Page:The Early English Organ Builders and their work.djvu/43

 been superfluous if the title Sir had been peculiar to them."

Some very curious illustrations of the history of the organ in the fifteenth century may be gleaned from old wills. It is not curiosity merely that is gratified by these inquiries, but we receive ample scope for philosophical reflection in contemplating the customs, habits and superstitious bigotry which prevailed at this distant era.

In the will of John Baret, of Bury, dated 1463, we have this clause:

"'Item, I wille yt eche man yt syngy it prykked songe on ye day of my enterment at our ladyes messe have ijd. and ye players at ye orgenys ijd., and eche child id., and yt yei preyid [be begged] to dyner the same day.'"

Lord John Beauchamp, who made his will in 1475, says:

"'My body to be buried in the Church of the Dominican Friars at Worcester, in a new chapel there now to be made on the north side of the quire, to which house of friars, for my burial there I bequeath xx marks to be bestowed in vestments and stuff, beside an organ of my own.'"