By the Rev. K H. Goddard. 



341 



finest examples of the latest type in vogue just before the Reformation. 

 This Highworth chalice is of solid massive make and in excellent 

 preservation. The bowl is broad and shallow, with sides nearly 

 straight, having engraved round it the text "ISeatC (|ttt atttftttttt 

 forfottltt tret ttt CUgtOtrtttt tlltttr*"The base is six foil in shape, and 

 round the inner circular part is engraved " 3ffltt £££ Kit tfti bt fot 

 tlttS!????? ttOl)t$»" The junction of the foot and stem is sur- 

 rounded by a parapet of architectural open work. The stem itself 

 is hexagonal, with cable moulding at the edges, and the knot is 

 large, of six lobes projecting widely. A curious feature is the figure 

 engraved in the place usually occupied by the crucifix on the foot. 

 This is somewhat rubbed and indistinct and it is difficult to say what 

 it is, and I cannot find that a similar figure is known on any other 

 chalice. It is a seated figure, almost nude, with crossed legs holding 

 a palm branch (?), a lily at its foot, — possibly the Man of Sorrows. 

 Is it fanciful to suggest that both the figure and the texts have a 

 taste as of the approaching Reformation about them ? 



The paten, which, though not hall marked or dated, seems to 

 belong to the chalice, has a shallow circular depression in the centre, 

 but is without the engraved vernicle or Head of Our Saviour, the 

 Hand of God, or the sacred monogram, which almost invariably 

 occupy the centre of pre-Reformation patens. Indeed it is 

 perfectly plain except for a few slight touches of engraving on the 

 rim. 



Though there are several patens in the south of the county there 

 is only one other in the north — that purchased some years ago 

 from Messrs. Singer and given to Melksham Church by Canon 

 Warre. It is probably of English make, and of late fifteenth or 

 early sixteenth century date, but is not marked. It has the vernicle 

 with wounds on the cheeks very rudely engraved in the centre. 



Besides these pieces there is at Lacock a remarkable parcel gilt 

 covered cup — by some called a ciborium — probably of the latter half 

 of the fifteenth century. A broad rounded bowl, on a circular stem 

 widening to a base of the same shape, with a high conical cover 

 surmounted by a ball. The edge of the cover and the base are 

 surrounded by the characteristic Gothic cresting of the time. This 



