HowMAN BexweU,
S. W. Rix, Esq Becclet,
A. H. Swatman, Esq King*$ Lynn,
CONTENTS OF VOL. III.
Pag€ Antiqtiities diBCorered at Little Cressingham, Norfolk. — T. Barian, Big, 1
A few Particulan concerning early Norwich Pageants. — H, Hctrrodf Esq, 3
A Synopsia of the Paintings upon some of the Rood-screens in the
County of Norfolk, with explanatory Notes. — Rev, John Gunn , . 18
Screen at North Burlingham. — Bev, John Gunn 19
Mural Paintings at Drayton Church. — Veiy Rev, F, C, Htuenbeth . 24
Notes on the Thetford Mints.— IF. S. Fiteh, Esq 29
Notice of a Mural Painting discovered in the South Transept of Cawston
Church. — Rev, James Bidwer 37
Analysis of the Harleian Manuscript, Cod. 4756, and part of the Index
of Cod. 1109.— i?w. R. Hart 40
Remarks upon a Manuscript of the year 1557, relating to Com and
Grain in Clackclose Hundred. — J, Copemant Esq 52
Description of certain Mural Paintings lately discovered in Brooke
Church.— iier. Wm. Beaie 62
Further Remarks on the Ancient Shields in Yarmouth Church. — Thos,
W. King, Esq 71
Original impublished Letter from King James I. to Sir Robert Cecil,
Earl of Salisbury. — Dawson Turnery Esq., V, P 76
Particulars of the Ilimdred of Tunstead. — Rev, W, T, Spurdens . . 80 On a Gold Niello found at Matlask, Norfolk.— i2o6^ Fitch, Esq, . . 97 Observations on the History and present State of Thetford Priory. —
Hefiry Harrod, Esq 105
Particulars of Easthall Manor-house in Denver. — Rev, George Henry
Dashufood, F,S.A 125
On Mural Paintings lately detected in the Church of Stow Bardolph.
— Rev, George Henry Dashtoood, F.S.A 134
Memoir of William Herbert de Losinga, first Bishop of Norwich. —
Rev. }V. T. S^rdens 140
VI.
Page The Will of Margaret Paston, widow of John Paston, Esq. — Dateton
Turner, Esq., V.P 157
Notices of the Norwich Merchants' Marks. — W, C, Ewing, Esq, . .176 Particulars of the Ancient Pulpit at Diss. — Rev, C. R. Manning . 229
On the Weyboume Pits.— fl«iry Harrod, Esq 232
Arms in Norwich Cathedral. — Hudson Gumey, Esq., V.P. . . .241 The History and Topography of Ketteringham, in the County of Nor- folk.— Rev, Joseph Hunter, F.S.A 245
An Account of the Company of St. George in Norwich. — From Macke-
relVs Manuscript History 315
Notice of a Gold Cross found at Wilton.— GreoO/tf J. Chester, Esq. . 375 Remarks on the Monastery of the Dominican Friars at Great Yar- mouth.— Charles J, Palmer, Esq., F.S.A 377
Notices of the Town and Parish of Watton.— 2%omaa Barton, Esq. . 394 Appendix 415
ENGRAVINGS.
Pag€ Antiquities fbtmd at Little Cressingham, Norfolk i
Figure of St. Benedict, from the Rood-loft Screen in the Church of
Burlingham St. Andrew, Norfolk 20
Kgure of St. Withburga, from the same Screen 21
Moral Painting of St. Agnes, in Cawston Church .... 37
Mural Painting from Brooke Church, Norfolk 67
Ditto 68
Ditto 68
Autograph of James 1 79
Sloley Church 80
Gold Niello, found at Matlask, Norfolk 97
Thetford Priory- Plan of, 1849 105
Plan of, 1779 106
After Hollar 112
View from Interior of North-west Tower, looking East . .113
Interior, West end 114
Sections of Ruins 115
Base of Pillars in the Choir 118
Remains of Triforium Window, East end 119
Mouldings, found near Chapter-house Entrance . . . 121
Easthall Manor-house, Denver, Norfolk 125
South Wall of Chancel, Stow Eardolph Church, Norfolk . . .138
Mural Paintings in Stow Bardolph Church (five plates) . . . 138 Shaft of Norman Piscina, Stow Bardolph Church . . . .139
Norwich Merchants' Marks (eleven plates) 228
Stem of the Ancient Wooden Pulpit formerly in Diss Church . . 229
Survey of Weyboume Heath 232
Sketch of the Weybourne Pits 234
Sectional View of ditto 235
Vlll.
