332 ANTIQUITIES OF SELBORNE. 
‘Item 23rd. He bids them distribute their pittances, “ Dztancias,” * 
regularly on obits, anniversaries, festivals, &c. 
Item 25th. All and every one of the canons are hereby inhibited 
from standing godfather to any boy for the future, “ne compatres 
alicujus puert de cetero fieri presumatis,” unless by express license 
from the bishop obtained; because from such relationship favour 
and affection, nepotism, and undue influence, arise, to the injury 
and detriment of religious institutions. t 
Item 26th. The visitor herein severely reprimands the canons for 
appearing publicly in what would be called in the universities an 
unstatutable manner, and for wearing of boots, “ caligze de Burneto, 
et sotulariunt in ocrearum ioco, ad modum sotularium.” ¢ 
It is remarkable that the bishop expresses more warmth against 
this than any other irregularity ; and strictly enjoins them, under 
pain of ecclesiastical censures, and even imprisonment if necessary 
(a threat not made use of before), for the future to wear boots, 
*‘ocreis seu botis,” according to the regular usage of their ancient 
order. 
Item 29th. He here again, but with less earnestness, forbids them 
foppish ornaments, and the affectation of appearing like beaux with 
garments edged with costly furs, with fringed gloves, and silken 
girdles trimmed with gold and silver. It is remarkable that no 
punishment is annexed to this injunction. 
Item 31st. He here singly and severally forbids each canon 
not admitted to a cure of souls to administer extreme unction, 
or the sacrament, to clergy or laity; or to perform the service 
of matrimony, till he has taken out the license of the parish priest. 
* Pitancia, an allowance of bread and beer, or other provision to _any pious use, 
** especially to the rel.gious in a monastery, &c., for augmentation of their commons.”— 
Gloss. to Kennet’s Par. Ant. bis 
+ The relationship between sponsors and their god-children, who were called spiritual 
sons and daughters, was formerly esteemed much more sacred than at present. The 
presents at christenings were sometimes very considerable: the connexicn lasted through 
life, and was closed with a legacy. This last mark of attention seems to have been 
thought almost indispensable : for, in a will from whence no extracts have been given, the 
testator left every one of his god-children a bushel of barley.””—Si1r JoHN CuLLum’s 
Hist of Hawsted. 
‘* De Margarete filiz regis primogenitz, quam filiolam, quia ejus in baptismo compater 
fuit, appellat, cyphum aureum et quadraginta libras. legavit.”"—ARCHBISHOP PARKER ae 
Antiquitate Xccles. Brit, speaking of Archbishop Morton. 4 
t Du Fresne is copious on calige of several sorts. ‘‘ Hoc item de Clericis, presertim 
beneficiatis: caligis scacatis (chequered) rubeis, et viridibus publice utentibus dicimus esse 
censendum.”—Statuz. Eccles. Tutel. The chequered boots seem to be the highland plaid 
stockings—‘‘ Burnetum, i. e. Brunetum, pannus non ex lana nativi coloris confectus.’’— 
‘‘Sotularium, i. e., subtalaris, quia sub talo est. Peculium genus, quibus maxime 
Monachi necte utebantur in zstate ; in hyeme vero Soccis.”’ 
This writer gives many quotations concerning Sotularia, which were not to be made too 
shapely ; nor were the calige to be laced cn too nicely. 
