PREFACE.

The earlier part of this slight contribution to the literature of an inexhaustible subject has already appeared in a series of numbers in a London weekly journal. The best acknowledgment of the writer is due to the Rev. Arthur Richard Shillito, M.A. (late Scholar of Trinity College, Cambridge), who has from time to time during the progress of this work most kindly furnished him with valuable notes.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Page
[Introduction]vii
[A Contribution to the Bibliography of Drink]xi
[Chapter I. Roman Period.]1
[Chapter II. Saxon Period.]10
[Chapter III. Saxon Period—continued.]26
[Chapter IV. Danish Period.]44
[Chapter V. Norman Period.]55
[Chapter VI. Plantagenet Period.—Henry II. to the Death of Richard I.]66
[Chapter VII. Plantagenet Period (continued).—John, to the Death of Edward II.]80
[Chapter VIII. Plantagenet Period (continued).—Edward III. to Richard III.]95
[Chapter IX. Tudor Period.]126
[Chapter X. Stuart Period.]170
[Chapter XI. Hanoverian Period.]271
[Index]389

INTRODUCTION

The object of this work is to ascertain the part which Drink has played in the individual and national life of the English people. To this end, an inquiry is instituted into the beverages which have been in use, the customs in connection with their use, the drinking vessels in vogue, the various efforts made to control or prohibit the use, sale, manufacture, or importation of strong drink, whether proceeding from Church, or State, or both: the connection of the drink traffic with the revenue, together with incidental notices of banquets, feasts, the pledging of healths, and other relevant matter.