LEONARD WHRATCROFT, OF ASHOVF.R. 43 



many more complyments ended, we walked forth againe. So 

 when I came to the gates, there was about 9 or lo which stood 

 ready horsed (wliich heard there was some ribands to ride for), 

 and when they saw me, they asked me the truth. ' Gentelhnen,' 

 said I, ' I have 4 good ribands, and if you will venture, you shall 

 have them. There is one for the first man in the towne on our 

 return, another for the second, and another for the third, and the 

 fourth is for the first woman that comes in town : so all that will 

 venture for them, single out on to this greene.'* So as many as 

 would venture did, and when the word was given, away they rode, 

 some dropping in one place, and some in another, till at last 

 they arrived at Ashover, where the wedding was kept. The first 

 that did enter the towne was Mester Henry Dakine's man, who 

 for his share won the scarlet Ribing, which was for the first. 

 The second followed so close, that he won the crimson coloured 

 one ; his name was Edward Hadfield. The third was Edward 

 Butler, who gained the hero colours, and after him, as close as 

 might bee, followed John Stear's maid, whose name was Alice 

 Woodward, who very valliantly obtained the watchetf garter ; 

 these four being now voted champions for that daye's tornements 

 by the general assembly. Immediately the word was given that 

 the Bride and Bridegroome was drawing near the towne, the 

 musick no sooner hearing this than they came to meet them, 

 and after salutation done, they merrily played before them into 

 the towne. About the middell of the towne stood a Quinten 

 (Quintain) for all that would venture the combat might break a 

 speare, which very many did very nobly. In the meanwhile 

 Charles Feelding, master of the Quinton, advanced towards the 

 Bridegroom with a white speare in his hand, which was very 

 richly deckt with all manner of flowers, which immediately the 

 bride's groom brake at the first tilt. Then the business being 



(lone before the very altar ! The bride was generally gartered with ribbons 

 for the occasion. Whoever were so fortunate as to be victors in this singular 

 species of contest bore them about the church in triumph I These garters, it 

 would seem, were afterwards worn as trophies in the hats." — Brainfs Popular 

 Aiititjiiities, by Sir Hen. Ellis, ii. , 79. 



* Probably Brackenfield. t '" IVa/chet,^' a pale blue colour. 



