What is signified by the phrase "great admittance" is rendered clear by a decree of Edward II. published in the year 1315, and called forth by the dishonest practice of certain persons who procured entertainment under colour of minstrelsy. It was therefore ordered that "to the houses of prelates, earls, and barons none resort to meat and drink unless he be a minstrel, and that of these minstrels there come none except it be three or four Minstrels of Honour at the most in one day, unless he be desired of the lord of the house; and to the houses of meaner men that none shall come unless he be desired; and that such as shall come so, hold themselves contented with meat and drink, and with such courtesy as the master of the house will show unto them of his own good will, without their asking of anything."
Minstrels, however, were after all only an incident. They served to entertain and amuse, as well as to keep alive the memory of great deeds and sentiments of truth and honour. But they were essentially a luxury, not a necessity, for the circumstances of a rough age sufficed to perpetuate the type which it had created. For more stable and significant elements we must look elsewhere. Just as the lower fabric of society reposed on the humble apprentice, so its upper framework depended on the page as the repository of its traditions and guarantee of the future. As early as the reign of Henry II., and doubtless earlier, the sons of nobles and gentlemen were entered at the King's Court, baronial halls, and episcopal palaces as "henchmen." To these scions of chivalry—and a similar remark applies to the "demoiselles," their sisters—such places were a school of manners wherein they learnt the duties of obedience and reverence to their elders and betters; and, in process of time, they attained the rank of squire, and, eventually, the knight's belt. Received into the lord's family on the best terms, as became their birth and connexions, they had, nevertheless, to wait at table and perform other tasks that would now be deemed menial, such as walking by the lord's charger; and, until their education was complete, they had to submit to his orders, whatever they might be.
Perhaps the first of many books on etiquette in English is a treatise written by Grosseteste for Margaret, Countess of Lincoln, and entitled "Reules Seynt Robert." Here it is laid down that servants and retainers should be of good character, loyal, diligent; and if they grumble or gainsay, they should be discharged, as there are many others to take their place.
We have seen that Cardinal Wolsey had young gentlemen in his household. This was also the case with Thomas à Becket, one of whose protégés was the heir to the throne. Another churchman, Longchamps, Bishop of Ely and Chancellor of Richard II., was notorious for the rigour of his discipline towards the young and noble members of his establishment.
The custom, one can scarcely question, was evolved from the military requirements of early Teutonic society; and, as private war died down, so the status of the page became impaired, until in the reign of Elizabeth we find him a pampered domestic, whose pert air and gaudy dress represented all that was left of a formidable troop armed with sword and buckler. Ben Jonson deplores and ridicules the transformation in lines with which the present volume may well close. The host in the play has refused his son as page to Lord Lovel, saying that he would hang him sooner than "damn him to that desperate course of life."
Lovel. Call you that desperate, which, by a line
Of institution from our ancestors,
Hath been derived down to us, and received
In succession for the noblest way
Of brushing up our youth, in letters, arms,
Fair mien, discourses civil, exercise,
And all the blazon of a gentleman?
Where can he learn to vault, to fence,
To move his body gracefully, to speak
The language pure; or turn his mind
Or manners more to the harmony of nature
Than in these nurseries of nobility?
Host. Ay, that was when the nursery's self was noble
And only virtue made it, not the market,
That titles were not vended at the drum
And common outcry; goodness gave the greatness
And greatness worship; every house became
An academy; and those parts
We see depicted in the practice now
Quite from the institution.
Lovel. Why do you say so?
Or think so enviously? Do they not still
Learn thus the Centaur's skill, the art of Thrace,
To ride? or Pollux's mystery, to fence?
The Pyrrick gestures, both to stand and spring
In armour, to be active for the wars;
To study figures, numbers, and proportions
May yield them great in counsel and the arts:
To make their English sweet upon their tongues,
As Chaucer says?
