312 



The Churches of Devizes. 



The name "Organ" appears to have originally signified any instrument of 

 music, but at an early period was confined to the sense which it now hears. 

 The first organs were, however, very different from those now in use, and very 

 much smaller. In old parish accounts we find frequent mention of a pair of 

 organs ; and wherever such are found there are also frequent charges for repair- 

 ing the bellows. The large modern instruments were not put up in their present 

 conspicuous situation, in the place of the ancient roodloft, until after the Kefor- 

 mation. On the continent they were also introduced in the course of the 17th 

 and 18th centuries ; but are usually placed at the west end of the church. In 

 this country previously to the Reformation, the organ was frequently placed on 

 the north side of the choir, or in the north transept. 



" Oxford Glossary of Architecture." 



The remains of a pair of ancient organs are, or were until lately, preserved in 

 the church of "Wingfield, Suffolk ; the largest pipe is about 5 feet long, of wood. 



The foregoing items are intended to illustrate, in some measure, 

 the appearance of the Church, together with its furniture, vest- 

 ments, &c, prior to the Reformation ; the following, which occur 

 during the reign of Edward the Sixth, will be found of a totally 

 different character: — 



1550. 4 Edw. VI. 

 It. pd. for their labor at the plucking down of the 



Alters, and for meat and drink xiiijd. 



pd. for their labor at the taking down of the 



side Altar xijd. 



1552. 6 Edw. VI. 

 Itm. pd. for our charges at Marlbro' when the 



Inventorie was called and the custodie 



of the goods committed to John Blanford 

 and James Travers for v of us and horse 



hire, and of Robert K. . . .s horse. . . . vjs. ijd. 



It. pd. for other charges when the commissarie 



was here ijs. iijd. 



It. pd. for the new Books of Common Prayer. . iiijs. viijd. 

 On the accession of Queen Mary the entries again resume an 

 ante-reformation character, and indicate a temporary revival of 

 the ancient furniture, ornaments, and vestments of the church 

 during that reign. 



1553. 1 Maby. 

 It. pd. to Bertlett for setting up the great [High] 



Altar viijd. 



