CHAPTER IX.

THE BANQUET.

On the King's return to Hoghton Tower, orders
were given by Sir Richard, for the immediate service of
the banquet ; it being the hospitable baronet's desire
that festivities should succeed each other so rapidly as
to allow of no tedium.

The coup d'ceil of the banquet hall on the monarch's
entrance was magnificent. Pannelled with black lus-
trous oak, and lighted by mullion windows, filled with
stained glass, and emblazoned with the armorial bear-
ings of the family, the vast and lofty hall was hung
with banners, and decorated with panoplies and tro-
phies of the chace. Three long tables ran down it,
each containing a hundred covers. At the lower end
were stationed the heralds, the pursuivants, and a band
of yeomen of the guard, with the royal badge, a demi-
rose crowned, impaled with a demi-thistle, woven in gold
on their doublets, and having fringed pole-axes over
their shoulders. Behind them was a richly-carved oak
screen, concealing the passages leading to the buttery

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 291

and kitchens, in which the clerk of the kitchen, the
pantlers, and the yeomen of the cellar and eweiy,
were hurrying to and fro. Above the screen was a
gallery, occupied by the trumpeters and minstrels ;
and over all was a noble rafter-roof. The tables were
profusely spread, and glittered with silver dishes of
extraordinary size and splendour, as well as with flagons
and goblets of the same material and rare design. The
guests, all of whom were assembled, were out-num-
bered by the prodigious array of serving men, pages,
and yeomen waiters in the yellow and red liveries of
the Stuart.

Flourishes of trumpets announced the coming of the
monarch, who was preceded by Sir Richard Hoghton,
bearing a white wand, and ushered with much ceremony
to his place. At the upper end of the hall was a raised
floor, and on either side of it an oriel window, glowing
with painted glass. On this dais, the King's table
was placed, underneath a canopy of state, embroidered
with the royal arms, and bearing James's kindly
motto, " Beati Pacifici^ Seats were reserved at it for
the Dukes of Buckingham and Richmond, the Earls
of Pembroke and Nottingham, the Lords Howard of
Effingham and Grey of Groby, Sir Gilbert Hoghton,
and the Bishop of Chester. These constituted the fa-
voured guests. Grace having been said by the bishop,
the Avhole company took their seats, and the general
stillness hitherto prevailing throughout the vast hall was
broken instantaneously by the clatter of trenchers.

u2

292 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

A famous feast it was, and worthy of commemoration.
Masters Morris and Miller, the two cooks who con-
trived it, as well as the labourers for the ranges, for the
pastries, for the boiled meats, and for the pullets, per-
formed their respective parts to admiration. The result
was all that could be desired. The fare was solid and sub-
stantial, consisting of dishes which could be cut and come
to again. Amongst the roast meats were chines of beef,
haunches of venison, giggets of mutton, fatted geese,
capons, turkies, and sucking pigs ; amongst the boiled,
pullets, lamb, and veal ; but baked meats chiefly abounded,
and amongst them were to be found red-deer pasty, hare-
pie, gammon-of-bacon pie, and baked wild boar. With the
salads, which were nothing more than what would now-
a-days be termed " vegetables," were mixed all kinds of
soused fish, arranged according to the sewer's directions
— " the salads spread about the tables, the fricassees
mixed with them, the boiled meats among the fricassees,
roast meats amongst the boiled, baked meats amongst
the roast, and carbonados amongst the baked." This
was the first course merely. In the second were all kinds
of game and wild fowl, roast herons three in a dish, bit-
terns, cranes, bustards, curlews, dotterels, and pewits.
Besides these there were lumbar pies, marrow pies,
quince pies, artichoke pies, florentines, and innumerable
other good things. Some dishes were specialty reserved
for the King's table, as a baked swan, a roast peacock,
and the jowl of a sturgeon soused. These and a piece
of roast beef formed the principal dishes.

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 293

The attendants at the royal table comprised of such
gentlemen as wore Sir Richard Asshcton's liveries, and
amongst these, as a matter of course, were Nicholas
Asslieton and Sherborne. On seeing the former, the
King immediately inquired about his deliverer, and
on hearing he was at the lower tables, desired
he might be sent for. and as Richard soon after-
wards appeared, having on his return from the chace
changed his sombre apparel for gayer attire, James
smiled graciously upon him, and more than once, as a
mark of special favour, took the wine cup from his
hands.

The King did ample justice to the good things before
him, and especially to the beef, wThich he found so ex-
cellent, that the carver had to help him for the second
time. Sir Richard Hoghton ventured to express his
gratification that his Majesty found the meat good —
'* Indeed, it is generally admitted," he said, " that our
Lancashire beef is well fed, and well flavoured."

