48 The Parish Church of S. Michael, Mere. 
There are many entries from 1556 onwards for leather “ bal- 
dricks,” or “ bawdricks,” for the bells, and buckles for the same, 
also for payments to ringers on various occasions, thus :— 
“1636. To the Ringers when Mr. Dockter Chafin went throughe the Towne 
and p’cession xij4,”” 
“1685. Itm to the Ringers when Munmoth was taken. 00=05=00.” 
“1691. Itm p* for beere gave the Ringers the Gunpowder Treason and the 
Thanksgiving day for the reduceinge of Ireland. 01=09=06.” 
“1704. Itm to y* Ringers the Thanksgiving day for y* Duke of Marlboroughs 
victory obtained aganst y* french. O00=18=06.” 
The bells were in 1705 rung from a new gallery erected in the 
tower in that year. 
Very interesting are the many entries in the churchwardens’ 
book relating to ritual and to the arrangements and the fittings 
and furniture of the Church :— 
“1556. Itm Receuyd of Edithe Brabante whiche she gave to the Churche of 
devocyon to be prayed for. xij’.” 
“Itm payed to Robert Cowherd, for the Redemynge of certeyn sylvre 
spones of the Churche stock, which he had in gage, by the delynd 
of the Churchwardeyns for xls. of money borowed of hym to thuse 
of the Churche xl*.” 
“TItm payed for the lampe Taper, and the Trendell. iij*. vj*.” 
“Ttm for a bawdrick for the belles. ij’. viij*.” 
“Ttm payed for a Buckell for a Bawderick. ij*.”’ 
“Ttm to Robte Peareman for the pascall Taper and for too other 
Tapers for the Aulter. ix*.’’ 
“Ttm for mendynge of the Stremer and of the sylke banner, Ageynst 
the p’cessyon weke, this yere. xvj*.” 
(The ‘“ Pascall taper’? was doubtless for use at the Easter 
sepulchre.) 
©1636. More to the Ca'penter for 210 foote of borde to laye under the Ledd 
of the South Ile at ix* per © is xix*. 
“ ffor a quarter of Tymber to Lyne! the Jesse there. v'.”’ 
1“ Jesse. A large brass candlestick, with many sconces, hanging down in the 
Middle of a Church or choir, which Invention was first called Jesse from the 
similitude of the branches of those of the Arbor Jesse ; and this useful ornament 
of Churches was first brought over into this Kingdom by Hugh de Flory, Abbot 
of St. Austin’s in Canterbury about the year 1100. (Chron. Will. Thorn, 
1796.)” From Jacob’s Law Dictionary. 
To “line the clothes ” is a local term for hanging them out to dry. 
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