Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 7.djvu/35

 1561.] THE ENGLISH A T HA VRE. 1 5 into their separate houses, where, in spite of Elizabeth, they maintained their families. The unmarried ( tabled abroad at the ale-houses/ The singing-men of the choirs became the prebends' private servants, ' having the Church stipend for their wages. 1 The cathedral plate adorned the prebendal side-boards and dinner-tables. The organ-pipes were melted into dishes for their kitchens ; the organ-frames were carved into bedsteads, where the wives reposed beside their reverend lords; while the copes and vestments were coveted for their gilded embroidery, and were slit into gowns and bodices. Having children to provide for, and only a life-interest in their revenues, the chapters like the bishops cut down their woods, and worked their fines, their leases, their escheats and wardships, for the benefit of their own generation. Sharing their annual plunder, they ate and drank and enjoyed themselves while their oppor- tunity remained ; for the times were dangerous, and none could tell what should be after them.' ' They decked their wives so finely for the stuff and fashion of their garments as none were so fine and trim.' By her dress and ' her gait ' in the street ' the priest's wife was known from a hundred other women ; ' while in the congregations and in the cathedrals they were distinguished ' by placing themselves above all other the most ancient and honourable in their cities ;' 'being the Church as the priests' wives termed it their own Church ; and the said wives did call and take all things belonging to their church and corporation as their own ; ' as 'their houses,' 'their gates,' 'their porters,' 'their