Folk-lore of Shakespeare - T. F. Thiselton-Dyer

[988] See Percy’s “Northumberland Household Book,” p. 49.

[989] See Singer’s “Shakespeare,” vol. vii. p. 350.

[990] “Shakespeare,” 1864, vol. i. p. 61.

[991] See page [312].

INDEX.

Aconite, its deadly poison, [201].
Adonis horti, [469].
Agate, applied to a diminutive person, [12], [390].
Ague, spider a cure for, [258].
Air, drizzling dew, [90].
All hid, all hid, children’s game, [395].
All-Saints’ Day, [326].
All-Souls’ Day, [327].
Almanacs, [505].
Alms-drink, [527].
Alphabet, called Christ-cross-row, [508].
Amaimon, name of evil spirit, [60].
Amulets, [505].
Anemone, legend relating to, [203].
Ant, [250].
Antic, a dance, [424].
Ape, term of contempt or endearment, [161];
leading of, in hell, [161].
Apostle-spoons, [336], [337].
Apple, [203], [204].
Apple-John, name of apple, [204].
Apple-squire, [204], note.
Apricock or apricot, [208].
Archery, [394].
Ariel, fairy so called, [83], [162].
Aroint thee, meaning of, [41].
Aspen, supplied wood of Cross, [208];
trembling of, [209].
Ass, [161].
Astrology, [80]-[82].
Audry’s (St.) Day, [324];
lace, [325].
Baby-in-the-eye, [483].
Bachelor’s buttons, [209].
Backgammon, [396].
Badge of Poverty, [521].
Baffle, old punishment, [434].
Bagatelle, [422].
Bakie bird, name of bat, [163].
Balm, curative properties of, [210];
as oil of consecration, [211].
Bandy, term at tennis, [420].
Barbason, evil spirit, [60].
Barbers’ forfeits, [533].
Barefoot, dancing, [354].
Barla-breikis, [396].
Barley-break, [396].
Barley broth, [211].
Barnacle goose, [97].
Bartholomew’s (St.) Day, [321].
Bartholomew Fair, [321];
pigs [321].
Base, old game, [397].
Basilisk, [174].
Basins, burning, held before the eyes, [433].
Bat, superstitions relating to, [162].
Bat-fowling, [398].
Bate, term in falconry, [125], note.
Bay-tree, ominous, [211].
Bear, folk-lore of, [163];
caught by mirrors, [164];
baiting, [164].
Beard, characteristic of a witch, [29];
customs associated with, [486];
mutilation of, considered an outrage, [486];
stroking of, preparatory to a favor, [486];
swearing by, [487];
shape of, [487].
Beauty, characteristic of fairies, [10].
Bedfellow, custom of having, [521].
Beef, supposed to impair intellect, [496].
Beetle, old name for, [100].
Belemnite, [92].
Bell, tolling of, at funerals, [381];
curfew, [85], [521].
Belly-blind, old game, [409].
Bergomask, dance, [424].
Betrothing customs, [342]-[350].
Bid the base, [398].
Bilboes, punishment, [435].
Billiards, [399].
Bird-batting, [398], note.
Birding, term of hawking, [128].
Birth and baptism, [332]-[341].
Biting of thumb, as an insult, [492].
Bitter-sweeting, apple so called, [205].
Blackbird, [100].
Black Monday, [302], [303].
Bleeding, custom of, in spring, [266];
cures for, [264], [265].
Blessed thistle, [222].
Blindness, [266].
Blind-worm, [255].
Blister, superstition relating to, [266].
Blood, thickened by emotional influences, [477];
phrases connected with, [476], [477].
Blood-drinking sighs, [289].
Blood-sucker, name for leech, [281].
Blue-bottle, insect so called, [250].
Boar-hunting, [166].
Body, trembling of, [475].
Boiling to death, old punishment, [433].
Bone-ace, old game, [399].
Bone-ache, [267].
Boots, to give the, harvest custom, [322].
Bots, [251].
Brain, notions relating to, [478].
Brain-pan, name for skull, [479].
Brand, old punishment, [436].
Brawl, old dance, [425].
Breech, term for whipping, [436].
Breese, [252].
Bridal-bed, blessing of, [355];
decorating with flowers, [355].
Bridal couple serenaded, [357].
Bride-ale, [312].
Bride’s veil, [353];
hair loose at wedding ceremony, [352].
Brine, soaking in, old punishment, [434].
Bruise, remedies for, [268].
Bubukle, name for pimple, [268].
Bull-baiting, [168].
Bullfinch, [101], note.
Bully-rook, term of reproach, [153].
Burn, remedy for, [268].
Buzzard, [100].
By-drinkings, [527].
Cakes and ale at festivals, [331].
Camomile, [212].
Canary, old dance, [425].
Candles of the night, stars so called, [83].
Carbuncle, supernatural qualities of, [390].
Cards, playing, [401].
Carnations, [220].
Carp, most cunning of fishes, [497].
Carraways, [207].
Castor and Pollux, meteors so called, [83].
Cat, familiar of witches, [168]-[171];
said to have nine lives, [172];
used as a term of contempt, [173].
Cataract, [268], [269].
Cattle, destroyed by witches, [39].