Pag*
Arms in Norwich Cathedral (nine plates) 244
Ketteringham—
Exterior of the Hall 245
Interior of the Hall 247
Ketteringham Church —
Enamelled Brass, Heveningham Tomb 285
Heveningham Tomb 286
Monument erected by Lady Mary Heveningham . . 290
The Atkyns Monument 294
The Boilcau Monument 299
Gold Cross, found at Wilton, Norfolk 375
Plan of the Site of the Dominican Friars, Great Yarmouth . . . 377
South-west Tower, Great Yarmouth 391
Poor-Box in Watton Church, and Carring on the Market Cross . . 394
Stone Cross, Watton Church 399
Urn, found at Burgh Castle 416
Carved Wooden Box, found at Iioddon 416
Seals and Knife Handle, from the Collection of Mr. Robert Fitch . 422
^KTiamTlES POUND AT LITTLE CRESSIN5HAM. NOR>'m, K
« I
DISOpVBftBD
AT LITTLE CRESSINGHAM, NORFOLK.
E Eetter
FBOM THOS. BABTON, ESa TO HENBY HABBOD. ESQ.. Hon. Sic.
Threxton, July 3rd, 1849.
My Dear Sib^
I beg leave to report to the Committee the particulars of an interesting discovery which has recently taken place at Little Cressinghara.
A labourer^ digging in a field in that parish adjoining the road leading from Watton to Hilborough and Ickburgh^ came upon a human skeleton at the depth of about fourteen inches from the surface. The field is called " The Triangle " from its form ; the above road running north ; the Walsingham Way east ; and on the south-west a road leading from Stanford falls into the Watton road. The field is now perfectly level ; but, on examination of the title-deeds, I find it was formerly called the " Hill Field ; " and, on a careful survey of the spot where the skeleton was found, I discovered clear indications of a tumulus having formerly been there. An outer circle of chalk is very distinct.
The skeleton did not lie in the centre, but about midway between the centre and the outer circle, towards the west. It is a male of about the average height, and lay with the head to the south and legs drawn up. By its side was a dagger, evidently Celtic : the rivets remain which fastened a wooden handle, of which nothing but a black dust remained. Near it lay another and smaller weapon, apparently a javelin-head :
[vol. III.] B
o
upon its breast was the gold breast-plate, figured in the an- nexed engraving : round it will be observed the holes by which it was attached to the dress. A very large quantity of amber beads^ many broken, were scattered about the neck : of those found perfect a few are figured in the plate. A portion of a gold armilla was also lying on one side. But by far the most curious objects were a small box and the re- mains of two others, all of fine gold:* these I believe are unique. Douglas, in his Nenia Britannicay figures a small, round, brass box, found in a tumulus on Chatham Lines in 1780, near the left side of a skeleton, with an ornamental piece of brass, amber beads, a buckle, and a knife : the bones of the skeleton being small and tender, he inferred that it was that of a female, and that the box was used as an amulet.
As it is the intention of the Committee to publish a notice of this discovery in their next part, with an engraving of these curious relics, I have no doubt we shall be able to learn more upon this subject.
I have only further to add that the skull was remarkably thick, and, speaking phrenologically, displayed a large de- velopment of the animal passions, as also ^^ caution" and "love of approbation." The man had passed the meridian of life ; and his teeth were much worn, but good.
I must not omit to acknowledge with thanks the kindness of Sir Francis Goodricke, Bart., on whose property the dis- covery was made, in permitting me to exhibit these relics at the General Meeting of this Society.
I am,
My dear Sir,
Yours very faithfully,
Thomas Baeton.
* Since the above letter was written, my attention has been directed to Sir K. C. Hoare*B Ancient WiU8?Ure, where boxes somewhat similar, found at Upton Loyel, are figured, together with a square gold breast-plate and other Celtic remains. They will be found at p. 99, Vol. I.
A FEW PARTICULARS
CONOBKNINO
EARLY NORWICH PAGEANTS.
