Forum - Parish News 1554 Churchwardens Accounts for Loddon in Norfolk who or what was the "orkle maker"

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1. A guest user

   #1 15:40, Sat 27 Nov 2021 (edited 10:44, Mon 6 Dec 2021)

   For some time as part of the Loddon Parish Study I have been working through and transcribing the Churchwarden's Accounts books starting with the earliest .  This has provided hours of fascinating work.  The first book (PD 595/19)containing accounts for 1554-1739 has been completed and we hope to get into the NRO soon to do some checking and editing.  We hope to publish the annotated transcripts next year.

   The quality of the preserved pages is variable. It seems that each pair of churchwardens presented their accounts in their own way, usually on sheets of paper or parchment which in the  early 19th century were ordered and bound by one of the then Churchwardens James Copeman.  This procedure has ensured their preservation, but at times means that the text at the edges of pages are lost in the binding.- usually dates or payments.

   The first surviving entry is for 1554 When Queen Mary & her Husband Philip are on the throne, the parish is busy reinstating the features of the Roman tradition to the church. Most of the entries are easily understood, there are references to vestments, the Trinity, timber for the rood, the sepulchre, as well as payment for the clerk, cleaning, work on the bells and beer; but two of the larger payments 13/4 and 20/- were to the "orkle maker" have left us bemused

   I would be interested to hear from anyone undertaking a similar task and more especially of any suggestions for the "orkle maker"

   The text is quite clear in my photograph, but I do not understand the method for inserting an image apologies

   I would be happy to share the image  if anyone is interested.

   My transcription is below

   Elvie Herd of Loddon & District Local History Group & Loddon Parish study

   1554-5 Churchwardens Account

    

   hereafter followethe all suche Somes of mony as John Gopyng & John Fielld the church wardens have payed & have due synce the last acownte being this xth day of marche in the ano Regnoru Philippi et Maria Reg & Regine primo & secundus - 1554-5

    

   Itm

   To wyllm abbottes for washyng of xiij surplus and two towells

   Viij^s

    

   Payd to the widow dawson for hyr husbands wages & for washyng & scoryng

   Viij^s

    

   Whereof remain In hyr hands for j cowe

   Vij^s

    

   Payd to the orkle maker the xi daye of marche

   Xiij^s iiij^d

    

   For ij gyrdyll for the vestments

   iij^d

    

   Payd to te goodwife gorbolld for the vysyters costes

   Xiij^d

    

   Payd to the clarke for hys wagys

   ? iiij^s

    

   Payd for v^li waxe

   Iiij^s ij^d

    

   Payd to wyllm abbott for wayshyng & skoryng

   xvi^d

    

   Paid to William Abbott for washing & scouring

              16

    

   Rec of Robt gryme for the boukes

   xx^s

    

   Received of Robert Gryme for the books

        20s

    

   Payd to the myller for gryndyng of corne against the drynkyng

   ix^d

    

   Paid to the Miller for grinding of corn for the drinking

              9d

    

   Payd to torner for making of the roode

   Vj^s viij^d

    

   To hym for iij dayes worke for the belle whelle

   xx^d

    

   To wyllm abbott for iij dayes worke with hym

   viij^d

    

   Payd for naylls

   Ij^d ob

    

   Payd for tymber for the roode

   ij^d

    

   Payd to the orkle maker

   xx^s

    

   Payd to plafords wyffe for bere

   iij^s

    

   Payd to the goodwyffe dallys for bordyng

   Ii^s iiij^d

    

   Payd to john felld for washyng of the surplus

   viij

    

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2. Beat Kümin Staff History

   #2 08:28, Mon 6 Dec 2021

   Thanks for your query and good to hear of the transcription & editorial project relating to the Loddon accounts. Might the phrase refer to expenses for an 'oracle maker', perhaps as an attraction for the 'drinking' event mentioned in a later entry? Just a thought.

   With best wishes for the project,

   Beat

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