By Canon W. E. Jones. 333 



hoc parafo, legitur, versus aquilonem converse dlacono, quod unus 

 ceropherarium posb lectara epistolam in loco debito disponat et 

 ornet," but this cannot be the one alluded to. ^ I may mention in 

 passing, that it is generally supposed that the union of the two 

 pulpits formed the rood-loft of the fourteenth and later centuries, and 

 accounts for the custom that then prevailed of reading the epistle 

 and gospel from that part of the church. 



It does not appear that in entering the choir for any of the 

 services the clerics went in anything like a procession. One section 

 of the Consuetudinary is headed " Quando ad singulas horas chorum 

 intrare licet ; " and this defines accurately the period within which, 

 in order to be reckoned as present, they must appear in choir. They 

 entered moreover not only at different times, but at different parts 

 of the cathedral ; those who entered from the eastern portion, when 

 they reached the "gradus altaris," were to make an "inclination^^ first 

 to the altar and then to the Bishop, if he were present; those enter- 

 ing from the west, were in like manner first to " incline " to the 

 altar and then to the Dean. In passing from one side of the choir 

 to the other, both in going and returning, the like "inclination " to 

 the altar was to be made. Minute directions are given also as to 

 turning to the altar at certain portions of the services, such as at 

 each " Gloria Patri," at the commencement of the " Te Deum 

 laudamus," at the " Creeds," &c. ; as also concerning standing and 

 kneeling in choir, and the " habit " to be worn by the various clerics. 

 But on these matters we cannot dwell; and all that can be added 

 are a few words about the " Rulers of the Choir" (Rectores Chori), 

 and their duties and office, because they were amongst the changes 

 introduced by S. Osmund into the ritual observances of his church, 

 having no doubt been derived by him from the church of Rouen, 



The " Rulers of the Choir " were really the deputies of the 

 Precentor for leading the choir-service. For all Sundays and feasts 

 of the second class he selected two canons of the lower or second 



' The Frenct word "piipltre," which means a small moveable stand, such as 

 is used for music, best explains the primitive meaning of " pulpitum." The 

 " Pulpitum in aquila" was larger, more like what we now call a "lectern," and 

 stood near the western entrance of the choir. 



2 C 2 



