If you desire proof of the great utility of your publication, methinks
there is a goodly quantum of it in the very interesting and valuable
information on the Collar of SS., which the short simple question of B.
(Vol. ii., p. 89.) has drawn forth; all tending to illustrate a mooted
historical question:--first, in the reply of [Greek: Phi.] (Vol. ii., p.
110.), giving reference to the _Gentleman's Magazine_, with two
_rider_-Queries; then MR. NICHOLS'S announcement (Vol. ii., p. 140.) of
a forthcoming volume on the subject, and a reply in part to the Query of
[Greek: Phi.]; then (Vol. ii, p. 171.) MR. E. FOSS, as to the _rank_ of
the legal worthies allowed to wear this badge of honour; and next (Vol.
ii., p. 194.) an ARMIGER, who, though he rides rather high on the
subject, over all the Querists and Replyists, deserves many thanks for
his very instructive and scholarlike dissertation.
What the S. signifies has evidently been a puzzle. That a chain is a
badge of honour, there can be no doubt; but may not the _Esses_, after
all, mean nothing at all? originating in the simple S. link, a form
often used in chain-work, and under the name of S. A series of such,
linked together, would produce an elegant design, which in the course of
years would be wrought more like the letter, and be embellished and
varied according to the skill and taste of the workman, and so, that
which at first had no particular meaning, and was merely accidental,
would, after a time, be _supposed_ to be the _initial letters_ of what
is now only guessed at, or be involved in heraldic mystery. As for
[Greek: Phi.]'s rider-Query (Vol ii., p. 110.), repeated by MR. FOSS
(Vol. ii., p. 171.), as to dates,--it may be one step towards a reply if
I here mention, that in Yatton Church, Somerset, there {249} is a
beautifully wrought alabaster monument, without inscription, but
traditionally ascribed to judge Newton, alias Cradock, and his wife Emma
de Wyke. There can be no doubt, from the costume, that the effigy is
that of a judge, and under his robes is visible the Collar of Esses. The
monument is in what is called the Wyke aisle or chapel. That it is
Cradock's, is confirmed by a garb or wheat-sheaf, on which his head is
laid. (The arms of Cradock are, Arg. on a chevron az. 3 _garbs_ or.)
Besides, in the very interesting accounts of the churchwardens of the
parish, annis 1450-1, among the receipts there is this entry:
"It.: Recipim. de Dn‡ de Wyke p. man. T. Newton filii sui de
legato Dni. Riei. Newton ad ---- p. campana ... xx."
Richard Cradock was the first of his family who took the name of Newton,
and I have been informed that the last fine levied before him was, Oct.
Mart. 27 Hen. VI. (Nov. 1448), proving that the canopied altar tomb in
Bristol Cathedral, assigned to him, and recording that he died 1444,
must be an error. It is stated, that the latter monument was defaced
during the civil wars, and repaired in 1747, which is, probably, all
that is true of it. But this would carry me into another subject, to
which, perhaps, I may be allowed to return some other day. However, we
have got a date for the use of the collar by the _chief_ judges,
_earlier_ than that assigned by MR. FOSS, and it is somewhat
confirmatory of what he tells us, that it was not worn by any of the
_puisne_ order.