fashion of this sacred vessel, at various periods, may be ascertained by numerous examples which have been found in the graves of ecclesiastics, as likewise by their sepulchral effigies, on which the chalice is frequently represented, held reverently between the hands, or deposited upon the breast.
The usage of depositing a chalice and paten with the corpse of a priest appears to have been very generally observed; and, although no established regulation may be found which prescribed the observance of this custom, it is in accordance with ancient evidences cited by Martene, in his treatise on Rites observed at the Obsequies of Ecclesiastics. Occasionally, not only the sacred vessels, but a portion of the Eucharist was placed upon the breast of the deceased, as on the occasion of the interment of St. Cuthbert, according to the relation of Bede. This usage had been adopted from very early times, although forbidden by several councils[1]. An ancient writer on ritual observances, cited by Martene, states that it was customary to place over the head of the corpse a sigillum of wax, fashioned in the form of a cross: that the bodies of persons who had received sacred orders ought to be interred in the vestments worn by them at ordination; and that on the breast of a priest ought to be placed a chalice, which, in default of such sacred vessel of pewter, should be of earthen-ware[2]. Numerous instances of the discovery of a chalice and paten in the grave of an ecclesiastic have been noticed; they have usually been formed of tin or pewter, but occasionally a chalice of more precious metal was deposited with the corpse, as in the stone coffin, supposed to contain the remains of Hugh de Byshbury, Rector of Byshbury in Staffordshire, t. Edw. III., wherein was found a small silver chalice, afterwards appropriated to the use of the church[3]. Several chalices are preserved at York, which have been at
- ↑ Martene, Eccl. Rit., lib. iii. c. xii. See Martene's observations, ib. § 10.
- ↑ "Sigillum cereum in modum crucis compactum, et aquam benedictam continens, super caput defuncti ponimus, &c. Clerici vero ordinati cum illis indumentis in quibus fuerunt ordinati debent et sepeliri, et sacerdos cum illis cum quibus assistit altari: super pectus vero sacerdotis debet poni calix, et loco sigilli, quidquid sit de oblata; quod si non habetur stanneus, saltem Samius, id est, fictilis." Anon. Turon. in MS. Speculo Eccl.
- ↑ Shaw's Hist. of Staffordshire, vol. ii. p. 178. Hugh de Byshbury, according to tradition, built the chancel, and was buried adjoining to the south wall, in the churchyard, where his effigy, much defaced, may still be seen. The chalice is no longer to be found amongst the church-plate at Byshbury. Another silver chalice was found in Exeter cathedral, in the grave supposed to contain the remains of Bishop Thomas de Bytton, who died A.D. 1306. Gent. Mag. 1763, p. 396.
