The Ancient Styles and Designations of Persons. 329 
addressed at Oxford as “ Florentissimi,” literally “ most flowering,” 
but probably meaning “ most flourishing.” 
Srr. 
This title was anciently prefixed to the names of Baronets, 
Knights, and Clergymen. Of the latter I shall give two instances, 
one in the reign of Richard the Third, the other in the reign of 
James the First. The former is a note in the handwriting of 
Richard the Third,! of which I was favoured with a sight by Mr. 
Duffus Hardy, the Keeper of the Records in the Tower. It is 
verbatim et literatim as follows :— 
‘* My lorde Chanceler we pray you in All hast to sende to us A p.don? under 
our Gret seale to S: herry Wode prest? &e.; and yis shal be yor warante 
“RicaRpus Rex,” 
Under this the Lord Chancellor [John Russell, Bishop of Lin- 
coln| has written— 
“Mr. Skipton spede this forthwith. P. me Jo: Lincoty.” 
The second instance is a tablet in the parish church of Broad- 
Hinton, Wilts, which has on it— 
“A.D. 1614. Sir John Sheston, some time Minister of this Parish, gave 
certain goods to the intent that the churchwardens should pay ds. in bread to 
the Poor upon Mid-lent Sunday for ever.” 
In the works of Shakespere four instances occur of clergymen 
having the word “Sir” prefixed to their names, viz.— 
Sir Hugh Evans, “a Welsh parson,” in “The Merry Wives of 
Windsor.” 
Sir Oliver Martext, “a vicar,” in “ As you like it.”’ 
Sir Nathaniel, “a curate,”’ in “‘ Love’s Labour’s Lost.” 
And Sir Topas, “the curate,” mentioned in the 4th Act and 2nd 
scene of “ Twelfth Night.” 
Mr. Charles Knight, in his admirable edition of Shakespere, in 
note 1 to the play of “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” after 
adverting to the fact that in Shakespere four priests are each styled 
“Sir,” cites the following authorities. 
! Roy: Autog: in the Tower of London. 
2 This is evidently ‘Sir Harry Wode Priest.” 
8 This means ‘a pardon.” 
