Tachas, Kyng of Aegypt, and Agesilaus,' of the Frenche kyng and the brome seller:" the best are such as refer to antient times. same "Of an other [frier] that inueighed Erasmus. agaynst the Because Erasmus wrote, that it wer better for the Monke of the Charter-house to eate fleshe than to suffer his brother, Venire in capitis discrimen, that is to say, than his brother should stand in jeopardie of his life: this dotishe doctour interprat his wordes thus: The Charter-house Monke were better eate fleshe, than his heade should a litell ake." -"By these tales we may se, what peuysshe preachers have been in this world: and be thei never so foolishe, yet the ignorant people, lacking lerninge to judge suche matters, thinke themselues well taught, when they be clean misledde." Dull as the jest is, the moral may find its application at the present day; This little tract contains but five and twenty tales. 66 Imprinted at London, in Flete-strete, by Henry Wykes. Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum solum.” Such are the first specimens of the Anecdotal composition of our ancestors, and, however we may dislike the spirit that actuated its compilers, we cannot but consider Shakspeare's Jest Book' as a curiosity in this branch of Literature. The discovery of these tracts is due, we are told, to Mr. Bandinel of the Bodleian Library. To the Literati in the reign of Elizabeth they must have been 'delectable food,' and although little more than trash in themselves, would certainly meet with purchasers to whose dispositions they were congenial. Yet persons who judge of Monachisin by such Anecdotes, and who turn to the pages of Berthelet or Wykes for the character of a Friar, will wander far from the truth. The portrait drawn by Sterne, of a Monk, with honest sensibility, outweighs them all: but it is time to quit this unpleasant subject. The reign of Elizabeth was particularly favourable to Anecdote, the numerous Establishments which the Players possessed were excellent nurseries for Tales, and even the Actors themselves were persons of convivial habits, and what would now be called 'good companions:' among the writers, we find many bon vivants, and it is also remarkable, that most of them were indigent; Marloe, Lilye, Nash, Greene, lived in poverty, and some of them died miserably: the only unimpeachable character of the old school of wits, was John Heywood, a native of South Mims, Herts, and who was educated at Oxford, but retired to his native village, for the sake of the society of Sir Thomas More, who resided at North Mims, and by whom he was introduced to the Princess Mary. His disposition to wit and repartee, joined to his skill in musick, recommended him to Henry VIII. with whom he was a favourite; and be was noticed during the two succeeding reigns. To Queen Mary his company is said to have been agreeable, for he was sprightly and humorous, as well as of a good life. It is even said that he entertained and amused the Queen upon her death-bed, but that entertainment might have been only a consolatory discourse, stripped of its terrors, and which might dispel the gloom of her last hour. The death of Mary blighted his prospects, and he was obliged to seek safety on the Continent; he died at Mechlin in 1565. As one of the first dramatic authors, he is sufficiently known; he was also held in esteem as a poet and epigrammatist *; but the labours of his pen are now nearly forgotten, and of the brilliancy of his wit few specimens are preserved; for those we are indebted to Camden. His principal work is The Spider and Flie,' parable, in 77 chapters, 4to, 1556 : to which a wood-cut of the author, in a furred gown, is prefixed. His sons, Ellis and Jasper, were both candidates for literary fame.-Camden in his Remains, after treating of Apothegms, says, 'Now we drawe to an end, have a few sayings of M. Heiwood, the great Epigrammatist;" we have, however, room but for three: a and whether it were well hopped? Yes, by the faith of my body (said hee) it is very well hopped: but if it had hopped a little further, it had hopped into the water." "When one said, that the number of Lawyers would marre the occupation; he answered, no; for alwaies the more spaniels in the field, the more game." Mr. URBAN, J. T. M. Dec. 5. HE following account of Robert Earl of Huntington, extracted from "Hargrove's Anecdotes of Archery," may be interesting to your Readers: During the reign of Richard I. we first find mention made of Robin Hood, who hath been so long celebrated as the Chief of English Archers. The intestine troubles of England were very great at that time, and the country