BY HENRY HARROD, ESQ.
The Documents relating to Pageantry in Norwich before the Reformation^ which I haye now the pleasure of laying before the Society, are from the Record-room of the Corpo- ration.
A complete series of the Records of Proceedings and Ac- counts of the St. George's Company, it is well known was there deposited: with this exception, it was feared that all trace of the Pageantry and Processions of mediaeval times in this city had been irrecoverably lost. When Blomefield searched the Records, several of the books of the other com- panies and trades were existing; but they have long since been either abstracted or destroyed.
Sometime ago, however, a friend placed in my hands a trans- cript, made many years before, of a Miracle Play, the only one I believe in existence of those which formerly delighted the citizens of Norwich and the " people of the countre," who used "abundantly for to resort to the said citie" for the purpose of beholding them, in early times. This, I trust, we shall some day or other obtain his permission to publish ; and I mention the fact of its existence now, merely because it drew my attention to the extreme paucity of our informa- tion on the subject, and induced me to search the Records, with the view of endeavouring to obtain some small enlight- enment respecting it.
b2
The first entry I met with related to the Corpus Christi Procession^ which, although the writing seems of an earlier character, may be of the same date as the entry in the As- sembly Books quoted by Blomefield, 1489.
*' It was ordained in Common Assembly that all the Com- panies should go in procession on Corpus Christi Day before the procession." *
It is as follows : Pcessio in festo Corpis Xti ad Capett. in Campis Norwici. modo seq'.
Inp luminar circa Corpus Xti ante pcess. & quelt Ars cu yexillo.
O
o
"-A
" Reders Smethes Coryours Barkers Shomakers Bedwerers Masons Carpenters Patynmakers Fletchers Bowers Fullers Sheremen Wollenwevers Pewterers Brasyers Skynners Bochers Bakers Brewers Barbers cu Waxchandlers
j Smethes ij Masons iij Carpenters iiij Reders
Bochers
Tanners
Coryers
Cordwan***
Thikwollenwev}
Fullers
Shermen
Covlightwev}
Bakers
Bruers
Fishmongers
Freshwaterfishers
Barbo"
Taillo"
Goldsmythcs
& Sadelcrs
Wstedwev}
• Vol. m.. p. 176.
Fishers Drap3
Fishmongers Saint Lukes gild
Tailours Grocc) & Mercers f
Raffmen*
Worsted Wevers
Dyers
Goldsmethes
Drapers
Grrocers
Mercers
The pcession
The Shreves Clothyng
M'. Shreres
The Mairs Clothyng
Mais^ Mayer
Maister Aldermen w^^
bokes or beds in ther
hands
On the same page with the above lists (the second of which is in a later hand than the rest of the entry) was a list of pa- geants, which I shall presently give. This was all I was able to meet with at that time; and I was, from its being so placed, induced to believe that it formed pait of the Corpus Christi celebration. On a subsequent occasion, however, I met with the minute in the Assembly Book, which I shall now extract, and which throws very considerable light upon the subject.
* Blomefield explains, Vol. III., p. 207, that Rafiinen were those that dealt in rafts or timber-pieces. This, however, is an error. They are con- tinually found associated with the Grocers ; and their occupation is indicated by the following extract, from among a number of similar character in the Assembly Books : ** This daye it is ordeyned that non occupacon, but only Raffemen, shall wHn this Citie bye any rowe (rough) talowe, and thei to make it in candell and sell it forth." They were Chandlers.
t This list is in a later hand, the same as the list of Pageants subsequently referred to.
These pageants^ or plays, were exhibited, it seems, on Whitsun Monday and Tuesday, and were extremely popular. The St. Luke's Guild, a fraternity composed of the pewterers, braziers, plumbers, bell-founders, glaziers, steyners, and se- veral other occupations or trades, had for many years the entire management and burden of them ; but so heavy was the expense, that it almost ruined the fraternity ; and at a Congregation held in the 19th year of King Henry VIII., the brethren addressed to the Corporation the petition re- ferred to in the following minute of the proceedings, which I take from the original Assembly Book of the period.
*' Assembly held on the Sabbath Day in the Feast of St. Matthew the Apostle in the 19"^ year of King Henry VIII.
