84. ORIGINAL DOCUilENTS.

The Bishop of Winchester was a frequent recipient of presents from tlie College. Possibly the countenance and protection of so powerful a prelate as Henry Beaufort was of great service to the foundation of his munificent predecessor ; and he seems to have felt an extraordinary degree of interest in its welfare, and to have befriended and supported it with all his influence. It is clear that he maintained the most friendly intercourse with the College, which was acknowledged by liberal presents. Charges very frequently occur for the purchase of dainties for the Bishop's table while he sojourned at Wolvesey. Fish, salted and fresh, meat, fowls, fruits, and preserves, all procured at a great expense by means of special messengers from the markets which were in best repute for any particular article ;^ while the most sedulous attention seems to have been given to ascertain what delicacies would be most acceptable to the Bishop. Occasionally his cook, John Rymayn, is consulted on this point, and he has a fee for his advice. On one occasion the Bishop is presented with hunting gear, the cost of which is found in the undated roll of t. Henry V. The items are as follows : — In XII arcubus enipt. apud London, mense Maio pro duo Epo' Wynton, et familia sua, ad dandum inter eosdem temp, venationis in diversis parcis suis coraitatus Suthamptonife, xxii * viii ^. In vi duodenis sagittarum pennis pavonum et aliarum volucrum pennatis, emptis eodem tempore pro di'io Epo', xviii ^ ii ^. In vi duodenis capitum barbillatorum, emptorum pro dictis sagittis eodem tempore, viii ^ viii*^. In uno Wardebras argenteo et deaurato, pendente duas uncias, unum quartron : una cum factura et deauratione ejusdem, xi ^ vi '^. In uno lase serico viridis coloris cum uno knapp de goldwyr, iiii '^. In xii huyres emptis ibidem ad dandum inter clericos suos ibidem eodem tempore, viii ^ vi '^. In cistis et coffyns empt. pro dictis donis emptis London, imponendis et cariandis de London' usque Wynton, xxiii*^. Mention occurs elsewhere of arrows feathered with peacock's plumage, probably esteemed as more choice than common feathers. John Palman, in 1436, bequeaths to his son " j. arcum optimum cum j. sheef arrowys de pecok." Wills and Invent. Surtees Soc. vol. 1, p. 87. Amongst the stores of Bp. Waynflete, at Farnham Castle, 1471, were " sagittse magnae barbata) cum pennis pavonum." Lydgate mentions such arrows, Chron. of Troy, B. iii., C. 22. The green silk lace, with a knop of gold wire, was possibly the "arrow girdle," by which arrows were carried at the left side. The Bishop's silver-gilt " wardebras," the gardebras, or bracer, to protect the left arm, was of singularly costly material. Its form is well shown by a drawing in the Louterell Psalter, copied in Vetusta Monum. vol. vi., pi. 24. These items recall Chaucer's description of the Squire's " Yeman :"— " A shefe of peacock arwes bright and kene, Under his belt lie bare ful tliriftily ; Upou his arme he bare a gaie bracer." Prologue, Canterbury Tales, v. 104. The prelate's clerici received some kind of cap as a gratification on this occasion. The term " huyre " is of uncommon occurrence. A Petition of the Commons, 22 Edw. IV., 1 482, may be found in the llolls of ' Ex.gr. salted lamprej-.s, and salmon, Salisbury. Horses for the use of the were procured from Gloucester ; perch College were purchased at the fair of and tench from Oxford j crabs from Amesbury.