every where infested with outlaws and banditti; amongst whom none were so famous as this sylvan hero and his followers, whom Stow, in his Annals, styles renowned thieves. The personal courage of this celebrated outlaw, his skill in Archery, his humanity, and especially his levelling principle, of taking from the rich and giving to the poor, have ever since rendered him the favourite of the common people. Sir Edward Coke, in his Third Institute, p. 197, speaks of Robin Hood, and says, that men of his lawless profession were from him called Roberdsmen: he says, that this notable thief gave not only a name to these kind of men, but mentions a Bay on the Yorkshire coast, called Robin Hood's Bay. He further adds, that the Statute of Winchester, 13th of Edw. 1. and another Statute of the 5th of Edw. III. were made for the punishment of Roberdsmen, aud other felons. Who was the author of the collection, called "Robin Hood's Garland," no one has yet pretended to guess. As some of the songs have more of the spirit of poetry than others, it is probably the work of various hands: that it has from time to time been varied and adapted to the phrase of the times is certain. In the Vision of Pierce Plowman, written by Robert Longland, a secular Priest, and Fellow of Oriel College, and who flourished in the reign of Edward III. is this passage: I cannot perfitly my Pater Noster as the prist it singeth; I can rimes of Robinhod and Randal of Chester." Drayton, in his Poly-Olbion, Song xxvi. thus characterizes him: "From wealthy abbots' chests, and churches' abundant store, What often times he took he shar'd amongst the poor; No lordly Bishop came in lusty Robin's [must pay; way, To him before he went but for his pass The widow in distress he graciously reliev'd, [virgin griev'd." And remedied the wrongs of many a Hearne, in his Glossary, inserts a manuscript note out of Wood, containing a passage cited from John Major, the Scottish Historian, to this purpose; that Robin Hood was inthief that ever was: and says he deed an arch robber, but the gentlest might have added, from the Harleian MSS. of John Fordun's Scottish Chro nicle, that he was, though a notorious robber, a man of great charity. 66 The true name of Robin Hood, was Robert Fitz-ooth, the addition of Filz, common to many Norman names, was afterwards often omitted or dropped. The two last letters th being turned into d, he was called by the common people Ood or Hood. It is evident he was a man of quality, as appears by a Pedigree in Stukeley's Paleographia Brittanniæ." John Scot, tenth Earl of Huntington, dying in 1237, without issue, R. Fitz-ooth was by the female line next heir to that title, as descended from Gilbert de Gaunt, Earl of Kyme and Lindsey. The title lying dormant* during the last ten years of his life, there could be nothing unreasonable or extraordinary in his pretensions to that honour. Arms of Robin Hood were, Gules, two bends engrailed Or. In the old Garland he is said to have been born. at Loxley in Staffordshire; and in a shooting match +, made by the King and Queen, being chose by the latter for her archer, she calls him Loxley: a custom very common in those days to call persons of eminence by the The Robert's death; namely, till the year The title lay dormant 90 years after 1337, when William Lord Clinton was created Earl of Huntington. On this occasion we are told, that Robin Hood was dressed in scarlet, and his men in green; and that they all wore black hats and white feathers. name name of the town where they were born. It does not appear that our hero possessed any estate; perhaps he or his father might be deprived of that on some political account; attainders and confiscations being very frequent in those days of Norman tyranny and feudal oppression. In the 19th of Henry II. when the son of that King rebelled against his father, Robert de Ferrers manned his castles of Tutbury and Duffield in behalf of the Prince. William Fitz-ooth, father of our hero (suppose him connected with the Ferrers, to which his dwelling at Loxley* seems to point), might suffer with them in the consequences of that rebellion, which would not only deprive the family of their estates, but also of their claim to the Earldom of Huntington. From some such cause our hero might be induced to take refuge in those woods and forests, where the bold adventurer,-whether flying from the demands of his injured country, or to avoid the ruthless hand of tyrannic power,-had often found a safe and secure retreat. Tutbury, and other places in the vicinity of his native town, seem to have been the scene of his juvenile frolics. We