[E384]"A tode with an R" is an elegant euphemism fortorde; the meaning being that a bad husbandman is more likely to receive insults and refusals, than compliance with his requests. Compare Wycliffe's translation of Luke xiii. 8, as given at p. 365 of Dr. Bosworth's edit. of the Gothic and Anglo-Saxon Gospels, with the Versions of Wycliffe and Tyndale, London, 1865.
[E384]"A tode with an R" is an elegant euphemism fortorde; the meaning being that a bad husbandman is more likely to receive insults and refusals, than compliance with his requests. Compare Wycliffe's translation of Luke xiii. 8, as given at p. 365 of Dr. Bosworth's edit. of the Gothic and Anglo-Saxon Gospels, with the Versions of Wycliffe and Tyndale, London, 1865.
[E385]"Experience should seeme to proue playnely, that Inclosures should be profitable and not hurtfull to the common weale; for we see the countryes where most Inclosiers be, are most wealthy, asEssex, Kent, Northamptonshyre,etc. And I have hearde a Ciuilian once say, that it was taken for a Maxime in his lawe (this saying), 'that which is possessed of many in common, is neglected of all;' and experience sheweth that Tenaunts in common be not so good husbandes, as when euery man hath his parte in seueralty; also, I have heard say, that in the most countreyes beyonde the Sea, they knowe not what a common grounde meaneth."—Stafford's Examination of Complaints, New Shakspere Soc., ed. Furnivall, p. 40.
[E385]"Experience should seeme to proue playnely, that Inclosures should be profitable and not hurtfull to the common weale; for we see the countryes where most Inclosiers be, are most wealthy, asEssex, Kent, Northamptonshyre,etc. And I have hearde a Ciuilian once say, that it was taken for a Maxime in his lawe (this saying), 'that which is possessed of many in common, is neglected of all;' and experience sheweth that Tenaunts in common be not so good husbandes, as when euery man hath his parte in seueralty; also, I have heard say, that in the most countreyes beyonde the Sea, they knowe not what a common grounde meaneth."—Stafford's Examination of Complaints, New Shakspere Soc., ed. Furnivall, p. 40.
[E386]Fitzherbert shows how a township that is worth twenty marks a-year may be made worth £20, and the ground-work of his plan is to enclose the land. "By enclosing," he says, "a farmer shall save meat, drink, and wages of a shepherd; the wages of the swineherd, the which may fortune to be as chargeable as his whole rent; and also his corn shall be better saved from eating or destroying by cattle."
[E386]Fitzherbert shows how a township that is worth twenty marks a-year may be made worth £20, and the ground-work of his plan is to enclose the land. "By enclosing," he says, "a farmer shall save meat, drink, and wages of a shepherd; the wages of the swineherd, the which may fortune to be as chargeable as his whole rent; and also his corn shall be better saved from eating or destroying by cattle."
[E387]Harman, 1567 (E. E. Text Soc., ed. Furnivall, p. 82), speaks of "lewtering lusks and lazylorrels," and in Pierce Plowman's Crede we find in line 750, "lordes sones lowly to þolosellsaloute," and in l. 755, "and leueþ swichelorelsfor her lowe wordes."—See Note in Prompt. Parv.s.v.Lorel. Levins (Manip. Vocab. 1570) translateslorelbynebulo, scurra.
[E387]Harman, 1567 (E. E. Text Soc., ed. Furnivall, p. 82), speaks of "lewtering lusks and lazylorrels," and in Pierce Plowman's Crede we find in line 750, "lordes sones lowly to þolosellsaloute," and in l. 755, "and leueþ swichelorelsfor her lowe wordes."—See Note in Prompt. Parv.s.v.Lorel. Levins (Manip. Vocab. 1570) translateslorelbynebulo, scurra.
[E388]Courts for presenting nuisances are generally the greatest nuisances themselves. Under the semblance of justice, they often retard its execution. The members, or jury who compose them, do not want the power, but they want the independence to act right.—M.
[E388]Courts for presenting nuisances are generally the greatest nuisances themselves. Under the semblance of justice, they often retard its execution. The members, or jury who compose them, do not want the power, but they want the independence to act right.—M.
[E389]"In Bridewell a number be stript," etc. Although allthe editions I have been able to examine read "lesse worthie thantheefeto be whipt," I suspect the correct reading to be "lesse worthie thantheeseto be whipt." The mistake might easily occur through the similarity of the oldsandf. The meaning, as the lines read at present, is not very clear, but if we adopt the suggested reading, the sense becomes at once apparent:—"In Bridewell many are stripped for flogging who do not deserve it so much as these."
[E389]"In Bridewell a number be stript," etc. Although allthe editions I have been able to examine read "lesse worthie thantheefeto be whipt," I suspect the correct reading to be "lesse worthie thantheeseto be whipt." The mistake might easily occur through the similarity of the oldsandf. The meaning, as the lines read at present, is not very clear, but if we adopt the suggested reading, the sense becomes at once apparent:—"In Bridewell many are stripped for flogging who do not deserve it so much as these."
[E390]"Take them" = arrest them.
[E390]"Take them" = arrest them.
[E391]"Mo," lit. = more; but also used in the sense of others. "This use ofmois not common, but there are a few examples of it. Thus in Specimens of English, ed. Morris and Skeat, we have at p. 47, l. 51,"Y sike for vnseteAnt mourne ase men doþmo."i.e.'I sigh for unrest, and mourn asothermen do.' And on the next page (48, l. 22) we have'Mody meneþ so doþmo,Ichot ycham on of þo,'i.e.'The moody moan asothersdo; I wot I am one of them.' Somewhat similar is the expressionoþer mo, where we should now sayothers as well, Piers Plowman, C. Text, Passus v. 10."—Rev. W. Skeat, in note to l. 1039 of Chaucer, Clerke's Tale, Clarendon Press Series.Mois also used in the same sense in67, 11, p. 154.
[E391]"Mo," lit. = more; but also used in the sense of others. "This use ofmois not common, but there are a few examples of it. Thus in Specimens of English, ed. Morris and Skeat, we have at p. 47, l. 51,
"Y sike for vnseteAnt mourne ase men doþmo."
i.e.'I sigh for unrest, and mourn asothermen do.' And on the next page (48, l. 22) we have
'Mody meneþ so doþmo,Ichot ycham on of þo,'
i.e.'The moody moan asothersdo; I wot I am one of them.' Somewhat similar is the expressionoþer mo, where we should now sayothers as well, Piers Plowman, C. Text, Passus v. 10."—Rev. W. Skeat, in note to l. 1039 of Chaucer, Clerke's Tale, Clarendon Press Series.Mois also used in the same sense in67, 11, p. 154.
