Page:Devon and Cornwall Queries Vol 9 1917.djvu/303

This page needs to be proofread.
Devon and Cornwall Notes and Queries.
239

the stone is also gone from the top edge, especially at the right-hand corner. It will be seen that the lion is only just in, while at the other end there is a village and a windmill above the lion's head. The stone on the left measures thirty-one inches in depth, on the right twenty-six, so the top edge is on a decided slant. The length of the carving is ninety-one inches.

It is not known how it got so damaged, nor through what vicissitudes it has passed. The summer-house, where it now is, seems to have been built on purpose to take it, as it fills the entire width of the back wall, and it may reasonably be assumed it is safe for the future.

My thanks are due to the Rector of Bickleigh and to Mrs. Carew, who most cordially gave me every facility, and allowed me to stay as long as I liked taking the photograph and studying the design. In the preparation of the paper I have been helped by Mrs. Lega-Weekes, Miss Beatrix Cresswell and Mr. Tapley-Soper, and I gratefully thank them all. Kate M. Clarke.

195. Early Churchwardens' Account, St. Mary Major (IX., p. 220, par. 187.)—In my translation of the entry "It iiij lb. de parschcandel empt' ꝑ matutin' dicend' in festivis diebꝫ tempe yemali vjd." I have interpreted "parschcandel" by the familiar term "Paschal candle," but I have become uneasy in mind on the point since, considering the low price of this candle—11/2d. per lb. as compared with vd. per lb. for the wax bought in readiness for Easter. This and the practical purpose for which it was destined ("for saying Mattins on feast-days in winter time") suggests that its material was tallow, which was permitted for lighting the church, though only wax might be used on the altar or for ceremonial purposes.

In Dr. Cox's book, Churchwardens' Accounts (pp. 167-8), are the analogous items: . . . "for Candyll for burning in the lanteryn on Wynter mornings in the body of the Churche xd." . . . "for a ii off talow candelle one crystemas day in the mornyng ijd."

Perhaps, then, the word in question was intended for Parish candle. Can any reader supply instances of such a term? E. Lega-Weekes.