, 1874-11-08


not only before the Romans, but bsfore thu
Celts whom they conquered.
OLD JACK FALSTAFF.
Tho Original OF the Character q. a
Stcpiather.
: The London Saturday Rerie,n Of Oct. II con-
3 Stepfather." Sir John Fastolf is regarded ~
the original OF Shakspeare:s witty character OF
Jack Falstaff. We should be sor1y to belieye
that the fat old Knight Of the play waa capabls
Of certain things which are set down il the fol
lowing extracts as having beon dono by the o.ig-
inal:
!" Fasttlf himse1s was Of q good and wealthy
family, which dourished not without credit in
the eastern counties during the thirteenth aad
two following centuries. A younger soma son,
aud minor at the time Of his father's death,
John Fastolf early made acquaintance with tho
harsh customs which be afterwards himself used
to such purpose. We first hear of him in Ireland,
whittier he had accompanied Richard IL, and
where he seemR to have remained during the
government OF Sir Stephen Scropo, who was
Deputy's deputy. Sir Stephen and his two
brothers were the husbands or the T;ptoft CO.
het1esses, and Castle Combe WAS the inheritance
OF the Lady Mlllicent. When Sir Stephen left
her widow, which lie did in 1405. she was rich,
II not very young. and her Children were minors
Her little boy was or 8 at the most aud
his sister-for there were but the two living
probably younger. Sir Stephen died In Ireland.
aud IN those days Ireland WAS long way from
Wiltshire. How VAS she to return with
fitted to. undertake the charge as the young
Norfolk Knight who had been long devoted to
her lananted Lord? He WAS now 25, while slaa
Was 36 at the least. But such small discrepancies
we're little thought OF then, aud widows, es-
FeciallY rich ones, we're not expected to wait
loug IN mourning. Lady Millicent, II ooe ao-
count is to ba trusted, was, however, very dis
Greet IN this matter, for it Was not until Sir
Stephen had been dead for eleven months th.t
she accepted tho hand OF Sir John. She showed
for her Few husband bound himself, w read, to
pay her E100 per yea13 pinmouey, and the pay
meDt was continued until LAS. Except in thus
matter, there is little further mention Of Lady
Millicent; but poem ia still extant which WAS
possibly written By her son, in which she is euo-
gized for her virtues aud her life OF thirty-aeyeu
years az wife Of Sir John Fasto1f is spoken of,
but without a 1ord al to conjugal felicity or any
such topic
'8ir John had no sooner married the dowaeer
so as to best advantage himself. still more
distinguished and scarcely less famous knight is
brought On the scene. One OF two recent royeia~
tious have done much to dethrone Sir William
Gascoigne from the pedestal he long occupied.
His concurrence with Fastol{ on this occasion ID
tender years, Gascoigne purchased his wa1dship
for sum which may be calculated at about
-E3, sou. In our money. Nor Was the minors con-
sent asked. 4 complaint is still e1tant in which
Stephen says that the transaction took place
in the very year Of Fastolf's marriage with
his mother But within = shozt time We find
him back again in the custody OF his stepfather.
Whether Gascoignos disgrace on the accession
OF Henry v, or whether the loss OF her sole re-
manning child made tie Lady hfiicent wish for
f,rro uHa EaYh hY1at n
the favor, NE cannot guess, but poor Scrope
says: IS He boughte me and solde me as beste,
against all right and lane.' He further enumez-
ates number OF injuries and damages in goods
and chattels which he had received from his
is Of different kind. While he was awsy from
home he received some bodily hurt, no cannot
nuN say what, and, il We interpEet him Aright no
became cripple for life, for he took sykeness
. xiii or xiv yere's sWyng, whereby, he adds.
I am dlshgured in person, and shull be whilst
live He does not seem to have ever been
kn,ghted, and probably some defo1mity pre-
cluded him from carrying arms.
s. t'Stephen Scrope's grievances we're destined
to De OF very long standing. FAstolf survived
till 1853, and, having once grasped the estate,
was in no hurry to let it 60. Though his wife
died thirteen years before him, be continued in
possession during his life, for he had persuaded
his step son to sign deed while very young,
and probably unaware Of the meaning OF the
even refusing the young mans very reasonable
request to have Castle Combe 70 farm. To have
granted it would have been to interrupt tho
course OF action on which he had early entered.
During his tenancy OF tho estate he admins
tered its affairs chiefly through = certain Will
IAN, whose surname il a question, for be was
called BOTH Botoner and Worcester, man not
unknown to fame. OF whom full account ia to
be found in the Paston Letters and other places.
70 Fastolf he made himself very useful as stsu-
Sr1 f.
Many documents in his handwriting have come
to light lately. and are noticed BY the local arch
biologists. WyTceater'a administration ia well H.
[ustratcd BY the late Of nporting Farron, one
John Creme, who was fined forty marks for some
lcpredations in the park, and by that Of n pre-
gymen, WAS convicted Of poachiug, and duly
amercod by the remorseless William Another
Of Fastolf's most ready instruments was Thomas
Howys, OF Howis, was also pazson Of Caat1e
Combe. He became Sir Johns executor, aud
persuaded him to leave soIno money for the re-
pair OF the churches on his estates it il probably
OWING TO this bequest that tie Fassolf armssap-
pear on the Castle Combe toWwer.
'' II Fastolf was hard upon Scrope in the mat
Ter Of the eslate, he not more lenient in that
If tue wardship. He took him to france III one
II his expeditions, bue At Hondeur the young
nan fell iuto disgrace with the local authorities,
and had the modification Of seeing Sir John
;ake part against him. BE managed to escape
% England, and took refuge with his mother.
But it is very characteristic OF Fastolf to find
hat be insisted on Scrope makiug payment for
his board at home, and at last turned him OFT OF
loors on account Of his iupecunioslty. Soon
after this, Scropo married, in order. Ii was snd,
% fnd q home. but how marriage conduccd to
perfectly consistent, now demanded his fine of
:wo marks fur his wards marriage, aud actually
obtained tho money after lnceasant importantly
attending over many years.