Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 3.djvu/369

Rh ing one of the Sibyls. Around the margin is inscribed a stanza. The following may serve as a specimen.

2em



is to be regretted that, although the attention of learned antiquaries has lately been drawn to the subject of Winchester and its memorials, no one has been tempted to analyze and illustrate the venerable record called the Liber Winton or Winchester Domesday. The earlier of the two inquisitions, which are included under that name, is one which needs explanation, and presents several topics of great interest. I am aware of no general observations which have been published on this subject, except those contained in the communication made by the late Bishop Lyttleton to the Society of Antiquaries, and referred to by Gough in his British Topography. It is with a view to correct what appear to me to be two material misapprehensions in the statement of those eminent antiquaries, that I have thought it worth while to offer the following observations.

In enumerating the houses and other tenements within the city, and the various pecuniary and other duties and services attached to them, the record occasionally mentions one which is called wata. Dr. Lyttleton supposes this to be a tax in the nature of Danegeld. The following are some of the entries in which the word occurs:

Fol. 3. A house, held by Will. de Albinneio and Herbertus Camerarius under Wolwardus Harengarius, "nullam reddit consuetudinem præter watam."