CLUB NOTES. xlv. 



on folklore. In reply, Mr. Hartland said that the 

 circumstances were very curious, as it was not a case of 

 a favourite animal. He thought that it was probably a 

 mediaeval survival of an earlier stage of culture, but whether 

 the ox was for food purposes or for canying the deceased 

 man on his long journey was a matter of conjecture.* The 

 Germans used to bury cattle, or metal figures of them, with 

 the dead. There was also a doubt as to the precise force 

 of the preposition ante. 



Three other points arise in connection with this will. 

 There is, I think, no doubt that Great Toller, and not Toller 

 Fratrum, is the place indicated, as the Bingham family held 

 lands known as Wolcomb Bingham in the former parish 

 from the days of Edward I. until those of Queen Victoria. 

 If that is so, Henry, the rector of Great Toller, is the earliest 

 known incumbent, as the first institution in Hutchins's list 

 of rectors and vicars occurs in 1317. The patron saint of 

 Great Toller church is generally stated to be St. Peter, but 

 it should be noticed that the will mentions " St. Andrew." 

 Hutchins quotes another official document dated in 1345-46, 

 which also speaks of St. Andrew's church. For these reasons, 

 therefore, it seems probable that the original dedication 

 was not to St. Peter. 



This will of 1303 is also interesting from the genealogical 

 point of view, as the names of the testator's wives and son 

 appear to be additions to the short pedigree of the Bingham 

 family as set out by Hutchins. The notes attached to the 

 pedigree confess that there is inextricable confusion in one 

 section of the chart, due in part to the use of one and the 

 same Christian name by successive generations. Perhaps 

 the will of this Robert Bingham may solve at least one of the 

 difficulties. 



EDITOR. 



*Notes and Queries, 7th Ser. V. 466 and VI., 73, Animal sacrifices at 

 Christian burials. 