INDEX
à Becket, Thomas, [53], [247]
Abbeys, Bath, [13];
Eynsham, [66];
Girwy, [13];
Monte Cassino, [14];
Oseney, [66];
Wearmouth, [13];
York, [14]
Abbot of Unreason, [41]
"Abbot, The," [41]
Abelard, [91]
Abjuration, [83], [163-5], [170]
Ad Montem ceremony, [50]
Affiliation of towns, [173-4], [177-8]
Alcuin, [12-14]
Aldgate, [188], [193]
Aliens, [179]
Allotments, [210-11]
Alms and loans, [61-70], [104]
Alnwick, [210]
Alwyn, [134]
Ancients, [117]
Angild, [152]
"Antiquary," the, [173], [226]
Appeals, [77]
Apprentices-at-law, [119-21], [123]
Arles, [196]
Arrears of rent, [172]
Ashburton, [59], [61]
Assise, the, [149]
"Assises de Jérusalem," [140], [142]
Assize of Clarendon, [165];
of Northampton, [140]
Athelstan, King, [20], [133], [160]
Augustine, St., [27]
Aungerville, Richard, [68]
Austin Friars, [108-9]
"Austins," [107], [109]
Australs and Boreals, [93]
Bachelor of Arts, [102-3], [109]
Bacon, Roger, [108]
Badges, [242-3]
Bailiffs, [205-6]
Bakers, [183-4], [186], [195];
"baker's dozen," [186]
Ballantine, Mr. Serjeant, [125-6]
Banishment, [98]
Banner of St Paul, [222-3]
Barbers, [79-80]
Barbitoria, [80]
Bargains, hand-clasp, [199]
Barnstaple, [62]
Barrington, Dr., [202]
Beam, Royal, [195]
Beards, [85-6]
Beaumanoir, [141]
Becket, Thomas à (see under A)
Bedel Stokys, [104]
Bedels, [72-7], [96]
Bedford, custom of, [177]
Bell, Prior, [16]
Benediction of a widow, [21]
Benefactors, [68], [111]
Berwick, [197], [211]
Beverley cycle, [58], [60];
sanctuary, [160-1]
Birkett, Mr., [231]
Black cap, [117]
Black Death, [225]
Blackstone, [134], [226]
Blakiston, Mr., [68]
Blewbury (Berks.), [226]
Blount's "Ancient Tenures," [187], [189]
Bondmen, [233-7]
"Book of Nurture, The," [37]
"Booke of Orders and Rules," [245]
Borough English, [217-23]
Boroughs, free, [208-9]
Botticelli, [65]
Bower, [28]
Boy-Bishop, the, [39-50];
Song of, [39]
Bracton, [142], [163], [197]
"Brais," meaning of, [89]
Bristol, [198]
Britton, [142], [163], [165]
Broadgates Hall, [84-5]
"Brother," "brotherhoods," technical meaning of, [13]
Buckingham, Duke of, [157-8]
Burgages, [174-5]
"Burial of the Alleluia," [42]
Burnby Prior, [16]
Butler, Alban, [20]
Cambridge, [61-2], [110], [169]
Came, Bedel, [73-5]
Carrara, Bridge of, [52]
Castellans, hereditary, [188]
Catherine, play of St., [53]
Causes, civil, [149]
Caustone, John D., [239]
Cawthorne (Yorks.) [62]
"Chamberdekenys," [98]
Champions, [141], [144]
Chancellor, office of, [77-90], [94-5], [98], [100-1], [103-6]
Chapel, children of the, [32-7];
gentlemen of the, [32-6]
Chapels, domestic, [32-3]
Charms, [142], [144], [146]
Charter, [171], [206]
Chaucer, [63], [84], [113], [242]
Chaundler, Dr., [64], [113]
Cheapside, [184-6]
Chester plays, [54-6], [60]
Chests, [66-9]
Chetham Society, [196]
Churchwardens' accounts, [59-63]
Cinque Ports, [163], [177]
City marshals, [125]
Clark, Mr. A., [64], [114]
Cloth, cutting, [171]
