1863 Cups and their customs

CUPS AND THEIR CUSTOMS.

16

as his body, matters but

his cares in wine^ as well

little, We may however mention, that although great suspicion has been thrown on the truth of the story, the only two contemporary writers who mention his death, Fabyan and Comines, appear to have had no doubt that the Duke of Clarence was actually drowned in a butt of Malmsey. In the records kept of the expenses of Mary, Queen of Scots, during her captivity at Tutbury, we find a weekly allowance of Malmsey granted to her for a bath. In a somewhat scarce French book, written in the 15th century, entitled ^ La Legende de Maitre Pierre Fai- feri,^ we find the following verse relating to the death of the Duke of Clarence : we think, to our readers.

'^ I have seen the Duke of Clarence (So his wayward fate had will'd)^ By his special order; drown'd In a cask with Malmsey fill'd. That that death should strike his fancy^ This the reason, I suppose : He might think that hearty drinking Would appease his dying throes."

A wine called " Clary ^^ was also drunk at this period. It appears to have been an infusion of the herb of that name in spirit, and is spoken of by physicians of the time as an excellent cordial for the stomach, and highly efficacious in the cure of hysterical affections. This may in some measure account for the statement in the Household Ordinances for the well keeping of the Princess Cecil, afterwards mother to that right lusty and handsome King, Edward IV. ; we there find it laid