Ceremonies, omens from sacrifices, [506].
Chaffinch, [100].
Challenge, glove sent as a, [537].
Chameleon, said to feed on air, [173];
changes color, [174].
Changelings, [11], [24], [333], [334].
Charity, St., [320].
Charles’s wain, [80].
Charms, [506].
Check, term in hawking, [123].
Cherry-pit, old game, [401].
Cherry-tree, in connection with cuckoo-rhyme, [111].
Chess, [402].
Chester mysteries, [311].
Chewet, meaning of term, [101].
Chilblains, [269].
Children of the revels, [297].
Christ-cross-row, name for alphabet, [508].
Christening day, [338].
Christenings, entertainments at, [338].
Christmas, customs at, [329];
carol, [329];
eve, cock-crow on, [103];
gambol, [329];
wassail-bowl at, [330];
candle, [330];
mummers, [331];
nutmeg, gift at, [233].
Christom child, [340].
Chrysolite, supernatural virtues of, [391].
Cicely, St., [321], note.
Cinders of the elements, stars so called, [83].
Cinque-pace, old dance, [425].
Clacking at Easter, [302].
Clare’s (St.) fire, meteor so called, [83].
Closing eye of the dead, [372].
Clouds, weather-lore of, [96].
Cloud-in-the-face, term applied to a horse, [191].
Clover-flowers, [212].
Cobwebs, used for stanching blood, [265].
Cock, crows on Christmas Eve, [103];
spirits disappear at cock-crow, [48].
Cock-a-hoop, applied to a reckless person, [107].
Cockatrice, superstitions relating to, [174], [175];
applied to a loose woman, [175].
Cock-boat, [108], note.
Cock-chafer, old name for, [100].
Cock-fighting, [105].
Cockle, badge of pilgrims, [498].
Cock-light, [160].
Cock’s-body, [106].
Cock-shut time, name for twilight, [159].
Cock’s-passion, [106].
Coddling, apple so called, [206].
Cold palsies, [284].
Colt, its metaphorical use, [175];
pixey, [6].
Columbine, a thankless flower, [212].
Comets, considered ominous, [89].
Cony-catch, term for cheating, [196].
Cooling-card, [415].
Coranto, old dance, [426].
Cormorant, [108].
Corpse, unlucky to keep on board, [370].
Cotswold games, [316].
Couch-glass, [243].
“Coventry Mysteries,” [313].
Crab, name of apple, [205].
Crants, name for garlands, [374].
Cricket, a good omen; [251];
unlucky, [516].
Crispin’s (St.) Day, [325].
Crocodile, tears of, [176];
said to be deceitful, [176].
Cross, wood of, [208].
Cross-bow, shooting with, [178].
Cross-road, ghosts of suicides haunt, [382].
Crow, bird of ill-omen, [108].
Crow-flowers, [212].
Crowfoot, [213].
Crow-keeper, [109].
Crown, burning, placed on criminals, [436], [437].
Cry, applied to pack of hounds, [179].
Cry Budget, a watchword, [529].
Crystal, old term for the eye, [483].
Cuckold, [113].
Cuckoo, superstitions connected with, [110]-[113].
Cuckoo-buds, [213].
Cuckoo-flowers, [213].
Cuerpo-Santo, meteor so called, [84].
Curfew-bell, [85].
Curtal dog, [183].
Cut, name for a horse, [192].
Cuttle, a foul-mouthed person so called, [498].
Cypress, [213], [214].
Daffodil, weather-lore of, [214].
Dances, [424]-[432].
Dancing, ascribed to fairies, [18].
Dark-house, term for a mad-house, [50], [278].
Darnel, [215].
Date, [215].
David’s (St.) Day, [226], [303].
Dead, burying of, in their ordinary dress, [375], [376];
feasts of the, [378];
tombs of, ornamented, [377];
cannot die on pigeons’ feathers, [367];
closing eyes of, [372];
decorated with flowers, [373].
Dead men’s fingers, orchis so called, [227].
Death and burial customs, [362]-[385].
Death, prophecy at point of, [362];
high spirits presage impending, [363];
warnings at time of, [364], [365];
watch, [516];
delayed until ebb of tide, [370];
devil seizes soul at, [365].
Death’s-head rings, [388].
Deer, hunting customs relating to, [177]-[181];
shooting with cross-bow, [178];
tears of, [180].
Deformed children, [78].
Deformity, superstitions connected with, [269], [270].
Demoniacal possession, [475].
Demonology, [52]-[61].
Dennis, St., patron saint of France, [326].
Devil, cloven foot of, [57].
Devil’s Dyke, myth of, [189].
Dew, its supposed virtues, [90];
curious notions respecting, [63].
Dice, [402].
Disedge, term in falconry, [127].
Divine right of kings, [512].
Dog, its howl ominous, [181], [516];
rides with ghosts, [49];
days, [183], [319];
killer, [183].
Domestic fowl, [113].
Dove, customs associated with, [113]-[115];
Mahomet’s, [115];
of Venus, [115].
Dragon, type of evil, [184];
draws chariot of night, [184];
folk-lore of, [185].
Dreams, prognostics of good and evil, [508];
malicious spirits torment their victims in, [509].
