"Paid to Thomas Stockdale, of XXXV ells of cloth for the frunte of the rood-lofte, whereon the commandments be written...."
It appears from this, that the commandments were set up originally in the rood lofts, and not over the altars. But in the succeeding reign of Mary, this cloth, on which the commandments were painted, was turned to a different purpose, for in 1557, we find the following item:
"For making iii serplys of the cloth that hung before the rode loft, written with the commandments, 2s. 0d."
In 1559, the rood was destroyed, and in a barbarous manner, for we find the following items:
"Paid to John Rial for his iii days' work to take down the roode, Mary, and John, 2s. 8d.
"Item. To the same for cleaving and sawing of the rood, Mary, and John, 1s."
In 1561, "Paid to joyners and labourers about the taking down and new reforming of the rood loft, as by a particular book thereof made doth appear, £37. 10s. 2d."
This is the last item which occurs respecting the rood loft of this church.
S. LAWRENCE, READING.
From Coate's History of Reading.