2^0 THE MANNERS AND CUSTOMS 



his whole middle finger when immerfed ; as much 

 " fpiced ale'* as he could reach with the fecond 

 joint ; and as much " mead'* as with the firll joint 

 of the finger immerfed. The fourth officer of the 

 court was the bead falconer. When this perfon 

 gave any entertainment in his private apartments, 

 he v/as entitled to three horns of the beft liquor 

 of the palace, and one difn. He was required to 

 bring his cup in perfon to the hall at every repletion 

 of it, left he fliould drink too much, and neglect his 

 birds. When he had been fuccefsful in his fport, 

 the prince rofe to meet him, and fometimes held his 

 ftin-up while he alighted from his horfe. The court 

 poet, or harper^ filled the eighth place. It was his 

 duty, when the king's domeltics went out on any 

 plundering expedition againft the En^Ulli, to attend 

 ^nd play before them : and when the armies were 

 Tibout to engage, he fung to them the fong called 

 '' The Monarchy of Britiiin." The ' gofdegwr,' or 

 hinges fcrgeard, was ninth in rank. One part of his 

 duty was to prevent unbecoming noifes in the hall 

 by ftriking the columns with his wand. The chief 

 huntfmariy and the preftdent of ibe grooms^ ranked 

 next each other. The former, at a certain time of 

 the year, was allowed to hunt only for the king, 

 but at other fcafons he was at liberty to do this for 

 himfelf. His horn was formed from that of an ox, 

 and was valued at a pound. He was allowed every 

 winter an ox's hide, to form his leaflies of, and in 

 fummer he had a cow's hide to cut into fpatter- 



dafhes. 



