in former times, must have been caused by the cost and difficulties in transport of materials. In these accounts we find frequent payments for collecting stone, probably flints, which abound in the eastern parts of England, and were largely employed in the building of churches. Materials were often supplied from Norwich, and from the sea-port of Yarmouth, being transported thence by the river Waveney, as far as Beccles, and by carts from that place to Mettingham, a distance of about four miles. In 1409-10 John Masun, who had a large share in the work, was sent into Lincolnshire on horseback, to arrange for a supply of freestone: the expense of his ride was only five shillings. "Borwelle stone" is also named, and several purchases of black stones and marble stones occur, possibly for pavements, (pro petris nigris—petris nigris emptis pro claustro—pro lapidibus marmor'—pro marmore empto pro ecclesia), &c.[1]
"Roger latener," that is, the worker in latten metal, of Beccles, is frequently named as supplying metal for bells. Richard Baxter, of Norwich, probably a bell-founder, appears to have furnished the bells. It deserves notice that an artificer of this class should be found established in such a town as Beccles at that early period; the conjecture may be admissible that his workshop supplied some of the numerous sepulchral brasses of his time, still to be seen in the neighbouring counties.
SEAL OF THE CHANTRY OF METTINGHAM.
- ↑ The stone is frequently estimated by the term tunnetythe, or tuntythe, a word of frequent occurrence in old accounts of building expenses, the precise meaning of derivation of which is obscure. Lime is invariably reckoned by "treyys," tray being a word of provincial use for a mason's hod. A "treye de colys," however, occurs, costing 3s., whilst the "childyr de colys" cost from 6s. to 8s.
