The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-29
The Origin of servants Liveries.
From london soclety.


So far as the present writer is aware the
earliest mention of 'liveries" made in his
tory is in the reign of King Pepin of
France This king fiourished about the
year $50 A. D.. and because Of his diminu-
tive size ne had bestowed upon him the
rather disrespectful appellation of "Pepin
the Short" 1t would appear that certain
of the French courtiers were so ill-man-
nered, well as ill-advised, as to make
the monarch's deficiency IN inches the sub
ject of ill-natured ridicule. This unbecom-
ing conduct having become known to the
king, his majesty resolved to put an end 10
such derision of his person by performing
some feat which would prove, once and
for all, that il deficient in stature he was
not so in manliness. In pursuance of this
design, therefore, on the occasion Of pub
lie combat between a lion and bull, when
the former animal had succeeded, after
terrible struggle, in pulling the bull to the
ground, King Pepin, turning towards
those of his nobility who were present,
said: Which one of you will dare 10 en-
ter the arena now. and part the combat
ants or kill them?' A dead silence and very
perturbed looks were the only reply
Then here is the man who viii dare it,
shouted the little king, springing as ne
spoke, into the arena With drawn blade
he rushed upon the lion and stabbed the
fierce brute TO the heart, ere it could with
draw its fangs from the neck of the bull
in which they were imbedded Then with
one mighty stroke the intrepid monarch
almost severed the bulls head from its
body. The whole vast audience sat silent
and amazed at so unlooked-for an exhibi-
ton of courage, dexterity, and strength
combined. Turning towards his courtiers,
The king merely said. in very quiet tone:
You should have remembered that al
though David was little of stature, yet hes
laid low the insoient giant who defied Is
raeL"
A less dangerous form of amusement to
which King Pepin was partial was what
were termed cours plenieres. These We're
assemblies at which, upon the kings invi-
tation, all the lords and courtiers of
France were expected to be present. They
were held twice in each year-at Christ
mas and Easter-and generally lasted for
about a week at each time. Sometimes
these gatherings took place a the kings
palace; sometimes in the neighborhood of
one of the larger French cities, and some
times in some rural district. While the fes-
tlval lasted, the king took all his meals. in
public, bishops and dukes alone being priv
legged to sit at the royal table. A second
table was provided for abb5ts, counts, and
other leading men, and a. both tables there
was shown more profusion than delicacy
both in the quality OF the meats and drinks
and the manner in which they We're serv-
/ ed. tlutes, hautboys, and other musical
instruments were played before the bear
ers of each course, as it was removed
from the tables. When dessert was serv-
ed twenty heralds, each holding aloft a
/ jeweled goblet, shouted thrice: Large IS !
largesse from the most potent of -ingsr'
AS they shouted, they scattered among the
crowds handfuls Of gold and silver coins
Then the trumpeta wSre bloYn, while the
! better-class spect4f5rS> shouted, and the
meaner sort Scrambled, and often fought
! vigorously for the money scattered by the
! heralds
Charles VII. of France put a final stop to
! the cours plenieres, alleging that me ex-
| pense attendant upon his wars with Eng
! land made it impc ssible for him TO cont nue.
! them. One of the severest causes of ex-
! pense, it was explained arose from the
| fact that, beginning with King Pepin's
| time, etiquette and custom alike demanded
| that the king should, upon these occasions.
/ give an entire suit Of new and gorgeous
/ clothing, not only to his own servants ana
retaincrs, but also to those of the queen
and all the princes Of the blood royal. Tnese
garments were said to be !ivros-that is.
/ delivered" at the kings expense; and
I from this word the English word 'livery'
was derived as was the custom of provid-
4 ing servants with "livery," from the
/ aforementioned practice of certain Of the
/ French kings