Observations on popular antiquities chiefly illustrating the origin of our vulgar costoms, ceremonies and superstitions, arranged and revised with additions by Henry Ellis. - London, J. Rivington 1813

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1813 edition. Excerpt: ...Ceremonies of this Day in his Popish Kingdom, fol. 53 b. "Then doth ensue the solemne feast of Corpus Christi Day, Who then can shewe their wicked use, and fond and foolish play? The hallowed bread, with worship great, in silver pix they beare About the church, or in the citie passing here and theare. His armes that beares the same two of the welthiest men do holde, And over him a canopey of silke and cloth of golde. Foure others use to beare aloufe, least that some filthie thing Should fall from hie, or some mad birde hir doung thereon should fling. Christe's passion here derided is, with sundrie maskes and playes, Faire Ursley, with hir may dens all, doth passe amid the wayes: And, valiant George, with speare thou killest the dreadfull dragon here, The Devil's house is drawne about, wherein there doth appere A wondrous sort of damned sprites, with foule and fearefull looke, Great Christopher doth wade and passe with Christ amid the brooke: Sebastian full of feathred shaftes, the dint of dart doth feele, There walketh Kathren, with hir sworde in hande, and cruel wheele: The Challis and the singing Cake with Barbara is led, And sundrie other pageants playde, in worship of this bred, That please the foolish people well: what should I stand upon Their Banners, Crosses, Candlestickes, and reliques many on, Their Cuppes, and carved Images, that priestes, with count'nance hie Or rude and common people, beare about full solemlie? Saint John before the bread doth go, and poynting towards him, Doth shew the same to be the Lambe that takes away our sinne: On whome two clad in angels shape do sundrie flowres fling, A number great of Sacring Belles with pleasant sound doe ring. The common wayes with bowes are strawde, and every streete beside, And to...