[E392]"Verlets," originally a servant to a knight, below page or squire, though often used in French Romance as equivalent to a squire. "Pages,varlets, ou damoiseaux: noms quelquefois communs auxecuyers."—Cotgrave. Ducange (Gloss. M. et I. Lat.) has: "Valeti valectiappellati vulgo magnatum filii, qui necdum militare cingulum consecuti erant: vassallorum filiivassaletidicti." Levins (Manip. Vocab.) says: "Varlett,verna." See Wedgwood, Dict. Eng. Etymology,s.v.Valet.
[E392]"Verlets," originally a servant to a knight, below page or squire, though often used in French Romance as equivalent to a squire. "Pages,varlets, ou damoiseaux: noms quelquefois communs auxecuyers."—Cotgrave. Ducange (Gloss. M. et I. Lat.) has: "Valeti valectiappellati vulgo magnatum filii, qui necdum militare cingulum consecuti erant: vassallorum filiivassaletidicti." Levins (Manip. Vocab.) says: "Varlett,verna." See Wedgwood, Dict. Eng. Etymology,s.v.Valet.
[E393]"Ruleth the roste;" toruletheroastis to preside at the board, to assign what share one pleases to the guests; hence it came to mean to domineer, in which sense it is commonly used in our old authors. See Nares, s.v.
[E393]"Ruleth the roste;" toruletheroastis to preside at the board, to assign what share one pleases to the guests; hence it came to mean to domineer, in which sense it is commonly used in our old authors. See Nares, s.v.
[E394]With this description of an envious neighbour compare Langland's picture ofInvidia(Envy) in Piers Plowman, B. Text, E. E. Text Soc., ed. Skeat, Passus v. l. 76.
[E394]With this description of an envious neighbour compare Langland's picture ofInvidia(Envy) in Piers Plowman, B. Text, E. E. Text Soc., ed. Skeat, Passus v. l. 76.
[E395]"His hatred procureth," etc., his hatred takes pains to bring bad to worse, his friendship is like that of Judas who, etc.,i.e.is selfish.
[E395]"His hatred procureth," etc., his hatred takes pains to bring bad to worse, his friendship is like that of Judas who, etc.,i.e.is selfish.
[E396]"His lips out of frame,"i.e.are out of order, are not kept in order. Cf. the expression "loose in the haft."
[E396]"His lips out of frame,"i.e.are out of order, are not kept in order. Cf. the expression "loose in the haft."
[E397]"Spials;" so Spenser, Faery Queene, i. 4:"And privie spials plast in all his way,"Levins (Manip. Vocab.) has "Spyall,arbiter."
[E397]"Spials;" so Spenser, Faery Queene, i. 4:
"And privie spials plast in all his way,"
Levins (Manip. Vocab.) has "Spyall,arbiter."
[E398]"Would'st thou not be glad to have the niggardly rascallysheepbitercome by some notable shame."—Shakspere, Twelfth Night, Act ii. sc. 5."Who is in this closet? let me see (breaks it open). Oh,sheepbiter, are you here?"—Shadwell, Bury Fair, 1689.
[E398]"Would'st thou not be glad to have the niggardly rascallysheepbitercome by some notable shame."—Shakspere, Twelfth Night, Act ii. sc. 5.
"Who is in this closet? let me see (breaks it open). Oh,sheepbiter, are you here?"—Shadwell, Bury Fair, 1689.
[E399]"Coxcombe:" see Cotgrave, s.v.Effeminé, Enfourner, Fol, Lambui.
[E399]"Coxcombe:" see Cotgrave, s.v.Effeminé, Enfourner, Fol, Lambui.
[E400]Davus is the common name in Terence for the cunning, plotting servant.
[E400]Davus is the common name in Terence for the cunning, plotting servant.
[E401]Thersites, the ugliest and most scurrilous of the Greeks before Troy. He spared in his revilings neither prince nor chief, but directed his abuse especially against Achilles and Ulysses. The name is often used to denote a calumniator. Cf."When rank Thersites opes his mastiff jaws,We shall hear music, wit, and oracle."—Shakspere, Troilus and Cressida, Act i. sc. 3.
[E401]Thersites, the ugliest and most scurrilous of the Greeks before Troy. He spared in his revilings neither prince nor chief, but directed his abuse especially against Achilles and Ulysses. The name is often used to denote a calumniator. Cf.
"When rank Thersites opes his mastiff jaws,We shall hear music, wit, and oracle."—Shakspere, Troilus and Cressida, Act i. sc. 3.
[E402]"Shall swell like a tode." Cf.65, 6.
[E402]"Shall swell like a tode." Cf.65, 6.
[E403]"To hold a candle to the devil is to assist in a bad cause or an evil matter."—Ray. Hazlitt (English Proverbs, p. 407) gives "'Tis good sometimes to hold a candle to the devil." Thus we find an anonymous correspondent writing to John Paston: "for howr Lords love, goo tharow with Wyll Weseter, and also plese Chrewys as ye thynke in yow hert best for to do; for it is a comon proverbe, 'A man must sumtymeset a candel befor the Devyle;' and therfor thow it be not alder most mede and profytabyl, yet of ij harmys the leste is to be take."—Paston Letters, ed. Gairdner, ii. 73.
[E403]"To hold a candle to the devil is to assist in a bad cause or an evil matter."—Ray. Hazlitt (English Proverbs, p. 407) gives "'Tis good sometimes to hold a candle to the devil." Thus we find an anonymous correspondent writing to John Paston: "for howr Lords love, goo tharow with Wyll Weseter, and also plese Chrewys as ye thynke in yow hert best for to do; for it is a comon proverbe, 'A man must sumtymeset a candel befor the Devyle;' and therfor thow it be not alder most mede and profytabyl, yet of ij harmys the leste is to be take."—Paston Letters, ed. Gairdner, ii. 73.
[E404]At Canterbury is a representation of Master Shorne holding up his hand in a threatening attitude at the Devil, who is in a boot.
[E404]At Canterbury is a representation of Master Shorne holding up his hand in a threatening attitude at the Devil, who is in a boot.
[E405]"False birds can fetch the wind;" an expression taken from hawking. Tofetch the wind, totake the wind(Bacon), and tohave the windare various forms of the same expression, the meaning of which is to gain or take an advantage. We still use the expression "to get to windward of another," meaning to get the better or advantage of him. Mavor reads, "falsewordscan fetch the wind,"i.e.slander will spread as though borne on the wind. I do not, however, know on what authority he has adopted this reading, as the text of 1577 gives "birds."
[E405]"False birds can fetch the wind;" an expression taken from hawking. Tofetch the wind, totake the wind(Bacon), and tohave the windare various forms of the same expression, the meaning of which is to gain or take an advantage. We still use the expression "to get to windward of another," meaning to get the better or advantage of him. Mavor reads, "falsewordscan fetch the wind,"i.e.slander will spread as though borne on the wind. I do not, however, know on what authority he has adopted this reading, as the text of 1577 gives "birds."