Dribble, term in archery, [411].
Drowning, dangerous to save a person from, [271].
Duck, to swim like a, [116].
Duck-hunting, [115].
Duels, [509].
Dun is in the mire, Christmas game, [403].
Dwarf elder, superstition connected with, [216].
Eagle, gazes on the sun, [116];
its great age, [117];
bird of good omen, [118];
selected for Roman standard, [118].
Ear, tingling of, [480];
biting of, expression of endearment, [481];
want of, for music, [481].
Earnest-money, [528].
Earthquakes, cause of, [93];
ominous, [93], [516].
Easter morning, dancing of sun on, [63];
clacking at, [302];
new clothes worn on, [302];
Monday, [302], [303].
Ebb of tide, death delayed until, [370].
Ebony, emblem of darkness, [215].
Eclipses, savage notions respecting, [71];
unlucky, [72], [516];
a bad omen, [65].
Eels, roused by thunder, [93].
Eggs in moonshine, [78];
witches sail in, [35].
Eisel, name for vinegar, [292].
Elberich, [14].
Elbow, itching of, [481].
Elder, tree on which Judas hanged himself, [216];
plant of bad omen, [216].
Elements, the four, [475].
Elephant, said to have no joints, [186];
capture of, [186].
Elf-fire, [87], note;
elf-locks, [190].
Elfin-grey, [17].
Elmo’s (St.) stars, [84].
Elves, [9].
Embossed, applied to deer, [179].
Emmew, a term in falconry, [128].
Engine, name for the rack, [439].
Epilepsy, [271], [283].
Equinox, weather-lore of, [93].
Eringoes, [217].
Etheldreda’s (St.) Day, [324].
Evil spirits, assume various forms, [53];
a dead friend, [55].
Exclamations, [529]-[531].
Exorcism of spirits, [44].
Eyas-musket, name for a young sparrow-hawk, [154].
Eye, closing of, at death, [372];
bitten, [335];
blueness of, [482];
the evil, [335], [482].
Face, to play the hypocrite, [484].
Fading, a dance, [426].
Fairies, assume various forms, [12];
attentive to youthful dead, [22];
beauty of, [10];
fond of cleanliness, [18];
diminutiveness of, [12];
dislike irreligious people, [18];
dress of, [17];
enrich their favorites, [21];
exchange children, [24];
expeditious in their actions, [21];
fatal to speak to, [21];
fond of dancing and music, [17], [18];
haunts of, [15];
immortality of, [11];
kind to mortals, [20];
malignant, [22];
mischievous, [23];
perpetual youth of, [11];
vanish at will, [12].
Fairy revels, [18].
Fairy-rings, [15], [16], [232].
Falcon-gentle, species of hawk, [158].
Falling-sickness, [271].
Fast and loose, a cheating game, [403].
Feet, stumbling of, unlucky, [454].
Fencing, [404].
Fennel, an inflammatory herb, [217].
Fern-seed, renders invisible, [217], [218].
Feux follets, name for will-o’-the-wisp, [88].
Fever, spider a cure for, [258].
Fiery dragon, [85].
Fiery Trigon, [79].
Fig, phrases connected with, [218], [219].
Filliping the toad, game of boys, [406].
Finch-egg, [101].
Finger, itching of, [482].
Finger-stone, [92].
Fire-drake, [84], [85].
Fistula, [271], [272].
Fit, [272], [273].
Fitchew, [196].
Flagellation, treatment for persons possessed, [56].
Flap-dragon, [406].
Flap-jacks, name for pancakes, [299].
Flaws, sudden gusts of wind, [95].
Fleas, loach said to breed, [499].
Fleshment, military term, [541].
Fleur-de-lys, [219].
Flibbertigibbet, a fiend, name also for ignis fatuus, [6], [61], [85], [269].
Flitter-mouse, term for the bat, [163].
Flower-de-luce, [219].
Flowers, carried on a maiden’s coffin, [374];
for decorating corpses, [374];
on graves, [373];
at weddings, [355].
Flowering Sunday, [374].
Fly, form of an evil spirit, [54].
Folk-medicine, [264]-[295].
Fools, [532].
Football, [407].
Forelooked, term for evil eye, [335].
Forfeits, [533].
Fortune-tellers, [510].
Fox, hunting of, [187];
a weapon so called, [186].
Frateretto, fiend so called, [61].
Friar’s lantern, name for ignis fatuus, [87], note.
Frogs used for divination, [252].
Fullams, false dice, [403].
Funeral rites, supposed necessity for, [46], [382].
Gad-fly, [252].
Gage, a glove so called, [536], note.
Gall of goat, used by witches, [187].
Galliard, dance, [425], note.
Gambling, [533].
Game laws, [180].
Garters, [534].
Gaudy days, [535].
George (St.) and dragon, myth of, [184].
George’s (St.) Day, [304].
Giants, belief in, [512].
Gib cat, [173].
Gillyflower, [221].
Gimmal-ring, [347].
Gleek, old game, [408].
Glove, worn as a favor, [536];
memorial of a friend, [536];
signal of a challenge, [536];
a pledge, [537];
scented, [538].
Glow-worm, superstition relating to, [138].