" This daye the alderman and brethem of the Gilde of Saynt Luke in Norwich didde exhibite [a peticion] to the Mayor, Sheriffs, and Com Counsell of the Citie of Norwich, wherof the tenor foloweth in thes words. To the ryght worshipfull Mast. Maier of the Citie of Norwich, and to his brethem Aldermen and Comon Counsell of the said Citie, humbley sheweth and besecheth yo** good mastships, yo' daily orato''* and bedsmen, the alderman and brethern of the gilde of Saynt Luke the Evangelist w*en the said citie, that where of longtime paste the said Guylde of Seynt Luke yerly till nowe hath ben used to be kept and holden w4n the citie aforesaid upon the Mundaye in pcntecostc weke, at which daye and the daye next ensuyng many and dvrs disgisings and pageaunts, as well of the lieffs and marf doms of dvrs and many hooly Saynts, as also many other light and feyned figurs and picturs of other psones and bests : the sight of which disgisings and pageaunts, as well yerly on the sayd Mondaye in pentccoste woke in the time of pcession than goyng about a grette cir- cuitte of the forsaid citie, as yerly the Tuysday in the same
weke [serring] the lord named the Lord of Misrule* at Tum- lond wHn the same citie^ hath ben and yet is sore coveted^ specially by the people of the conntre ; beforse wherof yerly at that time more than any other tymes in the yeer the people of the countre have used abundantly for to resort to the said citie ; by reason of which resorte of people, as well many mchaundises as vitalls by the citezens and inhitaunts withyn the seyd citie yerly — more at that tyme than eny other tyme of the yere — ^am uttered and sold, to the grette releffe, socor, aide, and comforte of the said citezens and inhitaunts. And only the brethem and system of the seyd Guylde yerly am sore charged w^ repacons, and fyndjmg and settyng forth of the seid pageaunts and disgisings; which coste and charge causeth many psons of substaunce and abilitie to withdrawe themself and also ther goode myndes from the said guylde, in suche maner that for lak of substanceall brethem and sus- tern and ther myghty helpyng handes for sustentacon of the pmysses, the said gild is almost fully decayed, and not like in noon wise but to remayne in decaye, onles yo^ favo'abill myndes and comfortable aydes and assistents be to the sayd brethem and alderman and to ther successor's shewed in that behalve. Whefor may it please yo' discrete wysdoms, the pmysses tenderly considered, to enact, ordeyne, and establishes by auctoryties to you geven, that evy occupacon wythyn the seyd Citye maye yerly, at the said pcession upon the Monday in Pentecost weke, sette forth one pageaunt, by yo' discrete wysdoms to be assigned and appoynted of ther costes and charges, whiche shulde be to the wurship of the saide Citie, pfite of the citezens and inhitaunts in the same, and also to the grette sustentacon, comfort, and releff, as well
• This personage generally made his appearance at Christmas ; and I have nowhere else met with a notice of his presence at any other time, except in a note to Warton's History of English Poetry ^ where he says, ** In the city of Auxerre, he was especially concerned to superintend the play which was annually acted on Quinquagcsima Sunday."
8
of the said guylde and brcthem of the same : which fayorabill mends, comfortable aydes and assistents, so shewed to 70' said pore Oratoures, shuld bynde them and ther successors dayly to praye to God for yo** pspities long to endure to the plesure of God. Which herde and understonded by the hole assem- ble. It is by auctoritie aforeseid agreed and enacted, that ev^ occupacon w*in the seid Citie shall yerly from thenseforth fyndc and sette forth in the said pcession one such pageaunt as shalbe assigned and appoynted by Master Maier and his brcthem aldermen, as more playnly appcreth in a boke thereof made."
No further entries appear in the Assembly Book ; but the List of Pageants I have before alluded to is in the same hand as the above entry in the Assembly Book, and probably ar- ranged in consequence of it.
" Pageants.
** p. Mercers & Drap* ) r^ .- «. r 1 ,
Tx 1 1 1 1 Creation off the world.
