Chapter III: Part 3

“The Abbot of Westminster is the highest in the land, and the Abbot of Tintern the poorest; both are abbots, yet Tintern shall neither sit nor stand with Westminster.[162] Also, the Prior of Dudley may in no wise sit with the Prior of Canterbury.[162] And remember, as a general rule, that a prior who is a prelate of a cathedral church, shall sit above any abbot or prior of his own diocese, in church, chapel, chamber or hall.

“Reverend doctors of twelve years’ standing shall sit above those of nine years’, although the latter may spend more largely of fine red gold. Likewise, the younger aldermen shall sit or stand below their elders, and so in every craft, the master first, and then the ex-warden.

“All these points, with many more, belong to the duty of a marshal; and so before every feast think what estates shall sit in the hall, and reason with yourself before your lord shall call upon you. If you are in any doubt, go either to your lord or to the chief officer, and then shall you do no wrong or prejudice to any state; but set all according to their birth, riches or dignity.

“Now, good son, I have shown you the courtesy of the court, and how to manage in pantry, buttery, cellar or in carving, as a sewer or as a marshal. I suppose ye be sure in these sciences, which in my day I learned with a royal prince, to whom I was usher and also marshal.

“All the officers I have mentioned have to obey me, ever to fulfil my commandment when I call, for our office is the chief in spicery and cellar, whether the cook be lief or loth.[163]

“All these divers offices may be filled by a single person, but the dignity of a prince requireth each office to have its officer and a servant waiting on him. Moreover, all must know their duties perfectly, for doubt and fear are a hindrance in serving a lord and pleasing his guests.

“Fear not to serve a prince—God be his speed! Take good heed to your duties, and be ever on the watch, and thus doing as ye should, there will be no need to doubt.

“Tasting is done only for those of royal blood, as pope, emperor, empress, cardinal, king, queen, prince, archbishop, duke or earl—none other that I call to remembrance. It is done for fear of poison, so let each man in office keep his room secure and close his safe,[164] chest and storehouse for fear of conspiracy.

“The steward and chamberlain of a prince of the blood must know about homages, services and fewte;[165] and as they have the oversight of all other offices and of the tasting, they must tell the marshal, sewer or carver, how to do it; and he must be in no fear when he tasteth.

“As the evening draws in, and I cannot tarry, I do not propose to contrive more of this matter. This treatise that I have entitled, if ye would prove it, I myself assayed in youth, when I was young and lusty; and I enjoyed these aforesaid matters, and took good heed to learn. But crooked age hath now compelled me to leave the court, so assay for yourself, my son, and God speed you!”

“Now, fair befall you, father, and blessings be on you for thus teaching me! I shall dare to do diligent service to divers dignitaries, where before I was afraid for the scantiness of my knowledge; I perceive the whole matter so perfectly that I am ready to try my part, and some good I may learn from practice and exercise. I am bound always to pray God reward you for your gentle teaching of me!”

“Now, good son, thyself and others that shall succeed thee to note, learn and read over this book of nurture, pray for the soul of John Russell, servant to Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester. Pray for that peerless prince, and for the souls of my wife and my father and mother, unto Mary, Mother and Maid, that she defend us from our foes, and bring us all to bliss when we go hence. Amen.”

[The _envoi_ may have been added later[166]]

“Go forth, little book, and lowly thou me commend,
Unto all young gentlemen that list to learn or entend,[167]
And specially to them that have experience, praying them to amend,
And correct what is amiss, whereas I fail or offend.
And if so that any be found as through my negligence,
Cast the cause on my copy, rude and bare of eloquence,
Which to draw out [I] have done my busy diligence,
Readily to reform it by reason and better sentence.

As for rhyme or reason, the fore-writer was not to blame,
For as he found it before him, so wrote he the same,
And though he or I in our matter digress or degrade,
Blame neither of us, for we never it made;
Simple, as I had insight, somewhat the rhyme I correct.
Blame I could no man, I have no person suspect.
Now, good God, grant us grace our souls never to infect,
Then we may reign in thy region eternally with thine elect.”

