FullReads

[Footnote 132:
The custom is now abolished. ]

[Footnote 133:
Selden’s “Table Talk.” ]

[Footnote 134:
It may save the trouble of a reference to give here a condensation of Stubbes’ narrative. He says that the Lord of Misrule, on being selected takes twenty to sixty others “lyke hymself” to act as his guard, who are decorated with ribbons, scarfs, and bells on their legs. “Thus, all things set in order, they have their hobby-horses, their dragons, and other antiques, together with their gaudie pipers, and thunderyng drummers, to strike up the devill’s dance withal.” So they march to the church, invading it, even though service be performing, “with such a confused noyse that no man can heare his own voice.” Then they adjourn to the churchyard, where booths are set up, and the rest of the day spent in dancing and drinking. The followers of “My Lord” go about to collect money for this, giving in return “badges and cognizances” to wear in the hat; and do not scruple to insult, or even “duck,” such as will not contribute. But, adds Stubbes, “another sort of fantasticall fooles” are well pleased to bring all sorts of food and drink to furnish out the feast. ]

[Footnote 135:
A rare quarto tract seems to give an authentic narrative of one of these grand Christmas keepings, exhibiting all their whimsicality and burlesque humour: it is entitled “Gesta Grayorum; or the History of the high and mighty Prince Henry, Prince of Purpoole, Arch-duke of Stapulia and Bernardia (Staple’s and Bernard’s Inns), Duke of High and Nether-Holborn, Marquess of St. Giles and Tottenham, Count Palatine of Bloomsbury and Clerkenwell, Great Lord of the Cantons of Islington, Kentish Town, etc., Knight and Sovereign of the most heroical Order of the Helmet, who reigned and died A.D. 1594.” It is full of burlesque speeches and addresses. As it was printed in 1688, I suppose it was from some manuscript of the times; the preface gives no information. Hone, in his “Year-Book,” has reprinted this tract, which abounds with curious details of the mock-dignity assumed by this pseudo-potentate, who was ultimately invited, with all his followers, to the court of Queen Elizabeth, and treated by her as nobly as if he had been a real sovereign. ]

[Footnote 136:
On the last Revels held, see Gent. Mag. 1774, p. 273. ]

[Footnote 137:
Pleasant Notes upon Don Quixote, by Edmund Gayton, Esq., folio, 1654, p. 24. ]

[Footnote 138:
The universities indulged in similar festivities. An account of the Christmas Prince, elected by the University of Oxford in 1607, was published in 1816, from a manuscript preserved in St. John’s College, where his court was held. His rule commenced by the issuing of, “an act for taxes and subsidies” toward the defrayment of expenses, and the appointment of a staff of officers. After this the revels opened with a banquet and a play. The whole of his brief reign was conducted in “right royal” style. His mandates were constructed in the manner of a king; he was entitled “Prince of Alba Fortunata, Lord of St. John’s, Duke of St. Giles’, Marquess of Magdalen’s,” etc. etc. and his affairs were similarly dignified with burlesque honours. “His privy chamber was provided and furnished with a chair of state placed upon a carpet, with a cloth of state hang’d over it, newly made for the same purpose.” At banquetings and all public occasions he was attended by his whole court. The whole of the sports occupied from the 21st of December until Shrove Tuesday, when the entertainments closed with a play, being one of eight performed at stated times during the festivities, which were paid for by the contributions of the collegians and heads of the house. ]

[Footnote 139:
Foote’s amusing farce has immortalised this popular piece of folly; but those who desire to know more of the peculiarities and eccentricities of the election, will find an excellent account in Hone’s “Every-Day Book,” vol. ii., with some engravings illustrative of the same, drawn by an artist who attended the great mock election of 1781. ]

[Footnote 140:
Their “brevets,” etc., are collected in a little volume, “Recueil des Pieces du Regiment de la Calotte; a Paris, chez Jaques Colombat, Imprimeur privilegie du Regiment. L’an de l’Ere Calotine 7726.” From the date, we infer that the true calotine is as old as the creation. ]