32 HISTORY OF THE 



the elder^ Randel Holme, the Chester antiquary, 

 as having been performed according to custom 

 near that city, in the presence of the mayor, at 

 the Cross, in the Rodhi, orRoody, an open place 

 near the city. A silver bell, valued at about 

 three shilUngs and sixpence, is placed on the 

 point of a lance, to be given to him who shall 

 run the best and furthest on horseback before 

 them on Shrove Tuesday. These bells went by 

 the name of St. George's bells, and the younger 

 Randel Holme tells us that in the last year 

 of this reign (1624) John Brereton, innkeeper. 

 Mayor of Chester, first caused the horses en- 

 tered for this race, then called St. George's race, 

 to start from the point beyond the new tower, 

 and appointed them to run five times round the 

 Roody ; and, he continues, he who won the last 

 course or trayne, received the belly of a good 

 value, £8 or £10, and to have it for ever, which 

 moneyes were collected of the citizens for that 

 purpose. By the use of the term, for ever, it 

 would appear that the bell had been formerly 

 used as a mark of temporary distinction only, 

 by the successful horsemen, and afterwards re- 

 turned to the Corporation. 



* Randel Holme of Chester, one of the city heralds, M.S. Harl. 

 2150, fol. 235. 