Goat, superstition relating to, [187].
“God save the mark,” exclamation, [529].
God’s tokens, plague-spots, [285].
Gold, melted, poured down the throat, [369];
chains, worn by persons of rank, [544];
medicinal virtues of, [273].
Golden-russeting, name of an apple, [206].
Goldfinch, [119].
Good Friday, [301].
Good Lubber, name of a spirit, [8].
Good year, corruption of goujère, [274].
Goose, emblem of cowardice, [119];
terms connected with, [118], [119].
Gossamer, notions relating to, [259].
Gossip’s bowl, [205].
Gourds, false dice, [402].
Gout, [288].
Grand liquor, the aurum potabile of alchemists, [274].
Grave, position of, [382];
yards, haunted by spectres, [381], [382].
Gudgeon, [498].
Guinea-hen, [113].
Gull, term for a fool, [120];
used for a trick or imposition, [120].
Gull-catcher, applied to sharpers, [120];
groper, [120].
Gurnet, term of reproach, [499].
Habundia, Mab, perhaps, a contraction of, [4].
Hack, punishment of knight, [434].
Hag-seed, [40].
Haggard, term in hawking, [122].
Hair, antipathy to red and yellow, [485];
much, denotes want of intellect, [462], [488];
stands on end through fear, [488];
turns white through sorrow and fear, [489];
used metaphorically, [490];
bride’s, dishevelled at wedding, ceremony, [352], [353].
Halcyon days, [131].
Halidom, meaning of, [529].
Hallowmas, [326].
Hand, palmistry of, [490];
worms bred in fingers of idle servants, [491];
terms associated with, [491], [492].
Hare, a melancholy animal, [187];
proverb relating to, [462].
Harebell, [221].
Hare-lip, supposed to be work of fairy, [492].
Hairie-racket, old game, [396].
Hart royal, [178].
Havoc, to cry, [514].
Hawk, catching game with, [121]-[126];
to seel a, [127];
training of, [126];
to imp a, [128].
Hay, old dance, [427];
exclamation, [529].
Head, shape of, [493].
Heart, seat of understanding, [493], [494];
courage, [494];
death from broken, [493].
Heart’s-ease, nickname of, [227];
used for love-philtres, [227].
Hecate, [35].
Hedgehog, said to suck udders of cows, [188];
familiar of witches, [189];
legends connected with, [188], [189];
a term of reproach, [189].
Helen’s (St.) fire, meteor so called, [83].
Helme’s (St.) the, [83].
Hemlock, its poisonous character, [221];
supposed to be death-drink of Greeks, [221];
nickname for, [223].
Henbane, [223].
Herb of Grace, [221], [222].
Herm’s (St.) the, meteor, [83].
Herne’s oak, [233], [234].
Heron, used in hawking, [129].
Hid, or hide fox, game so called, [408].
High spirits a bad omen, [363].
Hippopotamus, [504].
Hob-and-his-lanthorn, [87], note.
Hobany’s lanthorn, [87], note.
Hobbididance, evil spirit so called, [61].
Hobgoblin, [7].
Hobby-horse, character in morris-dance, [309];
applied to a loose woman, [310].
Hock cart, at harvest-home, [323].
Hold, term in fighting, [530].
Holy-Cross Day, [324].
Holyrood Day, [324].
Holy thistle, [222].
Honey-dew, [91].
Honey-stalks, name for clover-flowers, [212].
Hoodman-blind, [408], [409].
Horn-mad, [278].
Horses, fairies play pranks with, [190];
witches harass, [190];
terms connected with, [191];
forehorse of a team decorated, [192];
hair, notion respecting, [190];
racing, [409].
Hum-buz, name for cockchafer, [100].
Hunting customs, [178], [179].
Hunt’s-up, morning song to a newly-married couple, [179], [357].
Hysteria, [275].
Idiots, said to be fairies’ children, [334].
Imp, to, term in falconry, [128].
Incubi, class of devils, [78].
Infection, notions respecting, [276].
Iniquity, character in old miracle-plays, [314].
Insane root, [223].
Insanity, influenced by moon, [73], [277].
Irreligious persons, fairies dislike, [18].
Ivy, hung at door of a vintner, [223].
Jack-a-lantern, [87].
Jack-a-Lent, [299].
Jackdaw, [102].
Jacket-a-wad, [87], note.
Jane Shore, [27], [37].
Jaundice, spider a cure for, [258].
Jay, applied to loose woman, [130].
Jesses, trappings of hawks, [126].
Jesus, inscribed on letters, [540].
Jews, torturing of, [474].
Jew’s eye, [473].
Jig, an old dance, [427].
Joan of Arc, [26].
Joan in-the wad, [87], note.
John (St.) Baptist’s night, [319].
John’s (St.) wort, divination by, [318].
Judas, hanged himself on an elder, [216];
kiss, [539].
Justice Jarvis, old pastime, [418].
Kecksies, stalks of hemlock, [224].
Kestrel, applied to hawk, [130].
Key cold, meaning of, [265].
Kid fox, game, [408].
Kingfisher, weather lore of, [131];
hung up in cottages, [131].
Kings, supernatural authority of, [517].
King’s evil, [279].
