274 THE ANTIQUITIES 



In the east end of the south aile there are two sharp-pointed 

 gothic niches ; one of these probably was the place under which 

 these masses were performed ; and there is the more reason to 

 suppose as much, because, till within these thirty years, this space 

 was fenced off with gothic wooden railing, and was known by the 

 name of the south chancel. 1 



The solicitude expressed by the donor plainly shews her piety 

 and firm persuasion of the efficacy of prayers for the dead ; for 

 she seems to have made every provision for the payment of the 

 sum stipulated within the appointed time ; and to have felt much 

 anxiety lest her death, or the neglect of her executors or assigns, 

 might frustrate her intentions. " Et si contingat me in solucione 

 "predicte pecunie annis predictis in parte aut in toto deficere, 

 " quod absit ; concedo et oblige pro me et assignatis meis, quod 



" Vice-Comes Oxon et qui pro tempore fuerint, per 



" omnes terras et tenementa, et omnia bona mea mobilia et im- 

 " mobilia ubicunque in balliva sua fuerint inventa ad solucionem 

 "predictam faciendam possent nos compellere." And again 

 "Et si contingat dictos religiosos labores seu expensas facere 

 " circa predictam pecuniam, seu circa partem dicte pecunie ; volo 

 " quod dictorum religiosorum impense et labores levantur ita quod 

 " predicto priori vel uni canonicorum suorum superhiis simplici 

 " verbo credatur sine alterius honore probacionis ; et quod utrique 

 " predictorum virorum in unam marcam argenti pro cujuslibet 

 " distrincione super me facienda tenear. Dat. apud Warebom 

 " die sabati proxima ante festum St. Marci evangeliste, anno regni 

 " regis Edwardi tertio decimo." 2 



But the reader perhaps would wish to be better informed 

 respecting this benefactress, of whom as yet he has heard no 

 particulars. 



The Ela Longspee therefore above-mentioned was a lady of high 

 birth and rank, and became countess to Thomas de Nervburgh, the 

 sixth earl of Warwick : she was the second daughter of the famous 

 Ela Longspee, countess of Salisbury, by William Longspee, natural 

 son of King Henry II. by Rosamond. 



!For what is said more respecting this chantry see Letter III. of these Anti- 

 quities. Mention is made of a Nicholas Langrish, capellanus de Selborne, in the 

 time of Henry VIII. Was he chantry-chaplain to Ela Longspee, whose masses 

 were probably continued to the time of the reformation ? More will be said of this 

 person hereafter. 



2 Ancient deeds are often dated on a Sunday, having been executed in churches 

 and church-yards for the sake of notoriety, and for the conveniency of procuring 

 several witnesses to attest 



