XI.—On the English medieval drinking bowls called Mazers

W.H. St. John Hope

doi:10.1017/S0261340900005592

XI.—On the English medieval drinking bowls called Mazers

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 January 2012

W.H. St. John Hope

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Of all the drinking vessels in use from the thirteenth to the sixteenth centuries, none were so common and so much prized as those known to us as mazers. They occur in numerous wills and inventories under various names, such as ciphi or cuppae de mazero or de murra, mazeri, ciphi murrei, mazerei, hanaps de maser, and later as murrae and mazers, etc., on the derivations of which much valuable matter has been written. But, under whatever name it appears, it is quite clear that the same vessel is meant, viz. a drinking bowl turned out of some kind of wood, but by preference of maple, and especially the spotted or speckled variety which we call bird's-eye maple.

Type: Research Article
Information: Archaeologia , Volume 50 , Issue 1 , 1887 , pp. 129 - 193

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0261340900005592 [Opens in a new window]
Copyright: Copyright © The Society of Antiquaries of London 1887

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^{page 129 note a} See Promptorium Parvulorum (Camden Soc. 1865) 328Google Scholar, note 2; Archaeological Journal, xvii. 259; and the York volume of the Archaeological Institute, Note upon the Mazer.

^{page 129 note b} Acer campestre.

^{page 132 note a} Rolls of the Parliament, iv. 224.

^{page 133 note a} Rites of Durham. Surtees Society, xv. 68.

^{page 133 note b} Surtees Society, xv. 68, 69.

^{page 134 note a} This was of course a standing mazer.

^{page 135 note a} This entry contains the only known instance of a mazer band inscribed inside.

^{page 135 note b} Surrey Archaeological Collections, iv. 84. This mazer was sold the following year for 3l.

^{page 135 note c} 2nd Series, vol. vii. p. 77, and vol. xi. p. 54, et seq.

^{page 140 note a} Extra Series, xiv. p. 110.

^{page 140 note b} MS. Ff. 2. 38.

^{page 142 note a} Des Erasmi Roterod. Colloquia nune emendatiora. Amsterdam. Elzevir. 1662, pp. 381, 382.Google Scholar

^{page 144 note a} The Society is indebted to Professor J. H. Middleton, for the drawings of which Figs. 6, 7, and 8 are facsimiles.

^{page 146 note a} I am indebted to my friend Mr. J. W. Clark, M.A., for transcribing this extract for me.

^{page 147 note a} Translation: One great cup of maple-wood with a plain band of silver-gilt, which cup is deemed by a worthy name an indulgence cup, and for this reason: Dan Richard Scrope of blessed memory, formerly archbishop of York, to those truly penitent and confessed who should drink of this cup soberly yet with moderation, and not excessively nor according to the will, (but) with a pure mind, graciously promised forty days of indulgence. The same mazer is valued at 40s. Which same mazer or cup Agnes Wyman, formerly the wife of Henry Wyman, once mayor of the city of York, most devoutly presented to the fraternity of Corpus Christi, whose soul rest in everlasting peace. Amen.

^{page 152 note a} Catalogue of the Archives in the Muniment Rooms of All Souls College (Oxford). By Martin, C. T., F.S.A. London, 1877, page 396Google Scholar.

^{page 152 note b} The Society is indebted to the Science and Art Department, South Kensington, for the loan of this illustration.

^{page 153 note a} The foundress of the college was Mary de St. Paul, widow of Aymer de Valence.

^{page 153 note b} Quoted by Rev. J. J. Smith, in his Specimens of College Plate, Camb. Antiq. Soc. 4to. 1845. Mr. Smith also gives a plate of the mazer in its mutilated condition.

^{page 153 note c} I am indebted to the Rev. C. E. Searle, D.D. Master of Pembroke, for this information.

^{page 154 note a} I am indebted to our Fellow Mr. Robert Dymond for this information.

^{page 156 note a} A plate of this mazer is given in Trans, of Essex Archaeol. soc. iii.Part I. page 76.

^{page 157 note a} It is also said to have been found on or near the site of Wolmerstone chapel, Devon, and now in the possession of the Hamlyn family. Trans, of the Exeter Dioc. Arch. Soc, V. 19.

