Allow me to offer a query or two respecting which I shall be glad of any
information your numerous correspondents may be able to furnish.
1. In Fuller's _History of Waltham Abbey_, pp. 269. 274., Nichol's
edition, 1840, we have the following entries from the churchwarden's
accounts:
"Anno 1542, the thirty-fourth of Henry viii. _Imprimis_. For
watching the sepulchre, a groat."
"_Item_, for watching the sepulchre, eight pence."
The last entry occurs in "Anno 1554, Mariæ primo," but Fuller adds,
"though what meant thereby, I know not." Can any satisfactory
information be furnished which will explain the custom here alluded to?
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2. In the same work, page 278., a passage occurs, which not only
explains the meaning of the term _factotum_, but furnishes matter for
another query. The passage is this; speaking of "eminent persons buried"
at Waltham Abbey, he says: "we spoil all, if we forget Robert Passellew,
who was _dominus fac totum_ in the middle--and _fac nihil_ towards the
end--of the reign of Henry III." Some parasites extolled him by allusion
to his name, _pass-le-eau_, (that is "passing the pure water,") the wits
of those days thus descanting upon him:
"Est aqua lenis, et est aqua dulcis, et est aqua clara,
Tu præcellis aquam, nam leni lenior es tu,
Dulci dulcior es tu, clara clarior es tu;
Mente quidem lenis, re dulcis, sanguine clarus."
_Camden's MSS._ Cott. Lib.
The learned Dr. Whitaker, in his _History of Whalley_, says, that "the
word Paslew was of Norman origin (Pass-le-eau), and afforded a subject
for some rhyming monkish verses, not devoid of ingenuity, which the
curious reader may find in Weever's _Funeral Monuments_, p. 645;" and a
question now arises whether the _Passellew_ mentioned by Fuller belongs
to the same family as the "Paslews of Wiswall," alluded to by Dr.
Whitaker, one of whom, "John, Abbot of Whalley" was executed for the
part he took in the "Pilgrimage of Grace." when it is stated that the
Paslews of Wiswall bore "Argent a fess between three mullets Sable
pierced of the field, a crescent for difference," probably some of your
readers will be able to give some particulars respecting "Robert
Passelew," and also identify the families if possible.