From another circumstance incidentally mentioned in this collection, it would seem that the art of knitting stockings was much sooner introduced into Britain than is generally imagined for, in the song by Sir Thybbot Gorges, in the entrelude of Ella, mention is thus made of it:

"As Elynour bie the green lesselle was syttynge, As from the sone's heat she harried,

She sayde, as her whyte honds whyte hozen was knyttynge, Whatte pleasure ytt ys to be married!" &c. 208.

Now, although some will conclude that this is a plain proof of the forgery of these poems, because it mentions an art as common, which was only introduced into Britain in the days of Elizabeth; yet I would by no means draw the same inference, but would rather be induced to search with greater attention, to try to discover, by other means, if this art was then known in England: for, although the discovery of the art of knitting stockings in Britain is marked by the author of the History of Commerce about the year 1561, when Queen Elizabeth is said to have worn the first pair of hose of this kind; yet it ought to be remarked, that the same author marks the year 1376 as the æra of the introduction of the woollen manufacture into Ireland, and the year 1327 as the time when trades were first incorporated in London. But it has been proved above, from indisputable authority, that the woollen manufacture was established in Ireland, at least above a hundred years prior to the period he assigns to it; and that, at two hundred years before he mentions it, the practice of incorporating trades in London was considered as an old institution. Seeing he is thus mistaken in both these instances, why may he not also be mistaken in the third? I would therefore propose it as an exercise for some of your antiquarian readers, to ascertain whether this art was known in England at the time this poem is said to have been written, the proving or disproving of which will go far towards proving or disproving the authenticity of these poems.

As another praxis of the same kind, I would recommend the following lines from the same poem to their notice, "Eche mornynge I ryse doe I sette mie maydennes, Somme to spynn, somme to curdell, somme bleachynge,' &c. 220;

59

as the last word seems to indicate that the linen manufacture was then carried on to some degree of perfection, though it deserves to be noted that it must have been far short of the woollen. The last was then a public institution,

carried on by the several different artists; weavers, fullers, dyers, &c. the other seems to have been entirely a domestic manufacture, carried on in all its branches in a private family way.

I have thus, Sir, endeavoured to satisfy some of the doubts of your sceptical correspondent. From these remarks it will appear, that the author of the Observations, &c. on National Industry, although he differs very much from the common received opinion with regard to the origin of the woollen manufacture, has done so only in consequence of being better informed, in respect of that particular, than those writers who have hitherto treated of it. Hence, I think, there is reason to conclude that he is probably equally well informed as to the other particulars mentioned by your correspondent, the investigation of which I leave to others.

to

These topics, when fully discussed, will afford pleasure A Candid Inquirer.

1778, August.

LXXXV. Historical Account of the Abbey of Evesham.
MR. URBAN,

HAVING been presented with a curious MS. which was found among the papers of the late learned Oxford antiquary, Mr. Francis Wise, I send it to your valuable Repository, not doubting but it will be readily accepted.

Yours, &c.

A Constant Reader.

A treatise of the Abbey of Evesham, written, as it seemeth, by some one of that house. Transcribed by that learned antiquary Mr. Thomas Talbot, and out of the Latin truly translated.

The Abbey of Evesham was founded Anno Dom. 709, in the time of Pope Constantine I. and in the time of St. Egwin III. Bishop of Worcester, who resigned his bishoprick to Wilfred, and was here ordained the first abbot. Kenredus and Offa, both kings, gave much land to St. Egwin, towards the foundation of this monastery; and, going to Rome with him in the time of his second voyage, both kings took on them the habit of religion. And all this was done Anno Dom. 713, Constantine being then pope.

This was written the 826th year of the foundation of this

monastery, being Anno Dom. 1535; the 26th of Henry VIII. the 22d of Clement Litchfield, abbot of Evesham.

After the death of abbot Egwin, being the 18th abbot after St. Egwin, a certain wicked prince of this country, named Athelmus, obtained of King Edmund, son of King Edward the elder, this abbey; chased the monks, the servants of God, from thence, and settled certain canons in their place. He being deceased, divers men, under sundry kings, with the power of the laity, possessed the monastery: as, one called Nilsius, a greedy devourer of the holy church; and Bishop Ophultius: and so from one power to another, contrary potentates, the state of this abbey was miserably distracted; until St. Ethelwold, by the command of King Edgar, and St. Dunstan, coming hither, made Oswald abbot here, Anno Dom. 960; commending to him the lands and possessions which Athelmus, Christ's adversary, after the death of abbot Egwin, had taken away.

