Chapter C: I. R

_Cimmerii_ (Vol. v., p. 188.).--The belief that the Cymry are descended from Gomer can prove very little as to the restlessness of those who hold it; and if it is making progress, the opinion must be supported by probability: consequently a mere denial will not dispel the illusion. Authors quite as remarkable for their matter-of-fact opinions as A. N. may be, have not rejected the connexion of the Cymry with Gomer. For instance, Volney, in his attacks on Scripture history, when examining Gen. x. on Gomer, adopts an argument in support of this paternity, though not in its Biblical sense, viewing Gomer as a chief. As it is not an unusual circumstance for a nation to adopt the name of its patriarch or founder (and on this point I would refer to a note to Gibbon's _Decline_, chap. lxiv.), I trust I shall be excused for believing myself descended from Gomer, until decided evidence is adduced that I am not.

Pompeius Festus I am unacquainted with; but on consulting Plutarch, in Mario, the following contradictory statements may be seen: "The Germans called banditti _Cimbri_;" and, "Hence, therefore, these barbarians who came into Italy first issued; being anciently called _Cimmerii_, and afterwards _Cimbri_, and the appellation was _not at all from their manners_."

That the old Germans may have called robbers _Cimbri_, does not prove that word implies _robbers_, or anything of the kind; but it indicates that the intrusion of the old Germans on the lands of the Cimbri caused the invaded to make reprisals on the invaders; and then the injured Germans connected or identified the Cimbrian name with that of enemy or robber.

GOMER.

_Stoke_ (Vol. v., pp. 106. 161. 213.).--I think that the towns and parishes of _Tawstock_, _Culmstock_, _Tavistock_, _Plymstock_, _Stockton on Tees_, _Severn Stoke_, _Stoke in Teignhead_, _Stoke on Tern_, _Stoke on Trent_, must have received their names from a _stockade_ of some kind _in_ the rivers near which they are situated. There is at a ford across the river Severn, about half a mile from Welsh Pool, a weir made of stakes and brushwood erected a few yards above the ford, for the sole purpose of diminishing the force of the current, and spreading the water into a stream of an uniform depth. I conjecture that in ancient times the fords of our larger rivers were kept in a passable state during the winter season by weirs of this description, and that there were fords in the rivers at the places above mentioned. There is near Nuneaton the chapelry of _Stock in Ford_, but I am not sufficiently acquainted with that place to be able to conjecture from what circumstance it may have derived its name. I infer that one meaning of the word _stoke_ is _wood_ of any kind, from the fact that the opening through which coals are introduced under the larger boilers in our houses is called a _stoke-hole_, from the wood formerly used for fuel.

S. S. S. (2).

_King's College Chapel Windows_ (Vol. v., p 276.).--See Blomefield's _History of Norfolk_, vol. i. p. 406., and vol. ii. p. 388. At the latter reference, under the head of Richard Nykke or Nix, Bishop of Norwich, 1500, occurs this passage: "This bishop incurred a premunire for extending his jurisdiction over the Mayor of Thetford, and was fined for it. With part of the fine, it is said, the beautiful windows in King's College Chapel, Cambridge, were purchased." The statement is given at greater length at the first of the above-quoted references. I never heard of the story before I met with it in Blomefield.

T. H. L.

Mr. Blomefield, referring to Richard Nykke, Bishop of Norwich (1500-1535), says he incurred a premunire for extending his jurisdiction over the Mayor of Thetford, "and was fined for it, with part of which fine _'tis said_ the beautiful painted glass windows in King's College Chapel at Cambridge were purchased."--_Hist. of Norfolk_, 8vo. edit., ii. 52.; iii. 546.

There is good foundation for the statement that this bishop "was condemned in the premunire" (Coke's _Reports_, xii. 40, 41.); but I question if there be authentic evidence that he "redeemed the punishment of that offence by the glasing of the King's College Chappell windows in Cambridge." Bishop Nykke is no doubt the prelate to whom Ferne alludes.