By T. II. Baker, 



"1656. William Gray and Mary Ambros of Semly was published 3 market 

 daies May y e Cth and y e U & y e 20 th ." 



" Thomas Baker y e Sonne of Maior Baker of Shaston and Dorothy Morgan, 

 widdow gent was published three severall Lord's daies May the 11 th , the 18th 

 i and the 25th. 



Many more similar entries follow. What is remarkable in them 

 is that the inhabitants of Mere are invariably published on the 

 Lord's Day, whilst those published on market days are described 

 as of other parishes. 



Peace Rejoicings, 1814. 



"A festival in celebration of the peace commenced at Mere on Thursday, 11th 

 August, and continued four days. On the first day a dinner of roast beef and 

 plum pudding, with good strong beer was served up in a large field at the foot 

 of Castle Hill, to nearly 2000 persons. The most respectable part of the 

 inhabitants dined in a pavilion, and the poorer part were regaled at tables in 

 front of it. Iu the afternoon there were rustic amusements, and a dance on the 

 green in which all classes joined. On the second day there was a grand match 

 of singlestick, which was well contested, though chiefly by young players ; and 

 in the evening there was a ball at the Ship, which was attended by more than 

 100 respectable people of the town and neighbourhood. On Saturday the plentiful 

 remains of Thursday's dinner was distributed amongst the poor ; and in the 

 afternoon, there was a match of singlestick, with other amusements. On Sunday 

 after evening service, the principal inhabitants met again in the pavilion, and 

 the ladies were regaled with tea, syllabub, &c. The whole was extremely well 

 conducted, and it is impossible that anything could exceed the harmouy and 

 happiness which prevailed during the whole four days." (Salisbury and 

 Winchester Journal, Aug., 1814.) 



(tames and Sports. 



Mere was a noted centre for "Fives" playing. The Clmrch 

 tower at one period formed the " Fives Court." The churchwardens' 

 book again gives us this information : — 



" 1691. Itm. for casting the earth abroad in the ffives place." 



" 1705. Itm. sold to Philip Strong jun the whole intire seat") 



under the Little ffives place window for his life > 00 

 and paid for y e same J 



" Paid for mending y ( ' fives place windowe. 00 



02. 00 " 

 04. 00" 



Fives continued to be a popular game long after this. A very 



/. 2 



