366 
ANTIQUITIES OF SELBORNE. 
The bishop, in item igth, accuses the canons of neglect and 
omission with respect to their perpetual chantry-services. 
Item 20th. The visitor here conjures the prior and canons 
not to withhold their original alms, " eleemosynas nor those 
that they were enjoined to distribute for the good of the souls 
of founders and benefactors : he also strictly orders that the 
fragments and broken victuals, both from the hall of their prior 
and their common refectory, should be carefully collected toge- 
ther by their eleemosynarius, and given to the poor without any 
diminution ; the officer to be suspended for neglect or omission. 
Item 23d. He bids them distribute their pittances, pitancias,"* 
regularly on obits, anniversaries, festivals, &c. 
Item 25th. All and every one of the canons are hereby in- 
hibited from standing godfather to any boy for the future, " ne 
compatres alicujus pueri de cetero fieri presumatis,^' unless by 
express license from the bishop obtained ; because from such 
relationship favour and affection, nepotism, and undue influence, 
arise, to the injury and detriment of religious institutions.f 
Item 26th. The visitor herein severely reprimands the canons 
for appearing publicly in what would be called in the universities 
an unstatutable manner, and for wearing of boots, "caligae de 
Burneto, et sotularium in ocrearum loco, ad modum sotula- 
rium.^J 
It is remarkable that the bishop expresses more warmth against 
this than any other irregularity ; and strictly enjoins them, under 
pain of ecclesiastical censures, and even imprisonment if necessary 
(a threat not made use of before,) for the future to wear boots, 
* " Pitancia, an allowance of bread and beer, or other provision to any pious use, especially to 
the religious in a monastery, &c. for augmentation of their commons.'' — Gloss, to Kennet's 
Par. Antiq. 
t "The relationship between sponsors and their god-children, who were called spiritual sons 
and daughters, was formerly esteemed much more sacred than at present. The presents at 
christenings were sometimes very considerable : the connection lasted through life, and was closed 
with a legacy. This last mark of attention seems to have been thought almost indispensable ; 
for, in a will, from whence no extracts have been given, the testator left every one of his god- 
children a bushel of barley." — Sir John CuUum's Hist, of Hawsted. 
*' D. Margaretae filiae Regis primogenitse, quam filiolam, quia ejus in baptismo compater fuit, 
appellat, cyphum aureum et quadraginta libras, legavit." — Archbishop Parker, de Antiquitate 
Eccles. Brit, speaking of Archbishop Morton. 
t Du Fresne is copious on caligae of several sorts. *' Hoc item de Clericis, presertim benefici- 
atis: caligis scacatis (chequered) rubeis, et viridibus publice utentibus dicimus esse censendum." 
Statu. Eccles. Tutel. The chequered boots seem to be the highland plaid stockings. — " Burnetum, 
i. e. Brunetum, pannus non ex lana nativi coloris confectus."— << Sotularium, i. e, subtalaris, quia 
sub talo est. Peculium genus, quibus maxime Monachi nocte utebantur in sestate ; in hyeme 
vero Soccis." ' 
This writer gives many quotations coiicerning Sotuiaria, which were not to be made too shapely ; 
nor were ihe caligae to be laced on too nicely. 
