310 



The Churches of Devizes. 



The entries which follow will be found to have reference to a 

 second and more effectual removal, by sale, of the whole contents 

 of the Church in the early part of the reign of Queen Elizabeth. 

 1561. 4 Elizabeth. 



Itm. for taking down of the Roodloft vjs. 



The Roodloft was a gallery erected at the east end of the nave, over the 

 Chancel Arch, for the reception of the Great Rood, and the images of SS. Mary 

 and John before described. Here the Epistle and Gospel were read by the Sub- 

 deacon, and Deacon, the procession being conducted with no small pomp. In 

 it lights were kept burning, especially at Festivals, when the whole loft blazed 

 with light, and was decorated with green boughs and flowers. 



Roodlofts were almost universally demolished when an order was published 

 in 1548 for the destruction of Roods ; the one in question, however, seems to 

 have escaped until 1561 (the date of this entry). On clearing an accumulation 

 of whitewash and ochre from the walls in 1854, traces of the Rood-beam were 

 discovered ; the floor of it appears to have been almost on a level with the point 

 of the Chancel Arch. 



Among the few examples of Roodlofts still remaining in this county may be 

 mentioned Mere, Hullavington, Edyngton, Berwick Basset, and Compton Basset ; 

 the latter is of stone. A portion of one is also preserved at Avebury, being 

 affixed to the wall above the Chancel Arch. 



Itm. laid out at the Commissioners coming down. . vjs. vjd. 

 for whiteliming and mending the church and 



chancel xs. ijd. 



1562. 5 Elizabeth. 



It. reed, for xxxx pound of the organ pypes and 



the copper at vjd. the pound xxs. 



for xxv pound of the candlesticks and the . . . 

 brasse viijs. 



reed, of the bellows of the organist ijs. 



pd. for the Clark's surplice * viijd. 



1563. 6 Elizabeth. 



Itm. pd. at Sarum when the Lord Bishop did seale 



the Indentures for the Priest's wages vjs. 



pd. for the charges to Sarum to confer with 

 my Lord Bishop about the Priest's wages. . . viijs. mjd. 



Itm. paid to the Curate xvijs. 



These entries apparently record a difference which had arisen between the 

 Rector and his Parish Priest, touching the salary, or stipend of the latter, and 

 which was referred to the Bishop for the purpose of adjustment. 



