HERMITS, FORDS, AND BRIDGE-CHAPELS. 57 



in the presence of the Reverend Father and Lord, John, by the 

 grace of God, Bishop and ordinary of this diocese of Ely, that I 

 will lead a life of perpetual chastity, according to the rule of Saint 

 Paul, the first hermit. In the name of the Father and of the Son, 

 and of the Holy Ghost. And in sign of this my profession, I 

 here subscribe. •{* " Et ego Johannes Smyth non jungatus, etc., 

 ut supra -J*-" 



The following may serve to throw a little light upon the policy 

 which seems to have given some impetus at least to the ecclesias- 

 tical authorities in the encouragement of bridge building, etc., but 

 considering the belief of the period in the availing merits of the 

 saints and the virtue of their relics, they must certainly be 

 accredited with the best of motives. 



12 Sep. 1458. (Reg. Gray, fo. 35. Ely.) 



" Universis Episcopis, &c. Pium obsequium et Deo gratum 

 tociens impendere opinamur quociens mentes fidelium ad caritatis 

 vel alterius pie devocionis opera allectivis indulgentiarum numeri- 

 bus propensius excitamus. Cum igitur ecclesie nostra Eliensis 

 aquis et paludibus sit circumdata adeo quod reliquis sanctarum 

 virginum in ea quiescentium not valet a devotis ut debetur exhiberi 

 visitacio nisi per pontes et calcet' quorum difficilis est reparacio et 

 ad quos reparandos propter eorum cotidianam repaiacionem 

 cotidiana beneficiorum necessaria est largitio. Inde est quod Wil- 

 lielmum Grene hereniitam latorem presertium virum fidelem qui 

 precepto nostro et communi consilio ecclesie nostre Eliensis pro 

 salute anime sue curam reparacionis calcetorum de Stanteneye et 

 Soham et pontium in eisdem suscepit ad vestre caritatis destina- 

 mus subsidium Vos in Domino exhortantes ut eum favourabiliter 

 exadiautis ; De Dei igitur, <S:c., qui ad reparacionem poncium 

 calcetorum de Stantenye et Some — manus porresciunt adjutentes 

 quadraginta dies," etc.* 



Having referred to these archives, which abound with similar 

 information with regard to bridges and hermits in the Fen districts. 



For these extracts we are indebted lo the courtesy of the Rev. J. H. 

 Crosby, The College, Ely. 



