[263] See the precedents given for the Western Circuit in Prynne, Canterburies’ Doome, 152.  Cf. also, ibid., 128 ff.  That these ales died hard in Devon and Somerset is seen by the repeated judicial orders.  See also J.W.  Willis Bund, Social Life in Worcestershire illustrated by the Quarter Sess.  Rec. in Assoc.  Archit.  Soc., xxiii, Pt. ii (1897), 373-4 (1617).  A.H.  Hamilton, Quarter Sessions from Elisabeth to Anne (1878), 28-9.  Harrison, Descrip. of Engl., Bk. ii, New Shak.  Soc., 32.  Saml.  Barfield, Thatcham, Berks, and its Manors, ii, 105 (Wardens Acc’ts 1598-9:  “Item wee were bounde over by Mr. Dolman, Justice, to appeare at Reading Assizes, where it cost T..  L.. and R..  C.. conserning our business wee kept at Whitsuntide xvs. apece, somme xxxs.”)

[264] Hale, Crim.  Prec., 149 (Hornchurch wardens bringing players into church. 1566). Ibid., 156 ("Tromperie” and “paynted stuff for playes in the chefe parte of the [Rayleigh] church.” 1574). Ibid., 158 (Two plays in Romford Chapel by “comon players.”  Wardens plead in extenuation that proceeds went to “a poore man in decay.” 1577).  Leverton, Lincolnshire, Acc’ts, Archaeologia, xli, 333 ff. (Several examples of plays in the church. 1579-95).

[265] In the Chelmsford Acc’ts, Essex Arch.  Soc., ii, 225-6 (1562), is a most interesting inventory showing an elaborate stage outfit.  That it was used for miracle plays is seen on p. 227 (” Cotte of lether for Christe,” and “lyne for the clowdes,” etc.).  From various towns the Chelmsford men received in 1563, and subsequently, large sums for the hire of these properties, e.g., L3 6s. 8d. from “Starford” (Bishop Stortford?); 43s. 4d. from Colchester.

[266] Examples are Thos.  North, St. Martin’s, Leicester, Acc’ts (1884), 80 (Children’s morris-dance. 1558-9).  Ibid., 85 (Robin Hood play).  St. Helen, Abingdon, Acc’ts, Archaeologia, i (2d ed.), 15 (1560).  J.H.  Baker, Notes on St. Martin’s (Salisbury) Church and Parish (1906), Wardens Acc’ts, 153 (Whitsun dance in 1588 yielding 13s. 4d.). St. Edmund and St. Thomas, Sarum, Acc’ts, introd., p. xvii.  Also both acc’ts, passim ("Feast of Hokkes,” “Childrens daunse.”  At St. Edmund’s L3 12s. collected in 1581 [p. 131]; at St. Thomas’ same year L3 6s. 8d. [p. 291]).  T.N. & A.S.  Garry, St. Mary, Reading, Acc’ts (1893), 28-9, et passim (Whitsuntide and Hocktide money here drop out as early as 1575.  There was also here a Christmas gathering).

[267] Examples:  Wandsworth Acc’ts in Surrey Arch.  Coll., xvii (1902), 158 (1567-8).  John Nichols, Illustrations of the Manners etc. of Antient Times (1707) (Great Marlow, Bucks, Acc’ts, 135. 1612), etc.