Kiss, at betrothal, [346];
at marriage ceremony, [351];
fee of lady’s partner, [538];
saluting ladies with, [539].
Kissing comfits, [539].
Kit-with-the-candle-stick, [87].
Kite, bird of ill-omen, [131];
curious notion respecting, [132].
Knotgrass, hinders growth, [225].
Lace songs, [539].
Lachrymatory vials, [379].
Lady-bird, term of endearment, [253].
Lady-smocks, [225].
Lamb ale, [312].
Lamb-mass, [320].
Lambert’s (St.) Day, [324].
Lamb’s-wool, [205].
Lammas Day, [320].
Lamps, perpetual, [383].
Lapwing, an eccentric bird, [132];
symbol of insincerity, [133];
draws pursuers from its nest, [133].
Lark, changes eyes with toad, [134];
song of, [135];
mode of capturing, [134].
Laudatory verses, affixed to tomb, [377].
Laugh-and-lie-down, game at cards, [410].
Laurel, symbol of victory, [225].
Lavolta, French dance, [428].
Leap-frog, [409].
Leather-coat, name of apple, [206].
Leech, [281].
Leek, on St. David’s Day, [226], [303].
Leet ale, [312], [548].
Lent, Jack-a-lent made at, [299];
fleshmeat not sold during, [300].
Leprosy, [280].
Lethargy, confounded with apoplexy, [280].
Letters, Emmanuel prefixed to, [540].
Light-o’-love, tune of dance, [429].
Lightning, persons struck by, accounted holy, [92].
Lily, [226].
Lion, supposed generosity of, [193];
will not injure a royal prince, [194];
kept without food, [194].
Liver, seat of love, [494];
absence of blood in, [478].
Livery, to sue one’s, [541]
Lizard, said to be venomous, [253];
used by witches, [254].
Loach breeds fleas, [499].
Loaf mass, [320].
Lob of spirit, [1], [5], [8].
Lob’s pound, [8].
Loggat, game so called, [410].
Long purples, name of orchis, [226].
Loose, term in archery, [395].
Lord Mayor’s Day, [327];
show, [315];
fool, [327].
Love charms [359].
Love-day, [541].
Love-in-idleness, [227].
Love-lock, [480].
Love philtres, [227], [264], [359].
Lovers, eccentricities of, [361], [406], [478], note, [534].
Lucky days, [512].
Mab, fairy queen, [4], [5], [24].
Magpie, regarded as mysterious bird, [135];
claims for averting ill-luck of seeing, [136];
nicknamed magot-pie, [135].
Magic, system of, [482];
verses, [508].
Mahu, prince of darkness, [61].
Mahomet’s dove, [115].
Man in the moon, [68], [244].
Mandrake, resemblance of, to human figure, [228];
watched over by Satan, [230];
its groans, [228];
superstitions relating to, [229]-[231].
Manningtree ox, [317].
Marbles, [411].
Marigold, opens its flowers at sun’s bidding, [230].
Marriage, [342]-[361];
ceremony mostly on Sunday, [358], [359].
Martin, unlucky to molest a, [136];
builds near human habitations, [136].
Martin’s (St.) Day, [328];
summer, [131].
Martlemas, [328].
Mary-bud, name for marigold, [231].
Mankin, used for hare, [168], note.
May-day observances, [305].
Maying, going a, [307].
May-pole, [307].
Meadow cress, [213].
Measles, [281].
Medlar, applied to woman of loose character, [231].
Merlin, [511];
prophecies of, [515].
Mermaid, [500]-[503].
Meteors, regarded as ominous, [88], [516];
names for, [83].
Metrical charms, [508].
Michaelmas, [324].
Midsummer Eve, [218], [318];
man, [318];
watch, [315].
Military lore, [541].
Mill, name for nine-men’s-morris, [413].
Mines, guarded by evil spirits, [59];
truepenny, mining term, [542].
Minnow, term of contempt, [503].
Miracle-plays, [313].
Mirror, bears surprised by, [164].
Mistletoe, notions respecting, [231], [232].
Mock-water, [295].
Moist star, name for moon, [74].
Moldwarp, term for mole, [195].
Mole said to be blind, [194].
Moles on body ominous, [495].
Moon, adoration of, [69];
eclipse of, [71];
man in the, [68], [69], [244];
sanguine color of, [73], [516];
paleness of, [73];
weather-lore of, [76]-[78];
insane persons affected by, [73];
swearing by, [70];
enchantment of, [71];
invocation of, [70];
inconstancy of, [70];
horns of, [77];
moisture of, [74];
influence over agricultural affairs, [75];
waxing and waning of, [76];
affected by witchcraft, [71].
Moon-calf, [77].
Moralities, [314].
Morris-dance, [186], note, [308], [311], [431].
Moth, a fairy, [9];
insect, [254].
Mother, name for hysteria, [275].
Mother of all humors, the moon, [74].
Mouse, term of endearment, [195].
Mouse-hunt, [195].
Mummy, [282].
Murdered persons bleed at approach of murderer, [486].
Mushroom, superstitions relating to, [232].
Music, ascribed to fairies, [17];
as a medical agency, [278];
cure for madness, [277];
at funerals, [381];
weddings, [352];
of the spheres, [80].
