234 - ANTIQUITIES OF SELBOKNE. 



enjoined to distribute for the good of the souls of founders and bene- 

 factors : 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 together by their eleemosynarius, and given to the 

 poor without any diminution ; the officer to be suspended for neglect 

 or omission. 



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 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 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 31st. 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. 



Item 32nd. The bishop says in this item that he had observed and 



* Pitancia, an allowance of bread and beer, 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. Ant. 



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 

 connexion 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." SIB JOHN CULLUM'S Hist, of Hawsted. 



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

 compater fuit, appellat, cyphum aureum et quadraginta libras, legavit." ARCH- 

 BISHOP PARKER de Antiquitate Eccles. Brit, speaking of Archbishop Morton. 



t De Fresne is copious on caligse of several sorts. "Hoc item de Clericis, 

 presertim beneficiatis : caligis scacatis (chequered) rubeis, et viridibus publice 

 utentibus dicimus esse censendum." Statut. Eccles. Twtel. The chequered boots 

 seem to be the highland plaid stockings " Burnetum, i. e. Brunetum, pannus non 

 ex lana nativi coloris confectus." "Sotularium, i. e., subtalaris, quia subtalo est. 

 Peculium genus, quibus maxime Monachi nocte utebantur in restate ; 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. 