Haburdarshers ;
iij. Grocers ) ti 1
Raffemen l^'^'^^''
ij. Glasiers, Steyn", Screven",
Pchemyn? Carpentj. Gray" ^ ^^^^ ^^^
Caryers, Colermakers, w^
Whelew*« iiij. Shermen, FuUers, Thikwol-
lenwev", Covlightmakers, Ma- [ Abell & Cain
sons, Lymebren"
V. Bakers, Bruers, Inkep", Coks, ) ^^ ^ii. • ,,.« ^r ^ 1 Noyse Shipp
MiUers, Vyntcn% Coupers ;
vj. TaiUo", Broderers, Redcrs, & j ^^^^^^ ^ j^
Tylers )
/Moises & Aaron w* the
vij. Tann", Coryors, Cordwan" < Children of Israel, &
1 -^— — — — - J
\ Pharo w* his Knyghts
9
viij. Smythes Conflict off David & Golias
ix. Dyers, Calaunderers, Gold- \ The Birth off Christ w* smythes, Goldbeters & Sad- > She^des, & iij Kyngs elers, Pewtrers, Brasyers ; of Colen X. Barbo", Wexchandelers, Sur- geons, Fisitians, Harde Waremen, Hatters, Cappers,
Skynners, Glovers, Pjmn'*^ ^ The Baptysme of Criste Poyntemakers, Girdelers, Parsers, Bs^makers, Scepp', Wyerdrawers, Cardmakers xj. Bochers, Fishmong", Wat men The Resurrection xij. Wsted Wev» The Holy Gost.*'
As I before stated, the books of the companies are now lost ; and, with the single exception I have referred to, nothing further than the above bare list of these pageants can now be hoped for. They are, however, similar to those played in other towns, whose records are more perfect ; and a tole- rably fair idea of the series may be obtained by reference to the various accounts remaining of these performances, and the several collections of plays which have been preserved.
They were performed on movable stages constructed for the purpose. Dugdale describes them as " Theatres very large and high placed on wheels ; " and Archdeacon Rogers, who died in 1595, and saw the Whitsun plays performed at Chester, gives this very minute account of the mode of ex- hibiting them : " They were divided into twenty-four Pa- geants, according to the Companies of the City ; and every Company brought forth its Pageant, which was the car- riage or place which they played in. And tl^ey first began at the Abbey Gates : then it was wheeled from thence to Pentice, at the High Cross before the Mayor ; and before that was done the second came, and the first went into Water- gate Street ; and from thence into Bridge Street ; and so on.
10
one after another^ till all the Pageants were played appointed for the first day; and so likewise for the second and third day. These Pageants or Carriages," he says, '* was a high place, made like a house with two rooms, being open at the top, and the lower room they apparelled and dressed them- selves, and the higher room they played. And they stood upon six wheels."
The first of the Norwich Pageants, the ** Creation op THE World," was very likely the same, or nearly so, as that of the Drapers at Chester, or the Barkers at Wakefield. Hone gives a relation of a Mystery performed at Bamberg, in Germany, in 1788, which is so much in accordance with the stage directions in the old English and French Mysteries, and with the York, Coventry, and Newcastle accounts of expenditure on dresses and machinery for them, that I shall venture to repeat it.