Cluny, [12]
Cobham, Bishop, [69]
Coke, [117], [119]
"Coke-Lyght," [82]
Colet, Dean, [46]
"Collection of Glover, Somerset Herald," [190]
Collections, [74-5]
Collier, Mr. W. F., [230]
Colman's Engravings, [202]
Commissaries, [77], [95]
Common Serjeant, [125]
Common town bargains, [176]
Commons, [212-17], [229-32]
Compurgation, [82], [128-31], [240]
Constable of England, [145-7]
"Constitutional History," Stubbs's, [229]
Cooks, [82-3]
Copes, [43-5], [49]
Coroner, [163-5]
Corporation MSS., [60]
Corporation of London, [125-6]
Corpus Christi festival, [54-5], [58-9]
Council of Vienne, [54]
Council, Roman, [27]
County Court, [155]
Court Leet proceedings, [206]
Costume, legal, [115-6];
university, [113-4]
Coventry plays, [57-9]
Creations, [105-6], [124]
Crosses, [43], [90]
Crying creaunt, [149]
Curfew, [181]
"Curtasie money," [186]
Customs (by-laws), [162], [172], [177-8]
Customs (revenue), [175]
"De Nova Costuma" (statute), [195-6]
"Demonologie," [136]
Determination, [101-2]
Devonshire commons, [229-32]
"Dialogus de Scaccario," [153], [166]
Doctors of laws, [115-6]
Doddridge, Justice, [202]
Dover, [172]
Ducange, [13]
Duel, [127], [140-9]
Dugdale, [125], [187], [190]
Dunmow flitch, [191];
priory, [193]
Dunstable, [52]
Durham, [49], [156-7], [161-2]
Durham College, [68], [98]
Dymond, Mr. R., [219]
Earmarking, [232]
Earnest money, [196-9]
Ebner, Herr, [12]
Ecfrith, King of Northumbria, [160]
Edgar, laws of King, [154], [226-7]
Edward I., [246]
Edward the Confessor, laws of, [150], [224]
Edwards, Richard, [37]
Edwin, King of Northumbria, [17]
Elizabeth, St., [20]
Elms (near Smithfield), [189]
Elton, Mr., [220]
Emma, Queen, [134]
Essex, the Earl of, [174]
Estrene, [186]
Ewing, Mr. W. C., [202]
Exeter Ordinale, [47]
"Extinct Baronage of England," [190]
Faculties of Law, Medicine, and Theology, [109-10]
Fast, the Lady, [27-31]
Fasts, [27]
Feast of Fools, the (see Rex Stultorum festival)
Feasts, [85-6], [101-5], [122]
Fee-farm leases, [175]
Felons, punishment of, [189]
Ferrières, [14]
Festivals, [28-9], [42], [179]
Fines, [96], [151-3]
Fisher, Bishop, [111]
Fishmongers, [195]
"Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry," [36]
Fitzwalter, John, [191];
Matilda, [192];
Robert (Marshal of the Army of God), [191-3];
Robert (grandson), [191-2];
Walter, [191]
Fitzwalters, Lords of Wodeham, [187-94]
Fleta, [197]
"Foreigners," [171], [174]
Forest, [228-9], [230-2]
Forster, Mr. R. H., [160], [162-3]
Fortescue, [115], [122-3]
Francis, St., [20]
Franciscans, [108-9]
Frideswyde Chest, [66]
Frideswyde's Church, St., [90]
Frideswyde, the Blessed, [90]
Frithstool, [161]
Froude, Mr., [91]
Gascoigne, Dr., [128]
Gascoigne, Sir William, [243]
Gavelkind, [218], [221]
"General sophist," [109]
Germans, [101]
Gibbon, [141]
Gilds, [54-5], [242-3]
Glastonbury Abbey, [20]
Gloucester, Thomas, Duke of, [145]
Gloucester, town of, [171-2], [205]