^{page 157 note b} The print is engraved in Smith's Specimens of College Plate, p. 14, where a plate is also given of the mazer.

^{page 158 note a} My friend Mr. W. B. Pulling, M.A. thus renders this into English:

Man, in thy draughts let reason be thy guide

And not the craving of perverted lust,

So honest nourishment will be supplied,

And strife of tongue be trampled in the dust.

^{page 159 note a} The Society is indebted to Mr. John Murray, F.S.A. for the loan of this illustration.

^{page 160 note a} Sic.

^{page 160 note b} Vol. ii. p. 62. Oxford, 1853.

^{page 160 note c} The Society is indebted to the Science and Art Department, South Kensington, for the loan of this illustration.

^{page 160 note d} Sic.

^{page 165 note a} See the description further on of Mr. Braikenridge's mazer, which has a similar ornament on the band.

^{page 166 note a} The Society is indebted to the Science and Art Department, South Kensington, for the loan of this illustration.

^{page 166 note b} The same maker's mark occurs on a spare cover of a cup at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, 1531–2.

^{page 167 note a} Engraved in Cripps' Old English Plate. 3rd edition, p. 212.

^{page 168 note a} Perhaps meant for herb-bennet.

^{page 169 note a} The Society is indebted to the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society for the loan of this illustration.

^{page 171 note a} Everard Frere was Master of the Company, 1460–83.

^{page 174 note a} See Nichols's, History of Leicestershire, iv. 35.Google Scholar

^{page 174 note b} See Journal of the British Archaeological Association, xi. 355.Google Scholar

^{page 176 note a} Dugdale–s, History of St. Paul's. Ed. London. 1818, p. 315.Google Scholar

^{page 176 note b} Surtees Soc. vi. Appendix, p. iv.

^{page 176 note c} Cott. MS. Galba E. iv. f 120b.

^{page 176 note d} Arch. Jour. ii. 348.

^{page 176 note e} 1200–1205.

^{page 177 note a} 1153–1167.

^{page 177 note b} Probably Eichard de Wenchepe, 1268–1272, formerly sacrist of Canterbury.

^{page 177 note c} Roger de la Lee, prior, 1234–1244.

^{page 178 note a} Adam de Chillenden, 1263–1274.

^{page 178 note b} Prior, 1244–1258.

^{page 181 note a} An interesting set.

^{page 181 note b} From Memoriale sive registrum Henrici Prioris Monasterii Canhiariensis. MS. Cott. Galba E. iv. ff. 178–180.

^{page 181 note c} Jour. Brit. Arch. Assoc. xxviii. 277–278.Google Scholar

^{page 182 note a} Palgrave, , Antient Kalendars and Inventories, iii. 172, 192.Google Scholar

^{page 182 note b} Ant. Kal. and Inv. iii. 201.

^{page 182 note c} Test. Ebor. i. (Surtees Soc. iv.) 50.

^{page 182 note d} Ant. Kal. and Inv. iii. 213.

^{page 182 note e} Nichols, Royal Wills, 45.

^{page 182 note f} Test. Ebor. i. 69.

^{page 182 note g} Ib. i. 71.

^{page 182 note h} Ib. i. 75, 76.

^{page 182 note i} Ib. i. 81.

^{page 182 note k} Ib. i. 141.

^{page 183 note a} Test. Ebor. i. 150.

^{page 183 note b} Ib. i. 157.

^{page 183 note c} Nichols, Royal Wills, 142.

^{page 183 note d} Test. Ebor. i. 168, 170.

^{page 183 note e} Ib. i. 181.

^{page 183 note f} 16. i. 184.

^{page 183 note g} 26. i. 188, 189.

^{page 183 note h} 16. iii. 1, 2, 3.

^{page 184 note a} Test. Ebor. i. 209, 210.

^{page 184 note b} Chronica de Melsa (Rolls Series), iii. lxxviij.

^{page 184 note c} Antient Kal. and Inv. iii. 334.

^{page 184 note d} Ib. iii. 334, 342, 352, 355, 356.

^{page 184 note e} Test. Ebor. i. 244.

