Page:Archaeologia Volume 13.djvu/249

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Explanation of a Seal, &c.
197

ing up the hiatus in the above manner cannot but be thought Satisfactory, when I assure you, that, as on the one hand, no traces of evidence can be found to evince that any abbey, monastery, nunnery, or hospital, of the age of this matrix, was dedicated to Saint Mary and Saint Andrew in the city of London; so on the other there is luckily preserved at the end of the second volume of Dugdale's Monasticon, among the "Cænobia Scotica," copied from the original by sir James Balfoure, Lyon King at Arms, the charter of foundation of an Abbey for Monks at Lundores, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and St. Andrew. With respect to the union you mentioned of the parishes of St. Mary at Hill, and St. Andrew Hubbard in London, that did not take place till after the Great Fire, A. D. 1666; and so far are these two parishes from having a common seal, that they have distinct vestries, records, &c. and every year elect different churchwardens. Though appropriated to our Sister Kingdom, you cannot, sir, but agree with me in thinking this seal a very great curiofity, and will, no doubt, have the goodness to direct our draftsman to take a drawing of it, to be preserved in the archives of the Society. The charter of foundation runs thus: "Universis sanctæ matris ecclesias filiis, et fidelibus, tarn præsentibus quam futuris, Comes David, Frater Regis Scotiæ, salutem. Sciatis me sundasse quandam abbaciam apud Londors, de ordine Kelchorensi, ad honorem Dei et S. Mariæ Virginis, et S. Andree Apostoli, omnium que sanctorum, pro salute animæ Regis Davidis, avi mei, et pro salute, animæ comitis Henrici patris mei; et pro salute animæ Regis Willielmi fratris mei et Reginæ Armegard et omnium antecessorum meorum; et pro salute animæ meæ et Matildis comitissæ sponsæ meæ; et pro salute animæ Davidis filii mei et omnium successorum meorum; et pro salute animarum fratrum et sororum meorum. Concesse etiam et hac carta mea confirmavi prædictæ abbaciæ de Londors et monachis ibidem Deo servientibus, in liberam et puram et perpetuam elemosinam, ecclesiam de Londors;cum