, 1877-10-05
The Famous Cakes of Banbury.
" Ride q cock.horse
To Bsnbury Cross"
BY JULIET G. MARSH.

hlQe d COCK nOTbo p.
t.4e' To Banbury Cross"
Iwonder how many little folks know
the story and significance of the famous
cakes of BanburJ Cross, or that for the
cause of their renown we must look away
back through the history of England to
the time of the Middle Agesl 1t seems
funny, doesn't it, to think Of silly
nursery rhyme having any foundation in
real, true history But Mother Goose
was learned old woman, and told some
of her best stories at the expense of kings
and queens, and wove her rhymes and
jingles about whom and what she pleased.
So for all those who have passed forever
from under her nursery rule, here is the
historical fact of one of her ballads;
On the northern edge of the county Of
Oxford, in Merrie England, lies the an
cient town of Banbury, which has been
from time immemorial celebrated for its
rich cakes. And this is not surprising,
when we learn that the country around
this old town boasts some of the richest
pasture lands in the kingdom, a single
cow producing as many as two hundred
pounds of butter in year; and as but
ter is the principal ingredient of the Ban
bury cake, what wonder that nearly all
the men in the place were bakers whose
srenown spread far and wide9 No wed.
ding festival, Maypole dance, or merri-
ment of any kind was complete without
dish Of these cakes, and they we're also
served to the authorities upon state occa.
sions, for we find in an old record of Ban
bury accounts charge of ''cakes for the
Judges at meeting of the Court" two
pounds three shillings and sixpence. So
you see even those great men granted
their patronage to the Banbury pastry.
Now, when good Queen Bess came to
the throne Of England, the Puritans were
very strong in Banbury, and, by an un-
lucky turn Of time, the cakes which had
been in such demand all through the
Middle Ages were suddenly and unsc-
countably looked upon by that party with
disfavor. Whether they considered their
plentiful allowance Of butter waste, or
whether they had bad digestions and
grudged the cakes TO those who had bet
ter ones, Is not known; but certain it is
that they formed so strong party about
this time that they pulled to the ground
old "Banbury Cross" SO celebrated in
our nursery rhymes.
So the people Of Banbury made two
parties, and waged war right valiantly
upon each other; / suppose Il must have
been with their tongues, for | never
heard Of any other weapons being used
bat aayway, half the bakers turned
preacher, and preached down the cakes
and tbs riTal cake. makers, and the town
Was In sueh aeOmmoiioh that none were
made fos mAny a long day. Thus the
bAnbafy pastry cams 10 have q nBw 10.
ifrett sinot i formed the bone Of co.,
isatiou over wkich grave learned men
iopght with SOFA vigur.
II Il sad uistthe paritant looked upon
ths cakes ai q ssFrrsttiogs relic. hccanse
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