x\ N T I Q U I T I E S. 



407 



The spot appropriated for the 

 scrambling for the pies and ale is 

 about a quarter of a mile south of 

 the town, a small oblong bank, ten 

 yards long, and six wide ; with a 

 small old trench round it, and a cir- 

 cular hole in the centre, and is call- 

 ed Hare- Pie-Bank. After they have 

 left the town, the man with the 

 bread walks towards the bank ; and 

 as he proceeds, at times throws the 

 pieces of bread before him, which 

 is eagerly caught by the boys which 

 surround him, the bread being all 

 distributed before they arrive at the 

 spot destined for the scrambling for 

 the pies and ale. As soon as the 

 men with the sacks arrive at the 

 bank, the pies and ale are tumbled 

 promiscuously out of the sacks into 

 the hole in the centre, when a scene 

 of noise and confusion takes place, 

 and bloody nosesand bruised fingers 

 are often the consequence ; one will 

 seize a piece of the pie, or a bottle 

 of the ale ; a second will trip up 

 his heels, and fall upon him ; and a 

 third, perhaps, seize and keep pos- 

 session of the prize, until a fourth 

 serves him the same ; and so on, 

 until four or five fellows agree to 

 form a party, and assist each other 

 in bearing away the wished-for bot- 

 tle to a convenient place, and thei'e 

 divide the spoil. The afternoon is 

 spent in festivity, ringing of bells, 

 fighting of cocks, quoits, and such 

 like exercises, by Hallaton and the 

 neighbouring youth. 



Manner in which Cardinal IVoJuetj 

 enlertained the French Ambas- 

 sadors at Hamplon-Co'irl ; from 

 Ly sons' s historical Account of the 



Parishes in the Countij of Mid- 

 dlesex, not described in the Envi- 

 rons of London. 



AFTER cardinal Wolseybecame 

 possessed of the lease of the 

 manor of Hampton, "he bestowed," 

 says Stow, " great cost of building 

 upon it, converting the mansion- 

 house into so stately a palace, that 

 it is saidtohave excited much envy; 

 to avoid which, in the year 1526, 

 he gave it to the king, who, in re- 

 compence thereof, licenced him to 

 lie in his manor of Richmond at 

 his pleasure ; and so he lay tliere at 

 certain times." It appears that car- 

 dinal Wolsey after this occasionally 

 inhabited Hampton-Court (askeep- 

 er perhaps of the king's palace ;) 

 for, in 1527, when some French 

 ambassadors were in England, the 

 king willing that they should be 

 treated with the greatest respect, 

 sent them to be entertained by car- 

 dinal VVolscy at Hampton-Court. 

 The following account* of the en- 

 tertainment will give the reader an 

 idea of the magnificence of that pre- 

 late's establishment : " Then was 

 there made great preparation of all 

 things for this great assembly at 

 Hampton-Court; thecardinall call- 

 ed before him his principal officers, 

 as steward, treasurer, controller, and 

 clerk of his kitchen, to whom he 

 declared his mind, touching the en- 

 tertainment of the Frenchmen at 

 Hampton-Court, commanding them 

 neither to spare for any cost, ex- 

 pense, or travayle, to make such a 

 triumphant banquet as they might 

 not only wonder at it here, but also 

 make a glorious report of it in their 

 country, to the great honour of the 



• Taken from a MS. ropy of Cavpndish's Life of Wolsey iti the British Museum, 

 f Harl. MSS. No. 4:i8.1 much of which is oiiiitted in the printed copies. 