afterwards find him at the head of two hundred strong resolute men, and expert archers, ranging the woods and forests of Notting hamshire, Yorkshire, and other parts of the North of England t. Charton, in his History of Whitby Abbey, p. 146, recites, "That in the days of Abbot Richard, this free booter, when closely pursued by the civil or military power, found it necessary to leave his usual haunts, and retreating across the moors that surrounded Whitby, came to the sea coast, where he always had in readi ness some small fishing vessels; and in these putting off to sea, he looked upon himself as quite secure, and held The Ferrers were Lords of Loxley.The name of Loxley has been adopted for this chivalrous Outlaw by the very intelligent Author of "Ivanhoe." And Robin Hood has been given as a Christian name by the present Earl of Huntington to one of his youngest sons. + Besides many other places, the following are particularly mentioned, viz, Barnsdale, Wakefield, Plompton Park, and Fountains Abbey. the whole power of the English nation at defiance. The chief place of his resort at these times, and where his boats were generally laid up, was about six miles from Whitby, and is still called Robin Hood's Bay." Tradition further informs us, that in one of these peregrinations he, attended by his Lieutenant, John Little, went to dine with Abbot Richard, who having heard them often famed for their great dexterity in shooting with the long-bow, begged them after dioner to show him a specimen thereof; when to oblige the Abbot, they went up to the top of the Abbey, whence each of them shot an arrow, which fell not far from Whitby Laths, but on the contrary side of the lane. In memory of this transaction, a pillar was set up by the Abbot in the place where each of the arrows fell, which were standing in 1779; each pillar still retaining the name of the owner of each arrow. Their distance from Whitby Abbey is more than a measured mile, which seems very far for the flight of an arrow; but when we consider the advantage a shooter must have from an elevation, so great as the top of the Abbey, situated on a high cliff, the fact will not appear so very extraordinary. These very pillars are mentioned, and the fields called by the aforesaid names in the old deeds for that ground t, now in the possession of Mr. Thomas Watson. It appears by his Epitaph, that Robert Fitz-ooth lived 59 years after this time (1188); a very long period for a life abounding with so many dangerous enterprizes, and rendered obnoxious both to Church and State. Perhaps no part of English History afforded so fair an opportunity for such practices, as the turbulent reigns of Richard I. King John, and Henry III. Hubert, Archbishop of Canterbury and Chief Justiciary of England, we are told, issued several proclamations for the suppressing of out-laws; and even set a price on the head of this hero. Several stratagems were used to apprehend him, but in vain. Force * Possibly without invitation. That each of the arrows of these renowned shooters fell, as above described, is probable; but that they were shot from some other place than the top of the Abbey, is equally probable. he he repelled by force; nor was he less artful than his enemies. At length being closely pursued, many of his followers slain, and the rest dispersed, he took refuge in the Priory of Kirklees, about twelve miles from Leeds, in Yorkshire, the Prioress at that time being his near relation. Old age, disappointment, and fatigue, brought on disease; a monk was called in to open a vein, who, either through ignorance or design, performed his part so ill, that the bleeding could not be stopped. Believing he should not recover, and wishing to point out the place where his remains might be deposited, he called for his bow and discharging two arrows, the first fell in the river Calder, the second falling in the park, marked the place of his future sepulture. He died on the 24th of December, 1247*, as appears by the following Epitaph, which was once legible on his tomb, in Kirklees Park; where, though the tomb remains, yet the inscription hath been long obliterated. It was, however, preserved by Dr. Gale, Dean of York, and inserted from his papers by Thoresby, in his Ducat. Leod. and is as follows: "Hear, undernead his latil stean, Obit 24 Kal. Dekembris, 1247." In a small grove part of the cemetery formerly belonging to this Priory, is a large flat gravestone, on which is carved the figure of a Cross de Calvary, extending the whole length of stone, and round the margin is inscribed in Monastic charac ters: DOUCE IHU DE NAZARETH FILZ DIEU TEZ MERCY