By T. H. Baker. 319 
“1656. William Gray and Mary Ambros of Semly was published 3 market 
daies May y° 6th and y° 13 & y* 20".” 
“Thomas Baker y* Sonne of Maior Baker of Shaston and Dorothy Morgan, 
widdow gent was published three severall Lord’s daies May the 11", the 18th 
and the 25th. 
Many more similar entries follow. What is remarkable in them 
is that the inhabitants of Mere are invariably published on the 
Lord’s Day, whilst those published on market days are described 
as of other parishes. 
Pracr Resorcines, 1814. 
“A festival in celebration of the peace commenced at Mere on Thursday, 11th 
August, and continued four days. On the first day a dinner of roast beef and 
plum pudding, with good strong beer was served up in a large field at the foot 
of Castle Hill, to nearly 2000 persons. The most respectable part of the 
inhabitants dined in a pavilion, and the poorer part were regaled at tables in 
front of it. In the afternoon there were rustic amusements, and a dance on the 
green in which all classes joined. On the second day there was a grand match 
of singlestick, which was well contested, though chiefly by young players ; and 
in the evening there was a ball at the Ship, which was attended by more than 
100 respectable people of the town and neighbourhood. On Saturday the plentiful 
remains of Thursday’s dinner was distributed amongst the poor; and in the 
afternoon, there was a match of singlestick, with other amusements. On Sunday 
after evening service, the principal inhabitants met again in the pavilion, and 
_ the ladies were regaled with tea, syllabub, &c. The whole was extremely well 
conducted, and it is impossible that anything could exceed the harmony and 
happiness which prevailed during the whole four days.” (Salisbury and 
Winchester Journal, Aug., 1814.) 
GAMES AND Sports. 
Mere was a noted centre for “Fives” playing. The Church 
tower at one period formed the “ Fives Court.”” The churchwardens’ 
book again gives us this information :— 
“1691. Itm. for casting the earth abroad in the fives place.” 
q ~ ©1705. Itm. sold to Philip Strong jun the whole intire seat 
under the Little ffives place window for his ite} 00. 02. 00” 
and paid for y® same 
“ Paid for mending y* fives place windowe. 00. 04. 00” 
Fives continued to be a popular game long after this. A very 
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