[E406]The following poem on Evil Tongues is from a MS. of the 15th century, edited for the Percy Soc. by the late Mr. T. Wright, 1847:"A man that con his tong stere,He ther not rek wer that he go.""Ittes knowyn in every schyre,Wekyd tongges have no pere;I wold thei wer brent in the fer,That warke men soo mykyll wo.Ittes knowyn in every lond,Wekyd tongges don gret wrong,Thei make me to lyyn long,And also in myche car.Ȝyf a man go in clothes gay,Or elles in gud aray,Wekyd tongges yet wyl say,Wer cam the by therto?Ȝyf a man go in cloys ill,And have not the world at wyl,Wekyd tongges thei wyll hym spyll,And seyd he ys a stake, lat hym goo.Now us to amend God yeve us grace,Of repentens and of gud grace,That we mut se hys glorius face.Amen, Amen, for charyte."
[E406]The following poem on Evil Tongues is from a MS. of the 15th century, edited for the Percy Soc. by the late Mr. T. Wright, 1847:
"A man that con his tong stere,He ther not rek wer that he go."
"Ittes knowyn in every schyre,Wekyd tongges have no pere;I wold thei wer brent in the fer,That warke men soo mykyll wo.
Ittes knowyn in every lond,Wekyd tongges don gret wrong,Thei make me to lyyn long,And also in myche car.
Ȝyf a man go in clothes gay,Or elles in gud aray,Wekyd tongges yet wyl say,Wer cam the by therto?
Ȝyf a man go in cloys ill,And have not the world at wyl,Wekyd tongges thei wyll hym spyll,And seyd he ys a stake, lat hym goo.
Now us to amend God yeve us grace,Of repentens and of gud grace,That we mut se hys glorius face.Amen, Amen, for charyte."
[E407]There is a smoothness in the versification of this sonnet, and a succession of imagery, though drawn from common sources, which we do not often find in Tusser. He has made a good use of the figureerotesis.—M. Compare Milton, Lycidas, 45:"As killing as the canker to the rose,Ortaint-wormto the weanling herds that graze."
[E407]There is a smoothness in the versification of this sonnet, and a succession of imagery, though drawn from common sources, which we do not often find in Tusser. He has made a good use of the figureerotesis.—M. Compare Milton, Lycidas, 45:
"As killing as the canker to the rose,Ortaint-wormto the weanling herds that graze."
[E408]Janus, an old Italian deity, the god of the sun and the year, to whom the month of January was dedicated.
[E408]Janus, an old Italian deity, the god of the sun and the year, to whom the month of January was dedicated.
[E409]Ver = Spring, Æstas = Summer, Hyems = Winter.
[E409]Ver = Spring, Æstas = Summer, Hyems = Winter.
[E410]"Delaide;" so in Spenser, Faery Queene, ix. 30. "But todelaythe heat," and in Prothalamium 3:"Zephyrus did softly playA gentle spirit, that lightly diddelayHot Titan's beames."
[E410]"Delaide;" so in Spenser, Faery Queene, ix. 30. "But todelaythe heat," and in Prothalamium 3:
"Zephyrus did softly playA gentle spirit, that lightly diddelayHot Titan's beames."
[E411]Alluding to the thirteen revolutions of the moon in the year.
[E411]Alluding to the thirteen revolutions of the moon in the year.
[E412]It appears from the Books of the Stationers' Company, on the authority of Warton (Hist. of Eng. Poetry, vol. iii. p. 428) that a licence was granted to T. Hackett, in the year 1562, to print "A Dialogue of Wyvynge and Thryvynge of Tusshers with ij lessons for olde and yonge."
[E412]It appears from the Books of the Stationers' Company, on the authority of Warton (Hist. of Eng. Poetry, vol. iii. p. 428) that a licence was granted to T. Hackett, in the year 1562, to print "A Dialogue of Wyvynge and Thryvynge of Tusshers with ij lessons for olde and yonge."
[E413]"Bolted out," a term taken from the language and usage of millers, who use the word "to bolt" of the separation of the bran from the flour. Cf. Chaucer, Nonnes Prior's Tale, 415:"But yit I can notbult it to the bren."And Spenser, Faery Queene, iv. 24:"He now hadboultedall the floure.""Time and nature willbolt outthe truth of things."—D'Estrange. "Toboulte outthe truth in reasoning,limare veritatem in disceptatione."—Baret's Alvearie. A "Bolting Cloth" is the name in Lincolnshirefor a cloth used for sifting meal in mills. See Peacock's Glossary,s.v.There was a term "boultings" or "boltings," used of private arguings of cases in some of the Inns of Court. "Boulter, a sifter."—Coles' Dict. 1676.
[E413]"Bolted out," a term taken from the language and usage of millers, who use the word "to bolt" of the separation of the bran from the flour. Cf. Chaucer, Nonnes Prior's Tale, 415:
"But yit I can notbult it to the bren."
And Spenser, Faery Queene, iv. 24:
"He now hadboultedall the floure."
"Time and nature willbolt outthe truth of things."—D'Estrange. "Toboulte outthe truth in reasoning,limare veritatem in disceptatione."—Baret's Alvearie. A "Bolting Cloth" is the name in Lincolnshirefor a cloth used for sifting meal in mills. See Peacock's Glossary,s.v.There was a term "boultings" or "boltings," used of private arguings of cases in some of the Inns of Court. "Boulter, a sifter."—Coles' Dict. 1676.
[E414]"Could the way to thriue."Couldis here used in its old sense ofknew, orunderstood. A.S.cunnan, to know;ic can, I know;ic cuðe, I knew.
[E414]"Could the way to thriue."Couldis here used in its old sense ofknew, orunderstood. A.S.cunnan, to know;ic can, I know;ic cuðe, I knew.
[E415]"To stay himselfe in some good plot," etc.; compare10. 8.
[E415]"To stay himselfe in some good plot," etc.; compare10. 8.
[E416]"Of this and that;" cf.62. 10.
[E416]"Of this and that;" cf.62. 10.
[E417]"The blacke oxe neare trod on thy fut:" a proverbial expression, meaning, you have experienced misfortune close at home.In Peacock's Glossary of Manley, etc. (E. D. Soc. 1877), we have: "TheBlack Bull'strodden on him;" that is, he is in a very bad temper. And the following passage from Bernard's Terence is quoted: "Prosperitie hangs on his sleeue; theblack oxecannot tread on his foot.""Venus waxeth old; and then she was a pretie wench, when Juno was a young wife; now crowes foote is on her eye, and theblack oxehath trod on her foot."—Lyly's Sapho and Phao, 1584, ed. 1858, i. 199.Mr. George Vere Irving (Notes and Queries, 3rd Ser. xii. 488) remarks that this expression is at this day frequently used in Scotland in reference to a person who has experienced misfortune. See Hazlitt's Eng. Proverbs, p. 359.
[E417]"The blacke oxe neare trod on thy fut:" a proverbial expression, meaning, you have experienced misfortune close at home.
