Spurs to the choristers of Windsor, for the King's.
In the time of Ben Jonson, in consequence of the interruptions to divine service occasioned by the ringing of the spurs worn by persons walking and transacting business in Cathedrals, and especially in St. Paul's, a small fine was imposed on them called spur money, the exaction of which was committed to the beadles and singing boys.—Note to Gifford's Jonson, vol. ii. p. 49.—M. The custom is not yet extinct; but whether the entries referred to in these Accounts were at all connected with it, is at least doubtful, for it must first be shown that it prevailed at so early a period.
Tomb, the King's.
A doubt ought to have been expressed whether the payment in question did not relate to the tomb of Henry the Seventh, though the expression of "the King's tomb" renders it more probable that it referred to one commenced by Henry for himself.
Virginals.
This instrument, with a lady playing upon it, is given in the series of cards so beautifully engraved by Jost Ammin: the fool is in a ludicrous attitude in the back ground. See Singer On Playing Cards, [184]. Earle, in his Microcosmography, says, that "She, the precise hypocrite, suffers not her daughters to learn on the Virginals, because of their affinity with organs." p. [97].—M. In the list of "Musicians and Players" in the account of Queen Elizabeth's Annual Expences, p. 266, are, "Virginall players, [3], fee apeece, 30 li." being nearly double as much as was allowed to any other musician.
Waits.
Dr. Pettingall, in his remarks on the "Gule of August," says, "what we at present call 'the waits,' or the music on the nights of the Christmas holydays, is only a corruption of the wakes or nocturnal festivities." Archæologia, vol. ii, p. 66.
⁂ The Notes for which the Editor is indebted to Dr. Meyrick are thus marked, M*; those which he owes to the kindness of Mr. Markland thus, M.