Social Life in the Reign of Queen Anne, Taken from Original SourcesAshton, John
History
Social Life in the Reign of Queen Anne, Taken from Original Sources
Ashton, John
Great Britain -- History -- Anne, 1702-1714; Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 18th century
Near London these wakes, like Hampstead or Deptford wakes, were well
kept up; and there was my Lady Butterfield in Epping Forest, of whose
entertainment and calf-roasting, we have already had a description
through Ward's instrumentality. Here is one of her advertisements: 'My
Lady Butterfield gives a Challenge to all England, to Ride a Horse,
Leap a Horse, Run on Foot or Hallow with any Woman in England Ten
years younger, but not a Day older, because she would not under value
herself. Gentlemen and Ladies, whilst in the Spring 'tis worth your
while to come to hear the Nightingal Sing in Wanstead within a Mile of
the Green Man, in Essex, at my Lady Butterfield's at Nightingal Hall.
This is to give notice to all Gentlemen and Ladies, and all the best
of my Friends, that on the last Wednesday of April is my feast, where
is very good Entertainment for that Day, and for all the Year after
from my Lady Butterfield.'
Or another:--
TO ALL GENTLEMEN AND LADIES.
If Rare Good young Beans and Pease can Tempt Ye,
Pray pass not by my Hall with Bellies Empty;
For Kind Good Usage every one can tell,
My Lady Butterfield does al excell;
At Wanstead Town, a Mile of the Green Man,
Come if you dare and stay away if you can.
She had a rival later on, in 1713. 'This is to acquaint all Jolly Lads
and Lasses. That on Monday the 28th Instant, there will be a Meeting
of several Gentlemen and Ladies at the Opening of Mr. Tucker's new
House upon Epping Forest, where the Company will be provided with good
Music and Dancing, and be likewise entertain'd by Country People with
the following Diversions, viz. A Beaver Hat to be Cudgell'd for, A
Pair of Buckskin Breeches to be wrestled for; and a lac'd Holland
Smock to be danced for, by 6 young Women. N.B. The Sport begins at 10
a Clock in the Morning; and such care is taken that the Company may
not return a hungry, One Ox will then be roasted and given _gratis_.'
Women raced for smocks, silk stockings, or topknots; whilst one would
surely have won Sir John Astley's heart. 'This is to give Notice, That
there is a young Woman, born within 30 Miles of London, will run, for
Fifty or a Hundred Pounds, a Mile and an half, with any other Woman
that has liv'd a Year within the same Distance; upon any good Ground,
as the Parties concern'd shall agree to.'
Even a woman's suspected infidelity was turned into sport. 'At
_Hammersmith_ near _Kensington_, to morrow, being Friday, will be rode
a SKIMMINGTON TRIUMPH, according to the Manner described in Hudibras,'
which the reader will find, if he be curious in the matter, in Part.
II. Canto II. of Butler's immortal poem.
One harmless diversion should not be passed over. 'At Epsom Old Wells
... on Whitsun Tuesday will be Moris Dancing Set against Set, for
Lac'd Hats, at 10 a Clock, with other Diversions.'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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