God's Penny, [195-9]
Godwin's "Life of Chaucer," [52]
"Going a-Kathering," [48]
Gomme, Mr. G. L., [209], [211]
Googe, Barnabe, [28]
Gordon, Mr. Gerald P., [1], [6-8]
"Grand Coutumier de Normandie," [142]
Grammar masters, [99-101]
Green, J. R., [234]
Greenwood, the, [153]
Gregorie, [49]
Gregory of Tours, [80]
Gregory, Pope, [53]
Grimm, [136]
"Grithmen," [163]
Grosseteste, Robert, [66], [108], [247]
Halls, [98]
Hazlitt, Mr. W. C., [187]
Hearne, [81]
Henderson's "Select Historical Documents," [132], [154]
Henry VI., letter of, [78]
Henry VIII., Acts of, [30-1], [48], [65], [182]
Herbergeours, [180]
Hereford, [177-8]
Hereward the Wake, [154]
Hexham, [161]
Highway, taking in the, [169-70]
"Hires," [236]
"History of the University of Cambridge" (Willis and Clark's), [62]
Holidays, [237]
Holmgang, [140]
Holy women, festival of, [21]
Homeyer, [203]
Hopkins, witchfinder, [139]
Host of London, [188], [194]
Hostelers, [180-1]
"Hostels," [119], [180-1]
"Hudibras," [139]
Hugo de Balsham, Bishop, [108]
Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, [69]
Hunting, [97]
Immortality, [179], [185-6]
Impostors, [184-5]
Inception, [103-6]
Ine, King, law of, [224]
Innkeepers, [179-81]
Inns of Court, [118-21]
Inquisition, post-mortem, [200]
Ipswich, [198]
Irishmen, [92], [94]
Islip, Archbishop, [17]
James I., [136]
Jews, [90]
John, King, [173], [192]
John's Coll., St., Cambridge, [80], [110-12]
Jonson, Ben, [248]
Judgment by default, [154-5]
Judgment of God, [144-9];
of the Boiling Water, [135];
of the Cold Water, [136-7];
of the Glowing Iron, [132-4];
of the Morsel, [137-8];
of the Ploughshares, [134-5];
of the Psalter, [138-9]
Judith, [19]
Kelynge, Chief Justice, [123]
Kemble, [151]
"King Edward and the Shepherd," [240]
King's Champion, [144]
King's Purveyors, [240]
King's Secretary, [239]
"King's Shilling," [196]
"King's Musick, The," [37]
"Kloster Gebets-verbrüderungen, Die," [12]
Knights Hospitallers, [121]
Lacy, Bishop, pontifical of, [21]
Lansdowne MS., [63]
"Last Supper, The," [57]
Laud, Archbishop, reforms of, [67], [105]
Law, Great, [128];
Middle, [129], [148];
Third, [130]
Leagues of Prayer, [11-17]
"Lectures on Heraldry," [201]
"Legible" days, [75], [87]
Leicester, [60], [148]
Leland, [25], [161]
Letter, testimonial, [64]
Letters, patent, [173]
"Liber Custumarum," [190], [192]
Librarian, [69-70]
Library, [68-70]
Libri vitae, [17]
Licentiates, [88], [103-5]
Limerick, [198]
Lincoln, [205]
Lindisfarne, monks of, [13-17]
Linguists, [112]
Liverpool, [170], [173-7], [198]
Livery, [33], [241-3]
Liverymen, City, [241]
Lollards, [81]
London, [171-3], [177-87], [193], [195], [204], [239-41]
Longchamps, Bishop, [247]
Lord Mayor's Banquet, [125-6]
Love-days, [83-5]
Lucian, [40]
Magdalen College, [97]
Maid Marian, [192]
Maitland, [152]
Manchester, [204-11]
Mancipatio, [199]
Manning, Robert, [53]
Mansfield, [121]
Manu, the, [18]