** The end of a house or bam being taken away, a dark hole appeared hung with old tapestry, the wrong side out- wards; a curtain running along and dividing the middle. On this stage the Creation was performed. A stupid-looking Capuchin personated the Creator. He entered in a large full-bottomed wig, with a false beard, wearing over the rusty dress of his order a brocade morning gown ; the lining of light blue silk being rendered visible occasionally by the pride that the wearer took to show it ; and he eyed his slippers of the same material, with equal satisfaction. He first came on, making his way through the tapestry, groping about ; and, purposely running his head against posts, exclaiming, with a sort of peevish authority, 'Let there be light!' at the same time pushing the tapestry right and left, and disclosing a glimmer through linen cloths from candles placed behind them. The creation of the sea was represented by the pour- ing of water along the stage ; and the making of dry land, by the throwing of mould. Angels were personated by girls
12
who played God the Father, and for the angel. The York Pageants of this subject (which seem to have been in dumb show, and several sets of actors required to set forth one incident) were: 1. "God prohibiting Adam and Eve from eating of the fruit of the tree of life ; 2. Adam and Eve with a tree betwixt them, the serpent deceiving them with apples; 3. God speaMng to them and cursing the serpent; and, 4. An angel with a sword driving them out of Para- dyse." In the French collections, a legendary incident is added, which does not appear in similar English Mysteries. "When Adam attempts to swallow the apple, it will not stir; and, according to the legend, which is still prevalent in France, this incident was the cause of the lump in the man's throat, which has been preserved ever since." *
The third Pageant, " Hell Cart," was brought forth by the Glaziers, &c. At Coventry, the name of the Drapers' play is not known ; but one important item of expenditure about it appears to have been on " Hell Mouth." This was formed of painted cloth; and there are payments " for keeping of fire at Hell Mothe." In a note of the properties belonging to the play of " Old Tobit," performed at Lincoln in the 6th of Elizabeth (1564), the first article is " Hell Mouth with a Nether Chap." One of a series of illuminated drawings of the eleventh century, illustrative of the Old and New Testa- ments, part of the Cottonian Library in the British Museum, engraved by Sharp in his Dissertation on the Coventry Mys- teries, gives a good idea of the manner in which this subject was represented in ancient Pageants. By no very compli- cated machinery, the huge mouth might be made to open and shut — an important and necessary addition, judging from the Lincoln account ; and in an account of a performance at Veximiell, in 1437, it is observed, that " the Mouth of Hell was very well done, for it opened and shut when the devils
• Wright's •' Chester Mysteries," 237.
fm^
'~'-^'- 'a ■■•^P}''--''
IS
to ccHBie in and go out, and had two large eyea of steeL"
In diia play, demons are represented dragging into Hell a Tuietj tA claSKB of dishonest people ; thos conreyiDg a motsl md Mtiiical admonition against some of dte crying sins of Ae day, which were most practised among, and most ofiEen- ■tre to, the lower and middle orders of sodety. One of these great ofiendors was the Alewife who used short meanirea. In ft Miaerexe in Ludlow Chorch, engraved in the Journal of A» .Ardkmologieal Attoeiation,* the demon is carrying the dewife, with her blse measure and gay head-dress, to tbrnst her into Hell Mouth; another demon plays a tune on the b^I^ies as she is carried along ; a third, seated in the coip to the lefi, reads from a roll of parchment the catalogue of herons.
The fourth Pageant, **Abel AND Cain," waa fimiahed by the Sbcremen, &c. "Abel and Cain kilUng sacrifices," was the York pageant. Disputes between Cain and his man were comic scenes which distinguished this play. The Townley one opens with " Caym " and his " boy " plough- ing, and wrangling in no very decent terms. As a specimen of the comicaiity, I transcribe part of the scene ailer Abel's death.
Caym. But thou muit be my good bov,
And cry, oyc», oyea, oy '. (Gsreto. Bronei,f biones, to thi boy.) Caym. I command you in tbo King's naymo [Oareio. And in my master'a, feUe C»yme) Cagm. Thnt no man at tbame fynd awt nc to blame, {Oareio. Yey. cold TO«t ia at my masterea hame.) Caym. Nowthei with hym nor with hie knafc (Carno. What, I hope my mastet rafe.t) Caym. For thay are tiew full many fold, (Ganio. My matter auppys no coylc } botcold.)
14
Caym, The King writes you untille,
{Garcio, Yit ete I never half my fille.
Caym, The King wille that thayc be safe,
(Oarcio, Yey a draght of drynke fayne wold I hayfe.)
Caym, At thare awne wille let them wafe ;
(Gareio, My stomak is redy to receyfc.)
Caym, Loke no man say to them, on nor other ;
{Gareio. This same is he that slo his brother.)
And so on. The boy's speeches being all " aside," caused, no doubt, prodigious applause.
The fifth Pageant, " Noyse Ship," was brought forth by the Bakers, &c. The description of the York pageants are :
1. God foretelling Noah to make the ark of light wood ; and,
2. Noah in the ark with his wife and three children, and divers animals.
At Newcastle, the only fragment of a Play remaining, is the Shipwrights' Play of Noy and his Ship, which finishes with the completion of the ark. The only characters are Noah, his Wife, and Diabolus; great portion of it being composed of a dispute between Noah and his wife at the instigation of the third character. Noah exclaims :
Good wife, let be all this beare, That thou makest in this place here ; For all they wene thou art master, And Boe thou art, by S^ John !
