Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 4.djvu/263

AND AIM'f.f.Wf'KS OT SACRKI) USK. 243 with holy water or chrism upon the angles, or cornua, and in the middle of the stoned Many curious evidences exist in ancient inventories and documents illustrative of the prevalent use of the super-altar, its varied form and decoration. It was mostly of quadran- gular sha})e, but in the list of benefactors to the abbey of St. Albaii's, compiled towards the close of the fourteenth century, one of circular form is described, presented by a noble lady, and traditionally supposed to have been used by St. Augustine. " Domina Petronilla de Benstede dedit Sancto Albano unum super altare rotundum de lapide jaspidis subtus et in circuitu argento inclusum ; super quod, ut fertur, sanc- tus Augustinus Anglorum Apostolus celebravit." Petronilla is represented in a marginal illumination, holding the object presented by her ; the round stone is coloured Avith vermilion, speckled with white ; it is enclosed within a gilt margin, having on one side a ring, by which it might be held or sus- pended. According to the proportion of the drawing, this altar might measure about a foot in diameter'". A very remarkable super-altar was preserved at Glaston- Ijury, until the Reformation, as appears by the list of jewels and precious objects, the plunder of the monasteries, delivered to Henry VIII., on May 15, 1539. It is described as "a superaltare garnished wdth silver and gilte, and parte golde, called the Greate Saphire of Glastonberye." The history of this cui'ious relic has been preserved by William of Mahnes- bury, who designates it as the altar of Saint David, arch- bishop of Mcnevia, " quod dicitur vulgo, Saphirus." It was supposed to have been one of fom* gifts received by the saint from the patriarch of Jerusalem, whither David, in compliance w^ith a uuraculous warning, had jom*neyed, and received con- secration as bishop from the patriarch's hands. On his de- parture he was presented with this " altare consecratum, in quo Dominicum corpus sacrabat," a bell, a pastoral statf, and a tunic ; the patriarch, observing that these objects might be burdensome during his journey, promised that he would con- vey them to St. David's dwelhng ; and according to the legend they were conveyed to hhu by angels. St. David presented the altar to Glastonbury". 1 De Antiqu. Rit., lib. ii. c. 17. " Gul. Malniesb. de Antiqii. Glaston. m Cott. MS. in Mus. Brit. N;.ro, D. ed. Hearae, vol. i. p. 40. Tliis altar, vii, f. 101,1'. having been concealed during the wars,