EARL OF HEREFORD AND ESSEX. 345

evidently an object rare and Iiiglily prized. Amongst the valuable efi'ects of Henry V., according to the inventory taken A.D. 1423, are enumerated a musk-ball of gold, weighing eleven omices, and another of silver-gilt. At a later period the pomander was very commonly worn as the pendant of a lady's girdle : a receipt for compounding it may be found in the "Treasury of Commodious Conceits," 15S(P'. The peres de Eagle were the stones called a3tites, supposed to be found in the nest of the eagle, to which various medicinal and talis- manic propei'ties were attributed, especially during cliild-birth. The wooden table " painted for an altar" among the effects of Alianore de Bohun is worthy of remark: it formed a part of the moveable cha})el-furiiiture {capella) which persons of rank took with them on their journeys, or used when through infirmity, the badness of roads, or some other cause valid in those days, they were prevented from attending public worship. Licenses to use such portable altars are of frequent occurrence on the older episcopal registers ^ I am not cognisant of an earlier mention of coral than that which occurs in this in- ventory ; the Paternoster of coral with gilded (jaudeez % which belonged to Margaret de Bohun, and the three branches of coral which Alianore possessed, are the instances to which I refer. The library of the carl of Hereford consisted of only one secular volume, but one that was in great repute in his age ; the book which the fabulous king Boctus caused to be written on all the sciences by the equally fabulous Sydrac. The collection of books for the service of the chapel ofDenney is very comjjletc, and among other furniture there may be noticed the cloths for covering the lettern or lectron. In conclusion I Avould observe, that the portions of the In- ventory which are omitted, enumerate merely rings, brooches, and other articles of jcAvellery and plate, which, although they shew the wealth of the Bohun family, are conunon to similar documents as well of earlier as of later date. T. H. TURNER. "> See Privy Purse expenses of the Prill- » The hirger heads. One of the same cess Mary, edited by Sir F. Madden. The material is named in tlie will of Eleanor derivation of the word pomander is noticed de Boliim, duclicss of Glou;-ester, in 1399. by Minshcu and Skinner. Elyot renders Printed by Verard in IJSO. See also diapasnia, " a swete perfume or j)omeam- Les Manuscrits Franfois de la Biblio- bre.' Librarie. 1-542. theque du Roi, par Paulin Paris, vi. p. 1 1. ' They are very numerous in the rejiis- There are several MSS. of this work in tors at York. the Briiisli Museum.