King Edgar departing this life, and Edward his son then reigning, a certain most sinful duke, named Alferas, who ruled with a mighty power this country, expulsing hence the monks again, placed here a few canons, bestowed on them, as it pleased himself, some part of the lands, reserving the rest to his own use. In the end, falling into sickness, and despairing of life, be called unto him a certain monk, named Feodegarus; and after he had conversed with him, gave him this abbey, with so much of the lands thereof as he had.-Abbot Feodegarus coming hither, did but a short time continue here; because, finding the clerks stronger than himself, he could not banish them thence.-Afterwards, one Godwyn, a mighty lord, coming to King Ethelred, gave him 300 marks of gold, upon condition he might have this abbey by the king's gift confirmed to him and his heirs for ever. The king, greedy of gold, granted to him this place. Godwyn, coming hither, subjected to him the priests; and making havock of the abbey's possessions, began to rule as he pleased. But after a little while, the king gave this church to a bishop, called Agelsius; who, within a short time, incurring the king's displeasure, was thrown from the bishoprick, and passing the seas never returned. After this the king gave the same to a certain other bishop, named Athelston; who dying, Adolphus, Bishop of Worcester, got it of the king, and, first depriv ing it of its liberty, subjected it to his jurisdiction. This bishop made Africianus abbot of Evesham; after whose death abbot Alsgarus governed this monastery. But amongst all these passages, the aforesaid Godwyn ever possessed

forty hides of land, so as neither bishops nor abbots could ever have any more than the church-rents; the rest of the living the priest held. Alsgarus leaving this life, Brithenarus, a certain abbot, governed this religious house, who pleaded often against Godwyn before many princes of this country, alleging that he unjustly detained the church's lands; whereupon it was adjudged that he should pay Godwyn so much money as was paid by Godwyn to the king, and so recover, by law, the lands unto his church; which accomplishing willingly, these 40 hides were restored to the abbey. After this, Abbot Athelwynus succeeded in his place; and Athelwynus dying, the fore-cited Godwyn, by his power, invaded again the abbey, and ravened on the lands and possessions. But at the length, King Ethelred ordained Aylesward, a monk of Ramsey-abbey, to be abbot of this monastery, Anno Dom. 1014, which venerable man coming hither, by the assistance of Almighty God and the king, expelled Godwyn and regained all the lands: and after, under King Canutus, his kinsman, was made abbot, and a most holy Bishop of London, 6to. kal. Augusti, A. D. 1044; and, lastly, buried at Ramsey. Mauritius, a monk of this place, succeeded, being elected by King Edward. This reverend man, as well for his learning in the sacred scriptures, as in very many other arts, as singing, writing, goldsmith's work, and such like, was reputed to excel almost all of this country. After a time, this abbot Mauritius, surprised with a grievous infirmity, made choice of one of his monks, named Egelwynus, (a man of approved life, both for the nobility of his blood and learning, in holy humane letters highly esteemed,) to undertake his pastoral office; and therefore sent him, with some of his brethren, (being honourable secular persons,) to King Edward, certifying how he was oppressed by violent sickness, and humbly praying him that he would absolutely commit the monastery to Egelwynus, and make him abbot in his place; which the king advisedly knowing, and condescending to his request, appointed Egelwynus to be abbot, and caused him to be honourably consecrated by Archbishop Aldred; and being ever after dearly beloved by the king and all his barons, was admitted among the king's especial friends, a privy counsellor. Mauritius survived seven years after this; and the same night and hour wherein King Edward passed out of the world, being Idus Januarij, 1065, he also, as it is said, died: and abbot Elgwyn departed this life 14 kal. Martij, A. D. 1077. Walter, a monk of the abbey, called Corasia, was then ordained abbot by King William,

1086, and when he had almost eight years governed the church, he died 14 kal. Februarij, A. D. 1093. This abbot is mentioned in the doomsday-book, in the time of the Conqueror. In his place succeeded Robert, a monk of Gimeges in his time the market of Stow was obtained by Ralph, the king's chancellor. Robert died Anno Dom. 1096. Maurice, a monk of this church, succeeded; died Anno Dom. 1122. Reginald of Gloucester, nephew to Miles Earl of Hereford, followed, and went with him to Rome, in the time of Pope Innocent the second, in pursuit of a cause against Bishop Simon; and died 8 kal. Sept 1149. The next abbot was William de Andevil, a monk of the church of Canterbury. This man, though unarmed, did, with a singular resolution, excommunicate William de Bello Campo, with his accomplices, to their very faces, though armed, when they destroyed the walls of the church-yard, and in time of war made the church's goods their prey; whereupon not one of them departed this life according to christian religion and christian rites. He won, also, courageously, the castle of Bengworth, which was raised at the end of Evesham-bridge, from William de Bello Campo; and razing it down caused a church-yard to be consecrated in the place. He passed out of this life 2 non. Jan. A. D.

1160.

This

After him was Adam Clunacensis de Charitate. man saw more happy times, and in his days the abbey was blest with many benefits; and when he had almost 30 years in all tranquillity governed this church, he closed his life 2 id. Nov. 1191. Roger, surnamed Novicus, succeeded, some time a monk of the church of Canterbury, but for his wickedness thrown there into prison; whence breaking away by flight through the privies, he got his liberty, and lost his house by expulsion, and so remained a monk of no monastery afterwards, no college acknowledging him theirs, nor receiving him. He was by the royal power, as an intruder, promoted to be abbot of Evesham; the convent of the abbey, as far as they could, renouncing him. This abbot shewed himself a man of high mind, and seemed to abound in variety of learning; but in the end, for his tyranny, drunkenness, luxury, and dilapidation of the goods of the abbey, and other enormities, he was deposed by Nicholas, Bishop of Tusentum, being here the bishop's legate upon occasion of business concerning the church of England; and from an abbot became prior of Bengnorth Peaworth, A. D. 1213, the whole convent rejoicing thereat; and after three years, finishing his life he was there buried.