Cagots (Vol. iv., p. 190.).
—In reply to the inquiry of RUSTICUS, I rather imagine the Cagots are the remains of the Paulician "Churches" of Thoulouse Albi and Cahors (Charhagensis) of Maitland's Albigenes and Waldenses, p. 428.; and that the Cretins are no other than credentes (cf. Maitland passim), probably remnants of the same body of heretics.
AJAX.
Is there any resemblance between them and Cretins? Are there any families or races of Cretins ever heard of?
C. B.
The Serpent represented with a human Head (Vol. iv., p. 191.).
—I send you two instances of the serpent being represented with a human head; the first occurs in the Arundel MS. No. 23., in this College, containing the genealogical descent of King Edward IV., and apparently coeval with that sovereign. The other is a beautifully executed sketch of Adam and Eve in a MS., also in this College, of the time of Henry VII., at the commencement of The Genealogy of the Saxon Kings from Adam. They are both female heads, the latter, however, being the entire bust.
THOMAS W. KING (York Herald).
College of Arms.
In the stained glass of the east window in the Lady Chapel, Wells Cathedral (temp. Edw. III.), the serpent, which is entwined round a tree, and holds an apple, has not only the head but the upper half of a human figure. On a scroll is written in uncial letters, "Si comederitis de ligno vitæ eritis sicut Dii scientis bonis et malis;" and in a straight line below the subject, "Arbor cum Serpente."