Old Church Lore Part 4

"That no butcher sell or expose for sale any meat on Sunday, under the aforesaid penalty."

"That no cooks nor victuallers dress any meat on Sunday, except for strangers, and that, too, before eleven o'clock."

"That no tradesmen keep their shops open on Sunday, nor sell any goods; nor any vintners or ale-sellers deliver or sell ale or wine on Sunday, under the aforesaid penalties."

"Any person who shall inform against transgressors, shall be ent.i.tled to one-eighth over and above half of the sums so forfeited, provided he acted out of pure zeal, devoid of self-interest or malice."

The City Records of Worcester contain some quaint items on the observance of Sunday. We may infer from a regulation made by the local authorities, at the commencement of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, that the laws were not very stringent respecting Sunday trading. It was resolved that the shopkeepers were to open "only one top window on a Sunday." "This was," to use the words of a local historian, "a decided case of hucksters.h.i.+p dividing its affection between G.o.d and Mammon."

The strangest circ.u.mstances anent Sunday trading remain to be told, and belong to the days of Charles II. It is stated on reliable authority, that a meat market was held at Wigton, c.u.mberland, on a Sunday, and that the butchers suspended carcases of meat at the church door, to attract the attention of persons attending divine service. "It was," says the writer from whom we glean these particulars, "even no uncommon thing for people who had made their bargains before the service, to hang their joints of meat over the backs of their seats until the ceremony was concluded." The practice was so distasteful to the priest, that, being unable to prevent it, he made a journey to London on foot, with a pet.i.tion to the king to alter the market day to Tuesday, a request which was readily granted.

Sunday trading prevailed for a long period. Adam Clarke was appointed to preach in the Norfolk circuit in 1783, and he says here "mult.i.tudes, even those called religious people, bought and sold without any remorse."

It was the common practice in country districts, even down to the commencement of the nineteenth century, for the parish clerk, on a Sunday morning, to mount a grave stone, and for the wors.h.i.+ppers to gather round him and listen to the announcements of coming auction sales, particulars of rewards offered for the conviction of persons who had been guilty of trespa.s.sing and committing wilful damage in the district--indeed, all kinds of workaday matters were made known. Some of the old parish accounts contain references to payments made to the parish clerks for services rendered. It appears from the accounts of Newchurch, Rossendale, that the parish clerk stood in his desk in the church, and gave out secular notices, in which the people were supposed to take an interest. There is a legend still lingering in the district, that bull-baitings were amongst the matters proclaimed by the parish clerk of this church. The church accounts state under the year 1804:

"Parish Clerk in giving Public Notices in the Church 0 2 6."

At Ravenstonedale, when the practice of announcing sales, etc., in the churchyard ceased, the attendance at the ancient parish church diminished.

The old parish clerks made many amusing blunders when giving out the public notices, and the following ill.u.s.tration may be given as an example.

We are told that he was instructed to make known a change of service, as follows: "On Sunday next, the service in this church will be held in the afternoon, and on the following Sunday, it will be held in the morning, and so on alternately until further notice." Instead of delivering the preceding notice, he said: "On Sunday next, the morning service in this church will be held in the afternoon, and on the following Sunday, the afternoon service will be held in the morning, and so on to all eternity."

In the days of yore, stage plays were performed on Sunday, not only in the churches, but in the theatres. Old church accounts contain many items bearing on plays in parish churches. The books of St. Martin's, Leicester, state:

"1560. Pd. to the plears for their paynes vij.d."

The Bewdley chapel-wardens' accounts for the year 1572, includes a disburs.e.m.e.nt as follows:

"Paid unto the quenes plaiers in the church 6s. 8d."

The Corporation of Lyme, in 1558, paid 4s. 5d. to the Queen's players, who performed in the parish church. "We may suppose," says Mr. George Roberts in his "Social History," "that money was taken at the doors by some official of the mayor, who ascertained the deficiency to be as above." The Syston registers state:

"1602. Paid to Lord Morden's players, because they should not play in the church xij.d."

Prior to this period, not a few attempts had been made to stop acting in churches. Bonner, Bishop of London, issued, in 1542, a proclamation to the clergy in his diocese, prohibiting "all manner of common plays, games, or interludes to be played, set forth, or declared within their churches or chapels." The author of a tract, published in 1572, writes strongly respecting the clergy neglecting their duty, and adverts to acting in churches. Speaking of the clergyman conducting the service, the writer says: "He againe posteth it over as fast as he can gallop; for he either hath two places to serve, or else there are some games to be played in the afternoon, as lying the whetstone, heathenish dancing of the ring, a beare or bull to be bayted, or else jack-an-apes to ryde on horse back, or an enterlude to be played; and if no place else can be gotten, it must be done in the church."

