[222] Harleian MS., quoted by Miss Aikin, in her ‘Memoirs of the Court of James I.’ This Lady Compton, who valued herself upon being “so reasonable,” was the daughter and sole heiress of Sir John Spencer, who was probably the wealthiest citizen of his time, as he died worth nearly a million sterling. He was called “The Rich Spencer.” Lord Compton, her husband, was so transported at his inheritance, that he went out of his wits, and remained in that condition for several years.—Winwood, quoted in the Pict. Hist. of England.
[223] Osborne’s Memoirs of King James, in Pict. Hist. of Engl., book vii. chap. vi. p. 630.
[224] Manners and Customs, Pict. Hist. of England.
[225] Ibid.
[226] History of England, Manners and Customs, quoting from “Peck’s Curiosa,” “Evelyn’s Diary,” “Strutt,” “Somers’ Tracts,” and “Court of King James.”
[227] So much was swearing identified with loyalty, that Cromwell, after a skirmish with the Scottish horse at Musselburgh, sent word to the Parliament that the enemy had English cavaliers in their ranks, because he heard one of their wounded exclaiming with his last breath, “D—n me! I’m going to my King.”—Howel’s Letters, quoted in the History of England.
[228] The woodcut here introduced represents the boar’s head—a favourite dish in the olden time—on its way from the kitchen to the banquet-room.
[229] See notice of him in this work, art. “Chepstow Castle.”
[230] Tour throughout South Wales and Monmouthshire, by J. T. Barber.
[231] Bayly, p. 36-44.