letter to the Knights Commanders, "I have it in command to inform you, that the fees in your Knighthood are not to be defrayed by you," is remarkable for the omission of the name of the person by whom those commands were given, and no less so from the fact, that those fees have never yet been paid by any one, though we are persuaded that the numerous individuals, among whom they ought to be shared, might recover the amount by legal process, from every officer who has received the distinction.

There is a passage in the latter part of Sir George Nayler's letter, which is too amusing to be suffered to pass unnoticed. The new Knight Commander is requested to furnish" a sketch or impression of the armorial ensigns used by you, in order that I may cause the banner and plate of your arms to be prepared and placed in Westminster Abbey ;" to which the writer signs himself, "York Herald Genealogist of the Order of the Bath;" the first of which titles does not occur in his letter to the Companions. From the passage we have extracted, the Knights Commanders must have imagined that, after furnishing the sketches of their arms, and paying the fees, they would hear no further on the subject; but Sir George Nayler was, as he took care to inform them, a Herald as well as Genealogist of the Order of the Bath, and he could not therefore presume to place armorial bearings on a banner, without first seeing that the arms thus used were, in the technical phrase, “good," or, in other words, that they really belonged to the individuals who had assumed them. How very few coats, thus submitted to him, bore that investigation as satisfactorily to the wearers as to the " as to the "Genealogist of the Order," every one conversant with the usage of arms in the nineteenth century can easily imagine; and hence arose inquiries, grants, and continuations of pedigrees innumerable, all enriching the worthy Genealogist of the Order, but reducing the chevalier to the state of Esop's crow. The poor Knight Commander had, however, no choice: arms he must have, or he would be deprived of the proud honour of seeing his banner in Westminster Abbey. Arms, then, he obtained in the quickest manner possible, by paying the expenses of a grant, deeming himself happy to escape from the miseries of a genealogical investigation at the sacrifice of 70l. This done, the object of his inquisitors was accomplished: the money was paid; and, to this hour, the banner has never been suspended! In the long interval of twelve years, a great many of those officers have died, having thus spent their money fruitlessly. If we were speaking

by the unfounded pretensions of two individuals, or act in conformity to the authority of the latest and most important of the statutes enacted for the government of the Order. Signed (by Order of Chapter), "R. BIGLAND, NORROY AND REGISTER."

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66

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of any other men, we would ask, why, when such extreme care was taken that the Knights Commanders should not pay the fees of knighthood, some means were not devised for saving the purses of the Knights from any claims they might themselves be able to create ?

We have at length performed the disagreeable task of exposing the effects which ignorance and avarice have produced with respect to the Order of the Bath. After alluding to an extraordinary report, which we have heard from good authority, that the officers who have lately been nominated Companions have been told that their badges cannot be given to them until some of the present Companions die, as no more crosses are allowed to be made-a statement almost incredible, and which we are sure need only be thus brought to the attention of government to be instantly inquired into-we turn with pleasure to the fact, that the office of Great Master of the Order has just been conferred upon his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence, whose zeal and ability will, we are persuaded, be immediately directed to reform the Order; to remove its abuses; to render its statutes consistent with common sense; and to cause the objects for which its members have paid their money to be forthwith accomplished.

So convinced are we that the new Great Master will direct his energies to this subject, that we shall refrain from presuming to point out any mode of reforming the Order; because we are aware that, however eligible our suggestions might be deemed, the fact of their being thus publicly submitted would prevent their adoption. We shall, therefore, conclude with respectfully reminding his Royal Highness, that, as the "Rules and Regulations" mentioned in the Gazette of 1815 have not yet appeared, the means are afforded him of effecting whatever changes he may think it necessary to recommend to his Majesty ; and that, as his appointment of Great Master has, according to the original statutes, vested in him the nomination of all the officers of the Order, we confidently rely on his disinterestedness and impartiality, that he will be influenced in his selection of the persons to fill up whatever vacancies may occur, by no other consideration than a regard to the ability which the candidates may possess for the proper discharge of the duties belonging to the situation. If, however, it is not in the Great Master's power to remedy all the recent anomalies, yet he may stop the system of receiving fees without a prospect of the attainment of the objects for which they are paid; and we only entreat his Royal Highness not to be influenced by the persons whose conduct is complained of, to put confidence in their opinions, or to trust to their suggestions. We have proved their incompetency, even if they be acquitted of a

heavier charge; and it remains alone for his Royal Highness, whose fearless and indefatigable exertions with respect to every part of the duties of Lord High Admiral are a guarantee that, in his office of Great Master of the Order of the Bath, his Royal Highness will be equally vigilant, to restore it to the consideration to which it is entitled in this and all other countries.

