The Ancient Styles and Designations of Persons. 335 
in which they are directed to send for “ Mr. Topcliff and Mr. Yonge, 
Esquiers ;” and there is also the entry of a letter! to ‘“‘ Her Majesties 
Sollicitor General and Wr. William Wade, Esquier,” authorizing 
the torture of Gabriel Colford. 
Master. 
One of the earliest instances of this designation occurs in the 
case of Regina vy. Lady Tutton,? where a writ of Privy Seal, 
20 Edw. 3, was produced from the Tower. It ran, “ Edward by 
the grace of God, &c. ; To our dear clerk Master John of Offard, 
Dean of Lincoln, our Chancellor, greeting.” It related to the 
Bridge of Kelm, near Newark. And in the Chronica Series in 
Dugdale’s Origines Judiciales, in the list of Lord Chancellors under 
the date of 13846 (19 Edw. 3), isan entry, “ Magister Joh. de Offard 
constitutus Cancellarius cui Magnum Sigillum 26th Oct. inde 
liberatum fuit.’’ 
[“ Master John de Offard constituted Chancellor, to whom the 
Great Seal was delivered 26th Oct. 1346.’ ] 
On a handsome alabaster tomb in the chancel of Aldbourne 
Church, Wilts, surrounding an incised figure of a Priest in 
Eucharistic robes, is the following inscription :— 
** Hic jacet Magister Johannes Stone quondam . . . . arie qui quidem 
Johannes obiit die mensis Anno dui Mil™° eeecce primo 
ppicietur Deus Amen,” 
The corner of the stone, which has had on it the word ‘ Hic,” has been broken 
off and restored in wood by the town carpenter. The words denoted by dots are 
obliterated, but the day and month of his death have never been inserted, and 
all that appears is to the following effect :—‘‘ Here lies Mr. John Stone formerly 
fees chantry which said John died day of month A.D. 1501 
may God have mercy Amen.” 
One of the latest instances of a person (not a child) being styled 
“ Master,” is in the Mercurius Politicus of July 10, 1656, cited by 
Sir Henry Ellis,‘ relating to the capture and release of Lucy Walters, 
1 P, 96, 
2 Adolphus and Ellis’s Reports in the Q. Bench, vol. 8, p. 520. 
3 Pat. 19 Edw. 3, p. 2, m. 7. 
4 Letters 2nd ser. vol. 3, p. 352. 
