While visiting at St Issell's church in Saundersfoot I saw (got to hold, actually) a chalice engraved with the words 'POCULUM ECLESIE DE SANT ESELS 1575' Looking at a couple of pictures later I realized I didn't recognise the language. Poculum is latin for 'cup' or 'little cup' but the rest of it looks neither Latin nor Welsh. The sentiment is pretty clear--it's a chalice belonging to St Issells parish that was made in 1575. Could be Latin (maybe French) but the chalice was made in Protestant times so Latin wouldn't have been in style. ECLESIE DE SANT ESELS doesn't look Welsh or English, even allowing for the lack of any sort of consistent spelling. Seems like the vicar at the time would have had it engraved to order after talking it over with others. Anyone have any idea what language the maker used or any historical background about such things? St Issells is not to be missed, BTW, especially in the spring. (Call the vicar's office first) It's down in a little glade surrounded by daffodils. The tower is Norman and inside is a marvellous Norman baptismal font which apparently rests on the capitals of two columns from a former church. Even an apostate like me was mightily impressed with the sense of place, let alone that two of my Gggrandparents were married there. Christopher Wright P.E. |"They couldn't hit an elephant from chrisw@skypoint.com | this distance" (last words of Gen. ___________________________| John Sedgwick, Spotsylvania 1864) http://www.skypoint.com/~chrisw

Christopher wrote about a CHalice engraved:- 'POCULUM ECLESIE DE SANT ESELS 1575' . Seems like the vicar at the time would have had it engraved to order after talking it over with others. Anyone have any idea what language the maker used or any historical background about such things? Have you considered the Huguenots? After the French massacre in August 1572, many fled and some did before. There is eveidence that they came to S/W England so possibly to the Welsh coast too. They were Protestant artisans and would have brought their skills with them. I know weavers came to Canterbury and settled there. I have possible Huguenot relatives called ROYNON in Somerset. The French of the time may have been a 'jumble' of Latin and French as the skill was in making achalice not in writing the words! Just a thought. Below is URL for the Huguenot history http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Valley/8140/hist-hug.htm I hope this helps alittle Yours, Jane