Suffolk, have attracted frequent notice of late; and many members of the Institute will call to mind the beautiful series of drawings by Mrs. Gunn, exhibited at the Norwich meeting by the kindness of Mr. Dawson Turner. These interesting examples of medieval art have usually been regarded as of Flemish execution, partaking much of the character of design displayed in the works of that country. By the Mettingham accounts, it appears that considerable works of reconstruction or renovation were in progress in the collegiate chapel towards the close of the reign of Henry IV.: the roof of the choir, at the chapel previously used before removal from Norton, was taken down, and transported to Mettingham. The tower (campanile) was sold to the Vicar of Norton, who paid by instalments. The fabric expenses ran over several successive years; amongst them appear new stalls, the painting of the roof, and interior decorations: for the construction of the former, it was thought expedient to despatch one of the chaplains, accompanied by the principal carpenter, to visit Lynn and Castleacre in quest of a good model—"ad videndum stalla ibidem:" they were constructed accordingly in 1413—14. At the same time, various images were provided. Thomas of Yarmouth received 66s. 8d. for making those of the twelve Apostles, for which twelve "edificia"[1] had been prepared, at a cost of more than six pounds. The same artificer at Yarmouth, who appears to have been a carver and painter, an imagier, received also forty pence for making a "wodwyse," a figure of a woodwose or savage man, sometimes written woodhouse. The cause of placing such a figure in a chapel is not explained; they were very frequently introduced in decorations of houses, furniture, or costume, at the same age. About this time an image of the Virgin was sculptured, for which the wood appears to have been provided by Sir William Argentein; and Thomas Barsham, of Yarmouth, before named, called also "Thomas de Jernemuta,"[2] received in several payments for making and painting two images with tabernacles, and a "tabula" for the high altar, not less than 37l. 4s. 8d. In 1416-17, the works having advanced slowly, apparently according to the funds which might be rendered available in so small an establishment, the collegiate church was dedicated by the Bishop of Norwich, (John Wakeryng,) who received 40s., and the prelate's three attendants (servientes) received 4s. 4d. Two new altars were made and dedicated in the following year by the suffragan of the bishop, who received 6s. 2d. on the occasion; and the roof of the church was decorated with painting, on account of which Edmund of Bradwelle, "peyntour," rceived 13l. 6s. 6d. These works completed, the construction of a cloister was undertaken.
The productions of Thomas of Yarmouth, which served to decorate the church of Metthigham, have unfortunately perished; but there can be little doubt that some of the interesting specimens of ancient art in Norfolk and the neighbourhood of Yarmouth, of which Mr. Dawson Turner has collected so rich an assemblage of representations, were the work of this Thomas Barsham "de Jernomuta."
The most burdensome expense in the erection of churches or other works,
- ↑ This term seems to be equivalent to "housing," used in the same sense in the Beauchamp Contract, t. Hen. VI. The term of more frequent use is tabernacle.
- ↑ Thomas Barsham supplied sounds of fish. These were sometimes used for joining woodwork, or here possibly for painting. Reginald Wythe received, in 1418-19, "pro 50 soundys pissium, 2d.