THE BOOK OF COURTESY

_Here beginneth the First Book of Courtesy_

WHOSO will of courtesy hear,
In this book it is made clear.
If thou be gentleman, yeoman or knave,
Thee needeth nurture for to have.
When thou comest to a lord’s gate,
The porter thou shalt find thereat;
Take[168] him thou shalt thy weapon to,
And ask him leave in to go,
To speak with lord, lady, squire or groom,
Thereof thou must bethink thee soon;
For if he be of low degree,
Then him falls to come to thee.
If he be gentleman of kin
The porter thee will lead to him.
When thou comest the hall door to,
Take off thy hood, thy gloves off do.
If the hall at the first meat be,
Forget not this lesson concerns thee:
The steward, controller and treasurer there,
Sitting at the daïs, hail thou fair.
Within the hall set on either side,
Sit other gentlemen, as falls that tide.
Incline thee fair to them also,
First to the right hand thou shalt go,
Sithen[169] to the left hand thine eye thou cast,
To them thou bowest full fast.
Take heed to yeomen on thy right hand,
And sithen before the screen thou stand,
Amid the hall upon the floor,
While marshal or usher come fro the door,
And bid thee sit or to board thee lead.
Be stable of cheer for manners, take heed.
If ye be set at a gentleman’s board,
Look thou be hend[170] and little of word.
Pare thy bread and carve in two
The overcrust from the nether through.
In four thou cut the overdole,[171]
Set them together as it were whole,
After, cut the nether crust in three,
And turn it down—learn this of me.
And set thy trencher thee before,
And sit upright for any sore.
Spare bread or wine, drink or ale,
Till thy mess from the kitchen be set in hall,
Lest men say thou art hunger-beaten,
Or all men know thee for a glutton.
Look thy nails be clean, in truth,
Lest thy fellow loathe them, forsooth.
Bite not thy bread and lay it down,
That is no courtesy to use in town.
As much as thou wilt eat, that break,
The remnant left the poor shall take.
In peace thou eat and ever eschew
To quarrel at board—that may thee rue.
If thou make mows in any wise
A villainy thou catchest or ever thou rise,
Let never thy cheek be great with meat,
Or morsel of bread that thou shalt eat.
An ape’s mow men say he makes
That bread and flesh in his cheek bakes.[172]
If any man speak that time to thee,
And thou shalt answer, it will not be
But wallowing,[172] and thou must abide;
That is a shame for all beside.
On both sides of thy mouth if thou eat,
Many a scorning shalt thou get.
Thou shalt not laugh nor speak nothing,
While thy mouth be full of meat or drink.
Nor sup thou not with great sounding,
Neither pottage, nor other thing.
Let not thy spoon stand in thy dish,
Whether thou be served with flesh or fish,
Nor lay it not on thy dish side,
But cleanse it honestly without pride.
Look that no dirt on thy finger be,
To defoul the cloth before thee.
In thy dish if thou wet thy bread,
Look thereof that nought be led
To drip again thy dish into;
Thou art ill-bred if thou so do.
Dry thy mouth ay well and fine,
Whether thou shalt drink ale or wine,
Nor call thou not a dish again
That is taken from the board in plain.[173]
If thou spit over the board or else on’t,
Thou shalt be holden courtesy to want.
If thine own dog thou scrape or claw
For a vice that is held as men know.
If thy nose thou cleanse, as may befall,
Look thy hand thou cleanse withal;
Privily with skirt do it away,
Or else thro’ thy tippet that is so gay.
At meat cleanse not thy teeth nor pick
With knife or straw or wand or stick.
While thou holdest meat in mouth, beware
To drink, that is an unhonest chare;[174]
And also physic forbids it quite,
And says thou may be choked at that bite,
If it go wrong thy throat into
And stop thy wind, thou art fordo.[175]
Nor tell thou never at board no tale
To harm or shame thy fellow in hall;
For if he then withhold his wrath,
Eftsoons he will forecast thy death.
Wheresoever thou sit at meat by the board,
Avoid[176] the cat, at a bare word;
For if thou stroke or cat or dog,
Thou art like an ape tied with a clog.
Also eschew, without strife,
To foul the board-cloth[177] with thy knife.
Nor blow not on thy drink or meat,
Neither for cold, neither for heat.
Nor bear with meat thy knife to mouth,
Whether thou be set by strong or couth.[178]
Nor with no board-cloth thy teeth thou clean
Nor eyen that run red, as may be seen.
If thou sit by a right good man
This lesson look thou think upon:
Under his thigh put not thy knee
Thou art full lewd if thou let this be.
Nor backward sitting give thou thy cup
Neither to drink, neither to sup.
Bid thy friend take cup and drink,
That is holden an honest thing.
Lean not on elbow at thy meat,
Neither for cold nor for heat.
Dip not thy thumb thy drink into;
Thou art uncourteous if thou it do.
In salt-cellar if thou put
Or fish or flesh that men see it,
That is a vice, as men me tells;
And great wonder it would be else.
After meat when thou shalt wash,
Spit not in basin nor water dash,
Nor spit not loosely for any meed
Before a man of God for dread.
Whosoever despises this lesson right
At board to sit he has no might.
Here endeth now our first talking.
Christ grant us all his dear blessing!

