An entry on the first page, in fine hand-writing, is likewise of interest, as showing that long after the Reformation, and even after the Prayer Book revision of 1662, the prohibition of the old Sarum Manual against marriages taking place during the three great feasts of Christmas, Easter and Penticost still had weight, though it could not be enforced, and that the rector--a stout churchman--desired its observance. Marriages Prohibited from Advent Sunday till a Week after the Epiphany, from Septuagesima Sunday till a Week after Easter, from Ascension day till trinity Sunday; Secundum Dr. Comber.[195] [195] The reference is to the Dean of Durham's _Companion to the Temple_, the standard work of the period on the Prayer-Book; but the passage goes no further than to say that "some among us" still observe the "former" prohibition. Curious entries, or any bearing upon local history, such as are frequent in some registers, are scarce in the Grasmere books. The law that commanded the use of woollen for shrouds, by way of propping up a declining industry, caused the usual amount of trouble here in the way of affidavits and entries. Another enactment, that all sickly persons who presented themselves for cure by the Royal touch--a remedy much resorted to under the Stuarts--were to come armed with a parochial certificate,[196] has left its trace here. [196] Dr. Cox's Parish Registers. Wee the Rector and Churchwardens of the Parish of Grasmere in the County of Westmorland do hereby certify that David Harrison of the said Parish aged about fourteen years is afflicted as wee are credibly informed with the disease comonly called the Kings Evill; and (to the best of o^r knowledge) hath not hereto fore been touched by His Majesty for ye s^d. In testimony whereof wee have here unto set o^r hands and seals the Fourth day of Feb: Ano Dom 1684. HENRY FLEMING Rector. JOHN BENSON JOHN MALLISON Churchwardens. Registered by JOHN BRATHWAITE Curate. This poor youth was probably of the Rydal stock of Harrisons, where several generations of Davids had flourished as statesmen, carriers and inn-keepers.[197] The journey to London would be little to them. [197] See "A Westmoreland Township" in the _Westmorland Gazette_. The introduction of gunpowder into the slate quarries could not have long pre-dated the following entry:-- "Thomas Harrison of Weshdale [Wastdale?], wounded with the splinters of stone and wood the 29th of August last by the force of gunpowder was buryed September the 2nd. Ano Dom 1681." An instance of longevity is given in 1674, when widow Elizabeth Walker, of Underhelme, "dyed at ye age of 107 years old."