evidently an object rare and highly prized. Amongst the valuable effects of Henry V., according to the inventory taken A.D. 1423, are enumerated a musk-ball of gold, weighing eleven ounces, and another of silver-gilt. At a later period the pomander was very commonly worn as the pendant of a lady's girdle: a receipt for compounding it may be found in the "Treasury of Commodious Conceits," 1586[1]. The peres de Eagle were the stones called ætites, supposed to be found in the nest of the eagle, to which various medicinal and talismanic properties were attributed, especially during child-birth.
The wooden table "painted for an altar" among the effects of Alianore de Bohun is worthy of remark: it formed a part of the moveable chapel-furniture (capella) which persons of rank took with them on their journeys, or used when through infirmity, the badness of roads, or some other cause valid in those days, they were prevented from attending public worship. Licenses to use such portable altars are of frequent occurrence on the older episcopal registers[2]. I am not cognisant of an earlier mention of coral than that which occurs in this inventory; the Paternoster of coral with gilded gaudeez[3], which belonged to Margaret de Bohun, and the three branches of coral which Alianore possessed, are the instances to which I refer.
The library of the carl of Hereford consisted of only one secular volume, but one that was in great repute in his age; the book which the fabulous king Boctus caused to be written on all the sciences by the equally fabulous Sydrac[4]. The collection of books for the service of the chapel of Denney is very complete, and among other furniture there may be noticed the cloths for covering the lettern or lectron.
In conclusion I would observe, that the portions of the Inventory which are omitted, enumerate merely rings, brooches, and other articles of jewellery and plate, which, although they shew the wealth of the Bohun family, are common to similar documents as well of earlier as of later date. T. H. TURNER.
- ↑ See Privy Purse expenses of the Princess Mary, edited by Sir F. Madden. The derivation of the word pomander is noticed by Minsheu and Skinner. Elyot renders diapasma, "a swete perfume or pomeambre." Librarie. 1542.
- ↑ They are very numerous in the registers at York.
- ↑ The larger beads. One of the same material is named in the will of Eleanor de Bohun, duchess of Gloucester, in 1399.
- ↑ Printed by Verard in 1586. See also Les Manuscrits François de la Bibliothèque du Roi, par Paulin Paris, vi. p. 14. There are several MSS. of this work in the British Museum.
