"He was no tavern cantabank that made it,
But a squire minstrel of your Highness' court."
The Tale of Sir Topas. One of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, The Rime of Sir Topas, a burlesque upon the metrical romances of the time. It is written in ballad form.
Bevis of Southampton. A fabulous hero of the time of William the Conqueror. He is mentioned in Henry VIII. i. 1. 38:—
"that former fabulous story,
Being now seen possible enough, got credit,
That Bevis was believed;"
that is, so that the old romantic legend became credible. In 2 Henry VI., after the words (ii. 3. 89), "have at thee with a downright blow," some editors add from the old play on which this is founded: "as Bevis of Southampton fell upon Ascapart," a giant whom he was said to have conquered. Figures of Bevis and Ascapart formerly adorned the Bar-gate at Southampton, as shown in the cut on the next page; but when the gate was repaired some years ago they were removed to the museum.
Adam Bell and Clymme of the Clough (that is, of the Cliff) figure in a popular old ballad, which may be found in Percy's Reliques.