Mr. George Browne possesses a copy of a document drawn up in 1629, after there had been contention, which gives the order of seating in Troutbeck Chapel. As this has not been printed, it may be briefly summarized here. A plan accompanies the paper. The general order was, for the men to be seated round the chancel, and upon a certain number of the front benches on the north side, which was free. The women were behind the men, five being placed on each form. They paid for their seats, at a diminishing rate from the front, the price starting at 20d.—one-eighth of a mark. The plan gives the place of every townswoman, and it is expressly stated that if there be a young wife in the family as well as an old one, she is to take her place on another form.
[129] For the custom of Easter offerings, see Canon Simmons' Notes to The Lay Folks' Mass Book, pp. 239-241.
[130] Boke off Recorde of Kirkbie Kendal.
[131] English Church Furniture, Cox and Harvey.
[132] An unusual catechism, printed in the Rev. E. J. Nurse's History, may be seen in the parish church of Windermere.
[133] So important was this scheme of decoration considered, that in the reign of Charles II. the Archbishop of Canterbury gave a commission to his "well-beloved in Christ," a craftsman who belonged to the "Art and mysterie of Paynterstayners of London" to carry it out in all those churches of his province where it was found wanting.—English Church Furniture.
[134] This is somewhat inexplicable unless the copyist, who has a late hand, has mistaken Howhead (in Ambleside) for Hawkshead. And the last figure in the account should be £1 18s.
[135] Mediæval Services in England. Chr. Wordsworth. Tradition from Edward Wilson.
[136] Rydal Hall MSS.
[137] The churchyard wall at Milburn, Westmorland, is still divided for purposes of repair amongst certain inhabitants and property-owners, who speak of their share as dolts (Old Norse deild, a share, from deila, to divide). Transactions, Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian Society, vol. 9, p. 297.