The Political Songs of England: From the Reign of John to That of Edward II

by Unknown

——qui ont grant signorie,

Qui poi font por amis et assés por amie.

[P. 143], l. 133, Gris Moignes.—Perhaps the Cistercians. In a poem on the Grey Monks, De Grisis Monachis (MS. Cotton. Vespas. A. XIX. fol. 56, r^o), which will be found among the works of Walter Mapes, they are ridiculed for the same arrangement of clothing,—

Carent femoralibus partes turpiores,

Veneris ut usibus sint paratiores,

Castitatis legibus absolutiores;

In cunctis hominibus nulli sunt pejores.

The Albi Monachi are similarly satirized by Nigellus Wireker for going without breeches. The Friars de Sacco wore no breeches under their robes.

[P. 144], l. 154, l’Ordre de Cilence.—Perhaps the Carthusian monks, a branch of the Benedictines, whose order, which was peculiarly strict, was introduced into England by Henry II. They were enjoined to live in separate cells, and to keep very strict silence, and have little communication with each other.

—— l. 169, Les Frere Menours.—The Friars Minors were better known as Franciscans, and in France as the Cordeliers. Their order enjoined, above all things, poverty and humility. They were not to ride when travelling, unless some manifest necessity or infirmity obliged them. See Dugdale, vi. 1505.