Muss, a scramble, [411].
Mustard, [232];
mustard-seed, a fairy, [9].
Narcissus, legend concerning, [233].
Negro, form of evil spirit, [53].
Nicholas’s (St.) Day, [328];
patron of children, [328];
clerks, cant term for highwaymen, [329].
Night crow, [150];
heron, [150];
raven, [150].
Nightingale, sings with breast on thorn, [137];
evil spirits assume form of, [54];
story of, and glow-worm, [138].
Nightmare, charms for, [283].
Nine-holes, old game, [411].
Nine-men’s-morris, rustic game, [411].
Nine Worthies, the, [316].
Noddy, game at cards, [413].
Nose, bleeding of, unlucky, [266], [516].
Novem quinque, game of dice, [413].
Numbers, odd, [40].
Nuptial kiss, [351].
Nutmeg, gift at Christmas, [233].
O ho! exclamation, [530].
Oak, crown of, a mark of honor, [233];
Herne’s, [233].
Oberon, king of fairyland, [2], [3].
Obidicut, evil spirit, [61].
Odd numbers, [40].
Olive, emblem of peace, [234].
One-and-thirty, old game, [399].
Osprey, fascinating influence of, [138].
Ostrich, extraordinary digestion of, [138], [139].
Otnit, German story of, [3], [14].
Ouphe, name for fairy, [9], [17].
Our Lady’s smock, [225].
Ousel, name for blackbird, [100].
Owl, bird of ill-omen, [139];
legend concerning, [142].
Owlet’s wing used by witches, [141].
Oysters, proverb relating to, [468].
Paddock, term for toad, [144], [262].
Pageants, [315].
Palm, symbol of victory, [234].
Palmers, name for pilgrims, [235].
Palmistry, [475], [490].
Paralysis, [284].
Parish-top, [413].
Parrot, restless before rain, [143];
taught unlucky words, [143].
Partridge, [133].
Passing-bell, [366].
Patrick (St.) drives reptiles from Ireland, [257];
his festival, [304];
purgatory, [304], [368].
Patrons, praying for, [543].
Pavan, a dance, [429].
Peacock, its proverbial use, [143].
Peajock, peacock so called, [144].
Pear, [235].
Pearls, swallowing of, [392];
powdered, thrown over sovereigns, [391];
medicinal properties of, [392];
legendary origin of, [392].
Peas-blossom, name of fairy, [9].
Peascod wooing, [235].
Peg-a-lantern, [87], note.
Peg-morris, game so called, [412].
Pelican, feeds young ones with her blood, [144];
hatched dead, [145].
Periapts, [506].
Pheasant, [145].
Philip, name for sparrow, [154].
Philomel, term for nightingale, [138].
Philosopher’s stone, [284].
Phœnix, rises from its own ashes, [145].
Pigeon, feathers of, unlucky, [367];
used as carrier, [146];
constancy of, [147].
Pike, old name for, [503].
Pilgrims, [235].
Pillory, mode of punishment, [437].
Piskey, Devonshire name for fairy, [6].
Pismire, name for ant, [250].
Pixy, name for fairy, [6].
Pixy-led, misled by fairies, [8].
Planets, [78];
influence of, [79];
irregular motion of, [78].
Plantain, its medicinal use, [76], [236];
water, [268].
Pleurisy, [281].
Plica Polonica, [190].
Pluck a crow, [110].
Plucking geese, a boy’s sport, [119].
Poake-ledden, [8].
Poison, vulgar error relating to, [286].
Polecat, [196].
Pomander, [287].
Pomewater, name of apple, [207].
Pooka, [6].
Poor man’s parmacetti, [267].
Poperin, name for pear, [235].
Popinjay, name for parrot, [143].
Poppy, deadly qualities of, [237].
Porcupine darts his quills, [196].
Porpoise, weather-lore of, [503].
Portents, belief in, [516].
Posy rings, [388], [389].
Potato, [237].
Poverty, badge of, [521].
Prayers, of Church, morbific influence of, [372];
witches say backwards, [40], [41].
Press, old torture, [438].
Primavista, game at cards, [414].
Primero, [414].
Primrose, [237].
Priser, term for a wrestler, [423].
Prison bars or base, rustic game, [397].
Prophecy, at death, [362].
Proud tailor, name for goldfinch, [119].
Proverbs, [444]-[474].
Puck, name of fairy, [5]-[8], [11], [87].
Punishments, [433]-[443].
Push, exclamation, [498];
pin, game, [415].
Puttock, name for kite, [132].
Quails, [148];
fighting, [148].
Quarry, term in falconry, [124].
Quintam, [415].
Quoits, [416].
Rabbit, [196];
suckers, [196].
Race of horses, term for a stud, [193].
Rack, torture of, [438].
Racking clouds, [96].
Ragged-robin, [213].
Rainbow, [91].
Rapture, name for trance, [272], [273].
Rat, rhymed to death, [197];
leaving a ship, ominous, [198].
Raven, bird of ill-omen, [149];
supposed longevity of, [149];
deserts its young, [151];
feathers, used by witches, [151].
Red blood, sign of courage, [477].
Red pestilence, [285].
