Notes and Queries, Number 217, December 24, 1853 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc.

Excerpt

FOLK LORE IN THE REIGN OF KING JAMES I.

In turning over the pages of an old book of controversial divinity, I stumbled upon the following illustrations of folk lore; which, as well from their antiquity as from their intrinsic curiosity, seem worthy of a place in your columns. They make us acquainted with some of the usages of our ancestors, who lived in the remoter districts of England early in the reign of James I. The title of the volume in which they occur is the following:

"The Way to the True Church; wherein the principall Motives persuading to Romanisme, and Questions touching the Nature and Authoritie of the Church and Scriptures, are familiarly disputed ... directed to all that seeks for Resolution; and especially to all his loving Countrymen of Lancashire, by John White, Minister of God's Word at Eccles. Folio. London, 1624."

This, however, is described as being "the fifth impression;" the Preface is dated Oct. 29, 1608; so that we arrive at the conclusion that the usages and rhymes, to which I now desire to invite the attention of your readers, were current in the north-west districts of England more than two hundred and fifty years since.

White is insisting upon "the prodigious ignorance" which he found among his parishioners when he entered upon his ministrations, and he proceeds thus to tell his own tale:

"I will only mention what I saw and learned, dwelling among them, concerning the saying of their prayers; for what man is he whose heart trembles not to see simple people so far seduced that they know not how to pronounce or say their daily prayers; or so to pray that all that hear them shall be filled with laughter? And while, superstitiously, they refuse to pray in their own language with understanding, they speak that which their leaders may blush to hear. These examples I have observed from the common people."

THE CREED.

"Creezum zuum patrum onitentem creatorum ejus anicum, Dominum nostrum qui sum sops, virgini Mariæ, crixus fixus, Ponchi Pilati audubitiers, morti by sonday, father a fernes, scelerest un judicarum, finis a mortibus. Creezum spirituum sanctum, ecli Catholi, remissurum, peccaturum, communiorum obliviorum, bitam et turnam again."

THE LITTLE CREED.

"Little Creed, can I need,

Kneele before our Ladies knee;

Candle light, candles burne,

Our Ladie pray'd to her deare Sonne,

That we might all to heaven come.

Little Creed, Amen."

"This that followeth they call the 'White Pater-noster:'

"White Pater-noster, Saint Peter's brother,

What hast i' th' t'one hand? white booke leaves.

What hast i' th' t'other hand? heaven yate keyes.

Open heaven yates, and steike [shut] hell yates:

And let every crysome child creepe to its owne mother.

White Pater-noster, Amen."

"Another Prayer:

"I blesse me with God and the rood,

With his sweet flesh and precious blood;

With his crosse and his creed,

With his length and his breed,

From my toe to my crowne,

And all my body up and downe,

From my back to my brest,

My five wits be my rest;

God let never ill come at ill,

But through Jesus owne will,

Sweet Jesus, Lord....