Two companies of players, in 1539, visited Knowsley; one was the Queen's players, and the other the Earl of Ess.e.x's players. On the Sunday after their arrival, the rector of Standish preached in the morning, the Queen's players acted in the afternoon, and the Earl's players at night. Other Sunday performances were given in the district by the actors at this time.

Before 1579, Sunday appears to have been the only day upon which plays were performed, but after that year they were acted on other days as well as on Sunday. It was not the fas.h.i.+on for females to visit theatres, but at Oxford we find that Queen Elizabeth witnessed a Sunday theatrical exhibition. James I., at his Court on a Sunday, had plays provided. The Bishop of Lincoln, on Sunday night, September 27th, 1631, had performed, in his London house, the play of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," and for this he was indicted by the Puritans. Masques on a Sunday night at this period were extremely popular.

During a visit of James I. to Oxford, in 1621, on a Sunday in August, the university men produced a piece called the "Marriage of Arts." It was not a successful entertainment, the king and his friends failing to appreciate the wit of the undergraduates. Says an epigram of the period:

"At Christ Church, 'Marriage' done before the King, Least that some mates should want an offering, The King himself did offer--what, I pray?

He offered twice or thrice to go away."

In the town of Hull, the player, about this period, does not appear to have been regarded with much esteem. The earliest notice of theatres in Hull occurs in the year 1598, and we learn from Mr. Sheahan, the local historian: "That the Mayor issued an order, in which 'divers idle, lewd persons, players, or setters of plays, tragedies, comedies, and interludes,' who were in the habit of coming to the town, were denounced."

In this doc.u.ment, it was further set forth that persons patronising their performances would have to forfeit 2s. 6d. for every offence.

Football was introduced into England by the Romans, and it is our oldest sport. In past ages, it was a popular Sunday amus.e.m.e.nt, and, in not a few places, it was played until the earlier years of the present century.

Attempts were made to prevent its being practised during the time of Divine service. An entry bearing on this subject appears in the parish accounts of Colne, Lancas.h.i.+re. The item is as follows:

"1713. My charges with ye men taken playing at football in ye tyme of Divine servis to ye Justice 00 01 00."

The local authorities were equally severe on Sunday idlers. The accounts for the year 1737 include a charge "for warrant to take up idle persons on the Sabbath-day, 0 2s. 0d." An annual football match was formerly played at Beverley on the Sunday preceding the races. The game commenced on the racecourse, and was attended by a large number of persons from the surrounding villages. The Corporation made several attempts to stop the custom, but without avail until 1825, and then not without a struggle. A number of constables received special instructions to stop the sport, but they were, however, severely handled, and the match was played. The aggressors were subsequently tried, and convicted of a.s.sault, and imprisoned with hard labour for a time. This action prevented any further Sunday football playing at Beverley.

A good anecdote is related in Dawson's "History of Skipton," respecting Sunday football playing. It is stated that the Rev. J. Alc.o.c.k, B.A., of Burnsall, was on his way to conduct afternoon service, when he saw a number of boys playing football. "With a solemn shake of the head," says Mr. Dawson, "he rebuked them. 'This is very wrong, you are breaking the Sabbath!' The remonstrance fell unheeded, and the next moment the ball rolled to Mr. Alc.o.c.k's feet. He gave a tremendous kick, sending it high in the air. 'That's the way to play football!' he said to the ring of admiring athletes, and then, amidst their universal praise, he proceeded on his way to church."

Bowling was, in bygone ages, a popular Sunday pastime. Ladies appear to have greatly enjoyed the sport. Charles I. and Archbishop Laud were both very fond of bowling. When Laud was taken to task for playing on Sunday, he defended himself by showing that it was well known to be one of the favourite amus.e.m.e.nts of the Church of Geneva. When John Knox, the Scottish reformer, visited Calvin, he arrived on a Sunday, and found Calvin enjoying a game at bowls. It is not stated if Knox joined in the pastime, but we certainly know that he travelled, wrote letters, and even entertained Amba.s.sadors and others on this day. On a Sunday, in the year 1562, Knox attended the marriage of James Stuart (afterwards the Earl of Murray), and it is a.s.serted that he countenanced a display which included a banquet, a marquee, dancing, fireworks, etc. Not a few of the G.o.dly lifted up their voices in condemnation, not so much, we infer, on account of the day, but the extravagances to which the amus.e.m.e.nts were carried.

About half a century later, was married, on Shrove Sunday, 1613, Frederick, the Prince Palatine, and the Princess Elizabeth. The day ended, we are told, according to the custom of such a.s.semblies, with dancing, masking, and revelling. In the works of Shakespeare and other dramatists will be found many allusions to Sunday weddings.