_Here endeth the First Book of Courtesy_

THE SECOND BOOK

If thou be a young infant
And think the schools for to haunt,
This lesson shall thy master thee mark—
Cross-Christ[179] thee speed in all thy work.
After[180] thy _Pater Noster_ he will thee teach,
As Christ’s own apostles did preach;
After, thy _Ave Maria_ and thy _Creed_,
That shall thee save at doom of dread.
Then after to bless thee with the Trinity,
_In nomine patris_ he will teach thee.
Then with Mark, Matthew, Luke and John
With thee _Per crucis_ and the high name,
To shrive thee in general thou shalt learn
Thy _Confiteor_ and _Misereatur_ in turn.
To seek the kingdom of God, my child,
Thereto I rede thou be not wild;
But worship God, both old and young,
To be in body and soul alike strong.
When thou comest to the church door,
Take the holy water standing on floor.
Read or sing or bid prayers
To Christ, for all thy Christian confreres.
Be courteous to God and kneel adown
On both knees[181] with great devotion.
To man thou shalt kneel upon the one
The t’other[182] to thy self thou hold alone.
When thou ministers at the high altar [see]
With both hands thou serve the priest [reverently],
The one to stable the t’other
Lest thou fail, my dear brother.
Another courtesy I will thee teach:
Thy father and mother with mild speech
To worship and serve with all thy might,
That thou dwell the longer in earthly light.
To another man, do no more amiss
Than thou would’st be done of him and his;
So Christ thou pleases and gets thee love
Of men, and God that sits above.
Be not too meek, but in mean thou hold,
For else a fool thou wilt be told.
He that to righteousness will incline,
As Holy Writ tells us, well and fine,
Never go seek their bread shall his seed,
Nor suffer of man no shameful deed.
To forgive thou shalt thee haste,
To vengeance look thou come at last.[183]
Draw thee to peace with all thy strength,
From strife and debate draw thee at length.
If a man ask thee goods for God’s sake,
And thee want things whereof to take,
Give him debonaire words and manner fair,
With semblance glad, and pure good cheer.
Also of service thou shalt be free
To every man in his degree,
That one shall never lose for to be kind;
He who forgets one, has another in mind.
If a man have part with thee in gift,
With him thou make an even shift.[184]
Let it not hang in hand for glose;[185]
Thou art uncourteous if thou it does.
To saints[186] if thou thy gate[187] hast hight[188]
Thou shalt fulfil it with all thy might,
Lest God thee strike with great vengeánce,
And put thee into sore penánce.
Believe not all men that speak thee fair,
Whether they be commons, burgess or mayor;
In sweet words the adder was closed,[189]
Deceiving ever and mysloset.[190]
Therefore thou art of Adam’s blood,
Of words beware lest thou be wode.[191]
A short word is commonly sooth,
That first slides from a man’s tooth.
Look liar that thou never become:
Keep this word for all and some.
Laugh not too oft for no soláce,
Never for mirth that any man has.[192]
Who laughs that all men may him see,
A shrew[193] or a fool him seems to be.
Three enemies in this world there are,
That covet all men to forfare:[194]
The devil, the flesh, the world also,
That work mankind full mickle woe.
If thou may destroy these enemies three
Thou may secure of Heaven’s bliss be.
Also, my children, against thy lord
Look thou strive with no manner word,
Nor wager none with him thou lay,
Nor at the dice with him do play.
Him that thou knows of greater state
Be not his fellow in rest or debate.[195]
If thou be bestead[196] in strange countrée,
Search out no further than falls to thee;
Nor take no more to do in hand,
Than thou may have worship of all in land.
If thou see any man fall in the street,
Laugh not thereat in dry nor wet;
But help him up with all thy might,
As St. Ambrose[197] thee teaches right.
Thou that stands so sure on seat,
‘Ware lest thy head fall to thy feet.
My child, if thou be at the Mass,
That understand both more and less,[197]
If the priest read not at thy will,
Reprove him not but hold thee still.
To any wight if counsel thou shew,
Beware that he be not a shrew,
Lest he slander thee with tongue,
Among all men, both old and young.
Beckoning, fingering, none thou use;
And privy whispering look thou refuse.
If thou meet knight, yeoman or knave,
Hail him anon, “Sir, God you save,”
If he speak first upon thee there,
Answer him gladly without demur.
Go not forth as a dumb freak,[198]
Since God has given thee tongue to speak,
Lest men say to friend or gossip:
“Yonder is a man ne’er opens his lip.”[199]
Speak never wrong of womenkind,
Nor let it never run in thy mind.
The book him calls of churlish face
That oft of women speaks villainy base.
For all we be of women born,
And our fathers us beforn;
Therefore it is an unhonest thing
To do them any belittling.[200]
Also to a wife befalls of right
To worship her husband both day and night;
To his bidding to show obediénce,
And him to serve without offence.
If two brethren be in debate
Look neither thou further in their hate;
But help to staunch[201] them of uncharity;
Then thou art friend of both certainly.
If thou go with another at the gate,
And ye be both of one estate,
Be courteous and let him have the way:
That is no villainy, as men me say.
If he be come of great kindred,
Go not before though thou be bid;
And if that he thy master be,
Go not before for courtesy,
Neither in field, wood nor lawnd,[202]
Nor even[203] with him, unless he command.
If thou shalt on pilgrimage go,
Be not third fellow, for weal nor woe;
Three oxen[204] in plough may never well draw,
Neither by craft, right, nor law.
If thou be proffered to drink of cup
Drink not all off, nor no way sup;
Drink mannerly[205] and give again:
That is a courtesy, to speak in plain.
In bed if thou fall harboured to be
With fellow, master, or their degree,
Thou shalt inquire by courtesy,
In what part of the bed he will lie.
Be honest and lie thou far him fro;
Thou art not wise but thou do so.
With whatso man, both far and nigh,
Thee falls to go, look thou be sly[206]
To ask his name, and which he be,
Whither he will: keep well these three.
With friars on pilgrimage if that thou go
What they will observe, will thou also.
When at night thou take thy rest,
And bide the day as true man’s guest,
In never house where a red man[206] be,
Nor woman of the same colour certainly,
Take never thine inn for no manner need,
For those be folk to hold in dread.
If any in sternness thee oppose,
Answer him meekly, and make him glose;[207]
But glosing word that falséd[208] is
Forsake, and all that is amiss.
Also, if thou have a lord,
And stand before him at the board,
While that thou speak, keep well thy hand;
Thy foot also in peace let stand.
His courtesy needs must he break,
Stirring fingers or toes whene’er he shall speak.[209]
Be stable of cheer and somewhat light,
Nor over all wave[210] thou not thy sight.
Gaze not on walls with thine eye,
Far nor near, low nor high.
Let not the post become thy staff,
Lest thou be called a “doted daff.”[211]
Nor delve thou never thy nostril,
With thumb or finger as young girl.
Rub not thy arm, nor claw it naught,
Nor bow thy head too low in aught.
While any man speaks with great businéss,
Hearken his words without distress.
By street or way if thou shalt go,
From these two things thou keep thee fro;
Neither to harm child nor beast,
With casting, turning west nor east.
Nor change thou not in face colour,
For lightness of word in hall or bower;
If thy visage change for nought,
Men say thee: “Trespass thou hast wrought.”
Before thy lord no mows thou make,
If thou wilt courtesy with thee take.
With hands unwashen take never thy meat:
From all these vices look thou keep.
Look thou sit—and make no strife—
Where the host commands, or else his wife.
Eschew the highest place to win,[212]
Save thou be bidden to sit therein.
Of courtesy here ends the second fit.[213]
To heaven Christ grant our souls to flit!