" Diabolus" is not present personally in the Townley Play ; but the conduct of the lady shows he is there in spirit ; for Noah feels obliged to carry out his threat :
Bot as have I blys I shaU chastyse this.
She taunting him —
Yit may ye mys, Nicholle Nedy !
He stops beating her at last :
15
Bot wife, In this last let us ho, * For my bak is nere in two.
She adds :
And I am bet so bio, That I may not thryfe.
The sixth Pageant was "Abraham and Isaac/' exhibited by the Tailors, &c. At York this Play is described as '^Abra- ham sacrificing his son Isaac, a ram, a bush, and an angel." The Slaters at Newcastle-on-Tjme played " The Offering of Isaac by Abraham " so late as 1568.
The seventh Pageant was " Moses and Aaron, with the Children of Israel, and Pharaoh with his Knights," brought forth by the Tanners, &c. " Whensoever," says the Ordinary of the Millers of Newcastle, in 1578, ^' the general Plays of the town shall be commanded by the Mayor, they are to play their ancient playe of the Deliverance of the Children of Israel out of the thraldrom, bondage, and servi- tude of King Pharaoh." There is not one on this subject in the Chester or Coventry series. At York, " Moses exalting the serpent in the wilderness," " King Pharaoh, eight Jews admiring and expecting," were the last of the Old Testament series.
The eighth Pageant, the "Conflict of David and Go- LiAS," brought forth by the Smythes, I can find in no other series to which I have had the opportunity of referring.
The ninth Pageant, the " Birth of Christ, with Shep- herds AND three Kings of Colen," exhibited by the Dyers, &c., was a very common subject. At York, the scenes were: " 1. Mary, Joseph, a midwife, the Child bom lying in a manger betwixt an ox and an ass, and the angels
♦ Stop.
16
speaking to the shepherds ; 2, The shepherds speaking by turns, the Star in the East, an angel giving joy to the shep- herds that a Child was born ; 3. The three Kings coming from the East, Herod asking them about the Child Christ, with the son of Herod, two counsellors, and a messenger ; 4. Mary with the Child and the Star above, and the three Kings offering gifts." In 1536, the Goldsmiths of New- castle were ordered to play the "Three Kings of Colen." The Shercmen and Tailors' Play at Coventry, the only one known of the Trading Companies' pageants there, has the same subject, and is opened by Isaiah in person, who speaks the prologue and prophesies the incarnation. Joseph's jea- lousy forms a conspicuous scene. The three shepherds pre- sent, one his pipe, the second his hat, the third his gloves. In the Townley and Coventry Mysteries, the Play commences with a ranting speech of King Herod, one of those which gave rise to Shakspere's saying of " Outheroding Herod." In the fifth volume of the Paston Letters, J. Wheatly writes to Sir John Paston, — " And as for Haylesdon, my Lord of Suffolk was there on Wednesday : at his being there that day, there was never no man that played Herod in Corpus Christi Play, better and more agreeable to his pageant than he."
The tenth Pageant, having for its subject the "Baptism of Christ," was exhibited by the Barbours, Waxchandlers, &c., &c. This was also the Barbers' Play at York and at New- castle, but does not appear among the Chester or Coventry plays. At York the characters appear to have been, " Christ, St. John, and two Angels ;" as also in the " Johannes Bap- tista" of the Townley series.
The eleventh Pageant was the " Resurrection," brought forth by the Butchers, Fishmongers, and Watermen. At Witney, in Oxfordshire, the priests used to exhibit a puppet- show of the Resurrection, &c. ; one of them, in the character
17
of a waking Watchman^ espying Christ to arise^ made a con- tinual noise, like the sound caused by the meeting of two sticks, and was therefore commonly called " Jack Snacker of Witney." *
The twelfth and last Pageant was the ** Holy Ghost," brought forth by the Worstead-weavers. This appears in most of the collections, and exhibited the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles.
Most of these pageants seem foimded on Scripture narra- tiye ; but a curious fact is mentioned by Hone, that of the earliest known plays (those of Chester, written about 13S6), the Descent into Hell is the only one not expressly founded on Scripture, and that has a colourable authority by impli- cation ; while among the Coventry mysteries^ produced ninety years after, there are, beside the Descent, no less than eight plays founded on legendary history, and having no Scripture warrant whatever.