We gather from numerous Acts of Parliament, and other sources, that, after attending church, the people in the old days devoted themselves to "honest recreation and manly sports." Particular attention was paid to the practice of archery. Richard II., for example, in the year 1388, directed that his subjects, who were servants of husbandry, and artificers, should use the bow on Sundays and other holidays, and they were enjoined to give up "tennis, football, dice, casting the stone, and other importune games."

The next king, Henry IV., strictly enforced the statute made by his predecessor, and those who infringed it were liable to be imprisoned for six days.

Sunday was a great day for bear baiting. It was on the last Sunday of April, 1520, that part of the chancel of St. Mary's Church, Beverley, fell, killing fifty-five people, who had a.s.sembled for the celebration of ma.s.s. A bear baiting, held in another part of the town, at the same time, had drawn a much greater crowd together, and hence the origin of the Yorks.h.i.+re saying, "It is better to be at the baiting of a bear, than the singing of a ma.s.s." At an accident in a London bear-garden, the people did not fare so well, for we learn that on a "Sunday afternoon, in the year 1582, the scaffolds being overcharged with spectators, fell during the performance, and a great number of persons were killed or maimed by the accident."

We get a good idea of the Sunday amus.e.m.e.nts in vogue at the time of Elizabeth, from a license the Queen granted to a poor man, permitting him to provide for the public certain Sunday sports. "To all mayors, sheriffs, constables, and other head officers within the county of Middles.e.x.--After our hearty commendations, whereas we are informed that one John Seconton, poulter, dwelling within the parish of St. Clement's Danes, being a poor man, having four small children, and fallen into decay, is licensed to have and use some plays and games at or upon several Sundays, for his better relief, comfort, and sustentation, within the county of Middles.e.x, to commence and begin at and from the 22nd of May next coming, after the date hereof, and not to remain in one place above three several Sundays; and we, considering that great resort of people is like to come thereunto, we will and require of you, as well for good order, as also for the preservation of the Queen's Majesty's peace, that you take with you four or five of the discreet and substantial men within your office or liberties where the games shall be put in practice, then and there to foresee and do your endeavour to your best in that behalf, during the continuance of the games or plays, which games are hereafter severally mentioned; that is to say, the shooting with the standard, the shooting with the broad arrow, the shooting at twelve score p.r.i.c.k, the shooting at the Turk, the leaping for men, the running for men, the wrestling, the throwing of the sledge, and the pitching of the bar, with all such other games as have at any time heretofore or now be licensed, used, or played.

Given the 26th day of April, in the eleventh year of the Queen's Majesty's reign."--[1569.]

The Puritans were making their power felt early in the seventeenth century, and doing their utmost to curtail Sunday amus.e.m.e.nts. The history of the north of England supplies not a few facts bearing on this matter.

One ill.u.s.tration we may give you as an instance of many which might be mentioned. Elias Micklethwaite filled the office of chief magistrate of York, in the year 1615, and during his mayoralty, he attempted to enforce a strict observance of the Sabbath. During the Sunday, he kept closed the city gates, and thus prevented the inhabitants from going into the country for pleasure.

Speaking of city gates, we are reminded of the fact that great precaution used to be taken against the Scotch in the North of England. Many were the battles between the men of England and Scotland. A Scotchman was not formerly permitted to enter the city of York without a license from the Lord Mayor, the Warden, or the Constable, on pain of imprisonment. In 1501, hammers were placed on each of the bars for Scotchmen to knock before entering.

To return to Sunday amus.e.m.e.nts, James I., in the year 1617, coming from Scotland to London, pa.s.sed through Lancas.h.i.+re, and was received with every token of loyalty. He was entertained at Hoghton Tower in a manner befitting a monarch. It is not without interest to state how the king and his suite spent the Sunday at this stronghold on the 17th August, 1617. A sermon was first preached by Bishop Morton; next, dinner was served, which was of a substantial character. About four o'clock, a rush-bearing, preceded by "piping," was witnessed by the king. After the rustic merriment, the company partook of supper, which was almost as formidable as the dinner. After supper, the king repaired to the garden, and a masque of n.o.blemen, knights, and gentlemen pa.s.sed before him. Speeches were made, and lastly, the night was concluded by "dancing the Huckler, Tom Bedlo, and the cowp Justice of the Peace." It is stated that Bishop Morton condemned the profaneness of the company who had disturbed the service at the church. During the king's visit to the country, it is recorded that a large number of the tradesmen, peasants, and servants, of the County Palatine, presented a pet.i.tion, praying that they might be permitted to have the old out-door pastimes after the services at the church were over.

