MINOR QUERIES.
Pokership or Parkership.—In Collins' Peerage, vol. iv. p. 242., 5th edition, 1779, we are told that Sir Robert Harley, of Wigmore Castle, in 1604, was made Forester of Boringwood, alias Bringwood Forest, in com. Hereford, with the office of the 'Pokership,' and custody of the forest or chase of Prestwood for life. The same word occurs in the edition (the 3rd) of 1741, and in that edited by Sir Egerton Brydges in 1812 (vol. iv. p. 57.).
If Pokership be not a misprint or misreading of the original authority, viz. Pat. 2. Jac. I. p. 21., for Parkership, can any of your readers tell me the meaning of "the Pokership," which is not to be found in any book of reference within my reach? I like the "NOTES AND QUERIES" very much.
Audley End, Jan. 9. 1850.
BRAYBROOKE.
Boduc or Boduoc on British Coins.—I observe there is a prevailing opinion that the inscription on the British coin, "Boduc or Boduoc," must be intended for the name of our magnanimous Queen Boadicea. I am sorry to cast a cloud over so pleasant a vision, but your little book of QUERIES tempts me to throw in a doubt.
Although the name Budic is not met with in the pedigrees of England, commonly given by Welsh heralds, yet it is often found among the families of the Welsh in Brittany, and as they are reported to be early descendants of the Welsh of England, there can be little doubt that the name was once common in England. I beg leave, therefore, to query, Whether the inscription is not intended for a Regulus of Britain of that name?
P.
The Origin of the word Snob.—Can any of your valuable correspondents give me the origin or derivation of the word Snob?
When, and under what peculiar circumstances, was it first introduced into our language?
In the town in which I reside, in the north of England, the word Snob was formerly applied to a cobbler, and the phrase was in use, "Snip the tailor, and Snob the cobbler."
I cannot discover how and why the word Snob was enlarged into its present comprehensive meaning.
Explanations of many of the slang phrases met with in the dramatic works of the last century, such as, "Thank you, sir, I owe you one," "A Rowland for an Oliver," "Keep moving, dad," &c. &c. would perhaps give much light upon the manners of the times, and an interesting history might be compiled of the progress of slang phrases to the present day.
ALPHA.
Mertens, Martins, or Martini, the Printer.—Can any of your correspondents inform me what was really the surname of Theodoric Mertens, Martins, or Martini, the printer of Louvain, and who was a friend of Erasmus? In a small volume of his, now before me, printed in 1517, the colophon gives: "Lovanii apud Theodoricum Martinum anno MDXVII mense April;" while, on the reverse of the same leaf, is a wooden block, of his device, occupying the whole page, and beneath it are inscribed the words "Theodoricus Martini." This appears to put Mertens out of the question.
W.
Queen's Messengers.—I should esteem it a favour conferred if any of your readers could give me any memoranda touching the early origin of the corps now termed Queen's Messengers, the former "Knightes caligate of Armes." The only mention that I have read of their origin is a brief notice in Knight's London, No. 131. p. 91; but doubtless there exists, did I know what works to consult, many more voluminous a history of their origin and proceedings than the short summary given in the work of Mr. Knight. In whose reign were they first created? and by whom were they appointed? In fact, any data relating to their early history would very much oblige,
J.U.G.G.
Bishop Lesly of Ross' Epitaph.— Machoreus or Macorovius, "De Prælio Aveniniano."—Would any of your readers be so kind as to favour me with a copy of the Latin epitaph of Bishop Lesly, of Ross, inscribed on his tomb in the abbey church of Gurtenburg, near Brussels?
Can any one furnish the entire title and imprint of a Latin poem, De Prælio Aveniniano, said to have been written in 1594, by a Scottish Jesuit named Alexander Macorovius, or Machoreus? Any particulars concerning this author would gratify
LLEWELYN ST. GEORGE.
The Word "Cannibal."—When was the word Cannibal first used in English books?—To what language does it belong?—and what is its exact meaning?
W.
Sir William Rider.—"H.F." would feel obliged by a reference to any work containing an account of Sir William Rider and his family. He was Lord Mayor of London in 1600; and his daughter Mary was married to Sir Thomas Lake, of Cannons, Secretary of State temp. James I. He wishes more particularly to ascertain the date of Sir William Rider's death.
The Word "Poghele."—What is the etymology and precise meaning of the word "Poghele" (pronounced Poughley), or rather the first part of it, which occurs occasionally as the name of a place in the county of Berks, and perhaps elsewhere?
W.
Duncan Campbell.—Was the Duncan Campbell, of whom memoirs were written by Defoe, a real or an imaginary person? If the former, where can one find any authentic account of him?
L.B.
Boston de Bury de Bib. Monasteriorum.—Can any of your correspondents give me a reference to the original MS. of Boston de Bury de Bibliothecis Monasteriorum?
P.
Cazena on the Inquisition.—Can any one tell me what is the public opinion of Cazena's work on the Inquisition? I see Limborch and many others quoted concerning that tribunal, but never Cazena. Is the book scarce?—or is it not esteemed? I never saw but one copy.
P.
The Reconciliation, 1554.—In 1554, Cardinal Pole directed a register to be kept in every parish of all the parishioners who, on a certain day, were to be reconciled to the Church of Rome and absolved. (Burnet's Ref. vol. iii. p. 245.)
The Bishop of London's Declaration thereon (Feb. 19. 1554) runs thus:—
"And they not so reconciled, every one of them shall have process made agaynst him accordyng to the canons, as the case shall requyre; for which purpose the pastours and curates of every paryshe shall be commanded by their archedeacon to certyfye me in writinge of every man and woman's name that is not so reconciled."
Have any of your readers at any time seen and made a note of such a register?
The most probable place of deposit would be the Bishop's Registry, but I have never yet been fortunate enough to meet with one of these curious returns.
J.S.B.