124 NOTES AND QUERIES. [n s. ix. FEB. u, uu
only the ill-composed (i.e., badly printed?) book, but also the MS. by which he was able to bring it to good method, contained Barbour's narrative of Bruce's career. This conclusion is based upon the close dependence of Gordon's whole poem on Barbour's narrative, and especially on the references to "my author" in two foot-notes to caput xvi. Gordon gives Randolph a force of 500 men in his encounter with Clifford, but notes that "my author says one hundred," which is the number given in Hart's printed edition of Barbour's 'Bruce,' as opposed to the "five hundred" of the Edinburgh and Cambridge MSS. Of the knight who was killed by Randolph's men he says, "My author calls him Havecourt," which agrees with "Hawcourt" in Hart's edition. He calls the Captain of Edinburgh Castle "Sir Pierre le Bald" (=Libald in Hart's edition), although in the existing MSS. his name is given wrongly as Lumbard or Lombert. It appears, then, that Fenton's MS., as far as it went, agreed with the MS. printed by Hart in 1616, which is said to be in substantial agreement with the first printed edition of Barbour's 'Bruce,' dated 1571. As Gordon's 'Bruce' appeared in 1613, the "old printed book" that puzzled him must have been the earlier printed edition of 1571.
We thus see that the history of Bruce "set down" by Fenton in 1369 was, in the main, Barbour's poem. It differed, however, both by defect and excess, from the Barbour's 'Bruce' that has come down to us. It was
"wanting in many parts, and was especially from the field of Bannockburn forth, it wanted all the rest almost, so that it could not be gotten to the press";
and it included the 'History of the Kings' and 'Baliol's Vision.' The 'History of the Kings'—omitted in Gordon's epic—was, perhaps, Barbour's 'Stewartis Genealogy,' which Fenton might naturally have prefixed to the 'Bruce.' 'Baliol's Vision,' the substance of which is reproduced in Gordon's epic, may have been the work, not of Barbour, but of another poet. Perhaps, however, it was an integral part of an earlier edition of Barbour's 'Bruce,' and was expunged as being offensive to powerful men connected with the Baliol family. In the Introduction to my translation of Barbour, and in my last note to that translation, I have suggested that an earlier edition, concluding with the battle of Bannockburn, is implied by the passage giving the date of the poem, which comes immediately after the description of the battle (xiii. 699-712). This conjecture is supported by Gordon's information that his MS. "from the field of Bannockburn forth wanted all the rest almost." The date of Fenton's MS. 1369 shows that, if there was such an earlier edition, it must have been given to the world at least six years before 1375, the date at which the poem appeared in its final form. See xiii. 703, 704.
INSCRIPTIONS IN HOLY TRINITY CHURCHYARD, SHAFTESBURY.
(See ante, p. 44.)
T. Sacred to the Memory of William Edwards who died the 27 of November 1840. Be ye also ready for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Sacred to the Memory of Amelia Edith, Widow of William Edwards who died the 7th of July 1849. Into thy Hands I commend my spirit, for thou hast redeemed me O Lord thou God of Truth. Also their Eldest Son Wm. Robt. Edwards who died 23 May 1869, Aged 44.
T. in R. In loving memory of Charles Hannen who died 31st January 1847 in his 72nd year and of Mary his wife who died 31st August 1808, Also of Mary their Daughter who died 28th August 1828; also Anna their daughter who died 20th February 1861. Also of William Hannen, only son of Charles and Mary Hannen, who died 7th September 1878, in his 74th year. A man beloved for his many good and amiable qualities he died regretted by all who knew him, by none more than his large circle of relations who caused this stone to be erected in memory of a life of long affection.
H. [IHS carved on top.] Richard Downs, Died September 6th 1857, Aged 68 Years. Also Mary Ann his Wife, Died September 22nd 1873 Aged 81 Years. John Matthews, only son of Richard and Mary Ann Downs, Died September 12th 1820, Aged 5 Years and 9 Months. Elizabeth Matthews, Died June 30th 1850, Aged 81 Years. Martha Downs, Died July 5th 1880, Aged 59 Years. Eliza Downs, Died July 17th 1907, Aged 86 Years.
† in R. In loving memory of John Mullett born 7th December 1819. Died 1st Oct. 1885; Also of Ann Mitchell, wife of the above, who died Jany. 7th 1895, Aged 76 Years, Asleep in Jesus. Elizabeth Mullett died 24th March 1822, Aged 31 Years. John Mullett born 9 March 1792, Died 2 June 1862. [Many members of the same family are buried in the three adjoining graves on each side.]
C. In Memory of Jane Harman, Second Daughter of Thomas Elliott and Caroline Tucker who died February 25th 1847.
F. [Much decayed.] Sacred [to the Memory of] Thomas Tucker … John [B]oy[s] Tucker …
H. In Memory of John London who died Augst. 17th 1868 Aged 88 years.
H. Michael Timbs, d. 9 March 1854, a. 47, erected by his widow.
† in R. Eliza Abbott, d 19 May 1865, a. 67; Thomas her husband d. Easter day, 1879, a. 85.
