268 



Notes on the History of Mere. 



The Paten has the same inscription, with the date 1700. 



There is also engraved on the Flagon her coat of arms, on a 

 lozenge. A cinquefoil, on a chief a demi-lion rampant (Weldon) 

 impaling Two bars, in chief three mullets (Freke). 



There is also a similar massive Flagon and Paten dish of the 

 same dimensions, bearing the same maker's marks of Hugh 

 Roberts, and engraved with a lozenge and mantling, A talbot 

 passant, a chief ermine (Chafyn) impaling Two bars, in chief three 

 mullets (Freke) . On the Flagon and Paten is inscribed : — 



" The gift of Mrs. Mary Chafin, to the Parish Church of Mear in the County 

 of Wilts Anno Dom. 1700." 



Two silver Patens, on feet, 5f in. in diameter, 2Jin. high, were 

 found by Gr. Troyte Chafyn Grove, Esq., amongst the Zeals House 

 plate in 1892, and were by him presented to the Church. Both 

 have shields of arms in the centre, and are Britannia-marked, the 

 date letter being for 1713 (?). The maker's mark C in a square 

 shield. Weight, 5ozs. 15dwts. 



One silver spoon was given by Mrs. H. P. Lloyd in 1891 — 

 length, 6Jin. ; weight, loz. 4dwts. Hall-marked 1890. 



The Churchwardens' Accounts. 



The churchwardens' accounts date as far back as 1556, and with 

 the exception of the years 1564 to 1566, 1570 to 1574, and 1646 to 

 1673, for which no accounts exist, they are continued up to 1853 

 in perfect order. 



The first entry in 1556 is : — 



" Inpmis the sayd Church ewardeyns do yelde Aceompte of the pfytte of the 

 Churche Ale thies yere. Above all Chargs xij u . vj d ." 



This seems to have been the principal source of revenue for the 

 expenses of the Church at this time. The total expenditure for the 

 year was £8 12s. 5d., and the sum of the receipts, £12 4s. 2d. ; the 

 other items being sale of seats, 2s. Sd., and Is., given by Edithe 

 Brabante to the Church " of devocyion to be prayed for." 