THE THIRD BOOK

_De Officiariis in Curiis Dominorum_[214]

Now of officers speak will we,
Of court, and also of their duty.[215]
Four men there be that yards shall bear:
Porter, marshal, steward, ushér.
The porter shall have the longest wand,
The marshal a shorter shall have in hand;
The usher of chamber smallest shall have,
The steward in hand shall have a staff
A finger great,[216] two quarters[217] long,
To rule the men of court among.

_De Janitore_[218]

The porter falls to keep the gate,
The stocks[219] with him, early and late
If any man has in court misgone,
To-porter-ward he shall be tane,
There to abide the lord’s will,
What he will deem[219] by righteous skill.
For “wesselle clothes”[219] that be not sold,
The porter has that ward in hold.
Of strangers, also, that come in court,
The porter shall warn, sir, at a word.
He is found in meat and drink,
And sits with him[219] whoso him think.
Whensoever the lord remove shall,
One castle til t’other, as it may fall,
For carriage the porter horses shall hire,
Four pence a-piece[220] within the shire,
By statute he shall take[220] on that day:
That is the king’s cry,[221] i’ fay.

_De Marescallo Aule_[222]

Now of marshal of hall will I spell,
And what falls to his office now will I tell.
In absence of steward, he shall arrest
Whomsoever is rebel in court or feast.
Yeoman-usher and groom also—
Under him are these two.
The groom brings fuel that shall bren,[223]
In hall, chamber and kitchen, I ken.
He shall deliver it every deal,
In hall make fire at each meal.
Board, trestles and forms also,
The cupboard[220] in his ward shall go.
The canopies, curtains to hang in hall—
These offices needs do he shall.
Bring in fire on All Hallows’ Day,
To Candlemas Even,[224] I dare well say.

_Per quantum Tempus Armigeri habebunt Liberatam et Ignis Ardebit in
Aula_[225]

So long squires liveries[226] shall have,
Of groom of hall, or else his knave.
But fire shall burn in hall at meat
Until _Cena Domini_[227] men have eat.
There brought shall be a holly keen,[226]
That set shall be in arbour green;
And that shall be till All Hallows’ Day,
And off be shifted, as I you say.
In hall marshal all men shall set
After their degree, without let.

_De Pincernario, Panetario, et Cocis sibi Servientibus_[228]

The butler, panter and cooks also
To him are servants without mo.[229]
Therefore on his yard score[230] shall he,
All messes in hall that served shall be,
Command to set both bread and ale
To all men that served be in hall.
To gentlemen with heated drink,
Else fails the service, as I think.
Each mess at six pence[230] booked shall be
At the counting-house, with other meiny.
If the cook would say that there were more,
That is the cause he has it in score;[230]
The panter also if he would strive
For reward that set shall be belive.[231]
When bread fails at board about,
The marshal gars set, without a doubt,
More bread that called is a reward,
So shall it be proved before stewárd.

_De Officio Pincernarii_[232]

Butler shall set for each mess
A pot, a loaf, without distress.[233]
Butler, panter, fellows are aye;
Reckon them together full well I may.
The marshal shall harbour all men in[ward] [234]
That be of any office at court,
Save the lord’s chamber, the wardrobe too,
The usher of chamber shall heed[235] those two.

_De Hostiario et suis Servientibus_[236]

Speak I will a little while
Of usher of chamber without guile.
There is gentleman-, yeoman-usher[237] also,
Two grooms at the least, a page thereto.

_De Officio Garcionum_[238]

Grooms shall make litter[237] and stuff pallets out,
Nine foot in length without a doubt,
Seven foot certainly shall it be broad,
Well watered and bound together, craftily trod,
With wisps drawn out at feet and side,
Well twisted and turned again, that tide.
Unsunken in hollows shall it be made,
Both outer and inner, so God me glad.
That shall be hung with a canopy hollow,
And hooks and loops on bands shall follow.
The valance on a rod shall hang with state,[239]
Three curtains drawn within full straight,
That reach shall even to ground about,
Neither more, neither less, without a doubt.
He strikes them up with a forkéd wand,
And laps[240] up fast about the left hand,
The button[241] up turns and closes on the right,
As a man by the neck that hangs full light.[242]
The counterpane he lays on the bed’s feet,
Cushions on the side shall lie full meet.
Carpets of Spain on the floor beside,
That spread should be for pomp and pride.
The chamber sides right to the door,
He hangs with tapestries[243] full store.[244]
And fuel to chimney him falls to get
And screens in cloth[245] to save the heat,
From the lord at meat when he is set.
Boards, trestles and forms, without let,
All these things keep shall he there,
And water in chafer[246] for ladies fair.
Three perchers[247] of wax then shall he get,
Above the chimney that be set,
In socket each one from other shall be
The length of that other, that men may see
To burn, to avoid what drunken is;
Or else, I wot, he does amiss.
The usher alway shall sit at door
At meat, and walk shall on the floor,
To see that all be served aright—
That is his office, both day and night.
And bid set board when time shall be,
And take them[248] up when time sees he.
The wardrobe he harbours eke of chamber—
Ladies with beads of coral and amber.
The usher shall bid the wardrober
Make ready for all night before the fire.
Then brings he forth nightgown also,
And spreads a carpet and cushions two.
He lays them then upon a form
And foot-sheet thereon, and it doth return,[249]
The lord shall shift his gown at night,
Sitting on foot-sheet till he be dight.
Then usher goes to the buttery,
“Have in for all night, sir,” says he.
First to the chandler he shall go
To take a night-light[250] him fro;
Both wine and ale he takes indeed.
The butler says without dread:
“No meat for man assayed shall be
But for king or prince or duke so free.
For Heirs-Apparent also it is,
Meat shall be assayed, now think on this.”
Then to the pantry he hies belive:
“Sirs, have in, without strife.”
Fine bread[251] and common bread[252] he shall take;
The panter assays that it be bake.
A mortar[253] of wax yet will he bring
For chamber, sir, without lying,
That all night burns in a basin clear
To save the chamber at night from fire.
Then yeoman of chamber shall void the rime[254]
The torches have holden well that time.
The chamber door stekes[255] the usher then
With pricket[256] and candle that can bren.
From cupboard he brings both bread and wine,
And first assays it, well and fine.
But first the lord shall wash, i’ fay,
When he comes from the further house away.
Then kneels the usher and gives him drink,
Brings him in bed where he shall wink.
In strong stead on pallet he lay,[257]
Of them takes leave and goes his way.
Yeoman-usher before the door,
In outer chamber, lies on the floor.