" Weel flavoured," exclaimed James, as he swallowed
the last juicy morsel, " it is delicious. Finer beef nae
man ever pit teeth into, and I only wish a' my loving
subjects had as gude a dinner as I hae this day eaten.
What joint do ye ca it, Sir Richard ?" he asked, with
eyes evidently twinkling with a premeditated jest.

" This dish," replied the host, somewhat surprised —
11 this, sire, is a loin of beef."

" A loin I" exclaimed James, taking the carving-
knife from the sewer, who stood by, " by my faith that

294 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

is not title honourable enough for joint sae worthy.
It wants a dignity, and it shall hae it. Henceforth,"
he added, touching the meat with the flat of the long
blade, as if placing the sword on the back of a
knight expectant, "henceforth, it shall be SiR-Loin,
and see ye ca' it sae. Give me a cup of wine, Master
Ei chard Assheton."

All the nobles at the table laughed loudly at the
monarch's jest, and as it was soon passed down to those
at the lower table, the hall resounded with laughter, in
which page and attendant of every degree joined, to
the great satisfaction of the good-natured originator of
the merriment.*

" My dear dad and gossip appears in unwonted good
spirits to-day," observed the Duke of Buckingham.

"And wi' gude reason, Steenie," replied the King,

ci for we dinna mind when we hae had better sport —

always excepting the boar hunt when we should ha

been rippit up by the cursed creature's tusks but for this

braw laddie," he added, pointing to Richard. " Ye

maun see what can be done for him, Steenie. We

maun hae him at court."

* "There is a laughable tradition," says Nichols, " still gene-
rally current in Lancashire that our knight-making monarch
knighted at the banquet, in Hoghton Tower, a loin of beef, the
part ever since called the sir-loin." And it is added by the same
authority, "if the King did not give the sir-loin its name, he
might, notwithstanding, have indulged in a pun on the already
coined word, the etymology of which was then, as now, as little
regarded as the thing signified is well approved." — Nichols's Pro-
gresses of James I., vol. iii.

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 295

" Your Majesty's wishes have only to be expressed,
to be fulfilled," replied Buckingham, somewhat drily.

" Were I the lad I wadna place ower meikle de-
pendence on the Duke's promises," remarked Archie
Armstrong, in a low tone, to Nicholas.

" Has your Majesty made any further inquiries
about the girl suspected of witchcraft ?" inquired
Buckingham, renewing the conversation.

" Whist, Steenie, whist !" cried James, " Did na ye
see her yourself this morning ?" he added, in a low
tone. " Ah ! I recollect ye were nae at the chace.
Aweel, I hae conferred wi1 her, and am sair perplexed
i' the matter. She is a weel faur'd lassie, as ony i' the
the realm, and answers decorously and doucely. Sooth
to say, her looks and manner are mightily in her
favour."

" Then you mean to dismiss the matter without fur-
ther investigation?" observed Buckingham. " I always
thought your Majesty delighted to exercise your sagacity
in detecting the illusions practised by Satan and his
worshippers."

" And sae we do," replied James. " But bend
your bonnie head this way till we whisper in your
ear. We hae a device for finding it a' out, which
canna fail ; and when you ken it you will applaud your
dear dad's wisdom, and parfit mastery o' the haill science
o' kingcraft."

u I would your Majesty would make me acquainted
with this notable scheme," replied Buckingham, with

296 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

ill-concealed contempt. " I might make it more certain
of success."

" Nae — nae — we shall nae let the cat out of the bag
just yet," returned the King. " We mean it as a sur-
prise to ye a'."

" Then whatever be the result, it is certain to answer
the effect intended," observed the Duke.

" Gae wa' ! ye are ever sceptical, Steenie, — ever mis-
dooting your ain dear dad and gossip," rejoined
James ; " but ye shall find we hae nae aimed the title
of the British Solomon for naething."

Soon after this the King arose, and was ushered to
his apartments by Sir Richard Hoghton with the same
ceremony as had been observed on his entrance. He was
followed by all the nobles, and Nicholas and the others,
being released from their duties, repaired to the lower
end of the hall to dine. The revel was now sufficiently
boisterous, for as the dames had departed at the same
time as the monarch, all restraint was cast aside. The
wine-cup flowed freely, and the rafters rang with laugh-
ter. Under ordinary circumstances Richard would
have shrunk from such a scene, but he had now a part
to play, and therefore essayed to laugh at each jest,
and to appear as reckless as his neighbours. He was
glad, however, when the signal for general dispersion
was given, for though Sir Richard Hoghton was
unwilling to stint his guests, he was fearful, if they
sat too long over their wine, some disturbances might
ensue; and indeed, when the revellers came forth and

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 297

dispersed within the base court, their flushed checks,
loud voices, and unsteady gait, showed that their
potations had already been deep enough.

