A good run, best time but one since late April, then coffee and fruit, shower, Morning Prayer, more work on the Almanac (matching memorials to calendars, encountering some mystery benefactors). One of the non-mysterious memorialised forebears in faith is Geoffrey Barbour, for whom a brass is dedicated.
Not only did Bailiff Barbour go partners in building the bridge over the Thames, he left generous provision for the town clergy of Abingdon (in 1417, the Abbey was doing very well for itself). ‘He gave unto a priest ten pounds, thirteen shillings, and fourpence to go on pilgrimage to Roome, and procession there to make at twelve several times, and also to celebrate there six masses at the altar of St. Gregory, six masses at Scala Cæli, for his soul and the soul of Joan his wife, and for the souls of his parents and all the faithful deceased. Also, he gave four hundred pounds to hire and procure priests, as long as that would last, who should say Mass in the Church of St. Helen’s, in Abingdon, for his soul & the souls of all the faithful departed; except 2 priests that should say Mass in the Church of St. Nicholas, who should receive either of them for his yearly stipend 8 marks.’ (Francis Little, A Monument of Christian Munificence, ed. Cobham (Parker and Co., 1871), pp. 7-8.) They don’t make legacies like they used to…
Then in the evening, I had a bespoke online Marriage Preparation session with a couple whose wedding will be held at St Helen’s. Another day, another adventure in pastoral ministry.