_De Seneschallo_[258]

Now will I speak of the steward too;—
Many are false, but few are [true[259]].
The clerk of kitchen, controller,
Steward, cook, and surveyor,
Assent in council without scorn
How the lord shall fare at meat the morn.
If any dainty in country be,
The steward shows it to the lord so free,
Bids to buy it for any cost—
It were great sin if it were lost.
Before the course the steward comes then,
The server it next, of all kinds of men,
Makes way and stands beside,
Till all be served at that tide.
At counting steward shall be seen
Till all be booked in wax so green,[259]
Written into books without let,
That before in tables has been set,
Till accounts also thereon be cast,
And summed up wholly at the last.

_De Contrarotulatore_[260]

The controller shall write to him,
“_Taunt resceu_”[261]—no more, I mean;
And “Taunt dispendu”[262] that same day;
Uncountable[263] he is, as I you say.

_De Supervisore_[264]

Surveyor and steward also,
These three folk and no mo
For nought receive, but ever see
That nothing fail and all things agree.
That the clerk of kitchen should not miss—
Therefore the controller, as have I bliss,
Writes up the sum as every day,
And helps to count as I you say.

_De Clerico Coquine_[265]

The clerk of kitchen shall all things brief,[266]
Of men of court, both loth and lief;
Of purchases and dispenses then writes he
And wages for grooms and yeomen free.
At dresser also he shall stand,
And fetch forth meat dressed by hand.
The spicery and stores with him shall dwell,
And many things else, as I nought tell,
For clothing of every officer,
Save the lord himself and ladies dear.

_De Cancellario_[267]

The chancellor answers for their clothing,
For yeomen, falconers, and their horsing,
For their wardrobe and wages also,
And seals patents, many and mo.
If the lord give all for term of life,
The chancellor it seals without strife.
“_Tan come nos plerra_,” men say, that is,
“_Quando placet nobis_,”
That is, while us likes, be nought amiss.
Oversees his lands that all be right;
One of the great he is of might.

_De Thesaurizario_[268]

Now to speak of the treasurer I come.
Husband and housewife he is in one.
Of the receiver he shall receive
All that is gathered of bailiff and reeve,
Of the lord’s courts, and forfeits[269] too,
Whether they be false or they be true.
To the clerk of the kitchen he pays money
For victual to buy throughout the country.
The clerk to caterer and poulterer is,
To baker and butler both, so ’tis,
Gives silver to buy in all thing,
What belongs to their office without lying.
The treasurer shall give all kinds of wage
To squire, yeoman, groom or page.
The receiver and the treasurer,
The clerk of kitchen and chancellor,
Reeves and bailiffs and parker,[270]
Shall come to accounts every year,
Before the auditor of the lord anon,
That shall be true as any stone.
If he treats them not right leal
To a baron of exchequer they must appeal.

_De Receptore Firmarum_[271]

Of the receiver speak will I
That farms[272] receiveth, verily,
Of reeves and them a quittance[273] makes;
Six pence thereof as fee he takes.
And pays fees to parks as I know;
Therefore at accounts he loved is so.
And oversees castles and manors about,
That naught fall, within or without.
Now let we these officers be,
And of smaller folk tell we.

_De Avenario_[274]

The avener shall provender wisely ordain,
All the lord’s horses to maintain.
They shall have two cast[275] of hay,
A peck of provender in a day.
Every horse shall so much have,
At rack and manger that stands with staff.[276]
There is a master of horses, a squire,
Under him avener and farrier.
These yeomen old saddles shall have
That shall be last for knight and knave.
For each horse a farrier shall shoe,
A ha’penny a day he takes him to.
Under be grooms and pages many a one,
That be at wages every one,
Some at twopence by the day,
And some at three farthings, I you say.
Many of them footmen there been
That run by the bridles of ladies sheen.

_De Pistore_[277]

Of the baker now speak I will,
And what belongs his office till.
Of a London bushel he shall bake
Twenty loaves I undertake:
Manchet[278] and cheat,[279] to make brown bread hard
For chandler and greyhound and hunt reward.

_De Venatore et suis Canibus_[280]

A ha’penny the hunt takes on the day,
For every hound, the sooth to say.
Two cast[281] of bread has the fewterer,[282]
If two leash of greyhounds there are,
To each a bone, that is to tell,
If I the sooth to you shall spell,
Besides his vantage[283] that may befall
Of skins and other things withal.
That hunters better can tell than I,
And therefore I leave it utterly.

