20 



Flowers a7id Festivals 



The custom of strewing the floors of Churches and 

 houses with rushes was in use long before the luxur}^ 

 of carpets was known ; even in the palaces of royalty 

 the floors were covered with rushes or straw, some- 

 times with sweet herbs intermingled. 



There are several entries in parish accounts, of pay- 

 ments made for strewing the floors of Churches with 

 rushes or straw, according to the season of the year. 



In the Churchwarden's accounts of the parish of 

 S. Mary-at-Hill, London, Brand, the antiquary, who 

 was some time rector of the parish, quotes the fol- 

 lowing entry : — 



1504. " Payde for 2 Berden Rysshes for the strewing 



the newe pevves ..... iijd." 



There are also entries in the parish books of 

 Hailsham, Sussex, of charges for strewing the Church 

 floor with straw or rushes ; and in the books of the 

 City of Norwich, entries for pea-straw, and such 

 strewing. 



Many other instances might be cited, besides those 

 which have already been alluded to. 



