Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1804 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAP. VII. DIVERSIONS OF THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY CON- TINUED. -- BURLESQUE FESTIVALS. -- SUMPTUOUS ENTERTAINMENTS. -- SHOWS. -- HUNTING AND HAWKING--ARCHERY.--ATHLETIC EXERCISES.-- ROBBERY.--TOURNAMENTS. Chap.vii. X HE tone of manners and of the popular mind in these early ages cannot be fully understood, without adverting to the Feast of Fools, of the Ass, and of Innocents, which were duly celebrated at the return of certain periods, and were long cherished with peculiar affection by the populace of this, and the neighbouring countries. The indecorums practised on these occasions cannot fail to be extremely astonishing to readers of the present day, and come greatly heightened to our imagination by the uncouth and extravagant alliance which subsisted between them and the most solemn ordinances of the established religion. These festivities had in them some- Chap.vii. thing of the form of a dramatical exhibition, and therefore naturally offer themselves to our consideration in this place. They have been conjectured by eminent antiquaries to be a remnant of the old Roman Saturnaliaa; and those who are aware of the multitude of practices prevailing in Christian Rome, which were borrowed from the religious customs and institutions of pagan Rome before the commencement of our vulgar erab, will not regard this as a forced or improbable conjecture; On the annual return of the Feast of Fools, Feast of t Fools. the ceremony was commenced by the election of a pontiff or prelate of fools. This dignitary was suitably attended by a conclave or chapter of his own order. Ecclesiastics and laymen, rich and poor, joined promiscuously in the burlesque and tumultuous procession. Those who formed it were attired in the most ridiculous manner; some masked, ..
