| Citation |
VGW(HU.751.080
17 Oct 1751:22 (42)
From the Gentleman's Magazine for July. . . [1 paragraph]
The famous old story is as follows, viz. One Robert
Fitzwalter, a powerful baron in this country, in the reign
of Henry III, instituted a custom in the priory there, that,
"Whatever married man did not repent of his being married,
or differ and dispute with his wife, within a year and a day
after his marriage, if he and his wife would swear to the
truth of it, kneeling upon two stones in the Priory Church-
yard, set up for that purpose, in presence of the prior and
convent, should have a gammon of bacon." This custom is
still kept up, notwithstanding the dissolution of the
monasteries, only instead of the prior and convent, the
business is now transacted at a court baron held before the
steward of the lord of the manor. It may be some amusement
to our readers to see the words of the oath on this
occasion, which are to the following purpose, viz.
You do swear by custom of confession,
That you ne'er made nuptial transgression;
Nor since you were married man and wife,
By houshold brawls, or contentious strife,
. . . [8 lines]
The sentence pronounced for their receiving the bacon is in
words to the effect following, viz.
Since to the conditions, without any fear,
Of your own accord you do freely swear,
A whole gammon of bacon you do receive,
And bear it away with love and good leave,
. . . [2 more lines]
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