OEIGINAL DOCUMENTS. 67

Suffolk, have attracted frequent notice of late ; and many members of the Institute will call to mind the beautiful series of drawings by Mrs. Gunn, exhibited at the Norwich meeting by the kindness of Mr. Dawson Turner. These interesting examples of medieval art have usually been regarded as of Flemish execution, partaking much of the character of design displayed in the works of that country. 13y the Mettingham accounts, it appears that considerable works of reconstruction or renovation were in progress in the collegiate chapel towards the close of the reign of Henry IV. : the roof of the choir, at the chapel previously used before removal from Norton, was taken down, and transported to Mettingham. The tower [crnnijanile) was sold to the Vicar of Norton, who paid by instalments. The febric expenses ran over several successive years ; amongst them appear new stalls, the painting of the roof, and interior decorations : for the constiniction of the former, it was thought expedient to despatch one of the chaplains, accom- [)anied by the principal carpenter, to visit Lynn and Castleacre in quest of a good model — " ad vidcndum stalla ibidem : " they were constructed accordingly in 1418 — 14. At the same time, various images were pro- vided. Thomas of Yarmouth received GG-s. Hd. for making those of the twelve Apostles, for which twelve " edificia " * had been prepared, at a cost of more than six pounds. The same artificer at Yarmouth, who appears to have been a carver and painter, an imayier, received also forty pence for making a " wodwyse," a figure of a woodwose or savage man, sometimes written woodhouse. The cause of placing such a figure in a chapel is not explained ; they were very frequently introduced in decorations of houses, fiurniture, or costume, at the same age. About this time an image of the Virgin was sculptured, for which the wood appears to have been provided by Sir William Argentein ; and Thomas Barsham, of Yar- mouth, before named, called also "Thomas de Jememuta,"^ received in several payments for maldng and painting two images with tabernacles, and a " tabula " for the high altar, not less than 37Z. 4s. 8d. In 1416-17, the works having advanced slowly, apjjarently according to the funds which might be rendered available in so small an establishment, the collegiate chui'ch was dedicated by the Bishop of Norwich, (John Wakeryng,) who received 40s., and the prelate's three attendants (servientes) received 4s. 4d. Two new altars were made and dedicated in the following year by the suffragan of the bishop, who received Gs. 2d. on the occasion ; and the roof of the church was decorated with painting, on account of which Edmund of Bradwelle, "peyntour," rceived IM. Gs. (jd. These works completed, the construction of a cloister was undertaken. The productions of Thomas of Yarmouth, which served to decorate the church of Metthigham, have unfortunately perished ; but thei'e can be little doubt that some of the interesting specimens of ancient art in Norfolk and the neighbourhood of Yarmouth, of which Mr. Dawson Turner has collected so rich an assemblage of representations, were the work of this Thomas Barsham " de Jernomuta." The most burdensome expense in the erection of chui'ches or other works, '^ This term seems to be equivalent to These were sometimes used for joining Avood- " housing," used in tlie s.iiue sense in the work, or here possibly for painting. Reginald Beaucliiuiip Contract, t. Hen. VI. The term Wythe received, in. 1418-1;), "pro 50 of more fretiuent use is tabernacle. soundys pissiuni, 2d. 'Thomas Bai'sham supplied sounds of fisli.