By T. H. Baker. 



267 



purchased the whole of the property in Mere formerly owned by 

 Sir Matthew Andrews. They are charged on eleven different 

 holdings, and amount in the whole to the sum of £10 5s. 4d. per 

 annum. 



The following admissions as chantry chaplains are recorded : — 

 1408, Henry Rochell, the same day, Robert Carpenter; 1418, 

 John Dudley, void by the death of Richard Rede; 1423, John 

 Grulpeke ; 1548, John Grelybronde. 



The Church Plate 1 



consists of two Chalices, precisely similar, 8 Jin. in height, with a 

 straight-sided bowl and knot on the stem ; the base of the bowl 

 and the foot are gadrooned. The only mark found is a square 

 shield containing the letters V.R. surmounted by a coronet. One 

 is inscribed: — 



" Ex dono Jacobi filii Thomse Alford de Mear, 1630." 



The other bears the inscription : — 

 '• Christopher Twogood, Robert Elling, Churchwardens of Mear, 1700." 



Both are evidently of the same date — 1700 — when in all 

 probability the Chalice inscribed 1630 was re-made from an older 

 cup of that date. 



Chalice No. 3, of silver parcel-gilt, together with its paten, 

 bearing the hall-marks of 1881 and inscribed : — 



" St. Matthew's Church, Mere, Sept. 21st, 1882." 



A massive Flagon of tankard shape, llfin. in height, and a Paten 

 10in. in diameter, both of the Britannia standard, bearing the hall- 

 marks of 1699 and 1700 ; the maker's mark on the flagon being 

 p§D, for Samuel Hood, and on the paten Ro, for Hugh Roberts. 

 The Flagon is inscribed : — 



" The gift of Mrs. Jane Weldon 2 to the Parish Church of Mear in the County 

 of Wilts Ano Dom. 1699." 



1 See Nightingale's Church Plate of Wilts, p. 93. 

 2 Mrs. Jane Weldon was sister of Mrs. Mary Chafin. They were daughters 

 of Thomas Freke, of Hinton, Co. Dorset, Esq. 