_De Aquario_[284]

And speak I will of other gear
That falls to court, as ye may hear.
An ewerer in hall there needs to be,
And candles shall have and all napery.
He shall give water to gentlemen,
And also to all yeomen,
“_Qui debent manus lavare et in quorum domibus_,”[285]
In king’s court and duke’s also,
There yeomen shall wash and no mo.
In Duke John’s[286] house a yeoman there was
For his reward prayed such a grace.
The duke got grant thereof in land
Of the king, his father, I understand.
Whosoever gives water in king’s chamber,
In presence of lord or lady dear,
He shall kneel down upon his knee,
Else he forgets his courtesy.
This ewerer shall cover his lord’s board
With double napery, at a bare word,
The selvage toward the lord’s side;
And down shall hang that other wide.[286]
The uppercloth shall double be laid,
To the outer side the selvage braid;[287]
The other selvage he shall over fold
As towel it were, fair to behold.
Napkins he shall cast thereupon,
That the lord shall cleanse his fingers on;
The lady and whosoever sits in hall,
All napkins shall have, both great and small.

_De Panetario_[288]

Then comes the panter with loaves three,
That square are carven for trencher free,
Two set within and one without,
And salt-cellar covered and set _en route_;[289]
With the overmost loaf it shall be set,
To make up the square, without let.
Two carving knives are placéd soon,
The third to the lord, and also a spoon.

_De Cultellis Domini_[290]

Of the two the hafts shall outward be,
Of the third the haft inward lays he.
The spoon handle shall be laid thereby,
More trenchers and loaves there full nigh
He sets, and ever must he bear
To duchess his wine that is so dear.
Two loaves of trenchers and salt too,
He sets before his son also.
A loaf of trenchers and salt at last
At board’s end he sets in haste.
Then bread he brings in towel wrapped aright;
Three loaves shall be given of the white,
A cheat-loaf[291] to the alms-dish,
Whether he served be with flesh or fish.
At either end he casts a cope,[292]
Laid down on board, the ends turned up.
That he assays kneeling on knee—
The carver him pares a slice[293] so free—
And touches the loaves in a circle[294] about;
The panter it eats without a doubt.
The ewerer through towels straineth clean
His water into the basins sheen.
The over-basin thereon shall close,
A towel thereon, as I suppose,
That folded shall be with full great lore,
Two quarters in length and somewhat more.
A white cup of wood thereby shall be,
Therewith with water assay shall he,
Covers it again before all men.
The carver the basins takes up then,
The announcing squire or else a knight,
The towel down takes by full good right;
The cup he takes in hand also,
The carver pours water the cup into.
The knight the carver holds anon to,
He assays it ere he more shall do.
The cup then voided is in hall away;
The ewerer takes it without delay.
The towel two knights together shall bear,
Before the lord’s sleeves that be so dear.
The over-basin they hold, never the whether,[295]
While the carver pours water into the nether;
For a pipe there is inside so clean,
That water devoids,[296] of silver sheen.
Then sets he the nether, I understand,
In the over and voids with either hand,
And brings to the ewerer where he came fro.
To the lord’s boards again doth go,
And lays four trenchers the lord before,
The fifth above, by good lore.
By himself three shall he dress
To cut upon the lord’s mess.
Small towel upon his neck shall be seen,
To cleanse his knives that be so keen.

_De Elemosinario_[297]

The almoner by this hath said grace
And the alms-dish has set in place;
Therein the carver a loaf shall set
To serve God first without let;
These other loaves he pares about,
Lays it amid dish without a doubt;
The small loaf he cuts even in twain
The over-dole[298] in two he lays again.
The almoner a rod shall have in hand,
As office for alms, I understand.
All the broken meat he keeps, I wot,
To deal to poor men at the gate;
And drink that is left served in hall,
Of rich and poor, both great and small.
He is sworn to oversee the service well,
And deal it to the poor every deal.
Silver he deals riding by the way,
And his alms dish, as I you say,
To the poorest man that he can find,
Or else, I wot, he is unkind.

_De Ferculario_[299]

This while the squire to kitchen shall go away,
And bring above meat for assay.
The cook assays the meat undight,
The sewer, he takes and covers aright.
Whosoever takes that meat to bear,
Shall not be so hardy the coverture to rear,
For cold nor hot, I warn you all,
For suspicion of treason, as may befall.
If the silver dish be over hot,
A subtlety I will that thou wot:
Take the bread carven[300] and lay between,
And keep thee well it be not seen;
I teach it for no courtesy,
But for thine ease[301]—
When the sewer comes unto the board,
All the meat he assays at a bare word,
The pottage first with bread y-carven,[302]
Covers them again lest they be starven;[303]
With fish or flesh if they be served,
A morsel thereof for him shall be craved,
And touches the mess over all about;
The sewer it eats without a doubt.
With baken meat, if he served be so,
The lids up-reared ere he further go;
The pasty or pie he assays within,
Dips bread in gravy, no more no myn.[304]
If the baked meat be cold as may befall,
A gobbet of the same he assays withal.
But thou that bearest meat in hand,
If the sewer stand, look thou stand,
If he kneel, kneel thou so long for aught,
Till meat be assayed that thou hast brought.
As oft at high board, if of bread be need,
The butler two loaves takes indeed,
That one sets down, that other again
He bears to cupboard in towel plain.[305]
As oft as the carver fetches drink,
The butler assays it, how good him think.
In the lord’s cup what is left undrunk,
Into the alms-dish it shall be sunk.
The carver anon without thought,
Uncovers the cup that he has brought,
Into the coverture wine he pours out,
Or into a spare piece without doubt,
Assays and gives the lord to drink,
Or sets it down, as good him think.
The carver shall carve the lord’s meat,
Of what sort of piece that he will eat;[306]
And on his trencher he it lays,
In this manner, without displays.
In alms-dish he lays each deal,
That he is served with at the meal,
Unless he send to any stranger,
A piece that is him lief and dear;[306]
And send him his pottage also,
That shall not to the alms go.
Of carver more if must I tell,
Another fit then must I spell;
Therefore I let it here over pass,
To make our talking some deal less.
When the lord has eaten, the sewer shall bring
The surnape on his shoulder to him,
A narrow towel, a broad beside,
And off his hands he lets it slide.
The usher leads that one end right,
The almoner the other away shall dight.
When the usher comes to the end of the board,
The narrow towel he stretches well toward,
Before the lord and lady so dear;
Double he folds the towel there.
When they have washen and said is grace,
Away he takes the towel apace,
Lowers the board unto the floor,
Takes away the trestles that be so store.[307]

