328 



On the Consuetudinary of S. Osmund. 



Although in the "Tabulse " (or Tables), in which those who were 

 responsible for the various services, as well as the way in which they 

 were to be carried out, are recorded, there is a note about the u three 

 nights before Easter" in subsequent sections, where the functions to 

 be performed at that especial period are described, there is a blank 

 from Maunday Thursday till Easter Eve. The treatise is so com- 

 prehensive as to lead us to the conclusion, that it at all events 

 contains, with this exception, all that was drawn up by Osmund 

 himself. 



As regards the contents of the c{ Consuetudinary " little more 

 can be given than a brief summary. The headings of its various 

 sections are to be found in Hatcher's Salisbury, p. 715, though 

 without the study of other documents explaining the ritual practices 

 and other customs of the church of Sarum, not very much can be 

 learnt intelligibly from them. The consuetudinary is very carefully 

 and systematically drawn up, and may, as regards its contents, be 

 divided into four or five fairly distinct portions, though under each 

 there are sections on subjects more or less independent, such as the 

 daily reading in the chapter house — the incensing of the altar — the 

 blessing the font: — and the rules as to double and simple feasts. 

 A few matters shall be named under the various heads to which 

 reference has been made. 



I. — The first eleven sections have reference to the various 

 members of the cathedral body, beginning with the " Quatuor 

 Personse/' i.e., the Dean, the Precentor, the Chancellor, and 

 Treasurer ; and then of the various canons, and the chief " officials/' 

 namely, of the four Archdeacons as officials of the bishop, and 

 the Sub-Dean, Sub-Chanter as " officials " of the cathedral, 

 all of whom had "seats in choir/' though not necessarily a 

 " voice in chapter." The rights and privileges, together with the 

 duties devolving on each of these " Personse/' as well as on the 

 several canons, are there explained, the residence required of them 

 distinctly set forth, and the punishments of those who transgressed 

 the rules laid down. 



It is impossible to read the sections relating to the dignity and 

 duties of the Dean, without seeing in them the real cause of the divorce 