Meanwhile, quite as much mirth was taking place
out of doors as had occurred within the banquetting-hall.
As soon as the King sat down to dinner, according to
promise the gates were thrown open, and the crowd
outside admitted. The huge roast was then taken down,
carved, and distributed among them ; the only diffi-
culty experienced being in regard to trenchers, and vari-
ous and extraordinary were the contrivances resorted to
to supply the deficiency. This circumstance how-
ever, served to heighten the fun, and as several
casks of stout ale were broached at the same time,
universal hilarity prevailed. Still, in the midst of so
vast a concourse, many component parts of which had
now began to experience the effects of the potent
liquor, some little manifestation of disorder might na-
turally be expected ; but all such was speedily quelled
by the yeomen of the guard, and other officials appointed
for the purpose, and amidst the uproar and confusion,
harmony generally prevailed.

While elbowing his way through the crowd, Ni-
cholas felt his sleeve plucked, and turning, perceived
Nance Redferne, who signed him to follow her, and
there was something in her manner that left him no
alternative but compliance. Nance passed on rapidly,
and entered the doorway of a building, where it might
be supposed they would be free from interruption.

298 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

"What do you want with me, Nance?" asked the
squire, somewhat impatiently. " I must beg to observe
that I cannot be troubled further on your account, and
am greatly afraid aspersions may be thrown on my
character if I am seen talking with you."

" A few words wi' me winna injure your character,
squire," rejoined Nance, u an its on your account an naw
on my own that ey ha' brought you here. Ey ha im-
portant information to gie ye. What win yo say when
ey tell yo that Jem Device, Elizabeth Device, an' her
dowter Jennet are here — aw breedin mischief agen yo,
Ruchot Assheton, and Alizon."

" The devil!" ejaculated Nicholas.

" Eigh, yo'n find it the devil, ey con promise ye,
onless their plans be frustrated," said Nance.

"That can be easily done," replied Nicholas. " Pll
cause them to be arrested at once."

" Nah, nah — that canna be," rejoined Nance — " Yo
mun bide your time."

" What ! and allow such miscreants to go at large,
and work any malice they please against me and my
friends," replied Nicholas. u Show me where they are
Nance, or I must make you a prisoner."

" Nah ! yo winna do that, squire," she replied, in a
tone of good-humoured defiance. " Ye winna do it, for
two good reasons : first, becose yo'd be harming a
freend who wants to sarve yo, and win do so, if yo'n
let her ; and secondly, becose if yo wur to raise a
finger agen me, ey'd deprive yo of speech an motion.

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 299

When the reet moment comes yo shan strike — boh it's
nah come yet. The fruit is nah ripe eneugh to gather.
Ey am os anxious os you con be, that the whole o' the
Demdike brood should be swept away — an it shan be,
if yo'n leave it to me."

" Well, I commit the matter entirely to you,'' said
Nicholas. ' ' Apparently, it cannot be in better hands.
But are you aware that Christopher Demdike is a pri-
soner here in Hoghton TWer ? He was taken this
morning in the park."

" Ey knoa it," replied Nance; "an ey knoa also
why he went there, an it wur my intention to ha' re-
vealed his black design to yo. However, it has bin ordert
differently. Boh in respect to t'others, wait till I gie
yo the signal. They are disguised ; boh even if ye
see 'em, an recognise 'em, dunna let it appear till ey
gie the word, or yo'n spoil aw."

" Your injunctions shall be obeyed implicitly, Nance,"
rejoined Nicholas. " I have now perfect reliance upon
you. But when shall I see you again ?"

u That depends upon circumstances," she replied.
" To-neet, may be — may be to-morrow neet. My plans
mun be guided by those of others. Boh when next
yo see me you win ha' to act."

And without waiting an answer, she rushed out of the
doorway, and mingling with the crowd was instantly
lost to view ; while Nicholas, full of the intelligence
he had received, betook himself slowly to his lodgings.

300 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

Scarcely were they gone when a door, which had
been standing ajar, near them, was opened wide, and
disclosed the keen visage of Master Potts.

