The gladsome tidings having been communicated to the petitioners, with
one accord they galloped off, shouting and huzzaing, to the great
annoyance of all peaceable and sober-minded persons, and the great
dishonour of that holy day.
The king attended divine service at the chapel, where Dr Morton
preached, commanding and exhorting to an obedience well pleasing to
their Maker; inasmuch as it was rendered to the vicegerent of heaven,
the high and mighty and puissant James, defender of the Faith, and so
forth. After this comfortable and gracious doctrine, there was a
rush-bearing[34] and a piping before the king in the great quadrangle.
Robin Hood and Maid Marian, with the fool and hobby-horse, were,
doubtless, enacted to the jingling of morris-dancers and other
profanities.
These fooleries put the king into such good humour that he was more
witty in his speech than ordinary. Some of these sayings have been
recorded, and amongst the rest that well-known quibble which has been
the origin of an absurd mistake, still current through the county,
respecting the sirloin. It is said to have been knighted there by his
Majesty, who found, such were his knight-making propensities, that other
subjects were exhausted.
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