The king granted their request, and issued a proclamation from his palace, at Greenwich, on May 24th, 1618, sanctioning various sports after divine service on Sunday. It was meant only for Lancas.h.i.+re. The recreations named are dancing, archery, leaping, vaulting, May games, Witsun-ales, morris-dancers, and setting up of May-poles. The doc.u.ment, known as the "Book of Sports," gave considerable offence to the Puritans. Clergymen were directed to read it in their churches.

The question came forward under the next king, Charles I., and on October 18th, 1633, he ratified and published his father's declaration. This action, in many quarters, was most displeasing, and a number of the clergy refused to read the order. One of the ministers was, in 1637, deprived and excommunicated by the High Commission Court for not acceding to the request. Six years later, namely, in 1643, the Lords and Commons ordered the "Book of Sports" to be burned by the common hangman, at Cheapside and other public places.

We have now brought down our investigations to the days of the Commonwealth. King Charles's life closed in a tragic manner, at the hands of the headsman, on a scaffold erected before one of the windows of the Palace of Whitehall. Old times are changed, and old manners gone; a stranger fills the Stuart throne. In our pity for unfortunate Charles, we must not forget that English life under the Stuarts became demoralised, the court setting a baneful example, which the people were not slow to follow. Licentiousness and blasphemy were mistaken for signs of gentility, and little regard was paid to virtue. Debauchery was general, and at the festive seasons was carried to an alarming extent. The Puritans, with all their faults, and it must be admitted that their faults were many, had a regard for sound Christian principles; and the prevailing lack of reverence for virtue, morality, and piety, was most distasteful to them, and caused them to try to put an end to the follies and vices of the age.

Various Acts of Parliament were pa.s.sed to check work and amus.e.m.e.nt on the Lords Day. We get from the Puritans our present manner of observing Sunday. The following are a few extracts from the "Directory of Public Prayers, reading of the Holy Scriptures," etc., which was adopted by the Puritan Parliament in 1644. It is therein stated:

"The Lord's Day ought to be so remembered beforehand, as that all worldly business of our ordinary callings may be so ordered, and so timely and seasonably laid aside, as they may not be impediments to the due sanctifying of the day when it comes.

The whole day is to be celebrated as holy to the Lord, both in public and in private, as being the Christian Sabbath, to which ends it is requisite that there be a holy cessation or resting all the day, from all unnecessary labour, and an abstaining not only from all sports and pastimes, but also from all worldly words and thoughts.

That the diet on that day be so ordered as that neither servants be unnecessarily detained from the public wors.h.i.+p of G.o.d, nor any other persons hindered from sanctifying that day.

That there be private preparation of every person and family by prayer for themselves, for G.o.d's a.s.sistance of the minister, and for a blessing upon the ministry, and by such other holy exercises as may further dispose them to a more comfortable communion with G.o.d in his public ordinances.

That all the people meet so timely for public wors.h.i.+p that the whole congregation may be present at the beginning, and with one heart solemnly join together in all parts of the public wors.h.i.+p, and not depart till after the blessing.

That what time is vacant, between or after the solemn meetings of the congregation in public, be spent in reading, meditation, repet.i.tion of services (especially by calling their families to an account of what they have heard, and catechising of them), holy conferences, prayer for a blessing upon the public ordinances, singing of Psalms, visiting the sick, relieving the poor, and such like duties of piety, charity, and mercy, accounting the Sabbath a delight."

Earnest attempts were made to improve the morals of the people, but the zeal of the Puritans was often not tempered with mercy, and frequently displayed a want of common-sense. In America, the Puritans made some very curious Sunday laws. Walking, riding, cooking, and many other natural needs of life were forbidden. Sports and recreations were punished by a fine of forty s.h.i.+llings and a public whipping. In New England, a mother might not kiss her child on a Sunday. An English author, visiting America in the year 1699, supplies interesting details anent Sunday laws at that time. Says the traveller: "If you kiss a woman in public, though offered as a courteous salutation, if any information is given to the select members, both shall be whipped or fined." As a slight compensation for the severity of the regulation, he adds that the "good humoured la.s.ses, to make amends, will kiss the offender in a corner." He adverts to the captain of a s.h.i.+p, who, on his return from a long voyage, met his wife in the street, and kissed her, and for the offence had to pay ten s.h.i.+llings.

Another Boston man was fined the same amount for kissing his wife in his own garden. The culprit refused to pay the money and had to endure twenty lashes.

Tobacco, in Virginia, took the place of money as a medium of exchange. A person absenting himself from church was fined one pound of tobacco, and for slandering a clergyman, eight hundred pounds. Ten pounds covered the cost of a dinner, and eight pounds a gallon of strong ale, and innkeepers were forbidden to charge more.