35^ The Statural Hijlory 
u^ingKingdom^ having been fignally bleft by divers and undoubt- 
ed Experiments of healing that Difeafe. 
126. Before they touch for this diftemper, they have always 
Frayers read futable to the occafton^ both which when performed, 
the King forthwith beftows on every Patient^ a piece of Angel- 
gold "gm^o^d"^ coined, and put upon a wi'i/e ribbon to be hung a- 
bout the neck ; which as long as worn preferves the virtue of the 
touchy though Dr. Tooker will have it only, Sanitath Jymbolum in- 
choatdC^ Eleemojyndi facr<e monumentum \ i. e, a mark that the 
Cure is already begun, and a lading memorial of the Kings chari- 
ty and piety to the poor patients. 
127. However it be, that this was the cuftom ab initio^ I take 
to be plain from that piece of Gold of King Edxvard the Confejjbr, 
Tab. 16. Fig. 5. found in St. Giles's field in the Suburbs of Oxon, 
hzw'mg the initial letters of his name over the hinder part of the 
head, and two fmall holes through it, as if defigned to be hung 
on a ribbon for the purpofe above-mention M, the holes being 
ftrengthened with Gold Wire faftened round them, and to the 
piece it felf, much after the fafliion of the eje of a mans doublet, 
as exactly defcribed in the Figure, ut fupra; which piece was lent 
me by that courteous Gentleman Sir ^ohn Holeman Baronet, in 
whofe pofTefTion it now remains at his Houfe near Northam- 
pton. 
128. From King Edward the Confeffors being born at Iflip^ 'tis 
eafie to colleft, that his Father King Mthelred muft neceffarily 
have had a Royal Seat there, as in all probability likewife at Hed- 
dington near Oxford ; for though Tradition now goes, that it was 
hvittht Nurfery of the Kings Children, whereof there remains 
yet upon the place fome figns of foundations in a Field near the 
Town, called Court-cloje ; yet it is plain, that King Mthelred did 
fomtimes at leaft refide there himfelf, for he concludes a Char- 
ter, or fome fuch like In/irument, wherein he grants Privileges to 
the Monaftery of St. Fridefwide here in Oxon. of his own Rejio- 
ration, in Englilh thus, Cl&ijSp^ltllesetOaiSttlttl^at f eUWton, and 
after in Latin, Scripta fuit h<£C Cedulajufu pr^efati Regi6 in villa 
Regia qude appellatiir^ die oSiavarum beati Andre<e Apojloliy 
hi6 confencientibu^ p quijubtu6 not at i videntur. Ego ^thel- 
redus Rex hoc privilegium, isc 
' Gul.Tookeri CharifmafivedonumSanationii^Reg.Ang.calituscovceJJum- ^ Monafiicon Anglican. VoL 
I inter addv7tela,)a^. a2 j . 
129. Be- 
