[This custom is observed in many of the London churches.—Ed.]
O'Brien of Thosmond.—In the Calendar of Inquisitions post mortem, there appears one taken on the death of Alicia, wife of Nicholas Thosmound, in the second year of King Henry IV. The estates were in Somersetshire. From the appearance of this name, I suspect it is not an English one; but rather an old form of spelling the name of the province of Tothmound or Thomond (South Munster), Ireland; and that this Nicholas was an O'Brien, who called himself from his family's principality, for it was not uncommon in England formerly to take names from estates. Perhaps some of your correspondents having access to the Inquisition would ascertain more on the subject, and give it to the public. The name of Nicholas O'Brien occurs in the Irish rolls of Chancery about that very period.
A. B.
Order of St. David of Wales.—In the reign of Queen Elizabeth there was an order of knighthood—the Order of St. David of Wales. When was that Order created? Who was the first knight? Who was the last knight? What prelate was the chaplain to the Order? Why was it dissolved? Why is it not revived again? We have several Welsh peers, noblemen, knights; four bishops, men of science and learning, Welshmen. I hope the good Queen Victoria will revive this ancient order of knighthood, and the Prince of Wales be created the first knight. The emblem of Wales is a red dragon.
Can any of your readers give an account of this ancient order? Some years ago there were several letters in The Times, and other papers, respecting it and the Welsh motto. Wales should have its knight as well as Ireland, Scotland, and England.
W.
Warple-way.—The manor of Richmond, in Surrey, has been the property of the crown for many hundred years, I may say from time
immemorial: and in all the old records and plans, the green roads are called "warple-ways." Some of the old plans are marked "worple way," some "warple way " Can any of your readers tell me the derivation and meaning of the word, and refer me to an authority?
Wm. Smythe.
Purlet.—Nelson, and the subsequent historians of Islington, relate a marvellous story on the authority of Purlet de Mir. Nat. x. c. iv.: