In his ["Vision concerning Pierce Plowman," W. Langland] says—
"Heremites on an heep, wyth hoked staues,
Wenten to Walsyngham, and here wenches after.
Grete lobyes and longe, that loth were to swynke,
Clotheden hem in copis to ben knowen from othere,
And shopen hem heremites; here ese to haue."
Edit. [Skeat, 1869, p. 3.] See also Weever's "Funeral Monuments," p. 131.
336. Hearne, in his Glossary to "Peter Langtoft," p. 544, under the word cross observes that, although the cross and the rood are commonly taken for the same, yet the rood properly signified formerly the image of Christ on the cross, so as to represent both the cross and the figure of our blessed Saviour as he suffered upon it. The roods that were in churches and chapels were placed in shrines, that were styled Rood-lofts. "Rood-loft (saith Blount), a shrine, whereon was placed the cross of Christ. The rood was an image of Christ on the cross, made generally of wood, and erected in a loft for that purpose, just over the passage out of the church into the chancel." But rood-loft sometimes also signifies a shrine, on which was placed the image or relics of a saint, because generally a crucifix, or a cross, used likewise to attend such image or relics.
337. Dagenham, in Essex.
338. Saint Cornelys, according to the "Legenda Aurea," succeeded Fabyan in the Papacy, and was beheaded in the reign of Decian, for refusing to sacrifice in the Temple of Mars. There was a fraternity in his honour at Westminster. See their pardon, "Brit. Top.," I. 772.
339. Weever, in his "Funeral Monuments," p. 172, observes that "the Italians, yea, those that dwell neare Rome, will mocke and scoffe at our English (and other) pilgrims that go to Rome to see the Pope's holinesse and St Peter's chaire, and yet they themselves will runne to see the reliques of Saint Iames of Compostella in the kingdom of Galicia in Spaine, which is above twelve hundred English miles." See also Dr Geddes's "Tracts."
340. Saint Wenefrid's well, near Holywell, in the county of Flint, is a spring which rises at the foot of a steep hill out of a rock, and is formed into a beautiful polygonal well, covered with a rich arch supported by pillars; the roof exquisitely carved in stone; over the fountain is the legend of St Wenefrid on a pendent projection, with the arms of England at the bottom. Numbers of fine ribs secure the arch, whose intersections are coupled with some sculpture. To this place the resort of pilgrims was formerly very great; and, though considerably diminished, there are still to be seen in the summer a few in the water, in deep devotion, up to their chins for hours, sending up their prayers, or performing a number of evolutions round the polygonal well; or threading the arch between well and well a prescribed number of times. The legend of St Wenefrid is well known. Those who desire more information on this subject may be referred to "The Legenda Aurea," Bishop Fleetwood's Works, or Mr Pennant's "Tour in Wales," p. 28.
341. Or Botolph's town, in Lincolnshire, where St Botolph was buried—
"Delicious Wytham leads to holy Botolph's town." —Poly-Olbion, Song xxv.