PEAR. 283 



the devil's imps use the pear to a wicked end, when the 

 monks of Swinsted, inviting King John to a banquet, 

 poisoned him in a dish of pears, though others write it 

 was in a cup of ale." 



From this traditionary tale it may be concluded that 

 pears had been cultivated prior to the time of King John, 

 as the wild pear never could have been a dish for the table 

 of a monarch or a monk. 



In an account-book of Henry the Eighth, now remain- 

 ing in the Exchequer, there are the following charges 

 among others : I s d 



" For Medlars and Wardens (Pears) . 034 

 " Item, to a woman who gaff the Kyng 



Peres . . . .002 



The wild pear-tree, as well as the crab-apple, appears 

 also to be a native of this country, where it is often found 

 growing, particularly in Somersetshire and Sussex. The 

 latter county gave names to several varieties that were 

 esteemed in Worlidge's time (1675), as the Petworth 

 pear, and the Arundel pear ; but the kinds are now either 

 lost, or have received new names. 



At what period the cultivated pear was first brought 

 into this country we have no account ; but we may sur- 

 mise that the Romans did not neglect the propagation of 

 this fruit when they were masters of Britain. The pear 

 is mentioned by all our early writers. Swinburn says, 

 the waste lands near the plains of Puglia, are covered 

 with wild pear-trees. Gerard says in his time, to write 

 of pears and apples would require a particular volume : 

 " every country," says he, " hath his peculiar fruit ; my- 

 selfe knowe some one curious, who hath in one peece of 

 ground, at the point of three score sundrie sorts of pears, 

 and those exceeding good ; not doubting but, if his minde 

 had been to seek after multitudes, he might have gotten 

 togither the like number of those of worsse, kindes. 



