CHAP. 10. 1. ANTIQUITIES, &c. 299 



The Feast of St. Peter ad Vincula; or, 

 Lammas Day, August 1, is said to have been 

 the first of the Egyptian year, and to have 

 been called Gule, a word soon converted by 

 the Romans into Gula, and hence called the 

 Gule of August. Old legends relate certain 

 cures of disorders in the throat made this day, 

 by touching the chains of the Saint. 



On the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, 

 August 15, it was formerly the custom to 

 implore a blessing upon Herbs and Plants of 

 diverse kinds, which, being afterwards burned, 

 were esteemed a charm against witches. 



The day following, dedicated to St. Roch, 

 was celebrated as a general Harvest Home. 



The quantity of knives given away at Croy- 

 land Abbey, on St Bartholomew's Day, Au- 

 gust 24, as noticed by M. Richard Gough, 

 originated probably in the story of the knife 

 with which the Saint was fleed.* 



The Feast of the Exaltations of the Holy 



together to some appointed place, to receive a blessing from 

 the Priests. A custom which some have deduced from the 

 Practice of St. Anthony of Padua. 



* " Three of these Knives found since, were marked with 

 figures of the Whips so much used by St. Guthlac, in one 

 court born by this house." Pop. Antiq. 279. 