In Peacock's Glossary of Manley, etc. (E. D. Soc. 1877), we have: "TheBlack Bull'strodden on him;" that is, he is in a very bad temper. And the following passage from Bernard's Terence is quoted: "Prosperitie hangs on his sleeue; theblack oxecannot tread on his foot."
"Venus waxeth old; and then she was a pretie wench, when Juno was a young wife; now crowes foote is on her eye, and theblack oxehath trod on her foot."—Lyly's Sapho and Phao, 1584, ed. 1858, i. 199.
Mr. George Vere Irving (Notes and Queries, 3rd Ser. xii. 488) remarks that this expression is at this day frequently used in Scotland in reference to a person who has experienced misfortune. See Hazlitt's Eng. Proverbs, p. 359.
[E418]"It is too much we dailie heare," etc. This proverbial expression occurs in theTownley Mysteries, p. 86, as—"A man may not wive,And also thrive,And all in one year."
[E418]"It is too much we dailie heare," etc. This proverbial expression occurs in theTownley Mysteries, p. 86, as—
"A man may not wive,And also thrive,And all in one year."
[E419]"Asmohave bin;" compare noteE391.
[E419]"Asmohave bin;" compare noteE391.
[E420]"The good wiues husband weares no breech." So in a song in the MS. of the 15th cent. quoted above, the heading of which is"Nova, Nova,sawe yow ever such,The moste mayster of the hows weryth no brych."The burden of the song being"Lest the most mayster wer no brych."
[E420]"The good wiues husband weares no breech." So in a song in the MS. of the 15th cent. quoted above, the heading of which is
"Nova, Nova,sawe yow ever such,The moste mayster of the hows weryth no brych."
The burden of the song being
"Lest the most mayster wer no brych."
[E421]The same reply is attributed to Thales. See his life in Diogenes Laertius, Bk. i. 26.
[E421]The same reply is attributed to Thales. See his life in Diogenes Laertius, Bk. i. 26.
[E422]"Yyng men, I red that ye be war,That ye cum not in the snar;For he is browt in meche car,That have a shrow onto his wyfe.In a panter I am caute,My fot his pennyd, I may not owt;In sorow and car he his put,That have, etc.With a qwene yif that thou run,Anon it is told into the town;Sorow he hath both up and down,That have, etc."—Song in MS. of 15th century quoted above."Feareth me," that is, it frightens me, I fear, as in "me liketh" = it pleases me, I like.
[E422]"Yyng men, I red that ye be war,That ye cum not in the snar;For he is browt in meche car,That have a shrow onto his wyfe.
In a panter I am caute,My fot his pennyd, I may not owt;In sorow and car he his put,That have, etc.
With a qwene yif that thou run,Anon it is told into the town;Sorow he hath both up and down,That have, etc."—Song in MS. of 15th century quoted above.
"Feareth me," that is, it frightens me, I fear, as in "me liketh" = it pleases me, I like.
[E423]"As good a shrew is as a sheepe," etc. This proverb appears inEpistolæ Hoelianæ, ed. 1754, p. 177, in a letter dated 5th February, 1625-6, as "It is better to marry a shrew than a sheep." In Taylor's Pastorall, 1624, we have "A shrew is better than a sheep."
[E423]"As good a shrew is as a sheepe," etc. This proverb appears inEpistolæ Hoelianæ, ed. 1754, p. 177, in a letter dated 5th February, 1625-6, as "It is better to marry a shrew than a sheep." In Taylor's Pastorall, 1624, we have "A shrew is better than a sheep."
[E424]William, the first Lord Paget, and the patron of Tusser, married Anne, daughter of Mr. Prestin, of the County of Lancaster; and to her it is most probable the Book of Huswifery was dedicated, and not to Margaret, the daughter of Sir H. Newton, and lady of Thomas, Lord Paget.
[E424]William, the first Lord Paget, and the patron of Tusser, married Anne, daughter of Mr. Prestin, of the County of Lancaster; and to her it is most probable the Book of Huswifery was dedicated, and not to Margaret, the daughter of Sir H. Newton, and lady of Thomas, Lord Paget.
[E425]"By their fruits ye shall know them, do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles?"
[E425]"By their fruits ye shall know them, do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles?"
[E426]The rime in the last two lines is most remarkable; apparentlythriueis pronouncedthreev, as Mr. Ellis contends.
[E426]The rime in the last two lines is most remarkable; apparentlythriueis pronouncedthreev, as Mr. Ellis contends.
[E427]From the last two lines of this stanza it would appear that Tusser was a widower at the time when he wrote this Address to the Reader, or at least when he first wrote on the subject of Huswifery.
[E427]From the last two lines of this stanza it would appear that Tusser was a widower at the time when he wrote this Address to the Reader, or at least when he first wrote on the subject of Huswifery.
[E428]"A description of Huswife," etc. This antithetical description seems to have been introduced, in order that it might correspond with the description of Husbandry,chapter 8, p. 16.—M.
[E428]"A description of Huswife," etc. This antithetical description seems to have been introduced, in order that it might correspond with the description of Husbandry,chapter 8, p. 16.—M.
[E429]According to Fitzherbert, the farmers' wives must have been patterns of diligence and industry, and a variety of duties devolved upon them which have since ceased to be required, or have fallen with more propriety upon the other sex. They had to measure out the quantity of corn to be ground, and see that it was sent to the miller. The poultry, swine, and cows were under their charge; and they superintended the brewing and baking. The garden was peculiarly the care of the farmer's wife. She had to depend upon it for various herbs which are no longer in use, but which could not be dispensed with when spices were rare and costly. Besides pot-herbs, strewing-herbs were required for the chambers, and herbs possessing medical virtues. The list of fruits at this date was confined to a few of indigenous growth, which were but little improved by skill and management. Tusser directs his housewife to transplant into her garden wild strawberries from the woods. All the writers on rural economy during this period recommend the farmer's wife carefully to attend to her crop of flax and hemp. When, however, Fitzherbert asserts that it is a wife's duty "to winnow all manner of corn, to make malt, to wash, and to make hay, shearcorn, and, in time of need, help her husband to fill the muck-wain or dung-cart, drive the plough, to load hay, corn, and such other, to go to market and sell butter or pigs, fowls or corn," it is to be presumed that he had in his view the smallest class of yeomen, who had no hired servants.
