DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.32039#0031
VICARS’ CLOSE AT WELLS.
9
On a building adjoining the west wall of this chapel, which may be con-
sidered as part of the chaplain’s dwelling, under a large window (now nearly
destroyed) are four shields; the first bears the arms of Beckington; the second,
those of the see ofWells; the third, those of Bath and Wells conjointly; and
the fourth, quarterly; first and fourth, argent, three blackmoors’ heads proper,
two and one ; second and third, gules, on a fesse, between three leopards’ heads,
or, as many fleurs-de-lis, sable ; the last quarterings are the arms of Stillington,
as given by Edmonstone; and Bishop Stillington succeeded Beckington in this
see, a.d. 1466.*
At the Reformation this establishment did not share the fate of other
religious houses, although “ some sacrilegious people had hoped to spoil it,” but
Elizabeth, thinking that such a villanous deed would not be borne, granted a
cliarter, which is dated from Westminster in the twenty-fourth year of her
reign, constituting them abody corporate and politic, with the title of “ Principals,
Seniors, and Yicars Choral of the Choir in the Cathedral Church of St. Andrew
at Wells,” and allowed them a common seal. It restricts their number to, not
less than fourteen, nor more than twenty.
In the Hall is a painting which represents the vicars kneeling before the
bishop, Ralph de Salopia, who is seated on his throne on the left side of the
picture, holding in his right hand a petition of the former, which runs thus :—
f3er btcos postn' tullee,
pater alme rogamus,
Wit stmttl unttt, te
bante fcomos maneamus.
And in his left hand is his answer, to which the episcopal seal is attached, and
runs thus :—•
Festra petunt mertta,
tjuoh smt eoncessa petfta:
Wii maneatts tta,
Icca fectmus Inc staMtta.
Ancl on the painting are the arms of the see of Bath and Wells. This picture
must be the one alluded to by Godwyn,f and, after the confirmation of their
charter by Queen Elizabeth, must have been added to, as the seventeen figures
to the right of those kneeling are entirely in a different costume, with rufiles
* Collinson gives tliese the same as above, but, erroneously, fusils instead of fieurs-de.lis j he does not say whose
they are.—Vol. iii. p. 376.
t De Prcesulibus, in Vitu Raclulphi de Salopia.
C
9
On a building adjoining the west wall of this chapel, which may be con-
sidered as part of the chaplain’s dwelling, under a large window (now nearly
destroyed) are four shields; the first bears the arms of Beckington; the second,
those of the see ofWells; the third, those of Bath and Wells conjointly; and
the fourth, quarterly; first and fourth, argent, three blackmoors’ heads proper,
two and one ; second and third, gules, on a fesse, between three leopards’ heads,
or, as many fleurs-de-lis, sable ; the last quarterings are the arms of Stillington,
as given by Edmonstone; and Bishop Stillington succeeded Beckington in this
see, a.d. 1466.*
At the Reformation this establishment did not share the fate of other
religious houses, although “ some sacrilegious people had hoped to spoil it,” but
Elizabeth, thinking that such a villanous deed would not be borne, granted a
cliarter, which is dated from Westminster in the twenty-fourth year of her
reign, constituting them abody corporate and politic, with the title of “ Principals,
Seniors, and Yicars Choral of the Choir in the Cathedral Church of St. Andrew
at Wells,” and allowed them a common seal. It restricts their number to, not
less than fourteen, nor more than twenty.
In the Hall is a painting which represents the vicars kneeling before the
bishop, Ralph de Salopia, who is seated on his throne on the left side of the
picture, holding in his right hand a petition of the former, which runs thus :—
f3er btcos postn' tullee,
pater alme rogamus,
Wit stmttl unttt, te
bante fcomos maneamus.
And in his left hand is his answer, to which the episcopal seal is attached, and
runs thus :—•
Festra petunt mertta,
tjuoh smt eoncessa petfta:
Wii maneatts tta,
Icca fectmus Inc staMtta.
Ancl on the painting are the arms of the see of Bath and Wells. This picture
must be the one alluded to by Godwyn,f and, after the confirmation of their
charter by Queen Elizabeth, must have been added to, as the seventeen figures
to the right of those kneeling are entirely in a different costume, with rufiles
* Collinson gives tliese the same as above, but, erroneously, fusils instead of fieurs-de.lis j he does not say whose
they are.—Vol. iii. p. 376.
t De Prcesulibus, in Vitu Raclulphi de Salopia.
C