[138] The family employed carvers about this time for their houses and elaborate mantelpieces.
[139] This was removed from Baisbrowne, and is now at Water Park, Coniston.
[140] Old church plate of the Diocese of Carlisle.
[141] See Fullers and Freeholders.
[142] Is it possible that this custom may be referred to the ancient one of the Anglo-Saxon race which thrice in the year enforced the attendance of the markmen, unbidden, at a great religious rite, for which the sacrifices were provided at the cost of the whole district? See Kemble's Saxons in England.
[143] About 1634 George Methwen, curate of Bamburgh, was summoned before the Court of High Commission for drunkenness and other misdemeanors, in the evidence this appears: "At Easter gone twelve monethes at Easter last, examinate (the witness) did receive the Holie Communion, and Methwen, when he did distribute the wine, did holde the same in his owne hand and would not deliver it into examinate's handes for to drinke, as he thinketh he ought to have done; for examinate in regard to his holdinge on it in that manner, could scarcelie taste of the wine. Methwen did serve some others at that time in the like manner, whoe tooke offence thereat."—History of Northumberland.
It is possible, of course, that not all the wine was drunk, but passed to an official as a perquisite. See Cox's Parish Registers of England, p. 227.
[144] 7 Ed. VI., 1553. See Transactions, Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian Society, vols. 6 and 14.
[145] Church Bells of Cockermouth. Translations, vol. 14, p. 295.
[146] Bells of England, J. J. Raven, p. 190.