[E429]According to Fitzherbert, the farmers' wives must have been patterns of diligence and industry, and a variety of duties devolved upon them which have since ceased to be required, or have fallen with more propriety upon the other sex. They had to measure out the quantity of corn to be ground, and see that it was sent to the miller. The poultry, swine, and cows were under their charge; and they superintended the brewing and baking. The garden was peculiarly the care of the farmer's wife. She had to depend upon it for various herbs which are no longer in use, but which could not be dispensed with when spices were rare and costly. Besides pot-herbs, strewing-herbs were required for the chambers, and herbs possessing medical virtues. The list of fruits at this date was confined to a few of indigenous growth, which were but little improved by skill and management. Tusser directs his housewife to transplant into her garden wild strawberries from the woods. All the writers on rural economy during this period recommend the farmer's wife carefully to attend to her crop of flax and hemp. When, however, Fitzherbert asserts that it is a wife's duty "to winnow all manner of corn, to make malt, to wash, and to make hay, shearcorn, and, in time of need, help her husband to fill the muck-wain or dung-cart, drive the plough, to load hay, corn, and such other, to go to market and sell butter or pigs, fowls or corn," it is to be presumed that he had in his view the smallest class of yeomen, who had no hired servants.
[E430]"Reason their cace," that is, gossip and argue over their circumstances.
[E430]"Reason their cace," that is, gossip and argue over their circumstances.
[E431]"Home is home, be it never so ill." Ballad licensed in 1569-70. Clarke (Paræm. 1639, p. 101) has with us, "home is home, be it never so homely." On the other hand, Heywood, in his Epigrams, 1562, says:"Home is homely, yea, and to homely sometyme,Where wives' footestooles to their husbandes' heads clime."
[E431]"Home is home, be it never so ill." Ballad licensed in 1569-70. Clarke (Paræm. 1639, p. 101) has with us, "home is home, be it never so homely." On the other hand, Heywood, in his Epigrams, 1562, says:
"Home is homely, yea, and to homely sometyme,Where wives' footestooles to their husbandes' heads clime."
[E432]"Familie" = household. Comparechap. 9, st. 12.
[E432]"Familie" = household. Comparechap. 9, st. 12.
[E433]"Maides, three a clock," etc. Compare Romeo and Juliet, Act iv. sc. 4, 3—"The second cock hath crow'd,The curfew bell hath rung, 'tis three o'clock."
[E433]"Maides, three a clock," etc. Compare Romeo and Juliet, Act iv. sc. 4, 3—
"The second cock hath crow'd,The curfew bell hath rung, 'tis three o'clock."
[E434]"Lay your bucks,"i.e.get ready the washing tubs. Compare: "Throw foul linen upon him as if it were going tobucking."—Shakspere, Merry Wives of Wind., Act iii. sc. 3. Buck-basket, the basket in which linen is carried to the wash. "Bouck-fatt, a washing tub."—Upton Inventories, p. 28. Cf. "And for I can so wele wasche and so welebowke, Godde has made me his chaumberere."—The Pilgrimage of the Life of the Manhode, f. 21b., MS. in Libr. of St. John's Coll. Camb. 'Ibuckelynen clothes to scoure of their fylthe and make them whyte,Ie bue. Bucke these shyrtes, for they be to foule to be wasshed by hande,buez ces chemises, car elles sont trop sallies de les lauer a sauon.'—Palsgrave. 'Buée, lie wherwith clothes are scowred; also abuckof clothes;Buer, to wash abuck, to scowre with lie;Buandieref., a laundresse, or buck-washer.'—Cotgrave. Tobuckis to cleanse clothes by steeping them in lye: seeBuckin Webster, Nares, Wedgwood, etc."—Rev. W. W. Skeat, note to P. Plowman, B. Text, xiv. 19.
[E434]"Lay your bucks,"i.e.get ready the washing tubs. Compare: "Throw foul linen upon him as if it were going tobucking."—Shakspere, Merry Wives of Wind., Act iii. sc. 3. Buck-basket, the basket in which linen is carried to the wash. "Bouck-fatt, a washing tub."—Upton Inventories, p. 28. Cf. "And for I can so wele wasche and so welebowke, Godde has made me his chaumberere."—The Pilgrimage of the Life of the Manhode, f. 21b., MS. in Libr. of St. John's Coll. Camb. 'Ibuckelynen clothes to scoure of their fylthe and make them whyte,Ie bue. Bucke these shyrtes, for they be to foule to be wasshed by hande,buez ces chemises, car elles sont trop sallies de les lauer a sauon.'—Palsgrave. 'Buée, lie wherwith clothes are scowred; also abuckof clothes;Buer, to wash abuck, to scowre with lie;Buandieref., a laundresse, or buck-washer.'—Cotgrave. Tobuckis to cleanse clothes by steeping them in lye: seeBuckin Webster, Nares, Wedgwood, etc."—Rev. W. W. Skeat, note to P. Plowman, B. Text, xiv. 19.
[E435]The hours of meals varied at different dates. In the Myrour of Our Lady, ed. Blunt, p. 15, we read: "At houre of tyerse [9 a.m.] labourers desyre to haue theyr dyner."In Chambers's Book of Days, i. 96, we read that Gervase Markham, in 1653, makes the ploughman have three meals, viz. breakfast at 6 a.m., dinner at half-past 3 p.m., and supper at 6 p.m. See also noteE444.
[E435]The hours of meals varied at different dates. In the Myrour of Our Lady, ed. Blunt, p. 15, we read: "At houre of tyerse [9 a.m.] labourers desyre to haue theyr dyner."
In Chambers's Book of Days, i. 96, we read that Gervase Markham, in 1653, makes the ploughman have three meals, viz. breakfast at 6 a.m., dinner at half-past 3 p.m., and supper at 6 p.m. See also noteE444.
[E436]In the Library of Caius Coll. Camb. is a volume of Tracts, No. 286, one of which, published in 1555, An Account of the Cruelties of the King of Spain, has as its motto: "Beware of Had I wiste." This is also the title of a poem in the Paradyce of Daynty Deuyses, 1578. It is quoted by Sir Simon D'Ewes (Diary, etc., ii. 366):"Telle neuere the more thoug thou myche heere,And euere be waare ofhad-y-wist."—Babees Book, ed. Furnivall, p. 264, l. 72.
[E436]In the Library of Caius Coll. Camb. is a volume of Tracts, No. 286, one of which, published in 1555, An Account of the Cruelties of the King of Spain, has as its motto: "Beware of Had I wiste." This is also the title of a poem in the Paradyce of Daynty Deuyses, 1578. It is quoted by Sir Simon D'Ewes (Diary, etc., ii. 366):
"Telle neuere the more thoug thou myche heere,And euere be waare ofhad-y-wist."—Babees Book, ed. Furnivall, p. 264, l. 72.
[E437]See noteE52.
[E437]See noteE52.
