Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 3.djvu/163

Rh priest, whilst his corpse was exposed to view, previously to interment, and finally was deposited therewith. In default of such vessel a cup of earthen-ware was sometimes used, as we have been informed by Martene, and instances of the discovery of such fictile chalices have occurred, even in our own country. Dr. Milner relates that, near the West Gate, at Winchester, adjoining to the parish of St. Valery, there had anciently been a church and cemetery, wherein were found in graves two earthen chalices, such as were buried with priests. It is, indeed, possible that these might have been small cressets, or funerary lamps, deposited in Christian sepulchres, according to ancient usage, as shewn by many curious examples.

Sepulchral brasses afford many interesting illustrations of the form of the chalice, and of the usage of its deposit in the tomb of a priest. The effigies of priests, at North Mimms, Herts, and Wensley, Yorkshire, supply very richly decorated examples. Both of these are of the fourteenth century, and a fine specimen is given by Mr. Shaw, from the memorial of a chancellor of Noyon Cathedral, who died 1358. Many other instances may readily be enumerated; most commonly the wafer is represented, placed over the chalice, and occasionally with rays radiating from it. The chalice is usually held between the hands, but sometimes it is placed upon the body, as in the figure of the priest at North Mimms, already noticed.

There is an incident in the history of our country, at a very interesting period, to which it may not be inappropriate to advert, in concluding these notices of the most sacred of the