Page:Sussex Archaeological Collections, volume 6.djvu/22

 it will be perceived that I have not been inattentive to the genius loci, assembled as we are within the very buildings of the monastery. At the same time I may be thought by some to owe an apology to you, gentlemen of Sussex, for anything which may be regarded as tending to the unsettling a favourite opinion, or to the disparaging testimony arising in your county to matter of great and general interest. My apology is this: that Archæology or Antiquarianism means minute and exact history; that you are an Archæological Association, intent therefore on acquiring and diffusing minute and exact knowledge in all matters of history; and that nothing can be more opposed to the spirit of such an Association, than persistence in error, or the encouragement of mere prejudices, however dear and interesting they may be.

In entering upon this subject, the first question which presents itself is, what do we mean when we speak of the Roll of Battle Abbey?

Now we know most authentically that this Abbey of Battle was founded by the Conqueror, on the actual field of the battle in which he gained the victory over Harold: that it was founded in commemoration of that battle and victory, and that the suffrages of the house should ascend for himself and family, for those persons by whose aid he had obtained the victory, and especially for those who were slain in the conflict; and nothing, it may be thought, could be more in accordance with the usages of the monastic foundations, than that the names of persons who were entitled to their suffrages should be recited in the services, or at least borne upon the hearts of those who were engaged in them. So that, antecedently to all investigation, it might be presumed that such a catalogue would be formed of the persons who composed Duke William's host, and be preserved in writing in the martyrology or some other record of the house, from whence the names might be read, if not on any other day, at least on the feast of Saint Calixtus, the anniversary day of the battle.

The foundation charter still exists. It is preserved in the British Museum, its number being 83. A. 12, of the Harleian Charters. The clause belonging to our inquiry is less specific than for our present purpose we might desire,—"et pro salute omnium quorum labore et auxilio regnum obtinui, et illorum