Of yeomen he says, “And albeit they be not called master as gentlemen are, or sir as to knights apperteineth, but onelie John and Thomas,” &c. (p. 134): and of “the third and last sort,” “named the yeomanrie,” he adds, “that they be not called masters and gentlemen, but goodmen, as goodman Smith, goodman Coot, goodman Cornell, goodman Mascall, goodman Cockswet,” &c. (p. 137).
Mr. Furnivall’s note (p. 123) is as follows:—“Every Begger almost is called Maister.—See Lancelot’s ‘Maister Launcelet’ in the Merchant of Venice, II. ii. 51, and the extract illustrating it from Sir Thomas Smith’s Commonwealth of England, bk. I. ch. 20 (founded on Harrison, i. 133, 137), which I printed in New Sh. Soc.’s Trans. 1877-9, p. 103-4. Also Shakspere getting his ‘yeoman’ father arms, and making him a ‘gentleman’ in 1596.—(Leopold Shakspere, Introduction, p. ciii.).” We thus get still further indication of the early date of the story, the significance of the title “Master” having died out during the seventeenth century.
The following is a bibliographical list of some of the editions, many others having been printed from the beginning of this century:—
(1.) The history of Thomas Hickathrift. Printed for the booksellers. London [1790.] 12mo. pp. 24.
Cap. i. Of his birth, parentage, and education, ii. How Thomas Hickathrift’s strength came to be known, iii. How Tom came to be a Brewer’s man; and how he came to kill a giant, and at last was Mr. Hickathrift. iv. How Tom kept a pack of hounds; his kicking a football quite away; also how he had like to have been robbed by four thieves, and how he escaped.(2.) The Pleasant and delightful history of Thomas Hickathrift. Whitehaven: printed by Ann Dunn, Market Place [1780], pp. 24.
(3.) The History of Thomas Hickathrift. Printed in Aldermary Churchyard, London. [1790.] 12mo. Part the first, pp. 24.
Similar contents to No. 1, with addition of cap. v. Tom meets with a Tinker, and of the battle they fought.(4.) The most pleasant and delightful history of Thomas Hickathrift. J. Terraby, printer, Market Place, Hull. [1825.] 2 parts. 12mo. pp. 24; 24.
Same as No. 1. Second part, cap. i. How Tom Hickathrift and the Tinker conquered ten thousand rebels. ii. How Tom Hickathrift and the Tinker were sent for up to court, and of their kind entertainment. iii. How Tom, after his mother’s death, went a-wooing, and of the trick he served a gallant who affronted him. iv. How Tom served two troopers whom this spark had hired to beset him. v. Tom, going to be married, was set upon by one and twenty ruffians, and the havock he made. vi. Tom made a feast for all the poor widows in the adjacent houses, and how he served an old woman who stole a silver cup at the same time. vii. How Sir Thomas Hickathrift and his lady were sent for up to court, and of what happened at that time. viii. How Tom was made Governor of the East Angles, now called Thanet, and of the wonderful achievement he performed there. ix. How the Tinker, hearing of Tom’s fame, went to be his partner, and how he was unfortunately slain by a lion.(5.) The history of Thomas Hickathrift. Printed for the Travelling Stationers. 12mo. pp. 24.
Same as No. 3.
THE
PLEASANT HISTORY
OF
THOMAS HIC-KA-THRIFT.
Printed by J. M. for W. Thackeray and T. Passinger.