[T2] Royer or Raherus, the king's minstrel. He is recorded by Leland under both these names, in his Collectanea, scil. vol. i. p. 61.
"Hospitale S. Bartholomæi in West-Smithfelde in London." Royer Mimus Regis fundator."
"Hosp. Sti. Barthol. Londini. Raherus Mimus Regis H. 1. primus fundator, an. 1102, 3. H. 1. qui fundavit etiam Priorat. Sti. Barthol."—Ibid. p. [99].
That mimus is properly a minstrel in the sense affixed to the word in this essay, one extract from the accounts (Lat. computis) of the priory of Maxtock near Coventry, in 1441, will sufficiently show, scil.: "Dat. Sex. Mimis Dni. Clynton cantantibus, citharisantibus, ludentibus, &c. iiii. s." (T. Warton, ii. 106, note q.) The same year the prior gave to a doctor prædicans for a sermon preached to them only 6d.
In the Monasticon, tom. ii. p. 166, 167, is a curious history of the founder of this priory, and the cause of its erection: which seems exactly such a composition as one of those which were manufactured by Dr. Stone, the famous legend-maker, in 1380; (see T. Warton's curious account of him, in vol. ii. p. 190, note), who required no materials to assist him in composing his narratives, &c. For in this legend are no particulars given of the founder, but a recital of miraculous visions exciting him to this pious work, of its having been before revealed to K. Edward the Confessor, and predicted by three Grecians, &c. Even his minstrel profession is not mentioned, whether from ignorance or design, as the profession was perhaps falling into discredit when this legend was written. There is only a general indistinct account that he frequented royal and noble houses, where he ingratiated himself suavitate joculari. (This last is the only word that seems to have any appropriated meaning.) This will account for the indistinct, incoherent account given by Stow: "Rahere, a pleasant-witted gentleman, and therefore in his time called the King's Minstrel."—Survey of Lond. ed. 1598, p. 308.
[U] [In the early times every harper was expected to sing.] See on this subject K. Alfred's version of Cædman, above in note [H] p. [391].
So in Horn-Child, K. Allof orders his steward Athelbrus to
"—teche him of harpe and of song."
In the Squire of Lowe Degree the king offers to his daughter,
"Ye shall have harpe, sautry,[1126] and song."