Marbeck, [199]
Marching Watch, the, [181-2]
Margaret, Countess of Richmond, [110-11]
Marks, pictorial, [203];
Merchants, [200-2];
Yeomen's, [199], [203]
Marshal, [45-7];
of the King's Household, [239-40]
Martin's-le-Grand, St., [158]
Mary, Queen, [39]
Master Henry Sever, [68]
Master of the Children, [36-7], [43]
Masters Regent, [101-2], [106-7];
Non-Regent, [100]
Matriculation, [99]
Mayhem, [129]
Mayor, Lord, [189-91]
"Mayoralty of London, The Origin of," [173]
Mercheta mulierum, [221], [235]
Metingham, Judge, [166]
Middlesex Iter, [227-8], [233-4]
Ministri sacelli, [110]
Minstrels, [246-7]
Montague, Anthony, Viscount, [245]
Montesquieu, [141]
Monuments, funeral, [25-6]
Mootemen, [117]
Mortmain, [168]
Motbelle, [194]
Munday, Anthony, [192]
"Munimenta Gildhallæ Londiniensis," [190]
Muster of arms, [193-4]
"Nations," [91-7]
"New Custom," the, [196]
New College, [80], [113-14]
Newcastle, [58], [60], [177], [210]
Nicholas, St., [43-4]
Nicols, [182]
"Norfolk and Norwich Archæological Society Transactions," [202]
Norris, Lord, [97]
Northampton, [197]
Northumberland, [177];
Assize rolls, [156]
Northumberland Household Book, [33-4]
Nottingham, [210-11], [220]
"Novel Disseisin," [168]
Noyes, Attorney General, [197]
"Nut-Brown Maid," the, [150]
Oaths, [95], [124], [127], [146]
Oblates, order of, [20]
Officers, domestic, [243-5];
municipal, [209-11]
O'Keeffe, [198]
Open field, the, [217], [222-5]
Orders, Dominican, [25-6]
Orders, Franciscan, [25-6]
Orders of widows, [19]
Ordinances, household, [241]
Oriel College, [81]
Othobon's Constitutions, [116], [154]
Outlawry, [150-66], [227]
Oxford (academic customs, passim)
Oxford Historical Society, [89]
Oxford, city of, [86], [177]
Pageants, [52], [54-9]
Pages, [247-8]
Panniers, [186]
"Panyers Alley," [186]
"Paradise of Dainty Devices," [37]
Paris, Matthew, [52]
Patent Rolls, [190]
Paul, St., [19], [23]
Paul's Cathedral, St., [44-6], [124], [188], [241]
Peacock, Mr. E. A., [220-1]
"Peres the Ploughman's Crede," [201]
Peterhouse, Cambridge, [108]
Petitions, [88-9], [92], [158]
"Piers Plowman," [27]
Pillory, [184-5]
"Placita de quo Warranto," [191]
Plays, Miracle, [51-60]
Plymouth, [62]
"Points," [146]
Ponies, Dartmoor, [231-2]
"Popish Kingdom, The," [28], [50]
Portuguese, [180]
Portreeve, [206-8]
Pound, Dunnebridge, [232]
Pound-keepers, [210]
Precinct (sanctuary), [160-1]
Precinct (university), [72]
Pre-emption, [240-1]
Preston, [197]
Prise, [240]
Privilege, the, [71-90]
Processions, [87], [90], [206-8]
Proctors, [75], [95], [104]
Professions, [22]
Professors, Regius, [105]
Purcell, Henry, [38]
Pui, festival of the, [179]
Pulling, Mr. Serjeant, [119], [121]
Punishments, [183-6]
Puritans, [60]
Puttenham's "Arte of Poesie," [47]
Queen's College, Oxford, [113]
Questionist, [101]
Readers, [117-18], [120]
Recreations, [112]
"Rectitudines, Singularum Personarum," [235]
Responsions, [101]