TRAVELLING EXPENSES IN THE THIRTEENTH CENTURY.

[Concluded from p. 276.]

Md. qd Phil's de Casto recepi de Dño die Ven'is p'x. añ Sci G'gorii Pape xxvis. viii d. unde lib'at' Dño x s. p' div'sis negosiis & lib't' diam Marcam ad unam Ceriaunt. in eccla Sce Paule. It'm Recepit de Dño xx s. viii d. die M'curii p'xa p's festu Sce G'gorii Pape.

Itm die Jovis p'x. añ festu Sce G'gorii Pape in exp'ns' in pane vii d. s'visia viii d. ob. vinu ii d. ob. coquina de stauro p't' in alio Rotulo. Eodem die ad ientakilū in Bredstret q'ndo D'ns Nicola de Bonevile et Phl's Colonuber & multi alii de domo D'ni Will'mi Martin fueru ibi afeur de Marchaunt ixx d. ibidem in vino id. q. in datis et pomis iid. in passagio versus Westmiist'ium et r'to ii d. ob. q. in candelis et vino ago 3 id. in feno ii d. in avenis vid. in focalibz ob. in uno lectu ad Joh'em Perot & Standdard id. in sotularibz Phl'i de Casto vid.

Sm iiii s. xi d. ob.

Memorandum, that Philip de Castro received of his Lord, on the Friday next before St. Gregory the Pope, 26s. 8d., of which he delivered to his lord 10s. for different affairs, and half a mark to a Serjeant in the church of St. Paul. Also received of the Lord 20s. 8d., on Wednesday next after the feast of St. Gregory the Pope.

Item, Thursday next before the feast of St. Gregory the Pope, in expenses. Bread 7d. Beer 84d. Wine 24d. The meat supplied from the store, particulars in another roll. On the same day, at breakfast, in Breadstrete,4 when Sir Nicholas de Bonevile, and Philip Columbers, and many others of the household of Sir William Martin, were there, 19d. At the same place, Wine 14d. Dates and apples 2d. Going to Westminster and back 23d. Candles and vinegar 1d. Hay 2d. Oats 6d. Fuel 4d. A bed for John Perot and Standdard Id. Shoes for Philip de Castro 6d.

Sum, 4s. 114d.

This fee to the Serjeant shows on what account such frequent visits were made to Westminster. We shall find that a second 6s. 8d. was given him.

2 The Columbers family were barons of the realm, Stowey in Somersetshire being the head of their barony. There were several of the name of Philip: but the notice of this Sir Philip Columbers being of the household of Sir William Martin, guides us to the latest of the name mentioned by Dugdale, who married a daughter of Sir William Martin. Dugdale's account of him is that he was aged 24 at the death of his father, 34 Edward I.; that, in 13 Edward III., he was associated with Hugh de Courtenay, Earl of Devon, in guarding the coast of Hants; that he had summons to parliament from 8 Edward II. to 15 Edward III., and died in the 16 Edward III., leaving Stephen de Columbers, his brother and heir, then aged 40.

3 Vinum agasatum, Vinegar. Ducange.

It plainly appears from this article, what may be presumed from the frequent mention of Bread-street in these accompts, that the party were living there while in London. In the time of Stowe, it was famous for the number of inns: "Bred Streete is now wholly inhabited by rich marchants, and divers faire inns bee there, for good receipt of carriers and other travellers to the city." London, 4to. p. 348. It seems as if the inns had degenerated between the thirteenth and the sixteenth centuries.

Skinner says it was a sweet wine, and supposed to be so called, quasi Veronaccia ab agro Veronensi in quo optimum ex hoc genere vinum crescit. See more respecting the word in Ducange.

