St. Landry democrat., 1884-08-23
The Romance Of the Fitch Of Bacsr. .

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 windinSs OF the
Chelmer, is a conspicuous feature in
the landscape long before you reach 1t.
Here you may still find some remains
of the celebrated priory where, accord
ing to o usage as old as the thirteenth
century. 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-
That you never made any nuptfal transgres-
sion
By household brawls and contentious strife,
Since you were married man and WHei
Or otherwise. in bed or at board,
Offended each other in deed or in word,
Or wished yourselves unmarried agSin,
But once since the parish clerk said Amen
Or within a twelvenouth and a d8y
Repented in thought in any way,
But continued true and in desire
As when you Joined hands in holy qufre.
II to these conditions, without all fear,
Of your own accord you will freely swear
CANNON of bacon you shall receive.
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 a story worth repeating. In the
time of Henry III. 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 bis blessing upon their mar
riage. The good churchman, pleased
with the youths respectful tone and the
blooming face of his bride elect, readily
complied. As the last words of the
blessing were spoken, a brawny servant
of the priory came tramping past, car
rying on his broad shoulders a fitch of
bacon that might have suited the table
of Harold Hardrada himself. take
yonder fitch to mend your wedding
cheer, my children said the kindly
priest, "and remember the Prior of
Dunmow." The words appeared to
have Transforming power, for the
seeming woman rose to his feet before
the Prior's startled eyes with the bear
ing of King, and throwing back his
head haughtily, shook out from beneath
his coarse. fat cap profusion of long,
curIed locks, such as no English farmer
had ever worn. Prior" said he, in a
clear, musical voice. Tin requittal of
thy courtesy, hereby assign and give
to thee in this manor land enough to,
bring thee two hundred marks year
on condition that whenever any bride
and bridegroom shall come hither to
kneeI upon these stones where we have
knels this dag, and shall swear that for
a year and a 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
Bpeakest thus, my son? If though be
testing with me, bethink thee that it is
not seemly to make sport of the church's
servants" Il jest not, worthy Prior, y
answered the young man proudly. He
to whom thou hast given thy blessing
as nameless yeoman is Sir Reginald
Fitzwalter, lord of this manor and of all
that lies upon it. The title deeds of my
grant to thee and thine shall be in thy
hands by this hour on the morrow. y
NJ Y. fines