Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 11.djvu/317

 OltlGlNAL DOCUMENTS. 275 back by two of the monks of Ely.' It was alleged bj' them that the (leceasotl prelate had made a gift of this ring in his lifetime to the Prior and Convent, but that having no other pontifical ring, he had retained it for his own uses until liis death. The Prior and Convent then had posses- sion of the ring, which they forthwith caused to be affixed to the shrine of St. Ealburga. The two monks incurred the penalty of excommunication ; the Archbishop forthwith cited the Prior and Convent to appear before himj and there can be little doubt that the ring was ultimately rendered up. The details of this curious transaction are related in Archbishop Winchelsey's Register, and may be seen in Wilkins' Concilia, vol. ii. p. 403. The ancient registers of the monastery contain other evidence of the pertinacity with which these rights of the church of Canterbury were maintained. The following extracts may not be without interest in connexion with the subject under consideration. In regard to two of the sees in Wales, as it appears by the foregoing document, namely St. Asaph and Bangor, the claim extended to the palfry with bridle and saddle, the capa pluvialis, or riding-cloak, and the hat used by the deceased bishop. The seals and second best ring were likewise demanded, as in the case of the other bishops of the Principality, and of the province of Canterbury in general. On the decease of Anian, bishop of Bangor, in 1327, the metropolitan see being at that time vacant, the Prior of Christ Church claimed the ring, seals, and other eifects, which had not been rendered up to him in due course. The following entry appears on this occasion : — " De anulo et sigillis Episcopi Bangorensis restituendis. — Magister Kenewricus Canonicus Assavensis, officialis noster sede Bangorensi vacante, habet literam de anulo secundo meliori et omnibus sigillis bone memorie domini Aniani Episcopi Bangorensis, ac etiam de aliis bonis nobis et ecclesie nostre Cantuariensi de jure et consuetudine antiqua et approbata debitis post mortem cujuslibet Episcopi Bangorensis, que de Magistro Madoco Archidiacono Angles' executore testament! dicti domini Aniani recepit, nobis absque more majoris dispendio apud Cantuariam transmit- tcndis ; uecnon de omnibus aliis bonis que ad manus suas sede Bangorensi vacaute vel plena devenerunt ; et ad certificandum nos infra xx. dies post recepcionem presentiuin quod super premissis duxerit faciendum." Dated at Canterbury, July 15, 1328. (Register K. 12, f. 157, v^.) These instructions from the Prior to his official seem to have produced no effect. A letter is found subsequently in the same Register (f. 158, v" addressed from Mayfield by Simon Mepham, Archbishop of Canterbury,' to) Henry Gower, Bishop of St. David's, stating that the demand of the Prior had not been satisfied, and requiring him to obtain restitution of the seals ' The mandate recites all the circum- cration bears date June 8, 1328, and it was stances which had occurred, describing not until Sept. 29, on his return from the the ring as — " annulum qui pontificalis continent, that the temporalities were re- vuigariter appellatur — cjui de jure et con- stored. Godwin, p. 105. At the time of sueiudine nostre ecclesie Cantuariensis ad the death of Anian, therefore, Jan. 26, nos dignoscitur pertiiiere." 1327 (the year, it will be remembered, ' The election of Simon Mepham by then commencing on March 25) the see the monks of Canterbury as successor to of Canterbury was vacant, as likewise Archbishop Walter, wlio died Nov. 1, when the Trior's letter given above was 1327, had taken place on Dec. 8, in that written, in July following, year ; the Bull, however, for his consc-