THE ECCLE8IASTICAI, SEALS OF CORNWALL. 63 



are unfortunately omitted. The letters are Lom- 

 bardic capitals, and the words are thus contracted : — 



^i S' 9VENT.' FEATEV P'DICATOE.' DE TEIVEEV. 



(Sigillum Conventus fratrum predicatorum de 

 Triueru). The second character stands for CON, and 

 cannot be shewn (as clearly as could be desired) 

 with ordinary type. 

 The seal is a smooth plate of metal, ^ of an inch in 

 thickness, If inches long, by IJ inches wide. On the 

 back was originally, from end to end, a raised flat 

 piece of similar metal for handle, (like that on the 

 seal of St. Lawrence yet to be described). It has 

 been removed, and filed down to a level with the 

 back of the seal — which is now quite flat. 



BODMIN Franciscan Friary, founded in the 1 3th century. The 

 modern Assize Courts are built upon part of its site. Mention 

 of its Conventual Church *" occurs as early as 1253, see Maclean 

 (Trigg Minor, vol. 1, p. 188). St. Francis, of Assissi, who 

 originated this order of Friars, desired that poverty and 

 humility should be their rule. Consequently the titles of Abbot 

 and Prior were avoided, and each confraternity described itself 

 as consisting of " fraterculi " or " fratres minores," Friars 

 Minors, under a "Guardianus" or Warden. By others they 

 were called (from their habit) Grey Friars, f 



England was divided by the Franciscans into seven Custodies, 

 each containing several of their houses. Bodmin Friary and 

 nine others were in the Bristol Custody. Concerning legacies 

 left to this Friary, see Dunkin, (Test : Cornub : pp. 1, 9, 14, 23). 

 1. Seal ? In all probability Bodmin Friary possessed 

 a seal, for the Franciscan Friary at Exeter, which 

 belonged to the same custody or group, used a com- 

 mon seal as early as 1266. The seals appended to 

 deeds from time to time by the Guardian and his 



* Oliver, apparently iu error states that it was dedicated to St. Nicholas. A 

 chapel named after that saiut stood uot very far from it, see Wallis (Cornwall 

 Eegister, p. 205). 



f A most interesting accouut of the Franciscans is given by Sir John 

 Maclean in his work, to which reference has been made above. 



For concise particulars of the habits and rules of the various orders, see 

 Boutell (Manual of Archaeology, p. 35t, &c). 