[E438]"Beware that ye geue no persone palled drynke, for feereHit mygtt brynge many a man in disese durynge many a yere."—John Russell's Boke of Norture, in Babees Book, p. 13."Sowre ale, and dead ale, and ale the whiche doth stande a tylte is good for no man."—Andrew Boorde, Regimen of Health."Of ale and beer, as well as of wine, we find various kinds mentioned. There were single beer, or small ale, which could do little more than quench thirst,—and double beer, which was recommended as containing a double quantity of malt and hops,—and double-double beer, which was twice as strong as that,—and dagger-ale, which, as the name implies, was reckoned particularly sharp and dangerous,—and bracket, a kind of ale which we are unable distinctly to describe. But the favourite drink, as well as the chief article of vulgar debauch, was a kind of ale commonly called huffcap, but which was also termed 'mad dog,' 'angel's food,' 'dragon's milk,' and other such ridiculous names, by the frequenters of ale-houses: 'and never,' says Harrison, 'did Romulus and Remus suck their she-wolf with such eager and sharp devotion as these men hale at huffcap, till they be as red as cocks, and little wiser than their combs.' The higher classes, who were able to afford such a luxury, brewed a generous liquor for their own consumption, which they did not bring to the table till it was two years old. This was called March ale, from the month in which it was brewed. But the servants had to content themselves with a more simple beverage that was seldom more than a month old. A cup of choice ale was often as richly compounded with dainties as the finest wines. Sometimes it was warmed, and qualified with sugar and spices; sometimes with a toast; often with a roasted crab or apple, making the beverage still known under the name of Lambs'-wool; while to stir the whole composition with a sprig of rosemary, was supposed to give it an additional flavour. The drinks made from fruit were chiefly cider, perry, and mum. Those that had formerly been made from honey seem to have fallen into disuse in consequence of the general taste for stronger potations; metheglin being now chiefly confined to the Welsh. A simple liquor, however, was still used in Essex, called by Harrison, somewhat contemptuously, 'a swish-swash,' made of water with a little honey and spice, but 'as differing,' he says, 'from true metheglin as chalk doth from cheese.' He informs us, moreover, that already the tapsters of England had learned to adulterate their ale and beer with pernicious compounds."—Pict. Hist. of England, ii. 883."In the parish of Hawsted, Suffolk, the allowance of food to the labourer in harvest was, two herrings per day, milk from the manordairy to make cheese, and a loaf of bread, of which fifteen were made from a bushel of wheat. Messes of potage made their frequent appearance at the rustic board."—Knight, Pict. Hist. of England, i. 839.
[E438]
"Beware that ye geue no persone palled drynke, for feereHit mygtt brynge many a man in disese durynge many a yere."—John Russell's Boke of Norture, in Babees Book, p. 13.
"Sowre ale, and dead ale, and ale the whiche doth stande a tylte is good for no man."—Andrew Boorde, Regimen of Health.
"Of ale and beer, as well as of wine, we find various kinds mentioned. There were single beer, or small ale, which could do little more than quench thirst,—and double beer, which was recommended as containing a double quantity of malt and hops,—and double-double beer, which was twice as strong as that,—and dagger-ale, which, as the name implies, was reckoned particularly sharp and dangerous,—and bracket, a kind of ale which we are unable distinctly to describe. But the favourite drink, as well as the chief article of vulgar debauch, was a kind of ale commonly called huffcap, but which was also termed 'mad dog,' 'angel's food,' 'dragon's milk,' and other such ridiculous names, by the frequenters of ale-houses: 'and never,' says Harrison, 'did Romulus and Remus suck their she-wolf with such eager and sharp devotion as these men hale at huffcap, till they be as red as cocks, and little wiser than their combs.' The higher classes, who were able to afford such a luxury, brewed a generous liquor for their own consumption, which they did not bring to the table till it was two years old. This was called March ale, from the month in which it was brewed. But the servants had to content themselves with a more simple beverage that was seldom more than a month old. A cup of choice ale was often as richly compounded with dainties as the finest wines. Sometimes it was warmed, and qualified with sugar and spices; sometimes with a toast; often with a roasted crab or apple, making the beverage still known under the name of Lambs'-wool; while to stir the whole composition with a sprig of rosemary, was supposed to give it an additional flavour. The drinks made from fruit were chiefly cider, perry, and mum. Those that had formerly been made from honey seem to have fallen into disuse in consequence of the general taste for stronger potations; metheglin being now chiefly confined to the Welsh. A simple liquor, however, was still used in Essex, called by Harrison, somewhat contemptuously, 'a swish-swash,' made of water with a little honey and spice, but 'as differing,' he says, 'from true metheglin as chalk doth from cheese.' He informs us, moreover, that already the tapsters of England had learned to adulterate their ale and beer with pernicious compounds."—Pict. Hist. of England, ii. 883.
"In the parish of Hawsted, Suffolk, the allowance of food to the labourer in harvest was, two herrings per day, milk from the manordairy to make cheese, and a loaf of bread, of which fifteen were made from a bushel of wheat. Messes of potage made their frequent appearance at the rustic board."—Knight, Pict. Hist. of England, i. 839.
[E439]Harrison gives an account (pp. 153-4) of the following kinds of bread made in England: 1. Mainchet, "commonlie called white bread, in LatinePrimarius panis." 2. Cheat "or wheaton bread, so named bicause the colour therof resembleth the graie [or yellowish] wheat [being cleane and well dressed,] and out of this is the coursest of the bran (vsuallie called gurgeons or pollard) taken. The raueled is a kind of cheat bread also, but it reteineth more of the grosse, and lesse of the pure substance of the wheat." 3. Brown bread, of which there were two kinds, viz. (a) of whole meal unsifted, (b) pollard bread, with a little rye meal, and called Miscelin or Meslin. "In champeigne countries much rie and barleie bread is eaten, but especiallie where wheat is scant and geson."
[E439]Harrison gives an account (pp. 153-4) of the following kinds of bread made in England: 1. Mainchet, "commonlie called white bread, in LatinePrimarius panis." 2. Cheat "or wheaton bread, so named bicause the colour therof resembleth the graie [or yellowish] wheat [being cleane and well dressed,] and out of this is the coursest of the bran (vsuallie called gurgeons or pollard) taken. The raueled is a kind of cheat bread also, but it reteineth more of the grosse, and lesse of the pure substance of the wheat." 3. Brown bread, of which there were two kinds, viz. (a) of whole meal unsifted, (b) pollard bread, with a little rye meal, and called Miscelin or Meslin. "In champeigne countries much rie and barleie bread is eaten, but especiallie where wheat is scant and geson."
[E440]"Baies." Halliwell prints this word asbaicsin his Dictionary, defining it as "chidings, reproofs," and giving as his authority Hunter's Additions to Boucher.
[E440]"Baies." Halliwell prints this word asbaicsin his Dictionary, defining it as "chidings, reproofs," and giving as his authority Hunter's Additions to Boucher.
[E441]"Droie." See Note in Prompt. Parv., s.v.DryvylleandDeye. Probably a corruption ofdroile; a scullion, kitchen-boy, or servant of all-work.—M. Droie also occurs in Stubbes' Anatomie of Abuses, 1583.
[E441]"Droie." See Note in Prompt. Parv., s.v.DryvylleandDeye. Probably a corruption ofdroile; a scullion, kitchen-boy, or servant of all-work.—M. Droie also occurs in Stubbes' Anatomie of Abuses, 1583.
