146 



Bishop's Cannings. 



beforesaid, in the said county of Wilts, Esquire, and his heirs and assigns for 

 ever, the use and occupation of the aforesaid chapel, viz., as well to make and 

 procure to be constructed and built seats in such chapel, and also to use and 

 have the same seats for the purpose of hearing Divine service, to be had and 

 ministered in such parish church, as for burying and delivering to burial the 

 bodies of deceased persons in the same chapel. To have and to hold the use and 

 occupation of the beforesaid chapel in manner and form aforesaid, together with 

 the free and direct ingress and regress to the same to the aforesaid John Ernie, 

 his heirs, and assigns for ever. Provided always that the beforesaid John 

 Ernie, his heirs and assigns, the aforesaid chapel in all necessary repairs, at his 

 proper charges and expenses from time to time, as often as need shall be, shall 

 well and sufficiently repair and maintain and sustain : and if it shall happen 

 that such chapel in any part thereof, by the beforesaid John Ernie, his heirs, or 

 assigns, be unrepaired by the space of one year after lawful notice to the same 

 John Ernie, his heirs, or assigns, by the aforesaid wardens or guardians, or our 

 successors made, then our present writings shall be of no value or effect. And 

 then and from thenceforth it shall be lawful for us and our successors, wardens or 

 guardians of the said parish church, into the aforesaid chapel with all its appur- 

 tenances to re-enter, and the same with the appurtenances as in its former state, 

 to retain and re-possess, our present gift and grant in any wise notwithstanding. 

 In faith and testimony of all and singular the premises, we have affixed our 

 seals to these presents, dated the 6th day of the month of November, in the 5th 

 year of the reign of Elizabeth, by the grace of God of England, France, and 

 Ireland, Uueen, Defender of the faith. 



" By me John Eenle." 



It was dedicated to Our Lady of the Bower, 1 and having fallen 

 into dilapidation, and private masses being no longer legal and 

 allowable, it was acceptedby Mr. Ernie on condition of his keeping 

 it in due repair. Having passed to his heirs it is now maintained by 

 them, though no longer used for the purpose of interments, and I 

 am sorry to say is not in so good a condition as might be wished. It 

 contains two sepulchral monuments. 1st. In memory of John Ernie 



1 Boure (from the Saxon Bur) is an old word used by Chaucer signifying, not, 

 as it generally does now, an arbour, but a chamber, as opposed to a hall. 

 " Heres thou not Absalon 

 That chaunteth thus under our boure's wall." — Miller's Tale. 

 So in a Scotch ballad ; 



" There shall neither coal nor candle light 

 Be seen within my bower mair." 



And Milton : 



" in hall or bower." 



Chapels were dedicated to " Our Lady" under various titles : "Ad prcesepe" of 

 the manger. De navicelld, of the boat. Adnives, of the snow, &c. The pre- 

 sent one is rare. 



