XXxii. SECOND WINTER MEETING. 



number of compotus rolls, or churchwardens' accounts, dating from 

 quite early in the fifteenth century. It is well known that, at Wim- 

 borne, we are so fortunate as to possess an almost complete set of 

 churchwardens' accounts, dating from 1475 until the present day. 

 The county historian, in the appendix to the account of Wimborne 

 Minster (in the last edition, Hutchins's History of Dorset, Vol. III., 

 page 255), speaking of the churchwardens' accounts, says " Hutchins 

 mentions a more ancient account book, beginning 1413, which is now 

 missing." His reference is to the second edition of Hutchins, or, 

 which is the same thing, to RusseWs Vindogladia. The accounts which 

 came to light 15 months ago are a collection of parchment rolls, about 

 40 in number, containing the Minster churchwardens' accounts, written 

 in Latin, and dating back to the year 1403. They are not complete ; 

 but they cover about two -thirds of the years between 1403 and 1475. 

 The roll which is brought for your inspection to-day, with a Latin 

 transcript and an English translation, is not by any means the most 

 interesting or the fullest of the series ; but it is exhibited because it 

 is the most ancient. It is entitled " Wymbon Mynstr. The account 

 of John Swanhanger and Roger Forester, Guardians of the Fabric of 

 the church from the feast of Saint Michael in the fourth year of the 

 reign of King Henry the Fourth after the Conquest up to the same 

 feast of Saint Michael thence next ensuing in the fifth year of the afore- 

 said King Henry for one whole year." The receipts arose from monies 

 handed over by the wardens of the previous year ; from rents of assize ; 

 from oblations, e.g., offerings before the head (image) of St. Cuthberga, 

 at the feast of St. Stephen 12s., at Easter 18s., and on the morrow 

 of Pentecost 13s. ; in the box (in pixide) was found 6s. 8d. ; 

 and two women, the wives of Hugh Smyth and Henry Chynne, each 

 gave the sum of 3s. 4d., presumably for the obits of their deceased 

 husbands. The sale of stock brought in a certain amount ; and the 

 prices realised are interesting as showing the difference in the cost of 

 animals or, perhaps it would be more correct to say, the difference in 

 the purchasing value of money five centuries ago as compared with 

 what it was in the first decade of the present century, before prices 

 were so much inflated as they are now in consequence of the war. The 

 churchwardens were paid 13s. for a bull ; a heifer produced 6s. ; four 

 sheep were sold for 4s. 8d. ; the hide of a cow was worth 12d. ; two 

 calves brought 8s. ; a quantity of coarse wool was sold for 8s. ; and of 

 new wool for 10s. " Church Ales " were a regular source of revenue ; 

 in addition to which brewing " leads " were owned by the wardens and 

 in later years let out for hire. During this year the number of such 

 utensils for brewing, in the possession of the church authorities, was 

 increased from three and a half to eight : Bequests of such brewing 

 utensils having been received from Nicholas Bere, Henry Codde, the 