' ' Here's a pretty plot hatching — here's a nice discovery
I have made," soliloquised the attorney. " The whole
Demdike family, with the exception of the old witch her-
self, whom I saw burnt on Pendle Hill, are at Hoghton
Tower. This shall be made known to the King. I'll have
Nicholas Assheton arrested at once, and the woman with
him, whom I recognise as Nance Redferne. It will be a
wonderful stroke, and will raise me highly in his Majesty's
estimation. Yet stay ! Will not this interfere with my
other plans with Jennet ? Let me reflect. I must go cau-
tiously to work. Besides, if I cause Nicholas to be arrested
Nance will escape,, and then I shall have no clue to the
others. No — no — I must watch Nicholas closely, and
take upon myself all the credit of the discovery. Perhaps
through Jennet I may be able to detect their disguises.
At all events, I will keep a sharp look out. Affairs
are now drawing to a close, and I have only, like a
wary and experienced fowler, to lay my nets cleverly
to catch the whole covey."

And with these ruminations, he likewise went forth
into the base court.

The rest of the day was one round of festivity and
enjoyment, in which all classes participated. There
were trials of skill and strength, running, wrestling,
and cudgelling-matches, with an infinite variety of
country games and shows.

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 301

Towards five o'clock a rush -cart, decked with flowers
and ribbons, and bestridden by men bearing garlands, was
drawn up in front of the central building of the tower,
in an open window of which sat James — a well-pleased
spectator of the different pastimes going forward — and
several lively dances were executed by a troop of male
and female morris-dancers, accompanied by a tabor and
pipe. But though this show was sufficiently attractive,
it lacked the spirit of that performed at "Wh alley,
while the character of Maid Marian, which then found
so charming a representative in Alizon, was now per-
sonated by a man — and if Nicholas Asshcton, who was
amongst the by-standers, was not deceived, that man
was Jem Device. Enraged by this discovery, the
squire was about to seize the ruffian, but calling to
mind Nance's counsel, he refrained, and Jem (if it
indeed were he) retired with a largess, bestowed by the
royal hand as a reward for his uncouth gambols.

The rush-cart and morris-dancers having disappeared,
another drollery was exhibited called the " Fool and his
Five Sons," the names of the hopeful offspring of the
sapient sire being Pickle Herring, Blue Hose, Pepper
Hose, Ginger Hose, and Jack Allspice. The humour
of this piece, though not particularly refined, seemed
to be appreciated by the audience generally, as well as
by the monarch, who laughed heartily at its coarse
buffoonery.

Next followed "The Plough and Sword Dance;1'
the principal actors being a number of grotesque figures

302 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

armed with swords, some of whom were yoked to a
plough, on which sat a piper, playing lustily while
dragged along. The plough was guided by a man
clothed in a bear- skin, with a fur cap on his head, and
a long tail, like that of a lion, dangling behind
him. In this hirsute personage, who was intended to
represent the wood-demon, Hobthurst, Nicholas again
detected Jem Device, and again was strongly tempted
to disobey Nance's injunctions, and denounce him, —
the rather that he recognised in an attendant female,
in a fantastic dress, the ruffian's mother, Elizabeth — but
he once more desisted.

As soon as the mummers arrived in front of the King
the dance began. With their swords held upright, the
party took hands and wheeled rapidly round the plough,
keeping time to a merry measure played by the piper,
who still maintained his seat. Suddenly, the ring was
enlarged to double its former size, each man extending
his sword to his neighbour, who took hold of the point ;
after which a hexagonal figure was formed, all the
blades being brought together. The swords were then
quickly withdrawn, flashing like sunbeams, and a
a four square figure was presented, the dancers vault-
ing actively over each other's heads. Other variations
succeeded, not necessary to be specified, and the sport
concluded by a general clashing of swords, intended to
represent a melee.

Meanwhile, Nicholas had been joined by Richard
Assheton, and the latter was not long in detecting the

THE LANCASHIKE WITCHES. 303

two Devices through their disguises. On making this
discovery he mentioned it to the squire, and was sur-
prised to find him already aware of the circumstance,
and not less astonished when he was advised to let
them alone ; the squire adding he was unable at that
time to give his reasons for such counsel, but being
good and conclusive, Richard would be satisfied of
their propriety hereafter. The young man, however,
thought otherwise, and notwithstanding his relative's at-
tempts to dissuade him, announced his intention of caus-
ing the parties to be arrested at once, and with this de-
sign he went in search of an officer of the guard that
the capture might be effected without disturbance. But
the throng was so close round the dancers that he could
not pierce it, and being compelled to return and take
another course, he got nearer to the mazy ring, and was
unceremoniously pushed aside by the mummers. At
this moment, both his arms were forcibly grasped, and
a deep voice on the right whispered in his ear — " Meddle
not with us, and we will not meddle with you," while
similar counsel was given him in other equally menacing
tones, though in a different key, on the left. Richard
would have shaken off his assailants, and seized them
in his turn, but power to do so was wanting to him.
For the moment he was deprived of speech and motion,
but while thus situated he felt that the sapphire ring
given him by the King was snatched from his finger
by the first speaker, whom he knew to be Jem De-
vice, while a fearful spell was muttered over him by
Elizabeth.

