Gents Mag 1841 part 1 p.603

Gents Mag 1841 part 1 p.603




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	Gentleman's Magazine 1841 part 1 p.603 Islington, April 8. MR. URBAN, THE following observations on the custom of setting up the Royal arms in churches, may serve as a reply to the question of your correspondent CLERICUS (Minor Corr,. April 1841). Dr. Burn, having mentioned the great Bible, and book of Common Prayer, the font, communion table, pulpit, and chest for alms, with other things required by the Canons and Rubric, says, "Besides what hath been observed in particular, there are many other articles for which no provision is made by any special law, and must therefore be refered to the general power of the churchwardens, with the consent of the major part of the parishioners as aforesaid, and under the direction of the ordinary; such as the erecting of galleries, adding new bells ... organs, clocks, chimes, King's arms, ... and such like." Eccl. Law, 1824, I. 374. Amongst the records at Lambeth (Chartae Misc. tom. ii. No.13.) is a curious document, of which I send a transcript. It seems to confirm the opinion, that the practice under consideration is not required by law, but only observed from custom. It is a grant from Abp. Abbot, to one John Sergent, to paint the King's arms, &c. together with a prayer for the King, in all the churches within the province of Canterbury. The custom does not seem to be mentioned by Fuller, Collier, Sparrow, Strype, Burnet, or Cardwell, nor have I ever seen any allusion to it in articles of inquiry or visitations. Yours, Amp;c. HENRY GOUGH. To all Christian people to whome this preasant wrightinge shall come to be read, harde, or understood, George by God's providence Archbishop of Cant. Primate and Metrapolitan of all England (*within the province of Cant.) sendeth greetinge in o^r Lorde God Everlastinge. Forasmuche as we, understandinge that greate deformytie appeareth in divers Churches and Chappells w^thin this his Ma^ties Realme of England (and o^r province of Cant.) they beinge verie negligently kepte, And not in such decent manner as they oughte to be, And for that in o^r late Soveraignes Raigne of famous memorie we have observed that her Ma^ties Armes weare aptlie placed in all or moste part of the Churches and Chappells w^thin this saide Realme, (and o^r province) And for that o^r Soveraigne Lord and Kinge James hath in like manner moste zealouslye and constantlie declared his princley care, providence, and protection of God's Church, And the true and Christian Religion established amongest us. Knowe ye that we have lycenced, and by these preasants doe lycence and aucthorise, o^r wellbeloved in Christe John Sergent of Hytchen in the Countie of Hertford Paynter stayner, to Survey and paynte in all the Churches and Chappells wo^thin this Realme of England (w^thin o^r province) the Kinges Ma^ties Armes in due forme w^th helme crest mantell and supporters as they oughte to be, together w^th the Noble younge princes, And to wright in fayre text letters the tenn Commaundements the beliefe and the Lords prayer w^th some other fruitefull and profitable sentences of holye scrypture, And prayer for his most excellent ma^tie as to hym is Directed, w^th the advise of the mynister of suche Churces and Chappells where he shalbe so employed, as may serve for the better ornament of the same, And for the edifyeing and instrucc'on of all Christian people useinge and resortinge unto them, whose skyll experience and understandinge in
	* These words, and the others within parentheses, are interlined in paler ink.

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