[E442]"In some places it [the malt] is dried at leisure with wood alone, or strawe alone, in other with wood and strawe togither; but of all, the strawe dried is the most excellent. For the wood dried malt when it is brued, beside that the drinke is higher of colour, it dooth hurt and annoie the head of him that is not vsed thereto, bicause of the smoake. Such also as vse both indifferentlie, doo barke, cleaue and drie their wrood in an ouen, thereby to remooue all moisture that shuld procure the fume, and this malt is in the second place, and with the same likewise, that which is made with dried firze, broome, etc.; whereas, if they also be occupied greene, they are in maner so preiudiciall to the corne, as is the moist wood."—Harrison, Description of England, ed. F. J. Furnivall, Part I. p. 157.
[E442]"In some places it [the malt] is dried at leisure with wood alone, or strawe alone, in other with wood and strawe togither; but of all, the strawe dried is the most excellent. For the wood dried malt when it is brued, beside that the drinke is higher of colour, it dooth hurt and annoie the head of him that is not vsed thereto, bicause of the smoake. Such also as vse both indifferentlie, doo barke, cleaue and drie their wrood in an ouen, thereby to remooue all moisture that shuld procure the fume, and this malt is in the second place, and with the same likewise, that which is made with dried firze, broome, etc.; whereas, if they also be occupied greene, they are in maner so preiudiciall to the corne, as is the moist wood."—Harrison, Description of England, ed. F. J. Furnivall, Part I. p. 157.
[E443]See NoteE116.
[E443]See NoteE116.
[E444]"The husbandmen dine at high noone as they call it, and sup at seuen or eight."—Harrison, Part I. p. 166.
[E444]"The husbandmen dine at high noone as they call it, and sup at seuen or eight."—Harrison, Part I. p. 166.
[E445]Though all the standard editions read "chaps walking," may it not be a misprint for "chaps wagging," that is, mouths craving?—M.
[E445]Though all the standard editions read "chaps walking," may it not be a misprint for "chaps wagging," that is, mouths craving?—M.
[E446]"Enough is a plentie." Cf. "Mesure is medcyne þouȝ þow moche ȝerne."—Piers Plowman, Passus i. 35. "But mesure is a meri mene, þouȝ men moche ȝerne."—Richard the Redeles, E.E. Text Soc., ed. Skeat, ii. 139. "Measure is treasure."—Dyce's Skelton, ii. 238, 241. "Enough is as good as a feast."—Gascoigne's Posies, 1575.
[E446]"Enough is a plentie." Cf. "Mesure is medcyne þouȝ þow moche ȝerne."—Piers Plowman, Passus i. 35. "But mesure is a meri mene, þouȝ men moche ȝerne."—Richard the Redeles, E.E. Text Soc., ed. Skeat, ii. 139. "Measure is treasure."—Dyce's Skelton, ii. 238, 241. "Enough is as good as a feast."—Gascoigne's Posies, 1575.
[E447]"Chippings." The "Chippings of Trencher-brede" in Lord Percy's household were used "for the fedynge of my lords houndis."—Percy Household Book, p. 353. "Other ij pages ... them oweth tochippebredde, but too nye the crumme."—Household Ordin. pp. 71-2. In theRegimen Sanitatis Salerni, ed. 1634, p. 71, we are warned against eating crusts, because "they ingender a dust cholor, or melancholly humours, by reason that they bee burned and dry."
[E447]"Chippings." The "Chippings of Trencher-brede" in Lord Percy's household were used "for the fedynge of my lords houndis."—Percy Household Book, p. 353. "Other ij pages ... them oweth tochippebredde, but too nye the crumme."—Household Ordin. pp. 71-2. In theRegimen Sanitatis Salerni, ed. 1634, p. 71, we are warned against eating crusts, because "they ingender a dust cholor, or melancholly humours, by reason that they bee burned and dry."
[E448]"Call quarterly seruants to court and to leete," that is, call to account.
[E448]"Call quarterly seruants to court and to leete," that is, call to account.
[E449]"Lurching," cf.footnote 1, p. 64.
[E449]"Lurching," cf.footnote 1, p. 64.
[E450]"Bandog," cf. noteE35.
[E450]"Bandog," cf. noteE35.
[E451]"Guise.""For he was laid in white Sheep's woolNew pulled from tanned Fells;And o'er his Head hang'd Spiders websAs they had been Bells.Is this theCountry Guise, thought he?Then here I will not stay."—Ballad, K. Alfred and the Shepherd."'Tis thyCountry Guise, I see,To be thus bluntish still."—Ibid."The Normanguisewas to walke and jet up and downe the streets."—Lambert's Peramb. of Kent, 1826, p. 320.
[E451]"Guise."
"For he was laid in white Sheep's woolNew pulled from tanned Fells;And o'er his Head hang'd Spiders websAs they had been Bells.Is this theCountry Guise, thought he?Then here I will not stay."—Ballad, K. Alfred and the Shepherd.
"'Tis thyCountry Guise, I see,To be thus bluntish still."—Ibid.
"The Normanguisewas to walke and jet up and downe the streets."—Lambert's Peramb. of Kent, 1826, p. 320.
[E452]"Plough Monday." "The Monday next after Twelfth-day, when our Northern plow-men beg plow-money to drink; and in some places if the plowman (after that day's work) come with his whip to the kitchin hatch, and cry 'cock in pot' before the maid says 'cock on the dung-hill,' he gains a cock on Shrove-Tuesday."—Coles' Dict. 1708. "Among the rural customs connected with the anniversary of Christmas were those of Plough-Monday, which fell on the first Monday after Twelfth-day. This was the holiday of the ploughmen, who used to go about from house to house begging for plough-money to drink. In the northern counties, where this practice was called the fool-plough (a corruption perhaps ofyule-plough), a number of sword-dancers dragged about a plough, whileone of the party, called the Bessey, was dressed for the occasion like an old woman; and another, who was the fool of the pageant, was almost covered with skins, and wore the tail of some animal dangling down his back. While the rest danced, one of these odd personages went among the spectators, rattling a box, and collecting small donations; and it is said that whosoever refused to pay had the plough dragged to his door and the soil of his threshold ploughed up."—Pict. Hist. of England, ii. 894.
[E452]"Plough Monday." "The Monday next after Twelfth-day, when our Northern plow-men beg plow-money to drink; and in some places if the plowman (after that day's work) come with his whip to the kitchin hatch, and cry 'cock in pot' before the maid says 'cock on the dung-hill,' he gains a cock on Shrove-Tuesday."—Coles' Dict. 1708. "Among the rural customs connected with the anniversary of Christmas were those of Plough-Monday, which fell on the first Monday after Twelfth-day. This was the holiday of the ploughmen, who used to go about from house to house begging for plough-money to drink. In the northern counties, where this practice was called the fool-plough (a corruption perhaps ofyule-plough), a number of sword-dancers dragged about a plough, whileone of the party, called the Bessey, was dressed for the occasion like an old woman; and another, who was the fool of the pageant, was almost covered with skins, and wore the tail of some animal dangling down his back. While the rest danced, one of these odd personages went among the spectators, rattling a box, and collecting small donations; and it is said that whosoever refused to pay had the plough dragged to his door and the soil of his threshold ploughed up."—Pict. Hist. of England, ii. 894.
