358 THE HISTORY OF NEWMARKET. [Book YI. 



together the Twesday after Michehnas next at Brackley 

 Cwoorse, and thether to bringe a graye mare and gray 

 shorne mane nadgge, and each of them to ridde the 

 same coursse uppon equal wate in there parsones, for 

 X quarter of oates '' (Signed) "Henry Thockm'ton, 

 Thomas Throckmorton," * 



Horse-racing at Derby is mentioned by Beaumont 

 c. 1621. ^""^ Fletcher, in their play "Monsieur 

 Derby. Thomas," acted about 1621 : — 



Sebastian. Tom, when is the horse-race ? 



Thomas. I know not, sir. 



Seb. Will you be there ? 



Tho. Not I, sir ; 



I have forgot those journeys. 



Seb. Spoil'd for ever ! — 



The cocking holds at Derby, and there will be 

 Jack Wild-oats and Will Purser. 



Tlio. I am sorry, sir, 



They should employ their time so slenderly ; 

 Their understandings will bear better courses. 



Mons. Thomas, Act ii. sc, 3. 



"In 1607, during a protracted and severe frost, 

 the river Ouse was completely frozen over, and the 

 1607. ^^^ ^^^ ^^ strong, that various sports were 

 York. practised upon it. Drake observes, that 

 even a horse-race was run on the frozen element from 

 the tower at the end of Marygate, under the great 

 arch of the bridge, to the crane, at Skeldergate 

 Postern." — Hargrove, " History and Description of the 

 Ancient City of York," vol. i., p. 136. 



* Baker, " Northamptonshiie," vol. i., p. 573. 



