WATCHING THE SEPULCHRE—DOMINUS FACTOTUM—ROBERT PASSELLEW.
Allow me to offer a query or two respecting which I shall be glad of any information your numerous correspondents may be able to furnish.
1. In Fuller's History of Waltham Abbey, pp. 269. 274., Nichol's edition, 1840, we have the following entries from the churchwarden's accounts:
"Anno 1542, the thirty-fourth of Henry viii. Imprimis. For watching the sepulchre, a groat."
"Item, for watching the sepulchre, eight pence."
The last entry occurs in "Anno 1554, Mariæ primo," but Fuller adds, "though what meant thereby, I know not." Can any satisfactory information be furnished which will explain the custom here alluded to?
2. In the same work, page 278., a passage occurs, which not only explains the meaning of the term factotum, but furnishes matter for another query. The passage is this; speaking of "eminent persons buried" at Waltham Abbey, he says: "we spoil all, if we forget Robert Passellew, who was dominus fac totum in the middle—and fac nihil towards the end—of the reign of Henry III." Some parasites extolled him by allusion to his name, pass-le-eau, (that is "passing the pure water,") the wits of those days thus descanting upon him:
"Est aqua lenis, et est aqua dulcis, et est aqua clara,
Tu præcellis aquam, nam leni lenior es tu,
Dulci dulcior es tu, clara clarior es tu;
Mente quidem lenis, re dulcis, sanguine clarus."
Camden's MSS. Cott. Lib.
The learned Dr. Whitaker, in his History of Whalley, says, that "the word Paslew was of Norman origin (Pass-le-eau), and afforded a subject for some rhyming monkish verses, not devoid of ingenuity, which the curious reader may find in Weever's Funeral Monuments, p. 645;" and a question now arises whether the Passellew mentioned by Fuller belongs to the same family as the "Paslews of Wiswall," alluded to by Dr. Whitaker, one of whom, "John, Abbot of Whalley" was executed for the part he took in the "Pilgrimage of Grace." when it is stated that the Paslews of Wiswall bore "Argent a fess between three mullets Sable pierced of the field, a crescent for difference," probably some of your readers will be able to give some particulars respecting "Robert Passelew," and also identify the families if possible.
T.W.
Burnley, Lancashire, Feb. 23, 1850.