Reed, for shepherds’ pipes, [238].
Rere-mouse, name for bat, [162].
Rheumatism, [288].
Rhyne toll, old manorial custom, [167].
Rings, symbolical use, [386];
exchange in marriage contracts, [346];
death’s-head, [388];
running for the, [417];
rush, [242];
posy, [388];
token, [387];
thumb, [389].
Rivo, an exclamation, [530].
Robin Goodfellow, [5]-[7], [86].
Robin Hood, [310].
Robin Redbreast covers dead bodies with leaves, [152].
Rook, weather-lore of, [153];
bird of good omen, [153];
deserting a rookery, [153].
Rose, associated with “Wars of Roses,” [239], [240];
divination by, [318];
symbolical use, [238];
customs connected with, [238];
cakes, [239];
water, [239].
Rosemary, strengthens memory, [240];
symbol of remembrance, [240];
at weddings and funerals, [240];
for garnishing dishes at Christmas, [241].
Roundel, a dance, [429].
Rouse, [528].
Ruddock, name for redbreast, [153].
Rue, divination by, [318].
Running, for the ring, [417];
the figure of eight, [417];
counter, hunting term, [178].
Rush-bearings, [242].
Rush candle, [242].
Rush-ring, [242].
Sabbath of witches, [30].
Saffron, its uses, [242], [243].
Sagittary, [543].
Salad-days, [543].
Saliva, medical notion respecting, [289].
Salt, used metaphorically, [543];
sitting below the, [526].
Salutations, [544].
Sampson, Agnes, reputed witch, [33].
Satyrs’ dance, [430].
Scale of dragon, used by witches, [185].
Scambling days, [301].
Scammell or scamel, [121].
Scare-crow, [109].
Scrofula, cure for, [279].
Sea, source of dew, [90];
persons drowned in, [382];
eagle, name for osprey, [138];
gull, [121];
mell or mew, [121];
monster, [504].
Secondary rainbow, [91].
See-saw, game, [417].
Seel, term in falconry, [127].
Serpent, called a worm, [254];
its forked tongue supposed to injure, [255];
said to cause death without pain, [255], [256];
used by witches, [255];
emblem of ingratitude, [256];
cures for bite of, [256];
driven out of Ireland by St. Patrick, [257];
casting of its slough, [257].
Serpigo, name for skin disease, [288].
Servants, taking oath of fidelity, [544];
gold chains worn by, [544];
attend bare-headed, [545].
Sheep-shearing customs, [317].
Sheer ale, [528].
Shepherd’s, mill, [413];
purse, [268].
Shepherd-queen, [318].
Sheriffs’ post, [545].
Shoe-tye, name for a traveller, [545].
Shoeing-horn, [545].
Shooting stars, [516].
Shore, Jane, [27], [37].
Shove-groat, [417];
shove-halfpenny, [418].
Shrouding-sheet, [380].
Shrove Tuesday, [299].
Sickness, [288].
Sieve, used by witches, [34];
toss in a, punishment so called, [441].
Sigh, notions respecting, [289].
Signatures, doctrine of, [218].
Silence before thunder, [93].
“Six Worthies,” [316].
Skimmington, old ceremony of, [443].
Slide, board, or groat, [418], note;
thrift, [418], note.
Slip-thrift, [418], note.
Slough of snake, [257].
Slow-worm, [255].
Smulkin, evil spirit, [61].
Smithfield fair, [321].
Snails, charming of, [198];
omens of fine weather, [199].
Sneak-cup, [528].
Sneck-up, exclamation, [531].
Snipe, applied to foolish man, [154].
Snowballs, [418].
Solemn supper, [545].
Sop o’ the moonshine, [78].
Souls, transmigration of, [50].
Soul-bell, [367];
mass cakes, [379].
Souling, going a, [326].
Span-counter, old game, [418].
Sparrow, called Philip, [154];
hawk, [154].
Spear-grass, [243].
Spectre huntsman, [49].
Spider, considered venomous, [258];
cure for jaundice and ague, [258];
web used for stopping blood, [258];
bottled, [259];
gossamer, notion respecting, [259].
Spirits, various kinds of, [60];
unlucky to cross their path, [48];
disappear at cock-crow, [104];
impatient at being interrogated, [45];
their appearance, [45];
walking of, by way of penance, [46];
reason for appearing, [46];
allotted time for work, [47];
signs of their approach, [47];
of revenge, [58].
Spleen, supposed cause of laughter, [496].
Spy, I, exclamation, [531].
Squalls, weather-lore of, [95].
Stalking horse, [191].
Starling, [155].
Stars, influence on mundane events, [80];
heroes reckoned among, [82].
Statute-cap, [546].
Stephen’s (St.) Day, hunting wren on, [501].
Sterility, [289].
Stigmatic, deformed person so called, [270].
Stocks, old punishment, [440].
Stool-ball, old game, [419].
Stoop, or swoop, term in falconry, [124].
Stover, fodder for cattle, [243].
Strappado, military punishment, [440].
Strawberry, [243].
Succubi, class of devils, [78].
Suicide, [290].
Sun, weather-lore of, [63]-[65];
dancing of, [63];
cloudy rising, ominous, [64];
red sunrise, [64];
watery sunset, [65];
supposed to be a planet, [62].
