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holland, Rysehey (Rice Hey, L. 38; not Rushey Hey, W. 58), Dunland, Rowlands and Rowlands Hollands, Tamacre (Camacre ?) hollands, a close called the Warmequ (im's) hey, brysse (brush) croft, Cross acres, Oldacres, Wome butts; and in Poolton-cum-Seacombe-Stywey croft, bottynbry dye pyke, the brewye, Kell londs, apodyche holland (Apple Ditch Hey, P. 228), grid butts, Welling londs, and Stokkeland.

The same feeling which prompted the old Kentish chronicler to open his History of the World with the words, "The World is divided into four parts— "Europe, Asia, Africa, and Romney Marsh," may have led me to note down many trivialities of neither interest nor value to the inhabitants of those three quarters of the globe which are not included in the ancient Parish of Wallasey. But some of these are worthy of record; and to me, writing, as I do, this 6th day of October, 1891, at Timmancherla, in the Madras Presidency, far from the dear, familiar scenes of childhood, they may seem unduly so. The green fields are gradually vanishing, old landmarks and old names. are being lost; and as the few remaining fragments of older Wallasey disappear, those who keep its memory green, and who knew and loved the parish in days gone by, are also passing away-passing from the Island of the Strangers to "that Whiter Island, the Place of the Blessed" —and before long those things which are now only a memory will be altogether forgotten.

"Thus times do shift, each thing his turn does hold;
"New things succeed, as former things grow old."

NOTE.

In a commission for the "seateing and placeinge of the parishioners of the parishe Churche of Wallazie, dated 4th "March, 1633, and 21st April, 1634," the sites of the following seats are given :-Two reading seats, and the pulpit between them, on the north side of the lower chancel. In the upper chancel (the sanctuary), one pew on each side. Two seats and a form above the chancel door, and two seats below the chancel door; thirteen seats below these on south side. In the middle row-twelve on the south side, six on the north side. In the body of the church (? north aisle), on the north side, four seats. Behind the pulpit, in the north row, nine seats. In the south row, behind the pulpit, seven seats. Robinson's (the schoolmaster) seat is near the schoolroom, at the west end of the north aisle; and the space round the font was very commonly that occupied by the school children, seated on loose forms.

The pews thus described have been drawn upon a plan, compiled shortly after the burning of the church by Mr. Edward W. Cox,67 from measured fragments taken out of the walls of the church of the eighteenth century, and other remnants of the original building. These seats, giving three feet width to each, seem to vouch for the entire correctness of this plan, inasmuch as they fit every part of it accurately; and the construction of the building, as shown on the plan, explains the cause of the variations in the number of pews in each block, and their allocation to their places with relation to the architectural features. A further witness to the general correctness of the plan is a small sketch of the church on a map dated 1665 and recently discovered by Mr. W. F. Irvine, which shows a church corresponding with the plan.

[The chief authorities for the statements in this paper areThe Parish Registers of Wallasey, and the Tithe and Ordnance Surveys; "Extracts from the Wallasey Church Registers," Trans. Hist. Soc. of Lancashire and Cheshire, vol. xxxv ; "Notes on the History of Wallasey Church," Journ. Chester Arch. Soc., 1886-7; Ormerod's History of Cheshire; Brand's Popular Antiquities; tradition; recollections of old parishioners; personal knowledge; and various other sources.]

67 Journal of Chester Archæological Society, 1887.

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DISCLAIMERS AT THE HERALDS'

VISITATIONS.

By J. Paul Rylands, F.S.A.

Read 1st December, 1892.

OR the information of those who have not paid much attention to the study of heraldry and genealogy, it may be as well, in the first place, to explain what the Heralds' Visitations were, in order that the meaning and effect of Disclaimers may be better understood.

Armorial bearings were originally assumed by their wearers at will, being, at first, merely intended to serve as distinguishing marks in the field of battle; but about the middle of the thirteenth century they became generally hereditary, and soon acquired a character which caused them to be highly valued and jealously guarded as ensigns of honour and symbols of patrician rank. Having thus become coveted hereditary distinctions, some check upon their voluntary assumption became necessary, to prevent unworthy and unsuitable persons displaying insignia to which neither their military achievements nor social status entitled them.

To effect this, King Henry V., upon instituting the office of Garter King of Arms,' made a pro

Ulster King of Arms, for the Kingdom of Ireland, was first appointed in the year 1554.

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