“Mr. Maiore and his brethren” enjoyed sugar and sundry pottles of wine.
It is satisfactory to find that the ladies were not neglected at Newcastle-on-Tyne. Here is an entry referring to the entertainment of the Mayoress and other ladies:—
| “April, 1595.—Paide for secke, suger, clared wine, and caikes, to Mrs. Maris, and other gentlewomen, in Mr. Baxter, his chamber | 6s. 8d.” |
In the same month is an entry far different in character. It is a charge of 4d. for leading a scolding woman through the town wearing the brank. Payments for inflicting punishment on men and women frequently occur.
The accounts of the borough of St. Ives, Cornwall, contain an item as follows:—
| “1640.—Payde Nicholas Prigge for two loaves of sugar, which were presented to Mr. Recorder | £1 10s. 0d.” |
The records of the city of Winchester include particulars of many presents of sugar loaves and other gifts. On March 24th, 1592, it was decided at a meeting of the municipal authorities to present the Lord Marquis of Winchester with a sugar loaf weighing five pounds, and a gallon of sack, on his coming to the Lent Assizes. The accounts of the city at this period contain entries of payments for sugar loaves given to the Recorder for a New Year’s present, and for pottles of wine bestowed on distinguished visitors.
WOMAN WEARING A BRANK, OR SCOLD’S BRIDLE.