Sunday, fashionable day for weddings, [358].
Sunshine in March, [68].
Swallow, harbinger of spring, [155];
bird of good omen, [156].
Swan, sings before death, [156].
Sword, swearing by, [542];
dance, [430].
Sympathetic indications, [518].
Tailor, exclamation, [531].
Tailor’s goose, name for pressing-iron, [118].
Tassel-gentle, name of hawk, [157].
Tavy’s (St.) Day, [226], [304].
Tawdry lace, [325].
Tears, of the deer, [180];
crocodile, [176].
Teeth, superstitions relating to, [332], [333].
Telme’s (St.) fire, meteor so called, [83].
Ten bones, name for fingers, [491].
Ten commandments, [491].
Tennis, [419].
Termagant, tyrant of miracle-plays, [313].
Tewksbury mustard, [232].
Theatrical lore, [546].
Thorns, legend relating to, [244].
Threshold, bride must not cross, [358].
Thumb, biting of, an insult, [492];
rings, [389].
Thunder, notions relating to, [91];
bolt, [91];
stone, [91].
Tick-tack, old game, [421].
Tiger, roars in stormy weather, [199].
Tire, term in falconry, [127].
Titania, fairy queen, [2], [3], [14].
Tilly-vally, exclamation, [531].
Toad, evil spirit likened to, [262];
changes eyes with lark, [134];
said to be venomous, [261];
stone, [260].
Tokens plague-spots, [285].
Tomb, ornamenting, [377].
Tongue, blister on, [266].
Toothache, [507];
caused by a worm, [290].
Torches at weddings, [357].
Toss in a sieve, punishment so called, [441].
Touching for king’s evil, [279].
Tournaments, [547].
Tower, term in falconry, [123].
Transmigration of souls, [50].
Tread a measure, dance, [431].
Trefoil, divination by, [318].
Trial by the stool, for detecting witches, [31].
Trip and go, a morris-dance, [431].
Troll-my-dame, or Troll-madam, game so called, [422].
Truepenny, mining term, [542].
Trump, old game, [422].
Trumpet, for announcing visitors, [547].
Tub-fast, [292].
Turkey, [158].
Turquoise, supposed virtues of, [393].
Tutelary guardians, [57].
Twelfth Day, [297].
Tybert or Tybalt, cat so called, [172].
Unicorn, mode of betraying, [199].
Up-spring, German dance, [431], [432].
Urchin, name for fairy, [9], [17].
Urchins’ dance, [9].
Valentine’s (St.) Day, [298];
birds choose their mates on, [298];
selecting valentines on, [298];
customs in France on, [298].
Vervain, divination by, [318].
Vice, character in old miracle-plays, [314].
Violet, associated with early death, [244];
superstition relating to, [244].
Virus lunare, [75].
Vitalis (St.) invoked in case of nightmare, [283].
Vulture, [158].
Wagtail, used in opprobrious sense, [158].
Wakes, [331].
Walking fire, name for ignis fatuus, [86].
Wandering, knight, name of sun, [63];
stars, [78], [79].
War-cry, [547].
Warden, name of pear, [235].
Wasp, [262].
Wassail, bowl, [205];
candle, [330].
Wat, name for hare, [188].
Water, casting, [293];
galls, name for rainbow, [91].
Waxen images, used by witches, [37].
Weasel, considered ominous, [200];
kept in houses, [200];
said to be quarrelsome, [200].
Weathercocks, [108].
Web-and-pin, name for cataract, [269].
Wedding-torch, [357].
Were-wolf, mark of, [31].
Westward, ho, exclamation, [531].
Whale, [504].
Wheel, punishment of, [441].
Whipping, [442].
Whistling of swan, [157].
White dog-rose, [240].
Whitsun, ale, [312];
mysteries, [311].
Whitsuntide, [310].
Wild-goose chase, [118].
Will-o’-the-wisp, [8], [85].
Will-with-a-wisp, [87].
Willow, symbol of sadness, [245];
garlands made of, [245].
Winchester, college, custom at, [387];
goose, [119].
Wind, weather-lore of, [94];
sale of, [34].
Winding-sheet, [380], [516].
Wisp, punishment for a scold, [442].
Witches, in “Macbeth,” [27];
create storms, [32];
drawing blood from, [32];
propitiation of, [32];
powers limited, [31];
harass horses, [190];
offspring of, [40];
say their prayers backwards, [40];
sell or give winds, [34];
ointment, [36];
intercourse between, and demons, [40];
protection from, [32];
vanish at will, [35];
destroy cattle, [39];
look into futurity, [36];
beard, characteristic of, [29];
trials, [36].
Witch of Brentford, [27].
Wits, the five, [496].
Woodcock, applied to a foolish person, [159].
Worm, a poor creature, [256];
name for serpent, [254];
toothache, said to be caused by, [290].
Wormwood used in weaning, [246].
Wren, its diminutiveness, [160].
Wrestling, [422].
Yew, planted in churchyards, [247];
stuck in shroud, [274], [380];
poisonous qualities, [248].

THE END.

ENGLISH CLASSICS.

EDITED BY