I incline to think that the testator whose will is referred to in No.
23. p. 336., by "Scala Coeli," meant King Henry the Seventh's Chapel at
Westminster.
Margaret Countess of Richmond and Derby, mother to King Henry VII., in
the indenture for founding Chantry Monks in the Abbey of Westminster,
dated 2. March, 21 Henry VII. (1506-6), states that she had obtained
papal bulls of indulgence, that all persons saying and hearing her
chantry masses should have as full remission from sin as in the place
called _Scala Coeli_ beside Rome, "to the great comfort and relief of
the said Monasterie and all Cristen people resorting thereto." (_MS.
Lansd._ 444.)
Henry Lord Marney, by his will, dated 22d Dec., 15 Hen. VIII. (1523),
directs a trental of masses to be "first at Scala Coeli, in
Westminster." (_Testamenta Vetusta_, 609.)
Blomefield (_Hist. of Norfolk_, 8vo. edit., iv. 60) speaking of the
Church of the Augustine Friars at Norwich, observes,--
"That which brought most profit to the convent, was the chapel
of Our Lady in this church, called Scala Celi, to which people
were continually coming in pilgrimage, and offering at the altar
there; most folks desiring to have masses sung for them here, or
to be buried in the cloister of Scala Celi, that they might be
partakers of the many pardons and indulgences granted by the
Popes to this place; this being the only chapel (except that of
the same name at Westminster, and that of Our Lady in St.
Buttolph's church at Boston,) that I find to have the same
privileges and indulgences as the chapel of Scala Celi at Rome;
which were so great as made all the three places aforesaid so
much frequented; it being easier to pay their devotions here,
than go so long a journey; all which indulgences and pardons may
be seen in Fox's _Acts and Monuments_, fo. 1075."
In Bishop Bale's singular play of _Kynge Johan_, published by the Camden
Society, the King charges the clery with extorting money
"For legacyes, trentalls with _scalacely_ messys
Whereby ye have made the people very assys."
(p. 17.)