[159] The Saxon word “Halidom” signifies “Holy Judgment:” whence in old times, “By my Halidom!” was a solemn oath among country people.—“By Gonnies!”—“By Gosh!” and a hundred other exclamations, may have originated in the avoiding an oath, or the performing a pledge—but what is “Huck’n?”
Armorial Bearing
OF THE LORD OF THE MANOR OF
Stoke Lyne, Oxfordshire.
The above [print], obligingly presented, is submitted to the reader, with the following in explanation—
To the Editor.
Sir,—As I have taken in your Every-Day Book, and continue with the Table Book, I send you the subjoined account, which, perhaps, may be worth your consideration, and the engraved wood-block for your use.
I remain your well-wisher,
X.
An Account of the Manor of Stoke Lyne in Oxfordshire, late the Property of the Earl and Countess of Shipbrook.
The lord of the manor has a right, by ancient custom, to bear a hawk about his arms agreeable to the print: it arose from the following circumstance. When Charles the First held his parliament at Oxford, the then lord of Stoke Lyne was particularly useful to the king in his unfortunate situation, and rendered him service. To reward him he offered him knighthood, which he declined, and merely requested the king’s permission to bear behind his coat of arms a hawk, which his majesty instantly granted. The present lord of the manor is Mr. Cole of Twickenham, inheriting the estate by descent from the late earl and countess, and whose family are registered in the parish church as early as March 22, 1584. There is also a monument of them in the church of Petersham, 1624; and another branch of the same family were created baronets, March 4, 1641, supposed to be the oldest family in the county of Middlesex.