“Examined per Thomas Wheeler, steward.”
The same day a gammon was delivered to Mr. Reynolds, steward to Sir Charles Barrington, of Hatfield Broad Oak.
The custom of this manor is commemorated “in this old distich” viz.
He that repents him not of his Marriage in a year and a day either sleeping or waking
May lawfully goe to Dunmow and fetch a gammon of Bacon.
It is further mentioned in “Piers Plowman’s Vision,” and Chaucer refers to it in the following words:
The bacon was not set for hem I trowe,
That some men haue in Essex at Donmowe
Wife of Bath’s Prologue.