The Curiosities of Ale & Beer: An Entertaining History: (Illustrated with over Fifty Quaint Cuts)Bickerdyke, John
History
The Curiosities of Ale & Beer: An Entertaining History: (Illustrated with over Fifty Quaint Cuts)
Bickerdyke, John
Drinking customs; Drinking songs
The same Robert Chichele is recorded to have issued the following
curious regulation in 1423:—“That retailers of ale should sell the same
in their houses in pots of “peutre,” sealed and open; and that whoever
carried ale to the buyer should hold the pot in one hand and a cup in
the other; and that all who had cups unsealed should be fined.”
Many other complaints of the “oppressive” acts of Whitington towards
the Company are also recorded. {137}
The Company, as appears from these records, had the power of fining its
members for breach of discipline. In 1421 one William Payne, at the
sign of the Swan, by St. Anthony’s Hospital, Threadneedle Street, was
fined 3s. 4d., to be expended in a swan for the masters’ breakfast,
for having refused to supply a barrel of ale to the King when he was in
France. Simon Potkin, of the Key, Aldgate, was fined for selling short
measure, whereupon he alleged that he had given money to the masters of
the Brewers’ Company, that he might sell ale at his will. This excuse
embroiled him with the Company, who were not to be appeased until he
had paid 3s. 4d. for a swan to be eaten by the masters, but of which,
it is added, “he was allowed his own share.”
In 1420 Thomas Greene, master, and the wardens of the Company
agreed that they should meet at “Brewershalle” every Monday for the
transaction of their business. It would appear that the first Hall
had then been recently erected, for, as we have seen, the Brewers
had in the preceding reign no fixed place to which “the good men of
the mystery” might resort. Many curious accounts are to be found of
election feasts. The presence of females was allowed. The brothers of
the Company paid 12d., and the sisters 8d., and a brother and his
wife 20d. A _menu_ of one of these feasts, given in the ninth year of
Henry V., is subjoined. It shows the nature of these entertainments at
that period.
LA ORDINANCE DE NOSTRE FESTE EN CESTE AN.
_La premier Cours_ _The First Course_
Brawne one le mustarde Brawn with mustard
Caboch à le potage Cabbage soup
Swan standard Swan standard
Capons rostez Roast capons
Graundez Costades. Great costard apples.
_La seconde Cours_ _The Second Course_
Venyson en broth one Venison in broth
Blanche mortrewes[44] Mortreux soup {138}
Cony standard Rabbit standard
Pertriches on cokkez rostez Partridges with roasted cocks
Leche Lombard[45] Leche Lombard
Dowsettes one pettiz parneux. Sweetmeats and pastry.
_La troisme Cours_ _The Third Course_
Poires en serope Pears in syrup
Graundezbriddes one Great birds and
Petitz ensemblez Little ones together
Fretours Fritters
Payne puff one Bread puff
Un cold bakemete. A cold baked meat.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account