For the Master's Sake: A Story of the Days of Queen MaryHolt, Emily Sarah
History
For the Master's Sake: A Story of the Days of Queen Mary
Holt, Emily Sarah
Counter-Reformation -- England -- Fiction; England -- Social life and customs -- 16th century -- Fiction; Historical fiction
The Londoners, of whom our friends at Mistress Winter's form a part, are
divided in opinion concerning this step; but neither party has been too
much distressed to observe the usual dance round the Strand maypole, on
the site of which Saint Mary-le-Strand will presently be built. At
present, and for those five weeks yet to come, the march of events is
dull and sleepy. It will be sufficiently lively and startling to please
the most sensational, before many days of July have run out.
The Bible is now open in every parish church, chained to a desk, so that
any one who pleases may read. The entire service is conducted in
English. The roods and images have been pulled down; candles, ashes,
and palms are laid aside; "the wolves are kept close" in Tower and Fleet
and Marshalsea; masses, public and private, are contraband articles; the
marriage of priests is freely allowed; the altar has been replaced by
the table. It is still illegal to eat flesh in Lent; but this is rather
with a view to encourage the fish trade than with any religious object.
To turn to minor matters, such as costume and customs, we find
Government does not disdain to occupy itself in the regulation of the
former, by making stringent sumptuary laws, and effectually securing
their observance by heavy fines. The gentlemen dress in the Blue-Coat
style, occasionally varying it by a short tunic-like coat instead of the
long gown, and surmounting it by a low flat cap, which the nobles
ornament by an ostrich feather. The ladies array themselves in long
dresses, full of plaits, and often stiff as crinoline--plain for the
commonalty, but heavily laden with embroidery, and deeply edged with
fur, in the case of the aristocracy. Both sexes, if aspiring to
fashion, puff and slash their attire in all directions. The ruff,
shortly to become so fashionable, is only just creeping into notice, and
as yet contents itself with very modest dimensions.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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