62 Bishop Tanner, his Family and Writings. 
Thomas Tanner’s Matriculation Entry, in 1665. All this seems to 
substantiate a tradition, very commonly received at Market Laving- 
ton, that the Father of Tanner, (Grandfather of the Bishop,) was a 
poor Weaver or Spinner; (in those days the common occupation of 
a large proportion of our rural population in this district;) that a 
benevolent Lady, passing by Bryan Tanner’s Cottage, found the 
youth constantly poring over books, when his days work was done; 
she discovered him to be a lad of superior abilities, and of attain- 
ments above his rank in life; had him educated; sent to College; 
and in due time, the Spinner’s Son, was inducted Vicar of Market 
Lavington. Some years since, a house, now taken down, was by 
the same tradition, pomted out as that m which Bishop Tanner’s 
forefathers had dwelt; either before or after the known date of Bryan 
Tanner’s residing at Erchfont. The Memorandum of Matriculation - 
in the University Register, (for that of his House, (St. Alban’s Hall) 
as I found upon application, does not go back so far by many years), 
is as follows. “Au. Alb. 1665 Mar: 9. Thomas Tanner, Anno 20, 
fil: Bryan T. de Urchfont Wilts. pl. pps.” I am informed that the 
abbreviation “pl. pps.” (which means “plebei pauperis ;” the Son of 
a poor plebeian) indicates that in this, and like cases, the youth 
matriculated was excused payment of University fees, on the ground 
of poverty. If we compare the date of his Matriculation with the 
age stated on the Monument, he must have been 25 or 26 when ad- 
mitted at Oxford; perhaps in transcribing, or in making the entry 
from Notes, the Cypher may have been substituted for 6. In those 
days Halls were much cheaper places of education, and required 
shorter residence than the Colleges, and this seems another item in 
the proof, that he was one of the class, then described, as poor 
Scholars. Indeed it was at that period a customary charity for per- 
sons of wealth, to provide needy and meritorious young men, with 
University Education; entermg them as Sizars at Cambridge; or 
Servitors at Oxford. Thomas Tanner took his B.A. degree as of St. 
Alban’s Hall; and does not appear to have graduated higher at any 
subsequent date. This was frequently the case, when Clergy ceased 
to keep up their connection with the University, and had settled 
down in Country Parishes. I mention it, because it explains the 
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