The names of the witnesses who "doe certify the proceedings" at the Shakeshaft ceremony are--Susannah Smith, Susannah Calvert, Thomas Pocklington, James Turner (? Turvin), W. Wicksted, and Mark Gretton, Curate, who is no doubt the clerical figure shown in the Ogbourne picture. Mr. Wade's father and grandfather were stewards of the Manor, of which he is now the Lord, from 1796 to 1837, and from 1837 to 1871 respectively. Mr. de Vins Wade became steward in 1891 and Lord of the Manor by purchase in 1903. The records in Mr. Wade's possession go back to 1640. --------------------------------------------------------------------- [Illustration: REMAINS OF THE OLDEST PART OF THE PRIORY CHURCH.] REMAINS OF THE OLDEST PART OF THE PRIORY CHURCH.--Similar work is found in Glastonbury Abbey. --------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------- [Illustration: INTERIOR OF PRIORY CHURCH BEFORE "RESTORATION."] INTERIOR OF PRIORY CHURCH BEFORE "RESTORATION."--A lithograph from a drawing by A. Barfield of Great Dunmow, published in 1837. The square pews, in which some of the people sat with their backs to the parson, remained till 1872-3. --------------------------------------------------------------------- CHAPTER VIII The Bacon Refused The register of the Priory Church of Little Dunmow starts with the year 1555, but it says nothing about the presentations of Bacon. Following the Shakeshaft presentation of 1751 there is said (in Chambers's _Book of Days_) to have been an award in 1763. But Mr. Wade, on examining the records of the Manor, finds that no court was held in that year, "so," as he says, "there could not have been a proper presentation." The story seems to be incorrect. It may be mentioned that the first Essex newspaper was not started till 1764. In 1772 a couple who applied for the Flitch after due notice, and appeared with "a great concourse of people," found, "to the great disappointment of the happy couple and their numerous attendants, the Priory gates fast nailed in pursuance of the express orders of the Lord of the Manor." Six years later, however, the Custom was sufficiently alive for there to be produced at the Haymarket Theatre a "ballad opera" called _The Flitch of Bacon_. It was the work of one Henry Bates, the son of an Essex clergyman, but was poor stuff. A better verse than most ran-- Since a year and a day Have in love roll'd away, And an oath of that love has been taken, On the sharp pointed stones. With your bare marrow bones, You have won our fam'd Priory bacon. The "poetry" written in connexion with the Flitch ceremony is indeed more remarkable for quantity than quality. Four lines, produced in 1803 and supposed to be a farmer's reply to an inquiry as to how he came by the Flitch, run--