62 Bishop Tanner, his Family and Writings. 



Thomas Tanner's Matriculation Entry, in 1665. All this seems to 

 substantiate a tradition, very commonly received at Market Laving- 

 ton, that the Father of Tanner, (Grandfather of the Bishop,) was a 

 poor Weaver or Spinner; (in those days the common occupation of 

 a large proportion of our rural population in this district;) that a 

 benevolent Lady, passing' by Bryan Tanner's Cottage, found the 

 youth constantly poring over books, when his days work was done; 

 she discovered him to be a lad of superior abilities, and of attain- 

 ments above his rank in life; had him educated; sent to College; 

 and in due time, the Spinner's Son, was inducted Vicar of Market 

 Lavington. Some years since, a house, now taken down, was by 

 the same tradition, pointed out as that in which Bishop Tanner's 

 forefathers had dwelt; either before or after the known date of Bryan 

 Tanner's residing at Erchfont. The Memorandum of Matriculation 

 in the University Register, (for that of his House, (St. Alban's Hall) 

 as I found upon application, does not go back so far by many years) , 

 is as follows. "Au. Alb. 1665 Mar: 9. Thomas Tanner, Anno 20, 

 fil: Bryan T. de Urchfont Wilts, pi. pps." I am informed that the 

 abbreviation "pi. pps." (which means "plebei pauperis;" the Son of 

 a poor plebeian) indicates that in this, and like cases, the youth 

 matriculated was excused payment of University fees, on the ground 

 of poverty. If we compare the date of his Matriculation with the 

 age stated on the Monument, he must have been 25 or 26 when ad- 

 mitted at Oxford; perhaps in transcribing, or in making the entry 

 from Notes, the Cypher may have been substituted for 6. In those 

 days Halls were much cheaper places of education, and required 

 shorter residence than the Colleges, and this seems another item in 

 the proof, that he was one of the class, then described, as poor 

 Scholars. Indeed it was at that period a customary charity for per- 

 sons of wealth, to provide needy and meritorious young men, with 

 University Education ; entering them as Sizars at Cambridge ; or 

 Servitors at Oxford. Thomas Tanner took his B. A. degree as of St. 

 Alban's Hall ; and does not appear to have graduated higher at any 

 subsequent date. This was frequently the case, when Clergy ceased 

 to keep up their connection with the University, and had settled 

 down in Country Parishes. I mention it, because it explains the 



