[171] Among the monks of Bardney was one known as Richardus de Bardney, whose chronicles are preserved to this day (Anglia Sacra, II., 326). Among other curious items given by him is one recording the miraculous birth of Bishop Grossetete, so named from his great head. It reads thus, in something better than monkish Latin:—
Impregnata parens patitur per somnia multum,
Quod nihil in ventre sit, nisi grande caput;
Et tam grande caput, et tanto robore forte,
Quod puer ex utero fultus abit baculo.
Which may be done thus into English:—
A mother, great with coming child,
Much suffers in her dreams,
That naught beyond a monster head
Her inward burden seems.
A head so huge, yet with such might
Endowed, that at his birth,
Supported on a wooden staff
The infant issues forth.
[173] The account of this incident is also given in “Gilda Aurifabrorum,” by Chaffers, 66. King Charles seems to have made himself merry over his cups, with others beside the Lord Mayor. It is recorded that dining with Chief Justice Sir George Jeffreys, the sovereign found his lordship’s wine so good that he “drank to him seven times.”—Verny, “Memoirs,” vol. iv., p. 234
[175] Early in this chapter.
[176] “Religious Houses on the Witham,” Appendix, p. 167, note 46.
[178] Bull-baiting was in vogue at Stamford in this county as early as the reign of King John, 1209, and continued till 1839.
A bill against the sport was introduced into the House of Commons, May 24th, 1802, but was rejected, mainly through the influence of Mr. Wyndham, who used some curious arguments in favour of the sport. It has since been made illegal, through the instrumentality of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, established 1824. At one time many towns, and even villages, practised the sport. Strutt, “Sports” (p. 277), says many of the rings “remain at the present time” (1780.)
[179] Liberty to hold an annual fair, two days before the Eve of St. Barnabas, and to continue eight days, was granted by Henry III. by charter, to Ralph de Rhodes, Lord of the Manor. This is the present June Fair. A. second charter, granted by the same king, empowered the Lord of the Manor to hold an annual fair, to commence on the Eve of the Feast of St. Lawrence, and to continue seven days. This is the great August Fair, once perhaps the largest in the world, though now greatly reduced. Our third, or October, Fair was removed to Horncastle from Market Stainton, where it was a Statute Fair, in 1768.