366 ANTIQUITIES OF SELBORNE. 



The bishop, in ITEM 19th, accuses the canons of neglect and 

 omission with respect to their perpetual chantry-services. 



ITEM 20th. The visitor here conjures the prior and canons 

 not to withhold their original alms, " eleemosynas ;" nor those 

 that they were enjoined to distribute for the good of the souls 

 of founders and benefactors : he also strictly orders that the 

 fragments and broken victuals, both from the hall of their prior 

 and their common refectory, should be carefully collected toge- 

 ther by their eleemosynarius, and given to the poor without any 

 diminution ; the officer to be suspended for neglect or omission. 



ITEM 23d. He bids them distribute their pittances, pitancias,"* 

 regularly on obits, anniversaries, festivals, &c. 



ITEM 25th. All and every one of the canons are hereby in- 

 hibited from standing godfather to any boy for the future, " ne 

 compatres alicujus pueri de cetero fieri presumatis," unless by 

 express license from the bishop obtained ; because from such 

 relationship favour and affection, nepotism, and undue influence, 

 arise, to the injury and detriment of religious institutions. t 



ITEM 26th. The visitor herein severely reprimands the canons 

 for appearing publicly in what would be called in the universities 

 an unstatutable manner, and for wearing of boots, "caligae de 

 Burneto, et sotularium -- in ocrearum loco, ad modum sotula- 



It is remarkable that the bishop expresses more warmth against 

 this than any other irregularity ; and strictly enjoins them, under 

 pain of ecclesiastical censures, and even imprisonment if necessary 

 (a u threat not made use of before,) for the future to wear boots, 



* " Pitancia, an allowance of bread aid l>eer, or other provision to any pious use, especially to 

 the religious in a monastery, &c. for augmentation of their commons." Gloss, to Rennet's 

 Par. Antiq. 



t "The relationship between sponsors and their god-children, who were called spiritual sons 

 and daughters, was formerly esteemed much more sacred than at present. The presents at 

 christenings were sometimes very considerable: the connection lasted through life, and was closed 

 with a legacy. This last mark of attention seems to have been thought almost indispensable ; 

 for, in a will, from whence no extracts have been given, the testator left every one of his god- 

 children a bushel of barley." Sir John Cullum's Hist, of Hawsted. 



" D. Margaret-* filiae Regis primogenitae, quam filiolam, quia ejus in baptismo compater fiiit, 

 appellat, cyphum aureum et quadraginta libras, legavit." Archbishop Parker, de Antiquitate 

 Eccles. Brit, speaking of Archbishop Morton. 



t Du Fresne is copious on caligae of several sorts. " Hoc item de Clericis, presertim benefici- 

 atis: caligis scacatis (chequered) ruheis, et viridibus publice utentibus dicimus esse censendum." 

 Statu. Eccles. Tutel. The chequered boots seem to be thehighland plaid stockings. " Burnetum, 

 i. e. Brunetum, pannus non ex lananativi colons coufectus." "Sotularium, i. e. subtalaris, quia 

 ub talo est. Peculinm grnus, quibns maxime Mouachi nocte utebantur in sestate ; in hyeme 

 vero Soccis." 



This writer gives many quotations concerning Sotularia, which were not to be made too shapely ; 

 nor were the caligae to be laced on too nicely. 