Both rape-oil and olive-oil were used in ancient cookery, as appears by the provision bought for Archbishop Warham's dinner. Lel. Col. vi. 31.

It'm die Mart' in castino Sci G'gorii in expñs' in pane ii d. s'visia s'visia v d. ob. in aliciebz id. cũ pisse de stauro. It'm eode die apud Westminst'iu qando Dñs Nicolaus de Bonevile et multi alii de domo Comitis Penbochie1 fuerut ibide ad ientakilu in pane vd. vinũ xiii d. ob. q. in stocfeys ii d. in salmone x d. in angguillis et laump's vid. in welkeys id. eodem die in Bredstret. in pane ob. in vino ii d. ob. in dat' id. It'm in vino in Loumbardis stret ii d. ob. In paup’ibz ob. in ii. speculis id. in feno p' iiii. equoru iiii d. In ii. bous. avenaru viii d. in candelis ob.

Sma v s. vid. ob. q.

2

It'm die M'curii p'xa in expñs' in pane iii d. s'visia iii d. vinu ii d. ob. In stocfeys ii d. in aliciebz ii d. in plays i d. in congo iii d. in welkeys ii d. eodem die apud Westminist'iu in ging'e counfeyt id. In vino id. q. Ha vue Seriaunt vis. viii d. 3 in feno v d. ob. p'iiij. equorū in ii. bous. avenarū viii d. in vino in Bredstret iid. ob. qñdo Dñs Joh'es de Hattue fuit ibi. in candelis ob.

Sma ix s. ix d. q.

It'm die Jovis p'xa in expñs' in pane viii d. s'visia vid. ob. et unus lagenus vini de exennio Rectori de Egliscouin in aliciebz ii d. stocfeys de stauro. It'm in Ray empt. i d. ob. in salmone et cong"o et wekeys vid. eodem die Vriddeys stret in ginger' counfeyt et sucre en plate iiii d. in vino ibidem iii d. ob. q. in candelis ob. in focalibz i d. in feno iii d. q. in ii. bous. avenarū viii d. In sigillo Phl'i de Casto xii d. de dono Dni. in uno conife empt. Dño id. in uno bouydekeyn empt. ob. Sm3 iiii s. x d.

Item, Tuesday, the morrow of St. Gregory the Pope, in expenses. Bread 2d. Beer 54d. Herrings Id., with fish from store. Also, the same day, at Westminster, when Sir Nicholas de Bonvile, and many others of the household of the Earl of Pembroke, were there to breakfast. Bread 5d. Wine 133d. Stockfish 2d. Salmon, 10d. Eels and lamprouns 6d. Whelks 1d. On the same day, in Bread-street. Bread d. Wine 24d. Dates ld. Also wine in Lombard-street, 24d. To the poor d. 2 Glasses 1d. Hay for 4 horses 4d. Candles d. Sum, 5s. 64d.

2 Bushels of oats 8d.

Item, on Thursday next, in expenses. Bread 8d. Beer 6. A gallon of wine of the gift of the rector of Egliscovin. Herrings 2d. Stockfish from the store. Ray 4 bought 14d. Salmon and conger and whelks 6d. On the same day, in Friday-street, in ginger-comfets, and sugar in plate 4d. Wine there 34d. Candles d. Fuel 1d. Hay 34d. 2 Bushels of oats 8d. A seal for Philip de Castro, of the gift of his Lord 12d. A knife bought for his Lord 1d. A bodkin bought d.

Sum, 4s. 10d.

William de Valence, half-brother to King Henry III., created Earl of Pembroke 1247, died 1296; as may be inferred from the time of the death of Sir Nicholas de Bonvile, which is shown by Dugdale to have been in 23 Edward I., 1295. See Baronage, ii. 236.

2 This word is not in Ducange in any sense which will suit the passage, except perhaps his third sense, Speculum Puerorum, a book so called. It is more probable, however, that it is here used for glasses or mirrors, though the price is very small. 3 A second fee to the serjeant mentioned before.

4 There is a species of cloth called Ray, but here it seems to denote a kind of fish. Reyes occur in the third course at the dinner of Archbishop Nevil, and are placed between peacock and rabbits. Two hundred of them were provided. See Godwin, p. 65. who adds, "quid sit non conjicio."