458 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 



Post-Beformation. 



The eai'liest post-Eeformation bishop's matrix is that of John Steere 

 Bishop of Kilfenora, 1617.' The matrix is copper and pointed oval in shape ; 

 it measures 2\ by 1| inches. There are traces of solder at the back — perhaps 

 to secure a handle. The device is an effigy of the bishop enthroned within 

 a canopied niche of Eenaissanee style. He wears a flat round cap and post- 

 Eeformation vestments. He has a moustache and square beard, and holds 

 in his right hand a book, and in his left a roll of paper. (Plate L, fig. 1.) 

 The throne di^ides the date 1617, and below it are the words jfi&el \\\ 

 llliO, referring to Luke xvi. 10 : — " Qui fidelis est in minimo, et in majori 

 fidelis est." Inscription — 



SIGILL • EP'ALE • I'OIS EP'I • FENNEB ■ 

 A cherub's head is placed at the commencement of the inscription and another 

 at the base after I'OIS. There is a description of an impression of this 

 matrix in the "British Museum Catalogue"; but the date is given as 1566 

 or 1552, and the seal ascribed to either John Devereux, Bishop of Ferns, 

 1566, or John O'Hinalan, Bishop of Kilfenora, 1552.' 



The next in date is the matrix of George Baker, Bishop of Waterford and 

 Lismore, 1660-1665.^ This is a well-cut oval matrix on a thin piece of brass, 

 riveted on to a thick iron base, and measuring 2\ by If inches. The device 

 represents the bishop enthroned. He wears a rochet, lawn sleeves, chimere 

 and scarf, and on his head is a flat cap with a tuft. He wears a beard and 

 his hair is long and curly. His right hand is placed on his breast, and his 

 left arm rests on the arm of his throne. Behind his hand, and resting 

 against the back of his throne, is a small rod. His aims are displayed on a 

 shield at his feet, a fesse between three swans' heads and on the fesse three 

 cinque-foils. (Plate L, fig. 2.) Inscription — 



>^ SIGILLVil • OFFICTALE • GEO • EPISE ■ WALEEF ■ AXD • LTSMOE •: 



Out of the Bishop's mouth comes a scroll inscribed viega • a::^ • militia ■ veniam. 

 This motto appears to be blundered. Dr. Lawlor suggests that it may have 

 been intended to mean " Virga an mollitia (?) veniam." He considers in any 

 ease the words refer to 1 Coiiuthians iv. 21. 



These two matrices are interesting records of the ecclesiastical dress of 



1 "Caulfield," p. 48, pi. yiii, fig. 13; Cotton, op. eii., toI. i, p. 503: ArchaeologicalJournal , 

 vol. 3, p. 162. 



= B. M. C , p. 711, pi. xii, fig. 17, 376. 



'" Caulfield," p. 18 ; Cotton, op. cit., toI. i, p. 129. 



