332 ANTIQUITIES OF SELBORNE. 



Item 23rd. He bids them distribute their pittances, " pitancias? * 

 regularly on obits, anniversaries, festivals, &c. 



Item 25th. All and every one of the canons are hereby inhibited 

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

 alicujus pueri de cetero fieri presumatiSj" 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 ioco, ad modum sotularium." J 



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

 "ocreis seu botis," according to the regular usage of their ancient 

 order. 



Item 29th. He here again, but with less earnestness, forbids them 

 foppish ornaments, and the affectation of appearing like beaux with 

 garments edged with costly furs, with fringed gloves, and silken 

 girdles trimmed with gold and silver. It is remarkable that no 

 punishment is annexed to this injunction. 



Item 3 1 st. He here singly and severally forbids each canon 

 not admitted to a cure of souls to administer extreme unction, 

 or the sacrament, to clergy or laity ; or to perform the service 

 of matrimony, till he has taken out the license of the parish priest. 



*Pitancia > an allowance of bread and beer, of Other provision to any pious use, 

 "especially to the religious in. a monastery, &c. , for augmentation of their commons.." 

 Gloss, to Rennet's Par. Ant. 



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

 sons and daughter";, was formerly esteemed much mere sacred than at present. The 

 presents at christenings were sometimes very considerable: the connexion lasted through 

 life, and was closed with a legacy. This last mark cf 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. 



" De Margaretse filiae regis primogenitse, quam filiolam, quia ejus in baptismo compater 

 fuit, appellat, cyphum aureum et quadraginta libras, legavit. " ARCHBISHOP PARKER de 

 Antiqiiitate Secies. Brit, speaking of Archbishop Morton. 



I Du Fre?ne is copious on caligse of several sorts. " Hoc item de Clericis, presertim 

 beneficiatis : caligis scacatis (chequered) rubeis, et viridibus publice utentibus dicimus esse 

 censendum." Statui. Eccles. Tntel. The chequered boots seem to be the highland plaid 

 stockings " Burnetum, i. e. Brunetum, pannus ncn ex lana nativi ccloris confectus." 

 "Sotularium, i. e., subtalaris, quia sub talo est. Peculium genus, quibus maxime 

 Mr nachi nocte utebantur in sestate ; in hyeme vero S<-ccis." 



This wjiter gives many quotations concerning Sotularia, which were not to be made too 

 shapely ; nor were the caliga; to be laced en too nicely. 



