business of the Chancery in
his absence. On previous occasions of this nature, it had been usual to
place the seal that was used in England, when the king was abroad, in the
hands of the Master of the Rolls, or some other master in Chancery, with
the title of Keeper: but, for some unexplained reason (perhaps because
Bishop Alcock was a man whom the king delighted to honour), this prelate
was dignified with the superior designation, although Bishop Rotheram still
retained it. The voyage being delayed from April to July, during the whole
of that period, each being in England, both acted in the same character;
Privy Seals, as I have said, being sent to both, and bills in Chancery
being addressed also to Bishop Alcock as chancellor. Rotheram was with the
king in France as his chancellor, and is so described on opening the
negotiation in August, which led to the discreditable peace by which Edward
made himself a pensioner to the French king. No Privy Seals were addressed
to Alcock after September 28; which may therefore be considered the close
of this double chancellorship, and the date of Bishop Rotheram's return to
England.

Who knows whether the discovery of this ancient authority may not suggest
to our legislators the division of the title between two possessors {258}
with distinct duties, in the same manner that two chief justices were
substituted in the reign of Henry III. for one chief justiciary?

The immediate interest of this fact has prompted me to anticipate its
appearance in the volumes of my work, which you have been kind enough to
announce as being in the press.

EDWARD FOSS.

* * * * *

ILLUSTRATIONS OF CHAUCER, NO. III.

"Now flieth Venus in to Ciclinius tour.
* * * * * *
"Alas, and there hath she no socour,
For she ne found ne sey no maner wight.
* * * * * *
"Wherefore her selven for to hide and save,
Within the gate she fledde in to a cave.
* * * * * *
"Now God helpe sely Venus alone,
But as God wold it happed for to be,
That while the weping Venus made her mone,
Ciclinius riding in his chirachee,
_Fro Venus Valanus might this palais see;_
And Venus he salveth and maketh chere,
And her receiveth as his frende full dere."
_Complaint of Mars and Venus._

Having in my last communication (Vol. iii., p. 235.) shown cause for the
alteration in the foregoing quotation of C