Gents Mag 1751 p.254

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	introduction
	list, 3rd qtr 18th century
	continued from
	Gentleman's Magazine 1751 p.254
inscription   Gemsege's interpretation
	... ... To GEORGE SMITH, Esq; SIR, HAving been long absent on a journey, it was not in my power, till now, to give you my sentiments on the inscription you are pleased to propose in a late Magazine. I lay it down as a rule, that there is no stroke in these short abbreviated inscriptions, which is not of significance, consequently we must in the first place resolve the ligatures; which being done, I take the letters to be, There is an appearance of the Saxon character, particularly in the [G], but as it is well known that letters of that form were in use in the north as late as 1361, (See Mr Drake's Eboracum p.497.) this will be no objection to my referring the inscription to the second century, as you will see I shall do in the sequel; and much less, since you may observe a strong inclination to the more modern form in the [reverse D] and [G] the third and fifth letters. 'Tis uncertain whether I shall give you that satisfaction you seem to expect from me, in the interpretation I am now going to offer of this imperfect legend; but 'tis much at your service, such as it is, with an entire submission to your better judgment, and the voice of the learned. The glazing and painting of windows in our churches being formerly a work attended with great costs and charges, nothing was more common than for benefactions to the fabric of churches and chapels to run in that course. I could multiply examples of this sort, but shall content myself with two authorities, one relating to the south, and the other to the north part of the kingdom. See Somner's Antiq. of Canterb. appendix p.69. Drake's Eboracum p.339, 340, 529. Wherefore observing this epigraph to be in a church window, I conceive the 4 first letters to be the last syllable of the Latin word fenestras, and the inscription to be imperfect at the beginning. If this be so, and the inscription be in the church, and not in the chancel, (which in my opinion would vary the case extremely) I explain it thus; Has fenestras T RAS Galfridus G V D N L reparavit Anno Domini MCL° In English, Geofry Goding repair'd these windows in the year 1150. Two or three particulars in this interpretation you will expect I should account for, which I thus briefly attempt. GVD Paul Gemsege is Samuel Pegge 1704-96.
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