Resumption, [109]
Retinues, [238-48]
"Reules Seynt Robert," [247]
Rex Stultorum festival, [42]
Rhodes, Hugh, [37], [39]
Riley, Mr., [190]
Rings, [23-4], [26], [122-3]
Riots, [86-7], [90], [92], [94], [97]
"Rites of Durham, The," [161]
Robin Hood, [150]
Rogers, Archdeacon, [55-6]
Rolf brass, [116-17]
"Romance of Sir Degrevant," [246]
Round, Mr. J. H., [173], [204]
Rudborn, [124]
Rye, [60]
Salisbury, Bishop of, [144]
Salisbury, Earl of, [144]
Salop Iter, [155], [167]
Sanctuary, [155-66]
Sarum Missal, [21]
Saturnalia, [40-1]
"Saxons in England, The," [151]
Scholastica's Day, St., [87]
School-street, [101]
Scotland, [177]
Scots, [92-3]
Scott, Mr. J. H., [203]
Scott, Sir Walter, [41]
"Scouts," [76]
Second marriages, [18-19]
Selden, [142]
Seneschal of the King's Household, [239]
Sergeant Chamberlain, [239]
Serjeants-at-law, [115-26]
Sermons, [46-7], [111]
Servile condition, [177-9]
Shaving, [80-1], [185-6]
Shop-signs, [201]
Shuttleworth accounts, [196]
Significavit, [77]
Soke and soken, [189]
Sokeman, [189]
"Specimens of English Literature," Skeat's, [201]
Stake, [172]
Stamford, [105]
Stealing children, [36], [107-8]
Stoford, [208]
Strongbow, [174]
Strype, Archbishop, [42]
Stubbs, Bishop, [229]
Summary justice, [170]
"Sussex Archæological Collections," [245]
Synod of Exeter, [154]
Tabarders, [113]
Tailors, [79]
"Tale of Gamelyn," [150]
Tallies, Exchequer, [240]
Tavistock, [63]
Templars, [81]
Thavie's Inn, [118], [121]
Theft, [127], [131]
Thomas of Acons, St., [124]
Timothy, First Epistle to, [19]
Tiverton, [202], [206-8]
Tokens, [50]
Torrington, [213-15]
Trained bands, [175]
Trial by battle, [140], [143-8]
"Trial of Jesus," the, [57]
Tryvytlam's "De Laude Oxoniæ," [93]
Tun (on Cornhill), [185-6]
Turner, Mr. Dawson, [202]
Tusser, Thomas, [36]
Tyndale, [27]
"Typet," [113]
"Upland men," [174]
Uthred de Bolton, [93]
Utter-barristers, [117-18], [120]
Venville rights, [230-1]
Vice-Chancellor, [105]
Villeins, [233]
Vills, [230]
Virgin, the Blessed, [27-8]
Vowesses, [18-26]
Vows, broken, [24-5]
Wadham College, [63]
Waking of the Sepulchre, [51]
Walworth, Sir William, [159], [184], [194]
Ward, Dr., [53]
Wardrobe book, [241]
Warranty, [168]
Warton, Thomas, [39]
Waste, the, [225-32]
Watch and Ward, [181]
Watchmen, [182-3]
Waterford, [197]
Welshmen, [92]
Westminster Sanctuary, [157-8]
Wheels, [28-9]
Whipping boy, [37]
Whitchurch, Rev. N. L., [226]
Widows, Benediction of, [21];
Hindu, [18];
order of, [19]
William I., [140]
William Rufus, [139]
Winchester, [177]
"Wolf's head," [150]
Wolsey, Cardinal, [243], [247]
Woodbury (Devon), [61]
Woolrych, Mr. Serjeant, [126]
Writ of forest, [228]
Writ of imprisonment, [233]
Writ of right, [168]
Wunibald, [14]
Wykeham, William of, [22]
Year-books, [168-70], [217-8], [227-9], [233-4]
York, [44-8], [52], [55], [58], [60], [161], [177], [193]
Youlgreave (Derbyshire), [63]
Youghal, [197]