Item 26th. The visitor herein severely reprimands the canons for appearing publicly in what would be called in the universities an unstatutable manner, and for wearing of boots, “caligæ de Burneto, et sotularium———in ocrearum loco, ad modum sotularium.”*
It is remarkable that the bishop expresses more warmth against this than any other irregularity; and strictly enjoins them, under pain of ecclesiastical censures, and even imprisonment if necessary (a threat not made use of before), for the future to wear boots, “ocreis seu botis,” according to the regular usage of their ancient order.
Item 29th. He here again, but with less earnestness, forbids them foppish ornaments, and the affectation of appearing like beaux with garments edged with costly furs, with fringed gloves, and silken girdles trimmed with gold and silver. It is remarkable that no punishment is annexed to this injunction.
Item 31st. He here singly and severally forbids each canon not admitted to a cure of souls to administer extreme unction, or the sacrament, to clergy or laity; or to perform the service of matrimony, till he has taken out the license of the parish priest.
Item 32nd. The bishop says in this item that he had observed and found, in his several visitations, that the sacramental plate and cloths of the altar, surplices, etc., were sometimes left in such an uncleanly and disgusting condition as to make the beholders shudder with horror:—“Quod aliquibus sunt horrori:”† he
tismo compater fuit, appellat, cyphum aureum et quadraginta libras, legavit.—Archbishop Parker de Antiquitate Eccles. Brit. speaking of Archbishop Morton.
* De Fresne is copious on caligæ of several sorts, Hoc item de Clericis, presertim beneficiatis: caligis scacatis (chequered) rubeis, et viridibus publice utentibus dicimus esse censendum.—Statut. Eccles. Tutel. The chequered boots seem to be the highland plaid stockings.—Burnetum, i.e. Brunetum, pannus non ex lanâ nativi coloris confectus.—Sotularium, i.e., subtalaris, quia sub talo est. Peculium genus, quibus maxime Monachi nocte utebantur in æstate; in hyeme vero Soccis.
This writer gives many quotations concerning Sotularia, which were not to be made too shapely; nor were the caligæ to be laced on too nicely.
† Men abhorred the offering of the Lord.—I Sam. ii. 17. Strange as this account may appear to modern delicacy, the author, when first in orders,