_De Candelario_[308]

Now will I speak a little while,
Of the chandler, without guile,
That torches and tapers and prickets can make,
Perchers,[309] small candles, I undertake;
Of wax these candles all that bren,
And mortar of wax, as I well ken.
The snuff of them he does away
With close scissors, as I you say.
The scissors be short and closed round,
With plate of iron on the end bound.
In chamber no light there shall be brent,
But of wax thereto, if ye take tent.
In hall at supper shall candles bren
Of Paris, therein that all men ken,
Each mess a candle from All Hallows’ Day,
To Candlemas, as I you say.
Of candles delivery squires shall have
So long if it is that man will crave.
Of bread and ale also the butler,
Shall make delivery throughout the year,
To squires, and also wine to knight,
Or else he does not his office right.
Here endeth the third speech.
Of all our sins Christ be our leech,
And bring us to his dwelling-place!
“Amen,” say ye, for his great grace.
Amen, par charite.

SYMON’S LESSON OF WISDOM FOR
ALL MANNER CHILDREN

All manner children, ye listen and hear
A lesson of wisdom that is written clear.
My child, I advise thee be wise, take heed of this rhyme,
Which old men in proverb said in old time:
“A child were better to be unborn
Than to be untaught and so to be lorn.”
The child that has his will alway,
Shall thrive late, I thee well say.
And therefore, every good man’s child,
That is too wanton and too wild,
Learn well this lesson certainly,
That thou the better man may be.
Child, I warn thee in all wise,
That thou tell truth and make no lies.
Child, be not froward, be not proud,
But hold up thy head and speak aloud;
And when any man speaketh to thee
Doff thy hood and bow thy knee.
And wash thy hands and thy face,
And be courteous in every place.
And when thou comest where is good cheer
In hall or bower, bid “God be here!”
Look thou cast to no man’s dog,
With staff nor stone at horse nor hog.
Look that thou not scorn nor jape
Neither with man, maiden nor ape.
Let no man of thee make plaint.
Swear not by God, neither by saint.
Look thou be courteous standing at meat,
And that men giveth thee, take and eat.
And look thou neither cry nor crave,
Saying, “That and that would I have!”
But stand thou still before the board,
And look thou speak no loud word.
And child, worship thy father and thy mother;
Look that thou grieve neither one nor other,
But ever, among them thou shalt kneel down,
And ask their blessing and benison.
And child, keep thy clothes fair and clean;
Let no foul filth on them be seen.
Child, climb not over house nor wall,[310]
For no fruit, birds nor ball.
Child, over men’s houses no stones fling,
Nor at glass windows no stones sling.
Nor make no crying, jokes, nor plays
In holy church on holy days.
And child, I warn thee of another thing,
Keep thee from many words and wrangling.
And child, when thou goest to play,
Look thou come home by light of day.
And child, I warn thee of another matter,
Look thou keep thee from fire and water.
Be ware and wise how that thou look
Over any brink, well, or brook.
And when thou standest at any schate[311]
Be ware and wise that thou catch no stake;
For many child without dread,
Through evil heed is deceived or dead.
Child, keep thy book, cap, and gloves,
And all thing that thee behoves.

───────────

Child, be thou neither liar nor thief,
Be thou no meecher[312] for mischief.
Child, make thou no mows nor knacks,[313]
Before no men nor behind their backs.
But be of fair semblance and countenance,
For by fair manners men may thee advance.
Child, when thou goest in any street,
If thou any good man or woman meet,
Avale[314] thy hood to him or to her,
And bid “God speed, dame, or sir!”
And be they small or great thou hast met,
This lesson that thou not forget;
For it is seemly to every man’s child,
And mannerly, to clerks to be meek and mild.
And child, rise betimes and go to school,
And fare not as wanton[315] fool;
And learn as fast as thou may and can,
For our bishop is an old man,
And therefore thou must learn fast,
If thou wilt be bishop when he is passed.[316]
Child, I bid thee on my blessing,
That thou forget not this for nothing;
But look, thou hold it well in thy mind,
For the best thou shalt it find.
For, as the wise man saith and proveth,
A wise child, lore he behoveth;
And as men say that learned be,
Who spareth the rod, the child hateth he;
And as the wise man saith in his book,
Of proverbs and wisdoms, who will look:
“As a sharp spur maketh a horse to move,
Under a man that should war prove,
Right so a yard may make a child,
To learn well his lesson and to be mild.”
Lo! children, here may ye all hear and see,
How all children chastised should be.
And therefore, childer, look ye do well,
And no hard beating shall you befall.
Thus may ye all be right good men,
God grant you grace so to preserve you! Amen.
[Quoth] SYMON.

HUGH RHODES’S BOOK OF NURTURE
AND SCHOOL OF GOOD MANNERS

ALL ye that would learn and then would be calléd wise,
Obedience learn in youth, in age it will avoid vice.

I am blind in poet’s art, thereof I have no skill;
All eloquence I put apart, and follow mine own will.

Corrupt in speech my briefs and longs[317] to know,
Born and bred in Devonshire, my terms will well show.

Take the best and leave the worst, of truth I mean no ill;
If the matter be not curious, the intent is good, mark it well.

Pardon I ask if I offend thus boldly for to write,
To master or servant (young and old) I do myself submit.

