66 THE HISTORY OF NEWMARKET. [Book II. 



shoteth, and the other sherife he shoteth to sJiode him, being 

 at lencfth twelve score : soe all the archers on one side to 

 shote till it be shode, and soe till three shutes be wonne, and 

 then all the winner's side goe up together, firste with arrowes 

 in their handes, and all the loosers with bowes in their hands 

 together, to the common hall of the citie, wher the maior, 

 aldermen, and gentlemen, and the reste, take parte together of 

 the saide breakfaste in loveing manner ; this is yearly done, it 

 beinge a commendable exercise, a good recreation, and a 

 lovinge assemblye," * 



Tradition says that in the year 946 an image of the 



Blessed Virgin and a large cross were buried here. The 



story is curious : — This image belonged to the 



The Koodee. 



church of Hawarden, and during the invoca- 

 tions of the inhabitants for relief from a season of drought 

 by which they were greatly suffering, being not securely 

 fixed in its place, or not possessing that share of 

 infallibility which has frequently been ascribed to the 

 Virgin, It somewhat unexpectedly fell upon the head 

 of Lady Trawst, the governor's wife, the effect of 

 which was fatal. In consequence of this catastrophe, 

 the Inhabitants of the place held a consultation as to 

 the most proper mode of disposing of the Image ; 

 and after due deliberation Its sentence was : — " To be 

 banished from that place by being laid on the sands 

 of the river ; the tide might convey It to whatever 

 other quarter the Virgin whom It represented should 

 think proper." As It was low water when the Image 

 was taken to the sands, the flood tide carried It, of 

 course, up the river ; and on the day following it was 

 found near the Roodee, where It was Immediately In- 



* Hemingway, " Hist, of Chester," vol. i., p. 210. 



