Chapter X: Part THE FIRST

PRINTED AND SOLD AT THE LONDON AND MIDDLESEX PRINTING
OFFICE 81. SHOE LANE HOLBORN.

"It was the custom of King Henry 8 to walk late in the night into the City disguised, to observe how the constables and watch performed their duty; not only in guarding the City gates but also diligently watching the inner part of the city, that they might prevent those dangers and casualities that happens to great and populous Cities, in the night time--This he did oftentimes, without the least discovery who he was, returning home to Whitehall early in the morning.--Now on his return home through the Strand he took notice of a certain Cobler, who was always up at work whistling and singing every morning, so he resolved to see him, in order which he immediately knocks the heel off his shoe by hitting it against the Stones."

The King gives the shoe to be mended, and tells the cobbler to bring it to him at the opposite inn when done. The cobbler obeys. The king gives him liquor, and they hobnob in the most familiar manner; the king telling him his name was Harry Tudor, that he belonged to the Court, and should be very glad to see the cobbler whenever he liked to call. In fact, they became so friendly, that the cobbler would insist on the king's going over to his cellar, and trying some wonderful brown ale and a Cheshire cheese; and there they kept it up until Joan, the cobbler's wife (who slept in the same apartment), awoke, and then the King retired.

The cobbler sadly missed his boon companion, and at length, with his wife's permission, he started to pay him a visit, Joan having made him as spruce as possible.

On his arrival at Whitehall, he asked for Harry Tudor, and by the King's express command, was immediately ushered into his presence.

]

[Footnote 11: This illustration is from another edition.]

This so bewildered the cobbler that he turned and fled; but being captured, and once more brought to the king, the latter, on hearing his tale, bids him go to the cellar and he will send Harry Tudor to him.

The king disguises himself and joins the cobbler, and they have a jovial tune together, until their noise attracts some of the nobility, who enter, and then the cobbler discovers who his boon companion really is.

Bluff King Hal, however, must needs reward his humble friend, so he gave him a pension of forty marks yearly, with the freedom of his cellar, and made him "one of the courtiers"--a position which he must have graced, judging by his deportment as depicted in the illustrations.

]

[Footnote 12: This illustration is from another edition.]

The earliest book on this subject I can find, is the "Cobler turned Courtier, being a Pleasant Humour between K. Henry 8th and a Cobler," 1680, quarto.

The First Part of the

FRYAR AND BOY.

OR THE

_Young PIPERS pleasant Pastime_

CONTAINING

The witty Adventures betwixt the Fryar and Boy in relation to his Step Mother, whom he fairly fitted for her unmerciful cruelty.

NEWCASTLE: PRINTED IN THIS YEAR.

THE

FRIAR AND BOY

OR THE

_Young PIPER'S_

PLEASANT PASTIME

CONTAINING

His witty Pranks in Relation to his Step Mother,
whom he fitted for her unkind Treatment.