I would reform both youth and age, if anything be amiss;
To you will I shew my mind, reform ye where need is.

All that have young people, good manners set them to learn;
To their elders with gentle conditions let do nor say no harm.

If they do ill, wise men may report their parents soon;
How should they teach other good, belike themselves can[318] none.

A good father maketh good children, if wisdom be them within,
Such as of custom use it in youth, in age they will begin.

He that lacketh good manners is little set by;
Without virtue or good conditions, a man is not worth a fly.

Reverence father and mother (of duty), kind[319] doth thee bind;
Such children increaseth, and likely to recover virtue by kind.[319]

Against father and mother multiply no words, be you[320] sure;
It will be to thee laud and to thy friends joyful to hear.

A plant without moisture may not bring forth his flower;
If youth be void of virtue, in age he shall lack honour.

First dread God, next flee sin, all earthly things are mortál;
Stand not too fast in thy conceit, for pride will have a fall.

Use early rising in the morning, for it hath properties three;
Holy, healthy, wealthy—in my youth thus my father taught me.

At six of the clock at farthest, accustom thee to rise;
Look thou forget not to bless thee once or twice.

In the morning use some devotion, and let for no need;
Then all the day afterward the better shalt thou speed.

────────────────

Sponge and brush thy clothes clean that thou shalt on wear;
Cast up your bed, and take heed ye lose none of your gear.

Make clean thy shoes, comb thy head, mannerly thee brace;
See thou forget not to wash both thy hands and face.

Put on thy clothing for thy degree,[321] honestly do it make.
Bid your fellow good morrow, ere ye your way forth take.

To your friends and to father and mother look ye take heed;
For any haste do them reverence, the better shalt thou speed.

Dread the cursing of father and mother, for it is a heavy thing;
Do thy duty to them, the contrary will be to thy dispraising.

When thy father and mother come in sight, do them reverénce,
And ask them blessing if they have been long out of presénce.

Cleanly appoint you your array, beware then of disdain;
Then be gentle of speech and mannerly you retain.

And as ye pass the town or street, sadly[322] go forth your way,
[Nor] gaze nor scoff, nor scold, with man nor child make no fray.

Fair speech doth great pleasure; it seemeth of gentle blood;
Gentle is to use fair speech; it requireth nothing but good.

And when thou comest into the church thy prayers for to say,
Kneel, sit, stand or walk, devoutly look thou pray.

Cast not your eye to and fro, all things for to see;
Then shalt thou be judged plainly a wanton for to be.

When thou art in the church, [see thou] do churchly works;
Communication use thou not to women, priests nor clerks.

When your devotion is done and time is toward dinner;
Draw home to your master’s presence, there do your [en]deavour.

An ye be desired to serve, or sit, or eat meat at the table,
Incline to good manners, and to nurture yourself enable.

If your sovereign call you with him to dine or sup,
Give him reverence to begin, both of meat and cup.

And beware for anything, press[323] not thyself too high;
To sit in the place appointed thee—that is courtesy.

And when thou art set, and table served thee before,
Pare not your nails, ’file[324] not your cloth—learn ye that lore.

An thy master speak to thee, take thy cap in hand,
If thou sit at meat, when he talketh [to thee] see thou stand.

Lean not to the one side when thou speakest, for nothing,
Hold still both hand and foot, and beware of trifling.

Stand sadly[325] in telling thy tale whenas thou talkest;
Trifle with nothing, and stand upright when thou speakest.

Thwart[326] not thou with thy fellow, nor speak with high voice;
Point not thy tale with thy fingers, use not such toys.[327]

Have audience when thou speakest, speak with authority,
Else if thou speak wisdom, little will it avail thee.

Pronounce thy speech with a pause, mark well thy word;
It is good hearing a child; beware with whom ye bourd.[328]

Talk not to thy sovereign, no time when he doth drink;
When he speaketh, give him audience—that is good, I think.

Before that you sit, see that your knife be bright,
Your hands clean, your nails pared is a good sight.

When thou shalt speak, roll not too fast thine eye;
Gaze not to and fro, as one that were void of courtesy.

For a man’s countenance often times declareth his thought;
His look with his speech will judge him, good or naught.

And see your knife be sharp to cut your meat withal;
So the more cleanlier cut your meat you shall.

Ere thou put much bread in thy pottage, look thou it assay;
Fill not thy spoon too full, lest thou lose somewhat by the way.

If men eat of your dish, crumb therein no bread,
Lest your hands be sweaty, thereof take ye good heed.

They may be corrupt[329] that causeth it, it is no fair uságe.
Of bread slice out fair morsels to put in your pottáge.

Fill it not too full of bread, for it may be to thee reprovable;
Lest thou leave part, then to measure thou art variable.[330]

And sup not loud of thy pottage, no time in all thy life.
Dip not thy meat in the salt-cellar, but take it with a knife.

When thou hast eaten thy pottage, do as I shall thee wish;
Wipe clean thy spoon and leave it not in thy dish.

Lay it down before thy trencher, thereof be not afraid;
And take heed who taketh it up, lest it be conveyed.[331]

Cut not the best morsel for thyself, leave part behind.
Be not greedy of meat and drink, be liberal and kind.

Burnish no bones with your teeth, for it is unseemly.
Rend not thy meat asunder, for to courtesy it is contrary.

An a stranger sit near thee, ever among now and then,
Reward him with some dainties, like a gentleman.

If thy fellow sit from his meat, and cannot come thereto,
Then cut him such as thou hast, that is gently [to] do.

Belch near no man’s face with a corrupt fumosity;[332]
Turn from such occasion, it is a stinking ventosity.[333]

Eat small morsels of meat, not too great in quantity,
If ye like such meats, yet follow not ever thy phantasy.[334]