[208]. Forks, used first in Italy, were not introduced into the French Court till late in the sixteenth century. In England they did not make their appearance till 1608, and it is said they were there the immediate result of the published travels of Thomas Coryat, who visited Italy in that year. I am sorry to say that I cannot find any instance of ‘Spooner’ in our earlier archives. Foxe mentions, in his Martyrology, a ‘Robert Catlin, spoonmaker,’ persecuted in 1552 at Byebrook, Suffolk.
[209]. ‘To Percivall Smallpage, for his expences, xxs.’ (Household Account, Princess Elizabeth. Cam. Soc.)
[210]. We find the modern spelling of this sobriquet little varied from that of the fifteenth century. An act, passed in 1463, to restrain excess in apparel, makes a proviso in favour of ‘Hensmen, Heroldes, Purceyvantes, Swerdeberers, as Maires, Messagers, and Minstrelles.’ (Stat. Realm, vol. ii. p. 402.) Sir Harris Nicolas says: ‘No word has been more commented upon than “Henchmen,” or “Henxmen.” Without entering into the controversy, it may be sufficient to state that in the reign of Henry VIII. it meant pages of honour. They were the sons of gentlemen, and in public processions always walked near the monarch’s horse.’ (Privy Purse Expenses of Henry VIII., p. 327.)
[211]. Words terminating in this ‘ager’ seem invariably to have been changed in the manner seen above. Thus, besides ‘Massinger’ and ‘Pottinger,’ we have ‘Arminger’ from the old ‘Armiger,’ ‘Firminger’ from the once not unfamiliar ‘Furmager,’ or ‘Clavinger’ from ‘Claviger.’
[212]. This is confirmed by the Promp. Par. ‘Brevetowre: brevigerulus.’
[213]. Perhaps I ought to have placed ‘le Breviter’ in the dining-hall, as but another name for the steward or steward’s lieutenant. It was one among other duties of this officer to set down not merely the courses as they came in, but what and how much was placed before each, so that all might tally with the sum allowed for culinary expenses. This is alluded to in the Boke of Curtasye. Speaking of the steward’s offices in the hall, it says:—
‘At counting stuard schalle ben,
Tyll alle be brevet of wax so grene,
Wrytten into bokes, without let,
That before in tabuls hase been set.’