b reading desks are ornamented and relieved by grotesque representations of birds, heads of men, animals, and monsters. In the Bailiffs' pew are the following inscriptions on a carved oak pannel, the former of which probably refers to some general repairs of the Church: ADIB•BAILES.THVIN TARCHA FINE MORE This seat was Rebuilt 1758, JOHN JACKSON, Esq. and HUGH FERRAR, Gent. Bailiffs. The naive is appropriated to rustic benches, and at its western extremity is the baptismal font, and a modern gallery for the choir. The font is of an hexagonal form, hewn out of a block of limestone, and some imperfect sculptures, on its front and sides, are still visible." The aisles are well b Grotesque figures and carvings, which are so common in Churches, were invented by Marchion of Arezzo, an architect in the employ of Pope Innocent the 3d, who died in 1216. They were first used only to support columns, but were afterwards applied to spouts, and various other purposes. History of Stamford. "Fonts were antiently adorned with images and carvings of saints and holy men, to the end, that such as were baptized might have before their eyes the representation of those persons, eminent for holiness and virtue, whose actions they were to imitate."-Staveley's Hist. of Churches. U pewed, and the windows are divided by mullions into several lights, in which are contained some relics of painted glass, which, being irregularly distributed, indicate that the windows have been illumined with Scripture representations. The only remains of the rood loft" now left, is a d In Sleaford Church, Lincolnshire, is a richly carved canopied Screen, dividing the body of the Church from the Chancel, the upper part of which formed the Rood Loft, which is still entire.— In the Churchwardens' accompts of St. Helen's, by J. Ward, (Archæologia, vol. i.) are various items as charges for the Rood Loft and Lights. A. D. 1555. An. 1 and 2 Phil. and Mary-Payde for making For making the roode lyghtes.... For the roode lyghtes at Chrismas... ..... 1557. Received of the Paryshe for the roode lyghtes at S. d. 5 4 10 6 33 4 ... 23 2ob For the roode Mary and John, with the Patron of the Church............. 18 0 For making the roode lyghtes..... 15 5 For the roode Mary and John and the Patron.. 7 0 1558. Received for roode lyghtes at Chrismas........ 18 6 1559. For roode lyghtes at Chrismas 18 3ob 6 4 1560 or 3d of Elizth-Of Wm. Dalye for the holye lofte 1561 or 4th of Elizth-To the Somner for bringing the order for the roode loft ..... 08 To the Carpenter and others for taking down 15 8 winding flight of stone steps, in a circular tower exterior to the Church, at the south junction of the naive and chancel, the entrances to which are concealed by the Assistants' pew, pulpit, and reading To the peynter for wrighting the Scripture where the roode lofte stoode, and overthwarte the .... 3 4 Mr. Ward observes, that by the roode was meant either a crucifix, or the image of some saint, erected in Popish Churches. And here that name is given to the images of Mary and John; as also to that of St. Helen, the patroness of the Church. These images were set in shrines or tabernacles, and the place where they stood was called the Roode-loft, which was commonly over, or near the passage out of the body of the Church into the chancel. Fuller, in his History of Waltham Abbey, says, "And, wot you what spiritual mystery was couched in this position thereof? The Church (forsooth) typified the Church militant; the chancel represents the Church triumphant, and all who will pass out of the former into the latter, must go under the roodloft, i. e. carry the cross and be acquainted with affliction ;" this, he adds, because Harpsfield (Fox, Act. and Man. p. 1690) confesseth himself ignorant of the rood situation. Anno. 1554, or the 1st of Mary, in the Churchwardens' account at Waltham Abbey," payde for Mary and John that stand in the rood-loft, 26s. 8d.-Christ on the cross saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing by."-John, 19th chap., 26th verse. In apish imitation whereof (when perfectly made with all the appurtenances thereof) the rood was attended with these two images.— Vide Fuller's Hist. p. 17. In the year 1548, the 1st of King Edward 6th, such images and their shrines were ordered to be taken down, as mentioned by Bishop Burnet in his History of the Reformation, vol. ii. b. 1, p. 61; but they are restored again by Queen Mary on her accession in the above-recited account of St. Helen's; and in 1561, or the 4th of Elizabeth, finally abolished. desk. Not having discovered any records relative to the rood loft, or its final demolition, we must refer that event to the year 1573, 15th of Eliza e In Strype's Memorials, vol. iii. is contained "An Account of Cardinal Pole's Visitation of the Diocese of Lincoln, A. D. 1556," to examine into the due resumption of Catholic ceremonials and conformities, and amongst others," whether they had a rood in their churches, of decent stature, with Mary and John, and the image of the patron of the church?" Godmanchester is not returned amongst the presentments cited by Strype, therefore most probably the rood loft at that time was still entire; but, as Strype has only recorded some amongst many that were made, we must not infer that Godmanchester was altogether exempted from ecclesiastical censure, particularly when we consider the varied nature of the following presentments: "One Hullock, curate of All Saints in Huntingdon, administered the Sacrament to several persons without auricular confessions, using only a general confession in the English tongue, such as was accustomed in the time of the schism. He was cast into gaol, then enjoined public penance; and that being performed, he was discharged from ministering any more in the diocess of Lincoln, and so he departed." "Several in Huntington, for eating flesh in Lent without a dispensation, were cast into prison, and enjoyned to carry fagots two several days." "The vicar of Spaldwick was presented for carrying in his arms his child, which he had in wedlock in the time of the schism, to the scandal of others. He was enjoyned to carry it no more, and to make a recantation in the church." "One Burneby, of Brampton, when vicar of the church, on Palm Sunday, opened the doors of the church with the staff of the cross, and said in sport, What a sport have we towards? Will our vicar run at quintine with God Almighty. He submitted himself, and was enjoyned publick penance." "Enjoyned to the parish of Brampton to re-edify a rood-loft and four stone crosses in that parish." "Three of St. beth; and which circumstance, perhaps, rendered necessary those repairs and alterations in the Church intended to have been commemorated by the inscription of that date in the Bailiffs' pew. The principal entrance to the Church is by a handsome south porch, which bears ample testimony of the relaxed devotion of our days; for, as neither pilgrim nor penitent is to be found loitering in the cloisters or precincts of our holy mansions, waiting for the absolution and benediction of the parish priest, this fine antique porch is deformed and inclosed with fold Ives who had fled because of religion, now appearing, submitted themselves and recanted the heresies which they held; and being absolved from their excommunication, were put into prison, and afterwards carried faggots." "The vicar of Steukly gave the sacrament to some not confessed, and to some that desired auricular confession he denied it. He was cast into prison, and made a recantation before his parishioners." "It was enjoyned to the parishioners of St. Neots, to re-build all the altars that were before the schism in the church, and that they should set up a rood-loft with the images, and this to be done by a parish rate." |