A ELIZABETH STAINTON PRIORES DE CEST MAISON +." The lady whose memory is here recorded, is said to have been related to Robin Hood, and under whose * Supposing him twenty-one years of age, when on his visit to Abbot Richard at Whitby, he must at this time have been at least in his eightieth year. This Norman inscription shows its antiquity. Robin Hood's ancestors were Normans, and possessed the Lordship of Kyme, in Lincolnshire. There is a market town in that county called Stanton. protection he took refuge some time before his death. These being the only monuments remaining at the place make it probable, at least, that they have been preserved on account of the supposed affinity of the persons over whose remains they were erected. Robin Hood's mother had two sisters, each older than herself. The first married Roger Lord Mowbray; the other married into the family of Wake. As neither of these could be prioress of Kirklees, Elizabeth Stanton might be one of their descendants. In the churchyard of Hathersage, a village in Derbyshire, were deposited, as tradition informs us, the remains of John Little, the servant and companion of Robin Hood. The grave is distinguished by a large stone, placed at the head, and another at the feet; on each of which are yet some remains of the letters I. L. Mr. URBAN, Nov. 29. N some of your former Numbers I remember to have seen a hint thrown out for the publication of a Translation of the History of Matthew Paris. Upon enquiry I find no such publication has taken place, although a translation has actually been made by a gentleman of considerable talents, and is at present in the hands of the booksellers*. By the evidence on the Copyright Act, given before a Committee of the House of Commons, it appears the expence has in some degree deferred the undertaking. Surely, Sir, the publication of this Historian in our own language would be a desirable acquisition, and might be accomplished in 8vo, and at a rate that would insure the sale of a considerable number of copies. You, Mr. Urban, will no doubt afford a corner for these lines, in the hope they may meet the eye of the possessor of the Translation, and you will much oblige Yours, &c. Mr. URBAN, LEICESTERIENSIS. Stony-Stratford. N addition to the communication "Lathbuof your Correspondent riensis," in your Magazine for October last, p. 321, I beg leave to notice a passage respecting Stony-Stratford in See vol. LXXXIX. i. 450. ii. 2. 131. Shakspeare, Shakspeare, in which a decided error in topography is manifest. The Play alluded to is King Richard III. act ii. scene 4. "London-a room in the Palace." "Enter the Archbishop of York, the young Duke of York, Queen Eliza beth, and the Duchess of York." ARCH." Last night, I heard, they lay at Stony-Stratford; And at Northampton do they rest to-night: To-morrow, or next day, they will be here." After which, a Messenger relates the arrest of the Nobleman, without mentioning the place. It would be a waste of time as well as of paper, to inform your readers that King Edward's suite, in coming to London, must necessarily have quitted Northampton before they reached Stratford: the passage is, at all events, remarkable, as it shews that Shakspeare cared little for topographical accuracy, and adapted facts to the rhythm of his verse when it was his duty to have followed the contrary. I take this opportunity of requesting any information which your Correspondents may be enabled to furnish respecting the History, &c. of Stony-Stratford; and such particulars as may throw light upon the internal history of that town: I meet with no eminent natives to which it lays claim in your Compendium of County His tory, and should be glad to hear that it has produced worthy characters This John Ball kept a house of entertainment at Ball's Pond about the middle of the 17th century, having for its sign the Salutation, as displayed on the token, a place formerly famous for the exercise of bull-baiting and other brutal sports, and which was much resorted to by the lower orders of people, from all parts of the metropolis. There was, near this spot, a large pond, at that time frequented by duck-hunters, &c. and by them coupled with the name of their host. P. A. N. LETTERS FROM THE CONTINENT. (Continued from p. 317.) LETTER XI. Mayence, Aug. 22, 1818. HAVE now to inform you of our safe arrival at Treves, and sit down to give you some account of it. For antiquities, it greatly excels York or Chester; and I wished for some Antiquary to have enjoyed it, as these things are not much in my way. During my walk before breakfast, I first visited the Corn-Hall, an antient |