[404] Not only had the innkeepers saints on their signboards, but the different reception-rooms in their houses were also sanctified with some holy name. Artus Desiré quaintly inveighs against this practice in his “Loyaulté Consciencieuse des Tavernières:”—
“Semblablement toutes leurs chambres painctes,
Où il n’y a qu’ordure et ivrognise,
Portent les noms de benoistz sainctz et sainctes
Contre l’honneur de Dieu et son Eglise.
L’une s’apelle, à leur mode et devize,
Le Paradis et l’autre Sainct Clement.
Et quant quelqu’un rabaste fermement,
L’hostesse crie André, Guillot, Mornable,
Laisse-moy tout, et va legerement
En Paradis, compter de par le Diable.
S’on si veut chauffer,
Portent le faggot
Robin avec Margot,
De par Lucifer.”
(“In the same manner all their painted rooms, in which there is nothing but filth and drunkenness, are named after some blessed saint, contrary to the respect due to the Lord and His Church. According to this custom one is called the Paradise, and another St Clement. And if anybody higgles about his bill the hostess calls out, Andrew, Will, Mornable, leave everything, and run quickly up to the Paradise to make out the bill, in the Devil’s name. And if anybody wants a fire, Bob or Maggy has to carry up a faggot in the name of Lucifer.”)
“This is Saint Crispin, but my name is Kit,
I make boots, shoes, and slippers.”
“Here at the Crispin any man may for his money
Immediately obtain shoes made out of animals’ skins;
But many a brute in this town wears a human skin,
Nay, wears his own brother’s skin, and the brute looks even well in it”
[407] So were Crispin and Crispian, and hence the trade is called the “Gentle Craft.”
[408] The gayest city in Europe three centuries ago.