[451] At p. 39 of the said MS. volume, speaking of the people of Lynn, the writer says, “John de Grey, bishop of Norwich, was their great friend and benefactor: in 1207 he gave king John a palfrey, in order to have Duplicates of the Charter which he had obtained for his town of Lynn, it being owing to this bishop that Lynn ever had a charter, as the original one of king John now in the custody of that corporation testifies: the whole, or chief liberties of that town being before that time in the bishop.” [De Grey confirmed the royal charter against his own successors.]
[453] St. Nicholas and St. James.
[454a] Skivins, Skivini, or Scabini, were the custodes, guardians, governors, or stewards.
[454b] Mr. Day’s MS. volume, 48, and Parkin, 148.
[455a] A sextary was an ancient measure, said to be a pint and half, but it appears here, from the price &c. to be much more, and was four gallons.
[455b] Four Gallons of Wine sold then for 10d.
[455c] The word obliterated was probably serta, a coronet [or chaplet.]
[455d] The skivins were four in number, as appears from a deed of Thomas bp. of Ely in the 25th of Henry VI. Simon Pigot, Richard Cosyn, Thomas Benet, and William Pilton, then called therein, custodes sive scabins, &c. They served, as I take it, in all, two years, the seniors going off yearly, when two others were chosen &c. they had the charge &c. as appears, of the goods and effects of the guild.—Parkin.
[457] Ante palmatam. Hence we may perceive the old custom of shaking hands at an agreement or bargain. [Striking hands is still customary in some places in making bargains; the buyer holds his hand open, and the seller strikes it with open hand; whence they are said to have struck a bargain.]
[459a] Psalm 116.