“‘Hic breve vivitur, hic breve plangitur, hic breve fletur;
Non breve vivitur, non breve plangitur, retribuetur.’”
Margaret’s reply sounded like the other half of an antiphon. (Note 9.)
“‘Plaude, cinis meus! est tua pars Deus; ejus es, et sis.’”
Note 1. The early notices of blanket in the Wardrobe Accounts disprove the tradition that blankets were invented by Edward Blanket, buried in Saint Stephen’s Church, Bristol, the church not having been built until 1470.
Note 2. Father Mortimer is a fictitious person, this Sir John having in reality died unmarried.
Note 3. Laundresses were very much looked down on in the Middle Ages, and were but too often women of bad character.
Note 4. Cambric handkerchiefs. It was then thought very mean to be in trade.
Note 5. Married priests existed in England as late as any where, if not later than in other countries. Walter, Rector of Adlingfleet, married Alice niece of Savarie Abbot of York, about the reign of Richard the First. (Register of John of Gaunt, volume 2, folio 148); “Emma, widow of Henry, the priest of Forlond,” was living in 1284 (Close Roll, 12 Edward the First); and “Denise, daughter of John de Colchester, the chaplain,” is mentioned in 1322 (Ibidem, 16 Edward the Second).
Note 6. Coal smoke was then considered extremely unhealthy, while wood smoke was thought to be a prophylactic against consumption.