Note (return) — Replies to Minor Queries.

Allow me to ask a question as to another point in the history of Becket. Among his preferments is said to have been the parish of "St. Mary Littory or ad Litters," which is commonly supposed to mean St. Mary-le-Strand.[3] My friend Mr. Foss, in his elaborate work on The Judges of England, contradicts this, on the ground that there was then no parish of that name; and he supposes St. Mary-at-Hill to be intended. Now the words ad Litters would be alike applicable as a description in either case but it appears to me that, if the city church were meant, it would be styled, as it usually is, ad Montem, and that ad Litters is Latin for le Strand. Was there not then an ancient church so called, until the demolitions of Protector Somerset in that quarter? And is not the common belief as to Becket's parish correct? I ask in great ignorance, but not without having vainly searched some books from which information might have been expected.