The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-08-08

A few miles due east of Bishops
Stortford, on the Colchester highway,
lies Great Dunmow, whose lofty church
tower, standing boldly out over the rich
meadows that skirt the windings of the
Chelmer, is a conspicuous feature in
the landscape long before you reach it.
Here you may still find some remains
of the celebrated priory where, accord
ing to usage as old as the thirteenth
century, a fitch of bacon was formerly
given to any married couple who could
with clear conscience take an oath
which would be somewhat embarrass-
ing to many couples of the present day
You shall swear by the custom of our con-
fesson
That yos never made any nuptial transgres-
sion
BY household brawls and contentious strife,
Since you were married man and wife;
Or otherwise in bed or at board,
Offended each other in deed or in word
Or wished yourselves unmarried again,
But once since the parish clerk said Amen,
Or within twelvemonth and day
Repented in thought in any way.
But continued true and in desire
As when you Joined hands in holy quire.
If to these conditions without all fear,
OF your own accord you will freely swear,
And bear it hence with love and good leave,
For this is our custom at Dunmow well
known,
Though the sport be ours, the bacon's your
own"
The original institution of this custom
is story worth repeating. In the
time of Henry Ill. a young man and a
girl in the plain dress of the English
yeomanry presented themselves one
morning before the Prior of Dunmow
and begged his blessing upon their mar
riage. The good churchman, pleased
with the youth respectful tone and the
blooming face of his bride elect, readily
complied As the last words Of the
blessing were spoken, brawny servant
| rying on his broad shoulders fitch of
bacon that might have suited the table
of Harold Hardrada himself. Take
wonder fitch to mend your wedding
cheer, my children" said the kindly
priest, land remember the Prior of
Dunmow. The words appeared to
have a transforming power, for the
seeming yeoman rose to his feet before
the Pri0r's startled eyes with the bear
! my VI u hllSS, anu bHIO"lH5 baSh AAo
head haughtily, shook out from beneath
his coarse, fiat cap profusion of long
curled locks, such as no English farmer
had ever worn prior, said he, in a
clear, musical voice, lin requittal OF
thy courtesy, hereby assign and give
to thee in this manor land enough to
bring thee two hundred marks a year
on condition that whenever any bride
and bridegroom shall come hither to
kneel upon these stones where we have
knelt this day, and shall swear that for
year and day they have been true
lovers even as we are now, they shall
receive ever such fitch of bacon as
this which thou has given us, The
Prior stared-as well he might-and
asked doubtingly, ''Who art thou that
speakest thus. my son? If though be
testing with me, bethink thee that it is
not seemly to make sport of the church !:
servants II Jest not, worthy Prior,
answered the young man proudly. ''He
to whom thou hast given thy blessing
as a nameless yeoman is Sir Reginald
Fitzwalter, lord of this manor and of al
that lies upon it. The title deedsof my
grant to thee and thine shall be in thy
hands by this hour on the morrow. y
NJ Y. Times.