The Green Book of St. Columb
In olden days the parish as distinct from the church was an entity with the power not only of appointing a sort of select vestry of twelve (was this number chosen because of the Apostles?) with wardens for the parish, for the poor, for the coffer, and for the pews, but of holding property such as sheep, cattle, and land. It lent money, sometimes at interest, sometimes gratis, it kept ladders, charging for their hire, and, above all, it encouraged Morris dancing and Robin Hood entertainments.
For instance, in 1616, we find in the Green Book, "The young men of the parish wh: played a stage-play, 3s. 4d."
In the list of parish goods set down in 1585 we have: "Ladder. Five coats for dancers. A Friar's Coat. Twenty-four dancing bells. A streamer of red moccado and locram. Six yards of white woollen cloth."
In most places the Morris dance was part of the pageant of Robin Hood, and that this was the case at St. Columb is shown by the "Friar's Coat." The bells were worn on a band at the knee, and the streamer or flag was of two materials, no longer known under those names, the moccado resembling coarse velvet, and the locram an equally coarse linen.
In many parishes a special collection for the "Robin Hood" penny is recorded, and in the Green Book we have:
"Richard Beard oweth to be paid at Lady Day in Lent 10s. of Robin Hood's money; Robert Calwye oweth for the same 2s. 8d."
Hurling also received its due meed of parochial attention. In 1593 is an entry; "John Menheere and wife for a silver ball delivered to Tobye at his instance and upon his word 10s." But in those days the ball differed from that now in use inasmuch as it was gilt, and a year later we find that "Tobye" pays the 10s. for his "silver ball gilt."