^{page 185 note a} Test. Ebor. i. 270.

^{page 185 note b} Ib. i. 275, 276.

^{page 185 note c} MS. penes Dec. et Cap.

^{page 185 note d} Ib. i. 318.

^{page 185 note e} Ib. iii. 44.

^{page 185 note f} Ib. i. 367.

^{page 185 note g} Bymers Foedera, ix. 276.

^{page 185 note h} Ib. i. 382.

^{page 185 note i} Bury Wills and Inventories, 3.

^{page 186 note a} Rolls of the Parl. iv. 216, 224.

^{page 186 note b} Test. Ebor. i. 404.

^{page 186 note c} Ib. ii. 48.

^{page 186 note d} Ib. ii. 58.

^{page 186 note e} Bury Wills and Inventories, 9.

^{page 186 note f} Arch. Jour. xli. 88.

^{page 186 note g} Antient Kal. and Inv. ii. 251.

^{page 187 note a} Test. Ebor. ii. 81.

^{page 187 note b} Ib, ii. 85.

^{page 187 note c} Proc. S. A. 2d S. v. 122, 123.

^{page 187 note d} Test. Ebcr. ii 91.

^{page 187 note e} Ib. ii. 131.

^{page 187 note f} Surtees Soc. ii 94

^{page 187 note g} Test. Ebor. iii. 107.

^{page 187 note h} Ib. iii. 113.

^{page 188 note a} Jour. Brit. Arch. Assoc. xxiii. 321.

^{page 188 note b} Test. Ebor. iii. 127, 131, 132.

^{page 188 note c} Richards' History of Lynn, i. 479.

^{page 188 note d} Test. Ebor. ii. 179.

^{page 188 note e} Bury Wills and Inventories, 14.

^{page 188 note f} Test, Ebor. ii. 232.

^{page 188 note g} Ib. ii. 259, 260.

^{page 189 note a} Bury Wills and Inventories, 35.

^{page 189 note b} Test. Ebor. iii. 193.

^{page 189 note c} Ib. iii. 175.

^{page 189 note d} Surtees Soc. vi, xxxi. (pref.)

^{page 189 note e} Test. Ebor. iii. 258.

^{page 189 note f} Ib. iv. 17.

^{page 189 note g} Trans, of Essex Arch. Soc. v. 287.

^{page 189 note h} Test. Ebor. iv. 54.

^{page 189 note i} Probaly a repair.

^{page 189 note k} Clode's Memorials, 82.

^{page 190 note a} Bury Wills and Inventories, 246.

^{page 190 note b} Test. Ebor. iv. 117, 118.

^{page 190 note c} Arch. Jour, xliii. 165,167.

^{page 191 note a} Test. Ebor. iv. 155.

^{page 191 note b} Norfolk and Norwich Arch. Soc. i. 121.

^{page 191 note c} Bury Wills and Inventories, 100.

^{page 191 note d} Proc. of Bury and W. Suffolk Arch. Inst. i. 329.

^{page 191 note e} Test. Ebor. iv. 259.

^{page 191 note f} Probably a mazer with an inscription granting to the user so many days of pardon, like the great York mazer.

^{page 191 note g} Clode's Memorials, 91.

^{page 191 note h} Collect. Curiosa, ii. 329.

^{page 191 note i} Ib. ii. 338.

^{page 191 note k} Proc. of Bury and W. Suffolk Arch. Inst. i. 108.

^{page 191 note l} Peacock's English Church Furniture, 192, 194, 195, 197, 198.

^{page 192 note a} Arch. Cant. vii. 275.

^{page 192 note b} b Ib. vii. 296 et seq.

^{page 192 note c} Archaeologia, xliii. 239.

^{page 193 note a} Bury Wills and Inventories, 130.

^{page 193 note b} Ib. 136.

^{page 193 note c} Trans, of Essex Arch. Soc. v. 262.

^{page 193 note d} Trans, of Essex Arch. Soc. v. 135.

^{page 193 note e} Lanc. and Chesh. Wills (Chetham Soc. xxxiii.), 168.

^{page 193 note f} Ib. 173.

^{page 193 note g} Ib. 141.

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