212 A FEW WORDS ON FEN-LAND. 



led to the field like sheape, yet so it is, and the gooseheard carrieth a rattle of 

 paper or parchment with him when he goeth about in the morning to gather 

 his soslinffs too-ether, the noise whereof cometh no sooner to their ears than 

 they fall to gagling and hasten to go to him. If it so happen that the gates 

 he not yet open, or that none of the house be stirring, it is ridiculous to see 

 how they will peepe under the doores and never leaue creaking and gagling 

 till they be let out unto him to ouertake their fellowes." 



Of all counties, perhaps Lincolnshire* maybe called the Goose-country ; 

 but here these birds decline. 



It is worthy of remark that Geese in ancient times were not looked 

 upon as poultry, but as cattle. This is frequently mentioned in the Boston 

 orders for the 800 fen in the Parts of Holland, confirmed and agreed to, 15th 

 May, 1627, when the " Comoners " met together " on ye feast of ye Virgin 

 Mary, to make Orders and By-laws." 



Here beasts, horses or mares, sheep, swine, or geese always are classed 

 together. The forfeit for putting a false brand upon his goose and sending 

 it to pasture in the fen was 105. No fowler was allowed to take dogs into 

 the place, or " improperly set spriniks or lyine wands." No one was to 



* The siga of "the 'Goose and Gridiron' occurs at Woodhall, Lincolnshire, and in a few 

 other localities. It is said to owe its origin to the following circumstances : — The ' Mitre ' was a 

 celebrated music-house in London-House Yard, at the N.W. end of St. Pauls. When it ceased 

 to be a music-house, the succeeding landlord, to ridicule its former destiny, chose for his sign a 

 Goose stroking the bars of a gridii'on with his foot, in ridicule of the ' Swan and Harp,' a 

 common sign for the early music-houses. Such an origin does the 'Tatler' give." — History of 

 Sign-Boards, by Larwood and Hotten, p. 445. Another theory of its meaning is also given. 



The design of the two Geese hanging a fox, in Sherborne ]Minster and Wellingborough, 

 alludes to an ecclesiastic and liis flock : the former was not unfrequently so represented, while 

 the Geese stood for the people [cf. ' History of British Humour,' vol. i. p. 206) . 



A notable instance of the use of the Goose as an emblem occurs in the case of " Avalos, 

 Alfonso d'. Marquis del A'asto or del Guasto (-1-1546), Commander of the army of Charles V." {cf. 