[E453]The Skreene was a wooden settee or settle, with a high back sufficient to screen the sitters from the outward air, and was in the time of our ancestors an invariable article of furniture near all kitchen fires, and is still seen in the kitchens of many of our old farm-houses in Cheshire. The meaning of the two lines:"If ploughman get hatchet or whip to the skreene,maides loseth their cock if no water be seene,"is, "if the ploughman can get his whip, ploughstaff, hatchet, or anything he wants in the field to the fireside (screenbeing here equivalent tofireside) before the maid has got her kettle on, then she loses her Shrove-tide cock, which belongs wholly to the men."
[E453]The Skreene was a wooden settee or settle, with a high back sufficient to screen the sitters from the outward air, and was in the time of our ancestors an invariable article of furniture near all kitchen fires, and is still seen in the kitchens of many of our old farm-houses in Cheshire. The meaning of the two lines:
"If ploughman get hatchet or whip to the skreene,maides loseth their cock if no water be seene,"
is, "if the ploughman can get his whip, ploughstaff, hatchet, or anything he wants in the field to the fireside (screenbeing here equivalent tofireside) before the maid has got her kettle on, then she loses her Shrove-tide cock, which belongs wholly to the men."
[E454]"Shroftide." The Hen is hung at a Fellow's back who has also some Horse Bells about him, the rest of the Fellows are blinded, and have Boughs in their Hands, with which they chase this Fellow and his Hen about some large Court or small Enclosure. The Fellow with his Hen and Bells shifting as well as he can, they follow the sound, and sometimes hit him and his Hen, other times, if he can get behind one of them, they thresh one another well favour'dly; but the Jest is, the Maids are to blind the Fellows, which they do with their Aprons, and the cunning Baggages will endear their Sweet Hearts with a peeping hole, while the others look out as sharp to hinder it. After this the Hen is boil'd with Bacon, and store of Pancakes and Fritters are made. She that is noted for lying a Bed long or any other Miscarriage, hath the first Pancake presented to her, which most commonly falls to the Dog's share at last, for no one will own it their due.—T.R."Let glad Shrove Tuesday bring the pancake thinOr fritters rich with apples stored within."—Oxford Sausage.
[E454]"Shroftide." The Hen is hung at a Fellow's back who has also some Horse Bells about him, the rest of the Fellows are blinded, and have Boughs in their Hands, with which they chase this Fellow and his Hen about some large Court or small Enclosure. The Fellow with his Hen and Bells shifting as well as he can, they follow the sound, and sometimes hit him and his Hen, other times, if he can get behind one of them, they thresh one another well favour'dly; but the Jest is, the Maids are to blind the Fellows, which they do with their Aprons, and the cunning Baggages will endear their Sweet Hearts with a peeping hole, while the others look out as sharp to hinder it. After this the Hen is boil'd with Bacon, and store of Pancakes and Fritters are made. She that is noted for lying a Bed long or any other Miscarriage, hath the first Pancake presented to her, which most commonly falls to the Dog's share at last, for no one will own it their due.—T.R.
"Let glad Shrove Tuesday bring the pancake thinOr fritters rich with apples stored within."—Oxford Sausage.
[E455]"Wake Day." The Wake-day is the day on which the Parish Church was dedicated, called So, because the Night before it, they were used to watch till Morning in the Church and feasted all the next day. Waking in the Church was left off because of some abuses, and we see here it was converted to wakeing at the Oven.—T.R. "Similar to the church-ales, though of a still more ancient origin, were the Wakes. It had been the custom, on the dedication of a church, or the birth-day of a saint, for the people to assemble on the night previous, to hold a religious vigil in the open air; and, as they remained all night occupied in devotional exercises, this practice was called a wake. Such a method of spending the night, however, soon gave place to very different employments; and feasting, riot, and licentiousness became the prevailing characteristics of these vigils. These concourses, also, from every neighbouring town and parish, naturally suggested the expediency of improving such opportunities for the purposes of traffic; and hence the wakes gradually became fairs, which in some places they still continue to be."—Pict. Hist. of England, ii. 897.
[E455]"Wake Day." The Wake-day is the day on which the Parish Church was dedicated, called So, because the Night before it, they were used to watch till Morning in the Church and feasted all the next day. Waking in the Church was left off because of some abuses, and we see here it was converted to wakeing at the Oven.—T.R. "Similar to the church-ales, though of a still more ancient origin, were the Wakes. It had been the custom, on the dedication of a church, or the birth-day of a saint, for the people to assemble on the night previous, to hold a religious vigil in the open air; and, as they remained all night occupied in devotional exercises, this practice was called a wake. Such a method of spending the night, however, soon gave place to very different employments; and feasting, riot, and licentiousness became the prevailing characteristics of these vigils. These concourses, also, from every neighbouring town and parish, naturally suggested the expediency of improving such opportunities for the purposes of traffic; and hence the wakes gradually became fairs, which in some places they still continue to be."—Pict. Hist. of England, ii. 897.
[E456]"Flawnes;" a kind of pancake was also so called. Nettleham feast at Easter is called theFlown, possibly fromflaunshaving been formerly eaten at that period of the year: but see BabeesBook, p. 173, where Flawnes are stated to be "Cheesecakesmade of ground cheese beaten up with eggs and sugar, coloured with saffron, and baked in 'cofyns' or crusts.""Bread an chese, butere and milk,Pastees andflaunes."—Havelok, ed. Skeat, 644.For flaunes."Take new chese and grynde hit fayre,In morter with egges, without dysware;Put powder þerto of sugur, I say,Coloure hit with safrone ful wele þou may;Put hit in cofyns þat ben fayre,And bake hit forthe, I þe pray."—Liber Cure Cocorum, ed. Morris, p. 39.
[E456]"Flawnes;" a kind of pancake was also so called. Nettleham feast at Easter is called theFlown, possibly fromflaunshaving been formerly eaten at that period of the year: but see BabeesBook, p. 173, where Flawnes are stated to be "Cheesecakesmade of ground cheese beaten up with eggs and sugar, coloured with saffron, and baked in 'cofyns' or crusts."
"Bread an chese, butere and milk,Pastees andflaunes."—Havelok, ed. Skeat, 644.
For flaunes."Take new chese and grynde hit fayre,In morter with egges, without dysware;Put powder þerto of sugur, I say,Coloure hit with safrone ful wele þou may;Put hit in cofyns þat ben fayre,And bake hit forthe, I þe pray."—Liber Cure Cocorum, ed. Morris, p. 39.