4 THE OLD TOWN OF MILTON ABBEY. 



The old town possessed (as does the present village) a 

 brewery. The hop fields were in the neighbouring parish of 

 Milborne St. Andrew. Milton Abbey ales were at one time 

 among the most famous in the county. The brewery at Milton 

 helped to supply Weymouth, Poole, and other large towns in 

 Dorset. Milton ales could also be obtained in London. 



The market cross was one of the finest in the kingdom, quite 

 worthy of its position near the Abbey Church. It had an ascent 

 of no fewer than thirty steps. Its site is marked in the present 

 Park by a stone which is said to be a portion of the original 

 cross. Our registers tell us that during the days of the Common- 

 wealth banns of marriage were published "in the market." The 

 weekly market was well attended, and was held around the 

 market cross. The annual fair was on St. Sampson's Eve and 

 Day, July 2yth and 28th, St. Sampson being the chief patron 

 saint of the Abbey Church. This fair, like the market, was 

 granted by King Athelstan ; but it was practically discontinued 

 when the old town was pulled down. 



The sports in old Milton were badger-baiting under the cedar 

 trees in the Abbey churchyard, cock-squailing, cock-fighting, 

 and playing of fives outside the west end of the church. Bowls 

 were played on the bowling green, and ringing was very popular. 

 During Lent the children went "Shroving" and "Lent-crock- 

 ing." On Shrove Tuesday the children, carrying sticks, knocked 

 at the doors of the principal residents and repeated this doggerel 

 verse : 



" Please I've come a-shroving 

 For a piece of pancake 

 Or a little ruckle cheese 

 Of your own making. 

 If you don't give me some, 

 If you don't give me none, 

 I'll knock down your door 

 With a great marrow bone 

 And away I'll run." 



The result of this threat was that the children were given half- 

 pence, apples, eggs, a piece of pancake, or a piece of ruckle 

 cheese. A ruckle cheese was a small sour-milk home-made 