The Reformation had not the immediate effect of annihi- lating these observances : in many places the Corpus Christi procession was kept up, as in Norwich, for years after. The plays were here put down, and in about ten or twelve years the Grocers' Company broke up and sold a dilapidated stage ; the last of the pageant carriages. But in many places they were still performed. The Townley series continued to be played, we find, from some alterations in them. For instance, in the Play of " Johannes Baptista," John says :
I baptyse the, Jesus, in hy In the name of the Fader fre ; In nomine Patris et Filii Sen he wille that it so be ; £t Spiritdb altissimi. And of the Holy Goost on he ;
♦ Hone's "Mysteries," 225. [vol. III.] C
18
I aske the, Lord of the mercy.
Here after that thou wold blys me.
[Here I the anoynt also,
With oyle and creme in this intent.
That men may wit, where so thay go,
This is a worthy sacrament.
Ther ar yj othere and no mo.
The whiche thiself to erthe has sent.
And in true tokyn oone of tho.
The first on the now is it spent]
*' The lines inclosed in brackets have been struck through, and in the margin in a later hand is added, ' correctyd and not played. ' " ♦
In 1569, Henry Brandling deposed in a suit in the Court at Durham, that Sir Bobt. Brandling, of Newcastle, said on Corpus Christi Day, 1562, *^ he would after his dinner, draw his will, and after the plays would send for his consell and make it up ; " and they are mentioned in the Newcastle ac- counts as late as 1578.
In York and Coventry they continued for full half a cen- tury; and Weever, in his Funeral Monuments ^ tells us that it was not until the beginning of the reign of James I. that they were finally suppressed in all the towns of the kingdom.
♦ Townley " Mysteries," 169.
^ g>^nop£itfi(
OP TBB
PAINTINGS UPON SOME OF THE ROOD-SCREENS
IN THE COUNTY OF NORFOLK,
WITH EXPLANATORY NOTES,
Respectfully offered to the Members of the Norfolk and Norwich Archaeological Society, with a request that, by furnishing descrip- tiona of those in their respective localities, they will aid in the completion of a similar Synopsis upon an extended scale, as sug- gested in the accompanying account of the Rood-Screen in the Church of St. Andrew, North Burlingbam.
NOTES.
(a). Barton Turf Screen.— The heads upon this Screen are very graceful and worthy of Italian art; while the hands and feet are remarkably ill-drawn. Of the three Orders of the Heavenly Host on the north side, which have the superintcndance of spiritual affairs as- signed to them, that, named " Potestates," is represented triumphing over Hell, Sin, and the Devil, its parent ; another, named " Dominationes,'' wears the triple crown and papal vest* ments. Of the Guardians of temporal affairs on the south side, one protects the throne which he bears, together with the scales of justice and equity ; another, (the Archangel) the citadel upon which he stands; and a third, (the Angel) the souls of Christ's "little ones" at his feet, whose hands are raised in supplication. St. Citha, or Ostitha, the Abbess of Chick, near Colchester, (formerly called SU Martha, from the similarity of the names, and the keys which suggested the idea of her being cumbered about household concerns.) is painted aUo upon the Screen of North Elmham, and upon a fragment of a Screen in the possession of the Itev. James Bulwcr.
GOSPEL., OR NORTH SIDE.
Tuim. |
OHD. |
PimsT |
FtHBL. |
||
St. ApoUoDli. Kom'™. -itli toolh. |
KfJ^'^i lag. |
^HhS^ |
BifhthMdpllCtd Stepi™. |
Tripio tUrm on liltT^dntaBi. |
|
St. Itiart the |
at. Tliopiu, |
BL JunM tha |
fit. John. .c<^ bilging. Cupfc*vil.pirit, |
/ri(!«d. (I) St. Addie-r. LcTttaud niteA |
a' |
M?l§i |
St. T)i«DU. f^'^htDd tioid- inghi.vMtracDl. |
Pilgribi'i lUtr. |
SmdwurO, Bighlbindnlted. |
ISLiMi St. 7 Kcri. B^k. |
|
S |
W tiil btMIt!"' |
11^ ^"^ ""^ |
EtniTtiud willet. |