Page:Notes and Queries - Series 2 - Volume 1.djvu/413

 2nd g. NO 21., MAY 24. '56.]

NOTES AND QUERIES.

405

LONDON, SATURDAY, UfAY 24, 1856.

fatal.

FRAGMENTS OF MEMORIALS OF FORMER GREATNESS.

" Sword, I will hallow thee for this thy deed, And hang thee o'er my tomb when I am dead ; Ne'er shall this blood be wiped from thy point, But thou shalt wear it as a herald's coat, To emblaze the honor that thy master got."

King Hen. if I., Act IV. Sc. 10.

It is likely that in the old churches of England there are many fragments of memorials of past greatness and remarkable occurrences similar to the one alluded to by the poet, but now fast de- caying, and of which there is scarcely any record. It seems desirable that something should be done to preserve an account of such as are remaining. And as "N. & Q.," "rich with the spoils of time," possessing a great circulation, easy of access, and having numerous goodly contributors, appears to be the best depository, I offer a few remarks on some which have come under my notice, hoping that I may be followed by more competent per- sons.

On the north side of the chancel of Eling Church, in the New Forest, is suspended a small but ancient iron helmet, which was once accom- panied by a banner ; but the latter, being of more perishable materials, has long disappeared. Not a vestige of record is preserved to denote who the warrior was. Beneath them was the burial place of the Paulets, an old Hampshire family, remarkable for their " loyaultie."

In the church of St. Michael, Southampton, there was an ancient helmet ; and one in the chancel of South Stoneham Church, near that town ; but whatever honour their masters got has long since fled ; all is swallowed up in death and oblivion.

In Basing Church are several banners, upon which are emblazoned the arms of the Paulet family and their alliances, hanging in the aisle, with fragments of others decayed through age.

Under the window of the chancel of .North Baddesley Church, in Hampshire, is a small tomb of freestone rudely carved, with a covering of polished marble, having a large Maltese cross thereon. On the sides are crosses of the same description, with arms and roses intermixed. Of the arms little more can be distinguished than that the shield is charged with a bend, which, as no name, date, or inscription of any sort remains, cannot afford a sufficient clue to the discovery of the individual whose ashes are lying beneath it.

On the floor of the chancel, in Bishops-Sutton Church, also in Hampshire, is a monumental stone with two figures in brass upon it of a knight and lady, both standing, but with their hands clasped as in prayer. The knight is in armour ;

the lady in a peaked hood, ornamented down the sides with jewels or embroidery. The inscription is entirely obliterated, the softness of the stone having caused it to be worn down below the level of the brass plate.

On an ancient brass on the ground, in the church of St. Bartholomew, Winchester, is an in- scription illustrative of what has been said in reference to the last above mentioned monuments :

" I am the remains of a once beautiful body become dust ; then learn from me, friend, who passeth by here the vicissitudes of human nature. I was called by name soul only to exist for ever."
 * * * *, but death has even destroyed that, leaving my

HENRY EDWARDS.

ILLUSTRATIONS OF MACAULAY.

" The Journal of the Parliament in Ireland, Sfc^ March 25, 1689." I forward for insertion in " N. & Q." a copy of the rare tract, entitled :

" The Journal of the Proceedings of the Parliament in Ireland. With the Establishment of their Forces there. Licensed July 6, 1689. London : Printed for Robert Clavell, at the Peacock in St. Paul's Church-Yard.

JI DCLXXXIX."

It is a document of which Mr. Macaulay seems to have made considerable use in his third volume, although he observes in a note to p. 206, " The reader must not imagine that this journal has an official character. It is merely a compilation made by a Protestant pamphleteer, and printed in Lon- don." I think, however, it is a contemporary pro- duction of some value and well worth reprinting in your valuable Illustrations. T. B. G.

"A Proclamation issued out for a Parliament to be held in Dublin, May 7, no Popish Bishops summoned.

" May 1. Parliament met in the Inns : Some Lords in- troduced; Bishop of Meath and Cork amongst the rest; the King enters with Robes and Crown ; makes a Speech : Chancellor bids the Commons chuse a Speaker ; they go to their House, and having chosen Sir Richard Nagle, present him within half an hour ; he is accepted ; House adjourns till Ten in the Morning : two Lords called by Writ Chancellor, Lord Nugent, Lord Riverstown.

"May 8. Bishop of Story introduced. Address of Thanks to The King, and Abhorrence voted. A Commit- tee appointed to draw it up. A Message to the Commons for their concurrence.

" The -King comes into the House, appoints Four in the Afternoon for both Houses to attend him with it : A Bill brought into the House by C. J. Nugent, and read twice, Rege present. Containing a Recognition of the King's Title, and an Abhorrence of the P. of O.'s Usurpation, and of the defection of the English ; ordered after to be in- grossed : Committees of Grievances and Petitions ap- pointed : House adjourned till Friday morning.

" May 10. King comes into the House, and stays there all the Session : Bill of Recognition, &c. read the third time.; sent down to the Commons by two Judges, who report the deliver}- of it: A Bill brought in by C. J. Nu- gent for incouraging Trade, by inviting Strangers into the Kingdom, taking only the Oath of Fidelity, read once. The King directs the House in the Methods of