304 THE LANCASHIKE WITCHES.

As this occurred at the time when the rattling
of the swords engaged the whole attention of the
spectators, no one noticed what was going forward,
except Nicholas, and before he could get up to the
young man, the two miscreants were gone, nor could
any one tell what had become of them.

" Have the wretches done you a mischief?" asked the
squire, in alow tone, of Richard.

" They have stolen the King's ring, which I meant
to use in Alizon's behalf," replied the young man, who
by this time had recovered his speech.

" That is unlucky, indeed," said Nicholas. " But
we can defeat any ill design they may intend, by ac-
quainting Sir John Finett with the circumstance.,,

"Let them be," said a voice in his ear. "The
time is not yet come."

The squire did not look round, for he well knew
that the caution proceeded from Nance Redferne.

And accordingly, he observed to Richard — " Tarry
awhile, and you will be amply avenged."

And with this assurance the young man was fain to
be content.

Just then a trumpet was sounded, and a herald sta-
tioned on the summit of the broad flight of steps lead-
ing to the great hall, proclaimed in a loud voice that a
tilting-match was about to take place between Archie
Armstrong, jester to his most gracious Majesty, and
Davy Droman, who filled the same honourable office
to his Grace the Duke of Buckingham, and that a pair
of gilt-hcel'd chopines would be the reward of the

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 305

successful combatant. This announcement was received
with cheers, and preparations were instantly made for
the mock tourney. A large circle being formed by the
yeomen of the guard, with an alley leading to it on either
side, the two combatants, mounted on gaudily-caparisoned
hobby-horses, rode into the ring. Both were armed to
the teeth, each having a dish-cover braced around him
in lieu of a breast-plate, a newly-scoured brass porringer
on his head, a large pewter platter instead of a buckler,
and a spit with a bung at the point to prevent mischief,
in place of a lance. The Duke's jester was an obese
little fellow, and his appearance in this warlike gear
was so eminently ridiculous, that it provoked roars of
laughter, while Archie was scarcely less ridiculous.
After curvetting round the arena in imitation of knights
of chivalry, and performing " their careers, their pran-
kers, their false trots, their smooth ambles, and Canter-
bury paces," the two champions took up a position op-
posite each other, with difficulty, as it seemed, rein-
ing in their pawing chargers, and awaiting the signal
of attack to be given by Sir John Finett, the judge
of the tournament. This was not long delayed, and
the " laissez aller," being pronounced, the preux cheva-
liers started forward with so much fury, and so little dis-
cretion, that meeting half way with a tremendous shock
and butting against each other like two rams, both
were thrown violently backwards, exhibiting, amid the
shouts of the spectators, their heels, no longer hidden
by the trappings of their steeds, kicking in the air. En-
VOL. III. X

306 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.

cumbered as they were, some little time elapsed before
they could regain their feet, and their lances having been
removed in the mean time, by order of Sir John Finett,as
being weapons of too dangerous a description for such
truculent combatants, they attacked each other with
their broad lathen daggers, dealing sounding blows upon
helm, habergeon, and shield, but doing little personal
mischief. The strife raged furiously for some time,
and as the champions appeared pretty well matched,
it was not easy to say how it would terminate,
when chance seemed to decide in favour of Davy
Droman, for in dealing a heavier blow than usual
Archie's dagger snapped in twain, leaving him at the
mercy of his opponent. On this the doughty Davy,
crowing lustily like Chanticleer, called upon him to
yield ; but Archie was so wroth at his misadventure, that
instead of complying, he sprang forward, and with the
hilt of his broken weapon dealt his elated opponent
a severe blow on the side of the head, not only knock-
ing off the porringer, but stretching him on the
ground beside it. The punishment he had received was
enough for poor Davy. Tie made no attempt to rise, and
Archie, crowing in his turn, trampling upon the body
of his prostrate foe, and then capering joyously round
it, was declared the victor, and received the gilt cho-
pines from the judge, amidst the laughter and acclama-
tions of the beholders.

With this, the public sports concluded. And as evening-
was drawing on apace, such of the guests as were not

THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES. 307

invited to pass the night within the Tower, took their
departure ; while shortly afterwards supper being served
in the banqueting- hall, on a scale of profusion and
magnificence quite equal to the earlier repast, the King
and the whole of his train sat down to it.

x2

308 THE LANCASHIRE WITCHES.