TAUNTON PRIORY. 85 



ßleclie.* An impression in red wax is appendant of the 

 Common Seal of tbe Priory. It is of early character, of 

 the vesica form, and represents the Apostles SS. Peter and 

 Paul Standing under crocketed canopies with a diapered 

 background. The architectural peculiarities are indicative 

 of the age of Edward L, and therefore exactly harmonize 

 with those which prevalled at the period of the erection of 

 the Conventual Church. The Apostles are represented 

 with their characteristic insignia, the former with his keys 

 in his left, and a church, to Avhich reference has already 

 been made, in his right band, and the latter with his 

 sword. The legend reads, §>. §>C£öKlE. aiB^&iE£IL£DK. 

 PCSD * '' ■- SL. pasaiLBl- ■- ^i^2D£Di^31Ql;S>31^. (]£ '- * 

 -::- ii- -äf. — Sigillum Sanctorum Apostolorum Petri et Pauli 

 Tantonlensis Ecclesite. (See theßgure.) 



The declaratlon of tbe king's supremacy was the first 

 Step towards tbe spoliations that ensued. The tyrant 

 discovered his power and acted accordingly. Those that 

 refused tbe declaration, as Bp. Fisher, Sir Thomas More 

 and others, were sent to the block or tbe balter, and those 

 wbo complied with it were but reserved for future ven- 

 geance. Things did not, indeed could not, long remain as 

 they were. To enable tbe king to maintain bis positlon as 

 " supreme head on earth of the Church of England," it was 

 presently enacted that every possessor of any ecclesiastical 

 dignity, office or place should surrender to bim the first- 

 fruits, revenues and profits for one year, and, further, 

 should pay to bim every year a tenth of all his revenues, 

 emoluments and profits, and that tbe first payment should 

 be made at the Feast of tbe Nativity, 1535. Hereupon 

 Commissioners were appointed by Parllament to enquire 



* Ex Aulograpb. in OIT. Rec. olim Augment. 



