Notes and Queries, Number 48, September 28, 1850 by Various
page 30 of 66 (45%)
page 30 of 66 (45%)
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THE COLLAR OF SS.
(Vol. ii., pp. 89. 194. 248.) The Collar of SS. "is to this day a mystery to the most learned and indefatigable antiquaries," according to Mr. Planché, in his valuable little work on _The History of British Costume_: what has appeared in "NOTES AND QUERIES" certainly has not cleared away the obscurity. ARMIGER tells us (Vol. ii., p. 195.): "As to the derivation of the name of the collar from _Soverayne_; from St. Simplicius; from the martyrs of Soissons (viz. St. Crespin and St. Crespinian, upon whose anniversary the battle of Agincourt was fought); from the Countess of Salisbury; from the word _Souvenez_; and, lastly, from Seneschallus or Steward, (which latter is MR. NICHOLS' notion)--they may be regarded as mere monkish (?) or heraldic gossip." If the monastic writers had spoken anything on the matter, a doubt never would have existed: but none of them has even hinted at it. Never having seen the articles in the _Gentleman's Magazine_, I do not know MR. NICHOLS' reasons for supposing "Seneschallus or Steward" could have furnished an origin of the SS.; but I am at loss to think of any grounds upon which such a guess could rest. From the searches I have made upon this question, it seems to me that these SS. are taken as a short way of expressing the "SANCTUS, SANCTUS, SANCTUS" of the Salisbury liturgy and ritual. I hope soon to be able to lay before the public the documents out of which I draw this opinion, in a note to the third and forthcoming volume of _The Church of our Fathers_. D. ROCK. _Collar of SS._--To your list of persons _now_ privileged to wear these |
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