Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 7.djvu/256

178 rROCEEDIKGS AT MEETINGS OF Eeclcswall, who diotl in 1387, leaving his son Ricliard, Lord Talbot, who died in 1397, and was the father of John, first Earl of Shrewsbury, whose descendants enjoyed it for several generations. " I have not been fortunate enongh to discover who Adam Hastyns was : the numerous pedigrees of Hastings, to which I have referred, are deficient as regards any member of that family bearing the Christian name of Adam." The Rev. William Dyke, Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford, communicated the following curious extract from " A Collection of funeralls made by St. John Gwylleym, son of John Gwyllym, sometimes Officer of Ares, by the name of Rouge Croix." This interesting volume once belonged to Anthony Wood, and bears his name — " Antonij (i Wood, Oxon. It is now preserved in the library of Jesus College. '* It hath bin an Auiicient Custome amongst the Romaynes, (the more to grace and honour the Exequies of theyr Emperours) that the chife Senators and ConsuUs did euer more undergoe the Beere. And did beare the same nppon theyr Showlders, in the solemnization of theyr ftuneralls and Pompous Progression with the corpse to the Grave. That Kinges themselves have not disdayned to honour the fi'unerall of a Bishoppe ; not only with theyr Royal Presence, but allso to putt theyr Showlders to so meane an oflSce as to the bearringe of a dead Corpse. " Whereof there is a memorable example of John Kinge of Englande (who togithcr with other kinges his confederates and allyes) bare the coffine and corpse of Hughe Bishoppe of Lincolne. " That Spectacle so Royall to the behowlders was seconded with annother no less honorable to Kinge John (Ifor humilitye in such Greatenes is more glorie then tbej'r glorie). " When the Kinge, haveinge lately lefte Hugh Bishoppe of Lincolne (called ye Saynte, for the oppinion of unfeyned Integritye, though blemished with some Obstinacyes, and surcharged with Legends of feyned Myracles) att London, verye Sicke, where hymselfe with gracious care wente to visitte lym : And both confirmed his Testamente, and promised the like for other Bishoppes after. " Heareinge that he was dead, and his corpse then a bringeinge into the Gates of Lincolne, He, with all the Princely Trayne, wente forth to meete it. " The three Kings (though the Scottishe Kinge was to departe that very daye) with theyr Royal Alleyes, carryed the corpse on those Showlders, that are accustomed to upphoulde the weighte of whole kingedomes. " From whome the greate Pceres received the same and bare it to the Churche Porche, whenne Three Arche Bishoppes and the Bishoppe conveyed it to the Quier. Lyeinge open-faced, Mytered, and in all Pontificall orna- ments, with Gloves on his handes and a Ringe on his finger, was Interred with all Sollemnitj-es annswerable. " The kinges above mentioned, were John, kinge of Englande, William, kinge of Scottlande, and the kinge of Sowth Wales. " The Arche Bishoppes then p'sente were. The Arche Bishoppe of Canterburye, of Dubline, of Ragusa, with thirtcene Bishoppes and a multi- tude of Englishe, Scottishe, ffrcnche and Irishe Princes and Pceres. " A moste rare presidonte and harde to be seconded. That a Souraigne Kinge shoulde so gratoly honour his subiects ffuneralls, beingc the last Office of Pietye." This remarkable instance of Poyal consideration and respect towards that cnjinoiit prelate is rchited by Matthi^w ['aris and ITovcdcn.on whose authority.