A Bull of Pope Innocent 6. to induct Will Donke Priest into the Mediety of the Vicaridge of Rotherham, and expel Robert Maplebeck, dated at Avignon, An. 1361. which Year John Thoresby, Archbishop of Yorke, Cardinal, and Chancellor of England, laid the first Stone of the Quire of that Cathedral, his Seal is inscribed, S. S. Johis: tt: Sci: P. ad vincula Presbyteri Cardinalis. (Sigillum Johannis titulo Sancti Petri ad vincula); which Festival was Aug. 1, called also Lammas-Day from a Custom of the Tenants that held of the Cathedral of Yorke to bring a live Lamb into the Minster on that Day, in Acknowledgment of their Tenure, (Clavis Calendaria, pag. 75. Don. Jac. Torre Arm. The Seal of a Bull of Pope Nicholas the 5th, who was a great Restorer of Learning; and, Constantinople being taken in his Time, he collected, with incredible Charge, a vast Number of Greek and Latin Manuscripts. This Seal agrees with that of Innocent 6. not only in the Metal (Lead), but having the Heads of St. Paul and St. Peter, above which S. P A. S. P E. Upon the Reverse of the former is Innocentius P P V I upon the later Nicolanus P P. V. The Impression of the Seal found in a Vault in the Church at Beverley, with the Ashes of St. John of Beverley, and the Inscription recited in Dr. Gibson's Edition of the Britannia, pag. 743. Impressions of other Seals, ┼ S. Edv. Reg. Angl. ad recogn. debitor. apud Wygan. Another found at Beverley but without any Inscription; it hath the Image of a Saint or Archbishop with the Cross-Keys upon his Breast. Of that used during the Vacancy of the Archbishop of Yorke. Prerogative Court at London. Surrogate at Lincoln. Peculiar at Selby (with the Effigies of St. German, inscrbedinscribed, ┼ Sigil. Cur: Spial: sive peculiar: Jur: scti: Germani de Selby in Com. Ebor.) Another inscribed, Seel Jehan de Fontan. That of the Spanish Admiral, An. 1588: Given me by Mr. Ob. Walker, late Master of University. Col. Oxford. And to mention no more; that used in the late Times for the Approbation of Ministers, the Original Seal in Silver is 2 ½ Inches broad, is with other Curiosities in Possession of my honoured Friend Robert Parker, of Carlton, Esq;. In a Book expanded is writ, The Word of God, and round it, The Seal for Approbation of Ministers. For other Seals of Bishops, Abbots, Cities, &c. See Diploma's, and ancient Writings.

Some of the Roman Monuments before-mentioned are now placed in the Form of an antique Alcove, which is covered with an Arch of Marble, of very curious Workmanship, which once belonged to a Shrine in the Lady's Chapel at York-Minster, which Archbishop Thoresby (as Bishop of Godwin tells us) adorned with Images and Pictures of excellent Workmanship, and removing the Bodies of several of his Predecessors, which were buried scatteringly about the Church, entombed them there in seemly Manner, leaving a Place for himself in the Middle. This Chapel, without any regard to the venerable Remains of the Founders of that noble Cathedral (one of the most glorious under the Cope of Heaven) was destroyed at the Reformation. Yet even then this noble Monument found so much Favour for the delicate Workmanship thereof, to be spared, and was enclosed betwixt two Walls in a private House in that Neighbourhood; where being discovered of late Years, it was sold by Parcels to Statuaries, and others for common Use; and large Pieces of very curious Carvings lay exposed in the Præcentor's Lane, where I have often beheld them with Admiration, and been reminded of that of the Psalmist, A Man was famous according as he had lifted up Axes upon the thick Tree; But now they break down the carved Work thereof with Axes and Hammers, Ps. 74. 6, 7. Don. D. Bowling de Ebor. The fore Part of the Alcove is adorned with antique Woodwork, Coats of Arms, &c. from Glastenbury-Abbey: And above them all IHS crowned, in raised Work.